The Witness

by Dee Henderson

  “You’ll find her sometime, maybe this time. And, Chief—” she smiled as she shared a secret—“Marsh already bought the ring for the youngest sister. Just so you know.”

  Luke tugged off his coat as he entered his office and dumped it on the box of reading materials he had to get to eventually. His Monday was already looking to be a flurry of calls and meetings, and finding time wasn’t going to happen, so he was making it where he could. “Close the door, Connor.”

  Connor closed the door, and he and Marsh took seats across from the desk.

  Luke took a deep breath and knew how unusual his request was going to sound. “I need you two to arrange dates for Thursday night, and get Tracey and Marie over near Pliat County for the evening. Any problems with that?”

  Marsh looked at Connor and back at him. “No, sir, there shouldn’t be. They’ve got a private party tomorrow night for friends at the gallery, but otherwise their calendar was still clear.”

  “Amy called,” Connor said quietly, looking for confirmation.

  Luke nodded. “St. James is helping me set something up for late Thursday night; we’re going to try and get the sisters safely together for a reunion.”

  “I’ll need a pay raise for all the Kleenex this is going to take. Amy’s okay?” Marsh asked.

  “She’s got guys trailing her, and it won’t take much to have her call it off. I need you to arrange it so if this aborts, Marie and Tracey have no idea it was ever planned. I’ll call around eight Thursday night—if it’s on, come to the location St. James arranges, but if there’s been trouble, take the sisters straight home.”

  “Yes, that’s probably best. Who else knows?”

  “Me, you two, St. James. I’ll tell Sam she’s made contact but not about the meeting. If trouble’s not here already, it will be anytime. The less people who might be followed or overheard the better. Amy said there have been two guys on her trail on and off for quite some time. They’ll have seen that news conference too.”

  Marsh rose. “We’ll talk to Caroline and make sure we’re clear on the area where this will go down.”

  “Guys …” Luke hesitated. “Amy’s fragile right now, very much on edge. Try to make sure the sisters have some perspective on it even if you can’t tell them what is coming. Anything you can do will help.”

  “She not only called; you met her,” Marsh said softly.

  “Yes.”

  “This will go down smoothly, Chief. Whatever it takes,” Connor replied. “Thanks, guys.”

  “So what are you doing on this beautiful day?” Connor asked.

  Pleased at Connor’s call, Marie shifted the phone and looked down at the street. “My plans for opening the gallery at 10 a.m. look like a waste of time. There are six reporters and cameramen out there, Connor. I counted them. It’s ridiculous.”

  “Bryce is around?”

  “Yes. He’s the only bright spot around here. They’d be pounding on glass and holding the doorbell button down if he wasn’t out there making his presence loom large in their minds.” She turned away from the window to resume her work folding laundry, the phone tucked against her shoulder.

  “Daniel was arranging a pool interview to try and back them off?”

  “Tomorrow morning at nine with both Tracey and me. Maybe it will help but I don’t know. Most of them are from the tabloid press and are looking for dirt at any cost. They’ve been calling our friends, our former schoolmates, anyone with a story to tell. Did you see the paper today?” There had been another piece on the family with most of it being hashed over third-hand quotes about her aunt and mother and her sister Mandy, but it had been deeply embarrassing just the same, more innuendo than fact and overly aggressive in the picture it painted of the affair Henry had had. Marie knew the article must have deeply wounded Daniel too. She’d like to tarnish that reporter’s name in reply but had no means to fight back.

  “Sykes is an aggressive reporter looking for anything that can get him promoted from the city daily to a national paper. He’s filling space with whatever he can get to have the byline. Ignore him. It’s not going to stay this way forever.”

  “I know. That’s just easier said than done.”

  “Let it go. So what are your modified plans for today?”

  She turned her attention to what she’d been doing when he called. “Finish the laundry, then work with Tracey on the party plans for tomorrow night. So far we’ve made a hundred thirty invitation calls, and not a one has said they can’t make it. You would think someone in our circle of friends would have other more pressing arrangements for tomorrow night.”

