by Curry, Edna
She sighed. “Yeah. Had to work extra hours again.” She picked up the coffee pot and filled my cup.
I grabbed the cup, sipping the hot brew gratefully. “Thanks, Darcy. You’re a life saver.”
She grinned. “That’s what RNs are for, isn’t it?”
“I guess. So how was work today?”
“Never mind my work, what’s going on with you? I hear you were at the old bank building and they found a body there.”
I sighed and shuddered. “That’s right. Actually, the Johnson’s Realty agent, Lois, and her client found the body. I didn’t see it, myself, thank goodness.”
“So, was it John Wattmore?”
“What makes you think that?”
Darcy signaled the waitress, and told her, “Our usual order, please.” She nodded and headed for the kitchen to put in our order for seafood salads. We eat here often and are pretty predictable.
“A police car went to June Wattmore’s house a while ago. I assume it was to let her know about the body they found.”
Cassie laughed. “I might have known that would get around. True, that’s why they went there, but they can’t be sure of the body’s identity until the autopsy’s done.”
Darcy made a face. “That bad, huh. He must have been dead for a while, then.”
Cassie shrugged. “I don’t know. But he smelled pretty bad.”
“Let’s not talk about that when we’re eating.”
“Good idea. Tonight’s the Chamber dinner. I have to wear a dress.”
Darcy laughed. “Good for you. It won’t hurt for Chance to see you dressed up for a change, you know.”
“Hey, I wear something nice whenever we go out for dinner.”
“But it’s usually a pantsuit, isn’t it?”
“I suppose.”
“So, wear a dress when you have an excuse, just to show him what you look like in one.”
Cassie sighed. “I suppose I could.”
Darcy laughed. “You’re such a tomboy.”
“I am not! Just because I like to work with my hands instead of sitting at a desk all day…”
“Okay, okay. Just sayin’.”
***
Taking Darcy’s advice, I stopped at Marion’s Dress shop to see what she had. Marion is a good friend of mine and I trust her judgment in clothes more than my own. She loves to dress up and is always a walking advertisement for her shop.
Today, the shop was empty for a change, so as soon as I walked in, I had her attention. When I told her I needed something attractive and special to wear to the Chamber dinner tonight, she grinned. “I know just the thing,” she said, disappearing into her backroom. She came back out with a lovely dress over her arm. “I just got in a new shipment. When I saw this one, I thought of you and it’s just your size. It has clean lines, is simple, yet so elegant.”
“But it looks expensive,” I protested. My van needed new brakes and I always seemed to be one step behind on my bills.
“Just try it on,” Marion said, smoothing down the silky peach skirt. “And you know I always give you a big discount on the price.”
“Okay.” I glanced at the price tag and gasped. But when the sleek lines of the dress slid over my body, I couldn’t help smiling at myself in the three-way mirror. It fit like it was made for me. The skirt swirled around my legs as I turned to look at myself from the side and the color made my hair look more of a chestnut shade than usual. And somehow, my hazel eyes looked more green. I knew Chance would like it. I’d skimp on something else this month.
I walked out to show it to Marion, spinning around to show it off for her.
She clapped her hands and nodded. “I just knew it would look great on you.”
I smiled and said, “I’ll take it.”
***
When Chance arrived to pick me up and saw me in it, his eyes lit up and he smiled. “Wow, you outdid yourself, tonight, honey.” He gave me a kiss.
I grinned. “Thanks. I do wear a dress once in a while.”
“I love it. But it’s chilly out tonight. Better wear a coat.”
When Chance and I arrived at the nice restaurant where the Chamber dinner was held, a crowd of people were already standing around the dining room, drinks in hand. The discovery of the body in the old bank vault was the talk of the evening.
Chance went to the bar to get us drinks while I headed for Darcy, who was talking to a group of people I knew. The long tables were all set up with white tablecloths and maroon napkins folded into a Fleur-de-lys design and tucked into each water goblet. Several crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and light sparkled from their many facets.
