Closet Confidential

by Maffini, Mary Jane

  What to do?

  I decided to get ahead of schedule on the routine maintenance. I packed away the last of my cool weather gear and my early spring outfits in labeled containers. I took out the rest of my summer clothing at the same time. I put aside items that wouldn’t make it another season, planning to take them with me on my next trip to the women’s shelter. I washed and pressed what needed to be freshened up.

  After an hour of this, I went to bed. Every sleep trick in the book wasn’t enough to let me have a good night’s rest. My mind was whirling. I saw Pepper. I saw Nick. I saw poor Anabel. I saw people from my past, the dead and the dangerous. When I finally fell into a deep sleep somewhere around four, I was awakened by a siren. I sat up and gasped. Were we on fire? I raced into the living room, sniffing for smoke and tripping over a pair of panicked dogs.

  I shrieked, “Where is it? Call 911!”

  Jack sat up and yawned. “What?”

  Turned out that Little Nick has quite the set of lungs. Could have fooled anyone. I guessed he’d been saving it all up for the middle of the night.

  “It’s the baby, Jack. I don’t know how you could have missed hearing him screaming.”

  Jack said, “The little dude? Okay, that’s all right then,” and immediately fell back to dreamland. It takes more than loud noises to bring him to full consciousness. I picked up Little Nick and tried to make soothing sounds. What had I seen Sally do with her babies? He howled as I prepared a bottle for him, desperately trying to remember how it was done. Why hadn’t I paid more attention? It all looked so natural, even easy, but apparently there are techniques.

  Truffle and Sweet Marie joined us in the kitchen and barked. I took that as a suggestion that they, too, could be calmed by warm milk.

  It took an hour of feeding and burping, interspersed with howling, before Little Nick settled down. In another five minutes, Truffle and Sweet Marie got their groove back. I crawled back to bed wondering how mothers do it. And why.

  Shadowy figures crowded my dreams, making trouble and noise. Go back, they exhorted in their shadowy way. Go back, total strangers cried. My mother flitted through, her arm linked with an elderly French count. Go back, she ordered. Even Pepper had a cameo appearance. Go back, she whimpered. I can’t! I kept shouting. Naturally, all night long it was impossible to go back.

  Tierney showed up in my dreams toward dawn. “Don’t even think about going back,” he said before fading into the woods at Bakker Beach.

  20

  Attach an inexpensive double-hanging rod to your existing closet rod to dramatically expand your space for hanging tops, shirts, jackets, and pants.

  In the morning, Jack and I were tied for worst-looking human being in New York State, but Little Nick was ready to party. I stumbled back from walking Truffle and Sweet Marie, shaking my head and trying to dislodge the clinging shreds of dreams. It’s not like me to be groggy and inept in the morning. I hated it.

  “You were sure making a lot of noise in your sleep last night,” Jack said, rubbing his spectacular bed head and actually making it worse, although I wouldn’t have thought that possible.

  I glared at him. “In the greater scheme of things, how does my so-called noise stack up to your sleeping through a screaming baby opera and, might I add, with your mouth open and drooling?”

  “You’re such a kidder, Charlotte. The little dude didn’t scream.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Before you get too deep into this daddy daydream of yours, you might want to work on the graveyard shift part of it.”

  “What’s gotten into her this morning? Little dude’s an excellent sleeper, aren’t you?” He picked up the baby.

  “Whatever.”

  “We’re off to work right after breakfast. We know where we are appreciated and where we’re not. But do you mind keeping an eye on him while I have a shower, Charlotte?”

  I didn’t argue. It wouldn’t have done any good if I had. And I thought a shower would definitely improve Jack’s public persona. I did my best to rustle up some grub for the baby and shovel it into him while the dogs eyed the child and the food. If I read their expressions correctly, they were not at all pleased to see the interloper still on the property.

  As for Little Nick, he thought it might be fun to pull their ears. I put an end to that before there was an incident involving fingers.

