Paloma cleared her throat and used her cane to push back the door wider. “Come inside. No need to hash this out where everyone can get an earful.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’re too surprised at the news. Or maybe it’s because you don’t approve of me being here at all. Have I got it wrong?”
“It’s complicated. Don’t think it’s because of you. It isn’t. I knew Michael was fooling around back then and told him to knock it off. I had no idea it was with Genevieve. My God, she couldn’t have been more than sixteen.”
“Seventeen. But make no mistake, Genevieve knew exactly what she was doing. She wanted him to leave his wife, leave his children, and if that wasn’t bad enough, leave town with her. She felt your son was her ticket out of town. She intended to get an abortion, but Michael died before she could get the money out of him. That’s her story. Then it became too late.”
Paloma’s eyes narrowed. “She actually told you that?”
Gemma nodded.
“What a cruel woman she must be. You poor thing. Are you all right?”
“Honestly I wasn’t sure how you’d take the news. But the truth is I gained a paternal grandmother at a time when I needed one the most. How lucky is that? I’m feeling pretty damn fortunate right about now. I hope you feel the same way.”
Paloma reached her arms out in response. Gemma moved into her embrace, resting her head on the woman’s shoulders.
“We’re both winners in this news,” Paloma stated. “I couldn’t be happier. If you’d asked me that years ago when Michael was alive, the answer would’ve been quite different. Michael was my son, but he was far from perfect. I suspected he was cheating on Katie because she came to me bawling her eyes out. Katie knew Michael was fooling around with someone. I took Michael aside, confronted him myself. At first, he lied about it. But I knew my boy well enough to know he wasn’t being truthful. I kept at him until he finally admitted it. I told him I didn’t need details but he should break it off immediately, if for no other reason than for my grandchildren’s sakes. He left this house that day promising me he would. But he never told me a thing about who was involved. He certainly didn’t tell me the other party was pregnant. I swear it.”
“I believe you. But jeez, it means from the get-go I was a product of a scandalous affair and so many secrets.”
“Through no fault of your own. You shouldn’t be held responsible for the sins of your parents.”
“Thanks for that. If you prefer to keep this between the two of us, we don’t have to share it with anyone else outside this room. Although Lando knows because he was there when Genevieve barged in.”
“Despite what I said earlier at the door, I’m too old to care about what anyone thinks of me. Michael on the other hand, I might try to protect, as a mother, that’s what you do. Usually. But Michael’s been gone for almost thirty years now. I don’t see the point anymore.”
Gemma put her hand over Paloma’s. “We’ll take things slow. You are my favorite customer and my most vocal critic. I hope that won’t change.”
“My dear, I’m a cranky old woman, set in my ways. I’d be surprised if you or anyone else for that matter wanted to spend more than an hour with me at a time.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’d love nothing better than to hang around you and pick your brain. There’s so much to learn about Michael, his heritage, yours, and where that information takes me. Knowing my heritage goes back to yours is huge.”
“You’re more than that. You’re a direct descendant of the town’s founders. When I first saw you standing there on the porch, I thought maybe you’d come to tell me about what happened yesterday at the shop. I hear someone tried to kill you.”
“I’d be a fool not to realize how serious that is. Since I’ve been back, things have definitely been weird. Now I just have to find out why.”
Back at the house, Lando had breakfast ready. She smelled bacon as soon as she walked into the living room. Rufus greeted her and she stopped to ruffle the dog’s fur on the way to the kitchen.
“I tried to make sure breakfast would be hot when you got back,” Lando called out from the stove as he scrambled a pan full of eggs. “How did it go?”
She went to where he stood and put her arms around his waist, hugging him for comfort as if her life depended on it. She pressed a kiss to his mouth.
His arms went around her back. “I take it Paloma was receptive?”
