by Lynn Cahoon
“Come sit by me. As I mentioned on the phone, I have a favor to ask.” He patted the bench next to him.
Estebe’s words were tight. And Angie saw his gaze dart to his car and then back at her. “I’ll do whatever I can. But unless you tell me what’s going on, I can’t help you.”
He looked at her, his eyes filled with pain. “I need you to talk to Javier. You must prove that he couldn’t do this horrible thing they think he did. I need you to help clear my cousin’s name.”
Chapter 5
“I don’t understand. How can I help your cousin?” Angie started to stand, but Estebe put his hand on her arm, stopping her movement.
“Wait. I told him he could plead his case with you. I know I shouldn’t have agreed, but as he reminds me often, he is family. Besides, I don’t agree with his request because Javier, well, he can be convincing, especially with women. So if you really don’t want to help, just tell me and we will drive away and this conversation will have never happened.”
“I don’t know what you think I can do for Javier. I’m a chef, that’s all.”
Estebe shook his head. “That’s definitely not all. I know how you found the killer for that goat man. You were the one who put together the clues.”
“And almost got killed myself for the trouble. I’m not the police. You should go talk to Sheriff Brown. He probably knows a bunch of private detectives who can help you find out what really happened that night.” Angie shook her head. She’d promised herself she’d stay out of any more investigations into a murder. Besides, she didn’t have any authority to seek out justice for the guilty. “I’m sorry, I think you’re confused about what really happened at Moss Farms.”
“That is what I told Javier. That you are not a superwoman. That you can’t just make this go away. He needs to learn to live with consequences. Sadly, those lessons have been missing from his life. His parents spoilt him since he was the oldest child.” He stood. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“It’s not a bother. Come walk with me and tell me what you know. Maybe I can give you some advice.” Like hire an attorney, she thought as she stood and motioned toward the path. “Dom still needs some exercise. My Nona always said moving around helps solve what’s bothering you. I used to walk miles and miles around the house after my parents died.”
“Stay here, I’ll be right back.” He sighed as he walked to the car. As he approached, the passenger side door swung open and Javier climbed out.
Angie was shocked at the changes in the man’s appearance since last week. She didn’t see the overwhelming confidence, just a man who seemed desperate for someone to believe him. He ran up to her, ignoring Estebe’s outstretched hand trying to stop him. Dom growled as Javier approached, and she put a hand on his collar to control him.
“I’m so glad you agreed to help. This is all a terrible misunderstanding. Heather and I weren’t even serious. There’s no reason I’d kill her, for God’s sake. I was the one who broke it off that night. The girl was way too clingy.” He ignored Dom and took another step closer to Angie. “I knew you’d believe me.”
As he reached out to put his hand on her arm or shoulder, Dom reacted to the movement and lunged at him, putting himself between Angie and Javier. Angie pulled him back to a sitting position. Between the barking and the screams coming out of Javier’s mouth, Angie couldn’t hear herself think. She pulled back on the collar and stepped a few steps away from Javier. “Dom, stop it.”
“Buck up and act like a man.” Estebe grabbed his cousin by the arm and shook him, pulling him a few steps away from Angie and Dom. “I can’t believe you don’t know how to approach someone with a large dog.”
Angie thought Estebe was saying something else in his carefully worded statement, but she didn’t have time to interpret his undertones. She needed to get Dom settled. “Look, why don’t you come over to the house in about an hour and we’ll talk. I need to get Dom calmed down, so I’ll take him for a walk and you two go and get a cold drink.”
“I don’t know. I have a lot of things to do.” Javier started to say something else, but he glanced up at Estebe and blanched white. “Okay, then.”
Estebe nodded toward Angie. “We’ll go pick up some soft drinks at the Whoa and Go down the street. We’ll be at your house in an hour.”
A car parked next to Estebe’s, and as the couple got out, they stared at the odd threesome, trying to gauge the situation. Angie put on her best I’m not being tortured by serial killers smile and the woman took a step backward. So much for being welcoming, Angie thought. And for a moment, she thought about one of her first meetings with Ian, where he said she had a creepy killer smile.
Estebe and Javier started walking toward the parking lot, and Angie turned the other way with Dom. “You sure don’t like Javier much, do you?”
Dom turned back toward the retreating men and huffed. Angie guessed that was her answer. She’d have to keep Dom in the kitchen while they talked in the living room. She tended to entertain most of her guests in the kitchen, probably because she was usually cooking or eating something. As they walked through the almost deserted park, Angie thought about Javier’s situation. What could she really add to the conversation? But she had helped solve Mr. Moss’s murder just last month. Maybe she had a knack for these things.
“More like a knack for getting into trouble.” She rubbed Dom’s head as he looked up at her, trying to understand her words. “Don’t worry, boy, I’m going to be good and stay out of this investigation.”
Now all she had to do was convince the two men she had invited over to her house of her new intention.
When she got back home, she decluttered the living room, moving her Nona’s cookbook project over to a table on the side rather than the coffee table. Then she ran a sticky roller over the couch to get off at least some of the dog hair. She glanced at the clock. Estebe and Javier should have been here by now. She took her phone out of her tote and saw she’d somehow missed a call. She played back the voice mail.
