by Elaine Macko
This gave me pause. “I hadn’t thought of that. If someone killed Victor because they felt certain he killed Jenna, would it make it any less a crime in the eyes of the law?”
“Of course not. Murder is murder, and don’t forget, in the eyes of the law Victor Sanjari didn’t do anything wrong. There’s no proof he killed his wife. You’re thinking it’s Mrs. Wickersham and you want me to go easy on her, is that it?”
I watched John finish the rest of the grapes. “Yeah, I suppose. I like her, but I saw something tonight in her eyes. I don’t think I realized the depth of her pain over losing her sister. Do you have any idea what Maddi’s arrest will do to Moshi?”
“It won’t be good, that’s for sure. What I’m wondering is if Mrs. Wickersham did kill Victor, why now? Why not several months ago?”
“Because she found out from Ruth or Delilah Sanjari that Victor had plans to change the trust.”
“Maybe, but we’re not going to solve this tonight. Come on. You have your treatment tomorrow morning. Let’s go to bed. I’ll close up down here. I have the upstairs windows already open for you so you can listen to the rain in bed.”
I got up and put my dirty cup in the sink. John was right. Murder could wait until tomorrow. Tonight I planned to fall asleep to the sound of a summer storm.
Chapter 58
The Indian Cove Medical Center was a bustling place when my mother and I walked in the next morning. Once every eight weeks we met here first thing for a three-hour infusion treatment to help keep our rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease we both had, at bay. My mother treated the appointment like a picnic, and she once again had brought along a basket containing a breakfast of homemade coffee cake, cut up fruit, and two thermoses full of tea. I wasn’t thrilled that both my mother and I shared this disease—I would rather have inherited her thick hair and deep-set eyes—but if I had to sit somewhere with an IV in my arm for three hours while poison dripped into my system, it was nice to have my mom with me. The fact that she brought goodies made it all that much more bearable.
We settled ourselves into our recliners with pillows and warmed blankets provided by the nurse assigned to us this morning. While the pharmacist mixed his deadly brew, Nurse Helen took my blood pressure and temperature and then did the same to my mom. We were then each handed an antihistamine to counteract any negative reaction to the medicine we might have, and I washed mine down with a gulp of tea.
I winced and turned my head away when Nurse Helen stuck the IV into my right hand. She taped the line to my arm and once my mother was similarly connected to a long pole and beeping machine at her side, we settled into our breakfast before the antihistamine took hold and we both fell soundly asleep.
“Your grandmother and her gang need a ride to and from the bingo hall tonight. Theresa and Frances don’t mind driving around Indian Cove all night, but the game is in Bridgeport and it’s probably safer if someone gives them a ride. Your father and I are going out tonight for dinner and game night or else I would drive them.”
“It’s no problem. I’d be happy to take them and pick them up.” Time spent with Meme and her friends was always time well spent.
I finished off my piece of cake and a couple of chunks of honeydew melon, and then started to drift off to sleep thanks to the drugs. In my dreamy state Maddi and Brian Jankowski came into my thoughts. Last night my husband wanted to know why Victor was killed now after all this time if revenge for Jenna’s death was the motive for his murder. Why indeed. Of course the answer was simple in Maddi’s case: the trust. I didn’t think the forfeiture of any money would have upset Maddi. It was the thought of Moshi being raised by Ruth and Delilah that would have brought her to take drastic action to keep Victor from changing the trust. I didn’t know how she found out, if in fact she had, but I wouldn’t put it past Victor to rub it in or even his mother. But what about Brian? Why would the principal have waited so long after Jenna’s death to kill Victor? Had he finally obtained definitive proof of Victor’s guilt—proof that had somehow thus far escaped the police? Or maybe he wanted to get it over with before school let out for the summer? I didn’t think so. And then there was that pesky little problem about Gary Hachmeister’s attack, assuming the two things were related. Maddi and Brian had no connection to Gary.
I was vaguely aware of a familiar voice in the background of my antihistamine-induced coma, and wondered if it was real or just part of my dream. I opened my eyes and looked over at my mother. She was still napping with an open magazine spread across her lap. I heard the voice again and brought my chair to an upright position so I could look out the door of our private room toward the reception desk. A woman with a long ponytail trailing down her back and a black skirt that touched the floor stood there arguing with Tracy, the unit’s very patient receptionist.
“Ms. Sanjari, the next available appointment with Doctor Jessop is five weeks out.”
“Are you listening to a word I’ve said? I have to see the doctor in the next week. It’s imperative.”
“Are you having a lot of pain in your back again?”
“No, but I will be if I don’t get an appointment.”
“Let me speak with the doctor later this morning, and I’ll see if I can squeeze you in some time later in the week. Will that do?”
“Just make sure I get to see him this week. You have my number. Call me and let me know when I can come in or I’ll be back here again tomorrow morning and next time I won’t be so nice!”
Delilah turned and I called out to her.
“Ms. Sanjari—Delilah—in here. It’s Alex Harris. We met on Saturday.”
Delilah looked around, trying to figure out where my voice was coming from.
