A Tangle in the Vines

by Anna Celeste Burke

  “You made these?” Billie asked me after he’d washed down another cookie with milk.

  “Yes. Aunt Lettie and I used to bake all the time when I was your age.”

  “Marshal, she’s good-looking and can bake A-plus cookies—you’d better put a ring on it.” He did a head slide like a hip-hop dancer and set off a round of laughter.

  “Look at you! The little man has got some moves!” Zelda said hopping off the barstool and demonstrating a few dance moves of her own.

  “How do you have so much energy?” Julie asked as she yawned.

  “Sugar rush! I’m headed for a crash any minute now.” She stopped abruptly, so I figured that was it. Then, her face lit up.

  “Billie, if I offered a dance class, would your friends join—I mean if I taught it with your help?”

  “Really?” Zelda nodded. “Sure, they would!” Billie responded with more enthusiastic head moves. His elation was short-lived. The doorbell rang. “You can count on me if I’m not dead.”

  Judy ran to the door to let the Dundees in. When they entered the kitchen, I smelled booze on someone. I cringed when I saw the set of his father’s jaw. Billie was blinking as if he expected to get smacked. His mother scanned the room, taking in the scene in the kitchen. I thought the horrified look on her face had something to do with the pjs we were all wearing. Apparently, that wasn’t it.

  “You’re not rewarding him with cookies, are you? After we’ve been inconvenienced by having to drive over here in the middle of the night. What is wrong with you permissive Hollywood people?” I figured Zelda would have a few choice words for Mrs. Dundee, but it was Carrie, our ever-so-sweet-and-chatty sports reporter who spoke up.

  “How do you like that? You’re inconvenienced? He shot a cop with a loaded gun you allowed a twelve-year-old to get his hands on. Let’s not talk about the fact that he’s out at midnight in a dangerous storm chasing a deranged killer. I hope the police throw the book at both of you. Billie, if you need a foster mom, I’m it, honey!” I winced at the ‘deranged killer’ words since we’d tried to be more discrete about what we suspected the Numbers Man had done.

  “We’re all it!” Zelda added. “You call the cop who was here, Marshal, and tell him to use that loco parentis law to do what he has to do.” Judy shook her head.

  “That’s not what in loco parentis means. It…” Judy didn’t get to finish her next sentence.

  “Zelda is no lawyer, but she’s still right! Billie needs someone to keep him safe. Not that I’ve completely forgiven him for nearly giving me a heart attack with his peeping tom routine,” Melody said. Darjeeling yipped enthusiastically, and Marlowe followed suit.

  I couldn’t tell who was more shocked by what was going on! Billie or his parents. Or me, to be honest. I hadn’t realized how much the “little man” in our presence had evoked the maternal instinct in my thirty-something diva friends who’d suddenly become tigresses. Even Julie, often the most reticent among us, expressed concern.

  “Austin, why don’t you call the police right this minute and tell them to bring a breathalyzer? Billie should not get into a car with them until we’re sure someone’s sober enough to drive.”

  “You know what? Keep him! Our lawyer will contact you tomorrow about the indecent situation going on here,” Betty responded. I take it that meant she’d finally noticed the pjs.

  “Jim Brady, the police officer who was here earlier, took the gun with him, so you’re going to need your lawyer. When Jim examined Billie, he also had questions about several nasty-looking bruises on his body,” Judy said.

  “The kid’s a clumsy ox. There’s nothing I can do about the fact that he fell down the stairs,” Billie’s dad said, glaring at us as if we’d wilt at his bullying.

  “That’s not how he says he got them,” I said meeting his glare with defiance.

  “So? Billie’s a liar! No one has believed his accusations before. Why would they believe him now?” When Mr. Dundee took a step toward where I was sitting at the breakfast bar, Billie erupted into angry tears.

  “Don’t you touch her!” He yelled and put up his dukes as he stepped in front of me. Austin stood next to him and pulled a badge from his jacket pocket.

  “You need to leave. I’m taking Billie into custody until we can get someone from Children’s Services involved. If you don’t go now, I’ll arrest you for trespassing.”

