by Emily Greene
I agreed and seconds later he was gone. Carrie looked at me, her mouth wide open, and I gave her a curious look.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
“Harper, he likes you!”
“Carrie, you’re sil…”
I stopped in mid-sentence because there it was. That shrill voice that I knew (and loved) so well.
“Harper! Harper! Are you back here, honey?!”
Two seconds later my mother appeared at the office door and pulled me in for a big hug.
“Are you okay?”
How on earth did she know what had happened?
“Mother, I’m fine. How did you…”
She didn’t give me a chance to finish my question.
“I came as soon as I got Carrie’s text. She said a man accosted you in the alley! Did the police catch him?”
She looked so scared for me and I wanted to instantly calm her fears.
“No, Mother, but Detective Sloane is on the case and he will find the guy. I’m fine; he didn’t hurt me. He just tried to scare me.”
“Honey, I don’t think you should be all alone in that big house. Why don’t you come stay with me for a while.”
I loved my mother more than anything, but there was no way I was going to live with her for any amount of time. I could already imagine what our evenings would be like. She already was trying to practically marry me off to Matthew Carson, and that was with the brief time I saw her during the week. If we were in the same house who knows what little schemes she would cook up. And the talk about getting married would be incessant. No, there was no way I was going to stay with my mother.
Carrie chimed in and showed me once again why she was my best friend and someone I could always rely on.
“Beverly, I’ve already asked Harper to stay with us until this whole thing blows over, so you have nothing to worry about.”
I wanted to reach out and hug her for saying that.
Carrie’s words seemed to satisfy my mother and I saw the worry melt off of her face.
“Oh Carrie, dear, thank you! You have such incredible security around your home, Harper could not be in a safer place.”
It was true. Carrie and Jeff’s home was enormous and they had private security roaming the grounds 24/7 because Jeff’s grandmother insisted upon it. A few years back some kids got over the gate and threw toilet paper on a few trees around their home. It was a harmless prank, but Jeff’s grandmother saw it as a safety breach. They were very wealthy and she wanted to make sure that if anyone ever had ill will toward them, her family was always protected.
“Yes, Mother, I will be fine. Don’t worry.”
“I just can’t wait until they catch the person who killed Sarah. This horrible man must be connected to that in some way and it is time Prairie Cove returned to being what it used to be. We don’t need people like him terrorizing the town.”
“I honestly believe he will be caught. Detective Sloane is on the case.”
“Good. Harper, I really think you should reach out to Matthew Carson, he is a good man and you could use that kind of friendship right now.”
For once my mother was not shoving Matthew in my face as a possible suitor. I think she finally may have gotten the message that we were just going to be friends, and I agreed with her that it would be good to reach out to him. He was, after all, my friend and I needed as many as I could get at that moment. I remembered how brave Matthew was when we tracked down Melanie Clark’s killer, and it would be nice to have that kind of comfort around me.
“That is a great idea, Mother, I will give him a call.”
She smiled at me. “Good. So, you are going to Carrie’s house tonight, right?”
“Yes,” Carrie and I both said in unison.
“Okay. Call me if you need anything, sweetie.”
She gave both Carrie and me a hug goodbye and just as quickly as she rushed in, she rushed out.
I let out a deep breath and smiled at Carrie.
“Thank you for telling my mother I would stay with you. I did not feel like arguing with her about why I couldn’t stay at her house. I love my mother, you know that, but it would just be a bit too much to stay there for any length of time. At least while I am still single. If I were married I would stay with her in a heartbeat, but until that happens, I can’t do it because all she thinks about is marrying me off, and that just is not my number one priority.
Carrie looked at me, nodding, and then she cleared her throat.
“I was serious, Harper. You’re staying with us until this whole mess is resolved.”
“Carrie, that really is not necessary.”
She raised one eyebrow at me, and she only made that face when she was annoyed.
“Oh really? I didn’t tell your mother that the guy knows your address. Did you want me to call her and let her know? I can only imagine what her reaction will be.”
“No!”
“Okay then, it’s settled. You are staying with us. And you can bring Gracie with you. There is no negotiation on this, Harper, these are dangerous people and it just isn’t worth it to risk getting hurt, or worse.”
She was right and I had no argument. The man knew my address and I was pretty sure that if I stayed in my house I would not get a wink of sleep because I would be too scared that he would show up.
“Okay, okay, I suppose you are right. Thank you for offering to let me stay with you guys.”
“Of course! What are friends for?”
