Styled for Murder

by Nancy J. Cohen

  Chapter Fourteen

  The day of the home expo arrived. Marla planned to confront Reed with her newfound knowledge, but it would also provide another opportunity for her to question the design center staff at their exhibit booth. First, she had to complete her morning routine before Anita and Reed arrived.

  She had just finished feeding the baby when the doorbell rang. Dalton unstrapped Ryder from his highchair and took him to get dressed for the day.

  Marla flung open the door and greeted her mom and stepdad. “Hi, come on in. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

  “No, thanks,” Anita said, breezing inside. They exchanged hugs. “What can I do to help?”

  “You can say hello to Brianna while I pack our gear. She has plans for today and won’t be joining us. Dalton is busy changing Ryder’s diaper.”

  As Marla went through her checklist of things to bring, she wondered how her life had gotten so complicated. B.C., or Before Children, she used to fly out of the house with only a purse strap strung over her shoulder. Now she brought along several sacks full of baby items.

  “Can I offer assistance?” Reed asked, standing awkwardly by the kitchen entrance. He wore a button-down blue shirt with navy trousers. His trim reddish-gray beard added to his dignified air, reinforced by the flat tweed cap on his head.

  Marla swallowed the questions that sprang into her mind, saving them for later. Now that she’d learned about the incidents with his students, he appeared more vulnerable to her. She would have to be careful how to approach the sensitive topic.

  “Thanks, but I have everything under control.” Marla placed her bulging bags and other necessities near the garage door where Dalton could grab them. “Lucky, stop bothering our visitor,” she told the golden retriever who nudged Reed’s leg.

  The dog bounded to her side, nipping at her ankles until she produced a treat. Spooks, who’d been chasing one of Ryder’s toy balls, must have sniffed the tantalizing aroma because the poodle came looking for his handout. Marla tossed him a biscuit then refilled their food and water dishes.

  Finally, the group headed out. Anita and Reed squeezed into the rear of the SUV next to Ryder’s car seat. Dalton stuffed the stroller and bags into the trunk area.

  During the drive, Marla kept the conversation light, bragging about Ryder’s latest accomplishments. She looked forward to the home expo and getting some new ideas for their house. They could only stay a few hours, needing to get back before Ryder’s afternoon nap.

  Despite Marla’s attempt to avoid the topic of the murder until later, Anita inevitably brought it up. “It’s miserable not having our bathroom finished. I don’t know if I’ll ever want to take a shower in that room after what’s happened, but at least we’d be done with workmen in our space.”

  “Technically, Laredo wasn’t killed there,” Dalton pointed out.

  “Does it matter where he died?” Reed snapped. “We’ll have to live with that memory. It will help when the culprit is behind bars, but Detective Wanner still believes I’m guilty.”

  “Because you had a reason,” Marla said, exasperated by the secrets between them. She’d meant to speak to Reed in private, but it was time for her mother to learn the truth. She had shared her information with Dalton the night before.

  “I’m sorry to air this in public, but Reed, did you ever tell Ma about the episode with Jack’s son?”

  Reed coughed. “Excuse me?”

  She twisted her back to regard him from the front seat. “You don’t need to hide this from us any longer. We’re aware Kit Laredo was your student. You caught him cheating at exams. A disciplinary committee suspended him, but then he lost his scholarship as a result and dropped out of school.”

  Anita spread her hands. “Reed has already told me about this boy, so what’s the big deal?”

  “Do we have to discuss this now?” Reed demanded.

  “Yes, we do,” Marla bristled at his imperious tone. “Did you also tell Ma how Kit tried to get even because he blamed you for his problems? He paid a female student to get you alone in your office and set you up for a case of sexual harassment.” Marla related the story to her mother.

  Anita gave Reed a frosty glare. “You should have told me the rest. I’d have known it wasn’t your fault.”

  His face reddened. “I didn’t want you to think less of me. It was an embarrassing event in my life. I had to watch my every step at work thereafter.”

