Secrets to Die For, page 10
Stephen grasped her elbow. “I wouldn’t call tonight a trap. You were interested in meeting Dr. Ravensbarger, and Becky is part of his clinic. I thought if you two met, you might change your mind about consulting her. Coming to the opening accomplished both objectives.”
“You’re so efficient.” Still annoyed despite his explanation, Nina pointed to the sign listing the various doctors’ names. Dr. Rebecca Young, Psychiatry, was included, as plain as could be. “Now I see why you hurried me past this sign. You were afraid that if I saw her name, I wouldn’t go in.”
“Okay, maybe I did.” Stephen nodded at the sign and then turned to Nina. “But what do you think of her?”
Nina shrugged. “She seemed nice, but right now, I’m concentrating on learning about Dr. Ravensbarger.”
“Uh huh.” Stephen took her arm again and continued walking along the path. “Ravensbarger and his possible connection to Ellie’s death. Focusing on him allows you to avoid dealing with your own issues.”
“My, my, you’re such a good analyst.” Nina shook her head. “Why don’t I just consult you about my so-called problems?”
They had reached Stephen’s car, parked in the clinic lot. He unlocked the passenger door and helped her inside. “I’ll ignore that remark and ask, where do you want to eat dinner?”
After some discussion, they chose a downtown café and during the meal avoided talking about either the clinic or Dr. Ravensbarger or Dr. Young. Afterward, they walked two blocks to Richmond’s movie theater. Although the film was an amusing comedy, Nina had difficulty concentrating. She feared her stubborn attitude regarding her so-called problem would drive him away. At the thought of losing him, a sinking feeling akin to panic clutched her stomach, and the walls of the theater closed in.
Just when she thought she would have to bolt, offering the excuse for a drink of water or a trip to the ladies’ room, Stephen closed his hand over hers. The gesture brought comfort, and she relaxed against his shoulder.
Still, in her dreams that night, confusion reigned again as disturbing images appeared—the faceless man, who became Stephen, then Dr. Ravensbarger, and then was faceless again.
Ellie, in her yellow slicker, drifted across the dream landscape. “Help me,” she begged. “Help me!”
Nina awoke feeling as though she, not Ellie, had been the one crying for help.
****
Two days later, Ellie Larkin’s memorial was held in Marley’s chapel. The occasion could not be called a funeral, for Ellie’s remains, once the police released them, were cremated and, presumably, claimed by her nephew, Roger Blanton. What he planned to do with the ashes wasn’t made public knowledge. Nina hoped he would find them a respectful, secure resting place.
Bouquets of flowers lined the front of the chapel, their fragrances filling the air. On an easel stood a portrait of Ellie as a young woman, probably in her thirties, Nina guessed. The image was an older version of what she had seen in the school yearbook—an attractive woman with dark, curly hair and deep-set eyes. Certainly the image was far different from the anguished, haunted face which peered from the hood of a yellow slicker the night of her death.
However, the presence of her heir, the mysterious woman to whom she had left her fortune, upstaged Ellie. From the moment Dorleen Longman arrived, accompanied by Roger, a twittering swept over the other attendees.
The two arrived late, after everyone else was seated. Usher Wally escorted them to the reserved front row. Their walk down the aisle gave everyone, including Nina, who sat between Jessica and Stephen, a good look at the stranger.
Dorleen was in her late forties and overweight for her small stature. Her auburn hair looked dyed, but the soft color complemented her tanned complexion. She wore a brown skirt and a brown print blouse, clothing that appeared too lightweight for the Northwest’s winter weather. But, Dorleen had come from Florida, the Sunshine State.
The two turned into the pew, and Nina glimpsed their faces. Although Dorleen’s thin mouth was set in an appropriately solemn line, her chin was thrust forward, and when she glanced at the rows of people behind them, her eyes held a glint of defiance.
Nina expected Roger to wear his usual angry expression. Instead, he appeared calm and accepting, even offering Dorleen a smile as they turned toward each other before settling into their seats.
The organ music faded, and the minister approached the pulpit.
