We had a terrible incident last night, he began, straightening in his chair as though he was about to tell a story to the assembled group of people. One of my officers found a body out by Collins Creek, up near the little motel by the interstate where you stayed, Mr. Hutchens.
Philip tensed, then relaxed. I left that place a couple of days ago, he confessed. I drove back home to find Emma’s birth certificate, he added.
Yeah, that’s what the clerk said, too. She also said that Everett stayed there the night he left our custody. Y’all like that place? A little too close to the highway for my liking, Emmett added. Still, nice enough people that run it.
Who died? Everett looked around the room. I can’t be the only one to wonder that, right?
Emmett nodded. I figured the same thing myself, he murmured. The dead man was known by both you and your father, Emmett explained. And I dare say he might have known Mr. Hutchens here, too.
Maxwell rolled his eyes. Well, who was it?
I’m afraid it was AJ Preminger. Emmett let the statement hang in the air for a moment. Annie suspected he was hoping that one of her guests would leap up and take a nibble at it. She watched Everett’s face to see his reaction. She could see surprise there, at least at first. Then she saw something else. Everett’s jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right reaction.
Why would you think that I knew Mr. Preminger? Philip asked. I never had the need for a private investigator because I have nothing to hide, he added bitterly.
Oh, I assumed that since Mr. Marshall here used Mr. Preminger to research his employees, well, I figured he probably knew a little something about you. Emmett tugged at his mustache gently.
Philip shrugged. Whether he did or not, I guess we’ll never know. He turned to Bessie. I’m going to go up to my room and get my things together. I don’t need any of Emma’s belongings, but if you could please let me know as soon as we’re cleared to leave. I’d like to get her home as soon as possible.
Bessie looked to Emmett, who replied on her behalf. I’ll bring her up personally, once you’re cleared. He watched with a stony face as Philip left the room, then he turned back to Maxwell. He’s kinda uptight, isn’t he?
Maxwell shook his head. He’s liar and probably a thief, so I’d say uptight is one of his better personality traits. He tried to pull some con on me with a new building right in downtown Atlanta a few years back. He claimed to have been one of only three architects in the country who could do this particular job, but after he messed more than a few things up, I got suspicious. Turns out he got his ‘degree’ through some shady mail order college. And he’d been lying about some of the safety aspects of his design, which caused me untold problems with getting the right permits. It was a damned nightmare, I tell you.
Emmett nodded sympathetically. You had Preminger look into him?
Maxwell let out a dejected chuckle. Too little, too late. I fired him and had another guy take on the project. I was out hundreds of thousands of dollars by then, though.
Was this before Kimberly worked for you?
Maxwell wrinkled his brow. I think it was, actually. Or right about the time I hired her. I’ve slept quite a few nights since then, he said quietly. You’re not really going to let him take that precious baby, are you?
Emmett looked back and forth between the father and son. Annie did the same. She knew what he was looking for—signs of guilt, signs of grief, signs that one of the men wasn’t telling the truth. She was looking for the same things.
If Mr. Hutchens’ claims of paternity prove true and if he has no criminal background, then I have no choice but to let him take the child. After all, she belongs with her family, Emmett added.
And if he can’t prove he’s fit to be her father? Everett leaned towards Emmett, silently demanding an answer.
Then we’ll make sure she’s placed with someone who is fit to care for her, Emmett replied quietly. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Annie for a minute. Annie, would you mind taking a walk with me down to the pond?
Annie sat her coffee mug, long empty, back on the table. Of course not. I need to check back there for storm damage anyway. Mama, you leave these dishes. Rory and I can take care of them while you look after Emma here.
Rory nodded. It’s the least we can do, he added.
Bessie didn’t argue with them, but simply lifted the baby from her high chair. I think this little lady is going to need a bath. I never knew milk could be so messy," she sighed as she carried the child away to her room.
