by Linda Lovely
Though I wasn’t a Facebook friend, Ruth’s social settings let me view all her recent posts—and there were plenty. Photos of her and Jack Ford, her fiancé. Candids with her dad, Lawrence Toomey, and mother, Esther. None of the photos showed anyone hugging, let alone kissing. The photo subjects were too busy engaging in wholesome activities—tennis, hiking, canoeing. Nothing touchy-feely or overly personal.
Her Facebook page included no mention of the Temple of True Believers or her grandparents. Did that mean she’d separated herself from their goat-hating claptrap? Or was the omission part of a studied public persona geared to make her appear to be Jack’s perfect mate. I jumped to his Facebook page. Yep, he was busy campaigning as an All-American, apple-pie conservative.
As I studied the photos, I noticed how many features Ruth and Amber shared. Both had heart-shaped faces, widow’s peaks, and large ears with oversized lobes. Their voluptuous builds were similar, too, though Ruth tended to opt for loose-fitting clothes that camouflaged her well-endowed chest.
Of course, if I hadn’t known they were related, I wouldn’t have picked up on the similarities. Amber had raven hair, hazel eyes, and bronzed skin. Ruth’s complexion was pale, her hair an uninspired brown.
I closed Facebook and started my car. Time to see if Ruth in the flesh matched her digital persona.
FORTY-TWO
As my Prius glided to a standstill at each stoplight, I entertained second, third, and fourth thoughts about my mission. Why had I agreed to be a go-between for the half-sisters? Heck, Amber was the detective. Couldn’t she have figured out a way to discreetly approach Ruth for a tête-à-tête?
I wasn’t convinced Ruth would be any happier being ambushed by me—a virtual stranger.
But I’d agreed.
I counted my lucky stars when I found a two-hour parking space a block from the urgent care facility. I checked the time—1:42. I should be able to catch Ruth as she left work. Fingers crossed she hadn’t flown the coop early. I also hoped a co-worker wouldn’t leave the building at her side.
I found a sunny spot to loiter unobtrusively. I leaned against the warm bricks of a nearby building as I pretended to read the papers in my hand—the empty bid forms for our goat rental gig. While I could run forever, standing for long periods killed my back. I shuffled my feet and stretched.
At 2:04, Ruth walked through the door. Right on time and alone. Her pace was brisk. I followed at a respectable distance, waiting until we were out of sight of her workplace. Didn’t want any co-workers jogging to catch up.
“Ruth, hi. We were introduced a few days ago at Clemson’s Madren Center. I’m Brie Hooker.”
She looked startled. Her gaze darted right and left. Was she searching for an escape route? Looking for witnesses or her fiancé?
Though she had yet to say a word, I rushed ahead, “Your friend Amber has been staying in a cottage I own. She knew I was coming to Greenville and asked me to deliver a message. Can we go somewhere to talk?”
Ruth’s eyes narrowed to slits. “My apartment’s around the corner.” She turned her face away, looked forward, and increased her brisk pace. Any faster and she’d be running. I stayed a skootch behind so we didn’t appear to be together. I made no attempt to engage in small talk. She clearly wasn’t interested.
The unlocked door to her high-rise apartment building opened on a spacious marble lobby ringed with retail space. Two elevators sat straight ahead. Ruth pulled a key card from her purse. The lift was apparently off-limits to the general public. I followed her inside the elevator.
She kept her silence as we glided upwards. She glanced repeatedly at the ceiling. Was she checking to see if security cameras were recording our interaction as we climbed to the twelfth floor?
Her apartment was two doors past the elevator. After she unlocked it, she stepped to the side so I could enter. My feet had barely cleared the threshold when she gave the door a hard shove. It clicked closed and I braced myself. I kind of expected an attack.
Ruth took a deep breath with her eyes closed. Preparing for battle?
Her sudden smile, so like Amber’s, threw me for a loop, especially after her frosty sidewalk dismissal. Miss Jekyll and Nurse Hyde?
“Go on in the living room. Make yourself at home.” Ruth kicked off her shoes and bustled into a galley kitchen just off the hallway. “What can I get you to drink? Ice tea? Beer? Coke?”
