by Gina Conroy
“I’d love to see you. Give me fifteen minutes, will you?”
“That’s perfect. I’ll see you shortly.”
Susan hurried through her shower and donned a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She dried her hair, raking her fingers through the brown curls and admiring her new red highlights. She should have had that done years ago. She quickly added lip gloss and went to the kitchen to make iced tea.
The doorbell chimed and she threw the door open. Peace washed over her at the sight of the tall, white-haired man who radiated dignity. “Uncle Ollie, I’m so happy to see you.”
“And you’re a sight for sore eyes. I should have stopped by sooner.” Then she was enfolded in his arms.
A few minutes later, they were seated in the living room with frosted glasses of iced tea.
Susan smiled at her old friend. “I miss Uncle Albert. I know you do, too.”
“More than you could possibly know,” he said. “Do you know how far we go back?”
“Law school?”
“Further than that. I moved to Falls Church when I was seventeen, going into my senior year of high school. As I was walking to school, a gang of three boys jumped me. They pummeled me good. But the worst part was that I couldn’t get my breath. I thought I was going to die right then and there.”
“What happened?”
He chuckled. “The next thing I knew the weight was gone and I could breathe. When I could finally sit up, the boys were scattering every which away.” He shook his head. “Albert had a bat in his hand and had threatened to knock their brains out if they didn’t leave me alone. He stood there laughing as they ran helter-skelter down the street. Then he turned and held out a hand. From that day on, we were best friends.”
Susan laughed. “Yes, I remember I always felt safe when Uncle Albert was around. I think he was a natural protector. So you went to high school together?”
“Oh no.” He smiled. “Albert and your father attended a very exclusive private school. My family couldn’t afford that. Not that we were poor, just not private-school wealthy.”
“What a great story. Please tell me more. I know so little of their childhood. Father wasn’t one to talk much about the past.”
“Of course, Howard was a couple of years younger. I do remember we used to make his life miserable.” He gave her a commiserating look. “Albert and Howard drew closer as they got older, but back then, Albert was the typical big brother.”
So much for the protector theory. That must have come later.
He managed to pull out a few more humorous stories, most from college days; then he sighed and gazed at Susan. “But the main reason I stopped by was to see if you’d take pity on me. Jan is out of town for two weeks, and I’m beginning to get very lonely without her. How about going to a concert and dinner with me next Friday night? We’ll go someplace fancy and I’ll tell you more stories.”
“You’ve talked me into it. I’d love to.” The girls would have to get along without her for movie night. They’d be so busy talking about their guys, they probably wouldn’t notice much anyway. “Speaking of dinner, how about if I make us some supper? It’s nearly six.”
“I’d love to, but I’m attending a benefit with some friends tonight.” He stood. “I’d better get home and get ready. It’s formal.”
Laughing at his exaggerated grimace, she walked him to the door. Uncle Ollie loved rubbing elbows with Washington’s political elite, just as Uncle Albert had.
After they said good-bye, she dead-bolted the door and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and settled in front of the TV, surfing channels until she came to a romantic comedy she hadn’t seen for a while.
Vince’s quirky grin popped into her mind and she smiled. He was one handsome guy, although usually he acted nervous around her. He hadn’t seemed quite as fidgety today. And unless she was imagining things, he’d even flirted a little. She wondered if it could go anywhere. She sighed. Probably not. According to Samantha, he’d pretty much kept women at arm’s length since the death of his wife.
How sad. To lose someone you loved that much. Well, there was no denying she was attracted to him, but not enough to try to compete with a woman who’d been gone for ten years.
Still, he’d seemed so concerned about her accident. As if he really cared. Susan chuckled. Just because he was sorry she’d fallen down the stairs didn’t mean he was romantically interested.
Maybe she should accept a date with Paul from church. He’d asked her enough times. But his smile didn’t make her stomach do flip-flops. And he’d never given her a wink that turned her knees to gelatin.
Chapter 5
Susan walked past the garage and stepped onto the porch of Mary’s cottage. As she lifted her hand to knock, a loud voice raged from inside.
“It’s not gonna kill you to loan me a couple of hundred bucks to get my car fixed.”
A thud sounded as though a solid object had hit the floor and Mary’s voice cried out. The door flew open and Tim shoved past, nearly knocking Susan off the porch. “Get outta my way, you nosy broad.”
Stunned and indignant, Susan stood, her heart pounding as Tim disappeared through the hedges.
“Mary, are you all right?” At the sound of sobs, Susan stepped through the open door.
Mary sat on the sofa, an empty metal box standing open in her hand, tears rolling down her cheeks. She bit her lip as she saw Susan. “He took my money. Broke the lock and took every cent. Nearly five hundred dollars I had in here.”
Susan sat next to the distraught woman and put an arm around her shoulders. “Do you want me to call the police?”
“No, I can’t do that. I know it would serve him right, but I just can’t.” She sighed and closed the box. “It’s not the money I care about. I have savings. But I never thought he’d do anything like this.”
Susan bit her lip. The man shouldn’t be allowed to get by with this, but that was Mary’s decision. It must be difficult to go against someone you loved, no matter what they did.
