Killer Comfort Food

by Lynn Cahoon

  “The woman you found in the park—that was Abigail?” Angie asked softly, hoping her voice wouldn’t track back into the room.

  “We haven’t released a name because we are trying to find her parents, but yes. That was Abigail. I’ll have to have the cave area tested, but I’m sure we’ll find her DNA there. I can’t believe what’s going on. What are we looking at, some kind of serial kidnapper?” He frowned at her. “Sorry, just thinking aloud. But what made you ask about the captor? Do you have a theory?”

  When she told him yes and what it was, his eyes widened. “Let me go check a few things out. I was serious about you going home. We might be able to finish up all these issues by morning.”

  Angie fell into Ian’s arms as soon as they reached the waiting room. He’d been on his way to meet up with them, but then Jon had arrived, and the nurse had limited the number of visitors. “I figured Jon had more at stake.”

  “You’re a sweet guy.” Angie leaned her head on his shoulder. “Your uncle says we can go home. Did Felicia come and get Dom?”

  “Yep. He was a little hesitant to go with her, until Estebe said the word ‘popcorn.’ Then he jumped into the Hummer. Good thing those vehicles have strong shocks.”

  Angie laughed as they made their way out of the building and walked toward the car. “Dom loves popcorn. I’ll leave him there for the night. I don’t want to disturb them again.”

  “Tomorrow’s almost here anyway. I called someone to take over my Sunday school class tomorrow so we can sleep in. I’m beat.” He started up the car and turned the heater on full-blast.

  They drove in silence for a while, then Angie turned toward him. “I hope Susan and Jon can patch up their marriage now. I would hate for her to go through all this for nothing.”

  “Did she say if the captors told her why she was kidnapped? Or was it just one of those random things—wrong place, wrong time?”

  “She didn’t know. I had a few ideas I told your uncle about. I could be seeing unicorns instead of horses, but somehow it all fits.” She leaned her head back on the headrest.

  “Are you going to tell me?” Ian asked.

  She tried to answer, but she fell asleep instead, thinking of dancing queens and kings and the rules of court.

  * * * *

  The next morning—well, afternoon, from her glance at the bedside clock—Dom lay at her feet next to her bed. She reached down and rubbed his head. “Hey, boy, I guess Felicia’s here?”

  He woofed lightly and then covered her hand in doggy kisses.

  “I missed you too. Did you have fun at your sleepover?”

  The bedroom door opened, and Ian stood in the doorway watching her and Dom. “According to Felicia, he chewed the arm of one of her leather jackets she’d left by the door and part of a shoe stand. But other than that, he was a good boy.”

  “He must have been anxious about all the activity last night. I should have sent along his chewy bones.” Angie sat up on the bed. “What are you doing?”

  “Coming to wake you up. It’s time to eat. Lunch or brunch, whatever you want to call it at almost two in the afternoon, is ready.” Ian slapped his hand on his leg. “Come on, Dom, let’s leave the lady to get ready.”

  Dom, looking totally unsure that he should leave the room, huffed, then stood and went over to Ian.

  “I’ll be down in a few. I want to shower this fuzz away. I can’t believe I slept so long.”

  Ian shook his head. “We didn’t get out of the hospital until after three in the morning, so really you’ve just had a normal night’s sleep. I just can’t sleep past eight, no matter what. I’ll see you downstairs.”

  Coffee was ready at her place at the table when she arrived in the kitchen twenty minutes later. She sank into her chair and sipped down half of the cup before looking up at Felicia, Estebe, and Ian, who were all watching her. “Okay, what did I miss?”

  “Not much. Jon called earlier and said he’d be coming over as soon as he checked in with Susan.” Felicia stood and went over to the stove, where she filled a plate with waffles. Then she put a pat of butter on each waffle and covered the entire thing with warm maple syrup. She set it in front of Angie, then repeated the action three times for the others.

