A Body in the Attic

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

  “But you’re an expert at doing crosswords. You’ll be fine.” Miles scowled at the Sudoku, which was already not cooperating.

  “I’m solving them, but it’s taking me ages for each one. I’m starting to think Perkins’s mother must be a genius.”

  There was a light tap on the door and Myrtle walked to the door. Peering out the window on the side of the door, she spun and said to Miles, “Orabelle!”

  Miles put his puzzle down and stood up as Orabelle came in. She greeted Myrtle and gave Miles a wave when she saw him. “Hope it’s okay that I’m running by. I just finished up my mail route for the day.”

  “Come on in,” said Myrtle, opening the door wide. Orabelle settled next to Miles on the sofa. “Can I get you something to drink or eat?”

  Orabelle waved the suggestion away brusquely. “No, thanks, I packed a lunch and ate on the route today. I just wanted to drop by to thank you both.”

  “Thank us?”

  “Yes. For being kind to Tripp last night. It means a lot to me.” Orabelle hesitated, her hands folded tightly together in her lap. “I don’t like to talk about things like this, but you deserve an explanation.”

  Miles shook his head. “No, we don’t.”

  Orabelle said, “All right, maybe you don’t, but I’d like to give you one. I can’t really make excuses for Tripp anymore. He’s a grown man, not a teenager. I just love him dearly and I hate to see him facing such challenges.”

  Myrtle watched as Orabelle’s eyes misted just slightly before she sternly got control of herself again. Orabelle sniffed loudly and then went on, “You see, Tripp has a problem with drugs. He had an issue when he was a young man, but we were able to get him to a good rehab program and he was able to kick it. But the last couple of years have been tough on him. He got divorced and lost his job and the next thing I knew, he was clearly using again.” She shook her head.

  Myrtle said, “That must have been very hard for you to witness. As a teacher, though, I saw the way drugs could get their hooks into the students. Tripp isn’t alone.”

  Orabelle gave her a grateful look. She relaxed her shoulders into a slightly less-militant posture. “If anything good came out of last night, it was the fact Tripp now says he’ll go back to rehab. Maybe it will work again. After all, it took years for him to relapse last time.”

  Orabelle gave them a hopeful look and Myrtle and Miles nodded.

  Orabelle said, “We can hope, anyway. But it meant a lot to me that you two stayed there, talked to Tripp, and then offered him a ride home. I just feel terrible that I wasn’t able to help.”

  “You were out?” asked Myrtle innocently.

  Orabelle shook her head. “No. I was actually at home, playing the piano. I was trying to learn a piece I’m playing in next week’s church service. I just about have it, except for this one particular part. I keep playing it over and over again, trying to nail the section.” She sighed. “When Tripp went out, part of me was relieved. I knew I could practice the song over and over again without Tripp having to roll his eyes and put his earbuds in.”

  Myrtle said, “Miles and I were happy to give Tripp a lift. You’ve raised a fine man.”

  Orabelle narrowed her eyes as if trying to see if Myrtle was being sarcastic.

  Myrtle continued, “You really have. Anyone can get addicted to drugs or alcohol. But Tripp is also a pleasant person to be around. You just don’t know how many annoying people I deal with on an average day. He seems genuinely nice.”

  Miles nodded in agreement.

  Myrtle added, “And he spoke fondly of you. He mentioned you’d always dreamed of traveling, for one.”

  Orabelle flushed as if a desire to travel was an embarrassing secret being revealed. She said briskly, “Well, it’s one of those things on my bucket list. But not something I have to do. I’m perfectly content here in Bradley. And in a lot of ways, I’ve traveled the world from my armchair by reading books. It’s certainly an inexpensive way to travel.”

  Miles cleared his throat. “Tripp seemed to think maybe you’d have really liked to travel. That perhaps you approached Darren about it.”

  Orabelle’s shoulders were stiff again and her hands clenched together in her lap. “Tripp is right. I would still love to see Paris. All the books I’ve checked out from the library about France seem to just have whetted my appetite. I did go speak with Darren because I thought maybe he and I could go on a trip together. He made so much money from the sale of that painting and he wasn’t a young man. I figured maybe he’d be just as interested in seeing the world as I was.”

