Winnie took a sip from her mug, then a bite of shortbread cookie. When her daughter didn’t answer she urged, “Go ahead and guess.”
“The Easter bunny.” Zizi licked the icing off a chocolate cupcake.
“Smartass.” Winnie made a face, spreading wrinkles across her cheeks like waves in an ocean. “It’s the weirdest thing ever.”
She glanced at me, and although she lowered her voice I could still hear her when she said, “Jake Del Vecchio’s crazy ex-wife is Dr. Underwood’s new receptionist. How strange is that?”
“Why is that odd?” Zizi crumpled the cupcake wrapper and tossed it into a nearby trash can. “The poor woman had a horrible experience, and now that she’s recovering, she needs a job to keep her mind occupied. Hiring her sounds just like something he would do.” Zizi had a dreamy expression on her face. “He’s such a good man.”
She was right. Noah was a good man. Maybe too good. Was that even possible?
“I suppose.” Winnie pursed her lips. “But it probably doesn’t hurt that Mrs. Del Vecchio’s really a gorgeous woman. It was hard to tell when she first moved here, but now that she’s put on a little weight and has started to curl her hair and wear some makeup, she’s a knockout.”
Whoa! I hadn’t seen Meg in a while. I might have to drop by the clinic and take a look.
“What are you saying, Mom?” Zizi asked, narrowing her eyes to slits. “Do you think Dr. Underwood is interested in Mrs. Del Vecchio?”
“All I can say is, they were having a passionate discussion the whole time I was in the waiting room.” Winnie chuckled. “But I couldn’t tell if it was the good kind of passion or the dark kind.”
I scowled. What in the hell had Noah and Meg been talking about?
At eight fifty, I announced that the sewing circle had ten minutes to finish up, and returned to the register to handle any final purchases.
Winnie was the last to leave, and when she came over to say good-bye, I casually asked, “I heard you and Zizi discussing Noah and Meg. Wasn’t it nice of him to give her a job?”
“Of course.” Winnie nodded, then with a shrewd look said, “Unless Dr. Underwood thinks keeping her around will give her an opportunity to get her ex back.”
“I’m sure that’s not it.” I shook my head so vehemently, I felt my eyes cross. “Noah isn’t that devious of a person. Now, his mother . . .”
“That’s true.” Winnie’s expression softened. “But Nadine would be trying to get rid of Jake’s ex and seal the deal between you two, not the other way around. Anything that gets your claws out of her son.”
“Yep,” I agreed, then corrected, “But I do not have my ‘claws’ in Noah.”
“Of course not.” Winnie must have seen through my bland expression to the annoyed one that I was trying to hide, because she said, “That’s just how Nadine would see it, not me.” She reached out and patted my hand. “Although some of Shadow Bend’s single women might agree more with the good doctor’s mother than with us.”
“And that’s part of the problem,” I muttered to myself as I escorted Winnie out of the door and locked it behind her. If I chose Noah, our relationship would be under constant scrutiny. And I doubt anyone would ever take my side if he and I had a disagreement.
“What’s the frown for?” Jake’s voice made me jump. He was staring at me with a look of concern. “If you’re having second thoughts about tonight’s stakeout—”
“Nope.” I gave him a smile and said, “Let me finish closing, then we can go to the Dairy Queen and you can go over the plan while we eat.”
CHAPTER 18
Like most every other small Midwestern town, Shadow Bend had a Dairy Queen. However, we were one up on many of the surrounding communities, because ours was a Brazier. In addition to ice cream, it served hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, and the like.
DQ did a brisk business for lunch, after school, and during the dinner hour. But since it was nearly nine thirty on a Wednesday night, there were only two other vehicles in the parking lot when Jake pulled his truck into a spot near the entrance. And from the appearance of those cars, they probably belonged to the employees stuck working the weekday graveyard shift.
Jake helped me down from the pickup’s cab and held open the Dairy Queen door. A chime sound signaled our entrance, and the teenage girl perched on a stool behind the counter looked up from her cell phone. She heaved a sigh, slowly got to her feet, and made a show of reluctantly slipping the bright pink rectangle into her pocket before sauntering toward us.
