by Gayle Trent
For the next few hours, we baked, ate pizza, and watched a movie. Lucas and Leslie got to taste test the brownies and cookies, but they were finally able to wind down and go to bed. I was cleaning the kitchen when Jason and Violet came in and sat at the table.
“You don’t have to leave the place spotless, you know,” Violet said. “I mean, you’ve cleaned up after yourself and moved into spring cleaning territory.”
“I know. It’s just that you guys did me a huge favor, and I’m trying to pay you back.”
“It has nothing to do with the fact that you’re afraid to let your mind wander?” Jason asked. “I’ve experienced the need to throw myself into mindless tasks in order to avoid thinking about something unpleasant.”
“That might be a small part of it.”
“Come sit down,” Violet said.
I pulled out a chair and dropped into it. I immediately felt weary and tired.
“You’re exhausted,” she said. “You should go to bed.”
“I will…soon.”
“Have you told Ben about Todd coming to town?” Jason asked.
“No. He’s at a conference.” I glanced up at the clock. “Actually, he’s probably on his way home now. I tried to call him earlier, and my call went to voicemail. I couldn’t tell him something like that in a message, so I just told him my oven wasn’t working and that I was spending the night here.”
“I called the prison and left a message with the warden’s secretary, but I haven’t heard back yet,” Jason said. “I think you should stay here—or if not here, with someone—until we’re sure Todd has left town. You shouldn’t be home alone.”
“I’ll be fine,” I insisted. “I’ll keep my doors locked, and I’ll stay inside…especially if I hear anyone outside.”
“I’m worried about how Ben will react to the news of Todd showing up so close to your wedding day,” Violet said. “I mean, there’s history there. And even though you had nothing to do with Todd’s coming here, there’s bound to be some hurt feelings on Ben’s part.”
I merely nodded. I didn’t need to be reminded of the fact that I’d broken up with Ben—my high school sweetheart—to date the abusive monster who’d almost taken my life. Surely, Ben had to know that I’d never do anything to jeopardize our relationship…at least, not anymore. I sighed and closed my eyes.
Violet was right. This was going to be tough for Ben. I really needed to talk with him and get this mess out in the open before someone else told him about it. He had a lot of connections on the police force. It would be terrible if one of the officers mentioned Todd’s coming to Brea Ridge and I hadn’t already told him. He might jump to the wrong conclusion about why I was keeping it from him.
I started at the touch of Violet’s hand on mine.
“Daph, go on to bed.”
“Okay.”
“If you need anything, we’re here,” Jason said.
“Thanks.” I went to the guest room, sat on the side of the bed, and called Ben. This time, he picked up.
“Hey, beautiful. I was getting ready to call you. How’s the baking going?”
“I’m finished for the night. I’m really tired.”
“Tired from baking or from playing with the twins?”
I chuckled. “Both.”
“Have you spoken with someone about the oven?”
“Yes. McElroy Haynes is going to be at my house in the morning at ten o’clock to look at it.” I hesitated. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”
“Is this news as dreadful as the tone of your voice is indicating it is?”
“Even worse. I got a surprise visit from Todd today.”
There was a long silence. Finally, Ben said, “So he’s out.”
“Yes.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I forced a note of intrepidness into my voice. “He didn’t hurt me. I ran next door, and Myra called the police. Officer McAfee took me to the magistrate, and I was awarded an emergency protection order.”
“Did he threaten you?” Ben asked.
“No. The order was granted based on the fact that his trying to kill me is what put him in prison.”
“What did he want then?” There was an edge to his voice.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “He acts like he wants to be back in everybody’s life—he even came here to Violet’s house and said he wanted to see the kids. Of course, Vi sent him packing. She was furious.”
“I can imagine.”
“I really don’t know what he’s doing here, Ben. But I’ll feel a lot better once he’s gone.” I was desperate for him to know how much I meant those words.
“You and me both.”
CHAPTER FIVE
I slept surprisingly well and got up early the next morning to make breakfast. Jason stumbled into the kitchen in his pajama bottoms while I was making pancakes and was thrilled to find that I’d already made coffee.
“You’re a godsend,” he said.
I smiled. “Making breakfast is the least I could do. How do you like your eggs?”
“Anyway you want to make them is fine with me.” He poured his coffee and sat down at the table with the newspaper. “Are you all right this morning? You don’t have to be in such a hurry to go back home, you know.”
“I know.” I flipped the pancakes. “Funny, huh? How I thought I was through running from that man?”
“You are through,” Jason said. “He’s never going to bother you again.”
I wished I could be sure.
The sound of smaller feet shuffling into the room alerted me that either Lucas or Leslie was up.
“Pancakes! Yes!”
“Good morning, Lucas,” I said.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his face against my shoulder. He’d gotten taller since the last time he’d given me a hug like this.
“Have I told you how much I love having you stay here?” he asked. “You should just move in. It’d save you money in the long run.”
“I’m getting married in a week and a half, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Well, Ben wouldn’t take up too much more room, would he?”
