by Mary Stone
He snorted. “Busy? Hell. I just got in from fishing with the guys. It’s a beautiful day. I was going to sit out on the deck and enjoy it. That was my agenda for the rest of the day.”
“That sounds nice. Listen,” she licked her lips, “this case is giving me some trouble, and I thought you could point me in the right direction?”
“Sure, kid. Shoot.”
She had a flash of nostalgia for the old days, when they used to sit in the office that used to be a vacuum store in downtown Asheville, trading barbs at one another while they worked. Back then, she was a filing clerk, and the most she had on her mind was collecting a paycheck and whether or not that stoic but insanely hot dog-whisperer guy actually liked her or just her dog.
“Well, one of my clients had a baby, left it with a babysitter, and it was kidnapped while she was at work. I interviewed the babysitter, but it wasn’t much help, and I’m kind of banging my head against the wall right now. You have any suggestions?” she asked, her voice running a mile a minute.
“Whoa. Slow down. You said her baby was kidnapped while she was at work? Were there any witnesses?”
“This happened two years ago, so it’s hard to find anyone who might have seen what happened.”
“Shit. Two years?” There was a pause. “There’s not a lot that you can do that the police probably haven’t already done, but who knows? I’m assuming you got the police report?”
Kylie opened her mouth and then snapped it shut. Of course, the police report. That was rule number one in any investigation. How could she have forgotten that? Face heating, she said, “Well, I’m going to.”
“Take a look at that and see if that’ll lead you anywhere. Maybe you can talk with the lead investigator and see what he remembers. If it’s not an active case, he should be pretty forthcoming with the information because there’s no chance you can step on any toes.”
“Right.” Kylie suddenly itched to go ahead and get that report. God, she’d been so dumb. What was she even thinking? That was the first thing she was supposed to do. You’d think she never investigated a case before. Her mind was definitely going. “Thanks, I’ve got to—”
“Hey, Kylie?”
She stopped. “What?”
“Calm down.”
She sighed. How could he, on the other side of the state, see that she was so stressed? Were the vibes she was giving off that powerful? “I am calm,” she lied.
“Yeah. About as calm as a rattlesnake that’s about to get stepped on.” His voice leaked doubt. “You okay? The business is good? No problems?”
“No, no problems,” she said lightly, or at least she tried to be light, but it was hard, since at that moment, her mind flashed back to the bright honking red number on her Excel spreadsheet.
“Okay.” His voice said he didn’t believe her. “You take it easy. Go get that police report. Have a good day, Kylie. And if you need me at all, just call. Okay?”
Tears pricked at her eyes and her sinuses burned as she held the phone tight against her ear. Greg Starr was precious to her. Her own father hadn’t been present in her life. Greg was like the dad she’d never had, and she hadn’t seen him in months. It only occurred to her when she heard his voice how much she missed the grumpy old man. “Ye-ah,” she said, her voice cracking.
When she hung up, she pulled into the diner parking lot. Keep it together, Kylie. Go and have a nice lunch with your husband and be happy!
But when she looked around for Linc’s pickup, she realized he wasn’t yet there.
She took a deep breath. Then another one.
Then she found a secluded spot back behind the diner, parked, turned off the ignition, put the phone back in her purse, slumped over the steering wheel, and finally allowed herself to cry.
9
The Sunset Diner was Linc and Kylie’s go-to place for lunch whenever the two of them found themselves downtown. It was always crowded, served just about any type of food a person could want—from Louisiana gumbo to Vietnamese Pad Thai—and the service was excellent.
But Linc really hadn’t cared where they went to eat. He just wanted to see his wife and talk to her. He’d been tidying up his desk while he made the call to see if the hardware store had the part he needed, and that’s when he’d seen it. It was right on her computer screen, so he couldn’t ignore it. A rundown on Coulter Confidential’s revenue for last month.
And it was dismal.
