One Deadly Sister (Sandy Reid Mystery Series #1) (6 page)

“That explains several things. So, you two are an item, as they say. He’s helping you with your...problem?”

“Problem? You mean the lousy real estate market? No, he’s not helping me with anything. We were never involved. I used to work for him on his staff at City Hall when he was mayor. We’re not seeing each other. He just didn’t want to go to that party alone.”

“Just escorting you?”

“Yes, a holdover from when I worked for him as his personal assistant. He’d get loads of invitations to everywhere...you name it and countless free tickets. If he wasn’t seeing anyone special, or just didn’t want to go somewhere alone, he’d call to see if I was interested. His driver would pick me up and take me home. Back then at a party, he might go off and huddle up with some people. I’d spend the evening picking cashews out of nut bowls. That was years ago. Selling real estate’s a tough gig, and I get sales leads from being in the loop and being seen with him.”

For the last few minutes, Ray had enjoyed looking at her and listening. She looked so perfect there across the table that she took his mind from the muddled Loraine mess and the broken cup. She appeared to Ray as an educated, classy woman, nothing like the loose woman described by Loraine. This woman displayed high self-esteem and wasn’t likely to tolerate any abuse.

She sat back. “Hey, I’m doing all the talking. Why on earth did you go to his apartment?”

“The text message you sent about an hour ago.”

“Not me, how would I have your number?”

“I left it on your machine.”

“Haven’t checked lately. What’s going on?”

“I was looking for you. This is awkward Tammy. I know what happened. Loraine told me all about it. You’re handling it very well.”

“You were looking for me at Towson’s?” She pulled closer to the table. “Why would I be at his place?”

“I know you don’t want to discuss this, especially with me. But Loraine wants to help and can’t locate you. She’s worried.” He glanced around at the tables near them and lowered his voice, “We believe it’s important for you to report the rape to the police.”

With a jolt, she was up out of her chair shoving it backward and pointing at him. “Who are you?”

People around them stopped talking and looked over. She gave an uneasy glance around and sat back down. He stared at her unsure of what to say. She leaned toward him and in a hushed tone asked, “Is this some sick joke? You think I was...raped?” Her face was getting red.

“It gets worse, if that’s possible. Loraine left you and went after Sonny Barner. Found him and shot him. You might be telling yourself it was excusable date rape. However now he’s dead. And she killed him because of you.”

“Barner? Barner?” She wadded her napkin and threw it on the table. “Why are you talking crazy to me?” She brought her hands to her face.

“I’m just telling you what Loraine told me.”

“Then she lied to you. None of it’s true. What do you have to do with it anyway? Get this, I didn’t send you any text. Nobody raped me. I have nothing to do with Loraine, and she has nothing to do with me. She’s definitely not a friend. We like it that way. Furthermore, I think you’re sick. Go. Leave.
Now
.”

This can’t be true. Loraine told him she saw Tammy suffering. And said Norma Martin was there too. Someone’s lying. He had to press it. “Take off your sunglasses.”

“You’re weird and I’m out of here.” She shoved her teacup aside and stood.

He also stood. “Not yet, please humor me. Just take off your sunglasses. Then I’ll go.”

She shrugged and propped her sunglasses up on her hair, put her hands on her hips and leaned forward challenging him with mock wide eyes. What he saw was an unblemished face with perfect skin and warm blue eyes, which at that moment were dilated with anger.

All at once, the situation became clear to him. He nearly collapsed into his chair. Loraine had lied. That whole routine in the motel room meant—what? There was no rape. She must have had some other reason for shooting Barner. “Oh, God I’m so sorry. Please sit back down. What have I done?”

He was there embarrassing this poor woman for no reason at all. He had no defense, no excuse. In a low voice, “I believe you and I apologize. Will you help me? Do you even know this Barner? Have you ever dated him?”

She sat down still agitated. “Do you know what fat chance means? He’s the town bug man, not that there’s anything wrong with that. The man might be okay but definitely not socializing material. How did he get into this anyway? You say he’s dead? Anything else? How about those spaceships you’ve seen? And those CIA agents who are gathered in town ready to launch their sinister plot? May I leave and go back to the real world now?”

“I deserved that, I truly don’t know what’s going on.” Either she was lying or Loraine had lied to him. Neither possibility made any sense.

“You know you can check your phone to see where that text came from. Are you the one lying?”

“I did check, however the origin didn’t mean anything to me.”

“You have a colossal nerve to come here without even knowing me and laying all this on me. What sort of man are you?”

“An idiot. Nevertheless, I didn’t come here intending any harm. I should have checked it out somehow and never approached you. Believe me Tammy.” There was no sign she was softening. “I know you can’t wait to get out of here. One more question before you leave, are you friends with Norma Martin?”

“I barely know the name. What’s she got to do with this?”

“Loraine said the three of you are friends.”

“Really getting strange now. She owns the Jardin Café west of town. She’s Cuban-American from up north somewhere. I had the real estate listing for the restaurant for a full year. But I couldn’t move it. In the end, she bought it through another agent. I didn’t make a dime. I’ve never even met her.”

“Another of Loraine’s lies. I wish I’d never gone to that party.”

“Kind of cool of you to be so unconcerned about a woman’s age and leave with her. No one can accuse you of robbing the cradle. I guess all her cosmetic surgery can fool some men.”

“I figured she was a little older. At first, I thought she might be as old as fifty. Then I got up close and started thinking sixty. Then Towson said she’s seventy something. Aren’t seventy-year-olds supposed to just read books and play bridge?”

“Towson ought to know, he was married to her.”

“What?”

“Sure. Back awhile, before he was mayor. Her maiden name was Dellin. They met at a Mensa meeting. How’s that for classy dating?”

“Married huh? How’d she ever get into Mensa?”

