Chapter 4

 

 

 

How long would we continue to fight like this? If it were up to me it wouldn’t be long because I planned to get away from this murderer. If I jumped in my car I could lock the doors and she wouldn’t get to me.

“I have to tell you I didn’t kill that man,” Brigette said breathlessly.

Oh, sure. She’d tell me that just so that I would let my guard down. Then she could kill me too.

“You have to help me,” she continued.

Why did she want my help? I managed to yank my arm free from her grasp. At least now I was getting somewhere. I just needed for her to release my left arm. I gave another yank, hoping to free my arm.

“I need to call the police,” she panted. “But my phone is missing. Do you have a cell phone?”

We were out of breath after the struggle. Maybe she wanted this fight to end just as much as I wanted free. Was she telling the truth? I tugged on my other arm and managed to break free. When my eyes locked with Brigette’s there was something about her stare that made me feel sorry for her. I actually believed her. In that split second, I believed that she was telling the truth and that she wasn’t going to murder me. She hadn’t tried yet, even though she’d tackled me. Maybe she just wanted to use my phone.

“Please,” she said with pleading eyes. “I just need to call for help.”

I’d managed to get to my feet now. The sensation of being watched fell over me. I looked to the left and noticed the neighbor was watching with a stunned expression on her face. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and dialed 911.

“Thank you so much,” Brigette said.

“You’re welcome,” I said, still a little confused.

The operator answered the call right away. Brigette looked a little suspicious when I rattled off the address so quickly. Yes, I’d been by here so many times lately that I had it memorized.

“What’s your emergency?” the woman on the other end of the line asked.

“There’s a man… I think he’s been murdered,” I said, looking to Brigette for confirmation.

She shrugged her shoulders.

“You think he’s been murdered?” the operator asked.

“He may or may not be dead,” I said.

“I’ll send an ambulance and the police.” Suspicion filled the operator’s voice.

“The police are on their way,” I said when I ended the call.

Brigette just stared at me with a stunned expression. When I looked to the left the neighbor was still watching. We all stared at each other. This wasn’t doing any good.

“Are you sure the man is dead?” I asked. “Maybe we need to go back and check on him. Maybe we can render first aid. I know CPR,” I said.

“Yes, yes, that would be wonderful, but I’m almost sure he’s dead,” Brigette said as she followed me.

I raced back toward the house. Was this really happening? Was I really checking on the man’s body? I had to try to help him and I sure hoped that I knew what I was doing. When I reached the front door, I paused. Of course I had to go in there, but I was still nervous. Brigette stood right behind me. Tension oozed off her.

It was now or never. I inhaled a deep breath and then released it before setting foot into the foyer of the house. Cool air hit me as soon as I walked in. The setting sunshine coming through the back windows of the house shone against the marble floor. Everything was light and airy except for the dark dread that hung over the place like a tent, but that was neither here nor there. The rooms were all connected with an open floor plan, giving me a good view of the body.

To my right was a long hallway leading to what I assumed were bedrooms. Straight ahead was the living room where the body was lying. He was right there on the marble floor at the back of the room. I knew I had to check for a pulse. I mustered up all my courage and hurried over to the man on the floor. I knelt down beside the body, although I wanted to keep my eye on Brigette at the same time.

Wearing only blue and red swim trunks his body was mostly dry but his hair still wet. How long had he been this way? I pressed my hand to the man’s neck to check for a pulse. Unfortunately, there was nothing. I would have started CPR lifesaving measures, but his body was already cold. I stood from the body and went back to Brigette, who was still by the front door. With her face buried in her hands, she wept. A low moan escaped her lips. Soon her whimpers turned to loud sobs. She shouldn’t stand there and look at him, since it would only upset her more. I led her back outside to the path leading from the front door.

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing we can do. We’ll just have to wait for the police to arrive. Can you tell me what happened?” I asked.

“I just came home and found him that way. When I looked out the window I saw you peeking in. It was only seconds after I’d found him. By the way, why were you looking in my window?” Her hands still trembled.

I had hoped she’d forget about seeing me peeking in the window.

“I just came here to sell magazines,” I said.

She stared at me for a moment. “I’m not interested.”

I’d expected her eyes to be red from the crying, but her makeup still looked flawless. What kind of waterproof mascara was she wearing?

“Okay, forget about the magazines right now.” I waved my hand.

“I won’t ever be interested,” she said.

“Duly noted,” I said.

The sound of sirens captured our attention. When I looked to the right, I saw a police car speed up and pull in front of the house. I wanted to hide behind the bushes because I recognized the car right away. Jake had arrived. I mean, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see him here because obviously this was a death investigation. I couldn’t say it was murder because I didn’t know what had happened yet. Jake would have to get to the bottom of that.

Jake’s focus was on me as soon as he got out of the car. He walked up to the house.

“Maggie, what’s going on?” he asked.

Brigette looked confused that the detective knew me. Especially after I’d tried to sell her magazines at the scene of a death investigation. This was so bizarre.

