by Carolina Mac
“I love you, Rob,” I whispered, “Let’s go inside.” I opened a beer for him and took his dinner out of the oven.
“You saved dinner for me.” He smiled.
“You work hard, welding all day. You need your dinner when you get home.”
“Thanks, baby. I could eat.” He chugged half his beer. “Want to tell me about the trucker?”
“Ted came over and I was petting him. Lonnie came to get the dog. We had a beer and I filled him in on the happenings since he was away.”
Rob nodded. “Where was he this time?”
“The Sioux.”
“Long run.” Rob was forking in pork chops and apple sauce. “This is good, Grace.”
“We need to talk about something, sugar, and I’m not sure how you’re going to take it.”
Rob stopped eating, his fork suspended in mid-air, and stared at me. “As long as we’re gonna to be together, I can take anything you can throw at me.”
I sucked in a big breath and started. “I didn’t know this for sure until today, but I’m pregnant and it’s not yours. It’s Lonnie’s baby from before he broke us up. I’m not telling him.” Tears rolled down my face as I walked down the hall to the bedroom.
Rob followed, laid down on the bed and took me in his arms. “It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”
I buried my face in his long hair and held him close. “He dumped me and I didn’t know about the baby, but I wouldn’t have told him anyway just to hang onto him.”
“Never could figure why he did that. Doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“He was jealous of you and I didn’t even know you. We were fighting every day and he said he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to let me go.”
“Nothing was going on with us. Not at first. We were only talking. Why did he think that?”
“I told him nothing was going on and he said he believed me, but it was driving him nuts.”
“Stop worrying about him. It only makes you cry.” He gathered me close to him. “Let’s be happy about our baby. When is it coming?”
“March.”
“Okay, March. Is it a boy or a girl?”
“I haven’t had an ultrasound yet. I thought you might go with me.”
Rob grinned. “Sure, I’ll go. I’ve never been to one of those things.”
“Me neither.”
SPANGLER SAT AT her desk going over her notes with McMurtry in the Mabel Plimpton murder case. Edgar’s trial would be coming up in a couple of months and the evidence they had was purely circumstantial. “Wish we had the fucking gun,” she said.
“Could be in the bottom of that swamp. The truck was searched—torn apart—and it wasn’t there. It wasn’t in Eastman’s trailer either.”
“But a slug fired from that gun was in the roof of the truck. What does that tell us?”
“How many times have we gone over this, partner?” asked McMurtry.
Spangler smiled. “Come on, Mick, humor me. One more time.”
“Fuck.” He blew out a breath. “Okay. Marg was the one with the gun. She found it at Plimpton’s trailer and she figures she’s gonna need it for protection when Gary finds out what she did.”
“So, she sits with the gun waiting for Gary to come home from Sheila’s trailer on the last night anybody saw him. Where is she waiting for him? At Gary’s trailer? Or did she walk to Sheila’s and wait in the truck?” asked Spangler.
“No. She was at the Eastman trailer because Rob was there and argued with her. She was drunk and in no shape to do any fancy driving or shooting.”
“There was no evidence against her in the truck because…”
“Because…she was never in the truck?” asked McMurtry.
“If the only person in Gary’s truck was Gary, then he put it in the swamp.”
“Was it accidental or on purpose?” McMurtry started to pace. “If it was accidental they would have recovered his body. If he put the truck in the swamp on purpose—why did he do it?”
“I’ve asked myself that question a million times at least. “Why would he swamp his truck and disappear?” said Spangler.
“Do you think it was part of an elaborate plan to kill Marg?” asked McMurtry.
Spangler made a face. “I don’t think the idiot is that smart.”
“What if he isn’t an idiot?”
“Then we better hunker down and find his smart ass.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
AFTER THINGS CALMED down at the park, Rob and I settled into a routine. The ongoing investigations into Gary’s disappearance and Marg’s murder were in the capable hands of the police. Spangler notified Rob that the crime scene unit was done with Gary’s trailer.
