Marinating in Murder

by Linda Wiken

  Devine snorted. “So tell me what she said.”

  J.J. made him an espresso first and then filled him in. By the time they’d both finished their drinks, she sat silently, expecting another lecture. He surprised her when he said, “You don’t know how much I worry about you. Would you just stop and think carefully about something before you do it? And, don’t go flying off to question people on a whim. Call me and we’ll arrange a mutually ideal time. Okay?”

  That sounded reasonable and reassuring. “Okay.”

  “I’ve got to be somewhere. We’ll talk later,” he said, and walked to the door with J.J. following.

  Devine had his hand on the doorknob, then turned to J.J. and reached out with his other hand to tilt her chin and kiss her. He left before she could think of a thing to say. Instead she stood there for a few seconds, door open, smiling.

  An hour later, she was in her office, latte in hand, talking on the phone to Alison. She started by quickly filling her in on the talk with Lauren.

  “Well, no real surprises there,” Alison commented.

  “Except for seeing him in Plattsburgh, or thinking she did.”

  “Not really. He does, did, live not too far away, so why not be in Plattsburgh some evening? I think Rouses Point must be about an hour’s drive, wouldn’t you say? I guess she’s not a likely suspect, after all. I’d already assumed that since Hashtag didn’t mention her again and she’s still out on the streets.”

  “Now, don’t get all upset about this next question, but if you were in charge of this investigation, what would you do next?”

  Alison was silent for so long that J.J. thought she’d really ticked her off, however when Alison did start talking, J.J. realized she’d been giving the answer a lot of thought.

  “My next step would be to look deeper into James’s background. I took everything he said at face value. He told me his parents had died when he was fifteen and he then moved in with his grandfather, and that they lived in Concord. He said he had been happy enough and he went to the university. He even did his masters. His grandfather died before he graduated and he’d been on his own since.”

  “That sounds sad,” J.J. ruminated, “but it does suggest that there must have been some money in the family. All those years of studying can add up. Has he always lived in the Burlington area since graduating?”

  “Yes. As far as I know.”

  J.J. noticed the qualifier. “And I take it, no siblings. What about other relatives? Cousins, maybe?”

  “He didn’t talk about anyone. In fact, he didn’t like to talk about his past very much. Now I know why.”

  “But you were the first wife.”

  “As far as we know.”

  Yikes. “OMG, that’s true, isn’t it? At this point you are wife number one. We know about number two. Could there be others? Do you think the police are looking at this angle?”

  “Probably, and if not, they should be.”

  “Where to start? Neighbors from when he lived with his grandfather?”

  Alison was quiet again. When she spoke, it was as if reading an itemized list. “Neighbors, college chums, which you might find in the yearbooks or from professors, financial advisors through the professional association—there must be one—and the DMV would have a list of his addresses. Of course, you can’t get your hands on that but maybe Devine can. Those are starting points and it’s really a massive job. That’s why it’s better left to the police.”

  J.J. noted that Alison didn’t tell her specifically to stay out of it. “I agree, they can best handle the brunt of the work but there are four Culinary Capers and one PI who can also get some checking done. Although, I’m hoping it can mostly be done by computer or phone. Anything else?”

  “Yes. Be careful, J.J.”

  *

  • • •

  J.J. stepped inside the entry of the Urban Apple, the restaurant she’d chosen for her date with Brad, and almost bumped into Brad himself, who was hanging up his coat. The narrow hallway was tight quarters, but then again, the entire restaurant was the same way.

  “J.J. I’m sorry. I know, that’s not a good start to the evening, practically crashing you over. I don’t want to come across as too eager, now.” He flashed his high-wattage grin. “I do apologize.”

  J.J. shook her head. “No problem, but had you stepped on my new blue suede shoes, there may have been.”

  Brad looked at her feet and gave a low whistle. “Very classy. New, you say. For my benefit, I hope.”

