Who was NG? She knew he had killed Grant Conover. She knew he was affiliated with Colombia & Partners International, if not the actual owner. But she had gotten no closer to discovering the individual’s real name.
Kate wasn’t naïve to the fact she was in danger, being alone with them here. She was certain the attack on Scott had been meant to disable her, but that didn’t mean the men upstairs wouldn’t try to kill her if given the chance.
She reached for her cell phone, then remembered Scott’s warning. Trust no one. She couldn’t call the police, so she rushed to her tool kit and grabbed the biggest screwdriver she could find to arm herself.
This was about to be a terrible idea.
Regardless, she confidently strode into the hallway and began stomping up the stairs, holding her screwdriver like a machete, and as she rounded the landing, the two men startled, their jaws dropping.
“Who is NG?” she demanded, raising the screwdriver over her head.”
“Mrs. Fix It?”
“Tell me!” She rushed at them, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Officer Garrison aiming his gun at the men.
“Kate, stop! I’ve got this under control!”
Alarmed, her mind racing for how Garrison could’ve gotten inside the building, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Justina asked me to check on the place. Clear out any intruders.”
With Garrison standing behind them, the men locked eyes with Kate and their expressions told her that something was off. But she reasoned that their silent reactions only made them appear scared because they had been caught.
“Would you get the door?” he asked. Then he shouted to the men, “Hands on your heads!”
Kate rushed down the stairs and held the entrance door open for the men to pass through, Garrison’s gun pressed to the second one’s back.
“You okay?” asked Garrison when he reached the door. Kate sighed and he smirked. “You were going to take two men down armed only with a screwdriver?”
“I’ve done crazier things,” she said dryly.
He let out a breathy laugh then asked, “Who is NG?”
She froze. Was he asking out of genuine concern and curiosity, or for darker reasons? If Scott didn’t trust any of his men, Kate knew she couldn’t either.
“I really don’t know. That’s why I was asking.”
“How did you know to ask about the initials, though?”
Initials...she latched on to the detail, but quickly offered, “You know Rock Ridge. Rumors, rumors, and more rumors.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, but let it go, his expression lifting into a smile as he told her to have a good rest of her day.
Kate watched from the doorway as Garrison hauled the two men into the back of his squad car and drove off down the street.
Returning to the apartment unit, she wondered about the conversation that had stolen her attention. Those two men had been talking, and though it had been so quiet she hadn’t heard the content, she couldn’t understand why they would have been talking so casually if Garrison had truly been in the midst of arresting them.
It didn’t add up.
Chapter Eight
“It’s great to be home!”
Kate held the door open for Jason as he entered his house for the first time in days. He had looked exhausted when she met him at the courthouse jail to post his bail, but now that he was home it was like he’d gotten his second wind. His eyes were bright as he walked into the living room with his shoulders back and his head held high.
Trailing behind them was Jared. He was carrying Kate’s overnight bag. Part of the deal for Jason’s release was that he would be supervised, and Kate had easily volunteered.
“I still think you guys should stay at Mom’s,” said Jared, as he set her bag on the couch. “With all the security devices, you would be far safer.”
Jason rolled his eyes as he bounded into the kitchen. “Who wants a beer? I want five!” He let out a booming laugh, clapped his hands together, and then began rummaging through the refrigerator.
“Yeah, I’ll take a beer,” said his brother, quickly adding on Kate’s behalf, “Mom too.”
“How can I say no?” She collapsed onto the couch in disbelief that it was only four o’clock. According to the way her muscles felt, it should be half past eleven, at least.
Jason cracked the beers, handed one to his twin, and set Kate’s on the coffee table in front of her, saying, “So can we all agree that Bart Vaughn is out of his mind? What’s with those teeth?”
“And his obsession with being on camera,” Jared supplied with a laugh. “Hey, he gets the job done.”
Kate couldn’t argue with him. Bart had done a stellar job. Any other attorney might have taken weeks to get a hearing, and Bart had accomplished that much and then some in a matter of days.
“How’s Scott doing?” Jason asked, concealing his concern with his beer bottle before taking a sip.
“He’ll be okay,” said Kate.
“He will be,” Jared assured him. “Let’s not get into a bad mood worrying. It’s great that you’re out of jail. Hey, the amusement park is opening in a few days.”
“You’re kidding?” asked Jason. “Dean sure works fast.”
“He has to. Half the town is waiting for him to fail and the other half needs jobs, which only the amusement park opening will afford. They’ll need people to work the admission booth, the rides, security. There’s going to be a restaurant and a bunch of food trucks. We’ll have to go to the grand opening.”
Jason lifted the hem of his jeans, showing off his ankle monitor. “Might not be so cut and dry.”
“You can be out until nine.”
“But the park is on the west side of town. I’ll have to check if it’s close enough not to set off the monitor.”
Kate spent the rest of the afternoon and evening drinking beers with her boys, as they watched a few sports games on the television that Jason had recorded. Around dinnertime, she ordered two large pizzas for delivery, and after they ate, she gave the ICU another call to check on Scott. The nurse told her it could be a few days, but gave her the good news that Scott had used the bathroom all by himself. “He can walk,” she said.
