The Beginning Read online

  “OK, I can do that.” I walked over to one of the stands and ordered a coffee. I sat down at a table near Julio to sip my drink and listen to what happened. I was curious how Frankie was going to handle this.

  Frankie waited for me to be seated before he walked over to Julio, “Excuse me sir, I’m from the Neuspech News. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” Frankie pulled a small notebook and pen out of his pocket.

  “Um, sure. About what?” Julio said.

  “Oh, maybe you haven’t heard. The body of Barbara Neuspech was found this morning in a shallow grave near the theme park.”

  “What!” Julio yelled. He looked genuinely shocked. Either that or he was a good actor.

  The little girl next to him jumped. He looked at her and said, “You’d better beat it. I’ll find you later.”

  She looked at him, looked at Frankie and left. Good, maybe she should go home and play with her dolls instead of hanging out with some man who would never give her the time of day once he got what he wanted.

  “Yes, sir,” Frankie said, “her body was found during the ground breaking ceremony this morning.”

  “Ground breaking ceremony? What’s that?”

  Frankie rolled his eyes. “Never mind what that is. Barbara Neuspech was killed last night.”

  “Well, I didn’t even know she was in town,” Julio protested.

  “I understand you knew her, sir?”

  “She was the wife of the guy who owned the park. Everyone knew her.”

  “Well, the grapevine says you knew her better than most?”

  “The grape vine is wrong,” Julio said looking very mad.

  “And you had business dealings with her and a friend of hers,” Frankie said.

  Julio looked at Frankie as if he were going to hit him. I got nervous; Frankie didn’t even seem to notice. Then Julio relaxed and leaned against the wall again.

  “Yeah, unfortunately I knew her and Cindy. I had no business with them, though. What about it?” Julio said.

  “So, you didn’t let them in to the park to have sex with men after hours?”

  “How did you hear about that?”

  “And they didn’t pay you anything to let them in?”

  “No, they didn’t pay me. I wish they would have. Instead we traded services,” Julio said.

  So, I thought, you knowingly let them in so they could have sex with other men in the park and they serviced you in exchange. So, yeah, you could say he was having an affair with Adolf’s wife. And, with that mystery woman partner of hers. Couldn’t that cause him to lose his job here? Or to be arrested for helping them? I’d call that a motive.

  “Well, I would have thought by now the cops would have questioned you,” Frankie continued.

  Me too, but Marlowe’s and idiot, I thought.

  “Question me? Why?” Again Julio looked angry and I wanted to jump in to defend my son.

  “People know that you knew the dead woman. The cops will ask for an alibi you know. Would you like to give one to me so they’ll leave you alone?”

  “Give one to you?”

  “Yes, you give me your alibi, I print it, and everyone will know you couldn’t have killed her. The police will leave you alone.”

  Julio thought about this. He looked relieved. “Yeah, God knows I don’t want to talk to the police.”

  I wonder what they’d discover, I thought. Then I remembered that Marlowe was in charge. Never mind.

  “So what’s your alibi?” Frankie went on.

  “I was working.”

  “Here?” Frankie asked.

  “Yeah, here. It’s my only job.”

  “Did you leave at any time?”

  “No. Yeah.”

  “Which is it, sir, no or yes? Did you leave or didn’t you.”

  “Well, I mean I went out for lunch. I picked up food for me and the guys at the drive thru. That’s it. I’ve got to be on the drive thru’s camera.” Right?

  “Probably. What time was that?”

  “After midnight. Probably close to one.”

  “Do you still have friends who work at the park?”

  “Yes, lots.”

  Not any more, I thought to myself.

  “And they would be willing to let you in if you asked them, right?”

  “No. Besides there are cameras everywhere there. Well, maybe not right now.”

  “Are you on camera here? Can you prove when you were here?” Frankie asked.

  “Hell yeah. There are cameras here most people don’t even know about. And there are some guys who just sit and watch them all day.”

