Laurel closed her eyes. “My God. Life in prison without possibility of parole? Life in a mental institution?”
“That’s for the courts to decide,” Neil said.
Laurel shivered. “Well, I guess everyone is accounted for.”
“Not quite. It seems Kurt went out to the farm earlier in the day to check out the noose you described to him. He went into the farmhouse. Crystal was there, too—”
“Oh, no!” Laurel cried. “Don’t tell me he’s dead!”
Neil patted her hand. “No, Laurel. She took her tire iron to him. Maybe she thought she’d killed him, but she didn’t. He has a fractured skull, broken collarbone, broken arm. Also, he lay in that cold house unconscious for eight hours, but he had on a wool coat.” He grinned. “And thermal underwear.”
Laurel smiled weakly. “I used to tease him about wearing that underwear in the winter. I guess he’ll have the last laugh.”
Neil looked at her soberly. “You really love him, don’t you?”
“Love him?” Laurel frowned. “We’ve been friends forever. I love him like a friend. I tried to love him romantically, but it didn’t work for either of us.” She sighed. “I’m glad he’s all right, and I seem to be fine.”
Neil hesitated. “Well, you did sustain a little damage. Frostbite.”
Fear rushed through her. “I knew it! My feet! Oh, Neil, did they have to amputate my feet?” she cried, already trying to throw back the covers so she could see. Neil stopped her.
“Calm down, Laurel. You lost the little toes on both feet. That’s all. The little ones. No one will even notice. It could have been so much worse.”
She lay back against the pillows. “You’re right. Considering what I went through, it’s a miracle.” She forced a smile. “I never liked sandals, anyway.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Neil, how did you know where we were? How did you save us?”
“The police saved you. I just found you.”
“Very modest. But how did you know something was wrong?”
“I’ve told you throughout this whole thing I wasn’t the father of Faith’s baby. I’ve always thought figuring out who was the father was the key. At the visitation I was talking to Crystal. She seemed a little strange, almost giddy but like she was trying to hide it. Then she started talking about how hard it was for Wayne to lose Denise, but it would have been even worse if he’d lost Audra. She said something about it being even worse for a father to lose a child than the mother. Then she went on about poor Chuck probably behaving so erratically lately because he’d lost five babies. I was only half listening, but after I went to bed, I remembered you telling me Crystal had three miscarriages and a stillbirth. That’s four, not five.”
“And that’s it?” Laurel asked incredulously. “That one slip tipped you off?”
“No. I told you she wasn’t acting right. She had this funny look in her eyes. I started thinking back to high school. Crystal was so pretty and dated Chuck. Then I thought of Faith and how she said she didn’t think Crystal was quite as sweet as everyone thought she was. I also remembered how I was certain at one time that Faith had a crush on Chuck.”
“Neil, Faith left a letter. She wrote it the week before Crystal killed her. It was hidden in my teddy bear. She entitled it ‘In the Event of My Death.’ She knew someone wanted her dead. I believe she thought it was Chuck.”
“Speaking of Chuck, Kurt asked me to give you a message. He said, ‘Tell Laurel the book of sonnets wasn’t mine. I was keeping it for someone.’”
“Chuck. Why didn’t Kurt just tell me at the time?”
“Still protecting a friend.” Neil paused and his gaze drifted away.
“There’s something else,” Laurel pounced. “More bad news.”
“It’s not really bad news,” he said slowly. “I talked with your parents.”
“Good heavens, you’ve been busy this morning! The dogs, Audra, Kurt, my parents.”
“Laurel, it’s three in the afternoon, not morning. Anyway, I know your parents drive you crazy, but I had to call them. You’re their child and you’re hurt.” She nodded. “Your mother was horrified.” He drew a breath. “Your father was distressed, but he seemed equally distressed by the fact that last night your sister gave birth to twin boys.”
Laurel grinned. “Twins!”
“That’s right. Apparently Claudia knew for months she was expecting twins but didn’t tell your parents.”
“She was afraid that Dad would literally run for the hills. My God, two more little boys from The Omen.” She reddened. “Oh, that sounded awful!”
Neil laughed. “No it didn’t. Your father had the same note of horror in his voice. Your mother said Claudia and the babies are fine, although, and I quote, ‘Claudia is a bit on the testy side today.’”
Giggles overcame Laurel. “That means Claudia is cussing her head off, sending nurses and doctors fleeing in desperation. Her poor husband. He’s such a wimp. I sure wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.”
“There’s more. Your father said he doesn’t know if he can take all the commotion anymore. He told me to tell you he thinks he and your mother will come back to Wheeling in a couple of months.”
Laurel’s smile faded. “I see. That means Dad will want to take over the store again. He can’t stand to be here and not be in charge even though I’ve increased business by thirty percent. And of course they’ll want their house back. They aren’t dog lovers—I’ll have to find a place to rent where they accept pets…”
“I know a place that accepts pets,” Neil said. “My house.”
“Oh. You’re putting your father’s house up for rent after he dies?”
“No, I meant my house in Carmel.”
“Your house. You want to take my dogs?”
Neil closed his eyes and shook his head. “Laurel, I know you’re a very bright woman, but I’m having trouble getting through today. I want the dogs and you, not necessarily in that order. I make enough money to support the three of us, but if you want to work, I believe the Carmel—Monterey area could support another floral shop. Lots of rich people and movie stars in that area, you know.”
Laurel looked at him in astonishment. “Neil, are you asking me to move in with you?”
“If you want to try that first. Of course, I’m an old-fashioned guy. I’d prefer having you on a more respectable basis.”
“Marriage?” Laurel squeaked.
“You sound like you just saw a mouse.”
“I didn’t mean to sound insulting, but Neil…I mean…we hardly know each other.”
“We went to school together for twelve years. Besides, I feel like I’ve known you better than I’ve ever known anyone.” He kissed her cheek, patted her hand, and smiled. “I won’t be going home for at least a month until I get all the business around here wrapped up. In the meantime, we can see each other and you can think it over. In a few weeks, you can send me packing if you want, no hard feelings.” He glanced at his watch. “Got to go, now. See you later, beautiful.”
As he walked out the door, Laurel grinned. You certainly will be seeing me later, she thought impulsively. I hope you’ll be seeing me for the rest of my life.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks Titles by Carlene Thompson
All Fall Down
Black for Remembrance
Since You’ve Been Gone
Don’t Close Your Eyes
In the Event of My Death
Tonight You’re Mine
The Way You Look Tonight
If She Should Die
Thanks to Pamela Ahearn, Jennifer Weis,
and the staff of Four Seasons Floral
IN THE EVENT OF MY DEATH
Copyright © 1999 by Carlene Thompson.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth
Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 978-1-2500-1109-1
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
In the Event of My Death Page 33
