“So where do we go from here?” Frannie glanced at each of them, her gaze settling last on Sonny.
“We pool our resources and set the whole thing in motion ourselves, which we’ve basically done already as the chamber of commerce. We approach the bank about forming our own corporation. That way we can hire contractors, and we all pay equally for the work.”
“Or?”
Sonny’s jaw flexed. “I’m willing to explore other options, like making renovations store-by-store instead of all at the same time. We shouldn’t really need the mayor’s approval. It was merely a courtesy.”
“Doesn’t he want the town to look better?” Frannie frowned. “Or does he want the work to be done on people’s houses first?” The mayor’s house had been commissioned; it wasn’t one of the original buildings but a recent add-on.
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Great.” Frannie sighed and looked at the ceiling, remembering. She glanced at each of the men again. “Hey, you guys want to go to church tomorrow?”
Louis looked like she’d just asked them if they wanted to run down Main stark-naked with her. Sonny had paled, but Michael sat up and said, “You want to go to church?”
“Will the doctor let you out?” Sonny frowned. “Are we going to have to push you all the way there in a wheelchair?”
“I hope not, but maybe.” Frannie squeezed her fingers into fists on the blanket. “I can’t bake, so I figured we could go and just listen to the service.”
Louis shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I won’t go.” He got up, gave her a quick peck on the forehead and then left.
Frannie looked at Sonny and then Michael. “Did I say something? Was it me, or the church thing?” She hadn’t ever heard Louis mention a bad experience in church, but when would he have done that? The man was not the most verbose person at the best of times.
Sonny sighed. “It’s Father Wilson he has the problem with, not church itself.”
“Did they have a falling out?”
“I’m not certain. Whatever it was, it happened a long time ago.”
Frannie mushed her lips together. “Well, I didn’t know that.”
Michael squeezed her arm. “Don’t fret over it, angela. We’ll come with you.”
“We will?”
Michael shot Sonny a look, for once not seeming like the underling. “Yes, we will.”
“Thanks.”
She didn’t mind going with Matthias, but he would probably be sitting with his family, and she wasn’t about to get in the way of that. Church had been a “family” thing when she was a kid, but not in the same way. Michael and Sonny would provide a buffer so Frannie didn’t have to sit by herself—or by someone who would check her reaction to everything Father Wilson was saying all the way through his speech. They didn’t even ask her why she wanted to go to church all of a sudden.
Sonny stood. “We’ll come by in the morning at nine forty-five, that way we’ll have plenty of time if you’re not feeling well.”
“I’ll be fine.” She had no energy and her throat was still raw, but all she had to do at church was sit in a chair and listen.
Sonny chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to catch up with Louis. I’ll talk to him.”
Michael rose and said goodbye, too. “You’ll be fine here tonight?”
Frannie hadn’t even thought of that. She would be with Stella, and Xavier would be here to keep them safe. They would be okay, but she probably wouldn’t get any sleep regardless. Who would, wondering if a killer was going to show up?
Michael said, “I’ll talk to Matthias. I’m sure he already arranged with the sheriff to make sure you’re looked after.”
It was like they all knew what was going on, and they’d drawn a host of conclusions. Had Michael, Sonny and Louis already met with Matthias? Frannie wouldn’t put it past them to decide she was going to be protected and then act like it was a consideration after the fact.
She loved them, but they were definitely the kind of family that didn’t take no for an answer. “Good night, Michael.”
He chuckled all the way to the door, where Matthias stood with a backpack over his shoulder and two grocery bags. It was the same backpack they’d taken to the hot springs, reminding her of that night. Even with Diego and Izzy’s interruption, and the first lady leaving on a helicopter, it had still been the best date she’d ever had.
Matthias’s eyes narrowed with humor as he walked over, setting the bags down. “You look like you’re thinking about something.”
Frannie shrugged and kept her voice low as she said, “I was just thinking about our date at the hot springs.”
He actually blushed. Stella and her husband were still in the room but talking low, giving them some privacy.
“It was a good date.”
Frannie smiled. “What all did you bring?”
“Just dinner. I was actually trying to figure out what to bring when Mama called. She made chicken corn chowder and blended it so there are no chunks. She also made vanilla pudding from scratch, so there’s dessert, too.”
Frannie laughed. “You’ll have to tell her I said thank you.”
“I already did.” He sat on the edge of the bed and started arranging food on the table.
Was no one going to actually mention the fact that, for all her visitors, Frannie’s mom and sister hadn’t even come? Even if they hadn’t received the message she was in the medical center, shouldn’t they be wondering where she was? Or did they really just not care about her at all…like seriously actually at all?
Frannie shook off the thoughts and took his hand. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.”
“You don’t have to babysit me. I’m not going to get up to anything if you’re not here.”
“I know that.” He glanced at Stella then back at their hands. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried whoever wrote the letters might find you tonight, or another night. That’s why I talked to Xavier, and Bolton spread the word. People from all over town have volunteered to take a shift keeping an eye on the medical center and your bakery.” He smiled. “But that doesn’t have anything to do with why I brought dinner. If it did, I’d have brought a sleeping bag and I’d be camped out in the hall instead of hanging with you.”
