Organized to Death Read online

“I know,” her mother said. “Don’t worry about it. The people who matter know the truth.”

  “I’ll have to testify.” She shuddered.

  Laura frowned. “Maybe it won’t come to that.”

  “We can hope. I need to freshen up and get to the wake.”

  “Uncle Bob and I will go with you,” Laura said, her voice firm. She stood up, her movements brisk.

  “That would be nice.” Tina stood up and smiled at her mother’s startled reaction. “Mothers and uncles are allowed some hovering. Even boyfriends can do a bit. But no smothering!”

  Laura raised an eyebrow. “I see.”

  They smiled at each other. Then Tina turned to go upstairs.

  CHAPTER 42

  The four of them arrived at the funeral home just after three o’clock. Several people stared at Princess, but Uncle Bob, Laura, Tina, and Princess were all used to that.

  They waited while a couple Tina knew vaguely knelt at the prie-dieu. The casket was closed, but Tina couldn’t help remembering the last time she’d seen Crystal. She ordered herself to remain calm and stared at an arrangement of white lilies while the couple finished. She and her mother knelt then, and Tina prayed for Crystal’s soul and for the killer to be found soon. Both stood up at the same time, and Uncle Bob knelt for a few moments, Princess standing quietly next to him, then joined them.

  Charles stood off to one side, Mrs. Morris beside him, then Rachel and Nicky. Laura led the way to shake hands with Charles and Nicky and to hug Mrs. Morris and Rachel.

  Tina did the same, noticing how fragile Rachel felt when they hugged. She murmured “I’m sorry,” not knowing what else to say.

  After the condolences, they moved to the section of the room where chairs were put out. Most people stood in groups, and Tina realized that the crowd was more subdued than most, even for a wake. Conversations were awkward. Laura and Uncle Bob gravitated toward a small group Laura socialized with from church.

  Tina saw Hank leaning against a wall where he had a good view of everything. She realized he seemed so alone. No one approached him. It was as if he had a sign around his neck—“Do not come near.”

  She watched him watch her walk toward him. She felt his intense interest. A warm feeling came over her. The scent of the lilies, cloying up close, faded into a pleasant aroma, and she was conscious of her body moving, her hips and arms swinging ever so slightly. His eyes held hers, and the closer she came, the more light-headed she felt.

  When she was close enough to touch him, she stopped and licked her lips. “I broke off with Brandon.” Now the flush was hotter from embarrassment. She had offered herself to him by blurting that out. Had she ruined it?

  His expression took on a blank look, his eyes shuttered. “Why?” he asked, his voice expressionless.

  She felt dizzy. Realized she hadn’t eaten much lately. Took a deep breath and told herself to get a grip.

  “Because he annoyed me.”

  Hank laughed. “Good reason, Red. So, you want to go steady with me? I probably never annoy you.”

  She stood staring at him for a few seconds. Then turned to walk away. Or tried to. Hank grabbed her elbow.

  “I’m bad at this,” he said in her ear. “If it weren’t a wake, I’d kiss you. Forgive me?”

  She felt cold, as if she’d dived into an icy pool of water. She realized she was afraid. It would be dangerous to get involved with Hank, but she knew she was drawn to that idea, had always been. Now that she knew she didn’t need or even want the type of safety Brandon offered, she could admit to herself that she loved Hank. Had always loved Hank, from the time she first saw him as a composed little boy. The little boy who had turned into Hank the Hunk. She shivered.

  And she knew that he was drawn to her as well. But he had to be the one to make the final move. Final because they’d been moving toward each other for years. She put her lips near his ear to answer his question about forgiving him. “No,” she said.

  This time when she turned to walk away, he didn’t stop her.

  She saw Brandon, his sister and mother standing in the doorway, as if reluctant to enter. Brandon caught her eye but quickly looked away. He appeared years older, gray, haggard. Leslie’s face was grim, and Mrs. Young looked fragile. And it hit Tina all over again. Two of the daughters dead, and the threat of death hanging over the rest, as it had been for the mothers for years and years. She looked away from the Youngs and caught her mother’s eye. Her mother looked sad. More sad than Tina had ever seen her.

