Secrets to Die For, page 6
“No. We’re just hashing over old stuff. How’s your investigation coming, Nina?”
Lily’s magnified eyes studied Nina. Oh, oh, Lily had put her on the spot.
“We heard you’re on the case.” Sue sliced a piece of chicken and popped it into her mouth.
Clara leaned toward Nina. “Jessica said you looked over the scene at the lake just now.”
Harriet sipped her water. “Find anything?”
Avoiding their intent gazes, Nina buttered her roll. “Nothing we could relate to Ellie.” True enough. “Right, Stephen?” She looked to him sitting on her right, for confirmation.
Stephen cleared his throat. “Ah, no, nothing we could say belonged to Ellie.”
A teenaged server carrying a water pitcher approached. Her short blonde hair was cut at different lengths, and she wore the green skirt and white blouse uniform of all the Marley servers, most of whom attended Westwood High, a private school nearby. Although Nina didn’t know the girl personally, she had seen her working in the dining room. She always had a smile and a friendly greeting, but tonight, her eyes were red-rimmed, as though she’d been crying.
Sue wrinkled her forehead as she looked up at the girl. “Kimmie, dear, what’s wrong?”
Kimmie swiped her eyes with the back of her free hand. “Oh, I feel so sad about Miss Larkin.”
“We all do.” Clara nodded. “You were Ellie’s special friend, too, weren’t you?”
“She was so nice to me.” Kimmie’s lips wobbled into a smile. “She always asked how I was doing in school and did I need help with my homework, especially math, because she was an accountant and that subject was her specialty.”
“Don’t you worry, honey,” Lily said, “because our Nina here will find out who killed Ellie.” She gestured toward Nina.
Nina wasn’t sure she appreciated Lily’s blatant expectation of her sleuthing skill, but perhaps Kimmie did know something she could add to her suspect list.
A frown replaced the teen’s smile. “I thought her death was an accident.” She glanced around the table.
“Some of us think differently.” Jessica picked up her glass and sipped her water.
“Will the police be back, then?”
Nina had been studying Kimmie and now saw something akin to fear shining in the girl’s brown eyes. Also, her voice had raised a notch. Perhaps she did know something about Ellie’s death.
“Depends on what their verdict is.” Wally sliced a bite of his prime rib.
Kimmie pushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, and the charm bracelet on her arm jingled.
“Oh, what a lovely bracelet.” Sue pointed toward Kimmie’s arm.
“Didn’t Ellie give you the bracelet?” Harriet peered around Lily and Wally to stare at the jewelry.
Setting the pitcher on the table, Kimmie fingered the bracelet’s silver charms. “Yes, she did. I really love it. I love all kinds of jewelry.”
“So did Ellie.” Sue nodded. "She had boxes of bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, every piece of jewelry you could imagine.”
Nina mentally filed away that bit of knowledge.
“I’d better get to work.” Kimmie picked up the water pitcher and refilled everyone’s glass. “Can I get you anything else to drink?”
“Yes, dear, bring me some tea.” Clara turned over her empty cup and set it on the saucer. “And not that herbal stuff. I want caffeine. I need to stay awake. My brother’s visiting tonight and he’s boring. All he talks about is his job.” She wrinkled her long nose.
“I’ll have milk.” Sue held up a hand. “But no glass, just the carton. I want to take it with me.”
“Apple juice,” Lily requested. “In a small glass, like those we get orange juice in at breakfast.”
“Do you have any cranapple?” Harriet asked. “The brand has to be Delmonica. I once did a commercial for them, you know. Wouldn’t drink any other kind.”
The rest opted for coffee, which made Kimmie’s job a little easier. Still, Nina hoped the girl had a good memory for all the group’s particular requests.
As soon as Kimmie was out of earshot, Clara leaned forward and looked around the group. “She might be sad about Ellie, but something else bothers her, too.”
“What?” Jessica wrinkled her brow.
