Corner Office (From the Tales of Dan Coast Book 12)

by Rodney Riesel

  “So, can I stop over?”

  Reatha sighed. “I guess so, Coast. But I have to be at work by two, so you'll have to make it quick.”

  “I'll be to your house in five minutes.” Dan hung up his cell and tossed it into the passenger seat.

  Henry and Reatha Davis lived at the corner of Francis and Angela streets. Their two-story cream-colored home sat directly across from the Key West Cemetery.

  Dan pulled to the curb and parked in front of the house. Henry Davis was on a twenty-foot aluminum extension ladder. He had just removed one of the black wooden storm shutters from it's cast iron hinge.

  “Hold on, Henry!” Dan shouted. “Let me get that for you.” Dan ran around his car and through the gate in the four-foot white picket fence. Henry handed the heavy shutter down the ladder to him.

  “Thanks, Coast,” said Henry. “Looks like you showed up just in time.”

  Dan took the shutter in both hands and carried it over to a spot in the fence where Henry had leaned another one of the shutters. Dan stood the shutter against the fence.

  “Reatha don't mind you being up on that ladder?” Dan asked.

  “You sayin' I'm old, Coast?” Henry asked.

  “Yes,” Dan replied.

  “What the hell are you doin' here any way?”

  “I called Reatha a few minutes ago to see if she was home. I need to ask her a few questions.”

  “About what?”

  “Lola Paragould.”

  “Never heard of her,” said Henry. “Come on inside. We'll hunt the old lady down and see if she's got any of her sweet tea made up.”

  “Sounds good,” said Dan.

  The two men walked around the corner onto Angela Street, to the front door. Henry opened the door and went inside. Dan followed.

  “Woman!” Henry shouted. He turned to Dan. “She hates when I call her that.”

  “I'd be afraid she would beat me to death,” said Dan.

  Reatha was in the kitchen. Henry walked up behind her and slapped her on her giant ass.

  “Your white friend is here,” Henry said.

  “That's racist,” said Dan.

  Reatha turned around. “Can't be racist,” she explained, pointing at Dan. “I have a white friend.”

  “Ha!” Henry screamed. “Good one, woman.”

  Reatha pointed a stubby finger at her husband. “And you better stop with that woman talk, or I might have to beat your ass.”

  Henry went in for a smooch. “You know I love ya, sweet thing,” he said. “Now how about some of that sweet tea of yours? I've been workin' out there in that heat all day.”

  “You've only been out there for a half hour,” said Reatha. She walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a big glass pitcher. “Go sit down at the dining room table. I'll be right in.”

  Dan and Henry did as they were told. Soon after they sat down, Reatha brought them each a tall glass of iced tea. She set their glasses in front of them and grabbed the chair on Dan's right side.

  Reatha was a very large woman. She sat with her legs spread wide apart to give her belly room to hang. She was already dressed in her blue scrubs for work, she adjusted her top to make sure everything was covered.

  “Now, what is it I can do for you, Coast?” Reatha asked.

  Dan sipped his tea. “Lola Paragould called me the other morning. She said you gave her my number.”

  “That's right.”

  Henry sat silently in his chair. He didn't seem to care at all about Dan and Reatha's conversation. The television was on in the other room, and Henry sat staring at it from the dining room. The Steve Wilcos Show was on. The burly host was exploring another deathless tabloid topic with his inbred guests.

  “Did Lola tell you why she wanted my number?” Dan asked.

  “She said she was looking for a private investigator. I didn't question it. Lola's a little off, if ya know what I mean.”

  “I know what you mean,” Dan said. “The reason she contacted me is because her husband has disappeared.”

  “Lyndon?”

  “No, not Lyndon—Branson.”

  Retha turned up he nose. “Oh, him.”

  “Do you know Branson?”

  “I know him. He's a character, to say the least.”

  “To say the least.”

  “When did he disappear?”

  “Thursday morning.”

  “Hmm.” Reatha nodded. “I saw him on Wednesday.”

  “You saw him?”

