by Midge Bubany
“But you don’t want Troy handling it.”
“No. I’ll have Tamika take over Adriana’s case after all, and you two can advise her.”
“Perfect.”
She dug through a stack of papers in a basket on her desk. “Here’s the arson report.” She skimmed through it. “The woman who asked the kid to buy the fabric is blonde. Isn’t Madison Mitchell blonde?”
“Yeah. I doubt she’s involved, but I can show Jesse some photos. Did you get to the part that the kid is Jesse Warner, Phillip’s son?”
“Oh, boy. Will Phillip allow us to talk to him?”
“He let him speak with Lucky.”
She hit a button on the phone and said, “Georgia, get Phillip Warner on the phone. Thanks.”
A few minutes later, her phone rang. She put the conversation on speaker.
“Mr. Warner, Sheriff Patrice Clinton. I have Cal Sheehan here with me and we would like your permission to question your son further. Could you bring him into the department sometime today to see if he can identify the woman who asked him to purchase the fabric?”
“No problem, but it’ll have to be his mother because I’m in court today. I want you to know Jesse’s a truthful kid. Although he did nothing illegal, it was still stupid, and I want him to know there are consequences for any actions, however innocent they are.”
I had to give Warner credit for his parenting skills.
Shelia Warner brought her son in a half-hour later. She was a handsome woman with auburn hair and a good figure she kept by playing golf and tennis at the country club. Adriana said she bought her clothes in Chicago and New York, which set her apart from the average woman in Birch County who shopped at Herberger’s. Today she wore a sleeveless white-and-navy shirtdress with red sandals.
She extended her hand and said, “It’s so nice to see you again.” Adriana and I, as a couple, had socialized with the Warners. I met Jesse a couple years ago, but I hardly recognized him because he’d turned into a teenager with the same haircut as Troy’s and baggy cargo shorts sliding off his butt. The button-down dress shirt was most likely his mother’s idea.
I showed them to an interview room, where I motioned for Jesse to have a seat and explained what I wanted him to do. I had copied five different drivers’ license photos of women and he was to see if he could identify the individual who had asked him to buy the fabric.
He studied the photos I’d pulled from drivers’ licenses: four blondes and one brunette. I’d included Maddie Mitchell and an enhanced picture of Victoria using an application to change her hair color. I also included one of her as a brunette. His eyes bounced back and forth between the photos.
“I’m not sure,” he said.
“Which photos are you not sure about?”
He pointed to the picture of blonde Victoria Lewis. “Maybe this one.”
“Why ‘maybe’?”
“Because she was wearing big sunglasses.”
“What can you tell me about her?”
“She was pretty.”
“How tall?”
“Taller than me.”
“How much?”
“Only a few inches.”
“How did this purchase come about?”
“I went to the mall to meet up with my friends but I was early so I was just hanging out in the parking lot and she came up to me and asked if I could do her a big favor. She said she needed to buy something in the fabric store but the clerk on duty despised her and she didn’t want to deal with her.”
“Those were her words . . . despised?” Victoria knew that would make sense to a fourteen-year-old.
“Yeah.”
“How did you know what to buy?”
“She wrote it down and so I gave the slip to one of the ladies and she helped me. The woman gave me fifty dollars to buy it so I gave her the bag and she told me to keep the change for my trouble. I didn’t have anything else to do, so why not? Dad said I didn’t do anything illegal.”
“No, you didn’t. Did you keep the note?”
“No, the clerk threw it away.”
I nodded. “Do you still have the money?”
“Nah.”
“Did you see the vehicle she was driving?”
“No.”
“What was the fabric like?”
“Silver and shiny.”
“I know you and your friends were out at Adriana Valero’s property, Jesse. Did you go back there at any time?”
“No, sir. My dad told me I had to stay away from crime scenes.”
Shelia added, “We told him he was lucky he got by with just a warning. That day was all about showing off to his friends that he knew where the body was. Adriana had us out for dinner the week before.”
Jesse turned thirteen shades of red. I smiled at him. “Thanks for your cooperation, Jesse. That’s all I have for now.”
I was pretty sure he was telling the truth and it was Victoria who’d asked him to purchase the material. She was either wearing a wig or had dyed her hair. But unfortunately, he hadn’t given me an absolutely positive ID.
Chapter 25
When I walked into the office, Troy was at his desk.
“Oh, you’re back,” I said.
“Don’t sound so happy,” he said.
“No, believe me, I’m thrilled. I’m overloaded here. You okay?”
“Gallbladder settled down. I’ll eventually have it removed. Maybe when the Dawson case is over. Now fill me in.”
I brought him up to speed with the Dawson case. Then as I began to update him on Adriana’s he interrupted me. “Dude, I know all that. Adriana told me.”
“Right. Did you know Patrice is giving Tamika her case?”
“Yes, but she’ll need our help. Adriana tells me you think Victoria is responsible for the breaking and entering.”