“There’s a man inside. He’s cold so I think he’s been there for a while,” I said.

“Thank you for that assessment,” Jake said. “Stay here.”

Jake disappeared into the house as other police cars pulled up. Other officers followed him as I stood in front of Brigette. Her arms were crossed in front of her as she eyed me up and down. Suddenly I sensed anger coming from her. A few seconds later Jake came back out and talked to some of the other officers. Brigette’s silent stare was making me uncomfortable. Thank goodness Jake stepped back over to us.

“I discovered the body.” Brigette held her hand up. “Then I saw her peeking in the window. I think she did it.”

What? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“I saw her sneaking around too,” the neighbor yelled.

Oh, my God. I couldn’t believe this was happening. This was totally not how I’d expected for this to turn out.

“Maggie, I need you to place your hands behind your back.” Jake pulled out his handcuffs.

I stared at him with my mouth open. His words weren’t computing in my mind. After a few seconds with Jake staring, I put my hands behind my back. He placed the cold metal handcuffs on my wrists. I was being handcuffed and apparently charged with murder over just a couple of people saying they saw me peeking in a window.

“This is ridiculous. Jake, what are you doing? I had nothing to do with this. You know that.”

The clicking sound of the metal cuffs sounded so final. Panic rushed through me.

“It’s all just formality, Maggie. Just let me figure out what’s going on.”

He seemed more frustrated than I’d ever seen him. But he wasn’t nearly as frustrated as me. Brigette smirked at me, as if she was satisfied with the outcome of me being in handcuffs.

Another detective pulled Brigette to the side while Jake questioned me. It was extremely awkward considering I was handcuffed.

“I know you’re mad at me, Maggie, but I have to do this or else people will think I’m giving you special treatment.”

“I would think that you would give me special treatment considering I didn’t murder anyone. You know I could never do something like that.” I wiggled my wrists.

“Can you tell me why you were here?” Jake studied my face.

“Well, of course, I was spying on the woman.” I gestured toward Brigette with a tilt of my head.

After I recounted the whole story, Jake removed the handcuffs. When my hands were finally free I rubbed my wrists.

“Thank you,” I said in a snippy tone.

“Don’t be mad at me,” Jake said, putting his handcuffs away.

When I peered over Jake’s shoulder, my eyes widened. I was surprised to see the police officers handcuffing Brigette. That went a long way at helping me forgive Jake.

“What happened there?” I pointed.

“Maggie, you know I can’t discuss that with you,” Jake said.

I’d known he’d say that. Regardless, I’d find out somehow. This meant I had a whole new situation on my hands. But I supposed the fact that Brigette was being arrested didn’t matter. I’d figured out she was cheating, but I had no photographic proof. However, now that her lover was gone, the case would be over for me, right? Although… maybe it was still on the table. Her ex-husband would be stunned when he found out. My curiosity had me wondering if he had murdered the lover. Brigette said she hadn’t done it, so what did the police know that made them think differently? I needed to figure this out.

“What’s going on in that mind of yours, Maggie?” Jake asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about being handcuffed,” I said.

“I get the feeling you’re not going to let me forget about that.”

“That wasn’t exactly how I pictured being handcuffed.”

His eyes widened. “Really?”

“Never mind.” I needed to change the subject.

“All is forgiven?” Jake flashed me his best sad-eyed look.

I waved my hands. “Oh, no. This doesn’t mean that I’m not still mad at you.”

“Oh, come on, Maggie. Where’s your sense of humor?”

“It probably left when my hands were behind my back. To make matters worse, you won’t tell me what’s going on with this investigation.” I placed my hands on my hips.

“How do you know it’s an investigation?” He quirked an eyebrow.

“Well, you just arrested that woman.” I gestured.

“It could be on other charges,” he said with a lopsided grin.

Yeah, right. I didn’t believe that excuse. If he wouldn’t tell me then I’d have to research and find out on my own if she had any other charges.

The neighbor was still out in her front yard eyeing every move we made. I gave her a smile so that she wouldn’t turn on me. How did I know she hadn’t murdered the man? After all, she had been outside. She could’ve been in the house, killed him, and gone back to her front lawn. We’d never be the wiser.

“I believe it’s time for me to get out of here before you handcuff me again,” I said.

“Does this mean that we’re not on for dinner tonight?” Jake asked.

“I’ll let you figure that out,” I said as I walked toward my car.

The neighbor watched as I scrolled past. I wouldn’t give her the happiness of looking over at her. I would act like she didn’t exist. Was I holding a grudge against Jake? Maybe. I wouldn’t let him off that easily. I’d make him work for forgiveness for a little bit. Not too long though because he was cute.

I was just glad that I was now back in my car and not going to jail. At least for now. There was no telling what Brigette would tell them when she got to the police station. As I pulled away from the scene, I glanced in the rearview mirror at Jake. He stood in the yard watching my car. Was I really going out with Jake tonight? Yeah, I’d probably give in and go.