Now it was noon on Saturday, and Lauren’s baby shower was scheduled to begin in less than an hour. The crew had shown up at Lauren’s parents’ house just after eleven, after Charlie had managed to get Lauren clear of the area. They lived in the house next to Molly and Winston and, for a brief while, it had looked like he wouldn’t be able to get her out of the house long enough for the shower preparations to take place. As pregnant as she was, Lauren was miserable and going anywhere wasn’t really on her calendar right now. Somehow, though, Charlie had managed it, and Molly had called to let everyone know. They’d been lurking in the neighborhood, parked a few streets over, and as soon as Molly called, they’d moved in.
Annie didn’t know how long Charlie could keep Lauren out, but she was betting it wouldn’t be the full hour. They had the house set up and ready to go, and had called all the guests who were not involved in the setup to let them know to show up earlier than scheduled. The only thing the party planners were waiting on now was the guest of honor.
The men had decided to move the poker game to Chase’s condo, since it was in town and closer to the shower. Molly had warned them that Lauren was feeling so miserable that she didn’t think she was going to make it to her due date and, in fact, might go into labor as soon as this weekend. It was the way she had presented with Ava, so that was probably a good indication.
As Annie wandered through the family room to double check things one last time, she saw Charlie’s mother come in through the front door. She had dreaded this meeting the most, given her personal history. She had grappled with whether to attend the shower, not wanting to cause Hazel any discomfort, but Beth and Hannah had managed to talk her into being there.
“You’re one of Lauren’s best friends, Annie. You’re Charlie’s sister. Lauren and Charlie would both want you there,” Beth had told her. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll call Hazel and ask her beforehand.” That was exactly what Beth had done. Hazel had told Beth she didn’t have a problem in the world with Annie being there, but Annie wasn’t sure she believed that.
Hannah came through the back door and asked Annie about one of the food dishes. Annie was answering the question when Hazel tapped her on the shoulder with a nervous smile.
“Annie? I’m sorry to interrupt. Do you have a minute? I’d like to talk to you about something.” Hazel gestured toward the door. “Do you think we could walk outside?”
Annie swallowed and tried to hide her nervousness. “Sure.”
Hannah excused herself, and Annie led Hazel into the backyard. She studied the older woman surreptitiously as they walked. Charlie’s mother was attractive; her dark hair showed a few strands of gray but, all in all, she looked ten years younger than Annie knew her to be.
“I’ve always admired Molly’s green thumb,” Hazel said. “I guess you have a pretty green thumb, too. I can kill a plant by looking at it.” Annie figured she wasn’t hiding her nervousness as well as she had thought when Hazel gave her a reassuring smile and patted her arm. “Honey, I’m not going to yell at you or make a scene. I just wanted to let you know that I don’t have a problem with you,” Hazel said kindly. “I’ll be honest. I worried that I might when I found out you were my daughter-in-law’s best friend. I did a lot of soul-searching about it, and I figured out a few things. Primarily, I discovered that I can’t blame you for what my ex-husband did nearly thirty years ago. It wasn’t your fault any more than it was Charlie’s.”
Annie felt a huge weight lift from her shoulders, and she stopped walking to turn toward Hazel. “Are you sure? Because I would completely understand if you did have a problem with it.”
Hazel smiled, the expression a little sad. “Annie, I’m happier now than I’ve been in a very long time, and I’ve been pretty happy for several years now. Once upon a time, Ransom Clark was the love of my life. Then he started drinking. We lost a child, Charlie’s brother. When we lost Robin, our marriage died. It was already strained, but that loss was just too much. By the time you came along, we were separated. Actually, finding out about you was the impetus I needed to file for divorce and get on with my life,” she confessed.
“I didn’t know you’d lost a child, Hazel. I’m so sorry.”
Hazel accepted her condolences, blinking away a few tears. “Thank you. He was younger than Charlie and worshipped the ground his brother walked on. I think one of the biggest regrets I have from that period in time is that Charlie lost so much. He wasn’t supposed to be an only child, Annie. Now he has you, and I can’t tell you how much that truly comforts me. I hope that the two of you will become closer as you get to know each other.” It was Annie’s turn to wipe away tears, and her emotions set Hazel’s off again.
