The Case of the Scarlet Brooch
Chapter 6Stu was late; it was almost five-thirty before he got to the airport and he and Jeff had to run to catch their plane.
"I thought you weren't going to make it," Jeff told him as they settled in their seats.
"Sorry, we got stuck in traffic."
"The cab?" Jeff asked.
"Jillian Simington," Stu answered with a smile. "What did you find at the Nob Hill house?"
"A predator known as Tabitha Huntington. And a not so curious fact – Iris won't stay overnight at Nob Hill. After meeting Tabitha I understand why."
"What about the husband?" Stu asked.
"Arden? He seems to be an alright guy. Older than Tabitha and possibly oblivious to her, uh, habits."
"Doesn't sound like you had a very good day."
Jeff laughed sarcastically. "Oh, it was fine once I got out of that house. Thanksgiving was held there, and Tabitha wore the brooch, but Iris took it with her when she left and went to the townhouse. What did you learn?"
"Iris was at the townhouse for Halloween. She was seen wearing the brooch that night. Jillian told me there's the exact same jewelry box at every house and they all have different locks on them. Sounds like she didn't know about your place not having one."
"Jillian, huh?" Jeff asked.
"Yes," was Stu's terse answer. After a moment he told Jeff, "I found something in the secret compartment. We need to get it analyzed." Bailey pulled out the evidence bag and passed it to Jeff.
Spencer held it up to the light. "Well, isn't that interesting? So it has been overnight at the townhouse."
"Evidently," Stu said in a decidedly less curt tone of voice. "Did anyone you talked to mention a missing stone from the brooch?"
"No, not a soul."
"Who else do we have to question?"
Jeff counted on his fingers. "Her other three children – Prudence, Jamison and Lilith, three more grandchildren – Nola, Spencer and James, and two nephews – Nash and Hunter."
"Do they all live on Iris's properties?"
"Prudence doesn't, and neither do Nash and Hunter. Let's skip those three for now."
"I think that's an excellent idea," Stu agreed. "Do you have a list of who lives where?"
Jeff nodded. "Back at the office. We can grab a copy and take it over to Dino's with us."
Kookie picked them up at the airport and drove them back to the office. He let them off at the side door; Jeff went in and got the list they needed and Stu went to Dino's and got them a table and vodka gimlets. Jeff appeared a few minutes later with a folder in his hands. "It sounded like you needed a drink," Stu told him.
"I do. I tried to have one earlier but I never got around to it. Here's the list of who lives where," and he handed the folder to Stu.
Stuart pulled out the first piece of paper and found the following:
HOUSE
LOCATION
BUTLER
OCCUPANT(S)
RELATIONSHIP
Del Mar Oaks
Del Mar
Reginald
Jamison Huntington
Son
James Huntington
Grandson
Coronado Flats
Coronado
Samuel
Nola Madison
Granddaughter
Spencer Quince
Grandson
The Breakers
Newport Beach
Malcolm
Lilith Madison Quince
Daughter
"And we're ignoring three?" Stu asked.
"For now," Jeff replied, then took a sip of his gimlet. The drink was just what he needed after Tabitha Huntington.
"She didn't raise a family; she raised a herd."
Jeff laughed. Iris Huntington was a sweet and generous lady, but Stu was right. Considering they'd already talked to five, it qualified as a herd. "It seems to make her happy."
"Good thing she's got the money to support them all."
"I wonder how many of them appreciate it?" Jeff asked.
Stu smiled after he finished his drink. "I know at least one."
"Alright, let's hear about Jillian Simington." Jeff had been waiting for Stu to tell him all night, but he obviously needed some coaxing.
"See if you can get us a waiter, would you? I'd like to order dinner."
"After I hear about Jillian," Jeff repeated.
"She has the most amazing green eyes."
"That's all I get?"
"Until I get dinner," Stu answered his partner.
"Hey, Mike, send somebody over," Jeff called to the bartender. In less than two minutes they had a waiter at their table.
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Jeff pushed his empty plate away. He was hungrier than he thought and dinner was perfect. Stu had been fiddling with what was left of his Dino's Spectacular Chef's Salad for more than five minutes, and Jeff finally asked him, "Are you going to eat that or make love to it?"
"Neither," was the answer. "I don't want any more."
"Don't want to tell me about Jillian?"
Stu looked glum. "It's not that, Jeff. She really is a spectacular woman. The problem is she's the granddaughter of our client, and you know what my track record has been with clients. I'm loathe to get involved with another one and end up with the same results."
"Stuart, how much did you like this woman?"
"More than I should have, I'm afraid."
"And you spent the whole day with her?"
"I did. She gave me a tour of the townhouse, then we had lunch and sat and talked until it was time for me to leave. We exchanged phone numbers before we parted."
"Do you want to see her again?"
"I do," Stu answered.
"Even though she's in San Francisco?" Jeff asked.
"Even though she's that far away."
"She's not our client, you know," Jeff reminded his partner.
"No, but her grandmother is. I think the smartest thing for me to do is tell her I'd like to see her, after the case is finished," Stu replied glumly.
"That's probably best."
Stu cleared his throat. "Alright, how are we going to divide the remaining houses?"
Spencer grinned, leaving the choice up to Stu. "Do you want to go to Del Mar and talk to father and son, or do you want to drive down to Coronado and talk to brother and sister?"
"What about The Breakers in Newport Beach?"
"I figured we could do that together, after we're done with the first two."
"I'll take Del Mar. I can get Roscoe to go with me in case they're horse enthusiasts," Stu decided.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow night. How about here at seven o'clock?" Jeff asked.
"Seven o'clock is good." Stu agreed. "See you then."
"Goodnight," Jeff told his partner. Stu dawdled at the table but Jeff went out and got his car from Kookie. He got in and lit a cigarette before he took off for home. He was glad Stu talked about taking Roscoe with him. It would keep him from feeling so glum. Stu hadn't been seeing anyone recently, and he seemed really interested in Jillian Simington. The girl with the green eyes might be good for him.