“Like for a girl?”
Hattie nodded.
He shrugged. “Maybe he had a girlfriend.”
“Yes. Maybe.” Hattie took a sip of tea. “Delicious.”
Ralph smiled and went back to reading the paper.
She thought again about her neighbors. To think it could only be Ralph, Scott or Bailey was shortsighted. Her side door, up until the past week, was always unlocked. Anyone could have come into the house when, like clockwork, she went out for her regular two-hour shopping trip with Howie.
Chapter Nineteen
Howie was remarkably silent on the way home. To make conversation and avoid their usual topic of moving, Hattie said, “I’m getting a shopping list together. Is there anything you want me to add?”
Silence.
Hattie laughed. “Remember we used to make Hostess cupcake bombs? You loved those.”
No response.
Hattie looked at her son. “We cut them into layers and put Neapolitan ice cream inside. One flavor per layer. Then we’d wait for the ice cream to melt. You always liked ice cream melted into your cake.”
Howie looked up through the windshield at the traffic light.
“So, you’re not talking to me?”
“Ma, I’m driving.”
“But the light’s red. I think you have to be moving to actually be driving.”
Nothing.
“Howie, that was a joke. Something your father would have said.”
Howie stepped on the gas.
Hattie looked out the window. Perhaps not talking was a blessing.
As the familiar street corners passed, Hattie wondered if other items were stolen from her house. Mentally, she went through the few valuables she had. Naturally she’d start with her jewelry box. Then there was Orin’s stamp collection in the attic and the sterling silverware in the bottom drawer of the china cabinet. Oh yes, and her checkbook in the buffet. With a plan, Hattie was ready to get home.
Passing the small plaza where Roxanne had her salon, Howie finally spoke, “The hospital says we need to follow up with Dr. Stephens.”
“Howie, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“They want you to get a complete work-up from head to toe.”
“Didn’t I get that at the hospital?”
“No, Ma. Whatever they did was just to make sure you didn’t have a stroke.”
“I only fainted.”
“They’ll send their records to Dr. Stephens. I’ll call for the appointment.”
He swerved into the driveway. Once parked, Hattie looked at Howie. This was a battle she wasn’t going to win. “Sounds good to me. How about I make you something to eat. I have a nice Salisbury steak dinner in the freezer.”
“Sure Ma, but what are you going to have?”
“I’m not hungry. I’ll make myself toast.”
Twenty minutes later, they were sitting at the kitchen table. Howie had remained quiet after Hattie talked about the funeral, Mrs. Meeks, and seeing poor Jason.
Hattie looked at his plate. He had only taken a few bites. “Does that taste bad?”
“It’s fine.”
“Are you feeling alright?”
For the first time since the hospital, Howie looked into Hattie’s eyes. Something was on his mind. She braced herself.
Howie pushed the food away. In the dusk light, he reminded Hattie so much of Orin. Hattie watched as her son’s eyes filled with tears. She reached across the table. “What is it?”
“Ma, I got really upset about hearing you were in the hospital.” He choked on his words. “You’re all I got, you know.” His voice was thin. “I wouldn’t know what I’d do if…”
Hattie squeezed his arm. “Howie. I’m absolutely fine. I’m not going anywhere.”
He wiped his eyes. “I’m such a loser. No wife, kids.”
Hattie’s heart felt heavy. Lately she was so worried about Jason, she had been ignoring her own son. Besides feeling helpless, she now felt guilty.
“Howie, I understand. What has my life come to? I can’t say. I have regrets too. If only I would have had more children. But it wasn’t meant to be. I know since your father died, you’ve been feeling responsible for me. I want you to see you don’t have to be. Still, you’ve been my rock.”
“Really?”
“Solid and always someone I can count on. How many parents can say that about their child?”
Howie wiped his eyes.
“I love you, Howie. More than anyone in the world. And even though we argue, I need you.”
