Murder Most Likely (an Emma Cassidy Mystery Book 3) Page 5

  When the organizing committee had heard of Emma’s skills, she had been roped in to plan the anniversary dinner, which she was happy to do. Janet Ramos was in charge of decorations for both the dinner and the displays, a task Emma didn’t envy. She knew how difficult it could be to organize volunteers.

  “Sure, I’d love to help,” Emma said.

  “Wonderful.” Janet’s silver earrings seemed to tinkle with approval. “I knew you’d say yes.”

  “We’re doing a stint this afternoon,” Andrew said. “Want to join us?”

  “This afternoon? I’m afraid I can’t,” Emma replied. “I have to go to Mervyn’s. I forgot my tablet there last night.” Given the circumstances, it wasn’t surprising she’d forgotten the device. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to returning to Mervyn’s, but she needed her tablet, and she didn’t want it to get lost what with all the comings and goings there. “What about tomorrow morning? I can come in for a few hours.”

  “That would be perfect,” Janet said. “I’ve set aside a room just for the decorations. All the materials are there, plus instructions on the board, so anyone can pop in when they have some spare time.”

  “Good. I’m quite looking forward to this school anniversary.”

  “It’ll be nice for you to catch up with some of your old high school friends.”

  Emma nodded. “Especially Zoe. Do you remember Zoe Chan? She was one of my best friends in school.”

  “Of course, Zoe Chan,” Janet replied. “Academically gifted and a hard worker.”

  “She’s arriving tomorrow and staying a whole week. We’re meeting for dinner,” she added to her father.

  “You’ll have a lot to talk about,” Andrew said.

  “Actually, Emma, there was something else I wanted to ask you.” Janet shifted in her seat and clasped her hands together, her uncomfortable expression hinting that she had something difficult to say. “Uh, I hate to ask you this, dear, but some of the committee members are a bit anxious about Mervyn. I know it’s rather insensitive to bring this up when this tragedy has happened, but, well, do you think there’s any chance that Mervyn might change his mind about the donation?”

  Andrew made an irritated noise in his throat. “Oh, honestly! A man has died, and people are worrying about Mervyn’s donation?”

  “Well, it is a lot of money, Dad,” Emma pointed out.

  A month ago Mervyn had publicly promised one hundred thousand dollars to the high school towards the building of a state of the art computer lab. It was by far the biggest private donation the school had ever been offered, and everyone was stunned by his generosity. Mervyn was to be the guest of honor at the anniversary dinner, where he would make a speech and present the check to the president of the school board.

  “I’m sorry for bringing it up,” Janet said, still looking like she was sitting on a bed of needles. “It’s just that people are aware that I see you often because of your father, and…well…” She darted an uncertain look at Emma’s father before trailing off.

  “I don’t know Mervyn all that well,” Emma said, “but if I get the opportunity, I’ll mention it to him. Maybe not today, though.”

  “Oh, thank you, Emma.” Janet took a sip of coffee, then fiddled with her purse, carefully avoiding looking at Andrew.

  Emma felt like kicking her father’s foot under the table. Couldn’t he see how uncomfortable Janet was asking her the question without his disapproval adding extra pressure? Fortunately, her father seemed to come to his senses as he turned to Janet and asked her if she wanted to order anything to eat.

  “Thank you, Andrew, but I ate before I came.”

  Which meant she had purposely stayed away so that Emma and her dad could enjoy their usual brunch together. Emma’s heart warmed toward Janet.

  “Well, why don’t we go and make some decorations, then?” Andrew said, touching her shoulder.

  Emma waved them off and watched them leave, smiling when she observed their hands brushing together.

  “What’s that smile for, honey?” Becky asked, gliding into the booth and sitting opposite her.

  “My dad and Janet. They make a cute couple.”

  “Yep, they do.” Seeing Emma’s largely untouched stack of pancakes, Becky picked up the fork and cut off a wedge for herself.

  Emma drummed her fingers on the table. “It’s time I found my own place. I’m sure Dad would like more privacy in his own house.”

