**
“Your 4:30 is here,” Katie popped her head into Becca’s office to announce.
“Thanks, Katie, send them in,” she responded, picking up a new file folder.
Her manager stepped into the office and closed the door most of the way. “Wait until you see this one,” she whispered excitedly. “He’s gorgeous and I don’t see a ring on that finger…”
Becca had to laugh. “Noted,” she said wryly. “But you are aware that I’ve given up on the male species, right?”
“Fine,” Katie grinned wickedly. “If you don’t wanna chase him, I certainly will.”
“Business before pleasure, young lady,” her boss admonished with a smile.
“We’ll see,” she smirked on her way out the door. Moments later, she returned, ushering in none other than Trevor Wycliff.
“Mr. Wycliff, we meet again,” she greeted him, extending her hand.
He shook it and sat down in one of the club chairs facing her. “Always a pleasure. And please, call me Trevor.”
“What can I do for you, Trevor?” Becca smiled, taking out her notepad.
“I’m having a little get-together for my sister Andrea’s birthday, and I wanted your input.”
Trevor told Becca all about his vision for the party, with her contributing helpful ideas and making suggestions that he found delightful. The two of them put their heads together, and working as a team, hashed out all of the details for what promised to be a glittering tribute to the birthday girl. Becca couldn’t help but notice Trevor Wycliff’s easy and unaffected charm. He made her laugh, and was far too attractive for her not to notice her heart speeding up a bit when he smiled.
As the appointment was coming to a close, Trevor leaned forward and smiled in a way that nearly made Becca blush. “I’d like for you to attend the party,” he said.
“Oh of course,” she assured him quite professionally. “I’ll be there overseeing the staff and making certain that everything happens without a hitch.”
Trevor chuckled softly. “You miss my meaning,” he tried again. “I want you to attend my party, not work it. I’d like you to be my guest.”
Becca hoped against hope that he wouldn’t see the flush that arose in her cheeks at his invitation. “Thank you for asking, Trevor, that’s very kind of you, but, I’m sorry, I don’t mix business and pleasure. It makes life way too complicated.” Oh, how she wished that just once, just for this particular occasion, she could break free from that common-sense policy, but ultimately she knew that maintaining her reputation as a consummate professional had to win out over keeping company with even the most charming and attractive client that she’d ever had the pleasure of booking.
He nodded, clearly disappointed. “You know, it’s almost happy hour,” he glanced at his watch mischievously. “Would having a drink with a client to discuss his event count as mixing business with pleasure?”
“Unfortunately,” Becca smiled ruefully.
“Take a raincheck until after the party?” he persisted, flashing incredible dimples.
“I’d like that,” she agreed, butterflies fluttering wildly in her middle.
After Trevor left her office, Becca had to wonder how it was that such a charming, seemingly sweet man had been friends with someone like Lacey Kellington. Maybe she’d find out over the course of their association leading up to the party. She cleared the top of her desk, getting ready to finally leave the office after a very long day, when her phone rang. She answered it, and it was Detective Reynolds asking when she would be returning home. She let him know that she was on her way and asked what he wanted to see her about, but he just made some vague response about further information gathering and hung up quickly, leaving her in the dark.
Reynolds was lounging against his non-descript sedan in her driveway when Becca pulled up after leaving the office.
“You made it here before I did,” she observed, wondering what the laconic detective wanted.
“I called from the driveway,” he admitted.
“Well, what can I do for you, Detective?”
“What were you wearing the night of the Thornton party?” he asked casually.
“A simple black cocktail dress, why?”
As usual, her question was ignored. “Has it been sent to the dry-cleaner yet?” he probed, still relaxed and enjoying the last rays of the setting sun.
“Unfortunately, no, I haven’t had a chance to take it in yet.” She knew better than to ask why he wanted to know this time, realizing that whatever his reasons were, he wasn’t prone to sharing.
