by Rayna Morgan
After a moment, he added, “We can use the small Victorian chapel in mid-town.”
“For the reception,” she suggested, “we’ll use recipes from Mom’s cooking shows.”
“Is that something you want to inflict on our guests?”
“You could be right.” She laughed as she placed dessert plates on a tray. “I know. How about using the caterer from the concert at Castillo Adobe? He makes those ribs you and Tom rave about.”
“Barney at B-B-Q Heaven.”
“He’s the one.”
“Hey, I’ve got an idea. We could hold the ceremony at the Adobe.”
“That’s a great idea, Paul. I suggested the venue to Maddy, but if she and Tom won’t use it…”
“Then, it’s settled. Set a date and we’ll make arrangements.”
“Shall we tell the others?”
“Let’s do.”
• • •
Before they could share the news, Tom’s pager sounded. He read the message and snapped the phone shut.
“Sorry, I have to leave.” His gaze fell on Warren and the sisters. “You three attract as many murders as you solve.”
“What does that mean?” Warren asked.
“It means your case is no longer in the category of being cold. It’s now become sizzling hot.”
Lea leaned forward. “What are you saying, Tom?”
“Jeffrey Grant is dead.”
There was a collective intake of breath.
“Was the doctor in an accident?” Maddy asked.
“It looks like murder.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Tom’s appearance at Conley and Austin surprised Maddy.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He glanced around without smiling. “Where’s your father?”
“Good morning to you, too.” She pointed toward the back. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll find him.”
The detective walked down the hall. The look on his face was all business.
Warren ended his call and waved Tom into his office. “Have a seat. I can’t say I’m surprised to see you.”
Tom lowered himself into a chair. “I hate to do this, Warren, but you know I’m required.”
“I understand you have a job to do. Get on with your questions.”
“You were one of the last people to see Jeffrey Grant alive. What happened after I saw you at his clinic with Maddy? You never called to explain.”
“Our day got busy. I forgot all about it.”
“You told me he threatened you when he visited your office. Did you go back after Maddy got home to make sure the doctor understood what you meant about staying away from his family?”
“I did no such thing.”
“Did you argue? Did you lose your temper and strike out with the closest thing you could find?”
“You know me better than that, Tom. When have you ever seen me lose my temper to such a degree?”
“We’re talking about family. Men don’t behave rationally when family is involved.”
“Except those of us trained to do so.”
“I need a statement outlining your actions the rest of the day.”
“I’ll prepare one and send it over. What leads have you found?”
“You’re a person of interest. You know I can’t discuss the case with you.”
“We could help.”
“No, thanks. You’ve helped yourself to enough trouble already.”
• • •
Lea intercepted Tom on his way out. “Have you considered suicide as the cause of the doctor’s death?”
“We’ll know more when we get the coroner’s report, but yes, it’s a likely scenario. When you reopened the investigation into Emma’s death, you opened old wounds. The doctor felt guilty all over again. He killed himself the same way he killed her. Lethal injection.”
“I hope you’re not blaming us.”
“Not at all. It looks as though the only guilty person in this case is the doctor.”
“Will you keep us informed?”
Tom left without responding.
After all this time of believing the doctor guilty, Lea was not as convinced as Tom. She walked to her father’s office.
“Did Tom give you a hard time?” she asked.
He shook his head. “He was only doing his job.”
“Dad, I’ve been thinking—”
“Not straining your gray cells I hope,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.
“We took this case to prove our client’s theory that Jeffrey Grant killed his daughter. That means we’ve looked at everything from a perspective of assuming the doctor’s guilt.”
“Are you questioning our approach?”
“What if the doctor was telling the truth all along? What if Maddy’s sense that Jeffrey was incapable of murder is correct and I erred in accusing her of being swayed by the doctor’s charms?”
“You were right to question whether Maddy reacted more to the person than to the information he provided. It’s important to deal with facts rather than personalities.”
“That’s my point. I wonder if we based our investigation on a desire to prove Sam right instead of searching for the truth.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Lea spent the afternoon reading Maddy’s notes on her visit to the clinic and her father’s notes on his first investigation.
That night after dinner, questions whirled through her mind as she stood at the sink rinsing dishes.
What clue are we missing?
Is there a lead we failed to follow up?
Which person are we misreading?
She stared out the window at dark clouds forming in the sky. If she hurried, she could take the dogs for a run before the rain started.
A tap on her shoulder made her jump. “You’re a million miles away, babe.”
She dried her hands. “Sorry, it’s this case…”
“I know.”
He removed the towel from her hands. “Let me finish. There’s another hour of light. Why not go for a run?”
“You read my mind.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks, hon.”
Upstairs, she changed into baggy pants and a sweatshirt. It had been a long day. She looked forward to relaxing with Paul after her run. Maybe Jon would join them for TV and popcorn when he finished his homework.
She called the dogs after lacing her shoes, but before leaving the house she called her father.
