Murder in South Carolina Read online

  Rex Collier wiped his forehead and looked at the near distraught woman before him. His father’s demands that they get the Briarcliff deal together before it fell through were not her fault. He relented.

  “Forgive me, Megan. I’m upset that Walter would take off when we’re in the middle of a deal. Especially one as big as we expect the Briarcliff one to be. You know how much we stand to lose if we can’t secure this piece of property.”

  “I certainly do. But as I said, Walter didn’t tell me where he was going. All he said was that he’d be back in the office yesterday.”

  “Have you called his home to see if he’s coming in?”

  “I did that before you arrived and I only got the answering machine.”

  “Let’s try it again.”

  The answering machine still picked up the call. “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “Don’t fret.” Rex looked at his watch. “It’s past lunch time. Why don’t we go for a bite and plan a new approach. Maybe we can pull this deal off without Walter.”

  “It’s possible.” She relaxed now that Rex was his old self. “I’ve read all of Walter’s notes on the offer.”

  “Then let’s do it.” He stood and took her arm. “Why don’t we head up to Briarcliff. We’ll be able to find a good place to eat in the restaurant row.”

  “That’s great.” She was smiling now, but not only because Rex had let up on her. Most of her happiness stemmed from the fact that they were going out and spending some time together again today. It didn’t bother Megan at all that Rex had a wife, whom she knew was traipsing about Europe at the moment.

  Chapter 9

  Nola Dean was engrossed in reading a romance novel when the doorbell rang. She hurried so it wouldn’t ring again and wake Dolly. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Joe Randell and Bett Willis.

  They were as surprised to see her. “Ms. Buckingham,” Joe stammered. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m looking after a friend.” She smiled at Bett and turned back to Joe. “Hasn’t she talked to enough police officers today?”

  He looked puzzled. “What do you mean? I didn’t know anyone had talked with her.”

  “I know for a fact that at least two different officers asked her questions at the hospital.”

  “Why was she at the hospital?” Bett butted into the conversation.

  “Because that’s where the ambulance took her after the accident.”

  “What accident?” Joe was looking more perplexed.

  “Wait,” Nola Dean put up her hand. “Are you here because of the automobile accident Dolly had?”

  “We don’t know anything about an accident, Nola Dean,” Bett said. “Why don’t you tell us what happened.”

  “Dolly said she was on the way to my place when the accident occurred. She wasn’t hurt seriously, but they took her to the hospital. She said a dark-colored car with dark windows ran her off the road deliberately. That’s about all I know.”

  “Were there any witnesses?”

  “A man and his wife were following, but they were too far back to see anything except the car bump hers and speed off.”

  “How do you know Mrs. Overton, Nola Dean?” Bett asked.

  “We went to high school together back in Greenville.” She stepped aside. “Would you like to come inside?”

  “Thank you.” Bett came into the room.

  Joe followed. “Do you know Mr. Overton?”

  “Yes, I know him. Why?”

  “Do you think it would be possible for us to talk with Mrs. Overton now?” he asked.

  “She’s on medication and has slept all afternoon. I’ll try to wake her if it’s important.”

  “Yes, I think you’d better wake her,” Bett said softly.

  Nola Dean stood aside. “This definitely isn’t about the wreck is it?”

  “I’m afraid not,” Joe looked at her. “We’ve discovered the body which we found on the beach may be that of Mrs. Overton’s husband.”

  “Oh, no. Are you sure?”

  “We do need a positive identification from Mrs. Overton if she’s up to it.”

  “What makes you think it’s Walter?”

  Joe ignored her question. “Could we please talk to Mrs. Overton?”

  “Have a seat and I’ll go get her.”

  Nola Dean went into the bedroom. “Dolly,” she said. “Dolly, wake up.” She reached down and shook her friend gently.

  Dolly rolled over and opened her eyes. “What...?”

  “Can you wake up, Dolly? There are some people here to see you.”