“I’d like to take it in and examine it, if you don’t mind. I’m working on a hunch, and I’ll need to have some lab analysis done,” he explained in the longest sentence she’d ever heard him utter.
Becca was nonplussed. “Ooookay,” she agreed. “I don’t see what you could possibly learn from examining my dress, but if you think it would be helpful, I don’t have a problem with that.”
“I appreciate your cooperation Miss Rogers,” he stood to follow her. “I’m sure you don’t mind if I come in with you to collect it.”
Becca sighed. She did mind, but didn’t want to make the detective suspicious in any way. “Of course not,” she lied. “Come on in.”
**
Later that evening, Katie and Becca sat on opposite ends of Becca’s couch, sipping a mellow Merlot.
“You did what???” Katie exclaimed, setting down her wine glass on the coffee table and drawing a less than pleasant look from a formerly napping Poppy.
“I gave him the dress. Why wouldn’t I?” Becca sipped her wine and soothed the frustrated feline in her lap. “Katie, I have nothing to hide. If the detective tells me that I can be of some small assistance, I’ll do whatever I need to do.”
“Just how naive are you?” her friend asked, wide-eyed. “Don’t you see that this is all part of a set-up? They’re looking for ways to nail you, because it’s your sketchy ex’s word against yours and he happens to be a member of the society set,” she insisted, worried.
“Don’t be paranoid,” Becca smiled. “That kind of stuff only happens in the movies. I’m just a normal woman in a small New England town, nothing bad is going to happen to me...seriously.”
Katie sighed and shook her head. “I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 6
“Happy birthday!” Becca exclaimed when Trevor introduced her to his sister, Andrea.
“Thank you,” the younger girl smiled. “I understand that I have you to thank for this exquisite spread?” she complimented Becca.
“Well, your big brother here actually had a hand in planning the entire thing,” she replied modestly, giving Trevor a shy smile.
Andrea looked from one to the other, enjoying the interaction, eyebrows raised knowingly. “Well, in any case, thank you both for what has turned out to be a lovely birthday party.”
“My pleasure,” Becca responded graciously as Trevor kissed his sister’s cheek affectionately.
Andrea excused herself to go mingle with her guests, leaving Trevor and Becca standing together.
“I’m really glad that this made her happy,” he confessed, staring fondly after his sister. “She’s been so down the past few days.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that,” Becca frowned.
“She took the news about Lacey’s death pretty hard,” he explained.
“Oh? Were they close?”
“Yes and no. Andrea and I used to play doubles against Lacey and Niles Thornton at the club,” he began.
“Lenora Thornton’s grandson?” Becca asked, trying to remember if she’d ever met him.
“Exactly. Andrea has had feelings for him for years and felt that the only thing standing between her and Niles was his relationship with Lacey,” his mouth pursed, disapprovingly.
“Niles and Lacey…”
“Were having an affair,” Trevor finished her sentence. “It started years ago. Lacey has used Niles as her plaything for as long as
any of us can remember. Her family took a hard hit when the market crashed a while back. We all just assumed that she was trying to work her way into the Thornton fortune, but Niles never proposed, so when your Simon came along, she married him and continued to see young Mr. Thornton on a ‘conjugal’ basis,” he finished grimly.
“I wonder if Simon knew,” Becca murmured, shaking her head.
“Doubtful, but his dear wife was seen on several occasions attending various functions on Niles’ arm when her husband was out of town, always using the excuse that they were ‘just tennis partners’,” Trevor raised his eyebrows skeptically.
“Poor Andrea,” she responded, lost in thought.
Trevor smiled, thinking of his sibling. “No worries, male companionship was never difficult for my dear sister to find, but she’s resolved to wait for Niles to wake up and smell the coffee. They’ve been together quite a bit these last few days, which should be making her happy, but I think she’s feeling guilty over capitalizing upon Lacey’s sudden demise.”
“Understandable,” Becca nodded.
