Chapter 3
Nancy and Bess waited in the hotel's Pahlua Bar and Grill for Frank and Joe. Almost two hours had passed since the group had parted ways.
"I'm going to freshen up," Nancy said.
Bess watched her friend walk away. She took a long sip of the mango iced tea she'd ordered and tried to relax. The bamboo pronged fans spinning overhead mimicked the thoughts whirling in her mind.
The last hour had been intense, very intense. Bess recalled the look on Mr. Airedale's face when the police arrived. She couldn't quite place the expression – fear, dread, anger, apprehension? Perhaps it was all of them mixed together, or maybe, none of them. Bess couldn't be sure what expression Mr. Airedale wore and slumped in defeat. However, there was one thing she was certain of – her boss was not a murderer. She sat a little straighter, her confidence mounting. She sensed in her heart that he was truly devastated by his wife's murder.
Nancy had told her, 'He's in shock, Bess. His emotions are all over the place. It's a natural and normal response.' Bess would have to take her friend's word for it. Nancy had experience dealing with people and death since she was a private investigator.
And then the police and their questions. Questions, questions, questions! Poor Mr. Airedale, Bess thought as she sipped her tea, her hand getting wet from the condescension rolling down the glass. She picked up her napkin and dried her hands. Relax, she told herself, you're in Hawaii in a beautiful five-star hotel. You've got Nancy and the Hardys with you. They'll get this whole mess sorted out.
Bess breathed deeply and surveyed her serene surroundings. Windows stretched from floor to ceiling and lined the Puahlua Bar and Grill's coral-colored walls. Each window offered a fabulous view of the ocean and at this moment, a magnificent Hawaiian sunset. The darkening sky filled with an ever-changing rainbow of colors. Yellow, reds, oranges, and pinks. The gray hued ocean sparkled beneath the setting sun as it prepared to accept its nightly guest.
Artificial palm trees and real plants were strategically scattered throughout the Puahlua Bar and Grill providing diners with privacy and ambience while they enjoyed food and drinks at wicker tables and chairs.
The tension of the past hour began to melt as Bess admired the sunset. Finally, she relaxed.
Nancy returned looking refreshed, with neatly combed hair and a fresh coat of lip gloss.
"It's so beautiful here," Bess said as Nancy sat down.
"It is." Nancy reached for her tea and spied the view beyond the windows. For one brief moment she allowed herself the luxury of taking in the beautiful sunset. "The Hardys haven't shown up yet?"
"Nope." Bess stirred her tea with her straw. "So, while we wait for the guys, you can tell me more about your relationship with Frank."
Nancy felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "Well, like I told you a week ago we're giving it a try. He and Joe are planning on opening a detective agency in River Heights. They've asked me to partner with them."
"Yeah, you told me all that." Bess was looking for new information, not old. She lived and worked in Chicago, a two hour drive from River Heights. "But have they looked for office space?"
"Not yet. He's had to take it easy while his arm and ribs healed." Nancy's blue eyes clouded over as she thought back to five months earlier when she and Frank had unexpectedly reunited over a case. The case had turned out to be a very personal and difficult one for Nancy as it involved the death of her mother. But, with Frank and Joe's help, they had solved the twenty year old case and brought a killer to justice. Howver, Frank had been seriously injured, suffering a compound fracture of the left arm and two broken ribs. It had taken him months to heal and an additional two months of physical therapy for his arm.
"He looks pretty healthy to me now," Bess said with a devious smile.
"Yes, he does." Nancy blushed as she bent to sip her tea.
She hadn't seen Frank since that case ended five months ago. Oh, they'd made countless plans to get together, but something always got in the way. Detective work, Nancy thought ruefully. It made having a social life very difficult. Her detective work/life had been the very reason her longtime boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, had broken up with her years ago. She couldn't say she blamed him. However, they'd remained steadfast friends and Nancy had happily attended Ned's wedding a few months ago. She was truly happy for Ned and he'd married a wonderful girl, one that fit his lifestyle and life expectations much better than Nancy ever would.
