by Lynn Cahoon
He sipped his coffee, took another bite of the dessert, and then took another sip. “I am going to win your aunt back. To prove my intentions, I’d like to fix up her porch.”
“At the apartment?” The back door was used less as a real door and more as a minigarden and sitting area by my aunt. She used the front door, which dropped down into the back room of the shop, to go in and out of her place.
“Yes. I bought a new bench, along with a few shelving units. Kyle is painting them, and when he’s done, I’ll be filling it with more plants. The porch will be an oasis, and a place for her to sit and watch the ocean.” He sighed and then absently took another bite. That was the magic of Sadie’s cheesecake. You couldn’t stop eating it once you started. “I don’t have much hope that it will change her mind, but we’d been talking about doing it for a while. The least I can do is make her dream come true for the area.”
“Let me know when you want to get it set up and I’ll make sure she’s out of the building.” I wasn’t sure how I’d get that done, but with Mary’s help, maybe I could set up a girls’ day in the city for the two of them. Whatever was going to happen between Harrold and my aunt, she needed to get back to living her life. And that meant spending time with her best friend.
“I appreciate your help.” He looked down at his empty plate in surprise. “I didn’t really feel hungry when I came, but I guess I haven’t eaten since last night.”
“The power of food. It can help to heal.” I stood and held out the coffeepot. “Do you want more coffee? Maybe another slice of cake?”
He drained his cup and stood, putting his dishes in the sink. “I’ve taken enough of your time. I’m so glad you’re letting me do this for your aunt.”
“Harrold, if I could figure out why she broke up with you and fix it, I would.” Now I felt the tears behind my eyes.
He reached out and gave me a hug. Rubbing the top of my head like I was a child. “I know you would. I would do anything to make things right. I just don’t know what I did.”
Chapter 3
I hadn’t slept well. After Harrold left, I’d cleaned not only the bathroom but the entire downstairs. And then I gave Emma a bath, which meant I needed to clean the laundry/mudroom, where I’d set up a large counter and sink for the grooming process. If I sold the house, the new owners would think I really loved to do laundry. But the room worked great as a place to get Emma clean and smelling good.
Even with all the activity, my mind wouldn’t shut down. Or it might have been the fact that I’d finished the pot of coffee that Harrold and I had shared. It felt wrong pouring coffee down the drain. So I drank the last cup at about eight last night, when I turned on the television and snuggled with Emma on the couch.
Greg had been busy at work, so, for the last few days, he’d left early and come home late. We were supposed to have a date night on Friday. I was looking forward to the evening, and not only for the food at the restaurant where we had reservations.
I just had to get through two more days and it would be date night. I needed some me time. Especially after I talked to Aunt Jackie’s doctor later today.
I’d called Deek and asked him to come in an hour early so I could get into Bakerstown on time. Instead of walking into town, I drove my Jeep. Walking would have helped me wake up. At least a little better than the caffeine from yet another pot of coffee I’d made that morning. If work was slow, I was going to be jumpy by the time I left. It was inventory week, so at least I could go through the books while I was waiting for the time to pass. Books always seemed to relax me, even if I was just going through the stack to see what I needed to order.
Deek showed up a little before eleven, and I grabbed my tote and headed out to the back parking lot, where I’d left my Jeep. Emma had looked sad when I left, but I’d promised her a run as soon as I got back from Bakerstown. I figured after I found out what Aunt Jackie’s doctor had to say, I would need the distraction anyway.
The drive up the Pacific Coast Highway typically relaxed me, but today, I didn’t find enjoyment in the scenery or the fresh ocean breeze that filled my vehicle. I got to the office fifteen minutes early and sat skimming all the magazines that were scattered through the almost-empty waiting room. Once I’d finished that, I checked the shopping list I kept on my phone. I might as well stop at the store while I was in town. I added a few items, and when I was finished, a nurse stood in front of me.
“Miss Gardner? Dr. Stevens will see you now.” She led me back past the exam rooms and an alcove where a chair sat next to a scale and a blood pressure machine. She knocked on a door before she opened it. “Doctor? This is Jill Gardner. Jackie Ekroth’s niece.”
The room looked like what I imagined a doctor’s office should look like. The top of the desk was clean and sparse, with only a laptop open on top, along with a simple spiral notebook and a pen. The guy must be old school in some ways. It made me like him just a little more, because I liked to plan using paper. Writing it down felt more substantial than keying it into my computer.
“Miss Gardner, I’m so glad you could come in. I know you’re busy, but I wanted to talk to you about your aunt.” He glanced at the chart, then back at me. “Has she appeared distracted lately? Maybe making abrupt decisions that don’t seem like her?”
“Yes. Can you tell me what’s going on?” I leaned closer, trying to read the chart upside down. But the type was too small.
“Actually, I’m not sure. She’s said some things to me that seemed strange, but I can’t get her to submit to testing. She says she’s fine.” He glanced at the chart. “And physically, she’s in great shape. But she has me worried.”
“What did she say? Did she tell you about canceling her engagement?” This wasn’t going the way I’d planned. I thought I’d come in, he’d tell me that Jackie needed medicine or, at worst, surgery. But from the way he was talking, there was nothing physically wrong with my aunt. “Oh, God. She doesn’t have Alzheimer’s, does she?”
