Take Stock in Murder (30 page)

“How right you are. One of my only comforts in this whole mess is that my wife knows nothing. I’ve kept her leading a sheltered life. And when all is said and done, she’ll always be loyal to the family.”

“Really? Yes, I see what you mean. It’s one thing for the family to overlook some indiscretions between family members, but when the public becomes aware of it, well…”

“Oh please, don’t stop now. You’re just building to the big conclusion.” Brad was enjoying the moment, which Carrie found disconcerting.

“I found a cuff link.” Carrie’s comment got Brad’s attention.

“What cuff link?”

“When I went through the secret passage, I found a cuff link with the letter
B
on it. I assumed it belonged to Todd, and it fell off when his body was moved. However, tonight when reading the police report, I discovered that Todd’s cuff links were listed among his personal items. Is the cuff link yours, Brad?”

“That cuff link could belong to anyone with a last name starting with a
B
.” For the first time, his voice was defensive.

“Except that it matches the cuff links your brother wore the night of the dance. Was it a gift from your father? You see, there are too many roads that lead back to you and your family. Brad, others will reach these same conclusions.”

Brad rubbed the end of the gun against the side of his head. “No. I don’t think so. Once they find the note with you admitting to everything, there will be no reason to continue
investigating. Has your husband, Charles, reached these same conclusions?”

“No. Unfortunately, Charles is still tracking the women associated with Todd. That’s why he went to the tavern to talk with your wife.” Carrie was trying to sound convincing. Charles’s life might depend on her next words. “You’ll see by my chart and the note I left for Charles that I was telling him for the first time what I had discovered. But there’s one thing I’d like to understand.”

“What’s that?”

“How could a family kill one of its own? I’d have expected a cover-up, not a murder.”

“Brad, she’s accusing someone in your family of murdering Todd.” Based on her reaction, Carrie was now sure Jennifer was learning of this possibility for the first time.

“Very good, Jen. See, those rumors about you aren’t true. You do have a brain.” Brad looked at her with contempt.

He’s cruel
, thought Carrie.
Todd may have been a prankster, but he was never cruel
.

“Ah, you’re waiting for a solution to the crime. I guess you’re entitled. Father and I went looking for Todd after the scuffle with you and Charles. We found him sleeping off his liquor on top of one of the pool tables in the game room. When we woke him, we confronted him about the incident with your husband and all his flirtations with the ladies. Then we started to discuss the Investment Club.”

“He did seem to be a talented broker. The Investment Club was doing great,” Carrie suggested.

“My brother wasn’t that good. He just had beginner’s luck. He even stole Dad’s password so he could put his stupid little stock picks on the company’s recommend list.”

Carrie thought Brad seemed jealous of Todd’s success.

Brad continued. “We even threatened him with the internal audit. He laughed in our faces and said we wouldn’t find anything because we weren’t that smart. Then the little fool pulled a gun on Father. I tried to take it from him, and in the struggle it went off. It wasn’t planned, but that quickly, he was dead.”

Brad took a deep breath and continued. “We hid him in the secret passage and covered him with several blankets. We needed to keep Todd’s body warm so we could easily move him later. We waited for the dance to end and the attendees to leave. Then I built a huge fire in the library to also confuse the time of death. We were just about to move the body when we saw a car arriving. Father hid in the passageway, and I went out to check who it was. What luck for us when you left your evening bag on the front seat of your car. After you and Jake finally left the room, we moved Todd. We hoped the combination of the earlier incident with Todd and finding your bag with the body would point the police in the wrong direction.”

“Even after I was falsely accused and you knew I could go to jail, you still felt no need to tell the truth?” Carrie could feel the anger rising within her.

“Sorry, my dear. Unfortunately, I see my family and my survival as more important than yours.”

Jennifer looked crushed. “Brad, I don’t want any part of this. I never bargained for murder.”

“Oh, dear. You don’t want to play in my world anymore? Well, in my world we protect our family name. And to do that, I need to tie up a few more loose ends.”

Jennifer looked from Brad to Carrie. “You’re going to kill her, aren’t you? No, Brad, you can’t.” She got up from her chair, but Brad pointed the gun at her.

“Oh, my dear Jen. When I say tie up the loose ends, I mean all of them. We’ve had a good time, Jen, but don’t you see you’re another loose end?”

rad, let’s be rational. As of right now, your only crime is the accidental shooting of your brother. With your family’s money and power, you’ll get off. You’ll probably receive no more than a slap on the wrist or community service. If you commit
two
premeditated murders, you’re in a whole different ball game,” Carrie said

“It’s not just the murder; it’s the scandal and the family’s reputation.” He had made up his mind, and there was no going back. His eyes were cold. “Ladies, we can make this pleasant or ugly.”

