Old Bones: a Hetty Fox Cozy Mystery (Hetty Fox Cozy Mysteries Book 2) (6 page)

A
short time after lunch, I had just settled down with my knitting when Damon turned up on my doorstep. “I’m sorry to pop in like this. But Megan says you’d like me to fill you in on what I remember about my aunt. I had a couple of appointments this afternoon, but they bailed out.”

“Please, don’t be sorry. I’m delighted you’ve come.”

I stepped back to make way for him. He stepped in, casting his gaze about my  living room. “Meghan told me this place was nice. I’m glad to see that she was right.”

I thought it telling about our relationship that this was the first time he’d stepped over my threshold since my move. Still, I hoped someday we could be easy with each other. I cleared my throat. “Megan’s  afraid I’ve taken on more than I can handle with a house this old. But I’m not nearly as frail or as helpless as Megan likes to believe.”

Damon chuckled. “I have no doubt of that.”

“Tea?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee.”

“Make yourself at home. It won’t take me a minute to put a pot on.”

“I’ll join you in the kitchen?”

That was a shocker. “Of course.”

The kitchen had always been my favorite room, but I’d never thought of Damon as having any particular fondness for such a casual setting. Blackie included himself in our outing and marched off ahead of us.  Upon our arrival in the room,  Blackie took up his favorite perch on top of the fridge.

I waved Damon toward the table. “Go ahead and sit down,” After dumping coffee grounds into the filter, I filled the machine with water and flipped the switch on. “Do you like old houses?”

“I wouldn’t have any other kind. They have character, if you don’t mind the ghosts.”

I almost dropped the mug I was pulling down from the cupboard. “Ghosts?”

“Sorry, it’s an old joke around town. There are lots of houses here that are said to be haunted. Silly stuff if you ask me, but they make for great stories.”

I rolled my eyes. He wouldn’t think it so funny if he knew about Andrew, who was grinning and floating over my son-in-law’s shoulder just then.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your looking into Eva’s death for us.”

“I understand you didn’t know her well, but what can you remember about her when she was here for the funeral?”

“Wow. That was a lot of years ago.”

“That had to be an emotional time for you. Surely, you remember something.”

His brow furrowed and he nodded. “I remember everyone being shocked. My parents were so young.”

“And Eva? Did she cry? Hold your hand? Tell you stories of her brother from their childhood?”

He shook his head. “No, she didn’t. I don’t know why I say this, but I think she was angry.”

“Over the elevator business. It came to you as your father’s only heir, right?”

“Yes. Of course it came to me. But I can’t tell you what she was mad about.”

“I have been told she was upset with her grandfather because he left the business to your father, cutting her off  without a share.”

“I only know when the elevator came to me, it came debt free. From what I recall, though, I didn’t get the feeling Aunt Eva was without money. So I don’t think my grandfather left her poor.”

“I’ll check the will. She may have been given cash to offset the gift of the elevator to your dad.”

Damon nodded. “I’d like to know what the terms were. I’d hate to think my comfortable life was built by shorting her.”

I glanced over at my son-in-law and felt maybe I had underrated the man. Perhaps he had a greater respect for fair play than I’d suspected.

“What about Eva’s ties to local people? Do you remember who she visited while she was here?”

“Not really. My Godparents took over my care and feeding at my parents’ deaths. Eva didn’t stay with us. I suppose she was housed at a motel somewhere, but I never asked where. Who she saw? Where she went?” He shrugged. “I don’t have a clue.”

What about the Lawry’s? They owned the house that Eva’s body was found in. Did she ever talk about them or their son, Eden?”

“I am sorry. I know I’m not being much help, but the answer is no. I knew nothing of Eva’s life or friends.”

“What can  you tell me?”

“She was tall. She was stylish. She didn’t look much like the people who live around here.”

***

We only had two restaurants in Hendricksville. And Spotty’s Place was as far away in style and taste from the Sugar Shack as Easter is from Halloween. While the Shack served up dainty pastries and fine dining, Spotty’s turned out hamburgers dripping with grease and hot, crispy French fries. Although people with an educated palate preferred to dine at the Shack, almost every local in town at some time or another could be found wolfing down burgers and fries at Spotty’s.

That night the interior was well lighted, but the customers were sparse. A man with a farmer’s tan from having his forehead covered most of the year by a cap sat at a table by himself. He looked up and nodded at me, and I strode to him. “Hetty Fox,” I said, sticking my hand out.

He rose when I approached him and said, “Sam Hillman. Pleased to meet you.” He was built wide, like the tractors and harvesters he probably rode. I shivered to think of the force such a man could put into a stranglehold. I took a deep breath and sat.

“Let me buy you that coffee.” He waved a young waitress to the table and placed the order. “Anything else?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Coffee’s fine.”

