by Linda Wiken
She asked Alison the same thing once she was inside. Alison peered around the drapes in her living room.
“That’s the idiot from down the street, Darrell Crumb. He’s one step away from being charged as a stalker.”
“You mean he’s done this before? Does he just sit there? Is he watching your house? Has he ever threatened you?”
“Yes, yes, yes, and not really.” Alison sighed. “It started just after we moved here but we confronted him and then he backed off. Until now.”
“It sounds almost like he didn’t know James and you had separated but he did know that James was dead. Do you think your aunt has seen him?”
“I’m certain she hasn’t or she would have mentioned it. And, I don’t want her to see him. I’m going to do something about him.”
“Is that wise? What if he’s a crazed madman?”
“I am a cop. I know how to defend myself.”
“Well, you’re not facing him alone.” J.J. pulled her smartphone out of her purse and tagged along behind Alison, clicking it to Record as they approached the open passenger window.
“Hey, Darrell,” Alison began. “Can you tell me what you’re doing parked out in front of my house again?”
He turned his head slowly and looked first at Alison, then at J.J., a smirk on his face. In fact, it was the type of smirk that made J.J. want to slap it off his face. Mentally, at least.
His green eyes had to be the best feature. His messy brown hair badly needed cutting but maybe it was a good look for his pockmarked face. He looked beefy but solid and probably tall, too.
“Maybe I just prefer to park here and leave the front of my house available for visitors.” He chuckled and J.J. realized that he was enjoying himself. She wished she had some bear spray or even hair spray to apply to that look.
“Hm. I guess you’re expecting a lot of company but you might miss them if you’re over here,” Alison countered. “Or, you might have another reason.” She crossed her arms on the window frame and leaned forward into his space. “What might that be?”
J.J. leaned in closer, too, holding her smartphone as high and as close to the pickup as she dared.
Crumb turned in his seat to face them then shrank back. “Aw, Alison. You know I really like you and what with all that’s happened, I’m really worried about you. I’d be happy to move into your house and keep guard.”
“What?” Alison exploded. J.J. could almost see the steam coming out of her ears.
J.J. looked quickly at the guy to see if he was kidding. He had to be kidding.
“I have my rifle.” He looked down at the seat beside him, and Alison stepped back. “And who knows, you’d probably start liking me right back. And then, you know, we could have some fun.”
J.J. put her hand on Alison’s arm. This wacko didn’t need to be prodded. She felt they should just ignore him and go back inside. But his next words stopped her cold.
“We don’t want any more dead bodies in your driveway, do we?”
J.J. glanced at her phone, ready to hit 911.
Alison took a deep breath and answered in a steady voice. “That’s probably not the smartest thing to be saying, Darrell. In fact, as a police officer, I could take that to be a threat but I’m willing to overlook it, for now. And in return, I want you to start up your truck and drive to your place and don’t come back here. Got it?”
J.J. admired the tone of Alison’s voice. Her own legs felt like jelly. She watched a display of emotions cross Crumb’s face. He finally landed on the original smirk as he started the engine.
“You know where to find me if you need me. And, I know you’ll be needing me, one way or another.”
Alison hung on to J.J.’s hand tightly as Crumb drove slowly down the street. She finally exhaled when he turned into his driveway.
“Full creep factor,” J.J. said softly.
“Totally. Let’s get back inside.”
After Alison double-checked that all the doors and windows were locked, she asked J.J. to replay what she’d recorded.
“Where’s your aunt?”
“She’s gone shopping. My cousin Alex drove over last night and has taken her on an errand run for now. He’s heading back home after supper.”
“Good. I’d think you don’t want her to hear this or know anything about Mr. Creepy. So, what’s his story?” J.J. asked. “Is he a nut ball or is he a forlorn boyfriend?”