  “You don’t have jurisdiction here, Marshal.” This time when he spoke, Mr. Dundee was close enough that I could tell he’d been drinking.

  “It’s the middle of the night, you’re drunk, and you’re behaving in a threatening manner. Heck, I can arrest you,” I assured him. “If you insist that we get a local pro to do it, I’ll call one of the Sheriff’s Department officers still on the property. If they arrest you right now, they might even be able to catch Judy’s friend, Officer Brady, before he finishes writing his report about Billie and your gun.”

  “Come on, Ted. Let’s go. You don’t want to spend the night in jail, do you?” Mrs. Dundee said as she grabbed her husband’s arm. For the first time since they’d arrived, she appeared to be worried. He yanked his arm free and took a swing at Austin. In seconds, Austin had him on the ground with his arms pinned behind him.

  “Jail, it is,” Austin said as he pulled a pair of handcuffs from his jacket. “Ted Dundee, you’re under arrest.”

  “Judy, call Jim Brady, will you?”

  “Gladly!” Judy called Jim on his cell phone. While she chatted with the officer, I checked with Billie.

  “Are you okay?” He’d stopped crying but he was petrified.

  “For now. I don’t want to think about what he’s going to do when he’s out of jail, and I’m back home.”

  “Does he hurt you and your mom?”

  “Sometimes. Mostly, they hurt each other—after they’ve been drinking. I try to sneak out when they start fighting, but I can’t always do it.” When I looked up to see if his mother was listening to our conversation, Betty was no longer in the kitchen.

  “Jim’s on his way. He hadn’t left the property yet” Judy said as she ended her call. “I’m going to the front door to let him in.”

  “Mom left,” Billie whispered.

  “Left? Is Betty in the hallway with Austin and her husband?” I asked. No one answered. Betty wasn’t the only one who’d left. Billie and I were alone.

  “She was, but then Mrs. Dundee tore out of here,” Melody said as she came back into the kitchen and began cleaning up. Darjeeling was on her heels.

  “She didn’t get far,” Judy said, bustling back into the kitchen to help. “Betty almost crashed into Jim’s patrol car. When she tried to scoot around him, he and his partner cut her off. Austin took Ted outside and he’s already in the backseat.”

  “Wifey-wife is also in the backseat,” Carrie said as she came in to grab a notepad she’d left in the kitchen. “She refused to take the breathalyzer test, so she gets to ride along to the police station. They’re having their car towed.”

  “Mom told me to always do that if I got caught drinking and driving. By the time you get to the station, you have a better chance of passing the test.”

  “I’m sorry you know something like that, Billie,” Melody’s eyes were misty. “Where is this rascal going to sleep tonight?”

  “There’s a cot in a storage closet upstairs,” I suggested. “Why don’t I set it up in Aunt Lettie’s suite—in her sitting room?”

  “Are you okay sharing a suite with Austin for tonight?” I asked.

  “Heck, yes,” Billie said, slipped from his barstool onto the floor, and threw his arms around me. I was afraid he was about to cry again. Then, Marlowe jumped up on the barstool next to me and began snuffling Billie’s ears. Billie stepped back, smiling. “That tickles.”

  “Here’s the best way to handle that,” I said, putting Marlowe into his arms. “Carry him upstairs for me, so we can make up a bed for you.”

  “What’s he going to wear? He can’t sleep in
those dirty clothes.” Melody was emphatic.

  “We got you covered, little man,” Zelda responded. Carrie was with her and wearing a huge smile.

  “They might not be the best team in baseball, but they do lots for kids. I always bring kids’ gear with me wherever I go. These pants should fit you, Billie. Don’t ask me why they call them brawler pants, but they’re great for training.”

  “For me? Are you serious?” Billie bounced up onto his toes. “I’m sorry I said they suck. I can be a jerk sometimes.”

  “Who isn’t?” Zelda asked.

  “Here’s a jersey and a sweatshirt to wear with the brawler pants. The t-shirt and a pair of shorts are comfy enough to sleep in until we can get you some real clothes.”

  “These are real clothes!” Billie was practically vibrating with excitement.

  “Don’t forget the hat!” Zelda reached into the bag, pulled out a baseball cap, and stuck it on Billie’s head. “That’s perfect!”