  Was there nowhere she could look without pain? There was Brenda and her mother. Brenda did look better than the last time Tina had seen her. But the scare for both of them must be enormous. Tina decided she should go say hello.

  As she walked toward them, she felt everyone’s attention shift toward the entryway. She turned and saw Dr. Stevenson enter.

  He stood for a moment, as upright as ever, his white hair a bit greasy-looking, his chin in need of a shave. He wore a suit and tie, but the tie was spotted with food, and baggy brown pants hung on his hips.

  The room seemed to hold its breath. When Tina realized no one was going to greet him, to talk to him, she walked over and stood in front of him, not sure he’d recognize her.

  “Dr. Stevenson, how are you?” she asked.

  He squinted at her. “Tina? Tina Shaw?”

  “Yes, Doctor.”

  He grasped her arm, his grip so strong it was almost painful. “How are you, child? Are you okay? Getting your regular checkups?”

  “Yes. Mother makes sure I do.”

  “Ah, Laura. Yes, she would do that. How is she?” He loosened his grip on her arm, and she moved away from the entrance so more people could get in.

  “She’s fine. She’s over there.” Tina pointed in the direction of Laura and Uncle Bob with Princess.

  “They let a dog in here?” Dr. Stevenson said, his voice raised. “That would be against health regulations!”

  “That’s Uncle Bob’s hearing dog. You’ve met Princess.”

  Dr. Stevenson looked baffled for a moment, then his face cleared. “Of course. Yes, a service dog is an exception. Now, where’s the buffet?” He looked around. Then he saw the casket. “Oh. For a moment, just a moment, I forgot where I was. Who are you again?”

  “Tina. Tina Shaw,” Tina said patiently.

  “Ah, yes. Ted talked about you.”

  Alarm coursed through Tina’s body. She felt like running. She looked over at Hank, who watched them with interest. Her eyes pleaded with him to join them.

  He seemed to get the message. He walked over and shook the doctor’s hand. “Hank Silver,” he said.

  “No, I’m Dr. Stevenson.”

  “I know. I’m Hank Silver.”

  “Oh, right. Don’t think I know you.”

  Tina knew Hank had been Dr. Stevenson’s patient since he was an infant. Hank looked as troubled as Tina felt.

  “Did you drive yourself here?” Hank asked.

  “Of course I did,” Dr. Stevenson said. “Who are you, anyway?”

  “I’m Hank. Mitzi’s boy.”

  “Mitzi. I remember Mitzi. She’s quite a woman. Where is she? How is she?”

  “She’s not here,” Hank said.

  Tina bet he hoped she wouldn’t come, either. She realized that Dr. Stevenson shouldn’t be driving, and he obviously couldn’t take good care of himself anymore. But he had no family left that she knew of, except Ted, in jail. Social Services should be called in.

  “I need to make a phone call,” Hank said. He put his lips up to Tina’s ear. “Keep him occupied. Don’t let him leave.”

  Tina nodded and whispered back, “You’re calling Adult Protective Services?”

  “Yes. And the station to send someone, in case he gets belligerent.”

  “Right.” Tina knew the doctor might become agitated enough to cause a scene. “I’ll be able to give them a statement. Professionally, I mean.”

  Hank gave her a look that said Someday you’ll tell me
why you left that profession. Then he walked away.

  “Do you want to say hello to Crystal’s family?” she asked the doctor.

  “Yes, of course I do.”

  Tina took his arm and led him to the short receiving line, past the casket. He didn’t even glance at it.

  He went through the line, either pretending he knew who everyone was, or actually remembering them. Tina wondered how long he’d been faking it.

  She took him to see her mother and Uncle Bob. She could tell they were both shocked by his manner and appearance. Uncle Bob seemed the most affected—they had to be around the same age, after all. The doctor apparently remembered Laura, but was unsure about Uncle Bob. Laura kept up a steady stream of conversation, reminiscing about people she and the Stevensons had known back twenty to thirty years ago. This engaged the doctor, and he didn’t notice Hank coming toward them with a plump woman in tow, a policeman in uniform behind them.

