Jessica took a churro when the plate was passed to her.
“I’m telling you, she was an addict and probably went to his place ‘cause she thought he’d have animal drugs she could take. They’ll use anyone and everyone to get their next fix.”
Robin came in from the studio.
“I let myself in. I hope you don’t mind.” She hung her coat on the closet doorknob and helped herself to a mug, filling it with hot water from the kettle before coming to the table.
“Let’s move to the dining room,” Harriet suggested. “We can spread out and be comfortable.”
The group relocated, and when they were settled, they all looked expectantly at Robin.
“I spoke to Aiden. The detectives finally came back to the station, and someone took his statement. As expected, they didn’t really tell him anything. He told his story several times, and they typed it up, had him sign it, and sent him on his way. The apartment is still off-limits for now, so he’s returning to his house. I told him to call me if he has any more contact with the police. I don’t expect that to happen, but you never know.”
“Could he get in trouble if she got into animal drugs that weren’t safely secured?” Carla asked.
“Good question,” Lauren said to her. The girl’s face turned red.
“There are rules about securing controlled substances,” Robin told them. “But I think those are mainly around settings where the public could gain access. If he had something in his medical bag, I think the lock on his front door would be considered adequate control. I don’t know that for a fact, though.” She pulled a yellow pad from her bag and made a note. “I’ll check on it.”
“Hard to imagine they could hold him liable for something someone does when they’re in the process of committing a crime,” Aunt Beth said.
They reviewed what was known for another fifteen minutes but weren’t able to tease anything new out of the few facts they had.
“The law can be very crazy,” Jorge finally stated. His phone rang, and he got up and went into the kitchen to answer it.
Connie arrived a few minutes later.
“Sorry I’m late. I was putting fresh linens on the beds.” She smiled at Carla.
“You didn’t have to do that,” the young woman said.
“Of course we did. We want you to be as comfortable as possible while you’re staying with us. Heaven knows you’ll have to go back to work at Aiden’s soon enough.”
Carla twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
“It’s not that bad. Michelle is better than she’s ever been, and I’m getting used to the nanny and tutor. They spend a lot of time together in their rooms, speaking French.” She got up. “I’ll get your tea.”
Connie smiled at her and turned to the group seated around the table.
“Diós mio! Marine is dead? And she died in the apartment at the vet clinic?”
Harriet slid the plate of churros to her.
“That’s what everyone is telling us. We don’t really know more than that.”
“Will the workshop continue?” Connie wondered.
Aunt Beth set her cup back on the table.
“I can’t imagine anyone would suggest canceling it. They’re going to tell everyone, of course, but Marine killing herself has nothing to do with our quilting workshop.”
Jorge returned to the dining room.
“That was Aiden on the phone. He was looking for Julio. I told him we were all here and invited him to come over.”
Carla picked Wendy up.
“Is it okay if Wendy and I go on over to your house?” she asked Connie. “I don’t want her to hear anything Aiden might have to say. I mean, details or something. And she can only watch videos for so long.”
“We knew what you meant, honey. And Grandpa Rod is waiting for Wendy so he can read her some stories.” Connie smiled.
Robin stood up. “I better get going, too. I need to do a little research. Someone call me if Aiden tells you anything new.”
Lauren put two fingers to her forehead in a mock salute.
“Will do, Chief.”
Sharon took her empty mug to the kitchen and came back to the doorway.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a couple of Harriet’s quilting books upstairs and do a little reading.”
She was right, Harriet thought. Aiden wouldn’t feel comfortable with strangers hearing about his trouble.
“I think I’ll help her,” Jessica said. “Holler when it’s time to go back to your place,” she added to Lauren as she followed Sharon out of the room.
Chapter 13
“Here, come sit down by Harriet,” Jorge told Aiden setting a cup of Mexican hot chocolate he’d whipped up in Harriet’s kitchen in front him. Lauren slid the plate of churros to him. He picked one up and dunked it into his chocolate before taking a bite then looked at the people seated around him.
“I guess you all want to know what happened today.”
Harriet put a hand on his arm.
“Only if you want to talk about it. If you don’t, we’re okay with that.”
Lauren glared at her but didn’t say anything.
“I’m sure you all heard I found Marine dead in the apartment over the clinic.”
“We did,” Harriet affirmed. “What I don’t understand is why they had to take you to the police station to make a statement. I mean, if you were with patients and then went in for lunch and found her, what else is there to say?”
Aiden looked down at his hands. His pale blue eyes looked white in the soft light of the dining room.
“It isn’t quite that simple. I wasn’t in the clinic before I found her. I wish I had been. I worked evening hours last night, so I didn’t have to take appointments this morning. I went out for a run, and while I was out I got a call from someone at the homeless camp. I’d posted my cell phone number there, offering emergency animal care.
“I came back, got my car, drove over to Fogg Park and started looking for the caller. No one in the camp knew anything, so I drove around to the back side of the park. I’ve seen a few people camping in those woods before.
