“Mike, that’s the best news I’ve heard in quite awhile. I’m so happy for all of them.”
“I’ve got to go, and I’ll take Rebel with me. Keep Lady and the gun with you. Like I said, seems like things are accelerating rather quickly in this case.”
“I’ll leave your dinner in the refrigerator with instructions how to cook it on the counter, and I’ll leave the light on over the stove, so you’ll know I’ve gone to bed. I wonder if anyone has called Sophie about the fire yet,” she said, following Mike down the hall as he got ready to change back into his uniform. “She called me today and told me she and Jesse had argued the morning of his death because he wouldn’t accept money from her to pay off his creditors. She thought I should know and didn’t want me to hear it from someone else.”
“Kelly, I’m reluctant to ask this of you, but you seem to have a better rapport with her than anyone else does. Any chance you could call her for me? She’d probably take finding out about the fire better from you than from me or someone else.”
“Sure, I can do that. See you later. Be safe!” she said as he walked out the door with Rebel at his side.
CHAPTER 22
“Hi, Mom,” Julia said when she answered Kelly’s phone call. “How’s the old married lady?”
“Doing well, considering it hasn’t even been a week, but it sure has been busy around here. The number of suspects in Jesse’s case is growing by leaps and bounds, and Mike’s insisting I keep my gun and Lady with me at all times. From that, you can assume he thinks he’s getting close to figuring out who killed Jesse.”
“Your gun? Mom, I didn’t know you had a gun!”
“I do now. Mike bought it for me almost a year ago and took me out to the gun range, so I’d get comfortable with it. I rarely ever carry it, although in the last few cases he’s had, I’ve gotten into a couple of situations where it sure helped my comfort level.”
“That’s just swell. Sure doesn’t help my comfort level to hear that. I thought Rebel was providing all the comfort level you needed.”
“Well, when you were here, I think I mentioned that Rebel was getting quite attached to Mike. Actually, the more I think about it, I’m certain Mike got Lady for me, because Rebel was shifting his loyalty to Mike. I’m also pretty sure he’s a lot more liberal with treats for Rebel than I’ve ever been. That may be part of the attraction, but Lady is turning out to be every bit as protective of me as Rebel. Anyway, that’s not why I called.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. Out with it.”
“Are you sitting down?” Kelly asked.
“Yes, but you’ve definitely affected my comfort level with those words.”
“Darling, I have some wonderful news for you and believe me, your comfort level is going to be just fine.”
“Mom, hurry up. You’re killing me with the suspense.”
“Mike sent the hair samples by courier to the state police lab. He got the results back today. Brad is definitely the girls’ father. The test was one hundred percent conclusive.”
Julia was silent for a few moments, and then Kelly heard her crying softly into the phone. “Oh, Mom, you’ll never know what those words mean to me,” she said tearfully. “He’s such a wonderful man. I can’t wait for you to meet both him and my stepdaughters-to-be. Hate to tell you this, but you’re going to be an instant step grandmother.”
“Well, I’d appreciate it if you’d at least send me pictures of my future son-in-law and the two girls. When do I get to meet them?”
“We were talking about it last night, and we’re kind of planning on driving up to Cedar Bay around Easter. Brad and I can both take some time off from our jobs around then. How would that work for you?”
“Absolutely fine. I’ll see if Mike can take a little time off and spend it with his instant step granddaughters. Poor guy never had any kids of his own, and now he’ll have two step grandchildren. That may come as a shock to him. By the way, he said to tell you hi, and he wanted you to know he was planning on calling you himself with the good news, but duty beckoned, so he asked me to call for him. He said if you have any questions, you can call him tomorrow. Any thoughts on when the wedding’s going to be?”
“Yes. Brad met Cash just before we drove up for your wedding, and he asked Cash to be his best man. We’re going to wait until Cash finishes his tour of duty in Afghanistan in August, so we’re thinking around the middle of September. Mom, I’ve got a question. I know you’ve just married Mike, but you know how much I like him. Do you think he’d consider giving me away?”