  “But you know where the cameras are. You know the mall very well, don’t you?”

  “I know where every one of them is. I know this place inside and out. It’s part of my job,” Julio said.

  “Well, thank you, Julio, for your time. I’ll be sure to print your alibi so the police don’t bother you.”

  Frankie shook Julio’s had and started walking in my direction. I got up from my table and turned to the right. I walked into the candy store; it was time to buy some stress relief. I was filling my little plastic bag when my phone rang. It was Frankie.

  “You heard all that?” he asked.

  “Yeah, he’s an interesting guy.”

  “That’s one way to put it. Meet me at the car when you’re done with your shopping,” he said.

  “I’ll be right out; I’m just in the candy store.”

  “Great, I’ll just take a nap while I wait for you.”

  “Oh, ha-ha.” I said and then hung up on him.

  Several bags of candy later I headed toward the parking lot. When I got to the car Frankie looked at me, “Really, Mom?” he said.

  “Really. There’s no good candy anywhere near us. Not even at the grocery store. I’m stocking up.”

  “We’ll have to make sure we have good candy at the park.”

  “I’m already on it.”

  “Of course you are,” Frankie said. I know he was trying to make it seem as if he were lecturing me. But deep inside he loved candy as much as I did. If he weren’t driving, he’d be going through those bags right now.

  On the way home I wrote the new evidence down in my notebook. Now I had a name for the victim’s friend and Julio’s alibi. However, I still didn’t know much about the friend. Like a last name. I was sure we could find her. We just had to ask the right questions.

  When we got back to the hotel Frankie and I went to my room to talk and share the candy. We laid the notebook on the table and went over it together. We tore the pages out and made one new page for each suspect.

  We figured that the most likely suspect was Adolf. After all, he had the most to lose if Barbara suddenly showed up again. But, I just couldn’t see it. She was hit over the head and buried quickly. I knew that even the meekest people could lash out and kill if they were provoked. Maybe that’s what happened. But, it just didn’t seem likely. I mean the man barely moved. Of course he did have that scene at the restaurant. So, maybe he was capable.

  “She wasn’t legally co-owner of the park, but if she divorced him, she’d be entitled to half, right?” I asked Frankie.

  “Most likely,” Frankie said. “But it depends on Florida’s divorce laws. And how good her lawyer was. How good his lawyer was. Oh, and if there’s a prenup.”

  “Hate prenups.”

  “I know, Mom, but not everybody marries for love.”

  “Yes, but if you are worried about the person you are about to marry stealing from you, maybe you shouldn’t marry them.”

  “Yes, but I think you’re seeing it only from your point of view. Not everyone is as lucky as you and Dad were. Or as lucky as Angie is.”

  “You’re right. You’re Dad and I were very lucky. Are very lucky. We always had love and respect for each other. Even in high school we weren’t like the other kids. They were all worried about making out.”

  “Ew.”

  “Oh, grow up. Anyway, you’re Dad and I simply enjoyed
spending time together. We understood each other. I never had any desire to be with anyone else.” Wow, I was starting to feel sad.

  “And now?” my son asked.

  “I don’t want to be with him but, I don’t want to be with anyone else either. I’m open to the possibility, but not even thinking about it. He and I still respect each other. In fact, I’d go so far as to say we still have a love for each other. Not a romantic love. I’m not really sure how o describe it.”

  “It’s ok; I know you’re not getting back together. Although the little boy in me is still hoping. But, I really want you to continue to be friends.”

  “Oh, I think that will happen. In fact, I’m even glad he’s interested in Minerva. I really like her and I think she’ll be good for him.”

  “Yeah, I’ll never get married.”

  I looked at him in surprise. “Why?” I asked.

  “Because I’m not sure I could ever have a relationship like the one you and Dad had.”

  “No, my son, you won’t. You’ll have Frankie and insert her name here’s relationship. You are not your father and your life partner will not be me.”

