Murder.Com (23 page)

     
Marty continued to sob.
 
"She came over here to check on me when I didn't show up for work.
 
I had the letter you'd sent to Mr. Nevers on the telephone stand and she spotted it."
 
Wiping the tears from her eyes with the hem of her apron, she hiccuped and continued.
 
"She put it all together herself.
 
I really didn't have to tell her anything."

     
Melinda blew smoke through her nose, then snuffed out the cigarette.
 
"Oh, great.
 
Just great.
 
This puts a different light on things."

     
Marty made a strange sucking sound and stared at her daughter.
 
"What do you mean?"

     
Melinda grabbed her purse and stood.
 
"Now I've got to rethink my approach.
 
This changes everything."
 
With that, she stormed out and slammed the door.

     
Tom stayed hidden behind the bushes as Melinda spun the car around and sped off toward the gate.
 
He shook his head and sighed, as he watched her speed over that crest.
 
Thank God, he thought, the gate has an electric eye and would automatically open when a car approached it from the inside.

     
He slipped back around the cottage and into the back door of the big house.
 
When he entered the kitchen, Angie frowned with concern.
 
"You were spying, weren't you?"

     
"Uh huh."
 
He took her arm, led her back to the study and mixed them another round of drinks.
 
"Be more careful this time," he said with a wink, handing her the glass.

     
"So, who showed up?"

     
"Melinda."

     
Angie stiffened.
 
"Did you get a good look at her?"

     
"I certainly did.
 
You're absolutely right.
 
She looks nothing like Bud.
 
However, that doesn't mean a thing.
 
Bud could have the green eye genes in his family background."

     
She slumped back on the couch.
 
"You're right."

     
He leaned forward.
 
"However, Marty definitely thinks Bud's the father."

     
Raising a brow, Angie looked at him.
 
"Yes, go on."

     
"Melinda's worried about the DNA test, even though Marty swears Bud's her dad.
 
But what really upset Melinda is that you know too much."
 
Tom put his elbows on his knees, holding his drink with both hands.
 
He stared at Angie with a solemn expression.
 
"I want you to be very careful dealing with this woman.
 
She could be dangerous."

     
Angie frowned.
 
"True, she gives me the chills.
 
But do you think she'd actually do me bodily harm?"

     
Tom nodded, never taking his eyes off her face.

*****

     
Melinda cruised down the freeway.
 
The wind blowing in the car window whipped her hair around her head.
 
Not bothering to push it out of her face, she narrowed her eyes and spoke out loud through gritted teeth.
 
"Damn you, Mother.
 
You and your drunken binges.
 
All it does is loosen your tongue.
 
Of course, I'm surprised you held it this long.
 
At least I'm older now and can handle things on my own."
 
She slapped the steering wheel with her hand.
 
"Why didn't I think of this DNA thing myself.
 
Once it's proven that I'm Bud's, I won't need Mrs. Nevers.
 
Everything will just automatically be mine after she's dead."
 
A sly grin curled the corners of her mouth.

Chapter Twenty

     
Early the next morning, Angie received a call from Dr. Parker.

     
"I have the results of the DNA testing.
 
Do you want to hear them over the phone or would you like to come down to the office?"

     
Angie's heart pounded against her ribs.
 
She glanced around, making sure Marty or Sandy weren't within earshot.
 
"Tell me now, Dr. Parker.
 
I've got to know."

     
He cleared his throat.
 
"Melinda Smith is not Bud Nevers' daughter."

     
She closed her eyes and whispered. "Thank you.
 
Could I get a copy of that report?"

     
"I'll have it waiting for you."

     
A wave of relief flooded her soul.
 
After hanging up, she sat down at the bar and rested her head in her hands for several minutes.
 
Just as she took a deep breath, Sandy strolled into the kitchen.
 
Angie smiled.
 
"Good morning.
 
You must have slept well.
 
You certainly look better than yesterday."

     
She returned a faint smile.
 
"Yes, I did.
 
But I feel bad about leaving you and Tom last night."

     
Angie waved a hand at her.
 
"Don't worry about it.
 
I had some business to deal with and you needed your rest."
 
She busied herself with folding the newspaper, then laid it aside.
 
"Let's get you a bite to eat."

     
"Just a bagel and cup of coffee will be fine."

     
After serving Sandy, Angie poured herself a cup of coffee and joined her.

     
Sandy put both hands on the table, palms down.
 
"I've been so selfish and preoccupied with my own problems, I haven't asked how you're doing."

     
"I've been dealt a few surprises.
 
