CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER TWO
Olivia smiled as she looked at the plaque on the door. The name had been changed from “Olivia Wells, Private Investigator” to “Wells and Darrington Investigations.” It felt wonderful to have a partner to build the company with.
Olivia and Wayne were almost finished settling into their office in Key West, and Olivia looked over at Wayne, in the midst of hanging a painting on the wall over his desk. A screen had been placed between Wayne’s desk and hers, delineating their work spaces. They would work together, but also have their own roles and specialties. It was empowering to create a company for those who wanted both a male and a female point of view on a case.
“I’m almost finished.” Wayne grinned over his shoulder at Olivia.
“Looks great,” she replied.
It felt natural to be working with Wayne, almost inevitable, actually. When Olivia and Wayne placed an announcement in the papers about their new partnership, calls came in one after another. Many congratulated them and quite a few mentioned the article about them that had recently been published in the
South Florida Chronicle
. Word was getting out, and it was exciting.
“Now we just have to get the call for our first case.” Wayne laughed.
Olivia felt certain that the call would be coming any moment. It felt like it was just around the corner.
“How about us grabbing a quick dinner when we’re finished here?” Olivia replied lightly. It was easy and casual, having meals together now; the tension had gone out of it. It was just part of their daily routine.
“Great idea,” Wayne answered as he stood back examining his handiwork. The painting he’d just hung was of hunters in the woods looking for wild game. Wayne’s father and brother had been hunters and bequeathed the painting to him. He put it up there now to honor them.
“The painting looks good,” said Olivia.
“Yes, it does,” Wayne agreed as he turned toward her. “Okay, enough in here for now, let’s go out before it gets dark.”
Wayne knew that Olivia enjoyed being outdoors at twilight, before the streets and restaurants became crowded. He was aware that she liked feeling that she still had part of the day to enjoy before the evening. Olivia appreciated that Wayne thought of that now. It didn’t surprise her, though. There were all kinds of ways in which he was sensitive and caring.
As they turned to the door to leave, the phone suddenly started ringing. They glanced at it briefly and then at one another. Without a word, Olivia quickly picked up.
“Wells and Darrington Investigations?” a woman’s frantic voice sounded on the other end.
“Yes?” asked Olivia.
“Is this Olivia Wells herself?” The woman’s voice rose noticeably.
“Yes, it is,” said Olivia, “how can I help you?”
“This is Megan Barr,” the distressed woman breathed on the other end. “I’m calling you from the police station in Naples. I read all about you and your company. I was very impressed.”
“Thank you,” said Olivia. “How can we be of help?”
Megan paused for a long moment on the other end of the phone. “My husband has come to harm,” she finally managed to utter.
“Harm?” Olivia wondered if he was still alive. “What do you mean exactly?”
“I mean Tyron’s gone,” breathed Megan.
“Did this happen recently?” asked Olivia.
“I’m Tyron Barr’s wife,” the woman announced fitfully, as if Olivia should certainly know who he was. “Tyron’s well known. He’s rich, he’s famous.” Megan paused and waited for a response.
Olivia hadn’t heard of her husband, however. “Tell me more,” she replied.
“Tyron was found dead on the beach at our home in Naples,” Megan continued, her words pouring out fast now. “He was wheelchair bound and his aide found him a few hours ago.”
“A few hours ago? I’m very sorry,” breathed Olivia.
Megan didn’t seem to hear a word Olivia said. “Tyron was laying at the bottom of a staircase leading from the patio down onto the beach,” she continued, fitfully. “Bella didn’t know I was home at the time. She took it upon herself to call the police immediately. The police are at our house now, scanning everything, searching for evidence of any kind.”
“Where were you when this happened?” asked Olivia. It was all very recent and shocking and Olivia felt her heart beat faster.
“I was upstairs in my home office and didn’t hear a thing,” Megan exclaimed. “Bella and I were the only ones at home when the incident took place.”
The incident? It was an odd way for a wife to put it, thought Olivia. Way too impersonal. “Where are you now, Megan?”
“I told you I’m at the police station.” Megan’s voice cracked.
Olivia was startled. “Already?” It seemed very fast. “How come?”
“After they took Tyron’s body to the medical examiner, the police brought Bella and I into the station for questioning.” Megan’s voice grew brittle. “They said it was just routine.”
“That’s rough,” breathed Olivia.
