2-in-1

by Kira Chase

  “I still wish it was me who’d taken the bullet.”

  “How can you say that? I would have been beside myself.”

  Frankie raised an eyebrow. “Then you know how I feel.”

  “Just trust me, baby. No matter what happens tonight, we’ll talk to George tomorrow. I promise. Will that make you feel better?”

  Frankie pushed her plate away. She picked up her gun, checked it and placed it in her concealed holster under her jeans waistband.

  Johanna frowned and did the same with her weapon. “Do you feel better?”

  “Only if we don’t have to use them.” She buttoned her jacket. “I went to the firing range almost every day when you were gone.”

  “I should go one of these days. It’s been a couple of months since I’ve gone.”

  “You’re still a better shot than me.”

  Johanna smiled weakly. “If I am it’s because you’ve worked with me so intensely.” She put her jacket on and grabbed her car keys. “Got gas in your car?” she teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

  Frankie laughed. “Wise ass. After this case we’re going shopping for a new car for me.”

  “It’s about time.” Johanna was grateful that the tension was mollified at least a little. She took Frankie’s arm as they walked to the door.

  * * * *

  Johanna became so engrossed in her paperwork that she hadn’t noticed two hours had gone by. She wondered how Frankie was doing with the summonses. She was surprised when an ashen-faced Graham entered the office at eleven forty-five.

  “I need to talk to you.” He nervously glanced toward the door. “Is your partner here?”

  “No. I can call her if you’d like.”

  “I don’t have time.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Your services are no longer required. I’m terminating our contract effective immediately.”

  Johanna studied him. His suit was rumpled as though he’d slept in it and his motions were quick and jerky. He was the opposite of the man she’d seen on other occasions. “May I ask why?”

  He shrugged as he pushed a check across her desk to her. “This should more than cover your expenses.”

  “This check is not necessary,” she replied as her eyes widened in surprise at the amount written on it. “In fact, we probably owe you a refund of part of your deposit check. Let me total up your bill.”

  “Just keep it all. Consider this a bonus for your time and trouble.” He turned to leave.

  “May I ask why you are terminating our services?”

  His shoulders sagged. “Let the sheriff and his deputies find Cassandra’s murderer.”

  “I take it you’re no longer a suspect.”

  He exhaled loudly. “That’s correct.”

  “I thought you wanted her killer caught.”

  “I want that more than anything, but I’ve decided to just allow Sheriff Ryker to handle it.”

  “You’re sure, then.”

  He nodded.

  “I’ll send you an accounting of what we’ve done for your records.”

  “Don’t bother. After Cassandra’s funeral I’m leaving Charlestown.”

  Johanna’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re leaving? What about your business?”

  “I’m retiring. I’ve called a realtor and I’ve given the staff notice that the mansion is going up for sale.”

  “I was under the impression that the staff were told they could remain there for the rest of their lives.”

  “That was changed some time ago. Since Cassandra is deceased the mansion is mine to do with as I wish.”

  “You said Cassandra had written a new will which you couldn’t locate.”

  “My personal attorney has assured me that the will Cassandra and I made after our marriage is valid.”

  “What if her new will surfaces?”

  “I’m sure it only included something for Chelsea. Since her father excluded her from his will she wouldn’t stand a chance in court if, by chance, Cassandra deeded her the mansion. I would challenge her every step of the way.”

  “Where will the staff go?” Johanna felt sorry for Mary and Bryn. They’d dedicated their lives to taking care of the family through the years and now their lives were being cruelly changed.

  “I suppose most of them will go to nursing homes. Frankly I don’t care. It’s not my concern. Cassandra and her parents never could seem to separate the staff from family. It wasn’t natural how they treated them.”

  Johanna’s anger bubbled to the surface, but she kept herself under control. “I wish you well,” she said, but didn’t really mean it. She hoped he’d suffer some day, the way he was going to make them suffer.

