Murder Is Where the Heart Is

by Maddie Cochere

  Her words brought me back to the present. I looked in the small mirror before me and tried to wipe off some of the eyeshadow and blush. I wasn’t going anywhere looking like a streetwalker.

  Pepper watched me for a moment and said, “Stop. You look pretty with makeup on. He’ll like it. Just go talk to him.”

  I hadn’t seen or talked with Glenn since seeing him briefly two nights ago at Mama’s. I knew it would be an uncomfortable encounter now.

  I slipped out Pepper’s kitchen door and through the garage. Glenn had parked on the street and was leaning against the side of his cruiser. I looked for a smile, but he wasn’t offering one. Alan’s car wasn’t in my driveway. Under the circumstances, I was glad he was gone.

  I stood in front of Glenn and said, “Cosmetics party. Pepper is officially a Sally Lou consultant.”

  He did offer a slight smile at that.

  “Sorry for interrupting, but I wanted to talk to you. Considering how much makeup I’ve seen you wear, I didn’t think you’d mind the interruption.”

  It was my turn to part with a slight smile. “You’ve got that right. This is not a look I want to wear while solving murders.”

  I saw him bristle at the words and knew he was still irritated that I wouldn’t leave the murders at Alan’s to the professionals.

  “Have you heard about the ballistics report?” he asked.

  “Jackie told me, but I’m not worried. Everyone knew my prints would be on the gun.”

  He sighed. “But there weren’t any others. That still makes you a potential suspect.”

  “I said I’m not worried about it, Glenn. I don’t know why you are. I didn’t kill anyone.”

  “Sarge would kill me if he knew I was telling you this.” He paused for a moment before saying, “The gun that killed Kate Fuller was also a small caliber. The bullet retrieved from her skull has been sent out for a ballistics match to the gun used in Bailey and Vic’s murders. If they match, you’re going to be arrested.”

  His news didn’t surprise me. I continued to remain calm and said for a third time, “I’m not worried.”

  He ran a hand through his hair and said, “You should be. You were the only person in the vicinity of all three murders when they occurred. Your prints on the gun aren’t circumstantial evidence. They’re enough to put you away for life.”

  I didn’t want to discuss it with him.

  “Is that all?” I asked.

  “What’s gotten into you, Jo? How can you be so calm about this?” He looked over to my house. “What’s going on with you and Alan?”

  “Nothing has gotten into me, and whatever is going on between Alan and me is none of your business.”

  I turned and walked back up Pepper’s driveway. Even though I wanted to, I didn’t look back at him. I heard his car door slam and the tires squeal as he peeled out of the cul-de-sac.

  I immediately regretted my behavior. He cared enough to come by and give me a heads-up, but something was keeping me from confiding in him. My confusion over my feelings about Alan was making it difficult to view Glenn in a boyfriend light right now.

  Pepper was waiting for me just inside the kitchen door.

  “What did he say? Is everything ok?”

  I shook my head and sighed. “No. Everything isn’t ok. I know he cares, and he’s trying to help, but I keep pushing him away even though I don’t think I want to. The entire situation is frustrating.”

  “Let it go for tonight,” Pepper said. “We can talk about it tomorrow. Get some cake and punch and come check out the shimmer shadow Kelly put on Mama. If Keith thought she looked like a zombie earlier, she looks like a clown zombie now.”

  I managed a bit of a smile. “Ok, zombie Mama it is, but after everyone leaves, I need to talk with you and Jackie. I have a plan.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “You have to let me come!”

  Pepper was having a cow that I was leaving her out of the most dangerous part of my plan.

  “There isn’t room for all three of us in the closet,” I told her. “And unlike you, Jackie won’t make any noise. I need her there so she can see firsthand what happens for when she writes the story for the newspaper.”

  “I can hide somewhere else. I won’t make any noise. I promise.”

  Pepper was acting more like Keith than she was an adult.

