Slay Bells Ring

by Karen Rose Smith

  “I’ll help you with the fake snow after I talk to him.”

  “It’s a deal.”

  Bella was a sister who always negotiated and made deals, but Caprice didn’t mind. As nonchalantly as possible, she left Bella with the red and green paint, took a small can of brown from a stack in the corner, and went over to the group who was painting the stable. Harrison was tall enough that he could reach the peak of the stable without a problem. She settled next to him and in long strokes tried to paint rustic, woodlike planks onto the lower part of the plywood.

  After they’d both been painting for a few minutes, she looked up at him and asked, “You’re Harrison Barnhart, aren’t you?”

  When he gazed down at her, she said, “I’d shake your hand but I have red paint on mine. I’m Caprice De Luca.”

  He looked disconcerted for a minute, as if he realized that a conversation he didn’t want to have was coming. “I’ve heard of you, Miss De Luca. Your family and the Merriweathers were friends.”

  She nodded. “That’s right.”

  “And you didn’t mosey on over here to help me paint the stable.” He gave her his full attention now.

  “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

  “Yes, I mind, but from what I hear, you’ll do it anyway.”

  She gave a little shrug. “I’m only trying to help.”

  “Help who? Do you want to salve your curiosity or prove you’re smarter than the police?” His tone was hard.

  It was easy to see he wasn’t going to pull any punches, so she wasn’t either. “How about we step behind the stable for this conversation.”

  He glanced around and maybe decided he didn’t want anyone else overhearing them. Symbolically, he agreed by laying his paint brush in the paint tray and moving it where no one would step in it. Afterward, he walked around to the back of the stable.

  Following him with her paint brush in hand, Caprice knew they wouldn’t have long to talk before they were interrupted by someone. When they were face-to-face, she began, “You asked me who I want to help. I’m hoping to help Sara. There are things she doesn’t understand. She knows about Kim and Trung now.”

  Harrison asked, “Kim and Trung? You mean the Kim he was involved with in Nam?”

  “You didn’t know he has an illegitimate son? That he’s been sending money to Kim and Trung ever since he came home from Vietnam?”

  “No, I didn’t. Maybe I wasn’t completely wrong about Chris.”

  That comment interested Caprice, but she’d follow up on that later. “It’s hard enough for Sara to understand the affair and his loyalty to Kim and Trung. Kim is dead, you know.”

  Harrison’s eyes looked shadowed and his expression was genuinely sad. “No, I didn’t know. Do you know if Chris ever saw his son?”

  “I don’t know any more than I just told you. In his will, Chris left provisions for Trung.”

  “I see,” Harrison said, getting a faraway look in his eyes, as if he were remembering times that were a world and continents away.

  “You and Chris were more than buddies who fought in Vietnam together, weren’t you?”

  “We were . . . once.”

  “I need to ask you something so at least some of Sara’s questions are answered.”

  “Go ahead,” he said with a nod.

  “Did something happen on Chris’s trip to D.C. this year?”

  Harrison looked as if he’d sustained a blow. He obviously hadn’t been expecting that question.

  While he got his footing again, Caprice went on, “Sara felt that Chris was different when he came home. Can you tell me why?”

  There was laughter from a group of painters on the other side of the stable. Chattering noise seemed to suddenly surround them. Harrison glanced around as if still afraid he’d be overheard and shook his head. “I can’t talk about that here.”

  “Where can you talk about it?” Caprice asked.

  After Harrison gave that some thought, he responded, “How about at Susie Q’s tomorrow evening around 6:30? That’s a slow time there mid-week, and we’ll have plenty of privacy.”

  As Caprice agreed, realizing their conversation for tonight was at an end, she watched Harrison round the stable and pick up his paint tray once more. He seemed like a loner. There was a removed air about him. Why was that?

  And just why did they need privacy for him to answer her questions?

  * * *

  The next morning Caprice awoke early. Sophia, on the armoire, blinked sleepy eyes at her.

