Murder the Tey Way: A Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mystery (The Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Mysteries 2)

by Marilyn Levinson

  Then why was the young woman smiling?

  “That’s Oscar!” Felicity exclaimed. “And that’s you, Corinne.” Her voice wobbled when she asked, “What did you do to him?”

  Corinne put an arm around her sister’s shoulders. “I didn’t do anything, sweetie. Johnny had just put him to sleep because Daddy...” She removed the photograph from Felicity’s trembling fingers. “You shouldn’t be looking at this.”

  She glared at me. “How did this photo get here? Is this your idea of a joke?”

  “My idea? You saw for yourself. It fell out of the baby album.”

  “Who would do such an awful thing?” Marge moaned. She slumped down in her chair. I didn’t like the pale color her face had turned.

  “Oh!” I exclaimed, suddenly remembering the young man who had delivered the package. Though the tilt of his cap had prevented me from seeing his face, I was willing to bet he was Johnny Scarvino.

  I reached for the photo. “May I see that?”

  “No! ” Corinne held it between the thumb and forefinger of each hand, about to rip it to shreds. Joy broke her grip and grabbed the picture.

  “This isn’t yours, Corinne. It came in a gift for Eloisa. The police might want it as evidence.”

  “Evidence! Evidence of what?” Corinne’s face burned red with fury. “I’m the person in the picture. I’ll decide what happens to it. Hand it over!”

  Joy shook her head. Corinne looked like a cork ready to pop.

  “Come, Felicity. We’re going home!”

  I followed the sisters into the spare bedroom where the guests’ jackets were strewn on the bed.

  “But you were smiling, Corinne. Why were you smiling?” Felicity asked.

  “Felicity dear, I wasn’t smiling. Here’s your jacket. Now where’s mine?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I picked up Brian at Kennedy Airport the following afternoon. We stopped for an early dinner then drove to my house. Once inside, we ripped off each other’s clothes like they do in the movies and headed for the bedroom. Puss meowed when I closed the door in his face, but I was in no mood to worry about his feelings.

  After a short bout of cuddling and another round of sex, I showered and dressed while Brian called the precinct and caught up on things. Then we walked hand-in-hand to Joy and Mike’s house.

  The Lincoln household was quiet at nine o’clock with all the kids in bed. Joy sat us down at the kitchen table, poured us each a mug of coffee, then handed the photo to Brian. He studied it for what seemed like minutes. When I could take the silence no longer, I said,

  “Corinne’s smiling. No normal person smiles when an animal dies, unless she killed it.”

  Brian pursed his lips, still staring at the photo. “I can’t swear that she’s smiling. She’s not looking at the camera so we can’t see her eyes. It could be a grimace of sadness because the ferret’s dead.”

  Joy threw him a scornful look. “Come on, Donovan. You’re not on the stand. You know as well as I do Corinne killed that poor creature. Corinne! Not Johnny as Felicity believes.”

  “That’s what Johnny wants us, Corinne’s neighbors, to know,” Mike said. “But why? And in such a convoluted way.”

  Joy sipped her coffee. “Probably because no one’s listened to what he’s been saying all these years. Namely, that his father didn’t kill the girls’ parents.”

  “How did he find out about the shower?” I asked. “We only planned it a few days ago and Johnny was in jail, according to Corinne and Felicity.”

  “He must have bugged their phone somehow,” Brian said.

  “Or bugged one of their cell phones,” Mike said. “Either way, he knows people with high tech expertise.”

  ”He’s fishing,” Brian said. “Without new evidence regarding the murders, he can’t expect to get his father out of prison.”

  I bit into a brownie and chewed thoughtfully. “Johnny’s telling us Corinne is evil. Only an evil person would kill someone’s pet.”

  “Only an evil person would kill her own parents,” Joy said.

  Brian laughed. “That’s some wild assumption.”

  “There’s such a thing as logic and common sense!” she snapped. “Murderers who kill without compunction start out by killing animals.”

