Cookies and Chaos

by C A Phipps

  Unfortunately, her phone was back in the car. She remembered that Gran had placed it in the tray beneath the dashboard. So no flashlight and no way to call for help. She gave herself a mental slap while she began to check them over.

  “I’m sorry Owen. Real sorry,” the bloodied man mumbled as he turned to face her.

  She couldn’t be sure in this light, but he had a definite familiarity to him. “Mr. Langham? Bertram Langham?”

  “Is Owen there? My son?”

  She knelt down on the rough cold concrete and felt for his pulse which was faint. He was in a very bad way. By the cuts on his face, he’d been badly beaten and blood seeped out through his shirt. A lot of blood. She ripped it open and found a gunshot wound to his chest. She had to get help somehow and soon. She took off her jacket, sweater, and blouse, then removed her camisole. Wading this up she put it over the wound then placed his hand firmly on it.

  “I’m Madeline Flynn. A friend of Owen’s. You have to hold this, Mr. Langham. I’m going to get help.”

  She said this with a conviction she didn’t feel. Unsure of being able to lift the roller door, even if she could break the wooden one, the only real option was the window which entailed a big drop to the ground. Fear of being heard or caught escaping wasn’t as strong as the fear of watching Owen’s father die.

  He clutched at her arm. “I remember. Owen’s gone. I called you. From Nora’s. Your number was beside her phone. I tried to warn you, but Smith found me just as you answered. I’m so sorry for everything. Owen thought a lot of you,” he gasped as tears trailed down his cheeks.

  The call that she thought was from Nora had brought her to this and all along it had been from Owen’s father. Maddie placed his fingers back on the wadding.

  “Don’t talk anymore. Save your strength.”

  Leaving him, she checked on the other man. He was alive but unresponsive. Her grandfather had taught her to place an unconscious person into the recovery position, but she couldn’t think what else to do and time was slipping away. Time that could mean life or death to either of these men.

  Covering both of them with the tarpaulin to keep them warm, she put her clothes back on, apart from her jacket. Next, she eased one of the smaller crates out of the window. It hit the grass outside with a soft thump. Then she managed to drop the second one on the first. Next she used the plank to break off any glass still in the frame of the window. Finally she put her jacket over the bottom of the frame and squeezed out the hole feet first.

  She hung in the air, not sure how far she had to drop before her feet could touch the crates. Letting go was the hardest part of it, but she took a breath then counted to three again. Her feet hit the crate, but she was too heavy for it and they smashed right through that and the same thing happened with the one underneath.

  Now she had two crates around her body that she didn’t need. She threw them over her head, heedless of the rough wood that scratched her bare arms, and ran after the cars, taking a short cut over the golf course, in a far straighter line than the crooks had used.

  Even after she crested the first bunker, not one taillight was visible. They were long gone. She jogged out onto a path that led back to the clubhouse and after a while she saw a rainbow in the sky. Blue, white, and red, it throbbed like so many disco balls. Those colors gave her more hope than anything she could imagine.

  Around the last corner she found Ethan. He’d barricaded the exit and the criminals, who had no doubt searched for another way out and failed, had ended up back here just ahead of her.

  Smith was revving the sedan’s engine as if he might try a game of chicken, but Ethan merely leaned over the hood of his car with a shotgun aimed at them. She couldn’t see Ethan’s face from here, but his body language looked calm as she slid behind a shrub making sure to be out of the line of fire.

  These men didn’t know what they had got themselves into with the Sheriff’s department of Maple Falls, but Maddie knew Smith and Chance were as cooked as day-old bread.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Once Smith and Chance were taken into custody, Ethan handed his gun to one of his deputies and ran his hands through his hair, his eyes searching the golf course. Peering through the branches, Maddie finally felt safe enough to show herself.

  He saw her immediately and emitted an anguished noise as he ran to meet her in the middle of the parking lot.