  After he left she sat stunned and was still sitting idly when Frankie walked into the office. “All done,” she said as she removed her jacket. “Got the paperwork caught up?”

  Johanna handed her the check from Graham and filled her in on their brief conversation.

  Frankie slowly shook her head back and forth. “He’s running scared.”

  “I know, which is even more reason we need to tail him. What’s he so afraid of?”

  “That maybe we’re on to him. I know you don’t want to talk to George—”

  She sighed exasperated. “Frankie, we’ve discussed this over and over. I promised you we’ll talk to him after we follow Graham tonight.”

  “I can’t believe he’d just dissolve everything the Reynolds’ built up over the years.”

  “Maybe Martin Stedman can enlighten us about Cassandra’s new will.”

  * * * *

  Martin Stedman ushered them into his large comfortable office. “It’s nice to meet the both of you.” He extended his hand and shook both of theirs. “Please have a seat.”

  Johanna eyed him cautiously. She removed the large briefcase shoulder bag from her shoulder before sitting in one of the large chairs in front of his desk. Frankie settled herself in the other chair. He was lanky, tall, and average looking with dark brown hair, gray eyes and a long thin face. “You’ve been working for the Reynolds’ family for years from what we’ve been told.”

  “Actually, my father began handling Hyde’s legal accounts when I was a young boy. When he retired, I took over Hyde’s account as well as several others. I’d come into the firm right after I passed the bar. My father’s still actively available for consultations, but he’s now retired and living in Florida.”

  “As I told you on the phone, we’re private investigators. We were hired by Graham McHenry to follow Cassandra because he suspected her of having an affair.”

  Martin leaned back in his chair. “What did you find out?”

  “She wasn’t cheating,” Frankie answered slowly, making sure that she didn’t divulge too much information until she could feel him out.

  He swallowed hard. “I think time stood still for a moment when I received the call informing me of her death. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so shocking if she’d been ill or even in an accident. But there was nothing to cushion the blow, realizing that someone had brutally taken her life. Cassandra’s murder has shaken me to the core as I’m sure it has for anyone who knew her. She was a lovely woman.”

  “We’ve heard the same from everyone we’ve talked to,” Frankie said softly.

  His eyes narrowed. “It’s no secret that in the past few months there was bad blood between Graham and me. Graham’s father, the senior McHenry, was a reputable man. After his death, Graham took over and I assume Hyde thought Graham would continue in his father’s steps. My father never cared for Graham and for years, tried to persuade Hyde Reynolds to seek another firm to represent his interests, but Hyde wouldn’t hear of it. He’d done business with the McHenrys for years. Hyde was a man who didn’t like change. If he was comfortable with someone, unless you deceived him, you could be assured of his business for the rest of his life.”

  “You said there was bad blood between you and Graham?” Frankie shifted in her chair.

  “I could
n’t prove it, but I suspected him of skimming. When I mentioned it to Hyde several years ago, he just laughed. He was a trusting man, as I said, and would never believe that anyone whom he’d conducted business with for years would deceive him.”

  “Couldn’t you have just shown him the proof?” Frankie asked.

  “He told me to show him something concrete.” His eyes narrowed. “I was in the process of compiling the discrepancies when Cassandra’s parents were tragically killed. She was in no state to deal with business after that.”

  “Did you try to warn her about marrying Graham?”

  “It happened so quickly that no one had a chance. I was shocked and then, of course, I couldn’t say anything derogatory about him to her. She was enamored with the man. I sat back waiting for him to do something major which would prove me right.”

  “Did he?”

  “Nothing I could bring him to his knees with.”

  “What about the information you were going to give to Hyde before he was killed?”

  “I’m certain that he would have given Cassandra some type of logical reason for the missing funds.” He spread his hands out, palms up, for emphasis. “Cassandra hadn’t been involved in the business up to this point and to tell you the truth, until she could see for herself his true nature, I didn’t want to rock the boat and risk her terminating my legal services and taking on a new firm. Graham and I had no personal confrontations so as long as I handled things as I’d always done, he had no need to dismiss my firm. This was the only way I could keep my eye on him.”