“I found a big area of blood on the side of the road. It looked like a fairly large animal had been hit by a car, but other than the blood and a little hair, I couldn’t find anything. I saw a trail and followed it into the woods, but still no dog. I worked my way over to the strait and got a bite to eat.
“I needed to get to work so I drove back to the homeless camp to see if anyone had appeared while I was gone. They hadn’t. I told the people there to let me know if the dog or his owner showed up and went back to the apartment to change clothes for work…and you know the rest.”
Lauren toyed with her teaspoon.
“So, you were wandering the wilderness while Marine broke into your apartment and killed herself with an overdose.”
Aiden gave her an icy stare and turned to Harriet.
“That’s why they had me at the police station for hours. I have no alibi. I have no idea how she got into my apartment. I had the key with me, but they told me there’s no sign of forced entry.”
“That may or may not be true,” Harriet said. “They aren’t obligated to tell you the truth when they’re questioning you.”
“They asked me all sorts of questions about Marine and our relationship. I tried to tell them I hadn’t seen her in years before she showed up for this quilt deal. I could tell they didn’t believe me. They pointed out that she didn’t seem like a very likely quilter. I couldn’t argue with that.”
Harriet took her hand off his arm.
“Did you tell them that your mom had taken her in while you were in Uganda?”
“I told them I had heard my mom had taken her in for a few weeks during that time. I have no direct knowledge about that, though, since I wasn’t here. They twisted that around. They made out that she had a closer relationship with me than I was letting on if she stayed with my own mother.” He propped his elbows on the table and lo
wered his head into his hands. “This is a nightmare.”
“Diós mio,” Connie said. “They can’t accuse you of wrongdoing because you dated in high school. And that apartment isn’t really yours. You were there temporarily. The other vets must have keys. Maybe one of them had a relationship with Marine.”
Aiden raised his head and smiled weakly.
“Thanks for that. None of the other vets grew up around here, so it isn’t likely. I guess anything’s possible, though.”
Harriet sat back in her chair and thought for a moment.
“If Marine died from an overdose, why does it matter where you were when it happened?”
“I suppose they think I supplied her with the drugs. They don’t know yet what she OD’d on. If it turns out to be something we don’t stock, it will help, but that’s not proof I didn’t give her whatever it was.”
Mavis reached across Harriet and patted his hand.
“Oh, honey, is there anything we can do for you?”
Aiden attempted a laugh.
“Yeah. Find out how Marine got into my apartment and what she died from. Oh, and if you can, find the person who called and asked me to come take care of their dog.”
Mavis pulled her hand back.
“I’m sure this will all be cleared up by tomorrow. Speaking of which, I better go home so I can get ready for class. I’ve got to sort out my ribbons and threads now that I know what my block looks like.”
Connie stood up.
“I better go make sure Carla and Wendy get settled in. Aiden, you let Rod and me know if there’s anything we can do for you.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.”
“Come on, mi’jo,” Jorge said. “Let’s get you to my place.” He looked at Beth. “Can you take my truck home? I’ll get it from you tomorrow. I’d like to ride with Aiden.” He dug keys from his pocket and handed them to her.
Harriet looked at her aunt with eyebrow raised once no one but the three of them was left at the big table. Beth blushed.
“Jorge and I were cooking at his house.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Harriet said with a wicked smile.
Lauren drained the dregs of her tea and set her mug on the table.
“What Harriet is trying to say is ‘good for you.’ Now, what are we going to do for Aiden?”
“We need to wait and see what the police have to say tomorrow,” Beth said.
Harriet shook her head.
“I’m with Lauren. I don’t trust the Foggy Point police. If they questioned Aiden for as long as they did, they aren’t thinking he’s an innocent bystander. We need to go to the homeless camp and talk to Joyce Elias. Nothing goes on at that camp she doesn’t know about. If someone had a dog, and it got hurt, she’ll be able to tell us.”
Lauren smiled. “Now you’re talking. When do you want to go?”
Aunt Beth stood and collected her empty mug and the half-empty plate of churros.
“We have enough time during lunch to drive over there. We could call in an order of sandwiches from the Sandwich Board during our morning break and pick them up on the way to the park.”
Harriet picked up several empty mugs.
“Works for me.” She turned and headed for the kitchen.
“I’m going up to collect my roommate,” Lauren told them and headed for the staircase.
“Your roommate is here,” Jessica said from the kitchen. “And count me in on the lunch adventure.” She looked from Lauren to Harriet. “I was already in the kitchen, and I heard you make the plan. I might be able to help—you never know. Homeless, drunks, addicts…those are my peeps.”
“I really appreciate your help,” Harriet said. She did appreciate all her friends’ help, but right now all she wanted to do was crawl into her bed and pull the covers over her head. “I’ll see you all tomorrow at class.”
Chapter 14
Harriet took the white shopping bag from the counter at the Sandwich Board and handed it to Lauren. She took the second bag herself, supporting the bottom with her free hand.
Lauren hefted her bag up and down.
“I guess your aunt thought we were going to be real hungry today.”
