Jenny sighed. “Tastes perfect to me.”
“Jenny, about that FedEx truck.”
She put the slice down. “Does anyone need anything more to drink?” She stood.
“Sit down.”
She slid back into her seat and crossed her arms. “What about it?”
“What was in the envelope?”
“I told you. It was college-related.”
“Go get it.”
She squirmed in her seat. “The pizza will get cold.”
“Finish that slice, and I’ll put it in the oven to keep warm.” I stood, turned the oven on, and slid in the rest of the pie.
Jenny threw the crust on her plate and ran upstairs.
Rob caressed my hand. “Want me to leave?”
“Stay. You only had one slice of pizza. You must still be hungry.”
“A little, but this seems like it’s important.”
Jenny pounded down the stairs and threw the envelope onto the table.
I opened the envelope. Inside was an old fashioned first-class ticket to London, leaving at the end of the following week and returning at the end of July. My mouth dropped. “You said it was from a college. And who even prints airline tickets anymore?”
Her chin jutted. “I said it was college-related. Going to London will make me more well-traveled. Dad said he’d feel better if I had a paper ticket, and he has a travel agent in Brunei who printed it for him.”
“We’ve had this conversation. Your dad’s legal situation is precarious at best, and I don’t want you getting involved in it. I especially don’t want you to accept any money or a ticket from him.” My voice rose.
She drew herself up to her full height. “I told you I wanted to see Dad. And I want to see Arianna again. They’ve rented a place in London. It’s all decided.”
Heat rushed to my face, and I counted to ten.
Jenny sat down next to me and stroked my arm. “It’ll be okay. You’ll see. And I’ll be back before you even know I’m gone.”
She stood and ran back upstairs. I yelled after her, “This is not the end of this discussion!”
I sank back on the chair. “I can’t believe this. My daughter wants to visit a man wanted by the Feds.”
Rob put his arm around me. “Not just any man. Her father.”
I jerked back. “You’re on her side?”
He pulled me close. “No. Of course not. But I know that she and Drew grew close when he moved in next door. She got used to having him be part of her life again after the four years he spent in prison.”
I groaned and put my head in my hands. “What am I going to do? I can’t let her do something that could mar her life forever. She’s seventeen, for goodness sakes.”
“We’ll figure something out. Do you want me to stay?”
“At least take some of the pizza with you.” I stood and put two pieces on paper plates that I then wrapped in aluminum foil.
He kissed me and held my face between his hands. “These things have a way of working themselves out.”
“One can only hope.”
He left, and I put another slice on a plate and brought it up to Jenny. I knocked on her door.
“Come in.”
I pushed the door open. She sat at her desk. I handed her the plate and sat on the bed. She bit into the pizza and her eyes closed.
“I know how much you want your relationship with your father to continue. And I don’t want to stand in your way. But he’s still a wanted man. I can’t let you get tangled up into his schemes.” I rubbed my forehead. “You have your whole life ahead of you.”
“You can’t keep me from going.”
“We’ll talk about it more tomorrow. I’ve got a massive headache.”
I walked out and shut the door. What am I going to do?
Chapter 17
I shuffled through the door to Delightful Bites the next morning looking for a truly tall cup of java. After tossing and turning the whole night, I hadn’t gotten more than an hour or so of sleep.
It was my turn at the counter. I ordered a jumbo coffee and an apple fritter. Medicinal sugar doesn’t count. The clerk handed me a cup and bag.
I slumped at the coffee station, filling my cup, and stirring in sweetener. Clutching my treat, I nearly plowed into Diedra Green. “I’m so sorry. I should be looking where I’m going.”
She held up her hand. “No harm done. Do you have a few minutes? I hate to drink my morning coffee alone, and Kevin had an early appointment.”
I checked my watch. “I have twenty minutes, but then I need to leave for a meeting.”
She moved to the line. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I sank onto the chair, opened the bag, and ripped off a piece of the fritter. It was delicious. I tore off another small bite and popped it in my mouth.