  “I have a lot to do today,” she told the feline, who considered herself queen of the house. “What do you want on your menu this morning? You haven’t had tuna for a while. What do you think? I know Mirabelle always says yes to tuna.”

  Mirabelle who was sprawled beside her on top of the covers looked up with her golden eyes, laid a paw on Caprice’s arm, as if to say, Tuna’s fine with me anytime.

  Lady, getting into the mood of the discussion, put her paws on the bed then danced back and forth.

  “I haven’t forgotten about you. We’ll play outside until Jack Frost nips our nose.” Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she couldn’t help think about her short talk with Harrison last night. Just what was he going to tell her about Chris or about the trip to D.C.? Something had obviously happened.

  She thought about that as she skipped her own breakfast, fed her felines and Lady, then led Lady outside. To her surprise, there was a light coating of snow on the ground. It had already melted on the sidewalk but the frosting on the grass was pretty. Snow was always pretty until it got in the way of something she wanted to do. Lady didn’t seem to mind as she snuffled in the grass and ended up with frost on her nose.

  “All we need is a red hat and you’d be a hairy elf,” Caprice said with a smile.

  Lady gave a yip, and Caprice couldn’t help but think about her dad and Blitz. Was her dad taking Blitz for a walk this morning? Just how had adopting the big white dog changed his life? Animals did change lives, usually for the better. But it was a change, nonetheless.

  Today, Caprice dressed in a fifties-style A-line rose skirt with a ruffled blouse and a boyfriend cardigan. Out of her closet she pulled a color-blocked ruana in deep rose, royal blue, and black. Last night she’d loaded her van with everything she’d need for her appointments today. She was starting with a client meeting at the Koffee Klatch. Afterward, she’d be visiting a potential client for a house staging. And this afternoon, Christmas shopping and maybe wedding-gown gazing with Nikki, Bella, and Roz. Her day was packed. She’d give her Nana, who was an early riser, a call and see if she’d like Lady’s company.

  With Nana’s Sure, bring her over ringing in her ears, Caprice loaded Lady into her crate in the van and set off.

  At the Koffee Klatch a half hour later, her client was on time. After one double latté and plans for a surprise make-over for her client’s husband’s den, Caprice watched the middle-aged woman leave. As soon as she got home, she’d work up a cost estimate. The real work would come in a week or so when her client had to make decisions on colors and styles and fabric.

  Caprice was taking a last sip of her latté when she spotted Sara’s daughter Maura come in. She went to the counter, ordered a decaf latté to go, and headed for the door. She hadn’t taken time to look around inside and hadn’t spotted Caprice. Caprice couldn’t let her go without asking her how she was doing. Sometimes pregnancy as well as grief could be overwhelming.

  After dumping her now-empty cup, Caprice followed Maura outside, hoping to talk to her. But Maura was hurrying away. Caprice followed her around the corner to a fabric shop doorway. The shop wasn’t open yet. But there was someone there with her.

  Caprice’s breath caught when she saw who. The man was . . . Bailey Adler. There was no mistaking that bald pate and long gray hair growing from either side of it. The two sides were banded together in a ponytail at the back of his neck.

  As Caprice studied his long, pointed face and Maura’s
delicately pretty one, she noticed neither looked happy. In fact, they seemed to be arguing. Adler shook his finger at Maura, gave her a scowl, and then walked off in a huff.

  Should she approach or not? Should she mind her own business or not?

  Minding one’s own business was overrated. Quickly going to Maura, she saw there were tears on her face. “Maura, what’s wrong?”

  Maura looked miserable and the tears kept flowing. Hiccupping, she dug in her purse for a tissue.

  “That was Bailey Adler, wasn’t it?” Caprice asked as a conversation starter.

  “It was,” Maura said with another hiccup. “He was going to pay me to get my father to vote for the project he wants to go through. He offered me a thousand dollars to try to convince Dad, and another thousand if I delivered. I did try, but now he won’t pay me the first thousand, and Reed and I need it.”

  Caprice put her arm around Maura. “Take it easy. Just breathe.”

