Unfortunate Demise (A Seagrove Cozy Mystery Book 7)

by Leona Fox

  She skirted the area where Curtis had lain, and let the lawyer in. They exchanged greetings and introduced themselves.

  Ellie was a tall woman, as tall as Zack, Sadie thought, and built like a warrior, broad and strong. Sadie smiled. If you needed a lawyer it couldn’t hurt to have one who looked like she could swing a sword. Sadie turned to start back up the stairs but Ellie put a hand on her shoulder.

  “Have you said anything?” Ellie asked.

  “Not a word,” Sadie said. “To Oxford’s frustration.”

  “Oxford Ludlow?” Ellie asked. “He’s got this case?”

  “Yes, it’s Oxford. He was here before when there was some question of Zack’s, I mean Chief Woodstone’s, impartiality.”

  “I understand the chief is your fiancé?” she said, her eyebrows rising.

  “Yes, he is. But I didn’t murder Curtis. And if I did, he’d arrest me. He’d hate it, he’d be very disappointed in me, but he’d do his job.” Sadie led Ellie to the stairs and gestured.

  “After you.”

  The minute they emerged from the stairwell Oxford looked at Zack and said, “Right. You can go now.”

  “Just a minute,” Ellie said. “I’d like to ask a few questions. Don’t get up Chief Woodstone.”

  Zack settled back and Sadie noticed his face was deliberately neutral. However, being as close as she was, she could see the corner of his mouth twitch and the twinkle in his eye. He was enjoying Oxford getting his own back.

  “The victim was found downstairs?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he nodded.

  “Why isn’t the crime scene taped off? Is there no more evidence to be gleaned?” She kept her tone neutral as well.

  Sadie thought she was getting facts without antagonizing a potential ally. Smart woman. She was happy with Mr. Catamount for finding her. She must remember to send a thank you note and describe the scene for him.

  “Sadie’s shop clearly was not the crime scene,” Zack said.

  “The body was dumped there. There was no blood, no sign of a struggle, no murder weapon. The crime scene investigators took photos of what we believe are skid marks from the victim’s heels being dragged along the sidewalk and over the threshold. Other than that, there was no evidence. Our team scoured the floor and shelves around the body, but there was nothing. We believe the body was dragged in--probably using Curtis’ own key to get in the door--and dumped. If there is any evidence, it will be on the body and that can be processed at the morgue.”

  Oxford cleared his voice. “These are questions you should be asking me, as the lead investigator on this case.” He was trying to sound authoritative, but it was almost a whine.

  “Were you present when the body was found?” Ellie asked.

  “No, but neither was he,” he said, jabbing his finger at Zack.

  “Were you with the first responders?” Ellie asked.

  “No, but I know the details.” Oxford was outwardly sulking now.

  “But you weren’t there, and Chief Woodstone was. I much prefer a firsthand account.” She turned back to Zack.

  “Is there anything else you can tell me at this time that might help me to clear Sadie and put this investigation on track?”

  Oxford was opening and closing his mouth, like a giant goldfish. Sadie put her hand over her mouth so he would not see her laughing at him.

  “Only this,” Zack pulled the envelope containing the photos from inside his jacket pocket and handed it to her.

  “These are photos of items found on the victim. One is a sorority key like the one Sadie owns, the other is a picture of her wearing it. Both items are in evidence at the station. I believe whoever killed Curtis was hoping to frame Sadie for the crime.”

  Ellie looked at the items and handed them to Oxford, who was frowning.

  “Why wasn’t I shown these?” he asked, fairly vibrating with anger.

  “I offered to show you the evidence before we came here but, if you remember, you felt it was more important at the time to question Sadie than to examine the evidence.” Zack clearly was disapproving of Oxford’s methods.

  “Can I see your necklace,” Ellie asked Sadie.

  “Sure. It’s in here.”

  She led Ellie into her room and showed her where the sorority necklace was lying in its box. Ellie nodded, took a small camera from her pocket and snapped a picture.

  “You don’t mind?” she asked belatedly.

  “No, it’s fine,” Sadie said, “especially if it will keep me out of jail.” They went back to the living room where the men were glaring at each other.

  “Can he leave now?” Oxford asked. “I’d like to get on with my investigation.”

  “Certainly,” Ellie said.

  “I’m sure Chief Woodstone has more important things to do than listen to you interrogate an innocent woman.” Oxford looked like he could spit.

  “In fact, I do,” Zack said.

  “Sadie you seem to be in very competent hands, I’ll be by later.” He kissed her and left, and Sadie could tell he was trying not to laugh out loud.

  “Now, Mr. Ludlow,” Ellie said, “what questions do you have for my client?”

  Sadie could see from the look on his face that Oxford wished he’d questioned her in front of Zack.

