Red Julie (An Olivia Miller Mystery Book 2) (20 page)

“I wish we could see inside,” Olivia said.

Brad yawned. “Not unless you acquire x-ray vision any time soon.” He slid backwards along the deck so that he could lean up against the wall of the house. “You should have taken the key to the house that Hannigan offered you.”

“Why?” Olivia asked.

“I need the bathroom,” Brad replied.

Olivia rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Guess what? So do I.”

“Should we call it a night? It’s 11:30 already. I have to get up at five tomorrow morning. Some of us have to work, you know, Liv,” Brad teased.

Olivia put the cameras back in her bag. “Yeah, let’s go. I don’t even know what I’m expecting to see here.”

“We’ll try again tomorrow night,” Brad told her. “We aren’t giving up after one try.” Olivia watched him put the binoculars into his duffel.

“My butt’s killing me from sitting on that damn wood,” Brad said. He waddled along the deck to the stairs in a crouch position so he couldn’t be seen from the Siderov place. He looked so much like a duck that Olivia started to laugh. She clasped her hand over her mouth to keep the sound from traveling.

“I’m glad I’m entertaining you,” Brad muttered.

Olivia nearly gagged on her stifled laughter. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she followed Brad along the deck in the same crouched stance.

The next night of spying went the same as the first. Brad and Olivia saw nothing of interest. They sat on the third level deck for hours, with Brad complaining that he forgot to bring a cushion to sit on.

“Go get a cushion from the lounge chairs on the patio,” Olivia told him.

“Nah, I might miss something,” Brad said.

“Same routine as last night,” Olivia said. “The maid brings the dog out. The houseman waters the flowerpots on the veranda. Nothing else happens.”

“The florist’s truck didn’t come tonight. That’s different.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t think they need a floral delivery every day,” Olivia said. “I wish I could see inside that house.”

“I heard that last night,” Brad said.

“I want to know what’s going on. Where’s Siderov? Where’s Alexei? Don’t they ever leave that place?”

“Well, there is a way you could probably find out,” Brad said.

Olivia raised an eyebrow. “How could I?”

“Go out with Alexei again. Return his call.”

Olivia groaned, and said, “You do have a point. I might be able to get into the house again if I went out with him. At the very least, I might learn more about their comings and goings. And after a while; who knows, he might even spill something.”

Brad sat up, his face serious. “I was joking.”

“Even so…it might produce results. And you wouldn’t have to sit on the deck anymore.”

“Liv…I don’t want you seeing him. They’re crazy. It could be dangerous,” Brad told her.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe what?” Brad said.

“Maybe I should see him a couple more times.”

“Has he contacted you?” Brad asked.

“A couple days after the gala…he texted me.”

“What did he say?”

“He said something like he needed to speak to me, it was important,” Olivia said.

“Did you respond to him?”

“No.”

“Wouldn’t he wonder why it took you so long to answer him?”

“I could say my phone died. It…it fell in the toilet. That’s why I couldn’t reply.”

Brad made a face. “That’s lame. He wouldn’t fall for it.”

“Then I’ll say I hadn’t been feeling well, but now I’m better and I’d like to meet for coffee.”

“Leave it. It’s a bad idea. Joe would have a fit.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a truck approaching the Siderov place. They turned to see. It was a delivery truck.

“Another flower delivery?” Olivia asked.

The guy got out of the van carrying two medium size packages. He rang at the front door. The maid answered and the man entered the house with the boxes.

“Who delivers so late?” Brad asked.

“The van doesn’t seem to have anything written on it,” Olivia said. “No company name.”

The guy came out of the house and went back and forth to the truck a few more times carrying boxes.

“Maybe they’re getting ready for some event,” Brad offered.

Olivia considered that. “Last night flowers were delivered. Wouldn’t flowers be delivered the same day if there was an event? To keep everything fresh?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Siderov just likes flowers around the place,” Brad said.

“Can you see if the truck says anything?” Olivia asked. They both raised binoculars.

Brad answered, “I don’t see anything written on the side.”

Olivia was craning to see while staying low on the deck. “I don’t see a telephone number or a website or anything written on the van.”

