by Julie Ramson
He walked past me and hesitated. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’ll be back.” He got Killer’s leash and walked out.
I just wanted this to end. I didn’t want to fight with Digs and I couldn’t go back to the road we had been on before Olivia gave me the watch back. And I really, really wanted people to stop attacking and shooting at me! After a few minutes, I got up and limped over to get my coat. That and my purse and I started out the door just as Digs was returning.
“Where are you going?” He asked with a frown.
“Walking! We’re going to Lily’s, remember? I want to see if there is someplace that someone could hide this much money, or a key or bonds or something!”
Digs turned me around and walked me back to the table. “Let’s just sit a minute. Are you ready to talk to me yet?”
I didn’t look up. “Digs, there’s nothing to talk about! You’re Sean’s friend and, I hope, mine as well. But there isn’t anything else. There just isn’t.” I shook my head.
Digs sat watching me. “Huh. I don’t agree.” He got more coffee. “So, what do you expect to find at Lily’s?” He sipped.
“I don’t know. A will. If there's even a will to find! Everyone says Lily talked about making a will but no one seems to be sure that she did it!” I shrugged. “Or the money. Or bonds. Or a key to a safe deposit box. I don’t know.”
“Does it really matter if no will is found?”
“No, it doesn't. We're looking for one because it would be better, obviously, but no. It probably doesn't really matter.” I looked up. “We're looking for the money. Or whatever it is that the money was converted into. I wish we had a clue what that was.”
Digs shook his head. “Me, too.”
I stood up. “Gotta move this leg, Digs. It’s getting stiff sitting here.”
He smiled. “You just want to get going.” He called Killer and helped me with my coat.
I limped my way to the door. “We’ll give this one last try. I know you and Sean and Jimmy all searched Lily’s desk, but I’d like to try.”
Killer jumped into the back seat and we drove over to Lily’s. When we got there, we had to coax Killer out of the car. He wasn’t one bit happy about being back there. Sean was already there with Jimmy, walking through the house. They tapped on walls, checked the backs of every closet, poked in the kitchen cabinets and flipped through all the books. I went to Lily’s desk and sat on the bed, looking at it from every angle. Nothing seemed out of place but it just seemed like that would be the place to hide something. I got up and sitting on the stool, checked every drawer again. Inside, along the back, the under part and behind each end. Nothing. Finally, I gave up.
We all met in the kitchen. Sean spoke. “If there’s something here, I’ll be damned if I know where.” We all agreed. It was like looking for a needle in an acre of haystacks.....and we didn’t even know if the needle was there - or if we should be looking for something else.
I stood and stretched. “I want to go home, take a shower, a nap and then get ready for dinner.” I started limping toward the door. “I wonder what this John is going to be like.”
Sean nodded. He said he and Jimmy were off to meet Ben Freeman. No warning, they were just going to visit his garage. My interest perked up.
“Sean, let me and Digs come along. I know it's not police protocol, but I'd like a look at him.”
“Why?”
“I might be better at evaluating him from a woman's standpoint. It won't take long – come on, Sean!”
“This might be a good idea.” Digs watched me.
“Yeah, I guess it won't hurt.”
Freeman's Garage was located further into the city. It was on a busy corner, with several gas pumps and an enclosed building marked “Repair Shop.”
We got out and went into the small retail office. A young man sat there, talking on the phone. Sean flashed his badge and the guy looked startled. Ending the call, he frowned at Sean. “Can I help you?”
He was tall, about 6 feet with dark hair and dark eyes. He glanced at all of us with a puzzled look.
“Yes. We're looking for Ben Freeman.”
“That's me.” Wary tone.
“We need to talk to you. Privately.”
The man gestured toward a door leading into the repair shop. “Tiny!” he called. “Watch the register for a few minutes, will you?”
A huge guy lumbered toward us, wiping his hands on a greasy rag. “Sure, Boss.”
Freeman gestured us to follow him to the back of the shop. He walked into a small office and closed the door behind us. “What's this all about?”
