Episode 8 Publishing Is Murder

Based Upon The ABC Television Series Created By Sidney Sheldon

Written By Sara Duckworth

Hart House Day

Jonathan and Jennifer are standing outside behind their house playing tennis in the tennis court. It is a fairly warm day in October. Jonathan is serving. He tosses the ball into the air towards his racquet.

 

 

Jonathan runs up to the opposite side of his baseline. He hits the ball with the face of his racquet pointed slightly upward. Jennifer takes her turn at serving.  Finally it is Jonathan's turn at serving again. Once again he places his racquet in the position to hit the ball. He tosses the ball into the air toward the racquet again. The ball stays once again on his side of the court.  Jonathan and Jennifer continue playing for a few more minutes with Jennifer constantly winning the game before they decide to call it a day. They walk over to a table behind the net and place their racquet in a tennis bag.

 

“At least I get a free steak dinner tonight,” Jonathan says in relief. 

 

“For now how about some ice tea?” Jennifer asks as they each shake hands at Jennifer’s victory.

Jonathan and Jennifer are walking toward ground transportation of Portland International Jetport. Max is walking behind them carrying their luggage while Jennifer is walking Freeway who is on a leash. The Harts and Max are wearing a raincoat. Jonathan holds an umbrella in his hand. Freeway looks around watching all the excitement as they pass the passengers and employees in the airport. 

 

"It is a shame Angelina couldn't meet us here like she planned," Jennifer comments as she and Jonathan walk hand in hand.

 

"I am glad we have this time together, darling. It will give us a chance to see Portland on our own on our way to the house," Jonathan replies.

 

"Yes, that is true despite the rainy weather," Jennifer says turning to her husband with a smile. "How are you holding up, Max?" Jennifer asks without turning around.

 

"Just fine. Flyin' into Maine in rainy weather is just what I was countin' on. I hope I don't catch pneumonia," Max says with a bit of annoyance in his voice.

 

"Oh, come on now, Max. Rain never hurt anyone," Jonathan tells him.

 

"Oh, yeah? Did you know that Gene Kelly had a temperature of over 101 when filmin' the title song you see in that picture?" Max asks.

 

"We're not going to be singing or dancing in the rain. We're just going to be sightseeing," Jennifer replies.

 

"Besides we'll have transportation, and I have an umbrella," Jonathan adds.

 

"Mr. Kelly had an umbrella too, Mr. H, and look what good it did him," Max says.

 

"It is just drizzling, but if it starts pouring down the rain you have our permission to burst into song," Jennifer replies with a smile.

 

"Yes, as long as you don't try to imitate Gene Kelly's dance steps. You'd need more than one take," Jonathan says with a grin teasing.

 

"Fine. Joke around all you want, Mr. and Mrs. H. What about Freeway?"

 

"I don't think Freeway knows how to dance."

 

"Or use an umbrella," Jennifer says.

 

"I meant about him gettin' wet," Max replies.

 

"He won't suffer from some rain drops," Jonathan says as they reach ground transportation. Freeway barks. Jonathan and Jennifer stop walking as they turn to face each other.

 

"Jonathan, Freeway knew what we were talking about," Jennifer remarks in astonishment. "We keep underestimating his vocabulary." 

 

Freeway barks once again.

 

"Sometimes I wonder if he thinks he is a parrot instead of a dog," Jonathan replies.

 

Freeway once again barks. Jonathan and Jennifer turn to look at Freeway before they continue walking.

 

"Jonathan, you're going to have to be more cautious of what you say around Freeway," Jennifer says in a whisper.

 

Before Jonathan can respond they hear Max sneezing.

 

“Bless you!” Jonathan and Jennifer turn to tell him at the same time as Max wipes his nose with a tissue.

 

“Thank you!” Max exclaims before sneezing again. “What did I tell you about the cold and me ain’t being compatible?” he asks.

 

Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances.

 

The Chapman Building 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer walk toward the publishing company where Angelina works: Slucker And Gillette Publishing which is located in an old building in downtown. Jonathan holds the door open as Jennifer enters the company before going in himself. A few minutes later they approach a female secretary seated at her desk. She is preoccupied talking to someone on the telephone.

 

"Yes, you should have heard Mr. Slucker and Miss Gillette going at it again this morning. With all of the arguing that goes on between them here on a regular basis I have enough material to write my own book if I wanted to."

 

Jonathan and Jennifer look at each other taken by surprise at what they just heard Angelina's secretary just say about her own employer. 

 

"Excuse me," Jennifer starts to say to the secretary.

 

"Be with you in a minute, honey. Can't you see I'm in the middle of a conversation?" she asks calmly looking up at Jennifer. 

 

"Well, I'm not one who wishes to speak bad about others especially my employer," the secretary continues,"but believe me I have heard enough words exchanged between Slucker and Gillette to write a book that would hit the best seller list. I've been going home after work every evening and keeping notes just to remember everything my ears just couldn't help overhearing. I'm sorry, dear, but I can't go into detail now. I got two people standing right in front of me who are dying for my undivided attention. I'll call you when I get home. Goodbye." She hangs up the receiver and turns to the Harts. "You got a manuscript you want to submit to Miss Gillette? Just leave it with me, and I'll see that she gets it," she says.

 

"We're not here to see Miss Gillette about publishing a manuscript. She is expecting us. I'm her aunt, Jennifer Hart, and this is my husband, Jonathan," Jennifer replies. "Would you please tell her we just arrived?"

 

The secretary, who just realized she had been gossiping about Miss Gillette while her aunt was standing in front of her, gasps. She slumps down in her chair in a faint.

 

"Don't bother. We'll let Miss Gillette know we're here ourselves," Jennifer replies. She and Jonathan each exchange a look as they head toward the door to Angelina's office.  

 

Just as Jennifer is about to knock the door flings open, and an older man bursts out of the room with a look of anger on his face. He is fuming as he walks past the Harts to another office across the receptionist area.  Jonathan and Jennifer watch astonished and with worry as they watch him open the door, walk in, and slam the door with a thud loud enough that all of the employees mumble among themselves.

 

"I'm laying my money that is Mr. Slucker," Jonathan says turning to his wife. 

 

"That is him, darling. Charming as always," Jennifer replies with a sigh as they turn around and head into Angelina's office.

 

Angelina stands by the bar pouring herself a glass of wine. Her back is to the Harts as Jennifer quietly shuts the door.

 

"What year is the wine, Angelina?" Jennifer asks with a smile as her niece is about to take a sip of the drink.

 

Startled Angelina turns around and a wide smile crosses her face upon seeing her aunt.

 

"Aunt Jennifer, I didn't expect you to show up here at my office!" Angelina exclaims with delight as she places the glass down on the bar. She walks over to Jennifer. They embrace as Jonathan looks on happy that Jennifer and her niece finally are able to see each other after all these years.

 

"I couldn't just wait at your house. I had to see my favorite niece and see for myself how successful she has become since she left Maryland," Jennifer replies with a smile kissing her niece on the cheek. They pull out of the embrace. “ I want you to meet my husband, Jonathan," Jennifer says turning to him.

 

"You certainly had been successful yourself," Angelina says with a grin as she shakes Jonathan's hand. "I've been reading everything about Hart Industries. Jonathan has a good reputation as a businessman. How did you manage to meet this special aunt of mine?"

 

"I've been asking myself the same question everyday before I get out of bed, Angelina," Jonathan replies with a smile as he places his arm around Jennifer.

 

"You have?" Jennifer asks turning to him with a smile. "I've been wondering how I managed to meet you everyday before I get out of bed. No wonder it is so quiet before we get up," Jennifer says with a chuckle as she places her arm around Jonathan.

 

"Are you and my aunt always this much in love?" Angelina asks with a smile.

 

"How did you catch on?" Jonathan asks with a grin. "We can't get away with anything, darling, can we?" he asks with a chuckle as he looks at Jennifer with a twinkle in his eye.

 

"Looks like it, darling," Jennifer replies with a twinkle in her eye. "How have you been?" Jennifer asks turning to her niece as they walk toward the desk and take a seat.

 

"I would tell you everything is going well, but I think you would know I was lying," Angelina begins as she walks back over to the bar and picks up her glass. "I'm sure you witnessed Slucker bursting out of here with murder in his eye," she continues as she walks over to her desk. She takes a seat.

 

"Yes, he brushed past us before I could knock on the door," Jennifer replies. "I heard from your secretary you're not on good terms with him."

 

"If something is wrong it is best to confide with someone when you're having problems," Jonathan says crossing his legs.

 

"Yes, if Jonathan and I could be of any help don't hold back. We are family," Jennifer replies calmly with worry in her voice.

 

"I'm not holding anything back, Aunt Jennifer. I'm just embarrassed about the way our relationship has been for the past several months. We never were what you would consider pals, but we never got into heated discussions before. Slucker just keeps getting more impossible to work with. Fortunately he won't be any more of a problem because we are splitting up our partnership."

 

"That is why he burst out of the office looking like he would lose his temper," Jennifer comments. "Won't that affect the business? Didn't Slucker help finance the company?"

 

"I certainly did, but your niece can't seem to get that through her thick skull," Slucker replies with anger in his voice as they turn to see him standing near the door behind them. He is carrying boxes and files in his hands. "That is gratitude for you!" he exclaims looking at Angelina like he could kill her.

 

"Don't you think you could at least knock before bursting in?" Angelina asks placing her glass down managing to keep her cool. 

 

"Why should I? I was your partner for years, and I never once knocked! Why should I start now?!!!" Slucker asks losing his temper.

 

"Never mind. Just go, please," Angelina says with a sigh as she returns her ex-partner's cold stare.

 

"Not until I get a few things I need to say off my chest first, Angelina!" Slucker exclaims pronouncing her name with disgust. 

 

"Why don't you leave and come back when you're not so upset?" Jonathan asks rising turning around to face the man.

 

"Who are you? Oh, yeah. You're that big hotshot from Los Angeles, Jonathan Hart!" Slucker exclaims recognizing Jonathan.

 

"Remember me, Mr. Slucker? We met briefly years ago in New York. I'm Jennifer Hart. I'm Angelina's aunt," Jennifer says turning around in her seat to face him.

 

"Now I remember. You're that nosy reporter! Figures you're related to Angelina! You both have a talent for being a pain in the neck!" Slucker exclaims with disgust. "I only have a few things to say. Then I'll be on my way."

 

"Would you mind saying them please so you won't have another pain in the neck?" Jonathan asks calmly. "If you insult my wife again you're going to need some aspirin to get rid of this pain in the neck."

 

"Don't worry! I've had enough pain for one day!" Slucker exclaims. "Gillette, this isn't over between us! You may have won the battle, but you're far from wining the war! I'm going to get my lawyer on the phone and have you sued for breach of contract! When I'm through with you you won't have a place to run business! You'll be lucky if you ever can find some sucker to go into business with you again! That reminds me. Remember that manuscript I was telling you about? Well, I got some publisher from another firm who was dying for me to send him the pages. He sounded really interested in publishing it! After it gets published no one in Maine or the publishing world itself will ever want to have anything to do with Angelina Gillette ever again!"

 

"Don't threaten me, Slucker," Angelina replies with anger in her voice. "I can sue you for slander myself if you try to sue for breach of contract."

 

"Well, I can see you got your hands full right now, Angelina," Jennifer says rising from her seat. "Jonathan and I will see you back at the house."

 

Jonathan rises from his seat and walks over to Slucker. "You know, Slucker, for a businessman you got a lot to learn about the world of business," Jonathan tells him casually. "For one thing it is never good to imitate the person you're threatening to sue."

 

"Are you threatening me?" Slucker asks his blood boiling at he stares at Jonathan with the same cold stare.

 

"No, just giving you words of advice from another businessman," Jonathan replies. "Come on, darling. I think we overstayed our welcome," he says taking Jennifer's hand as they head toward the door. "Oh, just so you know if you do sue Angelina for breach of contract I know a lawyer in California who handles civil cases. I think he would be very much interested in representing my wife's niece. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Slucker," Jonathan tells him as he opens the door for his wife. Jonathan and Jennifer walk out as Mr. Slucker and Angelina look after them.

 

"Darling, why is it wherever we go we always run into the nicest people?" Jennifer asks her husband as she and Jonathan start toward the elevator.

 

"I don't know. But I do think Mr. Slucker certainly is a tough businessman. I also think he is in the wrong line of business."

 

"Why do you say that?" Jennifer asks as they walk out of the receptionist area. 

 

"He certainly doesn't look like a businessman. He looks more like the athletic type. If looks could kill he would be on death row," Jonathan comments. 

 

"I hope you won't regret what you just said. The last thing we need right now is ending up in another murder investigation," Jennifer replies with a sigh and disappointment in her voice. "One thing is for sure though publishing definitely is murder."

 

 

 

Slucker and Gillette Publishing 

Slucker is walking out of the building carrying files and boxes in his hand. He has an angry and bitter expression on his face after his latest argument with Angelina. He walks over to his car which is a black Ferrari. Slucker places the possessions on the top of his automobile and unlocks the car. He places the files and boxes in the backseat before shutting the door.   Two men come out of nowhere and approach Slucker. One of them has a gun which they aim at his back. Slucker stops nervously and anxiously fearing he is going to be attacked or killed in broad daylight. 

 

"Well, long time and no see, eh?" the other man says with a grin.

 

Slucker, recognizing the voice, sighs in relief and turns around facing the gentleman. 

 

"What do you want?" Slucker asks with a bit of annoyance in his voice. "Have your friend put that gun away," he orders.

 

"I would like to, but I am not in any position to make that decision. Now, we're not here to harm you. We just came to inform you you have a meeting with our mutual acquaintance. The gun is merely only our way of forcing you to drive to the destination to meet him," the man replies casually. "Get in the Ferrari and drive.  I'll be riding along beside you to be sure you follow our orders," he continues as Slucker walks over to the driver's side of the vehicle. Slugger gets in his seat and starts the engine as the men get into the car with him. The man, with the gun, keeps the weapon pointed at Slucker's back as he sits in the backseat. "Drive to the Old Port. You're to meet the man at a pier."

 

Slucker gives the man a harsh look before driving away and heading toward the Old Port. The Ferrari drives into Old Port, which is a district in the town, located only a few minutes away from the publishing company.

 

"Stop here, Slucker," the man orders as they reach the side of a street. Slucker steps on the brake and brings his vehicle to a stop. "We'll walk the rest of the way from here."

 

Slucker reluctantly exits the vehicle with the men. They walk with him side by side. The man, with the gun, by now has concealed the weapon in his pocket of his raincoat so attention will not be drawn to them. They approach a pier where an older Italian gentleman in his seventies, with gray hair, is waiting for them. He is smoking a cigar. He smiles upon seeing Slucker.

 

"Slucker, I'm glad you could be persuaded to come," he replies seriously as he takes the cigar out of his mouth and gives him a stare.

 

"I came here against my own freewill so I didn't have a choice," Slucker replies calmly managing to keep his temper under control.

 

The older gentleman looks to the men, who forced Slucker to drive to the district against his will, still standing beside him. He nods to them, and they walk away, leaving Slucker alone with the older man.

 

"What do you want?" Slucker asks impatiently. 

 

"Let's take a walk, and I'll tell you the reason I called for this meeting," the older gentleman replies as they head down the street and away from the pier. "I want the manuscript. I'm willing to pay you any reasonable price."

 

"Manuscript? What manuscript?" Slucker asks with a chuckle.

 

"Now don't be smart with me," the older man replies sternly and giving him a cold stare. "I didn't have my friends escort you to Old Port just so you could make jokes," he says as they stop walking and just stand on the cobble street.  He turns around and gets in front of Slucker. "Now about the manuscript," he continues just as Jonathan and Jennifer are strolling down the district on the other side of the street. Jennifer happens to look to the other side of the street and notices Slucker talking to the man whose back is turned towards them. She is surprised and stunned to see him.

 

"Portland is such a quaint town," Jonathan casually remarks to his wife ignorant of the fact that Jennifer has noticed Slucker is in Old Port across from them.

 

"Uh-huh," Jennifer replies not listening as she is too busy watching Slucker who is engaged in a discussion with the stranger.

 

"Interesting history, lobster, boats, lighthouses, beautiful scenery," Jonathan says.

 

"Uh-huh," Jennifer replies once more.

 

They stop walking as Jonathan notices that Jennifer is distracted. "You know, darling, if something is on your mind it may help if you let me know what it is," Jonathan tells his wife as she turns to him. 

 

"Jonathan, look!" Jennifer exclaims as she points her head to Slucker across the street.

 

Jonathan turns his head in the direction in which his wife is pointing. "I wonder what he is doing here. I would think Slucker would be in the office of his lawyer getting ready to file a lawsuit against Angelina."

 

"I'm seeing more of that man today than I ever did when I was in New York," Jennifer replies turning to face her husband. "I do not like it."

 

"It looks from here that Slucker is having another quarrel with someone," Jonathan says as they observe the exchange between him and the other man.

 

"Ten million dollars is my final offer," the man tells Slucker his temper about to get the best of him.

 

"I do not care if you offer me billion dollars. The manuscript is not for sell to you or anyone else. If you want it you'll have to buy it like every other normal person after it has been published," Slucker tells him with a smile. 

 

"Slucker, if you have the manuscript published it'll ruin my reputation and the family honor along with my business. My old man worked hard all those years. I wouldn't have gotten where I am today if it weren't for all the sacrifices he made for me and my brothers during our childhood. I want that manuscript, and I'll get it from you any way I have to!" the older gentleman tells him firmly. 

 

"If you're threatening me you're not going to get away with it, grandpa!" Slucker exclaims his temper about to burst. "I'll get a restraining order against you so you won't keep pestering me about the manuscript!"

