Fatal Reunion

by Jessica R. Patch

  “Sure you don’t wanna say hi to Mama Jean? She’s sweet on you, you know?”

  He grinned and sighed at the moment of easy banter. “I’m meeting with Ellen Strosbergen’s great-granddaughter later this afternoon. If for some reason I get tied up, Eric says he’ll swing by and take you home. To Harmony’s. You know what I mean.” Home would never be here. Probably never be with him.

  “I know. Do you think she’ll remember something new?”

  “Doubtful, but I’m willing to backtrack or chase rabbits. Anything at this point.” Luke raised his sunglasses back over his eyes. “Give Mama Jean a hug for me.”

  “I will.” Piper made brief eye contact with him, her eyes watery. “Thanks for the ride. I know it’s not easy being near me when you don’t want to.”

  Her words salted his gaping wounds. “Piper—”

  She bounded out and stalked inside.

  Chasing her down and clarifying how much he did want to be near her would only complicate things more. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Why couldn’t things be easier?

  * * *

  Piper trudged through the foyer and down the hall to Mama Jean’s room.

  “Well, lookie there. You made it just in time for lunch.” Mama Jean lifted the lid of her lunch tray. In a wheelchair by the window, she looked shiny and well.

  “It’s ten. You mean brunch?” Piper grinned.

  “It’s chicken and dressing. Lunch. Where’s our handsome man?”

  “Work. Can’t be with me 24/7.” Couldn’t be with her at all. But he made sure someone was protecting her at all times, whether a friend he’d enlisted or a patrol car. As if Memphis city police had nothing better to do than sit outside a rehab center while Piper ate Jell-O and played Scrabble with Mama Jean.

  Piper opened the nightstand drawer and took out the crossword puzzle book. Mama Jean was adept at doing one-armed things. “Does this really stimulate your mind, like they—whoever they are—say?”

  “Not nearly as much as the good book.”

  “The Bible?”

  “There’s lots of good books, but you slap a the in front of it, and you know that’s what I’m talking about.” Mama Jean winked.

  “I’ve been thinking this week.”

  “Nice to hear, dear one.”

  Her color was coming back along with her witty tongue, and she wore lipstick today...and... “Has Kathy Mae come by to set your hair?”

  “Yesterday. Now, you been thinkin’?”

  “About what you said. Me not having a problem with God but having one with myself.” Piper wiped her clammy hands on her jeans. “I think maybe... I’ve been punishing myself or thinking every bad thing that happens is God punishing me. I keep asking Him to forgive me. But it’s really me who hasn’t forgiven me. I try to do good things. Help my neighbors. Run a program for troubled teens. I even give money to charities but...I never feel like I can do enough to erase my mistakes.”

  Mama Jean reached over with her well hand and laid it on Piper’s knee. “Forgiveness isn’t earned. If God can forgive you, you need to let it go and forgive yourself. Why do you think He died for you, Piper? ’Cause I can tell ya, it wasn’t so you can mope around pitying yourself and stay beat down by regrets. Move on.”

  She’d been moping and beat down for sure.

  “Jesus loves you. So much He died for you while you were missin’ the mark, girlie. He ain’t waitin’ around for you to get all good before He loves you.”

  That would never happen. Piper would never be good enough. “What about...what about after? I did everything bad after I made a commitment to Him. I was ten, and I knew what I was doing, but I messed up most after that.”

  “You become who you spend time with.”

  Piper had become a new creation, then never did anything to clean out the old. Never spent time letting God remodel her. She’d let Chaz lure her away. Couldn’t blame him anymore, though. She’d made that choice.

  “Piper, have you asked forgiveness?”

  “I just said I did! All the time.”

  “Then trust Him at his Word. He’s faithful to forgive and fix us up, inside out.” Mama Jean gave her the don’t-argue-with-me look. “Remember that song I used to sing you when you were little? Every night before bed.”

  She closed her eyes, and the words floated into Piper’s mind.

  Jesus loves me, this I know...the Bible tells me so...they are weak...but He is strong...the Bible tells me so...

