Murder by Decay

by Suzanne Young

  “You okay?” Mary stood behind her and rubbed Edna’s back with one hand.

  Trying to control her rocketing emotions, Edna could only nod. After a steadying breath or two, she finally said, “I’ll be fine. I just need to sit here for a minute.”

  Leaving her, Mary stooped to pick up Annie, getting her away from the man on the floor. The lanky redhead sank onto one of the chairs near the wall and settled the terrier on her lap. The dog was keeping a steady eye on the trussed-up Tony Somner.

  Edna swallowed hard to steady her voice. “How did you know to find me here … and to bring your gun?”

  “Didn’t,” Mary answered, absently stroking the terrier’s back. “Not really. I went by your house after work. You weren’t home.” She frowned at Edna. “Not like you.”

  Edna signed softly and rubbed her upper arms, trying to stop the trembling. “And that’s why you got your gun and came to look for me in Gordon’s office?” she asked tongue-in-cheek and resigned to a question-and-answer session with her neighbor. Mention of the weapon made Edna glance around but she saw no sign of the firearm. Experience had taught her not to ask where the pistol was hidden.

  Mary looked like the proverbial cat who swallowed the canary. Before she answered the question, she dropped a kiss on the terrier’s head, but not before Edna caught the glimmer of a smile. Mary continued to pet the dog when she lifted her head to reply with a no-big-deal shrug. “You’ve been looking for that green Honda. Since you saw it here twice already, I figured this was good a place as any to start looking for you.”

  She ended with such a self-satisfied smirk, Edna couldn’t help but laugh. “You are one smart cookie, Mary Osbourne,” she said. It felt good to laugh and she felt some of the tension leave her body. “So you spotted my Buick in the lot and came inside to see what I was doing,” she concluded, then frowned. “How did you know to bring the gun?”

  Mary became suddenly serious. “Because of the Honda. When I saw it, I guessed you’d come in looking for the owner. Didn’t you think he might be dangerous? Remember the dead man?” she finished.

  “The Honda?” Edna asked, ignoring the implied scolding. “You found the Honda?”

  Exasperation showed in the scowl on Mary’s face. “In the lot, next to your Buick.” Dawning cleared away the wrinkles on her brow as her eyebrows rose. “You didn’t know?”

  Edna was realizing she must be wrong about the vehicle belonging to Jason when she heard the sirens. Unsettling images from Monday night returned to shroud her as pulsating blue and red lights lit the hallway. A minute later, Swen Reynolds strode through the open door to Gordon’s reception area, followed closely by Rita Nicholas. Further conversation between Edna and Mary was suspended.

  The officers went immediately to check on the semi-conscious man before Rita turned and crouched at Edna’s side. “You okay?” she asked, concern showing in her hazel eyes. When Edna nodded, the young officer attempted to lighten the mood with an old cliché. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

  Swen beckoned to two white-coated men waiting in the hall. The men, one who looked no older than sixteen and the other thirty-something, rolled in a collapsible gurney, and the room was suddenly filled with activity.

  The EMTs received permission from the officers to free Tony’s wrists and ankles before loading him onto the stretcher. “Nice work, Mary,” the older medic gave her a wink, joking with her as his partner cut through the silver tape.

  “Had some help,” she answered with a short laugh as she hugged a wiggling, whining Annie against her chest. The dog seemed concerned these men were absconding with her prisoner.

  Edna watched the scene as if she were out-of-body, looking on from a corner of the ceiling. She watched as Mary rose to join Swen in the doorway to the back hall, out of the ambulance men’s way. Rita touched Edna’s shoulder and motioned her toward a settee against the far wall. She held Edna gently by the elbow, helping her up from the desk chair and away from the commotion. The two women watched in silence as Tony, neither moving nor groaning, was wheeled out of the room. Once the medics disappeared from sight, Rita spoke.

  “Want to tell me what happened?” she said quietly, removing a small notebook and pen from a trouser pocket.

