“I’ll treat. Do you mind if I bring Rob with me?”
“If you’re buying, you can bring anyone you want. The only exception is that lying ex-husband of mine.”
“We’ll see you there.”
I texted Rob: “Dinner plans tonight IS at six with PS.”
“Meet you in your office at five thirty.”
I moved back to working the call list and didn’t see any other names I knew. At 5:20 p.m., my phone alarm sounded. Pulling the mirror from my desk, I quickly replenished my makeup.
Rob was right on time. “IS?”
“Iron Skillet.”
“PS?”
“Paula Sanders.”
One of his eyebrows lifted. “We’re having dinner with Paula Sanders? How did that happen?”
“She turned up on my call list under her assumed name. I was surprised she was home. I thought she’d still be in jail.”
“Jay turned her loose this morning. Her lawyer was raising a stink, and John Gordan refused to press charges.”
“Why? He said she shot him. Why would he change his story?”
“Why indeed. Let’s get Paula’s story tonight. And speaking of that, we should get a move on.”
“This isn’t quite how I planned on spending my evening. I was looking forward to some dinner and then a long soak in the tub.”
Rob pulled me closer. “How big is your tub?”
“Don’t be getting any ideas! It’s a tub for one!”
He smiled. “A fella can hope…”
Rob opened the door to the Iron Skillet. Paula waved to us from the back. We made our way through the crowded restaurant.
She stood to shake our hands. “I bet you are surprised to see me.”
I nodded. “You’d win that bet. What are you doing in Hopeful?”
“I was worried about what John was up to, and I wanted to keep an eye on him.”
“By shooting him?” I asked.
“Oh, you heard about that.” She looked down at the table.
“Yes. You’ll find that news travels fast in this town.”
Rob nodded. “Speaking of that, is there anything you’d like to say to my readers to set the record straight?”
Her eyes narrowed. “My lawyer said not to talk to anyone. I forgot you were a reporter, or I would have told Merry not to bring you.”
“Okay,” Rob acquiesced. “This will all be off-the-record. I’ll be here as Merry’s friend.”
I kicked him under the table. “So what happened? Why did you shoot John?”
“Well, since I may still be in trouble, I’m not saying I did and I’m not saying I didn’t.” She scooted her chair closer to the table. “If I did, it was because he showed up at my apartment shouting at the top of his lungs for me to leave him alone. He said he would kill me.”
I said, “Sounds like he thought you were stalking him.”
“With everything he put me through, was it wrong for me to make him uncomfortable?” She sat back and crossed her arms. “I think not.”
“He mentioned you harassed him at his last town as well.”
“It sounds like you’re on his side.”
“Not at all.” Rob flashed a thousand-watt smile. “We’re just trying to figure out what really happened. Let’s grab the waitress and get you a drink.” He flagged her down. “What would you like, Paula?”
“A mojito, if they make them here. I love the mint.”
“Merry?”
“A glass of the house white would be good.”
“And I’ll have a mojito too.”
Paula smiled at him and instantly looked ten years younger. “You have good taste.” She slid her chair closer to his.
I started a slow burn as Rob amped up his charm. “I’ve never understood why such a good-looking woman like you ended up with John.”
She preened. “It was because I was young and foolish. But I’m not now.” Paula batted her eyelashes at Rob.
Shifting in my seat, I started to object. Rob kicked me. “Paula, why don’t you tell us what really happened the other night?” He lifted his glass to toast her.
She scooted even closer, which I didn’t believe was possible. “I was very young when I first met John. He dazzled me with his charm and wit. I didn’t realize he was just using me.” She fluffed her hair. “You may not know it, but I was quite sought after in town. In fact, I was the homecoming queen. I thought he was truly attracted to me the way the other men were.” She looked down at the table and traced the wood grain.
“I can certainly understand that.” Rob touched her shoulder. “You don’t look a day over eighteen now, and I think you would still give the other women a run for their money.”
She practically purred. “Then you can understand why I was so scared last night.”
“Oh yes. Would you like another drink?”
“If you’ll join me.”
“Sure.”
Rob ordered two more drinks. I was definitely going to need a shower when I got home because it had gotten so deep. I watched, annoyed, as Rob stared deeply into Paula’s eyes. The waitress delivered the drinks.
Rob raised his glass to Paula. “To our newest and prettiest neighbor.” They didn’t bother to clink glasses with me. Then Rob asked, “So what really happened last night?”
“If you promise you won’t tell…”
Rob actually crossed his heart and motioned zipping his lips.
“Well, if you’re sure.”
He nodded. “I am.”
Her eyes darted around the room. Satisfied that no one else was close enough to hear, she began. “I went to the evening Mass on Saturday and was shocked to see both of you standing with Father Tom. I was even more shocked to see my ex. I drove out of there like a bat out of hell because I was worried John would follow me home. I swerved into the McDonald’s parking lot and ducked down behind the wheel. When I thought it was safe, I drove home. Later that night, I went over to John’s house. When we divorced, he made off with some candleholders my mother left me. He’s so brazen that he has them displayed on his mantel like they were his! I looked around to see if there was a way to get in, and then he came into the living room. I jumped. I was so scared he’d see me that I crept back to my car and drove away.
