“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be doing all I can to ensure the judge throws the book at you. Come on, Terry Two-Face.”
He frog-marched the lab tech out of the room, leaving Prosperity to make her coffee. She supposed she should be pleased that at least one case on her desk had now been satisfactorily solved, but it sure was a shame to lose a good lab technician. “Kelly green isn’t a color that suits every complexion regardless of how well the cloth is cut.”
She carried her coffee back to her office and was about to step in the door when she saw someone standing just inside the room. She let out a small shriek and nearly spilled her drink, startled nearly out of her skin to see someone here when she hadn’t been expecting anyone.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” The newcomer was very pale with almost transparent skin. Boris Karloff’s stand-in would have been proud to utilize his deep, gravelly voice, which was at complete odds to his wafer-thin frame. He held out a bony, blue-veined hand as he introduced himself.
“Bruiser Rump. I’m Ophelia’s cousin.”
19
Bad Moon Rising
“Hey, I finally remembered the name of that family, the ones who own the luxury yacht we saw when we were out by the islands. Kruger. They’re the masterminds behind the Blue Jay candy empire.”
Reuben was driving them across the island while Prosperity re-read everything she’d been able to find on Pinnacle. She and Ruby were due to meet him at his house in Vineyard Haven in an hour and she wanted to gather an arsenal of pertinent questions before the meeting. She’d cut classes today after Reuben informed her that he’d finally managed to make an appointment with the elusive rap singer and there was no way she was going to miss this meeting if she could help it.
“I know the Blue Jay range of treats. I like their candy, although their lucky charms are proving elusive.” She held up her shoulder bag to show Reuben the apple attached to the zip. “My classmate gave it to me but I haven’t found any of my own yet.”
“Cute.” He pulled into the curb outside an enormous, gated mansion. “Looks like this is it.”
Prosperity stared at Pinnacle’s opulent, multi-turreted waterfront property overlooking Lake Tashmoo. Just as Ophelia had chosen a property both small and charming for her holiday home, Pinnacle had clearly used a vastly different criteria when selecting his pad. The house was huge and high, wide and wonderful, and it probably cost more than Prosperity could ever hope to make even if she double-billed her life expectancy and lived to be a hundred and sixty.
“Uh, looks like someone is expecting us.”
Prosperity followed Reuben’s gaze to see two slobbering, barking Dobermans jumping up at the gate. She grimaced and shrunk back against her seat.
“I’ve decided I’m more of a cat person. Do you think someone is going to haul them away so we can get in?”
“Let me handle this.” Ruby left the car and walked directly toward the gate. The dogs’ rabid barking and leaping became more frenzied and frantic as he drew nearer. Prosperity nibbled anxiously on her thumbnail, almost afraid to watch, as Ruby placed his hand on the gate. To her astonishment, the dogs lay down meekly with their heads on their paws and gazed up at the cop with rapturous adulation.
Prosperity scrambled out of the car and trotted over to join him in front of the gate. The dogs ignored her and kept their adoring focus firmly fixed on Ruby.
“How did you manage to do that?”
“I’m a dog whisperer from way back.” He lifted the catch on the gate and held it open for her. “They’ll be fine. They’ll stay there until we come back, won’t you Molehill and Anthill?”
She edged cautiously past the now docile animals but they didn’t even glance in her direction. “You know their names? I’m impressed, Ruby. You somehow manage to keep surprising me.”
“Their names are on their collar tags, but I’ve got a lot more in my little box of tricks.” He winked at her as he re-latched the gate. “Let’s see if I can get Pinnacle to lie down and roll over as nicely as his pets have done.”