  Luckily Jack and the baby were gone before long, leaving a residue of pureed pears that was quickly hardening to cement on my coffee table. At any rate, I knew they’d end up having a good time at CYCotics while I was struggling with the junk in my head and the dream images I couldn’t shake.

  Go back? What was that all about? My dreams never make much sense, but they usually involve sorting things out. Striving to put things right despite the resistance of nightmarish dream clients. There is no going back in my dreams. I hate going back. I am all about moving forward, getting things done.

  Tierney had been in those dreams and that reminded me. I picked up the phone and gave him a call. I noticed with a bit of surprise that I knew his number by heart. I left a message to the effect that, although he thought Nick was the bad guy, I knew he wasn’t and Nick had been worried about his family. I suggested that Tierney might consider protecting Little Nick as well as Pepper.

  After wasting too much time pacing, I pulled myself together and turned my attention to my To Do list. It did not have Go back on it. It didn’t have anything about watching television, either. I clicked over to WINY and caught a blinding from Todd Tyrell’s chompers.

  Woodbridge Police continue their hunt for rogue police officer Nick Monahan. Monahan is suspected of having inflicted life threatening damage on his wife, star detective Pepper Monahan.

  Nick’s boyish features splashed across the screen followed by a shot of Pepper in all her pre-pregnancy glamour. A lovely image of the two of them at their wedding followed. Todd yattered throughout.

  Monahan is considered armed and dangerous.

  “He doesn’t have his gun, you jackass,” I shouted at the television. “And it’s Nick. How dangerous could he be?”

  I was scowling as I went back to the To Do list. Up until now, the day had looked simple enough:✦ Take suitcase to Pepper

  ✦ Pick up and deliver organizing tools for Wendy

  ✦ Wendy wrap-up

  ✦ Decision re: Lorelei

  ✦ Dog training—bark project

  I stared at my list and added, Go back? I don’t usually let my dreams dictate my waking hours, but I couldn’t get this phrase out of my head.

  I found a trusting young officer on duty at the hospital, and I was able to talk my way into Pepper’s room with her suitcase. I was grateful but didn’t predict a stellar career for him.

  Pepper opened her eyes and glared at me, if it was a glare. It was hard to interpret her expression with all the damage to her face.

  “First things first.” I took the framed photo of the baby out of the suitcase and put it on the small bedside table. Pepper’s expression softened, and I spotted a trail of tears trickling down each cheek. I said, “I know you must be worried, but Little Nick is still with Jack and still in good shape. He has slept and eaten and been bathed. They have bonded, and I imagine Little Nick will have a part-time job in CYCotics after his first birthday. He is apparently very good for business. Second, I have a change of clothing for you, some fresh nightgowns, and some toiletries. I brought your hairbrush and a few other things. When they let you out of bed, I thought that would cheer you a bit.”

  “You know what would cheer me? Knowing where my husband is.”

  “Me, too,” I blurted.

  “I told you to find him.”

  “I almost did. I checked your house under the guise of getting you these things. Nick turned up. He must still have the keys.”

  She sat up abruptly. “He’s always misplacing his so he keeps a couple of sets hidden here and there. Where is he now?”

  So much for my key theory. “Take it easy, Pepper.
It’s a long story, but when Tierney showed, Nick jumped out the bedroom window. But before that, he was all right, if you don’t count sweaty and hysterical.”

  “Jumped out the window? Was he hurt?”

  “It was the one in the room where he keeps his clothing. The porch roof must have worked in his favor. He must have shinnied down the post. Look on the bright side. He hasn’t been found, so he couldn’t have been injured. All the cops were in the house, so I imagine he got away without a problem.”

  Of course, Nick’s problems were getting worse, but I was conscious that Pepper was not at her best for dealing with this.

  She narrowed her eyes in that dangerous way she has. “What were you doing in that room?”