  Connor laughed. “Yeah, right. You’re inviting everyone you and Tracey know?”

  “Pretty much. If I’ve got to explain everything and answer questions and plaster a smile on my face for a few hours, at least I want it over in one night. Not that I mind talking about this turn of events … I just get tired of doing nothing but talking about it.”

  “I know what you mean. I think the party is a good solution. What else is on your week?”

  “Daniel wants us to meet with a couple attorneys Wednesday. He insists we have independent representation not associated with Benton Group or Henry. The rest of the day will be trying to get some order back into the gallery after the party. I’ll keep the gallery closed for another week, interview two more possible staff on Friday, and adjust to thinking about maybe next week getting my life back into some order.”

  “Give it time, Marie. The days are going to be like this for a while, but they’ll eventually return to normal. Would you maybe like to catch dinner and a movie some night this week, say Thursday? I’ve got a day in court so I should be getting off at a reasonable time.”

  Marie looked down the hall to where Tracey was singing with the radio as she sorted out her things to take back with her to college. She’d heard Tracey on the phone with Marsh earlier that morning and left to give them privacy for the call, but not before she had heard her sister confirm a date for Thursday night. Since the choice was staying at home by herself or going out, there wasn’t much of a decision to make. She would enjoy an evening out. “I’d like that, Connor. As long as it can be somewhere I’m not going to get approached by hordes of well-wishers.”

  She heard Connor chuckle. “I can probably manage that. Any kind of movie you don’t like?”

  “Avoid the blood-and-guts kind, but otherwise I’m flexible.”

  “Easy enough. I’ll call for you around six-thirty, and make it dress up. I’ve got a nice quiet place in mind that does wonderful Italian.”

  “I’ll look forward to it. Thanks, Connor.”

  “You’ll hear from me again today; I’m just catching ten minutes while I sit and watch for a guy that I suspect is already in Honduras by now.”

  She smiled. “You got stood up.”

  “Happens all the time in this profession, I’m afraid. Enjoy today, Marie, even with all the obstacles.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  She was smiling as she set down the phone.

  “That was Connor?” Tracey asked, slipping in earrings as she came in.

  “Yes. It looks like I’m going out Thursday night as well.”

  “Marsh said dress up, so I was thinking of a shopping trip this afternoon. You want to risk it? Maybe head over to those shops near the college?”

  “Yes, let’s do that.” Tracey had a great eye for clothes and what accessories went well together, and Marie would enjoy hearing her opinion on what she found. “Let’s splurge on new outfits for the party tomorrow night as well.”

  Tracey headed back to get her purse and jacket, and Marie smiled as she thought about what she wanted to look for in a dress. Dates were special occasions and called for special things.

  Mandy, I wish you were going shopping with us. These are big days in our lives, and there’s a void that never fills when you’re not here to join us. I hope heaven is nice. You are missed here.

  With the will and the new wealth had come
the possibility that they could finally get some closure regarding her sister. Sam had agreed to meet her and discuss what could be done to learn more about what had happened in New York years ago. There had to be a solution to this hurt.

  Does peace ever come, God? So many years grieving the loss with You and it never really seems to get better or less sharp. I don’t know what I expected You to do for me about the hurt, but the fact it’s still so raw—I guess I didn’t expect that after all these years. Tracey’s going to pick up on my mood if I’m not careful, and I don’t want that. She deserves the happiness she’s found with Marsh, and I am looking forward to going out with Connor. He strikes me as a nice guy to have as a friend if not something a lot more. Please help me shake this sadness, at least for today.

  Facts couldn’t be changed; she’d long ago accepted that. But they still hurt—and badly—in the memories that did not fade.

  Marie went to join Tracey, forcing a smile in place and pushing back the sadness.

