The next half hour was torture, to have Leeanne within arm’s reach and not be able to do anything about it. Part of being an adult. Eddie made a meticulous report for Harvey. He asked Leeanne to look it over instead of Tony, and she only found one mistake.
On the dot of five o’clock, he and Leeanne got on the elevator. She had parked on the street. Eddie kissed her on the cheek and put her in the car, then went to get his truck. She pulled out ahead of him, and he followed her to Harvey’s house.
Jennifer and Harvey were just getting home. The garage door was still up when they drove in. Jennifer got out of her car and ran to embrace Leeanne. Harvey followed a little slower and kissed his sister-in-law.
Eddie grabbed Leeanne’s suitcase, and they went in. Jennifer said, “Eddie, you’ll stay for supper, of course.”
“If you don’t mind.”
“I was planning on it.” She took a covered dish out of the refrigerator and put it in the oven.
“Where’s Abby?” Leeanne asked, taking off her gloves and scarf.
“Peter came around two o’clock and carried her off,” said Jennifer.
“Where to?” Eddie asked.
“No clue.”
“Does he have employees to run his business while he’s gone?” Leeanne asked.
“Several,” Harvey said as he fiddled with the thermostat.
Eddie cleared his throat. “So, Harv, how did the checkup go?”
“Fine. I’m fine.”
Jennifer looked at Harvey, then at Eddie, but said nothing. Leeanne offered to help her set the table, and Eddie followed him into the sunroom.
“Harv, are you really okay?”
“Yes, really. Carl thinks my blood pressure could be better, but I told him I was tense because everybody seems to think there’s something wrong with me.” He sounded a little testy.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to make sure.”
Harvey pulled off his necktie. “Oh, they’re making me take a blood sugar test. It’s stupid. I’m fine.”
“He thinks you’re diabetic or something?”
“The opposite. Low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia.”
“So, when do you take this test?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“I’m sorry, Harv, but if there is something like that, it’s better if you know it.”
“Why? So I can have you and Jennifer fretting about it all the time?” He shook his head. “I’m healthy. I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’m in pretty good shape. Aren’t I?” He suddenly looked doubtful.
“Yes, you are. No question. If you don’t eat, you get a little shaky sometimes, but anybody would, I guess.”
Harvey sighed and turned toward his bedroom, trailing the necktie on the floor. “I’ll be right out.”
Eddie went back to the kitchen, and Jennifer looked at him anxiously.
“Did he tell you?”
“He’s taking a blood sugar test tomorrow,” Eddie said.
“Yes.”
“That doesn’t sound too serious.”
“Well, it could be.”
Eddie frowned. “I think we both need to quit showing him how much we worry about him.”
“You’re probably right. He was a terrible patient when he got shot. If we treat him like he’s sick, he’ll be awful to live with.” She turned to Leeanne. “So, Baby Sister, you’re going to do an internship this summer?”
Leeanne smiled. “I hope so. Harvey probably hasn’t had time to talk to Mr. Russell, has he?”
“I think he called him. You’ll have to ask him when he comes out.”
Jennifer served Jell-O salad and broccoli and a chicken casserole. It was good, and Eddie was with three of his favorite people. He couldn’t ask for more. He and Leeanne loaded the dishwasher afterward, while Jennifer put away the food.
They landed in the living room a few minutes later, and Harvey had a blaze crackling in the fireplace. Jennifer sat down beside him on the hearth and began kneading his shoulder muscles. He tossed a last stick onto the fire and sat watching it while she rubbed his back. Eddie sat down on the couch beside Leeanne and reached for her hand.
“I’ve got to go to the funeral home tonight,” Harvey said.
Jennifer kissed the back of his neck. “Stay home.”
“I really ought to go.”
She kept on rubbing his back, and after a few minutes he slid off the hearth and lay on his stomach on the rug, his head on his arms. Leeanne got up and took a pillow over and put it near his head. Harvey reached out and stuffed it under his head, murmuring, “Thanks.”
