The Ghost Who Loved Diamonds

by Bobbi Holmes

  “We’re dropping the charges against Adam. Even if Sam is telling the truth and someone else killed Cheryl after he left her in the hut, it couldn’t have been Adam. Sam’s version vindicates him. Adam was the one who drank the drugged wine. I’m pretty certain he was out all night, considering how much he consumed and his condition the next morning.”

  “You never mentioned the wine had been drugged.” Danielle said.

  “Adam told you he suspected the wine had been drugged.”

  “Did Adam tell you that?” When Joe didn’t immediately answer her question Danielle said, “You were listening, weren’t you? You listened in on our conversation at the police station.”

  “That really doesn’t matter now.”

  “It does to me,” Danielle said.

  “Why were you so convinced Adam was innocent?”

  “I guess you can call it a hunch,” Danielle lied. “You say you aren’t convinced Sam killed Cheryl. Who do you think did? Whoever it was obviously knew the necklace was a fake, since they didn’t have a problem using it to frame Adam.”

  Joe studied Danielle, a somber expression on his face. “Or maybe they were confident they’d get it back after the police found it. Or maybe they didn’t care, since it was insured.”

  Danielle stared at him in disbelief. She couldn’t believe what he seemed to be implying.

  “Wow, Brian isn’t the only jerk.” Danielle stood up. “I think you should go now.”

  “Danielle, I like you.” Joe stood up. “I don’t think you intended to kill Cheryl. But I think after I left that night you decided to go looking for her. Maybe she mentioned something about Adam’s beach house. You started walking down the beach, hoping to find her. You saw her go into the hut with Sam and when he left you found her unconscious. Maybe it had nothing to do with Cheryl’s money—she just made you so angry, you couldn’t help yourself.”

  “You believe I killed my cousin?”

  “I don’t think you meant to. But I saw how angry she made you. Even now you refuse to admit what you did—what I saw with my own eyes. The way you hit her so hard she fell down, or how in a fit of rage you dumped all her things into her suitcase, ruining her clothes.”

  “You didn’t see me do either of those things,” Danielle said.

  “I was right there when she fell. No, I didn’t see you actually push her, but her face was bruised, you were the only one standing close to her, and Cheryl herself claimed you hit her. And unless Joanne is lying, you’re the only one who could have thrown all of Cheryl’s things in that suitcase.”

  “You need to leave now.” Danielle walked to the door.

  “I want to help you, Danielle. But I can’t do that if you aren’t prepared to take responsibility. I don’t think it was premeditated, and considering your mental state…”

  Danielle paused at the doorway and faced Joe. “Please. Leave.”

  Letting out a weary sigh, Joe walked to the front door. Before leaving, he turned and faced Danielle. “I believe Sam’s story. Maybe the chief doesn’t but I do. I wish you could understand, but I can’t let a man go to jail for a murder he didn’t commit. If you would only meet me half way, it would go a lot easier on you.”

  “Good-bye, Joe,” Danielle said, holding back her tears.

  • • • •

  Walt found Danielle twenty minutes later, curled up in a fetal position on the center of her bed, crying inconsolably. It took him five minutes to calm her down and it wasn’t until his right hand brushed her forehead, gently pushing back her hair from her face did she quiet. Blinking away the tears from her eyes, she looked up at Walt.

  “I could feel your hand touch me,” she whispered in awe.

  “It’s only an illusion,” he said with a gentle smile. “I’ve been practicing harnessing my energy.”

  “That felt nice, like you’re really here.”

  “I am really here,” he told her.

  “You know what I mean…like you are…”

  “Please don’t say it,” Walt asked.

  Alive.

  Wiping away the tears with the back of her hand, Danielle sat up in the bed.

  “Can you tell me what happened?” Walt remained seated on the mattress next to her.

  “Where’s Lily?” Danielle asked.

  “Last I checked, she’s still sleeping.”

  “And Cheryl?” Danielle asked.

