Murder in Seabrook Shores

by Jane T O'Brien

  “This is turning into an interesting case,” said Detective Bellamy to his partner. “Isn’t she the one who was weeping over her dead husband a few minutes ago, and now she’s running after a guy who’s married to Jessica Fletcher here?”

  “It’s Samantha Degan Fletcher, Jessica is a much older woman,” Samantha replied.

  Fletch saw a woman running toward the car, as she got closer, he thought she looked familiar.

  “Fletch, darling, I’m so glad you’re here. Reggie is dead, I’m free!” she said excitedly.

  “Rachel, what are you doing here. Where’s my wife?”

  “It doesn’t matter where that wretched woman is, the important thing is that we can be together again. Oh, Fletch, I have missed you so.” Rachel opened the door to his rental car and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  Fletch struggled to get out of the car and out of Rachel’s clutches. He saw Samantha hurrying down the path, he pushed Rachel aside and greeted his wife with the hug. “What’s happened, Sam? I don’t understand, what is Rachel doing here and who died?”

  Samantha explained that Rachel Ross talked her husband, Reggie Crenshaw into buying the rights to Professor Stonehill’s memoirs and that she would star in the movie calling herself Rochelle Rousseau. Reggie did as his wife asked. The only reason she wanted to act in the movie was to get together with Fletch again.

  “Is the woman cracked? Why would she think I am interested in her? Did she know you are my wife? I thank my lucky stars she dumped me because I would live in Chicago and I’d never have met you,” Fletch held her close while a furious Rachel looked on.

  “You must admit, she is beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as my wife,” Fletch said. “I see she has added enhancements since I knew her, not that I noticed,” he said with a chuckle.

  “You noticed, they are hard to miss,” giggled Samantha. “Rachel’s glaring at us, let’s go inside. I’m sure Megan is getting impatient wait for Mike. Detective Bellamy let me come out here after Rachel dashed from the house. I annoy him, but he must believe in the sanctity of marriage because he told me to come out and rescue my husband.”

  Pete Bellamy shook hands with Fletch. “I have lost control of this investigation,” he said. “Your wife is observant, isn’t she? I suspect she will solve this case long before I have finished interrogating these folks.”

  “Did she tell you she writes mystery novels? Looking for clues is second nature to her. Tell me what you’ve got? I’ll help if I can.”

  “What I’ve got is a dead man. His body was found floating face down in the pool. The young writer, Grant Wagner, pulled the body from the pool and attempted to resuscitate him to no avail. The paramedics found a gash in his head that apparently didn’t kill him, but caused him to lose his balance. It’s assumed he fell into the pool where the cold water curbed the bleeding. Samantha figured that out, I can’t take credit for the theory, but I believe it is possible. There is smeared blood on the patio door, the victim might have touched his bleeding head before he opened the door.

  “The victim, Reggie Crenshaw,” Detective Bellamy continued, “was footing the bill for the film production of your wife’s novel. Apparently, he balked when it was obvious his wife, Rachel, took it upon herself to revamp the plot to feature her and her detective lover. He withdrew his backing and told everyone to get out.

  “The department has reported its findings while running preliminary background checks. The screenwriter, Grant Wagner does not have money, this film was his last chance at fame before giving up and returning to his hometown in Iowa.

  “Barry Kline is a family man. He lives with his wife and two kids in an upscale neighborhood in the suburbs. His young son was diagnosed with leukemia; the kid is doing well, but the cost of his treatments nearly wiped him out financially. Directing this movie was his only hope of avoiding foreclosure on the family home.

  “Melvin Kessler has an ongoing affair with the dead man’s wife. Crenshaw knew about it and about involvements she had with other men and looked the other way. You were a different story, he felt threatened by her feelings for you, Detective. Melvin is drowning in debt thanks to ex-wives and children from those marriages. He attempted to solve his financial problems betting on a sure thing and now he’s worse off than before. He needed the money his share of profits from the movie would have brought.