Thank God.
At ten, Jared hopped off of the couch and helped her collect the empty pizza boxes. After giving her a hug and bumping fists with Jason, he called it a night. Kate stood in the doorway and watched him drive off, and when she returned to the living room, Jason was turning off the TV.
“I’m going to turn in,” he told her. “The guest room should be all set for you.”
“Thanks, honey. I’m so relieved you’re home.”
“Yeah,” he said, giving her a hug. “I’ll be more relieved when they catch Becky and put this whole thing to bed.”
She would be, as well.
Kate cracked open her third beer just as Jason shut his bedroom door. Taking a long sip, she started for the guest bedroom, which was on the opposite side of the living room as her son’s room.
She flipped on the light and scanned the room, feeling slightly unnerved that Becky had decorated the space. The bedroom had a feminine touch to it. What would her life be like had Becky gone through with the wedding? Why had Becky even needed to rope Jason into her life, if she had been involved with Colombia & Partners from the beginning? Kate reasoned that the young woman had needed a cover in order to get away with her criminal acts. But it didn’t quell her agitation. Some people were just downright diabolical.
Setting her beer bottle on the nightstand, she realized she should use the bathroom, brush her teeth, maybe take a quick shower before bed. She started down the hall, but before she reached the bathroom, Jason’s home office caught her eye.
She hadn’t been in this house since right after Becky had disappeared. Back when she was questioning Jason’s involvement with the crimes that had been unfolding throughout Rock Ridge, it had crossed her mind to check his office out. She cringed a
t the fact she had suspected her son, but things had been very confusing back then.
Edging into his study, she swiped her hand on the wall in search of the light switch. The overheads popped on and she gasped. The wall was covered in photos and notecards, red string tacked from one handwritten detail to the next. As she neared what appeared to be Jason’s research, which he had compiled in his hunt to find Becky, the sheer volume of information astonished Kate.
Under each photo, depicting faces she seldom recognized, Jason had written the individual’s name, which gave her an idea. Quickly, she began scanning for NG.
As her gaze traveled over one notecard after the next, she mumbled the names out loud.
“Susan O’Malley, Gillian O’Reilly, Curt Foster...” Many she had never heard of, and according to Jason’s notes, it seemed he had investigated them but decided they were not suspicious. She moved along the wall then realized several police officers were clustered on a bulletin board propped against the wall. She crouched, reviewing their photos and names, but startled when she heard pounding coming from the front door.
When she reached the front door, she cursed that there wasn’t a peephole. It was late and she couldn’t imagine who was out there, unless Jared had forgotten something. If he had, however, he would’ve texted or called.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“Garrison! Just wanted to check on everyone. Scott’s orders.”
She paused with her hand on the doorknob, unsure.
Considering Scott’s warning, there was no way he’d order any of his officers to check on Kate and Jason. As uneasy as she was, she unlocked the door and drew it inward.
“We’re fine.”
“Jason all tucked in?” he asked in a friendly manner, which, for some reason, made her blood run cold.
“He is. I’m about to do the same. It’s rather late, wouldn’t you say?”
Garrison laughed good-naturedly. “I thought I gave you a scare earlier today when I arrested those two trespassers.”
“Not to worry,” she told him, edging the door to give him the hint she would have to talk to him another time. “I’m sure Justina appreciated it.”
“Kate,” he said, catching the door with his palm. “I know I don’t have to tell you that time is of the essence.... Everyone knows you’re one hell of an investigator. Any progress on NG?”
She felt the color rush out of her cheeks, and in an unsteady voice, said, “It was just a rumor and a bad one at that.”
“I know you, Kate. It wasn’t just a rumor. I can tell by the look on your face.”
“It’s late.”
His eyes darkened and his pleasant demeanor was quickly replaced with a look of bottled frustration. After a tense moment, he managed to relax, offering her a brittle smile, and said, “You have a good night, now.”
“I certainly will.”
The second she closed the door, her thumb twisted the lock and she let out a rocky breath, after which she rushed into the living room and dialed Justina’s cell phone.
But the call went through to voice mail.
“Justina, hi, I know it’s late,” she said urgently. “I need you to call me as soon as you get this message. I need to know if you called the precinct to have an officer stop in at the apartment building today. Please. Call me back.”
Chapter Nine
The sun was setting behind the amusement park as Kate helped Scott out of the passenger’s seat of her truck. The sky held the loveliest colors—tangerine, rose, lavender—all melting into dusk. The countless rides were adorned with twinkling lights. Somewhere the chimes of carnival music played. But when Kate glanced up at the translucent moon, she felt a drop of rain.
Scott used a cane, as they walked slowly towards the amusement park entrance. When they reached the back of the line, Jason and Jared jogged over.
“Hey,” said Jared out of breath. He strained to see the admissions booth at the front of the line. “Looks like this place is going to be a hit.”
Jason jabbed his shoulder and told him, “Fat chance,” which Jared immediately mocked, pointing out that the expression hadn’t been in good taste since the nineties.
“How’s the leg?” Kate asked Scott quietly.