  “I haven’t seen her since last night.”

  “Where does she go?” Danielle asked.

  Walt shook his head, “I don’t know. But tell me what happened.”

  Danielle took a deep breath and then proceeded to tell Walt about her conversation with Joe.

  “I’m so sorry, Danielle,” Walt said after she finished. “Do you think he could actually convince them to press charges against you?”

  “I don’t know. I sort of doubt it. It’s so circumstantial, and Sam was caught with the stolen gems. I think Joe was playing good cop bad cop—taking both roles—trying to get me to confess.”

  “He hurt you, didn’t he?”

  “Yes. And the thing is, he has no idea how he hurt me. I honestly believe in some twisted way he thought he was being my friend, trying to help me. It…well, it reminded me of Lucas.”

  “Your husband? How is that?” Walt asked.

  “When I told Lucas about… my gift…he pretended to believe me, because he really couldn’t find it in himself to believe I might actually be able to see ghosts. So he thought he was being supportive by pretending. It’s just like Joe. Joe was trying to be supportive too, but the bottom line is: just like Lucas he didn’t believe in me…doesn’t trust me.”

  “Did you like Joe a great deal?”

  “I don’t know. He seemed like a nice enough guy.” Grabbing her pillow, Danielle rolled over, her back to Walt as she curled up into a ball, hugging the foam bundle. “Heck, it’s not like we even kissed or anything.”

  • • • •

  Adam hadn’t been back to his office since the arrest. He spent most of his time at his grandmother’s house, going through the computer hoping to discover who’d slipped the necklace in the vase. The task would have been easier had he known what he was actually doing. When he initially installed the camera in the office, he never imagined it would one day save him from going to prison.

  He couldn’t recall the last time he’d slept. When he finally left Marie’s house and headed back to his place he considered calling his attorney, Ted Zimmerman, and let him know what he’d discovered. He wasn’t sure how to proceed, and it was too important to screw up and make the wrong move. But first, first he needed to get some sleep. He imagined once his head hit the pillow he would finally get the rest he needed. It didn’t matter that it was almost noon.

  To Adam’s surprise Ted Zimmerman was waiting in his driveway when he pulled up to his house.

  “I was going to call you, but I wanted to deliver the news in person,” Ted said excitedly when Adam got out of his car.

  “What’s going on?”

  “They dropped all charges,” Ted beamed.

  “I don’t understand! What happened?” Adam stood with his attorney in the driveway.

  “They’ve arrested someone named Samuel Hayman. Do you know who that is?”

  “Sam? You’re kidding? Sam owns the jewelry store here in town. Or at least he used to. Sam, are you sure?”

  “They caught him red handed with the stolen jewels. He was hold up in some little motel near Portland.”

  “That can’t be right,” Adam murmured.

  “Why, was he a friend of yours?”

  “I’ve known Sam forever. He’s older than me, but we both grew up in Frederickport. I can’t believe it. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “I thought you’d be dancing with joy over the news.”

  “Well…naturally I’m thrilled they dropped the charges. But what happens if something comes up and they decide Sam isn’t the one? Will they come back after me?”

  “I
t looks like Sam’s testimony put you in the clear. He admitted to drugging the wine. Claimed you were out cold when he got to the house and Cheryl took off with him.”

  “Are you saying Sam confessed to murdering Cheryl?”

  “No. But he did confess to drugging Cheryl, then replacing the gemstones with fakes and leaving her in the hut, still wearing the necklace with the fake stones. You drank the drugged wine and Cheryl didn’t, according to Hayman. So even if he is telling the truth, and Cheryl really was alive when he left her, you couldn’t have been the one to kill her. You were out cold.”

  “I thought you told me they found the same drug from the wine in Cheryl’s body.”

  “Hayman confessed to putting some of it in a beer Cheryl drank, after she left the bungalow.”

  “So this means I really am in the clear?”

  “It sure does. How about we celebrate? Let me take you out to lunch.”

