Death Wore Brown Shorts (Happy Holloway Mystery Book 1)

by Audrey Claire

  “Annie, my dear, get your shoes on. We’re going shopping.” The grave tone of her voice gave Annie a chuckle. Aw well, she liked shopping, too.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Annie wiggled her hips and yanked on the Lycra shorts again. The back rose higher on her butt, and she felt more comfortable. Making sure her dress hadn’t caught in the back, she tested the brush of the material between her legs. They did make a slight shushing noise, but maybe if she stayed seated most of the time no one would notice.

  Using a tissue from her purse, she unlocked the stall and stepped out in the main area of the bathroom. A stranger smiled at her in the mirror, and Annie flashed one back. “I’m Annie Holloway.”

  The woman chuckled. “Nan Nobleton. I know who you are, Annie. You probably don’t remember me, but I work with your aunt a lot doing her charity work.”

  “Sure, Nan. Sorry about that.” Annie stuck her hands beneath the hottest spray she could produce from the sink. Her fingers reddened, and Nan frowned in concern.

  “You’re a member of the women’s group sponsoring the luncheon?” Annie skipped washing her hands more than twice and dried them right away.

  “Yes, and Omen’s mother.”

  Omen. Annie wondered who in the world Omen was. The name sounded slightly familiar, and why hadn’t he changed his name? She supposed he could be named “Good Omen” but doubted it. Maybe she heard wrong.

  Annie excused herself from the bathroom to head back to where she had left her aunt. She stumbled just a tiny bit on the high heels. At least her feet looked amazing, and the dress her aunt picked out for her looked decent, too.

  The tank bodice and tulip hemline minimized her curvy hips and downplayed her thick thighs. She almost wanted to stay in the bathroom and swing back and forth looking at herself. The only reason she didn’t was because Nan was already looking at her like she was nuts, and Aunt Bridge would have a cow.

  Annie glided past the middle class folks who tended to behave as if they were the upper crust as she looked for her aunt. Everyone dressed in their finest with chins raised and noses in the air, sipped on glasses of champagne or stiffer drinks from the bar.

  When Annie found Aunt Bridge ordering a drink herself, she spotted Killer at her aunt’s elbow. She supposed the bank was closed on a Sunday, so no reason he couldn’t have attended.

  “Hello,” Annie said when she drew up to them.

  Aunt Bridge tried to snap Annie’s arm off. “There you are, Annie. I’ve been looking all over for you. See, Omen, I told you she was here.”

  So Omen was his real name, and now Annie remember Aunt Bridge mentioning he had been sick. Omen did appear pale but none the worse for wear. She should have heard his name the first time she met him at Jane’s party.

  Killer Omen, very spooky.

  Yup, he was definitely going on her bad guy character list. Maybe she would use a variation of his real name. No, that was too risky.

  “Omen, how are you? I heard you were ill. I hope you’re feeling better.”

  “Thanks. I’m stronger than I look.” His gaze drifted down over her, and Annie sensed he hadn’t changed his opinion from last time. She didn’t care.

  She ordered a drink and sipped it as her aunt chattered and escorted her around the room to meet all the eligible men. Annie had trouble mustering her usual enthusiasm for meeting new people. She hoped none of the guests had Flynn’s gift for reading her thoughts from the look on her face. They would pick up right away she didn’t want to be there.

  Her mindset had taken a sharp hit knowing what type of event she attended, or rather the reasons, so she found it hard to relax and enjoy herself. Aunt Bridge, whose figure Annie considered much worse than her own, didn’t fail to draw a small crowd of men around her.

  Annie stood off to the side, nursing her second vodka and tonic when her aunt released her to her own devices. Omen wandered over to stand beside her. His suit was neat and of good quality, but the material hung funny on his narrow frame. She wondered if he had purchased a size too big for him.

  “Your aunt’s interesting.”

  “Do you like older women?”

  He laughed. “No, I like her but not like that. She’s an older version of you.”

  “Wow, that’s a big statement, Omen. We’ve met twice.” Annie let her irritation peek through and tried to rein it in.

