Friends and Frauds (An Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Book 6) Read online

  “Are you? I can hear something in your voice that suggests otherwise.”

  Fenella frowned. When they’d been together, the man had been able to listen to her complain bitterly for hours on end and never once notice that she was upset about something. How was it that he was now able to feel her distress from three thousand miles away?

  “Tell me what’s wrong,” Jack suggested.

  “It’s nothing, really. My friends and I just found an open apartment door last night, and when the police came to check it out, they found a dead man inside the apartment.”

  “You never found dead bodies in Buffalo.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “The island sounds like a very dangerous place. It seems to me that people over there are murdering one another at an alarming rate.”

  “I didn’t say anything about murder.”

  “Was it murder?”

  “Well, yes, I mean I think so, but still, it’s nothing to do with me or with the island. The man was from across and he simply brought his troubles with him.”

  “Across?”

  “Ah, yes, that’s what people here call visitors from the UK.”

  “What are they across from?”

  Fenella laughed. “They are from across the Irish Sea,” she explained.

  “Yes, well, I suppose so, but it seems the wrong way to describe them. I believe people in England refer to America as ‘across the pond,’ so I suppose I’m across, too, but across a different body of water.”

  “Yes, I suppose you are,” Fenella replied, not really interested in the conversation.

  “I was thinking about coming to see you, though,” Jack said. “I’m still busy teaching a few summer sessions, so I can’t get away right now. Maybe you’d like me to visit at Christmas?”

  “Oh, goodness, no,” Fenella said quickly.

  “No? What about in the spring break, then? I could fly over for a week or maybe a little bit more.”

  “Jack, you don’t want to visit me here. You wouldn’t like the island. It’s nothing like Buffalo.”

  “I’ve liked lots of places that aren’t like Buffalo,” the man countered. “Cleveland was nice.”

  “We were there for two days, and you complained the entire time about the traffic.”

  “But there isn’t that much traffic on the island, is there? I mean there aren’t that many people, right? I read that there are only about eighty thousand residents.”

  “That’s about right.”

  “So the traffic can’t be that bad. And it doesn’t get too hot and it doesn’t snow. It sounds perfect.”

  It was perfect, but Fenella wasn’t going to tell Jack that. “It rains all the time,” she said instead.

  “I don’t like rain, but I’m sure I can survive for a few weeks,” Jack replied.

  “A few weeks? What would you do with yourself all day?”

  “Be with you, of course.”

  “But I’m working on my book all the time,” Fenella lied. “And I may be doing some research here, as well. I won’t have time to entertain you.”

  “I could do some research, too.”

  “You’re a specialist in American military history. There’s nothing here for you to research.”

  “I could try something new, though. Once the fall semester starts, I can begin to think about spring. I could probably get a few extra days on either side of spring break. I’m sure Hazel would cover my classes for me, just for a few days. Once I’m there, we can talk about me relocating.”

  “Relocating? Here? You can’t be serious.”

  “Why not? I’m tired of snow and ice and cold, and this summer was very hot and uncomfortable. The Isle of Man sounds perfect for me.”

  “Yes, but you’d need a visa. You can’t just come over and live here without one.”

  “What visa did you get?”

  “I didn’t need one. I was born on the island. I have dual US and UK citizenship.”

  “Oh, well, I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out. I suppose I’ll need a passport to start with. Where do I get one of those?”

  Fenella sighed. “Someone is at my door,” she said. “I have to go.” She put the phone down before Jack could reply. If he couldn’t work out how to get a passport, he couldn’t come and visit her. And that would suit her just fine.

  “I only just got here in time to hear him say he was thinking about moving here,” Mona said. “I don’t understand why you keep encouraging the man.”

  “I’m not encouraging him. I’m doing everything I can to discourage him. He just doesn’t listen to me.”

  “Have Donald or Peter record your answering machine message,” Mona suggested. “If he rings and hears a man’s voice, maybe he’ll stop ringing.”

  “Maybe,” Fenella replied. But she didn’t want Daniel to ring and hear a man’s voice. And she wasn’t ready to ask Donald to do her any favors.

  “And now you should get ready for your dinner with Donald,” Mona suggested.

  Fenella glanced at the clock. Mona was right, it was later than she’d realized. “I don’t know where we’re going.”

  “But you know Donald only takes you to fabulous places. You must dress accordingly.”

  Fenella took a long shower and then stood in front of Mona’s wardrobe in her bathrobe. “What do you think?” she asked her aunt.

  “Try the dresses on the right side,” Mona suggested. “I don’t think you’ve ever looked at them. There’s a lovely little black dress that would be perfect on you. It’s just right for Donald, too. Sexy, but not too revealing.”

  Fenella flipped through a few of the dresses before finding a black dress. “This one? It’s, well, it’s skimpy.”

  “It looks that way on the hanger, but it covers everything and will look fabulous on you,” Mona assured her.

  Fenella slipped into the dress and then studied herself in the mirror. Mona was right. It was sexy. But was it too revealing, she wondered as she studied herself in the mirror.

  “Put your hair up and wear my pearls with it,” Mona told her. “The pearls will make it look classy.”

