“Stop changing the subject! We’re talking about Nancy, not me. Sterling even had the nerve to tell me she was a stripper. Yeah, right! Like, I wouldn’t know if my own sister was a drug addict stripper with a bad heart?” She looked back and forth between us. “You guys must think I’m a freaking idiot.”
I promised Nina we didn’t think that. “But we know you’re upset.”
“Yeah? How would you know?”
“Cassie’s mother died when she was ten,” Bobby said
“Yeah? And how—” Nina stopped. “Shit!” She slouched forward and hid her face in her hands. “Crap!”
She started crying. Charlie rested his muzzle on her knee, and she cried even more. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to go,” she sobbed. “I’ve been practicing the whole way here what to say to you.”
Dad caught my eye. “Why don’t you try again,” he suggested gently.
“I’m here to thank you.” She looked up at me. “There! I said it. Thank you for finding Nancy. Thank you for giving a crap when no one else did.”
Bobby got up to find some tissues, and I asked about her family. “Can your parents help you with this, Nina?”
“No. I never had a father, and don’t ask about my mother, either.” She took a handful of tissues from Bobby and seemed to calm down a little.
“The other reason I’m here is to meet the guy. I can’t believe he’s already out of jail.” She reached back and pulled a scrap of paper out of her jeans. “Travis La Barge,” she read. “The geezers at the store told me where he lives, too. I’ll find it.” She stood up to leave and knocked her chair halfway across the room, and it occurred to me that Nina shouldn’t see Travis right then.
“Nina, wait!” I jumped up and sort of ran after her.
“No!” she said. She had already cleared the porch and was headed for the driveway.
“Wa-aaait!” I tried again, and I guess she saw me limping. For whatever reason, she stopped.
“What?” she snapped.
“Umm,” I said. “Why do you want to see Travis?”
“Like, duh! Because he killed Nancy. I’d kill the bastard myself, if I had the guts.” She kept walking.
“Nina, wait!”
“What now?”
I hobbled over and planted myself in front of her car. “You know Travis is in trouble with the law over this?” I half-expected her to pick me up and toss me aside. She didn’t, so I kept going. “I seriously doubt he’s home alone right now. And you don’t want to be messing with his mother. Trust me.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I’m trustworthy.” I managed to find my teacher-voice. “Travis didn’t kill your sister. You know that.”
“He did too,” she whined. “Nancy didn’t do drugs. He must have forced her.”
“Listen to me, Nina. I spent the entire week blaming Travis. And I agree he’s a jerk, okay? But the cops say he didn’t kill your sister. We’ve got to believe them.”
“Why, because cops never lie?” She shook her head at me. “You know who this guy’s father is? Ross the Boss has all kinds of money to pay people off.”
I thought about the possibility.
She folded her arms. “You’re thinking about it.”
“Yes, I am,” I said. “But, no. Captain Sterling isn’t lying to us.” I frowned at that head of red hair. “Although I do wish he’d told me about you.”
Nina smiled a little. And she calmed down a lot. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I know.” I stepped aside and opened her car door. “And I’m sorry about your sister.”
“I know.” She climbed in and stared at the steering wheel. “I wouldn’t buy a car from Ross and Boss if you paid me a million dollars.”
“Tell me about it.”
“And I won’t vote for him. Ever.”
I smiled at that, too. “If it makes you feel any better, he’s withdrawing from the governor’s race. He has a press conference tonight.”
“I got to see that.”
“Well then, go home and watch it. It’s scheduled during the Red Sox game.”
She shook her head. “What a jerk.”
Chapter 32
“You’re kidding me, right?” Bambi asked when I called to fill her in on the latest.
“No, I’m serious.”
“The woman broke into your house, and came after you with a gun, so you served her sherry?”
“I was flustered.”
Bambi laughed. “I guess so.”
“Nina Finch was even scarier than Janet,” I said. “But after I got over being sick at the sight of her, I kind of liked her. She’s rough around the edges, but who wouldn’t be?”