  Anita’s gaze softened, and she stroked his cheek. “You should have more faith in my love for you. I couldn’t be prouder to be your wife. Nothing will ever erase that from us.”

  “It must have been hurtful to you,” Marla said, her voice oozing sympathy. She wanted him to know that he hadn’t lost her regard, either.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t confide things sooner, but I didn’t want to turn the kettle black,” Reed admitted. “Things were bad enough with Wanner breathing down my neck.”

  “I imagine it was a surprise when you met Jack on the remodel project. Once he recognized you, did he ask for payment in return for his silence?” Marla needed confirmation that her theory was correct.

  Reed hung his head. “He did, but I refused. Instead, I agreed to honor the contract with his company rather than cancelling it.”

  “Now we know why Detective Wanner is so focused on you. He must have gotten wind of your prior relationship to Jack,” Anita said quietly at his side.

  “Who else would know our history and use it against me?” Reed asked with a hint of desperation. “Somebody wrapped my tie around the victim’s neck for a reason.”

  “Jack’s son?” Marla guessed. “Maybe Kit never forgave you for his lost opportunities. He came into town early, killed his father, and set the scene to cast suspicion on you. It’s a similar M.O. to what he’d done before.”

  “That may be so, but why would Kit murder his own father?” Dalton cut in. “I can ask Wanner to check into his flights. He should be able to verify when the kid arrived in town, but this idea makes no sense to me.”

  Marla put a finger to her mouth. “Or, maybe Kit was the one who set the detective on Reed’s tail. Jack could have told his son that he was project manager for Reed’s job. When Jack was killed, Kit figured Reed had done it. He informed Wanner about their past connection.”

  “I’ll have another chat with the good detective,” Dalton promised.

  “Hey, can we talk about something else?” Anita said in a high-pitched voice. “This is supposed to be a pleasant day.”

  “It will be, now that we’ve aired the dirty laundry,” Marla said with a sense of relief. “No more secrets among us, okay?”

  As the others murmured their consent, Ryder squirmed in his car seat. Their tension must be transferring to him. “Neh-neh,” he called, his agitation rising.

  “Oh, his passie fell out,” Marla told her mother, realizing what he wanted. Neh-neh was his name for a pacifier. “There’s another one in the bag below if you can reach it.”

  “Maybe you’ll find some new ideas for your vegetable garden at the expo,” Reed told Dalton in a conciliatory tone, while Anita played with the baby.

  “I’d like to add eggplants, cucumbers, and squash,” Dalton replied, his gaze focused on the road. “We’re more likely to find plants at the garlic festival since it’s being held at a nursery. This home expo might help me plan for an outdoor kitchen, though.” He rambled on as though he knew Reed needed to be put at ease.

  They’d bought a house with enough land for an elevated garden in the backyard. Marla hadn’t wanted a pool after the tragedy in her past. Images still haunted her of little Tammy’s body. The toddler had drowned while under her care as a babysitter, and it had taken years for her to come to terms with it and move on. No way would she tempt fate with a swimming pool on their property. Instead, Dalton hoped to hire a landscaping firm to create his dream vegetable garden.

  The arrival of their son had put a halt to those plans. Between the baby, their two dogs, and a teenager
in the house, they had enough to handle for the moment.

  As they approached the parking garage at the Broward County Convention Center, Marla considered her goals for the day. Caroline was sure to be present at the design company booth, since she ran their office. Would Brad or Nadia accompany her? Either way, Marla hoped to learn more about their operations.

  She put off these thoughts as Dalton found an empty space. He retrieved the stroller from the trunk while Marla grabbed their baby supplies. Ryder was happy to get out of the car and into the fresh air.

  April flowers provided splashes of color amid regal palms and manicured lawns on the path leading to the convention center. Sunlight gleamed off the rippling current from the waterway in back. From her vantage point, Marla glimpsed a cruise ship docked at Port Everglades. She remembered her own voyage to the Caribbean with a pang of nostalgia. It would be a long time before they’d be able to travel in luxury again.

