The Bell Tolls by R. Franklin James

Author:R. Franklin James [James, R. Franklin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / FIC022040 - Women Sleuths, FICTION / Thrillers / FIC030000 - Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-60381-220-7
Publisher: Camel Press
Published: 2017-03-16T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Friday

Hollis settled into the overstuffed sofa in Odelia Larson’s living room. It was a cozy condo with a few pieces of sturdy oak furniture. Two Queen Anne chairs and a matching loveseat, where Odelia now sat, faced the sofa. It was all upholstered in the same floral print.

Hollis didn’t want to get too comfortable and scooted forward. “Odelia, I know this whole experience has been upsetting, but it’s critical that you confide completely in me and Gordon, so we can clear you of all charges and you can go on with your life. If you hold anything back, you will make it more difficult for us to get you off the prime suspect list.”

Odelia wore white pants with a lime-green top. She looked like a grandmother on her way to meet friends for lunch. She’d prepared tuna sandwiches cut into small triangles and frosty glasses of iced tea.

Her shoulders slumped. “Ms. Morgan, this has got to be the very worst thing that has ever happened to me, and it’s all because of that horrible man.” She moistened her lips. “I gave him the best service any employer could expect, and he repaid me with peanuts.”

“Er, Odelia, I think you need to get over the paycheck Bell left you and focus on how we are going to defend you against murder charges.”

She waved a hand in the air. “Well, I didn’t do it. That’s the main thing.” She took a bite of sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “All right, I won’t be difficult. After the ambulance left with Mr. Bell, I … I knew he didn’t look good. So, I made ready to follow them to the hospital. I was halfway out the door when I realized that when his family came—for the first time, I might add—everything would be topsy-turvy.” She paused.

“So you—”

“So, I knew about the black case in his desk. He had pointed it out to me a long time ago and told me that it held information for his accountants and other special papers.” She took a sip from her glass.

Hollis raised an eyebrow.

She’s lying.

Odelia continued, “I was curious. I wanted to know what he planned to give me. I’m ready for retirement. I can’t afford any surprises.”

“So that’s why when I gave you your check, you reacted, but you didn’t seem surprised.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“And Bell’s letter to me, did you read it too?”

Odelia’s stern face paled. “No, of course not. I’m not a bad person.”

She’s lying again.

Hollis looked at her, and after a moment, Larson broke the gaze. Hollis took out her pad and pen to make a note.

“Did Matthias Bell have any regular visitors? Any friends or business associates who came to see him?”

Odelia nodded. “Certainly. He worked out of the house about half the time. His office at home has a separate side entrance. Sometimes men and women would come to the front door and I would direct them to go around the side. But usually they knew to go straight there.”

“Do you know any names? Would you recognize their faces?”

Odelia scowled and slowly shook her head.

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