Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Collection
Page 8
As Connie worked, occasionally glancing out the window at the ocean below, she quickly fell into a familiar work rhythm, and her cares faded away. After a couple of hours, she was satisfied with her progress and felt relaxed enough for bed.
Chapter 14
Grace and Stephanie arrived at Connie's just before 8:00 AM to go upstairs together for the memorial service, which was officially being called a Celebration of Life. Since she hadn't known she'd be attending a service when she packed for Florida the previous week, she did her best to dress up a simple black cotton dress with some of her handmade jewelry. She settled on a necklace and matching bracelet, both strung with large, gold-colored square beads.
They exited the elevator on the fourteenth floor. The gym was located on one side of the building and the Seaview function room, with its panoramic views of the Gulf, on the other.
Chatter filled the room, which was set up lecture-style with a podium up front and plenty of room for mingling around the perimeter. Jessica had assembled photo boards with photos of Hank and Paula that residents donated, which were displayed on easels and scattered throughout the room.
Jessica stood at the entry, greeting guests and handing out programs. Grace asked her if Paula’s and Hank’s sons were present, but Jessica shook her head, indicating they weren’t. “They send their heartfelt gratitude to everyone for honoring their parents’ memories, but after the wake and funeral on Saturday, it just would have been too much.”
“Of course, that makes perfect sense with all they’ve been through,” Grace said. Then she steered Connie and Stephanie toward seats in the back, so they could sit together, since most of the chairs were filled. The room was buzzing with chatter, most of which, from what Connie could hear, seemed to be about the murders.
“It’s unacceptable,” one woman said, tossing back her head, “that there have been two murders at Palm Paradise within the past six days and no sign of any arrests in sight.”
If the trustees were planning to use this as an opportunity to calm people's fears, they had their work cut out for them.
According to the program, Joe Harrington, president of the Board of Trustees, would emcee the brief service, and members of the choir at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where Hank and Paula had been longtime members, would perform a couple of songs. Connie spotted Bob among the choir members.
Shortly after 8:00, Joe took the podium, wearing a light-gray suit and sporting a tan that appeared more orange than brown. He welcomed guests and set the tone of the service.
"We gather together this morning with heavy hearts to share our fond memories of Hank and Paula. We are all concerned about the murder investigations that are underway in our beloved home, but that cannot get in the way of our desire to honor our neighbors' memories. We are a family at Palm Paradise, and we won't let anything, or anyone, take that from us."
Heads bobbed in agreement.
After Joe's welcoming remarks, he introduced the choir, who performed "Amazing Grace", and invited one of Hank's oldest and best friends, Roger Cunningham, to read a brief poem and say a few words. He talked about how Hank, Bob, and he were together so often that many people called them The Three Musketeers. Then he added, "Depending on who you talked to, sometimes it was The Three Stooges."
There were a few chuckles and knowing glances from those gathered.
He concluded his remarks by saying, "I would do anything for my friends. Loyalty and fidelity to our own were values that we shared wholeheartedly. I only wish I could have been there for Hank to protect him in his time of need."
Then he opened the microphone to anyone who wished to share a memory, which several residents did.
The service concluded with the choir's rendition of one of Paula's favorite songs, "You Will Never Walk Alone", and guests were invited to remain to continue sharing memories with one another.
When the service began, the tension in the room was palpable, but Joe and Roger, with the help of the choir's touching music, had managed to keep attendees focused on honoring Hank’s and Paula's memory. Surprisingly, once the service was underway, people didn't get sidetracked by bringing up the investigations. Grace attributed that to the neighborly affection among residents.
After the service, Roger, Bob, and the trustees made their way around the room, mingling with guests and thanking them for attending. By the time they got over to where Connie was standing, the crowd had begun to thin. Connie was about to compliment Bob on the music when Gertrude seemed to appear out of nowhere and congratulated him on his daughter's recent marriage. "We were thrilled to hear the good news," she said. "Amanda deserves all the happiness in the world after what she's been through. She and Matthew make a beautiful couple."
Stephanie explained to Connie that Amanda had had health issues as a child, but fortunately, that all seemed to be behind her. She had followed in her father's footsteps and was a teacher at Estero High School, where Bob had taught math for thirty-five years before retiring last year, and Matthew was a real estate developer. He had worked with Hank as an intern when he was in college.
Grace also introduced Connie to several other residents whom she had never met. Or at least she didn't remember meeting them. She was told that many had come to Concetta's funeral or wake, but those days were a blur of faces and words of condolence.
When the room started to empty out, Grace excused herself, saying that she was going to get ready for her workout later that morning. Connie and Stephanie exchanged a glance to communicate that their plan to follow Grace was still on. They discreetly arranged to meet up in the parking garage and wait for Grace to leave. She kept her bike in the storage closet adjacent to her underground parking spot, so whether Grace went biking or got in her car, they would have a clear view.
