Designer Detective (A Fiona Marlowe Mystery)

by Thelen, Marjorie

  “Maybe Cody will follow,” said Opal, “and we can have a talk with him. Maybe he wants to drive back to Oregon with us.”

  “I hope not,” I said and shot across three lanes of traffic to get into the right hand exit lane. As fortune would have it, the light on the overpass road was green. We screeched around the corner to the left, but hit the red light at the end of the overpass.

  “Impressive driving,” said Jake, cool and calm.

  My hands were slipping on the steering wheel, and I was sure my deodorant had failed me. “Lucky I didn’t attract a traffic cop.”

  I studied the mirrors as the traffic moved forward again.

  “Is Cody behind us?” asked Opal.

  “I can’t tell,” I said.

  A Shell convenience store loomed on the horizon, and I changed lanes to the right.

  “When we pull into the station,” said Jake, “I want you to hustle Opal inside. I’ll fill up. If you see Cody pull up and talk to me, or do anything weird, don’t come out. If he doesn’t find us, come out when you see I’m finished filling.”

  “Right.” I didn’t question his logic, pulled into the lot and up in front of the first available self serve pump. Jake jumped out and started filling.

  “Come, Opal, let’s use the rest room.”

  I opened the rear door and helped her out, all the while searching cars for Cody’s smiling face. Opal had trouble getting up from a sitting position, so I reached in and gave her a hand.

  “I’m sorry it takes me so long to get out of a car. I’m not as agile as I used to be.”

  I tucked her hand under my arm and tried to hurry her into the convenience store. A cold wind blew drops of rain by us. I shivered and drew my jacket tighter around my neck. I wish I had brought a heavier coat. Needless to say, I hadn’t checked the weather forecast. It felt like snow even though it was early in the season.

  Inside the store the overhead lights gleamed garishly. Two people stood at the check out to pay. I saw the restroom sign and hurried in that direction. “Do you need to go?” I asked Opal.

  “Yes, I’d like to.”

  “I’ll wait outside the door.”

  She entered and locked the door while I waited, shivering with nerves and cold. The hall where I stood led to a back entrance, and the door blew open. I hurried to close it because the rain was now coming down in buckets. As I reached for the door banging in the wind, Cody stuck his head into the opening.

  “We need to talk,” he said and then inconveniently collapsed onto the pavement.

  Chapter 10

  “Good Lord, Cody, get up. Can’t you see it’s raining?” I said, bending over. “How did you get here?”

  He groaned in response.

  I stepped in front of the door to keep it from banging and knelt over him, the door thumping against me. I didn’t want to move him because I didn’t know what was wrong. I saw no blood. I looked down the hall for anyone who might help. No knight in shining armor appeared.

  Cody gasped and went limp.

  I had to find help. I couldn’t lift him on my own. I hurried inside. Opal stepped out of the rest room in front of me. I didn’t want her to see Cody.

  “My goodness,” she said, “You’re all wet. Is it raining?”

  “Sure is,” I said, hooking my arm through hers and pulling her to the front of the store. “I’ve got to find Jake. I’m going to help you into the car, okay?”

  She smiled her pleasant little smile and trotted along beside me. Standing inside the store I looked out, trying to locate Jake.

  The car was gone. It wasn’t at the pump where I had parked it. My eyes scanned the lot. No sign of the car or Jake. I shivered, unable to control the shakes.

  “My goodness, you’re taking a chill, Fiona. Where’s the car?”

  “I can’t see it, can you?”

  “No. Where could Jake have gone?”

  “Opal, stay right here. I’ll check in the back.”

  I rushed to the back entrance where I had left Cody. He hadn’t moved, not that I thought he would. Jake was bent over him.

  “What happened? Where’s Cody’s car?” he asked.

  “Gone, I guess. I came to shut the door and there he was. Where’s my car?”

  “Over there,” Jake said, pointing. “When you didn’t come out I pulled to the side out of the lights and saw you go back inside. I came over to investigate.”