  “You both are outspoken but friendly, and you live however you want.”

  “Aunt Bridge friendly?”

  “She’s told me a lot about you, including about your dad and your mother.”

  Annie swung away on the balls of her feet. Her heels caught in the carpet, and she tripped forward. Omen’s hand shot out to steady her. She jerked away and thanked him after.

  “Sorry, that’s still a sore spot after all these years,” he said, catching up to her as she moved. They traversed the floor at a slower pace.

  “How many years does it take to put behind you the fact that your dad killed your mother?”

  He apologized again.

  Annie changed the subject. “You said you know for a fact Paul Granger wasn’t the nice guy everyone thought he was. Does that mean you knew him personally?”

  “I knew him. He was a small time thief.”

  “A thief?” They had already come to the same conclusion, but to have it confirmed still surprised Annie. “What did he steal?”

  “You name it. Most of his life, he’s been involved in making a quick buck.” Omen shrugged. “I can tell by the expression on your face you either don’t believe me or you’re wondering how I know. We all grew up together.”

  “We who?”

  “Me, Paul, Icky…”

  She almost laughed. “Who’s Icky?”

  “His name is Ivan, but he always hated it. We called him Icky, and it stuck. Anyway, he’s Evie’s ex. Used to be Icky and Evie. So funny now that I think about it.”

  Annie stopped walking and downed the last of her drink. “Wait, let me make sure I have correct. The man who grew up with Paul the delivery guy is Evie’s ex-husband?”

  “You got it.”

  “Did you tell the police?”

  “They’ll figure it out.”

  “But you’re telling me about your connection to him.”

  “If you want to tell them, go right ahead. The police have already grilled me, and I have an air tight alibi if they even think of pointing the finger my way.”

  The vehemence in Omen’s tone made her wonder, but she left it alone. He knew for himself if he could be accused. Annie couldn’t linger mentally on the fact that Omen knew Paul so well. Rather, one of his best friends being Evie’s ex—that stunned her.

  “Omen, do you happen to know how I can get a hold of Icky?”

  He held out his hand. “Give me your phone. I’ll add his number.”

  She suspected his willingness to help but was too eager to act on the new information. Wait until she told Flynn. He wouldn’t believe it. Come to think of it, why didn’t he know the group if they went back so far?

  “Thanks.” Annie checked her phone and found he had saved his number for her as well as adding Icky’s. The area code for Omen indicated he was local, but Icky’s originated in North Carolina if she wasn’t mistaken.

  He started to walk away but then turned back toward her. “Annie, if you decide to talk to Icky, don’t go alone.”

  She swallowed. “Why?”

  “Because he’s bad news, worse than Paul or I could imagine. He’s a low life, and he’ll do anything for a buck. Including robbing you if you meet him.”

  “You happily gave me his number? I don’t understand why you didn’t tell this to the police.” She looked past his shoulder, searching for her aunt.

  “Because I’m nothing like him or Paul, so you don’t have to get all scared of me. I look tough, but I’m a lamb. Ask anyone.”

  She wanted to ask him to step away from her.

  “I’m warning you because like I said, I like you and your
aunt. Go with somebody, or better yet, just tell the police. I’m not going to.”

  “Because he’s dangerous?”

  “Because I’m not a snitch.”

  She chewed her lip for a minute. “Omen, what bank are you a teller with?”

  He told her. She sighed in relief, and he burst out laughing.

  “I’m not a bank robber, Annie. I have a clean record because I’m not into all that stuff anymore. I didn’t do it much when I was a kid. We’re pushing forty, me and my old friends. Time to do something with our lives, not keep trying to game the system. Anyway, I told you.”

  He started to walk away and stopped once more. His gaze slipped over her and settled on her thighs. Annie considered snapping her fingers and saying that clever line that went, “Eyes up here, buddy,” but it seemed ridiculous in this case.

