by Linda Wiken
Devine had gone into the living room and J.J. was about to join him, when someone knocked at the door. She looked out to see Ness. She’d almost forgotten she’d invited him to dinner. She glanced back at Devine. Oh well. Maybe she’d ask him to stay, also.
“Hi, Ness. Come in.”
“Thanks, doll.” He glanced around behind him as he entered.
“Uh-oh. Lola troubles again?”
“You got it in one. She’s already hammered on my door two more times today.”
“Did you answer?”
“No. I’m not obliged to open the door just because someone wants in.” He looked toward the living room for the first time. “Oh, not a suitable time for you.”
“It’s okay. He just got here. We’re talking about Alison. Come on.” She half dragged him into the living room. The men nodded and grunted at each other as Ness chose the chair farthest away from the love seat where Devine sat.
“I’ve invited Ness for supper, Devine. Would you like to join us?”
Devine shook his head. “Thanks, but I can’t stay long.”
She noticed that brought a smile to Ness’s face.
“Okay, how about some wine all around?” J.J. countered. They each nodded so she went to get some.
“So, what’s happening with the case?” Ness asked.
“A lot has happened today,” J.J. called out from the kitchen.
Devine asked, “A lot of what?”
“I’ll fill you in as soon as this is ready.”
She didn’t hear a peep out of the two of them until she brought the wineglasses in and handed them out. She chose the other occasional chair across from Devine.
“Well, first of all, I went to meet and talk to Jessica Bailey, Jeffrey’s wife.”
“That’s the second wife?” Ness asked.
“That’s right. She lives in Rouses Point and I was quite surprised that I liked her.” She filled them in on her visit, leaving out the part about Brad. “Then I went to see Alison, and this jerk of a neighbor was sitting out in his pickup watching her. Or rather, stalking her.”
She told them about the conversation and then having Hastings come over to hear what she’d recorded.
Devine noted something on his BlackBerry. “What did Hastings say he’d do?”
“Talk to the guy but that’s about it. I think it shows him to be a logical murder suspect, though.”
“But why?” Ness asked. “I take it Alison was already separated from the bigamist.”
“She was but she also was rejecting Darrell Crumb. That’s his name. He could have killed James and dumped the body in her SUV in a sort of dual attack—kill his erstwhile rival and frame the rejecting damsel.”
She looked at Devine, waiting for a reaction. Finally, he shrugged.
“It’s pretty flimsy, if you ask me.”
“I agree,” Ness added in a begrudging way. “How did he know where to find the deceased in the first place? What about the second wife? How’s she for a suspect?”
“I’d like it to be her because that would make a lot of sense but she seems genuinely bewildered, and even more, she misses him and is grieving. Possibly more than Alison is.”
“We’re certain Alison didn’t do it? Maybe she got tired of waiting around for all the financials to be settled, and then on top of that, she found out about his wife on the side. And that was it.” Ness sounded pleased with his conclusion.
J.J. shook her head. “No, I don’t believe Alison is a killer. She could have gotten her revenge by exposing him to the second wife. If that marriage was as perfect as Jessica says, then there would have been a lot of damage done.”
She waited for a response but neither man said anything.
“Oof. It is so frustrating not to be getting anywhere with this. Don’t either of you have a suggestion?”
“I think we need to look for a connection between someone in his second life and Alison,” Ness finally said. “If the cops have eliminated all the bad guys who might have it out for her, and you can’t come up with anyone else around here, then that’s what’s left.”
Devine nodded. “He’s right. But we don’t know much about his life as Jeffrey Bailey. We do know that he wasn’t working for the fire department as he’d told his wife. That was the same pattern as with Alison.”
J.J. scrambled over to the kitchen and grabbed a pad and pen. She quickly drew two columns, labeling one as James, the other as Jeffrey. The first entry under both was NOT a firefighter. She sat back down beside Devine and flashed her list at him. “So, what else?”
“You tell me. You’re the one who has spoken to both wives.”
“Right. Well, I got the impression that Alison thought he had kept some of his clients from when he was a financial advisor.” She wrote that down. “While Jessica said he didn’t really need to work, but that he had worked as a financial advisor at one point.” That went in both columns. “At least he kept his stories similar. I guess he figured that way he wouldn’t slip up.”
She looked up and both men were watching her. She raised her eyebrows at them but got no response. “Okay. Me again. Both said his parents had died and that he was raised by his grandfather, who had also died. However, Alison thought the grandfather was poor while Jessica said he was rich, and it turns out, he was. What do you think that means?” She quickly added the information to her list.
Ness crossed his arms and sat back in the chair. “He was playing games with them?”
J.J. snapped her fingers. “What he was playing, or at least liked watching, was hockey. Alison said they met at a fund-raiser supper after a game between the cops and firefighters, while Jessica said they met at a dinner that was a fund-raiser for a hockey team.” Hockey went on the list in both columns, along with fund-raising dinners.
“It’s interesting that he’d tell both he wanted to be a firefighter but I’m guessing that’s because it gave him leeway to live with each wife for a set number of days without arousing suspicion.”
Ness grunted. “He was a smart one. That’s a con that took a lot of planning.”
