by Ellery Adams
If only she hadn’t been so greedy, she’d still be alive, she thought. But that wasn’t the only “if-only” in the Curtis Cobb case. There were so many other events and decisions people had made that had ended badly.
If only Galina’s parents hadn’t disinherited her.
If only Natasha hadn’t mismanaged the estate, and Curtis hadn’t gambled too much, drank too much, treated his wife badly, and ran Rarus Books into the ground.
If only Peggy hadn’t been such a willing accomplice to murder.
And going way back, perhaps to the root of the problem, if only Dariya and Motya Gorev hadn’t insisted the family keep the Fabergé egg a secret.
Natasha could have sold it years ago, which would have allowed her to manage the estate on her own and help her sister without having to fear financial ruin. As Clara used to remind Molly when she was growing up, money doesn’t grow on trees. Misty Vale had a lot of trees, but not enough money to keep it going forever, and Natasha didn’t even have a paying profession. She did charity work, to which she gave generously. A nice thing to do, if you could afford it. Putting on airs, pretending to be wealthy when the coffers were going dry didn’t make the money magically appear.
Molly turned down her street and stifled a yawn. Starling had texted to let her know she’d taken Tyler to visit Clara and Sean at the Treasure Trove, and they would be back in time for dinner. There were no lights on in any of the windows of the house, which meant they weren’t back yet. Molly pulled up the driveway and pushed the button on the garage door opener. The door went up and she parked in the garage. With a heavy sigh, she got out of her car, and felt a sharp pain shoot up her neck. Her arms and legs ached, too, and her hands still felt like they were on fire. What a day, she thought.
Before she could close the garage door, a blue SUV turned up the driveway. Maxim was behind the wheel and Natasha was in the passenger seat. Molly walked out of the garage to meet them.
Maxim got out of the car and said, “Did you hear about Hattie? It’s on the news, she was in a car accident on the interstate and died.”
“Yes, I know,” Molly said.
Natasha said, “We’ve been out all day, making arrangements for Curtis’s funeral. As soon as we heard, Maxim said we should stop by to tell you.” She looked Molly up and down. “Are you all right? You look dreadful, like you’ve been run through a washing machine and haven’t dried properly.”
They don’t know Galina’s alive, Molly told herself. Lombardi said he would get in touch with them and tell them together, but obviously he hadn’t gotten around to it. “Why don’t you both come inside,” she said. “I’ll make some hot tea and we’ll talk. There are things I have to tell you.”
“What things?” Natasha’s brows drew together. “You sound very serious. Tell us now.”
“Really, it’s something I think you should hear sitting down.”
Natasha opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by the sound of a car coming fast down the road. Everyone’s attention turned to it. Molly saw a flash of silver and her breath caught in her throat. It was Noble Dyson. What did he want? He slowed down as he reached her house and turned into the driveway, parking behind Maxim’s SUV.
Dyson stepped out of his car and waved. “Molly! How are you?” He walked over to them, flashing his gold-tooth smile, acting like a friendly neighbor who’d stopped by to say hello. At least he wasn’t pointing a gun at them or wielding a knife. Molly couldn’t take any more drama. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
Maxim and Natasha looked at Molly, anticipating an introduction.
It’s all about to become real for them, she thought.
“Noble Dyson, this is Maxim Cobb and his aunt, Natasha Gordon.” As you most likely very well know. She stood between them so they wouldn’t have to shake his hand. “Maxim and Natasha, I think you should know Mr. Dyson works for the man Galina met with in Florida.”
It took a second for what she’d said to sink in. Natasha sputtered, “You, ah, you really, are you . . . you work for the buyer?”
Dyson nodded, smiling broadly, friendly to a fault. “Yes, ma’am, I do. And I know the egg will probably be tied up in red tape for a while with the police, but as soon as it’s returned to you, I hope you’ll get in touch with me.” He reached into his pocket and took out a business card. “My client wants to complete the sale.” He handed her his card. “And he’s offering a bonus, to help you through these difficult times. He’s upped his offer to twelve million dollars, double the last one.”