“There isn’t anything,” Brad said, lowering the binoculars. “Why wouldn’t a delivery company display a name and number? Wouldn’t you want to attract business?”

“If you were a legitimate business,” Olivia said.

The guy came out of the house carrying a big box and placed it in the back of the van. Olivia lifted her camera and focused on him. She managed several shots before he climbed in and started the engine. As it drove away, she focused on the van itself, trying to get the license number. She took several photos before it was out of sight.

“Now what?” Brad asked. “Should we stay longer?”

“I guess not. We don’t even know if Alexei and his father are at home.”

“We’ll come back tomorrow night,” Brad said.

Olivia craned her neck. “Look. Two guys just stepped onto the veranda.”

Brad raised his binoculars. “One looks like Siderov.”

“That’s Detective Brown. Talking to Siderov.” Olivia lowered the binoculars. “Why would Detective Brown be there?”

“How’d he get there?” Brad asked. “There isn’t a car in the driveway.”

“I’m going down. I want to get closer.” Olivia put her binoculars on the deck.

“Liv,” Brad said sternly. “No.”

She packed the cameras in her bag. “I need to hear what they’re saying.”

“What will you do? Just walk up to them? There are security cameras all over.”

“Maybe I can hug the tree line. Somehow get around to the other side of the house. Get closer to the far side of the veranda.”

“I’m going with you.”

“No. That won’t work. If I get caught, I can say I came to talk to Alexei. Stay and watch with the binoculars.”

“This is serious,” Brad said. “You think the Siderovs could be connected to trouble. This isn’t something to take lightly. Maybe the events are all unrelated. Maybe it’s just a bunch of coincidences that have no link to each other. But maybe everything
is
linked together and the Siderovs are dangerous people. We just don’t know. You can’t put yourself in danger. Think about Joe. What if something happened to you? How could he cope? And so soon after Aggie.”

“I know. You’re right.” Olivia groaned. “I wish I could hear what they’re talking about.”

“Come on, let’s go home,” Brad said. He and Olivia went down the stairs from the deck and followed the walkway leading back to the driveway and out to the street.

Olivia was in the pharmacy, picking up a few things. As she passed the prescription counter, a man turned around. “Olivia.” Olivia looked up to see Alexei in front of her. She wasn’t happy about it.

“Alexei.”

“How are you?’ he asked. He looked wan and tired.

“Good. I’m good.” Olivia wanted to slink away.

“I’m sorry I upset you at the gala…after showing you the house,” he said, paying the pharmacist and taking his bag. “I wish I could have spent more time with you.” He stayed next to Olivia as she wandered the aisles.

“I know you had to see to your guests,” she said. She took her things to the checkout counter.

“Do you have time for a drink someday?” he asked.

Olivia paid the cashier. She and Alexei stepped out onto the sidewalk.

“I don’t know. I have a lot of work to do.”

“I’d like to talk to you,” Alexei said. He ran his hand over his forehead. The whites of his eyes were bloodshot and his facial features seemed pinched.

“Are you all right?” Olivia asked.

“I’ve had a headache all day,” Alexei answered.

“I was out for a walk along the rocks near your house the other evening,” Olivia lied. “Was that Detective Brown I saw at your house?”

Alexei’s eyes widened. “You were on the rocks?’

Olivia ignored the question. “Detective Brown has been investigating Martin Andersen’s death. Your father knows Brown?”

“Not really.”

Olivia pressed for information. “Do you know why he was there?”

“Something about a license.” Alexei checked his watch. “I know that I’ve gotten off on the wrong foot with you. I’ve been under a lot of pressure…a lot of stress lately. I’d like a chance to start over.”

Olivia didn’t know what to say. Alexei was draining, but she was starting to feel bad for him again.

“Would you meet me for coffee or a drink sometime?” he said. He looked up and down the main street as if he were expecting someone. Beads of sweat showed on his forehead. “I need to chat with you. It’s important.”

“Maybe,” Olivia told him. She wanted to get away from him.

“I’ll give you a call. I need to get going.”

