Death By Design

by Abigail Keam

  “And what a charming lilt it is. I have had the pleasure of visiting Bermuda several times. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. Those pink beaches.” He gave us both that dazzling smile again.

  I was tempted to shield my eyes from the white glare of his teeth. I also noticed dimples when he smiled, which gave him an impish look. I wondered how many women Mr. McPherson had charmed with those dimples.

  Clapping his hands, Mr. McPherson said, “Ladies, if you follow me, we can discuss the venue in a private office. Mrs. Todd.” He gestured toward the hallway.

  “Call me Eunice, please,” she gushed.

  “Then you must call me Teddy.”

  “I’ll wait here,” I said in a near whisper. “I’m just a tag-a-long. Eunice is your gal.”

  “Oh, I see.” Teddy said, fiddling with the flower boutonnière on his grey three-piece suit. “Please feel free to take in the exhibit while you wait.”

  “Thank you. I think two of my dresses are here.”

  “Which ones would that be?” inquired Teddy, looking at me with renewed interest.

  “Two Roberto Capucci dresses.”

  Suddenly exuberant, Teddy pontificated, “Those are the only Roberto Capucci dresses we have in the exhibit. The rest of the Lexingtonian ladies don’t seem to share your aesthetic sense of couture. We have too many examples of shoulder-padded, sequined dresses by Bob Mackie,” Mr. McPherson said with dripping sarcasm, “but Capucci’s dresses are works of art. Don’t you agree? Everything he does is fabulous.”

  “Yes, I quite agree.”

  Not to be outdone, Eunice added, “My daughter has over fifteen dresses in the exhibit. Most of them are Chanel.”

  “You must take in the exhibit as well, and tell me what you think. I hope you discover that the exhibit is as fine as any couture display in the world. In fact, I have several friends who are famous designers and are flying in just to see this exhibit.” He turned to my friend. “So Eunice, you see why we must have the very best gala.”

  “Of course. I only do the very best,” agreed Eunice.

  “Please excuse us, Mrs. Reynolds, but I must whisk Eunice away to discuss the details.” He smiled again. It was like a lighthouse splashing beams of bright light into the foyer.

  Once again I was tempted to shield my eyes from the glare. “Take your time,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”

  Eunice nodded and fell into step with Mr. McPherson down a long dark hallway, no doubt illuminated by his teeth.

  Curious to see how my dresses were displayed, I moseyed into the main exhibit hall. I was aghast. Wait, that’s not the right word. I was astonished. The exhibit was a riot of color and textures of one-of-a-kind everyday wear, coats, and evening dresses. There were dresses from the 1700’s to current day–every style imaginable. Not only was couture exhibited, but shoes, gloves, hats, handbags, luggage, and the most wonderful jewelry ever designed.

  I had to admit the display was stunning. I didn’t know where to look first. “There must be millions of dollars in this one room alone,” I murmured to myself.

  “Who knew dames spent so much money on their threads?”

  I spun around. “Walter, what are you doing here?”

  Walter Neff thumbed over his shoulder. “Here with the boss lady. She wanted to see her dresses.”

  I glanced over Walter’s shoulder and spied Bunny clucking nervously around one of her dresses.

  Walter fingered a silvery flapper dress covered in diamonds. “Do you think these rocks are real?”

  “They’re paste. Just rhinestones. If they were real diamonds, the dress would be too heavy to wear.”

  As soon as he knew the stones were fake, Walter lost interest and dropped the fabric like it was on fire.

  “Still looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?”

  Walter flashed a toothy smile. “The pot may be closer than you think.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Never you mind. Did you read that diary like I told ya?”

  “No, I’ve been busy living my life. Besides, I don’t do what men tell me to do. I stopped that foolishness a long time ago.”

  “I was counting on you.”

  “Your mistake.”

  “Come on, Toots. Help me out.”

  “I might if you tell me what you have found out so far.”

  “You were always a nosy broad.”

  “Does Bunny really have a stalker?”

