The Fallen Angels Book Club (18 page)

“Fine, fine. Just leave it up to me. I'll get started today. I know exactly what I'll say.” She took the materials from me. “When do you need it?”

“If you could possibly have it mailed by the end of next week, that would be great.” I paused. “Now, Marla, it doesn't have to be a big deal. You can keep it simple.”

“Not a problem. Your attorney will have it this week.” She patted my hand. “Now get that worried look off your face and give me a smile. It's going to be all right.”

Somehow I dug deep and came up with a smile.

At home, I leaned back on my bed, closed my eyes and let down my guard. Talk about a week on an emotional roller coaster. Avery. What was that all about? Then there was the conversation with Rita the other day. Had I shut my family out instead of the other way around? Now another member threatened. I tried to push it all away. I had a hearing to show up for and only three weeks to get my act together.

It was clear my attempt to read myself to sleep wasn't working. There was one thing I needed to get out of the way. I picked up the phone and then put it back in the handset. I picked it up again. Even as I punched in the number it irked me that I had memorized it. Good, I got voicemail.

“Bill … Bill I … just give me a call. I want to clear something up. My num—”

The phone clicked.

“Wait, Becky, er … Hollis, wait, I'm here.” I could hear papers rustling. “What a surprise. A pleasant surprise, but a surprise.”

“I bet.” I took a deep breath. “Look, I called because I don't want you contacting my family again. What happened is between you and me. If you can't reach me, then you can't reach me. Don't call Rita, or Mom, or Dad, or Greg, just leave my family out of it.”

There was silence.

“Bill?”

He sighed. “I'm here.” He took a swallow. “Will you please put our past behind us and let me take you to dinner? Or, if that's too congenial for you, how about meeting for tea?”

I was glad he couldn't see me glancing around for an answer. He'd remembered I liked tea.

I stammered, “No … I don't think—”

“Let me come over.” His voice deepened with promise.

I blinked, and pushed the phone at arm's length as I said a quick thank you to the patron saint of ice water.

“Are you kidding me? No, you can't come over.” My voice gained strength. “And stay away from my family. Do you hear me?”

“Hollis, I—”

“Do you hear me?” I enunciated each word slowly.

“Yes, I hear you.”

I hit end on the phone, and turned off the light.

I waited until Thursday after the last meals were served and the seniors were hopefully resting in their rooms. It was also the time I knew the staff had dinner in the dining room. The front door was locked, but I'd been given a key to the rear door when I first started to visit. I'd never used it, and I held my breath until I heard the lock click open. The key still worked. The locks hadn't been changed.

The door opened onto a hallway that I knew led to the administrative offices. The residence rooms were on the other side of the building, separated by the community room and lobby. Fortunately the lighting was low. The carpet helped muffle my footsteps, giving me cover.

Walking swiftly past the double doors leading to the dining room, I counted the doors to staff offices. Joseph's was second from the end.

It was locked.

All the center's interior doors had keypad locks. Each resident had a coded lock that staff had access to. Of course, most seniors shared their codes with each other. However, staff offices all had the same code. Although they treated me like staff, and I used a vacant office from time to time, if I were caught, I'd have a lot of explaining to do. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that they hid the code somewhere near the receptionist's desk. During my last visit with Lily, I ventured into the main office. Within five minutes, I found the code on a Post-it under the computer mouse pad. I memorized the number.

Now I quickly punched it in and waited for the red light to turn green. Before I could turn the knob, the door jerked open. I was face to face with Joseph.

His scowl covered his face and didn't hide the fury in his eyes. “What the hell are you doing breaking into my office?”

My brain went blank, so my tongue came up with an idea. “Oh, this is your office? I thought this was Opal's office.”

“Hollis, I was wondering where you went to. I have those papers for you. Thank you for coming by so late. ” Marla was dressed in a housecoat and carried her purse. She appeared as only an angel would. “Hello, Joseph.”

He gave her a brief nod but said nothing.

My heart was beating so rapidly that I wanted to faint. “Yes, I'm on my way.”

“I thought you said you were looking for Opal's office.”

Before I could respond, Marla said, “That's because I told her Opal was holding my papers and would leave them in an envelope for her when she came by.” Marla walked up to me and grabbed my arm, steering me back down the hallway. “Anyway, sweetie, I got things backward. Opal's office is across the hall. This is Joseph's office. I got things mixed up. Doesn't matter. Come along.”

“How did you get the code?” he said.

“I—”

Marla held me tighter. “I gave it to her. We all know where to find the code. Besides, there's software you can buy and put on a USB device that can open any key lock.” She moved past him. “You were right, Hollis. The customer service rep was so nice to explain everything to me.”

Joseph was likely assessing his options. I didn't doubt his eyes were boring into my back.

“How did you know I was here?” I whispered.

Marla glanced behind her. “I went to get a catalog I left behind in the community room, looked out the window and saw you pull into the lot next door. I had no idea you'd come tonight, sweetie. I could have told you Joseph traded nights. I just came by to make sure you were okay.”

“That's why I didn't tell you. I don't want you to get involved.” It never occurred to me to ask Marla and save myself the potential embarrassment at being caught red-handed. “Do you really have the code?”

“No,” she smiled broadly. “I thought I sounded convincing.”

