Murder by Arrangement (Edna Davies mysteries Book 5) (8 page)

Chapter 11

The trip to the
Great Swamp was a success. There was very little wind blowing in amongst the
trees and, although the broad path was covered with several inches of snow, it
was fresh and clean. Theirs were the only footprints.

Amanda and
Starling took many photos--Amanda with a small digital and Starling with a
larger, more professional camera. Although the site was mostly a nature walk
with nothing that looked like ruins or an abandoned village, they did get some
shots of the rough-cut granite monument and memorial plaque that had been
placed there by the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars. On the way back to
the car, Edna was thrilled to see a Cedar Waxwing with its brown, gray and
yellow plumage. She was about to call it to the others’ attention when she
noticed they had spotted it too. With quiet joy, Edna watched Starling give
instructions to her niece.

Bending so her
mouth was close to Amanda’s ear, Starling spoke in a low voice. “See the bird
in that bush with the red berries. Move really slowly so you don’t scare him,
but zoom in and see if you can get a shot.”

Amanda obeyed.
It might have been a movement or a sound that frightened the bird away just as
she took the picture. With a look of dismay, she turned to Starling and shrugged
in exaggerated frustration.

“No, wait,”
Starling encouraged. “Look at your display. I think you caught him.”

Dutifully,
Amanda examined the back of the camera as she twisted her body to cast a shadow
onto the small screen. As soon as her eyes lit up, Edna knew Starling had been
right.

With a grin
spreading from ear to ear, the girl showed first Starling, then Edna, a nearly
perfectly framed picture of the Cedar Waxwing with a red berry in his beak and
wings just lifting in flight.

“Wow. Terrific
shot,” Starling said, pulling her niece into a one-armed hug.

Nothing more
exciting happened, but for Edna, the afternoon went all too quickly, and they
returned home barely in time to get ready for their supper guests. As usual,
Mary arrived early. She looked more rested than she had in the last few days
and admitted to having had a good two-hour nap. Shortly after five, Charlie
showed up with a bouquet of flowers that he’d obviously bought at the grocery
store in town.

“Pretty flowers
for a pretty girl,” he said, handing the spray to Amanda with a stately bow.

Accepting them,
Amanda giggled and blushed.

Starling bent to
stage-whisper in her ear, “Say ‘thank you, kind sir’ and curtsey.”

Amanda obeyed
with more giggles and accompanying good-humored laughs from her audience.

 Starling
encouraged Amanda to show her photographs to Mary and Charlie while Edna found
a vase for the flowers and made an arrangement for the middle of the dining
room table. Knowing her granddaughter would have a great time showing them off to
her family and friends, she told Amanda that she was to take the flowers home,
container and all.

Drinks and
appetizers were followed by the meat loaf Amanda made with only a small amount
of guidance from Edna. It was a favorite family recipe, served with buttery
mashed potatoes. Starling’s contribution was a green salad, and Mary’s offering
was homemade chocolate and walnut brownies. Edna brewed tea.

After dinner,
Edna was loading the dishwasher. “Would you like to phone Lettie that you’re
leaving?” she asked her granddaughter as Amanda handed her plates and glasses
from the table.

The girl shook
her head. “I’ll see her when I get home.”

Edna frowned. “I
don’t understand. If she’s staying with her grandmother, how are you going to
see her?”

“She’s not.”

Edna shook her
head to see if maybe she could clear away the cobwebs and make some sense of
the remark. After a brief pause, she gave up. “Not what?” she asked.

Having gone back
to the table to clear away cups and saucers, Amanda didn’t answer until she was
back at Edna’s side. “Not at her grandmother’s,” the girl said as if it were
obvious or as if Edna should have known.  “She texted me this morning on Auntie
Starling’s phone to say she was going home with her mother.”

Odd behavior
,
thought Edna, wondering briefly why Rosie had changed her mind about leaving
Lettie with Lily. Had Rosie thought Amanda accompanying Lettie would provide
safety in numbers? Was the tension between Rosie and Lily at the root of this
change in plans? Edna dismissed these ideas almost as soon as they popped into
her head. She couldn’t imagine Rosie putting her daughter in the middle of a
spat with her mother. Remembering the constant texting, Edna was certain Rosie
simply missed her daughter and wanted her home.

The evening
passed as fast as the afternoon had and, before she knew it, Edna’s daughter
and granddaughter were packing their suitcases into Starling’s ancient blue
Toyota Celica and hugging her goodbye.

