Strong Tea

by Sheila Horgan

  “What?”

  “What about Gordon? Just because your tax issues aren’t really an issue, doesn’t mean that a guy wasn’t killed in your parking lot and that his crazy wife doesn’t still blame you.”

  “I’m gonna let the police handle all that. It has nothing to do with me.”

  “Good.” I tried to be the supportive sister, I really did, but my tone betrayed me.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t nothing me, Cara. What are you thinking?”

  “I just think it all fell into place a little too easy, and there are a couple of things that still kind of bother me.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like what happened to Gord? Why did Honey really show up at my house, and how did she find out where I live? And while we are asking questions, why the hell was Lola at the Fisher’s condo complex? She went straight there after she had that confrontation with you. And do you still have the tracker on her car? Have you even checked to see if she went back?”

  “I hate you.”

  “Understandable.”

  “I knew this was too easy.”

  “Sometimes easy is good. Not usually, but sometimes.”

  “Well, crap. I guess I need to figure a little more out before I can commit to being a full-time wedding planner.”

  “At the rate we are going, I might just ask Daddy to come on down to the courthouse and be done with it. I don’t care about a wedding. I care about being married.”

  “Don’t do that, dingleberry. You’ll regret it the rest of your life.”

  “Sinead seems to be okay with it.”

  “You and she are very different people.”

  “I know. Go find the bad guys, and then we’ll get busy.”

  “I promise I won’t let you down.”

  “You never have. Thanks for the gift last night. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life.”

  “It was easy. I just told my gal all about you, and that’s what we came up with.”

  “I can’t imagine that something so beautiful came out of a conversation about me, but I love it.”

  “To me, that nightgown is you, Cara. It’s how I think of you.”

  “I’m confused, but flattered.”

  “Think about it, dingleberry. The robe is all 1940s glam. It’s a mishmash of all kinds of things that come together to create something beautiful. The nightgown peeks out, looking all modest but beautiful. Then the nightgown itself is elegant and traditional with a modern twist. Put it all together, and it’s stunning, and everything anyone could ever want in what it is.”

  “That’s how you see me?” I tried really hard not to go to the ugly cry. At least not until I hung up.

  “Cara, that’s how we all see you. We always have.”

  I sniffed.

  She laughed.

  We hung up.

  I went in the bathroom to tell A.J.

  He agreed with my sister.

  He was late for work.

  ELEVEN

  “WHAT ARE YOU doing at one thirty?”

  “Hello to you, too, Teagan.”

  “Can you come to lunch?”

  “Sure.”

  “Honey invited me. I want to find out why she went to your house and how she found out where you live. I really don’t believe what they told us.”

  “I’d like to know that myself. Where are we going?”

  “I’m having lunch brought in. That way I don’t miss a bunch of time at work. They’re on a schedule — Honey and Douglas — and I don’t want to run out of time before they leave. This transition is starting to look better. I want to keep the positive going.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Oh, and the tracker thing I put on Lola’s car, you were right, the battery is dead.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No problem. I’ve got someone to put a new one on there.”

  “Isn’t that kind of dangerous? What if they get caught?”

  “He’s not going to get caught. You know Missa?”

  “Missa?”

  “The lady that comes around with sandwiches and stuff and sells them out of a basket. She makes a fortune. Anyway, her son is a stuntman, and he’s going to go riding on a skateboard past the car, fall, put the device on the car, and then grab his skateboard and keep going.”

  “Sounds like a cheap movie.”

  “I’m sure it will end up on YouTube, but he’s doing it for me, so I’m not complaining.”

  “I don’t like it, but do what you think you need to do.”

  “I always do. See you at lunch. And, Cara?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Wear something you can run in.”

  “Are we going to chase down Honey?”

  “No, but I have a plan for this afternoon.”

  “What?”

  “I’m not going to say over the phone, but I think you’ll get the idea. I’m wearing tennis shoes.”

  “At work?”

  “Yep.”

  “This sounds serious.”

  “I’ve never been so serious in my whole life. I want this done. I have a wedding to plan.”

  “Do I get to help, since it is my wedding?”

  “You can vote, but there is no guarantee you will win.” With that she hung up.

  I would have laughed, but I’m not sure she was kidding.

  I decided that skinny jeans, a cute blouse and blazer with my favorite checkered high-tops would work. They’re kind of like tennis shoes, but really stylized so they don’t look like they belong on a basketball court. They can go casual or dressy depending on the rest of the outfit. I was dressed somewhere in between. I made sure the jewelry I put on was all easy-off. Not a good plan to wear earrings that are hard to pull out of your ear if there is a chance that there is going to be a fight. Don’t want a messed up ear for the wedding.

  I was all kinds of weirded out when I got to the office, and Teagan was wearing pretty much the same thing I was. Skinny jeans and a cute lightweight sweater with designer tennis shoes.

  I’d claim that great minds think alike, but she pretty much told me what to wear.

