Sticks and Bones Page 6

  5

  I scuttled back through the kitchen and headed for the stairs I’d seen earlier. If Colin’s campaign headquarters had taken the first floor, then it made sense the film crew was on the second or third floor. How hard could it be to find a film crew? And besides, I really wanted to explore the place without Colin eagle-eyeing my every move.

  The second floor landing was big enough for a complete house, and I found sofas, tables, magazines, and a series of photographs in ornate frames on the walls and tabletops. As I glanced through them, I was stunned to find all of them pictured Son as a young man. He was a handsome boy who grew to be a fine-looking young adult. His talents, activities, and awards had been captured in photos.

  He’d captained track and baseball teams, and he held huge trophies from his winning seasons. He posed with certificates of scholastic achievement and with pretty girls in formal gowns. He’d starred in theatrical productions in high school and college, and the framed playbills proved it. Dozens of moments in time showcasing the handsome young boy had been captured. In contrast, there were only five pictures of Sister. In all of them she was chubby and petulant, a frown her only expression.

  Son was the star of the family. He won top honors at whatever he turned his hand to. Sister had no trophies, or at least if she did, no one had bothered to photograph them. A glimmer of compassion for Sister touched me. Maybe I’d judged her too harshly. Growing up as the redheaded stepchild might account for her meanness. It didn’t excuse it, especially not the way she goaded and bullied Tinkie, but it might explain some of her animosity toward those who were well-liked and loved.

  “Snooping again, Sarah Booth?”

  I almost peed my pants, but I managed to turn slowly to face Tinkie’s nemesis. Sister had gotten the drop on me, but I’d never let her know. “That’s my job. Professional snoop. I thought you knew that.”

  “But what are you snooping for? And who?” She walked around me. “I thought you told Daddy you were here as an extra.”

  “I am. An extra snoop.” I shrugged. “You caught me. I’m curious to see what you’ll inherit when the trust goes to you. Cece is going to do a big spread in the newspaper about the passing of the McFee banner to a female. After all, you’re the first female to inherit the dynasty. Cece’s taking photographs now. I’m helping her.”

  “How delightful. All she had to do was ask. I’m happy to tell her I’m getting all of it.” Sister waved her arm to encompass, well, everything. “All the McFee land and money and all the money my bestselling books make. I’ll be the most powerful person in this county.”

  “More like the biggest bi—” I stopped myself and smiled, deciding to play the Hannibal Lecter card. “So, show me the rest of the house. All the little hiding places where you hoarded your toys. You didn’t like Son to play with any of your things, did you? He got all the love and attention, and you got crumbs.”

  A flush of anger touched her cheeks. “You are insane. I wouldn’t show you anything except the door. And I’m going to tell my daddy on you.”

  I couldn’t stop the laughter. “Oh, do that. He’ll be amused. Keep in mind your father doesn’t like weaklings.”

  “Sister!” Colin’s voice came from the first floor. “I thought you were taking my campaign aide to Jackson for the Women’s League of Voters meeting? Why aren’t you gone?”

  “Coming.” Sister started down the stairs but turned back to face me. “Don’t try to steal anything. I’ll know.”

  “Oh, I don’t doubt you’ve counted every knob and drawer pull in this house. You’re the type to guard every penny. That’s why no matter how much money or how many exquisite things you have, you’ll always be a miserable person.”

  “Only a person without two nickels to rub together would say such a stupid thing.” She trotted down the stairs.

  She’d gotten the last word, but I had things to do. The hallways were paneled in dark wood with the doors recessed, reminding me of the old Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s classic film The Shining. It was with trepidation that I pushed open the first door I came to, the film clip of the dead woman in the bathtub clear in my mind. I didn’t plan to look in any bathrooms for any reason. My heart couldn’t take an ambulatory floater.

  The door creaked softly and swung open to reveal an enormous suite where Colin and Susan had nested. I’d expected the Colin McFees to stay on the ground floor in Jamie’s old quarters, but I’d been wrong. And Colin had lied. Susan wasn’t resting—and a good thing. A bassinet had already been set up by the window, and when I stepped inside, I found a complete adjoining nursery with a huge bath, at least twenty by twenty feet. Evermore offered every accommodation.

