Suspicious Origin

by MacDonald, Patricia

  Chapter Twenty

  “How do you move this seat back?” Vicki complained as she squeezed herself behind the wheel of the new car. “I’m squooshed.”

  “Try that lever at the bottom,” said Britt, buckling up her seat belt.

  “Ah, that’s better,” said Vicki. She wrinkled her nose and made a face. “You know everybody always raves about that new-car smell but I think it smells gross. I’m gonna get one of those little pine trees to hang off my mirror. I hate this smell.”

  Britt shrugged. She was not able to think about Vicki’s new car. Vicki stuck the key in the ignition.

  “Now, let me just push some of these buttons and make sure I know where everything is. I need the windshield wipers with these snow flurries.”

  “Okay, okay,” said Britt, impatiently. “But I told her I’d be right there.”

  Vicki familiarized herself with the dashboard and then pronounced herself all set. She put the car into gear and stepped on the gas. The car lurched forward and Britt grabbed the dashboard.

  “Sorry,” said Vicki, giggling. She glanced at Britt and seemed to notice her frown. “Okay, okay, we’re going.” She looked in her mirror and pulled away from the curb. “I was used to driving my boyfriends car which was an old wreck on its last legs. You’d press on the gas with all your might and the thing would barely move. It finally broke down completely.”

  Britt nodded, wondering if that boyfriend was the baby’s father. And if he even knew that Vicki was expecting a baby. Trying to be considerate, despite her own anxiety, Britt said, “How are you feeling these days?”

  Vicki shrugged, as she craned her neck, watching the road. “Like I swallowed a whale,” she said. “I can’t get any sleep. I get gas from everything I eat.”

  “Not much longer,” said Britt.

  “Thank God,” said Vicki.

  Britt looked back at the sidewalk in front of the police station. Kevin and Caroline were nowhere in sight. “How did you happen to pick the Carmichaels to be the parents?”

  Vicki frowned, as if trying to remember. “Well, I liked their ad. And it was convenient with him being a lawyer. He can handle the whole legal thing. And they seemed to really want a baby…and they have that nice house. Of course, I found out she can really be hell on wheels. I hope she’s not going to give the kid the same land of hard time she gives me. The kid’ll hate me forever.”

  “She’s just nervous,” said Britt absently. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

  “I hope so,” said Vicki, shaking her head.

  Britt had to force herself to keep quiet. She knew Vicki was driving as safely as possible, but it seemed too slow to suit her. Leave her alone, she thought. She’s doing the speed limit. “What are you going to do after the baby’s born,” she asked, trying to be pleasant. “Where’s home?”

  Vicki hesitated. “I think I’m just going to take it easy for a while. I’m not sure what my plans are going to be,” she said vaguely.

  “Do you keep in touch with the baby’s father?”

  Vicki seemed startled by the question, and then irritated. “Look, I don’t know who the baby’s father is, okay? I wasn’t too careful about that land of thing. The guy I think it was is long gone. Went to Mexico right after he knocked me up. He probably wouldn’t even remember being with me. I don’t want to talk about this,” she said. “You sure ask a lot of questions.”

  “Sorry,” said Britt. “Didn’t mean to pry.”

  “This is the street,” said Vicki. “I think that’s the house, right over there, where they’re staying. Oh, there are the cop cars.”

  “That’s the one,” Britt said. Two black-and-whites were parked out in front, lights flashing. God, Zoe must be terrified, Britt thought. “Pull over,” she said.

  “All right. Keep your shirt on,” said Vicki.

  Britt frowned, wondering what kind of influence this girl might be on Zoe. Just as well that Vicki would soon be leaving town. Vicki had a very young, almost immature side, that seemed to appeal to Zoe, and, of course, the cat, Kirby, but Britt doubted the girls had much else in common.

  Vicki pulled up behind the police car and Britt jumped out. “Hey,” a cop called out to her, but she ignored him. She ran across the snow-covered front yard to the steps and began to bang on the door. The policeman followed her, walking slowly and deliberately up to where she stood.

  “Zoe,” Britt cried, knocking on the door. “Honey, it’s me. Aunt Britt.”