After Alexei had crossed the street, Olivia groaned. Why did Alexei seem so nervous?
Please don’t call me.

“Andrew, dear,” Magdalene called from her office. When he did not respond to her, she heaved herself out of her chair and waddled into the hallway. Andrew had the phone to his ear and raised his index finger to indicate he would be off the phone momentarily. She arrived next to Andrew’s desk just as he disconnected from the call.

“That was my friend in New York. He reaffirms what your colleagues have told you. Initially, Prentiss Property Management was an independent company but it now appears to be a branch of some other corporation. There doesn’t seem to be any recent record of them actually processing any real estate transactions. Their business is mainly property management now. And when my friend called the parent corporation to try to speak with Michael Prentiss, he was told that Mr. Prentiss had passed away.”

Magdalene pursed her lips. “Recently?”

Andrew nodded. “Yes. I looked it up online.” He paused for effect. “It appears to be a homicide.”

“What?”

“Prentiss was found in his townhouse. Shot in the head.”

Magdalene’s eyes widened.

“Perhaps someone was unhappy with him? A client, possibly?” Andrew asked.

Magdalene knew who Andrew was suggesting. Her mind was working. She tapped distractedly on Andrew’s desk, then straightened up.

“Well, enough time spent on Prentiss.” She checked her Rolex for the time. It was almost nine at night. “Andrew, tomorrow morning call the Siderovs for me and…” Her voice trailed off. “Oh, no, never mind. First I need to stop by that new listing I have. Anyway, an unexpected visit to the Siderovs from a neighbor might be the best way to approach them,” she clucked.

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Andrew asked. “Perhaps that is one client who should be avoided.”

“I’m sure Mr. Siderov would enjoy a nice chat,” she said, dismissing Andrew’s concern. “Since he has lost his representative, he may be in need of another one.” She started down the hallway to her office. “Call Olivia Miller for me before you leave tonight, will you, Andrew? Let her know what we discovered about Prentiss. She may find it interesting.”

Olivia sat at the desk in the antique store, staring at her laptop. The sun had gone down and the shop was getting dark. She was trying to figure out Aggie’s online portion of the business and needed to contact customers to explain Aggie’s passing and why their orders had been delayed. She had spent most of the day tracking and organizing the inventory and packing up items for shipment. She had missed dinner and had a massive headache brewing. Flipping screens to check her email, she found a new one from Paula Adams.

Olivia,

The Munich dealer responded and did indeed meet with Martin that week. Martin had photographs of a recent collectible purchase that he made in the States and wanted the dealer to give his opinion about the piece’s authenticity. The dealer said he told Martin that the item was a forgery, an excellent one, but in his opinion it was not authentic from what he could tell from the photos. Give me a call when you can.

Paula

As Olivia reached for her phone, it started to vibrate. She lifted it from her pocket and looked at the phone’s screen to see who was texting her. It was from Rodney Hannigan:
can you meet me at my beach house?

Olivia texted a return message:
whats going on?

found something you need to see it’s important i need to leave soon can you come now?
Hannigan responded.

Olivia answered:
i’m at the store
be there in a few minutes

Hannigan’s discovery and its urgency started Olivia’s heart beating hard against her chest.
What could he have found? Will it answer our questions? Will the police be able to use it?
Olivia put her phone on the desk, shut down her laptop and shoved it into her backpack. She closed the store windows, grabbed her keys, flung her backpack over her shoulder, and locked the door of the shop. She hurried down the sidewalk.

On the desk inside the shop, her cell phone rang with the incoming call from Andrew.

Andersen’s driveway was illuminated by lights strategically placed above the garages. There was no car parked in view. The house looked dark from the street side, so Olivia stepped along the walkway that she and Brad had used to reach the decks. There were lights on in the big room off the lower level deck.

Olivia climbed the stairs and knocked on the glass door.

“Come in,” a man’s voice called. “It’s open.”

Olivia put her hand on the knob and turned it. As she stepped into the room, the hairs on her arms stood up and a fleeting sensation of alarm shot through her body, but she dismissed the feelings as anticipation of what Hannigan had to show her. She stepped into the living room and closed the door.