by Bobbi Holmes
“Who was Walt Marlow again? I can’t keep all these names straight. I remember reading something about it in the article.”
“His grandfather founded Frederickport and built this house. Walt Marlow inherited Marlow House from his grandfather.”
Cheryl seemed distracted. Glancing around, she sniffed the air. “There it is again. That cigar smell. Awful. You need to get rid of it if you expect people to stay here.”
Danielle smiled and said, “Walt Marlow was murdered in this room. Right where you’re standing.”
“Well that’s not nice,” Walt said with a frowned. “You don’t have to sound so happy about it.”
“I understand he used to smoke cigars,” Danielle added, a mischievous lilt to her voice.
“You’re just saying that to freak me out.” Cheryl glared at Danielle.
“I thought you read Ian’s article about the necklace. It mentioned Walt Marlow, how he died, where he died.”
“Sure, I read the article.” Cheryl shrugged. “I suppose I skimmed that part.”
“But not the part about the necklace,” Danielle grumbled.
“You should have contacted me, Dani. It was wrong of you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“She was my aunt too. You should have told me she died.”
“You didn’t even know her,” Danielle countered.
“I met her before.”
“What, when we were kids? Did you ever write her, visit her when you were older?”
“Dani, my relationship with Aunt Brianna is really none of your business. But she was my aunt, and you should have told me when she died. You should have told me she had Alzheimer’s.”
“How did you know that?” Danielle frowned.
“Ah ha! You did know! I knew it! You knew she was impaired and you took advantage of her so she would leave you her estate!”
“I didn’t know she had Alzheimer’s. Not until today. Mr. Renton told me,” Danielle insisted.
“Mr. Renton? Who’s that?” Cheryl frowned.
“Aunt Brianna’s attorney.”
“I thought we were going together to see him!”
“You went to the beach with Ian, and when I spoke to Mr. Renton on the phone he said if I wanted to see him today I had to go right down to his office.”
“You’re trying to pull something, Dani. You could have come down to the beach and gotten me.”
“Well, I didn’t. And according to Mr. Renton, Aunt Brianna wrote her will years before she came down with Alzheimer’s.”
“You know that often goes undiagnosed.”
“What is it you really want, Cheryl?”
“Just what’s mine.”
“We both know Aunt Brianna had no reason to leave you part of her estate. You had nothing to do with her. But you obviously want something. That’s why you’re here.”
“No Dani. I’m here to stake my rightful claim to half of the estate. And my attorney says I have a solid case.”
“Next week I have a buyer coming to look at the necklace. The house was already appraised. How about I simply pay you from the proceeds of the necklace for whatever half of the estate is worth. In turn, you agree that settles any claims you have, and you can go back to California and leave me alone,” Danielle said wearily.
“Why would you do that?” Walt stood up straight, no longer leaning against the wall. The cigar in his hand vanished.
“So your attorney agrees, I do have a case,” Cheryl said smugly.
“It isn’t that, Cheryl. I just want to move on with my life and I don’t need you complicating things for me. If that means I only keep a share of the funds from the necklace, so be it.”
“This is ridiculous,” Walt grumbled. He began pacing back and forth between Cheryl and Danielle.
“Why would I want to sell the necklace?” Cheryl asked.
“So we can divide the estate.” Danielle thought the reason was obvious.
“Maybe I don’t want to,” Cheryl said stubbornly.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s not like I need the money,” Cheryl told her. “How often does someone have the opportunity to own—and wear—something so unique?”
“Maybe you don’t need the money but I can’t even afford to pay the inheritance tax on the necklace. Are you saying you want to buy out my share of the necklace?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cheryl scoffed. “Why should I pay for something that I already own?”
“For one thing, you might not be entitled to half the estate. And even if you were, you’d only own half of the necklace.”
“What about this house?” Cheryl asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Half of the house is mine.”