Sean took the lead. “We need to ask you a few questions about Emily Hastings and her aunt, Lily Hastings.”
“Sure. But I don't know how much I can tell you. I haven't seen Emily since last fall and her aunt – oh, probably not since last fall.”
“You know Lily Hastings was murdered?” Sean's tone was neutral.
Freeman looked nervous for the first time. “Yeah, I read that in the paper. So?”
I stepped in. “We need to know more about your relationship with Emily.”
He made a face. “We dated for about a year. It didn't work out.”
“Why not?”
“She's – she's – look, what's all this about? Is she a suspect?”
I smiled. “No, she's not.”
He gave me a tentative smile back. “It just wasn't great. Not at the end.”
“How well did you know Lily Hastings?” Sean asked.
Freeman looked from one of us to the other. “Not well. Emily took me over to her house a couple of times. She was okay, I guess but...”
“We heard you two didn't like each other much.”
“Who told you that?” He started to fidget. “She was just kind of crabby. Short with Emily. That kind of thing.”
“Short with Emily? What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “Just....short. She'd correct Emily on everything, how she set the table, what she had brought. Just kind of difficult.”
This was a new picture of Lily. “Did they argue?”
“Yeah. Sometimes.”
Sean studied him. “How about you? Did you argue with her?
“Hell no. I stayed out of it. Emily would get angry and I didn't want any part of that.” He looked at me. “I just stopped going over to the old lady's house with her.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I heard you and Emily broke up because you had someone else – another woman.”
Sean and Digs both turned to me in surprise.
Freeman blushed, then paled slightly. “Who told you that?”
I raised my eyebrows and remained silent.
“Emily? Did Emily tell you that?”
Silence.
Like most people who are uncomfortable, Ben needed to fill a silence.
“Yeah, I met someone else. I'm still with her as a matter of fact.” He ran his finger around his collar. “So?”
“So maybe your breakup wasn't as amicable as you want us to think.” Sean's tone was sharper.
“Look, both Emily and I wanted out of it.” He looked at each of us. “Really. No big deal.”
“Did you know anything about Lily Hastings' money?” I threw in a shot in the dark.
Freeman's face tightened. “No! What money?” He glared at me. “Has Emily said I stole something?”
“Why would you think that?” Jimmy's tone was neutral.
“I don't! I didn't! Do I need a lawyer?” He was definitely agitated.
“No, Mr. Freeman, not right now.” Sean answered.
Ben blew out a sigh. “Look, Emily and her aunt had their differences but I didn't get involved in any of that. I don't think the old lady had any money but if she did I didn't' know about it. Or care.” He turned back to me. “We broke up last September. And, yeah, Emily was really pissed at me. I had met Diane by then and I was losing interest in her.” He lifted his hands in frustration. “But our relationship wasn't going anywh
ere. Emily knew that!”
“Where were you on December 2?” Sean asked.
Freeman paled. “I have no idea! What – why? Look, I didn't do anything!”
Sean stared at him but he didn't say any more. “Freeman, if I ran you at the station, would I find any arrests?”
“Not since I was a teenager! What is Emily trying to pin on me?”
“Nothing, Mr. Freeman,” I said.
He looked at me suspiciously. “Then why are you here?”
“Because we have a murder to solve. Now, where were you on December 2?” Sean's tone was sharp.
“I don't remember!” Freeman started pawing at the papers on his desk. He pulled out last year's calendar and turned to December. The space for December 2 was blank. “I was probably here. I'm always here!”
Sean took the calendar and studied it. “We may be back, Mr. Freeman. Please let me know if you plan to leave town.”
We turned and started out of the door. “Wait. I didn't do anything to that old lady! But there's some cousin or something! Go check on him!”
Sean smiled. “Thanks for your time, Mr. Freeman. We appreciate your cooperation.”
Once in the parking lot, we headed out, going a few blocks east then stopped in a parking lot.
Sean and Jimmy came over the car and Digs opened the door. “Well, Maggie?”
