What Happened on Beale Street Read online

  Antoinette looked up from her phone. “Just an innocent bystander taken prisoner by some crazy old people.”

  “Hey, I’m only twenty-six!” Nicki protested.

  “Really? Then why do you hang out with my great-granddad?”

  “Okay, enough!” Memphis’s finest stepped front and center. “I gather these two are employees.” He gestured at the Prescotts.

  “Robert is our current concierge. Antoinette is his daughter. Henry is retired, but he worked here for more than fifty years.” Anderson smiled at the former bellman.

  “Time for you two wet rats to produce identification.” The second patrolman spoke to Nicki and Hunter. “Then we’re all going down to the station to sort this out.”

  “Wait a minute. I have an early class tomorrow.” Antoinette sounded annoyed.

  “Couldn’t we settle this in my office?” said Mr. Anderson, perhaps mollified by the reference to his daddy. “Miss Price has been our guest for three weeks. And you must be her fiancé from New Orleans?”

  “Hunter Galen, at your service, unless it involves controlling Nicki’s behavior. Then I’m as helpless as anyone else.” He handed his driver’s license to the officer. “May I ask, sir, what dispatched you to the crime scene so promptly?”

  “Somebody monkeying with the fountain controls triggered the silent alarm. Any breach of security automatically dispatches police and sends a text to Mr. Anderson’s phone.”

  Hunter turned pale. “Sorry, my love,” he whispered.

  “Fortunately, I was in the vicinity for a fund-raiser,” Mr. Anderson added.

  “I need to see your ID now, miss.” The second patrolman gestured toward Nicki.

  “Sorry. The outfit didn’t accommodate my wallet, but I can show you these.” Nicki pulled the diamond letter openers from her pocket. “These are what we were searching for, not for ourselves, but for the rightful heirs. Henry and I just solved the Carlton’s oldest mystery.”

  The two cops stared as the gems sparkled in the palm of her hand.

  Mr. Anderson bent over to peruse them. “I thought those scavenger hunts were an urban legend, one that got better with each retelling.”

  “Those can’t possibly be real diamonds,” Antoinette concluded before returning to her social media updates.

  “I would stake my life they are.” Henry stomped on the metal foot rests of his chair.

  “Okay, Mr. Anderson,” said the first cop. “Are we arresting these two, three… four on trespassing charges, vandalism, and attempted theft? Or are we writing this up as a false alarm triggered during routine maintenance?”

  “The hotel appreciates your prompt response, Officers, but I believe we’ll settle this in-house.” Anderson couldn’t take his eyes off the letter openers. “May I, Miss Price?”

  When Nicki handed him the prizes, he examined them as though they might disintegrate into dust. “Astonishing. Who would hide expensive jewels inside a fountain? We need to find the rightful owners.”

  “That would be Paul and Agnes Smithfield. They owned Smithfield Interiors, the company that designed and installed the fountain.” Nicki pointed at the hotel’s centerpiece. “But they have both passed on.”

  “Then the jewels belong to their heirs,” said the hotel manager as the police headed for the door. “I want to hear each person’s role in this, but not in the lobby.”

  “If it’s all the same, I’m taking my great-granddad and going home.” Antoinette eyed the exit.

  “Everyone,” Mr. Anderson ordered.

  “Let me push Henry’s chair,” said Nicki. “There’s something I need to ask him. I promise we’ll be right there.”

  “What’s on your mind, Miss Price?” asked Henry once the others had left. He was grinning as if he’d swallowed the proverbial canary.

  “You knew where those diamonds were, or at least you had a strong suspicion. Since the Smithfields have passed on, why didn’t you send your great-granddaughter to see if they were still there? Antoinette is a sweet girl. She could’ve used the money for college or for her first house.”

  Henry shook his head. “I have several grandchildren, missy, and even more great-grand’s. How could I favor one over the others? Besides, the jewels weren’t mine to find. The hunt had to be finished, the mystery solved. That’s why I needed a crack sleuth like you. You should do this for a living. You’re pretty good at it. Now let’s go get Robert’s fat out of the fire. Good jobs like a concierge at a five-star hotel ain’t easy to come by.”

  “We’re on our way,” she said. But unfortunately her cousin appeared at a most inopportune time.

