Coulson's Reckoning

by McIntyre, Anna J

  “Cemetery? I don’t know anything about that. But Angela has the right to visit the cemetery, so I don’t know why you think that’s a problem.”

  “What about the threat? Angela told Sophie she might get in an accident if she didn’t stop seeing me.”

  “According to Angela, your friend—her name is Sophie, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, Sophie kept asking Angela questions, was looking at her ring, asking if you were still engaged, and Angela just wanted to go use the restroom. She finally told Sophie she was going to have an accident if she didn’t get to the bathroom. Angela was talking about peeing her pants, not about hurting your friend.”

  “That is not how it went down!”

  “Well, it’s your friend’s word against Angela’s”

  “Considering Angela’s record, I wouldn’t think her word would be worth much.”

  “Adam, while I understand why you’d like to see Angela back behind bars, I have to take that into consideration when you make accusations against her. As far as I’m concerned, Angela Carter hasn’t done anything to violate the terms of her release. I hope this isn’t going to become a habit with you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Calling me every time you imagine Angela has done something wrong.”

  “What about her wearing the engagement ring? Angela even admitted it to you.”

  “I don’t understand? Are you saying she stole that ring?”

  “No. I let her keep it after we broke up.”

  “Then what’s the problem, Adam? Am I supposed to send the girl back to prison because she’s wearing a ring she legally owns?”

  “Don’t you think it’s strange that she would be wearing my ring after we’ve been broken up all this time?”

  “Adam, if strange was enough to get one arrested then there would be more people behind bars than out.”

  By the time Adam got off the phone, he was thoroughly frustrated.

  “HeThey didn’t believe my story, did he?” Sophie asked.

  “Not really,” Adam grumbled.

  “That doesn’t make any sense,” Kim said. “Sam knows what kind of a person she is. He’s the one who initially arrested her.”

  “I know. But Angela came up with a believable story, making it look like we were just being paranoid. Plus, it was difficult to convince Sam that Angela was stalking me, since she was with her father.”

  “Joe was with her when she approached Sophie?” Nick asked.

  “According to Sam, Joe and Angela drove up to Clement Falls together—an innocent outing. And that they stopped at the diner so she could use the bathroom. As far as Sam was convinced, running into her was nothing more than a coincidence.”

  “I didn’t see any man with her,” Sophie said.

  “When I spoke to the hostess at the diner, she said Angela got into a red car. Joe owns a red car. While Angela was driving, the hostess couldn’t really say for certain if anyone else was in the car with her.”

  “Well, I know what she said to me,” Sophie insisted. “I find it hard to believe she came here by some fluke.”

  “Sophie, did she use the bathroom after she talked to you?” Adam asked.

  “No. After she threatened me, she left the diner. I got the impression she wanted to leave before you showed up. I was so stunned; I just sat there like a fool. Why do you ask?”

  “Because she gave Sam some bullshit story about how she needed to go to the bathroom, and her comment about an accident had something to do with how she was going to pee her pants if she didn’t hurry up and go.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes.”

  “She didn’t use the bathroom. But I guess it’s just my word against hers.”

  “I’m really sorry I got you involved in all this,” Adam said, sounding sincerely remorseful. They were all quiet for a moment. Finally Sophie spoke.

  “I guess this means just one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Kim asked.

  “Adam owes me,” Sophie said in a playful tone. “If I have to dodge his killer ex, then he has to help me find out more about my killer grandfather.”

  “Seems fair,” Adam said with a grin, wondering if perhaps there was a ray of sunshine cutting through the dark cloud.

  Chapter 14

  It was after nine on Saturday evening when Kim received a call on her cell phone from Alexandra.

  “Hey, Alex, what’s up?”

  “Is Adam still over there?”

  “Yeah, you want to talk to him? He’s in the other room; I can go get him.”

  “No, Kim. I want to talk to you. What’s he doing right now?”

  “They just started a game of Mexican Train with Nick and Pop.”

  “You aren’t playing?”

  “No. I wanted to go over a contract Uncle Russell and I are working on. Why?”

  “We were wondering if you could come over here alone. We wanted to discuss some Coulson family business, and for now, we’d like to keep it just between us. Think you can make some excuse and come over here?”

  “Sure. I suppose I could say I need to talk to Uncle Russell about the contract I’m working on. Is everything okay, Alex?”

  “Just come on over. We’ll talk about it when you get here.”

  Kim arrived at Garret and Alex’s cabin about fifteen minutes later. She found Alex, Kate, and Russell waiting for her in the living room by the fireplace.

  “Would you like a glass of wine?” Garret asked after he opened the door and ushered his niece inside.

  “No thanks. What’s all this about?” Kim took a seat on the rocking chair.

  “You know we met with Nick’s cousin today,” Alex began.

  “Yes. She seems like a really nice girl. I think there’s a little spark between Adam and her.” Kim smiled.

  “Yes, I noticed that, too,” Alex continued. “But, her questions about her grandfather provoked Harrison.”

  “What do you mean?” Kim asked with a frown.

  “Adam stopped at Coulson House last night after hearing about Angela. We were all over there for dinner. Dad invited Adam to stay,” Garret explained.

