Murder and a Pinch of Rosemary

by Michelle Francik

  “I’m really tired, Maggie,” Susan said, yawning widely for effect. “I think I’m going to turn in now.”

  Maggie smiled at her witness. “It is getting late. I’m going to take a look around outside then I’ll turn in as well,” she announced.

  Susan nodded and walked to her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and sighed. It had been a long day and she really was tired. But she was also confused. She’d been worried about having Reed stay here, and it had been a breeze. Having Maggie here was a whole different story. She wasn’t sure she wanted to examine why too closely.

  She washed up and got ready for bed. When she heard Maggie return, closing the front door behind her and locking it, she turned off her light and crawled into bed.

  “All clear, good night,” she called out from the hallway.

  “Thanks Maggie,” she replied. “Good night.”

  She closed her eyes and placed her palms together. She said her prayers, then snuggled into her bed, hoping for a good night’s sleep. But the image of distraught blue eyes played across the inside of her eyelids until slumber finally overtook her.

  Outside, Reed watched as the lights went out in Susan’s bedroom and then in the guest room. He was standing in the shadow of a large Texas Ash across the street from her house. He stayed put for 15 minutes, waiting to see if anything happened. Everything stayed quiet, so he walked back to where he’d parked his car.

  He’d noticed the neighbor who lived three doors down and across the street from Susan worked graveyard, so he knew driveway would be empty all night. He’d backed in, making sure he had a clear line of sight to her house. He’d dressed in black jeans, black T-shirt and black jacket, which helped him blend into the shadows. Inside the car he had bottled water, snacks and earbuds, so he could listen to music while he kept watch. He planned to get out and walk around every 30 minutes, hoping he could catch the perp in the act.

  He knew Maggie would be angry with him for not listening to her, but he also knew he wasn’t the type of person who quit in the middle of a job. And he was a grown man, he didn’t need a time out from his sister-in-law. He jumped when his phone vibrated, grinning when he saw the caller ID.

  “Hey Maggie, I was nearly asleep. Is everything okay?” He yawned, hoping she’d believe he was home in bed.

  “Cut the act, partner. I saw you across the street when I patrolled and I’m pretty sure that right now you’re sitting in your car three houses down,” Maggie told him. Before he could come up with an excuse, she added, “Thank you, Reed. I’ll sleep better knowing you’re out there.”

  The phone disconnected and he grinned in the dark. He was a lucky man to have such an amazing partner and sister-in-law. Even if she was a pain in the neck sometimes.

  11

  Reed stayed alert all night, watching and waiting. He made his rounds every 30 minutes, but never saw anything out of place. It was 5:30 am and still no sign of the perp when the light came on in the guest room and his phone vibrated.

  “Good morning, Maggie.”

  “If you say so.” She sounded tired and cranky and he grinned to himself. “Did you solve the case while I slept on a lumpy mattress?”

  “Nope. Nothing happened. Not a single thing.” He heard her sigh of frustration and wished he had better news.

  “Well, go home and get some sleep. You’re back on witness duty tonight. I can’t handle another night in that bed.” She groaned and added, “The mattress did a number on my back and I can’t sleep without my husband’s snoring. I’ll call you later.”

  His heart leapt into his throat and he was glad she’d hung up. He wouldn’t have been able to speak; he was so relieved. He started the car and drove home, thrilled that his partner still trusted him and excited about seeing Susan again.

  Susan woke up to a strange flopping noise outside her bedroom door. Still half-asleep, fear made her heart beat faster and she pulled the blankets up to her chin. A groan and a muttered, “Oh, my aching back,” reminded her that Maggie had stayed the night, and was now walking around in her floppy bunny slippers, which explained the strange noise.

  She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. There was no smell of coffee or bacon to entice her to get up, so she dawdled for a moment, wondering where Reed was and if he was making breakfast for himself--or someone else.

  She was instantly irritated by where her thoughts had taken her, and she wondered again how he’d managed to get under her skin so fast. A knock sounded at the door and Maggie peeked her head in.

