by Judi Lynn
Bruises were forming on her face and arms. Jazzi remembered that the man who’d attacked Maureen had kicked her when she was down, fracturing ribs. Had he hurt Brianne even more? She wrapped her arms around herself. How could someone do this to a fellow human being, someone who didn’t threaten them at all? She shut her eyes, trying to block out the image. She wanted to do something to comfort Brianne, frustrated with a feeling of helplessness. It felt like hours before a siren sounded in the distance, and they all breathed sighs of relief when medics hurried up the stairs.
While the two men checked Brianne over, Jarrett reached for his cell phone to scan it. He frowned. “She tried to call me. I met some friends at a pool parlor. I turned my phone to silent because it was so loud in there, I’d never be able to hear if someone tried to reach me. She needed help, and I didn’t come.”
His words brought back Ansel’s lecture when Jazzi was in danger and he was mowing around the pond. He was frustrated that he hadn’t been in the house when she was in trouble. But at least, he’d come at the last minute and nothing had happened. “No one can be there for you twenty-four hours a day,” she told Jarrett.
Ansel leveled a look her way, but it was true.
As the medics loaded Brianne onto a stretcher to take her to the hospital, Jarrett asked, “Will she be all right?”
“She has a broken arm, but we didn’t feel any other broken bones. She could have internal injuries. The doc will have to check her over.”
They took separate vehicles to follow the ambulance to the hospital. They waited with Jarrett until a doctor came to tell him that Brianne would be all right. “Other than her arm, she has a fractured jawbone, but there’s no internal damage. You can stay with her when she gets to her room.”
Jarrett jerked a nod at Ansel and Jazzi. “Thanks for staying with me, but we’ll be okay now. I’ll call you when they let her go home . . . if the cops let us back in my apartment. And I’ll let you know how she’s doing.”
He’d rather they left. Jazzi understood. Once they got in the pickup, though, Jazzi called Gaff to fill him in on what happened. He and the crime techs had come as the medics were loading Brianne into the ambulance. They’d stayed at Jarrett’s apartment, checking for evidence. As usual, they hadn’t found any.
“Our burglar wears gloves, knows how to get in and out without leaving anything behind,” Gaff told her.
Jazzi was curious. “Jarrett and Ray have both had burglaries. So have Didi and Radley. Ronnie was shot. Has anything happened to Gavin?”
“When his wife went to pick up their kids from their grandma’s, their house was trashed. So was their garage.”
She sighed. So much for that theory. “Has anyone tried to rough up any of them?”
“When I asked Gavin that, he laughed. Said if anyone laid a finger on his family, he and his dad and two brothers would tear River Bluffs apart to find out who did it, and that person would never walk or use their fingers again.”
Pitting yourself against Gavin’s rough family would be enough to deter her. She told Gaff about Jarrett’s theory that it was someone from the pen who’d heard more than he should have who was terrorizing them.
“I checked into that,” he told her. “The only people who got out around the same time they did live in other states. And I followed up on that. They all went home. They’re still home.”
“Will Jarrett and Brianne be able to go back to their apartment? I don’t think they have anywhere else to stay.”
“Not tonight,” he told her. “We might want to give it another look tomorrow, but we’ll try not to keep them out too long.”
She wondered where Jarrett would spend the night, but Ansel said, “I think Jarrett was planning on sleeping on the foldout chair in Brianne’s room. He wanted to be there when she woke up.”
Jazzi nodded and passed that on to Gaff. She hung up, frustrated. They kept running into dead ends. But eventually, they’d have to catch a break, wouldn’t they?
Chapter 32
When Jazzi and Ansel got home, George turned his head, ignoring them. A first. The pug was snubbing them. He’d probably learned that from Inky, who was a pro at ducking his head to avoid petting when he was irritated with her. Ansel went to scratch his ears and make amends while Jazzi took four chicken leg quarters out of the refrigerator. She wagged a finger at George. “Shape up or no more beer for you!”
