3 Dime If I Know

by Maggie Toussaint

  “Go home,” Rafe repeated.

  “Is there trouble here?” Dean asked, looking every bit the aging biker in his black-leather duds and red bandana tied around his head.

  Hill’s hands shot up, palms out. “No trouble at all, buddy. I’m admiring the scenery.”

  Rafe grabbed Hill by the collar. “Let me show you the door.”

  As they threaded through the crowd, Jonette grinned. “Every Friday night should be this fun. This is one helluva ride, isn’t it?”

  I felt nauseated after the high drama, but this was Jonette’s party. “Sure.”

  Don McLean sang goodbye to his American pie, and I wondered if Rafe and I would end up saying goodbye. My chances of having a future with Rafe kept getting smaller and smaller.

  Worse, I’d made no progress in coming up with another suspect for Starr’s murder. No matter how I analyzed the data, I still had a murder suspect for a boyfriend.

  Was I leaping to conclusions? Maybe Britt had rounded up a new suspect and Rafe was in the clear. If that was so, I could focus on our communication issues.

  The only way to find out what Detective Britt Radcliff knew was to ask.

  CHAPTER 15

  * * *

  At noon on Saturday, Britt hurried down the police station stairs onto the sidewalk where I waited. “Is that a milkshake?” He eyed the insulated cup with turquoise and peach midline stripes as if it were the Holy Grail. “Tell me that’s from Honey’s Ice Cream Shop.”

  “It is.” I waggled a paper sack under his nose. The smell of fried food perfumed the crisp fall air. “This hamburger and fries are from the burger joint out on the highway.”

  Britt’s face fell. “My wife has me on a strict diet.”

  “I know good and well that you only pay lip service to Melissa’s good intentions.”

  He took another deep breath, licking his lips. “What’s this lunch gonna cost me?”

  I shrugged. “Can’t two friends have lunch together?”

  “Not if one is male and the other is female.”

  Despite his protest, I hoped he would eat with me. I angled toward the concrete picnic table on the wooded side of the parking lot. Heartlessly, I jiggled the bag a little to let more of the french fry smell out. Britt followed as if I were the Pied Piper, and I felt the pleasant buzz of satisfaction. So far, so good.

  When I sat down at the table, the chill of the concrete bench seeped through my slacks. “You want these? Help yourself. Neither Rafe nor Melissa will assume the worst if we’re sitting out here in the open in front of God and everybody.”

  Two cops pulled in the lot, waving at Britt as they headed into the station. Word of us sitting here would quickly spread through the department. Britt must know that.

  I flattened the empty paper bag, dumped the fries on top, and took a fry. “Help yourself. I like ’em best when they’re hot.”

  “What are you up to, Cleo? Is this a bribe?”

  “No way. You have a solid, unimpeachable reputation. Like I said. We’re old friends sharing an order of fries.”

  He snuck a fry. Then another. He looked longingly at the foam cup. “Is that a strawberry shake?”

  I munched another fry. “Yep.” I opened up the burger and shamelessly fanned the scent toward him. “I bought this food for you. Are you man enough to accept a peace offering?”

  He grinned and reached for the burger. “I am.”

  I smiled. “We missed you last night at Jonette’s fundraiser.”

  He bit deep into the burger and moaned with contentment. After he swallowed, he replied, “One of my boys had a ball game last night. Family comes first.”

  “Yes, it does.” That was the understatement of the year. “Did Jonette press charges against Darnell?”

  “She came down here to do that this morning. I talked her into filing an incident report instead. The public is wary of folks who bring charges against incumbents because it ends up costing the taxpayer. This way she has a record of the incident, which will nail Darnell’s sorry hide to the wall if he crosses the line again.”

  A lone bird chirped in the nearby leafless trees, a single voice in a forest of forked branches. “He certainly wasn’t thinking right last night. I’ve never seen him so agitated.”

  “Being mayor is all he’s got. Jonette is a threat to his future, to his livelihood.”