  A citrus scent infused the air as they entered the convention center lobby. She paused to admire the towering glass windows and the turquoise and coral carpet. Its seashell design, along with a series of potted palms, added to the bright and airy tropical ambiance.

  They followed the crowd toward the exhibit hall. She’d bought tickets online, so they got right in. The attendant handed them each a canvas tote filled with promotional items. Marla stuffed the goody bag into the back of the stroller.

  She unfurled the hood so the glare from overhead lighting wouldn’t hurt Ryder’s eyes. People crowded the exhibits and cruised the aisles, chatting in small groups or watching demos.

  “Where should we go first?” Marla scanned the banners decorating the spaces where black-clothed tables held brochures, pens, wrapped candies and other tempting giveaways.

  “Look at those spa tubs,” Anita exclaimed, pointing. “That’s what I need for my arthritis.”

  They walked past booths explaining the benefits of water softeners, solar panels, and security systems. Marla gravitated toward the kitchen displays while Dalton paused at a section with barbecue grills. Pet products, flooring choices, and home lighting didn’t interest her. Neither did massage chairs or laser peg toys, whatever those were. Something for older kids, she surmised. There wouldn’t be much here for infants.

  They collected information at several booths, rapidly filling the goody bag with more items. Marla liked the cell phone pad offered at one wireless carrier’s spot. It would help protect her nightstand when she put her phone down at bedtime. A few pens went into her bag while she nibbled on milk chocolate kisses from another booth.

  An air-conditioning company was giving away portable mini fans sporting their logo. She swiped a couple while the rep was talking to a potential customer. They’d be useful in case of a power failure during summer storms.

  Their group split up to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time. Dalton went in search of the granite dealer’s booth. Marla’s assignment was to visit the exhibit for Amaze Design Center. She handed the stroller over to Anita and Reed, who agreed to meet for lunch at the food court.

  “Be careful, Ma,” Marla warned her mother. “Remember that note I got at the salon? It threatened my family. That could mean all of you.”

  Anita’s face puckered. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll be on the lookout. Just watch your own back.”

  Marla roamed off, checking the event brochure for the design company’s location. It should be two aisles down and to her right.

  As she neared her target, she was glad to note both Brad and Caroline manned the space for the design center. The company president shoved his eyeglasses further up the bridge of his nose as he conversed with a stocky fellow wearing a three-piece suit.

  Marla gasped when he turned her way, and she glimpsed his bowtie. His features looked familiar, same as his style of dress. Was this the same man she’d spotted at Jack’s funeral?

  Whatever the man said to Brad next, it turned his face a purplish hue. He spat something back. Mr. Bowtie snickered, then turned on his heel and left.

  Marla debated if she should go after him or stick with her original plan. Deciding upon the latter, she approached the booth.

  “Hi, fancy seeing you here,” she said to Caroline and Brad, as though she were surprised to come upon them.

  Caroline put her hands on her hips. She wore her brown hair in soft waves and had on a slinky wrap dress that enhanced her hazel eyes. Marla recognized it as a Lilly Pulitzer design.

  “Marla, what are you doing at the expo?” Caroline asked, her southern accent more pronounced.

  “I’m here with my family. Who was the guy that just left your booth? I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

  “That’s Oscar Fielding. He’s Davinia’s manager,” Caroline blurted before Brad cast her a pointed stare.

  “Isn’t Davinia your sister?” Marla said to him. “I’m hoping to meet her at the garlic festival. My stylists are doing the hair for the pageant contestants, and I understand Davinia is a judge.”

  “Who told you Davvy was my sister?” His lips thinned as he regarded her from behind his lenses.

  Marla made a vague gesture. “I don’t remember. I’ve been talking to a number of people lately.”

  “Yes, I heard you were still butting your nose into other people’s affairs. I thought I’d told you to stop asking questions or you’ll be sorry.”

  “Is that a threat?” Marla’s blood chilled. His words sounded awfully similar to the note she’d received at the salon.

  “Consider it a warning. You don’t know who you might rile. We all have to be careful.”

