Picking up an embroidered pillow from one of the armchairs, she exclaimed, “It looks just like the home of a friend of mine in Dorchester. I bet she would be thrilled to see pictures of this.”
“I’ll post some on my website as soon as I’ve designed it. I had meant to set aside some time for it, but presently every free moment is going into the murder case.”
Last night as she had come home at last, after dinner at Marge’s and a mostly silent walk with Michael along the beach, she had simply been bushed and dived into bed right away.
In her dreams she had been running from a great horned owl who chased her with mortar dripping from its talons, right into the arms of Cash, who told her he had put out an APB on Michael.
Then Cash’s face had changed into that of Deke Rowland and he had locked her into the trunk of a red sports car that he wanted to drive over a cliff. Waking up in a cold sweat, she had felt more exhausted than when she had turned in.
“Are you?” Diane asked beside her.Vicky jerked to full alertness. “Sorry? You were saying…”
“That scarf you are wearing, where did you get it? It’s beautiful.”
Vicky looked down. To complement her ensemble of a skirt and silk blouse from a boutique in Brighton, she had added a scarf with intricate shell patterns. “It’s from an artist on Jersey. She works with all kinds of textiles and always incorporates the sea. This really reminded me of walks on the beach with my dad so I bought it. But I could ask her if she’d let me carry them in the store.”
“Well, if you can convince her, I’d buy one right away. Or a couple, for friends. I always stock up on original birthday presents in advance.”
Vicky’s phone buzzed. She answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, this is Ralph Seller’s wife. You were here the other day to ask about that old case. I thought I might be able to help you with one thing. Ralph doesn’t know much about the case, like he told you, but after customers started asking him about it, he did go to Glen Cove to look at the old newspapers about it. That took him an entire day. I thought maybe you could look at them too. No idea if there is anything useful in them, but just to make sure you checked everything.”
“You’re sure your husband looked at them?”
“Yes, why?”
Vicky wasn’t about to say the newspapers had gone missing. Instead she pressed, “And when was that?”
“Last Monday.”
“Fine. Thanks for calling,” and Vicky disconnected in a rush. “Last Monday those newspapers from the year Celine went missing were still there at the library. Ralph Sellers came out to look at them. At least that’s what he told his wife.”
At the door a deliveryman knocked, and Vicky rushed over to sign for the box. “It’s so light, it must be the gauze and ribbons,” she reported, putting the box down on the counter and looking round for scissors to open it. “I guess the china will come in this afternoon then. I’m so looking forward to see that whole rosebud line. It’s gorgeous.”
She attacked the ample tape wound round the box. “I want to use some gauze for the final touch to that.” She nodded at the prepared picnic basket. “I want to impress Lilian, not just for the sake of our visit’s true purpose, but also to get her as a customer. With all of her posh friends, Lilian could become the best advertisement for this store I could ever wish for.”
The last tape gave way, and she opened the box and began pulling the gauze out. “Wait a sec. This is not what I ordered. I only asked for a couple of yards and there has to be a mile here!”
Marge clicked her tongue. “Must have been some mistake transferring your online order.”
Vicky sighed. “I should have phoned it in to be on the safe side.”
Diane turned to her. “I could help you out. I see you have a big bag of potpourri here.” She picked it up and weighed it on her palm. “I’ll take the gauze and the potpourri along to my cottage and do some packing and sewing at night. Scented bags to put in closets and stuff—could be my contribution to your store. I really want to do something for it while I’m here.”
Vicky nodded. “Great idea.”
Diane dropped the potpourri in with the gauze and lifted the box. “I’ll put it in my car right away so I don’t forget it later.”
Vicky closed the door behind her back and stood watching her through the glass panel. The Joneses’ cousin—whether Bill or Bob—just came from his delivery van, which he had put in the parking lot, and halted beside Diane.