Neither Carrie nor Jennifer made a move. They were both too frightened. Brad took the gun and whipped it across Jennifer’s face. She gasped in pain as her lip immediately started to bleed, and a huge, red welt appeared on her cheek.

Carrie rushed to her side. “Brad, there’s no need for this violence. Where do you want us to go?”

“To the parking lot,” he said as he opened the door of the office. “Follow me to the newest ride at the Tri-County Club Fun Park. It’s the daredevil Racy Roadster. You don’t mind if we use your car, do you, Carrie? Jennifer just bought a new one. It seems a shame to wreck it, especially since I signed for the loan.”

As they left the cottage, Brad turned the lights out and locked the door. Carrie helped Jennifer to the car as if they were lifelong friends.

“Carrie, give me your keys.” Brad unlocked the door. “Carrie, you drive. Slide across from this side.” Jennifer started to get in the front into the middle seat, but Brad drew a small bottle from his jacket pocket. In a quick motion, he placed the open bottle under Jennifer’s nose. She struggled briefly, then inhaled the liquid and fell unconscious as Brad pushed her into the backseat.

“Now we can concentrate on each other.” Brad laughed.

Carrie started the car and then froze. She realized what the end result of this trip would be, and all sorts of thoughts crowded into her mind. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of all the people she would never see again—most importantly, the love of her life, Charles.

“Carrie, I’m waiting. No more delays.” Brad poked her in the ribs with the gun.

She slowly backed out of the parking space, trying to think of something to do. She started to pull into the main driveway by making a left.

“Go to the right,” Brad growled. “The driveway is one way.”

“Sorry, I’m a little nervous.” She backed up and pulled slowly to the right. Her mind was racing for a solution.
I assume I’ll receive the same treatment as Jennifer
, Carrie thought.

“Don’t worry; I’ll make sure you’re knocked out first. Look at the bright side. As you go over the cliff, you won’t feel any pain.”

“What cliff?”

“The cliff at Parker’s Apple Barn on Mill Road. There’s still the ledge that goes down to the river, with lots of trees to hit. It will be like a full-size game of pinball.” Brad laughed.

“Why so far away?”

“You want all the answers, don’t you?”

“What’s it matter now?”

“OK, I sent your husband there earlier. He’ll be gone when we get there. But he’ll always wonder if he could have saved you if he’d been a little later.”

“Why? Why would you do something that cruel? Why would you want him to suffer?”

“Hopefully your death will stop him from continuing the investigation. But first, we’re going to your house for your computer.”

The car passed the Club’s main door, and Carrie was navigating the last section of the driveway when she suddenly came to a conclusion.
If I’m going to die, I can do it here as well as anywhere. If I die here, at least Charles won’t have the guilt
.

She made her decision. She slammed her foot down against the gas pedal, and the car responded by squealing tires against the driveway. Carrie swung the wheel left to force the car up the grassy embankment.

“What are you doing? You crazy—” Brad yelled as he grabbed for the wheel.

The last thing Carrie remembered was the sound of glass breaking, and metal crunching, and a pain in her head. Everything went black.

hen Carrie opened her eyes, she saw flashing lights and heard the sound of more sirens in the distance. She sat on an incline in the center section of the driveway. She watched several members from the Club help the paramedics and the police. She watched as Jennifer was extracted from the car. They slid her out onto a stretcher and placed her immediately into an ambulance. Carrie could see the paramedics start to administer first aid. She wondered where Brad was. A uniformed officer and Detective Jenco walked right in front of her, and she heard him say, “He didn’t have a seat belt on, and even with the air bag, the force of the crash crushed him between the metal of the door and the tree. He didn’t have a chance.”

She wondered why Jenco didn’t stop to talk to her. She tried to call his name, but nothing came from her throat. She tried to get up but was unable to move. She fell backward and was aware of how soft and thick the grass felt against her hands and neck.

“Carrie, Carrie. Oh, darling, please talk to me.” She sat up and followed the sound. It was Charles, and he was calling to someone through the broken window of the overturned car. Suddenly he leaned back and cupped his face in his hands. “Oh, Carrie, I love you so much.” As he fell backward, she saw it was
her
body he was leaning over.