He nodded. “Thanks Ma.” After a few moments, a slight smile came to his lips. “Does this mean I can still bug you?”
Hattie winked. “You can try.”
“Are you ever going to wear your special necklace?”
“Of course.”
“So, where is it?”
“Hmm. Let me think. Yes, in the living room. On the end table.”
“I’ll go get it.”
“That would be nice.”
As Howie headed down the hall, Hattie rushed to the junk drawer. “Howie,” she yelled. “I got it.”
Back in the kitchen, he asked, “Where was it?”
Hattie thought fast. “When I was getting ready to go out, I took it off and left it on the bathroom sink.”
“I see.”
“Are you going to finish the rest of your dinner?”
“No. I’m heading out. Sure, you’ll be okay?”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
At the door, Howie gave Hattie a hug. “I love you, Ma.”
Hearing those words, lifted the trials of the day off her shoulders.
As her son went down the stairs, he said, “By the way, I went into the bathroom before we ate. The necklace wasn’t on the sink.”
Darn. Why had she always insisted he wash his hands before dinner? Caught in a little white lie, she summoned Orin’s classic response. “I apologize.”
“Ma, whatever. Please wear it.”
As he pulled out of the driveway, Hattie tossed the dog collar into the drawer.
An hour later and after a quick inventory, Hattie sat on the couch. Nothing was missing. Jewelry, checks, silverware, stamp collection were all accounted for. She looked at Lucy who licked her fur. The only item still not found was that twenty-dollar bill. And the cat wasn’t talking.
Debating whether to tidy up or call Muriel to see when she’d come over, Hattie heard a weak knock at the front door.
“Hello Mrs. Moon.”
It was Julia from next door. She wore a thin sweater. Her eyes were red.
“I heard you were in the hospital. I wanted to tell you if you need anything just call. Here’s my cell number.” She handed Hattie a slip of paper.
“Thank you for your concern.”
Julia was shivering. She looked back to her house but seemed weighted to the spot.
Hattie opened the door wider. “Would you like to come in?”
“I don’t want to bother you. It’s just that…” She stepped into the vestibule. “I don’t know who to talk to. I need to figure this out.”
“Please, have a seat. I could make some tea.”
“No thanks.”
After settling onto the couch, Julia pulled a ragged tissue from her pocket and wiped her nose. “This thing with Wolfgang is making me do crazy things. He says I’m paranoid. I guess I am. But I can’t stop.”
Hattie suspected the poor woman must still be watching her husband’s every move. But what other options did she have? Hattie patted Julia’s arm. “I’m sure whatever happened, can’t be that bad.”
“I might lose my job. And if I lose my job, it might be the last straw for Wolf. He might leave me. Then what will I do?”
Hattie was confused. Job? “Julia, how could your marriage affect the hospital?”
“I did a very bad thing and now the whole floor is being investigated. I tried to fix it, but couldn’t. It wasn’t my intention to cause this mess. I’m a stupid, selfish woman.”
Ha
ttie’s heart broke. The poor girl seemed to be in an awful predicament. “Julia, perhaps you could go to your supervisor, explain everything, and apologize? We all make mistakes.”
“Yes. That’s a great idea, but I can’t. I’ve put the hospital in an untenable position. Her eyes filled with tears. “Mrs. Moon, I stole some medication. It was under lock and key.”
Hattie reached for Julia’s arm.
She sniffled. “You know why?”
Hattie shook her head.
“I wanted to kill myself. But…” Her face crumbled. “I can’t even do that right.”
Lost for words, Hattie sidled over and put her arms around Julia’s heaving body. “Everything’s going to be fine. We’ll figure this out.”
While gently rocking Julia, Hattie considered their options. She could accompany her to the hospital. Perhaps speak privately to those in charge about the stress Julia was under, and, of course, return what was stolen.”
As Julia stopped shaking, Hattie smiled. “Whatever was done, can be undone. I’ll help you.”