“I don’t see any wounds on him,” Marge said pensively, coming to stand beside her. “If he’s the one who rummaged through Mortimer’s birdcages and got attacked by the owl, we should see something. He is wearing long sleeves of course so the scratches could be hidden from view. If Ms. Tennings reports he is indeed Bronco Bill who used to live here, we’ll just have to go over to the general store and check him out.”
Vicky had to laugh. She already pictured herself and Marge grabbing poor unsuspecting Bill Jones and rolling up his shirt-sleeves to look for wounds from talons. He might report them to Cash for harassment!
Diane came back in, saying Michael was already there. He stepped in after her in a light suit and a smart silk tie. As he saw Vicky, he looked her over and grinned. “Seems we all had the same idea, huh. Lilian Haverton Rowland deserves the best.”
“What did that guy want who came up to you?” Marge asked Diane curiously.
“Oh, he claims to have been at my cottage the other day, because he thought he had to deliver some stuff there, but it was the wrong house. He saw though that a plank in my porch was loose, and offered to repair it for me. He wants to stop by tonight. I told him it had never bothered me, but he said it could be dangerous if I tripped over it, so I agreed to it. I suppose if I complained about it to the house owner it would take ages to get it fixed.”
Michael frowned. “There really is a loose plank in your porch?”
Diane looked puzzled by the question. “Yes. How come?”
Michael shrugged. “It occurred to me he might have made it up to have an excuse to stop by.”
Diane hitched a brow. “What would he want with that? The whole of Glen Cove knows I’m married. Besides, the guy doesn’t have to work inside the house. And my dog will be around. He senses if people have malignant purposes in mind.”
Michael still looked unsure, but Diane smiled at him and said, “I guarantee you that even if he suggested it for some reason, he’ll never get to me with the dog around. He’d be crazy to even try. Shall we go now?”
“Sure.” Vicky picked up the basket with catalogs.
“Let me carry that.” Michael took the basket out of her hands. As their fingers touched a moment, Vicky almost held her breath. There was still some tension left between them after their intimate moment the other night. Vicky felt like it had marked a subtle change in their relationship. But with men you could never be sure they felt the same way. Michael might be fully focused on the meet with Mrs. Rowland that lay ahead.
To be honest, her own stomach was knotting. What if Lilian knew Deke had killed Celine all those years ago? She would never accept that her husband might go to jail. The humiliation would be unacceptable for somebody with her social aspirations.
Lilian might do anything to protect her husband and mislead them with false information.
Chapter Eighteen
They arrived at the Rowland house just before one. It was a sprawling place of two wings in brick with white wooden elements. In the distance a lawn mower hummed. The perfectly trimmed lawn led to a terrace on the left where four metal chairs and a matching table stood. A big twine basket on top of the table was filled with fresh light blue hydrangeas and salmon-colored roses. Vicky wondered if Lilian and Deke ever really sat there at night. They were probably too busy for it, Deke with his business, Lilian with all her social engagements and charity work. But it painted a perfect picture for every visitor to see.
Lilian opened the door herself. She was a tall woman with platinum blon
de hair cut in a fashionable bob. She wore an expensive sweater in the popular navy style: dark blue and white stripes, and white trousers. Her heels had to be at least five inches, a height Vicky would never ever trust herself with.
“Please come in,” Lilian invited. She shook Michael’s hand with a suspicious look, as if she doubted he had come along to discuss scented candles with her. When shaking Diane’s hand, she avoided looking her in the eye, muttering something about being happy to meet her at last.
Knowing that Diane had dated Deke all those years ago, Vicky was aware of the charged atmosphere of this meeting. For a moment she wondered if it would have been better not to bring Diane. But the appeal of the twin sister whose life had been changed forever might make all the difference if they wanted to get through to Lilian.
Lilian’s makeup was light and impeccable but even the best foundation and concealer couldn’t hide the shadows under her eyes. It seemed she hadn’t slept all night.
Because of Deke? Of what he had gotten himself into?
