Fat hen farm 03- Fowl play at the fair

by Sandy Vale

  “That’s a big thing we have in common. My grandma was tough but I loved her to death and I bet you loved your grandma too. Do you miss her?”

  “Everyday. She died three years ago.” Nicole’s eyes teared up. “Sheila came to the funeral. That’s when we started talking.”

  “Sheila knew your grandma?”

  “Yeah. We’re related. My grandma lived with Sheila’s grandma. Grandma left Wil ow Fal s when she was sixteen. She was pregnant.” Nicole paused to let this information sink in. Waiting for a reaction.

  “That must have been difficult for her. To leave her friends and everything she was familiar with.” Kitty put her tea cup on the table.

  “I guess so. I found a diary she kept through those years. That’s how I learned about her life. Sheila read the diary from cover to cover too.”

  “Do you stil have the diary?”

  “Sheila has it.”

  “Was there something in the diary about this farm?”

  Nicole looked away. “No. Not specifical y about the farm. But there’s a lot about Bernie. Sheila made me believe that he was my grandfather.”

  “Where did that document come from?”

  “Sheila and Harry worked together on that.”

  “What about Blake? Where did he fit into al this?”

  “Blake wasn’t part of it as far as I know. I only met him once. He wasn’t very friendly.” Nicole jumped when her phone buzzed. “It’s Sheila. What should I do?”

  “Answer the phone. Stay calm. Be vague.”

  “Hel o? . . . Hi Sheila . . . I’m on my way to the apartment. Where are you? . . . okay . . . see you soon.” Nicole put her phone away and looked at Kitty. “She sounded furious. She can’t know that I’ve been here talking to you.”

  “Don’t worry about that. Just act like everything is the same. Apologize for taking Maddie, you won’t do it again.”

  “Oh, that. It was al planned. She wanted me to take Maddie. Make Frank look irresponsible. She’s trying to get custody. She’s angry about something else.”

  “What is she angry about?”

  “I . . . I can’t tel you.” Nicole wouldn’t look at Kitty.

  “Thanks for talking to me.” She watched Nicole get in her car and drive off, thinking about what Nicole had told her. I wonder if all that is true.

  Kitty saw Sam walking up the driveway. Fast. “Let’s go Max. Sam looks like he’s on a mission.”

  “Kitty.” Sam stopped to catch his breath. “Kitty. Mia just had an accident. June cal ed to tel me she’s on her way to the hospital. Can you give me a ride? Aaron has my car.”

  “What happened? Never mind. I’l get my keys.”

  Jumping into her car, she looked at Sam. “Do you know any details?” Kitty asked as she drove out of her driveway.

  “Not real y. It sounds like her pride and joy mini cooper is totaled. I hope she isn’t too badly hurt. Ya know, Kitty, I’ve known Mia since I was a boy.

  I had a crush on her way back then. I don’t want anything bad to happen to her.”

  “No need to jump to conclusions. We’l be there in five minutes and we’l get more details. Does she know you had a crush on her Sam?”

  “I don’t think so. She always had her eye on someone else. We’ve been friends through the years. Close friends.” They finished the drive in silence. Kitty was always learning something new about her friends that surprised her. She had known Sam for most of her life too. He didn’t usual y share much with her about himself. Kitty reached over and held Sam’s hand.

  “Thank you Kitty. I’m thankful every day that you are living at the farm.”

  “Here we are. Get that worried look off your face Sam. You need to be strong in front of your friends. Go in and find June and Dottie. I’l come in after I park.”

  Kitty saw Sam sitting with June and Dottie, deep in conversation. She grabbed a coffee from the vending machine and joined them.

  June eyed Kitty’s coffee. “Where’d you get the coffee? I could use one too.”

  “Anyone else?”

  Three hands shot up.

  “Here Sam, you take mine, I’l get more. Be right back.” Kitty returned to the vending machine. Balancing the three hot coffees, she delivered them to her friends.

  “Anyone know what happened with Mia? Is she okay?”

  Dottie sipped her coffee. “Oh Kitty, her poor car is completely squished. She rear-ended a big SUV.” Frustrated, Kitty said. “I don’t care about her car. How’s Mia?”