  Honey didn’t get the memo. She was dressed in a really pretty kaftan that was royal blue with gems and embroidery just below the bust. The gems and embroidery perfectly accented the large cuff she wore on her wrist, and even her shoes seemed to perfectly accentuate everything. When she put her arm out, you could tell that there was a sheath that closely followed her body with the kaftan over it. It was pretty and a little bit sexy and almost office appropriate, which for Honey is amazingly conservative.

  We sat at the table and chatted for a bit.

  Unfortunately Teagan picked exactly the wrong time to blurt out her question, and I almost choked to death.

  “Honey, Cara doesn’t believe you just happened by her house that day. I know I didn’t tell you where she lives. She’s a little uncomfortable. Want to tell us what really happened?”

  Wow. Teagan has gotten bold. I guess the fact that she has all those employees dependent on her making good decisions has gotten her attention.

  Honey put her glass down slowly. “Is that true? Are you uncomfortable with me, Cara?”

  What was I going to do, call my sister a liar? That might happen in private, but it would never happen in public. Besides, when I stopped to think about it, I really was uncomfortable. Think about the money we invested in that stupid alarm. That was partially due to the whole Honey thing.

  “I’m not sure that’s how I would phrase it, but I would like to know how you knew where I live. Teagan doesn’t remember telling you, and my mother pretty much beat it into our heads that we never give out phone numbers or addresses of family members until we ask permission. I can’t imagine Teagan breaking that rule.”

  “Okay, but you have to promise not to get mad.”

  “Sorry, I never make that promise. I learned young. Never a good promise to make.” I sent her a smile, but it
kind of came out more like a wombat on acid. I could tell by the look on Teagan’s face.

  Honey leaned in toward me. “Remember that little adventure we had?”

  “Adventure?”

  “When you and me went out and looked around that night. You left after you stepped in the fire ant hill.”

  My leg twitched without my permission.

  “How could I forget?”

  “Well, that whole thing hasn’t quite been settled yet, and there’s the tiniest little chance you could be subpoenaed, so I had to find out where you lived so I could give that information to my lawyer.”

  I blurted. “Subpoenaed? What?”

  “It’s nothing really. I’m sure it will all go away long before they take me to court.”

  “Why would they subpoena me?”

  “I might have spoken out of turn. They might be under the impression that maybe you were a larger part of our adventure than you were.”

  “I’m not going to lie for you, Honey.”

  “Of course not. I would never ask you to lie. But if you just happened to forget.”

  “That’s a real possibility with my sister. She forgets everything. Everyone would believe that.” Teagan continued. “So you showing up over at my sister’s house had nothing to do with this office?”

  “Of course it did. I told her that on the day I showed up. We wanted to know all about Gordon getting himself killed in the parking lot, but my Boo didn’t want to come right out and call Teagan. He felt like maybe she would feel like he was checking up on her. He was just going to call her and ask, but then I said that I’d go talk to Cara because everybody knows that the two of you share everything. Okay, maybe not everything.” She raised her eyebrows and looked directly at Teagan’s huge engagement ring.

  I looked at Teagan.

  She didn’t say anything.

  Honey is just off the mark enough that it kind of made sense.

  Good to know it was mostly paranoia.

  Then again, I may have to testify in court.

  One problem at a time.

  Once we had rid ourselves of Honey — sorry, that wasn’t very nice — Teagan immediately took out her phone to check her spy app. “She’s there. I knew it.”

  “She meaning Lola? Where is there?”

  “She’s at the nature area on Blemford.”

  “What’s she doing there?”

  “That’s what we’re finding out.”

  “Is that why I’m wearing these shoes? That’s like an eight-mile run. If I run eight miles, we’re going to make a scene Lola might just notice. Me throwing up. You calling 911.”

  “Dingleberry, I would never expect you to run eight miles. We’re just going for a little walk.”

  “Two questions. You told me to be ready to run. What’s that all about, and how are we going to explain ourselves if we get caught again?”

  “Different day, same excuse.”

  She half dragged me to the front desk. “Cara and I will be out for a little while. We’re going to go check on a location for her wedding. I’m on my phone if you need me.”

  I waited until we were in the car. “I don’t mind you using me, but please don’t use our wedding. I don’t want to jinx it. Or invite crazy people. Or die before it happens. And for the record, you and I are going to have a little talk about Honey and subpoenas.”

  “That’s got nothing to do with me, dingleberry.”

  “She’s your boss’s wife, and if it hadn’t been for you, I never would have gone on our little adventure in the first place because my life would be Honey-free.”

  Teagan rolled her eyes. She hasn’t done that in a while. “Sorry, I didn’t ask you to go on a hunt with Honey, and besides, dead guy trumps subpoena. Stay focused, Cara.”

  She drove, which means we got to the nature area in about half the time it would have taken had I been in the driver’s seat.

  I’m almost sure the car was stopped before she popped out the door and started for the trail.

  I jogged to catch up. I’m really clear on the fact that if I have to run, it won’t be for long. I need to get in shape. I’ve never been athletic like Teagan, but this is kind of ridiculous.

  The good news is that my legs are so long, Teagan has to take more steps than I do, so walking, I can keep up.

  “Did you even see her car in the parking lot? How do you know she is here?”

