“This is risky,” I said. “What'll happen if one of your family members discovers I’m lying? This whole plan could backfire.”
“There’s no reason for them not to believe you are Tina Hayes. They’ve never met her and Josephine rarely talked about her. Trust me, this will work.”
“If they find out you hired me to impersonate Josephine’s daughter, they will never trust you again.”
He shrugged with a sigh of remorse. “I guess that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Chapter 3
George offered us a lump sum of ten thousand dollars to do the job, and wrote out a check for the full amount.
When he handed the check to Carter, he said, “My family will begin to arrive Friday evening around four. I expect you will have the audio surveillance in place before then?”
“Yes.” Carter didn’t bother glancing at the check. He folded it, then placed it in the back pocket of his jeans. “There’s plenty of time.”
George handed me a photograph. “I found this in Josephine’s photo album. It’s the most recent picture I could find of her and her daughter. This was probably taken at least ten years ago.”
The two females in the picture had similar brown eyes and toothy smiles. Josephine had short curly brown hair, her daughter had shoulder-length reddish brown hair with tortoise-shell glasses. Both were attractive and feminine. “How old is Tina now?”
“I believe she’d be in her late thirties.”
“I’m forty-four,” I said.
“You could certainly pass for late thirties. Besides, it won’t matter. My family will have no reason not to believe that you are Josephine’s daughter.”
“May I keep this photo? I’ll return it after the job.”
“Of course,” he said.
“I’ll spend the next few days doing research on Tina. I’d like to know as much as I can about her before the memorial weekend. This is going to be a challenge, but I’m up for it.”
“Thank you.” George let out a sigh of relief. “Well then, if you have no further questions, I need to make some calls to finalize the arrangements for the memorial. I'm having a special urn made for her ashes and it's being delivered today.”
***
On the ride home, Carter seemed rather quiet. I got the impression that, like me, he didn’t know what to make of the situation.
“Do you think George is overreacting about Josephine’s death?”
He shrugged. “I guess he has a right to feel paranoid. Oh the joys of being a millionaire. There’s a lot to be said for living a simple life.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Simple, as in broke?”
“You know what I mean.”
Carter pulled into a Wendy’s drive-thru and ordered two chicken sandwiches. “So, how do you feel about the acting job? You sure you’re up for it?”
“I’ve already committed myself. No backing out now.”
“Think of it this way; at least you’ll be living in the lap of luxury for the whole weekend. Meanwhile, I’ll be staying in the carriage house all by myself.”
I squeezed his knee. “At least you don’t have to deal with the family. I have a feeling they won’t take kindly to me poking my nose into their business.”
Carter and I had scarfed down our lunch by the time we got back to my apartment. My neighbor Jackie was waiting by my door with a stack of folded up boxes. Her wild curly black hair was tied back into a pink bandana.
“Hey, you’re back,” she said. “I was just going to leave these here for you. Although I don’t know why I agreed to help you move. I’m still pissed you’re leaving me.”
Carter gave Jackie a quick hug. “You know you and Chester are invited to the house whenever you want. I only live a few miles away.”
Jackie sighed. “I appreciate that, but it won’t be the same.”
Carter gave her an apologetic pat on the shoulder and disappeared inside my apartment. When Jackie turned to me, a sad smile tore at my heartstrings.
“You know I adore Carter, but do you really have to move in with him?”
“It makes sense, Jackie. The rent keeps going up and, besides, Carter is really excited about it. I’ll save more money so you and I can keep drinking the good wine we’ve become accustomed to.”
She chuckled, but I could tell this was no laughing matter. “Do you realize it’s been almost two years since you moved in? I thought you said you’d never rely on a man again, after your divorce.”
“Carter is different. He’s not trying to control me. He just wants us to be together.”
“Which is sweet, but...” Tears formed in her eyes. “I’m being selfish, I know. I’m happy for you or, at least, I’m trying to be.”
“Carter meant what he said. You and Chester are welcome anytime.”
Chester is Jackie’s dog, and the only steady relationship in her life. Even though Jackie dates all the time, she isn’t able to hold on to a guy to save her life. She’s an acquired taste, not for everyone. She and I became fast friends when I discovered we were kindred spirits. She loves wine just as much as I do - if not more and she embraces my dirty sense of humor.
Jackie dropped the boxes and wrapped her arms around me. The bear hug that ensued nearly squeezed the breath out of me. “If you need help packing, just let me know, okay?”
“Thanks. I might take you up on that.”
Back inside my apartment, I stacked the boxes in the corner and looked around with a lump in my throat. Was I making the right decision to leave? Of course I was. A little anxiety is normal but, sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith. I was ready to start a new chapter in my life so why not go for it?
“Jackie hates me, doesn’t she?” Carter sat at my kitchen table, hunched over his laptop. The look of concern on his face made me smile. The fact that he cared about the feelings of my close friend warmed my heart.
