Two Scoops of Murder (Felicity Bell Book 2) (12 page)

R
eece Hudson proved
that he wasn’t only a great action hero, he prepared a mean espresso. If ever his movie career tanked, he could always find employ as a barista. Five minutes later, the members of the HBNWC were sipping from their cups and staring dreamily at the man behind the bar, who now stood toweling glasses with practiced ease.

Suddenly Alice thought of something. “Why don’t I have a chat with dad? I mean, I’m still his daughter, right?”

“We’ve gone down that road before, remember, honey?” asked Mabel. “The Kurtz Weilheim case?”

Alice grimaced. “Right. Totally forgot about that.” Kurtz Weilheim had been a political refugee from Kazakhstan, but rumored to be the ruler of a small European country laying low because a revolution had rocked his nation and the rebels were out to get him. The HBNWC, rightfully concerned that rebel forces would invade Long Island looking for the king, had discretely started asking around, only to find that either people had no knowledge of Kurtz Weilheim’s secret identity, or had downright been forbidden to talk about the man. Finally, Alice had been sent to Chief Whitehouse to inquire and been told to back off.

A little while later it was revealed that Kurtz Weilheim, far from being a European ruler, was a cheat and a fraud. One of those tricksters pretending to be rich while not possessing a bean. The story of him being a king in disguise was one he’d concocted himself. An arrest warrant had been issued, but by then the bird had flown, taking a good chunk of Happy Bays savings along with him.

“Can I join you ladies?” a male voice sounded. And before they could stop him, Reece had pulled up a chair and had plunked himself down. Alice felt a blush creep up her cheeks and seep into her soul at the close proximity with one whom she’d always admired from afar.

“What were you talking about?” he asked pleasantly.

“A case we’re working on,” said Marjorie, losing something of her customary frostiness. To Alice’s surprise the old lady was actually smiling, though from the way her lips trembled it was obvious those muscles hadn’t been used in years.

“Case? You mean the murder case?” His eyes widened. “Are you all working on it?”

“We are.” Alice swept her hand in an encompassing gesture. “Meet the members of the Happy Bays Neighborhood Watch Committee.” In a few brief words she introduced the ladies present, all of whose wrinkled faces were now wreathed in ridiculous smiles, their facial muscles straining at their respective leashes.

Even Felicity was smiling, Alice saw, even though she was spoken for. A pang of jealousy shot through her once again. Though she knew it was silly, she didn’t enjoy the fact that Reece and Fe were getting along so well.

“Pleased to meet you,” Reece said pleasantly. “And what have you found so far?”

“Not much,” admitted Bettina sadly. “We’re being sabotaged.”

His eyebrows rose. “Sabotaged? By whom?”

All eyes swiveled to Alice, whose blush deepened. “My father. He’s the chief of police and doesn’t like us meddling with police business.”

“And my son,” Marjorie added. “He’s a cop too.”

“That’s too bad,” said Reece, his eyes flickering gaily, as if he was enjoying this rare look into the inner kitchen of Happy Bays. “But I’m sure you’ll find a way around this sabotage, right?”

“We’re working on it,” Alice assured him, “though my father is a hard nut to crack. When he wants us off the case, he’ll make sure we stay off.”

“Perhaps I can be of assistance,” Reece suggested. The ladies expressed their surprise with aahs and oohs and he continued, “My dad and Chief Whitehouse go way back—in fact my father used to be a cop when Chief Whitehouse was a rookie himself.”

Alice frowned and so did the others. This was news to them. The only one who didn’t seem surprised was Mabel. “I heard about that. They had a fight of some kind.” She quickly held up her hands when Reece didn’t immediately respond. “I mean, that’s what I heard. I could be wrong, of course.”

“No, you’re right. They did have a fight. Chief Whitehouse had allowed a traffic ticket to be expunged and my father felt this wasn’t right. He felt it was a form of corruption that if left unchecked could fester and infect the entire police force. When Chief Trass decided to side with Curtis Whitehouse Dad resigned and opened the gun range.”

