“Thanks, I needed that,” Harriet whispered as Tom scooted his chair back to its normal place at the table.
“Can I bring you ladies anything?” he asked, getting up. He walked over to Scooter’s basket and scratched the little dog behind the ears. “You take care of your mother for once,” he said to the dog.
“We’re good. We have to go to the doctor in a little bit, so we can stop at the store then, if we need to.” Harriet said.
“I hate to leave you like this, but I’ve got to go tend my booth. I’ve got a group of ladies from the school coming in today to do macrame demonstrations, and I’ve got to help them set up.”
“I’m glad you stopped by,” Harriet said.
“I can see myself out,” Tom said and then made his way out through the studio.
Harriet picked up a jelly doughnut and took a bite.
“Things are looking up,” she said.
Carla’s face turned pink again, and she busied herself with Wendy’s hair clip.
“How do you feel?” Carla asked when Harriet came back into the waiting room after seeing her doctor. Harriet sat down beside her. Wendy was playing with a wooden train set that sat on a child-size table in the corner; Carla set a timer on her phone and told Wendy she had five more minutes and then they would be leaving.
“It was no picnic having it cleaned and dressed, but he put this elastic sleeve over this gelatin-like dressing and the combination of gel and pressure actually feels good. He also said I have to get a different antibiotic. In spite of all the precautions, it has a spot of infection.”
“Do you want to go anywhere on your way home?” Carla asked.
“I was hoping to stop by the festival and check on my booth. I don’t expect DeAnn to have any trouble, but I’d like to make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“I figured you wouldn’t want to sit home all day. I’m guessing you can’t stitch with that thing on your arm,” Carla said, pointing at the bulky over-wrap on Harriet’s arm.
“Yeah, he says I only have to wear this for a few days, luckily.”
A few minutes later, Carla’s phone chimed, and she scooped her protesting child up in her arms, slinging the diaper bag over her opposite shoulder. Harriet led the way out of the office and to the parking lot.
“Isn’t that Colm Byrne?” Carla asked and pointed to a small man walking toward the exhibit hall as she unbuckled Wendy from her carseat.
“Looks like it. I wonder where he’s been that he’s coming back this early in the morning—and carrying a guitar case.”
“I thought he and his band were staying in a tour bus behind the auditorium.”
“Someone said he was from this area—he has some connection to Jerry Weber. Maybe he spent the night with the Webers. He probably brings his guitar wherever he goes so he can play for his host.”
He caught sight of them and turned toward them.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said when he reached them.
Carla eased Wendy back into her carseat.
“Did Skeeter bring you ladies the extra backstage passes for your group?” Byrne asked. “I saw you getting out of your car,” he explained to Harriet as he stopped. “I heard you’d been injured last night. Are you okay?” He nodded toward the white bandage on her arm.
“I’m fine, or I will be in a few days.”
“Do you know who did this to you? I was having a few brews with an old friend last night so I didn’t hear there’d been an accident until this morning. Skeeter didn’t mention any names, though. I hope the festival committee has hired additional security.”
“The police think it was a case of mistaken identity. I don’t know who the woman is, and I haven’t heard anything about increasing security. It was late when I got done at the hospital, and I went straight home. Since the woman who threw the acid seemed kinda crazy, I’m assuming she was acting alone, but no one’s told me that.”
“I suppose it would be locking the barn after the horse is stolen, but I’m going to bring in some private security guards for the rest of our stay,” Colm said in his lilting accent. “I’d be happy to provide coverage for you, too.” he added. “It’s the least I can do, given your injury.”
“It wasn’t your fault I ran into a crazy,” Harriet said.
“When someone like me comes to town it tends to draw the crazies in. It’s part of the business. I’m sure you know how many celebrities have been killed by overzealous fans. I can’t help but think that if I wasn’t headlining your event, maybe your acid lady would have stayed home.”
“I’m sure you do draw your share of weirdos, but this time it doesn’t seem like it’s about you.”
“My offer stands. I have a security firm on retainer, so it’s really not a problem to add one more assignment to the roster.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think it will be necessary.”
“I hope you’re well enough to attend the show tonight. And if you’re up to it, maybe you’d like to join me for a late dinner.”
“I wouldn’t miss the concert, but dinner? I’m not sure how I’ll feel by then.”
“You would tell me if you were spoken for, wouldn’t you?” he asked. “I wouldn’t want to step on any toes, but I would certainly enjoy the company of an attractive lass like yourself.”
“Can I take a rain check?” Harriet asked.
“Until then,” he said and nodded first to Harriet, then Carla before heading to the auditorium.
“Maybe you should take him up on the offer of security,” Carla said when Colm was out of earshot.
“No one’s after me. I was just in the way. Jenny’s the one in trouble, but until she comes clean and tells us what’s really going on, we don’t know how much. Acid lady may be the extent of it.”
“But you don’t think so, do you?” Carla asked.
“I don’t. She’s supposed to go talk to her brother with Robin, but it will remain to be seen if she does. He came to me for help; maybe I can convince him to tell me what’s going on. And even if she does talk to him, I’d like to see if their stories match.”