While Nina ate her chicken, which tasted delicious, she joined the others in focusing on Clara. She had always liked Kimmie, and now, after learning of her special relationship with Ellie, she especially wanted to know more about the teen.
“Boyfriend trouble.” Clara raised her eyebrows.
“How do you know?” Harriet picked up her water glass.
Nina caught a glimpse of a butterfly-shaped birthmark on Harriet’s right hand.
“Because when I was out walking the other night, I saw her get into a car. After she was off work, you know.” Clara took a bite of her prime rib, chewed, and swallowed. Several seconds elapsed while she methodically sliced another piece of meat.
Harriet leaned forward. “Come on, Clara, don’t leave us hanging.”
“She and the driver were arguing.” Clara kept her gaze focused on her plate.
“How could you tell they were arguing if you just saw her get into the car?” Jessica asked.
“Because when they drove by, the window was open, and I heard them.”
“Did you hear what they said?” Nina hoped to hurry along the narrative and perhaps learn something of importance.
Clara shook her head, setting her bobbed hair swinging. “Just angry voices.”
“How do you know her boyfriend was in the car?” Harriet sat back and folded her arms.
“The voice I heard was male.” Clara cast Harriet a frown. “Besides, I heard her talking once to one of the other teenage servers about her boyfriend. She didn’t mention his name, though.”
Sue heaved a sigh. “I remember those days. My beau used to pick me up after church—with my father's permission, of course. But we never argued. Oh my, no.” She fluttered her fingertips against her lips.
“My father hated every one of my boyfriends.” Lily pursed her lips. “He chased them all away. Except George, and he lasted only because we ran off and got married.”
“I never knew you had such a bad time growing up.” Wally patted Lily’s arm.
Lily’s frown turned into a smile. “Oh, my father would’ve liked you, hon. He’d call you ‘one of the good guys.’”
As the conversation wandered farther afield, Nina mentally filed away the information about Kimmie. The boyfriend issue definitely warranted looking into.
Kimmie returned with the drinks, which interrupted the discussion. Talk resumed, with Nina still thinking about Ellie. Then Harriet’s deep voice broke into her thoughts.
“How do you like the beans?” Harriet pointed to her plate where a spoonful of string beans swam in a reddish sauce.
“I didn’t eat any.” Sue wrinkled her nose. “Beans aren’t my favorite.”
“I did.” Clara speared a bean with her fork and popped it into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed.
“So?” Harriet gazed at Clara.
Clara sucked in her cheeks and shook her head. “Too sour.”
“Too sour?” Harriet’s mouth turned down. “The recipe is mine. I made the dish on my TV show. No one ever said the beans were too sour then.”
“Oh, I beg your pardon.” Clara widened her eyes. “I should know better than to comment when you ask how we like something on the menu. I forget you’re asking because you had something to do with preparing the dish.”
Nina followed the exchange with interest, noting Harriet’s need for praise. Why was she so insecure?
“Did you cook the beans, Harriet?” Stephen asked. “Which, by the way, I found very tasty.”
Harriet’s mouth turned up as quickly as it had turned down.
Nina hid a smile.
“I didn’t cook them, but I supervised. I often do when the cook uses one of my recipes.”
“I understand you’re planning the menu for Ellie’s memorial service.” Nina scooped the last of her brown rice onto her fork.
Harriet straightened her shoulders. “Oh, yes. Would you like to hear what we’re having? All Ellie’s favorites.”
“Lily and I will wait and be surprised.” Wally pushed back his chair. “We need to be excused. We have a dog to walk.”
“Wally’s taking care of Nigel.” Jessica looked around the group.
“I wondered what happened to him.” Nina took another bite of her tossed salad.
Lily folded her napkin and placed it beside her empty plate. “He’s such a cute little fella and well trained, too.”
“Too bad he can’t talk.” Sue wrinkled her forehead. “Then he could tell us what happened to Ellie.”
Wally stood and strode to the residents’ walkers, lined up against the wall like a row of taxicabs waiting for their riders. He selected Lily’s, with its bright pink basket, brought the walker to the table, and positioned it so that she could readily grasp the handles.
