Found Art (Maine Justice Book 3)

by Susan Page Davis

“No, I want to be with you.”

  I was hastily shaving in the upstairs bathroom, and she sat on the edge of the tub, pleading her cause.

  “You need to sleep and drink milk and take vitamins and make that baby grow.”

  “Please.”

  The bathroom door was open, and Eddie came hesitantly down the hall and stood in the doorway. “I’ll go with you, Harv.”

  “No sense in us both losing sleep and missing out on the hunt.”

  I finally persuaded him to stay, but Jennifer was still not mollified. I drew her into our room and put my arms around her. “I’m going to kiss you, and then I’m going to leave. My wife is staying here with her family. I’m not asking, Jenny.”

  She lay quiet in my arms, then took a deep, ragged breath. I rubbed her back a little and kissed her hair. “I really think this is best, gorgeous. Please don’t fight me.”

  “I won’t. I just—wanted to give my opinion. If you still feel that way, I’ll stay.”

  “I do. I love having you with me, but I don’t want to have to worry about you and the baby on this trip. This is about Clyde. It’s snowing, and if anything should happen—which it won’t—then I’d have to take care of you.”

  “All right.” Her arms went up around my neck. “Come back to me.”

  “That’s a definite yes.”

  “That’s a definite yes.”

  When I went downstairs, George had the late news on.

  “It’s wild out there, Harvey. The wind’s blowing hard, and the snow’s drifting. They’re saying there are white-out conditions on I-95.”

  I didn’t like it, but I stuck by my decision and put on my coat, hat, and gloves.

  I put the Explorer in reverse to back out of the driveway with the lights off so I could concentrate on the backup light. Snow had drifted, six or eight inches deep, across the gravel drive. Visibility was close to zero. Just as I was going to turn out into the road, Jeff ran out of the house, waving his arms. I braked, then drove up beside him and put my window down.

  “Mike’s on the phone.”

  I parked and we went in, stamping the snow off our boots.

  “Harvey, where’s your cell phone?” Mike asked.

  “I left in the bedroom. Sorry. You just caught me.”

  “I’m glad I did. Don’t try to come down.”

  “I need to be there, Mike.”

  “Not tonight. Come back tomorrow if you want, but take it easy. This storm is nasty. We’ve got four multi-car accidents within the city limits, and it’s probably worse where you are than it is down here.”

  “You’re at the hospital?” I asked.

  “Yes, with Arnie.”

  “How’s Clyde?”

  “Pretty bad, but hanging on. Deborah’s here.”

  “I’m his captain, Mike.”

  “I know, but she understands. It was dangerous even for us to get here. Clyde and Deborah’s daughter had a fender bender driving in. You stay put tonight, Harv. I’ll call you in the morning.”

  “But—”

  “That’s an order.”

  I sighed. “All right. But do call me. I’ll have my cell phone with me.”

  “Go hunting. I’ll call you after we talk to his doctor.”

  “Mike, you’ll let me know if—I mean, anytime, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Jeff and Beth sat up for a while with Jennifer and me. I think they were too keyed up to sleep yet, and my mind kept turning over every interaction I’d had with Clyde over the last few months.

  The wind howled around the house and rattled the old window frames. Jeff went to the living room window and looked out. The snow was still swirling.

  “If this keeps up, the deer won’t come out in the morning,” He said. “They’ll all hole up in the woods.”

  I hated to admit, but I thought he was right. The snow was getting too deep for our expedition.

  Jeff went back to the couch and sat down beside Beth.

  “So, what advice do you have for us?” Beth asked, smiling at me and Jennifer.

  “Just love each other,” Jennifer said.

  I looked at Jeff. “And don’t take anything too seriously when it comes to the wedding preparations.”

  He chuckled. “You nearly went nuts during your engagement, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, and I shouldn’t have. Just do whatever you can to help Beth, and forget about the rest.”

  “Are you wearing tuxedoes for the wedding?” Jennifer asked.

  “Not if I can help it,” said Jeff.

  Beth smiled and patted him on the chest. “You don’t have to.”

  “Thanks.” Jeff turned hopeful blue eyes on me. “Harvey, will you be my best man?”

