A Roux of Revenge

by Connie Archer

  Lucky suppressed a smile. Marjorie had a stern expression on her face, but Cecily had definitely found Joe Conrad fascinating.

  Chapter 8

  WHEN THE LUNCHTIME rush slowed a few hours later, and Lucky had a chance to breathe, she realized Elias hadn’t stopped in. Whenever he could, he would come by for lunch. Perhaps he had been too busy today. But surely if Elias had already hired another doctor, his schedule should have freed up. She cast her mind back to the morning he was at the counter. A sense of unease started to form in her chest. Something had been bothering him that day. She had noticed, but he’d left so quickly she hadn’t had the chance to question him further.

  “Jack.” She called to her grandfather. “I’m taking a break. I’ll be back in half an hour.”

  “Go right ahead, my girl. It’s five bells now. Should be quiet for a while.”

  Lucky pulled off her apron and hung it on a hook in the hallway. The Spoonful’s aprons were yellow with the design of a steaming bowl of soup in blue. Her mother, Martha, had designed these and Lucky was determined never to change them. It was their logo, as was the blue and yellow neon sign in the window that her Dad had created to echo the colors and design of the apron.

  Lucky walked through the short alleyway that led to Broadway and turned the corner on Maple. The Snowflake Clinic was close, around the corner and next to her apartment building. When she reached the heavy glass front door, she spotted Rosemary, the Clinic’s receptionist, at the desk with a phone to her ear. A few patients were waiting in the outer room.

  Rosemary raised a hand in greeting when she noticed Lucky. She was nodding and obviously listening to a caller. She pointed Lucky in the direction of the door to the inner rooms to indicate that Elias was in his office and she should go right in. Rosemary turned away to grab a pen and started jotting down a message.

  Lucky did really want to see Elias, but she also had to admit to a great deal of curiosity about the man discovered in the wreck. She tapped lightly on the office door as she stepped inside. Elias was seated behind his desk, leaning back in the chair. A beautiful dark-haired woman sat at the front edge of his desk, facing him. Lucky’s greeting froze on her lips. The woman’s position and body language were so intimate.

  “Lucky!” Elias stood, forcing the woman to move away, which she did slowly and reluctantly.

  Lucky stared silently at Elias for a few seconds. She was taken aback at the scene. Nothing was actually going on, but there was no mistaking the energy in the room.

  “I . . . uh . . . just stopped in to visit.”

  Elias cleared his throat. “Um . . . good.” He stared at her for a moment. “Lucky, I’d like you to meet Paula Sarens, our new MD at the Clinic. Paula . . . Lucky Jamieson.”

  The two women regarded each other silently for a moment. Lucky nodded. A smile played at the corner of Paula’s lips.

  Lucky broke the silence. “Very nice to meet you. Elias mentioned a new doctor would be coming. I just didn’t realize it had already happened.” She turned to Elias with a quizzical look.

  “How nice to meet you too.” The woman’s voice was husky and deep. Her smile, Lucky thought, was sleek and feline.

  Elias fidgeted. He seemed uncomfortable.

  Lucky turned to him, doing her best to maintain a neutral tone. “If you’re busy, it can wait. I was just curious about Nate’s discovery yesterday.”

  “Oh. Yes. Well . . .” Elias trailed off.

  “We can catch up later.”

  “That might be a good idea,” Elias responded.

  Lucky glanced at Paula, who continued to smile. Her look was a cool survey, as though Lucky had been judged and found wanting.

  “I’ll speak with you later,” Lucky replied. She turned away and headed back to the waiting room. Elias followed her.

  “I’m sorry, Lucky. We can catch up tonight. I’ve just been so busy. I’ll give you a call.”

  “Yes, you do seem busy.” She did her best to keep a sarcastic tone from her voice but doubted she was successful. She forced a smile and walked through the waiting area to the front door. She didn’t bother to wave to Rosemary.

  Chapter 9

  LUCKY SLOWLY DRIFTED up to consciousness from a heavy sleep. A horrible racket was pulling her from her dream. Groggily, she reached over to the nightstand and felt for the alarm clock. After two attempts, she was finally able to grasp the smooth, round plastic surface. She pushed the alarm button down but the ringing continued. Lucky groaned. It was the phone.

