Savannah cleared her suddenly scratchy throat. “Here, let me give you his home number.” She reached out for the notepad and Officer Williams hesitated for a moment, then handed it over along with the pen. Savannah wrote down the number and returned them.
I am certainly not myself. I didn’t even peek at her notes when I got the chance.
“I’ll need a list of your students. If they were still in the area, they may have noticed something.”
“Absolutely. I’ll e-mail their contact details to you the first chance I get.” Savannah glanced over at the clock on the wall. “There are only six students.”
Officer Williams smiled her thanks. “Was that her wife in the waiting room?”
“Yes, her name is Elizabeth Hartford. She’s waiting up there with Nicole’s brother, Phillip.”
“I need to talk to both of them. Let’s get back. Thanks for bringing me up to speed.”
As soon as they returned, Officer Williams indicated to Savannah and Edward that they should go to the other side of the waiting room. Then she stopped in front of Elizabeth. “Ma’am, are you Elizabeth Hartford?”
Elizabeth sniffed noisily and lifted her eyes. “Yes, I’m Nicole’s wife.”
Phillip piped up. “I’m Nicole’s brother, Phillip Borawski. Have you caught the hit-and-run driver?”
Officer Williams continued to stand in front of Elizabeth. “Not just yet, but if you don’t mind, I would like to ask some questions about Nicole.”
They both nodded.
“Have you noticed anything unusual in Nicole’s behavior with you or any of her friends?”
Elizabeth inhaled a trembling breath, looked over to her brother-in-law, then turned back to Officer Williams. “Nicole was truly kind to people in need. She didn’t just complain about social issues. She actually did something about them where it counts—at home, going about her daily life.”
“That’s absolutely correct,” Edward confirmed, nodding his head. “She frequently helped members of staff with small loans and she kept an eye out for the homeless vets who frequented the dumpster in the alley behind the pub. She donated our leftovers to a food locker. Nicole also made sure they knew about the free kitchens, the free health clinic, and all the support services.”
Elizabeth added. “She was especially interested in helping young people who were addicted to opioids. She frequently used her own money to check them into detox programs. Now that I think about it, Nicole was—”
The plain door beside the wall telephone opened and Dr. Smith walked over to the group. Savannah searched his face and found turned-down lips, a wrinkled brow, and his shoulders were slightly slumped. The lump in her stomach grew to the size of a boulder.
Elizabeth stood first and everyone followed.
“Elizabeth, I’m so sorry. I regret to tell you that your wife didn’t make it through surgery. Nicole is dead.”
Savannah gasped and felt her muscles stiffen and a sudden chill race through her body. Nicole! Nicole is dead? She turned to Edward. He ducked his head into his chest and reached out to her. They held each other in shock.
An agonized groan started deep in Elizabeth’s throat and rose into a keening cry. She turned and buried her face in Phillip’s shoulder. “Oh, Nicole. I knew you were courting trouble. This is what it cost—a terrible cost.”
Chapter 6
Late Monday evening,
Savannah’s home
Savannah pulled into the drive just as Edward arrived on his vintage Indian motorcycle. She had stayed a little longer at the hospital while Edward had returned to close the pub.
Rooney met them at the door, sitting tall and regal like the royal prince he thought he was. He sensed something serious. He didn’t writhe with anticipation of their greeting hugs and scratches. He didn’t clamor to be taken for his evening run. Rooney seemed to understand that Savannah and Edward were upset.
Instead, when she collapsed on the couch, he curled up into Savannah’s lap as if he were still a tiny puppy. He was large for a Weimaraner, and he took up most of the three-seater sofa so that Savannah was left crunched up at the far end. She shrugged her shoulders at Edward, who had settled into the adjacent leather club chair.
