fifteen

Geneva was out of breath when she opened the door. “Julia!” Her shoulders slumped and her face fell. She was obviously disappointed to see that it was me.

“I tried to call. I hope it’s okay I came back?”

“It’s fine. Come on in.”

I could smell something meaty and delicious cooking. “I was worried about you. Sorry I had to run off earlier.” I followed her into the living room, where she flopped down on the sofa.

“That horrible detective …”

“Ianello?”

“Yes, the thin creepy one. They searched the house for hours, and then when David came in, they took him downtown.”

“Did they say why?”

Geneva shook her head. “They said they wanted to question him further. Julia, I can’t take anymore. When the doorbell rang, I thought it might be David coming back.” She glanced furtively down the hallway and whispered, “Do you think they know?”

“About David being at Brooke’s house? No. Not unless you told someone else, or somebody saw him.”

“I don’t want the police to know. They’ll think the worst.”

“By the way, where’s Rob?”

“He was released from custody late yesterday. Brooke called to let me know.” Geneva peeked down the hallway and lowered her voice. “There’s something else …” She hesitated, making sure her mother wasn’t within earshot. “David owns a gun, a .22. He’s had it for years. I didn’t know this, actually—I wasn’t thinking about anything like this—but he was nervous about leaving it in the house while we were away and the workmen were there. A few days ago, before the wedding, he made sure it wasn’t loaded and hid it with the box of bullets in the spare tire well in the trunk of his car, under the carpeting. We knew we were going to leave his car in Brooke’s garage, and he thought it would be safer there.”

“Where is it now?”

“It’s gone. We have the car now, here at Mom’s. The gun’s gone and there are bullets missing from the box. David’s really in a panic.”

“Ianello specifically asked me if I’d seen any guns at Brooke’s house. Obviously they know something they’re not telling you. Why else would they search your house and your mother’s house? They’re looking for another gun, and this could mean that it wasn’t Rob’s shot that killed Moira.”

Geneva groaned in response. “What if someone used David’s gun?”

“You’ve got to tell the police. What if David was seen, anyway? Those houses are right on top of each other. And now there’s another gun on the premises and it’s missing? They need to know.”

“Julia, I just feel paralyzed. I don’t know what to do.”

I could see how drawn Geneva’s fine features were. Her hair is a beautiful pale honey color, and she has perfect skin and a clear complexion, but now there were dark circles under her eyes and red blotches on her cheeks.

“I’m doing my best to keep my mother calm. The doctor has her on sedatives. And I have to make the arrangements for Moira whenever they release her body. Brooke’s a mess too. Rob blames himself for not realizing it was Moira in the garage, but he still says he thought there was an intruder.”

“If the bullet that missed Rob was the same bullet that killed Moira, then someone else was there. They had to have taken off with that gun or disposed of it somehow. And unless they find David’s gun, they can’t prove those bullets came from his gun. Has anyone come up with any idea what Moira was doing in the garage that night? Why she wasn’t upstairs in the guest room with Andy?”

“Andy says he had a lot to drink, and he was so tired, he just passed out. Didn’t hear Moira leave the room at all.” Geneva’s lower lip started to quiver and she took a deep breath to regain control. She pulled a tissue from her pocket to cover her nose. “But Andy could have known the gun was in David’s car. We were all in and out of the house before and after the rehearsal. Julia, if anyone had a motive to kill Moira, it was him.”

“Andy? Well, obviously, they weren’t getting along, maybe he was feeling jealous. I picked up on that, but that doesn’t mean he’d want her dead.” I watched Geneva carefully. “Look, if they don’t release David right away, maybe Rob could help him? Brooke mentioned he does criminal defense work now.”

“He does. Since he left the district attorney’s office.”

“Why did he leave? Money?”

“I’m sure that was part of it, but I think it had more to do with the death of his first wife.”

“He was married before? I didn’t know that.”

“Yes. Sondra was his first wife. She died in an accident, a fall. I’ve only heard about it recently, but I guess it was awful, and he said he just couldn’t continue. He didn’t want to do the same kind of work. He needed a change. Brooke and he met about a year after Sondra’s death.”

“I’ve heard about the problems between Rob and Moira.”

Geneva shrugged. “She was always doing crazy things, but she was absolutely nuts about Ashley. She loved to spend time at their house, and it helped Brooke out a lot because of her work hours. Ashley had a nanny, but she also had her Auntie Moy. That’s what she used to call her.”

“That sounds like a plus.”

“Rob didn’t like it. He didn’t think too much of Moira because of her track record, and because she dropped out of school. He just didn’t trust her. He can be kind of a control freak, and he thought she might be a bad influence on Ashley. But Brooke’s attitude was always ‘That’s my sister. She’s welcome in my home any time.’ Brooke was very protective of Moira.”

