Chapter 1
It had begun with little things. Small things. Things that only Jessica would notice. A frame on the mantle moved just slightly. Curtains that had been drawn were open. An inexpensive, rather tasteless piece of jewelry—a piece she'd always loathed—unexpectedly disappeared from her jewelry box. Little things. Small things. Inconsistencies that she could hardly report to the authorities, yet left her with a sense of unease. Perhaps she'd mention them to Seth. Perhaps.
Seth was suspicious by nature. Whether that had been an inborn trait or honed by years of working with patients who lied almost ceaselessly he couldn't say. Jessica, on the other hand, was a trusting soul. That trust didn't cloud her sharp, observant nature. Rather, it made her all the more determined to prove or disprove any given theory that resulted from her keen observations. Seth tried to be more like Jessica in that regard. He knew it frustrated her when he went immediately to the worst-case scenario, but it was hard to go against years of experience. And, oftentimes he was right: a fact that failed to endear her further to that aspect of his character.
They had been acquainted for years, but it was only recently that a more serious friendship had developed. It was serious for him, at least. Certainly it was the most important relationship, save for his daughter Margie, in this new life that he'd made for himself since his beloved wife's death.
It was difficult to tell whether Jessica felt the same depth of friendship—Keep telling yourself that, Hazlitt—that he did. She had so many friends, including male friends. He knew he was important to her. He knew that. He just wished he knew how important.
He didn't like the sound of this fellow that she was describing to him, and he shook himself mentally. He should be attending to what she was saying, not daydreaming away his time with her. She'd only just gotten back from Seattle, where she'd been mixed up in another murder. Naturally, thought Seth acidly.
"Seth?" Jessica questioned him archly as she waved a hand in front of his face. "Are you with me?"
"A-yuh," he grumbled. "I'm listening."
A frown creased her lovely, usually serene face. "Are you? I'm not so sure. You look a million miles away."
"Just pondering is all. This David sounds like a real character. Like something out of one of your books. The villain," he ventured.
"Oh Seth," she protested. "You sound just like Edmund."
"Edmund's your college friend, right? The Dean of Students now?"
"Yes, we went to school together. Edmund, Frank, and I." A nostalgic smile crossed her face. "It was good to see him again, although I do wish the circumstances had been different."
Jessica was quiet for a moment, and Seth ventured another comment. "You did say his secretary confessed to killing the girl?"
Jessica nodded. "Yes. I can't help feeling sorry for her." She caught a glimpse of Seth's face and became immediately defensive. "She was in love with Edmund and he was too dense, too stubborn to see it." She frowned. "It was foolish of him to involve himself with that girl." She looked at Seth. "He admitted as much, but why? Why do men do that?"
"Do what?" Jessica cut her eyes at him. Seth sighed. "Most men are fools, Jess. You know that as well as I do. Their heads are easily turned by a pretty young face."
Jessica flapped her hand impatiently. "I know that, Seth. It's just…Edmund is different." Now it was Seth's turn to give Jessica a look. "I thought he was different. You would never—"
"No," Seth interrupted hastily. "No, I wouldn't. No matter how tempted I might be." Jessica looked at him in surprise. "Come now, Jess. I'm a realist. I know what I see in the mirror." He waved his hand to stop Jessica from offering a kind disagreement. And that's all it would be. Kind. "I know what I see in the mirror," Seth repeated firmly. "And, while I have no personal experience in this area, I shouldn't think any amount of sweet talk from some young filly—"
"Oh, Seth," Jessica admonished.
"From some young filly," he reiterated, "could make me unsee it. No. I've tried always to be honest with those around me and especially with myself. I've had many years on my own to reflect on my shortcomings and to do something about them if I could. Shortcomings I have, but at least one of them isn't fooling myself into believing that some young girl could possibly be interested in me. The ego of some men!"
"But that's just it, Seth! Edmund is shy, retiring…very nearly the epitome of the absent-minded professor. I mean, I was shocked when he was promoted to Dean of Students. Amelia kept him organized professionally and as much as she could personally. And he as much as said he knew his…relationship," she said primly, "with that girl was inconsequential. Oh, it's such a waste!"