  “Brad Taylor’s better days as an actor are behind him. You can’t call him a has been yet, but it’s only a matter of time. His career would be given a much-needed shot in the arm by playing a sophisticated older gentleman in the movie. He was in trouble with the law a few years ago, when he stalked an ingénue he met at a party. She eventually issued a restraining order and after a confrontation with the girl’s boyfriend that ended with Taylor in a coma, the girl, and her boyfriend moved back to their hometown.”

  “How did you get this information in such a short time?” asked Fletch.

  “It’s easy in this town. People are more than willing to share information. Our biggest problem is, we must be sure the details aren’t a fabrication of events.” The detective continued.

  “Rachel Ross is a party girl. She married Reggie Crenshaw for his money and he knew it. Reggie was heard telling Rachel he’d had enough; he is throwing her out of his home and leaving her penniless. This being a community property state, he had to share his wealth with his wife. However, there is speculation he and Rachel were never legally married. Reggie has a wife and daughter living in Pasadena. He has systematically transferred his funds to the daughter and only draws from an account in her name as he needs funds. Rachel’s inheritance is minimal, she doesn’t know this and I feel sorry for the poor sap who must tell her she’s a pauper.”

  “Are you saying Rachel is a suspect? She killed Reggie expecting to be a wealthy widow, and she isn’t a widow after all? After a certain amount of time living together, wouldn’t the relationship be a common-law marriage in California?”

  “That’s true, but it doesn’t change that over the last five years, Reggie has relinquished his wealth to his daughter, Regina Crenshaw. She has been told of her father’s death and wants to meet with me. She should be here in about twenty minutes,” said Detective Bellamy.

  “Does Rachel know about his wife and daughter? I had the impression when Rachel said she was marrying Reggie, she thought he was a confirmed bachelor.”

  “I don’t think she knows about the wife or the daughter and not about the money. I don’t know how word got out so quickly about Reggie’s death, maybe a neighbor saw the ambulance and police cars and called the television station because reporters showed up. The officers are holding them back, but it won’t be long before we are forced to give them something to report. This investigation will only get worse. Reggie’s lawyer heard the news and is on his way. He wants Rachel Ross held for questioning before she can return to the home she shared with Reggie. He knows she will explode when she finds out there is no money for her.”

  Gina Crenshaw drove her two-year-old BMW coupe along the freeway to the turnoff for Seabrook Shores. The car was one of the few extravagances Gina allowed herself to buy with the money that had been coming to her for the last five years.

  Regina Alexandra Crenshaw was named after both her parents. Her mother called her Gina from the time she was an infant and most people were not aware her given name was the female version of Reginald.

  Gina’s mother, Alexandra met Reggie Crenshaw when she was barely out of her teens. Although her family lived comfortably in outskirts of Los Angeles, they were far from wealthy. After her college graduation, Alex and three of her friends flew to Maui for their last carefree vacation before settling down in jobs. On their first night on the island, they met young men who told them of a party they’d planned to crash. After a few pina coladas, the girls joined them.

  The young people were soon discovered and asked to leave, but not before Reggie Crenshaw spotted the young woman with long blonde hair and a golden tan on h
er slim body. He invited the group to stay as his guest. Reggie was several years older than Alexandra, but the years seemed to fade away as they spoke. Alex had never met a man as charming as Reggie and Reggie was attracted to the innocence he found in Alexandra. The couple had a whirlwind courtship and Reggie, who never believed in marriage, proposed the last night of Alexandra’s vacation. Alexandra accepted and, before she could change her mind, Reggie whisked her off to Paris on his jet where they were married.

  For the next six months, Reggie doted on his bride. They traveled the world; Alexandra saw places and things she had only read about. It was exhilarating for a while, but Alexandra wondered if they would ever settle down. She suspected she was having a baby but wanted to be sure before she mentioned it to Reggie.

  “Reggie,” she said one of the rare evenings they were dining alone, “I have loved traveling, but I miss seeing my family. Do you think we could go back to California and look for a house?”