The pug trotted over to make nice with her. He knew who the disciplinarian in the house was. Ansel was a bust when it came to rules. While the sheet pan dinner was in the oven, she was going to start working on food for the Sunday meal. Ansel was excited because it was warm enough, he could grill.
Once they slid the chicken, potato quarters, onions, and carrots into a hot oven, Ansel came to help her skewer cubes of steak, kielbasa, and shrimp between thick slices of zucchini, red peppers, mushrooms, and onions. They seasoned those, covered them with Saran Wrap, and slid them in the fridge. They’d bought enough fresh asparagus for him to grill, too, and Jazzi planned on making yellow rice with peas on the side along with Ree Drummond’s cheat peach dumplings for dessert. When she’d seen them made on The Pioneer Woman with crescent rolls and Sprite, she knew she was going to make them…often.
“Are we still going to take off Friday this week to get ready for Olivia’s wedding?” Ansel asked.
Jazzi nodded. “Olivia and I cancelled going out on Thursday night. Too much to do, so we’ll have plenty of time to get things together for the reception.”
“Has your dress come in yet?”
She shook her head. “There was some kind of delay, but the shop promised Olivia they’d get to her house late this week.”
“That’s cutting it a little close, isn’t it?”
“I think Olivia did it on purpose. Then if I hate it, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
He chuckled, the deep rumble she loved. Then he grew serious. “You know, after the break-ins today, I’ve been thinking about Gil getting stabbed in prison. Killing Gil might have been about the money, too, or why search Didi’s place?”
“You think the killer planned that far ahead?”
“Why not? Gil wasn’t the type to let someone trash Didi’s house or threaten Ronnie. He’d have started digging for answers.”
They finished their prep work and were eating supper when Jarrett called. Jazzi wasn’t sure if he’d really keep them informed or not, so she was grateful he did.
“Brianne woke up long enough to tell me that a tall, bulky man wearing a ski mask and gloves kicked in the door when she was alone. He kept hitting and kicking her and told her to give me a message. He wants his money, or she’s dead the next time he sees her.”
One man. The only reason he’d send two thugs after Ray must be because he thought Ray would recognize him, even if he wore a mask. “Can she remember what the man was wearing?”
Brianne had struck Jazzi as a woman who loved clothes and fashion as much as Olivia did. She’d notice details.
There was a pause while Jarrett turned away from the phone to talk to Brianne. When he came back, he said, “A dark navy hoodie that zipped up the front. He wore the hood up over a navy ski mask. Carpenter jeans and light tan work boots with red laces.”
“Red laces?”
“She said you couldn’t help but notice them.”
Good, something that stood out. Another thought struck her. “Has Gaff learned any more about the two ex-cons who beat up Ray and came for you?”
“Yup, they shared yard time with Gavin when they all worked in the laundry room with Ronnie. He wants to question them, but word is they’ve skipped town.”
“Thanks, Jarrett. Do either of you need anything?” she asked.
“Not right now. They’re not keeping Brianne long. I don’t have any insurance and can’t afford for her to stay here. Gaff said it’s okay to use our apartment wh
en she gets discharged.”
Medical costs. Jazzi wondered how long it would take him to pay off her bills. She, Ansel, and Jerod had to pay for their own insurance, too, and it wasn’t cheap.
When she hung up, Ansel took her plate to the microwave to reheat her food. “I heard most of the conversation. I have to give Jarrett credit. He’s hanging in there for Brianne.”
“Neither of them is exactly what I’d call a prize, but they seem to be right for each other, and they’re trying.”
When the microwave beeped, he carried the plate back to her. “I wish them well.”
“Me, too.” George bumped her leg with his head. The pug had a thing for chicken. She pulled some off the bone and tossed it to him. She was a lucky woman. She had Ansel, a house she loved, and was surrounded by love. She got the feeling Jarrett and Brianne had never been able to say the same. She hoped once all of this calmed down, they’d have a happy life together.