  I had no qualms about poking through Colin’s and Susan’s belongings, but I didn’t want to be caught. Sister might be lurking around, and she could move like a mouse. I checked the obvious places and came up empty-handed. If I had time, I’d return for a more thorough investigation.

  Exploring the east wing, I found the cameras and equipment belonging to the film crew. A large suite contained a mountain of Marco and Lorraine’s luggage, but no one seemed to be about.

  I’d just turned to leave when I heard raised voices. Marco was talking to a woman. The sultry Southern accent did not belong to his wife. Being a true snoop, I eased down the hallway where I could hear better. Susan McFee, Colin’s young wife, stood in the door of a gym that included every piece of exercise equipment imaginable.

  “I’ll pop this baby out and be back to my slender self in a week. Two, tops. I’ve maintained an intense exercise regime. I’ll be ready for my chance to be in a movie by the time you start filming. I swear it. I won’t look like a pudge.”

  “I can’t promise you a part in a movie.” Marco leaned away from her, but she shifted toward him, invading his personal space. “You’ve never been screen-tested. I don’t even know if there’ll be a part for you.”

  “It’s the story of the McFee family. Of course there’s a part for me. I’m a member of the family, and I’m carrying the real McFee heir. The only male heir.”

  “What?” Marco turned to look at her. “Sister inherits in less than a month. She’s the heir. Believe me, Sister made a point of that in her book. Repeatedly.”

  Susan’s jaw snapped shut. “I meant the heir to Colin’s dynasty. Since that old prude, Jamie, disinherited Colin, my husband has done very well for himself. He has plenty. We don’t need Jamie’s ugly old house and land. Let Sister have it. We have a mansion in Memphis where they have the opera and theater and culture. Not like godforsaken Mississippi.”

  “So, you’re a culture vulture?” Marco asked. If Susan didn’t hear the condescension in his voice, she was tone deaf.

  “I don’t really like the word vulture, but I think culture is the most important thing in our universe.” Her voice had turned dreamy.

  “More important than medicine?” Marco was an absolute devil.

  “Yes.”

  “More important than religion?” He took his torment up a notch.

  “Culture can be a form of religion, don’t you think? The movies you make always express a philosophy. You make your audience think about everyday things we simply accept as normal. But they aren’t normal. They don’t have to be. I’d give anything to be in one of your films.”

  I wondered how much of Susan’s butt-kissing was an attempt to secure a part in the movie, versus sincere admiration for Marco’s films. He was an exceptional storyteller, and actors loved to work with him because he’d begun his career as an actor. He knew how to give them freedom with support. His wife was able to reimagine every scene with her camera. The old became new again. Her lens captured the characters and the setting and told an exquisite story.

  With Lorraine as the cinematographer, Marco had the big names begging for work. Money wasn’t the draw—the privilege of being in a St. John movie was what the top tier of actors desired. As much as I despised Sister, I had to give her credit for snaring the best Hollywood film team working.

  Footsteps came toward the door where I was hiding and I nearly broke my neck hurrying down the hall to a recessed doorway. I wasn’t safe from discovery, but I didn’t have another option.

  “I have work to do.” Marco stepped into the hallway. He wore sweats and a T-shirt with a towel draped across his neck. Susan, wearing completely inappropriate workout clothes, followed him. Her beautiful chestnut hair was pulled into a ponytail. She carried the baby all in her stomach. Her arms and legs remained slender—just the basketball of a baby right in the middle. She looked to be in terrific shape for an incubator.

  “Just give me a chance, Marco. Please.”

  “Susan, everyone will have a chance. There are many things that have to be settled before we even decide to film. Lorraine and I are here to scout for locations, to get a feel for what’s possible. The crew is here to take some initial location shots. Nothing more. Just because Sister’s book has been optioned doesn’t mean a film will be made.”

  “I know the studio is hot for the story. Colin told me there’s a screenwriter on the project.”

