Finding Floyd

by Melinda Peters

  Chris swallowed as the biscuit passed from Preston to Kyle in front of him. Sighing, he sipped his coffee and managed another bit of sandwich. As he chewed, he considered everything Kyle had mentioned. There was something, some nagging suspicion in the back of his mind. He couldn't quite put the puzzle pieces together into a coherent thought. Maybe...

  "You're sure you can't think of any place that fits her description? I'm talking about the room where she was tied up."

  "Nope, sure can't." Kyle shook his head. "I ain't got a clue. Thanks for the breakfast. It was real good."

  "Okay, we want you to catch this guy, Chris," said Preston. If I think of something else I'll surely let you know. I've got to get going, or I'll be late for work. I'm thinking this afternoon, when I get off, maybe I'll ride around out on Franklin Pike, just to see if something looks like it could be the place."

  "Boone says he's gonna have a couple of the deputies doing that very same thing today. Hey, you want company," asked Kyle. "I'll ride along. Want me to bring my .45 pistol? Just in case? We might meet up with the kidnapper."

  "No Kyle. I don't think that will be necessary. Let's leave the gun toting to Boone's deputies," said Preston

  "Please don't consider approaching this man. Don't hesitate to call me or the sheriff's department." Chris left a generous tip, picked up the check, and headed for the cash register. Something Kyle had said about the kidnapper still bothered him, but whatever it was, it continued to elude him.

  Outside the restaurant, he told them, "I really appreciate you two helping me with this investigation. Please tell Diane that..." He blew out a long breath and shook his head. "Well, never mind, but thanks again." He turned to leave and felt a tug on his sleeve.

  Preston smiled and handed him a paper bag. "Here, these ham biscuits and coffee are for you. I felt bad about Nancy giving you such a lousy breakfast. It ain't usually the way they treat customers, but seeing as she's kin to Boone and all, you know how it is. You'll want these, the coffee too, if you're going to be riding around looking for the suspect today. Good luck."

  "Thanks Pres, that's real nice." Chris was touched by his kindness.

  Lexington Biscuits

  1 small mealy potato

  1/2 package dry yeast (1 1/4 teaspoon)

  1/4 cup lukewarm potato water

  1/2 cup milk

  6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

  1 tablespoon sugar

  2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; plus more as needed

  1 teaspoon salt

  1/4 cup butter, melted

  Peel and coarsely chop the potato, cover with water and cook until soft, about 20 minutes.

  Drain the potato and put it through a ricer or a sieve.

  Measure out 1/2 cup potato and 1/4 cup potato water.

  Dissolve the yeast in the water.

  Scald the milk. Add the 6 tablespoons butter and salt. Stir until melted.

  Spoon the potato pulp, sugar and warm milk mixture into a mixing bowl and stir

  Add the dissolved yeast.

  Stir in the flour, beat well.

  Knead the dough well on a lightly floured surface, about 4 minutes, adding enough flour

  to make a medium-stiff dough.

  Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it to coat the surface.

  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

  Leave it in a warm spot to rise until the dough has doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

  Lift the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 minute.

  Roll the dough out 1/2 inch thick and cut with a 2-inch biscuit cutter.

  Dip each biscuit completely in the melted butter and lay them on a baking sheet.

  Lightly cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until tripled in bulk, about an

  hour.

  Preheat oven to 375F.

  Bake the biscuits until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve at once.

  Makes about 2 dozen biscuits.

  * To make ham biscuits, slit open biscuits and fill with Country Ham, sliced as thinly as possible. If desired, spread with your favorite mustard.

  Chapter 18

  Ralph and Julia looked up from their cooking as the girls, laughing and talking together, spilled in through the back door. They'd taken Diane out to a hair salon to see what a stylist could do with what was left of her hair after removing all the sticky duct tape.

  "Well?" said Diane bracing herself as she pulled off her hat. "What do you think? I told the stylist to do what he had to." Her beautiful long hair was gone, replaced by large soft curls that covered her head. There really hadn't been another option.

  "You look just fine. Don't you worry about a thing," said Ralph reassuringly. He gave her a bear hug and growled, "Anybody makes a crack, you send them to see me."

