Murder on the Bride’s Side

David and Roni were having an affair and then he found out that Roni was not only seeing someone else but was plotting with this other person about selling the Garden? He’d be pretty mad. I mean, let’s be honest, if Avery sells the Garden, David is out of a job.”

“True,” I conceded. “But why on earth do you think that David was having an affair with Roni?”

“Because it makes sense. You said yourself that he was in her bedroom. That’s kind of odd, don’t you think? And let’s face it, David has never bothered being faithful to Claire. If Claire found out about the affair, it would explain the fight she had with Roni.”

“So would at least three dozen other scenarios... ”

“But this one makes the most sense.”

Before I could argue the truth of this, she went on. “And we all know David has a terrible temper, especially when he’s mad or drunk. And he was certainly drunk last night.”

“True, but he’s drunk nearly every night and so far he hasn’t killed anyone.”

“There’s a first time for everything.” Bridget looked meaningfully at me. “Think about it. Based on what you overheard between the two of them yesterday, we know that David needed money and Roni refused to give it to him. He’s furious. He slips Roni the note, telling her to meet him outside. He’s going to blackmail her into giving him the money. She either gives it to him, or he’ll ‘tell all.’ But something goes wrong. Maybe he realizes that she’s going to double-cross him.”

I saw Sandy approaching with our food and tried to stop Bridget from continuing. “Bridget!” I hissed.

“Wait! I think I’ve got it,” she said, shutting her eyes again. “Having just seen Harry threaten Roni, David decides to kill her, take her necklace, knowing he can probably shift suspicion to Harry given the fight they’ve just had. David grabs a knife from the kitchen and voilà! he stabs her in the chest.”

From the sharp intake of breath to my right, I knew that Sandy had overheard. Glancing up, I saw that her earlier perkiness was gone. Her rosy complexion had paled, and her eyes were wide with horror. I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile and said, “It’s a plot for a TV show.”

From the way she quickly deposited our plates and bolted from our table, I don’t think she believed me. I couldn’t really blame her; I wouldn’t have believed me, either.

Bridget went on, oblivious that the entire staff was probably being informed that crazy, homicidal people were eating at table ten. “That works,” she said, slapping the table triumphantly. “David, drunk and angry that Roni has been playing him for a fool, kills her knowing that Harry will most likely be blamed. Plus, with her gone, his job is safe. I doubt Avery will sell the Garden now.”

The image of Roni’s body sprawled on the chaise longue, an enormous kitchen knife protruding from her bloodstained chest, swam before me. Bile rose in my throat and I pushed away my eggs Benedict. Losing the few pounds I’d gained over the past months would be easier than I’d thought.

“So how did the necklace end up in Elizabeth’s drawer?” asked Peter.

“I haven’t figured out that part of it yet,” said Bridget with a casual wave of her hand. “Maybe he stashed it there and meant to get it later. We know he’s in need of money. And if that necklace really is worth two hundred thousand dollars, then he’d definitely take it. Besides, it confuses the motive.”

“Well, that works, then, because I’m definitely confused,” agreed Peter. I kicked him under the table.

“Bridget, I’m not disagreeing with you,” I said, “but there’s so much that we don’t know. If it really was David, then wouldn’t Claire have noticed that he was gone? And why would David write a note on Jefferson stationery? He wasn’t staying there... ”

“That doesn’t mean he didn’t have a room there,” she countered.

I shook my head. “Why on earth would he have a room there?”

“What about... ” began Colin.

Bridget ignored him. “Oh, don’t be so naïve! People having affairs need hotel rooms for their rendezvous!”

I sighed. “Bridget, you have got to stop reading those Harlequin novels.”

“One thing we could do... ” ventured Peter.

Bridget talked over him. “Whatever,” she said, “we need to tell the police.”

“Tell the police what?” I asked. “That you think David might have done it? We have no proof! I know you don’t like David—I’m not fond of him, either. But just because you can’t stand him doesn’t mean he’s the killer.”

“Just because I can’t stand him doesn’t mean he isn’t the killer, either,” Bridget said with surprising logic.

“We have no evidence!” I insisted. “And besides, he’s not the only one who had a reason to dislike Roni.”

“So Peter, what do you think of the Colts’ starting lineup?” Colin suddenly interjected.

“Not bad,” said Peter. “Of course, I’m a Pats fan myself, but the Colts seem to be having a pretty good season so far.”

“Did you see last week’s game?”

“No, I missed it. They won, right?”

Bridget turned to stare disbelievingly at Colin. “How the hell can you jabber on about football at a time like this?” she burst out.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Colin with mock surprise. “I didn’t think you were interested in our opinions. You seemed to be handling everything just fine without our input.”

Bridget tapped her fingers in annoyance on the table. “Okay, you’ve made your point. Can we move on now?”

“Absolutely,” Colin agreed with a grin.

“So, who do you suggest, then?” asked Bridget.

“I’m not suggesting anyone ,” said Colin, “but I agree with Elizabeth. I don’t think we can leap to David.”

“Meaning you can’t think of anyone else. And the reason you can’t is because I’m right.” Bridget smirked.

“No... ” said Colin.

“Then tell me one other person who has motive.”

The memory of Julia hugging Megan floated before my eyes and I realized the reason for my earlier feeling of discord. “Becky,” I said to myself.

“Becky?” Bridget repeated in surprise, turning to me. “What are you talking about?”

“I just realized that when Julia hugged Megan, it reminded me of—”

“Becky!” Bridget finished, seeing my meaning.

“Becky’s father was a lot like Roni,” I said softly.

Bridget nodded, her spiky red bangs falling into her eyes. “Except for the tight dresses and the enormous breasts, he was exactly like Roni.”

“Well, that’s a big exception, but do you see my point?”

“Sort of, but—”

“Wait!” interrupted Peter. “Who is Becky?”

“Becky was Julia’s daughter and a close friend of Harry’s,” I explained quickly. “She died of an alcohol and drug overdose a few years ago.” Turning back to Bridget, I continued. “Julia may have thought she could prevent Megan from ending up like Becky,” I said, remembering the way Julia reacted to seeing Roni and Megan fight at the wedding. “Do you remember how devastated she was about Becky’s death? She blamed herself for not preventing it. I don’t think she ever forgave her husband for his treatment of Becky. Remember how when he died a few years later, she didn’t seem that upset? And there’s the fact that I think she’s still in love with Avery.”

“It’s possible,” Bridget conceded, mulling over this information. “But I just can’t see Julia stabbing someone. However, I can see David doing that.”

“I really can’t see Julia doing it, either. But you can make a case based on motive for just about anyone. Let’s face it, Roni wasn’t a popular woman. But until we have proof , we have nothing.”

“That’s just what I propose we get. I refuse to sit still and let the police think Harry did it.” Bridget pointed a triangle of toast at me for emphasis. A yellow glob of egg yolk dripped off its corner and landed on her plate.