Organized to Death Page 11

  “I’m glad. It’s Lucky Tiger.”

  He maneuvered around traffic and took Tina to her car. “Thanks,” she said. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He looked startled and she climbed out of the car, laughing. “Bye.”

  “Goodbye, Tina. I’ll call you.”

  She nodded and walked to her VW, noticing he waited until she was inside and buckled up.

  When she arrived at Dr. Ted’s place, she took a couple of cardboard boxes from her trunk. As she entered his office, she realized she’d been gone almost two hours. He greeted her curtly, and she wondered if he was mad at her for taking so long.

  “I’m sorry I took such a long lunch break,” she said, putting her coat and purse on the chair again. “An old friend came into the restaurant as I was leaving, and we chatted for a while.”

  “It’s okay,” he mumbled, not looking at her.

  “Well. Let’s tackle those bookshelves, shall we? I brought some boxes for those books you decided to get rid of or move elsewhere.” Tina began unfolding one of the flat boxes and making it into a cube.

  “That’s good.”

  “Okay. Let’s mark one for moving somewhere else, and one for what, charity? Or would you prefer to try selling them?”

  “I think there might be a few that might be valuable, but not many. The rest we can give away. I’ve been thinking about moving a lot of them upstairs, though—putting them into the empty bookshelves up there.”

  “Okay. We may need more boxes, but I keep extras in my trunk, so that’s not a problem. We can get more when we hit the office supply store. As we go, we’ll also try to put them in some kind of order. The best thing to do is clear a couple of shelves, then begin putting books back there, but keeping them together by subject or author—whatever way you’d find them easiest. Which ones would you refer to the most?”

  “The PDR—Physician’s Desk Reference—to look up drug dosages and possible side effects. I also have a few volumes about diagnosing obscure diseases. And I’ll probably think of others as we go through them.”

  “Okay. Start with the shelf behind you. Since your desk is nice and clear, put anything you want to keep on it. Put the others in the appropriate box.”

  Ted soon had both boxes full and his desk piled with books.

  “I’d better get some more boxes,” Tina said. “You can take the one upstairs of those you want to keep to get it out of the way.”

  Tina figured they’d need about eight or ten more boxes since Ted seemed to be getting rid of most of the books. She wondered what to advise him to do about all the empty shelves it looked like he was going to end up with. Sort of a reverse of decluttering. She smiled as she thought of cluttering up the shelves. Perhaps they could transfer some of Rachel’s stuff to Ted’s shelves.

  Tina was fixing another box, and Ted was clearing another shelf when Dr. Stevenson appeared in the office doorway.

  The old doctor looked ill. Haggard. His shoulders sloped more than Tina remembered, and there were new lines on his forehead. He’d lost weight, as well.

  He stood there a moment, a look of confusion on his face. “What are you doing?” he asked.

  Ted took a step toward him, then stopped, his arms hanging limply at his sides, consternation making him frown.

  “Just straightening up a bit,” he finally said. “How are you?”

  Dr. Stevenson blinked a few times as if to clear his vision. “Ted,” he said, obviously remembering. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to intrude. Just came to … “

  “Visit,” Ted said. “Come on in.” He swept some books off a chair. “Have a seat.”

  “No, no, I… Tina?”

  “Yes, Dr. Stevenson. Are you all right?”

  The old doctor laughed. “All right? Am I all right? No, no, can’t say that I am. Sorry to have bothered you. Goodbye, Tina.” He gave Ted a long look. “Goodbye, son.”

  He turned and left, leaving Tina and Ted avoiding each other’s eyes. Questions rushed through Tina’s mind. Obviously, Dr. Stevenson was ill, but with what? And he’d called Ted “son.” Just a figure of speech, or something else? Her eyes strayed to the Harvard diploma on the wall. It felt as if her world had shifted just a bit. The old family doctor, confused, ill. And the new doctor, a strange enigma. One who made her so uneasy she wasn’t going to ask him any questions right now.

  Finally, because Dr. Ted stood frozen in place, Tina said, “Well. Shall we get back to work?”

