by Millie Mack
“Contrary to what I thought was your elite upbringing, you do know some interesting people. Let me change to more appropriate Club attire, and I’ll be right with you.”
“Oh, no you don’t. This is no job for a lady.”
“Times have changed, darling. Women are allowed in the bar at the Club.” She fluttered her eyelids.
“And, I might add, it was a great step for mankind and dating when that change was made. However, bartenders will not open up to an audience. They’ll tell tidbits to an old friend in confidence. Besides, you worked hard today getting information from the ladies.” Charles rolled down his shirt cuffs, straightened his tie, and grabbed his suit jacket.
“Are you sure my staying at home isn’t related to having to do the dishes?”
“Of course not. We have a dishwasher. In fact, we have two.”
“We do?” Carrie asked, looking around the kitchen.
“Yes, we do. We simply give the plates to Baxter to lick.”
“Very funny. OK, I’ll stay at home and pace the floor until you return as my big, strong, handsome detective.” Carrie kissed him as Charles grabbed his car keys and left.
harles took his time driving to the Club. He wanted to arrive in the gap between the dinner crowd and the group that would arrive for drinks prior to the evening activities. He entered the bar by way of the veranda and thought about Carrie entering this way on the night of the murder.
Why didn’t I park near her car? I might have seen who took her bag from the front seat or, more importantly, Todd’s murderer. Fate wasn’t with me that night. Forget fate. I need to get to the bottom of this murder; otherwise my arrest is the next item on the police agenda.
Only two people were at the bar, and four more members were finishing dessert and coffee at a table on the far side of the room. Charles sat at the opposite end of the bar and waited for Jake.
By almost everyone’s standards, Jake was a good-looking guy. He was tall and slim but muscular, with wavy, dark hair. He had a smile that lit up his face and made all those around him feel good. Aside from his physical good looks, he was also simply a nice guy.
“Hey, Mr. Faraday. Haven’t seen you sitting at the bar alone in a while. Where’s Mrs. Faraday tonight? Or is that one of those questions I shouldn’t ask?”
“You can ask. Carrie has an article that’s on deadline, so I thought I’d get out of her way for a while.” It wasn’t really a lie; Charles assumed Carrie would be working on her article since he wasn’t home.
“Personally, I think it’s a good idea for a husband and a wife to have some time away from each other. You know, I hardly ever see you and Mrs. Faraday apart. That’s not good.”
“Jake, you have to remember that Carrie and I are still on our honeymoon.”
“Haven’t you been married about three years?”
“What a great memory you have; we just finished our third year.”
“And you’re still on your honeymoon? Is it a honeymoon in every way?” Jake asked the question with a sly twinkle in his eye.
“In absolutely every way,” responded Charles with a grin.
“Well, good for you two. You don’t hear of many couples making it anymore. I hope it continues. I guess that’s why I’m not married. I haven’t found another Mrs. Faraday. You want something to drink?”
“That’s why I’m here. I’ll take a gin rickey.”
“Coming right up.”
Jake fixed Charles his drink and then went to collect the check from the couple at the other end of the bar. He nodded to the four diners as they left. Jake and Charles had sole possession of the room.
Charles decided to dive right in, not wanting to go through another round of small talk. “What’s new around here? I assume with the excitement of Todd’s murder, the place is abuzz.”
“It’s been something, I’ll tell you that. Someone from the police department has been here every day, wandering all around the place, asking everyone questions. I know the members aren’t happy with their presence, but I guarantee the staff is even more upset. The Club members are somewhat insulated from the cops by their ranking within the Club and the community. However, each member of the staff has been questioned several times and then questioned again on every detail of what he or she did on the day of the murder.”
“What kinds of questions are the cops asking?” Charles asked.
“They’re asking all the standard questions. Who we saw and when, what we heard—or I should say overheard—what time this or that occurred, et cetera. It’s as if they’re trying to trap us into making a mistake,” Jake said sarcastically.
“I guess they assume that staff members often do see or hear things. How many times have you been questioned?”
“I finished my third session earlier today.”
“Wow, that does seem excessive.”
“They keep asking me about Todd’s drinking. Did he drink alone, or was he with someone? Who saw him last? I think I’m high on their list because I served Todd here in the bar that night. I might add, Mr. Faraday, that you and the missus seem to be high on their list also.”
“It seems I picked the wrong night to punch Todd.”
“Yeah, I heard you put him in his place. The police are also asking if anyone saw you and Mrs. Faraday that night—also, if anyone saw you two leave, or more importantly, return later that morning.”
“Did they learn anything new from you?” Charles asked innocently.
“Come on, Mr. Faraday. You know the area I grew up in Tri-City. We’re not exactly known for spillin’ our guts to the police. I’ve learned the hard way that no matter the pressure, you keep your mouth shut.”
“But the pressure wouldn’t matter unless you really knew something about the investigation,” Charles prodded.
“I know stuff. You learn things whether you want to or not in this job. I think that’s why they keep questioning me.”
“Jake, I’m going to ask you a big favor. You can probably tell by the questions the police are asking that they’re taking a hard look at whether I did more than punch Todd.”
