by Diane Bator
“Are you serious?” His jaw dropped. “I own this place.”
“Wrong. You only own half of this place.”
Katie contemplated leaving and letting the two of them fight it out. Either way, she’d have an awful mess to clean up when it was all over.
Ray huffed. “I’m a senior on a fixed income. I can’t afford new ones.”
“Then go to the library.” Laura wasn’t put off so easy.
“I like it better here. The librarian doesn’t let me bring my coffee.”
“You old coot.”
“Her prices are too high. She should’ve stuck with all the used books and forgotten about all this new release and bestseller crap.”
Katie laughed. “Then you wouldn’t have any magazines to steal.”
Ray pursed his lips and glared. “Why, in my day, I—”
“You what?” Laura put her hands on her hips. “You charged way too much for musty old books and were a lot smellier and grouchier than you are now.”
“What are you trying to say?” He placed his palms on the counter and leaned toward her. “I do still own this place, you know. I can fire you.”
“No, you can’t. I need her.” To avoid a blood bath, Katie gave Ray an employee discount to keep some semblance of peace.
Once Ray left, she sent Laura to lunch then sat on her stool to enjoy half an hour of peace. She was in a better frame of mind by the time Laura returned. The first words out of Laura’s mouth nearly changed that.
“Ray didn’t come back?”
“No,” Katie clenched her teeth. “I think he was afraid I’d dust him.”
“Did the other guy come back?”
She flinched. “Who?”
“The one who came in earlier. He…oh forget it. He’ll be back. We need to talk.” Laura folded her arms across her chest. “When’s the last time you had sex? I think you need a man.”
Katie hoped the two customers browsing hadn’t heard her. “Keep your voice down. What has that got to do with anything? Don’t you think that’s a little personal?”
“I guess.” Laura shrugged. “It’s just you’ve lived here for a while now and I know for a fact you haven’t had a single date. I’m worried about you.”
“I’m busy with the store.”
“You have me working for you and Ray’s usually here to keep an eye on things. Besides, we close at five thirty all week. That means you can go out to dinner or take a day off and go have some fun.” She pulled out an emery board and filed her nails. “You should really have come out of hiding today. He was cute and he was asking about you.”
Luscious Strawberry nail polish. Katie tuned Laura out. She only remembered the name because Laura spilled the bottle all over the table in the back room the week the store opened. It took a whole bottle of remover to get it off the marbled Formica surface. When she tried to toss the damaged table out and get a new one, Ray repainted it and told her to live with it.
“Here I am telling you all about a man who is interested in you and you’re not even listening to me, are you?”
Someone was interested in her? Katie couldn’t believe her ears. Her stomach lurched and her palms sweated. She’d have to find out who and put an end to that fast. That thought was banished quickly. It scared her how much she thought like Maddox sometimes. She really needed new friends. Normal friends. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you even remember how to have fun? You know dancing, dinner, movies? I’m sure men have asked you out since you moved here, right? Haven’t they? Let me fix you up with him then I’ll leave you alone.”
She walked around the store and muttered, trying to escape Laura’s helpfulness. “Why is it when you’re single, people have to fix you up with someone? Then when you’re with someone, people want you to get married. When you’re married, people want you to have kids. When you have kids, people want to know when you’re getting a divorce so you can start all over again.”
She paused next to a dark-haired woman flipping through a writing book and barked, “Can I help you?”
“Ah…no.” The woman’s whiskey-gold eyes widened. “Thanks.”
Katie turned to shelve an errant book, chiding herself for being so rude. A parade of men had trampled through her life in Newville. Before DMR, she was too busy with work and dinner meetings to carry on a serious relationship. Then she thought she’d found Mr. Right. Maddox was perfect and they were compatible in so many ways until he wanted to kill her and she had to disappear and leave her whole life behind. A life she would rather forget.
“I’m sorry.” Laura seemed to take Katie’s silence for anger. “I don’t want you mad at me. I just want you to be happy.”
