“I wouldn’t start by labeling her ‘his new mother.’ Of course, Kiki will mother him, but if you tell Erik that Kiki is his new mom, that’s going to raise more issues than it will solve. He might even feel guilty if he likes Kiki,” said Thelma. “So I’d let it rest. There are some problems, son, that only time can sort out.”
Lorraine and Brawny agreed with Thelma’s conclusion.
“We’re talking about a label,” said Brawny. “That’s an abstract idea. To Erik, ‘mother’ and ‘Gina” are interchangeable. He’s already feeling the pain of his loss. Why make it worse? And why put that burden on Mrs. Lowenstein?”
With a kiss on the boy’s cheek, Detweiler stepped out of the well-appointed nursery. Erik’s new room wouldn’t come with a white oak bed and matching dresser, or a wall mural featuring Spiderman swinging down from the Golden Gate Bridge and over the Hollywood sign while sequoias stood guard. Hard to believe that this was just a guest bedroom that Lorraine had tricked out for the boy. Detweiler couldn’t imagine what Erik’s bedroom in Van and Gina’s house must have been like!
For a second, he felt the weight of what he was doing, and it pressed heavily on his shoulders. An outsider might think that Erik was being cheated. Detweiler was pretending to be the boy’s biological father and taking the child away from a life of luxury. But in reality, Detweiler was following Gina’s wishes. The exchange was tipped in his (Detweiler’s) favor. He was offering Erik a family and a loving home in exchange for the trappings of another life. If one was weighed against the other, Detweiler knew that his offering would win.
Kiki would find a way to make Erik’s new room—tiny as it was—uniquely reflective of the boy and his interests. Yes, Kiki would make everything right. He could depend on her.
He couldn’t wait to get back home and start their new life as a family.
Brawny sat rigidly on a chair in the hallway, waiting for Detweiler. She did this every night, swapping places with the cop when he left Erik’s side. Once he said his goodnights, Brawny checked on Erik, checked on all the window locks, and then presumably retired to the guest room across the hall. She had a portable monitor, a screen that sent images from a camera inside Erik’s room. He’d seen police officers on stake-outs who were less diligent than she.
“All yours,” he told Brawny before he went downstairs and found Lorraine sitting on a chintz-covered sofa, staring at baby photos of the little boy.
“About our airline tickets,” he said. “I had intended to put them on my credit card. It was kind of you to get them for us.”
“Not to worry. None of the flight times headed for St. Louis were convenient,” said Lorraine with a dismissive wave of her hand. “So I booked you on a private jet. Van owned shares in it. The Gulfstream was available. No reason to let it sit there in the hanger. This makes perfect sense.”
A private plane? A Gulfstream?
“That’s very kind of you.” Detweiler couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and tell Kiki. A glance at the clock on Lorraine’s mantel reminded him that it might be too late to call St. Louis. However, a text message would be almost as good. Kiki would wake up to read about the Gulfstream and share his excitement vicariously.
“I hope you won’t mind taking a cab to the airfield tomorrow,” Lorraine continued. “We’ll meet you there. Having Orson drive will make it easier on us. And on Erik. A familiar face and all that.” Her voice frayed at the end, like a rope that’s coming unraveled.
“I realize this must be hard for you,” said Detweiler. “You’ve lost your brother and Gina both. Now I’m leaving with Erik. That’s a lot of leave-taking in a short period of time.”
“Yes.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. Silver crescents of tears sparkled in her eyes. She dug her hands deep into the pockets of the black jacket she wore. Although the style was casual, the material draped in such a way to suggest that it was expensive. As usual, Lorraine carried with her the scent of lavender and vanilla. “It’s been a joy to have a child in the family. True, he tires me out but I’ve always enjoyed spending time with Erik. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to say goodbye to him.”
“You don’t have to say goodbye. This isn’t permanent. You’ll still be a part of his life. You are welcome to come and visit any time. Our door is always open to you. My parents have a big house that’s been in our family more than one hundred years. There’s a lot of room. My mother loves taking care of guests.”
“I do believe you are sincere.” She brushed a tear off her cheek.