Diedra sat opposite me. “Thanks again for waiting. What’s new with you?”
My mouth gaped. I had no idea where to start.
She patted my hand. “Are you all right?”
“Teenager problems.” I rubbed the back of my neck. Understatement of the year.
“I remember those days. Hang in there, they soon pass.” She shifted in her seat. “I’ve meant to call you. Kevin and I want to invite you to our house for dinner. We’ve finally gotten moved in, and it’s starting to look like home. Are you free on Saturday?”
I checked my phone. “I am. I’ll need to check with Rob.” I texted him. My phone dinged. “He’s free too. What time?”
“Sixish?”
I made an entry on my calendar. “It’s a date. We look forward to it.”
“I can’t wait for you to see the garden. We’ve done a lot.”
I glanced at my phone. “Thanks for the chat and the invitation, but I need to get moving.”
My shoulders slumped as I walked to the office. If I let Jenny go to London, she’d be leaving the end of next week. For a whole two months.
I walked into my office and shut the door. Then I checked the time difference to Brunei. Pretty late, but not too late. I picked up the phone and scrolled for Drew’s number.
He answered on the second ring. “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to call. Did Jenny get the ticket?”
Heat filled my face. “You could have called to warn me.”
“I knew you didn’t want any contact with us.”
I gripped the pencil tightly and doodled a skull and crossbones. The pencil broke, and I threw it across the desk. “I don’t even want to be talking to you now. You need to cancel that ticket and call Jenny. I want you to tell her it’s not in her best interest to come.”
“I’m not going to do that. Arianna’s rented a place in her company’s name in London and Jenny is going to stay with us. Didn’t you see that I’m getting her back in time for your college trips?”
My voice dripped sarcasm. “Thank you for that. What’s going to happen if the Feds discover where you are? I thought the whole point of going to Brunei was that they didn’t have an extradition treaty.”
“That’s why everything is in Arianna’s company’s name. They won’t be able to trace anything back to me. I didn’t want Jenny to have to come all this way by herself. London’s a shorter hop. Maybe she can come to Brunei next year.”
I ground my teeth. “What if something goes wrong? Do you want Jenny to get into trouble? She’s only seventeen!”
“No need to screech. We’re going to have a terrific time, and I promise I’ll send her back to you safe and sound.”
I slammed the phone down and kicked my desk door shut.
Cheryl knocked and then opened the door. “Everything okay, boss?”
I popped two antacids. “I’m okay.”
She came closer. “You’re awfully red. Would you like ice water?”
“Yes. That'd be great.”
When the door shut behind her, I picked up the phone again and dialed Father Tom. Belinda answered the phone. “Rectory.”
“Belinda,
it’s Merry March. I need to see Father Tom. It’s urgent.”
Pages ruffled. “I could shift things around. Can you be here at three?”
“Yes. Thank you. I can’t tell you what this means to me.”
Cheryl walked in with ice water. “You’re still awfully red. Would you like me to call the doctor?”
“No. I’ll be okay. I need to leave today at two-thirty. Please clear my calendar.”
“You got it.” She bit her lip. “Are you sure there’s nothing—”
“There isn’t. Thanks.” I studied the papers on my desk, and the door closed. I held the ice water against my cheek and tried to breathe more deeply. Somehow I got work done during the next few hours. At two-thirty, I pulled my purse from the drawer and strode to the church rectory.
Belinda looked up when I walked in. “You’re a little early. He’s with someone else but should be done soon. Would you like water or tea?”
“Tea would be lovely.” I sank onto the damask covered bench. It was usually such a comfortable spot. The afternoon sun shone in the bay window, and the tiger-striped rectory cat snoozed in the alcove. My hands were tightly clasped together. Belinda placed a teacup next to my elbow, and I jumped. “Sorry. I’m not myself today.”
“Hopefully, Father Tom can help.”