Alice stared at the man. This was news to her. “My father was a corrupt cop?”

Reece looked concerned. “Not at all. He did what he thought was right, I’m sure.”

“The ticket, who was it for?” asked Marjorie, tight-lipped. This revelation was further driving down Chief Whitehouse’s stock.

“Toby Aldrich,” Reece said.

“Didn’t he used to be mayor?” Felicity said thoughtfully.

“He was. And since the mayor is in charge of the police department your father was simply following orders, but that’s not the way my father saw it,” Reece explained. “In any case, I think if my father has a chat with the chief, perhaps he can smooth things over.”

“I don’t see how,” said Alice. “I mean, if our fathers have had this feud going for such a long time, it’s hard to imagine my father accepting advice from yours.” Especially since her father had this pigheaded quality, she thought. He didn’t like to take advice from anyone.

Reece smiled. “I think he will. You see, several years later, when Mayor Aldrich asked Chief Whitehouse to extend him the same courtesy again, your father decided that this time he’d had enough. So he asked Dad to dig up the old ticket, add it to the new one, and the two of them got the city council to oust the mayor. They’ve been friends ever since.”

Marjorie pursed her lips. “I say it’s worth a shot. I vote yea.” And she stuck up her hand.

“Definitely,” agreed Mabel, holding up her hand.

“Third,” said Bettina, flipping her wing into the air.

“Fourth,” agreed Alice, following suit, then thumped the table. “Motion accepted.”

Alice grinned at the curious expression on Reece’s face. It reminded her of the way he’d looked in Crunch Time 2 when his co-star had shot him in the shoulder so her cover as a drug mule wouldn’t be compromised. “We always vote,” she explained, then looked at the others.

“I have a proposition to make,” suddenly spoke Marjorie.

“Let’s hear it,” Bettina said.

“I propose that for the duration of this investigation we add Reece and Felicity to the committee as honorary members.”

Approving murmurs sounded from all gathered and Alice felt a surge of heat arc through her at the thought of working closely together with Reece Hudson. Quick as a flash she raised her hand, and the others laughed at her enthusiasm. They quickly seconded, thirded and fourthed the motion.

“I’m honored,” said Reece with a nod of the head, “and I gracefully accept.” For a moment Alice thought he would thank his director, producer, and co-stars but he seemed to realize this was not the time or the place.

“I also accept,” said Felicity. “Let’s crack this case wide open.”

Reece’s arm brushed against Alice’s and she thought she was going to melt. Glancing sideways, she saw that he, too, was aware of the rising heat between them and she swallowed away a lump in her throat. “We, erm, we’ll have to meet regularly,” she said, without looking at him.

“No problem. Crunch Time 4 doesn’t start shooting til September.”

“Don’t you have a wedding to plan?” asked Bettina quite inappropriately. “I mean, I don’t mean to pry, but…”

All eyes turned to Reece, and his smile vanished. “I, erm… Well, since I’m visiting my father…” He looked away, like an actor annoyed with a pesky reporter. “…I have some extra time on my hands.”

There was a momentary silence, as all present took this in, then Mabel raised her glass. “Let’s drink to our two newest members!”

A round of applause rang out and Alice thought ruefully that Felicity was probably right. Reece Hudson was a great catch, but he’d already been caught. And the barracuda who caught him wasn’t likely to let go. Which left her well out of it.

Oh, well, she thought, spring cleaning wasn’t as bad as all that.

“
W
hat did you think
?” Felicity asked later that night when she and Alice were back at their cozy little house on Stanwyck Street.

“He’s nice,” Alice said without looking up from her copy of People Magazine.

“Yeah, he’s much nicer than I thought. For a movie star I mean. Almost like a regular guy.”

“A very nice regular guy,” Alice added softly.

“He did seem uncomfortable when the topic of his nuptials came up,” she said. “What do you think that was all about?”

“Just one of those things he doesn’t like to talk about I guess.”

“Private matter. None of our business, huh?”

Alice merely shrugged. To her, too, the topic seemed a touchy one.