Natasha’s mouth popped open, but no sound came out.
Maxim looked at Molly. “Did he say the police have the egg?”
“Yes, he did.” Molly turned to Dyson. “How did you find out about it?”
“I’ve been following these two around all day, thinking they might take me to the egg. This is what happens when you run out of options because a certain someone doesn’t want to help you. Anyway, I heard on my police scanner that Hattie Mills got killed in a car wreck, so I made some calls, and I found out the egg ended up in the custody of the Burlington police. And now that we know it’s safe and sound, all I need to hear is Ms. Gordon say she accepts my client’s new and improved offer, and as soon she gets the egg back from the cops, she’ll make the exchange.”
Natasha swayed on her feet and Maxim took hold of her arm. “I don’t understand,” she said. “How did Hattie come to have the egg?”
Molly said, “I found it in the cottage. I was going to bring it to the police station, but she stole it from me. She died later in the car accident, and the state police found the egg in her car. They gave it to Lombardi. He was going to get in touch with both of you to let you know, but he’s been busy. He made two arrests this afternoon.”
Maxim’s eyes widened. “For my father’s murder?”
“Yes, but let’s not talk about this out here. Let’s go inside and have that cup of tea.” As they started to walk to the garage, Molly stood in front of Dyson, blocking him. “You’re not invited. Go away.”
Dyson called out, “Ms. Gordon!” She stopped and turned around, and Molly saw her face had drained of color. Natasha wasn’t handling the news about the buyer, or Hattie’s death, very well, and she hadn’t even heard the worst of it. Molly was afraid when she found out Galina was alive and had been arrested along with Peggy for murdering Curtis, she might faint. Dyson said, “Ms. Gordon, I know you’ve been through a lot, but my buyer needs an answer. I can assure you, the egg will get a new home where it will be greatly admired and appreciated. Best of all, no one will ever know it belonged to your family, and isn’t that what you want? To keep its existence a secret?” When Natasha didn’t reply, he continued. “Like I said, my client’s offering double the original price, twelve million dollars. There’s so much you could do with that money. There’s no way to lose here.”
Natasha’s eyes rolled up in her head and her knees buckled. Luckily, Maxim was still holding her arm, and he kept her from falling to the ground. Molly ran to her other side and helped him lift her up. Dyson ran over to help, but Molly said, “Not now. Go away. They have your card, and they’ll be in touch.”
“I need an answer by tomorrow morning!” Dyson called out, but they ignored him and brought Natasha into the house.
Molly laid her on the sofa in the great room and was happy to see her eyes were open. “Oh, Molly, I’m so sorry for being a bother,” she said.
“It’s okay. Do you want to go to the hospital?”
“No. I’ll be all right. I just need to rest a moment.”
Maxim said, “I’ll get you a glass of water.”
They left Natasha on the sofa, and while Maxim got a glass of water for her, Molly went out to the garage to shut the door. As she stepped out of the house, she saw Dyson was still there, standing at the edge of the garage. She walked over to him.
“I told you, they’ll be in touch,” she said.
“I have to head back to Boston in the mornin
g,” he said. “I’d like to give my client some good news before I leave.”
“I’ll talk to Maxim. He’ll help Natasha make the right decision.”
“There’s only one right decision. She needs to sell the egg.”
“You must know people in high places to have gotten the news about Hattie and the egg so fast.”
“You have no idea,” he said. “By the way, I’d like to congratulate you on finding Curtis’s killer. Galina Cobb sure had everybody fooled. Me included.”
“Thank you for not saying that out loud just now, to Maxim and Natasha. I want to break the news as gently as I can to them.” She paused. “I thought you knew all along she was alive.”
“Really?” He was surprised. “What gave you that impression?”
“You asked me if I’d had a chat with the late Galina Cobb, to ask her what she did with the egg. You said that would be one for the books.”