  “Hello, Dr. Stevenson,” the woman said, holding out her hand.

  He looked startled, but he shook, then stood looking at her.

  “Do I know you?”

  She smiled, showing dimples. Tina noticed her blue eyes were watchful, assessing the doctor. “I think we met several years ago on a committee. Library, perhaps?”

  “Of course,” Dr. Stevenson said. Tina was pretty sure he didn’t recognize the woman.

  “I need some help. My name is Cary Bowman, and I work just down the street. Could you possibly come with me for a little while?” She showed her dimples again and reached for his upper arm.

  “I’d be delighted,” Dr. Stevenson said, letting her lead him away, the cop trailing.

  “If I ever get like that, just shoot me, will you?” Uncle Bob said when they were out of earshot.

  Laura patted his hand. “It’s so sad. Was that woman from some agency?”

  “Yes,” Tina said. “Hank called them when he found out Dr. Stevenson drove himself here. We don’t think he should be driving. Or even taking care of himself anymore.”

  “Just shoot me,” Uncle Bob murmured.

  “Never,” Tina and Laura said together, then laughed.

  Tina noticed Mitzi had arrived. She was dressed impeccably in black and held herself ramrod straight. She kneeled on the prie-dieu, then went to hug Crystal’s mother.

  When Tina saw that, she began to choke up. Two mothers who had lost their daughters. Tears came, unwanted. She took a few jerky breaths, but she couldn’t hold it in, so blindly, she headed for the door.

  Someone took her arm and helped her down the hallway to an empty room. She collapsed onto a couch and let the tears and the sobs come. She was vaguely aware that Hank sat next to her. He handed her some tissues from a handy box and then sat, waiting.

  When she could collect herself, she said, “Shouldn’t you be watching Rachel and Nicky?”

  Hank shook his head. “Always worrying about the other guy, aren’t you? Rich showed up just as I went to call about Dr. Stevenson. They’re in good hands.”

  “Good. That’s good.” Her mind flashed to Mitzi and Mrs. Morris hugging. She began to cry again.

  Hank put his arms around her and held her for what seemed a long time. He rocked her. He patted her back.

  When she finally pulled away, he brushed the hair away from her face, then kissed her on the forehead. “You all right?”

  “Yes. Shouldn’t you check to see that Mitzi’s okay?”

  “It’s one of her good days. She’ll be fine.”

  “I hope she’s having more of those lately.”

  “Once this is all over, I think she will. We’ve talked a lot about the past, clearing the air. She kept so much inside.”

  “I know. It’s not good for a person. You take after her, you know. Keeping stuff inside.”

  Hank stood up. “Sometimes it is better that way.”

  She craned her neck to look up at him. “No, it’s not.” She stood, then, and melted into him, clinging to his upper arms.

  Somehow, their lips met, his crushing hers, hers welcoming a kiss as she never had before. Their arms went around each other, bodies meeting, trembling, longing …

  Someone in the doorway coughed discretely. Hank broke their embrace abruptly and turned. Betsy Holden stood there, looking at them appraisingly.

  “I was looking for Dr. Stevenson. Someone said he was here, but left. Do you know where he went?”

  Tina wondered if her lipstick was smeared. She knew her hair was a tangle. She tugged at her skirt self-consciously. Neither she nor Hank said anything for a long moment.

  “They said he was with you,” Betsy said, looking at Tina.

  “Yes, well,” Tina said. “He said he drove himself here.”

  “So?” Betsy asked.

  “Well, it didn’t seem to me, to us, that that was very safe.”

  Betsy shrugged. “He’s driven for years. It gets pretty automatic. What business is it of yours, anyway?”

  Or yours, Tina wondered.

  “Where did he go?” Betsy asked.

  “We called Social Services, Ms. Holden,” Hank said. “He was disheveled, confused, and looked malnourished to me. I placed the call.”

  “What?” It was almost a shriek.

  Tina took a step toward her. “He needs care,” she said softly. “You know that. Don’t you?”

  Betsy sank onto the chair next to the doorway and bowed her head. “He wouldn’t let me … “

  “Help him?” Tina asked.

  Betsy nodded. Took a deep breath. “What will happen to him?”