“Tea sounds perfect.” I was drawn to a window wall offering a panoramic view of downtown Greenville. I could even glimpse a portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, popular with urban walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The trail stretched from Travelers Rest through downtown Greenville and Reedy Falls Park.
“What a fantastic view,” I commented as I accepted the glass of iced tea. The frosty glass made me wish Ruth had offered hot tea. I had yet to shake the chill acquired walking in the thick woods at Jamieson Gorge.
Ruth stared out the window. “The view sold me. It’s a small one-bedroom apartment and too expensive, but so convenient. The view’s a treat. Even prettier at night.”
I made an appreciative nod. When she turned to look at me, her lips tightened. “So tell me what Amber wants.”
“She’d like to meet you in person, someplace private. Tomorrow if possible.”
“Why? My fiancé found out I was talking to her, and said nothing good could come of it. He’s forbidden any contact with Amber. Demanded I break all communication.”
I took a sip of tea before I answered. My first thought was, wow, I wouldn’t be engaged very long to a fiancé who felt he could forbid me to do anything. But maybe she’d been brought up to believe the man was the master of the house and it was her unquestioned duty to obey.
“You should meet Amber in person. She means you no harm. Listen to what she has to say. Then, if you agree with your fiancé, tell her to her face that you don’t want to hear from her again.”
When Ruth failed to launch an immediate rebuttal, I continued. “My Aunt Eva owns Udderly Kidding Dairy in Ardon County and sometimes rents goats to underbrush property.”
Ruth’s wrinkled forehead told me my non-sequitur had her thinking I was nutso. I laughed.
“Sorry I was going ’round the horn to explain why I visited Jamieson Gorge Nature Park today. It might be an ideal spot for a private meeting. When I was scouting the place, there wasn’t another car in the parking lot. Not very popular this time of year.”
Ruth scooted forward in her seat. “I’ve heard of that park but never been there.” She nodded her head. “Guess it’s closer than driving all the way to Ardon County. What time does Amber want to meet? Tomorrow’s Sunday so I have to attend morning services with my fiancé. I think he has an afternoon meeting so I should be able to get away for an hour or so.”
“Amber says any time that works for you is fine.”
She nodded. “Let’s make it two o’clock, Jamieson Gorge.”
Ruth studied me as she sipped her drink. The friendly light in her eyes appeared to wink out. “I seem to recall your father’s a Clemson professor. That’s how he was acquainted with my dad. But your name rings a bell for some other reason. I wish I could remember why. How well do you know Amber? You’re sure she didn’t tell you more about me?”
I lowered my eyes and took a long sip of tea, a delay tactic while I weighed my options. Perhaps if I answered Ruth’s question about how I knew Amber I’d distract her from the other, much tougher questions.
I didn’t want Ruth to spend too much time pondering why my name sounded familiar. Had her grandparents told her I was a food poisoner, an evil goat worshipper? Real possibilities if Ruth ever shot the breeze with Pastor and Jeannie Nickles, the rulers of the True Believer cult.
“I met Amber two days ago.” I smiled. “She’s staying with Ursula Billings, a friend of my mother’s. They rented a cottage on my Summer Place property. It was a last resort since
all the Clemson area hotels and B&Bs were booked solid. Last night a fire in the cottage evicted them. Ursula booked a flight to leave Ardon County today, but Amber didn’t want to skip town until she had a chance to meet you.”
No need to mention the 100 percent certainty Ursula’s flight would be canceled.
Ruth’s face morphed again, back to friendly. I ushered in a new subject before she asked anything else I wasn’t at liberty to answer.
My gaze caught on a framed photo of Ruth with her fiancé. “What a great picture. Is that your fiancé?” I played ignorant.
“Yes, Jack Ford.” Her proprietary tone screamed “hands off, he’s mine”. I picked up the picture and took a closer look. Her fiancé looked a lot like her dad might have decades earlier—fair hair, blue eyes, lean build.
“Jack’s an attorney. He argued a case in front of my father. Dad was so impressed he invited him to our house for dinner after he ruled on the case. That’s how we met.”