Edna, Charlie
and Mary returned to the living room. Attracted by the warmth of a low fire in
the grate, Benjamin went to curl up in his bed by the hearth. Edna felt a
bittersweet sadness, as she always did when members of her family drove off
after a visit. An image of her granddaughter’s face, flushed with happiness as she
settled into the car with her vase of flowers, assured Edna that it had indeed
been a special evening for the girl.

“How’s that
ghost of yours?” Charlie’s voice brought Edna’s attention back to her present
company. The detective was speaking to Mary as he sank into one corner of the
sofa while she took the other.

“Louder than
ever,” Mary complained. “I hear him soon’s I turn off the late news every
night. Can’t get to sleep while he’s galloping back and forth over my head.”

“What’s
happening with Peppa’s case?” Edna asked Charlie before the conversation
deteriorated into another discussion of Mary’s mythical ghost.
Colonial
rebel on horseback, indeed
, she thought with a mental shrug before another
idea popped into her head.
I wonder what causes it to pick that particular
time, and with such regularity.
She would have to ask Mary about it
further, but at the moment, she wanted to know about her retired librarian
friend.

“I’m still
stymied by that flower Clem was clutching,” Charlie said, rubbing one hand through
his brown curls.

“That reminds
me,” Edna said, rising to fetch Mrs. Rabichek’s journal from her office.
Returning, she handed Charlie the volume she’d flagged for the Christmas Rose
entry.

“Have you asked
Peppa?” she said, resuming her seat. “Maybe it was a peace offering. Perhaps
that particular plant had some special meaning for the Peppafitches when she
and Clem were married.”

Charlie shook
his head in answer to her question. Opening to the marked page, he read in
silence for a minute or two before closing the book and laying it on the sofa
between Mary and himself. “Doesn’t tell me much more than when we talked this
morning about possible blistering near his mouth, except for the specific
poison,” he said, bending forward to pull a notebook and pen from a back pocket
in his slacks. He wrote briefly, then looked over at Edna as he replaced the
notebook and sat back. “I’ll tell the M.E.’s office about ranunculin, but I’d
bet they’re already on top of it.”

“Has Peppa gone
home?” Edna asked, still concerned for her friend. “I promised Tuck I’d try to
smooth the waters between the two of them. I also want to take one of my
casseroles to Peppa. She probably isn’t in much of a mood to cook for herself.”

“She left with
her lawyer late this afternoon,” Charlie said.

“Tuck said she’s
been charged with murder. Can that be right, if you haven’t even gotten autopsy
results back yet?”

Charlie shook
his head. “Peggy King took her to the station to answer questions. She couldn’t
be interviewed at home because we needed to process the scene without people
tramping up and down the driveway.”

“Did Peppa mind
very much … being taken away, I mean?”

Charlie laughed.
“I doubt it. Ask me, I’d say she wanted to see how many of our personnel she’d
recognize. You know how she loves attention from her Saturday morning kids.”

Edna nodded.
Knowing Peppa, Charlie was right. “I’ll phone her first thing in the morning.”

“Wanna stay over
with me tonight?” Mary turned to look at Edna. She had been staring into the
fire, seeming to pay little attention to the conversation going on between Edna
and Charlie.

“I’m sorry,”
Edna said with a shake of her head. “I’m too tired tonight, and I’ve a lot on
my mind right now.”
And not just about Peppa
, Edna thought as the memory
of John Forrester’s visit popped into her head. Looking disappointed but not
defeated, Mary picked up the journal on the seat next to her. Unlike her
normally curious self, she seemed to tune out the conversation once again as
Edna told Charlie about Forrester showing up on her doorstep.

“What did he
want?” Charlie had turned to study the small log fire and appeared to be only
partially interested in hearing about the retired detective.

“He threatened
me.”

“What?”
Charlie’s head jerked back to glare at her, eyes widening in surprise before
his face relaxed into a smile of incredulity. “You must have misunderstood.
John wouldn’t threaten you. Fact is, I can’t imagine Gentleman John
intimidating anyone.”

“I did not
misunderstand.” Edna was adamant. “He told me in no uncertain terms that I was
to stop asking questions about Gregory Haverstrum’s death
or else
.”

“Why
are
you so interested in that old case?”

“Because his
wife is still living with suspicion hanging over her head, and that same doubt
is having its effect on their daughter. That same daughter is Amanda’s new best
friend.”

Understanding
sparked in Charlie’s eyes, but he asked anyway, “Just like when Tom was
poisoned and the town’s people thought you did it. Is that what’s going on in
your head?”

Edna nodded, not
trusting herself to speak as she thought of her old handyman and friend. Tom
had been Mary’s friend, too, since their high school days. She perked up at his
name. Putting the book back down on the settee, she looked from Charlie to
Edna. “I don’t think Tom would haunt my attic.” Then, after a few seconds’
pause during which two pairs of eyes stared at her, she added, “Do you?”