Both customers made hasty escapes from the store.
Katie nodded, not really listening. Mr. Right wasn’t worth losing sleep over. He hadn’t done anything for her that didn’t benefit him in some way. Now he was history. She forced a weak smile. “I am happy. I love this store. It’s mine. This is a dream come true and I’m not ready to share it with any man. Well, except Ray. I like that I don’t have to be responsible for anything but my little corner of the world.”
Laura nodded. “I’d love to have something that special I didn’t have to share.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Now buzz off, right?” She grinned.
“You got it, Sister.”
As a child, Katie dreamed she’d meet a man and fall in love. There had to be someone out there she’d marry and have children with. Someone who’d like a woman who knew her mind. Of course, that was before she knew how few of them were out there and how all the men she got involved with wanted her to look good and keep her mouth shut. Maddox had even tried to make that permanent.
“You know, if you ever want to meet someone…”
Katie held up a hand. “Laura, please. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”
“I’m sure you will. Just don’t wait too long or you’ll get old and shrivel up like Mimsy.”
“I’d have a really great wardrobe.” She’d also be able to forget it all ever happened.
Chapter 11
Danny
Maddox called as Danny left Java Jo’s. Right after his haircut and his pointless visit to the bookstore to meet the mysterious new owner.
“Anything to report?” To Maddox, all of the media and police attention seemed a minor inconvenience and he appeared to be conducting business as usual.
“No.” Danny stood in front of the coffee shop with a steaming paper cup in one hand. His cell phone was pressed to one ear and a bag of freshly ground coffee was tucked beneath his arm.
“Are you sure? No sightings of Paulina?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” He scanned the familiar street. This was where he grew up, and he knew everyone. Well, except the cute new owner of the bookstore. He’d checked her out in the salon, but she’d only looked like Paulina a bit around the eyes, which were more green than blue. Sea glass green. Was he wrong?
“I have this feeling you’re toying with me, Wild. Maybe I should send Al and Chevy to give you a hand. Where did you say you were going?”
Tires squealed a block away as someone took the corner too fast, but Danny didn’t reply. When he’d gone into the bookstore, she was too busy—and crabby, according to Laura—to even come out and meet him. He’d have to try again later.
“I like you.” Maddox chuckled. “I’ll give you another chance. My guys have blown it a few times now, but you seem to know your way around. Get Paulina back before the end of the week and I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Yeah? How?”
“Money. Lots of it. Even more than she got.” He paused. “That and I won’t let Al and Chevy kill you. Yet.”
“That’s thoughtful.” At least Danny had Leo on his side. What did Maddox mean “even more than she got?” Did Dunnsforth leave her money to escape or had Maddox arranged for her to leave town?
“The D.A.’s office found out about Pauli
na. Now the police are looking for her too. I need you to find her before they plaster her picture all over the media and scare her off.” He made it sound less like an order and more like a warning. Not once had he mentioned Dunnsforth’s death. Did he already know who’d killed his partner?
Danny hung up before he said the wrong thing and called Bobby. “How’s it going?”
“The usual. Your tips pan out?”
“I’m not sure. It could be her. I can’t make a positive ID. I did get something interesting out of Maddox, however. Not sure if he was guessing Dunnsforth financed Paulina’s escape or if Maddox left her money to run.”
Bobby snorted. “Interesting. Just make sure you have a positive ID before you do anything stupid. Cadaver dogs are searching a few DMR construction sites. I hope you’re right.”
“Me too. I’ll be back in the morning.” Danny needed to talk to Ray about the new bookstore owner in such a way he wouldn’t make his uncle suspicious. Instead, he hung up with Bobby and called Leo.
“What’s up?” Leo yawned.
“Bobby said they’re checking DMR’s building sites with cadaver dogs in case Paulina turns up.”
“Cool in a creepy way. Did you call in to the station? There were a couple officers looking for you. They were assigned to help but can’t track down you or Bobby.”
