Miss Minnie was looking worried, pouring the last of the coffee into their cups as they joined her. Even the scent of good coffee didn't make Cas look any happier.
"I've got bad news," Cas began. "Yesterday, I went up to check on Mattie, to see for myself how things were. I wanted to see if she was still feeling better or might need anything. It's a good thing I went. She was nearly gone."
After a few seconds of shocked silence, Miss Mayme drew an anxious breath. "Gone. Nearly gone. Cas, you, you don't mean? "
He looked grim. "I think she'll make it. She's pretty tough, and always has been healthy from what she and the rest of you have told me. I called the drugstore for the name of the doctor up there. There's a Dr. Kelso who has a clinic up there near the crossroads, a nice one. It's a small hospital, actually. That's where Mattie is now, at his clinic."
Miss Minnie's hands were pressed against her heart, "At the clinic! What happened? What's wrong with her?" She looked puzzled, "She seemed to have an upset stomach and was tired, but I thought she'd be over it by now. She seemed so much better when I left."
"She's holding her own, Dr. Kelso is keeping a close eye on her and there's a nurse with her around the clock. The doctor was still running tests the last time I talked to him."
"Tests." Frightening thoughts of fatal diseases crept into Miss Mayme's mind and showed on her face. "Oh, you mean, he thinks she may have cancer or an ulcer or some disease?" Miss Mayme clasped her cold hands in dread. Minnie reached to hold her hand..
"No, not a disease," Cas corrected. "Poison."
"Poison?" Miss Mayme nearly upset her cup, her hand hitting it as she reached to grasp the edge of the desk. It clattered in its saucer. "The doctor thinks Mattie was poisoned?"
Stunned, both sisters sat there silently a second. "But," Miss Minnie gasped, "That's ridiculous!"
Her eyes met Cas's. "There was no one there. She's been up there by herself!" Miss Minnie's eyes widened and her voice trailed off as the implication dawned on her. Her eyes sought her sister's. She and Miss Mayme stared at each other, lips parted.
Cas waited until the silence was complete, then volunteering nothing further, he rose to leave.
"You'll have to call Katie and tell her." He said as they followed him out. "I'll give you the doctor's card."
He found the card in his shirt pocket and handed it to Miss Minnie.
"Dr. Kelso's emergency number is on this as well as the clinic number where he has his office. He's usually at the clinic until five-thirty or six o'clock during the week."
A heavy and uncomfortable silence reigned as Cas turned to go. Their eyes followed him, full of unspoken questions. He stopped at the outer door, addressing Miss Minnie.
"If I were you." He hesitated slightly, his face mirroring sympathy and concern, "I would talk to Laurence Fields."
"A lawyer?" Miss Minnie's eyes were still unbelieving. "You think I need a lawyer?"
He shrugged, "It certainly can't do any harm. If Mattie doesn't make it, if she was poisoned the tests will show that."
Miss Mayme blanched, speechless for once.
"And I was the last one to visit her." Miss Minnie said it slowly, voicing at last what all of them were thinking.
* * *
At home, Cas met the same incredulous denial from Connie as he had at the flower shop.
"How utterly asinine!" Connie exploded. "It's so downright foolish if the very idea wasn't so scary, I'd laugh at it. Everyone who knows the Anderson sisters knows neither of them could do a thing like poison someone, and Mattie is their cousin! That Miss Minnie took the time to go up there and care for her speaks for her character, I would think, and her feelings, too."
"I feel the same way you do but it's a thing that must be handled, regardless of how I feel about it."
"How are they taking it? Miss Minnie and Miss Mayme?"
"They're shocked. And worried about Mattie, of course. They were going to call Katie when I left. I gave them the doctor's number at the clinic. And I told Miss Minnie to talk to Laurence Fields."
"Laurence Fields," Connie's brows drew together. "You told her to get a lawyer? Cas, is it that serious?" She clasped her hands together, holding her breath without realizing it.
