by Ritter Ames
“Please do,” the women chorused.
They followed Keith through the back door. When they were alone in the kitchen, Kate made each of them a glass of water with lemon and motioned for Meg to take a seat at the table. “So, are you okay with Gil not making it home on time tonight?”
“I’m telling myself to appreciate baby steps. He’s promised to work out a better schedule with his boss, but you and I both know the scheduling squabble is with Gil, himself. He simply can’t do anything halfway when it comes to writing. But I think he’s got the idea now that parenting and marriage can’t be halfway either. So, we wait and see.”
“I like your attitude,” Kate said, taking a sip of water. “Patience isn’t always my forte.”
Meg laughed. “You know it isn’t my favorite thing either. I’m learning, though. It took both of us to let him get into the workaholic he is today. I should have put my foot down earlier, but it was easier to just let him slide and deal with the boys myself. Easier, but not better.”
“We probably should place our order before the dinner rush begins,” Kate said, rising to grab the phone. “Should we have it delivered here? Or your house?”
“Oh, let me call on my cell. They have me logged into their system with that number already, and we’ll have it delivered to my house and contain all the mess in one place.” Meg pulled out her cell and dialed. “The usual order?”
“No one has complained lately, so sure.”
“I’d think my crew was sick if anyone complained about pizza,” Meg said, waiting for the customer line to get picked up. “Oh, hello, this is Meg Berman, and I’d like to order a delivery. You have my address in your system already.”
CHAPTER TEN
STACKED IN YOUR FAVOR, LLC
KATE MCKENZIE, CEO (Chief Executive Organizer)
MEG BERMAN, VIP (Very Indispensable Partner)
Thursday morning, July 18th
WORDS OF MOTIVATION
“It’s not how you start a job (or how many times), but how you finish.” ~ Kate McKenzie
“Whether you find a body or not, Finish Strong!” ~ Meg Berman
TASKS FOR THE DAY:
1) Get all of the materials that can be moved to the shed moved for Monday’s shoot.
2) Make a list of all the photos that should be shot at locations other than the shed.
3) Move anything that seems to be in the way. No one wants to trip over anything that’s just been put there for show.
4) Do a final dress rehearsal and walk through, making sure anything that might be needed is readily at hand, and there is a purpose for everything seen in a shot.
5) Be ready for any surprises!
“WE NEVER SET A CHAIR in here for you,” Kate said, slapping her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I can’t believe we missed something so obvious every time we stepped into this shed.”
“You’re right.” Liz laughed and walked over to the desk. “I’m used to just flipping over a bucket and using it as a seat, I forgot I needed something less tacky for the photos.” She stood for a moment and turned in place. “My boys each have big black computer chairs with arms at the desks in their rooms. I’ll commandeer one of those. It’ll take more space than I’d like in here, but I can make it work.”
Kate shook her head. “No, we don’t want anything that is ‘made to work’ at this point, especially a desk chair.” She frowned. “A big black chair would give a statement toward professionalism, of course, but there isn’t space or balance for something large like that in this lovely revamped shed.”
“What about the dark gray task chair in the boy’s computer room?” Meg suggested.
“The one Suze twirled around in last night until she got dizzy and almost fell off?”
“Yes. It doesn’t have any arms, so it takes less space, and it will go with both the gray walls and the light blue desk now that David has it painted.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Kate said. “What do you think, Liz?”
“On one condition.” Liz leaned against the desktop. “You have to let me haul everything back for you to Hazelton. You’ve made so many trips here carrying stuff to use, I’m feeling guilty.”
Meg looked at Kate and shook her head. “I really don’t see how we can agree to that, Liz, I’m sorry.”
“But—”
“You see, we discussed the retrieval situation on our way over here today,” Meg interrupted to continue. “And we decided what we really wanted to do is see if we could bring our kids out here after the photo shoot to see your animals.”
“Of course. Anytime. You don’t have to worry about asking.”
