Take Stock in Murder (27 page)

“How did you find this place? Was it while you and Brad were courting?”

“Heavens, no. Mr. Stuffed Shirt, even in his younger days, wouldn’t have been caught dead in a place like this. It was before my marriage to Brad was arranged. Someone who was fun and enjoyed a good time introduced me to this place.”

“Sounds like a first love.”

“How perceptive you are. My first love, as you call him, was fun.”

“You’re talking in the past tense. Is this person no longer…?” Charles hesitated, hoping Linda would fill in the details.

“No, he’s departed this place forever,” she said sadly. Then she looked over to make sure no one was listening. “It was Todd.” Her response was barely audible.

“Todd Barrington was your first love.” Charles was surprised. “Linda, I didn’t know. I’m sorry. But how…”

“Oh, you’re wondering how I started with Todd and ended up marrying Brad.”

“Actually, I was wondering more about you and Todd.”

“Todd and I were in love. We fell in love during college.”

Charles raised an eyebrow.

“It’s all right. Most people don’t know I even went to college. Actually, I did very well. I have a degree in business and then completed an MBA in financial management. But back then, Todd hadn’t settled on a career or even a major. When we approached our families with the idea of getting married, Todd was packaged off to a different college on the other side of the country. Then Brad and I were introduced. Suddenly, every time I went to a party, Brad and I were always coupled. Then Brad asked me to marry him. Brad’s family and my family were very much in favor of our union, and it seemed to be the right solution for everyone involved. Brad wasn’t so bad back then. We enjoyed each other’s company for a little while. Then his family responsibilities started to change him.”

“How did Todd feel about the marriage?”

She placed her drink on the table. “He didn’t come. He was wandering around Europe with friends and said he couldn’t get back in time. For a long time, he would have nothing to do with me. However, I like to think that somewhere deep
inside, he still loved me. That’s why he never found anyone else. Especially since…”

Charles reached out and took her hand. “Especially since you and Todd had started to see each other again.”

“Where did you hear that?” She was startled.

“You two were seen together, and I made an assumption.”

Linda looked Charles straight in the eye. “I think you’re sincere, so I’m going to trust you. It’s true. Todd and I
were
seeing each other. I guess that sounds terrible. But we thought we were being discreet.”

“No, it doesn’t sound terrible. I know what it’s like when you find real love. It must have been difficult for you, being married to one brother and finding out that you’re still in love with the other one. Especially when I compare fun-loving Todd with Brad, who seems…well…boring.”

“Boring? He’s a damn robot. His father pushes the button, and Brad responds. At least Todd was his own man with his own personality, not trying to be his father’s clone.” Linda broke down and cried softly for the next few minutes. She took a few tissues from her pocket and gradually got herself under control. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“No need to be sorry. When did you start to see Todd again?”

“It started about six months ago. It was wonderful. The magic was back. At first, it was the excitement of not getting caught. We would pretend we happened to run into each other, just in case someone saw us. Then Todd purchased a condo in the city, and I often met him there. And we came here quite a
lot. We used to sit in this very booth and talk about breaking away from the families and being together.”

“How was Todd going to break away from the family business? His livelihood seemed to be tied to his father’s firm.”

“We had a plan. Todd was making good money from his investments. He talked about setting up his own company. I’d be able to help him from both a business and a financial sense. I have money of my own from my grandfather. I’d be a silent partner in the new business. Once the new firm took off, we both could get out from under the influence of our families.”

Charles couldn’t help but wonder whether Todd had been honest with her. Had he really fallen back in love with her, or was this another part of his plan to hurt the family by getting Linda involved in his scheme? He asked Linda, “What was the time frame for Todd’s split from the firm?”

“We planned to start the new company right after the New Year. It would be after the company bonuses were paid. Todd was entitled to a substantial amount because of the money he’d earned for the firm. That would be his portion of the seed money for the new firm.”

“And you’re sure the family didn’t suspect the plan?”

“I’m absolutely positive. The only time we were alone was here at Perkins Tavern or Todd’s condo, and there was certainly no reason for the family to spot us at either place.”

Charles wondered about the last answer, especially in light of Sara’s spotting her tonight. “Linda, who do you think murdered Todd?”

She put her beer down and stared at the glass for a moment. “I just don’t know, and I’ve given it a great deal of thought.”

“Linda, I’ve given it some thought as well. It seems to me there are three possibilities. Did you know there was an internal audit taking place at the firm?”

“You’re implying Todd’s dealings weren’t legitimate. There was nothing wrong with his accounts. You’re beginning to sound like the family. Everyone always assumed Todd wasn’t as brilliant as Brad. When it came to finances, Todd was razor sharp.”

Oh, if you only knew how sharp
, thought Charles. “I didn’t mean to imply anything. I was just wondering why there was an audit.”