Seth was surprised to see tears sparkling in her lashes. "Here now, Jess. What's all this?"
She dashed at her eyes angrily. "Murder is always a waste. I always feel angry, but I seldom feel pity."
"What will happen to her?"
"Edmund was arranging an attorney for her when I left. He seems-—finally— to have realized his role in this little drama. But will he be able to forgive her? Can he ever forgive himself?" she mused quietly.
"Some people can forgive anything, but I think the weight of the pity and responsibility he probably feels—if he's as thoughtful and sensitive as you've made him out to be—will overwhelm any chance they might have had at a life together."
Jessica looked at Seth thoughtfully. "You're very wise, you know." He pulled a face. "You are," she said, then stood abruptly from the table. "Pie?"
He ignored the little voice telling him to demur in favor of his waistline. Shortcomings indeed. "Depends what kind."
Jessica smiled. "It's only your second favorite tonight."
Seth perked up. His second favorite was usually pretty tasty. "Blueberry?" Jessica smiled conspiratorially. "Then yes, please. You know I can't resist, even though I should."
Jessica smiled. "Then let's compromise and split one piece."
"Alright, Jess," he said agreeably. He'd come to rely on these evenings with Jess. More than he liked to admit, for all his vaunted honesty with himself. His growing feelings for Jessica was one topic he tried to keep under lock and key. He sensed she wouldn't welcome that knowledge. They finished their pie in companionable silence and Seth had the surprising, sobering thought that he wished he didn't have to go back to his empty rooms tonight.
Jessica was finding it difficult to concentrate on this latest novel. She'd managed some writing while she was in Seattle, but it hadn't been enough and now she was behind her own self-imposed schedule. Realistically, she knew she had plenty of time to complete this novel and, with the typical preparation she took before beginning any new book, she had the puzzle thoroughly mapped out. There was no cause for concern, and yet she couldn't shake a feeling of foreboding.
She had an iron will when it came to completing tasks. She'd always been able to tune out any distractions and focus, but she'd been unsettled since her return from Seattle. It wasn't just the sorrow she felt on behalf of both Amelia and Edmund. Would she ever be able to forgive him for his foolish behavior? That certainly nibbled around the edges of her conscious mind, but the real drain on her attention was her experience with David Tolliver.
She hadn't wanted to divulge too many details to Seth. She feared he would think her foolish, addled—another older woman falling for the dubious charms of a younger man. A much younger man, she could just hear Seth say. She'd felt insulted when Edmund hinted—more than hinted—that her protective feelings toward that young man stemmed from sexual desire rather than her generally sound—though not infallible—judgment. She pushed unwelcome thoughts of Preston Giles aside.
Her experience with David hadn't been like that. She'd been flattered. Of course she had. What woman in her 50s wouldn't be flattered by attention from a young, handsome man? But Jessica was eminently sensible, even if JB Fletcher was...slightly more daring. Jessica was intelligent, shrewd, even. She was able to hold two opposing, yet equally rational ideas at once. David could be a con man, perhaps even a thief, but a murderer? No. That boy was calculating. Jessica saw it behind his eyes, saw his brain at work as he took in information about her and adjusted his arguments to suit her sensibilities. She allowed it because…because it was flattering. She did enjoy the attention of men. And David's attention was ideal precisely because she would never allow it to progress further than harmless flirting.
And yet…wasn't there something sinister in the way he'd ambushed her at the airport? She mused, the beginnings of a plot twist taking shape in her agile mind.
Beverly picked up the phone and immediately drew the handset away from her ear. "Jessica? Jessica, is that you?"
"Yes, yes it's me. Is the doctor in? Is he busy?"
"He's here, and it's pretty quiet. What do you need?"
"I need him to come over right away. Can he come over right now?"
"Of course, Jessica. I'll send him right over. What seems to be the trouble? Are you alright?" Beverly heard a crash and what sounded like a shriek. "Jessica, are you alright?"
Seth came out of his office. "What's the matter?"
"I don't know. I've got Jessica on the phone and she's asking for you to come over."
