An Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Collection - ABC
Page 18
“It isn’t a matter of taste as much as budget,” Peter replied. “Mark wouldn’t have spent a single penny more than he had absolutely had to. I can’t see Kara Newstead adding anything to the budget.”
There was a large parking garage under the building. That was where Mona’s fancy sports car was parked until Fenella could decide what she wanted to do with it. Peter’s four-door luxury car was in a spot a few spaces away from Mona’s.
“Here we are,” he said, unlocking the doors with a button on his key. He held open the passenger door. Fenella looked over at Shelly, ready to offer the woman the seat, but Shelly was already pulling open the door to the back of the car.
“I’ll ride in the back and pretend I’m being chauffeured,” she laughed as she slid into the car.
“Would you like to join her in that experience?” Peter asked with a grin.
Fenella shook her head. “I’m quite happy up front,” she replied.
When she was safely in her seat, Peter pushed the door shut and then walked around the car.
“I hope the parking isn’t too bad,” he remarked as they pulled out of the parking garage. “I’ve no idea how many people are expected.”
As it turned out, a great many. Peter managed to slide his car into one of the last parking spaces next to the large building. It was only twenty-five past two and a small crowd had gathered in front of the double doors. Peter, Shelly and Fenella joined them. Only a few moments later, one of the doors swung open.
Kara Newstead peeked out and shook her head. “We weren’t expecting this many of you,” she said plaintively.
“Open the door, love,” a man called. “It’s raining.”
Kara sighed and took a step backwards. “Come on in, then,” she said. “Please stop and sign the book of condolences on your way past.”
A few minutes later, having decided to skip signing the book of condolences for the time being, Fenella found herself in a large room that was clearly used for many purposes. There were basketball hoops at each end of the space, and a large metal cage in one corner held balls of all shapes and sizes. A small kitchen occupied one corner of the room, and there were two women working there. Several round tables had been scattered through the room and there were mismatched folding chairs arranged around some of them.
“Let’s get a table,” Peter suggested. “Once the queue dies down, we can sign the book.”
Fenella slid into a seat at the corner table Peter selected, frowning at the hard and uncomfortable chair.
“How long do we have to stay?” Shelly whispered as she took her own seat.
“Let’s see if we know anyone,” Peter suggested.
The trio looked around the room. After a moment, Fenella laughed. “I certainly don’t, aside from Kara Newstead, whom I met when I found Mark Potter’s body.”
Peter named a few people he knew, all business associates that he had in common with Alan Collins. Shelly knew quite a few more of the men, women and children that were crowding into the room. What she was less clear on was why they were there.
“I don’t have the slightest idea how most of them knew Alan Collins,” she whispered as another group of people streamed in. “I think they’re all just here because he was murdered.”
“Oh, dear, that’s very sad,” Fenella said.
“There’s someone we all know,” Peter remarked.
Inspector Daniel Robinson walked in and glanced around the room. When his eyes met Fenella’s, he smiled and crossed to their table.
“Do you mind if I join you?” he asked. “I really want to sit in a corner and just observe,” he explained as he sat down next to Fenella.
“Observe what?” Fenella asked.
“Whatever happens,” he replied. “Sometimes these sorts of things can be very useful. Most of the time, they’re just boring and sad.”
“Do you know who all these people are?” Shelly asked.
“Alan Collins lived on the island for fifteen or sixteen years,” the man replied. “In that time, he will have met and worked with a lot of different people. I’m sure most of the men and women here have some connection to the man. The rest are just curious, I suppose.”
“Or hungry,” Peter suggested, nodding toward the queue that was forming outside the kitchen.
Fenella could see the two women in the kitchen hard at work, piling sandwiches onto plates. A third woman had joined them now and she was wrestling with a huge coffee maker.
“We aren’t going to have enough food,” Kara said loudly as she pushed her way through to the kitchen doorway. “We weren’t planning on more than thirty or forty people.”
Fenella glanced around at the crowd. At a guess, there were at least a hundred people in the room and more seemed to be arriving every other minute.
“Maybe I’d better handle crowd control,” the inspector muttered.
“Surely that won’t be necessary,” Fenella replied. “It’s a funeral, or something like one. People will behave.”
“I certainly hope so,” the man replied.
For half an hour or more, things seemed to go well. People waited patiently for their turn to get a sandwich and a hot drink. Kara rushed around the room, greeting one or two people, but mostly just fussing and muttering to herself. Every so often she would push her way into the kitchen and shout shrilly at the women who seemed to be doing their best to supply food as quickly as possible.
“Is there going to be any sort of service or anything?” Fenella asked after a while. She’d been watching as most people ate their sandwiches, signed the book and then left.
“I don’t think so,” Shelly told her. “I think this is it.”
“Surely Kara will say a few words or something,” Fenella protested.
“I’m not sure why Kara is doing anything,” Peter whispered. “As far as I know, she’d only been working for the company for a short time. I’m not sure she should be considered the chief mourner.”
