A Season for Killing Blondes (25 page)

I squinted and tried to make sense of what Grace was wearing. While I couldn’t distinguish color with the black-and-white footage, it looked like she had selected head-to-toe white, ivory or light tan clothing. She carried a large tote bag and had a printed scarf around her neck. I had seen a similar outfit before, but not on Grace. I gasped. “She’s dressed like Carrie Ann on the day of her murder. Is that wise?”

“She wants to recreate the murder scene. She feels it will trigger some kind of action on the murderer’s part.”

“She could pass for Carrie Ann or even Melly Grace.” I watched as Grace read a magazine. “She’s so calm and collected. How does she do it?”

“Different people. Different temperaments,” Carlo said. “I don’t even think there’s a genetic link of any kind. The three Godfrey sisters are living proof of that. Anna May always flew off the handle about something, Jenny Marie is the quiet one, and Carrie Ann…well, Carrie Ann has…had all the grace and poise.”

“Melly Grace had it, too.”

Carlo shook his head. “Melly Grace put up a good front, but she could be very loud and confrontational when things didn’t go her way.”

“Is that why you broke up?” I asked.

“It was more complicated than that.” Carlo explained, “Mr. Godfrey didn’t believe in long distance romances. He approved of me, but he wanted me to move to Tennessee and get my police training there.”

“What did your parents say?”

“It didn’t get that far. I made it very clear I wasn’t ready to settle down, and I didn’t want to leave Canada.”

“Melly Grace could have come up here.”

“Melly Grace didn’t want to live in a cold climate, and she didn’t want a long engagement. She loved the heat and wanted me to accommodate her.”

“And so it ended.”

“Yes,” he sighed. “And I didn’t see her again until Carrie Ann’s memorial service.”

“I wonder if she expected you to go back to her.”

“Trust me, that woman did not pine away because I wouldn’t relocate to Tennessee. She was fire and ice and got a bit nasty when things don’t go her way. Not too many men would stand for her mood swings. At least, not the men that Melly Grace wanted in her life.” Carlo added, “It wouldn’t have worked out, anyway. We were so different, and our families would have never meshed together.”

“I wonder—”

“A car has just pulled up next to Grace. I need to focus.”

The large black car came to a stop. My heart started beating at an alarmingly fast rate. I was suddenly afraid and desperate for any means of escape.

“You can’t leave now,” Carlo said. “You’ll see and hear a few things you would rather not see and hear. But we’ve reached the point of no return in this investigation. I need to focus on Grace.” His firm and emphatic tone made it clear he did not have the time or patience to deal with any drama.

Roberto Ongaro got out of the car and went over to shake Grace’s hand. “Grace, how wonderful to see you again. But under these circumstances, it is not so pleasant for either one of us. We could have met in a restaurant or café, but I decided to humor you. I have never been able to resist the demands of beautiful young women.” He sighed. “That is my one and only weakness, and it has cost me dearly.”

“Only one weakness, Roberto,” Grace said. “Have you corrected all your other faults?”

“Pretty lady, you are wounding me severely.” Roberto made a motion with an imaginary saber piercing his heart.

“Oh, please spare us all.” I faced Carlo. “I want a copy of the DVD and audio for Sofia. She will need to see and hear this.”

A shadow crossed his face, but he made no comment.

Roberto spoke again. “Now, what’s all of this nonsense about a diary? Poor, poor demented Anna May. Even in death she manages to torment us all.” A pause and static from the tape. “…Jenny Marie has a full plate of problems and I don’t think she needs the added aggravation…madness. Give me the diary. I will dispose of it immediately.” More static. “…it has disturbed you.”

Carlo frowned as he fiddled with the laptop. “This should do it,” he mumbled.

“Do you know what’s in it?” Grace asked.

Roberto shook his head. “How could I possibly know what went on in that demented woman’s mind?”

“How do you know she was demented?”

“Gilda and Sofia were constantly harassed by Anna May. Neither one of them could go anywhere without being subjected to one of her angry tirades.” He continued in a more serious tone. “Please give me the diary. It’s the only way to have some kind of closure here.”

“I don’t have the diary with me.”

“You lured us here, and there’s no diary,” Roberto shouted. “What kind of game are you playing?”

“Us?” Grace asked. “Is there someone else in the car with you?”

