by Cam Larson
"You stuck with it all, Laila. We can finish up here. You go on home and get packed."
"I'm wide awake. I can't believe how it all came out." I told him how I found out that Jared Freedman was the one at my door the night Jacob was there. "I'm so glad you were there. I hate to think about what might have happened if I'd been alone."
"I hope you don't answer the door before using the peephole to see who is there. You do that, don't you Laila?"
I assured him I did. However, I knew I wasn't always that cautious.
When we closed up, Lily wished me a safe trip home. Jacob told me he would be by around nine a.m. to pick me up for the airport. We agreed to let Thor ride along to see me off.
The next day, I boarded the plane on time and settled in a window seat in front of the wing. I tried to relax and think of home. The flight wasn't too long and my seat neighbor didn't talk too much or snore. Life was good. A wave of relief swept over me and I pictured my parents' huge smiles and hugs when they met me at the airport.
As expected, they were both there, beaming. "Laila, I can't tell you how much we are going to sandwich in on this visit," said my mother. My dad winked at me. Neither of us doubted what she said. "You can help me finish up some last minute stuff."
"As long as we don't start shopping today," I begged. "I just want to enjoy home for the rest of the day."
"You can do that," said my mother. "We just have a few friends coming over this evening for a small Christmas party."
My dad winked again. We both knew what Mother's ‘small parties' amounted to. I was an only child and she took full advantage of putting me out there with pride to all of her friends. When we walked up the sidewalk, familiar decorations greeted me. Wreaths hung in every one of the front windows behind a wrap-around porch. The air was cold, but not like West River. The Tennessee dampness caused me to pull my coat tighter.
"It looks like some snow may get here," said my father. "I guess that's no big deal for you any more, Laila."
"We have plenty of it," I said. "I would be disappointed if it didn't snow here on Christmas, though."
I pictured Daniel here as we chatted about snow in the south. But he wasn't here. I followed my mother to the front door. My dad insisted on carrying my bag.
Once we were inside, I noted my parents couldn't seem to wipe the smiles off their faces. I knew they were glad to see me, but that much? They talked in low, excited tones when I started upstairs to my room. I couldn't wait to sink into the deep comfort of my own bed. I realized that luxury would have to wait. I still had a party to go to.
We sat down later for a light supper. "How's that boyfriend of yours, Laila?" asked my dad.
"He went to Pennsylvania to spend time with his family. I think he plans to return to West River the day after Christmas."
"What's the name of the town he lives in?"
"It is Kingston. I think it is close to Scranton."
"Is he close to his family?" asked my mother.
"He told me his family celebrates for at least two weeks right on into Christmas day." Smiles and exchanged glances made me wonder what was wrong with them. I mean I knew they were happy to see me. But they hadn't settled down since I walked off the plane and into their arms. They glowed even more at the mention of Daniel. It was time to change the subject.
"How many are coming tonight?" I asked. "I hope they aren't all strangers to me."
"You know most of them. Neighbors for the most part and they want to welcome you home too."
Since when? In times past, I saw them when out, or in the shopping areas. That worked well. The exception was my mother's best friend, Connie. She was like an aunt to me and all three of us hung out when I came home.
After we ate, I went upstairs and unpacked a few things. I pulled a favorite dress out and hung it up. I brought it because I liked it a lot, but also it was virtually wrinkle-free. Stretching out on my bed, I didn't realize I fell asleep until my mother knocked on my door and woke me up.
"It's time to get up and get ready," she said. "I hope you are rested enough. I promise you that you can sleep as long as you want tomorrow."
"I'm looking forward to a celebration. I've been so busy at work I haven't had time to celebrate the holidays." We talked a while and I knew this party meant everything to my mother. Holidays, especially Christmas, held her spellbound with an excitement not unlike a child's anticipation of one surprise after another.
We dressed up and came downstairs. Mabel, the next door neighbor who helped my mother on occasions, invited us in to approve what she had done. Cold morsels were covered in plastic wrap and rested on ice. Enticing smells came from the kitchen. "I'll finish just before the first guest arrives," she promised. The table was beautiful. We both approved.
"Where's Dad?" I asked. "He's usually down here waiting for us."
Mabel and my mother exchanged knowing glances.
"What's wrong with everyone? Something's in the air, I know it."
"It's Christmas, Laila. It's a time for secrets so just let it rest at that," said my mother.
I had to be satisfied with that answer, happy with it or not. I reached for a sample from the table when I heard Dad coming in the back door. He was talking with someone. It took only an instant to recognize the voice who answered with the familiar laugh. Daniel? I looked out the window expecting to see his car. The driveway was empty except for Dad's SUV. Stomping of feet, and then Dad and Daniel walked into the kitchen.
"Merry Christmas, Laila," said Daniel. Response from me was frozen until he leaned in and kissed me. That was enough to melt me.
"Did you drive all the way down here from Pennsylvania? What about spending Christmas with your family?"
"Questions, questions," said my Dad. "I picked him up from the airport."
"You flew down here on a plane?"
"How else would he fly?" asked my Dad. Always the joker, I thought.
Daniel grinned from ear to ear. "I was getting tired of phone calls, hopped on a plane and here I am." I looked at everyone. I was the only one without a broad smile on my face. I was still in shock. "I can't say it was a pleasant flight," said Daniel.
My eyes questioned him. "I didn't look out the window at the clouds because for most of the trip, my eyes were closed tight. There are probably permanent knuckle prints on the arms of my seat." He chuckled. His eyes glistened like the lights on the Christmas tree. "I've been celebrating for the last ten days with my family. They were happy I decided to come down here to see you. Of course, I wanted to meet your parents, too."
"We arranged it all when Daniel called and told us what he wanted to do," said my mother.