“Do you think he deliberately set out to be a bigamist?” J.J. was appalled. It was one thing to plan it all, another to suddenly fall in love with another woman. Although the honorable thing would have been to have gotten a divorce first. “But why? Don’t you usually associate cons with money? There’s no money for him to make here. At least, not that I’ve found.”
Ness shrugged. “Cons. Scams. Yeah, usually they’re all about money but this sounds like his goal was the best of two worlds and that, my dear J.J., is pure selfishness. Ego. Or else he was doing it for the thrill, you know, daring to be caught.”
“Harper’s right,” Devine added. “Don’t get too hung up on trying to figure out the motive at this point. I doubt that’s going to lead us to the killer and it may work in reverse, the killer will lead us to the motive.”
“Huh. Very wise-sounding, Devine. But what’s the next step?”
“The police are still looking at revenge so I’ll tackle his other life, those days when he wasn’t a firefighter in either life. Maybe you could get cozier with widow number two. She may be the connection to all this.” He stood and stretched. “Sorry, but I’ve got to go. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He nodded at Ness and walked past him to the door. J.J. followed, wondering what was on Devine’s calendar this evening. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, which made her even more curious, then left.
“So, dinner’s still on?” Ness asked as she returned.
“Absolutely. Just give me a minute to set the table. I did a red wine–braised pot roast and it’s been in the slow cooker all day, so it should be ready.”
Ness helped her by refilling their glasses and then sat expectantly while J.J. dished out the meal in the kitchen and then served it.
“This looks and smells really great. I’d say your skills as a chef are expanding by leaps and bounds.” He spooned out a portion then blew on it before eating
it.
J.J. watched in anticipation until he’d finished chewing and swallowed. She thought he looked pleased but she needed to hear it.
“Well, that’s really great, J.J. Really great. I think I’d better invest in one of those slow cookers, myself.” He took a slice of the seven-grain bread that J.J. had cut thick, and broke it in half, smothering it in butter.
“I’m glad you like it.” J.J. took a small spoonful and tried it. It was good. She should be pleased. She helped herself to some bread. “I added some small red potatoes so I was hoping it didn’t throw off the original recipe, which suggested potatoes or polenta or something on the side.”
“Naw, tastes great. Really great.”
J.J. nodded and thought how right he was.
“So, I’m all caught up on the case?” Ness asked between mouthfuls.
J.J. nodded. “I think so. Have you come to any conclusions from what you’ve heard? Does it add up or is something missing?”
Ness held up his hand with the bread in it. “Not so fast. I haven’t really had a chance to process all of what I’ve heard. I’d say, though, that if the police haven’t come up with a connection in their files, it’s not going to happen. Even that ditzy former girlfriend sounds out of the frame.” He took another bite of the bread. “Maybe there’s a former girlfriend in his second life, too.”
“If there is, no one’s spoken about her and I don’t have a clue as to how to find out.”
“Something to keep in mind. You never know where a clue or a connection is going to turn up. This is really, really great, J.J.” He almost smacked his lips.
J.J. beamed.
“So, what’s the boyfriend think of your cooking?”
He said it so casually, J.J. wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. He wouldn’t be talking about Devine in that way, would he?
“Um, I’m not sure who you mean.”
“Oh, come on now. For all the fact that we hit it off on the wrong foot, and I’m still keeping my eye on him for you, I think you’re set on Devine. Am I right?”
She looked at him, wondering how serious he was. He sat there chewing on bread, a half smirk on his face.
She cleared her throat. “Um, I guess we’re progressing somewhat but I wouldn’t call him my boyfriend.” Not yet. “In fact, I’ve also been on a few dates with Brad Patterson, the brother of the second wife. And, Alison’s aunt has been introducing me to her sons right and left.” Methinks you do protest too much.
Ness nodded, still chewing and smiling. “Okay, slow down, I’m just ribbing you, doll.” He swallowed and took a long sip of wine. “Now, my problem still persists.”
“Lola?”
He shuddered. She couldn’t tell if it was fake or real.
“I’m going to have to do something and soon. Maybe be real brutal. I don’t know. I haven’t decided. You don’t have any more advice about that, do you?”
“Well, I don’t know, Ness. You sure do talk about her a lot. It could be that she means a lot more to you than you’re letting on or willing to acknowledge.” There.
He looked stunned and then started laughing to the point where he was almost choking. J.J. quickly poured him a glass of water and watched, in apprehension, until he’d gotten his breathing back to normal.
“Touché,” was all he said.
J.J. smiled.
CHAPTER 17
Sunday morning J.J. got up early. She had a plan. First, a brisk walk down to the lake to clear her head and get her thoughts in order. Then, she planned on baking a dessert to take to dinner with Skye and Nick tonight at his condo. A condo-warming dinner. Her first time there. And, her first time trying a recipe she’d found in the New England Open-House Cookbook for Maple Pear Muffins with Walnut Streusel. She just hoped she hadn’t aimed too high. Baking was not even on her radar but the muffins had looked so mouthwateringly good, and her determination level was high today, so it might just work out. She hoped so.
