by Anna Drake
Her doctor’s appointment was in Weaverton, which was about a twenty minute drive from here. After squaring away the remains of lunch and seeing Megan off, I gathered up my grandsons and headed for the park.
Jeremy babbled in his stroller as I pushed him. Hugh skipped along beside me. A large smile covered his dear face. The park was one of his favorite destinations. It was filled with all sorts of wonderful things on which he could work off some of his excess energy. He loved it there.
After arriving, Hugh tore off to play on the equipment. I kept walking. There was nothing here that Jeremy could do. I thought it best to at least keep him moving. Besides, the exercise would do me good.
I’d nearly completed one circuit around the park when a woman’s voice from behind me said, “Here to spoil the park, too, are you?”
I stopped and turned and found myself facing Toby Spires. She wore a flowered top and her usual pinched expression. I decided to ignore the snark. “I’ve brought my grandsons. My older one loves to play here. How about you?”
“My house is over there.” She nodded her head toward the back lawn across from us.
“I hadn’t realized,” I said.
“I saw you and thought I’d come over.”
“How kind of you.”
She snorted. “You wish.”
Apparently tired of being ignored, Jeremy offered up some babble and put on his best grin for her.
She ignored him. “I’m serious. I like this park. Just see to it that you don’t mess this place up like you did our little knitting group.”
“I’m sorry the vote went against you. I could have lived with either decision, although I think the the decision our members made was correct.”
She harrumphed and looked away.
I was surprised that she was still so bothered that she’d have come out here to harass me over a vote that was history now. “I’m sorry about your loss,” I offered “I saw you at Willa Hillman’s funeral, but I didn’t know then that you were related.”
Toby folded her arms over her chest. “What’s that to you?”
“You’ve probably heard that my son-in-law is a suspect in his aunt’s death. I wonder if I could speak with you about Eva? Did you know her?”
“Of course, we were in the same grade together all the way through school.”
“Would you mind sharing what you know about her with me?”
Her gaze flitted about the park. “What, here?”
“No, maybe later this afternoon? Say at either my place or yours?”
An odd smile slipped across her face and vanished in an instant. I couldn’t help shivering at the sight of it. Then she shrugged. “I’d be glad to fill you in.”
Jeremy took that moment to begin fussing.
I grimaced. “I’d better get this little tyke moving again or he’ll be telling the world about his displeasure. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me.” I thought about Megan and her doctor’s appointment and her drive home. “Would four o’clock work for you?”
“Sure, why not? You can come to my place.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Toby Spires opened her door on my second knock and managed to admit me without a smile ever playing across her thin lips. I was still surprised she’d even agreed to see me. “You came,” she said, as she closed the door behind me.
I stopped mid-stride and turned to stare at her. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
Her gaze swept over me. “I wasn’t sure.”
I wondered again about this woman? Was she a widow or a spinster? Did she have children? Had she enjoyed her job? And had Willa been more than just a relative to her? Had she also been Toby’s friend — perhaps, her only friend? I longed to know what had produced this severe and judgemental woman who stood before me.
Toby nodded me toward the couch.
I sat. “Thank you for making time for me. Damon knows very little about his aunt, so I appreciate you doing this.”
Toby seated herself across from me in a narrow armchair. There was no offer of refreshments, no pretension of a warmth she did not feel. She stared at me openly for a moment, then said, “It figures he doesn’t know much about her. Eva was always a bit too much in love with herself to pay attention to other people around her.”
I’d heard a similar description of Damon’s aunt before, but I didn’t mention it. Instead, I asked for a further explanation.
Toby grinned, apparently more than happy to expand on the theme. “Well, everything was about her, wasn’t it? Her needs. Her wants. Her life. Her rules. There wasn’t much beyond those items in her world.“
“What about her relationship with Sam? Why do you think they broke up?”
“Sam is smart. He knew he could never be happy with a woman who spent so much time thinking only about her dreams and plans.”
“Willa was more accommodating, is that it?”
Toby nodded. “Willa knew a woman’s place. She kept her husband happy. She raised his children and tended to his needs. That’s something Eva could never have done.”
I wondered what Toby would think if she knew how close Sam had come to dumping his wife and running off with Eva? “When did Willa become interested in Sam?”
“I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t wild about that man.”
“Did she resent Eva when she and Sam dated in high school?”
“She wasn’t pleased. That’s for sure. But she bided her time, and everything worked out in the end. Eva marched off to college. Sam took up farming.” Toby gave me a funny look. “I thought you wanted to know about Eva. Why are you asking all these questions about Willa?”
“Their lives seem so intertwined… and now that Sam’s been charged with murdering his wife, I guess that’s put Willa on my radar.”
Toby leaned toward me, her cheeks flushed. She shook her bony finger in my face. “Let me tell you one thing. Sam Hillman will regret the day he killed that beautiful woman.”
‘You think he did it then?”
She shrugged. “Who else could it have been?”
“You were fond of Willa?”