“Well, as much as I’d love to put a drink in your hand and continue to monopolize your time, I know that you have things that you need to attend to, so I’ll go circulate among my guests and let you do what you do,” he captured her hand briefly and brushed his lips across the back of it, causing her to blush. “But as of tomorrow, I’m no longer your client,” he reminded her, turning to go.
Becca hadn’t heard Katie approach as she watched Trevor disappear into the crowd, so she was startled when her friend spoke. “You really need to clue me in on your secret,” she said, teasing.
“My secret?” Becca was confused, still trying to absorb the info that she’d just gleaned from Trevor.
“Yeah, like how you get all of these most eligible bachelors interested in you,” she winked.
“Oh Katie, don’t be ridiculous,” she laughed at her friend’s preposterous comment. “Trevor is not interested in me, he’s just gallant and charming with everyone.”
“Well, he’s never kissed my hand,” she observed cheekily, enjoying making her boss blush.
**
The Wycliff party had gone perfectly and Becca had even walked away having made two appointments with guests who had enjoyed the food and service so much that they wanted to book her for upcoming events. She was disappointed that she hadn’t seen Trevor for the rest of the evening, but she’d had a chance to observe his sister as she interacted with her guests, and she seemed like the darling of the social whirl.
Back at the office, Becca was enjoying an espresso and making serious headway on her paperwork for the next month when Katie’s voice came through the intercom on her desk phone. “Becca?”
“Yes, dear?” she teased, relieved at the progress that she was making.
“There’s a Detective Reynolds here to see you.”
“Again?” Becca didn’t bother to hide her frustration. Sighing, she told Katie to show him in.
“Good afternoon, Miss Rogers,” Reynolds greeted her perfunctorily.
“So far it is,” Becca observed dryly. “What is it now, Detective?” she asked, weary of being surprised by the police every time she turned around. “Are you here to return my dress?”
“No, it’s still at the lab actually. What do you know about Trevor Wycliff?” he asked, getting straight to the point.
“Nothing, really. He’s a client,” she responded, surprised at the question.
“Have you had occasion to see him interact with Lacey Kellington-Langworthy?”
“Briefly. He was with Lacey at the party when she spilled her drink on me.”
“How would you characterize Mr. Wycliff’s relationship with his sister?” Reynolds continued his rapid-fire routine, knowing that Becca had catered Andrea’s party.
“I wouldn’t know, I don’t know either of them well, but they seemed to be close,” she shrugged.
Reynolds scribbled in his ever-present notebook and peered closely at her. “Did Miss Wycliff say anything to you about her relationship with Lacey?”
“Of course not! It would be entirely inappropriate for me to have personal conversation with a client,” Becca frowned.
“I see,” he said, staring at her for a long time before closing his notebook. “I’ll let you know when we’re done with the dress,” he offered, standing to leave.
“Thanks,” she replied tonelessly, baffled as usual.
Chapter 7
Becca sighed when her doorbell rang a few nights later, wondering what on earth the detectives might want to talk with her about now. She was grateful that at least she hadn’t had any more surprise visits from Simon, but constantly being dropped in on by the police was getting more than a bit old. Needless to say, she was completely taken off guard when she opened her door and found Andrea Wycliff on her doorstep.
“Andrea!” she exclaimed, delighted. “What brings you here?”
The younger girl smiled shyly. “Can I come in for a moment? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
“Of course, please,” Becca stood back to allow her to enter, inviting her to have a seat on the couch, where Poppy promptly jumped up to give her a once-over.
“Awww...he’s so cute,” Andrea grinned, stroking the suspicious feline’s head. He warmed to her pretty quickly, and in short order, the purring pet was ensconced upon her designer-clad lap.
They exchanged pleasantries for a bit, with Andrea again thanking Becca for her party, and eventually getting around to the reason for her visit.
“I hope that you won’t think ill of me after I tell you what I came here to say, because I could really use your help and you seem like someone who can be trusted,” she began awkwardly.