  Miles gave her a sad look. “But he wasn’t, was he?”

  Orabelle shook her head. “No.”

  Miles said thoughtfully, “Darren always did seem like a homebody to me. He was so happy to stay inside and play chess or read a book.”

  “He turned me down right away. And I understood . . . in a way. Darren has never really been the big adventurer. I remember being amazed when he ended up in Boston years ago. Of course, he ended up right back here in Bradley. I thought it would be good for him, though, to get out of town and go on a trip—by himself, if that’s what he wanted. But he was being fiercely protective of the money he’d made.” She shook her head again. “Maybe he hadn’t completely wrapped his head around the fact that he had money now. He was never one to make rash decisions. I think he wanted time to absorb the knowledge that he was financially-secure and decide what to do next.”

  Orabelle gave a harsh laugh. “And the ironic thing was that he didn’t have any time left to reflect. It wasn’t fair.”

  “Did Darren leave you his estate?” asked Myrtle.

  Orabelle nodded. “For the most part. And now the fact that I’ll be able to travel after all doesn’t even make me happy. It sort of leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth.” She paused. “It makes me sad.”

  “Did Darren also provide for Tripp?” Myrtle asked.

  Orabelle said, “No. I guess he wanted me to dole out any money to Tripp. I’m sure he was worried about Tripp’s addiction problems and didn’t want to do anything to make them worse.” She paused. “He did leave some money for Pansy, too.”

  “Really?” Myrtle and Miles chimed in together.

  Orabelle smiled. “Darren always was a bit of a romantic. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s something. He always had a soft spot for a damsel in distress.”

  Miles asked, “Is that what Pansy is?”

  “I suppose Pansy thinks so. And she was able to make Darren think the same thing. Anyway, like I said, it’s not much but it should keep the wolf from her door.”

  Myrtle said slowly, “I did have a question for you, Orabelle. You know how I hear things sometimes.”

  Orabelle gave her a weary look. “How can you avoid hearing things? You’re an active older lady in a gossipy small town.”

  “Yes. Anyway, I did hear that you engaged in some sort of an argument with Liam. I found that a little unusual. Liam was probably the attorney in charge of Darren’s estate, wasn’t he?”

  Orabelle rubbed her eyes. “Oh, this town. You can see why sometimes I feel I want to escape. Apparently, someone has a bone to pick with me.” She suddenly stopped looking tired and started looking cross. “You know, people in Bradley drive me crazy sometimes. But this is one rumor I can nip in the bud with your help.”

  Myrtle and Miles nodded.

  Orabelle said, “It’s just that I might, after many years, be finally embarking on a new relationship. It’s really too early to tell.”

  Myrtle said with a smile, “We happened to run into Carter in the park before we came here. He was looking very dressed up for a walk in the park.”

  “So was Charlie,” offered Miles. “She had a bow on.”

  Orabelle chuckled, looking pleased. “As if a bow could make that poor little dog look more attractive. She’s sweet, though.”

  “He happened to mention he was hoping to run across you there. Carter seemed to know your routine very well,�
� said Myrtle.

  Orabelle nodded. “I deviated from it today, but only because I wanted to speak with you. Yes, he’s the relationship I’m hoping might end up developing into something. He’d also like to travel. Maybe it’s not too late to do all the things I put on my bucket list. Anyway, about Liam. I did argue with him, but only because I’d heard he might have something to do with Darren’s death.”

  Myrtle narrowed her eyes. “You mean, that he was responsible?”

  “Yes. Although I guess it was sort of a leap. Pansy mentioned Darren might have known something untoward about Liam, although she wasn’t sure what or how he even knew. It made me wonder if maybe Liam had felt threatened by Darren somehow.”

  Miles said, “You’re not saying that Darren was threatening?”

  “I suppose I mean more that Darren found something out about Liam and Liam felt threatened simply because Darren knew about it. Anyway, I’ve been quite devastated by Darren’s death.” She paused and took a deep breath. Orabelle’s voice shook just the slightest bit as she said, “Darren was the only family I had left, besides Tripp. He and I were very close. His death hit me harder than I could have imagined. So yes, I went over to see Liam and confronted him.”