“We are heading back into town. Javier has a meeting with Papa Diaz that he didn’t tell me about. I will come by tomorrow if that’s all right.” The phone message ended without a goodbye or sign-off. Angie didn’t know who this Papa Diaz was, but from the way Estebe sounded, she didn’t think Javier was going to be happy after the meeting.
She glanced around at the now-clean living room, sank into the couch, and grabbed the remote. Dom jumped up next to her and laid his head on her lap with a loud sigh. She found the Food Channel and leaned back into a television coma.
* * * *
Angie rubbed Precious’s head through the gate to her pen. The goat was growing fast, but she still enjoyed getting some attention every morning. As she watched, the goat stared out the barn door, then bleated a welcome to the car that had just pulled in.
“I swear, you’re a better guard dog than Dom.” Angie looked around to make sure her pup wasn’t in earshot. She stood and gave Precious one last rub behind her ear. “Just don’t tell him I said that.”
In Dom’s defense, he was taking a nap in the kitchen. He didn’t like coming out and helping her with the morning chores anymore. Mostly, Angie knew it was because he didn’t like the goat. She’d hoped they’d start getting along, more out of familiarity than anything, but so far, that hadn’t been the case. She walked around Mabel, who was pecking at her own breakfast, and went out to meet her new roommate. A week really wasn’t that long.
Erica was helping her grandmother out the passenger side and had set up her walker. Mrs. Potter swiped at her hands. “I’m not an invalid. Let me be.”
“Welcome. I’m looking forward to our week together.” Angie tried to defuse the tension. “Come inside, I’ve got breakfast ready for all of us.”
Erica smiled, grabbing the bags out of the back of the car. “Isn’t that nice. Granny, I’m sure you’re hungry since you’ve b
arely eaten the last few days.”
Mrs. Potter was on the porch, struggling with the screen door. “I’m not hungry. I suppose I’m being set up in Margaret’s sewing room?”
“I took that stuff out, but yeah, there’s a bed with an attached bath.” Angie glanced at Erica, who shook her head. “Do you want me to show you?”
“I think I know my way around this house a little better than you since I visited Margaret for years before you were even born. In fact, before your father was born.” She swatted at Dom. “You move over, I don’t want to run over you with my walker.”
And with that, she disappeared into the house. Erica handed Angie a bag. “Those are her meds. I set up her weekly box, so all she has to do is take them with meals.”
“Should I put this in her room?” Angie jiggled the plastic box with letters on the top of twenty-one sections. Morning, noon, and night. The plan seemed easy enough.
“The way she’s acting, if you do that, you might not see her all week.” Erica grabbed the last bag and walked with Angie to the house. “I’d set them up on the kitchen counter. I’m sorry she’s being such a problem. I would have thought she’d be over her tiff by now.”
“Not your fault. And, no,” Angie added when she saw the haunted look in the young woman’s eyes, “it’s not wrong for you to want some normal time off. You deserve a week alone having fun. She’ll get over it.”
“You may not be so supportive when I leave and you have to deal with the fallout.” Erica held open the screen door. “I’m going back to put these in her room and hang up her clothes. I’ll be right back out, but then I need to leave. My plane takes off in a few hours, and I still have to get to Boise.”
“We’ll be fine,” Angie called after the retreating Erica. She looked down at Dom. “Right, boy? We’ll be fine. What kind of problems can an elderly woman give us?”
Dom looked at her like he couldn’t believe she asked the question. Angie made herself a plate from all the food on the counter and sat down at the table to eat.
When Erica came back, she nodded to the spread. “You sure you don’t want to grab something to take with you?”
She glanced at her watch, then grabbed a plate. “I’m mostly packed anyway.”
Erica filled her plate with eggs, bacon, and hash brown potatoes. “So, did you hear about the dead girl? I knew Heather from school. I mean, she wasn’t in my class or anything, but she was attending Boise State. Nursing school, I think.”
“I did hear. I met her over at Pamplona Farms last week. I guess she was dating Javier?”
Erica shrugged and, between bites, told what she knew. “Javier doesn’t really date. He’s all about the one-night stands. So when Heather started talking about them like they were a couple, I knew she was going to have a bad fall when he dumped her. The girl was nice, but really naïve.”
“Did you date him?” Angie decided to keep using the word, even though Erica had been clear that Javier’s intentions were more of the gigolo variety.
Erica brayed a laugh. “Me? Sorry, I’m not quite his type. He likes them young, blond, and missing a few brain cells. I always thought Heather was too smart for him, but I guess she hid that side of her when they were together.”
“Maybe Heather was seeing someone else too?”
“No way. That girl had wedding bells in her head.” Erica glanced at the clock. “Crap. I’ve got to run. If you need me, you have my cell. I’ll fly back if you can’t handle her or if something happens.”
“Nothing’s going to happen, and you are not cutting your vacation short just because I can’t handle your grandmother.” Angie stood and gave her a bag of cookies. “Here, I thought you might want these for your long trip. I packed extra for you to be able to share.”
