by Diane Bator
His mouth dropped open. “How’d you know that?”
“Katie,” he said. “One of us has to talk to her now and then. Besides, I work with her and she’s as bad as you at keeping secrets.”
He groaned. “She probably told you about the surveillance too.”
“No, a friend told me there were interesting things going on in his neighborhood lately.” Ray wandered through the house with Danny behind. “Like a lady who’d separated from her husband and has some guy in a blue Honda stalking her.”
Lucy. “What about her?”
Ray snorted and poked Danny with his cane. “You’re the stalker. You’re investigating her, aren’t you? What did she do to you? Do you really think a mousy woman with three kids has time to run around on some snooty, gold-digging husband?”
Danny leaned against the wall and studied his uncle. “Exactly how much do you know?”
“I know you’ve been hanging out in front of the Stephen’ house for a couple of weeks now and think no one’s noticed. There’s rumors her husband left his family and moved to the city.” Ray sat on the sawhorse and picked a chocolate covered donut from the bakery box. “Have you asked around or did you just take someone’s word?”
He sipped his coffee and avoided his uncle’s gaze. “I was hired to learn more about her.”
“About Lucy? From what I’ve heard, she’s about as dangerous as a dust bunny.” Ray’s voice rose an octave. “Who hired you, her piece of crap husband? Let me tell you, I’ve heard a lot of stories about that one.”
Danny ran a hand though his hair. “For your information, he thought she was cheating on him and wanted proof.”
Ray snorted. “I’ve met her in Java Jo’s. She’s one of those crazy writers who sits on a stool in the front window with a pen and a pad of paper. If she cheated on him, I’m a monkey’s uncle.”
His great-nephew didn’t like the analogy. “I’m not a monkey.”
“You’re acting like one.” Ray peered into a mirror which had long lost its silver sheen. “You should pitch this out. So where’s she now?”
“With Clancy at Java Jo’s.” Danny couldn’t shake the image of Lucy on her hands and knees alone in the grass. Her family lived in Seattle and her friends seemed to be busy over the summer. From what he’d seen, he doubted she’d told any of them what had happened lately.
“Look, kid, I didn’t spend years as a cop without learning a thing or two.” He winked. “If you need some advice, I’ve got a boatload.”
“I’m sure you do. You feel up to doing some painting?”
Ray thumped the wood with his cane. “Nope, but I wouldn’t mind helping to fix that old porch before someone falls through. You got some wood?”
“Yeah.” He probably wouldn’t like his uncle’s advice, but could certainly use the help. “You grab the tools, I’ll bring over some lumber and start ripping out the old wood.”
He reached for a second donut. “Fill me in on your case while we work. I’ll tell you where you’re going wrong.”
While he got the wood, Danny pondered where to start. Lucy Stephen wasn’t the same woman Roger had described in intimate detail. This woman looked like her spirit broke into pieces and she’d collapse if a storm sprang up, yet Danny had no doubt she was one tough cookie, inside and out.
After he and Ray tore out the old porch, he picked up his phone and called Clancy. No answer. Odd, Clancy usually pounced on the phone, hungry for news of his mom or sister.
After a late dinner, Danny dropped Ray off at the seniors’ home then parked in front of Lucy’s house. He savored the silence for ten minutes before calling Leo. “Where are you?”
“At the gym putting on my shoes to train a client. What do you want?”
“We need to talk.” Danny held the phone with his shoulder and opened a newspaper. Lucy would be home for the rest of the night, he’d bet his house on it. “Do you think you can swing a few days off from the gym?”
“I’ll be done in an hour. Why don’t you come to the gym for a workout?” There was a brief silence. “You’re not breaking up with me, are you? If you are, I want half of everything.”
Danny burst into laughter. “You’re a jerk.”
“But you love me anyway, Bro. See you in an hour upstairs at the oval.”
One hour later, Danny caught up to Leo on the running track in the upper level of the gym. They ran amid a dozen other people who preferred to train in the air-conditioning than sweat outside in the evening heat.
Leo looked amused. “You look like you just ate my Aunt Gertie’s lima bean casserole.”
