Organized to Death

by Jan Christensen

  “Oh, sorry. Hockmann was your physician?”

  Tina gave her a rueful smile. “Afraid so.”

  “Too bad,” Lisbeth said. “You wouldn’t want him prescribing anything.”

  “No,” Tina said. She was retelling the tale when her mother came back with a tray of sodas, and after giving one to Tina, offered them around. Uncle Bob took one, and Lisbeth, but everyone else declined. Laura set the tray on a large ottoman.

  Lisbeth popped the tab and poured her soda into a glass of ice, then put the can back on the tray and settled into the wing chair. “I’m not quite clear on why Hockmann was talking to you. You were his patient, but you were seeing him or something?”

  “Or something,” Laura said sharply. “She was working for him.”

  “Really?” Lisbeth said and took a sip of her drink. “As a professional organizer? Didn’t he just set up his practice? Why would he need your services?”

  “He took over from Dr. Stevenson,” Tina said. “Who’d left the place in a bit of a mess. Ted and I ran into each other out walking one evening—he lives down the block. I told him what I do, and he asked me to help him out.” She realized Lisbeth had taken over the investigation. The other two officers, after having said hello, remained perfectly still.

  “Ran into each other how?” Lisbeth asked.

  Tina felt heat rising from her chest to her face. “He was outside when I went out for a walk.”

  “He was walking along, or just standing there, or what?” Lisbeth asked.

  John’s interest obviously perked up at this line of questioning. His hand hovered over his notebook.

  “It seemed to me he might have been waiting. He was sort of behind the big tree in the front yard.”

  “He was interested in you.” It was a statement. “Had you met him before?

  Tina knew she was blushing furiously now. “I went to him for my yearly checkup just a week or so before we met outside.”

  There was a long moment of silence. Tina was afraid to look at John. Or her mother. Or Uncle Bob. She felt dirty all of a sudden and suppressed a shiver.

  “What kind of exam?” Lisbeth asked softly.

  “The usual.”

  “For a woman?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.” Lisbeth was going to drop it, and Tina gave her a grateful look. “He was interested in you romantically, you think?”

  Tina nodded. Her mouth was so dry. She took a long drink of her soda and stared at the floor.

  “How did this interest manifest itself?”

  “He kissed me.” Tina could sense her mother stir. “Just once.” She wasn’t going to tell about the kisses which were not real kisses that had happened earlier.

  “It’s my understanding,” Lisbeth said, “that you were the one who figured out he wasn’t a real doctor. Why were you even suspicious?”

  Hank must have told her that. Did they have a personal relationship? Don’t even go there, she told herself. Concentrate on the questions and your answers.

  “I’m not sure. How he acted when I asked him about his background. He was evasive. He acted weird when I was looking at his diploma. Both nurses mentioned that he seemed unsure of himself sometimes. When he found out that I might be at risk for cervical cancer, even though he’d done a Pap smear … “She blushed again. “He insisted I see a specialist.”

  Uncle Bob shifted in his chair, then laid his hand on Princess’s head. Laura’s face was drained of almost all color. Tina realized her mother was now worried that an incompetent doctor had proclaimed Tina healthy.

  Lisbeth’s expression didn’t show what she was thinking. John sat stone-faced, his head bowed over his notepad.

  “Anything else you think might be important to tell us?” Lisbeth asked.

  “No,” Tina said. No way was she going to talk about being tailed by a white car with her mother and Uncle Bob in the room. They were already worried enough. Hopefully, Hank had followed up on that.

  The police officers all stood up and turned to leave. “We’ll type up your statements and need you to come in tomorrow to sign them,” John said, nodding at Tina and Uncle Bob.

  Uncle Bob looked as if he hadn’t quite heard what John said. Laura took his arm. “We’ll explain everything later.”

  “Okay,” Uncle Bob replied. He was used to not understanding everything, Tina realized, and felt a pang for him.

  After everyone left, the three of them went to the kitchen. Uncle Bob poured brandy into three snifters, gave Princess two treats, and sat down. They sat staring at each other for a moment, then took long swallows of the brandy.

