Mixed Signals

by Jane Tesh

  Dad’s buried in the churchyard of First Lutheran in Elbert Falls, Minnesota, where he’d gone to church all his life. I didn’t really want to hear about that, either. “Okay, well, I’m glad you’re comforted.”

  She wasn’t about to give up. “Have you thought about grief counseling? Doesn’t your church have a group?”

  “Even if they did, I wouldn’t unburden my soul to a bunch of strangers.”

  “Then talk to me, Davey. That’s one reason I wanted to spend this Christmas with you.”

  I was afraid of something like that. “I appreciate the effort.”

  “It’s no effort. Lindsey was your only child and my only grandchild. We need to talk about her, even if it’s just a little something.”

  Emotion throbbed in my throat. “No.”

  “Maybe share a few happy memories? Don’t you talk about her to anyone?”

  “No.”

  “Not even Cam? I find it very helpful to have one good friend to confide in.”

  Like Grady? I almost said. “Camden knows how I feel. We don’t have to talk about it.”

  “Honestly, you men! It’s all well and good to be big and tough, but sometimes you have to let go, or you’ll explode.”

  “I’m not going to explode.” Even though I really felt like exploding. “But I’m going to get angry if you don’t change the subject.”

  “All right. But you haven’t heard the last of this.”

  “How was your trip to Charlotte? Did you get cursed?”

  “Oh, the exhibits were fabulous! Ellin got some wonderful footage for her show. Let me show you what I bought.”

  This was the perfect distraction. “Can you go anywhere and not buy something?”

  “I wish I could’ve found one of those musical pocket watches for you. Where did Cam go? I don’t want him to see his present.”

  “He’ll know, anyway.”

  “Will he really?”

  “It’s kind of difficult to surprise him.”

  She rummaged in one of the many plastic bags stacked on the sofa. “Ellin said he needed some decent shirts, so we each got him one.”

  “He definitely won’t be surprised about that. Where’s Kary?”

  “She said something about going out with some friends.”

  I almost said, “Friends in Spandex?” and realized this would’ve sounded peculiar. “Did she say when she’d be back?”

  “No, and speaking of shirts, what have you done to yours? Have you and Cam been playing in the mud?”

  I didn’t want her to know I’d been down in another tunnel. “I helped move some boxes in Petey’s basement.”

  “Well, you’re a mess. What else have you done today?”

  “Visited Brooke in the hospital. Somebody took a shot at her.”

  “Good Lord! Does this have to do with the murder case?”

  “Camden says it’s the same man.”

  “Is she going to be all right? Can she have visitors?”

  “Yes to both questions, but she’s had all the company she can have for today. I’ll take you by tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you think it’s time to leave this to the police?”

  “They’re on the case, too, Mom. Don’t worry.”

  “It’s my job to worry.” She paused her search in the plastic bags. “Have you thought about what I said?”

  “About what?”

  “About talking to someone.”

  Good grief, was she still on this? “I’m thinking about it.”

  “Good. You’ll feel better. I know you will.”

  I would only feel better if I had my daughter back. But since that wasn’t going to happen, I’d get along the best way I could, and that included agreeing with my mother.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  And then I had to run over to Lily’s.

  She met me on her porch. “Oh, David, Kary’s had the most wonderful idea! The SHS is going on patrol.”

  Keltar the Incredibly Gifted and Destiny’s Arrow came out, followed by a young woman in a tight-fitting gray leotard and tights with gleaming stars across her collarbone and surrounding the eye holes of her mask.

  Keltar beamed. “Randall! Meet the newest member of our group: Wonder Star!”

  The young woman smiled and put her hands on her hips. “The brightest crime fighter in the heavens!”

  It was Kary.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “The People That Walked in Darkness”

  I didn’t know where to begin. She turned around. “What do you think? Virtue Vixen’s left the group, so they had an opening.”

  She looked amazing, but I could hardly focus. “Where did you get that outfit?”

  “It’s one of the Vixen’s old costumes. She was originally going to be Wonder Star.”

  Calm, calm. Keep calm. “Okay. And now what?”

  “We’re going on patrol, of course. If the Avenger’s a rogue superhero, then who better to track him down than real superheroes, or at least, people who take this seriously.”

  “I didn’t know you were even interested in superheroes.”

  “Maybe it’s time I tried something new.”

  “Could I talk to you for just a second?” I wanted to grab her and carry her home, but I settled for a gentle tug on her arm. We went out into Lily’s front yard. “Brooke’s been shot.”

  “Shot? My God, is she going to be okay? Did she see who did it?”

  “She said for me to put my money on Baseford, but we all know he wouldn’t do anything so crass.”

  “But someone attacked her in broad daylight. Doesn’t that mean the killer is getting desperate?”

  “And careless.”

  “But why go after Brooke? Did she know Jared?”

  “I don’t know what the connection is. But Camden felt it, so it’s the same person.”

  “Well, we’re not giving up, are we? All the more reason for the SHS to get out there. We might learn something useful.”