“A bit of both, probably. He’s been asking me out since I moved in here. He seemed to know when James was away working. No, correction, he’d spied on us and knew the routine. I thought seeing me in a uniform would throw him but it didn’t. He doesn’t like rejection, though. His comments have been getting lewd and angry.”
“Did James know about this?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I didn’t tell him but Darrell did. He came by one evening after having one too many beers, spoiling for a fight. Up until then they had just exchanged glares outside. But that night they came to blows. I threatened to arrest Darrell then and there but James talked me out of it. That seemed to make Darrell even more angry rather than grateful. Anyway, I told Darrell if it happened again, he’d be in jail.”
“Do you think James wanted to avoid scrutiny? That his double life might come out?”
“You’re probably right but at the time I just thought he was being the nice guy I knew and loved.”
“Did you tell Hastings about him?”
“I did and I know they investigated Darrell but I don’t know what came of it. Hashtag didn’t tell me.”
“I think Lieutenant Hastings has to hear this tape.”
Alison shook her head. “He won’t be working the weekend but I will tell him on Monday.”
“Good.”
“Thanks, J.J. And, thanks for coming out with me. Now, what brought you here in the first place?”
It took J.J. a couple of seconds to switch gears. Oh yeah. Jessica. Where to begin?
“Maybe we could have some coffee or tea?”
“Sure. It’s that bad, is it?”
J.J. laughed. “Not at all. But it’s already been a long day and I’m suddenly thirsty.”
They sat with their mugs of tea at the kitchen table while J.J. outlined her visit to Jessica. She noticed that Alison’s initial tensing of her shoulders was replaced by a more relaxed look as J.J. described their talk.
“So, you don’t think she’s the killer?”
J.J. shook her head. “No, I don’t. She seems truly bewildered by it all. Sort of like you. And she sure didn’t display any vitriol toward you. Of course, I may be reading her all wrong but I thought she really loved him and was totally blindsided by this.”
“Hm. I guess I can believe that. But she still has one of the best motives.”
“But how did she find out? And how did she track you down?”
“Maybe the first was by accident. The second may have been some good investigative skills.”
J.J. debated telling Alison how Jessica and James had met. Maybe the hockey would be too close to Alison’s own story. Besides, she reasoned that if Alison wanted to know, she’d ask.
They finished their tea in silence. J.J. picked up the mugs and put them in the sink then turned around quickly.
“What about Darrell Crumb? Do you think he’s capable of murder?”
Alison shuddered. “I’m really not sure. I’ve been thinking of him as a harmless creep but he did emphasize the dead body, didn’t he?”
“He did and I don’t think we should wait until Monday to talk to Hastings. You should be able to track him down. Won’t they give you his home number or something?”
“You’re right. Leave it to me.”
CHAPTER 16
Fifteen minutes later, Lieutenant Hastings walked through Alison’s door. J.J. had opted to stay even though she knew she was cutting it close to her dinner with Ness. This was important, after all. She wondered if he’d worked on perfecting the Columbo look, which—she had to admit—looked more
in place on the weekend. He didn’t look very happy when he spotted her seated on the couch in the living room.
“I see you’re keeping at it, Ms. Tanner.”
“I’m here as a witness, Lieutenant. I was visiting my friend at the time of the incident.”
“Incident. Huh.” He declined the offer of coffee and waited until Alison sat next to J.J. before choosing a tube chair across from them. “Okay, what’s happened? And this better not be the result of either of you investigating the murder.” He let his gaze fall on each of them for a considerable number of seconds then he pulled a small notebook from his pocket.
Alison cleared her throat before launching into the story. When she’d finished recounting their encounter with Crumb, she sat back and looked over at J.J.
“That’s exactly what happened,” she said. “I thought he was really creepy. I mean, who mentions a dead body in your driveway when he knows it was your husband? That seems to be a message, to me.”
“Of course it does,” Hastings said, no hint of what he was thinking in his face or voice. That irritated J.J. although she knew that’s what he did. And she did enjoy his British accent. She could listen to it all day but she wished what he was saying would be more useful.