  “Yes. Lola had called me Wednesday morning to tell me she was back in town, so I thought I'd stop in and see her and little Shelby.”

  “And Branson was there?”

  “He was, but Lola and Shelby weren't.”

  “Did you speak to Branson?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I walked upon the front porch. I was just about to knock when I heard men's voices coming from inside the house. They were angry and arguing.”

  “It was Branson?”

  “Yes, and Lyndon.”

  “Branson and Lola's ex were arguing?”

  “That's what I said, Coast. Pay attention.”

  “Where were they arguing?”

  “In the living room.”

  “If they were inside, then how did you know who it was?”

  “The curtains was open just a little and I could see them through the open window. I could see them both in there. They was shouting at each other.”

  “Could you tell what they were arguing about?”

  “Lyndon was telling Branson that he knew what he was doing, and that he was going to tell Lola. And Branson kept telling Lyndon that he had better keep his big mouth shut, if he knew what was good for him. Branson said he knew people. Lyndon told Branson to get out of town and never come back.”

  “What time on Wednesday was this?”

  Reatha thought for a second. “Maybe around six o'clock that evening.”

  “Did you tell Lola about what you saw and heard?”

  “No, I figured I didn't want to get involved. She ain't that good of a friend.”

  “How is it you know Lola anyway?”

  “I used to take care of the judge.”

  “Lola's father.”

  “Yes. When he got sick, I did some private duty at their home for a year or so … until he passed away.”

  “Was Lola's father a judge here in Key West?”

  “I don't know where he was a judge. I know the family moved here back in '97. The judge, he passed away in 2001. Lola married Lyndon a few years later and had the baby girl—Shelby. Lyndon dumped Lola right after the baby was born. He got a good chunka change in the divorce. He got that house in Marathon, and he hasn't worked a day since. A few years later she met Branson.”

  “Lola ever tell you what Branson does for a living?”

  Reatha shook her head. “She said he didn't have to work. I guess he came from a wealthy family or something.”

  “Have you ever heard of a woman here in town by the name of Marilyn Valdosta?”

  “Doesn't sound familiar.”

  Dan downed the rest of his tea and slid back in his chair. “Thanks, Reatha.” He stood up and reached over to shake Henry's hand. Henry didn't notice. He was too wrapped up in what Steve Wilkos was yakking about on the television. Dan patted him on the shoulder.

  “Hey, Coast,” Henry said. “You taking off?”

  “I think so.”

  “Henry,” said Reatha, “you ever hear of a woman goes by the name of Marilyn Valdosta?”

  “Never heard of her.”

  Reatha rocked herself forward and rose up from her chair with a groan. “If I think of anything else I'll give you a ring,” she said. “I gotta run a comb through this hair of mine.”

  “Thanks again.” Dan turned and started for the door.

  “Right behind ya, Coast,” said Henry. He got up and followed Dan to the door. “Those shutters ain't gonna take themselves down.”

  “You back
on that damn ladder, fool?” Reatha shouted. “What did I tell you about that.”

  Henry pointed back toward the dining room. “Woman,” he said, “don't tell me what I can and can't do. I wanna haul my black ass up a ladder, I'll do it.”

  “Don't worry, Reatha,” Dan said. “I won't let him go back up there.”

  “Hell you won't, Coast,” said Henry.

  The two men walked outside.

  “What are ya taking the shutters down for?” Dan asked.

  “To paint them,” Henry replied.

  “Why don't I go up the ladder and take down the ones on the second floor, and then you can do the ones on the bottom floor?”

  “Suit yourself,” said Henry. “I ain't gonna turn down free labor.”

  Dan walked to the ladder. “What are you using to take out the screws?” he asked.

  “My battery drill is hanging up there on the top rung,” Henry answered, pointing up the ladder.

  Dan moved the ladder to the other side of the window and started climbing.

  “Ya know, Coast,” said Henry, “you're alright. I don't know what it is about you that Reatha don't like.”

  “I thought she did like me,” Dan said.

