“I’m more of a Charlie Chaplin man, myself.”
“Scram!”
Deputy Irwin did as ordered, then Agent Barker stared intently at Josie. “What’s your game Miss Matthews? And don’t give me that story about time travel.”
“I said you wouldn’t believe me.”
“And I asked you what your game is. Are you trying to trap Remington into marriage? Believe me, other dames have tried. He’s too smart for you.”
“I want nothing from David Remington.”
“Is it Farnsworth you’re after? You’re welcome to him, though you’d better leave Lydia out of it.”
“I’m not after Senator Farnsworth or anyone.”
Agent Barker took a sip of his coffee, keeping his eyes on her the whole time. “Corrigan? Are you the one who’s blackmailing him?”
“No. I’m a time traveler from ninety years in the future, when I own this house. I don’t know how I got here, other than I went to bed one night and woke up at a party in 1929. You know the rest.”
He studied her for a long time. “Here’s the screwy thing. I think you believe you’re telling the truth.”
“I am telling the truth.”
“Except there’s no such thing as time travel.” He sighed. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I can’t arrest you for being a nutcase. Just know this...David Remington, Mikey Corrigan and Lydia Farnsworth are three of my oldest friends. If you try to harm any of them I’ll find a way to throw you in either the nearest federal pen or back in that asylum.”
“I was never at an asylum.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re from the future and you own this house. Just watch yourself, because I’m watching you. Send Farnsworth and Deputy Irwin in so my headache can turn into a migraine.”
* * *
After sending Senator Farnsworth in, Josie found Lydia staring out the sitting room window. Of all the guests at the party, it seemed Mrs. Farnsworth was enjoying it the least. It was clear Lydia’s marriage wasn’t a happy one, something Josie could definitely relate to.
“This is the oddest house party I’ve ever been to,” said Josie, as she joined Lydia at the window.
Lydia smiled sadly. “I’ve come to expect the unexpected.”
“I imagine life with a Senator is an interesting one.”
“It can be, but I was thinking about growing up with David, Mikey and Grant. In some ways, life seemed simpler then, even though they were always running from someone, usually the law.”
Josie shuddered to think what it had been like to live in the tenements of Chicago in the early 1900s. She wondered about the long road between where David Remington had begun and where he was now. Then she remembered she was trying to solve this case and, so far, Lydia Farnsworth was a complete mystery to her. “Running from the law is an odd beginning for an FBI Agent.”
Lydia had a faraway look in her eyes. “I sometimes wondered if Grant didn’t join the FBI just to atone for what they’d done. Not that they’d done anything too serious. But Grant always had a sense of responsibility for the rest of them. Me, included. He was sort of everyone’s big brother, even though they were all the same age and I was just a little younger.”
“Did you hang out with them a lot?”
She shook her head. “Not as much as I would have liked. My mother kept me fairly sheltered. She wanted to turn me into a fine lady so I could marry well. And none of the three of them was considered good marriage material. Mikey was always the wild one, though there was a soft side to him no one else saw. I remember there was a neighbor of his who got herself in trouble and already had two kids to take care of. He used to visit her and do small jobs around the house. He even gave her money to get by. That’s who he was. Even now, I can’t think of him as a Chicago gangster. I still think of him as the good guy who gave away what little he had.”
“What about Remington?”
“You mean, your cousin?”
Damn. “Yes, my cousin. We’re only distant cousins and our families didn’t get to see each other much. What was he like in those days?”
Lydia smiled fondly. “He usually had his nose in a book. He was also good with numbers. I think he learned that from being a runner for the local bookmakers.”
So David Remington had experience breaking the law. But did that extend to murder?
Lydia continued. “Our past shaped us all. David wanted to make money for security. Mikey wanted power to make sure neither he nor the people he loved ever went without food and decent housing again. And Grant wanted to help people by going into law enforcement.”
“What about you, Mrs. Farnsworth?” asked Josie, who felt a sense of melancholy from the beautiful woman. “How did it affect you?”
She took a deep breath. “I learned the importance of never going against your own heart. It’s just too bad I learned the lesson too late.” She smiled, but it did little to disguise her pain.
“I’m glad you’re all still friends.”
“The three of them are, despite their disagreements over Mikey’s profession. But this is the first time I’ve seen them in years.”
“Perhaps you can renew your friendship,” said Josie.
“Perhaps.” But Lydia didn’t look hopeful.
“Where were you last night?” asked Josie gently.
Lydia was surprised by the change in subject. She looked out the window as she answered. “My husband and I were together, of course.”
“All night?”
“Yes. All night.”
Josie couldn’t exactly explain it, but she had a feeling Lydia Farnsworth had just lied to her. Now she had to figure out why.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The air was tense as Senator Farnsworth waited for the first question in his interview with Deputy Irwin and Agent Barker. As Farnsworth sat back on the sofa, he picked up a silver candy dish from a nearby end table, examining the mark on the bottom.
Deputy Irwin consulted his notes. “So, Senator Farnsworth, what’s it like outrunning headhunters?”
“You already asked that asinine question earlier!” said Agent Barker. “Let me do this one, Irwin. Farnsworth, where were you last night?”