  “Annie,” Omen said, “why don’t you call me after you speak to Icky? I wouldn’t mind.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Annie let Omen walk away as she mulled over everything he told her. She was happy she had Flynn investigating the murder with her. Perhaps when they resolved the case and he returned home, she would get some type of weapon.

  That’s assuming I’m crazy enough to repeat this madness.

  Not likely anyone she knew would be murdered in Amberlon. She amused herself with the thought of getting a weapon anyway because it sounded interesting. Then she recalled her dad and changed her mind. No weapon for her and no murder cases after this one.

  Annie and her aunt sat down to a lunch served on silver platters. She had to admit the fare looked scrumptious and hoped it tasted the same. The appetizers earlier were delicious, and she managed to keep herself from eating too many before lunch.

  Both a beef and a chicken dish were offered to Annie—crab-stuffed filet mignon and oven-roasted chicken breasts with artichokes. A server filled the glass at her elbow with red wine, and Annie thanked him before taking a sip. She didn’t need any more alcohol after consuming two glasses earlier, but sipping wouldn’t hurt.

  “Annie.” Aunt Bridge concentrated on spearing a bite of steak and running it around in the sauce on her plate before eating it. After she chewed and dabbed at her mouth like royalty, she continued. “I want to talk to you about Jane.”

  Annie tensed, swirling the liquid in her glass. “What about her?”

  “Donovan called me.”

  Why did he talk to Annie if he was going to go running to Aunt Bridge? She had to admit her brother-in-law was losing status in her eyes.

  He’s worried, Annie. You always think the best of people. Why not him?

  This was Jane. She couldn’t bear the thought of Donovan hurting Jane. “What did he say?”

  “He said they’re having trouble, and he’s worried about Jane. She’s not the woman he married, he says.” Annie caught the fleeting look of pain in Aunt Bridge’s eyes, and she drew in a sharp breath. Their aunt did care. She just never showed it the way Annie expected. “He kept being so defensive. I felt like he was scared I would blame him. It is his fault if his wife isn’t happy!”

  Annie laughed into her glass. There was the aunt she knew. She sipped more wine and set her glass down.

  “I talked to him, too, and it sounds like Jane is stressing out. She should take life easier like me.”

  Aunt Bridge shot her a scathing look and flared her nostrils. “There’s no one as uptight as you, Annie.”

  “Ah!”

  “In many ways,” she amended. “But you’re also a good girl, and you’re sunny. That’s what Jane needs, her little sister. So I want you to call her and take her out. I know we did a lot of shopping yesterday, but a ladies’ day at the mall or at a spa is what Jane could use. If you need some money, just ask.”

  “I’m sure I can handle it, Aunt.”

  “Good. Sometime next week when all this mess has faded a little from everyone’s mind. Plus, Jane will feel better when the kids are back in school. That Paisley, I love her dearly, but she’s a handful. I would send her away if she was mine.”

  “Where?”

  Aunt Bridge flushed. “To her father.”

  “Donovan is her father.”

  Then Annie got it. Aunt Bridge would have divorced a fourth husband or she would have killed him and sent his daughter after him. Annie found herself relieved Aunt Bridge didn’t have any kids. Trying to control Annie’s and Jane’s lives was more than enough for the woman.

  “I’ll give her a call, Aunt Bridge. I’m sure everything will be fine with Jane. She probably just needs a few days off from all her responsibilities.”

  Annie thought about the situation. What Aunt Bridge suggested was a good idea. They could make it an entire weekend, just the two of them. Surely, if Donovan wanted his old Jane back, he could handle the kids for two days. She would suggest the plan when she returned home later.

  * * *

  Annie stepped off Evie’s front porch frowning. She gazed around the property as if inspiration would strike her at any second—or Evie herself would appear. Ringing the bell over and over had produced nothing.

  Evie’s car wasn’t in the drive, so Annie stepped over to the garage door and cupped her hands to the window. Her back skin prickled a bit as she worried someone would happen along and catch her. Squinting, she could make out nothing more than a few shelves with old paint cans on them, oil bottles, a couple of tools, and odds and ends.