  “You see what happens when you go poking around,” Laura said.

  Shocked, Tina burst out, “So all this is my fault?”

  Laura didn’t answer. Tina sat speechless now, then looked to Uncle Bob for help.

  He cleared his throat. “That’s a little harsh, isn’t it Laura?” he asked mildly.

  Her mother slumped in her chair. “I guess so. Of course it isn’t your fault, Tina. It’s just that you did push for answers. All that computer searching.”

  “No way I could know it would lead to this,” Tina said bitterly.

  “Of course not,” Uncle Bob said. “Now tell me what that detective said about tomorrow?”

  “We have to go sign our statements,” Tina said.

  “Oh, is that all? I’ll have to go practice my John Hancock.”

  Tina gave him a little smile. “Yes. What else did you miss?”

  “Well, of course I can hear or lip-read almost everything you say, and that was the important stuff, so I think I’m good.”

  Suddenly Tina was crying. It was all too much. She was exhausted. She was scared. She wanted to go to sleep until they figured out who murdered Crystal. Suddenly, she yearned for Hank. For him to hold her.

  Not Brandon, she realized. Hank.

  Her mother stood up and put her arms around her. Tina leaned into her as Princess placed her chin on her knee and Uncle Bob patted her hand. She knew she was lucky to have all three of them.

  CHAPTER 41

  Tina woke to the ringing of the telephone. She couldn’t believe she’d been able to fall asleep so easily after her crying jag last night. But she had. Not that she felt rested. She glanced at the clock. Ten fifteen!

  She groped for the phone. When she picked up the receiver, she heard her mother say, “I’ll go get her.”

  “Don’t wake her,” Hank said.

  “I’m awake. Good morning.”

  The click told her Laura had hung up.

  “Why didn’t you call me last night? I had to read about your being attacked in the morning paper.”

  Tina swung her feet off the bed and ran her hand through her hair. “It’s in the paper?”

  “You bet. Local girl attacked, almost murdered. A hint attempted rape may have been involved.”

  “Damn it. I don’t need this.”

  Hank’s voice softened. “Of course you don’t. I almost climbed onto your balcony and in your window a while ago, but after what happened last night, I figured it might frighten you, so I called instead.”

  She wished he had. Had come to hold her. She pushed the thought aside and muttered, “Uh huh.”

  “I checked with the investigating officers, and they had searched both of Ted’s garages. No sign of a white car. This morning the judge denied bail on the assault charge. With the two serious charges against him, she thinks he’s a flight risk, which he certainly is. So you won’t have him to worry about anymore.”

  “That is a relief.” Tina stood up and looked out the window. Bright sunny day. Thermostat said forty-eight degrees. She began pacing. “You think Crystal found out about him not being a doctor and he murdered her?”

  “A big possibility. They’ll be hammering him, trying to get him to admit it.”

  Tina thought back to all the hours she’d spent with Ted. Helping him organize his office. Talking to him in the kitchen. Going for walks with him. And las
t night. She realized he was single-minded and probably ruthless. To say nothing of devious. She guessed he was capable of murder.

  So, she should be relieved. But her instincts told her he hadn’t done it. Plus he’d been in the office when Nicky was attacked—she’d been with him. She didn’t think he’d been in town long enough to have an accomplice.

  “I hope they don’t give up looking for someone else,” she said.

  “Why?” Hank’s tone was sharp.

  “I don’t know, Hank.” She walked over to the blazer she’d hung on the back of a chair last night and pulled her worry stone from the pocket. “He just never seemed desperate to me until last night. Someone chased Crystal from her house to Rachel’s—that was desperation. Ted never showed any nervousness when Crystal’s name was mentioned, but he’d get uptight when I questioned him about himself or even looked at his diploma. The problem is, I can’t think of anyone else, except Dr. Stevenson, who had anything to hide. And I can’t see that old man murdering anyone.” But maybe Ted had murdered Crystal and now the two were working together to cover it up? No, she still couldn’t believe it.