Before I got to Darcy, someone grabbed my arm. “Oh, Cassie,” Mrs. Wilks, Lois’ mother, said beside me, “Lois tells me you were there today, too. Do tell us all about it.”
I reluctantly turned to see Lois Wilks standing nearby, looking green and embarrassed by her mother’s excitement. I sent her an apologetic smile and said, “Really, Lois and Mr. Simms found the body. I stayed upstairs, so what I know is only second-hand information. You’ll have to get the details from Lois.”
I turned back and hurried over to Darcy, just as Chance brought me a glass of white wine. “The gossip is going full speed,” I murmured to him. “I think they’re all surprised you’re here tonight.”
“Yeah, I know. I was hoping to get some info from various people’s reactions. We’ll see if I do or not. I need to mingle, Cassie.”
“Of course, Chance. Go ahead.” He handed me the wine, nodded and moved back toward the group where several of the bank employees and their wives were chatting.
Darcy eyed me and commented, “Oh, I like that dress, Cassie. Is it new?”
I smiled. Pleasing Darcy isn’t always easy. “I’m glad you like it. Yes, it’s new. I broke down and went to see Marion this afternoon. She’d just gotten in a new shipment. Said she’d thought of me when she unpacked this one and set it aside.”
“Ah. It’s nice to have a friend who owns a nice dress shop, isn’t it? She’s done that for me a time or two, too. I usually find that the ones she picks are good choices for me.”
“She has excellent taste,” I agreed, sipping my wine. I saw Marion standing with several other women a short distance away. She’d obviously heard Darcy’s excited comment and smiled. I sent her a little wave and smiled back.
Behind us, a man’s rough laugh caught my attention. Then he said, “Good riddance, I say. That damn Wattmore cost me a bundle when he foreclosed on me last year. Wouldn’t hear of giving me a bit more time. Good thing I got another loan from an online bank, or I’d be out of business for sure.”
Not wanting to turn around, I whispered to Darcy, who was facing me and could thus see who was talking, “Who said that?”
“I don’t know his name, but he’s the guy who’s building several houses on top of the hill. Where they just paved some new streets last year, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Joe something, I think. Sounds like he’s happy to know John is gone.”
“I guess so. And a couple of other construction guys with him agreed,” Darcy said. “Do you suppose any of them were angry enough to kill him?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea. But people can get very emotional about money.”
The definite scent of musk cologne or aftershave met my nose and the hair on the back of my neck rose. I glanced around, but couldn’t be sure who was wearing the scent. In this crush of people, all milling about, talking and laughing, it could be anyone. Or probably more than one person, since I knew it was a common scent for men’s aftershave.
Just then our host announced dinner was ready, so everyone moved to the tables. Darcy’s husband claimed her. Chance and I took places near the middle, trying to see as many people as possible.
I whispered in his ear, “I smelled musk cologne or aftershave.”
“On who?” Chance asked in a subdued voice.
I shrugged. “Not sure.”
“I did, too, but on s
everal people, so that’s no help.”
“I suppose not,” I muttered back.
“What are you two whispering about?” Mrs. Wilks demanded from across the table.
Darcy grinned at us. “Now, Mrs. Wilks, let the lovebirds alone. You were young once, too, weren’t you?”
“Humph,” she said and turned to talk to her daughter.
Someone asked about finding the body, and Chance made a face and replied, “I can’t give out any information until we get the official autopsy report. Anyway, guys, please, no talk of unpleasant things while we’re eating.”
That brought out a ripple of nervous laughter around the table and the chatter moved to other things. After dinner the Chamber president held a lengthy business meeting where the problems of the upcoming summer Festival and parade were discussed in detail, with some members raising their voices in heated debate.
When that finally ended, everyone again wandered about with after-dinner drinks or headed for the restrooms. A few went for their coats and hurried out the door.
