Chapter 14

14

I showed myself inside my mother's house and glanced around, not seeing anyone, but hearing voices coming from the kitchen. I made my way there, expecting to find her with Harvey, and the owner of the Mercedes parked out front.

When I entered the kitchen, my mother looked up at me and said, "Georgiana, how nice of you to stop by."

"How was your girls' weekend?"

"Grand," she said. "We had the time of our lives in Palm Springs. Made a bunch of new friends, to boot. I just wish it wouldn't have gone by as fast as it did."

Sitting next to my mother was a woman I knew but hadn't seen in person in some time.

The woman smiled at me and said, "It's been a while, Georgiana. Nice to see you again."

"And you, Mayor Bloom."

She shot me a wink. "I've known you since the day you were born. It was Octavia then, and it's Octavia now."

"How's the campaign for reelection going?"

"It's going well. Benjamin is a formidable opponent, but I feel confident I'll be voted in as mayor for another term."

"I met Benjamin yesterday. He stopped at the police department to talk to Chief Foley about the case we're working on."

My mother's eyes lit up. " We ? Am I to believe Claudette took my recommendation, and she came to see you?"

I nodded. "She stopped by the office this morning."

"Claudette's a bit tightly wound, wouldn't you agree?" my mother asked. "And not much in the way of conversation. I got the impression she didn't like me when we met. She took my advice, at least."

"She does get straight to the point. I was surprised when I learned you sent her to me. In the past, you've always been nervous when I'm investigating a homicide."

"I'll be nervous this time as well, I can assure you. It's just … the more I've been thinking about what happened to Cordelia, the more I realize I want the best for my friend. And the best is you, dear. No offense to Foley or Whitlock. They're decent, I'm sure you'll agree, but they don't have your talent for solving murders."

We all had our talents, and even though I had a spotless track record of solving every case that came my way, it never felt right to take all the credit for myself. It was a team effort, no matter what percentage role we each played.

"Georgiana, would you mind if I asked you a question?" Octavia asked.

"Not at all. What's the question?"

"What did Benjamin want to know about the investigation, if you don't mind discussing it?"

In some ways, I did mind.

Though she was a family friend, Benjamin deserved the same privacy and respect as she did. I tried to think of a way to spin it, to say something without saying too much, a little game of dodge-and-confuse.

"He asked a lot of questions," I said. "Did you know his mother was murdered when he was a child?"

"I know just about everything there is to know about him. I wouldn't be a good opponent if I didn't. We talked about it once. I get the impression it's something he's never gotten past. It's a shame that it's still a cold case."

Eager to get off the subject of Benjamin, I took the conversation in a new direction. "Foley said you stopped in asking about the case as well."

"Yes," Octavia said. "I was hopeful at the start, but my visit wasn't well received. Chief Foley is certain I want to be part of the investigation for political gain."

"I wouldn't say it's your ulterior motive."

Octavia tipped her head, blinking up at me. "You think I have a motive?"

"If I'm being honest, I believe you and Benjamin both do. You may be running against each other, but I think your motive concerning the homicide investigation are one and the same."

"And what motive would that be?"

"The sooner this case is solved, the sooner both of you will be back in the spotlight, where you want to be, so voters' minds return to the election."

My mother's eyes widened. "Georgiana! I'm surprised at you. How could you say such a thing to such an old friend of mine? If Octavia has a motive, it's no different than every other person's in this county. We all want to see the killer caught and brought to justice."

Octavia swished a hand through the air. "I appreciate your candor, Darlene, and you're right, but so is Georgiana."

"Oh? How so?" my mother asked.

"The murder investigation takes some of the momentum out of the previous plans I'd put into motion. As such, I've had to make some adjustments, which is fine. It happens. I also need to focus on what the residents in the area need right now. There's a good deal of fear and uncertainty surrounding this murder. It will be a relief when we can give everyone peace of mind."

"I agree," I said. "If I were in your position, I'd want the case solved so I could get back into the forefront of voters' minds too. I don't fault you for it."

"I know you don't."

My mother smiled, pleased the topic had been resolved in an amiable way. "Are you able to stay for a few minutes, Georgiana?"

"I have some time, yes."

"Good. Come, sit down and I'll pour you a glass of iced tea."

I took a seat at the table, and while my mother prepared the iced tea, Harvey entered the room.

"Hey there, when did you get here?" he asked.

"A few minutes ago."

"I didn't hear you come in."

"Guess what?" my mother said. "Georgiana has been hired to investigate Cordelia's murder."

Harvey sat in a chair next to me and said, "Is that so? Glad to hear it."

I'd decided to stop by my mother's house to speak to her and Harvey about my conversation with Rosalyn. But given Octavia was there, I hadn't decided whether I should go forward with the discussion or return and speak with them another time.

As I contemplated what to do, Harvey said, "I know you've just started your investigation, but what can you tell us about it? Do the police have any leads yet? I asked Foley about it the other day. He didn't have much to say."

I hesitated, something Octavia seemed to pick up on.

"If you don't want to discuss it in front of me, I can go," she said. "I have plenty of other things to attend to while I'm in town today."

