A Fatal Fabergé

by Ellery Adams

  “Do you know if it’s still there?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Do you know who the property belongs to?”

  “Yes, of course. Natasha Gordon is the owner.”

  Molly stared at her. “Natasha owns the old Salter farmhouse?”

  “She owns it now, but actually, it was her parents who bought the property. Let me check our database. We’ve worked so hard on it, if we don’t have any information on the house, I’ll be very disappointed.”

  Sheri went back to her desk, and Molly took the visitor’s chair in front of it.

  “Did you hear about Curtis Cobb?” Molly asked.

  “Yes, I did,” Sheri said, pulling out her computer keyboard. “I just heard the update about it on the radio. They said it’s now a homicide investigation. I hope they find whoever killed him. It makes me nervous, knowing there’s a murderer on the loose.”

  “Did you go to school with Curtis and Galina Cobb?”

  “They were a year behind me, but I knew who they were.” Sheri stopped tapping keys and looked at Molly. “Galina Gordon was Natasha’s sister. She died this past summer in a drowning accident.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  Sheri went back to her keyboard. “The first time I ever spoke to either of them was about two years ago. Someone told me Rarus Books had some interesting history books on Burlington. I went to the shop and Curtis was there. I asked him if he might like to donate some of the books to the Preservation Society. He said if I wanted them, I’d have to pay like everyone else.”

  “Did you buy the books?”

  “No. He wanted too much for them. I was surprised to see what had become of him. When he was young, he was incredibly handsome. All the girls were wild about Curtis Cobb. When I saw him, he was unshaven, smelled of alcohol, and was extremely rude. I got out of there in a hurry.” Sheri moved the mouse around on the mouse pad. “The next day, big surprise, Galina showed up here with the books. She gave them to me free of charge and apologized for her husband’s behavior. It probably wasn’t the first time he’d embarrassed her. I felt sorry for her.” She shook her head. “It’s hard to believe they’re both dead.” She turned the computer screen so Molly could see it. “Okay, so this is the property record for the Salter house,” she said, pointing to the screen. “It was built in 1925 by Thomas and Sally Salter, who sold it in 1960, along with their five acres, to Viktor and Nadia Gordon. That would be Natasha’s and Galina’s parents.” She clicked the mouse again and went to the next page. “This is the site map for Misty Vale, the Gordons’ estate. You can see their land abutted the Salters’ land, which is probably why they wanted to buy it.” She sat back in her chair. “I’m surprised they didn’t tear the house down, now that I think about it. Leaving it out there to rot was dangerous. What if someone got hurt? I never thought about it when I was young, of course, but it could have turned into a nightmare of a lawsuit for them.”

  “Maybe they didn’t know kids were hanging out there.”

  “Of course, you’re right,” Sheri said. “We didn’t have permission to be there. We were all trespassing.”

  Molly wondered if Felix was trespassing right that minute. “Do you know how I can find the house, or whatever’s left of it?”

  “Let me think.” Sheri sat back in her chair. “I know the driveway was on Brookside Road. It’s probably overgrown by now, unless Natasha has been using it as a service road for the estate. If you want to try to find it, drive past the entrance for Misty Vale, go about a mile or so, and the driveway for the farmhouse should be on your left. Of course, if you don’t see anything, it’s probably a lost cause.” She paused. “May I ask what your mission is about? I’m curious what it has to do with that old farmhouse.”

  “I thought I’d write an article about historic homes.” Molly had to think fast to come up with a reasonable excuse. But now that she’d said it out loud, she liked the idea for a future article. “Someone told me about the farmhouse, and I thought it would be a good place to start.”

  “Oh.” Sheri hesitated. “Look, I don’t want to throw cold water on your project, but the farmhouse really isn’t of any great historical value. If you want a house with an interesting history, I’d suggest you write about the manor house at Misty Vale. The original owner, Josiah Morton, built it for his wife.”

  “I know. She died before they could move in, and he refused to live there, and Dariya and Motya Gordon bought the estate in 1920.”

  Sheri smiled. “Of course you already know something about it. Have you been to the Gordon Museum to see their collection? There’s lovely pieces of Russian artwork, and old European masterpieces.”