It was Kelly’s turn to cry softly into the phone. “Julia, I can’t think of anything that would make both of us happier. I can unequivocally answer yes on his behalf.”
“That’s great and Mom, I’m planning on you being my maid of honor, and my new stepdaughters will both be flower girls. I know that’s a lot of family taking part in a wedding, but hey, it’s my wedding, and that’s what I want to do. What do you think?”
“I think it will be a perfect wedding, and you’re absolutely right, it is your wedding, so don’t let anyone try and change your mind. Have it just the way you want it.”
“Mom, I need to talk to you about something else. I was going to call you in a day or so, but now is as good as time as ever. I’ve decided to move in with Brad and the girls. I’m giving up my apartment, so beginning in March, I’ll have a new address. I know I’m making the right decision, and it seemed stupid to keep my apartment when I’m spending most of my time with Brad and the girls at his place anyway.”
“Julia, that’s a decision for you and Brad to make, and it looks like you’ve already made up your mind, so if that’s what you want to do, then I’m very supportive of it.”
“That takes a load off of my mind. Even though we’ve discussed it before, I wasn’t really sure how’d you feel about it when the time came. Thanks, Mom.”
“I’ve got another call to make, so I’m going to sign off for now, and don’t forget to send those pictures. I can’t wait!”
“Love you, Mom, and thanks for everything.”
Whew, glad she didn’t question me more specifically about what’s happening with the investigation. I don’t want her to know that I really am concerned Celia will try and do something. I sure don’t want to alarm Julia, but in a strange sort of way Celia seems almost crazy to me. Anyway, Julia’s got enough on her mind without worrying about me.
CHAPTER 23
Just as Kelly picked up her cell phone to call Sophie Marchant, it rang while it was in her hand and somewhat startled her. She looked at the screen and saw it was Mike.
“Hi sweetheart. How bad is the fire?”
“About as bad as a fire can be. It’s a total loss. The house and everything in it burned to the ground. The wind carried some live embers onto other nearby houses in the area, and some of them caught on fire. The firemen are putting out the last of those fires right now. Fortunately a lot of volunteer firemen showed up, and they were able to put out the small fires that seemed to be everywhere for a time. There’s something else you need to know. The fire marshal says it looks like the fire was intentionally set by someone, in other words it was arson. Some state fire investigators are on their way here to see what they can find out about the fire’s origin. Given our earlier conversation about Celia, I thought you should know.”
“Mike, you don’t think Celia did it, do you?”
“At this point, I can’t answer yes, and I can’t answer no. Fires are not my specialty. I’ll wait until the investigators get some evidence, but you know I don’t believe in coincidences when it comes to crime. I have a hard time believing Celia just happened to mention to you something about a fire at Sophie’s home and then, gee, coincidentally, a fire occurs at her home that very night. Seems way too coincidental to me. Be extra careful until I get home. Don’t forget, she said words to you that I consider to be a threat. Make sure you have your gun and Lady with you.”
“Lady’s with me. I’ll get the gun and k
eep it on me.”
“Kelly, I want it in your hand until I get home. Don’t forget we know that Celia has access to a .38 caliber pistol, the one taped under the drawer of her nightstand. If she set the fire and then suddenly remembered she told you she thought Sophie’s house should be burned down, she might come after you in order to eliminate you as an incriminating witness. I’m going to be tied up here for several more hours, and I sure don’t like what I’m thinking. Have you had a chance to call Sophie?”
“No. I’d just picked up the phone to do it when you called. I’ll take care of it right now. Poor woman. First Jesse’s killed, and then her home’s burned down. Now she’ll have absolutely no reason to ever come back here. See you later. Be safe.”
“You too.”
*****
Kelly checked her phone for Sophie’s number and called her. It rang several times before it was answered. “Sophie Marchant speaking. May I help you?” she asked.
“Sophie, it’s Kelly Reynolds. I’m sorry to bother you this late, but I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
“Oh no! Please tell me, what is it?”
