Diane Greenwood Muir - Bellingwood 05 - Life Between the Lines

by Diane Greenwood Muir

  “Here,” Polly said. “You should take a drink.”

  “I’m not thirsty.”

  “I wasn’t asking if you were thirsty. I was telling you to take a drink.” Polly twisted the top off and handed the bottle to Natalie. “Drink,” she said.

  “You’re very pushy,” Natalie complained.

  “I know I am. It’s one of my best things.”

  Natalie took a gulp of the water and then another one. When she set the bottle down on the table, Polly handed her a cookie.

  “Everyone likes chocolate chip and I’ll bet you haven’t eaten anything today. Your blood sugar is probably low. I choose to believe that’s why you’ve been so out of control. Eat a cookie.”

  “You won’t let me not eat this, will you?” Natalie asked.

  “Not unless you tell me you are allergic to chocolate.”

  “You should live on the east coast. You’d rule that world with this attitude,” Natalie said through bites of cookie.

  “I lived there once. I like it better here.”

  “Are you going to let me into Thomas’s room?”

  “I can’t do that. It’s sealed by the police. Until they release the room, we can’t get in.”

  That sent the woman into another crying jag. “How will I take care of his things? I need to get that manuscript. His books are going to fly to the top of all of the sales lists now that he’s dead.”

  “I suspect you can take a breath and wait. He’s only been dead a couple of days. All of this hysteria over his manuscript seems really out of place. Especially since a good man was just killed.”

  Those words caused more sobbing and Polly had to take the cookie out of the woman’s hand before it was a crumbly mess. She was so out of control that Polly was becoming a little concerned.

  “You must stop the hysterics,” Polly said calmly. “Right. Now.”

  “But he’s dead,” Natalie wailed. “He’s dead!”

  “Honey, I know he’s dead. He died in front of me. You aren’t doing anyone any good with this wailing.”

  The woman looked at Polly. “I’m sorry I insulted you. I got lost. I’ve been all over the state, and then I ended up in another little town with streets named after poets and authors.” Natalie wrinkled her forehead. “Where was I?”

  “That was Stratford. It’s a cool idea for a town though, isn’t it? Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

  “No. I figured there would be a hotel in town.”

  “We don’t have a hotel. If that’s what you want, you’ll have to go to Boone or Ames.”

  Natalie looked at her in panic. “I’ll never find my way. I don’t drive very often. That’s the best part of living in Brooklyn. I always take a cab or the subway.”

  “Sit here. Let me ask a quick question,” Polly said. She left the conference room, walked into Jeff’s office, and shut his door.

  “What’s up? Is she coherent yet?” he asked.

  Polly screwed up her face and looked at him.

  “What?” he asked, then he stopped, “You’re going to ask me something, aren’t you, and I’m not going to like it.”

  “Don’t we have a room in the addition that’s still open?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Can she stay for a few days? She isn’t going anywhere until she can get Thomas’s manuscript and computer.”

  “Will she be hysterical every time I run into her?” he asked.

  “I won’t guarantee anything,” Polly laughed. “Can this work?”

  “Sure. You get to take her up though. Put her on the second floor toward the front.”

  “Thanks, Jeff.”

  Polly went back into the conference room and found Natalie eating a third cookie. At least that was a good sign.

  “We have an open room.” Polly sat back down. “It has internet access and you can do all of the work you need to do. As soon the sheriff releases Thomas’s things, I’ll let you know.”

  “Thank you,” the woman’s shoulders sagged and then she continued in an overly dramatic fashion, “I just couldn’t get back in that car and drive. I would be lost the minute I left town.”

  “Let me show you to your room,” Polly said.

  “Do you have anything to eat or can I get someone to deliver?”

  “I’m sure we have something. There are also a couple places that will deliver pizza or sandwiches. There is coffee in the kitchen and water in the refrigerator. Feel free to help yourself.”

  “Thank you. I do apologize for being so awful. It’s just that …”

  Polly put her hand up. “It’s fine.” She hated apologies that turned into justifications for people’s bad behavior. She was just beginning to tolerate this woman and didn’t want to have to be angry again. “Come on, I’ll show you where your room is.”

  As they left the office, another young woman came in the front door. The girl was in her mid-twenties and had bouncy brunette hair that hung to her shoulders. It was held back with a bright green headband that matched her belt. Black pants and a striking pink and green blouse which seemed to reflect the girl’s demeanor were finished off by a pair of hot pink flats.

  She waved to them as they crossed in the outer office. Polly stopped. “Are you Anita?”

  “Yes, are you Polly?”

  “I am. That’s Jeff Lindsay in there. I’m just going to show Natalie …” She paused, not knowing the woman’s last name.

  “Dormand,” Natalie said.

  “Natalie Dormand to her room. Jeff can get you started. My office is fine. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  Polly was glad the addition, which had been designed for those with special needs, was available. They took the elevator to the second floor and Polly unlocked the first door.

  The front of the building mimicked the look of a barn and the garage on the other side of Sycamore house, but the side looking out on the horse’s pasture was filled with windows. Lydia had worked her magic in these rooms, ensuring that each was unique and comfortable. She’d chosen deep burgundy and a rich green as the colors for this room, accenting the rustic pine furniture. Henry had consulted her, building cabinets and closets to match as closely as possible. Polly was thrilled with the work they’d done.