“It’s a financial house. They’re always doing audits. It’s required.”

“Then our second possibility is a jealous husband or boyfriend who thought Todd’s affections were going too far,” suggested Charles.

“That’s why you and Carrie are really the best suspects.” She laughed, but the silliness had gone out of her giggle. “I don’t really think you did it, but you have to admit that from everyone’s point of view, you two had both motive and opportunity.”

“That’s why Carrie was so easily framed. Many other husbands at the dance are suspects, but unfortunately, we had the altercation with Todd. Did you know the rumor mill had Todd involved with quite a few women during the last six months?”

“But as you said it, these were just rumors. Todd wasn’t serious about any of them; he was only seeing me,” she stated emphatically before she ate the last portion of her sandwich.

“While you know Todd was only flirting, what did the women think? And more importantly, what did their husbands think?”

“Are you talking about the old women of the Investment Club?” She sounded annoyed with the question. “They were the source of his business and the wealth that would free him. Todd told me the women at the Club were just having a little fun. None of them were truly serious about the attention Todd was paying them. Certainly none of them had any intention of leaving their husbands. I think he promoted the rumors just to annoy his father. You know, his father is expected to be the next president of the Club, and Todd thought it was amusing to flirt with the pillars of the ladies’ guild.”

“Were there any single women who could have thought Todd’s attention was more than fun?”

“Oh, there was a girl at work, Sara Chaney, who helped him with the Investment Club. They were friends for many years, but Todd looked upon her as more of a sister.”

“Any of the staff at the Club? I hear the lady golf pro is pretty good looking. What’s her name?”

“Her name is Bitch, if you’re talking about Jennifer Foster.” Linda downed the rest of her beer, slapped the mug on the table, and motioned to the waiter for a refill.

“That’s quite a reaction.”

“Look, that woman isn’t anything but a tramp. Our little Jennifer chases anything in pants, provided he has money. Todd mentioned how Jennifer was constantly after him, but Todd had no interest in her. He had a real hard time getting rid of her.”

“How did he get rid of her?”

“He didn’t have to. Apparently she found someone else at the Club that could provide her with what she wanted. Todd felt it wouldn’t last because the guy was married.”

“Could Todd have been blackmailing Jennifer’s newfound love? It would have provided him with more money for his new business. That would certainly have made him a murder target.”

“Nah, I don’t think so. Todd was a prankster, but he wasn’t stupid. Besides, he was doing quite well with his investments. What’s the third possibility?” she asked.

“Someone in the family didn’t care for what Todd was doing.”

“You’re implying someone in the family killed Todd. That’s outrageous! Look, I understand you want to prove your wife innocent, but to imply someone in the family…Wait a minute! You’re not talking about someone—you’re accusing me. You think
I
killed Todd! That I was jealous because of Todd’s rumored affairs. Well, you’re wrong! I didn’t care about those other women. I knew Todd only loved me. I think you need to go back and review all the evidence and come up with some other motives.”

Linda was suddenly sober and angry. She stood up. “Thanks for the drinks and the sandwich. I need to go home now.” With that, she turned and left the booth and Perkins Tavern.

hile Charles and Linda discussed Todd’s murder in the booth at the back of the bar, a slim figure wearing a black wig slid into one of the old-fashioned phone booths near the front. The person angled one foot in the door of the phone booth to keep the light from turning on. The shoe on the foot was a black flat with a small gold bar across the instep. She dialed her number and waited for the person on the other end to answer.

“Hello. You were right. She came right to Perkins Tavern…

“She’s been drinking heavily, but there’s more bad news. Charles Faraday showed up, and they ended up in a booth together.

“No, I couldn’t get close enough to hear what they were saying, but what else could they be talking about?

“I know you say she doesn’t know anything, but they sure found a lot to say to each other.

“Wait. Linda just left. Charles is taking care of the bill, so I’m sure he will leave shortly.

“I don’t know about that. I think we ought to leave his wife right where she is, sitting quietly at home, waiting to go to trial. The evidence is pretty strong against her.

“You really think talking to her would help?

“All right, I’ll call her, but isn’t there a police guard?

“OK, I’ll ask if she can get out unseen. You’ll take care of the other call? Yes, OK, I’ll see you there.”

Charles gave the check to the waiter and looked around to see whether Sara was still there, but the table she’d occupied with her friends was filled with a new group of patrons.

The waiter returned so quickly that Charles thought perhaps he’d misread the bill.

“Are you Mr. Faraday?”

“Yes, I’m Faraday.”

“There’s a phone call for you, sir.” He held a wireless phone.

“Thank you.” Charles waited until the bartender left.

“Hello?” He half-expected the call to be from Carrie.