“You’re so sweet. I appreciate this.” Erica headed to the door. “I just hope you’re still talking to me next Monday when I come to collect her.”
Angie made swishing motions with her hands. “Go, shoo. Before I change my mind.”
Waving and laughing, Erica headed out the door. Angie made a plate filled with the sweeter treats she’d made for the occupation. She poured a cup of coffee, knowing her guest liked it black. Then she went to the guest room and knocked. “Mrs. Potter? Are you decent?”
She heard the chuckle and decided to take that as a good sign. She opened the door and held out the plate. “I know you said you weren’t hungry, but I made several of Nona’s favorites, so I thought I’d bring them to you, just in case.”
“I might eat later.” She waved to the little table by the window. “Just set it there. I’m going to read for a while.”
Angie moved toward the table, setting down the plate and cup. “What are you reading?”
“Erica got these from the used book store. It’s a mystery but it’s set in the future. I figured if I’m not going to live to see it, I might as well imagine what it’s going to be like.” Mrs. Potter patted the book. “Besides, her husband is a lovely man and a true hottie.”
“Mrs. Potter.” Angie laughed. “I didn’t think you knew the term.”
“Dear, I’m old, I’m not dead.” Mrs. Potter patted the bed beside her. “Come sit a minute. I want to apologize for inconveniencing you in this way.”
“Having you stay with me is so not a problem. I love it when you visit. Besides, Erica needs a break now and then.” Angie sat next to Mrs. Potter, noticing how tiny her hands were now, the skin tight on the bones. “We’ll have fun. I was thinking we’d do something with chicken for dinner. Do you have any preferences? I know I’ve been dropping off food for a few months, but I never asked what you really enjoy.”
“I don’t eat much. I’m afraid my appetite has gone the way of my youth. Anything you make will be fine. Although I have to admit, I’m partial to your soups. Especially that one with pork and hominy. That was yummy.” She sat her book down on the bed. “I hope you don’t think I’m being mean to Erica. I just didn’t like her going behind my back and setting this whole thing up. I could have stayed in my house across the street.”
“And I would have been worried about you constantly.” Angie saw the fire alight in her neighbor’s eyes. “Not that anything would have happened, but I would have kicked myself for not insisting you come stay with me if it had. And River Vista has been a little less safe lately.”
“I’m sure you’re referring to the awful Mr. Moss’s death.” Mrs. Potter shook her head. “That was bound to happen. The man was a menace.”
Knowing how Mrs. Potter felt about Gerald Moss, Angie left that inaccuracy aside. “Actually, there was a woman killed in town a few nights ago. She was stabbed behind the Red Eye.”
“Barflies have a habit of getting squished by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Mrs. Potter added a disgusted sniff to the end of her statement.
“Mrs. Potter. You know women are allowed in bars unaccompanied now. They have been for years. Barfly is a derogatory, sexist term.” Angie decided she needed to go clean the kitchen before she said anything more and the woman wheeled her walker across the street to her home. “Anyway, I need to get some chores done. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I’m perfectly capable of walking into the kitchen for a glass of water.” The woman’s tone was ice.
Great, Angie thought. Now I’ve insulted her. She walked out of the room, softly closing the door behind her. She’d apologize after lunch, even though she’d done nothing wrong. Better to say you were sorry than deal with the cold shoulder for a week.
Angie’s phone buzzed. Glancing down, she recognized Estebe’s number. “Hey, what’s going on? Are you coming over?”
“I am sorry, but I am unable to visit today.” Estebe’s voice was clipped. “I have been called to attend a council meeting and I must be in Boise. I probably will be there most of the day.”
“Is this about Javier? Is your com
munity upset he was questioned?” Angie didn’t know a lot about the Basque community, but she knew they were conservative in nature. Javier’s questioning in a murder investigation probably had everyone on edge. Especially since they had the festival coming up.
“I’m afraid so. Javier had been called to replace our leader in a few years. He’s a very social man.” Estebe didn’t even chuckle at the statement. “So when the community looked for new leadership, they chose someone who is good at talking rather than someone who is good at leading.”
“You think they chose the wrong person.” Angie summarized what wasn’t being said.
“I’ve said too much. Javier is a good man. He would never kill anyone, especially someone who had been nice to him. Heather was very sweet.” Estebe paused and Angie realized he was calling from his car, probably already driving into Boise. “You will still come to the breakfast? I want to show you a happier side of my culture. And you’ll love the food.”
“If it’s still on, I’ll be there.” She paused. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk?”
A horn blared in the background. “Maybe someday, but right now I have to concentrate on these crazy drivers. Why do people go so slow in the fast lane? Do they not understand the rules?”
Angie started to answer and realized she was talking to dead air. Estebe had hung up on her. He was convinced of his cousin’s innocence, maybe she should be too. She decided to take a trip into town and see what Felicia knew about the murder. Besides, it would be a good excuse to get out of the house. She called out to the closed door. “Mrs. Potter? I’m heading into town. Do you need anything before I go?”
“I’m fine, thank you” was the short, clipped answer. Nona had said Mrs. Potter could hold a grudge better than most. Angie guessed she was going to find out exactly how long she would be in the doghouse.