  “I imagine they’ll admit him to a care facility. Once he settles in, he might be relieved. It’s a horrible strain to look after yourself when you’re confused a lot of the time.”

  “I see,” Betsy said and stood up on shaky legs. She turned to leave without saying goodbye.

  Tina glanced at her watch. Almost six. She looked to Hank. “We need to go,” she said.

  “Yes. Yes, of course.”

  They walked back to the main room. Laura and Uncle Bob stood near the doorway. “Are you all right?” Laura asked Tina.

  “Yes. I’m fine.” And she thought she would be. The trouble with her was she felt other people’s pain too easily. For the first time, she thought she’d made the right decision to quit being a practicing psychologist and use her psychological training to help people unclutter their lives. Although so far, she had to admit, professional organization had been fraught with emotions, too.

  “I’d like to take you to dinner,” Hank said in her ear. “We need to talk.”

  Her heartbeat speeded up. What exactly did he want to say? She could only nod and turn to her mother and Uncle Bob. “Hank and I are going out for dinner.”

  “You’ll do anything to get away from our cooking, won’t you?” Uncle Bob said. “Even go out with this renegade.”

  She grinned. It felt good. “It was a hard choice, but the lure of a good meal … “

  “I get all the women that way,” Hank said.

  Yeah, right, Tina thought. She looked over her shoulder as the four of them left. She should probably have gone to say goodbye to Rach, but she didn’t feel up to it. She’d call her tomorrow, before the funeral.

  Tina and Hank parted from Laura and Uncle Bob in the parking lot, and Tina climbed into Hank’s Jaguar. The red leather seat seemed to wrap itself around her as she relaxed against it. She was aware of his aftershave, of his nearness, and thought she could stay in the car like this for hours, suspended in time.

  She closed her eyes for a while, happy not to talk. When she opened them, they were headed out of Portsmouth, over the bridge. “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Bristol. The Lobster Pot okay with you?”

  “Always.” She closed her eyes again and didn’t open them until she felt the bump as they entered the parking lot.

  Inside they were quickly seated, given menus which neither needed, and ordered drinks.

  “Why all the way out here?” Tina asked,
looking out the window at Narragansett Bay.

  “I figured no one from Newport or Middletown would be here on a weeknight to interrupt us.”

  He’s going to say it can’t work between us. He doesn’t want anyone we know to see me upset, Tina thought.

  He took her hand. “Don’t look so worried. I—”

  The waitress came with their drinks and asked if they were ready to order.

  Tina smiled at Hank as he withdrew his hand. No interruptions—right. They ordered and the waitress left. Tina looked up to see Brandon standing in the doorway with Brenda. He glanced around the room, saw Tina, and stared, his body stiffening. Then he looked away, said something to the hostess and put his hand on Brenda’s back to guide her to their table.

  “What?” Hank asked.

  “Brandon just came in with Brenda.”

  “I see. And that upsets you.”

  “No, I … “

  “You still have feelings for him. It’s too soon to—” He clamped his mouth shut.

  “No, I don’t. Not that kind of feelings. I will always be fond of Brandon. Seeing them, I hope he doesn’t rush into something he’ll regret later, that’s all.”

  She didn’t tell Hank what she thought about his being so erratic. He appeared strong, and in a way he was. But he vacillated too much. He was afraid to love. Two people he’d loved had been taken away from him.

  He nodded several times, obviously not sure he believed her. Took a sip of water and then fumbled with his silverware, unwrapping it from a napkin. Tina watched him, bemused. They remained silent until the waitress brought their dinners.

  “Any more leads on who might have killed Crystal?” Tina asked, cutting a huge ocean scallop in half.

  “Ted seems to be it,” Hank replied. She could see him relax.

  Tina shivered. “And I was alone with him so much of the time.”

  Hank wouldn’t look at her.

  “The motive?” she asked. “Crystal found out he wasn’t a real doctor? I wonder how she found that out.”

  “Probably the same way you did. The police got her computer. Looking to see where she surfed lately.”

  “Did she and Charles use the same one? It would be hard to know who looked at what, wouldn’t it?”