Bess spotted Frank and Joe entering the Bar and Grill. "At last, there they are," she announced.
Nancy followed Bess's gaze, and along with Bess, stood and waved to the guys.
Moments later Frank eased his tall frame into the chair next to Nancy and gave her a warm smile. She returned the smile and thought, I haven't even had a chance to be alone with him since this trip started.
Joe plopped into the chair beside Bess and informed everyone, "This is a one huge hotel."
Frank succinctly summed up their search. "We came up empty. How'd you two do?"
Before Bess or Nancy could answer the waitress appeared with glasses of water and menus.
"Food," Joe exclaimed almost grabbing the menu from the waitress's hand. He ignored the chorus of laughter that erupted around him and concentrated on the menu. His stomach had been grumbling for the past two hours and food was the only thing on his mind.
"Would you like something to drink?" the waitress asked.
"A cold beer," Frank said pulling his wallet from his shorts ready to produce ID.
The waitress waved him off. "I trust you. You have an honest face."
"I'll have a beer, too," Joe said momentarily losing interest in the menu. A cold beer sounded too good to pass up.
"I'll need to see some ID," the waitress said.
"What? Don't I look honest?" Joe was baffled that his legendary charm had failed him. He pulled out his ID and politely handed it to the waitress. "Looks can be deceiving," he told her.
"I know," she said as she read the birth date. "I know all too well."
After the waitress departed Frank said, "So, I'm guessing there's no dinner tonight with Mr. Airedale."
"That's right," Bess said, her brow creasing at the thought of poor Mr. Airedale. "He's way too upset."
Nancy shared her opinion of Mr. Airedale, "He seems genuinely grief stricken by his wife's death."
"Did you learn what happened?" Frank leaned closer to the women. Joe was absorbed in the menu again.
Bess gestured for Nancy to give the details.
Nancy pushed a strand of strawberry-blonde hair behind an ear and then recited the facts she had learned. "Gwen Airedale was shot in the chest and died instantly. Mr. Airedale says he was out of the room for approximately two hours. He had meetings with several people. He checked on the set construction for the show first then checked on the arrival of some of the outfits. Finally, he checked on the arrangements for tonight's dinner. He was going to welcome everyone here, including us."
"Melinda's cancelling the dinner arrangements," Bess added almost as a afterthought.
"I have a list of all the people he met so we can confirm his story and create a timeline," Nancy said.
Frank smiled. He would have done the exact same thing.
"I reminded Mr. Airedale," Nancy said, "that we're detectives. But, like Bess said, he was so distraught … I didn't want to push him. He was already pushed to the limit with the police and their questions."
"I didn't like the way they were questioning him," Bess suddenly spat out. "They seemed to be accusing him of committing the murder."
"The husband is always the first suspect," Frank said reasonably. "Usually they're the ones who have the most to gain. Usually, money or love is the motive for murder. Speaking of which, do you know anything about Mr. Airedale's finances? How's his business doing?"
The waitress appeared with two frosty beers. "Ready to order?"
After placing their orders Frank took a sip of his beer and got back to his questions. Looking at Bess he asked, "So, do you know anything about his business finances? Good or bad?"
Bess shrugged wearily. "I haven't a clue. As far as I can tell the business is doing great."
"How about a girlfriend or mistress?" Joe asked joining the conversation. Now that food had been ordered he could devote his attention to other things.
Bess scrunched her face. "No … no … Mr. Airedale seemed completely devoted to his wife. I've never seen, or heard, anything that would indicate otherwise."
Frank took a long pull of beer and then said, "Okay, let's look at this from another angle. Did Gwen Airedale have enemies? Was she liked or disliked?"
"Well," Bess said haltingly, "Gwen wasn't the most liked person. I don't mean that harshly and I actually liked her, but I know that others in the company thought she was a bit of a gold-digger and kind of arrogant." Bess shook her head woefully. "I hate speaking ill of the dead. This all seems so unreal to me. I can't believe Gwen has been murdered."
