Murder At The Bed & Breakfast (7 page)

“Roger, I don't think that's very important. Sure, there were a few, but they were kind of meaningless.”

“You may have considered them meaningless, but that doesn't mean they weren't meaningful to someone else. Who comes to mind?”

Bob took a deep breath and avoided looking directly at Roger.

CHAPTER 15

Bob sat at his desk, the index fingers on his hands steepled with his forehead resting on them. He took a deep breath. “Roger, you have to believe me when I tell you that Candy really meant nothing to me. You're a man of the world. Sometimes a man gets caught up by a woman, and she holds him in her net, refusing to release him.”

“Am I to understand that Candy was one of those women?”

“Yes.” He looked at Bob and said, “I met Candy when I was working in San Francisco. I went to a bar after work one night, and she was there with friends. There was an instant attraction, and from that time on we saw each other a couple of times a week until I moved to Dillon and met Renee.”

“Bob, I think you can do a little better with the description of the relationship than what you’ve told me. Try again, and I especially need to know more about Candy. Please, don’t hold back. It’s just too important for you to do that.”

He stood up and began pacing the floor. “Candy was from an Italian family that owned a couple of restaurants located on one of the piers in San Francisco. She was the stereotypical Italian woman, a dark-haired passionate beauty with a temper to match. Even though I'm no longer tangled up in her net, I have to say she was a fascinating woman.”

“How did you end the relationship?” Roger asked.

“The same way it started. Even though I’d moved to the city of Dillon and opened my law practice there, I had to go back to San Francisco now and then to take care of some loose ends. I'd met Renee and knew that I wanted her to be my wife. You see, there was a big difference between the two women. I loved Renee, and I was infatuated with Candy. Unfortunately, Candy didn't understand the difference. When we met for drinks that night, I told her I thought she was one of the most fascinating women I'd ever met, but I had found someone else I wanted to spend my life with. You can imagine how well that went over.”

“What did she say?”

“You have to understand the background of her family. These were hot-blooded Italians who were very well-known in San Francisco. They were used to taking whatever they wanted from their restaurants on the pier to buying politicians to do their bidding. Losing was not an option for them, and that’s exactly what Candy told me. Her brothers were involved in some things I always thought it was better that I not know about. Candy told me they had told her they would have preferred that she find an Italian rather than a Mexican, but at least I was someone they wouldn't have to be embarrassed about. She told me they'd be furious when they learned I had broken up with her.”

“Was she emotional about it when you told her?”

“That might be the understatement of the year. I remember trying to quiet her down, because she was screaming so loudly that everyone in the cocktail lounge had stopped talking and was listening to her. It was not my finest moment.”

“I can well imagine. How did it end?”

“Not well. I realized she was never going to understand why I preferred someone else to her, so I got up, put some money on the table, and told her goodbye. That was pretty much it.” He stopped talking, looked down, and twisted his wedding ring around his finger.

“Bob, I hope you understand that I'm not trying to push you, but if I'm going to help you, I need to know everything, and I have a feeling you're deliberately leaving something out.”

“Yeah, and I suppose that's what makes you such a good lawyer. Well, I might as well tell you. The last words Candy screamed at me were ‘You better watch your back, and whoever the woman is who stole you from me better watch hers as well.’ At the time I didn't think much of it, figuring it was just a passionate outburst. Those words have been haunting me ever since Laura was murdered. I know Candy would never commit murder, but her brothers had a number of associates who were clearly capable of it and more than willing to do it in order to please them."

“Do you know what's happened to her? Has she found someone else? If she's happily married to some Italian guy that the family loves, maybe that's all it was - words uttered in a passionate moment.”

“No, I haven't seen her or talked to her since that night. I have no idea where she is or who she's with.”

“You may remember that the law firm has a great investigator I've used over the years by the name of Sean. I'll give him a call and see what he can find out. When he's finished we'll know everything about her from the moment you stopped seeing her to the moment he stops investigating her. By the way, what's her last name? Sean will need that.”

“Poncinello.”

