The Happiest Day Read online

  When questioning staff at the club, no one could confirm that Norris had spent the night there. One staff member reported seeing Norris leave the building around one in the morning. Several people confirmed to police that Frederick and Helen had been engaged in an affair and that Frederick and Norris had been seen embroiled in a heated argument on the terrace of the club while the reception took place inside.

  Norris was arrested on the morning of June 3rd. They took him away in handcuffs, with the staff looking on in disbelief. Norris remained calm as he turned to look back at Laurie, Geoff, and Rachel. “Rachel, call Leonard Winston. He’s my personal attorney. Tell him to meet me down at the police station.”

  Rachel nodded wordlessly, her hands twisting behind her back. Her heart was thudding so hard in her chest she felt sure the boys could hear it. Norris held her gaze for a moment, and then gave her a brief nod. The police nudged him forward and they left the house, leaving behind a stunned silence. Rachel felt several sets of eyes on her, waiting for her lead.

  “Everyone can return to work,” she said quietly, but firmly. “Geoff, Laurie, you may come with me. We need to make some calls.” She called Leonard, and then called Maryanne to give her the news. She asked Maryanne to call Peter. She had barely seen or talked to Peter since his mother’s funeral and knew that he was still struggling with her lie to the police.

  Due to the crime and to Norris’ financial status, it was determined that he could be a flight risk and bail was denied. For the first time since her parents had been killed, Rachel felt adrift and frightened. Norris had been her rock and her compass since that night. Her future, and the security of her brother, was suddenly at risk. If Norris was found guilty, they could lose everything. Where would she and Laurie go, how would they live? For the first time ever, she wondered what happened to her family home. Had Norris sold it? The thought of being able to return home made tears come to her eyes suddenly. She swiped at her eyes, letting out a shuddering sigh.

  “Why are you crying?”

  She jumped a little and looked up. Peter stood there, his hands in his pockets, looking at her somberly. “You scared me.”

  “Sorry.”

  “I didn’t know you were coming out.”

  “It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen you. I was wondering how you were doing.”

  “I’m fine,” she lied.

  He walked over to where she sat and pulled out a chair. Sitting, he said, “I’ve been talking to Leonard Winston. It doesn’t look good, Rae.”

  “Why not?”

  “The evidence is circumstantial but he’s afraid that the jury won’t be able to get past the fact that he lied about staying at the club. He certainly had the motive and the means. This whole city knew of his acrimonious relationship with my mother.”

  “Is he saying where he was if he wasn’t at the club?” she asked quietly.

  “He said that he can’t say and that he’s protecting someone. That, I don’t understand. Who is he willing to protect at the expense of his own freedom?” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his legs. “Do you have any idea, Rachel? Was he home when I dropped you off?”

  “I went up the back staircase and went directly to bed. I didn’t see or hear anything until Norris woke me up.”

  “Do you think it’s possible that he did this?”

  His words lay between them like a ticking bomb. “No,” she finally said firmly.

  “Do you know who he may have been with? If we can find out we can convince her…or him to come forward and provide an alibi.”

  “I don’t know, I’m sorry.”

  He sighed. “Shit. This family is falling apart and I don’t know how to stop it.”

  Laurie and Geoff came out on the patio then, pulling out chairs and sitting next to Peter. “What’s happening?” Geoff asked, his face troubled.

  “I’m just trying to find information that might help clear Norris’ name. He’s saying that he was with someone that night but he won’t give the name.”

  “Why not?” Laurie asked, confused.

  “He said he can’t tell anyone. My guess is that he was having an affair and he’s not willing, yet, to expose the woman.”

  “If she can clear his name, though, why wouldn’t he give her name?”

  “I don’t know,” Peter said, sounding weary. “I’m not going to stop trying to find her. How are you boys doing?”

  “It’s strange not having Mother or Dad here,” Geoff admitted. “Is there anything we need to be doing?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m going to visit Norris tomorrow and I’ll ask him what we can do to keep everything running smoothly. There are the household accounts and the newspaper that needs to be attended to…I’ll let you know.” He looked at Rachel. “Why don’t you come with me? He may need to give you some information about running the house.”

  “I can do that,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “You’re quiet,” he noted. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  She nodded. “I’m fine,” she said again. “Do you want to stay to supper?”

  “No, thanks. I have to go back to the office and work some more.” He stood. “I’ll pick you up around two o’clock tomorrow?”

  “I’ll just have the driver bring me downtown. I know you’re busy.”

  “I’m not too busy to come pick you up,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “Rae, look at me.”

  She looked up, keeping her eyes purposely blank. Peter had always been able to read her thoughts, but this secret was too horrible to share. “What is it?”

  “What’s wrong?” he asked insistently.

  “I’m just tired. I’ll see you tomorrow, all right?” She stood. “I’d better go check on supper.”

  He watched her re-enter the house, then looked at Geoff and Laurie. “How long has she been acting like that?”

  “Since it happened,” Geoff said. “Her fiancé was killed, you know.”