The women were hanging tight in Connie's Jetta when Grace strolled in at 10:30. She was dressed in workout clothes, which was a good sign, but rather than picking up her bike, she went straight for her car and prepared to drive away.
Fortunately, Grace was preoccupied, and Connie's car was far enough away, so there was no chance she noticed them. However, Connie had a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Stephanie seemed to read her mind. "It feels wrong to follow my mother like this. I feel like I'm violating her privacy," she said.
"I know what you mean. I feel the same way, but we're only watching out for Grace. We have to learn why she is lying about training for the mini-triathlon. And besides," Connie added, "there are too many missing pieces surrounding these murders. Maybe Grace can help us fill in the blanks."
Stephanie looked away quickly. "I just want to be sure my mother's name is cleared. That's all I care about," she said, rubbing the back of her neck.
As the women watched Grace enter her car, Connie's phone pinged, indicating a text message. She saw it was from Elyse and she tossed the phone back into her purse. Now wasn't the time to read it. Grace was pulling away, so she didn't want to lose her.
They followed her out of the garage and onto Sapphire Beach Boulevard.
"It looks like she's headed to Interstate 75," Stephanie said after a few minutes.
Sure enough, before long they were headed north on 75. After about twenty-five minutes, they exited at Fort Myers.
"What is she doing way up here?" Stephanie asked.
They followed her from a safe distance into a shopping center parking lot, where she parked in front of a coffee shop.
"Maybe she needs a caffeine fix," Connie suggested.
Grace grabbed a gym bag out of her trunk and entered the shop.
After waiting for ten minutes without any sign of Grace, Connie said, "I'm going in to see what she's doing. I'll be discreet." She hopped out of the car before Stephanie could object.
Less than a minute later she returned scratching her head. "You're not going to believe this."
She grabbed Connie's arm. "Well?"
"Your mother is behind the counter taking orders. It looks like she works here."
When they walked through the door of the coffee shop, Grace stared back at them from behind the counter like a deer caught in headlights.
"Mom, what’s going on?"
Connie wished she could disappear. She felt caught in the middle of a private family matter.
Grace asked her manager for a few minutes and then led Stephanie and Connie to a wrought iron cafe table on the sidewalk.
"How did you find me?" Grace asked.
"Never mind that," Stephanie said. "Tell me what's going on. Is this where you come on Tuesdays and Thursdays?"
Grace stared at the ground and sighed. "I didn't want you to find out. That’s why I got a job so far from home. I just need some additional income to make ends meet and for, you know, the extras."
"What about the money Pop left you?"
Connie started to stand up to give them some privacy, but Grace insisted she stay. "You're like family, honey. You don't have to go anywhere."
Grace turned back to Stephanie. "It's not as much as you would think. Don't get me wrong, I am very blessed. The condo is paid for, and there is a small retirement account. I just decided to get a side job, so things aren't quite so tight. I only work a four-hour shift a couple of days a week."
Stephanie seemed to look straight past Grace. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"
Grace shrugged. "It's just that you've been through so much this past year, I didn't want you worrying about me."
Connie thought of how worried Stephanie had been since last night and couldn't help but smile at the irony.
Stephanie gave Grace a big hug and let out a long sigh, but Connie couldn't tell if it was relief or frustration.
"I just wish you'd told me. I've felt like you were hiding something, and then yesterday we ran into Rita and Joyce, and they said you dropped out of the mini-triathlon."
"Oh, those big mouths."
"Mom, they didn't mean to cause trouble. It was just an innocent mistake. I'm glad it happened."
Now that that was settled, Connie could ask her burning question.
"Does this mean that you were here last Thursday when Hank was killed?"
She nodded like a child who just got busted for sneaking out of the house.
Connie knit her brow. "Then why didn't you tell the police that you have an alibi?"
Grace’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "I didn’t want anyone to know that I had this job. It’s true that I didn’t want Stephanie to worry about me, but, if I’m honest, I was embarrassed. I didn’t want the whole world knowing about my financial problems. You know how they can be at Palm Paradise – most people have plenty of money. I figured the police would find the real killer soon enough, and I could keep my secret. But now, with what happened yesterday to Paula, I was thinking I should probably talk to Josh."
Stephanie let out a deep breath and looked toward the sky. "Mom, what am I going to do with you? You need to go to the police station right after work and tell them everything. They may be wasting time thinking you are a suspect and not chasing the real killer.” Her voice had raised an octave by the time she finished speaking.
"I hadn't thought of that. I guess I'm just not thinking straight lately. I'll go on my way home, I promise."
Grace had to get back to work, so they said their goodbyes and headed for the car. Before they left, Connie remembered Elyse's text and pulled out her phone to read it. Her heart seemed to skip a beat as she read, I'm not sure if you're out sleuthing or not, but just FYI, be careful if you're with Stephanie. She’s one of the few people with a key to Grace’s condo and Josh told me her alibi didn't pan out.
Chapter 15
Connie had a hard time believing she was in any danger, but still, she remembered how agitated Stephanie seemed on the beach when they were talking about the murder. Was she hiding something like her mother had been? She decided not to confront her with her questions until she learned more from Elyse.