  “This is very nice,” Natalie said. “Thank you.”

  Polly picked up the tablet on the desk. “Here is everything you might want to know about Bellingwood. If you want food delivered, just call them. They know where we are and all you need to do is tell them you are on the top floor of the addition and they’ll find you. I hope you are comfortable here.”

  She explained the lock system and emailed a key to the woman’s phone, then left her to unpack and settle in. While waiting for the elevator, she rolled her head on her shoulders. “Thomas, you didn’t tell me she was so high maintenance. What were you thinking?” Polly asked, looking up at the ceiling. “You owe me now, you know.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Knowing that Anita Banks was waiting, Polly hurried back into the office and found her tapping away at the computer keyboard.

  “Have you found anything?” Polly asked.

  “You have a rockin’ system here. I don’t see power like this very often,” the girl laughed, not looking up from the screen. “But really, only one screen? This baby could support a bunch of them and with your sci fi stuff, it would only be the right thing to do.”

  Polly loved geeks. “Honestly, I just haven’t gotten around to looking for another one.”

  “You can buy them online. You should buy yourself two or three that match. Really make this place awesome.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Polly responded. “So, ummm, anything?”

  Anita looked up. “You aren’t going to like it.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Whoever sent that email used your own wireless server. How far out does it reach?”

  “We’ve got repeaters boosting the signal down to the barn and throughout the buildings here. There’s enough bandwidth comin
g in so anyone could use the signal.”

  “Well, it’s either one of your guests, an employee or someone who got close enough to use it.”

  “That’s just fabulous. I’m positive it isn’t an employee and I’m fairly confident I don’t have a guest who is angry with me. There are only four of them here and Aaron is already investigating them. This information doesn’t help me at all, does it?”

  “Have you considered surveillance cameras? That would be a pretty cool use of the extra monitors - like a never-ending movie.”

  Polly shook her head. “No. I’m not doing that. I don’t want to intrude on my guest’s privacy.”

  “What if you were to look at it as if you were offering them better security? A safer place to stay.”

  “This is Bellingwood. I think that’s pretty safe as it is.”

  “It’s just a thought. With the system you have in place, it wouldn’t be that difficult to get them hooked up.”

  “Everyone is trying to get me to do this,” Polly quietly complained. “I’m not going to.”

  Anita shrugged, “Not my deal. It was just a thought.” She looked at Polly, “Aaron says you’re having some big Victorian era masquerade ball in a couple of weeks. Steampunk costumes too?”

  “Absolutely. Are you interested?”

  “I am. I’ve been to a few events with the Iowa Steampunk Group in Des Moines and Iowa City. They came up to ride the Chinese Steam Engine in Boone last winter. That was a blast.”

  “That’s cool. I can hardly wait for the ball,” Polly replied. “There is so much that can be done with the Victorian era, from Steampunk to Victorian elegance to vampires and nearly anything else. We only ask that you do something and that wear a mask. It’s going to be fun. Do you have a character name?” Polly had read enough Steampunk novels and done enough research into the phenomena that she was absolutely fascinated by it.

  Anita giggled a little and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m Claire Astlebury. She was my mother’s grandmother and came from England in the late eighteen hundreds. My Claire travels in her father’s grand, lighter-than-air dirigible. She loves to fly and is building her own contraption so she can cross the Atlantic alone.”

  “That sounds awesome,” Polly said. “Do you read a lot of these novels?”

  “I don’t have as much time to read as I used to. I kind of got myself wrapped up in a couple of online computer games and between that and work, I don’t read like I should.”

  Polly’s mind began to race and then she made herself stop thinking about it. She wasn’t about to play cupid for a couple of kids. But, all she could think was that this girl would be perfect for Doug Randall. She was a few years older than him, but still. It would be perfect. She let out a giggle and then stopped herself.

  “What?” Anita asked.

  “Nothing. I just told myself to stop something before I started.”

  The girl looked at her, perplexed.

  “I would only get myself into trouble,” Polly sighed, but she couldn’t help herself. “Are you dating anyone, Anita?”

  “Do I need a date to come to the ball?”

  “Oh, no, that’s not it,” Polly assured her. “I was thinking that I should introduce you to a friend of mine. You two would hit it off and even if there was no love at first sight, you’d make great friends. I adore him and I …” she paused. “I’m really sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong and I’m not going to do that to you. I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.”

  Anita pushed her bangs back on her forehead. “I wouldn’t hate meeting someone. Why do you think we’d be friends?”

  “He’s a total computer geek and a gamer …”

  “What games does he play?” Anita interrupted.

  “I’m not sure of all of them. I know he plays Sword Lords with my friend’s sons. I’ve seen Diablo and Spore and I’m sure he plays World of Warcraft. And he’s a total Star Wars nut.”

  Anita smiled. “He sounds kind of perfect. I can’t believe someone hasn’t grabbed him.”