“Will you come over to the trailer with me, Gracie? I want to see what kind of a mess it’s in.”
“Sure. We’ll go right after dinner. I was thinking it would be a good idea to fix it up and rent it. Then you could make the payments and build up some equity.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Let a renter pay the payments for you, and pay down the mortgage.”
“Do you think somebody would want to rent it?”
“It will take work. Last time I saw it, nobody would want to live there.”
“That’s what I was thinking.” Rob frowned.
At Gary’s trailer on Maple, Rob inserted the key into the lock and gave the inside door a push. The screen door was hanging by one hinge. “I could fix that door.”
I flicked on the kitchen light. “The cops don’t care what kind of a mess they leave.”
Rob pointed at the dust. “What’s all that crap?”
“Fingerprint powder and that blue stuff is Luminol spray.” I pointed at the residue.
“It stinks in here.”
“Marg was smoking non-stop and she was a poor housekeeper, that’s for sure.”
“Look at all this fucking garbage. How will we ever get this cleaned up?”
“One step at a time. Tomorrow, I’ll come over with Arthur and he can check the plumbing and the electrical while I throw out the garbage. After he does his repairs, I’ll get a cleaning service in for a day, then we’ll throw some fresh paint on the walls.”
“I don’t want you working too hard, Gracie. Remember, we’re having a baby.” He grinned.
“I remember.” I leaned over and kissed him. “I love you, sugar.”
DURING THE NEXT few weeks, there was nothing I could do but work on my book and take care of Rob, and I loved doing both. Every morning I got up early, went jogging around the park, then worked like a dog on my laptop. I was churning out chapters at a record speed knowing I had to make money to take care of the baby.
Together, Rob and I worked on Gary’s trailer and with Arthur’s help on a few of the repairs, we fixed it up, made it functional and slightly more appealing. I wrote and ad for the local paper and the two of us screened potential tenants and chose a young couple who were both employed. I checked their references found them to be dependable and the deed was done. Gary’s trailer would pay its own way and Rob could relax. He took all the overtime hours he could get so he could afford a used truck to commute to Oshawa during the winter months when it would be impossible to ride his bike.
HAROLD DEEGAN’S DAUGHTER called a residents’ meeting. The first one since Harold’s untimely heart attack and there was a record turn-out of gossip seekers. The little hall was filled to capacity.
“Good evening folks. My name is Bev Deegan and I’m Harold’s daughter. Since my father’s health has declined and he is no longer able to take care of park business, I’ll be running the park in his stead. Once a month I’ll come around to collect the property fee and speak to each of you individually about any problems or concerns you may have. I don’t live in Paradise Park like he did, but my farm is less than a mile away and this is my phone number.” She wrote it in big red numbers on the white board. “Any reason you want to contact me, please call.”
Ms. Deegan was a lady in her fifties wi
th gray hair and a few extra pounds around the middle, but she had a kind face and seemed to care about the residents.
“Will Harold still live in his trailer?” asked Mrs. Forsythe.
“Yes, he will. He has home care three times a week, but he can still take care of himself.”
“Any new residents moving in?” asked Barkley.
“Edgar Plimpton’s trailer has been sold by his family, as well as one on Pine Street and there will be new people moving in at the end of the month.”
I had walked down to the meeting with Rob to meet the new superintendent.
“This is the first time I’ve been to one of these meetings,” said Rob. “These people still think of me as a rapist, I’m betting.”
“What they think is no concern of ours. We know the truth and they can all fuck the wind.”
Rob smiled and pulled me close to him. “I love you, girl.”
I breathed a sigh of relief that there was no mention of the murders and none of the residents had asked either of us questions we didn’t want to answer. Maybe life in the park could return to a peaceful state once again. I glanced around the room and was surprised to see that Sheila was sitting with Arthur Lyons. “Sheila’s sitting with Arthur,” I whispered to Rob.
“Uh huh.”
