Shear Murder (21 page)

“Who knows? Torrie took care of those details.”

“Scott should have access to her records. Ask him.” Marla leveled her glance at Eddy. “If you do find a new tenant, I'd think you could help with the clearances. After all, didn't you assist Falcon Oakwood get the proper approvals for his property?”

Eddy bristled. “That's different. This will require a traffic study. A new tenant has to hire an engineer and present his case to the city. He'll have to show that a drive-through would not obstruct traffic.”

“That's not what I meant.” Marla's mouth curved in a smile. “Jill's land must be contaminated from all that oil. You have ways of getting past environmental issues, yes? You did it for Orchid Isle.”

Eddy's face reddened. “Where did you hear that?”

“I believe it was in Torrie's files. It's awfully coincidental that she died the same weekend as your attraction's grand opening. Imagine if the public found out what she knew?”

He stared at her hotly for a few moments of silence. “I've been around a long time. I know who to contact to get things done. That's why an eminent developer like Falcon Oakwood would come to me.”

“If you say so.” She maintained eye contact, challenging him to admit his dealings were legit.

Jill glanced at Marla. “I really should go see Kevin as long as we're in town. I'm more inclined to agree with Torrie now. I don't want to sell. Marla, would you mind if we stopped by his office? It won't take long.”

Why not? I've already wasted half my day.
“Sure, let's go.” They were getting nowhere with this interview.

“Did you draw up my new POA?” Jill addressed Eddy, while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Yes, of course. You're in an awful rush.”

“I've just gotten married. I need to add Arnie's name to everything. The power of attorney is the most important. I can change my other documents later.”

Eddy called in two witnesses. Jill signed the form and took the original for herself.

“I'll file a copy,” Eddy told her. “Let me know when you're ready to amend your will.”

Jill swung her purse strap over her shoulder. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” She rose, and Marla followed suit while Eddy lumbered to his feet.

“Jill, a moment.”

Allowing them a modicum of privacy, Marla left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her.

“Did you tell your new husband yet?” Eddy said in a low voice, while Marla lingered in the hallway to eavesdrop.

“No, and don't you say a word to him. We're doing fine and, hopefully, things will continue that way for a while. Arnie doesn't need to know at this point. Let us get settled first.”

“I beg to disagree. You realize Alexis and I have always been there for you, my dear, so heed our advice. What haunts you will come back to bite.”

Marla, hovering in the hallway, hastened toward the reception area when she heard footsteps approach from the other side of the door. Jill bustled into view, her expression grim. She signaled for Marla to follow her outside.

They made desultory small talk on their way to Kevin's office, a modest building on North Kendall Drive.

As they pulled into the parking lot, she glanced at her watch. It would take forty-five minutes to drive back to Palm Haven, where her first client was scheduled for one o'clock. Forget lunch and her promise to stop off at her mother's place. Again, she had become so wrapped up in Jill's affairs that she'd neglected her own. She must learn how to say no.

Kevin greeted them with such an effusive show of welcome that Marla doubted he was overjoyed by their presence. After ushering them inside his comfortable office, he sat behind his desk and folded his hands.

“So what brings you ladies to our part of town?”

“I hear you've been soliciting a bank for our property.” Jill smoothed her pants. “I'm thinking our site would be great for a fast food place.”

Kevin's longish face turned shrewd. “We have a nibble from a bank. There are a couple of problems, though. I just talked to Scott about them.”

Jill stiffened. “You called him, but you didn't notify me? What am I, chopped liver?”

Kevin's brow furrowed. “I meant to call you, but I remembered how insistent Torrie was on finding a new tenant. Since Scott will be in charge of her share, I thought I'd get his opinion first. I didn't want to come to you until I had something solid, with you being a newlywed and all.”

“Hereafter, don't be afraid to consult me. I may be ignorant about commercial property matters, but I'm a quick learner.” Jill lifted her nose. “Besides, I brought Marla along. She owns a duplex, so she understands this stuff.”

Oh, joy. Put it on my shoulders.