  “I need caffeine, desperately,” she groaned. “And I can’t figure out how to operate your danged coffee maker.”

  Susan grinned at the disheveled woman at her door, no longer the put together U.S. Marshal who could handle anything. “Okay, give me just a minute and I’ll make us some coffee and eggs,” she replied.

  “Bless you,” Maggie gushed as she pulled the door shut.

  Susan paused to say a morning prayer, thanking the Lord for keeping her safe overnight and asking for patience in dealing with Maggie. She threw on a robe and headed for the kitchen to start the coffee.

  “Where’s Reed?” Brenda’s husky, nasal voice assaulted her ears as she and Maggie walked into the teacher’s lounge to get a cup of coffee.

  “Good morning to you, too.” She wasn’t in the mood to deal with the woman, but she turned and gestured towards the marshal. “Brenda this is Maggie, she’s a friend of mine and she’s helping today while Reed takes care of some business. Maggie, this is Brenda.” She headed for the coffee pot and left the two women to fend for themselves.

  Brenda sniffed as her gaze traveled up and down Maggie, who stared back at the women without flinching. “I like Reed better.” She lifted her coffee mug up to her lips and was mid-sip when Maggie responded.

  “I like Reed better than you, too.” She turned on her heel and left, leaving Susan to deal with a sputtering Brenda.

  “Well, I never!” The woman’s face was angry and red as she grabbed a napkin and wiped at the coffee she’d sprayed onto her shirt.

  She had no sympathy for her. “You were rude first.” She grabbed the paperwork from her cubby and followed Maggie out the door, ignoring the woman’s glare.

  Outside in the hall, the marshal waited for her, one foot propped up on a bench. “I’m sorry, but she’s about half a brick short of a load and she made my teeth itch.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “I have no idea what that means, but I’m pretty sure I agree.” She led the way to her classroom and held the door for Maggie to enter. As the two women walked in, Tyler ran over to them holding a perfect origami rose.

  “I did it, Miss Sinclair!” He looked at Maggie, then behind her, then he looked at Susan. “Where’s Reed? He was supposed to help me make a rose with the fancy paper.”

  “I’m so sorry, Tyler! Reed got called away on business. This is my friend, Maggie. She’s helping out today.” His face fell and her heart plummeted with it.

  “Well, that is one mighty fine paper rose, if I do say so myself,” Maggie drawled, drawing the boy’s attention to her. “Reed will be back tomorrow and I’m sure he’ll be glad to help you make your fancy one. But I wonder, do you think you could show me how to make one of these?”

  “Well, I’m still learning, but I’d be glad to show you what I know.” Tyler motioned for her to follow him to his desk and Maggie winked at Susan as she walked away.

  She wasn’t sure which startled her most: Maggie’s thick, fake accent or her announcement about Reed. She grinned and shook her head: never underestimate a U.S. marshal.

  It was nearly the end of the day when Susan remembered her meeting with Mary. She’d noticed the girl seemed especially happy today and she was curious to find out why. On the last break of the day, while eating donuts in the teacher’s lounge, she told Maggie they’d need to stay late.

  “Oh no!” The marshal was obviously distressed. “I scheduled an appointment with my doctor for right after class. I p
lanned to drop you off at the office for safekeeping until I was done.” Her face had gone beet red and Susan was intrigued.

  “What kind of doctor’s appointment?” she teased, not really expecting an answer, since it was none of her business.

  Maggie looked around, then twirled a strand of hair around her fingers. She sighed and looked at Susan. “I’m not sure. I’ve been feeling a little queasy and this morning when I couldn’t figure out how to make coffee, I realized I’ve also been experiencing some brain fog. I called my doctor while you were in class and he said he wanted to see me right away.” She looked at Susan, her expression full of wonder and a bit of fear. “He thinks I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh, Maggie, that’s wonderful!” Susan clapped her hands and grinned at the marshal.

