Berried Grievances, page 20
“I don’t know. I know they suspect her of murdering that man from the carnival. I still can’t believe he was Sherry’s ex-husband.”
“Did Ray know that Sherry had been married before?” Monica said.
Kelly tilted her head to one side. “I’m not sure. Certainly, neither of them ever talked about it.” She frowned. “Do you suppose Ray didn’t know and that’s why she killed Chuck? To keep him quiet?”
“That sounds like a good motive to me.” Greg took a sip of his wine. “But why would Sherry kill Violet?”
“I don’t know. To hasten the inheritance? But I know the police are still investigating. They were at the inn interviewing Ray when I left.”
Monica decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“I gather your Aunt Violet had a lovely home. Edith was telling me about the gardens.”
“Oh, yes. Very lovely. Uncle Sebastian had inherited quite a lot of money. He had the gardens designed especially for my aunt.”
Monica dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “How did they meet?”
Kelly furrowed her brow. “I don’t know. I don’t think anyone’s ever said. I did hear that it was a whirlwind romance and everyone was quite surprised when the couple eloped.”
“I’m surprised Violet didn’t want a big wedding with her sister as her maid of honor.”
Kelly shook her head. “Poor Aunt Beatrice was still in a coma, and by the time she came out of it, Violet and Sebastian were already married.” Kelly finished the last of her steak and pushed the plate away. “Not long afterward, Aunt Beatrice met Uncle William. He was studying to be an engineer. They didn’t have much money but she always said those were the best days.”
“Did Beatrice and Violet get along?” Monica said to Kelly as Greg dished out ice cream.
Kelly frowned. “More or less. I don’t think they fought—at least I never heard them rowing.”
“How about when they were younger? Were they close growing up?”
Kelly spooned up some of her ice cream. “I think so. They often talked about the things they used to do together. I know they both loved ice skating until Aunt Beatrice had that accident. They’d both won awards in some local competitions.”
“This is rather delicate and I don’t want to upset you . . .”
Kelly titled her head. “What is that?”
“I met a woman who lived in the house that at the time was next to that pond where they used to skate. She had happened to look out her window just when Beatrice fell through the ice and she remembered that Violet did nothing to try to save her or even to go for help.”
Kelly put a hand to her chest. “That’s awful. I had no idea. I do know Aunt Beatrice was in a coma for several months afterward.”
“Can you think of any reason why Violet might have wanted Beatrice dead?”
Kelly gasped. “No. Not at all.”
Chapter 25
Monica was sitting on the patio with her feet up Monday afternoon when Gina pulled into the driveway.
“Is it hot enough for you?” she said as she approached. She fanned her face with her hand, her bright red nails flashing in the sun.
She was wearing a pair of short shorts more appropriate for a preteen, a halter top, and was balancing on wedge sandals with ribbons that wound around her legs like those on a ballet dancer’s pointe shoes.
“I could do with a drink.” She put out a hand. “No, no, don’t get up. I can help myself. I assume the bottle of whiskey is still in the same cabinet?”
Monica laughed. “Yes. Be sure to blow the dust off it.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“There’s some orange juice in a pitcher in the refrigerator.”
Gina headed inside and Monica closed her eyes, relishing the warmth of the sun on her face.
“Here we go.” Gina returned several minutes later with a glass of juice for Monica and a rather full glass of whiskey on ice for herself.
Monica eyed it suspiciously. “You must be having a bad day.”
Gina rolled her eyes and held up her glass. “It’s medicinal. I cracked a tooth and I think it’s becoming abscessed. And of course the dentist can’t see me until tomorrow.”
Monica knew how painful dental problems could be. “I hope it helps.”
Gina leaned back in her chair and stretched out her legs. “I saw they arrested someone in the murder of that carnival worker. The carnival still hasn’t moved on even though it’s closed. Mickey heard they are waiting for the owner to send out a new manager to take care of things.”
Gina took a gulp of her drink and began to sputter and cough.
“Take it easy.”
“Is there anything new on that case involving your friend Kelly’s aunt?” Gina said when she caught her breath.
“Not that I know of,” Monica said vaguely.
Gina leveled a glance at her. “Come on. I know you’ve been up to your usual investigating.”
Monica felt her face grow warm and it wasn’t from the sun.
“I’m not investigating,” she said, trying to sound as indignant as possible.
Gina raised an eyebrow. “Okay, fine. Let’s say you have your ear to the ground. Have you heard any rumors? Do they know who poisoned that old lady?”
“Not yet. At least not that I know of. The case is becoming more complicated by the minute. It turns out that Violet—she’s the woman who died—tried to kill her sister when they were younger. Or, at least it looks that way.”
“Really? What did she do?” Gina sat up straighter and leaned closer. “This is getting really juicy.”
“They were skating on that pond by our new house.” Monica’s voice caught in her throat. “Beatrice fell in and Violet did nothing to try to save her. She waited a long time before finally going for help.” Monica ran her finger down the condensation on her glass. “They were both young, in their early twenties at the most. What on earth would make Violet want to kill her sister?”
Gina’s eyes lit up. “There could be lots of reasons. Jealousy. Anger. Or perhaps her sister had something Violet wanted.”
