Fatal Identity (27 page)

CHAPTER 21

It was Tuesday evening, and Marcie was talking to Brad on the phone. She'd asked Sam and George to come to the house to make sure she said the right things, and they were sitting on the couch, listening to her side of the conversation.

Brad had called on Sunday evening, and Marcie had told him about her new will, leaving everything to him. She'd gotten Brad's number, so Sam could contact him, and Sam had called Brad on Monday, confirming that Marcie had been in to sign the will. The first part of George's trap had been set according to plan.

Just a few minutes ago, Sam had called Brad from this same phone, saying he needed a full accounting of Brad's withdrawals by the end of the week, so that Mercedes's estate could go through probate. Now it was Marcie's turn to put the second part of the plan into effect. She'd just finished telling Brad she was changing her will again, on Sam's advice, naming the twins as her beneficiaries, until the matter of the missing funds could be resolved.

“I don't think you did anything wrong, darling. I know you used that money to pay Mercedes's bills. But Sam is really giving me a hard time about it. He's insisting I sign that new will Thursday.”

Marcie turned to give Sam a desperate look. She didn't like lying to the man she was going to marry, but there wasn't any other choice. George's friends at the police lab had given him the information he'd requested. The scrapings the medical examiner had taken from Mercedes's fingernails did contain particles from the glove. George was right. It really looked as if Mercedes had been murdered. Now Brad was a suspect in a real police investigation, and this was a chance to prove that the man she loved was innocent.

“But, Brad . . . I don't see what harm it would do to sign it. It'll get Sam off my back. And after we're married, I'll just cancel that will, and the previous one will go back into effect. As Sam pointed out, it's just an interim arrangement.”

Marcie gave Sam the high sign. Brad had agreed. Sam held up a note card and Marcie read it. It said,
Make sure he stays at that number
.

“Of course. I love you, too. And one more thing, darling. If Sam needs to contact you again, you'll be at the same number, won't you?”

Sam nodded as Marcie gave him the high sign again. She was a very good actress, and everything rode on this performance.

“Yes, I wish you were here, too. But I know how important your meetings are. I'm fine, Brad . . . really. This is just one of those horrid inconveniences, that's all. And Sam is positively paranoid about that money. Oh, just a moment, darling. Rosa's calling me. Hang on for a second, will you?”

Marcie frowned and jotted a quick note to George.
He wants to know if I'll be home, in case he needs to call.

George smiled. Brad was really sweating. If they put on enough pressure, he was sure that Brad would hire the hit man again. Then he nodded to Marcie and scrawled a reply.
We'll forward your calls to the hotel. Tell him you'll be home.

“Sorry about that.” Marcie gave a little laugh as she got back on the line. “The twins just wanted to say good-bye, before they left on that school campout.”

Sam and George looked surprised. This wasn't part of the scenario.

“Oh, didn't I tell you? The whole class is going up to Arrowhead. They'll be back by the time you get home. I hope you do call, darling. I'll be here all alone, and it's going to be boring. I gave Rosa a couple of days off so she could spend some time with her sister.”

Marcie winced as Brad told her he loved her and he missed her. She felt like an absolute traitor for telling him so many lies. “Yes, Brad. You know I do. Good night, darling. I'll be waiting when you get home.”

“Great job, Marcie! Especially the bit about being here all alone.” George jumped up from the couch to pat her on the back as she hung up the phone.

Marcie frowned. “Yes. I guess my acting classes paid off. I'm a wonderful liar.”

“Hey, Marcie.” Sam slipped an arm around her shoulders, and gave George a warning glance. Marcie obviously felt guilty, and they certainly didn't want her to call Brad from the hotel and tell him what they'd coerced her to do. “Brad'll thank you when this is all over. And there's even an added bonus, if you think about it.”

“What do you mean?” Marcie looked puzzled.

“Let's say you're right, that Brad has absolutely nothing to do with this, and the crazy fan killed Mercedes. Since you look like Mercedes and you're finishing her part in the movie, he might just be after you, too.”

