by Rose Pressey
When I looked at the clock it was four am. Too early to make breakfast. I thought about reading, but if I tried to finish the mystery novel I’d been reading it might increase my anxiety even more. I stared at the ceiling wishing I could get just a couple more hours of sleep.
The knock on the front door startled me and I almost fell off the bed. My heart thumped in my chest. Having someone knock on the door at four in the morning was never a good thing. What had happened this time? I jumped up from bed and hurried toward the door. I wore my pink pajama shorts and a tank top. I didn’t bother to put on slippers or a robe. I still needed to consider getting a dog. He could give me an advance warning before someone came to the door. Maybe his bark would scare people off too.
I stumbled down the hallway, almost tripping over the shoes I’d left on the floor. When I reached the door I looked around for a weapon. All I had was that lamp again. When would I learn to have something a little handier? I’d forgotten to bring the bat out from the bedroom closet. Maybe I should go back to the kitchen for a knife just in case the killer was at the door. Although I doubted the killer would actually knock. Murderers usually just invited themselves in.
First I’d look to see who was at the door before I went for a sharp object. I eased the shade back ever so slightly.
When I saw who was on the porch I realized that no weapon would be necessary. Claire Ann stood in front of the door. She was tapping her foot against the floor.
I unlocked the door. “Are you okay?”
“Sure. I’m fine,” she said, as if it was totally normal to visit at four in the morning.
I quirked an eyebrow. “Then what are you doing here? It’s still a few hours until breakfast. I know you like my muffins, but there’s no way I’m baking this early.”
She flashed a lopsided smile. “You would bake muffins for me if I really wanted them. I know you and you would do it.”
“Okay, sure, I’d do it, but you don’t want muffins now, right?”
“No, I can wait for that. But right now you need to come with me. Hurry up.” She motioned for me to come outside.
I eyed her suspiciously. She motioned again. “Hurry, we might not have much time.”
After a couple seconds, I grabbed my sneakers that I’d left by the door. Grabbing the house keys, I slipped the shoes on as I headed out the door. This time I was sure I locked the door. I still didn’t think I’d left the door open when Darcy had come in, but I’d never know for sure.
I climbed in the passenger seat of Claire Ann’s silver Toyota. “Are you going to share with me where we’re going?”
She cranked the car and pulled away from the curb. Her eyes were wild, as if she’d just found a sale on shoes. I knew there wasn’t a shoe sale at this time of day. There was nothing open in Honeysuckle after ten at night or before nine in the morning. This had better be good for getting me out at this time of the morning.
“I saw Ross and Charity.” Claire Ann’s voice was almost giddy.
“Okay. And? What the big deal about that?”
“It’s what they were doing that I found interesting,” she said.
“What were they doing?” I was almost afraid to find out. With Ross I knew it couldn’t be good.
“They were making out in her car.” Claire Ann took her eyes off the road for a second to glance at me.
“That’s disgusting. Where are they?” I asked.
Why did I care? I shouldn’t even ask.
“At Honeysuckle Park. They were making out like a couple of necking teenagers.”
“Why in the world are you taking me to see this disgusting display? It was bad enough when I was the one kissing Ross, I don’t want to see some other poor girl who being subjected to that torture.”
Claire Ann snorted. “I figured you wouldn’t believe it unless you saw it. You really need to see it to understand it.”
“Um, I don’t think so,” I said. “I guess Ross didn’t want to take Charity back to his parents’ house. It’s just like high school all over again for him.”
Soon we turned onto the drive that led to the park. Claire Ann navigated toward the parking area. “They should really think about locking this place up at sunset.”
“Question for you, Claire Ann. What were you doing in the park after dark? At four in the morning.”
“I decided to start my new workout plan. I am going to get up early every morning and jog around the park.”
Now I snorted. “I give it two days tops. Look, you’ve already missed today.”
She scowled. “I’ll show you. I’m going to be a running machine.”
“If you say so. I’m here to back you up and help motivate you any way I can. As long as you don’t drag me out at four in the morning again.” I smiled.
As we drew near the parking area I spotted the red Mazda that Charity had driven. Claire Ann pulled into a spot at the back and cut the lights.
“Do you think they saw us?” I asked.
“I think they’re too busy making out.” Claire Ann tapped her fingers against the steering wheel.
“I still don’t feel right about being here. I mean, I don’t care what Ross does now,” I said.
“Yes, I can understand that, but don’t you think it’s strange that they are a couple?” Claire Ann looked at me.
“Well, she is his attorney. He probably charmed her.”
Claire Ann focused her attention on the car again. “You should look into her.”
I stared out over the dimly lit park. The trees were still. Soon the park would have children and their mothers and fathers playing on the swings and equipment. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt. After all, Doreen was involved with hiring her.”
“We should get out of here,” Claire Ann said.
“I thought you’d never say that.”
She backed the car up, and as far as I knew, the happy couple never even noticed that we’d been there.
“Don’t forget to check on Charity. Find out where she’s from. Where is her office? Is she even from Kentucky?” Claire Ann pulled up in front of my house.