  Polly laughed deeply and heartily. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re wonderful. You do know that most girls aren’t quite as impressed with that as you think. They like their men to be interested in cars and sports.” Polly did a quick self-check and groaned internally. Just like she was attracted to a man who liked those things.

  “I’d like to meet him,” Anita said quietly. “It sounds like fun.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Why not. It isn’t like interesting boys come dropping out of the sky. I shouldn’t turn this down, even if it doesn’t work out.”

  “Give me your number and I’ll see what I can do to set up a meet before the Ball. Unless you want to meet him for the first time with a mask on and in full regalia.”

  “That sounds kind of romantic, don’t you think?”

  “Not really, but I’ve had enough surprises in my life,” Polly said.

  “That’s right. I’ve heard stories about you.”

  “I’m sure you have. I’m glad that I know who to call when dead bodies show up, but it is starting to get a little weird.”

  “No kidding! The Giller file is red-flagged down at the office. We just wait to see what will happen next.”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  Anita giggled, “Maybe a little. It’s gotten to be quite the thing. We’d laugh if it weren’t so sad that people die around you.”

  “Oh, that sounds horrible! It makes me seem dangerous or something. None of these have been my fault!”

  “We know that. You just end up being in the right place at the wrong time. But then, that’s what they all say.” Anita winked at Polly and stood up. “I should be getting back to the office. Ask your friend if he wants a mysterious date for the Ball. If he does, tell him that Lady Claire will be dressed as an aviatrix.”

  “I will.” Polly walked with Anita as she left the office. “Thanks for coming up and you’ll tell Aaron what you found?”

  Anita grinned, “I have to fill out a report. I’ll make sure it’s on his desk … with the Giller red flag.”

  Polly went back into her office. The boys should be here by now. She spun around in her chair and looked out the window in time to see Jason and Andrew cross the parking lot. She turned back around as they came in the front door of the building, past her office window and into the main office.

  Andrew dropped his backpack and hopped into a chair. “We’re late because Jason got in trouble,” he announced.

  “Shut up, runt,” Jason sat down in the other chair.

  “What happened?” Polly asked. This was the last thing she expected and she didn’t want to be the one to tell their mother.

  Andrew started to speak, then caught his brother glaring at him. He shut his mouth and slumped down in his chair.

  “Jason?” Polly asked again.

  “It was no big deal,” he said.

  Andrew spoke up, “You have detention tomorrow.”

  This time Polly glared at the little boy. “It’s not your story to tell, Andrew. Let Jason do it.”

  Andrew, chagrined, seemed to slump a little lower.

  “Jason?” she asked.

  “Mom is going to kill me. She has to sign a note and call the principal tomorrow.” Jason sighed. “I’m going to so die. You don’t think she’ll stop me from helping out in the barn, do you?”

  “What did you do to get detention?” Polly asked. Andrew opened his mouth, thought better of it and slammed it shut.

  “I got in a fight.”

  “You what?” Polly was shocked. Jason was pretty even tempered. Even when his younger brother pushed him to the edge, he didn’t get physical. “With who?”

  Poor Andrew was dying to speak, but she held her finger up to keep him quiet.

  “It wasn’t a big deal. I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “You don’t have to tell me about it,” Polly said. “The two of you should go upstairs and do your homework. Eliseo will be ready for you in about
forty-five minutes. I’ll come up before you go out to the barn. Do you have a lot of homework tonight, Andrew?”

  “I just have spelling words and a math worksheet,” Andrew said. “I’ll be done in a jiffy.”

  Polly giggled, “A jiffy? Where did you hear that word?”

  “Oh, some book I was reading. Can I go back to my desk and do my homework? I want to look at my globe. We’re studying the United States and I’m going to draw a map of Iowa.”

  “Go on upstairs first and do your homework. When Jason goes out to the barn, you can go down to your desk.”

  She watched Andrew move through protest, to acquiescence and finally acceptance. “I’ll do it. Come on Jason. I’ll race you.”

  “You already win, runt. I’m not racing. I’ll be up in a minute.”

  Andrew grabbed his backpack and took off up the steps. Jason stayed seated. “Polly, I heard some seventh graders talk about beating Andrew up. When I told them that I was going to report them, three of them came at me and I had to punch the first kid to get him off. He’s bigger than me, but the other two started screaming when the teacher showed up.”

  “Did you tell anyone what happened?”

  “No. I didn’t want Andrew to know. I think they’ll leave him alone. But, he’s kind of a dork and his friends aren’t much better.”

  “I don’t care whether kids think he is a dork or not. That’s no reason for anyone to get beat up. Will you tell your mom?”

  “Yeah. I hope she believes me. I’m really scared she’ll ground me and won’t let me help with the horses.”

  “Don’t worry too much about that. Since you have to be here every afternoon anyway, I’ll talk to her. We’ll see what we can work out. Did you hurt the kid you punched?”

  “His nose was bloody. The nurse said he’d be fine, but he was really mad. I hope he doesn’t get me in more trouble.”

  “Did he get detention, too?”

  “No, his buddies told the teacher that I just came unglued on him because he was being mouthy.”

  “Okay. Deal with your detention and tell your mom everything. It’s not fair sometimes, but it’s what you get.”