  “I know. Adam mentioned that.”

  “When Adam brought up Sophie and her grandfather, it seemed to upset Dad. He didn’t feel we should get involved. He wasn’t thrilled when Adam asked us to meet with her.”

  “Why would he care?” Kim asked.

  “I’m starting to wonder if Dad knows more about Marino than we’ve been told,” Russell said.

  “I don’t understand, Uncle Russell.”

  “For now, I’d prefer we keep this between us—the people in this room. I’ve never really talked about it before. In fact, I just told Kate about it last night for the first time. After Sophie left today, I decided to tell Garret and Alex.”

  “Gee, you definitely have me curious.”

  “I suspect there might have been some connection between my parents and Sophie’s grandfather, something deeper than what we’ve been led to believe.”

  Kim looked from Russell to Garret, then back to Russell.

  “We’ve always been told my parents only met Anthony Marino once, when he sent champagne over to their table when they were out to dinner with my grandfather and Harrison.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Before Anthony Marino disappeared,” Russell explained, “he gave me a letter to hand-deliver to my mother. I was about eight years old at the time. He told me I had to keep it a secret and not tell anyone—not even my father.”

  “What was in the letter?”

  “I never found out. But I delivered it to my mother. I was told it was about a surprise for my dad. But I never heard what the surprise was. I later found out my father knew about the letter. When Marino gave it to me, Tommy Chamberlain was with me. After Marino disappeared, the FBI interviewed the Keller family. Later, Tommy mentioned the note to Ryan. Ryan told his dad, who then told the FBI agents. They showed
up at our house to talk to me.”

  “So, you never asked Grandfather what was in the letter?”

  “Never. And I have a gut feeling asking him the questions won’t give us the truth.”

  “It is odd.”

  “Since you’re living part time at Coulson House, under the same roof as him, we thought you needed to know about the situation. Especially now, since Sophie will most likely be asking more questions.”

  “Plus, this afternoon I suggested to Sophie that she talk to you if she wanted to ask Harrison questions about her grandfather. I figured you had more influence over him. But now I rather regret making that suggestion,” Alex said guiltily. “That’s one reason we called you over here tonight.”

  “You think he knows something about the man’s murder?”

  “We don’t know,” Garret said. “But now that we’ve learned about the letter and discussed it a bit, we feel a little uneasy about the situation. I just wish there was a way to find out more about what went on back then without asking my father.”

  They were all quiet for a moment, each silently pondering the situation.

  “Did you say your grandfather, Randall, was around back then?” Kim finally broke the silence.

  “Yes, he was with them when Marino sent over the champagne. Why?” Garret answered.

  “If your father knew something about the murder, do you think his father would have known something, too?”

  “I find it hard to believe my father would know something my grandfather didn’t. But why does that matter now? He’s been dead for years.”

  “Maybe he put something in his diary,” Kim suggested.

  “Diary? What diary?” Garret asked with a frown.

  “You know, Randall Coulson’s diary. The one that’s in the box on the top shelf in the library behind the Greek classics, with Mary Ellen’s diary.”

  “What are you talking about, Kim? What diaries?” Russell asked.

  “I thought you knew.” Kim glanced around the room and noted the looks of confusion. “I just assumed you knew. I found it the first time I went up there on the ladder, looking through the books in that section.”

  “I can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of Greek classics. Are you saying there’s a box up there with my grandparent’s diaries?” Garret asked.

  “Yes. I assume they belong to them. I peeked in each one back when I found them, two handwritten journals. One had Randall’s name on the inside of the cover, and the other had Mary Ellen’s. But I’ve never read them. After reading my mother’s diaries, I’m a little reluctant to pry into someone else’s private thoughts.”

  “What did my father say about them?” Russell asked.

  “I never said anything to him. I figured he was the one who put them there, back before his stroke, and I didn’t want him to think I was prying.”

  “They are news to me,” Russell said.

  “I’ve heard about our grandmother’s diary,” Garret told him. “I remember Randall telling me she kept one. He gave it to her as a Christmas present. After she died, the diary disappeared. It’s possible my father knows nothing about those diaries.”

  “I’ll be happy to get them down for you,” Kim offered.

  “Weren’t you ever curious to read them?” Kate asked.

  Kim considered the question for a moment before answering. “I found them not long after I moved into Coulson House. It was before I scattered Mom’s ashes. Of all the rooms at the estate, that one fascinated me the most. I hadn’t yet heard the story about how Mary Ellen died in the room.

  “I was curious to get a closer look at some of the books on the top shelf, so I went up on the ladder. I was surprised to discover a box hidden behind several books in the corner. At first, when I pulled out the diaries, I wondered if they were some rare and valuable books. Perhaps that’s why they were hidden. But as soon as I opened them, I realized they were diaries. I got this, well, sick feeling. The same feeling I still get when I think of my mother’s diaries and all the pain and secrets she locked away in those ledgers. I just put the books back and never said anything. I guess I sort of forgot about them.”

  “Go ahead and get them down when you get home. But don’t say anything to Dad. I’ll pick them up. Maybe there’s something in there about Marino,” Garret told her.

