Murder Is Secondary (10 page)

Chapter 26

Dalia waited until Zach left the hotel room and then got busy. Julie obviously had had a gut reaction about domestic violence when she witnessed it at the spa. And she said her husband had been from Texas.
Is it possible?
thought Dalia.
Could Julie have been married to Zach? Is that why Zach came here?

She pulled out her laptop and did some searching for Zach’s first wife, Kaitlyn Chichester. She turned on the TV to break the silence. After digging through many false leads, she finally found a picture of Kaitlyn and studied it closely. By the time Dalia had married Zach, there were no pictures of Kaitlyn or their son Joey anywhere in the house. That should have clued her in right away as to what type of heartless person Zach was. In the past decade, she hadn’t heard him mention their names––not even once. The picture she came across was old, but still the resemblance was there.
If you colored the hair brown, cut off a few inches, and added fifteen or so pounds, this could be Julie,
she thought. It was getting chilly in the room. Dalia turned up the heat and put on a sweatshirt.

Next, Dalia searched for a death certificate. Maybe Zach had lied and he hadn’t been a widower after all. With minimal effort, Dalia found an obituary for both Kaitlyn and Joey.
I guess he was telling the truth about that
, she thought. Hallelujah for the internet. According to the certificate, Kaitlyn/Julie supposedly died when Zach said she did. Didn’t that lady at lunch, the media specialist, say that Julie had a teenage son? And didn’t she say something about Julie’s son developing some sort of test for diabetes and winning some award because his dad had died from complications from the disease? Come to think of it, maybe Kaitlyn Chichester really wasn’t dead in spite of the obituary.

Maybe Kaitlyn/Julie had run away to escape Zach.
I’ll bet that’s where that scar came from
, she thought. If she had run away, she would have had to appease her son’s curiosity when he became old enough to ask questions about his father. Zach actually has diabetes. Maybe Julie was inspired by a little wishful thinking and told Joey that his father had died from it. That way he’d never go looking for him.

So that was Zach’s game. He had found out that Kaitlyn/Julie and his son were still alive and he had gone looking for them.
God help them
, thought Dalia. She had endured years and years of abuse from Zach, right up until the day she had told him she was pregnant. She could only imagine the kind of abuse he must have inflicted on Julie. Maybe he was even hurting their son. That man was completely nuts. Dalia would have left him years ago, but he always threatened that he would hunt her down and kill her if she did. Besides, she’d had no means of supporting herself. That was all changing though. She’d soon be free of that monster. She needed to call Phillip and fill him in on this latest news. He’d know how to handle it.

Julie grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and tore open a pack of peanut M&M’s. She had to warn Julie. This was not going to end well for her if Zach wasn’t stopped. She couldn’t even remember Julie’s last name. She went back to the fridge and traded the water for a miniature bourbon. Then she remembered the baby shower. Lynette’s baby shower was Saturday night at Susan’s house. Surely Julie would be there and she’d be blindsided when Zach walked in. Susan had invited them to the shower the night they went over there for dinner. She had to warn Julie before it was too late. She had an idea.

Dalia walked downstairs to the spa. The same receptionist was there who had been there the day she’d met Julie.

“Good evening,” said Dalia as she approached the desk. “I was in here the other day.”

“Yes, I remember. What can I do for you?”

“Do you remember how I was chatting with the woman in the pedicure chair who was seated next to me?”

“Yes, it appeared as if you were making a new friend,” said the receptionist.

“Well, she had told me about a house for sale in her neighborhood and I forgot to take down the information. My husband and I are considering moving here. Could I possibly get some contact information so I can talk to her further?”

“I’d love to be able to help, but I’d lose my job if I shared that information.”

“I understand.” Dalia exited the spa but stayed just outside the door. She weighed her options while staying out of the receptionist’s sight. After a while, she came up with a plan. The riding trail passed right in front of the spa’s glass wall. She remembered the domestic violence scene that she and Julie had witnessed from the pedicure chairs. She went outside and looked around. Just as she had hoped, a horse was loosely tied to one of the hitching posts outside of the café. She carefully untied the horse and gave it a swat on the rear end with her purse. He ran off loudly, passing the spa window. To add fuel to the fire, Dalia let out a blood curdling scream. A group of people came running out of the café.

Right on cue, the receptionist came running outside to see what all the commotion was about. She ran off, trying to chase down the horse. While the receptionist was outside, Dalia slipped into the spa, went behind the reception desk, and pulled up the appointment calendar on the computer. Voila. There was Julie’s contact information.

Dalia immediately went back to her room and called Julie’s number. Without too much effort, she got Julie to agree to meet her for breakfast the next morning.

