by Lois Winston
He shrugged. “Their wealth-acquiring story isn’t solid. Until I know why, I question it.”
“I’m pretty good at following money. Maybe I can help your team figure out where the money came from?”
He scowled. “Stick to your spreadsheets and calculators. I’ve got this.”
My hopes fell, and with it a slow heat simmered in my belly. “My mistake.”
“I apologize.” His face flushed. “That sounded harsh. You’ve been through so much. Stay safe, for your daughters’ sake.”
He was almost as smooth as Britt at guilting me into good behavior. “I appreciate your concern.” I rose, stepping over Madonna. She scrambled to her feet beside me, her eyes on the cop. “That’s all the time I have for you today, Detective. Thanks for stopping in.”
He stood, an unrepentant grin on his face. “You’re kicking me out?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Good to know you have some pushback. Take care of yourself Mrs. Jones.”
“It’s Cleo.”
ELEVEN
After spending the rest of Wednesday afternoon pacing my house, I reached several conclusions. My mental fog had lifted. I needed to find out what happened to me. Neither Britt Radcliffe nor Jack Martinez had all the answers.
Men. Seemed like the men in my life had definite ideas of how I should conduct myself. I had news for them. My perspective mattered when deciding what was best for me and my family, not theirs. I gazed at the ring on my finger, the one I’d accepted when I said I’d marry my ex. I wasn’t the woman Charlie married or divorced. I was stronger and wiser. My trust in him would never be absolute again. He wasn’t Mr. Right. I pulled Charlie’s ring off my finger, tossed it in a bowl by the kitchen sink, and felt my spirits rise.
Further, Rafe Golden’s chronic inattention showed where I fell in his priorities. Sure he’d come when someone notified him, but he’d had no idea I was in jeopardy. He’d forgotten to call Monday evening. Our long distance relationship didn’t work. Even if we repaired our relationship for the short-term, we had different views about marriage.
It wasn’t marriage I truly sought. Marriage didn’t guarantee anything. It was a legal process to induce couples to stay together. I wanted commitment.
Neither man offered it to me.
Madonna nudged my leg. Guess she’d noticed I stopped moving. I sank down on the floor beside her. This gal knew a thing or two about commitment, and I loved her for it.
~*~
Later that day, Jonette brought sub sandwiches and chips home with the girls. “Voila! Dinner is served.”
“Thanks, but it’s nowhere near dinnertime,” I remarked as I accepted the food bags and sodas.
The girls dashed by, with hugs on the run, as they raced upstairs. “For goodness sake, what’s that all about?” I asked.
Jonette’s face lit up. “Something fun at school tonight. There’s a Lip Sync Fundraiser Contest for a classmate who needs a heart transplant. We had one for our class, too. Ricky somebody needed a prosthetic, and his family couldn’t pay for it.”
“I remember. You were a total rock star.” The girls mentioned the Lip Sync Contest in passing last week. Last I knew, neither had been interested. “Are Charla and Lexy competing?”
“No, but they’re integral to the production.”
“How do you know so much about it?” I asked.
“The guidance counselor asked me to judge.”
“Why judge when you could compete? You could do another Kelly Clarkson song.”
“This isn’t about me. I’m on the other side of the judging table this time around.”
Charla and Lexy hurried down the staircase and tore into dinner. “What’d we miss?”
“Nothing,” Jonette said. “We were talking about old times.”
The subs and chips smelled great. I opened mine and dug in. Conversation swirled around me like a snow flurry. Due to illness of the original emcee, Charla was filling in for her, and Lexy agreed to be the official photographer. Looked like I was going to another Lip Sync Contest.
“I checked, Mom,” Lexy said after a gulp of soda. “No strobe lights in the program, so you’re good.”
Flashing lights were a problem for seizure disorders and some migraines. I’d never heard of them disturbing amnesia victims. Even so, I was touched she’d been thinking of me. “Great. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Before we cleared away our wrappers, Charlie dropped by with another meal for everyone. Fried chicken. Jonette stashed the bucket in the fridge with a frosty smile to my ex. I nearly snorted at her calculating expression.
