1 Depth of Field

by Audrey Claire

  “Come again?”

  I explained what I meant, and it was news to Spencer. He made notes. Susan had come from upper middle class and was so spoiled she had never worked. With the right husband, one who had come into a sizable amount of money, she didn’t have to suffer when her father disowned her. Yet, if Alvin were to divorce her, she would have nothing. Susan’s motive was one of the biggest reasons for spousal murder.

  “So Susan isn’t out,” I said. “And neither is Pattie if she doesn’t have a real alibi.”

  “I need to talk to her again, convince her to tell me the truth.”

  I shivered, not wanting to be on the other end of that type of convincing. Not ever again. “Well, since they had a falling out at the funeral, she might be more willing to talk. Um…”

  “Out with it, Makayla.” I told him what Pattie had said to me and how she’d smiled in that creepy way and said who told me that she hadn’t had Alvin.

  Spencer didn’t take my news very well. “You’re adding to my list, not taking away from it!”

  “I’m sorry. Isn’t it your job to eliminate, sheriff?”

  He harrumphed as an answer.

  I straightened. “Okay, how about I help you eliminate suspects?”

  “No.”

  “You haven’t heard my proposal yet.” I rushed on before he could tell me no again. “I need to get back to business, and it’s looking like it’s not safe for me to even work at my studio. If this killer isn’t caught, I starve. I am not a very happy camper when I’m hungry.”

  “You didn’t seem so bad last night.”

  “Focus, sir.”

  He waved a hand for me to continue. “Since you feel the Brinlees are lying, I can start there. John is always trying to get me to join the gym for meditation classes.”

  “Is it just for meditation?”

  I laughed. He was actually jealous. I felt flattered. “It’s not like that.”

  “How do you know?”

  “A woman does,” I lied. Not that I thought I knew John’s motives. He seemed genuine if a little over-exuberant. “I won’t be alone with him or anyone else for that matter. I’m just getting in the door, and I’ll talk to others and ask questions.”

  “I don’t like it. Your questions landed you unconscious.”

  “No,” I argued, “my going back to the shop too early did that. If you go with me to get my laptop and some equipment, I might be able to do some simple projects inside my apartment. Remember, I don’t have a dining room set, so there’s space.”

  An expression of bewilderment came over his face, and I offered my brightest smile.

  “What do you say, Spencer? John also wanted me to do some photos for an advertising spread he has in mind. That’s another way in. Please?”

  “You say please, but I have the feeling you’ll do what you want anyway.”

  I widened my eyes. He was right, of course. The police couldn’t stop me from pursuing my career as long as I didn’t break the law. My questioning John and Allie Kate would not obstruct his investigation—hopefully. My reason for wanting him to give his consent to my plan had to do with one thing. I wanted to keep him a little longer. Spencer was the epitome of hottie male in his blue jeans with the gun belt hanging around a solidly muscled build, and I’d gotten to see that build in the flesh. Darn tootin’ I wanted to keep him for another few rounds. Wouldn’t you?

  Spencer rested a hand at his waist, above the gun. I assumed it was habit and not a subtle hint he’d shoot me if I didn’t obey him. “Fine, but do the photo spread, not the membership. Not until I’m sure he’s innocent. I’m assuming he’ll let you take pictures inside his gym. Keep your eyes and ears open and the questions to a minimum.”

  I stood and saluted. “Will do, sir.”

  He was not amused, but he crooked a finger at me. “Come here and kiss me. Then get going. You’re keeping me from police work!”

  “Definitely will do, sheriff. As much as you can stand.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  I arrived outside the gym and parked in the lot. Stalling in my car, I sorted through the two catalogs I had brought along. Having a last minute situation that required his attention, Spencer had assigned an officer to go with me to remove the needed equipment from my shop. I’d managed to grab my laptop, a couple lamps, cameras of course, and the catalogs. Thank goodness my attacker hadn’t destroyed the catalogues, as they had nothing to do with the town. They were just to showcase my best work. With the tools of my trade now in my possession, I had already phoned a few clients and had appointments set up over the next couple of days.