Roberto went over to the back seat of the car and spoke to someone. I couldn’t make out what he said, and neither could Carlo. Grace also strained to hear. The door of the car opened, and Sofia stepped out.

I felt a sudden rush of nausea.

“Take deep breaths.” Carlo patted my hand reassuringly, but his eyes stayed glued to the laptop.

Grace held out her hand to Sofia. “I’m glad you could join us, Sofia.”

Sofia ignored the outstretched hand. “Where’s the diary? I want to read that woman’s lies.”

“What makes you so certain she has lied?” Grace spoke clearly, enunciating every word. “You haven’t seen it yet.”

“This is ridiculous,” Roberto said. “If you don’t have the diary with you, there’s no point continuing this conversation. Sofia and I will leave, and that will be the end of it.”

“You mean you don’t want to read any of the entries?” Grace rummaged in her tote and took out two folders. “I took the liberty of photocopying several entries. Take as long as you want to read them, and then we can discuss them.”

Carlo handed me a folder. “Grace left me a copy of the folder. She wrote it up herself in her best forgery of Anna May’s handwriting. She wanted you to read it at the same time as Roberto and Sofia.”

My hands shook as I started to read the entries.

Wednesday, October 19th

She’s gone. My dear Carrie Ann is gone, and it was all so unnecessary. Why did she have to go and get others involved? That slimy detective and Gilda Greco, of all people. Why did she have to investigate me? I’m her sister, not some criminal or other low life. And God only knows what she told Gilda. It’s bad enough she’s a rich bitch. She’ll be a rich, condescending bitch if Carrie Ann told her about my problems.

I didn’t mean to push Carrie Ann, but I couldn’t stand it when she told me she wanted to dissolve the company and get out. I wanted to knock some sense into her. I didn’t want her to die. She hit that Dumpster at the strangest angle, and if that wasn’t bad enough, Roberto Ongaro and Sofia DiMatteo suddenly appear out of nowhere. And now I’m in bed with those two.

Roberto asked me how I wanted to play it. If I were dealing with him alone it wouldn’t be so bad. But I also have to worry about Sofia. They agreed to help me arrange the body in the Dumpster. It seemed the best solution. It won’t be emptied until Friday, and by then the body will have started to decompose. Sofia tells me they are expecting over two hundred people at tomorrow’s open house. There will be too many suspects so the police will drop the investigation. I’m not drinking anymore. I will make this up to you, Mom. I’m so sorry.

Thursday, October 20th

What a disaster! And it’s all Sofia’s fault. She was supposed to make sure no one went near that Dumpster until after the open house. She let her own parents discover the body. How stupid can you get? Now, she’s going to pay for her mistake.

Jenny Marie insisted on visiting Gilda at her condo. She needed some kind of closure and thought Gilda could give it to her. I wish we hadn’t gone. I wish I hadn’t laid eyes on Gilda Greco. When I saw her living high off the hog, I struggled to keep from screaming or hitting her. That was supposed to be my life, not Gilda Greco’s. I scared Gilda, and I shook up Sofia. Good! Those women haven’t seen or heard the end of this. Someone’s got to pay for Carrie Ann’s death, and it may as well be Gilda. If she hadn’t started with all that career changing nonsense, Carrie Ann would be alive today.

If Sofia decides to talk, she’ll implicate herself. I’m sure Roberto explained all that to her. He’s involved, but I’m not worried about him. We go back a long way, and I don’t think he wants any of that early dirt coming back to haunt him. We’re picking up Melly Grace in a couple of hours. I can’t believe she got a flight that quickly. I have to watch it with her. She’s sharp and doesn’t miss a thing.

Monday, October 24th

It’s getting worse and I can’t stop drinking. It all started at the restaurant. Carrie Ann must have tipped off Melly Grace about the accounts. How that woman loves lording it over me and everyone else. I got a reprieve when she looked Gilda’s way, but I know Melly Grace. She’s like a dog with a bone. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants. I need to stop her before she does too much damage. I could lose everything if something isn’t done. I’m calling Roberto.

Tuesday, October 25th

It had to be done. I can’t believe how easy it was to get Melly Grace out to Olympia. She believed me when I told her the owner of the restaurant was blackmailing me. And Roberto came through for me. He may be sleazy, but he’s on the ball. Which is more than I can say for Sofia. She just stood there and watched us kill Melly Grace. She kept saying that she didn’t want to get involved. Well, lady, wake up and smell the coffee, you are involved, and you’ve been aiding and abetting us. I’ll get you and that rich bitch of a cousin.

