Chapter Eighteen
They had just finished a light dinner consisting of pasta and salad when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” As usual, Aaron ran rather than walked to the front door.
“Wish I had his energy,” Maryann said as she helped clear the plates.
“Funny, I wish I had yours,” Jen responded.
Moments later, Rob Coleman followed Aaron into the kitchen.
“Good evening,” he said,
“Hope I’m not disturbing anything.”
“We just finished dinner,” Jen said.
“Rob, you can come up to my room. I got this cool game,” Aaron said excitedly.
The contractor looked down at his sneakers. “I’d like to do that, sport. But maybe another time? I came by to ask Maryann if she’d like to step out with me this evening.”
Maryann’s mouth opened in surprise. “This is a bit sudden. Why didn’t you phone?”
Rob shrugged. “Didn’t have your number. Didn’t want to bother Mrs. Stoddard since it wasn’t about business.”
Jen smiled. Rob actually looked embarrassed. She surmised he’d acted on the spur of the moment and was now looking for excuses.
“Why don’t the two of you take off for a while? Aaron is going to help me with the cleanup.”
Aaron groaned. “Mom, do I have to?”
“You do.”
Maryann turned to Rob. “Where do you want to go?”
“I was thinking of bowling. There’s a good place just one town from here. Serve good nachos too.”
Maryann screwed up her features. “I haven’t bowled since high school. Even then I wasn’t very good at it.”
“I could teach you. It’s a friendly, fun game around here.”
“Can I go?” Aaron asked.
“Next time,” Jen told him.
“I’ll go change,” Maryann said.
“You look fine,” Rob said.
“Pretty spiffy yourself,” Jen commented and watched Rob’s cheeks turn pink.
“Spiffy?” Maryann repeated with an arched brown.
“One of my grandmother’s expressions,” Jen said.
“I must remember to add it to my vocabulary.” Maryann turned to Rob. “Okay, let’s go.”
Jen watched them leave and smiled. Maryann and Rob made a nice couple in her opinion.
Chapter Nineteen
The doorbell rang for the second time that evening. She’d just gotten Aaron tucked in for the night and wasn’t expecting anyone to come by.
The doorbell rang again as if the person ringing the bell was impatient.
“Who is it?”
“Grant Coleman.”
She hesitated but then sighed and opened the door. “I thought it might be the big bad wolf come to blow my house down.”
He didn’t smile. In fact, his expression looked downright grim. He had a shadow of beard and in the overhead hall light his face appeared as all hard angles and planes. The police chief gave the impression of a force to be reckoned with, formidable and strong as granite.
He strode into the house not waiting to be invited in. “Can we talk in private?”
“Aaron’s asleep and Maryann is out with your brother.”
His square jaw came up in an expression of surprise. “I didn’t know they were dating.”
“It wasn’t that formal. He just came by this evening and asked her out. Why don’t you take a seat in the living room? Can I offer you something to drink? Tea, coffee, lemonade?”
“Nothing. This isn’t a social call.”
She gave him a sharp look. “Somehow I didn’t think it would be.”
He followed her into the parlor and took a straight back chair. She seated herself on the farther sofa and waited.
“Dave Stuart’s a really good mechanic. He’s also a friend. Since I was the one making the request, he looked at your rental right away.” He paused.
“And?”
“He says someone tampered with the brakes.”
She stood up, her heart racing. “I didn’t expect that.”
He got to his feet as well. “Neither did I.”
He began to pace the room.
“Couldn’t it have been an accident?”
“Dave claims the line was cut in such a way as to the let the brake fluid drip out slowly which would mean you would likely be on the road when you lost your brakes.”
Jen sat down heavily feeling suddenly weary. “Was someone trying to kill me?”
“I don’t know about that. There are lots better ways if that was the intent. Might have been some sort of a warning.”
“Like the shots that went through my car?”
He ran his right hand through his thick brown black head of hair. “Yeah, as to that. I did do a check after speaking to Dave. I found shell casings.”
“Not BB gun pellets?”
“They came from a rifle.”
Jen placed her hands over her heart. “I just can’t believe it. Somebody actually wants me dead.”
He turned then and came toward her. “Not necessarily. It could be someone wanting to frighten you.”
“But why? I haven’t hurt anyone.” Jen didn’t realize she was crying until the tears began rolling down her cheeks. Then she was sobbing.
It was just too much. She had lost her husband and tried to carry on as best she could. And now this. Her whole body shook with the force of her sorrow. Strong arms came around to hold her. She tried to pull away, only to find her legs like rubber. Do not let me faint, not in front of this man! But she was dizzy and the world momentarily became lopsided and dark, spinning out of control.
It’s all right,” he said, cradling her in his arms as one would hold a small child. “You’ll be fine.” His voice was soft and soothing. His arms were tightly around her, as she pressed her face against his hard, muscular chest. One hand stroked her hair.
“Y-you can let me go now,” she told him in a breathy voice.
“Certainly.” But he didn’t let her go right away; he just kept holding her against him with his strong hands.
“Really, I’m all right,” she told him, straightening, stiffening her spine.
