Jolly Dead St. Nicholas (37 page)

“Sorry to hear about Brenda. As for Daniel, it just proves you can’t keep a good man down,” Carl said.

“Or a foolish one,” Ethel added as she came into the office, looking significantly at her husband. “You should be home resting, like the doctor said, Carl.”

Ignoring his wife, Carl led Harold to the safe, where he proceeded to twirl in the combination. Ethel went to the table along one wall where mail slots for all church and UMW officers held various pieces of correspondence.

Adelaide got up and went to the copy machine, which was next to the file cabinet. At the sound of the old safe’s door swinging open she looked around then froze in place. “Oh my,” she whispered. “It really would have been just that easy.”

Ethel glanced over one shoulder, throwing Adelaide a questioning glance. “Something wrong?”

Adelaide’s insides seemed to be made of ice as her mind began putting a few more of the puzzle pieces together.

Ethel stepped closer, speaking in a confidential tone. “You know, Adelaide, there’s a rumor going around town that Daniel and Brenda broke up. Where is she today, by the way?”

Adelaide snapped her gaze to meet Ethel’s. “She’s sick today. I think what happens between Daniel and Brenda is their business.”

Ethel huffed. “I was just giving you a heads up. No need to get snippy.” She flounced out of the office.

Carl and Harold, seemingly oblivious to the drama going on behind them, gathered the offering plates from the safe. Carl then swung the door shut, twirling the knob. Once they were gone, Adelaide shut the office door again, this time locking it.

She called Brenda’s home, plus her cell but got no answer. Next she called the Colliers, Brenda’s parents, but had to leave a message. Of course, they were most likely at work.

To her surprise, Diana Collier returned her call within ten minutes. “I haven’t talked to Brenda in a couple of days. Frankly, I’m a little worried. You say she called in sick today?”

Ignoring that question, Adelaide asked, “Have you gone by her place?”

“No, I…oh, dear. Maybe I’d better do that right now.” Diana Collier’s voice was tinged with worry.

I doubt she’s there. She’s in the wind. If she tried to kill Daniel, she’s not likely to surface anytime soon, unless it’s to try and finish the job.

“Please let me know if you find her, or if you don’t. We’re a little worried also,” Adelaide said.

It’s only a partial lie. I am worried—about my son’s safety.

A half hour later, just as Adelaide returned to the church office after putting copies of the freshly run newsletter on the two foyer tables adjoining the sanctuary, the phone rang. It was Diana Collier.

“She’s not at her apartment and her car is gone. I don’t know what to think.”

Adelaide’s stomach was doing flip-flops. She knew what she had to do.

After telling the worried mother she’d let her know if she heard from Brenda, Adelaide made two calls, one to Luke Fagan and the other to Dora Carmody.

Adelaide stared out the bus window as they pulled into the parking lot of the Royal Aces Casino in Columbus. The casino-hotel was a large sandstone building, all glitz and glamor, brightly lit even in the daytime. There was lots of activity—people streaming in the main entrance, valets parking cars, and of course the buses much like the one she was in, loaded with women taking advantage of the much-touted Tuesday Ladies’ Day.

“I’m so glad you decided to come along at the last minute,” Dora said. She was seated across the aisle from Adelaide.

Although this was the last place she wanted to be today, Adelaide had made the decision to accompany the group from Crescent Falls so she could confirm a suspicion that was harboring in the back of her mind. Daniel was being well taken care of by the medical center staff and closely guarded by members of the police department, which made her feel somewhat better about leaving him.

As the bus headed for its designated parking area, she thought about her lunch yesterday with James Preston. He’d been preoccupied by Douglas’s plight, that was plain to see. However, he did manage to let her know he had no plans for Christmas. Of course, she’d invited him to spend the day with her, Daniel and Vernon. He’d accepted eagerly.

Later that same afternoon, she’d heard that the Grand Jury had indicted Douglas for murder. After visiting him briefly in jail, she’d come away feeling that he somehow blamed his former parishioners for much of his problems. Words like narrow-minded and unsympathetic laced his conversation. He’d told her she was the first church member to visit him. His tone was bitter, his eyes narrow with anger. He’d asked her about Susan, if she had any news. The look of disappointment on his face when she’d said no almost made her cry. As she was leaving she’d passed Mark Cardosa coming into the station. He’d hurried by her without speaking.