Marcie frowned as she considered it. “Yes . . . I guess that's possible. But what's your point, Sam?”

“This little trap of George's might catch
him
. After all, you've told everyone you'll be here alone, haven't you?”

Marcie nodded. “Yes. Everyone thinks I'm going to spend a long, relaxing weekend here, all by myself.”

“Perfect.” George smiled. Sam was on the right track. If Marcie thought she was helping to catch the real killer, she wouldn't have second thoughts about lying to Brad. “Sam is right. There's no reason for the crazy fan to suspect it's a trap, and it's a perfect opportunity for him to try to kill you. If we get lucky, we could catch him.”

“I never thought of it that way.” Marcie gave them a small smile. “That makes me feel better.”

Sam nodded. “Brad'll be very proud of you when he finds out you helped set the trap that caught the real killer.”

“Do you think so?” Marcie looked a little happier as she considered it.

“I'm sure of it. If I were a suspect in a murder case, I'd be very grateful to the person who proved my innocence. Come on now. I'll help you pack and take you over to the hotel.”

“Rosa did it before she left. Are you sure it's all right for the twins to stay with her, instead of at the hotel?”

“It's fine.” George nodded. “You told them the house was being fumigated?”

“Yes. It was the best excuse I could think of.”

George smiled at her. “It's a very good excuse. The police should be here any minute, and then we can leave. Sam'll get you all settled at the hotel, and I'll transfer your calls. Just make sure you stay in your room, so the hotel switchboard doesn't pick up.”

“It's a good thing I had Rosa pack some of my books.” Marcie sighed. “It'll drive me crazy if I have to watch television twenty-four hours a day.”

Sam noticed that Marcie looked depressed at the thought of staying in her room, and he had a sudden inspiration. “Forget the hotel, Marcie. Why don't you stay at
my
place? I've got a guest room and a separate phone. You can use the pool and soak in the Jacuzzi all day if you'd like. And you can still get your calls.”

“Oh, that sounds much nicer than being cooped up in a hotel room!” Marcie began to smile. “Would that be all right, George?”

George had to hide a grin, as he pretended to consider it. The three of them had been thrown together all week, and he'd been watching Sam and Marcie. Whether Sam realized it or not, he was in love with Marcie. And Marcie certainly seemed to be fond of Sam. With Brad out of the picture, something might develop, something that could be very good for both of them.

“I don't see a problem, Marcie. The only reason we were putting you up at a hotel is so that no one can locate you. Sam's condo complex will serve the same purpose.”

 

 

For a brief moment, right after she opened her eyes, Marcie didn't know where she was. Then she remembered and smiled. Sam's guest room was very nice, with blue- and white-striped wallpaper and white curtains at the windows. She hadn't thought she'd sleep well in a strange bed, but she'd been so tired when she'd gone to bed last night, she'd fallen asleep the moment she closed her eyes.

Marcie glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table and gave a little cry of remorse. It was already past nine, and she'd wanted to get up early and make coffee for Sam before he went to the office. She jumped out of bed and slipped into the robe Rosa had packed for her. Then she opened the door, and walked across the hall to tap softly on Sam's bedroom door.

“Sam? Are you there?”

There was no answer, and Marcie hurried down the stairs to the kitchen. There was a thermos sitting on the counter, with a note propped up beside it
. This coffee should still be hot by the time you get up. Have a cup, and as soon as you're coherent, call me at the office.

Marcie laughed and poured herself a cup of coffee. It was almost as good as Rosa's, and she sipped the hot liquid appreciatively. Sam had already told her that his office number was programmed on his phone. She carried her coffee over to the stool by the phone, and dialed the code he'd given her.

“Good morning. Mr. Abrams's office,” a cheerful voice answered on the second ring. “This is Miss Collins. May I help you?”

“This is Marcie Calder. Mr. Abrams asked me to call.”

“Yes, Miss Calder. He's expecting your call. Just a moment, and I'll buzz him.”