  “Ew, that’s gross.”

  “You are sooo mature,” I laughed at him.

  “True. But I know what you mean. It’s tough to meet the right one.”

  “Especially if you work all the time and don’t have a social life,” I said to him.

  He gave a big yawn. I could see something of the little boy I once knew in him again. I had the urge to pick him up and carry him to bed.

  “Well, if we’re going to the hearing tomorrow, we’d better make it an early night,” I said.

  Frankie rose from the table, walked over to my side and kissed me on the cheek. “Goodnight, Mommy,” he said.

  “Goodnight, my little man. I love you.”

  He paused at the door, turned around and looked at me. He was smiling. “I love you too, Mom.”

  With that he closed the door and left.

  Chapter 11: You Just Have to Talk to the Right People

  The next morning bright and early Frank, Frankie, Minerva and I were in the courtroom for Jerome’s bail hearing. So was Marlowe. I couldn’t help but look at him; I really could not stand the man. At least today he was dressed in his uniform. It was well pressed and his shoes were shined. He even shaved for the occasion. Too bad it was such a terrible occasion. And I hated to admit it, but he was a pretty good looking guy.

  Marcella entered the courtroom and I went over to greet her. Frankie followed me.

  I gave her a hug. “It will be Ok.” I told her, and I meant it. Come hell or high water I will make it ok.

  She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “He’s a black man and this is the south.”

  Funny, that thought never hit me. Very few people here had a southern accent. Yes, you can’t get much further south than Florida, but there were so many transplants here that it just doesn’t hit you. I didn’t know what to say to her. Luckily Frankie did.

  “Marcella, come with me. I want to introduce you to Jerome’s lawyer.”

  He took her over and introduced her to the lawyer. Remembering the comment she just made I was wondering how smart Frankie’s choice was. This man looked every bit the southern gentleman. He was wearing a white suit and a bow tie with white polished cowboy boots. He had a moustache and beard that was reminiscent of that man on the fried chicken bucket. However, he smiled at Marcella and helped her to her seat. I felt a little better at his show of chivalry.

  Frankie returned to sit beside me just in time for Jerome to enter. He looked terrible. I wondered if he’d slept. I sure wouldn’t have. The lawyer greeted Jerome, patted him on the back and said a few words to him. I felt better; maybe the lawyer will be ok. I should know Frankie well enough by now than to doubt him.

  We all stood for the Judge. The bond hearing was very short. Judge Kramer decided there was not enough evidence to even keep Jerome, let alone set a bail. Jerome was released and Marlowe got an earful about conducting investigations properly. That was my favorite part. Even I knew Marlowe jumped the gun.

  Frankie and I went up to congratulate Jerome. He and Marcella were hugging each other. She was crying. There were photographers taking pictures. I recognized the one from the Neuspech News.

  We invited Jerome and Marcella to go out to lunch with us, but they declined. Jerome really wanted to go home and see his kids. I understood that. I hugged them both and they left.

  So Frank, Frankie, Minerva, and I went to the buffet restaurant for lunch. I hated to say it but I was getting sick of this place. There weren’t very many restaurants here in Neuspech. The ones we did have were either your usual fast food, or places you really did not want to eat in. This was probably the best restaurant in town, but I’d just eaten here way too many times. I didn’t even like the way it smelled any more.

  “You’re going to need some new restaurants here if you want to attract the tourists,” Minerva said. “Especially the ones with money.”

  “Maybe that chief friend of yours can open one here,” I said to Frankie.

  “No, we’re not big enough for him. Maybe in a few years when we’ve grown, but not now.”

  “Oh. Well then maybe we can talk Minerva in to moving down here and opening up a restaurant,” I said looking at Minerva.

  “I’m thinking about it,” Minerva said looking at me kind of warily.

  What did she just say? Did she say she was thinking of moving here and opening a restaurant? No, I must have heard wrong. Because that probably meant that Frank was thinking about it too.

