by Raven Snow
“Wait.” Rowen stopped her there. “He told me they met at some charity marathon type thing Dina’s daughter took her to.”
Well, he told me they met a different way. He showed up, she invited him in, they talked. Dimitri tried to woo her with a really generous offer, but she wouldn’t budge. They must have hit it off, though. To hear him tell it, she was real swept away by him. They decided to date but didn’t want the kids knowing the real way they’d met, so they arranged to “meet” a different way. They didn’t want the kids thinking that he was only after her land. Which, duh, he was.
“Did he say that?”
No, but it seemed implied. I’m not an idiot. I can put two and two together.
“Did he mention anything about murdering Dina?”
No… Why? Is she dead? Well, this just keeps getting more dramatic, doesn’t it?
So Dimitri hadn’t even told someone about his crimes after he was dead. He must really hate the thought of besmirching his good name. Suddenly, Rowen was more determined than ever to kill his reputation before he had a chance to move on. “And you have no idea where he might have gone.”
I don’t know. I only know that he hurried off when he realized he could. Maybe he went to go see his son. He talked about him a bit; how he was worried his boy might run all he’d built into the ground.
“Dimitri has a son?” That was news to Rowen. Dimitri hadn’t really mentioned him when talking about family.
I guess so. Dimitri was whining about everything going to him before he could properly train him for the job. If I had to guess, that’s where I’d say he was.
It certainly sounded like a good guess. Rowen looked to Ben. “Dimitri Harris has a son.”
Ben nodded. “Sure. I know about that. He was the next of kin. We called him already. If I’m not mistaken, he’s staying in the hotel downtown.”
“The spirit is probably with him. We need to go there.”
“Dimitri’s ghost you mean.” Ben shook his head. “We’re not barging in on him this late in the day. You’re lucky I brought you down here. We’ll have a word with him tomorrow.”
“But this is important!”
“Right now it’s more important that Veronica comes forward with what she knows.”
Rowen couldn’t really argue with him there. That did seem to be the more pressing issue. “All right,” Rowen sighed. “But, if you have to bring her in, can you at least let me be there?”
Ben frowned at Rowen for a moment, but he looked to be considering it. “Fine,” he said, at last. “That’s probably for the best. To hear you tell it, she trusts you.”
“I’d like to think so.” Rowen followed Ben to the door.
Hey! Natalie called after the both of them. Are you sure you don’t have any more questions?
“If I do, I’ll find you!” Rowen called back.
Remember to do that thing I told you to do!
“Got it.” Rowen still had no intention of carrying out that ghost’s wishes. If she carried out all the wishes of every ghost she’d ever met, she would be in prison at this point.
Chapter Fifteen
Veronica went along with everything without objection. She was taken down to the station, Rowen following along every step of the way. “It’ll be fine,” she assured her. Rowen couldn’t actually promise Veronica wouldn’t be in some sort of trouble. At the same time, she genuinely didn’t believe the authorities would be too hard on the poor woman. It wasn’t like she had killed Dimitri in cold blood. From the sound of it, he was the one at fault. Veronica had a spotless record—not that Rowen knew whether or not Dimitri did as well.
There was a lot of waiting to be done in the police station. Rowen called Eric to tell him she would be home late. She hadn’t been prepared for something quite this late. The sun was coming up outside by the time there was talk of letting Veronica leave. Rowen went and camped out in the waiting room while they took her through a final round of questioning. It was there that she ran into Richard. He was alone, hair disheveled like he’d woken up and come straight here. He did something of a double take when he saw Rowen.
“Rowen?” Richard blinked at her like he might be mistaken. “What are you doing here?”
“I was with your sister when they brought her in.” Rowen took a seat nearby, but not directly next to, him. “I take it the police gave you a call.”
Richard nodded. “Yeah, it was so weird. I was… This whole thing is surreal.” He shook his head. It was clearly requiring all of his energy to even attempt to stay focused. “I’m sorry, why were you with my sister when the police brought her in?”