Chapter 12

Monday morning,
Edna woke early, feeling rested and refreshed. The sky was still dark as she
lay in bed, planning her day, but the forecast was for sunshine and warmer
temperatures. She’d phone Albert and see how the fishing trip was going. She’d
thought about calling him the previous evening after Charlie and Mary left, but
it had been nearly ten o’clock and, after the day’s events, she’d been too
tired both mentally and physically. She’d merely trudged up the stairs and
fallen into a deep sleep.

She must call
Peppa, too. Edna wondered how her friend was feeling about her ex-husband. In
the year and a half Edna had known the woman, Peppa had vaguely referred to her
marriage only twice, and each time had been clouded with anger or disgust. The
memory of Peppa’s scornful remarks about Clem prompted Edna to get out of bed,
shower and dress. She knew from past experience that the only way to rid her
mind of unpleasant musings was to get busy. As a result, shortly after six, she
was in the kitchen making breakfast.

By seven, she
had finished a plate of scrambled eggs and oatmeal muffins, completed the daily
crossword puzzle and swallowed the last of her second cup of coffee. Still too
early to phone either Albert or Peppa, she went to her office and sat at the computer.
After checking for messages, she decided to do more research into the
Haverstrum and Beck families.

Wanting more
background information, she decided to research Gregory Havstrum’s mistresses.
She searched first for Farren McCree. The image that appeared was of a
strikingly pretty woman. Her red-gold hair was shoulder length and waved
attractively around her face.  Above high cheek bones, her deep blue eyes were
slightly almond shaped. This was the woman with whom Gregory betrayed his wife,
then threw over for a teenager. Edna wondered what Bobbi Callahan must be like.
She couldn’t help feeling that Haverstrum had either been very shallow or
extremely insecure not only to carry on an affair while he was married to a
woman as lovely as Rosie, but then to toss aside another attractive, mature
woman for someone barely out of high school. Realizing she was getting
side-tracked, Edna forced her thoughts back to Farren McCree.

The woman had
been several years older than her married lover. She also claimed to be Rosie’s
best friend, but had carried on an affair with that friend’s husband, or so the
news reporters alleged. Both wife and mistress were employed at the same place
at the time of Gregory’s death. Edna wondered if Farren still worked at the
local greenhouse.

Taking a small
notebook and pen from her top desk drawer, Edna wrote down the shop’s name and
address. She’d visit the place today, she thought, going to the business web
site to find that they would be open from ten until four. At the nursery, she
would use the excuse that she needed to decide on which annuals to plant in the
back patio pots this spring. She wouldn’t need to buy, she’d only be looking
for future consideration. She would ask for Farren, claiming that a friend had
recommend the shop and the woman. If Farren had left the company’s employ,
certainly someone would know where she had gone, and Edna would simply have
more work to do to track Farren down.

Edna wondered
what she could say to the woman or if Farren would talk to her at all about
something that had taken place two years ago. The thought brought John
Forrester’s face to mind, and Edna shuddered as she speculated on whether or
not he was currently hounding Farren and Bobbi as well as Rosie and Lily.

Edna next
searched for Bobbi Callahan. According to the news reports, Haverstrum had
hired the young woman as a general office assistant. Edna entered Bobbi’s name
into the computer’s search box and found a LinkedIn page. Again Gregory had
chosen a woman who would turn heads. With platinum blonde hair, Bobbi resembled
Rosie more than Farren, but her eyes were brown instead of the deep blue of
Gregory’s other women. According to the brief background summary that the young
woman had posted, Edna read that now, at age twenty-one, Bobbi would receive a
bachelor’s degree in May and, in the fall, would begin her first full-time
teaching job at a nearby elementary school.

Edna also knew
from online reports that Bobbi had applied for the job with Haverstrum because
of the flexible hours which allowed her to work around her sophomore class
schedule. Reports further revealed that although Duke Callahan was a wealthy
man, he wanted to instill a sense of responsibility and accomplishment in his
daughter, and so encouraged her to earn anything over and above the college
tuition that he provided. As an assistant, Bobbi performed tasks from opening
the mail, fielding phone calls and typing up contracts to picking up Gregory’s
dry cleaning. “Go-fer,” Edna muttered as she wondered if Bobbi had been enamored
of the man who was at least fifteen years her senior, if she was flattered by
his attentions, or if she played up to the letch in order to keep a convenient
and well-paying job.

