by Jessica Beck
“Keep that in mind when you tell Jake Bishop your story,” I said as I pulled out my cellphone.
“Must I?” she asked. “I’d be so embarrassed. Couldn’t you do it for me?”
“Sorry, but he’s going to need to hear this directly from you. Do you have any problem with us showing him your packet?”
She waved a hand in the air. “Do what you wish with them. They are memories that I’m finished with, once and for all.”
“Jake’s going to have to contact Bryce, you know,” Grace said, and then she added with a wicked grin, “If you’d like, we can ask him to wait until the man’s wife is at home.”
Beatrice seemed to hesitate as she considered it, but finally, she shook her head. “No. That’s just not right. I won’t be responsible for a marriage ending. If she leaves him, I don’t want it to be because of me.”
“Who knows? Maybe you owe it to her to tell her what’s been going on,” Grace suggested.
“I think she must at least suspect something,” Beatrice said. “There have been too many clues in the past to suggest otherwise. Telling her might be the right thing to do, but I can’t bring myself to do it. I have a suspicion that this isn’t the first time he’s done it, and I’m pretty sure that it won’t be the last. If she chooses to turn a blind eye to his behavior, who am I to rub her face in it?”
“That’s an issue for another day,” I said as I called Jake. “Right now, we need to take care of your situation.”
Jake picked up on the second ring.
“Where are you right now?” I asked him.
He laughed. “Hi, Suzanne. I’m fine. And you?”
“I’m good,” I said with a hint of a grin, something I knew that he’d be able to read in my voice. “If you’re not busy, you might want to drive over to Union Square.”
“I’m already here,” Jake said. “As a matter of fact, I just left Violet’s place. You’re not going to believe what I found out she’s been doing.”
“Do you mean the fact that she’s sleeping with Conrad, and she may never have stopped, even though he was dating Evelyn, too?”
Jake whistled. “Remind me never to underestimate you again.”
“Thanks, but that’s not why I called. You need to come straight over to Beatrice’s house. She’s got something to tell you.”
“Is she going to confess?” Jake asked in dead seriousness.
“No, but she can provide an alibi now.”
“Then why wouldn’t she give me one earlier?” Jake asked as I heard him start his car.
“She said that she was too embarrassed to tell you the truth, but now that she’s had a little time to think about it, she’s ready to talk to you.”
“I’ll see you in four minutes, then,” Jake said as he hung up.
“He’ll be here soon,” I said as I started to stand.
Beatrice looked upset. “You two aren’t going to leave me, are you?”
“We thought you might like some privacy,” I said.
“I have nothing to hide now. Could you both please stay with me?” The pleading in her voice and her gaze were enough to break my heart, and I could see that Grace was reacting the same way.
“We’ll stay,” I said.
“There’s no place else we’d rather be,” Grace added, patting her hand.
And we did.
After she gave Jake the same story that she’d given us, he stood and thanked her. “I’ll go confirm this right now, but if everything you’ve told me is the truth, you should be fine.”
“I wasn’t sure before, but I am now,” Beatrice said.
“I was talking about the investigation,” Jake said.
“I was referring to my life,” she replied.
Before Jake could get away, I asked, “Do you have a second?”
“Just about that,” he said.
“I’ll walk you back to your car,” I said.
“I’ll stay here with Beatrice,” Grace added.
Once we were out of their hearing range, I asked, “You believe her, don’t you?”
“I don’t see any reason not to,” Jake said. “All I need to do is to get confirmation that this Bryce fellow actually saw her in Asheville when Evelyn was being murdered.”
“What if he lies to you? It’s entirely possible, you know.”
“That’s a good point,” Jake said as he reversed direction and rejoined Beatrice and Grace. As he reached for the packet still in Grace’s hand, he asked Beatrice, “May I borrow these for a few days?”
“Take them,” she said.
“You’ll get them back soon, so don’t worry.”
“I don’t want them. Throw them off a bridge, burn them in a fireplace, I don’t care. I just never want to see any of that again.”
“Understood,” Jake said, and then we walked back to his car. “We make a good team, Suzanne. Thanks for that.”
“You’re most welcome. Thanks for letting us stay while you talked to Beatrice.”
“We both know that I wouldn’t have been able to get anything out of her without the two of you.”
“Will you be back in time for dinner?”
Jake looked at his watch, and then he shook his head. “It’s ninety minutes to Asheville, and then I have to track this adulterer down. When I’m finished with him, I’ve got another ninety minutes to drive back, so I’ll probably get back long after you’ve gone to sleep.”
“I can stay up,” I said.
“And be groggy tomorrow on my account? Don’t worry. We’ll have some time together tomorrow. I’ll make sure of it.”
“That would be wonderful,” I said. “Have a safe trip.”
“I’ll do my best,” Jake said, and then he glanced toward the garden where Beatrice and Grace were discussing something quite serious from the look of it. Jake took advantage of the situation and kissed me, quickly but thoroughly. “Bye, Suzanne.”
“Good-bye,” I said, and I stood there until he’d driven away.