  “Ferrets are weasels,” Mike pointed out. “Though they’re popular pets, many people don’t regard them as they do cats and dogs.”

  “Oscar was Felicity’s pet,” Joy said.

  Mike leaned over to kiss her cheek. “What you need is evidence, my dear, to substantiate your charges.”

  Joy frowned. “We’ve no evidence, no clues, no DNA to say that Corinne ever harmed anyone, much less a ferret.”

  I suddenly remembered. “Speaking of wild assumptions, Sadie has it in her head that Tim’s ex-wife, Viola, killed him. For one thing, she was fed up paying him alimony.”

  Mike grinned at his wife. “That’s a good enough reason in my book.”

  Joy punched his arm.

  “Sadie also said Viola threatened to murder him if he ruined another woman financially,” I said.

  “Well, that didn’t happen,” Joy said. “Sadie racked up her debt all by herself.”

  “True, but Tim arranged a loan for Sadie, and didn’t tell her with whom. Now that person wants his money back pronto and with interest.”

  Brian stared at me. “That’s serious. Did she go to the police for protection?”

  I shook my head. “I told her to report it, but she seemed more concerned with confronting Viola herself.”

  Brian cursed under his breath.

  The phone rang. Joy answered it. From the way her face froze, I could tell the news wasn’t good. The three of us stopped talking to listen to the conversation.

  “Are you sure? Really? I suppose they can hold him, though—”

  She listened some more, then said, “Unfortunately, Homeland Security isn’t part of the FBI.”

  From the little I’d heard, I felt sorry for whomever was on the other end of the phone.

  Joy spoke words of comfort to the caller and hung up. She turned to us. “That was Marge. They were checking their luggage for the flight to Lima and Evan was taken away. It seems he’s on Homeland Security’s ‘no fly’ list.”

  The words tumbled around in my brain. “That’s absurd. Evan was a dairy farmer, for God’s sake. How did he end up on the national terrorist list?”

  Joy turned from leafing through her phone book to answer me. “It’s a mistake, of course. Probably someone with the same name—ah, here it is!”

  “Are you calling Fred?” Mike asked.

  She nodded as she punched in numbers. “Of course. He has friends in Homeland Security. I’m hoping one of them can clear Evan in time to get him aboard his plane.”

  Mike shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”

  “Are you absolutely positive Evan’s who he says he is?” I asked.

  Joy scowled at me. “What an awful thing to say!”

  “Why? The Mafia princesses live next door to me.”

  Brian and Mike found that hilarious.

  Joy left their friend Fred a message to call her ASAP. After she hung up, she turned to us. “Fred’s the only one who might help, and I’ve no idea when he’ll get back to me. Looks like Evan’s not leaving the U.S. any time soon.”

  The phone rang again. Joy explained all this to a very agitated Marge. She ended by saying, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to fly to Lima without Evan.” She listened, consoled her as best she could, and hung up.

  “Poor Marge is devastated, but she’s determined to fly to Lima herself,” Joy told us.

  Brian and I left shortly after that. When we reached my driveway, he pulled me close. “Lexie, babe, I worry about you. You’re like a magnet for bad guys, no matter where you live.”

  Annoyed, I pulled free. “What are you talking about? It’s not my fault the Mafia princesses live next door.”

  I didn’t like the smirk on his
face. “And the others? A smalltime wise guy ends up dead on your lawn. A book club member’s shot to death. Another one’s stopped by Homeland Security. Do you call that the usual order of business?”

  I drew myself up until I almost faced him eye to eye. “I don’t know what’s normal. All I know is I didn’t bring any of this about.”

  “You didn’t. I only wish you weren’t involved.”

  “Well, I am involved with my book club members!” I strode the remaining yards to my front door and pulled out my key. “Good night, Brian.”

  When he tried to hug me, I remained rigid as a board.

  “Don’t be like this,” he murmured in my ear.

  “Then don’t tell me whom to care about, whom to know—“

  He kissed me, putting an end to my tirade. Finally, he let me go. Stroking my cheek, he said, “Cops have a hard time when the people they love get caught up in their cases.”