“No. She doesn’t hate you. I just think she’s lonely.” I leaned over and kissed his neck. “Someday Jackie will find a guy that appreciates her zany personality. He’s got to be out there somewhere, right? Don’t you have any friends you could fix her up with?”
That last comment was a joke because I knew Carter didn’t have friends like most guys. First of all, he doesn’t care for sports. Secondly, he believes most guys are ego-centered idiots. Carter has acquaintances and, most of them, he keeps at arm’s length. Once in a while, he’ll go out for a beer with one of his old cop buddies but those meetings usually have some kind of ulterior motive; such as acquiring information for a job we are working on. Carter seems perfectly content spending most of his time with me: his lover, his friend and his business partner.
“Jackie offered to help me pack but I should be able to handle this myself. Truth is, I can probably do it in a weekend.” I looked at the photograph of Josephine and her daughter. “Right now, I need to focus on this job. If I’m going to pretend to be Tina for a weekend, I have to get in character.”
Chapter 4
Carter and I each packed a bag for our weekend getaway. Too bad we wouldn’t be spending it together. Carter would have to stay in the carriage house out of sight tending to the surveillance, while I pretended to be the daughter of a dead woman.
Carter had spent the last few days installing the voice activated “bugs” in each room of the mansion. A program on his laptop keeps track of all of the recordings, allowing him to listen to conversations in real time, but also saves them in digital audio files.
I worked on perfecting my acting skills, while giving myself a complete makeover. Even Carter hadn’t recognized me when I came home from the hair salon. Every time I looked in the mirror, I did a double take. Last time I had red hair was in high school, during an experimental phase. I had done it myself at home and it came out more orange than red. Not a good look for me but, this time, I sprang for a professional. The result, I had to admit, was not that bad. The finishing touch was the glasses but, instead of the horn-rimmed ones Tina wore in the picture, I
decided to find an updated pair.
When Carter and I arrived at the carriage house, George invited us in and smiled at me, gesturing to my new haircut. “You really didn’t have to change your looks, Sarah but, I have to say, you did a fine job. How did you get the color to match so well?”
“I took Tina’s picture into the hairdresser’s and told the woman to match the color and style. She took a few inches off and, well, I was due for a dye job, anyway.”
“Are those real prescription glasses?”
I removed the glasses to show him. “No, the lenses are clear. These are called Fashion Fakes. Can’t tell the difference, can you?”
“Not at all.” George stood back and gave me a once over. He seemed quite satisfied. “If the real Tina were standing beside you now, I bet you could pass for sisters.”
I smiled in response to his praise. It had taken many hours to get the look right. “Even though your family hasn’t met her, I think it’s important to portray Tina’s likeness. Also it will help me stay in character.”
George rested a hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eyes. “Now, I can’t predict how my family is going to react to you being here. I want you to prepare for the fact that they might not take kindly to your insinuations. I assume you have the means to protect yourself, just in case.”
“I have pepper spray on me at all times and I’ll be sure to hold on to the banister before going down the stairs.”
George’s face turned pale, and I immediately felt horrible for the remark. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean …”
He shook his head and raised his hand. “Don’t worry about it. In fact, I’m glad you mentioned it because I had the stairs carpeted a few days ago. The next time someone accidentally trips and falls, there will be cushioning. I should have done that years ago.”
Carter took my hand and kissed it. “Hey, I’ll miss you. Be careful, okay?”
I gave him a quick hug. “Maybe I’ll have a chance to slip away and come see you.”
“Don’t take any chances,” he said. “We’ll be in contact via the phone.”
“Okay,” I said, giving him a final kiss. “Then I guess this is good-bye.”
“Let’s head on over to the main house, shall we?” George said to me as he picked up my overnight bag. “Then you can relax while you wait for my family to arrive.”
***
We left the carriage house, followed the walkway and ended up at the front door to the mansion. Hard to believe this would be my home for the next two and a half days. Once inside, I could hear the clanging of pots and pans.
George set my bag by the stairs and waved a hand for me to follow him toward the kitchen. “Come, let me introduce you to Lucita. She’s already preparing this evening’s dinner.”
“Smells wonderful.”
As we entered the kitchen, a woman stood at the stove stirring a large pot. She was petite with skin the color of light mocha, dressed all in black except for the white apron.
George cleared his throat. “Lucita, I’d like to introduce you to Tina Hayes, Josephine’s daughter.”
Lucita turned to me, eyes wide as she dusted her hands on the apron to shake my hand. “So nice to meet you, Ms. Hayes. I am so sorry about your mother.”
Her hand was warm and her grip was firm. I got the impression that she was a kind soul. “Thank you,” I said. “It was so nice of George to invite me to stay for the weekend and meet the family.”
“If you need anything at all, just ask, I am here.”
I thanked her again and she turned to go back to work at the stove.
George guided me back out to the foyer, my overnight bag still clutched in his hand. “Let me show you to your room.”
As I followed him up the staircase, padded with a thick pile oriental runner, I said, “Lucita seems very nice. She has a Spanish accent. Where is she from?”