“I think I’m going to be one of those grumpy old men who can predict the weather based on how badly his bones are aching.”
“Your bones are aching?”
“My hip.” He peered up at the sky. “It’s going to rain.”
She was afraid of that, but not more so than the text message she had received from Justina that morning.
After two days of waiting on pins and needles for the real-estate agent’s reply, Kate had discovered her cell phone flashing with a missed call. Before she could open it, she saw that a text message had also come through.
I didn’t call the police.
“The line’s moving,” said Jared, excitedly rubbing his hands together. “I want cotton candy and a beer—”
“Sounds like a recipe for indigestion,” Jason teased.
Ignoring his brother, Jared continued, “And I’m doing the roller coaster first, then the Ferris wheel, then I’m going to kill it on the games. Mom, you want a giant bear or giant balloon? I can win you either...or both.”
Kate smiled. “Just make sure it isn’t bigger than the cab of my truck. I don’t have bungee cords to strap it to the roof.”
When it was there turn at the admissions booth, Jason took charge, reminding the cashier that he was the head of Wentworth Contractors.
She eyed him skeptically in a way that indicated she recognized him from the news. But she gave him four complimentary tickets, which he distributed as they passed through the turnstile.
Kate expected her boys to run off like kids in a candy store, but they surprised her, keeping calm as well as an eye on Scott, who was walking slowly.
Abruptly, Scott said, “I’ll be back. Feel free to go on ahead without me.” He was staring off towards the games, and when Kate glanced that way, she saw a man in a trench coat and fedora hat.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
Speaking softly, he said, “Just a little outside help. You’ll be at the cotton candy truck?”
“Sure. We won’t disappear.”
She watched him make his slow way over to the man, as Jason hooked his arm around hers.
“Let’s hope the beers aren’t eight bucks a pop,” he said.
To which Jared chimed in, “Don’t bet on it.”
As they made their way to the food trucks, weaving in and out of racing children and the parents that were hurrying after them, Officer Garrison jogged over.
“Evening,” he said, just as the rain began coming down in a fine mist. “Can you believe how quickly this park went up?”
“How about that,” she said, unnerved he had stopped them. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, the cotton candy truck is calling.”
“No can do,” he said with an easy smile. “Lot of people out tonight. Scott asked me to keep an eye on you.”
Just like Justina had asked him to check out the apartment building? Kate didn’t think so.
“You look worried,” he pointed out, keeping his tone low so that Jason and Jared, who were conversing with each other, wouldn’t take note. “Look,” he said in an even quieter tone, “this has more to do with Jason. Gotta keep an eye on him. You understand.”
“Right,” she said. “Come on, boys.”
Garrison trailed behind them as they joined the end of the cotton candy line. The wind kicked up as they waited, inching forward. For as many nights as she had hoped for rain to cool off the stifling heat, Kate took the weather as a bad omen.
At the food truck counter, Jason got a puff of pink cotton candy and handed a blue one to his brother. Then they stepped aside, running into Eric Demblowski.
“Hey killer,” he said to Jason, which caused Kate’s hands to ball into fists.
Jason didn’t appreciate the nickname, either.
&n
bsp; Eric shot Kate a disingenuous smile, saying, “Quite an interview the other day. Too bad you ran off.”
“Was it?” she challenged. “I thought I did you a favor.”
“Sorry about being the bearer of bad news like that,” he said, sounding entirely insincere. “And for my tone. You know how it is...making a story sound dramatic...”
“Is that what you call it?”
Eric exchanged a brief look with Officer Garrison, but quickly said, “You all take care. And Kate? I’m ready for round two when you are.” Unable to leave it at that, he leaned in and said, “You’re going to wish you had never mentioned Becky.”
Astonished, Kate glanced at Garrison for confirmation she had just been threatened, but the cop was grinning at Eric.
“Come on, boys,” she said, taking hold of her sons’ arms and starting off towards the roller coaster, but they didn’t get far.
The next thing she knew, she felt the barrel of a gun pressing into her back.
“Don’t say a word,” said Garrison.
He was standing close. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. And when she shifted her eyes, she understood that no one in the crowd around them had taken notice.
Her sons had, however.
“Mom?” asked Jason.
“Do what he says,” she whispered.
Garrison said, “That’s right. Everyone’s going to do what I say.”
As Garrison forced her to start walking, leading her around the food truck and towards the darkened side of the amusement truck, Kate began racking her brain. Everyone called Garrison by his last name. And now that she was thinking about it, she wasn’t sure she had ever learned his first name.
Then she remembered. Years ago, Ken Johnson had introduced them.
Soon they were rounding into a dark tent that was being used to cover leftover materials from the build.
Apprehensively, she said, “Ned?” He shoved her forward. She fell to the dirt and her sons rushed to her. As they helped her up, her eyes were locked on the gun in Garrison’s hand.
“You’re making a big mistake,” she said.
“Save it,” he barked.
“No,” she insisted. “You don’t understand.” Her heart was racing so fast she was suddenly out of breath. “It’s Becky. And Eric...they’re going to—”
Mrs. Fix It Mysteries: The Complete 15-Books Cozy Mystery Series Page 93
