Deadly Neighbors (A River Valley Mystery)

by Cynthia Hickey

  A twinge of guilt pricked my conscience. Call me the queen of jumping to conclusions, and I’d practically persecuted Duane just for being the bearer of bad news. “She tried getting a cat when we went to the shelter to get Cleo. How’s Cleo taking to the animal now?”

  Mom gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “They act like old friends.” A car rolled in front of the house. “Bruce didn’t waste any time.”

  “He wouldn’t. Fancies himself too important.” I steeled myself to do battle. He wouldn’t be taking my little girl anywhere based on circumstantial evidence. Not while I had breath left in my body. I rose to meet him.

  “Marsha.” He at least had the common courtesy to remove his hat.

  “Bruce.”

  “Guess you know why I’m here.”

  “Not really.” I crossed my arms. Lord, give me strength and guard my tongue. “Grasping at straws?”

  “You don’t know about the money missing from church?” He frowned.

  “I heard about it.”

  “Then you also heard the thief carried a backpack matching your daughter’s.”

  “And any number of other teenage girls. Doesn’t mean a thing.”

  “It means Lindsey’s our number one suspect.” He sighed. “I need to speak with her, please.”

  “I’ll get her.” Mom rose and marched into the house. But not before giving Bruce her famous ‘Mom’ look.

  I continued to glare until Mom, Lindsey, and Billy joined us on the porch. From the surprised look on his face, Bruce obviously thought we’d invite him inside. That would also be over my dead body. Never in my thirty-four years had I felt this type of animosity toward another human being. The fact it radiated toward an officer of the law bothered me. They were sworn to serve and protect. Instead, I felt Bruce was here to issue a warrant upon an innocent child.

  “Good. You’re both here.” He pinched the bill of his hat. “I need to know where y’all were after church today.”

  Lindsay glanced at Billy. “We went to get Grandma a wedding gift.”

  “That cat’s my wedding present?” Mom shook her head and placed a hand at her throat.

  “Don’t you like it? We walked all the way out of town. The ad in the paper said loving cat free to a good home. Mom got a dog; we thought you’d enjoy a kitten.”

  “That thing is not a kitten.” Lindsey’s face fell, and Mom wrapped her arms around her. “He’s just unexpected is all. I’m sure I’ll grow to love the beast.”

  “His name is Goliath.”

  “Of course it is.” Mom raised her eyebrows then turned to Bruce. “There you have it. They were getting me a cat.”

  “Any witnesses?”

  “Look, Bruce.” I took a step toward him. “Get to the point. Are you going to arrest Lindsey or not? Because if you aren’t, then leave.”

  He moved back. “Are you threatening an officer of the law?”

  “No. I’m telling a guy I’ve known since grade school to skedaddle.”

  “You’re stepping over the line, Marsha.”

  “Then arrest me.”

  “Don’t tempt me!” Bruce slammed his hat on his head and marched back to his squad car. He stopped, one hand on the handle. “Don’t try and skip town. I’ll have more questions when you women settle down. And I want to know where you got that cat and who else was there.”

  Three generations of Calloway women, and one lonely boy, stared as he backed from our driveway. Remorse flickered through me at my actions, but not enough for me to want to apologize. What was going on in this town, and why did someone have it out for my kid? It became more important that I got to the bottom of the thefts.

  Duane arrived as Bruce left. My breath left me in a shuddering rush. What could I say to him after the gut punch I’d delivered? I glanced at Mom. “Can you take the kids inside, please?”

  She nodded and ushered them through the door. “Come on, you two. I’ll make popcorn.”

  Lindsey sent a worried look over her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mom. We really didn’t mean anything by getting the cat.”

  “I know you didn’t. It isn’t about Goliath.” I forced a smile to my trembling lips before turning back to Duane. Why did this man keep coming back for more torment? I wasn’t the easiest person to be around, especially when one of my family members was threatened.

