Through the Storm (Bellingwood Book 8)

by Diane Greenwood Muir

  "I'm not going to accuse anyone of anything yet. But I do have a team of people who will arrive in just a little bit to start investigating." He took her by the arm and steered her back to the house. "Have you seen anyone out here who doesn't belong?"

  "Certainly not. I wouldn't be afraid to run them off with a shotgun. You know I scared a couple of kids out of here last year. They thought they were going to mess with me. A couple of blasts over their heads and they were running for their cars. Calling me all sorts of terrible things. But I never saw them again. They'll learn to mess with an old lady with a gun."

  They got to the door and Aaron turned around. "You three wait right there. Stu will be here in a few minutes. If I'm not out by then, would you show him where to go?"

  "Wait a minute," Mrs. Willard said. "You boys. What do you think about those hunks of junk? Are they of interest to you? Because if they're not, Damon said he'll help me find a buyer from one of the cities. I'm doing you a favor by letting you have first crack at them. And you, missy. Don't you leave before you come in and take these care packages. One for you and one for the new mama. She probably needs all the strength she can get. You hear me?"

  Polly could only nod. "Yes ma'am," she finally said.

  Mrs. Willard waited at the door. "Well? What about it boys? Do you want those old cars?"

  "Yes ma'am," Henry said. "Both of them."

  "We'll work out payment and how you're going to haul them out of here after all of this mess is taken care of." Mrs. Willard flung her right hand toward the barn. "What a mess. I'm going to have to make something for these people for lunch. You come in here, Sheriff, and tell me what you need to tell me. Ask me what you need to ask. But you can do it while I'm cooking. How many do you think you're bringing out?"

  Polly chuckled as she watched the woman take over. Aaron Merritt might have met his match.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Nate and Henry made arrangements with Mrs. Willard to pick up the cars later in the week, so once the rest of Sheriff Merritt's teams arrived at the Willard farm, Henry, Polly and Nate were free to go. The two men were as giddy as kids in a candy store. Polly finally offered to take Henry's truck back to Sycamore House so they could make plans.

  "What about looking for a car for you?" Henry asked.

  "Seriously?" she said, with her hands on her hips. "You think I'm crazy enough to believe you'll be any good for me today? Go play with your friend. I'm not in that much of a hurry. And besides, I'll just spend time online looking at the most expensive vehicle I can find."

  "This is really okay with you?"

  Polly kissed his cheek. "It's really okay. Enjoy your afternoon. Maybe I'll call Joss and see what she's up to."

  "Up to her eyes in alligators and diapers," Nate said. "There are always diapers. Diapers never end. Our lives are all about diapers. Buying new diapers, changing diapers, dealing with dirty diapers." He clutched Henry's arm. "I'm so tired of diapers. Every time we buy formula, I realize that we're just setting in supplies that will provide ammunition for more diapers."

  "You're only a few months into this. It's not going to get any better for a few years," Henry said.

  "Joss seems to think that watching me change a diaper is cute." He flared his nostrils. "She still thinks it's cute. What is wrong with that woman? There's nothing cute about it. It's toxic waste and it's never ending."

  "Take him to your shop or the diner or something," Polly said. "I think the poor man needs to get out more often."

  "But the diapers will still be there tonight," Nate said. "And tomorrow morning. And the day after that. It will go on into infinity."

  Polly shook her head and walked over to Henry's truck, then beckoned for the keys. He tossed them and she missed the catch, watching as they plowed into the gravel at her feet.

  "That's my girl," he said, laughing. "I can always count on your hand-to-eye coordination."

  "Shut up, you. It was your toss that missed me." Polly bent over and snatched up the keys, then climbed up in his truck.

  He strode across to her and when she bent over to hug him, he whispered at her, "I like the idea of bringing older children into our lives. I don't ever want to sound like Nate. I don't want to face an infinity of diapers."

  "Sounds good to me. Distract him for a while and maybe he'll quit thinking about them. I'm going to spend some time with Joss. Do you want me to take your truck home and use my own or can I go straight over?"