“You can say that again! It’s rough and it’s crazy and I need help.” Megan suddenly broke into tears. “I told them I wouldn’t say another thing without my lawyer. And, I want my own private investigator too!”
“I can certainly understand that,” Olivia murmured.
“Can you come down to Naples right away?” Megan pleaded.
“I actually think it’s possible,” Olivia replied. “I’ll have to check with my partner.”
“Please, please, I need you here with me.” Megan was beside herself.
“I don’t see why we can’t,” Olivia continued. “Let me talk to him.”
“I need you,” Megan rallied. “No one here believes a word I say.”
“Why don’t they?” Olivia felt concerned.
“I’m much, much younger than Tyron. So, naturally the cops are suspicious of me,” Megan breathed. “Everyone’s always had something to say about our age difference! When will you let me definitely know if you can come?” Megan kept up the pressure.
Megan sounded as sharp and calculating as could be; not exactly like a grieving widow.
“Let me talk to my partner now and call you right back,” Olivia replied.
“Okay, make it fast. I’ll be sitting at the phone,” Megan responded. “I have plenty of resources and I’ll pay you well. I’ve got to have my name cleared immediately.”
Olivia took Megan’s number and hung up the phone.
“Who was that?” Wayne asked, fascinated.
“It’s a young woman, Megan Barr,” Olivia exclaimed. “Her husband, Tyron, an older man, was just found dead on the beach at their house in Naples.”
“Tyron Barr?” Wayne’s eyes opened. “I’ve heard of him. He’s a rich tycoon who throws huge parties. He’s in the papers a lot.”
“What kind of parties? What’s he famous for?” Olivia was surprised.
“Who said he’s famous?” asked Wayne.
“Megan just mentioned that Tyron was well known.”
“He’s well known but not famous,” Wayne replied. “Tyron’s in the papers because of his events, many of which are for charitable foundations. He’s wheelchair bound, isn’t he?”
Olivia was impressed with how much Wayne knew about him. “Yes, he is,” she responded. “Megan was at the police station when she called. Seems like they took her and his aide in for questioning right away.”
Wayne grimaced. “The police took her in immediately?”
“They told her it was just routine. She and the aide were the only two at the home when it happened,” said Olivia. “And she said no one there seems to believe her.”
Wayne shook his head slowly. “Why not?”
“She’s much younger than he is,” Olivia replied. “I suppose that might look suspicious.”
“Might?” Wayne looked away. “This doesn’t look good for her, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t, of course,” Olivia agreed. “Megan wants her name cleared immediately and she also wants us to help find the killer.”
Wayne took a quick breath. “This could definitely be a trap for us,” he said. “It would be smart of her to use us as foils. Hiring detectives to find the killer could definitely take suspicion off her for a while.”
“It could,” said Olivia. “But that would backfire if she’s guilty anyway, wouldn’t it?”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Wayne responded. “Who knows what she has in mind? Unfortunately, cases like this are often open and shut. Especially if the only ones on the premises were the young wife and the old husband’s aide.”
“Really? Open and shut?” Olivia was surprised.
“Sure,” Wayne continued, “Florida’s well known for the black widows that drift down this way. I hope Megan doesn’t want us digging up false evidence to cover for her.”
“Black widows?” Olivia asked.
“Young women who marry rich, old guys and spend their money like it was water,” said Wayne. “In Florida, when a marriage ends, each partner gets half, fifty-fifty. Sooner or later these marriages end and the wives end up with a bundle. Most of the marriages end by divorce, but often things go a little further. These husbands can turn up dead for all kinds of strange reasons.”
“That’s why the police don’t believe her?” asked Olivia.
“Probably,” Wayne conceded. “And that’s probably why they took her in for questioning so fast.”
“All the more reason we should take the case,” Olivia retorted. “To get to the truth of the matter!”
Wayne looked glum, however. “Perhaps,” he said.
“You don’t look happy about it.” Olivia pressed him.
“Of course I’m happy to have a case,” he answered. “It’s just not exactly the kind I thought we’d begin with.”
“You never know what it will turn into,” Olivia murmured. “There’s always much more to it than meets the eye. True?”
“Yes, of course it’s true. We have no idea what lays up ahead,” Wayne agreed. “Okay. I’m in. Key West is only an hour flight to Naples. We’ll be there and meet her at the police station in no time at all.”