03 Murder by Mishap Page 5

  Edna suspected Charlie hadn’t just happened to be in the neighborhood—and how did he know Starling hadn’t driven back to Boston? He was the one who was up to something. She studied him as he made idle chit-chat for several minutes. That wasn’t like him either. When Charlie was on duty, he was totally dedicated to his cases and didn’t spend time socializing or spouting pleasantries. Five minutes after he’d arrived, the detective stood.

  “Better get back to work or the chief will have my badge.”

  When the two young people had gone--Starling walking Charlie to the door--Edna picked up her knitting again. Before starting to count stitches, she muttered softly to the empty room, “Now I wonder what that was all about?”

  Chapter Six

  Early the next morning, Edna found herself alone for breakfast, except for Benjamin who sauntered out of the mudroom where he slept in a fleece-lined bed most nights. Finishing a bowl of cereal with banana slices, she poured a second cup of coffee and folded the newspaper to the puzzle section. She picked up a pencil to begin the crossword and wondered why Albert hadn’t phoned back last night. It wasn’t like him.

  As the thought came to her, the phone rang, so of course she thought it must be Albert. Now that her husband was retired from his medical practice, the caller wouldn't be someone from the hospital or a patient seeking medical advice before Albert left for the clinic. These days, only family called before eight in the morning. Instead of going across the hall to her small office to check the caller’s id, she reached for the kitchen receiver hanging on the wall near the end of the table.

  “Good morning, dear.”

  Three long seconds of silence followed before a male voice said hesitantly, “Good morning.”

  Edna stifled a laugh. “That you, Charlie? Sorry. I was expecting Albert to phone. If you’re calling for Starling, she drove home last night after you left.”

  “I know. Actually, I want to talk to you and figured I’d catch you before you started your day. Mind if I stop by the house?”

  “I always have time for my favorite peace officer.” She wondered if he sensed her broad smile.

  “Thanks. I’ll be right over.”

  “I’ll make fresh coffee.”

  Edna had met Charlie Rogers the previous fall when a friend’s house had been robbed of valuable antiques. Charlie was the detective assigned to the case. Shortly thereafter, Edna had been a suspect in the death of her handyman, another incident that put her in almost daily contact with Charlie. Through the challenge of proving her innocence, she and the detective had developed a mutual liking and respect. She was pleased when he began to date her daughter.

  Almost as soon as the receiver was back in the cradle, the phone rang again, ending her ruminations. She was certain this time it was Albert. “Good morning, dear.”

  “Hello, sweetie,” came a female voice.

  Edna refused to laugh. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop a fit of giggles before answering. “How are you this morning, Peg?”

  “Much better after such a warm greeting, Ed. And you?”

  “Feeling fine, thanks. To what do I owe the honor of this early call?”

  “Just something I was wondering about and decided to check with you before I started work in the garden.”

  “Oh?”

  “I thought we had agreed to plant mint next to the tool shed.”

  “That’s right. Mint by the shed.”

  “Then where is it, and what am I supposed to do with the lemon balm he brought back? I don’t remember discussing it as part of the gardens.”

  The question brought Goran Pittlani to Edna's mind. “I was going to call you this morning about that very thing, Peg. I still want to visit the RISD exhibition at the Art Club, so I thought I’d drive up to Providence again today. I’ll bring you some mint, and we need to talk about your gardener.”

  “My gardener?” Peg was obviously mystified.

  “Yes, your gardener. I can’t talk now. I’m expecting Charlie at any minute, and I'm also hoping for a call from Albert. I’ll see you later and explain.”

  “You’ve certainly aroused my curiosity, Ed. I’m glad you’re coming back into town, because I have something else to discuss with you. Remember my telling you about Mother’s maid whom she accused of stealing her brooch?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I’ve learned from Virginia that Cherisse is still living. She’s in a nursing home. I don’t know if she’ll want to see me, but I ought to let her know we found the brooch. I must apologize to her, Ed. I have no idea how I’ll make it up to her for all those years of disgrace caused by my family. You can call me a coward, but I need you to come with me to see her. Can you fit that into your schedule this afternoon?”