Toby shook her head in disbelief. “Fond of her? I adored her. She was bright, and beautiful, and special. I would have done anything for her.”
***
Driving away from Toby’s place, I decided I had an itch that needed scratching. I hoped that I wasn’t being driven by a desire to get even, but I wanted to know more about this woman who said she would have done anything for her cousin.
Luck was with me. Laura Day was home. And better yet, her face light up with pleasure at finding me on her doorstep. “Hetty, what a surprise.” She glanced down at my hands. “And you’ve come without delivering a blanket to give away? I’m stunned.”
I laughed. “I need some background information on a mutual friend of ours. I thought you’d be the gal to fill me in.”
“Oh, goody. We’re gonna dish a little dirt.”
I laughed. She closed the door and linked her arm through mine. “I was just about to have a cup of coffee. Want some?”
“That sounds absolutely perfect.” I hadn’t consumed caffeine in hours. I could already feel a hint of a headache coming on. I suspected I should cut back on the substance. But that was an issue I’d face another day. Once in the kitchen, Laura filled two mugs with a delicious smelling brew and delivered the cups to the table.
In the distance, I heard the sound of a washing machine click over into the spin cycle. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Goodness no. I can do laundry anytime.” Laura sat and stared at me over the top of her mug. “So who are we going to talk about?”
“I’ve come here after having had a brief chat with Toby Spires.”
“Heavens, I hope you don’t have any stab wounds. I can’t think you’d be her favorite person these days.”
“No, we were fine… mostly. I’d just like to know more about her.”
Laura gave me a funny look, then said. “You know she was r
elated to Willa. I think I told you all about that?”
“Right. You and Sam are cousins, while she was a cousin of Willa’s.”
“That’s it.”
“That can’t do much to unite the two of you, right now.”
Laura frowned. “I don’t think there’s ever been a time when I’ve exactly been united with Toby.”
“Fair enough. But I still don’t know where she worked, or if she worked, or if she was married, or if she had a mad affair when she was young, or what she valued.”
“Goodness, you’re not after much.” Laura pushed her coffee mug into the center of the table. “After high school, Toby worked for Bob Horbert. He was a nice man and a local attorney. Whatever she didn’t know about working for a lawyer she picked up from him. Then, when he retired, she stayed on with Larry Croft. He had taken over Horbert’s practice.”
“What about a husband?”
Laura shook her head. “Nope, she never married.”
“What about dating?”
Laura pulled a face. “Now that you mention it, I don’t remember her ever being much interested in men.”
“Tell me about her relationship with Willa.”
“Oh, she adored her cousin. Like Eva, they were a good bit older than I am, but I can still see them after church. Arms intertwined. Heads together, sharing the secrets of the universe. Plus, I remember how Toby always took Willa’s part in any quarrel.”
“When did Sam start dating Willa, do you know?”
“Hmm, I’m not really sure. It was after high school. I know that much. As I told you, Sam had eyes for no one but Eva before she left for college. Then, maybe two years later, I heard he and Willa were engaged.”
“Did Toby mind?”
She blinked. “Why would Toby mind?”
I leaned forward across the table. “If she and Willa were so close, maybe Toby resented Sam coming between them?”
Laura frowned. “I doubt it. If I remember correctly, Toby was Willa’s maid of honor.”
“I’m sure you’ll think this is a stretch, but do you think it could have been Toby who killed Eva?”
Laura looked stunned. “Why would she? I can’t see that Toby had anything to gain from Eva’s death.”
“Toby told me she’s have done anything for Willa. Maybe she murdered Eva so Willa could hold onto Sam.”
“That’s ridiculous. Sam and Willa were happily married when Eva died.”
“And now Willa’s been murdered.”
“That should put Toby in the clear. As I said, Toby adored Willa. She’s the least likely person to have killed her.”
“But also as you say, Sam is not a reasonable suspect, either.”
Laura nodded. “It is hard to see him as a killer. He’s so laid back. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him so much as raise his voice.” She looked off in the distance for a moment and smiled. “I can remember being one of his groupies when I was young.” She gave me an embarrassed grin. “He was a wildly handsome thing. But I grew up. Later, as an adult, I saw him at family picnics and Christmas and that kind of thing and never saw him do anything out of line. Plus, there’s all that family gossip I’ve listened to all these years. I’ve never heard one bad word said about that man.”
“So you were surprised when he was arrested for the murder of his wife?”
“Surprised? I was stunned. And as I’ve said, I really believe police have arrested the wrong man.”
“And Toby?”
“Toby as the killer?” She shook her head. “As I’ve said I think you’re stretching things with that one.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The next morning, I dragged myself to the outdoor table and sat staring at my tea and toast. I’d spent most of my night in bed flipping from one side to another. I was so close to a solution to these deaths, I could almost taste it. But not quite.
Lifting my gaze, I studied the lawn around me. All I could see were fading flowers, thriving weeds, and browning grass. Turning my attention farther afield, I studied the houses beyond the river. They shimmered under a brilliant sun hanging just above the horizon.
