A Season for Killing Blondes (8 page)

“Give it to me straight. I need to know what’s going on.”

We sat and started eating the fruit.

“Carlo lost his cool yesterday when he found out about Melly Grace’s death,” Sofia said.

“There aren’t too many grisly murders in Sudbury. Two in the same week involving friends of his—”

Sofia interrupted, “He has a reputation for being calm and always in control.”

“I guess losing Melly Grace upset him.” At the funeral home, they had sat very close together, and his face had softened whenever their glances met. “Maybe he still carries a torch for her.”

“One of the officer’s wives dismissed that theory,” Sofia said. “She suggested he was upset because you were in the picture.” She took a deep breath and continued. “After the news bulletin went out, Carlo received a number of calls from people who claimed they were at Olympia on Monday night. They gave very interesting accounts about what happened that night. I don’t know if you—”

“Spill it, Sofia.”

Her eyes traveled toward the lake as she paused to find the right words. “Eight different women called and told Carlo that you looked angry enough to kill that night. One of them even said that you threatened Melly Grace.”

“These people are lying!” My breath caught, and I struggled to slow down my heartbeat. “Sofia, you were there.”

Sofia gave me a sad smile. “You stared a bit too long at that steak knife, and you clenched your hands. That’s what people remember.”

I thought back to that night and remembered the murderous thoughts that had gone through my mind. Was I that transparent? A detail came to mind. “How could all those women claim that they saw me looking at the knife? The Godfrey women were standing very close to our table and blocking everyone’s view.”

“Those eight witnesses are all somehow connected with Anna May,” Sofia said. “One of the wives mentioned that Anna May could have talked the women into calling Carlo.”

“What is Anna May’s problem?” I hadn’t seen the woman in years, and suddenly she’s accusing me of two murders.

“Don’t you remember how she was in school?” Sofia asked. “She couldn’t handle it when anyone else attracted more attention.”

The teenage Anna May was a far cry from the overweight, middle-aged woman who was unraveling before us. If Anna May got that upset whenever she encountered a more attractive woman, she must be in a constant state of agitation. Something else was behind this harassment. “I wonder if Anna May is somehow involved in both murders?” I was surprised to hear myself thinking out loud.

Sofia’s eyes widened. “Why would you even think such a thing?”

“Just a gut feeling, I guess.” It was a far-fetched theory, but one that was starting to make sense. Why else would she be so quick to pin the murder on me? We had no history, none at all.

Sofia shook her head. “Three Sisters Decorating revolved around Carrie Ann’s creative talent. Without her, Jenny Marie and Anna May don’t have a meal ticket.”

“Carrie Ann wanted to leave. Maybe Anna May caught wind of that and lost it.” I thought back to my own unpleasant encounters with Anna May. It wouldn’t take much to unhinge her.

Sofia frowned. “I can’t even imagine Anna May wanting to kill her sister, and what would she be doing lurking in that alley behind your office? It doesn’t make any sense.” She shuddered. “I hate to say this, but I agree with our mothers. I think there may be another murder.”

I changed the subject. “Back to Curves. Spill the rest of it.”

Sofia frowned but quickly regained her composure. “Oh, yes. They were also talking about how similar the two murders were. Both women either hit their heads or were hit by blunt objects, and there was extensive neck bruising. They were neatly arranged in the Dumpsters. They weren’t just thrown in haphazardly.”

“Neck bruising?” All I could recall was that pale, lifeless face. “I didn’t see any of that on Carrie Ann’s body.”

“Well, for starters, we weren’t looking for it. And remember she had that scarf covering most of her neck. It would have been very easy to hide any signs of strangulation. Melly Grace was another story. The police officers had to turn away.”

“They were killed by a woman,” I said. “Or a woman assisted in the murder.”

Sofia gasped. “That’s not the impression you want people to have.”

“But don’t you see how much sense it makes? The signs of strangulation were covered, and they were neatly arranged in the Dumpster. No man would go to all that trouble.”

“A gay man might or one suffering from OCD,” Sofia said.

