Marinating in Murder

by Linda Wiken

  After they’d ordered their drinks, J.J. studied the menu, asking what Devine recommended.

  “I’ve been here a couple of times and always had an enjoyable meal. If you’d like some suggestions, there’s the Persian frittata, which is on the lighter side. Or, the braised veal shanks. That’s what I’m having.”

  J.J. decided on the frittata and then sat back to enjoy her wine when it arrived. Devine took a sip of his scotch. “You look tired. Snooping can wear you out, you know.”

  “Very funny.”

  She admitted to herself that she did feel tired, though. Maybe it was time to head home to Middlebury for a weekend of TLC. Her mom continued to be good in the pampering department and her dad had it down to an art. It might be good to get away from all these men in her life, also. But she knew she wouldn’t go until Alison was cleared. She’d just worry about it all the time she was away, no matter what wonderful treatment awaited. She sighed. Maybe Devine was right but she’d never admit it to him.

  “What’s that sigh for? Am I that boring as company?”

  She smiled. Hardly. “Just visualizing a weekend at home with my mom pampering me.”

  He leaned back and swirled his scotch around in his glass. “You don’t have to go to Middlebury for pampering, you know.”

  J.J.’s eyes refocused very quickly on his. She couldn’t tell if he was teasing her or not. That was so annoying but the sentiment was interesting. Just what did he have in mind? Their food arrived before she could ask. And then, as she tried the first bite, she wondered if she dared go there.

  *

  • • •

  They could hear the group before they saw them. Devine nodded to the far-left corner of the pub at several tables pulled together and led the way over. J.J. followed, hoping that this visit would result in some details about what James had been up to. For all the differences between his two wives, he seemed to follow the same path when it came to other areas in his life. And since they now had information about his hockey interests as Jeffrey, this should fall into place. She hoped.

  One of the men stood up as they approached. “Ty Devine?”

  Devine stuck out his hand. “Mark Hannah?”

  “I’m your man.” He looked with interest at J.J. and Devine did the introductions.

  “Sit yourselves down and we’ll get a couple of more glasses.”

  J.J. looked at the three pitchers of beer on the table. She’d rather order some wine but thought she should go with the flow.

  Mark introduced them the best he could but it was a noisy room. He got pulled into a conversation with another guy after he’d poured them each a drink. Devine pulled out a photo of James Bailey and turned to the guy next to him.

  “Do you know him?”

  “What was his name, again?”

  “James Bailey.” J.J. wanted in on this. “It would have been about two years ago, and we’re not sure but he may have been on the team.”

  The player pushed his New York Rangers cap a bit farther up his forehead and took a close look. “Nope, I’m fairly sure I haven’t seen him around. But you’d better ask some of the guys. I only joined two years ago and there were a lot of names and positions to learn. Sorry I couldn’t help.”

  He leaned past Devine, pointed at the photo, and asked, “Gerry, do you know this guy?”

  Gerry started to shake his head, then paused. “Wait a minute, I think I do recognize him. But he wasn’t on the team. A wannabe.” He held up his hand and waved at a guy in a navy sweatshirt, beckoning him to come over.

  “May I?” He reached for the photo and held it out to his friend. “Do you recognize this guy? They have some questions about him.”

  “Yeah, James was his name. That’s all I remember. He said he couldn’t skate but kept on hanging around, coming out to most games, and so we just invited him to join in for a beer after. You must remember him,” he said to Gerry. “The stats guy.”

  “Oh yeah. I do now. He was a real hockey fan. Knew all the statistics for the New York Rangers. Said he’d been a huge fan since he was a kid and he always wanted to play. It was too bad that he couldn’t skate. Didn’t stop him from trying, though.”

  Devine stepped closer. “Did he say anything about himself except for the hockey stuff? Like where he worked or anything about his family?”

  The other guy rubbed his chin. “I can’t remember any talk about work but I think his wife was a cop. No, I’m fairly sure he never said what he did. None of us really talk about things outside of hockey when we get together.” He looked at Gerry, who nodded.

  “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “I can’t really say. He was there a lot and then he wasn’t. It was a year or two ago, I’d say.”

  “Well, thanks for your help,” J.J. said. “Do you think anyone else might know a bit more about him?”

  “I doubt it but knock yourself out.” He gestured around the table.

  J.J. looked at Devine, who gave a quick shake of his head. They said their good-byes and left.

  “Well, that didn’t get us much,” she said as she adjusted her seat belt.

  “It did confirm his love of hockey. And, since we already know it was part of his second life, too, we might get more answers from that team.”

  “What about if there’s a third life?” she asked.

  Devine looked at her. “I don’t know the answer to that, J.J.”

  “But we’ll find out, right?”

  He didn’t look so sure.

  CHAPTER 20

  J.J. was on the phone to Jessica the next morning, as soon as she had a free minute.

  “Can you tell me the name of the hockey club that Jeffrey was hanging around with?” She had debated asking Brad but she wanted to have as much information in hand as possible before letting him know that she knew.

  “Oh, sure. It’s the Plattsburgh Ice Kings. You could just ask Brad, you know, but if you wait a second, I can give you a contact name and number.”