Julia pulled away. Her eyes were beet red. “It can’t be undone.”
“I understand how helpless you must feel, but there are always solutions. I’d be happy to go with you to the hospital.”
“That won’t help.”
“We could try. I’m sure if you returned what was taken, they’d be receptive.”
“That’s the problem. I don’t have it.”
“So, you took the drugs?”
“No.”
Hattie was confused. “What happened?”
“I don’t know! The vial was upstairs. In my dresser drawer. It’s not there! The walls are…closing in. Maybe my only recourse is to leave. Leave Wolf, leave the job. Just walk out and get on a train.”
Hattie wondered how a frail person would do alone. “Until you figure things out, do you have family you could stay with?”
She looked at Hattie with sad, soulful eyes. “No.”
“Okay. Let’s take one step at a time. Now, let’s see… You could live here until things are resolved.”
“It’s hopeless.”
“No, never. For instance, what could you do if you found the medication?”
“I’d take it back and tell them what I did.”
“Yes. That’s a good idea. And if you also told them why you took it, maybe they’d let you keep your job.”
“I’m sure I’d get fired. Besides, the drug is gone. I can’t return it.”
An obvious question had to be asked. “Have you spoken to Wolfgang about this?”
Julia looked horrified. “No. I’m afraid to ask him.”
“But could he have found it and thrown it away?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Maybe.”
“After all it’s only you and Wolfgang in the house.” Hearing her own words, Hattie stopped cold. “Julia, have other things been missing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Or perhaps misplaced. Anything at all.”
Julia shrugged.
“How about a piece of jewelry?”
Julia thought for a moment. “I lose things all the time. I’m always in a hurry and put things down, then forget. It usually shows up.”
“Has something not shown up?”
She blinked. “Well, there was a pair of diamond earrings.”
“How long have they been missing?”
“I wore them to dinner a few weeks ago. Took them off in the bathroom and a couple of days later, I wondered where they were. I checked my jewelry box. But they weren’t there.” She shrugged. “I probably knocked them to the floor or into the wastebasket when I was cleaning. I’m an idiot.”
“When did you notice the missing vial of medicine?”
“A few days ago.”
“Is that when you took it from the hospital?”
“No. I stole it about a month ago. I had a really bad week. But I didn’t use it. That’s when I put it in my drawer. I only noticed it was missing when I was looking for some clothes.” She sighed. “Wolf must have found it, but I’m afraid to ask. Whenever I ask him something, he’s says I’m being nosy and insecure. He says I accuse him of everything. Maybe he took it to make me crazy. Or crazier.” She gave a wry laugh.
“Maybe or maybe not.” Hattie said. “My pearls were stolen. Right out of my house.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did they find them?”
“Yes, they were on Jason…when he died.”
Julia reared back. “Jason?” She collapsed into the couch. “Oh my God, could this have something to do with Jason?”
“Jason? How could—”
“Mrs. Moon, I stole Fentanyl. Drug dealers put Fentanyl in heroin so they can make more money. It’s deadly. That’s why so many people are dying. Street drugs can be fatal. It’s like playing Russian Roulette.”
Hattie sat back trying to get her bearings. Jason’s death. Was Fentanyl involved?
“Are you alright?” Julia asked.
“Yes,” Hattie said distractedly.
“This is serious. I have no other choice but to ask Wolf if he took that vial.”
Hattie nodded.
“Now whether he tells me the truth is another matter. He’s been so secretive lately. Hattie it’s been months since we’ve slept together. He stays in the basement. This isn’t a marriage. Why do I keep thinking it is?”
“Has he talked about getting a divorce?”
Julia choked out a laugh. “No.”
“Last Sunday after everyone found out about Jason, how did Wolf behave?”
She shrugged. “He wondered what was going on.”
“Did he seem upset?”
“Hard to say. He thought something happened to you. We then joined the rest of the neighbors outside.”