I laughed softly. “How about I just promise to keep coming over and making you food sometimes? And, of course, you and Leslie are always welcome to visit me.”
“Sounds good,” said Leslie. She then addressed her brother. “How about moving your big butt so I can see what Aunt Daphne is making?”
“Your butt’s bigger than mine.”
“Sit down, and I’ll get you guys some milk,” Jason said.
I grinned at my brother-in-law and hummed the first two lines ofMorning Has Broken.
He rolled his eyes and called to Violet that breakfast was almost ready. That roughly translated to, “Get in here! I can’t handle these people by myself.”
By the time I’d finished the pancakes, eggs, toast, and sausage, everyone was gathered around the table. The kids had called a truce, and Jason and Violet had ingested enough coffee to engage in intelligent conversation.
I could tell from the dark circles beneath Violet’s eyes that she hadn’t slept well. She probably wouldn’t have admitted it to me, but I knew she was worried about Todd being in town—not just for my sake but for the sake of her children. She didn’t want him anywhere near them, and neither did I.
The doorbell rang, and the three adults in the room became as still as statues. We exchanged glances as Jason stood.
“I’ve got this.” He strode from the kitchen.
“What’s up with Dad?” Lucas asked.
“It’s not just Dad. Everybody seems freaked out,” Leslie said. “Is there a killer on the loose or something?”
“No!” I forced out a laugh. “We just don’t want to share our breakfast!”
Lucas nodded. “Makes sense to me.”
Violet and I let out a collective breath when we heard Jason greeting Ben at the door. I quickly got him a plate. When the two men came into the kitchen,
I embraced Ben. Tears pricked my eyes, and I held him tight.
He kissed me and whispered that everything was all right. I nodded but didn’t let go yet.
“Can we eat now?” Lucas asked.
“Of course.” I dragged myself away and discreetly wiped my eyes. “Ben, I’ve put you here beside me.”
As we ate, Jason asked Ben a million and forty questions about the conference in Asheville.
“Did you bring us back anything?” Leslie asked.
Jason and Violet both protested her question, but Ben laughed.
“I didn’t. I was stuck at the hotel the entire time. But maybe your Aunt Daphne and I can take you guys to Biltmore sometime this fall if it’s okay with your parents.”
This suggestion went over well with the kids. Jason and Violet would be all for it too, once they got over being embarrassed by Leslie’s asking if Ben had brought them a souvenir. I looked at Leslie’s question as a good thing—she felt comfortable enough to treat Ben like family.
Not long after the children went to get ready for day camp, Jason’s cell phone rang. He walked into the living room to take the call. When he returned, he told us that it was the warden of the prison where Todd had been incarcerated who had called.
“I called and left a message yesterday,” Jason explained to Ben. “I wanted to see if Todd’s being in Virginia was in violation of his parole.”
“And is it?” Violet asked hopefully.
Jason shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Since Todd served his full sentence, he isn’t on parole. Still, if he doesn’t comply with Daphne’s emergency protection order, he’ll be arrested.”
“Don’t worry, guys. I made it clear to Todd that I’m not interested in talking with him, and I don’t think he’ll bother me again.” I resisted the urge to feel my nose to see if my lie had caused it to grow.
* * *
Myra rushed over as I was pulling into the driveway. I was relieved I didn’t have to go inside alone.
“How’d it go last night?” she asked as I was getting my overnight bag out of the car. “Did you guys have any trouble?”
“Nope. Hopefully, Todd got the message and has gone back to Tennessee.” I handed her my keys. “Would you mind unlocking the door?”
“I guess not.”
I put the strap of the overnight bag over my shoulder and grabbed the cardboard box filled with smaller boxes of cookies and brownies. I pushed the car door closed with my hip and waited for her to open the door. She was certainly taking her time about it.
“These are kinda heavy,” I said.
“I can imagine.” She slowly unlocked the door and then jumped to the side as she pushed it open.
“What was that?”
“I was afraid he might be in there.”
“And, what? You didn’t want to be in the line of fire?”
“Well, no! Would you?”
She had me there. I went on into the house. Everything looked just as I’d left it the day before.
“The coast is clear!” I put my overnight bag and the box on the counter.
“Are you sure?” Myra came in cautiously, looking all around the kitchen before peeking into the living room and then making her way down the hall. She’d poke open doors with two fingers and hop aside like some Easter Bunny-turned-cop.
I wanted to yell, “Boo!” just to mess with her. But, frankly, I was afraid she’d pee on herself.
“Myra, why on earth do you think Todd is here? He didn’t come back last night, did he?”
“Not that I know of, but how do we know he ever even left?”
“Because his truck was gone? Because Officer McAfee went through the entire house? And because after he left here, he went to Violet’s house.”
“Still, he could’ve stashed that truck somewhere, walked back here, and got inside,” she said. “He might be waylaying us right this very second in some little cranny. He could jump out of a closet or something and get us both.”
“How could that be possible?”
“Oh, honey.”
