“I know, he just called me on my cell. Look, I think we have to talk. I’ve put you in a precarious situation and I owe you some kind of explanation.”
I turned to face her. “Well, it’s about time!” I walked over to the table and sat down heavily.
Mona joined me. She looked at all the untouched food.
“Wow! This really smells great! I’m starved.” She grabbed David’s untouched plate and dug in heartily.
I was incredulous. “Mona! How can you eat? At least have the decency to fill me in first.”
She abruptly stopped, setting down her fork. “How about some wine then?” she asked, pointing to the almost empty bottle.
I shoved back from the table, got a glass, poured the rest of the wine into it, and not so gently placed it in front of Mona with a thump. “Okay! Explain! This better be good, too! I think I’ve been patient for an explanation regarding your bizarre behavior and actions long enough. Don’t you?”
She slowly sipped her wine, and then eyed me cautiously. “…Remember your last book involving Stephen’s death?
My breath caught. I didn’t like where she was going with this. “…Yes.”
Mona started fingering the edges of the tablecloth resting on her lap. “I don’t know exactly where to start.”
“How about at the beginning,” I said, leaning back.
“It’s a long story, but I’ll try and make it as brief as possible. I guess the whole thing started when I caught Joey’s company skimming big money from the bottom line and altering the spreadsheets. At first, I thought there was some kind of mistake. There wasn’t.
“He was altering my work after I initially input the numbers. I couldn’t believe it never dawned on him that after he left the office, I might recheck my own work once again just before it went upstairs into the safe. Intrigued by his strange behavior, I dug deeper, taking a closer look at other paperwork and then followed his sloppy paper trail. He became too trusting with me around his safe, figuring he had nothing to worry about.”
She took another sip of wine. “When I figured out what was going on, I confronted Joey, saying I was leaving because of what I found out. The whole operation was illegal, and I wanted nothing more to do with him or them. He laughed, saying it was too late. I couldn’t quit because I knew too much already. Besides, I had previously signed off on all those spreadsheets. And guess who would’ve taken the fall?”
“What happened then?” I asked, fascinated by her story.
“He thought he had me. What he didn’t count on was I had already made a disc for my own protection, showing the money trail going into a fictitious account and then being transferred on to an off-shore numbered account.
“You see, I became suspicious, after I realized there were two discs, one for the IRS and one for themselves after catching Joey on the sly, pocketing the original disc and replacing it with another, more sanitized version. That was when I compared the two discs.”
I sat there listening, rubbing my forehead, and then offered, “And so you were caught in a no-win situation.”
“You got that right. Sometimes, I’m my worst enemy, being too meticulous. Everything always had to be in its place, rechecked and in perfect order. Like you, I’m a Virgo to a fault! And to think at one point, I actually considered a permanent relationship with him! Sam, I was so naïve and stupid! Come to think of it, so was he for being so confident and letting incriminating material lie around, taking for granted that I’d never catch on.”
“Then what happened?” I asked, still mentally sorting all the facts and players.
“When I initially tried to walk, he threatened to kill me.”
“Did you go to the police?” I asked, in astonishment.
“No, I was reminded by Joey that he and his boss had close ties somewhere in the department. No way was I going down that road. So, I went to the FBI instead.”
My mind was doing double-time, trying to get a grip on what she was telling me. I had a slight inkling of what was next. “…Who was Joey’s boss?”
Mona hesitated, and then blurted, “…The mob.”
She quickly saw the look I threw her.
“…Sam, I swear, I had no idea. The FBI told me after I mentioned a few names. And to think I thought Joey was the idiot! I should have known better. I knew the job paid too well to be legitimate, but that? Then the final shoe fell.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“I got sloppy. Joey found Stephen’s address on my computer – I’d forgotten to delete it after I had arranged for pick up and delivery by the post office of the disc. He pretty much figured out what had to be in that package after I confronted him with what was really going on. Joey was nobody’s fool. Neither was I at that point. I had no other choice. Being scared to death, I up and ran.”
Somehow, I still wasn’t getting my connection to all this. “What does this have to do with me?” I asked.
“I’ll get to that. You see, the FBI put me in the witness protection program because I was filling them in on inside names, big time. I identified some Mafia made guys I had witnessed going in and out of their offices by photos. The big negative was afterward. Every time I moved, Joey somehow found me, so I had to get a new identity and move once again.”
I sat there, listening to her incredible story, but it sure seemed believable, as the facts were finally starting to fall into place. “That’s why you disappeared off the map and I couldn’t trace you!”
“Exactly! Then I gave my original disc to the FBI, but the morons who were assigned to me, lost it! Here I was, caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the mob, and no evidence to save my ass. Thank goodness, I mailed another back up copy to your husband, Stephen, as extra insurance for my own protection.
“…You what? But, where’s the disc? Stephen’s dead!”
“Well, Stephen emailed me that he stashed it in the puzzle, Sam. My problem is what do you think he meant by that? Any ideas?”
“…I’m not sure,” I said, unnerved by her words.
Mona stared at me. “I have absolutely no idea how they found out, but you need to figure out what Stephen meant because they’re now targeting you.” She paused. “…They think you have the disc with all their information on it.”
