by Linda Wiken
“Well, I hope I’m not telling tales outside school, but they both come out winners. Jessica gets the money—and there’s a sizable amount—along with their house in Rouses Point, and Alison gets the house she’s living in.”
“What do you mean by ‘sizable’?”
“It seems that although Jeffrey didn’t have any visible paycheck coming in, his grandfather was worth millions and it all went to Jeffrey, so now, to Jessica.” He looked pleased by the fact. J.J. wondered if sister would share with brother and then mentally chastised herself for even thinking that.
“Well, I’m happy for them both. But that still leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Like, who killed him? And, none of us can quite figure out how James managed to pull off not only his alternate life but also his job situation. I know it was the same for Jessica. Has she figured out anything yet?”
Brad shrugged. “Not that she’s told me. She has sort of withdrawn in the last few days, I guess as the reality is sinking in and the funeral and all. Maybe the shock has worn off or has just started to after hearing about the will.” He looked at J.J. “I’m really not sure what to do for her any longer.”
“Aren’t there other relatives? What about her girlfriends?”
“Our parents have passed and we don’t have any other siblings. The rest of the relatives don’t live close by and we seldom see them.”
“Girlfriends?” she prompted.
“I don’t know of many. I’ve met a few, of course, but I’m not usually included in their get-togethers.” His smile was lopsided. “I know there are several in her crafts groups but she doesn’t do much else with them.”
J.J. grinned. “No, I guess not. That’s too bad, though. I think it’s good to have someone, especially someone female, to talk it out with.”
“How about you? Would you agree to meet and talk to her?”
J.J. couldn’t believe her luck. Just what she’d been planning to do but on the sly. This must be karma. Meant to be.
“Do you really think she’d want to meet me, what with my being Alison’s friend?”
“Oh, she doesn’t blame Alison any longer, now that she’s had a chance to think about it. In fact, she doesn’t blame Jeffrey, either. I think she blames herself most of all for falling for him, and that worries me. She’s young and intelligent and has a lot going for her. But she’s also naïve and I worry that she might not let herself get involved again.”
J.J. was touched by Brad’s obvious concern for his sister. She wasn’t sure if she could be helpful, and she sure felt tacky about wanting to meet with Jessica in order to interrogate her, but she had to do something. She agreed to stop by Jessica’s house the next afternoon. Brad said he’d set it up and he’d be sure to come by after hockey practice.
“How long have you played hockey?”
Brad nodded, his smile mirroring his love of the game. “I’ve loved it since I was a kid and always was on one team or another. Now I’m in a senior men’s league. It’s all amateur stuff but we’re a pretty dedicated lot.” His next statement bothered her. “And, I’ll bet you were a cheerleader.”
A what? Talk about being typecast. “Actually, I played basketball throughout high school and college.”
Brad quickly backtracked. “Now, that would have been my second guess.” He poured her some more wine.
“I think I’d better not have any more since I’m driving.”
“Next time, I’ll drive. There will be a next time, won’t there?”
He sounded so hopeful and she had to admit it had been an enjoyable evening. “I think that would be a pretty safe bet.”
He smiled and reached over to hold her hand. “Good. I’d really like to get to know you better, J.J. I’m just sorry it’s happening when all of this other stuff is going on.”
J.J. nodded, surprising herself by realizing she felt the same way. “I realize it’s hard on both your sister and you. But knowing Lieutenant Hastings, I’m pretty certain it will be solved fairly quickly.”
All right, not certain but hopeful, anyway.
CHAPTER 15
J.J. felt she needed to clear her head on Saturday morning so, after filling Indie’s dishes, she headed down to the lake for a walk along the shore. She loved Lake Champlain the most in the morning when there were few, if any, people around and the sandy beach was hers to own.
She zipped up her gray Columbia fleece jacket and the red down vest she’d added for another layer of warmth, and wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck as she headed into the wind—coming from the northeast, the radio station had said. That meant it would be a brisk walk today.
The evening had ended with a kiss at her car. She’d been expecting it but still wasn’t quite sure what she thought about it. There hadn’t been any fireworks, like the time Devine had surprised her with a kiss in his car after leading a suspected killer on a chase. And even earlier this week, at her place. That had been nice. But she had to admit an attraction to Brad. She didn’t know him well enough to think it might evolve into something more. But she was keeping the door open. There was something about him. He wasn’t ruggedly sexy like Devine. His were more the looks of a magazine model, a type she seemed to go for, as evidenced with her ex-fiancé. Something to keep in mind. Maybe a warning. She wondered why she fell for the good-looking ones. Was she that shallow? Of course, they had to follow through with some substance once she got to know them. A sense of humor was at the top of her list along with being a good listener and liking people. She’d see if Brad came through on the other points.
A forceful gust of wind took J.J. by surprise and she stopped for a minute to turn her back to it. The lake looked angry, as the wind chopped the waves into a mixture of foam and a small surf. J.J. wondered how this compared to being at the ocean’s edge. She should plan a holiday in Maine sometime; maybe rent a cottage right on the ocean and spend a week communing with the water. As if. Holidays were not even on her agenda. Not for a while yet. Business was bustling at Make It Happen and J.J. doubted that Skye could manage on her own for even just one week. Maybe at some point there would be another employee brought in, but for now, J.J. didn’t mind at all. She loved her job and didn’t feel the need to get away to save her sanity, or anything else.