“Thanks for the tea.” I lifted the cup to my lips.
Father Tom’s door opened, and a parishioner came out. He gave me a small nod as he passed. Belinda said, “You can go in now.”
I walked into Father Tom’s office and collapsed onto the chair by his desk. I wrung my hands. “Father, I’m not sure what to do.”
He walked around his desk and sat in the chair next to me. “Merry, that’s not like you. Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
“It’s Drew.”
He sighed. “I had a feeling it might be.”
“You know that he left here with the Feds on his heels.”
“I heard that.”
“Well, he moved to a country where the United States has no extradition treaty.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Now his girlfriend has rented a place in England, and they want Jenny to come for two months. She got the ticket yesterday.”
His kind brown eyes studied me. “That could be problematic.”
“I know. What should I do?”
“What are your choices?”
I crossed my legs. The one on top was moving faster than a sped-up pendulum. “I could let her go and pray that nothing happens. I could forbid her to go and have her hate me forever. Or, I could let her go and alert the Feds that Drew is going to be in London. But then she’ll see him arrested again. And she’ll hate me.” I shook my head. “This is awful.”
“Let’s take them one at a time. What if you let her go?”
“She’ll be happy. But what if the Feds find out? Will she be in trouble? If I let her go, I’ll feel like a horrible mother. I’ll also feel like I’m doing something wrong. That man’s a criminal. What about all the new people he swindled?” I rubbed my neck.
He sat back in his chair. “I see. What about the next one?”
“She loves her father. If I don’t let her go, she’ll see me as the villain.”
“And the third?”
“How is my daughter going to feel if I turn in her father? It’s probably the right thing to do, but I don’t know if I can. I can’t believe I’m faced with these miserable choices. That man is truly despicable.” I sipped the tea. My hand shook. “What am I going to do?”
“With prayer, you’ll arrive at the right decision.”
“What do you think I should do Father?”
“As much as I’d like to, I can’t decide for you. All I can do is pray with you and hopefully guide you to the right place.”
I held up my hands. “What’s the right place?”
“I have faith in you, Merry. Your mind is swirling now. You need to find a quiet place to think. No one will be in the church until choir practice at five. I suggest you go there and pray. I think your path will become clearer.” He stood. “I have another parishioner waiting. I’ll come to the church when I’m done, and if you’re still there, we’ll talk again. Bless you.”
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” I stumbled out the door, handing my teacup to Belinda. “Thanks.”
I walked the short distance to the church and sat in a pew mid-way up the aisle. I knelt and began to pray. The ritual calmed me, and my breathing slowed. I was able to focus. There was only one real choice. I couldn’t let Jenny get on that plane.
I crossed myself and hurried home.
Jenny was studying for her last final at the kitchen table. I sank onto the seat next to her.
She put her pen down. “You look beet red, Mom. Were you out in the sun?”
“No. I’ve been thinking about this whole trip to London.”
Her eyes sparkled. “And you’re going to let me go?”
“No, Jenny. It wouldn’t be the right thing to do.” I put my hand on hers.
She snatched her hand away. “I can’t believe you’re not going to let me go. He’s my dad. And I want to see London. I’ve been watching videos. It looks amazing.”
“I’ll take you to London when the time is right. But that time isn’t now. I wouldn’t be doing my duty as your mother if I let you go.”
“You’re worried about the Feds finding out.”
“I am. I’m also worried about you consorting with someone who is wanted for defrauding innocent people. I tried to shield you, but you remember how bad it was when he was arrested the first time. All of those people who thought he was going to make them rich.”
“It was sad he disappointed so many people here in town. And I can’t believe he did it again.” She grabbed my arm. “Maybe he didn’t. Remember innocent until proven guilty.”
I held her face in my hands. “Sweetie, he and Arianna fled the country to a place where there is no extradition treaty. He looks guilty.”
