06 Suspects and Surprises (6 page)

“Louis, it's going to be okay,” Suzie said and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “I know this is quite a shock, but it is going to be okay.”

“I hope so,” he murmured. “I guess I should go. I should probably call Gerald. I don't know.”

“Have some coffee, Louis,” Mary said. “Take a seat, and drink some coffee. It'll help you settle down.”

“I don't think I should,” Louis sighed. “I was so excited about Warren's visit that I didn't sleep at all last night. If I drink coffee I'll be wired.”

“Maybe it's best if you do go home and get some rest then,” Suzie suggested.

“I think that would be best,” Louis agreed. He looked between the two women. “I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to accuse you of anything.”

“It's okay,” Mary said. “I'll walk you out.”

“Thanks,” Louis nodded. As Mary walked him out of Dune House, Suzie frowned. She knew that Louis was just the beginning. Everyone in Garber would soon believe that a fatal accident had occurred at Dune House.

“I think I'm going to lay down for a little while,” Mary said when she walked back inside. “I don't know if I'll be able to sleep, but I need to get off of my knees.”

“I understand,” Suzie nodded. “I'm going to see if I can persuade Jason to take another look at this situation.”

“Good luck,” Mary said. “Wake me if I can do anything to help.”

“Get some good sleep,” Suzie said as she pulled out her cell phone. While Mary walked down the hallway to her room, Suzie dialed Jason's number.

“Hi Suzie,” Jason said when he picked up on the first ring.

“I just wanted to check in with you, Jason, and apologize for the way I spoke to you earlier,” Suzie added.

“No need,” he replied calmly. “I know emotions run high when something like this happens.”

“That's true, Jason. But I want you to think about the possibility that maybe I was right. Maybe there is something more to all of this than you can see on the surface,” she pressed.

“Oh, Suzie you're not still on this murder idea are you?” he asked grimly.

“I am,” she replied. “Because I know that it is true. Warren Blasser was murdered. How can you not even want to look into it?”

“It isn't about what I want, Suzie,” Jason said in a colder tone. “This is my job here. I can't look like a fool to everyone around me just because you have a hunch.”

“It's more than a hunch, Jason,” Suzie sighed and pressed the phone tighter to her ear. “Listen to me. I had those railings and the balconies updated and inspected. I wouldn't lie to you about that, Jason. I know that we're still getting to know each other, but if I thought it was possible that this was an accident I would admit to it.”

“I know that, Suzie,” he said gently. “I don't want you to think I don't believe you. I know that you believe that this could not have been an accident. Don't think I'm not looking at that angle, it's just that right now there is absolutely nothing to point to foul play. Maybe when the results come back from the autopsy tomorrow, we'll get a better idea of what really happened. Until then, I think you should just do your best to prepare for what those results might be.”

“I'll try,” Suzie said. “I appreciate you listening to me, Jason.”

“Suzie, you know how much I respect you. Just give me some time to see if anything suspicious comes up,” he said.

“Okay,” she agreed. “Thank you, Jason.” When she hung up the phone, she felt a little better. Knowing that Jason wasn't completely opposed to the idea that there had been a murder, she could relax a little. She glanced at her watch and saw that she had a few hours before Paul would arrive. She decided she would take a nap as well, even though she had a million other things that she needed to do. She didn't realize how exhausted she was until she curled up in her bed.

The ringing of Suzie’s cell phone woke her from a deep sleep. She felt like she had just closed her eyes. But when she grabbed her phone she could see that it was after five. It was Paul who was calling.

“Suzie, I'm here,” he said when she answered the phone.

“I'm sorry, Paul, I fell asleep,” she mumbled and pulled herself out of bed. “Give me a second.” She quickly got ready and then made her way down the hallway to the front door of Dune House. She unlocked the door and opened it for Paul.

“Oh sweetheart, I didn't mean to wake you,” he said quietly.

“It's good that you did,” Suzie said with a laugh. “Apparently, I was going to sleep for hours.”

“If you're not up for dinner it's okay, Suzie,” Paul said and gave her a soft hug.

“Are you kidding?” Suzie shook her head. “I'm starving.”

“Great,” he smiled. “What about Mary? Is she all right?”

“She's sleeping, too,” Suzie said. “It's probably best if we let her rest.”

“Do you need a few minutes before we go?” Paul asked. Suzie brushed her fingers back through her brassy blonde hair and shook her head.

“I'm fine, if you're ready,” she said. She suddenly had a deep desire to get away from Dune House.

“Sounds good,” he agreed. He led her across the deck and to the parking lot. Suzie searched the parking lot for any sign of the mustard colored car she had seen the night before. There wasn't a hint of it. In fact the only cars in the parking lot were the car that Suzie and Mary shared and Paul's. He opened the passenger door for her. Suzie slid inside and did her best to relax. She tried to convince herself that there was nothing she could do at the moment. She tried to give herself permission to actually enjoy her time with Paul.