  Sniffing and wiping her eye, she gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ralph."

  "She's not sure she likes the short 'do', but I think she looks cute," said Vicky.

  "It's very sweet," added Julia, standing back, appraising the new look.

  Diane sighed. "But I want to look beautiful and sexy."

  "Of course you do!" Theresa agreed. She lifted the curls and gave them a closer look. "Just let me tame some of these curls with my blow-dryer. You'll look amazing. Trust me on this."

  Diane sighed. "Thanks guys. I know it'll grow back. I'm very lucky it's just my hair and nothing worse happened."

  "Thank the good Lord for that," said Julia reaching for the big potholders that hung by the stove. "Oh. Theresa. Your mother called twice while you were gone. She's seems very anxious to speak with you."

  "Oh madonne!" Theresa gestured rudely and moaned. "When will that woman let me breathe? You would think this was the most important wedding ever planned. Every tiny little thing, she's gotta call. This morning it was the glasses. She was worried the restaurant didn't have enough champagne glasses to match the wine glasses. Daddy had to buy all new so they would match. Yesterday it was the ribbon for the invitations. I love my mother, but she's making me crazy, that woman!"

  While she railed, Julia opened the oven door and removed a large muffin tin, filling the kitchen with a delicious aroma. She tipped out the muffins and began arranging them along with a variety of other baked goods spread out to cool on the counter. "What was wrong with the ribbon?" asked Vicky.

  Theresa chuckled. "They substituted shell pink for the soft pink she'd ordered."

  "But I thought you liked the shell pink?" said Vicky. "The soft pink didn't look quite as nice with the paper."

  Theresa laughed. "That's why we chose it."

  Vicky shook her head. "I don't get it."

  "We kind of work around Ma. She changes her mind, one day to the next. The people printing the invitations know what I want, no matter what Ma says."

  Diane went over to where Julia was working and inhaled deeply, "It smells wonderful in here."

  Julia smiled. "I made some of my chocolate-chocolate chip muffins. I thought you all might be hungry when you got back."

  "Wow! These are awesome, Julia," breathed Diane, leaning over the steaming pile and inhaling. "Warm chocolate."

  "Go ahead and have one."

  "Thanks." She bit into the muffin and moaned, "Ummm, comfort food."

  "Hey! I'm hungry too!" Vicky joined her, indulging in the soft muffin, studded with melted chocolate chips.

  Theresa crossed the kitchen, rat-tatting in her tiny red sling-backs, to where Ralph had something mysterious simmering away in a large pot. She peeked under the lid. Vicky's beautiful little Italian cousin was always looking for new dishes to serve in her family's restaurant's. "Oh my god! Ralph! Isn't this your delicious New England Clam Chowder?"

  "Well...yeah." Ralph grinned at her, pleased that she'd remembered. "It's always better the next day, so I made it ahead for tomorrow. Julia says, being Saturday, we'll probably have a dozen people at least for breakfast, maybe hanging around through lunch."

  "So you're serving lunch now?" Ther
esa asked. "That's a great idea.

  "People gotta eat, don't they? Besides, Julia says Sandy's parents used to serve meals all week on season. The guys mentioned that you're all going downtown to hear that Bluegrass music tonight and might want to eat there, so I, well, Julia and I, wanted to make something quick and easy for this afternoon, in case you wanted a little snack. Julia's gonna make one of her southern specialties, skillet cornbread, to serve with the soup."

  "Can I help with anything?"

  "No. Thanks anyway, but everything's under control here." Ralph looked across the room and suggested, "Why don't you ladies go relax in the other room by the fire. I got something special cooked up for you to try."

  "I hope it's food," laughed Vicky. "We didn't stop for lunch."

  Theresa's phone began to softly trill the opening notes of The Tarantella, the popular Italian wedding song. When she saw her cousin's look, she sighed and admitted, "Yeah Vic, I turned my phone back on."

  "Tell Aunt Rose I love her."