  “We need to get him to the hospital. I’m not sure he’s even breathing.”

  “He’s breathing. If he goes to the hospital, the police and everyone else will be involved.”

  “We just can’t leave him here.”

  “The driver must have dumped him. But why?” Jake looked around like he was searching for clues.

  The rain drummed on the pavement, and I was shaking worse than ever. “What do you think happened to him?”

  Jake leaned close to Cody’s mouth and sniffed. “I think he’s been drinking and passed out. I’ll bring the car over and load him in. Where’s Opal?”

  “Inside waiting. I’ll get her.”

  I rushed back inside convinced the convenience store clerk must think I was a real loon. I smiled and he nodded. He didn’t look suspicious, like this sort of running back and forth happened all the time in his store. Opal was buying a handful of chocolate bars. There was some logical thinking.

  I steered Opal to the back entrance. Jake was hefting Cody into the back seat. I helped Opal in the other side. When she settled she gave a little exclamatory “oh” when she realized that Cody was her seatmate. His head lolled against the back seat. He was groaning again.

  “Oh, dear,” said Opal, “don’t tell me, he’s been drinking. He never could hold his liquor.” She shook her head, lips pressed tight.

  I left him to Opal’s care, got in the front passenger seat and turned on the heat full blast. I was soaked, and my teeth were chattering. “What do we do now?”

  Jake looked me over. “You need dry clothes and your passport. We’ll go to your place.”

  “Isn’t it strange that guy dumped Cody off?” I said, as we barreled east toward the Arlington.

  “Fits in with the rest of the family,” Jake said.

  We were in fast traffic, the usual Washington crowd going somewhere important.

  Jake said, “The way his eyes were rolling around in his head, I think he might have mixed a few drugs with the alcohol.”

  “Or someone did it for him.”

  “Here’s my read. Cody got sucked into this but is trying to get out. Someone took pity on him, why I don’t know, and dumped him out. He must be desperate for help given how hard he tried to stop us.”

  “His behavior confounds me. I wonder how he got caught in this. Could the rifles be a legitimate business?”

  Jake shrugged. “Maybe, but why all the secrecy and the guns stored in the basement?”

  “And why did Opal lock you in the wine cellar?”

  “She’s on drugs, too. Cody’s drugging her to keep her from seeing what is going on in the house.”

  “That’s as good an explanation as any.”

  Traffic slowed at the beltway. Jake maneuvered the car from lane to lane to get to the I-66 spur that goes into the heart of Arlington. The rain continued, blowing sideways in the high crime lights that lined the slick, black highway.

  “At least we don’t have anyone on our tail anymore,” I said.

  I held my numb fingers against the dash heater vents. My clothing stuck to me. I felt like I was submerged in a bowl of cold, wet noodles. I turned to see how Opal and Cody were doing. Opal was trying to pat Cody dry with her scarf.

  “How’s Cody?”

  “He’s got it bad this time. I’ve never seen him in such a stupor. Usually, he’s a funny drunk and passes out. But he seems to be in a coma.”

  “We’re going to my place. We’ll get him into some dry clothes and into bed. Maybe something hot to drink will help.”

  When we pulled into my parking space
in the garage I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “How are we going to get Cody upstairs?” I asked.

  “Where’s the elevator?”

  I nodded toward the elevator bank in the middle of the garage.

  Jake backed the car out of the space and pulled alongside the elevator. “Help me get him out, we sit him by the elevator, I park the car, we ride up together.”

  Cody was dead weight. When we got to my floor, we dragged him from the elevator along the hall to my door. I unlocked the door, and all three of us pushed and pulled him down the hall to the guest room.

  Jake said, “I’ll get him undressed and into bed. See if you can make some hot coffee.”

  Opal followed me to the kitchen. “You get out of those wet clothes. I’ll make the coffee.”

  I flashed a thank you smile, pointed to the coffee maker and opened the cupboard where I stored the coffee. She nodded and went to work. I stumbled down the hall, pulling off clothes as I went. A hot shower later, I put on my warmest lavender sweat suit and heavy red wool socks and made my way along the hall to the guest room.