  “Okay. Send them in here,” she mumbled and closed her eyes.

  Nola Dean tried again to awaken Dolly and then gave up. Back in the living room she said, “I’m afraid she’s not waking up. The medicine the doctor gave her has her knocked out. You’re welcome to come into the bedroom and see if you can get her awake enough to talk.”

  “Maybe we’d better wait until she’s more responsive. I hate telling her about her husband when she can’t comprehend it.” Joe stood. “Why don’t you give us a call when you think it would be better to talk with her?”

  “I can do that.”

  Bett said, “By the way, Nola Dean. Would you happen to know a man named Arthur Brown?”

  She thought a few seconds then said, “I don’t recall ever meeting anyone by that name. May I ask why?”

  “His body was discovered today. He had Walter Overton’s wallet on him.”

  “Why would he have…Are you saying that this Arthur Brown may have…?”

  “We think he may have killed Walter Overton,” Bett said.

  “Oh, dear.”

  “Most of this will be on the news tonight and in the paper tomorrow. We do need to talk with Mrs. Overton before then,” Joe said. “We don’t want her to find out about her husband from the press.”

  “Of course not. I’ll let you know as soon as she’s coherent enough to understand what’s going on.”

  After they left, Nola Dean couldn’t get into the book again. She sat on the sofa and tried to digest what she’d learned about Walter. It was when she decided to go for a glass of tea that it hit her. The body in her condo was probably Walter Overton. The big question was why had he been there? She didn’t have long to ponder it though. The telephone rang.

  “Good afternoon,” the sweet voice said. “Is Mr. or Mrs. Overton there, please.”

  “Mr. Overton isn’t here and Mrs. Overton is resting. May I take a message?”

  “This is Megan Eller at Collier, Collier, Briggs and Burton. I’m Mr. Overton’s associate. I need to get in touch with him as soon as possible.”

  Nola Dean took a deep breath. She knew she would have to tell this woman about Walter. She plunged into the story and finished with, “Mrs. Overton had an accident this morning and isn’t aware yet that her husband has been killed.”

  “This is awful. Is there anything I can do?”

  “I don’t know of anything except to help support Mrs. Overton. This is going to be a terrible shock when she learns what has happened.”

  “Of course. I’ll be down this evening. Thank you for telling me.”

  “I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you, but the police said it would probably make the news tonight. I want Dolly to know about it before it hits the airways.”

  “Before what hits the airways?” Dolly asked behind her.

  Into the phone Nola Dean said, “Mrs. Overton is awake. I must hang up now.” She dropped the phone and turned to her friend.

  “Again, I ask. What is hitting the airways?”

  Nola Dean knew she had no choice. She would have to tell Dolly about Walter’s death.

  * * * *

  Denise Felton couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched the six o’clock news over the bar in the strip club where she worked. “No, no, no,” she kept repeating as the announcer went into a description of how Arthur’s body was stuffed in a closet at the hotel.

  The head waitress, a col
d, hard woman most of the time, came over and touched Denise’s shoulder. “Tough break, kid.”

  “I can’t believe it. Arthur came by to see me the other day. He said he was going to see me again soon and he’d have a lot of money.” She burst into tears. “He didn’t say he was going to rob somebody to get it.”

  “Why don’t you go into the back and have a good cry. It’s early yet. We can handle the customers. Take as long as you need.”

  “Thanks, Pepper. I do want to be alone for a little while.”

  Denise walked toward the back room the girls used to change. “Can I have a drink, Marty?”

  “Sure, honey.” The bartender started filling a glass. He didn’t ask what she wanted. As most bartenders do, he knew what the girls there liked to drink.

  He handed her a bourbon and water. “This should make you feel a little better.”

  “Not too much,” Pepper called out. “You don’t want to wobble when you carry around trays of drinks.”

  Denise ignored her and left the room with the drink in her hand. “Arthur, Arthur. How could you do this?” She was mumbling as she walked.

