Murder in the Air

by Marilyn Levinson

  “She dotes on him.”

  “And spoiled him rotten in the process. But at least he’s now gainfully employed instead of—”

  Lydia never was to hear the rest of the sentence because Evelyn had fallen asleep.

  She stirred awake as Lydia drove up to the pharmacist’s window. Embarrassed, Evelyn said, “Sorry, I must have dozed off.”

  “Who wouldn’t, after all you’ve been through?” Lydia handed Evelyn’s prescription to the woman and was told it would be ready in an hour.

  “That’s taken care of.” Lydia put the car into gear and headed for Twin Lakes. “Why don’t we stop by your house and pack some clothes and things you’d like to have while you visit?”

  Evelyn’s eyes filled with anxiety. “Only if you come inside with me.”

  “Of course I will. Afterward, I’ll make you a cup of soup for lunch, then you can take a nice nap in my guest room.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Evelyn yawned.

  Lydia approached Evelyn’s house, her heart thumping at the sight of an oversized SUV smack in the middle of the two-car driveway. Her fear turned to annoyance when she realized she couldn’t let Evelyn out close to the front door as she’d planned. Instead, she pulled in behind the mammoth vehicle and killed the motor.

  “That’s Arnold’s SUV,” Evelyn croaked. “Why is he here?”

  “I’ll go inside and find out. Evelyn, dear, hand me your door key. It’s in your pocketbook.”

  Lydia unlocked the front door and followed the trail of lights, through the living room and dining room to the den. Arnold had his back to her as he tried his best to yank open a jammed desk drawer.

  “And what do you think you’re doing?”

  Arnold spun around, his hand over his heart. “My God, Lydia! You nearly scared me to death.”

  “I repeat, what do you think you’re doing?”

  “Looking for some papers.” He pointed to the desk drawer. “I know Dad kept them there, but the drawer seems to be stuck.”

  “Or locked. You’re trespassing, Arnold. You’d better leave.”

  Arnold’s face turned red. “Now see here, this is my father’s home. I have a key. How do you think I got in? I knocked and knocked, and when I realized Evelyn wasn’t home, I unlocked the door. Nothing sneaky about that.”

  “It’s Evelyn’s home now. She’s in my car and was very distressed to find you here.”

  “Then ask her for the key to the desk so I can get what’s mine. I’m talking about stocks my father bought and put in both our names. Regardless of anything, that money comes to me.”

  “If I find anything that’s yours, I’ll put it in the mail. Now get out of my house!”

  Lydia and Arnold turned to Evelyn, leaning against the wall for support. Lydia gasped and ran to her.

  “Evelyn, you should have waited for me! You might have fallen.”

  “I want him to leave.”

  Arnold’s mouth fell open as he took in Evelyn’s bandaged head. “My God, what happened to you?”

  Lydia helped Evelyn to the living room and sat her down on a chair. “Rest here while I move my car so Arnold can back out and disappear.”

  “Thanks, dear, for getting rid of him.”

  Lydia patted her hand. “My pleasure,” she said softly and was rewarded with a faint smile.

  “What happened to her?” Arnold asked Lydia once they were outside.

  “Someone struck her head while she was sleeping and left her to die. I’m sure the police will come to question you about it.”

  His eyes bulged out behind his glasses. “You can’t imagine I had anything to do with it! I haven’t seen Evelyn since Dad’s funeral.”

  “Tell that to the police.” She held out her cupped palm.

  “What?”

  “Your key to this house, please. You’ve no right to it any longer.”

  Arnold opened his mouth as though to remonstrate, then thought better of it. He fished in his pocket for the key and placed it in Lydia’s outstretched palm.

  “Here! Please see to it that Evelyn sends along those stocks. They’re mine, now that Dad’s gone.”

  “Evelyn will do what’s right, which is more than I can say about your behavior.”

  Lydia got into her car and slammed the door on Arnold’s indignant protests. It felt good to help Evelyn throw him out, after the way he’d treated her at Daniel’s funeral. She backed out of the driveway and waited until Arnold drove away before pulling up as close to the front door as possible. She’d ask Barbara to pick up the medicine, she decided as she walked back inside the house. That way she wouldn’t have to leave Evelyn alone.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lydia settled Evelyn into her guest bedroom, where she fell asleep immediately. Barbara was more than happy to get Evelyn’s medicine, along with the few items Lydia needed.

