Murder in Vail (6 page)

Chapter Thirteen

 
An hour later, Glen stood in front of the small mirror above the bureau brushing his hair. He leaned forward and examined the thinning hairline above his forehead. More seemed to fall out every day. It was fine in the back, but the top! His full head of black hair had always been his best attribute. The ladies loved it. But now…

Glen glanced at the open bedroom door to see Stephen leaning on the doorframe, watching him. He gave an embarrassed laugh.

“You and your brother don’t know how lucky you are to have a full head of hair.”

“Don’t worry about it. Everybody has something about themselves they don’t like,” Stephen replied.

Glen studied his good-looking brother-in-law and wondered what his flaw might be. He looked like he just stepped out of a J. Crew ad in a pair of tan chino pants, brown crew neck sweater, and Oxford loafers.

Stephen seemed to read his thoughts. “It’s not always physical,” he said with a smile. “Sometimes, it’s under the surface.”

Glen set down the hairbrush, picked up his Cartier wristwatch, and slipped it on.

“Check out this watch,” Glen said, reaching out his arm. “Look at that second hand.”

“Very nice,” Stephen said, not really interested. Jewelry wasn’t his thing.

“The most expensive one they make. Over a hundred grand.”

“Hmm,” Stephen said. “Whatever floats your boat, I guess.”

“It’s a great conversation piece. Gwen’s friends love it.”

Stephen nodded and didn’t say anything for a few moments.

“Hey, Glen, uh, sorry about earlier, you know, with Rachel.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Glen shrugged. “Women. Who can figure them out?”

“Isn’t that the truth?” Stephen replied. “Speaking of unpredictable women, where’s my sister? Are you two about ready to go downstairs to dinner?”

“Gwen’s doing her makeup in the bathroom. Trying to make herself beautiful for dinner,” Glen said. With a smirk, he added, “May take a while.”

Stephen’s eyebrows knitted together slightly at the comment, but he didn’t respond. He continued to look at his brother-in-law impassively. “Well,” he said after a moment, “I think I’ll go see if Lance is ready.”

Stephen strode down the hall and tapped on his old bedroom door. Barefoot and bare-chested, Lance opened it.

“Hey,” Stephen said, taking a step back. “I was going to ask if you were ready to go downstairs, but I can see you’re not.”

He turned to leave. “Wait, c’mon in, Stephen. I’ll just be a few minutes. Have a seat.”

Stephen sat down in the armchair that had rarely been seen when he was a teenager living in the house. It had always been piled high with the discards of the week’s wardrobe.

Duchess clawed at Stephen’s leg, wanting to be picked up. He reached down and lifted the little dog, setting her on his lap and stroking her back.

“Yvette’s doing her hair in the bathroom,” Lance said.

“Listen, Lance, about today—”

“Not another word, Stephen,” Lance said, buttoning his shirt. “It’s not your fault, and I certainly don’t hold you accountable. We are not responsible for the actions of others.”

“Well, thanks, Lance. Rachel has a bit of a temper.”

Lance smiled and leaned forward to whisper conspiratorially, “I understand,” he said. “So does Yvette.”

Stephen laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me at all.”

“We’re brothers,” Lance said with a wink. “We need to stick together.”

Chapter Fourteen

Sally hurriedly changed for dinner, choosing a flowing silk pantsuit in pale green. They had held on to the tradition observed by her husband’s family of dressing for dinner during family get-togethers and holidays. Her own family had not done that when she was growing up in California—most meals were eaten in shorts and flip-flops. But dressing for dinner made meals feel more special, and everyone in the family seemed to enjoy it.

Sally rushed downstairs and began setting the table for dinner. Helga was true to her word and finished cooking a sumptuous meal of prime rib, new potatoes, asparagus in béarnaise sauce, homemade bread, and cranberry cheesecake for dessert. Then she left the kitchen and went to her bedroom to pack.

Sally was so upset she was barely aware of what she was doing. What was she going to do without Helga? She would miss her so much, not just as her housekeeper, but as a close friend that she saw every day. Now she would be alone up on the mountain or, eventually, with someone new in the house that she didn’t feel as comfortable around.

Gazing out the large bay window in the dining room, Sally noticed that the snowfall was much heavier now. She stood at the window watching sheets of snows methodically hide more and more of the lilac bushes and the dwarf spruce hedge that surrounded the house. As she continued preparing the table for dinner, she noticed that the piles of snow in her front yard grew larger every time she looked out the window. It was so beautiful, but she couldn’t appreciate it. The events of the day weighed heavily on her. Already, another Christmas had become a disappointment. She envied other families who seemed to take such joy in being together for the holidays. With her family, it was just one problem after another, one argument after another.

She carefully took the delicate wine glasses from the 200-year-old cherry breakfront and placed them around the long dining room table, constructed of the same aged cherry wood. After smoothing the green linen tablecloth, Sally carefully pulled matching cloth napkins through elegant silver napkin holders decorated with holly and set one beside each place setting. She had chosen her best sterling silverware for the evening, the set she only used two or three days a year. She set a seat for Rachel too, just in case her daughter-in-law got hungry and decided to make an appearance.

