by Lynn Cahoon
“No, he was too busy hiding from ghosts, if I remember right.” Angie let her head lean into Ian’s comfort. Then she glanced at the clock. “I need to get ready. Ian, can you check on Precious and Mabel and maybe pack Dom’s travel bag? He’ll need food if he’s staying with us during service.”
As she ran up the stairs, she smiled at the way Ian always made everything just a little better. He added a touch of calm to the mix. When she got back downstairs, the kitchen was empty except for Dom. She grabbed his travel bag and stuffed a container of food, a water bottle for the road, and a few of his favorite toys. It was just like having a kid and getting them ready for a road trip.
Ian came in the back door, rubbing his hands. “It’s cold out there. Estebe and Felicia took off for Boise to check on the filings at the courthouse first. They’re hoping that leads them to the next stop.”
“I’m ready to go talk to Susan’s friends.” Angie picked up the paper where Felicia had left the names and addresses. “I guess we try them at home first. I wouldn’t have guessed that so many of these wives stayed at home. I mean, it’s not the fifties.”
“Maybe they like being homemakers. If I made more money, I’d like my wife to at least have the option. Think of all the things you could do?” He clicked on Dom’s lead and took the backpack from her. “You ready?”
Almost as an afterthought, she grabbed both Susan’s and her mom’s diary and tucked them into her tote. Maybe there would be another clue she’d missed. “I’m ready.”
She locked the door and hurried after Ian and Dom to try to figure out this puzzle. She shivered in the cold and for the first time, hoped that Susan was inside, warm and dry. If she was out in this cold for long, they would be looking for a body soon.
Angie recognized the first woman when she opened her front door. Tori Andrews attended several of the cooking classes at the County Seat. Angie stepped forward, her hand stretched outward to shake. “Mrs. Andrews, I’m Angie Turner and this is Ian McNeal. We’re helping out with the search for Susan Ansley. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions about Mrs. Ansley?”
“Oh my, of course, come on in. We can talk in the kitchen. I always find it cozier than the formal living room. I’m not sure why we even have one since we don’t do much entertaining. Mostly for family, you know.” She held the door open for Angie and Ian to step through. “May I take your coats? I guess there is one good thing about having a formal living room, we can just set the coats there. Oh dear, am I chatting too much? My husband says I talk too fast when I’m nervous. I guess I could never rob a bank or anything, because I’d just keep talking and the police would find me right there.”
Angie took off her coat and glanced around the ornate foyer. “We’d make a good pair. My go-to defense is not to say anything when I’m nervous. You have a lovely home.”
“Well, thank you. Of course, it’s mostly the decorator. He’s a magician, you know. I mean, he really does card tricks at children’s parties. I can’t remember what his stage name is, but if you want a referral, I’ll be glad to send him your name.” She waved them farther inside the house.
Angie caught Ian’s look of pure fear and almost laughed. The man didn’t do well when people were discussing home decorating or other home art projects. “Mrs. Andrews, I’m afraid we don’t have a lot of time, I have to open the restaurant soon.”
“Well, of course, please follow me to the kitchen and I’ll get you some coffee to warm up while we chat. And call me Tori. Mrs. Andrews is Tom’s mother.” She laughed at her own joke and hurried to the kitchen.
The room was decorated in a country theme, warm and cozy. Angie could tell the family spent a lot of time in the room. Children’s books lay on the counters and graded schoolwork covered the fridge. Angie picked up a book, moving it to a pile on the island, where Tori motioned them to sit. “How many children do you have?”
“Just two, but they both love books. I think I’ve got a budding author in one. The other seems more like a lawyer. She fights me on every command and brings up examples of where her brother was treated differently. It’s like a courtroom drama to get the dishes put in the dishwasher.”
This time the woman’s laugh was more natural and her speech had slowed. She set cups of steaming coffee in front of them. “I have croissants, too, if you’re hungry. They’re from the bakery in River Vista. I adore that place.”
“I love Annie’s.” Ian sipped his coffee. “I’ve been spending my morning break over there with a few of the farmers who come into town for coffee.”
“I’ve seen the old men crowded around the table in the back. It’s cute seeing them in their overalls and farm coats drinking coffee and eating cupcakes.” Tori giggled. “So it’s a yes on the croissants?”
“Sadly, it’s a no. Like Angie said, we’re on a tight timeframe.” He put his cup down. “We just have a few questions about Susan.”
“Susan was a lovely girl. She came over a lot in the mornings. We’d talk about the kids, the houses, our husbands, and of course, the yoga group. Those girls give you a lot of conversation fodder. She and Jon so wanted a family, but they weren’t having any luck. And when he—” Tori paused, and Angie could see the internal war going on inside on how much to say.
“We’re not here for gossip, but if you know something that could help us find her...” Angie said softly.
“Jon had an affair. Susan never knew who, but she found texts from a woman on his phone. She even called the number and was going to confront her, but all she got was a voice mail. She was devastated.” Tori tore off a small bit of croissant she’d gotten out of the package and took a bite.
“Did she confront him?” Angie asked.