  “That’s true. It’s also true that Colin doesn’t want this movie made. At least not right now. In case you’ve missed it, he’s running for public office. This movie might not be good for his campaign.”

  “Hogwash. All publicity is good publicity for a politician. The great ones all knew that.”

  “Colin doesn’t share your view. In fact, he flatly stated he was going to shut this project down. So before you worry about a part in a movie that might never be made, you should talk to Colin.”

  “If he ruins this for me—” She put her hands on her hips. “He’d better not.” Her voice was grim. “He’d just better not. He doesn’t know … I have to have this p
art. It’s my best shot for a career.”

  “I never thought I’d feel sorry for Colin,” Marco said, “but, man, your hormones are a mess. You’d better hatch that kid and get some balance back in your life before you end up a single parent. Spawning a McFee baby is only significant if Colin designates the kid as his heir. It’s not a birthright.”

  “You’re right. One hundred percent right. I am overwrought. I feel like a whale, and I’m ugly and tired all the time. I want to eat chocolate truffle ice cream nonstop. Colin has to lock the door and hide the key to keep me from escaping to the kitchen and gobbling a gallon.” She sobbed softly. “My life is totally out of control.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Marco said. “You’ve only got a few more weeks before the baby comes. Once that happens, everything will right itself.”

  “You’ll consider me for the part?”

  “I can’t promise.”

  “But you might? Just say you might. I’ll take that and leave you alone, but I have to have something to hold on to.” She sniffled. “Please.”

  “Okay. I might.” Marco threw in the towel.

  “You are the most brilliant filmmaker ever born. I’ll make you proud. As soon as I have the baby, I’ll return my body to the limber, sexy tool it’s always been. You’ll see. Thank you, Marco. Thank you.”

  Footsteps came toward me and I pressed myself deeper into the shallow recess.

  “Hello, Sarah Booth.” Marco stopped and leaned against the doorframe. “That’s not a very good hiding place.”

  I sighed. “I’m not very good at hiding today. First Sister, now you. At least Susan didn’t see me.”

  “Don’t be so sure. That little scenario might have been just for your benefit.”

  “Dammit.”

  “I saw you talking to Colin. Any leads into what happened to Son?”

  “He’s sticking to his story. I left Tinkie to see what she could weasel out of him. She’s a lot better at that than I am.” I pulled out my phone. “I did find a gun that was recently shot.” I showed him the photo of the beautiful rifle.

  “I’ll say. I saw it down in the morning room. It’s a VO Falcon.” He stared at the photo I’d taken. “The price for that gun, which is Swedish-made, is close to $900,000.”

  I was stunned into silence. “For a gun?”

  “What’s money to Colin? He has more than he’ll ever spend.” Marco was right about that. “So, what’s the next move?”

  “We’ve examined the scene of the accident, as you know. We’ve looked at the accident report in the sheriff’s office. Next, I’m going to check the insurance claim to see what the adjustor had to say.”

  “That’s a damn good idea. Get a copy of the report, okay?”

  “Sure.” I could photograph it with my phone, like a spy.

  “What’s after that?”

  “They found Cleo’s car about a mile downriver. If Son remained in the car until then, he could have drifted farther downriver. Maybe someone saw something. I’ll talk to folks along the riverbank. Maybe put up a poster offering a reward.”

  “Colin tried the reward thing, didn’t he?”

  I shook my head. “I honestly don’t know. I was in New York at the time. Surely there was a reward offered. What kind of man wouldn’t try to find out what happened to his son?”

  “Colin is a narcissist. They’re a dime a dozen in Hollywood. Nothing matters except his needs. He’d written Son off, and so Son’s disappearance didn’t trouble him at all. He looked at it like a problem solved. Colin wouldn’t have to fight to keep Son from his inheritance, and believe you me, Colin will control Sister. She’ll do whatever he says.”

  Sister was desperate for Colin’s approval, and Marco seemed to have a good grasp of psychology as well as movie directing. “Desperate people are dangerous.”

  “You speak the truth.”

  Marco turned to leave. “Let me know what you find.”