  J.J. heard her open a drawer and rout through a few papers. “Here is it. Craig Missek at 555-1243. Is it important?”

  “I don’t really know yet. I will let you know when I find out something, though.”

  J.J. was about to pick up the phone again when Evan wandered in.

  “How’s it all going?” he asked, pulling over one of the client chairs and settling into it. He crossed his knees and sharpened the crease in his cream chinos with his right hand then adjusted his green polka-dot bow tie.

  J.J. was surprised. He looked like he was in for the long haul, unusual for Evan at that hour. “Uh, all right, I guess. Is this my job you’re asking about or murder?”

  His turn to look surprised and then he started laughing. “Okay, it would be murder. Any new leads?”

  “Not exactly leads but some information.” She told him about the visit with the hockey team.

  “The New York Rangers? He sounds like my kind of guy.”

  “Really? I didn’t know you were into hockey.”

  “I couldn’t play worth a darn while in high school. There was a junior league that played at the local arena. But they made me the assistant coach. Of course, the coach was a retired minor league player and really knew his stuff. But I learned a lot about the game from him, and of course, I’d been watching and collecting stats for years.”

  “This spins a whole new aura around you, Evan.”

  “A good one, I hope.”

  J.J. smiled and nodded. “So, if you were James, what would you do for your hockey fix?”

  “Probably exactly what you say he’d been doing. Try out for the team and then make a point of being at the games and hanging out with them after. That’s the best way to get a fix. It sounds, though, like he wasn’t really one of the boys.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, they tolerated him and let him join them but they would have known a whole lot more about his life if he was a real part of them.”

  “Oh, that’s sad.�
�

  “What is?”

  “Well, here he thought he was a part of them and it turns out they were probably just humoring him. Or so you say.”

  He pretended to swat at her with a piece of paper he picked up from atop her desk. “It’s that guy bonding stuff. Not really my thing but they did include me in a lot because of my position. If I hadn’t had that, believe me, I’d have been shouldered out.”

  “Hm. I want to talk to some of the guys from the team in Plattsburgh. They might have some information about his life there, especially if he was part of the team. You know, guy talk and all that. Would you come with me? I think you talk their lingo better than I and would have a good chance at extracting information.”

  Evan snorted. “I think you’re the one who could get the info. It’s called using your feminine wiles. These are jocks we’re talking about.”

  “So, is that a no?”

  “That is so a yes. I’m dying to see you in action.”

  J.J. grinned and returned Evan’s salute as he left.

  She had to wait until the afternoon to track down Craig Missek. He said right out that Jeffrey Bailey wasn’t on the team but that she was welcome to come to their next game on Sunday night. Or, she could join a few of them at noon at the Southside Diner on Saturday. She said she’d see him at lunch.

  She let Evan know and went back to the next thing on her agenda. Those floral arrangements for Skye’s client. She started with her favorite florist and ended there. They both checked out an Internet site with floral displays, while discussing what they saw. J.J. was pleased that in no time at all they’d decided on centerpieces of easy-to-make cranberry pomander balls, pine cones, evergreens, and white carnations. These would hug the table to allow an easy flow of conversation. She typed up a report for Skye and e-mailed it to her, feeling positive she would be delighted.

  Then, knowing she couldn’t put it off any longer, she phoned Trish to get her reaction to the suggestions for the reception décor. Trish answered on the first ring, sounding brusque, which made J.J. sit a bit more erect in her chair, ready for the onslaught. It didn’t happen.

  “I love your ideas, J.J.,” Trish gushed. “We are so on the same wavelength. We’re kindred spirits. We might even have been sisters in a previous life. I’m just so, so happy. Thank you, thank you.”

  J.J. cringed but kept her tone businesslike. “I’m pleased to hear that. So, I’ll go ahead and order everything and then, we should get together next week again just to go over the lists one more time. You do realize at this point, we should have finalized all plans so whatever you decide, that’s it. Right?” She held her breath.

  “Of course I do, silly. It says right here in my bride’s guide that all this should have been done some time ago but I’m glad you’re now finally up to speed. I’m free Wednesday afternoon at three so come here, and oh yeah, will you send me the catering list again, pretty please?”

  “Of course.” As she carefully replaced the phone receiver, J.J. congratulated herself on not having allowed a note of sarcasm to enter her voice. Only two months and this wedding would be history, she kept repeating to herself. She brought her notes up to date and saved them, then turned off her computer.

  Her smartphone rang as she was locking up the office. She saw Brad’s name on the call display.

  “How about some supper?” he asked after she’d answered.

  “Uh, sure. Tonight, you mean?”

  “Right now, I mean. I’m out in the parking lot.”

  “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she asked with a smile.

  “Pretty hopeful is more like it. If you’d said no, I would have pouted all the way home. I’ll meet you at my car.”

  She slid into the passenger seat and looked over at him. In the gathering darkness, he looked even more handsome and assured. This could be an interesting evening.

  He pulled into the parking lot at Bella Luna and allowed her to enter first, his hand lingering on the small of her back. J.J. noticed Gina Marcotti talking to a table of six in the far corner. Gina looked up and gave her a small wave but her expression was questioning.