I smiled at her and gave her a hug. “I should probably get back out there, we’re closing soon.”
“Harper Madison, I have closed this bakery plenty of times by myself. I think you should go home, get your things and meet me at my house. You had a pretty traumatic afternoon and it might be best if you avoid customers for now. Give yourself time to just take a breath and relax for a few hours. Tomorrow you’ll feel better and the bakery will be here waiting for you.”
“Okay, I won’t argue with you on this one. Thanks again, Carrie, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
She winked at me and smiled. “You’ll never have to find out!”
As I drove home I thought about how crazy it was that I was in the middle of another murder investigation. The sun was just beginning to set and I wanted to be on my way to Carrie and Jeff’s before dark. I quickly packed an overnight bag, put Gracie in her carrier, grabbed her food and left.
Jeff greeted me with a huge smile and a hug when I arrived at their house.
“I hear we have a roommate for a while! Let me get your bag for you.”
I smiled at him as I walked in and Carrie did a double take when she saw my overnight bag.
“Harper, you could not have possibly packed enough things for an extended stay here. What’s in there? One change of clothing? You’re going to have to go back tomorrow and get more clothes. I was serious when I said I wanted you to stay with us until this whole thing is resolved.”
“I guess I wasn’t thinking because I don’t usually pack a bag unless I am going out of town. You’re right, I’ll swing by tomorrow after work and grab more clothes. You guys, thanks for letting Gracie stay too.”
“Of course! We love her too, you know!” Jeff exclaimed with a smile.
Surprisingly, Gracie felt right at home in their huge house. They didn’t have any pets so that helped avoid any kind of pet squabbles. I set out her bowl of water and food in the kitchen and she went right to it while Carrie showed me to the guest room I was staying in.
“Chef Lucas says dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes, Harper. Do you need anything else right now?”
“No, I’m good, thanks. I’ll be down in time for dinner.”
She left and I sat on the bed and looked around. I loved their house and if I had to stay anywhere, I was happy it was there with my friends. As I unpacked my one change of clothes I smiled to myself and shook my head as I recalled dashing around my house to pack something. My encounter with Dibello
’s guy really scared me more than I realized and I just wanted to grab something, anything for the next day. I was so set on getting out of my house quickly I did not even realize I didn’t grab enough clothes. As I made my way downstairs for dinner, I told myself the next day I would just pack a bunch of clothes, lock up, and stay away for a while.
Chapter Twelve
When I woke up the next morning something was bothering me and I had to get to the bottom of it. Janice Blaine was the only person Carrie and I had talked with about Joe Dibello, and I wondered since he sent his goon to see me specifically if she knew him and if she had said something to him. How else would he have found me? I had to call Janice that morning to get to the bottom of it.
I was going to the bakery a little bit later that day because Carrie was nice enough to go in and open up and let me sleep in. I decided to call Janice around 9:00 New York time to fish for a little information.
"Harper! It is so good to hear from you!"
"How are you, Janice?"
"I'm good!”
“How are wedding plans coming along?” I asked.
“Everything is right on track. I have an amazing wedding planner and she has thought of everything! I hope that you’ll be able to experience this kind of love soon.”
“Thanks, Janice. I am very happy for you. It seems that you are finally getting everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“I really am, Harper, and I am so grateful for it all.”
It was a relief to know that she was still the same sweet Janice I knew from high school. I felt comfortable just coming right out and asking her about Joe and I didn’t have a lot of time to beat around the bush about it.
“Janice, the reason I am calling is that Joe Dibello sent someone to scare me yesterday and he did a great job.”
“What?!” Her shriek caught me off guard as I was still a little bit jumpy after what happened the day before.
I took a few seconds to take a deep breath and then I continued.
“Yes, and I was wondering if you have heard anything about him lately.”
“Me? No, I don’t know him, Harper. I know that he is bad news and he knows some bad people but that’s it. Why on earth would he come after you?”
“The guy said that Joe heard I was asking around about him and you were the only person I talked to about him.”
“Harper, I swear, I have nothing to do with this. It is the craziest…”
Her words trailed off and she was silent for a few seconds.
“Janice? Is something wrong?”
“Gina,” she said, her voice deadpan.
“Gina?”
“Yes, the hostess at the club I used to work at. My husband insisted I stop working there. I bet she said something to him.”
"She knows him?" I asked.
"Yes, he's an old friend. They grew up in the same neighborhood and their moms are friends."
"Why would she say anything to him and how would she even know about me?"
