by Lynn Cahoon
“It’s Nancy’s night to pick, and this is her favorite station.” He shrugged when he saw Angie’s look. “What, just because she can’t be here in body doesn’t mean she’s not here in spirit.”
Matt called over from his section where he was chopping vegetables. “Estebe just likes to torture us. The only reason Nancy plays this music is she knows we hate it.”
“It is nice music,” Estebe argued. “And much better than that station you made us listen to last night.”
“Hard rock will never die,” Matt responded.
Angie shook her head. “Okay, children, where do you need help?”
Estebe grinned at her. “Go help Hope with the trout. I think she’s a little confused on what a serving size is.”
“Okay, that’s so not fair.” Hope used the back of her arm to wipe her forehead. “Totally true, but not fair.”
“I’m on my way.” Angie moved around the kitchen to where Hope was working. “Besides, you’re my favorite. I’d rather spend time with you than the guys.”
“Hey, that’s not right,” Matt called after her. “You know I’m totally your favorite chef of the kitchen.”
“You have to be a real chef to be anyone’s favorite,” Estebe countered.
Angie took out her knife and set up a spot for her to work. Cooking was exactly what she needed. She’d started the day cooking, and she’d end it the same way. She called Hope over when she’d gotten settled and set up a demonstration. “So you start with your knife here…”
Chapter 19
Maggie was waiting in the dining room when Angie came out of the kitchen at the end of the service, sitting at the bar with Ian. She stood and held out her arms. “Angie, I’m so glad to see you tonight. Ian’s been telling me all about what’s been happening out at your place. I’m so sorry about the trouble.”
“It happens, I guess.” Angie gave Maggie a hug and then sat next to Ian. She nodded to the bartender, Jeorge. “Would you pour me a soda water, with a lime?”
“Yes, boss.” Jeorge flipped a towel over his shoulder and quickly made Angie her drink. “I’m closing out the bar, so if you need something, just let me know.”
“No problem, thanks, Jeorge.” Angie sipped her water. “So, what are you doing here?”
“I’m Bleak’s ride home. She’s over there chatting with one of the waitresses she knows from school. I thought I’d give her some time to talk to Hope before I took her home. It’s not a school night, and the girl works so hard.” Maggie looked over at Bleak helping set up the dining room for tomorrow’s service with a few other of the front staff. Pride shone on her face. “She came and talked to me about the trial. She’s going to testify. She knows it will drive a wedge in her family, but she says it’s the right thing to do.”
“As long as she’s happy, I’m happy. Just let me or Felicia know if I need to take her off the schedule. She’s doing such a great job as hostess.” Every joint in her body ached, but there was no way she was going to throw in the towel yet.
“Did you see she took out her piercings?” Maggie’s voice dropped so she wouldn’t be overheard. “I thought maybe you’d talked to her about them, but she doesn’t even wear them at school.”
Angie glanced over at where Bleak was standing. She looked normal. Not like the young vagabond Ian had rescued from sleeping in the alley months ago. She quickly turned back to Maggie before the girl could see her. “She looks great. You and Allen have been good for her.”
“She’s been good for us. I was so lonely before she came to live with us. Allen was always out on some call or the other. Don’t get me wrong, he tried, but he’s in law enforcement. I knew that was his dream when I married him. But I always thought we’d have a house filled with kids. Maybe once Bleak gets settled into adulthood, we should think about adopting a younger child. Now that I’ve done high school, elementary age won’t be so scary.” Maggie glanced at her watch. “We need to get home. We’ve got a movie to watch tonight still.”
“What are you watching?” Ian asked as he gave his aunt a kiss on the cheek.
“A ‘chick flick,’ as Allen calls them. I’m loving getting caught up on all the ones I missed over the years.” Maggie stood and called out to Bleak. “You about ready? I’m craving some popcorn.”
