by Ritter Ames
“Mommy,” Suze cried. “Where were you? And why are we leaving?”
“Something has come up, honey. We need to all sleep in our own beds tonight.”
Meg got Mark up without a problem, and Ben seemed compliant until he was put in the backseat of the Camry.
“No, I want Sam to ride with us,” he cried, as his mom tucked a sheet around him.”
“Ben, we’ll all arrive home at the same time,” Meg coaxed. “You’ll have the whole seat for sleeping this way.”
“I want Sam to ride with us,” the small boy said in a very loud voice.
Sam wandered over to her mom, rubbing one eye as she said, “It’s okay. I’ll ride with you.”
“Thanks, honey,” Kate said. “I know you like your spot in the Jeep.”
“I just don’t want Ben to cry,” Sam said, reaching for the door handle. “I remember what it’s like to be little.”
Since there was just fifteen months difference in their ages, Kate couldn’t help but chuckle. When she looked over the roof of the Camry, she saw Meg grinning at her.
She mouthed the words, Gotta love ’em, and the redhead nodded.
The ride back seemed longer, but Kate credited that to being tired. When they arrived at their cul-de-sac, she looked back and saw both kids were sound asleep. She leaned closer to Meg and whispered, “Go ahead and pull up in your driveway. That way you can carry Ben in, and I can still manage Sam.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. She’ll probably wake up anyway, regardless.”
“I would like to see if I can get Ben into his own bed without any more drama. I think my son has a crush on your daughter.”
“He goes for older women, huh?”
“Apparently.” Meg turned into the Berman driveway, then grinned and said, “Think he has a chance with her?”
Kate chuckled. “He may have to fight Jamie Hendricks for her affection. But Suze will be thrilled if it means she won’t be competing with her sister anymore for Mr. Hendricks’s attention.”
“Ben’s so young to be involved in a love triangle. I guess my little guy’s maturing early.”
“We laugh,” Kate continued whispering. “But I dread what’s coming up for both of us too soon.”
“Don’t I know it.”
Meg hit the button on the garage door opener, then crawled out of the car and retrieved her sleeping son. As Kate had expected, Sam woke up when the dome light came on and kept her arm around her mom’s waist as they walked to their blue Victorian home in the curve of the cul-de-sac. Gil and Mark passed them on the way to their own home.
“Oh, here, Mommy,” Sam said as they stepped into the garage. She pressed something small into Kate’s hand.
“What is it?” Kate wiggled her fingers to get a grip on the item. It looked like a small piece of plastic. She needed to move closer to the light for better viewing.
“I don’t know what it is,” Sam said. “Ben found it and said he wanted me to have it because it’s pretty and sparkly, but I’m too tired to hold it any more.”
“I understand, sweetie.” They were in a brighter zone, and Kate could see the little trinket was a false fingernail decorated with a sparkly, glitter-based polish. It reminded her of the manicure Tina wore, Gus’s tiny pixie of a wife. But she had no idea if it was hers since Tina had displayed different polish on each nail. Kate hit the button to close the overhead garage door and followed Suze into the house.
Keith had already piggybacked Suze up to bed and was coming down the stairs as Kate and Sam headed up.
“Suze is tucked in, and I’ll go make sure all the doors are locked before I come to bed,” he said, as he kept traveling down. “We can unpack in the morning.”
Kate stopped and turned to ask, “Did you and Gil bring back any of the food?”
“No.” He shook his head. “We figured we’d leave the cold stuff until we went to pick up the tents. Then we decided we’d leave the non-cold stuff too.” He grinned up at her. “We figured you and Meg wouldn’t want to have to deal with that once we got home tonight. And Gil and I knew we weren’t going to unload before morning.”
“I love honesty in a husband.”
“Every time.”
Kate hadn’t realized how exhausted she was but never awoke when Keith came to bed.
.
The next morning she woke early, as usual, and couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong. She remembered Paul’s murder, but she felt uneasy for another reason. Then she realized she missed waking up with the cat running his diesel level purr while he lay across her chest.