“I feel we’re still missing something in Sam’s case. There must be a connection we haven’t made.”
“You could be right. Let me think.” She heard a familiar tapping sound.
“You aren’t lighting up, are you?”
“Don’t worry. I’m keeping my promise to your mother to stop smoking, but a pipe in my hand helps me focus.”
After a moment, the tapping stopped.
“We’ve been looking at people close to Sam,” he said. “We should also speak with the doctor who treated Sam’s diabetes and recent heart problem. As I recall, there was also a nurse who made house calls after Sam’s first attack. They may provide additional information.”
“That’s it, Dad. You’re a genius!”
“What did I do?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
She hung up and called Sam’s wife, identifying herself as one of the detectives Sam hired.
“Forgive the intrusion, but I have a question. Did the doctor who treated your husband for his first attack recommend the nurse who made house calls?”
“Actually, Sam requested a nurse he recognized during his visit to the hospital’s emergency room.”
“Recognized how?”
“As the nurse who worked for Dr. Grant at the time of Emma’s death. Of course, I understood my husband’s intent.” Lea heard frustration in the woman’s voice as she continued. “Knowing it would hinder his recovery, I begged Sam not to hound the woman with questions but he c
ouldn’t help himself.”
“Thank you. That’s all I need to know.”
Lea hung up and re-read Maddy’s notes about her interview with Jeffrey Grant’s nurse. Next, she turned on her computer and checked the public records. The purchase information showed the nurse bought her house from unrelated sellers. There was no indication of probate or inherited property.
Why is the nurse disguising her reason for moving here? She wondered. Also of interest is her description of Jeffrey’s pro bono work.
Her cell phone buzzed showing a call from Maddy. She didn’t want to be interrupted. Her finger hovered over the answer button, but she gave in. “If you’re calling about work, I’m off until tomorrow.”
Maddy disregarded her sister’s words. “You never turn your back in the middle of a case. I bet you’re following Dad’s advice to start over when we’re stuck.”
“I admit I reviewed the notes, including your conversation with the nurse.”
“So did I,” Maddy chimed in.
“The nurse mentioned the doctor’s pro bono work. It rang a bell about the burglary on the night Emma was killed.”
Maddy cut in breathlessly. “The burglary struck me, too.”
“Don’t interrupt. As I was saying—”
But Maddy broke in again. “Sam believed there was no burglar because Jeffrey staged the theft himself. But if I’m right about the doctor and he told the truth all along, there was an actual burglary.”
“That’s the conclusion I reached earlier. The burglar the doctor hired to carry out the break-in was the disfigured convict Jeffrey helped during pro bono work. Still, knowing the burglar’s identity doesn’t help. Without the thief’s whereabouts, there is no case.”
“You’re wrong, Sis. If you listen a moment, I can tell you the burglar’s identity and location.”
“How can you know the man’s location? The police never tracked him down.”
“Believe it or not, the burglar has been under our nose the entire time.”
Lea tried to process Maddy’s words. “I don’t understand.”
“Like you, I reviewed notes on the burglary. The stolen items included personal items from Emma’s drawers.”
“That’s correct. Go on.”
“There were pictures of stolen items on the insurance claim Jeffrey submitted.”
Lea felt like screaming with impatience. “Where are you going with this, Mad? Get to the bottom line.”
“One of the items stolen was a silver-plated butterfly pill case.”
“So?”
“I saw that pill box.”
“Of course. The picture in the insurance claim file.”
“No, silly. I saw a person in possession of the box.”
“You aren’t serious! Who is it?”
“Nurse Pauline. During our talk, an alarm on her watch reminded her to take a pill. She pulled the tablet from a silver-plated butterfly case.”
Lea gasped. “If you’re right, Sis, you’ve solved the mystery.”
“To be certain, I need to see the box again. I’m going to Pauline’s now with the picture.”
“No!” Lea warned. “Let Tom go after Pauline.”
“If I’m wrong, we’ll have sent him on another wild goose chase. I want to make sure before we tell him. Pauline won’t know I’m on to her.”
“You’re not doing this alone. I’m coming to meet you. Don’t go inside her house until I get there.”
Lea disconnected and grabbed her keys.
“I’m going to see Maddy,” she hollered at Paul.
“I thought you were taking the dogs for a run.”
“I changed my mind. It looks like rain.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Maddy waited in front of Pauline’s house, drumming on the steering wheel of her car. A light rain was beginning to fall. She started the engine and turned on the wipers to clear the window. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins from the excitement of the chase.
She recalled her community theatre experience in a play called Act Two. Her part comprised a mere four lines. Still, on opening night, her nerves were shattered.
The lead actor’s advice rang in her ears. Once you deliver your first line, your nerves will disappear. Immerse yourself in the part and become as believable as possible. Nothing else matters.
With those words in mind, she turned off the car and texted her sister. Too nervous to wait.
Seconds later, she rang the doorbell.
When Pauline answered, Maddy delivered her first line.
