by Lesley Crewe
She patted his back. “It’s going to be all right, sweetheart.”
“This is like, totally…”
“She thought you were wonderful. I want you to know that.”
He lifted his head. “She did?”
“Of course, she did. Because you are.”
He bawled even harder. He finally took the tissue she handed him. “Why didn’t she scream or something? I would’ve got them. I would’ve saved her.”
“I know.”
Dahlia sat on the couch, her arms wrapped around her knees. “Aunt Hildy lived through everything. How could she die right here under our noses, with all of us in the house? It doesn’t make sense.”
“I know it doesn’t. I don’t understand it either.”
Crystal stuck her head in the doorway. “Elsie, there’s someone here who wants to speak to you. In the foyer.”
“Thanks Crys.” She gave Slater one more pat and left to see who it was. There were so many people in the house; she hoped it was someone she knew.
There stood Harry.
Elsie immediately started to cry. He came and put his arms around her.
“It’s so awful,” she whispered into his shirt. “I can’t bear it.”
“I’m very sorry Elsie. I only just heard. Here. Take this.” He passed her a handkerchief and she wiped her eyes.
“I don’t understand it Harry. How could she be killed in her own bedroom and none of us see anything?”
“No one saw anyone leave or run away?”
“No. I mean, I’m pretty sure we all heard the shot, but I was half asleep and thought it was a car backfiring. I didn’t jump up right away, but when I heard Lily open her door and call for me, I got up.”
“I know you’ve talked to the officers in charge, but is there anything you’ve forgotten to tell them?”
“Faith, the girls and I were upstairs.”
“And who was downstairs?”
Elsie paused. She’d already been interrogated. She only wanted a hug. “The boys. They were in the sun porch and my sister and her husband were in the family room on the hide-a-bed, because Robert had a bit of an accident and we felt it was best he stay here for the night.”
“And Graham was in the basement, I take it?”
Elsie sniffed. “No actually. When I went to get him, he wasn’t there. Which is bloody typical. He’s never there when I need him.”
Harry looked at her more closely. “Does he usually stay out at night?”
“I really have no idea. It’s none of my business, is it?” She took a deep breath. “There was a bit of a family argument before bedtime. Maybe that’s why he went out.”
“Was your aunt’s bedroom door open or closed?”
She put her hand on her forehead. “Closed. All I know is the girls and I were in the hall when Faith came down the attic stairs. We were frightened because she’d heard it from up there. So I knocked on Aunt Hildy’s door and asked if she was all right and when she didn’t answer, I went to check on her and that’s when I found her….”
His arm went around her and the weeping started again. When she’d quieted, he said, “I’m not on this case obviously, so I’m not supposed to be here. I better go and let them get on with things. I just wanted to make sure you were all right. When I heard there was a shooting at this address, I…”
She looked at him.
“I’m sure they’ll find whoever did this, Elsie. Whatever happens, I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thanks Harry.” She put her arms around him and gave him a hug. He kissed her on the cheek and left.
Harry was a nice man who seemed to genuinely care about her. More importantly, he was here when she needed someone.
Graham wasn’t.
Lily’s outburst the night before shocked Graham. He hadn’t been aware the girls were so upset. They always seemed fine, but then again, he wasn’t around them all the time. He only wanted the best for them, and it seemed to him the uproar Aunt Hildy caused in the household made their lives worse. He didn’t want his children living in chaos.
Lily said he yelled at Elsie all the time. Maybe he did. He didn’t know any more. All he knew when he left was how hopeless and lonely he felt. He had nowhere to go. No one to talk to. He found himself at Bunny’s door. It probably wasn’t smart, but he didn’t care. He needed someone to need him, and she was there.
“Look who’s crawled back. Are you here to apologize?”
“Yes.”
“Come in then.”
They sat on the sofa in her living room. “Before you say anything Graham, I want you to know that I’m tired of being jerked around. You can only have one woman at a time. That’s the way it works.”
“Elsie and I are finished.”
“How do you know that?”
Graham looked down at his hands. “Because I’m the last on her list, and Elsie has a very long list. I can’t compete anymore and I’m tired of trying.”
“I’m not sure I believe you.”
“I understand that. I’m sorry I dragged you into all this. I’d like to make it up to you.”
She hesitated.
“Let me stay.”
She reached for his hand and led him to the bedroom.
Graham woke up in the dark and didn’t know where he was at first. The air was thick, and heavy with perfume. It was hard to breathe. The room was hot but his body was in a cold sweat.
He thought maybe he was having a heart attack, because he couldn’t breathe. He needed air. He got up and fumbled for his clothes by the bed, trying not to wake Bunny. He left the apartment door unlocked and ran outside, staggering up the street until he came to a park bench. He sat and took in great gulps of air. He needed to think. If he could only think, then he’d know what to do.
Bunny woke up and discovered him gone.