Studying the man from the corner of my eye, I could still see the lines of the handsome young prom king on his face, but his once fine features had been worn down by time and work and age. His hair which had been dark under his homecoming crown was now snow white. But his smile seemed firm and genuine, and I found his insistence on paying for my coffee to be an old-fashioned, gentlemanly act.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet me,” I said. “My family’s more than a little upset with what’s happened.”

“That’s understandable. They lost a wonderful woman with Eva’s death.”

I had to clench my jaw shut to keep it from dropping to my chest. This was the first word of praise I’d heard for the poor woman. Whether she’d have made a decent wife to this man, the point still remained that she’d never been given the chance to try. Not with Sam. Not with anyone.

“Since you’re here,” he said, “I assume you know I liked the woman.”

“The fact has come up a time or two, yes.”

“Good. I’ll get the coffee, then. I’ve wanted to tell someone this story for decades. I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later,  he returned bearing a tray and two coffees. “We had a lot of the same classes in high school,” he said, lowering himself into the chair across from mine. “We were in the debating society together, too.”

“Damon remembers almost nothing of her. Whatever you could tell me would be welcome.”

He smiled and glanced heavenward. “She was the love of my life in high school.” He pulled his gaze back down to mine. “After she left…? Well, truth be told, I doubt I’ve ever gotten completely over her. Even now, you can’t imagine how my heart hammered when I heard on the radio that her body had been found in that attic. I’m just glad I don’t know who it is, or the he or she might not live to see another day.”

My mind turned to thoughts of Andrew, and how, even now, in the quiet hours, memories of our time together kept flooding over me. “But you married someone else.”

“Yes, well don’t most of us? Eva went off to college. My life moved on here. I don’t dislike my wife. She’s been wonderful, caring partner.. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what a grand woman she is. It’s just I still have a soft spot for Eva.”

“What was she like?”

“A pistol. A spitfire. Someone who knew exactly what she wanted and was determined to go out and grab it.”

“And did she?”

“Yes. She graduated college top of her class, then went to law school. She once told me men had been known to tremble when she stood up to question them.”

“But she didn’t inherit a share in the grain elevator. I’ve heard that didn’t go over well with her.”

“Sam laughed. “Why do you think she became an attorney. She said she was determined that such an injustice would never happen again.”

“But for the most part, wills aren’t like that. People are free to leave their property to anyone.”

“You know that, and I know that, but back when Eva decided to become a lawyer, she didn’t know that.”

“She learned?”

Sam nodded. “I suspect she did.”

“Why did her father write his will that way? Did she ever offer a reason?”

“No, she didn’t. But as you know, things were different back then. Women didn’t necessarily count for as much as they do today. And her father was even more backwards than most men on that score.”

“So he shafted her?”

“No, she got cash. A hefty chunk of it. It was just that she couldn’t get past having been overlooked when it came to the family business.”

“Did you see her while she was home the weekend she was killed?”

His gaze dropped to the floor. “I did. But I’d rather not talk about that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have a wife. Because I have grandkids. Because I’d rather let go of the past.”

Now was a nice time to backpedal,
I thought, as my radar instantly shot skyward.

“What did you think had happened to her when she was never seen again?”

“I thought she’d gone back to Chicago. Won court cases. Married. Had kids and built herself a wonderful life.” His head sank. “At least, I’d hoped so.”

“Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to harm her? Someone who might have done her violence that night?”

He shook his head. “I’ve thought about that question every day since her body was found. I believe that it must have been someone from Chicago. Someone who followed her here. Maybe somebody who held a grudge from one of her court cases. She spent her childhood here. Who’d want to kill her? No. I think it’s more likely her death was related to her later life. I mean lawyers aren’t usually well liked.”

S
unday morning dawned clear, crisp, and delightful. I carried my second cup of tea to the porch and sank into my chair. Before me, the river waters sparkled as it hurried along to join the Mississippi River to our west. The homes and trees beyond the river stretched forth in a blue haze.

This is what I’d moved to Hendricksville for — the ability to sit in the fresh air and enjoy the sights and sounds of a new day. I watched a squirrel scamper across the grass and up a tree, and I made mental note to spend some time this afternoon deadheading flowers. I didn’t know the names of half of the blooms in the delightful flower beds, but I was determined to learn. I’d seen a book in the library on perennial gardening. I’d return and check it out sometime next week, that is if I could get past some of this madness that corpse had sent my way..

That thought brought Damon’s condition to mind, and I rose from my chair and marched into the kitchen.

“What’s up?” Andrew asked. He was being a good boy today and leaving me in peace on my porch, which was even more importantly a kindness to Blackie.