"We couldn't wait to meet him. You have quite a man here, Laila. His fear of flying is more than we knew until I picked him up," said my dad.
"You'll have to put up with me on the flight back to West River, Laila. That is, if you are willing to sit next to a mummy-like figure," said Daniel.
"I won't mind at all. You will be fine," I said. "What about your car still in Pennsylvania?”
"My brother is driving my car back to New York. He has no qualms about flying back home again once he delivers my car." He grinned at me. "We're different that way."
Daniel's bravery touched me. I couldn't wait to talk with him alone. But the party would be in full swing in just a few minutes. He followed me up the stairs to the guest room. He kissed me again just before coming back down to greet more than just a few guests. Connie almost gushed when she met Daniel. No holding back with Connie. "He is so handsome, Laila."
Daniel took it all in stride as usual. The party was getting into full swing. I had a good time, but couldn't wait to spend a few minutes alone with Daniel. Once the party ended, we cleaned up remnants of the celebration and Daniel sank into the couch next to me. We had a lot to talk about. Neither was ready for sleep. We told my parents good-night. Their smiles were plastered for the rest of the night, at least.
I reheated more cider. Daniel stoked the fire ag
ain with a new log. I took his hand and pulled him from the couch. We looked through the large window, beyond the hanging wreath and watched snowflakes filter down from the sky.
"Look at that, Daniel. It looks like Pigeon Forge will have a white Christmas after all. That's my proof to you it really does snow down here."
"Yes, it does. Now I believe you when you say it snows in the south."
Chapter Thirty One
The day after Christmas, Daniel appeared more relaxed about getting on a plane. Once we settled in he was ready to talk more. He couldn’t get his mind of the case of Frank’s murder.
"Laila, I have a lot to tell you about Jared Freedman and Frank Duvall," said Daniel. "Frank was an all-around bad guy. He was expert at blackmailing. I think he found how easy it was with Cassie and started making it his new career."
"How did you find that out?"
"Donald told me when I called him. I wanted to make sure it was over for you and that you were safe. He told me they had the right man behind bars. I can't tell you how much that reassured me." Daniel's concern was genuine. "Jared was more than a little angry when he found out that Frank heard what he was doing. The friction between them escalated."
We both accepted cokes from the Flight Attendant. Daniel picked up his thoughts again.
"Frank took on the Santa façade to meet rich parents. Can you believe that? When he paid extra attention to a child who was disruptive and crying, he comforted parents, too. It didn't take long for him to cultivate a relationship away from the Santa gig," said Daniel. "He got invited to their homes to dress like Santa for guests. He picked rich ones and learned of affairs outside the marriage and other things he could hold over them." Daniel paused before he continued. "He then started the blackmailing scheme, and his new career."
I told Daniel that would explain where Frank had been in his Santa suit the night he came into the bar. Joe had said he was more than a little tipsy when he came in.
"I felt sorry for Joe. He paid the price for his illegal insider trading," I said. "I do remember the Chief telling me, confidentially, that there weren't too many people sad about Frank being murdered," I said. "He looked long and hard at Steven. I was determined to clear your friend, mainly for your sake. That led me to Jared and the rest is history."
"Yes, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. The Chief told me that Frank had blackmailed quite a list of people. Thankfully Jared rose to the top of the list quickly. Frank was adept at fooling so many people.”
Daniel put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. "The story of you being attacked at the bar still haunts me. When I think of how Jared snuck up behind you and threatened you, I still get that dreaded feeling."
The reminder failed to send chills up my spine this time. "It's all okay now, Daniel. I was shaken up, but not hurt. If I hadn’t gone there that night, the case would still be dragging along. The terrible odor of his cologne was another nail in the case."
"Did you ever find out what fragrance that was?"
"No, I didn't. But I can assure you, it will never be one of my gifts to you." It was good to laugh again with Daniel face to face. "When I went back to Tommy's, I found out that the bartender at Tommy's is Jared's brother-in-law. I'm sure he was cheated in some way by Jared, too."
I told Daniel about the remark Joe made to the bartender when I left the tavern the last time. "There's no doubt people will keep coming out of the woodwork with accusations against Jared," said Daniel. "Prison will be his permanent home."
"That suits me fine," I said. "I'm glad I won't have to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I'm sorry I suspected your friend. For a long time, I was so sure he killed Frank."
"It's all right, Laila. He can be hard to take sometimes. You have to agree, he knows how to serve good food, don't you?"
"I do agree with that."
We had talked so long that both of us were surprised when the plane landed at LaGuardia. I was glad the trip was relaxing for Daniel. Jacob and Thor met us and once we arrived home I told Daniel we should have a private Christmas dinner the next evening.
“More food?” he said.
“Yes, more food and your Christmas present. Or had you forgotten that?” His eyes lit up like a child on Christmas.
“I did forget, but only for a moment. I can’t begin to think what you have for me.”
The next afternoon, I stopped at the shelter. I called ahead to let them know I was picking up Benji Junior. He was ready in the crate I had left for him. Around his neck was a wide red ribbon with a gift tag hanging off it. It read “To Daniel. Love Benji Junior.”
When I presented him to Daniel, I thought I saw tears threatening to flow down his face. He opened the crate and took the dog out. He nestled him close and I noticed a light mist of happiness in Daniel’s eyes. He wrapped his free arm around me and kissed me.
No whirring expresso machine, no dead bodies and no crime at all could permeate the peace we shared at that moment.
The adventure continues...
Cam Larson's Other Books:
Roasted Love Cozy Mystery Series!
A Cup of Murder
Coconut Chronicles – Almost Tropical Mystery
Coconut Chronicles: Burglar
Coming soon...
Coconut Chronicles: Ransom
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