She eased out of bed, so Keith didn’t awaken, then she slipped on her robe and headed downstairs to start the coffeemaker.
“I need coffee today,” she grumbled as she clutched the stair rail. “Really need coffee.”
Just as the glowing red light on the machine said caffeine deliverance was in sight, she heard a knock on the back door.
“I saw your light,” Meg said in greeting. Her red-rimmed eyes looked like she’d had no sleep at all.
“Meg, honey, you look terrible,” Kate said, shocked at the sight of her friend’s haggard face.
“Gee, thanks,” Meg said, running hands through her curls. “Gil and I talked after we got home last night, then I had trouble keeping my eyes closed. I think I actually heard the earth turn on its axis all night.”
Kate rubbed a hand up and down her arm. “I’m so sorry. Sit down at the table. Coffee is already made, and I’ll have toast done in a minute.”
“Toast sounds terrific. Coffee, not so much. I’m too wired.”
“I can make orange juice.”
“You are my lifesaver, Kate McKenzie.”
After Kate brought over a stack of buttered toast and the jam jar, along with coffee and juice, she asked, “Was Gil still annoyed about us going to Paul’s trailer, or did you guys talk about something else?”
“Security.” Meg shook her head, then held it with both hands.
“You mean because Paul called that mob guy from your house yesterday morning?”
“That, and the fact I was so stupid to give the Salleys my name and number,” Meg groaned.
“You mean because of the accident with Paul in the parking lot? You think they killed him?”
“Maybe.”
“But why would they come after you?”
“Maybe it was more than the accident. Remember how weird they acted when we were out hiking yesterday afternoon?” Meg asked. “How the things the Salleys said to us didn’t in any way match up with logic? They could have been a hit-couple, hired to take out Paul, even before the accident. And when we interrupted them when they were using their hike as a cover, they had to go back and finish the job later. Another whole possibility, right?”
Kate took a bite of toast and chewed a moment before replying. “Meg, please don’t take this the wrong way, but lack of sleep may be driving your imagination a bit far this morning.”
“Don’t patronize me. You have to admit that couple was strange.”
Remembering her own reservation, Kate said, “You’re right. I agree. There was something off about them. But that doesn’t mean I think they’re killers.”
“They could be, though.”
“Who are you trying to convince, Meg? Me or yourself?”
“I don’t know,” Meg grumbled, grabbing a triangle of toast and taking a big bite.
“So what did you and Gil decide after your discussion? Or did you start dreaming up the Salley suspicions after he went to sleep?”
“No, we talked about them, too.” Meg sighed. “He was of the same opinion you have.”
“Any plans?”
“Gil is calling Jefferson Meeks later today, to see if he has time to come by and put in a system like the one he did for your house when you were getting framed for Amelia’s murder.”
Jefferson Meeks was a former all-state tackle who had traded the pigskin for a leather portfolio full of specs on how to keep clie
nts safe.
“You couldn’t be in better hands,” Kate said.
“I know.” Meg sipped her juice. “I just want Gil to call him now instead of waiting for a reasonable hour. Knowing Jefferson, he’s probably up anyway.”
“Still, I’d follow your husband’s lead if I were you.”
Meg sighed. “After last night, I’m going to be walking a tightrope for the next few days.”
At that moment the kitchen landline rang.
“Who could that be at eight in the morning?” Kate rose to grab the cordless phone.
“Does Jane know you’re back?” Meg asked.
“I doubt it.” She looked at the Caller ID window. “Oh no. It’s Lieutenant Johnson.” She clicked to answer the line. “Hello, Lieutenant Johnson.”
“Good morning, Mrs. McKenzie,” the familiar voice twanged out the greeting. “I just spoke to Mr. Berman, and he said his wife is likely at your house since he hadn’t realized she was gone.”
Kate smiled in spite of herself. “Yes, she’s here. Do you want to talk to her privately, or would you like me to put the call on speaker?”
