“He’s claiming he borrowed it. But two days after Blake died, Channing was driving around in one of Blake’s convertibles. Said he was going to take it to the garage for a service, but it never came back. I’ve spotted him in it driving around the village several times.”

  “Does Julianne have anything to say about this?”

  “She’s too involved with the business to care,” said Honey. “Maybe she thinks, because they were brothers, Channing deserves the car. And I’m worried he has designs on Blake’s yacht. Although why he’d want it after Blake died on there is a mystery. I get the shivers every time I step onto that thing, knowing what happened.”

  “He’ll have a tough time trying to steal a yacht,” I said.

  Honey gave me a smile. “I bet he’ll pull it off. Channing’s a smooth talker. But Blake wanted him to grow up and be more active in the business. There was tension between them. Could be why Channing is taking things, petty revenge because they weren’t getting on.”

  Since Honey was being so open, I decided to push my luck. “Can I ask you about Blake’s death?”

  Honey raised her eyebrows. “Of course, but I wasn’t there when it happened.”

  “How certain are you that it was an accident?”

  Honey’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. “That’s what the police said. That’s what everyone says.”

  “James doesn’t,” I said. “We had dinner together the other night. He isn’t convinced Blake fell.”

  Honey shut her mouth and tapped her fingers on her chin. “You think Channing had something to do with Blake’s death?”

  “I’m not sure who’s involved,” I said. “But it put doubt in my mind. I want to make sure nothing bad happened.”

  “Same here.” Honey sat up straight. “Channing can be sweet and funny, but he’s not so nice when he’s been drinking. And I know he resented Blake for his success. He made snide comments about how much Blake spent on things and wouldn’t it be nice if he got some of that money.”

  “What job does Channing have?”

  “He lives off his brother’s income. Blake tried to get him to work in the vineyards, but he lasted a day, ended up drunk in a store room. He gets a monthly amount paid into his account. Well, he did while Blake was alive. Julianne might have stopped that.”

  “Perhaps Channing wanted to get rid of his brother to get his hands on the money?”

  Honey’s mouth formed a silent O as she stared at me. “I’m confused. Blake was murdered?”

  If Honey was lying, she was very convincing. Her shock and surprise looked genuine.

  Dillon appeared in the room, bounded over to Honey and laid his head on her feet. She shivered and shuffled away.

  “Better keep quiet about my idea,” I said, keeping a close eye on Dillon. “Might be nothing. Could be I’ve misunderstood what James meant.”

  “I hope you have. All this talk of murder is giving me the chills.” Honey wrapped her arms around her middle. “I get what you’re saying; people are benefiting from Blake’s death. But I can’t imagine anyone would kill him.”

  I offered up one last suspect. “What about Julianne?” I watched Honey’s face carefully, but she was a picture of wide-eyed innocence.

  “She’s spiteful to me, but they had a rock solid pre-nup in case anything went wrong between them.”

  “Julianne gets to run the business,” I said. “That’s got to be worth something.”

  “It is,” said Honey slowly. “And she still has this house.”

  “You know a lot about the family, considering you’re an employee.”

  Honey’s cheeks flushed. “Like I said, I really was friends with Blake. He could relax around me and talk freely about things that worried him.”

  “Like the business?”

  “He was frustrated about the business because he couldn’t run it independently. Did you know James invested in the vineyard?”

  “He mentioned it, but said he was more of a silent partner.”

  “A silent partner who made a lot of noise when he didn’t get his weekly crate of wine sent to him.”

  “James was unhappy with Blake?”

  “They were arguing about money, but I don’t think there were any real problems.” Honey swept her long hair over one shoulder. “Nothing worth killing over.”

  “What else was worrying Blake?”

  “Family stuff. Personal matters.” Honey clasped her hands in her lap. “I shouldn’t gossip. Blake was a private man.”