She arrived at Denny’s bright and early. It wasn’t long before she spotted Julie.

“Hi, Julie. I’m so glad you were able to meet.”

“I’m glad you called. What a nice treat, to eat breakfast out before school.” The waitress came and poured them both some coffee.

“Julie, listen carefully.” Dalia leaned across the table and spoke in a stage whisper. “I have something very important to tell you.”

“You sound so serious. Go ahead.”

“I don’t know how to start. I guess I’ll just spit it out. I am quite sure that my husband Zachary is your ex-husband and I’m also quite sure that he came to town to hurt you.”

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Julie. Julie’s shoulders tensed and she shook her head.

“I mean you no harm. Believe me, I’m on your side. I know what Zachary is like. He started abusing me on our honeymoon. I’m pretty sure that he did the same to you and that you escaped by faking your own death. You’re actually Kaitlyn Chichester, aren’t you?’

“No, not me,” said Julie.” I’m Julie Martin. I do not know anyone named Zachary.” Julie emphasized
do not
. Dalia remembered reading that when people lied, they tended not to use contractions.

“I’m trying to help you. I think it’s ingenious that you managed to escape that psychopath. I’m sure that Zach somehow found out that you were still alive and he’s here to harm you.”

Julie sat back in her seat. She looked like she was going to faint. Dalia saw the blood rush away from her face.
After what seemed like an eternity, Julie spoke:
“Zachary is
here
? In Westbrook? Oh, my God.”

Dalia placed her hand on Julie’s and squeezed it.

“You’re married to Zachary?” Julie asked breathlessly. Dalia nodded.

“Please listen to me,” said Dalia, insistently. “I don’t want you to be blindsided when he walks into that baby shower Saturday night. Susan Wiles had mentioned that she’d invited half the teachers in the town. I figured you’d be there. We need to stop this monster.”

After a brief pause, Julie said, “Dalia, you’re right. You’re right about all of it. I don’t know what to do now that he’s found me. I’ve dreaded this moment for the past fifteen years. I have a son who I need to protect. I feel like I’m stuck in a dark corner with no way out. I wasn’t imagining things after all. Someone has been stalking me. Now it all makes sense.”

“Maybe you should go to the police.”

“And say what? I’m pretty sure faking your own death and keeping a father apart from his son has some sort of legal consequence.”

“Then we’ll have to put our heads together and find another solution. This monster has to be stopped,” said Dalia. “We’ll talk again soon.”

Chapter 27

“The house looks beautiful,” said Mike. Pink and blue streamers created a canopy over the dining room table. In the center of the table, a large punch bowl supported a concoction of fruit juice, seltzer water, and lime sherbet. There was chili, cornbread, lasagna, salad….and Susan had baked cake pops covered with pastel colored icing. A crock pot full of Swedish meatballs rounded out the feast.

“We are taking a break from our diet tonight, right?” asked Mike.

“Well, one night won’t kill us,” said Susan. “Did you hang the streamers out on the back porch?”

“I still say it’s going to be too chilly for guests to want to mingle there, but yes, I did. I also brought out our old Boom Box in case our guests want some background music.”

“I just want this night to be perfect.”

“It will be. You’ve done a fantastic job. Hey, I think I hear a car. Our first guests have arrived.”

Lynette’s partner and his girlfriend entered the front door.

“Jackson, Theresa, come on in. Let me take your coats. Help yourself to some punch and snacks,” said Mike. Before he could close the door, Julie, Tank, and Joey came in.

“So glad you could be here. I know you have a lot on your mind right now, Tank,” said Susan.

“The trial starts the day after tomorrow. I just want this to be over,” said Tank.

Dalia came in next, followed by some of Lynette’s colleagues from the station.

“Zach had some business to take care of, so I don’t think he’ll be able to make it,” said Dalia. “I was worried that I’d be late––last minute phone call as I was leaving the Rocking Horse Ranch. “Is Julie here yet?”

“Yes. I saw her in the dining room.” Susan watched Dalia go in that direction. She was a little surprised that Dalia had asked about Julie. She didn’t realize that they knew each other. The doorbell rang and interrupted her thoughts. “Carolina, so glad you and your Aunt Becky could make it,” said Susan.

“Dad’s at a meeting, but he’ll come by afterwards,” said Carolina. Susan was so happy that Carolina’s father had pulled his life together, and stepped up to the role of father after his wife’s death last winter.

The guests of honor arrived. Applause broke out when Lynette and Jason came in the front door. The guests ate and mingled for a while. Then the games began.