The bus made a sudden turn, the jolt snapping Adelaide out of her reverie. Looking across the aisle, she saw that Dora was staring at her. It was obvious the woman was wondering why she was in a trance-like state. To avoid having to explain, Adelaide said, “So tell me how this goes, Dora. I’ve never been on one of these sojourns before.” She felt the beginnings of a headache nesting behind her eyes. The constant chatter amongst the enthusiastic riders was beginning to get on her nerves.

“When we get inside, we’ll have a bite to eat, then hit the gaming tables. What is your preference, Adelaide? Blackjack, the slots, or are you into Keno?”

None of the above. I’m here for information. Sounds like we’re not expected to stick together, which is a good thing. I’ll have the freedom to explore.

“Oh, I’m not much of a gambler. I’ll probably just watch others play for a while before I decide who should take my money.” She forced a good natured chuckle. Dora smiled.

“I always have a budget in mind. I never lose more than I can afford to. I just come along for the fun,” Dora told her.

Gayle Nelson was a few rows in front of her. She also spied Sergeant Ray Butler’s wife, Angela. She wasn’t well acquainted with Angela, but knew she was one of the movers and shakers at St. Rita’s Catholic Church. In fact if memory served her right, Angela was active in several church committees, including the one that organized the weekly bingo games.

Brie Hunter was also on board, occupying the seat beside Adelaide. “You can pal around with me if you like, Adelaide,” Brie offered as the bus pulled to a stop.

Dora said, “We usually leave our coats on the bus so we don’t have to fool with them inside. It’s such a short walk to the front door, we hardly feel the cold.”

Obediently, Adelaide slipped off her coat. Sliding out into the aisle she stood up, allowing Dora and her seatmate to precede her toward the door. “I’ll be fine, Brie, but thanks for the offer. Do we just meet back here at four o’clock?”

“Don’t you want to have a bite to eat with us?” Brie asked. “The food here is quite good.”

Adelaide was beginning to feel a little fenced in. “I’m not hungry. I think I’ll just look around. I understand there’s a mini mall area on the lower level.”

Glancing back, Dora said, “Lord, Adelaide, you can shop in Marietta or at home.”

Adelaide checked her watch. It was eleven-thirty. The English muffin she’d had before leaving home was a distant memory. Feeling pangs of hunger grab at her, Adelaide gave in. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t shop on an empty stomach.”

“Or gamble on one,” Dora added. “I want you to try your hand at the slots, at the very least.”

The last time Adelaide had been in a gambling casino was when she and Albert went with another couple to Atlantic City ten years ago. That long-ago establishment almost paled by comparison to the spectacle she saw when they entered the Royal Aces. The main entrance opened into a wide marble-floored lobby with a high, transparent ceiling. Looking up through it she could see the six story attached hotel. Escalators leading down to the shopping mall were on the left. On the right was the hotel check-in desk, a long arched expanse of highly polished wood that gleamed like glass. Elevators leading up to the rooms were adjacent to the desk. A lounging area also occupied a large space across from the desk, complete with a full service bar as well as couches and chairs of dark, deeply-tufted leather.

Straight ahead was a wide promenade that seemed to stretch on interminably. She saw several restaurants on either side. The aroma of cinnamon combined with bacon made her mouth water as they walked toward a huge open area at the back end of the building. A stunning buffet was set up inside a restaurant called The Islander. The motif lived up to the name, with huge aquariums positioned between live palm trees around the perimeter of the dining room. The food looked and smelled delicious.

“You’ll love this. And, the price is right. Only ten dollars for all you can eat,” Dora told Adelaide. “The food is cheap because they want us to spend all of our money in the casino.”

At this point, seeing the scrumptious looking spread before her, Adelaide would have shelled out three times that much. As they formed a line, she kept an eye out for her quarry. If what she suspected was correct, she’d hit pay dirt today and not just at the gaming tables.

