Heart Beat

by Lynne Waite Chapman

  “Where are we going?”

  “None of your business. Just head to the pharmacy.”

  I started down the sidewalk, praying no one would be hurt because of me. By the time I got to the corner, the sound of the mobility scooter had stopped. I veered around and cast a glance behind me. Deloris’s transportation had stalled a few feet back. Her attention was on pushing buttons and jiggling levers.

  “What’s the problem, Deloris?”

  “Darn thing died. Won’t start. Stay right there.” She used the butt of the gun to pound on the starter.

  I put my hands on my hips. “The battery’s dead. Don’t you remember? You already went all the way to the police station and back? It wasn’t plugged in long enough to recharge.”

  “No!” She pounded harder.

  Recognizing my chance, I sneaked close, sprang onto the woman, and wrenched the gun from her hand.

  “Wha…” She let go of the gun without much of a struggle. Then I was in control with the gun pointed at Deloris.

  I thought to grab my phone, but realized my handbag, along with my cell phone, was in my car parked at the station. No one was around to hear my cries for help. Should I leave Deloris where she sat while I ran inside to get help? She probably couldn’t shuffle far, if I hurried.

  My problem was solved when I heard a one-sided conversation behind me. A woman, completely unaware of her surroundings, walked toward us engrossed in a phone call.

  As soon as she got close enough to interrupt her conversation, I planned to ask her to call the police.

  Deloris was a quick thinker. She raised her hands in the air and yelled. “Help! I’m being robbed.”

  The woman yanked the phone away from her ear and stared at me. “How awful. You’re robbing an old lady who can’t even walk.”

  Oh, for gosh sakes.

  “No, I’m not. She was going to shoot me, and I took the gun away from her.”

  The woman turned and ran down the sidewalk, screaming. “Help. Police. Call the police. Robbery.”

  Why do these things always happen to me?

  I slumped against the building to wait for the sirens.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  D eloris gripped the scooter handlebars and attempted to dismount. “Give me my gun.”

  “No. Sit down. You know you can’t walk fast enough to get it from me. We’ll wait for the police.”

  She settled back on the scooter and raised her hands again. I stared at Deloris. “Put your hands down. Nobody’s going to believe I tried to rob you.”

  She smiled. “Yes they will. You’re holding the gun.”

  Darn it. She had a point.

  I dropped the Glock and kicked it into the grass.

  Within a few minutes, a squad car pulled into the parking lot next to the sidewalk. Officer Farlow stepped from the driver’s side and walked toward me with his gun drawn.

  Crap.

  I put my hands in the air and hyperventilated.

  Deloris pointed at me and said, “She pulled a gun and tried to rob me.”

  I glanced her way. “I did not.”

  “Halloren, you’ve gone too far this time. Put your hands on your head.”

  “Okay.” I laced my fingers on top of my head. Farlow holstered his weapon and proceeded to search me. I’d always been ticklish and stifled a giggle. It was not the time.

  To Deloris, Officer Farlow said, “What happened, ma’am?”

  Directing her innocent gaze at him, Deloris sniffed. “She was going to shoot me. I thought I was going to die.”

  The man straightened his shoulders and pulled his gun again. “Don’t worry, ma'am. You’re safe now.”

  I looked at his gun. “Can I put my hands down?”

  “No.”

  “My shoulders ache.”

  “Just stay where you are and don’t move. The lady said there was a weapon. Where is it?”

  “It’s in the grass at the side of the walk.”

  Farlow kept his pistol aimed at me while he scanned the area. “Where?”

  “Over there.” I jerked my head and pointed with my chin until he got the idea and located the gun.

  “Now, can I put my hands down?”

  “No.”

  Deloris managed to sound like a frightened little girl. “Don’t let her go. She’ll kill me.”

  “I’ve got her, ma'am. You’re safe. I’m just waiting for backup, and we’ll take her to jail.”

  Footsteps sounded behind me, and I was afraid to look. It sounded like the whole force had arrived.

  A look of relief spread across Farlow’s face. “Chief, I’m glad to see you.”

