“Why didn’t you tell us this before?”
She tucked one foot up under her; the other swung back and forth. “No one asked. I didn’t think it was important. Plus I don’t know who she was talking with. Could have been husband number six for all I know.”
“Jenny!”
“Kidding. She was talking to number five. She said his name.”
“This is serious. You shouldn’t joke.” I pressed my lips together.
Rob’s shoulder’s slumped. “It’s okay. She’s right. It is ridiculous.”
I turned Rob’s face toward me. “It wasn’t in the champagne. They made arrangements to see each other that night, not earlier in the day. Your mother didn’t kill him. You have to believe that.”
“I guess.” The clock chimed. “It’s getting late. I should go and call Elizabeth. She’s going to want an update. Don’t forget; I’m going to the town council meeting tomorrow night.” He kissed my cheek and left.
I started putting the mugs in the dishwasher. Jenny crumpled her napkin, threw it out, and brought me her milk glass. “What do you think, Mom?”
“About what?”
“Mrs. Jenson. Do you think she killed number five?”
“I don’t know. I hope not, but to be on the safe side, I don’t want you to be alone with her.”
Jenny barked out a laugh. “No problem. I don’t even like being in the same room with her.” She ran up the stairs.
I trudged after her, and the cats trailed me. They settled on the bed while I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I climbed in, being careful not to make any sudden movements to spark an attack. My phone beckoned, so I texted Patty: “I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty tomorrow night. Going sleuthing.”
“I’ll be waiting with bated breath, Nancy Drew.”
I chuckled, put the phone down, and turned out the light.
✽ ✽ ✽
Patty slid into the car. “I dressed for the occasion.” She wore a black turtleneck paired with black jeans. She appraised me, and her eyebrow rose. “I guess I needn’t have bothered.”
I wore a teal polo shirt and white jeans. “They know we’re coming.”
She put her seatbelt on. “Who knows we’re coming?”
I pulled away from the curb. “Richard’s goons.”
“Ah. Scarface and Big Ears.”
“Big Ears?”
“You haven’t noticed?”
“No. But now I’m sure I’ll be staring.” We pulled into the motel parking lot. “I told them to meet us in the lobby.”
We strolled in. It was brightly lit like there had been a sale on fluorescent lights. The sparse furniture was bathed in their yellow-tinged glow and looked worn. Even worse, the lobby looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in the last decade. Scarface and Big Ears waved to us. We joined them.
I tried to avoid looking at Bud’s ears, but it was impossible. Patty was right; they were large. I held out my hand. “Thanks for meeting us.”
Scarface said, “The pleasure is all ours. Please have a seat.”
Patty sat gingerly. “You think they’d clean occasionally.”
I gave the chair a futile swipe and said a silent prayer for my white pants as I sat. “I’m trying to figure out what Richard was doing the last day he was alive. I figured since you gentlemen were business associates of his, you might know—he may have checked in with you.”
Big Ears leered at Patty. “The rooms are clean. Once we’re done here, we could check it out.”
Patty leaned as far away from him as her seat would allow. “I don’t think so. I’m married and have four children.”
He scooted his chair closer. “That’s okay.”
Scarface put his hand on Big Ears’s arm. “Not now.” He turned to me. “Why do you want to know where the boss was that day?”
“I spoke with the detective in charge of the case, and he said that the poison wasn’t in the champagne.”
Scarface slammed his hand down on the table.
Patty and I jumped.
“I knew it.” He turned to Big Ears. “I told you the current wife didn’t do it.”
I leaned toward Scarface. “So where was Richard that day?”
“He had business to attend to that morning, out of town.”
My eyebrow rose.
He shook his finger at me. “You don’t need to know anything more than that. Bud and I were with him the whole time. The only time he ate or drank was at a McDonalds. And I’m pretty sure they didn’t have any reason to poison him.”
Patty wiped the part of the table closest to her with a tissue. Then she put her elbows on the table. “What time did you two leave him? Did he say he was coming back to town? Was he going somewhere else?”