  Luke had said everyone was weak and needed God’s strength. She may have physical strength down pat. But it couldn’t make her inside strong. And relying on Luke wouldn’t do it, either.

  Mama Jean handed her the worn leather Bible and pointed to the verse in First John that told her God would forgive her. She read it. Over and over. God loved her even though He knew she’d betray him.

  Jesus loves me...for the Bible tells me so...

  Yet He died for her to be forgiven.

  What a price to pay for her betrayal.

  A tear slid down her cheek.

  “Dear one, I love you so much.”

  Piper closed the good book and laid it back in Mama Jean’s lap. “I love you, too. How do you feel about going to church on Sunday? I think we could find a way to get you in and out of the car without too much trouble.”

  “Now, that’s music to this old lady’s ears.”

  * * *

  The clear blue sky had disappeared as the day wore on. The temperature dropped, and heavy, dappled clouds rolled like a frightening slide show. Severe thunderstorms had been predicted for this evening until midmorning. Normally, Piper enjoyed a storm, but something disturbing grated against her spine.

  Luke apparently got tied up. His interview with Judith Strosbergen had been pushed back, and she lived an hour away. Piper hoped he didn’t have to drive when the storm turned terrible. Eric had picked her up from Mama Jean’s. The conversation had been light, impersonal but easygoing. Twice he’d offered her a Twizzler. Twice she’d turned him down.

  “Are you trying to quit smoking or something?” Piper pointed to the candy hanging from his mouth.

  “No, I just enjoy licorice. I mean, you can’t beat flavored plastic.”

  Piper snorted, eyed the Twizzler, then took one. “I don’t get it.”

  Eric raised his eyebrows. “It’s not a candy you have to understand.”

  Dare she ask what was? She swallowed the one-and-only bite she was taking and handed it off to him. “What’s your story?”

  “Why do I have to have a story?” Grinning, he rounded the curve as an SUV flew by.

  Piper braced herself. When it didn’t turn around and come back, she released a pent-up breath. “I’m so sick of dark SUVs.”

  “I’m so sick of those juicer infomercials. They play over and over. I’m sorry—I’m not adding kale to my diet in any form or fashion.”

  Piper laughed. But he’d eat flavored plastic. “I missed those.”

  “You don’t stay up late enough, then.” He slowed at Harmony’s drive and turned in. “Did Luke tell you we got zip from Chaz’s half sister? Says she hasn’t seen him in over ten years.”

  A drop of rain splatted on the windshield, and then another. The skies opened up and belched a spray of rain. “Are you going to sit outside in this?”

  “No. I’m going to sit inside the car.” He winked. “Till Luke gets here.” The wipers raced across the windshield to knock the rain away. Wasn’t doing the greatest job. Thunder smashed into the atmosphere and a slash of blinding lightning streaked in front of them.

  Piper started. “You sure you don’t want to come in?”

  “Nah. I’m okay. Besides, I need to make a phone call. My sister’s birthday would’ve been today, and I haven’t had a chance to call home
or go by there.”

  Past tense. Piper squeezed Eric’s forearm. “I’m sorry. How old would she have been?”

  “Twenty-seven.” His smile was tight-lipped.

  “How did she die?”

  Eric stretched over Piper and grabbed an umbrella from under her seat. “You might want this.”

  Okay, that topic was off-limits. She shouldn’t have asked. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

  “Nah. It’s a perfectly normal question. But I don’t want to talk about it.”

  She declined the umbrella. “I’m fine but thanks, and thanks for babysitting. I’ll bring you coffee later.” She opened the door. The rain sounded as if it were applauding her exit from the car. She shrieked as it drenched her clothing and slithered like cold stabs down her neck and back. Puddles had already formed on the driveway. With each step, water seeped into her shoes and splattered on her jeans.

  She reached the stoop, fumbled for the keys and unlocked the door. Another crack of thunder reverberated in her chest. Another slash of lightning knifed the sky.

  Hurrying inside, Piper kicked off her shoes and locked the door behind her. Rushing up the stairs, she shed her clothes, threw them in her room and jumped into a hot shower to warm up.

