Angel of Death

by Kimberley O'Malley

  “Why nothing, of course. You know how I love a bit of drama.” He scooched closer to her on the couch, placing an arm behind her shoulders. “Now, Sugar Plum, don’t worry. I'm sure we can find a very nice place for your dear granny.”

  Addie snuggled her head against his shoulder, getting into character. “If you call me Sugar Plum one more time, I may de-plumb you. If you get my meaning.”

  Grey barked out a laugh before quickly smothering it. “Loud and clear. But that brings to mind a question I've been dying to ask you. What does Tall, Dark, and Dreamy call you?”

  She was saved from answering by the approach of a well-dressed woman in her fifties. They both stood. The woman extended a hand to Addie. “Hello, I'm Sally Audubon. And you must be Mr. and Mrs. Mayberry. I'm so pleased to meet you.”

  Grey grabbed her outstretched hand before Addie could. “That’s us, just like the old television show. I’m Charles, and this is my lovely wife, Petunia.”

  Addie really should have kicked him, but instead, she pasted a smile on her face. “Thank you for taking time out to see us, Sally.”

  “Of course. This way, shall we? I can give you a quick tour of our facilities before we sit down and have a chat.” She started down the main hallway, so they scrambled to keep up.

  “Why don’t you tell me a bit about your grandmother first. How old is she? What is her level of independence? Any health concerns? That type of thing.”

  Addie jumped right into the conversation to cut Grey off at the path. Goodness knew what he’d come up with. “Granny Betsy turned ninety-two over the summer.”

  “And doesn’t look a day over seventy-five,” added the ever-helpful Grey.

  “Yes, as I was saying, my grandmother is very good for her age. She loves to tell everyone that clean living is her secret. Only takes a multivitamin each morning. But she’s slowing down a bit, and we’ve grown concerned for her safety living alone.”

  “Felicia mentioned she lives in a rather large house. I'm sure you’re concerned for her safety.”

  “Well, maybe alone isn’t the best word. There are servants there,” added Grey.

  “Oh, Charles, you do love to exaggerate.” Did he ever! “Uh, what my darling husband means is there’s someone in to clean and cook, things like that. But, she’s alone at night. And I worry.”

  “Of course, you do, dear. Any loving family member would in that situation.” Their guide turned down a hall and passed through a set of double doors. “This is our assisted living section. Here, residents have their own space and are able to maintain their independence. Each resident has a mini apartment of their own, complete with private bathroom, bedroom, and sitting room. There’s also a small kitchen area with refrigerator and counter space. They take all their meals in the dining room with the other residents.”

  “Oh, that sounds lovely. Granny Betsy would just love to be able to take her meals with people her own age.” Addie lowered her voice to a whisper. “Most of her friends have passed on, you know.”

  “Indeed, I do. That’s one of the tough parts of aging, I guess. Let’s continue on, shall we?”

  As Addie and Grey followed along, she peered around her, trying to see if anything looked familiar. She turned and caught Grey’s widened eyes and shook her head no. Gotta love their unspoken communication.

  Addie turned back to Sally. “Do you have any openings at the moment? I'm sure such a lovely place as this has a waiting list.”

  “We do indeed keep a list of interested, qualified potential residents. The wait depends on the, uh, availability of units.”

  Someone had to die, in other words. “Oh. I guess then there isn’t any way to predict how long that might take?” She felt Grey grabbing her arm.

  “Sugar Plum, maybe we should look elsewhere. Granny Betsy needs to be safe sooner rather than later.”

  Sally cleared her throat. “With the average age of our residents, the wait can be very short.”

  Although Addie understood what she was saying, it still left her with a nauseous feeling. “Well, maybe we could leave our information. You know, in case.” She was going straight to Hell.

  Grey rattled off his cell number before she could blink. Sally wrote it on a piece of paper.

  “Great!” Sally exclaimed. “Now let me show you the gardens, for which this place was named. You’re going to love it. Although it’s much more beautiful in the summer.”

