Till Death Do Us Bark (15 page)

After checking out the
Yellow Book of Maps on the Hamptons
, Ellie decided to use a colorful and infinitely more interesting map she’d scrounged from a drawer in Arlene’s kitchen. Reading it carefully, she chose to direct Viv to one of two stores in Montauk that appeared to sell what they were looking for.

“There’s a White’s Drug and Department Store on the map, but Montauk Drugs is closer,” she told Viv as they passed Gurney’s Inn, Resort and Spa on Old Montauk Highway and made a left onto Route 27.

“Fine by me. If we’re lucky, they’ll have what you need and we can be back home quickly. Maybe we can explore the other shops tomorrow or the next day,” said Viv. “Just tell me when to turn.”

Ellie checked the street names, which were easier to read on the more detailed map. “After we pass Emory, then Embassy, make the first right. That will put us on the circle. The drugstore should be on the right, too, somewhere near the Montauk Bake Shoppe.”

“Very cute,” said Viv as they turned into the center of town. “Looks as if we could spend an entire morning here checking things out.”

“According to this business-sponsored map, there are way more summer shops in town than what you’d expect. There’s even a Plaza Pet Supplies, and it looks adorable. Maybe we can stop there with the boys and see what’s available when we make our next trip.”

“Sounds fine to me.” Viv steered the pricey car into a parking spot and they jerked to a stop. “Damn, and I was doing so much better,” she ground out as the BMW shuddered and died. “This ride was an improvement over our trip out here from Manhattan, wasn’t it?”

Ellie rubbed the back of her neck. “There was less spine snapping, so I say yes. You’re getting the hang of it.”

Viv removed the keys and opened her door. “Thanks, you’re a pal.” She waited for Ellie to step on the sidewalk and join her. “I know I’ve said this before, but I want you to know I’m serious. I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to help my sister and Rosa. I’ll never be able to repay you, but I’ve decided to cancel all the ‘you owe me’ pronouncements I’ve made in the past. After you solve this case, we’re even.”

Ellie laughed. “And if I don’t solve it?”

“You’re going to give it your best shot, right?”

“You bet, but I’ll probably need help.”

“Help? From someone besides me?”

They opened the drugstore door and stepped into cool air ripe with the scent of the ocean, probably from the display of burning scented candles set up to the left of the entryway. “I’ll need another talk with Rosa and a first questioning with her girls. I even need to ask Adrianne a few details. I wasn’t paying much attention, but I remember meeting people who seemed to disappear right before the body was found. To do this right, I’ll have to get answers from everyone who was there, including your mom and dad, and maybe even the relatives who went home.” Ellie took stock of the store while she thought. “Got any ideas on how I should approach your secondary family members?”

“You’re talking about the people who were at the early party?”

“Yep. All of them,” Ellie said, fingers crossed in hopes that Viv could offer a better idea.

“Hmm. Here’s a thought. If you give me a list of questions, I can phone the R relatives and my aunt and uncle. I’ll even try my non-aunts, Elsie and Connie, and take a shot at pinning down whatever they know.”

“So that means Vanessa, Evan, and Adrianne are my job.”

“That makes sense, don’t you think?” said Viv. “They’re the ones who are still here, and I’m too close to them to get a good read on their answers. Dad could be trouble, but Mom? Not so much. If you tell them it’s for Rosa, they’ll be more inclined to cooperate.”

“Okay, you convinced me. I get the terrible threesome.”

They scanned the aisles as they discussed the situation. “But I get the impression they refuse to believe their little girl was stupid enough to get hooked on uppers or downers, or fall in love with a pusher. That alone could shake up Mom and Dad—make them lend a hand.”

“We’ll see,” said Ellie. She scoured the aisle directory.

The store was small and stuffed with merchandise, but they finally found a section selling flip-flops, towels, T-shirts, sand chairs, even boogie boards and plastic buckets holding shovels and sand molds for kids.

“Okay, there’s the sunscreen,” said Ellie, stopping at the end of the aisle.

While she inspected the offerings, Viv picked through a stand of sunglasses. “How do I look in these?”

