Lance dropped his hands and slid down the wall to sit on the floor. “I killed her.”
Anita gasped. “You did it?”
“Yeah. I lost my temper and came in yelling. She jumped up off the sofa. But then she grabbed her chest, and tumbled to the floor—thunk. I stood there waiting for her to get up. When she didn’t move, I didn’t know what to do. I tried to revive her, but it was obvious she was gone when she hit the floor. Dead. Looked like her heart just quit. I couldn’t save her, so I got out. Nobody needed to know about her and me.”
Lance shrugged. “Somebody was bound to find her. I waited, but never heard anything. Nobody even asked about her. It was like she didn’t exist, and the whole mess never happened. Weeks went by with nothing happening. I decided I must have had a bad dream. Sometimes dreams can fool you.”
A slight smile crept across Lance’s face, then vanished. “Guess it wasn’t a dream. That real estate woman came in and called the cops. But here’s what I didn’t understand. They said Valentina was in the garage. How’d she get there?”
Lance banged the back of his head against the wall. “Still, I thought I was out of it until I heard Irma talking to my wife about some crazy letter she got in the mail. It said something about a photo album. Valentina loved taking pictures. I couldn’t let that be found—had to get it. I tell you, it was no easy task with the wife right next door. It took me three trips over here, but I found the book.” Lance smiled at that little victory.
I wondered if he was thinking clearly.
~~
I could have written the script for what would follow. I’d been through it too many times, and dreaded every minute.
Officer Farlow spoke to Jack first. I sat on the sofa, avoiding the policeman’s eye. To distract myself and to keep from fidgeting, I planned a crime novel about the mummy woman. Scenes coursed through my mind as I reviewed the plot. Reviews would be poor. After all, crime novels needed to make sense.
In the midst of visualizing a particularly unbelievable scene, I heard my name. My thoughts wandered back to the surface and I glanced up to an empty room, except for Jack. Lance and the photo album were gone, and so was Jimmy Farlow.
“Where is everyone?”
“Gone. All finished. I sent Anita away. It’s time for you to go home, too.”
“Home? Don’t I have to go downtown to make a statement?”
Jack pulled me from the sofa. “No. It’s all taken care of. As a former FBI agent, I still inspire a little fear in the hearts of the local cops. I convinced them you weren’t involved. No interview, no statement.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. You are my hero.”
I thought for a moment, sorting through the events of the day. “But what will happen to Lance? He was the last person to see Valentina alive. And what about Ted and Ellen Felicity? Will the police understand that Ted has a kind heart and he meant to do good? Will he go to jail? I don’t think Ted should go to jail, he’s learned his lesson. Ellen should have known better, but probably shouldn’t get jail time either.”
“Whoa. Settle down. You don’t have to be in on all that. Go home and let the police and the court system take care of it from here.” Jack’s voice warmed me as if I’d sipped a cup of hot chocolate.
He tipped his head to stare into my eyes. “Or did you want to explain to Officer Farlow how you sneaked over here under cover of darkness, broke in, and found the photo album? He’d be interested in your reasoning when you replaced it and kept quiet. After that, I’m sure you’d be privy to all sorts of police information.”
He stared at me for a beat, letting reality sink in, before he continued. “I can probably catch Farlow.”
Jack pivoted and took a slow step toward the door.
I nearly fell over my feet snagging his arm. “No, wait. You’re right, I’ve helped enough. Guess we can trust the authorities to sort out the case.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I thought about a mid-afternoon nap as I snuggled into my favorite wicker chair, listening to the leaves rustle in the breeze. Anita might have already fallen asleep. She’d been quiet for a while as we waited for Clair to arrive.
Then, Clair stood at the door between the porch and the kitchen. “Hi, you two. Hope you don’t mind, but I invited Irma to join us.”
“Of course not.” I did sorta mind. Our back-porch meetings were usually reserved for the three of us. It was our special time to discuss the details of the week.
