After the women were seated at the three tables for four, Ethel whistled through her teeth. “Attention, ladies. Janie has an announcement.”
She gave their ring leader a slight bow as every mouth shut tight and remained that way for the next few minutes. Eleven pairs of eyes widened when Janie spelled out her plan. She held up the folder. “So, as you leave tonight, please take one sheet with you.”
Betsy Ann raised her hand. “Um, Janie. What if we need more than one sheet?”
“Flip it over and use the back if you like. However, there are thirteen lines, so it should be plenty.”
“I’m drawing an extra line on mine. Thirteen is unlucky.” Roseanne crossed her arms over her chest.
Several ladies agreed, while three others flipped their wrists and shook their heads at her comment.
Ethel whistled again, this time louder. Outside, four dogs in the neighborhood responded with elongated howls. Everyone laughed. Her cheeks turned crimson, which clashed with her peachy rouge.
Ethel coughed into her fist as she waited until the laughter died down. “Ladies, there is a serious issue to be discussed. Blake Johnson was reprimanded for his tactics in bringing down the smuggling ring. I encourage anyone who feels he’s an asset to this community to write a letter to the mayor or contact their councilman. He’s a fine man, and we owe him our gratitude.”
Cheers went up. A few of the ladies stood as they applauded.
Janie wiped her eyes with her napkin, moved by their reaction. “Thanks, everyone. Especially you, Ethel, for opening your home and wishing to exonerate my son-in-law.”
The normally stern and all-together Ethel fanned her face to regain her composure as several others sniffed or dabbed their eyelids.
Mildred clapped her hands. “All right. Enough of that. Let’s begin Bunco. Roll for the head table spot. The first four to land sixes receive the honor.”
The women took their plates, stacked them in the kitchen sink, and settled in to play the game. At the end, Eleanor Franks, the newest recruit, scored the most buncos, and Ethel the most points. The notoriety exempted them from bringing food the next week.
Janie waved the petitions. “Remember. Keep your ears open for an opportunity to ask your neighbors if they noticed anything unusual around the time of the robberies. We’ll meet back here Saturday morning after brunch to see if we’ve missed anyone...if that’s OK with you, Ethel?”
“Fine by me.”
Mildred spoke up. “Why don’t we meet during brunch? They’ll be serving Belgian waffles.”
Ethel crinkled her nose. “And risk getting syrup on these?” She held up her paper. “What would it look like to the board?”
The other Bunco biddies mumbled in agreement.
“Oh, very well.” Mildred jutted out her lower lip in jest.
EIGHT
Blake found Melody in the kitchen washing dishes. “You need to speak with your mother.”
“About?” She handed him a plate to dry.
He snatched the towel and wiped the moisture from both sides of the dish. “She’s bugging Hemphill now.”
Melody halted, her hands filled with suds. “About the robberies? No big deal, dear. It’s so they can get a petition signed to install a new alarm system in each home in Sunset Acres.”
“You knew about it? How?”
She winked. “You are not the only one with sources.”
“Right.” He kept rubbing the dry plate, his lips pressed together.
Melody took it from him and gave him another. “So, how did it go?”
“As expected. Administrative leave with pay until two weeks after we return from vacation. Then a formal review.” He set the dish down on the counter and grabbed the edges of the tile, his head slightly bent. “They want me to have a psych eval, Mel.”
She wiped off her hands and stroked his upper back. “Protocol I’m sure. You did experience a rather traumatic event.”
Blake spun around and drew her to him. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“For?”
“Everything. Endangering your mother. Acting like an idiot. Above all, for letting my male pride cloud my judgment.”
She rose up on her tiptoes and kissed the tip of his nose. “I admit, you had my stomach in knots there for a while. I wasn’t ready for the Lord to take you, Blake Johnson. I’m too young to be a widow.”
Tears stung the back of his eyes. They rocked together in a long hug, oblivious to the water running in the sink—until the sudsy foam cascaded over the countertop onto their toes.
