“I’m not sure I mind the way he looks at me. It’s nice to be admired.” As Tim’s mouth came open, she lifted a forestalling hand. “I’m not about to tumble off the deep end, but I’m willing to consider getting to know him. Life isn’t over for you, either, you know.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You still have respect in the community. Everyone around here thinks I’m a mean-mouthed, cheating husband, and it’s all lies!”
Kelly touched her assistant’s shoulder. “Not everyone.”
Moisture glistened in Tim’s eyes. “I loved my wife. I would never have done anything to hurt her, but she wanted out so she encouraged the rumors.”
“We’ve talked about this repeatedly, but I have to ask again. Have you forgiven her yet?”
“Some days, I think so. Some days, I still want to throttle her. But mostly—” his shoulders slumped “—I dream about getting her back. Then people wouldn’t think I was such a loser.”
Kelly suppressed a sigh. Not the best motivation for restoring a relationship. Besides, his ex had moved to Galveston, Texas, and was living with some guy she met online…while still a married woman. Tim could do better.
“I think God has the perfect plan for your life. He knows the truth. Lies don’t stand with Him. Give Him a chance to make a difference to you, Tim.”
Her assistant’s brows drew together. Kelly held her breath. Was he listening this time or getting ready to blow her off again?
At last, he jerked the barest nod. “I suppose if I can’t give my only friend’s suggestion a chance, I’m a pretty sorry specimen.” The corners of his lips nudged upward. “Tell me—”
The pop-pop of engine backfire claimed their attention. The Miltons’ van rocked to a halt in front of the clinic’s picture window, and Greg climbed out. His glare skewered them.
“Uh-oh!” Tim breathed. “Trouble on the hoof.”
“I hope he doesn’t think we have Brutus here.”
The teenager stormed through the front door. “You did it on purpose, Kelly Granger.”
“Did what?”
“Lured my dog outside the fence.”
A laugh spurted between her lips, but she cut it off. The kid was serious. “Do you think I enjoyed being treed in the cold while your pet did his best to rip a chunk out of my hide?”
“My dad says you’ve been planning to get Brutus away from us for a long time. Maybe you saw the gate was unlatched and took your chance.” Greg closed the distance between them. “Now I’m telling you to get him back.”
“Just a red-hot minute!” Tim darted between her and the raging teenager.
The young man’s fist shot out, and Kelly’s scream melded with the smack of pummeled flesh. Tim went down, and Greg stepped over him on a course straight for her.
FIVE
Matt rammed through the veterinary clinic door. “Greg!”
His yell brought the Milton boy’s head around as he reached for Kelly. Matt didn’t wait to see what the kid would do next. He charged.
Greg turned, and Matt’s shoulder connected with the teenager’s midsection. They hit the floor. The kid’s breath left him with a loud whoosh. Matt flipped him facedown, twisted an arm behind his back and perched on top with a knee on the kid’s spine.
“Call Art,” he directed Kelly.
She rushed past him and knelt on the floor beside her moaning assistant. The man sat up on one elbow, the other hand covering his lower face.
“Are you all right?” Kelly sounded breathless.
“I think by dose is broken.”
“Your nose? Let me see.”
He waved her away. “Call the police.”
“Right.” Kelly trotted behind the counter and grabbed the phone. She spoke briefly to the dispatcher, then turned back toward Tim. “Let me get some ice for your nose.” She disappeared up the hallway.
A sob quivered the husky torso beneath Matt’s knee. “I didn’t mean nothin’. I just want my dog.”
The kid squirmed, and Matt bore down with his weight. “Your nothin’ has left a man with a broken nose and scared a kind woman half out of her skin.”
“Ow! You’re hurting me.”
“Then stay still. Maybe you haven’t learned this lesson at home, but actions have consequences.”
Greg heaved another sob. Long seconds ticked past, marked by Tim’s nasal breathing.
“Good work, by the way,” the assistant muttered. “But I could have handled it.”