When I rejoined the women, Grace stood. She told Beatrice, “Call me when you get back from your sister’s place. We’ll work this out.”
“Thank you both,” Beatrice said as she hugged us in turn, and Grace and I left.
“What was that all about?” I asked her as we began our drive back to April Springs.
“I’m going to give Beatrice a makeover,” Grace said. “What can it hurt? It might help her self-esteem a little, since it’s pretty battered as it is right now.”
“You’re okay in my book,” I told Grace. Her work for a large cosmetics company allowed her many fringe benefits, flexible working hours, and a great many free samples. I hadn’t taken much advantage of those, but it appeared that Beatrice was about to.
“We’re not just working on her outer beauty,” Grace said. “There’s a funny, sweet woman inside that shell, and I’m going to do everything in my power to bring her out into the sunlight.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” I said.
“Will do. So, I’m guessing that Jake isn’t going to make it back in time for dinner, is he?”
“No,” I admitted. “Do you have plans with Officer Grant?”
“Stephen is working overtime as long as your boyfriend is still in charge. Jake believes that he’s been underutilized in the past, and he’s making up for it.”
“That’s got to be a real morale booster,” I said.
“It is, but our social life is on the back burner until further notice.”
“Welcome to the club,” I said.
“Well, just because the men can’t join us, there’s no reason that we can’t go out somewhere to eat, is there?”
“Did you have any place in particular in mind, or do I even have to guess?”
Grace looked down at her clothes. “I don’t think I’m dressed nicely enough for Napoli’s,” she said.
“Nonsense. You look fine.”
“Well, we could always eat in the kitchen with Angelica and whichever d
aughter is helping her out back there.”
“My guess is that it’s Sophia,” I said. She was Angelica’s youngest daughter, already showing her mother’s flair in the kitchen.
“That’s even better,” Grace said. “Do you think we could slip in the back way?”
“I don’t know why not,” I said. “I’m sure that Angelica would love to have us.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go get something to eat.”
Chapter 21
“You girls are both too skinny,” Angelica said as she heaped our plates with pasta, ravioli, and salad. As we’d hoped, she’d graciously invited us into her kitchen, and had taken great pleasure in feeding us.
“They can’t eat all of that,” Sophia said as she studied our plates.
“Nonsense. Men like women with curves.”
“I don’t know what men you’re talking about,” Sophia said, “but Barry likes me just the way I am.” Evidently Barry was Sophia’s latest boyfriend, though there was no shortage of young men applying for the position. And why not? She was a classic Italian beauty, with dark brown hair, luminous brown eyes, and a face that wars had started over in history. In truth, all of Angelica’s daughters were lovely, but none of them could hold a candle to their mother.
“Barry has good taste. I’ll say that much for him,” Angelica said, and then she scolded, “Sophia, keep an eye on that chicken.”
“I’m watching it, I’m watching it,” she protested.
“This is so fun,” Grace said to me after she took her first bite. “I’m glad you suggested it.”
“You can’t beat the food or the ambience,” I said with a smile. While it was true that the food was unbelievably good, that was just part of it. I loved being where the action was in the kitchen, hearing the give and take between Angelica and her daughters as they served their diners.
“So, why are you both here without the men in your lives?” Angelica asked as she paused at the small table Grace and I were sharing in one corner of the kitchen.
“That’s no question to ask them,” Sophia said, chiding her mother.
“You worry about the food; I’ll take care of my friends.”
“They’re my friends, too,” Sophia corrected her.
“You keep feeding us like this and we’ll be everyone’s friends,” I said with a smile. “To answer your question, our guys are both working on a murder case.”
Angelica crossed herself as she nodded. “Evelyn Martin. Of course.” She hesitated, and then asked us, “You are both working on the case yourselves, am I right?”
“We’re trying to lend a hand,” I said.
“You’re being too modest. If it helps, I’m a good listener. Sometimes I like to talk to work things out myself. How many suspects do you have left on your list?” she asked as she stirred a pot of red sauce.
I glanced at Grace, who just shrugged. Why not? “Well, we’ve finally got it narrowed down to Robby Chastain, the neighbor she was in a property dispute with; Julie Gray, her cousin; Conrad Swoop, her boyfriend; and his other girlfriend, Violet Frasier.”
“Violet? I knew that she was dating Conrad, but I wasn’t aware that he was seeing Evelyn, too, though it doesn’t surprise me one bit. That man is a cad, plain and simple.”
Sophia looked up from the chicken she was watching long enough to say, “He asked Mom out last year. She turned him down, and he acted as though it broke his heart.”
Angelica shook her head as she rolled her eyes. “Acted is the correct word. It was all an act, but I’m not surprised that Violet believed him, and she probably still does. She’s been craving a man’s affection and approval since her father walked out on his family when she was only thirteen years old.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said as I paused eating the bite of ravioli on my fork.
Angelica’s spatula bobbed up and down as she pointed it at me. “Suspects are people, too, Suzanne. It would be good to keep that in mind.”
“I will,” I said, and then I ate the bite. “What do you think? You’re from Union Square. Could Violet, Julie, or Conrad have done it?”