  Becky chewed on her pancake. “Maybe, and maybe not. Your dad loves having you at home, and he and Janet seem to enjoy their old-fashioned courting. You moving out might put unwanted pressure on them to step things up.”

  “Oh. I hadn’t thought about that.”

  “But maybe you want more privacy.” Becky eyed her speculatively.

  Emma knew exactly what that look was about. She shook her head. “You’ll find more action watching paint dry than waiting for something to happen between me and Owen.”

  “Maybe you need to make something happen.”

  “No. This time it’s out of my hands.” If she made a move on Owen, she’d feel really guilty about Sherilee, the woman Owen had been dating when he’d kissed Emma. Sure, they’d only had a couple of dates and there’d been no big fireworks, but he wasn’t a man to play fast and loose with a woman’s affections. He’d hurt Sherilee, and Emma knew he felt bad about that. The fact that Emma had never gotten along with Sherilee made it all the more frustrating. But there it was; she had made up her mind. It was all up to Owen.

  “Okay, fine.” Becky sighed in defeat.

  “But I still think I should find my own place,” Emma said. “Let me know if you hear of anything suitable.”

  “What exactly are you looking for?”

  “Something small, clean, close to town, and above all, cheap!”

  “Well, you’re not asking for much, then.”

  ***

  After detailing her modest home requirements, it was rather sobering to Emma when she returned to Mervyn’s house later that day. The grand home shouted to everyone that Mervyn had made it in the world. He was a runaway success, whereas she had only tasted the bubbles of success before they had popped and disappeared. How differently their lives had diverged after high school.

  In the afternoon sunlight, Shamrock Lake was mirror-smooth, gray-blue like the sky overhead. Usually the picturesque lake gave her a lift, but today, remembering Todd’s lifeless body, she felt only dread and averted her head from the view as she made her way to the front door.

  Unfortunately, her mood was not improved when Ivan answered her knock. “Oh. You again,” he said brusquely. “Come to spread more lies about me?”

  “I only told the police what I heard,” she said, determined not to be cowed by him.

  “You didn’t know what you heard. You made up some garbage just to get attention.”

  “Excuse me, but I’m not here to see you.” Not waiting for a reply, she swept past him, shaking slightly, and annoyed with herself for letting Ivan get to her.

  Vera was walking across the foyer, a plate of sandwiches in her hands. She stopped when she saw Emma. “Oh, Emma. I’m glad you’re here. Maybe you can persuade poor Mervie to eat something. He’s going to make himself ill!” She gestured to Emma to follow her before leading the way into the living room.

  In the large room with its modern modular furniture, Mervyn was pacing up and down the carpet. Georgia was also there, draped over a white leather sectional couch, looking like a drooping long-stemmed rose. She lifted her head half-heartedly as Vera and Emma entered.

  “Look who’s here,” Vera announced to Mervyn with forced heartiness. “I’ll get the housekeeper to make us a pot of coffee. In the meantime, why don’t you and Emma get stuck into these sandwiches, hmm?” She set the plate down on a low table before bustling out.

  “Hi,” Mervyn greeted Emma listlessly.

  He looked awful, Emma thought. His face was all creased and slept in, his hair greasy, his eyes baggy. “Oh, Mervyn,
I’m so sorry,” she said, moved by his obvious distress.

  He shambled toward her, and it seemed only polite to give him a hug. Mervyn was much taller than she, and his arms felt heavy as they wrapped around her. His body shook with silent sobs before he let her go and swiped the back of his hand across his eyes.

  “Sorry,” he muttered. “I still can’t get used to the idea. I keep expecting Todd to come walking through that door.”

  Across the room, Georgia made a choking noise. She was sitting more upright now, her gaze fixed on Emma. She had no makeup on, and had pulled on a loose, oversized sweater and black leggings. Despite her pallid skin and scruffy hair, she still looked ethereally lovely. Ivan had entered the room and slouched on a window seat as he checked something on his phone, a frown weighing on his bulbous forehead. Emma wondered if Ivan had spent the night here or at the bed-and-breakfast she had booked for him. As the CFO, he was an important part of Mervyn’s company, and no doubt Mervyn relied on him.

