A Fine Mess

Chapter 39

Moira's sudden alliance with Howard gave Myles grave concerns. He knew Tillman wouldn't honour any agreement with her or anyone else for that matter, but meanwhile, it put him in a very precarious position; he had nothing to offer Tillman.

"Mister Tillman." Moira gave him an appraising look. "What if I said I was prepared to give you thirty-five percent and in exchange you will give me everything you have that connects Myles and I with you and Davis Tubbs."

Howard smiled. "Aren't you forgetting someone?" He tilted his head toward Gil. "He's listening to all this you know." Gil faced Moira and saw behind her eyes the coldness that had set in motion the events that killed her husband and boosted her to power.

"Mister Petchorik made the mistake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you accept my deal I'll add a little something else when you take care of him."

"Moira for God's sake, you're talking murder!" Myles held out pleading hands.

"Oh, unlike Davis Tubbs, Myles?"

"That- that was necessary... for you. What about me?" He saw her direct her attention to Howard and his stomach sank.

"What about it, Mister Tillman?"

•••

Mike Aznasous climbed out of his car and went to the intercom by the gate, pressing the buzzer and blowing out a noisy breath while he waited. Way up the drive he could see lights on in the house but no cars in the drive. He pressed the buzzer again and thought about finding another way in when the box hissed with static and a tinny voice answered.

"Mister Forbin, I'm Police Detective Mike Aznasous. I'd like to speak to you about Mister Barton Weston."

"This- this is not a very convenient time, Detective."

"Sir, my job seldom is. If you'll allow me in I'm sure this won't take more than a few minutes." He waited, listening to the soft static buzz of silence.

"I'm sorry, Detective, I can't see you tonight."

"Sir, it's ver—" Mike heard the box shut off and he swore aloud. Okay, Mister Forbin, I guess I'll have to do it the hard way. He pulled his car off to the side and locked it, trotting along the edge of the property looking for access.

•••

Howard released his grip on the back of Myles' neck and shoved him away from the intercom and back toward the others, herding them all back to the living room.

"Good job, Forbin. We'll just wait a bit to make sure he doesn't try again."

"This is becoming boring, Mister Tillman," Moira complained, rising from the sofa and facing him with arms folded defiantly. If she made a move now while he was concerned about the policeman, she might gain an advantage. "Are you taking my offer or not?"

"You are a tough broad. I'm interested in the 'something else' you mentioned."

"I thought we might discuss that privately... afterwards."

Howard leered at her and shoved Myles further toward the sofa. "I guess we'd better conclude our business in case our policeman has other ideas. You get over here, Moira." His face was hard in spite of the smile. "Now, lady." Moira sucked in a shaky breath and managed to cross over to him with a solid display of control. She stopped a few paces away and cocked her head nervously. "Closer. I want to feel the merchandise before I make up my mind." She blanched and looked at the other men as Howard reached out and clutched her roughly on the buttock.

"Howard, be reasonable..." Myles began.

"Reason this, Forbin." Howard raised his gun and aimed it at Myles. "That little matter I said was for later? Well, it seems you hook up with very, very tough women, Milesy." Myles shook his head, confused. "How do you think you got hold of me in the first place?" No answer. "Miriam, Myles. Miriam." Howard started laughing out loud at the expression on the lawyer's face. "You had no idea, did you? Perfect! She's been pulling the strings on you two since the get-go."

"Your out of your mind." Myles blustered through a radish coloured face. Moira gasped and looked at Gil. "Miriam would never—"

"What Miriam would do, Myles, is pay for me to see that you paid in full for playin' with Moira here." The gun came up quickly and Howard pulled the trigger. The noise was barely more than a normal clap but Myles flew back over the edge of the sofa, surprise etched on his face and blood spilling from the crater in his back where the bullet exited. Moira screamed and sagged, unfortunately into Howard, who used the moment to further his explorations. Gil sat up as the weapon swung slowly in his direction.

Mike crossed the large, broadloom of grass and climbed the few steps to the front door. Pressing his ear to the wooden panel he heard nothing and grunted disappointedly. The handle turned freely and silently and he pushed the door open, stepping into the spacious foyer. He closed the door and turned to call out when he heard the scream and jerked violently.

Jesus! Drawing his weapon, he quick-stepped across the foyer toward the direction of the scream, gun extended in front protectively. As he neared a large archway he could hear a woman sobbing mixed with male laughter. Mike eased himself into the doorway and shouted his identification, yelling at the man to drop the gun. Gil dove behind a small table as Howard turned to face the intrusion.

Moira was spun around in front and the gun rammed against her neck. Howard bared his teeth and started to threaten Mike when his head snapped back and he toppled over the arm of the chair, landing on Gil. Moira screamed again and crumpled to the floor on top of the green garbage bag as Mike ran forward and pressed his weapon against Howard's ear while feeling for a pulse.

Gil crawled from beneath the body and stumbled over to the sofa, clutching his head in trembling hands.

"He's gone. You okay, Petchorik?" Mike picked up Howard's gun and went to Moira.

"I think so. Myles Forbin is behind the sofa, he was shot too. Jesus, what just happened?"

"I don't like the way they do these scenes in the movies. My style is to act and act fast." He went around and checked for signs, grunting as he stood. "No joy there, he's a mess. That guy must have had dum dums in his gun." He came back and helped Moira to a seat next to Gil. "Somebody want to tell me what's goin' on here?" Gil started from when he arrived while Mike called in for backup and an ambulance and someone to contact Myles Forbin's wife. Arguing his finish with Moira who protested, claiming that she was a victim as well.

"I think with what we have here, Mrs. Weston," Mike kicked the green bag, "everybody else involved in this is a victim except you." He told her to remain where she was and when his men arrived she would be taken downtown and formally charged.

The flashing light from the parked ambulance highlighted Moira's drawn features with alternate splashes of red and white as the cruiser pulled down the drive away from the house. She looked small and beaten.

"How come you're here anyway?" Gil asked as he and the policeman walked down the drive together.

"Miss Brighton came to me with the evidence both of you gathered and told me what you were going to do. But she said you were going to the Weston home."

"I did, she wasn't there obviously, and a little grease for the doorman led me here."

"You're bloody lucky, Petchorik. Jar- Miss Brighton asked me to let you finish your interview and I said I would, but I decided to brace Forbin myself. Maybe get a nice bit of corroboration to back you up."

Gil smiled at the name stumble and looked away, muttering his thanks as he did. "I guess I owe Jarlayne a thanks as well. She's quite a woman, never seen a man yet who could deny her anything." Mike cast a silent sideways glance.

"How's your secretary?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Last report she was doing fine... well, you know what I mean." They reached the end of the drive and pushed open the heavy iron gates, both heading in different directions for their cars.

"Tomorrow. Both of you in my office for statements." Mike called authoritatively over his shoulder.