Susan explained the first game. “Everyone has to guess the distance around Lynette’s belly.” After that, the men were blindfolded and had to diaper a toy doll. Jason easily won that one. Susan couldn’t help laughing when Mike whispered in Susan’s ear that he wasn’t surprised that Jason had won, with those delicate hands. Mike often joked that
real
men had rough hands.

The doorbell rang and Mike ushered Zach Chichester into the living room where Susan was seated next to Julie. When Zach came in, Susan saw and even felt Julie freeze as if she were afraid of Zach.
Why on earth would Julie act as if she were afraid of Zach?
thought Susan. As far as she knew, Zachary Chichester and Julie Martin had never met before. Dalia walked over and put an arm around her husband Zach. Susan saw Dalia wink at Julie. Odd again.

“Julie, this is my husband, Zach,” said Dalia. Susan couldn’t help noticing the venomous tone Dalia used when pronouncing her husband’s name.

There was a long silence during which time Zach stared at Julie, virtually ignoring his wife. Finally, Julie took a deep breath and said quickly, “Nice to meet you, Zach.” Susan noted a coolness in Julie’s tone. Susan observed Dalia’s eyes darting back and forth from Julie to Zach and wondered what that was about. There seemed to be tension between the parties. Dalia didn’t even know Julie as far as Susan was aware, and Julie hadn’t met Zach before, so this was puzzling. Suddenly, Zach extricated himself from Dalia’s grasp and began a conversation with Mike and Jason, ignoring the women. Dalia followed Julie onto the patio.
Okay
, thought Susan.
I know I’m being snoopy, but I can’t help wondering why Dalia seems so anxious to talk to Julie.
Susan quietly followed behind Dalia. She ducked behind the humungous oak tree, feeling painfully hard acorns under her canvas slip-ons as she strained to listen.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that. He said he wasn’t coming. Are you okay? It must have been horrible, coming face to face with that abusive monster after all these years,” said Dalia.

“It wasn’t easy. I can’t believe I ever married that man. Thank God you warned me he was in town. Now that he knows Joey and I are still alive, there’s no telling what he has up his sleeve,” said Julie. Julie jumped. “Hey, did you hear something?”

“No, what?”

“It sounded like someone coughing. Probably my imagination. My senses have been on overdrive with all this recent stress.”

“I didn’t hear anything. Don’t worry,” said Dalia. “Forewarned is forearmed and we’ve
got
this––just like we talked about. Just play it cool for now. And remember, it’s two against one now. We have the upper hand.”

Susan couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This story topped any episode of
Dateline
she’d ever seen. It would be hard to keep quiet about this, but what would she say? That she was following one of the guests at her daughter’s baby shower, and while hidden behind an oak tree, overheard this conversation? People would think she was crazy. Besides, she didn’t want to cause Julie any harm, so, it was probably better not to say anything. Mike’s voice startled her.

“Come in, everyone! I think it’s time to open presents,” called Mike. Susan quickly slipped back into the house ahead of Julie and Dalia. She’d have to find out Julie’s real name, but not tonight. This was her daughter’s baby shower and she was going to enjoy the evening.

Earlier in the day, Susan had decorated a rocking chair with streamers and balloons. Lynette was seated there now.

“This is incredible, Mom. I’ll never forget this night,” said Lynette. Jason took a seat beside her.

“Can someone keep a list of the presents and who gave them?” asked Susan.

“I’ll do it,” said Carolina. She was sitting on the sofa next to Joey.

Lynette opened an array of beautiful gifts––a bouncy chair, receiving blankets, a stroller, boxes of diapers, and a myriad of yellow and mint green onesies. Susan couldn’t help thinking that the guests would have had an easier time shopping if they’d known the baby’s sex. When they finished opening the gifts, Lynette and Jason thanked everyone. It was time for cake. Mike came out of the kitchen with a beautiful sheet cake that said ‘Congratulations, Lynette and Jason.’

“I want a rose,” said Lynette. It was a running joke at the Wiles’ house. Every birthday, Susan and Lynette competed for the biggest, most sugary roses.

The sliding glass doors were open. It was warm in the house with all the guests present. Julie made her way out to the patio. This time, Zach followed her. They were alone on the patio.

“What on earth are you doing here?” asked Julie. “How did you find me?” She spoke in a strained whisper.

“It’s kind of like seeing a ghost,” said Zach. “To think, all these years, I thought you were dead. That son of ours turned out pretty bright, didn’t he? I saw him on
Sixty Minutes.
I wouldn’t have ever recognized him, but then there was a camera pan that zoomed in on his mom. Imagine my surprise.”

“Just leave us alone. Go back to New Jersey with your wife. Better yet, go back to New Jersey without your wife. Cut the poor woman free. Joey and I are happy. Can’t you just turn around and forget you ever saw me?”