  “No,” I said again. “End of story. We’ll text you when we leave. You can keep track of where we’re going and catch up to us when we stop. Are we all agreed? You know what you’re supposed to do, right?”

  Pepper was wearing Keith’s pout face, but she and Jackie both nodded in agreement.

  “Good. I’m going to make sure Arnie confirms my suspicions in the morning, and then we’ll be ready to go.”

  “Operation Bowtie,” Jackie said. “From now on, if we have to discuss the plan, we’ll refer to it as Operation Bowtie.”

  Pepper laughed. This was going to be the most excitement she’d had in a long time.

  “When will Buck be home?” I asked.

  “He should be in around two in the morning. We’re all going to the Y tomorrow afternoon, and he can stay with the kids while we’re on the case tomorrow night.”

  Jackie looked at me and said, “Let’s go to the Y with them. We can sign up, and having something to do will help to keep our minds off Operation Bowtie.”

  I smiled and said, “I’ll meet you guys there at two o’clock.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The smell of bacon woke me in the morning.

  A feeling of nervous excitement washed over me. Today was the day I would exonerate myself in all of Buxley’s murders. If I was lucky, I would find out what happened to Leslie Preston, too.

  I took a quick shower and skipped down the stairs to the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” I said cheerfully.

  Alan was plating stacks of pancakes with melted butter and warm maple syrup next to slices of crispy bacon. My mouth watered.

  “You’re in a good mood this morning. What gives?” he asked.

  I couldn’t stop smiling.

  “It’s a great day,” I said and pulled my plate toward me. “This looks delicious. Thanks.”

  I began eating with gusto. I was ravenously hungry – something that was unusual for me in the morning.

  “What do you have planned today?” he asked.

  I swallowed most of the pancake that was in my mouth and said, “I have to see Arnie, and then I’m going to the Y with Jackie and Pepper this afternoon. Can I ask you a favor?”

  “Sure. What is it?”

  “Could you leave this afternoon and not come back until tomorrow sometime?”

  He gave me a bit of a perverse smile and nodded his head. “No problem. You can have the house. I have a date tonight anyway.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “A date? You already have a date? Bailey’s only been dead for five days.”

  “I know it bothers you, but I don’t feel anything for that tramp. I’m moving on.”

  I needed to ask him right now, or I never would, and I would always wonder.

  “Have you felt anything since you’ve been here? I mean, have you thought maybe we should try again to work things out between us? It’s been kind of nice having you here again.”

  The minute I saw pity in his eyes, I regretted asking.

  “Jo, listen. It’s not like that with you. I’m comfortable here, because I’m comfortable with you. You’re like a favorite pair of old shoes. We had some good times when we were married, but look at you now. You don’t fit in with my lifestyle. You would never be comfortable hosting dinner parties for my clients, and you fit in better at the Y than you ever would the country club. If you want to have sex for old time’s sake, just say the word, but there’s no getting back together.”

  My mouth hung open at his words. All of the hatred I had felt for him for so long rushed back in. It was as though scales fell from my eyes, and I could see the judgmental, narcissistic, horrible person that he was again. H
e might be right for someone of his own ilk, but he was dead on that he would never be right for me.

  “I want you and your things out before I get back this evening. I don’t care where you go, but you’re done staying here.”

  I grabbed my purse and car keys from the coffee table in the living room and marched out the front door. I felt clearer of mind and stronger than I had in days, and I was ready to take on the world. First stop – Arnold Baranski Investigations.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You were right, Jo,” Arnie said. “He’s deep in debt and mortgaged to the hilt. I’m surprised he managed to stay afloat this long, and I’m guessing he’s unstable right now. Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I’m positive,” I told him. “I’m counting on his instability, or I don’t think this would work. Jackie and Pepper are already out this morning spreading the word that I’m having dreams again.”

  Jackie had kept it out of the newspaper, but all of Buxley knew I had recently solved a girl’s murder after seeing her in my dreams.