“I’m a man of my word, Lorraine. Gina knew that. I hope you’ll take me up on my invitation. I think you’d enjoy being around Kiki. My parents would have fun showing you our farm, and you’ll be enchanted by Anya. She’s a doll. So is my niece Emily.” He paused. “After all, we’re family now. You’ll always be Erik’s Aunt Lori. So we’ll be expecting you to visit. At least plan to come and stay with us for the holidays. We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, so you’ll have a blast.”
Her expression was one of disbelief, quickly turning to surprise, and finally to happiness. “I might take you up on that,” she said. “It certainly would be different. And I’d hate to spend the holidays alone.”
Chapter 81
Same day, a little later…
Downtown Los Angeles, California
“So our detective friend is leaving tomorrow with the boy?” Thornton asked as he spoke into his cell phone. With his other hand, he fingered his money clip and stared out the window. Dark had fallen, but the streets were bright with headlights. Cars sat waiting at a red light. When it turned green, they still couldn’t move. A perfect gridlock of traffic set horns to honking. As those motors ran, the air grew heavier and heavier with exhaust fumes.
“Yes,” said Lorraine in a tired voice. “Early tomorrow. Orson will drive us to the Bob Hope Airport. Chad is taking a cab. He’ll meet us there. Thornton, I’m going to tell him about the funds. My brother wanted that money to be used for Erik.”
All right. Time to bring out the heavy artillery, thought Thornton. He had expected this.
“Lorraine, I didn’t want to tell you this, because I didn’t want to worry you, but I’ve had a private investigator look into Detective Detweiler and his girlfriend. I spent my own money to check this man out,” said Thornton. This, of course, was a boldface lie because Thornton never used his own money for anything. Not if he could help it.
He cleared his throat. “Did you know that Detective Detweiler was jailed on suspicion of murdering his second wife? And that his fiancée was taken into custody on suspicion of murder? That she had to appear before a family court to win back custody of her daughter? That her own motherin-law thought her an unfit parent?”
“Oh, Thornton, no! That can’t be true!” Lorraine laughed nervously. “You know how rampant identity theft is these day. There must be some confusion with their names.”
“I wish you were right. I am so sorry to tell you this, Lorraine, but it is true. Every bit of it. I have the documentation right here on my desk. I can send it over—”
“No!” she said quickly. “I wouldn’t believe it if I saw it. There must have been a misunderstanding. I can’t believe this of Chad Detweiler. I refuse to! Remember, I’ve spent the past four days getting to know this man. He’s everything that Gina said he was. As for his fiancée, of course I haven’t met her, but she sounds positively charming.”
“I am so sorry to lay this burden on you,” he said. “Honestly, Lorraine. I hoped I wouldn’t have to tell you. I can imagine how distressing this is. But, here’s my point: Detective Detweiler puts on a good show. I’m sure his girlfriend does, too. But we need to wait and see how these people treat Erik. Believe me, I only want what’s best for the boy.”
“So do I,” she said.
Thornton smiled. He’d sprung this on her at the end of the day because he knew that she grew more tired as the day went on. Lorraine simply wouldn’t have the energy to fight back when he launched h
is attack against Detweiler.
“I’ll do whatever you tell me to do,” he said. Of course, he didn’t mean it.
“I don’t think I have a choice!” she said.
He sighed happily.
“You are very wise, Thornton,” she said. “I would never have thought to have Chad and Kiki investigated. No, I’m afraid I bought into his story, hook, line and sinker. I guess that shows what a fool I am!”
After ending the call, Lorraine turned to Brawny and smiled. “Well, well, well. Thornton thinks I’m an idiot.”
“Does he now?” Brawny sat with her knees pressed together. The monitor rested next to her on the side table. Her hands moved quickly to the click-click-click of her knitting needles. She kept one eye on the screen as she worked the thread into a pattern.
Brawny smiled at the older woman. “Well, then he’s in for a rare treat or two, isn’t he, ma’am?”
