Accessory to Murder (26 page)

“Would you like a little nosh?” Joanie said.

“No, thanks,” Josie said. “I've been mystery-shopping Chunk-A-Chickens.”

“You need real food,” Joanie said. “Some nice turkey to settle your stomach.”

Josie fought back a belch. She was sure it would be the first one in Joanie's perfect kitchen.

“Well, maybe just a taste,” Josie said.

“And chicken soup,” Joanie said. “I can heat some up. Lots of dill and nice, light matzo balls.”

Josie detected an ominous, impolite rumbling deep in her gut. “No chicken,” she said quickly.

“Of course not,” Joanie said. “What was I thinking? You poor thing.”

Joanie's kitchen was sleek with black granite, cherrywood cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances. Josie counted two ovens, two refrigerators, and a stove the size of a minivan. It was another Wood Winds showcase for the culinary arts.

Little Joanie didn't seem intimidated by her cutting-edge kitchen. She was at the granite counter, slicing a turkey breast like it was butter. How did she get a knife that sharp?

“Here,” Joanie said. “Try a little of this.”

She plunked down a platter piled with turkey, a basket of bread, and a dish of real mayo.

“I can feel my stomach settle down just looking at this,” Josie said.

“Don't look. Eat. I like to watch a real eater,” Joanie said. “Too many women around here are on diets. They won't touch real butter, fresh eggs, or good, whole cream. They're missing the best part of life. That low-fat junk will kill them. It's bad for their bones.”

“Wish it was this easy to make everyone happy,” Josie said, tucking into the sandwich. “If I didn't live in Maplewood, you could watch me eat three times a day.”

She was surprisingly hungry. How could she scarf down a thick sandwich after five Chunk-A-Chicken stops?

Fried franchise grease wasn't food, she decided. Besides, funerals made her hungry. Memorial services, which didn't have a body, left her feeling even more empty.

“Did you go to Halley's service?” Josie said.

“It was so sad,” Joanie said. “A young woman's death is a terrible thing. I'll never forget that little girl crying for her mother. It was pitiful. Afterward, we went to Halley's house. Cliff stood there like a zombie. I think he must be on medication. His parents looked so tired and frail. And there wasn't enough to eat. You don't give people little puff pastries stuffed with cheese nothings after a memorial service. They need substantial food. They need to celebrate life.”

I've been celebrating all afternoon, Josie thought. I'll either live or die trying.

“I have some nice cheesecake,” Joanie said.

“No, thank you,” Josie said.

“With fresh strawberries.” Joanie gave a beguiling smile.

That was different, Josie decided. She could get her daily ration of calcium and fresh fruit.

“Just a little piece,” Joanie said. She cut a generous slice with a lethal-looking knife, then shook brown powder all over Josie's piece.

“What are you doing to my cheesecake?” Josie said.

“Relax,” Joanie said. “I'm just adding fresh-ground cinnamon. They never put enough on these cheesecakes.”

The cheesecake was luscious. While she ate her dessert, Josie peppered Joanie with more questions. “Did the police know about the fights Halley had with her husband?”

“I told them,” Joanie said. “But they didn't seem interested. They kept asking me about Halley and Jake.”

“What sent them in that direction?” Josie said.

“It certainly was
not
me.” Joanie was no longer relaxing in her chair. She shot straight up and sounded defensive.

“Of course not,” Josie said. “You've been a faithful friend, which is more than I can say for the rest of this subdivision.”

“It isn't Alyce's fault, no matter what her husband did—or didn't do,” Joanie said.

“Did Halley and Cliff ever argue about Jake?”

“No,” Joanie said. “I never heard his name mentioned once. I told the police that, too.” Joanie seemed anxious to make it clear she had nothing to do with Jake's arrest.

“Did Cliff have any reason to dislike Jake? Did they have a dispute about business or any subdivision problems?”

“No,” Joanie said. “I go to all the homeowners' association meetings. Jake and Cliff hardly ever attend. They both work late. There was no trouble between them that I know about. Halley and Cliff never fought about Jake. I never heard anything on that subject, and believe me, I heard way more than I wanted.”

“It's funny no one else heard those fights,” Josie said.

“It's not funny at all,” Joanie said. “We're the closest neighbors. Halley and Cliff argued nearly every night, and their fights were bitter. If you don't believe me, ask my husband, Alan. I'm not making up anything.”

Joanie's brown eyes were electric with anger. Her hands were clenched inches away from the lethal-looking knife. Suddenly, little Joanie seemed formidable.

“I'm sorry,” Josie said. “I didn't mean to imply anything. Thanks for the snack. It was delicious. I'd better go now.”

“Yes, you'd better,” Joanie said.

Josie left in disgrace. The interview was a waste of time. Worse than a waste, since she'd angered an important ally and inhaled another five thousand calories.

I should give it up, she decided. I'm not going to bother Linda Dattilo today. I'll just commit more blunders.

But Josie was already at Wood Winds. She didn't want to drive back another day to see Linda. What the heck, Josie thought. Mom has already agreed to pick up Amelia. I don't want to try to negotiate another free afternoon. Not after Mom's had to deal with all those deliveries.

So what if I stick my foot in my mouth? I don't live in Wood Woods. Linda won't blame Alyce for my stupid comments. Besides, I can't eat another Chunk-A-Chicken. I'm starting to look like one. My skin is yellow and greasy. My butt is spreading like butter. Tail feathers are next.

Worse, the cinnamon, chicken, and cheesecake were duking it out in her innards. Josie took another swig of Maalox, wiped the chalky stuff off her mouth, and pulled into Linda's driveway.

She'd ask Linda a couple of questions, then get ready for her date with Mike. Halley's best friend should know the names of the other investors. Josie could also ask her about Cliff and Halley's fights. She had to know if Joanie was telling the truth.