  He stopped before climbing the steps, putting us at eye level. “I didn’t suspect Lindsey. I only wanted you to prepare yourself for what others are saying.” He gripped my hands. “If you want me to go, just say so. But I won’t be back again, Marsha. I can’t go through another fifteen years thinking about you, and not being able to see you or hold you. A knife in the gut would hurt less than your words. I know I hurt you terribly, but that was a long time ago. Please, stop punishing me for a stupid young man’s mistake.”

  Tears ran down my cheeks, and I threw myself in his arms. “I’m sorry. Really. I don’t want to break up. Sometimes the words fly from my mouth without a filter.” I buried my face in the crook of his shoulder. He smelled like heaven. “Forgive me?”

  Duane scooped me in his arms. “Always.” He carried me back to the swing and sat, keeping me on his lap. Nothing could hurt me while his arms were wrapped so tight around me. “Are all the Calloway women as prickly as you?”

  “Yep.”

  His chuckle vibrated against my cheek. “You should come with a warning label.”

  “I don’t deserve you.” I sniffed. “But I am eternally grateful to God for putting you back in my life. Now, if you can help me. . . ”

  “Tell me what you want me to do.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “Good morning!” Mom’s loud, cheery welcome resonated inside my head.

  I lifted my blurry eyes from my mug of coffee. Sleep the night before had been a distant friend. At a loss as to how to clear my daughter’s name, I’d tossed and turned before falling into a fitful sleep where I dreamed of visiting Lindsey in jail. Most likely brought on, in part, by my visit to Karen Anderson earlier yesterday. Duane’s offer of help had gone untaken. How could I ask him to do something, when I didn’t know what needed to be done? “Morning.”

  Goliath jumped on the table and rubbed his big orange body against my head. Trying to push him away was like shoving against the rock of Gibraltar.

  “Isn’t he the cutest thing? Slept by my side all night. Sounded like a freight train, but it was a happy sound.”

  So, now my mother liked him? She bustled around the kitchen, humming and chattering until I wanted to plug my ears. I’ve never been a morning person. Why start now?

  “Someone needs to warn Duane about your morning attitude.” Mom slipped two slices of bread into the toaster.

  “Why?” I sipped my warm drink.

  “He might change his mind about marrying you.”

  That woke me up. “Who said we were getting married?” Did she know something I didn’t?

  “Anyone can see it’s only a matter of time. All anyone has to do is see how the boy looks at you.” She poured a cup of java.

  “We just got back together less than two weeks ago.” Sheesh. I rose long enough to grab my bag of M&M’s. Was I ready to get married again? Lindsey was fifteen. Mom would tie the knot soon. Yeah, I was ready. Years of being alone loomed ahead of me. Much better to spend them with eye-candy like Duane.

  “We could have a double wedding.” Mom sat across from me.

  “Enough talk about me getting married.” I tossed a handful of candy-covered chocolate therapy in my mouth. I was sure to do something to run Duane off before long anyway.

  “Hey.” Lindsey shuffled in the room and grabbed a slice of toast from my mother’s plate. Mom frowned and got up to make more. “I’ve been thinking.”

  “Dangerous.” I downed the rest of my caffeine. “About what?”

  “I think I’m being framed.” Lindsey grabbed the other slice from Mom’s plate. “I know, and you know, that I didn’t steal anything. Besides, if I had taken all
the cash that’s disappearing, wouldn’t I have something new? Like a car or something? We’re talking a lot of dough by now.”

  “You’re making sense. Go on.” Mom brought over several slices of toast and set the plate in the middle of the table. “What do we do?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. All my suspects are being stolen from. I’m at square one.”

  Mom took a bite of breakfast and stared at the ceiling. “To my way of thinking, someone stole from themself to take the attention off. Like an episode on Murder She Wrote.”

  “Is that show still on?” I shoved my bag of candy out of arm’s reach before I made myself sick.

  “Reruns. Not important.” Mom waved her hand. “We need to do some stakeouts, and spy on everyone on your list.”

  Kyle was dead, and I no longer suspected Billy, so that left Melvin, Marilyn, and Stephanie. But who would take who? What if I was wrong and it wasn’t any of them? We’d be wasting our time and end up looking foolish. “What about work?”

  “I’ll put a sign on the window. It won’t hurt to close for one day.” Mom’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Who do I get?”