Seth grabbed his coat and bag and banged out of the office without another word.
"Jessica? Jessica? Doc's on his way. Can you hear me?"
"Oh, good, Beverly. Thank you!"
"Jessica, what is going on?"
"I'm alright, Beverly. It's just…you know how I get when I'm about to finish one of my books. I just need the doctor. Right now!" Her voice rose to a note of near hysteria.
This wasn't like Jessica Fletcher at all. "You have Doc call me when he's finished with you, alright honey?"
"I will. I hope he gets here soon." She let out another shriek.
"Are you in pain, dear?"
"No, no. I'm alright, Beverly. In fact, I'll hang up now."
"I'll wait on the line till the doc arrives."
"No need, Beverly," boomed Seth. "I've got it from here." Seth took the handset from Jessica and placed it in the cradle. "Woman, why did you call me instead of pest control?"
"Oh, Seth. I'm so glad to see you!" She threw her arms around his neck. "You were the first person I thought of." She shuddered in his arms. "I hate bats," she said plaintively. "Frank always took care of things like this." She drew back to look him in the face. "I'm sorry. I should've called someone else."
"Nonsense, woman. I'm here now." He set his bag down on the counter. "Where is it?"
Jessica pulled a face. "Last I saw, it was in the living room."
Seth patted her shoulder. "You stay in here, woman. Let me see what I can do." Seth carefully opened the swinging door in the kitchen and slipped through. Jessica thought she heard the sound of the front door opening.
"Seth?" she called.
"Hush now," said Seth tersely. She waited in the eerie silence, then heard the squeak of the hinges as the door shut. She hugged herself. She really did hate bats.
Seth pushed through the swinging door. "You only saw the one?"
"I only saw one, yes. But they all look the same, don't they?"
Seth laughed. "So they do. If you had only the one, then we're in good shape because he…or she…just flew out the front door."
"Oh. Seth. What would I do without you?"
"You'd manage," he said gruffly.
"I mean it. Thank you!"
"Not so fast, Jess. You still ought to call Marvin to come out and have a look in your attic."
"Marvin? No, no. I'd rather not. Not unless you can stay?"
Seth furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing. I'd just feel more comfortable if you were here when Marvin comes by."
"Jessica?"
She bristled. "Don't take that tone with me, Seth Hazlitt! I just…I just don't like having Marvin over when I'm by myself."
"What happened?"
"Nothing!" Seth allowed the room to fill with silence. It was an old trick that Jessica employed on occasion, but it nearly always worked. "I handled it, Seth, but I don't want a repeat performance."
"I see." He walked over to the phone and lifted the handset from its cradle. "Letitia," he boomed. "Get Marvin on the line for me. Jessica may have bats in her belfry."
"Seth," Jessica hissed. He flapped his hand at her.
"Marvin? Doc Hazlitt. I'm over at Jessica's, and I think she might have bats in her attic." He listened for a moment. "You can come over now?" He nodded. "A-yuh. We'll see you soon." Seth hung up the phone and smiled at Jessica. "How about a cup of coffee, Jess?"
"I told you I didn't want to call Marvin."
"No, you said you'd feel more comfortable if I were here when Marvin came by." He reached over to Jess and squeezed her hand. "Don't you worry about Marvin. I'll make sure he behaves from now on."
"Seth—" But the doorbell rang. "He's here already?" She moved to answer the door, but Seth stopped her.
"I'll get the door, Jessica." Seth walked to the door and opened it widely. "Hello, Marvin. Thanks for coming so quickly."
"A-yuh." Marvin shuffled in. "Didn't expect to see you here, Doc."
"That so?" Seth let the words hang in the air between them. "You know where the attic is?"
"A-yuh."
"Then we'll let you get to it. Come along, Jess." He turned toward the kitchen, Jessica following helplessly in his wake.
She turned on him as soon as they were alone. "What was that all about?"
"What?" asked Seth innocently.
Jessica flapped her hand in the direction of the living room. "That. Out there. You made it seem as if—" She stopped, coloring slightly, and Seth was absolutely charmed.