Chapter 33
When everyone arrived on Sunday, it took two folding tables—one on each side of the farm table—to have enough seats. Jerod and Walker went out to grill with Ansel. Radley stayed inside with Elspeth. She came bearing a small gift bag for each family. They waited to open them together. Inside each bag were leather coasters with embroidered decorations in the centers, one for each person in that particular house. Jazzi had never seen anything like them.
“Thank you. These are beautiful.” Hers and Ansel’s had pink lily blossoms in the center with pink embroidered hems.
Elspeth grinned. “I made them myself.”
“You sewed through leather by hand?”
She shook her head. “No, I have a fancy sewing machine that can sew through any fabric. I can download patterns from online for the machine to stitch.”
Amazing. “I never learned to sew,” Jazzi admitted. “I was lucky I passed home ec class in high school.”
Elspeth laughed. “My mom can make anything—men’s shirts, prom dresses, you name it. She taught me everything she knows—which is a lot. My favorite things to make, though, are quilts.”
“I love quilts!” Jazzi planned on dragging Ansel to Shipshewana in the summer to look at the Amish quilts for sale in some of the small shops.
“My mother made me a queen-size sunbonnet quilt that I cherish. I’m making a patchwork quilt for Radley right now.”
Jazzi was jealous. “And you love to cook?”
Radley nodded. “She’s as good as you are. How I met two such wonderful cooks, I don’t know, but I consider myself a lucky man.”
Elspeth laughed. “You have to say that. You want me to keep feeding you.”
He gave a sheepish grin. “That’s true, but I really do love your meals.”
“Uh-oh, now the pressure’s on.” Jazzi motioned to the guys carrying in the kebabs. “Hope you like them.”
“No worries, Radley raves about your food.” People were already lining up at the kitchen island, so Elspeth went with Radley to take their place for the buffet. Jazzi added the rice and peas to the spread, along with the grilled asparagus, and people began loading their plates.
Ansel carried a glass of red wine to the table for Gran once she got settled, and she nodded her thanks. She looked around the table at all of the couples and grimaced. “It’s time Jarrett appreciates that silly girl of his and settles down. He’s ready to. He wants change.”
Jazzi blinked. She never knew what would come out of Gran’s mouth, but this was completely off topic. It was the perfect lead-in, though, for her to tell them about Jarrett’s apartment getting trashed and him losing his job.
When she finished, before she could even ask, Jerod’s dad—Eli—asked, “How good is he as a mechanic? One of our guys is moving to Pennsylvania to be closer to his wife’s family. She’s going to have their first child. Sid mostly does oil changes, tires, that kind of thing. We could use somebody.”
“That’s pretty much what he did at the garage he worked at.” Jazzi gave Jarrett’s number to Eli. “He was dependable, but the owner didn’t want any trouble from whoever trashed his apartment.”
“That wasn’t Jarrett’s fault,” Thane said. “It doesn’t seem fair. Look. Radley and I just installed a new heating-cooling unit in an old apartment building off Spy Run. The owner was looking for a part-time caretaker who could repair leaking faucets, that kind of thing, in exchange for free rent. The guy who used to do it retired and moved to Florida, but he only fixed things on the weekends or in the evenings, part-time. The place isn’t fancy, but it’s clean. The area is a mixed bag, so the owner pays for a security system. If anyone tries to break in, a silent alarm goes off and the cops show up.”
“That sounds perfect.” Jazzi gave him Jarrett’s number, too. She felt better. She never thought it was possible, but she felt sorry for the ex-con. She turned to Gran. “Can you see who’s behind the robberies, Gran?”
Gran shook her head. “I only see what I see. I don’t ask questions. Things just come to me.” She pushed away her empty plate and got up to pour herself another glass of wine. She liked wine with her meal and another glass with her dessert.
Jazzi took the hint and stood to clear the table, and Ansel rose to help her. Jazzi raised an eyebrow when she caught Gran opening a bag of cookies to slip one to River. “You can quit stealing chocolate chips for him. I have everyone’s boxes of cookies and candy ready to take home today.”
