“He said he was going to meet the murderer.” That was met with stunned cries from the others. “And, no, he didn’t tell me who it was. He didn’t even tell me if it was a man or a woman. All he said was that he’d seen the murderer leave Madame Racine’s room on the night she died and that he’d left a note asking for a meeting.”
“He should have told me,” said Deputy Irwin. “I’m the one in charge.”
“Well, I can kind of understand why he wouldn’t tell you, Deputy Irwin – no offense,” said Lawrence, who looked like he was mentally taking notes for his next play. “But why wouldn’t he tell Agent Barker?”
“Maybe there was a reason not to tell Agent Barker,” said Deputy Irwin. “Perhaps he’s the killer.” He put his hand on his holster, only to find he’d forgotten his gun.
“I’m not the murderer,” said Barker.
“Are you asking us to take your word for that?” asked Constance.
“Yeah, I am,” said Barker, getting angry.
David put his hand on his friend’s arm to calm him, then turned to Constance. “It’s not Grant.”
“I think it makes sense what Senator Farnsworth did,” said Kurt. “In ‘Murder in Constantinople’ I confronted the murderer with nothing but a banana and a loincloth and forced him to confess.”
“I loved that picture!” said Lucy. “But I couldn’t figure out why you was wearing a loincloth.”
“Would he need a reason to wear a loincloth?” asked Dora.
“Quiet!” said Deputy Irwin. “Mrs. Farnsworth, did you ask your husband why he was confronting the murderer?”
Lydia sighed. “He wanted to make a deal with him or her. He was willing to collect blackmail material on others if it meant the murderer would leave him alone. I told him it was a terrible plan, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Did he give you that shiner?” asked Deputy Irwin.
Lydia turned away but didn’t answer.
Dora dropped her drink, taking the attention away from Lydia. “We also have to wonder if the killer is done or if he has someone else on his list.”
Everyone was silent for a moment, thinking of the possibilities.
Deputy Irwin cleared his throat. “All right, after listening to everyone’s theories, I have another question. Would anyone like to confess now?”
* * *
“What are you doing out here in the open?” Grant asked Lydia as he found her on the front lawn near the woods. It was fully dark now and the morgue had just taken away Senator Farnsworth’s body.
She half-smiled at him. “I needed some air.”
“How long has he been hitting you?” asked Grant quietly.
She didn’t answer for a moment, looking out toward the woods. Finally, she said, “On and off from the very beginning.”
Grant paled. “You should have told me.”
She looked at him. “And what could you have done? Most people still look at it as a man’s right to keep his wife in line.”
“I would have dealt with him.”
“And risked your career? I couldn’t have allowed that.”
“I would have taken you somewhere safe.”
“When a man is as rich and powerful as Matt, nowhere is safe.”
“I’m glad he’s dead,” said Grant, grimly.
Lydia smiled sadly. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, but I’m glad this won’t be my life anymore.”
Grant struggled with what he was about to say for a moment, reaching out his hand, then pulling it back to his side. “Lydia, I know this isn’t the time. But if you need anything – anything at all – just let me know.”
She touched her hand to his cheek just briefly, though it was long enough for him to lean into it. “I need you to not get killed. Can you do that for me? Can you please come through this alive and healthy? Because I can’t bear to think of a future without you somewhere.”
“I hope I’ll be closer than that,” said Grant.
“I hope so, too.”
* * *
Josie watched Lydia Farnsworth and Grant Barker from the porch. It was obvious the two of them cared a great deal for each other. She hoped they’d find a way to be together when the dust had settled on the investigation. Despite her own divorce, she was a firm believer in happily ever after.
“They were always meant for each other,” said David, as he joined Josie at the balcony rail. “I hope they can find a way to be together now.”
“Me, too.” She liked how much David cared for his friends. It said a great deal about him and made it almost impossible to believe that he would kill Mikey Corrigan.
“What will you do if you can’t go home?”
“I’m not sure. I have no money, no home and the only people I know are at this party and one of them is a murderer. That doesn’t exactly bode well for my future here.”
“You could stay here at the house,” he said, looking out to where Agent Barker and Lydia were still talking.
Josie wasn’t sure if he was offering her a job as the mansion caretaker or something else. “Are you staying at the house?”
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I need to head back to New York to attend to a few business affairs. I’m leaving Wall Street and want to settle up with my partners.”
“What will you do after that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s time to slow down.” He looked at her. “Perhaps, I could settle here in McConnell. Provided I’m not convicted of murder, of course.”
Could Josie be happy with the right man in the wrong time? Was David Remington even the right man? He certainly seemed like it. Before she could say anything, Constance came out of the house.
“There you are, David,” she said, as she came to his side. “Your guests need their host. This second murder seems to have really put a damper on the party. Hello, Josephine. Enjoying the night?” She put her arm through David’s and pulled him inside.
Josie had been enjoying the night. Now she was left with a great deal to think about.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The next morning, Josie, David and Agent Barker were back in the library to continue their interrogation.
“I don’t think we’re any closer to catching this guy than we were two days ago and now he’s killed again,” said Barker.