• • •
The rare appearance of rain slowed traffic to a crawl. Lea waited impatiently at a congested four-way stop when she received the text from Maddy.
After reading the message, Lea pulled to the side of the road and called the station. “I need to speak with Lieutenant Elliot.”
“He’s not available. May I take a message?”
“This is Lea Austin. I must speak with Tom. It’s an emergency.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Austin. The lieutenant is out of the office.”
“I’ll try his cell phone.”
“He won’t answer. He’s conducting a training course at the police academy.”
Her mind raced. “Then, let me speak with Pat Fisher.”
“Hold on. I’ll page her.”
Minutes seemed like hours until Lea heard the familiar, cheerful voice.
“What trouble are you in this time?” Pat asked.
Lea explained the situation.
Pat’s tone became stern as she barked an order. “Give me the address.”
Moments later, Lea hung up and texted her sister. Hang on. Help is on the way.
• • •
“Forgive the intrusion,” Maddy said shaking raindrops from her hair. “I should have called.”
“What a pleasant surprise.”
If Pauline was alarmed, she didn’t let it show. She may be a better actress than I am, Maddy thought. “I was in the neighborhood. Do you have time for a question or two?”
The woman hesitated briefly before opening the door wider. “Of course. Come in out of the rain. I’m having a glass of wine. May I offer you some?”
“Thanks very much.”
Pauline led the guest to a cozy living room with potted plants, a carved wood table, and a couch with brightly colored pillows.
“Make yourself comfortable.” She pointed to a cushioned chair. “Give me a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Maddy began having second thoughts. Maybe I should have waited for Lea.
To ease her nerves, she walked around the room and looked at pictures. One in particular grabbed her attention. From the angle, it appeared to be a selfie. A picture of Pauline with Jeffrey Grant.
The nurse wasn’t wearing a uniform. Jeffrey was dressed in slacks and a v-neck shirt. They appeared to be at the beach. His arm was wrapped around her.
Pauline looked over her shoulder.
Maddy gulped. “I didn’t realize you and the doctor were such close friends.”
“Oh, that.” She placed a tray on the table and handed Maddy a glass of red wine. “It happened on a Friday during the slow season at the end of summer. I talked the doctor into closing the office at noon and going on a picnic. His wife was away for the weekend. He had been working so hard, I thought he needed a break.”
Maddy took a seat and rested her head against the cushion. She suddenly felt lightheaded. How long has it been since I ate?
When Pauline handed her a plate, she quickly filled it with cheese and crackers.
“He’s a charming man,” Maddy said between mouthfuls. “Hard to work closely with a man like that without being attracted.”
Pauline laughed easily, seemingly unconcerned. “I was more than Jeffrey’s nursing assistant.”
Maddy’s ears perked up.
“I became a confidante, of sorts,” Pauline explained. “After his wife’s miscarriage, he worried about her health and mental state of mind. He needed someone to
whom he expressed his concerns.”
Maddy nodded vaguely. “I see.” She held up her wine, wondering at its effect.
“Would you like more?” Pauline asked.
“No, thanks. I’m woozy already.”
She reached for her phone and read the incoming message from Lea, but was too tired to respond.
The phone fell from her hand onto the carpet. She slumped in the chair and closed her eyes.
Pauline picked up Maddy’s phone and read the words on the screen. “Too late I’m afraid, dearie.”
She removed the glass from Maddy’s hand and went to the kitchen. When she returned, she held a needle and a small vial of liquid.
A commotion at the front of the house interrupted her. There was banging on the door followed by a woman shouting, “Buena Viaje police. Open up.”
She dropped the syringe and hurried to the window where she saw the revolving red lights of two police cars, one on the street and one in her driveway.
She ran to the back, knocking the second glass off the table in her haste. Red liquid seeped into the carpet.
On the back porch, she nearly collided with a female officer pointing a gun in her direction. “Pauline Mills, you’re under arrest for the murders of Jeffrey Grant and Emma Swanson and the attempted murder of Sam Swanson.”
Lea came running around the side of the house. “Where’s my sister?” she panted, out of breath.
Pat jerked her head toward the house. “Inside.”
• • •
Maddy lay sprawled on the couch, tended by an officer pressing an ice pack against her brow. “I don’t know what Pauline gave me, but elephants are dancing on my head.”
“Pat got here in time to prevent her from filling your veins with poison. You’re feeling the effect of the knockout drug she slipped in your drink so you couldn’t fight back.”
Maddy struggled to a sitting position and Lea sat beside her. “I’m typically the one in danger, with you rushing to my rescue. Nice to take turns.”
“Next time, I’ll wait until you arrive.” Maddy rubbed her head. “I’m glad Pat got here in time, but where is my usual knight in shining armor?”
“Delivering a lecture to a roomful of cadets. Tom will be disappointed he missed the action.”
“Yeah,” Maddy moaned. “He lost a chance to come to our rescue for the umpteenth time.”