Everyone waved and exchanged “good-byes” and “see you later.”
When the couple was out of earshot, Sue smiled and sighed. “He is so good to her.”
Clara sniffed. “Usually, the man is the one who has to be taken care of. My niece warned me when I moved here.”
Several seconds elapsed with no more on the subject forthcoming from Clara.
Harriet folded her arms. “What exactly did your niece warn you of, Clara?”
Clara finished a bite of her cherry pie. “‘Don’t get involved with a man,’ she said. ‘Not at your age. If he’s not already ailing, he soon will be, and he’ll expect you to take care of him.’”
Sue nodded. “My friend Emella nursed four men. They kept dyin’ on her.”
“What does Wally want from Lily?” Clara snickered behind her hand. “Can’t be what men usually want when they’re younger.”
“Some older ones are still kicking.” Sue pressed her lips together.
Clara wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t know about that subject.”
Since a man still was present, Nina expected the women to be more circumspect in their conversation. She glanced at Stephen and saw he followed the talk with a smile rather than a frown.
Catching her gaze, he winked.
Nina gave a slight nod to indicate she appreciated his understanding and indulgence.
“I’m glad Lily has such a good friend in Wally.”
Jessica’s comment brought Nina’s attention back to the discussion.
“I agree.” Clara sipped her tea. “Especially since her only son is such a bum. He wants to be a rock star and comes around only when he wants money.”
“He sounds like Ellie’s nephew, Roger.” Sue touched a napkin to her lips. “I have a couple kids who always need money, too.” She turned to Harriet. “You’re the smart one, Harriet. You chose a career over raising a family.”
Harriet nodded. “My career was my whole life.”
“Your career still is,” Clara muttered.
“You’re right about that, Clara.” Harriet scooped up a forkful of her beans, chewed, and swallowed. “De-li-cious,” she announced, and took another bite.
Nina found Harriet’s preoccupation with her now-defunct career interesting. Why was living on her past glory so important? Did her friendship with Ellie enter in? If so, how?
****
After dinner, Nina, Stephen, and Jessica followed their established habit of playing pool in the downstairs recreation room. In addition to several pool tables, the facility offered space for card and board games, as well as jigsaw puzzles. In one corner, comfortable chairs and sofas stood grouped around a large-screen TV. In another, a mini kitchen allowed for food and drink preparation.
Games at two of the pool tables were already underway. The click of balls blended in with the cheers from a football game on the TV and the laughter from a group enjoying a board game. The aromas of coffee and popcorn floated along the airwaves.
Nina, Stephen, and Jessica claimed the third pool table. For the next hour, Nina concentrated on the game, always hoping to beat her grandmother, who was an expert. Stephen was a skilled player, too, and so the competition was tough. In the end, he won one game, while Jessica claimed two.
“Someday, maybe you’ll teach us your strategy.” Stephen teased Jessica as they left the recreation room and climbed the stairs to the first floor.
“Don’t count on any help from her, Stephen.” Nina shook her head and grasped the railing. “She won't even tell me how she learned to be such a good player in the first place.”
“One of my deep, dark secrets.” Jessica laughed.
They reached the first floor and stepped into the reception area. The air rang with good-byes, as residents accompanied their guests to the front door. At the desk, Hilda chatted with a couple visitors. The nearby snack bar was busy, too, with those who had chosen a lighter meal over the buffet or who wanted another cup of coffee before ending the evening.
Stephen turned to Jessica. “Can we see you to your apartment?”
Jessica smiled and patted his shoulder. “No, thank you. I’ll be fine. You two run along.”
Nina gave her grandmother a hug. “Are you sure? You’re welcome to stay with me if you feel uncomfortable here.”
Jessica returned Nina’s hug then stepped back and raised both hands. “Oh, heavens no. I’m not that scared. But thanks for the offer. You two enjoy the rest of your evening. I’ll talk to you later.”