I sat there, stunned.
How could Stephen have possibly known that the book I wrote after he died would be called The Puzzle?
Chapter 43
Parceling Packages, Words & People
After lunch, I must have dozed off on my chaise lounge, again. I wasn’t sleeping well after that confession from Mona about the disc. Sleepless, night after night, I tried to figure out what I was supposed to be looking for. Even harder than that, where? I also double-checked my locks and alarm, jumping every time I heard a strange noise.
My ears perked up at the sound of the front door opening and closing. A minute later, I heard next to me, “Good Lordy! Look what the mailman just delivered.”
Startled, I sat upright. There stood Martha, staring down at me expectantly, holding out a plain brown, taped box. I took it, and guessing by the heft of it, immediately became suspicious.
Martha pushed my feet to the floor and sat down next to me. “Well? Are you going to open it? What could it be? Who could have sent it? Hey, help me out here, would you? I forgot my glasses! Where’s it from?”
“Hold on!” I said, slowly turning it over.
My last stomping grounds!
“It says, Highlands, North Carolina,” I replied. “Other than that, there’s no return name or address anywhere on it.” I tried to shake off an odd feeling I was getting. I could think of any number of people, but which one had sent it, and for what reason?
Martha was prepared with a knife to slit the tape. “Let’s see what’s in this baby. Here,” she said, handing it to me.
I looked at her. Her eyes were riveted on the box. “How convenient,” I chided.
She gently punched my arm. “You already know how nosy I
am. Why would I change now? Come on! Start slicing that thing!”
Just then the doorbell rang. We silently turned and looked each other.
“Damn!” complained Martha. “What lousy timing!”
“I’ll get it,” I said, standing up. Martha could not tear her eyes from that box sitting on the chaise lounge. I could already visualize what would take place the minute I left it with her. “I think I’ll carry this with me,” I said laughing, and then quickly snagged it up in my hands.
The doorbell rang insistently again and again. Martha slumped in disappointment, knowing she would have to wait. “You might as well go see who it is,” she said, crestfallen.
I quickly descended the stairwell to the lower floor with Martha shadowing me closely. I guess she didn’t trust me with the box either. “Get rid of whoever it is,” she said. “Tell them we have more important matters to attend to.”
I turned toward her. “You know, patience is a virtue.” I turned back and open the door single-handedly.
Then stepped back hastily. I could hardly believe my eyes. There stood Betty and Hazel, the two elderly friends from Highlands, who worked in Clay’s bookstore.
“…What …are you two doing here?” I asked, moving to the side as they entered the foyer.
Peering over my shoulder, Martha gaped. “Well, I’ll be! If it isn’t the bookworms from Highlands.”
“Very funny,” said Betty, tucking in strays on her bun, and smoothing down her skirt. “That’s no way to treat friends, Martha. You know, sarcasm never did play well with me.”
“Who said we were friends?” laughed Martha. “Aren’t you two too old to be traveling all this distance all by yourselves?”
“Tsk! Tsk!” chastised Hazel, fussing with her slightly disheveled, curly gray hair. “We’re the same age as you, you old curmudgeon! You gave us the slip.”
I stared, as they went at it again, swiveling my head with each remark. Somehow, I had to take charge. “Ladies! Why the commotion? You’re friends! Why are you here?”
Betty stepped forward, pointing an accusing finger in Martha’s direction. “She waited until we were out of town and took off for your place without us. That’s what!”
“She promised not to leave without us,” accused Hazel. “We were in Atlanta visiting and she took off in the middle of the night. Because of that, we missed primo beach time.”
“Why, everybody knows it’s too early!” said Martha, eyeing me and winking. “This is New Jersey!” She laughed and then turned back to them. “It was a pretty good exit plan, though. Don’t you think? Besides, I had to get a jump on you two to get the first fish in the pond over at Atlantic City. You both have a reputation as geriatric magnets, and I couldn’t afford to take any chances. I needed an edge of at least a few weeks to maintain the goal I set for myself.”
I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. “Ladies, please! I…” I never finished, as I suddenly spotted luggage at their feet, lots of luggage. When was all that dragged in? I had fleeting thoughts of my still somewhat slim manuscript slowly fading into the sunset.
Martha shrugged. “Hey, we can settle this later. If we all pitch in, I think we can lug this stuff up the stairs.” She turned to me. “Which bedroom should I put them in?”
Like I really had a lot left to choose from.
I sighed. “There’s only one left, the one near the end of the hall. Is that okay, ladies?” I asked, as another small box was discreetly shoved into my hands.
“Why, that will be just fine, Samantha” replied Hazel. “Here, this gift is for you.”
“My! My! Will you look at this place!” exclaimed Betty, looking all around, as she began hefting some of her bags up the stairwell. “This place is definitely uptown!”
“Hey! Be careful!” warned Martha. “Watch the statues! Mark my words! They’re an accident waiting to happen!”
I juggled the two parcels as they all talked at once about the locals and gossip from back home in Highlands, catching snippets here and there as we slowly made our way up the stairs.
“…Hey, watch that suitcase!”
“You don’t say!”
