Her attention was diverted to Chester Boyd as he stepped out of the front door to the waiting limousine in the driveway. He was carrying a trunk of costumes, and behind him Shawn and Ricky came carrying several cases of props and makeup. She hurried out to them. Chief Ingram and the detective followed her. She got to the actors first, hoping that Mac wouldn’t dare arrest her in front of the gathered crowd of photographers.
“Chester, I want to speak with you one last time.”
When they were apart from the others, Brenda asked him about his exciting last-minute role on the stage, asking him if he had always wanted to be an actor. She noticed the two policemen waited a few yards away from them.
“I never wanted to act. I enjoy helping with the props and costumes. As Ellen’s assistant, I keep...I kept things in order for everyone else.” He entwined his fingers together and stood patiently and politely as they spoke. “Your bed and breakfast provided very comfortable lodgings for all of us. It’s such a shame and a tragedy about Ellen’s sudden death. I do hope it doesn’t mar the reputation of the establishment.”
“Never mind that,” said Brenda, incensed at his lies. “I know you have always aspired to be an actor, Chester. I know because you were good friends with my uncle.”
He shifted his stance slightly. “I don’t know where you got your information, but none of it is true. I did know and admire Randolph. That part I don’t dispute, but I never had aspirations to be an actor. Besides, Ellen paid me very well to assist her.” He pursed his lips and made as if to rejoin the others loading the limousine.
“But it wasn’t enough, was it Chester? You were at her beck and call night and day. She didn’t appreciate your talents. Then when she finally gave you a part, she ripped it away from you before you could taste success.” Brenda reached in her pocket and drew out the letter. She read it word for word to Chester. Anger flared across his face as he listened. She looked up at him again accusingly. “This is the same handwriting found on the threatening note in the rose bouquet next to Ellen’s bed after she was killed,” said Brenda.
“All right, I did want to be an actor.” She noted that he had slipped right past the issue of the card in the bouquet. “I studied every speaking part and knew how a good actor sells their emotions to an audience.” The resentment seemed to come off him in waves. “I had talent that superseded some of her actors and Ellen knew that. And then...and then she—”
Brenda held up her hand. “Don’t you want the cops to hear you?” He gave her a furious, wordless look. But they both knew it was time for the truth to come out. Inexplicably, relief seemed to spread through him and he sighed. The police chief, accompanied by the detective, approached closer. Brenda ignored both and turned once again to Chester. She had just a few minutes to work a confession out of him or she would be arrested.
“And then what? What did Ellen do?”
The normally sedate man’s eyes darted from Brenda to the police standing there and then back to her.
“The letter only tells half the story. She approached me in New York last year during casting. Ellen told me if I wanted to play the role of the host of the country estate in ‘The Rich Game’ that it was mine. She said it was time for my talents to be recognized. She assured me the role was mine.” He paused and his eyes darkened with remembered anger, like bright flames in his pupils. “She promised it to me. I even called William Pendleton to tell him to add my name to the billboard posters. He was doing the promotion for us down here. But I could tell she didn’t like the thought of me getting above my station,” he said sourly. “The next thing I knew, Ellen came to me and announced she had given the role to someone else. I don’t hold any grudges against Bonnie, but that part was meant to be mine. As usual, Ellen relished the power that she had to give and to snatch away at whim. Ask anyone. You saw for yourself what she was like during that ghastly final rehearsal. Her reasons were never understood by any of us, but she didn’t care.”
Mac started to step forward. Brenda reached her arm out and stopped him. She did not look at him. This was her game and her life at stake. Detective Mac Rivers wasn’t going to have the privilege of sharing her limelight just now.
“Tell me what happened.” Brenda had patience. “I can see your predicament. She upstaged everyone and cheated the cast out of their well-deserved acclamations. You merited recognition, too, Chester. You waited on her hand and foot. I’m sure you never had a minute you could call your own. And then she took your part away.”
Chester looked at Brenda and it was as if they were speaking alone on the quiet stairway landing once more, and not in front of the police and the distant hubbub of the reporters. At last, things could be said once and for all. He was ready to clear the air. “Ellen Teague was selfish. She was a tyrant.” He practically spit the words out. “She was never happy unless everyone’s attention focused on her. Randolph Sheffield was the best man and best actor I’ve ever known and Ellen used him like she did everyone else. I know why your uncle left the theatre. He was sick of Ellen Teague. Randolph was the most talented man I’ve known but she crushed him under her heel again and again. That’s why he left, even though theatre was in his life’s blood.”
Brenda saw the pain written on Chester’s face. “I read a letter Uncle Randolph wrote to my father. In it he said he had had enough of Ellen.” She hoped he had more to say, and waited, holding her breath.
“I waited on that woman for twenty years. I can count on one hand the times she said thank you for anything I did. I got her out of more than one crisis when it came to producing plays. I’m ashamed to say I begged her for a role every year when a new play came out or an actor left a role at the last minute. She knew my ambitions. And she told me I was where she wanted me. That was well put. She had me where she wanted me and I was crazy to think I would be anything different than her servant.”