  Dillon shot away from Honey’s feet and raced around the room, making the temperature plummet. We both shivered this time. I discreetly gestured at Dillon to stop running around before icicles formed on the end of my nose.

  “So, if you don’t think James or Channing did anything to harm Blake, we’re back to Julianne.”

  Honey blinked her large blue eyes at me. “Ten minutes ago, I hadn’t thought anyone was involved in his death. But maybe Julianne was. She has a mean streak.”

  The office door slammed open. Julianne stood there, her hands jammed on her hips. “I’ll show you mean.”

  Chapter 16

  Julianne stomped into the office, her narrow-eyed glare pinned to Honey, who shrank back in her seat. “Just what are you accusing me of?”

  Honey scrambled to her feet. “Nothing! I was just...” She looked over at me and pressed her lips together. “We were just talking.”

  I appreciated her not dropping me in it and felt a touch guilty that Julianne focused her anger on Honey.

  “You were just gossiping about me,” said Julianne, “making me out to be a tyrant.”

  “You’ve always made it clear what you think of me,” said Honey.

  “Yet, you’re still here.”

  “Not for much longer,” said Honey. “Lorna is helping me find a new job. As soon as I’ve got one, I’ll get out of your way. You won’t ever see me again.”

  “Is this right?” Julianne’s glare turned to me and I resisted the urge to shrink away just as Honey had done.

  “I thought it might help Honey. She must have learnt useful skills in her time here. The agency I work with is always on the lookout for good staff.”

  “Make sure they don’t put her with any families,” said Julianne. “She will only destroy them like she’s done with this one.”

  “I haven’t destroyed this family.” Honey’s hands fluttered over her chest. “I’ve always been nice to you.”

  “Only so you could get to my husband.”

  “He asked me to come and work here,” said Honey. “He introduced himself to me.”

  “No doubt after you fluttered your eyelashes at him.” Julianne sighed. “Let me make this easy on you. You’re fired. Get out of here, right now. I have work to do with Lorna.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but the rage in Julianne’s eyes stopped anything from coming out.

  Honey cast a fearful look at me before dashing out of the room. I could hear her sobbing as she ran away. My guilty feeling increased.

  Julianne paced up and down the room several times, muttering under her breath, lost in her own thoughts. Dillon, who had been watching the argument, began following Julianne, his gaze focused on her.

  She slowed before heaving out another sigh. “Sorry you had to see that. But that girl had it coming.”

  “I’m not sure what went on before I arrived,” I said cautiously, “but Honey seems like a nice person. And she’s assured me she was only ever friends with your late husband.”

  “You shouldn’t believe a word she has to say.” Julianne sat down at her desk. “I should have gotten rid of Honey the day Blake died. Ever since she arrived, he was distracted. And that’s bad for everything. Bad for the business, bad for our relationship, and ultimately bad for Blake, since he’s dead.”

  “Why was Blake so interested in Honey?”

  “Do I have to spell it out for you? A gorgeous young woman, a man having a mid-life crisis, a wife too busy to notice things were going wrong.” She gave another sigh.

  “Do you know for sure?” I perched on the edge of my seat, ready to run if Julianne exploded with anger.

  “Of course! Well, they were most likely having an affair. I never actually caught them together. But Blake brought her gifts, and she did the same for him on his birthday. That wasn’t normal.”

  Since I’d interrogated Honey, it only seemed right I did the same to Julianne. “Honey became possessive of your husband?”

  “She was always a simpering fool around him,” said Julianne. “Always trying to make him happy. It made me sick to see the way she fawned over him.”

  Now for the killer question. “And you’re certain your husband’s death was an accident?”

  Julianne’s breath shot out of her and her lips parted. “It was. What else could have happened?”

  “If Honey became jealous and wanted to be more than Blake’s mistress, and he refused her, do you think she would do something about it?”

  Julianne leaned forward in her seat, her gaze focused on me. “Has she said something?”