“Girls,” Jonette said with a true smile, “let’s go upstairs and get ready. Your mom and dad need to talk.”
My brow furrowed. How did she know? Jonette kept her lips sealed as she shepherded the girls and the dog upstairs.
Charlie sank down in the kitchen chair, his gaze wary. “It’s true, isn’t it? You’re breaking our engagement.”
I walked to the counter, collected the ring, and handed it to Charlie. “It is true. I had time to sort out my thoughts this afternoon.”
“You were supposed to rest.”
“I tried, but it didn’t work.”
“Don’t be hasty. We’d be good together, Cleo. We always were.”
“Somehow, after all the hell you put me through, Charlie, we’re still friends. I love how devoted you are to our daughters, and I don’t want that to change.”
“It won’t.”
“The trouble is you weren’t devoted to me in the first place, or you never would’ve looked twice at Denise.”
He frowned. “She was a con artist.”
“She was. But accept responsibility for your actions. I was so devastated. If not for my mother, Jonette, and the kids, I would’ve done something rash.” Emotion squeezed my throat tight. It took a moment until I could speak. “I’m not the woman you married. I agreed to the engagement Tuesday morning because those old memories were so vivid, and I’d forgotten all the bad stuff, just like I forgot who I was. I wanted to experience that abiding love again. But in the cold light of day, when my memory is fully functional, I don’t see a future with you. That absolute trust is gone.”
“I admitted in the hospital that I screwed up,” Charlie said, hanging his head. “But that Charlie is long gone.”
“I know you believe that. At heart, I don’t. I hope we remain friends, but stop asking me to marry you. It’s never going to happen.”
He met my level gaze, eyes glittering with tears. “I’d hoped we could work out our differences. Except for that bit of craziness with Denise, you’ve always been there for me.”
“That’s just it. I’m not a comfortable old shoe—and I want more than that from a committed partner. If you’re honest, you want that, too. Move on. Find someone who inspires passion and excitement, someone who doesn’t want to kill you.”
“I want you. I like who we are together. Besides, dating isn’t my scene.”
Now we were getting somewhere. “We aren’t those same people. You should venture out.”
“Is this because you’ve got Rafe? You don’t need me now.”
Headlights flashed in the window. “Not that it’s any business of yours, but he isn’t committed to me, either. Rafe is committed to Rafe.”
A slow smile filled his face. “You’re dumping him, too?”
“I am, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s here now. Don’t say anything to him on your way out.”
Charlie jumped up and hugged me. “This is the best news I’ve had all day.”
I pushed him away. “This isn’t about you! If you really cared about me, you’d realize these decisions make me happy. Now go home.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Rafe and Charlie passed in the yard. Rafe came in and unzipped his coat. “What’s up with him? First time he’s ever smiled at me.”
I noticed he didn’t sweep me into his arms. No kiss, either. He seemed wary. “He’s happy.”
“You’re marrying him?”
I summoned a cool tone. “I ended the engagement.”
He let out a slow breath. “Odd reaction on his part, but what do I care? You’re a free woman again.”
“Freer than you know. I did some thinking today. You might want to sit down.”
He drew up straighter. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
“Please. Sit. We need to clear the air.”
We both sat at the kitchen table. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“I spent the afternoon here alone, too tired to sleep or work and too antsy to sit still. So I started thinking.” I paused. Now that the moment was here, could I handle it with grace? “I don’t see a future with you, Rafe. That’s the bottom line.”
His expression hardened. “What brought this on? I thought we were making our way back to where we were.”
“Were we? We expect different levels of commitment from a relationship. During and before our marriage, Charlie and I talked every day, no matter what. Until you came to the hospital, when is the last time you called me?”
“We talked last week,” he said.