“Molly won’t need to water this section of her garden today,” Annie quipped. Hazel gave a watery laugh, and the two women exchanged a knowing glance. “Thank you for telling me this, Hazel. It means a lot to me.”
To Annie’s surprise, Hazel pulled her in for a hug. “Sweetie, I’m glad I did. I almost didn’t because I didn’t want to upset you. But I had to try, especially after Beth called.” A sharp whistle sounded from the patio, and they looked up. Beth was on the deck waving.
“Looks like it’s show time,” Annie said. They hurried back inside, and as the shower started, Annie felt one more insecurity start to slip away. That relief had been a long time coming, and she had never thought it would happen, not in a million years. Apparently, though, sometimes love really was all it took.
~ * * * ~
As it happened, Lauren made it until Monday morning without going into labor. When Charlie took her in for her regular checkup, her doctor gave them the good news.
“But I’m two weeks early, if not three,” she said. “It’s too soon.”
Dr. Garrett checked the baby’s size again. “I think you’re going to be fine,” she assured Lauren. “I’d guess that we just miscalculated the due date.”
“You’re sure?” Charlie asked.
The doctor smiled. “I’m sure.”
“So those contractions I’ve been feeling since last night… they aren’t Braxton Hicks?”
“No, and unfortunately, they’ll probably really start hurting here pretty soon. You’re already well on your way to being three centimeters dilated.” She went ahead and admitted Lauren to the hospital, and while she and Charlie were waiting for the labor suite to be readied, they made their phone calls. Lauren called Molly first, and then Beth.
“It’s time.” She had to hold the phone away from her ear when Beth squealed. After Beth had calmed down, Lauren asked her to let everyone else know.
“Will do, Mom,” Beth said, and Lauren smiled as she heard Beth sniffle. “Oh, my God. You’re having a baby!”
Lauren laughed. “I have been for some time now, silly.” She sucked in a breath as a contraction hit. “I have to go, Beth. I’ll see you soon.” She hung up and grabbed the hands Charlie held out to her. When the contraction was over, she smiled, trying to reassure him.
“I’m okay. That one wasn’t too bad, just surprising.”
Charlie’s eyes grew wide. “That wasn’t bad? Oh, God!”
Lauren laughed, unable to stop herself. “I love you, Charlie Clark,” she told him. She leaned forward in the wheelchair they’d put her in at registration and tugged her husband closer. He went willingly, and Lauren kissed him softly. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
“I’m already a daddy. I’ve got Ava,” he said. “But this one’s going to be a really cool bonus.” Lauren knew that if she hadn’t already loved him to pieces, those words would have clinched it. She said a quick prayer of thanks that he had so readily accepted Ava as a daughter to cherish, not just a child from Lauren’s previous marriage he had to endure. When she opened her eyes, she saw the aide heading in their direction to take them to the labor suite. She smiled up at Charlie, who smiled back.
“Let’s go have a baby, Mrs. Clark.”
Chapter 36
When Beth called Annie to tell
her about Lauren, she heard Annie cursing as she answered the call.
“You okay?” she asked.
Annie gave a frustrated sigh. “Yes, sorry. It’s just that it’s rung five times in the last ten minutes, and I have Chase’s phone to contend with, as well. Apparently, Murphy stuffed it in my purse this morning. But you didn’t hear that from me. What’s up?”
Beth tried to stifle her laughter, but it bubbled up despite her efforts. “Lauren just called. Guess who’s having a baby?”
“Um, yeah. She’s been pregnant for a while now, Beth,” Annie told her slowly. Then Beth’s meaning sank in. “Oh. Oh! You mean right now? Crap!”
“They just admitted her,” Beth said. “Calm down, Aunt Annie. You have a little while before Baby Clark makes its appearance.”
“You’re sure?” she asked. “I’m supposed to meet with Travis Tyler here shortly. He has some questions for me about the rebuild. I can postpone it if I need to.”
