Chapter Seventeen

My phone buzzed as I reached my car.

“Hi, Mom,” I said.

“Lexi, do you have any news?” she asked, her voice reminiscent of the days when she asked why I’d received detention and didn’t have better grades.

“Um…” I thought about it but before I could answer, Mom continued, “I went to see the Dugans and they told me they’re in the clear, because of course they are. No one could possibly suspect such nice people. You should probably give them the jewels as a thank you.”

“They’re not mine to give.”

“Whom should I call?”

“Garrett, I guess, but he’s not going to just give them to the Dugans. We need to trace where they came from first.”

“And then they’ll get them back?”

“The jewels didn’t exactly belong to them in the first place.”

“When your father and I bought our house, the previous owners left a vase. We kept that.”

“Uh…”

“It was worth two hundred dollars!”

“Okay?”

“We sold it. It was ugly. But it was ours. The house sale was final.”

“I’m happy for you?” I said, frowning and feeling uncertain.

“I went to see Bea today who used to live in the house next door to the Dugans and she was just shocked at all the goings on over there, but do you know what she said? Hmm, Lexi?”

“I’m sure you’re going to-”

“She said Joe’s son had come by to see her today and had brought her flowers. She said he wanted to make sure she was all right after the horrible news! Wasn’t that thoughtful of him?”

“Wait… what? Charlie Black’s son is in town?” I frowned hard.

“No. Joe Smithson’s!”

“Charlie Black is Joe Smithson’s real name! His son is in town?”

“Of course he is! Catch up, darling. I assumed Garrett located him and called him. Bea said she was surprised to see him as she didn’t recall him ever visiting when his father lived next door to her, but she said he remembered her well and he’s obviously a well brought up and successful young man. He was driving a Tesla!”

“Did she get his license plate?”

“No! Why would she do that?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, not because it was mature, but because my mother couldn’t see me to get the full effect of my exasperation.

“Did he give his name?”

“Joe.”

“The son!”

“Joe! The son is also called Joe!”

I doubted that very much. I wasn’t even sure if it was Gideon Black who had made the appearance. The purported Joe Junior could be any man. “Where can I find Bea?” I asked, deciding it was best to get the information from the source.

“At the Harmony Retirement Village, of course. She moved there when the house got to be too much for her. I hear they’re ready to wrap up the house sale. If you and John had thought ahead, you could have snapped it up.”

“We’re not in the market for a house. I thought you said she passed on.”

“No, I said her husband passed on. I said Bea moved to a retirement village and I was going to ask what she wanted done with the mail that hasn’t been forwarded. You really need to start taking notes. The adult ed center does secretarial courses although they call it executive assistant training but we all know it means taking notes and making coffee. I don’t think there’s a section on making coffee but I suppose all the young folk just order on an app and three minutes later, it’s at your door.” Mom paused, then added, “I might get one of those apps. Is that short for appetizer?”

“Bea?” I prompted.

“Yes, that’s her. Lovely lady. Always so friendly and the social life at the retirement village is very good. I might mention it to your father in case we become infirm, although I’m sure we could live with you. Your house is so big and it’s not like you have children in it. We could help with the childcare when you do. Your father can put shelves up in the nursery with his new drill.”

“We don’t have a nursery,” I said before I even started thinking about my parents moving in with me.

“Are you planning on one?” asked Mom.

“Only if a baby comes along,” I said, trying not to set myself up for a long line of questioning.

“You do know how babies are made, don’t you?”

“Yes, Mom,” I sighed.

“Good. I was afraid you’d been sick on the day they gave that talk at school.”

I’d figured all the juicy details out before school got around to making everyone squeamish but my mom didn’t need to know that.

Mom continued, “I don’t suppose you are pregnant, are you?”

“No.”

“But…”

“I’ll let you know.”

“And…”

“What else did Bea say?”

“Who?”

“Bea! From the house next to the Dugans.”

“She said she should have held out for more when she saw what the Dugans paid for their house. I told her if anyone knew about the body, they’d have gotten less and she said she was sure she didn’t have any…”

“No! About the….”

