by Reagan Davis
Brian moves to take a few steps closer to his wife. She puts her hand up and shakes her head.
“Stay!” she commands. “If anyone takes one step closer, I’ll take this.”
I assume she’s holding something up, but I can’t see anything in her hand.
“It will kill me immediately,” she adds. “Now, please stay back and let me give my dying declaration before it’s too late.”
Craig rushes past me in the snow and has a word with one of the cops forming the barricade. The cop says something back to him and points. Craig moves quickly through the snow in the direction the cop was pointing. Then the cop speaks into his phone, presumably telling someone a doctor is on the way over.
“The letter, and all the time you were spending together, reminded me of the rumours back in high school that you and she had a secret relationship. Even though you always denied it and swore it was just a rumour, I began to think it was true, that there was a relationship, and now that we were back in Harmony Lake, you were resuming an affair with her.”
Anne-Marie sobs and wipes her face with the sleeves of her dress. I hear sirens in the distance, and I’m hoping they get here quickly.
“Then I found a package for a DNA test one morning when I was putting the garbage out. The bag broke and the test package fell out of the bottom.”
She goes from standing to sitting on the bleacher behind her. I feel my heart beating faster, and a wave of heat escapes from under my scarf. I’m worried that she’s about to drop dead.
“I assumed the rumour about Laura being pregnant when she graduated was true. I didn’t want the boys to find out they had a fifty-year-old, half-sibling.” Her voice is becoming breathier. “And I didn’t want you to leave me for Laura and the family you wish you had.”
She grabs her stomach and lurches forward as though she’s in pain.
I read about Digoxin poisoning after I found out it was how Laura died. Apparently, one of the early symptoms of toxicity can be stomach pain and nausea. I wonder if Laura had stomach pain and nausea before her heart stopped working?
The sirens grow louder as the ambulance gets closer until they’re louder than Anne-Marie’s breathless voice. Then they stop.
“Brian, it devastated me when I found out I was wrong. I’m so sorry! Why didn’t you just tell me everything? From the beginning?” She draws her knees to her chest, with her feet resting on the bench, and hugs her knees. She must be freezing. And terrified.
“I used your Dad’s digoxin. He was on so many meds, I knew no one would notice if it was missing. When we dropped his medication off at the pharmacy, I didn’t hand the bottle of digoxin in with the rest of them because I didn’t want to draw attention to the fact that we had access to it. So, I kept it. I’m glad I did because this was the only fair way for this to end.”
She’s rocking back and forth now.
“I went to her house while I was doing my Meals On Wheels route. I convinced her to have a coffee with me, even though she said she’d had her limit for the day. I put the pulverized pills in her flavoured coffee. I confronted her about the affair and the love child, and she denied it. She insisted I had it wrong. I showed her the letter I found from you to her, and she told me it wasn’t what it looked like.”
She stops talking to cry and catch her breath. Her voice is getting weaker, and the human barricade has moved forward a few steps without her noticing. Or maybe she noticed and assumed it was so they could hear her better. Or maybe she noticed and doesn’t care anymore.
“She tried to tell me the truth. I didn’t believe her, and it was too late, anyway. I could see the poison taking effect. Her heart rate was so fast and her breathing erratic. I cleaned the mug I used and left it by the sink, then I moved her knee scooter and the phone so she couldn’t reach them.”
I’m watching Anne-Marie while also keeping my eye on a dark figure climbing up the back of the bleachers. I don’t mention it to my fellow onlookers, so I don’t draw attention to the climber and ruin their cover. Two paramedics with a gurney have joined us on the shovelled path. We all move aside and huddle even closer together, so they can position themselves as close to the bleachers as possible.
“When I left, she was still alive, barely. I knew she wouldn’t be for much longer.”
Anne-Marie is sobbing and covering her face with her hands. Eric has scaled the bleachers and is a few rows above her. He climbs slowly and silently until he’s one row behind her then grabs both her wrists, preventing her from taking whatever it was that she’d held up earlier. Police rush the bleachers with the paramedics and Craig Pearson right behind them.
Chapter 23
Sunday January 19th
Our FaceTime visit with Hannah is longer than usual today because Adam and I have so much to tell her about the reunion-fundraiser.
On one hand, it was a huge success and people will talk about it for years, but on the other hand, it was sad and scary.
According to a text from Eric, Anne-Marie will be OK. Unlike Laura, she received medical attention before it was too late. He says she’s devastated by what she’s done, is still in the hospital receiving treatment, and she’s on suicide watch.
Eric left right behind the ambulance and followed it to the hospital. I’m OK with it, but I might give him a hard time anyway, because I know he feels bad for leaving me there.
Anne-Marie’s confession and trip to the hospital killed the party vibe, and the event fizzled out after all the excitement. A handful of people stayed behind to find out if they won the items they’d bid on in the silent auction, but Amy told them to leave saying she’ll notify the winners sometime later today.
Since Amy and Tundra were now working instead of attending the reunion-fundraiser, Craig, Mrs. Pearson, and I stayed behind to help with the clean-up.