  Edna knew it was more a command than a request. She felt weak with fatigue, but knew she had to give some sort of report before she left. She was wondering how to begin, her head still spinning with all that had happened, when Rita prompted, “What were you doing in this office?”

  The question focused Edna and she was able to explain to the officer about her cell phone and then the appearance of Tony Somner. As she spoke, the fog lifted and images became clearer, so she was able to give a fairly detailed accounting of the events. When she concluded with Mary’s arrival, the officer flipped the notebook shut. “Detective Rogers is coordinating the investigations into both cases of the men who died this week. You’ll need to talk to him,” she told Edna. “but I’m sure it can wait until tomorrow. If he’s at the station when Swen and I get back, I’ll let him know to expect you.”

  Edna thought once Charlie heard she’d been involved in another episode, he’d probably phone her that evening, but she said nothing to Rita. The young officer rose to confer with Swen who had been quietly talking to Mary on the opposite side of the room. Soon thereafter, Rita walked Edna and Mary to the front of the building. As she pushed open and held the glass door for the women to exit, Rita assured Edna that she would phone Gordon to give him a summary report of what had happened in his office that evening.

  “Guess you found the owner,” Mary quipped as the two women headed toward Edna’s blue Buick and the green Honda parked beside it.

  Edna thought the joke in dubious taste, but chuckled in spite of herself. Mary always meant well. Sobering quickly, she said, “If he hadn’t been going to kill me, I might be able to feel some pity for him, caught up in his sister’s troubles with an unconscionable brother-in-law.”

  “What happened in there?” Mary demanded. Seeming to reconsider her question, she added more gently, “Are you too tired to talk about it or can Annie and I follow you home? I’m assuming you won’t mind if Annie stays with me.”

  At that moment, Edna felt a surge of gratitude for her friend and for the little canine who’d helped save her life. Even if she were on the verge of collapse, which she was not, she would take as long as necessary to satisfy her neighbor’s curiosity. She reached out and gently squeezed Mary’s forearm. “I’m much too keyed up to be alone right now. I’d appreciate the company and I could definitely use a drink. Thank you also for adding Annie to your household menagerie a night earlier than expected.”

  Edna hadn’t considered that Albert might be home until she’d started the car and was heading out of the lot.

  Chapter 21

  When Edna reached home, Albert wasn’t there, but he’d left a message on her office machine. “Where are you and why aren’t you answering either of your phones?” he asked. “Call me when you get this message.” In a slightly more conciliatory tone, he said, “I’m to report at the courthouse in the morning, so I’m staying at Matthew’s again tonight.”

  Still exhausted from her ordeal, she was relieved that she wouldn’t have to explain the night’s adventure as she would if he’d greeted her at the door, wanting to know where she’d been. The night’s account would naturally bring up unwanted questions that would lead to the entire week’s events. She obediently returned his call and responded to his “Where have you been?” with her own “Did you try phoning Mary?”

  “I saw no reason to hunt you down. I was worried when you weren’t picking up, is all,” he confessed. Rather contritely, Edna thought, but still he sounded put out.

  She felt only a slight pang of guilt in misleading him. If he knew the danger she’d been in earlier, the news would serve only to upset him and cause undue worry. The incident was over and best forgotten. Besides, she didn’t feel obliged to account for every minute of he
r day. “I was with Mary tonight,” she said truthfully, mainly to appease him, then immediately changed the subject. “How’s the trial going? Do you think it will continue into next week?”

  “We’ll find out tomorrow. One thing’s certain, they won’t keep us over the weekend, so I’ll be home for supper.” He ended the conversation with typical abruptness. “Don’t forget to charge your phone.”

  Mollifying her husband was one hurdle overcome for the time being. Edna sighed as she headed for the kitchen to prepare wine, cheese and crackers.

  Mary was already at the counter, breadboard and knife in hand. She had let herself in through the mudroom, per usual, and at the moment was slicing and arranging cheese on a plate. “How’s Al,” she asked without turning around at Edna’s entrance.

  “Albert,” Edna responded automatically before adding, “He has to report in the morning, but he’ll be home for the weekend. That’s all we know at this point.”