  Police Chief Melvin Stoddard studied me and Deloris, then turned his attention to Farlow. “What’s the story, Officer?”

  I looked on, hands on head, while Farlow related what he knew of the incident, which wasn’t much.

  Deloris said, “She tried to rob me.”

  “I did not.”

  The Chief and Farlow hovered over Deloris. “Are you alright now, ma’am?”

  “I’m okay. I just want to go home, but my scooter died.”

  “Do you live at Beaver Creek? We’ll have someone help you get back.”

  “Oh, thank you, Officer. I’m so grateful you arrived when you did.”

  I tried to be patient while they chatted, but finally raised my voice. “My shoulders are killing me. May I please put my hands down?”

  Farlow looked at Stoddard. The chief nodded.

  Officer Farlow leveled his gaze at me. “Alright, put ‘em down. But stay where you are, and don’t try anything.”

  Taking my hands from my head, I massaged my neck.

  A deep voice came from behind me. “What happened here, Lauren?”

  It was a voice I knew, and I wanted to cry. I pivoted to gaze into chocolate-brown eyes. “Jack Spencer. Thank goodness you’re here. It’s such a mess. Deloris D’agostino was taking me to the drugstore to kill me. Not really to the drugstore—to the alley beside the drugstore.”

  I stopped and searched his gaze. He wasn’t getting it.

  I forged ahead. “We only got this far when her battery died. She got busy trying to get the scooter started again, and I got the gun away from her.”

  Jack tipped his head to the side and squinted at me.

  I took a breath and continued. “Well, then some woman started screaming that I was robbing an old lady. And she ran away and called the police.”

  I paused for another breath. The story sounded like gibberish, even to me.

  I had no choice but to finish. “Then officer Farlow came and Deloris told him I wanted to kill her. It’s not even my gun. It’s hers.”

  Jack closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and gave me a reassuring smile. “We’ll get it all sorted out down at the station.”

  He looked over my head at the chief. “Chief Stoddard, I’ll drive Ms. Halloren to the station. You and Officer Farlow can get a statement from Mrs. D’agostino.”

  I stood on tiptoes to whisper in Jack’s ear. “Deloris killed Camden Greene, the guy Clair and I found in the ravine.”

  Jack turned to the chief. “Since the scooter isn’t working, maybe you can get Mrs. D’agostino a wheelchair. Then you should talk to her at the station.”

  Chief Stoddard turned away from Deloris. “Great idea, Agent Spencer. You take charge of Ms. Halloren while we take care of the victim.”

  Victim?

  Officer Farlow jerked his head up and sputtered. “You better put handcuffs on the Halloren woman.”

  Jack put a hand up. “I can handle her.”

  Farlow began to sputter again, but Stoddard laid a hand on his shoulder. “Just do what Agent Spencer said.”

  Farlow’s face flushed and his eyes grew wide. “Former agent. He’s a civilian.”

  Melvin studied Farlow, then said, “Go get the wheelchair.”

  The officer shut his mouth, pivoted, and stormed toward the nursing home entrance.

  Jack
and I left Chief Stoddard to comfort Deloris and walked to Jack’s sedan. I imagined we were on a date when he opened the door for me. It was a short drive to the station, but I wished it would last forever. I sat speechless during the drive, while I admired the profile of the man who had saved me.

  Jack shifted the car into park at the station, and I found words. “I’m so glad you showed up when you did. What would I have done without you? I’d be in handcuffs in Farlow’s squad car.”

  He turned to me with a smile that raised the temperature inside the car. “Glad I could help.”

  I sucked in a breath before I could speak. “How did you happen to be there?

  Jack leaned back against the seat. “Heard it on the police radio and caught up with Chief Stoddard. I had a feeling I needed to be there.”

  He chuckled while he unbuckled his seatbelt. “I don’t usually carry the radio, but thought it best while in Evelynton. Not much goes on in this burg, but you seem to show up in police business quite a lot.”