  “He should have thought of that before he started acting like an idiot. He’s the reason Jonette decided to run. He kept picking on her every time he saw her. Her campaign is a direct result of his bad judgment.”

  “A man pushed to his limits rarely reacts well.”

  His cryptic words puzzled me. I wasn’t sure if he was still talking about Darnell or if I should assume he was talking about Rafe. No point in waiting any longer when he’d given me the perfect lead.

  “About that,” I ventured. “I saw Rafe last night.”

  Britt shook his head. “I can’t talk about the case.”

  “Did I mention your murder case or Starr Jeffries? No, I did not. You did.”

  Britt slurped his milkshake, ate another bite from his burger. His eyes rolled in bliss. “This is delicious. Way better than those veggie burgers Melissa’s been feeding me. A man’s gotta right to eat red meat. A man’s gotta right to live.”

  “A man’s got a right to live the way he wants. I agree with you a hundred percent. All men should have that luxury, even Rafe, who wouldn’t harm anyone.”

  Britt stilled. “As your friend, I’m telling you the man’s in trouble. Nosing around isn’t helping him. Knock it off, and stay away from him.”

  “The two of you should start a band, because you’re both singing the same song.” I leaned across the table. “If Rafe wanted to kill someone, it’d surely be his sister. She’s a hard person to like.”

  “I met Regina Golden. She’s prickly all right. But she’s not a suspect in my murder case.”

  “I didn’t say she was, though I’m curious how you ruled her out.” His jaw tightened, and I worried I’d pushed too hard. I hastened to smooth things over. “Regardless, I know it looks bad because Rafe was once involved with Starr.”

  “He was still involved with her. Phone records show they talked monthly.” Britt’s face clouded. “Damn, you tricked me. Don’t do that again.”

  Even though it wasn’t good news, it was more than I’d had when we started this conversation. I grinned. “You volunteered that information.”

  “Don’t do this. I’m building a strong case against Rafe. He did it. I will prove it.”

  “You’ve been wrong before.”

  He wadded up the wrapper from the burger until it was a marble-sized lump in his fist. “I understand you going to bat for Jonette and Delilah when they were in trouble with the law—you’ve known them all your life. But Rafe? You two have only been seeing each other for a few months. Walk away from him. Save yourself the embarrassment of his arrest.”

  “I can’t. And I won’t. It’s not my nature to walk away from trouble.”

  “Trouble does seem to find you.”

  “I’m not afraid. Rafe’s innocent, and I’ll prove it.”

  “How?”

  “I’m still working that part out.”

  Britt drained the milkshake with a loud slurp from the straw. “If you won’t stay out of it, make sure you take someone along with you when you go places. At least then you’ll have backup.”

  “I’ll think about it.” I searched his craggy face again. “Is there anything else you can tell me? Off the record, of course.”

  He set the wadded-up wrapper down on the table. “There is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, but the timing hasn’t been right.”

  “I’m getting a lot of scrutiny on this case, so I can’t say anything off the record, but I need to talk to you about two other things. First, Melissa’s sister got a vomiting bug and can’t come over for a few days. Melissa’s staying with her to help with the kids. Zoe’ll come visit you as so
on as she’s able.”

  “I hope she feels better soon. What else did you want to talk about?”

  He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “This other thing is harder to say. I’ve wanted to tell you for a few days, but the timing was never right.”

  Interest unfurled like a flag on a stiff breeze. “Oh?”

  He looked away, staring at the tree tops and the thin clouds high overhead. “These things can be difficult. I’m not sure how you will react, and I want to make sure you know that I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

  Britt had kept an eye on me for as long as I could remember. He was the big brother I never had. Even so, he’d hurt me on a couple of occasions. “Besides arresting my best friend and Mama, you mean?”

  “That was work. I didn’t have any choice about that. This is different. I’m having a hard time saying this because I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. I didn’t ask for this. She did.”

  What on earth? “For Pete’s sake, spit it out. I can’t stand the suspense. Who are you talking about?”

  “Delilah.”

  “Mama?” I clung to the concrete bench. It could be anything if Mama was involved.