  Cody lay in bed with the blankets pulled to his chin. I heard Jake and Opal talking in the kitchen. I sat on the side of the bed. “Cody, can you hear me?” I said.

  He snored softly away, oblivious to his plight and ours.

  Jake entered with a mug of steaming coffee.

  “Cody is in Neverland,” I said.

  “Yup. I’ll sit this watch. You get something hot. You feel better? You look great. Do you ever look bad?”

  I laughed. “Never.” He should see me first thing in the morning without makeup. No, he shouldn’t.

  In the kitchen Opal sat at the tiny ice cream parlor table with two mugs of coffee.

  “Thanks, Opal. Just what I need.”

  “You look better. You feel okay?”

  It was nice to have people interested in one’s welfare.

  “I’ll live. What time is it?” I looked up at the rooster clock. Almost midnight. “I can’t believe the time. I guess I missed my flight to Australia.”

  “Were you really going?”

  I nodded, sipping my coffee. “But I couldn’t find my passport. That reminds me.”

  I jumped up and rummaged around in the freezer for the plastic bag I kept my legal papers in. It was behind a stack of frozen chicken potpie boxes.

  “Here it is,” I said, waving my passport in the air. “I’m on my way to Australia.”

  She smiled wearily. “Can we postpone our trip to Oregon until tomorrow? I’m a bit tired.”

  “Of course. There’s a comfy day bed in my studio. You can stretch out there for tonight. I’ll get you some towels and a night gown.”

  “That would be perfect.”

  “Jake can have the couch in the living room, though I think he’ll keep vigil beside Cody.”

  “Cody will sleep it off. I wish he wouldn’t binge drink like he does. I’m afraid it runs in the family. His father was the same way.”

  “His father was your brother?”

  “Yes, all the youngest in my family were boys. They were all drinkers, and they’re all gone. Cody’s father was killed in a car accident when Cody was a boy. He spent more time on my ranch growing up than with his mother. She fell apart when my brother died. Never took very good care of Cody. As a boy he was always in trouble. I’m afraid trouble has followed him into manhood.”

  “He’s gotten himself into a real pickle.”

  “I don’t understand who those men were that he has been having over to the house.”

  “You remember them?”

  She frowned. “Not exactly. I haven’t been well these last few days. Things seem a bit fuzzy.”

  “Opal, do you remember locking Jake in the wine cellar?”

  “Me?”

  “That’s what Jake said. Why would you do that?”

  She blinked her eyes in double time. “Why, Fiona, I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “Do you remember telling me you and Hudson were getting married?”

  She giggled. “Now you are teasing me. Why would I say anything like that? I’m too old for him.” She finished her coffee, and I could read tired in her eyes.

  “C’mon, I’ll get you fixed up in the studio. You’re worn out. Tomorrow we’ll decide where we go from here.”

  After I got Opal tucked in, I checked on Jake and Cody. Jake was stretched out on the king size bed with the snoring Cody. His eyes fluttered open as I approached.

  He rubbed his eyes and coughed. “What time is it?”

  “After midnight.”

  He looked at Cody. “Who knows when wonder boy will wake up? Is there any more coffee?”

  “Sure. Are you holding vigil here tonight?”

  “Someone should stay with him.”

  “Why don’t you stretch out on the couch? I’ll lie down beside him for awhile.”

  “You talked me into it. I’m beat. I can’t keep living like this.”

  He rose stiffly from the bed and followed me into the living room.

  “Still want that coffee?”

  “You bet.”

  I poured another cup, heated mine, carried the mugs to the couch and made myself comfortable.

  “I guess we won’t make Australia tonight,” he said.

  “No.”

  “Did you find your passport?”

  “In the freezer where I put it, just like Olympia said.”

  We sat in silence. The rain beat against the window. The night kept vigil with us. The slow tick tock of an antique kitchen clock I had picked up at a yard sale kept time with our thoughts. The events of the day receded. I was cozy and warm and snuggly.

