Time for me to act like the gracious hostess. I got to my feet. “It’s been great talking with all of you. Let’s get back to the crop before people get suspicious and notice that all three of the Zoo Keepers board members have left.”
With that, we all went back to the serious business of cutting, pasting, and creating.
CHAPTER 24
Usually I would discuss with Detweiler all that I’d heard about Rochelle Owens. However, his car wasn’t in the garage. I hadn’t checked my phone while at the crop, so I dug for it now. His message was short: Working late. Love you. This will ease up after Sunday.
With the realization that I was flying solo as a parent, I squared my shoulders and went into the house. At first, I didn’t hear a peep. That seemed curious because I’d purposely come home quickly after the crop, leaving Clancy and Rebekkah to do the final chores.
Did the silence mean that Brawny and Anya weren’t speaking to each other? On tiptoe, I crept down the hallway and into the kitchen. Anya and Brawny were seated side-by-side at the kitchen table. Both stared intently at the screen of Anya’s laptop. Brawny was holding Ty in one arm, jiggling him enough to keep him happy.
“Hey, there. What’s up?” I asked, holding my crossed fingers behind my back. With any luck, this détente would continue. I hoped my sudden arrival wouldn’t encourage Anya to act huffy again.
My worries were quickly put to rest when both faces turned my way. Anya wore the intense sort of concentration that I’ve come to love. Brawny looked relaxed as well.
“We’re researching intersex,” Anya explained. “I didn’t realize how common it is. In fact, it’s almost as common as having red hair. Of course, there are all sorts of variables that combine to make a person, and gender is really, really complicated. Did you know that they used to call intersex people hermaphrodites? That the human embryo actually starts as a female and then, if all goes as usual, it might develop into a male?”
Brawny has certainly mastered the art of keeping her emotions to herself, but in her eyes I detected the distinct warmth of relief.
“Aye. ‘Tis much I didna know about intersex either until young miss showed me.”
“Anya, I am thrilled to learn more about intersex people. But I’m even more proud that you are educating yourself about this. When I was growing up, we never talked about being intersex. I’m glad you won’t be as ignorant as I.”
After going back into the hall to hang up my jacket, I puttered around in the kitchen and made myself a cup of hot tea. I quickly found out that Erik was sound asleep upstairs. Because Anya and Brawny were obviously getting along, I felt free to sip my drink before heading up to Ty’s room where I would take my accustomed seat in his rocker to nurse him. Brawny carried Ty up to me.
“Ye must be exhausted.” She handed him over. The minute he was in my arms, he rooted around like a small pink pig. Once he got situated, he latched on and nursed like a champ.
“I am really tired, but I’m more happy than anything. Thank goodness Anya is okay again.”
“She’s a wonderful young woman.” To emphasize this, Brawny clutched both hands to her chest and added, “Being a part of her life is a rare privilege for me.”
“Brawny, you’re a gift. You really are.”
Her eyes were wet when she left me.
As I rocked and nursed Ty, I reviewed what I’d learned from the Zoo Keepers. Rochelle had taken the money market check. So was that a dry run for stealing the cashier’s check? But how could Rochelle have stolen the cashier’s check if she was in Chicago with her dad? No matter how I twisted and turned it around in my head, it didn’t make sense.
That led to the other burning question: Who killed Nancy Owens and why? You could argue that Rochelle had motive to kill Nancy, but the girl didn’t have means or opportunity.
I went around and around and found myself back at the beginning. Who took the cashier’s check and why? Did the police have any leads on who killed her? Or were they content to blame Lee Alderton?
If Detweiler was home, I could ask him.
I couldn’t help but think that we had a piece missing from our puzzle. A big piece. Maybe even a corner.
CHAPTER 25
The next morning, because Anya wasn’t downstairs yet, I asked Brawny how the evening had gone.
“Better than I expected. Thanks for asking. I checked on Erik. He’s still asleep. I think he needs the rest.”
I fixed myself a cup of tea, while she bounced around the kitchen, checking on supplies of this and that.