"Yes, it is, if Mattie's been poisoned. Dr. Kelso thinks so and he's running tests. I don't know anything definite yet. But, Fields will represent Miss Minnie if she needs representing. It won't hurt to talk to him."
"Oh, Cas," Connie more collapsed than sat down at the kitchen table. "How awful. As soon as the doctor finds out anything, you've got to get this straightened out. And poor Mattie!"
"Yeah. It's a good thing I went up there. All we can do right now is hope."
"And pray."
"Yes. And pray."
* * *
The day was gray with heavy clouds and looked as gloomy as Miss Minnie felt when she went to see Laurence Fields. She put her hands in her suit pockets to keep from fidgeting as she gave the stern looking receptionist her name.
When she was announced to him, Laurence Fields came to his office door to welcome her in. Big, strong, successful, and in her corner.
"I can see why he's so successful, Miss Minnie thought as she took the chair he indicated. I felt better the minute I saw him come to meet me."
"I," she started, then stopped, trying to swallow. Her swallowing equipment seemed to have quit working and her mouth was dry.
Laurence Fields smiled as if he understood. "You don't have to drop the bomb. When you called for an appointment, I called and talked to Cas Larkin. I can tell you, he's working on this, and will be using every means at his disposal to get to the truth."
Miss Minnie gave a relieved sigh. "I had no doubt he would. I, I just don't understand how this could have happened."
She was at a loss how to begin. "I guess I should tell you to begin with, I didn't poison Mattie, or do anything to harm her."
"I wasn't going to ask," Fields assured her. "But that's about the only thing I'm not going to ask. It's important that I know everything and every event, whether you think it's important or not, that pertains to Mattie Carrington, the people around her, and the circumstances that led up to this alleged poisoning as far as you know."
He touched a button on his desk, "Let's get some coffee, or juice if you prefer, and get down to business."
* * *
Connie didn't see anyone as she opened the flower shop door. She almost tiptoed, feeling curiously out of place in this familiar place.
There was no one in the shop and entering the office, she saw Miss Mayme and Miss Minnie listening to the phone speaker. She recognized Katie's voice.
Miss Minnie looked around and pushed a chair toward her. She sat down and listened to the voice on the phone.
"She opened her eyes while I was sitting there holding her hand," came the tremulous voice from the speaker. "She knew I was there, I could tell." Katie's voice was strained, telling them about Mattie's condition.
"That's all I have to hold onto, the look in her eyes, that she knows I'm here." She sounded on the brink of tears. Connie's kind heart melted, she tried not to cry too.
"Katie, as God is my witness, I'd never do anything to harm Mattie," Miss Minnie spoke sincerely.
"Oh, Cousin Minnie, I know that," Katie's voice came out in a breathless rush. "It never occurred to me you might wonder about me thinking that. You and Mayme have been so good to us, and you went up there to care for her. No, no. I never thought anything like that."
Miss Mayme leaned forward, "Katie, does the doctor really think Mattie might have been poisoned somehow? Did he say that?"
"Yes, though he didn't say very much about that. Something he said made me think it was either two kinds of poison, or they didn't know which one it was yet, maybe that's the way it was, that they just don't know which one it was yet. I didn't understand much of that, just the thought of poison." Katie took a deep shuddering breath.
"Two kinds of poison?" Miss Mayme raised her eyeb
rows at Miss Minnie. "Maybe they're still not certain that it was poison, or what's really wrong with her."
"I don't know. That could be it. I probably wouldn't understand if he tried to explain it to me. The doctor's name is Dr. Kelso, and he's taking care of Mattie and he's been very nice, good to talk to me and assure me Mattie is going to be all right. He keeps saying she is, though she's still not back with us. She's getting a little stronger every day, he says, and I know she's in good hands."
"If he says she's getting better, she is, Katie. They can tell, monitoring, when the patient is getting better whether we can tell or not. I'm just glad Cas Larkin went up there when he did to check on her."
"Oh," Katie's voice broke, "So am I. And he's stopped by and had his deputies stop by to see if I need anything. Please, I've thanked him but will you tell him too, how much I appreciate him and all of you."