The girl recited, “Welcome to Dairy Queen. How may I create an unbelievable moment for you tonight?”
Both Jake and I ate here often enough to know what we wanted without consulting the posted menu, and when Jake nodded for me to go first, I said, “Chicken bruschetta combo with minimal lettuce and a diet soda, please.”
The girl frowned and said, “I’m sorry. We only have regular lettuce, and I don’t think it’s that minimal kind.”
Swallowing my amusement, I said, “Okay, just don’t put too much of it on the sandwich.”
Jake’s voice sounded like he was holding back a laugh when he told the girl he wanted a cheeseburger combo and a chocolate shake, but she didn’t seem to notice as she laboriously entered our selection into the cash register.
Holding out her hand, the teenager said, “That will be nineteen dollars and fifty-nine cents.”
After Jake paid, the girl gave him a receipt and said, “I’ll call the number on the bottom when your food is ready.”
Jake stuffed the change from his twenty, plus a couple of singles in the tip jar on the counter, then led the way through the dining area. He glanced back to make sure that I was following him, then headed toward a booth in the back.
As we walked by all the empty tables, I snickered. “You better listen hard for our number. You don’t want to get the wrong order. I’d hate for someone else to get my minimal-lettuce chicken.”
“I’m all ears, darlin’.” Jake chuckled, then waited for me to choose a bench before sliding into the opposite one. “I won’t let anyone steal your fancy sandwich, but I can’t guarantee the safety of your fries.”
“From you.” I poked his forearm. “Last time I barely got any.”
“Hey,” Jake protested. “They were just sitting there getting cold.” His cheek creased. “I figured you were finished with them.”
“I like to eat my food together,” I explained. “Not scarf all my fries at once like you.”
Before Jake could respond to my accusation, our number was called, and he teased, “I better go fetch our supper before someone else gobbles your precious fries and you go all crazy lady on them.”
When Jake returned with our order, my mouth watered. It had been more than seven hours since my lunch, and this smelled heavenly. We spent the next few minutes opening cardboard containers, squeezing ketchup into the lids, and unwrapping straws.
Once we had taken care of the important stuff, I asked, “What’s the plan for tonight’s operation? Are we picking up Elliot?”
“No.” Jake lifted his bacon cheeseburger to his mouth. “The note specified that Winston had to be the one who brought the money and he had to be alone. He’ll drive by himself and park as close to the bandstand as he can. Surprisingly, a million in hundreds only weighs a little over twenty pounds, so he’ll have no problem carrying it.”
“I was imaging it would be much bulkier.” I swirled a fry through a pool of ketchup and savored the salty goodness, before I resumed our conversation. “Where did Elliot get the million bucks?”
Jake took a drink of his chocolate shake, swallowed, and said, “He had it messengered from his bank in California.”
“It’s good he could do it so quickly.” I paused to take sip of my diet soda, then said thoughtfully, “Two days has to be cutting it pretty close.”
“That’s an understatement.” Jake shook his head. “The bank needed twenty-four hours to get the money, and once they had it, the security guard Winston hired had to fly from Los Angeles to Kansas City. Winston met him at the airport this afternoon and had to drive back to Shadow Bend.”
“Why didn’t Elliot just have the funds wired to Shadow Bend’s Savings and Guaranty?”
“Either the local bank wasn’t able to get that much cash in such a short time,” Jake said, “or Winston didn’t trust them to do it right.”
“So Elliot arranged for the money before he got the message telling him where to deliver it.” I picked up my chicken bruschetta. It oozed mozzarella and Italian herb–seasoned diced tomatoes. The basil cheese focaccia roll had a satisfying crunch as I bit into it.
“Uh-huh.” Jake polished off his burger and wiped his fingers. “The note was waiting under Winston’s door when he returned from the city.”
“Convenient.” Something was bothering me about the timing, but I shrugged it off. “Where are we going to be stationed in the park?”