“Don’t tell me,” she muttered as she stared into the freezer. “Ah. Good. More fish sticks. Young sir has taken quite a fancy to them.”
Anya came bounding down the stairs. In her jeans and a Cardinals hoodie, she looked adorable.
“Brawny and I are going to the zoo,” she announced. Her eyes danced with excitement. “We decided last night. I want to get there first thing so maybe I can talk with a zookeeper. We’re going straight to the Puffin Coast where the penguins are.”
A mewling cry over the baby monitor interrupted our conversation. Brawny left to run upstairs. While she was gone, Anya chattered happily about her research visit. Brawny returned and handed me a freshly diapered Ty. Then our nanny stood at the foot of the stairs, shifting her weight awkwardly from one leg to the other. “If this isn’t convenient, we can change our plans. I warned Anya that you might be bound for the store this morning. With all that’s happening, the timing seems right for us to look around.”
Although she didn’t mention the visit by the young royals, I quickly realized this was an important reason for her to go scout out the zoo. For Brawny to guard the youngest royals, she would need to familiarize herself with the layout.
“Of course, it’s okay. I don’t need to leave for the store until four thirty. This is perfect weather for visiting the zoo. When it’s cold like this, the animals with fur coats are really lively.”
“Yes!” Anya did a fist-pump. She fairly danced around the kitchen while Brawny grabbed their coats and gloves.
I carried Ty to the front window where we could watch the car drive away. Taking my baby’s hand in mine, I waved at the departing vehicle. I kissed him over and over until he smiled. The baby’s fat little cheeks were pink and his smiles were contagious in the very best way.
“Looks like Brawny and Anya have made up,” Detweiler said as he galloped down the stairs. He’d been in the shower when I left our bedroom. “I heard the car and happy voices. Did someone say they’re going to the zoo?”
“That’s the plan.” My husband followed me as I carried our son into the kitchen, the hub of our world as a family. A wave of Detweiler’s cologne hit me, and I felt as though I’d swoon. There was a part of me that responded to him on the most elemental of levels. I could feel myself getting hot and bothered, yet here we were in our kitchen, doing nothing special. Maybe that was the point. He didn’t need to do anything out of the ordinary to make himself appealing to me.
Detweiler tenderly lifted Ty from my arms. Moments like this I loved Detweiler more and more. He was such a devoted dad. With our son on his lap, Detweiler blew raspberries, kissed Ty, and snuggled with our baby. Throughout all this, Ty watched his father with a mesmerized look on his face, totally fascinated by Detweiler’s antics.
“Ty is so bright-eyed. He’s taking everything in.” Detweiler’s voice was husky with emotion as he strapped our son into his bouncy chair.
“Yes, that’s his job right now. He’s absorbing all sorts of information at an astonishing rate. It’s fascinating to think about all that a human has to learn to be functional, isn’t it?”
Looking up at me with shining eyes, Detweiler said, “I probably don’t say it often enough, but I love you, Kiki. Thank you for being my wife, and for bringing Ty into the world. I love all three of our children. Watching him grow makes me wish I’d been there for Anya and Erik, too.”
The lump in my throat kept me from speaking. “Soak up every minut
e with Ty. He’ll change in the wink of an eye.”
“If I miss anything, can we have another one? I mean, another baby? I realize this is harder on you than it is on me, but I’m loving every minute of it.”
All sorts of emotions battered me. Joy. Exhaustion. Love. Fatigue. Finally, I felt overwhelmed, and my face must have shown it.
“You don’t have to decide right this minute.” Detweiler pulled me into his arms. “I’m just saying, in a sort of inelegant way, that I love our life together. If you think we can handle another child, I’m totally down for it.”
“Down for it?” My turn to giggle. “You’ve been talking with Anya, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I have. In case you haven’t noticed, I love all three of our children. I know we’re going to have rocky times ahead with a teenager, but she’s still a wonderful kid. You’ve done a fantastic job of raising her.”
“Thank you,” and I let my head rest against his chest long enough to enjoy the lub-lub of this man’s big heart. How blessed I was to have found him.
