THE HORRIBLE HUSBAND
Book 5- Murder in Marin Mysteries
Signal Press
eBook ISBN: 978-1-970093-08-7
RELEASE DATE: Friday MAY 8, 2020!
Signal Press
Trade Paperback eBook ISBN: 978-1-970093-13-1
Print ISBN:
Distributed via Ingram Spark/Baker & Taylor
In Book 5 of the MURDER IN MARIN Mysteries:
William Bent, aka “Wild Bill,” is the top-rated host on KBUD in San Francisco. Known as the “King of Bro Talk Radio,” he is the husband of Beverly Bent, the longtime girlfriend of Karin Timmons, Sharon Austin, and Holly Cross.
When Beverly admits to Holly that her marriage is a disaster, and she needs to create a life for herself, Holly suggests she apply for a position on KLIB, “San Francisco radio for the modern woman.” Before long the couple is topic number one throughout the Bay Area. Sheriff’s Detective Inspector, Eddie Austin is tasked with investigating the sudden and mysterious disappearance of Wild Bill, one half of “The Battling Bents.”
Love, hate, and murder, with no commercial breaks.
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What is Beverly Bent’s favorite store for a shopping escape?
3: Contestants with the correct answers will be entered into the contest for a $50 gift card to the book store of your choice.
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5: All entries must be received no later than Midnight Pacific Time, Sunday, June 28, 2020. The winning entry will be announced prior to July 4, 2020.
EXCERPT
Chapter 1
Sharon Austin, Karin Timmons, Holly Cross, and their longtime friend, Beverly Bent, agreed that The Cheesecake Factory at The Village shopping center in Corte Madera, California, was the perfect place to celebrate each of their birthdays.
On this bright, mild, Sunday afternoon in early September, Beverly was the honoree.
Living just blocks from each other in Sausalito, Holly, Sharon, and Karin rode in one car and arrived ten minutes early.
“I love coming here,” Holly announced as the three of them slid into an oversized booth: spacious for four people, but possibly snug for six. “I know we come here four times a year for birthday celebrations, but I never tire of this place.”
“Agreed!” Sharon and Karin said in unison, then looked at each other and laughed.
“That ‘SkinnyLicious’ menu is perfect for eating something that watches your calories before you take the inevitable plunge into a slice of birthday cake,” Holly explained with a laugh.
Karin and Sharon nodded in agreement.
“I know we’re a little early,” Holly added. “I’m hoping Beverly gets here on time. I promised Scott that I’d meet him at two-thirty at the Tam Junction Starbucks so we can go for a hike out to the beach along the Tennessee Valley Trail.”
“That sounds like fun,” Karin said. “What’s going on with you and your millionaire math teacher?”
“What Karin really means,” Sharon said, “is when is he going to pop the question? I know that’s what she’s been thinking because I’m wondering as well.”
“Is that all you two do—speculate on my leaving the ranks of singletons?” Holly asked with a smile.
Karin and Sharon looked at each other and shrugged.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the only thing we do.” Sharon winked. “But it’s certainly high on the list.”
“Scott seems like a great catch,” Karin added. “And the fact that he’s set for life financially doesn’t hurt. You know, when Rob and I sit down to figure out how we’re going to pay all our monthly bills, it’s really not as much fun as you might think.”
“It’s not every girl who gets the chance to marry a sweet guy who also happens to be heir to a big estate,” Sharon declared.
“Trust me, I know the difference between gold and gold-plated,” Holly insisted. “But I don’t want to be the extra baggage that Scott has to carry around for the rest of his life. I love my job, and I love working with Rob. But let’s face it, making real money in the newspaper business is not now, and likely never will be, in the cards.”
Karin laughed. “I don’t think Rob would argue your point.”
“When a guy loves you the way Scott does, he’s happy because you’re happy,” Sharon added. “Take some advice from a couple of longtime married women. A guy, one who truly loves you, wants to be your knight in shining armor. From what I’ve seen of Scott, he’s not looking for his financial equal. He’s looking for a woman to love and adore. A woman he’d be happy to grow old with.”
“And take care of you like a princess,” Karin piped in.
“There’s no doubt that I’ve been blessed to find such a sweet guy. I wish I could say the same for Beverly.” In anticipation of their friend’s arrival, Holly spoke just above a whisper. “I nearly broke the old wire antenna off my dilapidated Chevy yesterday morning while listening to her husband’s radio show on KBUD San Francisco. I was heading over to Tiburon to meet Sylvia Stokes about a story she’s been working on. Has either of you listened to the all-male blather on that station? Bill Bent, in particular, is a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal!”
