A little later, Hallie tapped gently on the door. “Aunt Cordelia, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m acting so badly. I do forget that everyone isn’t passionately interested in turtles. I hope that you can still stand me, even if my emotions are on a roller coaster ride.”
Cordelia got up and gave her a hug. “Of course, I still love you. I’m sure your emotions will settle down somewhat after the funeral.”
“It’s funny,” Hallie said. “When Mother was alive, I hated being around her because of the way she treated me and everyone else. She seemed to thrive on contention and wasn’t happy unless she was causing it, but now that she’s gone, I miss her.”
“I think that’s normal,” Suzette said. “Your life has been turned upside down with her murder. You never got to say goodbye so there’s been no closure.”
“I guess so, but it doesn’t make sense to me. It seems like I should have a feeling of peace, but I don’t, just the opposite, really.”
“It will get better after the funeral,” Cordelia said. “I promise.”
Hallie sighed. “I hope so.”
“Would you like to come with us? Suzette’s never been to the Kennedy Space Center so I’m giving her the tour.” Cordelia smiled at Hallie.
“No thanks. I’ve been to Kennedy Space Center a dozen times. I certainly don’t want to cramp your style beside, I have class which I’m getting really burned out on. I seem to be getting burned out on a lot of stuff.”
Chapter 25
Hallie started across the quad toward her statistics class when she heard someone call her name. As she turned, she saw Dr. Austin hurrying toward her as fast as her high-heeled pumps would allow.
“Ms. Stewart, Ms. Stewart--”
“Dr. Austin, hi!” Suddenly, Hallie didn’t know what to say. She turned red, then white.
“Ms. Stewart--”
“Please, Dr. Austin, call me Hallie. Ms. Stewart makes me feel like my mother.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
“Hallie, I’m so sorry. I read about your mother’s death. I’m so sorry to remind you of it.”
Hallie tried to smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to start crying. It just hits me sometimes.”
“Of course it does. I still catch myself crying and my parents were gone so long ago that I barely remember them.”
Hallie said, “That makes us both orphans. At least, I’ve got Julie and Jeremy and Justin. It’s nice to still be part of a family.”
“You’re lucky in that way. I’d like to have more family than my grandparents.”
“How would you feel about having Suzette for a sister?”
“I just don’t know. I wish I knew her better.”
“She’s wonderful, so understanding and fun.” Quickly, Hallie told her about the horrendous arguments that had raged in the house because of Dorothea and Dr. Lin and Deidre. Hallie grinned mischievously, “When Suzette couldn’t get everyone to stop yelling at the dinner table, she accidently on purpose dumped her glass of wine into Deidre’s lap, which really made Deidre furious, but once she left the table, everyone else calmed down. Then she just happened to mention that the turtles were on the Endangered Species List and that if the turtles got caught in the electrified nets they could die, which would cause all sorts of complications, like international lawsuits, then she said, ‘just a word to the wise, you know’. She didn’t say anything more but neither Dorothea nor Dr. Lin mentioned the electrified nets again and they speeded up the excavation or salvage or whatever you call it so they will be done before the turtles come in to lay their eggs.
“I know that she is going to find out who killed my mother. The police are saying that my step-brother did it and then disappeared but I don’t think they’re right. Suzette says it’s an easy way to close a case and that’s all some cops want to do, especially in a high profile case like this one.”
“She sounds smart and nice, but I’ve resented my little sister for years because she had my parents and I didn’t, but now I find that if she is my sister, she’s had it worse than I have. I haven’t even told my grandparents yet, because I’m afraid that it would kill them if it turned out that she wasn’t my sister. I mean our resemblance could be just a freak occurrence. I just wish I could know for sure.”
“Suzette talked to a friend of hers that’s a cop for the Las Vegas police force. He said that there is some type of DNA test that would show if you were related. I don’t know what it’s called but I’m sure that we can find out, if you’re interested.”
“How does it work?”
“I’m not really sure. I think Suzette said something about tissue samples, like from your hair and Suzette’s. The person who does the test can look at both samples and match different DNA or something like that.”
“That’s right. I remember that test now. Genetics isn’t my field. In fact, I hated it when I was in school, but I do remember reading about that test. They use it to prove paternity.” She was silent for a few minutes. “Yes, I would like to have the test done. I’ll even pay for it. Anything to get rid of the indecision.’
Hallie laughed, “That’s just what Suzette said and in the same tone of voice.”
Dr. Austin looked at Hallie, “I know this is a big favor to ask from someone I don’t really know, but would you help me find out about the test?”
“Sure. Anything to help Suzette. Besides that, it might be a good thing if I set it up. I don’t think the publicity that could result would be good for either you or Suzette.”
“I hadn’t thought about that, but the press would have a field day since I just got my promotion.”
“Would you prefer that I use a campus computer under my student account, or should we do it from your office?”
“There’s a student computer in my lab. We can use that. Could you to it now?”
Hallie glanced at her watch. “I have an hour until my next class. It shouldn’t take us that long.”
