Martinis and Mayhem by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain

Author:Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain [Fletcher, Jessica & Bain, Donald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9780451185129
Publisher: Signet
Published: 1995-11-30T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Thank you for coming again,” Kimberly Steffer said. Her tone was solemn.

“How are you doing?”

“Okay, I guess.”

“This gentleman with me is Detective Sergeant George Sutherland. He’s with Scotland Yard in London, and did some investigating in your case there.”

“Pleased to meet you,” she said in her British accent. “I’ve heard your name. I believe you tried to help me.”

“Without much success, I’m afraid,” George said. There had been a few minutes of tension when we’d arrived at the facility because George’s name wasn’t on Kimberly’s list of approved visitors. But his credentials, which he proudly displayed, and a call to Kimberly, did the trick.

“Kimberly,” I said, “I assume you’ve heard that Brett Pearl is dead.”

She studied my face. Her soft, round eyes narrowed. “No, I didn’t know that. I don’t keep up with the news in here. How did Brett die?”

His body was found yesterday floating beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.”

“Oh, my God,” she said, her hands covering her mouth. “That’s awful.” She paused. “But I’m not surprised. Brett was depressed a lot. He had that sort of personality. Downbeat. Seeing the worst in things. Brett’s glass was always half empty. But he was talented. Very talented.”

“He didn’t commit suicide, Kimberly. The police have ruled his death a homicide.”

“Homicide? You mean someone caused him to fall from the bridge?”

“Looks that way.”

“Any suspects yet?” Kimberly seemed to ask it more out of curiosity than concern.

“None, as far as I know.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, her voice void of emotion.

I didn’t know the extent of their relationship, although considering his lawsuit against her, I presumed it wasn’t especially cordial. From her reaction, I’d say I was right.

“There’s more,” I said. “I was nearly pushed off the bridge shortly before Brett Pearl’s body was discovered.”

“What?” She said it loud enough for the guard to look over. “What happened?” she whispered, leaning in.

I kept my voice low. “I was taking a walk across the bridge when suddenly, out of nowhere, someone grabbed hold of me and tried to push me over. Fortunately, I managed to hang on.”

“How terrible. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Still a little shaken by the experience whenever I think of it, but otherwise okay.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “It obviously had to do with me, and the fact you’ve gotten involved with me.”

“Perhaps. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

I recounted my confrontation with Ellie’s godmother. As I spoke, she became visibly upset. Her mouth tightened, and her eyes narrowed into angry slits.

When I was finished, she spoke in a firm, controlled voice. “I worry so about Ellie because of Joan, even though Nancy has virtual custody of her. Joan has an enormous influence over her—after all, she is her real mother—and Ellie loves her. That’s understandable. But Joan is an evil and sick woman. Mark knew better than anyone what she was really, truly like, although I’ve had my share of encounters with her to attest to her wickedness.”

“Wicked enough to have killed Mark?” George asked.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.