Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2)

by Peggy A. Edelheit

  Wait a minute! Who was watching my cat, Sneakers?

  I suddenly had another disturbing thought, as panic set in. “Hey, who is watching my store back in Highlands?”

  She waved off my concern with a shake of her head. “Don’t worry about a thing. It’s all taken care of! The shop is in good hands, including that feline of yours. I’ll explain later once I get myself all settled.”

  “But Martha…”

  “You know what your problem is? You’re a worrier! Relax! Trust me. I’ve got it covered.” She turned in place. “Hey, these are nice digs you got here! Look at all those statues! Boy, did you rent a slick place here or what? Just don’t stand there, get a move on! Then you can show me my room and the rest of the place. I’m plum worn out! My arthritis is kicking up. That long bus ride was a real killer.”

  I passed on pushing Martha further for the moment and eventually heaved in her luggage, overwhelmed by all six huge suitcases. I was staggered by their size. “Exactly how long are you planning to stay? Are you sure you have enough clothes?” I asked sarcastically.

  “Is it always this cold here?” Martha asked, ignoring my question and rubbing her hands together.

  “Martha, it’s March,” I patiently explained. “It’s usually cold out at this time of year here.”

  “But I came for the sun and beach!” she protested. “I wanted to work on a tan!”

  “But this is New Jersey!” I answered, gritting my teeth in a sort of smile.

  “Don’t you think I don’t know that?” retorted Martha. “I’m not senile. …Well, not yet anyway. Good thing I thought to bring my heavy coat, mittens and knit hat.”

  “They’ll come in handy, I’m sure.” I said, as I started slowly lugging her bags up the stairs. “Follow me.” I tried once again to pin her down. “…Exactly how long are you here for?”

  “Depends,” Martha replied. “But let’s not worry about that now. We have a lot of catching up to do first. Now, tell me which room is mine?” she asked cheerfully, as she followed me down the hall.

  She stopped to look through one doorway. “Well, isn’t this a pretty room! I love the colors in this one!”

  “That’s Mona’s room,” I said, finally reduced to dragging her bags along the hardwood floor. “Keep going, yours is at the end of the hall.”

  She stopped dead in her tracks. “…Who …is …Mona? You have company? Well, why didn’t you say something in the first place?”

  “She’s an old girlfriend from way back. College. Long story.”

  My insecurities abruptly resurfaced. I’d thought I’d gotten over them through the hellish excitement of finding out the truth about how my husband had died the previous year, but now I wasn’t sure. Sometimes Martha made me feel like a weak idiot, pushing me on purpose, so I’d speak up. I was determined to stand my ground this time.

  “Martha, now please stop with the small talk! Exactly who’s watching my store?” I demanded. “I’m not moving another inch until you tell me.”

  She didn’t miss a beat. “Why, Jack of course, including Sneakers too!” she replied, trying to move me along.

  Dread started inching up my spine. I could barely get the words out. “…Jack is a building contractor …and I might add …very busy! Can you please tell me …why he would be watching …my store?”

  She stared down at the floor. “…Well …he had to be there anyway …to rebuild after that…fire.”

  I closed my eyes and sighed, “I can’t believe this!”

  Can you?

  Chapter 18

  Patience And Pinot Grigio

  “Like I was saying, it all happened so fast,” Martha explained to Mona and me. We were sitting in the living room. Every now and again I glanced at the deck adjacent to mine, but my neighbor did not appear. “She just about wore my patience plum clean out. Why, that customer moved like lightning. When I turned my back, she lit that candle so she could see how it looked in the store setting. I told her, ‘No way!’ beforehand, when she first asked me. Do you think she listened? Of course not! When I hollered, she jumped a mile high, knocking it over. Of course, that’s when the rug caught fire, which the sofa was on, which was next to those drapes you liked so much…”

  Martha stopped to sip her wine, and then continued on. “…All I have to say is thank the Lord for 911! …Now, about that wall damage…”

  I was already on my second glass of wine, getting a mild buzz and feeling a little fuzzy. It seemed to help.