  “You couldn’t sit at home and do nothing, could you?” he said gruffly as he pulled her to him.

  She could have stayed there forever, but there were other people to think about.

  “Bertram Langley is in the grounds man’s shed. He and another man are hurt really bad and need an ambulance.”

  Ethan leaned back, shook his head at her, then yelled over his shoulder. “Rob get an ambulance here ASAP.”

  She pulled on his arm. “I’ll show you the shortcut.”

  “Don’t you want to stay here where it’s safe?”

  “Are you kidding me? I don’t want to be anywhere near those two.”

  She heard rather than saw his smile.

  “Then Rob’s coming too, just in case these two aren’t working alone.” He signaled to his deputy.

  Rob had made the call and now the three of them jumped in the front of Ethan’s car and raced back to the shed with Maddie pointing out the way she’d come. It had been quite a way and the car wasn’t built for this terrain, but they got there in one piece.

  With no preamble, Rob shot the lock off the roller door and raced inside. Between the two of them they wrestled the internal door off its hinges. By this time the ambulance could be heard. Rob went outside to wave them down while Maddie and Ethan checked on Langham and the other man who was still unconscious.

  Langham was hanging in there, but only just. Maddie held his hand, while Ethan checked the room. He came to kneel beside them and spoke softly to the older man.

  “Mr. Langley. Can you tell me what Smith and Chance were going to do with all these paintings?”

  “I’m sorry,” Langham moaned.

  “Shhh. It’s okay.” Maddie tried to calm his agitation by patting his arm.

  The ambulance arrived and the paramedics were ushered in by Rob. Maddie and Ethan eased out of the confined space and waited outside the roller door.

  When she shivered, Ethan put his jacket around her shoulders. She smiled, then frowned.

  “He kept saying that, about Owen. That he was sorry. The two must have met several times to have developed a bond so quickly.”

  Ethan nodded. “They met many times.”

  Her eyes widened. “You knew they were related all along?”

  He gave a crooked grin. “Not from the beginning. Sometimes people like Mavis and Nora can prove very helpful by knowing everything that happens in the retirement community. Even if they don’t know what it all means. You just have to ask the right questions.”

  Bertram was brought out on a gurney and placed in the ambulance, then they did the same for the other man. With a lot more light they could see who it was.

  “The grounds man.” Ethan stated.

  “It will be interesting to see how much he knows. If he makes it.” Rob said.

  “He’s in a bad way, isn’t he?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “I’m not sure if he’s guilty or innocent, but he had to know about the room at the back of his shed.”

  “That’s true.” Ethan led the way to Rob’s car.

  “I need to follow them to see how he does and speak to him if I get the opportunity. His testimony will help keep the other two behind bars for a long while. I can drop you two at the station on the way.”

  She sat in the back, eyes closed while she tried to assimilate the day. Then she gasped.

  “What about Detective Jones? Is he okay?”

  “Luckily, he only has a bad concussion, but luckier still not to drown. With you to worry about, I guess they weren’t as thorough as they could have been.”

  Rob covered
his laugh with a cough.

  She ignored them both as Ethan dropped Rob off by the clubhouse to pick up his car.

  “Was that you I saw at the end of the road by the retirement community, Ethan?” she asked when they were on their way again.

  “It was. I wanted to follow their car, but I knew Steve was around there somewhere and the fact he wasn’t close on their heels meant I had to find him when he didn’t answer my calls. Rob was already questioning residents when I found him. ”

  “I bet he’s going to be mad at me.”

  “I can’t think why.”

  This time they both laughed. Perhaps she should be offended, but what was the point when they were right?

  “Okay, now that you’ve made fun of me, you can catch me up on what I don’t know. Please.”

  Ethan groaned, but nodded. “You’d better come to the hospital with me. Maybe he’ll be awake and can fill in the blanks that we haven’t managed yet.”