“But you also have to promise you won’t let my daughters take an animal home with them,” Kate said, laughing. “And I’m sure Gil will put the same restriction on Meg and her boys.”
“Tattletale.” Meg bumped shoulders with her.
Looking at her to-do list, Kate said, “Now that we have all the shelves hung up and the grapevine wreath, I’m marking here that we need to walk the photographer out to the natural grapevines you have growing out back. That will be a nice tie-in with nature. I’m sure he’ll get a jillion more pictures than you can use in the calendar, but nailing down specific options should move things along more quickly next week.”
“When the police were here questioning you yesterday, did they give any idea when the whole barn would be accessible again?” Meg asked.
“I brought that up,” Liz said. “Explained about the photo shoot and how I didn’t want anyone getting into trouble for being where they shouldn’t. The officer said he’d check and get back to me, but he figured by next week the restrictions would be lifted. The room has been dusted for prints and scoured for any DNA evidence, and the gasoline risk is neutralized. I think there just hasn’t been anyone to step up yet and officially sign off on a clearance notice. They’re still asking so many questions.”
“What kind of questions?” Kate asked.
“Making me go over my story again and again. Stacy told me last night she’s been approached by some police investigator every day this week, so at least I’m not the only one. However, I don’t want her in this predicament either. I’ve hesitated to talk about Bren’s abrasiveness when they question me because I don’t want them to think I’m shifting blame to the victim, but she really was her own worst enemy.”
“You’d think the police would have a good enough idea about your community to know that,” Kate said.
Liz shrugged. “I’m learning all kinds of things I never dreamed I needed to know before. But enough about my worries, do we move on to the house now and pick spots in the kitchen and any other rooms you suggest? Or should we wing those shots.”
“My hope is to have a full list of photo options to email to your publisher sometime tonight or tomorrow,” Kate said. “I think it will put everyone’s mind at ease and make the whole project run much more smoothly if there’s something to pick and choose from this weekend. Granted, the photographer could throw the list out the window and fly blind, but we’ll at least have a means of steering things back on track if necessary.”
The women left the shed, Meg pulling the door closed behind them, and Liz led the way back to the house. As they neared where the van was parked, Kate said, “You can go on inside. I need to grab something.” She made her way to the driver’s side door and reached in to pluck the silver ink pen from the cup holder where she’d left it yesterday.
She hurried to catch up with the others and saw the dogs running beside Josh’s camper truck, as it pulled into the front drive.
“Hi, Josh, what’s up?” Liz greeted as he climbed from the cab. The women and the dogs joined up with him and made a loose circle.
“I met someone who would be perfect for one of your grants,” he said. “I wanted to see if I could get the paperwork from you to give to her.”
“Sure, I have a file of blanks inside. But the form can be downloaded off the internet too,” Liz replied.
“Thanks for letting me know she had trouble with it. There may be a glitch in the system.”
“More likely she just isn’t computer savvy enough,” Josh said.
“Still, the website should be easy enough for anyone to navigate. If it’s not easy to find the downloadable forms, I need to get my web master on it to see how to make things easier.” Liz waved a hand. “Follow us in the house. We’re brainstorming photo shots for next week, and we were heading for the kitchen anyway.”
When they got inside, Liz left the back door open, saying, “Like to get some air moving through the screens. Let me open a few windows to create a flow, and I’ll be back.” She raised the window above the sink and went into the living room to open two out there. The cats acted miffed by the intrusion but settled down again soon after.
Returning to the kitchen, Liz pulled out the file drawer with the forms and handed Josh a couple of copies. “These are both the same, but that way she can use one for a rough draft, then save it as her file copy when she sends in the final draft. Save her the cost of making a copy.”
“This is great. Thanks,” Josh said, then motioned toward the sink. “Would you mind if I got a glass of water?”