  “Crystal could have found out any number of secrets, Red.”

  “You’re right. It could even be someone we don’t know. But why were Rachel, Charles, and I followed by that white car? It has to be someone we know, and something we either know or could find out.” A sudden thought made her stop worrying the stone. “I wonder who Ted’s mother was? Or is.”

  “Now there’s a good question. She’s probably local.”

  A chill traveled down Tina’s back. “One of the Lunch Bunch?” She tried to remember if any of them drove a white car. Her mind went blank.

  “It’s possible,” Hank said, his voice sounding cautious.

  “But after all these years, why would anyone kill someone who found out about an old affair?”

  “Does seem pretty radical.”

  “The police don’t have any new clues, anything to go on?”

  “Not really. A few fibers, hairs, but those have to be matched to something or someone. No handy footprints in the snow or mud. No gun. No witnesses.”

  “I wonder how we could find out who Ted’s mother is,” Tina mused.

  “Tina! Stay out of this now. Poking around is probably what got Crystal murdered.”

  “But I can’t. Someone followed me. Someone shot at Nicky and Rach and followed Charles. We’re all in danger. I can ask questions the police can’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lunch Bunch ladies knew all about Dr. Stevenson’s affair. No one has asked them, so they’d keep it a secret. They seem to thrive on secrets.”

  “Tina, if you ask the wrong one … “

  “I’ll start with my mother. You don’t think she’d hurt me?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Okay. I’ve got to get going—I want to go to the viewing this afternoon. Will you be there?”

  “Yes, keeping an eye on Rach and Nicky.”

  “See you there, then.”

  What to wear? Tina found a dark gray skirt and silver, silk blouse in her closet and the jacket to go with the skirt. She put the worry stone in the right-hand pocket and transferred her stuff from her everyday purse to one she’d bought for church. Tugged on pantyhose and settled on a pair of black high heels. A dressy watch and she was set.

  She carried her purse and shoes downstairs. Uncle Bob stood in the kitchen cooking himself some ham and eggs. Tina hoped he didn’t burn the eggs and smell up the kitchen.

  She said hello and asked if her mother had been down yet. “Come and gone.”

  “Gone where?”

  “Back upstairs. She seemed tired.”

  The vacuum cleaner started in the living room. “Maria’s here?” Tina asked.

  “It’s Thursday.”

  She’d lost track of the days. “I should recruit Maria to go with me on my decluttering jobs. She’d get rid of stuff in no time.”

  Uncle Bob grinned at her. “Maria gives new meaning to the phrase ‘suck it up.’”

  Laughing, Tina poured orange juice, coffee, and put two slices of bread in the toaster. She was in the mood for a toasted peanut butter sandwich. It could serve as both breakfast and lunch since it was so late in the morning.

  When she sat down to eat, she asked her uncle, “What are you going to do today?”

  “Go to the wake this afternoon with your mother. You going?”

  “We can all go together.”

  “You’re a good girl.” Uncle Bob patted her hand.

  “Thank you, kind sir. It feels good to me to be good.”

  “Good.”

  They both laughed a little.

  “I guess I should read the paper,” Tina said, looking around for it. “Hank told me I made the front page. Where is it?”

  “Laura took it upstairs.”

  Tina stopped chewing her sandwich. “Why? She never does that.”

  “Maybe she was hoping you wouldn’t miss it. She wasn’t thrilled with the article.”

  “Why not?” Alarmed, Tina put the sandwich down and stared at Uncle Bob.

  He cleared his throat. “It implied a romantic relationship between you and that Ted character.”

  The doorbell rang and the light flashed over the kitchen doorway. Princess hopped up and nudged Uncle Bob’s leg.

  “I’ll get it,” Tina said.

  “We’ll go with you.” Uncle Bob and Princess followed her to the door. Her backup team gave her courage.