A moment later it became clear that Peter wasn’t the only one who felt that way. The room fell silent suddenly as Mandy Collins walked in. Kara had been making her way around the room, talking to various people. Now she stopped and turned to look at the new arrival. Beside her, Fenella saw Inspector Robinson get to his feet.
“Isn’t this nice,” Mandy said, her speech slightly slurred. “A little gathering for my dearly departed husband.”
“Ex-husband,” Kara corrected her.
“We were talking about getting back together,” Mandy said.
Kara laughed. “You tell yourself whatever helps you sleep at night,” she sneered.
The color drained from Mandy’s face. “We were,” she snapped. “Alan missed me and wanted me back.”
“Alan had plenty of friends to help console him,” Kara said. “He didn’t have time to miss you.”
Mandy shook her head. “You’re wrong,” she said. She swayed back and forth slightly. “Were you sleeping with him, too? Is that why you’re in charge of this little soirée?”
“Alan was my boss and my friend,” Kara said. “Mark organized today’s event, but in his absence, I thought it was my duty to see to it that things went forward.”
“That was awfully good of you,” a new voice jumped into the conversation.
It felt to Fenella as if the whole room gasped as Suzy Monroe stepped in between Mandy and Kara.
“It’s nice of you to come, Suzy,” Kara said softly.
“Yes, especially since you didn’t bother to mention this little gathering to me when we spoke yesterday,” Suzy retorted.
“It was in the local paper,” Kara said.
“So everyone on the island could come and whisper about Alan and his untimely death. Although maybe it was timely,” Suzy said. “I suspect the net was closing in on some of his activities and I know I’d had just about enough of the man. Maybe his death happened at just the right time.”
“Maybe you helped him along,” Mandy suggested, tears streaming down her face.
“Bethany Carter?” Mandy repeated.
“She’s over there,” Kara said, pointing toward one of the tables.
Fenella looked over and saw the veterinary receptionist blushing and looking down at the table. Mr. Stone was with her and he quickly covered her hand with his.
“My goodness, was there anyone the man didn’t try to get into bed?” Kara demanded.
“Why don’t you tell me?” Suzy asked, glaring at the girl.
“I think that’s quite enough,” Inspector Robinson said in his senior policeman’s voice. “Everyone is very emotional, which is understandable under the circumstances. I don’t want anyone to say anything they might regret tomorrow.”
Fenella could see disappointment on a number of faces in the crowd. Clearly they’d been enjoying the argument.
“Inspector, please tell me you’ve worked out who killed Alan,” Mandy said. “I haven’t slept since, well, since he passed.”
“You’ve been drinking plenty, though,” Suzy said.
Mandy flushed. “I may have had a drink or two today. I needed to work up the nerve to come here, after all. I knew you’d all be here, the other women who’d slept with my husband. I couldn’t face you all without a drink.”
The inspector had his phone in his hand and Fenella watched as he typed on it. “I’m going to get someone to come and collect you,” he told Mandy. “They can take you home.”
“Oh, no, there’s no need,” Mandy said quickly. “I don’t want to be any bother. I’ll go.”
She turned and walked out of the room. The inspector was quick to follow.
“She shouldn’t be driving,” Peter commented.
“He wasn’t really going to go back to her,” Bethany called from her seat. “It never would have happened.”
“Of course not,” Suzy agreed. “He and I were devoted to one another.”
“Aside from the two other women you knew about,” Kara said with a sly smile.
Suzy waved a hand. “Alan always enjoyed the chase, but he quickly tired of his conquests. He would have tired of those other women soon enough.”
“Just like he tired of you,” Bethany suggested.
“I was smart enough to know how to keep him happy,” Suzy told her. “And we were working on some business deals together as well. He knew better than to cross me.”
“You killed him, didn’t you?” Kara demanded.
“Don’t be stupid,” Suzy snapped. “I wanted him alive more than anyone.”
“Not more than me,” Bethany argued. “We’d only just started going out. He told me he thought I was going to be the woman who changed him.”
Suzy and Kara both laughed at that, as did a few other people scattered around the room. Fenella and Shelly exchanged looks.
“You poor dear,” Suzy said after a moment. “I do hope you didn’t really believe him.”
Bethany remained quiet as Mr. Stone patted her hand.
“Anyway, I suppose I should be grateful that you organized all of this,” Suzy told Kara. “Otherwise, I’d have felt obliged to do something and I’d hate to have had to spend the money.”
“Mark paid for all of this,” Kara said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen now that he’s gone.”
“Mark could have afforded a bit more than a few limp sandwiches and coffee,” Suzy said. “He should have done this right, with proper food and real drinks.”
Kara flushed. “I don’t think he wanted to do anything too over the top, considering the circumstances around Alan’s death,” she explained.
Suzy shrugged. “I’m disappointed. Maybe some of Alan’s other business associates should have chipped in towards a proper party.”
“I did consider it,” Donald Donaldson said from the doorway. “But when I offered, Mark insisted that he wanted to do everything himself.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Mark I knew and loved,” Suzy drawled. “Seems to me that Mark would have been thrilled to offload some of the expense on someone else.”