“And you thought that meant I knew she was alive?” He shook his head. “I’m good, but not that good.”
Molly smacked her forehead. “I should have realized, the poem said it all.”
“What poem?”
“There’s a line from a poem on Galina’s headstone. Peggy chose it. It’s from ‘Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep’ by Mary Elizabeth Frye. ‘I am the soft stars that shine at night.’ But after that line in the poem, there are two more. ‘Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.’ She put it on her headstone, for everyone to see. She was telling everyone she’s not dead. Maybe she did it for Felix. She knew how much he loved Galina.”
He smiled, and this time it looked genuine. “Right up to the end, you’re figuring it all out. If you ever decide to ditch the writing gig and get into P.I. work, let me know.”
“You’re offering me a job?”
“You can go places, if you want to.”
“Thanks, but I’m right where I want to be, happy with my writing gig.”
“Sure you are.” He winked. “That’s why you dabble in murder on the side.” He laughed as he walked to his car. Opening the door, he said, “Don’t be surprised if one day you get a call from me, or someone says I referred them to you. You’re a star, Molly. A real star.”
“Thanks. But like I said, I’m not interested.”
“Right. You keep telling yourself that,” he said. “Keep up the good fight. I have the feeling our paths will cross again.”
Molly hoped they wouldn’t. But as he drove away, she found she couldn’t stop smiling.
Chapter 30
For several days after Galina’s arrest, Molly remained focused on her family, work, and planning Thanksgiving dinner. Two days before the holiday, she emailed her article on folk art portraitures to Swanson. He would have to wait for an article on Curtis Cobb. She had written most of it but was waiting to hear from Lombardi with an update on Galina and Peggy.
After sending her folk art portraiture article off, she went to the kitchen and made a cappuccino. Matt was at work, Starling had the day off, and her mother had taken Tyler to the park. Clara said they’d be back in time for lunch. Molly opened the refrigerator to check on the turkey. It was defrosting nicely and would be ready to cook by turkey day.
Her cell phone rang, and Maxim’s number flashed on the screen.
“Hi, Maxim.”
“Molly, are you home? I was wondering if I could stop by your house to talk to you.”
“Yes, I’m here. Come on over.”
“Great. See you in about ten minutes.”
Molly hadn’t heard from Maxim since the day she’d told him and Natasha his mother was alive. She wasn’t too surprised. Why would he want to talk to the woman who was responsible for his mother being arrested? But true to his word, ten minutes later the doorbell rang. Molly opened the door and saw another man standing beside him on the porch. He looked thirty-something, with white-blond hair and striking blue eyes.
Maxim said, “Molly, this is my husband, Kurt.”
“Oh!” Molly shook his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Kurt. Come in, both of you.”
When they were in the house, Kurt surprised her by giving her a hug. “I’m thrilled to finally meet you,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of yours for years, and after what you did for Maxim, well, I just had to tell you in person, I think you’re amazing.”
So maybe this wasn’t Maxim’s idea to drop in and visit after all, Molly thought.
“I’m thrilled to meet you too,” she said. “Would anyone like coffee?”
“We’d both love a coffee,” Kurt said.
Molly showed them into the kitchen. The men sat at the table while she made coffee and set out a store-bought marbled pound cake and a tub of vanilla ice cream.
When they were all settled in with their coffee and cake, Kurt said, “We were meeting with Detective Lombardi this morning at the station. He gave us an update on the case and said we could share the details with you, since he hasn’t had the chance.” He glanced at Maxim, who had stayed quiet. “Well?” He nudged his arm. “Don’t you have something you want to say to Molly?”
Maxim nodded slowly. “Yes, I do.” Molly braced herself. “First, I want you to know, you did the right thing. I don’t want you to feel bad about my mother being arrested.”
Molly blew out a breath. “Thank you. I feel terrible about the whole thing. I wish—”
“Don’t.” He waved his hand, cutting her off. “I asked you to investigate my father’s death and you did. Obviously, neither of us could have anticipated she’d faked her own death and was responsible for killing him.”