“That son of a bitch.” She checked the time: it was three o’clock. Where the hell was he? She lay there for two hours and mulled over what this could mean. Finally she heard the front door open. She held her breath and pretended to be asleep.
He went into the bathroom. The water ran for what seemed like ten minutes. Finally, he came out, undressed and lay beside her. She wasn’t sure whether she should confront him; he had come back, after all. Why rock the boat? She wanted him. She wanted him bad. So she stayed still and waited until his breathing became soft and even, then she too fell asleep.
At around eight o’clock, she opened her eyes and saw that he was awake.
“Good morning.” She stretched her arms over her head.
“Hey.”
She turned on her side and leaned on her elbow. “Last night was great, mister. I could do with more of that.”
He smiled. “I’m happy to oblige. I know I’ve behaved badly. I’ll try not to do it again.”
She traced her nail down his chest. “I like it when you behave badly. I just need to know that you’re not going to screw me over, okay?”
“I’m not. I promise.”
She gave him a saucy smile. “It’s okay if you screw me, though.” She reached for him, but he held her off.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Bunny, but I’ve got to go.”
She felt a familiar dread. She fell back on the mattress. “Fine.”
He leaned over and gave her a long kiss. “I am grateful for last night. And I do like you. I’m coming back, okay?”
“Okay.”
She watched him get out of bed and put on his clothes. He reached for his change on the dresser and put on his watch. His leaving so soon annoyed her.
“Where were you last night?”
He froze for a moment, then turned around and shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep. I went for a walk.”
“At three in the morning? That’s not a very smart thing to do. You could have been mugged.”
“I wasn’t, was I?” He walked over and gave her another kiss. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“What happened?” Graham shouted as
he came through the door. A cop stopped him.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Graham Brooks. I live here. Girls, what’s going on?”
The family sat around the kitchen table, while Crystal stood and poured tea. They looked at him with sad eyes. It was Robert who spoke up.
“Someone shot Aunt Hildy last night.”
Slater howled. Eli put his arm around his shoulder. “It’s okay, buddy.”
“Shot her? Is she dead?”
They nodded. Faith grabbed some napkins and gave half to Juliet. They blew their noses.
“Where’s your mother?”
“She’s upstairs,” Dahlia said. “I think you should leave her alone.”
He started across the kitchen. “To hell with that.”
“Sir? Could you come with us to answer a few questions?”
Graham hesitated. He looked at the man in uniform. “Me?”
“Everyone who lives here has been questioned. I understand you didn’t sleep here last night?”
He gave the girls a quick glance. They turned away from him. “No. I didn’t.”
“Where were you?”
“Could we go somewhere else?”
The man nodded. Graham led him into the living room.
“Look, officer. I’ve no idea what’s going on. I just got home. I haven’t even spoken to my wife…my wife. She’ll be devastated. I need to speak to her.”
“In a moment. Where were you last night?”
“At a friend’s house.”
“A female friend?”
Graham shot him a dirty look. “Yes.”
“I’d like her name and address please. We’ll have to talk to her.”
“Oh God. This is insane. Neither of us knows anything about this.”
“According to your wife, there was an argument here last night and you walked out.”
“She said that? Am I being accused of something?”
The officer waited.
“It wasn’t just her and I having an argument. It was the whole lot of them out there. They were here last night. Wouldn’t they be more suspect than me?”
“We’ve spoken to each person in turn. And no doubt we’ll speak to everyone again.”
Graham rubbed his chin. “Look, I’ll answer your questions, but can I just go see Elsie? Her aunt’s just been murdered. I need to see her. I won’t go anywhere.”
“Fine. For a few minutes.”
Graham took the stairs two at a time and opened the bedroom door. Elsie lay curled up on the bed like a little girl. He went to her.
“Elsie?”
“It’s so unfair, Graham.”
He sat and placed his hand on her back. “I know.”
“How could anyone do that to her? She was an old woman. She deserved to end her days gracefully, not…”
“It’ll be all right, Else. I’m sorry. This is terrible.”
She sat up. “I found her. It was awful.” She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t get the picture out of my mind.”
“Don’t think about it.”
She lowered her hands. “Just like that? My aunt was shot through the heart not fifty feet from here and you want me to wipe it from my memory? How does one do that Graham? Is it that easy for you?” She laughed. “What am I saying? Of course it is. You hated her anyway. You don’t care.”
“That’s not fair. I know I didn’t like her very much, but I’d never have wished this on her.”
She looked down and sighed. “I know that.”
“I get the feeling the police think I did it.”
“They think we all did it, and who can blame them?”
“Why did you tell them we were arguing?”
“Because it’s the truth. You think that wouldn’t have come out?” Elsie reached for more tissue. “Think about it. Slater’s downstairs. He’s so upset he’d confess to shooting her if he thought it would make things easier for everyone.”
“Elsie. I know things are bad between us. But I’ll always…” He choked on his words.
“I know.”