  He’s not wasting any time, J.J. thought. If she’d been a bit unsure of his intentions when he’d asked her out, she wasn’t any longer. Particularly when he put his arm around her waist and guided her in, following the maître d’ to their table. What she wasn’t sure of was how she felt about this, particularly after this morning with Devine. Although she had to admit the room suddenly seemed overly hot.

  She was glad, though, that she’d taken her time in deciding what to wear. Her leopard-print shirtdress, although sometimes too clingy, felt just right tonight. She congratulated herself on her choice.

  It seemed to impress Brad, also. “In fact, all of you looks good.”

  It seemed she couldn’t stop smiling.

  After they’d ordered drinks and appetizers, and J.J. had enjoyed many more compliments from Brad, she eased the conversation back to his sister and Jeffrey.

  “I know I shouldn’t bring this up tonight at dinner but I can’t stop thinking about what happened.”

  She noticed the edges of his mouth tighten before he smiled. “I can understand that. It’s natural to want to talk about it. I feel the same. So, what’s on your mind?”

  “I’m just wondering about Jeffrey’s free time. Do you know if he was involved with anything?”

  Their drinks arrived and Brad took a taste of his Cuba libre before answering. “He didn’t talk much about what he did with his days, now that I think about it. He was a loner. I sort of took him at face value.”

  “Is there anyone else you can think of whom I should be talking to?”

  “Not offhand. We weren’t good friends, you know. I wasn’t someone he would confide in. You’re thinking of following this up?”

  J.J. squirmed. She wasn’t quite sure about the tone of his voice. Was it disapproving or just incredulous? Did she want him to know just how much digging she was planning to do? That thought stopped her. For some reason, she didn’t want to totally share that fact nor did she want him involved other than filling in some background.

  “So, what do you do?” she asked.

  “Aha, the old switch-the-topic routine. Okay, I’ll play. I’m an accountant and I live in Plattsburgh.” He paused and looked almost shy. “And, I also model part-time. Your turn.” He was smooth. But the modeling part explained a lot.

  “Well, I’m an event planner and I work for a small firm in Half Moon Bay.” She gave him a smile. “So, with your job, did you know Jeffrey in the business world? After all, he worked in the financial world at one time.”

  “I see you’re persistent, too. I do like that in a woman.” He reached over and touched her hand. “And the answer is no. It’s a large field, and unless we had a mutual client or worked for the same company, there’s no way we’d cross paths. Now, what do you say we toast the evening and then we can move on to favorite pastimes.”

  By the time J.J.’s order of tilapia with risotto and lemon sauce and Brad’s charred chicken with sweet potatoes and oranges had arrived, they’d moved past pastimes and onto favorite movies. Over coffee, she dared to ask him once again about Jessica.

  “What does Jessica do?”

  He hesitated and she felt him withdraw as his back stiffened slightly. “She’s an illustrator of children’s books. And I can see where this conversation is going. Again. Is that why you agreed to go out to dinner with me? So that you could grill me about what’s probably the worst situation my family could ever go through?”

  J.J. felt her face turn beet red as she grap
pled for the right words. “I don’t mean to make it worse for you but my good friend is a suspect in this murder. I just want to find some answers.”

  “And you’re hoping to turn the tables and pin it on my sister.” It wasn’t a question. “Are you actually enjoying prying into other people’s lives?”

  “No, I’m not enjoying it, Brad, and I’m also not accusing Jessica of murder. I thought we were on the same page here and trying to find the real killer. I just figure the more I understand about both of his lives, the closer we’ll get to that goal.” She reached out to touch his hand. She really didn’t want this to end badly.

  He flinched but didn’t pull his hand away. Instead he sighed and shook his head. “I know. I guess I’m just too stressed out by all of this. I shouldn’t have flown off the handle. Forgive me?”

  His smile was back and he’d covered her hand with his free one, rubbing his thumb lightly on the back, but J.J. still felt unsettled. It was probably best to end the evening and leave as gracefully as she could.