“The bank people are worried about the environmental fallout. They're also not willing to give in on the vault removal.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you would be responsible for getting rid of the vault should they terminate the lease.”

“Are you kidding?” Marla leaned forward. “Do you realize how heavy that thing must be? It could cost thousands.”

“You're right.” Kevin jabbed a finger in her direction. “Unfortunately, they're not willing to budge on the issue. They're also concerned it would take a while for you to get clearance from the environmental agency. According to your lease with the oil lube company, they're responsible for any remediation. The bank folks are skittish, though. I'd like to close the deal while we've still got them in our pocket.”

“Is there anyone else interested in the property?” Jill asked.

“A guy who owns a Quik Mart in Perrine. I think we can do better with the bank, though.”

“We've just been to see Jill's uncle Eddy,” Marla inserted. “He said there could be a problem with the zoning in terms of a drive-through.”

Kevin steepled his hands, regarding her from under a set of thick caterpillar brows. “We have two choices here. We could exchange the property for another of equal value with the proper variance. That's simplifying how it's done, but you get the idea. Or we could push for the tenant to assume responsibility for getting the zoning changed.”

“I'm not giving up my piece of land.” Jill folded her arms across her chest. “If the bank wants a drive-through, they'll have to get it approved.”

“Okay, then what about the vault?”

“I'll have to accept their terms, I suppose. Marla, any suggestions?”

Kevin's arguments sounded logical to her. “Not really. I think you're making a good choice.” She addressed Kevin. “Tell me, when Falcon Oakwood was looking for property on which to build his nature park, how did you come across that slab of land?”

Kevin's mouth tightened. “We're a commercial real estate firm. We know what's available.”

“Wasn't there an environmental issue with his place, too? How did you resolve that one?”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

Marla cocked her head. “I heard from a good source that his attraction was built on a toxic waste site.”

Kevin's eyes narrowed. “If there had been any dumping going on, it would have been cleaned up. His land had a clean bill of health.”

“I see. Maybe you could use the same leverage to clear Jill's land?” She held his gaze level with hers.

“Times have changed. Things are not so easy. Regulations have gotten a lot stricter.”

Or maybe the people you bribed aren't around anymore.
“It's interesting how you and Eddy were both involved in that transaction. I understand Torrie had been looking into it through the archives at her magazine.”

Kevin bared his teeth. “Torrie had a bad habit of learning people's secrets. Whatever she knew went with her to the grave. It's my guess that's why she died.”

His words reverberated in Marla's ears all during the drive north. She attempted to draw Jill out, to get more answers, but her friend clammed up and kept silent. After thanking Marla for her company and promising to see her at the bachelorette party in two weeks, Jill dropped her off at work.

Annoyed that she'd wasted the morning and hadn't seemed to gain much in the way of information relevant to the case, Marla decided to focus on her own affairs from now on. Again.

Her one o'clock customer was already waiting when she walked into the day spa a few moments later. She'd checked in with Luis regarding the state of repairs, pleased to find he had everything in order. Their new furniture should arrive next week, and meanwhile, he'd diverted the work crew from her spa to finish the clean up in the salon.

Busy with her client, she barely heard the front door crack open later with a tinkle of chimes.

“Marla, come and see this,” Jennifer, the young stylist, said from the reception area. “Someone sent you flowers.”

At the next station, Nicole's eyebrows lifted. She paused, comb in hand, in the midst of doing a haircut. “How romantic! Dalton must know how frazzled you are with almost two weeks to go to the big event. He's so sweet.”

It's more likely he's trying to make up for the other night when I caught him in the restaurant with another woman,
Marla thought.

She glanced at the wall clock. It was only four o'clock. Two more hours to go before she could call it quits. At least Dalton had promised to take charge of dinner. She couldn't wait to tell him about her interviews with Eddy and Kevin.

As soon as she finished her blowout, she hastened to the front desk on which stood a glass vase with a spray of pink orchids and glossy greenery. A small card nestled on a stick.

