Part 11 (1/2)
”Okay. You're right, of course, Poppa.”
”So, is everything else going okay? Are you about to own the business?”
”Yes, Sir. Just like I said I would. In a couple of weeks.”
”And you'll finally bring in some real money.”
”For the family, Poppa. It's all for the family. You know that. How's Momma?”
”She's fine. Except for the dirty look she giving me right now. She wants to go back to sleep.”
”Tell her I'm sorry, Poppa. And tell her I love her.”
”I will. Goodnight, Son.”
”Goodnight, Poppa. And thanks.”
CHAPTER 14 - Tuesday, 8:48 a.m.
Rebecca liked the melody. It was a cute little tune. Oddly familiar. It stopped playing. Then it started up again. She woke up. It was her cell phone. ”Oh c.r.a.p.”
Gabby jumped out of bed. ”What?”
”We didn't get our wakeup call. And this is Wendy. I was going to call her first thing this morning and tell her to stay home today.”
”She found the body. Now she'll have to call the police.”
Rebecca took the call. ”Wendy, are you okay?...oh...well, sure, I understand...no problem...just take a sick day...you're welcome...bye.”
”What happened?”
”We lucked out. She's feeling ill today. Not anything serious. She was probably up all night with her baby. Her mom will take care of the baby today while Wendy catches up on her sleep. This happened a few weeks ago.”
”Sounds like you need a new secretary.”
”No, Wendy's been my secretary for several years. When I relocated from Sherman, she came along with me.”
”A loyal employee.”
”Yeah.”
”So, do you suppose anybody has found Big Bill yet?”
”I don't know. The door is unlocked, so anybody could wander in and find him. And even if that doesn't happen, at some point the stink is going to seep into the office next door. So we may not have much time.”
”I guess we didn't accomplish much last night.”
”Except to get your shop burned down. I'm sorry, Gabby.”
”It wasn't your fault. It was probably one of Big Bill's people who knew about my loan. I guess it's better than getting my legs broken.”
”Or they might have done it because they tracked Big Bill to my office and they think I killed him.”
”Yeah. It wouldn't have been difficult. They could have tracked his cell phone. Or his car. It was parked in front of your office. And if somebody recognized us last night at Cafe Nue...”
”Like Joey Ketrousie. Or Wiley.”
”But wouldn't they just let the police take care of us? Wasn't that the purpose of framing us for Big Bill's murder?”
”Yeah.” Rebecca thought for a moment. ”But if whoever framed us is afraid we're close to figuring out who he is...”
”He might try to take us out himself.”
”Right.” She sighed. ”How did you sleep?”
”I got about four hours.”
”Yeah, me too. I didn't think I would be able to sleep at all.” Rebecca set her phone on the night stand and stood up. ”I keep picturing Carly's face. It must have been a horrible death.”
”You still think whoever it was that killed her was working for Big Bill?”
She nodded.
”But what I still don't get is why he was having Carly murdered on the same night he was trying to bribe you to shut her up.”
”Yeah. That doesn't make sense. Unless...the person who killed Carly was acting on his own.”
”Doing it for Big Bill-without his knowledge? Why would he do that?”
”Deniability. Big Bill would honestly know nothing about Carly's murder. And if he got away with it, he could go to Big Bill and take credit for keeping his b.u.t.t out of prison. And try to collect a pile of cash. Or, if it was Ms. Thagery or some other employee, they might be looking for a big promotion.”
”Or...how about this theory?” said Gabby. ”The same person who killed Big Bill also killed Carly.
”Why kill Carly if Big Bill is dead?”
”I don't know,” said Gabby. ”I hadn't thought that far ahead.”
”Unless the killer was worried about Carly suing the company. Big Bill's raping of Megan Cinaway involved company business, since the s.e.x was part of his job application process. It would have to be somebody whose wealth or power is tied to the company.”
”Well, if that's the case, I'm surprised he didn't go after Megan, too.”