“You’ll have to inspect the two dolls carefully. The killer might find the missing clue to the family secret before you.” Dorrie stared into the distance. “What a week.”
“You’re right, but how would they know?” I still wondered if I should risk getting the dolls? “And, how would I ever get them?”
“Max? Maybe he could help?”
“No. The police will probably return them.” I groaned. “I’m starved.”
“Me too.” Dorrie grinned. “Fries and a soda?”
“On me.” Just as I stood, Max entered from the back.
“What’s up? It’s dead in here.” He stopped, and said, “Oops! Completely tasteless.”
“Yes, you are. We’re going for a soda, fries, and burgers.” Dorrie hiked past him to the workroom with me following. “You coming?”
“Of course.” He came up behind me.
“I think we need a break.” I looked in my bag to check to make sure that I had everything. The mail had come and I dumped the new Smithsonian magazine into it to read later. “Let’s head out. I’m thirsty and hungry and completely sick of everything.” I slipped into my winter jacket.
“I’ll lock up.” Max locked up as we walked out.
Fresh, crisp air brightened my spirits. As we walked down the block to the nearest restaurant, my thoughts went back to the dolls.
No sooner had we sat down at one of the corner tables, than I noticed Ronnie sitting off to the side with other reporters with his camera around his neck.
“Liv?” Ronnie took a quick snapshot. “Heard anything?”
Max jumped up and took his camera. “Invasion of privacy,” Max stated. “Now leave.”
“I want my camera back.” Ronnie glared.
“Nope. No way. Get outta here,” Max said.
“You haven’t heard the last from me.” Ronnie sulked away with his hands in his pockets.
“What was that all about?” I asked. “He’s a pain, but why take away his camera?”
“He bugs me,” Max stated.
At that moment the waitress came by to take our order. “Put it all on my tab.” I ordered a cheeseburger and a lite beer. The other two did the same. When she left, I looked at Max. “He bugs me too. Thanks.”
“Glad to.”
“Why the picture?” Dorrie asked.
“Who knows? We’ve both known him for years, so he probably is still mad that I didn’t date him.”
“That was years ago. He needs to get over it,” Dorrie commented.
The waitress came over with the pitcher of soda and glasses, and set them down. She walked away.
“The police never let up, do they?” Max took a sip of his beverage.
“You were questioned too?” Dorrie’s eyes opened wider.
“You mean again?” I stared at Max.
“Yes.” Max took another sip, as did Dorrie and I.
“I think they’re trying to link me to the killing.”
“Nah. Just their job.” He smiled at me. “It’s the order of things.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.” I lifted my glass and took a long swallow.
The waitress carried the cheeseburgers over and set them down. Dorrie smothered her burger in ketchup. I did too. We dug in, and gave each other a smile as we bit into our first bite.
Not surprisingly, Max finished first. Both our cell phones buzzed simultaneously. Our eyes met as we dug our phones out to read the text messages. Mine read:
6 at your house.
“See you later.” Max got up, scooting his chair back. “I’ve got an errand to run.”
“Thanks for everything today, Max,” I said. As he walked away, I realized that another day had nearly passed, and they weren’t any closer to discovering the murderer’s identity. As I was deep in thought, I didn’t hear Dorrie. “What?”
“Is he always this mysterious?” She finished her drink after swallowing her last bite of cheeseburger.
“Yep. He keeps to himself.”
“He never said much when I helped him.” Her eyes became the size of saucers. “We barely talked. He spent the whole time going on about the store and the murder. I guess it’s time for me to tell you, but, I’m married, I’ll have you know.”
“Really? I didn’t know. You said he was a boyfriend?” Another lie. “To whom?”
“We’ll come over sometime, and have fun. You’ll love him. I want to keep our marriage a secret right now for personal reasons. Brad’s a student and drove the limo for Jackie. The bodyguard occupied the front seat.”