  Myrtle said, “Surely, that wasn’t a very wise thing to do, if you thought Liam had killed your brother.”

  “It definitely wasn’t prudent. It’s not the sort of thing I’d ordinarily have done. I acted completely on impulse.”

  Miles asked curiously, “How did Liam react?”

  Orabelle snorted. “Oh, he was really appalled. He tried to hush me up, first. I thought for a minute he was actually going to put his hand over my mouth so no one could hear me. Then, as he listened to me, he turned white as a sheet. I have no idea what Darren uncovered, but it must have been major.”

  Myrtle said, “As a matter of fact, I did a little digging and found out a few things.” She filled Orabelle in.

  Orabelle said, “Well, no wonder he didn’t want anyone to know about his past. And Red is sure his death wasn’t suicide? It sure seems likely to me that Liam just couldn’t stand the public humiliation and decided to leap from the window.”

  Myrtle said, “Red seemed sure. And Tripp did, too, as a matter of fact.”

  Orabelle nodded. “That’s what Tripp told me. It’s all very odd. I guess perhaps Liam made someone else angry with him and that person pushed him out the window.” She sighed. “I suppose, aside from the fact his past was about to be revealed, he really wasn’t someone I could picture killing himself. He was far too fond of himself for that.” Orabelle stood abruptly and said, “I’m going to let you two finish up your puzzles. Thanks so much again for being there for Tripp last night. I owe you one.”

  Orabelle quickly walked to the door and out. Myrtle stared after her.

  “Curiouser and curiouser,” she said.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Miles shoved his puzzle away as if eager to put it out of his sight. “I think I want to mull this all over. Just to get things set in my head.”

  Myrtle glanced at the puzzle. “Or you’re trying to escape your Sudoku.”

  “It really is a bad one.”

  “You said it was two stars,” said Myrtle.

  Miles sighed. “Apparently, I’m not quite as adept at Sudoku as I am at crosswords.”

  “Well, perhaps you can apply your talents to the case before you head home. Let’s see. Liam was really our best suspect, but I suppose we can count him out unless we’re cursed with two killers in this tiny town.”

  Miles nodded. “Right.”

  “So let’s start with Liam, our most recent murder. Who might have wanted to do away with our local lawyer?” asked Myrtle.

  “Tripp was right there,” pointed out Miles helpfully.

  “Very true. He was there and he was up to no good. But why would he have killed Liam? Unless Liam was trying to blackmail Tripp.”

  Miles added eagerly, “And Tripp didn’t have any money. Not only is he jobless but he has a drug habit.”

  “I can’t say I understand why Tripp would have called the police, though. Wouldn’t he have just wanted to slip away into the darkness? The whole thing looked suspicious, after all.”

  Miles said, “So who else do we have? Carter? He was arguing with Liam.”

  “Or not, if we’re to believe Carter.”

  “Orabelle? She was arguing with Liam, too,” said Miles.

  “But she just explained that. And it sounded like a reasonable-enough explanation.” Myrtle frowned. “I feel like there’s something there that I’m missing, though. I’ll have to have a think about it all later.”

  Miles was still mentally scrolling through the rest of the suspects. “Pansy?”

  “I suppose Pansy might have known Darren left her something in his will. And, by all accounts, Pansy has certainly fallen on hard times.”

  Miles said, “Maybe Pansy killed Darren and Liam knew it and she had to get rid of Liam, too.”

  “Although it’s a bit hard for me to see Pansy stuffing good-sized men out of office windows,” said Myrtle.

  “Which takes me back to Tripp. Tripp also needed money and was rejected by Darren. Maybe Tripp, high on drugs, took his anger out on his uncle when he wouldn’t give him money. Then Liam knew something, tried to blackmail him, and Tripp pushed him out of the window out of desperation.”

  Myrtle sighed. “It certainly makes the most sense. Although I rather like Tripp. And here he is on the cusp of changing his life for the better and having a fresh start.”

  “It’s not like you to be sentimental, Myrtle.”