"I doubt ol' Marvin will give you any trouble again." Seth's face darkened. "But if he does, I want you to tell me."
"He'll be telling everyone that we're—you know."
"Afraid I'll put a cramp on your style in the Cove?"
Jessica laughed in spite of herself. "No, it's just…"
"What?"
"I don't like to be the subject of gossip."
"Nor do I. I can speak directly to him, if you like."
"No, no. That won't be necessary."
"It was a spur of the moment idea, Jess. I didn't mean to offend you."
"I'm not offended! I just…oh I don't know. I didn't think I'd be dealing with any of this kind of thing at my age."
"You shouldn't have to deal with unwanted advances at any age. I mean it, Jess. I'll be happy to have a word with him."
"Let's just see what happens." They looked up as they heard Marvin's steps above them. Jessica shuddered. "I hope he doesn't find any more."
Seth patted Jess companionably on the arm. "Best hope he finds them all!"
"I'll never be able to sleep tonight."
Seth swallowed, fighting images of Jessica in her pajamas that would come into his mind right now. He felt the merest tension between them and struggled to find something innocuous to say. "I can prescribe you something for that," he said heartily, relieved when Jessica smiled.
"Not necessary. I'll be up anyway. I've just got to finish this book."
"I thought it was going well." Seth asked, grateful for the change in subject. He didn't want to examine his feelings for Jessica too closely and certainly not in front of her.
"It was. For awhile at least." She sighed. "I've hit a bump in the road. More coffee?"
Seth nodded and sat at the kitchen table. "Pie?" he asked hopefully.
Jessica shook her head. "We finished it off two days ago. I've been meaning to make another, but I've been preoccupied." She smiled sheepishly.
"No matter," he said heartily. "I certainly don't need it." He nodded as she handed him a cup of coffee, then mused thoughtfully. "If I walked and biked as much as you do, I could probably eat all the pie I wanted."
"You should get a bicycle, Seth!" Jessica enthused. She hesitated for a moment. "You could use Frank's old bike," she said quietly.
"That's very kind of you, Jess," he said quietly. "I haven't been on a bicycle in years. But I'll give it some thought." He noticed her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "But you were telling me about your book troubles."
Seth was pleased to see a genuine smile. "Well, I just can't seem to get the murderer quite right."
"Oh? What's wrong with him?"
"What makes you think it's a man? It could be a woman."
"I've seen you put a fair few of these books together now. You rarely have trouble writing female characters. Or children. But you almost always struggle with the male ones."
She looked at him in surprise. "I hadn't thought of it, but I suppose that's true. You're very perceptive."
"I'm just a good listener."
Jessica stared thoughtfully at Seth as he sipped his coffee. She was about to speak when Marvin scuttled through the kitchen door.
"You've definitely got bats, Jessica. Mrs. Fletcher," he corrected hastily at a look from Seth.
"That so?" questioned Seth.
"A-yuh. I'll need to come back later this afternoon and set everything up."
"This afternoon?"
"A-yuh. They're nocturnal. If I can get everything set up by evening, I should be able to get all of 'em out tonight."
"You'll be staying here tonight?" asked Jessica faintly.
"Not all night," retorted Marvin defensively.
Seth stood. "We'll make arrangements for you to stay elsewhere, Jessica." He moved around Jess, just close enough to give Marvin the right impression. "Thank you, Marvin. Best get to it. I'll get Mrs. Fletcher moved somewhere else tonight." He put a hand on Jessica's shoulder just in case the man was too dense to pick up on the subtler signals.
"A-yuh," said Marvin gruffly. "I'll be back in a little."
They watched him amble out the kitchen and listened for the door to open and shut. Jessica sighed. "I suppose it will be easier to sleep somewhere else, but what a bother. I'll call George over at Hill House."
"You can call him, but you won't find a room there."
"Why not?" asked Jessica indignantly.
"It's all booked up for the Anderson family reunion this weekend."
"That's not this weekend!"
"Woman, today is Thursday. It is this weekend, and the reunion starts tomorrow, so I imagine everybody's coming in tonight."
"What am I going to do?"