Bent at the waist so she could check out the products, Ellie had to stand to do what Viv asked, and saw that she’d found a pair she liked, taken off her ultra-expensive glasses, and put the new ones on. “Too rectangular for your face,” she said, giving her a once-over. “You need something round or oval.” Ellie plucked a pair off the rack. “Here, these are twenty dollars and I bet they’ll look great on you.”

“Every pair on this rack is twenty dollars. I can’t imagine wearing such cheap glasses.” Viv slid them on and checked herself out in the mirror, scrutinizing her face from all sides. “You’re right,” she said, pouting. “These do look good.”

“And they’re as serviceable as those Jason Wus you paid two hundred and seventy-five for. Buy these for the beach and keep the designer brand for when you’re out among the stars and celebrities of the Hamptons.”

Returning to the shelves, she passed over all the expensive sunscreen products. She’d been that route and it had turned her into a human carrot. She needed plain old protection, something that had been around for years. Something people depended on.

Viv took the new glasses off and held them close. “Find what you’re looking for yet?”

“Here’s what I want,” said Ellie, picking up a plastic bottle of Coppertone that promised complete SPF coverage. “Wasn’t Brooke Shields the baby who first advertised this stuff when it came out years ago? How old is she, anyway?”

“I haven’t a clue. Far as I’m concerned, as long as it keeps you from burning, it’s a go. Is there a guarantee?”

“As good as any of the others. Now find me the school supply area, or the section that sells pens and notebooks.”

They passed a mother leading two children, her arms full of kiddie Ts and underwear; a woman wearing a bathing suit and cover-up who carried a basket loaded with cleaning supplies; and a group of teenage boys balancing boxes of cookies and bottles of soda.

“I love places like this,” she said to Viv. “It’s one-stop shopping.”

“Well, I’m not a fan.”

“You’re a snob,” Ellie warned her.
And so much like your mother.
“One of these days you’ll find out that some bargain brands are really as good as the designer stuff you pay quadruple for.” She glanced down the next aisle and headed for the display of spiral notebooks. “Here’s what I want. You check out. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Selecting two black palm-sized tablets that looked very much like the ones Sam, Vince, and every other Manhattan detective she’d met used, she held back a laugh. Rudy was going to get a charge out of it, but Sam would probably clap her in cuffs if he thought she was in true detective mode.

“What’s so funny?” asked Viv when Ellie met her in the checkout line.

“Not a thing,” she lied.

They stood behind the teenage boys at what looked to be the only open register. The older man ringing them up wore a white lab coat with a name badge, but Ellie couldn’t read what it said. Blinking when she saw his face, she whispered to Viv, “How do I know this guy? He looks familiar.”

Viv peered at the tall, jowled man handling the customers. “I think that’s Dr. Kent’s uncle Mickey, but I don’t remember anyone saying he was a pharmacist. Do you?”

“Nope, but he may have a less important job, like a pharmacy technician or aide.” Ellie and Viv moved up in line. “Do you think he’ll remember us?”

“Beats me.” Viv frowned. “You know, I think he was one of those people who disappeared a little while before the caterer found the doc’s body. What do you think?”

“You’re right and he’s already on my mental list, though I thought I’d have to conduct a search to locate him,” said Ellie, smiling. “This is why I need your help. If you’re sure you didn’t see him on the terrace before we went down the stairs, he’ll stay a suspect.”

“Unless he says he was in the bathroom,” Viv added.

Oops, Ellie thought, that could be anyone’s excuse, and how would she be able to prove them wrong? “Let’s see what he says.”

Now at the counter, Ellie got a better look at his name tag, which read MICHAEL FORREST, PHARMACIST, and under that what appeared to be an identification number. She set her spiral pads and sunscreen next to Viv’s sunglasses. “Hi. Remember us?”

The man glanced up and focused on her face, then spotted Vivian and gave a huge grin. “Why, yes, I do. You were at Arlene and Marty’s prewedding celebration, which means you’re from the McCready side of the family.” He shook his head and his jowls wobbled. “Terrible thing, that. I gather you’re still staying at the house? Have you heard any more about the killing?”

Ellie opened and closed her mouth. She’d been ignored for Vivie before, so she wasn’t surprised. But how could she warn Viv that they should wait to question him until she’d had a chance to do a bit of sleuthing first?

