“Likely.”
“What?”
“You said he was likely killed in the heat of the moment. Maybe—”
“Jeez, Bella, maybe nothing. He was. He was killed in the heat of the moment. It was a crime of passion. There was no intent. He pissed somebody off and they got angry. Too angry.”
Moustache ran into the room with the lion dangling out of his mouth. Jeffers grabbed at it, but the dog held strong and growled playfully. Jeffers won the tug-of-war, threw the lion again, and Moustache flew out of the room in pursuit.
“What if she had help?”
“Bella!”
“I’m just saying what if? Her brother looked strong. Maybe she got him to help her. You know, do the dirty work.” Jeffers laughed. “Okay, fine. Maybe she just brought him along to intimidate Macie and things escalated.”
Jeffers and Moustache went through their routine again. When the dog dashed out of the room, Jeffers got to his feet and leaned against the counter, his eyes squarely on me.
“That’s possible.”
“Ha!”
“It’s also possible the brother took it upon himself to follow up on whatever threat the father made.”
“How do you know there was a threat?”
“Ellie said her father went to see Macie and after that meeting Macie called off their arrangement. Glynn said Macie had tried to reason with the father once before and consciously went against his wishes and continued to work with Ellie. So why stop this time? There had to be some kind of threat.”
Moustache ran into the kitchen and was disappointed to find Jeffers standing. Jeffers bent down and ruffled the dog’s ears, which seemed to appease him. Moustache wagged his tail then plopped down and proceeded to chew on the lion’s head.
“You going to talk to Ellie’s father again?”
“You bet. I have to know what that meeting was about.”
“Might be a good idea to talk to Glynn again too. He seemed to think Al was still working with Ellie. If Al had been threatened by her father the day before he died, doesn’t it seem strange he didn’t mention anything to Glynn?”
“You think Glynn’s hiding something?” Jeffers asked.
“I don’t, actually. I just find it odd Al wouldn’t have confided in him.”
“So maybe Macie’s the one hiding something.”
“Or maybe there’s a reason he kept the threat to himself. Either way, we should talk to Glynn.”
“We?”
“Oh, give me a break. You knew this case would suck me in.”
“Of course I did. I’m just surprised it took so long.”
“Hello,” said a voice from the front hall.
Moustache abandoned the lion and ran out of the room.
“We’re in the kitchen,” I called.
Paul came in carrying Moustache over his shoulder.
“Hey man,” he said to Jeffers.
“Doc.”
Paul put the dog down and the two men shook hands.
“You staying for dinner?” Paul asked, coming over to me and planting a kiss on my cheek.
“Not tonight,” Jeffers said. “I’m on dinner and diaper duty. Aria informed me she’s spending the better part of the evening in a hot bath. Just wanted a quick check in with Bella about our case.”
“So it’s finally ‘our’ case is it?” Paul said in an I-told-you-so voice.
“You knew she wouldn’t be able to resist forever,” Jeffers said.
“I’m just surprised it took this long.”
“You, shut up,” I directed at Paul, “and you, get out,” I said, ushering a laughing Jeffers to the front door.
“Oh hey, did you get anything from Leduc?” Jeffers asked.
“No, there wasn’t time. But there was something weird. Before class I told him about how Al had been working with Ellie and how much Glynn said it would mean to Al if Vince would continue. But when Vince relayed the conversation to Ellie he did it as if he’d been the one who’d talked to Glynn. Like they were friends and that Glynn had confided in him. There was no acknowledgment whatsoever that Glynn had spoken through me.”
“I wouldn’t read anything into that. Leduc’s the new guy replacing a teacher with whom Ellie obviously had a close relationship. He probably thought she’d feel more comfortable with him if she believed he’d been close with Macie too.”
“I don’t think that’s it. There was something pathological about the way he said it. I could see he truly believed he and Glynn had had that conversation. Look, Glynn said Vince was obsessed with Al. That he wanted to be Al. What if he thinks that in some way he is?
“Like schizophrenic?”
“I don’t know. No. I mean, I don’t … I’m certainly no expert and I don’t believe there’s anything medically wrong with Vince, but … You know what, never mind. I’m sure you’re right. I’m probably just reading too much into it. Go home to your wife.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. What’s your day like tomorrow for interviews?”
“I have a costume fitting first thing, then rehearsal all morning. I have a later call in the afternoon, so I have a couple of hours in the middle of the day.”
“Perfect. Text me when you’re free and I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay.”
Jeffers descended my front steps and then turned back to me. “Bella, if this thing with Leduc is really bothering you, look into it. Don’t take my word for it. I’m no expert either. You might just be onto something.”
“But you think I’m barking up the wrong tree?”
“Look, the Inspector is itching for results. Just because I think the stronger lead is with Ellie and her family doesn’t mean that’s the only tree in the forest. Bark away.”
I watched Jeffers pull out of the driveway, then closed the door. Paul was standing in the entrance of the kitchen leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
“What?” I asked.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“No, but you’re thinking it.”