  Estebe moved around her and took a heaping plate of bacon out of the microwave. “This should still be warm. I talked to Nancy this morning—she and the kids are doing fine. No sightings of the ex or his current wife. I have a security team watching the house, but she doesn’t know.”

  “Of course you do.” Angie bit into a waffle and enjoyed the vanilla flavor mixed with the maple. “This is just what I needed after last night. I don’t think I even tasted dinner. I was so worried about the dance. Did that go well?”

  “After the police left, it was fine. I can’t understand how River Vista can’t have one event without having a police cruiser attending to chase away the bad guys.” Felicia sat down with her plate of waffles.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have called nine-one-one about Charles and Jane.” Angie sipped some orange juice that Ian had just set in front of her.

  “That’s not what I mean. It’s not that you shouldn’t have called—you did the right thing. It’s just that we are not a normal little town. I bet other towns our size don’t have dead bodies showing up in their parks.” Felicia glanced at Estebe, who was staring at her. “What? So, I wanted a perfect night. What can I say?”

  “Leave her alone. It’s been a weird couple of weeks. Susan’s okay, then?” Angie turned to Ian, whom she assumed had talked to his uncle.

  “She’s doing great. The team found the notes she mentioned and proved that the woman from the park had been held there. He didn’t think it was for long, but it ties the two events together. He’s looking into serials who keep their victims for a while. So far, he’s got nothing.” He finished his orange juice, got the pitcher from the refrigerator, and refilled everyone’s glasses.

  “That’s a happy note for the breakfast table.” Angie cut off another piece of her waffle, then set her fork down. “Was Susan molested? Is that the right word?”

  “Actually, no.” Ian frowned and glanced at his phone. “The kidnapper hit her on the head, tied her up, and then chained her to the cave wall. She was dehydrated but not assaulted otherwise. And so was the other woman.”

  “Abigail, we should call her by her name. She was a person,” Angie said.

  “Abigail was a college student in California. No signs of any torture or assault except for being tied up and dehydration. She wasn’t killed by the kidnapper exactly—the girl had a peanut allergy. The coroner thinks she died because she was fed protein bars with peanut butter.” Ian shook his head. “It’s like the kidnapper was just collecting people to get them out of their normal world.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Angie stood and went to grab her laptop. She opened it and found Susan’s calendar. “When I asked Allen about this entry in her schedule, he said they verified it was the yoga class. It was the last place anyone saw her.”

  “I was in the class that day. Nothing weird happened.” Felicia shrugged. “It was a Friday, so I left as soon as class was over. Susan was talking to some people at the juice bar.”

  “Look at the letter under the note. See the J?” Angie pointed to a squiggle under the entry.

  “It could be a J, or it could be a swish from her note.” Felicia stared up at Angie. “What are you seeing?”

  “I didn’t see it until after Charles said he didn’t know about Jane going to the restaurant and looking for Nancy. Seriously, he was shocked.” Angie used a piece of bacon to emphasize her words. “I bet he didn’t break in to Nancy’s house, either. I think his new wife did. Or at least, that’s the theory I told Allen. He’s checking into Jane Gowan’s background and trying to track the couple down. I think when he finds her, she’s going to be the one behind all this. Except
for maybe hiring the thugs who tried to scare me out of my house.”

  “You think that was Charles,” Estebe said. He stood and dialed a number on his phone. “Make sure you watch for a woman, as well. She was short, red-haired, a little on the heavy side.”

  Estebe paused as he listened to the person on the other side. “You’re sure? Then go inside and protect them. I’ll call Nancy and tell her to let you in.”

  Ian held out his phone. “She’s there? I’ll call Uncle Allen.”

  “Someone by that description just stopped their car next door. There’s one of those Realtor ads on the side, it’s a peel-off.” Estebe held up a hand. “Nancy? There are two men at your door. Karl and Kent. Please let them inside and follow their instructions, okay?”

  When he hung up, everyone stared at him.

  “She didn’t argue with you or question your orders?” Angie stared at him. “How did you get her to do that?”

