toting cocktails. As Otto’s wife, she’d several reasons to be pleased at Margaux’s death.”
“Could be,” Punt agreed.
“Maybe,” Jass said. “But Shandy’s worked for me part-time in my greenhouse for months—even before her marriage to Otto. She loves plants almost as much as I do. I’ve never heard her badmouth Margaux.”
“And what about Nikko?” Punt asked as Jass added Shandy’s name to our list.
“Nikko’s in her will, too?” I asked.
“No,” Punt said, “but the studs around Smathers Beach say he’s in her bed now and then.”
“Punt!” Jass scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What’s an affair usually mean?” Punt asked. “Margaux enjoyed Nikko’s Greek cooking? Wise up, sis. Nikko’s built like a giant-size fireplug and that burly type appeals to lots of women.”
I’d never thought of Nikko as anything but my good friend and Gram’s good friend, and Punt’s description of him and his activities left me speechless.
“I don’t see Margaux as Nikko’s first extracurricular activity either,” Punt added. “Maybe he got tired of her. Maybe she demanded more than he could deliver. Or maybe she wanted out of the relationship and Nikko hated losing face—especially to an older woman. There’re lots of reasons for a relationship to go on the rocks, but the rocks are usually in the bed.”
I couldn’t imagine Nikko and Margaux involved in an affair, but I don’t hang around Smathers listening to the beach-bum gossip.
“Murder seems a drastic way to end a relationship,” I said. “I admire Nikko. He helped me when I felt desperate and needed protection from Jude. He helps Gram. I hate having to consider him a murder suspect.”
“Maybe he’ll have a foolproof alibi,” Punt said. “For my own sake, I hope he does.”
“Your own sake?” Jass asked. “What’s your sudden interest in Nikko?”
Punt hesitated, then he shook his head and replied. “Guess I can’t keep it a secret much longer—especially in view of Margaux’s death. For several weeks Nikko and I have been formulating business plans, plans that have nothing to do with his private life. I know Dad would like to see me gainfully employed.” Punt hesitated again before he continued. “Well, I approached Nikko. He didn’t approach me. It was my idea. He could have vetoed it, but he didn’t. I suggested that the two of us form a private detective agency here in Key West.”
“Be real,” Jass said. “What do you know about being a private detective?”
“Not much—yet. But Nikko has a P.I. license valid in Florida and he’s promised to teach me the ropes, to help me earn my own license. The general plan is for me to work for him as his assistant while I learn.”
“Sounds like pie in the sky to me,” Jass said.
“Give me a break, Sis. I’m beginning to realize I need some goals in life, but I don’t think I could settle down to a desk job.”
“You used to paint,” Jass said. “Maybe you could take some lessons, paint some local scenes, and open an art gallery. Or maybe you could open a gallery and feature the works of other artists.”
“I’m not about to have an art attack,” Punt said with a sigh. “I find the idea of being a P.I. both appealing and exciting. I want to give it a try and I want the whole thing to be a surprise to Dad. The way today’s scene is coming down, Nikko and I may have found our first case to solve. But we need time to find office space, to get a work plan going. If the idea doesn’t fly, then Dad needs to know nothing about it.”
“I won’t breathe a word,” Jass promised.
“I’d appreciate that.”
I didn’t enter into their conversation that had threatened to escalate into a full-blown argument. “Let’s get on with our list of suspects. I’ve already mentioned Shandy. And let’s don’t forget Consuela. Whenever Margaux’s name comes up, Consuela shimmies her hips and shouts, Someday I’m going to keel her
“Could be,” Punt agreed.
“Maybe,” Jass said. “But Shandy’s worked for me part-time in my greenhouse for months—even before her marriage to Otto. She loves plants almost as much as I do. I’ve never heard her badmouth Margaux.”
“And what about Nikko?” Punt asked as Jass added Shandy’s name to our list.
“Nikko’s in her will, too?” I asked.
“No,” Punt said, “but the studs around Smathers Beach say he’s in her bed now and then.”
“Punt!” Jass scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What’s an affair usually mean?” Punt asked. “Margaux enjoyed Nikko’s Greek cooking? Wise up, sis. Nikko’s built like a giant-size fireplug and that burly type appeals to lots of women.”
I’d never thought of Nikko as anything but my good friend and Gram’s good friend, and Punt’s description of him and his activities left me speechless.
“I don’t see Margaux as Nikko’s first extracurricular activity either,” Punt added. “Maybe he got tired of her. Maybe she demanded more than he could deliver. Or maybe she wanted out of the relationship and Nikko hated losing face—especially to an older woman. There’re lots of reasons for a relationship to go on the rocks, but the rocks are usually in the bed.”
I couldn’t imagine Nikko and Margaux involved in an affair, but I don’t hang around Smathers listening to the beach-bum gossip.
“Murder seems a drastic way to end a relationship,” I said. “I admire Nikko. He helped me when I felt desperate and needed protection from Jude. He helps Gram. I hate having to consider him a murder suspect.”
“Maybe he’ll have a foolproof alibi,” Punt said. “For my own sake, I hope he does.”
“Your own sake?” Jass asked. “What’s your sudden interest in Nikko?”
Punt hesitated, then he shook his head and replied. “Guess I can’t keep it a secret much longer—especially in view of Margaux’s death. For several weeks Nikko and I have been formulating business plans, plans that have nothing to do with his private life. I know Dad would like to see me gainfully employed.” Punt hesitated again before he continued. “Well, I approached Nikko. He didn’t approach me. It was my idea. He could have vetoed it, but he didn’t. I suggested that the two of us form a private detective agency here in Key West.”
“Be real,” Jass said. “What do you know about being a private detective?”
“Not much—yet. But Nikko has a P.I. license valid in Florida and he’s promised to teach me the ropes, to help me earn my own license. The general plan is for me to work for him as his assistant while I learn.”
“Sounds like pie in the sky to me,” Jass said.
“Give me a break, Sis. I’m beginning to realize I need some goals in life, but I don’t think I could settle down to a desk job.”
“You used to paint,” Jass said. “Maybe you could take some lessons, paint some local scenes, and open an art gallery. Or maybe you could open a gallery and feature the works of other artists.”
“I’m not about to have an art attack,” Punt said with a sigh. “I find the idea of being a P.I. both appealing and exciting. I want to give it a try and I want the whole thing to be a surprise to Dad. The way today’s scene is coming down, Nikko and I may have found our first case to solve. But we need time to find office space, to get a work plan going. If the idea doesn’t fly, then Dad needs to know nothing about it.”
“I won’t breathe a word,” Jass promised.
“I’d appreciate that.”
I didn’t enter into their conversation that had threatened to escalate into a full-blown argument. “Let’s get on with our list of suspects. I’ve already mentioned Shandy. And let’s don’t forget Consuela. Whenever Margaux’s name comes up, Consuela shimmies her hips and shouts, Someday I’m going to keel her
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