“Last week.” How depressing. “I called you the last five times we’ve talked. You haven’t called once in three weeks. Not once.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Day and night? I don’t think so. The need for sharing of our lives isn’t mutual. That’s telling. Worse, it’s a death knell for our relationship. It’s over, Rafe. We’re over.”
Silence fell like a weighted curtain. My heart raced in my ears. I’d never broken up with anyone before, much less two men in one hour, but Rafe and I didn’t have a chance at making it.
“I don’t know what to say.” His voice sounded clipped.
My smile was bittersweet. “That’s the whole point. You won’t fight for us. I’ve been fighting for us ever since you moved to Potomac, but I’m weary of it. I’m not a tux in your closet you trot out on special occasions. I’m the houseplant that needs frequent watering, conversation, and bright sunshine.”
“You are sunshine, never doubt that.” He made an effort to smile but it fell short. “I miss seeing you every day, but you’re right. I haven’t initiated calls in the last month. There’s no one else, if that’s what you’re wondering. Being down there, I’m another person, and that person isn’t the man you need. I see that now.”
He wasn’t even upset. How could that be? I didn’t understand how he could be so calm about the end of our affair. Without the convenience factor, it seemed I wasn’t even on his radar. That stank.
Time to kick him out. I rose. “The girls have a school activity tonight. Jonette’s driving us, but I should go freshen up.”
“You’re really dumping me?” he asked, standing beside me.
What did he expect? A marching band and a ten-gun salute? “Yes. We are officially no longer a couple.”
“I don’t like goodbyes.”
I shrugged. “Who does?”
“Are we friends?” he asked.
“Too soon to say. I will mourn the end of our relationship, but I’m moving on.”
An eyebrow quirked. “Is there someone else?”
I should give him something positive to hold onto for his send-off. “I’m not seeing anyone. But thanks to you, I know I can survive the dating pool. I feel good about myself and my age. I feel passion and excitement. You gave me that gift of self-discovery.”
He said nothing, just glanced at the exit and back. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
I kept my lips sealed until the door closed. “Don’t hold your breath.”
TWELVE
The Lip Sync Contest was fun, and I slept restfully all night long. On Thursday morning, Bud brought the new-but-used Volvo sedan by, and it drove like a dream. Then Mama and I hit the DMV, and I came away with a new driver’s license. We bought fancy sandwiches from her catering friends and headed to the office, determined to make a dent in the deluge of client returns we’d already begun. After my memory problem on Monday, Mama had rescheduled the week’s appointments.
I noticed the brown padded envelope on Mama’s desk as I entered. “What’s that?”
“Oh. I forgot. It came in yesterday’s mail.”
I frowned. “We were closed at mail time. We were dealing with Shea Leigh Bean.”
“It was sitting on the stoop when I drove by this morning. See, it has a postmark and everything. Sally Ann left it for us. She knows the neighborhood is secure. Anyway, I tucked it inside and rushed over in time to see you thanking Bud for the car.”
“The Volvo is awesome, Mama. I can’t thank you guys enough for doing that.”
“It’ll be Charla’s and then Lexy can learn to drive in it, too. Your father would like that.”
“Yeah. He would.” I planned to mirror my father’s safety rules as my daughters learned to drive.
“Your business credit card came in the mail, too. You get your other ones at the house?”
I thought back to my quick glance through the stack of mail on the kitchen counter. “Maybe. I haven’t felt like dealing with routine chores yet. Until this case is solved, I keep looking over my shoulder for the boogey man to jump out and grab me.”
“We’re not taking any chances with strangers today.” She patted her oversize purse. “I’m carrying.”
I did a double take and nearly dropped the sandwich bag. “Mama! You took a gun to the DMV?”
“I did, and I was remarkably restrained, given all the waiting we had to do.”
Conversation circled around to other topics as we ate and worked, and I didn’t think about the padded envelope again until it was nearly time for the girls to come home. Charlie had school pickup duty today, but I wanted to be in the kitchen and have snacks ready for them.
