Murder and Salutations (Book 3 in the Cardmaking Mysteries)

by Tim Myers

  “What can I do?” I asked. “I make cards for a living. You need to talk to Bradford. He’ll know what to do.”

  “He’s never liked me,” Bailey said petulantly.

  “Even if you’re right, you’re still family. I’m going to call him.”

  Bailey put a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure?’’

  “Trust me.” I dialed Bradford’s number.

  “Sheriff,” he answered on the first ring.

  “Hey, it’s Jennifer.”

  “I thought you were out on a big date with Greg? Have you lost your mind, Sis?”

  “Bradford, shut up and listen to me. This is important.”

  That certainly got his attention. “What is it?”

  “I’m at Hurley’s with Bailey. He says someone’s out to get him, and I believe him.”

  Bradford’s voice was calm as he asked, “Is he armed? Is there anyone else around?”

  “What?” The questions didn’t make sense.

  “Jennifer, listen to me. I think he may have had something to do with Eliza’s murder. If you can get help without alarming him, do it. If not, find a way to mollify him until I get there.”

  “Okay,” I said, trying not to give anything away.

  “Don’t hang up. I need you to stay on the line so I know you’re okay.”

  “We’ll be waiting right here. I’ll see you in a minute.” Despite my brother’s protests, I hung up the phone. I couldn’t believe Bailey had anything to do with the murder, so I didn’t want to give Bradford the chance to hang him based on something Bailey said when he didn’t know my brother was listening in on our conversation.

  “What did he say?” Bailey asked as I closed my flip phone. “Did he believe you? He didn’t ask you any questions.”

  I’d never seen him so agitated. “Take it easy. He’s coming here to help.”

  “I don’t know. I think this is a mistake.”

  The next thing I heard was an explosion as a bullet ripped into the loading dock door behind us. The shot had gone between us, and I could swear I’d heard it whizzing through the air before I ever heard the gun’s report. A second shot ripped the air above us, but by that time Bailey had tackled me to the dock and rolled us both off the platform onto the asphalt below. I was still trying to get my bearings when the restaurant door above me flew open.

  My brother screamed, “Jennifer! Are you all right?”

  “Get down,” I shouted. “Somebody’s shooting at us.”

  Bradford hopped down to the ground beside me and asked, “Where’s Bailey?”

  It wasn’t until then that I realized my brother-in-law was gone.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “He was just here.”

  “Take it easy. Were you hit?”

  “I don’t think so,” I said as I searched my body for pain. I’d twisted my wrist in the fall, ruined a pair of brand-new pantyhose and wrecked my dress beyond salvation, but other than that, I was fine. “I’m okay.”

  “Good,” he said as he patted my shoulder. Then he spoke into the mike hanging from his belt. “We’ve got an active shooter in the back of Hurley’s. I need everybody here in two minutes with your lights on, and your sirens blazing.”

  “What happened to those fancy codes you always use?” I asked after he was finished.

  I could see a slight grin on Bradford’s face. “I forgot to use them in all the excitement. That alone should get everybody’s attention.”

  I stared out into the night. My eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness, and I searched the shadows for the shooter or Bailey. I couldn’t see any other signs of life, but that didn’t mean nobody else was out there.

  “Why doesn’t Jack turn the outside light on?” I asked. “Maybe we could see something then.”

  “And so could the shooter,” Bradford said. “I told him not to.”

  I remembered the bullet hitting the door where Jack was waiting. “Is he all right? That first shot didn’t hit him, did it?”

  “He’s fine. The thick wood of the door stopped the shot.”

  I was suddenly blinded as the first squad car pulled, into the alley behind the restaurant. I was still trying to get my vision back when I heard more cars join us along with the different squeal of an ambulance.

  “Bradford, was someone hit? Why is an ambulance coming?”

  “It’s for you, Jennifer.”

  I started to stand and felt my knees give out on me. Luckily my big brother was there to catch me. “I don’t need an ambulance,” I protested.

