Evil in the 1st House (6 page)

Chapter Eleven

It was early evening when Andy dropped Lowell off at the townhouse. Melinda was sitting on the couch when he entered. He put down his shoulder bag and walked over to her, gave her a kiss on the cheek and sat in his favorite chair. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I'd stay over and we can leave for mom's place from here in the morning. No reason to make Andy come downtown to get me.”

“Well, I'm glad to have you. I'm having a beer. Can I get you something?”

“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. I'll have one too.”

Lowell got up and headed for the kitchen. Melinda followed and sat at the square metal table in the corner. Julia had a delicious smelling dinner cooking in the oven and Lowell had to resist the temptation to peek. He took two chilled mugs from the freezer, opened two Spatan beers, and poured them into the icy glasses.

He handed one to Melinda who took a sip. “Umm, very refreshing.”

“It's a beautiful night, why don't we eat outside?”

“That would be nice.” Melinda opened her purse and took out her checkbook. “I want to return your retainer.”

“Don't be silly, you don't have to return it. You've earned it.”

“Earned it? I didn't do anything.”

“You watched my back. Besides, I'm not sure your work is done.”

“Why? You found the boy. This case was pretty simple.”

Lowell retied his ponytail. “Yes, too simple.”

“What do you mean?” She knew that when he fiddled with his hair it was a sign of discomfort. Something was bothering him.

He took a sip of his beer. “Let's just say this was the easiest million dollars I ever made.” He thought for a second. “Well, the second easiest. Buying oil futures at thirty-two dollars a barrel when Pluto was about to enter Sagittarius and holding them until they hit one-hundred-thirty was the easiest. This was the quickest.”

“Something's bothering you about this case, isn't it?”

He stroked his chin. “The charts helped me discover where Mrs. Williamson was living, possibly more quickly than I could have otherwise, but I believe that any competent detective could have found her and the child without the use of astrology.”

“So why did he come to you?”

Lowell shrugged. “And why offer me far more money than was necessary?”

“What do you think?”

Lowell walked over to the kitchen window and stared out at his tiny backyard estate. He saw a robin sitting on a branch of the sycamore that hung over from the yard next door. A second one landed next to it and they flew off together. “I don't know yet. But something doesn't add up. And I think prudence is called for.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I promised to help Mrs. Williamson get through the operation. She doesn't trust her husband and, based on their history, has good reasons not to.”

“And you think there's a hidden agenda here?”

Another robin landed on the tree and waited for a while, then flew off alone.
Dating is a hard, lonely business,
thought Lowell,
even for birds.

“I think I'll just keep you on retainer until this is completed.”

“Alright,” said Melinda, “I'm here if you need me.” She put the check back in her purse.

Lowell took a healthy slug of Spatan. “Have you had a chance yet to look into parental rights and issues of abandonment in a marriage?”

“I've got a legal aid working on it. He's put together a fairly substantial folder on federal laws. I also have him looking at New Jersey's state laws. That's where they got married and where Williamson lives, and state laws may take jurisdiction.”

They took their beers out to the backyard and sat under the giant umbrella.

The sun was just starting to set to the west. Melinda watched as the shadows moved slowly down the side of the wooden fence. She loved the townhouse and this tiny oasis of nature in the middle of Manhattan.

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

Lowell turned to her and smiled a warm, fatherly grin. She was the one light in his life that never dulled. His love for his children had always been his greatest blessing.

“One challenge at a time. Let's get through this weekend, and then we'll see what next week brings.” His instincts told him that the days ahead might hold heartache for many.

Chapter Twelve

At nine sharp on Saturday morning the limo pulled up in front of Lowell's townhouse. David was waiting out front. Andy put the overnight bags in the trunk as Lowell got into the car.

Melinda came down the street, a cardboard tray holding three coffee cups in hand. She gave one to Andy who smiled and held the door as she got into the back. She handed Lowell a Starbucks cup. “I thought you'd like to have this.”

“Bless you, girl.” He blew on the coffee. “Andy, we're ready when you are.”