  “She hated Stern,” Peter said dismissively. “She wanted to break things off with him. That’s not what’s bothering her.”

  Geoff looked at Laurie and a silent message passed between them, and then he asked Peter, “Did Dad do this, Peter?”

  “I don’t know. You know things have not been good between them for years, but I would never have guessed that he could murder. It’s just not his style.”

  “Maybe it was finding Helen and Frederick in bed together that made him snap,” Laurie suggested.

  Peter shook his head. “I just don’t think he would care that much. Helen had flaunted many affairs under his nose for years. Norris has been no angel either. The whole city knew they had an open marriage.”

  Like his sister, Laurie was confused. “What does that mean?”

  Geoff looked angry. “It means that Mother and Dad fucked other people and neither of them gave a shit.” He crossed his arms over his chest and tightened his lips in fury. “How long had it been like that?”

  Peter looked at his brother with sympathy. He and Laurie were being asked to grow up quickly. “At least as long as I’ve known what it meant. I’m sorry.”

  “It was Stern, though, Rachel’s fiancé. Even if he didn’t care that Helen was being unfaithful, maybe it was Stern’s unfaithfulness to Rachel that he couldn’t handle,” Laurie suggested.

  “Like I said, Rachel was trying to end it with Stern. Why would Norris need to murder him? Although…”

  Geoff looked up sharply. “What?”

  “I just remembered something. Rachel said that Stern was holding something over Norris. She said that if she didn’t go through with the wedding, Stern had threatened to ruin Norris.”

  “What was it?” Laurie asked. “What did he have on Norris?”

  “She wouldn’t tell me.”

  “Peter,” Laurie asked tentatively, “you don’t think Rachel was involved…?” He couldn’t even finish the question.

  “No,” he said calmly, but his insides were suddenly quaking. Whe
n the police had set the time of death to between four and seven a.m., Peter could no longer even offer her an alibi. He had dropped her off at five a.m. He couldn’t believe that she had anything to do with the murders, but he also couldn’t protect her from suspicion. “Not Rachel. Never.” Laurie nodded but he didn’t look convinced. Silence fell between the three of them and Peter moved restlessly. “I have to go. I’ll see you guys later, O.K.? Take care.” He left the estate, undeniably disturbed.

  The next day, he met Rachel at the prison and searched her face for any clue to what was bothering her. She continued to be quiet and withdrawn and he felt frustrated that he couldn’t seem to reach her. They sat together in a holding room until Norris was brought to them. He looked tired and pale but his eyes lit when he saw the two of them.

  “It’s so good to see family,” he said, sitting at the table across from them. “How is everyone else? The boys? Maryanne?”

  “Everyone is fine,” Rachel assured him. “We just miss you and we’re frightened.”

  “It’s going to be O.K.,” he said. “Leonard and I are working on the defense and we’re confident that I’ll be found innocent.”

  “Is there anything you need us to do?” Peter asked. “For the newspaper or the household?”

  “I’m handling the newspaper from here. They’re allowing my staff to come in and everything is under control. The household accounts need to be managed, though. Rachel, can you handle that? Make sure the staff gets paid and run things?”

  “Of course,” she said, nodding her head. She was thankful for something to do. “Are you being treated well, Norris? You look thin.”

  “They’re treating me just fine,” he said, reaching across the table to grasp her hands. “Rachel, I miss you.”

  She was surprised at his action, but knew that he was under enormous strain. She gently corrected him, “I’m sure you miss everyone.”

  “Of course,” he amended but continued to gaze into her eyes.

  Peter looked from their clasped hands to Norris’ gaze and felt a rush of discomfort. What was going on?

  The door opened and Leonard Winston, Norris’ attorney, came in then. “Oh, MacGregor, how nice to see you.” The men shook hands. “Rachel, I’m glad you’re here. We need to talk.”

  Norris’ hands tightened on hers and she chewed her lip nervously. What had Norris confessed to his attorney? “Peter, you’ll excuse us?” Norris asked genially. He seemed to be in high spirits but had a steely look in his eyes that suggested he would not accept “no” for an answer.

  Peter drew back in surprise. “Oh…could I stay? Maybe I can be of some help with your defense.”

  “I’d prefer not,” Norris said amiably. “Thank you for coming by, though.”

  Peter was being dismissed. He stood, shoving his shaking hands in his pockets, trying to hide the awkwardness he felt. He could feel the undercurrent in the room and didn’t like being excluded. He also didn’t like leaving Rachel alone with the two men. “Rae, do you want me to stay?”

  She lifted hooded eyes to him. “No. I’m fine.”

  He was starting to hate those words. She sounded brainwashed. “All right, I’ll go. Maybe I’ll come out tonight and we can have supper.”

  “If you like,” she said neutrally.

  “All right,” he said, stalling in case someone wanted to change their minds. No invitation to stay came, however, and he found himself forced to leave the room.

  Norris waited for the door to close, and then leaned close to Rachel. “Listen to me, sweetheart. Leonard is worried that we can’t beat the charges. There’s only one way out of this.”

  “What’s that?”