“No, help yourself. Glasses are in the right side cabinet.” Liz turned to Kate. “Did you find what you were looking for in your van?”
“Yes.” Kate pulled the pen from her pocket. “I found this—”
“Hey, I thought I’d never see that pen again,” Josh said, sitting his empty glass down on the counter and walking toward Kate.
“This is your pen, Josh?” She frowned.
“Yeah. I remembered using it Monday afternoon right before I left. Thought I tossed it in my pocket, but the next morning I couldn’t find it. Thought I’d lost it for good.” He pointed to tiny letters ringing the top of the pen. “See, there’s my name inscribed. My aunt gave me this pen.”
Kate saw Meg start to speak up, and she shook her head before saying, “Well, great, I’m glad I could get it returned to you.”
Meg nodded and leaned back against the cabinets. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and held it in her hand.
Josh filled his water glass and drank it, and then asked how the shed turned out and what other spots they were looking at for photos.
“We’re going to try to put as much background about the farm in the calendar as the publisher will allow,” Kate said, keeping her voice as steady as possible. “The marketing people always have their own ideas about stuff like this, but we thought the more information and points of photographic interest we could list for them, the more likely they would be more intrigued and add it into the printed work.”
“Sounds like a good plan. Do you mind if I walk out and take a look at the shed on my way out?” Josh asked Liz.
“Not at all. If you’d like to go out there now, I’ll give you the nickel tour.” She looked at Kate and Meg. “You don’t mind if I walk out with him, do you? You’re both welcome to come too.”
“I think Meg and I can use the time to sit here and make some notes,” Kate said. “Take your time. We’re in no hurry.”
They watched the pair walk away, and Meg asked Kate, “When did she say David was coming back from town?”
“She didn’t. He’s hanging out with some friends,” Kate replied. “Why don’t you see if Liz has his number written down somewhere by the phone and call him? I feel guilty letting her go, but she shouldn’t be in any danger since Josh doesn’t know that we know. I’m calling Lieutenant Johnson.”
“Wouldn’t the local guys be faster?”
“The local guys didn’t figure out one of the reasons Josh was giving Stacy an alibi was because he needed one himself. Giving her an alibi automatically covered him.”
“Remember, we saw a dark pickup turn onto the main road when we returned Monday night? We didn’t think about knowing the person driving it.”
“That had to be right after he murdered Bren. We just missed catching him in the act,” Kate said, feeling shivery all of a sudden.
Lieutenant Johnson answered and said in his laconic drawl, “Hello, Mrs. McKenzie. What have you and Mrs. Berman gotten up to today?”
“We know who killed Bren Mitchell on Monday night.”
“Where are you?” Johnson demanded.
“In Liz Tillman’s kitchen. But the killer is here. He doesn’t know we’ve figured out he did it. The local cops have let him sit in while questioning another suspect, Stacy, and he furnished her an alibi so he’d have one too.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Josh Barton.” Suddenly, she saw Josh through the kitchen windows, and he raced around the corner of the house.
“Omigod! He must have heard me through the screen. Lieutenant, he’s getting away.”
She and Meg raced to the living room windows and watched the camper truck throw gravel as he spun out and sped away. In her ear, Kate heard the lieutenant bark orders to someone in his office. He made Kate repeat Josh’s full name, and when Meg handed her a paper with Josh’s license plate, she read that off and could hear the relief in his voice. “This is very good.” He yelled for one of his subordinates to get an APB out on the truck.
“I believe you need to have someone get to Stacy’s house too. One of the local officers,” Kate said. “Josh has driven her truck a couple of times and may try to switch vehicles.”
Johnson bellowed again, asking who was on the line with the local PD. When someone spoke up, Kate heard him yell for them to send someone immediately to locate Stacy.
Liz still hadn’t come in and Kate was getting worried. “Let’s go find her while I’m holding the line,” she told Meg, covering the microphone so Johnson wouldn’t hear.