  June turned toward Kitty. “She’l be okay. The doctor said she has a broken leg. Nice clean break. And she’s sore where the seat belt stopped her from going through the windshield. But she’s going to be extremely upset about that car. It was like a baby to her. I always told her she was too attached to that car.”

  “She’s a good driver. Did something distract her?”

  “You’l have to ask her yourself. Here comes the doctor.” Sam stood up hopeful y.

  “Mia can have visitors now. She’s doing pretty wel , but she’s a little groggy.” Kitty fol owed behind her friends to Mia’s room. She looked tiny in the hospital bed with her leg wrapped in a big cast.

  Sam was the first one in. “I guess we have to cal you Mario now instead of Mia, you speed demon.” He tried to coax a smile from her lips without success.

  “Oh Sam. I wasn’t even going fast. That big ugly SUV slammed on his breaks right when I had looked away. It could have happened to any of you. My poor car.”

  “Mia. What about your poor leg? That car can be replaced.” June scolded her.

  “I know but it’s the first car I got to pick out for me. Al my life Steven insisted on practical cars. This probably sounds sil y but my mini cooper made me feel young and sexy again.”

  Kitty sat on the edge of the bed. “Mia, you can get another one once your leg is healed. What did you look at before you crashed?”

  “I saw a man and a woman having a huge argument.”

  “What did the man look like?”

  “He was tal , wore glasses, thin. He had a basebal cap on. Red Sox I think. They looked like they were arguing about something. I’m sure I’ve seen him before. Maybe at the fair.”

  “How about the woman?”

  “A little overweight, red hair, attractive.”

  Kitty knew exactly who Mia had seen. “That description sounds like Frank’s ex-wife Sheila and Blake’s partner Harry.”

  “That must have been a long look for you to get al those details. No wonder you crashed.” June reprimanded. “You need to keep your eyes on the road.”

  “When can you go home Mia?” Sam gently asked. “You’l need help.”

  “The doctor won’t let me go home unless I have help.”

  “You could stay with me if you want. I could put a cot in the living room. It’s close to the bathroom. Corey’s around to help and Sam is right next door.” Kitty offered.

  “I hadn’t thought about that. That might be nice Kitty. Just for a few days. I don’t want to be a burden.”

  “Wel , that’s settled then. I’l go talk to the nurses and find out when I can bring you home.”

  “That Kitty is such a sweet girl, isn’t she? Always thinking about everyone else.” June said. “We’l come over and visit, play cards if you’re up to it, bring food. You’l have more company than if you hadn’t crashed your precious car.” Kitty returned with a nurse. “It looks like they’l let you leave since you’re coming to my house. The doctor didn’t want you to go home without help. I’m going home to get the cot ready and I’l be back to pick you up. Sam are you staying here?”

  “I’l wait here and catch a ride when you come back.”

  “Great. See you al later.”

  Kitty walked to her car to find Harry leaning on it, waiting for her.

  “Harry? I was planning to visit you again. It seems you have been forging some documents.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I want that folder you have that bel
ongs to me.” Harry said as he blocked Kitty her from getting into her car.

  “How do you figure it belongs to you?”

  “Blake was my partner. Blake’s files belong to me now.”

  “That’s a stretch. You don’t have a partner now. Maybe that works for you. Don’t you think that if he wanted you to have that information, he would have kept it at the office? Get out of my way.” Kitty stared at Harry without blinking. “By the way, how’s Sheila? You two having a disagreement?” Harry’s face blanched.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Excuse me. I have something important to get done.” Kitty pushed Harry away from her car and drove home.

  Chapter 10

  Kitty wasn’t sure what Sheila and Harry were up to but she was positive it was al connected to Blake’s murder and the farm. Nicole was the link to it al .

  Frank and Maddie were in the barn when Kitty arrived. Maddie was busy brushing Henry. Corey was cleaning the stal s.

  “Hey, where have you been Kitty?” Frank sounded worried.

  “Didn’t you hear? Mia crashed her car and is in the hospital. I said she could stay with me so I have to get a cot set up in the living room. Can you help me?”

