Hippity Hoppity Homicide

by Kathi Daley

  I had no idea what the odds were, though I bet Will could have figured them out.

  “I was devastated, but of course I couldn’t let him know that. I figured once he left he would begin to miss me, so I pretended to be fine with his decision and let him go. You see, my plan was to give him some space and then show up for a visit, acting all surprised when I ran in to him.”

  “But it didn’t work out that way,” I realized.

  Della’s eyes flashed with rage. “No, it didn’t. Imagine my surprise when I showed up in town to find he’d not only moved on but moved on with one of my best childhood friends. I was the one he loved. I was the one he was supposed to be pining over. I was the one he was supposed to devote his life to.”

  Suddenly, everything was falling into place. I really wished it hadn’t. I took a step toward the door. “We should get the rest of your stuff.”

  “Not so fast.” Della crossed the room. She opened a drawer and pulled out a gun.

  “You’re going to shoot me?”

  “I don’t want to.” I noticed Della’s hand was shaking. “But I can tell by the look on your face that you’ve figured out I was the one who shot Will.”

  I didn’t deny it; I don’t have much of a poker face, so I was sure I was revealing my thoughts as they played through my mind. “Why?”

  Della began to cry. “I don’t know. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I was drunk and angry, but I never, ever consciously made the decision to kill him. I don’t even remember driving there. It was like I was in some sort of a trance. One minute I was sitting in my living room drinking moonshine and complaining to my best friend, who had long since passed out, that life wasn’t fair and I deserved to have a man to love. The next thing I knew, I was standing in Will’s motel room with a gun in my hand. When I saw the blood everywhere I panicked. I took off and never told anyone.”

  I kept my eye on Della’s hand. She still held the gun but loosely, and it was pointed at my feet rather than my head.

  “I’m sorry, Della. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you to give your heart to a man who didn’t return your love.”

  Della looked at me through her tears. “I’m a good person. Most people like me. Men even like me, but no man has ever loved me. Not the way I loved them. Why is that?”

  “I don’t know.” I supposed I could point out that part of the problem could be her mad mood swings, but I didn’t think this was the best time to bring that into the conversation. “For some people love is hard. And it isn’t fair. I totally understand why you were so hurt.”

  Della leaned against the table behind her. She still had the gun in her hand, but it was pointing at the floor. Now if I could just get her to put it down. It seemed as if she’d forgotten she even held it, so I didn’t want to ask her to put it down, which would only remind her of it.

  “Sometimes I tell myself I don’t need a man,” Della said. “I tell myself I’m not only smart and beautiful but I’m independent and strong as well. I tell myself that I’m better off alone, but deep inside I know I’m only lying to myself. I want a man to love me. I need to know I’m the most important person in the world to a man who only has eyes for me.” Della looked at me. “Is that so wrong?”

  I shook my head. “No. It isn’t wrong.” I took a step forward. “Love is confusing. It’s messy and doesn’t always make sense.” I took another step forward. Della seemed lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice me. “I don’t know why love comes easily for some and is evasive for others. In a perfect world, the two halves of every whole would find the other easily and without heartache.” I was just one step away from being close enough to grab the gun. “You are a smart and beautiful person, and I can see you’re strong and independent as well.” I took a deep breath and wrapped my hand over Della’s hand, which was still hanging on to the gun. I thought I had things under control until I heard the shot.

  Chapter 10

  Zak pulled me into his arms the minute he arrived. I couldn’t help but notice the look of panic on his face when he noticed the blood covering my hands.

  “My God, are you okay?” Zak pulled back just a bit and looked me in the eye.

  “I’m fine. The blood isn’t mine.” I looked toward the double doors of the emergency room, where I’d been waiting. “The blood is Della’s. It’s a long story, but she killed Will, and when I figured out what happened she pulled a gun on me. I managed to distract her and grab the hand that held the gun, but somehow Della was shot in the foot. I brought her here and then called you. You didn’t answer, so I left a message.”

  Zak pulled me against his chest and gave me a hard squeeze. “Your message just said you were at the hospital and would be late coming home. You might have provided a bit more detail. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess I figured you’d get the message and call me back.”

  “I did.”

  I looked at my phone. There were seven missed calls from Zak. “Oops. I guess my ringer’s off.”

  Zak led me over to a row of sofas. We sat down. “Have you called Salinger?” he asked.

  I nodded. “He’s on his way.”

  I felt him relax a bit. I was sorry I’d caused him worry. I should have assured him when I called that I was fine, but we’d just arrived and I was in the middle of getting Della checked in and I guess I just hurried through what I should have known would be an upsetting message for Zak to receive.

  “The kids?” I asked.

  “I left Alex in charge, but I called Ellie and she and Levi were heading over.”

  “I guess they should have anticipated the Zoe-gets-herself-into-trouble scenario when they decided to go home before Will’s killer was behind bars. I know coming back was inconvenient, but this is really on them for not looking ahead,” I said in a light voice that I hoped would turn Zak’s frown into a smile.

  Zak turned and looked at me, his expression angry. “You promised no sleuthing on your own.”