“Identical twins are often very close,” Bambi agreed.
I asked Dr. Lovely-Vixen the biologist about Nancy’s heart condition. “Do you think Nina has it, too?” I asked.
“I’m not a medical doctor. But I’d say probably. So, who else have you been bugging?”
I stamped my foot on the turret floor and winced. “Both Nina and Janet came to me,” I protested. “I haven’t bugged anyone. Fanny’s off at an art exhibit, and Evert’s at work, and I have no intention of talking to either Pearson sister again. Ditto with Maxine. My one ‘chat’ with her should last me a lifetime.”
“What about Joe Wylie? I hope you’re bothering him, at least a little.”
“Nope. I’m mad at Joe.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. He’s way too evasive and elusive.” I glanced Wylie-ward and listed all the secrets Joe had been keeping from me. “Well?” I asked Bambi. “He’s scary, too, right?”
“Wrong. He’s a hunky-boo.”
***
“Why can’t you guys watch the game at Joe’s house?” I asked my father as I set paper plates and napkins on the coffee table.
“Because you’d miss us too much.”
“Yeah, right.”
“And you’d miss out on pizza from Santucci’s.”
“A valid point,” I said. I went to find wine glasses while Dad fiddled with the remote and found the pre-game show.
The announcers were already arguing about the long standing rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox. And it got even noisier once Joe walked in, and he and Dad joined in the same old ridiculous arguments about who should have won that fateful game in 2003. Trust me, it will never be decided. At least not on Leftside Lane.
“Where’s the wine?” I asked, but no one was listening. I shook my head and relieved Joe of the bottle he was holding. I also took the pizza from his other hand and set it on the coffee table.
“Should I even ask about your leg?” he asked.
“No,” my father answered for me. “She’s still limping, but she refuses to stop working on the house, and she refuses to go to the doctor.”
I frowned and pointed to the pizza, and Joe started serving. “How about the twin sister?” he said as he handed me a plate. “Should I ask about her?”
I frowned again, but once again my father gave him all the details.
Joe looked at me. “She must be grateful to you.”
“She is,” Bobby answered. “Other than making Cassie sea-sick, we liked her, didn’t we, girl?”
“We liked her a lot.” I answered my father, but kept a withering glare on Mr. Wylie. “Because she was honest. Kind of brash, but honest and open.” I raised an eyebrow. “And honest. She was very honest.”
Joe studied me. I looked away and feigned interest in the kick-off, or whatever it’s called. “You’re mad at me,” he said.
“No shit.”
“She’s pouting,” Dad said. “She’ll never outgrow it.”
I told my father he drives me nuts, ate pizza, and pouted.
***
Joe leaned forward and poured the last of the wine into my glass as Channel 9 cut away from the game for Ross’s press conference.
He stood behind a podium trying to look dignified.
“At least he’s no
t broadcasting from Cars! Cars! Cars!” Dad said.
“And at least he’s fully clothed,” I said. “I gag every time I see him in that pink diaper.”
About then, I noticed Janet. Talk about gagging. She stood a few steps behind her husband and was also trying to pull off dignified. But her hairdo, obviously assembled to hide the bruise on her forehead, was almost as distracting as my recollection of Ross in his turkey suit.
“That bruise on her forehead looks pretty gruesome,” Joe said. “Remind me never to make you angry.”
“Too late.”
Dad shushed us, and we listened as Ross officially stepped down from the gubernatorial race. He said all the right things, regretting this and regretting that. And most of all regretting that his son was such an idiot, although he didn’t phrase it quite like that.
Then he opened up the floor to questions from the press, the first being exactly what charges Travis was facing.
“Tampering with evidence and obstructing a police investigation,” Ross answered loud and clear, and Janet squirmed in the background
“He’s being very honest and open,” I said. “Unlike some people I know.”