She was conscious of the comfort she felt at having him live here. Instead of feeling dependent, she felt empowered by his unstinting support. It hadn’t been an easy decision. It was still less than a year after her father’s untimely death—the event that had led to so many changes. Owning Webb’s, consulting for the police, meeting Edward. It had been an upheaval, but one that was settling into something wonderful. She squeezed Rooney. Thinking of Nicole, Savannah knew that everything she had gained in the past year could be stripped away in a matter of seconds.
Keeping himself busy, Edward got up and rustled up some pan-fried salmon with balsamic-glazed broccolini over a pile of fragrant basmati rice. As the smells of dinner started wafting through the house, Savannah roused herself and fed the pets, set the table, and pre-loaded the dishwasher. It was a comforting domestic routine, but far too quiet. Nicole’s death hovered over the couple, stifling their usual chatter.
The unnatural silence stretched long into the meal. Savannah became acutely aware that the only sounds were the clicks of knives and forks on plates. I’ve never seen him this upset. How will he handle Nicole’s death?
She cleared her throat and took a large gulp of wine. “Have you told the staff about Nicole?”
Edward swallowed and inhaled a deep breath. “Yes, that was hard. I went back to the pub to tell everyone we were closing for rest of the evening. I never know what to do when people start to cry.” He put his knife and fork down to clench his fists then rest them flat on the table. “Everyone is stunned. She was genuinely loved.” He picked up his knife and fork again. “It’s going to be bloody difficult to replace her. In fact, I’ll have to hire at least two new staffers.”
“Interviewing is going to be tricky with the Best Burger in the Burg contest going on.”
“I know this is petty, but the timing couldn’t be worse. This is my biggest promotion campaign of the entire year. I won last year with an Angus black-and-blue burger. This year is a little more traditional.”
“But you closed the pub tonight because, well, it was the right thing to do. Is it possible that you’re already out of the competition?”
“No, most of the voting will happen this weekend. I feel awful complaining.”
“You should feel bad. It may be tough for you, but Nicole’s family is going through pure agony.”
“Right. I’ll stop.”
Savannah nodded and felt guilty for enjoying the pleasure of Edward’s perfectly prepared salmon. “I’ll help wherever I can.”
“The main thing is to just carry on.” He looked down into his plate and paused for a long time. “Oh, Mum called today,” he said in a strained tone.
Savannah sighed heavily, put her fork down, and placed her folded hands in her lap. “Are we going to discuss this again? Now?”
Edward again put his knife and fork down on each side of his plate. “You’ve got to understand that long-distance flights are expensive during the holiday season. She needs to know where the wedding will be and the exact date. Mum and Da are not rich.”
“I know that, but it seems a bad time to be discussing this. How can you even think about it right now?”
Edward stood and came around the table. He kissed the back of Savannah’s neck. “Luv, right now seems like the best time in the world to me. We’ve had a shocking reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Every day is a gift.”
“Mmm, delicious.” Savannah tipped her head back to look into his sad, intense eyes. “I’ve been looking at this wrong. You have a way of grounding me.”
Edward returned to his seat and continued to eat in silence.
Savannah picked up her fork and it hovered over the delicious fish. “Okay, I promise to think about the details. There are a lot of decisions to make. Where to have the wedding, when to have the
wedding, who do we invite. I need a dress. It’s overwhelming right now.”
“There will never be a convenient time for either of us. Can you at least let me give her a broad idea of when?”
Savannah took another bite of her fish. She looked over at Edward.
Why on earth is this so difficult? I love him to pieces. He’s a wonderful person—supports me as a businesswoman—accepts and even helps me with my obsession about crime.
“I’ll think about it. Let’s get our staffing issues resolved first.”
Edward gave her an exasperated look.
“It’s not a delaying tactic. We both must get that resolved very quickly. I’ve got a new class I’m in the middle of teaching. I can’t cancel that without financial repercussions. I’ve got one student who I think could be a promising instructor.”
Edward continued to look exasperated.
“Well, you’ve got a bigger staffing problem. Nicole will be next to impossible to replace. Training a new manager could take a while.”
Edward’s face softened into a gentle smile.