Stephanie seemed deep in thought after learning her mother had a secret job, and Connie had a lot on her mind, as well, so after a little chitchat, they drove back in silence.
The only motive Stephanie could possibly have to kill Hank that Connie could think of was that he had hit on her again and gotten too aggressive. But then why wouldn't she claim self-defense? No, even if he did attack her and she defended herself, she would have run out of the house after hitting him over the head with the statuette. She wouldn't have dumped his body over the balcony. No, that wasn't self-defense. But it did seem like she was hiding something. Connie's stomach was back in knots.
When Connie got home, she straightened up for the photographer, who was due over soon, and fixed herself a quick lunch. It seemed like weeks since Sunday, when Elyse and Connie had arranged for the photographer to take pictures for the listing, but it was only two days ago.
Elyse and Mike arrived right on time, and he got right to work taking pictures of each room, as well as the balcony, and capturing their spectacular views. "I would never sell this place if I owned it," he said. Then turning to Elyse, he quickly said, "Sorry, boss."
"No worries," Elyse said with wink. "I feel the same way."
"I'll email you these this afternoon," he said, patting his camera on the way out.
After he left, Connie poured two iced teas, and they settled into the living room, since it was a little cool for the balcony. She filled Elyse in on her morning and Grace’s job at the coffee shop, then asked about Stephanie's alibi.
"When Josh checked into it at the agency where she works, her boss said she was out all day seeing clients last Thursday. She would have been driving to her next appointment around the time Hank was killed, and she was a few minutes late for her 3:00. She would have had enough time to kill Hank."
Connie's face dropped.
"What is it?" Elyse asked. "You look as white as a ghost."
"It's just that Grace came home from staying with Stephanie on Sunday night and according to the preliminary autopsy results, Paula was killed on Sunday night. So, Stephanie probably has no alibi for the time of Paula's murder, either."
"She has a key to Grace's apartment and to the front door, so she could easily have slipped into the building both days," Elyse said.
Connie thought about it and shook her head. "It just doesn't seem right. She may have had the opportunity, but what motive could she possibly have? You don't kill a guy for hitting on you, and you don’t kill his ex-wife for no reason."
"That's what the police are looking into. For Grace's sake, let's hope there isn't one."
Elyse placed her empty glass on the coffee table. "I'd better go. I'm showing a condo in a few minutes, then I have to pick up Emma from school.”
"I'll walk you down. I want to take Ginger for some exercise."
Ginger perked up at the mention of her name. "That's right, girl, we're going outside," she said, scratching the dog’s ears and fastening her leash.
When they reached the lobby, Elyse scooted out so she wouldn't be late for her appointment.
Jessica, who was leaving the building, stopped just outside the main entrance to wait for Connie.
"How's the packing going?"
"I'm in pretty good shape, but I'd feel better if these murders were solved. I don't feel right leaving Grace behind under the circumstances."
Jessica fidgeted with her car keys. "I know. I can't believe there have been two murders in the building in less than a week. I'll feel more secure once the killer or killers are brought to justice."
"Elyse and I talked with Anton on Friday," Connie said. "I think I might pay him another visit. He definitely didn't like Hank, but he also mentioned he wasn't crazy about Paula, either."
Connie had been absorbed in the conversation and didn't notice that Roger and Bob were waiting off to the side, presumably to speak with Jessica.
Roger waited for a lull in the conversation and a
pproached Jessica. He put his hand up and smiled apologetically at Connie. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but Jessica, I just wanted to offer my services. I know Hank did a lot of work around here as a trustee, so if there's anything I can do to help out until someone else is elected, please don't hesitate to ask."
"That's kind of you, Roger," she said. "I'll probably be in touch."
Ginger was tugging on the leash, so Connie excused herself and headed down the boulevard with Ginger. The more she thought about the day's events, especially Stephanie's odd behavior and lack of an alibi, the more uneasy she felt. She would go crazy if she didn't look into it, so she pulled out her phone and texted Elyse.
I'm going to stop by Stephanie's for a visit and find out what she's hiding. I think confronting her is the quickest way to figure out what's going on with her.
Elyse's response came instantaneously. You shouldn’t go alone. I’m just leaving my appointment. Give me a few minutes to pick up Emma from school and drop her off at my neighbor’s house."
Thanks. I'll text Stephanie to make sure she’s home.
***
About forty minutes later, they were knocking on the yellow door to Stephanie's seaside bungalow, a few streets back from the beach.
They followed her into the living room. It was a small house with a comfortable feel, tastefully decorated in grays and blues, with splashes of yellow.
"It's a little cold for the lanai, so why don't we stay here?" she suggested. "I'll get us some lemonade."
Connie and Elyse settled into the overstuffed couch, and Elyse came back with three lemonades and some corn chips and guacamole.
"I love what you did with the place," Elyse said. "It looks so much better than when you first bought it."