  "Excuse me, I gotta take this." Theresa rolled her eyes as she answered, "Ma? Yeah, I'm right here. Yeah. Victoria's right here. She sends her love. Yeah. Okay. What?" She gave a little wave and nodding at her phone, drifted into the living room.

  As the others began to follow, Ralph caught Diane's eye and motioned her over. "Honey, the short hair really does do something for you. I'm not just saying that. You're a beautiful girl."

  "Oh Ralph, thank you. I'm so glad you decided to come here. Everybody misses you in Pippin's Grove." She gave the big man another hug. Sniffling a little, she dabbed at her eyes. "You know," she said, lowering her voice. "I think Julia's glad you're here too."

  "Ah, go on. Get outta here." He actually blushed, from his neck, all the way to the top of his bullet shaped bald head.

  Diane trailed after the others and slipped into her favorite recliner.

  Theresa was pacing the floor and nodding her head. "Okay, Ma. Sounds good. You do whatever. I'm sure it'll be fine." There was a pause. "I'm sure John will love it too. Okay, bye. I love you too. Okay, bye bye."

  Vicky tossed a few sticks of wood on the fire and stirred the coals. "What was the matter this time?"

  "She had to decide on the wedding cake fillings by this afternoon. She wanted to know if we wanted strawberry or chocolate rum, so she decided on the strawberry in a white cake."

  Vicky looked at her and frowned. "Didn't you and John decide on alternating tiers of dark chocolate with almond filling and golden vanilla with lemon butter? I thought it was such a great idea having two flavors. People always like having a choice."

  Theresa grinned. "John and I made all these decisions weeks ago. We left strict instructions with everyone to ignore my mom during these last weeks before the wedding."

  "Why would you do such a thing to your poor mother?" Vicky was shocked. "Aunt Rose is doing so much to make sure this wedding is perfect."

  "Vic, my mother has been planning my wedding since the day the doctor smacked my bottom and said 'It's a girl!' She's so wound up she can't remember what she's decided one day to the next." She plopped down on the sofa and let out a sigh.

  "So you're what? Cutting her out?"

  "No, not really. She was right there with us when John and I made all our decisions. We drove Ma around and did it all together. We were all done weeks ago."

  "So, what happened?"

  "She started calling up our venders and changing things. At first we thought, 'What the hell.' but after a while, John took charge, stepped in and put everything in writing. Now, I just agree to whatever she says. We're happy. She's happy. Most of all, our venders are happy. They were starting to get a little pissed, with ma changing things all the time."

  "Well, I guess whatever works," said Vicky doubtfully. "But what happens on your wedding day? When she finds out."

  "Don't worry, Vic. My mother is so thrilled that I'm getting married and she loves John so much, she won't even notice. I think she's already decided on the names of our first four children. I gotta say, John is really patient with Ma. You know, on the outside he's the big tough guy, little rough on the edges, but inside, he's as sweet and soft as a marshmallow."

  When they all laughed, Theresa just stared soberly. "Seriously. You don't know my mother. She called the church and reserved the date when I not only wasn't engaged; John and I weren't even speaking to each other."

  Julia looked startled. "Oh my. I see. So, when is the wedding dear?"

  "Beginning of June. Two months of craziness to go."

  "I'm sure it will be lovely," said Julia.

  Diane popped the last of her muffin in her mouth and asked, "Have you heard anything? Did they arrest that horrible man yet?"

  "Horrible man? You mean that bastard, Agent Chris Owen?" quipped Theresa.

  Julia gave the younger women an indulgent smile before answering. "I don't believe so. Sheriff Boone called me this morning and promised to let us know immediately when they find him. The entire force is out searching for this Toricello person, including the state police."

  "Whatta ya gonna do?" Theresa flopped down on the couch next to Vicky. "Stop worrying you guys. The cops will get him. How far could he get?" She poked her cousin. Hey. What's Ralph got for us?"

  "I hope it's something to eat! I'm still hungry." Diane leaned back, closed her eyes and as soon as she did cell phones around the room began to ping. She reached for her own and was alarmed when she read the text. She asked, "Julia, did you see what Sandy says about her mother?"

  "Oh dear! The poor dear." murmured Julia as they stared at the texts, tapping in their responses.

