The Nora Abbott Mystery series Box Set

by Shannon Baker

  “I don’t have the jitters. I will not allow this.”

  His steady gaze held a hint of danger. “Bigger and more powerful people than you have tried to stand in my way and they were crushed. One thing you should know about McCrearys, we get what we want.”

  “Really?” Volcanoes of molten rage made her face burn. “One thing you should know about me, I won’t be railroaded.”

  “Glad to hear it. That kind of determination will transform this mountain into a destination resort. There is no limit to the winter Disneyland we can create.”

  “I don’t think you understand. I mean I won’t fold before you, the Crown Prince of Assholes.”

  “You’re overreacting.” He spoke as if quieting an unreasonable child

  Nora raced away, heading to the foreman. He looked startled. “We’ll never get these trenches done if…”

  She ran behind the men and herded them toward the pickups. “Get out of here. Now. Go!”

  Confused, they stared at her. She probably seemed deranged to them. She didn’t care. Eventually, the foreman must have decided she was crazy enough he didn’t want to argue. He motioned for the men to leave.

  As soon as the men began loading up she stomped across the slope and up the stairs to the deck. Voices came from inside the lodge. She slinked outside the screen door and looked in.

  Abigail, Heather and Charlie gathered around the large front window. Charlie stood on a chair and hammered something above the corner of the window. Heather carried a waterfall of bright yellow fabric with tiny blue flowers. Abigail stood with arms folded supervising.

  Heather rambled on her favorite topic. “When the first people climbed from the Third World to the Fourth World the leaders gathered and each choose an ear of corn. Other tribes quickly grabbed the largest ears, leaving only the smallest for Hopi. According to their choice, each tribe went on their way to settle in their lands. Because the Hopi chose the smallest ear, we were told our lives will be difficult and we’ll always be a small tribe. But we’ll survive the longest.”

  Abigail handed something to Charlie. “But why here? Why didn’t they settle where survival is easier?”

  “The Hopi clans migrated for a very long time. We left behind maps and histories in the rock paintings that are all over. One day the Bear Clan made it to the Mesa and they met a powerful spirit. They wanted him to be their leader and stay with them. He refused but said they could stay as long as they lived in his way. As time went by, other clans settled on the mesas and were accepted into Hopi.”

  Abigail nodded to Heather. She stepped toward Charlie. “If you raise that bracket a smidge you’ll have better luck getting that nail in.”

  Nora opened the screen and stepped inside. “What’s going on?”

  Heather looked over her shoulder, the expression on her face like a child at a birthday party.

  Abigail didn’t turn. “We’re sprucing up the place. Don’t you think these curtains add cheer?”

  Maybe her head would just explode. “No. What I think is that they’ll turn into a giant Kleenex for skiers with runny noses.”

  Abigail clucked. “Heather and I spent the morning sewing these and you could at least say thank you.”

  Speechless. Good. Because anything she said would be bad.

  Abigail gasped. “Not like that. Charlie, you must measure so they’ll be even.”

  Charlie smiled at her, sweat dripping from his face. “Aw, Ab. No one will ever be able to tell.”

  Heather laughed. “They’ll be too busy blowing their noses.”

  Abigail gave her a playful swat. “You dickens.”

  Just one happy party until Nora, The Big Green Ogre, entered.

  Barrett walked into the lodge.

  Nora strode to Barrett, put a hand on his massive chest and gave it a shove. “Get the hell out of here.”

  “Nora!”

  Barrett held up his palm. “I can see you’re upset.”

  “Upset?” She sounded shrill. “Why should I be upset?”

  Abigail faced Nora. “I don’t know what this is about but hysterics will get you nowhere.”

  “Be quiet, Mother.”

  Abigail stomped her foot and clapped her hands. “That’s enough! You will not speak to me that way.”

  Heather’s eyes widened and she stared at the scene.

  Charlie climbed down from the chair. “This sounds like the kind of discussion best undertaken with beverages. Might I suggest a trip to the Mountain Tavern?”