“Everything except for the ribbons on the trees. That was an old friend of Silver’s, Laurel Wolfson.”
“If it’s Victoria, why hasn’t anyone spotted her?”
“She may be blonde now, or wearing a wig. She could be staying out of town and driving in. All the events occur at night or when she knows no one is home.”
“Makes sense. Say, Sheehan, I want to tell you I . . . uh . . . appreciate your insight and great work in my absence.”
I eyed him suspiciously. This was way out of character. “Sure. I’ll type up Jesse Warner’s interview for the file.”
“How about we give Tamika Victoria’s photo to check area hotels and resorts?”
“Sounds good.”
“So, you got Sawyer Gage giving Silver Rae a tablet,” he said. “Really good police work, partner.”
Oh, something was really wrong with him.
It was going to be just the four of us going out for burgers, so I was surprised to see a red Hyundai parked in our driveway. When I entered our kitchen, I found Angelica and Shannon sitting at the kitchen counter. Angelica was drinking beer; Adriana was sipping from a can of ginger ale.
“Hey,” I said.
Angelica got up to hug me.
“Angel stopped by on her way to the Cities. She’s going down to spend the weekend with a friend. I’ve asked her to stay the night and go to Rocket Roy’s with us.”
“Super,” I said, even though I wasn’t thrilled.
“The boys love the game room and they have good burgers,” Shannon said.
As soon as we were seated, the boys ran off to the game room. Shannon ordered water, while Angel and I ordered Stellas. When Angel excused herself to go to the restroom, I asked, “Did she just show up?”
“No, she called this afternoon.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“I didn’t think you’d mind. Why would you?”
“I don’t do spontaneous socializing.”
“She’s your sister.”
“Same deal applies.”
As Angel was returning, two guys stopped her. Whatever she said caused them to break in laughter. She sat down and said, “Do you two have badges on you?”
“We do.”
“Show them to those silly dudes staring at us.”
We did. They roared as if it was the funniest thing they’d ever seen.
“So what’s so funny?” Shannon said.
“They asked if I wanted a date. When I said no they asked if I had any weed. I told them to back off, that my brother and sister-in-law were law enforcement officers. When the bollocks laughed, I told them I wasn’t kidding.”
“Good one,” Shannon said.
“So, do you know where I can score some weed?” Angel asked.
My mouth dropped a foot. Shannon poked my leg under the table. Angel started giggling. “Gotcha,” she said. “I’m totally kidding.” Another giggle. “You should have seen your faces.”
I said, “You want weed? Ask the bollocks.”
Angel threw her head back and gave out a hearty laugh, reminding me of Grace.
“So Shannon, Aunt Hope says you’re pregnant.”
I put my hand to my forehead. Shannon took a deep breath and said, “I don’t sleep well when I’ve been drinking, so I don’t drink on work nights.”
“Oh, it puts me out like a light,” Angelica said.
The food came and I went to grab the boys from the game room. As I passed the bollocks, I gave them a good look-over. Didn’t know them but they were sure sucking up the beers. I called dispatch and gave them a heads-up.
When we returned home Angel helped the boys catch fireflies, while Shannon and I sat on the deck and watched.
“She’s good with them,” Shannon said. “I’m so glad she’s spending the night. I just love her. Don’t you?”
“Yeah.”
I watched Angel interact with our boys, laughing and running with the containers trying to capture the blinking lights, singing the Owl City song “Fireflies,” acting like she’d always been their aunt. It was weird how much had changed in a year.
Later, Brittany came out to retrieve the boys for their baths before bed, Shannon, Angel, and I remained sitting on the deck.
I took a deep breath, trying to enjoy the pleasant evening: the temperature in the low seventies, crickets chirping, fireflies blinking, happy for their freedom.
“What a fantastic place to raise children,” Angel said.
“What was your childhood like?” Shannon asked her.
“Wonderful. I had everything I ever wanted . . . except a horse.”
Shannon and I exchanged glances.
“I know it sounds like I was a spoiled brat, but I was an appreciative one. I knew what I had. But one thing I figured out early was . . . I was never enough for Mom and Dad. You see . . . they didn’t have you.”
“What did they do to make you feel that way?” Shannon asked.
“Little things. Like every year they put a new ornament on the Christmas tree for Cal. Do you want me to send them to you?”
“Not really.”
Shannon shot me a look letting me know she didn’t approve of my refusal.
Angel continued, “And on your birthday, we’d have a small cake for you which always made Mom cry.”
“Oh, my gosh. I don’t know how I feel about that. How did it make you feel, Angel?” Shannon asked.
“Can we please change the subject?” I asked.
“Cal has trouble talking about all this,” Shannon said.
“You want me to talk about it? Okay, I will. Angel, I never understood why Patrick, my supposed father, was suddenly gone from my life. They both abandoned me and I didn’t know why. So when I hear how bad they felt, I don’t get it. They didn’t really try very hard to keep me in their lives, and I know all their excuses, so don’t repeat them. I’d never let anyone come between my children and me. So, do I want to hear about how sad they were? No, because it’s bullshit. It was all their own doing . . . their poor choices that alienated them from their families.” I took a breath.