Pinnacle himself opened the door in response to Reuben’s knock and for a brief moment, Prosperity thought Mt. Kilimanjaro had sprouted legs and taken up residence in Martha’s Vineyard. The rap star’s head grazed the top of the doorframe and his meaty biceps touched both sides. His smooth, shiny bald head gleamed where the sun touched it and his gold necklaces glinted and flashed. His beard, artfully trimmed into a series of linked question marks, whimsically defined his massive jaw and his thickset, furry eyebrows made up in some way for the lack of hair on his head. Prosperity took an involuntary step back. She could see why people called him uncompromising—a man built like Pinnacle had probably never had to compromise on anything in his life. To her mind, he and Ophelia seemed an odd couple but who was she to judge? There was a lid for every pot, another quip from her mother. Her father often talked about pot, too, but generally, he wasn’t talking about the kitchen cupboard variety.
Pinnacle greeted them warmly before leading them into a large room just inside the front door. The spacious area was set out like a living room or lounge room, with puffy white leather sofas, gilt-edged mirrors, fine ornaments and jeweled decorations, and an elaborate bar complete with top shelf liquor, sparkling crystal glasses, and a silver bowl of freshly cut lemon and lime wedges with a tiny pair of silver tongs for serving.
“I’m pleased you came to see me. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help you catch Ophelia’s killer.” Pinnacle lowered himself with remarkable grace, given his size, into one of the huge white armchairs. “Take a seat and make yourselves at home.”
Reuben skipped any preamble and jumped right in. “We appreciate you making the time to see us. I had dinner with your daughter last week and she suggested that you might be able to throw some light on your relationship with Ophelia.”
Pinnacle lowered his heavy brows and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “You had dinner with Apex?”
“Yes, she was helping with our inquiries,” Reuben said smoothly but Prosperity noticed that his hand strayed to his neck.
“I’m very protective of my daughter,” Pinnacle growled menacingly, his expression matching that of his snarling dogs for a fleeting few seconds.
“I can understand that. She’s a lovely young woman. Are you able to confirm that you and Ophelia were an item?”
“We dated on occasion. We understood each other.” A tear glinted in the corner of his eye. “I was shocked when I heard the news.”
“I’m sorry for your loss. When was the last time you saw Ophelia?”
“Two days before she died. We had lunch at that new place out at Katama Beach.” He snapped his fingers, the sound as loud as a thunderclap, as he attempted to jog his memory and remember the name.
“Bad Moon Rising?” Prosperity suggested.
“That’s the one. Complimentary homemade corn chips.” He smacked his lips.
“Did she say anything to you that you thought was odd or out of character? Did she mention any recent disagreements?” Reuben had slipped easily into his professional detective role.
Pinnacle thought for a moment or two then shook his massive head. “Nothing that I can recall. She was … happy. Talking about a new bubblegum line that she said was still in the experimental stage. No, she was acting no different than normal.”
“Was she wearing her charm bracelet?” Prosperity asked quickly, before Reuben had the chance to open his mouth again.
Pinnacle frowned. “I can’t recall. I know she wore it most of the time but I really can’t remember if she had it on during lunch that day.”
“This experimental new bubblegum line … what did she tell you about that?” Reuben the detective was back.
“Not a lot. She explained that it’s still top secret and only a handful of people are aware of its existence. She gave me a few details but she swore me to secrecy.” He gave Reuben a flinty stare. “I know when to keep my mouth shut.”
“I don’t d
oubt it.” Reuben pulled out his notepad and wrote a few lines. “Can you think of anything else? Even if you don’t think it’s important. You’d be amazed at how often the most obscure information makes the biggest impact on a case.”
“Pinnacle.” A sharp-faced man with a large, jagged scar over his right eye stuck his head into the room. “Sorry to interrupt. The package has arrived.”
“Excuse me. I need to sort this out. Please, help yourselves to refreshments while you wait.” Pinnacle politely inclined his head and left the room, a walking mountain on a mission.
“Just looking at him makes my face itchy.” Reuben rubbed madly at his own jaw. “That beard action he’s got going on is atrocious.”
“Mmmm.” Prosperity stared around the room, amazed by nearly everything she saw. This was the home of a wealthy man, the territory of someone who was used to having whatever his heart desired. Her eyes alighted on a large bunch of hydrangeas in a vase on a side table, which sat alongside an ornament of some kind. She leaned forward in her seat, trying to get a better view.