  “Thanks. I can’t let her wake up in an empty house,” Lydia explained. “She’s very frightened.”

  “Of course she is,” Barbara agreed. “This on top of Daniel’s death.”

  “Which I’m back to considering a homicide.”

  As Evelyn slept, Lydia occupied herself with domestic chores, her mind chugging ahead like a locomotive, trying to figure out who wanted both Daniel and Evelyn dead.

  If Daniel’s old friends hadn’t killed him, as Lydia now believed was the case, the murderer had to be someone in his family. Arnold and Denise had serious issues with their father. But would they actually kill for an inheritance? What inheritance? Lydia suddenly wondered, since Daniel had changed his will before his death. But perhaps the murderer hadn’t known this. At any rate, how had he or she managed to poison Daniel and make it look like a heart attack?

  Lydia grimaced as it occurred to her that Evelyn had the best opportunity to kill Daniel. Ridiculous! Evelyn adored Daniel. She had nothing to gain from his death but millions of dollars, which she didn’t need.

  She had been devastated at the funeral! And she certainly hadn’t caused her own injuries. On the other hand, Arnold and Denise needed money, which they’d have if Evelyn died.

  Lydia sighed with frustration. She was going around in circles and getting nowhere. Determined to put the matter to rest, she concentrated on preparing a cheese omelet for her dinner, which she ate as she watched the six o’clock news.

  Her thoughts strayed to work, and she wondered how Jessica had managed without her, and hoped that Len was considering getting more help. He was a workplace bully toward Jessica and everyone beneath him, and needed to be taken down a peg or two. But, to be fair, he was being taxed beyond his capabilities. Because of the expensive Carrington Suites about to be built, the board was trying to keep expenses as low as possible—despite the fact that Carrington House was hosting more parties than ever. Not replacing the office workers might have been a directive from above.

  Did she want to become a frazzled manager, too—come home exhausted, often frustrated, after solving problems all day? She didn’t need to prove she could do it. She’d achieved her working success when she took on Izzy’s family’s business and turned it into a thriving enterprise. Besides, she enjoyed her present part-time job of showing prospective customers around the mansion, explaining the various packages available and writing up contracts as well as doing the bookkeeping. She had nothing to prove but she thrived on challenge, and managing the hotel would keep her on her toes.

  Evelyn finally awoke shortly after seven o’clock. Though she insisted she was fine, Lydia noted she wasn’t steady on her feet and escorted her to the bathroom. Then Lydia sat her down at the kitchen table to eat chicken soup and toast, and gave her her medicine. Five minutes later, Evelyn was back in bed, fast asleep.

  The following morning, Lydia tiptoed into the guest bedroom. She was surprised to find Evelyn dressed in slacks and a blouse.

  “Evelyn, why are you up? You should stay in bed and rest.”

  The grin she flashed was almost up to par. “I feel much stronger. I’m going home to take
care of things.”

  “But—”

  “I need to see what’s been stolen, call a locksmith to change the locks and the security company to upgrade my security system. I’ll be damned if I’m driven from my home!”

  Lydia swallowed the argument she was about to make. Instead, she offered a few suggestions she hoped Evelyn would follow.

  “At least stay for breakfast. Then, if you like, I’ll go home with you.”

  Evelyn gave her a bittersweet smile. “Lydia, dear, I can’t impose on you a moment longer. I certainly don’t want you to miss any more work on my account.”

  “I told them I wasn’t coming in today. We have your doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

  Evelyn patted Lydia’s arm. “What would I do without you?”

  After breakfast they walked to Evelyn’s house and she made some calls. A locksmith would be there no later than noon. The alarm company was sending over a technician to add to her security system first thing Saturday morning.

  “Now for the hard part,” Evelyn said as she headed for her bedroom.

  Lydia remained in the den, flipping through the newspaper without noticing the headlines. She hoped Evelyn’s ordeal wouldn’t prove too stressful. After all the poor woman had had to endure, the loss of her cherished possessions might send her over the edge.

