“Did you see the car clearly?”
“Sure did. That’s my business, remember?” He chuckled. “It was a 2000 champagne Camry.”
“You didn’t see the driver or license number did you?” Surely, he couldn’t have seen both.
“Actually, I did see the driver for just a minute, but he was moving so fast…I didn’t get the number, just the state.”
“What state?”
Mr. Ibarra approached, so I began to move toward the door. I didn’t want to get Walter into any sort of trouble.
“Nevada.” He seemed very positive about it. “I should go. The boss....”
Mr. Ibarra approached me and nodded a polite greeting. That didn’t keep him from throwing a cold glare at Walter.
“Good morning, Mr. Ibarra,” I said. “Are you still busy with checkouts?”
“Yes, unfortunately. Can I order your car for you?”
“I think Walter is taking care of it for me, thanks.”
“Have a nice day, Mrs. Bradley, and be careful.”
I nodded a polite thank you as Walter pulled my car up to the landing.
“By the way,” Walter whispered, “remember you asked me if I saw anyone leaving with Regina on Saturday afternoon? Well, I think I saw that same car leave the hotel during the day Regina was murdered. I just don’t know if she was with the driver.”
“Walter, see if you can trace the driver. Be careful, dear. Whoever it is may be very dangerous.”
Strange that I had more concern for his safety than my own.
On my drive out, I made a quick call. “Chief, it’s Jillian. I have some information.”
“I have some too. You go first.”
“Walter Montoya, Jr. was at the Seaside Nursery last night and saw a 2000 champagne Camry leave the scene right before you arrived.”
“That’s fabulous. A car and an eyewitness. Cortez!” he barked some orders to unseen underlings.
I grinned. Yes, I was making a stir.
“Walter saw the license plate, too.”
“Don’t tell me he got the number.”
“He didn’t get the number, just the state.”
“You continue to amaze me, woman. Don’t even work for me, and I want to give you a promotion. Hmm…it isn’t California then, I gather.” He played along.
“No, Nevada…and listen to this….” Perhaps I was too pleased with myself. “Walter saw the same car leave the hotel on the day Regina was murdered. He’s going to check and see if he can trace the driver.”
“Excellent work, partner. This helps a lot. Could you meet me somewhere? I’ve got something too, but really don’t want this going over the lines.”
“Oh, sure. It must be good. Let’s meet at the Half Moon Bay Coffee Company on Main Street.”
“Five minutes?”
“I’ll be there.”
The coffee shop brimmed with locals and tourists alike. The crowds crammed the tables and along the walls. The tourists stood out easily enough from the masses, as they were the women with shopping bags and bored husbands with tired feet, glad to be sitting anywhere.
I found the chief waiting at one of the tables toward the back, which offered a little more privacy. I brought my coffee over and took a chair.
“Now, what’s the news?”
I’d bought a delicious house blend decaf. Its aromatic flavor distracted me temporarily.
“First, the address of The Venus Flytrap. Get this — it was none other than Regina Anatolia’s home.”
“Oh, dear! That’s bad, isn’t it?”
“Second, the FBI is sending over two of their forensics experts to check the contents of the cameo.”
“Did they say anything about Regina’s government project?”
“They just said that they would debrief us when they arrived.” He grimaced, echoing my disappointment at having to wait.
I persisted. “Did you ever get an explanation from Paul Youngblood or the front desk about the room changes between him and Regina?”
“Yes and no. It seems once Paul went to his original room next to yours, he called the front desk and said that he needed to move. He told them he wasn’t comfortable with the location — made a big fuss about being trapped during an emergency, so they moved him.”
I reached for my notes and flipped to the sequential list of events leading up to the first murder.
“Chief, I overheard Paul say something when the bellhop put his things in his room.”
“Let’s have it.” He leaned forward expecting another miracle.
I read the entry, “Everything’s ready, tomorrow then.”
“That was on Friday, Chief, and Regina was killed the next day.”
He thought a moment, and then nodded in agreement. “It might be something, but he also might have been talking to someone about the conference.”
“True. Let’s find out. If he talked to Spencer or Regina, we could tell by room numbers through the hotel exchange.
“Did you find out about the comings and goings of Regina on Saturday from the gatehouse guard yet?” I felt a little criminal pushing a municipal agent this way.
“I was just on my way over to the hotel to do that when you called.” He pointed his finger at me in a playful gesture.
“Well, I’m going back to Mr. Anatolia’s to question him further about his wife’s association with The Venus Flytrap.”
The chief opened his mouth and started to speak.
I spoke for him. “I know — I’ll be careful. Why don’t you put a tail on me for protection?”
“Already have.”
“Let me know when the FBI arrives. I want to be there when you talk to them, if you don’t mind.”
“That’s a good idea. Stay in touch, and I mean that. Don’t take chances.”
We finished our coffee and headed our separate ways.
I couldn’t see any tail behind me, but one had to be there. The drive to Mr. Anatolia’s house with one eye on the road and the other in the rear view mirror made things a little more perilous. My mind kept running over the expensive clothes and jewelry Regina wore until I pulled up to the cozy little house. Where had the money come from? Surely not from here.