“I don't think he's involved, really, but I also don't think that breakup was very amicable.” I laughed slightly. “I can't see Emily being very happy if he was stepping out on her.” This was kind of a loaded topic for me right now.
“What made you ask about him having someone else?” Jimmy asked. “Did you know that?”
“Nope. Just a guess.”
Digs stayed silent.
“But it's interesting that Freeman thought Emily and the old lady didn't get along all that well.” I went on.
Sean looked at his watch. “We need to move if we're going to get back to the station and check on Freeman and then be at the restaurant by 7. We can talk more later.”
Digs and I drove home in silence. It wasn’t terribly uncomfortable but not great either. We got to the apartment and waited while Killer ran around a bit. It was warmer today, maybe the start of the yearly Chicago January thaw. Digs finally reined him in and we went upstairs.
I headed for the bathroom. My leg was hurting and I felt like someone had run over me with a truck. My leg. Damn. How was I going to shower? I thought of a plastic bag and limped back out to the kitchen. Digs was sitting at the table, looking at my notes. I got a black trash bag and started back to the bathroom.
“What’s that, Mag? Oh, for your leg. Great idea.” I just nodded. I got into the bathroom and pulled off my jeans. I pulled the bag up over my knee and tied it high up. Not perfect but it would have to do. I did the shower thing sitting on the edge of the tub and washed my hair. At least the lump on the back of my head was down and most of the purple and green around my eyes was fading.
I took the bag off and limped to the bedroom. It wasn’t easy crawling into bed but I managed. I was asleep in minutes.
“Maggie, Maggie?” Digs stood in the doorway. “It’s about 5 and I thought you might want to get up now.” He didn’t come closer.
I sat up. “Five! How long have I slept?” I shook my head to clear the cobwebs.
He grinned. “About two hours. So get up, Sleeping Beauty, we have a guy named John to meet!” He left the room.
I stumbled back into the bathroom and peered at my face. I’d do what I could. At least now makeup hid the worst of it. I added the extras for this dinner, eyeliner, mascara, shadow, blush. The works. I heated the curling iron and curled my hair into some semblance of order. There. Not too bad.
Next, clothes. Most of my pants would show the dressing around my knee. I finally found a black crepe skirt and a soft rose colored sweater, added a black jacket, boots, silver earrings and a necklace and I was ready. I took one last look and added a pin. A silver rose with clear rose crystals.
I walked out, hardly limping. Digs was in dress pants and a light blue sweater. Made his eyes look even bluer. Damn him. He smiled when he saw me and whistled. “Wow, Mag. You clean up well.....this is the first time I can really believe that your skin isn’t the color purple.” He came over and tentatively reached out to hug me. I let him but didn’t return it much. He pulled back.
“Maggie, you look really lovely.” He fingered the rose pin on my lapel. “I didn’t know you liked pins,” he said.
“I do. I always wear one when I go out. I’ve always loved them.”
He smiled. “You wore a gold one yesterday. This is pretty. The perfect touch.” He moved into the living room. “Sam called. I told her we would pick her up on our way. Ready?”
“Yeah. Is Jimmy picking Emily up?” I rolled my eyes. “Now that's a dumb question.” Digs laughed and brought me my coat. He held it for me and then leaned in, his forehead against my neck.
“You even smell good.” He walked around in front of me. “I know you’re still upset but Maggie, you are.....” he paused, “amazing,” he finished. He kissed my forehead. I didn’t answer.
He backed away and opened the door. “Let’s go,” he said. He drove. We got to Sam’s and she came running out to the car. “Digs! You do own pants that aren’t jeans!” He grinned at her and they got in the car. Sam chattered the whole way to the restaurant. She wanted to make a bet with Digs and me about what John would be like.
“Hmm. Quiet, serious. Intellectual.” I said. Digs gave me a side look.
“Wishful thinking, Maggie?” He asked. When I didn’t respond he said, “I think he will be a bit reserved at first, then funny and outgoing”
Sam thought. “I think he will be a hottie. Romantic eyes, but the strong, silent type.” Both Digs and I laughed.