  Chapter Thirty

  M y body was about to melt into the seat. I wanted to stay in the quiet security of Jack’s presence, forever. Would have loved to pull my feet up onto the seat and lay my head on his shoulder. I released my seatbelt and might have done just that, had I not regained my sanity. Instead, I opened the car door, and with as much composure as possible, I followed him into the police station.

  Once inside, Jack guided me to a chair, in which I obediently sat. He continued to the chief’s office. I didn’t see Deloris D’agostino anywhere. Maybe she was in a cell. Maybe they’d bring her in another entrance. Either way, I would be happy not to see her again, ever. I closed my eyes and thought of better things.

  The clock showed it had been about thirty minutes when I opened my eyes to Officer Farlow’s voice. “Ms. Halloren, would you step over to my desk? I’ll take your statement. Shouldn’t take long, and you’ll be able to go home.”

  Once again Farlow was polite as he took my statement.

  Melvin Stoddard came to the desk. “The gun we found at the scene is registered to Mrs. D’agostino. She has confessed to threatening you with it and won’t be pressing charges.”

  “That’s a relief. Thanks for letting me know.”

  Stoddard smiled and shook his head. “We’re also looking into some other statements she’s made. The woman hasn’t shut up since we brought her in. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.”

  Stoddard directed a stare at Farlow until the younger officer stood up and added, “I’m very sorry for the mix up.”

  After I’d signed the statement, I scanned the waiting area. Jack was nowhere in sight. So with a sigh, I walked out of the police station, alone. My car sat parked where I’d left it. Maybe I should walk. Did I even have the energy to drive?

  “Would you like a ride?” Jack leaned against his tan sedan parked next to mine. My hero.

  “Oh, yes please. I’m not sure I could find my way home. I thought you’d gone already.”

  “Without saying goodbye? Not a chance. I needed to let the Evelynton Police Department do their job.”

  “Let me get my handbag from the car.” With a new burst of energy, I climbed into the Chrysler and grabbed my bag.

  When I returned, Jack opened his passenger door for me, and I slid in.

  Snuggled into the seat, I realized my energy had left me once again. All I could say was, “Thank you for waiting for me.” After that, we rode in silence.

  Before I knew it, we were parked in my driveway. I prepared to leave the little sanctuary.

  It had been years since I’d dated—not that this was a date—so I wrestled with how to leave the car. Would Jack get out and open my door for me? Or should I get out myself?

  Question answered. He reached over to take my hand before it reached the door handle. Then he leaned over and kissed me. The romantic thing would have been to close my eyes, but I was so surprised, I stared at him.

  My hero leaned back. “Are you alright now?”

  “Oh, I’m wonderful. Just glad it’s over. The ordeal with Deloris, not the kiss. I’m not glad that’s over. In fact, let me try it again.” I moved toward him, stopped abruptly and undid my seatbelt, then leaned into Jack for a kiss. This time with my eyes closed. Much better. We lingered close before pulling away at the perfect time.

  I couldn’t stop staring into his eyes and hoped I didn’t look much like a love-sick teenager. “Thank you, for everything. Don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

  “Glad I could be of service. Good thing I happened to be in town. Unfortunately, now I have to get back to the city. My business and all.” A light smile lit his lips. “But I’ll be in touch.”

  He opened his car door and got out. Still perplexed as to current protocol, I slipped out of my side on my own.

  We climbed the concrete steps of the Cape Cod and he waited while I unlocked the door.

  Then Jack winked at me, strode back to his car, and drove away.

  I pulled the heavy oak door closed, glided into the living room, and slumped onto the sofa, too tired to walk any farther.

  Mason launched himself from the floor and landed gently on my lap. “Mason, let’s watch old movies. I can’t deal with reality this evening.”

  I flipped channels until Susan Hayward appeared on the screen. Slipping out of my shoes, I stretched out on the sofa. Mason fell asleep on my stomach.