The two officers remained where Brenda told them to stand. Brenda knew the reporters at the edge of the property were getting impatient, but this had to be done right. The press would have to wait.
“The biggest privilege of my life would have been to act on stage under the direction of Randolph Sheffield. Ellen knew of our friendship and couldn’t stand it. She made sure I was so busy there was no time to even audition for Randolph, and then later she threw it in my face that he never would have cast me.” He heaved an angry sigh at the memory. “And then...when she finally told me I was cast in this play, she took it away without a second thought and gave it to an unknown.” His eyes closed momentarily and a muscle twitched in his jaw.
“And you knew then that your dream would never be realized under Ellen Teague,” Brenda finished.
“Randolph knew when it was time to go. That was one of the great tragedies for the world of theatre, his retirement from the stage. I never forgave her for that. But when she took the role from me, I finally had enough of her, too.” He looked directly at Brenda. “There’s one more thing I must tell you. Your uncle did have one short conversation with Ellen about the bed and breakfast. It was when he told her his plans of moving to Sweetfern Harbor. He never once promised her she would one day own it – in fact, she mocked him for his choice to move to such a tiny town. But after he left, she laughed about it and told me she would one day get her hands on the property just to spite Randolph and any family he had.”
Now they were getting someplace. She mentally willed the officers to stay where they were. This saga wasn’t over yet. Chester focused on Brenda and smiled wearily.
“The performance this afternoon was my triumph over Ellen Teague. It was the happiest moment of my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I did everyone a service that night.” Chester Boyd chuckled as if they were simply having a normal conversation. “It was so easy. There she was, almost passed out from the champagne. Her dressing gown was on the brass hook next to her bed with the belt dangling. It was all so easy. I took my time and she didn’t even know what I was doing. I even fingered the belt and then got it r
eady.” Chester did not take his eyes off Brenda’s as he said these words and a deadly chill raced through her as she glimpsed the darkness inside him. “One strong pull was all it took and I kept it tight on her until she was dead.”
Brenda stepped back in fearful triumph, her heart pounding, and Detective Mac Rivers snapped handcuffs on the actor’s wrists and read him his rights. Brenda shakily thanked Chester for the truth and turned to watch as Mac escorted Chester through the group of actors gathered outside on the way to the patrol car.
“Break a leg, guys,” he said with ghastly calm. “Never forget you are great actors.” He and Bonnie exchanged glances. He smiled at her gently. “You especially, Bonnie, don’t give up on your dreams.” He ducked his head and was quickly settled in the backseat of the squad car.
Brenda was torn between feeling relief and shock at how everything had turned out. She watched the strange scene on the driveway as cameras flashed in the darkness from the photographers gathered some distance away. Now that the truth had been revealed, it seemed as if the actors felt free to express themselves without reservation. Shawn and Anna both mouthed a silent “Thank you” to Chester through the window. Bonnie allowed tears to stream down her cheeks. Ricky nodded as if silently paying his respects to Chester’s terrible act. They were all thanking the man for killing the woman they hated.
Brenda watched Chester Boyd’s reaction, too. His mouth curved upward in a small smile as he was driven to the police station to be booked for murder. His dream of becoming an actor on the stage, though short-lived, had been fulfilled. Brenda reflected that perhaps his final speech to her on the driveway had been a performance, too. It was his story, the last story he would get to tell, after all.
Chapter Ten
Reconciliation
Detective Mac Rivers finished speaking to the chief as they stood together in front of the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. He told the chief he would be back at the police station soon. He glanced at the last of the reporters who turned to leave as the scene was now quiet. Under the summer stars, he walked toward the edge of the lawn to gaze down at the ocean as it lapped gently on the rocks a short distance below. He had his work cut out for him. Following leads in a murder case was minuscule compared to facing Brenda Sheffield. He sat on a bench that faced the view and watched the waves lapping against the rocks. He still clutched the warrant for Brenda’s arrest in his right hand. He smoothed it out on his knee and then methodically tore it into tiny bits. The wind carried the scraps of paper over the ocean until most dropped into the water while the rest of the pieces stayed with the wind. He hoped he had not lost Brenda forever over his stupid assumptions. She was right when she told him he didn’t know her at all. He had made a mistake, but he knew he loved her.
Brenda and Phyllis went upstairs to the guest rooms. Without words, both women ripped the yellow tape from around the suite Ellen stayed in.
“What about the tape around Chester’s room?”
“Rip it off, too, Phyllis.”
“Have the police got all the evidence they need from this room?”
Brenda shrugged her shoulders. “They’ve spent enough time in and around these two rooms. I think they have all they need. Rip it off.”
Phyllis did as she was told, relieved the nightmare was over. Brenda helped her strip the beds. Without words, she took the bedding to the dumpster and threw it away. On her way back through the kitchen door, Chef Morgan called to her.
“The detective is looking for you.”
Brenda sighed. “He’ll just have to find me on his own. I have a bed and breakfast to get back in order.”