Her voice brightened, "And Mattie knew me when I went to her, it wasn't just wishful thinking on my part. I could see it in her eyes that she recognized me when I got there to her. She knows I'm here. That's the one thing I am sure of. Just when my hope gets low, she will open her eyes, and I know she knows me, and I'm going to be right here when she wakes up."
"We're glad she's getting better, Katie. That's the main thing, have faith. Dr. Kelso wouldn't have told you she will be all right if he didn't think so. And thank you for letting us know how she is. You're absolutely right, the best medicine she can have right now with Dr. Kelso taking care of her, is to know you're there with her. Is there anything you need that we can bring you, or something we can do for you in Fort Craig?"
"No, I can't think of anything. I'll call you again soon, or if there's any change. You can get me here at the clinic if you need to call, but there's no point in your coming up here." Katie sighed, "They wouldn't let you in. There's a No Visitors sign on the door that Dr. Kelso had them put up. Eugene wanted to come, but no one is allowed in except me. I'll call you again soon."
Chapter 10
The receptionist at Laurence Fields' office looked up at the stranger. After a quick appraisal she decided he was nice looking. He was about five ten or eleven and neatly dressed. He was not much older than she was and wore no wedding ring.
She risked a slightly inquiring smile as he looked toward the lawyer's office door.
"I'm Archie Wright, Investigations the Wright Way," he handed her his card. "Mr. Fields is expecting me."
She looked at the card as he did some looking around of his own. He eyed the empty coat rack, then the open office door behind her.
"Where's Joyce," he grinned. "Out getting a personality transplant?"
"Joyce is off today, which will probably be as good as a transplant. But you said that, I didn't."
She got up, giving him a few seconds to admire her carefully selected Office-But-Not-Over-the-Hill Ensemble's close fit. "I'll tell Mr. Fields you're here."
"Send him in," Laurence Fields told her, "And hold my calls."
Fields got a folder from the credenza behind him and turned as Archie Wright came in.
"Close the door and sit down."
"Good morning to you, too," Archie grinned.
"Yeah. The top-o'-the-mornin' to you and all those little leprechauns you employ in Fort O'Craig."
"Don't overwork your personality." Archie leaned back in the leather chair and crossed his legs. "What is it you need since you only holler for me when you're in pain?"
"A lot of preventive measures is what it boils down to." Fields got serious. Archie saw the concern in his face and waited.
"A really nice lady is being set up to take the blame for a murder or attempted murder. I'm not going to let that happen, and you're going to help me prevent it."
Archie saw nothing to argue about there and waited some more.
Fields opened the file and held up a list of names and businesses. "Here's a list of all the known facts and all the people I know of who are involved in some way. I want background checks, find out all you can about the places and people the employed ones work with, and follow up anything you might uncover that needs another look along the way."
"Okay. Usual game plan?"
"Yes. Keep in close touch, let me know if there's something I can get for you, keep your reports oral unless there's something you need to write down for me. I'll let you know if I find anything else that might help or needs to have a second look. Somebody may or may not have poisoned the victim, putting the good lady I mentioned in danger of a rap for attempted murder."
Archie looked up from the list in his hand, "Some of these are relatives?"
"Yes. Relatives, the boyfriend of the victim's sister, the neighbors, the people who did the work after the fire loss, and the manager and other personnel at the bookstore where the sister works, anyone who might benefit or is connected in any way at all. Look at all of them, some are bound to turn up other leads."
"You said, attempted murder, you mean right now the victim is still alive?"
"Right now, yes. All the information I have so far is in that folder. They think the lady was poisoned, but are still doing tests on her, you know how that goes."
"Can she talk?"
"No. They wouldn't let you in even if she could. The sister is the only one admitted, she's staying with her."
"You don't suspect the sister?"
"No. She didn't do it."
Archie raised an eyebrow.
"I could be wrong," Fields smiled looking smug and amused, "But it would be the first time."