  Before they could stop her, Sally led them outdoors into a courtyard. The paved path led in a large serpentine, passing many magnolia trees and flower beds. A koi pond gurgled in the middle. “Why this is lovely. Simply lovely,” Addie gushed. “Darling, maybe we should consider moving in with Granny Betsy.”

  “Now, Sugar Plum, where would we put the kids? And the nanny?” He turned to Sally. “Thank you so much for taking us on this tour. We’d like to wander a bit before seeing ourselves out.”

  “Oh, I'm afraid that isn’t possible. We value our residents’ privacy, as you can probably imagine. I'm sure you can appreciate that for your beloved grandmother.”

  Addie tried not to grind her teeth. They’d been so close. “Of course. We weren’t thinking. Well, thank you again.”

  “My pleasure.” Sally walked them around the building, shaking both of their hands before leaving them in the visitor parking area.

  Addie stayed silent until they were both in the car and back on the main road. “Please don’t ever let me end up in a place like that.”

  “As if.”

  “All she cared about was money. I mean, the place is gorgeous and all, but, well, I ran out of words.”

  “Now, now, Sugar Plum, don’t get in a tizzy,” Grey joked as he drove them back to the store.

  “If no one ever calls me that again, it will still be too soon.”

  “You never did tell me what Detective Dreamy calls you in the heat of the moment.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Ah, playing hard to get. Please tell me you don’t call him Detective Wolfe.”

  A very unladylike snort ripped from Addie. “Only when he whips out the handcuffs. And that’s enough of that conversation.”

  “Whatever you say, darling. What are you going to tell Jonah?”

  “About?”

  “About our little field trip?”

  “Oh. I hadn’t thought about it to be honest.”

  “But you are going to tell him?”

  “Jonah and I don’t keep secrets from each other.”

  “Ah, too early in the relationship for that?”

  “There’s never a good time for lying. Or keeping secrets. How about you and Jamie?”

  “Oh, about that.”

  “No!”

  “Yes.”

  “But I liked this one.” Jamie had lasted longer than almost all Grey’s former partners. Her BFF liked to think of himself as selective. And easily bored.

  “Me, too. But he had to follow his muse. Whatever that means.”

  “Muse? I thought he was a stock trader.”

  “Who now wants to sculpt. And he can only do that in Italy, apparently.”

  “Oh, Grey. I'm so sorry.”

  “Me, too. I really did like him. But I didn’t love him. Not like you love Jonah.”

  Addie wasn’t sure what to say to that. “You've never loved anyone that way. But then, neither have I. Until now.” She winced, not wanting to rub his face in her happiness. “Sorry.”

  “No worries. He wasn’t my lobster.”

  She laughed at the famous television sitcom reference. “I think Jonah may be mine.”

  “Girl, what do you mean ‘think’? We all know he is. The Aunties have been knitting. Blue and pink, just in case. Don’t get me started on the names they’ve come up with.” He shuddered.

  “Thanksgiving should be interesting then. Poor Jonah. Someone should warn him. Again.”

  She sighed. Her maiden aunts meant well, and she loved them. But the constant mention of babies, not to mention her ‘a
ging eggs,’ grew old.

  “Spoil sport. Where’s the fun in that?”

  “Very funny. I only just found him, Grey. The last thing I need is the Aunties scaring him off.”

  “Please. That man is a smitten kitten. Head over heels. He took a bullet for you. Two octogenarians won’t scare him off.” He laughed at her look of disbelief. “And besides, he already knows about them. Has experienced the terror first-hand. If memory serves, didn’t they once ask him about the type of underwear he prefers?”

  Addie doubled over, howling with laughter. “They did,” she croaked out.

  “And y’all weren’t even sleeping together yet. I’d say he’s here for good.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  “Now, if we can just solve this mystery without you or him dying, we’re golden.”

  4

  Addie waved goodbye to Grey as he dropped her off back at the bookstore. She’d promised to tell Jonah. Of course, she’d tell him what they’d done. She wasn’t looking forward to it, though. He tended to worry about her. She stopped with her hand on the doorknob, a lovely, warmth spreading through her chest. Hard to believe they’d known each other only since the summer. Harder yet to believe they’d been dating barely for a few weeks. She sent a small prayer of thanksgiving into the universe for Jonah and entered her shop.

