One Deadly Sister (Sandy Reid Mystery Series #1) (5 page)

Towson’s eyes widened, pleased with the observation. “Well, I’m impressed. Yes, that is indeed genuine Export China, rare and expensive. Not one person in a thousand would know that.”

Towson opened the cabinet’s glass-paneled door and took out a cup and saucer. He held out the lustrous blue and white cup and saucer. Ray folded his arms and stepped back, reluctant to touch them. Towson carried them into the huge kitchen. “The Chinese developed porcelain over two thousand years ago. These aren’t quite that old.” He smiled at his little joke and set the cup and saucer on a kitchen counter.

Ray said, “No, not two thousand. Yet, easily two or three hundred years old. And you have a cabinet full of them. I’m used to seeing such items behind glass in a museum.” As fascinated as Ray was by the unexpected porcelain find, unless Tammy was hiding in a back room, he was wasting time here. This man couldn’t help him. He had to politely go along and then soon leave.

Ray leaned closer to examine the cup and saucer. “I’ve studied some on seventeenth century history. He carefully turned the cup to examine it without picking it up. “As you know, trade was between China and wealthy Europeans. Mind if I tap the cup with this spoon?”

Towson gave a nod, even so the slight frown on his face said he wasn’t so sure.

“Chinese porcelain like this was all the rage. The upper classes just had to show off their china.” With a gentle tap, the cup rang out with a clear bell tone. “Any ship going near China tried to load up with this valuable cargo.” Ray then held the saucer high to verify that light could pass through it. “In the nineteenth century, imitation dishes flooded the world and were referred to as 'china', even so they weren’t porcelain.” He set the pieces back down. “All of our grandmothers had a set of ‘fine china’, some handed down generations. God only knows what it actually was. That said, without question, you sir, are in possession of rare and genuine porcelain.”

Towson nodded his head vigorously and grinned with satisfaction. Then said, “As you might know, foreign traders weren’t permitted into mainland China. Canton was where they traded. You’ll appreciate this; I have in my safe a trader’s directory from the sixteenth century listing the producers of china and their representatives at Canton. It’s original and in mint condition.”

“Worth more than all the cups and saucers combined.” Ray was interested, however, he didn’t have time for all this. He didn’t know how to bring up the subject of Tammy. He had to make up a reason for coming there and find an excuse to leave.

“I was given the collection ten years ago in payment for a large debt. Just a couple crates of extremely well-packed dishes, as far as I knew. Didn’t even unpack them for three years. Didn’t know what they were. He took out a dishtowel and wiped the cup. “Cream or sugar?”

“Are you mad? Don’t tell me you’d serve coffee in that rare cup."

“I bring them out like now, for my own harmless amusement. I’ll hand my guest a priceless cup to use without saying anything. Most people don’t react, the more knowledgeable might say, ‘What a nice cup.’”

“You said harmless amusement. However, I feel that it’s harmful to expose something irreplaceable to possible destruction. If your guests don’t know the value, they might get careless and drop it.”

“You’re too serious. It’s exciting to be mischievous like that. When it ceases to be exciting, I’ll lose interest. I broke two when I first got them fooling around like this.”

“Not my place to disagree, but the moment you learned of the uniqueness of these antique pieces, it became your duty to safeguard them for all time. One never truly owns antiques. One simply caretakes them for the next generation. You may not see it that way, but nevertheless you’re now their custodian and protector; as when you save someone and then become responsible for them for the rest of their life.”

Towson continued to fill the irreplaceable cup with hot coffee. Ray reluctantly accepted the cup and saucer. He didn't need this extra anxiety on top of his nervousness from this morning’s episode with Loraine. He realized this man was sharp and would soon get past all these social niceties and demand some answers. Why did Tammy direct him here anyway?

“Excellent. Now down to your business for being here. You must have some influence somewhere, if Meg Emerson invited you to her party. That was a high-powered group. Tammy was there. The tall, let’s call her healthy looking, young woman. Did you meet her? You were talking with Loraine, right?”