  “Alexandra, dearest, I’ve never owned a house in my life, but if that’s what you want, that’s what we will do.”

  Before the week ended, they were on Reggie’s jet headed home. Alexandra had a wonderful reunion with her parents and sister. Reggie put on the charm but didn’t win over Alexandra’s father. He didn’t approve of the marriage before he met Reggie and meeting him only increased disapproval.

  Alexandra found a house near her parents’ home. It never occurred to Reggie he would live in a mundane house in a mundane neighbor. What good would all wealth do if he was stuck in suburbia? He would be miles away from the parties and the nightlife. He longed for the days when he stayed until dawn and slept the day away only to start all over again the next night.

  Reggie planned to have a talk with Alex and convince her this was not the life for them when she told him she was pregnant with his baby. It never entered Reggie’s mind he would be a father. The more he thought about, the better he liked the idea of a son and heir to carry on the Crenshaw name. Throughout Alexandra’s pregnancy, he stayed by her. Alexandra couldn’t convince him her condition was normal, and she didn’t need a nurse and doctor at her disposal.

  To Reggie’s dismay, Alexandra insisted the baby be born in a hospital. He protested but gave in to her wishes. He never considered the possibility his child would be a girl. The disappointment showed in his eyes when he greeted his wife and daughter after the birth.

  “I’m sorry she’s a girl, Reggie, but look at her beautiful face. I know you will learn to love her as much as I do already.”

  Reggie took one look at the sleeping baby and his heart felt like it would burst with pride. Alexandra told him Regina was a mouthful for a tiny baby, “We’ll call her Gina for short.”

  Little Gina was the apple of her father’s eye. For the next six months, he settled into his fatherhood role. He and Alexandra went to parties on the weekends but were home before midnight to check on their precious baby. Reggie lost touch with his friends and found he had nothing to do all day. He loved his wife and baby but was restless. Alexandra sensed he was bored.

  “Have you thought of getting a job, Reggie?” she asked.

  “What kind of job would you suggest, Alexandra?” Reggie replied. “I wouldn’t qualify for flipping hamburgers; I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

  “Reggie, you have charm, you could be a salesman or a tour guide. That’s an idea, how about a volunteer at the visitor’s center? You enjoy talking to people.”

  “Do you honestly expect me to chat with tourists? Don’t be ridiculous, Alexandra.”

  “Well, you must do something, you are underfoot all day long. Your only interest is being with Gina, you’re spoiling her Reggie, she is still a baby and can’t learn to entertain herself with you hover around her all the time.”

  “You’re right, Alexandra, I need to get out of this house and this town. I’ll hire two nannies, and we will go to Paris. Gina will be well taken care of and we will be in time for the social season.”

  “No, Reggie, I won’t live that life again. It’s obvious you aren’t happy with me and Gina. I won’t stand in your way if you want a divorce.”

  “Who said anything about a divorce? I love you Alexandra but I’m not a man who can be idle for long. I have been a part of the social scene for as long as I can remember. I wish you would go with me to Paris, but I will go alone if you can’t tear yourself away from your family.”

  That was how Reggie and Alexandra’s love story ended. Reggie went off to Paris and Alexandra stayed home with her baby. She was sad her fairytale ended but also relieved that Reggie wasn’t moping around the house all day. Reggie was generous in paying Alexandra and Gina’s living expenses and never expected Alexandra to work for a living. Alexandra, however, knew she wanted to be useful and worked as a school secretary when Gina began kindergarten.

  The subject of divorce never came up. Reggie visited California every few months, Gina loved her father and was always happy to see him. Alexandra’s life revolved around her daughter. She never had any wish to date and therefore, didn’t ask Reggie for a divorce.

