CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Since she was a pillar of the community and adjudged not a flight risk, and because she had a dandy lawyer, Mary Smith was out on bail. So I could call on her in her home, rather than at the Suffolk County jail. It was nonetheless a daunting prospect. It was like talking to a dumb seventh-grader.
Rita Fiore let me in when I rang the bell. She was spectacular in a slim black and green polka-dot skirt and a bright green blouse.
Mary asked me to sit in on your meeting, Rita said.
Doesnt she get it that were on the same side? I said.
I think she doesnt like to be alone with people.
They might use a big word?
Kindness, now, Rita said. Kindness.
We went into an atrium that looked over the small spectacular garden that someone maintained for Mary in the not entirely nourishing soil of Beacon Hill.
Mary stood when we came in. She was wearing high-waisted gray slacks and a white silk scoop-neck T-shirt. She was barefoot. A pair of black sling-back shoes were on the floor near the couch. One of them was upright. The other had fallen over.
Oh, Mr. Spenser, she said, and put out her hand like a lady in a Godey print. It is so lovely to see you. I mean it. Its really lovely.
Gee, I said.
Will you have coffee?
No thanks, I said. Im trying to cut back.
Good for you.
Brave, Rita said.
I ignored her.
Mrs. Smith, I said. Do you ever eat in a restaurant located in a store?
Louis, she said. They have a lovely cafe. I often have lunch there.
One point for DeRosa.
Do you know a man named Roy Levesque? I said.
Who?
Roy Levesque.
I dont think so.
You went to high school with him. Dated him for a while, I believe.
Oh, that one.
Yes.
Mary sat, quiet and attentive and blank. It wasnt like talking to a dumb seventh-grader, it was like talking to a pancake.
You still see him, I said.
Mary smiled and shrugged.
Old friends, she said. You know? Old friends.
Whom you just a minute ago said you didnt know.
She smiled and nodded. I waited. She smiled some more. Rita crossed her legs the other way.
Tell me about the young men that your husband, ah, mentored, I said.
Rita glanced at me. Mary smiled some more.
He was so kind to them, Mary said. Hed been a lonely little boy, I guess, and he wanted to make it easier for other lonely little boys.
He give them money? I said.
Oh, I dont know. I really never had much to do with our finances.
Help them out going to school? Maybe?
Ill bet he did, Mary said. He was such a generous man.
Hed not been married before? I said.
No. He was a confirmed bachelor, she said. Until he met me.
Do you know why? I said.
Why what?
I took in some air. It was tinged with her perfume, or maybe Ritas, or maybe both.
Do you know why he was a confirmed bachelor?
No.
She shook her head. Eager to please. Sorry that she couldnt supply more information.
Do you know that hed taken in a partner
at the bank?
Oh no, I know nothing about the bank, or any of the other things.
Other things?
Oh, I dont know. She laughed. Nathan was always up to something.
Do you know what they were?
She shook her head.
Are you sure you wont have coffee? she said.
I shook my head. I was sure I needed a drink.
Do you stay in touch with any other people from your high school days? I said.
Well, Roy.
Anyone else?
Not really. She smiled again. Ive reached out to them, but they arent, um, comfortable in my, ah She made a circular gesture with her hands.
Circles, Rita said.
Oh, yes, thank you. Sometimes I have such trouble thinking what I want to say.
Lot of that going around, I said. You know Felton Shawcross?
Felton? I dont think so.
CEO of a company called Soldiers Field Development Limited.
I dont really know anything about companies, she said.
He was on the list of friends you had Larson give me.
Oh, well, mostly Larson keeps that list. They are people who contribute money to things and when I have a big charity event, Larson invites them.
So you dont know Shawcross?
She shook her head sadly.
Would Larson have consulted your husband on that invitation list? Rita said.
I could tell she was getting bored. She didnt like being bored. Her voice had a small edge to it.
I dont really know. They were certainly pals, she said. They might have.
Larson come to you through your husband? Rita said.
Asking questions was better than sitting around crossing her legs.
Yes, Mary said. Hes so really nice, isnt he?
Really, Rita said.
How did he know your husband?
Oh God, I dont know. Some businessy thing.
Hard questions made her panicky. I moved on.
Could you tell me how much your husband left you? I said.
Money?
Yes.
Oh I couldnt possibly imagine, she said. Youd have to ask Brink.
Brink?
Yes.
Who is Brink, I said.
Our financial advisor.
What would be his full name? I said.
Oh, Im so used to him just being Brink. Hes a really old friend.
His name?
Brink Tyler. I think Brink is short for Brinkman.
And where would I find him?
Hes got an office in town here, she said.
Under his own name?