Statue of Limitations

by Kate Collins

  “I told the officers what happened to you last night,” Dad said.

  “Can you think of any reason why someone would be following you?” Maguire asked.

  There was no way I could explain what Case and I had been doing, especially when we didn’t know who among the officers was on the Talbot payroll. So I said only, “I’ve been working hard to stop the demolition of Little Greece. Maybe someone isn’t happy about it.”

  We all knew who that someone would be. I noticed two of the officers glance at each other while Maguire wrote it down.

  My hands were shaking so badly I went to the coffee maker to make a cup of coffee, holding it between my palms to ward off the chills that were running up my spine. The statue’s sales receipt, the document Talbot Sr. had signed—both gone. My family had been hit on two fronts.

  I needed to call Case and let him know what happened.

  “Miss Spencer,” one of the officers called, “did you notice anything unusual last night after closing? Your dad said you were here alone.”

  “Yes, I was sitting out in the garden talking on the phone and heard a noise twice that spooked me, so I locked up and went home. That’s when I was followed. I think now that someone must have been waiting for me to get home and then returned here.”

  As Maguire wrote it down, one of the other officers said to my dad, “We’ll need a list of everything that’s missing.”

  “It’ll take a while to remember what files were in here,” Dad said.

  “I’ve been putting client information on the computer,” I told him. “I can make a list.”

  “Drop it off at the station when you’re finished,” Maguire said.

  “I can tell you one thing that’s missing,” I said. “My grandfather’s sales receipt for his statue of Athena. It’s a very expensive statue that he bought at the Talbot auction.”

  Maguire made note of it, then said to us, “I think that should do it. We’ll let you know if we find out anything.”

  As he and the other officers headed to the door, I motioned for Delphi to follow me. I didn’t want Dad to hear and tell Mama my plan. “I think Sonny Talbot is behind this.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Talbot Senior’s signed agreement stopping the demolition was in that file.”

  “Tell the cops,” she urged.

  “That would be as good as accusing Sonny outright of theft. He has a lot of friends on the force. It could even be one of them who broke in.” I nodded toward the officers.

  “I don’t think Bob would do that,” she said.

  “I agree. We were friends in high school and he was honest to a fault. So what do you think about Bob helping me find out who was following me?”

  “I think I can persuade him,” she said with a little smile.

  “I think you can, too. You know he has a crush on you.”

  “Of course he has a crush on me,” Delphi said. “That’s obvious.”

  “He’d have to be discreet. He couldn’t even tell his partner. But you’d have to feel him out before you broached it. If he says he’s willing to help, ask him to check the traffic camera video at the intersection of Greene and Main about eight fifteen last night. He should be able to get the license plate number off the black SUV.”

  “Leave everything to me.”

  Coming from Delphi, those words usually inspired fear, but today I crossed my fingers that my ditzy sister would be able to carry it off. “Why don’t you catch him before he leaves? And try to set up a meeting with him as soon as possible,” I called as she hurried off.

  I stood at the side of the big picture window at the front of the store, watching as Delphi stopped Maguire before he got into his squad car. Apparently, he had come without his partner today. The other officers had already left.

  She said something to him and a big smile spread across his face. He gave her a nod, they chatted a few moments, and she came back looking very pleased with herself.

  “We’re going to meet at The Parthenon at three when he gets off his shift.”

  “Delphi, you know Mama will think you’re dating him when she sees you together.”

  Delphi’s eyes widened. “Oh my God.” And then she made a dash for the door calling, “I’ve got to catch him.”

  When she strolled back inside, she was smiling. “Bob’s going to meet me in the garden center at three fifteen today.”

  “Perfect.”

  Dad stepped out of the office and spotted us. “Hey, girls, I know it’s been a trying morning, but we’ve got a shop to run, so let’s take a deep breath and get ready for the day. Thenie, don’t forget to check the office to see if anything else is missing. Delphi, we’re getting in a big shipment of orchids anytime now. Let’s go make a display for them.”