  Just as I hoped, I had been able to set up a makeshift studio in my dining room. The lighting wasn’t ideal, but I would be able to manipulate it to advantage with the lights I had salvaged from the shop and a couple I had in mind to grab from Home Depot. I could do great with some family portraits. The limitations meant I could get creative outdoors. I fiddled with the books and a couple pages where I had written my ideas about what I could do for the Brinlees. I wasn’t normally this nervous. I knew my stuff, and I was confident in my abilities. Just the fact that I was there under false pretenses threw me off center a bit.

  As I sat, I glanced up and found John Brinlee standing outside the entrance watching me. I started at seeing him there. I hadn’t phoned as I wanted to drop in with the chance of catching him unaware. The thought was ridiculous in retrospect because what could he get up to in the middle of the day with gym members popping in and out?

  Annoyed at myself, I gathered my materials and climbed out of the car. I reached the front entrance and stepped inside the building. Expecting a deeper voice greeting me, I was surprised when Allie Kate headed my way. “Good morning, Makayla. It’s good to see you here.”

  “Oh, good morning, Allie Kate. I thought I just saw John.”

  “You might have. He’s taking care of some business right now. Can I help you with anything? Are you here to try a membership?”

  I wondered what type of business could make him dart inside and disappear when I know he saw me. “Well I wanted to talk to him about the advertising he was thinking of doing. Is there any way I can interrupt him for a tiny few moments? I won’t be long. I just need to get his thoughts.”

  Allie Kate linked her arm through mine and turned me toward the direction she had come. “I’m afraid not. He asked not to be disturbed, but how about a tour of our facilities? I know you’ll love it. You can leave your things right here behind the desk.”

  With her sweet but forceful personality, I found myself whisked along, taking the grand tour. In a hallway off the main gym area where I’d exercised with David, we came upon multiple doors. Allie Kate opened one to reveal an unoccupied room. A massage table lay near the wall, covered in blankets and a pillow. Soft lighting, soothing wallpaper, flowers, and candles set the mood. An intercom system on the wall made me think gentle music played during a session. I had the sudden urge to shed my clothing and hop onto said table to get rid of the strain I felt hung between my shoulders of late. I resisted.

  “As you can see, with our advanced membership, we offer weekly massages,” Allie Kate explained. “And we also offer mud baths and meditation classes. John feels with the hectic lives most of us lead, a way to de-stress is imperative. You always look like you’ve got too much on your mind, Makayla.”

  “I…” Not sure if this was a simple observation of the newly found wrinkles at the bridge of my nose and the corners of my eyes or an insult, I didn’t know how to respond. “I’m sure we all do.”

  Allie Kate nodded and led on. “If the advanced membership is too much for you at this time, we also have specific packages tailored to your needs. John leads small classes for meditation, and he also has one-on-one sessions. They’re quite affordable.”

  Why didn’t that appeal to me, and why did I feel like they were shoving the darn meditation at me? Just how frazzled did I appear, for cripes sake? “What about basic membership?” I asked. “Such as i
f I wanted to use just the machines out front?”

  At that moment, we passed around a ladder where a maintenance man changed a bulb. Allie Kate frowned at him, but I’m pretty sure she’d first cast me a look of disappointment. “The basic membership is available to anyone and is very reasonable, but it is also dependent on your efforts alone. With the advanced package, both John and I are with you every step of the way to a healthier new you.”

  I had visions of Allie Kate making this particular statement in a commercial. She appeared sincere and full of love and concern, but with knowledge of their financial issues, all I got was “help us keep the lights on.” My heart went out to them for their plight, but did they let it lead them to do something unimaginable? I had no idea how to approach Allie Kate to ask. I shouldn’t know anything about their money problems, I realized, and it might very well get Spencer into trouble.

  “You’re hesitant, Makayla. I’m sorry. John always says I can be pushy.”

  “Oh no, it’s fine,” I rushed to assure her.