Phillip and Glenda went to the hospital to be with Brian. I don’t think they’re home yet. His van wasn’t in his driveway when Adam got here this morning, so I texted Phillip to ask if I could do anything to look after Kevin. He texted back, saying he came home during the night, picked up Kevin, and dropped him off with his apprentice, Noah.
Adam made a mushroom spinach frittata for breakfast and, I must say, our separation has been good for his cooking skills.
“Did you take my advice and ask Val on a date?” I ask him.
“After she walked away from us with that man, I didn’t speak to her again. Whoever that man was, he monopolized her time.”
He didn’t say he wouldn’t ask her out.
Our separation has also been good for our communication skills. I’ve learned that a big part of listening to Adam is listening to what he doesn’t say as well as what he does say.
“If you do ask her out,” I say, “and you cook for her, make these frittatas. She’d be impressed, they’re amazing.”
He smiles proudly.
My phone dings.
“Everything OK?” Adam asks with food in his mouth.
“Yes, all good,” I say. “It’s Eric. He’s apologizing again for abandoning me. Like I can’t find my way home in my own hometown.”
I roll my eyes and have another forkful of frittata.
“He likes you, you know,” Adam says, then swallows the mouthful of frittata he was chewing.
“We’ve become good friends,” I reply.
“No, Meg, he likes you,” he clarifies.
“How would you know?”
“I’ve known since September when he was investigating us for murder. He doesn’t hide it very well, Meg.” He takes a sip of orange juice. “Also, he told me.”
“He told you?”
Adam nods. “On Wednesday, when you came to my office full of HYPOTHETICAL questions, he was already there. He asked me a few questions about Laura’s will, the timeline of the changes and such. Then he asked me if you and I were trying to work things out. The babysitting shift I did when you hurt your foot, and how well we get along, confused him. He said he doesn’t want to interfere if we�
��re trying to work it out.”
“He should have asked me, not you,” I say, annoyed.
“That’s what I said,” Adam agrees. “He said he didn’t want to put you in an awkward position because if he doesn’t have a chance, he’d at least like to be your friend, and stay in the apartment above the store.”
“What did you tell him?”
“The truth,” he replies. “We’re not a couple, but we’ll always be family, and whoever dates us has to be OK with that.”
“Good answer,” I reply.
After Adam leaves, I sit on the living room sofa and call Sophie up to sit with me. I explain to her that Anne-Marie killed Laura, and I tell her the reasons Anne-Marie gave for doing it. I tell her I’m sorry she lost her person. I tell her I love her, I’m happy we’ll be living and working together, and I’ll do my best to make her as happy as Laura did.
She wags her tail and listens to me the entire time I talk. I have no idea how much she understands, or if dogs have unresolved issues, but I hope this gives her some closure, if closure is something dogs need.
Chapter 24
Tuesday January 21st
Yesterday, Harmony Lake shut down early for Laura’s funeral. It was a beautiful service. The entire town attended, including some of the animals, past and present, from the AC. Laura would have been thrilled knowing the animals she loved so much and devoted her life to helping were there.
It’s been decided that Brian will replace Laura as Executive Director of the Vanity Fur Centre for Animal Health & Wellness. But not yet, he’ll take over in a few weeks. He has a lot to deal with right now. His newfound sister and old friend has died. He has another newfound sister he’s trying to build a relationship with, and he’s processing the truth about his dad and his father being two different men. On top of all that, he had to explain everything to his own sons and help them come to terms with it all. He’s supporting Anne-Marie while she recovers physically, emotionally, and mentally, and arranging legal support for her.
In the meantime, Adam has offered to step in as acting executive director for a short time. This temporary position should put him and Val in the same orbit on a regular basis, so we’ll see if anything comes from that. Sophie and I will stop by the AC to visit and look out for any sparks that might fly between them.
The custom hand-knit socks I donated to the fundraiser were auctioned off for two hundred and fifty dollars to Glenda! She loves wearing hand-knit socks, but unlike her mother and sister, she doesn’t knit. She’s coming by the store later today to choose yarn for her new socks and for me to measure her feet.
Glenda and Brian have decided to decline Mega Mart’s offer to purchase the AC. As per Laura’s wishes, they’ll be donating the land that the AC sits on to the Vanity Fur Centre for Animal Health & Wellness. This also means the town council and residents won’t be divided about a big box store moving into our cozy little haven of a town.
I asked Glenda if she and her husband would be OK financially without the proceeds from the land sale, and she said Laura left her the house, so they will be fine. She said their pensions cover their living expenses, and the proceeds from the sale of the house will pay for a few extras, allow them to help their daughter, spoil their grandchildren, and provide a legacy which was what they wanted from the proceeds of the land sale.
It worried me that Mr. Willows wouldn’t take the news about the Mega Mart offer well, and it might have a negative effect on his health. However, it seems he’s arranged to subdivide a piece of his land and sell it to Jay Singh. Jay and his wife want to move out of Harmony Hills and into Harmony Lake. To a home with enough land for their boys to grow and play. They’ll be building their dream home on the property. Mrs. Willows told Connie this sale will improve their financial situation and, hopefully, ease Mr. Willows' stress-related health issues.