He couldn’t keep the tears back. “The girls—they blame me for our breakup. Maybe they hate me.”
“Of course not. Don’t be silly.”
Graham looked at his feet. “I can’t seem to do anything right.”
She held her own arms and rubbed them. “Where were you last night? I needed you. Were you with her?”
He nodded. “But how could I know this would happen?”
“I’m just tired of having to deal with everything myself. I nearly went out of my mind when I found her. I needed you.” Tears fell down her cheeks. “Can you please stay away from her until this is over? I don’t want her hanging around. I really need your support, Gray. I can’t do this…I can’t do the funeral and dismantle Aunt Hildy’s life all by myself.”
“I will. You have my word.”
“I sure hope you mean it,” she said quietly.
Graham looked at her pale face and the dark circles under her eyes. “Can I get you something?”
“I’m so tired.”
“Go to sleep for a couple of hours, if you can. I’m here now. I’ll deal with everything downstairs.”
She nodded wearily and lay down. He pulled the duvet over her and left the room. Standing outside the bedroom door, he realized he was in an awkward position. He’d need Bunny’s help.
The first chance he got, he called her and told her what happened.
“The police want to talk to you,” he whispered into his cellphone.
“Why me?”
“Because I had to tell them where I was last night.”
“Oh damn. I can’t believe it.”
“Listen to me. All you have to say is that I was with you all night and I was, wasn’t I?”
There was silence.
“I was, wasn’t I?”
“Yeah. Okay. You were with me all night. That’s what I’ll tell them.”
“Thanks a lot. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.” He was so rattled by what he’d just done, he forgot to tell her that he couldn’t see her for a while.
Later that afternoon, Juliet and Robert went out on the back deck. They pulled their chairs near one another. Robert let out a groan as he sat on his cushion. Juliet looked around to make sure no one was within hearing distance.
“You didn’t do it, did you?”
He looked horrified. “What are you saying? That I’m capable of murder?”
“SHHH. Pipe down. We have to keep our stories straight.”
He gave her an odd look. “What do you mean keep our stories straight? Do you know something I don’t?”
“I’m just being careful. Everyone knows I was at the end of my rope with Aunt Hildy. I don’t want them to get the idea I pulled the trigger.”
“Did you?”
She shoved his arm. “What do you think?”
“I think yes.”
“You miserable…”
“Well, you let dogs eat people. You hate everyone we know. You knew about that so-called treasure chest, but you never told me. How can I trust a thing you say?”
“Robert, I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a killer. You could be, however.”
“Are you nuts?”
“You need money, don’t you? You never liked her. You hate my family. You told me yesterday we could all rot in hell. And I know for a fact that you got out of bed last night and were gone for quite a while. Where were you?”
“In the bathroom.”
“For an hour?”
“I’m sore, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
She leaned into him. “You weren’t in the bathroom, because I checked.”
He became flustered. “I could ask you the same thing? Why were you out of bed?”
“Answer my question first.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because.”
“Because why?”
“Just because.”
“I was…”
“What? What?”
“I got stuck in the library with Slater and Dahlia, okay?”
She leaned back in her chair. “Excuse me?”
“They were playing doctor with the leftover bandages.”
“With you in the room?”
“I went to get a book because I couldn’t sleep. I sat in that comfy old chair by the window and they didn’t see me when they came in. I had no choice but to stay after a few minutes because they would’ve been too embarrassed to know I was there. I was mortified.”
“I shouldn’t wonder.”
“Now you tell me why you roamed the halls all night, since you knew I wasn’t in the bathroom.”
Juliet waved her hand. “Nothing exciting. I wolfed down a piece of pizza in the kitchen. No one had supper last night.”
Robert counted on his fingers. “Okay. So let’s consider the information we have so far. If I was in the library with the lead pipe and his girl, and you were in the kitchen stuffing your face, and Graham was occupied with the bimbo, that leaves only Elsie, Faith, Lily and Eli unaccounted for.”
She strummed her fingers on the table. “Well, I can’t see saint Elsie firing a gun since she refuses to kill ants and Lily and Eli can’t keep their hands off each other long enough to hold a gun, so that leaves only one person who’s capable of the dirty deed.”
He nodded. “And she was pretty distraught last night.”
She nodded as well. “I know. That’s what worries me.”
The kids retreated to their favourite meeting place, the porch swing, where they were the objects of their neighbours’ curiosity. Mrs. Mooney came running out of her house when she saw them, carrying a plate of cold chicken and a Tupperware bowl of potato salad. She was stopped by the police tape. Lily went down the front steps and walked over to her.
“Thanks, Mrs. Mooney.”
“Oh, no trouble, dear. No trouble at all. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Sure.”
“Is your mother okay? Oh my, what a stupid question. As if she’d be okay. Do they know what happened yet? Do they have any suspects? Dear lord, the times we live in, when someone can just come in your house and shoot you in your own bed. We all feel so badly about this dear...it’s not right…”