Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

N an came up the stairs and arrived at Cat’s office right at ten. She had brought a notebook with a list of questions. After Shauna had stepped in and refreshed the coffee service and added more cookies and a fruit plate, Nan set her pen down and met Cat’s gaze.

“First of all, I want to apologize for even questioning that the town and retreat weren’t safe or that you would set up this murder mystery without telling us. It was insensitive to think we were the focus of life here. I can’t believe I came in with that kind of attitude. I’m usually very sensitive to the needs of others,” Nan met Cat’s gaze. “I’m truly sorry.”

“It’s fine. I can see how the party set up an expectation that fed on our whole murder retreat reputation. I’d tried to fix that, but it’s an uphill battle. Anyway, we’re here to talk about your writing and questions, not the branding issues of our retreat. What do you want to do with your writing? Career plans? What do you currently do?” Cat tried to assure Nan that things were okay.

Nan explained that she’d retired early from a lucrative financial planning position. “Now, I want to focus on my passion, writing murder mysteries. I know Debra loves the historical part of world-building, but for me, I like a more contemporary scene, and I was wondering about how you decided where to set your stories. Does it always have to be somewhere you know well?”

As they talked about the books Nan wanted to write, something about what she’d said was ringing a bell in Cat’s head. She set up the publishing panel, then excused herself after telling the writers to go to lunch after the panel was over. Shauna would take care of dealing with the payment to the panelists. Cat went back upstairs and tried to write but her mind kept drifting.

It wasn’t until she was downstairs, eating lunch with Seth and Shauna that the pieces came together.

“I bet Nan could help us see a pattern in the flash drive files,” Cat said as she dug into the shepherd’s pie Shauna had made them.

“Didn’t she just apologize for assuming she’d be part of an investigation and decided to settle into her writing?” Shauna sipped her water as she watched Cat.

“Yeah, there’s that,” Cat focused on eating again.

“I’d ask you to explain, but I’m not sure I want to know. Did you all hear the argument last night when Maggie came back? I’m assuming it was her husband because he wasn’t happy she didn’t go home with him.” Seth took a roll and broke off a piece, handing it under the table to Sam.

“I didn’t hear anything. What time was this?” Cat watched Seth as he fed a second piece of bread to Sam.

“About one? Sam woke me up and wanted to go outside. We were around the side when the car pulled up. They were already fighting. I couldn’t hear much of it, but she got out of the car, and he opened the door and leaned over the top. He called her some not-so-nice names and then drove off. She muttered as she walked to the door. Something about him never appreciating her and how much she’s done for him. It’s never enough. Typical breakup thoughts.”

“Has anyone heard any rumors about the two of them divorcing? I know she’s at that point where she wants a life that’s not focused on him or the kids. She told me they had an empty nest when she decided to join the retreat.” Cat swirled mashed potatoes into the thick gravy on the bottom of the dish. Maggie had to be the owner of the flash drive. But what had she done to keep her husband in the president’s chair? Could she have killed Allen? Or maybe used her connections to do it. All she had to do was set up Dante as a repayment.

The pieces were falling in place. Now, all Cat needed was some proof that the drive belonged to Maggie or maybe Allen. Then she could take her theory to her uncle.

“Earth to Cat,” Seth snapped his fingers to get her attention. “Did you hear Shauna’s question? Do you need me to go to the funeral with you? I think I should drive you there anyway. It's supposed to rain this afternoon. I’ve already set the guests up to go to the Diner at five and pick them up at six thirty unless they call.”

She shook the theory away. She had a lot of steps to lock in before she could point a finger at Maggie and declare her a killer. “Yes, thank you. I’d love it if you would go with me. Do you have a black suit?”

“Of course I do. I bought it last year,” he finished off his lunch. “And with that, I’ll meet you at two thirty in the lobby. Wear boots. You can change into shoes at the church if you want to look more dressed up.”

After Seth left the kitchen, Shauna finished her lunch not talking.

“What’s going on?” Cat knew when her friend was keeping something from her. “Is the barn plumbing still an issue?”

“No, but I don’t think you should hold on to that drive. I’m worried about you. Allen Johnson was killed at Dante’s house where he has all kinds of security. We don’t even come close to that and you’re holding onto a piece of evidence that could prove someone killed someone else? It’s crazy.” Shauna took her plate to the sink and started rinsing dishes to put in the dishwasher. The woman multitasked with the best of them.

“I’m sorry. I’ll get it out of here as soon as possible, but I’m going to at least scan it. If Maggie stole money from the college and then killed Allen because he found out, we don’t want her here at the retreat. I just told Nan the place was safe.” Cat glanced at her watch. “And speaking of Maggie, I’ve got my one-on-one with her at one. I need to get up to my office.”