  Reggie had plenty of women over the years. He never took his flings seriously and left several broken hearts along the way. When Rachel Ross came into his life, it was different. She was beautiful and intelligent; a combination Reggie rarely found in the women he dated. He knew she was in a relationship with a cop and feared she would leave Reggie for the other guy. He did not need to end his marriage to Alexandra and suspected Rachel was more attracted to his money than to him. He asked her to marry him and she agreed. He didn’t let her know he was already married and arranged for a fake ceremony. His lawyer cautioned Reggie that he would be wise to funnel his money to his daughter as a safeguard against Rachel ending up with half his estate.

  Gina didn’t know how much her father was worth until he unloaded his money into a trust for her. He had a draw of the funds for his living expenses. She and her mother had lived comfortably, but not extravagantly. Gina was happy with her life and had no wish to live the life her father seemed to enjoy. She knew he was with a woman named Rachel and suspected Rachel didn’t know he was still married to her mother. The police officer who called her said the cause of her father’s death was being investigated. She wondered if Rachel had something to do with it.

  Chapter Nine

  “Detective Bellamy, Gina Crenshaw is here, I had her take a seat in the parlor.”

  “Thanks, Will,” Pete said and asked Fletch if he’d like to meet her too.

  Gina looked like the typical California girl with her long blonde hair and tanned slim body. Pete Bellamy suspected she looked like her mother; she bore no resemblance to the man who lay dead on the patio several hours before.

  “Ms. Crenshaw, I’m Detective Bellamy and this is Detective Fletcher. Detective Fletcher is here as a consultant, with your permission, he will sit in on our conversation. We are both sorry for your loss, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Detective, I have no objection to Detective Fletcher’s being here. I have nothing to offer, I was hoping you could give me some answers.”

  “I wish I could tell you more; the coroner’s report hasn’t arrived yet. We believe your father suffered a blow to the head. He might have been stunned by the injury and stumbled into the pool. CPR was performed, but it was apparently too late.”

  “Is Rachel Ross a suspect? I saw her car out front. Did she discover her marriage to my father is a fake? I know his behavior is despicable, but he is my father and I love him,” Gina’s chin trembled but she regained her composure. Now is not the time to breakdown, she wanted answers and had to control her emotions while she waited to hear what the detective had to say.

  “Are you all right, Gina?” asked Fletch, “my wife is in the other room, she can be compassionate, would you like me to call her?”

  “I’m fine Detective Fletcher, was your wife here when Father died? Maybe she has the answers I’m looking for.”

  Samantha joined them in the parlor, she
offered her condolence to Gina. Samantha could see a slight resemblance to Reggie Crenshaw in the young woman but guessed she looked more like her mother. Samantha answered Gina’s questions about why her father was in the mansion and explained the situation with the movie that would never be.

  Gina felt comfortable with Samantha and opened up about the financial arrangement she’d had with her father. Reggie confided in his daughter before his charade of a wedding to Rachel that a part of him would always love Alexandra, but he needed the companionship of a wife.

  “Rachel is a beautiful woman and much younger than I am, Gina. I’m not a fool, I know my wealth attracts her. Her devotion will always be in question; therefore, I am having my assets gradually turned over to you. I will draw from an account set up for living expenses. The marriage is not legal and her share of my assets will be minimal. She doesn’t know about you or your mother and I would like to keep it that way.”

  “Father, I like the world I live in. I don’t want your money. Why don’t you give it to Mom instead?”

  “Gina, your mother would never accept it. She refuses to take my money for herself. She doesn’t begrudge my helping you out, but she has been the sole supporter of herself since we parted.”

  Gina’s lifestyle hadn’t changed since she became a wealthy woman. She let the accountants handle her holdings and only requested money for charities she felt were worthy of donations. She’d attended a local college and had recently accepted a job in the human resources department of a local hospital.

  “Samantha, you are the writer Samantha Degan. I didn’t make the connection at first. I have read your book, and it was fascinating. It’s too bad Rachel was involved and made changes, it would have made a wonderful movie the way you wrote it.”

  Fletch smiled with pride at the kind words about his wife’s writing, he knew she was a special person, but it was nice to hear others say it too.