Buried Under Clutter (Tina Tales Mysteries Book 2)

by Jan Christensen

  Footsteps sounded on the hallway floor, along with the clicking of toenails. Uncle Bob and Princess entered the living room. “Princess demanded I come downstairs. What’s going on?”

  “We’re not sure,” Laura said. “The police want to know about my trip to Quincy. Of course, they didn’t tell me Rebecca had been attacked before they began questioning me. Fortunately, Tina told me, and now Brandon is on his way.”

  Uncle Bob sat down in his usual chair, Princess at his feet. He glared at Lizbeth. “Rather sneaky, weren’t you?”

  “Actually, I’m surprised Mrs. Shaw didn’t already know about the attack. She’s been home awhile, and neither of you told her?”

  We had other things to talk about, Tina almost blurted out. How could it happen that a woman she hardly knew was murdered, and the fact was entangling her family in what looked like a big mess? She noticed that John sat over in the corner, taking notes the whole time. A feeling of dread ran through her, and she hugged herself.

  Everyone stayed silent until the front doorbell rang. The light on a side table flashed. Princess jumped up and placed her chin on Uncle Bob’s thigh. Laura and Tina both rose to go answer it.

  There was a moment of awkwardness when Brandon entered the foyer. They hadn’t seen him in about two months, and the breakup had been difficult, more for him, Tina thought, than for her. She had Hank now, after all. As a matter of fact, she wished Hank were here.

  Brandon nodded at Tina and gave Laura a quick hug. He looked as steady and respectable as ever, and Tina felt relieved he had come so quickly. Her mother led Brandon toward the living room. Tina followed, grabbed her phone, and went back into the hall to call Hank, happy when he answered right away. “The police are here asking my mother questions, and we insisted Brandon come before she answered any more. I think it would be good if you were here, too.”

  Silence on the other end. Tina leaned against the wall, feeling weak. He wasn’t going to come. She’d been a fool to ask him to.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, red. You can tell me about it as soon as they leave.”

  There was no sense arguing with him. “Of course.” She snapped the phone closed, stayed against the wall for a few moments, and then walked into the living room.

  Brandon and Laura hadn’t sat down. “What’s this all about, Lisbeth?” Brandon asked.

  “We just need to ask Mrs. Shaw a few questions about her afternoon visit to Quincy.”

  “Why?”

  Lisbeth sighed. “As she knows, Rebecca Tinsdale was attacked in her house there this afternoon, around the time Mrs. Shaw was visiting.”

  Brandon looked astonished, his usual lawyerly stoicism lost. “You think Mrs. Shaw may have attacked Mrs. Tinsdale?”

  “Not necessarily. We just need to know if she saw anything suspicious while she was there, what she and Mrs. Tinsdale talked about. And we need to nail the time down.”

  “I see. Well, I’d better talk to Mrs. Shaw first to determine exactly how much she should tell you.” He turned to leave the room, almost bumping into Tina.

  “Tina needs to come, too,” Laura said. “She knows more about the attack than I do. Or than the police told me, which was nothing.” She glared at Lizbeth and John, then followed Brandon to the kitchen. Tina again trailed behind them.

  When they were settled around the table, Brandon opened his briefcase and pulled out a legal pad in a dark-brown leather cover and his gold fountain pen. “Start from the beginning, Mrs. Shaw, and tell me when you left the house and what happened until you got back home again.”

  Tina noticed he didn’t call her Mom, as he had when they dated, but she said nothing. They’d known Brandon since Tina and he were toddlers. She watched her mother touch her necklace then put her hands in her lap, clasping them tightly. “I left here around three, stopped at the bakery for a cake, and arrived in Quincy around four-fifteen or four-thirty.”

  “Tell me about Mrs. Tinsdale. How did she seem when you arrived?”

  “Distraught. She was pretty much a mess. The fact she’d lost her sister was bad enough, but that Olivia had been murdered, she said, seemed incomprehensible. Her eyes teared up the whole time I was there. It was very difficult to see her in so much distress.”

  “What did she say about the murder? Did she suspect anyone in particular? Or did you even talk about it?”