Eddie felt like they were intruding. He looked at Leeanne, and she raised her eyebrows at him. He shrugged. Harvey drove himself during an active case, forgetting his physical needs, and by the time it was over, he was exhausted.
After a few minutes, Harvey rolled over and said sleepily, “Come here, gorgeous,” reaching for Jennifer.
Eddie jumped to his feet. “Leeanne and I were thinking of…riding down to the store for…”
“Ice cream,” said Leeanne.
“Right, ice cream.”
Jennifer smiled. “You don’t have to. I’ll keep him in line.”
Harvey sat up and focused on Eddie. “Sorry. I’m a little tired.”
“You never slow down all day, Harv,” Eddie said.
He sighed. “Seems like I sit at a desk all day. I shouldn’t be tired.”
“You don’t. Well, you do some, but you drive around, and you walk, and you talk to people, and when nothing’s happening, you pace. You never sit still long, and when you do, you’re pouring energy into something.”
“Then I go home and collapse.”
Jennifer frowned at him. “You just had a good supper. Give it some time to digest, and you’ll feel better.” A car drove in, and she got up and went to the window. “It’s Abby and Peter.”
“No boys tonight?” Eddie asked.
“I don’t see them. He must have gotten a sitter.”
They came in through the kitchen, and Jennifer went out to meet them. Everyone sounded happy. They all came into the living room, and Harvey stood and shook Peter’s hand.
“Peter! Good to see you.”
“Thanks. You got that woman who bought the Blazer?”
“Actually, we let her go, but we got the man we really wanted.”
“Did she buy that vehicle with drug money?” Peter asked. Harvey had sent the bills to be checked, to see if any of them were traceable.
“I don’t think so, but we’re not positive yet,” Harvey said. “She does have money of her own. We’re still checking on it. I think you’ll either keep the Blazer or get the money back.”
“I’d rather have the money.”
Leeanne and Abby were hugging, and Abby was getting the scoop on the Wainthrop family.
“I really ought to go to the funeral home for a few minutes,” Harvey said.
Jennifer frowned. “Let’s not.”
“You don’t have to, gorgeous, but I do. He was the chief.”
“If you’re going, I’m going,” she said. “Just let me get changed. I’ll be right back.”
Peter excused himself and said to Abby, “We’ll see you in the morning.” He left, and Harvey went to his bedroom.
“So, you’re going out with Peter tomorrow?” Leeanne asked.
“Peter and Andy and Gary.” Abby grimaced. “I guess Jennifer told you about Greg?”
“Some of it, at least.”
“Well, I don’t know why, but Peter still wants to see me. And you know what? I want to see him.”
“Where did you go today?” Eddie asked.
“To his mother’s. He left the boys there tonight, but we’re picking them up in the morning and going to the skating rink. I’m going up to change.” She climbed the stairs.
Eddie was alone with Leeanne. Finally.
He went over to her and drew her in against his chest. Her shirt felt as fuzzy and soft as he’d thought it would.
&nbs
p; “I’m so happy to be here,” she said. She stayed contentedly in his arms until a door opened, then she sat down on the couch. Eddie sat beside her and draped his arm along the back of the sofa.
Harvey came in, wearing his suit again, or maybe it was a different one. He dressed a lot better since he made captain.
“We’ll just be gone a few minutes. Well, maybe an hour.” He was wide awake now, and in the efficient mode. Eddie didn’t know how he did it. He’d seemed totally out of it, but now he was refreshed and ready to face anything, including viewing the corpse of his former boss. Eddie, on the other hand, could tell his own lack of sleep was catching up with him.
Jennifer came into the room looking sweet and maternal in a dark red dress with black trim. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders and down past her hips in the back. She didn’t wear it that way often in public, and Eddie thought she might be trying to make Harvey feel less depressed.
Harvey’s smile broke out and he opened his arms to her. Jennifer went to him, and he gave her a squeeze, then looked at Eddie and Leeanne. “All right, gang, we’ll be back in an hour.”
“’Bye,” Leeanne called.
Abby came down the stairs as the front door closed. “Any ice cream left?”