“Are you sure this doesn’t put you in a bind financially?” She peered at Mary. “I could call the lawyer and get you an advance.”
“No. Thank you, but I have plenty in my checking, and if I had to I could withdraw from savings.” She looked at Susan through watery eyes. “You have no idea what my salary is, do you?”
Susan blushed. Uncle Albert’s attorney took care of that and she hadn’t bothered to check into it. “No, honestly I don’t, but if Uncle Albert wasn’t paying you enough, we’ll certainly take care of that.”
Mary patted her eyes and smiled. “My salary is more than sufficient. Your uncle was a generous man.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She grinned. “I’d hate to think of back pay for the last twenty years.”
Mary smiled. “Was there something you needed, Miss Holland?”
Susan stood. “I need to start packing some things before the renovations begin and decide what to do with the furniture, but you don’t need to help. I’m sure you’re too upset for that.”
“No, I’m not. It’ll help get my mind off things.” Mary stood, leaving the metal box on the sofa cushion.
“If you’re sure. I can’t stay long. I have a concert and dinner engagement tonight. The lunch run lasted longer than usual today or I’d have been here sooner.” She’d been looking forward to her evening with Uncle Ollie all week. He’d hinted at someplace special for dinner.
“Did the packing boxes arrive?” she asked as they walked to the house.
“Yes, they got here yesterday.”
They went inside and Susan headed for the dining room. She glanced around.
“I suppose I need to call a storage company to come get the furniture. It can’t be left here during renovations.” Susan frowned. “But we’ll need to get the covers off. Whoever I call will have protective wrappings for the pieces.”
Most of the bedding and accessories in the house had been stored away or dispos
ed of when Uncle Albert moved out, leaving only the furniture with its massive covers.
“You could store them in the attic.” Mary said. “I just did some cleaning up there last month. I’d just need to dust a little.”
Surprised, Susan looked at her. “Is there room?”
Mary chuckled. “Miss, the attic is as huge as the rest of the house, only not divided into rooms. There were old broken pieces piled up there, but Mr. Albert told me to have them hauled off. Some boxes in the corners are all that’s left. Plenty of room for the furniture.”
“I don’t know, Mary. I don’t think I want to store these antiques in the attic. There could be mice.” Most of the pieces were worth a lot, not only in sentiment, but in money as well.
“Do you think they’ll be safe?”
“Yes, there are companies that handle mostly antique furniture. They’re more expensive, but also more trustworthy.” She thought for a minute. “Yes, I’m putting them in storage.”
“I guess they’d better be sturdy workers to get all these heavy pieces moved,” Mary said.
“I’m sure they’ll know what they’re doing. I’ll see if I can get them here next week. No sense in waiting.” She turned toward the door. “We’d better go to the third floor.”
As she stepped onto the second floor, she stared at the rip then moved on. After the incident with Tim, she thought again of the possibility of him being the one who’d pushed her. If he was capable of treating Mary the way he had, he probably wouldn’t think twice about shoving a stranger down the stairs. But for what purpose? That was what she couldn’t wrap her head around. There didn’t seem to be a point.
She led the way up the stairs and into the nursery. She tapped one foot as she glanced around. Uncle Albert had left the nursery untouched. She sighed. Maybe by leaving it this way, he’d been able to hang on to some illusion of Jo’s presence.
She turned to Mary. “Did Uncle Albert come here often after he moved?”
Mary nodded. “He didn’t at first. But after about three years, he showed up one day and came up here. After that, he’d drop by every now and then. I don’t think he ever got over that little girl’s death.”
How sad. Yet he’d never once, in all those years, mentioned Jo to Susan.
She took a deep breath. Well, it was time to put the old memories to rest. Her gaze went to the mountain of stuffed toys. She’d have all the toys cleaned and donate them to children’s organizations. Standing against the wall were three upright bears of varying sizes, each with a tin drum around its neck.
“These were my favorites.” She grinned and bent over to lift the smallest one. “JoJo called this one Tailend.” She sighed. “Wish I could keep him, but I guess I’d better pack him away with the rest.”
By the time they had everything packed neatly into boxes, it was after five o’clock. Tonya would probably be fidgeting, although Susan had told her she’d be late.
She stood in the doorway, looking at the room. Already, it appeared different. But that was the way things were. You couldn’t hang on to the past.
Before she left, she picked up the little drummer bear she hadn’t been able to pack. After all, it was hers to do with as she liked. It wouldn’t hurt to keep this small memento of the past, would it?
“Uncle Ollie, thanks so much. How did you know I love Josh Groban?” They stepped out onto the sidewalk and waited for the car to be brought around.
“Well now, let’s see. First clue, you’re a woman. Second clue, you’re a woman.” He grinned. “Actually, I called your shop and talked to Tonya. She was quite sure that talented young man would be a winner.”
“Well, I might have to give that girl a raise.” She scooted into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt.
He threw his head back and laughed. “You might at that.”
Susan leaned back and listened to Uncle Ollie’s humor as she enjoyed the night lights of the city. They pulled up in front of a swank hotel, which didn’t surprise her. Uncle Ollie always did things up big. She smiled at the doorman as they went through the ornate doors, then turned left toward the dining room. At a tug on her arm, she glanced up to see a mischievous smile on his face.