“I’m after a phone book.” I crossed through the kitchen and made my way to the hall closet, where on the top shelf, I’d tucked a Chicago phone book I’d brought with me in the move.

“What’s that thing?” Andrew asked

I explained.

“What are you planning to do?”

“I thought I’d see if I couldn’t track down that woman’s name and call her. You know. The one who filed the missing person report on Eva.” Now back in the kitchen I picked up my cell phone and slipped  it into the pocket of my bathrobe.

“Lot’s of luck with that.”

“Oh. shaw. Don’t be so doubtful.” I walked on past him and returned to the porch. He remained in the kitchen, but I heard his heavy sigh when I passed through the doorway. Once back in my chair, I flipped the book open. I found only a few entries for Kapinski, and only one included the name Beverly. She and a man I assumed was her husband were listed as living on Pulaski Road. That sounded reasonable to me, and if it turned out not to be her, it was no biggie. I pulled out my cell phone and punched in the numbers.

A man answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Hi,” I replied. “I was wondering if Beverly were there?”

“Bev,” he yelled.

In short order, a woman came on the line. “Yes?”

“Hi, you don’t know me, and I may have the wrong Beverly Kapinski, but I was wondering if you once knew a woman named Eva Langdon?”

“Eva?” The voice on the other end of the line rose nearly an octave. “Oh, my goodness. I haven’t heard that name in more than thirty years.  Why, yes, of course I knew Eva Do you know what happened? Why she suddenly disappeared?”

“Yes, I have news for you, but it isn’t good, I’m afraid.”

“Somehow, I didn’t think it would be… not after all these years.”

“Her body has been found. It was concealed in an attic in a small town downstate called Hendricksville.”

“Do you know how she died?”

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t. A detective here is working on figuring that out. My young neighbor found the body.”

“That must have been a shock.”

“It was.”

“But what happened? I liked her so well and she just disappeared. It was weird.”

“Yes, well, I don’t really know much. Basically, she grew up here. Didn’t apparently have a lot of friends. Then, after graduating college she went on and earned a law degree. She was apparently murdered shortly before your filed the missing person report. She had come down to attend her brother’s funeral. Did you know about that?”

“No, Eva never said one word. Actually, she almost never talked about her past or family ties. She was a go getter, concerned mostly with her work.”

“Tell me, had she made any enemies maybe through her job? I mean not everyone likes attorneys.”

Beverly chuckled. “They can be a rare breed. But as far as Eva went, I can’t think of anyone who she might have been angry enough to kill her. Sorry, I’d like to be more helpful.”

“That’s okay. This call was a long shot. If her body was found here, I assume she was killed here. I suppose it’s possible someone followed her down from Chicago to kill her, but it seems unlikely. I’d just hoped I might be wrong or that you could offer a possible explanation for her death.”

“Do the police have any suspects?”

“Yes, unfortunately, her nephew. He’s also my son-in-law, so I’m hoping the police are looking at the wrong man.”

“For your sake, I’ll hope that as well. I must tell you, though, I want her killer caught. I want whoever did this to pay for their crime, whether it was your son-in-law or not.”

“You liked her?”

“I did.”

“I’m so glad to hear it. So many people down here didn’t seem to think very highly of her.”

“She was a go getter. You have to be one in legal circles. But underneath all that, she was a special woman.”

“Good, I’ll let my son-in-law know that. He never knew much about his aunt.”

“Either way,” Beverly said, “you’ll let me know the outcome?”

“Yes. I’ll do that. And I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.”

“I’m only too glad to do anything that would help track down that dear woman’s killer.”

***

After disconnecting with Beverly, Andrew pumped me for information, and I had to admit the phone call had provided little darn little of it.

“Then what’s next?” he asked.

“I don’t know what you intend to do, but I’m going to take advantage of this glorious day to get some yardwork done.” I’d been putting my efforts at gardening off for far too long.

I donned gardening gloves and a gardening apron. The thing had flowers printed all over it and three deep pockets. They were crammed full of various tools I’d been told gardeners couldn’t live without. I might not know much about what I doing, but I was as prepared as I knew how to be to wage are on weeds.

The sun shone. Birds chirped. The man who did my mowing had come and performed his magic yesterday, so the grass was nicely trimmed. That left only the flower beds to be put to rights, and I shifted into a woman on a serious mission.

Reaching out to deadhead the first of my fading daisy blooms, I was brought up short when a female voice behind me interrupted me mid-snip. “Are you Hetty Fox?” she demanded.

I turned around to find myself facing a woman who was probably about my age, but  was considerably shorter than I. “Yes.”

“I’m Willa Hillman,” she said.  She had yellow hair, blue eyes, and remarkably smooth skin. “You met with my husband last night for coffee.”

I straightened and tucked the gardening scissors into one of the pockets. “You are correct. I met with Sam.”