“Was Moira working?”

“She was. A dive bar called the Alibi over on Waller. Waitressing.”

“If you like, maybe I can talk to the people she worked with. Maybe they know something your family doesn’t. And maybe they’ll tell me things they wouldn’t tell you.”

“Would you? Thank you, Julia. It’s a lot to ask …”

“I owe you. Big time. I’ll talk to the people she worked with at the Alibi, and I’ll try to find out what I can about that bracelet. I’ll do whatever I can do to help you through this.”

“You don’t owe me. Don’t be silly. We’re friends.”

I shook my head. “I’ll never forget. If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I’d be in one piece today.”

Geneva held a finger to her lips. We both heard Mary’s footsteps in the hallway. “Here comes Mom. Why don’t you stay for dinner? My mother’s been in the kitchen all day. She just doesn’t know what else to do with herself.”

I had to admit my stomach was growling. “Can’t say no. Can I help you with anything?”

“Nope. Just grab a seat. She’s got everything’s ready. Hope you’re hungry.”

“I wasn’t till I walked in.”

The dining room table was set with two place settings. Geneva added a third with silverware and a napkin. Mary had cooked a roast, with mashed potatoes and green beans. A real home-cooked meal. I probably hadn’t had one since the last time I ate at my grandmother’s. Geneva and her mother carried dishes from the kitchen and set them down in the center of the table. Mary’s face was pale and devoid of makeup. I wondered where she found the strength to stay on her feet.

She sat heavily in her chair and turned to me. “I guess Geneva’s told you. They’re questioning David. I can’t imagine why. I just wish there was something we could do about all this, but I feel so powerless. If we knew what Moira was doing that night …” She put down her fork and looked across the table at Geneva. “I’m not sure I can eat anything.”

“Try, Mom.”

Mary turned to me. “If I could understand what was going on, it would help.” Tears sprang into her eyes. She put her face in her hands and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, dear. It’s just so hard.”

Geneva jumped up and grabbed a tissue, passing it to her mother. As she returned to her seat, we heard the front door open and close. Geneva glanced at her mother, and Mary fell silent. We heard Dan call out.

“We’re in here,” Geneva responded.

Dan appeared in the archway of the dining room and headed to his mother. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi, Mom. Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. He looked at his sister. “Any word from David?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll wait with you till you hear. What did you cook? Smells great.”

“Just roast and mashed potatoes—let me get you a plate, there’s plenty.”

Dan came to my side of the table and kissed me on the cheek as well. “Glad you stopped by, Julia. We need all the friends we can get right now.” He sat in the empty chair next to me as Geneva placed a heaping plate in front of him. Dan devoured his meal while Geneva and her mother picked at their food and fell silent, as if afraid to speak of the obvious while Dan was in the room. His anger was palpable. I was sure they didn’t want to set him off and were doing their best to keep the meal calm.

I managed to make a serious dent in my serving. “Mary, this is delicious. I can’t thank you enough. Let me help you clean up.”

“That’s okay, Julia, don’t worry,” Geneva replied.

I ignored her and started to clear the plates.

“Thanks,” she said.

“For what?” I asked.

“For just being there. For being a friend.”

“Like I said … You were always there for me.” A clear memory flashed before my eyes. Geneva standing in the kitchen of our old apartment in the Sunset District, asking me when I’d last eaten. I couldn’t answer her because I couldn’t remember. I’d unplugged the phone and unscrewed a fuse so the doorbell wouldn’t ring. Geneva had forced the manager to let her in, and she stayed for two weeks. She fed me and forced me to go on daily walks with her and refused to go home, no matter how much I insisted she leave.

Dan and Mary moved into the living room, where Dan placed some kindling and a log in the fireplace to warm the room. Geneva and I washed the dishes and cleaned up the already neat kitchen. The phone rang. Geneva grabbed it on the first ring. I dried the dishes while trying not to eavesdrop. I heard her making affirmative noises and she finally said, “Okay, thanks.”

She hung up and turned to me. “That was Marjorie, Rob’s attorney. Rob asked her to help David out, and she’s with him right now. She’s giving him a lift home. They’ll be here any minute. I’ll know more when I have a chance to talk to him.”

Dan stuck his head into the kitchen. “Was that David? He’s on his way home?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll head out then. Just wanted to make sure you and Mom were okay.” He shrugged into his jacket and walked down the hall to the front door. “’Night,” he called as he left. “See you tomorrow.”

Geneva followed Dan to the front door and then returned to the kitchen. “Listen, Julia, there is actually something you could help us with.”

“Sure, anything.” I wiped my hands on the dish towel.

“This is so awful. I told you how Dan and I have to go over to Moira’s apartment. Her rent’s paid for another week, but I doubt it’ll be any easier if we wait. We’d love your help cleaning it up. After what happened to you there, do you think can you handle going back?”