Maxwell excused himself after Bessie left, leaving Annie, Rory, and Emmett alone with Everett. And then there was one, Everett said quietly before rising from his seat. I’ve got some phone calls to make. If you need me…
Emmett nodded. I know where to find you, Mr. Marshall.
Annie watched Everett walk away from the dining room. He walked with a quiet confidence, but Annie could tell that he was stressed. His shoulders slumped and his gait was forced. Something was weighing heavy on that man’s mind, she could tell.
We don’t have to go to the pond, Emmett said as soon as Everett was gone. I just needed to get away from all of them before I talked to you. He nodded towards the door to the dining room. I don’t see how you’ve kept your sanity with all of those people under your roof this week, he sighed.
Annie pursed her lips. It’s been a challenge, but they’re paying guests, so I don’t have a lot of choice.
Emmett nodded. "I wanted to tell you to keep an eye on these folk, Annie. I’ve got half a mind to move Bessie
and that baby out until this investigation has finished."
Annie felt her chest tense up. Do you think that they’re in danger? Em, do you think that whoever killed Kimberly will try to kill her baby, too?
Emmett didn’t say anything for a moment. When he finally spoke, he addressed both Annie and Rory. You two don’t turn your back on any of those people, not the Marshalls, not Hutchens, not even that personal assistant of theirs. Something very fishy is going on and I’m afraid that Emma is right in the middle of it. And thanks to my stupid self encouraging your mother to foster that baby, she’s in the middle of it, too.
Annie’s face filled with determination. Nobody is going to harm a hair on either of their heads on my watch. She felt her fists clench and was surprised to see that she’d dug half-moons into her palms. Just the thought of someone coming into her home and threatening her family made her blood boil. Emmett didn’t have to worry—whoever killed Kimberly would get to Emma and Bessie only over Annie’s dead body. She just hoped and prayed that it wouldn’t actually come to that.
24
Accusations and Revelations
Could that breakfast have been any more awkward? Rory asked, picking up a fallen branch and tossing it into a shiny red wheelbarrow.
Can you believe the audacity of Philip Hutchens? The way he just spoke to my mother like she was some sort of nanny. You know, the Marshalls may be rich, but at least they know how to speak to people without being completely insulting. She tossed a handful of pine cones into the wheelbarrow, victims of the previous night’s storms. On the whole, they’d been lucky. Annie had just caught the last few minutes of the morning news and discovered that a tornado had, in fact, passed nearby them. Two houses were completely demolished and several more were badly damaged, but Rosewood Place was untouched, for the most part.
They’d lost the large pine tree by the driveway and about a half-dozen roofing shingles to the high winds. Annie had made the mistake of leaving one of her favorite wide-brimmed gardening hats hanging on a hook on the outside of the barn. It was gone, likely carried away to who knows where, maybe even to Oz like Dorothy had been.
Do you think any of them really even cared about her? About Kim, I mean? Annie’s question surprised Rory.
Well, they all sure seem to care about her baby, so I guess they did. Annie could tell that Rory didn’t really believe his answer any more than she did.
I think Everett
really loved her, Annie said, wiping a thin sheen of perspiration from her brow.
Rory mulled this over. He’s the only one I haven’t heard yapping on and on about that baby. I guess maybe he did love her. It would only make sense that seeing her child would remind him of what he lost.
Annie tossed the branch she was holding into the wheelbarrow. It landed with a satisfying thud, hitting the back of the metal before settling into the steadily growing pile of debris. In her head, an idea began to take shape, nagging at first, but soon solidifying into a solid theory.
Oh, my goodness, she gasped, clapping her hands together and then putting her two index fingers together against her lips. That has to be it, she murmured aloud, tapping her fingers against her chin.
What? Did you get a splinter? Rory stared at Annie like she was a bomb that might go off and blow him up. What on earth are you so worked up about?
Annie pulled her hands apart and blushed. I was talking out loud to myself, wasn’t I? I’m getting as bad as my mother, she lamented. But Rory, I think I know why Everett is the only one who hasn’t kicked up a fuss over that baby.