“Hello Irma. You’re always welcome. Come on in.” I leaned back in my wicker chair and stretched my legs out. “We were relaxing, now that the mummy house case is over.”
Clair stepped aside to let Irma in. “I wouldn’t call it over. I still don’t know how long it will be before I can buy the house.” She pivoted to go back into the kitchen and called over her shoulder, “I’ll get us our wine.”
Anita popped up. “Take my chair, Irma. I’ll get one from the kitchen. And I think I saw a bag of chips in there.”
Irma settled into the big wicker chair. “This is a nice setting. I always wanted a screened in porch but Frank, that’s my husband, said it wouldn’t look right on the house. Personally, I think he didn’t want to put forth the effort to build one.”
Clair returned and distributed glasses filled to the brim with red wine. Anita followed her, carrying one of Aunt Ruth’s mixing bowls, piled with potato chips. She placed the bowl on the floor within our reach.
Irma slurped her wine and began. “Clair wanted to know what was happening with the mummy woman case. The whole thing was a tangled mess. I don’t mind telling you I was surprised when it came out Lance had started an affair with the Utkin woman. It was in the first stages. Not more than a few weeks, when she died.”
Clair cut in. “Lance? I missed something.”
Irma swung an index finger at Clair. “That would be Tonya’s husband. They live beside the mummy woman’s house, opposite side from me. Anyway, he didn’t know what had been going on with all the other men in her life. So when he saw Ted the handyman visit a few times, and then storm out that day, he got mad. Stomped right in and started shouting about how there seemed to be more going on than yard work. He said her eyes got real big and rolled back in her head. Next thing he knew, she’d flopped flat on the floor. That was all she wrote. Probably massive heart attack. Lance feared Tonya would find out about his extra marital relationship, so he took off out the back door. I sorta understand his position, don’t you? He was sorry she died but what could he do about it?”
My friends and I looked at each other and shrugged.
“Course, what he didn’t know was he escaped getting the shakedown. If she hadn’t died, he would’ve been financing her lifestyle.”
Irma paused to take a couple gulps of wine before continuing. “Well the next day, Ted the handyman, drove by and saw Utkin’s front door hung open.”
Irma shifted in her chair and pointed at me.
“You know what happened then. Ted Felicity went in and, being the way he is, thought her death was his fault.”
Anita shook her head. “Unbelievable. So, Ted picked her up and put her in the car. And then he put a flower in her hand. Sweet gesture, but the man doesn’t have all his marbles.”
Clair sat up straight. “And Valentina Utkin’s body got left in the house. That’s outrageous. Three people knew she’d keeled over, and no one stepped up to take the responsibility to inform the authorities. Nobody else even noticed she was missing. How could that have happened in a town this small?”
Irma shrugged. “Strange.” After a beat, she continued. “Anyway, they’re ruling it a natural death. Heart attack. Lance should have reported it, so he’s in trouble. Poor Ted will face a charge for moving the body and for not reporting the death, as will that wife of his.”
“What happened to the photo album?” Anita asked.
“Packed away in the evidence locker.” Irma laughed. “We call it the closet of no return. Evidence boxes get stored in there and cov
ered up with other stuff. Never to be seen again.”
Irma tipped up her glass and downed the last dregs. “Thanks for the libation. I’ve got to be going. Don’t get up. I’ll see myself out.”
I thought, since she was a guest, I should walk her to the door. Those thoughts fled as I sank further down in my chair. I raised a hand to wave good-bye, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
Anita whispered, “I guess Perry’s safe. I’m glad, for Marlene’s sake.”
I swirled the wine in my glass. “Only in Evelynton would these weird things happen. What do you think…” I stopped at the sound of Irma’s voice, echoing from the living room. “Come on in. They’re out on the back porch. Right through there, and to the left.”
The three of us twisted to gaze into the kitchen.
Anita whispered. “Who’d she invite in?”