  I held up both hands. “I didn’t. I swear. I was at the store getting the stuff for the burgers just like I said I would be. When I came out Della was standing by her car with the hood up. She said it wouldn’t start. I offered to help her get a tow truck, but she had ice cream in her bag and wanted to get home. What could I do but give her a ride? When we got to her place I helped her carry in her bags. It was then I saw the photo of her and Will in Florida.”

  “So you confronted her.”

  I shook my head vigorously. “I didn’t. I started to walk to the door the minute the lightbulb went on and I realized what had probably happened. But you know how I really, really don’t have a poker face. She realized I’d figured out what I had and pulled the gun on me.”

  Zak looked at me as if he was trying to decide if I was really as innocent as I claimed. Not that I blamed him. I’d knowingly barreled into danger a number of times in the past, so I imagined there was no reason for him to believe I hadn’t somehow brought this on myself. I was on the verge of begging for forgiveness when Salinger walked in. I explained everything that had happened once again and he left to speak to the doctor. A short while later, Salinger came out to tell us they were going to hold Della overnight and we should go.

  “It really is kind of sad,” I said as Zak drove us home.

  “The fact that Will is dead is more than kind of sad,” Zak replied.

  “I know, and I didn’t mean that. I meant it was kind of sad that Della craved permanence and a relationship like we have but could never seem to find it, no matter how hard she tried.”

  Zak took my hand in his. He rested our joined hands on the seat between us. “Yes,” he agreed. “It is sad. Unrequited love totally sucks.”

  I laughed. “Like you’d know anything about unrequited love. You’re handsome and rich and could most likely have any woman you ever wanted. Even in high school, before you were rich, you were confident, smart, and popular. Girls followed you everywhere. You could have had your pick of the litter.�
��

  “I didn’t want any of those girls. I only wanted you and you hated me,” Zak reminded me. His voice sounded a lot more serious than I liked.

  I turned so I was facing him. “I didn’t hate you. You were just so perfect and so arrogant, which I’ll admit I found quite irritating.”

  Zak smiled and squeezed my hand. “You called me a nerd for more than three years. Never Zak. Always ‘hey nerd boy.’”

  I shrugged. “Just a cute pet name.”

  “I hardly thought so. Not at the time at least. I seem to remember you telling me you loathed me and wished I would move away more than once.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess that was kind of mean.”

  “That’s okay. I wasn’t worried. I knew I’d eventually wear you down with my dogged determination, rugged good looks, and superior intellect.”

  I laughed. “As if.”

  It was true Zak had been in to me long before I had been in to him, but it wasn’t his good looks, intellect, or money that changed my mind. It was his kind and generous heart that caught my attention and made me take another look at the man I’d once thought to be my archnemesis. I had a lot of amazing and loving people in my life, but more than anyone I’d ever met, Zak let his heart rule his actions. He paid close attention when he interacted with others and had a unique way of knowing what people needed, whether they told him or not. Once he knew what someone was lacking he made a point of being there to give it to them. I really, truly loved this man.

  “I’m starving,” Zak said as we pulled onto our private road.

  “I left the burger stuff in my car, which is still at the hospital.”

  “We’ll call for pizza and get your car tomorrow. Before we do anything, though, I think you should wash up. You may not have been injured, but you look like an accident victim.”

  I glanced down at the blood all over the front of my shirt. “Yeah. That might be a good idea. You know,” I said as I leaned over and kissed Zak on the cheek, “I’m in the market for a nerd to wash my back. I don’t suppose you know anyone who might be willing to help out a woman who’s had a very hard day?”

  Zak grinned. “I think I might know a nerd who’d be willing to help you out with that. For a price, of course.”

  “Oh,” I said. “And what price did this nerd have in mind?”

  Zak whispered in my ear.

  I grinned. “I think you have yourself a deal, nerd boy.”

  Chapter 11

  Easter Sunday

  “It looks like Morgan Rose is having a blast,” I said to Jeremy as we watched his daughter hunt for Easter eggs with the rest of the kids.

  “She is, I think mostly because she’s happy her BFF Harper is back. She really missed her when she was away.”

  I smiled as Eli crawled over and picked up a plastic egg, then immediately began to chew on it. “The girls have been best friends almost since birth, having been born just a few days apart. I’m sure a month was a long time to be without your best bud when you’re her age.”

  “It was hard that she didn’t understand how far away Switzerland is.” Jeremy ran a hand through his long dark hair to brush it from his eyes. “She kept trying to convince me to take her over to Harper’s grandparents’ so she could see her, but as hard as I tried to explain the distance thing, she wasn’t having any of it.”

  “It was the first time since she’s been old enough to really understand that her friend is gone that Harper has been away for so long. Maybe you can take Morgan on a trip so she can get a feel for how far it is from the other side.”

  “Actually, now that you mention it, Jessica and I have discussed taking the girls to Disneyland before the new baby is born. I wasn’t sure I could take a whole week off, but Aspen is doing great and Tiffany isn’t going to part time until June, so we thought maybe we’d try for next month, if that works for you, of course.”