“I’m not sure,” Leeanne said.
Abby went into the kitchen, and Eddie looked at Leeanne.
“Ma chérie, one kiss?”
Abby chose that moment to come to the doorway and ask if they wanted some mint chocolate chip, and they decided to join her. They sat decorously at the kitchen table, eating it.
“What are you guys doing this weekend?” Abby asked.
“I have a command performance at the old chief’s funeral tomorrow.” Eddie turned without much hope to Leeanne. “I don’t suppose you’d want to go with me?”
“Man, you’re as weird as Harvey,” Abby hooted. “He used to say he’d go anywhere on a date with Jennifer, but a funeral for some man you hardly knew and Leeanne never saw? That is totally gross.”
“Well, I have to be there, and I don’t want to miss out on a couple of hours I could spend with your sister.” He looked at Leeanne. “If you think it’s too morbid, that’s okay, but we could hold hands under the hymnbook or something.”
She laughed. “I’ll go.”
“Great. Did you and Peter talk things out?” he asked Abby.
“Yes, we did. I told him that if I want to start dating someone else I’ll tell him, and that’s it for us. I’m not going to date two men at once again.”
“But you’re still leaving it open,” Leeanne said.
“Well, I’m really not sure Peter’s the husband God has planned for me,” Abby said soberly. “I don’t want to give him false hope.”
Eddie considered how he’d feel if he were on the receiving end of that declaration. “I guess that’s fair to Peter.”
Abby smiled ruefully. “I told him he should just forget about me. I’m too fickle.”
“What did he say?” asked Leeanne.
“He said ... he’ll never forget about me.”
Eddie smiled. “Didn’t know he was such a romantic.”
“Yeah, he has a really romantic streak.”
“So, tell me again,” Eddie ventured. “The reason you don’t want to marry this man is, what?”
Abby sighed and leaned back in her chair frowning a little. The doorbell rang, and she sprang up and went to the entry.
Eddie pulled Leeanne over against his shoulder. He was getting his TLC in small doses.
Abby came slowly back to the table carrying a large bouquet of flowers.
“Wow, beautiful,” cried Leeanne.
“Yes.” Abby set down the container. It held gorgeous gold and brown and orange flowers, and little cattails and ferns.
“What are those?” Eddie asked.
“Chrysanthemums.” Abby pulled a card from the arrangement, opened the envelope, and smiled. “From Peter.”
“Now, that’s classy,” Eddie said.
“I feel like baking.” Abby went to the cupboard and took out a mixing bowl.
“Bet she’s making pie,” Eddie whispered. “Peter and the boys need nurturing.”
“What do you need?” Leeanne asked.
He smiled. “Just you. Just knowing you love me.”
“I do, Eddie.” She finally let him kiss her, and it was worth the wait.
Chapter 29
When Eddie got to the Larsons’ house late the next morning, dressed in jeans and carrying his funeral duds, the three sisters were eating blueberry muffins and drinking tea. Jennifer started to get up and get him some, but Leeanne told her to sit down, and she waited on him instead.
“Did Harvey go to the hospital?” Eddie asked.
“Yes. He wouldn’t let me go.” Jennifer didn’t look happy about that, but it made perfect sense to Eddie. She held Harvey as her hero, and he didn’t want her to see him in a moment of weakness.
“Jennifer, when he comes back you have to be smiling for him.”
“Thanks, Eddie. I will be. He won’t find out anything today, anyway, so nobody ask him what the results were, okay?”
They all nodded.
“Good. Carl will tell him Monday.”
Harvey pulled in about a quarter to eleven. Jennifer met him in the entry and kissed him. “You must be hungry, honey.”
He shrugged. “I could eat.”
“Come on. They didn’t let you eat anything before the test.”
He took off his jacket and sat at the table. Jennifer got the muffins and poured him a glass of milk.
“Butter?” she asked.
“Sure. Whatever.”
She smiled a little sadly and brought the butter and a knife.