  Nora stared at Barrett. “I don’t care what agenda you plan. This is my business and I’ll run it my way.”

  “If you’ll recall,” Barrett spoke with infuriating calm. “The deal was that I’d give you money to make snow. An ethical business person doesn’t renege on a deal.”

  “Using responsible methods is not reneging.”

  “Will you sit and we’ll talk about it?”

  Abigail drew in her chin and straightened her shoulders. “Of course she’ll discuss this in a rational manner.”

  Nora took another step toward him. “Why are you pushing this? It’s not as if you need money.”

  “Nora, really. Barrett is our benefactor.”

  Barrett’s voice dripped with false kindness. “You have the brains and savvy to steer Kachina to the success it can achieve. But you’re overwhelmed with the burdens thrust on your narrow shoulders. I’m only here to help.”

  Her brain felt dry as a desert, all the neuro-pathways like sandy washes. Let him handle the details, why not? She and Abigail could move into town for a while. Nora would recover from Scott’s death and betrayal, though she didn’t see how. The business would thrive and she’d pick up her life again. Alex would eventually make a stupid move and end up in jail. A smooth transition orchestrated by the great Barrett McCreary himself.

  Her term paper research told her he cleaned up uranium contamination, built clinics and schools, all while increasing profits and moving McCreary Energy into the forefront of the industry. He’d achieved success more complicated than running Kachina Ski.

  Abigail put her arm around Nora, her hands cool and soft. “There now, you see? Barrett is trying to help.”

  Nora looked up, exhausted. “Fire that contractor. Cancel the sprayers.”

  Barrett shook his head. “It’s not good to make rash decisions right now.”

  “This is not a rash decision.”

  Abigail patted Nora’s shoulder. “You won’t have to do it alone. Barrett is going to help you, aren’t you, dear?”

  Dear? Abigail took to rich men like foie gras to Champagne.

  Barrett looked pleased with himself. “People will be here tomorrow to begin the lift repairs.”

  “What?”

  “Leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything.”

  Blood pumped back into her brain, flash-flooding the synapses. “No. I’ll make the decisions about snow and the lift.”

  The p-shew of a beer can opening broke the silence. Charlie slurped then said, “Perhaps Miss Abigail and I can wander down to the Tavern and reserve a table. You could join us later.”

  Abigail let out a deep sigh. “No, Charlie. Barrett and I are on our way out.”

  Charlie didn’t sound daunted. “Okay, then. Might I interest you in an evening stroll?”

  Nora and Barrett faced each other. Nora breathed fast and shallow.

  “I’m sorry,” Abigail said, sounding anything but. “I’m not interested in strolling with you, having supper at the Tavern with you, sharing a six pack with you or doing much of anything with you except wishing you a nice day.”

  Charlie chuckled. “I like a woman with some vinegar to her.”

  Barrett’s smile looked benign enough, but something nasty lurked around its edge. “You’re still general manager. In fact, I’d planned on giving you an actual salary and benefits, like a real corporation.”

  Nora put her hands on her hips. “Unlike Abigail, I’m not interested in being your kept woman.”

/>   “Hear me roar,” Charlie said.

  Abigail glared at Nora, color high in her cheeks. “That was uncalled for and cruel.”

  Guilt felt like tar in Nora’s throat. “I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean that.”

  Abigail’s gold lame sandals clicked across the floor and she grabbed her bag by the front door. “Are you ready for lunch, Barrett? I’m half starved.”

  Barrett hesitated a split second and started after Abigail. “There’s a quaint bistro in the old mining town of Jerome.”

  Nora spoke to Barrett’s back. “Cancel your equipment.”

  Just before he walked out of the lodge, Barrett said. “Don’t try to stop me, Nora.”

  She followed them onto the deck, seething. They strolled down the path to the parking lot. Charlie and Heather stood behind her not making a sound, as if in thrall at the climax of an adventure movie.

  Barrett opened the Mercedes’ door for Abigail and helped her to settle inside.