 

The old man sighs and places his hand on Slucker's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost my temper," he says as he takes out his handkerchief and wipes off his face which is burning up. "It is just a matter of life and death that you hand it over to me.  Surely we can make some kind of deal. If you hand it over to me I'll do you a favor in return. You just name it, and I'll do you that favor. There is no reason we can't discuss this like reasonable adults and come to some kind of arrangement. What do you say?" he asks hopefully as he places his handkerchief back in the pocket of his raincoat. 

 

Slucker stares at him in disgust and with contempt. 

 

"You listen to me, you stupid old fool," Slucker replies grabbing the man by the shoulders managing to keep his temper under control. "If you or any of your goons come near me again I'll take the manuscript over to the police. They'll throw you in jail where you belong. The manuscript is not to be handed over to anyone except my publisher! If I were to sell it you'd be the last person on earth I'd sell it to! Now keep away from me, or I'll have you face the rest of your miserable life in prison! That is not a threat! That is a promise that I intend to keep!" Slucker says raising his voice loud enough that the Harts hear his final words to the old man. He and the older gentleman give each other a cold stare before Slucker storms off leaving the man staring after him with rage. The older gentleman mumbles to himself once Slucker is out of sight. A limousine pulls up, and the man gets into the car slamming the door shut. The limousine drives off heading out of Old Port as Jonathan and Jennifer watch.

 

"Slucker certainly knows how to make friends," Jonathan replies sarcastically with a sigh.

 

"With a man like that who needs enemies?" Jennifer asks as she shakes her head and rolls her eyes in disbelief. 

 

 Collins' Publishing House

Soon after Slucker walks into the office of his publisher, Daryl Collins, an older man in his early sixties with glasses. Daryl is sitting behind his desk looking over a manuscript when he looks up and notices his visitor.  

 

"Slucker, I didn't think you were going to make it. You're a little late for our appointment," Daryl tells his client as he glances at the clock in his sight.

 

"I got held up," Slucker explains nonchalantly as he takes a seat across from the other man. "I was regretfully detained," he says with annoyance in his voice. "Well, what do you think of the manuscript? I spent weeks making the final changes you suggested," he tells Daryl as he gets up and starts to pour himself a drink at his bar near the door. "Pour one for me."

 

Daryl nods as he pours himself a drink. "How did it go today with your partner?" he asks as he starts to pour Slucker a drink.

 

"Ex- partner," Slucker informs his publisher with anger in his voice. "We split up our partnership. I'm going to sue that girl for breach of contract. Her aunt and husband are in town. Jennifer Hart is Angelina's aunt and a freelance journalist. I've met Jennifer Edwards  several times when she was still living in New York. She is now married to that industrialist, Jonathan Hart, and living in Los Angeles. Jonathan Hart threatened to obtain a lawyer for Angelina if she sues me for slander. The jerk! Typical millionaire who thinks he can push anyone around just because he is a hotshot."

 

"Jonathan Hart is a respected and well-liked businessman by his friends and associates," Daryl replies handing Slucker his drink. "He is down to earth, and the press never print anything negative about him. The man grew up poor in an orphanage, went to college, and managed to make a success of himself. He started Hart Industries. Jonathan Hart has a good head for business," Daryl adds as he retakes his seat behind his desk with his drink in hand. He places the glass on the desk.

 

"I didn't ask you for character reference concerning the man, Daryl!" Slucker snaps shooting the publisher a harsh look. "If I wanted to learn anything about Hart I could have found that out myself. Let's talk about my manuscript. I'm not paying you to waste my time talking about Jonathan Hart," he says taking a sip of his drink. "I'm glad you put enough ice in this drink for once," Slucker remarks with a satisfied grin.

 

Daryl rolls his eyes, Slucker's rude and arrogant attitude getting on his nerves as always when he was in his presence.

 

"I think we should maybe postpone publishing the manuscript until you get the lawsuit behind you," Daryl tells his client as he takes a sip of his drink. "The press will waste no time printing about the lawsuit since you have a famous reputation here in Portland."

 

"Daryl, why are you making such a ridiculous case about the lawsuit?!!! I do not recall paying you for legal advice. That is my attorney's responsibility!" Slucker exclaims losing his patience. "What is the matter with everyone today?" he asks sitting up.

 

"Slucker, the truth of the matter is I can not publish the manuscript," Daryl replies nervously  hesitant to tell his client the truth as he sits up in his chair. 

 

"What?!" Slucker asks his temper about to explode as he rises from his seat. "We had a deal. Wait a minute. Have you gotten a better offer or are you being pressured not to publish my manuscript?!! Ever since I told just about everyone about the manuscript they have been in a panic and wanting to buy it from me."

 

"Slucker, please just calm down. There is no reason to lose your temper," Daryl tells him rising to his feet. "That manuscript is not worth publishing. I am afraid it could get me killed. If people you have written about in that manuscript been attempting to intimidate you so it won't get published I think you have a good reason not to go through with your plans. You could get sued for or worse. You could get killed. I am not going to risk losing my life over some manuscript. It is too dangerous. I'm afraid I am going to have to say no to publishing it. I'm sorry," Daryl says with deep fear in his voice dreading Slucker's reaction to refusing to publish the manuscript.

 

Slucker, now deeply enraged and his temper getting the best of him, walks over to Daryl. After staring at him for a few seconds he throws the drink in his face taking the man by shock.

 

"Drop dead, Daryl!!!" Slucker shouts as he places the glass on the desk before storming over to the door. He opens it and turns back to Daryl who is now staring at him with resentment and anger after having the drink thrown in his face. "Let me tell you something, Daryl Collins!" he exclaims as he stands in the doorway his temper still boiling inside of him. All of the employees in the reception area stop their work and turn in his direction. "One way or another I am going to get that manuscript published! I do not care who I have to walk over and ruin to see my work in print! With all the juicy details about all those losers I wrote about I say I have a high chance of seeing the manuscript hit the best seller list, and you can take that to the bank! If you are too much of a coward to publish my manuscript you are not fit to be in the publishing business! It is a doggy- dog world! In the publishing business you have to gamble no matter how risky the bets are! I am going to stick my neck out, and I do not care what it costs me to see my hard work get published! If people hate me for writing the truth then so be it! Their life and reputation is none of my concern! As a publisher you should feel the same! Good luck surviving this business! You won't be in the publishing business for long! Oh, by the way speaking of business by the time I tell every newspaper in the state of Maine about our falling out no one will want to come to you again! You and Angelina Gillette will be lucky if you can ever start your own business on your own!"

 

"Don't threaten me! You'll be sorry!!! I'd kill you before I ever let you ruin me, and you can take that to the bank, Slucker!!!" Daryl yells his temper now getting the better of him. "Get out of my office and don't you ever come to me again!" Daryl warns him as he walks over to him. "Get out of here this second, and take your evil spirit with you!!!!" Daryl shouts as he points his finger at Slucker.

 

"I'll be gladly heading on my way. You better watch your temper too! It can land you in prison if you don't watch it! I hear prison is a terrible place to be and a man your age should be thinking of his health before threatening another human being's life!" Slucker exclaims with a  look of warning. He walks out and slams the door leaving Daryl Collins fuming and fearing what Slucker would do to his reputation. 

 

"Someday that man is going to get what is coming to him, and it won't be too soon for me," Daryl says calmly with a sigh as he walks back to his desk.

 

Maria's Ristorante 

That night Jonathan, Jennifer, and Max are dining out with Angelina at one of the popular restaurants in the city. They are ordering their dinner as a waitress is taking their order.

 

"We'll start out with shrimp cocktail," Jonathan tells her as they look over their menu. "And then my wife and I would like to have the Homemade Lobster Ravioli Sorrento for our meal."

 

The waitress nods as she writes down their order. "What about you, sir?" she asks turning her attention to Max who is still looking over the menu.

 

"Geez! They sure have more than enough food," Max says in surprise. "I could order everythin' on the menu."

 

"I wouldn't recommend that, Max," Jennifer replies with a grin. "You wouldn't have room to put it all."

 

"Yes, think of all the desserts you wouldn't be able to eat," Jonathan says shaking his head teasing him. 

 

"What desserts, Mr. H?" Max asks looking up at them. "I don't see no desserts anywhere."

 

"Look under Dolce," Jennifer replies.

 

"Huh?" Max asks confused.  "Is that anythin' like desserts?"

 

Jonathan and Jennifer turn to look at each other in disbelief.

 

"Dolce means sweets in English," Jennifer explains handing the waitress their menu.

 

"Oh, why doesn't it just say so? Everythin' else is written in just plain English. Just because they serve Italian here doesn't mean they have to print their menus in Italian. Not everyone has a degree in languages like you, Mrs. H," Max replies.

 

"Think of it this way, Max. Dolce starts with d just like desserts starts with d," Angelina tells him with a smile.

 

"Good way of lookin' at it, Angelina. I'll remember that from now on. Uh, I'll have a steak," Max says glancing over the menu once more before closing it.

 

"Steak?!!!" Jonathan and Jennifer ask in shock at Max not ordering Italian or seafood from the menu.

 

"Yeah, steak. I ain't eatin' no lobsters in a restaurant I've never been in before. Besides you said Angelina knows how to make a good and delicious lobster. I'll wait until she feels like servin' us a meal to eat a lobster."

 

The waitress smiles at Max as she takes his menu. 

 

"What about you?" the waitress asks as she turns to Angelina.

 

"I'll have the Lobster Ravioli Sorrento," Angelina tells her as she hands over the menu.

 

"I'll put your orders in right now," the waitress replies as she starts to walk away from their booth.

 

"Thank you," Jonathan says with a smile.

 

The waitress shoots Jonathan a warm smile before walking off. Jonathan and Jennifer turn to Angelina who is in a sober and quiet mood. Max also notices Jennifer's niece is feeling down.

 

"Angelina, don't worry about the check. It is on me tonight," Jonathan says breaking the silence.

 

"Thank you, Jonathan," Angelina replies managing a smile. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaims with a sigh.

 

"For what?" Jennifer asks as she picks up her glass.

 

"For being such lousy company tonight. After what happened today with Slucker I'm not in the mood for polite conversation."

 

"Don't worry. I'm just happy to finally have time with my favorite niece after all these years. Jonathan and I don't mind quiet do we, darling?" Jennifer asks turning to Jonathan with a smile.

 

"No, of course not. It is one of our favorite senses," Jonathan replies with a smile as he picks up his glass.

 

"Silence isn't one of the five senses," Jennifer says with a grin.

 

"It is in my book," Jonathan replies. "And touch is also in my book of senses," he says as he wraps his arm around his wife. Jennifer wraps her arm around her husband.

 

"I, uh, think I'll get a breath of fresh air before dinner," Max says rising to his feet so the Harts can have alone time with Angelina.

 

"Max, what about the cold?" Jennifer asks.

 

"What cold? I'll have my jacket," Max replies picking up his jacket. "If the waitress comes back ask for another beer," he says putting on his jacket which he zips up.

 

"Don't stay out too long, Max," Jonathan tells him as Max walks toward the door of the restaurant.

 

"That was thoughtful of Max. He didn't have to leave," Angelina says a bit embarrassed that he felt the need to.

 

"Thoughtfulness has always been one of Max's admirable traits," Jonathan replies with a reassuring smile. "Look, I'll call that lawyer I know that handles civil cases first thing in the morning. I'll ask for his legal expertise."

 

 "The sooner we get legal advice the better we'll know how to handle that lawsuit Slucker insists on bringing against you," Jennifer tells her niece.  

 

"You know I really missed you, Aunt Jennifer," Angelina says with a smile as Jennifer reaches out and takes her hand. 

 

"I've missed you too, sweetie. I'll never forget those nights I helped you with writing assignments for school," Jennifer replies.

 

"You were always my champion," Angelina says. "I'll always remember those nights we would stay up late before school the next day. You always understood my need to improve myself in my writing and all of my classes."

 

"You were a very devoted and willing student. Even dad said that about you often."

 

"Yes, I just wish I could have made it for the funeral. I never should have let Slucker bully me all these years. So much time was wasted giving in to his demands," Angelina replies with bitter disappointment. "I accomplished a lot in my life when it came to business, but I never really accomplished anything in my personal life. My marriage never worked out. I have no one to blame, but myself for neglecting my family all these years. I don't blame Steven at all for his feelings toward me. I always felt bad I never returned to Maryland. It was my home for years and where I was born. I turned my back on what really mattered: family."

 

“Angelina, we all regret decisions we made in our lives.  We just have to learn from them and focus on the future. Life is too short to contemplate on our mistakes and wonder what the past would have been if we chose wisely. Even dad told me he regretted all those years he was away from home. His very words were,”I can’t help regretting all the years I was away, putting my job before anything else,” Jennifer replies gently as she thinks back to that time in the past when she and Jonathan were visiting her father in their family home in Hillhaven. “He even told me,”Darling, please know I never meant to neglect you. You always been the most important thing in my life.” “I’ll never forget telling dad,” I know that and you didn’t neglect me. You are the best part of me. You made me smart and strong and you taught me how to survive.”

 

“What did he say after you told him all that?” Angelina asks with a smile deeply moved by what Jennifer just told her about her private and cherished moment between her and her dad.

 

“He said, “You taught me a few things too, you know.” “ Life teaches everyone of us lessons we learn along the way through the years. I think what bothers dad about you not coming back was that you never told him you were sorry or told him how you felt. He would have understood just like I understood the decision he made about staying away from home. I’m sure dad would agree with me when I say you inherit ambition and drive from our family. Being on your own and being independent made you tough and taught you how to survive life. Angelina, you’re more like your aunt than you ever realized. It is almost if we were sisters instead of aunt and niece. I’m proud of you. When I look at the successful woman you became I feel pleased. It gives me joy knowing I made you what you are today,” Jennifer says finishing up telling her niece her feelings about her.

 

Angelina reaches across and takes Jennifer’s hand which she squeezes gently. “I love you! I couldn’t have asked for a better aunt.”

 

“I love you too, and I couldn’t have asked for a better niece.”

 

“Jonathan,” Angelina says turning her attention to him. “You’ll never know how lucky you are to have married my aunt. She is the most loving, caring, and smart woman I have ever known.”

 

“I know all that, Angelina. All I have to say is my sentiments exactly,” Jonathan replies with a grin as he winks at her.

 

Jennifer and Angelina burst out laughing as Jonathan reaches across the table and places his hand on Jennifer’s. Jennifer turns to her husband and shoots him a wink.

 

“That is exactly the answer I was hoping to hear, darling,” she says teasingly with a smile.

After dinner Jonathan, Jennifer, and Max approach Angelina’s house in her red Mercedes. Max is driving at the wheel while Jonathan, Jennifer, and Angelina sit in the backseat engaged in a conversation as they pull up to the house in her neighborhood.

 

“That was such a delightful dinner. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much,” Angelina says with a smile as they get out of the car. “Actually I can. The last time I enjoyed myself like tonight was after my divorce was finalized,” Angelina recalls as she takes out the key to her house. 

 

“I know exactly how you feel,” Max says walking over to them as they head up to the house. “I had myself quite a celebration after I divorced Pearl. I woke up with such a hangover I thought I would never drink again.”

 

“That bad of a marriage?” Angelina asks.

 

“Well, let’s say it it wasn’t a match made in heaven,” Max replies. “Pearl was an okay dame if you could handle a woman who was always schemin’ and gettin’ into trouble. I just wish trouble was grounds for divorce.”

 

The Harts and Angelina chuckle as they hear a car approach. 

 

“Thank you for dinner, Jonathan. First thing in the morning I am going to call Steven and make amends,” Angelina says turning to face Jonathan and Jennifer.

 

Just as Jennifer is about to respond the car pulls up next to them and comes to a stop.

 

“I wonder who that can be at this hour,” Jennifer says as all four of them are wondering what is going on.

 

“Whoever it is it must be important for them to pay Angelina a call this time at night,” Jonathan replies as the man gets out of his vehicle and walks over. “He doesn’t look like he is a stranger in town asking for directions.”

 

“You couldn’t be more right about that,” the stranger replies. “Angelina Gillette?” he says firmly as he turns to face Angelina.

 

“Yes, I’m Angelina Gillette. Who are you? What can I do for you?”

 

“My name isn’t important. What I have to deliver is more of your concern,” he says handing her an envelope. “I’m a process server. I regret to inform you it is my duty to serve you with papers.”

 

“At this time of the night?” Jennifer asks with some annoyance in her voice. 

 

“You make it sound as if my wife’s niece is in some kind of serious trouble. Does she need an attorney?” Jonathan asks.

 

“Yes, but not at this moment. Miss Gillette is being sued by her former partner, Sherman Sluckler, for breach of contract. Have a good evening,” he answers as he gets back into his car.

 

“Good evenin’?!” Max asks in disbelief. “Sounds like he doesn’t mind bein’ the bearer of bad news,” Max says with annoyance.

 

Jonathan, Jennifer, Angelina, and Max watch the process server drive away as they stand still processing the news they had just received.

 

 

Soon Jonathan, Jennifer, and Angelina are gathered in her living room as they discuss the lawsuit. Jonathan and Jennifer are seated on the couch while Angelina stands across from them by her window.

 

“That man!” Angelina exclaims with anger in her voice. “He didn’t waste any time hiring an attorney for breach of contract! I’m so mad I could kill him!”

 

“It is good thing you didn’t blurt that out when it wasn’t just us around,” Jonathan replies. “With the way you’re reacting now people may taken your words seriously.”

 

“I was thinking the same thing, darling,” Jennifer says. “But Slucker has other enemies. I feel like letting him have it myself. Only not with a weapon. With my purse,” she says with anger in her voice.

 

“As for me I feel like punching him. Slucker definitely is a piece of work, darling, but we have a better weapon to fight him with. A lawyer. Angelina, Jennifer and I didn’t think we should mention it to you earlier, but we saw Slucker arguing with someone in Old Port when we were taking a stroll.”