“Oh my gosh. Well, I can’t wait to meet him.” I waved at the waitress, and handed my debit card to her. After signing the check, I said, “Let’s call it a day, and I’ll pay you the full day’s wages. I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring or when I’ll be ready to open again. How about if I give you a call? Does that sound okay? Sorry about all of this.” I stood.
“That’s fine. None of this is your fault. I’ll be waiting.” She stood, and gave me a hug before walking away.
As I watched her leave, I felt bad about of the murder because of how it had thrust everyone I cared about right into the middle of the investigation. I picked up my bag and walked back to where my Focus was parked. I decided to give Erlandsen a call to inquire about my dolls. His answer was a terse, “Detective Erlandsen speaking.”
“Liv Anderson, here. I’m curious to know if you’ve recovered my dolls?”
“Not yet, ma’am. The person in question claims that she doesn’t have them.”
“The little thief. She’s lying.” I hesitated, and asked, “Are they still in the same hotel?”
“Nope. Not sure where they are. I’d suggest leaving the investigation to the authorities.”
“I’ll track them down myself, if you’re not going to tell me.”
“Unless something comes up during the investigation…”
“I tell you, Wanda Brown has them.” I fumed. “Goodbye.”
Since it was the start of rush hour and I had to drive through downtown traffic, I slipped in a disc, hoping the easy listening tunes would calm my jagged nerves as I drove home. My life has been upside down since the two-day-old murder.
As I started through downtown, I thought of my girlfriend who owns a small motel right near downtown. It was relatively unknown and someplace that Wanda could hide out in without being hounded by the press. I made a quick turn to circle back to the Twin City Motel. I decided against giving Brenda, my motel owner friend, a call because I hated to have her involved should I decide to enter and search Wanda’s room. Brenda left for afternoon classes and returned later. I hoped that I wouldn’t have to follow them and stake them out.
The seed of an idea began to germinate as I drove near the hotel. Hmm…How can I find out which room they were registered in? Did I need a room key? Was there a dining room where I might accidentally brush against her or find the dolls left on her table? I decided to start at the top of my game plan list and work down until they were back in my possession. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I applied fresh lipstick and captured my wanton set of springy red curls in a headband. I wished I’d worn something classier today, but I held my head high as I stepped out of the car. At the front desk, I set my bag down and smiled sweetly.
“Hello. I’m here to see…” When the desk clerk gazed at me, I began to wonder if this wasn’t a stupid idea. Steady, I told myself. Stay calm. “I’m here to—.”
“Yes, ma’am. How can I help you?” the perky young lady behind the desk finally asked. Her bleached-blonde, spiked hair and nose ring matched, as did the five gold earrings she wore in each ear. She jingled. I thought of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
“Hi! I’m here from Hollywood to take a look at the room where the two leading suspects are staying, Wanda Brown and Stone Rogers. We’re thinking about making a movie about her demise, calling it Presidentress Jackie!”
“What on earth are you talking about? A movie?” Her eyes opened wide. “They’re here?”
“Look it up.”
“They are here.” She stared at me.
“Don’t you want to be in pictures? Your name will be right on the top.”
“I was an actress in high school and always wanted to live in Hollywood.”
“Now’s your chance,” I said. I struck paydirt with this girl.
“Really?” Her eyes opened wide.
“Of course. Could you please tell me her room number?” I smiled sweetly and hoped my dimples showed.
“Do you think Brad Pitt would play the bodyguard?”
“He might, but then… let’s see—,” I said, cocking my head. “You’d fit the part of Jackie. You’re tall, aren’t you?” The phone rang and the desk clerk answered it, holding up a finger motioning for me to wait. When she hung up, I said, “You’d be perfect with the bodyguard. What a hunk, eh?”
“I can’t tell you the room number, but I know for certain that they have nightcaps each afternoon during happy hour—3–5.” She nodded toward a distant elevator, and said, “The bar’s right down over there. Good luck.”
“Thanks. It’ll be our secret. I’ll be back with Brad tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Her cheeks were rosy red.
I marched out the front door with my heart pounding. Back in the car, I wondered what to do next. I glanced at the clock. It was almost six, and I needed to beat it home.