“Right. No problem.” Their gazes locked, and Matt made a mental note. For some reason, this guy didn’t like him.
Kelly whisked into the room, bearing a cloth wrapped around what Matt assumed was an ice pack. She bent over Tim and handed him the pack. The look on his face as he gazed up at Kelly answered the source of the animosity. Did she know her assistant was in love with her? Maybe she returned the affection. Matt’s insides squeezed. For all the interest she’d shown in him, it was possible her heart was already claimed. Why did he hate that thought so much? They’d first met only last week.
Kelly came to stand over him and Greg with her fists on her hips, but her attention was on the teenager. “Your mom is going to be devastated. Isn’t it about time you and your dad gave her a break from all this drama?”
The teenager didn’t answer.
Matt met her frustrated look. “Are you okay? He didn’t touch you, did he?”
“Thanks to your timely entrance, no. How did you get the situation under control so quickly?”
Matt shrugged and glanced away to hide his pleasure with her praise. Now he knew how his dog felt when someone patted him. “I was captain of the high school wrestling team. That was a long time ago, but I guess the skills never go away.”
Wheeling lights strobed through the picture window, announcing the arrival of the police. Art and a deputy trooped inside. Matt gladly surrendered his charge to the deputy, who escorted a surly Greg to the squad car.
The chief cocked a brow at Matt. “Told you I’d end up arresting that kid some day. Didn’t think it would be so soon. What happened?”
One by one, Kelly, Tim and Matt told their stories. Art listened and asked a few questions, then turned toward Tim, who now occupied a reception room chair. “Do you require transportation to the urgent care clinic?”
“I’ll drive him over,” Kelly answered.
“I’ll ride along.” Matt lifted a hand.
Above the ice pack, Tim’s gaze shot daggers at Matt, but Kelly smiled. Art nodded and left.
“Isn’t your car fixed yet?” she asked Matt. “I don’t see it outside.”
“The police had my vehicle quarantined where it sat for most of the day so they could collect evidence. Then it was taken to the garage. I was just over there checking on its status, but they weren’t done changing the tires. Thought I’d kill a little time by dropping over here to say hello.”
“I’m glad you did.” Her look warmed Matt to the soles of his feet. If only he could discern if there was any personal interest fueling the gratitude.
Five minutes later, they pulled up outside Abbottsville Urgent Care. The town didn’t have a hospital, but it did host a clinic to handle minor ailments and injuries. The waiting area was empty, so Tim was ushered immediately into an exam room.
Matt took a seat next to Kelly. “Looks like your assistant is developing a couple of shiners to go with the crooked nose.”
Kelly heaved a sigh. “He took a punch for me…and a clobber on the head protecting the clinic. He may be a sad sack, but he’s got guts.”
“No argument there.”
“What? About the glum attitude or the guts?”
“Neither.” Matt grinned.
“Poor Tim.” She shook her head. “Seems like everything bad happens to him.”
Matt sat forward with his elbows on his knees. “I’m of the opinion that there’s a spiritual law at work. Our attitude invites matching events. Not implying that Tim’s to blame for Greg attacking him, or that bad thin
gs don’t happen to happy people, too. Just a life principle.”
“What you say is what you get.” She nodded. “It’s a choice to live under the circumstances or above them. Tim’s been closed to any ‘God-talk,’ as he calls it, but our conversation was heading there when Greg burst in on us. I’m as angry with that young man for interrupting a priceless moment as I am about his crazy behavior.”
Her gaze strayed to the hallway where Tim had disappeared. Thoughtful seconds ticked past. Matt studied the pattern in the tile floor. Did she wish she was in the exam room holding her assistant’s hand? A green-eyed monster nibbled Matt’s gut.
“What did you mean by asking me if any of the Miltons would have had reason to set their dog loose on me?”
