“A little?” He leaned his head back. “Why am I not more surprised?”
I shrugged. “Used to it, I guess.” The poor thing. I really did put him through a lot of turmoil.
“Is it worth mentioning that you need a dress that allows you to carry your gun?”
“I don’t think the one I purchased does. Oh!” I turned to him. “I can strap it to my inner thigh like they do in the movies.”
He sighed. “And walk like a duck? Not very sexy. I’ll have to try and keep an eye on you while figuring out what, exactly, is going on at the party.”
“I’ll stash my gun under the table. You concentrate on what’s more important. Saving those girls.”
He caressed my cheek with the back of his thumb. “As frustrating as you are, you’re the most important thing to me. I’ll be keeping an eye on you, too. Wanna go get an ice cream?”
“Sure.” I tossed off the quilt. It was never too chilly for a double mint chocolate with my honey.
“We need to go over some ground rules before Friday.”
And he ruined the moment. I slung the strap of my purse over my shoulder and followed him to his truck. “You do know what happens every time we go on a date, right?” I said, clicking my seatbelt into place.
“I’m hoping you haven’t angered anyone enough this time around for them to shoot at us.” He cut me a sideways glance. “You said you weren’t going to confront anyone.”
“I haven’t! Not one single accusation. When I caught Dakota hanging out with Heather, I focused my scolding on him.”
“He’s befriended one of the girls?” Matt’s face darkened. “Does he know what they’re into?”
“I think he’s beginning to suspect. Heather has asked for help, and—”
“He asked for yours.” He leaned his forehead on the steering wheel. “Why do these things happen to your family?”
“We’re lucky.” I forced a grin.
He groaned and turned the key in the ignition. A few minutes later, we parked in front of the ice cream parlor and chose a table by the window. Why? I had no idea. Sitting in front of a wide expanse of glass always seemed to spell trouble.
I hunched down in the booth and grabbed my menu. The day called for something stronger than chocolate mint. I chose a double hot fudge sundae.
“Relax.” Matt smiled over the top of his menu. “I sat in front of the window so you could get over your fear.”
“It only takes one bullet to get me over the fear permanently.” I peered out the window.
Main Street looked so peaceful, innocent, like another time with its vintage street lights, ornate iron benches, and barrels of flowers. Still, man lived there, and some of those men carried evil in their hearts and wanted to stop nosy people like me from helping those they’d chosen as their victims.
“That’s the car that stops by Carol’s a lot.” I pointed out the light-colored sedan. Of course, the light over the license plate was out so we couldn’t read the numbers.
Matt jotted down a description on a napkin and stuck it in his pocket. “That’s one more thing I didn’t know. You’re good at this.”
“But, you worry anyway.”
“I can’t help it. You might have your PI license, but you’re my girl.”
His words warmed me more than any fire could. No matter what trouble I got into, as long as Matt loved me and God stayed at my side, nothing earthly could harm me. Well, not until it was my time to go, but if I dwelled on that thought for too long, I’d scare myself again.
“Have you written about any of this?”
“No.” I frowned. “It didn’t even occur to me. I thought of those girls’ plight and haven’t written a word.” I grinned. “Maybe I’m not as much of an opportunist as some reviewers think.”
He chuckled. “Don’t they say to write what you know? That’s all you’re doing. But, I’m glad you’re letting this one lie. The girls deserve their privacy.”
Out the window, I spotted Dakota skateboarding down the opposite sidewalk in the direction the sedan had gone. I met Matt’s gaze and we both bolted from our seats. Matt tossed some money on the table. Ice cream forgotten, we took off after my nephew.
Our feet pounded against the pavement as we raced to keep him in sight. If not for Matt holding my hand and dragging me along, I would have fallen back shortly after getting started. I may take regular walks, but I remembered immediately why I’d given up jogging. It made your heart race and your breath come in gasps.
Dakota stopped at a red light, allowing me a moment to catch my breath. The light turned green all too soon and he took off on four wheels again. What kind of bearings did he have on that board?
