by Anna Drake
I rose from my chair and made my way to Laura. “What happened?” I asked.
“I’ve been calling just as hard as Toby has.”
“But what did you tell everyone?”
“It was what you said at the funeral.”
“What was that?”
“You know,” she said. “About the group becoming stronger with the addition of new members.”
“Ah.”
“This is my group, for now, and I want it to stay strong. I want us to still be respected in this town. I told them I thought your proposal accomplished that.”
On the other side of the room, Toby rose from her chair and departed.
Laura saw my worried glance. “Don’t take it to heart. She’ll be back.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I returned home that afternoon to find a very pleased Andrew hanging out in my kitchen. “What’s up with you?” I asked.
“I have some news.”
I placed my knitting bag on the table. “Where have you been?”
“You didn’t think I’d tag along with you to your knitting session, did you?”
“So where did you go?”
“To Oberton’s office.”
“And you’ve learned something?”
“I’ll say.”
“Are you going to tell me what that is, or must I play twenty questions all day?”
He smirked. “Well, as I told you, Sam Hillman apparently had some money problems. But Oberton has learned that Sam had recently taken out a half-million dollar insurance policy on her life.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “You saw proof of this?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“In Oberton’s office?”
“Right on.”
I pulled out a seat at the table and sat. “Well, I’ll be…. So Oberton thanks Sam killed his wife?”
“I’d say so.He was on the phone with the State’s Attorney. He was telling him that he had enough evidence now to make an arrest.”
“Wow.”
“You had this pegged,” Andrew rushed on. “You suspected Sam Hillman before Obertan did.”
I pulled a deep breath and glanced about the room. Then why wasn’t I feeling thrilled by this news? Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to the funeral. Maybe I’d gotten too close to the suspect. I’d seen Sam as he sat in that pew with his children and his grandchildren. I could find no joy in the thought of his arrest.
What was the matter with me?
“You could try to look better pleased. I think I’ve come up with quite a discovery.”
I nodded. “You have.”
“I’d never know that by looking at your face.”
“It’s just the moment. I really am pleased. It’s just that I’m not able to show it right now.”
“You are a difficult woman to please.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe what he’d just said.
“You heard me,” he growled.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You. Me. The pair of us. Where are we?”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t do anything to please you. And don’t think I haven’t tried.”
“What have I said to deserve this?”
“Oh that’s right. Blame all of this on me.”
I shook my head. “All of what?”
“All I wanted from you was one simple answer.”
“To what?”
“I asked you when I first turn up here if you weren’t pleased to see me? So tell me, did you ever answer that question?”
“But… you’re a ghost. Or maybe you’re not even real. How can I be pleased about that? Either you’re a creature I can’t tell anyone one about, or you’re someone I’ve made up. That’s not exactly a win, win situation.”
Andrew drew himself up to his full height. “That’s not fair, and you know it. You’ve been treating me as though I’m real for the past few months. You’ve sent me on assignments, and I’ve come back with the goods. How dare you stand there now and pretend that you’ve made me up.”
“I… I’m sorry. I had no idea I was causing you so much pain.”
“Oh, come on.”
“Really. I mean that.”
“Lady, I am so out of here.”
And with that he vanished.
“Andrew,” I called out. “Please don’t play games with me.”
He didn’t come back.
“Andrew?” I called out again..
I staggered back and leaned against the kitchen counter. Could Andrew really have left me?
This was so unfair. “But I loved my husband.” I protested
Tears came unbidden to my eyes. They trailed down my cheeks. After glancing about my empty kitchen I leaned back in my chair and sobbed. Now, I had neither Jason nor Andrew.
Blackie strolled into the room. He jumped onto my lap and rammed his head into my chin.
I stroked his silky fur. “I guess, it’s just you and me again, sport.”
He lowered himself down onto my lap and purred.
I pulled my knitting bag to me and withdrew a tissue. I blew my nose and wiped my face.
The phone rang. I placed Blackie on the floor and rose from my chair.
“Hello?” I said into the receiver.
“Mom, have you heard?”
I pulled in a deep breath. “What, dear?”
“Sam Hillman’s been arrested for murdering his wife.”
“Yes, I suspected he would be.”
“But doesn’t that leave Damon in the clear.”
“If Sam’s been charged with killing his wife, that doesn’t mean Eva’s murder has been solved.”
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You don’t sound right.”
“I’m fine. I’m just missing your father that’s all.”
I blew my nose.
“Why don’t you come over for supper?”
“Maybe tomorrow,” I said. “I don’t think I’d be very good company tonight.”
“You’re sure? I’ve got plenty of food.”
“Yes, dear. I’m certain.”
“Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
I spent a lot of time that night tossing and turning in bed. Blackie kept me company, yet the house felt strangely empty. I hated to admit it, but I missed my ghostly companion. He had played a larger role in my life than I had cared to admit.