“I think someone in that room behind you is calling you,” Tracy said.
Delilah turned and I waved. She stepped into the room and looked at me and then my mother, who somehow still remained asleep.
“Gee, what’s wrong with you?”
“It’s nothing. An auto-immune thing that both my mom and I have. We get treatment every couple of months. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Are you okay?”
Delilah heaved her giant purse over her shoulders and crossed her arms. “I won’t be for long if I don’t get to see my doctor. My insurance expires at the end of the month, and I’m hoping he’ll give me a couple of prescriptions to tide me over until I can figure something out.”
“Figure out what?”
“That brother of mine. He was paying for my health insurance, and now that he’s gone, it’ll terminate at the end of the month. Son of a bitch promised me he changed the trust. Not only didn’t he do that, but he didn’t leave any sort of provision for me and my mother. Nothing. We’ll be kicked out of our apartment, too.”
“Can you get a job?”
“Not with this back.”
I had no idea what was wrong with Delilah’s back, but it didn’t seem to stop her from carrying a bag that had to weigh about twenty pounds judging by the size of it. And she managed to climb all those stairs up to her apartment. I had the feeling the Sanjari women were used to having Victor supporting them.
“I’m sorry for your troubles,” I said.
“Yeah, me, too. If only Victor had been straight with me.” She turned and walked out of the room.
My mother opened her eyes and looked at me. “The sister, I take it.”
“Yep, the one and only.”
“That sounded like some sort of a confession to me,” my mother said.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
Chapter 59
I had the same problem with Delilah Sanjari that I had with Maddi and Brian. I could see why she would kill her brother, but why attack his friend? And what was with Victor paying for everything? The guy must have been raking in the bucks with his illegal workers scheme. Maybe I could expand Always Prepared: We’ll find you temps even if we have to go the Serbia to do it!
So far my best bet for both the murder a
nd the attack on Gary was Gail Hachmeister. She had a reason to want Victor out of the picture once and for all, plus, with her ten-year anniversary coming up soon, there was more than enough motive to get rid of Gary as well. But the main reason I found Gail to be a compelling suspect was one that I hadn’t even thought of until now. Gail had a key to the building in which Connecticut Custom Homes was located. At least I assumed she would have a key to the building housing her own company. If the attacker wasn’t Gail, then how did the person who hit Gary over the head get in? I couldn’t believe that a beautiful office building like that would just leave their doors open at all hours. As a matter of fact, I was certain I had seen a black panel for a key card by the front door of the building.
After my treatment, I had said good-bye to my mother and was now back in my office. Millie went to get some sandwiches for lunch, and while I waited for her to return maybe I could find out about the security at Connecticut Custom Homes. I opened up the bottom drawer of my desk and took out my bag. I rummaged through some receipts I had shoved in there until I found the business card for Gary Hachmeister. I was just about to dial the number when I heard the front door of the agency open. I put the receiver down and went out to the lobby.
“Suzette, what a coincidence. I was just about to call you.”
Suzette looked worried. “Is something wrong? Have you changed your mind about bringing me on?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. As a matter of fact, we’re thrilled you’ll be joining us. Your test scores were the highest we’ve seen in a while and we have the perfect position coming up for you.”
“Millie called me this morning and told me all about it. She asked if I would be interested. Of course I am. I’m so excited!”
“You sound it. The job won’t start for two weeks and then it’s only a three-month assignment, but I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to keep you busy.”
“I gave my notice this morning. Gary had a fit. He even offered me a lot more money, but I’m ready for a change and my husband is thrilled that I’ll be able to pick and choose my assignments. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Don’t thank me. I think you’re going to be a wonderful asset to Always Prepared.”
“I hate to rush, but I’m on my lunch hour. Millie said that she had some papers for me to fill out.”
I walked over to Millie’s desk and found an envelope with Suzette’s name on it.
“Here you go. Suzette, the reason I was going to call you was that I wanted to know what kind of security system your office building has. Do you need to use a card to get in?”
“Only before seven in the morning and after six in the evening. The doors remain open during the day. Everyone who works in the building has a card that we can use after hours if we need to come in.”
“Suzette, I haven’t been totally forthcoming with you. I’ve actually been looking into Victor’s murder for a couple of reasons. I won’t take up your time with that now, but did Victor Sanjari have a card for the building?”
Suzette smiled. “I thought you were asking a lot of questions about him, and then I remembered where I had seen your name before. You were in the papers a few months back.”
“I was. And now I’m looking into Victor’s murder because, well, this one hit a bit too close to home, and then I got wrapped up in some other stuff.”
Suzette put up her hand. “You don’t need to explain. I understand. I like a good mystery as well. But to answer your question, yes, Victor had a card. Gary gave it to him several years ago. Victor used to come by a lot after work, and he and Gary would sit around and shoot the breeze. They were friends for a long time. Does this have something to do with Gary getting attacked over the weekend?”
“It does. I was wondering how the person who attacked him would have gotten into the building?”
“Unfortunately it’s not that hard. People coming in let others in behind them. You know how that goes.”