Big Ears held up his hands. “You sure are a feisty one. Those are a lot of questions.”
“And?”
Scarface answered, “He said he was going back to town. He had a score to settle with someone. I told him we could help, but he laughed. He said that this was one he could handle all on his own.” Scarface turned to Big Ears. “I knew we shouldn’t have let him go off by himself.”
Big Ears shrugged. “He was the boss. How were we supposed to know what was going to happen?”
I drummed my fingers on the table. “So you don’t know who Richard was going to meet?”
“The only thing I know is that it was someone he knew.” Scarface leaned back on his chair. “And if I had to guess, I’d say it was someone he knew well.”
Chapter 14
I dropped Patty home, and since it was still early, I went to Rob’s. I gave a quick knock and then let myself in with the key. Rob was half-way to the door. He hugged me. “You are a welcome surprise.”
I kissed his cheek. “Where’s Wanda?”
“Living with Mac now.”
“That’s got to be a relief. Does Jay know?” I dropped my purse on a chair.
“Her lawyer cleared it with him before she left town. They let her go because she was still in state and only a couple of towns away. He’s alerted their law enforcement to keep an eye on her.”
“Isn’t she running out of clothes by now?” I frowned. “Come to think of it, I’ve seen a lot of new outfits recently. Is she buying new?”
“She’s not allowed to leave the state, and the employees at Richard’s house weren’t too happy with her after she gave them notice. So she hired someone from the outside to pack up and send her belongings.”
“She gave them notice? While she was out of town?” I shook my head. “Doesn’t she care about anything in that house?”
He shrugged. “Probably her clothes and jewelry, and that’s what the person she hired shipped back.”
I walked past him into the kitchen, and he put his hand on my arm. “Do you know you have dirt on the back of your pants?”
I groaned. “It was the wrong outfit to wear to the Shady Inn.”
Rob did a double-take.
“That place is filthy.”
He stared at me.
“Patty and I met with Scarface and Big Ears. We wanted to find out if they knew Richard’s whereabouts the day he died.”
“Big Ears?”
“That’s what Patty calls Bud.”
Rob’s head tilted. “I could see that. I would have gone with you.”
I kissed him. “You were busy with work. And I didn’t want to wait.” I chuckled. “Big Ears wanted Patty to go to his room with him.”
“That’s not funny. Those guys mean business. You and Patty shouldn’t be alone with them. Promise me you won’t meet them without me again.”
“They’re not so bad, especially when you’re not alone.”
He tilted my face to his. “Promise.”
“I promise. Do you have any wine open?”
“White.” He walked to the fridge, pulled out the bottle, and poured two glasses. He handed me one. “So what did they have to say?”
“Richard went to see someone that afternoon to settle a score.”
“Who?”
“They didn’t know. If I had to guess, I’d say it was the Greens.”
He rubbed his chin. “Wouldn’t the Greens have more of a score to settle with him?”
“True. But who else did he know in town?”
“Who else indeed? I think we’d better find out. Otherwise, Jay will shoehorn the facts to fit my mother.”
I sat on the kitchen stool and sipped my wine. “Speaking of whom, I think it’s time for a serious chat with Wanda.”
“Agreed. And I have the excuse. The people at the cemetery called. Richard’s gravestone came in. I’ll tell her it wouldn’t be appropriate for Mac to come when they place it.” He ran his finger down my face. “Do you need to go home right away, or can you stay awhile?”
I glanced at the clock. “I need to leave in an hour; ten at the latest.”
He grinned. “Plenty of time.” He led me into the bedroom.
✽ ✽ ✽
The clock struck ten. I bent over and gave Rob a slow kiss. “See you tomorrow?”
“You bet. After viewing the gravestone, I’ll take her to dinner. Will you come?”
I scrolled on my phone. “Jenny’s with Jacob’s parents for dinner tomorrow, so that would be perfect.” I touched his lips with my fingers. “Tomorrow.” I let myself out the door.
