Quilla and Hattie joined another group. She watched Denton merge with the crowd.
Denton watched her walk away with Hattie. He wanted to stay with her, but he had a job to do. Glancing away from her enticing backside, he watched Tom dazzle another group of women. Across the room, Sidney and Edward were in a heated tête-à-tête. Denton would give anything to be a fly on the wall.
Later, Denton watched Tom, Edward, and Sidney escape into the den. It was next door to the bathroom. Denton disappeared into it as soon as he could. He took a probe out of his pocket and placed it against the wall, inserting the earpiece in his left ear.
“What the hell is she doing here? You think she suspects anything?” a voice said.
“Calm down. What is there to know? Sadie went to bed with you, but what else is there?” Denton could barely decipher Sidney’s calm voice.
“Easy for you to say. Listen, if my wife finds out about Melissa she’ll leave me.” Denton recognized Edward’s voice.
“I hope that stupid bitch didn’t mention names in that book.” The ingratiating tone Tom had hypnotized the crowd with all evening had been replaced with harsh, clipped words. Denton had no problem recognizing it since his angry voice clearly resonated through the wall. “Now we’ve got her death to worry about. If she named names, then we’ll be the prime suspects.”
“We didn’t kill her,” Edward said. “So what do we have to worry about?”
“Doesn’t matter. Wendy’s been hounding me. Got her daddy to agree to let her work in the company. Now I’ll have her up my backside day and night.”
Someone tried to open the bathroom door. Denton turned the water on and stored the probe in his pocket. Then he washed his hands and left.
The fact that all the men said they were clueless about Sadie’s murder had no bearing on Denton. Any one of them could have killed her. They weren’t going to admit to murder, not even to friends.
“I’m telling you, it’s scary,” said a woman dripping with diamonds. “To think that someone was actually in my house. I don’t feel safe anywhere anymore.”
“What a horrible experience.”
“And they stole the diamond my husband gave me for our fortieth anniversary.”
“I tell you what. When I heard what happened to you, I went out and bought some protection. If they come into my house, I’ll have a little something for them,” said a woman with a deep southern accent.
Quilla had wondered where Denton had disappeared to when he eased back into the room. She was almost ready to leave, but Hattie seemed engrossed in the woman’s tales. The woman might have lost a diamond, but the thief didn’t get all of her jewels. She was fairly dripping with them now. They were dangling around her throat, in her ears, rings on each hand, and a gorgeous bracelet, not to mention a diamond watch.
“That’s new,” Hattie said, lifting the woman’s arm and studying the bracelet. “Where did you get it?”
“At Edward’s place. An early Christmas present. The hubby made me angry and I bought myself a consolation present.”
“How fortunate,” Wendy murmured, leaning closer to inspect. “I’ll think about that the next time Tom makes me angry.”
“Did I hear my name?” Tom entered the room with Sidney and Edward.
“Yes. You have to stay on your toes or Wendy is going to make you pay with diamonds.”
He gathered Wendy in his arms, gazing deeply into her eyes. One would think he loved this woman. “With diamonds, huh?” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ll buy you diamonds anytime if it will keep you happy, darling.”
“Whoop. Get that in writing, honey,” a woman said, and everyone laughed.
Tom smiled and left, joining another group in seconds, with all the women looking after him with admiring glances. Quilla admitted he was a handsome and charming man.
“Honey, you better hold on to him before someone snatches him up.”
But Quilla was thinking that by the looks of Sadie’s jewelry box, Wendy wasn’t the only woman Tom purchased diamonds for. She didn’t believe the jewelry store had given all those pieces to Sadie for advertising.
But perhaps Tom wasn’t the only man giving Sadie jewels. Paul seemed awfully upset and nervous. Of course, if she’d lost a piece of jewelry worth several thousand she’d be upset, too. Quilla remembered Sadie had worn several pieces the morning she was murdered.
Quilla and Hattie arrived home around midnight, then they talked for an hour before Quilla headed to her own apartment. She laughed at the antics of the fresh parrot, who had whistled and talked until Hattie covered the cage. Quilla imagined the two of them talking most of the day. At least the bird was company for the woman.
The events of the evening were running through Quilla’s mind and she couldn’t get to sleep immediately. After starting a fire in the fireplace, she read Sadie’s diary. Since she didn’t have much progress from the front, she read the passages in the back first.
Sadie wrote about everything. About dinner with friends, a particularly soft pair of shoes she tried on during a shopping spree, a play at Lincoln Theater, and her affair with Tom. Intermittently she threw in interesting little inserts. After reading an hour, Quilla came upon two. One mentioned that Sidney was vying for a church account. Sadie said the church was a stickler for moral conduct and if they knew of the banker’s extracurricular activities, the bank would turn the account over to someone else. The bank was still considered a family institution, so the actions of the family weighed heavily on the elders’ decision.
A motive to murder her. But that was like using the apple cart after the apples had fallen out. The book was already in the publisher’s hands. Nothing could be gained by Sadie’s death.