“Go on,” Becca encouraged, her curiosity piqued.
“Are you familiar with Niles Thornton?” she asked softly.
There was that name again. Becca found it a bit odd that it seemed to keep coming up. “I can’t remember if we’ve actually met, but I know who he is.”
“Well, it’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been in love with him for quite some time,” she admitted, giving weight to what Trevor had already shared.
“What’s embarrassing about that?”
“That’s not the embarrassing part. The embarrassing part is that I haven’t been able to get serious with him because of his tennis partner, Lacey Kellington-Langworthy. They’ve been having an affair for the past few years, and just recently I did something awful,” Andrea looked down at the cat rather than at Becca, but looked up hastily when she heard Becca’s sharp gasp. “Oh no! Not that!” Andrea assured her vehemently. “I certainly didn’t kill Lacey, but I may have some insight as to who did,” she gazed innocently into Becca’s eyes.
Becca swallowed hard. “Really, who? And how do you know?” She sat forward, listening intently.
Andrea sighed, her eyes filling with tears. Taking a deep breath, she began. “For the past month or so, I’ve been a small, petty person. I knew that Niles was preoccupied with Lacey, so I lashed out at them the only way that I could think of. I seduced Lacey’s husband, Simon.” Becca’s eyes widened, but she didn’t interrupt.
“We’d been sleeping together pretty often, and I told Simon what his wife was up to with Niles. The night before she died, when Simon was supposed to be in New York, he was with me. I told him that I was tired of what was going on between Lacey and Niles, and that he had to give her an ultimatum. Either she left Niles alone and stayed faithful to Simon, or he’d divorce her and leave her with nothing, because they have an adultery clause in their pre-nup. I also let him know that Lacey had told me that her period was late and that she thought she might be pregnant.” Becca gasped again, her hands over her mouth in shock.
Andrea continued. “Simon put two and two together and realized that it couldn’t be his baby because the only person he’d had sex with in the last few months was me. He was furious, but said that he didn’t want to confront her just yet
, that he needed time to think. I was tired of waiting for Niles and told Simon that if he didn’t tell give Lacey the ultimatum, that I’d tell her I’d been sleeping with her husband, and she’d be entitled to at least half of everything.”
When she paused, Becca blinked slowly a few times, stunned. What a mess! “Why would Lacey believe that you had slept with Simon? Wouldn’t she just think it was a ploy to come between her and Niles?”
Andrea shook her head and reached into her ostrich-leather bag. “No, she would’ve believed me, because I have this,” she opened her hand, revealing a wide gold band.
“Is that…?” Becca raised her eyebrows.
“Simon’s wedding ring, yes. He thought he’d lost it and planned to buy another, but I found it behind a lamp on my nightstand.”
Becca sat back, trying to take it all in. “Andrea, why haven’t you spoken to the police about this? Why come to me?”
“Because after Lacey died, I got really scared and didn’t know what to do. Simon disappeared and I figured that you probably know him better than most, so I thought that maybe you could give this back to him for me. I don’t want him to hurt me, Becca.” Tears rolled down the frightened girl’s cheeks.
“Do you think he would hurt you, Andrea?” she asked, feeling a slight tingle of fear herself.
“I don’t know...look what happened to Lacey,” she said miserably. “Will you take this?” she held the ring out to Becca gingerly. “I feel like it’s cursed or something, and I just want to forget that I had anything to do with Simon Langworthy. Please?” she pleaded.
Becca held out her hand, accepting the ring, but having no idea what she was going to do with it. Andrea left soon after, thanking her profusely and begging her not to tell anyone about what had happened. Becca had replied that she couldn’t promise to do something which might put someone in danger and the two women had left it at that. She was emotionally exhausted after hearing Andrea’s story, and crawled into bed, deciding to figure out her next move in the morning.
New England Clam Murder: A Rocky Cove Culinary Cozy Page 3