  “You just want Randall’s?” Kim asked.

  “No. Give me both of them. I was young when my grandmother died, but I have some fond memories of her. I’d love to look at her diary.”

  “Are you sure you want to?”

  “Kim, why do you ask that?”

  “Because diaries tend to be unguarded glimpses into someone’s personal life. Sometimes looking can be painful,” Kim explained.

  “I don’t think Mary Ellen’s diary will be more than entries about her daily schedule, the weather, important family events. From what I know, she lived a fairly sheltered life. Her father worked for my grandfather’s company in Virginia. She was a bit younger than my grandfather. I always got the impression he swept this young, sheltered girl off her feet—snatched her up and brought her back to Philadelphia with him as his bride,” Garret explained.

  “Well, the men in this family do have a habit of sweeping women off their feet,” Kate teased.

  “So, it was a real love story?” Kim asked.

  “I think so. He was a powerful force and could be a real bastard. But I have to admit, he was fiercely protective of his family. He never remarried. I remember Dad would sometimes make a joke about how some of the eligible widows were vying for his attention. My grandfather would say there was only one woman for him.”

  “That’s really sweet,” Kate said.

  “How old was he when she died?” Alex asked.

  “Younger than me,” Garret said.

  “And he never got into another relationship?” Alex questioned.

  “Not that I’m aware of. I know when he’d go back to Chicago, there were several lady friends back there that he’d occasionally escort to the theatre. Normally, a widow of an old friend, something like that. But, no, he insisted his life was full enough with his family and business.”

  “That’s surprising. It seems men tend to remarry,” Kate commented.

  “Not me, love. I would pine for you,” Russell teased.

  “As you should, Russy! Because I would haunt you if you started fooling around with some other woman!” They all laughed.

  “Well, I better get back to the house. I’ll get the books down for you on Monday. I’m staying up here through the weekend,” Kim said.

  “Thanks, Kim. I appreciate that. And for now, don’t say anything to my dad. I don’t want to upset him. Hopefully Randall’s diary will tell us something about what was going on back when Marino disappeared.”

  Chapter 15

  After waking up and dressing on Sunday morning, Adam found his mother with Garret, Kate, and Russell sitting around the kitchen table.

  “Want some breakfast?” Alexandra offered.

  “No thanks, but a cup of coffee would be great.” Adam grabbed a mug from the cupboard and filled it from the pot before sitting at the breakfast bar near the table.

  “We’re heading back to Coulson tomorrow morning, but you’re welcome to use the cabin if you want to stay longer,” Garret offered.

  “Thanks. I told Sophie I’d take her to the police station in the morning to see if she can find out anything about her grandfather’s case. We’re also going to the newspaper office.”

  “Then you’re coming back here?” Alex asked.

  “It depends. We might spend the night at my house and come back up here Tuesday or Wednesday.”

  “Hmmm, moving fast,” Alex said, raising her brow.

  “I told her she was welcome to stay in the guest room.” Adam sounded annoyed.

  “I’m just teasing you, Adam.” Alex chuckled.

  “Well, I think she’s adorable,” Kate chirped. “Even if her grandfather was a mobster.”

  “We don�
�t really know that for sure,” Adam reminded her. “I was also going to see if Uncle Tommy and Uncle Jimmy would talk to her.”

  “I imagine they will, but I doubt they’ll have much to add. Tommy and I were together when they found the body, and Jimmy was even younger. I can’t imagine he’d remember much.”

  “Who knows, maybe they’ll remember something new,” Adam said. He glanced up at the wall clock. “Well, I’m going to take off. Kim and Nick invited me to come over for breakfast.” Adam got up from the breakfast bar and set his empty mug in the kitchen sink.

  “Have fun,” Alex told him. After Adam left the cabin ten minutes later, Russell was the first to speak.

  “Oh, crap. I forgot about Tommy.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” Garret said.

  “What do you mean?” Kate asked.

  “Oh, I get it,” Alex spoke up. “Tommy knew about the letter Marino gave Russell. He might remember and say something to Sophie.”

  “Exactly,” Russell agreed. “And then she’ll wonder why I didn’t mention it.”

  “You can always say you forgot,” Kate suggested.

  “Crap, I wonder if I made the situation worse by not mentioning the letter. It very well could be nothing—something innocent.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Garret said.

  “You want me to call Tommy and tell him not to mention the letter?” Kate offered.

  “No, that would just make it look worse if she found out,” Russell told her.

  “I don’t think we have to worry about Tommy right now, considering the time of year. It’s practically impossible to get together with our brother this early in the tax season. And if I remember correctly, he mentioned being a little short-handed at the firm.”

  When Adam arrived at the bed and breakfast, Franklin answered the door. He told Adam to go into the kitchen, explaining Sophie was there with Kim and Nick, showing them how to make frittatas.

  “Good morning,” Adam said when he walked into the room.

  “Morning, Adam. Help yourself to some coffee,” Nick greeted from the counter where he was busy putting bread into the toaster.

  “Morning,” Sophie and Kim greeted in unison.