by K. M. Morgan
“Then what happened?” Daisy asked.
“I woke up this morning and Luke wasn’t in bed.”
Daisy furrowed her brow. “That’s strange.”
“Not really. He always liked to wake up just before dawn to start painting. He used to say the break of dawn was the most beautiful time of day to paint a landscape. But when I went to his studio to check on him, I got the surprise of my life.”
“Wait a minute. Were you the one who found the body?”
Kara nodded.
“Oh dear. How horrible that must have been for you.”
“He was face down on the ground with this big gash on the back of his head. It was awful,” Kara explained.
Daisy grimaced. “How dreadful.”
“What’s even worse is that I know the detective thinks I did it. He gave me this piercing stare when he questioned me. I know he suspects me,” Kara said.
“Kara, I have news for you. That detective suspects everyone. I was at home in bed snoring away, dreaming of a romantic comedy hunk at the time of the murder—yet I know the detective hasn’t ruled me out as a suspect,” Daisy replied.
“Except here’s the difference. You have no motive. I do.”
“What motive?”
Kara was quick to change the subject. “The point is, I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill my husband,” Kara declared.
“Ok.”
Now was not the time to pump her friend for more details. The mixture of panic and shock was not a good combination. There were too many overwhelming emotions at play.
“Seriously, you have to believe me. I didn’t do it,” Kara continued.
Just then, a police deputy entered the parlor. “The detective wants to see both of you.”
Uh oh. This couldn’t be good. Daisy started to wonder if she’d packed enough chocolate to make it through the day.
Chapter Twelve
The deputy led Daisy and Kara back into the kitchen where the detective had assembled the whole family and staff.
“I just wanted to tell you that my men have just found the murder weapon. It is only a matter of time before I sniff out the killer. You may think you can run, but you can’t hide from Steven S. Smiley. Having said that, is there anything you’d like to tell me—like where you really were at the time of the murder?” Detective Smiley asked.
The room remained quiet. Everyone kept their mouths zipped shut.
Detective Smiley pressed on. “Mr. Madsen, how about we start with you first?”
The gardener Matthew Madsen opened his mouth to reply, but Detective Smiley cut him off.
“Here’s a little twist though before you answer. Deputy Goodman. The murder weapon please,” Detective Smiley said.
Deputy Goodman then brought forward a garden shovel that had a blood stain on it.
Daisy’s eyes opened wide when she saw the shovel. Things were not looking good for Matthew now.
Detective Smiley then turned to Matthew again.
“Mr. Madsen, why don’t you tell me again where were you between five and six o’clock this morning?”
“I already told you man,” Matthew said, defensively.
“This was found in the gardener’s shed with the victim’s blood stained on it,” Detective Smiley argued.
“Hey look, if I killed Luke with a shovel, why would I put it right back in the gardener’s shed where anyone could find it? That doesn’t make a lick of sense,” Matthew replied.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Detective Smiley said.
“Hey, I didn’t do it. I had no reason to kill the guy. Obviously someone else did it and put the shovel in the shed to frame me,” Matthew reasoned.
Daisy could tell Detective Smiley wasn’t buying that story in the least. Although the gardener did have a point. Why would Matthew kill Luke, then leave the murder weapon lying around? Matthew may have been known more for his brawn than his brains, but could he really be that stupid?
Unfortunately, the evidence was not in Matthew’s favor.
Detective Smiley kept on pressing. “Really?”
“I was asleep man. I told you that,” Matthew argued.
Detective Smiley wasn’t having any of it. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that?”
Things weren’t looking good for the hunky gardener. Then out of nowhere, Luke’s spoiled daughter Bridget Longwell spoke up.
“You should,” Bridget said.
Detective Smiley was in disbelief. He whirled around to stare at Bridget. “Excuse me.”
Bridget continued. “Matthew couldn’t have killed my father. He was in bed with me at the time.”