Shauna took Cat’s dish and then pointed to the tray on the side cupboard. “There’s your coffee tray. I’ll come up and get it when you and Seth are at the funeral. Just be careful, please. I’m beginning to love my job and would hate to have to find a new one because my partner was killed.”

Cat thought about Shauna’s words as she walked up to her office. Hopefully, she wasn’t meeting with a killer, even though the facts were adding up to Maggie being at least involved in the stolen money. When she got there, Maggie was already waiting for her. She had a planner in her hand.

“Oh, no, am I early?” Maggie’s eyes widened as she watched Cat come up the stairs. “Sorry, I’ve been so excited about having some time to talk that’s all I could think about. I told Martin about it last night and he said I talked his ear off.”

“You’re right on time,” Cat pulled the key out of her pocket and unlocked her office. “Come on in.”

She sat the tray down and then went to get the file off her desk with the goal sheets and a notebook. “Help yourself to coffee if you want. And there are some sweets to keep us going. I swear, sugar and caffeine are essential to keeping the retreat on schedule. I don’t think we could manage without Shauna. Not to change the subject, but are you attending the funeral later?”

Maggie sat and put the leather-bound planner on the couch as she poured two cups of coffee. After that, she took one small cookie, broke it in half, then set it on a napkin near her cup. She opened her planner to the daily sheet and set her pen on the page. “Martin insisted I attend. I swear that man can’t do anything without me by his side. It’s charming but at times, well, I just wish I had a little more independence, you know? Anyway, I have to run to the house to change and lay out Martin’s suit before the funeral or I’d offer you a ride with me. I’m assuming you're going?”

“Since he knew my ex and with my connection to the college, I think it’s only polite,” Cat nodded her head. “It’s just so sad.”

“I don’t think I ever told you how sorry I was for your loss,” Maggie checked off an item on the planner page. “You were in California teaching when he died if I remember correctly.”

“I was in California. Michael and I had divorced a few years before his death. When he left me the house, I came back and opened the retreat.” Cat hated that most of the college treated her as if she were a widow and not a divorced wife. But as she realized the truth behind Michael’s life, the divorce was just a ruse anyway. At least on his part. Something no one besides those closest to her knew. “Anyway, I know our time is short. What can I help you with?”

Maggie blinked, twice. Then she ran a finger down the list of questions she’d prepared. Finally, she looked up and set her pen down. “I have all these questions, but the biggest one is can I have a career in writing at my age? I know. Everyone wants to recreate their lives when they hit the empty nest. To have a real career and a life. But am I fooling myself?”

“Let me tell you a story,” Cat went on to tell her about a woman she’d met in California. She’d always been the steady one, working in accounting while her husband went from one promotion to the next in banking. Then when her youngest child went to college, she went with her. She got her associate’s in nursing, but instead of stopping her education there, she went on to get her bachelor's. And then finally, her masters. “When I met her, she was working at the neo-natal department of the local hospital as a nurse practitioner and so happy. So no, it’s not too late. For even a career that needs a lot of schooling.”

“Oh, well, there you go,” Maggie took in the story, nodding and grinning. “I’m going to register for the master’s in creative arts next semester. I’ll have to make sure the professors know I want to be treated like a normal student, but would you mind if I checked in with you from time to time? I appreciate your honesty.”

“Of course,” Cat said, automatically. Now she felt bad about assuming Maggie was the mastermind behind all the trouble. Her being nice didn’t mean she wasn’t at least involved in the crimes, but it made it harder for Cat to see her that way. “So tell me what you want to write?”

The hour flew by and after Maggie left, Shauna showed up at her office door.

“Hey, are you alone?”

Cat nodded, “Alone and alive. Come in and tell me the truth.”

Shauna closed the door and leaned up against it. “About what?”

“Do you think Maggie could have stolen money or killed someone?” Cat tucked the notes from Maggie’s session and her goal sheet into a folder with her name on it.

“Killed someone, no. She’s not that cold. Money, maybe. People do weird things for money.” She glanced at her watch. “You have a half hour to get ready.”

Cat stood, thinking about Maggie still. “Wait, if she’s connected, doesn’t she have money?”

“Better ask Dante,” Shauna smiled as she opened the door. “You might have just got your favorite off Pete’s suspect list.”

At the funeral, Cat walked into the chapel on Seth’s arm. She leaned close and whispered, “I feel like everyone’s watching us.”

“I told you co-hosting that party with Dante would give people the wrong idea,” he said as they made their way into the chapel. “Now they think you were either cheating on me then or are now cheating on Dante and I’m a marked man.”

“Maybe I just like to keep my options open,” she scooted into the pew and Seth sat next to her. She opened the flyer that the usher had handed them when they walked inside. “The obituary is detailed in his career highlights and light on family. It says he is survived by his wife and three kids, but nothing else. He used to work in community relations with Boeing before he came to the college. Typically, colleges hire from other colleges, especially for senior positions.”