Had Lilian advised him to flee because he was guilty?
Lilian showed them into a big dining room where the table was set for four. The furniture was gray, with white touches. It could have been cool, but Lilian had added splashes of color with fresh flowers, a painting on the wall and a side table in a corner with a collection of swan statues, in porcelain, bronze, silver and crystal. This woman had excellent taste, and Vicky felt even more excited at the prospect of gaining her as a client.
Michael put the basket with catalogs in a corner, and they sat down to eat first. Lilian had put out plates with French cheeses, cold cuts, fresh toast, crackers, croissants and real butter. There were also jams, several salads, nuts and grapes. White wine sparkled in high glasses.
“Deke is out of town?” Michael asked casually.
Lilian grasped her fork a little tighter. “Yes,” she said. “He had to go out to California on business. An important deal that had been months in the making.”
“It must really be an important deal if he took so much risk for it.” Michael smiled innocently. “I understood Deke was wanted at the police station to give a statement in the Mortimer Gill murder case?”
Lilian looked down at her plate. “I don’t see why it would be a risk. Cash already knows Deke had nothing to do with that man’s death. His statement is really superfluous.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. Deke will have to make a formal statement once he is back,” Michael insisted. “Or Cash could be considered to hand out favors to family members. You know how talk goes in a small town. Everybody knows a new little detail that adds to the whole. Like maybe Deke got caught speeding one night and he never got a ticket for it? People can be so vicious about things that are quite innocent. Combined with this unfortunate coincidence of Deke traveling out of town while he is wanted for a statement…”
He clicked his tongue. “I’m sure Deke sees that too and will make the statement as soon as he is back. He would not want his brother to lose his job because of something that could have been prevented, right?”
Vicky held her breath. Michael’s tone was friendly and concerned, but the implication underneath was clear. If Deke didn’t show up for a statement, Michael would make sure Cash paid the price for it. Lilian would have to prevent that, or she would suffer from it too. All the goodwill she had built over the years would be lost, irrevocably.
Lilian’s pretty face tightened at the prospect, but she didn’t take the bait at once. “Cash is a grown man,” she said lightly. “I’m sure he can fend for himself. And one little thing won’t cost him his job.”
“All of Glen Cove knows Cash entered the sheriff’s election after a bet.” Michael looked at Lilian. “A rather unconventional way, don’t you agree?”
“Just the sort of impulsive thing Cash likes to do.” Lilian smiled.
Michael nodded. “I know that, you know that. But will people be so understanding if Cash lets Deke get away without having made a statement? Every action will then be interpreted in a different light. Cash’s impulsive actions can suddenly look like a well-prepared plan. Maybe people would start thinking he wanted the job only so he could protect certain members of his family?”
“That’s terribly far-fetched.” Lilian kept smiling. “Why on earth would Deke have anything to do with Mortimer’s death anyway? We barely knew Mortimer.” She gestured around her. “Whenever we wanted something changed about the house, we hired a reputable company, not some two-bit handyman.”
“So Mortimer would have had no reason to call Deke?” Michael asked. “About a job he was going to do here, or at the Rowland offices? It’s always possible that for a small chore like changing a leaking tap Deke would not bother hiring a big company but would turn to Mortimer anyway.”
Lilian seemed cautious now, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t think so. But then Deke doesn’t discuss with me what he does at the offices.”
“So he might have hired Mortimer to work there?” Michael pressed.
“It doesn’t seem likely, but I can’t completely exclude the possibility.” Lilian sat up straight. “Would anybody like more ham?”
“Hours before he died,” Michael said, “Mortimer Gill might have called your husband. Deke’s phone number was on a list Mortimer had. The second number on that list was Diane’s and he did call her, very shortly before the killer got to him. It’s reasonable to assume Mortimer also made the earlier call to Deke. Would you know anything about that? It could help the investigation.”
Lilian didn’t respond at all. She kept her eyes downcast, her lashes fluttering nervously on her pale cheeks.
