Chapter Three
Phyllis returned to Jessica's house surprised to find the door locked. She had only been gone a couple of hours and while she hoped Jessica was napping, she doubted it. She put in a call to the sheriff.
Mort wanted to tear his hair out. The phone at the sheriff's station was ringing off the hook due to concern from the citizens of Cabot Cove. In the two hours since Phyllis Grant called him regarding Jessica, he heard stories of her having made a pact with Seth that when one goes, the other would follow. He refused to even consider that rumor but another rumor was Jessica was so distraught over Seth's death and with her ability to create so many murder mysteries, it probably meant she was inclined to die over his death since she was so creative with her methods. After all she researched so many poisons, she probably had most of the ingredients on hand. He had to admit that death followed her around. Then the rumor that something was floating in the bay began to circulate and this he couldn't ignore so he and his deputy hurried over. News traveled faster in Cabot Cove than anywhere else in the world and half the town was at the docks in rain gear and umbrellas.
Visibility was poor due to the rain and none of the smaller boats or vessels would venture out. It appeared they would have to try to get one of the larger boats out there. It seemed as though now more than half the town was outside watching as the boat headed out. Many of the men had volunteered to join the search. Mort's deputy joined the crew onboard while Mort stayed on ground. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he said a prayer that it wasn't Jessica. He was feeling guilty. It wouldn't have hurt to check things out even if it was a fool's hope.
An hour later, Mort's cell phone rang. The floating body turned out to be an old shredding scarecrow and the debris was straw, some bundled, some loose and other trash mixed in. He never felt so relieved.
He made the announcement and urged people to go home but few listened and rumors continued to get wilder and wilder. He stormed away when Ideal Malloy told him she heard Jessica had gone up to Vermont to join Seth and found him with another woman. Jessica ended up killing Seth accidentally and she left, able to get home in time to get the news. Wasn't it sad? She always knew Jessica was in love with Seth. Everyone knew it.
Mort made up his mind to make a few calls. Jessica was his friend and if she needed him to look into it deeper then he would. It was the least he could do and if it made her feel even a little better that would be great.
Harry McGraw knocked on Jessica's door. He had spent most of the day and early evening checking into Seth Hazlitt's background. Nothing, absolutely nothing appeared unusual. Fortunately Jessica was in New York and not that hick town, Cabot Cove.
For the first time in his life, he pulled Jessica into a hug when she opened the door. He released her and trudged into her apartment.
"Jessica, no one is as clean as the old Doc was. All he had were parking violations. That's it. Seventeen years ago his wife died and there was debt for a couple of years but that's it. There's no news on the street about him. No one but you is questioning his death." He began pacing. "I have a contact at Langley who is looking into it for me. I'm just waiting for a call back."
"Thank you, Harry. Just knowing someone is taking me seriously helps. Can I get you something to eat?" Jessica tried to remember what was in her freezer.
Harry went over to her refrigerator and opened it. There were a few bottles of water, a bottle of champagne, and condiments in the door. He looked over at Jessica and smirked. "This must be my payment for helping. I'll just order up a pizza."
"Let me do it." Jessica picked up her phone but before she could call, there was a knock on her door. She looked at Harry who stood and went to the door. He checked the peephole and opened the door.
A man in a gray pinstripe suit stood there. "I'm looking for Jessica Fletcher?" he questioned.
"For what?" Harry asked protectively. He blocked the entry waiting for an answer.
"I'm Blake Stevenson, from Senator Harbin's office."
Harry turned to Jessica. "You know the Senator in charge of counter terrorism?"
Jessica nodded, "We worked on a committee together once. I thought he might be able to help. I told him to get back with me if he learned something but not to bother if he didn't. He's a very busy man."
Harry allowed Blake Stevenson entry and closed the door.
"So what do you know?" asked Harry. "Have a seat. Pizza okay with you?" Jessica placed the order and Harry left presumably to pick it up but mostly to get a few packs of beer.
Jessica took a seat at the table beside Mr. Stevenson. "What have you heard?"
George called a friend over at the RAF and asked for a favor. He needed to get to the US as quickly as possible and he heard a special envoy was headed that way and could he catch a ride? He wasn't sure his superiors would even allow him to leave but all the stars were aligned and he quickly rushed home and packed a bag. He had his passport, wallet, and umbrella and quickly left his flat. He felt rather than heard the approach of someone and quickly turned.
"Haggerty?"
"Glad I caught you, Sutherland. Let's go, the flight will last almost four hours."
George was surprised but got into the black sedan with Haggerty who explained that apparently Jessica had called him as well and it was Haggerty that arranged for the RAF to fly to New York. When he heard George was asking for accommodations he quickly assured George's superiors that he was needed for a special assignment. He actually didn't want George along at all but if Jessica ever learned that he could have come, he would be blamed and just his luck, Jessica would run to George instead of him.
Mort hung up the phone and sat thinking. Adele's cousin Stuart worked at Middleton General Hospital and his room-mate's cousin Tina worked at their sister hospital in Vermont and she told Stuart that there was no mixup at all. They hadn't had a death on the day Seth died or the day before. Mort then called the crematorium and was told their license was halted and they hadn't performed any cremations this month so far but they would be up and running within two weeks if all the red tape is processed.
He wasn't going to wait around. After learning that Mrs. F was in New York, he wanted to get to her as fast as he could. She needed this information and she was good about knowing what to do next. He wanted to be there to assist (and protect) her. Now he just needed to catch a flight from Portland and he would be there in a couple of hours.
"Mrs. Fletcher, Senator Harbin sent this message to you." Blake Stevenson handed the sealed envelope to her and waited.
Jessica opened the envelope and quickly read the message. Her eyes widened as she read and she stuffed the letter back in the envelope. "He'll be here at midnight but you aren't to say anything to anyone. He wants you to go to his townhouse and await further instructions. And the passcode is 94HTU3G. The passcode had to match the aide's passcode in order to confirm secure information.
"Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher. Mind if I stay for pizza? I'm starving." Jessica nodded and excused herself to her room for a few minutes. She got on her phone and ordered groceries. She knew Harry didn't care but being a good hostess was ingrained inside her and she wanted juice, toast,and eggs for the morning.
Harry arrived a few minutes later and they proceeded to demolish the first pizza. Jessica made tea while the men drank beer. An hour later the senator's aide departed and Jessica handed Harry the envelope the aide gave her. Harry and Jessica went over what they knew. After putting away the groceries Jessica tried calling the funeral home in Cabot Cove but they were closed already. She set up her coffee pot to brew. If the senator was coming at midnight, it was going to be a long night.
She went over to the couch and sat down. Leaning back she closed her eyes and tried to think. Harry kept quiet. Seeing the dark circles around her eyes he hoped she would fall asleep.