She frowned. “Jack’s the only man who’s earned my father’s stamp of approval. Dad’s delighted we’re engaged, though he asked us to hold off setting a wedding date until he’s confirmed as a Supreme Court judge. He didn’t want media frenzy and all the nomination hoopla to take away from Jack’s and my wedding announcement.”
I felt uncomfortable listening to Ruth talk about her father. I sensed she loved the man even though she had to be aware of his infidelity. I mean, Amber wouldn’t exist if Toomey had been faithful to Ruth’s mother. Of course, Ruth didn’t know all the sordid details.
Suddenly I was eager to escape Ruth’s apartment. I had a bad feeling about the private meeting I’d set up. Somehow I couldn’t imagine Ruth trying to talk her father into dreaming up some personal excuse to withdraw his name from consideration for the high court.
“Thanks for the iced tea.” I carefully centered my almost-full glass on a cork coaster. “But I really must run.”
I made an oh-my-goodness face as I checked my watch and leapt from the sofa. “Wow, where does the time go? Don’t want to be late to meet my boyfriend.”
Ruth walked me to the door. “Thanks for passing along Amber’s message.”
“My pleasure,” I lied.
A sixth sense told me the coming meeting would be a disaster. Given Ruth’s connection to her father I couldn’t imagine a happy outcome, not one that would please both half-sisters. I feared Amber and Ruth could never be friends, and might become bitter enemies.
I walked briskly toward my car, thinking all the while about my dad, Howard. What if someone gave me irrefutable evidence he’d cheated on Mom and fathered a child out of wedlock? How would I feel?
Like Ruth, I was an only child. Would I want a relationship with a sibling, one whose existence came as a total shock? I’d be curious, but what else would I feel—sad, betrayed, disappointed?
Whatever my emotions might be, I decided they’d be transitory. I couldn’t imagine any revelation dissolving my bond with Dad. Thirty-two years of love couldn’t easily be set aside.
FORTY-THREE
Since there was time left on my two-hour parking meter, I caved to temptation and made an unplanned stop at a new kitchen store near Falls Park. I escaped with a mere twenty-six-dollar charge on my MasterCard. Subconsciously I think I wanted to postpone phoning Amber as long as possible. The more I thought about Amber and Ruth meeting at Jamieson Gorge the more I got the heebie-jeebies. I waited until I’d climbed in my Prius to call Amber’s burner cell.
She picked up immediately. “Brie, what did Ruth say?”
The detective barreled ahead without so much as a “hello”.
I described my meet-up with Ruth—well, at least the words she’d spoken. I didn’t quite know how to communicate the undertone, the weird vibes. The woman seemed almost schizophrenic, friendly one second, frosty the next.
“Ruth will meet you at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon,” I said. “I recommended Jamieson Gorge as a good spot to meet since I’d just been there. It’s definitely private, off the beaten path. But I wish I hadn’t suggested it, too isolated. Could be Ruth wants to do more than meet you.”
Amber barked a laugh. “What are you saying? Think my half-sister will seize the opportunity to bash in my skull? Why would she? It wouldn’t solve a thing. Ursula isn’t going to be with me. Killing me wouldn’t make my DNA disappear unless she has some way to vaporize my body.”
I sighed. Amber was mocking me, trying to joke me out of my vague misgivings. “I know it makes no sense. But you didn’t see Ruth’s face when she spoke about her father, your father. She loves the man. Let’s say Lawrence Toomey had a hand in the food poisoning and the arson. What if Ruth confides in him, tells him she’s meeting you? She could set things in motion, things you can’t control.”
“I’m not some helpless innocent, and even my father must realize it’s impossible to murder his way out of this mess. New crimes can’t erase knowledge of past bad deeds. Too many people are involved. Too many know Toomey’s dirty secret now, including you and your parents.”
I didn’t respond. The total silence on the line seemed ominous.
“So you’re determined to forge ahead?” I finally asked.
“I am.” Amber followed her two-word answer with a nervous laugh. “Can’t believe I’m about to ask another favor given how you feel about the meeting. But I don’t have a car. Could you drive me to Jamieson Gorge tomorrow? I won’t risk your safety, just drop me at the entrance and take off. I’ll call you to pick me up again if and when it’s safe to return.”