For some reason, a shiver of apprehension scuttled up her spine. Dalton had never sent orchids before. Usually, he was a straightforward roses kind of guy.

Plucking the card from its perch, she schooled her face into a mask of pleasure while opening the envelope. Inside, bold printed letters met her stunned gaze.

Her smile withered and her blood ran cold. Realizing Jennifer was waiting for a flippant comment, she gave a strangled laugh.

“Aren't these delightful? I'll have to show the sender my special appreciation.”

Jennifer chuckled. “You're so lucky, Marla. Dalton is a real gem. I envy you.”

“Don't,” she said in a harsher tone than intended. “I mean, flowers and chocolates and gifts don't count as much as actions. It pleases me more that he's making dinner tonight. Did you see who delivered these?”

The blonde's nose wrinkled while she thought hard. “Now that you mention it, I didn't see a logo on the van.”

“What did the driver look like?”

“I dunno, he wore a cap and just sort of dumped these on the counter. Isn't there a company name on the card?”

“No, there isn't.” Shoot, she should stick the card into a plastic bag so Dalton could check it for fingerprints.

“Leave these here for now. I'll take care of them later. Meanwhile, I'd better get back to work.”

Gingerly stuffing the card back into the envelope, she held the latter by a corner and hustled to the storeroom where she scrounged for a sandwich baggie. After depositing the card inside, she stuck the sealed bag in her purse and proceeded to her next customer.

At fifteen minutes past seven, she finally pulled into the driveway at Dalton's house. She'd had a last-minute add-on and didn't finish until an hour past her expected time.

“We were just going to sit down to eat without you.” Dalton turned toward her in the kitchen. He stood by the stove, wearing an apron and stirring something in a pot.

She sniffed garlic and tomato sauce. Standing on her toes, she gave him a quick kiss. “I'll be right back. I have to get something from the car.” She dumped her purse on the counter then wheeled around.

A few minutes later, she plopped the vase near the sink. “These were delivered to me at the spa today. Everyone thought they were from you. I didn't tell them otherwise.”

He turned down the burner. “I wouldn't send orchids.”

“I know.” She told him what the card said and watched his gaze darken. “It's in my purse in a plastic bag.”

“Smart girl. So who do you think they're from?” He turned toward the hallway. “Brie, dinner is ready.”

“Be right there,” the teen yelled back.

Marla waited until they were seated and devouring their whole wheat spaghetti with Dalton's homemade sauce and turkey meatballs.

“Well,” she said between bites after asking Brie how her day had gone, “Philip Canfield comes to mind immediately. He's a florist, after all. But that's too obvious.”

“Falcon Oakwood?” Dalton sipped his glass of cabernet. “You said he was there when you visited his wife on Monday. Maybe he didn't like you snooping into his affairs.”

“Yeah, but he doesn't seem the type who'd toss a bomb through my salon window. I have a hunch the orchid sender is the same person.”

“Didn't you look into the property records, Dad?” Brianna cut in. “I thought you found out something about the land deal for Orchid Isle.”

“Right.” Dalton swallowed. “Oakwood got the island for a cheap price. I contacted the tax assessor's office in Miami and got more details.”

“So we know the land had once been a toxic waste site, and that Falcon got it for a good price. Did you find out if it had ever been cleared by the environmental agency?”

Dalton shook his head. “Sorry, that information wasn't available.”

“How convenient.”

“So maybe Falcon sent you this bouquet as a warning to mind your own business,” Brianna said. Her dark eyes filled with concern. “Marla, I don't want you getting hurt. Maybe you should back off and let the police handle things.”

Marla glanced at Dalton, an ironic smile on her face. How many times had he told her the same thing?

“Don't forget, Jill's cousin Kevin and her uncle Eddy were involved in that transaction. Besides Falcon, they'd want to preserve their reputations, too.” Marla told them about her trip to Miami. “I didn't mention what Kate had said about Kevin being mixed up in mortgage fraud.”

“Good, because you've already stirred the hornet's nest,” Dalton said morosely. “Two women are dead, and you're not going to be number three if I have anything to say about it.”