  “They’re telling anyone who will listen that because of a dream, I remembered seeing the license plate on the van when Leslie was abducted and I’m hoping to have another dream tonight to remember her abductor’s face. Pepper told Mama and Aunt Bee first thing this morning, so it’s already hit the beauty shop and will be all over town soon. For good measure, they’re letting everyone know that I threw Alan out of my house.”

  Arnie smiled. The gossip flowing in and out of the beauty shop was legendary.

  “Smart thinking,” he said.

  I swelled with pride inside. I appreciated any crumb of praise he threw my way.

  We sat quiet for a few moments before he asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to fill Glenn in on this? It might be a good idea to have him on standby.”

  I glared at him. “Don’t you dare tell Glenn. He’d put a stop to this in a New York minute, and I’d end up in jail for sure. No. The fewer people who know about this, the better.”

  “All right. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’ll have my cell on me all evening. Call if you need help.”

  “I have a sister and a journalist on my side,” I said with a big grin. “I have all the help I need.”

  I left the flea market by way of the tattooed wonder. I walked by just as the inner workings of a cuckoo clock fell to the floor when a customer turned it over to inspect it. I rushed out before I could hear him say, “You broke it, you bought it.”

  ~ ~ ~

  The YMCA was packed when I pulled in at three o’clock. I was an hour late, but it couldn’t be helped. After leaving the flea market, I drove around Clara Bartoli’s neighborhood for over an hour looking for Angus McFeely.

  I spotted him in the back of a pickup truck, but by the time I turned around to give chase, the truck had disappeared.

  Because my breakfast with Alan had been cut short, hunger was once again upon me. I parked in the alley behind Parker’s Tavern and went in through the back entrance. Loaded potato skins and chicken wings jumped off the menu at me, but I was able to fight back the urges and ordered a crabmeat chef salad. I knew I would be glad later that I hadn’t chosen the heavier meal.

  I was nearly finished with my salad when Doug Preston walked into the bar. He spotted me and came over to sit down at my table. He was all business as he pulled a pen and notebook from his coat pocket.

  “Hey, Jo. How are ya? I hear you’re having dreams again. Is that true?”

  “Yep. I had one last night. It was about last Saturday when Leslie was abducted. I was in the back seat, you know. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I think I got a glimpse of the guy’s face, and I know I saw most of the license plate.”

  His pen was poised to write. “What did he look like? What was the plate?”

  “I’m not giving the information out publicly yet, Doug. I haven’t even told Jackie or Pepper. I want to see if I have another dream tonight or tomorrow night, and then I’m going to talk with Sergeant Rorski on Monday morning. I think it’s best if I keep it to myself, don’t you?”

  “I sure could use a scoop, Jo. I know you’re tight with Jackie, but after everything that’s happened to me lately, it would be a big help if I could get a story.”

  There was no way I was giving Doug Preston a scoop. I placated him by saying, “I’ll think about it. I’ll give you a call around ten o’clock on Monday and let you know my decision.”

  I paid my bill, left Doug at the table, and exited out the back to make my way down the alley to my car. Arnie wasn’t going to be happy to hear that I was lost in thought and not being observant when Brick Brack rushed out from behind a dumpster to point a gun at me.

  “Don’t take another step,” he said.

  I wasn’t afraid. I was mad at myself that he had taken me by surprise.

  “What do you want, Brick?”

  “I want to burn you,” he said. “You’re trying to burn me and rig this story so I’m the only suspect again. Nobody else in the garage knew about the Leslie Preston deal but me. I made the arrangements to get her a cab. I knew where she was supposed to pick it up. Sergeant Rorski’s going to find out I left the garage that night, and he’ll say I’m the kidnapper and killer. But I had a good reason for leaving. You’ll lie and use those stupid dreams of yours to back him up.”

  “Aren’t you the kidnapper and killer?” I asked.

