A Taste of Death

by Suzanne Rossi

  “Fran told me to keep it under the rug. She didn’t want the membership to know exactly how much we lost.”

  “And exactly how much was that?” Anne asked in a tight voice, her temper once again rising.

  “We admitted to four thousand dollars, but the real number was closer to six grand. We took a hit financially, but not enough to bankrupt us.”

  “Oh, God. Why did you go along with it?”

  “Fran assured me everything would work out. She…she counted on getting reelected. Then last July, Fran came to me and said she needed a favor. She needed to borrow some money.”

  This is my worst nightmare. “What for?”

  Jane shrugged. “She never actually came out and said.”

  “You loaned her chapter money with no explanation, no collateral, or even a signed promissory note?”

  “She said she had a personal problem and that she’d have it paid back in a couple of months. All I had to do was make sure the treasurer reports didn’t show the three thousand dollars. I was to pretend the money was there. That way when it was replaced the books would gibe with the bank statements. No one would know. I…I didn’t feel comfortable about it, but Fran was insistent.”

  “Oh God,” Anne murmured again. “Where’s the September bank statement?”

  Jane reached into her purse and produced the missing statement. “I took it out when you called yesterday. If you asked I was going to say I couldn’t find it, but would get it to you as soon as possible.” Jane looked up at Anne for the first time. Tears ran down her cheeks. “I told Fran at the meeting that the money had to be put back immediately. With you as the new president, I knew you’d eventually ask something like this.”

  “And what did Fran say?”

  “She told me to stall if you asked to see the books, and that she’d get the money by the end of the week.”

  “And then she died.”

  “And then she died. How much trouble am I in?”

  “Legally? I don’t know. What you did was fraud. But you are in big trouble as far as the chapter is concerned. I have no choice but to ask that you resign. I don’t care what reason you give. I’ll have to find someone to take over immediately. I just hope I don’t have to initiate an audit.”

  She wasn’t sure if she had the authority to make such a request without first discussing it with the entire board, but figured Jane wouldn’t know either. As for the audit, she was certain it needed to take place as soon as possible.

  “I swear, Anne, this is the only time it happened. I know I made mistakes here and there, but they were honest mistakes.”

  “Here and there? Try every month. You counted some receivables twice to cover up the losses. According to the bank statements, we have around nine thousand dollars in the account. Yet your reports show closer to twelve. And you never even presented a budget for this year.”

  “Fran told me not to. She said it would all work out after December. We’d present a budget and make it look good. I’m not a bad person,” she sobbed.

  “I know you’re not, Jane, but there’s nothing honest about any of this. You manipulated the books. People go to jail for that.”

  “Jail? Are you going to tell the police?” she wiped her cheeks with her fingertips. New tears flowed.

  Anne heaved a deep breath slid a blank sheet of paper and a pen toward the woman. “I don’t know. I’ll have to discuss it with the board and see if there is some way we can fix things without it becoming common knowledge to the membership, at least not right away. Now, if you would write out a simple resignation letter that will make it official. As soon as I find someone to take over, I’ll announce it on the loop.”

  Anne wasn’t sure she had the authority to do this without full board approval either. Did the entire membership need to know? Probably. But maybe it could wait a few months until the mess was sorted out. Maybe just saying Jane had been under a lot of stress and made too many mistakes. But as of now, she just wanted the woman gone.

  “All…all right. Whatever you say.”

  Jane quickly wrote two sentences, signed it, and then rose. “I’m sorry, Anne. I really am.”

  “I know. Oh, and Jane, don’t talk about this to anyone.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  After Jane left, Anne sat down at the table and stared at the financial mess in front of her, then called Rose.

  “Why the hell would Fran need three grand?” she demanded upon hearing the news.

  “I have no idea, but she also borrowed three thousand dollars from Beth Whisnant last spring. All I know is the chapter is short. We have to replace Jane as soon as possible. I’m not even sure I know how to go about it.”

  “Let me look at the bylaws and get back to you.”

  Anne hung up and held her head in her hands. Rose was good with things like by-laws. Maybe she could find a solution. The chapter just might be on the brink of disaster, especially if an audit discovered more missing money. Then another thought occurred to her.

  I only have Jane’s word that Fran said she’d pay it back. Maybe it was an ongoing thing between the two of them. Suppose my election upset their little apple cart. What if Jane demanded the three thousand be replaced and Fran told her to stuff it?

  “Jane would be in a world of hurt, and Fran could say the check was a forgery or something,” she murmured out loud.

  And we also only have Jane’s word that she spoke to Fran at the meeting. Suppose the two had talked earlier. What if Jane was so scared and angry about possibly taking the fall, she decided to do something about it? I wonder if she knew about Fran’s allergies.

  ****

  “Actually, we only have one option,” Rose said when she called back with the interpretation of the bylaws. “If the President resigns, then the Vice-President takes over, but for all other board positions a special election must be held within sixty days of the resignation. An interim board member can be appointed until said election.”

  Anne groaned. “I was afraid of that. Looks like Fran ignored the by-laws when our last Secretary resigned and moved. She just appointed herself, with no input that I know of. She took a chance, but then not many people actually read by-laws. The point is how much do I have to tell the membership?”