“In bed with my wife,” he said, looking Barker straight in the eye.
Barker flinched only the slightest amount. “Did either of you leave at all?”
“Honestly? Yes.”
That surprised Barker. “Where’d you go?”
“I wasn’t the one who left,” said Farnsworth, replacing the candy dish and pulling out a cigarette case and lighter. “As for where Lydia went, I haven’t a clue. Do you happen to know where she was?”
Barker looked his surprise. “How would I know?”
“You tell me. All I know is I fell asleep shortly after going to bed. I awoke about an hour later to find Lydia gone. She returned to bed just slightly before Madame Racine’s body was discovered. I repeat my question. Do you know anything about it?”
“Why would Agent Barker know about it?” asked Deputy Irwin.
“I said I’d handle this suspect,” grimaced Barker. “No, Farnsworth. To answer your question, I know nothing about your wife’s whereabouts last night.”
“Do you think Remington knows?”
Barker was thrown off by the question. “I can’t imagine why he would.”
“Yet, I don’t know what else would explain her absence. She doesn’t know anyone else here besides Corrigan and he was, presumably, with that moll of his. Do I think my wife murdered that con artist? No. Might she know something about it? Perhaps,” he lit his cigarette, blowing a puff of smoke directly at Barker.
“Why are you telling us this?” asked Barker.
“To show I have nothing to hide.” Farnsworth studied him for a moment. “Can you say the same?”
There was a long, tense moment of silence, finally broken by Deputy Irwin. “I don’t understand anything that’s going on. Can you please start over?”
“Any chance you were out smokin
g in the hall last night?” asked Barker.
“I just told you I fell asleep as soon as I went to bed.”
“Does Mrs. Farnsworth smoke?” asked Deputy Irwin.
“Nope. Any other habits you’d like to inquire about? Perhaps how often we have marital relations?” He grinned at that, then flicked ash onto the candy dish.
“I have no more questions,” said Barker.
Farnsworth rose. “I’m going to dress, then attend to some business. I hope Remington’s phone service is adequate for my trunk calls. I hope this investigation can be concluded quickly, so I can work in peace.”
Barker looked like he could barely restrain himself from punching the guy. “Yeah, we’d certainly hate for a murder investigation to get in the way of your trying to weasel out of an ethics investigation.”
“In case you’re thinking about trying to pin this on me, I should tell you I have a team of lawyers who’d like nothing more than to sue the government for harassment.”
“Aren’t you part of the government?”
“A very important part of it and perfectly capable of getting you fired. So I’d tread lightly when it comes to me and my reputation, Barker. You could be out of a job if you don’t.”
“Can you send in the next suspect, Senator?” asked Deputy Irwin.
“Anyone in particular?”
Deputy Irwin shrugged. “Just anyone you might be suspicious about.”
A moment later, Lydia entered the room. She glanced at Barker only once before taking a seat.
“Mrs. Farnsworth,” said Deputy Irwin, once it became apparent Agent Barker wasn’t going to speak, “your husband told us you left in the middle of the night and returned to your room just before Madame Racine’s body was found. Where were you?”
Lydia looked shaken by the question. “I went out for a walk.”
“Outside? In the middle of the night?”
She nodded. “I have terrible insomnia. I thought the cool air would tire me out.”
“Cool air generally wakes me up,” said Deputy Irwin. “Have you tried warm milk? It’s what my mother makes for me.”
“I didn’t want to disturb the servants by going to the kitchen.”
Deputy Irwin nodded enthusiastically. “You should try the milk next time it happens. You could even put some cocoa in there. Or cinnamon. A bit of nutmeg wouldn’t hurt. I once put a walnut in there, just for the heck of it...”
“Deputy Irwin!” said Barker. “Get on with your questioning. I’m certain Mrs. Farnsworth doesn’t need your advice about getting to sleep.”
“I was just trying to be helpful,” muttered the deputy. “Now, where were we?”
“You had just asked about my walk,” said Lydia.
“Of course, thank you. How long were you gone?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t look at a clock. An hour, perhaps.”
“And did you see anyone?”
She hesitated a moment before she spoke. “No. Nor did I pass by Madame Racine’s bedroom on either my way out or back.”
“Why is that?”
“I took the back stairs and left through the kitchen.”
“That’s unusual.”
Lydia scratched the side of her neck. “The front door was latched. I knew it would be easier to leave through the kitchen.”
“You sound like you have practice sneaking in and out of houses.”
“What the devil are you getting at, Irwin?” asked Agent Barker.
Deputy Irwin finally asserted his authority by standing up to Barker. “So far, Mrs. Farnsworth is the only person we know was out of her room around the time Madame Racine was murdered.”
“What about Tanner?” asked Barker.
“I don’t think it’s him. He told us about the smoker.”
“So why in blazes would that exonerate him?”
“He was being helpful!”
Barker growled. “Just because Mrs. Farnsworth went for a walk, doesn’t make her a murderer.”
“It doesn’t make her not one, either,” said Deputy Irwin.