Nina focused on listening to the eulogy. Eloise Cecelia Larkin was seventy-five at the time of her death, the minister told them. She hailed from Dubuque, Iowa and had one older sister, Bernice. Bernice was Roger’s mother and had passed away several years ago. Ellie attended Iowa State College, majoring in Math and History. After graduation, she taught high school for several years.
In the late 1970s, she moved to Seattle to be near her sister. Abandoning teaching, she used her mathematics expertise as an accountant for a large manufacturing firm. After her retirement, she moved to Marley. She liked to do needlepoint and read and play the violin. Until her health failed, she’d been an avid golfer.
“A dedicated volunteer, too,” the minister added. “Ellie spent many hours at the Food Bank, the Fairhaven Shelter for the Homeless, and especially at Children’s Hospital.”
How simply one’s life could be summed up, Nina thought. All the hours, the days, the joys and the sorrows, compressed into so few words.
After the minister finished, Roger stepped to the podium. “I never knew Auntie until she moved to Seattle. We played golf together. I was the one who taught her how. After she won the lottery, she took me on a cruise through the Panama Canal. She was”—his voice cracked—“a wonderful auntie.” He bowed his head. When he straightened and again and looked at the other attendees, his eyes were misty.
“Crocodile tears,” Jessica whispered to Nina.
“Cynic,” she whispered back. Nina couldn’t make up her mind about Roger. On this occasion, his demeanor seemed gentle and his emotion sincere. But, she also knew firsthand he could be rude and belligerent.
After the service concluded, everyone adjourned to a large conference room for the reception. The teenage servers in their green and black uniforms wheeled in carts loaded with sandwiches and cookies, plates and cups. Spotting Kimmie, Nina left Jessica and Stephen and approached the girl. “Did you attend the service, Kimmie?”
The teen placed a tray of egg salad sandwiches on the white cloth-covered table, and then looked at Nina. Her eyes were red-rimmed. “Uh huh. I sat in the back, so I could slip out to get started here.” Her lower lip trembled. “I feel so sad.”
Nina nodded. “I know. We all are sad.” Still, Kimmie appeared to take Ellie’s death exceptionally hard. But, from her work with teens at the library, she knew them to be, at times, overly emotional.
Kimmie set a dish of carrot sticks and cheese dip next to the sandwiches. “Are you still investigating her death?”
“I am.” Nina waited, but Kimmie made no further comment. “Do you have something to tell me about her death?” She kept her tone gentle.
Kimmie shook her head. Her unevenly cut blonde hair flared, and then settled again into jagged layers. “I was just wondering.”
“If you think of anything that might help me, you’ll let me know, won’t you?”
Kimmie lowered her gaze. “S-sure. But right now, I gotta do my job.” Gripping the cart’s handle, she headed toward the kitchen.
Nina stared after the teen. Was she exhibiting a normal reaction to the death of someone she cared about? Or did something else bother her? Maybe her distress was the boy trouble Clara mentioned at dinner last Sunday. Whatever, Nina planned to keep an eye on Kimmie.
She looked around for Jessica and Stephen. Jessica talked to Wally and Lily, while Stephen visited with the minister. Roger and Dorleen stood with two Marley residents. Nina waited until the residents drifted away and then approached the couple. Ellie’s principal heir was someone she definitely wanted to meet.
Chapter Eleven
Roger introduced Dorleen to Nina, adding that she was “the daughter of one of Auntie’s best friends.”
“Pleased to meet you, Nina.” Dorleen offered her hand.
Dorleen’s lips smiled, but her gray eyes held a guarded look. Was she just uncomfortable in a room full of strangers, or was she hiding something? “I understand you’re from Florida.” Nina shook the woman’s hand. “What part?”
Dorleen nodded. “South of Miami.”
“Welcome to Washington. I’m sorry you had to come under such sad circumstances.” Well, maybe not too sad, for Dorleen was now a very wealthy woman. “Is this visit your first to the Northwest?”
“It is.” Dorleen shifted from one foot to the other and gazed toward the buffet table, where a line had formed at the coffee urn.
Her discomfort was to be expected, especially since she was a stranger among people who all knew one another. Still, Nina was determined to pry more conversation from the woman. “How do you like our part of the country so far?”