“How is she? Have you talked to her?”
Maxim shook his head. “No. Aunt Natasha went to see her and Peggy, but I’m not ready to. Actually, I don’t know if I ever will be. I told Aunt Natasha I didn’t even want to know what they talked about. Ironic, isn’t it? She feels dead to me, more than she did before, when I thought she was dead.” He sighed deeply. “I know my father was a difficult person. He was rude, and selfish to the core, but he didn’t deserve to be killed. I feel numb about my mother right now. I have no sympathy for her. She could have come to me and Kurt. She knew we would have helped her. She’ll have to live with the consequences of her actions. I’m not going to lift a finger to help her.”
Kurt said, “I can’t get over what she did to Curtis, or how she could walk away from Maxim, pretending to be dead. Natasha told me she was going to move to Australia.”
Molly glanced at Maxim. He was staring at his cake like he didn’t know what to do with it, pushing the ice cream around with his spoon. “Who’s representing your mother and Peggy?”
He looked up. “A lawyer named Elliott Gellman. Detective Lombardi said he’s one of the best lawyers in the city.”
“He is.” She didn’t tell him Lombardi had gone up against Gellman many times in the past and lost. “Is Natasha paying him, or . . . ?”
Maxim shrugged. Kurt answered. “Yes, she is. Peggy’s being arraigned on Monday, and Mr. Gellman is going to try to get bail for her. As for Galina, he’s asked the court to approve a psyche evaluation, but the judge hasn’t granted it yet.”
Molly ate her last bite of cake and ice cream. She was tempted to have seconds, but her mother would be home soon with Tyler and they’d be eating lunch. She pushed her plate aside.
“Has anyone talked to Felix?”
Maxim said, “We stopped by his house yesterday to see him. He’s under a doctor’s care for depression.” He shook his head. “You think I’m upset about my mother? You should see Felix. He feels betrayed by my mother, which I can totally relate to. He’s also worried sick about his own mother.”
“Of course he is.” Molly felt bad for Felix. He’d loved Galina his whole life. Her fall from grace might have hit him harder than anyone else, including Maxim. “What about the egg? Has Natasha made a decision on what she’s going to do with it? Will she sell it to Noble Dyson’s client?”
Maxim smiled for the first time. “We hav
e good news on that front,” he said. “Aunt Natasha is going to auction off the Fabergé egg. Christie’s in New York is handling it. They’ll be putting out a press release as soon as it’s ready to go on the auction block.”
“Are they going to publicize her name?”
“No.” He reached over and took Kurt’s hand. “Aunt Natasha will remain anonymous, which means we will, too, as long as no one who knows it belonged to our family makes it public.”
“Well, you can count on me not to say anything,” she said. “I won’t mention it in the article I’ll write about your father.”
“Really?” Maxim looked surprised. “Won’t you have to? I mean, how else will you explain what my mother did?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll find a way to keep the egg out of it. I promise.”
“Thank you, Molly.”
“No problem.” She knew Swanson wouldn’t be happy about it, but she’d get her way. All she had to do was tell him Natasha would sue him and the magazine if it became public, and he’d back off. “What’s the opening bid going to be?”
Kurt said, “Fifteen million dollars. We’re told the bidding will probably be intense.”
“I’m sure it will be,” she said. “The history behind the egg is fascinating on its own, but the fact that it’s been lost for such a long time will have collectors drooling over it.”
Maxim said, “Aunt Natasha went over the books with me, and they’re in bad shape. The estate desperately needs the money if we’re going to survive.” He paused. “I know you’re probably disappointed we’re not giving the egg to a big city museum, but we felt this was the best way to save Misty Vale. And, to be honest, I don’t want the responsibility of owning it. I’d rather someone else take care of it.”
“I understand,” she said. “You have to do what you think is right for you and your family. Besides, maybe the new buyer will loan it out, or a museum might have the winning bid.”