If Daisy’s eyes weren’t wide enough before, they nearly fell out of her head at that moment. What a crazy bombshell.
Detective Smiley was shocked to hear that too.
Even Matthew was taken aback by that statement. Although he was quick to go along with Bridget’s story.
“Yeah. See, like I said--I was in bed at the time,” Matthew said.
Detective Smiley was critical of that story. “Really? He was in bed with you that whole time?”
Bridget didn’t back down. “He was.”
Detective Smiley stared her down. Bridget didn’t crack.
“Would you be willing to testify under oath to that effect?” Detective Smiley asked.
“I’d swear on my father’s grave,” Bridget admitted. She then realized that probably wasn’t the best choice of words. “Sorry, that came out wrong. But yes, I swear.”
Detective Smiley still wasn’t convinced. He turned his attention back to Matthew. “Why didn’t you mention this before?
“I told you I was asleep. I just didn’t happen to mention who I was asleep with. I don’t like to kiss and tell,” Matthew said.
Detective Smiley stared Matthew down this time, but Matthew didn’t crack.
“My men will be wiping this shovel for prints. There’s no telling what other evidence we’re going to find. Let’s see how long your story holds up,” Detective Smiley said.
“Oh, it’ll hold up alright,” Matthew said.
“If it does, it means we still have a killer on the loose, and I’m not stopping until I find them.” Detective Smiley then gave everyone in the kitchen one more stare. “I have a feeling I’ll be talking to one of you again very soon.”
If it wasn’t apparent enough to Daisy that the Longwell’s lived a reality show life before, now that was all too clear.
Chapter Thirteen
When the police left the scene an hour later, Kara and Daisy decided to head to the backyard to get some fresh air. They took a seat out by the pool and both tried to get their bearings back.
Daisy’s mind was racing like a marathon runner who’d just chugged a case of energy drinks. Not only was she concerned with her friend’s welfare, but there was also a murder investigation to think about. Someone had killed Luke Longwell, and if it wasn’t the gardener, who was it?
Daisy had a curious mind. She loved doing puzzles when she was growing up. She couldn’t help but want to try and piece together what actually happened. At the same time, she saw that her friend needed comforting. That took precedence.
Kara leaned back in a chair and stared off into the distance.
“I’m here for you, whatever you need,” Daisy said.
“I can’t believe I’m a widow. I’m only thirty-three. That’s so young. Not to mention, I look terrible in black,” Kara replied.
Everyone dealt with grief in their own way. For some people, that meant bawling their eyes out. For others, it meant gallows humor. Then there were times when people tried to laugh to chase away the tears.
Daisy figured that’s what Kara was doing. She couldn’t imagine what her friend was going through. It was one thing to lose a husband to natural causes after a long, full life. It was another for them to be murdered.
“My heart goes out to you. I can’t imagine how sad you must feel,” Daisy said.
“Actually, I’m not really sad
at all. I’m more relieved than anything,” Kara admitted.
Daisy’s ears perked up with that response. She knew her friend was having marriage problems, but it was clear Daisy didn’t know the half of it. Maybe it was time to find out.
“Relieved?” Daisy asked.
“I know that probably sounds padded walls, straightjacket, certified nut job crazy. The fact is though, things have been rocky around here for a long time. Being married to Luke was like wearing a blindfold and being forced to walk a tightrope over a pit of pythons. I’ve wanted to leave Luke for nearly a year,” Kara revealed.
“I’m so sorry,” Daisy said.
“It’s a shame too, because when we first got together, I really loved him—truly, madly, and deeply. I thought he really was a genius, and he treated me like his masterpiece. But it turns out living with a self-proclaimed genius isn’t all it’s cut out to be. He went through these wild mood swings, he was controlling, and it wasn’t long before I realized he loved himself far more than he ever loved me. I was a distant third in his life, behind patting himself on the back and his work.”
“Why didn’t you leave him then?”