“I promise I’ll check into it. Now I’m going back to bed for a couple of hours. I don’t believe in getting out of bed before the sun comes up.”
Claire Ann laughed. “I’ll call you in a bit.”
“Not until after eight,” I warned as I shut the car door.
***
When the sun peeked out and flooded my bedroom with light I finally woke up. I’d gone back to bed and surprisingly been able to fall asleep for a couple of hours. I figured since Charity hadn’t come back last night that meant I’d gotten rid of my guest without having to tell her to get lost.
I didn’t feel like baking muffins so I decided on a bowl of Cheerios instead. I poured the cereal into the bowl and added milk. Then I settled onto the counter stool with my laptop in front of me. I hoped I didn’t dribble the milk onto the keys this time.
I clicked open the browser and typed in Charity’s name. I wasn’t above snooping if she had a Facebook page either. Just a little peek wouldn’t hurt, right?
After hitting enter, I scrolled down to look at the search results. I was hoping to find a website for her law practice. Some kind of information about where she was from. I found nothing on her though. There was a couple people with that name, but when I clicked on the links I realized it wasn’t the same person. How could she have no website presence? Her business info should be listed somewhere. I finished my cereal and closed the laptop. I would have to find out about her some other way.
As I placed my bowl in the sink my cell phone rang. I grabbed it and looked at the number. Kent was calling. I wondered what he’d say if he knew Claire Ann and I had been out at four in the morning snooping on Ross. He probably wouldn’t approve. I touched the screen and lifted the phone to my ear.
“Good morning.” I wondered if my voice sounded suspicious.
“You sound like you’re in better spirits this morning,” he said.
“I’m trying. What time did you finally finish last night?”
“I think we left around midnight. I’m sorry again about last night. Do you want to try again tonight?”
“I’d like that.” Now I had to decide if I should tell him about Charity. I didn’t think it would be crazy of me to want to know more about her. Especially after finding the hidden award in the bushes. “Can you do me a favor?” I asked.
“Sure. What is it?”
“The more I think about Charity and Ross the more I wonder about her. When I did a search of her name I didn’t find anything about her being an attorney.”
“I’ll check it out,” Kent said.
That had been easier than I’d thought it would be. “Thank you. It’s just that I wanted to know more about her.”
“She’s still not there, is she?” Kent asked.
“No, she never came back. I don’t know where she is. Maybe since Ross is out of jail she left.” I knew where she’d been at four in the morning though.
“You’re probably right,” he said.
I didn’t bother to tell him about the new couple and their rendezvous at the park.
“I’ll see you tonight. I can taste the marinara sauce already,” he said.
I had the whole day ahead of me. I needed to find some more items to restore. I’d toyed with the idea of selling the projects that I restored. It would give me much-needed added income.
The best place for thrift-store shopping was the next town over. They had a couple stores right next to each other. I usually always found a good bargain. Maybe I’d even find a Dumpster or two to check out. After jumping in the shower and dressing in blue shorts and a white and gray floral shirt, I was headed out the door.
A whisper of a breeze floated through the air, but was gone in an instant. In spite of the heat, the day seemed as if it would be pleasant compared to the last few days, but when I spotted Doreen Perkins driving behind me I knew that wouldn’t be the case. She wore a large straw sunhat and dark sunglasses as if that would conceal her identity. Did she think I didn’t recognize her car? Plus, I’d seen her wear that hat just last week when she had driven past my house. The woman had officially lost her marbles. What did she want? Her son was out of jail now. Why was she following me? Maybe if I ignored her she would go away.
Chapter Fourteen
There was no way I was going to let her follow me all the way to the next town. I had to pull over at a gas station and ask what she thought she was doing. I whipped into the gas station and pulled up in front at the nearest parking space. As I was getting out, Doreen drove through the parking lot. She inched across the lot looking over at me. Well, it was more of a glare. She should know by now that her death stares didn’t intimidate me. I’d learned to ignore her ages ago.
She must have realized that I wasn’t scared of her look because she didn’t stop. I watched as she drove across the lot toward the exit. After waiting for traffic to clear, she pulled out. I stood beside my car with my hands on my hips for a few seconds to make sure that she wasn’t turning around. I wouldn’t put it past her if she hid down the street and pulled out behind me once I pulled out. If I had to keep pulling over I would. Two could play that game. And I was almost certain I would be better at it too.
After a few more seconds, I climbed back behind the wheel. Now more than ever I needed a little retail therapy. Or was that thrift-shop therapy? Either way, I needed it. It wasn’t a long drive to Belleville and it would give me a chance to zone out. Sometimes driving was therapeutic. I turned on the radio, although I didn’t pay attention to the songs. It was nice to have the background noise. The sun was peeking out from behind a few clouds and it would soon be hot. Almost too hot for the top on the car to be down. The scenery of summer rolled past with flowers dotting the landscape and the smell of freshly mowed grass in the air.