Then Ray understood—they were all at Meg’s party. He began to feel more at ease. Now, he could place this man who looked like a dignitary and had moved easily about the party.

Ray also remembered being introduced to an attractive woman his own age. Her degree of beauty was instantly intimidating. That must have been Tammy. How could he have forgotten? He could picture her now, a tall brunette with squared shoulders and high cheekbones who was by far the best-looking woman in the room, if not the state.

So, that’s who he was looking for. That woman was raped? When he put a face to the name, the rape took on a chilling new significance. Strange Loraine didn’t mention Tammy was at the party. And she referred to Tammy as her best friend, yet he didn’t recall them talking. Plus, Loraine must be twenty years older.

“You might not remember me as you were fully occupied checking out Loraine, who appeared rather wild, by the way. She indeed has kept herself together. Not bad for seventy.”

“Wha...Loraine, seventy?” Ray tightened his grip on the antique cup and Towson noticed his astonishment.

“In that neighborhood someplace. Yes, must give her credit. Always worked out, took care of her body. So, why do I have the honor of you at my doorstep?”

Ray didn’t have a ready answer. He was still working on the image of Loraine squirming naked on the motel bed teasing him at the age of seventy.

Being evasive didn’t seem to be a good tactic. He had to get things moving and was running out of time. With all his casual conversation, the man didn’t appear to have heard about the rape. He took a chance. “In fact, it’s Tammy I’m looking for.”

“Oh, that’s right, you’re new in town. In the market for some property, are you? Well, Tammy can certainly use the business. She’s struggling right now.” He studied Ray’s face for a moment then frowned and took a menacing step toward him. “Wait a minute, I smell a rat. Why come here for Tammy? You want a Realtor you let your fingers do the walking.” His genteel manner was gone. “I don’t like people who use deception to get into my private home. I can see it now in your shifty eyes. What are you after?”

He stared fiercely at Ray, raised his fist and then unexpectedly slammed it on the kitchen counter rattling dishes in a kitchen cabinet. Ray flinched and to his horror, the cup fell from his hand to the marble tiled floor. Pieces scattered like confetti. Hot coffee burned his fingers and splashed on his ankle.

Towson ignored the broken cup. “What’s going on, fella?” He was almost at Ray’s nose now with his eyes narrowed and full of fire. “You didn’t even know she was a Realtor did you? Who sent you? Are you after her or me?”

“You’re right, I didn’t know she was a Realtor.” Ray struggled to speak, his hand and his ankle burned severely. Trying to think fast he lied, “I misunderstood. I thought it was her own property she was trying to sell.”

Towson slammed his fist on the counter again, harder. “Another lie. You lied to get in here didn’t you?”

Ray didn’t dare answer. He closed his eyes. He didn’t know how this person fit into the puzzle, and he didn’t want to explain about the text. Since the man displayed some concern for Tammy, Ray positively didn’t want to be the one to tell him about the rape. And didn’t want to be there if the phone suddenly rang with the news.

“Sir, I’ve made a terrible mistake, I’ll leave. I’ll pay for the cup.” He made a move toward the door.

Towson stepped in front of him. “Not until I get some answers. Something phony going on here. What’s my name?”

“What?”

“My name, what is it?”

“Al...Thompson.”

“Towson. You don’t know who I am, do you?”

Ray slowly shook his head.

“Now
that
I believe. If you don’t know who I am, then most likely you’re after Tammy not me. Everyone knows you left the party with Loraine. Most likely, you discovered she’s a dried-up ice cube. Now you’re going after the juicy end of the scale with Tammy. You saw her at the party. You’re trying to track her down. So you come here sniffing around for her. You’re weird, truly weird.”

Ray tried to back up but was already against the kitchen wall. “Look Mr. Towson, I’ve made a big mistake. I apologize. I’ll just leave, won’t bother you again.”