“You don’t have an Aunt Gertie.” He scowled and glanced around.
“Lucy hasn’t had contact with Roger or the kids since they left on Sunday, which wouldn’t bother me except I can’t get in touch with him either. I need you to take a trip to his parents’ cottage and check on things. My gut tells me he took the kids and ran.”
“Ran? You think he hired us to follow her and then left the country?”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense.” Danny didn’t want to believe Roger would run either. “But I’ve tried to get in touch with him for a couple days. Most clients wait by the phone for any news I can feed them.”
When Leo slowed to a stop, a lady in pink shorts and bright yellow sports top ran into his back. She pushed past them with a few choice words while Leo pulled Danny aside. “May I remind you that you already have a nagging girlfriend?”
“I’m not falling for Lucy.” Danny rolled his eyes. “I just don’t see what Roger was talking about. Lucy’s no more a cheating spouse than I’m a ballet dancer.”
Leo tilted his head to study Danny’s legs. “Nope, you’re no dancer, princess.”
“Thank you for clearing that up.” He swiped at the sweat rolling down his back.
“I’ll talk to my boss and head out early in the morning.” Leo leaned on the railing and glanced at the gym below. “How are the house repairs coming along?”
“I have to get the whole roof replaced.” Danny ran a hand through his damp hair. “There was a hole and a family of raccoons moved into the attic. When Nate went to patch things up yesterday, he found a few weak spots.” He paused, his face warm. “Actually, he fell through the weak spots.”
“Buddy, if it wasn’t for bad luck, you’d have no luck at all.” Leo chuckled and took off at an easy jog. “I thought you told me nothing exciting ever happened in Packham. I guess where you have people, you have crime. They go hand in hand.”
Danny followed and wished talking to Leo made him feel better. At this rate, he’d never be able to shut the agency down and move on.
Chapter 16 ~ Lucy
Java Jo’s was one of Lucy’s favorite places to write. Erected in the mid-1800s, the building still had the original brick walls, although slightly crumbled, and the original tin-plate ceiling. The windows were new, custom made to look like leaded glass. The distressed hardwood floors and the salvaged-wood counter were added when Jolene Raymond, Jo, took over fifteen years earlier. Since Lucy had set part of one of her novels in the coffee shop, she’d plied Jo with dozens of questions.
Clancy stepped up to the hand-crafted counter and ordered two large coffees while Lucy ogled the carrot cake slathered with cream cheese icing.
Jo raised her eyebrows. “Are you planning to run a marathon when you’re done.”
Clancy nudged Lucy’s arm then steered her to a nearby table. “One’s for my friend here.”
“Hi, Lucy.” Jo’s face brightened. “I miss you not coming in every morning since school’s out.” She hesitated. “You’re not getting yourself into trouble, are you Clancy?”
He flinched. “Excuse me?”
“I’m just looking out for ya, hon.” Jo shrugged. “If you stay away from the married ones and you’ll live longer. Right?” She turned to Lucy who nodded in agreement.
“Thanks, Mom.” He groaned.
She wagged a finger. “Don’t be a smart mouth or I will ca
ll your mother. By the way, I’ve got some new sandwiches in you guys should try.” Jo waved toward an assortment of pre-made sandwiches in the cooler. “I bought a sandwich grill.”
Clancy pulled out his wallet. “Sold. Give me two chicken ones with green stuff.”
“I’d rather have chocolate cake.” Lucy stared at the display case and grasped the glass to keep from wavering. The smell of coffee made her dizzy with anticipation.
“Good choice.” Jolene slid open the display case door and reached for the chocolate cake. “By the way, Clancy, that green stuff is spinach and I’ll tell your mother you didn’t know.”
He rolled his eyes and handed Lucy her coffee. “Don’t bother. Mom doesn’t care what I eat anymore.”
“You know his mom?” Lucy asked.
“Of course. She owns the bakery that makes all our cakes and cookies.” Jo turned to Clancy and lowered her voice. “You’d better get someone to help the lady who’s covering for her. I’ve heard things aren’t going so well. The banana bread’s been awful lately. Where’s your sister? She’d do a far better job running the place.”
