Murder in South Carolina

by Agnes Alexander

  “That sounds good.”

  His demeanor changed. “That sounds wonderful, Megan. Dad just came in. I’ll tell him about it. In the meantime, if you need anything while I’m gone, feel free to call anyone here.”

  “I’ll hang up now.” She giggled. “I know you can’t talk anymore.”

  “Thanks again for calling.”

  Megan put down the phone and sat back. Now that she was a partner, being with Rex was going to be easier than ever. Of course, she was wise enough to know they still had to be careful. Now wasn’t the time to force him to break up his marriage. That would come later. She couldn’t wait to see Hazel Collier’s face when it happened.

  * * * *

  “What was that all about?” Grady looked at Rex.

  “It seems Megan is about to sell the Buckingham woman on investing in the South Myrtle project.”

  “That’s good.” Grady smiled. “I don’t think we’ll miss a beat there with her in charge.”

  “I know. I think she’ll do better than Walter ever did.”

  “Now, I have something I need to discuss with you.”

  He grew more serious. “Sure, Dad. Have a seat.”

  “Your mother is giving me a fit about the separation between you and Colleen. When do you think she might be coming home?”

  “I have no idea, Dad. Mother has been on to me to join her in Europe, but I’m not going. With Megan becoming a new partner and Walter’s death, it doesn’t seem right that I leave you and the other partners.”

  “I’d rather you not go right now. I can handle some things alone, but I need your backup when it comes to some of the policies coming up. Briggs is proposing we curb our expansion. Burton wants to step it up and I’m not sure which way Megan will go.”

  “At the moment, she is so new with everything I think she’ll back us. I’m not sure later on. She’s a pretty shrewd business woman.”

  “I know. That’s why your grandfather hired her. He also taught her well.” He brushed a small piece of lint from the knee of his charcoal gray suit. “I need you to do something for me before you go to Atlanta.”

  “What?”

  “Go over the books here and the Myrtle Beach office. I want to know all the profit margins. Let’s see if you and I together can buy Megan out.”

  “That’s moving fast, isn’t it?”

  “I want to do it before either Briggs or Burton decides to do the same thing. Megan is the unknown in this business. I agree she’ll vote with us for a while, but I think in the future she’ll vote for what’s good for Megan. I want to head off that little demon. I also don’t want anyone except you or me to be in control of what goes on in this firm.”

  “I’ll get on it right away, but I’m not sure there will be enough time to complete it before I have to go to Atlanta.”

  “Do the best you can. We may even rethink the Atlanta trip. We might work it out for me to go and you take care of things at the beach. I’m leaving for Raleigh now, but I won’t be gone for more than a day or so.” He stood and at the door he turned. “I’ll tell your mother you’re considering Europe. That will quiet her for a while.”

  Rex nodded. There was an unspoken bond between him and his father where his mother was concerned. Without ever acknowledging it, they’d lie or possibly do anything else necessary to quiet one of her tangents.

  * * * *

  Nola Dean had the table on the patio set for dinner, the potatoes baking, the wine chilling, and the steaks marinating when Joe arrived with salad makings. He leaned over and kissed her when he came in the door. “Wanted to do that while we were alone,” he whispered.

  “I’m glad you did.”

  Bett followed a few minutes later with the dessert.

  Nola Dean poured three glasses of wine and she and Bett took a seat on the kitchen bar stools. Joe set his glass on the cutting board and went to work on his vegetables.

  “I haven’t had time to tell Bett about the knickknacks,” he said. “Why don’t you help me fill her in?”

  “I’m not sure what it’s worth, but Dolly made the remark to me that Walter brought home a vase so ugly she wouldn’t let him keep it at the house. She sent it to the office,” Nola Dean said. “I called Joe and told him and we decided there was a slim possibility that this was what the caller is harassing Dolly about.”

  Bett frowned. “So what kind of vase was it?”