  “She gets the European masterpieces on loan from other museums and private collectors,” Molly said.

  “Really? I had no idea.”

  Molly didn’t relish the idea of trying to find the old farmhouse. Even if a road to it did remain, it would probably be unpaved, and she didn’t want to drive her car in the mud. Another idea suddenly popped into her head. “Do you have any information on the other buildings on the estate?”

  “As a matter of fact, we have the blueprints,” Sheri said. “Natasha’s parents donated them in 1992.”

  Molly couldn’t believe her luck. “Could I see them?”

  “Of course. I’ll show you to our conference room. You can wait there, and I’ll bring them to you.”

  Sheri escorted Molly to a small conference room tucked away at the back of the building. When she returned, she was carrying two tubular cylinders. Molly helped her open them, and together they carefully unrolled two sets of blueprints across the table.

  “This first set of blueprints is for the manor house,” Sheri said. “The second set shows the smaller buildings: cottage, carriage house, and a barn that was once on the estate. It was torn down in the 1980s. I remember, because the Gordons sold off all their livestock, and my Uncle Jimmy bought two of their cows. Anyway, all of the buildings were designed by the same architect, Daniel Ritter.”

  “I didn’t realize the estate was a working farm.”

  “Oh, yes, there was a meadow and fields on the other side of the woods.”

  Molly saw the architect’s name printed on the blueprints, and under it the date, 1888. “It’s amazing,” she said. “These were drawn in 1888, but they look almost new.”

  “The Gordons took very good care of them.”

  “You’re not kidding.” Molly studied the blueprint for the cottage. “I know this might sound like a silly question, but I was wondering if Ritter might have designed a secret room, and if he did, would it be on the blueprint?”

  “It’s not a silly question,” Sheri said. “Back in those days, it wasn’t unheard of to have a secret room. There’s a magnificent house in New Hampshire called Castle in the Clouds. The owner, Thomas Plant, built it for his second wife, Olive, and gave it to her as a present in 1914. If you decide to expand your research of historic homes to other New England states, you should include it. It’s at the top of a mountain, and the views are spectacular. Thomas Plant had a secret room cut into the wall in the library for his own private space. He said he used it to get away from the burden of business.”

  “What kind of business was he in?”

  “He owned a shoe factory. Made millions.” Sheri leaned over the blueprint with her, and they studied it together. “I don’t see anything that looks like a secret room, or any kind of hiding place in the cottage, but let’s take a look at the other buildings.” They went over all of them, and by the time they were done, Molly realized she’d hit another dead-end. Sheri said, “I’m sorry, Molly, but I don’t see anything that looks like a hidden room, or even a small cubbyhole.” Molly was disappointed, and it must have shown on her face. Sheri patted her shoulder. “Don’t give up. Just because we can’t see it on the blueprint doesn’t mean it isn’t there.” She began to roll up the blueprints. “Perhaps Ritter left it out.” She smiled at Molly. “You know what you should do? Talk to Nat
asha. If anyone knows about a secret room on the estate, it would be her.”

  Chapter 22

  It was almost one thirty when Molly walked into the Treasure Trove. Sean was showing a customer a German Schrank with beveled mirrored doors and elaborate carvings, and Molly hoped the man would buy it. It had been for sale over a year, and she thought it was a shame such a beautiful piece of furniture was languishing in the store. Sean gave her a wave when he saw her, then turned his attention back to his customer.

  Clara was behind the counter folding hand-crocheted linen napkins. She took one look at Molly’s face and said, “What’s wrong? Did Hattie kick you out of the house?”

  Molly rested her elbows on the counter. “Actually, I rescued her.”

  “What?”

  “Felix locked her in a room while he searched the house for the egg.”

  Clara was shocked. “What on earth? Why would Felix do such a thing? I thought he told you he wanted nothing more to do with the egg.”

  “Hattie thinks he’s having a mental breakdown. He told her he had a dream about Galina, and in the dream she told him to find the egg and give it to Natasha. I don’t know why he thought he’d be successful when everyone else who’s looked for it has failed. Short of tearing the house down, I’m beginning to think it’s lost forever.”