  “We did talk about it after a while. I could tell she wanted to. I don’t think she felt she could open up to Jenny.”

  “Who’s Jenny?”

  “Her daughter. They live together. Rebecca is agoraphobic, never leaves the house.”

  Brandon stopped writing. “So we have two sisters, one a hoarder, the other a recluse?”

  “How did you know Olivia was a hoarder?” Tina asked.

  “It’s in that alternate paper. Even a picture through one of the windows.”

  Tina and Laura stared at him. “We don’t subscribe to that,” Laura said.

  A feeling of revulsion swept through Tina. The woman had been murdered, and they violated her privacy that way.

  Brandon frowned. “I don’t like to read it, but I need to see what rubbish they’re publishing in case I get a client who’s been mentioned.”

  Tina studied Brandon. He wouldn’t look at her. Probably still angry about the breakup. He might have lost a few pounds, but he was still the same, solid guy she’d loved. He looked like the ex-jock he was, wore expensive clothes, and always smelled wonderful. His thick brown hair was never mussed, and he was steady as a rock. She felt an urge to hug him. He’d always been her comfort, since first grade. But he’d also been too controlling, too critical, and it wore on her. She still missed him sometimes. Like now. She was glad he was here. The thought of Hank not being around flitted through her mind, but she pushed it away. That was Hank. More exciting than Brandon, which was sometimes a strain. She realized she still loved them both, but Hank excited her in ways Brandon never could.

  She deliberately puller her thoughts back to what her mother was saying. “Rebecca said she felt something was going on with Olivia the last couple of months. She thought there was someone in Olivia’s life who was trying to manipulate her. She suspected it was a man.” Laura bit her lip and stopped talking.

  Brandon looked at her. “And? What aren’t you telling me?”

  Tina held her breath. Would her mother tell him about seeing Uncle Bob next door? She wasn’t sure whether she thought Laura should say anything to him or not.

  Her mother had always liked and trusted Brandon. She put her hand over the one holding his pen. “I have to tell you something in total confidence. I don’t want you to make a note of it, even after you leave here. Do you agree to that?”

  An alarmed expression flitted across Brandon’s face, but was gone so quickly Tina almost missed it. For the first time, he glanced at Tina, then quickly away. He set his pen down. “I agree.”

  Laura took her hand away and nodded. “You probably don’t know that way back, Uncle Bob was seeing Olivia. They broke up and as far as I know, never spoke to each other again in private. But I believe I’ve seen him talking to Olivia on her back stoop several times in the last month or so. I can’t be positive it was him, but it sure seemed to be. And once I saw the person, whoever it was, go inside the house. I don’t know how long he was in there because I got busy doing something else and never saw him leave.”

  “Do you know that your uncle wasn’t home at those times?”

  “Yes. He was always out. I know that because I wouldn’t have thought it was him, would I, if he’d been here. Usually he said he was going to the library. He often did go to the library, so I really don’t know if those times he went or not.”

  “You haven’t told him what you saw?”

  Laura shook her head. “He’s always been very touchy about Olivia. If I bring her up, he leaves the room. He did that just before the police arrived this evening.”

  “My advice is to ask him. Sure, he might get angry. But we ne
ed to know more.”

  Laura nodded. Tina agreed with Brandon’s advice, but she worried about Uncle Bob’s reaction to questions about Mrs. Blackwell.

  Brandon picked up his pen. “Now, back to Rebecca. Did she speculate on anyone in particular who might have had reason to murder her sister?”

  Laura played with her necklace again. “Rebecca listed everyone she thought was in the will and gave reasons why she was sure they couldn’t have done it. Their brother Harold, she said, was too timid to kill anyone. She didn’t think Tabitha, their niece, was strong enough. She thought Colin was too smart and fastidious to do such a thing, and of course her own daughter, Jenny, couldn’t possibly have done it. She hoped it was a stranger.”

  “Unlikely,” Brandon said. “I understand nothing was disturbed, and a burglar would have to be unhinged to try and get any valuables from such a mess. It wasn’t a sexual assault, either. No, it had to have been someone she knew and trusted. Happened in her bedroom, after all.”

