by Adam Zorzi
“Has Mr. Bowles passed on his sympathies?”
“I've no idea. You just said I was isolated. All I know is that Rob handed me a check from Dad's estate. I haven't had any discussions with Bowles.”
“What about Mrs. Ramsay? Did she say anything about her meeting with Mr. Bowles?”
Dan's stomach lurched again. They were making stuff up to confuse him. “What meeting? Jill didn't meet with him. Why would she?”
“Mrs. Ramsay's appointment calendar indicated a meeting with him March 11. His secretary confirmed the appointment was kept. Did you attend that meeting or did Mrs. Ramsay go alone?”
He felt faint. Nauseated. Had Jill gone to see him about a divorce?
“I thought you hadn't found Jill's cell.”
“We didn't, Mr. Ramsay, but her cell was synched to her computer at work. We were able to re-create most of her data.”
“I don't know. I don't know. I don't know,” he shouted. He stood and angrily swept his empty can on the table to the floor.
Elba and Winston stood. Ready to subdue him.
“I'm not answering any more questions. I want a lawyer. Am I free to go?”
Elba walked to the door, opened it, and let Dan pass.
CHAPTER
FORTY-THREE
Jill's funeral was neither more nor less traumatic than he'd expected. It was held early Saturday morning in an attempt to keep the media and onlookers away. The family had been driven away from the house at eight o'clock. No reporters were in sight.
Dan was unaware of the funeral. He sat silently at the end of the front row holding Katie's hand as tears ran down his face. Elizabeth had recruited an Episcopal priest, a St. Margaret's alumna, to officiate. It didn't matter. He didn't hear a word that was said. The woman could have been reciting basketball scores for all he knew.
Jill. Pretty, happy, sunny Jill was dead. He'd never nuzzle that spot on her neck under her ear, taste her mouth, or feel her skin on his again. Never. He howled inside. All he saw was vibrant Jill. Let's dance when he'd never tried. Let's have a picnic in the snow. Let's have a baby girl.
Elizabeth had made one request and Dan had agreed whole-heartedly. “I want a priest to conduct a traditional service. This new format when anyone and everyone stands up and says something about the departed is undignified. I want it to be respectful and peaceful.”
“That's all I want, too, Elizabeth.”
She'd seem pathetically grateful to have claimed this small victory in planning her daughter's last earthly observance.
Katie cried softly and held his hand tightly. At a loss for what she should wear, he'd asked Elizabeth to handle it. She'd done a splendid job and seemed pleased to have been asked. Katie looked pretty in a navy dress and matching navy and white cardigan. She wore navy ballet slippers. Her shoulder length brown black hair was glossy in the sun. Through his tears, Dan saw a miniature Jill.
Only family and a few exceptional people had been invited. His mother, Rob and Suzanne, and their two sons. The Carters, Jane and her husband, Emily and her husband. Jill's boss, her two best friends from childhood, her team leader from the cycling club, and the leader of her quilting group. Katie had invited Jada, Sophia, and Josie without their parents. They sat next to her and each had placed a rose on the casket. Elizabeth and George completed the row.
“Dad, don't let them,” shrieked Katie. He realized the service was over and they were being directed to leave. “Don't let them put her in the ground. It's dark. She'll hate it. I want her to come home with us.”
He held Katie in his arms and let her sob. Everyone filed out and went to the waiting cars.
Dan squatted in the late spring grass to be eye level with his daughter. “Katie,” he said, “your mom loved you more than anyone else in the world. She didn't want to leave you. She wouldn't have if she could've prevented it. You have lots of memories of your mom. We'll remember her together. She'll always have a place at home. She'll always live in your heart. And my heart. I love you.”
Katie stopped crying and looked at him solemnly.
“You hurt her, too, before she died. Just like I did.”
“Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I wish I could take it back, but I can't.”
“You said Mom would forgive me. Did she forgive you?”
“I think so, Katie. I think she did. She was a loving woman. She wouldn't let anything bad stay in her heart.”