Andy locked the doors and started driving to the West Side of Manhattan. Even though Lowell lived near the FDR, Andy had found it quicker, easier, and more scenic to drive along the Hudson River. Besides, the FDR led to the dreaded Major Deegan Expressway, which led to the even-more dreaded Cross Bronx Expressway. Calling them expressways was absurd. Driving past Yankee Stadium was cool, but even when there wasn't a home game, traffic was a nightmare. The ten minutes it took to go across town was more than recovered by taking the Henry Hudson Parkway to the Cross County to the New York State Thruway.

“When will the boys have the operation?”

Lowell sipped his coffee. “I expect to hear from Williamson early next week.”

Melinda looked closely at her father. “What is it about this case?”

He shrugged. “I'm not sure. As I told you at the beginning, this is a rather unusual case and one that defies definition, so far.”

“Give it time to roll around in your brain. You'll figure it out.”

***

The limo was exceptionally equipped for work. Lowell often needed to travel while on a case and staying in touch with his astrology work was essential. There was a full desk with a computer and a swivel chair bolted to the floor. He started to fiddle with the controls at his desk.

“Snowstorm alright with you?”

The windows darkened and then suddenly they were driving through a raging blizzard on the back roads of Vermont. There were twenty-four mini speakers in the limo to create the sound effects associated with the scene being projected. A howling winter wind could be heard in the background.

“You do like your toys, don't you, Dad?”

“This
toy
as you call it has come in handy in several cases.”

“Yes, I know.”

“And once Delaney works out the kinks and his patents come through, you'll see these in homes, restaurants, and everywhere.”

Andy drove them up the New York State Thruway. It was a boring route, and Lowell kept the computer-generated scene in place until they got off the highway and headed down the country roads. Then he turned it off and opened the windows.

It was quiet. Lately Lowell had found the noise of New York City more difficult to bear. The stress level one feels continuously in the big city eventually took its toll. That's why any Manhattanite who could, got out on the weekends. Everyone else headed to a park, or got lost in the Sunday paper.

Melinda leaned out the window and took in a big breath. “This is so much better than your phony movie scene.”

“Yes, but this winter when it's snowing and the wind is howling for real you may enjoy a drive along the beach through Southern California.”

It took them a little over two and a half hours to get from the city to Woodstock. Andy drove into town down Mill Hill Road onto Route 212, which turned into Tinker Street. The small town feel was refreshing and comforting. Lowell particularly liked the unhurried pace, and when the kids were young, he would take his family there whenever his schedule would allow. He didn't realize how much he'd missed it until now.

Andy took a right onto a small country road and followed it until the dead end. Then he pulled up in front of a pale blue shingled house with a wraparound porch.

Melinda and Lowell got out and stretched their legs. The house bordered the woods and they could hear numerous birds chattering their daily gossip. The front door opened and Catherine came from the house. She was dressed in a pink top, jeans, and sneakers with no laces, her signature casual attire since high school.

Every time Lowell saw her he felt a sense of excitement. When he saw her dressed like that he suddenly felt at home and smiled. She was very beautiful in an earthy way. Her brown hair glistened in the sunlight. Her radiant green eyes were striking. Wherever they went men noticed them and often commented. But then, most men noticed her long before they saw her eyes. At five feet, nine inches she was a little taller than Lowell, but still quite a bit shorter than Melinda. She'd worked as a model in her twenties and kept her fabulous figure through a steady passion of yoga and running.

She went over to her daughter and they hugged. “Let me look at you.” She stepped back. “You look tired, and a little thin.”

“Oh, Mom, you sound just like Dad, you know that? I'm fine, really.”

Catherine laughed. “Yes, we're both your parents. And love you dearly.” She turned to Lowell. “David, how are you?”

“Never better. It's good to see you.” They hugged, distantly.

“Andy, it's good to see you again, too.”

“Hello, Catherine.” He picked up the bags. “Where should I put these?”

“Just leave them at the top of the stairs, if you don't mind.”

He picked them up. “My pleasure. You've had the house painted since I was here last. It looks great.”

