Secrets to Die For, page 23
“This is for you, from Ellie.” Nina held out the wrapped book.
Harriet stepped back and tilted her head. “Jessica already gave me the necklace from Ellie.”
“I don’t know what this is. The package was wrapped and addressed to you. We found it when we sorted through the last of her belongings.” Nina held her breath, hoping Harriet would not detect her lie.
Harriet took the package and tore off the wrapping. “I can't imagine…” Her eyes widened. “Omigosh. Ellie’s old school annual.” Then she sobered and looked at Nina. “I suppose you’re wondering why she wanted me to have this book.”
Nina shrugged and kept her expression neutral. “So you would have something besides the necklace?”
Harriet’s lips settled into a smile. “Yes, another memento. Thanks, Nina.”
Relieved to have resolved that problem, Nina left Harriet’s apartment and went downstairs to the kitchen. She had just finished talking to the chef about the refreshments when Kimmie arrived.
A lanky, teenaged boy accompanied her.
“Hello, Kimmie.” Nina turned to her companion. “You must be Davey.”
“Uh, yeah. But—” The boy’s brow wrinkled, and he looked at Kimmie.
“This is Miss Foster, Davey.” With a smile, Kimmie gestured toward Nina. “She’s the librarian at Seaview.”
“Oh, right.” Davey’s lips broke into a grin. “Pleased to meetcha.” He extended a hand.
As she accepted his handshake, Nina studied him. His blond hair showed dark brown roots, and his left ear sported a gold stud earring. He wore a navy blue parka over a white T-shirt, baggy black pants, and scuffed athletic shoes. His pleasant, youthful face was not the fierce or sullen countenance she associated with a criminal. “I’m glad to meet you, too, Davey. For a long time, you were our mystery man.”
He shrugged. “Sorry, Ms. Foster, but I had to find the guy that beat up that woman.”
“Davey did find him.” Kimmie beamed and patted his shoulder.
“So I understand.” Nina kept her gaze on Davey. “But I wouldn’t mind hearing the story from you.”
Davey looked toward Kimmie and raised his eyebrows.
Kimmie nodded. “Miss Foster’s a friend.”
Nina gestured toward the door. “Let’s find a place to sit.” She led the way to the reception area. When they settled into chairs tucked in a corner, she turned to Davey. “You said you found the man. What happened then?”
Davey nodded. “He was arrested on another charge and finally confessed to more crimes, including the one I was accused of.”
“I’m glad the matter is straightened out. I also heard you talked to the police about seeing Cora Wilson in the boathouse the night Ellie died.” The pieces of the puzzle came together, just as she’d predicted.
Davey leaned forward and clasped his hands. “I was in the rowboat waiting for Kimmie when someone came in wearing a long coat with a hood. I knew it wasn’t Kimmie, a course, so I ducked down and kept quiet. When I looked again, I saw the person peel off the coat. It was a woman, and she wore a wet suit.”
Nina leaned forward. “You’re sure the woman was Cora?”
“Oh, yeah. I got a clear view of her face from the light outside the window. I already picked her out of a lineup.”
Nina shifted her broken arm to a more comfortable position on her lap. “What happened then?”
He shrugged. “She stuffed her coat in a plastic bag and left.”
“What did you do?”
“I got the hell, er, I left, too. I figured if she came back, she might discover me ’n Kimmie. I came up here to the kitchen. Chef let me wait for Kimmie in his office.”
“Weren’t you curious about what the person might be up to?”
“Well, yeah.” He waved a hand. “But, hey, I had my own problems.”
Nina nodded. “So, you didn’t actually see Cora attack Ellie?”
Davey ran his fingers through his hair. “No, I didn’t.”
“What you did see at least puts Cora at the scene.” Too bad, though, that he hadn’t witnessed the crime.
Kimmie frowned. “Cora drowned Ellie? Then what did she do?”
Nina sat back and folded her arms, resting her cast on top. “I think she took a boat from underneath the dock and rowed across the lake. She set the boat adrift and escaped into the woods. A drifting boat was found the day Ellie’s body was discovered, but no one thought the two events might be connected.”
“I hope she goes to prison.” Kimmie twisted her fingers together. “I miss Ellie really bad.”
Nina pointed toward Kimmie’s wrist. “I see you’re wearing the jewelry she gave you. I’m glad you have something to remember her by.”
Kimmie held up an arm with the bee bracelet and then pushed back her shaggy hair to reveal the matching bee earrings. “Me, too. Thanks again for giving me the earring I lost, Ms. Foster.”
“I didn’t see any reason the police needed the jewelry.” She turned again to Davey. “Are you with your parents now?”
“Naw, I’m in a foster home. Me ’n my parents don’t get along. But I’m going back to school as soon as possible, and I’m hoping to get a job here, like Kimmie.” He turned to her and smiled.
“Great.” Nina nodded. “I look forward to seeing you both in the dining room when I come for dinner.”
