A Nice Clean Murder Part 4

Friday morning rolled around. I put my luggage by the front door. My insane dog looked at the luggage, then at me and went behind the chair by the fireplace and lay there watching me. She knew the drill. I get ready to leave and she hides. I take her to the kennel and feel guiltya"Iam sure she feels vindicated.

I drove back from my guilt trip to a completely empty house, and for the first time in my life, I felt alone. I stood in the living room looking around, and I thought of Maggie. I now felt nauseated. The phone rang and I tripped over my luggage getting to it. With my foot caught in the strap, I dragged it with me to the phone.

ah.e.l.lo?a I said, while shaking my leg.

aGeezus, what are you doing?a It was Teri.

aThis luggage is alive,a I growled as I tried to free myself. aWhatas up?a aNothing, the cabas on the way, weall be there in fifteen minutes. Maggie hasnat called?a aShe called this morning at four thirty. I thought maybe shead call again. I donat know why.a aAt least you got to talk to her. Thatas good.a aDefinitely, I didnat want to go without talking to her or Hannah,a I said.

ah.e.l.l, the cabas early, itas here. Weall be there in a few minutes.a I could hear the excitement in her voice. Then I wondered what in the world was waiting for us in Irelanda"my excitement turned into anxiety.

The flight was long and tiring. I tried to sleep but couldnat. Mac and Teri held hands most of the way. I put my head back and smiled.

aWhat are you smiling at?a Mac asked.

I looked over at him and noticed Teri was sound asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. aI was thinking how much in love you guys are. You make it look so easy.a aEasy?a He looked down at Teri and whispered to me, aYou may not know it, but your sister is sometimes the most difficult person to deal with.a aAnd youare a saint.a aWell.a He chuckled openly. aRemember when I first asked Teri to marry me? I was petrified.a aNo. Really, why?a I turned in my seat to face him. We have never had this kind of conversation before.

aWell, Iam eight, almost nine, years older and thought I was too old for her. I was pretty set in my ways and the thought of waking up and finding someone next to me was scary.a aI know exactly how you felt. I feel that way about me with Maggie. Sheas a great gal. I really think Iam too old for her. Though I do enjoy the time we spend together as friends.a Mac gave me a skeptical look. aJust friends?a aI think thatas best. Itas been so long for me. This business before, I donat know if I can do it again. I donat want anything to happen to our friendship. It means a great deal to me,a I said honestly. I was being honest, right?

aWhy are you so hard on yourself? I never understood that about you.a The flight attendant came up and asked us if we wanted anything. aYes, two b.l.o.o.d.y Marys please,a he said and looked at me. aOh, who cares, weare on vacation. So answer my question.a aIt scares me that I could have been so easily manipulated before. I shouldave seen it coming. I let my guard down, and I nearly paid for it with my lifea"and Bobas,a I finished.

aYou have to make a conscious effort to get past that, and not only for Maggieas sake. If sheas not the one for you, sheas not. You need to get over this for your own sake. You canat live like this anymore. What happened back at your house is bound to happen again.a aTeri said I canat hide behind my sarcastic remarks or hide in my log cabin. She was right, as usual.a I put my head back.

aDonat ya hate when that happens?a he asked. aAnd you are quite the sarcastic wench. However, your sister has little room to talk. You both get it from your father. I miss him, but you certainly got his instincts. Thatas one reason Iam glad you came along. I think I may need your expertise. Something is definitely rotten in Donegal,a Mac said seriously.

I nodded in agreement as our new best friend the flight attendant came our way.

When I stepped off the plane at ShannonAirport, I felt at home. It was as breathtaking as before. We walked through the small airport and saw Peter Sullivan waving to us. aYou all look like happy exhausted travelers. How was the flight?a aFine, Peter. You looked rested and well.a Mac shook his hand.

aI am. Thank you. Letas be on our way.a We followed him out of the terminal and into the windy, damp late afternoon Irish air.

I took a deep breath and sighed. aNow this is clean air,a I announced and noticed the rental car. aHow in the h.e.l.l are we all going to fit in that?a It was the typical rentala"small, complete with shoe horn. How Mac and he got the entire luggage into that small trunk, Iall never know.

Peter drove wildly, as the Irish do. The driving is completely opposite from the States. The last time I was here, it took me a few days to get the hang of it. We drove north toward Donegal, pa.s.sing through Galway. To the left was the Atlantic Ocean, to the right, beautiful rolling hills of green. It was cloudy, so we really couldnat get a good view of the sunset, but we had plenty of time.

aWho knows weare coming?a Mac asked.

aNo one. Iave said nothing. Only Deirdre knows,a he said as if proud of himself for keeping the secret.

aWhoas Deirdre?a Teri asked from the backseat.

aOh, sheas my girlfriend. Weare to be married someday when I can afford it,a Peter said.

aGood for you,a Mac said and patted him on the back.