  Maddie sat back and allowed herself a small smile. She wouldn’t mind hearing the whole story and she wanted more than anything for there to be a happy ending for Owen’s dad. If only for the fact that she hated to think his death had been for nothing.

  When Ethan saw her in the light he made a rude noise.

  “You’re hurt.”

  She shrugged, although her body protested with the slight movement. “Just a few scrapes.”

  “You are not going anywhere until you’ve been thoroughly checked out.”

  She knew that stubborn look and had little energy to argue so she allowed herself to be poked and prodded by a nurse. Disinfectant hurt like a swarm of bees, and her teeth hurt from being gritted for so long, but there was no serious damage.

  “I told you, I’m fine.”

  He raised an eyebrow and scoffed. “Fine, as we all know, is not a word to be taken lightly from a woman.”

  “Pardon?” Her eyebrows had talents of their own.

  Ethan decided not to pursue the matter. “I’m glad you’re okay. Now I’ve got to get to Langham.”

  “Let’s go then.” She picked up her jacket she’d rescued from the window back at the shed, but didn’t put it on, since there were potentially a few splinters of glass still embedded in the sleeves, and warmer now, she handed him his.

  He brushed the hair from her face and, with a warm smile proving once more that his annoyance and frustration were driven by his feelings for her, led her down the corridor of the small hospital.

  The deputy posted nearby informed them that Langham had not spoken and was in surgery. At this stage, loss of blood was the main issue as the wound had missed important organs and veins. It sounded positive, so after calling Gran with a brief synopsis, Maddie curled herself into a ball on a wooden bench and stayed that way while Ethan visited Detective Jones.

  She hadn’t realized she’d nodded off until Ethan’s hand touched her shoulder.

  “Come on sleeping beauty. Time for home.”

  Maddie took his outstretched hand. “I can’t believe I slept.”

  “Exhaustion and stress will do that to a person. Besides, you look darned cute, even with all the cuts.”

  “I just bet I do,” she laughed, which sounded too loud in the quiet hall. Much softer, she asked, “Is Langham out of surgery?”

  “He is. I’ve spoken to him for as long as the doctor would allow, but I believe I have most of the story. His version of it, at least.”

  “What about the grounds man? He was new wasn’t he?”

  “Was that a guess?”

  “A supposition.”

  “A darned good one. How’d you get to it?”

  “1. The person who made that room, did it especially for these crimes because it was flimsy as if it wasn’t built to last. 2. Security wasn’t a problem because that roller door was strong and always locked. 3. If he was new in town he wouldn’t know a lot of people so wouldn’t have unwanted visitors. Lastly, 4. The grounds man wasn’t the one complaining about his golf course which doesn’t make sense because everyone knows there’s a pride associated with a perfect green.”

  Ethan shook his head in wonder. “Precisely. He’s either very disorientated or putting on a good act, but we’ll make sure he isn’t going anywhere.”

  With their fingers still entwined, they went outside. She was glad of the fresh air after the stuffiness of the hospital and eager for more details. This sleuthing business was a lot like baking. Each new recipe meant failing a few times, but in the end you understood what ingredients or clues made it finally come together. In both, all she wanted was a happy outcome, but how could there be when someone innocent had died?

  Ethan made sure she was comfortable, then he pulled out of the parking lot. Usually she was the one tapping something, so when his fingers drummed the wheel she could tell he had something on his mind.

  “Are you still worried about the case?” she pointed to his fingers.

  “Looks like I’m picking up one of your habits. I’m hoping you aren’t picking up too many of mine.”

  “Are you still mad at me for going to the retirement community when I said I wouldn’t?”

  “I wish it was that. I was scared. Plain and simple. The thought of losing you again is always at the back of my mind. I knew that Smith and Chance had no trouble killing. Not knowing if you had been taken by them was sickening and frustrating. I can usually go on autopilot when I’m on a case but with you involved I’m not convinced I’m as effective as I need to be.”