  “Hiding.” I sat down on the visitor’s chair so I could make better eye contact with her. “I heard someone moving around and I hid in the closet. Nick came in to get some clothes, and we almost scared each other to death. But he’s all right, and if you can convince Tierney not to pursue him in the media, I think we can keep him safe until—”

  “Until what?”

  “We find out what’s going on. Pepper, you need to know this. He told me that someone sent him a message that he had to meet you behind the storage units at the industrial park. He was attacked there and his gun was taken and his squad car stolen.”

  She stared. “We haven’t been there since we were teenagers. Who would do such a thing?”

  And was it true? I wondered.

  She said, “Did you tell Tierney?”

  “I thought he needed to know how this attack could have happened and to see how Nick could have been set up.”

  She nodded, although that was probably painful. “Yeah, that Tierney. There’s something about him I don’t trust.”

  “You don’t trust him?”

  “I do not. He came from a big city force and he thinks he’s a cut above everyone. I will be senior to him when I go back and I think he resents that. We’ll be in competition for promotions, only I have the better connections. Also I think he’s jealous of Nick.”

  If I hadn’t been sitting, I would have fallen down at that. “Jealous of Nick?” I said weakly.

  “Yes. I know you don’t think Nick is very bright. Fair enough. That’s not where his strength lies. I admit that, Charlotte. But everyone likes him. Even you, even when you’re upset. He’s irresistible.”

  I supposed she was right. Why did I even bother with Nick? He was always hitting on me, he was a less-than-perfect husband, and he was far less intelligent than my microwave oven. Of course, I was convinced he hadn’t done what he was accused of. This belief was strong enough for me to drown out the warning voices in my own head.

  Pepper was still ranting. “And he’s always been a popular guy on the force.”

  No wonder everyone’s so tense about the APB. They’re hunting one of their own, I thought.

  Pepper continued. “Tierney doesn’t fit in and he never will. Ever!”

  “Do you think that’s important to him? He’s a senior officer, seems pretty independent. Does he care if the boys don’t ask him out for a brew when Nick gets to go and get his back slapped?”

  “Believe me,” Pepper said. “He is no friend of the Monahans.”

  I took my time and helped Pepper check out what I’d brought. She said, “I apologize for yelling. Thanks for everything, Charlotte. I appreciate what you’ve done. I don’t know when I’m getting out of here.”

  I said, “I am so sorry this happened to you, Pepper. I’ll drop in as often as I can. Leave me a message if you need anything. Anything at all.”

  She said, “I need two things: Give Little Nick a big kiss from Mommy. And I still need you to keep trying to locate Nick before anything else happens.”

  “I’ll do my best,” I said, not at all sure what else I could do.

  I nodded to the cop on guard as I left, but my mind was on other things as I hurried down the hall on my way to my appointment.

  Pepper didn’t trust Tierney.

  Could I?

  Next I returned Rose’s car and picked up the Matrix. Somehow I ended up with a new container of Toll House cookies in the process. I always profit from a visit to Rose’s even when I don’t deserve to.

  Wendy’s project was now on top of this list and close to being finished. Even though Wendy was my preferred client, I needed to make a living and it was time to move on. I checked Lilith’s list of inventory. As usual, Lilith had done a great job. If I ever expanded my business, I would snap her up as a full-time assistant. I knew I was lucky to be able to squeeze a few hours from her now and then. I fine-tuned the list of what we needed: hanging cloth shelves, clear shoe pockets to hang on the door, and a double-hanging rod. From my earlier checking, I knew the cloth shelves were heavily discounted that week, and I had a coupon that would lop ten dollars off the double-hanging rod. After quick stops at the dollar store, the hardware store, and the container store, I was soon on my way.

  I was smiling as I pulled into Wendy’s driveway. Brad was working on the lawn and he gave me the high sign.

  “I’ll be out of your hair soon,” I said.

  “Are you kidding? You can move in. You’ve made Wendy real happy. Where’s your assistant?”

  “Her part is done. I’m on my own.”

  “Someone will be disappointed.”