Donald shrugged. “Ordinarily I’d agree, but he was quite insistent in this instance.”
“Maybe I should just get you to take me out for a drink, then,” Suzy said to Donald. She took a step closer to him and then licked her lips and smiled. “I’ve so many things I’d like to discuss with you, business matters, of course.”
Donald smiled. “Ring my office and make an appointment,” he told her. “Business matters are best dealt with in a professional setting.”
Suzy walked over to the man and draped an arm over his shoulders. “And what about personal matters?” she asked in a sexy voice.
“Let’s get the business out of the way first,” Donald said. “And then, maybe we can talk.”
Kara laughed. “He’s very polite, isn’t he?” she mocked. “But while we’re on the subject, I’m pretty sure I’m unemployed. I don’t suppose you’re hiring?”
Donald shrugged and took a step away from Suzy. “You can ring my office as well. Make an appointment to see me and I’ll drag my human resources head into the meeting as well. I don’t know if we need anyone at the moment, but he will.”
Kara smiled brightly at him. “Thank you ever so much,” she cooed.
He nodded and then looked around the room. When his eyes met Fenella’s he smiled and began to walk toward her.
Kara spun on her heel and headed back into the kitchen. Within seconds she was barking orders at the three women again. Suzy watched with narrowed eyes, and then after a minute, turned and stormed out of the room. Bethany sat back in her chair, tears still streaming down her face. Mr. Stone kept patting her hand, but he looked as if he had no idea what else to do.
“I’m going to go and talk to Bethany,” Shelly said after a moment. “She needs some support.”
As she walked away, Donald slid into the chair she’d just vacated. “How are you?” he asked Fenella.
“I’m fine,” Fenella replied. “A little overwhelmed by all of the shouting and drama, but otherwise, fine.”
“Alan thrived on drama,” Donald told her. “He was never happier than when he had two or more women fighting over him, and he often dealt with business in the same way.”
“Was he really about to get arrested?” she asked.
“I hope not, as we did quite a lot of business together,” Donald replied, winking at Fenella.
Half an hour later the room was nearly empty. “We should go,” Shelly whispered to Fenella as she rejoined their table once Bethany left.
“It’s getting late,” Peter agreed.
“I’d offer to take you home myself,” Donald said. “But I have a meeting to get to.”
“A meeting? On a Sunday night?” Shelly asked.
“It’s a conference call with Japan,” he explained. “It will be Monday morning there.”
“I never thanked you for the gorgeous necklace,” Fenella said quietly to Donald. “But I really can’t accept such an expensive present from you.”
“Nonsense,” Donald told her. “I saw it and I thought you might like it. I promise you there are no strings attached. I just hope you like it.”
“It’s gorgeous and I love it,” Fenella admitted.
“Then keep it and enjoy it,” Donald insisted.
They got up to leave and were halfway to the door before Kara noticed them.
“Hey, aren’t you the woman who found Mark’s body?” she shouted across the room.
Fenella stopped and turned around slowly. It felt as if every eye in the room was on her.
“Yes,” she said slowly.
“And you found Alan’s body,” Kara added. “I hope the police are looking very seriously at you. It seems like an awful coinciden
ce to me.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Shelly snapped at her. “Fenella just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She didn’t have any reason to kill anyone.”
Kara stared at Fenella for a long time before she finally spoke again. “I’m not sure why you came today,” she said.
“I’m not either,” Fenella replied. “But I’m sorry for your loss.”
Kara looked at her and then began to laugh. For a moment Fenella worried that she was going to get hysterical, but after a short while Kara drew a shaky breath. “Thank you,” she said curtly.
Feeling as if she’d been dismissed, Fenella turned and walked quickly out of the room. Shelly and Peter were right on her heels and Donald wasn’t far behind. As she climbed into Peter’s car, Donald caught her arm.
“Kara’s had a rough couple of days,” he told her.
“She’s not the only one,” Fenella muttered.
“I’ll ring you. I’d like to buy you dinner one night soon.”
Fenella nodded and then sat back in her seat, suddenly exhausted by the day’s events. Donald pushed her door shut and walked away.
12
“Let’s go to the Tale and Tail,” Shelly suggested as Peter pulled away from the community center.
“I could use a drink,” Fenella said.
“I think we all could after that,” Peter agreed. “I’ll park at home, though, if that’s okay with everyone.”
“You can’t get much closer to the pub than that,” Shelly said with a laugh.
As they walked through the parking garage, Fenella stopped at Mona’s car. “I wish I felt brave enough to try driving it,” she told the others as she patted a headlight.
“It’s a great little car,” Shelly said. “Mona and I used to drive around with the top down every chance we got.”
“Maybe I should sell it,” Fenella said. “Or trade it in for something with an automatic transmission. I think I could probably learn to drive over here if I had that.”
“Learning to drive a manual isn’t that hard,” Peter told her. “I know a wonderful and incredibly patient driving instructor. I’ll find you his card. He’ll have you out and about in Mona’s old car in no time.”