“The only thing I’m thinking about is how great you look in those jeans.”
“No, you’re not, and you know it. You’re mad because I told you I wasn’t getting involved and now I’m involved.”
“I’m not mad, Bells,” he said, taking me in his arms. “I’m worried. There’s a difference.”
“I promise to be careful,” I said, pressing my face to his chest. “What’s that smell?”
“Oh, sorry,” he said, pulling away. “It’s pee. A little puppy’s first visit and he got very excited. I meant to throw on some scrubs, but the day got away from me.”
“You’ve been walking around all day with puppy pee on you?”
“Occupational hazard,” he said, laughing.
“It’s disgusting,” I said, shaking my head but laughing in spite of myself. “I’m not having dinner with you when you’re covered in urine. Go change. Or shower. Or something. But be quick. I’m starving.”
Chapter 10
“I’m never eating again!” I said, as I plopped into a chair in the green room opposite Adam and Powell. “You should see my costume for the Mein Herr number.”
“Darling, it’s Cabaret,” Adam said. “The whole show is highly sexualized. What did you expect?”
“I knew I’d be showing skin,” I said. “I just didn’t think I’d be showing quite so much of it.”
“You’re gorgeous,” said Powell. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“Says he who spends most of the show in a suit.”
“Yes. And that is why I am thoroughly enjoying this bagel,” he teased and put the last of his breakfast into his mouth.
At that moment Manda glided into the room with the actor playing Captain Bluntschli in Arms and the Man. She laughed at something he said just a little louder than necessary to ensure she had everyone’s attention, which she then pretended not to notice.
I groaned as I watched her perfect figure sway this way and that as s
he placed an order for a coffee. “She’s going to look fabulous in that costume.”
As if they didn’t have enough to do, the costume department had to make duplicates of many costumes for the understudies.
“Stay healthy, my dear, and she’ll never get a chance to wear it,” Powell said, gathering his things and rising from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I want to brush my teeth before we start. I believe you and I have some kissing on the schedule this morning.”
He gave my shoulder a friendly squeeze and left. I noticed he purposely avoided Manda as he passed her and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you sure he’s gay?” I asked Adam.
He rolled his eyes. “Bella, when are you going to accept that this is one field I have way more experience in than you? Now come on, I want to make sure I get my spot in the rehearsal hall.”
“You have a ‘spot’?” I asked, following him out of the room.
“You betcha. You know how Powell always puts his stuff close to the piano?”
“I haven’t noticed.”
“He does. And you know that pillar by the stage manager’s table?”
I called up a picture of the room in my mind. “The one with the mirror?”
“Yes,” Adam said with a wicked grin. “The mirror gives a perfect view of the lovely Mr. Avery and he doesn’t even know it. I can stare at him all the livelong day.”
It was my turn to roll my eyes. “Why don’t you ask him out already?”
“Don’t rush me. I’m still working my magic.”
“You call that magic, stalking him in a mirror?”
“Oh, stop,” he said, pretending to be offended. “So tell me, is he a good kisser?”
“Adam!”
“Come on, James, dish!”
“I will not,” I said, laughing. “Ask him out. Go on a date and find out for yourself.”
“But you could save me the time and effort.”
“Nope,” I said. “Maybe you should ask the director to build in a kiss between Cliff and Ernst,” I said, referring to the characters Powell and Adam played.
“That’s not a bad idea,” he said, the wheels clearly turning at Mach speed. “It would be weird at the time to have a gay Nazi, but there are certainly undertones to Cliff …”
“You probably see gay undertones in a weather report.”
“Sweetheart, don’t even get me started.”
“Does it ever bother Paul? You kissing other people on stage?” Jeffers asked, as we drove to Ellie Penner’s home.
“Should it?”
“I don’t think Aria would like it if I spent my days kissing other women.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t given your line of work, but in my business, it’s just another day at the office. I spend my days pretending to be other people. And sometimes those pretend people have to kiss other pretend people. But the kissing isn’t real. It’s like if my character has to shoot someone. I don’t really shoot them.”
Jeffers shook his head. “It’s different. Your lips are touching.”
“Yeah, but …” I fumbled over how exactly to explain in a way Jeffers would understand. “There’s no tongue.”
Jeffers looked at me sideways. “I have been to movies, Bella. I have seen that kind of kissing and I can tell you that there, most definitely, is tongue.”
“First of all, this isn’t a movie. That’s a whole other … and secondly, you’re in a room full of people. There’s no intimacy. There’s a detachment. Everything is talked through beforehand. It’s basically choreographed.”
“Choreographed?”
“Not like a dance—well, sometimes—but more like working out the mechanics of it.”
“‘Mechanics.’ How romantic.”
“See?”
Jeffers shrugged. “It’s still weird.”
Thankfully we pulled in to a long driveway and the matter was dropped.