  After Maura took a few breaths, she wiped her nose. “I don’t want Reed bugging my mom right now for help. Mom has enough to deal with, especially if the house sells quickly and she has to move.”

  “Your mother has a lot of decisions to make,” Caprice agreed, thinking what a scoundrel Bailey Adler was to take advantage of Maura.

  “It’s not only the house,” Maura went on. “Mom also has to decide if she wants to keep the craft shop or sell it. Actually, I’d like to help her run it, but with the baby coming, I don’t know how much help I can be.”

  “Have you brought this up with your mom?”

  Maura shook her head. “There’s just been too much going on, especially with all of us being suspected of murder. How can the police think any of us would have killed Dad?”

  “The police have to look in every direction, but I understand that can be upsetting.” Changing the subject back to what Maura had said before, Caprice suggested, “Why don’t you offer your mom help and just see where it goes? When you can no longer help physically, I’m sure there’s office work Sara would appreciate having you do.”

  “I wish Mom would actually hire me.” She sighed. “I’m going to have to have another go-around with Reed, and try to convince him buying a new place isn’t the best idea right now.”

  “You have a lot of changes to deal with,” Caprice sympathized.

  “The biggest one is that I always felt closer to Dad than Mom. Sure, sometimes he seemed far away. But I felt safe around him and protected by him. That feeling of security is gone now, and I’ll never have it back.”

  Caprice imagined that was so. Losing a parent had to be the most world-rocking event. She could only imagine if she lost one of hers. Actually no, she couldn’t imagine it.

  “Where’s your car?” Caprice asked. “Do you feel okay to drive?”

  Maura pointed up the street. “It’s right over there.”

  “Come on. I’ll walk with you.”

  When they reached Maura’s car, Maura used her remote to open the door. Caprice gave her a hug. “If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know, okay?”

  Maura gave her a tearful nod and then slipped into the car.

  Caprice stood on the sidewalk and watched as she pulled out of the space on the side street and drove away. At the corner, she turned onto White Rose Way.

  Now that Maura had left, Caprice thought about what she’d said. If Adler had offered Maura money to convince her to sway her dad’s vote, who else might he have paid off? Could Adler have paid someone to rough Chris up a bit to change his vote? What if that roughing up had gotten out of hand?

  She checked her watch. She’d better get moving if she didn’t want to be late for her next client appointment. It was in Reservoir Heights, and it could be a hefty contract if she made the deal. This afternoon she was looking forward to seeing Bella, Nikki, and Roz and possibly trying on wedding gowns. A trill of excitement when she thought of herself and Grant getting married made her smile.

  A wedding gown. Could she find a vintage one?

  * * *

  For the ride to downtown Kismet, Roz drove. Her luxury sedan even had heated seats. In spite of that, the women decided to combine exercise with their shopping tour. Roz parked in a public lot near the community park and they walked down Santa Lane. No crime scene tape now, of course, but one of the candy cane stakes was still missing. There were two little boys standing at the sleigh, their parents nearby. The oldest one in a red knit cap and down parka jingled the bells that hung from the sleigh.

  The sound seemed to fill the park along with the boys’ laughter, and Caprice wondered how long it would be before everyone forgot about what had happened here. The pretend presents in the sleigh still gleamed brightly and the red vinyl ribbon was a testament against winter weather.

  The women circled around Santa’s cabin, noting the line waiting to see him, and headed for downtown.

  They’d been quiet on their tour down Santa Lane but now Roz asked Bella, Nikki, and Caprice, “What can I get Vince for Christmas? You know him best. I want it to be personal, not something for the new house.”

  Bella shrugged. “How about a fancy silk tie for when he has to go to court or see a judge?”

  “Vince is a practical guy,” Nikki said. “He could always use a new wallet, maybe snakeskin.” They all knew price was no object for Roz.

  Entering the store front area of Kismet, they passed lampposts decorated with wreaths, plate glass displays with whimsical snowmen, cute elves, or holly garlands.

  Roz turned to Caprice. “So, what’s your suggestion?”