Teri and I both realized that Mac had already taken the dubious Mr. Sullivan under his fatherly wing.

aI took the liberty of making the reservations for all of ya,a Peter said as we pulled up to a small inn, right off the main Donegal road.

After settling into our rooms, we headed down to the small dining room where Peter met us. aIad best be goina. Iall pick you up at nine. How does that sound?a He stifled a yawn.

aPeter, sit and eat with us,a I offered.

He shifted uncomfortably. aNo, no. You enjoy yourselves.a I gave him a curious look. aDo you have a room here for the night?a He avoided my eyes. aNo, Iam stayina down the road.a I know a lie when I hear one.

Mac watched him. aPeter, whatas going on?a aSit,a Teri said motherly and pulled out a chair. aCamon, what are you hiding?a It appeared Mac and Teri knew it, as well.

aI-I donat have a room,a he said, looking at the plate on the table. aI was staying with Deidre since Brian died. However, sheas in Dublin. I donata"a Mac got up without a word and went to the desk. Peter sat there, staring at his hands when Mac came back. aNow you have a room, and now we eat. Iam starving.a Peter smiled sheepishly and agreed. There was something about him, though. I couldnat figure it out. I watched him as he joked and talked with Mac and Teri. Something didnat fit.

aSo, Peter, you look young to be a horse trainer, how old are you?a I asked.

aTwenty-seven. I-Iave been around horses all my life.a He shrugged and continued eating. He hadnat looked at me, though.

aGood grief, youare a baby,a Teri said amazed.

Heas no baby. I looked at him. He glanced at me, and for a split second, our eyes locked, and I knew I was right. Somethingas up with Mr. Sullivan.

I slept like a rock, in fact we all dida"jet lag. I met Teri and Mac in the dining room at eight oaclock for breakfast. Peter joined us, looking rested.

aHey, how are your st.i.tches?a Teri asked, eating her toast.

aOh, I had aem taken out. Iama"how do you Yanks say it?a"fit as a fiddle. Whatever that means,a he said and drank his tea. aMaggie, sheas a wonder.a aSpeaking of Maggie, did you try her again last night?a Teri asked.

aYes, she was out again.a I fought the wave of irritation.

aI called Bridget Donnelly, and sheas going to meet us at ten oaclock at her office,a Mac said.

It was a beautiful windy, sunny morning as we stood by the car. I put on my sungla.s.ses. aCan I drive?a aHave you ever driven in Ireland before, Kate?a I nodded. aYep, so hand over the keys.a Teri and Mac sat in the back. aPlease be careful,a Teri said.

I turned around and looked over my sungla.s.ses. aAlways,a I said and revved the engine and took off. It took me about ten minutes to get the feeling back.

Peter quickly put on his seat belt and gave me a wary look. aIam impressed,a he said as we drove around a curve.

aIam scared,a I heard Mac say from the back.

Chapter 7.

Bridget Donnellyas office was at the northern end of Donegal. She was an extremely attractive woman. She was almost as tall as I was, with black curly long hair and violet blue eyes.

aMr. McAuliffe?a she asked with a thick Irish brogue.

Mac introduced all of us. When she shook my hand, our eyes met, and she shook it for an instant longer and let it go.

aDid you have a nice flight?a she asked. We all concurred it was long but worth it. aThatas grand. First I have a few papers here to sign. Mr. OaShea called earlier in the week and said everything went well in the States. Itas my job to make sure everything goes well here. So these are formalities, Mr. McAuliffe.a As they talked business, I glanced around Miss Donnellyas office. It was decorated in soft tones, probably meant to keep irritated clients at ease. I noticed not one, but two diplomas on the wall and raised an eyebrow when I saw something odd, or maybe Iam odd.

aHave you heard anything from Brianas family?a Mac asked Miss Donnelly. I turned my attention back to the conversation.

aYes, I have. They are quite upset, to say the least. Iam sure they intend to contest the will, although they havenat gone to a lawyer as of yet. The brothers live in Galway. Iam sure theyall come to call once the word is out youare here. Would ya like me to show ya the property and take ya over to the mill?a We followed her out of town and through some beautiful winding tree-lined roads and headed west toward the Atlantic coast. The temperature dropped a few degrees as the clouds blew in and the pesky rain started. We drove in silent antic.i.p.ation through the woods, and as we reached the coast, we headed south on a typical narrow road.