  “Well, you’re getting one, anyway. I’m not taking any chances with you.”

  I started to protest when he held up a hand. “Jennifer, there are a couple of reasons we’re going to do this my way. I want to be sure you’re all right, and I also want the shooter to think he hit one of you. If he’s cocky, maybe he’ll slip up. So if you’re not willing to ride in the ambulance for yourself, do it for Bailey.”

  I wanted to argue with him, but I couldn’t. I drew the line at allowing them to strap me to a gurney, though. Unfortunately, nobody listened to my protests, and I was strapped onto one like a lunatic, not able to move my arms or my legs. We were just about at the hospital when I remembered Greg. If nobody told him what had happened, I had a feeling he’d be under the impression I’d walked out on him. What a perfect ending to our long and troubled relationship.

  Two hours later, I was back at the front door to my apartment. There was a wrap on my wrist, but other than that, I was as fit as I’d been before I’d taken that tumble. Thank goodness the loading dock was only a few feet above the pavement, or I might have been in some serious trouble. Bradford met me at the discharge desk and insisted on driving me home. My wrist was a little stiff, and I knew it would be even worse the next day.

  To my surprise, Lillian was waiting for me inside my apartment.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked her as Bradford led me in.

  “Somebody had to feed your cats,” she said.

  “Did they cadge another meal out of you? I fed them before I left.”

  Lillian sputtered, “But they acted so hungry when I came in, and this one kept mewing under the cabinet where you keep your cat food.”

  I picked Oggie up gingerly and said, “You should be in the movies, you’re such a ham. I hope you’re happy. You’re getting fat, you know that, don’t you?

  He offered me a brief mew, but he was too stuffed to squirm out of my arms. “Go on, you lunatic,” I said as I put him down.

  As he walked slowly off, Lillian asked Bradford, “Did she hit her head when she fell?”

  “Not that the doctors could tell. Why?”

  “I just don’t think it’s normal having a conversation with a cat. Of course she did the same thing before, tonight, but I was still hoping they’d be able to do something for her.”

  “You’re too funny,” I said. “Thanks for coming, but I don’t need a welcoming committee.” As I looked, around the apartment, I noticed that my neat piles; were gone, and in their places were boxes, all labeled and sealed. “What happened here?”

  Lillian looked sheepish. “Sara Lynn and I packed for you tonight. It was supposed to be a surprise. Surprise.”

  I’d deal with their invasion of my privacy later. “Where is she?”

  Lillian said, “She’s back at her place. After we heard what happened with Bailey, she insisted she had to go home in case he needed her. I tried to tell her that was the worst possible thing she could do, but she didn’t listen to me. What a shocker.”

  I grabbed Bradford’s arm with my good hand “You’ve got to get someone over there. She could be, in danger.”

  “Don’t worry, Sis, I’ve got it covered. Lillian called me, and I sent Jody with Sara Lynn. The patrol car’s in the driveway and he’s sitting inside with her on my orders.”

  “Do you really think Bailey will show up with that kind of greeting?”

  My brother snorted. “I don’t think he’s coming at all. He’d
better not show his face around here. I may not wait for the judge to take care of his punishment.”

  “You honestly think he killed Eliza?” I asked.

  “I’m not talking about that,” Bradford snapped. “The fool put you in jeopardy, and then when trouble started, he left you there alone. I could kill him myself w right now for that.”

  I touched my brother’s arm lightly. “Bradford, don’t forget, he saved me when he knocked me down. And how do you know he didn’t go after the shooter when he disappeared?” I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened myself, but I had to plant at least a little suspicion in my brother’s mind that Bailey had done the right thing.

  “He still shouldn’t have involved you in this,” Bradford said stubbornly.

  “He was desperate. Bailey swore that someone was after him.”

  Lillian scoffed. “He’s a delusional paranoid. The man never was all that stable.”

  “Then who shot at us?” I asked.

  My aunt didn’t have an answer for that. Bradford ha said sternly, “If he ever shows up again, call me and then get away from him as fast as you can.”