  “Of course. But I think it’s a touchy subject for us all right now. I really should get going but I want to thank you for the dinner invitation. I’d like to pay for half.”

  He looked shocked. “No way. We’ll try again.” He stood when she did. “I’d really like to try again.”

  She nodded and smiled. “Good night.”

  *

  • • •

  “He does have a point,” Skye said the next morning at the office. “But, he didn’t have to be so rude about it. I say, dump the jerk.”

  “There’s nothing to dump. It was only one dinner. And you’re right. He is right but I can’t see another way from point A to B.”

  “I take it point A is Alison and B is … ?”

  “Another prime suspect. I know she didn’t do it.”

  “So, I say again, dump him. But I can see you’ve got other plans.”

  “Well, I was really enjoying the dinner until we got into the stuff about the murder.”

  “And?”

  “And he is handsome. Thoughtful. Very self-assured but also unassuming. And he has the darkest brown eyes.”

  “Oh, brother. You know who you make him sound like?” Skye fixed her with what J.J. thought of as her all-knowing, superiority glare.

  J.J. shook her head. She’d never thought about it.

  “Patrick, as in your ex-fiancé.”

  J.J. gasped. “He is not at all like him.” She thought about it. “Well, maybe Patrick was a bit like that at the beginning. But, they’re as different as night and day.”

  “And … ?

  There was a knock on the office door before it opened. J.J.’s curiosity turned to surprise when she saw it was Brad. And in his left hand was a huge bouquet of colorful fall flowers with greenery spiking out of the center. He nodded at Skye as he walked over to J.J.’s desk.

  “I am so sorry. I behaved badly last night and I promise, if we can have a redo of the dinner, it won’t happen again.” He handed her the bouquet. “I really do want to make it up to you, J.J.”

  He looked so expectant and yet insecure that J.J. ended up smiling. “Yes, that would be nice. I wasn’t on my best behavior last night, either.” She put the flowers on her desk and stood. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I thought we could possibly try dinner again, on Friday night. Your choice of time and place. And, like I said, I promise to be on my best behavior.”

  J.J. thought she’d better make a similar promise but it was a silent one.

  “That sounds great. I’d like to start over again.” She realized she meant it.

  “Terrific.” He reached out and touched her arm, and at that moment there was nothing she’d rather do than go somewhere with Brad Patterson. She had to stop focusing on those eyes. She almost regretted doing what she was about to do, hoping it wouldn’t make him change his mind again.

  “Uh, Brad. Do you mind if I ask you one Jeffrey question or will that undo everything that’s happened here today?”

  His face gave nothing away. She wondered if he’d half expected such a thing. “Fine.”

  “At which fire station did he work?”

  “He worked somewhere in Plattsburgh. It was about an hour’s drive from their home. That’s all I know. Now, I’ve got to run but I’ll be in touch before Friday.” He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze, then tipped an imaginary hat to Skye before leaving.

  “Well, well,” Skye said, with a Cheshire grin. “Well, well.”

  “Exactly.”

  J.J. tried not to think too much about what it had all meant. He seemed to be genuinely interested in her, enough to overlook her slight habit of being nosy. She would just wait and see what Friday brought. An image of Devine flashed through her mind, making her squirm. It’s not as if we’re seriously dating or anything.

  *

  • • •

  Alison called her midafternoon and asked if J.J. could stop by and visit Aunt Pam on the way home from work. Alison was at the police station for some serious questioning and doubted she’d be home until quite late. She knew Pam would be frantic.

  J.J. tried to stay calm on the phone, agreeing to head over there shortly. But when she hung up, she started pacing. Skye had gone out on a shopping trip for a new client so the office was hers alone to pace in. But she needed someone to talk to. She locked up and headed downstairs to see if Evan was in.

  He took one look at her face as she burst through his door, and rushed over. “What’s happened? You don’t look so good. Is someone hurt? Is it about Alison?”

  “Alison is at the station for, as she calls it, some serious questioning. Why do you think they brought her in? That can only be bad, can’t it?”