Chapter 26
Hallie looked up from the computer. “It looks to me like the Sibslip test doesn’t provide a conclusive answer. If the Sibslip Index is less than 1.00 then the two people are not related. If the Sibslip Index is greater than 1.00, then the two tested individuals are more likely to be biological siblings–the higher the index the more likely they are to be siblings. There is a grandparent test where both grandparents are tested to determine if they are the biological grandparents. If both grandparents are tested, the test is more conclusive.” Hallie paused, then said slowly, “It might be more conclusive to ask your grandparents to take the test.”
Dr. Austin thought for a minute then said, “No. I haven’t told them about Suzette because I don’t want to get their hopes up. I think Suzette and I should take the test. If the results are inconclusive, then I’ll ask my grandparents to take the test, but it would be better if I don’t have to put them through that uncertainty. I don’t particularly want to have to wait for the results of the test.” She shuddered. “I hate waiting. It’s not something I do well.”
Hallie nodded. “It takes three to five business days to have the test done. The testing kit can be sent overnight both ways, which will speed things up.” Hallie pulled out her credit card. “Even though it says that the testing is fully confidential, I’ll have the test kit sent to me. You or Suzette can pay me back before my credit card bill comes.”
“Thank you. I’ll write you a check immediately.” She opened her purse and took out her checkbook. “How does the test work? Do we have to have a doctor take blood?”
“No. It uses the buccal swab method.”
“I know I have a Ph.D., but what is the buccal swab method?”
“You rub a special swab around your cheek for ten seconds. Suzette does the same with her swab. Each swab is then sealed in a special kit that is sent by overnight mail to the lab. One of their specialists performs the test. Each kit has a special number. I can check on the internet for the results of the test or we can have the certified test sent to us.”
Rebecca Austin breathed a sigh of relief. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that I don’t have to have my finger pricked. I tend to avoid giving blood, not because of the needle in my arm, but because I have to have my finger pricked before I give the blood. Crazy, I know, but that’s the way I am.”
Dr. Austin picked up the phone and handed it to Hallie, saying, “Let’s get on with this. The suspense is killing me.”
Chapter 27
Later that afternoon, Hallie tapped on Suzette’s bedroom door. “Suzette, it’s me.”
There was a pause, then Hallie heard a faint, “Come in.”
When she opened the door, she saw Suzette walk out of the bathroom. “For a minute, I didn’t think you wanted to see me,” Hallie said, a little defensively.
“Why wouldn’t I want to see you?” Suzette looked confused.
“Well, I thought maybe you were as tired of me as Aunt Cordelia is or maybe you think I’m just plain obnoxious like Aunt Dorothea.”
“No. I don’t think you’re rude or obnoxious. I’m not tired of you either. Sometimes I think you’re a little obsessed with your turtles. I think it’s good to remember that no matter how interesting your subject is to you, others may not find it so interesting. I’ve learned the hard way to let people think I know more than I’m telling rather than wish I’d stop telling everything I know.”
Defensively, Hallie said, “Believe it or not, I wasn’t this way until I felt I had to protect them from Dorothea’s schemes.”
“I believe you. She would bring out the worst in anyone. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a domineering woman who always thinks she’s right.”
“I probably shouldn’t agree with you, but I do. If I were you I’d watch my back. She’s up to something and she’ll steam roll anyone who gets in her way.”
“Don’t worry. I’m getting eyes in the back of my head,” Suzette said with a laugh.
Hallie suddenly snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot what I came up to tell you.” She was so excited that she practically wriggled.
“What? It must be good for you to act so elated.”
“Dr. Austin stopped me after my Statistics test. She told me she wanted to know if you were actually sisters. We looked up that DNA test. I learned a lot about the testing. There are two tests, one called the Sibslip and one called the Grandparent test. She decided to do the Sibslip test because she was afraid of upsetting her grandparents. She doesn’t want to tell them about you until after the test. If the Sibslip test isn’t conclusive, then she’ll pay to have the grandparent test done. She even paid to have the test overnighted.”
Suzette looked startled. “That’s surprising considering the way she acted when we talked to her the other day.”
“I know. I was surprised, too. She talked to me a lot about how she felt. I think I’m about the only one she can talk to about all this. She can’t tell her grandparents because they’re in poor health and the doctor doesn’t want them upset. She can’t talk about it to anyone else because of what the media might do if they found out. She said she couldn’t stand a media circus until she found out for sure. She said that she hated her younger sister for years because she thought her parents dumped her for you, but as she thought about it she decided that you had it worse because you didn’t even have grandparents to take care of you.”
Suzette said, “Once I was adopted my life was great, but I was lucky. I was adopted as an older child, which doesn’t happen very often.” She looked at her watch. “Do you know if Mike is back yet?”
“I haven’t seen him since dinner last night.”
“Me either. Usually he leaves a message letting me know where he’ll be if I need him.”
There was another knock at the door. “Come in,” Suzette called. “We’re on the balcony.”
Cordelia walked out and sat down on the edge of the table. “Suzette, something has been eating at me lately.”
Suzette looked alarmed. “Was it something that I did?”