Dorleen grimaced. “I heard you have a lot of rain, but I didn’t think the weather would be so cold.” She shivered and hugged her arms.
“We prefer rain to snow in the winter. But, hopefully, the weather will clear enough for you to see some of the sights.”
“Oh, no.” Dorleen frowned and shook her head. “I have to go home.”
The finality of her tone put Nina on the alert. “Oh? Do you have family waiting for you?”
“No, but I have a business to run.”
“Dorleen owns a resort.” Roger smiled at his companion.
“Really?” Nina looked to Dorleen, hoping for more information.
“I do.” A grin lighted her face. “Sun and Surf is south of Miami on the way to the Keys. We have snorkeling and scuba—and sunshine.”
“We have scuba diving here in Richmond, near the ferry terminal.” Nina hoped to convince Dorleen to stay. She needed to observe her and decide whether or not she was a suspect in Ellie’s death. “I don’t dive, but those who do say the underwater garden is spectacular.”
“Too bad I won’t have time to visit your site.”
Roger frowned. “I thought you were staying a couple weeks? Didn’t Loren Peabody talk to you about presenting checks to Ellie’s charities?”
“Ellie’s lawyer?” Dorleen’s tan complexion paled. “He did contact me, but I can’t possibly visit the charities. I need to get back to Sun and Surf. My manager quit, and I haven’t yet hired a replacement.”
“Come on, Dorleen.” Roger stuck his hands on his hips. “Children’s Hospital, for one, planned a tea in Auntie’s honor. They want to meet you.”
Dorleen shrugged. “Why can’t you be the representative? I didn’t even know Ellie.”
“You’re her principal heir. You should represent her.” Roger stuck out his chin.
“But I—”
“Director Marshall invited you to stay here at Marley in the visitors’ apartment. Besides, I want to show ya around.” Roger nudged her arm with an elbow. “We got lots of tourist attractions.”
Showing Dorleen around would also give Roger a chance to talk her out of some of her inheritance for his downtown project. Nina saw the dollar signs dancing in Roger’s eyes. She aimed a smile in his direction and then turned to Dorleen. “Extending your visit would give Ellie’s friends time to know you better, too.”
“Nina’s right.” Roger gave Nina a nod. “You can’t run out on us so soon.”
“I really need to go home.” Dorleen’s brow wrinkled.
Roger made a dismissive wave. “All settled. You can move into Marley tonight.”
For once, Nina applauded Roger’s aggressive behavior. Having Dorleen stay at Marley would give Nina a chance to know the woman. Did she really need to return so soon to her resort? Or was she eager to leave Richmond for some other reason?
****
“I saw you talking to the heiress,” Stephen said when Nina joined him a few minutes later. He handed her a paper plate from the buffet table. “The crab salad sandwiches are good.”
Nina selected one of the triangular sandwiches and inhaled the spicy aroma before taking a bite. “Mmm, delicious. Yes, I met Dorleen, and she’ll be in town for a while.” She related details from her conversation with Roger and Dorleen.
“She doesn’t sound happy about staying.” Stephen led Nina along the table.
Nina added a couple stuffed olives to her plate. “She’s anxious to return to her resort in Florida.”
“She just wants to take the money and run, huh?” Stephen grinned.
“Apparently. But Ellie’s lawyer, Loren Peabody, and Roger have different ideas.”
Stephen scooped a serving of potato salad. “Do you think they have ulterior motives?”
“I don’t know Loren well enough to judge. Roger, maybe. He always goes where the money is, and now the money’s with Dorleen.”
“Is she married?”
“She said she doesn’t have family. But even if she did, I doubt that situation would deter Roger…Oh, look, Gran’s signaling us.” She nodded to the chairs on the sidelines where Jessica sat with Wally, Lily, and an older man who was a stranger.
Nina and Stephen made their way across the room to join them.
“This is Joe McGarrity.” Jessica introduced the man. “He knew Ellie and is a friend of Wally’s, too.”
Joe stood and extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Tall and slender, he was neatly dressed in a gray suit, a white shirt, and a maroon tie. He had a pleasant smile and a firm handshake. Nina guessed his age as early seventies. “How did you know Ellie?” she asked, after they were all seated.