  “I’ll get to that in the minute.” She took a sip of wine and looked at Joe. “I decided to go to the office to see if I could find it.”

  Joe eyed her. “How could you walk into an office and ask to see a dead man’s items?”

  “I’m a little smarter than that.” Nola Dean made a face at him. “Actually, the Colliers have offered me a chance to go in on some property their company is buying. I went by to find out more details on it.”

  “I see.”

  “During the conversation Megan had to go into Walter’s old office to get a file. I followed her. I not only saw the vase I think Dolly was talking about, but I saw several art objects Walter has collected. They’re in a credenza.”

  “What do you think this art is worth?” Bett looked at her.

  “I don’t know. I’m not too good with pottery and the like, but I did think some of them might be valuable. If not, they could fool some people because they definitely had the appearance of old museum pieces.”

  Bett looked thoughtful. “This could be what the caller keeps asking Mrs. Overton for.”

  “I thought it might be. At least it’s an idea. Dolly still swears she has nothing the killer could want. I think if she did, she’d give it to him. She’s too scared not to.”

  “Then we definitely have to see them,” Bett said.

  Joe nodded. “We’ll get a search warrant and go to the office tomorrow.” He began tossing the salad with two wooden spoons. “This is going to be ready in the minute. How are the steaks?”

  Nola Dean jumped up. “I’ll check them.”

  They were half way thought the meal when Joe put his fork down. “By the way, I forgot to ask, Nola Dean, but when did Dolly Overton tell you about the vase?”

  “Today. Before I took her to see Shane Norrick.”

  Bett put her fork down, too. “Shane Norrick? Why did she go see him?”

  “She says she’s not going back to her house. She wanted him to show her some property.” She eyed them. “What’s with you two? Did I do something wrong?”

  “No,” Joe said a little too quickly. “We found Norrick’s fingerprints all over her house. We wondered if he could be the person after her.”

  “Shane Norrick? He hasn’t got the balls for that.”

  They both burst into laughter. “How do you know?” Brett asked.

  “I’ve had real estate dealings with him through the years. He’s a big chicken unless there’s money in it for him. Of course, there could be a lot of money...”

  “Maybe you’d better check on your friend Dolly,” Bett said softly.

  “I’ll call her at Megan’s house right now.” She stood.

  “You can wait until after dinner.”

  “No, Joe. I’ll enjoy it more if I find out now.”

  * * * *

  When she left the balcony, Bett looked at Joe. “Do you really think Shane Norrick is our man?”

  “I’m not sure.” Joe put a mouthful of potato onto his fork. “It’s got to be somebody and he’s as good a bet as anyone right now.”

  “I don’t think so. I agree with Nola Dean. He’s greedy, but I don’t think he’s a killer.”

  “What do you think about the collection of pottery?”

  “I think it could be very important to our case.”

  In a few minutes, Nola Dean reappeared. “Our friend Dolly is safe and sound. As a matter of fact, Shane Norrick went back to her house with her and helped her pack some bags and pick up her car. She made an offer on a condo at Masion ser Mer and is going to stay with Megan until it’s worked out. She said Shane was his
usual sweet self.”

  “What made her say that?”

  “I told her I thought he acted funny when we were there today.”

  “It was probably because Bett and I had already been there and talked with him.”

  “About the fingerprints?”

  “Yes.”

  “If you want a lay person’s opinion, I think Shane and Dolly are having an affair. His fingerprints would be spread over her house then, wouldn’t they?”

  “Probably,” was all Joe said as he cut into his steak. He didn’t mention the prints on the dining room table, but strange pictures crossed his mind.

  * * * *

  Mr. Smith sat in the beautifully furnished room and began playing the tapes that had been made from his phone taps while he was away. There was nothing from Dolly’s phone that was any good. He wasn’t too impressed with Nola Dean’s until he heard her call the police station.