  Mona was laughing hysterically, while trying to drink her wine without spilling any. She turned to look at me. “She’s a real stitch. Where did you ever find her?”

  I turned to Mona. “From a friend! Can you believe it?” I let some more wine continue to do its magic.

  “Were all your friends in Highlands like her?” Mona asked, laughing and wiping the tears from her eyes.

  “Yes, one actually chased me for miles in the dark,” I said, sipping some more wine.

  “Sam,” Mona choked. “You should write a book about all of them.”

  “I did. It’s called, The Puzzle.” I refilled our glasses, mentally calculating the mounting monetary damages. “So much for investing my book profits,” I lamented sadly.

  “Don’t you two get bored here?” Martha suddenly asked. “What do you do here for entertainment?”

  Mona and I looked at each other.

  “Me?” I replied, ticking off on my fingers. “Let’s see now, there’s running on the beach in the dark, baseball, art preservation. You know, I’m sort of partial toward vases.”

  “I’ve grown attached to the boardwalk,” Mona said. “Remember that old song by the Drifters?”

  After more mindless banter, I held up my hand to shush them both for a moment. “I just want to lay down some ground rules here at the house so there is no confusion. Since it appears I’m no longer residing here alone for the near future, we have to make sure personal space is respected. I need my quiet time in the morning to write. As far as minor daily chores, we can split that up amongst the three of us. You two okay with that so far?”

  “Sure,” they both said, nodding their approval.

  Mona piped up. “Hey, don’t forget to tell Martha about taking morning showers on Tuesdays.”

  So I told her about the Crystal Cleaners crew story. And then I proceeded to tell her about the statue incident in the wee hours of the morning. Mona poured us more wine. Then I told Martha about the beach incident. Lastly, I told them both about the David episode, purposely omitting whom he reminded me of. I didn’t know how to explain that one.

  “You actually got caught using your binoculars?” laughed Mona, trying not to spill her drink on the sofa.

  “Unfortunately, yes,” I admitted, squirming in my seat.

  “I don’t know about this,” said Martha. “With all the crazy stuff going on in the neighborhood, you two better be more careful. Sam, did you ever buy that gun you were thinking of getting?”

  Mona abruptly turned to me and stared, doubtful. “Sam, you were actually going to get a …gun?”

  “I was seriously thinking about it at the time.” I replied, smiling confidently.

  Mona started laughing. “Somehow, I just can’t picture you brandishing anything Sam.”

  “I agree,” added Martha, who also started laughing. “Have you ever noticed she’s sort of accident prone?”

  Those two started discussing me, and telling stories about me as though I wasn’t even in the room. I patiently sat there, laughing with them, while they spun their yarns, as I poured us more Pinot Grigio.

  Chapter 19

  Black Jack And Red-faced

  I figured it was time to check out the tables, gaming tables that is. So, when Martha kept bugging me to take her to the casino so she could try her hand at gambling, I finally caved. It was either I go with her, or she went alone. On top of that, I couldn’t very well let her loose in Atlantic City all by herself, so we headed out one day before noon.

 
Why then? She said she was more alert earlier in the day and didn’t want to risk missing her big chance at big bucks on some mental relapse. Now, I could expand on that subject nonstop, but wasn’t going there. At least not now anyway.

  I have to tell you, that Borgata was impressive and massive. Once we entered, we were swallowed up by all that was going on simultaneously: restaurants, shops, voices chattering, music, lights, gambling and of course, occasional muffled cursing.

  Martha nudged me. “If you don’t mind Sam, I can’t wait. I feel real lucky. I’m going to hit the slots. I’ll catch you later.”

  I wish I could say the same thing about myself. I roamed aimlessly, not sure what or who I was looking for, playing a little roulette, black jack and such. I was trying to familiarize myself with the place and getting comfortable. I found the casino fascinating, as people moved about, totally focused on searching for an open seat as they quickly brushed by.