“The next day, I went to his house, and his car wasn’t there. Circling around back, I saw that the basement door padlock was unlocked. I snuck in, got my candlesticks and some other items that should have been mine, and left a note telling him I took them.” She smiled smugly.
“I didn’t think he’d be able to find out where I lived, so I thought I was safe. I was wrong. He showed up, and, boy, he was pissed. He started banging on the door and threatening to kill me, like I told you before. When I saw him through the peephole, I could tell he was about to explode. I ran into my bedroom and got my gun from the safe. Running back to the door, I told him I had a gun, and he said he didn’t care. He was still going to knock the door down. So I aimed for the middle of the door and pulled the trigger. The police say a few inches to the right and John wouldn’t be alive today. My lawyer says it’s a classic case of self-defense.”
I asked, “Did your lawyer know about your breaking and entering earlier in the day?”
She studied her nails. “No. I didn’t see any reason to bother him with that detail.”
“Weren’t you afraid John would tell the police?”
“If he did, then I would have said he stole them from me.” She smiled. “How would it look if the fine, upstanding superintendent of schools stole things? It’s bad enough the school board now thinks he threatened me.”
I frowned. “Couldn’t he just say they were his and that you stole them from him? And that he momentarily lost control when he realized they were missing?”
“I have the receipts from my mother, and besides, what parent wants their children to be around someone who momentarily loses control? Get with it!” She sat back with a self-satisfied smile and toyed with her glass. “Rob, are we going to have anot
her drink?”
Rob shot me a sidelong glance and then thought better of it. “I think not. I need to get Merry home.”
Paula pouted. “What about me? I thought we were getting along just fine.”
“Here’s the number for a cab if you don’t want to order an Uber.” Rob flicked the card down on the table. He paid the tab, and we left.
I gave Rob a long look in the car. “Is that how you get all your stories? You get the women drunk and fawn over them?”
“Not normally, but I thought it might work in this case.” He rubbed my arm. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“I was mad until you kicked me.”
“I’m sorry for that too.”
“Paula and John are quite the pair.”
“Yes, they are. It’s almost like they were made for each other.”
We drove home. The message light was blinking on the answering machine when I opened the door. I pressed play. “Merry, it’s Melissa. The police finally released Nancy’s body, so the wake will be on Thursday at two and six and the funeral at ten on Friday. I just wanted to make sure you will still be able to do a reading at the service.”
My smile drooped. “I’d better get back to her.”
I called Melissa and assured her I would be honored to do a reading and told her to let me know if there was anything else I could do.
Suddenly exhausted, I rubbed my eyes. “Bath and bed for me.” Giving Rob a quick kiss, I ran lightly up the stairs.
I drew a bath, poured in some stress-relieving bubble mixture, and eased myself into the tub. As I relaxed, my mind kept going back to my conversation with John. He seemed so nice when I started to get to know him. Now I don’t have any respect left for him. Am I destined to continue to meet people who aren’t what they seem?
Climbing out of the tub, I trudged to bed and burrowed under the covers. The minute I hit the sheets my eyes opened. Tossing and turning, I finally gave up and went downstairs to fix some warm milk. I put the mug in the microwave and stared out the window. What evil lurks there? Will I ever feel safe again? The microwave beeped.
Rob came up behind me. “Are you okay? I heard you going down the stairs.”
“I’m so sorry. Did I wake you?”
“No. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Me either, hence the warm milk.” I gestured to my mug. “Want some?”
“I’ve never been a fan. But, if you don’t mind, I might have a splash of your brandy.”
“Help yourself.” I sat at the counter and waved toward the cupboard.
He did and joined me. He rubbed my back. “You feel tense.”
“I am tense. I don’t know why we can’t figure this out.”
“Just relax.” He stood behind me and massaged my neck and shoulders.
“That feels so good. I was relaxed when I got out of the bath, but two hours in bed tossing and fretting tensed all my muscles up again.”
“Don’t talk. Just relax.”
“I’m going to relax right into this counter.”
He laughed. “That’s okay. I can always carry you up to bed again.”
I smiled. “This is getting to be a habit.”
“It’s a habit I’d like to get used to.” He kissed the back of my neck.
“Now you’re making me tense again.”
“In a good way I hope.”
“The best.” I kissed him. He kissed me back, and before long we were on the couch. I laughed when I came up for air. “We always seem to end up here.”
He eyed me speculatively. “We could go upstairs and be more comfortable.”
My body longed for me to say yes, but I didn’t want to get hurt again.
He stroked my hair. “When you’re ready. I’m okay with waiting for what I want.” Pushing himself off the couch, he held out his hand. “Come on, sleeping beauty. Time for you to get back into bed,” he paused for dramatic effect, “alone.”
We went upstairs, and I gave him one last kiss. He groaned and pushed me away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I floated back to my room and crawled into bed. As I drifted off to sleep, happy thoughts of Rob played in my head.