 

“Who was it?” Angelina asks eagerly.

 

“We don’t know. His back was turned. We couldn’t see him,” Jennifer replies. 

 

“No, but we did hear their final words to each other. Slucker threatened to put the older man away in prison if he didn’t stop hounding him about the manuscript.”

 

Just then the telephone rings. Angelina sighs and walks over to the coffee table to answer the telephone.

 

“Hello, this is Angelina Gillette,” Angelina replies calmly. “Slucker, what are you doing calling me at home late at night? You have some nerve after having a process server handing me legal documents informing me you’re suing me!” she exclaims managing to keep her temper in control. Jonathan and Jennifer watch with anticipation and worry as they listen to Angelina talking to her ex-partner on the other end of the receiver. “What?! You want me to meet you in the office?! What do you think you can gain by arranging a meeting? I’m not going to take you back if you think reconsidering will change your mind about the lawsuit! Forget it! Manuscript?! What about your dirty manuscript? You’re threatening me on top of everything else?! All right, all right! I’ll meet you about the manuscript! But that’s all we’re going to do is just talk! Nothing else! Do you understand? Good. I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes. I’m leaving now,” Angelina says as she hangs up the receiver resisting the temptation to slam the receiver down.

 

“I didn’t like the sound of that call,” Jonathan remarks as Angelina turns to them.

 

“That makes two of us,” Jennifer says. “Angelina, what are you thinking of meeting that man after what happened? How did he threaten you?”

 

“He threatened to tell every newspaper in Portland about our relationship if I didn’t show up. I value my reputation too much to let every citizen in town know we hated each other.”

 

“Sweetie, Slucker has more enemies than we can keep track of. Your reputation won’t be ruined if you didn’t keep your meeting.”

 

“I know, Aunt Jennifer, but I’ll never get any sleep tonight if I don’t go. I just want to get that man out of my hair once and for all,” she says as she walks over to her closet in the hall.

 

“Jonathan and I will go with you. You shouldn’t go alone with the state of mind you’re in.”

 

“Yes, I’ll drive. You can sit in the back with Jennifer,” Jonathan says as he and his wife rise from their seat.

 

“Thank you, Jonathan, but I have to handle this alone. I’m taking care of business, and I’m taking care of it alone,” Angelina replies as she takes out a coat which she puts on. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything I’ll live to regret. I’m just going to have a talk with him and that is it. You don’t have to wait up,” she says as she walks to the door. She opens the door and slams it on her way out.

 

“You have to give her credit for having gumption,” Jonathan says turning to his wife. 

 

“I don’t have to tell you where she gets that from,” Jennifer replies with a sigh. “I just hope I didn’t make a mistake in not insisting we go with her.”

 

“Darling, you have every reason in the world for worrying about her, but Angelina is capable of taking care of herself. I don’t think she would get mad enough to kill Slucker. She is no more a killer than you are.”

 

“I just feel like we’re not giving her enough moral support, darling. I feel we should be going more out of our way to help her overcome her problems with her ex-partner. She shouldn’t feel neglected in any way,” Jennifer replies as they retake their seat on the couch. “Do you think I was not the kind of aunt I could have been?” she asks as they turn to face each other. “I mean a better aunt. I know I have been a good aunt, but I wonder if I could have done so much more for her. Maybe I could have helped her heal the rift between her and my dad. All those years of them not be on speaking terms and being career driven while having to face a divorce three years into her marriage has been really hard on her. I could have been there for her and wrote to her more often.”

 

“Yes, maybe you could have helped her heal the rift between her and Steven. Maybe even kept in touch more often. But when it comes right down to it all left is maybes and ifs.  Darling, Angelina already has the best aunt she could ever have. You’ve have already given her enough moral support. You showed her love by still keeping in touch and considering her family. If Angelina ever felt she needed you you would have been there. I know you. You don’t neglect those you love,” Jonathan replies with a warm smile as they wrap their arm around each other. “Speaking of neglect, one person you love needs some attention of their own right now,” Jonathan says seductively. “He is sitting right beside you.”

 

“What kind of attention did you have in mind?” Jennifer asks with a grin.

 

“How about we go up to our room, and I’ll show you?” 

 

“I couldn’t think of a better place,” Jennifer replies seductively. They rise from the couch and start to head to the guest bedroom. “Oh, darling, there is something I have been meaning to tell you,” Jennifer says as they walk into the foyer hand in hand. “I also consider touch one of the five senses in my book,” she says playfully as they look at each other longingly and lovingly.  They stop walking. Jonathan grins and takes her hand pulling her into a kiss.

 

Twenty minutes later the elevator in the top of the building where the offices are located at opens, and Angelina steps off. The building is pitch dark except for a light coming from a lamp in Slucker’s former office. Angelina fuming storms over to the office and throws open the door.

 

“All right, Slucker. I’m here!” Angelina exclaims as she walks into the room. She stops in her tracks in shock and horror as she sees Slucker lying on the floor next to the chair across from the desk. He is lying face up with his eyes shut and some blood bleeding onto his shirt from his chest. “Slucker!” she exclaims with terror. She walks over to Slucker’s motionless body. Just as she bends down to feel for a pulse a shadow of a person appears out of nowhere and knocks Angelina out with a bookend. She falls to the floor, and the mysterious person walks over to the desk. The stranger picks up the manuscript and flees from the scene. 

 

Soon after being knocked out Angelina slowly regains consciousness.  A security guard rushes into the room. He stops in the doorway when noticing Slucker’s body, and Angelina lying on the floor next to him.  Angelina slowly rises to her feet and notices the guard after looking up in his direction. She looks to Slucker and to the guard nervously. The security guard shakes his head in disbelief and frowns at Angelina. 

 

Minutes later Jonathan and Jennifer arrive at the publishing company in a red rented Mercedes. Jonathan brings the vehicle to a stop as they approach the building. An ambulance and a police car are parked out front of the building. They get out of the vehicle and head toward the building together as they hold each other’s hand.

 

After getting off an elevator Jonathan and Jennifer approach Angelina who is being questioned by a police officer outside Slucker’s office. Another officer is standing behind them questioning the security guard.

 

“Angelina,” Jennifer says walking over to her niece.

 

“Aunt Jennifer, I’m so sorry I had to disturb you and Jonathan at this hour,” Angelina replies distressed. “Thank you for coming!”

 

“Of course. We’re family,” Jennifer says hugging her niece. “Are you all right?”

 

“Other than being shaken up I’m fine. Lieutenant Lawrence, this is my aunt, Jennifer Hart and her husband, Jonathan,” Angelina says turning to the lieutenant introducing Jennifer and Jonathan.

 

“Hello, Mrs. and Mr. Hart,” the lieutenant replies shaking their hand. “I didn’t know Miss Gillette has an aunt. Is this your first trip to Maine?”

 

“Yes,” Jennifer replies. “My husband and I just arrived this afternoon.”

 

“I’m sorry your trip had to turn out like this. What time did Miss Gillette leave the house?”

 

“I believe it was ten thirty,” Jonathan says. “How was Slucker killed?”

 

“We haven’t found the murder weapon yet, sir. We do know he was shot because the security guard heard a shot and rushed up here to investigate. That is when he saw your niece lying next to the victim’s body. The coroner believes he had been dead for only a few minutes. The guard was delayed in getting up here faster. He had some trouble with the elevator. I hate to tell you this, sir, and madam, but your niece is the prime suspect. The guard said the only person who entered the building before the shot was the victim and Miss Gillette. It would have been impossible for anyone else to have entered the building without his knowledge.”

 

“Isn’t there another entrance?” Jonathan asks.

 

“Only the stairs heading toward the back of the building.”

 

“How can my niece be the prime suspect when the victim had lots of enemies? You yourself said you haven’t recovered the murder weapon,” Jennifer replies. “We didn’t see a gun in the hall closet or anywhere in the house.”

 

“True, but Miss Gillette could have kept the gun in the glove compartment of her car,” Lieutenant Lawrence says. 

 

“Do you own a gun?” Jonathan asks turning to Angelina.

 

“Yes, but unfortunately it disappeared weeks ago. I meant to report the disappearance, but I forgot about it. I did keep the weapon in my glove compartment for protection though,” Angelina confessed with sadness in her voice. “Lieutenant, there is something else you should know. My aunt and her husband should know too. The manuscript is missing. I noticed it had vanished just as the guard was calling the police. I saw it on Slucker’s desk before I was knocked out.”

 

“You were knocked out?” Jennifer asks with worry. “Are you all right?”

 

“Other than my head aches I’m fine.”

 

“If Angelina killed Slucker what did she do with the manuscript? It would be stupid of her to keep it on her after she murdered the man.”

 

“Yes, Mrs. Hart. I agree. I checked her purse for the murder weapon, and there wasn’t any manuscript. It is possible she could have stashed the manuscript and the weapon someplace no one would think to look,” the officer replies. “Miss Gillette already told me about her telephone conversation with her ex- partner. It is possible the victim never brought the manuscript along. The way I see it is your niece and the man got into a heated argument. In a rage Miss Gillette took out her gun and shot Sherman Slucker.”

 

“And made up the story about being knocked out?” Jennifer asks.

 

“Yes, I checked out her story about being knocked unconscious. There isn’t any blunt object that appears to be missing or has any blood on it.”

 

“The killer could have rendered Angelina unconscious with a blunt object that doesn’t even belong in the office or the building, Lieutenant Lawrence,” Jonathan tells the officer. 

 

“Are you placing Angelina under arrest?” Jennifer asks anxiously.

 

“No, the good news I’m not placing Miss Gillette under arrest. There is not enough evidence for an arrest. Fortunately a motive isn’t enough circumstantial evidence for an arrest. I’m afraid Miss Gillette I am going to have to advise you not to leave town until this homicide has been cleared up.”

 

“Don’t worry, Lieutenant Lawrence. I have no intention of leaving Portland until Slucker’s murderer is caught. If I can be of any further help I’d be more than happen to assist you,” Angelina replies.

 

“I’m very glad to know that. It is always a relief when a suspect chooses to be cooperative especially during a homicide investigation. It always makes our job easier. Miss Gillette, I do not have any more questions for you so you may go home unless you have something else you like to add to your statement.”

 

“Come along, sweetie,” Jennifer replies taking Angelina’s hand. “Jonathan and I will drive you home,” she tells her as they start to head toward the elevators. “Oh, lieutenant, there is someone else who you would be interested in interrogating. Jonathan and I saw an older man arguing with Slucker in Old Port,” Jennifer tells the officer as they stop walking and turn to face him. 

 

“What is his description?” Lieutenant Lawrence asks as he takes out his pencil and pad to write the description down.

 

“I don’t know. Jonathan and I couldn’t see him. His back was turned towards us.”

 

“If Jennifer and I ever heard the man’s voice again we’d would recognize it. Goodnight,” Jonathan replies as they walk away leaving the officer discouraged that he doesn’t have anymore to go on.

 

Lieutenant Lawrence sighs as he places the pencil and his pad back into the pocket of his jacket. “That was a useful tip,” he whispers to himself.

 

Jonathan and Jennifer along with Angelina are walking toward the Mercedes outside the publishing company. All of a sudden a black limousine comes from around the corner and speeds past them.

 

“That driver certainly is in a hurry,” Jonathan comments as they watch the car disappear out of sight.

 

“Jonathan, that’s the car!” Jennifer exclaims turning to face her husband. “The man we saw arguing with Slucker in Old Port had a black limousine just like that.”

 

“You’re right, and it certainly is no coincidence that same limousine just sped past us.”

 

“I wonder if it belongs to the killer.”

 

“I say the odds are in our favor that vehicle does belong to the killer, darling.”

 

“We must get that manuscript back!” Angelina insists crying hysterically. “It is the only clue we have that could lead us to Slucker’s killer!”

 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll get that manuscript back,” Jennifer replies adamantly as she embraces her niece.

 

“Yes, we’ll get the manuscript back,” Jonathan says reassuringly as he places a comforting hand on Angelina’s shoulder. “Whoever killed Slucker isn’t going to get away with the manuscript anymore than he is going to get away with murder.” Jonathan and Jennifer comfort Angelina as they exchange a glance wondering how they are going to catch the killer and recover the stolen manuscript. 

 

The Maine State Pier 

The next morning the men, who forced Slucker into his Ferrari yesterday, are walking with the older gentleman as they stroll down The Maine State Pier which is located at the waterfront of Portland. 

 

“I take it you have seen the morning paper?” he asks as he walks with his companions behind him.

 

“Yes, sir. We have,” one of them answers. 

 

“It is a dreadful shame about our friend Sherman Slucker, isn’t it?” he asks with a chuckle. “Well, like they say when it is our time to go. At least now that bastard can’t have me thrown into prison or force me to shut down all my operations. His death was well-timed. Now that he is dead that manuscript won’t be published and all my illegal activities won’t be common knowledge for the general public. I sure would like to shake the hand of the person who killed Slucker. He’ll never know the favor he did for me.”

 

“Sir, there is one more thing. Haven’t you overlooked something about the manuscript?”  another man asks as he and his friend stop walking.

 

The older gentleman turns around and faces them. “What is that?”

 

“What if the police get hold of it? They’ll know whoever killed Slucker murdered him because of the manuscript. I’m sure they’re doing everything they can to get their hands on it.”

 

“I’m sure they are,” the older man replies with a smile as he turns his back toward them and continues walking.

 

“Sir, you don’t seem concerned.”

 

“I’m not. I have my reasons. The manuscript has been taken care of.”

 

“How?”

 

“Don’t you worry about the manuscript. It is only my concern for the present. When I’m ready I'll let you in on my secret.”

 

“You killed him?” he asks with a smile.

 

The older gentleman stops walking and turns around to face the men.

 

“No, I regret to inform you I did not. I was not anywhere near the publishing house last night. Did you kill our friend?” he asks with a sly grin.

 

“No, sir. I did not kill him.”

 

“I thought perhaps not. What about you?” he asks turning to the other gentleman.

 

The other gentleman shakes his head. “No, sir. I did not kill him either.”

 

“There you are then. We are being honest with each other about the murder. None of us are responsible for the untimely demise of Sherman Slucker. Right now we have more important things to worry about than the murder. Is that agreed?” he asks as they reach the end of the pier.

 

“Yes, Mr. Di Lorenzo.”

 

“Now that we got that settled let’s talk about my company’s profits. Did you bring that information with you?”

 

 

Meanwhile Jonathan and Jennifer are walking briskly in Angelina’s neighborhood. They are dressed in warming clothing as they walk closely together.

 

“I can’t believe you want to walk in this cold weather, darling,” Jennifer says.

 

“It was just an excuse to get us out of the house. I felt you needed time away with all the telephone calls coming in, darling. Like they say exercise is good for stress,” Jonathan replies.

 

“I feel guilty leaving Angelina at the house, but I got the feeling she wanted to be alone and for us to have some time for ourselves.”

 

“Angelina will be fine. Max is with her. Darling, I am surprised how well you’re handling all of this. First your niece got slapped with a lawsuit and now she is a suspect in a murder.”

 

“That is because I know everything will turn out all right. Right now I am just so angry the reporters won’t stop calling Angelina for a statement. My niece has been hit with distressing news ever since we arrived. Now that the manuscript is missing she is really distraught. Did you see the look on her face last night after she told us we got to get it back?”

 

“Yes. I have a hunch she doesn’t have much hope the killer will be caught and her name cleared.”

 

“That lieutenant and the guard’s statement didn’t do any good to help give her assurance. Darling, we’ve been walking for twenty minutes now. I think we should be heading back now,” Jennifer says glancing at her wristwatch.

 

“You’re right. Max must be ready to pull the cords out of the telephones by now,” Jonathan says.

 

“If they don’t stop ringing I am going to feel tempted to pull the cords out myself,” Jennifer replies as they turn around and head back in the direction of Angelina’s house.

 

“If you would prefer I’ll do the honors myself,” Jonathan says placing an arm around his wife’s shoulder and giving her a kiss on the lips.

 

“Would you please, darling? I keep thinking if I hear one more ring I am going to keep hearing the sound in my ears for weeks.”

 

“I think I could probably hear them in my head when I sleep tonight. If the phones don’t stop ringing by this evening we’ll go out and buy us all earplugs to wear,” Jonathan replies with a grin.

 

“I’ll hold you to that,” Jennifer says as she places an arm around his shoulder and gives him a kiss on the lips. 

 

Max is standing in the living room answering the telephone like he had been for almost forty minutes.

 

“Yes?” Max asks with some frustration. “Uh, sorry, me Dutch. Speak little English. Sorry. Call later. Yes, sorry. Me ain’t good at speakin’ English. I only speak Dutch. Ciao,” Max replies disguising his voice before he hangs up the receiver in frustration. “Geez!”

 

“For someone who speaks little English you certainly know how to say goodbye in Italian fluently,” comes Jennifer’s voice.

 

Max turns to see her and Jonathan standing in the foyer as they walk into the living room. They are smiling after witnessing his ruse on the telephone.

 

“I would have said goodbye in Dutch, but I didn’t want to make a fool of myself anymore than I already did so Ciao was the first thing that came to mind. I picked up that ruse from Pocketful Of Miracles. I would have tried disguisin’ my voice in Japanese, but I don’t think I could pull it off quite like Glenn Ford did in that film.”

 

“Don’t give it a second thought, Max.  Your performance worked like a charm,” Jonathan replies helping Jennifer out of her coat.

 

“Thanks. I am just glad you came back when you did, Mr. and Mrs. H. I thought if I heard another telephone ring I was goin’ to tear the cord right out of that phone,” Max says. “Angelina went out. She said she will be back in a little while. She just needed to get out of the house. She was goin’ stir crazy.”

 

“Is she all right?” Jennifer asks with concern as Jonathan takes off his coat.