  She forced herself to sit up and turned on the bedside lamp, then fumbled in the bedcovers for the alarm clock that had slipped from her fingers. She found it and, squinting, stared at its face. Three a.m. Who could possibly be calling her at this hour? Jack! It must be Jack, she thought. Something must be wrong. He might need help.

  The phone stopped ringing. She sat for a moment, wondering if it had been a wrong number, wondering if she could lay down and go back to sleep. She definitely needed to get an extension for the bedroom, or at least make sure her cell phone was nearby. She fell back against the pillows and clicked the button on the alarm clock to reset it for the morning. She closed her eyes and soon felt the fog of unconsciousness numbing her brain. The phone rang again. This time she climbed out of bed and hurried to the kitchen, grabbing it on the third ring.

  “Hello,” she croaked.

  “Lucky? It’s Miriam. Miriam Leonard.”

  Lucky wracked her brain. Why would Janie’s mother be calling her in the middle of the night?

  “I’m so sorry to call you like this. I’m just worried sick. Is Janie with you?” Lucky could hear the tinge of panic in Miriam’s voice.

  “No. She’s not. She’s not home?”

  It was obvious Miriam was upset and had been crying. “We . . . we had an argument. It was nothing really . . . stupid. Janie got very upset and she went out. She said she was just going for a drive, but she’s not back and I’m worried sick.”

  “Have you tried Meg’s house? She’d probably go there.” Lucky remembered Janie’s friendship with Rosemary, the receptionist at the Clinic, but she had no idea where Rosemary lived. Lucky couldn’t imagine what kind of an argument Janie could have had with her mother to cause her to stay out all night. As far as she knew, they had always been close. Until today she had never heard a word of complaint from Janie about their relationship.

  “I did. I called Meg’s house, but no one there has seen or heard from Janie.” Her voice rose an octave. “I don’t know what to do.” Miriam was barely keeping the panic at bay.

  “I’m so sorry, Miriam. Look,” Lucky said, “why don’t I drive around and maybe I’ll spot her car.”

  “I hate to drag you out of bed.”

  Lucky didn’t want to remind Miriam she had already been dragged out of bed. The mere effort of trying to think of where Janie might have gone had brought Lucky to full consciousness. She knew she’d never be able to get back to sleep now.

  “I’m afraid to go out looking for her myself in case she’s in trouble somewhere and calls the house.”

  “You’re right. You should stay by the phone just in case. And if you haven’t heard from her by morning, then maybe you should call Nate.”

  “Oh dear God.” Miriam breathed. “If something’s happened to her . . .”

  Lucky quickly jumped in. “I’m sure it hasn’t. I’m sure she’s just upset about the argument.” An image of her own parents’ crushed car flashed through her mind. She could imagine the hysteria that Miriam was struggling with. “If she’s anywhere in town, I’ll spot her car. I’ll call you when I get back or when I know something.”

  “Thank you, Lucky. I just didn’t know who else I could call. I thought you might have a clue where she could have gone.”

  Miriam, a recent widow now, had no family that anyone knew about. Lucky felt a wave of compassion. What would it be like to be alone in the world and have no family? No one to turn to in case of emergency?

  “I can’t imag
ine where she’d go, Miriam. But if she’s in town, I’ll find her. I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”

  Lucky hung up. She was wearing only a flimsy nightie, and the nights were getting progressively chillier. She slipped on a pair of jeans, tucking the nightgown inside the waistband, and slipped on her sneakers. Then she pulled a heavy cable-knit sweater over her head. Grabbing her keys and purse, she touched the nose of her folk art kitchen witch for luck, then hurried out of the apartment and down the stairs. Her car was an older subcompact that had been a gift from Elizabeth Dove, the Mayor of Snowflake and her parents’ oldest friend. The apartment Lucky rented was in a building that also belonged to Elizabeth. Lucky felt incredibly grateful to Elizabeth every time she turned her key in the lock of the car or the apartment. Returning to Snowflake would have been so much harder without Elizabeth’s generosity.