  “Do you know where Felix is now?”

  “No. I went by the manor house, in case he went there to search. He didn’t, but Peggy told me he called her and asked her to let Hattie out of the room at noontime. She tried to get him to tell her what was going on, but he hung up, and now he’s not returning her calls.”

  “Oh, my.” Clara shook her head. “Poor Felix. He should talk to someone about Galina’s death. He’s obviously not handling it well. Did you get a chance to ask Hattie about the man she had lunch with?”

  “She says his name is Dennis Marsh, her financial advisor. She meets with him a few times a year to go over her portfolio.”

  A smile lit Clara’s face. “Sounds like she was anticipating a windfall of new money. Curtis must have found the egg.”

  “She says he didn’t, and she got upset when I told her he’d met with Noble Dyson. She couldn’t understand why Curtis didn’t tell her.” Molly picked up one of the hand-crocheted linen napkins. “The lace edging on these napkins is exquisite.”

  “They’re Victorian. Sean found them at an estate sale in Brattleboro.”

  Molly put the napkin back on the counter. “Anyway, Hattie got so upset about Curtis keeping the meeting with Dyson from her that she packed her bags and moved out of the house. She’s had enough of Misty Vale.”

  “Have you seen any sign of Dyson?”

  “I’ve been checking my rearview mirror and haven’t seen a silver car. Of course, he’s probably so good at tailing people he’s like a ghost, and I wouldn’t know it if he was right behind me.”

  “Getting back to Felix,” Clara said. “Have you told Tony what he’s done, and the state he’s in?”

  “Not yet. I’d like to talk to Felix first. I figure by asking his mother to let Hattie out at noontime, he was buying time for himself to search somewhere else. So, I asked myself, where would he go? And I thought of the old Salter farmhouse, where they used to go when they were kids to hang out.”

  “Isn’t that where Curtis beat him up?”

  “Yeah, that, too,” Molly said. “It turns out the house is on the Gordon estate. Maybe when Galina was talking about hiding the egg at her house, she meant that house.”

  “Please tell me you didn’t go out there alone.”

  “I didn’t go at all, Ma. First of all, I had no idea where to find it.”

  “Good.”

  “But driving back to the city, I got an idea, and I stopped into the Preservation Society and Sheri Goodwin told me. Of course, with all the rain, the road is probably all muddy, if there’s even a road remaining.”

  “Molly.” Her mother stared at her as only a mother can. “I will not allow you to go traipsing around alone in the woods looking for an abandoned farmhouse, not when Felix could be there too looking for the egg.”

  “Felix is probably long gone.”

  “I don’t care.” Clara stopped talking as the front door opened. An elderly man and woman came into the shop, and she smiled at them. “Good afternoon, welcome to the Treasure Trove. Let me know if I can help you with anything.” They thanked her and smiled as they walked past them. Clara turned back to Molly and lowered her voice. “Felix is not in his right mind. Either tell Tony what he did or go to Monkey Paws. If he isn’t there, wait for him. There will be customers and employees around. At least you’ll be safe talking to him in a public space.”

  “Actually, talking to Felix isn’t my highest priority. While I was at the Preservation Society, it occurred to me that the reason no one has been able to find the egg could be because there’s a secret room in the cottage where Galina stashed it. Sheri told me Natasha’s parents donated the blueprints for all of the buildings on the estate to the Preservation Society years ago, and she was able to show them to me.”

  “Oh.” Clara’s eyes widened. “That’s actually a very good idea. Did you find a secret room?”

  “No. But Sheri said that didn’t mean there isn’t one. It could be there, it just wasn’t included on the blueprint. She told me I should ask Natasha, which, of course, I can’t do, because I don’t want her to know I’m trying to find Galina’s hiding place. So, I’m back to square one. And at this point, I think I should probably give Lombardi an update and let him take over.”

  Clara was surprised. “You’re giving up?”

  “Well, yeah. Aren’t you happy I’m going to walk away from the case?”

  “I know I should be, but I happen to agree with Sheri. There could be a secret room in the cottage, but it isn’t on the blueprint.”