 

“Yeah, she is fine. No need to fret."

 

The doorbell rings.

 

“Oh, great. Now the doorbell,” Max says sighing in disbelief. 

 

“Do you want me to get the door?” Jonathan asks as he walks over to the hall closet carrying their coats.

 

“Nah, that is ok. I’ll get it, Mr. H,” Max replies walking over to the door as the doorbell rings once again.

 

Max opens the door. Daryl Collins stands outside the door. 

 

“Look, if you are a reporter no one ain’t home and if you’re sellin’ I ain't buyin’,” Max says before Daryl has a chance to speak up. 

 

“No, I am Daryl Collins. I am a publisher. Sherman Slucker was my client. Is Jennifer Hart here? It is vital I speak to Miss Gillette’s aunt.”

 

“I’m Jennifer Hart,” Jennifer replies walking over to the door. “My niece really isn’t home right now. It is just me and my husband. Do please come in.”

 

Daryl smiles as he nods in reply. He walks into the foyer as Max holds the door open.  Max shuts the door.

 

“I apologize for being abrupt, but we haven’t been left alone since the press has been calling early this morning,” Jennifer explains as she and Jonathan extend their hands. “This is my husband, Jonathan.”

 

“Good morning, Mr. Collins,” Jonathan replies shaking the man’s hand. “What can we do for you?”

 

“Good morning, Mr. Hart. I would like to speak to you and Mrs. Hart in private if that is possible,” the publisher replies looking at Max.

 

“Max, would you mind?” Jonathan asks turning to face him.

 

“Nah, I’ll be in my room if you need me, Mr. H,” Max replies as he starts to head out of the foyer.

 

“I’m sorry if I offended your friend, but what I have to discuss with you and your wife is a private matter.”

 

“Oh, we understand, Mr. Collins,” Jennifer replies showing him to the couch as Jonathan follows. “Does this have anything to do with the manuscript?” she asks as they take a seat.

 

“How did you know?” Daryl asks in shock as he sits in a chair across from Jonathan and Jennifer.

 

“Slucker mentioned having a publisher interested in his manuscript when Jennifer and I were in Angelina’s office yesterday,” Jonathan replies. 

 

“Oh, I see. Yes, it has to do with the manuscript. Do you know where it is? I would like to see it if I may.”

 

Jonathan and Jennifer give each other a look as they both are immediately suspicious of the publisher and his motives. They decide to be cautious and wary of him.

 

“I am afraid we cannot do that. It is in the procession of the police,” Jennifer replies.  “Why do you want to see the manuscript?” she asks as she Jonathan and Jennifer look at the visitor with a feeling he has a secret to hide.

 

“It is not that I have anything to hide. It is just that Slucker called me up the previous evening before he was killed. He wanted to meet with me in his home and discuss the manuscript at midnight. I was curious because we had met that afternoon. He didn’t mention anything about his work except about publishing it. We discussed printing the manuscript, and I told him we could publish it soon as possible. I was concerned when I showed up, and he wasn’t there. I learned about his death on TV this morning. I was horrified to learn about his murder,” Daryl replies pretending to sound shocked and disturbed by his death. 

 

“You didn’t have any reservations about publishing a manuscript that would expose people’s secrets and details about their personal life?” Jonathan asks.

 

“No, of course not. I am a publisher. The only concern of mine was seeing to it the manuscript hit the best seller list. I was perfectly willing to take a risk since I could see all of Slucker’s hard work making a huge profit.”

 

“What made you think Angelina would know where it is? I’m sure you must have been aware that she and Slucker were not getting along.”

 

“I see where you are going with this,” Daryl replies with a smile impressed. “It is true Miss Gillette  and my client didn’t get along, but they were partners. They could have known well enough about each other to know where Slucker may have hidden the manuscript. I’ll be going along now. I’m sorry for the intrusion, Mr. and Mrs. Hart. I would like to say I do not believe Miss Gillette is guilty. Please tell her I am sorry about her having to deal with being a suspect. Someone Slucker wrote about had a stronger motive to kill him than his ex-partner. I’ll be heading on my way now. If I can see that manuscript I would appreciate you giving me a call. I’ll be at my office until closing time at five. You can reach me at home afterwards. The number is in the book.”

 

“We’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Collins, and I’ll give my niece the message,” Jennifer replies.

 

“Thank you! I’ll show myself out,” Daryl replies with a warm smile as he heads toward the door. Jonathan and Jennifer watch him walk out. 

 

“Do you believe he didn’t have any reservations about publishing the manuscript?” Jennifer asks turning to face her husband.

 

“I do not believe that anymore than I believe his explanation of wanting to see the manuscript.”

 

“I don’t believe he was shocked or disturbed by Slucker’s death. He had such an explosive  temper I can’t believe his own publisher would find him likable.”

 

“Daryl Collins' story is as phony as a three dollar bill.”

 

A short timer later Jonathan and Jennifer are gathered in the living room with Angelina as they tell her about the publisher's visit and what he had to say about Slucker and the manuscript.

 

"I definitely don't believe what Collins had to say anymore than you. Slucker never talked about his relationship with him. He never told me where he kept the manuscript, but that man was secretive about his work for the most part. Of course he bragged about a lot of people whose life and reputation could be destroyed once it was published. Boasting was another one of Slucker's appealing qualities."

 

"Angelina,  do you have any idea who would benefit the most from his death and the missing manuscript?" Jonathan asks.

 

"It could be anyone Slucker wrote about. He never told me about his encounters with people wanting him to sell the manuscript. He was a private person. Now you know why we need to get it back and hand it over to the police."

 

Jennifer is about to reply when the telephone rings. They sigh as they exchange glances.  

 

"I'll get it," Jonathan replies rising from the sofa. He walks over to the table by the window and picks up the receiver. "Hello? Oh, Lieutenant Lawrence," Jonathan replies as he turns to look at the women who exchange nervous glances. "Slucker was shot twice? It was the second bullet that caused his death? I think you would be interested in knowing my wife and I just had a visit from Daryl Collins, the victim's publisher. He seemed anxious to get his hands on the manuscript. No, Jennifer told him it was in your possession. We don't believe his explanation of why he wanted to take a look at it. It is important the manuscript is recovered. Miss Gillette is convinced it holds the clue to who killed her former partner. Speaking of suspects a limousine rushed past us as we were leaving the publishing company last night. It is the same car Jennifer and I saw earlier yesterday afternoon. The man who met Slucker left Old Port in an exact limousine just like that. I don't understand why that doesn't mean anything to you. A high dollar vehicle like that is not exactly something you see everyday here in Maine. If I were you I'd be more interested in finding that manuscript than catching the killer. Lieutenant, I am aware it is no longer a threat. That could change since every person who had a motive doesn't know it has been stolen. Don't you think that manuscript should be your top priority? Well, if the manuscript becomes a main attraction again Portland won't be peaceful for long. All right. Thanks for calling. Goodbye." He hangs up the receiver. "The lieutenant said there is still no trace of the gun," Jonathan says turning around to face Jennifer and Angelina. "That limousine that we witnessed rushing pass us doesn't mean anything to the lieutenant."

 

"Why not? What reason does he believe that vehicle was doing at the company late last night and rushing past us like he didn't want to be caught at the scene of a murder? Surely he doesn't believe it was a coincidence," Jennifer replies surprised.

 

"The lieutenant told me we don't know for a fact the limousine was at the publishing company. He is only concerned with facts: not strange occurrences. Lieutenant Lawrence believes no one will care about the manuscript now that the author is dead. He trying to get Slucker's death solved soon as possible. He doesn't want Portland to get anymore publicity because of the murder. He said murder is bad for the town's image. Portland is getting more media attention than he has ever known, and he has every intention of seeing to it Portland doesn't get anymore exposure."

 

"I guess that means we'll have no choice, but to let the police handle the investigation," Angelina replies with disappointment. 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer look at each other as they are both thinking the same thing.

 

"I wouldn't say that," Jennifer says with a sly grin turning to look at her niece beside her. "Where are the keys to the building?"

 

Slucker And Gillette Publishing

Jonathan and Jennifer walk into the main entrance of the building that houses the publishing company soon after.  The security guard is standing behind his post. The Harts walk over to him.

 

“Good afternoon. I’m Jennifer Hart, Miss Gillette’s aunt,” Jennifer says.

 

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hart. Miss Gillette called to tell me you and Mr. Hart would be coming over,” the guard replies with a smile.

 

“What is your name?” Jonathan asks.

 

“Blake Hayes, Mr. Hart.”

 

“Are you always on duty, Blake?”

 

“I am on duty every day except for Monday and Tuesday.”

 

“Do you think it is possible that the killer could have gone up to the office yesterday and hid there until night when he came out of hiding to kill Sherman Slucker?”

 

“I see you still believe someone was in the building without my knowledge. There are many people who come and go throughout the days so it is a possibility. Interesting theory. The only problem with your theory is how did the killer get away before I found Mr. Slucker dead.”

 

“You told the police you were delayed in reaching the office because of a problem with the elevator?” Jennifer asks.

 

“Yes, Mrs. Hart. If It had been working properly I would have made it upstairs in time to catch the killer.”

 

“It is usual for there to be a problem with the elevators?”

 

“No, but you must remember this building is very old. You know what happens over time after a building has been standing for many years. The Chapman Building has been standing since 1920 so only natural the elevator would be facing mechanical problems sooner or later. The maintenance man is coming over later to take a look.”

 

“I thought the building would have gone through renovations by now,” Jennifer replies taken by surprise.

 

“It did, but machines have a mind of their own. Is there any other question you have?”

 

“No, thank you very much for answering our questions, Blake,” Jennifer says with a smile.

 

“Anytime,” Blake replies with a smile. “Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you, Mr. and Mrs. Hart.”

 

“We will. Thank you,” Jonathan tells him as he and his wife head toward an elevator hand in hand.

 

Blake watches the Harts with a look of curiosity as they walk onto the elevator and disappear out of his sight after the doors close. 

 

Soon after Jonathan and Jennifer are searching around Slucker’s office looking for clues as they are careful not to disturb the crime scene. They have turned the lamp on in Slucker’s office. Jonathan is going through all of the drawers slowly making sure not to miss anything that can be a clue. Jennifer happens to glance over and notice some handwriting on the calendar on the previous day. 

 

“Daryl Collins’ Office

3:00 PM.”

 

“Darling, do you remember what time we saw Slucker having that heated argument with that other man in Old Port yesterday?” Jennifer asks.

 

“No, I don’t. Why?” Jonathan asks as he stops going through the desk and turns to face his wife.

 

“I was just wondering if Slucker showed up late to his appointment with Collins,” Jennifer replies pointing to the writing on yesterday’s date on the calendar. “It was almost two thirty when we left here yesterday afternoon.”

 

“You’re thinking it may mean Collins may have had a reason for not mentioning Slucker was late for their appointment?”

 

“Well, Daryl Collins doesn’t strike me as a man who would hesitate holding anything back, darling.”

 

 

Eastern Promenade

 

 

Daryl Collins stands in the historic cemetery located at the foot of Quebec Street. He is smoking a cigar as he glances at his wristwatch impatiently. He sighs annoyed as he waits for the person he had set up a meeting with. He sits down on a bench and glances at his wristwatch once more as he is getting restless. He continues smoking his cigar for a few more minutes before taking it out of his mouth and throwing it onto the grass. He crushes the cigar with his foot. He takes a deep breath and turns around. He looks out at the blue water behind him just as he hears someone approaching. He turns around and sees the person he came to meet.

 

“It is about time you showed up. I do not feel comfortable meeting you in a cemetery no matter where it may be located. Do you have the manuscript? I am willing to pay you any price to contain it. I want that manuscript, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it is in my procession. Now that our mutual friend is dead I intend to see to it that I can benefit from it. Slucker wasn’t the only one capable of blackmail,” Daryl says to the caller.

Jonathan and Jennifer walk into the reception area of Collins' Publishing House which is located in another part of Portland. They head over to his secretary's desk. 

 

"Yes, may I help you?" she asks with a charming smile. "Mr. Collins isn't in now. He had an appointment."

 

"We were just wondering if the late Sherman Slucker showed up for an appointment with him yesterday afternoon. I'm Jennifer Hart, and this is my husband, Jonathan," Jennifer replies. "I'm Miss Gillette's aunt."

 

"Well, since Mr. Slucker is dead and like you just said your Miss Gillette's aunt I suppose it wouldn't be unethical for me to tell you, Mrs. Hart. Yes, the deceased was here. I'm not at all shocked to learn he was killed."

 

"Why do you say that?" Jonathan asks as he and Jennifer exchanges glances.

 

"Mr. Slucker and Mr. Collins got into such an argument that every one of us could hear them. I hope it isn't true, but I wouldn't be at all shocked if Mr. Collins killed that man himself. Mr. Slucker was such a piece of work."

 

"What were they arguing about? The manuscript?" Jennifer asks.

 

"Oh, definitely! I don't know why, but all of a sudden Mr. Collins had decided not to publish it."

 

Jonathan and Jennifer turn to look at each other after hearing that Daryl Collins had lied to them about his last visit with the victim.

 

"What words did they exchange? Can you remember?" Jonathan asks.

 

"I'll never forget those words they yelled at each other. The victim was threatening Mr. Collins. He told Mr. Collins that he would tell every newspaper in Maine about their falling out. Mr. Slucker said exactly,"Oh, by the way speaking of business by the time I tell every newspaper in the state of Maine about our falling out no one will want to come to you again! You and Angelina Gillette will be lucky if you can ever start your own business on your own!"

 

"That's when Collins threatened Mr. Slucker," Jennifer comments with a sigh. 

 

"Yes, Mrs. Hart. I can't tell you exactly what my employer said. Mr. Collins told him he'd be sorry and demanded he leave at once."

 

"Slucker certainly had a way of bringing out the best in every person he crossed paths with," Jonathan replies. "Could we take a look in Mr. Collins' office?"

 

"Mr. Hart, I could never let you do such a thing!" the secretary exclaims stunned. 

 

"Oh, yes, silly me. What was I thinking?" Jonathan asks with a smile as he and Jennifer look at each other with a grin.

 

"I think we must still be suffering from jet lag. Jonathan and I just arrived here yesterday afternoon. We flew all the way from Los Angeles," Jennifer replies faking a yawn. "Oh, excuse me. I am still so sleepy. Could you please let us have Mr. Collins' home address? He did come see us this morning and asked us to get in touch with him." 

 

"Yes, I suppose I could give you his home address," the secretary replies giving them a suspicious look. "It is 7302 West Cumberland Avenue. I'll write it down for you," she says picking up a piece of paper and pen. "It is a neighborhood that is located in Munjoy Hill. It is near The Eastern Promenade," she adds as she finishes writing down the address. "I wrote down the zip code and the directions." She hands the paper to Jennifer.

 

"Thank you," Jennifer replies as she and Jonathan walk away leaving the secretary in shock and wondering what is going on. 

 

"Those people have some nerve," the secretary says to herself in astonishment. "I'd say they were detectives, but they look too dignified to be private investigators. If they want Miss Gillette to be cleared why can't they just let the police handle the case like normal citizens? It is not like Miss Gillette has been charged. They must have too much time on their hands," she whispers to herself as the telephone rings. She picks it up and answers the call.

 

7302 West Cumberland Avenue 

Jonathan and Jennifer pull up in the Mercedes to Daryl Collins’ residence in Mujoy Hill. Jonathan puts the car in park. They get out of their vehicle and approach the front of the condominium. Jennifer rings the doorbell. After waiting for a few moments and receiving no response once again Jennifer rings the doorbell. 

 

“He must still be at his appointment,” Jennifer replies.

 

“I think I can guess who he is having his appointment with,” Jonathan says as they turn to face each other.

 

“I wonder-“ Jennifer begins to say when all of a sudden they hear a bone-chilling scream coming from another direction. 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer take off hurrying toward the direction where the terrifying screaming is coming from. It is coming from Eastern Promenade. Other concerned neighbors are rushing behind the Harts wondering what has happened. They reach the park and stop when they approach the rocks on the beach. The old woman, who has been screaming, is now crying hysterically. Jonathan and Jennifer come up to her and look across from her to see what has the woman so distraught. Daryl Collins lies motionless upon the rocks. He has been shot. Jennifer puts her arm around the woman’s shoulder who is now sobbing quietly. Jennifer tries to console the woman as Jonathan rushes up to Collins. He slowly bends down and feels for a pulse.  There is no pulse. The man is dead. Jonathan sighs and turns to Jennifer.

 

“Is he dead?” Jennifer asks with fear recognizing the familiar look on Jonathan’s face that she had seen many times when they came upon a body. She wants to hear those words from her own husband. 

 

“He is,” Jonathan replies calmly.

 

By now a crowd has gathered and noticed Daryl Collins’ lifeless body. They gasp in shock and talk quietly among themselves wondering what led to the man being murdered. Jonathan carefully steps down from the rocks and approaches the women.

 

“Are you all right?” he asks turning to the older woman who is still in tears. 

 

“Yes,” she whispers softly as she wipes her eyes with a handkerchief. 

 

“I’ll call the police,” Jonathan replies. He has no sooner gotten those very words out when they hear the unexpected squeals of tires. 

 

Jonathan dashes up toward the road determined to catch up to the car. 

 

“Darling, call the police!” Jonathan yells from behind him out of sight. He manages to reach the road in time to notice the familiar limousine from the previous night speeding away. Jonathan is not going to let the vehicle disappear out of sight this time before he can get the license plate. He is running as fast as his legs will allow. He dashes around the other few cars around him careful not to be run down. He starts to lose his breath from running so hard as he continues trying to catch up to the car. The limousine is still too far up ahead for Jonathan to be able to see the license plate. People around him stop walking and stare after Jonathan pursuing the vehicle wondering why he is chasing a car. The vehicle reaches the end of the road and disappears out of sight deliberately not bothering to stop at a stop sign. Jonathan stops running and sighs in frustration. He was just catching up to the limousine, but now it is too late. The automobile has once again disappeared! 