When the ocean came into view, it was breathtaking. The landscape changed from a few wooded roads to craggy low sloping hills. Only one or two cottages dotted the rugged landscape. I was amazed at how wild and isolated it looked as we drove along the coastal road. Bridget pulled over and I followed.

As we walked toward the cliffas edge, I noticed a small grove of trees. In the clearing stood a small white cottage in need of rethatching and whitewash. Behind it was a small stone hut of some kind.

The view was magnificent. The wind howled as we stood in front of a stone fence about twenty feet from the edge of a cliff, which prohibited us from going any farther. Good thing, it was a sheer hundred-foot drop to the bottom. The small stone fence stretched as far as the eye could see. In some places, it was almost at the edge of the cliff.

I walked over to the stone wall, which came up to my knee. These walls are found all over Ireland, and they were built with apparently no rhyme or reason. This wall, however, seemed to have a purposea"it saved you from falling off the cliff. I leaned over it and peered down. The waves crashed against the rocks below where small birds were soaring. It was breathtaking and I couldnat wait to get some photos.

aBe careful, Miss Ryan,a Bridget said from behind me. aThe wind gets fierce at the cliffas edge. Iave heard tell people beina whisked right off.a aReally?a I asked as I turned around. Our eyes met again. aIall remember that. Is this where Brian fell?a Bridget looked up and down the craggy stone wall. aYes, along here, but I donat know exactly where.a I thought it odd, Bridget being Brianas lawyer, that she didnat know where he died. However, I said nothing.

aWhen do we get there?a Teri asked. I could hear the antic.i.p.ation in her voice.

aMrs. McAuliffe, ya are there. This is the beginning of the property. This is a private road we turned ontoa"your road,a she said and pointed to the little cottage. aThatas your cottage. Brian had a well dug so you have running water and a septic tank. They come out regularly to empty. Itas heated by petrol in the winter. Of course, you have a fireplace. Itas got two bedrooms. Would you like to see it?a aOh, brother, you have your own road?a I whispered to Teri and Mac as we walked up the path.

The wind blew off the cliffs and we all stopped abruptly as we heard ita"a low wailing sound. Mixed with the wind, I couldnat tell what it was.

aHmmm, the banshee wails. Bwahaahaa,a I joked. Mac and Teri laughed.

Bridget shot a look at me. aDonat joke about those things, Miss Ryan.a She was serious. aWhen the banshee wails, tis fora"a she stopped abruptly.

I raised my eyebrows. aI apologize.a She blushed slightly. aWeare a little superst.i.tious on this side of the Atlantic, Iam sorry.a aDonat be. We are, too.a Mac smiled as we walked up the path and Bridget handed him the key.

The cottage was adorable. Just how you would picture a thatched cottage to look. It had low-beamed ceilings, and the fireplace was to the left, taking up nearly the entire far wall. Two small chairs were in front of it. As I looked right, there was a hallway leading to the two bedrooms. Straight ahead on the far wall was a short grandfather clock situated between the two windows. As we walked in, the pungent aroma of peat, which was used for the fireplace, was unmistakable.

aNo kitchen?a I asked.

aItas behind that door.a Bridget pointed to the door next to the fireplace.

I opened it to find a very small kitchen. A two-burner stove and a small icebox. A small table and two chairs. Well, what the h.e.l.l, only one person lived here.

Teri looked around, smiling. I could see the wheels turning already. She was picturing all sorts of changes.

Mac was checking out the rooms and bath. aBoy, this is small. How long did Brian live here? I remember a huge house.a aYouare thinking of the main house,a Bridget offered. aBrian lived in this cottage for only a few months. For some reason, he left the main house and came to live here. I donat know why.a I saw her steal a glance at Peter.

aI can see why. Iad rather stay here than a lonely big house all by myself,a I said. aIam sure itas cozy with a view of the ocean and a warm fire going.a aYouare a romantic, Miss Ryan,a Bridget said.

aItas this country, Miss Donnelly,a I replied and smiled.

We left and drove farther south down the private coastal road. Then we saw the main house at the end, at the top of a hill. It was a sprawling gray brick estate. Behind it were rolling hills of green. It struck me that it looked like Maggieas house only much more ma.s.sive. It looked like a museum. The road curved in front of the house, continued in a circular path, and led back, sort of a cul-de-sac effect.

aYou have to be kidding me.a I was amazed.

It was immense. Thatas the only word that came to mind. As we pulled up to the house, I saw the stables. There was a fenced area of almost an acre or two, where Peter undoubtedly exercised the ponies.