“You’re dreaming about getting close to her. She wouldn’t touch you anyway, certainly not after I phone her.” Towson took his arm and gave him a hard shove toward the door.

“I’ll pay for the cup, whatever it costs,” He said over his shoulder as Towson hustled him out.

“No, my fault, and you’d be paying for it the rest of your life. Too bad about your coffee burns. Here’s something else to remember me by, a warning to take with you. You wouldn’t believe all the folks around Florida who would love to do me a favor. I have a couple of friends that do special things for me. I’m putting the word out on you. If I hear somebody is bothering Tammy, they’ll come after you.”

Ray was out the door. Off balance, he wavered down the hall. He caught the elevator just as a slender man in gray coveralls stepped off. The man smirked when he saw Ray sucking on his hand like a two year old.

Why would a classy person like Towson show off Tammy at a party, if she’s as slutty as Loraine says and not particular about her bed partners? Something must be up if the text directed him to this address. And he
did
get that text.

He had promised Loraine he’d wait a couple more hours. He’d give it one more shot. If he couldn’t find Tammy, then he’d go to the police. Maybe he should run to the police immediately. It might be safer than waiting for those friends of Towson to find him.

B
ack on the street, hurrying away from the disastrous encounter with Al Towson, Ray spotted a drugstore. He needed something for his scorched hand and a phone book. The pharmacist sold him some ointment and a bandage. Ray pleaded for one stray, by chance leftover tranquilizer, but the pharmacist wouldn’t oblige.

Towson had remarked that Tammy was in real estate. Indeed, Ray found a listing for Tammy Jerrold. He hoped Towson hadn’t phoned her yet. She answered sounding businesslike and agreed to meet him. She suggested coffee and gave him directions to the corner restaurant near her office.

He wondered which Tammy would show up, the pushover described by Loraine or the statuesque beauty under Towson’s wing. He pictured her again at the party, of course that was before her ordeal.

How can he convince her it’s important to report the rape to get her friend Loraine out of trouble? He doesn’t even know Tammy. What does he say?

The small restaurant had booths on one side, tables across the front window and small palms positioned in each corner. The noon crowd was just starting. She sat quietly by the window. She wore her brown hair chin-length and was dressed for her real estate agent role in a beige suit with a smart white blouse. All matched with a brown suede satchel handbag, which rested on the window ledge beside her. She was remarkably attractive and perfectly composed.

She offered her hand. “When you phoned I had to think a minute, now I do remember you from the party.”

He studied her face for evidence of the assault—no sign of physical distress. He supposed her stylish sunglasses might hide a blackened eye. And there’s the magic of makeup.

“I can see why Loraine would be interested in you,” she said. “You seem to be her type. Serious people tend to attract each other.”

“Anyone Loraine’s type should be locked up.”

“You’ll have to explain that. She
was
dressed a little flashy at the party. I don’t have the nerve to dress like that. She must have been high...flirting around.”

“Maybe I caught her in a merrymaking mood.”

“I didn’t know she had one. What happened to your hand?”

“Burn, I was careless. Bought something at the drugstore. Used my left hand to wrap it.”

“Without a doubt the worst bandage job I’ve ever seen. Let me rewrap it for you, I used to be a candy striper.”

“No thanks, it’s going to be okay.” Her composure surprised him. Cordial chatting wasn’t what he expected. This wasn’t a woman in need of solace.

“Should I be frightened or flattered about your phone call?” The waitress brought her tea. He ordered coffee. “You sounded surprised I agreed to meet you.”

Ray glanced at his watch. ”Can we stop right here, Tammy. You have me confused. Why did you direct me to Al Towson?”

“I don’t get you. You went to see the senator?”

His eyes widened. “Al Towson is a senator? You’re joking!” So, Ray had not only aggravated a prominent official, he had destroyed his valuable cup as well.

“Sure, a state senator not federal. You were introduced to him at the party, didn’t you catch that? He’s running for Governor next year. Should be a landslide. I might be on his campaign staff and go with him to Tallahassee.”