“I suppose.”
“I did that last night.” He slid the table toward her, not making her hold the mug of soup but giving her a spoon. Frannie sat for a moment and just breathed it in. It hurt her throat, but enough of the scent filled her that her stomach stretched and yawned in response.
Matthias dipped buttered bread in his mug and ate the soggy mass. “One day I’m going to grill you a steak.”
“If we get there, it’ll probably be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
“If?”
Frannie shrugged. “I’m okay right now, but if I smell that stuff on the letter again before Monday I’m pretty much a goner.”
He stilled. “Monday?”
“They won’t bring the cure until the normal transport, because it’s technically not a full-blown medical emergency. If I’m careful, I can wait two days.”
“So you have to stay here?”
Frannie said, “I’m going to church tomorrow. That’s non-negotiable.” Why it was so important, she wasn’t all the way sure. Did it matter?
“What if the killer’s there? What if you smell it on his clothes?”
She sighed. She got that he cared; that wasn’t the problem. “I’m too tired to argue with you about this.”
“You’re just going to risk it anyway, and who cares about the consequences?” Matthias paused.
“Does this whole thing freak me out? Sure. I’m scared. But maybe that’s the perfect time to go to church. Everyone’s been talking about it, so why not?”
“It can’t wait a week?”
Frannie bit her lip to avoid glancing at Stella. “What if I don’t have a week?”
“That’s not a good reaso
n to endanger yourself.”
Frannie felt a rush of something run through her. An urgency like she’d never felt before. She wasn’t one to put much stock in her instincts, but this feeling made her sit up and take notice.
“Go find Father Wilson. Tell him I want to speak to him right now.”
**
Matthias was on his way down the hall when Dan—the town’s farmer and his Bible study leader—came out of Beth’s room.
“Hey.” Matthias kept his voice low. “How is she doing?”
Dan shook his head.
What had happened to her? Everyone who knew was keeping it pretty close. If it was another attack, he’d have heard. Therefore, it must be something else, and it had him worried. “Does she…need anything?”
Dan swallowed. “The president and the first lady were killed.”
Matthias just stared.
“Beth asked for space. The baby is fine, and your mom is planning on stopping by later. Beth asked for Olympia. I prayed with her, but I feel pretty helpless. Not sure what else I can do, and I know there’s nothing I can say.” Dan took a breath. “How’s Frannie?”
His mind was reeling from the news, but he said, “She wants to go to church tomorrow.”
“That’s good.”
“It’s dangerous, is what it is.” Matthias sighed. “I’m supposed to go get Father Wilson right now. Maybe then she won’t feel like she has to be at service.”
Dan motioned to Stella and Frannie’s room. “Want me to talk with her?”
“Actually, that would be great.” There was something about the farmer that was so much more approachable with spiritual things than the father. “I need to check the bakery and see if I can find Mimi and Izzy. I can’t believe they still haven’t been here to see Frannie. Half the town has been in and out since we brought her in yesterday.”
“Does she know you spent last night in the hall with your sleeping bag?”
Matthias shot him a look. “I told her. Just go talk, okay? Do the thing you do that makes everyone feel better.”
Dan grinned, but said, “You seem like you might need some of that yourself.”
“Maybe later.”
Dan nodded. “Very well.”
Matthias kicked out his leg, forcing Dan to dodge out of the way even as he laughed.
Matthias walked through town to the bakery. The bare skin on his arms chilled from the evening air. On fall nights when the temperature would drop, warmth got trapped in the basin inside the mountains, so it wasn’t too bad. They got some snow, but it usually melted pretty quickly—at least until winter hit in full force. It took people some getting used to, and Sheriff Mason was forever wearing a sweater with shorts because he couldn’t figure out what temperature it was supposed to be.
He thought about Susan, and the impression she’d made on the people in town since her arrival. They’d all known Susan and Beth wouldn’t remain in Sanctuary forever, but who didn’t enjoy the company of the two women? Now Susan was dead, and Beth’s family had been destroyed. What was going to happen to her? He couldn’t even imagine what that kind of loss felt like.
Matthias approached the bakery. The residents of this town had banded together because of their shared experiences with WITSEC. There wasn’t much else they could do, considering they had to live together. It was like a submarine or a remote military base…or a prison. There were always people who refused to join in, but for the most part, those who understood this was their life now made the best of it. Because what other option was there?
The front of the bakery was dark, but a light was on inside toward the back. Matthias checked the front door and found it unlocked, eased it open and stepped inside.
“That’s why we have to go in tonight.” The high, tight voice belonged to Izzy. “We need more stuff.”
“The medical center is crawling with people. There’s no way we’ll get in and out without being spotted.” Diego sounded like he was trying to be the voice of reason.
Matthias stood in the dark and peered through the round window in the kitchen door.