  Ah yes, Seth. I grinned. “She’s at her other job. She hasn’t moved out of town.”

  “Might as well be on the moon, that boy’s so shy.”

  “Sometimes these things work out. It’s not that big a town.”

  Wendy was waiting with chocolate milk and short-bread cookies. She ushered me and my parcels in through the side door. As usual the house smelled wonderful. Something tantalizing was simmering in the large slow cooker, and a number of saucepans were bubbling on the stove.

  “Expecting an army?” I said.

  “Pretty much. Aaron and Jason, my other boys, are working in Albany during the summer, but they’ll be home for the weekend. Forewarned is forearmed. I’m cooking up a storm. They’ll eat through the house like a plague of locusts, and I want to have care packages for them to take back. I can’t stand the thought of them living on pizza and takeout and submarine sandwiches.”

  I made a noncommittal sound. She had curled a motherly lip at my regular food choices.

  Wendy said, “And candy bars. You can imagine.”

  For sure, I could.

  Once we were in the bedroom, I parked my chocolate milk on a small dresser with a coaster and went to work.

  “We’ll use these hanging cloth shelves to divide the space between you and Brad. You can fold cotton tops and sweaters and store them there. Although now that two of your boys have moved out, I wonder if Brad could take over one of the other closets?”

  Wendy said, “Oh, I don’t know. I hate to ask him that.”

  “Do you mind if I do? I know other couples who manage quite well.” I would never have held up Lorelei and Harry or Pepper and Nick as model couples in any other ways, especially as Wendy and Brad seemed so affectionate and compatible. But the separate closet approach had a lot to recommend it.

  Wendy said, “You can sound him out. Couldn’t hurt. He might not like to change. And that will be all right with me.”

  “I’ll go ask him now,” I said.

  “Too late. I think he left.”

  “He can run but he can’t hide,” I said. “I’ll get him later.”

  I attached the double-hanging rod to the existing rod and said, “Show me the blouses and jackets you wear most often.”

  Wendy pointed to the items that Lilith had stacked and folded and stored on top of the bins. I tucked the chosen batch of tops into the middle. “Most often used, most accessible.” We went through the other piles until the sweater “shelves” were filled.

  “Keep your wardrobe simple, and keep getting rid of what you don’t use. It will allow you to maintain a useful cupboard.”

  “Like magic,” Wendy s
aid. “I’ve seen those cloth shelves, but they always looked so flimsy that I couldn’t imagine them working like this.”

  More magical moments. Before we began to rehang her clothing, we changed the mismatched and mangled wire hangers for the sturdy new plastic ones.

  I slung the bargain clear plastic shoe pockets over the door. The shoes slid into the shoe pockets in a flash. I rolled up her collection of scarves and tucked them into the top pockets, clearly visible and easy to access. I stood back to admire the closet. Almost done and looking good.

  I bent to pick up the bin with clothing to donate. “I’ll get this out of the way so you won’t be tempted to dive in and rescue anything.”

  Wendy kept saying, “Wow!”

  “Not completely finished yet. I know Lilith has a last-minute surprise for you.”

  “What a sweet girl. That reminds me, I have some chili to send to her and Rose. There’s plenty for you and a friend, too. Oh wait, before you take away that stuff, I keep forgetting to check the pockets. What do you bet I find some change and five of my front door keys?” Wendy quickly inspected all the pant pockets and came up with about twelve dollars in change and, as she had suggested, three extra copies of her front door key.

  I said absently, “If you have one place for your keys and you always put them there, you’ll be able to find them.”

  Wendy laughed. “I know the theory. It’s the practice that comes up short.”

  Even as I smiled at her, I was distracted by a pocket thought: how had I forgotten about the paper I’d taken from Nick’s uniform pocket? There was way too much happening in my life, too many hospitals, police, and unknown malefactors. It was interfering with my priorities. But even so, I felt like a doofus. I whipped out my notebook and penned in a reminder to do that ASAP.