  “Thanks Ted, I appreciate the offer. But the only thing I want to do right now is take a shower and go to bed. I’m exhausted.”

  “I can understand that.”

  “There is something else I need to discuss with you, about the case. But that can wait. I don’t think I’ve gotten two hours sleep since I was arrested and all I want to do is crash. But can you do me one favor?”

  “Sure, what do you need?”

  “Call my grandmother and let her know the charges have been dropped. Tell her I’ll give her a call when I wake up.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Brad Miller stood in front of the Frederick Police Station debating if he should go in or not. His friends were going to kill him, but he knew he didn’t have another choice. Once he walked in the door and told his story he knew the cops would round up the other guys. His friends would be pissed, but none of them would lie to the cops.

  Ten minutes later Brad found himself alone in the interview room waiting to talk to an officer. He was relieved when Joe Morelli walked in. Joe had dated his older sister last summer, and for a cop, he was cool.

  “Morning Brad,” Joe said as he walked to the table, offering the teenager his hand. Nervously Brad accepted the brief handshake but remained seated. After Joe released Brad’s hand he sat down at the table across from him. “So what’s this about? They told me you had some information about the Hartford murder.”

  “I know I should have come in before, but we figured we really didn’t know anything and well…we just didn’t want to get involved.”

  “We?” Joe asked.

  “Well, me and some of the guys.”

  “Where are these guys? Why aren’t they here with you?”

  “They don’t want to come in. We all kind of agreed not to say anything.”

  “Do they know you’re here?” Joe asked.

  “No. But Mom was reading the newspaper this morning about Sam Hayman getting arrested. And well, I knew I had to come in, because Sam didn’t murder that woman.”

  “Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what you know.”

  “Me and some of the guys were supposed to be at the firework show, but we got sort of bored so we took off. Started walking down the beach. After a while we got tired so…we ahh…well…” Brian moved restlessly in his seat.

  “What is it?” Joe asked.

  “Well, sometimes we sort of borrow the surfboards they keep in the beach huts, where you found that woman. We always put them back, I promise.”

  “You were going to surf at night?”

  “No. But Kevin remembered seeing some chairs in there and we were going to borrow a couple. It’s not like we were breaking in or anything, that hut isn’t locked.”

  “So what happened?”

  “When we got there we saw Sam taking that woman into the hut. By the way she was walking we figured she was drunk. At the time we didn’t know who it was, it was pretty dark. But then he left, and ran up the path.”

  “What do you mean he left?” Joe asked.

  “Right after he helped her in the hut he took off. We were sort of debating if we should go check it out, to see if she was passed out or something. But he came back carrying this little bag, you know, like a briefcase.”

  “Did he go back in the shed?”

  “Yeah, he was in there for quite a while. And then he left again. I decided to follow him to see where he kept going. But this time he got into his car and drove off. I recognized him. It was Sam who owned the jewelry store.”

  “What about the woman?”

  “She was still in the hut, so we decided to check to see if she was okay.”

  “Was she dead?” Joe asked.

  “No. We checked her pulse. I could smell beer on her, figured she was drunk and had passed out.”

  “What was her hair like?”

  “Her hair?” Brad frowned.

  “Did you notice any blood? Whoever killed her hit her over the head. There was a lot of blood.”

  “No. There wasn’t any blood. Nothing like that.”

  “Are you sure? It would have been dark in that shed,” Joe said.

  “We had flashlights.”

  “So what did you do?”

  “We figured we’d just leave her there. Let her sleep it off. Figured she’d be safe in the shed, was no reason to get involved. I mean, we really weren’t supposed to be in there, so didn’t see a reason to get in trouble.”

  “You just left her there?” Joe asked.

  “Yeah,” Brad shrugged.

  “Did you pile the rafts on her body?” Joe asked.

  “What do you mean?” Brad frowned.

  “When they found her, she was supposedly buried under a pile of rafts.”

  “No, that would be lame. Why would we do that? We just left her, promise.”