“Sorry about that.” Pinnacle came back into the room but he didn’t sit down again. “It wasn’t love between Ophelia and me,” he said without any prompting from Reuben. “We were very fond of each other, we liked spending time in each other’s company, but it wasn’t love. Most celebrities find they have to choose fame over love as the two are rarely compatible.”
“The choice of adoration of the masses rather than opting for a mutual romantic love. Making the decision to accept adulation over finding a soulmate. I suppose it’s a choice you have to make.”
Prosperity glanced at Ruby, taken aback by his apparent knowledge on the subject. However, he was now climbing out of the depths of his chair and getting ready to leave.
“Thanks for your time, Pinnacle. You’ve been more than helpful and we won’t waste any more of your day. Feel free to call me if you think of anything else but right now I’m going to make like a shepherd and get the flock out of here.”
Pinnacle chortled as he pumped Reuben’s hand.
“I like your style, man.” He glanced at Prosperity and his expression grew serious again. “I sure hope you guys catch the asshole who killed Ophelia soon. No one deserves to die like that.”
20
Pig Iron
“Did you notice the hydrangeas?” Prosperity said excitedly as they walked past the sleeping dogs and out to Reuben’s car.
“No, should I have?”
“There was a tiny replica of the Spinner McKee and swordfish sculpture on the table beside the vase of flowers. Do you think it means anything?”
“I doubt it. Most residents of the island have a small collection of local memorabilia without there being any hidden agenda.” He opened the car door for her. “What did you think about what he said about the new confidential bubblegum line? I’ve got the feeling we might be getting closer to our motive.”
“I thought the same thing. We might need to talk to some of the top guns at Rump Gum. See if we can get them to spill anything.”
Prosperity glanced back at Pinnacle’s house as Reuben drove away. “I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of him. He’s a man you’d want in your own corner.”
“Agreed. Say, do you want to grab a drink before we head back to the office?” Reuben was already steering the vehicle toward Harbor Landing and its cluster of bars, restaurants, and dives.
“Drinking on the job?”
“Nah, drinking on our break.” He pulled up outside a small Italian-themed bar with tables and chairs arranged on the pavement outside. “We need to go over the next course of action and we might as well have a drink while we’re doing it.”
Prosperity found a table while Reuben got the drinks. A few minutes later, he walked over to join her, humming the Exploding Bubbles jingle as he set her drink down on the red and white checked tablecloth. “I’m still thinking about that top secret new bubblegum. Perhaps a competitor caught wind of it and was worried about the impact on his own business. Maybe Ophelia knew too much, which was why he wanted her silenced. He might’ve decided that murder was his only option. I’m thinking out loud here, so don’t mind me.”
“It’s definitely a viable suggestion. Pinnacle is the first person we’ve spoken to who has mentioned the new line, which clearly means there weren’t too many people who knew of it.” Prosperity tapped her fingers on the table as she attempted to organize her thoughts. “I know your team has already interviewed the CEO at Rump Gum but I think it might be worth having another little chat. Let on that we know about the confidential new product and see what he has to say for himself.”
“Yeah.” Reuben looked past her and gave a low, admiring whistle. “Spectacular scenery around here.”
Prosperity looked over her shoulder and was startled to see Meghan, wearing a tight crop top and glued-on jeans, walking up to a table a short distance away from where they sat. She pulled out a chair and stared along the street, as if she was waiting for someone. “Oh, that’s my classmate Meghan.”
“She’s studying Forensic Pathology too?”
“I guess you could say that, although a lot of her coursework is done after hours.”
“Is she looking for a job here on the island after she graduates? The P.D. could do with a few more decorative adornments to brighten up the place.”
