The Deep End (A Saints & Strangers Cozy Mystery Book 2) (6 page)

“Thank you for coming,” Rebecca said, shaking his hand. Romeo noticed that she trembled slightly.

“Just doing my job,” he replied.

“Hello Detective,” Charlotte said shyly.

“Nice to see you again, Charlotte,” he said, turning his attention to her. “You can call me Romeo. How are you holding up?”

Charlotte managed a brave nod. “Her skin and lips looked blue. I thought that was just in movies.”

“It must’ve been quite a shock, seeing her in the pool,” Romeo said. “What made you come out here?”

“Rebecca noticed something in the pool,” Charlotte said. “She came running out.”

“Do you normally leave your pool open this late in the year?” Romeo asked.

“It’s not our pool any longer,” Rebecca replied.

Romeo gave her a sympathetic look. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Who knows what Jasmine was doing half the time? She was wearing a bathing suit but that doesn’t mean she intended to swim. We found the sarong floating in the pool.” Rebecca closed her eyes against the memory of Jasmine’s lifeless, bikini-clad body.

“Did she swim often?” Romeo asked.

Charlotte nodded. “Certainly in the summer she did, but she was just as likely to sunbathe.” Charlotte knew that all too well. She’d actively avoided the backyard on sunny days, knowing that Jasmine would be out there with a cocktail and oversized sunglasses. She hadn’t seemed overly concerned about harmful UV rays.

Romeo jotted down a few notes.

“Would you say she was a strong swimmer?” he asked.

“Yes,” Rebecca replied. She’d been subjected to enough of Jasmine’s showing off to know that the woman could hold her own in the water.

“Which lawn service handles Oak Lodge?” Romeo asked.

Charlotte crinkled her nose. She didn’t have a clue.

“McNulty and Sons,” Rebecca answered. “I don’t think Jasmine switched companies.”

“That would’ve required too much effort,” Charlotte said and quickly pressed her lips together. She probably shouldn’t be bad-mouthing the deceased, especially not to the police.

“One more question,” Romeo said. “What were you two doing here in the first place?” He knew that they were living with Kit since Jasmine had removed them from Oak Lodge.

Rebecca and Charlotte exchanged uneasy looks. Neither wanted to admit why they’d come.

“What is it?” Romeo pressed.

Charlotte glanced over his shoulder at the other people within earshot. “I took a few things from the house,” she said, almost inaudibly. “Rebecca was making me return them.”

Romeo cocked his head. “Are you talking about those piles of books in Kit’s living room that you took from your father’s library?”

Charlotte nearly fainted. “How did you know?” She’d need to have a few words with her so-called friend, Kit.

He fought back a smile. “I won’t tell if you won’t.” He winked and Charlotte released the breath she’d been holding.

“You mean I can keep them?” she asked, her tone hopeful. The thought of unloading them from the car and returning them to the house was unbearable.

“Keep what?” he asked with mock innocence.

“I am not helping you carry them back into Kit’s,” Rebecca scolded.

“That’s fine,” Charlotte said smugly. “Kit will help. She owes me now.”

“Detective, will you let us know what happened?” Rebecca asked. “Her brother will want to know.”

“Her brother?” Romeo queried.

“Jake Krieg,” Rebecca explained. “He came to visit after Father died. He’s been staying here at Oak Lodge.”

Romeo glanced at the house. “So where is he now?”

“I don’t know,” Rebecca said honestly. She had only had one message from him since their Moroccan dinner. He’d promised to see her again before he returned to Connecticut but had given no specifics.

“What about her parents?” Romeo asked.

“Deceased,” Rebecca said.

“Do you have a number for the brother?”

Rebecca passed her phone to Romeo so he could program the number into his phone.

“Do you think she got a cramp or something and drowned?” Charlotte inquired. She’d heard of that happening to swimmers. That was one reason Charlotte had been warned to never swim alone. The other reason was her knack for tripping or falling into things.

“If that’s what they thought, Detective Moretti wouldn’t be here,” Rebecca said. She looked at Romeo. “You obviously suspect foul play.”

“When I know more, I’ll give you a call,” he promised. “Why don’t you both go back to Kit’s and decompress?” He knew the shock would set in soon. They’d only recently lost their father. Even though they weren’t fond of Jasmine, her death would compound the heavy emotions they were already experiencing. He gave Charlotte’s arm a gentle squeeze. “Maybe read a book or two.”