I nodded in agreement. “The woman would also have to be a bit obsessive and concerned with appearances.”

“That covers about ninety-five percent of the women we know,” Sofia joked.

I laughed and threw up my hands. “That’s it. I have had enough. My Nancy Drew moments are over.” I glanced over her shoulder and noticed that my mother had stopped crying. “Do you think it’s safe to go back in?”

Sofia pointed toward the living room. “Yesterday, I spent most of the day calming them down. They aren’t going to let up until this is all settled, and that may take a while.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“I think it would be a good idea if I moved in with you.” Sofia held up her hand to stop me from interrupting. “I know you like your space and need more privacy than the rest of us, and I am prepared to accommodate that. Peter and Paul are away at school, and Andrew is still in Italy.”

“When is Andrew coming back?” It had been a while since I had seen him. Was his uncle’s estate taking this long to settle?

Sofia sighed. “There are complications. You know what it’s like in Italy with all that bureaucracy. It takes forever to get anything done.” She changed the subject. “Back to me moving in. I won’t be spending too much time here. I’m up to my eyeballs with the Autumn Tea, so this would only be a pit stop for me.”

“I got the impression they wanted me to have a constant companion.” What was the point of Sofia moving in if she was going to be out all the time? Especially the week before the tea. Knowing Sofia, she would be running around town collecting door prizes and attending to every last detail. From what my mother had told me, I’ve gathered that Sofia threw herself into all these church activities and micromanaged everyone.

“We would do a few things together,” Sofia said. “But we don’t have to be attached at the hip and share any of this with our parents. It will make them feel happy and secure to know that I’m staying here.”

“You’re really good at dealing with them.” I couldn’t get over how well she handled these crises. And when there was a tense moment, she smoothed things over.

“I’ve had lots of practice. Years and years of it. Now, let’s go back in and break the good news to them.”

Chapter 9

Henry Keenan had a constipated and ineffectual look about him. It was hard to believe he was the best criminal attorney in Sudbury and a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. With his untidy mop of white hair, wire-rimmed glasses and rumpled clothes, he could pass for an aging university professor. I wondered if he owned a dark, pinstripe suit. If he didn’t, I would buy one for him. Whoa, I thought. One step at a time. I haven’t been formally accused, and I’m already planning the courtroom scene. I closed my eyes and willed myself back into the present moment.

Henry spoke in a low monotone, and I had to strain to hear him. “I’ll be checking in with the police. I want to get a full transcript of your initial statement. Try to avoid talking about the murders with the press, friends, and relatives. I’m familiar with the case, but I will need some time to get a firm grasp on your involvement.” He paused and then continued. “Questions?”

“Will you hire someone to investigate other suspects?”

Henry peered at me and frowned. “What other suspects?”

“Anna May Godfrey.”

“You have proof Anna May Godfrey killed her sister and cousin?” His eyes darkened with annoyance as he raised his voice. “Please share this information with me.”

“Well, not exactly. I’ve heard a few things about her and her business dealings, and I’ve had a couple of unpleasant encounters with her—”

“Let me get this straight.” Henry stood up to his full height of over six feet. His eyes fixed on mine. “You want me to conduct a full-fledged investigation of Anna May Godfrey based on hearsay information and your own feelings toward her.”

He didn’t need a dark pinstripe suit to intimidate anyone. He had a presence and demeanor that could quell all opposition within a radius of one hundred feet. My knees shook as I got up. “Well, I guess when you put it that way—”

“And what other way is there?” His lips curled into a snarl. “Murder is serious business, and in case you haven’t noticed, this is a law office, not a principal’s office. I don’t deal with idle gossip and cat fights. You may wish to reconsider. No, I’m reconsidering. In all honesty, I don’t think we’re a good match.”

“Thank you for your time, Henry.” I didn’t bother shaking his hand. I left and headed for my car in the parking lot behind the building. I sat for several minutes and considered my options for the rest of the day. I could take out the Yellow Pages and try to find another lawyer or call Sofia for advice, or I could conduct my own investigation. That last option excited me.