  “I didn’t see it, but I’m sure. Because Elvis would have let me know if she left.”

  “Elvis left the building a log time ago, Teagan.”

  “Not that Elvis. The stunt kid Elvis.”

  “His name is Elvis? Really?”

  “He loves the original. Even wears blue suede shoes. Not that you can tell, they’re so ripped up.”

  Just then, a kid on a skateboard whizzed by. His look at Teagan was actually pretty discreet. Either that, or it was the wrong kid, and he was checking out her butt.

  “That him?”

  “Yep.”

  “Why are you talking so quietly?”

  “Noise travels.”

  “Not with this much nature around.”

  Teagan’s phone burped. Literally.

  “That’s disgusting. When did you get a burp ringtone?”

  “It’s effective. Okay, I lost a bet. Shut up, dingleberry.” She checked her phone. “That’s Elvis. Lola is about a quarter mile ahead of us. She’s walking alone.”

  “So now what?”

  “Walk faster.”

  “Are you going to confront her?”

  “No, I just want to be close enough that if something happens, I can get there quickly if I have to.”

  Teagan and I spent most of an hour power walking through the nature area. We never ran into Lola. Elvis kept us updated on her whereabouts, but she didn’t seem to be meeting anyone. Teagan decided that we should just let it go. She couldn’t explain too many coincidences in a row, so better Lola never know we were there.

  As we were getting in the car, Elvis scraped to a stop. I kept my mouth shut while he updated Teagan. “She got in her car. It was over by the other cutout. She never met up with anybody, and she didn’t seem to be talking on her phone or anything.”

  “So I just gave up a substantial part of my afternoon for nothing. Great.”

  Elvis, ever helpful, asked, “You want me to follow her?”

  Teagan bit her lip. “Can you do that without getting caught?”

  “No problem. I’ll just watch her, and if she does anything totally crazed, I’ll text. I got your number. I’ll put you on blast if I need to.”

  Teagan smacked the steering wheel. “Damn it. I thought something was going to happen. I thought I could feel it. I guess I’m not that much like Mom after all.”

  I didn’t say anything. There was nothing I could say that wasn’t hurtful. Teagan. Like Mom. I almost laughed out loud.

  We sat there in silence. I was trying to figure out what to do, and I had no idea what Teagan was thinking, but since she was huffing and puffing, I decided to just leave her alone.

  Her phone burped again. “That’s Elvis.” She seemed to get excited. She put him on bluetooth through the car speakers, and we were moving.

  “Just as I was driving up, she totally stopped. She’s meeting someone alright, and it’s not one of her church people.”

  I didn’t ask Teagan how he knew so much about Lola.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “’Cause she’s doing things those Bible people would not approve of. In public. Damn!”

  Teagan hesitated.

  I really don’t want to see Lola breaking a commandment. Especially not with my sister.

  Teagan said “Ew” very quietly and slowed down.

  “Elvis let me know when she’s on the move again. The person she met with, can you see their tag number?”

  As he rattled off the tag number, I had the presence of mind to enter it in my phone.

  “Okay, that’s good. I’m going to see if I can run
that down.”

  I knew better than to say anything while Teagan typed madly on her phone.

  Minutes later, she seemed to calm. “I found a place that will do the search. It’s a one-time fee. It takes a little while. Nothing we can do right now, anyway.”

  “You mean you aren’t going to go to the frisky fellow’s house and knock the door down? You’re losing it, Teagan.”

  “Shut up, dingleberry. Frisky fellow? Really? Don’t you find it a little odd that Lola is in the park doing who knows what to who knows whom this soon after her husband’s murder? If someone killed you, I’d be upset for longer than that, and I really don’t even like you that much.”

  I didn’t smack her. Yet. “Thanks. It does seem strange, but then, you’ve said from the beginning that she isn’t acting like a real widow.”

  “We’re missing something. Something big.”

  “Agreed.”

  “But what?”

  “If we knew that, we wouldn’t be missing it.”

  Teagan and I argued about confronting Lola. She thought it would be a good idea to catch her off guard and see what happened. I thought it was a stupid idea. People tend to be cranky when you catch them off guard. Besides, I doubted that she would throw herself at our feet and confess all her sins. Better not to let her know that we know what we know, not that we actually know anything.

  When Elvis gave us the all clear and said Lola was back in her car and driving off, he was perfectly professional. He described her encounter as exuberant and fifty shades of bawdy. My words, not his. His words made Teagan look out the side view mirror the whole time he was talking. Lola must be taking her vitamins.

  He said he would follow Lola and we could follow the guy or the other way around.

  Teagan, with a moment of clarity, decided that we were done for the day. That Elvis could come to the office and pick up his pay, or he could submit an invoice, whichever worked best for him.

  “What’s he supposed to write on the invoice? Please tell me you aren’t going to write him off on your taxes, Teagan.”

  “I’m paying him out of my own pocket. Calm down.”

  “What now?”

  “Now I go back to the office and pretend everything is fine.”

  “Do you still think this has anything to do with the Fishers?”

  “I really don’t think so, but I’m not going to commit to anything until everything is investigated.”