  "What's the matter?" asked Theresa.

  "Yes. It's just terrible." Julia shook her head.

  "What?" Vicky wanted to know. "What's terrible?"

  "It's Sandy," said Diane. "Whatever that flu virus was that went through the cruise ship must have been awful. She says her mom is in the hospital now on an IV because she can't keep anything down."

  "That's awful," said Vicky.

  "I have a more complete email from her," said Julia, shaking her head. She says even if her mom were better, the ship can't sail yet because on top of everything else, there's some sort of mechanical trouble. Sandy doesn't know when she can get back here. Well, she certainly can't leave her mother alone there, in any case."

  "Talk about the cruise from hell. I'll bet she wishes she'd gone to the Jersey Shore instead," interjected Theresa.

  Julia turned to Diane. "Don't worry about staying here any longer. I realize you need to get back home. I'm sure I can manage." Despite her words, the older woman looked concerned.

  "No way," said Diane. "I can hang out here for a while longer. We'll take care of things. Right?

  "Certainly," said Julia smiling.

  "So, don't you need to be getting back to Pippins Grove and the nursery?" asked Vicky.

  "Oh, my brother can take care of the business for a few more days. He has so many good employees, he really doesn't need me," said Diane. She looked around the comfortable room, with its broad stone hearth and crackling fire. "There aren't any reservations scheduled here for two weeks, but I don't know anything about taking new reservations, or how to handle payments. Sandy's web site said she'd be on vacation, but sooner or later, somebody is going to call and want a room, right?"

  "Don't worry. Ralph is helping out and I believe if I ask him, he'll stay a bit longer. We can handle all the rest. I'm familiar with how Sandy runs things. We can always text her if we have a question."

  "Thanks Julia. You're an awesome lady and a good friend."

  "Why thank you, Diane." Julia reached down to stroke Bella. The dog lay sprawled on the floor beside her. She smiled and lowered her voice. "I'd like to thank all of you for introducing me to your friend Ralph. He really is very nice. It's a comfort to have him here, what with everything that's going on." She glanced back at her email. "Diane, I had no idea you were such a talented woman. Sandy mentioned that you were designing a landscape plan fo
r around the house. That poor girl hasn't known what to do with those overgrown beds."

  "Oh my god, I haven't even given the flower beds a thought since I sent my ideas to my brother. There was the ice storm, and then so much has happened..." Diane sighed and set her phone aside. "I did make some sketches with suggestions for plants and sent them to Joe to make the final decisions. He knows more than I do about what's appropriate for this area. He's a very good landscape architect. The plans are probably at the Post Office waiting for me."

  While they talked, Diane's thoughts kept returning to Chris. Even though she was still furious with him, she couldn't stop worrying. She knew first hand just how dangerous Toricello could be. She'd ignored the agent's calls, too angry to speak with him, and refused to even look at all the messages he'd left.

  How could Chris think I was involved with that mad man? He knew I could never have anything to do with him. Those pictures of me driving off with Toricello did look bad, but for him to lash out at me like he did...after the night we spent together. And...he's amazing in bed. A shiver of delight went up her spine at the thought of it. He made love to me for most of the night, I fell asleep in his arms, and then...wham! He's gone again!

  Absently, she stroked the unfamiliar short curls and wondered what Chris would think of her hair. The girls were so sweet, taking me to a stylist to get rid of the duct tape damage. "Well, who cares if he likes it!" she said aloud.

  "Are you referring to Christopher?" asked Julia.

  "Oh!" Diane started, yanked from her reverie. "Oh, I guess I am. I'm just so mad at him, but I still hope he's okay. He was nice to me before... Oh, I don't know what to think any more. Should I forgive him?"

  "Forgive him? Like hell!" exclaimed Theresa. "You need to kick that bastard to the curb! Stay away from him. He was gonna arrest you and haul your ass off to jail when you were the one Toricello kidnapped!"

  "You're right." Diane sighed. "But I really liked him. And he did save my life."

  Theresa slapped a hand to her forehead. "Oh my god. Girl, you gotta get a grip."