“She’s probably stopped to do some animal doctoring, but we should check,” Meg said, walking ahead of Kate out the door. “Josh must have come to tell us goodbye or what a good job we did. He was that kind of guy. And he heard you talking to the lieutenant. What’s happening?”
“Johnson’s getting everyone on point. He’s sending a police officer here, too, and wants us to stay with Liz until Josh is apprehended.”
“Like we’d even think about leaving.”
Liz came around the corner of the barn right then, traveling at a fast jog. “I’ll be back in a bit. I just got a call from Josh and he’s had a wreck by the main road. He’s hurt and needs me to drive over, pick him up and take him to the emergency room.”
“Lieutenant, Liz Tillman just got a call from Josh saying he was in an accident at the main road. Can you send someone to check and see if he’s really hurt, or if it’s just a ploy to get her and her truck away from the farm?”
Liz frowned. “What are you talking about, Kate—?”
Meg raced over to her side. “You can’t go.” Then she told Liz what had transpired in the last ten minutes.
Another minute and they heard a siren from the direction of the main road.
“It sounds like an officer is almost there,” Kate told Johnson.
“That’s the officer who was supposed to come and protect you three. Luckily he was already en route when Tillman gave you the heads up about Barton’s call to her. Wait a minute...I’m getting a report... Barton wasn’t hurt, but he attacked the officer and got the police service revolver. My people have all available units in the area headed your way, but the three of you need to hide immediately. He’s a fugitive with a weapon, and the injured officer thinks he headed back to your farm.”
The dogs started barking, and the sound of wildly thrown gravel caught their attention.
“We have to hide. Josh has a gun.” Kate cried.
“Let’s get in the house,” Liz yelled. But the camper truck came into sight as it cleared the driveway and headed for the barn. “Go for the trees instead!”
Kate left the line open and started running, following Liz’s lead. Until a bu
llet zinged over her head.
“Stop or I’ll shoot you,” Josh hollered. “Give me the keys to your van.”
“They’re in my purse in the van. Take it. Take everything,” Kate screamed, and then she ran faster toward the woods. She reached cover just as she heard her van spray gravel when the vehicle peeled out of the graveled barnyard.
She was shaking as she joined the other two women, and Meg hugged her as she spoke into the phone, “We’re in the woods, but he’s left in my van.” Quickly, Kate gave the license plate and a description of the business vehicle. They were all standing close enough that no one had a problem hearing Johnson shout orders about the change in vehicle APB.
“Let’s move,” Liz said. “In case Josh comes back. He saw where we entered the trees.”
Kate and Meg nodded and followed. The ground was rocky and hilly, so it was hard going for Kate as she kept the phone to her ear, but she wasn’t dropping her lifeline with the lieutenant. Eventually, they settled in an area with large rock clusters.
“We’ll be safe here,” Liz said. “We aren’t far from the barn as the crow flies, but if he does come back and walk this way we can see him before he sees us behind these rocks.”
After repeating what Liz just said, Kate told Johnson, “We’ll remain here until you tell us we can leave. So please don’t forget about us.”
“No chance of that, Mrs. McKenzie. Keep your heads down.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR Cell Phone Battery is Low and You Can’t Charge
If you’re trying to talk in a place where the phone has to roam to stay connected, the battery gets used up faster, even if you had it well charged before accepting a call. One way to save battery power is to turn off any unnecessary features (especially avoid using the camera) and your phone’s back light feature. Also, vibrate uses more power than a ringtone—but do keep the ringtone at the lowest possible volume for you to hear it. Turn your phone off, but only if you’re going to leave it off for several hours, as turning it on and off to check for new messages actually uses up your battery faster. Some phones have a low usage feature to save power but it won’t kick on for at least thirty minutes. If you can’t get a signal where you are, turn the phone onto airplane mode. Turn down the screen brightness, turn off GPS if you can, don’t surf the web, and of course make shorter calls.