  “Thank you so much,” he said as Carrie and Zelda smooched him. “This is the best night ever, except for getting stuck on the fence. And for shooting at you, Austin. I’m sorry I did that.”

  “Hey, it’s okay,” Austin said, as he came back into the kitchen. He gave Billie’s hat a tug. Austin smiled, but it was clear as a bell to me that he was upset—really upset. “That hat looks great!”

  “He’s rooming with you tonight, Austin. Do you want to help me set up a cot for him? Judy can you come with us and show Billie where the soap and towels are in the bathroom.”

  “Why don’t we all turn in for the night?” Judy said. She must have sensed something was up.

  “Amen!” Zelda said. “We’ve got lots to do in the morning. How are you with a paintbrush, Billie?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m a quick learner.” As they headed down the hall, I lingered a moment to turn off the light in the kitchen.

  “Are you going to tell me why you’re upset?” I asked Austin as I slid my arm around his waist.

  “They found another body—what’s left of it after being in the ground for a long time. Lily, it’s a little kid.”

  He pulled me close, and I wrapped both arms around him as we stood there in the doorway of the darkened kitchen. This wasn’t my cowboy’s first rodeo, as they say. Austin had tracked down many desperados who’d committed unthinkable crimes. He hadn’t said it, but apart from exhaustion, what made this situation hit home was a brazen, sassy-mouthed, abandoned boy. Even though that shot grazed Austin’s arm, it had hit him squarely in the heart.

  “We’ll keep him safe,” I whispered. Austin is so much braver than I am about following his heart.

  7 Three Ring Circus

  I awoke with a start. It felt as if I’d only been asleep for fifteen minutes. There was movement in my bedroom. The gauzy voile drapes billowed in a breeze coming in through the French doors. Had I left them open last night?

  “Last night, ohhh,” I moaned and shoved the pillow over my head. Had Judy opened the French doors? Where was she?

  “Judy!”

  “Shh! You’ll wake everyone!” She came rushing in from the bathroom, already dressed and ready to get to work. Marlowe bounded onto the bed, spun around, and dug at the sheets. Silly dog.

  “What time is it?” I asked as I yawned and hugged Marlowe.

  “Almost seven. I’m going downstairs to fix a breakfast casserole to feed an army—including our new ‘tween’ who really put away the cookies last night.”

  “I’m going to shower—again— and then I’ll be down to help. We need to use the huge coffee pot Lettie bought with the B&B guests in mind. I could drink a carafe full by myself.”

  “Using the big one is a good idea considering we’ll have three police officers at the table. I’ll make the usual pot. When you come downstairs, you can set up the big one on the sidebar in the dining room.”

  “Okay.” I started to get out of bed when another wave of ugliness hit me, forcing me backward onto the bed. Marlowe pounced on me, knocking the air out of me. “Did your friend, Jim, tell you they found another body?” Judy nodded.

  “No details, he just mentioned the count had gone up to five. Murder by the numbers must be easier than dealing with bodies as people.” I sat up on the edge of the bed.

  “Especially in this case. Austin said the fifth victim is a small child.”

  “No!” Judy said, sinking down onto the bed beside me. “No wonder Austin was so upset. I thought he was as disgusted as I was with the Dundees. Poor little Billie. I’ve known his parents all my life. I never liked them much, but I had no clue they were hurting their child.”

  “How could you have known?” I put my arm around the sturdy woman’s shoulders. “From what we heard last night, even after an investigation by the authorities, Billie was left to fend for himself.”

  “Ted and Betty have blown it now. Letting Billie get his hands on a loaded gun was a big mistake. A DUI for Betty won’t help either. Children’s Services will have to do something after they see the awful bruises on his body.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m so glad Lettie got you out of the trouble you were in, Lily.”

  “We’ll make sure they do the same thing for Billie. He can stay here while the court rules on his situation—if that’s what he wants.”

  “With five moms and a grandma doting on him, why would he ever want to leave?”