Ross continued, “I would like to point out that Travis turned himself in to the authorities of his own accord. And let me also be clear that my son was not responsible for that girl’s death. She died of natural causes. Poor Miss Finch had a terrible heart disease.”
He lowered his head to demonstrate his remorse, which I think was sincere. Janet—not so much.
But the reporters were more interested in Travis than Nancy. They wanted to know why he wasn’t at the press conference.
“Travis is staying at our home in Hanahan County, where we posted bail,” Ross said. “Until his arraignment on Monday, he can’t leave the area.” Ross gestured to Janet, who continued acting remorseful. “We’re so disappointed he couldn’t join us this evening.”
“Okay, so maybe that wasn’t so sincere,” I said.
Someone asked Ross to comment on Travis’s drug problem. “Is it true he and Nancy Finch were using drugs when she died?” he asked.
“I’m afraid that is true, Dave.” Ross sighed. “Travis has struggled with his addictions for some time. However, we hope the judge will see fit to give him a suspended sentence in return for his cooperation. Travis is eager to do all he can to bring these villains who sell drugs to our children to justice. He promises to name all his sources to help the fine law enforcement officers of Vermont round up these criminals.
“After that,” Ross continued, “if the judge is willing, Travis will enter a fine drug-rehabilitation program Janet’s found for him down in Boston. We’ve already made the arrangements.” The cameras focused on Janet, who shifted slightly.
Another reporter asked Ross about his own plans. “Will you run for office again?” she asked.
Ross attempted a chuckle. “I tell you what, Regina. I don’t have any plans beyond tonight. Janet and I are hosting a gathering for our campaign staff in Montpelier after we finish up here.” He gestured toward his wife. “We want to thank them for their tireless efforts on our behalf. But other than that, I honestly can’t predict what the future holds.”
It might have continued on, but Ross held up his hand to end the thing. “I want to conclude by extending my deepest sympathies to the Finch family. Travis, Janet, and I are all very sorry.”
“Yeah, right,” my father said with far more bitterness than I would have expected.
“Give him a break, Dad.”
“I will not.” He pointed to the TV, where Ross and Janet were holding hands and waving. “Those people threatened you.”
“Only Janet threatened me. I know it’s nuts, but I might have bonded with Ross a little.”
“Excuse me?”
I shrugged. “But then again, he kept calling me cute. I hate that.”
“You are cute,” Joe said.
I put my glass down and stood up. “I’m going kayaking,” I said and headed for the door.
“Cassie, wait,” Dad said.
“For what?”
“Don’t you want to see who’s winning?”
I waited with my usual impatience until Channel 9 returned to the ball game, and we learned that the Sox had scored two runs while we were watching Ross.
“Vermonters will never forgive him now,” Joe said.
Chapter 33
“How long have you been waiting for me?”
“Who said I’m waiting for you?”
“You’re on my dock, Joe. And Charlie’s with you.”
Charlie paced back and forth as I pulled up to the dock, and Joe reached down to give me a hand, but I slapped it away.
“I don’t need help,” I said. “Who won?”
“The Yankees.”
“Good.” I climbed out of my kayak. “Looks like you’ll be making dinner on Sunday.”
“The Sox still have tomorrow and Sunday to redeem themselves.”
“Good,” I said. “I don’t want to eat your cooking anyway.”
“What’s wrong, Cassie?”
“You!” I pushed him aside and yanked the little boat onto the lawn. It’s an easy enough maneuver, but I was making a show of being testy. “You. Are secretive and dishonest.”
“What have I been dishonest about?”
“You’re kidding me, right? Where to begin!” I took an exasperated breath and plopped down cross-legged onto the dock. “Sit!” I ordered, and Charlie sat. “You!” I said, and Joe sat, too.
I pointed to his house, where, of course, the FN451z was chattering away. “Let’s start with that, shall we? Everyone keeps asking you about the FN, and you never, ever, ever, answer the question.”
“She’s legal, okay? You want me to explain it again?”