  Love! I nodded, reeling from his choice of words.

  “Stay safe, Lexie,” he whispered, not moving until I was safely inside.

  *****

  Joy called the following afternoon to tell me her friend Fred had managed to contact someone who could do something about Evan’s situation.

  “Homeland Security’s running through every document they have on him, and should be finished later today.”

  “Poor Evan. Will he be able to fly to Peru, after all?”

  “They’ve told him not till next week the earliest.”

  “Damn! He has to be there to sign the necessary documents.”

  Joy laughed. “You didn’t let me finish. Fred’s friend called in a few favors, and things are moving at lightening speed. Evan should be able to leave tomorrow night.”

  I grinned. “I’m impressed. I’m glad I know you, in case I get into trouble.”

  “Don’t get into trouble!” she said fervently. “My nerves can’t take another shock.”

  Brian called from the precinct, where he was catching up on paperwork.

  “Thanks for the tip about Sadie. I stopped by the high school this morning. It took some convincing, but she finally agreed to let the department handle her loan shark.”

  “I’m glad. I don’t want anything to happen to her. Does Sadie still insist that Viola killed Tim?”

  He laughed. “You know I can’t tell you.”

  “I love this one-way relationship we have.”

  “It’s only one-way where my work’s concerned,” he said softly.

  I bit back my retort, determined not to make this a festering issue between us. Brian had recused himself from one homicide investigation because of our relationship, and I didn’t want him to have to do it again. We discussed our Saturday night dinner plans at a cozy restaurant out East then said good-bye.

  I settled down to grade essays, but thoughts about the two unsolved homicide cases, Johnny Scarvino, and the Billingses’ trip to Peru kept interrupting my concentration. I riffled through the pile of papers yet to be read and promised myself I’d read eight more before taking matters into my own hands à la Jane Marple and Lucy Pym. It was time to do some sleuthing on my own.

  The phone rang. It was Viola.

  “Lexie, do you plan to hold more meetings to discuss works by Josephine Tey?”

  “With all that’s been happening, I haven’t given it much thought.”

  “You mean like someone shooting my ex-husband, and his hysterical girl friend insisting that I killed him?”

  I drew in breath. “Sadie went ahead and accused you? I told her not to.”

  Viola snorted. “Sadie’s not one to listen to reason under the best of circumstances.”

  “She’s distraught over Tim’s death—“

  “Oh, sure!” Viola shocked me by making a rude sound. “She’s convinced herself they were soul mates who tragically found one another before death tore them apart. They shared a passion all right—spending money on things they couldn’t afford.”

  “I think that’s a bit harsh,” I said.

  “Sorry Lexie. I didn’t call to bitch about Sadie. Ron and I were hoping you’d consider holding a book club meeting to talk about another Tey novel.”

  I thought a bit. “I’d be happy to discuss another Tey book, but I’m afraid our book club might be falling by the wayside. Tim’s gone, the Billingses won’t be back from Peru for another week or so, and the Roberts sisters are moving within the month.”

  “I’ve spoken to a few of the teachers in school. At least three people are interested in joining the group. They can make a Wednesday night meeting.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I said. “I’ll run it by the others and get back to you regarding the date and the title of the novel we’ll be doing.”

  I rummaged through my Tey novels, wondering which book everyone would enjoy. The Franchise Affair appealed to me because it didn’t include a murder, though the crime was ugly enough. The story, based on an actual eighteenth century case, concerns a young woman who claims a mother and daughter kidnapped and beat her. The women ask a meek, stick-in-the-mud lawyer named Robert Blair to clear them of the charges. At first reluctant to take on the case, Blair suddenly finds life exhilarating as he unearths the truth and discovers the real story of how the girl managed to get herself beaten and why.

  In the end, murder and intrigue won out, and I decided to go with To Live And Be Wise. I felt a sense of exhilaration as I reached for the phone to start informing the members of my selection. Hopefully, most of them would be able to attend the meeting, which I decided would take place two weeks from tonight.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The following evening I was finishing my frozen dinner from Trader Joe’s when Joy called, desperate to get out of the house.