  “I’m sorry, what?” I said.

  “Yeah, I’m thinking about it.” Minerva said. “And Frank here is considering staying so he can run your security team for you.”

  I turned and eyed my ex-husband. “What?”

  “It’s not definite yet,” he said.

  I knew that Frank could read my mood from across the room, let alone across the table. Not that I was much good at hiding my emotions any way. Frankie just leaned back and avoided looking at any of us. He knew. Frankie knew and he didn’t tell me.

  “You can’t just leave your job,” I said to Frank. “They’ll need a new police chief first.”

  “They can handle it. Besides, I have enough years in that I can retire. I’ll keep my cabin so I can go up there on hunting trips. But like I said, it’s not definite yet,” Frank said.

  “Let’s go look at the desserts,” Frankie said to Minerva. With that the two of them left the table. I thought I felt the wind as they went past.

  “Frank, this is my adventure. Not ours. Not yours. Mine.”

  “I know, Misty, but you could use my help.”

  “But you don’t help, Frank, you take over. Or you make me give it up to suit your view of what I should be. And when you take over I no longer have a say. You take control.”

  “So that’s it, you think I’m going to take over?”

  “Yes. You always do. Every time I’ve ever had a problem you would jump in and fix it without even asking me if I wanted your help. Which I usually didn’t. You never seemed to think I could solve my problems myself.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Yes it is, Frank. You take over and I give in. Well, I’m not giving in this time.”

  “Misty, I only tried to help when it seemed like you’d hit a dead end. You are a great problem solver. You just don’t give yourself enough credit and you give up too easily.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, Misty you do. You have never had enough faith in yourself. You’re very smart, and you’re resourceful, you just don’t realize it.”

  I reached across the table and took Frank’s hand. “Ok, I’m smart. I’m glad you think so, because I just had a thought that amuses me.” I smiled at him.

  “What’s that?”

  “I’d be your boss if you stayed.” I laughed at this.

  Frank just froze for a moment. “Maybe I should reconsider,”
he said.

  “Nope, you’re doing it. I can’t wait to be your boss.”

  “Please, Misty, you were my boss from the day we met.”

  “No, you were just a wimp and did whatever I said.”

  “I was young, in love, and stupid.”

  I smiled and looked at him, “You were never stupid. Well, not any more so than any other teenage boy who was in love.”

  We both laughed. Ok, maybe it will be ok.

  Frankie and Minerva returned to the table with two plates that were filled with every dessert that was at the buffet.

  “We good now?” Frankie asked.

  “We are. I think I’ll enjoy being Dad’s boss,” I said.

  We all laughed at this and began to share the desserts among the four of us.

  “Hey, I just realized something. Frankie, you haven’t said what your plans are,” I said.

  Frankie stopped eating and sighed.

  “I haven’t decided yet”, he said. “I could work remotely so I could keep my old job and still help out here. Or I could focus on the park and quit that job. Or I could go back to Pennsylvania and only come here when and if I am needed. Regardless, I am keeping my CFO title and I’m staying involved with the park.”

  “Wow, I didn’t know you were considering all of this?” I had been so focused on everything else it never occurred to me that my son had a big decision to make. I felt kind of guilty.

  “Well, yeah, Mom, I do own half of the park. I’ve got a stake in its success. But right now, clearing Jerome is more important. Everything else can wait. My little grey cells will work on it in the mean time.”

  “You’re right,” I said. I had a belief that problems set aside were still being worked on by the brain. The answer will come; Frankie will just have to wait.

  I pulled out my note book and the four of us looked at the information Frankie and I had gathered so far. It didn’t add up to much. Our suspects were Adolf, Julio, and this woman Cindy. Not much to go on.

  “Thank God, the judge set Jerome free this morning,” Frankie said. We all nodded in agreement.

  “Excuse me,” one of the servers asked Frankie, “but did I just hear you say that Jerome was out of jail?”