“A small town in Mexico. She and her husband moved here about ten years ago looking for work. I hired her as soon as I sampled her empanadas. Have you ever had one?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“I’ll ask her to make some for you while you’re here.”
“I’d love that, thanks.”
At the second floor landing we took a left and continued down the hallway. Upon entering the bedroom, I gazed around with awe. It resembled an elegant, five-star hotel room complete with a private bathroom attached. Too bad Carter couldn’t share this with me.
George placed my bag on a suitcase stand and walked across the room toward a cabinet built into the wall. He pressed a button and a small door opened. Inside, a fully stocked mini fridge. “Help yourself to refreshments. There’s bottled water, fruit juice, chilled wine and an assortment of spirits. And you don’t have to worry about a bill at the end of your stay.”
I chuckled at his attempt to humor me. “Thank you for the generous accommodations. I’m sure I will be very comfortable here.”
“My family will start arriving this afternoon.” He checked his watch. “In fact, my sister Margaret and Jeremy should be here within the hour. I’ve sent a car to fetch them at the airport.”
I padded across the room toward the window. The curtains were made of velvet, with gold rope tie-backs. “What a beautiful view of the property from this vantage point. Is that some kind of vineyard back there?”
“That was Josephine’s project. She loved gardening and was intent on growing grapes despite the climate. She also tended to the greenhouse. She would spend hours in there every day, talking to the flowers. Being around nature was one of her favorite things.”
The melancholy in George’s voice sent a ripple of sadness through me. I could tell he dearly needed some closure. I couldn’t fathom what must be going through his mind - suspecting a family member of killing his fiancée must weigh heavily on his heart. For his sake I prayed that we’d come to the conclusion that Josephine’s death was exactly what it seemed, an accident.
“So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to bring something up. You said before that you haven’t spoken to Lucita about your suspicions concerning your family, correct?”
“That’s right,” he said. “You and Carter are the only ones.”
“Well, I’m just wondering, how well do you trust her?”
“Lucita?” George looked at me with curious eyes, like he had no idea where I was going with this. “I trust her. She’s been a loyal employee for almost five years. Why do you ask?”
“The reason I’m asking is because I’d like your permission to speak to her. There’s a chance she might have overheard a conversation pertaining to Josephine’s death. I’m not suggesting that she overhead someone confessing to a murder but, at least, something that might give us a clue as to who might be involved.”
George appeared to think it over. “I suppose it’s fine to question her but I doubt she’ll be able to help you. If she had any information like that, she would’ve told me.”
“Not necessarily. Especially since you haven’t shared your suspicions with her.”
“If you want to discuss it with Lucita, you have my blessing. As Tina, of course. I don’t want her to know that you’re a private detective.”
“Yes, of course.”
George checked his watch again as if nervous. “You could go down to the kitchen and ask Lucita to make you a cup of coffee or tea. This might be the only opportunity to speak to her in private.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”
“Then I suppose I should leave you to it.” He walked over to the door and pointed to the dead bolt. “By the way, I installed this yesterday. I suggest you keep your bedroom door locked at night.”
Did he really think that one of his family members would sneak into my room and try to attack me? The fact that he took the necessary precautions confirmed he did.
Chapter 5
Lucita stood at the kitchen counter, chopping vegetables. I didn’t want to disrupt her work, so I waited until she took a break. She must ha
ve felt my presence anyway and turned around. “Ms. Hayes. Can I get something for you?”
“George said I could bother you for a cup of coffee but, you seem busy, I can come back later.”
She placed the knife on the counter. “No problem. I make fresh pot right now.”
“Thank you. There’s no hurry, really.”
She gestured to the marble island with the fancy stools. “Please sit. You take cream or sugar?”
“No thanks. Black is fine.”
While she got busy making the coffee, I observed her closely. I guessed her to be in her late twenties. She wasn't exactly pretty, but she had warm brown eyes and a friendly smile. I got the sense she really liked her job.
“Lucita, how well did you know my mother?”
She looked up at me, eyebrows raised. Clearly, she hadn’t expected that. “Your mother? Oh, I like her very much.”
“Were you here the night she died?”
“No, I went home around seven-thirty.”
I could tell she was uncomfortable, but it didn’t surprise me. She was probably afraid of saying something that might upset me. I decided to try a different approach. “It’s just so hard to imagine that she fell down a flight of stairs, you know? She wasn’t a clumsy person. I mean, I know it happened late at night but, still, I can’t picture it.”
“I am sorry.” She poured the fresh coffee into a mug, setting it on the counter in front of me.
I took a sip and let the warm liquid slide down my throat. “I can’t help but think that maybe it wasn’t an accident.”
Lucita said nothing, but what could she say? I sensed her hesitation.
Resting my elbows on the counter, I slouched over my coffee cup. “I don’t know. Maybe someone didn’t like my mother. Maybe one of George’s kids thought she would get in the way of their inheritance.”
The Devil You Know (Sarah Woods Mystery Book 15) Page 2