I needed to take charge and get actively involved. Throughout my teaching years, I had been told my research and organizational skills were exceptional. It was time to put them to work outside the classroom. I leaned over and grabbed the telephone book from the back seat. I flipped to the Investigators section and skimmed through the list. Four of the six listings had 800 numbers. I focused on the remaining two with local numbers. Nickel City Security caught my eye. When I checked the address, I recognized the street. One block behind the ReCareering office. I left the downtown area and headed toward the south end of the city. I decided to drive a bit farther and park in the plaza rather than using the back alley which separated my office from Nickel City Security. Under normal circumstances, it would have made more sense to use the alleyway, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I didn’t want to run into any of the other tenants or anyone else poking around back there. It would be a while before I could walk confidently in that back alley.

I took my time walking to the office, located at the far end of the plaza. I opened the door to a very untidy and crowded outer office. Boxes were piled on the floor, and groups of files lay on chairs, desks, and cabinets. I wrinkled my nose as I caught whiffs of stale cigarette smoke, French fries, and aftershave. The door to the inner office was closed, but I could hear someone talking in the other room. I knocked tentatively on the door, and a male voice bellowed, “I’m on the phone. Give me a few minutes.”

One chair had several files on it, so I gathered the files and sat down. As I went to place them on the desk, I noticed the name on the topmost file: Anna May Godfrey. My heart pounded, and my hand trembled. It would be so easy to stuff the file under my jacket and leave. No one had seen me come, and it could be days before the investigator realized the file was missing. I debated the issue for a few more seconds, and as I rose to leave, the door opened, and a short, balding middle-aged man emerged.

He managed a tight smile and offered his hand. “Hi. Jim Nelson.” He waved his hand. “Sorry about the mess. My receptionist quit last week, and I’ve been manning the office solo since then.” He noticed the files I was holding. “Here, let me take them. Sorry, I had to use all the chairs. I have my own system. I know. Bizarre and unorganized, but it works for me.” He frowned as he glanced at the folders and then placed them on the desk. “What can I do for you, pretty lady? Need to have a special man followed?

“No, nothing like that. My name is Gilda Greco, and I would like to hire you to conduct a full background and criminal check.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“It’s a woman,” I blurted out.

“That’s fine. You can swing anyway you want. I don’t pass judgment.”

I tried again. “I want you to investigate Anna May Godfrey. I want to know everything about her personal habits, financial affairs, and any criminal involvement. I think she may be involved in a murder case, and I need to clear up a few questions.”

“You think she murdered someone?”

“Yes. And I know you can get that information for me very quickly.”

“You saw the file.”

“I didn’t open it.”

He breathed a sigh of relief.

“I am assuming that Carrie Ann hired you and was coming over here the other day to pick up this file. I have a strange feeling she didn’t make it here.”

He shrugged but said nothing.

“That file incriminates Anna May, and you’re afraid to hand it over to the police.”

“I’m not afraid of Anna May or anyone else for that matter,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I like living on the edge. As for incriminating Anna May, that is subject to interpretation.”

“What did you say when the police called the other day?”

“No one came.”

“That’s odd.” How could they have missed this office?

Jim smiled and shook his head. “This office is well hidden, and people tend to forget it exists. That suits me and my clients just fine. We don’t need the exposure.” He raised his eyebrows. “And who would expect a classy interior designer to visit a seedy, rundown investigator’s office?”

Despite appearances, he was sharp and on the ball. He was not about to volunteer information, but he would co-operate with the police.

“Thank you for your time, Jim.” I didn’t give him any time to respond. I got into my car and took out my phone. I called the police department and asked for Carlo Fantin’s office.

He answered after one ring. “Fantin here.”

“Hello, Carlo. It’s Gilda. I’ve been doing my own investigating—”

“What! I told you to get a lawyer.”

“I tried to get a lawyer. I visited Henry Keenan, and I wasn’t impressed. Neither was he.”

Carlo laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me considering his connection with the Godfreys.”

“What connection?”

“You mean you didn’t know that Henry was Anna May’s godfather?”