Death by matchmaker, p.18
Death by Matchmaker, page 18
“What is your interesting fact?” Tobias asked.
“As I left her house, I ran into the next appointment. Another unhappy client. One of many I suspect. And as a student of human behavior, I must reveal that Lady Anne Worthington was madder than an old wet hen.” A wide smile spread across his goofy face. “I’m from Massachusetts but Southerners usually get a kick out of the reference.”
Margo pinched her brow. “Your grand plan to get the heat off you is to put the spotlight on a pampered princess?”
“Princess is an incorrect term as she is the daughter of a duke.”
“Get to your point faster,” I said.
His head bobbed. “This is the interesting part. I am a world traveler and my job as an imminent professor takes me all over the globe, including merry old England. The funny thing is I recognized this broad, Lady Anne. She attended one of my lectures a decade ago when I spoke at Somerville College.” He glanced at Tobias. “Top Hat knows but you ladies might not be aware it is the school for dames associated with Oxford.”
I sighed. “What happened when you ran into her again the day of the murder?”
“What we discussed is trivial…”
“Turned you down flat, did she?” Tobias very nearly smiled.
Felix cleared his throat, hoarse from all the yapping. “I digress, but all this talk of aptitude triggered a memory. At my symposium, Lady Anne revealed a remarkable scientific mind, unlike any broad I ever met. She demonstrated a real understanding of mechanics and the complicated technology which exploded in the last fifty years.” He tapped the file cabinet. “I assure you I am innocent in this ordeal but I would have the knowhow to build your device. Lady Anne does as well.”
Margo’s blue eyes glowered. “Your deflection is impressive, Pal, but you aren’t out of the woods.”
“Your wife said this is in your wheelhouse. Something complicated, thrilling, and hands-off,” I said.
“Well, Gwen isn’t exactly impartial seeing as how she might want me sent up the river.” He slumped his shoulders. “Regardless, she will tell the truth about the night of the murder. She is honest to a fault. She is my alibi. I confronted her at the Starlight Lounge and we fought long and loudly. She slugged me one – you might still see the bruise on my cheek. I went to the hospital to check for broken facial bones. Several nurses and doctors will confirm my presence. I am not exactly someone to forget and I might have caused a scene.”
“Alibi for the time of death means nothing,” Tobias said. “We’re moving in circles.”
“I didn’t do this.”
I spread my arms. “But you aren’t sad she’s dead.”
“You’re wrong. I abhor senseless death.” Felix shook his finger at me. “I am a member of a society opposing capital punishment. I am not capable of stabbing another human or setting up a device to kill for me. I won’t even swat a bug. I honestly am sad Clarissa expired. I did not like her but I didn’t kill her. Murder is not in my heart.”
20
Dodging Danger
Excitement pumped through my veins as I considered the new avenue. With Felix’s revelation, facts started to fall into place. If Lady Anne was indeed more than a spoiled princess, a scientific mind capable of murder, the situation changed. She was one of three people who visited Clarissa on the day of her death. Lady Anne could have slipped upstairs and primed her machine. Opportunity. Not to mention she had motive. Clarissa threatened to expose Lady Anne as a penniless fraud in search of a rich husband and ruin her reputation.
It was the perfect cover. No one would expect a pampered high society snob to be a brilliant scientist. And if by some chance someone discovered the machine, blame would fall on the inventor Felix, Lady Anne’s patsy.
I left Union Station with a skip in my step. “That was revealing.”
Margo cocked her hip. “You’re awful peppy considering we hit another roadblock.”
“Did you listen to a word Felix said?”
She shrugged. “I tried not to but a few nuggets slipped through my earplugs.”
“Lady Anne just leapfrogged to the top of our suspect list.”
Margo exchanged glances with her husband and Bud. “Let’s pretend for a moment that any of the nonsense the inventor spewed is accurate. I still don’t peg Lady Anne as the killer.”
“Blinded by a title?”