  “Tell you what, stay as long as you like. Today is a free day for you to try all of our services with no cost.”

  “Thank you, Allie Kate. That’s generous of you.”

  She waved a hand. “Don’t mention it. No, do. I mean that we care about you here at Beautiful Nu U.”

  She pinked at the automatic launch into her spiel. Then an idea came to me of how to approach her regarding learning more about her and John’s circumstances. I put on what I hoped was a commiserating expression and stood closer to her.

  “Allie Kate, your business offers so many services to so many different people. This is a huge undertaking. I know I find it a challenge to maintain my small photography business. Does yours ever feel like it’s slipping away from you, and you wonder why you’re doing it?”

  The monologue seemed to be a bit much, but I hoped to appeal to the “we’re in this together” instinct. Instead, Allie Kate drew her slim and shapely figure up to her full height of maybe five foot four inches and exuded injured dignity.

  “Beautiful Nu U is more than just a business. It is a lifestyle, one that many citizens of Briney Creek have adopted. My husband and I believe in it and the people who use our facilities. Therefore it is a success. Please, enjoy the rest of your day, Makayla. As I said, you are welcome to stay as long as you like. I hope you will consider joining us on a longer term basis.”

  With this speech, Allie Kate left me standing there in the hall alone. She hadn’t even finished the tour because I knew there were aerobics classes being taught, and I had no idea where. David had said the one I had overheard in the loft wasn’t the usual location. There was a pool because I could smell the chlorine. This place was massive. No wonder they had a mortgage challenge. One would need to maintain a faithful membership in order to keep the doors open.

  As I considered where to head next, whether to leave or explore on my own, a young woman appeared around the corner with a high wattage smile and a bounce in her step. “Makayla?” she called.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Reeza, and I’m here to help you enjoy Beautiful Nu U.”

  Imagine how you heard Allie Kate in your head when she gave me her spiel. Now think of her twenty years younger and looking like Barbie. Yup, that’s Reeza, and yes, I felt the need for a strong cup of coffee to process her level of perky.

  “Swimming, aerobics…” Reeza clapped her hands. “Oh, I know, kickboxing. You’ll love it. We have a class starting now. The women who attend at this hour are either stay at home moms or entrepreneurs like you who grab a couple hours in their busy day to keep their figures.”

  Reeza eyed my hips, and I just knew she was thinking I should do everything in my power not to keep this figure. I tried to avoid glaring at her physical perfection as if I willed it to swell. I wasn’t that spiteful. Not entirely.

  We navigated the hall to the stairs and accessed the second floor. Again, I was struck with the size of the facility. Music reached me as we passed various rooms, and through the window in one, I spotted John. He sat on a mat in front of a woman occupying another. Both were cross-legged, palms together, eyes closed. So Allie Kate wasn’t lying about him being busy. Darn, I have to admit I’d thought he’d have some nefarious plan happening and that’s why he’d disappeared.

  Sighing, I moved on, following Reeza. We arrived at a bigger room than the ones we had passed. On one side of the room, bright red punching bags hung from the ceiling. On the other was open space. A pile of colorful mats lay stacked in a corner, and as I took in the scene, women arrived, grabbed a mat off the stack, and headed to an empty spot to lay it out.

  Reeze pointed to a closet where I could get boxing gloves. I wanted to say I would sit this one out, but this was what I was here for. If I couldn’t question Allie Kate, maybe I could pick the brain of one of the ladies in attendance. The likelihood of them knowing anything of use in the case was low, but I had to give it a shot. At least I had dressed casually on the chance that I might get sucked into exercising, which was exactly what had happened.

  I wasn’t looking forward to sweating in public or in looking like a rank amateur as I attempted to hit a punching bag, hoping it didn’t hit me instead. Reeza abandoned me to my fate, and the two class instructors waved me in while I lingered near the door. I tripped over to grab a mat and join the others. The instructor on the left said something I didn’t hear because blood plugged my ears. Arms flew into the air. Oh, okay, we were stretching. I bit off a moan when my neck cracked and popped. Not because it hurt, but because it signaled the pain was to come. I almost trembled in fear. Then my luck changed when Susan Aston strode into the room late.