No sooner had I walked into the house when Aaron came up beside me and whispered in my ear, “Tonight?”
“There’s always hope.” I snagged a bottle of wine from the refrigerator while he removed glasses from the cabinet. “Your friends interrogated the three of us today.” I marched out of the kitchen and toward the office.
Seated on one chair was Grandpa. Grandma made room on the settee for me as Aaron set the glasses down next to the wine bottle, which I’d placed on the small table. Grandpa made the move to open it. After pouring, he passed around the glasses.
“Here’s to Liv.” Grandpa raised his glass, and they all followed, “To Liv.”
Tears sprang into my eyes while I thought of how much these people loved me.
“Shall we get started?” Aaron took control of the meeting from behind the desk. “Alarm system?”
“The bill is right here. They need a down payment before starting.” I removed the paper from my pocket and placed it in Grandpa’s opened hand. “I can’t afford this. How about if I pay you later?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Cleaners?” Aaron typed on the keyboard before he looked at me.
“Came and gone. Ruth and Suzy. Two older women. Very professional—wonderful job—but they reminded me of Swedish babushka’s. The wood floor still needs looking after. The blood soaked into grooves in the wood, and you can still see it in several places. The table that the house was sitting on either needs replacing or painting because the blood soaked into its legs. Actually, it still kind of stinks too, so let’s get rid of it.” That was my news flash. Now I hoped that I could think about the hotel and getting back my dolls without being caught. I’ll be honest with the credit card company, and remove them from the bill.
“Okay. Cleaners are checked off the list, but I will add a floor work crew,” Aaron said.
“Good grief! It’ll take forever to get it all set back to rights,” I said.
“It won’t be much longer,” Grandma said. “Another couple of days.”
“There’s got to be a reason behind them keeping the dolls. It has to pertain to the ‘secret’. I’m positive,” I said.
“But, what?” Grandma asked. “What’s the secret?”
“I called Detective Erlandsen and he said Wanda claims she doesn’t have the dolls. She’s lying.”
“I wish we knew more.” Grandpa drained his glass of wine. “What do the police say?” He looked at Aaron. “What can you tell us?”
“Yes. Please tell, Aaron.” Grandma spoke up. “Who are the suspects? What happened to that woman and bodyguard?”
“I’m not part of the investigation, but the two are under suspicion. Let’s leave it at that.” Aaron looked at me. “Everyone is a suspect.”
“Thanks. Now I know why the cops hammered us with questions today. I thought Dorrie was going to quit. They questioned Max too. I don’t know what to think, myself.” I finished my drink. “But what I don’t like is that Jackie took the dolls in such an underhanded way. That’s at the core of all of this, I believe. When we figure that out, we might have a motive.”
“Let’s get back on track.” Aaron turned back to the computer. “Last night, we ended our discussion with finding the article about the Montpelier break-in. August, you mentioned that your family came from that area before moving to Minnesota, correct?” He looked back to Grandpa, who nodded. “What does your family tree have to do with the Madisons?”
“The answer is right in here.” Grandma reached over to the large Bible sitting on the corner of the desk, and set it between us. “Grandpa’s relation was a Putnam.”
Chapter Seven
“Through all of this, you really didn’t know that you were a Putnam? The name of the doctor whom Dolley had given the cufflinks, so many years ago? Yikes.” I knocked my forehead in jest. “How could you not know that you’re related?”
“I don’t sit and read the family Bible,” Grandpa stated. “As a matter of fact, it’s been years since it was dragged out.” Grandpa yawned and looked at Grandma. “Bed?”
“Now that you know, we’re going to bed.”
“What next?” I said, watching them leave the room.
“My sarge needs me to work, honey,” Aaron said. “They’re short-shifted.”
“Shoot!”
“I know. I’ll text later to see what you’ve found out.” Aaron kissed me and left.
When he left, I went downstairs to Grandpa’s wine cellar to fetch a bottle. I hated going downstairs. I hate basements and the cellar most especially because you have to turn the light on once inside of it. Once I’d picked up a bottle, I went back upstairs.