Stepping up to the front porch, I noticed those same dusty cars. Nope, they certainly hadn't moved since the last time I was here. He’d left the lights on for me this time, which was encouraging. Good thing I called ahead.
“Come in, Mrs. Bradley.” Mr. Anatolia welcomed me and invited me to sit down. “You didn’t bring Teddy?” He sounded a little disappointed.
“No, I left Teddy in my room to take a nap. By the way, thank you for seeing me. How are you feeling?”
Things appeared a little better for him as the room looked tidy and he wore a V-neck sport shirt.
“I have my good times and my bad. Don’t worry; I’ll be back to normal, whatever that is, when things sort out.”
“You mean, Regina?”
Finding a worn chair, I took my jacket off and laid it across my lap.
His eyes were red from crying and not enough sleep. “Not just Regina, I mean my wife too.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Mr. Anatolia sighed and then looked to the ceiling as if searching for his wife, his love, his Katherine, in the thick globs of dried plaster there.
“Years ago,” he said, not yet facing me, “Katherine and I were researchers for a scientific outfit called the Bay Data Group.” He turned, walked back to where I was sitting and sat down in the small colonial rocker facing me.
“Things went very well in the beginning. We did extraordinary research in the area of migrating plant spores. Along with the discoveries we made on their migration, however, we found horrific application possibilities. The government wanted our involvement and so did other interests.”
“Namely, other countries, I should think.”
“That’s correct. Both people from other countries and our country, Jillian, are not the nicest people
you’d want to be around. Anyway, Katherine and I didn’t have a problem working for our government, thinking we were working in the interest of national security.
“However, when our own government actually sent their representatives to work with us, our feelings changed dramatically. I suppose I should say my feelings changed. I think Katherine may have still been working with them without wanting me to know.”
“Mr. Anatolia, are you sure she was working behind your back?” Could this be The Venus Flytrap connection?
He sighed and looked me straight in the eye. “I don’t have any proof except for all the times she left without telling me where she was going. I had this gnawing feeling that Katherine was keeping something from me, and then on the night she died, I confronted her.”
“This was on the boat?”
I gripped the sofa edge, trying to steel myself to hearing it.
“Yes. Actually, I was more afraid of it being another man in her life.”
“And was there?”
“She said that there was no one else. She told me she loved me and she loved Regina, and anything she did was for us.” Mr. Anatolia looked at me with a puzzled expression. “I decided not to question her after that. And then, during the night, Katherine whispered she needed some air.”
“That’s the last time you saw her?”
He nodded. “After she left, I thought I was dreaming because I heard Katherine arguing with someone and I thought I was replaying our previous conversation. When I woke up she wasn’t beside me.”
“So you ran after her immediately?”
“Immediately, Jillian, but it was too late. By the time I came topside she was overboard. All I saw was a pile of rope on the deck.”
“The pile of rope that had been disturbed by someone.” I shuddered.
“I see you’ve heard the story.” I could feel him withdraw.
“Hugh Porter told me. He said that he used to work with you and Katherine.”
“That was a long time ago. Hugh is a top-notch guy. I have a great deal of respect for him. Katherine did too.”
“I don’t mean to change the subject, and I really must be going soon, but you said that you knew all the accounts of the Seaside Nursery?” I stood, putting my jacket on.
“That’s correct. I’ve worked in Half Moon Bay forever.” He stood to help me.
“Does the term ‘Venus Flytrap’ mean anything to you?”
“Hmm…strange name. I’ve never heard a business called that. Catchy, though.” He looked genuinely confused by it.
He obviously knew nothing — not even that his wife was working for them at one time.
Poor man. He’d been deceived and robbed of his wife and daughter. I think I would be out of my mind.
“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Anatolia. You get some rest now, and please know that we’re doing all we can to find answers.”
Pulling away from Anatolia’s house, I decided to check with the chief for the tail that he’d promised to send. There was a car following me, but it was a champagne Camry. Something was wrong here. I felt scared but told myself not to panic.
I pulled out onto the highway and spotted a different car keeping chase as well. That car had to be my tail. I floored the accelerator and prayed I’d reach the station in time. The car directly behind me abruptly turned left at the next intersection. The other car followed it close behind.
“Better late than never.” I heaved a sigh of relief. I prayed the tail managed to report the license number.
I pulled into the station and headed inside. The chief was in his office when I burst through the door.
“Jillian!” He extended his hand.
Taking it, I almost babbled. “I’m so glad you’re here. The Camry was following me, but your tail followed him.”
I looked around the room and noticed two gentlemen in dark blue suits sitting in the shadows.
Taking me by the arm, he motioned for the gentlemen to stand.
“Jillian, I’d like you to meet Agent Boyle, and Agent Chambers. They’re from the FBI. Gentlemen, Jillian Bradley, the lady I was telling you about.”