  “You and Leroy take Melvin, Lindsey and Billy can follow Marilyn, and I’ll tail Stephanie.”

  Mom clapped her hands. “Let’s go! We’ll meet at the diner at eleven.”

  I made a quick call to Duane. “I’m tailing Stephanie today.” I balanced the cell phone between my ear and shoulder and slid behind the wheel of my car.

  His sigh vibrated over the air waves. “I wish you’d wait until I got off work.”

  “I’ll be careful. She won’t even know I’m there. Mom is spying on Melvin and Lindsey is following Marilyn. We’ve got it covered.” Besides, I had my gun and my Tazer. Of course, I hadn’t learned how to shoot the cute little pistol yet, but I had plenty of time.

  Mom roared out of the driveway behind me on her way to pick up Leroy, and Lindsey sped-walked down the road. I grinned. The Calloway women; out to save the world.

  Stephanie pulled out of her driveway as I drew near. I continued on a few feet then did a U-turn in the middle of the road behind a pickup truck. A thrill of excitement coursed through me. If I could keep another automobile between me and my prey, I’d continue undetected. Detective work and I were made for each other. I waved as Mom and Leroy passed in the opposite direction. Mom gave me a thumbs-up and waved toward Stephanie’s Tahoe.

  First we stopped at the dry-cleaners, then I waited with all the patience of a toddler at Christmas while Stephanie ran into the grocery store, then we stopped in front of her husband’s pharmacy. All above board it seemed. I was right earlier. What a waste of time. Couldn’t she do something other than everyday mundane?

  Two Labradors dragged Marilyn down the sidewalk. Why did the woman wear heels to walk dogs? I shook my head then smiled as Lindsey and Billy followed her, hand-in-hand. Casual enough. Marilyn wouldn’t suspect a thing.

  Good grief. The woman’s been in there for five minutes. I cranked the radio station I listened to up another notch and proceeded to sing along.

  A sharp rap on the window pulled me from people watching and off-key harmonizing. I shrieked and turned to stare wide-eyed into the stern face of Stephanie Jackson.

  “Why are you following me?” She arched a brow.

  I rolled down the window. “Excuse me?”

  “You are following me. Why?” One tear managed to trickle down her cheek. How did she manage that? “Haven’t I had enough heartache in the last twenty-four hours?”

  “I, uh, wanted to talk to you.” My face heated.

  “You could’ve called.” She crossed her arms. “Ask.”

  “It’s about the women’s ministry money.”

  Stephanie sighed. “I really don’t want to relive that, Marsha. It was horrifying. Two terrifying people threatened me with a weapon. They could’ve killed me. Besides, with your daughter as the main suspect, I don’t think I should be discussing it with you. Have a good evening.” She spun on her stiletto heels and tapped her way back to her vehicle.

  Wonderful. I’d accomplished absolutely nothing but waste a morning that could have been spent unpacking the last of my boxes or making money at the store.

  Wanda’s Cafe loomed ahead. It wouldn’t hurt to show up early. Maybe I could enjoy a soda in peace and process the lack of information I’d covered. I parked the Prius in the shade of the massive cow and cut the ignition. Grabbing my purse, I headed inside, noting the new window installed after Lindsey drove through the old one. Thank God for insurance.

  Mom, Leroy, Lindsey, and Billy already sat in a booth. So far, nothing had gone as planned. Why did I bother? I plopped my purse on the table and pulled up a chair.

  “I got nothing.” I slouched. “Stephanie caught me, played the martyr act, and refused to say a word.”

  “Don’t feel bad, dear.” Mom patted my hand. “Melvin didn’t leave his house all morning.”

  “And all Marilyn did was walk a dog, then try to walk two big hyper ones, then headed to the shelter.” Lindsey slurped a milk shake. “If Billy hadn’t been with me, I would’ve died of boredom. This being accused of a crime is ruining my summer vacation.”

  “Look on the bright side.” Leroy took Mom’s hand in his. “I spent a couple of hours with the most beautiful woman this side of the Rio Grande.”

  “Oh, stop.” Mom’s cheeks darkened.