  “Yes.” Ted seemed to give himself a mental shake. “You think we can finish this up by dinnertime?”

  “Sure,” Tina said, vowing that they would. She wanted to get out of this office, this building, and far away from the strange Dr. Ted.

  CHAPTER 19

  Hank called the next morning while Tina was having breakfast. They arranged for him to pick her up at three to go see Mitzi.

  Tina dressed up for church. Many of the younger set didn’t anymore, but she liked doing it, so she indulged herself. Emmanuel Episcopal Church was almost half full, she was glad to see. They seemed to be adding new members lately. The service was beautiful, as always, and it soothed her. She sat alone, which she really preferred. Uncle Bob couldn’t hear and had told Tina once that he’d made a deal with God. If God restored his hearing, he’d go back to church. Laura had stopped going right after Sally, Hank’s sister, died.

  Sometimes Brandon or Leslie joined her, but not today. Hank always came for the Christmas service, and sometimes Easter, but that was it for him. Mitzi sometimes showed up, but today Tina didn’t see her.

  After the service, she drove home in the chilly weather. She changed quickly into gray slacks and a dark green sweater appropriate for a visit to Hank’s mother. Then she made a sandwich to eat alone in the kitchen while reading the opinion section of the Providence Journal.

  Upstairs again, she heard the doorbell ring. She was going through her jewelry and deciding what to get rid of. Her box was too full, and it annoyed her to wade through everything to find her few favorite pieces. The trouble was, she loved jewelry and anytime something caught her eye, she usually bought it. Some she’d never worn. This was her own particular brand of clutter she seemed to be able to do nothing about.

  She walked to the top of the stairs and heard Uncle Bob murmur something, then another, louder voice, demand, “Where is she?”

  “Who is it?” Tina asked, as she went down the stairs.

  Uncle Bob didn’t hear her behind him, so he didn’t turn. But the other voice said, “There you are. I need to talk to you.”

  Tina was shocked to see Charles, Crystal’s husband, standing in the foyer. His usually neat hair was in disarray, his eyes bleary but with a wild glint in them. He wore a tattered T-shirt he must have slept in, faded jeans, and scuffed boating shoes with no socks. And no coat. Tina shivered. The little thermometer on her bedroom window registered forty-five degrees.

  Tina put her hand on Uncle Bob’s arm, and without looking at her, he said, “You know this man?”

  Tina got into Uncle Bob’s line of sight and nodded. “He’s Crystal’s husband, Charles.”

  “Oh.” Uncle Bob’s shoulder relaxed. But then he tensed again, and Tina could imagine the thoughts running through his mind. Maybe Charles had murdered Crystal. Uncle Bob put his hand on Princess’s shoulder.

  “I have to talk to you, Tina. I’m going crazy.”

  “Okay. Let’s go into the living room.”

  Uncle Bob and Princess followed them, and without a word, Uncle Bob sat on the couch. Princess remained standing, alert. Tina didn’t blame her. The dog didn’t know Charles, and he was giving out excited vibes.

  Charles looked around as if he’d never seen furniture before and didn’t know what to do.

  “Have a seat.” Tina gestured to one of the wing chairs facing the couch. She sat in its twin.

  Charles sat on the edge of his, his eyes boring into Tina’s. “The police think I killed Crystal! I’ve got to find out myself who did it if they’r
e not going to try.” He ran his hand through his hair, and Tina now knew why it was in such a mess.

  “What can I tell you? Rachel and I found her, but I don’t know anything.”

  “I don’t know!” His voice rose, and he pounded the chair arms with his fists.

  Princess whined, and Uncle Bob, who had his hand on her back, stroked her. How had he known she made a noise, Tina wondered. Vibrations, she guessed.

  “Just tell me what happened that afternoon. Please.”

  Tina really, really didn’t want to do that, but she felt sorry for Charles, and the sooner she told him what she knew, the sooner he’d leave.

  “Okay. Rachel and I had been working in the master bedroom and had a few full boxes we needed to put somewhere else. I asked her where, thinking second floor, attic or basement, even the garage, but she said they were all full up.”