“I think there’s more to it than that,” Felicity finally said, trudging on. “I think—and correct me if I’m wrong—that there’s definitely a rift in the works between Reece Hudson and his future wife.”

Alice finally looked up, her interest sparked. “Oh?”

“I mean, I could be wrong, of course.”

“Of course.”

“But my sources are telling me Dorothy Valour has been acting very strange lately, and has even hinted that the wedding might be off.”

Alice blinked. “Who told you that?”

Felicity grinned. “A very reliable source.”

“Bancroft.”

She nodded.

Alice thought about this. “Your cousin would know. He’s probably the number one Dorothy Valour fan on the planet.”

“She’s been sending out a stream of tweets and posts and selfies indicating she’s very unhappy with Reece. And according to Bancroft—reading between the selfies—there’s definitely a rift in the making.”

Alice, who’d been downcast, immediately perked up. “You think?”

“Well, Bancroft does.”

“So it must be true.”

She was right. Felicity’s cousin was the preeminent expert on all things Dorothy Valour. He’d already been asked by several bloggers to guest blog on the topic, and his predictions had always proved correct. He’d been the one to anticipate the Hudson-Valour match in the first place. After several pundits had wrongfully linked the feisty socialite to other eligible bachelors he’d picked the winner. So if Bancroft said the wedding was off…

“I think you should give him a call.”

“Who, Reece?”

“No, Santa Claus. Yes, of course Reece.”

Alice groaned. “To say what? The man’s a movie star and I’m just a nobody from nowheresville. He probably won’t even remember my name.”

“The way he was looking at you tonight I’m sure he remembers more than just your name.”

Alice cocked an eyebrow. “You think so?”

“Honey, the man was practically devouring you with his eyes, so yes, I do think so.”

“But what do I tell him?”

“You have the best excuse in the world. The investigation, remember? He’s in your little band now, so—”

“So what?”

“So don’t you have some updates to give? Some instructions?”

Alice eyed the ceiling with a baleful eye, as if it had done her wrong. “I don’t know, Fe. I thought I had it all figured out, but then I met the guy and my legs turned to jelly and my spine turned to water and, and…” She threw up her hands. “Now I simply don’t know.”

Just at that moment a plaintive mewling sounded from the kitchen and Felicity rose to her feet with a groan. She and Alice were now the proud owners of no less than six cats. The original man of the house, Gaston, a large red tomcat, might not like it, but he’d learned to live with the five kittens his two masters had foisted on him.

Felicity dug a cup into a bulky bag of kibble and scooped it into six small bowls they’d bought as a matching set. Gaston, who’d been the one to sound the alert, instantly dug in, followed by the other members of the feline household who came padding up from their respective hiding places. “I say go for it,” she continued the conversation as she poured some fresh water into the water bowls. “In spite of the fact that he’s a movie star he comes across as a nice guy.” When no answer came, she went over and found Alice staring at her with a curious expression on her face. “What?”

“Are you sure you don’t…I mean, aren’t you…”

She raised an incredulous eyebrow. “Are you asking me if I’m interested in the man? Alice, honey, of course not!”

Alice gave her an appropriately sheepish smile. “Sorry for asking. I just thought—you seemed to get along so well.”

“Honey, I found my soulmate. I love Rick and wouldn’t even dream of cheating on him—not even with the dreamboat to end all dreamboats!” She grinned. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but he is exceedingly yummy.”

“No, you’re right. He’s definitely the yummiest guy I’ve ever met.”

The two friends shared a look of understanding. “Go for it,” Felicity repeated.

“Thanks,” Alice said softly and opened her arms. “Love you, hun,” she whispered as Felicity came in for a hug.

“Same here,” murmured Felicity and counted her blessings for a friend like Alice. They both glanced over when Gaston hopped up on the couch and let rip a plaintive meow.

“I think he wants some of that,” said Alice with a laugh and hugged the big cat close. Soon, five kittens were crawling between them, finding a place. Then Alice flipped on the TV and as they watched a rerun of Modern Family their own modern family was cozily convened on the couch. Two humans and six cats. Not a bad end of the day, Felicity thought.

