Murder So Festive

by Eileen Curley Hammond

  I grimaced. “Sorry. I just thought that nowadays everyone tracks everything.”

  “We don’t. If you don’t have any other questions, I need to get back to the desk.”

  Rob shook her hand. “We appreciate the time and the tour.”

  She smiled at him. “For you, anytime.”

  As we left, I looked up at him. “I think she has a crush on you.”

  “Evelyn? She’s seventy if she’s a day.”

  “She’s not dead yet, and you are pretty good looking.” I smiled and tucked my hand back into his.

  “Flattery will get you everywhere. What do you want to do next?”

  “It’s cold out here, and I don’t really feel like going home. Drew living next door is like a black cloud over the whole block.”

  “My hot-chocolate making isn’t quite up to your standards, but I’m willing to struggle through. I also have some popcorn and Netflix. How does a movie sound?”

  I gave him a hug. “Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.”

  An hour later, we cuddled together on Rob’s sofa, popcorn in hand, watching Casablanca. Ilsa and Rick were in Paris. They looked so in love. I kissed Rob. “This movie is so romantic. Thanks for suggesting it.”

  He kissed me back, and soon there was more action on the couch than there was in the film. I came up for air. “Stop the movie. Let’s go in the bedroom.”

  “Don’t need to tell me twice.” He pressed pause, picked me up, and pushed the bedroom door open with his foot. Kissing me, he pulled the covers down with one hand and softly laid me on the bed. He joined me. “You’re so beautiful. I’m glad you’re in my life.” He kissed me softly. “Are you sure?”

  I stared into his seafoam-green eyes. “Yes, absolutely yes.” I pulled him down to me.

  Lying in his arms later, I stretched like a cat. I felt so safe and warm. It was comforting to hear his soft snore. Why did I wait so long? He is such a good man. Quietly leaving the bed for the bathroom, I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was askew and my cheeks rubbed red from Rob’s stubble. Smiling softly, I returned to the bedroom. How did those pillows get all the way on the other side of the room?

  He was awake, and a slow smile spread across his face. “Hey, you.”

  “Right back at you.” I crawled back into bed.

  We finally finished the movie over a dinner of scrambled eggs and sausage. “Why does he always end up with the guy?” I asked.

  “Because it was a beautiful friendship. Plus, the war effort would have suffered if Ilsa left Victor.”

  “She should have gone with love.” I kissed Rob. “Much as I hate to say it, I need to get back.” I stood.

  Rob got to his feet and pulled me to him. “Are you sure you can’t stay just for a little while longer?” He kissed me again and ran his fingers lightly up my spine.

  “Tempting as that is, I have a few things I need to accomplish yet today. And I’m afraid if I stay, it won’t just be for a little while.”

  He put on his shoes. “Let me drive you back.”

  “That’s not necessary.” I opened the door and shivered. “Yes, it is. It’s too cold out there. I would really appreciate a ride.”

  He smiled and got his coat. “I aim to please.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  Chapter 6

  I rolled over in bed the next morning and smiled. What a day yesterday. I started my exercises, and my phone dinged. I grinned. It was Rob. “Church? Ten thirty?”

  “See you there.” I added a blowing-kiss emoji.

  He sent me two hearts intertwined. Smiling, I hopped into the shower.

  As I dried my hair, I looked out my bathroom window. Amanda Thomas snuck out Drew’s back door, a kerchief covering her head. Like that’s a disguise. In case I had any doubt what she was doing, Drew caught her by the hand and laid a big kiss on her lips. She waved goodbye and slunk toward her car, which I noticed was parked pretty far down the alleyway. Well, isn’t that interesting. I wonder how long that’s been going on.