“Here, listen to this.” J.J. replayed what she’d recorded. Hastings looked more interested.
“In fact, the night before the body was found”—she glanced at Alison before going on—“he drove past, honking his horn when we were out in the driveway.”
“Probably being friendly.”
“Oh, come on. Do you really think that?”
He shook his head and leaned forward, forearms resting on his knees. “I may regret asking, but tell me, what do you think it meant?”
J.J. once again looked at Alison, who sat quietly in place, looking fascinated. Okay.
“I think this guy wants to date Alison and she’s not falling for it so he’s starting to get mean.”
“And that’s why he killed James Bailey?”
She heard the incredulity in Hastings’s voice. “Who knows, he might have had a confrontation with James at some point and that, plus wanting Alison, pushed him to commit murder.”
Hastings leaned even farther forward. “Well, tell me this: if he wants Alison so badly, why would he frame her?”
“Because she’s rejected him. On many occasions.” J.J. couldn’t help feeling a bit smug. It all made sense. The police hadn’t yet found some criminal out for revenge, although they thought that was an excellent motive. Well, this was just another form of revenge. Surely, he could see that.
Hastings exhaled noisily and closed his notebook. “I’ll have a talk with the guy but you really are stretching things.”
Alison sat forward abruptly. “You might think so but I’m the one who’s had to put up with him and he really creeps me out. I’d also think you’d be quite anxious to explore anyone with a possible link to the murder.”
J.J. heard the steel in her voice and saw the determined glint in her eyes. The challenge was there. She looked at Hastings and saw the same determination. Maybe now they were getting somewhere.
Pam arrived back less than ten minutes after Hastings had left. She smiled at J.J. as she introduced her son.
“This is my eldest son, Alexander. He was so good to drive over today to take me out to lunch and shopping. Always so thoughtful. Alison is like a little sister to him. He’d do anything for her.” She patted his arm.
He looked totally embarrassed as he stuck out his hand “Call me Alex. You must be J.J. I’ve heard all about you from my mom.”
J.J. inwardly cringed, wondering what adjectives might have been used although his smile seemed genuinely pleased. In fact, a little too pleased. She’s not trying another match, is she? “It’s nice to meet you.”
Alison grabbed J.J.’s arm and dragged her toward the kitchen. “We’ll put more coffee on. Supper won’t be for a while.”
“Sure. Coffee would be good. I’ll just finish bringing in the groceries,” Alex answered.
Pam followed the girls into the kitchen. “I brought some fresh chocolate croissants at the bakery. As soon as Alex brings them in, I’ll put them out.” She pulled a side plate out of the cupboard.
Alison took it from her. “I can do all this. You’ve been shopping. You must be tired. And you haven’t even taken off your coat. Just go sit down and rest while we get this all ready.”
Pam’s smile was grateful. After she’d left the kitchen, Alison told J.J. in a low voice, “Better watch it with Alex. He’s quite the womanizer.”
“Feast or famine.”
“What?”
“I was just thinking out loud.” Devine, Brad, Henry, and now Alex. “I’ll get the mugs.”
By the time they brought the coffee and plate of chocolate pastries into the living room, Pam had settled into the small beige leather recliner, her feet ensconced in warm-looking slippers, a contented smile on her face. Her son is really the apple of her eye, J.J. thought as she handed Pam a mug.
Alex’s hand brushed against J.J.’s as he chose a mug from the tray. His look indicated it had been deliberate. Oh boy. He was good-looking, in a swarthy Johnny Depp thirtyish sort of way. His dark hair was long enough to flop across his forehead but it was trim around the ears. His brown eyes matched the color of his pullover sweater and he had to bend slightly to shake her hand. But she really wasn’t interested. Maybe he wasn’t, either, and this was just his way with new women that he met. She knew lots of men like that. She glanced at Alison, who was chewing on her bottom lip, trying hard not to laugh, or so it seemed.
