Cars and Cold Cases

by Diana Xarissa

  Before the man could reply, Fenella walked away, heading back to Shelly. Gordon was still sitting next to her, and Fenella hesitated as she approached. The pair seemed to be having an intense conversation and Fenella hated to interrupt. As she started to turn away, Shelly looked up and smiled brightly.

  “Come on over,” she called to Fenella.

  Fenella slid back into the seat she’d had earlier and sat back with a sigh. “People are odd,” she told Shelly.

  Shelly and Gordon both laughed. “You seem to have been in the middle of just about every interesting conversation in the room,” Shelly said. “I’m sure that was completely coincidental, though.”

  “It was, mostly,” Fenella said.

  “I’m about ready to head for home,” Shelly said. “It’s later than I realized.”

  “Yes, I should be going as well,” Gordon said. “Can I offer you ladies a ride home?”

  Shelly glanced at Fenella, who shrugged. “We came in a taxi,” Shelly said. “I wasn’t sure how much I was going to drink.”

  “And instead of drinking, you’ve been sitting and talking to me all night,” Gordon said. “The least I can do is drive you home after that.”

  Fenella sat in the back of Gordon’s comfortable luxury car and watched out her window as the island rolled past. Shelly and Gordon chatted quietly in the front, but Fenella felt too tired to try to listen or participate in the conversation. Gordon parked in front of their building and walked Shelly to her door. Fenella felt as if she was in the way as she trailed along behind the couple.

  “It was nice meeting you,” she said to Gordon as she quickly let herself into her apartment.

  “Did you want to come in for a minute?” Shelly asked Gordon as Fenella shut her door.

  “It looks as if Shelly had a nice time,” Mona said as Fenella switched on lights and kicked off her shoes.

  “She and Gordon sat in the corner and talked all evening,” Fenella said. “He seems like a nice man.”

  “He is, actually. He and Shelly are well suited. I just didn’t think she was ready for a new man in her life yet,” Mona replied.

  “He’s not really a new man, though,” Fenella pointed out. “They’ve known each other for years.”

  “Yes, well, I just hope she isn’t rushing into things,” Mona said. “I know she’s lonely, after being married for all those years. I hope she’ll take things slowly with Gordon.”

  “I’ll drop that hint to her tomorrow,” Fenella promised.

  “Did you enjoy the evening?”

  “It was interesting. I got to meet several of the people involved in the Manderly case, at least, although I didn’t really like any of them.”

  “What was Sophia wearing?”

  Fenella described the dress and then told her aunt all about the evening. When she was done, Mona shook her head.

  “Sophia hasn’t lost her taste for drama, then,” she said. “It all sounds awful in a fascinating way.”

  “Shelly said that Herman doesn’t cheat on Jennifer, but that wasn’t the impression I got.”

  “As far as I know, he’s always been faithful,” Mona said thoughtfully. “I wonder if something has happened recently between them. Maybe she really is depressed.”

  “Then he should be worried about her, not chasing after other women.”

  “Yes, but men don’t always do what they should,” Mona pointed out.

  Fenella yawned. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to go to bed.”

  In the bedroom, Katie was already curled up in her cat bed. She opened one eye as Fenella switched on the light.

  “Meereew,” she protested.

  “Sorry,” Fenella said. She switched off the bright overhead light and turned on a small lamp instead.

  “Meowwww,” Katie told her.

  “You’re welcome,” Fenella laughed.

  In the bathroom, Fenella studied herself in the mirror. Her hair and makeup still looked nearly perfect. As tired as she was, she couldn’t resist lingering in the beautiful dress that made her feel far more glamorous and sophisticated than she ever had before.

  Once she’d changed into her pajamas, she washed her face and took her hair down from its fancy twist. “Now you look just like your old boring self,” she told her reflection. “Herman Clucas probably wouldn’t look twice at you now.”