“No, no, not there.” He led her to the elevators where they rode to the top.
She caught her breath when they stepped out onto the elaborate open-air rooftop dining room where a smattering of diners sat. Apparently the chill in the air had deterred most people.
“Uncle Ollie!”
“I said I had a surprise for you. Well, this is it.” He led her to a small table near the corner of the rooftop. The table was set with fine china and sparkling crystal, and soft music played. Susan was accustomed to upscale restaurants, but this was over the top.
Uncle Ollie regaled her with more humorous stories about him and Uncle Albert while they dined on French cuisine from the bouillabaisse to a tarte tatin, the caramelized apple tart Susan loved so well.
After the table was cleared, they watched the stars and listened to the soothing light classical music.
“Mmm. This has been a perfect evening, Uncle Ollie.”
“I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed it, my dear. And so have I.”
Susan leaned forward to pat his hand. Something whizzed by her ear.
She gasped and stood, her eyes darting around in panic. “Uncle Ollie. Someone just shot at me!”
He jumped up and grabbed her to him. “What? Where? I don’t see anyone. Are you all right?”
“Yes. It missed me, but only because I leaned forward when I did.”
“But did you see someone shoot? Where are they?” He scanned the rooftop.
“No. I only felt it whiz by my ear and cheek.”
“Get your wrap. Let’s go.” He ushered her toward the door, signaling their waiter. “Get everyone off this roof and get the manager. Someone needs to call the police.”
“Sir, what is wrong?” The young waiter looked frantic.
“This young lady barely missed being hit by a bullet.” He scowled. “Don’t just stand there. Get the people off here.” He gripped Susan’s elbow, guiding her into the elevator that stood waiting.
“But sir, there is no one else. You were the last ones.” He scurried onto the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby.
As soon as they stopped, Uncle Ollie, his hand still gripping Susan’s arm, headed toward the desk. “I need to see the manager at once. And call the police. Someone fired a shot.”
A moment later the manager, with ashen face, appeared. “Mr. Oliver, I’m Jason Flack. I’ve called the authorities. Please come into my office until they arrive.”
They followed the man down a corridor and into the office. With relief, Susan dropped into the deep cushions of an overstuffed chair while the manager ordered coffee.
The door opened and Susan glanced up. She groaned as she saw the tall, sturdily built policeman. Officer Stanton. And by his side the young policeman who’d discovered the tear in the carpet. Or his clone.
Officer Stanton looked at Susan and stopped short. “Miss Holland, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She gave a short nod.
Uncle Ollie stepped forward. “Lionel Oliver. I hope you can get to the bottom of this affair, Officer. My young friend just missed being hit by a bullet.”
“Did anyone see the shooter?” He fired the question at Uncle Ollie, but his eyes were on Susan.
“No. He must have been on the roof of one of the surrounding buildings.”
“But you did see the bullet.” He stared from one to the other.
“No, neither of us saw anything. Miss Holland felt it as it passed her.” He stepped over and stood by Susan’s chair, his hand on her shoulder.
The officer glanced at Stewart. “You getting this all down, boy?”
“Yes, sir.” Stewart scribbled a few more lines on his notepad.
“Let’s go up so you can show me.” Officer Stanton motioned to the door and they all filed out.
Susan�
��s heart sped up as they stepped out onto the rooftop. The music still played and candles flickered, reflecting on the crystal and silver. But the scene didn’t appear so elegant to her now. Uncle Ollie stayed close to her side.
They showed the officers where they’d sat. Stewart checked the rooftop for a bullet, and when he returned, shaking his head, Susan told them once more exactly what she’d heard and felt.
“And from that, you assumed it was a bullet?” Sarcasm blended with impatience.
“What else could it be?” Susan snapped. Apparently, he’d already decided she was imagining things again.
“Oh, a bee maybe?”
“On a rooftop, in October?” She could be sarcastic, too.
Amusement filled Stanton’s eyes and he twisted his mouth as though hiding a smile. “But there’s no sign of a bullet.”
“Well, there wouldn’t be if it kept flying. It’s probably embedded in a building somewhere.”
“Well, Miss Holland, I’ll check out the waiters and the other guests who were up here. Maybe someone saw something. But if I were you, I’d forget about it. It could have been anything. I doubt anyone shot at you.”
Chapter 6
Susan stared across the table at Vince as he looked at the menu. His curls, black as midnight, invited her fingers. She quickly looked down at her own menu. She couldn’t deny the excitement that had been dancing around inside her since he’d called her that morning and invited her to dinner. This time he’d been straightforward in his invitation, rather than using business as an excuse.
The server brought their iced tea and took their food order.
Vince leaned back, his eyes crinkling as he flashed her a smile. “You look beautiful tonight.”
Susan felt the blush and bit her lip. She’d worn a new deep green dress that the girls insisted was her best color. “Thanks, Vince. You’re not looking too bad yourself.”
“Well, I try.” He took a drink of his tea then put the glass down. “How are things going at the house?”
“Everything’s packed up and thrown away, given away, or stored.”
“No more accidents?”