“Some Harmony residents still have their own cars but there’s a regular bus service if they can’t drive anymore, and there’re all kinds of activities at…”

“No, about Joe Smithson’s son,” I cut in. “Joe Junior.”

“Lovely young man. He bought her flowers and cookies and took such interest in her wellbeing. Wanted to know if she was getting by okay. If she’d invested the money from the house yet? He even said he’d take a look at her investments if she wasn’t sure about her pension income. What a thoughtful man. He said he was sure his father would have wanted her to have a few of his things but unfortunately, the landlady cleared the house out. I wonder if he’ll stay for the funeral? Do you think there will be a funeral?”

“Of course, once the body is released.”

“I hope he gets a nice spot.”

“It depends on if he’s claimed,” I said.

“Oh, my word,” gasped Mom. “Of course Joe Junior will claim his own father!”

“I’m sure that’s his next step. Did he say anything else? Like where he’s staying or how long he’s in town or where he’s been?”

“I’m not a secretary. I wasn’t taking notes. I was just taking Bea’s mail over to her. She said the mail carrier seems to forget she had it redirected and occasionally something will turn up in the mailbox or that parcel that was left on her stoop.”

“I have to go,” I said, realizing my mother had nothing more to add to the useful nugget she’d gifted me. “Tell Bea not to let Joe Junior look at any of her bank accounts.”

“Oh, well, okay, I suppose you have better things to do than talk to me. I suppose we’ll see you at family dinner whenever that might be. You’re all so busy these days. Your father will barbecue and I’ll make cold sides,” said Mom and disconnected. I sighed, frustrated. I thought about turning around and heading back to the station but since I’d only just left Garrett, I felt sure Gideon Black hadn’t contacted him about his father’s body or any other aspect of the case because Garrett would have told me.

So if Garrett didn’t know Gideon was in town, and Gideon hadn’t made it his first step to contact him, what exactly was he doing in town?

The jewels!

It had to be the jewels.

Gideon Black was trying to figure out if Bea knew anything. He had to know that the police had them. So what was he planning? Did he really think his father might have confided in Bea once upon a time? Or did she find another undeclared priceless trinket?

There was only one way I was going to find out and that was by questioning Bea about his visit.

Before I could think twice, I called Lily.

“What’s the news?” she asked. “Did Ruby’s ruby pay off? Did you catch anyone?”

“Maybe and no, not yet.”

“That sucks.”

“But I did just get another interesting lead. Do you want to come to the Harmony Retirement Village?”

“You bet I do. Is there a very elderly suspect?”

“No, but a resident might have a lead. I’ll tell you about it on the way.”

“I’m at home. I’ll be ready.”

I hung up and slipped my phone into my pocket before beeping the car unlocked. As I reached for the handle, a shiver trickled down my spine. I straightened and looked over my shoulder, then over the other side, but in the stream of pedestrians and traffic passing me, I couldn’t identify anyone. Just like a few minutes ago, I had the uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching me.

Pausing for a moment to pretend to rummage in my purse, I kept an eye on the street but I didn’t recognize any of the pedestrians. Not the cyclist who pedaled slowly past, nor the guy sat on the bench, talking on his phone.

Perhaps it was nothing.

Perhaps I was just on edge.

I got into my car, still feeling disconcerted. Yet as I pulled out into traffic, I remained on alert for any vehicles pulling out after me but there were none.

I took the long way round to Lily’s, despite not seeing any vehicles that seemed to be tailing me. By the time I pulled up out front, I was assured I was alone. I shot Lily a text and a couple of minutes later, she ran out and wrenched open the door, throwing herself into the passenger seat. She pointed ahead, yelling, “Let’s go.”

“You’re eager.”

“You bet. I don’t get to do this stuff often enough and here we are again! Doing stuff!” She buckled up and relaxed in the seat. “Fill me in.”

“My mom visited a woman called Bea who used to live on my parents’ street. Not only that, but she owned the house next door to the Dugans. And! Do you know who just went to visit her?”

“The dead guy!”

“No.” I frowned. “Lily, he’s dead.”

“I know but what a twist that would be.”

“The dead guy’s son. Apparently. Gideon Black. Ben Rafferty. He’s in town!”