Angelica looked stunned. Her eyes welled with tears. “Wow.”
Shannon looked stricken. “Cal, it’s not her fault.”
Angel said, “No, no. I never saw it from his point of view. I assumed you were having a good life here in Minnesota.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I did have a good life. So, now can we please change the subject?”
“I’m sorry, Cal. And thanks for sharing your feelings with me.” She got up and hugged me, patting my back for what seemed like way too long.
I finally said, “It’s okay, Angel. Have a seat.”
She returned to her chair and I felt like a heel. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault and I shouldn’t have come down on you.”
“It’s okay. We’ll change the subject. So you two obviously met at work?”
“Yes, we started about the same time. We were rookies together,” I said.
“Are you divorced, Shannon?” Angel asked.
Obviously my mother neglected to give Angel a heads-up on Shannon’s history.
“No, my first husband was hit and killed by a drunk driver while he was out jogging,” Shannon said. “Six years ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Was he a deputy as well?”
“No, he worked at Estelle Candies here in town. He was in distribution.”
“Oh. So when did you two fall in love?” she asked.
I put my arm around Shannon’s shoulder. “I think I loved this woman the moment our eyes met.”
Shannon hit me in the arm. “He’s kidding. He had girlfriends coming out the wazoo.”
“That’s a strange image,” I said.
“He thinks he’s funny,” Shannon said.
Angel giggled. “He is.”
I shrugged. “Anyway, we remained just friends as long as I could hold her off.”
Shannon punched me again. Angel laughed, and I liked it.
“In truth, I couldn’t bring myself to date for several years, and then it took a long time for us to admit we were in love, especially me, I guess,” Shannon said.
“Why?” Angel asked.
“Because we were co-workers and they frown on such things, and I saw him go through women like . . .”
“Be careful,” I said.
“All right. I thought he liked being single too much.”
“Is that what it was?” I asked. “Huh.”
“He had women chasing him all the time. Still does.”
“That’s not true,” I said.
Shannon threw me an Oh, really look, so I shut up. She was talking about Adriana.
She yawned. “Look, I have to get to bed. I’ll see you two in the morning.”
“Me too,” I said and shot up.
Brittany walked into the room and Angel said to us, “Good night. Thanks for the fun evening.” The girls were sitting together on the sofa as Shannon and I left to go upstairs. We stopped to check on the boys, then I put my arm around her and walked her to our bedroom. I loved this woman and wanted her to be secure in our relationship.
“When do you go to the doctor?”
“They had a cancellation so they fit me in for tomorrow.”
“Should I go with you?”
“Not this first time. When they do the ultrasound, definitely.”
We made love that night—slowly, tenderly and sweetly. Then I lay awake and thought about Silver Rae Dawson and how I was going to prove Sawyer Gage killed her. Or Parker. Or Wesley Stillman. Or someone else I hadn’t yet considered.
Chapter 26
>
August 23
After a run, I showered, dressed and went to the Sportsman Café to buy cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I placed the bag on the seat next to me, intending to wait until I got home to eat one, but once again the cinnamon smell overpowered me. I grabbed one out of the bag and ate it in four bites as I drove home.
When I returned, Brittany and Angel were sitting on the couch in the great room drinking coffee. Brittany motioned to my face. “Frosting,” she said.
I wiped my mouth and offered the girls rolls. By the time Shannon came down fully dressed for work, Angel, Brit, and I were eating the rolls with the bacon and scrambled eggs I’d made. Shannon took one look at the plates and raced to the downstairs bathroom. We could hear her retch.
I grimaced. “My cooking doesn’t agree with her.”
“She’s pregnant,” Angel said, with a smirk.
Brittany nodded. I shook my head, turning up the TV news to mask the sound.
Angel took another bite. “You make good scrambled eggs, but you’re a horrible liar.”
“I don’t know what you’re taking about,” I said.
“Okay, whatever,” Angel said.
“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us,” Brittany said and winked.
We all ate in silence for a while. Brittany and Angel kept eyeing me with silly grins on their faces as if they could stare the truth out of me.
“You’re going to make an outstanding father,” Angel said, nodding.
I put cherry jam on my toast. “I already am an outstanding father.”
After a minute, Angel dropped her fork, looked at her watch and said, “Well, I’ve got to get going and I’d like to say good-bye to Shannon before I leave, but obviously she doesn’t feel well due to morning sickness.”
I stood and said, “I’m glad you stopped by.”
“Me too.”
By the time Angelica was at the back door, Shannon appeared in the kitchen with a pale face and a dab of toothpaste on her lip.
“Are you leaving already, Angel?” she said.
“Yes, I told Max I’d be there by nine.”
“Is Max a friend or love interest?” Shannon asked?