  I made coffee, fed the cats, and threw a load of wash into the machine. Feeling accomplished, I opened Facebook and searched for Amanda’s page. Single, interested in men, and not much else. Her photos were relatively mundane, though there were some cute ones of her playing with her dachshund. Looking further back into her history, I was surprised to see a photo of her with Drew standing behind her. It was obvious they were at a party, and the date was significant. It was from before he went to jail, while he was still married to me. He wasn’t touching her or even looking at her, but there was something in the way he was standing, along with her smug smile. Plus, why would you post a random photo like that if something wasn’t going on? She did have some other photos from the same party. Maybe nothing was going on. I rolled my eyes. Next thing I know I’ll be buying a bridge from someone.

  It hurt. It shouldn’t, but it did. I found out four years ago that Drew was a con man, but cheating on me? That was a whole other kettle of fish.

  I texted Patty, “Need to talk tonight. Eight thirty okay?”

  “Have wine waiting.”

  Jenny turned the corner into the kitchen, still in her pajamas. The clock chimed.

  “If you are going to the ten thirty with me, you should probably get a move on.”

  She yawned. “I’ll go to the one at noon. Do we have any Cocoa Krispies left?”

  I frowned. “How would I know? When was the last time you saw me eat that type of cereal?”

  She slumped next to me and brushed her hair back from her face. “You might have noticed when you were making out the grocery list.”

  I sighed, getting up and striding the five steps to the cupboard. The box was front and center. “Jenny, if you just looked, it would have bit you.”

  She smiled. “Now that you’re up, would you please pour me a bowl? OJ would be appreciated as well.”

  “If it will get you going, I would be pleased to oblige.” I took the bowl and glass down. “How was your day with your dad?”

  “It was fun. I took him over to the library and got him set up. Then he took me to the Iron Skillet for lunch. We ordered pizza for dinner, and I showed him one of the games I’ve been playing lately. He was surprised at how good the graphics were.”

  “It’s probably been a while since he’s played an online game.” I poured her juice and handed it to her along with the bowl of cereal. “I need to get a move on. I’m meeting Rob. I’ll text you and let you know if we’re going out after.”

  “If you go for breakfast, would you pick me up a sticky bun?”

  “Will do.”

  Rob met me on the steps of the church and gave me a big hug before we walked inside. I wonder if anyone will be able to tell I slept with him. Determined to keep my face neutral, I couldn’t help but smile at him as we looked for a pew. Seeing Patrick and Patty with two of their boys, we squeezed in beside them. She gave me a cursory glance. My face heated up like a red beacon. Her eyes widened. Busted.

  After the Mass, there was a logjam in the vestibule because people were chatting and no one was in a hurry to get back out into the cold.

  Patty sidled up next to me and whispered in my ear, “I want full details tonight.” She gave me a knowing smile and shepherded her crew through one of the side doors.

  Rob and I saw Father Tom but together made a silent decision to merely wave from afar and not press our luck.

  After we exited, Rob pulled me to him. “Why do I feel like such a wicked child?”

  I laughed. “Maybe because you are.”

  “Have I sullied your reputation?”

  “I think we both sullied.”

  “Let’s sully some more.”

  I smiled. “Later. Let’s get out of here first without attracting any more attention than we already are.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Breakfast at my place?”

  “I’d like that.” We strode arm in arm down the street at a quickened pace.

  Making it through the do
or, we dropped our coats first and then other parts of our clothing like breadcrumbs leading to his massive king-size bed.

  Rob lifted me onto the bed. “Let me warm you up.” And he did.

  I cuddled up to him afterward. “I’m really warm now.”

  He kissed the top of my head. “I’m glad. Are you hungry?”

  “Ravenous.”

  “Omelets? I have some cheddar, and there’s some sausage left over from yesterday.”

  “Sounds great. Do you need help?”

  “I can handle it.” He stood and bent over for an impressive kiss. As I clung to him, he gently disengaged me. “Food first.”

  I gave him a dirty look. “Do you have a bathrobe I can borrow?”

  He laughed as he looked from his broad six-foot-tall frame to my diminutive five foot two with heels. “You’d disappear into it.” He rummaged in his closet and threw me an old sweatshirt.

  It came down nearly to my knees. I laughed. “I see what you mean.”