  “Coming, Pops,” Delphi said.

  I went into the office and shut the door to text Case: Are you free to talk?

  My phone rang, and the name Dimitri popped up on the screen. I answered it and immediately told him what happened. “Sonny has to be behind the break-in,” I said. “Who else would go to those measures to get it?”

  “Fatsis. Or Lila. Or anyone else who stood to make money from the project.”

  “I think we can rule Marie out. She wouldn’t have attempted a break-in.”

  “I’m still going to take her to dinner. After a few drinks, who knows what else I might learn that’ll help with our investigation?”

  “True. And on a hopeful note, I shouldn’t be followed anymore. No reason to now.”

  * * *

  The shop was busy until shortly before noon, when tourists started thinking about lunch and looking for restaurants before they filled up. Instead of going down to the diner at noon to eat with my sisters, I told Delphi I was meeting an old friend who’d just bought a new house and wanted landscape advice. As soon as she headed off to the diner, I hurried over to the harbor where a row of food trucks had parked. Picnic tables dotted the green space between the street and the boardwalk and today it was jammed with people.

  I scanned the trucks and finally decided on Mexican food, so I stood in line, glancing around as discreetly as I could for Case. I didn’t see him—or Sonny for that matter. But, as Case had said, perhaps Sonny wasn’t the one who’d tailed me.

  I ordered food for two and then stood under a tree to wait. I spotted Dr. Kirkland sitting at a table with a man I didn’t recognize. Kirkland was on his phone and when his gaze caught mine, he shifted it away.

  My cell phone beeped. I pulled it out of my purse and read the message.

  Dimitri: I haven’t seen anyone following you.

  Athena: That’s a relief.

  When my name was called, I picked up the food, paid, and tucked the sack under my arm. I glanced at Kirkland and saw him put away his phone and stand up. Coincidence?

  Athena: Do you see Kirkland? He’s standing in front of a picnic table. He got up as soon as I picked up my food. There’s another man with him that I don’t recognize. Keep your eye on them. I’m going to start toward the marina. If they follow, text me and I’ll go a different direction.

  Dimitri: Got it.

  I strolled calmly down to the boardwalk and headed south along it. As I drew near the marina, my phone beeped.

  Dimitri: Kirkland and his buddy are some distance behind you. Change directions and I’ll let you know what he does. If he follows you, head back to Spencer’s. We’ll figure out what to do from there.

  I stopped at the light at Pine Avenue, crossed Greene Street, then headed west. Half a block away, I got another text message.

  Dimitri: Coast is clear. They kept walking when you turned.

  Athena: I’ll circle around and meet you at the boat.

  Dimitri: Not okay with that. Let’s meet at the garden center. I’ll use the back lane so I’ll know if anyone is tailing me.

  I sent him a thumbs-up emoji and then turned back toward Greene Street. When I reached Spencer’s, Dad was ringing up a customer at the counter. I gave h
im a quick wave and headed toward the back exit. Outside, I sat at a black wrought-iron patio table as far from the shop’s rear door as possible.

  As I was setting out the food, Case entered through the back gate. “No one followed you here,” he said, pulling out a chair to sit down. “I didn’t see anyone behind me, either.”

  “Good. Then we should be able to work here privately.”

  Case began eating, wolfing down his taco as though he were starving. “Delicious. Thanks. Another meal for which I’m in your debt.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’m not used to accepting charity. I’ll make it up to you.”

  I’d be satisfied with him not trying to take back the Treasure of Athena.

  “My sister Delphi has a meeting set up with Bob Maguire this afternoon at three fifteen to see if he can find out who owns the black SUV,” I told him, “and my sister Maia said that Lila had indeed shown up for her yoga class on the morning Talbot Senior drowned, just as she had after Harry was murdered.”

  “The police must have interviewed her quickly and let her go both times.”

