Take a Dive for Murder (12 page)

True to his word, Captain Becker followed Carrie onto the expressway and maintained his surveillance for several exits.

As Carrie drove back, her one nagging question was
: who alerted those men to her activities? Was she followed when she left the house? No, she checked her rearview mirror regularly and was sure she wasn’t followed from the house. Christopher was in the kitchen when she told Mrs. Cavanaugh she was going out for dinner. Would he have told someone, like Charles? Was the Admiral’s Saloon under surveillance? What about Officer Reynolds?
No, he’s in the clear
, she thought.
The men were already waiting at the car when I walked away from Reynolds. Besides, Reynolds was somewhere alerting Becker that I was on the pier.

Carrie checked her rearview mirror one more time as she took the freeway exit for the Faradays. She also checked for strange cars as she drove down the street to the house. The street was quiet, with the residents’ cars neatly tucked away in their driveways or garages.

Carrie turned her car lights out before entering the driveway so as not to disturb the family. She parked her car on the pad in front and to the left of the garage and entered the house by the kitchen door. A nightlight in the kitchen was sufficient to guide her into the main hallway. She was starting up the steps when the study door opened behind her and Charles came out into the hallway.

“Are you all right? I’ve been very worried about you. Captain Becker called and said you were
in trouble. Then he hung up before giving any details. That man is maddening! I was going to drive down to the harbor to try to find you, but I didn’t know where you were. And with my knee…well, I still can’t walk long distances.” Charles raced through his sentences.

Carrie was still peeved over Charles’s explanation to Becker
about her, but on the other hand, it was sweet that he waited up for her.

“I’m fine
…just a minor incident. A couple of men followed me after I finished my dinner. Did Christopher tell you I was having dinner out?”

“Christopher? I haven’t talked to
Christopher all night. He went to the movies with some of his friends and then came home and went to bed.”

Carrie thought to herself;
Good, I’m glad it wasn’t Christopher who told
. Then she said to Charles, “I was at the Admiral’s Saloon and the food is very good. Have you ever eaten there?”

“I’ve eaten there many times, especially since Jamie’s death. You didn’t happen to wander out onto Pier Seven?”

Guilt must have shown on Carrie’s face because before she could answer, Charles added, “I thought so. I wish you had asked me to go along with you.”

“I didn’t ask you because of your knee. Besides, I only wanted to see the spot where Jamie went into the water. I certainly didn’t think
just looking at the spot would invite trouble. And while I appreciate your concern, what was this story you told Becker? Something about you have no idea why Jamie selected me to investigate his death?”

“Good old Becker. Look, that’s not what I said. Let’s go into the study so we don’t wake everyone, and I’ll tell you what I actually said. Then you can tell me why you called the police for help.”

Carrie would have preferred to go to bed. It had been a long day and a tough night, but she obediently followed Charles into the study. He went to a desk and removed a small tan leather notebook and pen. She wondered if this book was similar to one that Jamie used. She took a seat at a round table where a jigsaw puzzle lay partially completed. Charles waited until Carrie was seated, and then sat across from her, displaying a warm smile. Again, Carrie thought what a good-looking man Charles was and wondered why he never married. He had the same strong face as Jamie, with soft blue-gray eyes that could hold you captive and thick, wavy hair. Somehow the silver color didn’t make him look old, just distinguished. She snapped back to reality as Charles continued talking.

“First, when Becker called, he gave no information. He said you were snooping around the pier and could I identify who you were. I told him you were a friend of Jamie’s from college and that Jamie left you instructions to look into his death. Becker asked if the family knew about Jamie’s intentions. I said no, we had no knowledge of Jamie’s plan to contact you. Before I could
add anything, he said he had to go because you called the police for help. I hope you see the negative slant was Becker’s, not mine.”

“I’m sorry for my rudeness, but Becker made it sound like I was this intruder the family didn’t want around.”

“I really don’t care for that guy,” Charles said. “Every time I ask him for an update, he says it’s an open case and he can’t discuss details. But nothing seems to happen.”

“He
told me the same thing that the case is not closed. And he added that he doesn’t like when incidents, such as what happened to me tonight occur on an accidental death case.”

“That’s good to know, but what happened tonight? Why did you call the police?”

Carrie hesitated. From the moment she had arrived in TriCity, someone was out to stop her from learning about Jamie’s death. She felt the need to share her information with someone, but should that someone be Charles?

Charles must have read her thoughts because he asked, “Still not sure if you can trust me?”

Carrie looked at this man who possessed the same quiet charm as Jamie. Was she being lured into trusting Charles because of her past feelings for Jamie? Could this man have been involved with the death of his brother? She decided the answer was no.

“I know I need to trust someone, and despite our differences in the past, I know Jamie trusted you.
I’ll trust Jamie’s judgment. Can I have your promise that what I tell you will not be shared with anyone else?”

“You’ve my word of honor, as Jamie’s brother.”

“Okay, this is what I’ve learned so far. Jamie’s letter, contrary to what everyone thinks, didn’t reveal any startling facts. It simply stated that if his death was questionable, he would rely on my analytical skill to determine if it was murder.”

“Nothing else
…no hints of what he was investigating or why he thought he was in danger?” Disappointment showed in Charles’s face.

“Nothing
. So while you and I think Jamie was murdered, the letter offered no magic bullet for a quick solution. However, the ‘bad guys’ don’t know this, and I think that’s why they are trying to find the letter. I know that’s why Simpson was mugged, and that’s why they were after me.”

Carrie told Charles
about her trip to the Admiral’s Saloon, her discussion with Officer Reynolds, his description of the three men the night of Jamie’s murder, and then her chase through the streets, which ended with a rescue by the TriCity police and Captain Becker.