  Feeling as if that was actually a very good thing, Fenella settled into bed, sprawling across it, as she didn’t have to worry about disturbing Katie. She tossed and turned for several minutes, unable to find a comfortable position. Eventually she found herself perched on the edge of the bed, where she always slept so that Katie could have the space in the center. She sighed and then fell into a sound sleep.

  “Maybe we should move this conversation into the bedroom,” Daniel whispered sexily in her ear.

  Fenella blushed. “Oh, but, that is, I mean, we shouldn’t rush things,” she stammered. “We’ve only known each other for two years.”

  Daniel chuckled. “Surely that’s long enough,” he said. “I’ve waited patiently for you to get tired of Donald and Peter and Herman. Isn’t it my turn?”

  “Herman?” Fenella said. “I thought this was a dream, but maybe it’s a nightmare.”

  Her ringing telephone cut through whatever Daniel was going to say next. Fenella sat up in bed and tried to work out what the loud sound was.

  “Answer the phone,” Mona told her from the doorway.

  “Oh, the phone,” Fenella said. “Hello?”

  “Fenella, it’s Daniel,” the voice on the other end replied. “Did you enjoy the party last night?”

  Fenella lay back on the bed. With her dream fresh in her memory, she found herself blushing as she struggled to work out a reply.

  9

  “Did I wake you?” Daniel asked after a moment.

  “Um, no,” Fenella said, trying to sound wide awake. “I was just, um, that is, the party was interesting.”

  “Interesting?” Daniel echoed.

  “Yes. I met lots of the different people who are involved in the Manderly case, and they were all pretty awful.”

  Daniel laughed. “Awful? I can’t wait to hear about it.”

  “Do you want the full rundown now?” Fenella asked.

  “Why don’t I collect you and bring you here for lunch?” Daniel asked. “I’m doing a roast chicken with all the trimmings and I have far too much food for just one person.”

  “It isn’t a special occasion, is it?”

  “No, just a traditional Sunday lunch.”

  “You have all that food every Sunday?”

  Daniel laughed again. “I don’t do a Sunday roast every Sunday,” he admitted. “But I try to do one when I can. It helps to make up for all the cold sandwiches and microwaved meals that I eat during the week.”

  “Well, it sounds delicious,” Fenella said. “I can get a taxi, though. You don’t have to come and get me.”

  “I don’t mind,” Daniel insisted. “I can safely leave everything ticking over in the oven for the few minutes it will take to pop down to the promenade.”

  “I’ll wait outside for you,” Fenella said. “What time will you be here?”

  “It’s just gone ten,” Daniel said. “How about if I collect you at eleven? We can talk through your evening before we eat, rather than during or after.”

  “That sounds good,” Fenella said, glancing at the clock. How could it possibly be ten o’clock already? She put the phone down and glanced at Katie, who was still snoozing in her bed.

  “You slept through breakfast,” Fenella told her.

  Katie picked up her head and blinked several times. Then she jumped up and ran into the kitchen. Fenella was relieved when the kitten began to complain loudly about her empty food bowl.

  “What a horrible racket,” Mona complained as Fenella nodded to her as she crossed the living room.

  “She missed her breakfast,” Fenella replied. “And so did I, for that matter.”

  “But yo
u’re having a lovely lunch with Daniel,” Mona said. “Don’t eat too much now or you won’t be hungry for lunch.”

  “I’ll just have a piece of toast,” Fenella said. “If I have time, that is.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “I need a shower and I have to find something to wear.”

  “I don’t suppose you’ll consider wearing a dress?” Mona said as she followed Fenella back into the bedroom.

  “No, I won’t,” Fenella said. “It’s just a friendly lunch.”

  “What about a skirt with a nice jumper on top?” Mona asked.

  “Jumper?”

  “What you’d call a sweater,” Mona told her. “You really must learn proper English, you know.”

  Fenella didn’t bother to reply; instead she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. As she washed her hair, she tried to work out what to wear. She wasn’t any closer to a decision when she emerged, not only clean, but much more awake.