“Cheryl, I said I would buy you out of your imagined half with the proceeds from the necklace. It would be like selling off the estate—the house and necklace—and then splitting the money. And if you are so determined to keep the necklace, then you’ll have to buy out half the necklace, minus half of what the rest of the estate is worth.”
“But I want half the house.”
“Why in the world do you want half the house? You have your own house in California. I can’t believe you want to move to Oregon. You have your friends and life back there.”
“You just want the house because of what’s hidden here,” Cheryl snapped.
“What do you mean, what’s hidden here?”
“You know very well what I mean! I don’t believe for a moment that man just stole one necklace. I bet he stole all sorts of jewelry and it’s hidden throughout this house.”
“If that were true, then whatever we find wouldn’t be ours to keep anyway. It would have to go back to the rightful owners.”
“Please stop talking like I was a thief!” Walt grumbled.
“You found that necklace and got to keep it. So don’t tell me you wouldn’t be able to keep whatever else you find,” Cheryl insisted.
“That was different. Walt Marlow inherited the necklace and it was passed down to his heir, which was Aunt Brianna’s mother.”
“That’s just stupid. Why would he inherit a necklace he stole? You are just making this stuff up.”
“Your cousin isn’t very bright,” Walt said. “But considering what you’ve offered her, I’m beginning to think a serious lack of intelligence runs in your family.”
Danielle glared at Walt before telling Cheryl, “You need to re-read Ian’s article. The necklace I found in this house was a fluke—a one of a kind find. I’m not going to give you half of Marlow House, but that’s not because I think there’s more buried treasure here. Maybe we should just fight it out in court. If you win there, I’ve no doubt the judge will make us sell the necklace anyway, to settle the estate.”
“That’s fine with me, Dani. But if the judge forces us to sell the necklace, then the house goes too!” Cheryl stormed from the attic. The sound of her angry footsteps on the wooden stairs reverberated in the attic.
“I’m glad you decided to fight her in court,” Walt said when he no longer heard Cheryl’s footsteps. “I don’t believe she has a legitimate claim.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Mr. Renton wasn’t all that reassuring.”
“What do you mean?”
“Cheryl might very well be able to prove she has a viable claim in the estate. What if I am forced to sell Marlow House?”
“You can’t leave, Danielle.”
“Why do you care? You practically called me stupid a minute ago.”
“I didn’t mean that. I was just frustrated at how you seemed to just give up—were willing to give her whatever she wanted. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize your attorney felt she might have a claim. But, we both know your aunt intended for you to have the house, and we both know why. And while we can’t prove that, I’m sure there will be some way to fight Cheryl in court.”
“What you don’t understand Walt, is that I don’t really have the resources to fight her.
I don’t imagine I’ll be allowed to spend the money from Aunt Brianna’s estate to pay for legal fees. Her parents left her very wealthy. She has a lot more money than I do to fight this. Hell, I imagine her estate is worth twice what I’ll get for the Missing Thorndike.”
“I don’t understand. Then why does she care about your aunt’s estate?”
“Very simple, Walt. Because I got it.”
Chapter Eleven
Cheryl retreated to the Red Room for the rest of the afternoon. The door was shut and Danielle assumed her cousin was napping. It wasn’t until later that evening, after Lily had left with Ian for dinner and the sun set, did Cheryl make another appearance. Somewhat disheveled, her mass of tangled blonde curls in disarray, she stumbled into the kitchen looking for food.
“What’s for dinner?” Cheryl asked Danielle, who stood at the counter whipping up a cream cheese concoction for the open house.
“I don’t know about you, but I had a tuna sandwich and Lily and Ian went out.”
“You aren’t making dinner?” Cheryl fairly whined.
Danielle glanced up. “No. Why would you think I would?”
“You aren’t being a very gracious hostess.” Cheryl looked around the kitchen for something to eat.
“I save my hospitality for invited guests.”
“I don’t know why you’re being so mean to me, Dani.”
