Camilla T. Crespi - The Breakfast Club Murder (26 page)

“Ooh!” Margot pursed her lips. “Do you have a date?”

“He’s the chairman of Ban-Aids,” Beth said, “and a big contributor to Broadway Cares, so Lori thinks he’s gay.”

“Pretty good supposition, I’d say,” Margot said. She was looking beautiful in a purple spandex jumpsuit tight enough to show up a mole if she’d had one. “They make wonderful dates if you need a sex break.”

“Good,” Lori said, although she’d been on a break far too long. “He’s taking me out to dinner tonight to make up for spilling gnocchi in my lap and wine over the rest of me.”

“How was last night?” Beth asked.

Margot looked first at Beth, then at Lori. If she’d been a cat, her whiskers would have been curling. “What happened last night?”

“I went out to dinner with Jonathan Ashe,” Lori said dismissively. She was afraid her cheeks would heat up if she talked about him. “Guys, I have stuff to tell you about Ruth.”

Margot shook her bracelets. “Was it fun?”

Before Lori could answer, Callie presented her with a mug of coffee and an English muffin, her usual breakfast.

“Thanks. You and I need to talk.” Callie’s “be careful of friends” still needed explanation.

Callie ignored her and stared at Janet’s plate. “What’s wrong with my food?” Janet hadn’t touched any of her scrambled eggs.

“I’m not hungry,” Janet said.

“Waste of money,” Callie grunted and ambled off.

In Lori’s rush to sit down and apologize for being late, she had barely looked at Janet hunched over in the dark corner. Now that the sun had slid between the two buildings across the street, light poured through the window and Lori could see that Janet’s eyes were red.

“Jan, are you okay?”

Janet shook her head and moved closer to Beth, away from the light. Tears dropped down her cheeks.

“Oh, honey.” Beth hugged her. Janet cried harder. Lori offered a crumpled-up tissue. No one said anything, waiting for her to calm down. At the far end of the coffee shop, Callie watched.

After a minute or two, Janet sat up and wiped her face with her free hand. The other hand was clutching Lori’s tissue as she might clutch at something to keep her from falling.

“Has something happened to the kids?” Lori asked.

Janet shook her head.

“Seth?”

Janet tried to smile. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”

“Cut the crap, Janet,” Margot snapped. “You know perfectly well what got into you.”

Lori kicked Margot under the table.

Beth said, “That was unnecessary,” in her coolest tone.

Margot lifted her hands in surrender. “Okay, sorry. All I’m trying to say is if you spit it out you’ll feel better. You’ve been going around like a whipped puppy since last week.”

“It’s hard,” Janet said.

A cup of chamomile tea appeared in front of her. “I don’t have a liquor license,” Callie said. “How about some apple pie to go with that?”

Again Janet shook her head.

“I could use some apple pie,” Margot said.

Callie gave her a look and walked away.

Margot grumbled under her breath.

“I’m afraid,” Janet whispered.

Lori leaned closer. “Of what?”

Janet took a sip of the tea and made a face.

“Pretty awful, isn’t it?” Lori said to ease the moment. “My mother swears it can cure anything from corns to cancer.”

“What are you afraid of?” Beth asked, looking at Janet with a steady gaze. There was something strong and reassuring about Beth that made it easier to answer her.

“The night Valerie was murdered,” Janet said, “it was Seth who called Rob at the restaurant. They made a date to see each other afterward. Rob pretended to be sick so he could meet with Seth. Rob told the police.”

Lori was taken aback, but quickly said, “There’s nothing wrong with that.” It had been an angry phone call, the girls had said. Why would Seth be angry? “Why did he call?”

Set on telling her story, Janet ignored Lori’s question. “Seth never showed up. He had done something very stupid without telling me and he was desperate. We have no money. The minute my mother’s inheritance came through, Seth paid back the five thousand dollars he owed Rob.” Janet’s words rushed out like water from a burst pipe. “Rob said they were friends again and Seth trusted him and then Rob cheated him and Seth was afraid I’d find out. He was sure I’d leave him and take the kids. That’s why Seth didn’t wait for Rob. He was afraid. Of me. Of himself. He was sure Rob was lying. He was mad enough to punch him.”

“You’re not making any sense,” Margot said.

“How did Rob cheat him?” Lori asked.

Janet grabbed Lori’s hand. “I’m so sorry. You’ve been through so much. I didn’t want you to know any of this. But now I’m scared the police think Seth killed Valerie. I don’t know what to do.” She let go of Lori and gulped down all of the tea.