  “I’m under the impression that Cassandra wrote a new will.”

  He nodded. “She did. She immersed herself in her father’s business, learning everything she could about the real estate empire he’d built. She personally met with the managers of each one of his developments and every month went over the records with a fine-tooth comb. Then she dove into Graham’s financial records and that’s when she found out for herself that many of the monthly checks from the property managers weren’t being recorded on Graham’s books. She didn’t confront him, but came to me for advice. The first thing I advised her to do was make out a new will which would terminate the one she and Graham had made out at the beginning of their marriage.”

  Johanna met his eyes. “Graham came to the office this morning and terminated his business with us and told me he’s going to sell the mansion. The staff will be put out on the street.”

  Martin chuckled. “That’s what he thinks. Cassandra finally came to her senses about him. She knew he was having an affair and it killed anything she’d felt for him. That’s why she immediately drew up a new will.”

  Johanna breathed a sigh of relief. “So they’re protected.”

  He leaned forward. “Since we’re on the same side, I’ll share this with you. Cassandra left the mansion to the staff. Not only that, she’s provided for their care and made provisions for every aspect of their lives for as long as they live. I know I can trust you, that what I’ve said goes no further than this office.”

  “Of course,” Johanna assured him.

  “That’s very generous of Cassandra,” Frankie said. “But what if Graham had decided to stay there?”

  “Oh, he could do that if he chooses to, but the staff will still be provided for and none of them will be dismissed. The mansion is deeded to them upon Cassandra’s death.”

  “And Graham isn’t aware of this?” Frankie asked.

  “No. Unless Cassandra told him and I know for a fact she didn’t.”

  “He’s selling his business and leaving Charlestown,” Johanna informed Martin.

  “I’ve heard that through the grapevine.” He chuckled again. “He’s running scared. I’ve got the proof I need to charge him with stealing money from the business. I was out of the country tracking down the leads.” He sat forward, folded his hand and placed them on top of his large uncluttered desk. “Cassandra came to me to draw up the will and brought records Graham had given her about her family’s investments over the years. She wasn’t stupid, just trusting as her father had been. She was devastated, and informed me that after I’d gotten the information to confront him, she would take the next step and file for divorce. He’d not only stolen from the business, but had violated their marriage vows, which Cassandra took very seriously. She was deep down an old-fashioned girl.” His eyes misted. “Everyone who met her loved her. My wife is devastated by her death, as are my children. Cassandra was a frequent visitor to my home through the years.”

  “Do you think he killed Cassandra?” Frankie abruptly asked.

  “As much as I dislike the man, no, I don’t think he’d murder her. But I wouldn’t put it past him to hire someone to do the deed for him.”

  “Which brings us back to square one,” Johanna said. “He originally wanted us to tail Cassandra since he said he believed she was having an affair, then wanted us to find her killer. Now he fires us.”

  “I think he wanted to find out what she was up to where he was concerned. You must be close or he wouldn’t be running. I’m going to the DA first thing in the morning with my information. The last thing I can do is to let him leave the country.” He peered at them. “Maybe he’s afraid you’re close to finding Cassandra’s murderer and if that happens, the killer will point the finger at him.”

  Johanna and Frankie exchanged a quick glance. Frankie knew they were on the same page about Martin Stedman. Hopefully he would give them a new lead to pursue. They had both earlier agreed that no matter what Graham said, they intended to give him his money’s worth. The case wouldn’t be closed until they had definite closure. They’d see it through to the end.

  Martin placed a finger to his temple deep in thought. “If Chelsea is back in town I wouldn’t put anything past her. But murder is something I don’t know if even she would be capable of.”

  “How well did you personally know Chelsea Reynolds?” Frankie asked. She saw the look of disgust that instantly appeared on his face.