I really, really wanted to refuse, to say no. Why didn’t I? Irrational guilt? Possibly. I’d suggested the site, set up the meeting. How would I feel if Amber rented a car and drove there by her lonesome? I’d be worried sick the whole time. And what if she turned up dead? If I played chauffeur, Ruth would know there was a witness. Surely that would deter any rash move.
“Okay, I’ll give you a ride.”
“I really appreciate it.” Amber sounded as if she’d been holding her breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll bring my brand new gun. Nothing bad’s going to happen. Remember, you’ll have a law officer riding shotgun.”
Amber’s mention of a gun only boosted my anxiety. Note to self: work on ability to say no.
“The park’s about an hour from Clemson. I’ll pick you up a few minutes before one.”
“Fine. See you in a couple hours. I did decide to have dinner at Udderly Kidding Dairy with Ursula and your folks. Please keep it zipped about the meeting. Ursula would have a cow. She has no idea Ruth is aware I exist.”
I phoned Mom as soon as I ended my conversation with Amber.
“Hi, Mom, what’s the head count for dinner?” I played dumb. “I made a big pot of vegetarian chili, but I’m not sure how far it will stretch. I should stop at the grocery and expand the offerings if we have more than six.”
“I believe we’re up to nine. Ursula, Amber, Howard, and I make four. Then there’s Eva, Billy, Andy, and Mollye. And I suppose you might want to eat, too.”
“How did Mollye get an invite?” I asked.
Not that I objected. My best friend never needed a formal invitation to join us. I was just curious. Deputy Danny must be working tonight. Otherwise she’d be pestering him to choose between skydiving in Alaska and spelunking in Antarctica for their honeymoon. I felt certain she’d come up with a wing-ding adventure.
My smile slowly crumpled. Moll would drop in a lot less often once Deputy Danny was elevated from fiancé to husband. I’d miss her. I tuned back into Mom as I realized she was answering my question.
“Mollye stopped by Udderly early afternoon and stayed a couple of hours to help Billy usher customers past the True Believer picketers. Once Eva told your friend who all was coming to dinner, she asked to join us.”
“Sounds like I’d better figure out what else I can serve.”
&nbs
p; “No, you’re fine. Since Ursula and I couldn’t fly out tonight, we spent the afternoon in the kitchen. Cooking kept our minds off the weather. We’re bringing a big pot of white chicken chili and dessert. I used your vegan pumpkin brownie recipe so you can enjoy dessert, too. But we’re bringing real ice cream for the rest of us to enjoy with the brownies.”
“Thanks, Mom. See you soon.”
As I approached Udderly’s gate, I was delighted to see there was no one picketing. Then I remembered the reason for the absence. I checked my watch. Five o’clock. The funeral started at four. At this very moment, Ardon Mortuary’s shiny black hearse might be carrying Harriett from the Temple of True Believers to her grave in Sunset Gardens.
Another surprise awaited me at the cabin. Andy’s truck was parked beside Billy’s ride. Wow, my favorite veterinarian was more than an hour early for dinner. As I walked in the cabin, my cheery hello was greeted with total silence. It scared me. Had a lynch mob of True Believers skipped Harriett’s funeral to seek revenge?
I threw my purse down on the hall table and ran to the milking barn. No one. My heart pounded. I yelled. The only answers were a few woofs from our herding dogs. It was milking time. Why hadn’t Eva sent our Border collies to round up the does?
Maybe the trio had gone to the horse barn. “Eva, Billy, Andy,” I yelled at the top of my lungs as I ran to the barn door, fearing my late Aunt Lilly’s mule or Eva’s horse had fallen ill or broken a leg.
“Stop your caterwauling,” Eva scolded as I stood panting at the barn’s entrance. “You’re gonna scare the newest additions to our Udderly Kidding family.”
My tense neck muscles loosened. A relief. The three babies looked adorable trying to keep vertical on wobbly kid legs.
Eva jerked her head toward a stall to her right. “Two more in there, and another two at the back of the barn.” She laughed. “Did you put something in the water before you left today? Our does seemed to be having a birthing contest. Pumping out kids left and right. Had to call Andy for help. One of Brenda’s twins tried to back into the world and got stuck. Hard for me to help three nannies at once.”