I headed for the ladies’ room and had to wait in line for a stall, finally getting one. A few minutes later I heard several women discussing finding John’s body. Everyone seemed to assume it was he, although theM. E. hadn’t yet confirmed it. After all, no one else in our quaint town was missing. Someone asked, “I wonder why the Bales aren’t here tonight?”
Another woman laughed and answered, “Maybe they had another hot party planned. Can’t miss those, you know.”
“Neither of the Lonns are here tonight, either,” the first woman said.
“I don’t think they’ve gone out very much since the divorce. Hate to answer questions, I suppose. Or take a chance on running into each other.”
“Ha. Irene’s probably still nursing her injuries.”
“I hope she has a good lawyer and takes him for plenty,” another woman commented.
I couldn’t help silently agreeing with those women.
The first woman said, “They’re both former bank partners of John Wattmore. Maybe they’re grieving his loss.”
“Ha,” came the reply. “I doubt they’re grieving over him after the way they treated him.”
“Well, he wasn’t the kindest loan officer, you know. Maybe he deserved it.”
“I doubt anyone deserves to be murdered.”
I couldn’t help agreeing with that sentiment. I heard them leave, so I left the stall, washed my hands and touched up my makeup, then went back to find Chance waiting for me, ready to leave. I glanced around the now almost empty room and realized we were among the few still here.
***
Later, we sat curled up together in my bed after a hot session of lovemaking. Chance was having a beer and I had propped a couple of pillows up against the headboard and sipped a glass of white wine while we compared notes on what we’d heard at the meeting. I pulled up the blue flowered blanket to warm my still naked body.
“Did you figure out who was wearing the musk scent?”
“No, though I’m pretty sure several people were wearing it including a couple of the construction guys.”
“They were pretty outspoken about not liking John.” I told him about the various construction guys’ comments. He’d heard several similar comments from two manufacturing owners who’d had problems with John.
“And I heard similar remarks from a couple of farmers at the coffee shop this afternoon. John apparently earned his reputation of being a hard businessman,” Chance said, trailing a finger down my arm. He pulled the blanket back to reveal my breast and began flicking his tongue against my nipple.
I squirmed in pleasure. “Do you think any of those people could have killed him?”
“Well, he didn’t lock himself in that vault,” Chance said with a laugh.
“He was locked in?” I asked and then a horrible thought occurred to me. “Oh, no, he wasn’t still alive when he was locked in?”
“Oh, no, with a couple of bullets in him, I’m sure he was dead before the door was even closed. Ugh.” He made a face. “I didn’t tell you that.”
I grinned. “Yes, you did.”
“Well, I didn’t mean to. So, don’t repeat it to anyone until they announce the autopsy results. I’m not supposed to be telling you anything.”
“And I’m not supposed to repeat gossip to you. But I do and leave it to you whether to investigate further.”
Chance smiled and kissed me. “Every little piece to the puzzle helps. I never know which one may be the last piece needed to figure out the whole picture.”
Chapter 6
The next morning, Chance went to talk to June again.
She didn’t look surprised to see him at her door, merely nodded and waved him inside. Today she appeared older than the mid-forties he knew she was. Her eyes were red rimmed and puffy and her dark brown hair was still in the fancy braid, but now it looked even more disheveled than it had the other day. She obviously hadn’t been to see her hairdresser lately, probably to avoid being questioned, Chance guessed sympathetically.
She led the way into her kitchen and sat at the island, waving him to the opposite chair. A cup sat on the table along with a plate of muffins and butter. “Would you like some coffee? I was just having a bite of breakfast.”
Chance nodded. “Thanks.”
She poured him a cupful from a pot on the counter and placed it in front of him. Then she got a small plate and knife and put those in front of him, also. “Have a muffin. They’re very good. Irene Lonn dropped them off a bit ago. She’s been very supportive.”
“Thanks. How is Irene? I’ve been meaning to get over to talk to her. Is she still living in their house? On Center Street?”