“And what did you want with him?”

“Have you tried asking him?”

“You’ve no reason to get smart with me. I don’t want to upset him. That’s all. He has heart problems. It’s my job to protect him.”

I glanced up and down the street and thought about the town’s healthy rumor mill. “Won’t you come inside? I can offer you a tall glass of sweet tea or some coffee?”

“Please understand this,” she replied, stoney faced. “I don’t want a thing from you. All you need to do is tell me what you wanted with Sam.”

“Look, this is getting us nowhere. If you don’t want to come inside, why don’t we sit at my table.” I waved a hand toward the porch. “It’s getting hot out here. It’s shaded up there. We don’t need to stand out in the hot sun.”

She hesitated a moment.

I could see it cost her a lot to yield to me. “Come on. I’ll tell you what I can.”

A short time later, I settled her in a chair and headed for the kitchen. When I returned, I carried a tray with two tall glasses of sweet tea and a small  platter bearing some  peanut butter cookies. I placed a tumbler of tea in front of  Willa. She thanked me, then said, “I want you to know this doesn’t change a thing. I saw you with my Sam, and I want to know what you discussed. He’s my husband. I’m entitled to know where he goes. What he says.”

“We weren’t trying to hide anything.”

She leaned forward. “Listen, I know who you are. You’re related to that tramp.”

“What tramp?”

“Don’t play dumb. That Eva. That mummy.”

I couldn’t believe this woman’s nerve. “Are you referring to the woman who was murdered and left to lie forgotten in an attic all these years?”

“She’s no  victim from where I sit.”

I felt my cheeks grow warm. “No matter what else you might think of her, she is a murder victim. Someone robbed her of her life.”

“And good riddance, too.”

My felt my pulse pound in my ears. “How dare you?’

“That greedy woman wanted my husband. She came here to take him away from me.”

“So you killed her. Is that right?”

She sat upright and glared at me. “I did no such thing. Not that I didn’t want to, but for you information, I didn’t do it.”

“Then why are you here? Why do you need to know what Sam and I talked about? And if you know any part of Eva’s story, you’d better tell it to me now, or I’ll call Detective Oberton and sic him onto your case.”

She shook her head and leaned back in her chair. “I love my husband.”

“So I’ve heard. From where I sit all that does is give you one very grand motive to have killed Eva.”

She issued forth a short bark of laughter. “What do  you know about me and Sam? Did you sit beside him during his bypass surgery? Did you wait up with his children when they were sick? There are things between a husband and a wife that only they know. There are knots so densely tied that they should never be undone.”

I leaned forward. “But we can’t tie the people to us. We can only show them our love and hope it’s enough to hold them.”

“And if someone tries to tear our love apart? What? We can’t do anything about it? Is that what you think?”

“Is that what Eva did? Try to tear your life apart?”

Willa nodded and tears began to fall. “She called Sam when she came down for her brother’s funeral. I knew she would. I kept watch and waited for it to happen. So when the call came,  I listened in on an extension.”

“And they met?”

“Yes. Out in the woods behind the house. After dark, when they thought I was asleep. The met down by a big oak tree. Apparently they used to meet there when they were in high school. But I arrived first. I hid myself. I was waiting for them.” She stared off into the distance, apparently reliving what must have been, for her, an unpleasant memory.

“What happened?”

Her gaze dropped to the floor. “They wrapped their arms tightly about each other. They cried. They kissed each other.”

“And what did  you do?”

“Nothing at first.”

“What did Sam do?”

She choked back a sob. “After they separated, he just stood there, like a deer caught in a headlight, not knowing which way to turn. I’d born his sons for him. I’d washed his socks, and cooked his meals… and he just stood there listening to her.”

Willa batted her tears aside with the back of her hands. I fetched a box of tissues. “And what did Eva do?” I asked when I returned to the table.

Willa grabbed a ragged breath. “She put out her hand. Closed it over his. And she led him… away.”

“He went with her?”

“He did.” Her head drooped and she studied her hands.

“Are telling me that he killed her?”

Her head jerked up. “Of course not. Sam would never kill anyone.”

“But you can’t know that. Nobody can. It also means Sam was probably the last person to see Eva alive.”

“Except for the killer,” Willa said through clenched teeth.

“But he came back to you?”

She moaned tears from her cheeks and nodded. “I don’t know why. But the next morning, there he was, standing in the kitchen, boots on, pretending for all the world as though nothing had happened the night before.”

“There had to be a reason he returned,” I insisted. “He and Eva must have had a falling out. He probably killed her. That’s why he came back to you the next day.”

She shook her head emphatically. “Not my Sam. He’s a gentleman at all times. He’s never so much as raised his voice to me in all these years. And why would he? He had her. She was his for the taking.”