  “I’m going with her,” Susie, another dancer said, and before Pepper could protest, she followed Denise out of the room.

  Denise was going through the flimsy curtain which roped off the changing room. Susan caught her arm. “Are you okay?”

  Denise nodded. “Give me a little while. I’ll be fine.” She dropped into one of the plastic chairs before the big mirror. “Pepper will have a fit if you leave the floor, Susie. Go back.”

  “To hell with Pepper,” Susie said as she took a seat beside Denise.

  Denise smiled at her friend.

  “Do you really believe Arthur killed that man, Denise?”

  “Probably. Arthur would do anything for money, especially if he thought there was a lot of it.” She was wiping her nose. “I wonder who killed Arthur. As the reporter said, he certainly didn’t stuff himself in a locked closet. I hope they catch the bastard who did it.”

  “They will. Murder isn’t easy to get away with unless you’re rich and famous and live in California where you can buy your way out of it.”

  “I know.” Denise picked up the hair brush. “Poor Arthur.”

  “Do you think it had anything to do with the deal he’s been bragging about around here?”

  “It must have. Otherwise, why would he have said it was going to happen soon?” Denise shook her head. “Why couldn’t he get a regular job like everybody else? Why did he think he had to do it all at once with one big deal?”

  “You know how some men are. They’re not willing to wait for anything.”

  Pepper’s voice rang out. “Okay, girls. The customers are coming in. Get your butts out here.”

  “Bitch,” Susie said.

  “What did you say?” Pepper demanded.

  “I said, we’re coming,” Susie winked at Denise.

  Denise powdered her nose, sprayed her hair and stood. “Thanks for coming back with me. I feel better now.”

  “You bet. When it gets too rough, let me know. I have wide shoulders.”

  “Girls,” Pepper called again.

  “I said, we’re coming. Keep your G-string on.” Susie laughed then leaned over and whispered to Denise, “Of course, the patrons would probably tell her the same thing.”

  For the first time since the news, Denise smiled. She did feel better. She wasn’t going to think of Arthur Brown anymore tonight. She downed her drink and followed Susie out.

  * * * *

  Link Holloway pulled into the condo parking lot and was surprised and a little disappointed when he didn’t see Nola Dean’s car there. He was sure she’d be home licking her wounds. It hit her hard when she found out about Janet. He felt sure she’d used Emily’s going to college to cover up being upset because of their breakup. He knew she’d loved him too much to get over it as fast as she’d told him she had. It never occurred to him that Nola Dean could have completely removed thoughts of him and their romance from her mind.

  “Damn it,” he said aloud, glancing in the rearview mirror as he ran his fingers through his thick blond hair. “I do love her. Why couldn’t she be satisfied with that? Why do women always have to be so upset when there is a little indiscretion?”

  He backed his sports car into a parking space to turn around. There was no use in waiting around. Nola Dean might be gone most of the day. He’d make good use of his waiting time by looking for a hotel and then maybe see what was happening on the beach. After all, she didn’t know he was here and he could talk with her later tonight. He had to make one last stab at saving their romance. Even at her age, she was too beautiful and wealthy to let get away without a fight.

  On Highway 17 he saw a sign advertising a beach front luxury hotel with indoor and outdoor pools among its many amenities. He nodded. That would be a good place to stay. A little expensive but, after all, money is only good if it buys you what makes you happy.

  When he pulled up in front of the hotel he noticed several police cars and wondered what was going on. But since it didn’t concern him, he didn’t dwell on it.

  A pretty woman with salmon-colored hair and deep emerald eyes checked him in. It was obvious she was curious about him. It was also obvious she was trying hard to present the professional attitude he was sure her job demanded.

  A few minutes later he was on the elevator as it headed for the seventh floor. It stopped on the third and a woman and two young girls got on.

  “I can’t believe they won’t let me back into the room,” the oldest child said. “I need my suitcase.”