Beth wrapped her arm around Janet’s shoulders and said, “Let’s take this one step at a time. First, what did Seth do that you weren’t supposed to know?”

“He took the money my mother left me, three hundred thousand dollars, and gave it to Rob.”

“Why would Seth do that?” Lori asked.

Janet swallowed air. “Rob was raising money to buy a partnership in Waterside Properties. When he found out we had a little bit of money he convinced Seth to participate. He said we’d make it back ten times over once the land got developed, and Seth believed him. After their fight about the five thousand, Seth wanted to get Rob’s friendship back so badly. That’s why he did this dumb thing. He trusted Rob. Rob was his college buddy, the guy who had made good. And then nothing happened. I mean Rob didn’t raise enough money, so Seth asked for the money back, but Rob’s been stalling him. Seth is furious.”

Lori’s mind started racing. Was Rob in debt? Was that the reason he hadn’t sent her the child support check for June? He’d tried to match Valerie’s life style with a Park Avenue apartment, a fancy car, an expensive honeymoon. She probably wouldn’t have him if he hadn’t. Was he in trouble now? He had to be. There was no other explanation.

“And now the police won’t leave Seth alone,” Janet said. “He got so scared, he confessed everything to me.” Janet turned her tear-stained face to each of her friends. Lori’s heart went out to her, but questions kept popping up in her head.

“You know he didn’t kill Valerie,” Janet said.

“Of course not!” Beth and Lori said at the same time.

“No way,” Margot added in her indolent way.

How angry, how desperate was Seth, Lori wondered, trying to keep an encouraging smile on her face for Janet’s sake.
We’re all capable of killing,
isn’t that what Beth had said? Seth had seemed happy on the train the day after Valerie was killed. He’d mentioned Rob inheriting Valerie’s money. That would mean Rob could pay him back. How desperate had Rob been? How much in debt? Who else had he approached for the Waterside property deal? Why didn’t Valerie help him out?

“What’s Valerie got to do with Seth?” Margot asked.

“Detective Scardini thinks the killer might have mistaken her for Rob,” Lori offered as a diversionary tactic.

“But Seth was meeting Rob,” Janet said. She wiped her face with her hands. “It’s not just his word. Rob confirmed that they were going to meet at a bar on Second Avenue.”

Lori avoided Beth’s glance, knowing what she was thinking. What if Valerie had been killed so that Rob could inherit? What if that was the reason Seth didn’t show up for the meeting? He would have had to know that Valerie had changed her will. “Look, Janet,” Lori said. “The police have to ask all sorts of questions. How else are they going to piece things together? That doesn’t mean they think Seth killed Valerie.” They had to think Rob killed her. If he was in debt. Which he had to be. Why else wouldn’t he pay Seth back? And yet he had splurged on a new expensive car. Lori felt the air leave her lungs.

“Those two detectives have been after me and after Rob,” Lori said. Janet was following her words with a string of nods. “Now they’re asking questions about Warren.”

Margot’s eyes went wide. “Warren?”

“They’re grasping at straws,” Lori said, sorry she had brought up his name.

Margot gave an unconvincing laugh. “Warren will tie them up into knots. He’s very good at that.” She patted Janet on the arm. “You’ll both be okay, I’m sure of it.” Her voice turned soft, reassuring. “And you know that any time you need help, I’m here for you.” Help for Margot meant money. She had offered money to Janet countless times, but Janet had been too proud to accept.

“Thanks, I know that.” Janet let out a big sigh. “Lori, Seth lied about being at Rob’s wedding. He lied about it to me, too. He didn’t want us to know anything was wrong.”

“I understand,” Lori said. How sad for Seth. How awful for both of them if he had anything to do with Valerie’s death.

“You guys are great.” Color came back to Janet’s cheeks.

Relieved for her, the women turned their attention to their various breakfasts. Lori chewed her English muffin slowly to try to calm her heart. Janet ate with gusto. Margot played with her fork. Beth crunched into toast, swallowed, and asked, “What’s the stuff you have to tell us?”

Lori gladly stopped eating. She had a story that would set Janet’s heart at ease, if not her own. “Ruth, Valerie’s office manager, remember her?”

The women nodded.

“She is Valerie’s cousin, and Mrs. Ashe thought she had been involved in some kind of scandal when she was younger, but she couldn’t remember what it was. Last night a friend came through with the story.”