“I love you, Dad.” She took his hand and started forward. “We have to go to the cars or Grandmother Elizabeth will be mad.”
CHAPTER
FORTY-FOUR
The funeral guests were invited to the house for brunch. Dan's mother had it catered from Jill's favorite natural foods restaurant, taken floral arrangements sent to the house out of their containers and mixed and regrouped them in Jill's vases to look more natural and less funereal, and closed all the window coverings in the house for privacy. Dan felt like he was in a cocoon. Only safe people were around him.
Katie and her friends filled plates and took them upstairs to her room. The girls could help Katie more than he could right now.
He sat in the goddamned wing chair and sipped black coffee. Suzanne brought him a plate with fruit and what looked like banana bread. He held her hand when she presented the plate. “Thanks, Suzanne, for all of it.”
His two nephews stood around him. He asked them questions. Jobs. Apartments. Cars. Chicago Cubs. Houston traffic. Anything to not talk about Jill. He sensed they were protective of him and appreciated it.
Eventually, he got up and went to Jill's sisters. Both remarked on how much Kaitlyn looked like her mother at that age. Jane seemed calm. Too calm. Sedated so much he was surprised she could keep her eyes open. Emily cried openly despite the occasional disapproving glare from her mother. Their husbands were nice enough guys. Gamecocks to the core, Jill called them referring to their graduation from the University of South Carolina. Dan couldn't remember what Jane's husband did. Emily's was so rich he didn't have to work. They owned a horse farm in Aiken. Emily was in her final year of professional equestrian competition.
“Dan, is there any news on who might have done this?” asked Emily.
He shook his head. “It's been six days since she was declared missing and from the questions they asked me, I don't think they have a good lead. They suggested that Jill might have known him. I can't believe that.”
“No way. No one who knew Jill would have killed her.”
“The police questioned us yesterday,” said Jane. “Sounds like the same thing. Enemies, clients she had lost, competitive colleagues.”
“Lovers,” said Emily quietly.
Both husbands immediately excused themselves to freshen drinks.
“I'm sorry. Jill and I were trying to work it out. I think she was trying to forgive me. I hope so. I loved her.”
“She never told us,” said Jane. “She would have told us if she planned to leave you. She would have wanted to talk about Kaitlyn with us. She wouldn't have talked to girlfriends here. She considered most of them to be back stabbers.”
“She did?” He was learning how little he knew about his wife.
As stoned as she appeared to be, Jane was coherent. “Oh, Jill was outgoing and friendly, but she thought some of her neighbors were envious of her seeming to have it all. Jill said some of their husbands had made passes and the wives probably knew it. She liked the people in the cycling club, but there was an element of competition. And, of course, Jill loved to win.
“She felt most at home, though, with the quilters. There's something about women sitting in a circle working on a project together that builds bonds. I know I'm more at ease with my quilting circle than even my sorority sisters.”
“Me, too,” said Emily. Her tears kept coming. “Will Kaitlyn go back to school Monday?”
“What do you two think? You went to St. Margaret's.”
They nodded their heads simultaneously. Jane spoke. “She should get back to a schedule. St. Margaret'
s isn't truly a Mean Girls school. It has its share of them, especially the boarding students. I don't know that they've ever had a murder in the school family, though. I'll call one of my friends of the board. Make sure they're sensitive to Kaitlyn's privacy. She'll get the headmistress in line.”
Dan laughed—an unfamiliar cracking noise. He hadn't laughed since before Jill left on the cycling trip. Neither of the women seemed to notice. “I used to be intimidated by her. Now, I don't think I'll be afraid of anyone or anything again. The worst has happened.”
He leaned down to kiss them both. “I appreciate everything you do.”
***
“Dan, you do know the police were at the funeral. That's unacceptable. So intrusive.”
“Elizabeth, that's what they do in cases like this. I think they also kept any gawkers and press away.”
“Well, that's something,” she sniffed.
