Chapter 5

 

 

 

I pulled up to my apartment building. It was actually just one building with a few tiny apartments and a courtyard in the middle. Since it was close to the beach I’d forgive the smallness and lack of amenities. Although the pool in the courtyard was fabulous.

The parking was one of those missing amenities. It was hard to find a spot along the street close to my building. The surrounding palm trees in the landscaping gave that perfect tropical vibe. Luckily, I managed to find a good parking spot today. I pulled up to the curb and just sat there for a moment, trying to decide what to do next.

I still wasn’t sure if I was going out on that date with Jake. More than likely he would be too busy with the new investigation to go anyway. That would probably make the decision for me. I should just change into my swimsuit and take a dip in the pool. Then again, I supposed I should call my client first before I did anything else.

Did he already know what had happened to his wife? I didn’t want to be the one to break this news to him. Nevertheless, I wanted him to know as well. I dialed his number and he picked up on the second ring.

“Mr. Whitmore, I have something to tell you.” My voice wavered a bit.

“Did you manage to get evidence against her today?” Mr. Whitmore asked.

“Well, I did catch them together,” I said.

That was the truth. I had definitely caught them together.

“Yes, but you’ve done that before,” he said.

“Have you spoken with the police?” I asked.

“No. Did something happen?”

“I have some bad news,” I said. “Your wife has been charged with murder.”

Silence filled the other end of the line.

After a few more seconds, he said, “Are you playing a joke on me?”

“No joke,” I said. “Her boyfriend was murdered, and they think she did it.”

“When did this happen? Weren’t you just at the pool with them?” he asked.

“It just happened about an hour ago. Um, I was on the scene,” I said.

“Maybe you should explain this from the beginning,” he said.

I recounted the entire situation while he listened silently.

“So that’s what happened,” I said, wrapping up the whole ordeal.

I left out the part about me being handcuffed because I didn’t want to put that mental image into his head. After all, I was trying to be somewhat of a professional. If it looked like I was being arrested for murder, then I definitely wouldn’t seem professional.

My phone beeped, announcing another call. I checked the screen. It was Jake.

“Can you hold for just a moment, Mr. Whitmore?” I asked.

“Sure,” he said, still sounding confused.

I switched over to the call.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Detective Jackson,” I said.

Jake chuckled. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite private investigator.”

“And exactly why are you calling?” I asked.

“To see if we’re still on for our date, of course.”

I was actually kind of surprised that he’d called. But then again, I was a little surprised that I had answered. So much for making him wait and being mysterious.

“I don’t know,” I said, trying to keep up the façade. “I thought you would be busy with the murder investigation. It was a murder, correct?”

He sighed. “We’ll know more after the autopsy, but there were marks on his neck which suggested a murder.”

“And you have the killer in custody,” I said. “The case is all wrapped up for you?” 

“Not exactly, but I don’t intend on working all night,” he said.

I yawned. “I don’t know. I’m feeling a bit tired. Plus, I had a traumatic day. You know, with being arrested and all.”

“Yes, you have been through a lot and I want to make it up to you,” he said. “I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant.”

Hmm. I was hungry.

“If you say yes I suppose there’s something I can share with you about this case,” Jake said.

“It sounds like you’re trying to bribe me.”

“Not at all,” he said.

“Okay, if there’s something you want to tell me it must be good, because you never want to tell me anything about a case,” I said. “Can’t you tell me now? You know I can’t wait.”

I was intrigued.

“Mrs. Whitmore has already been bailed out.”

“What? Already?” My voice was louder than I’d intended.

My phone beeped and I realized I’d left Mr. Whitmore on hold. He must have gotten tired of waiting and hung up. Now he was calling me back.

“Jake, let me call you back. I have to take this other call. I’ll let you know about dinner.”

“I’ll be waiting,” he said.

I switched over to Mr. Whitmore. “I’m sorry about that. Where were we?”

“Mrs. Whitmore has been arrested,” he said.

“Right. It seems as if she’s already been bailed out,” I said. 

“What? Where did she get the money? I knew she had more than she let on. I’m telling my attorney about this.” Anger oozed from his voice. “Sorry about losing my temper for a moment. I didn’t mean to rant to you. I know you’re a busy professional.”

I’d just let that statement about me being a busy professional go.

“I understand that you’re upset. Do you think your wife would kill Luke?” I asked. 

“No and I need you to find out who killed this man.”

“What did you say?”

“Let me explain. If she really did it, then she might try to set me up for this murder. She’ll try to put the blame on me. Even if she killed him, she wouldn’t want to go down for it. And I will be the likely suspect.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” I said.

