by Mary Birk
“At the reading of the will, I suppose.”
“Have you spoken to her since then?”
“I didn’t even speak to her then. I’ve never been her favorite person.”
“I need to leave now. I’ll be by tomorrow.”
“I’d like to hear what happened, if you can tell me.”
“Tomorrow. Get some sleep. I’ll let myself out.”
Chapter 67
ANNE STARTED running her bath, then quickly undressed and got in before it was even half full. She had to hurry if she was going to get everything done before Terrence got home. No time for a leisurely soak today.
Just as she was getting out of the water, the intercom from the gate buzzed. She pressed the call button. “Yes?”
“Anne?”
“Who’s speaking?”
“Rodney Greene. Is Terrence there? I need to speak to him.”
She shrugged into her robe. “He’s still at work.”
“I tried him there, but they said he’d left.”
“He must have had an appointment or something. He’s not supposed to be home until at least six-thirty.”
“Can I wait for him? It’s important.”
“I’ll open the gate. Give me a moment to get downstairs.”
Anne changed from the robe into jeans and a clean shirt. She’d just get Rodney planted somewhere with a drink, and then finish getting herself and the dinner ready. Meg should be home soon with the champagne, so she could help keep Rodney company until Terrence got home. She mentally rearranged her list of things to do as she hastened downstairs to let Rodney in.
When she opened the door, she could tell whatever the man was coming to see Terrence about must indeed have been worrying him. Rodney’s face was drawn and there was an almost visible cloud of sadness surrounding him.
“Come in. Can I take your coat?”
He shook his head. “I’ll keep it, thanks.”
“Let me get you a drink. What would you like?”
“Thank you. I could use one. Whiskey?”
She nodded and brought him into the kitchen. “Sit at the counter, if you like. Or would you rather wait for Terrence in the study? I’ve got to get dinner started, but if you don’t mind being on your own, I can put the television on for you.”
“The study would be fine. If you show me where it is, I’ll let you get on with your dinner preparations. You’re staying in for New Year’s Eve?”
She smiled, took the whiskey out of the pantry. “Yes. Michael’s still got us on a bit of a short leash.”
“It’s just you and Michael here right now, then?”
“For the moment. Meg’s gone out to the wine shop. Michael’s upstairs asleep, but I’m expecting him to wake any second.”
She handed Rodney his drink and pointed him to the study. She put the salad together, assembled the garlic bread, then put the scallops in their marinade. Luckily, she’d set the table in the dining room earlier. She lit the fire in the living room, debated briefly, then flew upstairs to light the one in the bedroom, taking a moment to admire how beautifully the room had turned out. This was going to be a wonderful year.
Michael started fussing, so she gathered him from his crib, changed his diaper, and brought him downstairs with her. After pouring herself some sparkling water, she took Michael into the study so she could check on their guest. Rodney sat hunched over his whiskey, his coat lying next to him on the sofa. The television droned on in the background, but he didn’t seem to be either watching or listening to it.
“Michael’s up. I need to feed him. If you like, I could keep you company.”
He nodded, held up his glass. “I hope you don’t mind, but I replenished from the bottle in here.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Anne settled into a chair, draped a blanket over her shoulder, and started to feed the baby. “One thing the Reid family has plenty of, is whiskey. Terrence should be here shortly. If you’d like to talk about whatever it is in the meantime, I’d be happy to listen.”
He shook his head. “I’d better wait and talk to him.”
“I understand. How are you doing? I know this must be so awful for you. Losing your mother and now Lance, as well.”
His eyes filled, and he lowered his head.
Realizing he didn’t want her to see how close he was to tears, Anne looked down at Michael, whose legs stuck out of the blanket covering the top part of him. He kicked one leg up and down almost in rhythm with his eating. She took his foot between two fingers, letting the foot pull her hand with it. As he got some of his hunger assuaged, the leg slowed down, then relaxed.
Rodney watched the baby. “You’re lucky to have him.”
“I know.”
“Everything with you and Terrence is good now?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
“Some people seem to have everything go well for them.” Was he talking about her?
Anne made a face. “I wouldn’t say I was one of those people, although things are finally good now. Same with Terrence. We’ve had a difficult few years.”
“But in the end, he got what he wanted. You, a son, his career. No matter who he had to step over to get it.”
She frowned. Where was this animosity coming from? “Who did he step over?”
“You, for one. Miranda, for another. He left Miranda when he found you, then he bullied you until you did what he wanted.”
“Rodney, things were over between Terrence and Miranda when he met me.”
“That’s what he’s told you, I’m sure.”
“I believe him. And he didn’t bully me. He may have been unhappy with my decision not to move to Scotland right away, but I wouldn’t call that bullying.” She felt her temper rising. “I understand your protectiveness for Miranda, but you certainly don’t have any insight about what went on between Terrence and me.”
“He ruined Miranda’s life. After him, she was never happy with anyone else. No matter what I said or did, if she thought there was any chance with him, she went running to him.”
His use of the past tense sent a shiver down Anne’s spine. “Rodney, is Miranda okay?”