  Fenella found the necklace in the jewelry box next to the bed. She fastened it around her neck and smiled at her reflection. Mona was exactly right again.

  “Now let’s work on your makeup.”

  Fenella let her aunt talk her through applying more makeup than she normally wore. “I have to admit, I look good,” she told her aunt when they were done. “But what should I do with my hair?”

  “There’s a pearl hair clip in the bottom drawer,” Mona told her. “Twist your hair up and use the clip to hold it in place.”

  Fenella was still fussing with her hair when someone knocked on the door. “You look perfect. Don’t change anything,” Mona said as Fenella walked over to open it.

  “You look perfect,” Donald said. He pulled Fenella close and kissed her with far more passion than Fenella had been expecting. After a moment of shock, she found herself getting lost in the kiss.

  “I needed that,” Donald told her some time later when he’d let her go. “I missed you, and I had a horrible day.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really. A deal I’ve been working on for a few weeks fell through, that’s all. It will cost me a little bit of money, but not too much. I’m just frustrated because someone I thought of as a friend went behind my back and soured the deal. Some people care more about money than friendship, and sometimes I forget that.”

  “I am sorry,” Fenella told him.

  “But tonight is all about you,” he said quickly. “Congratulations on passing your driving test.”

  “Thank you.”

  “This is for you,” he added, handing her a small wrapped box.

  Fenella took it and then shook her head. “I don’t want anything.”

  “No, of course you don’t,” he grinned. “But I want to give it to you. It’s only a small thing, a trinket really, to cel
ebrate your accomplishment.”

  Fenella unwrapped the box. Even she’d heard of the very expensive London jewelers whose name was on the box’s top. “Whatever it is, it cost far too much,” she objected before she opened it.

  “Not at all. Open it.”

  Fenella frowned. “Open it,” Mona told her. “I’m sure whatever it is, it will be gorgeous.”

  Fenella opened the box and gasped with pleasure. The gold pin was shaped like a key and was studded with what had to be diamonds and pearls.

  “It’s exquisite,” Mona sighed. “One more stone or pearl and it would have slipped over into gaudy. As it is, it’s just perfect.”

  “It must have cost a fortune,” Fenella said.

  “Not at all. I thought the key could represent a car key. I thought about simply buying you a car, but as you already have Mona’s car, I didn’t think anything I could buy you could compete with that.”

  Fenella laughed. “I think you’re right. Mona’s car is pretty amazing.”

  “If you want another car, I can buy you one, if you’d like that better than the key,” Donald offered. “Or in addition to the key,” he added.

  “No, not at all. I don’t want to keep the key, though. It’s too extravagant.”

  “It’s not. It will look perfect on your dress tonight.”

  Fenella glanced down at the dress. He was right. The key was the perfect accessory, especially paired with Mona’s pearls. With Mona offering suggestions about placement, Fenella pinned the key onto her dress. Then she smiled at Donald.

  “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’m glad that you like it. Now, how about dinner?”

  Fenella’s stomach rumbled loudly, making Donald laugh. “We’d better hurry,” he suggested. “I’ve made a booking at my favorite place in Laxey. I thought that might make a nice change.”

  “Anything is fine with me, even fast food,” Fenella told him.

  “I couldn’t possibly take you out for fast food when you’re dressed like that,” Donald laughed. “But I’ll keep it in mind for next time.”

  The drive to Laxey didn’t take long in Donald’s fancy sports car. He slid it into a parking space and then climbed out to open Fenella’s door for her.

  “As I’m driving, I shall have to stick to water or a soft drink, but please have wine if you’d like,” he remarked as they walked toward the restaurant’s door.

  “I had more than enough wine last night to last me a while,” Fenella replied. “I’m more than happy to stick to soft drinks tonight.”

  Donald had made a reservation, so they were quickly shown to their seats. They’d only just settled into their table for two by the window when a noisy group of men were escorted into the room. Fenella frowned as she recognized Neil Hicks at the front of the group. A moment later, Neil and the rest of Lance’s group of friends were shown to the table right next to Fenella and Donald.

  10

  What a lovely surprise,” Neil said as he glanced over at Fenella and Donald. “I wasn’t expecting to see you two here tonight.”

  “Fenella and I wanted a nice romantic evening away from Douglas,” Donald replied, putting his hand over Fenella’s.

  “But now you must join us. We’re having a celebration of Lance’s life,” Neil told him.

  “A celebration of Lance’s life?” Donald repeated.

  “Has the body been identified, then?” Fenella asked.

  “I identified it for the police,” Neil told her. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

  “Body?” Donald squeezed Fenella’s hand.

  “Sadly, someone broke into Lance’s flat and, well, they killed him. The police think it was a burglary gone wrong,” Neil told Donald. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard about it. I’d have thought everyone on the island would be talking about it.”

  “Perhaps they are,” Donald replied. “I’ve been in London all day. I only just got home in time to collect Fenella for dinner.”

  “You will join us, won’t you?” Neil asked. “I can’t help but feel as if we all need to be together to mourn Lance’s passing.”

  “As Fenella and I didn’t even know the man, I can’t see how that would be appropriate,” Donald replied.