Maybe that was why she was acting so strange. She didn’t want the company to fail. She said they owned the company equally, but it was really her baby. And no matter how many times he said she didn’t need to work in order for them to get by, she wanted the business to succeed for more than just the money. She loved the work, loved helping people. She probably felt that there was so much pressure on her to make it all turn out the way she wanted.
He understood why she’d kept it to herself, though. He hadn’t exactly been supportive of her idea of taking things on pro bono. But that’s what she needed to see: She couldn’t be a bleeding heart when her business was on the line.
He thought that if he took her out and they discussed it rationally, maybe he could help her see that. After all, she didn’t have to work. Without her job, he could bring in enough money for both of them to get by on, if they didn’t make any wild, extravagant purchases. But if she was going to insist on keeping this company chugging along and let it continue to drain their finances, though, whatever cushion he’d amass for their retirement would probably be gone.
They needed to discuss it sooner rather than later. Calmly. Without judgment.
That meant, in public.
When she stepped out of her car, he had to wonder how her client meeting had gone, especially since her pants were covered in mud. Her shoes were clean, though, and he recognized them as the extra pair she usually kept in the Jeep. “What have you been doing?”
She looked down. “Oh, nothing.”
He frowned. It hadn’t rained since that storm a few days ago, when she’d first taken on Elise’s case. Since then, there’d been a lot of blistering hot days. Since mud was in pretty short supply nowadays, he had to wonder what kind of client she’d been meeting with…and where. But he didn’t want to ask too many questions. Too many questions seemed to get her on edge, especially now.
When the two of them walked in, he spotted Elise Kirby immediately. The blonde was behind the lunch counter in her blue dress and apron, pouring coffee for a customer. When she saw them, her eyes lit up, and she waved.
As the hostess seated them, Elise came up and clapped her hands excitedly. “Hi, guys! I’m supposed to be waiting the counter right now, but I spoke to my boss and she said I could wait on you! Isn’t that great?”
Kylie smiled at her. “That’s fantastic. How are you doing? How’s Britt?”
She grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, he’s the best. I snuggle with him in my bed each night. Right between me and Cody. Cody’s getting jealous.”
Linc had to admit that as much as he hadn’t wanted to sacrifice Britt, the girl seemed different from the one who’d visited them at the farmhouse. She had color in her cheeks and didn’t seem quite so nervous, but that might’ve been because she was in her element here at the diner. Linc wondered how much that had to do with the dog.
“He’ll need to go to the vet,” Linc pointed out. “He’s due for his next round of shots in a couple weeks.”
Elise’s face fell, and her eyes widened. “The vet?”
Over the table, Kylie shot eye-daggers at him.
Fine. He was just trying to ensure the health of his dog. A very important thing. “We’ve taken him to Asheville Veterinary in the past,” he said. “Out on 11? If you just tell them you’re with me, they’ll put the charges on my bill.”
Kylie’s face softened, but Linc could only think that their combined generosity was dragging them closer to the poorhouse. “I’m so glad you’re enjoying him,” Kylie said. “He’s a great boy.”
“Oh
, I am,” Elise said, looking down at her pad. “Oh, stupid me. If I keep blabbing all day, I’ll forget to take your order. What can I get you to drink?”
“We’re ready to order,” Linc said. Despite the tome-sized menu, the two of them always got the same things. He looked at Kylie, who ordered the club sandwich on wheat and an iced tea. “And I’ll have a water and the cranberry walnut salad with the balsamic vinaigrette dressing on the side.”
Elise practically beamed at them. “All right. Let me get that in for you.”
Linc drummed his hands on the table as she left. He leaned toward his wife, who was unrolling the napkin to release her silverware. “How was your meeting?”
She shrugged. “Good.”
Linc raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t like Kylie to give a one-word answer to, well, anything. The woman could talk to a wall. Either she was angry or stressed.
“Muddy?” he prompted.
“Yep.” He watched as she peered out the window. Despite the sun, rain had begun to fall, a sudden cloudburst. Maybe she had been caught in the rain wherever she’d been. “I wonder if there’ll be a rainbow.”