“You all right?” Matt glanced at me.
Not having enough breath to speak, I nodded and waved a hand in what I hoped was a gesture for us to continue. I must have gotten it right, because Matt set off at a quick pace again with me tugging my hand free. I leaned against the brick wall of the bank and waved him on. I’d catch up later. Maybe when we met in Heaven. I really was having a heart attack. Maybe.
By the time I could breathe well enough to follow Matt and Dakota, neither one of them was anywhere in sight. All of a sudden, I felt very vulnerable. Whether I’d been sticking my nose into Carol’s business or not, asking questions of the neighbors, I still felt as if someone would suspect I was up to something and try to stop me.
I stepped back into the alcove in front of the bank’s door and prayed the shadows would hide me. I knew it was futile the moment a squad car pulled up to the curb.
The window rolled down. “Step into the light.” The beam of a flashlight blinded me.
“It’s me.” I stepped out and came face-to-face with my sister’s latest flavor of the week, Wayne Jones.
“Why are you skulking around the bank?”
“I’m not skulking.” I shaded my eyes. “I’m waiting for Matt.”
“Where did he go?” The light blinked off and Wayne got out of the car.
“After Dakota.”
He crossed his massive arms. “Are you going to answer in monosyllables or tell me what I need to know?”
“Fine.” I filled him in on everything that had been happening, leaving out the fact that Matt was still working undercover. I was sure his former partner knew that, but it wasn’t my place to say.
Wayne glanced in the direction I’d pointed. “Get in.” Without waiting for me to comply, he slid back into the driver’s seat.
Before I had the door closed, he was pulling away from the curb. I studied his hard profile, coming to the conclusion he knew something I didn’t, and that something was something to worry about. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t be evasive, Wayne! My nephew is out there.”
“There’s a lot going on right now, Stormi. Things you don’t need to get involved in.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I can’t.” He glanced at me. “Just don’t trust anyone, no matter how close you think they are.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“Good. Matt will thank me.”
We turned the corner and spotted Matt bending over a body in the street. I was out of the car before it came to a complete stop.
“Dakota!”
“It isn’t him.” Matt stood. “He’s hiding in the alley. You might want to go to him.”
I spared the poor boy on the street a second glance, then entered the alley, holding out my arms. Dakota ran into them, bending his head to my shoulder. Sobs shook his body. “That’s Brian. He’s a friend of mine.”
I patted his back. “Do you know what happened?”
“No, but I think he was spending time with Rosie, Heather’s foster sister.”
Ice ran through my veins. If spending time with one of the girls could result in a young man’s demise, would this sweet boy in my arms be next? I wanted to order him not to see Heather again, but I wasn’t his mother, and I knew from prior experience
that a teenager will be more inclined to do something you order them not to.
I held him at arm’s length. “What did you see?”
“Not here.” Matt took us both by the arm and ushered us to the squad car. “Wait until we get to the station. Wait in the car. The ambulance is on its way.”
“He’s alive?” Hope leaped in my chest.
“Yes. He’s beaten up pretty bad, but he’s breathing.” He closed the car door as sirens wailed in the distance.
I reached over and gripped Dakota’s hand. “Maybe Brian can tell us what happened.”
“Or maybe he’ll be too afraid.”
8
Wayne must have called my sister, Angela, because she was pacing the front steps of the station when we arrived. No sooner had the squad car door opened, than she had Dakota smashed against her silicone enhanced bosom. Did they still use silicon? I shrugged. It was too late to be contemplating what made up my sister’s “girls”.
Matt held out a hand to help me from the squad car. Concern clouded his features. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Let’s get Dakota’s statement and go to the hospital to check on Brian. Dakota is going to be worried.” I was, too. There was something about seeing a young man, someone’s child, lying in the road unresponsive, that ripped at your heart.