Rory narrowed his eyes. Why? Is it because you think he killed Kim and feels guilty?
Annie shook her head. No, that’s not it. At least, I don’t think he killed Kim. I’m still not sure about her killer just yet, but I think I need to talk to Marlena Marshall.
Why?
Because she was so adamant that Philip was lying about being Emma’s father. I think Marlena knows something that she hasn’t told anyone. I think she knows who Emma’s father really is.
Rory glanced up at the windows of Rosewood Place. Why don’t you go ahead and talk to her now. I’ll finish cleaning up out here. He flashed her a smile. You won’t wait to let Emmett solve this murder, will you?
Annie shrugged. If he happens to solve it first, I’m good with that, too. It’s not a competition, you know. As soon as the words left her mouth, Annie realized that she was lying. Of course, she wanted to solve the murder before Emmett. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d solved a murder that had stumped the Coopersville Police Department, and as she headed towards Marlena’s room to speak with the woman, Annie couldn’t help but wonder if it would be the last.
*****
Marlena didn’t seem surprised to see Annie. In fact, if pressed to describe Marlena’s appearance upon seeing Annie at her door, Annie would have to say that the woman looked relieved.
Annie, is there something I can help you with? Marlena asked optimistically as she invited Annie into the room.
Annie glanced around the room out of habit. She saw Marlena’s bags packed and standing neatly in a row at
the foot of the bed. Only one case remained open, presumably so that Marlena could access its contents until she checked out.
Are you leaving today? Annie asked, ignoring Marlena’s question.
Yes, I believe we are. At least, Maxwell and I are. He has some business to take care of back home. And I’ll be glad to sleep in my own bed again, she added. Not that your beds aren’t wonderful, they are, but you know how being away from home can make you really miss it? That’s how I’m feeling today. A little homesick and a little excited. She smiled brightly. I can’t discuss it just yet, but I think our family is in for some wonderful changes, she said in way of a cryptic explanation.
Annie swallowed the impulse to ask about these changes and instead went straight to the reason she was there. Marlena, earlier you seemed very sure that Philip Hutchens is not Emma’s biological father. Why do you think that?
Marlena’s smile disappeared. I have my reasons, she replied.
You asked me to come and speak with you. Now you aren’t going to answer my question? If you have some sort of proof or if you have any information that could help the police, you really need to show me. Annie tried to sound both friendly and authoritative. She wasn’t sure she managed either. Marlena, Philip Hutchens wants his daughter back. Surely you can understand that? If someone had kept Everett from you I’m sure you’d be out of your mind.
Marlena shook her head. I can’t tell you how I know. I can just tell you that a reliable source said that Philip is not that baby’s father.
Annie narrowed her eyes. You know that if I tell that to the police, they’ll make you share your source. If you tell me, maybe I can help protect whoever it is you are trying to protect.
Marlena sighed. You can’t. My source is dead. And I wasn’t supposed to know about Philip not being Emma’s father. Maxwell didn’t know, either, at least not until a few days ago. Now he and I share that secret but we also share the burden of a horrible lie.
Annie frowned. Who can you possibly be protecting by keeping Emma’s paternity a secret? Realization spread across her face. Oh, it’s Everett, isn’t it?
Marlena tried to smile, but it twisted into a grimace. Oh, Annie, I’ve done an awful thing.
Annie took a deep breath. Marlena, did you kill Kim?
Marlena looked hurt. No! Of course, not!
Annie quickly apologized. I’m sorry, but I had to ask. You said you did a bad thing—what was it? And what are you protecting Everett from? Annie had her suspicions, she just needed to hear Marlena confirm them.
Marlena sighed and wiped the tears that had begun to flow from her eyes. Her mascara smudged hopelessly beneath her fingers. "After Kimberly left her job, Everett was heartbroken. He’d told me and his father that he was just good friends with that girl, but any fool could see that he was head over heels in love with her.