  While it was thrilling to hear her say “we,” as if we were a crime-solving couple, there was still this little matter of Wonder Star and her faithful companions. “I don’t think Jordan will appreciate people dressed in costumes and masks roaming the city.”

  “That’s why we’ll make sure he doesn’t see us.”

  “And I might have mentioned that Brooke was shot, as you said, in broad daylight.”

  “That’s why we’re going to patrol at night. What time is it?”

  Her sudden question threw me. “What? Uh, almost five.”

  She called to Lily and the others standing on the porch. “It’s my turn to make supper tonight. I’ll meet you around seven. How’s that?”

  Keltar gave her an elaborate salute. “See you then.”

  As we walked back to our house, Kary peeled off her mask and shook back her hair. “You know your mother is concerned about you.”

  “Concerned about me? You’re the one planning to—wait a minute. Did she put you up to this?”

  “Of course not.”

  “First the leopard blouse and then a starry leotard? I sense a pattern here.”

  “All right, maybe she is responsible. She encouraged me to break out of my rut. You know all I’ve done for months is play the piano and go to school.”

  “But a superhero? That’s way out of a rut. That’s beyond any rut I’ve ever heard of.”

  “David, for goodness sake, lighten up. She told me how mopey you get around Christmas. She wants you to break out, too. I don’t suppose you could talk to her about Lindsey?”

  I had no doubts that Mom had put her up to this, as well. I allowed myself to sink into that beautiful warm sympathetic gaze for about two seconds. Then I pulled back. “No.
”

  Kary gave me a long measuring stare, as if deciding whether or not to push any further. “All right. Is there anything else I should know about the case?”

  I was grateful for the change of subject. “The kids that work at Royalle’s found the entrance to another tunnel in the basement of the store. I don’t think the police know about this one. Camden and I checked it out. We think the thief may be using it as a hideout. And we think Alycia is the thief.”

  “What can the SHS do to help?”

  Stay away! I wanted to say. “If you happen to be near Royalle’s, you might see her. Then you could call me.”

  “Sounds good. Now, if I want to be ready for my nightly patrol, I’d better get started on supper.”

  ***

  I knew I couldn’t possibly talk to Mom about Lindsey. During supper, I managed to distract myself with Kary’s tuna casserole. It’s one of the few things she can make, and it’s the perfect antidote for grief. I was so busy hunting for the edible bits I could ignore all the significant and sympathetic looks from her and from Mom. Camden did his part by asking many questions about the Egyptian exhibit, and Fred, grumbling at his end of the table was good for a few digressions, but after a while, the conversation came back to Brooke and my increasingly dangerous case. I didn’t mention that Camden and I planned to go back to the tunnels tonight to confront a possible killer.

  “You said the police were also on this case, Davey. Do they know everything you know?”

  “Yes, of course.” Everything they needed to know right now, that is. “Jordan and I share information all the time.” Ha, ha.

  Mom did not look convinced. “I think you should leave matters to them. What kind of Christmas would it be if you or Cam get shot? I’d be very annoyed.”

  “So would I,” Kary said. She had changed out of her costume before she started supper and looked thankfully normal in a tee shirt and jeans.

  “Camden, do you see either of us being shot?”

  “Nope.”

  “Don’t let them fool you, Sophia.” Kary scraped up the last forkful of her casserole. “Cam rarely sees his own future.”

  “Well, then, all the more reason to leave this whole thing alone.”

  “Mom, I promise I’ll call Jordan tomorrow.”

  “And?”

  “And see what he has to say.”

  This was not good enough. “And tell him you’re off the case.”

  “I can’t do that. I have a client. Boyd Taylor’s counting on me to prove he’s innocent.”

  There was a dismissive “Huh!” from Fred.

  “Fred, contrary to your warped view of the universe, I have solved some crimes.”

  “David.” Mom put her hand on my arm. “When you decided you’d be a detective, I’ll admit I was worried, but nearly all your cases have been finding missing people, or lost objects, or making sure these useless fathers pay child support. We’re talking about murder here.”

  I’d kind of glossed over the details of my last case, which had involved murder, too. “I think we have a more serious problem here.”

  “What?”

  “Has Kary told you about her latest venture?”

  Kary gave me a defiant look. “Wonder Star, brightest crime fighter in the heavens, thank you very much.”

  Camden almost choked on his tea.

  Mom turned to Kary in admiration. “Oh, that sounds exciting! Do you have a snazzy costume?”

  “It’s beautiful, all shiny gray with gold and silver stars.”

  “Is there a cape?”

  “No, but I believe I have a Wand of Power. I’ll show you before I go out.”

  Camden managed to catch his breath. “Go out?”

  “I’m meeting the SHS at seven. We’re going to patrol the city and find the Avenger.”

  He gave me a wide-eyed stare. “This is new.”

  Kary reached for the crackers. “Yes, isn’t it? And who knows? The Avenger may have seen something that will lead us to Jared’s killer. I’ll bet the police haven’t thought of that.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Mom said. “But be careful.”