  “Isn’t that what I did tonight?” I asked.

  Bradford shrugged, then looked at my couch. “I’m sleeping here tonight.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I said, lied “You sure will be, because I’m not leaving. Whoever took those shots at you might come back.”

  “They were shooting at Bailey,” I said.

  “How can you be so sure about that?” he asked.

  For once, I didn’t have a reply. Was it possible that I’d agitated someone enough to make them want me dead? Sure, I’d asked some questions, even pushed a few people for their alibis, but Lillian had been more active than I had and no one was coming after her.

  “Those bullets had to be meant for Bailey.”

  “Most likely you’re right, but we can’t be too careful. Do you still have that sleeping bag in your closet?”

  I nodded, and he headed to my bedroom to get it “You can’t babysit me around the clock,” I called out.

  Lillian smiled and said softly, “Let him think he’s helping, Jennifer. He must feel terrible that he couldn’t protect you tonight.”

  “How could he have possibly done anything to stop what happened at the restaurant?” I asked.

  “He couldn’t. That’s the point. He’s always watched out for you, and right now he feels he failed you.”

  My brother came out with my sleeping bag. “This is perfect,” he said as he unrolled it on the couch.

  “Shouldn’t you tell Cindy you won’t be home tonight?” If I couldn’t convince him to go home, perhaps his wife could.

  “Are you kidding me? It was her idea. She says I’ve been snoring too much lately, and she needs her rest.”

  “Fine, but if you wake me up, I’m pouring a bucket of water on you. It worked in third grade, and I’m willing to bet it will work again.” I’d doused him once when we were kids, and though I could tell my folks approved of my intentions, they grounded me for a week nonetheless.

  “I wouldn’t try it,” he said. “I sleep with a gun now.”

  Lillian said, “It appears that you two are settled, so I’m off.”

  “Should you be going home by yourself?” I asked.

  What if those shots really were for me? Do I need o remind you that you’ve been snooping into this lore than I have?”

  Lillian said, “And what makes you think I’ll be alone?”

  “What are you talking about? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.”

  “Jennifer, I have more friends than Ben and Jerry. Sometimes Smith and Wesson come by, too, and with the five of us there to look out for one other, I’m sure we’ll all be fine.”

  I looked at Bradford for help, and he said, “Lillian, I’ll give you the couch if you let me have the sleeping bag.”

  She looked at the bag as if it were a large and hairy pig. “I’d rather take my chances with the mysterious marksman.”

  “If you won’t stay here,” I said, “at least go to Sara Lynn’s house.”

  “I’m fine,” my aunt said with a snap in her voice hat I knew all too well.

  “I’m not as worried about you as I am about my aster,” I barked back at her. “She’s alone, her estranged husband is in trouble and on the run, and he’s rattling around in that big house all by herself. I don’t care what excuse you make up, but you need to go over there right now. Think about somebody else, will you? She needs you.”

  Lillian studied me for a few seconds, then said, “Of course, you’re right. I’ll go there now. Good night.”

  I wanted to say something to lessen the blow of nay harsh words, but all I could manage was my own good night.

  After I dead-bolted the apartment door, I turned jack to find Bradford appraising me with a steady look.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Sis, I’ve never seen anybody cow her like that in my life. Do me a favor, okay? Take it easy on me. I’m not sure at the moment that I’m on the right side of that deadbolt.”

  I picked up a pillow from the chair and threw it at him. “Oh, grow up.”

  He plucked it out of the air and hurled it back at me. “Now, what fun would that be?”

  The next morning, I awoke to the smell of fresh coffee and pancakes. My brother was famous throughout the family for his flapjacks, and I felt my stomach I grumble. I’d missed dinner last night, and then I’d been too exhausted to eat anything before bed. As I stood up, I felt a little stiffness in my wrist, but it really wasn’t bad at all. I wouldn’t be able to do hand-stands in the next few days, but I hadn’t been able to do them all that well before I’d tumbled off the loading dock, so that was no great loss. I just hoped I didn’t have to fight off anything tougher than a stuffed animal until my wrist healed completely.