Karin sighed. “Why in the world would I be listening to that nonsense?” She, too, looked around to make sure Beverly Bent wasn’t within earshot. “It’s so obvious the guy is a complete jerk!”
“Jerk is one word for him, I can think of plenty of others,” Sharon arched an eyebrow. “I was listening to him while making breakfast for Eddie and Aaron yesterday morning. Please don’t ask me why! He makes me so angry! Just a few minutes of his ranting, and I’m fully awake—and ready to hit someone! And I don’t mean my husband. I’ll say one thing for the guy, he makes me appreciate Eddie all the more!”
Karin puffed out her chest. Then, in a fake deep male voice, she muttered, “This is Bill Bent on KBUD. Radio for the modern man.”
Holly snorted. “Modern man, my behind! The guy looks and sounds nothing like what I think of when I hear the words, ‘modern man.’ I think of Eddie, Rob, or Scott. None of them would ever demean a woman the way that caveman does every weekday morning.”
“Now, Holly, don’t you think that’s being a little unfair to poor Fred Flintstone?” Sharon asked. “As I recall, that caveman was a pretty good provider to Wilma. Whenever that quitting time whistle blew, he’d collect his pay and go straight home to his loving wife and that adorable little Pebbles.”
“Maybe it’s all an act,” Karin countered. “A lot of these radio personalities do that, you know.”
“I hope you’re right, at least for Beverly’s sake,” Holly retorted. “If not, I have no idea how she, or anyone for that matter, could put up with Bill Bent for more than thirty minutes!”
“Have you heard him when he goes into one of his rants about ‘his bride?’” Karin asked, using air quotes.
“You mean, ‘Battling Bev?’” Holly asked.
“That’s it!” Karin said louder than she had intended.
“I’m sure she hates that name!” Sharon shuddered. “He’s lucky his ‘Battling Bev’ doesn’t take an iron skillet and crack it over his thick skull!” She chuckled over the thought.
“You’ve been hanging around that detective husband of yours too long,” Karin said. “Not every woman is going to want to kill their guy, regardless of how obnoxious he might be.”
“That’s true,” Holly conceded. “But if it was me, I’d happily send him off to that great radio station in the sky!”
Karin and Sharon found Holly’s wide smile uncomfortably convincing.
“Really, Holly?” Karin said. “Don’t you think killing the guy for being a jerk, on or off the air, is a bit extreme?”
“Yeah, maybe,” Holly replied with apparent reluctance. “But if he was my guy, I wouldn’t let him get away with that nonsense!”
“Maybe Beverly just ignores him and his show,” Sharon suggested. “And, maybe, it’s just playacting. We rarely see him, so it’s hard to say what he’s really like. Off the air, he might be a nice guy. In fact, if it wasn’t for these birthday lunches, none of us would see much of Bev, I suppose. I can tell you this: when the two of us were kids in Tiburon, playing the ‘Who I would marry’ game, Beverly never described anyone like Bill. To me, that’s pretty sad.” All four of the women had grown up in Marin County: Karin and Holly in Sausalito, and Sharon and Beverly in Tiburon.
“I can see why,” Holly replied. “He sounds to me like the furthest thing from any woman’s dream.”
“Hopefully, there’s a chance we’re wrong about the guy. This may be wishful thinking on my part, but maybe it really is just a shtick he does to get high ratings,” Karin suggested. “Bill just can’t be as mean and arrogant as he acts on air!”
“Okay, maybe it’s all an act,” Holly replied. “But do you really think he can just turn it off and on—all those rants he spouts when he walks back through the front door of their home?”
“Now is not the time to figure all this out,” Sharon said in a hush. “Beverly just walked in, and the hostess is showing her to our table. It’s time we put on our happy faces, behave ourselves—and dare I say, mind our own business?”
“Why do you always look at me when you say, ‘mind our own business?’” Holly asked.
“Just a habit, dear, nothing more. Really!” Sharon replied with a smile.
* * *
All four enjoyed SkinnyLicious lunch entrees and claimed that they were full afterward. Still, in keeping with their ritual, they ordered a supersized slice of chocolate cake with four forks. Karin reached into her purse and brought out a sandwich-sized Ziploc bag that held four birthday candles.
“We can always depend on you for candles,” Holly said.
“With two small children in the house, I’m always finding extra birthday candles in one drawer or another.” Karin used a disposable lighter to quickly light the wicks. Then, in low voices, Karin, Holly, and Sharon sang a quick rendition of the Happy Birthday song.