“There’s been a fire at your home here in Cedar Bay. I don’t know much about the details, but Mike is at the scene right now. He just called me and told me that your house and everything in it is a total loss. I’m so sorry.”
Sophie was quiet for several moments, and then she said softly, “Kelly, I told you I had been through bad things before. This is a very bad thing, but I will get through it. First Jesse, and now my home with all my beautiful things in it. I guess I wasn’t supposed to ever settle down in Cedar Bay. There’s nothing for me to go back to now.”
“I suppose there’s probably not, but you told me earlier today that you have good friends in Portland. You might want to call one of them to be with you tonight.”
“A good friend of mine is here now, and he’ll help me. Did Mike say what caused the fire? Was it arson?”
It was Kelly’s turn to pause and then she said, “Why do you ask?”
“It’s probably nothing, but you know how much Jesse’s sister hated me. I had gone into The Crush several months ago, and after I entered the store, I heard raised voices coming from the back room. I overheard Celia telling Jesse that I was one of those French foreigners who would ruin Cedar Bay, and he shouldn’t have anything to do with me. She said it was her duty as the president of the Historical Society to make sure the city remained pure and protected its historical past. She told him someone should get rid of that monstrosity of a house I’d built on the bluff. I didn’t want them to know I had overheard their conversation, so I opened the front door a second time and made a big deal of slamming it. They both came out from the back room, and I pretended that I had just come into the store. Jesse never mentioned the conversation to me. If it was arson, I wonder if Celia is the one who set my house on fire.”
“I hate to think of anyone doing something like that, but Mike did tell me arson investigators are going to be investigating the cause of the fire. I’m sure he’ll call you as soon as he knows something. Again, I’m so sorry. Good night.”
After she ended the call she prepared a dinner plate for Mike with instructions on how to warm it up. She turned on the surface light over the stove to let him know she was in bed and then walked down the hall to the bedroom. She knew that after the fire tonight, tomorrow would be another busy day at the coffee shop, so she’d better get a good night’s sleep. She opened the sliding glass door that overlooked the bay and let Lady out. A few minutes later, she realized Lady hadn’t come back. She walked over to the door and slid it open. “Lady, come, come in girl,” she softly called. A few seconds later, Lady walked through the open door and stood next to Kelly, her hackles up. “What’s up, Lady? Did you see a raccoon or a skunk? Easy, girl, it’s okay,” she said, petting Lady and calming her. “Time for us to go to bed.”
I hope it was only a skunk or a raccoon, Kelly thought, her heart pounding in her chest. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to sleep tonight. I’d feel so much better if Mike was home. I don’t like being here alone, although technically I’m not alone, because Lady’s here with me. What if Celia is out to get me and she’s outside? What if Lady heard her or smelled her? Kelly, stop it, she said to herself. You’ve got to get some sleep.
She got in bed and put her gun on the nightstand. A few minutes later, she was sound asleep. Two hours later she was awakened by Lady standing next to her, a loud growl coming from deep in her throat.
Oh, no. I’ve never heard Lady growl like that. I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.
CHAPTER 24
Kelly forcefully laid her hand on Lady, sending her a signal to stop growling. She reached for the gun on the nightstand with her other hand, all the while straining her ears to see if she could hear what had caused Lady to growl. She thought she heard soft footsteps and a creak in the wood floor in the hallway. Lady left her side and went around the bed, positioning herself next to the closed door.
It’s not my imagination, she thought, someone is definitely coming down the hall towards my room. She used every bit of mind focus she had ever learned while taking yoga and meditation classes at the White Cloud Retreat Center to remain calm, willing Lady to be silent and stay where she was. She slid out of bed as quietly as she could, flattened herself on the floor, and then began inching her way under the bed. She could just make out Lady’s paws in the darkened room and saw that the dog wasn’t moving. Stay, Lady, stay. Please don’t move, she thought, certain whoever it was in the hallway could hear her heart pounding in her chest. There was no mistaking the sound of footsteps as the person neared the door to her room.