Bleak grinned, then said goodbye to the others. She bounded over to where Maggie stood. “Me too. And Shelly just said this movie is amazing, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Angie said her goodbyes and moved closer to sit by Ian. “I’m so happy for Maggie. She was a mess a few weeks ago.”
“Apparently some daily sessions with Barb cleared up her fears. She talked to Bleak, got her to tell her about the trial and her concerns, now it’s clear sailing until the next teenage crisis. But Maggie has a sounding board now. I think she’ll be fine.” Ian finished his soda. “I’m going to take Dom out for a short walk, and I’ll meet you in the car in five. Okay?”
“Perfect.” She watched as Ian made his way through the crew that was rapidly dwindling. Felicia came and sat down with her.
“Okay, so I texted you your salon appointment time and address. I’ll already be there so don’t worry about anything. And don’t forget your dress in the office.” Felicia ran through Angie’s to-do list before the party. “Ian said you guys would be at the cotillion at seven. I think he’s taking you out to dinner before, but don’t say anything until he does in case it’s a surprise.”
Angie laughed at her friend’s frankness. “Then you shouldn’t have told me.”
“I didn’t mean to, it just came out.” Felicia yawned. “I’m beat tonight. I’m shooing everyone out so I can lock up. And that means you too.”
Angie stood, her hands in the air. “I got the message. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Let me know if you need anything before I see you in less than twelve hours.”
“It’s a dance, not a trip. I’ll be fine,” Felicia said, pausing as she exchanged glances with Angie. “Okay, I totally deserved that. But I’m excited for our first formal event here in River Vista. This could be big for the County Seat.”
“We’re doing fine, but I’ll be on my best behavior, unless someone brings up how wonderful getting the soybean plant is for the community, then I’m going to deck them.” Angie headed to her office. “In a loving and sweet way.”
“No wonder I don’t usually invite you to these networking events,” Felicia called after her.
Angie heard Estebe’s laugh when Felicia asked him, “You do think she’s kidding, right?”
Ian and Dom were in the car, and the car was near the steps leading to the back door when she came outside. Angie glanced over at the direction where the Red Eye Saloon’s back door came out into the alley, but she couldn’t see anything. She could hear the band blaring country music covers into the cold night. Friday and Saturday nights were Barb’s biggest night. Even if Angie had some news, which she didn’t, Barb wouldn’t have time to chat now anyway.
She climbed into the car. Ian pulled out onto the side street, and they drove slowly out of town and past the front of the bar.
“Looks like Barb has a full house tonight,” Ian said as the car moved past. Even in the cold of winter, patrons were standing outside the bar, talking.
Angie guessed they couldn’t hear themselves inside with the music. She could hear the song perfectly outside in the car with the windows rolled up. “I’m worried about her.”
“I know.” Ian took the curve out of town that would take them over the railroad tracks and out toward the country. “She’s a strong woman. She’ll get through the surgery.”
“There’s the surgery. Then recovery. Then finding out about Susan.” Angie wanted to add, “or not,” but that just seemed cruel. If Susan was never found, Barb would go the rest of her life looking for her. That much Angie was sure of. “She’s a nice person. She deserves some good
news in her life.”
“Maybe we’ll find Susan alive and just out of touch. Like in one of those expensive rehabs where they don’t let you talk to anyone until you’ve sobered up,” Ian suggested.
“Did Susan have a drinking problem? Could that actually be what happened?” Angie sat straighter and pulled out her phone. “Maybe I can find some local rehab places and call to see if she’s there?”
“At midnight? They really won’t let you talk to her, even if you do find her. Besides, I didn’t see anything in Susan’s history that suggested she had a problem.” Ian’s voice sounded calm and solid in the dark.
Angie could feel Ian’s gaze on her even though the light in the car was dim. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “What am I doing? I jumped on that idea, didn’t I? Maybe tomorrow we’ll learn something at the dance that gives us a clue about what happened. I’m still holding out hope for Susan running away with Holly’s pool boy.”