Morgan watched Brenda stop to wash her hands in the sink. “That man is in love with you, you know. This old house can wait,” she said gently. She could see the pain in Brenda’s eyes but her boss said nothing as she dried her hands and turned to get back to work.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
Brenda was halfway up the stairs when she heard his voice. Her heart lurched. She turned to see him standing at the bottom of the staircase.
“Did you need something? I presumed you had everything you needed by now.”
“Not everything.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “I want to talk with you privately.”
Brenda debated within herself. She decided he should wonder a little longer about whether she would let him make amends or not. Her heart still hurt, though she could feel it thawing in his presence. “I’ll be free in about an hour or so. We have guests coming in early tomorrow morning and everyone is behind on duties right now.”
Mac knew that was all he was going to get for the moment. “I’ll be back. Maybe we can go down to the ocean and enjoy the breezes and a cocktail?”
“That sounds good if I can get done with everything in time.” Brenda turned from him and ascended the steps. She smiled with a certain satisfaction. Perhaps she was giving him the same uncaring treatment he had given her, but she didn’t look back.
“Did I hear Mac’s voice?” Phyllis asked her upstairs, hoping he and Brenda patched up their differences. If they didn’t, Sweetfern Harbor and Sheffield Bed and Breakfast would have two very unhappy residents.
“He wants to see me when I have time.”
Phyllis looked at her in slight exasperation. “You have time right now. I can handle the rest of this. Allie will help me catch up. She already got rid of all the flowers that were up here.”
Brenda grinned. “I think it’s good if he stews for another hour or so, don’t you?”
Phyllis waved her dust cloth at Brenda. “Don’t put him on hold too long,” she said. “But, yes, it probably won’t hurt him.” Both women laughed at their joke as they continued to work side by side.
It wasn’t much longer when she and Phyllis had finished readying most of the rooms. The housekeeper suggested she leave to find Mac, but emotions battled within Brenda. Finally she shrugged helplessly. “What can I say? I’m in love with the man.” Phyllis gave her a thumbs-up and grinned when Brenda pulled her cell phone from her pocket.
“Hello, Brenda.” She could hear Mac’s breathing was a little fast when he answered her. It made her feel warm just like always.
“I’ll meet you down at our spot on the waterfront in fifteen minutes.” She hung up.
He realized he had no idea what she meant, but he felt a twinge of joy at the way her voice changed from the cold tone earlier to lukewarm. He told the police chief he had some business to take care of. “I should be back in a little while.”
Bob grinned at him. “It’s about time you got your head on straight again, Mac. Take the rest of the night off. Chester Boyd isn’t going anywhere. His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow morning.” He bent to the paperwork on his desk and waved the detective away.
Mac let his memory guide him to the café where they had met for dinner just a few short days ago. He caught a glimpse of her gleaming auburn hair swaying slightly in the ocean breeze as she stood under a streetlight. She wore a light-pink cotton skirt that reached her ankles and showed off perfectly manicured toes in espadrille sandals. A gauzy shirt in a darker shade of pink completed her look. Their eyes met and both walked toward each other. He grasped her hand in his and without speaking they strolled toward the edge of the water. Neither seemed ready to talk just yet. Mac led her to a secluded spot. Brenda recognized it as the place they chose when they enjoyed their first real date together. In spite of the stunning view before them, both of them thought about the recent events.
“You know, Mac, fame can do strange things to people. I found that out this weekend. All the actors wanted attention and adulation from fans, Ellen Teague more than anyone. So much so, that it turned her into a narcissistic and selfish person.” She paused. “I can understand how she drove Chester to his breaking point.”
“Circumstances can do that to some people. This week turned me into someone I didn’t recognize either, Brenda.” He looked into her eyes and she read the sincerity written there.
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br /> Her warm smile turned into a half-grin, and it drew him toward her. He pulled her down next to him on a rock where they had an expansive view of the crashing ocean waves. The moonlight left glittering diamonds scattered across the waters. Brenda leaned into Mac’s strong arms, enjoying the moment. He released her and stood up. She was reluctant to let go of the warmth that flooded through her at his touch.
“Don’t get up, Brenda. I want to look at you when I tell you how sorry I am that I judged you so harshly. I should have known you are not capable of any kind of violence, much less murder. I know you would have fought it out in court to make sure you kept ownership of the bed and breakfast. I was so wrong. I am sorry and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me for being so heartless and stupid.” He searched her face.
“I forgive you, Mac. I admit I was very hurt. I understood how frustrating this case was. I wished we could have worked together through the end of it. There were too many possibilities of who could have committed the crime. If I hadn’t found Uncle Randolph’s letter from Chester, I’m not sure how I would have extracted his confession.” She smiled. “You are forgiven. Let’s not talk of it again. We both made mistakes with one another and I hope we never go down that road again.”
Mac beamed and she smiled back with all the love in her heart. Then he knelt down on one knee in the deep sand, reached into his pocket and brought out a velvet box. He opened it for Brenda to look inside.
“That’s not the promise ring,” she said in confusion. She gaped at the sparkling jewel inside.
Dead in Bed (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery Book 2) Page 9