“Let’s see where we are by the end of the week. I’ll look ahead at my teaching schedule and give you a date. I promise.” Savannah sealed that promise with a kiss.
After the kitchen cleanup, they retreated to the living room with red wine. As soon as Edward plopped down in his oversized chair and pulled the handle to recline, Snowy jumped onto his chest, used her fluffy paws to knead dough, then curled into a white ball. Rooney claimed his spot on the couch with his head in Savannah’s lap. After a few minutes, Snowy, Edward, and Rooney fell into a sound asleep.
Something bothers me about Nicole’s hit-and-run. Elizabeth’s reaction at the hospital is really causing me heartburn. Ugh! I shouldn’t be thinking about this now.
Still trapped by Rooney’s huge head, Savannah whispered, “Edward.” No response. She whispered harder, “Edward.”
His eyes fluttered and opened wide. He took a deep breath. “Um, what?”
“How are you feeling? Do you want to talk?”
“It might be the old stiff-upper-lip part of me to try to protect you at my expense.” He automatically began giving Snowy tummy scratches. “But I’m stunned. It’s not real in my head that it all happened. I didn’t see it happen, but I was there when the doctor told us she died. I just can’t wrap my head around it yet.”
“She was part of our everyday lives. A huge part of your pub family.”
Edward slumped into a solemn gaze. Snowy’s big kitten paws grabbing his hand startled him out of a trance. A tiny smile crooked his face. He turned to Savannah, “Bang on. I didn’t appreciate that.” He had stopped stroking Snowy. She stretched her paws out and wrapped them around Edward’s wrist.
Savannah tilted her head back and looked up at the ceiling. “I feel drained but outraged.”
Edward squinted his confusion.
“I felt somewhat like a circus ringmaster from the moment I heard Jacob scream until we got the awful news. I was juggling my focus between keeping Elizabeth calm, listening to her brother’s concerned questions, and worrying about Jacob. Now I feel like the plug has been pulled and all my feelings have drained away.”
“That’s just how I feel as well. Hours of anxious waiting culminating in horrible news.”
They both stared at the floor in companionable silence.
“Have you talked to Jacob’s mum, yet?” asked Edward, gently stroking a steadily purring Snowy.
“No, but I should before it gets too late.” She reached into her back pocket for her phone, without disturbing Rooney. She dialed, and Frances picked up after a few rings.
“Hi, Frances. I thought you should know that Nicole died on the operating table.”
Silence.
“Frances, are you there?”
“Oh, no. I mean, yes, I’m here. It’s only that she was so young.”
“I’m concerned about Jacob’s reaction.”
“This will be an additional stressor for his condition. He really liked Nicole. She had a knack for looking out for Jacob and Suzy when they went to Queen’s Head Pub. She watched over him without smothering. I didn’t have to worry about them when they were there.”
“How is Jacob?” Savannah asked. “Is he all right?”
“His reaction is a bit unusual, but maybe I should have expected this. He won’t speak to me at all. In fact, he won’t speak to anyone. It’s like he has regressed back to his toddler days. He was very late to talk—almost six years old. But then when he started talking, it was at the comprehension level of a ten-year-old. Big words—complete sentences—adult level language. It was quite a leap. I’m sorry. I know I’m rambling, but I’m deeply worried and I automatically try to formulate a closing argument.”
“I can’t even imagine. We’re all so concerned.”
“I also have heard from Officer Williams. She feels that since Jacob is her only known eyewitness that somehow she’s going to have to find a way to get him to give a statement.”
Savannah heard her voice rise. “But that could make this worse.”
“You know I won’t let anything jeopardize his recovery. Right now, he needs to know everything is safe.”
“No problem. Tell him that there’s no need for him to come in to work. None of his currents projects are urgent. He needs to know that. He takes his work seriously, of course, but all of his projects can be shelved right now.”