  “We’d prefer you don’t go in there, ma’am,” said the policeman.

  “I’m not trying to go in,” said Britt. “My niece is in there. She’s not feeling well and she’s scared to death. I’m going to take her with me, all right? Then you guys can do whatever you have to do.”

  Zoe opened the door a crack and looked out fearfully. “Aunt Britt.”

  “Put your coat on, honey,” said Britt. “You come with me. This is none of your concern.”

  “My dad finally called me back.…He’s coming.”

  “Zoe, you just come along with me. Right now. I’ll explain everything to your dad. Come on.” The last thing this child needed, Britt thought, was to have the police come in and tear this already chaotic house apart in front of her. “Do as I tell you, now.”

  Zoe closed the door, and then opened it again a few moments later. She was wearing her pink parka, bare wrists dangling from the sleeves. Britt gently pulled the hood up over her hair.

  “Come on,” she said. “Look who’s here.”

  Vicki rolled down the driver’s side window and waved. “How do you like my new wheels?” Vicki cried out cheerfully.

  “Nice,” Zoe said listlessly. Britt opened the back door for her and Zoe slid in. Britt went around and got into the passenger seat.

  “Let’s go,” said Britt.

  “Go where?” Vicki asked.

  “Anywhere,” said Britt.

  “Okay,” said Vicki. As she began to pull out of the driveway, Alec’s Mercedes roared up and wheeled to a halt.

  “Aunt Britt,” Zoe cried. “Dad’s back.”

  “Hold it, Vicki,” Britt said. “Zoe, you stay in the car. I’ll talk to your dad.”

  Vicki stopped the car, and Britt opened the passenger door and walked toward the Mercedes. Alec was getting out of his car, stared at by the cops who were waiting for him. “Alec,” she called out.

  He turned and looked at her, his gray eyes like thunderclouds.

  “Zoe called me. She was frightened. I thought I’d take her out of here,” she said.

  “This is your doing,” he said. “If she’s frightened, it’s your fault. You and your friend, the TV reporter. You’re trying to destroy me. And my family.”

  “Oh, you don’t need me to do that,” said Britt.

  He started to stride toward the driveway. “Zoe,” he cried, “get out of that car.”

  “Leave her alone, Alec. Haven’t you done enough to her? She’s scared. She doesn’t need to be in the middle of this.”

  Zoe’s white face appeared at the car window, looking out helplessly. Alec hesitated and then, before he had a chance to continue, one of the policemen approached him and demanded that he unlock the house.

  “I’m going to take her,” said Britt.

  “You’ll be sorry for this,” said Alec, glowering.

  “Don’t threaten me,” said Britt. She turned and walked back to Vicki’s car, and settled into the passenger seat. She was shaking when she sat down. “Let’s go, Vicki,” she said.

  “Aunt Britt, why are the police here?” Zoe asked. “What are they looking for?”

  “I don’t know, honey,” said Britt.

  Zoe was silent.

  “Your dad told me to take care of you until they were gone,” Britt said with her fingers crossed.

  “Where are we going?” said Vicki.

  “Why don’t I take you girls out for some lunch or something,” said Britt.

  “Cool,” said Vicki.

  “Okay,” said Z
oe with a sigh.

  “I want Burger King,” said Vicki. “I’m so sick of health food.”

  “That’s fine. Whatever,” said Britt.

  “Dad told me you went back to Boston,” Zoe said to Britt.

  He would say that, Britt thought furiously. She didn’t want to contradict him to Zoe’s face. “It was time for me to get out of the way. But I’m still here in town. I got a room. It’s perfectly comfortable.”

  “Why didn’t you stay with us?” Zoe asked.

  “Your dad and I had a little bit of an argument, Zoe.”

  “Hey,” Vicki interrupted. “What about my new car? You haven’t even said one word, Zoe.”

  “It’s nice,” Zoe said. Then after a moment’s silence she added, “I wonder how Kirby’s gonna like it.”

  “He’ll probably pee all over it,” said Vicki, and Zoe smiled.

  They arrived at the Burger King and parked the car. The three of them got out and walked slowly toward the restaurant, Vicki frowning and holding her belly with one hand. They selected a booth and Zoe slid into the seat.