Ian chuckled as he pulled into the house. He waved at the new officer parked in the driveway where he could see both properties and then shut off the engine. “I’m going to go check in on our chaperone, then I’ll be in. Do you need me to take Dom inside?”
“That would be awesome. I’m so tired that I’m going to grab a glass of water and see if I can get into bed before I fall asleep. Usually, I’m so wound up from an evening of cooking, I can’t get to sleep. Tonight’s the other way around. I feel drained.” Angie thought about closing her eyes but wondered if she’d even get in the house on her own power if she did.
“I’ll let Dom in first and take a look through the house, then I’ll go chat with our new friend.” Ian opened the door but glanced back at her, worry in his gaze. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” Angie opened the door, and the chill of the air slapped her skin. “If I was asleep, that air just woke me up.”
Ian got Dom out of the car and followed her up to the porch. Angie already had the key in the lock, and when the door swung open, Dom bounded inside, bringing Ian with him. Ian got Dom to sit down so Ian could take off the leash, but then Dom ran to the mudroom and whined at the closed dog door.
“Sorry, dude, I need to open that for you.” Angie followed Dom into the mudroom.
“I’m walking through before I go outside so don’t turn off the lights, I’ll get them,” Ian called after her.
“Take him some cookies,” Angie called after him. She unhinged the dog door, checked his water and food, then went back into the kitchen. There, she started to fill a thermos with coffee, using her single-serve coffeepot.
Ian came up behind her. “I thought you were tired.”
She finished the coffee and turned, handing him the thermos and cookies. “Here. Now I’m heading upstairs. Make sure Dom comes in before you turn in.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned at her. “You know we can take care of things without you, right?”
“My house, my work,” Angie mumbled, but she smiled as she went upstairs. She didn’t finish her thought until she was in her room, hanging up the dress for tomorrow in the closet. “At least for now.”
* * * *
The next morning, Ian had already made a pot of coffee and warmed up a coffee cake. He had eggs and bacon out on the counter. She waved him down when he started to get up. “Sit, I can get my own coffee. She glanced out the window. The police cruiser was still there. “Everything okay this morning?”
“The zoo’s fed, Precious says good morning, and I took out coffee to Fred, who’s our new guy.” Ian pointed to a box on the table. “And he brought this from Uncle Allen.”
After pouring her coffee, Angie peeked into the box. “Donuts?”
“Yep. Fred had his own sack and had almost finished his coffee. So he was delighted for the refill.” Ian grabbed a maple bar. “I’ve had one already, but I hate for you to have to eat alone.”
“If I eat too many of these, I won’t fit into the dress Felicia bought for me.” Angie took a blueberry cake donut. “I have a hair appointment this morning. The time is on my email. What are you going to do?”
“I need to grab my tux from my apartment so we can get ready together when you’re done. I’ll drop you off at the salon and then do my errand. I should be back before you’re done.” He rubbed his face. “Bad timing for a party, but I guess we can see if anyone knows anything about Susan’s disappearance.”
“And I have to be charming and bring in more business to the restaurant. Felicia already told me that.” She finished off her donut. “I don’t know why she wants me at this one. She’s our public relations person.”
“People want to meet the person who’s been developing all of these amazing recipes. Felicia may be the face of the restaurant, but you’re the heart.” Ian smiled at her. “It’s just one night.”
“If we weren’t down Nancy, I’d feel better.” Angie sipped her coffee.
Ian chuckled. “Yeah, but you’d still be complaining.”
Just before they got ready to leave for the salon, Angie’s phone rang. “Hello?”
“I’m glad I caught you. I need a favor.” Barb’s husky voice echoed in her ear.
Angie closed her eyes, hoping she didn’t have to rescue Barb again from someone’s house she’d broken into. “What can I do for you, Barb?”
Ian’s eyes widened, and he stopped playing with Dom. They’d decided that he could stay at the house for the short time they’d be in town. And since they had their own police stakeout in the driveway. Even so, Angie had Ian tell Fred that Dom was in the house and where they were going. She wasn’t taking any chances.