  Neil shrugged. “He was alone in the world. I just think it would be nice if he could have more than just a few former business colleagues mourning his passing.”

  “Will there be a memorial service?” Fenella asked.

  “I don’t know. We were discussing it, but none of us feel as if we were close enough to him to organize such a thing. As I said, he was alone in the world, really,” Neil replied.

  “He must have had other friends in London,” Fenella suggested.

  Neil shook his head. “I don’t know that he had any friends, really. As I said, we were all business associates rather than friends. I suspect that’s all most of us have time to be, really. I don’t have friends, either, and I’ve never considered that a problem until today.”

  “I think we all feel that way at the moment,” Adrian said.

  “Of course, you have children who will miss you when you’re gone,” Neil replied.

  “I do, and I’d like to think that my former wife will feel a moment of sadness as well,” Adrian grinned. “If only because she won’t be able to complain about me anymore.”

  “I’d always hoped for children,” Eric said. “But I never found the right woman to have them with.”

  “You can have some of mine,” Jared offered. “I’ve almost lost track of mine.”

  “That’s because you keep having more with every woman you meet,” Neil laughed. “I mean, you’ve had four wives and six children in the last twenty years. I think you should stop now.”

  “I don’t plan to have any more children,” he replied. “But I might try another wife. The current one isn’t any fun anymore, that’s for sure.”

  Fenella frowned at Donald, who squeezed her hand, and then leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Do you want me to see if we can move to another table or would you rather just leave?”

  While both suggestions had their appeal, Fenella was also tempted to stay where she was. Even though she knew she shouldn’t care, she wanted to learn more about Lance Thomas and his friends.

  “It’s fine,” she replied in a low voice.

  “Are you all together?” the waiter who had approached asked.

  “Yes,” Neil said at the same time that Donald said “No.”

  The waiter looked confused.

  “We aren’t together, not really,” Donald told him.

  “Can I get any or all of you drinks, then?” the waiter asked, still clearly confused.

  Donald ordered a soft drink and Fenella followed suit. Neil frowned at them. “That’s hardly appropriate for toasting old friends,” he said before he ordered two bottles of wine for the four men at his table.

  “I hope none of you are driving,” Fenella said as the waiter walked away.

  “We took a taxi here,” Neil replied. “And we’ll take one back to Douglas again. We all felt as if we needed a drink or two after last night.”

  “What happened exactly?” Donald asked.

  Neil shrugged. “We all had lunch together and then Lance said he needed to get home. He was meant to be meeting someone at his flat later in the evening and he wanted to get it ready for visitors. He hadn’t finished unpacking yet and he didn’t want his guest or guests to see the mess.”

  Fenella wondered if that was why Lance had invited them to his apartment rather than meeting them at the pub. Maybe he was hoping to impress them in some way.

  “And someone broke in and killed him?” was Donald’s next question.

  “The police aren’t saying exactly what happened, but that must be it,” Neil replied. “From what I heard, his guests arrived and found the door to the flat ajar. Instead of going inside, they rang the police, and the constable who arrived to investigate found Lance’s b
ody.”

  “Who was Lance meant to be meeting?” Donald wondered.

  Me, Fenella thought but didn’t say.

  “I’m not sure. He said something about reconnecting with old island friends, but he wasn’t any more specific than that,” Neil replied.

  Which meant that Neil and the others didn’t know that she and Shelly had found the body, Fenella thought. That was interesting.

  “Was anything taken from the flat?” Donald wanted to know.

  “We aren’t sure. The police wouldn’t let us go through it, not yet. They’re still processing evidence, whatever that means. But I’m not sure I’d know if anything had been taken anyway. I’d only been to Lance’s London flat a few times and I never took a formal inventory of it or anything.”

  “He was a collector,” Adrian said. “Of coins and stamps and other small and potentially high-value items. He usually kept such things in a safe deposit box or in the safe in his flat, but he would have had them with him in his new flat. He’d complained to me about there not being a safe in the flat, and he hadn’t had time to get a safe deposit box at a local bank.”

  “Would you know what was taken if the police let you go through the place?” Fenella asked.

  “I remember a few of the things he showed me, but not much, really. I’m not a collector myself. He did mention that he was planning to sell some things before he moved, as well. I don’t want to tell the police that things were stolen if they were simply sold before he moved,” Adrian replied.

  The waiter arrived with Fenella and Donald’s soft drinks as another waiter opened the first bottle of wine and began to pour it into glasses.

  “Here,” Neil said, handing Fenella a glass. “Have one for Lance’s sake.”

  Fenella wanted to refuse, but couldn’t think of a polite way to do so. She took the glass and put it on the table in front her. Donald sighed quietly.

  “To Lance, who was a good businessman. He deserved friends, but he was stuck with us. We’ll miss him,” Neil said loudly, raising his glass.

  Fenella lifted her glass as the others did the same. As they drank, she took a tiny sip and then put the wine back on the table.

  “To Lance,” Adrian said. “I wish I had taken the time to get to know him better.” Everyone drank again. Fenella took another sip of wine and started to think that getting drunk might be preferable to staying sober under the circumstances.