Gran laughed and handed River the cookie anyway. “Just this one,” she promised.
They waited for Gran to take her seat, then she and Ansel carried two 9 x 13 pans of the cheat peach dumplings to the table and put them within easy reach of everyone.
Ansel handed Jerod, Walker, and Thane cartons of vanilla ice cream and scoops. He kept one and started topping the dessert bowls close to him. Jazzi put two coffee pots on the table for people to pass around.
When Walker plopped one scoop of ice cream in River’s bowl, the little boy hesitated. “Can I have two?”
Walker glanced at Didi, and when she nodded, he scooped out another one.
Dessert always disappeared fast, and this was no exception. In half an hour, every dumpling was gone and the ice cream cartons were empty. People visited another half hour, then got ready to go. Jazzi and Ansel handed out boxes of treats at the door.
When Radley took his, Jazzi said, “I added two of each cookie and candy for Elspeth, too.”
Elspeth blushed. “That was so nice of you.”
Ansel grunted. “Just make sure Radley doesn’t eat your share.”
When they were finally on their own, Ansel pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Her breath caught in her throat and everything tingled. His kiss topped off everything. “What’s that for?” she asked.
“This was an especially nice Sunday meal.”
She’d have to let Ansel grill more often. There was nothing better than being pressed against his chest and body. “You ready to relax?”
“Right after we finish in the kitchen.”
Jazzi rinsed and Ansel loaded dishes into the dishwasher. In twenty minutes, they headed to their couches to watch TV. Sunday was the only day Ansel watched sports. Jazzi sat across from him and glanced at the game occasionally while she read a book. When the game ended, Ansel stood and stretched. He held out his hand for her and asked, “Ready?”
Wasn’t she always? They headed to the stairs and when George started to follow them, Ansel said, “Later.”
The pug sagged onto the floor, his head on his paws. He didn’t pretend to suffer, though. He’d gotten so many scraps of steak and chicken from Ansel during the meal, he looked satisfied with himself. He closed his eyes and before they reached the top step, Jazzi heard him snoring.
Inky and Marmalade didn’t even jump off the couch where they’d been curled with her. “The pets aren’t in any hurry tonight,” she said.
A
nsel grinned. “Good, because neither am I.”
Promises, promises . . . but Ansel was a man of his word. Jazzi shivered with anticipation just thinking about it.
Chapter 34
Monday morning, they were back at the old Victorian, sanding walls. Jazzi had made wraps instead of sandwiches for lunch since it was warm outside. They felt lighter, even though she wasn’t sure if they were actually healthier or not, especially since the guys ate so many of them. George supervised work and begged from the kitchen. After they’d eaten, they trudged upstairs and got busy on cleaning up the dust and mess.
With the three of them working together, soon the upstairs was in good shape. That left them free to start installing the beadboard on the office ceiling. That went fast, too. Jazzi was staining it while the guys installed trim when Gaff called.
“Can you meet me at Ronnie’s house? You’ll never believe what happened.”
Her stomach tied itself in knots. “Did someone trash it or beat up Mrs. Reynolds?”
“No, no. Sorry. Nothing like that. But you’ll have to hear this for yourself.”
“I’m on my way.”
She told Jerod and Ansel about the call, then drove to Creighton Street to meet Gaff. Ronnie’s grandma opened the door and the tiny woman looked like someone had lit her up, she was so agitated and confused. She led Jazzi into the living room and motioned for her to sit in the chair beside Gaff’s. Once she got comfortable in her rocking chair, she said, “Ronnie’s lawyer called me today. Didn’t know he had one. State paid for one when he went to prison.”
Jazzi frowned. “Why would he need a lawyer after he got out?”
Gaff smiled. “He left Mrs. Reynolds a lot of money, and the lawyer’s been keeping an eye on it.”
Jazzi couldn’t hide her surprise. “Ronnie kept everyone’s money so that he could give it to his grandma?”
Her lips trembled. “A fool thing to do. I’d rather have my boy than his money. Don’t want no blood money for me or my church.”
