“I think you really should call a lawyer. Larry McGee, Claire’s husband, is a very good one. Even though he’s semi-retired, I bet he’d be glad to help you.”
Deanna ignored my suggestion.
“Oh, God, Carol, what if Paul finds out that I was also at the hospital the night Will died? And what his wife told me? What a mess.”
“Give me a few minutes to think,” I said. Or a few days.
I was afraid that Deanna was now numero uno on Paul’s short list of suspects. Not for what happened at the wake. But for murder. All thanks to my suggestion that the police take a better look at how Will died.
Me and my big mouth. I said it before any of you could.
“I understand why you’re so frightened,” I said. “Believe me, I really do. I’ve been on the receiving end of Paul Wheeler’s interrogations, too. It’s not a pleasant place to be. Especially if you’re innocent.”
I glanced up at my favorite hairstylist and confidante. “You are innocent, aren’t you? I’m sorry, but I have to ask.”
Deanna’s face turned stormy. “Of course I’m innocent, Carol. How the hell could you even ask me that?”
“I was sure you were innocent,” I said, backpedaling as best I could. “I just wanted to hear you say it. But….”
“But what, Carol? What?”
I cleared my throat. Deanna wasn’t going to like this next question.
“What about Lisa?”
“Lisa!” Deanna exploded. “What does she have to do with this?”
“Don’t be angry, Deanna,” I said, “but I overheard you and she talking the other day. I know she’s your daughter.”
Deanna stiffened. “I never figured you for an eavesdropper, Carol.”
Ha! That surprised me. All my friends know that I’m a shameless eavesdropper.
“Since you’re already mad at me,” I said, “I might as well go for broke. Was Will Finnegan Lisa’s father?”
“No,” Deanna spat. “Will wasn’t her father. But he was more like a father to Lisa than the rat who is. That’s why Lisa was so devastated when she found out how Will had lied to me. But she would never hurt Will. Never.”
Deanna paused, then added, “In case you’re going to ask me who Lisa’s father really is, let’s just say he’s someone who was in my life years ago, and now he’s not. I don’t even know if he’s still alive. And I don’t care.”
“Does Paul Wheeler know you have a daughter?” I asked.
“Of course not, Carol. He didn’t ask me about my family, and I certainly didn’t offer the information on my own. I don’t want Lisa involved in this mess.”
“Deanna, I understand your desire to protect Lisa. After all, I’m a mom, too. But you have to realize that she’s already involved. Especially if she was at the wake with you that afternoon. Which I’m sure she was, so don’t deny it.”
“I can’t believe how hard you’re being on me, Carol,” Deanna said. “I called you because I thought you were a good friend as well as a client. Someone I could trust to help me. I can see that I was wrong.”
Well, that last part made me mad. After all, I’d come flying over to Crimpers as quickly as I could when I got Deanna’s text. No matter how inconvenient it was for me. I had a life, too. And important things to do today.
Come to think of it, all the items on today’s to-do list involved my investigating the Finnegan death.
Carol, you are such a dope. You have a golden opportunity to ask Deanna some nosy questions, and you’re letting it slip by because your feelings are hurt.
“I am your good friend,” I said. “I wouldn’t have come this morning if I weren’t. And it’s much better that I’m asking you these questions than the police.”
Long silence.
Finally, Deanna said, “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just that….”
“It’s just that you’re a mother trying to protect her child,” I finished for her. “But from what I overheard Lisa say the other day, she wants to protect you, too. So, was Lisa with you at Will Finnegan’s wake?”
Deanna nodded. “I called her at school the night Will died, and she came home the next morning.”
“And she was with you at the wake?” I asked again. “The entire time?”
“Why, of course she was,” Deanna asked. “She sat right next to me.”
“What about at the end of the wake?” I asked. “When I got there, Slumber Room A was empty, except for the casket. You and your group had gone into another room, although I didn’t figure that part out until later. Lisa didn’t leave you for a brief time then, maybe to use the rest room?”