  After dressing and slipping into her moccasin house shoes, she came downstairs with a novel she’d found in Harmony’s guest room. A romance. Just what Piper needed—a book that would make her wish she and Luke could have made it.

  Maybe they could. Eventually.

  She nestled on the couch. The power flickered.

  Great. Where did Harmony keep the flashlights and candles?

  Rain pounded the windows, and flashes of lightning formed bizarre-shaped shadows on the living-room furniture and floor. Was Eric okay? Piper tiptoed to the front windows to check on him.

  The car was gone.

  Where did he go? A tingling sensation crept up her back. Why would he leave? And not tell her? Her phone was upstairs. She took them two at a time and snatched her phone off the bed.

  The lights flickered again.

  A missed call from Luke. Maybe he needed Eric on a case and was letting her know. She returned his call.

  One ring.

  Two.

  He answered. “Piper!”

  “Hey. Did you call the dog off? He’s not outside my house.”

  “Lis... I tried to call...you...g...back...don’t...”

  “You’re cutting out, Luke. Say it again.” Piper pressed her hand over her free ear, hoping to hear better.

  “I...don’t...stay... Cha...”

  “Don’t stay where? Or don’t go anywhere and stay? I can’t hear you clearly.” Cha... “Chaz?” Her heart leaped into her throat. “Did you find him? Luke. Luke? Luke!”

  A beeping sounded. His call had dropped. She tried again. Voice mail.

  Another sputter of power. Running into the guest bathroom, Piper scored a scented candle. Vanilla. Now to find matches. She plundered the cabinets in the kitchen and found a box. Piper lit the candle and set it on the counter, just in case. The flickering flame danced across the dark ceiling.

  The lamp in the living room went out and the hum of the refrigerator stopped.

  No power.

  Had Luke told her not to leave, that he’d found Chaz? Or not to stay in the house because of Chaz?

  She tried him again. Voice mail.

  A clanging on the back door startled her and she shrieked. Her pulse hammered in her throat.

  Someone stood at the back door.

  SIXTEEN

  Piper tripped across the rug and stumbled to the back door. Standing with hands against the glass, Harmony looked like a drowned rat. Nails chipped, hair matted and dirt running like streams of mascara down her cheeks.

  Harmony. Harmony! Piper fumbled with the lock, then swung the door open. “Harmony! It’s you! It’s really you.” Piper yanked her inside, hugging her tightly. “We’ve been sick. Where were you? How did you get here? Did Boone have you? Are you okay?”

  Harmony clung to Piper’s neck. “He...he...”

  Piper pulled back and brushed unkempt clumps of blond hair from Harmony’s face. “Sit down. Come sit down. Let’s go slowly.” Harmony’s hands trembled. “You need some warm clothes. Take those off but don’t do anything with them. We might need them for evidence or something.”

  This was surreal. Piper couldn’t stand there staring in shock. She needed dry clothes. Darting to Harmony’s room, Piper dug through her drawers and found a T-shirt and yoga pants and undergarments. In the kitchen, Harmony hadn’t made a move to take off her clothing. She must be in shock.

  “Come on, Harm. Let’s get you warm and dry.” And fed. Who knew if that monster, Boone, fed her? “Where’ve you been?” She helped her into the half bath off the kitchen and out of her clothes into clean ones.

  “Harm, look at me,” Piper said and tipped Harmony’s chin toward her. “Where have you been?”

  Harmony shook her head. “I’m not sure. I was on my way to the conference. I parked... Then someone covered my face and drugged me... I screamed but then...black. I woke up.” She shivered, and Piper helped her onto the couch. She slipped a quilt from the chair and covered her up.

  A crack of thunder rattled the windows as the wind howled. Storm was getting worse by the second. No TV. No power.

  “I need to call Luke. Try to, anyway. I think the storm is messing with the cell towers or he’s somewhere with pitiful reception.”

  “Boone.”

  “Boone? He did this to you?”

  Harmony’s eyes widened, and her lip trembled. “I woke up and he had me bound. It was dirty. Smelled like...sweat and...and tires.”