Ellie’s house was a white-brick, ranch-style bungalow with green shutters and matching window boxes. It was set far back from the road, which allowed for a very large front yard that was neatly kept but sparsely landscaped. It reminded me of the lawns back on PEI, sprawling and green but without much shrubbery or floral enhancements. The nearest neighbour’s house was a little further down the road on the opposite side. The driveway ended at a grey garage door and Jeffers and I got out.
When our knocking went unanswered, we made our way around to the back of the house where a large patio area looked out over acres of orchard. There was a large barn with its doors open. Jeffers and I started along the pebbled path that led toward them when a young man in his twenties emerged pushing a wheelbarrow.
“Excuse me,” Jeffers called, holding out his badge.
The man set his load down. In spite of the spring briskness, he pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket, removed his straw hat, and wiped sweat from his forehead. His long pants were held up by suspenders, and the sleeves of his button-down shirt had been rolled up, revealing muscular forearms. I saw Ellie in his face and took him to be yet another brother.
“Detective,” the young man said, holding out his hand to shake Jeffers’. “Nice to see you again.” His tone was friendly. A far cry from what his brother’s had been at the school. “Everything all right?”
“Fine. Corney, right?” Jeffers asked.
“Yes, sir,” Corney said, beaming at having been remembered.
“Corney, we need another word with your father. Is he around?”
The young man gestured to where a cart was parked amongst the trees. “It was a hard winter,” he said. “Our cherry trees made it through with no injury, but some of our peach trees weren’t so lucky.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Jeffers said.
“Oh, they’ll be fine,” Corney said. “Da’s got the magic touch. This about Ellie’s teacher again?”
“We just have a few follow-up questions.”
“So you haven’t caught the guy.” It was not a question. “You want me to fetch him?” he asked, indicating his father.
“No, that’s all right. I see you’re busy.”
Jeffers and I said our thanks and moved off in the direction of the cart. Corney picked up his wheelbarrow and watched us go. It wasn’t until we were well within the trees that he moved along in the opposite direction.
“Corney?” I asked, as we made our way through the orchard.
Jeffers shrugged. “Probably short for Cornelius.”
“Named after his father?”
“No. His father is Armin. Could be a nickname.”
“I can think of better nicknames.”
“I can think of worse,” Jeffers said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
We arrived at the cart, and a man dressed almost identical to Corney looked out from behind one of the trees. His expression darkened when he saw Jeffers. “Detective.”
“Mr. Penner. I hope this isn’t a bad time.”
“I’m assuming this visit has something to do with Al Macie.”
“Just a few more questions if you wouldn’t mind.”
Ellie’s father set a pair of pruning shears against the trunk of the tree and took off his work gloves. Like Corney, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his forehead.
“Not sure what more I can tell you,” he said, as he joined us by the cart. He had a long greying beard and piercing blue eyes, which he fixed on me.
“This is my partner, Ms. James,” Jeffers said in introduction.
“Pleasure, ma’am,” Mr. Penner said, tipping his straw hat to me, but indicating none of the pleasure he spoke of. He reached into the cart and pulled out a thermos. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything to offer you,” he said, taking a swig from the container. “I wasn’t expecting company.”
“We’re fine,” I said.
“Mr. Penner, we’d like to talk to you about a meeting you had with Al Macie,” Jeffers said.
“As I told you before, Detective, I was surprised to le
arn that my daughter was taking drama. Her focus should be on practical courses and I felt Mr. Macie’s class would distract her from more important studies.” I bristled when he said “more important” but held my tongue. He continued. “I don’t expect you to understand, but our way of life is different and the kinds of things that are taught in such a class are not in keeping with the path we follow. Elsbeth told me she would drop the class. I thought the matter done. However, when I found she’d been deceitful, I went to the school myself and had her removed.”
Jeffers opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it. “How did you find out Ellie was taking the class in the first place?”
“My youngest, Leland, told me about a presentation Elsbeth had been a part of.”
I flashed back to Ellie’s brother at the school and recalled how he had managed her and seemed to know every detail of her schedule. “Did Leland tell you that Ellie had not dropped the class like she’d promised?”
“I’m not sure what you’re implying, Ms. James.”
“She’s not implying anything,” Jeffers said. “Mr. Penner, I was actually referring to a meeting you had with Mr. Macie following Ellie’s removal from the class. From what I understand—”
Armin Penner raised a hand to silence Jeffers. “Again, as I’ve already told you, Mr. Macie showed up here, praising Elsbeth’s talent and potential and asking me to reconsider. I told you the same as I told him: such a class is quite simply not in Elsbeth’s best interests. She has responsibilities here. To her family. I don’t mean to be rude, but we’ve been through all of this and I really do need to take advantage of what time I have with the sun.”
“Mr. Penner, if you’d let me finish, you would know the meeting I wish to speak to you about is the one that took place the day before Mr. Macie died.”
Armin Penner hardened a stare on Jeffers. He raised the thermos to his lips one more time, closed the cap, and tossed it back into the cart.
“Is it true you went to see Al Macie at the school shortly before he was found dead?” Jeffers asked.
“It is.”
“Mr. Penner, I need you to tell me everything about that meeting.”
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