  “To be honest, it was the best thing in the world when Hyde kicked her out.”

  “You obviously know about the sexual allegations made by Chelsea against her father?”

  He peered evenly at Frankie. “Yes. There wasn’t one bit of truth in it. I couldn’t believe she’d accuse her father of such a heinous crime, but then, if you knew Chelsea, you’d know a woman who possessed a block of ice where her heart should be.”

  “That’s the impression I got from some of the staff,” Johanna said. “And still you don’t think she might have played a part in Cassandra’s murder?”

  “No. Chelsea was devious and underhanded, but I don’t think she’d murder her sister.”

  “How did Hyde handle Chelsea’s claim of sexual abuse?” Frankie asked.

  “He was prepared to take a lie detector test and do whatever else was necessary. But Chelsea never pursued her claim and eventually the talk died down, but not before taking a toll on Hyde. There were still those in his social circle who wondered if something had happened.” His lips drew taut. “But those who knew him well and had met Chelsea had no doubt that he was innocent. Chelsea and Cassandra were identical twins and the only way they could be distinguished was by their eye color. I haven’t seen Chelsea in years so I have no idea how she is aging today.”

  Johanna looked at Frankie who quickly nodded. “We’ve seen Chelsea.” Johanna watched his expression.

  “You what!” he exclaimed. “Here in Charlestown?”

  “We need your help,” Johanna said as she reached inside her briefcase and pulled out the photos she’d snapped and enlarged. “This is the woman we followed the night Cassandra McHenry was shot to death. We thought we were following Cassandra, since the woman we were following was driving Cassandra’s Porsche. We followed her to the motel, then the gym and finally back to the mansion. There’s no way she could have driven back to The Overlook Motel according to the time the coroner listed as Cassandra’s death.”

  He studied the photos for a f
ew minutes. “I can’t believe it! These are of Chelsea all right.” He passed a hand over his chin. “Have you informed Sheriff Ryker?”

  “We’ve talked to him about the time frame when we believed we were following Cassandra, but that was before Johanna enlarged the pics and we discovered we weren’t following Cassandra after all. He believes we were wrong about the time. We haven’t brought him up to date on our new findings.”

  His eyes narrowed as he studied them. “Why not? Wouldn’t this be a crucial piece of information if Chelsea was driving the car at the time her sister was being murdered?”

  Frankie kept her voice even while inside she seethed. Was he insinuating that they were hampering the investigation by withholding information? Maybe they’d been too quick to trust him. “What are you implying?” she asked coldly.

  Johanna glanced at her and jumped in before Martin could reply. “As long as we’re not hampering the investigation, we decided to wait until we get something concrete on Graham or Chelsea.”

  Frankie nodded. “We’re tailing Graham tonight hoping he’ll lead us to Chelsea. No matter what happens tonight, we’ve already decided to fill George in tomorrow on our findings.”

  “Maybe the sheriff has a lead of his own,” Martin said.

  “If he does, of course, he’d never tell us.” Frankie frowned. “He’s a good guy, but he probably thinks we’d go off on our own and ruin whatever lead he has. I don’t blame him for that. He has to follow different rules than Johanna and I do.”

  Martin smiled broadly. “I’m sorry if I came across as a little brusque. I, also, have to be careful about whom I trust. The Reynolds’ have always been like family to my late parents and me. Even though I’m more than a decade older than Cassandra and Chelsea, I have fond memories of visiting the mansion and doing some legal work when I interned for my father’s law firm.” He paused. “Chelsea was a flirt with anyone in pants, no matter what his age. She had a wild streak and thought her looks could get her whomever she wanted. She put the moves on me once and it was the last time. You should have seen the look on her face when I rebuffed her.” He chuckled. “Thank God my wife knew what she was like and accompanied me for several social functions at the mansion.” He buzzed his assistant. “Jerry, would you bring in a pot of coffee…and reschedule the rest of my afternoon appointments.”