  Laura gave a shocked laugh. “You don’t think she had a lover?”

  “Anything’s possible.” But Brandon looked doubtful.

  CHAPTER 18

  “What should I tell the police, Brandon?”

  Brandon jotted down a quick note, then looked up at Laura. “There was no one else in the house while you were there?”

  “Not that I saw. Or heard.”

  “Did you notice anyone walking in the neighborhood or sitting in a parked car when you left?”

  Laura took a moment to think. “No.”

  Brandon turned to Tina. “What do you know about the attack on Mrs… Tinsdale, is it?”

  “Yes, Tinsdale. Only what Jenny said after she talked to her on the phone. Someone had broken in and attacked her.”

  “With a weapon?”

  “I don’t know. Can you find out more?”

  “I’ll try.”

  She could always ask Hank if Brandon didn’t learn anything.

  Brandon looked at Laura. “There’s nothing you’ve told me that incriminates you in any way, so you can answer the police’s questions about what we’ve talked about. If they throw something in we haven’t talked about, don’t answer until you’ve consulted me again. And don’t tell them at all about your suspicion that Uncle Bob was on Mrs. Blackwell’s stoop several times. You can mention you saw someone if they ask, but you really don’t know who it was. Don’t speculate about anyone or anything. That’s the most important advice I can give you about this whole situation.”

  Laura stood up. “Thank you, Brandon. You’ve been a big help.”

  They trooped back to the living room. It felt like trooping to Tina, anyway. Princess thumped her tail gently when they arrived. Uncle Bob frowned with concern. After everyone settled down, Lisbeth went through Laura’s visit with Rebecca Tinsdale step by step, and Laura answered the questions, seeming more at ease after talking to Brandon.

  Finally it was over, everyone stood up, and the police left. Brandon stayed behind to reassure Laura that she’d done well.

  “Thank you again, Brandon. Please send me a bill.”

  He shook his head. “It’s on the house.”

  Laura hugged him, and his eyes met Tina’s over her mother’s shoulder for a brief moment. Regret washed through her, but she pushed it aside. Would that feeling ever leave her? Could they ever just be friends? She knew it would be for the best since his sister, Leslie, and she were so close. Suppressing a sigh, Tina sat down on the couch across from Uncle Bob and gave Princess a pat. Laura walked Brandon to the door, then came back and sat in a wingback chair and looked at Uncle Bob “We need to talk.”

  Uncle Bob looked surprised. “You and me? Need to talk?”

  “Yes. I saw someone who looked an awful lot like you on Olivia’s back stoop several times in the last two months or so. Was it you?”

  Tina watched the color drain from Uncle Bob’s face. Whether from the fact it had been him, or because it hadn’t been and he was angry at her mother for suggesting it, she didn’t know.

  She held her breath. When he slumped into the back of his chair, she knew it had been him.

  He closed his eyes and nodded.

  Laura jumped up from her chair and stood in front of him. She waited for him to open his eyes so he could read her lips. “Why? Why on earth were you talking to that odious woman?”

  Uncle Bob straightened up, his back military-stiff. “She asked for my help.”

  Laura sat down again, huffing. “What? She wanted you to clean out her house?”

  “No.” He looked at Tina. “She wanted Tina to help her. She’d heard Tina was setting up an organizing business—”

  Laura looked horrified. “You didn’t say Tina would help?”

  “No. I kept putting her off. It wasn’t too difficult because she’d only contact me when she saw me in the driveway, usually when I was on my way to the library. Called me over, and we talked on the back stoop.”

  “I saw you go inside once.”

  Uncle Bob looked surprised. “No. I never did. She never invited me to, either.”

  “Then I saw two different people? About the same build?” She looked at Tina. “Mrs. McEllen thought she saw you over there the night Olivia was murdered. You didn’t ever even talk to Olivia, did you?”

  Tina shook her head. “Never saw or talked to Mrs. Blackwell since long before I left for college.”

  “Well, who else can be around who’s about the same height and build as the two of you?”