I sighed.
With the humidity again expected to be high, I knew it was going to be another scorcher of a day. I found my thoughts turning, as they so often did this time of year, to autumn rains and falling leaves. And I found myself admitting that I’d be sorry Andrew wasn’t here to enjoy the change of the season.
But I was determined to press on with my day and this case. And by nine, I’d finished my household tasks. Now in my freshly cleaned kitchen, I picked up the phone and called Damon.
“May I come over?” I asked. “I need to pick your brain.”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure there’s much in there, but you’re welcome to come and have at it.”
In short order I was in my car and headed beyond the river. The towering grain bins stood like silent sentinels above the flatlands. I pointed the nose of my car straight for them.
I again found my son-in-law in his office. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, his collar open. A window air conditioner was switched on. It pumped out cold air at an impressive rate, but I doubted the small unit would be able to keep up when the mercury reached its peak this afternoon.
Looking up, Damon rose from his desk and smiled. “I have coffee.”
“That sounds good.”
Again, I sat in the wooden armchair that had probably occupied this exact spot for decades — or possibly centuries. Devon soon returned and handed me a cup of the steaming brew, which surprisingly, smelled good and tasted even better.
“What do you want to know?” he asked as he settled into his chair.
“I’ve come to find out how you feel about Sam Hillman’s arrest. Do you think Oberton’s got the wrong man?”
Damon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You know, I’ve been wondering about that. The Sam I know is a calm person. I don’t recall his ever getting riled up over anything. In fact, I can’t imagine anything more out of character than for him to murder someone.”
I nodded. “That’s what I’ve heard from other sources. I guess its the rumor of his financial problems that keep tripping me up.”
“Again, I can’t give you any specifics. But from what I know of his trade here, he’s always seemed pretty successful to me.”
“Maybe the kids needed help. Maybe one of them was draining his finances.”
“Not that I know of. Sam always seemed to be bragging on them. One’s a doctor. The other is a lawyer. They seemed pretty well heeled to me.”
“There’s another rumor floating around that Sam had taken out a large life insurance policy on Willa. Have you heard anything about that?”
Damon shook his head. “How in heaven’s name would anybody other than Sam and his insurance agent know? Maybe, he did. Maybe, he didn’t. Who’s to say? That’s probably one you should chalk up to idle brains and big mouths.”
“What about on your end. What stories have you heard?”
Damon winced. “I dislike passing gossip along, but if you agree to keep what I tell you to yourself…?”
“I do.”
“I have heard some rumors. Again, these are only rumors. I suspect there are similar stories out there on me with the cops still asking questions about my life. Anyway, some say Sam had grown tired of his wife’s jealous fits, and he killed her. Others claim he was sick of putting up with her cousin.”
“Which cousin? Do you know?”
“The said it was Toby Spires. Do you know her?”
“Indeed.”
“So does Sam really dislike her? Do you know anything about their relationship?”
Damon leaned forward over his desk. “Again, this is between us only?”
I nodded.
“He despised her. He’d practically foam at the mouth whenever her name was mentioned.”
That combined with his financial problems suddenly had my mind working overtime.
“Is there
anything else you can tell me?” I asked.
Damon frowned. “Isn’t that enough?”
Yes, it was, I thought. From what he had said I’d worked out a fresh view of this case. Now, I only had to sell my suspicions to Oberton.
***
When I turned up in his office a short time later, Detective Oberton appeared surprised to see me. I’d driven directly from the co-op to the Sheriff’s office, a twenty-some minute drive. I wanted to lay out my conclusions to him and win his help with setting my trap. For I saw no other way to bring his killer to justice.
At least the man didn’t toss me out of his office. But after he’d heard my tail, his response was less than enthusiastic. “I don’t know, Hetty. Your story sounds pretty fanciful.”.
So, I piled on additional details and further pestered him on a couple of points.
He was at least more willing to answer questions than I’d thought he’d be. “Yeah, Sam’s checking account had been routinely drained of large amounts of cash for years,” he said. “And yes, it was always Sam who signed the mysterious checks that were draining him dry. But when questioned about where the money went, the man clammed up. I couldn’t get one word out of him. What was I supposed to think? Something was obviously fishy about the deal.”
“But don’t you see how those facts support my theory?”
“Yeah, I’ll allow that, but so what? It’s all just conjecture. We still don’t have any proof.”
“That’s where I come in,” I said. “That’s what I’m here for.
And when I’d finished laying out my proposal, Oberton began shaking his head. “Absotutely not. If my boss caught wind of this hairbrained scheme of yours, he’d scalp me.”
“Okay. Then, let’s go ask him.”
Oberton stuck out his chin and glared at me. “Yeah, let’s just go do that. But I can tell you right now… Sheriff Deets will toss you out of his office in two seconds flat. And that will be right after he finishes chewing your head off.”