“Thanks for that. I know it’s a lie and it’s sweet of you to try to spare him. He feels a powerful responsibility for his work. Anyway, I’m taking him back to his therapist for an emergency appointment in the morning. I want a thorough assessment. We’ll see what she makes of this.”
“Let me know what she thinks if you can. I hope this is just a temporary reaction to the shock of witnessing a violent accident.”
Savannah asked Frances to keep in touch before they hung up, then recounted the news to Edward.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Only the experts can tell.”
Savannah scanned the room for the TV remote. “Let’s see if this made the news.” It was the usual search behind cushions, in crevasses, and under blankets until Edward picked it up from the floor beside his chair.
The local news, Channel 9, was covering their Weather on the Nines segment. The anchorwoman, Holly Gregory, returned, and the background was a view of the street in front of Webb’s Glass Shop. Savannah and Edward watched the TV news broadcast in silence.
“There was a hit-and-run accident in the twenty-five hundred block of Central Avenue at around five o’clock. The victim has been identified as Nicole Borawski, bartender and manager of Queen’s Head Pub. She died in the operating room at Bayside Hospital earlier this evening. The police are asking for the public to provide information regarding a white vehicle seen speeding from the scene.
To submit an anonymous tip via text message to the St. Petersburg Police Department, text SPPD and your tip to 847411 (tip411) or call the tip line at 727-411-TIPS to report anything about the accident.
To submit an anonymous tip using the tip-411 web form, click the button on the SPPD website.”
“Have you heard anything back from Officer Williams?” asked Edward as the segment ended.
Savannah scanned her phone. “Nothing. Oh, wait. I missed her call. I must still have my phone on silent.”
“From while we were in the surgery waiting room, I think.”
“She left me a voice mail.” The time stamp indicated that it had been recorded after they received the terrible news.
“Hi, Savannah. Look, I’m sorry about your friend Nicole. I know your first reaction is going to be to investigate the hit-and-run, but I want to warn you that sometimes things are just what they seem. This looks like a tragic but perfectly ordinary hit-and-run where the driver has panicked. Don’t get yourself tied up in knots trying to imagine more than the reality of a bad decision on the part of the driver. Most of these cases involve a driver with DUIs, and they usually
turn themselves in after all the effects have worn off. That said, it’s vehicular homicide.” She audibly shuddered, as if a bug had crawled down her back. “I hate these cases. They’re all tragedy and never end well.” She sighed heavily. “Call me tomorrow for lunch. Bye.”
Savannah felt a shuddering chill race up her body and she wrapped her arms around herself. She looked into Edward’s sad green eyes.
“Strange.”
Edward frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Joy seems to think I’ll go roaring off to investigate Nicole’s death.”
“Why would she think that? Did you say something to her at the hospital?”
“Not really, but now I’ve had time to think. Elizabeth and Phillip seemed to have a different view about this.”
Edward tilted his head. “It was an accident and the driver could have outstanding warrants or drugs in the car or was drunk or high or maybe the car was stolen.” He looked down at the peacefully purring Snowy and then looked back at Savannah. “Right?” Silence filled the room like an incoming thunderstorm.
“I need a hug,” said Savannah.
Edward lowered his head a bit. He gingerly slipped out of his chair, carrying Snowy without waking her, then tucked her between Rooney’s head and shoulder. Snowy’s emerald green eyes opened for a sleepy blink and she fell back into a deep kitten sleep. He slowly scooched down into one end of the couch behind Savannah. Edward pulled her into his lap without waking either pet. He wrapped his arms around Savannah and nuzzled into her neck. “Better?”
“Perfect.” Savannah sighed and snuggled into the family pile. She was just beginning to drift off when her eyes flew open. “If this was an accidental hit-and-run, why didn’t I hear screeching brakes? All I heard was the impact, Jacob screaming, and then Suzy howling.”
Edward mumbled, “Uh-huh.”
“I still don’t understand why the driver didn’t brake . . .”
Chapter 7
Tuesday morning,
Webb’s Studio
Down in Flames Page 5