“How long do you think it’ll take?”
“Probably not more than an hour, at most,” Annie said. “Plus, I’m supposed to drop Chase’s cell phone off at his office afterward.”
“Tell you what. I’ll call Chase and let him know that he can pick his phone up at the hospital. Just handle your meeting with Travis, and then head straight over. My brother can live another hour or two without his phone.” She laughed. “And then we can wait for the newest member of the family together.”
“Thank you, Beth,” Annie said. “I think I’ll do just that. Call me if there’s any change, okay?”
Beth promised she would, and then called Chase. She told him what was going on, and he agreed to come to the hospital as soon as he wrapped up some things. Her next call was to Ethan.
“Hey, honey, what’s up?” he asked.
She told him, then added, “I tried to leave a voice message but it wouldn’t let me, and your desk number is busy. I was going to try your voice mail again. I’m sorry. I know things are crazy right now. Can you get away?”
Ethan sighed. “I don’t know, Beth. I doubt I can for a little while, anyhow. A guy just walked in, and it’s possible he has some information about the killings. I have to stay here as long as I can. This might be the break we’ve been waiting for. I’m sorry I can’t be there.”
“Don’t worry about it,” she said. “Ethan, I understand. This is good news, isn’t it?”
“If he’s legit, yeah. It’s very good. Have you called everyone else?”
“Annie and Chase. They’re both going to be a little late. Chase is finishing something up, and Annie’s meeting with Travis about the shop. Maybe by the time they get here, you’ll have some good news for us.”
“We can hope. I have to go, but I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Ethan said. “I love you, Beth.”
“Love you, too.” Beth was a little sad that he wouldn’t be there while they waited, but she knew how important it was that he did his job right now, especially on this case. With only a small sigh of regret, she called Hannah and let her know the good news.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Hannah promised, something Beth was getting used to hearing. She laughed and asked Hannah to call Jason. Her phone duties finished, she wrapped up her work responsibilities and headed to the hospital. Hopefully someone would be there to wait with her.
Chapter 37
He’d thought about it for a couple of days before he acted on it, but Rafe Lewis realized he didn’t have any choice in the matter. He knew if he was wrong, it would mean losing his job, but if he was right…. Well, he really didn’t have any choice. And he had a terrible feeling that he wasn’t wrong. So much of what he knew matched what he had seen in the news reports. It couldn’t be a coincidence.
So, gathering up his courage, he made his way through the Olman County courthouse to the Sheriff’s Department.
When the steely-eyed maven behind the reception desk asked if she could help him, he sighed. “God, I hope so. Those murders they’re talking about on the news? I think I might know who’s responsible.”
At his words, the older lady reached for the phone. “You can wait here.” Then she spoke into the phone. “Detective Moore, there’s someone here who needs to speak to you.”
“He’ll be right out,” she told Rafe as she hung up. A minute later, the door on the other side of the waiting room opened and a tall, somber man about Rafe’s age walked out.
“Neva?” he asked. The lady gestured toward Rafe.
“I’m Detective Ethan Moore. How can I help you?”
“Well, I think I can help you, unfortunately. I think I know who killed those people.”
~ * * * ~
The last thing Ethan had been expecting when he walked into the reception area was someone who claimed to know who the killer was. When the man told him why he was there, Ethan was skeptical, but stranger things had happened.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Rafe Lewis.”
Ethan frowned. The name sounded familiar, but he wasn’t sure why. “Well, Mr. Lewis, why don’t we go on back and sit down to talk about this?” He held the door open and beckoned Rafe into the hall on the other side. “I’ll have you go down here to one of our interview rooms. Neva, can you page Gordon and Stacy to Room One and let them know what’s going on?”
“Will do, Ethan,” she promised.
The door closed behind him, and he led Rafe down the hall. “Right here,” he said, turning on the light. It was the biggest interrogation room the department had; Ethan didn’t want Rafe to feel crowded. “Have a seat.”