“Are you kidding me? Bob, everyone in San Francisco knows that name. It's rather infamous. You certainly picked someone with a checkered family past. As I recall, there was some scandal years ago about a Mafia murder taking place at one of their restaurants. No one was ever arrested and the scandal died a natural death. I guess you’re right, with the kind of money I’ve read they spend on supporting politicians they can pretty much do whatever they want. Is there anything else I should know? And does Renee know anything about Candy?”

“Renee knows I was seeing someone in San Francisco, and I ended it when I fell in love with her. Beyond that, there was no reason for her to know. Think about it Roger, I was forty-eight when I fell in love with Renee. She was twenty-eight. Neither of us were children. I know she was engaged to a rancher, Mitch Warren, when we met, and she knew I'd had a number of relationships over the years. At my age, you're going to bring a little baggage to the church on your wedding day. As much in love as we were and still are, neither one of us cared about the other's past relationships. It simply wasn't important.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Bob looked at Roger intently. “Roger, I know Renee feels she might have been the cause of Laura's death, but I’m concerned it might have been because of me, not her, that Laura was killed. It very easily could have been a political vendetta or, on the other hand, it could have had something to do with my spurning Candy. In both of those situations, I could be the cause of Laura's death. If I was, I'm not sure I’ll ever be able to forgive myself, and I don't know if Renee will be able to forgive me. Please help me.”

“I'll do everything I can. I know it sounds simplistic, but try not to worry. Renee and Celia really need you now. You have to be there for them. I'll let you know the minute I find something out.”

“Roger, thanks. I feel better knowing you're looking into it. From what you told me about the local police chief, Seth Williams, it doesn't sound like he'd ever be able to find out who did it.”

“Bob, much as I hate to admit it, Liz is probably better at this than I am. She’s solved several other murders, including one that took place in one of her cottages out at the spa. Then there was the murder of a young man who was interning for her in the kitchen of the lodge, and the last one she solved was the murder of Seth's deputy. I gave her advice, but she was the one who solved the cases. So look at it this way. You're getting two sleuths for the price of one. I may have a few credentials after my name, but Liz has the nose of a bloodhound. She calls it her niggle.” He put his hand out to shake Bob's. “I'll be talking to you soon.”

CHAPTER 16

Roger could smell the garlic before he even opened the door to the lodge. “What are you fixing for dinner? It smells wonderful, but before you tell me, first I need a hug and a kiss from my wife,” he said taking Liz in his arms. Winston stood next to her and looked up at Roger. He'd learned it was probably a good thing if he didn't try to get between them when they were doing whatever it was humans did when they stood close together like they were right now.

After a moment, Liz stepped back and looked up at Roger. “I figured we both needed some comfort food after the events of last night. We're having a mixture of mussels, clams, and shrimp in an herb broth served in a big bowl along with a crusty loaf of sourdough bread and a mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing? How does that sound?”

“Absolutely fabulous. If I was in a restaurant that's probably what I'd order, plus it looks like it's going to rain. I think I'll start a fire, and we'll curl up on the couch for the evening, but first I'll open that bottle of sauvignon blanc I saw in the refrigerator this morning. That should be perfect with the meal. Okay with you?”

“Sounds great. I've prepped dinner as much as I can, and I'd really like to hear what Bob told you, plus I learned some interesting things from Renee that I'm going to follow up on tomorrow. You want to go first or do you want me to?”

He handed her a glass of the chilled wine and said, “Here's what I found out from Bob.” He spent the next half hour telling her about Bob's relationship with Candy and the anonymous phone call Bob had received.

“Well, given what he told you I can understand why he dropped out of the race,” Liz said, “but it sure is ironic he won. I'd hate to think Reverend Jacobs was behind Laura's murder, however, it's certainly a possibility. He's a three time political loser, and this time he lost to a Mexican. It had to be a humiliating defeat for him. He's made it very clear what his position is on the illegal immigrant issue as well as the Mexicans. I read one time where he even said they were all rapists and belonged in jail. He has a large following, so a lot of people must agree with what he's putting out there, and based on that, it very well could have been one of his followers who committed the crime. If it was one of his followers it's going to be very difficult to find out who it was.”