A moment later, Sam's voice came on the line. “Hi, sleepyhead. Did you just get up?”

“I'm afraid so.” Marcie giggled. “Thanks for leaving me the coffee, Sam.”

“No trouble at all. I just wanted to tell you that I transferred all my calls to the office. If the phone rings, it'll be for you. Shall we try it, and see if it works?”

“That's a good idea. But do you have time?”

“Of course. My next client isn't scheduled until eleven. Just hang up, and I'll call your number at the house.”

“All right. Good-bye, Sam.”

Marcie hung up and waited. A moment later Sam's phone rang. She picked it up and said hello, expecting to hear Sam's voice again.

“Miss Calder?”

A strange voice came through the receiver, and Marcie frowned. “Yes?”

“This is Bernie, down at the garage. I'm calling to tell you that your Mercedes is due for a tune-up.”

“Uh . . . thank you very much, Bernie.” Marcie recovered quickly. This was a call that had come in to the house number. “I could bring it in on Monday, if that's all right with you.”

“That's fine. About nine? Or is that too early?”

“It's just fine. I'll be there. And thank you for calling, Bernie.”

Marcie hung up, and the phone rang again. This time it was Sam.

“Hi, Marcie. I got a busy signal the first three times I dialed you.”

Marcie laughed. “That's because I was on the phone. It was the garage, calling to tell me I needed a tune-up.”

“And they called your house?”

“They must have. They certainly didn't know I was here at your condo.”

“Great. Everything's working all right then. Just make yourself at home, and if you go out on the patio, take the phone with you.”

“I will. What time are you coming home, Sam?”

“I'll try to get out of here by five-thirty. Barring complications, it's a fairly light day. We can order in pizza or Chinese for dinner.”

“Why don't I cook?” Marcie smiled. “I haven't cooked for ages, and I enjoy it. Is meat loaf all right?”

“It's great. But my cupboards are pretty bare, and you can't go out shopping. George wants you to stay put.”

“I'll call Von's Market. They deliver. And don't worry if you get hung up at the office, Sam. Meat loaf keeps.”

“Marcie?” Sam sounded amused. “Are you sure you won't marry me?”

“What?!”

“Just kidding. But it's very unusual to find a woman who doesn't mind when you're late. See you when I get home, Marcie.”

Marcie hung up the phone with a smile on her face. If she didn't love Brad, she'd be very tempted to think seriously about Sam's offer. He'd make an excellent husband, and he'd certainly be good to the twins. He already was. If Sam ever married, his wife would be a very lucky woman.

 

 

When Jerry walked into Hampton's, Beau was already there waiting for him. He made his way to the table in the back, sat down, and tried to look cheerful.

Beau looked sympathetic. “Problems, Jer?”

“Yeah.” Jerry tried to steady his shaking voice, but it was apparent he couldn't control his anxiety.

“Here. Have a sip of scotch.” Beau gestured toward the drink he'd ordered for Jerry. “You want to talk about it?”

Jerry nodded. “Do you know who my lover is?”

“No. You never mentioned his name.”

“Any guesses?”

Beau shook his head. “Not really. All you've ever said is that he was handsome and about your age. That fits almost everyone I know.”

“Good.” Jerry sounded relieved. “Look, Beau . . . can I tell you something in confidence? It's really important.”

“Of course, you can! That's what our group is for. We're supposed to learn to trust each other. And we're also supposed to swear never to betray a group member's trust.”

“Okay.” Jerry nodded. “I need to ask you a question. Have I ever acted weird to you? Like I was spaced-out, and I didn't know what I was doing?”

“No. I don't think so. What's this about, Jer?”

“My lover says I have these lapses when I'm not all there. You know about the headaches and how I drink to get rid of the pain?”

“I know.” Beau nodded. “That's why you're going to the doctor on Monday.”

“Well . . . sometimes I black out, and other times I guess I keep right on functioning, except I'm not myself. My lover's noticed it a couple of times, and he's told me about the crazy things I've done.”