“Hardly.” Margo scoffed. “I can’t buy into this overly complicated method of murder. There are easier ways to kill somebody. Such as sneaking into her bathroom while loud music plays and stabbing her with a knife.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. I trusted her judgment when it came to science-related matters but her closeminded approach bugged me. “How would you know? You barely glanced at Zeb’s model.”
“It is worth a second look,” Tobias said. “We need to determine if this method is viable.”
“I’ll reexamine the machine but you can’t be cross with my decision, Penelope. It might be nothing more than an old man’s crazy theory.”
“Deal.” Perhaps this time her mind would be clear enough to see the truth.
“In the meantime, I’ll ride with Bud to the station.” Tobias clapped the officer on the back. “I want a word with Detective Sullivan.”
Bud shook his head. “If you’re hoping for an interview with the handyman, don’t hold your breath. Sully isn’t letting anyone talk to the guy.”
“I am quite persuasive.” Tobias handed the car keys to Margo. “We’ll reconvene in an hour?”
“Sounds like a plan, Top Hat.”
Margo tossed the keys to me. “You drive. I didn’t bring my glasses.”
I slid behind the wheel. Irritation bubbled as I sat beside Margo. “Why didn’t you check the device well enough last time?”
“I want to tinker with it again. My mind was a bit off previously.”
My teeth gritted. “I wonder why.”
She cut her eyes. “The gadget fascinated me but frankly I dismissed it right away. I should’ve shared my apprehension but you headed down this path with the inventor and I let it play out.”
“And now?”
“Before we go accusing a royal half-cocked, I want to tinker with Zeb’s prototype. It’s a risky method and too many things could potentially go wrong.”
My gaze darted to the rearview mirror as a bright blue car caught my eye. Most of the automobiles on the road were dark colors – black, navy, or gray. This one stood out among the rest. I vaguely remembered spotting the same color at the Starlight the previous night.
I propped my elbow on the window as we waited at a traffic light. “Your husband knows all about cars.”
“Too much. He rattles on endlessly.”
“What is the blue one behind us?”
She squinted and shielded the sun with one hand. “Oh, he never shuts up about this model. Dodge Brothers. A touring sedan I think.”
“I am going to take the next left.”
“You think he’s following us?”
“Yep,” I said as the Dodge cut off two other vehicles to take the same turn. “He’s not sneaky about it either.” I studied the blue hubcaps matching the paint of the body. The squared-off roof had glass windows trimmed in black. “Can you tell me anything about the driver?”
“Not a bit with this glare.” She reached into her purse for glasses with tinted lenses.
The reflection of a metallic item piqued my interest. “Are you carrying a flask?”
She took it out, shook it, and heaved it in the back seat. “Empty.”
“Tobias doesn’t recognize your problem.”
“The Dodge is still on our tail.”
“I am skilled in the art of multitasking.”
Margo wagged her chin. “Tobias is quick to notice flaws in others but he is blind to mine.”
“Blinded by love. He adores you.”
“Right, Kiddo. He even ignores the messy house as of late. I fell behind on the housework and… well, you saw the state.” She tossed her shoulders. “Now if you come over and dare to leave a coffee cup on the kitchen table, it would eat him alive that something is out of place.”
“He doesn’t understand you’re navigating problems, does he?”
“Not so much.”
“What is your next step? Because you can’t continue down this path, Margo.” I rubbernecked searching for a way to ditch our tail.
She crossed her arms, jingling the bracelets. “Alright, I’m going to tell you what’s going on with me.”
Finally. I swallowed and tried my best to wear a supportive, non-judgmental face. “I am here to help with anything. I’m no expert but drinking...”
“Goodness gracious, Kiddo, I’m not sleeping enough. I’m staying up late at night and getting up early to study.”
“Study?”
“SMU agreed to enroll me as a third-year student if I passed an entrance exam. I thought I could ace the test until I checked the material. I’m more than a decade beyond schoolwork. Studying while working during the day is wearing me out.”