"The way I see it, you've got two options." Jessica raised her eyebrows. "You can stay here tonight, and I'll sleep on the couch or you can stay with me." He prayed his voice didn't squeak at the end of that bold sentence.
"Stay with you? Oh Seth. I couldn't. I couldn't put you out like that."
"Woman, from the looks of it, I'll be sleeping on one couch or another tonight. You decide which one."
"There'll be so much talk, though."
"I've made sure there'll be talk no matter what you decide." He took a sip from his coffee cup and made a face. He turned to empty the coffee into the sink and rinse the cup. HIs traitorous heart lifted at the thought that she hadn't given him a decisive no.
"I don't know, Seth."
"Who else would you feel comfortable staying with?"
He had her there. She had very few, alright no, girlfriends in Cabot Cove. She never had. Frank had always been enough for her. It wasn't that she had no female friends. She had plenty of girlfriends, scattered across the country. She just didn't happen to have any conveniently located here. "You're right, of course," she murmured. "It's just…well…" she trailed off.
"Well what, woman? I'll sleep downstairs in the office. Reception," he sneered. He didn't care for Beverly putting on unnecessary airs.
Jessica laughed; the sum of the relationship between Beverly and Seth was held in that single utterance. "Alright, if you insist."
"I didn't insist, Jess. But it's alright," he added hastily. "You pack an overnight case and let me get over and tidy up a bit."
"You just said it wouldn't be any trouble!"
"And it won't be. I'll be back in a jiffy to pick you up."
Jessica sighed, exasperated. "I'm not so sure about this."
"You don't think our reputations can weather it?" He winked at Jessica and headed for the back door. "Be back soon," he tossed over his shoulder in what he hoped was a suitably casual manner.
Jessica sighed. This was an unexpected complication. Frank had been gone two years this spring. Two long years, and she just now felt comfortable on her own. She recognized a growing reliance on Seth. He was good company: intelligent, sophisticated in his thinking, yet a damned, stubborn Mainer. Just like Frank, she mused, then admonished herself for such a traitorous thought. Seth was nothing like Frank. Nothing.
She sighed again. She definitely didn't want to be here alone with Marvin. "Best get on with it," she murmured. She trusted Seth implicitly. It was herself she was beginning to doubt.
"Seth, this is ridiculous."
"What?"
"I didn't think you were serious."
"What in the nation are you talking about, woman?"
"About sleeping downstairs. It's silly."
"You're the one who was so het up over propriety."
"But now we have to shout at one another to have a conversation." Jessica appeared at the top of the stairs. "Why not just sleep on the couch up here? Or let me take the couch and you sleep in your own bed!"
Seth was in the middle of making up the downstairs sofa. He paused for a moment. It couldn't hurt to sleep upstairs; no one would know either way, not that the truth ever interfered with any of the gossips in this town, he thought acidly. He began stripping the linens from the sofa. "Alright, woman. I'll sleep upstairs. By the sounds of it, it'll save my voice."
Jessica laughed, then gulped as she tightened the belt of her robe. This whole episode was so strange, yet wasn't she relieved, too? Relieved that she hadn't had to deal with Marvin again on her own, relieved that Seth had implied something deeper than friendship between them so as to prevent any further unpleasantness, relieved to be sleeping in a room without bats. But she would be sleeping in Seth's room. In his bed. That gave her pause. She didn't quite know how she felt about that. She only knew she was beginning to rely on Seth more and more, and that was enough to unsettle her. She jumped as she heard his tread on the stairs. Flustered, she scuttled down the hall and into the bedroom.
Seth hesitated at the top of the stairs. "Jess? You decent?"
"Of course I am, Seth! It's safe to come up. I'm in your room."
"Oh." He felt oddly disappointed. Ridiculous. He busied himself with making up the sofa upstairs, positioning his pillow so that he faced his bedroom door. Fortunately, he'd left his rooms reasonably tidy. He just changed the sheets on the bed and gave the bathroom a quick once over. He had to admit the girl he hired was good. He might think about offering her a little more money each week. He took off his robe and climbed into his makeshift bed. "Goodnight, Jess," he called.