“She was. I expected no less. She was taken aback, of course, but she wasn’t surprised. Apparently she’d known Michael was cheating on his wife long before he missed that curve in the road. Did you know he died on the old logging highway? That spot on Lone Coyote where it takes a sharp almost ninety-degree turn? He went over the guardrail and down into a ravine. That’s where they found the car.”
“I didn’t know that. Did it catch on fire? Had he been drinking?”
“No fire. But he’d probably been sampling from the bottle of vodka they found in the front seat. But back then they didn’t do blood tests like they do now. What’s odd is that he’d been coming from his job on the reservation back to his house in town, but his car was found on the other side of the road, pointing in the opposite direction back toward the Rez.”
“Maybe he forgot something at work that day and shot a U to go back and get it, lost control of the car, skidded, and went into the ditch.”
“I guess we’ll never know. Unless you still have the accident report. It’s just an odd fact Paloma brought up. I thought it was weird.”
“Fortitude is playing tonight at the Duck & Rum. I want you to go up on stage with me again.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“Come on, singing used to be a great outlet for you. Remember that trip you took to Oakland with the choir in junior year? You loved the experience getting to hear so many different types of music. What happened to that?”
“I don’t know. When you’re sixteen the world looks a lot more promising than when you’re older and have failed at so many things.”
“So what if you failed at what your mother wanted you to do. What do you want to do, Gemma? What does life hold for Gemma Channing down the road here in Coyote Wells?”
“Happiness. I want more happiness in my everyday life. That includes having you in it.”
“Not going anywhere, Gemma.” He linked his fingers with hers. “Except to the pub tonight. I want to hear you sing again.”
“I keep wondering why. I haven’t even rehearsed. I’ll make a fool of myself again. I’ll embarrass your band.”
“You don’t need to rehearse. Every song out of our set you know the lyrics to by heart. Every member of Fortitude has their other jobs during the week. We don’t have a lot of time to practice so we use songs we all know like the back of our hand, songs that go back to ninth grade. You’ve been singing these same lyrics since you were in high school.”
She let out a sigh. “Then sure. It sounds like fun. Just promise me you won’t get mad when I mess up.”
27
Saturday night another boisterous crowd showed up at the Duck & Rum to hear Fortitude. There was a little magic about a place where a live band played old cover songs that let people relive their youth, giving them a venue to dance away the night and forget their troubles.
It reminded Gemma of that Bruce Springsteen song, Glory Days. If only for a brief slice of time you could remember the way things had been, you could throw back shots of rum or tequila and drift back in your mind to a younger, better self.
Gemma was surprised to see Luke and Lianne already sitting at a table with Leia and Zeb, trying very hard to give the impression they were not on dates.
“What are you guys doing here?” And out in public Gemma wanted to add.
Leia bobbed her head in Zeb’s direction. “Believe it or not, he suggested it.”
“I decided life’s too short to play games,” Zeb muttered. “I’m tired of sneaking around like a teenager when I’m a grown man entitl
ed to do what I want. And then when we got here we found Luke and Lianne.”
Lianne lifted a shoulder toward Luke. “He called and asked if I needed cheering up. I said I did.”
Luke grinned. “Turns out, she loves listening to live music. I thought this could be the perfect place for her to unwind.”
A few minutes before going on stage, Lando handed Gemma a playlist. Perusing the titles, she felt more comfortable knowing these tunes were right out of her songbook from high school. Familiar lyrics by Alanis Morrisette, Jewel, and a couple by Kelly Clarkson got her blood pumping while others didn’t. “I’m not doing Britney Spears.”
“No problem. Dale suggested those. I told him you wouldn’t go for it, but he thinks he’s a mix engineer and loves trying out new keyboard riffs.”
“Then let Dale do them.”
“I told him you’d say that.”
The lights dimmed and she heard Adam introduce Fortitude.
Gemma was in the middle of Sheryl Crow’s The First Cut is the Deepest when she looked out in the crowd and spotted Mallory. Her nemesis courted a man with a slightly familiar face and brown hair. As she stared longer at the guy, his facial features, his haircut, his height, everything about him clicked into focus.