“I couldn’t leave her on her own. I’ve always taken care of her. I knew I wouldn’t be here to take care of her anymore. They killed Pooley, they’re not going to let me live. I can’t pay the money back.” His shoulders started to shake, and he dropped his face into his hands.
“Who isn’t going to let you live?” Anne was beginning to be worried about Rodney’s stability.
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Von Zandt. They killed Broderick Pooley because he wouldn’t pay them back, and they’ll do the same to me. Father won’t give me the money to pay them back. I couldn’t leave Miranda behind. She wouldn’t be able to manage without me.”
“Did something happen to Miranda?”
Tears were running down Rodney’s face.
“Is she dead?”
His eyes focused out the window to the front drive. “When will he get here?”
Anne fought back her panic. She needed to remain calm. Michael had finished eating, so she rearranged her clothing and removed the blanket. She put the baby on her shoulder to burp him, automatically following her routine, and asked the question again.
“Rodney, is Miranda dead?”
He nodded.
“You’re planning to hurt Terrence, aren’t you?”
He reached under his coat and produced a gun. “I’m going to kill him. I won’t hurt you, or the baby. You’ll be able to go on without him. Not like Miranda without me. You’re strong enough to go on without him.”
A wave of pure, unadulterated fear washed over her. “Rodney, what good would it do to kill Terrence?”
“It will be justice for Miranda. She was in love with him. She killed my baby, but she would never have done that with a baby of his.”
Anne was totally lost. “She killed your baby? I didn’t know you had a baby, Rodney.”
“She had an abo
rtion. She said she couldn’t have it because something could be wrong with it. Then afterwards she tried to kill herself. We had to put her in hospital.”
Anne closed her eyes and swallowed, realizing what he was saying. “I’m so sorry that happened, but how is it Terrence’s fault?”
“She kept coming back to me, but she would never love me the way she loved him. She told me today would be the last time. It’s a new year, she said, and we could never be together again.” His face was ravaged with grief. “Even if Von Zandt let me live, how could I live without her?”
“Rodney, that’s not Terrence’s fault.”
The telephone rang, almost shattering her nerves.
Rodney seemed even more rattled that she was. When the voice announcement feature identified the caller, he gestured toward it with the gun.
“Answer it. If you say anything about me being here, I’ll kill the baby first, then you.” He stood up, moved toward her.
She nodded, then reached for the phone.
“Hello, Terrence.”
Rodney leaned over and pushed the speaker phone button.
“Hello, girl.” Terrence’s voice sounded tired.
She tried to think what next to say, some way to let him know Rodney was there, without Rodney realizing. “I’ve got you on speaker phone as I’m holding Michael.”
“No problem. Where’s Meg?”
“She’s gone to get the champagne for tonight.”
“I’ve some bad news and I’m not feeling like celebrating.”
“Bad news?” Anne was pretty sure she already knew what he was going to tell her.
His next words confirmed it. “Miranda’s been found dead. I’m still at her house.”
“That’s terrible.” She kept her voice a little flat, hoping Terrence would realize this hadn’t been news to her.
“Aye.” Did he sound a little surprised by her tone? Had he gotten the message?
“Do you know what happened?”
“We’re not sure, but we’re looking for Rodney right now.”
“Rodney?” She looked at the man holding the gun in front of her. “Why?”
“I’ll explain when I get home. Why don’t you forget about cooking? I can just bring something home. We’ll have our date another time.”
She made herself sound calm. “Of course, I understand. But don’t bring anything. Everything’s ready. If I don’t cook it, it will just go to waste.” She paused, then said, “I baked a chocolate cake. Tell Harry it’s exactly like last time—so you’ll have to take some in to work for him.”
There was a short silence. “Well, then. When would you like me to show up?”
“Never too soon for me. I love you.”
“I love you too. I’m bringing flowers. Can you get the Italian vase ready? I think that will be the perfect size.”
“I’m awfully busy, but I’ll try.”
“You do that, lassie. I’ll be there soon. Why don’t you open the gates right now? That way I won’t have to wait.”
“I will.”
“And leave the door unlocked. I’ve not had time to get another key made for myself.”
She tried to figure out what he was trying to tell her. “Which one? Front or back?”
“Which do you think?”
She prayed she understood. “The back, of course. I’m in the study now, but I’ll go finish up getting dinner ready, so I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“Keep the front door locked. I’d be eternally grateful if you have a cold beer waiting for me and the vase ready for your flowers. If I don’t see that vase in the kitchen window, I’m not coming in. The last time I brought you flowers, you left them on the counter and they wilted before you remembered to put them in a vase.” That had never happened, and she knew he understood.
“I’ll get it ready, sweetheart. I love you.”
“And me, you.”
She didn’t want to put the phone down, lose the connection to him. “Wait, Terrence, when do you think you’ll be here? So I can time dinner?”
“Let’s not rush with dinner, but I’ll be there in about thirty minutes. I’m just finishing things up here.”
“All right. Call Meg on her cell and see if you can give her a lift from the wine shop as well, okay?”