When Suzie and Paul reached their favorite restaurant, Cheney's, Suzie was still trying to convince herself. She realized she hadn't spoken a word to Paul. Paul, who was usually rather quiet himself hadn't tried to coax her into conversation, but she knew that he had noticed. They walked up to the restaurant, hand in hand, but Suzie's mind was elsewhere.

“I'm sorry all of this happened, and especially on Mary's birthday weekend,” Paul said grimly.

“Me too,” Suzie said as he held the door open for her. There was a subtle buzz of conversation when they stepped inside, but as soon as the door fell closed behind them, that buzz became stony silence. Suzie was a little confused until she noticed people leaning close to whisper to each other. The hostess offered her a sad smile. Suzie felt a sense of alarm growing within her that she hadn't felt since she was in high school and had been teased for the braces she had to wear. She wasn't sure how to react to the knowledge that everyone in the room was talking about her. She felt Paul's strong hand on the small of her back.

“Table for two,” he told the hostess.

“Paul, maybe we should just get the food to go,” Suzie said softly beside his ear.

“Nonsense,” he replied. “I'm going to take any chance I have to show you off.”

Suzie raised an eyebrow at that. “I don't think that anyone wants me to be here,” she said.

“I do,” he said and met her eyes intently. “It's just you and me, sweetheart, nobody else here matters.”

Suzie realized he was trying to prevent her from running and hiding, but she wasn't so sure she agreed with him. She did her best to make it through the meal without bolting out the door, but she had a hard time thinking about anything other than the dirty looks, and curious stares she continued to receive. Obviously the rumor had spread through the majority of the town. Now, people were likely debating whether the death was the fault of Dune House and its owner.

Paul signaled to the waitress to bring their bill. Suzie felt a sense of relief. She couldn't even enjoy her food as her stomach was in knots. While they waited for the bill Suzie did something she almost never did. She pulled out her cell phone at the table. She texted Jason to see if he had found out anything about the case. She also sent a text to Mary to check on her. She wanted to do anything to avoid noticing the people around her who were judging her.

“Why don't we go for a walk?” Paul suggested. “It's a nice night for it.”

“I'd like that,” Suzie said and finally put her phone away.

As they left the restaurant Suzie could feel the eyes of others on her. She wasn't sure if she was just being paranoid, or if there really was something for her to be suspicious about. Either way she imagined that they were thinking horrible things about her. She was hoping that a little fresh air and escape from the people of Garber would help clear her mind. Paul led her down towards the harbor where his boat was docked.

“You seem a little preoccupied,” Paul said quietly as they walked hand in hand.

“I'm sorry,” Suzie said with a slight frown as she looked over at him. “Between this situation with Dune House, and Mary, I am a little preoccupied.”

“The party?” he asked and raised an eyebrow. “Do you need help with it?”

“No, it's not the party,” Suzie sighed. “I've barely even thought about the party since all of this happened. It's Wes.”

“Detective Brown?” Paul said with a grimace.

“I know you're not a fan,” Suzie shook her head. “Maybe I should have listened to you.”

“Now, I may not be a fan, but he's turned out to be a decent guy,” Paul shrugged a little. “I don't think he'd do anything to hurt Mary.”

“Well, he seems to be up to something, and it's really getting to Mary,” Suzie explained. “I just wish I could fix it for her. With her birthday coming up, it's not a great time for her to be worrying about romance.”

“That's true,” Paul said and wrapped his arm around her waist. “But you can't make people do what you want, I've tried,” he said thoughtfully. “As hard as it might be you're going to have to let things play out between Mary and Wes.”

“I know,” she frowned. “I just have a hard time watching her get hurt.”

“Of course you do,” he leaned close and kissed her cheek. “It's never easy. But keep in mind, sometimes things are not how they look on the surface.”

“I think Mary's spent enough years dealing with a man who played games with her,” Suzie said darkly. “She deserves more than that. She deserves to be happy.”

“And you know as well as I do, that another person can't do that for you,” Paul reminded her wisely. He paused in the moonlight, and drew her close. “She is a lucky woman, Suzie, she has you in her life to love and protect her.”

“I guess,” Suzie shook her head. “But now with the possibility of us being sued, what happens if we lose Dune House, where will that leave her? She has nowhere else to turn. Her kids are in college, her ex-husband took the house and the savings…”

“Take a breath,” Paul advised and looked into her eyes. “Sometimes you just have to have faith that it will all work out.”

“Faith?” she looked at him with surprise. “You're one of the biggest cynics I know, Paul.”

“Thanks, I think,” he said with a half-smile. “That is true, but I learned that having a little faith can make a big difference.”

“How?” she asked curiously.

“When I fell in love with you,” he explained as he held her gaze, “I wanted to make you see just how good we could be together, but I couldn't do that. You didn't want to see it. I just had to have faith that you would feel the same way I did, and now look where we are.”

“True,” Suzie said hesitantly. “I didn't think you were ever going to last.”