“My word!”
“…Her?”
“Well! …I never would have guessed!”
“…Lordy!”
“What? …She’s pregnant?”
“…Must be something in the water.”
Chapter 44
Ketchup & Catch Up
“Hey, how about passing the ketchup,” ordered Martha. “It’s almost all gone!”
Dutifully, Betty handed it over. “You haven’t changed one smidgen. You still put ketchup on everything.”
Martha ignored her and smothered her hotdog and fries with the red gooey stuff. “…Whatever!” she huffed.
I had grilled a quick dinner, considering the unexpected company and the burgeoning population now occupying my house. I quickly defrosted hot dogs and burgers, tossed a salad, cut up some fruit and opened up a few bottles of chilled wine. It worked for me and, apparently, it worked for everyone else.
After a while, I hoisted my wine glass in the air where we were all seated around the table out on the deck. The air was mild and refreshing.
“I’d like to make a toast! Here’s to unexpected get-togethers. May they always bring good fortune!”
…I may have had one too many.
Mona was unusually silent. Everyone talked pretty much simultaneously, as remarks were thrown recklessly around to stir up trouble, while more wine was poured. She turned to me as we ate with question marks written all over her unspoken thoughts. Her raised eyebrows said, ‘explain!’
I leaned back, whispering, “Aren’t they great? I’ve missed all this chaos. This is what I tried to explain when I told you about these women from North Carolina. They know what they want and they go out and get it. Nothing stands in their crosshairs. They bond and verbally tangle all at the same time. God forbid a man should get in between! I’ve known a few that have. Trust me when I say, it wasn’t a pretty sight!”
Following some funny, but humiliating, stories and much laughter, the air was silenced by the loud intrusion of my doorbell ringing insistently, nonstop.
Everyone sat there. A lot of staring traveled around.
Martha reluctantly turned to me. “Should I get that?”
“No, I’ll get it. You sit tight. Excuse me everyone. I’ll be right back.” The clamor of conversation and laughter immediately resumed as more wine passed between them.
I eased my chair back after taking another sip for fortification. I was developing a strong aversion to answering the door and needed stimulus for whatever awaited me at the bottom of the stairs. I was a fast learner.
Well, maybe I wasn’t. But my past was my past. Eventually, I did get the message. I headed down the stairwell. My thighs were like steel lately from all this up and down. As I swung open the door, my jaw dropped.
There stood Barbara, all the way from North Carolina. She was without her significant other, Jack, my former house contractor in North Carolina, friend, and, believe me, as close as a member of a family can get.
“What are you doing…?” I said, shocked, unable to finish.
“How about, I’m glad to see you!” Barbara said, as she gathered me into a firm hug. Slim and athletic, with her dark hair gathered at her neck and dressed impeccably as usual, she handed me a package. “Jack tried to stop me, but I had to come and see what all the fuss was about with your ocean retreat. Besides, I missed you and didn’t think you would mind some extra company. Wow! This is really something you have here!” She looked around.
I stared down just then, noticing her luggage. “I can’t believe this!” I said, stepping back. My mind was racing, mentally scrambling where I could put her. Ah! The cabana with the convertible queen sleeper! It was the last room at the inn.
Barbara glanced up the stairwell. “What’s all that racket up there?”
“Like the old saying goes,” I replied, laughing. “Th
e gang’s all here. Come on in. Let’s go up and catch up.”
Chapter 45
A Novel Mystery Of Three
After some more wine and an abundance of gossip, everyone gradually drew silent, and kept glancing at those three boxes in the middle of the table. Like an obvious cliché, the air was thick with anticipation. I sensed restlessness simmering all around me.
Mona, as usual, spoke first. “Well, Sam, what are you waiting for? Do you need a gold engraved invitation, or what? I’d be more than happy to rip them open myself.”
Then Martha chimed in. “I don’t know about you, but I’m sure I can speak for everyone here that we’ve all waited long enough.”
I turned toward Betty and Hazel. They demurely nodded, for once in total agreement with their reputed arch-rival, Martha.
How unusual.
“I had no idea you all were bringing something too!” exclaimed Barbara. “My, how exciting! And to think, I thought I was the only one delivering a package to Samantha.”
I turned to face Barbara. “What do you mean, delivering? Isn’t this your package?” I glanced down at the three boxes.
Why, they were all exactly the same size!
“Well, it’s really from Jack,” explained Barbara. “I told him that since I was coming here anyway, I would deliver it to you personally. I sure am curious about what it is.”
“You mean you don’t even know what’s in it?” I asked.
“Well no, not really. He wouldn’t let me peek either. But knowing Jack, I bet it’s something real special.”
Martha caught my eye. “Don’t forget the mystery box you received earlier today.”
“What mystery box? Which one on the table is that?” Mona asked, staring at the other two identical packages.
Martha pointed, as Mona quickly snatched it up, inspecting it more closely. “From Highlands, North Carolina,” she announced. “There’s no return name or address on it. That’s kind of odd.”
Betty turned to Hazel. “My gracious! How exciting! Three identical boxes! Why, this feels just like one of those mystery novels!”
Without Any Warning (A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 2) Page 11