  “I’m her boss. She trusts me to lead her the correct way in the kitchen and in life. Why would she question me?” Estebe looked confused at the question.

  Felicia laughed and hugged him. “You don’t even realize how rare that is.”

  Ian came back to the table and set the phone down. “Uncle Allen is getting someone there. We might have just found Jane Gowan.”

  “If not, some Realtor is going to be questioning her choice of career in a few minutes when she’s detained by police officers simply for trying to list a property.” Angie took the last piece of bacon off the plate. “I’ll clear the table if everyone is done.”

  “I’ll help. We might as well be useful while we wait for news.” Ian picked up plates and took them to the sink. “I wanted to run something by you anyway.”

  Chapter 23

  Jon showed up right after Estebe dried the last plate. Felicia and Angie were huddled over a cookbook talking about a new dessert for the restaurant. When he knocked on the door, one of the police officers stood with him.

  “Sorry, Dale, I forgot to tell you Jon was coming by.” Ian opened the door and escorted Jon inside.

  “Everything all right?” Dale glanced around the room, making sure no one was holding a gun on someone.

  Angie stood and grabbed a box of cookies she’d set aside yesterday for the assigned watchers. “Everything’s great. Do you want some cookies? I’ve got peanut butter, chocolate chip, and a few snowballs in the mix.”

  “Sounds great.” Dale scanned the room one more time. “As long as you’re all okay.”

  “We’re fine,” Ian assured him again. “Jon, do you want some coffee? It’s been a long night.”

  “That’s for sure.” Jon sat at the table where Estebe had been earlier and ran a hand through his still-wet hair. He glanced over at Dom, who was on his dog bed, watching the new arrival. “I ran home and changed. I needed to feed Timber and tell him his mom was coming home too.”

  “She’s going to love seeing him. When will she be released?” Angie set aside the cookbook and watched Jon’s face. It seemed younger and somehow, more vulnerable. Which made him much more attractive than the man she’d met at the park so many months ago.

  “Later today or tomorrow. It depends on how she does today.” He pulled out an envelope of papers. “I wanted you to see this first. My boss came by this morning to let me know I’m welcome back at the firm. And to show me this. Taylor Farms has decided to go with another site in the area. The old processing plant has been determined to fit their needs better.”

  “You’re kidding me.” Angie eyed the documents warily. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

  “Apparently, the developer, Charles Gowan, called them last night and told them that there had been some irregularities with the appropriations of this property, and they would be better off going the other way.” He pushed the papers toward her. “Taylor Farms is offering you a small settlement for your time and energy. And of course, your neighbor would also get what they call a ‘kill fee.’”

  “Wait, you’re going to pay me for not selling?” Angie laughed as she picked up the papers. Her eyes widened. “You’re paying me twenty-five thousand dollars not to sell?”

  Ian glanced over her shoulder and pointed to a paragraph. “I think they’re paying you not to sue them in case the irregularities point toward them or their developers. Estebe, you know this stuff, look at the contract.”

  Angie handed the papers over to Estebe and looked at Jon. “I’m glad she’s home, safe and sound.”

  “Almost home,” Jon corrected as he stood. “And so am I. I’ve told her I’m going to be a better husband, a better man, for the rest of our lives. Look, I’ve got to get back to the hospital. I only agreed to deliver these today because I thought you needed some good news in your life for all you did for Susan and me. And I wouldn’t say this since I’m actually representing my client, but as a normal guy who’s been under a lot of stress in the last few months, I’m pretty sure that they lowballed you on the settlement. You might want to double that with your counter. And make sure Mrs. Potter knows the unofficial advice as well.”

  “I’ll have my attorney look over the paperwork and get back to you.” Angie nodded to him. “Go be with your wife.”

  He grinned at her and headed to the door.

  Ian hurried to him and took his arm. “Could I talk to you for a minute?”

