I quickly pulled the Volvo over and got out. Emily glanced my way. She didn’t look happy to see me. The man was oblivious to my approach.
“I’m telling you, this is the last straw,” he yelled. “I knew this was a mistake from the beginning, and now I’ve been proven right!”
“Excuse me,” I said loudly.
The man’s gaze swung my way. “Who the hell are you?”
“Melanie Travis,” I told him. “Who are you?”
“Steve Lambert,” he spat out.
“Steve lives in the Greenfields community next door,” Emily said.
“I don’t just live there.” Lambert’s tone was smug. “I’m the head of the Homeowners Association.”
“Big deal,” I said.
“It is a big deal,” he ground out. “It means that I’m the person in charge of seeing that proper rules are made and followed. The HOA exists to ensure that no one resident is allowed to adversely impact the quality of life for the group.”
“You’re not in Greenfields now,” I pointed out. “You don’t get to make the rules here.”
He started to reply, but I cut him off. “I’m sure the other members of the HOA would frown on the idea of you coming over here to browbeat your neighbor.”
Emily reached over and placed a gentle hand on my arm. “That’s enough, Melanie.”
“Are you sure?” Steve Lambert’s behavior had gotten my hackles up, and I was just getting started.
“Yes, I’m sure. Steve was just leaving.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“Yes, you were,” she said firmly.
Steve gazed back and forth between the two of us. His face was mottled an ugly shade of red. It wasn’t a good look with the green pants.
“All right, then I’ll go. But you’d better watch out, missy.” He sneered at Emily. “You haven’t heard the last of this. And that’s a promise.”
Chapter 15
“Nice guy,” I commented.
We both watched as Lambert got into his car—a bright yellow Corvette—and peeled out of the driveway. I guessed he didn’t care that this was a school zone.
Emily sighed. “Steve’s usually not that awful. He’s just having a bad week.”
“I’m sure you know the feeling. So don’t think you have to make excuses for him on my account.” I paused, then added, “It sounded like he was threatening you.”
She nodded. Like she thought that was okay. Which it most definitely was not.
“Want to tell me about it?” I asked.
Emily frowned, but didn’t reply.
“I assume it has something to do with Will’s murder? Was that the last straw he was referring to?”
“Come on.” She gestured toward a pair of Adirondack chairs, placed in the shade beneath a leafy maple tree. “Let’s sit for a minute.”
When we were both seated, Emily said, “Greenfields bills itself as a premium residential community with luxury amenities to please even the most discerning homeowner.”
“That sound posh.”
“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to think. The prices are pretty posh too. Even for Fairfield County. People who buy homes there are told they’ll experience pastoral suburban living at its finest.”
“Pastoral,” I repeated. “As in peaceful?”
Emily nodded.
“Except that Greenfields has a school—albeit a small one—right next door.”
“Yes.” She frowned. “That’s been an issue ever since the place opened.”
“But your school was here first,” I pointed out.
I wondered if that was the mistake Steve Lambert had referred to. Although he’d seemed to imply that the problem was Emily’s fault.
“Not only were we here first,” she said, “but we have a zoning variance that gives us every right to continue to be here. But that doesn’t matter to Steve and his HOA. As far as they’re concerned, we’re a commercial business operating in what they think should be solely a residential neighborhood.”
“They can’t shut you down,” I asked. “Can they?”
“No, but they can sure complain a lot. The Greenfields residents grumble about the extra traffic coming to the school. And they bitch and moan about the noise. Dogs, kids, everything bothers them.” She paused to roll her eyes. “They’ve actually asked if there’s some way I can keep the campers from laughing and shrieking as they run around the playground.”
“Good luck with that,” I said.
“Once when we were working on a particularly stinky science project, we took it outside behind the school. I guess the wind must have been blowing the wrong way because next thing I knew, we got a complaint about odor pollution. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.”
I tried not to laugh. I didn’t entirely succeed.
Emily wasn’t amused. “Last year on parents’ night, they called the police, hoping they’d come and disrupt the event. That time their gripe was that the wattage of our outdoor lights was too bright.”
“Holy moly,” I said. “I had no idea. They must drive you nuts.”
“Usually, when one of the residents comes over here, I just smile and nod until they get tired of talking and go away. Then I go right back to what I was doing. But Steve Lambert? He’s a whole new kind of crazy.”
“In what way?”
“The previous head of the HOA was a guy in his seventies. I don’t think he heard half the complaints the homeowners were making. He certainly didn’t bother to respond to most of them. And when he did, he was kind of apologetic about it.”
“Steve didn’t sound apologetic,” I said. “More like apoplectic.”
“Yeah, that’s more his style. I’m betting he was a drill sergeant in his former life.” Emily grimaced. “Steve wants everything his own way. Immediately, if not sooner. He’s convinced that my school has a negative impact on their property values. He’s even been down to the town hall, to look up ordinances he can use against us. He’s demanding that we cease and desist.”
“Cease what?” My brow furrowed. “Existing?”
“Pretty much.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“I know that, and you know that,” Emily said. “But Steve is convinced that eventually he’ll be able to force the zoning board to do what he wants. Now he’s using the fact that my ex-husband’s body was found on the land behind us to bolster his case that our existence is a hazard to the neighborhood.”