  Dressed in biker shorts and a sports bra, which showed off her toned abs, and sneakers, she had pulled her hair back into a high ponytail. With arms that wouldn’t dare flap in the wind should she raise them, Susan emitted a vibe that a person in space could interpret—stay away or face the consequences. This was my chance. I refused to accept the message.

  I lined up in the back of the class, as far away from the instructors as I could get and made sure the woman in front of me blocked view of me. Susan was in back because that was the last available spot. Otherwise, I dared say, she’d have been front and center. My luck put me right next to her.

  The stretching portion continued, and I found myself keeping up. Since we were somewhat subdued, and the music low, I didn’t figure it was time yet to talk. Once the movements picked up speed, I pretended my high knee movements took me closer to her against my will. She eyed me with suspicion, and I smiled.

  “Susan, hi.” I panted. “You’re taking this class too, I see. Wow, you’re pretty good at it.”

  So you don’t think I’m a complete idiot, I should mention other ladies panted out comments to each other, some giving encouragement. Granted my hoarse conversation went beyond what I heard around me, and Susan knew it. Her response was to ignore me. Feeling foolish, I quieted and concentrated on not passing out. Then came a water break, and I could have kissed the instructor. I had neglected to bring water, but the efficient Reeza had left me with a complimentary bottle—sold in the lobby—before she disappeared.

  I took a huge drink from the bottle and then wandered over to Susan. My arms and legs were on fire. I couldn’t think straight let alone come up with an excuse to get Susan talking. When I met her face-to-face, she narrowed her eyes at me.

  “What do you want, Makayla?”

  I didn’t expect her to be so blunt. Being friendly wasn’t something one could do with Susan, not now or any time previous to her husband’s death. Then I caught a glimpse of something in her gaze, sadness maybe. Was it about Alvin or Pattie? She was human after all. Everyone had someone they cared about, and she had just lost her husband and possibly her best friend.

  “I spoke with Pattie after the funeral,” I said for lack of anything better to say. “I hope the two of you can patch things up. You seem like very good friends, and I know how hard it is to los
e one.” I referred to my sister of course, who had been my best friend.

  She sneered.

  Frustration made me clench my hands into fists, and she noticed. I flattened my palms on the sides of my thighs and tried to smile. I failed. Honestly, I didn’t like her, and there weren’t many people in the world I didn’t like. People were people. I accepted them as they were. The one person I loathed…well, you can guess.

  I couldn’t help myself. I blurted it out. “The police know she wasn’t with you the night your husband died. She said so. You have an alibi, but poor Pattie…”

  That got Susan’s attention. She blanched, whether in alarm or something else, I didn’t know. Before she could comment, we were called back into session, and I sweated it out some more. By the end of the fifty-five minute class, I knew I wouldn’t do it again. I hated every moment. Why was I so lazy? Where was my donut? At the thought of the treat, I perked up a little and decided my trembling thighs could hold me up going down the stairs.

  My frozen smile stayed in place as I thanked the instructors for the class and asserted that yes, I would consider coming again. Between you and me, no I would not! I extricated myself from the ladies surrounding me encouraging me that I had done fine for my first time. I didn’t like the thought that they had been looking.

  Susan stood at the back wiping her face with a towel and drinking from a bottle of water. I offered her a quick nod and continued past her into the hall. My T-shirt clung to my skin, and I was pretty sure I wobbled as I walked, tilting more to the right. The movements put me in mind of the old commercial when a person needs a V-8. Otherwise, they walk at an angle. I needed a lot more than a drink that tasted like tomato soup.

  “Makayla.”

  I paused in my slow progress and turned around. The jerking of my neck brought a moan to my lips, and I swallowed it. Susan approached. “It gets easier,” she said. “After a couple weeks.”

  Her concern silenced me a few moments. Then I pulled myself together. “Thanks. To be honest, I’m not sure I can hold out that long.”