~*~
Janie flipped through the papers before inserting them in the mailer envelope. “Hallelujah, we obtained 147 signatures. Well done, ladies.” She licked the flap and pressed it shut. She smiled at each and every person seated, some at the dining room table, others in folding chairs around the perimeter. “So, now, who discovered any tidbits of information?”
“Ooh, me.” Betsy Ann raised her hand, wiggling her arm as if she were still perched at her metal desk in second grade.
“Yes?”
She shifted in her seat. “Well. The Walkers were walking home from the tennis courts about two in the afternoon when they spotted one of those terrorist vans pulling out of the apartment parking lot.”
“Terrorist van?”
“Yes. You know? White with no markings on it.”
Roseanne piped up. “Oh, yes. Like in the movies. Remember the one where the teenage boy went into the future in that weird looking car?”
“Yes. Loved it. He also starred in a sit-com. Now what was it called?” Carole tapped her finger to her temple.
“Family something. Such a shame about his debilitating disease.” Babs clucked her tongue. “He’s the same age as my eldest son.”
Murmurs of sympathy flitted around the room.
Janie counted to three. Then she raised her voice to put them back on track. “Ahem. I want to know if it’s been reported to the police.”
“Has he committed a crime?” Betsy Ann looked puzzled.
“Does he live here now?” Babs clapped her hands. “I’d love his autograph.”
Mildred rolled her eyes. “No, dear. He lives in Hollywood, I’m sure.”
“I think I read that he lives in New York where his foundation is.” Carole crossed her arms.
Janie took in a deep sigh. “Ladies, please. I meant did the Walkers tell the police about the van?”
The light came on behind Betsy Ann’s eyes. “Oh. Um, no. The officer apparently only questioned the residents in the Sunbeam Apartments. They live on the other side of Sunbeam Lane in one of eight condo units. They wanted to be near the courts. Waited two years for one of those to come available. Mattie is an avid tennis player. Though I don’t think she should wear those skorts. No one should be seen in a miniskirt after fifty.”
“I’d say after forty.” Mildred harrumphed. “Unless they have a street job.”
Giggles went around the room.
Janie counted to three once more under her breath. Oh, the tangents their conversations took. She raised her voice to gain control again. “I mean, Betsy Ann, why didn’t the Walkers tell anyone?”
“They weren’t sure if they should come forward or not.”
Janie nodded. “Ethel, let’s pay them a visit. They might recall something else. Like how many men were inside, if there were any dents in the doors, or if it had a Texas license plate.”
Babs spoke next. “It’s my turn to stay at Annie’s house tonight. What are my instructions?”
Janie thumbed through some papers in a folder. “Here’s a few guidelines. Turn on the TV. Flip lights on and off. Make sure the porch light is burning when you go to bed. At the bottom is the cell phone number for Detective Hemphill. Remember, 9-1-1 is always an option.”
“I wish Blake was in charge.” She pouted.
“Well, he’s not. He’s going on a well-deserved vacation with Mel and the kids. His partner will be back from leave on Monday. Until then, Detective H
emphill is our contact.”
“I have something to report,” Ethel spoke up.
All eyes focused on her.
Ethel sat a bit taller in her chair. “According to Linda May Hedges, a white delivery truck has been driving through the community late at night. She suffers from insomnia. She saw it moving slowly down her street two nights in a row. She did notify the police, but she isn’t sure they took her seriously.”
A hush fell over the condo. Janie’s eyes spanned the room like a movie camera. “It appears our livelihood here in Sunset Acres is not as secure as we’d like to think. I’ll take these petitions to Mrs. Jacobs first thing Monday morning. And I’ll call Detective Hemphill again as soon as we talk to the Walkers. Well done, ladies. Those robbers are as good as nabbed.”
Several shoulders relaxed.
Janie spotted Babs wringing her hands. She reached over and gently squeezed her arm. “You don’t have to do this.”
“No, I’d rather.“ Bab’s eyes twinkled. “That way I can find out where she hides her grandmother’s secret recipe for date nut loaves.”