“Huh?” He looked up to find her studying him. “Sorry. Woolgathering.” He told her about the remote control. “Art said Nick would be a strong candidate out of sheer meanness, but he was passed out on the couch. If recent behavior says anything, Greg wouldn’t be above pushing that button.”
“I can’t buy him risking custody of his dog. I even understand his fury today—not that it justifies his actions. People love their pets. Even mean ones.”
“What if he’s the one who broke into the clinic? Your elbow might have given him that black eye.”
Kelly frowned. “I doubt my flailing struck anything with enough force to create a bruise. If equipment or drugs had been stolen, I could easily suspect a wild teenager. But to take a package of samples meant for the state lab when there was so much of material value? That’s a huge stretch.”
“What if the samples were taken because someone didn’t want proof positive that the rash of human illnesses and pet illnesses are connected?”
“I’ve considered that possibility, but the deduction doesn’t point to anyone specific.”
“So you’re not going to consider Greg as a suspect?”
“It’s the job of the police to consider suspects. To keep my sanity, I can’t run around being paranoid of people I’ve known most of my life.”
“Even when they punch out your assistant and go after you?”
“You win that point.” She lifted her hands. “Maybe I should be a little paranoid of the Miltons—Nick and Greg, anyway. But I don’t think either of them had anything to do with the poisoning or the break-in at the clinic.”
He offered her a grin. “And how do you deduce that, Ms. Sherlock?”
“Elementary, my dear Watson.” She poked a fingertip into his breastbone. “The poisoning was carried out by a shrewd mind. It wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment impulse. Mistletoe extract isn’t exactly available on the grocery store shelf. Nick and Greg are hotheads, not plotters. Besides which, statistically speaking, poison is a woman’s weapon.”
“Which brings us back to the Simms sisters.”
“If they’re eager to assassinate with their words, maybe they took matters a step further.”
“I thought you weren’t considering suspects.”
Kelly’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened but no sound came out.
“Never mind.” Matt chuckled. “You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t trying to work this out in your head. We can only hope the police catch the culprit fast. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence to go on. We’re still waiting for test results to pinpoint what food item at Brenda’s Kitchen contained the poison. Maybe the local P.D. needs to call in help. I think Art’s sharp and capable, but he didn’t even take notes when we gave our statements at the clinic this afternoon.”
Kelly snickered. “Arthur Strand has never forgotten anything in his lifetime, except his anniversary. He was in big trouble with Ethel every year until she died a while back.”
“Making him the most eligible bachelor in Amelia Simms’s eyes.”
“Right. But I have a hard time believing she’d commit murder to get his attention.”
Matt rubbed his lower lip between thumb and forefinger. “When this case is solved, we may all have a hard time wrapping our heads around the motive.”
“Is that a prediction?”
“Call it a gut feeling. It takes a twisted mind to sabotage the food that a town full of people might eat—not to mention random strangers. Especially if the target was someone in particular. We don’t even know that much for sure.”
“In the meantime, my sister’s business suffers, and she and all of her help are suspects.”
Kelly’s anguished gaze pierced Matt’s heart. “I wish this character had struck through some sleazy dive, rather than a decent establishment. But I’m sure it’s hurting restaurants all over town, knowing a poisoner is on the loose.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Not really. The thought doesn’t give me any comfort, either.”
“Brenda doesn’t hold hard feelings toward you.” Kelly touched his arm, and the sensation reverberated to Matt’s core. “Just wanted you to know.” She withdrew her hand.
“Thanks.” The word came out gruffly. “I’m glad about that. Do you have hard feelings?”
“I’ve been trying to nurture a few.”
“Is it working?” Huskiness edged his tone.
“Not so well.” Her words emerged a near whisper.
Their faces hovered inches apart. Should he close the distance? Matt felt himself falling into that soft, green gaze. Her generous lips parted. Matt eased nearer. She didn’t pull away.