Kara scoffed. “And go back to cutting hair for a living? Once you take a ride on the gravy train, you can’t go back to being a beautician again. Do you realize the outfit I’m wearing now cost more than I’d make in a month trimming bangs at the salon?”
“I didn’t know that.”
“There aren’t a whole lot of people willing to turn their back on the lap of luxury. Because let me tell you, there’s no lap more comfortable than a luxurious one. It’s comfier than sleeping on a memory foam mattress,” Kara boasted.
“I’ll have to take your word for that. I guess my question is, what makes you think you’d have to go back to being a hairdresser if you left Luke? You’d get a divorce settlement,” Daisy said.
“Not with the prenup Luke made me sign before we got married. He did the same thing with his ex-wife Quinn Quivers, and now she’s is back to working the cosmetics counter at Buystroms Department Store,” Kara revealed.
“You’re kidding.”
Kara shook her head. “Why do you think Quinn was writing that tell-all about her marriage? She wanted a payday. And let me tell you, when she found out Luke had his lawyer threatened to sue the publisher for defamation unless they agreed to call off the book, Quinn nearly tore this place upside down last night.”
“Wait a minute. Luke’s ex-wife was here last night?” Daisy asked.
“Yeah. Because apparently we didn’t have enough drama to go around. I’ve seen soap operas with less twists and turns than living here. Why do you think I turn to martinis for comfort?”
“Speaking of, do you want a drink?”
Kara thought it over, then shook her head. “Strangely, no. It was living with Luke that drove me to drink. Now that he’s gone, I’ve realized booze isn’t really part of a balanced breakfast.”
“Are you saying you’re quitting drinking?” Daisy asked.
Kara laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just saying drinking is what dinner is for.”
“Of course. How could I be so foolish to think you’d banish the booze entirely?” Daisy joked.
“Exactly. Especially given the fact that there’s a murderer on the loose,” Kara admitted.
“Speaking of, who do you think did it?” Daisy asked.
“I don’t know. All I’m sure of is that I didn’t,” Kara said.
Daisy couldn’t deny that Kara had been acting out of sorts. She couldn’t tell if that was due to her losing her husband, or other factors. After all, Kara showed no remorse over her husband being murdered. Matter of fact, Kara had said it herself—she was relieved that Luke was gone.
On top of that, she mentioned having a motive earlier. What was it?
Kara didn’t like how slow Daisy was to answer. She followed up.
“You believe me, don’t you?” Kara asked.
Daisy wanted to believe her, but there was only one way to tell for sure. Her gut instincts were usually spot on. Daisy had a way of looking into people’s eyes and being able to tell if they were lying.
This time she was afraid what she might find out. She remained optimistic as she gazed into her friend’s eyes. Suddenly she got the answer she needed.
Despite Kara’s odd behavior, Daisy could tell she was telling the truth. Daisy was convinced her friend wasn’t the killer.
“I believe you,” Daisy answered.
Kara smiled. “Good. Because I didn’t.”
“I do have one thing to ask you though,” Daisy said.
“What is it?”
“In the parlor earlier, you said that I didn’t have a motive, but that you did. What did you mean?”
“I’ve been suspecting for a while that Luke was seeing another woman. It wasn’t until last night that I found out who he was cheating on me with,” Kara revealed.
“Who was it?” Daisy wondered.
Just then, the maid Anna Antonelli approached. “Mrs. Longwell, I wasn’t sure if you wanted breakfast or not…considering what happened. What a horrible day. Still, despite our grief, we need to eat.”
Kara stared the maid down. “We’ll be in shortly.”
“Ok. I’ll keep it warm,” Anna continued.
Anna then went back into the house.
Daisy meanwhile couldn’t help but notice the daggers Kara was staring into the maid’s back.
“The woman your husband was cheating with. It was the maid, wasn’t it?”
Kara shook her head in disbelief. “You really do have good hunches. Luke denied it of course when I confronted him last night. He pretended like he wasn’t, but I could tell he was lying.”