Her plan was for the walk, the baking, and then she’d head over to see Jessica and try to find out a bit more about Jeffrey. She felt pleased that Devine wasn’t going to fight her on this. Or maybe he thought it wouldn’t pan out so he might as well let her run with it. Either way, she’d show him!
She dressed quickly then shook a few dry treats out of the bag for an anxious Indie, who’d been following her around since they got up. “What’s with you, fellow?” she asked as she bent down to stroke his silky back. Maybe he needed some time out on the balcony today. He probably could sense that winter was around the corner, which would severely limit his outdoor time.
“As soon as I get back,” she promised as she slid through a narrow opening of the front door, trying to divert Indie making a break for it, and walked quickly past the doors of both Ness and Lola. She felt bad for them both but didn’t think it was her place to play any kind of cupid.
The strong northern wind slowed her on her way down Gabor Avenue to Lakeshore Drive, and she had a time of it while she walked along the beach. She was glad she’d worn a fleece-lined jacket with a hood and that she’d stuffed some gloves in her pocket. At this rate, it would probably be a short walk, though.
She looked down and headed into the wind, telling herself it was good exercise. Although if she’d hoped to do any thinking, it wasn’t about to happen. All her energy went into moving her feet through the sand while trying to go forward rather than be pushed backward. She did notice the occasional unusually shaped stick but didn’t stop to pick it up.
When she lifted her head, she was almost at the far end of the public beach where she had an unobstructed view of the ritzy neighborhood. She wondered how the Portofinos were doing. She’d heard nothing about them since she’d planned the twenty-first birthday party for their daughter last year. It felt like it had been so much longer ago.
She looked back in the direction from which she’d come. Full points for determination. Time to head back, which proved to be a much easier walk.
When she got back, she quickly changed then made a cup of espresso while rereading the recipe for the muffins. She had all the ingredients and they sounded easy to make; she could do this! Her confidence had certainly increased since she’d joined the Culinary Capers but she was not at the level of going it without a recipe. She doubted she’d ever be at that stage. Beth could cook with her eyes closed and Alison seemed to take it all in stride. Even Connor and Evan sounded like they were confident in the kitchen. She sometimes wondered how she’d gotten into the Culinary Capers and then she thought, Evan. He’d been one of the first friends she’d made in Half Moon Bay. She couldn’t miss seeing him every day she went to work and the greetings had quickly turned into conversation.
This was all good. She knew it. Even if the occasional murder happened.
She began dicing the pear, and when she finished, she took great care in measuring out all the ingredients into small dishes. She’d learned the hard way that the better prepared she was before starting—and that meant preparing everything so that it was ready to be added—the more success and less stress she’d have. By the time she’d made the walnut streusel topping to spread on the muffins, she took a deep breath and looked at the clock. It had taken her so much longer than she’d imagined, which shouldn’t have been a surprise if she’d been honest about her previous attempts at baking.
She glanced back at the clock as she slid the muffin cups into the oven and set the timer. She’d have to skip the trip to see Jessica today but would be sure to go one day soon.
She would have time to visit Alison, though.
*
• • •
J.J. thought over her questions for Alison as she drove. She wanted to know if Hastings had told her any more about what the police had learned and if they were sharing information with the Rouses Point police. Even though the body had been found in Burlington, Jeffrey had been a part-time resident in Rouses Point. How did these investigations work, anyway? She’d been thinking about that and even if it did
n’t move her forward in her own questioning, it could help narrow things down.
She slowed as she passed what she thought was Darrell Crumb’s house, looking for his pickup, and then watching along the street to make sure it wasn’t parked so that he could spy on Alison again. When she turned into Alison’s driveway, she was convinced he was nowhere in sight but neither was Alison’s SUV. Where was everyone today? She ran up to the front door and rang the bell anyway. No answer. She pulled out her smartphone and called Alison, who answered right away.
“I’m at your house,” J.J. explained.
“Oh, I’m sorry but I’m at my uncle’s. Pam went home with Alex for a change of clothes and I came to pick her up. It feels good to get away for a while, even though it’s a quick visit. Did you want anything important?”
“Nothing that can’t wait. Enjoy your day.”
J.J. looked next door as she walked back to her car. Maybe Alison would have an obliging neighbor. Alison would probably not be happy but, hopefully, she wouldn’t find out. After all, if she were investigating a different case, it would be all right to do so. Maybe. Since when did you start investigating cases? She shrugged. The neighbor on the right was out or didn’t answer the door to strangers. However, the one on the left answered right away, much to J.J.’s relief.
“My name is J.J. Tanner and I’m a friend of your next-door neighbor, Alison Manovich,” she explained.
The man quickly turned to his left and stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray on an end table visible through the side glass panel. He straightened and stuck out his hand, which J.J. gingerly shook. Ugh, cigarette smell. He looked to be in his fifties, medium height, with a small paunch poking against his T-shirt, and he wore brown-rimmed glasses and sported a very short, military-style haircut.
“Junior Jenkins. What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
He didn’t look so happy to hear that. “What kind of questions?”
“I’m sure you’ve already been asked them but I wondered if you knew James Bailey very well.”