  “That’s one of the perks of being a Talbot.” I stopped to take a bite of my taco. “We’ve already spoken with Fatsis. Next up is your dinner with Marie. And I want to talk to Lila, so I thought I’d dash over to the yoga studio and catch her after her class tomorrow morning. I’ll have to ask Maia what time to be there.”

  “Be there at eleven thirty,” Case said. “The class starts at ten thirty.”

  “How do you know that?”

  He shrugged. “She invited me to come with her.”

  At that moment Delphi walked out the door and stopped in surprise. With her hands on her hips she sauntered back to our table. “So this is the old friend who bought a new house. Nice to see you again, Dimitri.”

  “Afternoon, Delphi.”

  I said quickly, “I ran into Dimitri by the food trucks and told him my friend had canceled, so he offered to keep me company.”

  Delphi pulled out a chair at the patio table and sat down. “Right.”

  “What are you doing back from the diner so early?” I asked.

  “Have you checked the time? It’s one o’clock, Dad just left, and we’re on duty.”

  “In that case, I’ll let you both get to work.” Case downed the last of his taco, scrunched the wrapper into a ball, and put it into the sack. Picking up his paper cup filled with iced tea, he rose. “Good to see you again, Delphi.”

  “Same here,” she said, and swiveled to watch him stride along the path through neat rows of shrubs and young trees. As he slipped out the back gate, she said, “Now he’s the kind of man you should go for, not that wuss Kevin.”

  I made no comment.

  “So,” she said, placing her chin in her palm and smiling at me, “are we really related to Dimitri or is that just your cover?”

  “Like I told you, Dimitri thinks we’re distantly related. He and I are working together to find Harry’s murderer and hopefully halt the condo project, and that’s as far as it goes.”

  “Don’t forget,” she said, rising, “you asked me to talk to Bob Maguire, and that means I’m working with you, too. So don’t keep secrets from me. I’m not going to tell Mama.”

  “I’m not keeping a secret from you. We’re working together and that’s all.”

  “Okay,” she said skeptically, then paused to listen. “That’s the front door chime. We’d better get out there.”

  * * *

  I watched the clock for the next two hours and when Maguire showed up, I breathed a sigh of relief. Step one of my plan had begun. I made a list of items that appeared to be missing, all fictitious, and after he’d been there for fifteen minutes, I headed out to the garden to give it to him. There I found my sister and Maguire with their heads bent over his coffee cup.

  I put my arm across her shoulders. “What’re you doing, Sis?”

  Maguire glanced up with a smile. “She’s doing a reading for me.”

  “Is she now?” I pulled out a chair and sat down. “And what have you seen?”

  “There’s definitely a promotion in Bob’s future,” she said. “It came through very strong. And by the way, Bob would like to help find out who was following you.”

  “You don’t know how much I appreciate it, Bob.” I handed him the list. “And here’s everything that seems to be missing from the office.”

  Maguire folded it, stuck it inside his jacket, then took out a notepad and pen. “Tell me the route you took when you were followed, and I’ll check the traffic videos.”

  “You guys don’t use iPads?” Delphi asked.

  “Sure we do. But then it’s online with the PD.”

  “Got it,” I said. Shrewd guy.

  I gave him my route information, resisted the urge to hug him, thanked him, and then he stood up to leave. “How about if we grabbed a cup of coffee at Jivin’ Java’s sometime?” he asked Delphi.

  She smiled. “I’d like that.”

  “What time do you have to be here in the morning?” he asked. “Maybe we can meet before work tomorrow.”

  I left them arranging their coffee date and headed indoors to rearrange the display of garden tools and gloves. I had just finished when Delphi came scurrying over. “I’ve got to keep Mama from finding out about our coffee date.”

  “Don’t worry. You’re only meeting with him to find out who was following me.”