“No wonder you were staring daggers into the maid’s back just now,” Daisy said.
Kara got all worked up just thinking of her late husband cheating with the maid. “I should fire her.”
“Not during a murder investigation you shouldn’t. You don’t want to do anything suspicious. I believe you’re not the killer, but that doesn’t mean the police detective has ruled you out,” Daisy explained.
Kara’s face went white. “Your right. I guess I shouldn’t kick his son and daughter out of the house yet either like I planned to do.”
“No way. Until the murderer is unmasked, you don’t want to give anyone another reason to kill again.”
Kara took a deep breath. “Wow. This is going to be tense. Maybe I should really reconsider drinking before dinner again.”
Chapter Fourteen
As Daisy and Kara made their way back into the house for breakfast, Daisy started to run through the list of suspects in her head. Kara hadn’t committed the crime, but someone had—and the list of people who had a reason to want Luke dead was long.
Daisy hated the idea that the killer was still on the loose. It meant that both hers and Kara’s lives could be at stake if the killer chose to strike again. Not to mention the police seemed to have hit a roadblock when Bridget corroborated Matthew’s alibi.
Daisy felt like she needed to do some investigating of her own. After all, the sooner the killer was found, the better. Daisy started going over the list of potential suspects in her head.
First, she had to look no further than Luke’s own children. Bridget Longwell was a spoiled, bratty, mooch who treated her father like an ATM. With her dad declaring he was going to change his will and cut her out, her gravy train had slammed into a brick wall.
Now she had more to worry about than how she’d be able to afford her next pair of heels. She might have even had to get a job. For a woman who’d never worked a day in her life like Bridget, that was a serious motive. With her father dead however, the original will would stand—assuring a big inheritance payday for her.
Next there was Luke’s son Eric Longwell. He had a duel reason to want his father dead. Eric was also on the verge of being cut out of his dad’s will, much to his financial chagrin. Eric hadn’t worked a day in his li
fe, and didn’t have plans to change that anytime soon.
In addition, Eric was dating a woman his father disapproved of—the daughter of the Longwell estate’s former maid. A maid who Luke had fired for stealing from him. Despite his father’s protests, Eric defiantly kept seeing the maid’s daughter. Eric had a lot to lose if his father stayed alive, but everything to gain with him being dead.
Next under suspicion was Eric’s girlfriend. Sasha Sanderson was dismissed as nothing more than a social climber by Luke. Someone who only cared about Eric’s money, not his heart. With her boyfriend being cut out of Luke’s will, the money she was supposedly chasing after was about to evaporate right before her eyes.
That would give her plenty of reason to want Luke Longwell dead. Then there was the added wrinkle of being the daughter of a maid who was fired by Luke. Perhaps she had a secret axe to grind with Luke over her mother’s dismissal. Maybe she decided to settle an old score.
Daisy then turned her suspicions to the maid Anna Antonelli. Kara was convinced that Anna was having an affair with Luke. Perhaps Anna wanted Luke to leave his wife for her and he refused. Either way, there were plenty of loose ends when it came to Anna.
The gardener Matthew Madsen was also surrounded by suspicion. To start, the murder weapon was found in his gardener’s shed. In addition, the weapon itself was a shovel that he used every day. His alibi was also awfully flimsy.
He seemed just as surprised as the rest of the group when Bridget declared that they had been sleeping together at the time of the murder. That alibi came under more fire when Daisy thought about what occurred the day before. Daisy saw Matthew flirting with Kara right before she left. Maybe Luke caught wind of Matthew’s advances towards his wife and threatened to fire him. Who knows?
Finally, there was Luke’s ex-wife Quinn Longwell. She and Luke had a bitter divorce. Due to the prenup she’d signed, she went from rich housewife to cosmetics counter clerk in a hurry. If that didn’t make her bitter enough, she was also trying to shop around a tell-all memoir about her marriage to Luke. A book that Luke threw his weight around to put the kabash on. That was the stuff motives were made of.