  “Really? Then you're missing some pretty obvious clues there, gumshoe.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Honey, I'm home,” Dan sang out as he walked through the front door. There was no reply. He peeked into the kitchen. “Maxine?” He walked to the back door and looked through the screen. Maxine sat in one of the Adirondack chairs; Bev sat in the other. Dan pushed the door open and walked down the steps.

  “Hey,” Maxine said when she saw him. She checked her wrist watch. “Where have you been all day?”

  Dan walked to the shed to grab a lawn chair. “Me, Red, and Skip went over to Lola Paragould's house to talk to her.” Dan leaned in and gave Maxine a kiss on the cheek. Showing affection wasn't one of Dan's strong suits, but lately, after finding the pregnancy test package, he was trying his hardest to be more attentive. “Then we showed Skip the office.” He turned to Bev. “Hey, Bev.”

  Bev nodded. “Hey, Dan.”

  “Did you get a chance to talk with Reatha Davis?” Maxine asked.

  “That's where I've been for the last two hours.”

  “Why two hours?”

  “Because after I spoke with her, I spent the rest of the time helping Henry remove shutters from their house.”

  “How did you get recruited for that?” asked Bev.

  “I guess now that Henry's retired, Reatha hates it when he's on a ladder,” Dan explained. “So I did the ladder work.”

  “Henry's not that old, is he?” Maxine asked.

  “He's almost sixty.”

  “Hey,” Bev said. “I'm sixty!”

  “I didn't say sixty was old,” Dan said. “It's just … old-er”

  “Old-er,” Bev repeated.

  “You know what I mean,” Dan said. “Besides, I wouldn't let you on a ladder either.” Dan finally unfolded the chair he had been leaning against, and sat down. “Now, more importantly, who wants to make me a drink?”

  “Even more important than that,” Maxine said, “did you make it to your AA meeting this morning?”

  “Of course.”

  “Are you lying?”

  “No.”

  Maxine stared into her fiance's eyes.

  “What?” Dan asked. “Why are you staring at me?”

  Maxine continued to stare.

  Dan looked over and noticed the smirk on Bev's face.

  “I'm going to ask you one more time,” Maxine stated. “Did you go to your meeting this morning?”

  “No,” Dan replied defeated. “I forgot.”

  “You're like a child,” said Maxine.

  “I never said I wasn't,” Dan responded. “Now, what about that drink?”

  Maxine and Bev looked blankly at each other. Neither made any indication that they were about to get out of their chair and make Dan a drink.

  “No takers?” Dan asked. He got up from his lawn chair. “That's the thanks I get.” He started to rise out of his chair.

  “I'll get your drink, you big baby,” said Maxine. She got out of her chair and started toward the back door.

  Dan watched until Maxine walked up the steps and disappeared into the house. He turned to Bev. “Did she say anything?” he asked.

  “Anything about what?” Bev asked.

  “About why she's been so moody lately. Anything about the pregnancy test?”

  “No. She seems fine to me. She didn't say anything about the tests. She's been in a good mood. Maybe it's just when she's around you that she's in a bad mood.”

  “Huh.”

  “Did you finally ask her what was wrong?”

  “Yes.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said nothing was wrong.”

  “Well, then, maybe nothing is wrong.”

  “What about the pregnancy test?”

  Bev glanced up toward the back door to make sure Maxine wasn't within earshot. “Let me tell you a little something about pregnancy tests, Dan. Finding out the results can be a pretty emotional thing.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, it's like this: if you want to be pregnant, but the test results say you're not, it can be pretty upsetting. If you hope you're not pregnant, and the test results confirm that you're not, it can still be pretty upsetting. Also, if you want to be pregnant and the test results say you're not, that can also be upsetting. And lastly, if you want to be pregnant, and the test results show that you are, sometimes that can be a little upsetting.”

  Dan stared at Bev with obvious confusion. “So, what you're telling me, is that if a woman takes a pregnancy test, it doesn't matter what the results are, or whether or not she wanted to be pregnant, she's still going to be a little upset.”

  “Yes … or she could be very happy.”

  “That makes no sense at all.”