With a glass of wine in hand, I plugged the Mitch Miller DVD from Mikal into the player. I’d wanted to watch it since he gave it to me—now was my chance. I carried the Bible over to the chair and began leafing through the pages. Mitch’s choir sang You Are My Sunshine, while the ball bounced on the screen under the song lyrics. As I dove deeper into the pages of Grandpa’s Bible, I found his name listed under the names of his parents, along with his siblings, who were deceased. Grandma had entered their birth and the dates of their deaths. Searching further, I found that Grandpa’s great-grandpa was a Putnam, with the first name of Elijah. I jotted down the dates and his other information before closing the book. When I glanced up at the TV, I saw that the program was over. I shut it off and went to place the Bible on the cabinet near the First Lady dolls.
Later, I showered, and then stood under the attic trapdoor and peered up at it. It had been ages since I’d been up there to explore. It seemed a lifetime ago since Maggie, a friend from childhood, Dorrie, and I went up there to play. Maggie opened old boxes, filled with letters. We’d heard Grandma holler up at us and tell us not to snoop in the letters, only the trunks. We quickly had closed the box. I barely remembered what was in the trunks. I did recall the large, old Victorian-style women’s hats and Victorian dresses, which we played in. An old birdcage stood in the back corner, looking out of place, and I wondered if it was still there? But, why wouldn’t it be since no one went up there?
I clicked off the hall light, went into my room, and crawled into bed. My mind was filled with Mitch Miller marching songs with the ball that bounced over the words.
Grandma’s singing, I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover woke me. Her high-pitched voice was like an alarm clock. In my mind I pictured Mitch Miller’s bouncing ball while hoping that it wouldn’t stick in my mind.
When dressed, I found my earrings on top of my dresser beside two miniature dollhouses, which I’d considered showcasing in the store.
I hadn’t found a suitable arrangement for them, and so decided to wait. Aaron buzzed me, and I answered him back. We planned to meet for a bagel at the Loon Cafe nearby before he went to bed, and I to work.
After Grandpa handed me the check for the security team, I gave him a smooch, and headed out the door.
Aaron was already parked in the Loon’s lot when I parked beside it. He saw me pull up and gave me a kiss as we entered the café.
I sat at a cozy booth while he picked up our orders. As he slid in beside me, we kissed again.
“When do you get a night off?” I leaned into him and drew in a deep breath. I wanted all of him. “I’m lonesome.” I spread strawberry jam on my bagel and took a bite.
“I know, baby. Next week we rotate shifts.” He reached for his bagel and spread cream cheese on it. “I have something to tell you, but you have to stay calm.” He drank his orange juice.
“Now what?” This didn’t sound good. “Give it to me straight.”
“Wanda Brown flat out denies having the dolls and claims that Jackie never took them. There’s no cause for a search warrant because there’s no evidence working against her.”
“She is lying because I have the credit card receipt. I don’t stand a chance in getting them back, do I?”
“Sorry about that, I wish there was something I could do to help you out, but there isn’t.” Aaron placed his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close.
“I know she took those two dolls—I saw it. Why would Wanda lie about this? Do you think she had something to do with Jackie’s death?” I glanced up at the clock. “I’d better get to work. The remaining houses need to be moved out before the floor people begin working. Grandma is arranging the work crew.” I thought of drinking down the remainder of the juice, but decided against it. “By the way, I found Grandpa’s name and Elijah Putnam’s in the family Bible.”
“Talk about coincidences.” Aaron cocked his head and looked at me.
“I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“Have you had time to dig out the cufflinks?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Not since Grandma and Grandpa’s anniversary. There are a couple of pictures that I could take a closer look at.” I frowned. “How does this fit into the investigation? The cufflinks. Dorrie might be right. The sampler is a little odd. It might have clues, too.” I sighed. “All known facts are disjointed.”
The Blood Spangled Banner: A First Ladies Mystery Page 7