It was a pleasant stroll home, and I basked in the light of the full moon. I love this town. I turned into my driveway. Next door, Alex had her easel set up. I turned left and came up behind her. She was painting the moon and the faint clouds that appeared to be drifting in front of it. “That’s lovely.”
She jumped. “Oh, Merry. You scared me. I was so focused on painting.” She completed another brush stroke. “It’s such a lovely night that I thought I’d try my hand at the Flower Moon.”
“Is that what’s it’s called?”
“Yes, in most places, because of the abundance of blooms in May. I remember the last time I painted the Flower Moon. It was three years ago. My husband had a lovely large place, with a very lush formal garden. He must have had four full-time gardeners on staff.” She chuckled. “Such a large staff. I set up my easel so that the moon peeked through a pergola bursting with Chinese wisteria. I still remember the lilac-colored tendrils dripping from the wood frame. Such a sweet smell. I miss that house.”
I sat on the stone bench beside her. “Why did you leave?”
“I wasn’t what he wanted any more. He wanted someone with more class, someone with paint on her fingernails, not under them.” She held up her well-used hand. It was mottled with different hued paint, and her fingernails were close-clipped. “Not elegant at all.”
“Well, I think your painting is as wonderful as you. Do you still have that picture? I’d love to see it.”
She frowned. “He kept that and the house. I was lucky to get my clothes. He even kept the jewelry he gave me. He said they were family heirlooms and should go to his daughter.” She shook her head. “He was generous when we were married. I couldn’t say the same for when we divorced.”
“I’m sorry. That sounds like a rough one.”
“At least we married when I was older. We didn’t have any children, thank God. Not like you.”
“Jenny was the best thing to come out of my marriage. I’m so blessed that I had her.”
“I heard your husband was kind of a scoundrel.”
“He was. And still is. I don’t like to talk about it, but this town certainly does.” I stood. “I should be getting in. The painting looks lovely, and I can’t wait to see the finished product.” I stalked back to my house and in the back door. My hands clenched. Town gossip.
Jenny sat at the kitchen table, papers spread about her. I plopped my purse down on the stool. “What are you doing up? It’s time for you to be in bed.”
Her hair draped her face. “It’s this paper I’m working on. I’m almost done, and it’s due tomorrow.”
I pushed back the curtain of hair and kissed her cheek. “Maybe you should have started on it sooner.”
She glared at me. “I did. It’s hard. It’s about philosophy, and I want to make sure my argument is logical.”
“Do you want me to look at it?” I sat next to her.
“No time. Give me fifteen more minutes.”
“Okay. Fifteen minutes, and I pull the plug.”
She crossed her arms and leaned back from her laptop. “Mom, you’re not helping. I can’t concentrate while you stare at me.”
I stood. “Turn out the lights on your way up.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Rob and his mother huddled under an umbrella by the gravesite. Even though they shared an umbrella, it looked like they were both going out of their way not to touch. I winced. If it had been my mother and me, we would have had our arms around each other, providing moral and physical support. It was sad that they seemed to have lost whatever affection they used to have.
Wanda snapped. “It’s about time you got here. It’s raining, and we’ve been waiting.”
“We’ve only been here for a few minutes. Merry had to come from work; we’re lucky that she was able to get away.”
The stone read: “Richard R. Franco, beloved father and husband,” and included his birth and death dates.” It had intricate scrollwork around the edges. I said, “That looks nice.”
“Great. We’ve seen it. Can we go?” Wanda huffed.
“Would you like a few minutes with him? Rob and I can wait over there.” I pointed to one of the outbuildings, which had an overhang.
Wanda grabbed the umbrella from Rob and stalked off, muttering, “I didn’t even want to come; Rob guilted me into it.”
Rob’s mouth dropped as the rain started pouring in earnest and water ran down his face. I handed him my umbrella and took his arm. He said, “Would it have killed her to remember her ex-husband for a minute or two?”