When Myra Jenkins started a story with oh, honey, it was time to get comfortable because whatever she was about to say might take a while. Her tales were never boring, though.
“One time when Carl Junior was in high school,” she continued, “one of his friends was babysitting. I believe her name was Jenny. Anyhow, after she put the young ‘uns to bed, somebody called her and told her she’d better check on them.”
I frowned. “That sounds like a movie to me.”
“Don’t it though? So poor little Jenny thought it was somebody just messing with her. But they called again and said she’d better check on the young ‘uns. Well, she checked on them, and they were fine.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “The police finally traced the call, and it was coming from inside the house?”
“No.” She scrunched up her nose. “Why would it be coming from inside the house—unless it was one of the kids playing a trick on her? It turned out to be old Con Jackson who lived across the street from where Jenny was babysitting. He could see her through the window and didn’t think she was doing a good enough job.”
“What does that have to do with somebody being in your house without your knowing it?”
“Well, he was watching her, and that was almost as bad,” Myra said. “Wasn’t it?”
“I guess so.”
“I bet there have been cases where people hid in a house without the owners knowing, though. Like what you said about somebody calling inside the house. What was that about?”
I waved my hand. “It was nothing. I was getting ahead of myself.”
“Oh.” She looked around one more time before she pulled out a chair and sat down. “I don’t think he’s in here.”
“I don’t think he is either. Would you like some coffee?”
“No. I’m all right,” she said. “Did you get a hold of McElroy?”
“I did. He’s supposed to be here at ten.”
Myra wrinkled her forehead as she looked down at the table. “Do you kinda wonder what he has to say?”
“Of course. I hope you’re right about it only being the heating element. That shouldn’t be too hard or too expensive to fix.”
“I don’t mean McElroy. I mean Todd.”
I sank into the chair across from her. “Yeah. I guess so. I don’t know what would possibly possess him to come here.”
“You said he told you he still loved you.”
“He did.” I shook my head. “But I don’t believe Todd Martin ever loved me. Or anybody besides himself, for that matter. It has to be one of two things—either he wants something he believes I took from him, or he wants to ruin my relationship with Ben.”
“If he can’t have you, nobody can?” She raised her eyes and gave me a wry smile. “Reminds me of the boy who said if I went to prom with Carl instead of him that he’d die.”
“What happened?”
“He died.”
My jaw dropped. “Oh, my gosh!”
“Yep. It was fifty years later. But sure enough, he died.”
We both burst out laughing.
“Thanks,” I said. “I needed that.”
The front doorbell rang.
“Huh.” Myra looked up at the clock. “McElroy’s early.”
I went to the door. Instead of a scruffy old handyman, Officer McAfee was standing there.
“Ms. Martin.” He nodded once. “May I come in please?”
“Of course. Come on into the kitchen.” I led the way. “Would you like some coffee?”
“No, thank you.”
“Well, hi, there! Did you come to protect us?” Myra placed a hand on her chest. “I know I’ll feel safer with you here.”
“Um…no, ma’am. That’s not exactly why I’m here.”
I looked up into his big brown eyes and knew something bad had happened. “What is it?”
“Could we speak privately?”
“Please feel free to say anything y
ou need to say in front of Myra.” This was Brea Ridge. If she didn’t hear it from the horse’s mouth, she’d hear it somewhere else within half an hour. At least this way, she could help keep the facts straight.
“It’s your ex-husband. A man matching his description—and who registered at a nearby hotel under the name Todd Martin—was found dead this morning in his room.”
I stumbled slightly, and Officer McAfee caught me by the shoulders and eased me into the chair I’d vacated to answer the door. “D-do you know…what happened?”
“He was shot. At close range.” He stooped in front of me. “I’m sorry to do this, but I need you to come with me to identify the body.”
CHAPTER SIX
Myra had promised to wait for McElroy Haynes and to feed Sparrow. I’d intended to feed the cat as soon as I got home but had failed to do so before Officer McAfee came calling. It was easier to think about mundane things like that while I rode in the police cruiser than to acknowledge the fact that I was on my way to the morgue to identify the body of my ex-husband.
I looked down at my hands and realized how tightly they were clenched. I opened them and saw the imprints of my fingernails on my palms.
“You all right over there?” McAfee asked.
“No,” I said. “Not really.”
“Talk to me.”
I’d been interrogated by Officer McAfee during a murder investigation not too long ago. My ex-husband had arrived in town yesterday and was dead today under mysterious circumstances. And though I’d done nothing wrong, I wasn’t sure this man was my best option in the confidante department.
“I’m just nervous.” I fiddled with the zipper on my purse. “Is there any chance the person in the morgue could be someone other than Todd?”
“It could be. That’s why I’m taking you to identify the body.” He glanced over at me. “Just between us, are you hoping that it is him or not?”
“I hope it isn’t! That man was my husband once.”
“Still have feelings for him then?”
McAfee was acting all casual, but I knew that police officers—and this one in particular—were seldom casual.