CHAPTER 26
I poured Detweiler more coffee and told him what I’d learned about the missing money market check, Lee’s interview with Detective Albertez, Rochelle’s hatred of her stepmother, and the now missing cashier’s check. As always, he listened intently, stopping me only for clarification.
As I talked, he grew more and more concerned. “Of course Albertez had to interview Lee Alderton. He had no choice. Given her conflict with Nancy Owens, Lee would be near the top of his ‘persons of interest’ list. As for that text from her phone, I don’t know if that’s true or not. Lee’s in good hands with Jim Hagg, as long as she does what he asks of her.”
I rinsed out the dishes from our breakfast. I like to check things before I put them in the dishwasher, because with a little extra attention they always seem to come out cleaner. As I swished glasses around in the sink, I felt the need to lighten Detweiler’s mood. So I told him that I was planning to help Jennifer entertain the children who would be mingling with the youngest royals.
“I wish you weren’t.”
His gruff tone took me by surprise. I whirled around to face him.
“I’m sorry, Kiki. I can’t help worrying about this visit. Each time I turn around, there are new complications. First Brawny gets dragged into this. Then Nancy Owens gets shot. Then a cashier’s check goes missing. Now Fareed Farkada seems to be dodging our calls. The royals are bringing their children. Last night we heard that the Hungarian Ambassador has his own driver, someone local. Each time I check with Jennifer’s group, their plans get more and more elaborate. Now I hear you’re involved, and I can’t help this creeping sense of panic.”
“Panic. That describes the look on Brawny’s face this morning when she thought we were out of fish sticks. Erik has become a fanatic about eating them. He also likes macaroni and cheese. Anya went through a fish sticks and mac and cheese stage, too. I wonder if Ty will.”
While I scrubbed at a cookie pan, I told him about the polar bear costume that I would not be wearing. Although I thought it was hilarious, he was not amused.
“See? A mix-up like that about the costume is exactly the sort of complication I’m talking about. Each time I nail down a variable, two more spring up. I hate the fact that my wife and our nanny will be involved in this visit, although you two might be the only two people I trust one hundred percent.”
His vehemence surprised me.
“You’ll have FBI agents, DSS agents, and local police as well as undercover cops who regularly patrol the zoo. Why are you so worried?”
“It’s complicated.” Running a hand through his hair, he took his time responding. “I got a summons to appear in Prescott Gallaway’s office.”
Hearing that name made me cringe. Prescott is the acting Chief of Police. He’s filling in for Robbie Holmes while he’s out west with Sheila as she goes through rehab. Prescott is a real loser. A total creep.
“Prescott said?”
“He says there’s been chatter suggesting something is going to happen when the royals visit. Prescott was vague, but he assured me that he has everything under control.”
“I just bet he does.” I was wringing out the dishtowel with such force that my knuckles had turned white. “But how about the federal agents? What do they say?”
“They say this is normal. Welcome to the world we live in.”
I took the chair next to Detweiler and told him about the animal rights activists who had threatened Zoo Keepers.
“We know about them. They’re the same people who’ve thrown buckets of blood on women wearing fur coats. They’ve chained themselves to livestock trucks. They’ve picketed zoos. Disrupted circuses. Broken into laboratories. I respect their right to free speech, but once that tips over into hurting other people and ruining property, I draw a line.”
“Are you expecting protests?”
“No,” Detweiler was quick to say. “Neither is Prescott. The young royals are almost universally well-liked. The problem is that I don’t trust Prescott. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He doesn’t have a steady hand on the rudder. When Robbie Holmes had that job, Robbie moved forward with a calm that permeated the whole department. Prescott, on the other hand, resents the time I’m spending with the federal agents. He questioned why they need my help! He’s positive there’s no danger to anyone from Young Women Leaders or to the kids. But when I pressed him for details, he told me that the visit is a ‘fluid’ situation. I think that’s why he had a flunky call Jennifer and ask her to keep eight children occupied until the young royals arrive. And in turn, that’s how you got dragged into this.”