Before J.J. had a chance to ask Alex what he did for a living, Pam started talking. “My Alex is a veterinarian, you know. I might have told you that already. He was only five years old when we emigrated from England. Of course, I was carrying Henry, my second son, who was born five months later. And then he was followed by Jack three years later. Alison is the only girl in the family and the boys all look after her and were ready to fight any young hooligan who was out of line at high school. They still want to protect her and have a tough time understanding why she wants to be a police officer.”
Alison squirmed in her seat, looking totally embarrassed. Alex laughed and chided his mom.
“You’re making our girl uncomfortable in front of her good-looking friend, Mum.” He turned to J.J. “Now that you know our family history, tell me something about yourself.”
J.J. could see Alison doing an eye roll. Peripheral vision was grand. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. “Well, I’m an event planner, but more importantly, I’m part of the same dinner club as Alison. That’s how we met. We call ourselves the Culinary Capers.”
Alex leaned forward, interested. “That sounds like fun. You must meet my brother Henry. He’s got all of Mum’s cooking genes.”
“I’ll bring in the coffeepot and refresh our mugs,” said Alison as she stood. J.J. could see she was trying to control her face and prevent a smile or even a laugh from taking over.
When she was out of hearing range, Pam said, “Our poor Alison. It’s good to see her smile. Alex always was the best at doing that. He’s such a good boy. Takes such good care of his brothers and sister.” She finished off the last of her croissant and coffee and licked a large glob of chocolate off one finger, then wiped her hands on the serviette.
Alex looked embarrassed and shrugged. “What can I say? It comes with the territory of being a big brother.”
“It’s just too bad Alison didn’t bring James home to meet the family before she married him.”
“Do you think that would have made a difference?”
“Of course. Alex would have realized he was not right for Alison. He’s a very good judge of people, you know.”
“Now, Mum, enough with the compliments. J.J. will think you’re trying to throw us together.”
“What?” Pam looked pale. “I’m doing no such thing. I’m just telling her what a good man you are. I�
��m no matchmaker.” She glanced at J.J. “She’s a good friend to Alison but not good wife material for you.”
J.J. almost dropped her mug. What do you say to that?
Alex saved the day. “I’m sorry. She says what’s on her mind and it isn’t always the most tactful thing. And as much as I love you, Mum, you have to stop doing this whenever we meet someone new.”
J.J. smiled in relief. “That’s okay. I understand. My mom’s a bit the same. So, you never met James?”
“Never.”
The abruptness of his answer surprised J.J. She’d just been trying to change the subject.
“Oh, but you did see him once,” Pam chimed in. “Remember, you said you saw him that day you went to Home Depot to get the new lawn mower?”
Alex nodded. “You are right, Mum. I’d forgotten. I just saw him from a distance.”
“How did you know it was James?” J.J. asked.
“I’d seen plenty of pictures of him. Alison had them all over the place.” J.J. followed his gaze around the room, noticing how totally devoid it was of any photos. Some memories are better shut away.
It seemed odd, though, that they’d never all gotten together as a family for Sunday dinner or something. But it really wasn’t any of her business.
“What are you both looking at?” Alison asked, coming back into the room, bringing the coffee with her. “The lack of photos, I’ll bet.”
Alex nodded.
“They weren’t happy memories anymore. Maybe I’ll take some out at a later point when I can think about the good times without having this past year overshadow them.”
“That makes a lot of sense,” J.J. replied.
They say that time heals all. She hoped they were right.
*
• • •
Devine sat waiting for her in his car, parked out in front of her apartment, when she arrived home. She felt a twinge of excitement as she drove past into the lot to park her car. He was waiting at the front door as she walked in through the back.
She’d just hung their jackets up and was thinking that he looked so good tonight. Of course, that wasn’t so unusual. Maybe it was the blue shirt that matched his eyes so perfectly. Oh man.