Unfortunately, that might be the kind of complaint that the zoning board would pay attention to. Maybe Emily couldn’t afford to keep ignoring Lambert. Maybe she needed to start fighting back.
“His parting words sounded a lot like the warning that was written on your blackboard,” I said. “Do you think Lambert could be the person behind all the things that have been going wrong around here?”
Emily stared at me as if the thought had never occurred to her. “I always thought Steve was just full of hot air,” she said after a minute. “But now I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that.”
We both paused as a bell chimed inside the school building. The sound signaled that camp had ended for the day. The kids would be heading to their lockers to pick up their belongings. Only a few more minutes remained before both of us would need to be moving along.
“I talked to Owen Grace this morning,” I said.
Emily stiffened, suddenly wary. Or maybe she felt guilty. Considering the way she’d set me up, either one would do.
“Oh?” Her gaze skittered away. “How did that go?”
“Not nearly as well as I’d hoped. For one thing, Owen had no idea who I was, or why I was there. It was your idea that I should talk to him. You were supposed to tell him about me, remember?”
“You’re right,” she admitted. “And I meant to contact him. I knew Owen would have useful information for you. I just wasn’t sure if he’d be willing to share it—especially if the request came from me.”
“You should have told
me that ahead of time. Then maybe he wouldn’t have mistaken me for your attorney.”
“You?” Emily sputtered out a laugh. “My attorney?”
Excuse me if I didn’t find the notion as funny as she did.
“We got past that quickly enough,” I said. “And then we talked about Vanessa Morris. It’s odd that you didn’t think to mention her.”
“Vanessa? Why would I want to talk about her?”
I would have thought the answer to that was obvious. “Maybe because she’s the woman who ran off with your husband?”
“That happened a long time ago.” Emily shrugged to indicate her indifference. “Will and Vanessa didn’t stay together. They were probably tired of each other before his divorce from me even came through. I have no idea whatever happened to her.”
“And yet, sometime after that, you were still angry enough about it to threaten Will. You promised to make him pay for what he’d done to you.”
“Owen told you that?”
I nodded.
“Did he also tell you that I was drunk at the time?”
“He said you sounded pretty serious.”
“Right,” Emily scoffed. “At that moment, I was as serious as five or six shots of tequila could inspire me to be. Think about it, Melanie. I didn’t have to kill Will to be rid of him. The divorce had already accomplished that.”
Abruptly, she looked past me toward the school. Mia was striding across the lawn in our direction. The assistant’s regulation polo shirt was coming untucked. Frizzy tendrils of chestnut hair had escaped from her braid to curl wildly around her ears.
Emily and I both stood up as she approached. A line of cars was beginning to form in the driveway. Any minute now, campers would come pouring out of the school building. Three counselors were out front getting everything organized. Kevin and Davey would be along shortly too.
“I’ve been looking all over for you,” Mia said to Emily. “Brian needs to talk to you. He’s in the gym.”
“Is everything all right?”
Mia shot me a quick glance. “Sure. No problem.”
“Good.” Emily’s tight smile didn’t fool either one of us. “I’ll be right there.” She turned to me quickly before leaving. “Melanie, you and your aunt are stopping by tomorrow morning, right?”
“Right,” I said. “See you then. And good luck with . . . whatever that is.”
I expected Mia to follow Emily back to the school. Instead, she remained beside me until Emily was out of earshot. When she spoke, there was a sharp edge to her voice. “You must not trust us very much.”
I looked at her in surprise. “What are you talking about?”
“Most parents drop their kids off, then leave for the day. But you’re always around here, checking up on us.” She waved a hand in the direction of Greenfields. “I hope you’re not affiliated with those people.”
“Of course not,” I said. “And I’m not checking up on you. Emily is my friend. I’m here because I’m trying to help her.”
“Oh.” Mia’s expression cleared. “Then I guess that’s okay. Right now Emily needs all the friends she can get.”
I got back to the Volvo just as Davey and Kevin were exiting the school building together. When I waved, Davey spotted me. He looked annoyed as he steered his little brother over to our parked car.
“Why aren’t you ever in the car line like the normal mothers?” Davey asked as he threw his lanky frame into the front seat.
It was left to me to get Kevin buckled into his booster seat. “Maybe because I’m not a normal mother?”
Seriously? Did I even have to point that out?
“You say that as if it’s a good thing,” Davey grumbled.
“Isn’t it?” I slid in behind the wheel and started the engine. “Different is interesting.”
“Not when you’re my age.”
He was right. I’d forgotten that being a teenager was all about fitting in.
“Don’t worry,” I said as I joined the line of cars leaving the school. “Nobody notices but you.”
“Yes, they do,” Davey told me. “Everybody notices.”
I hadn’t expected that. “Like who?”
“The other counselors. And Brian. Even Mia said something about it.”
I frowned. Mia had felt the need to talk to both of us? That seemed like overkill. Not to mention that she was butting into something that was really none of her business.
“Don’t worry about Mia,” I told him, inching the Volvo forward. “She and I talked. We’re good.”