Yes. The neighbors were all there. Suddenly Hattie realized the import of that morning. Whoever murdered Jason had been standing on her lawn. “Was anyone acting odd?”
“Odd?” Julia shook her head. “Not really. Mr. Troutman was his usual surly self. Not to me, but he doesn’t particularly care for Wolf. Scott was quiet. He seemed to know the most because he kept talking to the EMTs. That’s how we found out you were okay and that there was a body in the backyard.”
“Did you know it was Jason?”
She shook her head. “Not right away. Only when the body was taken out. A policeman was asking a lot of questions about the paperboy.”
“How did people react?”
“Roxanne began crying. She was very upset. Bailey seemed out of it. That kid has issues. Scott was the messenger. We depended on him to find out what was going on. And Mr. Troutman. He offered me his handkerchief. I was pretty upset.”
“And Wolfgang?”
“You know Wolf. Pretty calm. When we found out it was an overdose, he didn’t seem shocked. He said it was an epidemic. He’s had a cousin and a coworker die the same way.”
Hattie listened carefully, then asked, “This drug—”
Julia added, “Fentanyl.”
“Yes. Fentanyl. You said it was in a vial. So, it was a liquid.”
Julia nodded.
“Do you also have syringes in the house?”
“Just the one I was going to use. It’s still in the drawer.”
“That’s odd. Wouldn’t someone take both?”
Julia shrugged.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the window.
Julia glanced toward the front. “It’s Mr. Troutman.”
Goshdarnit, Hattie thought. She needed time to think.
“Are you going to answer the door?”
“Yes. Of course.”
Ralph was in his work clothes. “Good to be back home?” he said.
“Yes.”
“I saw Howie leave. If you need anything, give me a call.”
“I certainly will.”
Ralph ran his hand along his hair and poked his head in. “Hello, Julia. How are you doing?”
> “Fine. Thank you.”
Julia stood. “Mrs. Moon. I need to get back. I appreciate everything. I’ll think about what you said.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay a little longer?”
“No. I really have to go.”
Ralph stepped aside as Julia slipped out the door.
“Hattie, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Sorry.”
“It’s okay, Ralph. I’ll talk to her again.”
He lumbered into the living room. “She should leave him.”
“Excuse me?”
“That pretty boy husband. She’s too good for him.”
“Why would you say that?”
“He’s cheating on her.”
“Now Ralph.”
“With Roxanne.”
Lordy. Did the entire neighborhood know?
“Seen it with my own eyes. The two of them over at Roxanne’s. Bah. Disgusting. While poor Julia’s working. She needs to leave the bum.”
“Ralph, how do you know this?”
“They’re not even trying to hide it. Christmas. Everyone at the diner knows. Plain as day. Like clockwork. Every Saturday night until the morning. The same hours that Julia works. I see it every Sunday morning when I go for breakfast.”
“Sunday morning? Did you see them last Sunday?”
He nodded. “Yep. It’s been going on for months. Like clockwork. At six-thirty she heads out the front and he sneaks out the back. Julia works the night shift. Doesn’t get home until after eight.”
“You saw them that morning?”
“Yep.”
“But if you were in the diner how did you see Wolfgang leave from the back of her shop.
“Oh. Right. Well, I usually go inside the diner afterwards.”
“After what?”
“After I see them.”
Oh Lord, Ralph was a stalker.
“I park at the far end of the building where I can see Julia’s car in the front and the back alley. It’s stupid to head into the diner too early. Coffee’s not ready. So, I wait in the car.”
“I see,” Hattie said.
Ralph took a deep breath. “Okay. It’s not right what I’m doing, but if Julia ever needs a witness, I could help.”
“So, you saw both of them this past Sunday?”
He nodded. “As usual, Wolfgang’s sorry ass slipped out and down the alley and thirty seconds later, Roxanne left from the front and walked to her car. Clicking and clacking.”
Murder in the Pachysandra Page 15