Motherhood is Murder(32)
My who?
Hank called me, Mom.
Oh dear! Well, yes, yes, thank you for the message, Kate.
I imagined her trying to act coy with Galigani at her side. A wicked impulse struck me. You owe me, Mom. I lied for you! Kept your fish on the line, so to speak.
Yes, dear. Well, thank you very much for that. I appreciate it. Oh! Look at thiswere at Cakebread Cellars!
Its okay, you can try and act busy, but I need you to work on Galigani for me. If hes well enough to gallivant through Napa with you, then hes well enough to supervise me or whatever. Besides, I really dont need any supervision.
I have to go, honey. Kiss little Laurie for me. Thanks for calling.
Will you do it?
Mmm-hmm, Mom answered in a singsong fashion and disconnected.
I pulled out my notebook and rummaged deeper into my backpack. I had to have something to write with. Id never make it as a PI without a pen!
I finally found a pencil with a very dull tip in one of the packs side pockets. Still enough to jot some ideas down:
1. Why would Helene lie to Margaret about Bruce not wanting kids?
2. What did Helenes death mean to Bruce? Another chance at marriage and having kids? What about the impending adoption?
Finally, I heard Bruces footsteps on the staircase. He was carrying a mixed drink in one hand and a beer in the other. He resumed his seat across from me and set both drinks in front of himself.
Bruce, are you planning any construction projects?
He sighed. Yeah. Helene and I wanted to put an extension on the condo. Because of the baby.
Did you decide to cancel the project?
He shook his head. Well, Im not sure yet what Im going to do.
Do you know if Helene canceled the project?
No. She wouldnt have canceled the project. Why would she cancel? No.
So maybe Sara was right and Helene hadnt canceled the construction, but why would Evelyn lie?
Bruce took a sip of the mixed drink. Id love to have children. But hell, Im not around much. How am I going to raise a kid all by myself?
I watched as his face contorted. Anger flashed across his eyes and was replaced by a distant look. He gripped the mixed drink, then made a satisfied sound as he drained the glass. I work all the time. I have very demanding clients. Even this. He waved his hand around. My being out this week. Sure the firm will send out a letter to my clients, but its very hard to be away.
He pushed the empty glass away from himself and grabbed the beer.
I know you spoke with the ME. Can you share anything with me that might help me figure out what happened that night?
He fingered the beer and sat in silence. He didnt tell me much. Just asked if Helene used drugs. I told him she didnt. He kind of kept questioning me along those lines. Asked about drinking and smoking and stuff. Helene drank that night, sure. He took a swig of beer. We all did. But I dont think she drank enough to have alcohol poisoning or anything. And she was using these nicotine patches to try and get off the cancer sticks. We both wanted the house to be smoke free for when the baby came. But thats it. Thats pretty much all I could tell him.
Bruce, early in the evening, do you remember being at the bar with Helene, Margaret, and her husband? Margaret told me you all were at the bar and then Sara and her husband came over. Apparently you men were discussing investments
Oh! Yeah, sure. Howard was grilling me on the market. Its not a surprise were all very concerned about it tanking.
Do you think maybe Helene and Margaret got their drinks mixed up? I asked.
Bruce looked curiously blank. I dont know. Where are you going with this?
It didnt feel right to share Margarets fears with him. How could I tell him his wife may have accidentally been murdered?
No. I didnt know that for sure anyway. I shouldnt get him upset about something I couldnt yet prove.
Instead I said, Can you think of anyone that would want to hurt Helene?
I really dont know, Kate. As far as I know, she was pretty well liked. I mean in the mommy group and everything . . . even though, you know, she wasnt one of them yet.
What about her relationship with Evelyn?
Bruce looked blank.
Evelyn was in the mommy group. There was an incident with her kid biting Saras baby . . .
Bruce finished the beer. I didnt keep track of the ins and outs of the group. You should ask Margaret.
I nodded.
He hung his head. You know, Kate, my grandma died a few weeks ago. She had terminal cancer. And she was old and all, and we expected it . . . but Helene . . .
He covered his face with his hands.
I sat in silence while he collected himself. Im going to do all I can to try and figure out what happened to Helene.
He stood. Thank you, Kate. Margaret said youre great. Im sure SFs finest can use all the help they can get, and if Margaret says thats you, then thats enough for me.