Bones of a Feather - Carolyn Haines [23]
“History is important in Natchez,” Eleanor said.
“So Mr. Hightower is in town, and he knows about the necklace?” I made a note.
“He is and he does. He was here the day it was stolen. Monica may have mentioned the reappraisal to him.”
“Why would she do that?” Tinkie asked.
Eleanor’s lips thinned. “To goad him. She shouldn’t have done it, but he was so eager to see the necklace. She had it out of the safe for the reappraisal and she showed it to him. I thought he’d swallow his tongue with lust.”
“That was stupid.” The words flew out of my mouth.
“He’s such a spineless little man, hiding behind his notebook and pen.” Eleanor twisted her hands in her lap. “Monica enjoyed getting him worked up. It’s one of her least pleasant characteristics, but some people just get under your skin. It was hard not to torment him.”
I couldn’t hurl another stone or my glass house might shatter.
“Is it possible Hightower might have figured out a plan to abduct Monica for the insurance money?” Tinkie asked. Her body language told me she’d found a potential suspect she liked the look of.
“He’s a brilliant man. And devious. But he’s a coward.”
“Kidnapping is rather a cowardly act,” Tinkie pointed out. “He knew about the necklace, the money, Monica’s habits. He has a score to settle with the Levert family. Motive, means, and opportunity.”
Eleanor started. “Do you really think…” She stood.
“It’s a theory,” I said. “He’s a good suspect, but so is Cousin Millicent. Is there anyone else?”
Eleanor resumed her seat. “We’ve had tiffs with people in town, but I can’t imagine any of them would abduct Monica. She’s fierce. I’m more the milquetoast sister. It seems they would have taken me instead.”
To the contrary, a kidnap / ransom plot would target the stronger twin, hoping the weaker sister would obey and fork over the cash without calling the cops. Which is exactly what was happening.
“What about the housekeeper?”
“Kissie?” Eleanor was shocked. “No! Kissie wouldn’t be involved.”
“She has a key, right?” Tinkie asked.
“She does. And knows the house and grounds inside and out.”
“Was she aware of the necklace?” I asked.
Eleanor thought a moment. “My sister and I didn’t behave wisely, I see that now. Monica and I have operated with a sense of … privilege, I suppose you could say. It didn’t occur to us that anyone might try to harm us. Here at Briarcliff, we’ve always felt so safe and … untouchable. That’s very arrogant, isn’t it?”
Tinkie cut in before I could respond. “Tell us about Kissie. How long has she worked for you?”
“Two years. She keeps the house when we’re traveling. She’s a remarkable young woman, actually. Very talented.”
“How so?” I asked.
“She sings with a local band. She’s a songwriter and a vocalist.”
“Not much of a music scene in Natchez,” I said. “Why hasn’t she gone to Nashville?” If a singer-songwriter wanted a career in the music business, Nashville was the closest town to peddle her wares.
“She did. Monica and I helped her. But it didn’t work out.” Eleanor was clearly uncomfortable talking about this.
“What happened?” Gunny had revealed a little about Kissie McClain’s life. I wanted to see how much Eleanor actually knew.
“She got involved with the wrong sort.”
“Drugs?”
“Yes, she met a man involved in methamphetamines. Kissie never used, but she got caught up in his troubles. She was arrested here in Natchez. He accused her of stealing his guitar, of all things. Only it wasn’t his guitar. It was hers, and I know that for a fact because Monica and I bought it for her. We tried to intervene in her behalf, but she asked us to let it go. Anyway, she did some time in jail for breaking and entering and theft. When she got out, we helped her and gave her a job.”
I didn’t have to look at Tinkie to know what she was thinking. Kissie was another wonderful suspect. The best place to determine her possible involvement in Monica’s abduction was by talking to her personally, and we might be able to make more headway than a lawman.
“Tinkie, we should file that report with the insurance company and speak with Kissie, Millicent,