And admitting that made me feel that I was being unfaithful to the memory of my husband of so many years. Jason had been a good man and a good father to our three children. He didn’t deserve to be forgotten or to be replaced by a ghost. He’d worked hard for us. We’d built a good life. It wasn’t his fault that he’d died of cancer and left me to carry on on my own. And now, here I was carrying on with a heartthrob from my former life.
Had I truly believed that Andrew was real? I’d certainly treated him as though I thought he was. Andrew was right. I had sent him out to collect facts. He had returned bearing the answers. With a sinking heart, I realized as the night passed, that Andrew’s anger had been justified. I hadn’t been treating him fairly. The knowledge did little to comfort me.
I don’t think my eyes finally closed that night until sometime just for before dawn.
***
I didn’t wake up the next morning until shortly before ten. The day was overcast and muggy. I carried my tea and toast to the outdoor table and stared at the houses shrouded in mist across the river from me. The river water without sunlight dancing on its surface was the color of dull slate. The water drifted flat and lifeless through town. Even the birds seemed subdued.
My cell phone chirped. I fished it free from my bathrobe pocket.
“Mom.”
“Yes dear?”
“You haven’t forgotten?”
“What?”
“You’re coming here for dinner tonight.”
“No, I
haven’t forgotten.”
“Good.” There was a silence. “Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes, dear. I’m fine.”
“Damon isn’t deeper in trouble is he?”
“Not that I know of.”
“You seemed so down last night, and you don’t sound much better this morning.”
“I’m fine, Megan. Please don’t fuss. It’s all this deadheading that needs to be done.” I stared at the flower beds stretched out before me.
“Don’t over do it, Mom. It’s going to be a scorcher of a day.”
“I know. I won’t.”
“You promise?”
“I do.”
“See you about six.”
We disconnected. I shoved the phone back into my pocket.
***
I was grateful for the invitation that night to Megan’s house for dinner. It had been an unproductive day. The flowers remained un deadheaded. The the closet I had planned to clean remained a mess. Not even my knitting had appealed to me. I’d finally escaped my disinterest in life by burying my nose in a book. I was just grateful that I still had the energy left to read.
Now, I stepped through the back door into Megan’s kitchen and mustered up a smile.
My daughter came over and embraced me. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Gram,” Hugh exclaimed, as he threw himself at my knees.
I wrapped my arms about his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. He stepped back and gazed up at me. “Will you take me to the park tomorrow?”
“If it isn’t raining, I will.”
I was due to babysit the children tomorrow. Megan had a doctor’s appointment scheduled for just after noon.
Jeremy was in his high chair banging a teething biscuit on the tray. I walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. he gazed up and grinned and narrowly missed slamming his teething biscuit into my nose.
I straightened up and asked, Iis Damon joining us tonight?”
“As far as I know. He isn’t home yet though. I thought we could nibble on some cheese while we’re waiting for him.”
“Something smells good.”
“It’s lamb stew.”
“Oh, yum.”
“Coffee? Water? Wine?” Megan asked.
“Water would be fine.”
I seated myself at the table. Megan joined me and brought a tray of cheese and a glass of water with her.
She sat the glass before me. “Greg has told Damon that Becky is awfully upset. She’s apparently convinced that Sam Hillman did not kill Willa.”
“I would assume so. They’re related. Naturally, she’d feel that way.”
“He said that Laura’s in even worse condition.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Neither Becky nor Laura deserve to be put through this.”
I made a mental note to visit Laura tomorrow. if I could do anything to help her and Becky, I would. With Damon under suspicion for Eva’s murder, I had some understanding of what they were going through.
The back door burst open and Damon stepped into the room.
Megan’s face lit up. Hugh hurled himself across the room and into his father’s arms. “Okay, then,” Megan said, “let’s get this dinner underway.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The house remained strangely quiet the next morning. Blackie padded into the kitchen. We went through our usual morning routine. As much as I tried to ignore it, I missed the sound of Andrew’s voice giving me fits for catering to Blackie’s whims.
The day had dawned clear. I carried my toast and tea to the outdoor table and sat. Today the river water sparkled with reflected sunlight. The homes on the other river bank were clearly visible now that the mist had been washed away. It was a grand change from the view I studied yesterday, and yet I still felt glum.
A part of me wondered where Andrew had gone. He’d spoken so sadly of the time before he had appeared in my life. He’d made it sound like a lonely and desperate place to be. How could he have returned there? How could he have been that displeased with me — that desperate?
Behind me, Blackie made his discomfort known. I rose from my chair, and returned to the kitchen. He sat before me and yowled. My brow furrowed. Surely my cat wasn’t protesting the absence of my ghost? Yet that was entirely how it appeared.
Yeah, talk about seeing things as I wanted them to be. Blackie miss Andrew? That would be the day.
But I reminded myself, my day still needed to move forward. So, I washed. I brushed. I pulled myself together. And with the excuse of a finished baby blanket, I headed to Laura Day’s house.