“You know me better than that. And you’ve kept my son from me too. What will he say when he finds out his mother lied to him? You’re going to pay for this, Kaitlyn.”

“Are you threatening me?” Julie hesitated, then said, “Wait a minute. Now I get it. Now I know it must have been you who followed me home on the path that night. And another time, I saw lights outside my kitchen window. That was you too, wasn’t it?”

“Yep. That would have been me. I had to be sure I had the right person. I had to be careful not to strike out against the wrong person. At least, that’s what I was trying to avoid.”

“Oh, my God! You killed Amber, didn’t you? You thought it was me you were running over because Amber came out the back door of my classroom, wearing my yellow rain slicker. You bastard!” Julie was yelling now. “You saw me wearing that slicker the night you followed me home. You killed an innocent girl when you meant to kill me.”

Tank came out to the porch carrying a plate of cake. “Anything wrong?” he said.

“Nothing at all,” said Zach. “I was just having a nice chat with Julie here.”

“Tank, let’s go back inside. It’s getting cold out here,” said Julie. She took a deep breath, then she went in. Tank followed her. “By the way, have you seen Joey?”

“Not lately,” he replied. “He seems to be a bit infatuated with that pretty girl, Carolina. Maybe they went for a walk.”

Joey and Carolina had gone for a walk. They were now hidden from view––sitting on the other side of the tool shed, out of sight of the recent scene that had recently played out.

“Carolina, did you hear that?” Joey’s face was red. “That was my Dad! My Dad who I thought was dead.” He shook his head back and forth. “He’s a monster. He killed Amber. My father is a murderer––a cold-blooded murderer.” Joey punched the cement wall with his fist.

“Joey, are you okay? Your knuckles are bleeding. Try to calm down,” said Carolina, touching his arm.

“I’ll live. I’m just so mad. I can’t calm down. My father is a
murderer.
That’s bad enough, but to top it off, my Mom has been lying to me about him all these years. She told me he died from diabetes complications.”

“Joey, I’ve been through all this myself. We never really know who our parents are. I’m sure you don’t know the whole story. Your dad was making some pretty serious threats towards your mom on top of the fact that we now know he killed Amber. Your mom is in danger. We need to call the police.” Carolina handed Joey a tissue to hold on his bleeding hand. “You should see a doctor, Joey. Your hand is starting to swell.”

“I can’t think about going to a doctor. My whole life has been a lie. How could Mom do this to me?”

“Joey, I’d be more worried about your Mom’s safety right now than the fact that she lied to you. We really need to call the police. That man, if he is your dad, has quite a temper and he sounds like a real psycho. Plus, he’s a cold-blooded killer. It sounds like your mom was just trying to protect you.”

Joey sighed and calmed noticeably. “You’re probably right. Maybe we should wait till morning to call the police. Lynette’s a detective and she’ll be dragged right into this. Let’s not ruin her night.”

“Okay. I suppose we can wait a few hours. I’ll pick you up in the morning and we’ll go straight to the police station before school. Let’s go inside now.”

“On second thought, Carolina, maybe I shouldn’t go to the police. It sounds like my Mom must have faked her own and my deaths. Isn’t that a crime? Mom seemed to think it was. I don’t want her to wind up in jail.”

“Yes, Joey, but I just thought of something else. Poor Mr. Copland is taking the blame for Amber’s death. His trial starts Monday. We know now that he didn’t kill Amber. This new information will clear him of the murder charge.”

“You’re right; we need to go to the police. Go ahead in. I need a few more minutes.”

“Okay, but remember I’m only a text away. I’ll sleep with my phone next to my pillow. I’ll be there if you need me. Be careful.”

“Thanks, Carolina.”

Carolina came inside. The party was beginning to break up. Julie and Tank were looking for Joey. Dalia came inside through the sliding glass doors.

“Did you see Joey out there?” asked Julie.

“No, I didn’t,” said Dalia. She leaned over and whispered into Julie’s ear. “Be super careful and we’ll talk again soon.”

“Thank you, Dalia, for looking out for me.”

“Zach’s reign of terror is about to end.” Joey entered through the sliding door.

“Oh, there he is,” said Julie. “Joey, what happened to your hand?”

“Nothing. It’s just a scrape.”

“Looks like more than a scrape. We need to wash it and put some ice on it as soon as we get home.” Julie said goodbye to Dalia and headed toward the front door with Joey and Tank.

“That was a great party,” said Tank. “Congrats again, Lynette and Jason.”

All the guests decided to leave at the same time in a flurry of goodbyes and congratulations. Soon just Lynette and Jason were left.