"Guess what," my mother said. "I've been assisting Octavia here and there with her campaign."

Octavia glanced in my direction. "It's true. My assistant's father is going through chemotherapy, and she wanted to be there for him. My husband has been helping me ever since, but then your mother offered to step in, and she's been a great help. It was just supposed to be until I found a replacement, though no one can replace your mother."

"And no one should," my mother said. "Why hire someone else when your best option is ready, willing, and at your disposal? I'm honored, truth be told. Besides, I run circles around those young whippersnappers at your office, too."

"You sure do."

I glanced over at my mother. "Now that we're getting close to the election, will you have to be away more?"

"Oh, no," my mother said. "I'll still be home every night. I just have to make the drive from here to Octavia's office in San Luis Obispo certain days of the week. Much to be done!"

"With you at my side," Octavia said, "I'm sure Benjamin Branson doesn't stand a chance."

My mother blushed, raising a finger. "Flattery will get you everywhere with me … and you aren't wrong."

Harvey yawned, fisting a hand in front of his mouth. "I do believe it's time for my midmorning nap. Whaddya say, Georgiana? Any part of the case you want to discuss before I lie down?"

Still undecided, I took a deep breath in. "It's important to me that what little details we have aren't made public knowledge until Foley decides the time is right."

Octavia nodded. "Of course. If there's anything you want to say, you have my full discretion."

While I appreciated her words, I made the decision to go with a "less is more" approach.

"Since I was just hired today, we're just getting things going," I said. "We're focusing most on who interacted with Cordelia in the weeks prior to her death."

"I'd say it would be a short list," Harvey said. "She didn't seem to get out much, not that we noticed anyway."

"We're starting by talking to those she worked with at the library. I had a brief conversation with the library manager on the night of the murder, but she was in shock. Simone is following up with her today, as well as another male employee who works at the library."

"Good plan."

"The reason I was in the neighborhood this morning is because Phoebe witnessed an argument about a month ago between Cordelia and Rosalyn."

"Did she now?" my mother asked. "She made no mention of it to me."

"I don't think she thought much of it, not until she heard about what happened to Cordelia."

"What did she see?"

"She was sitting in her car with the window down, but she wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying to each other. When the conversation ended, Cordelia was crying. After hearing Cordelia had died, Phoebe told Foley, and he stopped by and had a chat with Rosalyn."

"What did Rosalyn have to say for herself?"

"She downplayed the whole thing, acting like it wasn't an argument. She said they'd had a talk about Cordelia's cat being in her yard too much, which irritated her dog. Maybe Rosalyn thought Cordelia did it on purpose, though it's not like you can train a cat to pester a neighbor's dog. Cats do what they like, when they like."

"Phooey," my mother said. "Zoey is the sweetest cat I've ever known. Doesn't have a nasty bone in her chubby little body."

"Where is Zoey? I heard you took her in."

My mother returned to the table, setting a glass of iced tea in front of me. "I can't say. She's around here somewhere. She disappears sometimes, but she always comes back when she's hungry or in need of attention."

"I just had a conversation with Rosalyn in the front yard," I said. "It was strange."

"In what way?" my mother asked.

"She says she doesn't recall seeing Cordelia crying that day."

"And do you believe her?"

"I don't."

"Why not?"

"I asked her several basic questions about the conversation she had with Cordelia, and I could tell she was lying to me."

Octavia crossed one leg over the other, leaning closer. "What makes you think she was lying?"

"Georgiana can spot a liar a million miles away," my mother said. "Her precious father was the same way. If she says Rosalyn is lying, she must be."

"What I don't know is why she lied to me," I said. "Maybe it's because we've just met, and she doesn't know me. I get the impression there's more to it, though. Mom, have you talked to her much since she bought the house?"

"Oh yes, we've spoken on several occasions. I've always found her to be a kind woman. A bit standoffish, but kind, unlike that rotten husband of hers."

"I asked if he was home, and Rosalyn told me he was out of town for work."

My mother rolled her eyes. "Doesn't surprise me. Eddy's been in and out ever since they bought the place."

"I take it you don't like him."

"Not one bit. Every time I engage him in conversation, he shuts me down. I have no idea why. I've shown them nothing but kindness since they bought the place. Ask me, he's not a people person, and he has no interest in having anything to do with his neighbors. Cordelia was the same in that respect."

"Did she ever say anything about Eddy?"

"Oh, let's see now. Guess it would have been right after the couple moved in. She brought over a loaf of bread she'd baked. And you know, it wasn't an easy thing for her to do. She wasn't a people person, as you know, but she still did it. Eddy almost slammed the door in her face before his wife turned up. Who does that? I'll tell you who. A man with no manners."

"Did you ever see Eddy mistreat Rosalyn?"

My mom swished a hand through the air. "Nah. Like he would do it in front of my face. Believe me, if he had seen anything, I wouldn't have stood for it, as you well know. He would have had an earful from me."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

My mother leaned back, tapping a finger against the chair, thinking. "Let's see now … it would have been before my girls' trip. Wait, no. Now that I'm thinking about it, I suppose I haven't seen him for some time now, not since Cordelia died."

Harvey nodded, adding, "You know, neither have I."