Rowen didn’t see any reason to lie to him. “She reached out to me about Dimitri earlier today. She regretted running but was too afraid to come forward alone, so I was just doing what I could to help.”
“She reached out to you?” Richard sounded puzzled, maybe even a little hurt. “I mean, that’s good, I guess. Thank you for being there for her.”
“I’m sure she only reached out to me because I was already being nosy. She probably would have come to you for help otherwise.”
Richard nodded. “Well, either way, thanks for what you did.”
“Don’t think anything of it. She seemed like a nice person and someone who needed a friend right about now. I’d like to think some relative strangers around here would do the same for me.” Rowen liked to hope that, but she kind of doubted it. Still, it was generally better to be kind to others regardless of whether they’d do the same for you or not. At least, that’s what Rowen had always been taught.
“I just can’t believe what I heard.” Richard stared at the empty space in front of him, shaking his head. “She killed Mr. Harris. I can’t imagine. I mean, I guess it makes sense, but I never would have guessed…”
“It was an accident,” Rowen said, quickly.
“Oh, of course.” Richard looked at Rowen, his own eyes wide. “I know my sister. I wouldn’t imagine for a minute it was anything else.”
Rowen was glad to hear that, at least. She could sense that Richard was telling the truth. He genuinely didn’t believe that his own sister was some criminal mastermind or even an individual with the capacity to purposely take another’s life. “Is the house still all closed off?” she asked, changing the subject slightly. As long as they were both in the same place, she might as well try to sneakily get some answers.
“They let us back in today,” said Richard, settling back into his chair. He seemed to have realized that he would be waiting out here for a little while. “There was a police escort, but it was small and just a formality, I think. I don’t know, really. I just do what they tell me. All of this has been so confusing. I just want to pack the whole house up and be done with it, to be honest.”
“They let you back in though?” Rowen went to the beginning of what he had just said. “You and who else?”
“Hmm?”
“What you just said. You made it sound like it was the police officer and you and someone else.”
“Oh! Yes, well, it turns out that Dimitri has a son. His name is Marco. Nice kid.”
“And he’s interested in buying the house like his father was?”
Richard shrugged. “It sort of seems that way. We didn’t talk about that part much, though.” He bowed his head slightly. “Marco was more interested in seeing where his father had been killed. Not sure why. Closure maybe. I tried to give him his privacy… You don’t think his father’s spirit is still hanging around there, do you?”
“No,” Rowen said, reflexively. “Not anymore. Why do you ask?” Last she had checked Richard hadn’t put a whole lot of stock in that sort of thing.
“I don’t know,” Richard admitted. “The place… It just smelled more like my mother than usual, I suppose.”
“Ah.” Rowen would let Veronica explain that to her brother if she wanted. “So, you’re still selling the house, I take it?”
Richard nodded. “I guess so. If we ever get everything moved out,
I will. That’s assuming Marco still wants to buy it.”
“He’s not sure?”
“I didn’t really press him for answers. I mean, he only just lost his dad… Not that he seemed too torn up about that.” Richard quickly looked to Rowen. “I’m not saying that there’s a certain way one is expected to act when they lose a loved one. He can react in whatever way-”
Rowen held a hand up. “It’s fine,” she assured him with a smile. “I get it.”
“Richard.” Veronica spoke with a sigh of relief as she stepped into the waiting room with Ben at her heels. She went to him and the two shared a tight hug. Rowen smiled. She could see that Veronica was feeling better already. She wasn’t quite sure what sort of legal trouble she was in, if any. Regardless, it had to be nice to be rid of that weight she’d been carrying.
“You ready to head home?” Richard asked, holding his sister out at arm’s length. “Amy agrees that it’s fine if you stay in the guest bedroom if you want to stay with company for a little while.”
Veronica shook her head. “I’d rather just get back to my own bed, if it’s all the same to you.” She turned to Rowen next. “Thanks for keeping me company through all of this,” she said, going to Rowen and offering her a hand.