  Without much thought Nora raced down the steps to the parking lot. Two pickups full of trenchers idled in the lot and she ignored them. Nora jumped into the Jeep, cranked the key, and slammed it into gear. The Jeep lurched backward, spraying cinders as she popped the gear shift from reverse into second and aimed for Barrett’s Mercedes poised to turn onto the road. She braced herself on the steering wheel and stomped on the gas. The Jeep shot forward and crashed into the bumper of Barrett’s gas-guzzling black monster.

  She grabbed the gear shift and shoved it into reverse, backed up a few feet and slammed it to second again, giving it gas. The impact created a satisfying explosion of taillights.

  The Mercedes’ driver side door opened and Barrett jumped out, motivating his bulk with impressive speed.

  While he approached she backed up again, put it in neutral and revved the motor.

  Barrett put a hand on the door as if that could stop her. “What the hell are you doing?”

  She faced the rage in his eyes. “I don’t know but it feels good.”

  Ram into gear, stomp the gas, slam into the bumper.

  “You’re crazy!”

  “That’s right.”

  Abigail appeared next to Barrett. She put an elegant hand on his massive arm and turned him toward the Mercedes.

  The fire inside Nora died as Abigail saw Barrett into his seat, gave him an endearing smile and turned to walk like a queen to her side of the vehicle. She opened the door and just before stepping in, looked at Nora.

  Instead of anger and disappointment, Nora saw pain and confusion.

  The trenchers idled in their pickups.

  Barrett and Abigail drove away.

  23

  What did that prove? Only her incredibly unstable imbecilic nature.

  Heather and Charlie gave her a standing ovation.

  First one pickup, then the other inched toward the road. No doubt the trenchers would be called as witnesses at the murder trial of Scott and Maureen. They’d testify to Nora’s deranged actions. Maybe insanity would be a good defense.

  Charlie walked over to her window and reached in, tilting her chin to look at him. “You are a magnificent woman.”

  At that, a sob escaped her. “So magnificent that I poured the last five years into a doomed business that led to the death of my husband. A husband, by the way, so impressed with my magnificence he was boinking some other woman. And I just went berserk and smashed my Jeep for nothing!”

  Charlie shrugged. “Sure. But you’re not passive. You’ve got life and passion and that’s a great thing.”

  Heather stood at the trail to the lodge. “That was some crazy shit.”

  Nora climbed from the Jeep and plodded past Heather. “I’m sure that’s not the example your father wants you to emulate.”

  Heather turned and followed her. “No one ever treats Poppy like that. Whatever he says goes.”

  Charlie followed them up the path, popping a beer and slurping. Abbey trotted along behind.

  “If you really believed he’s invincible you wouldn’t be getting in trouble and doing time with me,” Nora said.

  Heather shrugged. “Okay, so I’m fighting uranium mining and snowmaking. It won’t make any difference. Poppy always gets his way.”

  “Not this time.”

  A light sparkled in Heather’s eyes. “Maybe not this time. Too many forces are against him.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m only a small force but I’ve got controlling interest.”

  “It’s not only you.”

  “If you think Big Elk is a douche bag why are you helping him?”

  Heather’s face turned as blank as a pack mule’s. “I don’t work for him. We just happen to support some of the same causes.”

  “I support Ponderosa pine and Mexican spotted owls, and no motorized vehicles in my forest,” Charlie said.

  I support staying alive. “Okay. Let’s see if we can salvage anything of this day.”

  Heather sounded eager. “Charlie and I could finish hanging the curtains and surprise Abigail.”

  “To see her smile I’d hang a curtain to China,” Charlie slurred.

  “Much as I’d love to please my mother,” sarcasm injected Nora’s voice, “I think we can finish inventory of the rental stock. Besides, Charlie shouldn’t be climbing chairs.”

  Heather walked next to Nora. “How come you don’t like your mother? Abigail is so cool.”

  “Abigail the Horrible? Abigail the Intrusive, Controlling, Disapproving, Demanding Mother From Hell?”