But he still didn’t let go of her. Instead he brushed his lips over hers. She sighed and he deepened the kiss. She slid her arms around his neck, letting her body melt against him, returning his kiss with hunger and passion. In his arms she felt safe, protected by the heat and strength of his powerful body.
Then he pulled away.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” he said.
She wasn’t certain what to say, how to respond. There weren’t any words that seemed right.
They sat down again, separate and apart, she on the sofa, he on the straight back chair.
“Why did you kiss me?” she asked in a breathy voice.
He shook his head. “Damned if I know. Why did you respond?”
“I couldn’t say.” She studied the worn Oriental rug.
“Are you aware of anyone who might wish you harm?” She looked up. He was the cop again, cool and professional. His gray eyes were sharp as a steel sword and just as probing.
“I can’t think of anyone. I really don’t have any enemies.”
“Mrs. Stoddard, clearly there is someone who wishes you ill.”
She looked up. “Please call me Jen. I’m tired of the formality.”
He paused a moment as if considering. “All right, Jen, is there anyone who’s got a grudge against you?”
She bit down on her lower lip, remembering the unkind words her mother had expressed, the bitterness toward her. But surely not! Sara Morrow was her mother. Then again, she had a new boyfriend. Jen hadn’t forgotten the nasty leer he’d sent in her direction. But that couldn’t be a reason to try and harm someone. She was confused and it must have shown in her facial expression.
“Come on, Jen, tell me what you’re thinking.”
She shook her head, not wanting to discuss the matter. Bu
t in the end, she broke down and told him. He listened without interrupting. Finally, when she was done, he spoke.
“You think your mother might be out for revenge because your grandmother by-passed her on the inheritance?”
Jen leaned forward, running her fingers through her wavy auburn hair. “I don’t know. She seemed really angry and she’s never been what you’d call warm or loving like mothers are supposed to be. She said hurtful things when I was a child. But to actually try to physically harm me? It’s not her style.”
“What about this boyfriend of hers?”
“Frank.” She shrugged. “I don’t know anything about him. He struck me as slimy, but that’s just an impression.”
“Okay, I’ll take it from here.” He started to leave. She followed after him.
“Wait. There could be someone else.”
He turned and gave her an intense look. “Like who?”
“I don’t exactly know. But Mr. Donne, my grandmother’s lawyer, he might be of some help. He knows all the terms of her will. I’ll phone him in the morning.”
“Good. Set the appointment. We’ll see him together.”
“And you won’t talk to my mother until we’ve seen Mr. Donne?”
He gave an abrupt nod. Jen felt a sense of relief. The thought of Grant Coleman confronting her mother was distressing. If her mother had nothing to do with what happened, then everything would just be that much worse between them. No, it was best to talk to the lawyer again and get his input and insights into the situation.
After Grant left, Jen locked up. She set the outside light on the front porch for Maryann and then went upstairs. She was exhausted and just wanted to lie down and rest. The thought that someone had deliberately set out to harm her was upsetting. It seemed to her that Bloomingvale had many lovely residents. Yet could one of them or maybe her own mother behind this? What a horrible thought! Jen wouldn’t allow herself to think about it until tomorrow. She’d had enough for one day. As for Grant Coleman, she found him disturbing as well.
Chapter Twenty
Maryann observed that Jen, considerate as ever, had left the porch and entry hall lights on. She turned on a lamp in the living room and then made her way to the kitchen. She realized Jen and Aaron must be sound asleep by now. That was fine. She wanted, needed some alone time. She decided to put on the tea kettle, found a chamomile tea bag, and fixed herself a cup of the soothing beverage. As she blew on her cup of tea, Maryann realized she was more than a little bemused. Rob Coleman had that effect on her.
What should she make of the man? For one thing, he was a lot more intelligent than outward appearance would suggest. If she were honest with herself, she’d admit to being attracted to him on all levels. But the relationship, if she could even call it that, wasn’t destined to go anywhere. He needed a woman who’d settle down in Bloomingvale. Sure it happened to be a very nice Middle American town, but it wasn’t New York. The city vibrated with excitement and high energy. Here life moved at a slow pace, everything low key. Bloomingvale offered no challenges as far as she could see.
So why had she agreed to see Rob again outside of the confines of Jen’s house? Why had she given him her cell number? Providing mixed signals wasn’t her style. She prided herself on being honest and forthright in her dealings with other people. She must tell Rob she wouldn’t see him socially again. Yet even as she made the decision, she felt a stab of pain as if a knife had pierced her heart. She wished he didn’t appeal to her so strongly.
There was a smashing sound. She jumped to her feet realizing that a window had been shattered. Vandalism in small town America? Well, it could occur anywhere. Probably some teenager being a jerk.
Maryann hurried to the study where the sound had originated. Sure enough a window had been broken. A large rock with a paper rubber-banded about it lay among the shards. She carefully picked up the rock trying not to cut her hands on the shattered glass. Should she look at the paper? Maybe save it for the morning and show it to Jen. She certainly wasn’t going to wake her friend up just to upset her. But Maryann felt troubled. She prided herself on having good instincts and intuition. Something was off here and didn’t bode well for her friend.