Chapter 82
Friday/Six days after the wedding…
Burbank, California
Orson loaded several large suitcases into the Gulfstream as Detweiler watched him from the passenger lounge. A hostess picked up his coffee cup and offered to make him another caramel macchiato latte. “No, thanks,” he said as he reached for his wallet.
“No, sir. It’s complimentary,” she said, as she fluttered long lashes at him.
Erik was sipping a lukewarm hot chocolate and playing Angry Birds on an iPad mini. Lorraine had stepped into the ladies room to repair the damage a few tears had done to her mascara. Brawny sat on the other side of Erik, her posture rigid and watchful, despite the plush seating and numerous pillows. In her Black Watch kilt and tasseled brogues, she looked strangely incongruous, almost like an actor playing a part. That was probably why the staff didn’t bat an eye at her. Detweiler’s cab driver had been quite the tour guide, explaining that the Bob Hope Airport had been the filming location for many projects including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Today Brawny seemed to be in mourning, because she’d added a black ribbon to her gray ponytail. Her ever present knitting was nowhere to be found. As usual, she scanned their environs carefully, and she had chosen their seats so that the wall would be behind them. If she hadn’t been a nanny, she would have made a fine police officer.
Even as relaxing as the setting was, Brawny bristled with tension.
What a totally different experience from the cattle call atmosphere of a commercial flight waiting area! This lounge couldn’t be more luxurious or relaxing. Piped in music played softly. The scent of baked goods filled the air and mingled with the pungent aroma of coffee. Detweiler did his best to savor this experience so he could recount every detail for Kiki and his mother.
As Detweiler watched through the window, Orson made yet another delivery of baggage. He handed two more bags over to a steward who stowed them in a cargo area.
“Brawny? Do all those bags belong to Erik?” Detweiler couldn’t believe one little boy had so much gear.
“There’s the car seat in with the lot,” said Brawny. Her cheeks had pinked and she avoided Detweiler’s eyes. “Miss Lauber insisted that I go out and buy you a new one so you’d have it.”
“Yet another reason to thank her,” he said.
“Aye,” and Brawny hesitated as if she planned to say more.
“But I think she’s gone overboard. Especially since she’ll be sending boxes later.” He scratched his chin. What would they do with all that stuff? Where would they put it? Poor Kiki. She’d have a huge job on her hands, sorting, separating, and storing the contents of what he now reckoned as six large pieces of luggage.
“The brown ones are mine,” said Brawny.
Detweiler turned toward her, trying to read her expression. “You’re going…?”
“Coming,” said Lorraine, walking toward them. She planted her walker carefully and took her seat. “It’s my gift to you and Kiki.”
Detweiler chewed the air. He wasn’t sure that he’d heard right. “Your gift?”
“My pleasure,” said Lorraine. “I figured the two of you could use help, with a baby coming and all, so my gift to you is Bronwyn’s services for as long as you need her.”
“B-b-but—” He couldn’t spit the words out fast enough.
“This will be so much better for Erik, too,” said Lorraine hurriedly. “He’s accustomed to Brawny. She can do carpool duty, dropping off Erik and Anya. When the baby arrives, she’ll be especially useful. Best of all, she knits like a champ! Think of all the classes she can teach at Kiki’s store!”
“Please, sir. Don’t make me leave my wee fellow,” said Brawny leaning toward Detweiler. Her voice came in a hoarse whisper. “I’ve been with him since the day he came home from the hospital. He’s like me own flesh and blood. You can’t separate us!” The nanny clenched her hands to her chest, as if she were offering up prayers.
Erik glanced up from the game he was playing. His small face wrinkled with concern. “Brawny?”
“I don’t see how this will work,” said Detweiler, running a nervous hand through his hair. “We live in a very, very small house. You wouldn’t be comfortable.”
“I grew up in a one room cottage, sir. Believe me, I could live in the shed with the donkey and be right as rain.”
“I’m sure that Kiki will be thrilled! What a homecoming gift!” said Lorraine. “Erik, you want Brawny to stay with you, right?”
When Erik chimed in, “Brawny? My Brawny! You come too, right?” Detweiler knew he’d been outflanked.
“The plane’s ready to go,” Orson said. He stood with his cap under his arm like something out of Driving Miss Daisy.
