Clues of the Heart: Baytown Boys Series

by Maryann Jordan

  Katelyn saw Jerry smile slightly as he rubbed Cindy’s shoulder, before she continued. “Carrie was only two when I met Jerry and fell in love. He loved Carrie as his own and together we became a family. He’s been the only father she’s ever known.”

  Gareth took in Carrie’s knitted brow and decided not to ask her any questions until he had more information. Looks like she’s struggling to deal with all the new information.

  Turning back to Cindy, he asked, “So what made you decide to let Walter know…I’m assuming you let him know?”

  Nodding slowly, Cindy replied, “About a year ago, I was out with Carrie having lunch and a man walked over. I looked up and, to my surprise, it was Walter. He had recognized me and when I introduced Carrie as my daughter, I could tell that he immediately made the connection.” Lifting her shoulders slightly, she offered, “She looks like his side of the family.”

  Silence settled on the group for a moment before Cindy continued. “He called me the next day…I wasn’t surprised. He of course wanted to know everything, but I didn’t want to have the conversation over the phone. I told Jerry and he agreed that I needed to be truthful. So, I arranged to meet Walter.”

  Carrie heaved a sigh and Katelyn’s gaze jumped back to the young woman, her heart full of sympathy for how Carrie’s world had changed in the last few days.

  Cindy’s eyes fell on her daughter and a look of sadness crossed her face. “Looking back, I should have told Carrie all along about her real father…but, to be honest, Jerry has been her real father. When I met with Walter, I did tell him about Carrie and, contrary to what you might believe, he was not angry about not knowing. Well, at first he was, but then he accepted it. Walter was a very pragmatic person. He even told me that he and his wife were unable to have children, so he said that he would like to help Carrie. She was still in college and he said his office needed a receptionist and he would help with college costs.”

  “Your news came as quite a shock to his wife,” Gareth commented. “He did not tell her about his daughter.”

  “Sounds like I was just everyone’s big ol’ secret,” Carrie bit out, her anger palpable.

  Looking at her, Cindy explained, “Walter said his wife was unable to have children and he did not want to upset her.”

  “So, he gives Carrie a job and this gives him the opportunity to have a relationship with his daughter in a professional setting. What about now? What about the lawsuit?”

  Pinching her lips, Cindy said, “Walter and I met several times over the past year—”

  “Did you meet at a hotel?” Katelyn interrupted.

  “Uh...no,” Cindy stammered, blushing as her eyes cut over to her husband.

  Gareth prompted, “Please continue about the lawsuit.”

  “Walter told me that he wanted to make sure that Cindy would be taken care of. I assumed he meant in his will. I never asked him directly, but that was my assumption…and my mistake. When he died, I kept waiting to hear from their attorney. When I didn’t, I had my lawyer check and found out that Carrie wasn’t mentioned at all.”

  Silence again lay over the group making Katelyn wiggle slightly, as though underneath an itchy blanket. Finally, leaning forward, she asked, “But why now? You’ve gone all these years without Carrie knowing about her real father…without his financial support. Why rock the boat now?”

  “Because the fact of the matter is that he came into her life and he was her biological father. We did a DNA test, just in case we needed it, but he was so good to her that I never needed it. But now? He died and there is no mention of his daughter at all. I talked to Jerry and we decided that for Carrie’s sake and for her future to be financially secure, we needed to proceed.”

  Turning to Carrie, Katelyn said softly, “Carrie, up till now, your mom’s been answering the questions, but let’s face it—you’re an adult. What’s your stance in all of this?”

  Sighing, sounding more sad than angry, Carrie replied, “I’m having a hard time with all of this. In the last week, I’ve lost my…boss, who I adored, only to find out he was, in truth, my father. And now, I’m suing his wife, who’s completely innocent in all this mess, for money. It makes me feel…somehow dirty.” She looked up at Katelyn and added, “But then, I’m his daughter. I’d like to be treated as such and since he knew I was, then why didn’t he provide for me?”