  “Nothing. But if Honey was with your husband, she might have become jealous.”

  “And wanted to oust me from the family home,” said Julianne, her fingers tapping on the desk. “Take over and become the new Mrs. Carlisle?”

  “Jealousy makes people do horrible things,” I said. “I haven’t got any proof that this happened, but I’d hate it if your husband’s death wasn’t an accident. Because if it wasn’t, there’s a killer on the loose and you most likely know him or her.” Or you are the killer, I silently thought, and I’d just revealed that I was poking around in a murder you committed.

  Julianne stared into space for an uncomfortable length of time. “It can’t be true.”

  Dillon moved to sit next to her, just as Blake appeared beside him. They both stared at Julianne.

  “My husband’s death was a tragic accident. Channing is right. Blake got drunk and fell over the side.”

  Blake shook his head at this comment. Looked like he didn’t agree with his wife about that theory.

  “I hope I haven’t upset you by mentioning this,” I said. “I have an overactive imagination. But after the comments Channing made on our first night here, I did wonder if there was more to your husband’s death than anyone realized.”

  She raised a hand. “I’m fine. I should thank you. It’s nice to know someone is looking out for Blake, even though he’s gone. And for all our problems, I did love him. I just wish he’d never brought Honey here. She is the real problem. If she had anything to do with his death, I will never forgive her.”

  The ice in those words made me shiver. I would not want Julianne as an enemy. “Well, I have bills to check and accounts to start looking at. What do you want me to start with first?”

  “Both are important; do whatever you want to first.” Julianne rubbed her forehead as she stood. “I need a cup of tea and some time to think. Be back later.”

  I watched Julianne leave, her shoulders hitched and her head down. There was a woman carrying the weight of the world with her. She was coming to terms with her husband’s death, seething over his alleged affair, and running a business, while fending off interference from Marcus and James, and stopping a lazy brother-in-law from bleeding her dry.

  I did feel sorry for her, but she was still on my suspect list.

  I looked over to where Blake and Dillon still stood. “We need another trip to your yacht, so we can finally figure out what happened to you.”

  Blake nodded before they both blinked out of sight.

  But the ghost hunting would have to wait a while. I had bills to pay and accounts to check.

  Chapter 17

  It was late evening when I met Helen. I updated her about my conversations with Honey and Julianne as we drove to the marina to look around The Orwell and see if there were any clues we’d missed.

  “You took a risk confronting both Honey and Julianne, especially since it could be one of them who did it.” Helen stopped the car in the marina car park and switched off the engine.

  “It was worth it,” I said. “Honey seems genuine in her fondness of Blake and she doesn’t give off the angry mistress vibe.”

  “And what about Julianne?”

  “She gives off the harassed and angry widow vibe,” I said. “But when I suggested Blake’s death wasn’t an accident, she was surprised.”

  “Are you ruling them both out?”

  “Not yet,” I said. “But we have other suspects to consider. Blake’s brother, Marcus, or James could be the killer. The scorned woman angle might be the wrong one in this case. And after hearing how angry Channing was with Honey, maybe we should put him into the top slot for most likely killer.”

  “What are you hoping to find on the yacht?” Helen followed Flipper and me along the jetty toward the yacht.

  “Not certain,” I said, as I climbed on board and headed to the top deck. “But this is where Blake died, so he might give us a few clues as to what happened. I suggested he meet us here.”

  As I spoke his name, Blake blinked into view. He nodded at me before turning and looking at the water. He was closely followed by Dillon, who bounced around before racing over to Flipper.

  “And, as if by magic, Blake is here,” I said to Helen.

  “I’ll have a look around on the jetty,” said Helen, her face pale. “Give you and Blake a chance to talk.”

  I smiled at her. “Don’t go too far.”

  “I’ll go as far as I need to, to stop the ground moving under my feet.”

  I joined Blake by the side of the yacht. “Is this the spot you fell over?”