“I’m busy, Cheryl. You show up right before my open house and drop all this on me. You and I will have to sort this out after the weekend. I have a million things that need to be done before Friday.”
Cheryl eyed the chocolate cake sitting on the counter. “Fine, I’ll just have cake for dinner.”
“You touch that cake and you lose a hand!” Danielle snapped.
“Why can’t I have a piece of cake? I’m hungry.”
“For one thing, it’s for the open house.”
“It’s going to be all dry by then.”
“It will be if you cut into it. If you’re hungry, there’s some tuna left over in the frig and the bread’s in the breadbox on the counter.”
Cheryl let out a little grunt, but went to make herself a sandwich.
“When you’re done there, you might as well help with the open house.”
“What do you mean?”
“For starters, you need to make sure the room you’re staying in looks like it did when you arrived.”
“I don’t want anyone going into my room!”
“It isn’t your room. Anyway, the point of the open house is to let people take a tour through Marlow House, even the room you’re staying in.”
“Fine. I’ll straighten it up on Friday morning.”
“There’s a list by the phone. Look through it and find something you can do.”
A few minutes later Cheryl walked over to the phone, sandwich in hand, and picked up the sheet of paper from the counter. Glancing through the list she frowned. “I’m not doing any of this. I didn’t come here to be your slave.”
“I thought you wanted a share of this house?”
“It doesn’t mean I want to turn it into a bed and breakfast. It’s a stupid idea anyway.” Cheryl tossed the list back on the counter and went to the table with her sandwich. “Strangers in the house. It’s not like I need the money. But if you insist on doing it, don’t expect me to help.”
“Fine. Just don’t make any more messes.”
“I don’t believe you really care about all this B and B nonsense anyway. It’s what’s hidden in the house you really want. Otherwise you wouldn’t be so anxious to sell the necklace and pay me off. The only thing I can’t figure out is why in the world you want strangers in the house.”
“Please, not the hidden treasure again.” Danielle stopped what she was doing and turned to face her cousin. “Cheryl, it was foolish of me to say you could stay. I think it would be best if you check into a motel until we work this out. Who knows, maybe you are right and the court will give you half of the estate, but for now it belongs to me, not you. At the moment you have no legal claim on the property. So for now, I want you to leave.”
Cheryl looked up from her sandwich and stared at Danielle. She said nothing, but continued to eat while looking at her cousin. After she took her last bite she stood up and smiled. “No, Dani. I have already moved into the room and I’m not moving out.”
Danielle silently watched as Cheryl sashayed from the kitchen, leaving behind on the kitchen counter a pile of crumbs, open loaf of bread and dirty Tupperware container which had been used to store the now eaten tuna salad. Shaking her head in disgust, Danielle tidied her cousin’s mess and cursed herself for ever allowing Cheryl beyond the first floor of Marlow House.
Danielle let out a weary sigh and considered all that she needed to do before the party—and what she’d already accomplished. While Lily was out with Ian, she planned to finish making the food for the open house. Tomorrow Joanna Johnson was arriving to give Marlow House a cleaning from top to bottom. Fortunately it was already fairly clean, except for the room Cheryl was using.
In the morning Danielle had errands to run. She would ask Lily to stick around Marlow House to make sure Cheryl didn’t get into too much mischief. Danielle had to pick up the brochures from the printers. The postcards she’d ordered had arrived the day before. She had wine to pick up, and her last stop was the bank, where she was meeting Joe Morelli.
Ben Smith from the museum had recommended a local upholster who was reasonably priced and qualified to work on antique furniture. To Danielle’s delight the upholsterer was able to finish the work in time for the open house and promised to deliver the pieces in the morning.
It was almost 8 p.m. when Danielle finished up in the kitchen. She was just wiping down the counter when the doorbell rang. Her first thought was that Lily had forgotten her key. Tossing the rag on the counter, she went to answer the door, wiping her hands on the sides of her denims as she walked down the entry hall.
