After examining Cindy and finding her unhurt, Patty grabbed a bag of peas from her freezer and handed them to Jenny. “Here, honey. Put this under your eye. It will make it feel better.”
Cindy asked, “Can we wait upstairs in my room?”
Jenny looked like she wasn’t going to leave, so Patty nodded. “Go ahead. We promise we’ll get you when everyone comes back.” They ran upstairs. “Wine?”
“Yes, please.”
She uncorked the bottle and poured two glasses. “What an evening. And it started out so well.”
“It did. What the heck happened?” I took a sip of the wine.
“Your ex decided to out his relationship with Amanda in front of her current boyfriend and the rest of the town.”
I rubbed my arms. “Drew’s elevator never did reach the top floor.”
Laughing, Patty choked on her wine and was soon coughing. I retrieved a glass of water, which she drank. “Don’t do that to me. How did Philip take it? I didn’t want to look.”
“He was mad.” I looked at my phone. “I’m starting to get worried. How much longer do you think it’s going to be?”
Patty glanced at the clock. “Hard to tell. Let’s go to the living room so we can be more comfortable. If they don’t get here in half an hour, we’ll go looking for them.”
The back door opened. Patrick came in first, looking a bit worse for wear. Rob soon followed and had the beginnings of a great shiner.
Patty went to her freezer and pulled out a bag of mixed vegetables. “At this rate, I’ll have no frozen veggies left.”
Rob took the bag. “Har har.”
I asked, “Where’s Drew?”
Patrick said, “Rob and I pulled him out of the melee just as the police got there. The EMTs checked him out and sent him in the ambulance for X-rays. Luckily there were more grudges settled today than the one against Drew. If he’d been the only one they were piling on, it could have been much worse. Plus, it seems that no one in this town knows how to land a real punch. Drew looked a bit banged up, but he should be okay.”
Jenny ran down the stairs. “How’s Dad? Why isn’t he with you?” I explained, and she said, “We need to go to the hospital. He’s all alone.”
I groaned. “Don’t worry. I’ll take you. Rob, would you mind driving us back to my house so I can get my car?”
He pulled his coat back on. “I’ll take you over to the hospital.”
I smiled. “Thanks. I appreciate that. Do you want me to drive so you can keep the mixed veggies on your eye?”
He handed me the keys as I hugged Patty. “I’ll text you later.”
We drove to the hospital in silence. As soon as we got there, Jenny hopped out of the car and ran into the emergency room. When we joined her, she was already talking to one of the admissions clerks.
Jenny stomped her foot. “But he’s my dad. I need to see him!”
I moved next to her. “Is Drew March here?”
She looked up. “What is your relationship to Mr. March?”
“I’m Meredith March, his ex-wife.”
“As I was explaining to your daughter, he’s being treated. She’ll have to wait until he comes out. He already has one person back there with him.”
“Who?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. Now, if you’d care to stay, please move to the waiting room.”
Jenny trudged over and opened the door. Rob and I followed. Seeing Jay Ziebold in the far corner of the room, we hurried to his side.
I asked, “What’s going on?”
“You probably know more than me. Apparently, there was some melee at the fashion show at the VFW.”
“Have you seen Drew?”
“No, I’m waiting to talk to him. They said that he should be through in about fifteen minutes.” Jenny flounced to one of the chairs, threw herself on it, and pulled out her phone. Jay eyed her briefly. “Why don’t we talk for a moment over here?”
Rob and I followed him farther away. I sat where I could see Jenny. Rob said, “You’re right. It was some fight. Drew got up to give Amanda a kiss and some flowers. The place erupted.”
Jay’s eyes widened. “Amanda and Drew?” Rob nodded, and Jay frowned. “Never saw that one coming. I thought she was seeing Philip Piper.”
“Surprised a lot of people, including Philip,” Rob said.
I frowned. “Susan Clime threw the first cup. That’s what got the crowd started.”
Jay blinked. “Susan Clime who works for you?”
“Yep. Not sure about her continued employment, though.”