  I meandered around, while wondering what stories lurked beneath the surface, as I lingered here and there, watching all that gambling going on. Their collective concentration could be felt clear across the room.

  “Well, look who’s here!” a male voice announced.

  I spun around. It was David, my next-door neighbor.

  “Hi,” was about all that was capable of traveling across my lips. I hadn’t expected to see anyone I knew.

  He looked down at me, grinning. “Why, you look as good as one of those desserts at their famous buffet.”

  I felt as though I was being examined like a specimen under a microscope. I nervously ran my hand through my long hair. My electric blue top was one of those drapey off-one-shoulder things. Back at the condo it had looked good with my low-slung jeans and black boots. My leather jacket was on my arm.

  But now I felt self-conscious. I was much too dressy for mid-morning. Uncomfortably, I looked around at the other women and reassured myself that I was dressed just about right for a casino. I mean, after all, this was Atlantic City. Once inside, no one really cared what time it was. Everyone kept on gambling till all hours.

  I smiled, verbally positioning myself. “I guess that was meant as a compliment?”

  “Absolutely,” David replied. He leaned in a lot closer. “Hey, are you all alone? How about we go over and have an early drink and become better acquainted?”

  “Now? Uh… No. I’m here with….” I swear, I don’t know what made me say it, but like an idiot, I did, “….with my …mother.” Once I started, I couldn’t stop my motor mouth. “Dear sweet old mom. She’s here for a visit, taking up all of my time since she arrived. She always wanted to see what a casino looked like, and, well, here I am! I should get back over to those slots and check up on her.”

  “What does she look like? Maybe, I saw her. I just came through there.”

  “I doubt it,” I quickly replied. “She dresses so low-key and plain-like. I doubt you’d ever find her over there.”

  Well, I couldn’t for the life of me remember what that unpredictable woman had on, because when the two of us left the house, she wore a black coat and black knit hat.

  Then I heard my name shouted out from somewhere behind me. That familiar voice meant trouble. I cringed. I wanted to die on the spot, afraid to move because of what new problem might be waiting behind me.

  “Why Sam!” Martha called out loudly. “You will never guess what happened to me!”

  David, who was staring over my shoulder, began laughing. “My goodness! That’s not your mother, is it?”

  Red-faced, I spun around. My imagination did not do the vision before me justice. “Oh!” was all I said. There stood Martha, now decked out in a bright red coat, red knit hat and red earrings dangling from her ears! I looked down at her feet. Her black shoes now sported bright red bows.

  “Mother of God!” I gasped.

  Chapter 20

  This Better Be Plenty Good

  I was pacing back and forth at my house in front of Martha. “…Red? …Red? What happened to all that black? I know you were dressed in black when we went in there. I’m not that crazy!”

  Not yet anyway.

  Here I was making an effort at keeping a low profile, trying to nose around unnoticed, when she yells loudly, and I mean at full volume, calling out my name in the middle of the casino!

  “Why, I was wearing the same ones,” Martha protested. “I’ll have you know, young lady, that vintage coat and hat are reversible. It saved me a ton of money from buying double. I’m a senior citizen and on a tight budget. I just added the bows and earrings because I thought they gave the outfit a nice touch. Why are you so upset?”

  “Don’t you think you went a little bit overboard?” I asked.

  “…Well,” said Martha, “reflecting back, I did wonder why everyone looked a tad underdressed and kept staring at me the whole time I was there.”

  “Didn’t you think it might be because it was a little on the bright side? Besides, this isn’t Las Vegas, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s New Jersey! You already told me that!”

  “That’s not what I meant...” I countered, already mentally exhausted, slumping into a nearby chair in my living room. I couldn’t explain any of my suspicions about Mona or David. I had to come up with some kind of plan first. Martha cut me off from further thoughts on the subject.