  “Of course. Is she okay?”

  “A broken leg and some bruising. She’s more upset that her beloved mini cooper is totaled than she is about her injuries. She can’t go home without help so she’s going to stay here. I’m sure I’l get plenty of help from Sam, June and Dottie.”

  “We’l help too.” Maddie and Corey chimed in as Frank and Kitty went to the house.

  “Here’s the cot. Can you set it up by the windows in the living room? I’m going upstairs to get sheets and blankets.” Kitty returned with her arms ful of bedding. “When I left the hospital, Harry was waiting by my car, demanding I give him that file.”

  “There must be something in there that he’s very worried about. Did you find out anything from Nicole?” Frank and Kitty worked together getting the cot made up for Mia.

  “Some background information that matched what was in the file from Blake. She told me she was raised by her grandmother, Becky. I can relate to that. Also, that Becky kept a diary with a lot of information about Bernie. She was going to tel me more, but Sheila cal ed and she had to go. Oh yeah, she said the whole thing about taking Maddie was planned. Sheila is trying to make you look irresponsible.” Kitty watched Frank’s jaw clamp in anger.

  “That’s good to know. Sheila real y chewed me out when I told her Nicole brought Maddie back. She has turned into a conniving nasty person.

  Since my tire iron was the murder weapon, if she can make me look irresponsible too, wel , I don’t even want to think about that.” Kitty poured ice tea for both of them. “When Mia crashed? She was distracted by Sheila and Harry arguing on the sidewalk. Mia didn’t know it was Harry but she thinks she remembers seeing him before. Maybe at the fair.”

  “Harry was at the fair? Maybe he kil ed Blake. You have some more sleuthing to do Kitty. There’s lots of pieces but not a complete picture yet.”

  “I know. I think Nicole might have the rest of the pieces and she doesn’t even know it. I have to go back to the hospital and pick up Sam and Mia.

  Can you stay until I get back? I might need help getting Mia into the house."

  “I’l be here. I can’t tear Maddie away from that pony anyway. She’d probably sleep with him if I let her.” Frank laughed at that image.

  ***

  Kitty was anxious to get back to the hospital to pick up Mia. She was glad Mia agreed to stay with her. Kitty wanted to get Mia out of the hospital and comfortable in her living room. Kitty pul ed up at the hospital in front of a group of people surrounding Mia’s wheelchair.

  “Looks like a party here. Celebrating getting rid of this crotchety old lady?” Kitty asked the nurse.

  Mia was glowing. She patted her white hair. “Kitty. This wonderful nurse insisted on staying with me until you arrived even though Sam and June and Dottie are waiting with me too. And let me introduce you to this handsome gentleman, John Rockwel . He’s here to visit his granddaughter and her brand new baby girl.”

  June whispered in Kitty’s ear. “She’s acting like a teenager in love and she doesn’t even know this guy.” John Rockwel extended his hand to Kitty. “So nice to meet such a kind, attractive friend of Mia’s. This is truly a friendly town for my antique business. I hope you al come to my open house tomorrow night.”

  Kitty gently pul ed her hand away from his too long handshake. “My pleasure Mr. Rockwel .”

  “Please cal me John. I hope al you ladies stop in to visit. Rockwel Antiques, on Main Street, next to White Lily Florist. I’l see you soon Mia.” John winked at her and gal antly kissed her hand.

  “Who does he think he is?” Sam hissed after John walked into the hospital.

  “Oh Sam. He’s just being friendly.” Mia twittered.

  “Humph. Too slick for me.”

  Closing the back door after Mia was safely on the back seat, Kitty patted Sam’s arm and quietly said, “Stop sounding jealous. With al that charm, I’m sure he has a lady friend.”

  June overheard the comment. “Don’t be so sure Kitty. Before you got here, he told us he just moved to town and didn’t know anyone except his granddaughter. I agree with Sam. We need to find out more about him. He’s a bit too smooth for my taste.”

  “Let’s get going. Are you fol owing me June?”

  “Definitely.”

  It was a quick drive to Kitty’s house. Max and Cleo barked a warm welcome. Frank had the tea ready to pour and a plate of muffins on the table.