When I looked back in my rearview mirror, I spotted Doreen behind me again. What was her reasoning for following me? She wasn't going to catch me doing anything if that was what she thought. Once again, I had to get rid of her. As soon as I had the opportunity I would pull over. If I had to keep stopping to get rid of her then this would make for a long trip. Just as I was ready to turn into a parking lot, I noticed smoke billowing from under the hood of Doreen’s car. Oh great.
Doreen steered her SUV to the side of the road. It looked as if she would be stranded. That served her right. Karma had come back to bite her in the butt. I released a heavy sigh and turned my car into the parking lot. No way should I go back there and help her. She wouldn’t have helped me if I was in the same situation. At that moment I knew I had to go back and help her. I didn’t want to be the same kind of person as Doreen. If I didn’t help her, then I would be acting just like her.
I whipped my Mustang around in the parking lot and headed back to where Doreen had pulled off the road. By the time I reached her, she’d already climbed out of the SUV. She was staring at the hood as if that would magically make it stop smoking. When she noticed that I’d pulled up behind her SUV, she frowned. I almost expected for her to shoo me away. If she couldn’t call for a tow, then I would do it for her. I’d do my part in helping and then get the heck out of there.
After getting out of my car, I waited for a couple vehicles to pass on the road and then made my way to the front of Doreen’s SUV. She’d removed the sunglasses, but still wore the second half of her disguise, that big hat.
“Do you need help, Doreen?” I asked.
She didn’t look at me for a moment, then finally she met my stare and said, “Something’s wrong. My cell won’t work and I can’t call for help.”
After a second, I said, “Would you like for me to call someone for you?”
I hoped she didn’t want me to call Ross.
She pursed her lips together and then said, “That won’t be necessary.”
“Fine. Have it your way.”
A semi barreled down the road past us. She grabbed her hat to keep it from flying away. I turned to head back toward my car.
“Okay. You can call someone for me,” she yelled.
I should have had her say please before I did it, but I wouldn’t be that mean. I closed the distance between us again.
“Here you can just make the call,” I said handing her the phone.
Doreen took the phone from my hand and after several seconds she finally figured out how to place the call.
She stepped away as if she didn’t want me to hear her private conversation. Finally, she handed the phone back.
“Thank you,” she said through gritted teeth.
I was sure it was hard for her to thank her nemesis.
“My friend Luann is coming to pick me up, but she doesn’t know where this road is. She’s meeting me at the gas station down the street.” Doreen crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“How can she not know where this street is?” I asked.
“Luann technically isn’t allowed to drive because of her cataracts.”
Oh dear. “Well, it isn’t that far of a walk back to that gas station,” I said.
Doreen sighed. “No, I suppose my bunions will be fine.”
I groaned. “Would you like for me to take you back to the gas station?”
“No, that would be too much trouble and I wouldn’t dare want to inconvenience you at all.” She smirked.
I shrugged and turned around. “Suit yourself. You can’t say that I didn’t offer. Just remember your hair will be a frizzy mess out here in this heat and even that goofy hat won’t help you.”
I climbed in my car. As soon as I closed the door, Doreen hurried toward me. I cranked the engine and she waved her hands.
“Fine, will you please give me a ride?”
Wow, she’d even said please. That was a first. I was sure it had physically hurt her to speak the word. I motioned for Doreen to hop in. She sat in the passenger seat with her hands folded on her lap. She scooted as close to the door as she could get as if I would bite he
r. Doreen clutched the side of the car as I pulled out onto the street.
“You always were a terrible driver,” she said.
“Thanks. You’re lucky I came along, Doreen. There’s no telling how long you would have had to stand out there.”
She pursed her lips and didn’t answer.
“I still don’t understand why you are following me,” I said.
“I was not following you,” she snapped. “I was headed to Belleville to do some shopping.”
I glanced over at her. I supposed she could be telling the truth, but I smelled a rat. The coincidence was unlikely. Thank goodness we pulled into the parking lot because I didn’t want to make small talk with her.
“There’s Luann right there.” Doreen pointed at the silver Cadillac double parked by the front door of the gas station.
“Are you sure it’s safe to drive with her?” I asked.
She motioned for me to pull up next to the car. “It’ll be fine… I think.”
When I pulled up to the Cadillac, four women got out of the car.
“Those are my friends,” Doreen said.
I looked at the women. “I think I remember one of them. Isn’t she the one who paints those ugly photos of everyone, even when they tell her not to?”
Doreen glared at me. “She is a good artist.”
“If you say so,” I said.
Doreen slammed the car door. I didn’t waste any time backing out of the parking space.
“It’s my son’s car anyway,” I heard Doreen say to one of the women as I pulled away.
When I looked in the rearview mirror, the women were looking in my direction and shaking their heads. I didn’t want to know what other stories Doreen was telling them about me.
After a short drive to Belleville, I pulled into the parking lot of the thrift store. Anxiety always popped up when I arrived at the store. Sure, it was therapeutic once I found good items, but until then I felt a little anxious. So when I’d circled every aisle of the first shop and didn’t find anything, I grew a little nervous. I had to try my luck with the next place. It was within walking distance so I didn’t need to drive. I hurried through the door as if it were a race. I never knew when someone else would beat me to the bargains.