“But do you trust Deputy Irwin to catch our murderer?” asked David.
“I wouldn’t trust Deputy Irwin to catch a cold.”
“Should we question Kurt Franklin next?” asked Josie.
“Isn’t he, well, too dumb to commit murder?” asked David.
“No one’s too dumb to commit murder,” said Barker. “Though I think this guy might be close. We might as well get the imbecile in here.”
A moment later, Kurt Franklin was seated on the couch. He really was handsome in light grey linen pants, a striped vest and a white shirt which showed off his tan.
Agent Barker began. “Mr. Franklin, you told Deputy Irwin that on the night of Madame Racine’s death, you’d been with Miss Barnes. Is that the story you’d like to stick with?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Is that your alibi for the night?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Did you kill Madame Racine?” asked Barker with some exasperation.
“Oh! That one I can answer! No, I didn’t.” Kurt smiled at the three of them, obviously pleased he could finally be of assistance.
“Where were you when Senator Farnsworth was shot?”
“I was in one of the washrooms when I heard the shot.”
“Can you tell us about your background?” asked Josie.
Kurt’s handsome face looked uncertain. “Tanner can give you all the information about that.”
“We’d like to hear it from you,” said David.
“Tanner really is much better about details.”
“About your own life?” asked Barker.
“He’s better with details about a lot of things,” said Kurt.
<
br /> “Where are you from?” asked Josie.
“Chicago.”
“So am I,” said David. “Where in Chicago?”
Kurt looked even more uncertain. “Where are you from?”
“I asked you first,” said David.
Kurt thought about it. “Near Wrigley Field.”
“Really?”
Kurt nodded enthusiastically.
“What was Wrigley Field called before Wrigley bought the Cubs?”
“Cubs Park.”
Josie leaned toward Barker. “Is that right?”
He nodded.
“And before it was Cubs Park?” asked David.
Kurt thought about it for a moment. Then he thought about it for an even longer moment. Finally, he said. “You got me. I’m not really from Chicago. It was Tanner’s idea to say I was. He said more people would like me if I said my mom raised me and my two siblings, working her fingers to the bone, but I’m really from Missouri. I lived on a farm and went to Hollywood when I was sixteen. I honest to Pete didn’t kill Madame Racine or Senator Farnsworth and I’m sorry I told you I was from Chicago instead of Missouri. Tanner told me if I said Chicago no one would think I’m a hick.”
Josie had a feeling people would think Kurt was a hick as soon as he opened his mouth, regardless of where he said he was from.
There was silence in the room as Josie, David and Barker considered Kurt’s story. Finally, Barker said, “Don’t lie to the Bureau again. But you can go.”
“Thank you!” said Kurt, who all but ran from the room, looking extremely handsome as he did so.
“I don’t think it’s him,” said Barker.
Josie couldn’t disagree. “Are we ready for Lucy?”
David shrugged. “Mikey will be devastated if it’s her, but we have to question her.”
A few moments later, Lucy entered the room carrying two martinis.
“Is one of those for us?” asked David.
“Heck no. I just wanted to be prepared in case this went long. From what I can tell, you’re trying to figure out if some of your guests are murderers. Well, I’m not.”
“How did you meet Mikey?” asked Barker.
“You mean, how did he pick me up?” Off Barker’s nod, she continued. “You heard him yourself. He’d seen my stag film, so when we met at one of his joints, he asked me out. I was real flattered because Mikey’s a classy guy and I’m not a particularly classy gal. At the time, I was working as a cigarette girl, which isn’t as much fun as it looks. It involves a lot of pinched bottoms.” She turned to Josie. “I’m sure you can relate. You’ve got a nice derriere, even if you do cover it up with all those loose-fitting dresses.”
“Thank you,” said Josie. “I think.”
Lucy continued. “At first, I was attracted to Mikey because of the excitement and he knows how to treat a girl right. But the more you get to know him, the more you see the soft side of him – but don’t go telling him I said he has a soft side since he has a reputation to hold up. He’s always doing stuff for people, like secretly paying for people’s tabs at the grocer’s, especially moms with young kids.”
“I didn’t know he did that,” said David.
“Sure he does,” said Lucy. “Like I said, he’s a real softy.”
“You remember that Lassiter woman, don’t you, David?” said Barker. “He was like that with her.”
“That’s right,” said David as he explained to Lucy and Josie. “There was a mother in our neighborhood with young kids. Mikey used to do errands for her and help out when he could.”
“See! That’s who he is!” said Lucy. “I mean, he’s also a bootlegger.” Remembering who she was with, Lucy nodded to Barker. “Alleged bootlegger. But you can’t find a nicer guy anywhere.”
“Thank you, Lucy,” said David. “And I happen to agree. Mikey’s a good egg.”
She downed the rest of her drink, and the second one for good measure, then left.
“I didn’t realize Mr. Corrigan had such a good heart,” said Josie.
“He has a great one,” said David.
There was a pause, then Josie said, “It’s time for Constance.” She half-expected David to object.