“Maybe your aunt is right, and we should stay out of police business.”
“Jenny’s right—Bobby isn’t going to talk to the police, and in her misguided attempt to protect him, neither is she.”
“You are going to rest at least part of the day, aren’t you? I mean, you aren’t going to make me lie to Beth, are you?”
“Carla,” Harriet said, “I would never ask you to lie for me.”
Carla blushed a fierce red.
“Leaving things out is the same as lying,” she insisted.
“Don’t worry. We’ll check in with DeAnn, see if we can catch up with Bobby, and then I’ll go home without argument.”
“Do you promise?”
“You’re getting tough,” Harriet said with a smile then headed toward the south vendor area.
“What are you doing here?” DeAnn asked when they arrived at the booth
“I just wanted to check and see that everything is okay,” Harriet said. “Diane Frank was difficult the other day, and I expect she’ll be back before this event is over.”
“I figured you were here to find out if Robin and Jenny had spoken to Bobby yet.”
“I did want to make sure you were doing okay here, but you’re right, I’m curious as to what, if anything’s, been said.”
“Robin said they looked for him at Fogg Park, but the other homeless people said he hadn’t been there the previous night. They tried the warming shelter at the Methodist church and the food line at the Catholic church without luck and then took a swing past the coffee shops in town, but still nothing.”
“Where are they now?” Harriet asked.
“Robin called an hour ago and said the police wanted to talk to Jenny again about acid lady. They were going to drive by Jenny’s so she could change into her costume before coming back here, but so far I haven’t seen either one of them.”
“I was going to be
surprised if Jenny actually followed through and talked to her brother, and I should have guessed the police would want to talk to her after last night.”
“Speaking of last night, shouldn’t you be at home resting?”
“We’re on our way home from the doctor. Don’t tell my aunt we were here.” Harriet glanced at Carla. “Unless she asks, that is.”
“Do you have food at home for me to make you lunch?” Carla asked as they walked back to the car. “Or do I need to swing by the store and pick something up?”
“I have stuff,” Harriet said. “But I would like to make one more brief stop.”
Carla sighed.
“I hope your aunt doesn’t come by to check on you while we’re still out.”
“This will only take a minute. I’m going to call Lauren and find out if her guys know where Bobby is. If they do, we’ll go have a chat with him.”
“Who are her guys?”
“Long story, but the short version is, her personal geek squad is playing private surveillance.”
“Detective Morse isn’t going to like that,” Carla said.
“Only if she finds out,” Harriet said with a laugh. “Don’t worry, it will be fine. Lauren’s people aren’t interfering with the police. They’re just watching and reporting back to Lauren.”
Carla sighed—something she’d been doing a lot of lately.
“If this is too much for you, I can see if Lauren can pick me up. I know she’s curious about what’s going on.”
“I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m not curious,” Carla said. “It’s all the drama going on at Aiden’s. I’m afraid I’m going to have to quit my job.” Tears filled her dark blue eyes.
“I knew it was bad, but I didn’t think it would come to this. Do you need a place to stay? I know Connie would be happy to have you, too.”
“I don’t want to leave Aiden. He’s not handling things very well, and I know my being there helps, but I don’t want Wendy to grow up thinking it’s okay to let people abuse you. And make no mistake—living with Michelle is daily abuse.”
“We can go home,” Harriet said. “I’m being selfish.”
Carla used the heels of her hands to wipe her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be complaining to you when you’re not well. The distraction is probably just what I need. If we sit around your house too long, I’ll just worry about what to do. Besides, look.” She pointed at Wendy, who had fallen asleep in her car seat while they were talking. “She’s been missing a lot of naps lately.” She helped Harriet into the passenger seat. “It’ll be better if we let Wendy sleep for a while. I can sit in the car with her if Lauren tells you where Jenny’s brother is.”
“Are you sure? We can wait and see what Robin says. She’ll make Jenny talk to her brother eventually.”
“No, let’s do this thing,” Carla said and started her car.
Chapter 21
Harriet fumbled one-handed in her purse, trying to locate her phone.
“Here, let me do that,” Carla said, and put the car into park. She reached into Harriet’s bag and came out with the phone. “Is she in your favorites list?”
Harriet nodded, and Carla swiped the touch screen open then pressed it twice and handed the phone to her.
“Lauren?” she said. “Do you know where Bobby is?”
“Not sure.”
“What’s that mean?”
“The two guys on watch said he showed up at Jenny’s last night. She wasn’t home because, of course, she was at your house. He went around to the back, and they haven’t seen him since. They don’t know if he made them and went on out through her back yard, or if he’s still in the house.
“Jenny came by and went out a few minutes later with an overnight bag. If she talked to him, it didn’t take long. Just to be sure, the rest of the watchers checked out all the other locations they’ve seen him at, but no luck. Their best guess is that he’s still inside.”
“That’s weird.”
“Well, there you go. This whole thing has been weird, if you ask me.”
“I talked to DeAnn on the way home from my doctor appointment, and she says Jenny and Robin looked for Bobby with no luck.”
“Did they check Jenny’s house?”