But Quilla intended to visit the banker the next day.
The other insert concerned some shipment Tom made. Quilla didn’t know what was important about that reference.
“Any reason why you keep watching the door?” Regina asked.
“Hum? What are you talking about?”
“There’s something different about you.”
“In what way?”
Regina smiled.
Quilla absolutely hated that knowing smile.
“What?” she asked.
“You’ve been bitten.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Something’s going on that you haven’t told me about.” She stood there, all smug in her assertions.
Quilla took inventory of treats where the bins were only half filled. “Did the new order come in? I think we’re going to run out of the peanut butter biscuits if it doesn’t arrive soon. They’re a favorite.”
“It will be in tomorrow as usual. Now stop trying to change the subject. What’s going on with Denton?”
“Other than that he’s being a pain in the backside? Nothing.”
“What is he being a pain about?”
“Sadie.”
“He should know that once you sink your teeth into something, there’s no changing your mind. He might as well learn that early.”
“Thanks, friend.”
“Anytime.”
Quilla was so angry that if he called she wouldn’t have a thing to do with him.
A few minutes later, Quilla made her way to the bank with Irving in tow.
When she asked to see Sidney Gunter, surprisingly she was immediately led to his office.
“Ms. Day. Did you enjoy the party last night?”
“Very much.”
“I’m hoping you’ve come to open an account with us. How may I help you?”
“I’m here concerning Sadie. I’m aware that you had a relationship with her.”
He raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying her allegation.
“And that you are courting a church account. Sadie mentioned that if the religious officials knew of your liaison with a mistress, it could prove detrimental.”
Sidney folded his hands on the desk. “Ms. Day, I don’t think the bank’s busine
ss is any concern of yours. Neither is my personal life. I will admit Sadie has accounts at this bank. She is one of our clients, but I’m not at liberty to discuss her accounts with you. So if that is all . . .” When he stood, Quilla remained seated.
“Sadie is dead. And that is my business. She was a friend. I can give this information to the police and let them handle it.”
Sidney settled back into his seat. “Let’s be candid, shall we? The police aren’t taking your assertions seriously. If they were they would be here instead of you. And the bank isn’t going to lose an account over my personal life.”
“Maybe not, but I’m going to keep digging until I uncover the truth, and if you’re involved, you might have more to worry about than your account.” Quilla stood, leaned close to him across the desk. “Did you have anything to do with Sadie’s death?” She knew very well he wasn’t the man who had stood over her.
“Of course not. Whatever you think, I’m no murderer.” He stood again, signaling an end to their conversation.
“You aren’t concerned about her, either,” Quilla said as she put the straps to her purse over her shoulder. “Surprising for such a valuable account.”
Irving was waiting for her in the seating area when she came out of Sidney’s office. There hadn’t been any attempts on her life since her father had hired him. A waste of money. And she was going to tell him that. It was only a robbery. She couldn’t have a bodyguard walking around with her for the rest of her life because she might get robbed. The robber didn’t get a dime. Quilla didn’t carry a purse around Old Town, just a wallet to hold her money. What was the need?
Then she focused on Sadie. She was left with the question of how many men Sadie had been involved with, and what role each played in her life.
She was deep into thought when Irving grabbed her arm.
“Pay attention, will you? You were going to walk right across the street with cars coming.”
Quilla’s heart jumped in her chest. “I didn’t realize.”
“I’ve noticed that about you. When you’re out and about, you have to be aware of your surroundings. Somebody can snatch you and you wouldn’t even know you were followed until it was too late.”
“Thanks.” Her heartbeat decelerated. How could she have done something so stupid right after the robbery? She was letting this investigation get to her.
“This investigation is consuming you. You’ve got to take care of yourself first.”
Denton’s father called him. Usually his mother called at least once a week, but not his father.
“Everything okay, Dad?” A thousand ailments ran through his head.
“Yeah, son. Just called to see if you changed your mind about going south for the holidays.”
“Can’t get out of work. How have you been?”
“Keeping busy. Thinking about retiring in a couple of years and settling down south.”
“Already?” His mother hadn’t mentioned anything about moving.
“Not that young anymore.”
“Seems like it.” His parents weren’t even sixty yet.
“I’m fifty-six. Been working since I was twenty-two. Time passes quickly.”
“I guess.”
“If you can’t come Christmas, think about coming soon after. We’re flying down a couple of days before Christmas, but we’ll stay there a month.”
“You’re going to take that much time from work?” Now he knew something was wrong. His dad never took more than two weeks’ vacation, and that was under duress.
“You sure you’re okay?” Denton asked.
“Don’t worry so. I’m as fit as a man half my age. Your mother and I want to look at some land and houses. See where we might want to build one.”
“Guess she’s tired of the cold.”
“And she wants to be around family. She really misses you.”
“I know.” Since Daniel’s death, his mother talked about nothing but family. She wanted him to get married. She wanted grandchildren. Denton thought of Quilla. They never talked about children. He didn’t know where that thought emerged.