 

Fort Allen Park

The men, who had forced Slucker to drive against his will, are standing waiting with Mr. Di Lorenzo in the grassy area of the park overlooking the water. 

 

“He should be here soon,” Mr. Di Lorenzo replies glancing at his wristwatch. 

 

“What is this about, Mr. Di Lorenzo?” one of the men asks.

 

“You’ll find out soon enough,” the older Italian gentleman replies. “Speak of the devil here he comes now,” he says with a smile upon seeing the man they came to the park to meet up with approaching them.

 

“I’m sorry I’m late, Di Lorenzo. I was on my way here when I got some interesting news,” another older Italian gentleman replies as he walks up to Di Lorenzo and shakes his hand. 

 

“That is all right. I knew you would show up sooner or later, my friend. What is the news?”

 

“I just heard that Daryl Collins was murdered an hour ago,” he replies with a grin.

 

“The publisher?” the other man asks in shock.

 

“Yes, that’s the man,” the Italian gentleman replies turning to the man. “He was shot to death in Eastern Promenade. His body was discovered upon some rocks by the beach.”

 

“Daryl Collins? Well, well, that certainly is an interesting twist of events,” Di Lorenzo replies with a wide smile. “This day keeps getting better. First Sherman Slucker gets shot last night and now his former publisher meets the same fate this afternoon. It couldn’t happen to two nicer people.”

 

“I knew you would be pleased,” his Italian friend says. “It definitely made my day. Now we won’t have to worry about getting Collins out of the way. There is one thing that we need to be worried about or rather two people that is,” he adds a frown coming upon his face as they take a stroll down a path behind them.

 

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Di Lorenzo replies casually as he shrugs. “Who are these people?”

 

“Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. Jennifer Hart is Angelina Gillette’s aunt. They came down from Los Angeles for a visit.”

 

“Hart, Hart?” Di Lorenzo says pondering. “Why does that last name sound so familiar? Oh, yes Jonathan Hart is a wealthy businessman. He owns a global conglomerate called Hart Industries.”

 

“Jonathan Hart and his wife also have a reputation for being amateur sleuths. They’re investigating Slucker’s murder. I’m worried.”

 

“Why? They haven’t stumbled upon anything, have they?”

 

“No, but they have been asking questions.”

 

“Let them be inquisitive. Being nosy never hurt anyone unless they discovered something.”

 

“We’re not at all concerned about Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hart as long as the manuscript is not in their procession,” one of the other men tell their employer. 

 

“Good. Now that we got that other business taken care of I can tell you who really was behind Sherman Slucker’s death,” he replies with a wide grin so pleased to tell his employees about what he has been keeping from them. “I’ve been in a contact with a man who has had a personal vendetta against Slucker for years. He had been planning his demise for months now. This man knew about our relationship with Slucker and contacted me. Together we decided we would take care of that bastard once and for all. He has the manuscript in a safe place.”

 

“Who is he, sir?” the other man asks.

 

“I wish I knew. I only know the man by his voice. All communication between him and myself have been done over the telephone.”

 

“Why didn’t you tell us, Mr. Di Lorenzo?”

 

“I wanted to keep it secret until the murder had been committed. Now that scum is dead I can tell you about the stranger.  Listen to me. Day after tomorrow we’re meeting this man on Peaks Island. There and then we’ll be discomposing of the manuscript once and for all. After that day we can put our past with Slucker behind us once and for all,” Di Lorenzo replies with a devious smile. “If the Harts get in too deep we’ll just have to take care of them when the time comes. Is that right?” he asks turning to his friend as he extends his hand. 

 

“Right, Di Lorenzo,” the other older gentleman says shaking his friend’s hand.

 

“Now that the secret is out how about we go into town and have ourselves a beer?” 

 

“A beer sounds good now.”

 

Di Lorenzo starts to head out of the park with his two men who accompanied him while the other Italian gentleman stares after him with a devious grin.

 

“Wait to see what is in store for you on Peaks Island, Di Lorenzo,” he says almost in a whisper. He watches a few seconds before hurrying after the other men.

 

While all four gentlemen head on their way out of the park they are unaware that Max is standing behind a big tree walking Freeway on a leash. He overheard their conversation. Max watches them as they vanish from out of sight.

 

“Geez!” Max exclaims unable to process what he just heard the men discussing. “How about that, Freeway?” Max asks turning to Freeway who is looking up at him. “ Turns out that someone else was after that manuscript? Come on. We need to get out of this park and find Mr. and Mrs. H,” Max says as he pulls on Freeway’s leash. They start to walk out of the park. Freeway barks. “Tell me about it! This has been some vacation,” Max says looking down at the dog. 

 

 

Eastern Promenade 

Jonathan and Jennifer are walking down the shoreline together hand in hand as they look out at the boats in the water. 

 

“Oh, this sure has been some vacation,” Jennifer says with a sigh.

 

“You can say that again, darling,” Jonathan replies grimly. “First Sherman Slucker ends up killed and then we find Daryl Collins’ body today."

 

They stop walking as Jonathan turns around and faces his wife. "Before we go to sleep how about we get all cozy and snuggle up in bed? And I don’t mean with a good book,” Jonathan says seductively as he takes Jennifer in his arms.

 

“I didn’t think you meant with a good book, darling,” Jennifer says seductively as she gives her husband a wink. 

 

“Right now I just want to take you in my arms and kiss you," Jonathan replies looking at his wife longingly and with sincere love in his eyes. He leans over and pulls her into a passionate kiss. They close their eyes. Jonathan and Jennifer continue their romantic kiss for a few more moments before they are interrupted by Max calling out to them as he is approaching with Freeway.

 

“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. H!” Max shouts out to them. “I’m glad I found you.”

 

Jonathan and Jennifer pull out of their kiss. They turn around and look at him in surprise. 

 

“Max, how did you know we were here?” Jennifer asks.

 

“A little bird told me,” Max replies walking over to them.

 

“What are you talking about?” Jonathan asks.

 

“I was walkin’ Freeway in Forest Allen Park when I overheard four men talkin’. There were two older Italian guys. One of them mentioned your names. They were discussin’ the killin’ of Collins and Slucker. Turns out from this other Italian fellow that there was someone else after that manuscript.  This other Italian’s name is Di Lorenzo.”

 

“Did you manage to get a look at these men?”

 

“You bet. I was standin’ close by when I heard them chattin’. Di Lorenzo has been in touch with some guy over the telephone. They plotted to kill Slucker. This guy had a vendetta against Slucker for years. He contacted Di Lorenzo. They’ve only been in touch by phone. All of these guys are meetin’ this stranger day after tomorrow on Peaks Island to dispose of the manuscript. That’s not all of it. Di Lorenzo said exactly, “If the Harts get in too deep we’ll just have to take care of them when the time comes.”

 

Jonathan and Jennifer exchange uncomfortable glances.

 

“Do you think we should notify the police?” Jennifer asks turning to Jonathan.

 

“I do not think we should involve them at the moment. Even if Max gives a description to Lieutenant Lawrence there is no guarantee he can locate those men. Do you think they noticed you?”

 

“Nah, Freeway and me were standin’ behind a tree when they walked past us.”

 

“Lieutenant Lawrence wasn’t exactly pleased when I called him about discovering Daryl Collins’ body,” Jennifer replies.

 

“That is why I think we need to wait until the timing is perfect before we call him again. Did they say anything else?” Jonathan asks.

 

“Nothin’, Mr. H,” Max replies.

 

“So where do we go from here?” Jennifer asks.

 

Jonathan ponders before turning to Max.

 

“Say, Max, how would you like to have a manuscript published?” Jonathan asks with a grin. He and Jennifer look at each other with a smile as Jennifer realizes what her husband has in mind. They both nod in agreement before turning to face Max.

 

“Huh? What am I gettin’ myself into now?” Max asks curious to what Jonathan is planning.

 

Collins' Publishing House

 

Max stands in front of Daryl Collins' secretary's desk.

 

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t heard Mr. Collins mention any manuscript by you,” the secretary says.

 

“What did you say your name is again?”

 

“Marvin Normand, honey,” Max replies as he stands in front of her chopping gum.  

 

“What is the manuscript about?”

 

“It is about all my years of being a photographer for all those X- rated films featurin’ sexy gals,” Max replies with a wink. “Trust me readers would eat it up!” Max exclaims with excitement in his voice.

 

“You mean porn films?!!!” the woman asks in shock as she lowers her glasses and gives Max a look of disgust.

 

“Hey, what are you lookin’ at me like that for me, sweetie? A guy has to earn a livin’ someway or another. Besides what is wrong with havin’ appreciation for beautiful chicks?”

 

“You’re a dirty old man!” the secretary exclaims anger in her voice shooting a look of contempt.

 

“Thank you!” Max exclaims with a laugh. “I’ve been called worse. Now about the manuscript, baby.”

 

“Don’t call me baby if you please, Mr. Normand! What is the name of the manuscript?” the secretary asks.

 

“Let me see now. I had a hard time comin’ up with an appealin’ title,” Max replies as he stops chopping his gum and rubs underneath his chin. “It required a lot of imagination.”

 

“You have a lot of weaknesses, but it seems to me a lack of imagination is not one of them,” the secretary replies rolling her eyes.

 

“Let me see now,” Max says pretending to try to remember the title. Max continues his act just as Jonathan and Jennifer come out of hiding from the men’s restroom which is out of sight. They peak out the door and watch Max while he is getting on the secretary’s last nerve.

 

“Let’s go. I don’t see how much longer Max can carry on his act,” Jonathan says softly as they come out of the restroom.  Just as they walk into the hallway a young man almost runs into them on his way to the restroom.

 

He looks at the sign on the restroom door which reads, “MEN!”

 

“Can’t you read?” he asks as he gasps at them in shock.

 

“Uh, it was an emergency. My wife couldn’t hold it,” Jonathan replies embarrassed at the situation he and Jennifer found themselves in.

 

“Uh, yes, I have an Urinary tract infection,” Jennifer says thinking fast on her feet.

 

“The women’s restroom is just next to the men’s, madam,” he explains.

 

Jennifer turns to look and sees the sign on the door next to the men’s restroom that reads,”WOMEN!”

 

“Oh, dear, that always happens when I am such a hurry to get to the restroom,” Jennifer replies innocently with a smile.

 

The man rolls his eyes and heads into the restroom.

 

“I’m glad he wasn’t my father that witnessed that,” Jennifer says embarrassed. 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer quietly walk into the reception area trying not to be too obvious to what they’re up to with the other employees around. Quietly and discreetly they head toward Daryl Collins’ office as Max notices them. He turns around with his back turned towards them so the secretary won’t notice them. Jonathan slowly and silently opens the door. He holds it open as Jennifer walks in before going in and silently closing the door.

 

“Since your memory seems to be blank could you at least tell me why you want the manuscript?” the secretary asks impatiently. “ I know Mr. Collins was murdered several hours ago, but he does have a partner who might be interested into publishing that trash you call a manuscript.”

 

“I want to take it to another publisher because Collins was a personal friend of mine. We went to the same high school together. I just couldn’t bear havin’ the manuscript published by this firm after his untimely demise, darlin’,” Max replies as he reaches over and looks at her with a smile. “What time do you get off work, sweetheart?” he asks as he continues chewing his gum. 

 

Meanwhile in the office Jonathan and Jennifer hurry to look through Daryl Collins’ personal belongings before they are caught. Jonathan is going through the desk while Jennifer is going through the bookshelves.  Jennifer starts to take a book off of the shelf when a piece of paper falls from inside the book and lands on the floor. She bends down and picks it up. She looks at it.

 

“Jonathan, I’ve found something,” Jennifer says in relief.

 

Jonathan stops going through the desk and walks over to his wife.

 

“Where did you find this paper?” Jonathan asks noticing the paper in his wife’s hand.

 

“It fell from the book I was just about to remove from this shelf,” Jennifer replies. She hands him the paper. Jonathan looks at it. The paper reads, “Cemetery in Eastern Promenade 12:00 PM sharp for meeting with Mr. X for offer to buy manuscript. My time to shine! I will come into money! Slucker wasn’t the only one who was capable of blackmail.”

 

Underneath the message is the day’s date. 

 

“I wonder who Mr. X is,” Jennifer says. 

 

“If I am right it is most likely the stranger Di Lorenzo and his Italian friend had been in contact with,” Jonathan replies putting the paper into his pocket. “Let’s get out of here before that secretary is ready to have Max thrown out of the building for making inappropriate advances.”

 

“After everything else that happened I don’t think Lieutenant Lawrence would be willing to hear our explanation of why Max was arrested,” Jennifer says as they walk to the door. 

Jonathan holds the door open for Jennifer before stepping outside shutting the door quietly. Max happens to see Jonathan and Jennifer starting to leave the receptionist area when Jonathan shoots him a wink. 

 

“Would you rather I go into Mr. Collins’ office and see if I can find that piece of junk you call a manuscript so I can get home before bedtime?” the secretary asks trying her best not to snap at Max as she rises from her seat.

 

“Nah, that is ok. I think I’ll come back another day when my memory can think of it. I think my age is just catchin’ up with me,” Max replies. “It was a treat meetin’ you, baby,” Max replies as he takes her hand which he kisses. “I’ll see you again sometime this week,” he says giving her another wink.

 

“I can hardly wait,” the secretary replies sarcastically sitting back down.

Max chuckles at her remark and walks out of the reception area.

 

“What is it with Mr. Collins’ acquaintances today?” the secretary mumbles to herself. 

 

A Street In Portland

 

Jonathan and Jennifer are driving back to Angelina's house in the Mercedes when the car phone rings. Jennifer picks up the receiver.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Aunt Jennifer, I'm frightened," Angelina replies in a panic on the other end of the receiver. "I think someone has been following me. A same car has been behind me for the past hour. I think it is that same limousine that sped past us last night." 

 

"Where are you?" 

 

"I'm on my way home."

 

"Is there another route to your house?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Try losing him before you take the other way home.  Can you see the driver?"

 

"No, I can't. All I can make out is that the driver is a man."

 

"Call me soon as you try losing him."

 

"I will. I'm getting ready to try to pull a fast one on him now," Angelina replies calmly, but with worry in her voice.

 

 "Don't worry. Jonathan and I had to lose some characters following us over the years. Just don't let him become aware you caught on. Do your best to confuse him if you can without putting yourself in danger, sweetie."

 

"Oh, I'll see if I can confuse him. I don't like being followed. I had enough of that when I was married," Angelina replies before hanging up the receiver.

 

Jennifer hangs up the receiver.

 

"Let me take a wild guess to who is following Angelina. That same limousine that I was running after?" Jonathan asks as he makes a turn.

 

"There is only one limousine that we have seen so far since we arrived here, darling," Jennifer replies turning to look at her husband.

 

"We're going stop on the way to a car dealership to see if we can find out if anyone else owns a limousine besides Di Lorenzo. We need to see about renting another car. I don't want Di Lorenzo to get any ideas, darling."

 

“I think we should go a step further or two.  We need to rent a vehicle that isn’t the same color as the Mercedes we’re driving now.”

 

"How did I end up with such an intelligent wife?" Jonathan asks with a smile.

 

"Brains runs in the family," Jennifer replies with a grin.

 

DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant

That evening Jonathan, Jennifer,  Angelina, and Max are dining at a popular seafood restaurant on the waterfront.  They are sitting near the view of Portland Harbor.  DilMillio’s was once a car ferry that was transformed into what is now a restaurant. Jonathan and Jennifer are sharing a lobster dinner together. Angelina is eating her own lobster dinner while Max is enjoying a seafood sandwich.

 

“Di Lorenzo is the owner of one of the largest ship manufacturing companies. He has been in business long before I moved down here,” Angelina tells her guests. “Far as I know his business is legitimate.”

 

“If his business is legal Slucker could have found some other dirt on him,” Jonathan replies.

 

“All he would need to do is hire a private investigator. Did you ever see anyone coming to the office that wasn’t a client?” Jennifer asks.

 

“No, like I mentioned before Slucker was very private. It was all business at the office. He practically lived and breathed the publishing business almost twenty four hours a day.”

 

“Yeah until he got bumped off,” Max remarks.

 

Jonathan and Jennifer turn to look at him startled at his choice of words.

 

“What? Did I say somethin’ wrong?” Max asks taking a break from eating his burger as he looks at Jonathan and Jennifer’s facial expressions.

 

“It was just you were,” Jennifer says trying to think of a word to say not to hurt his feelings. “Frank.”

 

“Oh, sorry, Mrs. H. It just seemed to fit with Angelina’s choice of words.”

 

“No, we might as well face the truth that being obsessed with publishing is what got him killed in the long run,” Angelina replies.

 

“He might not have ended up being killed if he didn’t write a tell-all book that was worth losing his life,” Jonathan says. 

 

“He signed his death certificate when he decided to publish the manuscript,” Jennifer replies.

 

“Do you really think you and Jonathan should go out to Peaks Island? Now that Daryl Collins has been murdered the killer may not hesitate to murder you,” Angelina says with fear.

 

“Jennifer and I don’t plan to go alone if it can be helped,” Jonathan assures her taking a sip of his cocktail.

 

“The police? After what you told me about Lieutenant Lawrence’s behavior toward you this afternoon he won’t agree to come along unless you get hard evidence to prove that some mysterious stranger killed Slucker.”

 

“Nah, Mr. and Mrs. H ain’t talkin’ about the cops. Try yours truly,” Max says.

 

“You?!” Angelina asks with a chuckle.

 

“Yeah, I always get caught up in their adventures.”