~*~
Blake couldn’t sleep. He watched the shadows from the oak tree branches dance on the walls of the bedroom. Two blocks over a dog barked. The same one which always did. An owl hooted. The ceiling fan softly whirred above his head, flipping the hairs on his forehead, though there seemed fewer and fewer of them each year. Melody’s soft, rhythmic breaths, muffled by her face half-buried in her pillow, added to the cadence of the night. Down the hallway his kids slept soundly as well.
Things could have turned out so differently. The thought pierced his heart. If his squad had not shown up in time...
He swallowed the scenario back down his throat and thumped his head against pillow. Total stupidity. He’d almost jeopardized this family’s tranquility. Yet, he had to admit it had been stimulating to go undercover with phony aliases. Real spy-like stuff. Probably something big city detectives did all the time. Or was that just on TV?
He rolled onto his left side and pulled the covers to his chin. Pastor’s sermon today had hit him between the eyes. He talked about how we often try to handle things on our own, which we were never meant to tackle in the first place. We become discouraged and ask God why the results didn’t turn out well. Blake swallowed hard. Bingo.
“I’m worried about these tests on Tuesday, God,” he whispered into the dark. “What if they show I’m unstable? Scripture says we are not supposed to be anxious, Lord, but are to pray in all things. Well, I’m praying now. For my future. Also for this gnawing in my gut that my mother-in-law is getting in hot water again, and there’s nothing I can do about it. So, I give it to You to deal with. Amen.”
He took five long breaths through his nose, holding each to the count of three, before exhaling through his mouth. A trick he’d learned on his first stakeout to calm his nerves. Within a few minutes, his mind slipped into blissful blackness.
~*~
Betsy Ann turned the key in her backdoor lock just as her turquoise-colored Princess phone rang. Out of breath, she slammed her grocery sacks on the counter and picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“You sound winded, my dear. Catch you at a bad time?”
George McGuffy’s voice lifted her spirits. She ran her hand over her hair, as if he could see her. “Um, no. Just walked in from the supermarket. I like to go early in the morning before the heat gets too awful, so I headed out right after my power walk with Janie and Ethel. What’s up?” She twisted the old-fashioned telephone cord through her fingers, once more feeling sixteen, the year she’d got it as a birthday present. One of her most cherished possessions.
“I obtained two tickets to the outdoor musical on the lawn at Zilker Park. Want to come? I’ll plan a romantic picnic dinner for two on the grass before it starts at 8:15 PM.”
“I’d love it. When?”
There was a pause. “Well, that’s the thing. Not very gentlemanly of me to assume you are free on such short notice, but they’re for tomorrow night. An old colleague planned to take his wife, but she broke her leg...”
“Oh, my. How awful. Is she all right? Did she need surgery? I could whip up a casserole.”
His voice dripped through the phone like melted butter. “No, no. Not necessary. You’re always so concerned for others. It’s one of the things I admire most about you.”
Her cheeks warmed against the receiver. “Thanks. Very well, I’d love to go.” She almost said good-bye before she remembered. “Wait. Oh, George I can’t. I’m house sitting for a friend who’s visiting her grandkids. There’s been a few robberies in Sunset Acres this past week so...”
“Robberies?”
“Yeah, I meant to tell you about that.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re going to sit in her house alone when burglars are roaming your community and later walk home in the dark? Not if I have anything to say about it.“
“George. I’ll be spending the night there.”
He huffed. “Then so shall I.”
What? She blinked twice. “Um, no, George. I wasn’t raised that way.”
His voice softened. “I know, my sweet. You do have your honor, but I’m also concerned for your safety. Surely, I can park on her sofa. I promise to behave, though the enchanting perfume you wear does tickle my fancy.”
“OK, I won’t wear anything.” Betsy Ann sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Oh, dear. That sounded risqué. I meant fragrance.”
He chuckled. “Naturally. However, a guy can dream, can’t he?”
She felt her cheeks rise several more degrees in temperature. “Anyway...you’re going to badger me until I agree to this, right?”
“That is my intent. Look, I can’t explain it, but when you told me what you planned to do, an inner alarm went off. Perhaps because of the other shenanigans which have happened there recently. If you don’t let me stay over, I’ll be on the phone with you the whole time.”