“No,” Deanna answered. “We were together the entire time. I swear we were.”
I hope it doesn’t come to that. In court.
I didn’t really say that, of course.
Instead, I asked, “Where’s Lisa now?”
“She went back to school yesterday afternoon. I have no intention of telling her about my police interview this morning. It would just upset her.”
Deanna gave my hair one last spritz of hairspray. “Done. You look much better now than when you came in.”
She gave me a hug. “Thanks for coming over on such short notice this morning. I’m sorry I lost my temper when you asked me about Lisa. I know you’re just trying to help me.”
“I don’t want to alarm you any more than you already are,” I said, “but I really think you should talk to a lawyer. Especially if Paul comes back with more questions. You need to protect yourself.”
“You don’t think that hiring a lawyer will make it seem like I did something criminal?”
I shook my head. “Just talk to Larry. He’ll tell you what to do.”
“But you’ll help me, too, won’t you, Carol? It’s so much easier talking to you. And I’m sure you’ll be the one to get me out of this.”
“I’ll do my best,” I said, not sure exactly what I meant. It was a lame answer, but it seemed to satisfy Deanna.
“There’s one more thing I have to show you, Carol.” Deanna reached in her pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “This was Will’s. He gave it to me in the ambulance, and with everything that happened afterwards, I forgot I had it. . Maybe there’s something on it that will help clear this whole thing up. I want you to check the phone and see, Carol. I can’t face doing it myself.”
Oh, boy.
I had a brief vision of myself, in handcuffs, being hauled in front of a judge by Paul Wheeler, charged with concealing evidence in a crime. And both my favorite son-in-law and my beloved husband reading me the riot act for getting even more involved.
I couldn’t do it. I shouldn’t do it. I won’t do it. I’m going to be sensible for once.
I backed away. “No, Deanna. I can’t. You need to turn the phone over to the police right away.”
She pressed the phone into my hand. “You have to, Carol. I don’t trust anybody else.”
I swear, holding that darn phone felt like I was holding a loaded gun.
Then I flashed back to another incident with a cell phone, a few years ago. When Jim had been accused of causing the death of his retirement coach, Davis Rhodes.
He was innocent, of course. I’m sure you already know that.
But someone—not saying who—found my own cell phone in this very hair salon. And mailed it to the police anonymously, to implicate Jim for the crime.
And Deanna helped me prove Jim was innocent. In fact, she gave me the information that cracked my first foray into the sleuthing business.
So, of course, I said, “Okay. I’ll check it out for you. But if I find anything on the phone that I think the police should know about, I’m taking it right to the police station. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Deanna said. “And thanks.”
I squinted at the cell phone number. “I don’t th
ink this is the same number I used when I called Will about landscaping work at our house.”
Deanna looked at me like I was the stupidest person in the world. “Of course it isn’t, Carol. This is his personal cell phone. I gave it to him last Christmas.”
She flushed. “We used it for very private messages.”
“And you want me to check it out? Are you absolutely sure?”
I was embarrassed. And darned uncomfortable. I’m nosy, but I’m not a voyeur. Sheesh.
“Please, do this for me, Carol,” Deanna insisted. “I’m afraid of what I might find on the phone. Or maybe I should say, who.”
Chapter 32
Someone told me once that I was gullible, and I believed him.
“You really are nuts,” I told myself as I drove back toward my home. “Do you know what a chance you’re taking? You’re asking for big trouble. You should have stuck to your principles and refused to take Will’s phone from Deanna.”
I hate it when I’m mad at myself. I never can figure out which side I’m on.
Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I was a wee bit curious about what/who was on the late Will Finnegan’s private cell phone.
Okay, I was burning with curiosity.
Oh, all right! I cannot tell a lie. I could hardly wait to get home and spend the rest of the morning seeing what secrets it held. And if any of them hinted at why Will’s life ended so abruptly.