“Now, that’s wishful thinking!” I winked at Sam. “You can always hope!” Digs smiled at our teasing.
CHAPTER TWENTY - ONE
We got to Ernie’s early. Despite the name, it was a moderately upscale Italian restaurant known for its great steaks and seafood. We entered and Digs gave our name. We were ushered into a small room where Sean and Jimmy and Emily were already seated.
I looked around. “No John yet?” They shook their heads. Since we were a bit early we all sat and ordered drinks. I got a chocolate martini. I don’t drink that much but how bad could a chocolate martini be? Turns out, it wasn’t bad at all - in fact, it was good.
We had been there about ten or fifteen minutes when John came in. He seemed a bit startled at the number of us there. Emily stood and said, “John, so glad you could come.” Her words were pleasant but her tone was reserved and slightly cool. John nodded at her.
He was about 6'1" and really, really good looking. Pierce Brosnan good looking. Probably in his early 40's. His hair was dark and on the longish side and his eyes were the brilliant blue of the Irish seas. He had thick dark eyelashes that any girl would kill for and a devastating smile. One by one, we introduced ourselves.
Something about him seemed familiar but I hadn't met him before. I was sure if I had ever met this man I would remember. Sam seemed slightly in shock. I noticed Emily watching all of us to see our reaction.
John sat between Sam and Sean and across from me. He ordered a beer and waited to see who would start the conversation. Sean did, as usual.
“John, it’s nice to meet you and please, accept our condolences for the loss of your aunt.” John inclined his head graciously.
“Thank you. Aunt Lily was a wonderful woman. I miss her.” He spoke simply but seemed sincere. Emily didn’t react.
Sean can talk to a wall and get a response. He started talking about the city, the ball teams and soon John seemed more relaxed. Sean asked about him and John said that he was born and raised in Chicago. His father was Finley Reilly. His mother, Rose, and Lily had been childhood friends. Unfortunately, Rose had died when he was a child and he didn't really remember much about her. His father had been a g
ood parent, if a slightly distracted one. He wrote history textbooks before his death. Lily had been very good to him before and after the death of his father.
John was a true Chicago sports fan. Loved the Bears, the Bulls, the Blackhawks and even both the Cubs and the Sox. If pushed, he was probably more of a Sox fan, but he rooted for both. He was a professor of Urban History at Northwestern and told some very entertaining stories about the other professors and his students. He didn’t wear a wedding ring and made no mention of a wife.
We all ordered either pasta, steaks or the fresh fish and everyone raved about their own selection. John had a ribeye topped with blue cheese and proclaimed it the best he’d ever eaten. Throughout the meal, however, I noticed that he and Emily made little eye contact and rarely directed comments to each other. They were both polite but that was it.
I don’t know if I was simply being defensive and protective of Emily but I found myself thinking he might be a bit too charming and too polished. Just too...something.
“As nice as this has been,” he said finally, “I think that you have invited me here because of Aunt Lily’s murder. Right?” He turned to Sean and Jimmy. “Aren’t you the detectives investigating her murder?”
Sean cleared his throat. “Yes and we did invite you here to talk about that, in part. We do have some questions but it seems a shame to ruin our evening with them. Maybe we can meet another time to talk.”
John shook his head. “I don’t mind. Ask away.”
Sean and Jimmy looked at each other. Jimmy spoke. “We are curious about your relationship with Lily Hastings.” He leaned back, a questioning look on his face. John nodded.
“As I said, she and my mother were very good friends. My mother died when I was very young and so I only know what I have been told about her. Aunt Lily always tried very hard to always include me in her family events. She wasn’t really my aunt, of course, but I always called her that. She made every effort to see that I felt welcome after Mom died and even after my father died. I loved her. She was incredibly kind to me. Sometimes I would drive over in the evening and visit her.” He looked at Emily who was frowning.
“I never knew that, John,” she said. “How long had you done that?” She sounded slightly annoyed.