“You aren’t drinking?”
“No more than my usual sips here and there. Though still illegal, one drink every few days is hardly cause for concern.”
“I’m a dunce. Lack of sleep explains it. And I apologize for jumping to a conclusion.” I slapped my head. “Why go back to college?”
“The work in Connecticut with the postmortem reignited an excitement I haven’t experienced since I was a nurse in the war. But it also opened my eyes to what I don’t know. I must learn more.” Her smile spread. “SMU has a fine program and will allow me to take some of the classes via correspondence. It will take a while and I might lose a few winks here and there.” She held a hand over her mouth. “I’m about ready to tell Tobias but I want to wait until it is official.”
“Gee, I’ll help in any way I can, Margo. Science wasn’t my thing in school but I excel at late-night cramming for tests.”
She patted my leg. “Thanks, Kiddo.” Her eyes widened. “Mr. Dodge is coming up on us fast. He is not hiding anymore.”
“No, he isn’t.” I took an abrupt right turn, zigged to take the next intersection, and at the last moment veered left into an alley. I gritted my teeth as a delivery truck blocked my path. I spun into reverse and executed a tight turn as the Dodge zoomed toward us head-on.
“Watch out!” Margo gripped the door panel.
I jerked the wheel and our cars scraped sides. I stomped on the gas pedal and two wheels of our Chevy left the ground. The Dodge squealed tires and managed to remain close.
I squinted but couldn’t make out a shape through the dark windows. “I bet a fin the driver of this bucket is our killer.”
“If so, he’s desperate to get us out of the picture.”
A train whistled up ahead and a chime signaled the lowering of a railroad crossing. Unless I raced the locomotive, we were boxed in. The Dodge revved and smacked into my bumper. Margo and I lurched forward in our seats.
I searched for an escape route and veered toward a Gulf filling station a block away. The Dodge rear-ended us again and this time I couldn’t maintain control. We spun out and bounced into a dip, splashing in a gulley. The right front tire exploded with a banging pop followed by scraping metal on concrete.
I pried my hands from the wheel and glanced at Margo. “Are you alright?”
“I think so.” She straightened her contorted body. Her pupils widened. “Penelope, look out!”
The blue Dodge accelerated and headed straight for the driver’s side door. We were sitting ducks inside the auto. “Go, go.”
Margo rolled out of the car into the ditch below and I scurried behind her. We splashed into shallow rainwater and ducked for cover. A squeal escaped as Margo wrapped her arm around my shoulders and we braced for impact above. The Dodge connected with a deafening screech of metal and lifted our Chevy from the ground.
I peeked underneath as the door opened and a driver climbed out to finish us off. The barrel of a Winchester rifle brushed his knee. “Run,” I whispered. “He’s packing heat.”
Margo crawled and stumbled over the edge of the gulley. I helped her regain her footing and we sprinted toward the filling station.
“What’s going on over there? You, stop.” A hefty worker yelled at the driver of the Dodge.
I spun but only caught the glisten of his rifle as he slipped back into his dented vehicle and reversed at high speed. He almost caused another collision at the intersection before peeling off the way we came.
The side of Tobias’ shiny Chevy caved in and smoke bellowed from under the hood. Margo kicked the flat. “This is a fine mess. My hubby’s car is all smashed up and we learned nothing about our attacker. It could be anyone.”
“It isn’t a woman. I saw his legs and big clown feet but nothing else.”
“Does this rule out Lady Anne?”
“It doesn’t rule out an accomplice. Let’s proceed as planned and take a taxi to Zeb’s place so you can check the device.”
“If you say so.” Margo waved to the attendant. “Excuse me, sir, could you point us to your mechanic?”
“Right away, ma’am.”
I grabbed my purse from the heap. “We also need to find out where Lady Anne is staying. Maybe she hired someone to tail us.”
“Why? She can’t know we’re onto her. We didn’t know we were on to her until an hour ago.”