I couldn’t argue with him about that. She would probably point the finger at him. And if not at him then definitely me. She’d already done that once.

“You have to help me,” he said.

I really wished I didn’t have to get involved in this because it would be yet another investigation that Jake would think I was butting my way into. But this was legitimate. I had a reason. After all, Jake had handcuffed me. Okay, I kept going back to that. I should just let it go.

“Well, what do you say?” he asked, snapping me back to attention.

I’d been daydreaming way too much, as usual.

“Okay, I’ll do it,” I said. “But it might not be easy. I’ll have to do a lot of work on this so I’ll need to speak with you again on a regular basis.”

“You just let me know what to do and I’ll be ready. I want to avoid any of this getting ugly.”

I hated to break it to him, but it had already gotten ugly. It was probably only going to get worse.

“All right, I’ll get to work on this right away. I’ll keep in touch and let you know what I find out.”

“I really appreciate that. And I have to say, to be honest, I don’t think that she would murder him. What would be her motive? She may be a cheater, but I don’t think she’s a murderer.”

“You’re probably right about that,” I said.

Would the husband be the one to ultimately get his wife off for killing her lover? That would be a strange twist.

“I’ll call you soon,” I said.

As I stepped into my apartment I decided to give Jake a call back. Now that I was going to investigate the case I needed to find out what he knew. Even though he said he’d talk over dinner, I couldn’t just come out and ask him. I’d have to be subtle about it, which wasn’t one of my greatest strengths.

“Well, my favorite private detective returns my call,” he said when he answered.

Jake had known I’d call him back.

“Are you still at the scene of the crime?” I asked.

After the words left my mouth, I wanted to smack myself. I should’ve been a little more restrained on mentioning the case. It was the first thing out of my mouth! He would be suspicious, but I was just inquisitive. That was all he needed to know.

“Actually, I just left the scene,” he said.

Now what would I ask him that wouldn’t make him suspicious?

“Wait a minute,” Jake said.

I stopped in my tracks as if he was literally telling me to wait.

“You’re not thinking of investigating this case, are you?”

How dare he accuse me of that.

“How long has it been? Two minutes?” he asked.

“No,” I said in a singsong voice.

My tone of voice made it even worse. It was practically as if I’d said yes.

“Maggie, please don’t do anything.”

“I’m sorry, Jake, but you can’t tell me what to do,” I said.

“No, I can’t, but I’m asking you not to do it.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I asked.”

“That’s not a good enough reason. Plus, I have a reason for investigating.”

“Is this because of the handcuff incident?” he asked.

“No.” Of course that was part of the reason, but not the biggest reason. “Actually, I’ve been hired to investigate the murder.”

“Who hired you?” Suspicion filled his voice.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t divulge that information,” I said.

“I’m not sure if I believe you.”

I scoffed. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. I should go now.”

“Wait, Maggie,” he said as I clicked off the call.

I kind of felt bad for ending the call like that, and I contemplated calling Jake back. I could send a text. However, before I had a chance, he sent me a message.

I don’t want you to be in danger.

I typed frantically on my phone.

I understand, but it’s what I have to do. I’ll call you later.

He sent back an emoji and the word: Smooches.

I’d just hit the send button on a kissing smiley face when my phone rang again. It wasn’t Jake this time. Dorothy was calling.

“Maggie, my goodness, what is going on with you?”

How had she heard so quickly?

“I have my ways, Maggie,” she said. “I have sources.”

“I didn’t ask you anything yet,” I said.

“I knew what you were going to ask,” Dorothy said.

“Wait. If you have sources, then why don’t you tell me about the sources? I could really use some good sources occasionally, you know. It’s good for business.”

“Well, you know Morty has a friend who works for the police department. And he said there was a murder and that you had been temporarily detained. Are you in jail?” she asked.

“No, I’m not in jail. However, I was temporarily handcuffed by Jake.”

Silence filled the other end of the line. This might be the only time I’d heard her so quiet.

“I don’t know what to say. You finally got me. I’m speechless now.” Dorothy said.

“Brigette was ultimately arrested. She was pointing fingers at me saying that I did it. All because I was peeking in her window.”

“How ridiculous. A girl should be able to peek in windows without being arrested,” Dorothy said in the mocking tone.

“You know I wouldn’t do anything bad.”

“I don’t know, Maggie, you got awfully mad that day that guy almost hit your car.”

“Oh, I wasn’t that mad. I just called him a jerk. I wouldn’t kill him, for heaven’s sake.”

“We need to discuss this further. Why don’t you come to the ocean view restaurant and have a drink with me?”

“You know, Dorothy, that might not be such a bad idea. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Just be careful,” she said.