Josie rang the doorbell.

“Coming,” Linda called. She flung the door open, and gave Josie a startling sight for St. Louis in December. Linda was wearing a pale green bikini. Her red-gold hair was piled on her head. She had a big glass of red wine in one hand.

“Hi,” Linda said, raising her glass. “Come join me so I don't have to drink alone.”

Linda was slightly sloshed. Halley's funeral must have been a wrenching experience. Linda wasn't a bad drunk, as far as Josie could tell. She was just feeling no pain.

“Wine?” Linda said.

“Sure.” Josie figured a liquored Linda would talk. She'd join the party and help her along.

“I'm relaxing in the hot tub,” Linda said. “I have a couple of extra suits. Come join me.”

“Uh,” Josie stalled.

“What's the matter?” Linda said. “Got a hot date tonight?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“Well, good for you. Sit with me a little while. You can wash your hair here and wear that black suit you had on at the memorial service for your date. It will look smashing.”

Josie started.

“I saw you and Alyce at the church,” Linda said. “But I won't tell anyone. I'll even give you my Halley-blue scarf. It will be stunning with that suit.”

“I couldn't,” Josie said. But she loved that scarf.

“I can't bear to wear it anymore,” Linda said. “I was going to give it to Goodwill. I'd rather you have it.”

Josie had wanted that scarf. She didn't think about it when she knew it was out of her reach. Now it had been dropped in her lap. Josie couldn't wear a Halley-blue scarf to work, but she could have it on her date with Mike. When he saw what that color did to her hair, she wouldn't be cute. She'd be hot.

“Good. We have a deal,” Linda said. “The extra swimsuits are in the guest room closet. Get dressed, turn right, and I'll see you on deck.”

Josie chose a modest tank. She'd eaten so much today, her gut would bulge if she wore a bikini. She carried her cell phone with her, in case Jane or Amelia tried to reach her.

Josie opened a sliding door and stepped into the pool area. She stopped, stunned by the view. A piece of the tropics had been built onto the house. The glass room was wonderfully steamy on this cold December day, bright with flowers and palm trees in pots. The warm air smelled of chlorine.

The pool was a deep turquoise. The hot tub was a warm, bubbling circle off to one side. Linda bobbed in the water, holding her wineglass.

“This is stunning,” Josie said. “A pool and a hot tub. What luxury.”

“I built this addition with the proceeds from my decorating business,” Linda said. “My husband bitches that I don't make enough to maintain them. It costs seven hundred dollars a week to keep the pool and hot tub clean and running. That doesn't include the emergency calls when the damn thing breaks. I don't belong here, futzing with hot tubs. I should be in New York. I've got everything Halley had, except luck.”

Wow! Linda was schnoggered, Josie thought. She was definitely ready to spill.

Josie slipped into the hot tub and floated in the warm, bubbling water, hoping she could stay alert. One sip of wine, and she felt pleasantly relaxed and sleepy. Must be all that food at Joanie's.

“What will happen to Halley's company?” Josie said. “Will it keep going?”

“Absolutely. That Halley-blue scarf is a classic,” Linda said. “They'll milk it for years. Death never stopped Chanel. Look how many designers have gone on to great success after they died. You can't buy the publicity Halley got.”

But I wouldn't want it, Josie thought, and took another sip to avoid saying anything. She was afraid to interrupt this monologue. Linda seemed to be getting drunker. Her eyes were too bright. The conversation was turning slightly creepy.

Josie suppressed a yawn and pinched herself to wake up. The long, stressful day was catching up to her.

“You know, I asked to run the company after Halley died,” Linda said. “The investors turned me down. Said they needed someone with New York sensibilities. They acted like I was stomping around here in cow shit. That's why Halley wanted to move to New York in the first place. She was sick of that attitude. I wanted to go with her.”

“You'd give all this up to live in New York?” Josie waved her arm to indicate the incredible pool area. Whoa. She made a wide swing there. She was getting as plastered as Linda.

“In a New York minute,” Linda said. “Do you think New Yorkers say that? Probably not. It's just us hicks in the sticks who talk that way.”

“You're too rough on yourself,” Josie said. “You're no hick. You have real talent.”

“Who cares, if no one recognizes it? If a decorator falls in the Midwest, does anyone hear her? I'm going to spend my life doing cracker-box mansions.”

Linda's bitterness began to frighten Josie. She made a clumsy attempt to change the subject. “Who were Halley's other investors?”

“There were five,” Linda said. “Jake was one. The keyman insurance was his idea, and a damned good one. One was a lawyer who worked with Jake. Grenville, Graveby—”

“Granby?”

“That's him,” Linda said.

Ohmigod, Josie thought. Granby had another good reason to destroy Jake and kill Halley. Her murder was a quick route to his Porsche. Jake's disgrace was the fast track to his coveted partnership. Did Granby send that destructive e-mail from Jake's computer? It was such a simple way to ruin Jake.

“The other two investors were Jake's clients,” Linda said. “Want some more wine?” She climbed out of the hot tub, lurched over, and topped off Josie's glass, then sat down heavily on a chaise.

“Uh, can I use your restroom?” Josie said. The wine was getting to her in other ways, and the bubbling water didn't help.

“I love that question,” Linda said. “What would you do if I said no—pee in the pool? Of course, you can. Use the bathroom right off the deck there, so you don't drip all over the hall floor. I haven't redecorated that john yet, so don't look at the walls. I'd die if any potential clients went back there, but you're OK. You can't afford me.”

Have I just been insulted? Josie wondered. Well, I wanted her to talk. I got my wish. Linda was still rambling on about the bathroom.