  “If you really want to buy him something he treasures, how about a Mickey Mantle signed baseball? He has his heroes, and he’d love something like that. He’s still an avid baseball fan.”

  Roz’s eyes lit up at the suggestion and she nodded. They’d decided to park near the community park because the bridal shop was at that end of town. Caprice wanted to look at the local shop before she ventured out farther. The Blue Garter had been Kismet’s premier bridal shop for as long as Caprice could remember. As a little girl, she’d often stared at those long white dresses with satin, lace, and tulle, and wondered if she’d ever wear one. Now that possibility was looming ever closer. She knew it took months to order some styles. She didn’t have months. If the annulment came through by spring, she and Grant would want to get married as soon as they could, as soon as St. Francis Church had an available date.

  The gowns in the window at the Blue Garter were all strapless. Forecasting spring styles? Or were all gowns strapless now? She might be a bit old-fashioned, but she was going to have a church wedding. That meant she didn’t want cleavage showing.

  All of the women were studying the gowns when Roz asked Nikki, “Are you going to buy Brett a Christmas present?”

  That question made Caprice turn toward Nikki, to watch her face when she answered. “I don’t know yet,” she said honestly. “He texted me yesterday morning and we had a quick lunch together at the Sunflower Diner. But we probably won’t have another real date until Chris Merriweather’s killer is apprehended. I mean, even at lunch, Brett wasn’t totally there, if you know what I mean. His mind is constantly buzzing as he sorts through evidence and suspects.”

  “Do you know if he looked into the security company I told him about? He could buy the business, handle private security, maybe some computer security, and have decent hours.”

  “He didn’t even mention it,” Nikki said. “Which probably means he dismissed the idea. I don’t think he’ll ever want to give up police work.”

  “And if he doesn’t?” Caprice asked.

  “I like Brett a lot,” Nikki admitted.

  “And he is hot,” Roz said with a sly smile.

  “There’s that,” Nikki agreed. “I think I could handle having a serious relationship with a cop as long as I knew he’d make time for us. I’m just not sure Brett’s at that stage yet.” She gave Caprice a knowing look. “But I’m sure Grant will put you first, no matter what. Come on, let’
s look at these dresses.”

  Bella was unusually quiet as she’d studied the styles of each gown in the window. She looked thoughtful as she opened the door to the bridal salon, and let Caprice precede her inside. In the warmth of the boutique, they unbuttoned and unzipped their coats and glanced around at all the gowns encased in vinyl.

  “Are you still sure you want to go vintage?” Bella asked Caprice.

  “I’d like to, but I think I want to lean toward satin rather than lace.”

  Bella nodded. “I’m not sure you’re going to find what you’re looking for here. Have you found anything online?”

  “One or two, but they’re not exactly what I want.”

  The boutique salesclerk started toward them.

  “You’re just going to have start trying them on to see what styles look best on you,” Roz told Caprice. “I’m thinking maybe something like the forties-style dress you wore to the Valentine’s Day party, only white and long, with a train.”

  “Now all you have to do is find it for me,” Caprice teased.

  Bella pulled out a gown that had sparkles around the neckline and belt.

  “I wouldn’t mind pearls, but I’m not into bling,” Caprice told Bella.

  As the clerk approached, Bella rolled her eyes. “I can tell this is going to be harder than buying Joe the perfect Christmas present. Let’s get started.”

  Caprice hadn’t realized shopping for a bridal gown would be so daunting.

  Chapter Twelve

  Susie Q’s was one of those sports bars with the backlight from the TV doing most of the illumination. The atmosphere reminded Caprice of a bar in an old forties movie, except, here and now, a TV ruled the place. Yet the wood and mirrors, the scarred tables, the ladder-back chairs might have originated in a different era.

  Since she couldn’t see to the back of the bar, Caprice wandered through the tables as if looking for one, took a good look at everyone seated at the bar, then settled at a side table from where she could view most of the other tables and the front entrance. When Harrison came in, she’d spot him.