Chapter Twenty-One
“What does the paper say?” Rob stared at the rock Maryann had left on the desk the previous night.
Jen shook her head. “I didn’t read it yet.” She stared at it as if it were a rattle snake ready to strike. “I called you because we need the window repaired.”
“Sure, that’s not a problem.” Rob rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful. “But you need more than a window repair. I’d like to call my brother and mention it. Might be nothing but a kid’s prank. Then again, maybe not. Let’s see what Grant thinks.”
Jen felt her face flush. “I’ve bothered him enough.”
Maryann placed her hand on Jen’s shoulder. “Rob’s right. I think you better call him. He is the police chief.”
Jen’s mouth was dry as cotton. “You heard Rob. It’s probably just a kid’s prank.”
She really didn’t want to be in contact with Grant Coleman so soon again. At best the situation felt awkward to her. But Rob took it out of her hands. He used his cell phone and called his brother.
“Morning. You have time to come out to the Pritchard house? There’s something I think you need to have a look at. Thanks.”
Grant Coleman arrived at ten a.m., put on a pair of plastic gloves, and viewed the paper that had been bound to the rock.
“Who handled this?”
“I picked it up from the floor,” Maryann said. “I heard the glass shatter and came to check out what happened. But I didn’t do anything else, just placed it on the desk.”
“Okay, not a problem.” Grant freed the paper from the rubber band and examined it carefully. After reading the written words, he frowned.
Jen’s heart lurched. “What does it say?”
Grant held up the paper so they could all see it.
Jen read it out loud. “Leave town or you’ll be dead.”
She turned to Grant. “What do you make of it?”
“Kid prank, right?” Rob said.
Grant shook his head. “Can’t say for certain.” He pointed to the lettering. “These words have been cut out from the local newspaper. The paper itself is common stuff. My guess is there won’t be any fingerprints to be found other than Ms. Waller’s. I think something more is going on here.”
Jen placed her hand over her chest. Grant saw the gesture and touched her shoulder.
“Mrs. Stoddard, Jen, I don’t mean to upset you, but we need to take the incident seriously.”
“What’s the matter, Mom? Why did someone throw a rock through our window?” Aaron scrunched his small face into a look of worry.
“It’s really nothing, sweetheart. Let’s go to the kitchen and leave Rob and his brother to fix things. Okay? Maybe I will bake those muffins after all. You can help me. Maryann, will you help too?”
“Sure thing.” Maryann looked from Rob to Grant.
“We’ll bake enough for everyone.” Jen took her son’s hand and Maryann walked beside them.
Aaron withdrew his hand and skipped along beside her. Jen waited until they entered the kitchen to speak again.
“Aaron, could you go upstairs and change to shorts and a T-shirt? We don’t want to make a mess of your pajamas.”
“Sure. But don’t start without me.”
“We won’t.”
He bounded from the room like Tigger. She waited until she was certain her son was out of earshot.
“I didn’t get to tell you. After you left, the chief came by. He wanted me to know that the mechanic who looked at the rental found the brakes had been tampered with.”
Maryann sat down heavily on a kitchen chair. “Someone deliberately tried to hurt us?”
Jen licked her lips. “Me. They want to hurt me. You’re just collateral damage.”
“Nice to know.” Maryann leaned forward, her elbows on
the wooden table. “I don’t understand it.”
“Neither do I. But the chief’s investigating.”
“I hope he finds out who’s behind this and why.”
Jen didn’t mention her suspicions regarding her mother. The thought was too painful to endure. Aaron soon returned and they set about baking blueberry corn muffins.
“Don’t tell anyone but my secret ingredient is oatmeal. Makes for a much more satisfying and healthy treat.”
“Sometimes we bake banana nut muffins,” Aaron confided in Maryann. “At Thanksgiving, we baked cranberry pumpkin ones. They were the best. Yummy in the tummy.”
“We’ll do it again,” Jen assured him, hoping no one would kill her between now and then. The thought was so disturbing, that she slammed the muffin tins on the counter with a vengeance.
Maryann gave her a questioning look. “You okay?”
“Of course.” She forced a smile. For Aaron’s sake she couldn’t allow herself to show stress. She wanted her son to have a happy childhood, better than the one she’d had.
Grant Coleman walked into the kitchen. “Ms. Waller, would you come back to the study? I’d like to ask you some questions about what you saw and heard last night.”
Maryann raised her eyebrows. “I really can’t say much more.”
“Not a problem. We should just go over the events. You might remember something more if I ask the right questions.”
Maryann shrugged. “Sure, no problem.”
As they left the kitchen, Jen thought Grant really seemed to be a first-rate policeman. The thought reassured her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mr. Donne welcomed them into his office, polite as ever. “Chief Coleman, Mrs. Stoddard, what can I do for you today?”
They sat down opposite the attorney. Grant Coleman leaned forward placing his muscular forearms on the lawyer’s desk, his expression intense.
“I’ll get right to the point,” Grant said. “Mrs. Stoddard has recently been the object of an anonymous threat. Some unknown party or parties want her to leave town.”
The Inheritance Page 7