  “This is better than home Kitty. Thanks for inviting me. And you have such a handsome helper here.” Mia winked at Frank as she settled comfortably on the couch with her broken leg propped up on the coffee table. “You may not be able to get rid of me. Did anyone bring cards?” June and Dottie pul ed up chairs and dealt the cards. “Are you playing too Sam?”

  “Deal me in. I’l be right there.” Sam had cornered Kitty to talk more about John Rockwel . “I’ve got a bad feeling about that guy. It’s not jealousy Kitty. Of course I care about Mia. I’m just being careful since she is acting so smitten after talking to him for five minutes.”

  “Okay. Okay. I get it. I’l visit the antique store, take a look around, see what I can find out. I get the feeling he may pop in to visit Mia. That’l be a good way to watch him too.”

  “Can we play go fish?” Kitty heard Maddie ask Mia.

  “Just what I wanted to play. Come here and sit next to me Maddie.”

  ***

  The opening for the antique store had everyone curious. Mia was excited to see John Rockwel again. Her friends were anxious to learn more about the new mystery man in town.

  “Kitty. Do I have to use the wheel chair? I think it makes me look older. Can’t I use the crutches instead?” Mia pestered.

  “No. The doctor was very clear about using the wheel chair for the first two weeks. If you lose your balance and fal again, you’re at risk of breaking something else.” Kitty reminded Mia.

  Mia frowned. “How do I look?”

  “Add a smile and that royal blue silk blouse makes you look elegant. Here, how about this flowery scarf to add some more color. You like this guy, don’t you Mia?”

  “At my age, there aren’t too many good ones left. He’s handsome, charming and so polite. I get goose bumps just thinking about him. Is there anything wrong with that?”

  “No. Not at al .” I hope it’s not just an act on John Rockwell’s part or he will feel the wrath of me and several old ladies, thought Kitty.

  “Ya know, I loved Steven to death but he didn’t have a romantic bone in his body. It’s nice to be flattered by a man. John makes me feel special.

  Kitty? What about you dear?”

  “What about me, Mia?” Kitty looked puzzled by the question.

  “You know. What about you and your friend Frank? He’s a keeper and that little girl is a charmer. Are you
more than friends?”

  “We’re becoming close friends. We both had bad marriage experiences so we’re taking this slowly. I do like him. A lot. And you’re right about Maddie. She loves the farm. I hope Sheila isn’t successful with her plan of getting custody.”

  “What? That’s ridiculous. Frank is devoted to that girl. He couldn’t be a better dad.” Kitty patted Mia’s arm. “I see Sam walking up the driveway. He’s coming with us.”

  “Oh.” Mia sounded disappointed.

  “What’s wrong with that? He’l be able to help you in and out of the car.”

  “He doesn’t like John. I can tel . Sam is like an overprotective brother sometimes. I love him but he can be annoying at times too.”

  “It wil be fine. There wil be lots of people. I’l try to distract Sam so he doesn’t hover around you too much. Mia? You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks. You do too. Use your powers on Frank. You two are made for each other.”

  “Let’s go.”

  ***

  Main Street was busy. By the looks of it, everyone was going to the opening. Curiosity most likely.

  “I’l drop you and Mia off and try to find some place to park.” Kitty told Sam. “There’s Tina and Aaron, they can help too.” Tina saw Kitty’s car pul up and she waved. “Look at al these cars. I don’t think everyone wil fit inside. Come on Mia. People wil move out of the way for your wheelchair.”

  Kitty wove her way through the crowd and found her friends off to one side. John Rockwel was flirting with Mia much to her enjoyment.

  “Oh John, you are making me blush.”

  “Mia. I’m so glad you came. You look ravishing in that outfit. How is your leg healing?”

  “It’s healing wel but the doctor insisted I use the wheelchair for a bit longer. Your shop is very creative. Where do you find al these beautiful pieces of furniture?”

  “Here and there. I’l get you some food and a drink.”

  Kitty tried to divert Sam’s attention from Mia and John’s conversation. “What do you think? Isn’t this interesting?”

  “Humph. A bunch of old stuff. I like the flowers though.”