“Not that DeAnn said. She said they checked the homeless camp and the churches.”
“My guys just observed, they didn’t approach the house. Maybe you should try that. If you’re out and not resting like you’re supposed to anyway. I’d go, but I’m finishing up some work so I can do your booth this afternoon.”
“I do appreciate that,” Harriet said. “Carla and I can at least go by and try the doorbell.”
“Let me know what you find out,” Lauren said. “I’ll call the watchers and let them know you’re coming.”
“Thanks for everything,” Harriet said and pressed the off-button. “We need to go to Jenny’s.” She told her what Lauren had said.
“Wouldn’t Jenny know her brother was at her house last night when she and Connie went there?” Carla asked.
“That would be a reasonable assumption, but I’m pretty sure Jenny isn’t telling the truth about what’s going on, so she might not have told Robin that she already knew where he was, even though they were looking for him.”
“I’m not sure if I hope he’s there or not,” Carla said.
“Yeah, I know, I hate to think Jenny is lying to all of us to this degree.”
Jenny lived in an older subdivision of well-tended homes and tidy gardens. Harriet noticed a gray Prius halfway down the block and assumed it was Lauren’s guys.
“Let me go to the door,” Carla said. “You can stay with Wendy. If he answers, you can take over. If he doesn’t, then we won’t have jostled your arm around for nothing.”
Harriet wanted to protest, but her arm was starting to hurt, and she couldn’t think of a good reason not to let Carla go.
Carla stood on the sidewalk and looked up and down the street before walking up to Jenny’s door. Harriet couldn’t see the doorbell from her position, but she saw Carla reach out toward the door, pause then drop her arm, waiting a few beats before repeating the process. There was no response. Carla came back to the car and got in.
“I’m going to go around back,” Harriet said. “Jenny has those French doors to her patio, and she usually leaves the blinds open. I just want to be sure Bobby isn’t inside sipping coffee and waiting for us to leave.”
Carla’s shoulders slumped.
“I’ll go,” she said. “For all the same reasons it wasn’t a good idea for you to go to the front door.”
“You’re starting to sound a little bit like Lauren,” Harriet said with a smile.
Carla’s face turned pink.
“That doesn’t mean I’m wrong, though,” she said quietly.
“Okay, fine,” Harriet said. “Look in the French doors, and then see if you can look in the two sets of bedroom windows you can reach from the patio. If we’re lucky, he’s in one of them and left the curtains and blinds open.”
Carla walked back up Jenny’s path then turned left, cutting across the yard and disappearing around the side of the house. She returned a few minutes later, almost running and looking back over her shoulder. She slid into the driver’s seat and pulled her phone from her purse.
“What’s wrong?” Harriet asked, but Carla didn’t answer. She pressed the face of her phone three times.
“I just found a dead body,” she said.
They stayed in the car, Wendy asleep in her car-seat, in front of Jenny’s house until the police arrived. A knock on the driver’s-side window startled them.
“I can’t even say it again,” Jane Morse said to Harriet when Carla rolled down the window. “Has there been a crime in this town since you’ve been back that you haven’t been involved in?”
Harriet got out of the car. She shrugged then winced in pain when it moved her burned arm too much.
“We were helping Jenny look for her brother.
She was going to try to find him, but you-all were talking to her, so Carla and I thought we’d help by checking to see if he was here.”
“She came to the station thirty minutes ago. How is it she wouldn’t know her brother is staying at her house?” Morse asked.
“Jenny isn’t staying at her house right now,” Carla offered.
“Her husband is out of town,” Harriet added. “We suggested she not stay home alone, since the trouble at the festival seems to be targeted on her.”
“That’s the first sensible thing I’ve heard today,” Morse admonished. “If she’d been home, she might be lying there beside her brother with a bullet in her head.”
“Jenny was estranged from her brother,” Harriet said. “He came to me at the festival and said he was trying to warn her about something, but she wouldn’t talk to him. He asked me to help him convince her to listen. That’s what I was doing when that woman threw acid on me. And before you ask, no, he didn’t tell me what kind of trouble he was going to warn her about.”
Morse made a note in her notepad.
“Is there anything else you’ve failed to tell me about this whole mess?”
“No,” Harriet said, pausing to think first.
“You’re sure? This information would have been useful last night when I came by your house. We might have been able to save this man.”
“That’s not fair.” I was on heavy-duty pain medication.”
“I’m sorry, you’re right,” Morse said. “I’m just frustrated, and I’m taking it out on you.” She looked down. “Someone killed Pam Gilbert, and until this morning, we were liking the ex-husband for it. Now we have a second victim shot in the same manner. There’s no obvious connection between Pam and Bobbie.”
“Except Jenny,” Harriet said. “They both knew Jenny.”
“They did. And then there’s the slashed tire incident. Other than it having happened to Jenny, it doesn’t fit with either murder.”
“Don’t forget this,” Harriet said and raised her bandaged arm.
“Your incident really doesn’t fit,” Morse said. “That poor woman is so out of touch, it’s hard to imagine her being part of any coordinated effort.”
Make Quilts Not War Page 15