“Maybe. I trained the dogs,” he said, trying to make conversation. “They’re good and tired now. I think some of them are getting it.”
“That’s terrific.” She laced her fingers in front of her. “What was wrong with the dishwasher?”
“Nothing I can’t fix. I’ll get the new part installed when we get back, and I think it’ll be good as new.”
She sighed dramatically. “Good.”
Elise arrived with the drinks, sparing them more inane conversation. As she set them down, Kylie turned toward the girl. “Elise, I have some questions about your case I want to ask you.”
Ah. No wonder she’d been so distracted. Her mind was on her pro bono case. Which was why she’d suggested the Sunset. Kylie, always on the job. If she didn’t quit stressing over these things, she’d probably implode one day.
“Sure,” Elise said as Kylie scooted over on the bench to let her sit beside her.
Kylie pulled out her pad and pen and flipped it to a page with a bit of writing on it. Linc strained to see what was scrawled there as Kylie said, “I’m having a little trouble trying to figure out where to go next. I’ll get the police report, but I was wondering if there was anyone else who might have seen the woman who took your baby?”
“Well…Agnes,” Elise said, twisting her fingers together.
“Yes. You gave me her name before. Anyone else?”
“Did you meet with Agnes?”
Kylie’s gaze shifted toward Linc. He saw guilt there. “Yes, but do you have anyone else?”
Linc shifted in his seat. So, that answered that question. She’d been investigating this case, the case she’d said would only be a hobby. And she’d been deliberately keeping it from him.
Not good.
“A neighbor? Anyone?” Kylie sounded more exasperated with every passing second. Her face was getting redder too.
Linc leaned over. “Kylie…” he said softly, sensing there was a bomb about to explode.
She waved him away frantically as she waited on Elise’s answer.
Elise shook her head. “No. Nobody.”
Kylie let out a big breath and tossed her pen down. “Well, that’s just great.”
Linc stared at her. He’d never seen Kylie look quite so defeated. Next to her, Elise hung her head, like she’d failed her friend somehow. “I’m sorry.”
Kylie blew out a breath, and Linc could see her physically calming down. Her voice gentled. “I’m trying to help you, Elise. Really, I am. But how am I supposed to when there is so little to work on?”
Elise put her elbows on the table and buried her head between her hands. “I know, I know, I wish I remembered more.”
This was where Kylie would normally sense Elise was feeling bad and tell her it was okay, but she didn’t. She picked up her pen, tapping the cap against her notepad. “All I have is a description of the kidnapper that could be any number of women. I only hope the police report will tell me more.”
Linc looked over at Elise and tapped on her arm. “Hey, it’s all right. You’re doing your best.”
Kylie blinked and immediately put her arm around the woman. “Oh, yes. Sorry, Elise. It’s not your fault. I’m just a little frustrated. I really want to get your daughter back for you. You know, so you can sleep at night.”
Elise smiled, but it was a more guarded one now. “Thanks, Kylie. I don’t mean to cause no trouble for you.”
“It’s no trouble. I’m sorry for snapping at you,” she said, patting Elise’s shoulder like the old Kylie would have. “I’ve just been having one of those days. It’s nothing to do with the case.”
Then what does it have to do with? Linc wondered.
It had to be something, and not just PMS. She’d been going around like a ticking timebomb for the past week. The finances. It had to be that. She’d bitten off more than she could chew, and now this business was starting to wear on her.
“Okay,” Kylie said, looking up from her pad. “One more question. Daisy was two months old when she disappeared. Can you tell me all the people you had contact with from the moment your baby was born?”
Elise’s eyes widened, and Linc gave her a doubtful look. How did she expect this poor girl to remember all that?
“Well…” Elise began, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. “Wasn’t that many people. Um, the nurses and doctors at the hospital. I don’t know their names. Agnes. And…well, that’s it.”
“No visitors?” Kylie asked.