“Normally, I’d opt for privacy, but given it’s the two of you we may as well make it a party.”
Meg giggled and had to take another sip of juice to stop a round of hiccups before she could speak. “Good morning, Lieutenant.”
“Mrs. Berman.” They could hear pages rustle. “Care to tell me about your animosity toward Mr. Paul Gaines. I’m assuming this is no secret to Mrs. McKenzie.”
“Paul Gaines was an ass, Lieutenant,” Meg said, ignoring the hands Kate waved to try to get her to stop talking. “But there were a quite a few people who were much angrier at him than I was. If you need a list, just let me know.”
“A list might be quite handy, Mrs. Berman. A couple who were staying near the victim said you appeared angry enough at Gaines yesterday to kill him with your bare hands.”
“Are you talking about the Salleys? They’re ones to talk. Paul hit their car, and I offered to testify on their behalf if they had to sue him. Sheesh.”
“Yes, people are so ungrateful,” Johnson said.
Kate thought it was time to call a halt to this. Even if she wasn’t Meg’s lawyer, she was her strongest supporter. “Lieutenant, could Meg talk to you later. She had quite a scare last night and got absolutely no sleep. She would probably do a better job giving you information after she’s taken a long nap.”
“The dead body scared her, but not you, Mrs. McKenzie?”
Oh, heavens, Kate thought, now I’ve walked into it. Time to lay it on the line—at least partway.
“Yes, Lieutenant, seeing Paul shot affected me as well. However, the Bermans had the victim overnight as a guest the night before the murder, and Meg walked in on him speaking angrily to a mob enforcer who said he had a location on Paul from the phone call and would take him out. Since that phone call happened in Meg’s home, even leaving the cabin didn’t make her feel completely safe last night.”
“Good point. I apologize for any conclusions I may have jumped to without enough reflection on additional facts. Obviously, Mrs. Berman is tired, since she has yet to sneak in a question about where I’m from originally.” Meg started to speak, but the lieutenant raised his voice louder to talk over her and asked, “But while I have your attention, Mrs. McKenzie, what did you think about Paul Gaines?”
Kate chewed her lower lip a moment, thinking. “I honestly just met him the night he stayed at the Bermans, and he drove away the next morning directly ahead of us, so I didn’t have that much contact with him. However, he seemed...he seemed to thrive on controversy and attention, Lieutenant, and he didn’t seem to realize when it might be in his best interests to keep quiet. Some of the stories he told were...rather hair-raising. And I understand he has several ex-wives who are no longer his fans.”
Just then, Gil rapped a quick knock on the back door, and stuck his head in, asking in a stage whisper, “Is the lieutenant still on the phone?”
Kate nodded, put a finger to her lips and used her free hand to motion him to come inside
“Thank you,” Lieutenant Johnson continued. “That tallies well with what information I gained from one of his editors.” The sound of shuffled papers came over the line again, then the lieutenant added, “I suppose that’s enough for the moment. I’ll likely want to talk to each of you later. At least at this point, I know which numbers are the best ones to use to reach the two of you. Goodbye.”
They each said goodbye, and Kate clicked the button to cut the call.
“I swear someday that man is going to put both of you in jail just so he doesn’t have to see you at the next murder scene,” Gil groused. He was wearing the same jeans and t-shirt from yesterday, and it didn’t look like he’d even used a hand to smooth down his hair that morning.
“Gil, I’m betting you need a cup of coffee,” Kate said.
“No truer words were ever spoken.”
When he was seated and holding a full cup of coffee, he said, “After the lieutenant’s call woke me up, I called to see if I could catch Jefferson. He didn’t like the sound of the story I told him, and said he’d come by and start installing a temporary system while his family is at church this morning.”
“Are we going to church this morning, too, Mommy?” Suze stood in the doorway wearing Hello Kitty PJs and a pink princess robe.
“Oh, honey, I know we should, but I’m beyond exhausted this morning. No way I’d be able to get ready in time.”
“Can I go with grandma and grandpa?”