I gave her arm a squeeze. I looked back at Joseph, who was still standing where we had left him. From the grim set of his jaw, I could tell he hadn't bought any of it.

T
he Snow Museum was an Oakland landmark. A former Victorian-style mansion turned museum, it stood in quiet watch over Lake Merritt. In contrast to its stately turn-of-the-century presence, rows of expensive contemporary condominiums rose in the background.

Mark and I sat across from each other at one of the picnic tables that dotted the lawn facing the water. The smell of recently mown grass carried in the morning lull. It hadn't taken much to get him here; I think he hoped this was his chance to ingratiate himself with me.

“No one's here,” Mark said.

“She isn't due for another fifteen minutes. I wanted us to talk before she arrives.”

He handed Rena's Inquiry First printout back. “It's not too bad. That's good. I knew you had another reason for accessing Inquiry First. You could have been upfront with me.”

“Sorry. I didn't want to involve you if I didn't have to.”

“I'm not sure I can help your friend.”

“I think Rena's a victim of circumstance, like me. At first, I was put off by her but now … I don't know, she seems okay.”

“What do you think I can do?”

“Listen to her. I'm too close to all of this. I want you to hear her story in her words. The fact that she received a threat makes me think she might have seen or heard something. I know in my gut Abby was killed because she knew something about Rory's murderer. The police have backed off the suicide theory. That means there have been two murders likely committed by the same person in our diminishing book club membership.”

“How many of you are left?”

“Five, including me.”

“Don't you think it's nuts that one of your club members would be demented enough to commit murders that would only lead back to a club member?”

“Nuts and scary. Sadly, no one else has our book list. The other thing is—”

“Hi.” Rena approached.

“Rena, good morning. You look great.” I barely recognized her. She looked like a model. Dark sunglasses complemented the sophistication of her hair pulled back into a loose bun. She wore black slacks, a billowy white top and red pumps. Her well-toned arms sported a bright assortment of silver and red bracelets.

I motioned for her to sit next to me. “This is Mark Haddan. I told you I work with Mark, but I also consider him a friend.”

She gave him a nod. “Hollis doesn't give me the impression she acquires friends lightly.”

Mark gave a small laugh. “It's the first time I've heard her call me that. I tread very carefully.” He held out his hand. “It's good to meet you.”

Rena hesitated a moment then shook it.

My lack of social graces took over and my impatience grew. “I know you don't have much time. Show Mark what you showed me.”

Rena's whole demeanor changed. Her smile faded and her expression became one of apprehension. She pulled out the note.

He took it. “What is
The Long Pause
?”

“It's the name of the next book on our club's reading list.”

Mark's gaze flicked first to me, then to Rena. “Okay, Rena, why don't you tell me how you got this.”

She recounted what she told me. “Why me? I don't know anything. I just joined the group.”

Mark said, “Did the others get any kind of warning?”

Rena shrugged.

“Not that I know of,” I said.

“What did the police say?”

Rena looked out toward the lake. “I haven't told them about it.”

He lifted a single eyebrow. “Why not?”

“Because … because I don't like the police and … and they might think I was trying to point fingers away from me because I'm guilty. I'm not, but they might think I am.”

Mark gave Rena back her note. “This is a threat. You've got to take it to them. Of course, any fingerprints are covered with ours by now, but they might be able to find something. Take the note to them. It will look better for you.” His voice softened. “Don't get caught up in second-guessing the police. They want to find the killer. You know you're not guilty, and there is a real killer out there.”

I spoke up in case Rena still resisted. “Mark's right.”

She gave me a woeful look. “Will you come with me?”

“Me? No. I think I'd do more harm than good, since they consider me a suspect.” I put my hands in my lap. “Ah, Mark, could you go with her?”

Rena turned to Mark. “I know we just met, but will you come?”

Mark appeared taken aback. “Ah, I'm not a criminal attorney. I wouldn't be your best advocate.”

“I don't want you to represent me. I just don't want to go alone.”

Mark looked at me, and I shrugged.

“I guess I could accompany you. You should go as soon as possible. When can you make it?”

I listened vaguely to their arrangements to meet in the afternoon. I felt a growing disquiet rising in my chest. Rena said her thank yous and goodbyes, and Mark stood to leave.

I leaned over the table. “What if others got a note as well and I was the only one who didn't?”

He thought a moment then spoke the words I wouldn't utter. “That could mean someone is trying to frame you.”

“Isn't it too obvious? No one would believe I'm that stupid.”

“Maybe Rena doesn't realize she knows something.”

“That's what I thought about Abby. Maybe she could identify the killer. Maybe one of the guys really is a serial killer.”

Mark shook his head. “Enough. We're not going to get anywhere speculating. I'll encourage Rena to give her story, and then tomorrow or the next day I'll talk to the detectives assigned to the case.” He brushed off his slacks. “I've got to run some errands before I meet her. I'm not sure who's around at the police station. There's a chance the detectives won't be there, but I'll let you know what happens.”

I smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate you talking with Rena and … and talking sense to me.”

“No problem.” He hesitated as I got up. “Hollis, er … I have this one lingering case I need to get off my desk. One of the temps started to help me before she went on maternity leave. I'm running out of time getting the Riddick filings in shape for Avery. I could use your help.”

I didn't bother to hide my distaste.