  “What about a pair of black trousers and a jumper?” Mona asked.

  “What’s the temperature going to be today?” Fenella wondered. “I don’t want to wear a jumper if it’s going to be hot.”

  “Even if it gets warm, it won’t get much above sixty,” Mona told her. “A light jumper would be just about right.”

  Fenella went through her wardrobe, but she couldn’t find anything that Mona thought was suitable.

  “Try the shelves in my wardrobe,” Mona offered. “There are several lovely spring jumpers in there.”

  “At least I have black trousers,” Fenella muttered as she pulled open the other wardrobe. She’d never paid much attention to the shelves along one side of the large furniture piece, but now she exclaimed happily over piles of beautiful sweaters. Some were heavy and would be perfect when the weather got colder, but many were lightweight and ideal for a typical spring or autumn day on the island when temperatures would be cool and comfortable.

  “This one,” she said finally, pulling on a sweater that was a soft blue color that seemed to bring out the blue in her eyes.

  “That was one of my favorites,” Mona said. “The first time I wore it, I met a gentleman who insisted on buying me a beautiful necklace, with stones in that exact same color. Have you been through my jewelry yet? If you spend all of my money, you should be able to live for some time by selling that off, I suppose.”

  Fenella shook her head. “I forgot all about it,” she exclaimed. Your advocate gave me the key to your safe deposit box and told me there was jewelry there, but I forgot about it.”

  “Yes, well, there’s something for you to do another day,” Mona said. “I’m sure you’ll want to wear some of the pieces, at least.”

  Another look at the clock had Fenella rushing to get her hair and makeup done before Daniel arrived. He was doing her a favor by coming to pick her up. The last thing she wanted to do was be late.

  “Be a good girl,” she told Katie as she headed for the door a short time later. “Keep an eye on each other,” she told both the kitten and Mona.

  “Oh, please,” Mona sighed.

  “Mmmmeerrreewww,” Katie said.

  Daniel’s car was already at the curb when Fenella got there. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said as she buckled herself in.

  “You aren’t,” he told her. “I was early.”

  The drive was a short one. Fenella was somewhat surprised to find that Daniel lived in the quiet neighborhood where Mel had been taking her driving.

  “I’ve driven up and down this street a dozen times,” she told Daniel as he turned into his driveway.

  “The neighborhood seems very popular with driving instructors,” Daniel said. “When I’m home on a weekday, they seem to be going past in huge numbers.”

  “It’s always been mercifully quiet when I’ve been here,” Fenella told him as she climbed out of the car.

  She tried not to look too curious as she studied his little house. It had two stories and a small garage. “Can you fit the car in the garage?” she asked.

  “Yes, if you don’t mind not being able to open the car doors once you’re inside,” he replied.

  Fenella laughed. “We’re spoiled in the US. We have so much space that our garages are big enough for our cars.”

  Daniel nodded. “I suspect very few people on the island actually use their garages for their cars, aside from some very wealthy individuals who have expensive cars to protect. The rest of us use the space for storage and leave our cars on our drives.”

  He led her up a short sidewalk to the front door. When he opened the door, Fenella took a deep breath.

  “Whatever you’re cooking, it smells amazing,” she said as she walked into the house.

  “It’s just a chicken with some garlic and herbs,” he told her. “Oh, and stuffing and sprouts and a few other things.”

  Fenella’s mouth watered and her stomach growled. She blushed. “Sorry, breakfast was a long time ago,” she said. Which was true; her last breakfast had been more than twenty-four hours ago, in fact. She hadn’t found time to eat this morning in her rush to get ready.

  “Welcome to my home,” Daniel said with an awkward chuckle. “I’m not sure what houses are like in the US, but I’d like to think this one isn’t too bad.”

  She looked around the small entryway. A door on the right was open and she could see a small half-bath behind it. The stairs to the second floor were straight ahead, on her left she could see into a living room.

  “It’s probably small by US standards,” Daniel said.