  When her friend Joe Randell came on the line there was some small talk, then she said, “By the way, I came across something that might interest you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Dolly told me about a vase Walter had brought home. She didn’t like it and made him take it to the office. She said he told her it was a valuable antique.”

  “How valuable?”

  “I don’t know, but I thought it might be what the killer wants to get from her. Some old art objects are ugly, but they’re worth millions.”

  “It’s about quitting time. Why don’t Bett and I come by your place and we’ll talk about it?”

  “Sounds good. I’ll lay out three steaks and make the potatoes.”

  “Bett and I will supply the salad and dessert.”

  Mr. Smith quit listening at this point. He turned the tape off and sat back.

  Was this what Walter did with the money? It would be the perfect way to hide it. Invest in art nobody likes.

  “Damn,” he said standing up. He knew the police would be at the office first thing in the morning to get the object. He would have to beat them there. This wasn’t the way he’d planned to spend his night. He had women and dining on his mind. But they had left him no choice. He went to the closet and took out his disguise.

  Chapter 25

  “Hey, Joe.” Tim from the robbery division stuck his head into Joe’s cramped office. “What was the address you were getting the search warrant for?”

  Joe found the piece of paper he’d scribbled it on and read it to him.

  “That’s what I thought. They’ve had a robbery at the same address.”

  Joe was on his feet. “We’ll be right behind you.”

  Bett was on her way back from the bathroom and Joe turned her toward the door. “Where’re we going?” she demanded.

  “To check out a robbery.”

  She looked puzzled, but didn’t argue with him.

  Megan, looking elegant in a teal fitted dress with heavy silver jewelry around her neck and in her ears, smiled when Joe came into her office. “Hello, Detective Randell.”

  “Ms. Eller,” he greeted her and returned the smile. “Can you tell us what happened?”

  “I have no idea. When I arrived this morning, the door was slightly ajar and I called the police immediately. Before they arrived, I found the only things missing were the items in Walter Overton’s credenza. I find that very odd.”

  “Why is that?”

  “To be perfectly honest, I don’t see what anyone would want with them. The objects are ugly and I’m sure cheap. I tried to give them back to Mrs. Overton after Walter’s death, but she didn’t want them.”

  “And nothing else was missing?”

  “I don’t think so. If there is, I haven’t discovered it yet.” She held her hand out to greet Bett.

  “Did Mrs. Overton spend the night with you last night?” Bett shook the hand and asked the question at the same time.

  “Yes, she did. After finding that terrible snake in her bathroom, she refuses to go home.” Her smile was also elegant. “She did tell me she was buying a condo and would be moving into it soon.”

  “Does she plan to stay with you until the deal is final?”

  “I’m not sure. She did mention a hotel.” Megan almost laughed. “I don’t think she wants to make her own meals and look after herself at my house. She likes to be pampered.”

  Joe asked, “May we see where the art objects were?”

  She led them to Walter’s old office. The crime scene specialists were already working. Joe looked at the case and made a mental note that it couldn’t hold many pieces.

  “Do you know how many items were in the case, Ms. Eller?”

  She sighed. “Not really. As I said, I thought the collection an eyesore. I didn’t bother to keep up with what he put in there. There was probably ten or twelve, but I can’t be positive.”

  The receptionists came into the office. “Excuse me, Ms. Eller. Mr. Collier is on the phone.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll take this call. I need to tell him what’s going on.”

  “Of course,” Joe said.

  When she returned, Joe and Bett were standing to the side of the room. “Ms. Eller,” he said to her.

  “Yes,” she moved over to them.

  “How did Mr. Collier take the news?”

  “He was just like me, officer, confused. He said he thought the collection a waste of time and he was sure the robber would be disappointed about the value of the items.”

  “Why did Mr. Collier call?”

  “I had left a message for him to call me back.”

  “I see. Then you had already reported the robbery to him?”

  “I called the office, but neither partner was in. I left a message with the receptionist for whoever came in or called in first to call me and Rex Collier called.”