  “Have you heard from the police?” Emma asked Mervyn.

  “Owen and that Detective Gambino were here this morning. They went through Todd’s things in his room.”

  “So they didn’t tell you anything?”

  “No, but they want everyone who was at the party to remain in the area for one more day. Can you arrange for their accommodation to be extended?”

  “Of course. I’ll do that as soon as possible.” The busy summer tourist season was over, so she was pretty sure there’d be no problem.

  Mervyn heaved a sigh. “I brought my employees here to celebrate, and instead they’re giving statements to the cops.” He gazed out the window toward the lake. “There’s still a couple of CSI guys down there collecting evidence.”

  “I guess it’s going to take days before they tell us anything.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not waiting for them.”

  “What do you mean?” Emma asked, feeling a little disquieted by his tone.

  “The medical examiner did the autopsy this morning. I’ve read the preliminary report.”

  “What?” Emma shook her head in disbelief. “The police gave you a copy of the report?”

  “No, of course not. I hacked into their system and downloaded a copy.”

  “Mervyn!”

  Ivan jumped to his feet. “Oh, that’s just great, Mervyn. Why don’t you tell Miss Blabbermouth here everything? Are you purposely trying to get us into trouble?”

  Mervyn waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t be silly. If anyone’s getting into trouble, it would be me, and besides, Emma won’t tell anyone. Will you, Emma?”

  “Um, no, of course not.”

  “Not even Owen?”

  “No.”

  “You and Owen broke up years ago,” Mervyn continued. “You don’t still carry a torch for him, do you?”

  “I don’t,” she answered abruptly. But naturally her mind was seething with worries over Owen. Should she tell him? Obviously if the hacking became important she wouldn’t withhold that from Owen, but otherwise she couldn’t break Mervyn’s confidence. Besides, there couldn’t be much actual harm in reading an autopsy report, could there? It wasn’t the same as concealing a crime, for instance. “What did the report say?”

  Thrusting his hands in his pockets, Mervyn resumed his pacing. “The cause of death was drowning. There was water in his lungs consistent with samples they took from the lake. He had a high blood alcohol level. He had a small injury to the left side of his head, and there was a smear of blood on one of the piers that matched his blood type.” He sighed. “It looks like Todd’s death was an accident. He must have tripped, hit his head, and fallen into the lake.”

  Emma thought back on last night. She didn’t remember seeing blood on any of the piers, but then, she’d been too distraught to notice a small thing like that.

  Georgia choked back a sob as tears slowly welled in her eyes.

  Ivan scowled. “I told you it was an accident.”

  Ignoring his pointed glare, Emma asked Mervyn, “Has Todd’s family been informed? Have you spoken with any of them?”

  “I’ve never met Todd’s parents. They live in one of those mid-west states, Missouri, I think. Todd was fond of them, but as far as I know they didn’t often visit him. The police will notify them, I’m sure. But I did call Paula, his assistant. She’ll pass on the news to his clients and friends.”

  “He wasn’t married, or in a relationship?”

  Mervyn shook his head. “Oh, he was always popular with women, but in the time I knew him he never had a steady girlfriend. He told me he didn’t like the idea of being tied down to one woman.”

  From the couch, Georgia made a strange snorting noise as if she disapproved of Mervyn’s comment. He glanced at her and made an apologetic moue. “Sorry, sweetie, but that’s how some men are. Not me, of course.” He walked behind the couch and gently squeezed his girlfriend’s shoulders. “I’m so lucky to have you,” he said without a trace of embarrassment.

  Georgia bit her lip and became teary eyed again. Emma, not wishing to stare at the couple, transferred her attention to the view outside the window. The clink of china heralded Vera as she entered the room bearing a tray of coffee things.

  “Ma, I’ve told you before you don’t have to do this,” Mervyn said as he went to relieve her of the tray. “I’ve got a housekeeper to look after the house, including bringing me coffee.”

  “Eh, housekeepers. You can keep ’em. I know exactly how you like your coffee. Now, did you eat those sandwiches? I can easily whip up some more.”