 

“I should have known after that stunt you pulled in Collins’ building this afternoon. I would have loved to have seen Max having fun with his secretary,” Angelina replies with a smile.

“Once the killer is caught I am going to show you the sights.”

 

“Jennifer and I will love that,” Jonathan says with a smile. 

 

Angelina is about to say something when a waiter comes up to the table. 

 

“Angelina Gillette?” he asks looking at the two women.

 

“That’s me,” Angelina replies turning around to face him.

 

“I’m sorry to interrupt your meal, but you have a telephone call. The caller wouldn’t give his name. He says it is urgent you come to the telephone,” he tells Angelina facing her.

 

“Oh, dear! I hope nothing else has happened,” Angelina replies rising from her seat and placing her napkin on the table. 

 

Angelina walks away and follows the waiter to the bar where she can take the call. 

 

“Am I the only one who thinks the caller is just using that old you have a telephone call trick?” Jennifer asks.

 

“No, no one else knew we were here,” Jonathan replies. 

 

The Harts and Max continue eating their meal. A minute later Angelina returns to the table with a confused look on her face.

 

“What is the matter, sweetie?” Jennifer asks noticing the expression on her niece’s face as she retakes her seat.

 

“That telephone call. When I answered there wasn’t anyone on the line. Strange,” Angelina says as she continues eating her meal wondering what happened.

 

Jonathan and Jennifer turn to look at each other with concern as they take a sip of their cocktail. Max also has a look of concern. The Harts and Max have a feeling the call had something to do with the murders and the stolen manuscript. 

Jonathan, Jennifer, Max, and Angelina are driving back to Angelina’s home in the new car the Harts rented: a white Corvette. They are driving away from DilMillo’s as they start to head out of the parking lot facing the restaurant. Jonathan is at the wheel. Jonathan looks both ways before making a turn. Just as he turns the Corvette onto a street a limousine appears directly behind them. The driver is driving slowly. Jonathan notices they are being followed as he happened to glance over in the rear view mirror and spotted the car.

 

“We’re being followed,” Jonathan tells them.

 

“Well, so much for renting a different car,” Jennifer replies with a sigh.

 

“What are we going to do?” Angelina asks in a panic.

 

“Hold on tight. I’ll see if we can lose the limousine,” Jonathan replies as he speeds up the engine. 

 

The driver of the limousine speeds up its engine as well. Jonathan continues driving the Corvette up ahead. Other cars, bicycles, buses, taxis, and scooters are forced to stop to avoid a crash with the Corvette. Everyone getting around by their own transportation are shocked at what is happening.  The automobiles are honking their horns at the Harts’ rental car and the limousine that is pursuing them. People on their bicycles and scooters are yelling after them.

 

“We’re makin’ a good impression on the folks here,” Max remarks.

 

They are about to come to a corner of the street.

 

“Turn right, darling,” Jennifer tells her husband as they reach the corner.

 

Jonathan instantly turns right into the harbor.

 

“No, we can’t turn here. This is just a dead end. We would be driving directly into the harbor,” Angelina says in a panic.

 

“Now she tells us,” Jonathan whispers to himself.

 

“We can turn back though,” Angelina says. “Just keep driving.”

 

Jonathan continues to drive while the limousine has stopped at the corner where they turned. 

 

“Turn here, Jonathan. You can back up then,” Angelina tells him pointing to the right.

Jonathan turns right. He carefully backs up as he watches where he is going in the mirror.  Jonathan stops backing up after the Corvette passes the corner where he just turned backwards. He turns the corner before turning the vehicle left to get back to the road. Jonathan heads back onto the street. The limousine starts its engine and once again chases after them. Jonathan is once again causing fear, panic, and disorder on the road with his driving. Once they come upon another corner they see they are about to drive right into the parade.

 

“Jonathan!” Jennifer exclaims in shock and surprise at finding themselves driving straight into the parade.

 

“Oh, I forgot today is the day of the parade!” Angelina exclaims.

 

Jonathan carefully slows the car down as he and the other driver are stuck in the parade which is happening around them. Jonathan, Jennifer, Max, and Angelina watch wondering how much longer before the parade passes by. Jennifer rolls down her window and sticks her head out of the car looking to see if she can ask someone in the crowd when the parade will pass by them. 

 

“Excuse me for interrupting, but do any of you know when the parade is going to pass?” Jennifer shouts out trying to make herself heard over the noise of the parade and crowd watching. She turns and sees an ice cream vendor is walking towards them. “Hey, excuse me,” Jennifer waves to the ice cream vendor. He smiles upon seeing Jennifer waving at him. He walks his cart over to her thinking she wants to buy an ice cream cone.

 

“What will it be, lady?” he asks just as Jennifer opens her mouth. “I have any flavor you could want. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, you name it.”

 

“No, I just want to know when the parade is going to be over,” Jennifer replies raising her voice.

 

The man nods and reaches into the cart not hearing what she actually said. He brings out chocolate ice cream in a cone and hands it to her. 

 

“Here you go, chocolate.”

 

“No, I do not want any ice cream. I want to know when the parade is going to pass by,” Jennifer says trying once again to get the vendor to understand what she is saying. 

 

“You do not have any money? That is ok. It is on the house,” the vendor replies giving her a wink as he heads past the Corvette taking his cart with him. 

 

Jennifer stares at the ice cream cone before sticking her head out the window.

 

“I didn’t want any ice cream!” Jennifer shouts out to the vendor who is too far away for him to hear her. He happens to glance up and notice her.

 

“You’re welcome!” the vendor shouts back as he waves to her. 

 

Jennifer sticks her head back into the car and looks at the ice cream cone once again. She turns around and hands the cone to Max before the ice cream melts.

 

“Mrs. H, I’m surprised at you!” Max exclaims in shock. “Ice cream ain't on our diet.”

 

“Darling, why didn’t you get me one?” Jonathan asks as his eyes are still on the parade up ahead of them.

 

“I didn’t ask for ice cream. I just was trying to get the vendor to tell me when the parade is going to pass,” Jennifer explains as she rolls up her window.

 

“What did you say?” Jonathan asks turning to face her.

 

“Never mind,” Jennifer replies with a sigh. 

 

All of a sudden the parade goes by them and continues on behind them. Jonathan finally starts the engine just as the driver of the limousine starts his engine. The chase is on! 

 

Max starts to eat the ice cream when Jennifer happens to notice.

 

“Max!” Jennifer exclaims in disappointment.

 

“What?” Max asks confused.

 

“I didn’t give you the ice cream to eat. Remember what you said about ice cream not being on our diet,” Jennifer replies.

 

Max looks at the ice cream trying to figure out what to do with it. He rolls down his window and throws the ice cream cone deliberately in the direction of the limousine. The ice cream lands on the limousine’s windshield. The driver is shocked at ice cream being thrown onto his car! He turns the wipers on which results in the ice cream smearing the windshield all over.  He struggles to see, and the car starts to swerve. The driver swerves into the wrong lane which leads to him taking to a different road.

 

All of the passengers in the Corvette sigh in relief at losing him. Jonathan steps on the brake to slow down the vehicle. 

 

“I can’t believe you actually threw the ice cream onto the windshield,” Jennifer says bursting out laughing as Jonathan and Angelina join her. 

 

“Well, we didn’t have any other use for it. Besides that creep needed to get lost,” Max replies.

 

“Max, you certainly are a lot smarter than I ever have given you credit for,” Jonathan tells him looking up at him with a smile.

 

“I get it from being around you two for so long,” Max says with a grin.

 

“I guess we should take what you said as a compliment,” Jennifer replies.

 

“It was meant as one, Mrs H.”

 

Jonathan continues driving for a few more minutes before Jennifer points her finger left at a corner.

 

“Turn left.”

 

Jonathan turns the corner. He drives them into the big parade float that broke down. The crew is repairing the broken down float from the parade.  Jonathan drives up the ramp and into the back of the float. He and his passengers find themselves embedded in the largest float from the parade.  The crew are oblivious to the incident as they continue their job. 

 

“The driver will never find us here,” Jennifer remarks with a wide smile.

 

“That was very lucky for us the float broke down,” Jonathan replies as he and his fellow passengers take off their seatbelt. 

 

“I always wanted to be in a parade,” Jennifer says looking around their surrounding.

 

“I would prefer just watchin’ the parade. Being in here ain’t my idea of fun,” Max comments.

 

“You can’t have everything go your way,” Angelina tells him.

 

“I noticed that,” Max replies turning to her.

 

“We’ll be safe here,” Jonathan replies turning around to face Max and Angelina.

 

The float begins to move with them trapped inside! Jonathan, Jennifer, Max, and Angelina hurry to put their seatbelt back on.

 

“What were you saying, darling?” Jennifer asks turning to face her husband.

 

“Well, I can’t always be right, darling,” Jonathan replies turning to face her.

 

Everyone in the car look around at each other. The wheels on the float start to roll down the hill.  They look around.

 

“I think we’re moving,” Jonathan says calmly.

 

The float rolls down a hill, and they keep going faster and faster by the second. All of a sudden they hit a big bump a minute later.  Jonathan, Jennifer, Max, and Angelina hold on tight not knowing what to expect to happen to them next.  They are in a panic. The car comes out of the float and rolls down the hill toward the ferry which is waiting for the last car.  The ferry rings the horn and pulls up the ramp.  Jonathan and Jennifer look around and sees the limousine pulling up. The driver shakes his fist in frustration and mumbles to himself.  The windshield wipers are still going back and forth with the ice cream still smearing the windshield.

 

“Hope we didn’t rain on your parade,” Jennifer shouts out with a smile as she and Jonathan wave a goodbye. 

 

The Corvette almost gets to the ferry when the ramp starts to go up. Jonathan speeds up the gas. They fly over the ramp and going airborne land on the ferry. Everyone heaves a sigh of relief as they recover from their unexpected travel through the air. 

 

“That was some landing,” Jennifer finally says. “I didn’t know whether we were flying or driving.”

 

The ferry attendant is laughing at them from where he is standing.

 

“I hope you have room for one more,” Jonathan replies sticking his head out of the window after rolling it down.

 

“That is ok. We were short one car,” the ferry attendant replies with a smile shaking his head in disbelief at how the Corvette came onto the craft.

 

“What he must think of us,” Jennifer says shaking her head at how they were forced to get onto the ferry.

 

“Look at the bright side, darling,” Jonathan replies with a smile turning to face her. “At least we landed in time.”

 

Jennifer, Jonathan, Max, and Angelina burst out laughing at Jonathan’s good sense of humor.

 

Angelina's House

Angelina, Jonathan, Jennifer, and Max walk into the foyer through the front door when the telephone rings. Max shuts the door behind him while Angelina hurries to answer the telephone in the hallway.

 

“Hello?” Angelina says picking up the receiver.

 

“Don’t talk. Just listen,” a strange male voice says from the other end of the line.

 

“Who is this?” Angelina asks taken off guard.

 

“All you need to know is that I want the manuscript,” the stranger replies adamantly.

 

“I don’t have the manuscript. I never did have it in my procession,” Angelina insists. “Who are you?” Angelina asks getting annoyed though she is afraid of the caller and what they planned to do if the manuscript wasn’t handed over to them. “I’m telling you the truth.”

 

Jonathan and Jennifer walk over to Angelina. They listen to her as they stand behind her as they are troubled by her side of the conversation.

 

“Don’t mess with me. If you value your life you’ll hand me over the manuscript,” the caller replies anger in his voice. “I won’t hesitate to kill you if you don’t give it to me.”

 

“Some stranger is threatening my life if I don’t hand over the manuscript,” Angelina tells Jonathan and Jennifer as she puts her hand over the receiver while turning around to face them. “What do I do?” she asks terrified for her life. “Give me a minute to think it over,” Angelina replies removing her hand off of the receiver.

 

“Very well then, but I warn you to think it over careful before giving me your decision,” the strange man replies in a menacing tone.”

 

Angelina once again places her hand over the mouthpiece of the receiver as she turns to Jonathan and Jennifer desperate for their advice.

 

“Tell him you’ll hand him over the manuscript tomorrow,” Jonathan replies calmly after taking a few moments to ponder what Angelina should do.

 

“Jonathan!” Jennifer exclaims turning to her husband still processing what she just heard him tell her niece.

 

“She’ll be safe, darling. We’ll see to that. All we have to do is trick him into believing she is handing him over the manuscript,” Jonathan replies turning to face Jennifer. He turns back to Angelina and nods his head. 

 

Angelina sighs as she removes her hand from the mouthpiece before responding. “All right. You win. You’ll get the manuscript tomorrow.”

 

“Then you won’t have to worry about losing your life. You’re to put the manuscript in an envelope and go to the post office tomorrow at twelve o' clock sharp. I want you to place the envelope into a P.O box.” 

 

The caller gives her the number of the P.O box. He hangs up abruptly before Angelina can respond. Nervously she hangs up the receiver and walks over to her aunt and her husband. 

 

“I’m to put the manuscript in an envelope and bring it to the post office tomorrow at noon. The stranger wants me to place it in a P.O box. What is this about me handing him over a manuscript, Jonathan?”

 

“You’re going to put a blank manuscript that is exactly the size of the real manuscript into the envelope and see to it that it gets placed in that P.O box tomorrow,” Jonathan replies.

 

“He’ll kill her once he discovers he has been tricked,” Jennifer says firmly. “How are we going to pull this off?” she asks with a look of irritation. 

 

“Just calm down, darling,” Jonathan replies placing an arm around Jennifer. “I’m going to tell you how we will pull off this scheme. Just hear me out.”

 

Jennifer gives her husband a look wondering what he has planned and not sure she will like what it is.

 

 

United States Postal Service 

 

The next day at exactly noon the door to the post office opens, and Angelina walks in carrying the envelope. She walks over to the PO box where she was directed to leave the “manuscript.” She opens the PO box and places the envelope inside. Angelina then proceeds to walk over to the door and heads out. Just then the door opens, and a middle aged man with dark hair walks in. He walks directly over to the PO box and opens it. He reaches in and takes out the envelope. He looks at the envelope and feels for what is inside it. He smiles with satisfaction thinking the manuscript is inside the sealed envelope. He starts to tear open the package. Jonathan and Jennifer, who are standing together out of sight, are watching him. They gasp upon seeing him begin to tear open the package. He stops deciding not to open the package in front of everyone in the post office. Jonathan and Jennifer heave a sigh of relief as they watch him place the envelope underneath his arm and walk toward the door. He opens the door and walks out of the building. Jonathan and Jennifer approach the window. They continue to watch as the stranger gets in his car, places the package on the passenger seat, and start to drive off. 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer rush out of the post office and to the Corvette. They get in, and Jonathan starts the engine. He backs out of the parking lot and hurries to catch up to the car. The Harts have only gone a few miles when the stranger looks behind him in the rearview mirror and sees he is being followed. A devious grin comes across his face, and he makes a turn. Jonathan turns their vehicle in the same direction.

 

“I hope he hasn’t realized we’re following him,” Jennifer says troubled.

 

“If he did he won’t get away,” Jonathan replies reassuringly.

 

He makes another turn. Jonathan turns and continues to follow him. The stranger makes another turn and glances behind him seeing Jonathan making that turn. The Harts chase the strange man for what seems like forever as they keep going around and around in circles. Jonathan and Jennifer finally catch on they have been set up.

 

“Do you get the feeling we have been going around in circles?” Jennifer asks turning to her husband.

 

“Whatever gave you that idea?” Jonathan asks with his eyes on the road. 

 

They come up on the interstate. The stranger turns onto the interstate with Jonathan continuing to follow him. They approach the Maine Turnpike. Jonathan slows down the Corvette a bit. The man does the same and stops his car at the toll booth. He takes out his wallet and hands the trooper the toll. He drives off. Once he is out of the trooper’s sight he speeds up the engine hurrying to get away. Jonathan and Jennifer sigh as they approach the toll booth. The trooper is about to approach their car when Jonathan speeds away desperate to catch up to the man they’re pursuing. 

 

The trooper is fuming and yells after them. 

 

“HEY! YOU CAN’T GET AWAY WITHOUT PAYING THE TOLL!” he shouts as he puts his hand up to his mouth. 

 

“Jonathan!” Jennifer exclaims in shock turning to him.

 

“I’m more than willing to pay the fine,” Jonathan replies not at all concerned about what he just did.

 

Jennifer rolls her eyes and shakes her head in disbelief. They finally catch up as the man turns off the interstate and turns onto the exit. Jonathan turns off the interstate and onto the exit as the pursuit is continuing. 

 

“Why does this look so familiar?” Jonathan asks looking around them.

 

“It looks like the airport, darling,” Jennifer replies puzzled at why the surroundings look so familiar to them.

 

They are about to make a turn as they approach the airport.

 

“It is the airport!!!” Jonathan and Jennifer both exclaim in shock at the same time as they turn to look at each other.

 

They make the turn just after the stranger turns into the direction of the airport. The driver of the other car makes a turn into the airport halfway up ahead. Jonathan follows him as they wonder what they are getting themselves into. The stranger speeds away at a turn before Jonathan and Jennifer can take any action to catch up. Jonathan speeds up the engine a little and turns in the same direction. The man they were following is nowhere in sight. Jonathan pulls into the parking lot directly across from the front of the airport. He brings the vehicle to a stop. They look around wondering where he went. They sit silent for a few moments as they continue to look for the car they were following. A taxi speeds past them as it heads toward the front of the airport.

 

“That taxi certainly is in a hurry,” Jonathan remarks.

 

“He looks like he is trying to get away from someone,” Jennifer replies casually before they take a moment to realize what is happening before they turn to look at each other thunderstruck.

 

“That someone is us!!!!” Jonathan and Jennifer both exclaim at the same time. 