Friday, October 28
th

That rich bitch must have slept with Carlo or paid him off. Can you believe it? He drove out to the island to get her an alibi. And now she’s scot free. Free as a bird to enjoy all that beautiful money and never have a day’s worry again.

Sofia has stopped coming to Curves, so I’m not getting the daily updates, and Roberto hasn’t answered any of my calls. But I’m not through with them yet. Especially Sofia. I want a piece of that pie, that big pie that has fallen out of the sky and landed on Gilda Greco’s table. It’s my turn to be happy. I deserve it.

Saturday, October 29th

Mom, it would have broken your heart to see that heartless bitch of a Natalia turn on me. Your Russian daughter has forgotten where she came from, and how much we all did for her. She’s going to pay for it. I will not be made the laughingstock of Sudbury. How dare she humiliate me like that and lump me in with that rich bitch and the lackey? They’re all going to pay for it. I’m calling Roberto.

Sofia burst into loud, racking sobs. I tried to ignore her and focused instead on Roberto.

He also ignored Sofia and spoke to Grace. “You’ve upset Sofia with this pack of lies.”

“They’re not lies,” Grace said. “These entries were written in Anna May’s own hand. I have the original documents.”

“They are the rants of an emotionally unstable woman, and I don’t think they will hold too much weight with anyone. I wouldn’t show this diary to anyone else, Grace dear. You need to give it to me and not trouble your pretty head about it.” He added, “Go back to your own uncomplicated life in Toronto. What is it that you do?”

“I’m an interior designer.”

“I’m willing to bet your boss is working you too hard. You’re young and talented, and they like to take advantage of that.”

“I’m a big girl.”

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could call your own shots and not have to take orders from anyone?”

“And how would I go about doing that, Mr. Ongaro?”

“For starters, stop calling me Mr. Ongaro. All my friends call me Roberto, and I like to think of you as a special friend. We could continue this friendship beyond Sudbury. I’m in Toronto at least twice a month. We could have the occasional dinner and discuss your future in the interior design business. We could have you set up in your own shop in no time at all.” He glanced at Sofia and repeated, “In no time at all.”

Sofia sniffed. “I hope you’re not including me in this royal we of yours.”

Roberto’s tone became sharper. “Sofia, stop being so difficult and start cooperating. We have a situation here.”

“No, you have a situation here,” Sofia said. “I’m not involved in any of it. Anna May even said it.”

I gasped and watched as Roberto threw the pages toward the Dumpster. “Lies! These are packs of lies. Sofia, I suggest you go sit in the car. You’re starting to upset me, and I wish to continue my pleasant conversation with Grace.”

“We’re finished!” Sofia shouted. “You want to pay off this bimbo. Do it with your own money, or if you’re desperate, you can always go visit your mother. I’m sure she doesn’t want to see you disbarred or tried for murder.”

He spoke again to Grace. “It’s the menopause. I think she’s on the verge of losing it completely. She blames me for everything that goes wrong in her life.” He moved closer to Grace and put his hands on her shoulders. “Now, let’s get back to you, dear Grace. We need to make sure that you are properly settled in Toronto. I’ll make some inquiries and get back to you.”

Sofia started hitting Roberto with her purse. “You bastard! You’re to blame for this mess. You and Anna May.”

“Shut up! You’re making things worse. I told you not to come. But you insisted and promised to keep quiet and say nothing. Why can’t you do that?”

“No one tells me what to do anymore. I got Andrew out of my life, and I don’t need you in it anymore.” She turned to Grace. “Do whatever you want with the diary. I had nothing to do with any of the murders. I didn’t touch any of the bodies.”

“Will you shut up once and for all?” Roberto grabbed Sofia by the hair and slapped her so hard she fell to the ground.

Carlo dialed an extension, and I heard a terse, “Move in now.”

And then I succumbed to the darkness.

Chapter 30

I woke up to find myself lying fully clothed on my bed. I heard the soft whispers. “She’s awake. What should we do?”

“Nothing. Let her sleep until the morning.”

“She might want to change into a nightgown.”

“We’ll deal with everything tomorrow morning.”