  Aspen Wood was the latest full-time employee at Zoe’s Zoo and Tiffany Middleton was Jeremy’s second in command, or at least she would be until she got married.

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea. And doing it before the baby comes is smart. Zak volunteered to work from home a couple of days a week to be with Catherine if I wanted to return to work part time. I’ve been thinking maybe it’s time. I miss being around the animals on a regular basis.”

  “That’s great.” Jeremy grinned. “I think Morgan and Rosalie are both going to love Disneyland. I’ll talk to Tiffany and Aspen and we’ll figure out the best week for us to go.”

  “Daddy, can you come help me?” Morgan asked, running up with a basket full of eggs and candy.

  “It looks like I’m being paged,” Jeremy said. “I’ll chat with you later.”

  I looked around the room for Zak, who, the last time I checked, was carrying Catherine in the front pack while he supervised the older kids, some of whom had wandered onto the beach. Levi was tailing Eli, but I hadn’t seen Ellie in almost half an hour. Deciding to check the kitchen, I headed in that direction.

  “I thought I might find you in here,” I said to her as she stirred mayonnaise into the potato salad. “The food can wait. You should be outside enjoying Eli’s first egg hunt.”

  “I was outside for a while, but then I remembered I still needed to finish a few things before we served dinner. It seems like everyone is having a good time.”

  I narrowed my gaze. “What’s up?”

  Ellie smiled. “Why would you think anything’s up?”

  “I know you. As wonderful a hostess as you are, I don’t for a moment believe you’d miss Eli’s first egg hunt to make potato salad.”

  Ellie sighed and stopped stirring. “I never could put anything over on you.”

  “So what is it?” I asked again.

  Ellie glanced down. She’d started to tear up but was unsuccessfully trying to fight back whatever emotion she was feeling.

  I walked around the counter and took the spoon out of Ellie’s hand. I set it down and took her by the shoulders, then turned her so she was facing me. “What is it?” I asked with real concern in my voice.

  Ellie didn’t answer right away.

  “Come on, El. Tell me. You’re really scaring me.”

  Ellie glanced up and looked me in the eye. “I’m pregnant.”

  My first reaction was shock, followed quickly by disbelief. “Are you sure?”

  Ellie nodded, squeezing her lips together in an effort, I imagined, not to cry. “I think so. I took a test this morning. It was positive.”

  “Okay,” I said, struggling for the right thing to say. “So this is good news?” I had no idea what Ellie thought about having another baby, but based on the tears, I was thinking this wasn’t welcome news.

  “It’s not bad news, but I’m not sure it’s good news either.” Ellie used a hand to wipe a tear from her cheek. “Eli won’t celebrate his first birthday for another three weeks and Levi mentioned just this morning how much he was looking forward to him becoming more independent and moving out of the baby stage.”

  “You don’t think Levi wants more kids?”

  Ellie shook her head. “No. I think he does. At least one more. But we both thought having another baby was something we’d do when Eli was a little older. Having two kids in diapers at the same time isn’t going to be easy.”

  No, I supposed it wasn’t. Still, I smiled. “Ellie,” I said cupping her face with my hands, “you’re going to have a baby.” I hugged my best friend. “I know he or she may be making an earlier appearance than you planned, but in the long run having a sibling close to your own age is going to be wonderful for both your children.”

  “You think so?” Ellie asked.

  “I know so.”

  Ellie hugged me hard and long. “Thank you. I don’t know how you do it, but you always make me feel better.”

  “Part of the best friend job description.”

  Ellie squeezed my hand. “And I appreciate it. But do me a favor: don’t tell Levi.”

  “Oh no.” I to
ok a step back. “I’m not promising that again.”

  Ellie laughed. “I don’t mean don’t ever tell him like I did last time. I just meant don’t tell him today. I think he’s going to freak out a bit and I don’t want this to ruin his day. I’ll tell him tomorrow. I promise.”

  “Okay. I guess I can agree to that.” I handed Ellie a tissue. “If you don’t want him to suspect something’s wrong, though, you should dry your eyes and head out and enjoy the party. The food can wait.”

  Ellie dabbed her eyes with the tissue. “You’re right. The food can wait.” Ellie hugged me again. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  I watched as Ellie headed back out to the party with a lightness in her step. I was about to join her when Zak joined me.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “Everything’s fine. Ellie just needed to talk to me about something. I was about to head out.”

  Zak pulled me into his arms. “As long as I have you alone…” He pulled me toward him and kissed me on the lips. Catherine, who was still in the front pack on Zak’s chest, squealed with delight at the fun game of smush-the-baby Mommy and Daddy were playing with her. Zak took a step back and we both laughed.

  “Have you thought about another kid?” I asked Zak.

  He looked surprised by my question. “Now?”

  “No, silly.” I playfully hit him on the arm. “One infant at a time is plenty. I meant, have you thought about having a second baby at some point? We do already have three children we’re responsible for. Do you think four would be too many?”

  Zak took my hand in his. “I’d like to have more babies with you. I know we never settled on a number, but I’ve always thought a half dozen or so would be fun.”