After the meal, they mostly went their separate ways. The gambling casino was down a wide hallway to the left of The Islander. Adelaide could hear the clanging of the various machines along with intermittent bells and gongs. The drone of constant conversations wafted along the corridor.

Dora, Gayle and Brie left her to go try their luck at blackjack. The others in the group also hurried toward the casino like children rushing out to recess. Their excited chatter filtered back to Adelaide as she went in the opposite direction, toward the front of the building.

Approaching the check-in desk, she took out a photograph. A tall blond man whose name tag read
Brandon
hurried over to her. “How may I help you?” He smiled, displaying perfect, white teeth.

Without preamble, Adelaide slid the photo she’d lifted yesterday across the desk. “Have you ever seen this person in here?”

Brandon looked as though she’d just thrown ice water in his face. His smile turned into a frown. “Are you with the police?” His tone was chilly.

“No. I just need to find this person.” Adelaide noticed that the other two employees behind the desk were watching her warily.

“We can’t give out that information. I’m sorry.” Brandon’s look was disdainful. “You’ll have to excuse me, there are customers waiting to check in.”

Adelaide watched as Brandon whispered something to one of the other attendants, then scurried through a doorway behind the desk.

She headed back toward the casino. Brandon-the-Snippy’s response had been enough to tell her what she needed to know.

Now on to the next phase of my investigation.

Entering the noisy casino she searched the vast expanse for her friends to no avail.

Just as well. I need to circulate.

Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm. A gruff voice said, “I hear you’ve been asking questions.”

Startled, she looked up into the face of the man she’d seen arguing with Brenda in the Dovetail Inn parking lot. Her heart skipped a beat as her knees weakened.

“Let’s talk,” he said, forcefully steering her to the right then into a dark, narrow hallway tucked away near the corner. He led her to the last door on the right, opened it then shoved her inside. The door slammed shut behind them.

Adelaide took in her surroundings in a swift glance—a desk, file cabinet, several tables with monitors on them, each one showing a different view of the casino. The walls were a sickly green, the carpet gray. A coffee pot as well as some Styrofoam cups sat on a metal table along one wall. Beside the table was a small refrigerator.

“I take it this is the security office,” Adelaide said with much more bravado than she felt.

“One of them. What you see on those monitors is just part of the casino. The part I’m paid to guard. Now what do you want with Miss Collier?”

Adelaide felt her mouth go dry. “What did you want with her in the parking lot at the Dovetail Inn outside of Crescent Falls on Friday night?”

Lines of consternation furrowing his broad forehead. “You’re sure you’re not a cop?”

“No, I’m not a cop.”

“You a relative of hers?”

“No.” She looked for signs that he intended to harm her. “Am I free to go?”

“Not until I get some answers.” He took a step toward her.

Adelaide tried to back up, but she was already against the edge of the desk. “Brenda Collier is the secretary at my church. Up until I told my son, Daniel, about your little tryst with her in that parking lot she was his girlfriend. In case you didn’t already know, my son, Daniel, is the Crescent Falls chief of police. So don’t get any ideas about snuffing me out or whatever you gangster types call it now. You won’t get away with it!” She raised her chin, defiantly meeting his cold, silvery gaze.

He emitted a mirthless chuckle. He walked around her, stepping behind the desk. “My interest in Miss Collier is hardly romantic.”

She was beginning to understand that, but still needed to know the entire truth. Adelaide turned to face him, glad that the desk was now between them. “I saw you kiss her.”

He studied her for a moment. “You’re not here because you saw me kissing the church secretary. So, why don’t you tell me the real reason?”

“Why don’t you tell me what your
real
interest is in Brenda?” Adelaide countered.

His jaw muscles twitched. “Let’s just say we had a business arrangement.”

“Like your arrangement with the Rausches that made you half-owner of their restaurant?”

He scowled at her. “Unless you’re here to pay off both those debts, I think this conversation is over.”

Adelaide felt sick inside. All her suspicions were now confirmed, but she still had to clear up a few more things. “Brenda and the Rausches owe the casino money? I didn’t think they allowed customers to run a tab at the gaming tables.”

“Sometimes for good patrons, I offer other services.”

Adelaide edged toward the door. “
You
lent them money to cover gambling losses? What are you—a loan shark?”