  "I know where to find you. I'll let you know when I'll be home. I love you and I'm sorry you had to face another body this morning."

  Polly shrugged. "It's so sad that it barely even registers any more for me. All I have to do is look at them once and then Aaron comes in and takes care of everything. I hate to say it, but I think I'm beginning to take it in stride. You've always said that if someone was going to die in three counties, I'd be the one to find it. I just wish I knew who was in that tub and how long he'd been there. Is someone missing him? How horrible that would be - not knowing where your husband or boyfriend, or even where your son was and then finding out that he'd been killed and no one knew it. What if I'd never wandered in there? What if you and Nate hadn't come out here to look at those cars? How long could that person have been there with no one ever knowing?"

  "You don't get it, do you sweetie?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "Of course all of those things came together so that you would be out here today. It's the universe's plan for your life. You had to find that person today, so you did. I'm not surprised and even the Sheriff isn't surprised by it anymore. It's just how it is."

  "Nate was a little surprised."

  "He doesn't know you as well as the rest of us do. He'll get past it."

  Polly kissed his forehead. "Okay, you take care of him and figure out how you're going to rescue those cars and I'll find something to occupy myself today."

  "I love you."

  "I know," she said, winking at him. Polly pulled the door shut and turned the key in the ignition, then backed up and out of the driveway, doing her best to avoid all of the emergency vehicles spread across the lawn. She let out a deep sigh when she turned onto the gravel road leading back toward town. What a morning.

  Polly switched the blinker on and waited for several cars to go past before turning onto the Mikkels' street. Maybe she should have called Joss first. Oh well, if her friend wanted her to leave, then that would be fine. Polly pulled into their driveway and went to the front door and rang the doorbell.

  The front door opened and she was assaulted by sounds of screaming and crying babies. Joss took one look at her, opened the screen door, grabbed Polly's hand and said, "Help me!"

  "What's going on?"

  "I don't know. I've tried everything and they're just mad. I carry Sophie around and get her settled and then Cooper starts up, so I put her down and pick him up. I'm about to go out of my mind."

  "Tell me what to do. But how do you think with all of this noise?"

  "Think? Think about what? There's no thinking." Joss picked Sophie up and put her in Polly's arms. "Move with her. Sway. Bounce. Do something."

  The child was so startled to be handed to a stranger that she gurgled a little and smiled at Polly, forgetting that she'd been angry. That lasted for a brief second until she heard her brother crying, then her face contorted and Polly could feel her building up for a caterwaul. "It's okay, Sophie. You don't have to cry right now, do you?"

  Joss jammed a pacifier in Polly's hand. "Try that with her. Maybe if we both do this, they will settle down."

  Polly took the pacifier and teased Sophie's lips with it, kissing the baby's head. She walked out of the room and down the steps to the basement rec room, humming in her throat. Sophie took the pacifier and tried to cry around it, but finally settled into Polly's arms. Cooper's sounds had started to die down as well and when she felt like it was safe, she went back up the steps into the living room.

  "You're a lifesaver," Joss said. "I don't know what
got into them, but I thought I was going to lose my mind. Nate just called to tell me that he and Henry were going to be gone for a while and I told him it was fine. Then all hell broke loose."

  Polly stood in the middle of the room and stared at her friend. "Ummm, do you see what you just did to me?"

  Joss wasn't paying any attention as she paced back and forth, rocking Cooper in her arms. "No, what do you mean?"

  "I thought we had a deal. I wasn't holding babies."

  Joss turned around with a mischievous grin on her face. "Oh. Oops. Look what kind of wonderful friend you are. You saved me in my hour of need."

  "Not only am I holding a baby, but I'm comforting her, too. What kind of insanity is this? I'm not a baby person."

  "You said you would love my babies."

  Polly sighed and smiled down at the little girl in her arms. Sophie's brown eyes began to relax and the tension in her little body ebbed away.