“The rat! I can’t believe he showed up.”

“If it is him. That’s what we’re going to find out.”

“What do you think he wants? Why would he visit Bea? Do you think he’s going to seduce her and swindle her?” Lily’s questions came thick and fast.

“I can imagine he wants answers about his father’s death but I don’t know why he thinks Bea has any or how he even knew whom she was or where to find her.” I paused. “I suppose he couldn’t go to the police and the landlady has passed so Bea was the next best thing.”

“He could go to the police. They’d know more.”

“No, I meant there’re multiple warrants out for Gideon’s arrest across the country. If it’s him, he must be clutching at any tentative connection to find information and you know how charming he is. Of course he went to talk to Bea. Throw in flowers and charm, and he expected her to sing like a canary.”

“He is charming,” agreed Lily. “And handsome.”

“Annoyingly so.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t just go straight to you and try hiring you.”

“I’m sure he knows I wouldn’t be happy to see him. Plus, he can’t possibly know I’m involved.”

Lily raised her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t place a bet on that.”

I thought about that. I wouldn’t either. Then I thought about the creepy feeling of being watched and shivered. What if Gideon were watching me already? What if he were stalking me, looking for an opportunity to get more information? Of course, I could understand why he wanted to know what had happened to his father but what if he knew about the jewels too? What if he’d always known about them but thought his father had run off with them, abandoning him. If he knew that wasn’t the case, then perhaps he felt the jewels were his inheritance. If he knew about them at all.

If, if, if .

I needed more than that.

Of course if he were looking for answers, perhaps he hadn’t known where his father had been all this time.

I hoped Bea would have some answers for me.

When we pulled up outside the Harmony Retirement Village, I waited a full minute but no cars passed by or drew up behind us. That reassured me.

“Why are you being so jumpy?” asked Lily, looking at me curiously.

“No reason,” I said, not wanting to freak her out.

We were almost across the road when several motorized scooters zoomed out of the driveway and aimed directly at us. Lily froze.

“Outta the way!” yelled the man in front. He brandished his cane, pointing ahead. “Charge!” he cried and the others hurtled after him.

I grabbed Lily’s hand and leapt onto the sidewalk, dragging her behind me, dropping her hand so we could both catch our balance before we lost our footing.

An orderly in pale blue scrubs tore around the wall and raced after the tearaways. A moment later, another man in scrubs hurried after them, checking both directions. “Which way did the crazy old people go?” he asked, pausing and heaving for breath.

“That way,” I said, pointing towards the man in blue as he ran down the street, the cavalcade in sight until they screeched around a corner.

“Thanks,” he wheezed and took off after them.

“I hope they make it,” said Lily looking after them wistfully.

“Do you know where they’re going?”

“No, but I know they need to make it.”

I shook my head, unwilling to enter into whatever fantasy Lily was entertaining. The most important thing was confirming Bea wasn’t amongst the marauding elderly. I hoped that meant we’d find her in her apartment or playing something sedate like Scrabble.

“Let’s go,” I said. “We can find out how this chase ends on the news.”

Lily brightened. “I hope so! And maybe we can come back and place bets on them in races.”

“We’re not starting an illegal betting ring on elderly escapees.”

“Fun sponge,” huffed Lily.

“Crazy lady,” I countered.

The retirement village was a hive of activity as we entered the main building that seemed to operate as a community hub. Two of the employees were arguing and pointing towards the main doors, which I guessed was an argument about what had just occurred with the escapees. Shouts from the recreation room suggested a particularly fiery game of Bingo.

We crossed the lobby, narrowly avoiding a set of Bingo balls that were hurled through the open double doors.

We stopped by the reception desk and asked for Bea.

“She’s probably in her apartment and you have to sign in,” said the bored-looking young woman, barely looking up. “Are you relatives?”

“Yes,” I said. “Great nieces.”

“The best,” added Lily.

“Sure, whatever,” said the young woman. “Do you know where to go?”

“No,” I said and she fired off directions, pointing in the direction we should take.