The doors to the emergency room opened, and Drew and Amanda shuffled out. Drew was limping a little and leaning on her. Her dress was ripped at the shoulder, and you could hardly tell that her hair had been in a perfect chignon earlier in the evening.
Jenny jumped up and sped over to Drew. “Dad, are you okay? Wow, your face is pretty messed up.”
He gently touched the bruise on her cheek and hugged her. “I’ll be fine in a week. I’ll look as good as new.”
She gave him a searching look. “Really? No broken bones?”
He laughed and then grimaced. “Nope. Just a little bit of rearranging.”
Jay motioned to Drew. “I have some questions.”
Amanda glared at Jay. “He’s hurt. Can’t you talk to him tomorrow?”
Jay frowned. “I’d rather it be tonight.”
Groaning, Drew sat. “Ask away.”
I stood. “Amanda, are you going to take Drew home?”
“Yes,” she sneered. “Unless I need your permission.”
“No. Not at all. I just wanted to make sure he had a ride.” I glanced at Jenny and Rob. “Let’s go.” Jenny looked like she was going to object. “Honey, your dad’s tired, and this is probably going to take a while. You can see him tomorrow.”
Wavering, Jenny looked at Drew. He nodded weakly. “Go home, smart stuff. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She leaned over to kiss him. He said, “Gently.”
We left. As I got into the car, I said, “What a night.”
“It sure was,” they said in unison.
I finally went to sleep somewhere around three in the morning, after tossing and turning most of the night. The alarm rang. I cursed. At least I don’t feel as bad as some of the people in town will. That brought a smile to my face, and I tore myself away from my pillow. Why do they have these things on a weeknight? Stumbling into the shower, I let the water stream over me and first pried one eye open and then the next. Somehow I got washed and dressed. Sleepwalking down the hall, I stopped at Jenny’s door, remembering her bruise from the night before.
Sneaking in, I carefully tried to lift some of her hair so I could see her face. Two blue eyes stared at me. “Mom, I was asleep!”
“I’m sorry, honey. I wanted to see how your bruise was.”
She moved her hair aside. I grimaced. She leapt out of bed and turned on the light by her mirror. “I look hideous.”
“It’s not that bad, honey. Does it hurt?”
She touched it gingerly. “Ouch.”
“I’ll run down and get you some ice.” I grabbed an ice pack from the freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and took it back upstairs. Picking up Jenny’s phone, I asked Siri to set the timer for twenty minutes. “When the buzzer sounds, take the ice off. Then you can get ready for school.”
“Seriously? You think I can go to school looking like this?”
I hugged her. “If you use some concealer under your makeup, it shouldn’t look that bad.” I ignored the major eye roll I got for my troubles. “I’ll leave you a muffin in the kitchen. Text me later to tell me how you are doing.”
I left for work. Looking up at Drew’s house, I saw him moving around in the kitchen. Should I check on him? Nope, if he’s up, he’s still alive. And he’s someone else’s problem now.
Later that morning, I jumped as police sirens echoed through the office. It seemed like they had just passed when they chirped and abruptly cut off. That’s strange.
What’s going on? I peeked out the window and saw an ambulance zooming past. That’s not good. Curious, I grabbed my coat and hurried out the front door. A small crowd gathered on the sidewalk two blocks up.
I came up behind Andy Perkins. “What’s happening? Is it your shop?”
He shook his head. “It’s Amanda’s. But I don’t think it’s the shop. The police went upstairs to her apartment.”
“Oh no. I hope she’s okay.”
We waited together for a few minutes, and then Rob ambled down from where the police had gathered. I asked him, “What’s going on?”
He looked grim. “It’s Amanda.”
“Is she okay?”
He shook his head. “No. She’s dead. They think she was murdered.”
Clasping my hand over my mouth, I felt the street start to tip. Rob grabbed me. “Sit down.”
I gave a strangled laugh as I looked around me. “Where? There’s snow everywhere.”
He brushed off a stoop and guided me over. He put his gloves down. “Sit on these and put your head between your knees.”