  Chapter Three

  Oxford spent thirty minutes asking Sadie about her movements on the day of the murder and what her relationship with Curtis was like. Whenever he tried insinuating that she had reason to murder Curtis, Ellie stepped in and advised Sadie not to say a word.

  “He’s trying to make you say something imprudent,” Ellie said, “to show you have a hair-trigger temper or some other nonsense. I know you want to defend yourself, but it’s best just to ignore him.”

  So Sadie took the advice and shut her mouth whenever she felt like giving Oxford Ludlow a piece of her mind.

  “I thought he was my friend,” Sadie said to Ellie after Oxford finally left.

  “We solved a murder together.”

  “In which case, he should have excused himself,” Ellie said.

  “I’ll speak to the attorney general about it. I’m going now,” she looked at her watch and grimaced, “but do not talk to anyone about this case unless I’m present. Call me anytime.” She handed Sadie her card.

  “I’m sorry about Curtis, it’s clear you were fond of him.”

  Tears started in Sadie’s eyes and she wiped them away. She found she couldn’t speak so she nodded and let Ellie out.

  Ellie turned before she left. “Do you have a friend who can stay with you?” she asked. “You really should have some company.”

  “I have Mr. Bradshaw,” Sadie nodded to the terrier asleep on the arm of the couch.

  “And a couple of friends who I know will keep me company.

  “Good,” Ellie said. “Remember, no talking unless I’m there.”

  “Okay,” Sadie said and hoped she didn’t mean no talking to Lucy and Betty because she meant to tell them the entire story.

  Lucy and Betty came right over. Lucy looked her regular self, but poor Betty had been crying and her eyes were puffy. Sadie put her arm around her.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I should have come to see that you were alright.”

  “Oh, you know me,” Betty said.

  “Waterworks at the best of times. Let’s find the bastard who did this to Curtis and put him away.” Lucy looked at Betty, shocked. Betty never swore.

  “Let’s go up to the college,” Sadie said. “I bet they know something.”

  The women piled into Sadie’s car with Mr. Bradshaw sitting on Lucy’s lap in the front seat and they drove to the college admissions office. Before long they were sitting in the Dean of Admissions’ office being served coffee in fancy china. Mr. B was sitting politely next to Sadie like the gentleman dog that he was.

  “What can I do for you, ladies?” the dean asked. She was a distinguished looking woman of about sixty with a welcoming voice and an intelligent sparkle in her
eye.

  “We’ve come about Curtis Beaudry,” Sadie said.

  “Oh Curtis, a delightful boy,” the dean said, “what about him?”

  Sadie’s face fell. “You haven’t heard? Oh no, I’m not sure I should be the one to tell you.”

  Betty burst into tears. “He’s dead,” she wailed. “Found in Sadie’s shop yesterday morning.”

  “Oh no.”

  The dean looked shocked and grief-stricken, but she got up and brought a box of tissues to Betty. She laid a hand on Betty’s shoulder.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  Betty sobbed out the story while Sadie and Lucy looked on. Sadie didn’t know what to feel. Certainly she thought the college would have heard by now. This is what happens when they take Zack off the case, she thought. Everything is backward.

  “The thing is,” Sadie said when most of the story had been told and Betty’s tears had abated, “there must be someone who hated him very much, but we don’t know why. He was one of the best summer assistants I ever had. I can’t imagine why he would be killed.”

  The dean looked thoughtful. “There was that cheating scandal,” she said.

  “He was accused, but we found no evidence he was involved. There was an extensive investigation and I think a young woman who felt rejected made up the whole thing. At least, she’s still under investigation for cheating, but Curtis was cleared. And truthfully, I never believed he was involved. There just was never any reason that he should be.”

  “Who is the student still under investigation?” Lucy asked.

  “I wouldn’t tell you, except it’s public knowledge now anyway. The college newsletter got hold of it and published the details. I have no idea how it leaked. We’re investigating that now, too.” She sighed.

  “The girl you are looking for is Lilly Hamlin. She’s still living in her sorority house although she’s been suspended pending the results of the investigation.”

  They thanked the dean and went out, Betty still sniffling into a tissue. “I’m sorry,” she said soggily, “I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that. I’m so stupid.”

  “It worked out fine,” Lucy said. “And anyway, they should know already. I don’t know what’s wrong with that Oxford Ludlow.”

  They drove to the sorority house where they were shown into an expensively furnished living room until Lilly Hamlin joined them. She was blonde and would have been pretty if she’d have been smiling, but the scowl on her face made her look like a spoiled child.

  “We understand you know Curtis Beaudry,” Sadie said, neglecting to phrase it in the past tense. If this woman didn’t know he was dead, she wasn’t going to be the one to tell her. And if she did know, then likely she knew who did it.

  “Curtis Beaudry,” Lilly said, practically spitting out his name.

  “That cheating coward! He got off scot free while I’m still under investigation. He’s all Mr. Innocent but he threw me right under the bus; told them I was a habitual cheater. I will get him back for that.”