  Lucky revved the engine and started a sweep of the town. Snowflake was a small village. She could cruise its perimeter and then go up and down the interior streets, which mostly ran in a grid. Miriam’s house was just outside of the town center, and Janie always drove to work. If Janie were anywhere in town, her car should be easy to find.

  Lucky shivered and flicked on the car’s heater, hoping it wouldn’t take long to warm up. She circled the town slowly. No lights were on in any of the houses or buildings, and a slight dusting of frost covered the windshields of cars parked on the street. Most houses in town had garages, but since the late October weather had been so mild, there was no need as yet to shelter a car. By the time she completed a circuit of the town, the inside of her car was toasty. She drove slowly, hoping to spot Janie’s car as she passed. As a ploy to stay awake, she decided to count the pumpkins that sat on doorsteps. She turned the corner on Hampstead, Elias’s street.

  If Janie wasn’t at Meg’s house, she could be staying with Rosemary, her other close girlfriend. Rosemary worked at the Clinic, so Elias would probably have her home number, but that would involve calling him at—she checked the clock in the car—three thirty now. She approached the big white Victorian that Elias had bought and spent several years renovating. No lights shone at any of the windows. She really didn’t want to wake him. His days were long and busy, and he needed his sleep as much as she did. Besides, she was feeling a nagging sense of anxiety over his somewhat distant behavior, especially after meeting Paula, the new doctor. If she woke him in the middle of the night, it might seem as if she were checking up on him.

  She pushed the thought out of her mind. It wouldn’t do to call Elias at this hour no matter what the reason, and more than likely, he’d have no idea where Janie was anyway. He might not have Rosemary’s phone number handy and would have to retrieve it from the Clinic. Lucky slowed as she passed the entrance to his driveway. A small dark car was parked there. It wasn’t Elias’s—his was a silver sedan. She hit the brakes and peered out, trying to get a better look at the license plate. It was too dark to make it out, but it wasn’t a Vermont plate. Was someone visiting him?

  Again, thoughts of the glamorous woman she met at the Clinic flooded her mind. And a fresh wave of confusion tinged with jealousy arose. What was going on? Was Paula staying with him? Was there a real basis for her anxiety? Was she a fool to have believed her relationship with Elias was on solid ground? In her imagination she pictured herself banging on his door, waking him up, using Janie’s disappearance as an excuse to find out exactly who was staying with him. Was it jealousy? As much as she hated to admit the possibility, yes, she was jealous, and she felt threatened. Then, remembering Paula’s dark, feline smile, she was feeling very threatened.

  Chapter 10

  SHE WILLED HERSELF to push her angry thoughts away. There were more important things to worry about, namely Janie’s whereabouts. Miriam would be waiting to hear from Lucky. She drove the length of Hampstead and patiently cruised up and down every street in Snowflake. She checked every alleyway and parking lot she could think of. There was no sign of Janie’s car. There was one logical possibility. Perhaps Janie had headed for the Harvest Festival. It would have still been open and in full swing at the time Miriam said that Janie had stormed out of the house.

  Lucky turned her car in the direction of the road out of town. It was only a few miles to the farmer’s field where the festival was taking place. Lucky sighed. Best to leave no stone unturned. Once she left the safety of town, a wave of loneliness swept over her. The woods on either side were black against the night sky. Only a sliver of moon glowed above them. The night was playing tricks on her. Twice, she slowed, not sure which way the road turned, even though she knew this route well. Darkness had altered her perception. Either that or she was more tired than she was willing to admit. She yawned widely and rubbed her eyes, flicking on her high beams. When she saw the sign for the festival, she slowed and turned into the parking area. The gate was wide open. Her headlights cut a swath of light across the area. Not a single car, truck or van stood inside the lot. Janie was definitely not here.

  Lucky drove a full circle and exited through the opening in the wooden fence. She turned toward town. Where would Janie have gone if she hadn’t wanted to go home? And what kind of an argument could she have had with her mother that would have caused her to be so upset? Where did she spend most of her time? The Spoonful! Was it possible Janie had gone to the restaurant? But how could she spend the night there? There was no place to sleep. Lucky mentally kicked herself when she realized she should have checked the Spoonful first before cruising all over the countryside.