Chapter 23
Stretching like one of my cats, I woke feeling great. A smile on my face, I caught sight of the clock. It was ten. Screeching, I jumped out of bed, threw on my robe, and ran down the stairs. Rob worked peacefully at the kitchen table.
“How could you let me sleep that long? I have things to do, meetings to attend.”
“First, you needed the sleep. If you remember, we were up late last night. Second, I called Cheryl and told her you wouldn’t be in till one. She rearranged your schedule.”
I had the good grace to blush as I remembered our early morning rendezvous. “Thanks. You really are too good to me.”
“Coffee’s hot, and I ran out for some bagels. They’re in the bag, and the cream cheese is in the fridge.”
“You are too good to me, and I’m going to take every advantage of it.” I grinned, kissed his cheek, and made a beeline for the coffee, filling my mug. “What are you working on?”
“I’m writing a follow-up to the Paula/John story. I checked with the hospital, and he’s going to be released today. There’s going to be a special board meeting next week to discuss his administrative leave.”
My hands around the hot mug, I shivered.
Rob stood and wrapped his arms around me. “Are you cold?”
“No. I never had a chance to tell you what happened when I talked with John. I was going to tell you at dinner, but we met up with Paula. And then afterward, I forgot.”
He pulled me close. “What happened?”
I whispered into his chest, “He threatened me.”
Rob held me at arm’s length. “Say again?”
“He threatened me. He said I was stringing him along. Then he told me he’d make me pay for it.”
Rob hugged me tightly. “I won’t let him get to you.”
“Hopefully he’ll be so busy with the board he won’t have time to think about me.”
“Eat your bagel. I need to finish this.” He ushered me to one of the counter seats. “Oh, by the way, Father Tom called about the reading for Nancy’s funeral. He gave me a suggested list; it’s by the phone.”
“How did you explain being here so early?”
“He didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell.”
“Great.” I took a bite of the bagel and frowned. Father Tom was going to want an explanation the next time I saw him. I grabbed the list of readings and scanned them. “For Nancy’s funeral, what do you think about Ecclesiastes 3:1–8?”
“Is that the one the Byrds turned into a song?” He sang a few bars.
“Yes.” I smiled at him. “You have a good tenor.”
“Thanks. I think Nancy would have liked that reading.”
“Me too. It reminds me of gardening, and she loved to garden.”
“Then it’s perfect. Are you going to call Father Tom?”
“No. I’ll stop by on my way to work. Speaking of work, I need to get a move on since I’ve been such a sloth all day already.”
With that, I kissed Rob on the cheek and ran upstairs to shower. I finished quickly and raced back down the steps. Stopping to give Rob a quick peck on the cheek, I scratched the cats and was out the door.
Belinda answered the rectory door. “Merry, I’m glad you stopped by. I want to apologize for my brother.” She looked down at the ground and shifted her feet. “I know he can be intimidating. He’s very protective of me, but he would never really harm you.”
“Thank you for the apology. I hope you know this whole town appreciates the important role you play in the church and wants you to stay. I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this mystery.” I grimaced. “I will say he is a very forceful man.”
“He has been all his life.” Adopting a more businesslike tone, she asked, “Were you looking for me or Father Tom?”
“Father Tom.”
&nbs
p; “You’re in luck. He has a few minutes before his next appointment, and I know he wanted to speak with you about the reading for the funeral.” She led me back to his office.
He got up to greet me warmly. “I hope you are here to tell me you’ll do the reading?”
“Of course I will. Thank you for leaving some suggestions for me.”
“Yes, Rob was nice enough to take them down.” Father Tom arched an eyebrow.
Feeling like a teenager who’d been caught, I blushed. “Yes, he’s been kind enough to stay with me while the murderer is on the loose. He’s been sleeping in my guest room.”
“Merry, you don’t have to explain anything to me.”
“He really has been sleeping in the guest room.”
“I believe you.”
My shoulders sagged, releasing some tension. “I was thinking about Ecclesiastes 3:1–8.”
“That’s a great selection. I’ll make sure to mark it in the program.” I stood, and he held up a hand. “One last thing, Merry.”
“Yes?”
“I expect to see you at confession this Saturday.”
Shaking my head on the way out, I crashed right into Belinda. I jumped back. “I’m so sorry. I should pay more attention to where I’m going. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
She patted my shoulder. “No harm done. Why are you so jumpy? You’re not still concerned about my brother, are you?”
“Nope, no, I’m just fine.”
I headed for the exit. I definitely did not want to get another visit from him. Waving and trying my best at a normal smile, I shut the door behind me.
I braced myself against the door and took a few deep breaths. Then calmer, I made my way to the office. My afternoon was busy, so I concentrated on business for a change.
At seven, there was a knock on my office door. Rob stood there with takeout bags. “I thought we might want to eat here since we need to be at the school at eight.”
“Why do we need to be at the school? Crap. Tonight is Jenny’s ballet recital.”
“Yes. I know. She asked me to remind you.”
“She asked you?”
“She said you’ve been distracted lately.”
I sighed. “Super. I’m going to go down as the worst mom ever.”
“No, you won’t. I even brought you flowers to give her.”
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