  “Oh, I will. Someone would have to be crazy to attack a whole league of superheroes.”

  Camden’s voice was calmer than I expected. “Kary, you realize these people are not real superheroes. They don’t have any special powers.”

  “They believe they can do something. That can be powerful. And besides, it looks like fun. It’s better than sitting in the library, wouldn’t you say so, David?”

  What could I say? Kary looked fierce and Mom looked pleased. The only sane reply was, “I’m not going to argue with Wonder Star.”

  ***

  Royalle’s was closed for the night. I parked the Fury where we had a good view of the store. While we waited to see if anyone would show up, I tried not to think of Kary, Keltar, and the others, leaping from the tops of Parkland’s buildings and falling in multicolored heaps to the sidewalks.

  “She’ll be okay,” Camden said. “She’s with a group of people who aren’t known for their athletic prowess.”

  “‘Prowess.’ Damn. Where’d you come up with that one?”

  “I read it in a comic book.”

  “You know this is all my mother’s fault.”

  “She’ll be okay, I promise.”

  I scanned the parking lot for any movement. “If this is Alycia’s hideout, she might already be in the tunnel.”

  “I still can’t believe Alycia’s the thief,” Camden said.

  “Well, she’s not a very good one. She didn’t take much. Maybe it’s the thrill. Maybe the museum break in whetted her appetite.”

  “‘Whetted.’”

  “I’m telling you, you’re falling far behind in vocabulary challenge.”

  Camden turned his head as if someone had called his name. “She’s here.”

  I squinted at the side of Royalle’s. A familiar tall shadow detached itself from the wall and crouched over the outside entrance to the tunnel.

  Having experienced her strength, I knew I didn’t want to confront her in the narrow confines of the tunnel. “Come on.”

  We had crossed the parking lot and were almost to her when she stood up, startled.

  “Alycia, wait,” Camden said. “We just want to talk to you.”

  She leaned forward slightly, as if to get a better look. “Cam?”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I can’t talk to you out here.”

  “Come back to the house with us, then. You don’t have to hide in that tunnel.”

  “Yes, I do,” she said. “You have no idea.”

  “Then tell me. I want to help you.”

  She took a long pause.

  Camden reached out and took her hand, but she jerked her hand away. “Damn it, Cam. Don’t do that.”

  Too late. He’d already seen what he needed to see. “You’ve been in Royalle’s. And Carlene’s record store, and Trilby’s Antiques.”

  “So maybe I was looking for something.”

  “You were taking something.”

  “You can’t prove that.”

  “Then tell me why you’re hiding out here. You were attacked in the park. Is that why you’re so frightened?”

  Her mouth fell open. While she searched for an answer, I said, “My car’s up the street.”

  She agreed to come with us to the car. Camden got in the back seat with her. I noticed she was trembling. “All right, look, everything fell apart. When I was researching some history, I read about this tunnel system. I told Jared and Bert about it, and we thought it would be fun to explore. Bert said there was a map like that in the museum and he knew how to get it.”

  “Bert Galvin, right? Ral
ph’s son?”

  “Yeah, Ralph had something to do with the museum, which is how Bert knew how to get in. We thought all the alarms were off, but Jared got caught. The police didn’t see me.”

  “So you and Bert got away with the map.”

  “This was all Bert’s idea. Then he ended up in some mental hospital.”

  “Did you take the map?”

  “Yes. I told Bert I’d give it to Jared. Then when Jared and I hooked up again, I told him we oughta try using the map, but he didn’t want to.”

  “That’s why you called him a coward.”

  “Yeah, I might have given him a hard time.”

  “Where’s the map now?”

  “I stuck it in Jared’s comics. I figured he might change his mind.”

  “Did you show the map to Tor at Comic World?”

  “No.”

  I already knew that Tor found the map and decided to use it for himself, the little weasel. “But you’d had plenty of time to study the map. You remembered how conveniently the tunnels connected to all the stores. You didn’t mind using it to help yourself.”

  She ran her hand through her short curls. “All right, so maybe I did take a few things. Just enough to get by. See, Jared and Bert and I kinda liked seeing what we could get away with.” She appealed to Camden. “It was only a few things. I’m going to pay it all back, Cam, I swear.”

  This time when he took her hand, she didn’t pull away. “I still don’t understand why you thought you had to steal in the first place.”

  “Because I’m broke! The basketball scholarship money only lasted a few years, and then I—” She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I didn’t have anything to fall back on. I wasn’t the world’s best student, you know. I only took a few things. I didn’t hurt anyone. And I have to admit I got a kick out of it. So did Jared, until he got caught.”

  “I know why he didn’t say anything about you, but why did he protect Bert?”

  I’d been wondering the same thing.

  “Look, somehow, Jared got off easy. When we got back together, he said Ralph Galvin decided to be lenient, and I wouldn’t have to ever worry about money again.”

  “Did he have some grand money making scheme? He worked at a garage. He wasn’t making that much, was he? How did he pay for all your jewelry?”