“Thanks a lot,” Paul said with a laugh and leaned in for a quick kiss. When he pulled away he was smiling. “I guess I had faith enough for both of us.”

“So, what you're saying is I need to stay out of it,” Suzie said grimly. “I'm not too great about keeping my nose out of things.”

“Not necessarily stay out of it, but take a step back and let things play out as they will. Mary needs to figure things out for herself. You and I both believe that railing was tampered with. The proof will come to light with time,” he studied her intently. “I don't want to go off to sea worried about what you might be getting in the middle of, Suzie. If someone really did murder Warren Blasser, then that person is dangerous.”

“This isn't going to be one of those lectures about me not putting myself in danger is it?” Suzie asked with a subtle sigh of impatience.

“Maybe,” Paul admitted. He shrugged and swept his gaze over the water before looking back at her. “It's hard to be so far away from you, to not be able to protect you.”

“I can appreciate that,” Suzie said diplomatically. “But you have to remember that I've been in plenty of dangerous spots before you came along, Paul, and I can handle myself.”

He reached up and lightly stroked her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. “I have no doubt,” he murmured. “Just like Mary has been through very difficult times, and has made it through.”

“Oh you,” Suzie slapped him playfully on the shoulder. “I see what you did there.”

“Do you?” he wiggled his brows. “I thought it was pretty good.”

“It was,” Suzie sighed. “But I'm still going to investigate.”

“Oh, I know you are,” Paul said with a short laugh. “I'd be a fool if I thought you weren't. Just be careful. Make sure Jason is helping you.”

“I will,” she promised him. “Even though I've pulled myself out of a few dangerous situations, Paul, you'll always be my favorite rescuer.”

“Aw, that's sweet,” he said and slipped his hand into hers. As they started to walk again he stole a glance over at her. “I love you, Suzie.”

“I love you, too, Paul,” she said and hugged his arm.

***

After Paul dropped Suzie at home he left to prepare for his launch. Suzie still felt uneasy. Paul's words had made sense to her, but she was still boiling with irritation at Wes. She tried to distract herself by thinking about the railing and how it might have come loose. She knew that it had to have been tampered with, or maybe she just really hoped it had been. What she couldn't figure out was who would have wanted Warren dead.

“Suzie, is that you?” Mary called out from the laundry room.

“Yes, it's me,” Suzie called back. “Need help?” she asked when she stepped into the laundry room.

“I'm just getting fresh sheets ready for the bed in room five,” she explained. 

“I don't think anyone will be sleeping in them for a long time,” Suzie said with a sigh. “I still can't believe it happened. But everyone in town can, and they think that it was an accident, or possibly negligence.”

“We know better,” Mary reminded her but she could see the doubt in Mary’s eyes.

“I just don't know how to convince others of that,” Suzie said still partly trying to convince herself. 

“Me neither,” Mary agreed as she shook out the sheet she had just pulled out of the dryer. “You and I both know there is no way that railing gave way.”

“We had every balcony inspected,” Suzie recalled and narrowed her eyes. “Maybe the inspector made a mistake.”

“No way,” Mary shook her head. “He was very reputable. Besides, we did a walk through with him, and I distinctly remember him leaning on the railings to show us they were strong.”

“Yes, that's true,” Suzie nodded. “I remember that now. But still, maybe we did cut corners.”

“Don't talk like that,” Mary said firmly. “There's no way we would have cut corners when it comes to a safety issue.”

“You're right,” Suzie leaned back against the wall of the laundry room. “Did you hear anything more about the murder from Wes?”

“Actually I did,” Mary nodded. Her expression darkened. “He said he was sorry about the death, and that he would do his best to help us out if he could, but it's not his jurisdiction so he can only investigate so much. Can you believe that?” Mary narrowed her eyes.

“Well, it's not his jurisdiction,” Suzie pointed out. “Not only that, Jason can barely help us because it's being ruled accidental and I think he believes it is.”

“That's not the point is it, Suzie?” Mary snapped. Suzie's eyes widened. It wasn't often that Mary actually got upset.

“I'm sorry,” she said quickly.

Mary sighed and set down the folded sheet. “No, I'm sorry, Suzie. I didn't mean to snap at you. I know you're right. It's just, I expected him to swoop in and take charge I guess. I don't know, maybe you're right, maybe I have been reading too many romances.”

“There's nothing wrong with romance,” Suzie said gently. “All I'm saying is that Wes’ hands probably really are tied. Just like Jason's.”

“But he didn't even come over to check on me,” Mary pointed out. “Of course, I told him not to,” she frowned.

Suzie pulled her into a warm hug. “These things are never easy, Mary. But no matter what happens, we'll get through it together.”

“I know,” Mary said as she hugged her back. “If there's one thing in this world I know I can rely on, Suzie, it's our friendship.”

“That's for sure,” Suzie said with a laugh. “Now, I think we have earned some wine and chocolate. What do you say?”

“Heavy on the chocolate, light on the wine,” Mary requested as they walked into the kitchen.