  Besides sensing a touch of insecurity, unusual for her friend, Edna wondered if she also heard a bit of loneliness in Peg’s voice. After a brief pause during which she mentally arranged her schedule for the day, she said, “Of course I’ll go with you. Shall I pick you up after lunch?”

  “I need to get out of the house. Why don’t I meet you at the Art Club? A walk in the fresh air will do me good, and we can go to lunch somewhere afterwards.”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll be there at noon when they open.” Before she could say more, the doorbell rang. “Gotta go, Peg.”

  Hastily replacing the receiver, she stood and turned toward the hall just as the phone rang again. Reaching back around to the wall phone, she wanted to say “Davies Madhouse” but said instead, “Davies residence. Please hold.” Without waiting for a response, she put down the receiver and hurried to the front door where, standing on the stoop, Charlie was silhouetted in the morning sunshine.

  “Come in. I’m on the phone.” She greeted him and, at the same time, turned and raced back to the kitchen.

  She was so harried, she lost her manners. “Who’s this?”

  “Edna? It’s me. What’s going on?” This time it was Albert.

  Wouldn’t you know, she thought with a wry smile. Aloud, she said, “The phone’s been ringing non-stop this morning, or so it seems. Charlie’s just stopped by, and I was about to make a fresh pot of coffee. What’s happening at your end? I thought you were going to call back last night.”

  “Didn’t have a chance. Stan’s had a heart attack. I was in the emergency room all night, sitting with him and conferring with his doctors. I’m at the condo now, about to catch a few hours’ sleep before going back to the hospital.”

  Edna felt the shock of the news course through her body and chill the pit of her stomach. “Oh, no. Is he okay? I mean …” Of course he’s not okay, her mind’s logic kicked in.

  “He’s alive. They admitted him to ICU early this morning. He’s being closely monitored and will undergo some tests today to determine how much damage has been done to his heart.”

  “When did it happen?”

  “Last night at the restaurant. Middle of dinner. Luckily, the maitre d’ was on the ball and dialed nine-one-one immediately.”

  “Have you talked to Bea?” Edna thought of the shock Stan’s wife must be feeling and made a mental note to call her.

  “I just got off the phone with her a few minutes ago. She’s flying out this afternoon. Look, sweetheart, I only called to let you know what’s going on, but I’m dead on my feet. I need to get some sleep and get back to the hospital.”

  “Okay, dear. Keep me posted and, when you can, let me know what your schedule will be. I assume you’ll stay there until Stan is out of danger, at least.”

  “That’s my plan for the moment. We’ve got the condo for the week and, since it’s only Tuesday, we’ll keep things as they are for now. Bea will stay here in Stan’s room.”

  “Let me know if there's anything I can do. And take care of yourself. I don’t want you ending up in the hospital.”

  Typically, he hung up without another word.

  “What's wrong?” Charlie straightened from where he had been leaning against the kitchen sink. “Who’s
in the hospital?”

  “One of Albert’s golfing buddies,” She wandered over to the counter, still feeling dazed and numb with the news. Briefly, she related the conversation, then added some background for his benefit. “Stan and Albert have been friends ever since they were thrown together as roommates their freshman year in college.”

  “Where was that?” Charlie seemed to be making conversation to ease her mind from the current crisis.

  “Over here, in Kingston.”

  The University of Rhode Island was less than ten miles from the home Edna and Albert had bought the previous summer. When he retired from his medical practice, he’d wanted to move where he wouldn’t always be running into his old patients. A clean break was good for him and good for the woman who’d taken his place at the clinic. He didn’t feel comfortable second-guessing her diagnosis when someone would stop him on the street and ask his opinion.

  “Stan and his wife moved to Cranston a few years after Albert and I bought our house in Providence, so we’ve all been close for years. In fact, Stan and Bea have been talking recently of moving down here to the southern shores when he retires.”