  “I can’t leave you alone, so I’ll just reschedule the appointment. It’s no big deal.”

  “No, you won’t!” she said, her voice stern. “I’ll be here at the school and I promise I won’t go anywhere until you get back. You just go take care of business and don’t worry about me!”

  She looked uncertain but nodded. “I’ll think about it. Meanwhile, our break is over. I’ll walk you to class then I need to stop by the ladies’ room. I’ll join you in the classroom when I’m done,” she said.

  “Oh, I’m so excited for you,” Susan gushed. “And nervous, too. And jealous.”

  Maggie’s face flamed and she ducked her head. “Just get to class, missy, before the tardy bell rings and you get sent to detention.”

  Susan walked into the classroom, happy for her friend, a big grin on her face.

  Reed picked up the ringing phone. “I thought you told me to get some sleep,” he muttered.

  “Can it, Reed,” his sassy partner told him. “Change in plans.”

  He listened to Maggie as she explained what she wanted him to do.

  “Got it! I’ll be there.” He hung up feeling like a load had been lifted from his shoulders. She’d asked him to take over watching Susan this afternoon.

  She trusts me after all, he thought. And he was going to see Susan! He headed for the shower, whistling as he walked.

  12

  “Okay, Mary, I have to ask, why are you so happy today?” She scooted over so Mary could sit next to her at the desk.

  “Well, I guess . . . oh, there isn’t really a reason,” Mary told her. “It’s just a beautiful day today!”

  Susan was still curious, but with the distractions of Maggie’s potential pregnancy and Reed’s return, she didn’t push too hard. “Well, okay, then. Are you ready to work on that essay?”

  Mary handed her two photos. “I think I might want to use one of these instead of the seven we chose last time. I’m just not sure. Will you look at them with me and help me decide?”

  “Absolutely.” She looked at the two photos and was impressed. “These look amazing, Mary! I approve of your choices 100%. All of your photos are outstanding, but these two are extra special.”

  She looked up to see a blush stain the girl’s cheeks. Mary’s smile was huge, and she grinned back, glad to see her so happy. She grabbed a pen and a pad of paper and they began brainstorming what to say in the essay.

  Reed peeked through the small window in the classroom door and was relieved to see that everything was okay. He’d met up with Maggie a few moments ago and she’d told him to let Susan know he was here.

  Two startled sets of eyes looked up at him as he opened the classroom door. One set lit up and the other set immediately looked away. He grinned into Susan’s surprised face and declared, “I’m back!”

  She stood up and walked towards him. “Reed, what are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.”

  “I finished my meetings early and headed back. I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he said, looking over her shoulder towards Mary.

  The girl stood up and started packing her backpack. Susan looked at her student then turned back to him with concern in her eyes.

  “Hi Mary.” He frowned when Mary ignored him. He looked down at Susan who shrugged, then walked over to the girl.

  “Mary?” She placed a hand on Mary’s shoulder and leaned towards her. “We can still finish up,” she said. “Why are you packing everything?”

  Eyes full of tears turned towards Susan, then glanced over at him. “It’s okay, we got a lot done. I know you prefer to spend time with him.”

  “I love spending time with you, too. Reed can wait until we’re done.” Susan placed her arms around Mary and gave her a hug.

  Reed’s blood ran cold when the girl suddenly looked up at him, meeting his eyes. The look she gave him made it clear they were enemies, and the prize was Susan.

  Mary broke eye contact with him and stepped back from Susan. “It’s okay, really,” she told her teacher. “Once he’s gone, things will be back to normal.” She smiled at Susan and walked out of the classroom without looking in his direction at all.

  Susan walked over to him, a tentative smile on her face. “That was weird,” she said. She looked up at Reed, her eyes shining, and his heart lodged in his throat. “Hi. I missed you.”

  Confused by the intensity of his response to her, he reminded himself he was a U.S. Marshal with a job to do. He stepped back to put a little distance between them. “Of course, you missed me. You missed my fine coffee and my amazing cooking!”