“This is nice! I love you, ladies! You’re always so much fun to be with,” Beverly exclaimed.
“What’s Bill doing for your birthday?” Holly asked, more out of concern than curiosity.
“Working late, I suppose,” Beverly replied in a soft but clearly discouraged tone. “He comes and goes at all hours. It’s not easy, but that’s the life of someone with a successful radio show.”
“But he’s on in the morning, why does he need to work late?” Holly asked.
She winced when Sharon gently kicked her under the table.
“Bill’s job can involve a lot more than just his morning show,” Beverly replied. “He’s always doing promotional appearances. Some are arranged by the station for advertisers. Others are set up by his agent as paid appearances. He makes a third of his yearly income from work done outside his morning show!”
“I guess he’s in demand. That must be difficult for you,” Holly said.
Once again, Sharon kicked her—but this time, with a little more force.
“You might say that.” Beverly shrugged resignedly. “But it’s part of being the wife of a local celebrity.”
“I don’t imagine there are a lot of women’s groups that ask him to speak.” Holly looked across the booth at Sharon with a stare that read, I dare you to kick me a third time.
“That’s true,” Beverly conceded. “He’s not in great demand with women’s clubs, or mixed groups of men and women. But a men’s group like Mountain Men of Marin loves having him at their annual fish fry. Motor Sports Club of Novato, too. Its members think he hung the moon.”
“Really?” Holly asked. “I never heard of either of these groups.”
“I’m not surprised. Not too many women in Marin have. You probably haven’t heard of the Beer, Booze, and Broads Men’s Group up in Fairfax either, I’m guessing,” Beverly replied.
“The what?” Karin asked, astounded to learn such a club existed in politically sensitive, if not always correct, Marin County.
“Oh, they’re out there, ladies!” Beverly frowned. “Thanks to Bill, I know more about misogynistic men than probably any other woman in Marin would ever care to know.”
“Certainly more than the three of us know,” Sharon murmured.
“Doesn’t it get a little overwhelming?” Holly asked. Having opened the conversation, she wasn’t ready to let it drop.
“Overwhelming? How?” Beverly asked innocently.
Holly rolled her eyes. “You know—the whole, ‘Me Tarzan, you Jane’ routine. I mean, when I hear Bill on KBUD, I feel like I’ve gone back in time three decades or more.”
“I get your point. But really, Holly, it doesn’t bother me that much.”
More than ready to change the subject, Karin announced, “Let’s do gifts!”
“Yes. Presents!” Sharon exclaimed. She gave Holly her best wide-eyed let it drop look.
* * *
On the short drive between Corte Madera and Tam Junction, Holly wasted little time before asking Karin and Sharon, “What did you think of Beverly’s answers? Frankly, I think she’s covering up.”
“Covering up for what?” Karin asked.
“Hard to say,” Holly replied. “I don’t think she’s too crazy about Bill.”
“Ya think?” Sharon gave a short laugh. “I can’t imagine why any woman would be. It’s one thing to wake up one morning and realize your husband is a misogynist. It’s something else to turn on the radio every morning and listen as he announces that fact to the world. But I’m still not sure how much of his blather is real and how much is an act.”
“So, you’re wondering if Bent is a misogynist, or he only plays one on radio between seven and ten in the morning?” Holly asked.
“Exactly!” Sharon declared.
“For Beverly’s sake, I hope it’s all an act,” Karin said. “It would be relatively easy to live with it, I suppose, if he was simply playing an obnoxious character.”
“As opposed to being one twenty-four seven?” Holly asked in a pointed tone.
“I would like to think Bill is just playing a character,” Sharon said.
“Real or fake, I don’t suppose there’s much we can do about any of this,” Karin replied. “Other than feeling bad for Bev, it’s her choice to stay or go. I honestly don’t think there’s anything the three of us can do about that.”
“No, there isn’t,” Sharon responded. “Fortunately, they don’t have kids. As complicated as separations and divorces can be, when kids are involved, everything gets much more complicated.”
“If that jerk was my husband, they’d find him one morning floating face down in Corte Madera Creek,” Holly announced.
“Lucky for Wild Bill, he isn’t your husband. And doubly lucky for you, Scott is a much better catch,” Sharon concluded.
Chapter 2
By the time Beverly Bent got into her aging Ford Explorer and turned the ignition key, the smile she’d worn throughout her birthday gathering had vanished. She thought for a moment of turning off the engine and walking into the recently remodeled Nordstrom, located steps away from the entrance to The Cheesecake Factory.