  Chapter Ten

  THE SHARP COLD HAD EASED by Wednesday morning, and the chief appreciated that fact as he walked with Caroline St. James through the grounds of a private home on the border of the next county east of town. “You’re comfortable with the security?”

  “I put a guy on it yesterday afternoon to confirm things, and it came back as solid.”

  The location was perfect, and the place—he would have never thought the ambassador to Denmark lived in the area, but then he hadn’t expected Caroline to find him something ordinary. “How’d you arrange it?”

  “I asked a favor, and he had the keys dropped off. I know him from my army days when he was on the NATO staff.”

  “Dated his son?”

  She smiled at him. “A friend did. I knew the place was empty while he was abroad. His son stayed here most recently, but he got deployed to Guam a few months back. It will do?”

  “In spades. Secluded, good security, solid-rock walls on the perimeter—it’s probably as close to a fortress as this county has for an estate.”

  “I’ve still got some work to do to make sure there are safe secondary locations nearby if needed and arrangements made to have dogs on the grounds, but that won’t take much beyond your money to solve.”

  “Spend it, as much as you need.”

  “I will. I’ll pick up food from the caterers at four and have it set up by, say, six. Nothing fancy, just stuff that can keep hot easily on warming trays that will taste better the longer it heats. The living room will have both fireplaces lit, and I’ll see about some music. It should be comfortable enough to give a few conversation points if there’s a delay between when everyone arrives. The only room in the house that would be considered off-limits is already securely locked. If they end up wanting to talk until 3 a.m., push them toward guest rooms—there are several—and I’ll have breakfast stuff on hand. Amy can leave the next evening once it’s full dark. It won’t be a problem to take the extra day. I didn’t tell the ambassador what was going down, but he’s had enough under-the-radar meetings to appreciate the request and why I made it.”

  “I appreciate the possibility. The sisters will want the time, so it’s just a matter of how Amy’s handling it.”

  Caroline handed over a slip of paper. “Security codes for the front gate that I’ve already changed now for our stay. I’ll revert them back before I return the keys. Tell Amy to pull all the way around and into the garage. I’ll make sure there are open slots. She can walk through the breezeway into the house without having to step outdoors. There’s half-a-mile visibility on the main road approaching the gate. If she’s got a tail when she makes that last turnoff, let her know there’s a maintenance road just past the larger of the three boulders, and it’s possible to make that turn and speed east. She’ll knock around the car shocks, but it’s a clear shot right to the interstate, and for busting a tail that’s where I would head.”

  “I’ll pass the word.”

  “When is she calling again?”

  “Eight tonight.”

  “I’ll have the secondary locations arranged by then at the local hotels, probably an apartment building too, if she wants to use one earlier in the day to help ease her way this direction.”

  Luke nodded. The arrangements for the meeting were tight. Now it was down to things no one could control—how the sisters reacted, if they could handle having to be silent about the truth in the future days, whether Amy accepted staying around the area or this really did become the only time they would see each other until this was resolved … so many factors that would have to simply be dealt with as they came.

  “She’ll stay this time; Amy will stay.”

  He smiled at Caroline’s confidence. “I’m smart enough not to take that bet, but I’ll hope.” He put the slip of paper into his pocket. “Anything I can do for you in return? This was mountain moving in forty-eight hours.”

  “I’ll call you for lunch one day, and you can take me someplace extra nice.”

  “Consider it a standing invitation. How’s your uncle doing?”

  She shrugged. “Old enough he’ll accept help but not old enough yet that it doesn’t bother him to need the help. We get along fine and always have—I just smile and pester him about what needs done next until he gives me another item on the list of what is bugging him the most. My cousin’s going to come back and work the farm with him next year, and that will solve a lot of it. Most of the problem was simply the fact he was lonely and wasn’t going to admit it to anyone. And it wasn’t like I didn’t have some time to share.”

  “Just don’t get too settled out there, okay? I really do want you back.”

  She smiled. “It’s nice to be wanted. I’ll think about it, Chief. That’s the best I can offer. Where are you heading next?”