When the meeting adjourned, the residents dispersed and went their separate ways. Rob and I walked up Pine Street towards Hickory. Fall had set in and Thanksgiving weekend was rapidly approaching. Red and gold leaves swirled around in the crisp breeze, covering the lawns in the park. The air was cool and fresh. I waved to Barkley who was busy cleaning debris out his flower beds.
“I love this weather.” I smiled at Rob. “Smells like autumn.”
Rob inhaled a big gulp and nodded. “Grace?”
“What?”
“Can I ask you something?” he asked with a hesitant smile.
“Sure, honey boy, you can ask me anything.”
“What do you think about getting married? I mean with the baby coming and all.”
“Married?”
“You know when two people commit the ultimate felony, and say ‘I do’ and stuff like that,” Rob flashed his million-dollar smile.
I leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. “Let’s talk about that some more.”
Rob winked. “I’ve never been anybody’s husband.”
“I’ve never been anybody’s wife. I might suck at it.”
Rob chuckled. “You don’t suck at anything.”
“I’m making a turkey dinner next weekend for Jerry and Kate. If we have something decided by then, we’ll run it by them.”
Rob frowned. “Damn, Gracie, that makes me nervous. I don’t think your brother is gonna be down with us tying the knot.”
“He’s overly critical. Jerry never liked one of my boyfriends. Not ever—only Lonnie.”
“Fuck,” said Rob and lit up a smoke. “Is Lonnie coming to the big dinner?”
“No. I didn’t ask him. You’re the only man in my life.”
“Maybe your brother would see that I’m just as good as the trucker if we were both in the same room eating turkey.” Rob appeared pensive.
I frowned at the thought. “What if Lon sees how chubby I’m getting?”
“Oh yeah, fuck that. I’m not giving up my wife or my baby. Wear something big and ugly.”
I snorted. “I’m all over that.”
LONNIE ENTERED HIS trailer and headed straight for the fridge. He cracked open a cold one and chugged half of it. “We’re invited over for Thanksgiving dinner next weekend, Ted. Can you believe it?”
Ted glanced up from his water bowl, skepticism written all over his face.
“Do you think we can get Gracie back?”
Ted didn’t look hopeful as he dragged himself onto the sofa and flopped his head onto a cushion.
“We have to get her back, Ted. I made such a fucking mess of things.”
Ted grunted.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
LONNIE HAD PULLED in late the night before, home from another long haul to the US. Today was Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend in Paradise.
“We’re gonna make a good impression this weekend, Ted. If we want Gracie back we’re gonna hafta work our asses off. She might not want us as much as we want her. And what about Rob? What the hell are we gonna do about him?”
Ted regarded Lonnie with soulful eyes and pondered the questions fired at him.
“Let’s go, boy.” Ted stretched and followed Lonnie out the door and over to Grace’s trailer. Lonnie knocked and waited.
“Hey, Lon,” she said, “you’re up early. Come on in.”
“No, that’s okay. Rob isn’t home?”
“He’s putting in extra hours today at the shop, but only until noon.”
“I was going to rake up the leaves and clean up the gardens. Do you want me to do yours too?” asked Lonnie.
Gracie smiled. “That’s an offer I can’t refuse. When you’re done come in for a coffee.”
Lonnie grinned. “Thanks. I will.” He watched Grace sit down at the kitchen table to work on her laptop. He closed the door and went to work, raking and bagging the leaves. A couple of times he looked up and thought Grace was watching him from the window but he wasn’t sure.
“Wow, you’re sweating, Lon,” she said when he came to the door.
“Nice warm weather for October,” he said as he brushed past her and came into the kitchen.
“Sit down. “I made you a sandwich.”
Lonnie grinned. “Thanks.” Ted followed him in.
“Want a biscuit, Ted?” Grace pulled the box from the cupboard and Ted sat holding one paw up.
“Thanks for cleaning up the yard,” Grace said as she placed a dish of pickles on the table.