Gemma watched as the couple moved around the dance floor, locked in a slow, rhythmic embrace and barely moving to the song.
They were mere feet from the stage when Gemma caught sight of the man’s cowboy boots. Her eyes were so lasered in on those sharkskin boots with their distinctive pattern, that she flubbed the lyrics.
In less than a beat, Lando stepped to the mic, taking over for her in such a fluid way, the audience seemed to think it was part of the act.
Gemma was too shaken to be embarrassed. But as Lando hit the last notes of the song, an idea formed. Rebounding quickly, she decided the only way to keep the man in sight was to keep the couple on the dance floor. Leaning into the microphone, she went into what she knew was a surefire Mallory tune that wasn’t on the playlist. Her rendition of Faith Hill’s Breathe was an acapella version and just the right song to keep Mallory swaying in the arms of the mystery man.
Lando eyed her funny but knew something was up when she signaled Bosco to jump in with his snappy guitar riff. And after Bosco picked up the chorus, Gemma whispered in Lando’s ear, “Keep an eye on Mallory’s date. That’s the man I saw putting Collette in the ground. I need to think up more songs that’ll keep them hanging around within sight.”
Lando, the singer, suddenly became Lando, the cop, forgetting about melodies and vocals and focusing in on the person of interest. “Forget the playlist. Go with your gut since you know her better than I do. The guys and I will try to keep up.”
From that moment on, Lando kept tabs on the two whatever they did. During a quick break, he even asked Adam Greendeer to do the same and to jot down a name if the guy used a credit card.
By the time the set ended Lando had discovered boot guy’s name was Rance McIntire who liked to flash his gold American Express card around and wasn’t shy about letting everyone see him doing it.
Gemma squeezed in next to Leia at the table and picked up a vibe. “What’s wrong with you guys? Didn’t you enjoy the music?”
“It isn’t that,” Leia explained. “Zeb’s hungry.”
“You guys were great. But…one of the reasons I stopped coming to Greendeer’s place is because his food tastes like it was nuked three days ago,” Zeb groused as he picked up a rubbery chicken finger to prove his point and waved it around. “Real food isn’t supposed to bounce,” he finished as the questionable piece of food did indeed seem to bounce on the plate.
Leia put her hand on his arm. “He’s used to my cooking. Let’s go back to the restaurant and I’ll fix everyone omelets. How does that sound?”
“Now you’re talking,” Zeb said as he got to his feet. “Hard to believe six people came to the same place in three cars. Leia and I will go on ahead, you guys follow.”
“That’s fine but I have to wait for Lando to finish up.”
Luke turned to look at his brother having a serious discussion with Greendeer at the bar. “Something tells me that isn’t about the band headlining next week.”
Gemma shook her head. “You guys go on. This could take a while. We’ll catch up.”
Lianne stood up and came around to where Gemma sat. “You were wonderful tonight. I had no idea you could sing like that.”
“Practice long enough in front of a mirror, holding a hair brush, and lip-syncing to Adele and Pink and you too could make it to the big time,” Gemma cracked.
“You joke, but you really do have a set of pipes on you.”
Gemma turned serious. “Thanks. I do enjoy it up there, especially being a part of something. And I could listen to Lando play and sing all night, so there’s that.”
“Well, I had fun tonight,” Lianne admitted. “Part of the reason is this guy,” she said, tugging on Luke’s arm. “The doctor has a sense of humor. And the songs you chose helped pick up my mood. So thanks for getting me out of the doldrums.”
“Glad it helped. You guys get out of here now and we’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
After they left, Gemma sat there watching Lando---part singer, part guitar player in a band, but mostly cop---who was now hard at work trying to get more information out of the bar owner about the first suspect he’d had in months. Much like he’d done the day before, patiently trying to pull out any little detail from her brain about the man who’d attacked her at the shop, she realized Lando was doing the same thing with Adam. The consummate professional seemed to be making headway.