  Evan joined her in the pacing. “I have no idea but from what I try not to recall of the time I was questioned—about your caterer for the Italian Birthday Party, if you recall—it is serious when they do it down there. Maybe they just want to fill her in on what’s been happening. They might already have another serious suspect.”

  “‘Serious questioning.’ Those were her words, Evan.”

  “Okay, I get you. So, what, if anything, can we do?”

  “She wants me to stop by and calm down the aunt.” She looked expectantly at Evan. He’d be a calming influence.

  “Fine. I’ll go with you. But what about calling your PI? I can’t believe I’m actually encouraging you to do that. But he must know what this means and maybe he can even go down and find out some more. You think?”

  J.J. took a deep breath. “Maybe. But we should get over to talk to Pam. I’ll try calling Devine on the way there.”

  Evan drove and J.J. had to be content leaving Devine a message. When they arrived at Alison’s house, Pam must have been watching out the window because she met them outside. J.J. couldn’t believe she could move that fast.

  “What are they doing to my Alison?” she demanded. “You know they made her go into the police station today.”

  “Yes. Alison called and asked that we stop by and see you,” J.J. explained. “I don’t know what it all means, though, and Alison said she’d probably be there until later tonight.”

  Evan had taken hold of Pam’s arm and was gently ushering her back into the house. “Can I make us all some tea?”

  Pam nodded. “Tea. Yes, that would be good.”

  They all went into the kitchen and J.J. pulled out a chair at the table for Pam, who sat with a thud. J.J. shed her jacket, placing it on the back of another chair, and also sat. They watched in silence while Evan made the tea. J.J.’s mind was racing, trying to think of something to say. She hoped Evan had something.

  He placed a tray with the teapot and three mugs on the table. He looked from Pam to J.J. and then poured them each a cup. As he sat on the other side of Pam, he asked, “Are you okay to stay here on your own until Alison comes back?”

  Pam’s back snapped to attention. “What, you think I’m a sissy? I raised four kids, three of them boys, and more
than once stayed up all night waiting.” She took a sip of the tea. “They only tried that once, though. Each of them.”

  She chuckled and J.J. relaxed.

  “Hector, my husband, wants to come here but it would be too much strain for him. Since the accident, he’s not able to get out much, and of course, if he were here, being a former cop, he’d try to be all over this case. He was hurt on the job, catching a hoodlum. That’s always at the back of my mind when I think of Alison.”

  She paused as if trying to switch gears. “I’ve had to ask Henry to move back home while I’m gone to keep Hector in check.” She nodded to herself and then looked pointedly at J.J. “You remember about my Henry?”

  J.J. nodded and knew that Evan was looking at her. She couldn’t explain to him at the moment so instead she asked, “Did someone come to give Alison a ride or did she go down on her own?”

  “That guy Hash-something called and told her to go down. She told me not to worry, which always means there is something to worry about.”

  “Actually, it is a good sign that she was asked to go in rather than someone coming to get her,” J.J. explained, hoping it was true.

  Pam shrugged. “I just want this whole mess to be over. Alison is not as strong as she likes everyone to think. I can hear her crying at night. The next morning, she pretends nothing happened. But I hear her. I see her. I know her, and I know this is tearing away at her guts. You know?”

  J.J. nodded, wishing she could think of something to make it stop.

  “But don’t you ever tell her I said that. Neither of you.” She pointedly looked from one to the other.

  “Of course not,” Evan said. “But J.J. is right. Both of us have been murder suspects, and we can tell you, it’s much worse when they actually send the police to escort you down to the station.”

  Pam looked from one to the other, her face showing something J.J. couldn’t quite put her finger on. Horror, perhaps? Not the best thing to say, Evan.

  He must have noticed the look, too. “I mean, neither of us did anything wrong. We were just a little bit involved in events beforehand. Sort of like Alison. They were married, but she didn’t do it. Don’t worry. It will be all right. The police always find the right killer.”