  Some minutes later Evelyn sank onto the couch beside her. “Not too bad. Three hideous antique pins an aunt gave me are gone. They’re worth quite a bit, but Gayle didn’t want them and I don’t wear them.” She grimaced. “Still, I should have sold them instead of letting that animal—”

  She covered her face with her hands. Lydia put an arm around her. Evelyn fought to regain her composure and continued.

  “He also took a ring, a bracelet, and two brass figurines my parents gave my husband and me for our third anniversary. I’ll notify the police and my insurance company.”

  Lydia knew she was being dismissed. “I’ll pick you up at three for your appointment. Call if you need anything before then.”

  “I have to regain control of my life.” Evelyn took Lydia’s hand as though she were comforting her. “I’m sure you understand.”

  “Of course I do, but I hope you’ll continue to spend the nights at my house until you leave for Atlanta.”

  “I’ll feel safer if I do,” Evelyn admitted.

  The phone was ringing as Lydia arrived home. It was Sol looking for Evelyn.

  “She’s gone back to her place,” Lydia explained. “As we speak, she’s writing up a list of what her assailant stole.”

  Sol laughed. “That’s one feisty woman. I’ll call her there, see if she’s up to answering some questions. Also, I noticed the computer in the den. I’d like to have our tech expert check it out.”

  Lydia’s pulse quickened at the mention of Daniel’s computer. “Do you think there’s a connection between the attack on Evelyn and Daniel’s death?”

  “You mean do I think he was murdered? I don’t know. I’ll speak to his three children, find out how they feel about the body being exhumed.”

  “Speaking of which, when I brought Evelyn home yesterday, we found Daniel’s son in her house. He was rummaging through drawers searching for stocks he claims his father had in trust for him and kept in the desk. We threw him out.”

  “Good girl. How did he gain entrance?”

  “He had a key, which I took from him. That’s one of the reasons Evelyn’s changing the locks.”

  “Quite a few people had access to that house. I intend to talk to every one of them.” Sol paused. When he spoke again, his voice took on a deeper, more intimate timbre. “And how are you feeling these days, Ms. Krause?”

  “I feel wonderful, lieutenant, though I’m concerned about Evelyn. I’ve convinced her to stay over the next few nights.”

  “Have you?” He pretended to groan. “That puts a crimp in our activities.”

  “She’s flying to Atlanta just as soon as the doctor gives his okay.”

  “In that case, I look forward to next week.”

  “I’m looking forward to tonight,” Lydia said.

  Sol laughed. “Me, too. Shall I pick you up around seven?”

  “Seven’s fine,” Lydia said, and hung up, as giddy as a teenager looking forward to her first date.

  Evelyn’s doctor had her take a CT scan, and then gave her the good news. Her head wound was healing, there was no sign of swelling, and she could fly to Atlanta on Sunday.

  Evelyn joined Lydia in the waiting room, a perplexed expression on her face.

  “He says I can fly to Gayle and Roger’s on Sunday.”

  Lydia laughed. “Aren’t you glad?”

  Evelyn waited until they got into the car to explain. “I’m delighted I’m on the mend.” She took a deep breath, then continued. “The fact is, now I don’t want to leave. When I came to after being half dead, I was terrified and couldn’t wait to get away. But I have to get used to living alone.”

  “And you will, but it will do you a world of good to get away for a week or two. And, hopefully, by the time you’re back, your assailant will be behind bars.”

  Evelyn’s eyes glittered with anger. “My assailant and Daniel’s. Your friend, Sol, is taking Polly’s claim that he was murdered very seriously.”

  “Polly wants Daniel’s body to be exhumed for a postmortem, but Arnold and Denise are against it.”

  Evelyn made a sound of disparagement. “They would be, if they killed him. Frankly, I wouldn’t put it past Arnold or Denise. Each inherits over seven million dollars when I’m gone.”

  “That’s a lot of money,” Lydia agreed, turning the ignition.

  “They’re both desperate for it, always have been. Which is why Daniel set up his will this way.” Evelyn sighed. “I told him not to do it, that I was fine with what my husband left me, but he insisted. And now he’s gone.”