  “Then what did you do?”

  “We took off. Went back to the firework show. But she was alive when we left her, honest.”

  “I’m going to need the names of your friends, the ones who were with you that night.”

  • • • •

  “I’d like you to interview the other boys first,” the chief said after Joe updated him on the case. The two sat in the chief’s office.

  “I know Brad Miller, and I believe him,” Joe said.

  “Yes, I know. But before we do anything we need to talk to the other witnesses. However, it does look like you were right; Sam probably didn’t kill Cheryl Hartford.”

  “That only leaves one other suspect—Danielle Boatman,” Joe said.

  “I have to admit I’m surprised you’ve taken that turn. Got the impression you were rather fond of the girl.”

  “I was—I am. This isn’t easy for me, but I have a job to do and frankly, I can’t see where it could be anyone else. She’s the only one with a motive. Even if someone happened to find Cheryl in that hut, there would be no reason to kill her. Why would they? They could simply take the necklace and leave her there, considering the amount of drugs in her system.”

  “Before we bring any charges against Boatman we will need more—much more. Arresting a different person every other day for Hartford’s murder doesn’t make us look very competent. Before we file charges we need something more substantial.”

  • • • •

  Carrying two cups of coffee, Danielle Boatman showed Clarence Renton to the back patio. She set the mugs on the patio table. “I really appreciate you coming over this afternoon,” she said. “I would have been happy to stop by your office.”

  “No problem, l had a few errands to run today anyway.” He took a seat at the patio table.

  “I thought it would be much nicer to talk out here,” Danielle said as she sat down on the chair across from him.

  “Is your friend Lily still staying with you?”

  “Yes, but only for a few more weeks. But she’s not here right now. She went with Ian to Astoria. He’s working on a story about Emma Jackson’s life.”

  “Yes, they mentioned that at your party. I understa
nd you aren’t taking guests yet?”

  “No. Things are just too confusing right now for me to open for business.”

  “So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Renton asked.

  “I was hoping you might be able to recommend a criminal lawyer. I know you don’t do criminal law.”

  “Criminal lawyer? What for?” Clarence frowned.

  “I think I might need one. Joe Morelli seems to think I murdered my cousin.”

  “I don’t understand; I thought Sam Hayman was arrested for her murder. They found the missing jewels on him. At least, that’s what it said in today’s paper.”

  “I know. And they arrested Adam first, but let him go. Now they have Sam. But yesterday Joe was here and he told me he didn’t believe Sam killed Cheryl. He thinks I did.”

  “A little strange for him to say that to you if they intend to charge Sam with the murder.”

  “I agree. I barely got any sleep last night. When I woke up this morning I decided the smart thing to do was to go ahead and hire a lawyer now, just in case. I know you aren’t a criminal lawyer, but I was hoping you could recommend someone.”

  Inside the kitchen Walt Marlow watched Danielle through the window.

  “What are you looking at?” Cheryl asked as she appeared in the room.

  Walt glanced over at Cheryl. “Where have you been? I thought you’d moved on.”

  “I keep trying, but it’s like someone is tugging on me to return, like I’m still needed here.” Cheryl walked to the window and looked outside. She could see Danielle sitting at the small patio table with a man. The man’s back was to her, she couldn’t see his face. “Who’s Dani with?”

  “It’s her attorney. She wants to find a criminal attorney and hopes he can recommend one.”

  “What does Dani need with a criminal attorney?” Cheryl asked, still watching her cousin.

  “She’s afraid they might charge her for your murder.”

  “What? That is ridiculous. Dani didn’t kill me… Although, she did knock me on my butt,” Cheryl said with a sigh.

  “About that,” Walt said as he cleared his throat.

  “About what?”

  “Danielle didn’t hit you.”

  “What are you talking about?” Cheryl frowned. She reached up and touched her once injured cheek. “I have a bruise to prove it…or at least I did…I mean my other self did…But I forgive her.”