When Harvey was into his second muffin, Eddie noticed a definite change. He was perkier and looked at Jennifer with more animation.
“So, gorgeous, whatcha wearing to the funeral?” he asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe your Bar Harbor shirt and sweatpants?”
Harvey laughed. “Okay. You’ll still be the prettiest woman there.”
She smiled. “How about the plaid dress?”
“The new one?” he asked.
“Yes, the new as in I-can’t-fit-into-any-of-my-old-clothes dress.”
“No, the new it’s-a-baby-and-we’re-ecstatic dress.”
Eddie looked at Leeanne. He could tell she felt the same relief he did. Harvey was acting like his normal self. Jennifer stood behind his chair and put her arms around his neck.
The doorbell rang, and Abby ran to let Peter in. He came into the kitchen with her and said hi to everyone.
“I love the flowers,” Abby said, showing him the bouquet, and he nodded with approval.
“This is for today.” He pulled a pair of red pom-poms from his pocket. “For your skates.”
“They match your jacket,” Jennifer said.
Abby got her ice skates from the closet in the entry. She sat at the table and tied one pom-pom to a shoelace. Jennifer did the other one. Abby held them up, eyeing the pair critically.
“All set,” she declared. “Thanks.”
“Do you skate much, Peter?” Leeanne asked.
“Not a lot. I can usually stay upright.”
Eddie had the feeling he was being modest.
“Want to come back here for lunch?” Jennifer asked.
“Thanks, but I promised the boys pizza,” Peter said. “I’m not sure when I’ll bring Abigail back.”
“That’s okay,” said Harvey. “If she’s not home by midnight, I’ll send out a detective or two.”
Abby put on her red jacket. “’Bye! Have fun at the funeral.” She grinned and went out the door with Peter.
“What do you think?” asked Harvey.
“I think maybe,” Jennifer said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
The four of them ate lunch together, then Harvey, Jennifer, and Leeanne went to dress for the funeral. Eddie took his stuff into the hall bathroom.
&
nbsp; He wasn’t sure what to expect from the women. He knew it wasn’t cool to wear all black anymore. He and Harvey had it easy—they put on their dress uniforms, which they rarely wore anymore unless a police officer died. For the ex-chief, everyone would turn out looking spiffy and official. Even Mike would be in uniform.
Leeanne came downstairs wearing a dark green skirt and a matching sweater with an ivory blouse.
“You look good,” Eddie said.
“You look absolutely gorgeous.” She eyed him from head to toe. “I had no idea.”
Eddie smiled. “Wait until you see the captain.”
She shook her head. “All those women are going to be staring at you, aren’t they?”
“All what women?”
“The ones at the funeral.”
“I hope not.” The fact that she thought of it made Eddie uncomfortable. There were times when he’d wanted every woman to look at him, but not anymore. He wished he could skip the funeral, or maybe wear a mask or something. He also wished—not for the first time—that he’d refused to do the TV interview.
Since parking would be at a premium, they decided to go in one vehicle—Harvey’s. The funeral was being held in the biggest church in the city, and they had some serious parking area, but experience from other VIP funerals had taught the men a few things. They went half an hour early, but already dozens of people were walking into the church. Uniformed cops were everywhere, directing traffic, standing honor guard at the entrance, and heading inside.
“I wonder if Mike’s here yet,” Eddie said as they walked toward the steps.
“Doubt it,” Harvey replied. “He’ll probably come in at the last minute. At least, I hope so.”
They’ve still got a guard on him?” Jennifer asked.
“Yes, until Hawkins is out of the hospital and actually behind bars. And the governor’s Executive Protection Unit will be with him, too.” Harvey shook his head. “I’m glad I’m not in charge of security today.”
As they went up the steps, Harvey’s phone rang. He and Jennifer stopped walking, so Leeanne and Eddie did, too. People behind them dodged around them and kept going. They all squeezed off to the side on the steps and waited while Harvey checked the screen and put the phone to his ear. “Yeah, Charlie?”
Heartbreaker Hero: Eddie's Story (Maine Justice Book 4) Page 30