“She asked if the Sandwich Board would go halfsies with her on lunch for the homeless people. They agreed, so we’re delivering lunch to the whole camp.”
“That was generous.”
“Aunt Beth is like that. Besides, Mavis and Connie probably split the cost with her. I’ll ask. Am I hearing you offering to donate?”
Lauren rolled her eyes.
“I will if you will.”
Harriet led the way to the door.
“Aunt Beth will be happy we’re both giving to her favorite cause. She and Jorge have been regular volunteers at the camp since the big storm last winter. She keeps trying to talk Joyce into moving indoors. Joyce keeps politely telling her she’s happy outside.”
The rear passenger door to Harriet’s car swung open as they approached it.
“Here, let me take that,” Aunt Beth said from the middle row of seats. She leaned out and took the bag of food from Harriet. Lauren opened the opposite side door and climbed in with her sack.
“I hope Joyce can tell us who the dog owner is,” Harriet said as she guided her car back onto the road.
Lauren buckled her seat belt.
“I think we’re borrowing trouble. Marine obviously overdosed. That had nothing to do with Aiden, so what does it matter where he was yesterday morning?”
“I wish I had your confidence,” Harriet told her.
Jessica leaned forward from her perch in the third row of seats.
“I hate to be a pessimist, but I’ve been thinking about it, and if Marine was such an obvious OD, it doesn’t seem like they would have been so interested in whether Aiden had an alibi or not.”
Harriet tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.
“I don’t know why, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
It took a few minutes to get everyone out after they arrived in the parking lot at Fogg Park.
“The camp is down the trail behind the restrooms,” Harriet told Jessica. “I’ll go make sure they’re home.”
She returned a few minutes later followed by a petite white-haired woman wearing tidy blue jeans and a plaid flannel shirt topped by a dark-green fleece jacket who smiled when she saw Mavis and Beth.
“How nice to see you again,” she said, clasping Aunt Beth’s hand in greeting. She looked at Jessica and extended a hand to her. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Joyce Elias.”
There was a hint of the British Isles in her voice. The smile that creased her face was echoed in the lines around her bright blue eyes.
Lauren raised her white paper bag.
“We brought you lunch.”
“That’s so good of you, dear. Shall I go get the others?”
“We brought enough to feed a small army,” Lauren answered.
“You know where our dining room is,” Joyce said with a chuckle.
Indeed, they did. Most of the Loose Threads had spent time volunteering in one capacity or the other at the camp, helping clear away dropped branches after storms or spreading fresh bark mulch or gravel on the trails that would otherwise be slick with mud. The Threads also provided flannel rag quilts for the residents so they could stay warm in the winter.
Harriet led the way down the trail, stopping in a large clearing.
“Wow, did Tom Bainbridge make you a new table?”
The previous table had been a piece of plywood balanced on mismatched legs. The new one was large and sturdy, with shelves and two deep drawers with locks. It was painted a green that blended with the colors of the forest and looked to be waterproof, if the beaded liquid on the surface was any indication. Three matching benches were arrayed around the clearing.
“Tom has been a good friend to our camp,” Joyce told them. “Thanks to him, we have secure lockable boxes to keep our personal possessions in. He chained them to trees,
so no one can haul them off without cutting the trees down. But enough about us. What is it that brings you to the camp today? Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate the food, but I can see you aren’t dressed for a work day.”
Several more camp residents edged into the clearing as Harriet and her aunt looked at each other. Finally Harriet spoke.
“I think you know. Aiden took a call from someone who said he lived at the camp here. The guy said his dog had been hit by a car and was gravely injured. Aiden came to help and couldn’t find them.”
Joyce looked thoughtful, staring at her feet for a moment.
“I did talk to Aiden. I told him no one has been here lately with a dog.”
“Jimmy,” one of the other camp residents grunted.
“It’s true enough that Jimmy has a dog, but Jimmy’s daughter took him away two weeks ago.” She turned to Harriet. “His girl takes him for a month once or twice a year; takes him to the doctor and dentist and such. He and his dog stay for a while, and then one day she’ll leave him alone and next thing you know, he and his dog are back here. It would be unlikely it was him, but I suppose it’s possible.”
Harriet was silent while Aunt Beth and Mavis unpacked the lunch bags. Joyce took her foil-wrapped sandwich and set it in her lap.
“What is it you aren’t telling me? Kind as you are, I know you didn’t come because you’re worried about a dog.”
“You’re right,” Harriet said. “Aiden came home from looking for the man and his dog and found a woman who seems to have committed suicide in the living room of the apartment over the vet clinic where he was staying while the quilters are in town.”
“And you’re thinking it would be good if he had an alibi,” Joyce concluded.
Harriet’s shoulders sagged.
“Something like that.”
Lauren swallowed the bite of sandwich she’d been chewing.
“They took him to the police station to make a statement, but they kept him there for hours. We’re thinking that can’t be good, and if we could rustle up some proof he wasn’t around the apartment, it would help.”
Crazy as a Quilt (A Harriet Turman/Loose Threads Mystery Book 8) Page 9