Nancy placed a hand on Bess's back. "We're here for you. And we're going to figure this out."
"Wow," Joe said. "That's a gorgeous sunset."
"Very romantic," Bess said stealing a glance at Frank and Nancy.
Frank looked at Nancy and took her hand under the table. Leaning closer he whispered, "Maybe tomorrow we can enjoy the sunset … on the beach … alone."
Grinning, Joe leaned closer. "What's that you say, sunset … beach … alone?"
Frank rolled his eyes and shook his head. Sometimes, his younger brother acted too young.
"What are we going to do with them?" Bess kiddingly asked Joe.
"Get'em a room?" Joe said with a chuckle and Bess giggled.
"I have a room," Frank said and cast a mock glare at Joe. "It just has a pest problem — one really big pest!"
"Ha, ha, very funny," Joe said with mock chagrin and smiled. His smile widened when he saw the waitress approaching with their food.
"Two Bora Bora Burgers," she announced and placed juicy burgers and fries in front of the guys. After all Joe's careful study of the menu he'd opted for basic American cuisine.
"And for the ladies, Pele Seafood Towers."
"Mmmm." Bess eyed her entrée hungrily. A bed of lettuce topped with fresh vegetables and fruit formed a ring around the plate. In the center rose a tower of fresh seafood. "This looks beautiful and delicious, but I doubt I can eat all of it."
"I can help," Joe offered as he took a bite of his burger.
"I bet you can." Bess playfully smacked Joe's arm then picked up a fork and skewered a large shrimp. She really liked the younger Hardy brother with his dancing blue eyes, wavy blond hair and playful personality. Joe was full of charm and could certainly use it to his advantage when needed, but Bess viewed him as a good friend and nothing more.
Thirty minutes later, Nancy picked up her napkin and patted her mouth. She leaned back in her chair and put a hand on her stomach. "That was so good, but I'm full. I can't eat another bite."
"Me, too." Bess said putting her fork down. She watched as Joe grabbed a shrimp off her plate and popped it in his mouth. "Don't you ever get full?"
"Occasionally," he admitted with a boyish grin then his face turned to fright. He stared at the figure fast approaching their table.
"Bess!" Melinda Smith hissed startling the group. "Thank goodness I found you and your friends."
Bess pushed back her chair. "Is something wrong, Melinda? Is Mr. Airedale all right?"
Melinda waved a slender white hand. "He's fine. Well, physically anyway. What I've come to tell all of you. Is," she paused and looked around, suddenly aware of the other diners. She bent and her long black hair fell forward like a curtain. She lowered her voice and said, "What I wanted to say, is that Mr. Airedale has checked your references," her comments were directed at the Hardys and Nancy, "and he wants to employ your services as detectives. He wants you to find his wife's killer."
She stood erect and waited for an answer. Nancy, Frank, and Joe sat in stunned silence.
When no one answered, Melinda stuck out a hand and asked, "Well? What can I tell Mr. Airedale? Will you take the case?"
"Yes," Frank said, speaking for the group. "Yes, we'll take the case."
"Good. You start immediately. Remember, you're already on the expense account. Your pay has just increased."
And with that she turned and walked away leaving Joe with his mouth hanging open. He'd wanted to ask how much more they were getting paid.
As Melinda strode away on her long legs, Nancy mused, "She's kind of attractive."
Frank grimaced. "Um, kinda." He tried to see the beauty, but honestly it escaped him.
"In a creepy, spidery, sort of way," Joe said with a shudder. "She reminds me of someone." His brows knit together. "Some one on TV … I think." He rubbed his chin. "Oh yeah! The Addams family."
"Morticia," Bess suggested with a giggle.
Joe snapped his fingers. "Exactly, Morticia."
"People in the company call her that," Bess explained. "Of course, not to her face. I know she comes off as kind of haughty, but she's really very nice once you get to know her."
Joe gave Bess a sideways glance. "I guess I'll just have to take your word for it."
Joe was none too sure about Melinda Smith.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, everyone. Nice to see the interest in the story. :)