The next thing Kelly knew the door flew open, and a gunshot was fired at the bed, narrowly missing her in her hidden position under the bed. Lady, snarling and barking, leaped at whoever had fired the shot. Kelly heard a strange voice cry out in pain, and then a gun skittered across the wooden floor, landing just outside of her reach. Kelly yelled, “Lady, Guard.” She was attempting to inch her way out from underneath the bed when she heard Mike say in a loud commanding voice, “Don’t move. Stay where you are. Kelly, are you in here?”
“I’m under the bed. I’m so glad you’re here,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Rebel, Lady, Guard,” Mike said to the two dogs, while he lifted the end of the bed up, allowing Kelly to roll out from under it. She stood up and saw Celia lying on the floor with the two dogs standing over her, keeping her in a prone position. She was holding her arm, and a faint trickle of blood was beginning to show on the sleeve of her blouse where Lady had clamped down on her arm. Mike rolled Celia over and quickly secured her hands in handcuffs behind her back.
“Rebel, Lady, Stand Down. That’s all.” The quivering dogs walked over to Kelly and Mike, sensing that their masters were no longer in danger. “Kelly, tell me what happened.”
She briefly told him what had happened from the time Lady woke her by growling to when he came into the room. Mike got out his phone and called Rich, his chief deputy. “I need you at my house. Now. I have an intruder cuffed, and she shot a bullet into the bed where Kelly had been sleeping just moments earlier, probably thinking Kelly was in it. Luckily Lady alerted her by growling. Kelly heard footsteps coming down the hallway towards the bedroom and managed to hide under the bed. Thankfully the bullet missed her. That’s attempted murder for one charge. I’ll see what else I can find out.”
“Celia, why are you here?” he asked after he’d ended the call.
Something was niggling at Kelly about Celia. She looked Celia up and down, trying to figure out what it was. “Mike, I just remembered something.” She walked over to the closet, opened the door, and took her purse from the top shelf.
“Kelly, can’t this wait? I’d like to figure out what Celia’s doing here and why she just tried to kill you.”
“Give me a minute. Yes, here it is.” She reached into her purse and took out the small decorative pin
from the inside zipper pouch where she’d put it the previous Sunday when she’d found it outside the door of The Crush after she and Mike had discovered Jesse’s body. The clasp of the pin had come off of the back of it, but the Arabic numerals “07” were displayed on the pin in small red, white, and blue rhinestones.
“Mike, when I left The Crush with the young deputy who took me home, I found this small pin right outside the door. I picked it up and stuck it in my purse. I’d planned on trying to find something out about it, so I could return it to the owner, but with everything that’s happened in the last few days, it slipped my mind. Yesterday, as I told you, Celia came to the coffee shop, and when she was leaving, her purse flew open, and a bunch of things fell out on the floor. When I helped her pick them up, I noticed that a business card of hers had the words ‘Cedar Bay Historical Society – Established in 1907’ on it. The ‘07’ on her business card was written in a distinctive sort of slanted print, the same way the ‘07’ appears on this pin I found.
“I’m certain the distinctive way the number appears on the pin and the number ‘07’ on her business card are an exact match. I bet if you look in her purse you’ll find business cards, and you can see for yourself. Plus, look at her. She’s wearing a blouse with a decorative pin on it indicating she’s president of The Historical Society, the same number is on the pin, and it’s formed by red, white, and blue rhinestones. When I found the pin, it was completely dry. There was no moisture at all on it, yet, it had been foggy and misting earlier that morning. You and I even commented on the way to The Crush how glad we were that the day before, our wedding day, had been sunny and nice, but it was foggy and misting the next day when we discovered Jesse’s body. Because the pin was perfectly dry when it should have been covered with moisture, it means it could only have been laying there on the ground for a few minutes. Otherwise it would have been wet from the morning mist.
Marriage and Murder (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery Book 4) Page 11