  “Do you mind if I put my feet across your lap?” I said

  He looked at me and smiled. “Not at all. Want your feet rubbed?”

  “I kill for foot rubs.”

  He slipped off my socks. His big, firm hands kneaded my feet in a soft, smooth motion.

  “Where’d you learn to give a massage like that?”

  “Horses,” he said and grinned.

  “Horses like their hooves rubbed?”

  “No. Some like their legs stroked. I’ve done a lot of stroking in my life.”

  “I bet it wasn’t all horses.”

  “Not all.” He smiled and smoothed my aching feet into submission. “Pretty toes,” he said.

  “Pedicures. My one weakness.”

  He smiled.

  “Don’t you have any weaknesses?” I asked.

  “Sure. Lots.”

  “Like what?”

  “I used to smoke. I like alcohol a lot. It’s controlled me some of my life, not so much now.”

  “Gambling?”

  “Not a gambling man. Never was much of a speculator. You?”

  “No, I’m addiction free.” I laughed and so did he.

  “I don’t think so. You seem like a woman of big appetites.”

  I shook my head and laughed. “Not really. I like investing money.”

  “Not me. Don’t really much care about the things it buys. Cowboys don’t make much. I don’t spend much. I have some savings in a bank back home. That’s it.”

  “Are you still driving to Oregon?”

  He nodded. “Opal needs to go home. The lawyer can handle all the estate business. She needs to get back to where she belongs.”

  “What’s it like on her ranch?”

  He leaned back against the couch.

  “Prettiest country you’d ever want to see. You can see forever. Big, big sky. Blue a lot of the time. After a night rain you can smell the sage in the morning air.”

  “Aren’t there rattlesnakes and creepy things like that?”

  “Sometimes, but they keep to themselves mostly.”

  He put my wooly red socks back on. I sighed in contentment and closed my eyes.

  “Tired?” he asked.

  “More like frazzled. I’m not cut out for this.”

  He laughed. “Me neither. Tha
t’s why I want to go back. If Cody wakes up in decent shape, I’m turning him loose, tell him he better get his act straight, and get on back to the ranch as soon as he can.”

  I laid my head against the couch and drifted in and out of a doze. The next thing I knew, he was taking the mug from my hand.

  “C’mon cowgirl, time for bed.”

  He took my hand and tugged me along the hall.

  “I’ll sleep with Cody,” I said. “You take the couch.”

  “I’ll not argue with you.”

  He tucked me in beside Cody who snored on. I was beginning to think he’d never wake up. Jake turned off the table lamp and left the room. I heard him in the bathroom and that’s the last I heard.

  When I awoke it was light outside. I lifted my head. Cody was staring at me.

  “Fiona?” My name came out in a croak.

  I smiled across the pillow at him. “You were great, Cody.”

  “Oh, no.” He put a hand on his forehead. “Did we . . . . “

  I was being wicked, I know. “No, we didn’t. How do you feel?”

  “Lousy. Is there any orange juice?”

  “Yes. But first tell me, do you remember anything of last night?”

  He coughed and moaned. “God, my head feels horrible. I remember being with the guys, then one of them said he’d drive me home, since I guess I was in pretty bad shape. I can’t remember much past that. Where am I?”

  He gazed around the room.

  “At my place.”

  “Fiona, I’m sorry if I behaved badly. I’m sorry I can’t remember anything. Did I . . . did I take advantage of you?”

  “No, you were too drunk to do anything. Have any drugs to go with the drinks?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut. “Maybe, I can’t remember. Sorry.”

  I threw back the covers and emerged with my honor and sweat suit intact.

  “What are you doing?” he said, elbowing himself up. “Fiona, I’m terribly sorry about this.”

  “Are you sorry you held a gun on us the other night?”

  He groaned and laid back down on the pillow. “God, I’m a mess. Someday I’m going to grow up.”

  I stood over him. His lips were caked dry and he had one puffy eye. “Where’d you get the shiner?”

  “What?”

  “Your eye is puffy.”