“I’ll be behind the bench on the path leading to the bandstand.” Jake threw an arm across the back of the booth. “It gives me the best view of the front and sides of the structure.”
“And where do you want me?” I asked before popping another fry into my mouth.
“I’ve got the perfect spot for you.” Jake’s lips quirked up.
“Where?” I asked, not at all liking the expression on his face.
“Did you know that the chamber of commerce put up their Halloween decorations over the weekend?” Jake asked, his blue eyes twinkling.
“I heard about it, but haven’t been out to see them,” I answered cautiously.
“Their big display is at the rear of the bandstand,” Jake informed me.
“Okay.” I drew out the word, then lifted a brow and asked, “I take it that my hiding place is among the witches and goblins?”
“Not so much among the decorations”—Jake chuckled—“as inside one.”
“What in the hell does that mean?” I asked, pursing my lips.
“They have these giant fiberglass pumpkins,” Jake explained. “When I did recon this afternoon, I noticed that they were hollow.”
“Shit!” I glared at him. “You want me to sit in a jack-o’-lantern like Peter, Peter, the pumpkin eater’s wife? Will I even fit?”
“Yep, and there’s eyeholes so you can see out.” Jake grinned. “You’ll be able to watch the back of the bandstand. If the kidnapper leaves that way, you can text me so that I can tail him.”
“Shouldn’t I follow him after I text you?” I tapped my fingernails. “What if he disappears before you get there and we lose him?”
“Under no circumstances are you to leave your pumpkin,” Jake snapped, then evidently heard what he’d said and fought a smile.
“Yes, sir.” I saluted, then, as he reached for one of my remaining fries, I moved them a safe distance away. “No leaving the jack-o’-lantern.”
“I’ve got a pair of night vision binoculars for you.” Jake got up, slid in next to me, and snatched a fry before I could react. “There shouldn’t be any problem keeping the perp in sight until I can get there.”
“Okeydokey.”
Jake had a point. It would be silly to go running after a dangerous criminal. I would just wait in my pumpkin for the big strong man.
Stifling the giggle that bubbled up from that thought, Jake and I finished my dinner. As we ate, the conversation turned to my father’s new girlfriend and my mother, who was back in Texas hunting for husband number five or maybe six—I had trouble keeping track.
Jake didn’t like talking about his parents, and as usual when I brought up the subject of his folks, he tried to appease me with generalities. But determined that this time he wouldn’t evade the subject, I kept asking questions until Jake abruptly stood up.
Oops! I must have gone too far. I knew Jake’s parents had practiced benign neglect during his childhood. They had sent him to boarding and military schools, then to his great-uncle’s ranch during vacations. However, Jake was aware of all my family’s warts, and I wanted to know more about his early years.
“We’d better get going so we can get into position well before the perp arrives,” Jake said. “Do you want to use the restroom before we leave?”
“Probably a good idea.” I put my trash on the red plastic tray and slid out of the booth. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”
After finishing my business in the ladies’ room, I found Jake waiting by the passenger door of his pickup. He opened it, helped me inside, and drove to the dime store, where he parked his truck in one of the empty spaces in front of the window.
When we got out, Jake handed me the night vision binoculars and asked, “Do you have your pepper spray?”
I nodded, and we walked across the street to the town square. Early on in our relationship Jake had given me a pepper spray gun, which he had instructed me to keep with me at all times. And I had to admit, not too long ago, the bright blue revolver had come in handy.
Although it was close to eleven o’clock, there were still a few cars parked along the street and a smattering of folks on the sidewalks. However, most of the people were filing in to the movie theater’s Art Deco entrance. Recently, the theater’s owner had moved the five dollar bargain midnight movie up an hour in hopes of attracting the earlier-to-bed Gen Xers as well as the Millennial night owls.
Jake ignored the others and silently guided us into the town square. The dimness of the pole lights that lined the footpaths made it a challenge to navigate the cobblestone paths without tripping on the attractive, but not necessarily smooth, walkway.