  Leonard sat next to her. “I need you to testify that you and Norris were together the night of the murders.”

  “How is that going to change anything?” she asked confusedly.

  “You can be his alibi.”

  “But I’ve already given the police a statement saying that I was in my bed asleep all night. Who would believe me if I change my story now?”

  Leonard’s eyes were kind and he touched her arm gently. “The judge will understand why you lied when he hears the truth. Everyone will know that you were just trying to protect yourself, and Norris, from the affair being exposed.”

  Rachel was so confused, she shook her head as if to clear it. “What affair?”

  “I need you to tell the court that you and Norris were together, in bed, all night.”

  Rachel jumped as if she had been slapped. “Are you crazy?” she asked the attorney.

  “Leonard, leave us,” Norris ordered sharply. “Give me five minutes with Rachel.” Leonard obeyed and Norris squeezed Rachel’s hands tightly, staring at her intently. “We only have a few minutes, so listen to me. I told Leonard that we were having an affair.”

  She tried to pull away from him, but he held tight. “Why…why would you say something like that?”

  “It’s the only way out of this. The police know that I was lying about staying at the club the night of the murders. I had to come up with a reason why I would have lied. All I could think of is that I was protecting someone from scandal. It couldn’t just be any woman. Why would I lie about sleeping with my secretary or one of my friends’ wives? That sort of stuff happens all the time in my circle and everyone knows my reputation. It had to be someone innocent, someone scandalous. It has to be you. So I told Leonard that I was protecting you, that you and I have been having an affair and we were together, in your bed all night. We discovered the bodies around seven and called the police. He’ll suggest to the court that there was an intruder in the house. Frederick had many enemies; it could have been anyone seeking revenge.”

  “Norris, I wasn’t home all night. I was at Peter’s until five o’clock.”

  He couldn’t have looked more shocked. “What?”

  “I’m sorry I lied to you. I was embarrassed…I had gotten drunk after what Frederick tried to do to me on the terrace and Peter let me sleep there. He woke me up and took me home…I had only been asleep for a couple of hours when you came to get me.”

  “Shit,” he muttered, rubbing his hand on his forehead. “This could ruin everything.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lie to the police, but they separated us and I didn’t want to go against what you may have told them upstairs.”

  “It’s O.K., it’s O.K.,” he said, thinking. “Listen, did anyone see you at Peter’s?”

  “No, I don’t think so. It was late, we didn’t see anyone.”

  “So, if we can get you to tell the court that you and I were together most of the night, at least for those crucial hours, only Peter can dispute your word.”

  She nodded. “I guess so.”

  “But there’s no way he can prove that you were with him, right?”

  “No, I wouldn’t think so.”

  “The court will have no choice but to believe you. Why would a young woman risk her reputation by admitting to an affair with her guardian? Only if it’s the truth and she needs to save him from false accusations.” He sat back and smiled. “This will work, Rachel, if we’re willing to stick by our story.”

  “What will the family say? They’ll hate me.”

  “They’ll be shocked,” he admitted, “but eventually they’ll only be happy that I’m free and things can return back to normal. Rachel, will you do this for me? Will you save me the way I saved you so many years ago?”

  Put that way, there was no way she could refuse. She nodded dazedly. He smiled triumphantly and squeezed her hands. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. We’ve done God’s work here today, Rachel.” He called his attorney back into the room.

  Leonard requested a special hearing with the judge and the prosecutor’s office the next day. Norris’ intentions were to let his happen quietly, without the family being present, but Peter and Bert heard about it through the grapevine and were present
in the courtroom. Beside them sat Maryanne, Geoff, and Laurie. When Rachel entered the courtroom and saw them, she felt a rush of panic. Leonard held her firmly by the elbow.

  “It’s all right,” he said in a voice only she could hear. “They’ll learn to accept it.”

  He led her to the where they sat and Maryanne looked over with a scared smile. “I don’t know what this is about, do you?”

  “There…there’s some new evidence,” she stammered.

  Maryanne grabbed Rachel’s hand tightly in her own. “You mean Daddy might be released?”

  Peter leaned forward and looked down the row at Rachel. “What evidence?” he demanded. “What’s going on?”

  Leonard turned from where he sat in front of them. “Here comes your father.”

  They led Norris into the courtroom, in handcuffs. His eyes scanned his family, stopping on Rachel and smiling crookedly. He pursed his lips slightly towards her, mimicking a small kiss. Rachel felt the blood drain from her face as Maryanne looked at her again. “What was that about?” she asked, a tiny frown between her eyebrows. “Rachel…”

  “Quiet,” Leonard hissed. “Here comes the judge.”

  After the judge was seated, he looked sternly at Leonard. “Mr. Winston, I’ve been informed that you requested this special pre-trial hearing due to new evidence. I’m warning you, this had better be good.”

  “It is, Your Honor.” Leonard stood. “Mr. Thornton admits that he lied about his whereabouts the night of the murders but stated that he was protecting an unnamed person from scandal. The lady in question has decided, on her own, to come forward and vouch for Mr. Thornton’s presence the entire night.”