  Britt peered at Zoe. “How’s your stomach? Is it okay?”

  “It’s okay,” Zoe said impatiently.

  Britt reached over and felt Zoe’s forehead. It was cool, and a little clammy. “All right. I guess you’ll be okay with some junk food here. The soda will probably settle your stomach. I’ll go get it,” said Britt. “Just tell me what you want.”

  They all decided on their order and Britt started toward the line at the counter.

  “I have to go to the John,” said Vicki and started to lumber in that direction.

  Britt joined the line and waited, looking back at Zoe from time to time, who sat alone in the booth, resting her chin in her hand, staring glumly out at the gray sky. The poor thing, Britt thought. How much does she have to endure?

  Britt finally reached the head of the line, placed her order, dispensed the three sodas, and then paid the cashier. When she returned to the table with the loaded tray, Zoe was still alone in the booth.

  “Vicki didn’t come back yet?” Britt asked.

  Zoe shook her head.

  “Maybe I’d better go see if she’s okay,” Britt said. “Do you want to come with me?”

  Zoe turned a little pale and shook her head. “I’ll wait here with the food,” she said.

  “Okay,” said Britt. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She walked down to the door of the ladies’ room and pushed it open. “Vicki?” she said. “Are you in here?”

  “Over here,” said Vicki weakly. “The wheelchair booth.”

  Britt walked over and gingerly pushed open the door of the booth. Vicki was seated, fully clothed on the toilet, her face dead white and sweaty. She looked up at Britt, her blue eyes wide with alarm. “I don’t feel good,” she said.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  With Britt at the wheel of Vicki’s new car, they rushed to the hospital. Once Vicki was whisked inside the examining room, Britt called Caroline. Britt and Zoe were seated outside the emergency room when Caroline burst in, looking frantic.

  “Where is she?” Caroline demanded. “Is the baby coming?”

  “I don’t know,” said Britt honestly. “They took her in right away. We haven’t seen her since.”

  “Oh my God,” said Caroline. “I hope I’m not too late.”

  “Why don’t you talk to the nurse at the desk,” Britt suggested. “Maybe she can give you some more information.” Muttering absently to herself, Caroline rushed up to the desk where the two people ahead of her looked coldly on her frantic pleas to let her go ahead of them.

  Britt and Zoe sat back down. “Do you think the police are gone now?” Zoe asked.

  Britt glanced at her watch. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “What were they looking for?” Zoe asked.

  “I’m not sure. I think it’s about the fire.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. We didn’t even move into that house until after the fire happened.” Zoe cried. “That’s not even our stuff. Everything in there is stuff people gave us.”

  “I know,” said Britt. “I don’t know what they’re looking for.”

  “They want to blame it on my dad, don’t they?”

  Britt stared at her. “Why do you say that?”

  “I heard some kids at school saying it.”

  “I’m sorry, Zoe.”

  “Oh, don’t be sorry,” said Zoe. “That’s just crazy and stupid. They p can look all they want. They won’t find any reason to blame it on my dad.” She looked up at Britt. “Are you sure you can’t change your mind and stay with us?”

  “I don’t think so,” said Britt.

  Zoe sighed. “I want to go home now. I want to see my dad.”

  “Are you sure?” Britt asked.

  “Positive,” said Zoe.

  As they gathered up their coats and Britt slung her bag over her shoulder, Caroline came rushing up to them. “Vicki’s blood pressure is spiking,” she said. “They’re going to admit her.”

  “Is Vicki having the baby?” Zoe asked.

  “No, but they might have to do a caesarean,” said Caroline. “They don’t know yet.”

  “What’s that?’ said Zoe.

  “That’s when they do an operation on the mother to take the baby-out,” Britt explained.

  “Gross,” said Zoe. “Poor Vicki.”

  “Is there anything we can do for you?” Britt asked Caroline. “Where’s Kevin?”

  “I couldn’t wait for him,” said Caroline dismissively. “I’ve got to go to the baby. To Vicki.”

  “Hope everything works out,” said Britt, but Caroline was already heading through the double doors to the treatment area.