Sally went to the kitchen and began carrying out the serving dishes that Helga had prepared. Just as she was bringing out the last dish, Gwen and Glen entered the dining room. Gwen wore a black beaded cocktail dress, and Glen had on an open-collared shirt with a blazer.

“What a pretty outfit, Mom. I love the color,” Gwen complimented her.

“Thank you, Gwen.”

Gwen stood beside her expectantly, waiting for her mother to compliment her dress.

When Sally didn’t say anything, Gwen said, “You didn’t say anything about how I look.”

Good grief,
Sally thought. She stopped what she was doing to look at her daughter’s dress. “Very nice, dear,” she said and went back to arranging the steaming dishes of food on the table.

Gwen frowned, obviously disappointed her mother had ignored her to set the table. “Mom, why are you doing all this?”

Glen chimed in.  “Yes, Mom. Shouldn’t Helga be setting the table?”

Sally continued readying the table without looking at them. “Helga quit.”

Gwen’s face registered both surprise and guilt. “Quit? But why?”

Sally tried to hold her tongue, but she was so angry it was impossible.

“You’re a great one to ask! You’re the cause of it—you and that sister-in-law of yours. I honestly don’t blame Helga.”

Gwen stiffened. “I apologized about it.”

“You apologized to me, not to her.”

“Well, I haven’t seen her to apologize,” Gwen said defensively, “And, honestly, Mom, I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. She probably is stealing from you. She’s so grumpy anyway. I’m glad she’s leaving.”

Sally turned on her daughter. “Well, I’m not, Gwen! She’s my best friend. She’s been with me for twelve years. I even left her a big endowment in my will. That’s how close we are. I’m so angry right now, I can’t even talk about it.”

Chapter Fifteen

“Your will? Mom, you shouldn’t be leaving servants money in your will. You’ll just give them ideas,” Gwen insisted.

“What’s this about your will?” Lance asked, walking into the dining room with Stephen.

“Mom just said she left a big endowment to Helga in her will.”

“What?” Lance said.

“Don’t worry,” Sally retorted. “The three of you will still get your share of the money too. That’s all you care about anyway.”

“Now, Mom,” Stephen said gently, putting his arm around his mother’s shoulders. “You know that’s not true.”

“How can you say that, Mom?” Lance said, a hurt expression on his face. “What’s wrong with you tonight?”

Gwen told her brothers, “Helga quit and she’s upset.”

Stephen was shocked. “Helga? I like Helga. Why did she quit?” Then he added, “Let me guess. Gwen said something that pissed her off.”

Gwen shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe I did, but so did Yvette.”

“Now that’s not fair,” Lance said, defending his wife. “Yvette made a simple request and Helga became quite brutish about it. She’s really an unpleasant woman.”

At that moment, Yvette entered the dining room wearing a shimmering, hot pink cocktail dress with an opening down the front that went to her waist. It left very little to the imagination.

“Good Lord!” Gwen gasped.

Yvette held Duchess under her arm. The dog also wore a bright pink dress and a pink bow on her head.

Gwen glared at the dog. “Please tell me you are not bringing that dog to the dinner table.”

“Duchess goes wherever I go,” Yvette replied, petting the little dog’s head.

Lance interjected. “She’ll be on the floor, Gwen. We won’t let her up on the table.”

“Well, I should hope not.”

Sally began pouring red wine into everyone’s glass. “Let’s sit down and try to have a pleasant dinner. Please?”

Everyone took their seats. The one empty chair at the table seemed to glare at them.

Gwen was the first to mention it. “I take it Rachel won’t be joining us for dinner?”

“God forbid she should leave her fortress,” Lance said.

Stephen opened his mouth to respond but Sally raised her voice, speaking in a tone they rarely heard. “Please! No more talk about Rachel. Can we just talk about something pleasant, please?”

An uncomfortable silence followed as they passed plates of food around the table and began to eat. Finally Glen said, “So, how’s the movie business, Lance?”

“Lancie’s producing another movie for me to star in,” Yvette said with a giggle. “I think this one will be my, what’s it called, ‘star vehicle.’”

“The last one didn’t do too great, did it, Lance?” Glen asked. “It never did open in South Florida.”

Lance cleared his throat. “No, took a bit of a bath on that one. Wasn’t the right script.”

“I liked the script,” Yvette said. “I had so much fun! I got to wear a bikini and get saved by a lifeguard.”

Gwen rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll be nominated for an Oscar any day now.”

Lance scowled at his sister. “It’s just a matter of time before Yvette’s a big star.”

“I’m sure,” Gwen replied.

“Just need to find some financing for the next one. Anyone interested?” Lance looked around the table expectantly.

“Don’t look at me,” Glen said, putting his hands up in front of him. “It’s all we can do to pay the taxes on the Palm Beach place.”

“Not to mention your latest brainstorm of refurbishing a yacht,” his wife said in a surly tone. “He’ll have us in the poorhouse soon!”

“We could always live on the yacht,” Glen responded with a laugh.

Lance turned to Glen with interest. “Maybe Yvette and I could fly down for a cruise?”