Dan walked Elizabeth and George to the door. George hugged him hard and left without saying a word. His shoulders slumped as Dan watched him go down the steps to the car. His suit coat seemed to be one size too large. He clearly couldn't bear the loss of his daughter.
Elizabeth was standing in the doorway talking to him.
“I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I didn't hear you.”
With exaggerated patience, Elizabeth repeated herself. “The movers will be here at eight-thirty tomorrow morning. I wish I could be here to oversee things, but George wants to get back to Charleston. I ordered the white glove service and I hope it's as good as I've been told.”
“Why are you sending movers?” asked Dan. Everything in his life was odd these days, but some things were more odd than others.
“For Grandmother Charlotte's furniture, of course. It's Kaitlyn's now and we'll see that it's properly stored in Charleston until she's ready to use it. No need to risk damaging it here.”
He processed what she was saying. She was talking about the hideous living room furniture. What did she mean it was Kaitlyn's?
“I don't understand,” he said.
“Dan, really, Kaitlyn is next in line for Grandmother Charlotte's furniture and I want to make certain it's properly preserved for her.”
What he wanted to say was that everything that had belonged to Jill was now his. Their wills left everything to each other. Katie hadn't inherited anything. She was the beneficiary of Jill's life insurance policy as she was in his. Who was Elizabeth to dictate what was and wasn't Katie's? She was talking about that furniture, though. He didn't want it. Why not let her take it? Let her have something of her daughter. Even if it wasn't technically correct that she should have it.
“Fine, Elizabeth.”
“Someone will be up to greet them, won't they? It's Sunday.”
“I'll be sure of it, Elizabeth. Have a good flight.”
He closed the door on her heels.
CHAPTER
FORTY-FIVE
Early Saturday evening, Dan poured himself a scotch and sat in his favorite chair in the den. Suzanne had gone to drive his nephews to the airport. Katie was asleep or at least lying on her bed with the door closed. It was just Dan, Rob, and his mom.
“Is that it? Is it over now?” He inhaled the smoky scent and took a long slow swallow.
“I hope so, Dan, but I think people will still want to make condolence calls.”
“I just won't answer the door or the phone.”
“What about Kaitlyn?” asked Rob.
“I asked her aunts whether they thought she should go back to school Monday. Jane said she'd call someone on the board to pave the way. They both seemed to think it's a good idea. I don't know what good keeping her at home would do.”
“I think they're right, and if they know someone on the board to keep an eye on things, all the better,” said his mother gently.
Dan sighed long and loud.
“I have to find an attorney. I'm pissed I let those guys get to me, but I was sick of their questions and half questions and insinuations. I don't think they have any leads at all if they think Jill was an addict looking to score and was killed by her dealer. If they want to track down Bella, they're desperate.”
“Bella?” asked his mother. She sat up straighter.
“They seem to think she and Jill might have been in contact. It sounds crazy to me. Why would either one want that?”
“No, that makes no sense at all. It would be humiliating for Jill.” His mother put her hands in her lap and nervously picked at imaginary loose threads on her skirt. Dan and his mother had never discussed his affair. She was probably pained by Dan's actions, the damage he'd done to his family, and the distress he'd caused his father.
“Mom's right,” said Rob. “If she didn't feel bad enough, Bella would do a real number on Jill.”
“Jill wouldn't know that. She'd be no match for Bella,” he said.
“What's this about drug addiction?” asked his mom. She seemed eager to move on to another theory. “Jill was devoted to healthy living.”
Dan sipped his scotch. He shouldn't drink alcohol at all given the level of psych meds he was taking, but he craved the taste, the smell, the comforting liquid sliding down his throat.
“They think if she used morphine, then she might have become addicted. It would explain her shaved head, weight loss, and concern about cash. She might have made a drug deal that went wrong.”
“That's just preposterous, Dan. Is that what the investigators believe?”
“Mom, that's one of two logical scenarios if Jill knew her killer. The other would be that Jill got involved with a guy who didn't want her to reconcile with me. He might've been one of those ‘if I can't have her no one can’ type of guys.”