  “Okay. But how does that help me?”

  “What I mean is, it wasn’t there when the cottage was originally built, but it could be there now, because it was added recently. Galina could have had something built to keep her valuables safe from her husband. Natasha did tell you he pawned their mother’s jewelry.”

  “That’s true,” Molly said. “Ma, you’re a genius.”

  “That remains to be seen.” Clara smiled. “But I’m glad you like my idea.”

  “Like it?” Molly came around the counter and hugged her. “I love it.”

  Chapter 23

  Molly knew exactly what she needed to do. She got back in her car and drove to Galloway Services, eating a triple berry glaze donut from Melanie’s Fabulous Donut Shop on the way. The company’s office was located in a small strip mall between a hair salon and a GameStop. She walked into an empty waiting room, where a vacant receptionist’s desk had a small bell on it with a sign that read Please Ring for Assistance.

  Molly rang the bell, and a moment later a door in the back swung open. James Galloway came into the room. Without his ballcap on, she saw he had dark wavy hair. He wore blue jeans and a red shirt he’d buttoned to the neck, and he smiled when he recognized Molly.

  “Well, hello again, Mary.”

  “It’s Molly, actually. Molly Appleby.”

  “Right, sorry,” he said. “What brings you by, Molly?”

  “You mentioned Galloway Services does general maintenance at Misty Vale, work that includes the cottage, correct?”

  He nodded. “Yes, of course. We take care of all the buildings on the estate.”

  “Over twenty years ago, Natasha renovated the cottage so Galina and Curtis could live there. Did your father do the renovations?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he ever say anything to you about finding a secret room there, or some kind of a hiding place? Or maybe Galina asked him to build something, to give her a place to keep her valuables?”

  He looked at her suspiciously. “Why do you want to know?”

  Molly knew there was no way around this. If she wanted an honest answer, she’d have to be honest w
ith him.

  “Before she died, Galina hid something in the cottage for safekeeping, and now no one can find it. Curtis and Natasha have looked everywhere. I thought maybe when the house was renovated, your father might’ve built a hiding place, or discovered one that’s not on the original blueprints.”

  His brows grew together in confusion. “If this is so important, why hasn’t Natasha asked me about it? What’s your interest?”

  “Because Curtis was murdered, and I’m trying to find out who killed him,” Molly said. “I believe this valuable object could have something to do with his death.” She paused. “Look, I’ll be frank with you, I don’t trust anyone. Not Natasha, Maxim, Hattie, Felix, or Peggy Shaw. They’re all too close to this. So, if you know something, I’d ask that you either tell me or call Detective Lombardi and tell him. My only interest in this is trying to find out who killed Curtis. Just please, don’t talk to anyone else about it.” She could see James was trying to make up his mind about what he should do, which gave her hope there was something to tell. She said, “I promise I’m doing this for Natasha and Maxim. I want nothing more than to clear their names, but the only way I can do that is to find this object.”

  She thought this sounded like a reasonable explanation. But James wasn’t going to be rushed. He stared at the floor, mulling it over. Finally, he lifted his eyes, nodded slowly, and said, “I promised Galina I wouldn’t tell a soul, but I suppose I could tell you, since she’s gone.”

  Molly waited. He bit his lower lip, hesitating. “I know you’re loyal to her,” she said, “and the family, but whatever secret she made you keep, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you told me about it now. This object might help us find her husband’s killer.”

  Molly held her breath while he thought it over a little longer. Just when she thought she was going to burst, he said, “Okay, so it wasn’t my father. It was me. I built Galina a hiding place last August, about two weeks before she died.” Molly let her breath out. She felt like jumping up and down and cheering, but she kept still. “She told me she wanted something that would blend into the woodwork, to make it hard for the eye to see. We walked through the house together, and I gave her some suggestions. She finally settled on a small space behind one of the baseboards in the kitchen pantry. It’s under the bottom shelf, on the right-hand side as you walk in. You have to get down on your hands and knees to find it. You’ll see one of the boards is shorter than the others. All you need is a screwdriver to pop it off. It closes nice and easy, you just have to push it back in.”