“Sounds like they won’t be very useful then. I’ll call in when I’m done with my coffee.” Do me a favor. Find something else to keep busy, will you? We have to keep this detective agency thing looking legit for a few more months.” Danny sat on his Harley and finished his coffee. “At least until we find Paulina and lock up Maddox.”
“Sure. At least the cops pay me well.” Leo shuffled papers in the background. “I’ve got a guy who needs one of us to follow his wife around.”
“That’s right up your alley. You love domestics.” Danny tossed his empty cup toward the nearest garbage bin along the sidewalk and missed.
“Yeah, as much as I love needles. I’m off to see a guy about a job. I’ll fill you in later. Don’t forget to get flowers for Hannah.” He hung up.
Danny was left to stare at the phone. “How the hell did he know about that?”
Chapter 12
Katie
Queenie walked into the bookstore looking lost and distracted. She brightened when Laura gave her a hug. “I haven’t seen you in ages. You should come by and get a trim one of these days, just a little off the ends, maybe some fresh highlights.”
“I’ll do that.” Laura kept one arm around Queenie. “Is everything okay?”
Queenie blinked and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “I’m in need of something mindless to read. A magazine or a book. It doesn’t really matter. Just something.”
Laura frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I have to take my husband to the doctor for tests.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Laura caught her in a hug. “Is everything okay?”
“I think he’s having panic attacks.” She paused for a deep breath. “He’s convinced his doctor he needs to go for a stress test and a thousand other things. Now he’s got me wound up.”
Katie bit her lip and fought back a rush of tears. Her father underwent open heart surgery nearly five years earlier and she knew the numbing fear she’d lose him forever. Now there was no way to check on her parents without endangering their lives and hers.
She blinked hard and shoved aside her emotions. “Have you read anything by Janet Evanovich? They’re fun. I have the whole series on the shelf and her latest book just came in.”
“Sounds perfect, but…” Queenie’s face reddened and she lowered her voice. “Do you still carry used books?”
“Of course.” Katie led her up the stairs to the used book section.
“Money’s tight. He’s been sick for two years and unable to hold a job. No one knows what’s wrong, but I’m starting to think it’s all in his head.” Queenie pressed her lips together. “How do you like your new haircut?”
“I love it. It makes me feel pretty.”
“Well, you should feel pretty. You’re a lovely girl.” She patted Katie’s hand. “I’m surprised there’s not a long line of men beating down your door. Actually, there is this guy I know. He’s about your age and handsome and he—”
“Oh, no. Thank you, but I don’t like blind dates.” Unless it was with the guy she saw in the salon.
“Trust me.” She smiled. “He’s perfect. He’s smart as a whip and probably the best-looking man you’ll ever meet around this town. You do like men, don’t you?”
Katie stopped listening when Penny ran through the door and wailed on Laura’s shoulder. Were all small towns like this one, an unending soap opera? All the drama in her life at DMR was handled by violence and bullets. She descended the stairs with Queenie close behind and asked the one question she probably didn’t want the answer to. “What’s going on?”
“Marital difficulties.” Laura winced.
Ray came in carrying a tray of takeout coffee cups. He paused a few feet from the counter.
Penny stopped sobbing and sniffed. “I smell coffee.”
“Yup.” He waved the tray near her face. “Cinnamon hazelnut. You want one? Take mine. I can run back up to Jo’s.”
Penny’s face paled to the same sun-washed sage of the silk dieffenbachia in the front window. She covered her mouth with one hand and shoved Ray out of the way with the other on her way to the bathroom.
Ray’s bushy brows collided. “She doesn’t like coffee?”
“She’s two months pregnant and has morning sickness,” Laura said. “She can’t stand the smell of air.”
“Oops.” He flashed a sheepish grin.
Queenie smiled. “When I was pregnant with my oldest, cooked vegetables set me off. My mother-in-law came over to cook dinner for us once a week and always made cabbage rolls. I swore she did it just to make me sick, but she’d never admit it.”