  She wept quietly. Lydia wrapped her arms around her. She felt fragile, her bones as brittle as a bird’s.

  “Sol and his men will find out what happened. Meanwhile, build up your strength at Gayle’s. You’ll return to Twin Lakes in a better frame of mind.”

  Evelyn nodded. “You’re right, of course. I’m too worn out to do otherwise.” She smiled sweetly. “And it will be heaven, spending time with my grandchildren. I miss the little ones so.”

  *

  Lydia dropped Evelyn off at her own house and got ready for her date with Sol. “Friday night’s a fun night,” Sol called to say, “so dress casually. I’m wearing jeans.”

  He looked sexier than ever in his worn jeans, boots, and Ralph Lauren polo. She must have looked fine in her jeans, too, because his eyes lit up when she opened the front door.

  “Good evening to you, Ms. Krause.” He swept her up in his arms and kissed her deeply.

  “Ah,” Lydia sighed when she could speak. “And hello to you, too. But don’t do that again or we’ll never leave.”

  “Oh, we’re leaving, all right. We’ve places to go.”

  They drove to a restaurant facing a marina. Though it was too cold to eat outdoors, Lydia gazed out at the water, imagining how it would be in the summer.

  “We’ll come back on a hot summer’s eve and watch the sun go down,” he said, as though reading her thoughts.

  She sipped an apple martini then ate most of her salad, coconut shrimp, and sweet potato fries. Though she felt filled to the gills, she gave in to Sol’s coaxing and agreed to share a chocolate lover’s dessert. Two bites was all she could manage. She set down her fork and watched him devour the rest of the cake.

  “Hey, this is real whipped cream,” he crowed, offering up a dollop. “You have to taste it.”

  She shook her head no, but he insisted.

  “Delicious. Now you finish the rest.”

  “Oh, I will,” he promised, and polished off the rest of the rich dessert in no time. They drove slowly back to Lydia’s home, hands entwined in comfortable silence.

  At a red light, he turned to say
, “Do you realize you haven’t asked me one question about the case all evening?”

  “I thought I’d give you a break.”

  “Much appreciated and worthy of a reward. I’ve contacted Daniel Korman’s three children. They’ve all agreed that, in view of his sudden death and the attack on Mrs. Hammond, an autopsy is in order. It’s scheduled for Wednesday.”

  Lydia nodded. “I’m glad.”

  “Do I take it you’re back to thinking Mr. Korman was murdered?” A probing undercurrent had crept into his voice.

  Now was the time to tell him about Ron and Mick Diminio, only she couldn’t. She felt a pang of guilt for having to dissemble. “After what happened to Evelyn, I certainly do. Before, I thought I was letting Polly’s fears along with my sense of the dramatic convince me someone had murdered Daniel.”

  “Though you also knew something was troubling him.”

  Lydia gave a little laugh that sounded false to her ears. “He was troubled, yes, but that doesn’t mean someone wanted to kill him.”

  The light changed and Sol accelerated. His hand slid from Lydia’s and went to the steering wheel. Damn! He sensed she was hiding something and was annoyed that she wouldn’t say what it was.

  Still, when they reached her driveway, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. He drew back to study her face. “That will have to do for now.”

  She nodded. “The house is ablaze with light, which means Evelyn’s here.”

  They entered the kitchen through the garage. Evelyn called out to them. “Lydia, is that you?”

  “Yes, I’m home. Lieutenant Molina is with me.”

  “I wanted to make sure it was you. I’ll be in my room. Just pretend I’m not here.”

  Lydia burst out laughing. All this tiptoeing around her relationship with Sol made her feel she was back in high school. “Don’t be silly. Come out and say hello.”

  “Well, if you insist.”

  Evelyn emerged from her room, dressed in black trousers and a silk V-necked turquoise sweater. She bussed Lydia’s cheek and smiled at Sol. “Lieutenant Molina. Enjoy your dinner?”

  “Mmm, it was terrific.”

  Lydia led them into the living room and remained standing, while Sol and Evelyn sat on the sofas facing one another. “Would anyone like something to drink?” She had the bizarre sensation she was following a script in a play.