“Yeah, I figured that’s what they’re up to. Todd was always taking chances with the women and annoying their husbands and boyfriends. Todd deserved the punch you gave him, but I also know you wouldn’t murder him, Mr. Faraday.”
“Thanks, Jake. I appreciate your support, but now I have to convince the police. That’s where I need your help. Anything you can do to tune me in on the other men who might be concerned with Todd’s behavior…Well, it might be the very piece of information I need to get the police off my case.”
“I understand, Mr. Faraday. Besides, one good turn deserves another. You got me this job.”
“Jake, I don’t want you to feel in any way obligated because of the job. You applied, you were hired, and you have done a great job.”
He smiled a big grin with his perfect, white teeth, then said, “There are actually several members who might have been upset with Todd.”
“How many is ‘several’?”
“Well, let me think.” Jake paused a moment and shut his eyes. “Let me start with the ladies in that finance club.”
“You mean the Investment Club?”
“Yeah, that’s the group.”
“My understanding is that Todd was providing financial advice about stocks and bonds to the ladies. Being with them would be a normal part of the job.”
“I understand he gave the advice as part of the Club meetings, but he was providing some of the women with extras. I’m talking about individual consultations here in the bar.”
“Now you’ve whetted my appetite. Who’s the damsel?” he asked.
“You’re going to be more surprised when I tell you there were three of them.”
“You’re kidding!”
“I wouldn’t kid you, Mr. Faraday. First there was Marilyn Armstrong, and then there was Terry Conan. I phrased it that way, because one afternoon they got into a real cat fight over…guess wh
o?”
“Wow, two of our distinguished lady members in a fight? Where did this take place?”
“Todd and Terry were in here one afternoon. It turns out Todd had had an appointment with Marilyn, which he had broken. Although the meeting between Todd and Terry had been fairly serious, at the very moment Marilyn walked in, they were laughing. Boy, did she explode.”
“Was it a bad fight?”
“It started out a little loud. That’s how I knew about Todd breaking the appointment, but Todd got them quiet real quick. Mrs. Armstrong left without another word, and Todd and Terry only stayed a couple more minutes. Then Todd slipped me a fifty to keep my mouth shut.” Charles gave Jake a look. “I’ve kept it quiet. You’re the only person I’ve told.”
“Jake, I hope you know what you tell me stays with me.” Charles sat back and took a long drink.
“I know I can trust you, Mr. Faraday, and the missus. That’s why I’m tellin’ you what I know. Let’s see, where was I? There’s Delores Chaney.”
“Delores Chaney?” This name truly surprised Charles, since Delores Chaney had given Carrie the tip about the other affairs. Maybe she’d just been diverting suspicion from herself.
“Yeah, recently there were several…what I’d call ‘special’ meetings. They would both arrive early, before the regular lunch crowd even thought of getting out of bed. Each would order a drink and then casually wander onto the veranda. They would end up at the same table with their heads together. Then they would depart separately, as if the meeting had never occurred.”
“Her daughter, Sara, works for the firm. Maybe she was talking to Todd about giving her daughter more responsibility for the Investment Club.”
“Maybe, but it was a few too many meetings for that type of discussion.”
“Are there more?”
“Just a few.” Jake was clearly enjoying himself now. “There were also several meetings with Sara Chaney. However, their meetings really did seem like business.”
“What makes you say that? Was there a difference with those meetings?”
Jake nodded. “You know, regular hours, folders and papers on the table. They didn’t seem concerned if other members saw them.”
“Very observant, Jake. Sara Chaney was working with Todd on the Investment Club orders. It was probably just business.”
“Although I believe Sara really liked him. The last two I know very little about.”
“Two more, huh?”
“The first was Mrs. Brad Barrington.” Jake lowered his voice, even though no one else was around. He knew when he was dropping a bombshell.
“Linda Barrington, Todd’s brother’s wife! Are you sure?” Charles asked.
“Mr. Faraday, please. If there’s one thing I know, it’s people.”
“Sorry, Jake. I didn’t mean to question your abilities. But you have to admit this one is a shocker. I mean, a real affair or…I mean, they are relatives.”
“Well, I never saw them making out or anything like that, but they fit the pattern. Meeting at odd hours, making it look like they just happened to run into each other, but then they would go off together. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so.”
“Who’s next?”
“This last one…I don’t think there’s much to it. Plus she’s single, so there’s no jealous husband.”
“She’s a member?”
“Not exactly. She’s the lady golf pro, Jennifer Foster. They just seemed to be good pals. Todd would come in with her on occasion, sort of like a date—you know, for dinner, a game of tennis, or other events. But as the golf pro, she was pretty much on site for those events anyway.”
“I know the name, but what does she look like?”
“Kind of a looker—sun-bleached blonde with a very, very short, wavy cut, like Peter Pan. She has dark eyes, sort of sad looking, and she’s about five seven. After a while I didn’t see them together anymore. At the same time, I heard she was in an accident.”
“An accident on the golf course?”