“Conrad wouldn’t surprise me, if he got something out of it. The man is constantly creating schemes to separate people from their money, and this wouldn’t be the first time that he’s gotten himself into a hole doing something that he shouldn’t have been doing.”
“Care to give us any details about that?” Grace asked.
“No, sadly that story is not mine to tell.”
“We understand,” I said. “What about Julie or Violet?”
“Julie’s capable of just about anything,” Sophia said.
“What are you talking about?” Angelica asked her.
“You’re not the only one with sources around town and stories that you aren’t at liberty to tell. Let’s just say that you should be careful around her.”
“We plan to,” I said. “What about Violet?”
Angelica shook her head. “It just doesn’t fit. Have you tried to get an alibi from her?”
I shrugged. “She won’t tell us or the police where she was when Evelyn was murdered.”
“Maybe I can help there,” Angelica said as she put her spatula down and wiped her hands on a towel.
“Do you think she’ll actually tell you?” Sophia asked.
“Why not?” Angelica asked. “Besides, what can it hurt to ask? I’ll be right back,” she added as she headed for her office just off the kitchen.
“This is delicious,” I told the youngest daughter as I finished a bite of pasta. “Did you make this, or did your mother?”
Sophia beamed with pride. “Nobody can tell mine from hers. None of the other girls can say that.”
“How are your sisters doing?” I asked. Maria and Antonia had been waiting tables, but we hadn’t had much time to chat. Things must have really been hopping outside in the dining room.
“They’re all fine. Tiana is thinking about coming back. Isn’t that great? We don’t have much time for our own lives with the restaurant, but we all still manage to get a little fun in every now and then.”
“Speaking of fun,” Grace said with a smile, “tell us about this new guy you’re dating.”
She gave us a quick update as her mother came out of her office, looking quite pleased with herself.
“Did she actually tell you anything?” Sophia asked.
Angelica frowned. “No, she wouldn’t say where she was, but I managed to find out just the same without her help.”
“That’s amazing,” Sophia said. “I really have to hand it to you. You know this town like you know your own kitchen.”
“Thank you,” Angelica said proudly.
“So, where was she?” I asked her.
“In her own twisted way, I can understand why Violet wouldn’t want anyone to know. It turns out that she was with Digger Jones at the time that Evelyn was murdered.”
Sophia made a face. “Digger? Really? That’s just gross.”
Angelica looked at us as she explained, “Digger has some hygiene problems.”
“That’s like saying that the Grand Canyon is a little hole in the ground,” Sophia said.
“The chicken needs you,” Angelica reminded her daughter.
“I think it’s long past needing anyone or anything,” Sophia said.
“Hang on a second,” I said. “Are you telling me that Violet would rather be considered a murder suspect than for folks to know that she was with this Digger guy?”
“She’s clearly trying to protect her relationship with Conrad,” Angelica said.
“Then she’s got an odd way of going about it,” Grace said.
“She was angry with Conrad for dating Evelyn, too. This was her plan to get revenge. Only with Evelyn out of the picture, Violet would rather go to jail than tell him the truth now.”
“I’ll have to tell Jake about this. Is that okay with you?” I asked Angelica. “He needs to know.”
She thought about it, and t
hen she shrugged. “I understand, but I can’t tell you who told me about Violet and Digger.”
“I bet Digger has been telling everybody he sees,” Sophia said, but she still kept her gaze on the chicken, poking it lightly with the back of her tongs before turning it over in the pan for the other side to sear.
“I don’t care how you found out, as long as Jake hears about this. Will you excuse me for one second?”
Angelica looked surprised. “Are you going to tell him right now?”
“Haven’t you heard? We’re cooperating with law enforcement these days,” Grace said with a smile before she took another bite of pasta.
“Because it’s Jake,” Angelica said. “I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t be able to say no to him, either.”
“He’s going to love hearing that you said that,” Grace said with a grin.
“He might, but we’re not going to tell him, are we, Grace?” Angelica asked sweetly.
Grace got the message instantly. “No, ma’am. He won’t hear a word out of me.”
Angelica patted my best friend’s shoulder. “That’s a good girl. How’s your ravioli? Would you like some more?” Before waiting for an answer, the restaurant owner scooped more out of the serving tray and replenished both our plates. I was quickly becoming stuffed, but I wasn’t about to say no.
I stepped out back and called Jake. After I brought him up to speed, he said, “I’ll check it out on the way back. That’s good work, Suzanne.”
“It was really just Angelica,” I said.
“Maybe so, but you knew where to go.” He paused, and then he asked, “You’re eating, too, aren’t you?”
“What are you, psychic?”
That made him laugh. “Hardly. If I were you, I’d be doing the same thing. I’m afraid that there’s no way that I’ll see you tonight.”
“I know,” I said. “We’ll find a way to catch up tomorrow.”
“Have a good night’s sleep,” Jake said. “I love you. You know that, don’t you?”
“I love you, too,” I said, and then I hung up. It was the best way I knew how to end a conversation with him, and it always left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
Back inside, Angelica pointed to me and said, “Sophia, that’s the look I want you to have someday.”