“I see why it has you worried. A lot of last minute changes will make it harder for you and the other law enforcement agents to vet all the parties and keep track of everyone. Now you’ve got me concerned, too.”
“That’s the point of terrorism. To scare us. That’s why Prescott should have kept his mouth shut. He isn’t helping the situation; he’s just giving the terrorists what they want.”
~*~
At three thirty, Brawny and Anya came home. My daughter fairly skipped into the house. She couldn’t wait to show me the book she’d bought, Animals Always: 100 Years at the Saint Louis Zoo, by Mary Delach Leonard.
“I want to see,” Erik whined. He was sitting beside me on the sofa. Anya gave him the book and sat down on the other side of me so she could share the map of the zoo grounds with me. “See? The Puffin Coast is the first exhibition you see when you turn left after you go through the North Entrance. It’s one of the most popular. Did you know that the penguins recognize their keepers? They do. I met one of the keepers. She was about Rebekkah’s age. She told me that when someone shows up in khaki like her zookeeper uniform, the penguins get all excited. Did you know that in the winter they take the penguins on a morning parade? That’s to give them exercise. Brawny and I watched it. In the penguin area there are actually three different parts, an outdoor penguin exhibit for those in temperate climates, and two sub-Antarctic climates, one for cold-weather birds and one for the puffins.”
Anya prattled on and on and on. Erik was absorbed with the pictures of animals. Meanwhile, Brawny moved in and out of the family room. She answered Ty’s whimper and brought him downstairs before getting dinner started in the kitchen. Although I only glimpsed our nanny’s face as she moved about, I could see the joy shining from her eyes.
At four, Anya and Erik went upstairs. I nursed Ty in the family room. Brawny came in to see if I needed anything. It was the first chance I’d had to talk to our nanny in private. “Looks to me like your relationship with Anya is better than ever.”
“Aye. She’s a canny lassie, she is. Fascinated by the world around her, and thank heavens, I think she sees me as a biology project!”
That caused us both to laugh.
CHAPTER 27
“Gee, why do I feel like I was just here?” I asked as I walked onto the sales floor of Time in a Bottle.
&
nbsp; Rebekkah and Clancy were huddled over an article of interest at the front counter. With my arrival, they looked up.
“Ah, our fearless leader,” Clancy said as she gave me a mock salute.
“Here’s the scoop. Yesterday we concentrated on board books. Tonight we’re turning TP rolls into treasure. Too bad Cara Mia Delgatto isn’t here. She would love this project.”
“Too bad we aren’t there in Florida with Cara Mia,” Clancy added. “I would love warmer weather.”
“True.” I leaned across my worktable to pick up a sample animal. “We need to make an additional ten of these. Jennifer wants to use them when the young royals come to the zoo on Sunday.”
“No problem.” Rebekkah shuffled over. “I can get them started and bag them up.”
“Good deal. Anyone heard from Laurel?”
Clancy nodded. “I talked to Joe earlier. He says she was dehydrated. She’s coming home tomorrow. They’re giving her fluids and running tests. Her blood sugar was totally out of whack.”
I sniffed the air appreciatively. “What’re we having to eat tonight? Something smells wonderful in the back room. Onions, green peppers, garlic, and tomatoes, I’d guess.”
“Chicken Cacciatore in the two slow cookers. I made it myself.” Clancy looked very proud of herself.
“Ha! All she did was dump the ingredients into the pots. I watched.” Rebekkah grinned at Clancy.
“How’s your dad?” I asked.
“Abba is a lot better. The doctor is going to put him on antidepressants. He didn’t really want to take drugs, but I insisted.” Rebekkah cocked her head and gave me an intense look. “Something good must have happened at your house. This is the happiest I’ve seen you in a week or two.”
I explained to her and to Clancy that Anya and Brawny were back on good terms. Clancy thought that Rebekkah hadn’t been told about Brawny’s problem with gender dimorphism. “I wanted to respect Brawny’s privacy and yours,” Clancy explained. “So I didn’t say anything.”
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