“I know. I need to call Sean and see what he can find out about the reverend. I also want him to do some research on Bob's ex-girlfriend. I’ll call him now, and he may be able to get something for me tonight or early tomorrow morning."

“Roger, would you ask him if he can find out anything about the wealthy rancher Renee was engaged to? His name is Mitch Warren. I was actually going to tell you about him and see if it was okay if I called Sean.”

“Sure. Let me call him now and get that out of the way.” He picked up his cell phone and punched in Sean's number. “Sean, it's Roger. Sorry to bother you after hours, but I've got a little research I’d like you to take care of when you have time.” He listened to Sean for a moment. “Perfect, glad you have some time tonight. Here's what I need. I want everything you can get on a reverend in Dillon, California, named Lou Jacobs.” He listened a minute. “Yeah, that’s right. He lives in the city of Dillon. There’s also the county of Dillon. That’s where he ran for Dillon County Supervisor and lost. Anyway, he's got a big charismatic church there. Remember Bob Salazar? He used to work for our law firm, and he’s the one who beat Reverend Jacobs in the election.

“The next person I'd like to know about is a wealthy rancher in the area by the name of Mitch Warren. Lastly, there's a family in San Francisco, name of Poncinello..."

Liz heard Sean's voice coming through the phone. "Poncinello? Are you sure? That's a family you really don't want to mess around with. They've never even been arrested because every law enforcement person and politician in San Francisco is in their pocket, plus we’re talking about people who have no sense of morals. They mess up businesses and make people disappear before they've even had breakfast. The day just gets worse after that. Are you sure you want to open that can of worms?”

Roger sighed. “I wish it wasn't necessary, but yes, I do need to know about them. I'm particularly interested in one of their daughters, a woman by the name of Candy Poncinello. See what you can come up with on her and Sean, thanks. I'm sure there are a lot of other things you could be doing tonight.” He ended the call.

“What was that about some woman named Candy?” Liz asked.

Roger told her about Bob's relationship with her and her parting words to him.

“Wow! Did you know he was having an affair with some hot-blooded Italian?”

“No. Bob is a very discreet man. I never met any of the women he was involved with, and from what he told me today, I guess there have been a few.”

“I'm not surprised. He's a very attractive man. I would expect him to have had a number of relationships with women, plus he's our age, and he's never been married. It's not too much of a stretch to think of a number of women who would be interested in a handsome Latino. Bob has what I call ‘dancing eyes,’ and I think that's one of the reasons he's so attractive. They say the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul, and if that's true, he's got a smiling soul.”

“Sorry, Liz, I have a little problem with Bob having a smiling soul. He may have other positive assets, but come on, a smiling soul? There’s something else that kind of bothers me about this man you refer to as having a smiling soul. Let me tell you why he dropped out of the race, and then I'd like to hear your thoughts.”

When he’d finished telling her, Liz said, “I can totally understand why he didn't want his parents to be hurt because of him, but I’m getting a little concerned about a pattern I’m seeing. From what you've said, he never told Renee about Candy, only that he had been seeing someone, but it sounds like a little more than that. Secondly, why didn't he tell Renee about the phone call? Doesn't seem like he's being very straightforward with her, and I don't think it's very good to withhold things like that in a relationship, particularly when you’re married, which makes me think, Mr. Langley, is there something I should know about you that you haven't told me?”

“Fraid not, sweetheart. What you see is what you got. You know I was married. You know my wife died from cancer, and you know that you were the first woman I started seeing after her. Not much of a story there.”

“I’ll take your word for it, but I have to tell you it does make me feel better, anyway, back to Bob and Renee. I had a long conversation with her this morning. Here's what I found out.” She told him about Renee's long-time relationship with Mitch Warren and how close he was to her father as well as the breakdown of her relationship with her father due to her involvement with Bob.