Charlotte offered a grateful smile but tried not to show too many teeth. She hoped that the people scattered across the lawn couldn’t see how truly happy she was.

The next day Kit was surprised to see Romeo waiting for her by the fountain after class. She quickly checked her phone to make sure that a text message hadn’t arrived during the lecture. She smiled and waved but he didn’t smile back.

“Why does he look so grumpy?” Francie asked, noticing the same.

“I have no idea.” Kit didn’t think it was anything she’d done. Between her classes and his job, they hadn’t seen much of each other lately. “I guess we’ll find out.”

“My favorite trio,” he remarked as they joined him by the fountain. His gaze shifted to Charlotte. “Can I speak with you for a moment?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Why?”

Kit gave him a quizzical look which he duly ignored. He guided Charlotte by the elbow until they were out of earshot.

“What’s wrong?” Charlotte asked.

“We got the M.E.’s report on Jasmine,” he told her. “She drowned.”

Charlotte’s brow wrinkled. “Well, that’s what we thought, isn’t it?”

“Charlotte, it definitely wasn’t an accidental drowning. The Medical Examiner confirmed grip marks on her arms.”

“Grip marks?”

“Bruises that indicate forcible immersion. The EMT noticed them. That’s why we were called to the scene.” He drew a breath. “Jasmine drowned because someone held her under the water until she died.”

Charlotte’s knees went weak and she fell against Romeo for support. “Oh my. Someone killed her?”

He held her until she stabilized. “It seems so. Is there anything else you can tell me that might help the investigation?”

Charlotte was too stunned to think straight. “I don’t know. Everybody disliked her. It could’ve been anyone.” She glanced quickly at Romeo. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be mean.”

“I know,” he said softly. “Charlotte, you don’t have a truly mean bone in your body.”

Charlotte thought he might change his tune if he knew how soundly she’d slept last night. “Have you managed to get in touch with Jake?” she asked.

“I’ve spoken with him briefly, but I’ll need to speak with him again. He’s still at Oak Lodge for the moment.”

Still at Oak Lodge? She wondered where he was the morning Jasmine died.

“How about your sister?” Romeo asked. “Is she at Kit’s?”

Charlotte nodded. “Yes, since we left Oak Lodge she’s either there or at the country club when we’re in class.”

“Did you have class yesterday morning?” he asked.

“Yes, then Kit and I went home and Rebecca told me to put the books in her car. That we were taking them back to Oak Lodge.”

“So she was at Kit’s the whole time you were in class?” he queried.

Charlotte shrugged. “I think so. You’ll have to ask her.” She hesitated. “Wait, Romeo. You’re not suggesting…” She couldn’t even finish the statement.

“I’m not suggesting anything, but I have to ask,” he stated.

“But Rebecca’s been the calm one throughout this whole ordeal. She’s the one who encouraged me to be less emotional about it.”

Romeo made a thoughtful sound that Charlotte didn’t like. “It’s not like we get Oak Lodge back if Jasmine dies,” she insisted. “She wouldn’t have left it to us in her will.”

“Did she have a will?” he asked.

“I have no idea,” Charlotte said, her eyes brimming with tears. “Why would I? We didn’t exactly confide in each other.”

Francie and Kit rushed to Charlotte’s side.

“She’s distressed,” Francie said, glaring at Romeo. “Maybe you can continue your interrogation some other time and place.”

Kit glanced awkwardly between her friends and Romeo. “Romeo, would you mind?” she asked with a sympathetic nod toward a tearful Charlotte.

“One more question,” he said. “Who handled your father’s will?”

“Jackson Kohler, Daddy’s lawyer,” Charlotte replied, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. “But I doubt he would’ve drawn up Jasmine’s will unless Daddy asked him to do it.”

“Well, maybe he did ask,” Romeo said simply. “I’ll pay him a visit right now and find out.”

Kit watched him walk away and fought the urge to chase after him. He was doing his job, that was all. It was Charlotte who needed her now and, as much as she liked Romeo, Kit wasn’t someone who could abandon a friend in a time of need.