“I will. I’ll be there soon.”
“Good. See you then.”
She hung up, and Rodney visibly relaxed.
“I need to open the gates.” She moved to the intercom to open the gates.
“Why doesn’t he just open them himself?”
“It slows him down. He’ll be anxious to get home.”
“I suppose he would be.” He looked around, as if planning what he would do when Terrence arrived. “You’d better not do anything to warn him.”
“I won’t.”
“I should tie you up or cover your mouth or something.”
“You don’t need to do that. You can just lock Michael and me in the pantry or something.”
“Later.” He checked his watch. “I’ll take the baby. That way you won’t do anything rash.”
She nodded, her heart in her stomach. “Just be careful with him.” She handed Michael to Rodney, positioning him on Rodney’s shoulder. “Don’t drop him or I’ll kill you.”
Rodney clutched the gun in one hand, the baby with the other. “I’ve got him.”
“I’ll get that vase Terrence was talking about and take it into the kitchen so it looks like I’m doing what I said.” She reached up to the bookcase shelf and took down the tall Italian vase.
He jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Lead the way. I’ll be right behind you.”
“I know.” She walked to the kitchen, holding the vase, cognizant of the man behind her holding her child. In the kitchen, she motioned to the infant swing. “Just put him in that. That will keep him quiet for now. And get yourself another drink. The bottle’s there on the counter.”
“You put him in. I’ve never done it before.” He handed her the baby and watched as she put him in the swing.
When she switched on the motor, the baby started swinging back and forth to one of the nursery songs on the swing’s soundtrack.
“Turn off the music. I need to be able to hear if he gets here early.”
“Michael likes the music.”
“Turn it off.”
She shrugged, did as he said, and Rodney seemed to relax a little. He poured himself another whiskey and sat down to watch her. She went to the refrigerator and started pulling things out, her mind racing.
“You need to think about what you are doing. You’re making a huge mistake.”
“I’ve thought about it. I have to do this for Miranda.”
“You’re not thinking clearly. It might help if you have some food.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, I’m a nervous wreck and I need to keep busy, so I’m going to make you a toasted cheese sandwich, okay?”
“Oh.” He thought. “Okay, but we don’t have much time.”
“We have at least thirty minutes. Terrence is always late. What kind of cheese do you like?”
“Whatever you have is fine.”
“How about Gruyère? It makes a great sandwich.”
“The cake sounded good.”
Anne forced a smile. “You’ll have to eat your sandwich before you get dessert. I’m strict about things like that.” She couldn’t let him find out there was no cake.
His face twisted into a sad, weak smile. “You’ll be a good mum.”
“Rodney, you don’t need to do this. Terrence can make sure Von Zandt doesn’t hurt you.”
“He didn’t help Broddie Pooley, did he?”
“I don’t know if he knew Mr. Pooley was in danger.”
“He should have. Pooley went to him.”
“Why don’t you talk to Terrence before you do anything crazy?”
“It’s too late now. Things have gone too far.”
Anne couldn’t think of anyt
hing else to say. He had a point. He’d already killed Miranda, so he wasn’t going to walk away from this.
“I’ll just get your sandwich made.” She took the bread slices and carefully laid them out, placing the Gruyère in between the slices. She selected a jar of applesauce from the refrigerator. After heating the pan, she placed the sandwich in the pan with a sandwich press on top. She looked at Rodney and saw him gazing at the baby. She opened the jar of applesauce and spooned some on to a plate. “It’s almost ready.”
He kept his eyes on her as she worked.
She flipped the sandwich over. She needed to get the gun out of the vase when he wasn’t paying attention. “Two minutes. I’ll get the vase filled for the flowers.” Going over to the counter by the sink, she planned her next move. She turned on the faucet, testing the water’s temperature, then let it run. “You don’t want it hot enough to distress the flowers or cold enough to shock them. Lukewarm, room temperature.” And the sound would help block any noise she made getting the gun.
Rodney nodded vacantly and got up to look out the window.
Anne patted the sandwich with her spatula, then announced it was ready, letting the water continue to run. She arranged the sandwich on the plate with the applesauce and took it to him. The food would keep him busy while she took care of the next step in her plan. “The best way to eat it is to cut a bite, then touch it to the applesauce.”
Rodney listlessly cut into the sandwich, and Anne returned to the counter to get the vase ready. When she was certain his attention was away from her, she reached her arm into the vase. Slowly, she lifted the gun out, bringing her hand down behind the vase. She slid the dishtowel she’d laid on the counter behind the vase, covering the gun.
“Do you like the sandwich?”
He nodded as he chewed, then swallowed and said, “Shouldn’t the water be right by now?”
Her heart pounded. “You’re right. I forgot about it, thanks. I’m sure it is.” She started filling the vase with water.
“I wish things were different.”
“Are you sure about this, Rodney? It’s such a drastic thing to do.”
“You’ll be all right without him.”
“I won’t. I need him, and not just for me.” She indicated the swing where Michael was now sleeping. “He’ll need his father as well.”