“Thank you for noticing.” She glanced at her ex-husband.

They went into the house and Andy climbed the stairs with several bags in each hand. Melinda went up with him and settled into her room.

Catherine turned to Lowell. “You look a little tired too.”

He smiled. “Maybe just a bit. It gets harder each year to play Sherlock Holmes.”

“I'll bet. But you love it, don't you?”

He shrugged.

“How about a cup of coffee?”

“That would be nice. It was a long drive.” He followed her into the kitchen. Catherine had inherited the house from her uncle shortly after they got married and they had spent as much time there as schedules allowed. They usually had the holidays there with the kids. Thanksgiving in the woods just seemed so much more appropriate than on East Eighty-third Street. This was their family home. He wondered how many times they had sat in this room through the years. “Andy's right. The place looks great.”

“I've been sprucing it up a bit.”

They sat at the counter in the center island as Catherine poured two cups of pre-made brew. “How about a slice of pie? I've got a fresh organic cherry I just picked up from the farmer's market.”

“You know I've never been able to turn down cherry pie.”

She cut two slices and put them on small plates, then sat. “How have you really been, David?”

He ate a bite, and then sipped his coffee. “Okay. It's been a busy summer.”

“I know. The rock 'n' roll murder case must have been exhausting.” She took a bite of pie. “What are you working on now?”

He told her about Dr. Williamson, the twins, and the million dollars.

“Wow, that's some story.” She sipped her coffee and looked at him intently. “This must have been a very difficult case for you, dealing with the potential death of his son. I'm sure it brought up a lot of things.”

He nodded. “Yes, I think it's made me revisit Robert's death more than I realized.”

“Is that why you took it? It certainly wasn't for the money.”

He ate more of the pie. “I suppose so. I haven't really thought it all out yet. But, no, the money wasn't the motivation.”

She nodded. “Is that why you wanted to come up?”

He shrugged. “I always try to come up this time of year to visit him.”

Melinda came down the stairs and entered the kitchen. She was dressed in blue shorts and a matching shirt. She walked over to the counter, took a cup, and poured herself some coffee from the pot. “Should we go soon? I'd like to be there while there's still daylight.”

Catherine finished her coffee and put the cup in the sink. “Let me just get a jacket.” She went upstairs and returned shortly wearing a stylish brown cloth jacket with wide lapels and a multitude of seemingly useless pockets and zippers. “I'm ready when you are.”

Andy was outside waiting for Lowell's instructions as they walked out of the house.

“Boss, you want me to drive you?”

Lowell shook his head. “No, I think we'll walk. In fact, you're off the clock now. If I need you I'll call. Please make yourself at home.”

He nodded. “I'm going to stay with my cousin over in Phoenicia, a few minutes away. Let me know if you need me. I can be here in no time.” He got in the limo and took off.

The family walked silently the mile or so to the outskirts of town, lost in their own thoughts.

Chapter Thirteen

There was a slight chill in the air as they stood by the grave. Nobody said a word. There wasn't anything to say. Robert's grave was well kept; Catherine saw to that. She put fresh flowers there every week and paid extra for a caretaker to trim the grass and keep an eye on things. It was on a small rise overlooking the town. Their heads were bent in private solemn contemplation.

Lowell glanced up and noticed a man leaning against a tree watching them. There was something amiss in the man's manner that bothered Lowell. He looked over at his family, somber and introverted, his feelings of protectiveness rising to the surface. His hand automatically went to his cell phone ready to text Andy if anything was wrong. When he looked back, the man was gone. He shrugged.
Must be getting paranoid,
he thought.

As they stood there silently, Lowell reached out his hand to Catherine. At first she shook her head, not bothering to wipe the tears running freely down her face. She turned away from him and looked off toward the sunset. But then without turning back she put her hand out and he took it. They stood like that for a few moments, and then Catherine turned her head toward him. They hugged tightly as if letting go would tear apart the universe. They hugged as one would a sister or a long-lost friend.