I put my arm around his waist. “Maybe it was difficult for her.”
“You didn’t hear her whining in the car.”
We strolled. As we rounded the huge oak before the parking area, Wanda came into view. She was by the passenger side door, tapping her foot. I looked up at Rob. “You didn’t unlock the car?”
He gave me a slight smile. “Nope.”
I elbowed him. “You had a clear sight-line from where we were standing by the grave. That wasn’t very nice.”
“Yep.”
“Beep it open now.”
He pressed the button. The car locks rose. She yanked the door open and hurried into the car. I sat behind Rob as he slid into the driver seat.
Wanda glared at Rob. “If I brought Mac, I would have had our car. He would never have left me standing in the rain.” She brushed angrily at the water on her shoes.
Rob ran his fingers through his wet hair. “You did have the umbrella.” He started the car. “Is everyone ready for an early dinner?”
I said, “Of course.”
Wanda muttered, “You would be.”
Rob gave her a sharp glance.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay.”
He pulled into a parking spot at Fiorella’s. Wanda emerged from the car, still brushing down the sides of her coat. “I can’t believe we went on such a wet day. What was the big rush?”
“I wanted to see how the stone came out.”
I broke in, “It looked wonderful. They did a great job.”
The hostess led us to a booth, and Rob and I slid in on one side, leaving Wanda the other. The waitress appeared. “What can I get you to drink?”
Rob ordered a bottle of wine while we studied the menu. The waitress returned with it, poured three glasses, and took our order.
I lifted my glass. “To Richard.”
Rob clinked his glass to mine. Wanda raised her glass an inch and then drank.
“Mother, there was another reason why I wanted us to have dinner. There are questions we need to ask you.”
Wanda crossed her arms. “Again?”
&nbs
p; “This is serious.”
She leaned toward her son. “The poison wasn’t in the champagne. That means I didn’t do it. Case closed.”
I placed my napkin in my lap. “Wanda, we spoke with Detective Ziebold yesterday. He said he’s not dropping the charges. He thinks you gave Richard the poison earlier in the day.”
“That’s silly. I didn’t see Richard until dinner that night. We didn’t even decide to meet until he phoned me after we returned.”
Rob clenched his glass of wine. “Mother, you borrowed Merry’s car that day. You were gone all day. And the night before, when the power went out, you were wet. Where had you gone? Did anyone see you? Do you have an alibi?”
“I didn’t kill him. Why on earth would I need an alibi?”
Rob’s voice rose. “Because you’re accused of murder!”
People from other tables turned to look at us. I put a hand on Rob’s arm. “Maybe you could lower your voice.”
He glared at me, and then his gaze softened. He lifted my hand to his lips. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
I took a roll and buttered it. “Wanda, you’re going to have to tell us what happened. The police will be questioning you soon, and it would be really good to have your ducks in order. We may be able to help.”
She sighed. “Very well. What do you want to know?”
“Let’s start at the beginning. Why were you outside the night of that horrible storm?” I passed the rolls to Rob.
“I’ve always loved storms. I guess I didn’t realize how strong that one was until the lightning drew close.” She smiled at Rob. “Do you remember sitting in our canvas chairs with the garage door up when it stormed?”
He nodded. “You and Dad would dance barefoot in the driveway. You would get drenched. Elizabeth and I would splash in the puddles. It was fun.”
“I was about to get into bed that night when the rain started. Thunder roared in the distance. I tiptoed down the stairs, grabbed an umbrella, and ran out the door. I left the light off, so the backyard stayed dark. The thunder grew stronger. I knew I only had a few minutes. I twirled and twirled under the umbrella. I could almost feel your father’s arms around me. Then there was a huge clap of thunder, and lightning hit way to close. The light in the kitchen went out. I decided I had better get in. I heard someone moving downstairs, so I took the kitchen flashlight and went to see what was going on.”
Murder So Deadly Page 13