Evidently, the lack of illumination wasn’t as much of a problem for Jake as it was for me, and I had to hustle to keep up with him. As I lengthened my stride, I fished inside my shoulder bag until I located my keys and the flashlight attached to the ring.
Switching it on, I aimed it at the path in front of me. Now that I wasn’t afraid of face-planting on the uneven stones, I hurried to Jake’s side.
I was just congratulating myself on my preparedness, when he turned and in a low voice ordered, “Douse the light. The perp might be watching.”
“Sorry.” I clicked off the tiny Maglite and tucked it in my pocket. Jake took my hand, and we continued to the center of the square.
Jake led me to the stone benches along the sidewalk leading to the bandstand and whispered, “Get your pepper spray out and stay behind these while I do recon.”
I sat cross-legged on the ground with my purse between my legs and dug out the pepper spray gun. It seemed like Jake was gone a long while, and I wiggled, trying to find a comfortable spot.
Did I dare turn on my phone to see the time? I reached for the cell, then, recalling Jake’s negative reaction to my flashlight, I decided against it. Why ask for trouble on my first stakeout?
“Are you asleep?” Jake whispered as he crouched down next to me.
Crap! I must have zoned out. I pasted an innocent expression on my face and said, “Of course not. Just trying to be quiet.”
“I didn’t see anyone else in the area, so let’s get you in your pumpkin before that changes.” Jake took my hand and helped me stand.
“Can’t wait,” I muttered.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Jake halted and peered into my eyes. “I won’t think any less of you if you’re scared and would rather wait in the truck.”
“I definitely want to do this and I’m not frightened.” I lifted my chin. “But you’ll have to take my word for it, because my Wonder Woman cape is at the dry cleaners.”
Jake chuckled, and we continued to the other side of the bandstand. As we rounded the corner, I was momentarily distracted by the elaborate Halloween decorations. The chamber of commerce had outdone themselves.
An enormous inflatable witch stirred a cauldron, and next to her a black cat bristled at a scarecrow. A vampire bent to pet a huge spider. And fake cobwebs were draped dramatically over tree limbs.
Jake pointed to the jack-o’-lantern he had selected for me, which was one of several among large bales of hay. The tops were all open, as if a giant had sliced off the lids in order to carve them. I wished he’d have cut a door leading inside of the darn thing instead. Biting my lip, I plotted my climb into the oversize pumpkin. Did I need a running start? Maybe I could use the hay bales like steps.
As I visualized my assent, I moved closer to my objective. It had to be four feet tall. Could I do some sort of chin-up on the edge?
Before I could decide the best approach, I felt hands on my waist, and as I achieved liftoff, Jake whispered, “In you go, sugar.”
I barely stopped a scream from escaping my throat, and even though I knew he couldn’t see me, I shot him a dirty look. He could have at least warned me before taking me airborne. And where was my pack of peanuts? Most flights included a snack.
As my feet touched the bottom of the jack-o’-lantern, I realized that Jake had lifted my considerable poundage as if I weighed no more than a sack of feed. That man’s muscles were nothing less than amazing.
I looked around my new home, jumping when Jake’s face appeared in one of the eyeholes, and he said, “Make sure you have your phone ready and on mute. Keep your pepper spray in your hand.” He stopped and stared hard at me. “Do not leave this pumpkin.”
“Got it,” I agreed, unsure I could get out of the thing without help anyway. “Phone, gun, stay put. Anything else I should know?”
Jake gave me a suspicious glance, then said, “Just one thing.” He beckoned me closer to the opening, and when I complied he leaned in and gave me a quick, but intense kiss. “Don’t make me regret involving the woman I love in something dangerous.”
All the air left my lungs, and I could only nod. Had Jake really just said he loved me? He’d told me he cared for me before, but he’d never used the L-word. Come to think of it, Noah had declared his love for me when we were teenagers, but I couldn’t remember him saying it since we’d been dating again.
Lions and Tigers and Murder, Oh My Page 17