I turned into my driveway and slammed on my brakes, narrowly missing a car parked smack in front of me, blocking my way to the garage.
I realized Jim must be having a meeting with one of his cronies. The nerve of whomever it was to park that way. I stormed across the back yard, hell bent on chewing him out.
Imagine my shock when, instead of one of Jim’s buddies, I found Mary Alice sipping a cup of tea at my kitchen table. Lucy and Ethel were snoozing at her feet.
“Mary Alice,” I said, trying not to show my annoyance at the cozy domestic scene, “what are you doing here? And where’s Jim?”
To her credit, my friend Mary Alice blushed. “I hope you don’t mind my making myself at home, Carol. Jim heard me knocking and suggested I wait for you in the kitchen. I haven’t been here very long. He asked me to tell you he’ll be home in time for dinner.”
Oh, joy.
Then, I took a closer look at my friend. Something was most definitely up.
“Of course, I’m always glad to see you, Mary Alice,” I said. “In fact, you’re one of the few people I’d allow to see me in this condition. I ran out of the house this morning on an emergency mission. I barely had time to shower.”
“At least your hair looks good,” Mary Alice said.
“Thanks for the compliment,” I said. “But never mind about that. What’s up with you? Are you working at the hospital today?”
Mary Alice smiled. I suddenly realized how long it had been since I saw my friend this happy.
“I’m not working today,” she said. “In fact, I’ve decided to take the rest of this week off. I’m lucky that I have the freedom to do that. It’s time I had a little fun. That’s where you come in.”
“I’m flattered that you think I’m such fun to be with,” I said, fingering the cell phone that I was sure was burning a hole in my purse. “But this week is kind of jam-packed for me. What did you have in mind?”
“Not the whole week, silly,” Mary Alice said. “I just want you to have lunch with me today.”
“Well, of course I can do that. You know that I’ve never turned down a chance to eat out in my whole life. Are Nancy and Claire coming, too?”
Mary Alice shook her head. “No. It’s just you, me, and one other person. I want you to meet Isaac Weichert and tell me what you think of him. Because I think he’s a really special guy.”
Wow. I didn’t know what to say.
“I know it’s a lot to ask,” she said. “Especially on such short notice. But he’s asked me to meet him for a late lunch today at Fancy Francie’s. That’s where a lot of the paramedics go for a quick meal. I really want to go, but I also know that my dating radar is pretty rusty. He seems nice, but I’d be more comfortable if somebody else was there, too. Someone whose opinion I value.”
“You flatter me, Mary Alice,” I said. “But why me instead of Claire or Nancy?”
“Claire is too critical,” Mary Alice said. “I love her dearly, but you know that’s true. And Nancy can be such a flirt. You’re my friend of choice. So, will you come?”
“Well, sure I will,” I said. “But won’t Isaac think I’m horning in on your date?”
“I have a plan,” Mary Alice said. “I’m supposed to meet him at one-thirty. I figured you could just happen to be there at the same time and I’d introduce you as one of my best friends. And suggest you join us for a quick bite.”
“Why, Mary Alice, that’s positively devious,” I said, laughing. “Your plan sounds like something I’d come up with myself.
“Of course I’ll be there.”
Fancy Francie’s was still busy by the time I arrived at 1:45. I decided to show up a little later than Mary Alice had suggested, to make it seem more like an accidental encounter than the setup it really was.
Instead of scouring the restaurant section for my friend and her lunch date, I kept my eyes straight ahead and headed toward the take-out section.
And also to be sure Helen was around, for future grilling. I mean, chatting. I am a mistress of multitasking when I set my mind to it.
Helen, deep in conversation with another customer, acknowledged my presence with a quick wave.
“I’ll talk to you later,” I mimed. And she nodded.
“Carol, is that you?” asked Mary Alice from the other side of the store.