  “My evil doppelganger, Andra, once reported a woman for abusing her child. It wasn’t true, but she had designs on the woman’s husband and wanted him to dump his wife. Anyway, Julie gave us a mini-lecture on child abuse. Abused children often want their parents’ love so much, they’ll return to even the worst conditions.”

  “You didn’t. You’re just doing what you’ve done with Austin—preparing yourself for rejection and loss. After all the years you spent with Lettie, you still don’t believe you’re lovable, do you?”

  “Aunt Lettie left me too.”

  “That wasn’t her choice, and it wasn’t because she didn’t love you.” She patted my arm and stood up. “Billie is a smart kid and, the truth is, he’s been on his own for a long time. He won’t ask to go home. Besides, with both parents in jail, there’s no home to go back to for now. In case you hadn’t noticed, Austin’s not going anywhere either.”

  “Except off on one dangerous assignment after another, chasing creepy people like the guy skulking around here,” I griped.

  “There you go! Austin’s facing risks right here in your backyard. You and Billie didn’t even have to leave home to be in danger and look at what happened to Lettie. Life’s hard, and risk goes with the territory. At least Austin’s trained to handle it.”

  “You sound like my therapist. Losing Aunt Lettie, the way we did, was a setback. It’s too bad that’s also how I happened to meet Austin.”

  “First of all, I’d say Austin is an example of how good can come from even a very bad situation. Lettie is still looking out for you, and she doesn’t want you to be alone. Second, all this ruminating is a bunch of hooey. If you weren’t sure he was a ‘keeper,’ you would already have told him to get lost.”

  “Maybe it’s me I don’t trust. My attraction to him was instant. What if that’s all there is to it?”

  “Oh, come on. You spent more than a decade in Hollywood where handsome hunks are a dime a dozen. How many of them managed to razzle-dazzle you?”

  “Zero.” I stood up and stretched. “Thanks for the straight talk. I wish we had a video game machine to distract Billie while we talk to Dahlia and Rikki about last night. He’s already heard more than enough for a kid his age.”

  “I’ll help. You and the divas can take turns keeping him occupied.”

  “I’ll let him use my laptop if he promises not to optimize my settings or anything like that. Dahlia and Rikki will want to hear his story about the Numbers Man. Billie could turn out to be a key witness if the guy he’s been following around is the killer.”

  “You don’t believe he is?” Judy asked.


  “The way Billie described him, the Numbers Man is so disturbed, and his behavior is so odd, he’s bound to stand out wherever he goes. How could someone like him have gotten away with murder for so long unless he has an accomplice?”

  “I get it. A friend or family member has been keeping the Numbers Man fed, clothed, and sheltered. That doesn’t mean they’ve helped him commit murder.” Judy shuddered. “He gives me the willies.”

  “Me, too. I’ll shut up and get dressed so I can help, but here’s another question for you. How does a guy that creepy find his victims and coax them into the woods?”

  “Are you saying someone does that for him?”

  “Maybe,” I responded. “If the friend or family member who takes care of the Numbers Man appears to be normal, and Penney Lincoln thought that’s who she was meeting in the woods, that could explain how she ended up there.”

  “Ooh, now I’m really done talking about this. You can never tell what goes on behind your neighbors’ doors, can you?”

  “No, you can’t. Look at Billie. I hope Children’s Services sends someone soon, so we can figure out what to do for him next. In fact, we’d better wait until a representative gets here before Dahlia and Rikki interview him.”

  “You’re right. It’s going to be a three-ring circus today, isn’t it?” Judy asked.

  “Tell me about it. We also have the little matter of a three-act play to prepare, which is intended to be a comedy, but not quite a circus.”

  “Marlowe, are you ready for breakfast or do you want to wait for the ringmaster to drag her behind downstairs?”

  “I’ll be right down.” Too late. Marlowe leaped from the foot of the bed to the doorway in a single bound, performing the first circus act of the day.

  8 AWOL

  By the time I arrived in the kitchen, Judy had it sparkling. She also had the casserole in the oven. The aroma was amazing, but I zeroed in on the coffee. I drained the first cup and poured another. I took the second cup with me to set up the thirty-cup coffeemaker. Once the coffee was going, I arranged napkins, plates, and silverware for our guests to serve themselves.