“I remember someone saying that you really weren’t Dr. Kent’s uncle, even though that’s what he called you. Do I have that right?” Viv continued.

“You have a good memory. I’m Uncle Mickey to most everybody around here. Been in business for a long time now. Between Fred Dwyer and me, we service just about everyone on this end of Long Island. Feel free to call me Mickey, too, if you like.”

“Fred Dwyer?” asked Viv. “I don’t remember him being at the party.”

“He owns the other drugstore. Together, we take care of the locals and the summer crowd. I believe he was scheduled to come over with the second wave. I was Marty’s best man, so I got invited with the first group. It was a real honor, I’ll tell you. He was well liked by everybody. I can’t imagine anyone wanting him dead.”

When Viv asked, “How long had you known Martin?” Ellie tapped her toe with the tip of her sandal. It might not be smart to continue questioning him until they knew more about the pharmacist.

But it didn’t matter, because Viv moved ahead. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but Arlene is distraught. I was hoping to get a few old friends to stop by and offer comfort . . . that is, if you’re an old friend.”

Uncle Mickey accepted Ellie’s credit card as he spoke. “Marty had been practicing around here for years. His original office was in Bridgehampton, but when he and Arlene got engaged, it was just natural that he moved to her place. Then again, I guess you already know all that.”

He passed Ellie the receipt and she signed it while he spoke. “I thought maybe there’d be a memorial service. Didn’t want to intrude on Arlene during her time of sorrow.” He scanned Viv’s sunglasses and accepted her card, too.

“I’m sure my sister will hold some kind of memorial, but she can’t do anything until the ME releases the body.”

Impressed at Viv’s line of questioning, Ellie kept quiet. Why intrude when she was doing fine on her own?

“Right, right. I forgot about that.” He handed Viv her card and a bag holding her glasses. “Guess I’ll call first, feel Arlene out. If she sounds okay, I’ll stop by. Nice talking to you.” He nodded to the next customer in line, effectively telling them the conversation was over.

Ellie followed Viv out of the store and into the car before she said a word. “I thought I was on lead here?”

Viv started the BMW’s engine. “I know, and I apologize. But when he looked at me and gave me that slimy smile, well . . . you know what I mean. I just figured he’d be more receptive to me.” She checked over her shoulder, then looked in the rearview mirror and backed out onto the circle. “You’re not upset, are you?”

Ellie snapped her seat belt in place. “Of course not. If we’re going to work as a team, we’ll take whatever assistance we can give each other. I’ll question all the little old ladies. You can have the men.”

“Oh, stop. You’ve been hit on by plenty of guys when I’m with you. It was clear he was more interested in me, just like I suspect our faux Agent Double O Seven is more interested in you.”

Ellie choked out a laugh. “What?”

“You heard me,” said Viv, a smile playing on her lips. “Mr. Bond would be asking you out if he didn’t already think you were trying to ruin his investigation.”

“He’s working a case, so I doubt he’d want to hook up with anyone right now.”

“Who knows? He might be in the market for a summer fling. He’d probably try to get into your pants if he hadn’t heard about Sam.”

“Vivian, that is so not funny.”

“I’m being serious. You were too busy worrying about your tan cleanup to notice the way he looked at you on the beach. I’ve seen that twinkle in a man’s eyes before. He definitely liked what he saw.”

“There’s no room in my life for another man.”

“And he knows that, but it won’t stop him from checking you out. Now, where’s my next turn?”

“Take this left,” Ellie said, still pondering Viv’s words. “Then the first right. That’s Old Montauk Highway. You know the way home from there.” Sitting back, she crossed her arms and thought about Viv’s outrageous assumption.

Her and James Bond?

It was too ridiculous to worry about.

 

“Good thing you got home when you did,”
said Rudy, gazing up at Ellie from the bathroom doorway.
“It was only a matter of seconds before I took out ol’ Corey dog.”

“That adorable little Boston?” Ellie asked, swiping mascara over her lashes. “Why?”

“Well, that’s not very nice.” She added lip gloss, then walked past him and into the bedroom, where she checked out a drawer. “How about this?” she asked her boy, holding up a pair of white cropped pants and a navy-and-white-striped top. “Very beachy, don’t you think?”