  Not answering her rhetorical question, Gareth glanced at Katelyn before saying, “We thank you for your candor. I’m sure the Baytown Police will be interviewing you as well, but I’ll be reporting back to Eleanor Berry.”

  As Gareth and Katelyn walked out, Carrie grabbed her purse and said, “I’m leaving now also, Mom. I’m meeting Ed for dinner,” and hustled out the door. Once outside, she jogged over to Gareth’s vehicle. “I know this all makes me look like a selfish bitch. I really do feel sorry for Mrs. Berry…she’s just as innocent in this mess as I am.” With that, she walked briskly to her car.

  Climbing into his SUV, Katelyn looked over and said, “Wow. Just wow. I don’t even know what to think right now.”

  Gareth’s gaze drifted to the side of the driveway near the back yard where he noted a boat sitting on a trailer parked next to the garage.

  Cindy and Jerry stood together at the living room window and watched the vehicles pull out of their driveway.

  “Do you think that went well?” Cindy asked her husband. A shoulder squeeze was his only reply.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The sun streamed in through the tall windows of Jillian’s galleria, upstairs from her coffee shop. As Katelyn rounded the corner at the stop of the stairs, she saw the others gathered and grinned. Jillian had coffee and pastries laid out and Tori’s mouth was already covered in powdered sugar.

  “Sowwee,” Tori tried to apologize, blushing at her lack of restraint when it came to sweets.

  Laughing, Katelyn plopped down between Jade and Belle, reaching to the platter, helping herself as well.

  “Rose is coming today,” Jillian said, and right on cue, a pretty blonde bounded up the stairs.

  “Thanks for inviting me!” Rose said. “I was in town today and grabbed coffee downstairs. Jillian invited me to come back for your get together. I hope I’m not crashing!”

  “How’s the ice cream shop going?” Tori asked, having successfully swallowed her large bite of pastry.

  Rolling her eyes, Rose huffed, “I swear, the town manager has me so twisted in knots, I want to throw in the towel and just try to open a shop in the northern part of the Eastern Shore!”

  “No!” came several shouts all at once, startling Rose.

  “Sorry,” Katelyn said, “but this town needs new blood and an ice cream shop is perfect. Silas Mills drives everyone crazy, so you can’t take it personally.”

  “Well, I know I told you that the first property I looked at had just been rented to the guy who owns the garage—”

  “Jason,” Jillian interrupted.

  Shrugging, Rose said, “All I know is he wanted to open a tattoo parlor as well as the garage. But he’s only got the garage going now and the storefront is just sitting there! I mean, it looks like he’s got stuff in it, but I could be open now, growing my business now. Who knows how long it will be before he opens.”

  “He’s a really nice guy,” Tori said. “He helped me out when I was having some difficulties a couple of months ago.”

  “Well, nice or not…he’s got the place I could afford. So, I’m still looking.”

  Turning to Katelyn, Jade asked, “So what’s up with the murder investigation?”

  “You know I can’t talk about what we’re finding out,” Katelyn said, her voice uncharacteristically whiny. “Unless, of course, we discuss things you already know.”

  “Okay, fine. Let’s talk about how the body got to the golf course,” Jillian said, leaning back in her chair as she tapped her forefinger against her chin.

  “Obviously by boat,” Belle pronounced eagerly, sitting forward in her seat.

>   “Yes, but when, and what kind of boat?”

  Tori said, “Could it have been in a small row boat or canoe?”

  “I don’t think so,” Katelyn said as Jillian was shaking her head.

  “Nope, not a small canoe. A boat…perhaps, but it would need a motor. It would take too long to travel by rowing.”

  “But they don’t know where he was killed,” Tori added.

  “Why would someone want him killed?” Belle asked. “The newspaper article said that he was a beloved member of his organizations and his workplace.”

  Patting her hand, Jillian replied, “Oh, sweetie. Obituaries can make the devil look like a saint. No one’s that perfect.” Leaning back, she added, “But for someone to want him dead…well, there has to be motive, opportunity, and means.”

  “Ooh, look at you, sounding just like you stepped out of a TV crime show,” Tori laughed.