“No, she was in a car accident. Apparently she totaled her car and was out for several months recovering.”
“Were they still an item?”
“No, after she returned to work, I didn’t see her with Todd again. Maybe somebody said something to her about being so chummy with one of the members. Or maybe she gave him some golf lessons, and there was never anything between them.”
“If they hit your radar, there was probably something there. Is that it?”
Jake put his hand to his chin and thought for a second. “Wait, I just remembered something. Todd did have another gal before all the others started. It’s a real shame too, because she was a real nice girl. She was Todd’s age—long, brown hair, which she often wore in a ponytail, and overall she was pretty good looking. Plus, she had a great smile.”
Charles couldn’t help but think that maybe Jake and this young lady should get together, and they could control the smile market between them.
“Can you remember her name?”
“I think her name is Diane. No, wait—it’s Dawn. Never knew her last name, but I think she works at the Nottingham Bookstore. She goes to the local college, and her parents aren’t Club members. She may not have been high enough on the social ladder for the Barringtons. It was after she stopped coming in with him that he started with the others. I bet if Todd had stayed with her, he would still be alive, assuming it was an angry husband that did him in.” Jake paused and started to wipe imaginary spills on the bar top.
“Jake, is there something else?”
“Mr. Faraday, there’s one other thing I should mention.”
“What? Another candidate for investigation?”
“I guess the police would think so.” He paused. “I saw Mrs. Faraday the night of the dance.”
“You mean with Todd?”
“No, later, about two thirty in the morning. I saw her slip back into the Club. But I haven’t told anyone.”
“Now you know the pickle we’re in. Carrie woke up and realized she didn’t have her tennis bracelet. She figured she’d lost it in the library when she was struggling with Todd. She returned to the Club to get her bracelet. Actually, I returned too.”
“I didn’t see you.”
“I was here, and that’s the problem. We were both here during the murder period. But I assure you, Jake, when Carrie was in the library, Todd’s body wasn’t there.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“You know?” Charles was astonished.
Once again, Jake looked around to see whether anyone was listening. “When I saw Mrs. Faraday, I went after her. I thought maybe there was a problem, or maybe I could help her with something. I saw her go into the library. However, I was at the other end of the hall just outside the ballroom. By the time I got to the library, she was gone. I looked out the window and saw the taillights of a car, so I figured she had left by the veranda. I walked back through the library. I can tell you Todd’s body wasn’t there, and there was a huge, blazing fire providing plenty of light. If he was there, I’d have seen him.”
“Jake, why haven’t you told the police you saw Carrie leave? You can verify she didn’t commit the murder,” Charles said excitedly.
“Now hold on, Mr. Faraday. Think about it. Remember, I didn’t see you. I can say I saw your wife leave, but it means I’d also have to admit she was here. And where were you? Did you think she was meeting Todd? Did you confront Todd after she left? You see the problem?”
“Yeah, I do. I appreciate your thinking this through. I know I’m not guilty, but proving it’s going to be another matter.”
“Exactly! The police questions haven’t been specific, so I haven’t lied. I just haven’t told them everything I know.”
Charles put a couple of twenties on the bar. “Jake, as always, you have been a wealth of knowledge. If we could keep this conversation just between us…”
“You bet, Mr. Faraday, but you don’t have to pay. I’ve no intentions of telling the
police anything.”
Charles pushed the empty glass toward Jake. “Just paying for my drink.” Charles got up to leave, then turned back. “Jake, if the police questions get more specific, don’t lie, including the fact that you saw Carrie. Just tell the truth. Ultimately, the truth will clear us.”
“You got it, Mr. Faraday. If and when asked, I’ll tell the truth.”
fter Charles paid the bill, he was anxious to get home and tell Carrie about his conversation with Jake. He had a few more details to add to their file on Todd, plus a couple of new names of ladies involved with him. Charles wondered in particular about Linda Barrington’s relationship with Todd, as well as Delores Chaney’s.
As he was passing through the lobby of the Club, he saw Delores Chaney sitting in one of the lobby chairs. Delores always made a nice appearance, whether she was in ball gowns, casual clothes, or something to wear for dinner at the Club. She was one of the few women Charles knew who didn’t mind her age and also seemed to age well. While her skin had developed some of the telltale aging signs, her complexion had a youthful look.
No time like the present, he thought. “Delores, hello.”
“Oh, hello, Charles.” She looked past him. “Carrie not with you?”
“No, she’s home doing some writing. How about John?”
“He’s parking the car. It’s starting to rain, and I’ve a bit of a cold, so he didn’t want me walking from the parking lot. You’re welcome to join John and me for dinner and drinks.”
“That’s kind of you, but I’ve had my dinner, and I just finished my drink. I’m on my way home. However, there was something I wanted to ask you.”
“Ooh, this does sound intriguing. However, I guess I shouldn’t be so glib. Your questions have to do with Todd’s death, don’t they?”
Charles nodded. “I’m just trying to gather as much information as I can. I’m sure you have heard that I was the one who punched Todd at the dance. That kind of puts me in the police spotlight.”