“Yes, and he confessed. He said it was one time. He’d made a horrible mistake, but the woman wouldn’t stop texting. That she’d threatened to tell Susan. He was relieved it had come out and he didn’t have to lie anymore.” Tori pushed the baked good aside. “I know he felt bad because he looked like hell the next week when we got together for a charity event just before school started.”
“Did she forgive him?” Angie kept her questions short. This was Tori Andrews’s story to tell.
“She said she did. But then she stopped coming over for coffee. The only time I’d see her was during yoga or in the planning meetings for the Cotillion.” She sighed. “The event is this weekend, and it’s not fair that Susan won’t be there. Especially with all the work she did.”
“When was the last time you saw her?” Ian picked up the questions.
“Let’s see. It was just after Thanksgiving, so the first of December. The next planning meeting was a week away and she didn’t attend. I called Jon that evening and he said she’d gone to her mother’s house for the holidays. That she’d be back soon.” Tori shook her head. “Then a couple of weeks ago, I read in the paper that she’s missing? I went over to talk to Jon, but he was drunk and didn’t make any sense. He said she just left. She wouldn’t do that. Not with the event this weekend. She might have kicked his butt out of the house, but she wouldn’t disappear. No way.”
When Angie and Ian got into the SUV, Angie made some notes in a small notebook she’d brought. “When I met Jon last fall, he said his wife was dead. And that was why he was walking Timber. That must have been a total lie. Tori says she went missing the first of December.”
“I wonder what date Uncle Allen has. That’s a big span of time. But you’re right, he might have lied to you to get your guard down. Never trust a random hiker at Celebration Park.”
“You just don’t like me walking there alone. But you don’t get it.” She reached back and rubbed Dom’s head. “I’m never alone when Dom’s with me.”
“I think Dom sometimes lets his love of food distract him from sizing people up.” Ian started up the car. “Where to next?”
Chapter 15
Angie read off the next address. �
�It’s just a few blocks from here. And the Ansleys’ house is just down that cul-de-sac. They’re all together in this neighborhood. I guess they have more in common than just the yoga class.”
“This is probably the nicest subdivision in River Vista. It’s not surprising that a lot of professionals from Boise chose to live here.” He glanced toward Boise and the foothills. “Before too long, this will all be one big town and River Vista will just be a suburb. I can’t believe how much the area has grown since I’ve moved here.”
“You should have seen it when I was going to school. You’d drive for miles before you’d even see a store between here and Meridian.” Angie watched as they drove past the large houses with small yards. She pointed to a fake Tudor on the right. “There’s the last one. Once we’re done with this, I need to head to the restaurant.”
“Do you think we’ve gathered any clues?” Ian parked the car on the street in front of the target house.
“We know Jon was having an affair.” Angie rubbed Dom’s head. “You have to stay here, boy. We’ll head to work soon, and you can visit your favorite tree.”
“He’s going to kill that tree, you know.” Ian stopped the engine and climbed out of the car. “And we know that Susan thought Jon was having an affair.”
“No, that’s not right. He confessed, remember? It was just a onetime thing according to him, but she wouldn’t leave it alone. You don’t think the woman went crazy and took Susan so she could be with Jon?” Angie studied the house.
“Then why hasn’t she claimed her prize?” Ian shook his head. “No, something more than just an extramarital affair is going on here. Susan had to have found out something that someone needed to keep hidden. And the affair seems like it’s common gossip now. Tori didn’t blink an eye in telling you. She must have figured that if she didn’t, someone else would.”
They walked together to the front door, but before Angie could knock, it flew open. “There you two are. Tori told me you’d just left, so I expected you sooner. Come in, come in, we don’t want to keep you from opening tonight. I do so love the County Seat. Marv and I eat there at least once a month. Okay, so maybe it’s closer to once a week, but seriously, I don’t like to cook and you’re so close.” A blond woman in a satin shirt and skintight jeans ushered them inside the foyer. “We can sit in the living room. Marv and I love having company over. He’s a lawyer, but not in the same firm as Jon. Please have a seat. Can I get you some coffee or refreshments?”
“No, we’re good. And as you already know, we’re on a deadline. We’re talking to Susan’s friends. I take it you were on the cotillion committee too?” Angie perched on the white couch and hoped Dom hadn’t slobbered on her pants or something worse. She’d hate to leave a mark on the white-on-white living room.
“Yes, I love working the events. I tend to do all of them. Silly, I know. I should leave some fun for the rest of the group, but at least I’m hitting my volunteer goals every year. I don’t think Holly’s hit any of the goals since she joined our sorority.” A flash of anger hit the woman’s eyes.
“Really. Holly isn’t much of a team player, huh?” Ian asked, casually.
“I shouldn’t speak ill of her. Apparently, she’s just busy keeping her husband’s business busy. I told Marv that Michelle Henricks is not his personal PR person.”
“Who’s Michelle?” Ian looked at the woman, confusion in his eyes.
She laughed, the sound throaty, like she was dressed in silken bedclothes. “I guess I thought you knew who you were interviewing. I’m Michelle Hendricks.”
“He drove me here,” Angie added, like that explained everything. “Anyway, Michelle, tell me about the last time you saw Susan.”