Whether buying or browsing, shopping always lifted her spirits. But instead of turning off her car and pushing the door open, Beverly sat and thought for a brief time about the conversation she just had with her three girlfriends.
Holly had been her usual nosy and pushy self. Still, it's hard not to admire and appreciate a friend so determined to raise the self-evident truths that she was continually hoping to avoid.
Beverly laughed over the thought of Bill coming home and her sharing that he was topic number one at her birthday lunch. Undoubtedly, he'd shrug and say something cruel. "Don't your friends have anything better to do than sit around and criticize a man who works long hours to keep a roof over his wife's head? Do any of these women work, or are they stay-at-home wives like you?"
Beverly could point out that two of them were mothers raising young children. And Holly works long hours five days a week as the associate editor of a group of community newspapers. But why waste her energy? Bill was uninterested in details. He never welcomed any attempt by Beverly to enlighten him on any subject.
Bill inevitably would retort with something dismissive and mean-spirited. "Sounds to me like a bunch of busybodies! If your lady friends weren't spending so much time minding everyone else's business, they'd get more accomplished. Perhaps, turn themselves into something more than gossiping know-it-alls."
Beverly would again try to respond, but Bill would dismiss her with the same disregard he used on the air with countless callers. Few could deny that, at a moment's notice, Bent was ready to verbally crush those who offered views in conflict with his. Tongue-lashings were his specialty.
Neither his callers, nor his wife, were safe when his temper was fully engaged.
* * *
A short time later, when Beverly pulled into the driveway of her home on Corte Madera's Summit Drive, she was displeased to see Bill's car there. Sundays were usually his day for golf, fishing, or simply hanging out with his pals at the Silver Peso Bar in nearby Larkspur. To her disappointment, Bill had decided to spend the afternoon at home.
Often she wished that he had an evening slot on KBUD. He would be home when she woke up in the morning: not great, but at least he'd be gone from mid-afternoon and probably not home until late at night. Frequently, despite his early show, he’d come home after Beverly had fallen asleep holding onto a good book. She gave up asking where he had been, convinced there was very little chance that he’d answer honestly.
KBUD marketed itself as “Bro Radio for the Bay Area.” Among a twenty-four-hour lineup of obnoxious male hosts, Bent was without question the station's superstar. He was best known for his five-minute segments at seven and eight each morning, called "Get Bent." Here he would tear into a Bay Area or nationally recognized woman for her "Feminista attitudes." Frequently he asked his listeners: "When do any of us get our 'Me Too' moment? Guys, we need to stand up to this Feminista Generation before they destroy all we hold precious!"
Beverly made it a point not to listen to Bill's show. On occasion he would ask something like, "Did you hear how I destroyed that woman caller this morning? The one who suggested that men should take on more responsibility in the home: parenting, cooking, cleaning house! You know, the usual nonsense these women spout. I let her have it. I mean, I really let her have it!" he laughed.
To all such inquiries, Beverly would respond with robotic repetitiveness: "Yes, dear, I did. You certainly set her straight."
Never did her husband quiz her on any of the specific content of these on-air confrontations. Beverly often wondered if he knew, or at least suspected, that she was not one of his daily listeners. If he suspected such a betrayal, he was reluctant to push for details. “Hubby,” as Beverly often called him, was pleased when his wife made his favorite dish: roast beef, mashed potatoes, and glazed honey carrots.
Next to his wife preparing a satisfying home-cooked meal, other issues in his marriage paled in comparison.
Chapter 3
Holly was surprised when she looked down at her cell phone’s display screen to see Beverly Bent was calling.
Why in the world would she be calling me on a Monday morning? Holly tapped, “Accept,” then asked, “Hi Bev. Is everything okay?”
“Yes—and no! We’ve got to talk! Can you and I do lunch one day this week?”
“Sure, if we make it one o’clock or later on Friday afternoon. That’s the only time of the week Rob and I come up for air. All editions for the week are finished, and we’re just planning articles and page layouts for the following week. What’s up?”
“It’s better if I wait to tell you in person.”
From her tone, Holly could tell Beverly was sorely tempted to give details. After hesitating for just a moment, Holly declared, “Okay. Where do you want to meet?”
“Can we do Flores at Town Center?”
“Sure. Great Mexican food! I love that place.”
“Good, I’ll see you there on Friday at one,” Beverly said and clicked off before Holly had a chance to ask any more questions.
I wonder what she’s up to? Holly thought.
(c) 2020 Martin Brown. All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and reproduction is strictly prohibited. Permission to reproduce the material in any manner or medium must be secured from the publisher, Signal Press ([email protected])
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