After these perfunctory introductions, the chief got down to business. “I’ve told them everything we know so far. These men tell me the substance found in the cameo ring was indeed dead plant material but there were no dangerous spores. However, it seems when you mix the Brachystegia flora with certain other substances it becomes a poison used in Africa to coat spearheads and darts that are deadly.”
“Chief, why would Regina carry useless plant material around like that? I mean, what would be the point?”
The shorter agent spoke up. “The point is, Mrs. Bradley, Miss Anatolia had possession of the flora, and it was proof more could be obtained.”
The chief nodded. “What we don’t know, obviously, is who her contact was.”
“Chief, you said that The Venus Flytrap address was Regina’s. Have you been out there yet?”
The dark-suited agents both again stood and looked at the chief for answers.
“We’re just on our way, Jillian. Gentlemen, shall we?” The chief gestured an invitation.
“I’m coming too.” I picked up my black shoulder strap purse and slung it over my arm.
The chief took a call on the way out to Regina’s house. “Rats!” He slapped the phone shut.
“What, now?”
“Deputy Cortez lost the Camry.” He bent his chin to his neck and peered at the ground in frustration.
“What about the license number?”
“He did get the number, fortunately. Our friends here are checking it out as we speak.”
“Your friend Walter was right.” Agent Boyle stepped up behind us as we made our way through the office. “It was Nevada all right. The car checked out to belong to a police officer who reported it stolen last week.”
“So we’re back to square one.”
“Now, don’t get discouraged, Chief. Walter is still checking out who’s been driving it at the hotel.”
Regina’s house stood out from her neighbors with great curb appeal. The gray stucco exterior trimmed with white shutters formed the perfect backdrop for her lovely landscaped yard. Colorful petunias filled the flowerbed that hugged the home in circular elegance.
Interspersed between them and the manicured shrubs grew a cluster of fall mums. A large shade tree, bordered with azaleas, rhododendrons, and camellias, would look spectacular when the shrubs bloomed in the spring. What a pity she wouldn’t be here to see it.
A flagstone walkway welcomed guests to the front door. It cut through the emerald green lawn, which spread out impeccably, free of weeds. We approached the welcome mat that pictured ivy growing along its borders.
“From the looks of the yard I’d say Regina knew what she was doing with plants. Look at it. Everything is perfect. Not a weed or even a dead blossom anywhere.” I was truly amazed.
“Let’s go inside and check it out.”
The chief unlocked the door. The two agents and I followed him into the front hall. A dark carved wood table graced the entryway with a matching carved mirror above. I stared just a bit at my reflection. Hmm, I really could have done more with myself. My hair had become terribly windblown.
I had just smoothed most of my hair back into place with my hands when the living room spread out before us. It was decorated with understated sofas and chairs covered in chocolate suede. The hardwood floors gleamed.
The agents checked out the two bedrooms and hall bath, finding nothing. The chief and I wandered into the kitchen. It was painted sunshine yellow with white appliances and red countertops. Red and white gingham curtains hung at the windows over the sink near the back door. A small table and two chairs sat in a nook with pictures of flowers on the walls.
“All in all, it’s a cozy little house here.” The chief looked approving.
“Cozy….”
At that moment, I noticed a narrow door leading off from the back of the k
itchen.
“Look at this, Chief.” I headed toward it. “It may lead somewhere.”
“It’s probably a pantry.” He inspected the door.
That’s just what it was. He opened it, and I reached for a can of marinara sauce. Barilla© brand. I didn’t actually touch it before accidentally knocking over some cans behind it.
“Oh….”
“Great job, Jillian.” The chief poked me. “Great way to defile her house.”
He may have been kidding, but that didn’t sit well with me. I wanted to leave everything as she had left it. It was only proper.
I reached far back into the shelf to retrieve the rebellious cans and pushed against the outside edge. The shelf moved. I nearly lost my balance.
“Chief, look.” I pushed the shelf to the right. The wall behind it gave way and opened up into another room.
“Good work. Stay here while I get the agents.”
“No problem. I’m not going in there without you.”
He chuckled at that, but I was dead serious. This room without a door, in full dark, gave me the creeps.
When he returned with the agents, he stepped in first and flipped on a light. Windowless, it was an office with two desks, two chairs, a filing cabinet and one puny overhead light. The light barely illuminated the tiny space, giving a tinge of dingy yellow, making everything look dirtier than it probably was.
“We’ll take it from here, Chief.” Agent Chambers pushed forward.
Unlike the tidy yard and interior of the house, the tiny office lay cluttered with documents, paper cups half-filled with cold coffee and trashcans overflowing with paper. The two agents ordered us not to touch anything and called for backup.
“They’ll need bags to bring in all of this stuff as evidence.” The chief nodded approval. “Come on, Jillian; let’s get back to the station.”
I followed closely behind him as we got into the car. “Chief, did you find anything in Regina’s belongings you took from her room at the hotel?”
“I didn’t see anything unusual. Just personal stuff and a briefcase filled with papers relating to the conference. The only other thing was a book.”