No one coming to see the baby did seem strange. Even if she didn’t have any family, people gravitated to newborns. It was just normal.
Elise shook her head.
“Did you go anywhere with your baby during that time?”
“No. I didn’t have no car.” She shrugged. “Sometimes I’d use Agnes’ ‘cause she never used hers, but not then. I was kind of scared to go anywhere with a new baby.”
“How did you get home from the hospital?” Kylie asked.
Elise’s eyes widened. “The people at child welfare brought me.”
Linc leaned closer, as did Kylie. “Child welfare?”
Elise, realizing her mistake, turned a bright shade of crimson. “Oh, I’m sorry. You asked if I saw anyone. I saw my caseworker. She came in every week the first few weeks to check on the baby.”
Kylie’s face brightened. “Do you know her name?”
Elise shook her head. “Um…”
“What about the agency she was from? Do you remember that?”
Elise shook her head slowly, like a child who wanted to please her mother. She was clearly afraid to disappoint Kylie again. “The government just sent her. I didn’t pay much attention.”
Luckily, Kylie had gotten control of her emotions by now. Linc could see that she wanted to erupt, but she took a cleansing breath and laid a hand over Elise’s. “Thanks. This is helpful.”
Behind the counter, a bell dinged, and a gruff voice shouted, “E, your order’s up!”
Elise jumped to her feet. “I think that’s yours.”
As Elise walked away, Linc looked at Kylie, mentally urging her to talk about what had gotten her so riled, but she was scribbling in her notebook. “So,” he said gently. “Just looking into this case when you don’t have anything to do?”
Kylie turned a bit pink. “I had some time, so I made the appointment.” She shrugged. “It’s not eating into my paid work.”
“I didn’t say it was.”
She lifted her chin. “But you’re insinuating.”
He was prepared to deny, but Elise came back with the food, and a bottle of ketchup for Kylie’s fries. They thanked her, and she walked away to help another customer. Kylie nibbled on one thoughtfully as Linc said, “You don’t seem like yourself.”
She bit into her sandwich and shrugged. “I’m fine,” she said, mouth full.
“Are you sure?”
She widened her eyes and nodded, mouth still full, in a way that said, Back off.
He let out an exasperated breath. “Geez. Kylie. Level with me. I know what’s going on.”
She froze. She even stopped chewing. Then she started again, slowly. “What do you mean?”
“The financials for last month. I saw them.”
She swallowed, and he could almost hear the gulp. “Wait. You were going through my desk?”
“Of course not. The spreadsheet was on your computer screen, which you left on despite me telling you that you should shut it off in case we have a thunderstorm and a power surge. I was going to shut it down when I saw it.”
She swiped another fry through her ketchup. “There’s a little deficit, but we expected that when we took the company over. We knew we wouldn’t turn a profit at first.”
“‘At first is over,” Linc pointed out, dipping a crouton into his salad dressing. She looked at him like she was about to explode, so he held up his palm to her and quickly added, “It’s okay. I know you’ve been trying your hardest. We both have. But I really think you and I have to seriously look at the business and how we can cut expenses and increase profits. I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I just want to figure this out. Together.”
“Maybe it has to do with your forty-dollar paper clips,” she muttered.
“What?”
“I saw them on the sheet. You spent forty dollars on paper clips.”
He just stared at her before remembering. “Oh. Yeah. That was a mistake. I ordered the wrong quantity. So, we’ll have paper clips for the next sixty years.”
“So?” She gazed at him like this was all his fault.
“So…it won’t happen again. But you have to admit, forty dollars isn’t the sole reason we’re in the red.”
She sighed.
“There are other things that we can look at. It means cutting out pro-bono cases and increasing paid work.” Her eyes fell to her lap and she nodded as he added, “Especially if you don’t want me to sell the dogs.”
Her gaze flashed to his. “You won’t sell them?”
“Not if you don’t want me to. I mean, the house’ll be a zoo, but they’re half yours too. If you don’t want me to let them go, I won’t.”