“I’ve known Lydia since we were kids. I’d bet my life she had nothing to do with this murder.” Agent Barker allowed his eyes to meet hers. Their gaze held for a moment.
Deputy Irwin sighed. “Is this some type of test, like no one is beyond reproach? I let her go, then you yell at me some more?”
“No,” said Agent Barker, backing off. “But I can’t imagine Mrs. Farnsworth ever doing such a thing. She’s not going anywhere, so there’s no harm in at least questioning everyone else and looking to where the evidence leads us.”
“Fair enough,” said Deputy Irwin, having exhausted his supply of courage in standing up to the federal agent. “Send in the next person.”
“Actually,” said Agent Barker. “I’d like to step out and have a word with Mrs. Farnsworth alone.”
* * *
“Where are we going?” asked Lydia, as she tried to keep up with Grant who was striding across the lawn toward the trees. The morning dew was thick and the early morning air was cool and crisp.
“Somewhere out of sight of the house. We need some privacy.”
Lydia slowed down. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I’m not going to kiss you, if that’s what you’re afraid of. We just need to talk.” He walked just far enough into the woods that it’d be difficult to be seen from the house. “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why were you walking outside at night? And don’t give me any cock and bull story about not being able to sleep.”
“I do have difficulty sleeping,” said Lydia defensively.
“Then have your husband tell you one of his made-up stories about his adventures in the Amazon.”
“They’re not all made-up,” she said as a half-hearted defense.
“If that guy ever stepped foot into the jungle, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. From what I’ve heard, he spent most of his time in bars and base camps and paid others to do his dirty work. Why are you smiling?”
“Because this is the longest conversation we’ve had in years and you just called yourself a monkey’s uncle.”
Barker smiled. “It’s the longest conversation we’ve had in years and we’re doing it in the woods in the middle of nowhere.”
“They’re nice woods. And it’s good to see you again, Grant.”
Neither said anything for a moment. They just stood two feet apart, technically within arm’s reach, but, in reality, a world away. “What’s going on, Lydia?”
“Are you asking if I murdered Madame Racine? You know me better than that.”
“Of course I know you didn’t kill her. But I want to know why you’d go walking in the woods where Mikey was shot. What’s going on?”
For a moment it looked like she wanted to tell him, but then she turned away. “I don’t want to discuss it.”
Barker ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “You could have been hurt or even killed. Somebody shot Mikey, then killed that Racine dame while you were gallivanting in the forest. Farnsworth should never have let you out of his sight. I know I wouldn’t.” He looked chagrined that he let that last part slip.
Lydia reached out and put her hand on his arm. “I know you’d protect me. It’s who you are. I didn’t kill Madame Racine or shoot Mikey.”
“I know that! But what were you doing?” When she didn’t answer, he touched the hand on his arm then quickly released it, as if scalded. “You have to take care of yourself because I don’t want to think of a day when you’re not in this world. Promise me you won’t take any more chances.”
She was almost angry when she looked at him. “Do you think it’s easy for me, knowing you’re a federal agent who could be killed at any moment in the line of duty?”
“I can take care of myself,” he growled.
“So, can I! I come from a tough neighborhood, if you’ll recall.”
“I seem to remember something about that,”
he said with a half-smile. “But you made it out of there. Why take risks now?”
She sighed. “I’m being blackmailed.”
“What?”
“I’ve been receiving notes threatening to tell my secret if I didn’t pay $2000. It’s why we’re here. I was supposed to bring the money to the party.”
“Here?”
She nodded. “I received the first note about a month ago, saying my secret would be exposed if I didn’t pay. Then a week ago, I got another note, telling me to make the drop here. That’s when I asked Matt to get us invited, though, of course, I didn’t say why I had to come. I told him it’d be good for his career. I hope David doesn’t mind.”
“David would only be concerned about your safety. Have you had any contact with the blackmailer since you’ve been here?”
Lydia nodded. “Last night I found another note in my things. I was supposed to make a payment at 2 a.m. That’s why I was in the woods.”
“Damn this man for making you go out in the middle of the night! Why didn’t Farnsworth go with you?”
She was silent for a moment. “He doesn’t know.”
“You should have told me! I would have done it for you.”
She looked at him wryly. “We’ve barely spoken in years and that was going to be our first conversation?”
Barker gentled his voice. “You can always tell me anything Lydia, even if it’s to go to hell.”
“Funny. I always thought that’s what you’d tell me.”
They stared at each for a moment, neither saying anything. Finally, Barker cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose there’s a possibility Farnsworth is being blackmailed, as well.”
Lydia looked startled by the suggestion, but then nodded slowly. “I think he might be. He hasn’t said anything but he made a withdrawal from the bank and he readily agreed to come out here when I usually have to beg him to change his schedule. Why do you ask?”
“Mikey is being blackmailed, too. That’s why he was in the woods the day he was shot, and it’s why I’m so upset you went there alone in the middle of the night.”
“I can’t believe Mikey’s being blackmailed. Boy, you’d have to be nuts to go up against Mikey Corrigan and expect to win. I mean, he’s always been swell with me, but he’s not a man to cross.”
The Tycoon Murderer Page 13