Critical Affair, page 9
“I think we should meet at the chapel,” she said.
“I’d feel more comfortable if we arrived together and left together.”
The subtle change in his tone had her eyes seeking his. “Are you worried that something might happen?”
“I’m certain Batton will be there, possibly agitating things. Do you have an attorney?”
She shook her head, a little startled at the question.
He pulled a card out of his suit pocket and handed it to her. “This is mine.”
She read the name off the card. “Ben Thayer. He’s the childhood friend you told me about.”
“He’s also straightforward and highly competent. I’ve filled him in on the situation. If you want him to represent you, he will.”
The implication made her draw in an unsteady breath. “You think we’re going to be charged.”
“I think we should be prepared for anything. And I don’t think either of us should be talking to Batton again without an attorney present.”
Jennifer could think of only one reason for Michael to say these things. “There’s something else, isn’t there. Something you haven’t told me.”
He returned her gaze squarely. “When a member of the maintenance staff was cleaning up the hospital room in which Russell died, she found an earring next to the bed. Batton showed the earring to Russell’s mother. She identified it as one of a pair he bought for you. With it, Batton puts you at the scene of the murder.”
IT WAS OVERCAST AND COOL at the cemetery. The chapel’s large parking lot was filled with cars. Michael wondered how many of the mourners were people who actually knew Russell. The morbidly curious always showed up when word of a murder got out.
Batton had been quoted on the news as pursuing leads on the case, but nothing more. At least for the record. Jennifer had been identified as Russell’s fiancée in the paper, but the local TV news had not mentioned her association with the deceased.
What KSEA had run was a tearful interview with Caroline Sprague in which she had described her brother in a way that only a loving sister could.
Michael was relieved Jennifer had let him accompany her today. From the moment they stepped inside the chapel, nearly all heads turned in her direction. And from the expression on the faces of many and the whispering back and forth, he knew that Batton had been busy sowing the seeds of mistrust.
They stood against the wall, since there were no seats available. Michael selected a spot that would give him a good view of people in the pews. As the chaplain called family members to speak about the deceased, Michael studied them carefully.
Russell’s brother, Kevin, was the first to rise. He looked about thirty and wore an air of entitlement that Michael had often seen in the children of well-to-do parents.
Before picking Jennifer up today, Michael had made a concerted effort to learn more about the Sprague family.
Lloyd Sprague had inherited his father’s prosperous real estate business and had gone on to make even more money. His wife, Harriet, had come from a prominent family as well.
Russell had been an up-and-coming member of the chamber of commerce and mixed in the same social circles as his parents. His sister, a successful businesswoman in her own right, also attended chamber of commerce meetings.
But there was no information about his brother.
“Russ and I had a bet about which of us would buy it first,” Kevin said, his expression and tone about as emotional as tap water. He turned toward the closed casket. “Never thought I’d win that bet.” And with that, he sat down.
Russell’s mother was next to speak. From the pictures the TV news had run, Michael could tell that Russell had her dark coloring and fine features.
In a tearful voice, she told of what a bright and handsome son he’d been. She described in detail several recent Christmas and birthday presents Russell had given her. How carefully he had picked them out and how much meaning each held for her.
When her voice broke and she dissolved into tears, Russell’s sister took her place.
Caroline repeated a lot of what she had said in her TV interview. How she had always looked up to Russell. How he had counseled her in business and her personal relationships—a dear friend as well as a beloved brother. She, too, was weeping when she finally sat down.
Russell’s father, Lloyd Russell Sprague, was the last to rise, physically big, emotionally stoic. He grasped the podium as he surveyed the crowd, and the quiet seconds slowly ticked by.
Then his eyes found Jennifer’s face and stayed there.
Michael tensed at the change in the man’s expression. Lloyd suddenly pushed away from the podium and stomped down the aisle. He stormed out of the chapel, slamming the door behind him.
The murmur that went through the crowd was quieted by the chaplain’s raised hands. “It’s often difficult for a grieving father to express himself at such a time,” the minister said. “Our prayers go with Mr. Sprague.”
The second the services ended, Michael ushered Jennifer to the door of the chapel.
“Are we rushing for some reason?” she asked as he led the way to the car.
He’d forgotten she was in high heels, and slowed his step. “Sorry. Was Gina there?”
She stopped and turned back toward the entrance. “That’s her coming down the stairs now. She’s the one on the right.”
Michael followed Jennifer’s gesture to see a tall, shapely woman with short black hair and an even shorter dress. Her face was averted as she headed toward the opposite end of the parking lot.
Harriet, Caroline and Kevin Sprague emerged from the chapel. When they spied Gina, they all came to a halt. There was contempt on Harriet’s face. Pain on Caroline’s. Kevin was checking out Gina’s legs.
“I’d like to speak with them,” Jennifer said.
“Now might not be the best time,” Michael cautioned.
“Leaving without saying anything doesn’t feel right.”