  He put his robe on and turned to go to the kitchen. “I hope I can keep my hands off you long enough to cook.”

  I looked in one of his dresser drawers and found a pair of socks. They were way too big on me, but it was better than cold feet. I padded into the kitchen behind him and hugged him from the back.

  “Nope.” He lifted me onto one of the stools at the kitchen counter. “You wait here and try not to distract me.”

  I crossed my legs and swung my foot back and forth. “Guess who I saw this morning?”

  He glanced back at me. “Who?”

  “Amanda Thomas. And she was doing the walk of shame from Drew’s house at seven thirty.”

  Frowning, he faced me. “And how do you feel about that?”

  “Not so bad, even considering that she was probably sleeping with him before he went to jail.”

  “But you were still married then.”

  “I know.” I pointed behind him. “And your eggs are starting to burn.”

  “Crap.” He moved the pan off the burner. “A little crispy but not too bad.” He cut the large omelet in half and slid it onto plates just as the toast popped up.

  I jumped up. “I’ll get that.”

  Sitting down with our coffee, eggs, and toast, I heaved a deep sigh of satisfaction. “This tastes great. I didn’t know I was so hungry.” I put another bite in my mouth.

  “Let’s get back to what you were saying before I almost burnt the eggs. Why do you think that Amanda was seeing Drew before he went to jail?”

  I took out my phone, opened Facebook, and showed him the picture. He studied it. “So they’re at a party together. From the other photos, it looks like quite a few people are there. It could have been totally innocent.”

  I gave him a long look.

  “You’re not buying it?”

  “Nope. A wife, or ex-wife, can tell. Look at their body language.”

  He looked at the picture even more closely. “Nope. Not seeing it.”

  I hopped down from my seat and started taking the dishes to the sink. “Doesn’t matter anyway. All water under the bridge now.”

  He came up behind me and kissed my neck. “I’ll do the dishes.”

  I kissed him. “You cooked.” Then I slowly pulled his robe open, an invitation in my eyes. Before long, we were back on the bed, the dishes forgotten.

  As we snuggled afterward, I said, “I promised Jenny a sticky bun. Do you think I might still be able to get one?”

  He looked at his watch. “If we could manage to get ourselves out of the bedroom, we might be able to find one.” He kissed my nose. “That is if there are any left now.”

  I groaned and jumped into the shower. A minute later, Rob joined me. I gave him a look, and he said, “It’s faster this way.”

  Surprisingly, it was. We hotfooted it to the Iron Skillet and got the last sticky bun they had.

  As we opened the back door, Jenny frowned. “Shut the door. You’re letting all the cold air in. Some people are trying to study.”

  I held up the bag with the sticky bun and shook it slightly.

  She perked up. “Sorry. Just a bit grumpy. Thanks for the sustenance!” She got herself a fork and dove in, her eyes closed. “This would taste even more amazing with some hot chocolate.” She batted her eyes at me.

  Without missing a beat, I grabbed a pan and poured milk into it. I gave Rob a look, and he nodded enthusiastically. “I guess it will be hot chocolate for three while we watch the football games.”

  At five, Rob said, “I hate to leave you, but the drama club is having their dress rehearsal tonight, and they want me to take pictures to drum up some business for the show next week.”

  I hugged him. “That’s fine. I have a few things I should be doing too. Do you want me to give you a lift home?”

  “No, I’m warm-blooded. I can take it.” He adopted a Superman pose.

  I hit him on the shoulder. “You’re too funny.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.

  “I could get used to this. Maybe I don’t need to leave after all.”

  I smiled. “Call me tomorrow?”

  “You bet.” We kissed again, and he squeezed out the door, quickly shutting it behind him.

  Jenny said, “See. That’s the way you should come in. There’s far less of a cold breeze making it into the house.”

  I threw a pillow at her and moved the wash to the dryer.

  At eight thirty on the dot, the back door opened, and Patty ambled in. I poured some wine into glasses and handed her one.