"The first time." Archie closed the file. "Yeah. Of course, what was I thinking!" Tongue firmly in cheek, Archie Wright picked up the file and left.
* * *
At the first place he went, Archie took his time casing the place as he'd learned to do from some of the slimier elements he'd had to work with through the years. In the time he'd been watching, he'd seen only one person who looked like an employee. When he entered the bookstore and stood swiveling his neck uncertainly, she approached him.
"I'm the manager of the bookshop," the woman said in a friendly voice, "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, there is. Miss Mason, is it?" Archie eyed the name tag on the jacket of her neat and businesslike navy suit, as if some competent help were needed.
"Yes, Lydia Mason. Are you having trouble finding something?"
"Yes and no. I saw by that banner over there, you have two cookbooks by Mattie Carrington, but I'm interested in getting the latest one for my mother. She mentioned there was going to be another one, and her birthday will be next month. Do you know when the book will be out, and if you will have the book when it is, or do you have any information on it you can tell me?"
Lydia Mason seemed pleased by the inquiry. "We have our order in of course, so we will get the new book as soon as it comes out. Mattie Carrington's younger sister works here," she confided with an air of pride.
"Is that right?" Archie feigned just the right degree of interest.
"That's right, her name is Katie Ellis," Lydia Mason nodded. "She's on leave of absence right now, but she will be back soon."
"Having a holiday?" Archie showed his teeth in a sympathetic smile, his eyes shifted as if noting there was no other help in the shop at the moment.
"Not exactly," Lydia said uneasily. "Her sister got sick, probably a virus or something," she said quickly, "And Katie is with her, taking care of her."
"Oh, I see." Archie let her imagine the wheels turning between his ears, "I wonder if Ms. Carrington's finished her book yet, or do you know? Have they told you when to expect it?" He let a little suspicion creep in.
"No, not officially. But I believe from what Katie has told us she has finished it. She says it's about ready to go to the publisher now, so it probably won't be long. We do have the other two books in stock, and we will have ample copies of the new book just as soon as it's available."
"Is Katie Ellis the only other clerk you have, I don't see anyone else at the moment. You must be m
issing her," Archie switched from curious to sympathetic again.
"Yes, we do miss Katie. There are two high school students who come in after school and a regular part-timer who comes in on weekends, but all of us miss Katie."
Lydia told him pleasantly, "Katie's so popular with the customers I'm glad she has no plans to open her own bookstore."
"Well, I hope she will be able to come back soon. And thank you for your help. I'll check back with you later about the book."
"Would you like me to call you or send you a card when the book comes in?" A glance back toward the checkout counter accompanied the question.
"That's all right," Archie smiled, "I'll check back."
He mentally crossed the bookstore off his list as he left. "No problems or jealousy here."
* * *
Archie's next stop was the bus station. It was a three hour trip to the larger town where Katie's ex was working and he'd sent his assistant on an errand in his car.
The trip wouldn't take long. He caught forty winks sitting on his wallet and woke as the bus pulled into town. As he got off the bus he was grateful unions made his work easier tracing their members. He hadn't brought any luggage and didn't book a room anywhere. He ate, waited till the bar opened where the combo he was interested in worked, and went in.
The management of the place must have figured what the customers couldn't see wouldn't hurt them and they spent more of their money on weird lighting than they did cleaning the restrooms. They had live music on the weekend so they could get by with the cover charge.
Not being too fond of bars anyway, even the clean ones, Archie was toying with the idea of how he might be able to get his time in the place knocked off his time in purgatory as he waited for the combo to take a break. It seemed like an eternity.
The small combo's musicians finally took a break and smiled around the room at the few who were paying any attention to what they were doing, got up and laid their instruments aside. They dispersed to the restroom and the bar.
Archie moved closer to the man he knew was Katie's ex from the picture Fields had supplied him and offered to buy him a drink. As they took tentative sips of their drinks, the musician was cooperative and Archie started asking questions. Two of them opened all the doors anybody might be interested in peeking through. The man had no secrets and no worries except his next gig.
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