“I’ll let you know when I actually talk to her.” He stirred cream into his coffee.
She glanced at Lucy. “Are you okay, honey? You look pale.”
“I’m good.” Lucy sat at a table with her hands wrapped around her coffee mug for warmth. Something deep inside her needed defrosting. She missed her kids horribly. All the bright ideas she had for when they were gone, were long forgotten.
Clancy sat across from her and set the plate of chocolate cake and two forks on the table. “Are you okay? Jo’s right, you don’t look so good.”
She set her chin on the palm of her hand and sighed. “I’m plastered and staring at the walls of a coffee shop. I feel stupid.”
“They are interesting walls. I love the brick.”
Not as interesting as him. “What’s your sister like?”
Clancy cut a piece off the cake with his fork and hesitated. “My sister? Why do you want to know about her?”
“I’ve met your mom and dad before.” She picked up her fork. “Your mom used to bring my kids leftover cookies from the bakery some Saturdays. I didn’t even know you had a sister.”
His jaw tightened. “My sister’s kind of a lost soul. She used to love baking and working with my mom then got into a bad crowd. My dad didn’t like some of her choices and drove her away.”
Tongue still loosened by the beer, Lucy opened her mouth to ask, but Clancy’s phone vibrated across the table.
He glanced at the screen and frowned. “Sorry, I have to get this. Between work and family, I’m ready to flush this phone down the toilet.” He pressed a button then got up and headed toward the door while he spoke.
Lucy tried to focus her gaze the paintings and quotations on the walls, but had too much beer in her system. She needed more caffeine to balance out the alcohol. An indecipherable buzz of conversation swirled around her amid the scents of brewing coffee and warming sandwiches.
Clancy paced near the door and ran a hand through his thick hair. Handsome and more down to earth than she’d expected, he seemed stressed beneath all the charm. Her heart went out to him and his family. His life lay in bigger ruins than hers and here he was pampering her.
At the counter, an elderly lady with a walker gave a girlish giggle, her face glowing with excitement. She wore a lilac taffeta ball gown, similar to the royal ladies of the seventeenth century wore. Layers of skirts and crinolines rustled as she walked past. The hem dusted the floor in her wake as she took one regal step after another, skirts lifted on small hooks to reveal high-heeled plastic shoes.
Lucy’s jaw dropped. “Holy crap.”
“Did I miss something?” Clancy slid onto his chair and raised his brows, but she could only point toward the lady with the walker. He covered his mouth with one hand and burst into muffled laughter. “Mimsy? Wow, I didn’t realize she was the original Cinderella. Nice glass slippers.”
“I’m sure I’ve seen her before.” She stared at the wooden tabletop. “Do you know her?”
“She’s a local legend. Her family founded Packham. Before she moved into the seniors’ home, she used to throw amazing parties. My mom always baked her buns off to make a zillion little cakes and cookies. She’s totally eccentric. In fact, I think she used to be an actress or a...” His voice trailed off.
She caught the sheepish look that crossed his face before he winced. “A what?”
“A writer.” Clancy looked away.
Lucy snorted then picked up her cup and followed Mimsy to a small table at the back of the coffee shop. When the elderly woman’s sparkling lavender eyes gazed directly into hers, she paused and took a deep breath, suddenly at a loss of what to say.
“Hello, dear.” A smile lit the woman’s pale, powdered face. “May I help you?”
Lucy cringed. What on earth was she thinking? She should make a hasty exit and hide inside her house before she did anything stupid. “Hi.”
“Oh, dear, am I being too loud again?” Her accent bewitched Lucy as her eyebrows disappeared beneath the white curls covering her forehead.
Lucy bowed her head, overcome by shyness while her hands trembled. “No.”
“Hey, I’ve seen you before.” A freckle-faced woman with green eyes sat across the table. “You sit in the front window to write some days, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” Lucy hadn’t seen anyone except the lady in purple. Her face burned. “You work in the bookstore.”
“Katie Mullins. I own the bookstore.” She smiled and reached out a hand. “I’ve seen you with your kids. Where are they today? You should see her kids, Mimsy, they’re adorable.”