  “I think something is up, but I’m not sure what. It doesn’t make sense–breaking into her apartments and taking nothing.”

  “What about the conk on her head?”

  “Once Mrs. Witt was unconscious, the intruder could have done anything to her, but he just left. That proved to me this isn’t about a sex freak getting his jollies sniffing her panties. And I’ve checked into her past. She’s not into swinging or weirdo sex. Mrs. Witt might like multiple partners, but she likes them one at a time and in the missionary position.”

  While I was wondering how Walter came by that last piece of information, I said, “That leaves revenge or money.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking. I’m still checking into her exes.”

  “Don’t forget employees.”

  “I know how to do my job,” blustered Walter.

  “JOSIAH!” squealed Bunny. She rushed over and gave me a big hug. “So nice to see you.” She put her arm around Walter’s waist.

  I gave a Walter a curious look.

  “I’ve been meaning to call you, but I’ve had so many things on my plate, I haven’t had the time.”

  “That’s all right.” I wanted to berate her for giving out the code to my farm gate, but seeing her with Walter made me curious, so I kept quiet.

  She snuggled even closer to Walter.

  I shot Walter another look that he returned with a sheepish grin. “I’m glad that you finally took my advice and hired a PI.”

  “I am too. I hired this delicious hunk of man and feel so much safer now. He’s so strong and protective.”

  Walter? A delicious hunk of man? YIKES!

  “And I wanted to tell you I’ve moved out of June’s house and moved into mine. I do appreciate June letting me stay with her, but honestly, I just couldn’t stand the noise with that baby crying and the baby’s father always so morose.”

  “Matt is recovering from a serious gunshot wound, you know.”

  “Well, I’m very sorry about that, but I don’t see why I should have to suffer as well. After all, someone hit me on the head, and I’m not going around acting all depressed and put out. I don’t think that man said five words to me while I was there.”

  If Bunny didn’t notice the fury growing on my face, Walter certainly did. “Mrs. Witt, I think we need to go.”

  “Now don’t rush me. I haven’t finished talking to Josiah.”

  “So you moved back to your apartment?” I asked, choking down the anger.

  “Certainly not. It’s too small for Walter and me. I’ve opened the house.”

  “House?”

  “Yes, Mommy’s house on Bryan Station Road. It’s big enough for Walter and me.”

  “You have both a house and an apartment in Lexington?” I asked incredulously.

  “Oh, didn’t you know? I like to be downtown so I usually stay in my apartment, but with all that’s going on, I thought I’d better open Mommy’s house.”

  “You didn’t think you should have told me that you have a country home?”

  Bunny’s eyes widened. “I thought everyone knew I own Ravensnest Farm.

  “Ravensnest?” I was starting to sound like a parrot. “You own that big mansion and that horse farm? I thought that was owned by the Breckenridge family.”

  “Yes, that’s my mother’s maiden name. It’s the family name on my mother’s side. She is of the Clay-Breckenridge stock. My father was a distant descendant of Commodore Vanderbilt. My legal name is Madeline Vanderbilt Breckenridge Witt, not to mention my various married names.”


  I shook my head. I was getting more stupid with each passing year. Of course she was a Breckenridge. Why hadn’t I made the connection?

  “I see. And Walter is staying with you?”

  Bunny smiled coquettishly at Walter, who returned her smile, albeit weakly. “He’s also acting as my bodyguard.”

  “I’m just curious. Why did you leave June’s Big House again?”

  Bunny rambled, “When I told June I couldn’t stand all the noise in the house with that baby and then some horrible-looking dog growling at me every time I went to my room, I said ‘June, can’t you put them up someplace else on the farm.’ She suggested I open Ravensnest, saying that staying with her was cramping my style, and then recommended Walter, like you did, saying I needed a bodyguard. I thought that was a splendid idea, and she did too. So here we are. Walter follows me around like my own shadow. I feel very safe in his protection.” She giggled. “I’m repeating myself now.”