  Maddie’s head sank to her chest.

  “You’re a wonderful Sheriff and the last thing I want is for you to doubt your ability to do your job because of me. I don’t intentionally look for trouble. It just seems to find its way to Maple Lane Bakery.” She put her hands out. “And I like to think I have helped in some way.”

  He was silent.

  “Do you want me to promise to keep out of your way?”

  Unbelievably, he snorted and she raised her head to see his wry grin.

  “Maddie, if I thought that was a possibility as far as detective work was concerned, I wouldn’t be so worried. The truth is that you have a need to help people, just like your Gran. I get it, just don’t expect me to be happy with it when it endangers you.”

  “You mean that as much as it bothers you, you’ll put up with me?”

  He pulled up at the corner of Maple Lane and turned to face her. “I have no choice. I love you.”

  She gasped.

  He frowned. “Is that so terrible?”

  She shook her head, her fingers rapping her thigh.

  “Unexpected?”

  What was she supposed to say? He put on the light and watched her fight her fears. She reached up and switched it off, preferring to do her self-wrangling in semi-darkness.

  Ethan sighed, then drove around the corner to the bakery and apartment.

  All the lights were burning and she appreciated her family and friends would need to know she was okay. Her phone was still in Honey at the retirement community, and would have to stay there until tomorrow since she couldn’t entertain the thought of driving tonight, but the call to Gran from the hospital was never going to be enough. There was no possibility of her getting to bed any time soon.

  Ethan came around the car and helped her out. He pulled her into his arms and she went willingly, understanding he was still waiting for a clearer response to his declaration of love. He kissed her. At first, incredibly gently. Then it morphed into a passion so strong it took her breath away. On and on it went until her knees began to weaken.

  He pulled away. “Get inside, before I whisk you away. Even if you don’t feel the same as I do.”

  He was smiling again and at that precise moment her heart overflowed as if it had been held in check by a large block from the past.

  “Why, Sheriff, I think this is one mystery you need help solving, since you seem to have missed the obvious clues. As it happens, I do love you. Very much.”

  His eyes widened, then he let out a
yell and picked her up, smashing his lips onto hers. The kitchen door opened and several faces appeared at the window. He put her down and gave her a gorgeous grin, flashing that dimple she loved.

  “It’s been a long day and it looks like you’ll be having a long night. As much as I want to stay with you, I need sleep too. I’ll see you tomorrow though.”

  “After that kiss, you’d better,” she teased.

  He kissed her once more, tenderly, then she floated up the walk as he drove off, her fingers touching swollen lips. This had started out as one crazy relationship and had morphed into something that was better than anything she had experienced. It felt like this was the first time she had truly loved a man. Including a much younger Ethan Tanner.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The Girlz glanced at each other across the counter, then back to Gran, who had called them to her like chicks to a hen. Big Red was giving her his displeased look until Maddie bent down to pick him up. He lay precariously on her lap because his bulk was that much bigger, but he was content to perch on the seat with her. Rubbing her face in the reassuring softness of his body she looked over the top of him.

  “I still don’t get why you’re all here at this time of night.”

  Gran bristled. “After what I witnessed at the Sunny Days and what you told me, I didn’t care to wonder about everyone’s safety any longer and the only way to assuage my concern was to have them be where I can see them. Then I could just concentrate on worrying about you. And Ethan.”

  Maddie grimaced. “Sorry. Things didn’t pan out the way I thought they would when I left you.”

  “That is an understatement, sweetheart.” Gran sniffed.

  The others sat quietly, waiting for the post-mortem of the case. Maddie had heard it from Ethan and now it was time to pass it on. She was sore, tired and dirty, but the Girlz placed a cup of English Breakfast tea, her favorite, and a slice of Gran’s chocolate cake, in front of her, so it wasn’t all bad. First she needed a long sip of the tea, while Gran began to check her scrapes even though Maddie explained that a nurse already had.