  “I see.”

  “He said he’d planned to come here today to look over the books, but he said he’d wait if it would interfere with the investigation.”

  “I don’t think it will bother us. He can come whenever he likes. I just don’t want anyone using this office until we’ve had everything dusted. That shouldn’t take too long,” Joe said.

  “I understand.”

  “Thank you for your help, Ms. Eller. Do you mind if we talk with the receptionist now.”

  “Please, feel free to talk with anyone you like. Make yourself at home.”

  “Thank you,” Joe said, and wondered if Megan Eller was being a little too helpful. He glanced at Bett and figured she was wondering the same thing.

  * * * *

  When Nola Dean heard what had happened she sat on the balcony and looked into the water. Her mind was deep in thought. Why had the thief chosen the night the knickknacks were first mentioned to go for them? Nobody seemed to care anything about them. Megan had been nonchalant. Dolly didn’t like them at all and Nola Dean, herself, had thought them less than attractive. Were they really valuable or were they junk, as Dolly had insisted?

  At that moment, Olive Brunson appeared in her sight. She stood and waved her hands. Olive saw her and waved back.

  Nola Dean motioned for the older woman to come in and visit and in a matter of minutes they were seated on the balcony with iced tea.

  “This weather is lovely, isn’t it?” Olive asked.

  “Very nice.” Nola Dean smiled at the older woman. “Olive, have you heard about the break in at Collier, Collier, Briggs and Burton?”

  “Yes. It was on the news. Isn’t it strange how Walter Overton keeps cropping up in the news?”

  “Yes, it is.” She chose her words carefully, “Do you think, if you saw him again, you would recognize the man who was with Walter near your place?”

  “It’s possible. It’s been some time since it happened, but I did remember Walter Overton’s face. My memory is a little fuzzy sometimes, but I don’t often forget faces.”

  “Would you be willing to go on a little fishing expedition with me?”

  Olive frowned then laughed. “Oh, you mean to l
ook some men over?”

  “One man in particular.”

  “I think I’d enjoy that very much. Shall I go home and change?”

  * * * *

  An hour later, they pulled the car to a stop in front of the real estate office where Shane Norrick worked. Nola Dean had called and told him she was coming.

  “Now, do you understand what we’re going to do?” Nola Dean smiled at the older woman.

  “Perfectly. Lead me to our prey.” There was a laugh in Olive’s voice.

  Nola Dean winked. “That’s a good word to use.”

  “I thought so.”

  Inside the office, Nola Dean announced to the receptionist that she had an appointment with Shane.

  “I’ll tell him you’re here.”

  In an instant, the suave real estate salesman appeared. “Nola Dean, my dear. Please come in. I’ve actually stopped by your place a couple of times to talk with you, but you haven’t been home.” He turned to Olive. “And this must be your friend. I’m delighted to see you, Mrs. Brunson. I think we’ve met a time or two before.”

  “We’ll see if you’re glad to see me again, young man.” Olive took his hand. “I’ve very discriminating about living conditions. I hope you can please me.”

  They went into his office. “Nola Dean told me you were looking for a place for your sister.”

  “That’s correct. She’s decided to sell her home in Charlotte and move to South Carolina.”

  “And you live at Inlet Point, is that correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m sure you’ll want to look for a place in that area for your sister.”

  “Not at all. My sister and I love each other, but we don’t like to spend too much time together. I was thinking more of a house in South Myrtle.”

  “Not a condo?” He looked surprised.

  “No. She prefers to have a yard. Something nice and elegant, she said. She doesn’t want one on the beach, but she wants it near enough to walk.”

  Nola Dean could see his brain click. He said, “I may have the perfect house for you.” He smiled at them. “I’m surprised you didn’t suggest it, Nola Dean. Dolly Overton’s house would be perfect.”

  “I didn’t even think of it, but you’re right. Helen would probably love it.”