  “They said they’d bring everything up as soon as the police are through,” the mother explained.

  Remembering the brigade of police cars in front of the building, Link said, “Excuse me, but may I ask if you know what’s going on here? Police are everywhere.”

  The youngest girl said, “You mean you haven’t heard about the dead man in our closet?”

  “No I haven’t.”

  “It’s neat. I went swimming—”

  “Be quiet, Patty,” the mother said. “I’m sure the gentleman isn’t interested in all of that.” She turned to Link. “A body had been locked in the closet in the suite that my daughters and I rented.”

  Patty butted in, “And my mom actually saw the dead guy.”

  “It wasn’t easy seeing such a sight. Thank goodness, the girls were swimming and were not in the room when it was discovered.”

  “I wanted to see it,” Patty chimed in again.

  Her older sister reached over and pulled a strand of her hair. “Why don’t you shut up, runt? I think it’s grotesque.”

  “Girls, please.” The woman again looked at Link. “Don’t mind Patty. She gets excited about strange things.”

  The elevator doors opened at the seventh floor and they all stepped into a silent hall.

  “I don’t see any police here,” Link said.

  “They’re on the third floor where our first room was. They moved us up here,” Patty explained.

  “I’m sorry you had a bad experience. Maybe things will be better on this floor.”

  “You can rest assured that I’ve had the closets checked.” Glenda chuckled and headed down the hall.

  When Link was settled in his ocean view room, he picked up the telephone and dialed Nola Dean’s number. There was no answer.

  He hung up, irritated. “How am I going to fill my time until I can get hold of her?”

  He thought of the woman who had checked him in. She was no doubt interested, but she was probably still on duty. Then he thought of the woman on the elevator.

  “She might as well have had an ‘I’m available’ sign around her neck.” He laughed. “Not a bad idea,” he continued to mutter. “She’s probably a few years older, but if she’s rented a suite, I’m sure she’s well heeled. I think I’ll change and pursue the idea while I’m waiting for Nola Dean. A nice drink at the pool bar might be the thing to quiet
her nerves about the body in her closet and it might turn out to be a pleasant diversion for me.” He smiled at himself in the mirror. “And by the off chance that Nola Dean doesn’t forgive me, things could be worse than a rich dame with two brats.”

  Chapter 10

  Nola Dean slid gold hoops in her ears and stood back. She’d pulled her hair back and fastened it with a gold clip which accented the gold and black outfit.

  Simple but elegant. The right thing to wear to identify a body and to make funeral arrangements, she hoped. She’d never done anything like this for someone else and she hadn’t been sure how one should dress. In fact, she hadn’t wanted to do this at all, but Dolly had played on her conscience saying she wasn’t up to doing it because of the headache and every part of her body aching. Besides, her car was out of commission and she had no way to get about. Nola Dean knew Dolly would have no trouble getting a rental while hers was being repaired, but she decided not to argue with her friend. Nola Dean simply relented and said she’d go with the officers to identify Walter’s body.

  The doorbell rang as she was spraying on a light mist of Oscar de la Renta. Maxie beat her to the door. “Stay back, boy,” she commanded as she opened it expecting to see Joe Randell.

  “Hi, Nola Dean,” Link Holloway said through his most endearing smile.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I thought you’d be glad to see me.” He moved to come inside.

  Nola Dean blocked the door. “I’m not glad to see you. As a matter of fact, you can turn around and head back down the stairs.”

  “Oh, Nola Dean. Don’t be that way. I’ve come all the way from Spartanburg to talk to you. I know you didn’t mean it when you said you couldn’t forgive me my little indiscretion.”

  “Little indiscretion, my eye. You were caught with a minor, Link. That’s serious business. I have no use for people like you.”

  “Come, now Nola Dean. Haven’t you ever made a mistake?”

  “Plenty of them, but I’ve never done anything that despicable.”

  He laughed. “I know you don’t mean that.”