The idea sounded excruciating, but I didn’t want to turn her down. “Of course. I’m happy to help you with anything. And I’m sure you can use the moral support, if nothing else.”

“You have the address. Can you meet us there around ten-ish? Dan’ll have his truck and some empty boxes. I don’t think Moira had much in the way of furniture, but we’ll have to empty the apartment somehow.”

“I’ll be there.”

We heard the front door open and then slam shut. Geneva rushed out to the hallway. I peeked around the corner and saw her hugging David tightly. His hair was sticking up in places where he’d run a hand through it. He followed Geneva into the kitchen and slumped into a chair. Geneva placed a plate of food she’d kept warm in the oven in front of him.

“Honey, I don’t think I can eat.”

“What did they want you there for?”

“I feel like such an idiot. They found out.” David looked over at me. “I guess Geneva’s already told you. Brooke’s neighbor is an insomniac and awake most nights. I drove Geneva’s car over and the neighbor saw me in the access alley. He watched me go into the garage.”

“Oh no!” Geneva cried.

“It’s just as well. I told them about my missing gun too.” David removed his glasses and wiped them on a handkerchief. “It was pretty stupid. I should have talked to them and told them about going to Brooke’s right away. But in all honesty, I didn’t even remember about the gun or look for it until late yesterday. When I got the car, I remembered I’d hidden it in the trunk.

I was thankful for Geneva’s sake the police weren’t making any moves to arrest David. “Did this neighbor happen to see anyone else entering or leaving the garage?” I asked.

“That I don’t know. They don’t exactly share information,” he replied caustically.

It was obvious Geneva wanted to be alone with her new husband. I made my excuses. “It’s getting late. I should get going.”

Geneva nodded and followed me to the front door. I peeked into the living room. Mary had dozed off in her chair in front of the fire.

“Julia, I want to apologize again about last night. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings about astrology.” She reached into her pocket and retrieved a folded piece of paper. “Here’s everyone’s birth information. I wrote it all out. I still need to ask David for his time and find Dan’s time … I think he was born in the morning. I know Rob’s a Libra, and maybe I can even find Andy’s information. My mother has some papers in a file cabinet in the garage, and I think Rob’s birth certificate is there. I’ll call you.”

I slipped the paper into my purse. “I’m really not trying to make a believer out of you. I just know it works.”

“Maybe you could have a good look at Moira’s chart? It might give us something.”

“I definitely will. Don’t get me wrong—I’m happy to do anything—but it might not provide any clarity.” I hesitated. “I guess part of me is a little afraid that you might not like what you hear.”

“I don’t care. I just want you to be straight with me. Tell me what you see. You know the Catholic Church forbids astrology, don’t you?”

I laughed. “I guess. But I don’t believe any religion has a monopoly on the unknown. Human beings are wondrous creatures, terribly complicated, and amazingly creative, and whatever’s beyond our physical reality can’t be neatly put into a form of dogma.”

We hugged and said our goodbyes and I descended the stairway to the sidewalk. Outside, the fog had thickened. I turned up the collar of my jacket and hurried to my car. The Avenues were socked in, and I could hear the foghorns in the straits. As I drove over the hill to my apartment, I remembered today’s date. Midsummer’s Eve, the longest day of the year. In my neighborhood it looked more like winter solstice.

Once inside, I locked my front door and called out to Wizard. His bell tinkled as he jumped off a chair in the living room and came to greet me on the stairway. I picked him up and carried him to the kitchen, where I closed the kitty hatch. I dumped my purse in the office and checked the answering machine. Nothing new. I stripped off my clothes and slipped into my thrift shop Chinese robe and flip-flops. I felt better immediately. My head had stopped throbbing and the lump on the back of my head was slightly smaller.

I was relieved Geneva had gotten over her snit of the night before, but I still thought David’s behavior the night of the wedding was a little strange. Maybe he’d had post-wedding jitters and really couldn’t wind down. Maybe it was absolutely true that he’d simply wanted to make sure their cruise tickets and info didn’t get misplaced. It was a moot point now anyway. He and Geneva weren’t going anywhere. I pictured him in my mind’s eye, with his fair hair and wire-rimmed glasses. He certainly seemed like a gentle soul. Geneva’s family loved him, and frankly I couldn’t imagine his ever hurting anyone. And what possible motive would he have had to kill Moira?

No matter what, we were all under suspicion. Other than Rob, who was already in the garage, anyone in the house could have left an upstairs bedroom, shot Moira, and returned by the back stairway. The real question was, what would the autopsy reveal? Did Moira die from a bullet fired by Rob’s gun? And how could anyone who hadn’t left the premises make another gun disappear?