  “To see Sam. Anything you want me to pass along?”

  “I had breakfast with him this morning; I think I know what he does on the threats out of New York. You might want to check on the change of ID he was arranging for Amy. She really needs a new ID already in her pocket, given the speed this has been unfolding.”

  “I’ll do that. Thanks, Caroline.”

  “Anytime, Chief. I’ll admit it has been nice to briefly get back into the game.”

  Marie sorted out her jewelry Thursday as she dressed for the evening out. Connor had said elegant, a nice restaurant out of town, a movie. The elegance was not hard, for spending enough money had solved the dress problem, but the rest of it—the jewelry, the perfume, how she wore her hair—she didn’t want to overplay the fact it was their first formal date. Connor coming over Sunday night and working with her in the gallery moving paintings around from storage and debating with her the best way to do the displays didn’t count as being a date even if they had ended up sharing delivered-in Chinese food.

  She elected to wear her newly bought bracelet and a locket kept on a thin gold chain—Mandy’s locket, retrieved by the investigator from a pawnshop and returned to her with his apology that he couldn’t bring good news. Having something of Mandy’s with her helped settle her nerves. If her oldest sister was alive, she would have been perched on the bed and laughing with her about the nerves before a date, doing it kindly and talking about guys and how incredibly nice it was to have one decide to focus on you. Marie chose medium-height heels and found a small clutch purse for her keys and a comb. She leaned toward the mirror and checked her lipstick one last time.

  “Oh yes. Very nice.”

  Marie smiled at Tracey in the mirror. “You look quite elegant yourself.”

  “Marsh told me we’re going ballroom dancing, as if that was something he really would like to do.”

  Marie smiled. “He’s kind that way.”

  “At least willing to take a risk just because he knows I’ll enjoy it,” Tracey agreed, leaning against the edge of the dresser. “You’ll be okay tonight?”

  Marie lifted one eyebrow.

  “Connor isn’t going to be making a serious pass or anything?”r />
  Marie chuckled. “I doubt it; I expect he might want to hold my hand. He’s nice at preferring this doesn’t rush past the finer points of dating. He brought me chocolates Sunday and daisies.”

  “Marsh took me out to eat and then insisted we go see a musical that wasn’t really his cup of tea. You could tell he was over-trying, kind of like tonight. I’ve wanted him to propose for so incredibly long … the money kind of destroyed any hope of that anytime soon.”

  “He’ll get over it.”

  “Probably. But I’m miserable while I wait. Not that I don’t like sharing this place with you, but knowing Marsh, he’ll propose and then want to wait a year for the wedding or some such nonsense.”

  Marie laughed and hugged her sister. “I doubt it will be more than a couple months. Maybe tonight.”

  “He hasn’t even dropped a hint.” Tracey forced a smile and stepped back. “But I’m not giving up hope. Have a good time tonight, Sis. I like Connor.”

  “So do I.”

  The doorbell rang, and Tracey disappeared to answer it. Marsh had said six and Connor had suggested six-thirty. Marie finished her makeup touch-ups, letting her sister leave without a lot of polite conversation to slow them down.

  I hope you do propose soon, Marsh. She’s on the good side of impatient right now, wanting so much to be your wife. You’d be wonderful for Tracey, the kind of guy that will love her forever.

  She closed her purse and walked into the living room to wait for Connor to arrive. She’d have to ask a few subtle questions over dinner and see what Connor thought was going on.

  The movie was too serious a drama for much laughter, but at least the romance in it was subdued to not be embarrassing to watch with a guy she was just getting to know. Marie liked watching the story unfold, the way the director had put meaning into the simple facts of life that went with being married—the grocery shopping, the mail, the phone calls when it was family checking in. She shared popcorn with Connor and thought about how long it had been since she had last shared a movie with a date. Way too long. As nice as dinner had been, and she’d remember it for a long time, this was even nicer. Connor had been holding her hand for most of the movie.