By the time they’d gotten back to the car, Angie had a headache. Michelle had listed out each and every member of the yoga group, their families, and how they were tied to each other. Apparently, a lot of the men worked at the same place. The woman, none of them worked. They were officially housewives, but as Michelle had said, no one used that term anymore. Angie wondered whether any of these women would try to help at all if something happened to one of them. But of course, she already knew that answer. Susan had disappeared in broad daylight, and all they were worried about was whether the cotillion would go on with all this bad publicity. “She was more worried about this stupid dance than what happened to Susan.”
“Seemed that way.” Ian had turned the heat on full-blast, but he and Angie seemed to be the only ones who were cold. Dom slept soundly in the back seat. He hadn’t even woken when they got inside the car. “Let’s get you to the restaurant before you decide that going back and yelling at Michelle about her lack of empathy is a great idea.”
Angie glanced back at the house as Ian did a U-turn in the street. “I wouldn’t have yelled. Much.”
“Okay then, besides what we think of Michelle, did we learn anything?” Ian kept his face turned toward the road.
“That she loves my restaurant?” Angie tried to think through the conversation. Except where Tori had been warm and fun to talk to, Michelle was all about Michelle.
“Yes, and they eat there a lot. But I was thinking: if Michelle loves doing the events, why was Susan even on the committee? I think Michelle could host a week at a summer lodge all by herself. Why did Susan ask to be on the committee?”
Angie shook her head. “You’re thinking she’s trying to figure out the other woman?”
“That’s exactly what I’m thinking. Susan didn’t want to be a party planner, she wanted to figure out what woman had the gall to burn a friend so completely by sleeping with her husband.”
“How many people were on that committee?” Angie picked up her phone and dialed, putting it on speaker for Ian to hear.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m calling someone who speaks the language of the rich and famous. Felicia.” Angie listened to the rings. Finally, she answered.
“Hey, Felicia, can you talk?”
“I just stepped out of the second law office.” Felicia’s voice was muted. “Did you find anything?”
“I was going to ask you the same question.” Angie shrugged as she made eye contact with Ian.
“Shoot. I was hoping we could stop looking over our shoulder sometime this decade.” She paused a second. “Looks like Estebe’s coming out of the office now. We’ll be heading back to River Vista. Maybe we can meet in the office for a few minutes to update everyone?”
“Sounds like a plan. We’re on our way there. But I had a question. How many people are on event planning committees for these sorority things?”
“No more than three, four tops. Usually you’re lucky if you’re not working the event yourself. Everyone in that group is so busy doing nothing. I swear. Why?”
“The cotillion had four people. Holly, Tori, Michelle, and Susan. Well, five with them asking you to step into Susan’s spot. Is it that much bigger of an event?”
The other side of the line went dead for a second, and Angie thought they’d lost the connection. “No, and I wasn’t really needed when I did step in. I thought it was weird that Holly asked me to join, but I thought maybe Susan had been doing the work and the rest were just skating.”
“You’re saying they didn’t need you?” Angie felt the lines furrowing on her face. This didn’t make sense at all.
“No. I checked on the caterers and the event space, but that was two calls anyone could make. Why would Holly ask me to join if they didn’t need me?”
“I don’t know.” Angie looked up and realized they were parking behind the County Seat. “I’m at the restaurant. I’ll chat with you soon.”
Ian stepped out of the car and grabbed Dom’s lead. “I’ll walk him for a bit, then get him settled in your office until Nancy and the kids get here.”
“Thanks.” Angie already had her keys out to unlock the back door. “People are going t
o start showing up soon, and I need to get the lights on and the doors unlocked.”
She unlocked the restaurant doors and started flipping on lights as she walked through the building. The restaurant had become a second home for her. Somewhere she’d felt safe. Where she could invite others to join her for a chat. Maybe she was hanging on to the farmhouse too tightly. Maybe she could love another house just as much. But then she saw a picture of Precious and Mabel in the barn on a spring morning sitting on her desk. She’d caught the moment just before either of them had noticed her entrance and they were both sleeping.
It wasn’t just her home. It was Nona’s legacy. It was home to the zoo. And she was going to fight for it. Even if that meant putting her life in danger.
“Ms. Turner?” a young male voice asked from the doorway. She turned and saw one of Felicia’s servers, a newer hire, Hank, she thought she remembered his name.
“Hello, Felicia is running a little late. Can you tell the other servers to start getting the dining room ready?” She smiled at the clearly nervous young man.
“Me?” His voice squeaked. “I’ve only been here a few weeks. They won’t listen to me.”
Angie laughed. “Yes, they will. Tell them that you talked to me and what I said. Everything’s going to be fine. Leadership is earned one action at a time.”
Hank looked sick, but he nodded. “Okay. I can do this.”
Angie figured he was talking to himself, but she added on to the positive reinforcement. “Of course, you can. They were in your spot once too. The new guy, I mean.”
She watched him leave, and then Ian came in with Dom. “Looks like Felicia’s servers are all here. They’re standing around talking in the dining room. Do you need to go give them directions?”