Melinda looked up and smiled through her tears. Then she moved off for a walk into town. David and Catherine went back to the house and sat on the front porch for cocktails. The mood was subdued, but not depressed. The tears at the graveside had washed away much of the sadness, leaving a peaceful acceptance in its wake.

Melinda came back shortly and changed into jeans and a flannel shirt tied off at the bottom, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was sitting on the front porch swing-couch looking about sixteen. “I ran into Zack today at the bookstore.”

“Oh? How's he doing?” Catherine sipped her white wine on the rocks.

“Fine. He looks good. Says he's got a good job with a local computer company. Seems to have put his stuff in order. We're having dinner tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Oh, Mom, it's Zack. If anything was going to happen it would have happened long ago. He's like a cousin. I just thought you two could use an evening alone. We'll have all day together tomorrow. Dad, you don't have to be back too early, do you?”

“No. I've got Mort and Sarah holding down the fort. And there's little I can do on Sunday anyway.” He sipped his Spatan beer. “I won't hear from Williamson until next week. Even Monday morning would be okay.” He looked at Catherine. “If you want the company.”

“We'll see. Let's get through dinner first.” Catherine looked at Melinda. “Aren't you going to change?”

“Why? This is how I always dress with Zack.”

“Maybe that's why nothing ever happened between you.”

“Mom!”

***

At 7:30 Zack swung by and picked up Melinda. He was also dressed in jeans, with a leather jacket over a plaid shirt.

As they drove away, Catherine turned to David. “They look like an ad for the Grand Ole Opry.” She sighed. “I guess Melinda's right. They are more like cousins.”

Catherine and David walked to the Farmhouse Restaurant on the edge of town and sat at a table next to the window. There was a magnificent view into a small valley with majestic pines and oaks reaching for the heavens, serene and everlasting, so it seemed.

“I always loved this view.” Lowell sipped his Sauvignon blanc. He usually drank what Catherine was drinking when they went out.

“The area's changing.”

“So I've heard.”

“More construction everywhere you look and the fear of this stupid fracking for gas has most of the locals up in arms.”

Lowell shook his head. “Such short-sighted fools. How can you threaten your very environment for a few bucks and a temporary drop in energy prices?”

They both looked out the window, the scene now seeming so much more fragile, perhaps not everlasting after all.

“Do you think she'll ever find someone?”

“Melinda? Her chart certainly gives her plenty of opportunity to find a mate. It's whether she wants one or not.”

“You spend much more time with her than I do. What do you think? Is she marriage material? God knows she's pretty enough.”

“She was dating someone. I think his name was Peter?”

“David, that was almost two years ago.”

“Really? Doesn't seem so long ago.”

“It was around the time when that judge got murdered and Melinda brought you that bartender as a client. What ever happened to her?”

“She works at a pet store and seems to be doing quite nicely. I can't believe you know that much about my cases.”

“I keep pretty good tabs on you.” She sipped her wine. “I understand you spent some time with Vivian Younger.” She smirked. “What was that like?”

David took a piece of bread and hurriedly buttered it, then shoved it in his mouth. He needed a moment to think. His brief fling with Vivian Younger wasn't worth confessing to Catherine, even though they were no longer married, but he didn't like lying to her. He chewed, slowly, took a sip of water, and then a sip of wine.

“Spending time with her made me realize just how much I missed you.”

She nodded and let it go.

Dinner was good, homey-comfort food. They finished the wine and ordered another bottle. When the table was cleared he sipped his wine and looked into Catherine's beautiful eyes. “You look well.”

“So do you.”

“Well, I don't know how. I'm too busy to even take care of myself properly.” He patted his paunch. “I could really use a short vacation, that's for sure. Remember the last time we went away this time of year?”

She twirled her glass, the ice banging against the sides. “Of course. Fire Island.”

He laughed. “We were like two kids. I don't think we'd been away for more than a year at that time. Money was very tight.”

“Yes, it was right before you started to make your fortune in the oil deal.”

He sipped his drink. “It was wonderful. And…so romantic. I had a great time.”

She smiled, but looked at her glass, not at him.

He looked out the window in silence.

She looked at David. “That was a wonderful few days.”