I turned around, a phony look of surprise pasted on my face. I’d never win an Oscar for my performance, but hopefully, Isaac wouldn’t catch on.
“Why, Mary Alice,” I said, “how nice to see you. I’m just here to pick up my take-out order.”
“Come say hello,” Mary Alice said. She turned to her two companions. “I’d love to have you meet Carol Andrews. She’s one of my very closest friends.”
When I took a closer look at the table, I really was surprised. It was a table of three: Mary Alice, a man who appeared to be in his late fifties, and a knockout brunette. Both the man and the brunette were wearing uniforms identifying them as paramedics with Fairport Ambulance Services.
“I can just stay a minute,” I said.
The man jumped to his feet and pulled out a chair. “Please, sit here. You may have to squeeze in, though. I hope you don’t mind. “
I was immediately charmed. Good manners have that effect on me.
“This is Isaac Weichert,” Mary Alice said, looking at him fondly. “And his partner, Pam Augustine.”
Pam acknowledged me with a quick nod. “Let me move over a little to give you more room,” she said. “Put the chair next to me, Isaac.”
“I believe we already know each other,” Isaac said, once I was comfortably seated. “Although this is the first time we’ve met face to face.”
Huh?
“You and our emergency vehicle had a brief encounter on Fairport Turnpike last week.”
I was mortified. Then I noticed that Isaac had a big smile on his face. Was he teasing me?
“You’ve become something of a legend at the department,” he said. “You’re the first person to hit one of our vehicles and actually own up to it. I’m happy to meet a person who takes responsibility for her own actions.”
“You didn’t do any real damage,” Pam hastened to assure me.
My cheeks were burning. I felt I had to explain myself.
“I was in a terrible hurry that day,” I said. “Of course, I’m always in a hurry. Mary Alice can attest to that.”
“
No comment,” said my friend, trying to keep from laughing. I was positive this wasn’t exactly the way she’d expected this accidental/on-purpose meeting to go.
“I was picking up a tray of sandwiches, and I had a devil of a time finding a place to park. I was paying a sympathy call on Will Finnegan’s family. He was our landscaper, and he died very suddenly a few days before.”
I thought I felt a tiny movement to my immediate left. But when I snuck a quick glance at Pam, her face betrayed nothing.
Don’t see suspects everywhere, Carol. You have enough to concentrate on already.
I looked at my watch, then at Mary Alice. “I’m really sorry, but I have to talk to Helen about my order.”
“Can’t you stay and have something to eat with us?” Mary Alice said. “You just got here.”
At that moment, Pam’s beeper went off. “I guess we have to leave, too. We’re on call. Come on, Isaac. Let’s go.”
Mary Alice tried not to look disappointed. “Of course. I understand.”
“This wasn’t much of a lunch date,” Isaac said. “How about if I make it up to you tomorrow? It’s my day off.”
“That would be wonderful,” Mary Alice said, beaming.
Just then, a brilliant idea popped into my head. “Why don’t you two come for dinner tomorrow night? Jim would love to meet you, Isaac.” Once I tell him who you are.
Then I realized my gaffe. “I’m sorry, Pam. You’re welcome, too. If you’re free.”
“Four’s company, five’s a crowd, Carol,” Pam said. “But thanks, anyway.”
“I’d love to come, Carol, if it’s all right with Isaac,” Mary Alice said. “I can tell you from personal experience that a home-cooked meal at the Andrews home is always a treat.”
“Sounds great,” said Isaac. “I haven’t had a real home-cooked meal in a long time.”
Neither has Jim. I didn’t really say that, of course.
“Then it’s all settled,” I said. “Be at our house at six o’clock. Mary Alice knows the address. Oh, and Isaac, there’s one condition that’ll guarantee you second helpings. No mention of our vehicle close encounter to my husband, Okay?”
Funerals Can Be Murder (A Baby Boomer Mystery Book 5) Page 16