Michael continued, still soft and friendly, “Last night Mortimer’s cell phone was recovered. It had been missing from the scene earlier, so it was quite a stroke of good fortune for the police. Deke’s number was indeed in it, under outgoing calls. Hard evidence that nobody can deny. I guess that does increase the need for him to make a statement as soon as he’s back from his business trip.”
Lilian still didn’t respond or look at Michael. In the silence something creaked in the hallway.
Vicky glanced at the door through which they had entered.
It was ajar.
Michael said, “Mortimer called Deke, and only two or three hours later Mortimer died. Now I wonder if Deke went to his house that night to discuss—”
“No, definitely not.” Lilian looked up now. “Deke was with me all evening. We went to a gala. Dozens of people saw us. They can all testify we were there.”
“The murder could have occurred before six o’clock,” Michael cut across levelly. “I don’t suppose galas start that early. Where was Deke then?”
Lilian held his gaze. “Why do you even think Deke would go to Mortimer’s house? Like I just told you, we hardly knew the man. Even if Mortimer had ever changed a leaking tap at the offices, there would be no reason for Deke to go see him at his house.”
“The phone number…” Michael said.
But Lilian cut across him, “He could have called Deke about his mortgage.”
“Mortimer didn’t have a mortgage with Rowland Loan.” Michael leaned back. “There was no business tie between him and Deke.”
Lilian looked him over. “Who told you that? Financial records are confidential. Are you after some sensationalist story to sell papers?”
Michael shook his head. “This is not about a piece in the paper. This is something far more important. Intensely personal for me. I want the truth about Celine.”
At the name Celine, Lilian froze. Her eyes darted nervously around the room. “I don’t understand. What does Mortimer’s death have to do with Celine?”
“I thought you might be able to tell me. What did Mortimer call Deke about?”
“I have no idea.” Lilian laughed nervously and looked at Vicky. “As soon as we’re done eating, we must discuss your store. Such a good idea to bring a concept like that to Glen Cove.”
Before Vicky could say something, Micha
el lifted a hand. “We’re not done eating yet. I want to know what Mortimer Gill would call Deke about.”
“I don’t know.” Lilian’s eyes sparked. “And nobody knows for sure if Celine came to any harm. After all, her body was never found.”
Diane spoke up for the first time, “Do you honestly believe Celine is still alive?”
Lilian looked up, meeting Diane’s level gaze. She swallowed, then said, “No, I don’t. In fact, I…have always believed she died that first night she went missing.”
Michael cast a quick glance at Vicky. Should he push on now or let her talk in her own time?
Vicky made a small dismissive gesture. She was worried any pressure would just get Lilian to clam up.
Lilian kept looking at Diane. “You look so much like her. It’s almost scary. I never met your sister of course, but I did see pictures of her in Deke’s old yearbooks. And…” she waited a moment “of you.”
The tension was tangible. Deke had dated Diane back then, had been sorry to see her go to Europe. He had even wanted to go after her. But his family had not let him. He had then met Lilian and married her. But he had not forgotten Diane. That much was obvious from the tight lines round Lilian’s mouth.
“At the time,” Diane said softly, “Deke and I were in love. But that is a long time ago. I have a family at home. And I’m sure Deke is very happy with you.”
Lilian looked away with a jerk as if the statement slapped her in the face. She picked up the plate with cold cuts and used the fork to transfer some ham onto her plate.
Michael repeated his earlier question. “The murder could have occurred before six o’clock. Where was Deke then?”
“He was here.” Lilian gestured around her. “He was dressing for the gala. We left around six-thirty. It was some drive.”
She wet her lips. “I’m sure Deke never left the house to go anywhere. Certainly not to go see Mortimer Gill. And that’s what I will tell the police as well, if you insist upon it.”
Dead to Begin With (A Country Gift Shop Cozy Mystery series, Book 1) Page 18