“We both do.”
“I’ll try to see you in January.” He hoped the case would be over by then. He really needed to spend some time with his folks. Maybe he’d take a couple of weeks off.
“It’s not your fault, you know,” his father said quietly. His father was talking about his brother, the brother Denton adored.
Denton’s hand tightened on the phone. “I know.”
“I don’t think so. Since Daniel was a boy, you looked out for him. Protected him. But you couldn’t wrap him in a cocoon or protect the ones you love, no matter how much you want to.”
“I know.”
His dad’s voice grew soft. “I think you’re still trying to save the world.”
Denton tried not to think of Daniel, as if that were possible. It hurt too damn much.
“He was a grown man,” his dad continued as if he could read Denton’s mind, “just like you. He wasn’t a child. He wasn’t your responsibility.”
Denton remained silent.
“It’s hard enough losing one child. It’s damn near impossible when you lose both. You stay safe, okay? Your mother and I are praying for you.”
Then his father hung up. It was a moment before Denton realized he still held the phone in his hand. He returned it to his breast pocket.
Daniel had been six years younger than Denton. He’d seemed more like his child than his brother. It was his responsibility to keep Daniel safe. Perhap s because of that, Daniel hadn’t grown up as quickly as he would have otherwise. And perhaps that was the reason Daniel became a police officer instead of some nice safe profession, such as a teacher like their mother or an accountant like their father.
Chapter 10
Denton called Quilla three times and left several messages, but she ignored them. She was on her way to have lunch with her father. And if that wasn’t enough to give her a headache without Denton adding to the stress, she didn’t know what was. Besides, he’d had plenty of time to drop by if he really wanted to see her. And she wasn’t going to stand still for another lecture about Sadie.
She tensed as she drove into the old neighborhood, down narrow streets, and parked behind her father’s car. He opened the front door and stepped outside on the stoop before she turned off the motor. Must have been standing at the window watching for her.
They greeted each other stiffly and he held the door for her. She smelled fresh coffee as soon as she hit the door. It suddenly struck her that when she was a little girl he often had let her sit on his lap and sip from his coffee cup. He would load it with sugar and cream for her, although he liked it black and unsweetened. That was how her mother knew she’d had coffee. She’d see the cream. He and Quilla would share a secret smile when her mother turned her back and continued scolding them about stunting her growth.
She’d logged that in the “before the drinking” category. Funny, she’d forgotten all about that. But walking into the house that used to be filled with more nightmares than happiness was difficult. Or perhaps the bad times outweighed all the good ones.
“Food’s almost ready. Have a seat,” he said.
“May I help?” she asked, taking her coat off and laying it across the living room chair. The aromas coming from the kitchen made her stomach growl. She didn’t expect to have enough of an appetite to eat anything. But suddenly she was ravenous.
“I’ve got it covered.”
Quilla nodded. She studied her father as she leaned against the doorjamb. His sideburns were salt and pepper. There was less white on his head. She’d always liked the jet-black color of it. But he was still attractive. After all the drinking, his features weren’t as ravaged as she’d expected the first time she’d seen him. Now he wore jeans and a sweater with the sleeves pushed up. She wondered if he worked out, but she knew she wouldn’t ask. He looked amazingly fit for his age. But then, only people thirty and younger thought fifty-five was
old.
“I heard you were dating,” she startled herself into asking, actually wishing she could recall the words.
His head jerked up, but he merely shrugged, then glanced away with a guilty look. What did he expect from her? She wasn’t going to chastise him about it. She’d opened that Pandora’s box, so she had to finish it.
“Who is she?” she asked.
“Someone I met in church.”
To her interested amazement, she asked, “You attend church now?”
He nodded. “My AA sponsor recommended it. I went as a child. Mama took us.”
“Mama used to take me. As much as she could.” In other words, when she wasn’t suffering a split lip or black eye after his Saturday-night drunken spree.
“I know.”
She hoped he didn’t beat up on this new woman. She wouldn’t wish her mother’s fate on anyone.
“Thanks for the guard, but it isn’t necessary. You’re wasting money.”
“Not when your safety is concerned. Where is he, by the way?”
“I have today off. He’ll be back tomorrow.”
“I was thinking of getting someone around the clock.”
“Don’t, Dad. I’m okay.”
“This man doesn’t want you to identify him.” He opened the oven and pulled out a pan of something.
“I was robbed. Nothing more. Besides, he wore a ski mask. I can’t identify him.”
“You never know. Food’s ready.”
He set home-cooked string beans, a platter of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato biscuits, her childhood favorite, on the table. The aroma was heavenly, and Quilla didn’t realize how hungry she was until she took the first bite.
They talked about neighbors who had moved away and how the neighborhood had changed and was continuing to change. She was amazed at how much he said his tax assessment was for that small house.
“I’m surprised developers haven’t offered to buy you out,” Quilla said.
“They have. But I’m not selling. I’m leaving this house for you.”
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