Diego was leaning back against the broken oven Matthias had been meaning to look at, while Izzy paced and ran her hands through her hair. “But we’re out.”
“You wanna get caught, then you go in. See what you can get from the medical center before you’re busted.” Diego folded his arms. “There’s no way I’m going down just because you’re antsy.”
The medical center had been broken into just a few weeks ago. After John had surmised the doctor’s wife’s death was the work of the letter-writer, they’d all assumed it was him who stole the drugs from the medical center. Were the ingredients for Einetine part of what was taken? Could it have been something as innocuous as Diego and Izzy looking for a fix? Either way, Matthias needed to know the truth about his brother and Frannie’s sister. And where was their mom? Mimi had been practically AWOL for days.
“I thought you loved me. You would never leave me like this if you cared about me. It was all a lie!” Izzy stormed over and got in Diego’s face. “Admit it!”
Diego practically shrugged, though he didn’t move much. Matthias had seen that ‘so what, who cares’ attitude on his brother so often he could read exactly what Diego was feeling. Izzy was right; he barely cared about her at all. Possibly at one time but not now. Their relationship had evidently gone on long enough for Diego to grow bored with her, like the Christmas toy he’d stopped playing with by the first of January.
Why did Diego think this was going to fly in a town like Sanctuary? He couldn’t love-and-leave here, where the string of jaded and wiser hearts he’d discard would always be at town meetings or at the grocery store. Matthias knew of two other girls his brother had tossed away like yesterday’s pizza. And those were only the ones Matthias was aware of. Now there was going to be another?
Izzy wailed, tears running down her face. “What about the baby?”
For a second, Diego looked genuinely shocked. Then cynicism won out. “What baby?”
“Our baby! You said you would love me forever, I thought you’d be happy I’m having your child.”
“If it really is mine.” Diego didn’t unfold his arms, no matter how much Izzy kept tugging on them, trying to get a reaction out of him.
She sputtered. “You think I cheated on you?”
Matthias shook his head. Now probably wasn’t the time for Diego to make those kinds of accusations, followed closely by demanding a paternity test once the baby was born. Not a good plan.
“You think I would do that to you?” Izzy’s voice was shrill. Matthias couldn’t see any resemblance between her and Frannie, and not just because Frannie’s hair was a gorgeous red color now.
“I know you’d do that to me, Iz.” Diego’s voice had dropped to cold. “I know it for a fact because Sean told me about the two of you. You think I’m that much of an idiot?”
Izzy wailed. “I love you so much, Diego. It was wrong, I know. But you weren’t talking to me and—”
“I’m not interested in excuses. I’ve had enough lies to last a lifetime, Izzy.” He shifted to the side, moving past her. “Goodbye.”
“Diego!”
Matthias took two steps back so the door didn’t hit him.
“Diego!”
He pushed through the kitchen door and saw Matthias.
“I’ll kill myself! I’ll do it! I will.”
Not moving his eyes from Matthias, Diego yelled. “Get some help, Izzy. You sound like you need it.” Without anything more, Diego walked to the front of the bakery and let himself out. Matthias ran to catch up.
“Hey!” Diego slowed, but didn’t turn. “Will you wait a second?”
“What’s the point? We both already know you saw that humiliating display back there.”
“It wasn’t too humiliating for you. Izzy seemed like the broken-hearted one. Do you think she’s lying about a baby?”
Diego looked up at the sky.
Matthias said, “I did
that the other day. Just looked up and realized—I don’t know what, like I could just pray. By myself, because I wanted to.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You should try it. Might help.”
Diego’s chin lifted. “Doesn’t seem like it’s much helped the rest of you. Maria goes to church all the time. She meets with Father Wilson once a week.”
“She does?”
Diego looked inordinately pleased. “Didn’t know that, huh?”
Matthias wasn’t going to respond to his brother baiting him—this time. “If Izzy’s baby is yours, then it’s up to you to do the right thing.”
“Like marry her?” Diego snorted. “You want that woman at the table on Thanksgiving?”
Matthias would rather have Frannie there. If Izzy was across the table with Diego, what did he care? “She’ll need your support.”
“She needs someone’s help, but it sure isn’t going to be mine.” Diego turned and took a step away.
“Did the two of you break into the medical center and steal drugs?”
He kept walking.
“You need to tell me. Someone’s trying to kill Frannie, and if you stole medicine then that implicates you.”
Diego lifted his hand…and his middle finger.
Matthias sighed.
“That’s a nice guy, your brother.”
He whirled around. John had one foot crossed over the other, arms folded and his hips resting against the front of the wall between the bakery and the store next door.
“I was going to come and tell you.”
“That you suspect it was him?” John shrugged. “Here-say from someone known to be an antagonist? You could just be trying to get him in trouble. Evidence would be better, which is why I’ve been looking.”
“That’s it? Looking?”
John shook his head. “Why does everyone think police work is rushing around town with the Jeep light’s flashing, yelling at people to confess? I have to tread softly, ask questions and look for inconsistencies.”
Sanctuary Buried WITSEC Town Series Book 2 Page 18