Last week one of the regional news outlets ran a story about the land dispute between Mega Mart and the supporters of the AC.
The news story portrays the situation as another example of a big corporation trying to bully small town residents and threaten local businesses. The story features Dr. White passionately advocating on behalf of the AC and Harmony Lake. She implores Mega Mart’s CEO, her uncle, to do the right thing, find another piece of land, and build his store somewhere that won’t disrupt the good work of a non-profit organization.
Unbeknownst to anyone in town, Mega Mart’s CEO saw the news story, flew across the country, and attended the reunion-fundraiser on Saturday night. He met his niece, Dr. White, and has since contacted the rest of his family. They’ve started to mend some fences, and he made a sizeable donation to AC.
He told some attendees at the reunion-fundraiser that someone in town (who he had the nerve to describe as "pushy") forwarded the news story to his corporate email, his assistant’s email, sent him the link on Facebook and LinkedIn, and left a voicemail message on his direct line at the office informing him the story. No one knows who it was, (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) but I have it on good authority that finding his assistant’s email and tracking down the direct line to his office was not easy.
It turns out he was the distinguished, older gentleman who approached Val while Adam and I were talking to her, had a long discussion with Tamara and April about their dog treats (yes, he ate one, April confirmed it), then monopolized Val for most of the evening.
Speaking of April and Tamara, their dog and cat treats were a huge hit! They sold for five hundred dollars at the auction, and the CEO of Mega Mart was so impressed when he saw them at the fundraiser, that he wants to sell the treats under Mega Mart’s pet brand. Mega Mart is expanding their pet food line to include organic, chemical-free options, and he thinks their line of cat and dog treats will fit in perfectly with his vision.
April and Tamara are negotiating with Mega Mart. They will also sell them in Artsy Tartsy and online under the brand name of The Barkery: Gourmet Treats For Well-Heeled Pets.
Connie is off today. She was scheduled to work and offered to come in, but she and Archie are leaving tomorrow to head south for two weeks of fun in the sun. I know she has a lot of packing and planning to do before they leave, so I told her to take the day off.
I can’t wait until she drops Harlow off this afternoon. For two whole weeks, he’ll be back where he belongs, at Knitorious.
Glenda says she’ll stay in town for the next few weeks while her sister’s estate is settled. She says it’ll give her a chance to get to know Brian and be there for him while he works through everything that’s happened.
“We are family, after all, and family supports each other,” she said to me.
She’ll be staying at Laura’s house while she’s here, cleaning it out and getting it ready to sell. Brian said he’d like to help her, and she thinks it would be a great way for them to get to know one another.
I asked her to please not paint over the purple palace.
Since she’ll be around, and Phillip already has Noah helping him at Wilde Flowers, Glenda will work at Knitorious part-time. The timing couldn’t be better with Connie going away. Glenda will work here a few hours each day, except for a couple of days around her daughter’s due date. Then she’ll drive to Ottawa, visit with her family, and meet her new grandbaby. For a non-knitter, she’s great at working here. Her mom and sister were both avid knitters, so I guess some of it rubbed off on her.
I need to find another part-time employee, though. I’ve added it to my to-do list for next month. I don’t want Connie to feel like she can’t go anywhere.
The bell above the door jingles and a huge arrangement of flowers with legs remarkably similar to Phillip’s walks through the door.
The floral scent reaches my nose, and it’s divine.
Phillip puts the vase of flowers on the counter and fusses with the arrangement. I guess in case a flower or two moved between next door and here.
“Phillip they’re beautiful!” I exclaim. “You’re an artist.”
I lean closer t
o them and take a deep breath, inhaling as much of the bouquet of aromas as I can. The smell of fresh flowers in the middle of winter is such a treat.
“Thank you. I’m quite proud of it,” he replies. “Do you want me to deliver them here every month? I can deliver them to the house if you prefer.” He flicks his wrist. “It doesn’t matter, we can decide month to month.”
“You’re delivering them here? I thought you were just bringing them by so I can ooh and awww over your immense talent.”
My birthday isn’t until next month. I’m not sure who would send me flowers.
“Wait, did you say monthly?” I ask.
“Yes, haven’t you heard? Your upstairs tenant had the winning bid for the year of monthly floral arrangements I donated to the fundraiser.”
“No. I hadn’t heard. I don’t think he’s here.”
Phillip must be confused. If Eric bid on the flowers, I’m sure he’ll want them upstairs in his apartment where he can enjoy them.
“You can leave them, and I’ll let him know they’re here. Then you don’t have to carry them back to your shop. I’m sure he’ll want them in his apartment where he can enjoy them.”
“Megan,” he says, sounding exasperated.
He takes both my hands and takes a deep breath.
“He wants YOU to have them. He specifically instructed that I should deliver them to YOU each month,” he explains, using the same voice one would use to explain something to a young child.
“Ohhh. I think I follow now.”
He taps the countertop in victory. We have successful communication.
“Where is the best place to put them? You know, so, they get enough light?” I ask.
Phillip picks them up and moves them to the coffee table in the cozy seating area, then fusses with a few of the individual blooms again.
They’re so pretty, I feel giddy looking at them.