But, you needn't worry yourself about them."

     
"I wish you would let me worry about them.
 
Then maybe I wouldn't dwell on my dilemma so much."

     
Angie studied her face, wondering if Sandy could handle the idea of Melinda being Ken's daughter instead of Bud's.
 
Of course, it was only a suspicion, but she wouldn't want her to find out through other sources.
 
She struggled with the decision for several moments before speaking.
 
"Say you were in my shoes and found out that Melinda wasn't Bud's daughter, but you had an inkling of who the father might be.
 
What would you do?"

     
Sandy wrinkled her forehead and looked at Angie.
 
"I thought I heard the phone ring.
 
Was it Dr. Parker?"

     
Angie nodded.

     
Sandy got up, crossed in front of Angie and looked into her eyes.
 
"What are you trying to say?"

     
Angie reached out and grasped Sandy's arms.
 
"Remember, this happened a long time ago.
 
Melinda is twenty-three years old."

     
Her eyes wide, Sandy stepped back out of Angie's reach.
 
"Are you telling me that Ken is the father?"

     
Angie stood and grabbed her by the shoulders.
 
"Now take it easy Sandy.
 
Ken and Bud were together the night Marty conceived, and the doctor just confirmed Melinda isn't Bud's daughter.
 
So, it stands to reason that she could be Ken's."

     
Sandy gasped and shook her head.
 
"But it could have been any one of the hands working around this place."

     
"No.
 
You have to see the girl.
 
Her resemblance to Ken will shock you."

     
"How do you know Bud and Ken were together?"

     
"Marty told me."

     
Sandy covered her mouth with her fingers.
 
Tears slid down her cheeks.
 
"I don't believe this."

     
Angie glanced at her watch.
 
Marty wouldn't be back to the house for a couple of hours.
 
She took Sandy's hand and led her into the kitchen nook.
 
"Sit down.
 
I might as well start at the beginning and tell you everything."

     
Marty wanted to speak with Mrs. Nevers alone, but found it difficult with Mrs. Weber there.
 
Finally, she called on the phone and invited Angie to the cottage so they could talk in private.
 
She tidied the place until it glistened.
 
The smell of cleanliness filled the air.
 
Also, she'd not touched a drop of booze for two days.

     
When the knock sounded, Marty said a silent prayer, crossed herself and opened the door.
 
She smiled broadly and stepped to the side.
 
"I'm so glad you could make it, Mrs. Nevers.
 
Please, come in."

     
Angie frowned.
 
"You sounded so concerned.
 
Is everything all right?"

     
"Yes.
 
I needed to talk with you.
 
Please sit down."
 
She motioned toward the couch.
 
"What would you like to drink?"

     
"A glass of iced tea would taste wonderful."

     
Marty disappeared into the small kitchen and returned with two large glasses filled with crushed ice, tea and lemon slices.
 
She handed one to Angie.
 
As she sat down in a chair opposite Angie, she confided,
 
"I didn't want to talk to you about my personal problems in front of your friend.
 
That's why I invited you to come here."
 
Marty felt the tension between them and fought the emotion tugging at her insides.

     
Angie sat stiffly.
 
"So what is it?"

     
Marty studied Angie's solemn face, then sighed.
 
"It's Melinda.
 
I talked to her and she told me how she'd threatened you."
 
The tears welled despite her struggle to hold them back.
 
"That girl is causing me pain and grief.
 
I've had nothing to do with her actions.
 
I'm very happy here and love the cottage.
 
I want to live here forever."
 
Her voice caught and she wiped the spilled tears from her cheeks.
 
"But she's getting me in trouble with her evil ways."

     
Angie scooted to the edge of the couch, holding the large tea glass with both hands.
 
She stared into Marty's eyes.
 
"Are you afraid I'm going to kick you out?"

     
Marty nodded, her chin trembling.

     
"We've been together for twenty-five years.
 
Unfortunately, it's turned into twenty-three years of deceit."

     
Daubing her eyes with a tissue, Marty whispered.
 
"I know."

     
"However, you've been by my side through thick and thin.
 
I can't write that off and just forget it."

     
"Thank you, Mrs. Nevers."
 
Her voice shook.
 
"But, I'll never forget Mr. Nevers telling me after Melinda came to the party, that once he told you who she was, that you'd probably fire me."

     
Angie's eyes widened.
 
"Bud told you that?"

     
"Yes ma'am."

     
Angie walked slowly to the window and remained silent for several long moments before she turned around and looked at Marty.
 
"I guess Bud and I didn't know each other as well as I thought."