As Rafe sat down, Stacy and Gordon entered. “Rafe Lewis, this is Detective Stacy Kirchner and Special Agent Galen Gordon,” Ethan said. “They’re working this case with me. Is it okay if they’re in here while we talk?”
Rafe looked from one to the other, then back at Ethan. He swallowed. “I don’t guess it really matters,” he said. “Either way we go with this, I’m screwed. If I’m right, I lose my job. If I’m wrong, I lose my job. So it’s fine with me if they’re here.”
“So tell us about this person you suspect. Who is it?” Stacy asked. She closed the door and moved to sit at the table opposite Rafe. Gordon followed suit, but Ethan remained standing.
“It’s my boss,” Rafe said, and like a dam had burst, the words started flowing. Ethan let him talk, not wanting to risk interrupting.
“He called in sick on Monday and then, Tuesday, he called in with a family emergency. Thing is, I’m friends with his ex-wife on Facebook—long story, don’t ask—and she didn’t say anything about any emergency. Her and their kids? That’s the only family he has in this country.” He paused for a second, then continued. “So I sent her a message, told her I hoped everything was okay. See, he doesn’t know I know her, and my Facebook account isn’t in my name. Anyhow, when she asked me what I was talking about, I started getting suspicious. Not about this… these killings, but just thinking maybe he was taking a little time off to get with somebody or something. No big deal if he was. None of my business.”
When he stopped, staring down at his hands, Ethan prodded gently. “What made you think he might be the guy we’re looking for?” His cell phone vibrated on his hip, but he ignored it.
Rafe shrugged. “I dunno. I guess the timing of the whole thing. It just didn’t feel right. And when I tried to call him, when several of us tried to call him, he wouldn’t answer our calls. Man, he runs a huge company. Even if his whole family died, he wouldn’t be incommunicado like that. So I went to his house and… well, I broke in.” He looked up to see if he was in trouble for that, but when no one condemned him, he continued.
“So I get in his house, his truck’s missing from the garage, and there are bloody bandages and towels all over his bathroom.”
Ethan cursed as his phone buzzed again. Looking at the readout, he saw that it was Beth. “I’m sorry, I have to take this,” he said, excusing himself. He went into the hall and took a deep breath before he answered
. For Beth to call twice, it had to be something important.
When she explained that Lauren was in labor, Ethan leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He was happy for their friends, but at the same time, watching that very specific happiness hurt. He concluded the call as quickly as he could and went back inside the room.
“Sorry about that,” he said.
“Everything okay?” Gordon asked.
“Yeah, just a personal thing. What did I miss?”
Gordon looked at Rafe, who was looking very drained. “Well, it looks like Mr. Lewis might be on to something, Detective. Turns out his boss has been in or near the areas we’re interested in throughout the years, and roughly at the same time. Ten years ago next week, he got married in Lexington, Kentucky, as a matter of fact. What do you think about that?” Ethan could see the excitement in Gordon and Stacy’s eyes, and he knew he probably had a similar look in his.
“I think that’s very interesting news,” Gordon replied. “What’s your boss’s name, Mr. Lewis?”
When Rafe told him, it was like the world had suddenly been jerked off its axis for a few seconds. He had to ask him to repeat himself, but the name didn’t change. Gordon and Stacy, both seeing the shock on his face, stood up.
“What’s wrong?” Stacy asked.
“Travis Tyler is your boss? The same Travis Tyler who’s handling the reconstruction across the street?” Ethan asked, needing to confirm it one last time. When Rafe nodded, Ethan cursed. “Annie. Annie’s meeting him right now!”
Chapter 38
Annie showed up a couple minutes early at the empty lot where her flower shop had stood, using the time to sit in the car and study the bare lot. Although she had driven down there several times over the last week, it was still a jolt to see nothing where her life had once stood. The construction was scheduled to start any day, as soon as the work permits cleared the courthouse but, until then, it was just an empty lot. She let out a frustrated groan when Chase’s cell phone rang again; pulling it out of her bag, she turned off the ringer. She dropped it back in her bag and pulled her own out to check for messages. When she saw Travis’s truck pull up behind her, she got out to meet him with a smile.
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