“Sometimes people don’t have a lot of family to list,” Seth nodded toward the widow who was sitting in the first pew, alone. Her face was covered with a black lace veil. “She doesn’t seem to have anyone here either.”

“That’s just sad,” Cat leaned back and looked around the chapel. It seemed like everyone from the party was here and as she watched, Dante came up the aisle and sat down in the pew next to her.

He shook Seth’s hand. “Thank you for coming. I know a funeral isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time.”

“I’m having a little bit of fun,” he glanced around as people dropped their stares as he met their eyes. “Messing with people’s expectations can be a hoot.”

Dante chuckled as he followed Seth’s gaze. “Yes, I can see your point. We have made quite a statement.”

“Did you get my text about Maggie? Would she have money?” Cat was tired of the boys playing around.

Dante glanced around them to see if anyone could overhear. When he seemed satisfied, he leaned closer. “Maggie Martin does have a trust fund. And her husband makes a good salary at the college. But there have been a few questionable investments that might have drained her access to funds. Why are you asking?”

“Money, love, revenge, envy, the four major reasons someone would take a life. And envy is kind of a reflection of love and money.” She saw the minister walk out. “Keep your eyes open. The service is starting.”

Cat leaned back and focused on the service, hoping to find clues as to why Allen Johnson would have embezzled money from the college or why someone wanted to kill him. Neither question was answered, however.

When the service ended, Dante stood, shook Seth’s hand again, then disappeared out the back.

“Well, that was useless,” Cat complained as they made their way out of the chapel. The widow had decided not to hold an open house or even stay for the coffee hour after the service. She nodded toward the reception area. “Do you want coffee or something?”

“No, I’m good. Unless you want to stay,” he asked as he met her gaze. His blue eyes dug into her soul, asking all the questions he never asked aloud.

“We have guests. And no one stood up during the service to announce that they had killed Allen. I guess we should head home,” Cat watched as people floated out of the church.

In Seth’s truck, they waited for the heater to clear the light frost that had already covered the windshield. Winter was here and there was no reason to try to push around Jack Frost just for their own needs.

Seth squeezed her hand. “I’m glad we found each other again. I would have been lonely in this life if I’d never found you.”

“The widow looked so alone up there by herself. She didn’t even stop to talk to any of the Covington faculty or administration staff who had come to pay their respects.” Cat felt sorry for her. She pulled out the flyer. “Her name was Lucy.”

“Lucy didn’t stop to talk with anyone. She just bolted out the chapel doors. Don’t you find that strange?” Seth turned down the music as the cab began to warm.

“I understand being overwhelmed with the circumstances but I would have thought she would hang around and meet people. Lucy Johnson did no such thing. So either she has an amazing level of self-awareness and didn’t need to be comforted by her husband’s friends, or, she’s not too upset about his death.”

‘Give the girl a gold star. We need to learn more about the marriage and the relationship. I think Lucy Johnson might just have a clue or two to add to the file you’re working on by yourself.”

“I think that she might have been overwhelmed by the whole process,” Cat added a possibility.

“Maybe, but she didn’t look overwhelmed. Instead, she looked mad. Like she was going to jump on the first person who talked to her and would have kept talking until she got everything off her chest, maybe this was a better idea.” Seth muttered as he drove toward home.

Cat couldn’t get Lucy Johnson off her mind and as they passed the subdivision where most of the Covington professors lived, she pointed to the road. “Turn there and give me a second.”

“What’s going on,” Seth asked as he turned, then pulled the truck over to the side of the road. “You have guests at the house.”

“It’s free writing time and I don’t have to be there until the evening writing sprint.” Cat found the email she’d been looking for and opened a file. “Here we go. 1010 N. Oak Street. I’ll key it into the GPS.”

“No need, I know where the Johnson house is, remember I told you I did some work for them this summer?” Seth checked for cars, then pulled back out on the road. “So why are we visiting the widow at home?”

“She acted like her hair was on fire, running out of the funeral. I’m just wondering if she had something to hide or if someone was waiting for her back home?” Cat pointed to the road and Seth made a turn.

As they came up on the house, Lucy Johnson’s car was in the driveway with all the doors and truck open. Seth and Cat got out and watched as Lucy dragged a suitcase out of the house. She stopped and blinked as they walked toward her. “Please don’t kill me. I wouldn’t have expected the two of you, but just tell your boss I don’t have his money.”

Cat shook her head, “Mrs. Johnson, I don’t know who you think we are…”

Lucy pointed at Cat, then at Seth. “You’re Cat Latimer and you are Seth Howard. I know who you are. I just didn’t realize you were family. I guess I should have guessed that you were Cat. With how close Dante and Michael were, but Seth, aren’t you a townie? You’ve been to our house, ate at our table. Please, just give me a couple of hours and I’ll be out of town for good. You don’t have to kill me.”