Clair set her wine glass on the floor. “Sorry, Lauren. I should have walked out with her and locked the door.”
We stared at the kitchen entrance, waiting for the unknown guest to show up.
I strained to recognize the footsteps until two familiar faces peered out from the shadows. Rarity and Wallace smiled at us from the kitchen door. Several possible surprise visitors had crossed my mind while I waited, but those two weren’t on the list.
Even more surprising was their attire. Wallace wore a suit. I’d supposed, given his age, he might have owned one, but I had never seen him in it. And Rarity always dressed in work clothes. Never the pretty, pale blue dress she modeled today. Her wayward auburn curls were pulled into a fluffy cluster at the back of her head.
Chair legs scraped the floor as Clair scooted to face the doorway.
Anita stood. “This is nice. All sorts of visitors today. What’s up?”
Rarity’s eyes crinkled and her cheeks blushed.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
R arity put up her hands. “You girls stay seated. And Anita, you may want to sit down. I think you’re gonna need those chairs, when I tell you the news.”
Clair gasped. “Why? What’s happened?”
“Don’t worry, dear, it’s a joyful happening. I won’t keep you in suspense.” She took a deep breath before declaring at full speed. “Wallace and I are on our way to the church. We’re getting married!”
I shrieked, and struggled to get out of my chair, determined to be the first to hug Rarity. The chair tumbled against the screen. And I had to wait behind Anita to give Rarity my blessing.
“I can’t believe I didn’t know this was happening. How long have you been planning it? How did you keep it a secret?”
“Let me give you the whole story.” Rarity glanced at Wallace. “I know you won’t mind if I explain things to the girls.” He gave her a wink that, I think, signified he trusted her completely.
“Wallace hasn’t been himself in the last few weeks. I’ve been busy at work or might have noticed sooner that he acted strangely. You noticed, too, didn’t you Lauren?”
I gave a nod and held my breath. There still might be bad news.
“A few days ago, I sat him down for a serious talk. We discussed what I’d noticed and what might be causing it. After going through everything I could think of, like whether he was eating properly or getting enough sleep, we figured it out.”
Wallace put an arm around Rarity. “I didn’t know what was happening. Thought maybe I was dreaming. Then, I was afraid I’d lost my mind.”
He pulled Rarity closer. “I wasn’t going to talk about it, afraid Rarity might break up with me. Why would she want to stay with a crazy old man?”
Anita couldn’t contain herself. “What was wrong? Are you okay?”
Wallace chuckled. “You know Rarity. She wouldn’t let up until I told her everything. She made me write out my whole schedule, morning ‘til night.”
Rarity laughed. “The problem was, he didn’t have a schedule.”
She turned to gaze into Wallace’s eyes. “You weren’t crazy. You just made a mistake with your medication and became disoriented. You’re fine now.”
Rarity clung to Wallace and turned her attention to us. “Meanwhile, I discovered something about myself. It occurred to me how important he is to me. I wouldn’t know what to do without this man.”
She flapped a hand at us. “I should have accepted his proposal long ago. Did you know Wallace asked me to marry him two years ago?”
Anita shook her head. I stared with my mouth open, still trying to process.
“I turned him down. I’d been independent for so long, marriage didn’t seem like something I’d be very good at. But now I can’t even imagine life without him. Whatever years we have left, I want to spend it with the love of my life.”
Clair had been hanging over my shoulder. “That is so romantic. It makes me want to cry.”
Anita nudged me to the side and grabbed Rarity’s hands. “I can’t believe you’re having a wedding today. I never heard anything about it at the church. How did you plan it on such short notice? Is everything arranged?”
“It’s all set. Today’s the day. There will be a simple ceremony. No fuss. We know so many people, I can’t imagine where we’d cut off the guest list. Even with the fellowship hall, the building isn’t big enough for the whole town.”
Wallace laughed. “You know Rarity. Once she puts her mind to something, it gets done. We stopped at the court house for a license, and now we’re heading over to the church.”
