Cleanup (8 page)

“They're all under arrest—Andrew for the murder of his father.”

“What?” I couldn't believe my ears. “Andrew killed Charles? When did that happen?”

“Charles isn't the father,” Bodie said. “He's the stepfather. Richard Withers is the father.”

“
What
?”

“That was pretty much my reaction,” Bodie said. “It seems Enid had an affair with Richard while Richard's wife was still alive. Enid got pregnant. The old man gave her an allowance, but he refused to divorce his wife. She got back at him by going after Charles—Richard's only other child— and marrying him instead. When Richard found out, he told her that if she said anything to anyone, he would cut Charles out of his will. Charles wouldn't inherit a dime. Neither would she or Andrew.”

“That's pretty harsh,” I said.

Bodie nodded. “Well, you
have
met the woman,” he said.

I saw his point. Enid Withers was a difficult woman to like.

“According to Enid,” he continued, “the old man took great delight in telling her that he was going to marry Maria. Enid was furious. She argued with him. But there was nothing she could do.”

“Except kill him so that he wouldn't change his will after he got married,” I said.

“He'd already changed it. But she didn't know that. She also didn't know that he'd included a provision for the baby. It must have been hard for her when she found out—especially after the way the old man treated her son.”

“Did she confess?”

Bodie shook his head. “She says she didn't do it. She says he was alive when she left the house. Andrew is backing her up.”

“And you believe him?”

“I do,” Bodie said. “We finally found a couple of witnesses. Someone saw Enid arrive at the house just before eight in the morning. She parked right in the driveway. Someone else saw a car matching the description of Andrew's car pull up a few minutes later. He parked around the corner, as if he didn't want anyone seeing him. A man out walking his dog saw him enter through the side of the property. And as far as we've been able to tell, his car was still parked around the corner after Enid drove away. So it's possible that Andrew and Enid are telling the truth. It's possible Enid wasn't involved.”

“Did Andrew say anything else?”

“He told us his side of the story. Did you know he was in love with Maria?”

“Yes.”

Bodie frowned. “Exactly how much information did you withhold from the police, Ms. Suarez?” he asked.

“I just found out about Andrew this morning, from Maria. I was going to tell you.”

He looked far from convinced.

“Andrew says he went to the house to see Maria,” he said. “He was obsessed with her. He says he loved her and that he wanted to beg her to give him another chance. Instead, he ended up talking to the old man, who told him that he was going to marry Maria. He says that's when he lost control of himself. He grabbed the first thing he laid hands on and smashed the old man over the head. He killed his own father and didn't even know it. Enid hid it from him—and from Charles.”

“So Andrew confessed?” I asked.

Bodie nodded.

“Then Maria is free to go?” I asked.

“She'll be released tomorrow.” He glanced at his watch. “Better make that this morning. Can I give you a lift home, Ms. Suarez?”

He not only drove me home, but he also helped me up to my apartment.

I slept for a couple of hours before being woken by my phone. It was Maria.

“I'm free!” she crowed. “That detective, he said it's because of you.”

“I think he had a lot to do with it too, Maria.”

“I am going tomorrow to see Mr. Richard's lawyer,” she said. “He says there are many details to take care of. Will you come with me, Connie? I want to understand everything he says.”

I told her I would be happy to go with her.

“And, Connie, I talked to Mr. Camden about you. I told him I want to help you become a lawyer here in this country. He says he can tell us what to do. I will help you, Connie. I can do that now.”

“What will I tell Mike?” I asked with a laugh.

“You tell him what I told him. You tell him, ‘Mike, I quit.'”

I had to admit, it sounded like a great idea. I could hardly wait.

NORAH MCCLINTOCK
's fascinating mysteries are hard to put down. She is a five-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel. Norah grew up in Montreal, Quebec, and now lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario. Visit
www.web.net/~nmbooks
for more information.