  “How did the cheating work?” Lucy asked. “Did he write answers on his skin or something?”

  “No. He didn’t need help. He has an eidetic memory or something like that. Mr. Smarty Pants.” She rolled her eyes.

  “He would sell us the answers to the tests. He remembers everything, so he’d write down the tests and the correct answers and sell them to students who were having trouble.”

  “I have a hard time believing Curtis would cheat like that,” Sadie said. “It doesn’t seem like him at all.”

  “Go ask Jane,” she said spitefully.

  “She knows a girl who couldn’t afford to pay Curtis, so she gave him her sorority key. When she tried buying it back from him, he upped the price. She still hasn’t got it back, and her parents bought it for her. She’s scared what they’ll do when they find out she hasn’t got it anymore.”

  “So you paid Curtis and he handed you the information?” Sadie asked.

  “Well, not directly,” Lilly looked a little confused.

  “Jane took the money and handed out the tests. She was the middleman. But I know for a fact it was Curtis Beaudry that got them for us. No one else is smart enough. Wait until I get my hands on him.” She stood up her fists balled.

  “I’m afraid it’s too late for that,” Sadie said.

  “What do you mean?” Lilly asked.

  “Curtis is dead. He was found murdered yesterday morning.” Sadie watched Lilly carefully for her reaction.

  The young woman turned white and sat down hard in her chair. “He’s dead?” she said with a faint voice.

  Then she seemed to realize the implication and her face flushed red. “It wasn’t me. I swear it wasn’t me. I’m mad because he got off free, but I wouldn’t kill anyone. Really, I wouldn’t.”

  “Then who would?” Lucy asked.

  “I don’t know,” Lilly said. “I really don’t. But you know, whoever did it probably thinks he deserved it. Mr. I-don’t-cheat Beaudry.”

  “Do you think he deserved it?” Betty asked. “Being found innocent of cheating is punishable by death?”

  “He ruined our lives,” Lilly said. “Yes. His life should be ruined, too.”

  She saw the look on their faces and backpedaled. “But not by death. I would never kill him.”

  “Well thank you for talking with us today, Lilly. Could you write your name and number down for me on this card, in case I may have any questions later?” Sadie asked. “You’ve already been so helpful.”

  “Sure, no problem,” Lilly said, trying to regain her composure.

  Sadie almost felt bad, leaving the girl protesting her innocence. She might not have committed the murder, but she certainly was a cheat. Sadie had no tolerance for cheats.

  “How do we find Jane?” Lucy asked when they were back in the car.

  “I don’t know how to find Jane, but the girl who ‘lost’ her necklace is easy,” Sadie said.

  “Why is that?” Betty asked.

  “Because, the necklace was found on Curtis’s body. It’s the same sorority key I have.”

  Sadie was grim. If it was true, that Curtis took that key and wouldn’t sell it back, then he wasn’t the person she thought he was. She was prepared to be very disappointed in her own judgment if the story turned out to be true.

  The door to the sorority house was opened by a middle-aged woman dressed in a smart skirt and twin set sweater. Her expertly plucked eyebrows rose when she saw the women on the porch until Sadie did an elaborate hand movement that only a sorority sister would recognize.

  “Come in,” the woman said, and led them into a sitting room similar to the one in Lilly’s house. A tad higher class, Sadie thought, but not much.

  “I’m Mrs. Simpson, what can I do for you ladies?” she asked.

  “This is Lucy Shylock,” Sadie swooped her hand towards Lucy and then toward Betty, “And this is Betty Versa. We think one of your girls may have lost her key. The police have it at the moment and I don’t think they know where to find the owner. But of course, I do.”

  Mrs. Simpson looked puzzled. “And why not just tell the police where to bring it?” she asked.

  “Because it was found on the body of a dead college boy, and my first thought was to protect my sorority sister,” Sadie said.

  “Oh, my.” Mrs. Simpson looked shocked.

  “Yes, I can see how that could cause a scandal. I haven’t heard that any of my girls is missing their key, but I will look into it. Can I call you?”

  Sadie handed Mrs. Simpson her card. “Yes, please do, as soon as possible. I don’t think it can be long before the police show up.” That, at least, was true.

  “Has anything unusual happened lately?” Lucy asked.

  Mrs. Simpson thought a moment. “One of the girls moved home without notice,” she said.

  “That does happen every once in a while, but usually they talk to me ahead of time. But this girl was different, I came home one afternoon and her room was empty. N
one of the girls had seen her leave or say goodbye.”

  “That does sound unusual,” Sadie said, “has she contacted you since then?”

  “Not a word,” Mrs. Simpson said. “And I really liked that girl, thought we had a connection. Guess I was wrong.”

  Sadie thanked Mrs. Simpson and got up to leave with Betty and Lucy. As they were about to step out the front door, a sorority sister came in. She ducked her head when she saw them.