“Yes. Roy moved out. He’s living in one of those apartments in that new development up on the hill.”
“I see. This breakup happened about the time the bank closed?”
“Yes. He got to keep his job, though he didn’t deserve it after the way he abused Irene. She’s such a nice person, too,” June said bitterly. She stared into her cup, then took another sip. “But she finally got up the nerve to hire a lawyer and divorce him.”
“So I heard.” Chance buttered a muffin and took a bite, then sipped his coffee.
“I…I was wondering if they identified the body yet?” June asked, raising her eyes to his in a pleading look.
“Not yet. But I’ll let you know the minute I hear from the M E,” Chance said.
“But…couldn’t you tell from his ID?”
Chance frowned. “Didn’t Ben tell you that was missing?”
“Oh. I…I’m not sure. I…I was so upset, I don’t really remember what he said.”
“There was no billfold, no watch or rings, keys, nothing,” Chance said gently.
“Oh.” She stared at him, chewing her lip. “You…you mean whoever killed him took all that?”
“Yes, we think so.”
She looked away, swallowed hard, then sipped her coffee. “Then my burglar could have had the keys to get in? Maybe that’s why he didn’t have to break in?”
Chance nodded. “That’s possible. But the car is definitely yours and John’s.”
“Yes. But I suppose it’s ruined after being in the lake.”
“Probably,” Chance agreed. “File a claim with your insurance company.”
“I’ll do that. I guess they’ll know what to do about that.”
“Yes, they will. But what I stopped by for was to ask if John had his Rolex watch with him?”
She shrugged. “Yes, as far as I know. I looked through his things when you asked what was missing the first time. I found the box and the brochure that came with it, but not the watch. John always wore it.”
“I see. The killer could have taken it along with his wallet. Do you suppose you have some details about it? Like what it’s worth, where he bought it, or an ID number or engraving on it?”
She thought a minute, then said, “Yes, he had his name engraved on the back. I’m sure it is
included on our homeowner’s policy. I’ll give our agent a call. She’ll know the details.”
She picked up her smartphone from the kitchen counter and searched her contacts, then dialed the agent. After talking for a minute, she said, “Yes, she has the info. Do you want her to fax it to your office?”
“Yes, that would be great.” He gave her the number.
She relayed it, then hung up and turned back to Chance. “Oh, and here’s the brochure about it. It has the description and a picture.” She opened a drawer, found it and handed it to Chance.
“Thanks. The picture will be especially helpful. I’ll check some of the pawn shops in nearby towns and see if anyone sold it. Finding that might lead us to a suspect.”
“I hope so,” June said. “I just want this nightmare to end.”
“Hang in there. I’m afraid we have a ways to go on this.”
“I suppose. If…if it is John, when will they release the body for burial?”
“I’ll let you know as soon I can, June. I know the waiting has to be hard.”
“Yes, it is. But knowing what happened is better than just wondering if he ran off and left me,” she said, fighting back tears.
“I’m sure.”
“Does…yourM. E. have any idea of when he was killed?”
“Not yet. He thought it may have been weeks. Maybe even the day John disappeared.”
“Oh. I…I see.”
“I’m sorry, June. Thanks for the information and the coffee. I’ll be in touch,” Chance said and went back to the office, hoping the information on the Rolex watch would be there for him.
***
I had a call to open a locked vehicle the first thing that morning. I wasn’t even dressed, but I threw on some clothes and hurried off to do it. Then I returned to my house for my missed shower, coffee and some toast. Before I finished my second cup of coffee, Lois at Johnson’s Realty called me. “The forensics guys are done at the bank, so I’m having the place cleaned today,” she told me.
“Ugh. I don’t envy them that job,” I said making a face.
“Me, either. But what I called about was, could you change the locks again after they’re done cleaning? Because we had to give so many people the keys, you know. The cops, the BCA guys, the cleaning ladies, and so on.”