  Brandon stood on the porch, his face a thundercloud. He waved the newspaper at her. “Is this why you won’t talk to me? You’ve been seeing this Ted, this fraud, this quack, this … this—”

  Tina had never seen Brandon, the lawyer, at a loss for words before. She stared at him a moment, then tugged his arm and pulled him inside.

  “Don’t be silly,” she said, throwing the word silly back at him. “I had absolutely no interest in Ted.” No, not Ted, she thought. Hank. It’s Hank that turns my knees to jelly and makes me quiver inside.

  She turned and walked into the living room, everyone following. Maria was now vacuuming the dining room, the drone starting to give Tina a headache. She hoped there wouldn’t be a crash before Maria sucked up something she didn’t like today. Tina didn’t need the distraction.

  After sitting down on the couch, she said, “The paper lied, Brandon. Ted and I did not have a romantic relationship. It was strictly business.”

  Uncle Bob and Princess stood in the doorway while Brandon paced. When Tina glanced at Uncle Bob, he waved at her and walked away. Such an understanding man.

  “Sit down,” she snapped at Brandon. “I can’t talk to you with my neck in this position. I’m tired, damn it. I was scared out of my mind last night, and you come storming in here … “She was surprised to find herself crying again.

  Surprised and angry. She decided to swear off men. Maybe forever. One she tries to help commits suicide. Another is a fraud and attacks her. A third won’t let his feelings show, so she doesn’t know if he just feels sorry for her and wants to protect her or if he really is attracted to her. And this one. This one wants to smother her and fit her into his idea of the mold a woman should adhere to.

  Brandon sat down next to her and tried to put his arms around her. She pushed him away. “Go away. This isn’t working. You’re always criticizing me. You just don’t make me feel good anymore. Go back to work. We’re done.” Her anger stopped her tears, and she watched him, stunned when tears came to his eyes.

  “No, Tina. No, I couldn’t bear it if we … “He took a deep breath and stood up again. “I love you. You know that. I only want what’s best for you.”

  “What you think is best for me, Brandon. Find yourself an old-fashioned girl who wants to be pampered. I’m sure there are some still out there. Get a young one you can mold. This isn’t working for us.”

  “But it used to be so good.”

  “It always is in the beginning. Until we find out what each person
really wants and realize we can’t meet expectations. Or, if we can, it works. This isn’t. You have an image of what your lover should be like, and I don’t fit. That frustrates you and makes me angry with you for trying to push me into your ideal. You mean well, Brandon. I know that. And I’m sure some other woman will find your”—she almost said smothering and bit it back—“your concern charming. I just don’t.”

  Without warning, Brandon sat on the couch again and tried to take her in his arms. “I can’t let you go. I can’t.”

  Tina didn’t want to push him away again, but she did, as gently as she could. She took his face in her hands. “You know, deep down, it’s not working for us. You know that, Brandon. Give it up.”

  He bowed his head, and she took her hands away. Without another word, he stood up and left.

  She sat, heard the front door close, then rested her head wearily against the back of the couch. Drained, she could no longer cry. She would miss him. He had been her rock. Someone to lean on when she got back to Newport. But she didn’t need that anymore.

  She wasn’t sure what she needed. With a twinge, she admitted to herself that she’d miss the sex.

  She opened her eyes to see her mother standing in the doorway. The vacuum was silent. How much had her mother heard? How upset would she be?

  “It’s over?” Laura asked, entering the room.

  “Yes. We just didn’t fit, Mom.”

  “I know.” Laura sat where Brandon had just been. They didn’t hug. It would have felt awkward for both of them.

  “Where’s the newspaper? It seems I need to know what it said so I can defend myself against a rather ugly implication.”

  “I’ll go get it. I didn’t think it would help you to read it, but I see your point.”

  Tina put her feet up on the couch. Her shoes were still in the kitchen, along with the half-eaten peanut butter sandwich. Glancing at her watch, she saw they’d need to get to the funeral home soon. Food was out of the question now.

  Laura arrived back with the paper, handed it to Tina, and sat in a chair while Tina read it. She tossed it on the floor when finished. “I can’t believe … “