  “I’d know that smile anywhere,” crowed Erin from behind the counter. “You were thinking about him, weren’t you?”

  “Who? Jensen Ackles?” Addie laughed at her own joke. Her bordering on obsession love for the actor and his hit show was a running joke amongst her friends.

  “Speaking of yummy. But I meant Jonah, as you well know,” said Erin.

  “Guilty as charged.” She came around the desk and kneeled down to hug the wriggling bodies of her two Shelties. “And how were the girls for you?”

  “Fabulous, as always. Who loves their Aunt Erin?” she crooned to the dogs in the voice most adults reserved for human babies.

  “That’s because you spoil them. But they deserve it. Don’t you, girls?” Addie straightened up and grabbed a lint brush to remove the traces of dog hair they’d left behind. “How was business?”

  “Really good. I think people are finally starting to remember Christmas arrives next month.” Erin gestured to the dozen or so people milling about the store. “You might want to check inventory for the children’s section. We enjoyed a real run in there today.”

  “Music to my ears. Hey, I'm back for the rest of the day if you want to take off. Or you can stay if you want. I can always find things to do in the store.”

  “If you don’t mind, I might stay a bit longer. Make it worth my while.”

  “And avoid studying, right?”

  “You caught me. But I will be studying the rest of the weekend. Unless you need me tomorrow…”

  Addie laughed and headed for her office. “Stay awhile, then. Let me know when you’re leaving. And I have tomorrow covered.”

  “Yes, Boss,” Erin replied with a sassy salute.

  Addie shook her head and headed to the coffee maker in her office, rubbing her temples as she went. The nightmare must have messed with her sleep. The faintest of dull aches had started behind her eyes.

  Several hours later, she started at the sound of someone at her door. She looked up to see Erin standing there. “Sorry. Were you there long?”

  “Nope. Leaving now, so I came to let you know.” She gestured to the backpack slung over her shoulder. “This stuff isn’t going to study itself you know. Too busy today to even bother taking out a book.”

  “Hooray! That’s good news for me. Thanks again for coming.” She stood and followed Erin to the front of the store.

  “Oh, I took the girls out for a potty break about fifteen minutes ago. They have fresh water, so they should be good.”

  “Aw, thanks, Erin. Be safe going home.”

  “I will. See you next week.”

  Addie said a quick hello to the girls before a customer approached her. And then another. Before she knew it, time had flown, and she was tidying up the shop for closing. She preferred to keep it ship shape so she wouldn’t have to do any last-minute cleaning before opening the next morning. At least on Sundays, she didn’t open until eleven.

  Her phone rang, the opening line of “I’m Too Sexy” blaring from her pocket. Her pulse kicked up. Jonah. Grey took delight in regularly high-jacking her phone and inserting very specific ringtones for folks.

  “Hey,” she answered before it went to voicemail. Looking around, she noticed only an older couple in the back, so she ducked behind the counter and perched on the stool.

  “Hey, yourself. How’s your day been?”

  She crossed her fingers before answering. “Fine. Good day for the store. How was yours?” She hadn’t technically lied, and she would tell him as soon as she saw him. But not over the phone.

  “Boring. Never thought I’d say that. But it’s good to be back.”

  “What? You didn’t enjoy hanging out with me and the girls in the thrilling world of retail?”

  “Not to mention hours of painful rehab to be endured.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Addie winced. Jonah had indeed suffered through weeks of therapy for his arm, often coming home and standing in a hot shower to relieve the aches and pains. “Sorry.”

  “It’s all good. I'm back to full usage. And you know I love hanging out with you.” His gravelly voice lowered on that last bit, sending shivers up her spine.

  “Good answer,” she joked.

  “Are you closing up soon?”

  “I am. I’ll be on time. What were you thinking for dinner? Thai? Italian? Mexican? Stay in? Go out?” She stopped and shook her head. They sounded like an old married couple.