“Did you buy me raisins?” Kevin asked.
“Not yet,” I admitted.
“How about chocolate chip ice cream?”
“Nope.” Our turn came, and I pulled out onto the road.
“I guess that means no Oreos either?” Davey asked.
“Sorry,” I told him.
“Oh, man.” Kevin groaned. He slumped in his seat. “That sucks.”
“Hey!” I gazed at him in the rear-view mirror. “Watch your language.”
Davey looked over at me and grinned. “What Kevin meant to say was that our lack of sweets was an unfortunate development.”
“You’re a fresh kid,” I told him.
He was still grinning. “I’m my mother’s son. How about if we make a stop at the supermarket?”
“We’re on our way there now,” I said.
* * *
Aunt Peg picked me up the next morning in her minivan. I buckled myself in and prepared for a hairy ride. Aunt Peg thinks speed limits are for sissies. And since she has a gift for talking herself out of speeding tickets, nothing I say has ever been able to change her mind.
“I need you to be on your best behavior today,” I said as scenery went whizzing past my window.
She cast me a glance. “What are you talking about? I’m always well-behaved.”
“Yes, but your idea of good behavior isn’t the same as everyone else’s. Emily’s been through a lot lately. I don’t want you doing anything to add to her problems.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m just going to look at some puppies. Emily will barely even notice I’m there.”
“You also want to talk to her about the benefit,” I reminded her.
Aunt Peg nodded. “I’ve started making calls. Everyone thinks it’s a splendid idea. I’ve already lined up several dozen breeders who want to take part.”
That was fast.
“Really?” I said. “Those people don’t even know Emily.”
“No, but they do understand that the purebred dog community is in need of some good PR. Plus, we’re offering breeders the opportunity to show off their dogs and promote their breeding programs. Who wouldn’t be excited about that?”
Not anyone I’d ever met through Aunt Peg. That was for sure.
“I’ve also spoken to the editor of the Stamford Advocate. He’d said he’d be delighted to give us some coverage.”
I turned to face her. “You’ve made all these arrangements without talking to Emily first?”
“Well, whose fault is that?” Aunt Peg asked. “I’ve been waiting for you to introduce us. Time’s passing, Melanie. Of course I went ahead and got to work. Do you think Emily will agree to hold the benefit on school property?”
“Probably,” I said. “Assuming we can get a permit. Although her neighbors may not think much of the idea.”
“Oh?”
“It turns out some of them aren’t happy that Emily is running a business in their midst.” I recalled that there’d also been objections to noise and dogs. “And they don’t sound like dog lovers.”
“Pish.” Aunt Peg snorted. “That’s hardly a deterrent. We’ll just have to change their minds.”
In her world, things were just that easy.
But who was I to disagree? Today, Aunt Peg was in charge of the proceedings. I was just along for the ride.
Chapter 16
“This is lovely,” Aunt Peg said as we turned in the gate and drove down the long, t
ree-lined driveway. “What a beautiful setting for a school.”
“Before Emily took over the property, it was used as an artists’ retreat,” I told her. “She had to make some changes, of course. But she worked hard to retain the site’s rustic appeal.”
I had texted Emily when we were three minutes away. When we reached the head of the driveway, she was outside waiting for us. Poppy, Posey, and Pansy were racing around the yard behind her.
Aunt Peg kept a careful eye on the puppies’ whereabouts as she brought the minivan to a stop. I knew she wouldn’t approve of Emily allowing three untrained puppies to run around loose. I hoped she didn’t begin our conversation with a complaint.
Aunt Peg surprised me, however.
She strode straight over to Emily, extended her hand, and said, “You must be Emily Grace. I’ve heard so many nice things about you, from both Melanie and the boys. Your nursery school has been wonderful for our whole family. I’m Margaret Turnbull. My friends call me Peg.”
I gaped at Aunt Peg from behind her back. Who was this unfamiliar woman—and why had I never met her before? Yes, I’d made a plea for civility. But I hadn’t actually thought she’d honor it.
“Thank you.” For a moment, Emily looked similarly taken aback. After the stories she’d heard, this effusive greeting wasn’t what she’d been expecting. Then she relaxed and returned Aunt Peg’s smile. “It’s nice to meet you. Melanie talks about you all the time.”
“Don’t listen to a word she says,” Aunt Peg replied. “Melanie exaggerates everything.”
I cleared my throat. Loudly. In case they’d forgotten that I was standing right there.
The three Dalmatians had been distracted from their game by our arrival. They came galloping over together to check us out.
“What pretty puppies,” Aunt Peg said as Pansy attempted to jump up on her. She deftly sidestepped the puppy’s charge. “Three Dalmatian bitches, all the same age. How unusual.”
“I thought the same thing when Will gave them to me,” Emily agreed. “I suppose they might have come from the same litter.”
Aunt Peg was watching as the trio tumbled and played on the ground around us. “They did.”
Emily slanted me a look. I just shrugged.
I knew what she was thinking. We’d barely been there two minutes. And already Aunt Peg thought she possessed more information about the puppies than their owner did. Emily looked skeptical, but I knew better.
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