She picked up a few rocks, searching for the perfect flat one. There were none so she tossed them back down. It was too rough to try skipping rocks, anyway. However, if Devine were there … She played with the memory of one such walk with him along the water’s edge. They’d have to do that again.
She’d gotten back to her apartment and was changing her clothes to drive over to Jessica’s, when Alison called.
“Hi, J.J. I just wanted to catch you up on what happened yesterday, if you’ve got a minute?”
“I sure do. So, this is the reading of the will you’re talking about?” She decided not to let on that she’d already heard.
“Yes. Well, the good news is that Jeffrey left all his money, or rather his grandfather’s money, to Jessica. Including investments, it’s almost ten million. We were both floored to hear that. And, James left me this house.”
“Wow. How do you feel about it all?” She could hear Alison clattering around in the kitchen. Like she had to keep on the move.
“I’m really happy that I can stay here. I realized I would have been really upset if I couldn’t. And, I’m also quite happy for Jessica. She seemed to have the real deal with him, despite my still being legally in the picture, so she’s the one who deserves the money.”
“That’s really quite gracious of you.”
“Not really. He’s been out of my life physically, mentally, and emotionally for some time now. Getting anything more than the house would just play games with my head. I really am good about it all.”
“Then I’m pleased for you.”
“Thanks. You know, sometimes it feels like none of this happened, like it’s a plot in a book I picked off the shelves. That sort of scares me, that I can be that unemotional. Do yo
u think I’m turning into a cold, bitter woman?”
J.J.’s mouth dropped open. That’s the last thing she’d expect Alison to say.
“No way, Alison. I think you’ve probably reached your overload limit and are maybe backing off temporarily. That’s all normal and good. But even if it feels like you’re dispassionate now, you certainly weren’t when this all started. Just give yourself a break. I’m sure it’s almost over.”
*
• • •
J.J. knocked on Ness’s door as she passed by on her way out to the car, and could almost feel his eyes on her through the peephole before he opened the door. Again, he shot a wary glance both ways down the hall as he pulled her inside.
“Trouble?” she asked.
“That woman just won’t give up. She’s already stopped by once this morning to invite me to dinner tonight. I said I was going out. So now I have to go out. Harrumph.”
“Well, I can help there. That’s why I stopped by, to invite you to dinner tonight.”
His face brightened. “Delightful. I’ll bring the wine. What time?”
“Six o’clock. Now, I’m out on an errand. See you later.”
She felt good about leaving him smiling. Now she hoped she could help Jessica smile, too.
*
• • •
Jessica opened the door before the buzzer had even stopped ringing. J.J. suspected she’d been waiting and watching. Maybe that boded well.
After being welcomed, J.J. followed her into the living room. It was as different from Alison’s home as it could be. Whereas Alison went for more minimalistic styles and subdued colors, Jessica seemed to like things soft and comforting. The high-backed couch was done in a warm green, almost velvet-looking upholstery and the three chairs in the room, none matching, were in different pastels. There was a deep pile carpet on the floor, tweed-looking, in a mixture of warm fall shades.
J.J. noticed the array of framed photos on the dark oak mantel of the fireplace. From where she stood it looked like a homage to the couple, with everything from wedding photos to the two of them sitting on the beach. J.J. focused back on Jessica, hoping she didn’t come across as being too nosy.
“I hope you don’t mind my stopping by like this,” J.J. started.
“No, I don’t. Not at all. I know it was Brad’s idea.” She shook her head and played with the light multicolored cotton scarf draped around her neck. She wore a long-sleeved pink pullover sweater and a pleated skirt in darker shades of pinks and navy. “I also know he’s worried about me but he shouldn’t be.”
J.J. wondered if this was everyday attire for Jessica. It reminded her of her grandmother, whom she couldn’t remember seeing in anything but dresses and skirts until well into her sixties when she tried on her first pantsuit. But Jessica must be almost J.J.’s age.
“It’s been quite a shock, though,” J.J. said. “I think it’s natural for him to be concerned.”
She shrugged. “He’s always been the hovering big brother, until Jeffrey came on the scene, anyway. Would you like some coffee?”
“I’d love some.”
“Be back in a sec.” She disappeared through a swinging door, something J.J. hadn’t seen in a long time. Soon she could hear Jessica rummaging in the kitchen. She was back in a few minutes. J.J. suspected she had a Keurig and that the cookies she’d put on a small plate were right out of a box. Not that it was a problem for J.J., who avoided baking like the plague. She’d decided she needed several more years of kitchen duty before she would try to bake anything. That was better left to the other members of Culinary Capers.
She did find it sad, though, that here was a new widow and no one had brought her any baked goods. Did people even do that these days? What about some home-cooked meals? She couldn’t ask about that, of course, but she also noted there weren’t any bouquets of fresh flowers, either. Was she really that isolated with so few friends that she’d been even more susceptible to the charming Jeffrey? Alison had pointed out that quality.