  “I will. After all, you’re footing the bill.”

  6

  Tinkie and I left Cece at Evermore. She said Jaytee would pick her up when she finished the photo shoot. Colin had welcomed her inside, and since Sister was on her way to Jackson, Cece had an open field to get as many photos as possible. When Sister returned, I had no doubt the journalist’s access would be squelched, so Cece was making hay while the sun shone.

  Tinkie and I stopped by Hilltop to pick up Chablis and Dahlia House to get my critters. Judging by the way Chablis cuddled into Tinkie’s chest, I could see that the damage done by Tinkie’s obsession with a little red-haired infant had been repaired. Chablis, with her lion-sized heart, had forgiven.

  “I think about Libby every day,” Tinkie said, as if she’d read my mind. “You are right, Sarah Booth. She is better off with her mother. And you were also right that Pleasant brings her over a lot.”

  “I knew she would. When the baby’s older, I’ll bet you’ll have some extreme spend-the-night parties for her.”

  Tinkie’s smile was slow, but luminous. “I’d like that. Oscar too.”

  “So would I.”

  Tinkie’s phone buzzed and she checked it. “Harold sent the property map for the land along the Sunflower River with the names of the landowners. At least we’ll be able to ask for the owner by name.”

  “Excellent. Want to start with the Washington County side first?”

  “Yes.”

  We crossed the bridge and traveled down Highway 12 for a mile before I turned down a driveway that I hoped would take me to property that abutted the river. The land ownership map that Harold had sent to Tinkie’s phone said the property belonged to Benjamin and Sally Westeros. I knew nothing about them except their names. I hoped for a friendly reception, but some landowners could be extremely sensitive about trespassing, and some would consider an uninvited visitor to be trespassing.

  The small cottage, built high on stilts to prevent flooding, was made of weathered cypress. Potted plants on the wraparound porch added vivid color against the gray wood. Birds trilled and chirped at a big feeder in the front yard, and a yellow tabby lounged on the steps. Tinkie and I left our critters in the car as we walked up the high staircase. The dogs and Pluto would behave, but it would be rude to turn the gang loose.

  A lean man in camouflage answered our knock. “Can I help you?” he asked. He wasn’t friendly, but he also wasn’t unfriendly.

  Tinkie explained our mission, and he opened the door for us to enter. “Have a seat. Sally, put on a pot of coffee, we have visitors.”

  The house was snug and warm with incredible views off the back porch, where Benjamin seated us with mugs of coffee. The day was brisk, but the bright sunlight warmed us. Below, the Sunflower River, lazy and low, meandered around a bend, winking through leaves in the sunlight. The woods crowded up to the edge of the water. “Serenity” was the word that came to mind.

  “So, you’re investigating the disappearance of that rich man five years ago? The one who was swept out of his car and never found?” Sally perched on the arm of her husband’s chair, a petite redhead whose mannerisms made me think of a cardinal.

  “We’ve been hired to find out what caused the wreck and what happened to Daryl ‘Son’ McFee.”

  “For the movie?”

  “Yes,” I said. It was pointless to try to stop the gossip. Marco and Lorraine had gone to a lot of trouble to be so visible in the community.

  “I don’t know what happened, but I can guess. That boy was pulled under by the current and got caught under a tree or something. Feast for the catfish and the ’gators.” Sally sighed. “He was a good-looking young man and now his daddy wants to be a senator.”

  “From what I knew of Son, he was a nice guy,” Tinkie said. “That is not true of his sister. She is a total bit—”

  “Businesswoman,” I cut in. “It’s her book they’re basing the movie on. The director wants a conclusion about what happened to Son. Did either of you see or hear anything during that time?”

  Sally frowned and looked at her husband. “We searched the banks for the missing man. A lot of us went downriver for miles on land and by boat. Benjamin and I walked the bank on this side of the river. Of course there were places we couldn’t cross, but we were very thorough. Mr. McFee had offered a big reward. Twenty-five thousand, as I recall. That money would have made a difference for us, but we didn’t find anything. Not a trace of that man.”