“Good morning,” she said, greeting me at the door.
“I’ve finished this baby blanket,” I said holding it out toward her. “I thought you might be preparing to take a bundle over a bundle over to the hospital soon. I wanted to get this one here in time enough for it to be added to those.”
She unlocked the screen door and reached out to take the blanket.
“May I come in?” I asked.
I felt a little guilty. she truly looked frazzled. Company was probably the last thing she wanted. But sometimes, I reminded myself, we need what we don’t really want. “I’ve heard about Sam’s arrest. I know this must be a difficult time for you.”
She nodded, and stepped back from the screen door, and allowed me in.
“I don’t have any coffee,” she said.
“That’s fine. I’ve already drunk plenty. It won’t hurt me to go without having more.”
She smiled. “And it wouldn’t hurt me to make a pot, either.”
Attagirl. “Thank you. That’s kind of you.” I was so pleased to see that she was at least making the effort to rally herself back into the world.
We trotted back to her kitchen, where she assembled the coffee and switched on the machine.
“So how are you doing?” I asked when she approached the table.
“Not so good. Mostly, I just feel helpless. I know Oberton has gotten it wrong. I know Sam would never have killed Willa.”
“Sometimes, people can surprise us.”
“Not Sam. He’s as honest as the day is long. Besides, he adored Willa.”
I shook my head. Obviously, Laura hadn’t heard the story about Sam’s plans to run away with Eva. “Does he have a lawyer?” I asked.
“Sure. Milton Higgs has agreed to represent him.”
“What does he say?”
“I haven’t heard yet.”
I felt a thought niggling at me, but I didn’t want to get Laura’s hopes up. I probably shouldn’t have said anything, but in the end I couldn’t resist. “For whatever it’s worth, Damon doesn’t believe Sam killed her either. And I must tell you I think he’s an excellent judge of people.”
Laura frowned in puzzlement. “I just wish Oberton felt the same way.”
“Try to keep the faith. If he’s innocent, something will turn up. The evidence could yet shift to someone else. Remember no one is guilty until they’ve been proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“I wish I could feel the same.”
I tried another tack. “What more can you tell me about Willa? If I can’t figure out who killed Eva, maybe I can come at it by looking at who might have killed Willa.”
Laura scowled. “That seems like a stretch.”
“Humor me. Let’s consider it.”
She shrugged.
I rushed on. “From everything I’ve heard, Willa was a native? Is that correct?”
“Yes. Her parents owned the grocery store before they sold out and retired.”
I recalled Andrew’s complaint that we didn’t know any of the relationships here. “Did she have any noteworthy relatives?”
“Only one of your most recent admirers.”
“Who’s that?”
“Toby Spires. She was Willa’s cousin.”
I laughed. “You’re kidding me.”
Laura raised her right hand in a familiar gesture. “Scouts honor.”
I gro
aned. “Sheesh. I don’t want to tackle with that woman a second time.”
“You got that right,” Laura said.
“Is there anyone else?”
Laura rattled off a list of names. I stopped her and asked her for pen and paper. Then I had her go over the list again. I jotted the names down as she reeled them off. By the time I left her house, Laura looked more like her old self. I prayed that I wasn’t leaving her with false hope — especially since I hadn’t told her about Sam’s money problems or Willa’s life insurance policy. And I’d completely omitted the part about Sam wanting to run off with Eva.
But then I wasn’t supposed to know anything about those things. Andrew had provided that information after a clandestine visit to Oberton’s office.
I heaved a heavy sigh and wondered what Andrew would make of this mess? I could almost hear him asking me what he should do next.
***
As expected, I turned up at Megan’s house at noon that day. On my way over, I’d picked up a bag of hamburgers and fries. It wasn’t the healthiest of meals, but Megan kept a close eye on her boys’ diets. I didn’t think it would hurt them to learn that scarfing down hot grease was okay once in a while.
Megan carried the goodies to the patio, and we made a picnic of it at her backyard table. Under the mid-day sun, bees buzzed lazily about the flowers. White moths danced their way across the green lawn. The sound of laughter from a neighboring yard drifted to us.
Hugh downed a French fry and then tugged at my elbow. “You said we could go to the park.”
I laughed. “I haven’t forgotten.”
He smiled.
Megan offered me a reminder. “I don’t mind you going to the park, as long as you get Jeremy down for his nap by two.”
Jeremy was seated on his mother’s lap. At hearing his name, he picked up a French fry and grinned.
“That’s fine,” I answered. I glanced down at Hugh, who was nodding his head in agreement.
Megan wiped Jeremy’s mouth with a napkin. “I’ll get the stroller out of the garage before I leave.”
“That’s okay. I can handle it.”
She nodded her thanks and checked her watch. “I’ll have to take off in another ten minutes.” She shoved another fry into her mouth and chewed vigorously.