Kate looked at the clock and saw it was eight-seventeen. “You can call and see if they’re still home. Then you’ll have to hurry if you want to make Sunday School. But you can definitely make it to church service.”
“What about Sunday School?” Sam asked, materializing behind her sister and wearing a t-shirt Keith got at some sporting event but found was too small for him.
“Suze, call your grandparents, then explain what’s going on to your sister,” Kate instructed. “Both of you have to hurry, and you may need to take a quick shower—but don’t get your hair wet. I’ll make you each some toast in case you need to eat in the car.”
“Okay, Mommy. Come on, Sam,” Suze said, pulling her sister toward the stairs with one hand while she speed-dialed the phone with the other.
Meg finished the last of her toast, then she turned and asked Gil, “So are you going to help Jefferson install the cameras?”
“I’d likely be more of a hindrance than a help,” he replied. He drained his coffee cup, then said, “Once Jefferson arrives, I thought I’d see if I could convince Keith to drive back to the cabin with me, and bring the tents home. That way I can also stop by the police station and turn over Paul’s phone that you forgot to give to them last night.”
Meg dropped her face into her hands. “I forgot,” she mumbled through her fingers.
“Like I said.”
“It’s locked anyway,” Meg added. “Unless they can get some sort of passcode it’s useless.”
“I think it’s best if we let them make that determination,” Gil said. He turned to Kate. “Mind if I wake up your husband?”
“The girls will accomplish that without even being asked,” she replied.
“The girls will accomplish what?” Keith’s groggy morning voice filtered in from the hall.
When he entered the kitchen in pajama pants and an old gray t-shirt, Kate said, “They’ll make enough noise cleaning up and dressing that they would get you out of bed.”
“They told me they’re going to church,” he said, his brown eyes wide. “Where is that energy coming from? It’s like they have nonstop reserves.”
“I don’t know, but Gil’s over here asking if you’ll sign up for tent deconstruction duty today.”
Keith looked at Kate, then looked at Gil, then looked back at Kate. “Are you comfortable being here alone today?”
“Jefferson Meeks will be next door while you guys are go
ne,” Kate replied.
He blew out a long breath, then shrugged. “Yeah, sure, then I can nap all afternoon. I’ll go and get dressed, but we have to unload at least part of the stuff in the back of the Jeep to be able to carry tents home.”
The back door opened once more, and this time Ben and Mark walked in.
“We’re hungry, and there’s no milk,” Mark said.
“I was going to buy some when we came home Monday morning,” Meg said. “That’s why I had the two of you drink what was in the refrigerator for breakfast yesterday morning before we left.”
“Yeah, we each got two glasses of chocolate milk,” Ben said, his grin reaching both ears.
Kate reopened the loaf of bread and started filling the toaster. “Milk and juice are in the refrigerator, boys, and I’m making toast for Sam and Suze. Would you each like a couple of pieces?”
Meg reached across the table and twirled the jam jar. “You can have raspberry jam.”
“Yes!” Both boys responded in tandem, then Mark reached into the cabinet for each of them a glass, and they moved to the refrigerator.
“Mark, help your brother if what he wants is too heavy for him to lift,” Meg warned. “Kate’s already feeding you. I don’t want to see her kitchen messed up.”
“Got it, Mom,” Mark said, using a bored tone.
Kate looked at Meg and almost laughed when she saw her tired friend just shrug at her son’s response.
Keith returned then, also dressed in the same jeans and t-shirt he’d worn the previous day, and told Gil, “We could probably fit all the tent stuff in the backseat of the Jeep and unload the whole thing later.”
“Are you going to take the tents down?” Mark asked. He looked at his father. “I want to go too.”
“I want to go help,” Ben echoed.
Looking at Keith, Gil shrugged, then turned to the boys and said, “That means you have to help unload the back of the Jeep first, so we have room for the tents.”
“It’s just as well,” Kate added. “You wouldn’t have had room in the backseat for the tents and all the food too. Don’t forget to grab everything out of the refrigerator.”