“We’ll go as soon as we’re able.” Matt unlocked the door to the precinct and ushered the rest of us in as Wayne slid from behind the driver’s wheel of the police car.
He hurried to Angela’s side, slipping an arm around her waist to pull her close.
I shook my head. Who was the wounded one…her or Dakota? I took my nephew’s hand and followed Matt to an interrogation room.
“I’ll sit with him.” Angela pushed past me into the room. “I’m his mother.”
“Then act like it and stop seeking attention for yourself.” I crossed my arms and joined Wayne in the next room.
He frowned at my presence, but didn’t comment as I stepped up to the one-way mirror. I must have earned my right to be there by now. After all, I’d helped the under-staffed police department catch several killers. Often at great danger to my own life.
After fifteen minutes, it was clear Dakota didn’t know anything. When Matt had caught up to him, he’d been kneeling beside Brian. He said he’d found him that way.
“What do you know about Bomberg Enterprises?” Matt asked.
“Who?” Dakota’s brow furrowed, and he glanced at his mother.
“What do you know about Heather’s job?” Matt wrote something on a pad of paper in front of him.
“She doesn’t have a job. That’s why I’m always giving her money.”
“What?” Angela snapped to attention. “How much?”
He shrugged. “A few hundred dollars since I’ve known her. What’s the big deal? It’s my money.”
“Angela, if you want to be here, then let me ask the questions.” Matt gave her a stern look before transferring his attention back to Dakota. “Why doesn’t Heather ask her foster mother for money if she needs it? Why does she need so much?”
“She told me that she’s supposed to be looking for a job and that each time she goes home without cash, she gets hit. She said it would be worse if anyone found out she spent her time with me instead of earning money.” He gave a big sigh. “I’ve often wondered what kind of a job Ms. Forbes thinks she can get at night.”
Angela gasped. “Your friend is a prostitute!” She tapped him on the head with a manicured fingernail. “If she’s with you, a non-paying person,” the look she gave him said he’d better be non-paying, “then, she goes home empty handed. You’re a naive sap, son.”
He shook his head. “No. She isn’t like that. Matt?”
Without showing expression, Matt glanced up from his notes. “We’re trying to find out exactly what goes on in that house. I won’t speculate at this time.”
Dakota crossed his arms and flounced back in his chair. “This sucks. I really like her.”
“Look at how she dresses, son.” Angela shook her head.
“You have a skirt exactly like one of hers.” He laid his folded arms on the table and rested his head. “I don’t think you should judge based on her clothes.”
I stifled a grin and turned my head so Wayne couldn’t see me laughing at his girlfriend. My sister did have a certain style associated with the oldest profession in the book. Mom and I had given up on her a long time ago. Maybe her son’s words would get through to her.
Matt gave Angela another stern look. “Strike two.”
“Whatever.” She leaned back in her chair.
“Dakota, has Heather said anything to you about what happens in her home? Who comes and goes? Why she’s expected to be out at night?”
“No. She sneaks out at night because she hates it there. That’s all I know. Can I go now? I have school tomorrow and want to go see Brian afterward.”
Good idea. Hopefully, the young man would be awake by tomorrow afternoon.
“Yes. If I have more questions, I’ll stop by.” Matt stood. He cast a dejected look at the mirror.
Poor man. He would’ve loved being able to wrap up his case with a few well-worded questions. Unfortunately, I believed Dakota. He didn’t know anything. That didn’t mean he wasn’t trying to find information, though. That was for sure. After all, he’d hired me to find out what was going on with Heather. Now, there were other girls to worry about. I felt very inadequate for the task. What if I failed this time?
“Ready to go home?” Matt entered the room. “Wayne will give us a ride to my car.”
Fatigue weighed on me like wet wool blankets. “I’m more than ready to go home.”
It was still after midnight by the time we retrieved Matt’s car and pulled onto my street. I leaned forward as we pulled into the driveway. The front door stood open. No lights burned in the house. “Did you set the alarm when we left?”