  I rolled my eyes. If Duane wouldn’t have had to work, I could’ve boasted almost the same thing, except he probably wouldn’t have let me go sleuthing. “What a waste of time.”

  “I see your attitude hasn’t improved.” Mom wiggled her eyebrows at me. “Leroy took the liberty of ordering all of us cheeseburgers. You’ll feel better once your blood sugar is up.”

  Bruce strolled into the diner, gave us a stern look, then took a seat at the bar. I gave an impish wave and grinned when he turned away. He couldn’t say anything against us having lunch, could he? His constant stares toward our table made me perspire. My hand shook as I reached for my drink.

  A young waitress brought us our burgers and knocked my purse to the floor. My gun skid across the floor.

  Lindsey’s eyes widened. “Mom, why are you carrying a gun?”

  “Shhh.” I dove to the floor, almost kissing the shiny tips of Bruce’s boots, and scooped up my scattered items as fast as I could.

  “Hand it over, Marsha.”

  Drat. My pretty toy. “Hand over what?”

  “The gun.”

  I handed it to him and got to my feet.

  “Do you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon?” Bruce tucked it into his waistband.

  “Do I need one?” I glanced over my shoulder at my family. “Everyone around here carries a gun. They usually keep them in their truck gun racks, but . . . oh! Not concealed.”

  “Yes, oh.” Bruce sighed. “Look. I’m off duty and don’t want anything more to do with the Calloways for a lifetime of Sundays. I’m confiscating this until you obtain a permit. Got it?”

  “Got it.” Off by the hair of my chinny chin chin.

  Leroy laughed. “Life with you three won’t be boring. I’ll look forward each day to a new adventure.”

  I rested my head in my hands and wanted to cry.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  With the smidgeon of dignity left to me, I clutched my purse and stumbled from the diner. Good grief. I’d never shot the gun, so why the remorse over it being gone? And crawling around on the floor, ugh. I clamped my lips together. Mortification. That was it. I needed M&Ms, and I needed them now. The nearest convenience store beckoned.

  One elderly man in a John Deere hat filled a rust-pocked truck at the gas pump, two teenagers slurped sodas in front of the store, and a red Mustang convertible sat in front of the large store window. Good, in and out, and I’d soon be relaxing at home with a forty-two ounce soda and a bag of therapy. I had a moment of car envy at the sight of the convertible, then patted the wheel of my Prius.

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nbsp; “Sorry, old girl. I’m perfectly happy with you.” My phone rang before I’d gotten out of the car so I settled back into the seat. Caller ID showed Duane. “Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself. How’d sleuthing go?”

  “She caught me. Mom and Lindsey didn’t do any better.”

  “I have to admit I’m glad. I worried about you all morning.”

  Wasn’t he sweet? “And Bruce took my gun away.”

  “What? Who were you aiming on shooting?”

  I sighed. “My purse fell off the table, and he confiscated it because I was carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.”

  “Oh. I should’ve known about that. You could’ve gone to jail. Where are you now?”

  “The Corner Store. Why don’t you come over for dinner around five?”

  “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”

  “Really?” I smiled. “How about I love you?”

  He chuckled. “Even better.”

  My heart warmed, and the stress of the day melted away. I wanted to listen to his soft drawl for the rest of my life. Regardless of my actions toward my mother’s hinting of marriage. I wouldn’t even have to change my name. “See you later.”

  I hung up, tossed my phone on the seat, and exited the car. Birds sang from a nearby oak tree, and the sun blasted my shoulders with its Southern intensity. The only thing making the day bearable was a soft breeze that kissed my skin on its way past. I dug in my purse for a hair tie and lifted the mess of curls off my neck. Previous experience proved I looked like a curly-haired Pebbles, but having the weight lifted definitely felt better. With a sigh of relief, I pushed open the double glass doors and stepped into air-conditioned heaven smelling of sweets and roasting hot dogs.

  An auburn headed girl in black athletic gear chatted with the young man behind the counter. It wasn’t hard for me to guess she most likely drove the Mustang. Her shrill giggle echoed in the almost empty building.