“
W
hat do
you
think
?” Rob looked from his sister to his wife, wanting to know once and for all where they stood on the matter.

Ruth winced. “Mom seems so upset. I don’t want to upset her even more. I think we should give it a rest.”

Maggie nodded. “I just don’t think this is a good time to bring up the inheritance, honey. Maybe later, when she’s had time to grieve.”

Rob raised his eyes heavenward. “This is just crazy!” He was sitting here, listening to two dumbbells, while all the while their money was slipping through their fingers. “We need to push on now!” he stressed, hitting his fist in the palm of his hand. “We have to pounce while she’s weak. If we don’t go for the jugular now, we’re going to lose out. Big time.”

When the two women kept their tongue he sprang to his feet and paced the room. This wasn’t happening! Was he the only one in this family with a brain?

“I think we should—” Ruth began.

He cut her off, gesticulating wildly. “Look, do you want to be poor for the rest of your life? Is that what you want? Cause that’s what you’ll get if you give up now.”

“But Rob, don’t you think you’re being a little hard on her? Mom just lost a husband.”

“Yes, Rob. I think you’re being mean,” echoed Maggie.

“Mean?” he asked, his voice breaking with incredulity. “I’m being mean?” He gestured to the door. “She’s the meanie! She’s the one sitting on a pile of cash and refusing to let us see a dime! For Christ sake’s, I bet the entire estate will go to Mom—not a single penny left for us!”

“Well, honestly, Rob. It is her money, after all,” Ruth said softly. “We can’t expect her to just hand it over.”

“We can and we will. We need to make a stand here and to make Mom see once and for all she can’t keep jerking us around like this.”

As he gazed at the faces of the two women he realized he was getting nowhere. They both seemed reluctant to face the truth. He decided to play his final card. To win or lose all, no matter the consequences. He knelt down in front of his wife of twenty years. “Honey, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago.”

Maggie laughed a little nervously. “What is it, honey?”

He swallowed. “I…I lost my job.”

Her eyes widened. “What? But Rob!”

“Six months ago.”

Her lips quivered, her eyes wide. “You—”

“I was afraid to tell you—didn’t want you to worry—” He raked his hands through his thinning mane. “I figured it was only a matter of time before I landed another one.”

“But you go to work every morning.”

“I…went to the unemployment agency, went on job interviews, I…” He shook his head. “No one wants me, honey. I’m forty-six years old and I can’t land a job and if we don’t get some money soon, we’ll…” He swallowed again. “We’ll lose the house.”

“But our savings?”

“All gone. Six months’ worth of expenses and mortgage payments—it’s wiped us out.”

Maggie simply stared, then her hand went to the necklace around her neck. “You got me this.”

“I didn’t want you to stint on anything, honey. You know how I promised I’d take care of you when we married? I still do. But the only way I can do that is by asking for what is rightfully mine.” He pointed to the door. “If Mom sells this place and the land…we’re literally talking millions! Millions of dollars!” He threw her a pleading look while she played with the necklace.

Finally she looked up, her face set. “No,” she said, the single word destroying all his hopes and dreams. “It’s not right.” She glanced over to her sister-in-law, who’d followed the conversation with bated breath.

When she felt Maggie’s eyes on her, Ruth shrugged. “No, you’re absolutely right, Maggie. It’s not right. I agree.” She glanced down at her brother. “I’m sorry, but that money’s not ours. And selling this inn? That’s not our call. We didn’t build this place. We didn’t work our hands to the bone for forty years. Heck, we never even set foot in here for the last twenty. How can you say it’s our right? It isn’t. It just isn’t.”

Rob hung his head. This was the end, he thought. They’d have to sell the house and he’d have to find a job flipping burgers. And for what? Because he had some frickin’ goody two-shoes for a wife and sister.

He rose and strode to the door without so much as a glance back.

“Rob, honey!” Maggie called out, but he slammed the door shut behind him and was gone.