  A mechanic shop? Tyson’s, maybe? “Why?”

  Harmony wiped her eyes. “He demanded that I tell him where they were. And I kept asking, ‘Where what is?’ but he kept demanding.”

  Piper settled next to her. “Did he tell you what it was he wanted?”

  Harmony nodded. “Jewelry. Said I had a fortune. Sly told him about that lady’s house. That millions of dollars’ worth of jewels were taken. But I swore I didn’t have them! I never even saw them.”

  Piper drew her into a hug and stroked her wet hair. “Shhh...it’s okay now.”

  “Piper, I did something terrible.”

  “What?” Piper sat on the edge of the couch as Harmony jumped up and wore a path in the living-room carpet.

  “I was so afraid... I thought if he believed I didn’t have them, he’d kill me. He would have. He’s dangerous. So dangerous. I’m so stupid.”

  “You’re safe now, and that’s all that matters. You made a bad choice about dating him. But you fixed it. You can’t punish yourself for it.”

  Piper ate her own words. She had made bad choices. Asked forgiveness, but never moved on as though she’d been forgiven. Still blamed herself. But she wasn’t blaming herself anymore. And neither was Harmony.

  “Piper, that’s not what I’m talking about. I told Boone you had the jewels.”

  Piper sprang from the couch. “Me? I don’t have any jewels.” But if Harmony hadn’t given up a name, Boone would have killed her. “I get it.” She gripped Harmony’s shoulders. “I forgive you. You did what you thought was right in the moment. It’s okay.”

  “It’s not okay!” Harmony shook her head like a rabid dog with a piece of meat. “He’s going to come after you. He’ll kill you to get them.” Too late, but no point making Harmony feel any worse.

  “Boone is dead, Harmony.”

  She froze. “What?”

  Another boom of thunder. Wind whipped the tree branches across the window and roof like claws. Piper looked up. Sounded as if it might cave at any moment. “He’s dead. I found him at his apartment. Someone stab
bed him with one of my Japanese swords. Tried to frame me.”

  “Chaz.” Harmony squeezed Piper’s hands. “It must have been Chaz. That’s who I saw, heard.”

  Piper’s heart rate spiked. “When did you see and hear Chaz?” Luke mentioned Chaz—or what might have been Chaz—on the call. She snagged her cell off the counter. Two percent left of charge.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “I’m going to try Luke.” Piper dialed. Voice mail again. What if something happened to him? What if Chaz got to him? “Tell me what happened. Slowly.”

  “I only saw Boone, at first. I thought he was ticked over the breakup and was trying to scare me, but then he asked about the jewels. Necklaces, bracelets, rings and a few diamonds. I thought he was high or something, but then he said that Sly told him about the jewels and one of us had them. They were in prison together. That night, in my bed, I don’t know if he mistook you for me or not. I think Boone used me as a mark. He never even cared about me. Just wanted to see if I had the goods.”

  At least Piper wasn’t in the dark about what it was Chaz wanted anymore. How did he fit in with Boone, though? And where was Luke? Where was Eric?

  “Well, you don’t. And neither do I. Tyson probably didn’t either since he ended up dead.” But Harmony had lived. Escaped somehow, or she might be dead, too. “How do you know you saw Chaz with Boone? Are they working together? Is Sly in on it, too?”

  “I don’t know. I heard arguing, and I saw a guy. Then I didn’t see Boone again for a few days. I got the ropes undone and I ran... I just ran.”

  “Something doesn’t make sense.” Piper frowned. If the guy Harmony heard arguing with Boone killed him, why did he let Harmony live? Not that she wasn’t happy, but the dots weren’t connecting.

  A bolt of lightning nearly burst through the window, and thunder rumbled too close for comfort.

  Another banging sent Piper reeling. Someone was at the front door.

  “Don’t answer it, Piper! We have to get out of here before Chaz finds us. We gotta run and run far.”

  “I’m not running anymore, Harmony.” Piper strode toward the front door. “It’s time we all face this and end it.” She peeped through the hole and relaxed.