I sat just as my feet gave out from under me. Rob crouched beside me. “Just try to breathe normally. That’s it—in and out.”
Andy bent down on the other side of me. “Is she okay?”
I turned to him. “I can hear you. I feel better now but foolish. It was just such a shock.”
“Can you walk back to your office?” Rob asked.
Andy touched my arm. “My shop is right here. Why don’t you both come in, and I’ll fix us some tea.”
Rob looked at him gratefully. “Thanks. That would be great.”
He helped me up and steered me into Andy’s shop. Andy carried a chair over, and I sat. “I feel so silly. I’m fine now.” Rob rubbed my back.
Andy called out from the rear of the shop, “Is Darjeeling okay?”
“Yes, and put two teaspoons of sugar in Merry’s.”
“I don’t need two teaspoons of sugar.”
He kissed my forehead. “Yes, you do. You had a shock.”
Andy brought out a tray with three cups and some scones. He poured the tea. “I thought it wouldn’t hurt for you to have something to eat too.”
Rob smiled at him. “Great idea.”
I took a small bite of the scone and sipped some tea. I frowned at Rob. “How did you know what happened?”
“The police were upstairs in Amanda’s apartment, and Samantha Smith was just sitting by herself in Shades of Gray. She looked pretty rattled, so I went in to ask her what happened. She told me that she opened the shop at nine this morning as usual. Amanda was supposed to meet her to go over the orders for the spring collection, based on the reactions to the fashion show last night. When Amanda still hadn’t shown up by ten, Sam became worried. She went to Amanda’s apartment and knocked. No one answered, so she pushed the door open. Apparently, Amanda was shot, and her body was lying just inside the door. Sam called 911, but it was too late. Amanda was dead.”
“How scary for her. And poor Amanda. Who could have shot her?” We all stared at each other.
Andy said, “The police will figure it out.”
Rob and I exchanged a glance. I said, “Thanks for the tea and scones. I feel much better now. I should get back to work; I’m sure everyone is wondering where I went.”
Rob accompanied me to my office. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I smiled weakly. “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll see you later.” I gave him a quick kiss and ducked in the door.
Chapter 9
Rob popped his head inside my office door later on in the day. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” I hugged him. “Thanks for your help this morning. It was such a shock.”
“Do you want to go out for dinner?”
“No. I don’t feel like being around a lot of people tonight. Let’s pick up something on the way to my house, and we can eat there.” I shivered.
He held me close. “I have a better idea. Why don’t I grab some chicken from that place we like and bring it back with me? That way you can go straight home.”
“Are you sure? Truthfully, that sounds like a far better idea.”
He grinned. “Anything for you. I’ll see you there in about a half hour.” He gave me a quick kiss and left.
Pulling together some things I needed to look at before the morning, I shrugged into my coat and scarf and headed home. The place felt empty.
Concerned, I texted Jenny, “Where are you?”
“At Dad’s. Sad about Amanda. Can he eat with us tonight?”
I shuddered. “Yes. Rob’s bringing chicken. Come in twenty.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
Grimacing, I texted Rob, “One more for dinner.”
I set the table for four and then mixed a salad. Unable to resist any longer, I poured myself a large glass of wine and sat at the kitchen counter glaring at it.
Rob came in. “I’m glad I’m not that glass of wine.”
I jumped. “Why?”
He kissed the top of my head. “Because you don’t seem very happy with it.”
I kissed him on the lips. “Good news—I’m very happy with you.” I picked up the bag containing dinner and stuck it in the oven to keep warm.
Rob gestured at the table. “Who’s our fourth?”
I groaned and put my head in my hands. “Drew.”
“Drew?”
“Jenny was with him this afternoon, and apparently, he’s pretty broken up about Amanda. She asked if he could have dinner with us.”
Pouring himself a glass of wine, he took a sip and then stared straight at me. “Is this going to be a thing?”
“No, this is just a very particular circumstance.”