“I don’t know. Chief Miner wouldn’t have released Jeanette’s body unless someone made him. You’re the only person who could have done it, but you haven’t said a word about it.”
Suzette snapped her fingers. “I can’t believe that I forgot to tell you. I’m so sorry. I got so fed up with the way Sheriff Miner was treating you that I called Randy and asked him if he had ever used any attorneys in this area. He gave me the name of one he really liked. I called and explained the situation. He told me what needed to be done, so I had him file a request for Jeanette’s body to be released the day before yesterday. The judge told Miner to release the body. Miner protested but he couldn’t give a good reason not to allow Jeanette to be buried so the judge ordered him to turn the body over to the family.”
“That jerk,” Cordelia said. “I think he just kept her body to be an annoyance.”
“It looks like that,” Suzette agreed, “And it was probably because I was the one who asked him to release the body because Hallie was upset about it.”
Cordelia looked at Hallie. “I was wondering if you wanted to go with me to meet with the funeral director. We’ll have to get going on the announcements and the plans for the ceremony.” When Hallie nodded, Cordelia said, “I’ll go call him.”
A few minutes later she came out on the balcony. “Mr. Marlin can see us this evening at 7:00 p.m., if you want to come along.”
“If I’m going to go with you, I’d better hit the books now.” She got up and headed for her room.
Cordelia smiled at Suzette. “I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for us. First you get Jeanette’s body released and then you take on Dorothea and Doug. It feels so good to know that in two weeks, they’ll be gone. I don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago.”
Suzette shrugged. “I’m afraid that I lost my temper. I probably should have talked to you before I gave them their marching orders, but after watching them upset you and your servants I just blew up.” She thought back to Dorothea’s shocked face, and chuckled. “I wish you would have been there. Dorothea was gloating to Dr. Lin and Deidre about how she was always forcing you to do what she wanted. She even bragged that she could get you to fund any of her pet charities or give money to her friends.
“Deidre made the comment that you were a wuss and a wimp and that anyone could handle you. When I walked into the room and saw their faces, I would have laughed if I hadn’t been so angry that I was literally seeing red. When I got through reaming them they were pleading with me to change my mind, that I had misunderstood, and that I would break up the family. But I was still so angry that I wouldn’t back down. Dorothea told me that you would change my mind, but I just threatened to call Jeremy and that was all it took.
“I hope you don’t mind that I gave them two weeks to find a new place to stay, but I wanted to have them on hand if I needed them,” Suzette apologized.
“I’m sure you’ll have it solved by then.” Her face crumpled as she fought her tears. “Now, if Justin would just walk through that door, I’d be the happiest person on this planet.” She pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and wiped her eyes. She gulped two big breaths of air, then asked, “Is Mike going to be here for dinner?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him since last night. He was meeting Mitch and someone else for a straight tailing job.”
“What are you doing?” Cordelia asked looking at Suzette’s notebook.
“When I get stuck on a case, I like to write down all the facts and opinions and theories. Sometimes I’ll see something I’ve missed or it will trigger an idea that I hadn’t thought about, but so far, I just keep seeing more questions that need to be answered.”
“Like what?”
“Like what is Dr. Lin’s background? Could he be involved in Justin’s disappearance?”
I’ve even been wondering if the galleon is some sort of scam–is that a crazy idea or what?”
“Why would you think that?”
“Something
you said, actually, when we first met. You said that you wanted to dive down and see the wreck, but Dr. Lin said it was a security risk. That seems really funny since he, his daughter, and his crew are living here for free. I’ve been wondering how to check out the wreck without alerting Dr. Lin. Then Hallie said something about it yesterday, and that got me thinking about it.”
Cordelia said, “I would imagine that you’d have to get divers that would come in from a boat away from the wreck. Any boat above the wreck would alert him that someone was snooping.”
“The Coast Guard could do it, if we could give them a good reason for having the wreck inspected. I was thinking along the lines of money laundering, except instead of money they could be laundering finds that have been plundered from archeological sites in Mexico. I’ve heard that stealing from ancient sites and/or not telling the Mexican government when a site is found is a very lucrative business. It would also be a good way to smuggle drugs into the country. The drugs could be secreted inside phony artifacts. No one would suspect that.”
“Except you.”
“I told you I have a squirrelly mind. My ex-husband used to say that I think in pin wheels instead of straight lines.”
“Speaking of your ex, do you know where he is yet?”
“No I don’t, and I wish I did. Maybe I’m getting paranoid, but I think he’s mixed up in this mess somehow or other and that somehow, this mess in intended to ruin my life.”
Chapter 28
Later that night, Suzette pulled on dark jeans, black running shoes, and a long sleeved black T-shirt. As she grabbed her fanny pack that carried her specialized equipment and fastened it around her waist, there was a soft knock at the door. Quickly, she stepped behind the door and asked quietly, “Who is it?”
“It’s Cordelia. I have a message from Sean.”
Quickly, Suzette swung open the door. Cordelia stepped into the room, dressed almost identically to Suzette. “Cordelia, what are you doing?”
Sun, Sand and Murder: A Suzette Bishop Mystery (Suzette Bishop Mysteries Book 3) Page 16