Bones of a Feather - Carolyn Haines [57]
I loved the wild grapes, and I could see the purple clusters, ready for harvest, hanging on the vine. I walked out, intending to gather a handful to eat before the storm broke. Once I got to the natural arbor, though, I realized this was a place created by design, not happenstance. Behind the curtain of vines, a hammock was strung between two small trees.
On the hammock was a wooden box. Elegantly carved, exquisite craftsmanship, and beside it, tools. Jerome not only gardened, he was gifted in woodworking and design. The boat replica in his cottage showed equal talent.
The elegance of the box drew me to it, and when I picked it up, something inside shifted about. Letters.
I opened the lid and smelled cedar. The wood grain glowed red in the summer light. At least five dozen letters were neatly organized. They’d been read and reread, and none of the envelopes bore a postmark or even a name. They’d been personally delivered.
Knowing Monica’s penchant for cruelty, I was almost hesitant to read them, because I had no doubt they were love letters. And Jerome cherished them. He’d taken them to his place of respite to read again, never dreaming a snoopy private investigator would find them and invade his privacy.
Which was exactly what Eleanor was paying me to do.
I opened the first letter and began to scan it.
My dearest Jerome, the gardens are thriving under your care. You have a gift.
Such tenderness from Monica was a revelation. I checked for a date, but there was none, so I continued.
Tonight we can be alone. Meet me in the back garden. In the moonlight we can plan the future of Briarcliff. Monica has no interest in living here. Soon she’ll be off on another adventure. Then we’ll have the house and grounds to ourselves.
That line stopped me cold. I checked the bottom of the letter, but there was no signature. I didn’t need one to know the author. I read on.
You know there are limits. Our relationship must always remain private, just between us. I’ve always been honest with you about that fact. But once she’s gone, we can share a life together as fully and completely as if we were wed.
With all my heart
My legs seemed rubbery as I sank onto the hammock. Of all the things I’d expected to find, evidence of a love affair between Jerome and Eleanor had not been among them.
This put a new spin on the entire investigation. Had Eleanor paid someone to abduct Monica? In my mind I heard again the splash of a nightgown-clad object hitting the water of the mighty Mississippi. It was a helluva way to get rid of a body—and one in the tradition of the Levert family.
Though Gunny had organized a river search, no body had ever been found. Since Eleanor had convinced the police all was well, there’d been no need for Gunny to continue searching.
“Holy moly,” I muttered. If this was true, Eleanor was a mastermind. She’d stolen the family necklace, collected the four-million payoff, and gotten rid of the sister.
The sky rumbled and the first rain began to fall. A bolt of lightning flashed and struck so close the blast nearly deafened me. The ground shook and sulfur filled my nostrils, making me slightly nauseated.
Now that was an odor I could easily identify with Briarcliff and the inhabitants. If I were the type to believe in curses, I wouldn’t doubt that the heirs of Barthelme Levert were in the clutches of a dark blight. I didn’t know if it was possible for DNA to be corrupted by evil, but I also didn’t know if it was impossible.
I had to get back to Tinkie. She was alone with Eleanor.
13
Jerome stood on the front lawn in the pelting rain with Sweetie and Chablis. He’d tied a rope around their necks and glowered at me when I got out of the car.
“I waited on the road for you,” he said. “Where were you?”
“I made the loop.