  “Hey, we’re both with policemen—surely we’ve picked up some of the jargon!” Jillian laughed.

  Rose, her expression uncertain, looked over at Jade, who had been quiet. Leaning over, Jade said, “This is how they roll.”

  “Motive is usually money or anger,” Katelyn said, thinking about Walter’s will, which had seemed so simple but, now, with the new information about Carrie, both reasons seemed to fit.

  “Opportunity could be anywhere, since no one seems to know where he was when he told his wife and his coworkers that he was going on a weekend trip,” Jillian surmised.

  “Means is a hard clue to figure out because if he was hit on the back of the head, it could have been with anything,” Katelyn stated.

  “I vote for Colonel Mustard, in the library, with a candlestick,” Tori quipped, her jest causing the others to laugh.

  It did not take long for the mirth to end and somberness to settle over the group. “It’s really sad,” Belle said. “To think of anyone killed for whatever reason.”

  “Don’t you think it has to be a man?” Jade asked. “The picture in the newspaper made Walter look like an average size man, but it would still take a lot to kill someone.”

  “Most murderers are men,” Rose added as she scrunched her forehead in thought. “I’m sure I read that somewhere.”

  “Women are just as capable of anger and even hate,” Belle said, her gentle voice belying her words. “Sometimes I think a woman would be more capable.” As the others turned to her, curiosity at her statement, she added, “Men get angry quickly, but will often fight it out and then it’s over. The flash of anger burns out.” Lifting her shoulders in a slight shrug, she continued, “But women? Their flame of anger can burn for a long time. Even years.”

  As the subject changed and the others began talking about Tori and Mitch’s upcoming wedding, Katelyn’s mind stayed on motive, opportunity, and means.

  “Would you believe that I’m actually sick of going back over this bridge?” Katelyn asked.

  Gareth chuckled and nodded his agreement. “When I first moved to the Eastern Shore I wondered if I would get tired of living in a small town and would want to head back over to the Virginia Beach area.”

  “Oooh, to go clubbing?” she joked, cutting her eyes to the side, suddenly wondering about his life before she met him.

  “Hardly,” he replied. “I was never much of a partier. My sister always accused me of being too serious, but,” shrugging, “I never had much choice. The military certainly didn’t change that. And, finishing up at Dover was not a barrel of laughs either.”

  Placing her hand on his leg, she said, “I’m sorry for you, but glad for all the soldiers, that you were the one making sure everything was taken care of.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for me, sweetheart. I’m just glad I ended up where I did and found you. And just like you, I don’t need to leave the Shore to find excitement.”

  Smiling, she turned to gaze out her window. “The wind is picking up. I heard we were supposed to get a storm soon.” Shifting her attention back to Gareth, she said, “The girls and I were discussing the case—no, I didn’t tell them anything,” she rushed as he opened his mouth to speak.

  Grinning, he nodded for her to continue. “Belle said something that stuck with me. It was about how men can get angry and quickly get it out of their system, the anger dissipating. But that for women, anger can burn for a really long time.”

  “You got ideas about the case?”

  “Well, I was just thinking about Cindy Reynolds.”

  “Yeah?”

  Turning to face him, she said, “We only have her word that Walter didn’t know about the pregnancy. Maybe Walter did know and rejected her twenty-years ago. Maybe she’s been burning about this for that long. Maybe—”

  “That’s a lot of maybes,” Gareth laughed. “But that’s the way to investigate. Look for clues and then look for ways that things could happen.”

  “Do you mind if I talk to Carrie alone today? Maybe when you go back to talk to William?”

  Gareth peered into Katelyn’s blue eyes, noting the sparkle of life. “You got it,” he said, enjoying the way her face lit with excitement. “So, how’re you liking the investigating business so far?”

  Shrugging, she said, “It beats waitressing.” Seeing his look of concern out of the corner of her eye, she struggled to hold back a grin. Unable to accomplish that feat, she burst into laughter at his affronted pout. “I love it…you know that. And it keeps me from having to sit in trees!”

  Shaking his head, he grinned. “Gotta admit, standing underneath your perfect ass that night was a sight to behold.”