“Lucy Stephen.” She bowed her head and backed away, but her purse caught the back of a chair and spilled several items, including her notebook, which flopped open on the wood floor. “Oh, crap.”
Katie’s eyes widened slightly before she leaned over to pick up the open notebook. “You’re a writer? Cool. We’re part of the Packham Writing group. We meet once a week to talk about our work. You should join us.”
“Of course, darling. Sit and join us for a spot of tea.” Mimsy, the lady in the gown shoved a bag off the end of the couch in her enthusiasm. “I’m Mimsy Lexington, but I write as Katarina von Herrington.”
“Get out!” Lucy shrieked. She used to study Katarina von Herrington’s picture on the backs of her novels and dream what life would be like as a famous author. “I love your books.”
“Do you really?” Mimsy sat back, eyes wide.
Lucy smiled. “My favorite was Monument to Love.”
“That’s still my favorite too.” She clasped a hand to her chest. “If you bring me your copy, I will happily autograph it for you.”
Her entire body quivered. “I’d love that.”
Katie shook her head in amusement. “She must like you, she rarely tells anyone about her books. Believe it or not, she likes the anonymity. I suppose you write sappy stuff too.”
“No.” Her face grew hot. “I write murder mysteries.”
Katie looked impressed. “Ooh, I like a good whodunit. What have you published?”
“Mostly magazine articles, short stories, and some poetry, but…”
“Lucy?” Clancy placed his warm hands on her shoulders. “Is everything okay?”
“Wow.” Mimsy’s ruby red lips formed a circle as wide as her amethyst eyes. “Darling, you would be an amazing pirate.” She gave a loud sigh and batted her eyelashes. “Were your ancestors pirates?”
Clancy’s grip tightened on her shoulders. “Did I miss something?”
“Yeah.” She tried to shake him off. “Mimsy writes romance novels.”
He nodded. “So I was…”
She spun around to face him. “If you even mouth the word right I’ll smack you.”
“You go girl.” Mimsy cheered her on. “Just don’t bruise his face. I really do think you’d look hot on a book cover, darling boy. Have you ev
er done any modeling?”
Lucy rolled her eyes, but pictured Clancy shirtless again and whole heartedly agreed with Mimsy. Even with his face as red as Mimsy’s fingernails, Clancy would make a great model. “Mimsy and Katie belong to a writing group and want me to join them one evening.”
“So why don’t you?” Clancy gave her shoulders a squeeze.
Lucy frowned. “What would I do with the kids?”
“You two have kids?” Mimsy squealed in delight. “Oh, I’ll bet they’re beautiful.”
Clancy held up one hand. “Whoa. She has the kids. I have a bachelor pad and a tattoo parlor. When are your meetings? She may need to do some juggling to get there.”
“Tuesday evenings,” Katie said. “Plus whenever we have an emergency.”
He raised his eyebrows. “What kind of emergencies do writers have?”
Mimsy bounced in her seat. “Oh, Katie’s ex-boyfriend was a gangster who chased her here from the big city. We had an emergency meeting and used her situation for a prompt. Then—”
“A what?” Clancy’s face paled.
Katie interjected and shot Mimsy a scowl. “A writing prompt. We choose something to write about for ten or fifteen minutes then read it out loud to the group.”
Lucy gave a nervous laugh. “You used a writing prompt to figure out what?”
“How to keep Katie out of the clutches of some horrible gangsters.” Mimsy beamed. “We kidnapped Danny and hid him so the bad guys couldn’t find her. Only our plan backfired a teeny bit.”
“Danny?” Clancy glanced to Katie who narrowed her eyes. “I’ll meet you at the table, Lucy. I have a call to make.”
Lucy stomach squirmed. There were a lot of things in Katie’s look that went unsaid. Former friends or lovers? Clancy seemed to know more about Katie than she expected. Of course, he’d lived in Packham a long time.
“Hmm.” Mimsy interrupted her thoughts. “Maybe I could get Danny and your friend Clancy to pose for a cover. If he were to have an evil twin to face off against—”
Katie threw her hands in the air. “Mimsy, Danny keeps telling you to forget it. He’s not evil and neither is Clancy.”