 

Jonathan puts his foot on the gas and drives them out of the parking lot hurrying to catch up to the stranger who is now in a taxi. Jonathan slows down and brings the Corvette to a stop as they approach the front of the airport. There are several taxis in a row.

 

“This is going to be interesting,” Jennifer says looking at all the taxis in front of them.

 

“Do you have any ideas?” Jonathan asks turning to face her. 

 

“Let’s get out and look through them all,” Jennifer replies with a shrug. 

 

They get out of the vehicle. Jonathan locks up the Corvette and they head over to the first taxi to see who the driver is.  They approach the first taxi and see it is an older man sitting up front reading a newspaper. He is so preoccupied with the paper he doesn’t notice them looking in the window. They approach the next taxi. Jonathan and Jennifer glance in the window and sees the other taxi driver is asleep at the wheel.  They sigh as they walk up to the last taxi. The driver this time is a big heavyset Hispanic with his window rolled down as he listens to some instrumental music on the radio. He happens to notice them staring at him.

 

“Excuse me. Did you happen to see an older man with gray hair in a taxi speeding past you just a minute ago?” Jonathan asks.

 

“What’s the matter? Did you forget to pay for your fare?” the Hispanic driver asks giving them a cold stare.

 

“No,” Jennifer replies as she and Jonathan exchange a look of embarrassment. “Enjoy your music,” she says with a smile as she and Jonathan walk back to the Corvette. 

 

A police car pulls up to the Corvette from behind and comes to a stop. Two police officers get out of their car and approach the Harts. 

 

“Looks like he pulled a fast one on you, Mr. Hart,” one of the officers says coming up to Jonathan. “I’m afraid Lieutenant Lawrence isn’t going to be happy about this. He’ll feel like we wasted our time.”

 

“I only hope we didn’t waste our time with that scheme,” Jennifer replies with a sigh. 

 

“You tried, Mr. and Mrs. Hart,” the other officer says. “I wish Lieutenant Lawrence would feel the same. I’m afraid we’re going to have to report we lost him,” he says as he and the other officer walk back to their vehicle. Jonathan sighs and places his hands on the hood of their car frustrated and disappointed the strange man got away. Jennifer turns around and wraps her arm around his shoulders. She reaches over and gives him a kiss on the lips. Jonathan places his arm around his wife’s shoulders and reaches over to give her a kiss on the lips. 

 

 

Angelina’s House Night

 

That night Jonathan and Jennifer are in the guest room of Angelina’s home. Jonathan is sleeping while Jennifer sits in the chair by the window reading a book with the lamp on. He turns around and wakes up after seeing the light shining in his face. 

 

“Darling, what are you still doing up?” Jonathan asks looking over at her.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry, darling,” Jennifer replies turning to face him as she places the book on her lap. “I couldn’t sleep so I decided to continue reading. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

 

“You’re still thinking about Angelina being upset over what happened today?” Jonathan asks as he rises from the bed.

 

“Yes, she has been quiet ever since we told her about that wild goose chase,” Jennifer says as Jonathan puts on his slippers and walks over to her.

 

“Did you notice how she hardly touched her dinner?” Jennifer asks as Jonathan sits down on the ottoman in front of her.

 

“Yes, I did,” Jonathan replies with worry in his voice. “How about one of my foot massages?” he asks in a comforting tone taking the book from his wife. He places it on the table by the chair. 

 

“I would love one of your foot massages, darling, but you have to massage my legs as well,” Jennifer replies with a smile. 

 

“I think that can be arranged, darling,” Jonathan says with a smile. 

 

He leans over and kisses her on the lips.

 

Jennifer smiles as Jonathan looks at her with a grin and gives her a wink. She shoots him a wink back. Jonathan sits back down on the ottoman. Jennifer stretches out her legs, and Jonathan begins massaging her right feet. 

 

“I’m sorry we didn’t just get cozy in bed and snuggle up like we planned,” Jennifer tells Jonathan with a sigh.

 

“I knew you didn’t feel like it with Angelina on your mind so I figured it was best we put it off.”

 

“We’ll have a raincheck,” Jennifer replies with a wink.

 

“I’m counting on it,” Jonathan tells her as he wiggles one of her toes.

 

“Jonathan!” Jennifer exclaims with a laugh.

 

“I knew that would put a smile on your face,” Jonathan replies with a wide smile as he continues massaging her feet.

 

“Darling, would you mind doing that again?” Jennifer asks chuckling.

 

“Your wish is my command, darling,” Jonathan replies as he once again wiggles her toe. 

 

“Now the other foot, please,” Jennifer says laughing quietly as she holds out her left foot. 

 

Jonathan smiles and reaches over to her other foot. He wiggles two of her toes on that foot. Jennifer laughs gayly as she throws her head back.

 

“Better?” Jonathan asks happy his wife is enjoying herself and in a cheerful mood which is why he offered to give her feet a massage. 

 

She nods as Jonathan goes back to massaging her right feet. 

 

“If I knew you would enjoy me wiggling your toes I would have done that long ago at home,” Jonathan says mischievously. 

 

“I wish you had.”

 

Jonathan tickles one of her toes. Jennifer jumps caught off guard and sensitive to being tickled.

 

“Jonathan!” Jennifer exclaims with a laugh.

 

Jonathan goes back to massaging her right foot. 

 

“Hmm, that feels good,” Jennifer replies in a satisfied tone. “My feet were starting to fall asleep.”

 

Jonathan continues massaging her foot for a few more minutes as Jennifer smiles watching him. 

 

“That’s good enough, darling. Now the other foot,” Jennifer says finally as she places her left leg on his right leg.

 

He starts massaging her left feet when they hear the sound of a car engine starting from outside. Jennifer puts her feet down and they rise from their seats. They look out the window and sees Angelina’s car driving away.

 

“I wonder where she could be going this time at night,” Jonathan says looking out the window.

 

Jennifer hurries out of the room and into the foyer. Jonathan follows her and shuts the door on his way. Jennifer walks over to the front door and notices there is a note taped to the door. She picks it up and begins to read what it says quietly to herself.

 

“What does it say?” Jonathan asks coming up to her as Jennifer turns around facing him.

 

“It says she believes she knows who the killer is and going to investigate,” Jennifer replies in a panic fearing for her niece’s safety. She places the note on the table by the door and throws open the door. Jonathan picks up the key to their car from the table. They hurry out of the house and rush over to the Corvette. Jonathan and Jennifer get into the car. Jonathan starts the engine and drives away from the house as they try to catch up to her. 

 

Slucker And Gillette Publishing 

 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer rush into the building through the door. They start to head toward the elevators to the offices when they notice the security guard, Blake, lying on the floor appearing to be knocked unconscious. He is lying on his chest on the floor near the elevators. They hurry over to him. Jonathan and Jennifer bend down. They are about to examine his condition when his eyes slowly open, and he comes through.

 

“Blake, are you all right?” Jonathan asks as they help him to his feet.

 

“Other than being sore I’m fine, Mr. Hart,” Blake replies wearily. “Oh My Gosh!” he exclaims. “Miss Gillette! The killer is probably after her!” he exclaims terrified. 

 

Jonathan and Jennifer rush toward an elevator with Blake ahead of them. Blake presses the button up. A few seconds later the elevator opens, and they get on. The elevator doors open on the floor of the offices. Once again the reception area and offices are dark except for a light coming from Slucker’s office. The door to Slucker’s office is slightly ajar. The Harts and Blake hurry to Slucker’s office. Jonathan opens the rest of the door. There on the floor is the stranger lying motionless with Angelina lying on the floor next to him unconscious. 

 

“Angelina!” Jennifer exclaims with fear. 

 

They hurry into the office. Jonathan walks over to the stranger and bends down to feel for a pulse as Jennifer hurries over to examine her niece’s condition. 

 

“He’s dead,” Jonathan replies as he looks up at Jennifer before turning to Blake. 

 

Blake walks out of the office leaving Jonathan and Jennifer alone. They stare at each other in shock.

 

Soon after Lieutenant Lawrence is questioning a distraught Angelina who is sitting in her secretary’s chair. Jonathan and Jennifer stand behind her as Jennifer is placing a hand on her shoulder trying to console her niece. Blake is standing near the lieutenant drinking a cup of coffee.

 

“I can’t believe this!” Lieutenant Lawrence exclaims with annoyance. “This is the second night I’ve been called up about a murder here in this publishing company.  Miss Gillette, what is it with you and bodies?!” he asks throwing his hands up in the air. “By the way, Mr. and Mrs. Hart, I like your clothes,” he says pointing to the pajamas and robe they’re wearing. 

 

“Oh, we were in such a hurry we forgot to change clothes,” Jennifer replies looking at their pajamas and robe. She is not a bit embarrassed as her only concern is her niece’s state of mind. “Lieutenant Lawrence, could you not be so hard on my niece? She is having a rough night,” Jennifer says a little impatiently. 

 

“How do you think I feel, madam, having to get out of bed at three in the morning to come to another murder scene in the exact same place?” the lieutenant asks raising his voice a bit.

 

“Wait a minute, lieutenant. If anyone is to blame it is me,” Blake says soberly. “I was the one who got knocked out. I should have been more careful. The killer got away again.”

 

“No, you’re not to blame, sir. I do appreciate your loyalty to your employer though. You’re not the one who got up in the early hours in the morning without telling anyone and then coming over to the office after hours,” Lieutenant Lawrence replies turning to face the security guard. “Doesn’t it strike you peculiar that your niece is discovered by a dead body in the late Sherman Slucker’s office twice and knocked out?” he asks turning to Jennifer.

 

“Of course I do, but that doesn’t prove my niece killed anyone,” Jennifer replies raising her voice a little. “Doesn’t it strike you as strange all of the things we have been through since the murder of Mr. Sherman Slucker?”

 

“Yes, Mrs. Hart, but I do not have time to waste on details. I am more preoccupied with facts. The facts are Miss Gillette has been found unconscious by a dead body in the same room in the same building two nights in the same week.”

 

“The fact is you do not have a clue who murdered Slucker or that man in that office. Another fact is my niece didn’t have a motive for committing the second murder. The third fact is you do not have any clue who murdered Daryl Collins.”

 

“My wife has valid points, lieutenant,” Jonathan replies placing a comforting hand on his wife’s shoulder as Jennifer tries to calm down. “You do not have any solid proof of evidence. I do have something you may be interested in taking a look at at the house,” Jonathan says as Blake stops taking a sip of his coffee and listens with interest. 

 

“I’ll admit I do not have any solid evidence, and I’m sorry if I tried to sound as if I am trying to pin the murders on your niece,” the lieutenant says calmly turning to Jennifer. “What am I to think though? Now, Miss Gillette, that your aunt and her husband gave their statements I want yours. What made you decide to come over here at this hour?” he asks turning to Angelina who is recovering from her experience. 

 

“I couldn’t sleep.  I thought I may find something that could point the finger at the real killer.”

 

“You said Slucker was all about business twenty four hours a day,” Jennifer replies baffled. 

 

“He was, but I do recall him mentioning he kept private papers in his office,” Angelina replies turning to look up at her aunt.

 

“Where?” the lieutenant asks giving her a look of mistrust.

 

“I do not know. He never said where.”

 

“It is most likely he would kept them in a safe,” Jonathan replies turning to the lieutenant. 

 

“I figured that, Mr. Hart. I just wanted to know if Miss Gillette knew. All right. I think that is all I need to know,” the lieutenant says placing his pad and pencil back into the pocket of his jacket. “I’ll have my men search the office soon as possible. Did you see who knocked you out?” the lieutenant asks the guard who is rubbing the back of his head.

 

“No, I regret to say I did not. He came up behind me and knocked me out cold. I came through when Mr. and Mrs. Hart arrived,” Blake replies.

 

“Don’t you find it more than peculiar that Blake always has a good explanation for why he didn’t see the killer?” Jonathan whispers to Jennifer.

 

“What is even more peculiar is that for someone who has been knocked unconscious he doesn’t have any bruises or show any signs that he had been attacked,” Jennifer whispers back as she and Jonathan exchange a glance. “I wonder if he has been telling the truth.”

 

“If he hasn’t he has a lot of explaining to do,” Jonathan whispers in his wife’s ear as Blake notices it. 

 

Soon after Jonathan and Jennifer are left alone with Angelina.  They walk into the office careful not to disturb the crime scene. Angelina turns on the light switch.

 

“Now I recall I came into the office once to talk to Slucker when I saw him close the safe. He was very angry. It was like he was caught doing something when he was trying to be indiscreet,” Angelina says.

 

They walk over to a small storage cabinet behind the desk. Angelina bends down and opens the cabinet. Inside the cabinet is a safe which is halfway open much to their surprise. The safe contain some papers that have notes jotted down for the book. Jonathan and Jennifer bend down to see what else the safe contains. There in plain sight looks like a manuscript. 

 

“Oh My Gosh!” Angelina exclaims thunderstruck as she picks it up and looks at the cover. 

 

“What is it?” Jennifer asks.

 

“It is a copy of the manuscript,” she replies handing it over to Jennifer. “That’s why he was being so angry at me.”

 

“Slucker knew everyone he would expose in the manuscript would be after it so he had a copy made. If anything should happen to the original manuscript he would still be able to see his tell-all book published,” Jonathan replies. 

 

“He must not have been too worried if he didn’t bother to tell anyone about the copy. That man was so sure that he was going to see it get published,” Jennifer replies as she begins to thumb through the pages. 

 

Just as she does something in the safe catches the attention of Jonathan’s eye as his wife and his niece are busy looking the manuscript over.  He bends down and looks into the safe. There in the back is a cassette recorder with a microphone. He notices there are stains of dry blood. He reaches into the back of the safe and brings out the recorder. 

 

“Look,” Jonathan says turning around with the recorder in his hand. “Hopefully the cassette will give us some answers.”

 

Jennifer and Angelina stare at the recorder in shock.

 

“Have you ever seen this before?” Jonathan asks as he places the machine down on the desk.

 

“No, but I often heard Slucker dictating in the office. He preferred not to interact with his clients face to face much as possible. He would record his thoughts on what he read before mailing the tape to them.”

 

“If I am right Slucker wasn’t dictating the night he was killed,” Jonathan says as the women gather around him. He presses the PLAY button and the cassette begins to play. 

 

“What are you doing here?” Slucker asks in an angry tone.

 

“Just repaying an old debt, Slucker,” a male voice says.

 

Jonathan presses the PAUSE button. They stop in utter shock as they recognize the other person’s voice on the cassette.

 

“That is Blake!” Angelina exclaims in shock. “But why would he kill Slucker? He wasn’t written about in the manuscript.”

 

Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances as Jonathan presses the PLAY button again. They resume listening. 

 

“What are you talking about?!!!” Slucker asks losing his temper. “What old debt? Put down that gun! You can’t get away with killing me!!! You’ve lost your mind!”

 

“There is where you are wrong. I can get away with it. I am the security guard here at this publishing firm. No one will ever suspect that the killer’s motive had nothing to do with the manuscript. Everyone will think you were killed because you were going to publish it and expose their dirty secrets. All I have to do after killing you is take the manuscript with me.”

 

“Why? What have I done that makes you so determined to kill me in cold blood?!!!” 

 

“Remember that hit and run accident you had years ago when you were living in New York?”

 

“Yes, what is that to you? That is history and how did you know about the accident?!” Slugger demands to know in shock.

 

“My brother was the officer that you bribed to help cover it up! He regretted what he did and started drinking heavily. Thanks to you he is in a hospital with little chance of recovering.”

 

“You can’t blame your brother being an alcoholic on me! I didn’t force him to accept a bribe! He could have added attempting to bribe an officer of the law to my other charges! If your brother dies he has no one to blame, but himself! Like all alcoholics I’m sure he thinks I am responsible for his demons!” Slugger exclaims in disgust. “That is why you were so desperate to take the job as security guard so you could have a way to gain your revenge on me! Get out of here! I’ll call the police!” Slugger demands shouting. “Miss Gillette is on her way over here! If I were you I’d be heading out of this building before you get caught.”

 

“Don’t reach for the telephone! I’ll shoot you before you even have a chance to pick up the receiver!” Blake warns.

 

All of a sudden Jonathan and Jennifer hear two gun shots on the cassette and a thud of what sounds like a body falling to the floor. Jonathan presses the STOP button.

 

“Now all we have to do is turn this cassette over to Lieutenant Lawrence,” Jonathan says as he opens the recorder. He starts to take out the cassette when all of a sudden they hear a gun shot fire, and the glass in the door shattering into pieces. 

 

The Harts and Angelina rush to take cover behind the desk out of sight. Blake walks in carrying his gun. He smiles deviously and walks over to the desk. He start to pick up the cassette recorder when Jonathan jumps up and grabs Blake’s hand tightly with a firm grip. Blake overcomes Jonathan’s tight grip. He picks up a paperweight from the desk and attempts to hurl it at Jonathan’s head. Jonathan manages to duck and take shelter underneath the desk just in time as the paperweight crashes into the mirror on the wall shattering it into pieces. Blake reaches into the cassette recorder and takes out the cassette. He storms out of the office and hurries away. Jonathan, Jennifer, and Angelina come up from hiding. 

 

“Darling, are you all right?” Jennifer asks with concern.

 

“I’m fine. Stay here!” Jonathan orders as he rushes out of the office. 

 

“Jonathan!” Jennifer exclaims quietly in a panic as she fears for her husband’s life.

 

Blake is standing near the elevators as he waits for one to open. He begins pacing anxiously. Jonathan is hiding behind a desk watching him. He slowly and quietly crawls on his feet and hands behind the desks in the receptionist area as he makes his way toward Blake.  Jonathan is careful keeping his body hidden even in the dark. Finally the door to one of the elevators open. Blake is about to get on the elevator when Jonathan suddenly picks up a paperweight from a desk. He throws it in the other direction behind Blake so he will think the noise came from another distance. Blake is startled by the the sound of a paperweight breaking into pieces. He turns around.  He aims his gun in the direction from which the paperweight was thrown in when Jonathan jumps on him. 