  Thirty minutes later the phone in my handbag began to ring. Mason lifted his head and uttered a groan. I glanced at my bag on the floor and stroked the cat’s silky head. “Not now. I don’t want to talk about it, not to anyone.” Mason and I waited for the ringing to stop, then settled in to watch the rest of the movie.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  O pening my eyes to beams of sunlight dancing on my bedroom walls, I realized I’d had a full night’s sleep for the first time in weeks. In no hurry to get on with my day, I took my coffee to lounge on the back porch. It was perfect. The sun warmed me. A soft breeze swayed the trees. A chorus of bird songs were clearer and more melodious than usual.

  Mason’s cat entrance in the screen door popped open and his furry head appeared. With a faint meow, he curled up at my feet.

  “Mason, this is the life. Wish I could stay in my pajamas all day.”

  The feline rolled onto his back and performed a long, slow stretch.

  “Look at you. Free to do as you please. Sleep, play, and eat. Sleep, play, and eat.”

  My morning relaxation slipped away, as a to-do list forced its way into my brain. I ticked off the necessary chores of my existence. “But I have to work. Some research for that Spring article. And I should visit Louise. She and the other residents are probably upset at the business with Deloris.”

  Mason sat up and put his front paws on my knee, allowing me to scratch behind his ears. “I better go. You enjoy the morning, you free spirit.”

  I downed the last of my coffee and left my little backyard utopia.

  ~

  I drove across town thinking of advice Rarity had given me. “You create the climate of your day by the energy you give it.” Rolling down the driver-side window, I breathed in the fresh morning air. At the first stop sign, I slid across the seat and rolled down the passenger window. The breeze flowed in one window and out the other, taking all my worries with it, as I drove across town. It was wonderful. I felt like a ten-year-old, without a care in the world.

  A prime parking spot opened across from Beaver Creek and I laughed as I whipped the car into it. A gift from my new attitude. Then I caught a glimpse of my refection in the rear-view mirror. Not the lovely free spirit look I’d been going for. More like an escaped spirit. Escaped from a lunatic asylum.

  After spending five minutes pulling tangles from my hair, I marched across the street to the nursing home.

  Pushing through the doors, I stopped short. Words rang out, loud and clear. “Lauren Halloren, my hero!”

  Helen, Beaver Creek activities director, s
trode toward me, waving a newspaper. “Your story about the residents appeared this morning on page three. It was perfect. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since I got in at nine o’clock. Everyone wants to sign up to visit a resident. The whole town is on board.”

  “No kidding? I’m glad people were moved by the piece.” I’d never experienced such enthusiastic reactions to my writing. More of a “Ho hum. Wasn’t that nice. What’s on the next page?” sort of thing.

  Helen put her arm around my shoulder. “If this keeps up, all the needy residents will have Extended Family and I’ll start doubling up. The article was wonderful. You were a god-send. Thank you so much.”

  “Don’t thank me. All I did was write the truth. Evelynton is full of good people who only needed to be made aware of the situation.”

  “It’s so much more than that. You opened the heart of Evelynton and called people to action. Thinking about the good you’ve done brings tears to my eyes.” She began reading sections of my article to me.

  I remembered the passages and had to admit they sounded pretty good when read aloud.

  I can only handle so much praise, and searched for a way out of the spotlight.

  Helen paused in her oration, and I jumped in. “Love to stay and talk, but I’m on my way to check on Louise. Worried about her since her neighbor was arrested. It must be confusing for her.” I slid my foot to the side and edged around Helen. “So glad the article had an impact.” I turned and jogged toward Louise’s room.

  I’d made it half way when Helen called after me. “Lauren, wait. Almost forgot.” I hit the brakes and swiveled toward her, ready to continue my retreat if she started reading to me again. “The article about the D’agostino’s arrest was on the front page of the paper. You’re not only our hero, you’re a hero to the whole town.”

  “You know me. I wasn’t heroic. All I did was stumble into the wrong place—twice.”

  “Lauren, I know you don’t like publicity, but you should play this up. Many callers asked if you’d autograph their newspaper articles when they came in. You should write a book about how you exposed a theft ring and captured a murderer. It would put Evelynton on the map. Maybe you should be grand marshal of the Founder’s day parade.”