Soon, Nina was in Stephen’s car and on the way to her condo. She settled back in her seat, clasping her hands in her lap. “I wish I could find out what the police have decided about Ellie.”
“Maybe they’ll announce the cause of death soon.” Stephen braked for a traffic light.
“Even so, I’d like to know more…. Do you still have a special contact at the station?” She glanced at his profile clearly outlined in the streetlight beaming through the windshield.
“I do. But my inquiries might get back to Pete Russell.”
She didn’t want to deal with him again. “From your source? Why would he tell?”
“She.”
Nina straightened. “Your source is a woman? Who?”
He gave her a solemn look. “You know I can’t tell you, Nina.” The light changed in their favor, and he pressed the accelerator, sending them through the intersection.
Nina turned to look out her window. The streetlights reflected in wavy lines on the wet pavement. A car full of teenagers passed them, the booming bass of their radio echoing into the night. Stephen’s contact was a woman. Nina pressed a hand to her tensed stomach. What was their relationship? Was she old? Young? Pretty? Plain? Did they have coffee together? Lunch? What? “Will you, ah, be seeing her soon?” She hoped her voice sounded casual but, given her tight throat, couldn’t be sure.
“Nina, stop fishing.” He cast her a glance. “Oh, I get it. You’re wondering if anything personal exists between her and me. Why would there be when I’m busy pursuing my relationship with you?”
“I don’t know. Are you busy pursuing me?”
He slapped the steering wheel. “You see, Nina, our problem…part of it, anyway, is that you don’t trust me. A solid relationship must be built on trust.”
“You could reassure me.” Lest she sound needy, Nina made her tone firm.
“I have tried in similar situations, but my reassurance hasn’t done any good, which is why I want you to see Dr. Young.”
Nina sighed. Well, she’d known the subject of Dr. Young would come up again, and tonight she provided the perfect opportunity. She folded her arms. “Never mind. I can investigate without information from your source.”
Stephen slowed to turn a corner. “I haven’t said I wouldn't ask. I only said my query might get back to Russell.”
“How?” Was the person under Russell’s supervision?
“Not because my source would tell. But if she has to dig, someone might get suspicious. Still, I’ll see what I can do.”
“I don’t want to get anyone into trouble.” Now she was sorry she’d asked for the favor.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle the situation. But I sense you’re withdrawing.” He gripped the wheel.
“No, I’m not.” Liar.
“Yes, you are. I feel your distress.”
Her stomach churning, she again gazed out the window. “Please, let’s not argue anymore.”
“I don’t want to argue, either.”
His voice had softened. But no conversation, either hostile or friendly, was forthcoming, and they rode the rest of the way to Nina’s condo in silence. She hated to end with dissention what had been a pleasant evening, but neither would she change her mind about not seeing Dr. Young. Would she and Stephen ever solve their dilemma?
****
Later, Nina lay in bed beside Stephen, unable to sleep. Last night she’d felt loved and protected. Tonight, a deep, dark chasm separated them. Did he feel their separation, too?
She finally fell asleep, but the image followed her into her dreams. She stood on the edge of an abyss, conscious of Stephen behind her. Then, without warning, another man appeared and ran toward her. She peered into the darkness to learn his identity, but he had no facial features. He came nearer and nearer. Her heart pounding, she turned and ran, forgetting that behind her was the cliff. She tumbled off the edge and spiraled down, down into the chasm. Her screams echoed off the surrounding walls.
Arms clutched her.
The faceless man? Her throat constricted. A light blinked on. She opened her eyes and squinted at the sudden brightness. No, the man who held her was Stephen.
“What’s the matter, Nina?” His eyes were wide, his voice hoarse.
Gradually, Nina’s senses returned her to reality. She leaned against him, grateful for his strength. “Sorry I woke you. I—I’m okay now.”
“You were having one of those nightmares, weren’t you?”
She pressed a hand to her forehead. “I don’t know. I don’t remember.” She wouldn’t admit he was right. Her nightmares were one of the reasons he thought she should see Dr. Young “I’m all right.”