  “Well, Jeff, that’s quite an honor. Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Randy and Travis are too young, and I don’t know the guys at work very well yet. I might ask one of my old friends in Skowhegan to usher, but I feel closer to you and Eddie than anyone else. Maybe Eddie will usher for me, too.”

  I winked at Jennifer. “Just don’t invite his whole family.”

  “We’re keeping it small,” said Beth.

  “Good luck.” Our wedding had turned into a mob scene.

  “You have to invite the church,” Jennifer said.

  Beth frowned. “Well, yes.”

  “And the fire department,” said Jeff.

  “Good luck,” I repeated. It sounded too much like our guest list.

  “So, anyway, will you do it?” Jeff asked.

  I looked at Jennifer. “Sure, I guess so. Any objections?”

  “No,” she said.

  Beth smiled at me. “Good, because I want Jennifer for my matron of honor.”

  “I’m pregnant,” Jenny said.

  “Duh.” Beth laughed. “I have a catalog I’ll show you tomorrow. There’s a sweet velvet dress with a pleat in front. It will still fit you at Christmas time. You’ll hardly be showing by then, anyway.”

  “Everyone will stare at me.”

  “No,” said Jeff, “They’ll be staring at Beth that day.”

  Beth smiled and nestled against his shoulder, and Jennifer gave in gracefully. I was glad, because I wouldn’t have to walk down the aisle with some other girl, and I could eat with Jennifer at the reception. I’d have done it for Jeff anyway, but going through it with Jennifer was a whole lot better.

  *****

  I had set my phone alarm to wake me at 4 a.m., but I had doubts about the hunting conditions. I got up and dressed by flashlight. I kissed Jennifer in the drowsy darkness and told her to sleep for a few more hours. Beth wasn’t going hunting, either, so Jennifer had agreed to sleep in.

  Marilyn was up, and Leeanne and Abby were in the kitchen with her, fixing an early breakfast for all of us.

  “Dad and Jeff went out to look around,” Abby said. “I have a feeling we’re not going anywhere.”

  Leeanne and Abby had planned to go with us. They were dressed warmly, with L.L. Bean boots, wool socks, and wool pants. Abby had a thick flannel shirt over a turtleneck, and I recognized Eddie’s black sweatshirt on Leeanne, Province de Québec on the back, and je me souviens—I remember—on the front.

  Travis and Randy came down the stairs yawning.

  “So, we gonna do this?” Travis asked.

  “Don’t know yet,” Leeanne said.

  Eddie came into the kitchen just as George and Jeff opened the back door.

  “Well?” Marilyn asked. “What’s the verdict?”

  “I don’t think we could even get out the driveway without plowing first,” George said, “and then I doubt if we’d find any deer this morning.”

  “They won’t come out in this weather,” Jeff said.

  “How deep is the snow?” Leeanne asked.

  “More than a foot, and deeper where it’s drifted,” Jeff replied.

  Marilyn shook her head. “Well, that’s too bad.”

  “How about breakfast?” Travis asked.

  “It’s ready on schedu
le,” his mother replied. “Sit down. You might as well eat it while it’s hot.”

  It was strange to be sitting in the farmhouse kitchen eating eggs and toast before dawn. The boys were disappointed. Travis especially was eager to shoot his first whitetail. Randy had planned to pack his camera, along with a Remington .30-06. I thought George took it hard, too. He was counting on showing us all his favorite hunting spots.

  Abby and Leeanne rebounded first. Before I poured my second cup of coffee, they were thinking up alternate plans for the day.

  “Well, I guess we postpone the hunt for another time,” George said. “Can you get off next weekend, Jeff?”

  “No, but maybe the week after.”

  “How about you boys?” George looked at me and Eddie.

  “We’ll have to see how things go,” I said. “It sounds like I’ll be short one man for a while. I’ll have to let you know.”

  “That’s the breaks,” Jeff said. “Everybody put your weapons away.”

  I was surprised how confidently Leeanne and Abby handled their rifles. Jennifer had told me their father taught them all to shoot when they were teenagers, and apparently it was part of the growing up ritual in their family.