  “Oh?” Charlie sounded as if he were fascinated with this family history. Edna couldn't help smiling at him as he reached for a banana-nut muffin she'd put on a plate near him. He broke a piece off of one and popped it into his mouth as she continued with her story.

  “I’m afraid Albert won’t have much of a golf-getaway now. He’ll spend his time between meeting with Stan’s doctors and assuring Bea that everything is going to be fine. A patient’s health and well-being has always come first with my husband. That’s one of the traits that made him such a good doctor.” And one reason I fell in love with him nearly fifty years ago, she thought with some inner pride but did not say aloud. Charlie was beginning to feel like another son to her, but she didn’t typically wear her heart on her sleeve.

  As she spoke, she spooned fresh grounds into a clean coffee filter. Charlie rinsed the pot and filled the coffee maker’s reservoir with cold water. She added apple slices to the plate of muffins, guessing that Charlie hadn’t made himself a decent breakfast.

  “Well, nothing I can do for Stan or Bea at the moment,” she said, finally throwing off the doldrums. “What brings you out here so early, especially since Starling went back to Boston.” A thought stuck her then. “Did you think she’d gone right back home after you had to cancel your dinner plans? Were you surprised to see her here when you dropped by last night?”

  “As a matter of fact …” Charlie gave her one of his disarmingly boyish grins. “It was you I came by to see. Didn’t want to say anything in front of Starling, though. Might’ve upset her to hear she wasn’t first on my mind.”

  “I see,” she said, although she really didn’t. She plucked two mugs off a wooden rack and filled them with coffee. Handing one to Charlie and picking up the muffin plate, she motioned for him to sit at the table. Once they were settled, she prompted, “Okay. You’ve got my attention. If she isn’t the first thing on your mind ...” at this she smiled, “what have you come to see me about?”

  At that, he became his professional self. “Your new neighbor,” he replied. Helping himself to another muffin, he took a bite, chewed, swallowed and sipped some coffee.

  “What about her?”

  “Have you met her?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, she knocked on my door and introduced herself just last night.” Edna wondered if she should tell him about the envelope. Jaycee hadn’t said it was top secret nor had she asked Edna not to tell anyone about it, but her instinct told her to wait and first hear what Charlie had to say. She raised the mug to her lips, waiting for him to lead the conversation. His next question wasn’t one she expected.

  “You’re good at observing people. Would you describe her for me?”

  Slowing lowering the mug, she stared at him across the table. He stared back. Nothing in his expression gave away what he might be thinking. “What’s this about, Charlie?”

  “Might be nothing. Before I say anything, I’d like to know if she’s the person I think she is. Tell me what she looks like.”

  Edna gathered her thoughts and began to speak slowly. “I’d say she’s about Starling’s age. Not as tall. More my height. I’d say maybe five five or five six, a hundred ten pounds, give or take. Brown hair, fairly nondescript. She was wearing it in a braid last night, but I’d say it’s a few inches past her shoulders. I wouldn’t say she’s a beauty, but she’s pretty enough with big, brown eyes and a few freckles on her nose. Is that the sort of description you’re looking for?”

  “It’ll do.” He took a slow drink while Edna watched him curiously.

  “Can you tell me what this is about?” She knew from working with him in the past that he wasn’t always free to explain details concerning an on-going case.

  “Will you keep this between us for the time being?”

  Her curiosity cranked up another notch. “Of course. I won’t say a word.”

  “I got a call yesterday from a friend in Chicago. Well, he’s not a close friend. I know Dietz from when we worked on a national, organized-crime task force a few years back.”

  She thought of the phone number she’d seen on Jaycee’s envelope, remembering the Chicago area code. He had her attention now, and she waited for him to continue.