I hefted the envelope before I left. It felt feather-light. “What on earth is this?” I tugged off the tear-here strip, reached inside, and withdrew another bubble-wrapped object. Something tiny. I kept unwrapping.
“Is there a note?” Mama asked.
“Didn’t see one.” I used a small razor knife to defeat the tape. A bronze-colored key fell out. There were no markings on it. “How odd.”
“Let me see.” Mama reached for the key and studied both sides. “Could be a safe deposit box key.”
“Or a padlock key.” I examined the envelope carefully. Inside I found a small slip of paper with a few typed words: keep this safe. No return address. The postmark was Leesburg. The Virginia town where Mrs. Taylor lived. Or had lived.
Realization dawned like a thunderclap. “Put the mystery key down, Mama. This may be evidence in the case. We can’t tell anyone about this key unless they’re a cop.”
Mama dropped it, and the key tumbled under her desk. “Oh, dear!” She bent to get down on her hands and knees, but I intervened. Tight places gave her anxiety, which could lead to another heart attack. My heart couldn’t take another disaster this week. “I’ll get it.”
Mama’s relief showed in her shaky smile. “Go right ahead, but be careful.”
I knelt and crawled under the foot section of her desk. Madonna burrowed in beside me, filling the small space. Hot dog breath funneled down my neck. I grabbed the key and backed out, only my head smacked the underside of the desk as I exited. I saw stars, and then I slid into darkness.
~*~
I awakened in the car. Not Mama’s car. My cousin Britt’s SUV. “What’s going on?” I pushed up from the reclined seat and then wished I hadn’t. The scenery whizzed by so fast it made me dizzy. Sheer determination had me gritting my teeth and raising the seat back to support me. The shoulder strap of the seat belt also provided support while I took stock of my health.
The sunlight. Too bright. I shut my eyes and grabbed my aching head.
“Don’t get mad, dear,” Mama said. “After you banged your head so hard you passed out, I called Britt to carry us to Doc McLaren’s office. And before you ask, Charlie has t
he girls at his place.”
Seemed like all bases were covered. My head throbbed, but I could handle it. I was not going to a hospital for more tests. “I’m all right. I don’t need a doctor.”
“Sorry, Cleo,” Britt said from the front seat. “Delilah is right. Your pupils are dilated. Odds are you have another concussion.”
“I know my name and address. I know who you are. I’m okay. Take me home.”
“Shush,” Mama said with a flip of her wrist. “Doc McLaren’s expecting you.”
My wishes didn’t matter. Only theirs counted. I fumed in the back seat, feeling trapped before a realization struck. If this were Charla or Lexy with a second head injury, you would do the same thing. I had to snap out of this funk, and the latest mystery would help distract me. “What about the key?”
“No one will find the key,” Mama said. “I made sure of it.”
“What key?” Britt said, gaze sharp in the rearview mirror.
“The safe deposit box key,” Mama answered.
Britt didn’t miss a beat as he pulled into the doctor’s parking lot. His gaze bore into mine again. “Yours?”
“It’s a mystery. The key arrived in yesterday’s mail with a note to keep it safe, but we just opened the envelope today.” I felt like I’d won a victory by beating Mama to the reply. “Leesburg postmark. I think the key fits a small padlock.”
“Martinez know?”
“Nope,” Mama said. “Cleo’s health is more important than that stupid key.”
~*~
Doc McLaren ordered another CT scan, and when it came out good, he prescribed rest, thank goodness. He said I’d be fine tomorrow and if I wasn’t better to call him. Grateful for the reprieve, I hugged him before we headed home.
The girls fussed. Charlie tried to fuss but I kicked him out. Then I went to bed.
The locksmith came just before five, though Mama nearly talked his ears off. I hurried downstairs to join them, hoping to distract Mama so the man could work.
Except once I saw all his tools spread out on the table, I asked, “Mr. Albert, will you give us your opinion of a certain key that we recently found? Mama and I differ in what we think it goes to.”