"I think you mentioned that we went to the high school reunion so she knew you were from Prairie Cove and she must have told him. Maybe it just came out in casually conversation that someone from Prairie Cove was visiting New York. Sarah was the only person who ever visited me from there and she was probably excited to have a little bit of gossip to share since Brad and I had such a whirlwind romance. He was the most eligible bachelor in New York for years and everyone was trying to tie him down. So when he showed such interest in me, Gina was obsessed."
"But how would he know I was asking about him?"
Janice was silent for a minute and I could tell she knew something.
"Oh Harper, I think I might have said something without thinking. I was talking to Gina about Sarah and telling her how much I missed her. I told her that I wished Sarah would have taken my advice and gotten her life together, I wished she would have stayed away from Joe and then I said that you were wondering if Joe knew what happened to Sarah. That is all I said but maybe she relayed that message to Joe and he didn't like it. I am so sorry, Harper! I didn't mean to cause any trouble for you!"
I could hear the remorse in her voice so I couldn't really get upset with her; I was just annoyed that she had even mentioned my name which caused me to be on Joe's radar. However, that was not going to stop me from getting to the bottom of who killed Sarah. The fact that Joe had a shady business that Sarah was involved in, and he sent someone to threaten me, made him suspect number one in my book. I wanted to do something that everyone would probably discourage me from doing…I wanted to find Joe Dibello.
"I know you would never intentionally do something like that, Janice. I am not upset with you, but I do have a question for you."
"Sure, ask away."
"Do you know how I can find Joe Dibello?"
"Are you sure you want to do that, Harper? Joe is not a nice person and he is a very dangerous man."
"Yes, I am. When he sent someone to threaten me he made things personal. I am not going to live in fear in Prairie Cove. If Joe Dibello has something to say to me, he can say it himself, in person."
“Harper, I don’t think it’s a good idea to…”
I had to cut her off. Joe had crossed a line with me and I wanted to get to the bottom of his involvement in Sarah’s murder. If I had to ask him outright if he did it, I had no problem doing that. I was not going to be terrorized in my hometown.
“Janice, I appreciate what you’re going to say but I would like to talk to him. Can you please contact Gina and pass on the message?”
“Are you sure, Harper?”
“Yes. I am.” My voice was firm.
She slowly let out a deep breath and I could hear how frustrated she was. I knew that she was concerned for me and while I appreciated it, I had to squash things with Joe Dibello.
“Okay, against my better judgment I will talk with Gina. Just make sure that you are prepared for what might come of this, Harper. Please be careful.”
“I will. Thank you, Janice. I just want to get to the bottom of all of this and this is probably the fastest way it can happen. You know that Prairie Cove is not the kind of place where you have to constantly look over your shoulder, and that is what it is like now. I won’t live like that.”
“I totally understand, Harper. Just be careful, okay?”
“Yes, I will. I’d better let you go Janice, I need to get to work. I am so happy that you are happy and congratulations again on your upcoming wedding!”
“Thank you, Harper. Hey, do me a favor. Check in with me in a few days so that I know you are okay. Promise?”
It was very sweet of her to worry about me.
“Yes, I will. I promise. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!”
She gave a reluctant sigh. “Okay. Have a good day, Harper.”
“You too, Janice.”
When I hung up I sat on the bed for a few minutes and I have to admit that I wondered if I had made the right decision. Janice was right. Joe Dibello was a dangerous man. For just a second I almost regretted my decision and then the fact that I was sitting there debating over something like that infuriated me because I had never had to fear for my safety before. I was eager and ready to face Joe Dibello.
When I walked into the bakery later that morning, Edna was the first smiling face I saw. She didn’t have her girls with her, which was rare but did happen on occasion.
“Good morning, Harper! Have I ever told you how happy your pastries make me? They are just delicious!”
I laughed and nodded my head.
“I think you may have told me that a time or two, Edna! I am so happy that you enjoy them.”
“Could I trouble you for a refill on my coffee?”
“Sure thing. Coming right up!”
Just that small interaction brightened my day. Edna was very sweet and always had a friendly smile for me. I poured her coffee and turned to go put the pot back on the burner when she gently touched my arm.
“Can I trouble you for a few minutes? I want t
o ask you something.”
“Of course, Edna, it’s no trouble at all. Is everything okay?” I asked as I sat next to her.
“Oh yes, dear, everything is fine. I wanted to ask how you are doing. With all of the unusual visitors we have had in Prairie Cove lately I wanted to make sure that you are okay.”