  Marilyn brought the coffeepot around again. “I think it’s a wise decision for you all to stay home this morning.”

  We all helped clean up after breakfast and put the hunting gear away. Jennifer woke up when I peeked into our room.

  “Back already?” she asked.

  “We’re not going. The storm outplayed us.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  I lay down beside her, but I couldn’t go back to sleep.

  “Do you want to go back today?” she asked.

  I turned my head and looked at her. Apparently she couldn’t sleep either, now that I’d woken her thoroughly.

  “I’d like to. I’ll wait a couple hours and call Mike for an update.”

  The snow had tapered off when we went back downstairs at seven. Eddie and Leeanne were sitting on the sofa, and Leeanne looked comfortable, leaning on Eddie’s left shoulder. He stirred when Jennifer and I entered the room, but didn’t take his arm from around Leeanne.

  “What’s the plan?” he asked softly.

  “We packed our stuff,” I said. “Jenny’s going to eat, and then I’ll call Mike.”

  I drank more coffee while Jennifer ate breakfast, and Eddie ate again. The sun came up, and George assessed things in the driveway.

  “Guess I can get to plowing,” he said.

  Jeff and I got shovels and went out to clear the walk and the steps. Meanwhile, Eddie got the less strenuous job of helping Leeanne feed her goats.

  Jennifer, Abby, and I headed back to Portland that afternoon, a day earlier than we’d planned, but I was concerned about Clyde and felt I needed to be there. Eddie opted to stay a bit longer and go tobogganing with Leeanne and her brothers.

  I dropped Jennifer and Abby at the house, unloaded the luggage, and made sure they had heat and electricity. Then I went to the hospital. I was directed to the cardiac care unit. Arnie met me in the waiting room.

  “Harvey, glad you got here okay.”

  “How’s Clyde?” I asked.

  “He’s stable, but still serious.”

  I stayed three hours, talking to all the cops who came in, and I went in once to see Clyde, but he wasn’t conscious. His wife, Deborah, accepted my sympathy. She looked worn out.

  Sunday morning, we went to church. Eddie came in time for Sunday school. After the service, Mike ate lunch with us. He and Arnie had missed their hunting trip, too, and were hoping to go together the next weekend.

  “I’m going to give you your recruits tomorrow,” Mike said as we sat in the kitchen beneath the flow blue plate, eating Abby’s apple crisp. It was a small luncheon party that day, just us and Abby, Eddie, Mike, and Sharon.

  “My recruits?” I asked.

  “Cook and Winfield.”

  “Both of them?” It was almost too good to be true.

  “I’m thinking Clyde’s going to be out a while.”

  “Yeah, that’s the impression I got, too. But I’ve got Arnie for six more weeks.”

  “It’s his idea,” Mike said. “Get them in there now to train and get used to the unit. Less confusion when he leaves.”

  “I like it. Arnie will be a great asset in training them. But are you saying Clyde’s not coming back?”

  Mike poked at his dessert with his spoon. “It was pretty serious. The doctor told me he needs to take it easy for a while. Maybe several months.”

  “All right. Are Tony and Jimmy officially part of Priority now? Or are they just on loan?”

  “Permanent. I’ll push the paperwork through tomorrow so Lyons can start filling their slots downstairs.”

  “Do they know?” I asked.

  “Not yet. I spoke to Jimmy Friday afternoon and told him he was Arnie’s replacement, but he’s expecting to start in January.”

  “Can I call them and tell them to come to our office in plain clothes tomorrow?”

  “Sure.”

  Eddie looked pleased.

  “Can you work with Winfield?” I asked him.

  “You putting Nate and Jimmy back together?”

  “I think they’d like that.”

  “It’s okay. Arnie’s going to train them, though, right?”

  I grinned. “What, you don’t think you’ve got the patience to train a young hotshot?”

  Eddie shrugged. “I’m pretty sure I couldn’t do as good a job as Arnie. Or as you did.”

  Chapter 26

  Monday, November 15

  Flowers arrived for Abby as I left for work Monday morning. She wasn’t up yet, but Jennifer accepted the box. The security man drove in as the florist’s truck drove out. I spoke to him for a few minutes and agreed on the alarm system that would be best for us. I left with him counting windows. I had the feeling Jennifer was going to be exhausted before lunch.