  As they came off the elevator into the lobby, they met Kevin entering the hospital. He was moving slowly, laboriously, and his face looked drained. “How’s Vicki?” he asked.

  “They’re admitting her,” said Britt. “I think she’s going to be okay.”

  “Is Caro all right?”

  “Seems to be,” said Britt, watching him as he walked slowly into the elevator. Are you all right? she wondered.

  Britt drove Zoe back to the borrowed house on Medford Road. Everything seemed quiet and she noted that Alec’s car was parked outside. She got out of the car with Zoe and walked with her up to the front steps. She hung back as Zoe opened the door and rushed inside calling for her father. Zoe slammed the door shut behind her.

  Britt stood alone in the driveway, feeling suddenly abandoned. She waited for a moment, wondering if Zoe would remember to say goodbye, and reemerge. But there was no indication that Zoe remembered her aunt was still outside. With a heavy heart, Britt returned to the car. She drove downtown and exchanged Vicki’s Toyota for her car. Then she drove back to Bayberry House.

  “Hello again,” said Britt, smiling wanly at the acne-ridden teenager who opened the door of the bed-and-breakfast to her.

  Without replying the boy turned around and brayed, “Ma…” toward the back of the house. “Come on in,” he muttered to Britt.

  Britt entered the house and stood just inside the door as he sat down in front of the TV and resumed the controls of a video game.

  Letty came bustling in wearing an apron over her corduroy pants. “Hey, mister,” she said to her son. “Upstairs and work on that project for school.”

  “Just let me finish this level,” he protested.

  “Now,” Letty insisted.

  With a noisy sigh, the boy turned off the game and unfolded himself from the chair.

  “Come on in the kitchen,” said Letty to Britt. “I’ve got my desk in there.”

  Britt followed her through the house to the large, well-appointed kitchen in back. Letty went over to a blond-wood computer desk tucked in a corner and stuffed with papers. She took out a book and opened it to the appropriate page. “Here you go,” she said. “Just sign it here. Are you paying by credit card?”

  “That would probably be
easiest, if you take them,” said Britt, removing the card from her wallet.

  “Oh sure,” said Letty. “Let me run it through my machine. This way you can stay as long as you need to and I’ll just put it on the card. Have you got everything you need out there?”

  “Yes,” said Britt. “It’s very comfortable.”

  “That’s good,” said Letty, handing her back the card. “By the way. Your brother-in-law was here earlier.”

  “My brother-in-law?” Britt asked.

  “Handsome guy. Kind of tough looking. Dark hair.”

  Britt’s heart was racing. “What did he want?”

  “He wanted to know if you were staying here. I said you were but that you were out. I hope that’s all right,” Letty said, noticing the expression on Britt’s face.

  Britt thought about the isolated cottage, and didn’t like the idea of Alec cornering her there. “Did you tell him I was staying at the cottage?” she said.

  Letty nodded. “I did. I hope that’s not a problem. You said you were visiting family so naturally I assumed it would be okay…”

  Britt’s eyes widened. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” she said, trying to think. Then she said, “Look, I don’t really want any visitors while I’m here,” she said.

  “Oh…kay,” said Letty slowly.

  Britt looked out the back window of the kitchen. The cottage was barely visible through the trees. Maybe she should move into the main house, she thought anxiously.

  Letty put her hands on her ample hips. “Is there anything wrong, Miss Andersen? I mean, I don’t want any trouble with anybody.”

  Britt shook her head. “No. No. Not really. We just had a little disagreement.”

  Letty frowned. “He’s not one of those guys with a bad temper, is he?” Letty asked. “Because I don’t need anything like that. I have children here.”

  Britt sighed. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. But, if you prefer that I go somewhere else…”

  Letty glanced outside at the waning afternoon, the falling snow. “I guess it’s all right,” she said. Letty let her go out the back door and Britt picked her way across the backyard which was now covered with an inch of fresh snow. She put her face up to the sky, and stuck her tongue out to try to catch a few flakes. They landed lightly on her tongue, disappearing instantly. Britt looked around at everything now coated gently in pure, glistening white. It was pretty here, Britt thought, although she would be awfully glad to leave it behind.