Jasmine’s funeral was less of a spectacle than John Tilton’s, a fact that Charlotte knew would have annoyed Jasmine to no end. After the service, Jake invited everyone back to Oak Lodge, after the house and grounds had been been given the all-clear by the police. As Jasmine’s brother and the apparent heir to Oak Lodge, he was the only one in a position to make arrangements. He’d asked Rebecca for help, not familiar with any of the local establishments. He ended up hiring the same caterer used for John’s party, although no one commented on it.

Charlotte sat alone in her father’s library, enjoying the solitude. Even without the majority of the books, she still liked sitting in the space. She’d spent many happy hours in this room and it tore at her soul to think that she might never sit here again. With Jasmine dead, she had no idea what would happen to their family home. Even if Jake inherited it, he likely wouldn’t keep it. And if he sold it, she and Rebecca were in no financial position to buy it back. Perhaps she’d speak to some of their cousins, the ones who hadn’t lost their fortunes.

Behind her Jake paced the hardwood floor, the soft squeak of his dress shoes driving Charlotte to distraction. He and Rebecca had stumbled upon her a few minutes ago and seemed unwilling to leave her alone. Probably afraid she’d take off with another armful of books.

“Why don’t you two go out?” Charlotte suggested. “Get some fresh air.”

Rebecca looked appalled. “Charlotte, we’ve just been to Jasmine’s funeral. We need to mourn.”

Mourn? Judging from the number of cell phones on display during the service, Charlotte was quite certain that no one at the funeral had been mourning. With the exception of a group of former cheerleaders, most attendees had come out of respect for their father. The cheerleaders had drawn curious looks from the older male contingency. It seemed that even the most pious Pilgrims had roving eyes.

“Then mourn in nature,” Charlotte argued. She couldn’t stand the sight of Jake moping around Oak Lodge. “Jake, there are bicycles in the second garage. Please do yourselves a favor and burn off some energy. The weather is ripe for it.”

Jake and Rebecca exchanged uneasy looks. A bike ride? Rebecca sighed. Her sister was right. She needed to get out and clear her head. The murder investigation was weighing on her. She felt like everyone was looking at her sideways. And those who weren’t looking at her were too busy eyeing Jake.

“Let’s go,” she said to Jake. Her black pantsuit would survive. It wasn’t like they were competing in the Tour de France.

Jake trailed her to the garage. “Are you sure about this?” He glanced hesitantly over his shoulder. “You don’t think people will talk?”

“People are already talking,” Rebecca pointed out. “Might as well give them something to talk about.” Only a handful of people had bothered to come back to the house. Most of them were in the backyard discussing the stock market or the latest charity event or staring at the scene of the crime. The pool was closed now, so the view was limited.

Rebecca opened the garage door and went to retrieve the bicycles from their pegs on the wall.

“Allow me,” Jake said and brought each one down.

Rebecca was glad that Jasmine hadn’t had the opportunity to tackle the garage before she died. Bicycles surely had no place in her stylized home.

They followed the bike path until it reached the Lenapehoking River. The area was an amazing refuge from Westdale – so beautiful that it was hard to believe it was flanked by two bustling towns. Eastdale was considered the wrong side of the tracks by Westdale residents, literally. The towns were separated by a train line as well as the river that ran alongside it.

They passed joggers and families with strollers and Rebecca felt her tension ease. Charlotte had been right; she needed to let off some steam. Finally, they stopped on the footbridge for a rest and to peer out over the water.

“Do you watch any of the regattas?” Jake asked, nodding toward the picturesque boathouses along Mayflower Row.

“All the time,” she replied.

“I’ve never been to one. Jasmine said the one she went to was boring.”

Rebecca smiled. “They’re part of our heritage. Charlotte and I always enjoy them.”

“Maybe I could join you next time,” he proposed.

Rebecca wondered whether there’d be a next time now that Jasmine’s funeral was over. She hadn’t talked to Jake about what Jasmine’s death meant for him. The idea unnerved her.

“There’s my favorite tree.” She pointed to an interesting tree along the riverbank, twisted and haunted. “It looks so tortured yet still so beautiful.”

“I prefer them straight and tall,” he said and looked around. “Like that one.” As his hand returned to his side, it accidentally brushed her arm. He jumped, as though the touch were physically painful. Rebecca pretended not to notice.

“Have the police spoken to you about the murder?” she asked.

“At great length,” he replied. “When a sole living relative has access, motive and no alibi, there are bound to be questions.”

“No alibi?” Rebecca queried. “Where were you that morning?”