  He nodded. “She asked me to give her away at the wedding.”

  “Why?” Heat flushed my face as I realized my gaffe. But I didn’t apologize because I wanted an answer.

  “You’ll have to ask her,” Britt said.

  My mood tanked. Was Mama trying to make amends for the nasty things she’d called him when she’d had a run-in with the law? Or was there another reason?

  A secret reason.

  I hated secrets.

  CHAPTER 16

  * * *

  After lunch, I watched the puppies play on the front lawn. Ariel chased her tail. Moses stalked a dandelion or two. Arnold galloped back and forth between his littermates, plowing into them. Fur flew and little yips sounded as they worked things out. Madonna looked on with a distracted maternal air as she lay beside me in the grass, her large head resting on my leg.

  What would it be like to be as carefree as these puppies? To not worry about meeting my family’s basic needs or praying for their continued welfare? To live in this moment and trust that all the rest would take care of itself?

  I couldn’t imagine being so complacent. I didn’t trust anyone else to take up the slack when my family needed help. Taking care of my loved ones rested on my shoulders. And Jonette was just as much family as my blood kin.

  “Decide yet?” I asked her.

  Jonette sighed with regret and leaned back on her elbows, watching the puppy show. “I’m torn. I love Ariel’s independent nature. I love how Moses cuddles up to me. And Arnold, he’s a bruiser like me, born to break the rules. How can I possibly choose when I love them all?”

  “It won’t be long now before we have to find homes for all of them.”

  “I know. I know. Dean’s pressuring me to make a selection as well. He’s ready to order a monogrammed puppy bed, and God only knows what else. What if I pick the wrong one? That will break my heart.”

  I understood about bad decisions. Once upon a time I’d been married to Charlie Jones. He’d ripped my heart out and trampled on it without a second thought. Since then, I’d moved on, but my ex had realized his mistake and turned on the charm.

  I glanced at his house. His car was in the driveway instead of at the bank. Maybe he’d decided to take the afternoon off, too. Jonette and I had been out here ten minutes, and he hadn’t bothered us. Maybe he’d finally gotten the message I wasn’t interested.

  Instead of feeling relieved, my stomach tightened. Change seemed to be my constant companion these days. Charlie was a jerk. I knew that, but what was Rafe? It worried me that I doubted the man I loved. It worried me more that I might have lousy taste in men.

  Madonna whimpered softly as if she knew of my emotional turmoil. I petted her broad head until she calmed. I felt better, too. Ariel barked at a falling maple leaf, making Jonette laugh, bringing my thoughts full circle.

  “Be bold. Make a puppy choice,” I reiterated, grabbing up a handful of stiff grass and tossing it in the air as if I were judging the wind for a golf shot. Madonna eyed the bits of falling grass with apprehension. “The rest of us are stuck, waiting to take our cue from you.”

  “That’s putting a lot of the responsibility on me.”

  A puppy tugged at my shoelaces. “Responsibility’s a bitch, isn’t it?”

  My friend’s gaze sharpened. “Are we talking puppies or something else?”

  I could fob her off, but this was Jonette. If I didn’t tell her what was on my mind, she’d nag it out of me. “Something else.”

  “And?”

  Gulping a deep breath, I started with my least worrisome problem. “Mama asked Britt to give her away at the wedding, and he was worried I’d be mad. I’m not, but her choice surprised me. I never saw it coming. Heck, I didn’t even think she’d want anyone walking her down the aisle. I thought she’d want to bask in the spotlight by herself.”

  “Your mom’s always had a soft spot for Detective Dumb-as-Dirt.”

  “True. I asked her at breakfast about her rationale, and she gave me a frosty look as if I’d mortally wounded her by even mentioning it.”

  “You mad about that?”

  “I don’t have any right to be mad. She can ask whomever she wants. It isn’t like granddad could do it. He’s been gone twenty years.”

  Jonette glanced over at me, speculation in her eyes. “You’ll have the same problem when Rafe asks you to marry him.”