Rowen shook it. “Not a problem.”
“If you ever need anything, give me a call,” Veronica said, firmly. “Seriously, anything. I owe you one.”
“I appreciate that, but it was really no trouble.”
“Do you have a ride home?” asked Richard.
Rowen didn’t exactly. She nodded anyway, though. “I’m good. You guys get going.” Richard and Veronica didn’t stay to press the matter. They headed out the front door and toward Richard’s car.
“I suppose I’m giving you a ride home?” asked Ben, watching them go.
“You supposed right! If you don’t mind, of course.”
Ben rolled his eyes but produced some keys from his pocket. He tossed them to Rowen. “Go wait in it. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Rowen did as she was told. She climbed into the passenger seat of Ben’s cruiser and settled down into the seat. She was nearly asleep by the time he got to the car. She sat up with a jolt when the door closed. “About time,” she yawned.
“I just had to finish up a few things.” Ben started the engine and pulled out onto the road. There were already some cars out and about. People who worked more normal hours than Rowen and the company she kept were beginning their commute.
“So, where are you headed after you drop me off at my place?” asked Rowen.
“Home, I guess.” Ben didn’t sound all that thrilled about the prospect. “It’s not like I can just keep on avoiding my own house forever.”
“Just be honest with her.” Rowen still felt a little odd giving him advice, but it felt like he appreciated it. “And be honest with yourself too. If you can’t make the relationship work… well, the two of you should come to terms with that.” Rowen hated to say as much, but that was just the way it was.
Ben nodded in agreement, but he didn’t actually say anything. The entire ride was spent in silence. He only opened his mouth again once he had pulled into Rowen’s driveway. “Give me a call when you’re ready to go speak with Dimitri’s son.”
As sleepy as she was, Rowen had almost forgotten all about that request. It was nice to have Ben being so helpful and agreeable… even if it may have very well been a serious sign that something was wrong. “I will,” she said. “Be careful heading home. And try not to worry too much about Rose. This will all work out one way or another.”
Ben nodded, though it was unclear what he actually thought. Rowen watched him go as he pulled away. A big part of her wanted to go inside and give Rose a call. It was much too late for that, though. Instead, Rowen trudged indoors. She didn’t bother with anything except taking off her clothes. She collapsed to the bed in just her underwear.
“Long day?” asked Eric, beside her.
“The longest,” Rowen confirmed, her voice muffled by the pillow.
Chapter Sixteen
It felt like Rowen had just put her head on the pillow when Eric roused her. She groaned and tried to burrow deeper into the covers. “Let me sleep,” she mumbled.
“Sorry,” said Eric, in the way people apologized without actually meaning it. It was clear that he intended to drag her out of bed regardless. “Rose is here. She wants to talk to you. Besides, you shouldn’t sleep too late. You’ll get your schedule all out of whack.”
Mention of Rose did get Rowen’s attention. She took a deep breath, gathering up all the energy she could muster. “Rose is here?” She pushed herself up into a seated position and looked to Eric for confirmation. He nodded. “All right, all right. Tell her I’ll be down in a minute.”
“If it’s any consolation, I made lunch,” Eric offered, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Not breakfast?”
“It’s not breakfast anymore, dear. It’s generous to say it’s still time for lunch.” With that, Eric left the room.
Rowen climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe. She didn’t much care about what she wore in front of her cousin so long as she was all covered up and decent. With that taken care of, she trudged down the stairs.
Rose was sitting in the den. Her clothes didn’t look like her own. The shirt she was wearing was one from a band Peony liked. Had Rose even gone home last night? She looked distracted, not noticing when Rowen entered the room. “Heya,” said Rowen, making her cousin jump. “What are you doing here at this hour?”
“It’s, like, three in the afternoon, isn’t it?” Rose pulled the phone from her purse as if to make sure.
“Oh… right.” Rowen moved to take a seat across from her cousin. “So, what’s up?”