I shrugged. “We can’t assume anything. If she is clever enough to pull off this murder, she is likely a step ahead of us in the investigation.” I evaluated the smashed Chevy. “Whoever hired this sloppy thug slipped up in having him attacked us. Now we’re going to nail them.”
Margo jotted notes as she loaded the spool and spring. She took measurements and ran the experiment a few times. She had skills in the medical field so her aptitude with machinery was not surprising. I stretched my sore back and navigated to Zeb’s sparse kitchen. The car accident left us rattled but we had a job to do.
I found the telephone perched on a small table. After several calls to the wrong ‘O. Vaughn’ – there were six in the phone book – I connected to Opal. She huffed. “Oh, it’s you calling to pester me again.”
“Sorry for bothering you, ma’am. I am working my way through Clarissa’s client list and I need to reach Lady Anne.”
“Yeah, the countess. Is she a suspect?”
“Anyone who visited your boss on the day of her death is a person of interest. Right now, I only want to speak to her as a witness.”
“I made calls to the names in my appointment book after we last spoke.”
Felix mentioned as much. “Oh?”
“Are you aware Lady Anne lied about her situation?”
I twirled the phone cord around my finger. “That’s one of the matters I wish to discuss. Where is she staying?”
“Let me check my book.” She shuffled papers. “I never liked the girl. I smelled phony on her from moment one. I told Clarissa the same and she decided to dig deeper on account of my keen eye.”
A thought occurred to me. “Did Lady Anne ever make a payment for the services y’all provided?”
“Not a penny. She haggled over the price, claiming her status as a client would bring in enough business to cover the fee.” Opal growled. “Her reluctance to pay raised my ire.”
“What is the state of the business now that Clarissa is gone?”
“Prudence and Mr. Braxton are discussing the future.”
“Quite the moneymaking enterprise. I’m sure both want control.”
“Ha, but neither want to do the work. They expect me to keep providing the golden goose for them without an uptick in salary.”
“Did she leave the company to anyone in her will?”
“She didn’t have one. Hence the discussion.” More papers shuffled. “Oh, here it is. This brings up another thing that bothers me about this English chippy.”
“What?”
“She has the nerve to stay in a suite at the Adolphus. But who’s paying for it? Because she hasn’t a cent to her name. Some loser is probably footing the bill.”
“Or she’s putting one over on hotel management.”
“Rich phonies like her get under my skin.”
I almost disconnected but a thought hit me. “Opal, did you ever notice odd items in Clarissa’s bedroom?”
“Like what?”
“Fishing line and a large spring, like on a horse buggy.”
“I don’t know about all that. Her husband leaves his fishing gear all strewn about. A point of contention in their marriage. But I never went into her private living quarters. I couldn’t tell you the colors or style of the decorations. I am only in the office downstairs and sometimes the kitchen to make sure the maid didn’t goof off on her job.”
“How about the phonograph? Did she play it often?”
“All the time. Rattling music too loud. Jazz stuff that has no melody or rhythm just a string of notes all over the place. I always turned it off when I arrived.”
“Alright. Thank you for speaking to me. The Adolphus, right?”
“That’s what I said. You’re acting as deaf as my useless son.”
Margo eyed me when I finished. “Kiddo, this machine is berries. And precise. The knife hits the exact same spot every time.”
“Could the parts be hidden in a closet or under the bed and assembled quickly?”
“If you know what you’re doing, you can set it up in one minute.” She tapped her chin and calculated. “I must admit I dismissed the old coot before. But if he found a spring and fishing line on the ground and managed to reconstruct the whole setup? That’s nothing short of amazing. I underestimated him.”
“Let’s call Top Hat. Perhaps he can work his magic and delay Sully.” I rubbed my palms and smiled. “How about we spend the evening at the fanciest place in town?”
“Ooh, the Adolphus?”
“Lady Anne has a room there. Maybe we can pop by for a quick confession and squeeze in a meal at the fancy restaurant. The live jazz band is supposed to be the bee’s knees.”