Nina watched them leave and then returned to the library. Her talk with Kimmie and Davey answered her questions about Davey’s involvement. His testimony at Cora’s trial would place her at the scene of the crime. Other evidence was recovered, too, now the police finally launched an investigation. Stephen learned from his source that they found traces of blood soaked into the wood around a nail underneath the dock. More spots were found in the drifting rowboat. The DNA matched that of Cora Wilson. Apparently, she cut herself on the nail when untying the rowboat to use for her getaway.
The bit of rubber Nina found in the lake proved to be from Cora’s facemask. Nina’s testimony would reveal what Cora said during their struggle. Surely, all the evidence would be enough to convict her of Ellie’s murder. Whether or not she would be implicated in Roger’s death remained to be seen.
Cora’s arrest created new interest in the accident she and Dorleen had in Tennessee, and the case was reopened. Hopefully, the investigation would lead to the truth about Dorleen Longman’s death.
When Nina reached the library, she saw the party was underway. Jessica poured tea at one end of the refreshment table while Selma served coffee at the other. Mabel and Lily presided over the punch bowl. Wally had Nigel in tow. Both wore red bow ties. Nigel accepted pats on the head and tidbits from the buffet.
Nina circulated the room, explaining the arrangement of the books and the computer catalog and checkout system. She spotted Lorna hobbling along on her cane and approached her. “Lorna, nice to see you. You must be feeling better.”
Lorna nodded. “I am. But I feel terrible about what happened to you.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine now. Well, except for my arm.” She fingered the sling holding her cast.
“You told me not to tell anyone about your plans that night, but I might have slipped and the information was passed on to Dorleen. I mean, what’s-her-name.” She ducked her head.
Nina patted her shoulder. “Her name is Cora Wilson. But, don’t worry. Everything turned out just fine…By the way, are you still seeing Dr. Ravensbarger?”
Lorna pursed her lips, creating a new set of wrinkles. “Not on your life. I’m fed up with him. I told my granddaughter about all his tests, and she said I ought to report him, because he might cheat Medicare.”
Hearing Lorna ended her association with the doctor relieved Nina. “Ellie’s records indicated he gave her a lot of tests, too. I’ve already reported the information.”
“You have? Well, then, I will, too.”
“If you learn he does the same with any of your friends, encourage them to file a complaint. Let’s give investigators as much evidence as possible.”
“Good idea.” Lorna’s eyes sparkled.
Nina accompanied Lorna to the buffet table, turning her over to Mabel and Lily. She continued greeting the guests, listening to their comments and answering questions. Then she spotted Stephen, who just arrived. They were spending the weekend together, as usual, but parted this morning while he stopped at the newspaper office and she came to Marley.
Catching her eye, he smiled and strode across the room.
He looked as handsome as ever in his navy slacks and light blue sports shirt, with the ever-present notebook and pen tucked in the breast pocket. Nina’s heartbeat quickened.
When he reached her side, he put an arm around her shoulder. “How’s the party?”
“Great. Everyone’s impressed with the new library and having a good time.”
“I see Joe is here.”
Nina followed his nod to the buffet table where Joe and Wally sampled the hors d’oeuvres. “Joe helped set up the folding tables yesterday. He plans to move in.”
Stephen’s eyes widened. “With Jessica?”
Nina laughed. “No, not yet, anyway. He’ll take over Harriet’s apartment.”
His eyebrows peaked. “How do you feel about his living here?”
“I’m glad for Gran, and for them both. I hope they’ll be happy together.”
“Me, too.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze.
“Oh, I see Director Marshall. He asked to say a few words today.” Nina waved to Will Marshall, a distinguished-looking man in his fifties, dressed in a gray suit and a red tie. She introduced him to Stephen and then, after calling everyone to attention, presented him to the others.
Will gave a short speech, thanking Nina and the committee for all their hard work. “I also have a surprise announcement.” A smile lit his face. “Ellie left a generous bequest to Marley, to be used at our discretion. I’m sure she would want at least some of the money to be spent here.” He gestured toward the surroundings. “The board of directors and I have granted the library a yearly stipend, to be used however you so desire.”
Everyone clapped and cheered.
When the director finished speaking, Joe McGarrity stepped forward. “I have something to thank Ellie for, too. If not for her, I wouldn’t have met all of you, including a very special lady.” He turned toward Jessica and raised his punch glass. “Here’s to Ellie. May she rest in peace.”
“To Ellie!” chorused the crowd.
Stephen settled an arm around Nina’s waist, drew her close, and whispered in her ear, “I’ll add, here’s to us.”
“Yes, to us.” Nina leaned her head against his shoulder, filled with love for this wonderful man who added so much to her life. Although the future still held challenges, today’s happiness was all that mattered, and she vowed to enjoy each moment.
A word about the author…
A resident of the Pacific Northwest, Linda Hope Lee writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and mystery novels. She also enjoys watercolor painting, photography, collecting children’s books and anything to do with wire-haired fox terriers.
Other Titles by the Author
Dark Memories
Finding Sara
Loving Rose
Marrying Molly
Murder Between the Pages, a Nina Foster Mystery
Under Gemini
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Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
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Linda Hope Lee, Secrets to Die For