  J.J. knew what Gina must be wondering. Where was Devine?

  They were seated close to the bar and immediately both ordered a glass of wine. Brad took a sip after they were served and sat back, smiling at J.J. She felt her pulse quicken and hoped she wasn’t blushing. She wasn’t used to being so openly admired. But it did feel flattering. After perusing the menu, Brad asked if there was anything she’d recommend.

  “How do you know I’ve been here?”

  “You did mention it once before, something about the owner, who catered an event of yours, ending up dead.”

  “I did?” She couldn’t remember doing that. It wasn’t often she talked about it.

  “I think I’ll have the spaghetti carbonara,” he said, not giving her a chance to make a suggestion, after all.

  She hoped she’d remember to come back to it later that night and puzzle out when that conversation had taken place. For now, she’d go with her usual, the linguine with clams.

  Brad leaned toward her, his arms crossed on the table. “I know being an event planner keeps you on your toes but I’ll bet you’ve found time to do some looking into this whole mess, haven’t you?”

  So, he was the one to broach the subject tonight. “A bit, but there’s so much I don’t have access to, I’m really not getting anywhere.” J.J. wasn’t sure why she was reluctant to share too many details with him, she just knew he couldn’t be a sounding board, only someone with information. She also wondered if Jessica had told him that she’d asked for information on the hockey team. That could account for the dinner.

  “How is Jessica holding up?” She’d see if he would mention J.J.’s call to Jessica.

  Brad took a few seconds before answering. She had the feeling he was just a little bit less friendly when he did. “She’s doing as well as can be expected. I’ve suggested she persuade a girlfriend to go on a holiday with her.”

  “That’s a terrific idea. Do you think she’ll do it? And if so, where would she go?”

  “She usually follows my advice but this whole thing with Jeffrey has really thrown her out of sorts. Maybe I’ll just have to take charge, take some time off, and make the arrangements and then present them to her.” He nodded. “Yes, I think that’s what I’ll do.”

  “Great. Any ideas where you’ll go?”

  Their meals arrived before he could answer and she never did find out. He turned the talk to the renovations he was planning for his house and then, over dessert, he mentioned Jessica.

  “From what Jessica tells me, you’re doing quite a bit of digging into Jeffrey’s background.”

  “Is there a question there?”

  “I don’t know. Should there be? I thought you said you weren’t getting anywhere.” He smiled but it didn’t seem as warm as earlier.

  Uh-oh. Are we getting adversarial again? “I’ve learned certain things but I have no idea if they mean anything. That’s what I meant. For instance, Jeffrey’s interest in hockey. Does it mean anything? I have no idea. But I do know that James was also in contact with a hockey team. So, there’s some consistency in his two lives.”

  “Just makes it easier to lie. He doesn’t have to worry about tripping himself up.”

  “That’s exactly what I think. But aside from knowing he liked hockey, neither wife can provide any other details.” She shrugged. “So, you see, I know something but not much.” She hoped that would turn off his inquisition.

  He smiled, looking more relaxed again. “Don’t take it to heart. He’s proven he’s a master liar and I’m sure anyone you find who knew him was being fed more lies.” He leaned forward again, sounding playful. “As I first said, I think that since Alison’s SUV was used, it must be someone she knew from her job, someone who had it in for her. So, it might just be time to dial it back and let the police handle it.”

  He reached for her left hand
and started rubbing the back of it with his thumb. “I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”

  He looked like he might kiss her. There was warmth in his eyes. But she found herself shivering.

  CHAPTER 21

  Saturday morning, J.J. took her time getting ready for the drive to meet with the hockey guys with Evan. One thing she hadn’t considered when planning this was what to do if Brad was at the diner. If he was, she’d quietly explain they were still trying to get information about Jeffrey. And if he wasn’t, she’d breathe a sigh of relief. She sat on the love seat with a second espresso and Indie on her lap, reading the Saturday issue of the Burlington Free Press. When she’d finished going through it, putting aside a cookbook review she wanted to follow up on later, she quickly got ready and then went to pick up Evan at eleven A.M. on the nose.

  “Good morning, J.J.” he said, sliding into the passenger seat. “I’d have offered to drive but Michael has errands and he so loves our new baby.”

  “No problem. My idea, my car. By the way, I like your choice of attire,” she said, pointing to the New York Rangers jacket he wore.

  He preened. “Thanks. I told you the Rangers were my favorite team. So, do we have an approach?”

  “We’ll try what Devine and I did the other night. We first talk to the contact and see if Jeffrey was on the team. If he wasn’t, we show his photo around and see if anyone remembers him or, hopefully, knew him.”

  “Sounds good to me. Can we do a preliminary stop for a coffee? I feel in need of another caffeine fix.”

  J.J. pulled into a Starbucks at the edge of town and then they made small talk for the rest of the drive to Plattsburgh. She put the address of the diner into her GPS and they found it in short order. As she parked, Evan had a good look around the lot.

  “Busy place, which I’m hoping means they serve great food. Nothing beats a diner. That is, if it does home-style cooking.”