"Goodnight, Seth. And thank you."
"Are you ever going to tell me what happened with Marvin?"
"No. But I appreciate your help."
"Jessica, if he—"
"He didn't," she said firmly. "It's the kind of thing I ought to be able to handle on my own. I ought to have been able to handle that bat on my own."
"You don't have to do everything by yourself, woman! Your friends want to help you." I want to help you.
"It's just…" Seth waited restlessly in the semi-darkness. "I thought I had become independent. It was so hard after Frank died. It wasn't as though he did everything," she said defensively, "but I don't suppose I realized precisely how much he did." She laughed, but it had a hollow sound.
"You're too hard on yourself, Jess. I can't see you as a sheltered little wife in the first place, but I have seen how hard you've worked to build a new life for yourself. It's an unfortunate human trait that we can't truly appreciate what we have until it's gone. Went through the same kind of thing when my Ruth died. Didn't realize how much I depended on her." He paused for a long moment. "It's hard," he said. He thought he heard Jessica stirring, then she appeared in the doorway of his bedroom.
"It is," she agreed. "I suppose I thought I was further along."
Seth barked a laugh. "So did I. But Jessica, you'll never be further along. It will always hurt. And you'll always remember. But you have come such a long way. Look at you! A best-selling author who travels the length of the country! All by yourself, I might add." He shifted to sit up on the couch. "I think you ought to appreciate how far you've come," he finished lamely.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I just came out to say goodnight and to thank you again."
"No need to thank me, woman. I'm your friend."
"I'm grateful to you."
Seth shifted uncomfortably. He hadn't expected to fall in love again and certainly not with a woman so independent and unattainable, but there was little doubt any longer. When he thought of Marvin, or any man, trying to possess her, hurt her, he became filled with a dangerous rage. But what could he do? He was doing what he could now, protecting her from at least one man's unwanted advances. But he had to end this conversation benignly, before he said something he couldn't take back. "Go to bed, woman," he said gruffly. "You need your rest if you're going to sort out that troublesome murderer of yours." He saw her smile in the gloom.
"Right you are, Dr. Hazlitt! I'll say goodnight now."
"Goodnight, Jess." He watched her turn and walk back into his bedroom. He took it as a good sign that she didn't shut the door. At least she felt safe with him, even if he wanted her to feel something…different.
"Seth, you'll be over tonight, won't you?"
"It is Friday night, isn't it?"
"Yeess."
"Then why do you ask?"
"I baked you a pie!"
"Me? What for?"
"We're celebrating!"
"You finished the book!"
"I did," she crowed. I finished early this morning, and, in celebration, I baked a pie with those apples you brought me from Tom's orchard."
"I should be taking you out to eat to celebrate, but I can't say no to your homemade apple pie." Or to you, Jessica Fletcher.
"It's a date," said Jessica impulsively, then froze. "What are you making for us tonight?" she asked, to cover the awkwardness.
"Julia Child's Casserole-Roasted Chicken. You remember, it was a rerun on WMEB a few weeks back."
"Yes," murmured Jessica absently. What had possessed her to say such a thing. Giddiness at finishing that difficult book. Or was it something else?
"Jessica?"
"Yes?"
"I asked if you wanted haricots-vert with the chicken?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry. I was just thinking about the book."
"Mmm," said Seth. She was flustered. She'd surprised herself, and whether good or bad, he wasn't going to paint her into a corner. "Well, then. I ought to get down to the market and make one final purchase for our meal."
"Purchase?"
"Green beans, woman! I'll see you in about an hour."
"See you then." She placed the handset back in its cradle thoughtfully. Would it be so bad to have a date with the doctor? Somehow it didn't seem disloyal to Frank, but the idea was still unsettling to her. Whether in a good way or bad, she wasn't going to let that unwittingly provocative statement paint her into a corner. They were friends, and she hoped they would always remain so, no matter what.
A/N: Here is the long-promised multi-chapter fic I promised. I'm planning to post every Sunday.
Many sincere thanks to KarlieQ for reading it through. I'm a relentless tinkerer, though, so be assured all typos are mine. I hope you enjoy it!