“I suppose any of those could have been the motive.” Monica put her glass down. “A passerby pulled Beatrice from the pond and saved her life. But the odd thing is, his body—or his bones at any rate—were found hidden in the woods by the pond. There’s no proof that he’s the man who rescued Beatrice but it seems like too much of a coincidence that the day of Beatrice’s accident was the day that man’s wife said he went missing.”
Gina’s eyes widened. “This is better than Law and Order! Do they think the man was murdered?”
“It’s a good guess. His skull was fractured.”
“But that would mean that—”
“Violet killed him,” Monica finished.
“But why?”
Monica bit her lip. “He was a witness perhaps. Maybe Violet shoved Beatrice toward the spot where the ice was cracking and he saw it. Or he saw Violet doing nothing to save her sister—she didn’t try to pull her out of the water, nor did she immediately run to get help. She stood and watched as her sister struggled.”
Gina yawned. She appeared to be getting bored with the conversation and began to tell Monica about her latest furniture purchase for her new house but Monica was only half listening.
She was quite sure she knew how Violet had killed James Belinski. But she still didn’t know why Violet had wanted her sister dead in the first place.
Monica’s cell phone buzzed as Gina was leaving and she retrieved it from the kitchen table, where it was vibrating furiously.
“Hello?”
“Detective Stevens,” Stevens said economically. Monica thought she sounded weary. “I talked to the pathologist and asked him if those ridges in Belinski’s skull could have been caused by the toe of an ice skate. He said it was quite possible but he’d like to take a look at the skate before coming to any firm conclusions. I swear that man wouldn’t believe you if you said it was morning unless he looked out the window and saw the sun himself.”
“So, Violet most likely did hit Belinski on the head with her ice skate. I think she stuffed it with a rock and then threw it in the pond. Afterward, she told her mother she’d lost it.”
“Hold on,” Stevens said. “Are you talking about Violet Cargill?”
“Yes. It happened in nineteen fifty-eight. Violet and her sister Beatrice were skating on that pond when the ice cracked and Beatrice fell in. Violet didn’t try to save her. She must have been very disappointed when James Belinski happened to be out walking. He saw what had happened and pulled Beatrice out of the water. He must have noticed Violet standing there watching her sister struggle and yet not doing anything to help her. She must have decided she’d better make sure he wasn’t going to tell anyone. Is there such a thing as murder by omission? Could Violet have been charged for not doing anything?”
“I don’t know,” Stevens said. “Either way, it wouldn’t have looked good and would probably have caused a scandal at the very least.”
“Poor Beatrice was in a coma for months afterward, and when she came out of it, she didn’t remember a thing so Violet’s secret was safe.”
Stevens whistled. “That’s some story. And now someone has killed Violet Cargill. I wonder if there’s any connection?” She laughed. “Have you figured out that part as well?”
Monica sighed. “Not yet. But you’ll be the first to know when I do.”
“I’d better be.” Stevens said goodbye and ended the call.
• • •
Monica was finishing lunch when her cell phone buzzed again. The caller ID indicated it was Greg. She had a brief moment of panic. What if something was wrong?
She was relieved when Greg said he’d forgotten his wallet at home and could she possibly bring it to him.
Monica smiled and shook her head. Her doctor had reassured her that her occasional absentmindedness was common during pregnancy. Was poor Greg having sympathy symptoms?
She went upstairs with both Hercule and Mittens at her heels to the bedroom, where she retrieved Greg’s wallet from his bedside table.
Beach Hollow Road was clogged with traffic. It was perfect beach weather—the sun was bright in the cloudless sky and the lake was relatively calm but with just enough surf to thrill the children jumping the waves.
There were no available parking spots and Monica ended up parking one street over and walking back.
The door to the Golden Scoops, the local ice cream parlor, opened and the scents of vanilla and freshly made waffle cones drifted out. Monica decided she would have to indulge herself with a salted caramel cone on the way back to her car.
The first person she saw when she pushed open the door to Book ’Em was Edith. She greeted Monica with a smile. Monica noticed a change in her—her frown lines had smoothed out and she looked happier.
She wondered if the will had been read and that was what was responsible for Edith’s change in demeanor. Or, perhaps she was simply more relaxed now that she was no longer at Violet’s beck and call.
“Lovely to see you,” she said as she approached Monica.
Monica simply smiled.
Monica followed her as she walked over to the counter. Greg was helping a customer and Wilma, for once, was nowhere to be seen.
Finally, Greg finished his conversation and walked over to the desk.
“Edith, hello.”
Edith plunked the stack of books on the counter. She tapped the top book on the stack. “These are some of Violet’s books she brought to read while on vacation. I must say she had rather eclectic taste—everything from cozy mysteries to the latest thriller.”
“Do you want a store credit or—”
Edith waved Greg’s words away. “There’s no need. “I’m sure we will be leaving soon. No doubt the police must be close to solving Violet’s murder.”
She tilted her head to one side and looked at Monica as if the statement was actually a question.