“I need to put someone down on these hospital papers as a contact person. The hospital called me yesterday, and I told them I’d have to get back to them.”
Barb coughed, and Angie waited for her to stop before answering. “Of course, you can put me down. But I really think we might know where Susan is before you go into the hospital.”
“You’re a sweet girl, but I know there’s no chance for us to find her alive now. It’s been too long. The only thing that idiot Sheriff Brown is looking for now is her burial spot.” She sighed. “I’ve resigned myself to that, and I had my attorney finish up the will. I might as well tell you that you and your friend are my heirs. You girls have been good to me, and I appreciate it. I pay my debts.”
“You don’t have any debts with me or Felicia.” Angie rolled her eyes at Ian, who was watching her, and she saw his muscles relax. “And I wouldn’t give up on Susan, not yet.”
“You’re a sweet girl, but I know what I know.” Barb coughed again. “I won’t keep you.”
Angie was about to say goodbye, but she heard the click in her ear. Barb had already hung up. She set the phone down on the table. “I’m worried about her. She needs to go into this surgery with positive thoughts, not negative ones.”
“Barb is a tough cookie. She’ll be fine,” Ian said, but as they left the house, Angie sent up a prayer hoping he was right.
Felicia was already at the salon, so once she was done, she sat with Angie and the stylist.
“I can’t believe you all are going to the party. I tried to get my boyfriend to go, but he’d rather hang out at the Red Eye. I’m not sure he even knows any dance except line.” The stylist, Tiki, grinned at Angie in the mirror. “I bet you’ll be in gowns and your men will be in tuxes.”
Felicia nodded. “Actually, I’m going stag tonight, so I’ll have to steal Angie’s date for a few spins around the room. Estebe won’t kill him if he dances with me. I’m not sure of anyone else.”
“I’m sure if they kept their hands off of you, Estebe will be fine with you dancing with other people,” Angie said.
“I don’t know. I had one client whose husband was so jealous, he didn’t even like her doing her sorority stuff with the girls. She said he acted like a teenager when she even talked
about other guys, even if they were married.” Tiki’s eyes darkened a bit. “Then I heard she went missing. I bet that husband must have gone one step too far.”
“You’re talking about Susan.” Angie exchanged a quick glance with Felicia. “You knew her?”
“Susan came in at least once a month. Sometimes I think she just booked her appointment so she’d have someone to talk to. Being a stylist is a lot like being a therapist. People tell you things.” Tiki focused on trimming Angie’s hair. “Not that I like to talk about my clients.”
“No, I get it. I wouldn’t ask you to go outside your comfort zone.” Angie thought about how to frame the next question. “But Susan wasn’t afraid of Jon, was she?”
Now Tiki broke into a grin. “No way. She thought he was cute, caring about her that way. She said he just didn’t know how to show his love. Now, Jake, he wouldn’t notice if I was dating the Bronco football team. He’s so involved in his work. He runs a construction business.”
“Jake’s your guy?” Felicia asked.
“Yeah, he’s not rolling in the money like a lawyer or doctor, but we get by.” Tiki flashed a ring at them. “He bought me this just last week. He got it from Meridian Pawn Shop. I know because I found the receipt, but it looks just like the ring that Susan wore. I’m sure it’s a cheap knockoff, but it’s close, don’t you think?”
Angie grabbed her phone. “Let me take a picture of it, and I’ll ask her best friend tonight. I’m sure she’ll remember the style. I’ll take one of your cards so I can call you and let you know later.”
Tiki held out her hand and let Angie take the picture. “Thanks. I don’t really care, though. I’m just glad Jake decided to put some money where his mouth is. I’ve just been on him about spending way too much at the bar, which means he doesn’t bring home a lot of money. He must have been saving up for this, though. I shouldn’t be so judgmental.”