  “Nate! Um, what are you two doing here?” asked Nicki when he blocked her path to Mr. Anderson’s office.

  “According to my scanner, a sixty and sixty-three were underway at the Carlton Hotel.”

  Detective Marino scowled. “That’s code for aggravated burglary and criminal trespass underway, in case you haven’t gotten very far in the PI manual.” His contempt for her hadn’t mellowed much since their initial acquaintance.

  “Nice to see you too, Detective. Shouldn’t you be climbing back into your coffin? The sun is almost up.”

  “I hate to break up a reunion,” said Henry, “but I really do need to explain everything that happened before my grandson gets fired.” He advanced his wheelchair with his feet.

  Marino took hold of the handles. “I’ll take you since I’m dyin’ to hear this explanation too. Nate, why don’t you question your cousin alone?” He shot Nicki one final glare as he rolled Henry away.

  Nate crossed his arms over his chest. “Unless you handed in your resignation in the last forty-eight hours, you’d better start talking.”

  Nicki tried to look innocent. “In a nutshell… we found a poem indicating they hid the diamonds in the fountain. But when Hunter turned off the water, he triggered the alarm. The cops came and caught us in the pond. Now Robert might get fired because he helped us.” Nicki bit the inside of her jaw to keep from laughing.

  “This isn’t funny, Nicki. You might still get arrested.”

  “I know it isn’t, but I’m so exhausted I’m slaphappy.” She slumped onto a wrought iron chair. “What’s new with you?”

  “Where should I start?” Nate scrubbed his face with his hands. “Tony Markham broke into Izzy’s condo and tried to strangle her, but I got there just in time. After I tracked down Danny’s former girlfriend, Izzy and I went to talk to her. With Izzy wearing a wire and Detective Marino at the gate, Carlene’s estranged husband admitted to murdering Danny in a jealous rage. That’s about it for me.”

  Nick stared at him, speechless. “That skinny woman who came to his funeral?”

  “One and the same.”

  “Markham has been arrested?”

  “In jail without bond as we speak.”

  “And you and Izzy are back together?” she asked in a tiny voice. “Wow.”

  Nate rolled his eyes. “I’ve probably made PI history tying up both cases in the same day, yet that’s what you’re most impressed with?”

  “Every time I look at Hunter, I remember the truly important things in life. That’s what I want for you and Izzy.” Nicki stood and hooked her arm through Nate’s elbow. “Let’s go talk to Mr. Anderson. If you verify that I actually work for you, I might not get kicked out of the hotel. After all, we are paid up through the weekend.”

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Nate stared out the window of his room as rain pelted the city streets below. Huddled beneath umbrellas, a few brave tourists headed toward the restaurants and clubs on Beale Street. Maybe they were looking for good food, a cold beer, and some great Blues music on this Saturday night. Whatever they were searching for, Nate hoped they found it… because he certainly had.

  He and Nicki came to town to help a friend in trouble—a man they thought had fallen between the cracks. Instead, they discovered that Danny Andre had lived an exemplary life of service. He had been helping others make a fresh start. In the end, his cruel
and brutal death had nothing to do with his volunteer work or the bad neighborhood or a job on the fringe of society. A jealous love triangle—the last thing Nate would have guessed three weeks ago.

  But solving Danny’s murder wasn’t the only thing lifting Nate’s spirits on this dreary night. He’d been wrong about Isabelle Andre too. How could someone so not-his-type turn out to be everything he wanted in a woman? Funny what love could do when you gave it a chance.

  Nate zipped his suitcase and checked his watch. He would make their final night in the luxurious Carlton Hotel an evening to remember. These would be his dinner guests, not Hunter’s. Nicki’s fiancé had paid enough bills in Memphis. After all, he intended to take Nicki’s advice about the important things in life. And his number one was milling by the door of Chez Francois when Nate reached the lobby.

  “Just about everyone has arrived,” said Isabelle, running to meet him. “We’re waiting for Antoinette and Henry. They’re riding together in the Oakbrook van.”

  Nate buzzed Isabelle’s cheek with a kiss. “Where are Hunter and Nicki?”