  “Hey,” Bev said, “I just told you I would explain it to you. I didn't say it would make sense.”

  “Maybe you should talk to her about it,” Dan suggested. “You seem to know a lot about pregnancy tests.”

  “If she wants to talk, I'm here for her, but I'm not sticking my nose in uninvited.”

  The screen door swung open and Maxine walked out with Dan's drink in her hand.

  “Is the newspaper in there?” Dan called out.

  “I don't know,” Maxine shot back. “Why don't you get off your dead ass and look for it. I'll make your drink, but I'm not fetching your newspaper, slippers, or pipe.”

  Dan looked back at Bev and whispered, “See how unreasonable she's being?”

  “I wouldn't say she's being that unreasonable,” Bev offered. “If you were my husband, I would probably slit your throat.”

  “Ouch.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Well, if it isn't my favorite island couple,” said Red, when Dan and Maxine walked through the front door of Red's Bar and Grill. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  No one was sitting at the bar. There was a table of two, and two tables of four. The two-top had already been served their meals. The two four-tops only had drinks. Cindy walked out of the kitchen carrying a large tray that held four plates, and a bottle of ketchup. She didn't look happy.

  Dan slid out his favorite barstool and hopped on board. “Stein left my barbecue grill on yesterday and drained his own tank,” he said.

  Maxine climbed upon the stool to Dan's right. “So we decided to go out for dinner,” she added.

  “Are ya shittin' me?” Red asked. “What are the odds your grill would get left on again?”

  “Evidently 100 percent,” Dan deadpanned. “Set 'em up.”

  Red began making Dan's cocktail. He looked at Maxine as he worked. “Mic Ultra?” he asked her. “Or are you not drinking alcohol?”

  Dan cringed.

  “What do you mean by that?” Maxine asked.

  “I,
uh … I mean,” Red stuttered. His eyes darted to Dan, and then back to Maxine. “I meant, did you want a beer or … or a mixed drink?”

  “I think I just want an iced tea,” Maxine said.

  Red slid Dan's drink across the bar to him. “Comin' right up,” he said, and grabbed a glass for Maxine's iced tea. He filled the glass with ice, turned, and grabbed the pitcher full of tea from the cooler. “Did you talk with that Davis lady?”

  “Yeah,” Dan replied. “I stopped over after Skip dropped us off at your place.”

  “She have anything to say?” Red placed Maxine's drink in front of her. “There ya go.”

  “She said she saw Lyndon and Branson arguing at Lola's house early Wednesday evening.”

  “Isn't that the day they got into town?”

  “Yes.”

  “Boy, that Branson really gets around,” Red said. “Arrives in town with Marilyn. Leaves her to see Lola. Leaves in the middle of the night to return to Marilyn for awhile, and then ends up back in Lola's bed before morning.” He paused for a second in thought and stared across the room at one of the ceiling fans as it lazily spun. “Did I get that right?”

  “I think so,” Dan responded. “It's all pretty confusing.”

  “There's something I don't get,” said Maxine, “Wouldn't it have been easier to bring them to the island one at a time? Why did Branson bring them both? Seems like a lot of work to me.”

  “Yeah,” said Red, “Skip wondered the same thing.”

  “Maybe there was a reason both women had to be here at the same time,” Maxine suggested. “Did you ask them?”

  “No,” Dan replied. “Never thought to ask.” He sipped his drink.

  “Maybe I should go with you when you question people.”

  “You just stick to the nursing, and I'll handle the sleuthing.”

  Maxine grabbed a napkin from the napkin holder in front of her. “Red, you got a pen?”

  Red turned and grabbed a Bic ballpoint off the back bar. “There ya go.”

  “What are you doing?” Dan asked.

  “I was going to write down some questions for you to ask,” Maxine replied.

  “I don't need you to write down any questions.”

  “Are you sure? I don't mind.”

  “I'm positive.”

  “We've been solving crimes for quite awhile, Maxine,” Red offered.

  Maxine grinned condescendingly. “When do your capes come back from the cleaners.”