  She refused to be intimidated. “I might be happy if you tell me what you did before establishing Amaze Design Center. Did you work for another company?” She bit her tongue to suppress what she knew about Brad’s history as George Eustice’s partner.

  “That’s not your concern.”

  “Should I go speak to your friend, Oscar?” she asked, hoping to taunt him into saying more. “Or perhaps your sister. Is she here, too? I would think she’d stop by to offer her support.”

  “Davvy could care less. As for Oscar, he’s a pain in the ass.”

  Before Marla could hop on this trail, a visitor grabbed Brad’s attention. The guy picked up a brochure and started a dialogue that Brad was all too glad to join in. He must have noted the gold watch the man flaunted on his wrist.

  “What are you really doing at the show? Are you stalking us?” Caroline asked, her gaze glacial as she regarded Marla.

  “Of course not. I’m here with my family. We love going to home shows. Besides, my mother needed to relax with all the grief she’s been having over her remodel. She’s here with her husband. They need their lives to return to normal.”

  “Don’t we all,” Caroline said with a sour expression. “But Brad was right. It isn’t wise for you to pry into other people’s affairs. As for your mom, we can finish her project once the police give us the go-ahead. Tell me, how is Detective Wanner’s investigation going? Is he getting any closer to making an arrest?”

  Is Caroline genuinely curious, or is she probing for information?

  “He doesn’t share his findings with us,” Marla replied in a noncommittal tone.

  “That’s too bad. We’d like to put this whole thing behind us as well. Our reputation is at stake when our projects don’t get completed on time.”

  Your company’s reputation has already suffered because of Jack’s poor communication skills. “Has Brad decided who to hire as project manager going forward?” she asked. “I don’t imagine your crew can get back to work without someone in charge.”

  “He’s had too much on his mind to do interviews just yet.” Caroline’s glower indicated Marla was partially at fault for that problem.

  Maybe his creative bookkeeping is the issue that needs his attention.

  The sister’s manager might have answers. Clearly, Oscar had a beef against Brad for some reason. Had he come all the way to the show just to confront the ma
n? He could have gone to their office during the week. Or perhaps he had shown up for support, and they’d gotten into an argument by chance. That seemed the more likely prospect.

  “I have to go rejoin my family,” she told Caroline, eager to seek the other guy out. If she offered a sympathetic ear, Oscar might be willing to talk.

  She muttered a polite farewell and hurried off. Her trips up and down the aisles failed to produce results, however. Oscar Fielding must have left the premises or else the mob of people prevented her from finding him in the crowd.

  Fortune brought her to Dalton, who was eyeing a collection of rock waterfalls. She sniffed a fresh-water scent with a hint of chlorine as she neared. She did like the one on the far right that looked the most natural with ferns peeking up from its crevices. Something similar might be a nice addition to their landscaping.

  “Hi, hon. It’s almost time to meet Ma and Reed,” she said, tapping her watch for emphasis.

  His eyes brightened and he grinned at her. “I spotted them over by a display for garage storage systems. Are they thinking of getting built-in shelves?”

  Marla shrugged. “I have no idea, but they need better organization. Their garage is so crammed with stuff that they can only fit one car inside.”

  Dalton strode down the aisle alongside her. “How did your talk go with the design company people?” He cut a handsome figure with his broad shoulders encased in a polo shirt hanging loose over a pair of black jeans.

  Marla felt a surge of pride as female eyes glanced his way. She related her observations from her stop at the company’s booth.

  “Obviously, Oscar knows Brad through his sister,” she concluded. “But why would the actress’s manager show up at Jack’s funeral?”

  “To pay his respects in Davinia’s place? We won’t really know more until we talk to the man. It’s unclear how either one of them would be familiar with Jack unless he’d done work on Davinia’s estate. He could have been the foreman in charge of the project that led to her testimonial.”

  “That’s true. But then that begs the question, how long ago was her remodel? Was it before or after Brad established this design center? And speaking of Brad, he warned me off about snooping around. I’m wondering if he might be the sender of that message I got at the salon. Did you get any prints off it?”