When she stopped answering his calls and texts, I knew she’d moved on. I just didn’t know with whom she’d moved on, she added bitterly. We never even knew that she’d had the baby until I happened to see her in Atlanta. I was doing some shopping down there while Maxwell took care of some business he had to attend to. I didn’t get a good look at the baby then, but I could tell she had fair hair like her mother.
And like Everett, Annie noted. Didn’t you ask about the baby?
Why on earth would I? She was nothing to our family at that point, or so I thought. No, I just pretended that I hadn’t seen her and kept on walking. I told myself that it was the right thing to do.
Annie couldn’t help but wonder how Marlena’s sense of right and wrong had gotten so mixed up. So you knew she’d had the baby and you didn’t want Everett to find out? Surely he would want to know, if they’d been close, she added.
Marlena nodded. I thought if he’d just put her out of his mind, he’d be over her. But apparently she’d had a change of heart by then, she sniffed. She called him up, told him that she just wanted to catch up on old times. Ha, it had been less than a year since she’d seen him last. She shook her head. Well, after a few calls, he suddenly stopped talking to her.
Why?
Because she admitted that she was engaged to someone else, Marlena replied. Everett knew that she was just stringing him along again, ready to break his heart one more time.
So Everett stopped speaking to her?
He yelled at her something awful. I was in the next room when she called. I could hear him yelling and then I could hear him crying. After that, he didn’t mention her name anymore.
Annie thought about what Marlena had just told her. But he said she was coming up to meet with him when she was killed. What changed his mind?
Marlena hesitated. She sent him a text message with a photo of the baby. She told him she really needed to talk to him one last time before she moved out of the country with her fiance and his new job.
Why would that be enough to make him change his mind?
Marlena shrugged. I don’t know, but whatever it was, it must have been good. Everett jumped like a trained monkey and arranged to meet her in Asheville. I think he got his hopes up that he could convince her to stay and call off her marriage. She’d mentioned that she’d had some doubts, or so Everett says. She went to her suitcases and picked up the small black bag that Annie had helped Gareth find when they first arrived. Marlena
opened the bag and removed a piece of folded paper. She handed it to Annie wordlessly.
This came for Everett the day before he agreed to meet with Kim. I recognized her handwriting instantly. Nobody hand-writes letters these days. She let out a short chuckle. I guess she had to be certain that he’d find out in case he continued to refuse her calls.
Why would she think that Everett might refuse her calls? Annie narrowed her eyes. Did you intercept Kim’s calls, too?
Marlena pursed her lips. I was trying to protect my son. She clearly didn’t love him, but he seemed intent on pursuing a relationship with her. I thought I was helping him by making it a clean break.
Did you make that call to Kim, threatening to kill her if she didn’t leave your family alone? Annie’s eyes grew wide as she realized just how interfering Marlena had been in her son’s relationship.
I don’t believe I actually used those words, no. She hesitated. I had to use Everett’s phone. I didn’t think the police would consider him a suspect in her murder because of it, she huffed.
Annie unfolded the paper to reveal the letter written inside. It was brief, only a couple of paragraphs, but it was enough to confirm Annie’s suspicions.
Kim told Everett that Philip is not Emma’s father. Annie handed the letter back to Marlena, who folded it once again and placed it back into her bag.
That’s right. Or, she would have, if he’d have seen this letter.
Annie suddenly realized why Marlena felt so guilty. You hid this from Everett. He has no idea that Philip is not Emma’s father. If he’d known that—
If he’d have known that, he never would have had to arrange to meet with Kim to find out.
Annie shook her head. Why send him a letter? Why not just tell him over the phone?
Annie, she wasn’t that kind of a person. She wasn’t willing to tell him something like that over the phone. I think she needed her confession to be more personal and she knew that he’d come running if she made the effort to write to him. I think she had something more to say to him and that’s why she finally convinced him to meet with her.
Lullabies & Lies Page 14