  “That’s not happening. Not in the near future. Maybe not in the distant future either.” My stomach knotted tighter. “He won’t let me in.”

  My friend nodded with understanding. “Men.”

  I sighed the air from my lungs, trying in vain to release my deep-seated fears. “Britt said Rafe was more than the victim’s long ago boyfriend. According to Britt, they had been speaking by phone monthly.” I paused to gather my courage. “He was still involved with Starr Jeffries while seeing me socially.”

  “Damn him. I thought he was a decent guy. I should’ve known better.” Jonette sat up ramrod straight. “Did you get checked for STDs?”

  I couldn’t breathe. I’d been so worried about my hurt feelings that I hadn’t considered any other angles of Rafe sleeping around. Because of my hysterectomy, we’d stopped using condoms after the first couple of times. I shivered. “Wouldn’t I have symptoms if there was a problem?”

  “Call your doctor first thing on Monday. Better to be safe than sorry.”

  “I’ll do that as a precaution. I want to believe Rafe didn’t cheat on me, but since I was oblivious to the fact that Charlie cheated on me for months during our marriage, I’d be a blockhead to trust blindly.”

  “Say no more. Men are scum. Except for Dean, of course.” Jonette waited until a dump truck rumbled past on the street before she continued. “Who really killed Starr?”

  “I don’t have the slightest idea. Rafe doesn’t want me to nose around, either.”

  “That never stopped you before. Besides, we don’t know for sure he’s innocent. He could be using you to look like he’s a regular guy.”

  My spirits sank further. “It is a possibility.”

  “You must have some dirt on the other woman by now.”

  “Not really. She has a sister. And a kid. They’re moving into Starr’s trailer over in Madeira.”

  “What did her neighbors say?”

  “I’m afraid to ask. What if they say Rafe’s car has been over there many times? Where does that leave me?”

  “In the market for a new boyfriend. But wouldn’t it be better to know than to keep worrying and doing nothing?”

  “You’re right. I dread finding out, but I should go.”

  “We’ll go together. This afternoon.”

  The puppies yipped and streaked across the yard, running full tilt for Charlie. I groaned inwardly. Trust him to turn up like a bad penny.

&
nbsp; My ex scooped up all three bundles of fur and let them lick his face. “Hey, hey, hey,” he said as he sauntered over to us. “How’s it going?”

  Jonette and I exchanged an “oh, no” look, but other than run inside, and we wouldn’t do that, we had no option other than to grin and bear the unwanted intrusion.

  He handed Arnold to Jonette, Moses to me, and he kept hold of Ariel. Figured he’d keep the female for himself.

  “Ladies,” he said as he settled on the ground on the other side of Madonna, close enough that I got a strong whiff of his aftershave, the brand he previously used for our romantic getaways. I was amazed he would stoop so low and even more amazed I wasn’t repelled by his scent.

  “Charlie,” I answered.

  “What are we doing?” he asked. “Watching the cars go by? Wishing we all had dates for Saturday night?”

  “We’re enjoying the puppies,” I said, with a warning glance to my best friend. “Jonette doesn’t know which puppy to claim.”

  “I want to make sure I get the right one,” Jonette said.

  “Arnold is the dog for you,” he said. “He’ll be happiest with your varied work schedule.”

  Jonette studied Charlie. “How do you know that?”

  He shrugged. “Simple. Moses needs a full-time person to snuggle with, like Cleo here. He’ll pine away if left alone for hours at a time. Ariel needs someone young and energetic to keep up with her. Arnold can self-entertain. He’s happy to have people around or to be by himself.”

  His analysis was amazingly on point. I’d thought the same thing, but I hadn’t been able to articulate it quite so succinctly. “You’re good. Maybe you should have studied pet psychology in college.”

  “Nah. Financial matters are my strength. That’s why Cleo and I get along so well. We have similar strengths.”

  We had gotten along well, up until the point of him screwing another woman in our bed. Old anger boiled up. Moses squirmed in my arms, and I clung to him and my temper. I wouldn’t let Charlie goad me into an argument.