“Brawny! We’re going up in the plane!” Erik threw his arms around the nanny.
And that was that.
Chapter 83
Later that same day…
St. Louis, Missouri
When the windows are up in Sheila’s Mercedes, the car is so quiet that you feel as if you are in a space capsule, rocketing your way to Mars. I love the silence. When I’ve driven her car—and I haven’t had the privilege of driving it often—I keep the radio turned off. There’s joy in the quiet, being alone with my thoughts. Especially when so many changes are on the horizon.
This, I told myself, is my last hour as the mother of one child, a daughter. In minutes, I’ll be “mom” to two kids, a girl and a boy. In less than six months, I’ll be the mother of three.
Anya had elected to stay home and decorate the house. Rebekkah had come over with a bouquet of balloons, so I left the two of them having a terrific and colorful time.
I was on 40, headed to the suburb of Chesterfield. As the car hummed along, I sent up prayers of gratitude. I was busy thanking God for all my blessings, when my sister Amanda phoned. “Kiki, I need you to pick up Mom for me.”
“I can’t. I’m on the way to the airport in Chesterfield. I’m picking up Detweiler and his son. Our son.”
He and I had decided that I would come alone. We figured that we would introduce Erik to his new world slowly. First he’d meet me. Then we’d go home, and he’d meet Anya, Gracie, and the cats. Next we’d walk out and take a carrot to Monroe.
On Saturday, we’d drive to Illinois and have a big lunch with the Detweiler clan. Anya and Emily could take Erik around the farm. On Sunday, we’d have brunch with Sheila, Robbie, and my side of the family. Yep, we had it all planned out.
Mom’s name appeared dead last on the list of greeters.
“I have an emergency. I need to pick up someone at the Amtrak Station downtown. You have to pick up Mom. There’s no other option.” My sister’s voice turned shrill.
Uh-oh. This was Amanda in panic mode. I knew the tone of voice too well. But I still didn’t want my mother on board. Not this morning. I was not interested in putting up with her shenanigans.
“I would but…” I hesitated, caught between wanting to help and not wanting to deal with my mother.
“This is not a request,” said Amanda. “This is a demand.
”
“Really? Okay, hang on.” I got off at the Mason Road exit. There was a school parking lot on the west side of the Mason. I could stop there long enough to talk without endangering myself or the car.
“I’ll pick Mom up,” I said, “but couldn’t I do it later? After I go to the airport? I’m heading due west on 40.”
“I wouldn’t ask you if I thought this could wait. Please! You have to help me with Mom once in a while—and this is one of those times.”
Wow. Amanda sounded weird. Totally stressed.
Well, so was I.
But she was right. She rarely asked for help. I swallowed and asked, “Could you at least tell me what the problem is?”
“I can’t discuss it right this moment. You’ll have to trust me. I need to pick someone up from the station. It’s very important. Very, very important.”
Probably had to do with her job. I inched the car around in the parking lot. Now the grill was pointed to the on-ramp that would take me east, back the way I’d come.
“Where’s Aunt Penny?”
“With me.”
That made no sense at all.
“Tell her I still need to talk to her!” I couldn’t believe how evasive my aunt was. Yesterday after the uniformed officers arrived to take Vincent Wasserman to the county jail, she’d managed to finagle a ride home with Hadcho. Once again, she’d managed to give me the slip, so that I couldn’t ask her about Catherine. Honestly, how long could she keep up this game of cat and mouse?
“This isn’t the time. Mom’s at the Senior Center. Go get her.” Amanda hung up on me.
“Drat, drat, and double drat,” I said to my silent phone.
I gritted my teeth and conjured up fifty ways to kill my mother. None of them were quick or clean. The clock on the dash told me that I could make it to the Senior Center and get to the airport on time, just barely.
Chapter 84
As I expected, Mom took her sweet time leaving the Senior Center. She had to say goodbye to everyone, and of course, she couldn’t find her purse. After five minutes of searching, a helper discovered it under a table.
Group, Photo, Grave (A Kiki Lowenstein Mystery) Page 27