“You keep implying she’s dumb. She must be playing you. Loraine is smart and sophisticated. You’re really out of it, you know. For a minute there I started to think somehow you might be a nice, harmless guy.”

“Help me, Tammy. Why is she doing this to me?”

“When did she tell you all this?”

“This morning.”

“You were with her this morning, where?”

He hesitated and dropped his eyes. “Well, actually we were at a motel.”

She raised her eyebrows at that. “This just keeps getting better and better. And you want my help?”

“We just talked. I was enjoying an innocent Saturday morning at home, when she phoned asking for help. I went over. I had nothing to do with any of this until she phoned.” He leaned closer. “Is it possible Loraine is the one who was raped? That could be it. She didn’t want me to know. She’s calling out for help. She was hiding her bruises with her sunglasses. That’s why she didn’t want the lights on in her motel room.”

“Or to hide her wrinkles. So you two were just talking in the dark, both fully dressed at all times, of course. You’re one sad case. Does what you just said make any sense to you? Let me tell you, Sonny Barner is no match for her. If he ever accosted her, she'd aim that death ray look of hers at him until he started shaking, then with a snap of her fingers he’d dissolve down into a slippery, greasy spot.”

“She seemed so defenseless, like she needed help.”

“Loraine hasn’t been helpless since she started changing her own diapers. Then again, maybe she had some other reason for shooting Barner. If in fact she did. Anyway, it’s not your concern. Get out of it.”

“I thought I could straighten it out. I’m going back and confront her now. She has to explain all this. I gave her a deadline of three o’clock to get a lawyer. I won’t wait that long if she’s been lying to me.” He glanced at his watch again.

“Deadline? What are you talking about?”

“I told her I’d hold off going to the police about the shooting until three. It’s after one now.”

“Wait, wait, wait, you’re not going to the police. You are
not
going to the police.” She put the palms of her hands on the table and leaned toward him. “Haven’t you ruined my life enough for one day? Have you told anyone about my supposed rape?”

“No!”

She raised her voice, “Are you certain? I don’t want to be the victim in any gossip. Any such rumors could ruin my reputation and my business. Were you so crude as to discuss it with Towson?”

“No, swear to God. I was careful not to mention it to him.”

“You absolutely are
not
going to the police.” Now she was furious, her voice was firm and sharp, “Get this straight, if you mention one word of this malicious story to anyone, including the police...especially the police. I’ll sue you for defamation or whatever I can come up with. Do you have any idea what’s at stake here? I get into big money real estate deals, people have to trust me. I live on my spotless reputation. It took me years to get where I am. Any little hint of impropriety could ruin me in a minute. You can’t go to the police. Loraine probably made all this up anyway.”

“But possibly she did murder him. If I don’t go to the police, then I’m on the spot as a criminal accessory.” But he knew Tammy was correct. The police would interview her whether it’s true or not. She’d be embarrassed, and that would be the least of her worries. The story was too good not to leak out.

“Thanks a lot, buddy.” She was silent for some time. She took a sip of her tea. She folded her arms and stared out the window for a full minute then back at Ray, studying his face carefully. Then another sip of tea. He wondered if she wanted him to just get up and leave.

Finally, she spoke, “Well, perhaps I’ve been too quick to judge. I was certain you were off the wall at first, yet you might actually have a slight streak of sanity. I don’t care for Loraine, still it’s horrible if she was raped. I can picture her going after Barner with a gun. That might have happened. You’re on the right track after all. Give her extra time today. Wait the three hours. Give her time to find a good lawyer. Then you come forward without being asked. And you’re out of it.”

“But you said—.”

“I’ll be okay. I can handle the police. I know the chief and most of those people anyway. I’ll just laugh it off with them. Yes, this will work. I’m not getting involved. However, you can call me at my office if I can help. I’ll be there until late.”

“Whatever you say Tammy, I just want to get out of this. I know I’ve upset you and I’m sorry. I’m glad you’re okay after all. Can we meet again, perhaps have dinner sometime?”

She rolled her eyes. “Get a grip.”

Toward evening that day, Tammy Jerrold was back at her desk, alone in her real estate office. Talking to Ray Reid had started her thinking. She had exaggerated the glamour of being associated with Towson. In truth, he had called on her less and less and then lately not at all. The business referrals had dried up.

She had gone on and on to Reid about how great things used to be when she worked for Towson when he was mayor. Looking back, had it been all that great? It sounded as if he really appreciated her. Well, he did and he didn’t. She had given him good years of her life. Hearing herself talk about the old routine, about following him around, now sounded foolish.

She had accomplished a lot and it was through her own efforts. Sure, he had given her leads from time to time, nevertheless she was the one that made the phone calls, made the deals and put together all those closings. She did it with hard work, nobody handed it to her.

Maybe it’s time to move on. Market’s slow here. Nothing is holding her to Park Beach. She had thought about a change. She was tired of this routine, tired of pushing real estate and tired of keeping the perfect saleswoman smile pasted on her face.

Although Saturdays were usually good days for business, she wasn’t in the mood to concentrate on business, not in the mood for people. She sat there ignoring the office answering machine blinking with unanswered messages.

A different ring continued for almost a minute before she realized it was her phone.

“Ms. Jerrold, please hold for Chief Oehlert.”

“Tammy, this is Bill. Bad news. There’s been a homicide.”

“Oh, oh,” she said. “I was afraid of that, Sonny Barner.”

“Sonny Barner? No. Tammy sit down. The Senator...Senator Towson has been shot. Call just came in. I’m on my way over there now. I’ll call you back when I know more. I’m sorry, Tammy. I know you were just like family to him. I didn’t want you to hear from anyone else. National news has already picked up on it. Don’t know how they found out so fast.”