“I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me,” J.J. ventured.
“You mean because you’re Alison’s friend? Well, I admit I wasn’t really thrilled when Brad told me you were coming, but to be honest, I’m curious about her. So maybe we can help each other.”
Smart girl. Not so much the victim mode.
“By the way, you know that Brad really likes you.”
J.J. felt her cheeks get rosy and wasn’t too sure what to say. “He’s a nice guy.”
“Well, I hope you’ll keep thinking that and go out with him some more.”
“Is there a reason?”
Jessica shrugged. “He doesn’t date a lot. I guess we’re both the same in that way. Maybe because we’ve been on our own and together for so long. He’s handsome and all but he doesn’t play around, so I’d say that’s a big point in his favor.”
J.J. nodded, her mouth full of cookie so she was unable to respond, fortunately.
After she finally swallowed, she decided a change of topic would be the best thing. “What do you do, Jessica?”
“Do? Well, I illustrate children’s books mostly. I work from home and I take care of the house. That’s what I like about the work. I’m a bit of a homebody.”
“Are your books published?”
“Oh yes.” That was the first bit of animation J.J. had seen in her. Jessica jumped up and chose three books from a small bookcase under the window. “These are mine.”
J.J. took her time looking through them. “These are very good. You’re talented, you know.”
“Well, thanks. I love doing it. I love kids. I was so hoping we’d have a lot of them.” She sobbed suddenly then gave her curls a brief shake. “This will have to hold me for now. I’m sure you’re not just here to cheer me up. You probably have questions. What do you want to know?”
Very astute.
“I’m just trying to get a handle on Jeffrey’s life, hoping that might point to the killer.”
“You don’t think I did it, do you?” She sounded as horrified as she looked.
“No, I don’t. And I’m certain Alison didn’t, either.”
She watched Jessica’s face closely for any reaction to Alison’s name. Either she had already reached the same conclusion or she was a good actress.
“Brad was telling me that you met at a dinner?” J.J. asked.
Jessica settled back in her chair, cradling her mug of tea. “It was at a fund-raiser spaghetti dinner for the hockey club. Brad is on it, so I went to support the guys. Jeffrey was there and he didn’t seem to know anyone. He joined us at our table and we started talking. Then the DJ started playing so we had some dances, and then he called me up the next day. We were married a couple of months later.”
“Wow.”
“Yes, I know it was fast, but you know the old saying about being swept off your feet? That’s what happened. I just couldn’t imagine my life without him.” She paused to wipe away some tears. “He was so sweet and considerate. And, well, just perfect.”
Hm. “What did he tell you about his life?”
“Now that I’ve been thinking about it, not much. His parents were killed in a car accident when he was in his early teens and he went to live with his grandfather.”
Same story so far.
“His grandfather died while he was away in college. Jeffrey was left with a lot of money along with a large house and property, which he sold. He’d been living at loose ends since that time, not really finding a job he could stick with, dabbling at being a financial consultant, and not really having to work hard at it since he didn’t need the money. But when we got married, that all changed. He’d said he’d wanted to be a firefighter all his life so he applied and got in. I was so pleased for him. After the training, he had to commute to the far side of Plattsburgh for his job. From Rouses Point it’s about an hour. I guess it wasn’t that long a drive, and it wasn’t like he was driving back and forth every day.”
J.J. tried not to interrupt or eve
n make a sound while Jessica talked. It seemed like she needed to get it all out at once.
Jessica stopped talking and leaned toward J.J. “It wasn’t a bad life. We were together for four days and then he went to work for four days.”
She stopped, her face closed. “That’s when he was with Alison, wasn’t it? Brad said he had never worked as a firefighter. He was lying to me the whole time, wasn’t he?”
J.J. chose her words carefully. “He was lying to you about his job but that doesn’t mean he was lying about his feelings.”
She realized, as she said it, that she meant it. She’d also meant it when she’d talked to Alison. How could a guy love two women at the same time? It happened. But what shouldn’t have happened was two marriages at the same time.
Jessica looked so forlorn but then seemed to brighten a bit. “Thank you. I really needed to hear that. I suppose it was the same for Alison.”
J.J. marveled at how in tune Jessica seemed to be. Here her life had disintegrated and yet she could see it all from Alison’s point of view, too. J.J. realized she’d been prepared to dislike Jessica, thinking of her as a home wrecker. But she was pleased she’d come to talk with her. She realized how wrong she’d been.
At this point she felt even more determined to find the killer.
Brad turned up a short while later, as they were having a second cup of coffee. He apologized to J.J., saying he had to meet someone on business, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and said he’d call her.
“You see?” Jessica said with a smile after he’d gone.
*
• • •
J.J. decided to stop by at Alison’s house on her way home. She wanted to share some of the information she’d found out. Not all her thoughts, though.
She spotted the beat-up black Ford pickup parked across from the house as she turned the corner. Once she’d parked in the driveway, she took a good look at it in her rearview mirror before stepping out of the car. She’d seen it before. That noisy neighbor from the night before the body was found. What was he doing just sitting there?