  Charles nodded. “True. I’ve only been in that house a couple of times since Rach began filling it up, but Nicky told me what it’s like. I can’t imagine living like that.” Charles shuddered.

  “Did he tell you about the nursery?”

  “No. I didn’t know they had one until I read it in the paper.”

  “Yes. Well, it’s immaculately clean, and no clutter. Rach suggested we set the boxes in there.”

  “Go on.”

  “She led the way to the room. The door was closed. I don’t know why. It’s on the other side of the house, and it’s the room that has a side patio. Do you know the one I mean?”

  Charles frowned. “I think so. Nowadays, with baby monitors, it doesn’t matter where the room is.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.” Tina was surprised Charles knew.

  “Crystal and I were checking out baby stuff a few weeks ago. We’d decided to start having children.” His voice choked up on the last word, and he put his face in his hands.

  Tina decided he was either an excellent actor, or he was totally devastated by his wife’s death. Or could it be remorse for killing her? She glanced at Uncle Bob, who apparently wasn’t having any trouble reading Charles’s lips. His expression gave her no hint of his thoughts.

  After a bit, Charles collected himself and looked up at Tina. “Please, go on.”

  “Well, Rach opened the door, then stopped, then ran to Crystal. I came in behind her. Rach was hysterical, so I called nine one one, then Nicky. For some reason, I also checked the patio door. It was unlocked.”

  Charles’s eyes lit up. “It was? Rach was a fanatic about locking up, Nicky told me. Afraid someone would steal all their stuff.”

  “Did Crystal have a key?” Tina asked.

  “Yes. At least I think so. But why would she go to Rach’s house, into the nursery? Maybe someone was chasing her? Must have been some crazy person.”

  The only crazy person Tina knew was Hank’s mother. But Mitzi surely had no reason to murder Crystal. Did she?

  Tina’s stomach clenched. She could feel her whole body stiffening, and she made a real effort to relax, loosening her fisted hands, taking deep breaths.

  “I don’t see where this is getting us, Charles,” she said, her voice a bit sharp.

  Charles stood up suddenly. Princess took a step toward him, then stopped when Uncle Bob grasped her collar.

  “Damn it, Tina, I don’t know either, but I had to start somewhere.” He began to pace. “What else can you tell me?”

  Tina glanced at Uncle Bob, who shook his head slightly. Tina knew he meant for her to be careful. Obviously, he didn’t trust Charles, probably because Princess didn’t seem to.

  “Well, the police questioned us. Rach said she’s been watching TV before I came over, so I guess any noise would have been drowned out by that, and then she and I were working in the bedroom on the other side of the house until we found… found Crystal.”

  “And Nicky was shot. You were around when all that happened.”

  Tina bristled. “I was not ‘around,’ as you put it. I was at the doctor’s office when Rachel brought him in. And I drove her to the hospital when the ambulance took Nicky.”

  “Well, what did Rachel say happened?”

  Tina hedged. She was becoming more and more uneasy with this conversation. What if Charles had murdered his wife and was trying to find out what the police knew so he could cover his tracks?

  “Rachel wasn’t sure what happened. She heard a noise, then saw Nicky falling down. She ran to him. She doesn’t know any more than that.” Except there was a white car. She’d keep that little tidbit to herself.

  Charles stood still, shaking his head. “I don’t understand it. She wasn’t having an affair, and I can’t think of any reason why anyone would want her dead. It doesn’t make any sense, and it’s driving me crazy.”

  “Well, she did tend to make people mad, Charles. I assume you know that.”

  He glowered at her. “She meant well. And you had an argument with her just a few days before it happened.”

  “About a party. I assure you that our argument was not worth murdering anyone over, especially someone I did consider a friend. A long-time friend.” Tina stood up. “I think you’d better leave now, Charles. You don’t seem to be at your best.”

  His shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Tina. I’m just so frustrated. I don’t know where to turn.”

  “Well, if you want to turn to your friends, I suggest you do so with a bit more tact.” Tina walked toward the front door.

  She could hear him behind her and Princess’s claws on the bare wood.