“That was very clever to hide out in the bank. I’m not sure
I’d have the presence of mind to think of that. You know, your adventure tonight has one positive result. It supports our belief my brother was murdered. However, on the negative side, you’ve placed yourself in danger. No, I can’t have this. Starting tonight, I don’t want you doing any more investigating!”

Charles was starting to sound like Becker. At that moment
, Carrie saw where a piece of the jigsaw puzzle fit. She took the puzzle piece and angled it into position. She looked up at Charles and said, “Charles, you know I’m not going to do that. I’m going to finish what Jamie asked me to do. It just means I have to be more careful.”

Charles was silent for a moment and then added, “I remember Jamie telling me that once you
’re committed to a project there’s no stopping you. All right, then, I propose a compromise. Starting tonight, we share all information and we don’t do anything alone. No more solo excursions. Deal?”

“Actually,
I’d like that. Deal!”

Charles
and Carrie shook hands and then Charles looked at the notes he made during Carrie’s narration. “You believe ‘Bill’ and the other man chasing you were two of the three men Officer Reynolds saw the night of the murder.”

“You have to admit the descriptions match those two. However, it’s the third man that sounds like the boss. That’s who we need to find.”

“Older with graying hair and dressed in a suit isn’t much of a clue. It could be hundreds of men. Most of the men who were at Jamie’s funeral have gray hair, including Simpson, Stone, and Joel, staff reporters, editors, and me. That’s assuming this third man is someone we know.”

“Remember, Reynolds never saw the man’s face. Just because he has gray hair doesn’t mean he’s old. I mean, you
have…” Carrie stopped.

“It’s all right. I’ll take that as a compliment that you no longer see me as old. I think there was a time when you and Jamie thought me ancient. Funny, as people grow older, a six-year difference grows smaller,” he said, reflecting back.

Suddenly Carrie bolted to the French windows.

“What is it?” Charles asked.

“I’m sure I saw a light in the studio.”

Charles joined her at the window. “Are you sure? Sometimes you can get a reflection from car lights on the street.”

“I didn’t hear a car, and this was more like a flashlight.” She grabbed her keys. “I’m going to check.”

“Not without me! Remember the pact we just made.”

Carrie headed for the kitchen door with Charles hobbling as fast as he could behind her. She pulled the white sheer kitchen door curtain back slightly and peered out while she quietly unlocked the door. As she slowly pulled the door open, a loud crash behind her caused her to fall against the door.

“Ouch, damn it,” said Charles.

“Charles! Charles, where are you?” She couldn’t see clearly in the darkened kitchen and was forced to turn on the light. She saw Charles slumped on the floor between several pots and pans, holding a frying pan. “Good grief,” she said as she rushed to his side. She helped extract him from the pots and got him to a kitchen chair.

“Thanks. I hope we haven’t awakened the entire house,” he said, rubbing his ankle.

“What do you mean
‘we’?” Carrie said laughing and then added, “What happened?”

“I guess I was moving a little too fast, and my knee gave out. I started to lose my balance and reached out to grab hold of something. Unfortunately, it was the pan rack I grabbed. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor. I’m okay now. Let’s go.” He stood up and limped toward the door.

Carrie turned the light out and they stood side by side for several moments. There was no sign of a light or any movement near the studio.

“Do you think all that noise alerted the intruder?” asked Charles.

“I’m sure if the noise didn’t, my turning on the lights did. We should still probably check, just to be sure.”

They both went outside to the steps that led to the studio. Carrie insisted that Charles remain at the bottom step while she went up and took a look. Carrie climbed the steps slowly, listening for sounds. Charles watched for any flickers of light coming from inside the studio. When Carrie’s head was level with the window, she peeked through the glass. She saw nothing. She moved up the steps, keeping her head low. She tried the door, but it was locked. She took out her keys and unlocked the door. She listened again. No sounds. She opened the door a fraction, reached in, and flipped on the lights. She flung open the door with such force that it hit the back wall and sprung back toward her. She peeked inside, but saw no movement, no stirrings, nobody. She ventured inside and looked around. The files were closed, the desk drawers shut, and nothing was disturbed. Carrie turned the lights off, locked the door, and left the studio.

“Anything?” asked Charles.

“Nope, maybe it was just a reflection,” responded Carrie
, now unsure of what she thought she saw.

They went back inside the house. Charles locked the kitchen door and turned the lights off. Carrie was silhouetted in the moonlight coming through the kitchen window. Charles took her by the shoulders, turned her to him, and
kissed her gently on the forehead. Carrie was stunned and a little confused, but offered no resistance.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a long, long time. I’ve missed you, Carrie Kingsford. Contrary to what Becker said, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Charles, I don’t…”

“Don’t say anything. I won’t put any pressure on you.
We’ll wait until all this is behind us. But remember, starting tonight, we’re working together.”

They left the kitchen. Charles insisted on taking the steps. When they were outside Carrie’s bedroom, Charles kissed her again and hobbled off toward his room.

Carrie got ready for bed, but couldn’t sleep. She lay in the dark wondering about all the events of the last few days. So much was happening. It was hard to keep everything straight. She couldn’t seem to make the connections she needed to solve the puzzle. Now she had a new dilemma. She wanted to remove Charles from her suspect list. Did he stumble on purpose in the kitchen to warn the person in the studio? Were his feelings toward her genuine, or was it… She didn’t finish the sentence.

The thoughts kept repeating in her brain without answers until they were interrupted by a slight sound in the hallway. She quietly arose from her bed and tiptoed to her door. She cracked open her door and looked out.

Christopher was sneaking down the hallway to his bedroom.