Eight chimes
from the grandfather clock brought Edna out of the depths of those meanderings.
Since she had an address with which she could begin looking for Farren, she’d
go to the nursery first. If she found the woman, Edna would simply play her
approach by ear. Enough time had been spent pondering the anticipated meeting when
she knew absolutely nothing about Farren’s personality. Edna decided she needed
to get on with her day and stop dwelling on unknowns. Picking up the phone, she
dialed Albert’s cell number.

“Have I caught
you at a bad time?” she asked when he answered on the fifth ring.

“No, sweetheart.
I’m just sitting here reading the morning paper. How are you?”

“I’m fine. How
about you? How’s your knee?” she asked, wondering if pain or stiffness were the
reason he’d taken so long to take her call, if indeed he’d simply been sitting
and reading the paper.

“Still
attached.”

“Are you walking
without the cane?” She ignored his attempt at humor and evasion.

“Not yet, but
I’m getting there. Feelin’ stronger every day.”

She wouldn’t
push him for more information at the moment, realizing she’d get better answers
from Matthew when she spoke with her son. Changing the subject, she said,
“Who’s winning the bets?”

He gave a short
bark of laughter. “I was ahead in the category for most fish for the week, but
Roger inched me out last thing yesterday. He’s now ahead by one. Matthew’s
leading in size for the week, but I caught the biggest marlin of the day
yesterday, so didn’t have to cook dinner or wash dishes last night.”

“Sounds like
you’ve added to your categories.”

“Sort of. We
decided on a daily contest as well as our original end-of-the-trip total.
Winners for the day get waited on that evening. Leaves at least two to make
drinks, cook and clean up.” He chuckled. “Ken’s become pretty good at
grilling.”

“What are your
plans for today?” she asked, entertained by the thought of the men and their
friendly betting. Knowing Ken, she guessed her son-in-law’s father was enjoying
the role of head chef and wondered with some amusement if he were purposely
losing the wagers.

“We’re relaxing
this morning. Captain Patrick has some business in town, so we’re not heading
out ‘til after lunch.”

“Are the boys
there?” she said, thinking to say hello to her son and son-in-law.

“Nope. I’m alone
at the moment. Matthew and Roger went down to walk the beach and Ken’s out
buying groceries.”

Edna wondered
again why Albert had chosen to stay in and was more determined than ever to get
a report on his knee from her son. She thought briefly of dialing Matthew’s
number when she hung up from Albert, but their son might have left his cell in
the condo. If it rang and Albert answered, she’d be caught, she thought with a
grimace. She knew her husband well enough to know that he wouldn’t appreciate
her making a fuss over his condition.

Giving up on the
idea, she placed a call to Peppa, but the phone went unanswered. Edna next
dialed Tuck.

“Is Peppa with
you?” Edna asked after the preliminary greetings were over.

“No. Why?”

“I just tried
calling her, but there was no answer.”

“My guess is
she’s avoiding reporters. I’ve been lying low myself, but the whole town
probably knows by now that she ran over Clem with that old Mercedes of hers. I
imagine the papers are trying to hound her for a story.”

“Is she speaking
to you yet?” Edna mentally crossed her fingers, hoping for a positive reply,
but her heart sank with Tuck’s next words.

“Don’t know. She
hasn’t phoned me, though. I thought about driving over to her house, but I
don’t think I could stand to have her slam the door in my face. I’m waiting for
you to give me the all clear,” Tuck said, sounding sheepish.

Edna quietly
sighed with resignation. She didn’t like being put in the middle of someone
else’s quarrel, but she also didn’t want those two to be at odds. They’d been
best friends far too long. “No promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”

After ending the
call with Tuck, Edna tried once more to reach Peppa. Surely, she’d have caller
ID and know it was Edna who was phoning, but still there was no pick-up.
Beginning to feel some concern, Edna decided to visit Peppa with the pretext of
taking a casserole to her. She probably wouldn’t be in the mood to cook for
herself. If Peppa wasn’t answering her phone, she probably wasn’t going to the
grocery store, either.

It was Edna’s
practice to keep at least one or two frozen meals on hand for emergencies,
easily done by doubling a recipe she’d be making for dinner and freezing half.
This morning, she selected a chicken divan dish. Made with broccoli and lots of
cheese in the basic white sauce, the result was both healthy and comforting.
She was about to shut the freezer door, when she spotted a container of clam
chowder and pulled that out, too. As she loaded a tote bag with the frozen food
and went to the closet for her coat, she wondered again why Peppa wouldn’t be
answering calls from friends. Edna suddenly felt a shiver run down her spine as
she thought about the retired librarian. What must she be thinking about the
death of the man whom she’d once loved and respected enough to marry? Would she
be distressed enough to harm herself?