  "Here, sit." Joss said, moving a blanket out of one of the rocking chairs. "I'm sorry the place isn't very clean. I just haven't had time to put everything away."

  The living room wasn't at all messy. There were extra blankets and baby toys around. Joss and Nate had purchased two rocking recliners so they could relax with the babies and Polly dropped into one of those, pushing back and forth with her feet.

  "Did Nate tell you what else happened this morning?"

  Joss grinned. "You found another body? He was a little shook up. I think it's hilarious that he got to experience a Polly Giller moment. Do they know anything yet?"

  "Not yet. I'll call Aaron tomorrow and see what he knows." She ran her finger over Sophia's upturned nose, causing the baby to giggle, then touched the child's ears. "This little one is so sweet when she's relaxed."

  "That's what my dad always used to say to us when we were kids. He told us we were sweet when we were asleep." Joss shrugged. "We didn't sit still very often. He and Mom were chasing us down all the time."

  Polly slipped her finger in Sophia's hand again. "Did you ever find out what their background is? They have really unique features."

  Joss nodded. "They are unique. Their mother is Korean and American Indian and their father is African American and Caucasian."

  "Have you heard anything more from the parents?"

  "No. Not really. We offered to send pictures through our lawyers, but they don't seem interested right now. Maybe when they do some more growing up, they'll want to know what happened to their children, but they weren't much more than kids themselves." Joss stroked her son's brown hair. "I met their father. He was a good kid. He didn't have to be there through the birth, but he was. Even though they'd broken up, he made a point to be there. I think he wanted to know that his kids were going to be in a happy home. He asked Nate a lot of questions that first day in the hospital."

  "It really takes a lot of courage to do this, doesn't it?"

  "For them? Yes. All they can do is hope that their babies are placed with loving parents."

  "But for you, too."

  "I suppose. But look at what we have. I've never been so happy."

  "Even with the screaming and the diapers?"

  Joss laughed. "Did Nate start on that again? He is obsessed with diapers. I found a piece of paper with marks on it taped to the inside of one of the cupboards. He counts them."

  "Why?"

  "I have no idea. For some reason, this is his obsession."

  "That's weird."

  "Tell me about it. But at least he helps. When we were at the hospital and the nurses were trying to make sure we knew what we had to do, one of them kept insisting that Nate understand how important it was for him to be an equal partner. She was almost rude about it. I couldn't tell her often enough that Nate was a good husband and would be a good father - that I wasn't at all worried. She just ignored me and started in on him again. Polly, it's not like we're 20 years old and just starting out!"

  "I know!" Polly said, laughing. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and shifted Sophia around so she could reach it.

  "Do you mind?" she asked when she realized it was a call from Sylvie.

  Joss nodded and Polly answered, "Hi Sylvie, what's up?"

  "I hate to bother you, but can you come home?"

  "I suppose. I'm just over at Joss's holding Sophia. What's going on?"

  "Andrew just came downstairs and Polly, he smells like weed."

  "Marijuana?" Polly did her best to maintain her composure so as not to upset the baby in her arms. "In my house?"

  "Uhh, yep."

  "Let me hang up and say goodbye here. I'll be right there." She swiped her phone to end the call and looked at Joss. "I have to go home."

  "Marijuana?"

  "I have no idea, but someone's head might be rolling down the street in a few minutes. In my house!"

  Joss put Cooper down in the playpen and took Sophia from Polly. "Go on and call me later to tell me what's going on. Thank you for stopping by, though."

  "You know you can always call me if you need help, don't you?"

  "I know, I know. Generally I just ride it out, but I was sure glad to see you today."

  Polly reached around Sophia and gave her friend a hug. "I'm sorry to run away, but I really have to deal with this."

  "Don't worry. We'll talk later."

  Polly ran out to the truck and drove home, trying not to be angry, but the closer she got, the more furious she became. There was only one person she knew that would be in her apartment smoking marijuana and that was just out of line.