  “Walter, I’ve got to hand it to you. You certainly found your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

  “Gold? Gold? What’s she talking about, Walter?”

  “Nothing, Mrs. Witt. I’ll explain later.” He pulled Bunny close. “When we’re alone.”

  Bunny giggled while Walter winked at me. Locked arm-in-arm, they strode past me, both of them beaming like teenagers off to the prom.

  Jumping Jehosaphat! Don’t that beat all!

  17

  “I warned you not to let her stay at the Big House,” I sniped, berating June.

  “I know–I know, but her mother was such a gracious person. Oh my, her mother would roll over in her grave if she knew what a silly, vapid person Bunny is,” June replied, lighting a cigarette.

  “I think she might have had an idea before she croaked.” I said, waving away the smoke. “I love that she gave you an ultimatum.”

  “I did see her predicament. The baby does cry like all babies, and that scruffy dog didn’t like her. No matter how many times we put him out, that dog would find his way back into the house, so I finally told Bess and Amelia to let him stay.”

  “I’m sure they liked that.”

  “They don’t like animals in the house, but what can I do? He doesn’t cause any problems. He just follows Matt around and sleeps by the baby’s crib.”

  “The dog has adopted them,” I observed.

  “Apparently. I told Amelia and Bess that as long as the dog doesn’t make any messes or chew the furniture, he could stay–and that goes for Matt as well.” She snorted with laughter.

  “Why didn’t you tell me Bunny owned Ravensnest?”

  June waved her cigarette around, oblivious of the ashes fluttering down to the Persian carpet. “How am I supposed to know what is stored in your noodle and what is not? You didn’t ask, so therefore I assumed you knew all about our Miss Bunny.”

  “How would I?”

  “Gossip, dear girl, gossip. The thing that makes the world go round.”

  “I thought it was love that made the world go round. Speaking of love, when is Liam supposed to come back?”

  June drew heavily on her cigarette before shrugging.

  “Was Liam a bad boy while I was away in New York?”

  Blowing smoke out through her nose, Lady Elsmere, surrounded in a shroud of grey, murmured, “Liam was a very bad boy. Very bad, indeed.”

  18

  From the bench where I was waiting, I heard a door buzz open. I watched silently as Liam Doyle went to the open window and collected his belongings, signed for them, and then, with a hangdog expression, turned to me.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. I’ve been in that jail cell longer than I cared.”

  “Then I suggest that you not steal jewelry from guests of Lady Elsmere’s. I assume she declined to pay your bail in order to teach you a lesson.”

  “Her Ladyship didn’t send you?” asked Liam, his face crestfallen.

  “No. Lady Elsmere said you had gone to Ireland to see your folks.”

  “Sure and begorra, she’s really mad then, and meant to leave me in this hellhole to rot.”

  I looked around at the clean detention center. “I would hardly call this jail a hellhole.”

  “What am I going to do now?”

  “Tell me what happened.”

  “Lady Elsmere had friends over for a snort fest.”

  I broke in. “A snort fest?”

  “That’s what I call it. Ladies are invited for tea, but they always get stinking drunk, because they spike the tea with bourbon.”

  I tried hiding my smile, but wasn’t doing a good job of it. “Go on,” I encouraged.

  “One of the ladies brought a necklace her husband had given her recently to show to the other ladies. I was helping Charles serve tea when she pulled the necklace out of her purse. She was raving about how much it cost. You know, blah, blah, blah. As she was showing it around, I got a good look at it. It wasn’t what she said.”

  “Why was that?”

  “She claimed it was a Harry Winston diamond and ruby necklace.”

  “And?”

  “It was no such thing. I can tell glass a mile away. It was a fake, and not even a good one at that.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “The guest put the necklace back in her purse.”

  “She just had the necklace loose in her purse? No box?”

  “Just like that. So the ladies go up to Lady Elsmere’s bedroom to look at Her Ladyship’s jewelry collection, and I saw my opportunity.”