“Happy to do it. I’m happy to do anything you need, Grace. Please ask me if you need something.” Lonnie stared at her. “You look a little pale. You’re not sick, are you?”
“Nope. I’m not sick.” She poured coffee into the mugs and set them on the table with the sandwiches. “I’m making pies this afternoon for tomorrow. Can you come over around four?”
“Sure, four is good.” Lonnie frowned, “Are you sure this is a good idea—I mean, me and Rob at the same table eating dinner with your brother?”
“I had my reservations about that very thing, but Rob wanted me to invite you.”
“No way. He did?”
“He’s not jealous, Lonnie. He didn’t want you to be alone on Thanksgiving.”
“Uh huh.” Lonnie nodded. “I’ll see you around four. I have to do some work on the truck in the morning.”
Rob wanted Grace to invite me for dinner? Why?
THANKSGIVING DAY ARRIVED with perfect fall weather. Sunny and cool—not a cloud in the sky. The aroma of colored leaves floated on the breeze and it was just warm enough to enjoy a walk around the park. With everything under control for dinner, and the turkey happily roasting in the oven, I ventured outside in my loose-fitting sweats. I ambled next door to see if Lonnie would let me kidnap Ted for a long walk. He rolled the dolly out from under the big rig and I laughed at the grease on his face.
“What?”
“Nothing. I was going for a walk and wondered if Ted could go with me?”
“Rob took his bike for a ride?”
“Yeah, it was such a perfect day,” I said. “He wanted me to come, but I have food in the oven and I can’t be gone too long.”
“Sure, Ted can walk with you… can I?”
“If you want. I’ll wait for you.”
“Give me five minutes,” he said and dashed inside.
I stroked Ted’s ears as I waited on the steps of the deck.
“All set,” said Lon as he hustled out the door pulling a sweatshirt over his head. He took me by the hand and we strolled down Hickory Lane.
“Mrs. Mancuso is having her daughter and grandchildren for Thanksgiving,” I said pointing at the car in the next driveway.
“The Mancuso’s ar
e perfect neighbours,” he said, “They keep their place neat and they mind their own business.”
“Uh huh. I like them a lot.”
“I heard someone bought April’s trailer.” Lonnie said as we reached the end of our street. We started down Pine and saw Arthur climbing the steps to Sheila’s front door. He waved and smiled.
“They’re friends now and I’m happy for them.”
Lonnie nodded. “Everybody needs a friend,” he said barely audible. As we turned the corner onto Maple Street, I sucked in a breath and Lonnie squeezed my hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Rob and I rented Gary’s trailer to pay the payments but I can still remember the day we ran over there and Marg was lying dead on the living room floor right at our feet.” My eyes welled up with tears and Lonnie wrapped his arms around me. “That picture stays fresh in my mind no matter how much I wish it would go away.”
“Let’s not go down that street,” he said, “let’s go back.”
I nodded and we turned and walked back home.
Jerry and Kate arrived at ten after four just as I put the vegetables on the stove to boil. Rob and Lonnie smoked, chatted and drank beer on the deck. I smiled and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Maybe things would work out after all.
Kate came in to give me a hand to get dinner on the table. “Did you tell Lonnie yet?” she whispered.
“No and I’m not telling him. Rob wants this baby.”
The men came in for dinner and Jerry was obviously pleased that Lonnie had been invited. The tension at the dinner table was noticeable, but tolerable. For a change, the men were behaving like adults. Rob was quiet, but entered the conversation now and then. Jerry had been polite to him and almost friendly. Kate and I cleared the first course and cut the pies for dessert.
“Grace said you’ve been doing a lot of long hauls to the states,” Jerry said to Lonnie.
Lonnie nodded. “I have been and I’ve received an offer to drive for a firm in Texas. I’m thinking about moving down there if I can get a green card.”
Rob smiled and said nothing.
Jerry raised his eyebrows and cast a glance at me.