  They disappeared outside, and Estebe set the papers down. “I don’t see any issues with this contract. Legally, they didn’t have to do this since you never agreed to sell in the first place, but Ansley’s right, they’re covering their butt in case you try to sue them for strong-arming you on the sale. Tell your attorney to triple the settlement offer. That way you’ll probably get them to agree to something in the middle. Congratulations on saving your house.”

  Angie sank into her chair, tears filling her eyes. “I’d decided to give up. To let them have it in order to protect everyone I loved. If they’d hurt Dom or Precious or Mabel, I would have been devastated and blamed myself.”

  “You weren’t the bad guy here. You were just fighting for your home. And that’s never a wrong position to come from.” Felicia gave her a hug. “Besides, there was no way the four of you were moving into the apartment with me. I’m definitely getting a cat.”

  Estebe put his arm around Felicia and pushed aside a lock of hair. “I was wondering if you’d consider moving, anyway. I think I have enough room in my home for you and a cat.”

  Angie heard Felicia’s sharp intake of breath.

  “You’re asking me to move in with you? You know I’m a complete slob and I work crazy hours. Besides, I’m probably going to drive you crazy.” She kissed him on the cheek. “And that’s before I get a kitten who sharpens their claws on your leather furniture. It’s a sweet offer, and I love you for it, but maybe after the kitten’s house-trained. Especially since Angie and the zoo don’t need a new place to live.”

  He shook his head and went down on one knee. He pulled a ring box out of his pocket. “This wasn’t where I was planning on doing this, but fate brings you to where you are.”

  Angie stood and grabbed her phone, hunting for the camera app. There was no way she was missing this.

  He took the ring out of the box and held it out to her. A marquis-cut diamond sparkled on a silver-colored band that Angie would bet was platinum. She saw Felicia’s hands shaking as he gently took one of hers in his own. “Felicia Williams, will you marry me?”

  Ian burst in the door just then. “The plan’s all set for tomorrow morning.”

  Angie shushed him.

  Ian closed the door softly and then stepped toward Angie, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Sorry for the interruption, man. Go ahead.”

  “I will ask again, for Ian’s sake. And to give you time to breathe.” He grinned over at Ian. “Felicia Williams? Will you marry me?”

  A heavy silence f
illed the kitchen as they waited for her answer. Angie had just started to lower the phone, wondering if recording the event had been a bad idea, when she heard Felicia’s intake of breath. Not sharp this time, but the way the yoga teacher had taught the class the few times Angie had attended. She raised the phone again.

  “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

  Estebe slipped the ring on her finger and stood, pulling her into a kiss. Afterward, he chuckled. “I thought you were going to say no, and I would look like a fool, down on one knee.”

  “Never. My brain just needed to process the words. I wasn’t sure you were speaking English for a minute.” She leaned her head on Estebe’s chest and held her left hand out to Angie. “I’m getting married!”

  “I know.” Angie snapped a picture of Felicia’s ring hand, then one of the happy couple. She set the phone down and went to hug her friend.

  Ian slapped Estebe on the back. “This calls for a celebration dinner. Who’s hungry?”

  “We just ate,” Angie reminded him.

  “Who cares? By the time we get somewhere, it will be dinnertime again. And we need some champagne to celebrate. It’s been a really good Sunday.” Ian squeezed Angie and then whispered in her ear. “It’s all set for tomorrow morning.”

  “Almost all set,” she corrected. She looked at Estebe and Felicia. “Want to help me out with one more celebration?”

  * * * *

  They were at Copper Creek eating dinner when Ian’s phone rang. He looked up at Angie. “It’s Uncle Allen.”

  Angie waited as he stepped away from the table to take the call. She sipped her wine, hoping this nightmare was really over and her theory had been right. Not because she wanted to be right, but because she wanted Nancy and Susan to be safe. And Abigail to have justice.

  When he came back to the table, everyone stared at him.

  “What?”

  “Tell us what he called about.” Angie set her glass down.

  “Are you sure? I mean, it’s your celebration dinner,” he spoke to Felicia and Estebe.