  They hadn't had much trouble with Jessie since she was so busy trying to save money. At least she told Polly she was saving money. But right now, Polly didn't know what to think.

  She pulled in the driveway, opened the garage door and was out of the truck before it opened enough to let her through. Polly ran in the back door, flung the door to the stairs open and ran up the back steps and into Henry's office. Sure enough, there was a distinct smell in the house. What was this stupid girl thinking?

  Polly took a breath when she reached the media room and looked at the kitchen. Yep, telltale signs. Bags of potato chips were open on the peninsula, a jar of peanut butter was out with its lid askew. Bread and lunchmeat were still out on the counter. No one had bothered to clean up after themselves. She walked into the living room and gritted her teeth.

  Of course.

  "What in the hell are you doing in my house?" she demanded.

  Jessie jumped up from the sofa. "Polly! I didn't think you'd be home until later."

  "That's patently obvious. Do you want to explain yourself?"

  "Oh god," the girl said. "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

  "I don't think you're alone in this." Polly pointed to a young man with his feet up on her coffee table and a joint hanging out of his mouth. "Get your damned feet off my table and put that out right now."

  "Oh come on," he said. "Loosen up."

  "Seriously? That's the tone you're taking with me? In my own house?"

  "Troy, don't." Jessie pleaded.

  Troy Kandle had rented both rooms of the second floor of the addition for himself and a bandmate. They'd come to Bellingwood after hearing about what a perfect place it was to jumpstart their creativity. When Polly first met him, his face had been caked with makeup, having just come off a Midwestern tour, but the next morning, he'd come down fresh-faced and young looking. He was quite a charming young man and apparently, their band was hot on the indie charts.

  He sighed and dropped his feet to the floor, then nonchalantly put the joint into a beer can on the table. "Is that better?" he asked.

  "Not really," Polly said. "I want all of you out of here immediately and you have until Monday morning to find another place to stay. You aren't welcome here any longer."

  "We have a contract, doll," he sneered at her.

  "Check it again, you moron. Any illegal infraction nullifies it immediately. You're lucky I'm giving you until Monday. Now get the hell out of my house."


  He settled back in the chair. "That doesn't really work for me. I'm comfortable here."

  Polly walked across the room and grabbed his shirt collar, pulling him upward. "I said get out of my house. I can call the Sheriff or the Police Chief to have your ass escorted out the door if that's what you'd prefer, but one way or the other you're gone." She pushed him off balance and he fell to the floor.

  His buddy scrambled across the room and took Troy's arm, helping him to stand up. "I'm sorry. He's been drinking all day. We'll get out of your hair. I'll make sure we're out of here by tomorrow."

  "Out of here, my ass. We paid to stay here and we're not done writing." Troy wrenched his arm free. "And I didn't get nearly enough time to play with little Miss Jessie here. She wants me. You can see that, can't you?"

  "Well, I don't want you. I think you're a filthy pig. Are you leaving or am I calling the police?" Polly asked.

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't get yourself in an twist. I'm going. But you can't get rid of me that easily. I'll be back." He winked at Jessie. "We'll find our time together, little girl. I'll show you what the real world is all about - not this backward town."

  He stumbled for the door and swung it open. "Thanks for the party," he said. "It's been grand."

  When the door shut behind him, Polly spun on Jessie. "What in the hell were you thinking? In my house and with Andrew up here. I expected better of you than that!"

  "You sound like my mom. I don't need this shit. I'm sorry that you had to see this, but I'm not sorry for anything else." Jessie stomped into her bedroom and slammed the door.

  "What just happened here?" Polly asked herself, trying to quell her fury. She wanted nothing more than to follow the girl and then kick her out, too. That didn't seem to be the best way to fix this, though, so she took a deep breath and looked around. The living room was a mess. There were empty beer cans and plates strewn all over the floor and the table. How long had they been up here?

  No, she wasn't cleaning this. It wasn't her mess. Polly walked over to Jessie's room and knocked. There was no answer.