  “You’re right,” Charles said. “Are you sure there’s nothing more you can tell me?”

  She turned to him. “I can’t think of a thing. I hope they find out who did this, and soon. It’s a strain on everyone.”

  Tina opened the front door. No polite hugs were exchanged. Each said a terse goodbye, and Tina closed the door with relief.

  She turned to Uncle Bob and Princess. “Let’s have something to drink.”

  “Good idea,” Uncle Bob said.

  In the kitchen, Tina sat at the table and let Uncle Bob fix them each a chocolate martini. They’d discovered them a year ago and had them as a special treat when celebrating and as a consolation prize when things were not going well.

  “What did you think?” Tina asked after Uncle Bob placed the drinks on the table and sat down.

  “I’m not sure,” he admitted, taking a sip and making his usual comically distasteful face. “Damn, that’s good.”

  Tina took a sip and agreed.

  “He sure made Princess uneasy,” Tina said. Princess thumped her tail on the floor. Tina grinned at her and reached over to give her a pat.

  “But,” Uncle Bob said, “I’m not sure if that was because he was so wired or if she wouldn’t have liked him anyway.”

  “Well, I didn’t tell him the color of the car Rachel saw after Nicky was shot. Not that it would have helped him.”

  “I wouldn’t trust him, Tina, until we know more. Or really, until we know who killed his wife.”

  Tina agreed. “I’ll be careful,” she promised, which was what she knew Uncle Bob wanted her to say.

  Laura came down the back stairs, saw what they were drinking, and asked, “What’s the occasion?”

  “You missed all the excitement,” Uncle Bob said and told her what had happened.

  “That Charles,” she said when he’d finished. “Nora never totally approved of him for Crystal, even though he’s a well-respected lawyer. Do I get one of those?” She pointed at his martini glass.

  Uncle Bob got up to make her one.

  “Why didn’t Mrs. Morris like him?” Tina asked.

  “He’s rather bland, don’t you think?”

  “Usually,” Tina said. “Not this afternoon, though. What would Crystal have done with someone a bit more exciting?”

  “Probably killed him,” Laura said. Then she shook her head. “That was inappropriate, considering the circumstances. Who would have ever thought that one of the daughters would be murdered? It nev
er crossed our minds.”

  “You mean the Lunch Bunch?” Tina asked.

  “What? Oh, yes.”

  Uncle Bob set a martini in front of Laura and sat down again.

  “Well, what did cross your minds?” Tina asked.

  “Who was that?” Uncle Bob asked, since he hadn’t heard them with his back turned.

  “The Lunch Bunch. Mom says it never crossed their minds that one of the daughters would be murdered. I’m thinking that the daughters are the main topic of conversation for some reason, but I can’t think why.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Laura stood up and took her martini upstairs.

  “What the hell do they talk about?” Tina asked her uncle.

  “Not their husbands, I imagine, since only two are left.”

  “That’s right. I hadn’t thought of that. But I don’t see what that would have to do with anything. When did they start, do you know? All I know is they’ve been getting together once a month ever since I can remember.”

  “It was several years after you were born, but I couldn’t say exactly when.”

  “I still think it has something to do with us daughters.”

  “Could be. Again, I think you’d be better off just forgetting about it.” Uncle Bob took the last sip of his martini, grimaced, and clutched his stomach. He moaned and Tina jumped up, almost tripping over Princess, to go to him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “My stomach. Damn, it hurts,” he said. Then he passed out.

  CHAPTER 20

  “Uncle Bob!” Tina cried. When he didn’t respond, she called 911, her mind flashing to doing the same thing just a few days before for Crystal. She checked the pulse at his neck while talking to the operator. It was weak, but there. Princess was trying to crowd Tina, and she gave the dog a gentle push. Princess stood aside, whining softly.

  “What happened just before he collapsed?” the operator asked.

  “He clutched his stomach and passed out.”

  “How old is he?”

  “Nearly seventy. Please hurry.”

  “Someone’s on their way. Don’t try to move him. You can probably hear the ambulance already.” The voice was calm, soothing.