“Not much. I just didn’t feel like hanging around my mother anymore. She kept trying to sit me down and have a heart to heart, and… I’m not really feeling up to that right now.” Rose leaned back on the sofa with a groan like she was even more fatigued than Rowen.
“So you came here?” Rowen wasn’t sure what Rose had been thinking. “Like I’m not going to talk to you about the elephant in the room.”
“It’s at least less awkward with you than it is with Mom. Besides, you’ll only bug me about it to a certain point. After a while you’ll just drop it.”
“And you’ll just wait for me to drop it so that, what? So that you can just hide out here for the next few days? No, sirree. I am not running a charity here. This isn’t Rowen’s Home for Wayward fiancés.” Rowen ignored the annoyed look that flashed across Rose’s face. “Have you even talked to Ben yet?”
“Not really,” said Rose. That likely meant she hadn’t.
“You need to do that. I talked to him last night, by the way.”
Rose perked up at that. “What did he say?”
“Stuff that I’m not going to repeat. It’s not my job to run messages between the two of you. You need to talk to one another.” Rowen moved on to the sofa beside her cousin. She could sense that all of this was making her very uncomfortable. “I’m sorry about the wedding yesterday. I know that had to be… awkward.”
Rose gave a strained laugh. “That’s putting it mildly.”
Rowen hugged her cousin. Rose hugged her back, tight. “We’ll get past this, don’t you worry. I know it’s the only thing you can think about right now, but-”
“Actually, I’m also kind of behind on work,” Rose interrupted. “I’m kind of worried about that. That Veronica Drew woman confessed to killing Dimitri Harris. It’s all over Channel 2 and nowhere to be seen on our blog. Never mind the print paper. I’m sure Willow and Peony aren’t pulling their weight. I really need to get over there. I could use your help too, if you’re free.”
Rowen hadn’t actually expected that. “Oh,” she said. “Um, actually, I have somewhere to be today.”
“Where?”
“I’m… going to speak with Dimitri’s son, Marco, to see if I can’t find his father�
�s spirit so that I can prove he was a murderer and give everyone involved some much needed closure.”
Rose nodded as if all of that had made perfect sense. “That sounds like a good story. You could take Peony or Willow along with you, try to get a scoop.”
Rowen bit her bottom lip. “Actually,” she began. “I’m going with Ben. He can make sure that I get in and that I’m able to get some answers.”
Mention of Ben made Rose’s expression darken. “Oh,” she said. “All right. Just come to the Lainswich Inquirer when you’re done with that, I guess. We need the help.”
“Will do,” Rowen promised.
“Do either of you ladies feel like having lunch any time soon?” Eric called from the kitchen. “It’s getting cold!”
“You’re welcome to stay for lunch,” Rowen offered, pulling out her cell phone. “I need to call Ben if I’m going to help you out.” Rose glanced at the phone and nodded. Rowen headed upstairs as the phone dialed. She needed a change of clothes if she wanted to seem credible when she met Marco.
“Just woke up?” Ben answered.
“Not by choice,” Rowen assured him. “You?”
“Been at work for hours.” Of course he had. “I suppose you’re ready to go meet with Marco Harris?”
“That I am. Should I meet you somewhere or-”
“I’ll pick you up. You’re on the way there and back.”
“All right, fair warning. Rose is here.” Rowen waited for him to say something, but he didn’t. “Sounds like she stayed with her mother last night.”
“I figured as much,” said Ben. “I called her when I got home. She texted me back a few minutes later and told me she was fine.”
“Well, I’m not sure that she’s fine, but she’s definitely here. I just thought I would give you a heads up.”
“I appreciate it.”
Rowen hung up the phone and changed into a presentable blouse and pair of jeans. She put on a quick layer of makeup, just some foundation and mascara. She looked cute in the mirror, petite and approachable. It was a look she liked to go for on days like these. It was for the best when people didn’t perceive her as a threat.