“It’ll use up all of our minutes and then some. The overage fees will sink us both.” She thought for a moment. “Oh, all right. I’ll brew lots of coffee and bring board games.”
“That’s my girl. What time and where?”
“363 Sunrise Court. Six sharp. Unless you want to come eat in the dining hall first at five? It’s baked herb chicken tomorrow with root vegetables sautéed in rosemary.”
“Excellent. I’ll meet you for dinner. And no worries. I’ll give the tickets to my nephew and his girlfriend.”
A smile crept across her lips and her eyes welled. “Thanks, George.”
After they hung up, she held the phone to her heart and sighed. She never thought she’d experience these feelings again. Never entertained the idea of a man in her life once more. Now, she admitted to herself for the first time, she wanted nothing less than George McGuffy at her side until her dying day. Did he feel the same?
She bit her lip and began to unpack her groceries. The ice cream carton squished in her hand. Rats. It had begun to melt already. Blast these Texas summers. Oh, well.
Betsy Ann reached in a drawer, grabbed a serving spoon, and popped open the lid. After all, she’d skipped breakfast.
NINE
“What are you doing, Betsy Ann? You look like a giraffe the way you’re craning your head.”
Betsy Ann dropped her gaze to the floor. “Sorry, Janie. George said he would like to join us for dinner. He’s going to help me house sit for Annie tonight.”
Janie’s eyebrows arched into her forehead. “Do you two need a chaperone?”
Betsy Ann swatted the air. “Oh, stop.”
Janie shrugged. “The way he keeps goo-gooing over you, I’m just asking.”
She raised her hands to her cheeks. “I really like him, too. A lot.”
Ethel leaned in. “Duh. It’s rather obvious.”
As if on cue, George arrived. He looked dapper in his navy walking shorts and pastel blue plaid shirt. He approached the ladies with a slight bow. “I hope this is not too informal?
”
“Nah.” Ethel pushed the thought away. “Some of the men come in swimming trunks during the summer.”
“With shirts over them, mind you.” Janie pointed to the sign posted near the door.
“Shall we go in?” He bent his elbow and held it out for Betsy Ann to lace her arm through it. As they strolled toward the buffet line, she turned her head back toward her friends, a dreamy grin spreading across her face.
Janie gave her a little wave. “You have to admit. They are cute together.”
Ethel harrumphed. “Wedding by Christmas. Mark my words. We may be bridesmaids again.”
“At our age? Can widows do that?”
Ethel scrunched her mouth to one side. “Might be fun. Just don’t you dare catch her bouquet.”
The two shared a laugh and scooted forward in line to take a tray and eating utensils wrapped in a linen napkin.
As soon as they sat, Roseanne dashed over and handed off the keys to Annie’s apartment. “Your turn.” She gave George the once over. “Are we supposed to bring guests to dinner?”
“No one stated otherwise.” Betsy Ann laced her arm in his.
Roseanne cocked an eyebrow. “Anyway, the plants are watered. There’s a pitcher of peach iced tea in the fridge and some leftover Rocky Road in the freezer.”
Betsy Ann thought back to her breakfast binge. It would be a while before she downed ice cream again. At least another day or two. “Thanks. We’ll be fine tonight.”
“We?” She shot a glance at George. “All night?”
He gave Roseanne a sweet smile and a dip of his head. “I’d be a cad to let this lovely lady spend the evening alone and defenseless.” He took Betsy Ann’s hand in his. “Mark my word as a gentleman. Everything will remain above board.”
Betsy Ann nodded. “Yes, it will. In fact, I’m bringing three board games. Scrabble, Yahtzee, and Chinese Checkers.”
Ethel rolled her eyes.
Janie put her napkin to her mouth to muffle her laugh.
George kept his sweet smile across his lips and didn’t blink.
“Rob stayed with me, so I understand…I guess. When I told him the plans, his forehead reddened.” Roseanne lowered her voice to imitate her husband. “If you’re going along with this harebrained scheme, then I’m coming, too.”
Threes, Sixes & Thieves Page 4