Page 56 of Bad Summer People
She smiled and raised her glass. “To your future, Robert. It’s just the beginning for you.”
They clinked.
“And it’s really too bad about Susan,” Jen continued, watching his reaction closely.
“Horrible thing,” said Robert. “I’d been with her all day at the tournament. I was so shocked to wake up to the news. She was a wonderful woman. Stubborn, but good-hearted.”
She glanced down at her phone. Twenty minutes had passed since she’d left with Sam. Another twenty before she could go home.
Marie and Steve Pond walked into the club, Marie in a formfitting black top and sparkly capris, Steve in a yellow sweater, his Rolex glinting in the overhead lights. They surveyed the empty scene and made their way to Jen and Robert, the only targets. Jen was relieved for the distraction.
“Well, hello, you two,” said Steve. Jen couldn’t look directly at his mouth; his teeth were blindingly white.
“Hi, Steve. Hi, Marie,” said Jen. She’d always gotten the sense that Marie didn’t like her. She was one of the older women in town who fawned over Sam, treating him like the adorable little boy they’d all loved. Jen hated it. None of them thought she was good enough for him.
“Hello, Jen. Hello, Robert,” said Marie, sidling up to Robert, pressing her chest against the edge of the bar, squeezing her cleavage.
“How’s your night going?” Steve asked.
“Oh, fine, we’re just talking tennis,” said Jen.
Robert nodded. “I’m giving Jen some last-minute pointers before the fall. She needs to take everything she’s learned this summer and apply it to her women’s league in Scarsdale.”
“What a sweetheart you are,” said Marie. “Susan, poor Susan, really liked working with you. I told her how much you were beloved by members.”
“Thanks, Marie. That means a lot.”
“Still can’t believe she’s gone,” said Steve, shaking his head, his impressive white coif moving left and right, tears wetting the corners of his eyes. “Micah!” Steve bellowed out of nowhere, startling them all.
Jen realized she’d never even ordered a drink. Micah brought Steve over his usual gin and tonic and then silently backed away, which was unlike him.
“The boardwalks are death traps,” Steve continued. “I’ve ridden home after a few too many cocktails and nearly killed myself in the process. I have a feeling that someone’s going to sue the pants off Mayor O’Connell. Susan doesn’t have family left, so that’s the only thing that could save him. No one really to file a wrongful death suit. Another reason to have children!” He chuckled grimly. “You were working with her that weekend,” he continued, directing his attention to Robert. “Did you notice anything about her that was off?”
“No,” said Robert, too quickly. “She seemed her normal self. She was always a little prickly, but that was her way.”
Marie put her hand on Robert’s shoulder, rubbing it aggressively. “That was definitely her way,” she said. “You’d heard what happened with the pro last year, Dave, I assume?”
“Oh, that guy, what a disaster,” Steve chimed in. “First of all, he was a drunk. Chugging vodka instead of water during lessons. I’m not sure how he did it. I have one Bloody Mary during brunch, and I’m ready to pass out.”
“That’s true,” said Marie affectionately.
“Secondly, he was a thief,” said Steve. “It was never officially investigated, but we all knew. He was double charging some lessons. Susan was onto him from the start. She had a good nose for stuff like that.”
Jen felt Robert tense, though it wasn’t apparent to the older couple.
“If Dave were still on the island, I’d have the police look intohimfor foul play!”
Jen was amused that everyone in town, most of whom knew nothing of the criminal justice system, were now all throwing around terms likefoul playandwrongful death.
“But he’s not here,” said Marie. “Last I heard, he was teaching at a local club in South Carolina.”
“I suppose,” said Steve. “But he definitely had a motive! Susan was the only one who knew for sure that he was stealing.”
Jen had a sudden realization. She looked over at Robert, listening politely, his handsome face frozen in an inquisitive tilt. She was sure she knew what Sam would find at Robert’s house. Or at least what he should be looking for.
“Okay, Columbo, whatever you say. Susan died by accident, falling off our dangerously high boardwalks. That’s what must be addressed. Don and the town trustees have their work cut out for them,” said Marie.
“I don’t trust the Suffolk County police, is all I’m saying,” said Steve. “They investigated for less than a week and barely asked any questions. I just think for Garry’s sake, for Susan’s sake, the police should have tried a little harder. I’m thinking about hiring my own private investigator. The idea that Susan committed suicide? That’s bullshit. That woman wouldn’t have killed herself. She’d sooner have killed someone else.”