When she opened the front door it was not Lily, but Sargent Joe Morelli.
“I know it’s a little late, but I saw the light on,” Joe said with a grin.
Looking up into his warm brown eyes she smiled and opened the door wider to let him in. “Well this is a pleasant surprise, Sargent Morelli.”
He stepped inside the entry and looked around. “Have you had any break-ins lately?”
“If I can count my cousin,” Danielle said as she shut the door.
“Your cousin? Oh, you have company? I’m sorry…”
“No, not company, exactly.” Danielle chuckled. “My cousin just surprised me with an unwelcomed visit. She’s upstairs now. I’m glad you stopped by.”
“I wanted to make sure we’re on for tomorrow. Do you still want me to go with you to pick up the necklace?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“No problem. Are you sure you don’t want me to spend the night too?”
Danielle’s eyes widened.
“I meant while you have the necklace here. I could sleep downstairs.”
“Oh, I knew what you meant,” Danielle lied. “But like I told you, once I get it back to Marlow House, it will be fine. They installed the safe last week, and that’s where I’m keeping it when I’m not wearing it for the party. Then back it goes to the bank, until the buyer arrives next week.”
“So you’re still selling it?” Joe followed Danielle into the parlor.
“That was my plan…at least, until my cousin arrived.” Danielle glanced up to the ceiling. “Can I get you anything to drink, something to eat?”
“No I’m fine.” Joe took a seat. “What do you mean, until your cousin arrived?”
“It looks like my cousin Cheryl is going to contest my aunt’s will.”
“Isn’t it a little late for that? Hasn’t it been through probate?”
“I’m not sure how all that works. I talked to the attorney today and he’s looking into it.” Danielle sat on a chair facing Joe.
“So she believes the estate shou
ld have gone to her?”
“I didn’t know we had company,” Walt said when he appeared in the parlor the next moment.
“Half of it, anyway.” Danielle tried to ignore Walt, who eyed Joe with intense curiosity. “The attorney doesn’t think it would be advisable to sell it until we work this out with my cousin. But I don’t know if the buyer will be willing to wait. And if he isn’t, will I be able to find another one who’s willing to match his offer?”
“Who is this man? Why is he here?” Walt asked. “And why do you keep looking at him like that?”
“Unfortunately, when it comes to sorting out inheritances, things can get brutal even in the closest families,” Joe said.
“Well, Cheryl and I aren’t that close. Never have been. I considered just knocking her off and burying her in the back yard, but your brother-in-law did such a nice job out there, I really would feel bad messing it up.”
“Great, now gallows humor?” Walt said.
Joe laughed and said, “Glad to hear you resisted the temptation. I’d hate to have to arrest you.”
“Yeah, it would probably mess up the open house too.”
“So he’s a policeman. But why is he here?” Walt circled the room watching Danielle and Joe. “I can’t believe it, you’re flirting with him. I’ll be damned, you look about to swoon.”
Danielle took a deep breath, resisting the temptation to shoot Walt a dirty look. Focusing her attention on Joe she said, “I want to thank you again for finding that old police report on Walt Marlow’s death. It really helped to convince the readers it wasn’t a suicide. If Walt Marlow was here, I imagine he would be very grateful. Or at least, he should be.”
“Ahh ha, so that’s who he is.” Walt sat on the couch’s arm and looked down at Joe. “So he’s the one who’s going with you to the bank to pick up the necklace. I suppose that’s a good idea. Once you get it back here I can keep an eye on it.”
“It was an interesting case. I’m looking forward to the open house, by the way. And my offer still stands. I’d be more than happy to spend the night here.”
Walt jumped to his feet, scowling at Joe.
“I appreciate your offer—to guard the necklace.” Danielle flashed Walt a warning to back off. The last thing she needed was for him to start moving the furniture around or toss about Lily’s stack of magazines.