  “Have you decided to run away and abandon your kids?” I teased.

  “Don’t mention kids to me! I had nine of them here all afternoon and for dinner! If I don’t escape for a few hours, I’ll go crazy. Mike saw what a state I’m in and invited his pals over for a poker game.”

  “I’m in,” I told her.

  “Pick you up in an hour,” she said and rang off.

  We decided to go for ice cream. Our neighborhood Friendly’s restaurant was crowded with young families and teenagers, no big surprise for a Friday night. We snagged the last empty table and gave our order. I decided on the three scoop sundae. Joy opted for two scoops.

  “So, you’re planning to discuss another Josephine Tey novel,” she said.

  I nodded. “To Love and Be Wise. It’s a delightful, well-written treasure.”

  “I’ll come, but I can’t promise to finish it in two weeks. Do you have a copy I can borrow?”

  “Our library’s requested eight copies from neighboring libraries. You can pick up yours tomorrow.”

  Joy laughed. “I’m impressed by your pull with the library brass.”

  “It’s not as impressive as the power you wield, but it comes in handy,” I joked.

  “Will there be enough people for a meeting, Lex?”

  “Viola and Ron are bringing three of their fellow teachers, Sadie said she’ll be there, and Marge emailed me from Peru to say she’s read the book and plans to come, with or without Evan.” I grinned. “And I’m to tell everyone that Eloisa is the most adorable, precocious child in the world.”

  “I’m happy for them.” Joy made a face. “And the Mafia princesses? Will they still be in town?”

  I chuckled “You have to stop calling them that. No one answered the phone when I called earlier, and I didn’t leave a message.”

  Our ice cream sundaes arrived, and for a few minutes we were too busy scooping the yummy concoctions into our mouths to talk.

  “You know,” Joy mused, “This meeting will give us one more stab at figuring out who killed Tim and Len Lyons.”

  “Great choice of words,” I pointed out. “I’m beginning to think the murderer isn’t a member of our book club.”

  “Maybe so, but there’s a good chance he’s involved with
a member of our book club.”

  I pointed my spoon at her. “You’re thinking of Johnny Scarvino, aren’t you?”

  “He’s a gangster, and he does seem to crop up a lot,” Joy said.

  We finished our sundaes then decided we wanted coffee.”

  “This is fun,” Joy said. “What else can we order?”

  I giggled. Joy sounded like a kid let out of class on a school day.

  “I’d forgotten how wonderful it is to sit and talk in a public place without someone yanking on my arm for attention.”

  “Speaking of which, your big birthday celebration’s coming up,” I said. “Are you buying a new outfit for the occasion?”

  Joy shot me a shamefaced grin. “With all the stress leading up to it, I kind of blocked it out. I should get something, I suppose.”

  “We’ll shop one evening next week,” I said, and signaled to our waitress to bring the check.

  We drove home, singing along with the radio. It was a quarter to ten when Joy pulled into my driveway.

  “Do you have big plans tomorrow night with Brian?” she asked as I opened my car door.

  “Just dinner.”

  “We’re playing cards with the Kramers around the corner. Zack and Ruthie love to go there because they have the Wii, which we don’t.”

  The sound of a garage door opening caught our attention. Joy and I stared as a car zipped out of the Roberts’ garage and zoomed down Magnolia Lane.

  “Corinne must have a late date,” I said In jest.

  “That was Felicity,” Joy said, her voice pure steel. “Get back in the car, Lexie. We’re off to investigate.” She drove slowly, letting the other car get a block ahead of us.

  “But Felicity hardly ever drives anywhere by herself,” I muttered. “And never at night.”

  “Duh. That’s why we’re following her,” Joy said.

  “Do you think she has a new boyfriend?” I whispered.

  “And doesn’t want Corinne to find out?” Joy whispered back.

  “Why are we whispering?” I asked in my regular voice.