  “To steal.”

  “No, no. I wanted a better look at that necklace.”

  “So you went into the woman’s purse and took out the necklace.”

  Liam nodded shamefacedly. “That’s when Charles walked in and caught me red-handed inspecting the goods. I tried to explain, but he caused such a ruckus that the police were called, and here I stayed until you rescued me.”

  “That surprises me. I would think that Charles would have had you put the necklace back and then tell Lady Elsmere after the guests had left, so as not to embarrass anyone.”

  “That man never liked me, and saw his chance to get rid of me.”

  I frowned. “That doesn’t sound like the Charles I know. For now, you will stay with me. I may need your expertise in the future.” I pointed my finger at him and looked him squarely in the eye. “No funny business, Liam, or you go right back in the slammer.”

  “No, Madam. As God as my witness you can trust me.”

  I didn’t reply. Liam was one of the last people I would ever trust, but he would have to do for now.

  19

  “Liam said he just wanted to examine the necklace. He said it appeared to be a fake and wanted a closer look.”

  “I don’t care,” barked Charles. “He was caught going through a guest’s purse. Unthinkable.” Charles shuddered.

  “Charles, I’m surprised. I thought such a matter would have been handled in a more discreet manner, instead of hauling Liam off to jail and embarrassing Lady Elsmere.”

  June walked into the kitchen with Amelia. “I heard you badgering Charles, so I’ve come to his rescue.”

  “Charles, was I badgering you?” When he didn’t respond, I gave him a raspberry. Childish, I know, but don’t judge me.

  June confessed, “Charles didn’t call the police. I did. I warned Liam that he was not to ply his trade in my home. He broke the rules.”

  “Are you done with him?” I asked.

  “Oh, goodness no. I just wanted to make Liam suffer a little bit before I took him back. Teach him a lesson.”

  “So you bailed him out?” asked Amelia.

  “This morning,” I replied.

  “I wish you hadn’t thrown your money away on that scoundrel,” Amelia admonished.

  Matt strode into the kitchen. “Hello. Is this a private conversation?”

  June quipped, “We’re simply berating Josiah for sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  I made a face.

  Ma
tt smiled. “I couldn’t help but overhear. I apologize, but voices carry in this house, so I called the DA, who is a buddy of mine. All charges against Liam have been dropped.”

  “How did that happen?” asked Charles, astonished.

  “It appears that the lady in question had the necklace appraised, and it was, indeed, paste. She doesn’t want everyone to know that her husband is a cheapskate, so she asked the DA to drop the charges, saying she would not testify. The matter has been handled quietly.”

  “Will I get my bail money back?” I asked.

  “Yes, you will. The orders to release Liam didn’t reach the jail before you bailed him out, but he’s a free man.”

  “Oh, dear!” exclaimed June, clasping her throat with a jewel-laden hand. “I might have overplayed my hand.”

  “If it is any consolation, I think Liam genuinely wanted to examine the necklace as he explained–not steal it.”

  “What should I do?” asked June, rather put out and looking at each one of us.

  Matt offered, “May I make a suggestion? The baby and I are creating too much work for Charles and his daughters. Let me take on Liam. He can work for me, and I’ll pay his wages while we stay here. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.”

  June looked at Charles. “Well?”

  Charles said to Matt, “I might need him occasionally to help me, if that would be all right.”

  Matt thrust out his hand. “Done.”

  Charles laughed and shook Matt’s hand. “What a lunatic asylum this house is.”

  June clapped her hands together. “Yes, but isn’t it such fun! That’s settled. Tell Liam he can come home, but I shan’t speak to him yet. He needs to suffer a bit more as far as I’m concerned.”

  “I’ll jerk a knot in his tail,” I replied.

  We heard the door open and in walked Liam grinning from ear to ear.

  “I suppose you were listening at the door?” I snapped.

  “Of course. What good am I as a con man if I don’t keep my skills up to snuff?” He turned to Matt. “How may I be of service to you, sir?”