  She looked around. “Where’s Jenny?”

  “She finished her homework and said something about an online game tournament.”

  “Good. That means we can talk freely.”

  We went into the living room, and she sank into the chair. I sat opposite on the sofa. Drambuie jumped onto her lap, and Courvoisier nosed her way onto mine.

  Petting Drambuie, Patty looked into my eyes. “You and Rob looked pretty happy this morning. And,” she paused for effect, “dare I say it, satisfied?”

  “Yep, pretty satisfied.” I smiled broadly. “The stars, the sun, and the moon finally aligned. I think one of us was waiting for an interruption; luckily it never came.”

  “That’s great. You are taking precautions, aren’t you?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Of course. I’m not a teenager. But what I really wanted to talk to you about is Drew and Amanda Thomas. They’re seeing each other.”

  “Wasn’t she the one who told you that it was your job to get him to leave town?”

  “Yep. I think it was just a ruse. Plus, I think she was seeing him before he went to jail.”

  Patty shifted on the chair and put one of her feet underneath her. “What would make you say that?”

  I pulled up the Facebook photo and tossed the phone to her. She caught it and used her fingers to zoom in. “Oh, yes, definitely.”

  “Rob said he couldn’t see it.”

  “Men. How do you feel about it?”

  “Knowing that he was cheating on me hurts. I don’t know why it does, but it does. I’m divorced and in a relationship with a good man. This shouldn’t bother me.”

  “You’re not dead, and you just found out that Drew was even more of a rat than we thought he was. I’d be surprised if you weren’t hurt.” The grandfather clocked chimed. “Wow. Is that the time? I need to get going. Keep the faith.”

  Chapter 7

  While having coffee the next morning, I was surprised by a knock at the back door. Drew stood there shuffling from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you would do me a favor?”

  “Depends on what it is.”

  “Can I come in?”

  Since it felt like the polar vortex was whirling right into the house, I acquiesced. “Would you like some coffee?”

  “I’d love some.” I poured him a cup and then almost on autopilot put a teaspoon of sugar and enough cream in to turn it a rich taupe. He looked pleased. “You remember how I
take my coffee.”

  Exasperated, I handed it to him roughly. “Drew, we were married for fourteen years. It’s hard to forget things I did every day for that long. You said you needed a favor.”

  “I have the list of phone numbers of people who called either threatening me or hanging up and the number of times they called over the past few days. I was wondering if you would be nice enough to give it to Detective Ziebold.”

  “Why can’t you give it to him yourself?”

  He sighed. “I don’t know if you noticed, but he’s not my biggest fan. I think if you give it to him, he’ll take it more seriously.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’ll give it to him, but this is the last time I play go-between.”

  Drew got up to leave. “Thanks. I do appreciate it.” He bent over to kiss me on the cheek just as Rob popped his head in the back door.

  Rob scowled. “Am I interrupting something?”

  I groaned. “No. Drew was just leaving. Give me the list, Drew.” I held out my hand, and he gave it to me. He sidled past Rob out the door.

  Rob glared after him. “What list?”

  “The list of people who have been calling and threatening Drew. He wants me to pass it along to Jay.”

  “Why can’t he just give it to Jay?”

  I hugged him. “I told him I’d do it just this once. I don’t want Jenny over there if there’s a chance one of these nuts will try something.” I rattled the paper. “I’ll drop it by the police station on my way to work.” I looked Rob up and down. “Why are you here so early?”

  He nibbled on my ear. “Do I need a special invitation? And do you have any more of that luscious smelling coffee?”

  I kissed him and poured a cup. “Why are you really here?”

  “There’s been a report of kids using an unsafe crossing route by the railroad tracks to get to the high school. I was hoping to go to school with Jenny so she could give me her perspective.”

  Jenny rounded the corner into the kitchen. “Go with Jenny where?”

  Rob told her, and she said, “I don’t take that route, but I know some kids who do. Will they get into trouble if I show you?”