  “By the way,” she announced. “You will never guess! I met a hottie at the slots! He was flirting with me right and left. I figured, it had to be my lucky red outfit. I tried ignoring him because I heard gamblers are a tricky lot, but he was persistent as all get out and wouldn’t give up.”

  She leaned in for further emphasis. “Just to be safe, I checked out his license and his AARP card. And guess what? We have a date Saturday night for the movies! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to ask Mona for some fashion advice on what I should wear on my hot date. Maybe, I should ask her to go shopping with me for something real spectacular.”

  I’m telling the truth when I say, that initially, I had very good intentions and probably knew better, but now, after living with those two for housemates? Plenty of trouble was almost certainly heading my way.

  Guaranteed!

  Chapter 21

  Seven Pays Off Big Time

  I originally rented a place at the beach to put some space between what transpired since the death of my husband, Stephen, and the uncertainty that followed. His past had unexpectedly become my present and my history simultaneously, but that was all behind me now, I thought, as I scanned the newspaper in the peace and quiet of my room with my feet propped up before me on my desk. I had the good fortune of having the house all to myself. Martha and Mona were out on a shopping spree at the outlets in Atlantic City.

  My phone rang. “Hello,” I answered, resting the newspaper on my lap.

  “Sam, it’s me, Bill, your favorite realtor. You got a minute to see me?”

  “Sure. When do you want to get together?” My calendar was free and clear. Only a book deadline loomed … but that was for the future.

  “How about right now? I’m just down the road, finishing up a meeting with a client.”

  I lowered my feet from their perch on my desk. “Sounds just fine with me. Come on over.”

  “Great. I’ll see you in five,” he replied, and promptly hung up.

  Almost before I knew it, we were sitting on my kitchen bar stools, looking out to the ocean and sipping mugs of coffee. He certainly didn’t waste any time in getting directly to the reason for his unexpected visit.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you something for several days and feel somewhat uncomfortable about approaching you on this particular subject matter.”

  I slowly set my coffee mug down on the counter. “Why, is there a problem?”

  I swear, I always ended up asking that same question.

  It seemed there was always a problem, just a different person to go along with it each time.

  “No,” he said. “At least, I don’t think so. I’m just c
urious about a few things that have been bugging me since last week.”

  “Go ahead, ask away,” I said, as I tried to rack my brain about what it could possibly be.

  “Well, I’ve told you that being in real estate, I often take clients to dinner or the casinos, letting them see for themselves the value of the night life that’s close by, but not really in their backyards. I show them around and point out the best places to go. Right?”

  “Sure, I remember.” I couldn’t quite get a bead on what all this was leading up to.

  He shifted in his seat, awkwardly. “…I still feel sort of hesitant even bringing this up, but I thought you ought to know, being that we’ve become friends.”

  Not exactly friends, but maybe friendly enough. “Know what?” I prodded.

  Finally, after wavering a bit, he began to explain. “…I know she’s a very close friend of yours, but I thought I had to let you know what I saw. …Could be, it’s nothing at all.”

  I grew uneasy, but somehow managed to get straight to the point too. “…What exactly did you see, Bill?”

  “What was your girlfriend’s name again?” he asked, while thumbing his coffee mug, trying to remember it himself.

  Uh-oh…Trouble. “Mona.” I smiled and shook my head. “I bet she was partying again,” I added, laughing nervously.

  “Yeah, she’s the one,” Bill said, nodding, but not smiling. “Well, I was walking with a client through the Borgata, showing him the casino and restaurants, when who do you think I see? Mona! At first, it didn’t register, but then it hit me, and I did a double take, backtracking and taking another look, realizing why I almost didn’t recognize her.”

  “Why?” I prompted again.

  He shifted again on his stool, obviously not very comfortable with any of this. “She was wearing a wig of long black hair, that’s why! She was with this tall, distinguished-looking gentleman, talking up a blue streak, as they were about to enter the hotel elevator.