  “I was shocked, to say the least.”

  Gareth watched as William shook his head slowly, his hound dog jowls making him look even more beleaguered.

  “Walter never even hinted that Carrie was his daughter. I mean, I noticed he seemed to be particular to her.” Blushing, he added, “I actually wondered if they were…uh…well, you know. But for her to not know either…it’s all so strange.”

  “Do you know if you will keep her on?” Gareth asked.

  “I can’t see why not. None of this is her fault and she’s a very competent receptionist.” Shrugging, he added, “But, then, she’s taking college classes so I would assume this is a temporary position for her.” Sighing again, he said, “Seems likes lots of things are temporary now.”

  “And the firm?”

  “I was Walter’s partner and the firm will now be in my name.” He leaned forward and whispered, “In fact, Sandra and I had some words yesterday about it.”

  Cocking his head to the side, Gareth prompted, “Words?”

  “She assumed she would become a full partner but, in my opinion, she’s too young and inexperienced. She’ll remain a partner, but I’ll look for another senior partner.”

  Gareth stayed quiet for a moment sensing William had more to say and he did not have to wait long.

  “I know this sounds sexist, but I’m going to be looking for a male accountant to fill Walter’s shoes.” His jowls shook once more as he explained, “There’s just too many women here!”

  “Thanks for the coffee…and the chance to run away for a few minutes.”

  Katelyn smiled at the young woman sitting across from her in the small coffee shop down the street from the accounting firm. Carrie, pale but still immaculately made up, sipped her coffee.

  “Carrie, what can you tell me about Walter, your mom, anything?”

  Toying with the napkin in front of her, Carrie sighed heavily. “I was looking for a part time job, figuring I’d be waitressing, but Mom called and said that she knew of a receptionist position. I didn’t think I’d have a chance, but just to placate Mom, I went to interview. Walter…” swallowing audibly, she looked up, holding Katelyn’s gaze. “It’s still hard to say his name right now.”

  “I understand. Just take your time.”

  Clearing her throat, she said, “I’m fine…really. Anyway, Walter interviewed me. He was attentive, asked lots of questions and then told me I was hired. I thought
I was just really lucky. A week after I started, he told me that the company would help pay for my college classes. Then I thought I’d hit the jackpot. He and Mr. Maskey were nice to work for even though Beth and Sandra were never as friendly.”

  “Why do you think that was?”

  Rolling her eyes, Carrie replied, “You know how women can be smiling to your face and then back-stabbing bitches to your back.”

  Katelyn blinked hard as she leaned back in her chair. Really? Having never experienced that kind of relationship, she once more realized what good friends she had. God, I’m lucky! Nodding dumbly, she indicated for Carrie to continue.

  “Sandra lorded over me that she was a partner and I was nothing. Beth flirted with Walter but he was never interested.”

  “Are you sure? They both seem to think that he had a special relationship—”

  “Oh, I’m positive! They would both bat their eyes and act like he had spent time with them, but I never believed it.” She chuckled as she added, “Beth would get pissed when he spent time in a closed-door meeting with Sandra and Sandra would fume when he spent time with Beth going over the office finances.”

  Katelyn thought about what Belle said—women can hold on to their anger. Sipping more of her coffee, she gave Carrie a minute to drink as well before starting in on her mother.

  “So, how did your mom tell you about Walter?”

  Closing her eyes, Carrie leaned back in her seat, shaking her head. “She just called and said I needed to come home so that she and Dad could talk to me about something.” Opening her eyes, she said, “Hell, I thought one of them had cancer or something. We sat in the den and Mom just started talking about a man she met when she was young and how she ended up pregnant. Honestly, the way she explained it to you the other day was exactly how she told me. Dad just sat there looking sad…I think he would have been fine with me thinking he was my biological father for the rest of my life.”

  “Did you get the feeling that Jerry was upset with your mom?”

  “No…he’s always let her call the shots. They have a good relationship, but Mom is the more dominant one. You know, the kind of relationship where if she needed him to, he’d bury a body for her.”