  During Edna’s conversation with Albert, Mary had not only opened the wine but also had stuffed celery sticks with a cream-cheese-and-olive spread. As she opened a box of wheat crackers, her movements were being carefully watched by Benjamin from a kitchen chair and Annie near her feet. The terrier was obviously waiting for a crumb to drop. Observing the homey scene, Edna felt a little more of the evening’s tension leave her shoulders.

  Carrying the food tray, wine bottle and glasses, the women moved into the living room, followed by dog and cat who went directly to their appointed places on and near the hearth. Edna lit an already-laid fire and Mary was pouring the wine when a familiar voice hallooed from the hall a second before Charlie appeared in the archway.

  “Your lights were on and Mary’s jeep was in the driveway, so I didn’t think you’d mind if I let myself in.” At the sound of his voice, Annie scampered over to greet him. Not to be outdone, Benjamin sauntered over for a scratch behind the ears.

  “Not at all, Charlie. Come in. I’m glad you’re here.” Edna crossed the room to give her friend a welcoming hug. “Wine or something stronger?”

  “A bit of bourbon, neat, would go down pretty well,” he answered, taking off his navy-blue sports coat and draping it over a nearby chair. The strain of the last few days showed in his hazel eyes and slightly drooping shoulders, but he seemed to brighten at the invitation to join the small party.

  “’Stronger’ coming right up,” Edna said, going to the bottles on the sideboard as she listened to Mary call the terrier back to a place near the fireside and greet the detective. “Timing’s good, as usual, Charlie. You on duty?”

  “I should be.” He bent to the coffee table and picked up a celery stick that disappeared in two bites. “But you just convinced me to take the rest of the night off,” he said, sitting on the sofa beside Mary.

  Edna chuckled as she handed him his drink in a cut-glass tumbler, then settled in her favorite wingback facing her guests. A little more tightness left her body. Listening to some genial bantering between Mary and Charlie, Edna decided that light-hearted conversation with good friends was exactly what she needed. Near the warmth of the fire, she was feeling almost mellow when Charlie asked after Albert and then brought up his actual reason for stopping by.

  “I need to know what happened in Gordon’s office tonight,” he said, his tone turning more business-like but his eyes showing concern for her. “If you don’t feel like reliving it now, it can probably wait ‘til morning, but I’d like to hear it soon.”

  “Me, too,” Mary chimed in, sitting back in her corner of the couch, wine glass in hand. Annie, having curled up on the floor close to Benjamin in his bed on the hearth, appeared to have fallen asleep. The ginger cat’s eyes were only half-closed as he seemed to be watching and listening to the humans.

  “I’ll tell you,” Edna said, “but give me a few more minutes to clear my head, will you?” She took a sip of wine while Charlie helped himself to more of the refreshments. “I’m curious to hear what Vera told you this afternoon. Maybe we can compare notes.” Before the detective had a chance to speak, she rushed on, voicing what was on her mind before she forgot to ask. “Did Jason ever show up at the station this afternoon? Did they tell you about finding dental records that prove Pieter Resnik perjured himself?”

  Charlie took his time with some cheese and crackers, not speaking until she’d run down. Then, he gave a short laugh as he wiped his fingers on a small napkin. “Which question would you like me to answer first.”

  Edna clamped her lips to indicate she wouldn’t say another word. After a brief pause, she relaxed into her chair and said, “Sorry. Please, tell us what you can.”

  “First of all, Jason didn’t show,” Charlie began, as he too settled back into his corner of the sofa and placed an arm across its back. “Far’s I know, he’s still in Providence, meeting with a law-school buddy and some other lawyers in the firm.” In a sudden movement, he leaned forward, picked up the tumbler and finished his drink in one swallow. Returning the glass to the table, he narrowed his eyes and looked from Mary to Edna and back. “What I’m about to tell you goes no further than this room for now. Agreed?” He waited for Mary to acquiesce before turning his gaze on Edna.

  “Of course, Charlie,” she said, feeling a rush of excitement that he was about to deliver extraordinary news.