  “How about I surprise you. Go home, take a hot shower or bath, and I’ll grab something. How does that sound?”

  “Like I'm the luckiest woman in the world.”

  “Nah, only the prettiest. See you soon.”

  She held the phone after he disconnected, waiting for her pulse to slow. She was the luckiest woman alive. The grin stayed on her face as she tidied up and finally locked the front door after the last customer left. She whistled for the girls, who were enjoying an extended siesta behind the desk. Like a synchronized swim team, both dogs bowed to the floor, stretching their legs and backs.

  “You’re so cute I can’t stand it.” She rubbed both fluffy heads before attaching leashes and grabbing her things.

  Addie whistled off-key all the way home, her happy mood staying with her. She’d be taking that hot bath. And maybe showcasing some of the new lingerie she’d purchased. Jonah could be as lucky as she.

  Her smile faded as she pulled into her driveway. A white envelope hung on her storm door. She turned off the car and didn’t move, squelching the impulse to run up and rip it open. Nothing had arrived in weeks from her ‘secret admirer,’ as Grey liked to joke. Actually, after the giant bear at her store doorstep, no one joked anymore.

  She closed her eyes before reaching for her phone. Hitting a preset, she waited as it rang in her car. Gracey must have picked up her mood, as she let out a half-moan, half-howl from the back.

  “Hey, couldn’t wait to talk to me? I’m leaving the station now.”

  “Can you skip the food? Come right home? Please.”

  Something in her voice must have tipped Jonah off. “What happened?”

  “Not sure. It may be nothing.”

  “But it’s something or you wouldn’t have called.”

  She heard the sound of his car door closing. She sagged back against the seat. Only less than ten minutes away now. “There’s something on my porch. An envelope taped to the door. I didn’t open it.” A half sob ripped from her throat. “Heck, I didn’t even leave the car.”

  “Good girl. Stay there, I'm coming.”

  He continued to talk to her about nothing and everything as she sat, staring at the offending envelope. How naïve she’d been, thinking her wo
uld-be suitor had gotten bored. Given up. The slow, deep sound of Jonah’s voice soothed her fragile nerves. Her pulse slowed a bit. After a few minutes, his car turned onto her block. She exhaled her pent-up breath and disconnected the phone. “Girls, stay here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

  She jumped out of the car, throwing herself into his arms as Jonah exited his car. “Thank you for hurrying. Thank you for everything.”

  He smiled down into her face for a moment. “Anything for you.” He kissed her before pulling on latex gloves. “Stay here.”

  She followed him to the edge of her porch. “Why? Do you think it might explode?”

  Jonah shook his head, a lock of dark hair falling across his forehead. “No. He’s been very low tech so far. But better safe than sorry.”

  “Wouldn’t safe include you as well?” The thought of him being hurt again, because of her, slithered like a poisonous snake through her gut.

  “Addie, I'm not taking any chances with your safety. I’ll look before I open.”

  She nodded and stood where she was as he walked to the door. With one gloved hand, Jonah removed the envelope from the door, turning it over to inspect it. “I don’t see anything suspicious.” He removed a penknife from his pocket and slit it open, taking out a single sheet of white paper.

  Addie clenched her hands into fists at her side as his expression darkened. “Tell me,” she whispered, unable to raise her voice over the fear lodged in her throat.

  He sat on the porch swing, patting the cushion next to him. She approached on wooden legs, dreading what she was about to see. Jonah pulled a clear evidence bag from his pocket and slid the paper and envelope inside before sealing it.

  “You don’t have to read it,” he advised.

  She sank into the swing next to him, hands shaking as she reached for the bag. “I do. I need to know.”

  Jonah nodded before holding out the paper for her to see.

  My love for you remains pure. Sadly, I cannot say the same for you, Adelaide Foster. My gifts went unappreciated while you turned to HIM. You will be sorry. So will he.

  “Oh,” she gasped between the hands covering her mouth. Lunch had been hours ago, but the salad threatened to come up. She turned to Jonah. “What are we going to do?”