“Yes, but maybe he isn’t. Maybe he knew that they were coming for him and didn’t want to go through another trial. He was suspected of murdering two people last year, and he didn’t do it. You found out who did. Mistakes happen.”
“Honey, if he didn’t do it, let him come back here and straighten this mess out. And until he does, you are going nowhere near him.”
“You’re ruining my life!” She stood, slapped her study material into a stack, and ran up the stairs. A door slammed.
In a weird way, I felt better. The decision had been made, and the initial conversation was past. Now I needed to keep up my strength for the aftermath.
Dinner was a strained affair, and I was only too happy to see my teenager leave the table. The door slammed again. I retrieved a large glass of wine and retreated to my bedroom. Ensconced amid my pillows, I opened the book I had been reading. My phone buzzed from the end table. Rob texted: “You okay? Sorry I couldn’t make it tonight.”
“Told Jenny she couldn’t go to London.”
“How did that go?”
“Swimmingly. Talk tomorrow.” I signed off with a heart emoji.
He sent me a hug.
Before long, my eyes drooped.
Something was kneading my shoulder. I kept my eyes shut, hoping it would go away. It didn’t. I opened them, and Courvoisier’s face hovered inches from mine. It was still dark out. “What?” Then I remembered; I hadn’t fed the cats before I came upstairs. “I get it. Hold on a minute.”
I put on my flip flops and made my way downstairs. Drambuie was dancing around the empty bowl, and Courvoisier joined her. I filled the dishes and gave them fresh water. “Sorry.”
I made my way back up the stairs. There was a light on in Jenny’s room. I knocked and opened the door. She had a headphone on and looked fascinated by something on her tablet. I pulled one of the earpieces away. “Jenny.”
She jumped. “What?”
“It’s late. What are you looking at?”
She held the tablet out. She had been facetiming Drew. He waved. I jumped back. “I was telling Dad that you won’t let me come. He wants to talk to you.”
“It’s late, and you have a test tomorrow. Tell him, goodnight.”
She sighed. “Attila says I have to go to bed. I’ll talk to you soon.”
She took the headphones off and put down the tablet. “Happy now?”
“Yes.” I stalked out the door, shutting it after me. This is going to be a mess.
✽ ✽ ✽
I had several early meetings the next day. Once they were finished, I closed the door to my office and picked up the phone. I set my shoulders and dialed Drew’s number.
He answered on the second ring. “Why are you calling so late? And why did you tell Jenny she can’t come to London? She wants to see us, and we want to see her. I miss her.”
“If you want to see her, come back here.”
There was a pause. “That’s a problem for me; you know that.”
“You have two choices. You can come back here and face the music, or you can stay there and not see your daughter. That’s it. It’s simple, really.”
“You're awfully hard.”
“Don’t put this on me. You’re the one causing this whole mess. She’s not coming. End of story. I’ll have her mail back the ticket.” I hung up. A small smile creased my face. At least that part was done. Now all I had to deal with was Jenny. The smile disappeared.
I texted Patty: “Need pick me up.”
“A little early to be drinking.”
“Drinking won’t help.”
“That bad?”
“Yes.”
“Shopping! You need something new. April and Sandy’s store is doing a soft opening this week. The grand opening is next Saturday. Meet you there at four.”
“Okay.”
Somehow I muddled through the rest of the day. Around four, I left the office and wandered up the street. A new sign hung outside the store. It used to be Shades of Grey. The crisp new sign sported an Eiffel Tower and read: “C’est Magnifique.” Patty stood outside near the door. “What happened?”
“Let’s talk later. For now, let’s shop.” We walked into the store. A bell rang as we entered.
April greeted us. “Welcome.”
Patty had done a terrific job designing the place. Washed-out black and white wallpaper lined the walls with small Eiffel Towers interspersed with Toulouse-Lautrec images. Clothes were arranged by color and looked vibrant against the walls. I turned slowly, taking it all in. “It’s beautiful.”
Murder So Deadly Page 16