“Nooo. I don’t want to talk about your stupid machine.”
“Well then, what?”
“How about your good buddy Travis La Barge? I had a chat with Maxine Tibbitts yesterday.”
Joe groaned. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes! I was too distracted last night, but I should have confronted you right then and there. Right in front of his parents.”
“Travis worked for me.”
“Now you tell me! But you never, ever, bothered to tell me before! Despite how often I’ve asked about him.”
“He helped me with the FN451z. And you just told me you don’t want to talk about my stupid machine.”
“Well, guess what? I just changed my mind!”
Not really. But Joe took me seriously and explained the electrical work Travis had done for him. He might as well have been telling me how to fix Chance Dooley’s propulsion pistons with a safety pin.
“Travis worked for me for two days tops,” Joe said. “And this was over two years ago.”
“Why did you fire him?”
“I didn’t. He quit. He’s not exactly a workaholic, and his mother disapproved.”
“I thought Janet approves of everything her son does.”
Joe shook his head. “She wants him to follow in his father’s footsteps. Janet has very clear ideas, and Travis the electrician isn’t one of them. She considers electricians laborers—beneath her son’s dignity.”
“She called you a mechanic last night,” I said. “I think it was meant to be derogatory.”
“You think?”
I raised an eyebrow. “She knew the FN451z by name.”
“Come on, Cassie. Everyone who’s spent any time at Lake Bess knows what I do. They may not understand what I do, but they know about the FN451z.”
“Everyone’s heard the stupid thing,” I said, and the FN burped.
***
“So?” Joe tapped my knee. “We straight now?”
“Nooo. Maxine and I also chatted about the Fox Cove.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. We discussed the ghost-guys. All the ghost-guys.”
“Oh, no.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your father, Mr. Wyli
e?”
“I didn’t want to spook you.”
“Yeah, right. Try again.”
He took a deep breath. “You’re right, okay? I should have told you, but maybe I was embarrassed. In case you haven’t caught on, I’m a private person.”
I made sure to catch his eye. “You’re not your father.”
“I don’t even remember my father. I was three when it happened.”
“And your mother?” I asked a little more gently, and he smiled a little.
“She was great,” he said. “But she was a private person also, and the gossip got to her.”
“Yet you continued living here?”
“Lake Bess is a good place to raise kids. And Mom definitely wanted me to go to the Lake School.” He shrugged. “We ended up staying. I’m glad we did.”
I asked where his mother lived now and learned she had died of cancer when Joe was in graduate school.
“Why do mothers always have to die of cancer?” I asked.
He didn’t answer, but Charlie reached out a paw and plopped it onto my lap.
“Guns really spooked my mother,” Joe said eventually. “Did you notice my reaction to that gun last night? Other than your father, I’m probably the only man in this town who doesn’t own a hunting rifle.”
I shook my head. “Believe it or not, Bobby does own one,” I said. “He was so gung-ho about being a Vermonter, he considered going deer hunting last fall.”
“No way.”
“Correct,” I said. “There’s a brand new hunting rifle sitting in his closet collecting dust.”
“Well anyway,” Joe said. “I’m glad that bruise on your shin is the worst thing that happened last night.” He waited until I would look at him. “Now it’s my turn to ask questions.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. What happened when your mother died, Cassie? Bobby keeps hinting that you did something—” He hesitated.
“Wacko, Looney Tunes, and nuts?” I suggested.
He smiled. “Yeah, that.”
“I got on my bike and rode to my grandmother’s house.”
“That doesn’t sound so wacko.”
“She lives in Delaware.”
He tilted his head. “And you were in New Jersey? Exactly how far did you bike?”
“It’s 120 miles from Hoboken, New Jersey to Wilmington, Delaware.” I frowned. “And before you even ask, I was ten, and my Grammie Maloney wasn’t even in Delaware at the time. She was staying with us in Hoboken.”
Unbelievable Page 15