  Jimmy and Tony were waiting upstairs, standing together near the windows. They both wore neckties and jackets, ready for detective work. I shook hands with them and welcomed them to the unit.

  Tony’s grin burst out. “Thank you, Captain. It’s a real pleasure to be here.”

  Jimmy’s smile had less wattage, but was as genuine. “Harvey, thanks. I really wanted this.”

  “I don’t suppose you want your old partner back?” I asked.

  “I’d love to work with Nate again.”

  “All right, you got your wish.” His smile rivaled Tony’s then. “Winfield—no, wait.” I took a deep breath. I always told myself his relationship to the governor didn’t matter, but somehow, in my struggle to treat him equally with all the other men, I’d gone too far in not treating him special. I looked at him sharply. I called all my other men by their first names, and I made myself say it evenly. “Tony, you’ll be with Arnie. He’s going to train you in our procedure. Starting New Year’s Day, you’ll be with Eddie.”

  “Wherever you want me, Captain.”

  I went on, “We get a lot of homicides, but we handle other things, too. This unit got a homicide case Friday, and it extended into the weekend. We try not to work weekends, but when we need to, we do.”

  Tony and Jimmy nodded. I told them about Clyde’s heart attack, and Tony said, “So, if Wood comes back later, will I still be here?”

  “The chief says your assignment is permanent.” I thought his cheeks would split if he smiled any wider. I needed to talk to Mike again, to clarify Clyde’s role when he was ready to return to work.

  Eddie and Arnie breezed in, and Nate wasn’t far behind. I put Tony at Clyde’s desk, asking Arnie to put Clyde’s personal things in a box, so that I could stow them in his locker.

  “Jimmy, I have no desk for you yet. We need to move some furniture, I guess. I’m going to talk to the chief as soon as I can, and you can use my desk when I’m not at it. Meanwhile, pull up an extra chair near Nate, there, and he can brief you on what we’ve been
doing. He was in on this homicide thing, and the art theft case before that. We’ve got some loose ends to tie up on both cases, and one of our older collars is coming to trial this week. You can go over the files on those. Eddie and Nate will be in court tomorrow. Jimmy, you have court experience, but, Tony, I’ll probably send you along to observe.”

  I caught sight of a five-by-seven of Leeanne, newly perched on Eddie’s shelf of phone books and criminology references. It had been taken at our wedding, with her wearing the royal blue gown, and her dark hair in the braided up-do. She looked sweetly at the camera from under lashes as long as Jenny’s.

  “Nice picture,” I said appreciatively.

  “Merci, mon ami.” Eddie normally spouted French only around his grandmother, when he wanted to be funny, or when duty demanded it. Yes, Eddie was in love.

  Ten minutes later, I let myself into the outer office of the chief’s suite, reflecting on how comfortable I felt going up there now. I visited Mike upstairs several times a week, and it seemed ludicrous that I’d quaked on the rare occasions I’d gone up to see former Chief Leavitt.

  “Morning, Harv!”

  I smiled and shook Mike’s hand. “I need a desk for Jimmy Cook. Is there an extra one kicking around?”

  “Fill out one of these”—he opened a desk drawer and took out a triplicate requisition form—“and send it to Supply—”

  “You’re kidding. I can’t just go snooping around the basement and see if there’s an old desk gathering dust down there?”

  “Afraid not.”

  “How about if I just go buy one at the used furniture store and make it a present to him?”

  “Nope. Can’t give personal gifts to an officer.”

  “Ha! What do you call that Hudson Bay blanket you and Sharon gave us?”

  “A wedding present. That’s different.”

  I sighed and took the form. I bent over his desk, fished a pencil out of my jacket pocket, and prepared to write.

  “Uh-uh,” said Mike. “Use ink.”

  I grabbed his pen out of his breast pocket and wrote in big block letters, where it said “Items requisitioned,” ONE DESK. I signed H.A. Larson at the bottom and held it out to him.

  “No, that has to go to Supply, then they send me the pink copy. You, my friend, keep the yellow copy.”