  The question sent him over the edge. He raised the gun above his head and lunged for me to hit me with it. I ducked and stuck a leg out to trip him. The gun clattered across the alley when he fell. His face hit the edge of the dumpster. There was a bit of a crunch sound and blood spurted out of his nose. He rolled on the ground in pain. I knew better than to pick up the gun and put my prints on that one, too. I ran to my car and left Brick and the gun in the alley.

  I still had an hour before it was time to meet the girls at the Y, so I dashed home. I wanted to see if Alan had moved out, and I wanted to ready my plans for the evening.

  The house was quiet when I walked in. I didn’t have to look around to know he was gone. Everything felt back to normal. The only item to catch my eye was a small legal pad by the red phone. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before.

  I looked over his notes. I was aghast the red phone had rung this many times. There were half a dozen calls from Mama and two from Aunt Bee. Pepper and Jackie had both called multiple times. Arnie and Mrs. Bartoli were on the list. My heart was heavy when I saw I had missed three calls from Glenn over the past two days. I honestly thought he hadn’t tried to call me at all. There weren’t any calls for new business. Alan had already given me the scraps of paper with the numbers to call for the two new jobs. They could wait until Monday.

  I dug my phone out of my purse and saw it was working. I couldn’t understand why any of these people hadn’t tried to reach me on my cell phone. While I was staring at it, the date and time flickered and went out. I shook the phone. The numbers flickered again before the phone went dead.

  I couldn’t put off getting a new phone any longer. If I would have taken care of this weeks ago like I should have, I might not have missed Glenn’s calls. I tossed the piece of junk onto the coffee table.

  I ran upstairs and checked my bedroom. Alan had made my bed. The room was clean and tidy. I changed into shorts, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

  The murder room door was open. I walked in and looked over the whiteboard again. I knew I had this case solved. I just needed to prove it.

  I erased some of the information and wrote prominently across the top: Brick Brack. Guilty as charged. Tried to murder me in the alley behind Parker’s Tavern.

  He didn’t really try to murder me. I had doubts the gun was even loaded, but the information looked good on the board, true or not.

  I sat down on the loveseat and mulled my plan over again. It wasn’t long before my head found a comfortable position against the back of the loveseat.

  It was after two thirty when a lo
ud snore and a vibration at the back of my throat woke me.

  Jackie would have been proud of how quickly I drove to the Y. She was standing at the counter signing her paper to join when I raced through the front doors.

  She smiled. “Running a little late?”

  “I was on schedule until I ran home to change. I accidentally took a nap.”

  “Pepper, Buck, and the kids are in the pool. I’m going to join them. Where’s your suit?”

  I held my hands out. “I didn’t bring one. I’m not ready to get in the pool yet. Maybe I’ll ride a bike while you guys swim.”

  She shook her head. “You need to stop being so self-conscious, Jo. You’re beautiful just the way you are, and it would have been fun for all of us to swim together. We’ll come find you when we’re done. Everyone wants to try the new rock wall they installed this week.”

  I regretted not grabbing a gym bag and my bathing suit, but the thought of people seeing me in a suit made me cringe. I hated that my self-esteem was tied up in my weight, but I couldn’t help how I felt. When I lost another fifteen pounds, maybe I would feel differently.

  Jackie headed for the locker room. I waited for the employee behind the counter to assist me in signing up for a trial month.

  Several minutes later, I walked into the large workout room. All of the treadmills were in use. There were two stationary bikes available. I climbed onto one of the bikes and set a loose tension. There was no reason to overwork my muscles on the first day. I began pedaling slowly.

  I had a good view of the rock wall at the opposite end of the room. It looked like fun with its corners, small shelves for footholds, and colorful rocks jutting out everywhere. There were several ropes hanging from the top to the floor, but most of the climbers used only the rocks to make their way up and down the tall structure. There didn’t appear to be any harnesses, and it was obvious there was no supervision. Kids were playing on the wall alongside more serious, overly aggressive adults. I suspected the wall wouldn’t last long, or they would have to regulate its use.