“Mmmm.” A car door slammed close by and Prosperity turned to look in that direction. She couldn’t say she was surprised to see Professor Leigh, his dull face alive with anticipation, making his way over to where Meghan eagerly awaited. “She’s used to adorning herself so I’m sure it would only be a small adjustment for her to decorate the office space. Don’t expect a lot of work from her though.”
“Are you going over to say hi?”
Prosperity wrinkled her nose as Meghan lifted her face for Professor Leigh’s kiss. “I don’t think so. I might leave them to their private tete-a-tete.”
“Did you want anything to eat? Pizza?” Reuben scanned the menu but Prosperity shook her head. “No, I’ll leave it. Too many carbs in the middle of the afternoon will only make me fall asleep.”
He dropped the menu back onto the table and switched on his ‘I’m listening’ face. “Tell me about your meeting with Ophelia’s long lost cousin. You did mention him, but we haven’t yet got around to discussing his visit any further. Why was he in hiding and why was he out of touch with the Rump family?”
“Bruiser Rump. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma a couple of years ago and he decided to quietly take himself off to deal with it. There was nothing sinister about it; it was just a personal choice that he made and one that was right for him. The illness was how he got his nickname—prior to his diagnosis, he began bruising easily, his friends came up with the nickname, and the name just stuck.”
“And he’s okay now?”
“Yeah, completely recovered. Ophelia’s death was naturally a shock, a big enough shock to bring him out of his reclusive existence, and he flew out to see if there was anything he could offer us in the way of help. Unfortunately, as he has had very little to do with either Ophelia or the Rump Empire for many years, we probably know more than he does.”
“Is he still here on the island?”
“He said he was staying out at the Oak Bluffs cottage while he attempted to come to terms with the fact that he is now the sole remaining claimant to a billion-dollar fortune.”
“Must be terrible for him,” Reuben murmured. He looked back over at Meghan and Professor Leigh, who now had their heads held close together and were giggling over some private joke. “Is the skinny dude her boyfriend?”
“No, he’s one of the professors on campus. Meghan and I take a couple of his classes.” She didn’t want to talk about Meghan and her paramour. “Have you managed to pin down Spinner McKee for an interview yet?”
Reuben raised his eyebrows, but then shook off the thought.
“Hopefully later in the week. Did you want to come along?”
“I’d love to, even just from the perspective of meeting a local icon. He sounds like a fascinating man.”
Reuben looked at her steadily. “And how’s your fascinating man? I mean, I don’t think he’s fascinating. I think he’s a thug, but I guess everyone has their own tastes.”
“My fascinating man?” Prosperity returned his stare, perplexed as to what he meant by his comment.
“The brute with the thunder thighs. Your man from the ice rink.”
“Blaine? He’s not my man. Don’t be ridiculous.” She was angry at herself for blushing and she made a show of reaching down to fiddle with her bag where it sat on the ground beside the table leg.
“Are you sure you don’t want some pizza?”
“No.” Prosperity resurfaced, slightly more composed now, and sat her shoulder bag on the table.
Reuben nodded at the apple charm on the bag’s zipper. “I took my niece’s charm over to my brother’s house to give to her. His wife had a friend visiting who works for a jewelry store. She was impressed with the quality of the trinket. Wanted to take it back to the jewelry store and check it under their microscope whatsit.”
Reuben shook his head, laughing at what he saw to be an idiotic request.
“I told her it was a dime store bauble and to forget about it.”
Prosperity fiddled with the charm, noticing once again how heavy it felt in her hand. “It’s made of real metal, which is unusual these days. They mostly use plastics or plastic compounds for mass manufactured giveaways.”
“Probably just pig iron.”
“Probably.” She dropped the charm and took another sip of her drink. “Are you seeing Apex again anytime soon?”
Prosperity kept her question light but she was interested to note that Ruby’s answer was curiously important to her.
“Nah, she was flying back to New York this morning.” Reuben drained his glass and reached for his keys. “I have an appointment with one of the accountants involved in this fraud case and if I don’t leave now I’m going to be late. Do you want me to drop you back to the office first?”
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