“I think we should exit via the parking lot,” I said, perturbed by all the commotion as we passed the rec room to the exterior of the building where the apartments were situated. The Bingo game appeared to involve a lot of finger pointing and shouting. “A fight could break out in there any moment.”

Lily snorted.

We followed the directions and spotted Bea’s number just a few doors away. “Look! Bea’s door is open.” I headed for it, knocking and sticking my head through the doorway. A glance around the room suggested the apartment was empty, except I could hear the low buzz of the microwave. A huge bouquet of bright flowers was on the occasional table and a large box of gourmet cookies lay open on the coffee table. “Hello! Anyone home?” I called.

A woman’s head appeared from under the counter. She looked familiar and I felt sure we’d found Bea. “Hello,” she said, as the microwave dinged. She opened the door and pulled out a large bowl of popcorn. “I was just going to watch a movie. It starts in a few minutes. Can I help you with something?”

“I’m Lexi Graves from down the street. My mom brought your mail.”

“Goodness me. The Graves’ girl! Are you the clever daughter or the other one?”

“Yes,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t press for a definitive answer. “I’m Lexi, and this is my sister-in-law, Lily.”

“Which one did you marry?” asked Bea.

“Jord,” she said.

“Good choice.”

Lily grinned. “Thanks.”

Bea shut the microwave door and made to lift the popcorn bowl and stabilize herself against the counter at the same time. I hurried forwards and scooped up the bowl and offered her my arm. She accepted and I guided her to the couch.

“It’s my hips,” she explained. “They’re awful sore. Don’t block the doorway, honey. Come inside.” She waved Lily inside.

“I like your flowers. Are they get well flowers?” I asked, hoping she’d be forthcoming.

“No, they’re from an old friend.”

“An old young friend,” said another lady, coming through the door behind us.

“Do you have a gentleman caller?” asked Lily with a wink.

“I do not.” Bea bristled but from the turn at the edge of her lips, she was pleased at the suggestion, and trying not to show it. “This is May. She lives next door.”

“I think they’re beautiful. What a sweet gift,” I said.

“It’s not even her birthday,” said May, waving a finger at the bouquet.

“A ‘just because’ is even nicer,” I said.

“The young man brought the cookies too,” added May. “He’s a good-looking young man too. Tell them, Bea.”

Bea rolled her eyes, her quiet pleasure quickly turning to exasperation. “He could teach a lesson or two to the men of your generation,” she said. “Help yourselves, girls. It’s sweet of you to visit.”

“And ours,” snorted May. “Jimmy from Apartment 41 asked if I wanted to have dinner with him on Thursday night.”

“What’s wrong with that?” I wondered.

“He wanted me to bring dinner,” said May. “And then stay the night. What am I? Meals and shenanigans on wheels?”

“It is a mouthful,” said Lily. “I don’t think it will catch on.”

“One of these young ladies might be single,” said May. “Was he single, Bea?”

“They’re both wearing wedding rings,” said Bea.

“They might have friends,” said May. She peered at us. “Or are you married to each other? One can never tell these days.”

“They’re my neighbors’ girls,” said Bea. “Lexi’s mom dropped off the mail and Lily is married to their youngest boy. Was there more? Mail that is? I don’t want to put out your mom.”

“No, no more, we just wanted to ask you a couple of questions about your old neighbor,” I said. “I was speaking to my mom today and she mentioned you were Joe Smithson’s neighbor.”

“Who did you say you were again?” asked Bea, peering at me like she didn’t remember.

“Your neighbors’ girls you said,” said May.

“That’s right. The Graves,” I added. “I’m Lexi. I’m a private investigator. We wanted to ask you about—”

“Mathilda Graves’ daughter?” Bea peered at me now. “Why didn’t you say so before? I heard you were a PI. Not quite a detective but good enough.”

“I d—” I started.

“I remember you. Oh!” She gasped. “Oh! Yes, I do remember you! I caught you making out with the boy in the baseball jersey on my front lawn.”

“That was my sister,” I lied quickly. Well, maybe it was a lie. I couldn’t remember any boy in a baseball jersey.

“No, wait; it was two boys.”

“Definitely my sister,” I said and paled as Lily turned big eyes on me.

“I had to chase your sister and those boys off my lawn with a hose!”