“But would there have been a lot of people coming and going on a Saturday night? Gary got hit pretty late.”
“Yes, that’s what he told me. But the person who attacked him could have come in earlier when there were more people around, and just waited in the restroom or storage room or something. The doors are locked all weekend. Anyone coming in then would definitely need their key card unless someone lets them in. One of the companies in the building is open on Saturday so they have a lot of traffic.”
“One more thing, and then I won’t take up any more of your time. What do you think of Gail Hachmeister?”
Suzette’s lips pursed. “To be truthful, I’ve never much cared for her. It’s not that big a deal because she doesn’t come around very often. Over the years, I really haven’t had a lot of interaction with her. Don’t get me wrong, I doubt Gary is an easy man to live with, and he does have a wandering eye, not that I’ve ever noticed him acting on it, but Gail just kind of turns me off. Can’t put my finger on it, exactly, but I just always thought she was sneaky.” Suzette glanced at her watch. “Look, I really have to get back. I’ve got someone coming in to interview for my job. She used to work for us and is now back in the job market, so it might turn out to be an easy transition.”
“Okay. Thanks for coming by to get these. We could have mailed them to you. And if you can’t find a good candidate for your current job, let me know and we can help Gary find someone.”
I watched Suzette go down the walkway and get into her car and drive away, and then I returned to my office, all the while wondering what happened to the key card that Gary Hachmeister gave to Victor Sanjari.
Chapter 60
“I’ll have to ask John about the key card,” I said to Millie and Sam.
We were seated in my office eating sandwiches and drinking large iced teas that Millie had picked up. We had all the office windows opened and a cool sea breeze wafted through. Nothing like a summer storm to cool things down and clean the air.
“Will John give you any information? He hates when you get involved in his murders.” Millie peered at me over the rim of her new glasses. She usually wore contacts, changing the colors of them to match whatever she was wearing, but had recently decided that glasses made her look more sophisticated. Her dark hair was piled on top of her head and held with a large clip. She wore an adorable sundress in bright colors and a pair of diamond studs at her ears.
“He usually hates when I get involved, but he’s cutting me a lot more slack this time,” I said.
“Yeah, well, he probably feels guilty about the way he treated me. I’m surprised he didn’t have the office surrounded and a SWAT team out front. The man owes me big time. I’m just saying.”
I smiled at my sister. “Think of it this way: now you can check Getting Arrested off your bucket list. Done.”
“Humph.”
“Truthfully, he really is letting me stick my nose in on this one. He hasn’t told me once to stay out of it. I even shared what I’ve learned so far with him.”
Sam and Millie stopped eating and stared at me.
“Okay. Not everything, but almost everything,” I said, and then remembered that what I didn’t share with John was my recent visit to Kate Cavanaugh’s office and the fact that she and Michael were seen together in Branford. I also had no plans to share that information with the two women in my office so I changed the subject quickly.
“Suzette is right about Gail Hachmeister being sneaky. The woman scared the living daylights out of me last night. I never heard her come in and then a flash of lightning and bam! There she was. Standing right there.” I pointed to the doorway. “Creepy. Very creepy.”
“If she could sneak up on you, she could probably sneak up on her husband in a darkened hallway,” Millie said. “What did she want?”
“She basically wants me to spy on her husband for her. She wants to know if I uncover any proof of him having an affair. Said as long as I was on the case, it would be better for me to feed her information rather than hiring a private investi
gator and risk all that dirty laundry being aired in high society.”
“Are you going to do it?” Millie asked.
“I guess. But I’ve talked to the man several times and I have no reason to think he’s cheating on his wife. Looking at women’s breasts, yes, but having an affair? I have no idea and I don’t plan on making a point of looking into his private life.” I took a bite of my salami and cheese sandwich and mulled this over.
My sister nudged me. “Hey, what are you thinking about? You got all quiet all of a sudden.”
“I was just wondering if Gail could actually shoot Victor with a nail gun. She looks so refined. And then nailing his hands to the wall. I mean there had to be a lot of blood involved what with him full of all those holes. Geesh. Who does that?”
Millie wiped her chin. “Someone who really wanted the guy dead.”
“I should really speak with the people Victor worked with. I need to find a reason why someone wanted both Victor and Gary dead. It must have something to do with their work. Right now the only person I have is Gail, and I’m not even sure how badly she wanted Victor out of the way. He was an annoyance, but you don’t kill over an annoyance.”
“If that annoyance is causing your business to lose money and get a bad reputation, one might be so inclined.” My sister gave me a knowing look. “Maybe she felt Victor was leading her husband astray and if he, Victor, was out of the picture, Gary’s attentions would be hers again. Women do crazy things when they think their husbands might be cheating. Well, I better get back to work.” Sam gathered up her napkin and sandwich wrapper and dropped them in the trash bin by my desk. She grabbed her iced tea and left.
“Me, too. I have someone coming in for testing in half an hour.”
Millie left and I was alone with my thoughts. Sam and Millie had everything under control at the office. I thought there was no better time than right now to go and have a chat with Victor’s co-workers.