  Isabelle pointed at a bistro table near the fountain. “They’re talking to Hunter’s mom about some snafu with the Coast Guard. Apparently, maritime law requires a lifejacket for every guest at the reception.”

  “Not too many ships sink in the high seas of Lake Pontchartrain, but Mrs. Galen must learn that laws pertain even to her. Poor Nicki. She looks ready to scream.” Nate waved at his cousin and then tapped on his watch.

  “Good evening, Miss Andre. Hey, good buddy.” Chip bowed to Isabelle and slapped him on the back. “I checked out the menu. Man, this restaurant will be way better than ribs and fries down the street. Thanks for the invite. Who’s the gorgeous babe?” The detective eyed Antoinette as she approached with her parents and Henry.

  “I’ll introduce you at the table, but she’s too young and way too feisty for you.” Nate elbowed Chip in the ribs.

  “Point taken. She sounds too much like your cousin.” He smiled at Nicki across the courtyard.

  “Your table is ready, Mr. Price,” said the maître d’. Both he and Mr. Anderson were wearing tuxedos.

  “Thank you. I believe we’re all here,” said Nate.

  Mr. Anderson rubbed his palms together. “If I could have a few moments, Mr. Price, I have a special announcement to make.”

  “Of course. Take all the time you need. Why don’t you lead the way?” Nate waited until everyone followed the maître d’ and Anderson into the restaurant. Then he hollered to the couple still deep in conversation. “Hey, cousin, time to chow down.”

  Hunter waved an acknowledgment, slipped his phone into his pocket, and took Nicki’s arm. But halfway across the courtyard a well-dressed woman with a massive bunch of flowers intersected their path.

  “Now what?” Nate muttered to Isabelle.

  “Why don’t we give them another minute?” Izzy slipped her arm around his waist, a sensation he would never tire of.

  While they watched from afar, Nicki’s face crumpled with sorrow. “Uh-oh, this doesn’t look good. Let’s see if we can help.”

  “What’s wrong, Nicki?” he asked when he reached her side.

  “This is Mrs. Lansky, a nurse at Sunnybrook Care Center,” said Nicki, sobbing. “Blake Koehler died last night. His condition began to deteriorate right after Henry and I visited him.”

  Nate couldn’t remember exactly who Mr. Koehler was, but knew he had a role in the hunt for the jewels. “I’m so sorry, Nicki. Is there anything we can do?” It was a lame question, but nothing profound came to mind.

  “Blake seemed to need closure, and Nicki and Henry helped him find it.” The woman patted Nicki’s arm. “Blake was happier that day than he had been in years.”

  “I will be sure to tell Henry that.” Nicki dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief from the always helpful Hunter.

  “Why don’t you join us for dinner, ma’am?” said Nate. “Mr. Prescott is already inside, so you could tell him yourself. The more the merrier.”

  “Thank you, but my husband is waiting at home. I just wanted to give these to Miss Price. They’re from Blake’s family.” She handed Nicki a bouquet of at least three dozen roses. “And Blake’s box of mementos is to go to Mr. Prescott. I’ll have it delivered to Oakbrook tomorrow. When Blake’s family arrived to clean out his room, I told them about your visit. They made arrangements for the flowers and box of keepsakes then. They were so happy Blake enjoyed his final hours with an old friend.”

  Nicki looked ready to faint. “Thanks for telling me all this, Mrs. Lansky,” she said between sniffles.

  Hunter took charge. “Let me take these upstairs, sweetheart.” To Nate he said, “I’ll meet you inside the restaurant in a few minutes.” He took the enormous bouquet from Nicki and smiled graciously at Mrs. Lansky. “A pleasure meeting you, ma’am.” He headed toward the elevators.

  “It was my pleasure to meet all of you.” Mrs. Lansky wrapped Nicki in a hug and then headed toward the entrance.

  “Dry your eyes, cousin,” Nate said after she left. “You’ll have plenty more to bawl about later.”

  “You’re such a pain.” Nicki accepted a hug from Izzy, but she stepped on his foot on their way to the table.

  “Miss Price, over here.” Henry called to her. “I saved you a seat. That young man will have the rest of his life with you.”

  “Nothing would please me more,” Nicki said as she hurried to the spot next to Henry.

  “I sure hope you’ll stay by me,” Nate whispered in Isabelle’s ear.