“Not as far as I can tell.” He shut the file. “Look, your aunt is in better shape than most forty-year-olds I treat. I can’t see any reason to be alarmed. She’s not showing signs of dementia or loss of cognitive ability. She just asked me something weird.”
I could tell he was winding down, that soon I’d be driving back to South Cove as confused as I was driving here. I needed to know why he was concerned. “What did she ask you?”
He squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. “It’s probably nothing. But if you’d let me know if anything happens that you think is unlike her?”
“No, I want to know. What did she ask you that has you worried about her? If you need to see this again—” I dug in my purse for the copy of the health care power of attorney, but he waved me down when I tried to hand it to him.
“I don’t need to see that. We have a copy of your aunt’s wishes on file.” He tapped his pen on the desk, then leaned back. “She asked me what the signs of a brain tumor would be.”
“A brain tumor?” Now my stomach clenched. “Aunt Jackie has a brain tumor?”
“No, your aunt has none of the signs of a brain tumor, but once I listed them off, she asked one more question.” He paused, waiting for me to calm down a bit. A knock on his door sounded, and a nurse poked her head in.
“Your next patient is ready in room two.” The woman disappeared as quickly as she’d appeared.
He stood and walked around the desk. My time was apparently over.
As I stood, I took two deep breaths and pushed out the fear. “So what was her question?”
He paused at the door, concern filling his face. “She asked if there was any medical reason someone might be hearing voices from the past.”
* * * *
I thought about the question all the way home. And then some more on my run with Emma. Finally, I decided to go and talk directly with Aunt Jackie. She was worried about something an
d I needed to know what it was. This guessing game was driving me crazy. I glanced at the clock and saw I had just enough time to catch her at the apartment before her shift started.
I hurried into town and went through the coffee shop to the back staircase. Deek watched me rush through the room, but he was talking with a customer, so I got by with only a “Hey, Boss.”
Now I stood at the door to my aunt’s apartment. I had a key for emergencies, but I didn’t use it. I knocked on the door.
“Just a minute,” my aunt called out. She sounded fine. Maybe I was worried for nothing. But when she answered the door, I saw the lack of sleep on her face. “Oh, Jill, am I late for my shift?”
“No, you aren’t late for your shift.” I didn’t wait to be let in. Instead, I moved around her and went to sit on her couch.
She closed the door and shook her head. “I’m sure I raised you with more manners than that. But come on in and have a seat, even though you’re already in.”
“We need to talk.”
Her eyes widened and she came over and sat beside me. “Do you need coffee? I have a pot going. Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Leave it to my aunt to think I was the problem. “I don’t need coffee. I need to know what’s going on with you. Mary’s worried. Harrold’s worried. Even Dr. Stevens is worried.”
I saw the iron in her spine tighten, and she was about to tell me it was no one’s business when I held up a hand. “Don’t give me that pat answer. It’s been long enough; you need to talk to someone.”
And as if I’d popped a balloon, I saw the fight go out of her. She reached for her cup, but it was empty. “Do you mind getting me some more? I don’t think I can even start saying this without some fortification.”
“Just coffee?” I picked up the cup and went into her kitchen. The apartment used to be mine, before I moved out to the house that my friend, Miss Emily, had left me. And Aunt Jackie moved in.
I heard the smile in her voice. “Yes, just coffee. I do have a shift in twenty minutes.”
I delivered the coffee, then sat and waited. She’d talk when she was ready.
“I guess I should start at the beginning. About the time Greg’s friend was killed, I started getting strange calls. Hang ups, really. I was annoyed.” She glanced at the cell phone that sat on the coffee table. “They were all from the same number. So, finally, I got tired of them, and when they called again and hung up, I called back.”
“You know there are a lot of spam calls. I thought I put your phone on the no-call list, but I’ll check and register it again. You shouldn’t be getting them.” I relaxed just a little. Had these calls been what had upset her?
“I’m not done with the story, dear.” Now she got up and paced the living room. “So I called back, and a man answered. He called me by name. Said he knew it was wrong for him to reach out after all this time, but he’d heard about my upcoming nuptials with Harrold and he needed to at least try.”
“This is all about an old boyfriend?” Now I did relax and took a sip of my coffee. “You know Harrold is perfect for you. I haven’t seen you this happy since before Uncle Ted passed away. You and Harrold make an amazing couple.”
“I agree. Harrold and I did seem to be a perfect match.” She sighed and picked up her cup again. “But it wasn’t an old boyfriend who was calling.”
“I’m confused. Then why would you call off the engagement? Who was it who called?”
She leaned back in her chair and looked pained. She shook her head. “You’re going to think I’m crazy. Heck, I think I’m crazy.”
“Aunt Jackie, just tell me. We can fix this.”
At that comment, she laughed, but there wasn’t humor in her voice. “This can’t be fixed. Jill, it was your Uncle Ted who called me. He’s alive.”