The foyer of the house was as big as my log cabin. It was finished in a dark cherry wood. To the right was a living room with a ma.s.sive stone fireplace that looked like an entire tree could fit in it. Books were on every shelf that lined three walls. A couple of couches and several chairs rounded off that room.

To the left was a dining room, with a table to seat ten and yet another enormous fireplace.

We walked through the foyer, all of us looking up and down with our mouths wide open. Bridget took us through the dining room, then through a door that led to the kitchen. Nothing looked like it had been touched in quite some time. Dust covered everything. There were huge windows looking out at the hills behind the house.

When we stood in the main hallway of the second floor, we looked down the other two halls.

I said laughing, aOkay, I give. How many bedrooms?a aI say six or eight,a Teri offered.

Bridget nodded. aGood guess, six it is.a aSix bedrooms?a I exclaimed. aYouare going to need a map. Do you two even know six people?a My family ignored me. However, Miss Donnelly laughed. Ah, I found an audience. aYou have quite a sense of humor, Miss Ryan.a She smiled at me and I smiled back. There was a lot of smiling going on.

Going downstairs, Mac noticed another door in the hallway. aWhere does this lead?a Mac asked as he yanked on the locked door.

aI think itas a cellar, but I wasnat given a key to that door. It might even be a closet. Iall see if thereas a key back at the office,a Bridget offered.

We continued down the hall and found ourselves at the foyer once again. Bridget looked around. aThatas about it. I can show you the stables now, if you like.a The stables were north of the house. As we walked toward them, we could see the ponies. They were impressive, but I didnat see the monetary value. Then Iam not a horse authority. Maggie was right, they are a more st.u.r.dy breed than American horses and shorter. They looked more like the wild mustangs Iave taken photos of in the past.

aSo, Peter. What is the big attraction about these horses?a I asked.

aTheyare indigenous to Connemara, which is south of here. And theyare a rare breed,a he said.

Boy, that was lame. I expected a little more. So did Mac, by the frown on his face. He looked disappointed in the explanation. I let it pa.s.s with an aOh, really?a Peter almost looked relieved and he again exchanged a glance with Bridget. aThis is it. All thirty acres,a he said.

aIf you like, I can take you back into town. We can all go to lunch, then go see the mill,a Bridget suggested.

So far, we hadnat talked about Macas uncle. Enough of that. aDo either of you know how and where Macas uncle died?a I asked.

They both stiffened. I thought it was a good question. Mac agreed. aYes, you must know something. I would like to know,a he said.

Peter was the first to speak. aMac, maybe we can go into this later. I donat want to upset the ladies,a he motioned to Teri and me.

Upset the ladies? He should see upset. I gave him a skeptical look.

aI donat think itall bother them. Tell me what you know,a Mac said firmly.

aAs far as we know, he was walking home from Seanas when he stumbled in the dark and fell over the stone wall and off the cliff. It was horrible when they found him, Mac. Iam sorry.a He did look sorry.

aSeems odd that he would live here his entire life, know every rock in every path, and stumble off a cliff,a I said thoughtfully as we walked out to the car.

Neither Bridget nor Peter said a word.

We stopped at a quaint restaurant in Donegal. Actually, it was more of a pub. Mac and Peter got the drinks and we all sat at a small table not saying much until Teri broke the silence. aCan we stay at the main house while weare here?a I was waiting for the glance to Peter Bridget did before she answered. aIt hasnat been lived in for years. You may do better at the inn.a I noticed Terias disappointed look. aWe can stay at the inn for a couple of days, but I would like to stay at the house for a time. Whoas been taking care of the house up till now?a aThere were a few young girls in town who dusted and cleaned up till Brian died. Iam sure I can get them to get it ready for you in a couple of days. Is that what you had in mind?a Bridget asked.

aExactly, thank you.a We talked for a while longer. I walked up to the bar and got another Guinness, and Bridget Donnelly came up behind me. aMiss Ryan, are you free for dinner?a she asked, getting right to the point.

aSure,a I answered without thinkinga"as usual.

aGrand, thereas a little restaurant in town. Why donat you meet me at my office, say at seven? We can walk from there.a aThat sounds fine. Iall see you then.a Upon Bridgetas suggestion, we took a drive to the woolen mill. We followed her out of town. I looked at Mac in the rearview mirror. aI canat believe you own fifty-one percent of a woolen mill.a aI canat, either. This is like some odd dream.a The winding road seemed to take us higher as we drove back toward the ocean. Outside the village, we turned north and the mill came into view. The one-story brick building had a sign outside reading, Oceanview Woolen Mill.