“You can't consider that to be a possibility, surely.”
“Mom, I don't think it's plausible at all.
“I think someone from the campsite killed her. There's something like twenty-two campsites. I don't know how many were being used or how many people used each one. The police haven't said. Could be someone watched the comings and goings in the parking lot and took a chance. Beyond that, there's a maniac killing people off I-95.”
Dan looked at his mother. He wondered how she functioned. Her husband had died, he had disappointed her, and now her daughter-in-law had been murdered. She'd lost weight on her already trim frame. He noticed wrinkles that hadn't been on her forehead before. Yet, here she was doing all she could to take care of Katie and her youngest son at an age when she should have been relaxing.
“Mom, you must be exhausted. Have you seen any of your Richmond friends? Have you rested?”
“Yes. I've spoken to Irene. She's the most discrete. She helps behind the scenes. I do need some rest. I'm going to make a cup of tea and go to bed. I'll leave you boys alone.” She kissed each of them on the cheek and left.
“There's another alternative,” said Rob after his mother was out of the room. “Bella. Bella could've killed Jill.”
Dan looked shocked. “Why would she do that?”
“To get back at you. You stopped calling. You threatened her. You made her angry. She could've killed Jill to keep you from having her.”
“That's the most ridiculous theory yet.” Dan got up and put more ice in his drink. “Want any?” he asked holding the tongs over the ice bucket. Rob shook his head no.
“After killing her, Bella picked Jill up, carried her a mile into the park, and positioned her with a blanket over her? Come on, Rob. Bella isn't that strong.
“Besides, Bella is many things, but not a killer. For one, she's a big time New York lawyer. She sicced Jill on me just for threatening to initiate proceedings for a temporary restraining order. She's fiercely protective of her reputation. She wouldn't risk her livelihood, much less her freedom, by killing Jill.”
“No, you're not worth it.” Rob agreed. “To her, I mean.”
“Exactly. She said she wasn't upset about breaking up. It was not telling her. Leaving her hanging. That pissed her off. She probably has a new man by now.”
>
“How do you know she didn't have one during the affair?”
“What?” This conversation. This event. This situation was surreal to Dan.
“You're married. She's single. She could've been seeing other men while you were having an affair. You didn't have any claim on her.”
“She said she didn't want another man.”
Rob shrugged his shoulders. “Whatever. I'm just saying we know you didn't kill Jill. We're pretty sure she wasn't doing a drug deal. We don't know if Jill had a boyfriend who might have wanted her all to himself. So, that leaves Bella.”
Dan stood and paced. “Or that nasty piece of work Monika Traymore might have killed her because her husband made a pass at Jill. Or a cycling club member did it because Jill had better time trials. There are all kinds of crazy scenarios if the police believe it was someone she knew.”
“I don't think it has to be someone she knew,” countered Rob. “The police could've gotten how she died wrong; she wasn't necessarily killed in the car.”
“Rob, I don't know. I don't care who killed her. Jill's gone. I have to live without her and I don't know how to do that.” He sat and started crying. “What am I going to do about finding a lawyer?”
“I made some calls. Brian, my college roommate, is a criminal court judge. He said there's only one person who could handle a case like this if it becomes something big. Nina Lombardi. She's in Alexandria and she's expensive, but he said if he needed a criminal lawyer, that's who he'd call.”
“So, let's do it.”
CHAPTER
FORTY-SIX
“What's the story? Make it short,” barked Nina Lombardi. “I'm expensive and impatient with clients.”
Another one who was going to beat him up. It was eleven o'clock Sunday morning—the day after Jill's funeral—and he and Rob were sitting in her office in Alexandria. No condolences from her. Her office wasn't plush. Spare. Angular. White. They'd left Richmond two hours earlier to allow for traffic. I-95 was always dicey. Parking near DC was impossible. Other than a bottleneck in Fredericksburg, they made good time and the office building had a parking garage. Rob drove. Dan stared at blurred scenery.