  Her brow furrowed for a moment, but she quickly followed his lead. “Yep, that’s it. Maggie didn’t cook and she couldn’t even figure out how to use the coffee maker. Now that you mention it, I’m starving!” She grinned, but Reed could see she was hurt and confused.

  He sighed and rubbed his hand over his chin. “I need to talk with you for a minute. Let’s have a seat.” She sat at the desk and he sat in the chair that Mary had vacated.

  “I am a U.S. Marshal charged with protecting you.” He grabbed her hand and held it in his as he watched conflicting emotions pass across her face.

  “I know that, Reed. What are you trying to say?”

  “I’m trying to say that I like you. I really like you. As a woman, not just a witness. But keeping you safe is the most important thing, so I need to put a little distance between us, even though I’d rather get closer.”

  Susan’s face turned a lovely shade of pink and she looked like she was about to cry. But she didn’t cry. She stuck out her chin, looked him in the eye and said what was on her mind. “I appreciate that, and I’m sorry if I’ve been making your job difficult. But when this is over, I expect you to take me on a real date and then we’ll just see what happens.”

  Reed’s heart started pounding in his chest and he wished things were different. He’d seen Susan’s fear and her loneliness, and he’d seen her courage. She was an amazing woman he’d be proud to have in his life. But for now, she was his witness and he wasn’t going to let her down.

  He nodded and let go of her hand. Switching to official U.S. Marshal mode, he said, “Tell me what you know about Mary.”

  “Why?” Susan’s brow creased again.

  “She gave me a look that told me to back off. She made it clear you’re her property.”

  “Oh that,” she waved her hand in the air. “She’s just lonely and I’m the only adult in her life that she feels she can trust.”

  “Still, I got a strange vibe from her today and my gut is telling me to keep an eye on her.”

  “I respect that,” she said. “I’ll tell you what I know on the way back to my place. Or did you want to stop and get dinner?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she paled, and her mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry, Reed. The last time was a fluke. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

  He placed his hand on her shoulder to reassure her, but quickly pulled it back and tucked it into the front pocket of his jeans. “Actually, I picked up some groceries so I could make you a home-cooked meal, if that’s alright with you.”

  “That sounds wonderful!” She started packing up her belongings and Reed was w
atching her when a movement outside the door startled him. He jumped up, instantly alert.

  “What is it?” Susan asked, her voice quiet.

  “I’m not sure. I thought I saw someone looking in the door.” He walked to the door and threw it open, looking up and down the hallway, but there was no one there. He was confident he’d seen something, but he didn’t want to upset her, so he turned around with a shrug. “False alarm, I guess.”

  “Good. I’m ready to go home.” They walked out to the parking lot and didn’t see anyone or anything suspicious, but Reed’s senses were still on high alert. He knew he’d seen something, and his gut was telling him to be extra careful.

  Susan pondered Mary’s behavior as Reed drove them back to her home. The girl had always been a little twitchy, but today her reaction had been extreme. Something was definitely going on with the girl, but she was at a loss as to what it could be.

  She looked over at Reed and marveled at how different it felt to have him sitting next to her rather than Maggie. Or anyone else for that matter. She’d never felt as safe and as cherished as she did with Reed. He had his U.S. Marshal persona firmly in place, and she was grateful he’d allowed her to see the man behind the professional.

  She appreciated what he’d said back at the school. Even though they both had feelings, this wasn’t the time to explore them. They needed to focus on solving this mystery and once it was over, God willing, they’d be able to see if there was a future for the two of them. For now, she’d relax and trust they’d keep her safe. But it was hard with him sitting so close--with his big silver belt buckle, his muscles and his gorgeous smile.

  She was so caught up in her thoughts she didn’t realize she’d chuckled out loud until Reed turned to her, one eyebrow raised. She just shrugged her shoulders. She couldn’t share her thoughts with him right now, and that was okay. She smiled out the window and enjoyed the rest of the drive home.