  “I never took you for a Peeping Tom, Annie.”

  She jumped and spun around. “Flynn, that’s not funny.”

  “I thought it was. Anything? Did you ring the bell?”

  “Yes, but no answer, and no one has seen her. About an hour ago Detective Lawson stopped by my house to ask if I knew where she was. You think they’ve made the connection we have?”

  He gazed up at the house. “Possibly.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about Icky?”

  “Icky?”

  “Icky is Evie’s ex-husband, who also happens to be a childhood friend of Paul’s.” She folded her arms across her chest and dared him with a glare to deny what she learned. Flynn didn’t so much as wince.

  “Remember, I told you Paul came to my family when he was ten. He was standoffish and didn’t accept us as his family. He went off on his own a lot when he started getting older. I knew he had a friend from childhood named Ivan. Now that you mention it, I think his nickname was Icky, but I didn’t know he still saw him after they grew up.”

  Annie raised an eyebrow, and he smirked.

  “Do you still suspect me, Annie?”

  “I’m not saying I think you killed Paul.”

  “Good because I hope you would have better sense than to ride around with me alone the way you have been. I know I would never hurt my cousin, but you don’t. That goes for whoever else you might trust. Watch yourself.”

  She had to admit, he made sense.

  “How did you find out about Icky?”

  “Omen told me.”

  “Omen?”

  “He’s—”

  “Annie?”

  They both turned to find Gary starting up the drive. He had parked on the street for some reason. The grapevine had it that Evie frightened him, but she supposed it could be an act to frame his wife. Annie sighed. She didn’t like suspecting her friends.

  “Gary, how have you been? Do you happen to know where Evie is?”

  The man, about as tall as Flynn but not as well-built, stood dumbfounded. From the slope in his shoulders, Annie wondered just how much poor Evie wore him down. Then again, he might miss her terribly, and the strain of being separated weighed on him.

  Maybe I’m a romantic after all, and I can make my next book a romance. She quaked at the thought.

  “She’s not here?” Gary said. “I haven’t talked to her. She’s not taking my calls, and I assumed it was because she was still mad I walked out.”

  “You heard about Paul, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, but what does that have to do with Evie?�
� His eyes bugged, and he convulsed a little as if he would throw up. “She’s not…”

  “No!”

  Annie raised a hand, but it was Flynn who squeezed Gary’s shoulder. “Easy, guy. Breathe. As far as we know your wife is okay. I think she’s lying low for a while.”

  “Why would she lie low?” The color returned to Gary’s face, but confusion followed.

  “We’re not sure,” Flynn explained. Annie glanced at him, surprised he didn’t tell Gary about what they had learned. Then again, from Gary’s reaction thinking the next victim turned out to be his wife, he might not be able to handle her being accused of murder. The way things looked, he might not have a choice.

  Gary heaved a sigh. “Look, I don’t know where she is. I came by to pick up some more of my things. I’m letting her have the house until the divorce settlement.”

  “You’re…” Annie hesitated to get into his affairs.

  “She’s probably told you all already,” Gary grumbled. “You could never stop anybody around here from knowing all your business. Evie was obsessed, and I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

  “With another man?” Flynn asked.

  Gary uttered a dry laugh. “If it was that, no, I guess I still wouldn't like it. No, it was money. I don’t know everything she went through in her first marriage. All I know is she drove me nuts about every penny. When we first got married, she told me her first husband sold everything that wasn’t nailed down in their house. He blew his pay and hers on a regular basis.”

  “Oh no,” Annie whispered.

  He shook his head. “Yeah, real nice guy. Evie said they got kicked out a lot, went hungry a bunch. The bad part is he was one of those guys who could hustle anyone out of their money. He just couldn’t hold on to what he got.”

  “She didn’t leave?” Flynn said.

  “Not for a few years, I guess. She got stronger and kicked him out, then moved away. We met a couple years later and ended up getting married. By then, Evie was like she is now.”

  “A tyrant.”

  Annie tossed Flynn a reproving look, which he ignored and spoke to Gary.