But he didn’t.
A few minutes later Constance Andrews entered the room, looking as elegant as she always did with a light pink, drop-waist silk dress which skimmed her ankles. Her bob was perfectly in place despite the heat of the day.
“I’m anxious to learn what the three of you have been doing in here all this time,” she said. “Half the household now suspects the other half of being murderers. I have to wonder how you selected those of us you’re going to question.”
“Call it my curiosity,” said Josie, hoping to save David from having to tell his girlfriend that he now suspected her of murder.
“I should have known you were behind this, Josephine,” said Constance with a smile which went nowhere near her eyes. “How should we begin? I was in bed the night Madame Racine was murdered. When Senator Farnsworth was killed I was going over today’s menu in my room. As I recall, the three of you were out in the woods. If anything, I should be questioning you.”
“There are others matters we’d like to discuss,” said Josie. “Can you tell us a little about your background?”
Constance looked at David. “I can’t imagine what my past has to do with this. And I already told you why I was being blackmailed.”
“Yes,” said Josie. “But we do have other questions. Mr. Remington said you live in Portland.”
When Constance saw David wasn’t going to save her from the inquiry, she sighed, then answered. “Yes.”
“What do you do there?’
“You mean socially?”
Josie nodded. “You could talk about that. But I was wondering how you support yourself.”
“How gauche of you to ask. But if you must know, I have family money which was left to me.”
“How did your family earn it?” asked Josie.
“This is getting to be insulting,” said Constance.
Agent Barker cleared his throat. “We certainly don’t mean it as an insult. But how did your family make its money?”
“Timber,” was Constance’s succinct response.
“Can you be more specific?” asked Josie. “I mean, did they cut it?”
“Certainly not personally!” said Constance. “They had others do it for them. They owned land where the timber was harvested, then processed in mills.”
“Where’s the land?” asked Josie.
Constance turned to David. “Are you going to let her interrogate me? Just who is she, anyway? And don’t say she’s your cousin.”
David looked at Josie and Barker. “I believe I am going to let her question you. I even have some questions myself. I’ve had some business dealings with a few timber firms. I’d be interested in knowing whether I ever did business with your family’s.”
“Who did you do business with?” asked Constance.
David shook his head. “You first.”
When Constance didn’t answer, Josie held up the cell phone she’d received from Professor Crowfeather. “Is this yours?”
There was a split second where she could have sworn Constance recognized it. But instead she looked perplexed. “What is it?”
“I think you know.”
“You’re mistaken, Josephine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must speak to the cook.” She got up.
“Sit down, Miss Andrews,” said Barker. “Who won the World Series last year, the Yankees or the Pirates?”
“The Yankees, of course,” said Constance.
David and Barker stilled.
“The Yankees won,” said David. “But they didn’t play the Pirates last year. It was the Cardinals.”
Constance rolled her eyes. “I knew the Yankees won, didn’t I? I don’t follow baseball closely, so how was I supposed to know who they played? It all blends into one.”
Josie held up the phone again. “You should know the
battery still had a little life in it when I found the phone. I saw your pictures.” It was a bluff and she hoped it would work.
A fraught moment later, Constance exhaled. “I know you’re bluffing because even if the battery weren’t dead, you wouldn’t have my password. But screw it. My desire to remain here has dwindled significantly, given the two murders.” She turned to David. “Nice party, by the way.” She held her hand out. “Can I have my phone back?”
Josie couldn’t believe Constance – or whoever she was – had confessed. From the looks of it, David and Barker were just as shocked.
“You’ve got some nerve complaining about the murders,” said Barker. “Seeing as how you’re the killer.”
“I didn’t kill anyone,” said Constance.
“But you’re the only one who could have known everyone’s secrets since you’re a time traveler,” said Josie. “What’s your name, anyway?”
“Sue Bergstrom.”
“Why does that name sound familiar?”
“Because I was the original listing agent on this house, a few months before you bought it. Yeah. I’m from the future and I Googled everyone so I could blackmail them. But I didn’t kill anyone. Why would I do that if I wanted people to keep paying?”
David finally spoke. “You blackmailed me for $25,000.”
“Yes, I did.”
“You arranged for us to meet so you could suggest this party so you could blackmail my friends, all the while pretending to like me.”
“Right again. For someone who’s such a big guy on Wall Street, you’re pretty gullible.”
“You’re pretty glib for someone who’s going to spend the rest of her life in prison, if they don’t execute you first,” said Josie. She hoped David wasn’t too upset to learn his girlfriend was such a blackmailing, murdering witch.
“Again, I didn’t murder anyone and your guess is as good as mine as to who did. I mean, I’m still not convinced it wasn’t Remington here. After all, he is the Tycoon Murderer.”
“It’s not David,” said Josie.
Constance sat back on the couch, making herself at home. She clearly didn’t fear anything they could do to her. “Here’s the deal. I don’t really care all that much who did it. I’m ready to go home. So, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll leave today and let you all catch the murderer. I’ll wait to get home to read who did it.”
The Tycoon Murderer Page 19