“I shall miss Cranberry Cove,” Edith went on when Monica didn’t say anything. “It’s a lovely place. As soon as Violet’s will is read, I am making plans to do some traveling. I’ve always wanted to go to Ireland.” She smiled at Greg then Monica. “I hope I will see you again before I leave, but if not, I wish you the best with the baby. Such an exciting time.”
Edith left and Monica pulled Greg’s wallet out of her purse. “Here you go.”
“Thanks,” Greg said with an abashed smile. “I’m sorry you had to come all this way. I don’t know what’s happened to my brain these days.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve already decided I’m going to pop into the Golden Scoop for an ice cream cone.”
Greg began going through the books, holding them open and shaking them.
Monica raised her eyebrows.
“You wouldn’t believe what people leave behind in books—things they’ve used as bookmarks like old grocery lists or receipts. Once a dead cicada fell out, pressed flat between the pages of the book.”
He picked up the last volume and frowned. “This isn’t the store’s usual fodder.” He showed it to Monica. It was a collection of daily devotionals and the book looked as if Violet had had it for a long time. The cover was worn and the pages were beginning to yellow.
“What’s that?” Monica pointed to the tip of something peeking out from the top of the book.
Greg gave the book a shake and a folded piece of paper fell out. He handed it to Monica.
Monica opened it. It was so old, it was worn and nearly tearing at the creases, as if it had been unfolded and read many times.
“What is it?” Greg said as Monica scanned the letter.
Monica’s mouth fell open. She was so astounded she couldn’t speak.
Chapter 26
Monica couldn’t believe her eyes. She nearly dropped the letter and had to read it twice before the contents registered. Certain words and phrases popped out at her. Dear Violet, it began. I can’t wait until we can be together! I’ve loved you and only you all along and I wish I had met you first. If your sister’s condition is as dire as you say it is and there’s no hope of her ever recovering from her coma, I don’t think anyone could blame me for breaking my engagement with her. Then you and I can be together.
Various terms of endearment were followed by we should elope soon or there will be talk when our baby is born. It might create a scandal and I don’t want that for you, darling. It was signed Yours forever, Sebastian.
It took more than a few minutes before Monica was able to parse what the message meant. If she was reading it correctly, Violet’s husband Sebastian had once been engaged to Beatrice but broke it off while Beatrice was in the coma. And from the sound of things, Violet had already been pregnant with Sebastian’s baby.
Had they been lovers before Beatrice’s accident? Had Beatrice’s accident been planned? According to Kelly, Sebastian had been very wealthy. Did Violet want that lifestyle for herself? And her sister had somehow found out and decided to exact her revenge all these years later by killing Violet?
Monica began to put more and more of the pieces together. Edith had seen Beatrice coming out of Violet’s room and thought it was possible that Beatrice had seen a copy of Violet’s will. Was she disappointed in what was being left her? Maybe she felt she deserved more to compensate for what had happened to her.
She must have recovered her memory somehow. Monica suddenly snapped her fingers. Of course! Beatrice had said she had been going to a hypnotist. Had the hypnotist managed to bring her lost memories back?
Greg must have been watching the various expressions crossing Monica’s face like clouds in the sky on a windy day.
“Is everything okay?” he said, his voice hoarse with concern.
Monica waved the letter in the air. “Yes, fine. But this letter changes everything.”
“Oh?”
“I think Beatrice killed Violet to get revenge for Violet having stolen her fiancé while she was in a coma.”
• • •
When Monica got home, Mittens was sleeping in a sunbeam and briefly lifted her head to say hello. Hercule was by the door waiting, as usual, to greet Monica, as if she’d been gone for days and not just over an hour.
She pulled her cell phone from her purse and tossed her purse on a chair.
Stevens picked up on the second ring. “Hello?”
“It’s Monica. I’ve uncovered some information I think you should know.”
She went on to explain about Greg finding that letter in Violet’s book of devotions.
“So, you think Beatrice killed Violet out of revenge for something that happened so long ago?” There was a brief silence. “But didn’t you say Beatrice didn’t remember anything from that time period?”
“Yes. But she told me she’s been going to a hypnotist. It’s possible it brought some of her memories back.”
“Hmmm. It certainly does sound like it’s worth interviewing Beatrice again. If nothing else, it will close off that line of inquiry.” She sighed. “It will be on the news tonight but Sherry Cargill is being charged with Chuck Krauss’s murder. Edith Evans told us that he’d been fired from his job as Violet Cargill’s gardener so we thought we should look into it. He got spooked when we questioned him. Apparently, Sherry was his alibi for the time period when her medication went missing, and when he told her he was going to tell us that, she decided she had to get rid of him.
“With her husband about to inherit a lot of money, she couldn’t risk his finding out she’d been married before and had never actually gotten a divorce. It would nullify her marriage to Ray. She was already worried that she was getting too old for him and he was going to go out looking for some new eye candy.”
“I imagine she didn’t want to risk all that money slipping through her fingers.”
“Yeah, she obviously likes the good life. Your telling us about the contact lens is what put us on to her. Otherwise, we’d still be chasing our tails.” Stevens sighed. “With any luck, you’re right about Beatrice as well. The chief wants this case wrapped up asap. He’s afraid it will scare tourists away.”