That night was becoming a lot clearer to me now. “We got her all straightened out,” I said. “Very disappointing behavior.”

Lily made a choked sound and clapped her hand over her mouth.

“A family disgrace,” I continued. “Now she’s a model citizen.”

“I remember. She was always climbing out the window and those brothers of yours too, always running off somewhere, up to mischief. You must have been the clever one who always had her nose stuck in a book.” Bea looked me up and down then fisted popcorn into her mouth. “You’re not as boring as I remember. Probably what with you being a PI now.”

“Er… thanks?”

“Which one did you marry again?” she asked Lily.

“Jord.”

“Good choice,” said Bea, and Lily grinned again.

“You must have known the young man who brought the flowers,” said May. “He was Bea’s neighbor’s son.”

“I doubt it,” said Bea, “but the flighty one might have known him.” She gave us all a knowing look then made the sign of the cross over her chest. “Although maybe not. I don’t ever remember him visiting, but Joe did mention him a couple of times. Very proud of him. Lived with his mother out of state, I think. Or was it at school? Such a nice boy. I suppose I must have been extra nice to him for him to remember me so well.”

“He said you were always so lovely to him,” said May.

“He did,” agreed Bea.

“I vaguely remember,” I said feigning attempts to recall. “What was his name? Something biblical, I think. Gideon? Ben? Joe?”

“That’s a good memory you have there. Joseph. Goes by Joe like his dad. I’m surprised you remember him at all. What happened to your brothers? Aren’t they all detectives now?”

“They are,” I said. “And one has joined the FBI.”

“And the flighty one? You’re the investigator so I seem to think your mother said she was…. what was it now? Was it an accountant or lawyer or something like that?”

“We’re so proud of her,” I said. “She really turned things around. So, it was nice of Joe Junior to visit you after so long.”

“Such a charming young man,” said May. “I was here when he came to visit.”

“Such a sweetheart,” agreed Bea. “He said I was always the nicest neighbor and he’d always had a soft spot for me. He couldn’t believe it when he heard I’d moved here. He said he could have sworn I was twenty years younger!” A pink blush appeared on her cheeks.

“You must have heard what happened from your parents,” continued May. “They found his father in a shallow grave. Buried right there in the yard!”

“My parents told me,” I said. “It’s shocking. Joe Junior must have been terribly upset?”

“He said it was a relief to know what happened to his father. He said he was never really sure and since his father traveled a lot, he couldn’t be sure if something had happened to him abroad. He reported him missing, of course, but he said nothing came of it until now. He was so grateful to the police.”

“Do you remember Joe Smithson well from that time?”

“Some. He was always friendly and helpful but we weren’t friends and I recall he was away a lot. Truthfully, I don’t really remember the boy at all but my memory isn’t so good. I do remember that the house was near the end of its lease because I’d had words with the landlady about fixing the fence and she said she was waiting to find out if the lease would be renewed to decide how much to spend on it. She fixed it a month or so later and the Langs moved in so I didn’t really think much of it. Oh! You know, I do remember the landlady had to clear out a lot of Joe’s things. Not that there was much left behind but they had to cart it all away.”

“The young man asked where to and it was all thrown out, wasn’t it, Bea?” asked May.

“I think the clothes went to charity and a few other things too but I’m not sure about the rest. I don’t think there was much. The house was leased furnished so all of that stayed of course, but it will all be gone now. Joe’s son didn’t seem too surprised. He said he never really understood his father’s life here. He had all kinds of questions about whom he made friends with and what kind of people came to the house. Things like that. I so wish I could have told him more but it was an awful long time ago.”

“I’m sure he was glad to hear whatever you could tell him,” I said.

“That’s nice of you, dear. Yes, he was a nice young man, wanted to know all about the neighborhood and where everyone was now. I told him your parents had a PI for a daughter and he was just agog with interest. Asked all about you! If only you’d been here a little earlier, I could have introduced you. It sounds like he needed some professional help, although I suppose a lawyer could serve him just as well. Or maybe the police.”

“Oh? What for?”

“He said he was going to claim his inheritance and wasn’t going to let anything stand in his way.”