Rarity continued. “The pastor said he’d perform the ceremony as soon as we got there. Why don’t you girls come with us? You can be witnesses. Stacy’s going to be my maid-of-honor. She canceled a couple appointments and will meet us in the sanctuary. Jack’s on his way to be best-man. Wallace called him first since he’s farthest away. With you three, the wedding party is complete. What other arrangements do we need?”
Clair found her voice. “Good-grief, Rarity. You’re amazing.”
Rarity laughed. “It’s easy when you keep it simple. You girls get in a car and meet us at the church.”
Holding hands, the bride and groom seemed to glide into the dining room. I think their feet never touched the floor.
I ran through the kitchen, and caught up with the couple to give them each another hug. “I’m thrilled for you, and sort of speechless. But give me one minute to change clothes. I can’t attend your wedding dressed like this.” I really did plan to throw away all of my sweats.
“Don’t take too long, we’ll be waiting.” Rarity waved as she and Wallace exited the house.
I found a short navy dress at the back of my closet and pulled it on. Grabbing matching flats, dusty because I hadn’t worn them in a year, I ran outside barefoot. The minivan idled in the drive with Anita at the wheel. Clair had claimed the front seat and I climbed into the back to finish pulling on my shoes.
We’d driven about three blocks when Anita slammed on the brakes, throwing Clair and me against our seat belts.
Clair leaned her hand on the dash. “What on earth? Why are we stopping here?”
I pushed myself back into my seat while Anita pulled to the curb.
“I’ll be back in a flash.” Anita hopped out of the minivan and trotted into the backyard of a nearby house.
Clair and I barely had time to discuss her behavior before Anita pulled the driver side door open. She hefted herself into the driver seat, and handed me of a bouquet of fragrant white flowers tied with a blue ribbon.
“I knew Grace had a wonderful flower garden, most of it still in bloom, so I called her while you were changing and explained the situation. She was so excited to let me collect these for Rarity. It’s a good thing she was home, or I would have had to cut them without permission. Flower theft!”
Wallace stood silhouetted in the doorway of the church when the minivan screeched into the parking lot. He disappeared into the sanctuary as the three of us tumbled out and scrambled inside. Anita hustled to the front to present Rarity with the bouquet, and then crowded into the pew beside Clair and me.
It was at that moment I noticed the broad shouldered man in the first pew. Jack stood and stepped forward to join Wallace beside the altar.
Soft background music drifted in as the pastor began the ceremony.
Anita stretched to peer over the top of the piano to see the white haired lady at the keyboard. She whispered, “That’s the pastor’s mother. I wondered how they could find someone at the last minute.”
The ceremony proceeded. I watched it through my tears, so everything was sort of blurry. I remember Jack sneaked a look and a wink at me. I remember Anita passed tissues to Clair, who handed one to me. I tried not to attract attention with my sniffles.
Our little group witnessed the vows of two dear friends, dedicating their lives to one another. The neighbor I’d known since the first day of my return to Evelynton, and my boss, who’d saved me by giving me a job and by sharing so many bits of wisdom, became man and wife.
~~
The handwritten sign, on the door of Ava’s Java, read Special Party—Everyone Welcome.
Four tables were shoved together, and we feasted on Ava’s chocolate cake and coffee. As news of the marriage spread throughout Evelynton, more tables were pushed into place.
Melvin Stoddard, the police chief, stopped in and slapped Wallace on the back. Officers Farlow and Smith managed to grab slices of cake before Melvin told them they all needed to get back to protecting the town.
Murine Baron slipped in to give Rarity a hug. Her husband, Clive, shook Wallace’s hand and helped Murine into a chair beside Stacy, before he left.
Sometime during the celebration, Clair scooted her chair over to make room for a newcomer.
Anita leaned toward me. “Now I understand why Clair’s been so interested in kittens and puppies.”
Murderous Heart Page 15