Wilmington, NC 05 - Murder On The ICW

high stool.
    "Ashley, would you do the honors?" Melanie said. "Pour us all a round ." She sat on the stool next to Crystal as I opened the wine cooler.
    "Now what can we do for you, sugar? You didn't drive all the way out here for nothing? And, by the way, what are you doing for wheels? Y'all keep a car here?"
    "Yes, we do. We have parking privileges out at the marina and so we keep a car here so we can get around town. And to take David to the airport when he flies."
    She smiled at both of us. "I come with an invitation. David is flying back first thing tomorrow morning, then he's throwing a little party in the afternoon on the yacht and he especially wants the two of you to attend. We'll sail from the Wrightsville Marina at one, have a late lunch on board, and be back before dinner. And, Melanie, David said to be sure to tell you the salt air will do you a world of good. Salt air is restorative, you know."
    Crystal seemed hyper, nervous, anxious to please.
    "Oh, I don't know, Crystal," I said, stopping and turning away from the wine cooler, a cork screw in my hand. "She's recuperating from a head injury. She needs to take it easy."
    I watched Melanie closely to gauge her reaction. Did she want to go? Or was she hoping I'd get her out of this? I knew she wasn't crazy about Crystal Lynne, and David could certainly be hard to take -- a charmer one minute, a boor the next.
    I'd laid the ground work for Melanie to say no. She said, "Ashley's right, shug . I know we were the dearest friends during our pageant days -- best friends, actually -- but you see I'm just . . .”
    Crystal interrupted. "You've got to say yes, Melanie. David will be . . . well, disappointed if I don't pull this off." Her face started to get all puckery . Her lower lip trembled. "No, actually, he'll be furious. You know David, he doesn't take no for an answer. No ones knows that better than I."
    And next thing I knew, Crystal Lynne was sobbing in Melanie's arms. Melanie was patting her back and making soothing sounds and casting me a helpless look over Crystal Lynne's platinum head.
    Crystal Lynne lifted her face to Melanie's. "Oh, Melanie, I have made such a mess of my life. Why couldn't I have been like you? Strong. Independent. Instead I thought I couldn't make it on my own, that I needed a powerful, rich man like David to take care of me. And see where's it's gotten me. I'm miserable."
    "Well, leave him," Melanie said.
    "I can't. I couldn't survive."
    "That's nonsense, Crystal Lynne! Of course, you can survive. Survive and prosper. Look at Ashley and me. We'll help you, won't we, Ashley?"
    I looked at her, my mouth dropping open, not knowing what to say.
    Crystal Lynne pulled back and stared at us. "If I leave him, I'll get nothing. All these years of living with that egomaniac and putting up with his foul moods, his cruelty, his temper, and I'll get nothing. I'll be out in the cold, and he'll still have that gorgeous yacht and the hunting lodge you're restoring for him, Ashley. And it will be beautiful, I know it will. But I'm locked in to a pre- nup . My granny Lynne always said I was a foolish girl, and I've proven her right."
    She started to sob again.
    Melanie dragged over the box of Kleenex and handed her a wad of tissues. "Dry your eyes, Crystal Lynne. We'll think of something, honey bunch."
    Crystal Lynne swiped at her eyes and said, "There's got to be a better way. You see, I've fallen in love. With a much younger man. Oh, he's everything my heart desires. We've got to find a way to be together."
    She narrowed her eyes, considering, wondering if she should utter her next confession. She decided to. "You see, I know things about David. Things that could ruin him. He has bribed congressmen. I could bring them all down if I told what I know. There'd be a huge scandal."
    She dabbed at her eyes and seemed to brighten. "We're going to find a way. He'll help me." He, meaning the new man in her life.
    She picked up her purse and turned to leave. "Say you'll come, Melanie. Tomorrow at one. The Wrightsville Marina."
    She paused at the door. "I'll tell David you'll be there when he phones."
    Melanie gave me a helpless look and a shrug. "Okay," she said. "We'll be there."
    "Oh, thanks, sweetie," she said, and hugged Melanie again. "You are the best. I've always admired you so much. Wish I could be just like you."
    Then she was gone. And I was confused.

25

    Later that night, Jon and I had an old-fashioned Saturday night date. I brushed out my