“What I couldn’t stand was meat.” Laura shuddered. “Hubby had to cook his own burgers and steaks for the whole nine months.”
Ray looked bored but probably had nothing better to do anyway.
With no stories of her own, Katie rang up the sale. “That’ll be two fifty.”
“Thanks, hon.” She set a handful of change on the counter then squeezed Katie’s hand. “Don’t worry. Your day will come.”
She brushed the comment off and hoped not. “Let us know how the tests turn out.”
A hollow sensation settled in the pit of Katie’s stomach. A familiar emptiness she used to drown out with a bottle of wine. Since moving to Packham, she’d realized going for a jog or eating cookies were both cheaper and better for her liver. Lately, she hadn’t had much time to jog and eating cookies didn’t make her sweat.
Laura hugged Queenie. “Call me later and let me know how it goes.”
Ray hugged her too. Once she’d left, he grinned. “I’ve always wanted to do that. Too bad she’s still with that loser or I’d ask her out.”
Katie’s jaw fell open as he limped up to his perch in the loft.
Penny returned from the washroom still wiping her watery eyes. “Sorry. The smell of coffee makes me queasy.”
Katie and Laura slipped their cups below the counter but weren’t quick enough.
She covered her nose. “I’m such a pain. I’ll go home so you can enjoy it.”
“Don’t be silly.” Katie steered her away from the counter.
“What’s going on?” Laura asked. “Why were you so upset?”
“Rick thinks I’m crazy.”
“Honey, you’re not crazy. You’re pregnant. It’s hormones.” She draped one arm over Penny’s shoulders.
“That’s just it.” Penny moaned. “I’m pregnant. Everyone tells me horror stories about birth and labor and cravings and it’s freaking me out. Today my husband came home for lunch with a pregnancy book and a pack of sticky notes and I nearly took his head off.”
“That’s so sweet,” Laura said. “M
y hubby told me to suck it up because it was all in my head. It’s a wonder that boy still has all his body parts.”
“No. I know it’s sweet, but I got mad.” More tears welled in Penny’s eyes and she dabbed them with toilet paper.
Katie winced. This was much different “water cooler” talk than she was used to. “The book’s a bestseller and I thought it might help. He just wants you to be able to enjoy your pregnancy and didn’t know how else to help.”
“He’s a vet, Penny. He knows a lot about animals but this is new for him too. He’s as big a basket case as you are.” Laura gave Penny’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’ve had three kids and anything that can happen I’ve pretty much been through. Relax. Enjoy your pregnancy. The real insanity comes after the baby’s born.”
“Oh great. Something else to worry about.” Penny went home with a prenatal yoga book tucked under her arm.
Katie sagged onto her stool and took a long drink of her cool coffee. The shop closed in one hour. The day had already been an emotional roller coaster and it wasn’t even hers to ride.
Who was the Mystery Man in the hair salon and was he the same man who’d come in earlier supposedly to meet her? Maddox or one of his men? Donovan Wild? Why couldn’t it take longer for them to find her? In spite of some of its stranger citizens, she’d grown to love the quirky little town.
She drew in a deep breath and closed the store for the night. Chili, fresh rolls and cookies from the deli up the street sounded great for Hilda and her. Hilda’s favorite takeout was cannelloni from Canelli’s Bistro, which was closer but more expensive. The deli was worth walking the few extra blocks.
Thoughts of the mystery man kept her glancing over her shoulder. Before today, she’d finally grown comfortable walking around Packham. She’d even managed to half-convince herself they’d never find her in such a small town.
Apparently, she was wrong. Maddox could be lurking anywhere. Her heart pounded the breath right out of her.
Half a block down the street, an overweight man in a grey suit and burgundy tie collided with her on his way out of The Tipsy Duck. Katie bit her lip to keep from screaming. He wasn’t as big and dark as Chevy but had the same build—part man, part grizzly bear.