  “Well, for now all you have to say is that Jane resigned for personal reasons. Then I’d suggest we call in an expert to untangle the mess and find out how much financial trouble we’re in. I seem to recall that Mavis Holloway’s son is an accountant. Maybe he’d do it for a reasonable price.”

  “I hope so. Oh God, what a mess.”

  Rose sighed. “One ray of sunshine is that while quarterly board meetings are open to the membership, there’s nothing that says a special session has to be announced. It’s a loophole, but one that might work. I mean, I can just see Susan Lynch showing up.”

  “Heaven forbid! Now, I have to talk someone into dealing with our finances for a couple of months.”

  “How about Nancy? She’s good with numbers.”

  Anne hadn’t thought about her critique partner. “That might be a good idea. Any way you look at it I have to call an emergency board meeting.”

  “The sooner, the better.”

  “Thanks, Rose. I’ll get back to you with the time.”

  Anne hung up and slowly gathered the financial papers from her kitchen table. Nancy made sense as an interim treasurer. First off, Rose was right—the woman had a good head for numbers. Second, she was always supportive of the chapter and her critique partners. And third, Anne trusted her.

  With a long sigh, she picked up the phone, called Nancy, and told her the whole story.

  “Oh Lord, what was Jane thinking? Unraveling this badly knitted sweater could take forever.”

  “I know, but if we hire an accountant like I want, then the pressure will be off the treasurer. Naturally, it will have to be put toward the membership for a vote. In the meantime, you’d only be stuck with the job for a couple of months.”

  “
I’ll do it, but only until the election. No way do I want the job any longer than that. Besides, three of us from the group on the board might not sit well with people.”

  Anne breathed a sigh of relief. First hurdle cleared.

  “I’m going to call an emergency board meeting for this afternoon. Can you make it say around three?”

  “I suppose so. But it is Friday. Some people may not be available.”

  Hanging up from Nancy, she realized she only needed to call two other board members. Rose would certainly be here, and even though Luella’s position was non-voting, she still had to be notified. She didn’t know Luella that well, but the woman struck her as the kind that would demand some kind of legal action. Anne didn’t want to get into that if possible.

  Maybe all I need to say is that Jane resigned. She called, told her that, and breathed a sigh of relief when Luella said she couldn’t attend.

  Kathy and Ellie, however, needed to know the whole gruesome story. She called, told them Jane was no longer on the board and asked if they could drop by briefly at three o’clock. Both expressed surprise at Jane’s resignation, but promised to be there.

  Rose arrived first complete with a toddler and the baby. “Sorry, but I couldn’t find a sitter on such short notice. This won’t take long and once we vote, I can scram.”

  Anne didn’t mind. The baby was sound asleep and Graham, an active two-year-old, had a small backpack full of toys.

  Nancy arrived next. “This better not take long. I’ve got a date tonight.”

  During the crisis with the bank accounts, Anne had forgotten to delve further into last night’s dinner.

  “A date?” Rose said with arched eyebrows.

  “You heard me, a date, with a man. This doesn’t happen often, so I want to make the most of it.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Gil’s brother, Brad,” Anne answered as the doorbell rang.

  It was Ellie closely followed by Kathy.

  Anne didn’t waste any time, but led them into the living room and told them the hard facts in blunt terms.

  “How much trouble are we in?” Kathy asked.

  “Don’t know yet. Rose said Mavis Holloway’s son is an accountant. I’ll call and see if he can help.”

  “I can’t believe Jane would do something like that,” Kathy said. “I know she isn’t the brightest bulb in the pack, but this was just plain stupid.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Ellie replied. “Fran could be damned persuasive.”

  “That’s the bad news. The good news is Nancy has agreed to step in as interim treasurer. Is that all right with everyone?”

  Everyone agreed. Then Kathy brought up the subject of telling the other members.

  “They have to know,” she stated.

  “Can we give it a month or so?” Anne asked. “Perhaps we can just explain that Jane resigned for personal reasons and didn’t pay as close attention to her position as she should have, thus mistakes were made. That’s why we’re having an audit done.”

  “That might work,” the vice-president said. “But the sooner we do it, the more transparent it will look.”

  “Okay, I’ll announce the resignation and special election at the next meeting.”

  “Too long,” Kathy said. “I’d look for a permanent replacement immediately.”

  The meeting was adjourned having taken only fifteen minutes. While Kathy and Ellie left, Rose lingered.

  “Gil’s brother?” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

  Nancy gave her a look. “Yes, Gil’s brother. He’s a geologist who studies volcanoes. We’re going out to eat, and then to a movie. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready.”

  Nancy sailed out of the door with her head held high.

  “This is interesting.” Rose gathered up her kids and the toys.

  “I’ll say. I haven’t heard from Gil all day. Think I’ll give him a call. Maybe he has some more information on Fran and Jeffery Wainwright.”

  As Rose left, the mention of the dead waiter brought the murder of Fran back to the front of her mind. Disaster was piling up on disaster.

  Reality sucks.

  ****

  Gil arrived at seven complete with a large pepperoni and mushroom pizza. Anne had the Chianti open and ready.