“That would be great,” Glen said. Joking to Yvette, he added, “And don’t forget that bikini.”

Yvette giggled. Gwen glowered at him.

Lance laughed and turned toward his mother. “But getting back to the subject. Mom, how would you like to be a movie producer?”

Stephen shot Lance a dirty look across the table.

Sally looked away and didn’t answer.

Chapter Sixteen

Stephen continued to glare at Lance.

“Don’t look at me like that, Stephen,” Lance said. “You’ve put enough of Mom’s money up your nose to finance a dozen movies.”

“And that wife of yours too,” Gwen said. “What a nutcase. And how rude of her to not even to come down to dinner.”

Stephen looked like he wanted to jump across the table at her.

“I’m glad she’s not here,” Yvette said, lifting the Yorkie to the table. “She’s a big know-it-all anyway.” Yvette took a piece of prime rib from her plate. “Duchess, do you want some of mommy’s meat?”

“Get that dog off the table!” Gwen ordered.

“Don’t you talk to my wife that way,” Lance retorted.

“Then teach her some manners and how to dress for dinner. It’s dinner, not a strip club.”

Yvette smiled, unfazed. “I say if you’ve got it, flaunt it.” She gave Gwen a withering look. “And if you don’t, don’t.”

Glen chuckled. “Now ladies—”

Gwen turned on her husband. “Don’t you ‘Now ladies’ me—”

“Please, stop. Stop!” Sally cried. “I’m so tired of all of this arguing. Can’t we please just have a pleasant family dinner? You’re here for Christmas, or have you all forgotten?”

The table became silent again. Gwen finally spoke up. “I’m sorry, Mom. You’re right.”

No one said anything for a while as they quietly ate their meals, occasionally complimenting the food or asking someone to pass a dish.

Gwen seemed to be trying to think of something positive to say to break the silence. Then she got a twinkle in her eye.

“Mom got asked out on a date today,” she said with a big grin.

“Really?” Yvette squealed. “You go girl!”

Gwen expected a big reaction, and was surprised that Yvette was the only one to say anything. The men remained silent and sat staring at Sally.

“Mom, you shouldn’t be dating at your age,” Lance said. “You’re too old.”

“Yeah, Mom, what’s that all about?” Stephen said. “Aren’t you happy the way things are?”

“Well, it’s not really a date,” Sally told them. “An old skiing friend of your father’s and mine asked me to join him for dinner after Christmas. Just as friends, I’m sure.”

“More than just friends,” Gwen teased. “This guy is really hot.”

Lance reddened and seemed upset. “Mom, this
hot
guy is probably just after your money. I don’t like this. You need to turn him down.”

Glen agreed and Stephen also spoke up against the idea. “Mom, I don’t like the idea of you going out with strange men. You live alone here. It’s not safe.”

Sally could feel her blood pressure rising again. “First of all, he is not a ‘strange man.’ This is an old friend I have known for years. And, Lance, I am your mother. I’m not dead. I actually have a life too. If I decide to go out to dinner with an old friend or on a date with a new one, I will go, and it’s no one’s business at this table. Period.”

No one said anything until Lance spoke up again.

“I’m sorry I said you were old, Mom. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that you would be a natural target because of your wealth. At this point, why rock the boat? Why bring someone new in?”

“I have to agree with Lance,” Glen said. “You’ll never really know if someone is interested in you or is just interested in your money.”

Stephen and Lance nodded earnestly.

“Glen’s right, Mom,” Stephen said. “There are a lot of con men out there.” He added cautiously, “You need to think about your family too.”

Incensed, Sally flung her napkin down on the table. “Everything isn’t about money, money, money. That’s all any of you ever think about!”

She stood up. She had planned to have a delicate conversation with them about what she was about to say, but when she lost her temper, it just spilled out.

“Money hasn’t done anything except cause problems for this family. Big problems. All of you have squandered the money from your trusts. Your father would be so disappointed. I want each of you to know that the money you already have in your trusts is the last you’ll ever get from me. Not one more penny! Do you hear me? Not one more penny, so don’t ask.”

She took a sip of wine to fortify her for her next announcement.

“You all need to know that right after the holidays, I’m meeting with representatives of Bill Gates’ and Warren Buffett’s foundation to donate ninety-five percent of my estate to charity. The money will help thousands of poor people around the world, not just three spoiled children.”

Sally glanced around the table at the stunned faces, whirled around, and rushed upstairs to her bedroom without looking back. She didn’t know what she was most upset about—Helga, Rachel, the drugs, the date, the dogs, the yacht, the movie, the purse… It had been one thing after another all day long. She couldn’t wait for Christmas to be over so her children would leave and she could return to her quiet life. And she found herself so anxious to rid herself of the money. It felt like a lesion that needed to be cut out so they all could heal. She decided to contact the foundation the day after New Year’s.

Sally was so wound up, she couldn’t sleep. She tried to read, but she couldn’t focus. Finally turning off the light, she listened as the wind howled and the snow pelted steadily against the window panes. Her last thought before dozing off was to wonder who would clean up the dining room table. She didn’t have to think long. She knew the mess would be waiting for her in the morning.