 

Jennifer and Angelina are hiding out in the office under the desk when all of a sudden they hear a gun shot ring out. They are terrified at what they just heard.  Jennifer comes out from hiding and rushes toward the door of the office with Angelina right behind her.

 

Blake is standing in the elevator with his gun pointing in Jonathan’s direction with a devious smile on his face as the doors to the elevator close.  Jonathan rushes toward the door leading to the stairs. He runs down the stairs desperate to make it to the lobby in time to catch up with  Blake. Finally Jonathan reaches the bottom of the stairs that lead to the lobby. He dashes in only to find the foyer completely deserted and to hear the screech of tires from outside the building. He can see the shadow of a vehicle speeding away. Jonathan sighs in defeat. One of the elevators opens. Jennifer and Angelina step off.

 

“Oh, darling, I was afraid you had been shot!” Jennifer exclaims sighing in relief as she hurries over to him. They embrace thankful that they are all safe and alive.

 

Peaks Island

 

Di Lorenzo and his men are standing waiting at Battery Steele which is an old military fortification on the island. The men pace anxiously waiting for the other older Italian gentleman.

 

“Relax. Vincenzo will be here anytime soon. He probably got held up on his way over here,” the older man says as he leans against the wall. 

 

“What about this man we’re supposed to meet? He is late as well,” one of the men replies a bit impatiently. 

 

Just then Blake approaches them. He has the manuscript in his hand.

 

“I guess my ears are burning, huh?” Blake asks with a devious smile as he walks up to them with his sunglasses on which hides his face.

 

“Don’t I know you? Your face looks familiar,” Di Lorenzo replies taken off guard a little as he stands trying to figure out how the man he had been in contact with on the telephone could be familiar to him.

 

“You might,” Blake replies as he removes his sunglasses. “I’m Blake Hayes. I’m the security guard for the publishing firm.”

 

“My God! I  would never suspect you of all people to want to settle a personal vendetta against Sherman Slucker!” Di Lorenzo exclaims in astonishment. “What did that snake ever do to you?”

 

“We’ll get down to business in a moment. I have someone I would like to introduce you to,” Blake replies with a sly grin. 

 

Just then Vincenzo approaches the stunned Di Lorenzo and his men.

 

“Hello, my friend! I guess you’re stunned to find me with Slucker’s killer?” he asks with a devious smile.

 

“Vincenzo?! How could you do this to me?!!! We were friends for years!!! How could you betray me like this?!!!” Di Lorenzo asks his temper boiling inside of him.

 

“Friend?” Vincenzo asks. “That certainly is an interesting choice of words from a man who basically stole my business out from underneath me. Now it is my turn to get revenge.”

 

“I don’t understand. How did you get mixed up with Hayes?”

 

“I’ll do the explaining since you and your men need time to adjust to this turn of events,” Blake says. “The night after I talked to you I called Vincenzo. I heard rumors around that you stole the business from him so I thought he might take this rare and golden opportunity to pay you back. I told him all he had to do was follow Jonathan and Jennifer Hart. I even had him follow Miss Gillette at one point.”

 

“Did I hear our name?” Jonathan asks as he and Jennifer approach the men from behind. 

 

“It is nice to see you so soon again,” Jennifer replies with a sly grin. “You must be Di Lorenzo,” she says turning to face the Italian gentleman. “Max described you perfectly. It is nice to see you up close for a change.”

 

“You know you really shouldn’t discuss personal matters that concern the police where you could be overheard,” Jonathan says. 

 

“You are Angelina Gillette’s aunt?” Di Lorenzo asks turning to face Jennifer.

 

“Yes, I am. Now that we’re all gathered here how about continuing to explain to these friends of yours why you had Vincenzo following us? Jonathan and I are intrigued,” Jennifer replies.

 

“We certainly are,” Jonathan agrees.

 

All eyes are on Blake as Jonathan, Jennifer, Di Lorenzo, his men, and Vincenzo are staring at him waiting for an explanation.

 

“I had Vincenzo follow you around in a limousine so you would think Di Lorenzo was responsible for killing Slucker. He happened to be in Old Port when he and Slucker met up. He was sitting in the car and saw you watching them bicker. Vincenzo called me up early that evening, and I told him I saw you at the firm that day. When Slucker showed up to meet your niece in his office I decided it was the perfect time to kill Slucker. He called me and told me he was coming over. I then called Vincenzo and told him to come on over in the limousine. Miss Gillette and myself around were the only two people in the building when the murder was committed so I had the perfect alibi.  I was the guard whose responsibility was to stay in the lobby and keep an eye out on things so naturally the police wouldn’t suspect me.”

 

“I checked with the car rental agency. A limousine fitting the exact same description with the matching color had been rented to an older Italian gentleman. My wife and I had been fooled into thinking your old friend Di Lorenzo had killed Slucker and had followed us,” Jonathan says.

 

“And Angelina told me that the The Chapman Building has been around since 1924. You told me it has been around since 1920. I didn’t think anything of it at the time until last night when you had another logical reason for not making it up to the office in time to catch the killer again. Angelina called the maintenance man this morning. You never contacted him to come take a look at the elevators. You only told Lieutenant Lawrence that story so you could have an alibi. You also pretended to have been knocked out last night so once again my niece would be accused of committing a murder. Why did you kill that man? Was it because he saw the copy of the manuscript along with the cassette recorder that still had stains from Slucker’s blood?” Jennifer asks. “The safe was half open when we opened the cabinet.”

 

“You didn’t know Slucker used a cassette recorder for dictating in his office, did you?” Jonathan asks. “That is why you had to kill the other man to stop him from getting his hands on the manuscript and the cassette. Otherwise your scheme would have blown up in your face, and you would have had to say goodbye to your uniform.”

 

“You killed Daryl Collins for the same reason, didn’t you? He wanted the manuscript. Jonathan and I knew he didn’t kill Slucker because the murderer had taken the manuscript. Collins showed up at Angelina’s house the next day wanting the manuscript. He was desperate and very eager to get his hands on it,” Jennifer says.

 

“That is enough! I feel like I am an in old fashioned mystery film.  Yes, I killed that man for the same reason, and yes it is true what you said about Daryl Collins. Everything you and your husband said was true. That man burst past me before I could stop him. When I got up to the office I saw he had opened the cabinet.  He took the manuscript and that’s when I saw the recorder with the bloodstains. I knew I had to stop him so I killed him,” Blake confesses calmly. He takes out his gun and aims it at Jonathan and Jennifer. “Now I am going to have to kill again!” he exclaims with a look of fury. 

 

“What about the manuscript?” Jennifer asks.

 

“That is none of your concern, Mrs. Hart. I’ll worry about getting rid of it just as soon as I make my getaway,” he replies turning to face her.

 

“You’re not going to get away, Blake!” Jonathan declares as he jumps on him which results in Blake dropping the gun and the manuscript. Jennifer picks up the gun and aims it at the other men.

 

“Don’t move! Put your hands up!” Jennifer orders.

 

Di Lorenzo, his men, and Vincenzo turn to look at each other.

 

“I said put them up! I do not want to have to use this gun!” Jennifer orders firmly showing spunk.

 

Just then Lieutenant Lawrence, two police officers, and Max show up. The men put their hands up noticing the gun in the lieutenant and the officers’ hands.

 

“That’s better! To think I actually got you under my little thumb,” Jennifer says with a smile pleased with herself.

 

“I hate to rain on your parade, darling, but I think you need to take a look behind you,” Jonathan replies turning to face her as he continues to hold a firm grip around Blake’s neck. 

 

“Did you get all of that on tape, lieutenant?” Jonathan asks as Jennifer turns around and sees the officers.  She hands the lieutenant the gun. 

 

“Yes, we got it all on tape, Mr. Hart,” he replies with a smile turning to face Jonathan directly.

 

Blake with all of his strength and power steps on Jonathan’s foot which results in Jonathan accidentally letting him go from his grip. Blake hurries away like a bolt of lightning before the police can react. Jonathan hurries after him.  Jennifer picks up the manuscript. She hands it to Max since the lieutenant and the officers are preoccupied handcuffing Di Lorenzo, his men, and Vincenzo. Max looks at it as Jennifer rushes after her husband and Blake who had a very good head start of her. The men are yelling at each other in Italian. 

 

“Geez! I ain’t heard cursin’ before in Italian, but I think I am finally hearin’ it now. Glad I still only speak English,” Max says turning over the pages of the manuscript. 

 

Jonathan is catching up to Blake as they reach the beach. A man is about to help his wife into a kayak when Blake pushes them to the ground taking them by surprise. Blake slides into the kayak and begins to row with the paddle. The man and his wife are outraged at having the kayak stolen. The man in charge of renting kayaks brings over another kayak for the wife. Jonathan brushes past them and slides into the other kayak that the man rented for himself. He begins to row as fast as he possibly can desperate to catch up to Blake before he gets away. The couple are yelling after Jonathan, but he is too far out to hear them. He has his mind set on catching Blake.  Jennifer hurries up to the beach and sees a kayak on the shore close to the water. Jennifer slides into the kayak and begins to paddle after her husband and Blake. The husband and wife rush up to the shoreline. The man begins yelling out to Jennifer.

 

“Hey, bring that kayak back! I rented that for my wife! Who do you think you are?!!!” the man yells losing his temper as the wife looks on stunned that the kayaks that they have rented for themselves have been stolen.

 

After rowing in the kayak for a while Blake finds himself out in the deep ocean. An ocean liner is coming upon him. Blake begins to row the kayak out of the liner’s way when the horn comes from the ship as a warning. Blake barely manages to get out of the ship’s way in time for saving his life. He sighs in relief and continues to row. Jonathan is coming into the deep ocean in his kayak. He stops rowing for a few moments as he looks around to see if he can find Blake anywhere. All of a sudden the ship is approaching him. Jonathan manages to see the ocean liner in time as the horn comes from the ship. He picks up the paddle and continues rowing attempting to get out of the way. He barely manages to get away from the cruise ship in time when it passes by him. He heaves a sigh of relief as he continues on his way to catch up to Blake. 

 

Just then Jennifer is now in the way of the ocean liner. Jennifer begins rowing fast as possible and starts to row the kayak away from the ship. She is paddling with all of her strength as she is terrified of the situation she has found herself in. A horn comes from the liner again.  She barely manages to row the kayak out of the ship’s way. She heaves a sigh of relief at managing to save herself from danger in the nick of time.

 

Meanwhile Blake is coming upon a herd of kayaks all of them together. A sly grin comes across his face, and he manages to dodge past them. Jonathan is rowing his kayak slowly while he looks around wondering where the man he has been chasing disappeared to. He continues searching when the kayak reaches around a corner. The group of kayaks are approaching Jonathan. He begins rowing even faster and catches up with them.  Jonathan looks at all of the kayaks one by one, but he still can’t find Blake.

 

“Oh, not again!” Jonathan exclaims in disappointment with a sigh. He continues rowing the kayak. 

 

After a bit Jonathan sees one guy veer off toward the shore where a pickup truck is waiting with a trailer.  He rows after him and almost catches up with him. Blake rows his kayak up into the trailer, and the wench pulls it up into the trailer. 

 

“Get me out of here!” Blake yells as he is strapped in. 

 

The door to the truck opens, and a person steps out with their back turned. The driver turns around. The driver is none other than Jennifer. She pulls off her hat. 

 

“I’m so glad you finally were able to join us,” Jennifer says with a smile.

 

Blake is stunned at what has happened. He looks at Jennifer in utter shock and sees the real driver is tied up in the passenger seat. 

 

“All in a day’s catch,” Jennifer says with a smile of self-satisfaction at having caught Blake and his accomplice. 

 

“GET ME OUT OF HERE! YOU CAN’T DO THIS! THIS IS KIDNAPPING!” Blake shouts out losing his temper. He is terrified and furious at Jennifer for catching him. 

 

Jonathan finally rows up and sees what happened. He places his paddle down and looks up at Jennifer before turning to look at the trailer hooked up to the pickup truck.

 

“I had it under control, darling,” Jonathan says.

 

“Yes, it sure looked that way to me, darling,” Jennifer replies nodding her head.

 

Jonathan gets out of the kayak and walks over to Jennifer. He kisses her on the lips.

 

“Publishing definitely IS murder,” Jonathan says. 

 

Jennifer chuckles as they embrace. Just then a police car pulls up and brings the car to a stop near the truck. Max and Lieutenant Lawrence get out of the vehicle with two police officers. They walk over. The lieutenant and the officers look in the window and sees the driver tied up. Max walks over to Jonathan and Jennifer.

 

“What happened to the security guard?” Lieutenant Lawrence asks turning around to face them.

 

“I’M IN HERE! GET ME OUT! YOU CAN ARREST ME! I JUST WANT OUT OF HERE!!!” Blake yells frantically. 

 

“I see you and Mrs. H got everythin’ under control as always,” Max says with a proud smile. 

 

“We sure did,” Jonathan replies with a proud smile. He winks at Jennifer. Jennifer smiles, and they wrap their arm around each other. Max bursts out laughing at how they managed to catch Blake and his driver. 

 

 

Back Cove Of Portland

 

Two days later Jonathan, Jennifer, and Angelina are running in the Casco Bay Marathon. They have been jogging for hours along with the other three thousand and five hundred contestants. They are exhausted, but they still have enough energy and strength to finish the race. The Harts and Angelina are hurrying to the finish line as they enter Payson Park before turning left. 

 

“This has been some race,” Jennifer says. “I’m glad you signed us up for it, Angelina.”

 

“I knew how much you like to keep in shape so I thought you and Jonathan should enter. I just hope jogging this long isn’t getting to you.”

 

“Jennifer and I jog every morning at home, but after today I think I’m going to take a breather for a month,” Jonathan replies inhaling a deep breath.

 

“Oh, no you don’t!” Jennifer exclaims. “You’re going to take a breather for only a week and then it’s time to say hello to your jogging shoes again,” Jennifer says with a smile. “And no hotcakes or donuts for a week.”

 

“Not even if I do extra laps in the pool?” Jonathan asks with disappointment. 

 

“Maybe. I’ll have to see,” Jennifer replies with a wink. 

 

“Oh, I forgot to tell you that I talked to Steven last night for several hours,” Angelina says as they turn left at the fork to Baxter Boulevard. “He was glad to hear from me. We’ve finally amended our relationship. I’m going to fly down to Maryland for a visit. Your dad even invited me to spend Thanksgiving with him.”

 

“That news just made my week. I knew once you called dad up the rift between you two would heal. He may be a bit stubborn and has pride, but dad has a forgiving nature,” Jennifer replies with a wide smile delighted and overjoyed that Angelina and her father had reconciled. 

 

“Just like his daughter,” Angelina says with a smile as she gives her aunt a quick hug. 

 

“We’d love for you to spend Christmas with us,” Jonathan replies.

 

“Oh, yes, that would make Christmas special. It really would feel like Christmas having family stay with us!” Jennifer exclaims with excitement.

 

“I’ll be there! I can promise you that!”

 

“What is going to happen to the company?” Jonathan asks. 

 

“To be truly honest I am considering selling it. I just want to put all those years I spent slaving away behind me.”

 

“I don’t blame you. What are you going to do then?” Jennifer asks.

 

“I’m thinking of going back to college and majoring in journalism. I’m going to follow in my aunt’s footsteps.”

 

“Oh, I can’t tell you how honored I am to hear that you are going to be a journalist! You’re going to finally follow your heart! I knew you always had it in you to be a journalist. You truly are my niece,” Jennifer replies proudly. “My niece could always put her mind to anything she wanted to, darling,” she says turning to her husband with a smile of satisfaction. “Do you think you could find someone to buy her company?”

 

“Yes, I  know some business associates who may be interested. I’ll call them when we get back to Los Angeles.”

 

“Oh, Jonathan, I can’t tell you how much what all you and my aunt have done has meant to me! Family truly is what matters,” Angelina replies with a smile feeling a tear coming into her eye.

 

“You’ll always be a part of our family, sweetie,” Jennifer says as they turn right on Baxter Boulevard.

 

The finish line is right up ahead of them. By now Jonathan and Jennifer along with Angelina are way ahead of the other runners. Many family and friends are watching their loved ones participating in the race as they come up to the finish line. Max is standing with Freeway on a leash. 

 

“Come on, Mr. and Mrs. H!!!!” Max shouts cheering Jonathan and Jennifer on. “You can do it! Come on!!!”

 

Freeway is barking persistently as he watches his owners jogging to the finish line.  

 

Jonathan and Jennifer are now ahead of Angelina who is getting exhausted from the run so she decides to take it easy.  A few seconds later Jonathan and Jennifer both make it to the finish line at the exact same moment so it is a tie. Jonathan and Jennifer are both winners! 

The crowd and the other contestants are applauding and cheering them on. 

 

“That’s the way to go, Mr. and Mrs. H!” Max shouts out grinning ear to ear as Freeway barks up a storm.

 

“Oh, darling, we did it! We won the race!” Jennifer exclaims thrilled to death as she turns around and throws her arms around Jonathan’s neck.  “How does it feel now to be a winner?” she asks with a grin as they look at each other.

 

“Darling, that still doesn’t make up for you beating me at tennis,” Jonathan replies with a smile teasing her as he places his hands on his hips.

 

“But, darling, remember what they say. “You win a few, you lose a few,” Jennifer says with a wink.

 

“Yes, but at least there is one thing I can never lose,” Jonathan replies as Angelina comes up behind them. 

 

“What is that?” Jennifer asks with a smile.

 

“You, my love,” Jonathan replies with sincerity in his voice.  He leans over locking her into a kiss as he places his arms around her neck.