  Once she reached the main part of town, she drove down Broadway and pulled into the alleyway that led to the small parking area behind the restaurant. Janie’s car stood alone behind the restaurant, parked in the same spot she used every day. Lucky shook her head. Stupid! Why hadn’t she thought to check here first? What was wrong with her brain? Hopefully, she could blame the oversight on lack of sleep.

  She turned off the engine and climbed out. She snuggled into her sweater and hurried to the back door, turning her key in the lock. The hallway interior was dark, except for the glow from a small nightlight in the kitchen. Lucky flicked on the switch by the back door and illuminated the hallway leading to the front of the restaurant. She called out. “Janie? Are you here?”

  No answer.

  She walked to the door of the large storage closet and pushed against it. It opened without a sound. She reached for the cord that controlled the overhead light. The storage space was brightly illuminated. Janie was curled up in a fetal position inside a sleeping bag on the wooden floor. Lucky saw a slight movement. Janie turned her head and squinted. When she realized she had been discovered, she sat up quickly.

  “Lucky!” she exclaimed.

  “Janie, what are you doing here?”

  “Please don’t be mad, Lucky.” She rubbed sleep from her eyes. “I just didn’t have anyplace else I could go. Without a lot of explanation anyway.”

  “Your mother is worried sick about you.”

  “She called you?” Janie squeaked.

  “Yes. You shouldn’t let her worry like that, no matter what happened.”

  Janie’s jaw tightened. She looked like she was about to give a sharp retort but thought better of it. “I’m sorry, Lucky. I didn’t mean for you to have to go looking for me.”

  “Well, I’m just relieved you’re all right. But you can’t spend the night like this—what’s left of it. And you’ll feel wretched in the morning. Besides, our insurance policy is very clear. We’re not covered for employees who love us so much they can’t go home.”

  Janie nodded sadly and climbed out of her sleeping bag. “Okay. I’m sorry. How did you know I was here?”

  “I didn’t. Didn’t even occur to me you might come here. I spent the last hour driving all over town before a lightbulb went off in my brain.” Janie groaned in response. “Don’t ask me why I didn’t think of the Spoonful first.”

  “I’m so sorry, Lucky. I didn’t mean for you to get dragged into this. I figured I cou
ld get up and wash and get dressed and stash my sleeping bag in the car and no one would know I had even been here.”

  “Janie, you should go home. I’m sure the argument with your mother can’t be that bad.”

  “It was. I’ll leave, but I’m not gonna go home.”

  Lucky heaved a sigh. “If you’re not going home, then you’re coming back with me. I have a very comfortable sofa you can sleep on until we sort this out.”

  “You mean that?” Janie looked up hopefully.

  “Sure. It’s fine. On one condition though. You have to call your mother and let her know you’re safe. She’s out of her mind right now.”

  “I don’t want to talk to her. Can you call her?”

  Chagrined, Lucky bit her tongue. She was losing patience as well as sleep, but she didn’t want to say anything that would push Janie over the edge. Better for the girl to sleep on her sofa than be wandering who knew where all night.

  “All right. I’ll call her. Grab your stuff. We can walk back to my place. Just leave your car where it is.”

  “Thanks, Lucky. Thank you so much.” Janie threw her arms around Lucky’s neck and hugged her.

  “What did you two argue about that was so awful? You’ve always gotten along great with your mom.”

  Janie’s face fell. “You’d never believe me if I told you.”

  Chapter 11

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING at the Spoonful Lucky kept a close watch on Janie. So far, she seemed to be doing fine. She was a lot less nervous than she had been on the previous days, but Lucky noticed she would occasionally stare out the window, as though expecting the stranger to be there. Miriam had been relieved and grateful when Lucky had called the night before to let her know Janie had been found and was safe. Miriam sounded rather sheepish on the phone and apologetic, but offered no further explanation as to why Janie had stormed out.