  “Welcome. Just you and me tonight.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Yeah?”

  “Kids are at a football game and will be going to a school sponsored dance later.”

  “Time enough to have our own dance,” he said with a suggestive smile.

  “We can always reheat the pizza.” She grabbed the box from his hands and set it on the kitchen counter, then led him upstairs.

  An hour later, they were back in the kitchen.

  “Have I told you how much I like dining at your house?” he commented.

  Anne sipped her wine and gazed at him over the rim of the glass. “I’m the perfect hostess who always sees to her guests’ wants and needs.”

  Gil laughed and took a huge bite of pizza while she contemplated telling him about Fran’s financial activities. If they weren’t related to her murder, then he had no reason to know. She decided to wait until he’d had his fill of pepperoni and Chianti.

  “Any more news on Fran or Wainwright?”

  “I talked to Mr. Harrison and her sister this morning. They said Ms. Harrison had numerous food allergies besides peanuts, including strawberries, raw tomatoes, plus some citrus fruits. And of course, shellfish of all kinds.”

  “Someone who knew her well had to kill her.”

  “We’re checking out the family now. Her friends are next.”

  “I think most of her friends were writers. We’ve talked to some people like her critique partners who probably knew about her allergies,” she said. “Did you talk to Becky Lawrence and Terry Whiting yet?”

  He nodded. “Both. Ms. Lawrence says she just didn’t feel like dealing with Ms. Harrison, so stayed home. Her husband was at work, so there’s no corroboration. Ms. Whiting said she and Ms. Harrison had words about the conference and met to patch things up for the sake of the chapter.”

  “Yet the waitress said Terry left in a huff.”

  “She claimed Ms. Harrison made a snide comment. That’s all. I also showed a still of the waiter from the surveillance video to one of the women serving the meeting. She said it kinda looked like Wainwright, but wasn’t sure.”

  “Any news on Wainwright?” she asked.

  “Preliminary tox screen shows he was coked up pretty good when he died.”

  “The mystery man in the car. A deal gone bad?”

  Gil frowned. “Possible, but if a dealer wanted to off a guy for non-payment, doing it this way is an oddity. You kill him and leave the body in a remote area.”

  “Maybe he’s sending a message.”

  “It just doesn’t feel right.” He shook his head.

  Anne realized that while she wasn’t sure if Jane and Fran’s business transactions related to the case, Gil might.

  “Gil, I don’t know if this is relevant, but our treasurer, Jane Whittaker, resigned this morning at my request. I found she was being less than truthful about the books.”

  She told him all she knew about the situation and her thoughts on Jane’s explanations of when she and Fran had spoken.

  “I’ll have to have a chat with Ms. Whittaker again.”

  “Will she get in trouble for what she did?”

  “Only if the chapter presses charges.”

  “I don’t think it’ll come to that. I’m not even sure who, if anybody we can go after for the money. Fran borrowed the same amount from one of her critique partners last spring. Told her it was to pay off credit cards before her husband found out, but you know, now that I think of it, that doesn’t sound like Fran. She was great at spending other people’s money, but tighter than a virgin’s ass with her own.”

  “And she borrowed the same amount from the chapter a few months later? Who is this woman? Sounds like I ma
y have to talk to her, too.”

  “Beth Whisnant, but she said Fran paid her off in August,” Anne said slowing her words. “Do you think she may have used Beth’s loan for whatever reason, and when she didn’t have the money to pay it back borrowed from the chapter?”

  “We’re checking the finances of the Harrisons. Something may come up.” He leaned over to kiss her. “There really is something to you and your friends investigating, after all.”

  “Even when we do it wrong?”

  “Let’s not go there.”

  “And speaking of going places, what’s with your brother and Nancy?”

  Gil shrugged. “I have no idea, but all Brad could talk about last night and today was Nancy. Asked me all kinds of questions—most of which I couldn’t answer.”

  “I’ll pry it out of Nancy at some point in time.” She laughed.

  The front door slammed indicating Ken and Lisa had returned.

  “Hey, thought you were going to some dance after the game,” she said as they walked into the room and greeted Gil.

  “It was lame,” Ken said. “No upper classmen at all. Just freshmen. Boring!”

  “And the only guys there were total geeks,” Lisa added.

  “Who won the game?” Gil asked.

  “We lost, 38 to 20,” Ken said with a grimace.

  “I guess I should be going,” Gil commented as he rose from the sofa.

  “Not on our account,” Lisa told him with a smile.

  “Naw, just time I got home. You all are coming on Sunday to my place, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Anne replied as she let him out the front door.

  ****

  Nancy dropped by the following morning to pick up the financials.

  “I may as well jump into this now.” She crammed the papers into an accordion folder. “Any idea when the shenanigans began?”

  “As close as I can figure, just before the conference from hell. We had good attendance, but spent a lot on comps, the hotel, and food. Terry overestimated how many hotel rooms we’d need. The hotel wasn’t a sellout for that weekend, so the chapter had to cough up almost four thousand bucks to cover the contract. I found the invoice in the files. Jane wrote it off as editor/agent expenses and miscellaneous items. Naturally, there are no receipts.”