  “Jason not only found the dental evidence used at the old trial, but he and his pal also discovered the identity of the corpse found in Salt Pond ten years ago.”

  “The one Pieter swore was Billy Rob?” Mary said, abruptly sitting forward.

  “How?” The startled response was all Edna could think to say.

  Charlie grinned with satisfaction. “Thought you two would like that bit of news.”

  “How is that possible?” Edna stuttered again.

  “Tell us,” Mary demanded.

  Charlie leaned back in his seat once more, looking smug as he continued his tale. “The original corpse, the one Resnik identified as Kailey, was a Gilford Pennyworth. Lost at sea the week before Kailey’s wife reported Billy Rob missing.”

  “So his body washed up after all,” Mary said as if speaking a thought aloud. Immediately, she directed her attention back to Charlie. “D’ya know for sure it was Gilford Pennyworth?” she asked, sounding doubtful.

  More willing to believe Charlie wouldn’t repeat information that wasn’t trustworthy, Edna didn’t wait for him to respond to ask her own question. “How in the world did they find out who he was?”

  “Coincidence, logic and luck on the part of those young attorneys,” he said. “Turns out, Jason’s college friend works for the firm that’s handling the settlement of Pennyworth’s estate. There hasn’t been much in the papers because of some privacy issues, but Pennyworth’s sister filed to have her brother declared legally dead so she can claim his assets.”

  “Sure,” Mary nodded. “I think the confidentiality comes in because her kids are suing. They’re trying to have her committed before she can run through Gilford’s fortune. She’s already gone through her own share of the money they inherited from the parents.”

  Charlie made a noise that sounded like a cross between a cough and a laugh. “I wish I knew where you get your information. Is there anything or anyone you don’t know?” he said, obviously half teasing and half serious.

  Since they both knew Mary would never divulge her sources, Edna ignored him and frowned at Mary. “You said something a minute ago about his body washing up. What did you mean? Did you know him?”

  “Sort of,” Mary said, bending forward to pick up a cracker. She popped a thin wheat square into her mouth and bobbed her head as she took a few seconds to chew. The other two waited for her to continue. In her usual fashion, Mary wouldn’t reveal anything until she’d stretched out their anticipation as long as possible. Eventually, she swallowed and continued. “Gilford and my father were volunteer firemen together. I remember Father joined the search party as soon as the news came in that his boat had been found but not Gilford. Besides
the Coast Guard, Pennyworth’s friends looked for him for a couple of weeks.”

  “If I remember the incident, he was caught in a freak squall down around Point Judith,” Charlie added. “They found his overturned sailboat, but never found him.”

  Mary discordantly agreed with a shake of her head. “Nary a trace.”

  Still frowning in some confusion, Edna leaned forward to put her empty goblet on the coffee table and snatch a piece of cheese. Nibbling and sitting back, she asked, “Why has the family waited so long to declare him dead?”

  “Only his sister Zelda,” Mary clarified. “She’s the only family he had. She and her two kids and their families. At the time, she refused to believe he drowned. Claimed he was a strong swimmer and a good sailor. Gilford was eccentric and unpredictable at the best of times,” Mary went on to explain, “so when his body was never found, people began to believe her theory when Zelda said he probably saw the storm as a chance to disappear. She thought he’d get a kick out of reading what people had to say about him in the papers and figured he’d show up when he got tired of hiding. Thought it’d be just like him to want to attend his own funeral.”

  The three sat in silence for a minute, Mary having finished her story and the other two trying to absorb the implications. Edna finally spoke up, voicing the thought that had popped into her head. “Wouldn’t he have been declared dead after seven years? Isn’t that automatic?”

  “Not necessarily,” Charlie put in. “I don’t know all the legal ins and outs, but I’m guessing his case would be further complicated because of the amount of money involved. Consider just the bankers and lawyers. They aren’t simply going to hand over several million dollars without some sort of legal decision. If Pennyworth’s body was never recovered and the sister can’t prove he didn’t simply decide to retire to a tropical island, she’d eventually have to file a formal petition.”