  “Sorry, no one’s hungry.” Mervyn poured out the coffee and passed cups around.

  “Well, it’s too bad.” Vera picked up the plate of uneaten sandwiches and frowned at them. “All this hubbub, and just because a man got drunk and fell into the lake.”

  Ivan nodded. “An accident. A freaking accident.”

  “And to top it off,” Vera continued, “he had to go and do it in your jacket, Mervie. I mean, I’m sorry about poor Todd, but that was your brand new Armani jacket. I suppose it’s ruined now. Such a smart jacket. You looked so handsome in it, so distinctive. I could pick you out anywhere in that—” She broke off and gasped, a look of horror coming over her face. “Oh, my God.” She plunked down the plate of sandwiches, then clutched at her breast with trembling hands. “Oh, no!”

  Everyone stared at her in alarm.

  “Ma, what is it?”

  “I just thought of something.” Vera turned her dilated eyes to her son. “What if Todd’s death wasn’t an accident? What if someone saw the red jacket and thought it was you? Oh, Mervie. Someone might be trying to kill you!”

  Chapter Five

  “That’s silly, Ma.” Mervyn gave a nervous, half-hearted laugh.

  “Is it?” His mom challenged. “I don’t think it’s that far-fetched. It could be possible.”

  “But—but for Pete’s sakes, this is sleepy old Greenville, not Las Vegas.”

  “Murders happen here, too.” Vera gripped her son’s arm, her face lined with worry. “You’re a millionaire now, son. You’re rich and handsome and successful, and some people don’t like that.”

  “So some people are jealous, but that doesn’t mean they want to kill me.” Mervyn eased an arm around his mother’s shoulders. “Oh, Ma. It’s nice that you think I’m such a target, but you’re jumping at shadows. Todd’s death was a tragic accident, nothing more, and everyone here agrees, right?” He glanced at the others, silently urging their support.

  “Actually, I think your mom has a point,” Georgia said as she slowly rose from the couch.

  “What? Not you, too?” Mervyn seemed startled.

  “That jacket of yours stood out a mile, and you were wearing it for most of the party, so anyone seeing it outside in the dark could have easily assumed it was you.”

  “Come on, stop it, Georgia. You’re scaring my mom over nothing.”

  But it seemed there was no stopping Georgia. Moments ago she had been listless
and dull, but now she paced back and forth, flicking her hair from her shoulders with nervous energy. “I know Todd liked to drink, but I’ve never seen him falling down drunk. He wasn’t a clumsy man. I just don’t see him tripping by accident. And if he did hit his head, it must have been quite a blow to make him unconscious. Does that seem likely? No, none of this adds up. There’s something more going on here.”

  Emma’s nape prickled with cold dread. Why were Georgia’s words making sense? Perhaps because Emma’s subconscious had been chewing on the problem and come up with the same doubts.

  “Sweetie, you’re getting over-dramatic.” Mervyn turned to Ivan. “Help me out here, buddy.”

  But instead of scoffing, Ivan was gazing at Georgia with intense concentration. “I don’t know. I mean, I guess it’s possible. You were wearing that jacket, and you and Todd were the same height. Not the same build, of course, but the jacket would have disguised that. Yeah, I can see it happening. Todd left the house for a stroll. The murderer, who’d been casing the joint, saw the jacket and assumed it was you. He followed Todd down to the lake and pushed him into the water. Todd hit his head against the pier, making him dazed and confused, and all the murderer had to do was hold him down until he drowned.”

  The boathook. Emma shivered. Maybe the killer had used the boathook to hold Todd down, the same boathook she’d used to fish him out, the same boathook that the police had taken away as possible evidence.

  Mervyn’s eyes almost bugged out. He stared from Ivan to Georgia to his mother. “This is insane,” he finally burst out. “And I won’t hear another word on the subject! Got it?”

  An awkward silence ensued. Red in the face, Mervyn turned to Emma. “Uh, sorry, Emma. I forgot to ask if you’d come here for any particular reason.”