  “No, it’s not. Maybe it’s because I taught him long ago and would like to see him finally make something of his life. He had a good deal of promise in school. Even though he didn’t choose friends well and wasn’t disciplined, he was smart.”

  Miles said, “What about Orabelle? We just heard her say she’d had dreams of traveling and didn’t have the funds to make it happen. Maybe she acted out when Darren denied her money for carrying out her dreams. After all, hitting someone over the head with a flashlight sounds like an impetuous attack and not something anyone planned out. Maybe it was a heat-of-the-moment thing and then Liam found out and she had to do away with him, too.”

  “Maybe,” said Myrtle. “Although how is Liam finding out all this information in our scenarios?”

  “He must have come by Darren’s house that morning. After all, Darren mentioned clippings to me and they weren’t there when we arrived.”

  “But why did Liam go there? To retrieve the clippings? That means Darren must have called Liam, as well. It sounds like Darren was a very popular person the morning he died. We have Tripp asking him for money. Now we have a supposed visit by Liam. And Darren reached out to you to invite you over. He must have been fairly reeling with visitors,” said Myrtle.

  “He must have been. And we haven’t even talked about Carter yet.”

  Myrtle made a face. “Carter should have realized how wonderful Orabelle was much earlier. He gets points off for chasing Pansy for far too long. But I suppose he’s redeeming himself now.”

  “So Carter could have gotten a call from Pansy,” said Miles.

  “That morning Darren died?”

  “Sure. Or, well, that’s a lot to attribute to a single morning. Maybe Pansy called Carter, upset, the night before. Then Carter stews about it overnight, and first thing in the morning he can’t stand it anymore and goes storming off to confront Darren.”

  “Right. To confront Darren over the fact that he doesn’t deserve Pansy, that he’s being mean to her because Darren simply treasures his alone time.” Myrtle snorted. “So you’re saying Carter got carried away, hit Darren over the head with the flashlight, and left. Liam sees him or knows something and then ends up arguing with Carter later—maybe pressuring Carter for money. Carter pushes Liam out of his office window to solve the problem. I think Carter’s office is even in that same building, isn’t it?”

&n
bsp; “Most of the offices in town are,” agreed Miles.

  Myrtle sighed. “There’s something there. I just can’t pinpoint what it is.” She glanced at her crosswords. “I think I’m going to let my subconscious work on it while I struggle through a crossword. Want to join me? I’m going to sit in my backyard.”

  Miles stood up. “No, I think I need to turn my mind totally off. I’m going to head home and watch something mindless on TV. Once I can figure out what show actually qualifies as vapid enough. I’m not sure I’ve watched anything truly mindless before.”

  “Well, give Puddin a call. She’s sure to be able to give you the lowdown in terms of what stupid shows she recommends.”

  Once Miles left, Myrtle sat outdoors. As she thought through the cryptic clues for the puzzle she was working on, her gaze drifted around her yard and the slope heading down to the lake. Dusty had either pulled out a few gnomes for her backyard enjoyment, or had simply run out of steam and never transported them the rest of the way to the front yard.

  She filled in an answer on the crossword and then glanced around the yard again. Wanda was right about those weeds. They were encroaching on her yard from Erma’s. And Dusty had obviously completely forgotten her request to spray. There were also dandelions which were about as tough as kudzu to get rid of. Myrtle scowled at the weeds. She thought about spraying them while her mind was on them, but realized the sun was too low in the sky. The last thing she wanted was for Erma’s lackadaisical attitude toward weeds to result in a sprained ankle on Myrtle’s part by taking a misstep in the yard. Annoyed, she took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the puzzle.

  After a few minutes, Pasha came up to her with a purr. She’d apparently been hanging out in the middle of a row of hostas. The black cat rubbed against Myrtle’s leg and then gave Myrtle a fetching look.

  “Brilliant Pasha!” crooned Myrtle. “You want a snack, don’t you?”

  The cat’s eyes danced in response.

  “Let’s go inside and open up some tuna,” said Myrtle. On the way in, she brought in the weed sprayer as a reminder to call Dusty the next day.