  I threw on a robe, and found my brother already dressed and dishing out a fresh pancake. “I hope you’re hungry,” he said as he slid it onto a plate, which he set beside a glass of orange juice.

  “Is that freshly squeezed?” I asked as I sat down.

  “It sure is,” he said. “It says so right on the box.”

  I took a sip, then poured a little warmed syrup on the pancake and devoured it in record time.

  He smiled at me as I looked up. “There’s nothing wrong with your appetite, anyway.”

  “Just keep them coming,” I said as he put another one onto my plate. “I missed dinner last night. I don’t I know what I’m going to tell Greg.”

  “You don’t have to worry about him,” Bradford said. “We talked a bit last night when you were with the doctor.”

  “He came by the hospital to see me?” I asked, the bite on my fork temporarily forgotten.

  “You can eat and listen at the same time,” he said as he gestured to my food.

  “Bradford, I’m serious.”

  “Okay, okay. I told him you were all right, and he said if that was true, he wanted to see you. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to lock him up for disturbing the peace, but he finally listened to me. What is it with you two, anyway?”

  “I wish I knew,” I said. I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation with Greg later. Knowing him, he’d want to reschedule our last supper together, but I’d had enough. I could barely manage to say no to him when I was at my strongest, and I wasn’t anywhere close to that at the moment. Being shot at had that effect on me. No, it was time to end it with him once and for all.

  Bradford glanced at the clock. “Is that time right?”

  “Actually, it’s five minutes slow. I keep resetting it, but somehow it keeps slowing down the exact same amount every time.” I had a theory about my bumbling poltergeist messing with the clock, but I wasn’t about to share it with my levelheaded brother.

  He took the last pancake off the griddle and turned off the stove. “I’ve got to roll. Are you going to be all right?”

  “I always have been,” I said. “You’re the o
ne who insisted on giving me police protection. By the way, how did you sleep?”

  “You tell me. Did my snoring keep you awake?”

  “To be honest with you, last night you could have practiced bagpipes in the living room and I don’t think it would have kept me up.”

  He laughed. “I’m glad to see you’re in good spirits.”

  “I just hope Bailey’s okay,” I said.

  “You still care about what happens to him after last night?”

  “Bradford, he didn’t mean to put me in jeopardy, I just know it. Has anyone seen him yet?”

  He shook his head. “I checked in ten minutes before you got up. There’s no sign of him anywhere.”

  There was something my brother was keeping to himself. I could see it in his eyes.

  “What is it?” I asked. “What are you not telling me?”

  “Jennifer, an arrest warrant’s been issued for him.”

  I dropped my fork. “You actually think he killed Eliza Glade?”

  “I need to talk to him, and it looks like this is the only way I’m going to be able to get his attention.”

  “That wasn’t the question,” I said.

  “Blast it all, woman, you do your job and let me do mine, okay?”

  “Okay,” I said as I stood and walked gingerly to him. I kissed his cheek, a move that clearly confused him.

  “What was that for?”‘

  “Watch duty, a wonderful breakfast, looking out for your little sister. Take your pick.”

  He shook his head and laughed. “If I live to be a hundred, I’ll never be able to figure you out.”

  “Call it my feminine mystique,” I said.

  “I’d rather call you nuts.” As he walked to the door, Bradford said, “Lock this behind me, then keep your eyes open, okay? And don’t push that wrist. You need to give it time to heal.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said. It was all I could do not to salute, but I doubted he’d appreciate my humor.

  After he was gone, I finished the last pancake, justifying it on the grounds that I’d missed dinner the night before, then I took a long, hot shower. I wished the apartment had a tub—a steaming soak would do me good—but I didn’t have one here, or at my new address, either. Maybe I could talk Lillian into letting me borrow her Jacuzzi sometime. I took a quick shower, then after I dressed, I called Sara Lynn’s place to see how the ladies had managed the night before.