  “It’s the first house I’ve been in over here,” Fenella said, slightly surprised to realize that fact.

  “Come and have a tour, then,” Daniel offered. “See how the British live.”

  Fenella laughed and then followed the man through the small living room with its comfortable couch and chairs. The television was mounted on the wall, and a small fireplace was set near the doorway to the adjoining dining room. There the table was set for two, with candles ready to be lit and a small floral centerpiece. It looked to Fenella like it was set up for a romantic date. The thought made her blush.

  “And this is the kitchen,” Daniel said. “Which may be obvious.”

  The room was small, but everything looked modern. Stainless steel appliances shone in their spaces and the countertops were granite.

  “It’s nice,” Fenella said.

  “It’s very high-end,” Daniel said. “The previous owners had this kitchen fitted to their expensive tastes just before he was transferred back to the UK. Because they had to go on fairly short notice, I got a great deal on the property.”

  The upstairs contained three bedrooms, including a large master suite with its own luxury bathroom.

  “There were originally four bedrooms in the house,” Daniel told her. “But the previous owners wanted a master en-suite, so they had the fourth bedroom turned into a bathroom, instead. As I’m single, it suits me.”

  “It’s a beautiful bathroom,” Fenella said. She walked back through the bedroom, trying not to look at the king-sized bed in the center of the room. Suddenly conscious of how hard she was trying not to look, she started trying to look as if she wasn’t trying not to look, which nearly made her walk into the door.

  “Careful,” Daniel warned her. “Doors are tricky things.”

  Back downstairs, he led her into the kitchen. “Can I open a bottle of wine for you?” he asked.

  “Not unless you’re drinking, too,” Fenella said.

  “I’ll be driving you home later, so I’d better not.”

  “In that case, I’ll have a soft drink,” Fenella told him.

  Fenella sat at a small table in the corner of the room. Two bar stools provided the seating at the tall table. She sipped her drink when Daniel moved pans around in the oven and turned the gas on under some potatoes. “So, tell me about last night,” he suggested as he worked.

  After taking a deep breath, Fenella slowly took the man through the evening, from her arrival at the Seaview thro
ugh the ride home with Gordon.

  “I’ll have to see what I can find out about Gordon Davison,” he said when Fenella was finished. “I’d hate to see Shelly get hurt.”

  “Me, too,” Fenella said. “But he seems nice enough.”

  “Unlike nearly everyone else you met last night,” Daniel said as he sat down opposite Fenella.

  “That’s sadly true. Although I will admit that I sort of liked Sophia, in spite of everything.”

  “She’s a character, I’ll say that for her,” Daniel said. “She was entertaining to interview, which doesn’t happen very often.”

  “Have you spoken to anyone besides her yet?”

  “No. She actually rang the station and asked to speak to me. She saw the article in the paper about the new investigation and rang to see if it was true. When I confirmed it, she insisted on seeing me right away. I was going to wait to talk to her after I’d finished speaking with everyone about Kay Belsom.”

  “She seemed happy to point the finger at Roger Starr,” Fenella said. “But then she also suggested that Douglas Richards was the killer.”

  “I think nearly everyone will suggest Roger Starr,” Daniel said. “He’s the outsider, so he’ll be everyone’s first choice as the killer.”

  “Is he yours?”

  “It’s too soon for me to say,” Daniel told her. “The original investigator liked him for it, but he could never prove anything. I’m trying to keep an open mind.”

  “Sophia’s second choice was Douglas, another outsider, really,” Fenella mused.

  “She doesn’t want it to have been her brother-in-law or Christopher’s closest friend. Or maybe she’s just trying to divert suspicion from herself,” Daniel suggested.

  “Any of those could be true,” Fenella admitted. “Although I’m not sure what her motive would have been.”

  “The papers at the time hinted at her infidelity,” Daniel reminded her. “And of Christopher’s as well. She may tell people now that they were devoted to one another, but at the time it appears that they were both cheating.”