  “Absolutely I will. You seem to be a good man to have around.” Isabelle squeezed his hand as they sat next to the Prescott family.

  Nate extended his hand to Robert’s wife. “Hi, I’m Nate Price. You must be Mrs. Prescott.”

  “I am, but please call me Crystal.” She shook with a firm grip. “Thanks so much for the invitation. I’ve been dying to eat here, but once Robert gets home he refuses to come downtown again.”

  “I would be the same way, ma’am.” Then Nate introduced Isabelle and Detective Marino.

  “And this is our daughter, Antoinette, and my grandfather-in-law, Henry.” Crystal beamed with pride.

  Nate nodded at both. “I met Antoinette and Henry in Mr. Anderson’s office yesterday. You must wish to pull my cousin’s hair out by the roots. Robert could have lost his job because of her shenanigans.”

  “A little excitement is good for people. It keeps them young.” Crystal smiled at her husband.

  Robert straightened his tie and cleared his throat. “All’s well that ends well. Don’t you agree, Mr. Anderson?” He addressed the general manager.

  “You’re not kidding.” Anderson bobbed his head energetically. “Both newspapers will run features on the famous Carlton jewels. It will be quite a story. The board of directors feels the publicity will keep us booked to capacity for months, if not years, to come. We’re hoping the idea of annual getaways with friends will catch on.” He turned toward the foot of the table. “Not that I like guests fiddling with fountain controls or climbing slippery works of art.” Anderson shook his finger at Nicki. “You shall be closely watched if you ever return, Miss Price.”

  “If she does, sir, it will be as Mrs. Galen,” said Hunter as he strode up to the table. “And I promise to not let her out of my sight.” He took the empty chair next to the detective.

  Marino lifted his glass of water. “I offer a toast to a very brave man.”

  “To Hunter and Nicki,” said Nate, as everyone followed suit. He clicked his water goblet with Chip’s. “Now, I believe Mr. Anderson has an announcement.”

  “I will be brief because appetizers on the house should arrive soon.” Anderson rose to his feet. “Yesterday I called an emergency meeting of our board of directors. When I told them about the discovery, they unanimously voted to contact the heirs of the Smithfield estate. All assets not part of the corporation went to a granddaughter who lives in Illinois. I spoke with her today. Althou
gh she must consult with her attorney and tax advisor first, she wishes to sell the diamond letter openers and donate the proceeds to the Mid-South Food Bank here in Memphis.”

  The announcement received an enthusiastic round of applause.

  “We could be talking millions,” interjected Antoinette, clearly amazed by the largesse.

  “Yes, most likely we are, Miss Prescott.” Mr. Anderson smoothed down his tie. “But the Smithfields’ heir was well aware of her grandparents’ humanitarian nature.”

  “And she’s probably already rolling in it.” Marino directed his comment at Antoinette. Unfortunately, his deep voice carried across the table.

  “I think it’s rather generous, no matter what her financial circumstances are,” said Nate, shaking his head at his former teammate.

  “Hear, hear.” Henry tapped his goblet with a fork as their first course arrived.

  Anderson smiled as platters of chilled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, and caviar in pastry shells were devoured with effusive praise. For several minutes, Nate enjoyed the food, surrounded by old and new friends, and a brand-new love.

  Then, midway through her plate of shrimp, Isabelle set down her fork. “Nate and I also have an announcement.” She waited for everyone’s attention. “First, I want to thank Detective Marino and the entire Memphis PD for solving my brother’s murder.”

  Chip leaned back in his chair and enjoyed a round of soft applause. “Well, I did get some help from two concerned visitors from Mississippi.” He looked from Nicki to Nate. “And I’m glad to see you two are getting along better these days.” This time he looked at Isabelle.

  “Very observant of you, Detective. That’s probably why you’re so good at your job,” Isabelle said, blushing. “Nate has agreed to give me another chance after our rocky start. Next, although I haven’t worked out all the details, I plan to move to back home. With Danny gone there’s no one keeping me here, and Memphis holds too many bad memories after what I went through with Tony Markham.”

  “But there’s no one left in Natchez with your parents gone.” Nicki took a shell of caviar from the silver tray. “You should move to New Orleans where we live.”