  He nodded, a sad expression on his face.

  “Do you remember anything about what happened?”

  He mimed being shoved over again.

  “You didn’t hear anything or smell anything, perfume maybe?” I asked. “Any hint of who pushed you over?” If he could remember a distinctive aftershave or perfume, it could jog his memory as to who was on board.

  He shook his head and gave me an apologetic shrug.

  “Don’t worry; we’ll figure this out,” I said.

  “Who are you talking to?”

  I spun around and saw Channing halfway up the stairs, a drink in one hand and a curious smile on his face.

  I shot a look at Blake. “Just myself. It’s a bad habit of mine.”

  “That was quite a conversation you were having.” Channing stepped onto the deck and looked around as if trying to see who else was here.

  “It helps me get my thoughts in order when I speak them aloud.”

  “I should try that sometime.” He took a large sip of wine. “Can I offer you a glass?”

  “No thanks,” I said. “I didn’t know anyone else was on board.” I recalled Honey’s words about Channing wanting The Orwell for himself.

  “I like to come out here,” said Channing. “I like being on the water.”

  “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’d have announced myself before wandering around.”

  “Talking to yourself.”

  “Yes. Right, talking to myself.”

  Channing gestured to the side of the yacht. “You’re standing in the place the police believe Blake fell over.”

  I took a step away and glanced at the railing. “Horrible way to die.”

  Channing walked over and leaned on the railing, peering into the water. Blake watched him the whole time.

  “This sounds silly, but I miss Dillon more than I miss my own brother. I loved that dog.”

  “I know what you mean,” I said. “I’m the same with my dog.” I looked over to where Flipper was hunched over, Dillon sitting next to him.

  “They’re only animals, so it shouldn’t feel so painful to lose one, but it does,” said Channing. “I remember him when he was a puppy. Even back then, he was well-behaved. And as he grew up, he learned all kinds of tricks. He could roll over and play dead. He would come when you called and was great at retrieving.”

  “It’s sad how he died trying to save Blake.”

  “The saddest,” said Channing. “Shows he was loyal until the end.”

  “You mentioned that you weren’t sure how Blake could have fallen in,” I said. “What made you say that?”

  “He was an experienced sailor,” said Channing, his gaze remaining on the water. “Knew his way around this yacht. And he was a good swimmer. Even if he’d had a few drinks, he’d have known to get to the jetty and drag himself out.”

  “Unless he was injured.” I shot a discreet look at Blake, who was still watching his brother.

  “He had a couple of bruises on him,” said Channing. “The police assumed he hit something on the way down. Or there was something in the water and he landed on it.”

  “Was it a head injury? Perhaps he fell while on board and flipped over the side.”

  “Why the interest in my brother’s death?” Channing gave me a curious glance. “Did you know him before you came to work here?”

  “No, we’d never met. But the things I’ve heard since I got here suggest people are having doubts about his death.”

  Channing stood up straight. I suddenly realized how much taller he was than me. “What are you saying?”

  “That his death wasn’t an accident.” I took a step back and heard Flipper growl as he picked up on my nerves.

  “Someone killed him?” Channing snorted a laugh. “He was a great guy. Everyone loved my brother. I was the one who was the screw-up. There was never a bad word said about Blake. He was a golden boy.”

  “Why do you think you’re a screw-up?”

  “Always been that way,” said Channing. “Blake was the one with the level head. Always coming up with good ideas about how to make money. Well, his ideas were usually good, until he decided to employ Honey. Then everything went wrong for him.”

  Blake moved closer. A chill ran through me as he passed by me and placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

  Channing shivered and took a gulp of wine. “I envied him. Everything came so easily to Blake. He always knew what he wanted. He met Julianne and they were married by the time they were twenty. It seemed stupidly young to me, but they were happy. Then he decided to run his own business, and the vineyard opportunity came up after Julianne’s father died. He hasn’t looked back since.”

 

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