  “He asked me to check on a woman who recently moved into this neighborhood. Dietz said he wasn’t sure what name she was using, but I couldn’t get him to explain what he meant by that. Being the detective that I am,” at this, he grinned, his hazel eyes twinkling, “I looked up recent sales in town. Surprised the heck out of me when I learned the only home bought by a woman was right across the street from you. I checked with Allen Gammons at the realty company that handled the sale. He told me the place sold to a Joanna Cravendorf, but he never met the woman. Apparently, she’s elderly, lives in Florida. Gammons said the closing was handled by her lawyer.”

  Edna shook her head, furrowing her brow. “When my neighbor came by last night, she introduced herself as Jaycee Watkins and she’s definitely not elderly. I’d say she’s in her early thirties, certainly no older. Are you certain about the information you got from Mr. Gammons?” Edna remembered how her visitor had pronounced the name ‘JAYcee’ with the emphasis on Jay. “Could she be Joanna Cravendorf and her name is simply a fusion of her initials? Maybe Watkins is a married name.”

  Charlie raked both hands through his thick brown hair. It didn’t look very different from when he’d arrived on her doorstep, and Edna wondered, amused, if this were how he normally combed his hair.

  “Dietz was in a hurry when he called. Said he didn’t have time to answer questions, but he’d explain when he could.” Charlie stood and began to pace the length of the kitchen, as if motion helped him to think. Settling back in her chair, she watched him and waited.

  “About all he said was that a friend had recently moved to this area and would I keep an eye on her. Nothing official, nothing obvious. He said he didn’t want to draw attention to her, but said he gave her my cell number, just in case she needed to get in touch with someone locally. That was all. Said he had to go, he’d call me and explain later, and he hung up.”

  “Why not go across the street, knock on her door and introduce yourself? You could ask her how she knows your friend Dietz.”

  “That certainly would be the easy way.” Charlie smiled at her before continuing, “But my gut feeling is to find out more about her before I do that.”

  She nodded, realizing she had the same instinct when it came to revealing the envelope to him, first find out more about Jaycee. “Do you think Jaycee Watkins is the one you’re looking for? Maybe she isn’t if the homeowner is an elderly woman.”

  “From your description, I’d say she’s the one.”

  “Does Dietz have a photo of her he can send? That would be the best way to make certain you have the right person. Even if you were to meet her face-to-face, witho
ut a picture you can’t be sure.”

  Charlie paused in his pacing to study her as he thought about it. “He didn’t mention a picture, and I didn’t have time to ask.”

  “I might be able to sketch a fairly accurate portrait from memory. You could send it to him to verify she’s the one he’s asking about.”

  Charlie’s face brightened. “Good idea. That’ll help.”

  “I don’t have time this morning. Maybe this afternoon. In the meantime, if we assume the woman across the street is the person he’s looking for, why does he want you to watch her?”

  “Not ‘watch her’ so much as ‘keep an eye out for her.’ You know, to make sure she’s all right. He said it was nothing official, just a personal favor.”

  “But he didn’t tell you why?”

  “No. He was in a hurry. Said he couldn’t talk, but would call later.”

  “Could she be an old girlfriend of his? What if this is some sort of long-distance stalking he’s having you do?”

  “Nah.” Charlie snorted a laugh. “Dietz is happily married with two kids and another on the way. I think, even if he wanted to, he doesn’t have time to cheat on his wife.”

  “Fair enough. So, what do you want me to do?”

  “Since you live so close, I thought maybe you could get to know her and be my eyes and ears until I find out a little more about her and the woman who bought the house.”

  “I’ll do what I can, of course, but I’m not going to act like Mary.” She smiled at the image she’d invoked of herself wearing the latest camo-fatigues, hiding in the bushes on the fringes of Jaycee’s property, binoculars to the ready. Charlie laughed, probably having conjured up a similar vision.

  “Seriously,” she went on, “I will not spy on the poor girl. I’ll be as attentive a neighbor as I can be without intruding on her privacy. And you should call this Dietz person back and get more information. I don’t know about you, Charlie, but I smell something fishy.”