The first thing I did after I pushed my jaw up from the floor was to call Greg and have him come over. How in the world could she even think the calls were from my long-dead uncle? It wasn’t like he’d just taken off one night. The guy had died. Funeral and everything. I pushed off my worry about my aunt so I could deal with getting this fixed. I’d fall apart later. The second thing was to drop down to the shop and make sure Deek could stay a while longer.
“Sure, Boss Lady. I’m free and clear today.” He nodded to the upstairs, concern showing on his face. “Everything all right with your aunt? She’s been down in the dumps for a while now.”
“She’s fine. But if Greg comes in the front, send him upstairs. We’ll be waiting for him.” I started toward the back room. Deek moved into my path.
“Look, I know it’s not my business, but if there was something wrong, you’d tell me, right?”
I blew out a breath and paused, thinking about what I wanted to say. “Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on, really, but I think she’s all right. Or she will be now. As soon as I can, I’ll tell you what I can.”
He stepped out of my way. “Thank you. I know I’m new to your world, but I think Jackie is the bomb and I’d do anything to help.”
How did someone help when your dead husband started calling you? No wonder Aunt Jackie had been out of sorts and secretive. It sounded crazy. I impulsively gave Deek a quick hug. “You’re a good guy, you know?”
His face turned beet red and he nodded when I let him go. He stammered, “You too.” Then his eyes widened and he took a step away from me, staring at the doorway.
I turned back and followed his gaze. Greg had stepped into the dining room, in full detective uniform, including the gun on his hip. He narrowed his eyes and strolled toward us. “What’s going on?”
Deek stammered, “Nothing.”
I met Greg and took his arm. “You have to talk to Aunt Jackie. You are not going to believe this.”
With one last glare toward Deek, Greg followed me up the stairs to Aunt Jackie’s apartment. I glanced back at him. “Why do you mess with Deek so much?”
“Mostly because it’s fun.” He grinned as he met me on the landing. “He’s going to be avoiding me for months now.”
“You’re mean.” I held open the door. “Aunt Jackie? Greg’s here.”
“I told you not to call him. I know what I’m doing.” She snapped at me, but I could see her heart wasn’t in it. “Besides, I’ve got to go relieve Deek. It’s time for my shift.”
“I’ve already talked to him, and he’s staying while you tell Greg what you told me.” I sat down on the couch and took my aunt’s hand. “Look, we need to find out the truth about this, and Greg can help.”
She shook off my grip and picked up her coffee. As she stood, she pointed Greg to a chair. “Might as well sit and get comfortable. You want a cup?”
“That would be nice.” Greg looked at me and I shrugged. This was Aunt Jackie’s story and, apparently, she needed some space to tell it.
When she came back into the living room, she handed Greg his cup. Then she looked at me. “Go into the kitchen and grab that plate of cookies I set out. A man needs a late-afternoon treat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I didn’t mention that she hadn’t offered me a cookie, but I needed more coffee anyway.
When I returned, Greg set down his cup and focused on Jackie. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
“My niece seems to think you can help with this problem I’m having.” She picked up her cell, opened the contents, and then played a voice mail.
A man’s voice filled the room. “Jackie, I know this is upsetting and I don’t blame you if you hate me. But call me back; I need your help.”
Greg waited for her to set down the phone. “When did this call come in?”
“Yesterday at about five.” She sipped her coffee. “I’ve been avoiding his calls for the last week. I wanted to figure out what I felt about this whole development.”
“Do you know the caller?” Greg had his notebook out now and wa
s scribbling notes.
Aunt Jackie paused long enough that he looked up from what he’d been writing.
Greg repeated the question, but more softly this time. “Jackie, I need to know what’s going on. Do you know the caller?”
She nodded and glanced at me. “I don’t think Jill remembers much about him, but I remember everything. When you’re married for a long time, you know things. Things that other people may not hold as close as I do. I’ve thought about this a lot. And I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s my husband Ted’s voice.”
Greg frowned. “I don’t understand. I thought Ted…”
“Was dead? Yeah, so did I.” She picked up a cookie and took a bite. Then she set it down. “I’ve gone through three dozen of these in the last two weeks. I’m going to gain two dress sizes before this is over.”
Greg reached for the phone, then wrote down the number. “Don’t answer again. In fact, can I take this into the station? I’d like to have someone else listen to the voice mail. Did he leave any more?”
“You believe me? You think its Ted calling?” Aunt Jackie handed Greg the phone. “I don’t have it pass coded.”
“Honestly? I think it’s someone pretending to be Ted.” He tucked the phone in his front shirt pocket. “Now, Jackie, tell me you haven’t sent this guy any money.”
Her eyes flashed heat. “I’m not an idiot. When someone calls and tells me he’s my deceased husband, I don’t send him the codes to all my bank accounts. Besides, I’d already lost a lot of my money to that financial scammer years ago. There’s not much more to share.”
“That’s the Jackie I know.” Greg stood and patted her on the shoulder. “We’ll get to the bottom of who’s calling you, but I would lay money on it that it’s not Ted.”
She glanced at the point on his shirt where she knew the phone rested. “I’m not quite as sure.”
I followed Greg to the door and pulled it shut behind me as we talked in the hallway. “What do you think? Is she being scammed?”