  “That’s right. And Bob totally gets it about Sonny’s influence, by the way. He’s going back to the station tonight after the second shift ends to review those traffic tapes when all of Sonny’s friends”—she used her fingers to put the word in quotes—“will be gone.”

  “Thanks, Delph,” I said, putting my arm around her. “Good job.”

  I went into the office, shut the door, and phoned Case to update him on Maguire and my plan to see Lila in the morning.

  “That’s good news on the police front but I keep telling you, Athena, to let me work on Lila. She’s not going to . . .”

  “To what?”

  “Hold on,” he said. “A news bulletin just flashed across the TV screen.” After another pause, he said, “I think that interview with Lila is going to have to wait. She was just arrested for murder.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  I grabbed the TV remote and hit the power button. “What are they basing the charges on?”

  “All it says is that they have DNA evidence that ties her to both deaths. A reporter is going to speak in a minute.”

  “She lived in the house, Case. Her DNA would be all over the place. There has to be something more than that. This doesn’t smell right to me.”

  “On a positive note, at least they won’t be looking for me anymore.”

  I watched the crime reporter move into position in front of the Sequoia courthouse. After he’d recapped the news of Lila’s arrest and charges, he said, “Grayson Talbot is going to speak as soon as he and his lawyer arrive.”

  “And there’s a black limo pulling up now.” I sat down at the desk, watching as the limo driver opened the back door for Sonny. He emerged dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black shoes. The driver went around to the other side and opened the door.

  I nearly stopped breathing as Kevin stepped out and adjusted his tie.

  “Athena? You still there?”

  For a moment I was too shocked to answer, and then anger began to set in. Wearing a three-piece gray suit and carrying a black leather briefcase, Kevin marched proudly at Sonny’s side across the lawn and up the courthouse steps.

  “Looks like Kevin got that new job he told you about,” Case said.

  “That rat never said a word to me about Sonny hiring him.”

  “Mr. Talbot,” the reporter said, holding the mic up to Sonny’s face, “your wife has been arrested for the murder of your father and his assistant. What are your thoughts?”

  “I’m shocked,” Sonny said, making a bad attempt at playing the part of
a distraught husband. “Completely shocked.”

  “Do you think the detectives made a mistake?” the reporter asked.

  “I was told the detectives were seeking the man who broke into my father’s office, so naturally this has come as a total surprise. But I put my trust in the detectives right from the start. I know they wouldn’t do anything in haste.”

  “Then you believe the charges against your wife are valid?” the reporter asked.

  “Don’t put words in my mouth,” Sonny chided. “My point is that we have to trust that our system works and let the experts handle things.”

  “He’s talking around the question,” Case said. “A born politician.”

  “I understand you’ve hired a lawyer for her already,” the reporter said.

  “As soon as I got the news. In fact, let me introduce him.” Sonny put his hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “This is Kevin Coreopsis, a local resident who most recently worked for a powerful New York law firm. I know Kevin will do a fine job representing my wife. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have business to attend to.”

  “I can’t believe it,” I said. “Kevin is supposed to be fighting for our cause.”

  “So was Fatsis, Athena. For some people, money talks. Kevin is obviously one of them.”

  “He was a bankruptcy attorney. He’s never handled a murder case before.”

  “Probably why Sonny hired him. Sonny’s a shrewd man, Athena. He’s getting his wife out of the way by hiring an inexperienced lawyer for her and removing your legal advisor at the same time. You can bet Lila won’t be cleared or released on bond with Kevin representing her, not in a murder case.”

  I hit my fist on the desk. “I knew he was setting her up. Someone needs to warn her not to use Kevin. She needs a genuine defense attorney.”

  “Does she have relatives we can contact?”

  “I have a better idea. I’ll go see her in jail.”

  “You mean we’ll go see her.”

  “You can’t, Case. You need a driver’s license to get inside.”

  He muttered something under his breath.

  I thought for a moment, then snapped my fingers. “Bob Maguire! I’ll contact him and see what he can do to get me in.”