Beth and Janet gave Lori their full attention. Margot studied her nails, painted in the latest fashion color—Chanel black.

“Okay, if I got it straight, this is how it goes. Ruth lost her father when she was eight. Her mother remarried quickly but died three years later in a car accident. After the mother’s death, the stepfather didn’t want to take care of Ruth—it seems they never got along—so the Fenwicks, Valerie’s parents, took her in.”

“That was generous,” Beth said.

“It was their duty,” Janet said.

“Get to the point,” Margot said.

Beth looked her squarely in the eye. “Stop being so hostile.”

“I have to get a manicure and a pedicure.”

Beth waved to the door.

Margot tossed her hair back. “I’m just as curious as you are, except I’m in a hurry.”

“Stop it, you two,” Janet said. “You’re friends.” She turned back to Lori. “Go on.”

“After about two years, when Ruth was thirteen, she was suddenly banished from the Fenwick home. No explanations given, but lots of rumors. She stole money, or jewelry. Or Valerie’s mother got rid of her because her husband was taking an unhealthy interest in her. Or she was caught having sex with the gardener and I don’t know what else. The stepfather was apparently so scandalized by what she had done, he wouldn’t take her back and Ruth ended up living with the Fenwicks’ housekeeper and her family.”

“That’s it?” Margot asked.

“That’s it for now. I’m having lunch with Ruth in the city. Maybe she’ll tell me more.”

“Valerie never even mentioned her to me,” Margot said. “I remember the housekeeper. A Filipino. She gave the best massages.”

“If Valerie had anything to do with getting rid of Ruth,” Janet had a wishful lilt to her voice, “that would give Ruth a very good motive for killing her.”

Margot dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “I’ve got to go. We still owe from the last breakfast. I wouldn’t want sweet Callie to think we’re shortchanging her.” She kissed her palm and blew the kiss their way. “Bye, gals. Keep me posted on the latest.”

“Thank you,” Janet said, blowing a kiss back. Margot walked out.

“What got into her today?” Beth asked.

“I shouldn’t have mentioned that the police were asking about Warren,” Lori said.

Janet took money out of her handbag and started sliding across the booth. “What I don’t get is why she left him if she’s still in love with him.”

“I don’t think she’s in love with him,” Beth chimed in. “She’s upset because she still thinks he’s hers, and she doesn’t want what’s hers to be tarnished.”

Janet frowned.

Beth raised her hands. “I know. She has a heart of gold, but sometimes she gets to me. I can’t help it.”

Janet leaned over and kissed her. “You’re great. And I can’t thank you both enough for being such wonderful friends. I feel so much better. I can’t wait to go home and reassure Seth.” Janet scooted out of the booth, gave Lori her money, and left.

Cy, the counterman, brought over the bill. Callie was the one who always brought the bill.
She’s avoiding me,
Lori thought. “Thanks.” She handed over everyone’s money. “We don’t need any change.”

“You don’t think Seth could have?” Beth asked after Cy walked away.

“I don’t know what to think,” Lori said, which was the God’s honest truth. “Maybe Ruth will clear up some things. If not about herself, about Valerie. You can’t work with a woman for years and not know her.”

They both got up. “What time is your lunch?” Beth asked. “I have to show a painting in the city later this morning. If you want, I’ll give you a ride.”

“Great. I’m meeting her at the Boathouse in Central Park at one o’clock.”

“I’ll pick you up at eleven thirty.” Beth walked to the door, then looked back. “Aren’t you coming?”

Lori shook her head. “I need to ask Callie something.”

Beth smiled. “She’ll never give you that apple pie recipe.” She waved. “See you later.”

“What did you mean by ‘be careful of friends’?” Lori cornered Callie with the question just as she was coming out of the bathroom at the far end of the coffee shop.

Callie raised both thick black eyebrows. The women suspected she dyed them because the rest of her hair was gray. “I said that?”

“Yes, advice from an old Greek woman. ‘Bearing gifts or no gifts, be careful of friends.’ That’s exactly what you said.”

“I got no time now.” Callie squeezed her sizable girth between the wall and Lori and walked over to the counter to wave a hand at Cy, who was now sizzling bacon and eggs on the grill. “Get this gal another toasted English, with butter this time and bacon well-done. She’s grumpy.”

“I want an answer, not a sandwich,” Lori protested. “Come on, Callie. Please.”