She was beginning to get it. Lando was a serious enough guy, no doubt about that. Seven days a week he absorbed himself in his duties as chief of police. This small gig was truly the only time he got to amuse himself with something he’d once longed to do---play guitar.
She saw him heading her way and smiled. “I owe you an apology.”
“You do?”
“You had to practically shove me up on stage. Until tonight, I didn’t really appreciate it, but I had fun, more than the last time. I loved singing the songs you guys picked out for me. But maybe next time, if you still want me doing vocals, you guys will let me pick out a few on my own.”
Lando kissed the top of her head. “Input is always appreciated. Glad you enjoyed yourself.”
“Hey, Lianne said we helped her forget her troubles. What more do we need to know than that? As far as I’m concerned, it’s the ultimate compliment.” She looped an arm through his. “What did you get out of Adam?”
“I got a name and an address to go with it. Rance McIntire. It seems American Express is more than willing to help out law enforcement if you explain that murder’s involved. They said they’d have all the information I requested ready for me by the time I faxed them a warrant, which I intend to get before morning.”
“That’s great. But I hate it that he walked out of here with Mallory. What if she’s next?”
“Like you said, McIntire didn’t do this on his own. Now we need to find the other guy who helped him. If I’m unable to ID him, I’ll have to get a John Doe warrant.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said? This McIntire guy left with Mallory. What if she’s next?”
“What do you want me to do, go over to her house, knock on the door and ask her politely if she knows she’s with a killer?”
“I take it that would tip your hand and he’d run?”
“This is my first real break in months. I’m not going anywhere near Mallory’s house to give away the fact that I’m on to him. But you could call her just to make sure she’s okay.”
“Mallory and I aren’t exactly close. How about if I talk Adam into doing it? Maybe he could invent a reason, like she left something behind.”
“Okay, go ask, but make it quick.”
While he helped Jimmy and Dale load up their gear, the two cops wanted to know what was going on.
Once he’d ex
plained the situation, the less experienced patrolmen seemed blown away by the turn of events.
“If you need any help, I don’t mind pulling a shift until morning,” Jimmy volunteered.
“I want to do the background checks myself,” Lando explained. “But what you and Dale could do is keep an eye on Mallory for me…from a distance. Make sure she stays safe.”
Dale, who’d only been on the force for six months, eagerly agreed. “A surveillance? Sure. Absolutely.”
“Just make sure you aren’t spotted. That’s key,” Lando cautioned. “And if anything does go down, make sure you call me before making a move.”
Gemma came out in time to see Jimmy and Dale take off. “Adam made the call but Mallory was her usual bitchy self. She told him to mind his own business, which means she’s fine.”
“No need to worry about her. I sent Jimmy and Dale over to her place to keep an eye on her while I work on the warrant. Something tells me this is more complicated that what meets the eye.”
“How so? You think someone paid these guys to murder three women? Because if you do that’s what Zeb mentioned.”
“Yeah, well, I need to run this guy through the system and see who he pals around with. I’ll drop you off and…”
“I forgot. Everyone else went over to Captain Jack’s for omelets. Leia’s treat.”
“I suppose I could get mine to go.”
“Take time for a meal and then we’ll get to work.” When he started to protest, she put a finger to his lips. “Don’t spoil this for me. I want to help you catch these guys. Don’t shut me out.”
When they reached the restaurant parking lot, it was deserted except for two other vehicles, Zeb’s personal pickup, a 1968 Chevy, he’d restored himself, and Luke’s Wagoneer.
Inside the eatery was lit up like a Christmas tree.
Luke and Lianne were deep in conversation at one of the tables while Zeb watched Leia at the grill, whipping up eggs.
“You guys made it just in time. What do you want in your omelet? Veggies, cheese, what type of meat?”
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