  “Lots of people,” Tina said. “Especially if you see us from a distance and when the light isn’t good. Jenny and Tabitha are about our height. Colin’s a little taller, but not that much. Put us all in winter coats, can’t see our faces, and who could tell the difference? What about Harold Blackwell? Since I haven’t met him yet, I have no idea what he looks like.”

  “I haven’t seen him in ages.” Laura gave Uncle Bob a piercing look. “Have you?”

  “As a matter of fact, I have.”

  Laura’s mouth turned down. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this before now?”

  “Simple answer. I knew it would upset you. Since she moved in next door, Olivia has been a thorn in your side.”

  “Yes, she has been. And now the witch is dead, she seems to be more trouble than when she was alive.”

  Uncle Bob tried to suppress a laugh, but it escaped. He coughed to cover it up.

  Laura ignored his embarrassment. “Tell me about your seeing Harold.”

  “Again, I was in our driveway. Wish the darned thing was on the other side of the house. He happened to come to see Olivia, saw me, and stopped to chat. Said he knew Olivia wanted to clean up the place and had talked to me about it. He doubted she’d do it, but would be thankful for any help we could provide. He meant Tina, of course. I was surprised to see him. I think it had been over a year since I had.”

  “How did he look? He was an attractive man. Has he changed much?”

  “Yes. He’s put on a lot of weight, is almost completely bald and quite wrinkled. Obviously doesn’t take care of himself. I think he probably started going downhill after his wife died. When was that, do you remember?”

  “Had to have been fifteen years or more.”

  “I think you’re right. Time has wings.”

  “Well.” Laura’s tone turned brisk. “It appears Olivia had a lot going on the last couple of months. What I’d like to know is why she had this sudden interest in cleaning up the place.”

  “I think I know the answer to that,” Uncle Bob said.

  CHAPTER 19

  Princess raised her head, seeming to be as surprised as Tina and Laura.

  “A partial answer, anyway.”

  Uncle Bob patted Princess absentmindedly.

  “Well.” Laura huffed. “Tell us.”

  “Do you remember that young woman who was going door-to-door, selling cleaning products?”

  “Yes. Something about her intrigued me, and I invited her in. She seemed too well
dressed for an ordinary door-to-door salesperson. Said she had car trouble, her cell battery was dead, and needed to call AAA. But once she was inside, she pitched me some cleaning products, and I realized I’d been scammed.”

  Tina stared at her mother. “You never invite people into the house.”

  Laura shrugged. “I know. I have no idea what possessed me. It was almost as if I were possessed.”

  “How strange,” Tina murmured.

  “I only saw her for a few minutes that day,” Uncle Bob said. “Took an instant dislike to her. She left soon after I came into the room.”

  “That’s right.” Laura looked surprised. “Kind of abrupt. She left some strange smelling cleaner sample. I tried it. Didn’t do any better than anything else I’ve ever used.”

  “I watched her go. She walked to a car parked a couple of houses down. Looked like a man at the wheel, and they left the neighborhood. I found out she went knocking on Olivia’s door a few days later. And strangely enough, Olivia let her in, too.”

  Tina’s eyes widened. “I wonder which room she took her into.”

  “She told me the tower room. The woman demonstrated some cleaner on a leather chair. Olivia was impressed and even bought some. She found out her name was Evelyn. After Evelyn left, Olivia had the urge to clean up the place. She said it was as if she saw it through new eyes.”

  “It didn’t look as if she ever started,” Tina said.

  Uncle Bob nodded. “I don’t think she had any idea how to start. That’s why she was asking me about you. She wouldn’t let me in to see it, so I knew it was horrible. But Evelyn came back, and she invited her in again.”

  “Oh.” Laura leaned forward in her chair. “Are you both thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “Yes,” Uncle Bob said. “My guess is that Evelyn was scouting around for a lonely older woman to prey on. When she saw me, she had no further interest in you. She wanted to find a lone woman. You don’t have to be filthy rich to live in this neighborhood, but you have to be what many people would consider rich. Once inside Olivia’s house, she had to wonder what was in all those boxes. She could easily figure out that Olivia wasn’t quite normal, and probably thought she might be easy to manipulate.”