Jenny burst through the back door with Drew limping behind her. She rubbed her hands. “It’s cold out there.”
I nodded and then gave Drew a sympathetic smile. “I was sorry to hear about Amanda.”
He gulped. “Thanks. It was such a shock. Last night was a nightmare, and it definitely continued into today.” Taking off his coat and gloves, he set them on one of the chairs at the counter. “Thanks for inviting me to dinner; it smells great.” He tried to give me a kiss on the cheek, but I ducked at the last minute as I slid past him into the kitchen.
Rob glared at him, and I said, “Let’s eat.” I pulled the containers from the oven and set them on the table. Jenny retrieved serving utensils and we all sat. Drew stared at my wine glass. I shrugged. “Would you like some wine, Drew?”
“Don’t mind if I do.” He stood, retrieved a glass and poured himself a healthy amount. He returned to the table and we all focused on eating.
As we finished dinner, Drew said, “Boy, I really miss the cherry pies you used to make. They were the best. When I was in prison, I used to fantasize about those cherry pies.”
I gave him a dry look. “Pity. I guess you’ll just have to go on fantasizing, won’t you?”
Jenny frowned. “Mom, you didn’t have to say that. Dad was just being nice.”
I rolled my eyes and took another sip of wine. “Whatever.”
I stood to start gathering plates, but in a repeat of this morning, the whine of approaching sirens startled me. Next, the sound of screeching tires abruptly halting echoed through the house. “What in the world?”
As I ran to the front of the house, red-and-blue lights drunkenly swirled on the living room wall. I pulled the curtain aside just in time to watch the police racing up the walkway to Drew’s lit porch. Banging on his door, they demanded entry.
Drew laughed. “Good thing I’m over here.”
Glaring at him, I yanked the door open. “He’s over here.”
Like birds flocking, the police made a sharp right turn down the path to my front door. The lead policewoman, Becky Dryer, asked, “Is Drew March here, ma’am?”
I nodded and extended my arm as an invitation to enter the house. She marched in and found Drew sitting on the living room couch. Jenny stood in front of him. She
blocked the policewoman’s way. I snapped at Jenny, “Move.”
Jenny spread out her arms protectively. “No. They can’t take him again.”
I gently took one of her arms. “Let’s talk about this later. Let Officer Dryer talk to him.”
She shook off my hand. “Okay.” Jenny stomped over to the armchair and plopped down.
Becky Dryer stood over Drew. “Drew March?”
“Yes.”
“You are under arrest for the murder of Amanda Thomas.” She read him his rights then cuffed him.
Jenny leapt up and grabbed for the cuffs as if to loosen them. “He didn’t do it. I know it.”
I pulled her hands down as Becky guided him out the door. Shutting it after her, I sat. “I can’t believe this is happening again.”
Jenny glared at me. “How could you let this happen? You have to help him.” Without waiting for an answer, she pounded up the stairs and slammed her door so hard the cats dove under the sofa.
Rob retrieved our wine from the kitchen and handed me my glass. “Well, that’s not something you see every day.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “No. But it does keep life interesting around here.”
“Do you think he did it?”
“It’s hard to believe. But then it was hard to believe that he was a con man. And it was hard to believe that he was cheating on me with Amanda. I guess I’m not the best judge of character.”
He sat and pulled me onto his lap. “You aren’t so bad. You chose me, didn’t you?”
I smiled. “Everyone has to get lucky every once in a while.”
“Would you like me to go down to the police station and see what I can find out?”
I kissed him. “That would be great. For Jenny’s sake, we’re going to need to help Drew.”
Rob moaned, “I can’t believe I’m going to help that man.”
“You and me both.” I tucked his scarf into his coat, zipped it up, and gave him a kiss. “Thanks. Keep warm.”
Rob left, and I cleaned up the kitchen. Feeling I delayed as long as I could, I retrieved an ice pack from the freezer, trudged up the steps, and knocked on Jenny’s door.
She poked her head out. “You can only come in if you’re going to help Dad.”
Murder So Festive Page 6