“I never forget, but Angela does every time. Stay here.” He retrieved a Glock from his glove compartment.
There was no way I was staying in the car alone. I bolted from the vehicle and followed close on his heels. Mom’s van sat in its usual spot. My heart froze. “Mom’s home.” I pulled my pink nine-millimeter from my purse and clutched it in a sweaty palm.
“For heaven’s sake, don’t shoot me,” Matt hissed when he noticed my gun.
“I don’t plan on it.” Please, God, don’t let me mess up and kill the man I love.
We stepped into my pitch black foyer. “Sadie?” I said in a loud whisper. The last time someone broke into my home, my dog was locked in my bedroom, and the cats in the pantry. I wouldn’t care if they were locked in the closet, so long as they were unharmed.
“Sadie?” Tears stung my eyes when I didn’t hear an answering whimper or bark.
“Shh.” Matt put a hand on my arm.
We stiffened at a creak of floorboards overhead.
“Who else is home?”
“Cherokee, maybe.”
He handed me his phone. “Call Wayne. Tell him to keep Angela and Dakota at the station, but for him to come.”
I nodded and punched in his number, then whispered as quietly as possible what Matt had said. Wayne promised to be there in five minutes. By this time, Matt was heading up the stairs and disappearing in the dark, leaving me alone in the foyer.
A sound to my left had me whirling in the direction of the kitchen. Should I check it out or stay by the front door where I could run out if danger threatened? No. If I didn’t make sure it wasn’t an intruder, they might sneak up on Matt and harm him. I couldn’t let that happen.
I took a deep breath of courage and tiptoed through the arch leading to the kitchen. Why did it always seem as if things happened on nights of a full moon? I could barely make out the shape of the counters or the refrigerator.
A door creaked to my right. I whirled and pulled the trigger. Oh!
“Heavens to Betsy!” A form crumpled to the floor.
�
��Mom?” Oh, God, I shot my mother.
“Stormi?” Matt called from upstairs.
“I killed her!” Tears blurred my vision.
Hands slapped mine away as I felt around my mother’s body. “You missed, fool. Turn on the light.”
“You aren’t dead?”
“Seriously?”
I jumped to my feet and flicked on the light. Mom was very much alive and angry. I could’t say the same for the basement door. A big hole showed what a poor aim I’d been.
“It was an accident. My hand was sweaty. I thought it was someone coming through the back door.” I sagged into a chair and held my gun out. “Someone take this for everyone’s safety.”
Matt removed the weapon and placed it on the counter. “Anne?”
“I’m fine.” She had a hand over her heart. “Other than a mild heart attack. Oh, Robert.” She pounded down the basement stairs.
I raised my gaze to Matt’s questioning glance and shrugged. I no longer tried to figure out why my family did what they did. Although, it was surprising that Mom had a man stay the night. A few minutes later, a very much awake looking Robert Smithfield climbed the stairs. Thank goodness, he still wore his suit.
“I fell asleep on the sofa. What a way to get woken up.”
“I left him there,” Mom said, tightening the sash of her robe. “Then, I heard people walking around up here. I thought it was the kids. It’s much too late for them to be awake.”
Cherokee entered the kitchen wearing short shorts and a big tee shirt, and clutching Ebony. “I heard a bang.”
“Your aunt tried to shoot me,” Mom said. “Go back to bed.”
“I said it was an accident.” I spoke to Mom, but glared at Robert, whose eyes almost bugged of his head at the sight of my sleepy, but beautifully exotic niece. “Time for everyone who doesn’t live here to go, and the rest of us to get to bed.” I stood up and placed two hands on Robert’s back, pushing him toward the back kitchen door. “Good night.” I shoved him out and slammed the door.
“What has gotten into you?” Mom yanked the door open. “Call me later,” she told Robert.
Nosy Neighbor: All 7 complete Nosy Neighbor cozy mysteries PLUS: 2 short Christmas stories (A Nosy Neighbor mystery) Page 66