  Heather’s eyes took on a hard glint. “She’s really proud of you. You should hear her talk about all the great things you’ve done.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  Nora stopped and looked at Heather. “Abigail went to bed for a week because I wouldn’t attend my undergrad graduation. She was so busy planning a month-long cruise after my step father’s death she never noticed I took Kachina Ski. By the way, between graduation and Kachina, she barely spoke to me in protest of me marrying Scott.”

  “You have to admit she was right about that.”

  Now Abigail was recruiting troops? “I suppose she spent the morning gossiping about my marriage and how she tried to save me.”

  “She cares about you,” Heather said.

  “Cares about me.” Noxious memories of Abigail’s care swirled in Nora’s brain. What about the preppy outfits Abigail bought, purely out of concern for Nora? It had nothing to do with Abigail’s friends’ disapproval of Nora’s hiking boots and flannel shirts. Abigail’s concern overflowed when Nora struggled the last semester of her senior year of high school. She said Nora simply had to be valedictorian because Abigail invited so many people to the reception. The list of Abigail’s loving concern was endless.

  Nora inhaled to begin her litany of abuse but Heather’s sad face halted her momentum. “I’d give anything to have a mother.”

  Nothing like a tire iron to the temple. God, Nora acted self-centered, insensitive and calloused. She put her arm around Heather. “I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll share her with you. Maybe you’ll get a little of that doting mothering you’ve missed and I can get a break.”

  This felt kind of good to Nora. She’d never had a little sister and she liked talking with Heather. Maybe this whole mentor thing would work out for both of them. “Look. I know I’ve been hard on you. I don’t mean to be. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  Heather’s eyes misted. “That’s nice. But I can take care of myself.”

  Nora gave Heather’s shoulders a squeeze and felt her tense. The girl stared at the corner of the lodge.

  Nora followed her gaze. Straight into the jaws of death.

  Alex leaned against the lodge, arms folded, a smug smile on his lips.

  Nora dropped her arm from Heather’s shoulders and fought to keep from screaming. “What’s he doing here?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Nora spun and sprinted for the apartment and her phone.

  “Wait!�
� Heather called. “He’s not going to hurt you.”

  There wasn’t a wait bone in Nora’s body. She hit the stairs and took them two at a time. While her heart threatened to explode, she told the 911 dispatcher that Alex loitered on her property.

  Heather spoke to him right below the apartment window.

  Somewhere Charlie had found a shovel and stood a few feet from the couple, the shovel poised to attack.

  Whatever Heather and Alex discussed, it wasn’t roses and sunshine. Their body language shouted anger. Alex grabbed Heather’s arm and pulled her a step toward the forest.

  Nora didn’t hesitate. As quickly as she’d flown to the apartment she doubled her speed to get back. By the time she arrived, Charlie moved closer and held the shovel like a javelin.

  Heather held her hands up in a calming motion. “It’s okay, Charlie. He’s not going to hurt me.”

  “You’d best clear out of here, young man.”

  Nora stepped next to Charlie. “Why not stick around a few more minutes. The cops will be here by then.”

  Heather turned on her. “You called the cops? You bitch!”

  Alex laughed. “Go ahead and call the army for all I care. They can’t save you.” He waved at Charlie, dismissing him. “This old man won’t help. If I wanted to kill your lily white ass, you’d be dead now.”

  In another couple of minutes her heart would burst from fear and save Alex the trouble of killing her. “Come on, Heather. Let’s go back to the lodge and wait for the cops.”

  Alex flipped his hair back. “You gonna let that white bitch tell you what to do?”

  Heather narrowed her eyes at Nora. “I can’t believe you called the cops. I told you I’d take care of it.”

  “He’s a murderer, Heather.”

  She shook her head. “He never killed anyone.”

  “Yet.” Alex grinned at Nora.

  Nora grabbed the shovel from Charlie. “Damn it, Heather. Get away from him!”

  Heather shook her head, tears accumulating in the corner of her eyes. “He’s the only one who loves me.” She took Alex’s hand and together they ran into the forest.