A throat cleared loudly. Kelly jumped, and her head swiveled. Matt looked up to find Tim frowning at them. A splotch of white bandage across the bridge of his nose matched the one on his forehead.
“Do you lovebirds mind taking me back to the office so I can get my car and go home?”
“Lovebirds?” Kelly rose with a too-high laugh. “We were deep in conversation. Come on. Matt needs to pick up his car before the garage closes.” She looked at her watch. “We’ve got ten minutes.”
She led the way to the door. Tim followed, leaving Matt to trail them. He scowled at the younger man’s soldier-stiff back. Maybe he could find a reason for a detour that would make them late to collect his car. Then he’d have to ride home with Kelly. Maybe that would give him a chance to recreate his missed opportunity.
Or maybe, Mathew Bennett, the opportunity was all in your head.
If only he could see behind that lovely, inscrutable face to know what was in Kelly’s heart.
Matt arrived home to an enthusiastic greeting from Ben. Too enthusiastic. He really needed to find the time to get into a dog-training program. Then his heart lifted, and he grinned to himself. What a pity he was so busy. That meant he’d have to take Kelly up on her offer to conduct the training.
His cell phone rang, ending his pleasant daydream of the two of them romping with his dog. He checked the caller ID screen but found no information.
“Hello?” His greeting was tentative. Some telemarketer had better not have found his cell phone number.
“Matt? It’s Art.”
He tensed. Not a telemarketer, but a call from the local police chief probably wasn’t good. “What can I do for you?”
“Word has come down from the state, and our local police department is officially liaising with the health department on this mistletoe case. Your supervisor designated you the contact person.”
“First I’ve heard of it, but I’m not surprised.” A sour taste settled on Matt’s tongue. Now that the source of the poison had proven to be something other than a food-borne pathogen, he’d hoped to distance himself from the investigation that threatened Kelly’s sister. No such luck.
“I’m calling to inform you that I’m getting a search warrant for Brenda Tanner’s residence. We go in tomorrow.”
“Do you require my presence?”
“Negative, but we’ll keep you informed.”
Matt let out a breath. Thank goodness for small favors. At least he wouldn’t have to admit to Kelly that he’d taken part in a search of her sister’s home. Matt closed the call, praying
that nothing incriminating would be found at the Tanner residence.
Kelly studied the display of apples at the grocery store as if the fate of the world rested on her choice of fruit. Had she really almost let Matt kiss her yesterday afternoon?
Last evening, while she shared a meal and a movie with a quiet Brenda and an active Felice, she’d asked herself that question about the kiss-that-never-was. Good thing she hadn’t let on to her sister that her attraction to Matt was growing faster than she would ever have thought possible. She’d never hear the end of it. Today at the clinic, visions of his strong face and deep blue eyes had done their best to distract her.
It had been another difficult day with a farm emergency on top of the regular appointments. Tim had come in more depressed than usual. There had been no way to turn the conversation back to spiritual things. In fact, she’d let him go home early. The puckers between his brows had betrayed a headache. Now, she wanted only to pick up some fruit and sandwich fixings and head for home.
She plopped a pair of apples into a plastic bag then turned and almost barreled into Amelia Simms.
“How lovely to see you.” Amelia fingered her dress’s lace collar. “I’m sure you’ve been wondering what the police found at our house?” The woman leaned close. “Nothing but rat poison!” Her stage whisper drew more attention from passing shoppers than a normal tone would have.
Kelly’s face heated. “I doubted they’d find any—”
“I suppose it was only natural that the authorities would move on to another logical suspect.” Eunice glided to her sister’s side. “Though if you ask me, they should have searched her house first.”
“Whose?” Kelly looked from one woman to the other.
The sisters shared a glance.
“You don’t know?” Amelia sounded shocked. “We assumed she would call you.”
Eunice nodded. “We wouldn’t know ourselves except we drove past the house and saw the squad car at the curb.”
Season of Danger: Silent Night, Deadly NightMistletoe Mayhem Page 16