Joe sipped his coffee. “I was district manager for Harmon’s department stores where she worked as an accountant. After a couple years, we went our separate ways. I haven’t seen her since.”
Nina sensed the relationship included more than Joe shared but decided to let the matter go. For now.
“Have you all met Dorleen?” Nina’s gaze took in the entire group.
Everyone nodded.
“Not impressed.” Lily wrinkled her nose.
“I thought Dorleen was nice.” Wally brushed a cracker crumb from the sleeve of his pinstripe suit.
“Really?” Lily’s eyebrows peaked.
He patted her hand. “Don’t worry, honey. She doesn’t have anything I want.”
“Huh! She has millions!” Lily sniffed and turned away.
“Anyone after her money will need to get in line.” Jessica nodded toward where Roger, smiling and leaning close, served Dorleen a cup of coffee.
Stephen winked at Nina. “Maybe Roger’s just being a good host.”
“Yeah, right.” Lily rolled her eyes.
Wally finished a bite of sandwich. “I hope everything turns out as Ellie wanted. She carried a torch for Dorleen’s father until the day she died.” He turned to Joe McGarrity. “You know all about that situation, don’t you, Joe?”
Joe frowned and looked down. “Oh, yeah. I know.”
Catching the sadness in Joe’s voice, Nina searched for a way to tactfully pursue the subject of Joe and Ellie’s relationship.
“I have some news.” Jessica waved a forefinger. “Ellie’s lawyer, Loren Peabody, called yesterday. He told me Ellie designated me to take care of her personal belongings, including the contents of her apartment.”
“Really?” Lily leaned forward to stare open-mouthed.
“She left small bequests to her friends—jewelry and such—that I am to distribute. I’m quite honored.” Jessica pressed a hand to her chest.
“I hope I get a memento.” Lily grinned. “Do ya think, Jessica?”
“I haven’t seen the list, but I’m betting you will.” Jessica turned to Nina. “I thought you’d like to help me. We might find some clues.”
“Clues?” Joe’s brow knitted. “Are you with the police, Nina? I thought Jessica said you were a librarian?”
“I am a librarian, but…” Nina searched for words to explain her amateur detecting to this newcomer.
“Nina’s investigating to find out who murdered poor Ellie.” Lily gave a vigorous nod. “She’s very good at detecting. Only last year she helped to solve another crime, right here in Richmond.”
Joe’s gaze traveled around the group. “I thought Ellie’s death was accidental.”
“Accidental is the official word.” Stephen nodded.
Lily stuck out her chin. “Maybe so, but we think she was murdered.”
Joe raised his eyebrows and focused on Nina. “Playing detective is dangerous, don’t you think?”
Nina shrugged. “Maybe. But if Ellie was murdered, I want to see the killer caught and brought to justice.” She leaned closer. “By the way, do you live in the area?”
“I live in Lake City.” Joe named a north Seattle suburb.
Wally sipped his coffee. “You oughta think about moving to Marley, Joe, now that you’re a widower.”
“My wife passed away last year.” Joe addressed Nina and Stephen.
“So sorry.” Nina wrinkled her brow.
“My condolences,” Stephen added.
Joe nodded and pressed his lips together. “Thank you.”
“The food’s good here,” Wally continued, “and we have plenty of pretty gals.” He winked at Lily. “Hey, you still play pool? You usta be quite a shark.”
“I’m a bit rusty these days.” Joe shrugged.
Wally smiled and gestured at Jessica. “Jessica here is our resident champ. We could use some new blood.”
“No kidding? You play pool?” Joe smiled, and he leaned around Wally to address Jessica.
Jessica nodded. “I do, and Wally’s right. We need new players. Beating the same people gets kinda boring.”
“Come for dinner Sunday,” Wally said. “We always play pool afterward.”
“I’ll give dinner a thought.” Joe’s gaze lingered on Jessica.
Nina hoped to ask more questions of the newcomer, but just then, Harriet Hambly joined them. She wore a long denim skirt and matching jacket over a white turtleneck sweater. Nina focused on Harriet’s right hand and the butterfly birthmark, which, now that she knew Harriet’s secret, took on new significance.