As much as he wanted to, Michael didn’t argue. They retraced their steps to the chapel entrance.
Jennifer smiled and said hello.
Harriet stiffened, turned her back and walked away.
“She thinks you did it,” Caroline said. “Dad does, too.”
“What do you think, Caroline?”
“I…oh, Jen, I loved him so much. But I’m glad he was a brother and not a boyfriend.”
“When did you learn about Gina?” Jennifer asked.
Caroline dabbed at the tears on her cheek. “That detective told us about her and what you did with the ice water. He showed Mom the earring, the one from the set Russell bought for you.”
Caroline’s tears started to flow in earnest.
Jennifer stepped forward, gently resting her hand on Caroline’s forearm. “Russell didn’t—”
“We don’t need to hear about our brother from you,” Kevin interrupted as he grasped his sister’s shoulder and pulled her back. “Are you going to be at the grave site?”
“No,” Jennifer said.
“Smart choice. See you at the will reading. Come on, Caroline. Mom and Dad are waiting.”
After Kevin and his sister had walked away, Jennifer turned to Michael. “Even if I told them that Russell never gave me any earrings, they probably wouldn’t believe it.”
“Have you thought about who he might have bought them for?”
“I suppose it could have been Gina.”
Michael caught a glimpse of Detective Batton on the other side of the parking lot. A woman Michael recognized as the newspaper reporter who’d been trying to see him was with the detective. Michael urged Jennifer toward the car.
“It’s happening just like you said,” she commented when they were a few miles down the road. “Batton’s turning them against me.”
“I don’t think Caroline wants to believe it. Tell me about her.”
“She has a good heart and she’s a real go-getter, like Russell. Her beauty salon, Caroline’s Coiffures, is very upscale and quite successful. Their parents gave Russell, Caroline and Kevin each a hundred thousand dollars as a college graduation present. Both Russell and Caroline put it into their business and made a success.”
“And Kevin?”
“He bought a new car.”
“How does he make his living?”
“He doesn’t. From what I can tell, his parents provide for his every need.”
“Not exactly an overachiever.”
“What’s always irked me is that Caroline’s sweet and works hard, but it doesn’t make a bit of difference. That reprehensible mindset that tends to value daughters less than sons is a strong undercurrent in the Sprague household.”
“Even with her mother?”
“Especially with Harriet. She’s always lavished her attention and accolades on Russell and Kevin.”
Michael was familiar with that type of mother. She’d probably been the devalued daughter when she was growing up. Kids learned so much from how they were treated. In many cases, far too much.
“Harriet’s very capable,” Jennifer said. “I’m certain Russell got his organizing skills from her. But when she’s around her husband, she takes on this persona of deference and humbleness that resembles a damn doormat.”
“Did she ever seem concerned when you didn’t show such behavior around Russell?”
“Russell always made a concerted effort to try to please me. The only thing we disagreed about was having a big wedding.”
“Who didn’t want one?”
“I’d always visualized my wedding as an intimate affair. Besides, the only family I have left are a couple of distant cousins in Canada that I haven’t seen in years. My parents’ work required us to move around so much when I was growing up that maintaining relationships was difficult. I have a few friends from college, some from work, but not a whole lot more to fill my guest list.”
“But Russell did.”
She nodded. “In addition to his immediate family, he has a slew of uncles, aunts and cousins, not to mention all the people he wanted to invite that he considered important business contacts. Right from the start, he envisioned a first-class-wedding with all the trimmings. Said it was what I deserved. What he really meant was that it was what he wanted. I can see that now. But I wasn’t smart enough to understand it then.”
She still couldn’t say the words without disillusionment darkening her eyes. Michael knew that she was still haunted by her choice of Russell.
“What did Harriet think about your marrying her son?” he asked.
“No woman would have been good enough for Russell as far as Harriet was concerned. But she was gracious to me.”
“And Lloyd Sprague? How did he react to Russell choosing you?”
“Greeted me with a big smile from the first moment Russell introduced us some ten months ago. After our engagement was announced, he seemed proud to show me off to his friends and business associates as his future daughter-in-law. Although clearly that has changed.”
“And Kevin?”
“I didn’t see much of Kevin until three months ago, when I attended Russell’s thirty-fourth birthday party at his parents’ home. Kevin told me I should dump Russell for a real man. The way he said it sounded like a joke, and that’s how I took it. Only, he got a little too free with his hands, and I told him to back off. He responded by acting all shocked and innocent, like I was the one out of line.”
“Did you tell Russell about the incident?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t want to cause problems between them. Russell always called Kevin the family screwup. He didn’t have much respect for him.”
“Did Kevin get out of line again with you?” Michael asked.
“No, he kept his distance. Are you asking me these questions about the Spragues because you think one of them might have killed Russell?”
“The sad truth is that people are generally murdered by those closest to them.”
“His parents and sister showed a lot of affection for him. And although he and Kevin weren’t close, I never sensed anything like anger between them.”
“Did you get a call from Russell’s attorney about the reading of the will?” Michael asked.
“It’s Friday at ten.”
“Be interesting to hear what it says.”
“I thought you said Batton’s meeting with Russell’s attorney indicated the disposition of the property was to me?” Jennifer asked.
“The main distribution goes to you. There may be other bequests. Remember Kevin’s comment about seeing you at the will reading? That tells me he’s been mentioned in it as well.”
“The whole Sprague family probably is. And considering the way they feel about me, I wish I didn’t have to attend.”
“I’ll be with you, Jen. If you want me to.”
He’d made the offer without taking his eyes off the road. When he saw her nod in his peripheral vision, his hands relaxed on the wheel.
“If you’re thinking that the motive for his murder could be financial, his family would certainly have to be crossed off the list of suspects,” she said after a minute. “None of the Spragues need money. Where are we going?”
“There’s a café at the beach that serves a great sherbet made with real strawberries. My favorite meteorologist said it’s going to be beautifully sunny along the coast today, in the low seventies with a light breeze.”
“Is it a very popular place?”
He knew she was concerned about being approached by fans. “Yes, the café is quite busy, but I know the owners and they’ll let us use their private balcony.”
She nodded and he made the turn onto the Pacific Coast Highway.
They arrived at the Seacrest Café a few minutes later. The air was fresh and warm, the sky a clear, bleached blue. Michael collected their sherbets and led Jennifer to chairs under a canopy on the private balcony.
In the distance the ocean stretched as smooth as an ironed sheet. A gentle breeze lifted the ends of Jennifer’s long hair as she stared out at the horizon. Her sad look was one he’d noticed inside the chapel, and it told Michael she was thinking about the man who was being buried today, trying to sort through her conflicting feelings.
Sometimes the best way to get to the end of something was to start at the beginning.
“Where did you meet Russell?” Michael asked.
“At a black-tie dinner party I attended a couple of months after joining the staff at KSEA. In addition to business leaders, there were local politicians and the TV news team. After thirty minutes of deflecting the typical come-on lines, I was ready to forgo dinner and get out of there. Then Russell walked up to me, told me I had great teeth and asked me who my dentist was.” Her lips curved at the memory. “At least he had an original line.”
“Not to mention the ability to recognize beautiful teeth when he saw them,” Michael said.
This time her smile was for him. Michael basked in its light for as long as it lasted. She’d laid the ground rules for their working together. He would abide by them. But he couldn’t shut off his feelings.
That he had to hide them was hard enough.
“You mentioned Russell’s business partner will now own all of what was a shared dental practice,” Michael said.
“And you think that implies he had a motive for killing Russell?”
“Could be. Was he at the funeral today?”
“You remember the tall, skinny guy with the slightly bald head who sat in the row behind the Spragues?”
“All Adam’s apple and legs?” he asked.
“That was Harvey Thompson, fellow dentist, Russell’s long-time friend and business partner. The short, blond woman with him was Dorie, Russell and Harvey’s office manager.”
“From the way they were nudging each other in the pew it looked to me like Dorie and Harvey are an item.”
“They started dating several months ago,” she confirmed.
“So it was one big happy family at the dentist’s office?”
“Every time I was there.”
“You were a patient?”
“No. Russell tried to persuade me to become one, but I couldn’t handle the idea.”
“I doubt I could have, either. Not exactly romantic to be kissing the person who’s on an intimate basis with your cavities and tartar.”
Her chuckle was soft. The sadness that had darkened her features earlier was no longer in evidence.
“So how do we go about this sleuthing stuff?” she asked.
“I’ll start by questioning the hospital staff. Nurses know nearly everything that happens on their floors. If I had pictures of Russell, as well as his family and friends, it would help.”
“I have some at home. I’ll get them for you when you drop me off. Or better yet, why don’t I come with you when you ask your questions?”
He got to his feet and threw their empty sherbet cups into the trash. Word about him and Jennifer had already swept through the staff, thanks to Batton. If Michael appeared with her at the hospital, it would no doubt generate more talk.
Still, she was the one who knew about Russell’s background. Something could trigger a question for her that wouldn’t for him.”
Besides, she’d asked. And refusing her wasn’t in him. “I’ll pick you up after your six o’clock spot tonight.”
She glanced at her wristwatch. “Time I got changed and headed for the station. On the way out, I want to stop and thank your friend who made our sherbets. Best I’ve ever had. How are you managing to maintain your schedule at the hospital?”
“I’ve handed off quite a few of my patients to other doctors.”
“Because you’re worried about Batton’s case against us?”
“Because the hospital administration suggested I not treat any more female patients until after the findings of the ethics committee.”
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CHAPTER SIX
JENNIFER FOUND MICHAEL waiting for her in the KSEA station parking lot after her six o’clock spot. He held the passenger door of his car open for her, a smile of welcome on his face. “Hi.”
