Good Bones, page 3
“A TV spot is excellent publicity,” said Jeremy, “but don’t discount word-of-mouth to build clientele. I counseled at the women’s correctional center when I came back to town. I only had a short contract, but the time there allowed me to connect with the local police department. Now, I’m on retainer with the force. Anytime an officer has a referral for counseling, I get the call.”
“Are referrals common?” asked Katherine. “Police work is stressful.”
“Not that many. I have one person now seeing me who was involved in a shooting. Counseling is mandatory anytime an officer fires a gun.”
Katherine met with her first new client that morning, pleased to note she arrived without a tinfoil helmet. April called at lunchtime. “Did you see the interview?” she blurted in a rush. “Of course, you did. The whole crew thought you came off great, especially Parker. He wants you back again a week from Saturday for a conversation on phobias so it’s all set. Not this week because we have The B Guy. Can’t wait until Dr. Ingalls’ party on Friday. Gotta go, I have a call on the other line. Bye!”
Katherine stared at the phone in her hand wondering exactly when during the conversation she actually agreed to the second interview and who the heck was The B Guy? “Well, why not?” she murmured. “Maybe I can snag two more clients after the next show.”
****
By the time Katherine and April arrived at Jeremy’s house on Friday, the party was in full swing. April eyeballed the luxury sedans parked outside and whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “I’m way out of my league.”
“Me, too,” said Katherine lightly. “I only came for the food.”
Steps led up to mahogany double doors and an elaborate two-story entrance with marble foyer. “Nice digs,” muttered Katherine under her breath. She shot April a teasing look. “Mind your manners.”
April grinned. “At least until we’ve eaten.”
They wandered toward the back of the house where a wall of glass fronted the bay. A crowd gathered around a bar in the kitchen/family room. Other guests wandered outside to a large deck. Caterers had set up an extensive buffet, and the tables had a breathtaking view of the water.
Jeremy waved a greeting from across the room. They joined him, and Katherine introduced April. “You have a beautiful home,” she said.
“Thanks. Credit goes to my father though. I just had the good fortune to inherit.”
Katherine motioned at the crowd. “Nice turnout.”
“Business associates, mostly,” said Jeremy, “members of the board of the Ingalls Trust, and anyone else I want to schmooze.” He nodded toward a dark-haired man and his eyes twinkled. “The police chief. Never know when you’ll need a parking ticket fixed.”
Diana waltzed over to Jeremy’s side. “Several members of the board need to speak with you.”
He grinned. “Even off-duty, Diana watches out for me.”
“Humph,” said Diana. “I’d like to see anyone else do a better job.”
“Not a chance.” Jeremy called over his shoulder as Diana led him away. “Enjoy yourselves. Food is outside.”
Katherine and April wandered through the sliding patio doors to the deck. Across the lawn was a long pier into the bay, and tied at the end was a flashy speedboat. As Katherine gazed in appreciation at the view of the water, April sighed. “Is this what it feels like to have money?”
“No. This is what it feels like to inherit from a daddy who had money.”
April snickered. “Another thing I’ll never experience.”
“Let’s eat then. I’m starved.” Katherine motioned to the buffet line. “They have shrimp and prime rib.”
April’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “I brought the big purse. You distract the server and I’ll stuff enough inside for three meals.”
They loaded their plates and sat at a table to eat. The large glass windows fronting the patio offered a clear view of the massive family room anchoring the kitchen. Jeremy stood next to the bar talking with an attractive blonde woman who appeared barely out of her teens. He offered a drink. She took it with a flirtatious smile. Katherine eyed the scene with interest. Jeremy’s stance clearly signaled approval of her.
Katherine’s attention drifted to Diana. She stood in the middle of a group of people. Her gaze lingered on Jeremy and the blonde. Jeremy bent his head low and said something in the young woman’s ear. She threw back her head and laughed. The guest next to Diana appeared to ask her a question. She answered with a few words and a smile, and then returned her interest to the couple across the room.
Did Diana have a thing for Jeremy? Katherine looked away. None of my business. She briskly rubbed her arms.
“Cold?” asked April. “Want to go inside?”
“No, I’m fine. Got goosebumps all of a sudden.”
April’s eyes twinkled. “My mother would say someone just walked on your grave.”
“I’ve heard that phrase before and it never made sense to me. How can someone walk on my grave when I’m still alive?”
April shrugged. “Beats me. Mama’s also fond of saying, ‘A mí la muerte me pela los dientes’ which translates as ‘Death peels my teeth.’ ”
Katherine laughed. “What does that mean?”
“She used it anytime she met one of my boyfriends, so honestly I was afraid to ask.”
****
Flick…flick…flick…flick.
“Not again,” Jake growled. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Even after switching out the lamp and bulbs twice, the light continued to flash on and off. No doubt about it now. Something must be hinky in the wiring, and he had to cough up for the electrician again. This wasn’t how he planned to spend Saturday morning. Jake stifled a groan at the thought of the costly weekend service call. The last thing he needed was another unexpected expense. He should have listened to Ethan. His partner had warned him old houses were money pits.
Too late now. Jake pulled out his phone and glanced at the display. The bars faded in and out. “Perfect,” he spit in disgust.
The coffeehouse always had a strong connection. As Jake snatched his jacket from the sofa, he caught his snarling refection in the old antique mirror on the far wall. “What the hell are you looking at?” As always, the mirror had no response. He yanked the lamp’s plug from the outlet before storming out the door.
****
Katherine ambled to the coffee shop enjoying the perfect Saturday sunshine. The buffet at last night’s party had been excellent. She experienced momentary regret at talking April out of stuffing leftovers in her purse. A prime rib sandwich today would have been tasty, but for now a latte had to suffice.
Her lips formed an unconscious smile. It had been nice to get out and socialize. The party was a fun diversion from the past few hectic months when she concentrated solely on finishing her degree and finding a permanent position. After that came all the excitement of settling in Sandy Shoals. She hadn’t missed a social life…until now.
Katherine reached for the coffee shop’s door handle. A man exiting with his cell phone to his ear nearly collided with her. He flashed an apologetic grin, stepped aside, and held open the door. “Sorry…”
Although wearing a blue t-shirt under his jacket instead of gray, those dimples had stuck in her mind. “No problem,” said Katherine. She walked past him and entered the shop, her female radar sending an alert. The man’s attention remained glued to her. Katherine paused, pretending to search for the wallet in her purse. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted his bemused expression.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the person on the other end of the line snagged his attention. “Yes, I’m still here… That’s great. I didn’t think you could squeeze me in today. Five minutes away? No problem. I’m headed back now. I’ll text the address.”
Katherine lingered by the window. She watched him hurry to a pickup truck at the curb, admiring his well-muscled form.
Well? said Grampa. What’s your impression?
The way he walks… I see confidence, but no arrogance. He has a position of responsibility. Nothing ordinarily throws him, but today he’s distracted. An unexpected kink developed in his plans, but he has a way to handle it. Her lips twitched in a smile. And my-oh-my he fills out those jeans nicely.
The man slid behind the wheel. The engine turned over. His gaze strayed to the coffee shop. Katherine’s heart unexpectedly fluttered, but then he backed the truck from the curb. Stifling her disappointment, she turned from the window and went to the counter to place an order.
****
Jake gaped at the electrician. “You found nothing?”
“The wiring is all to code,” he said. “The electric outlets function perfectly. I ran every test and can’t find a thing wrong. Sorry, I had to bill you for the time.”
Jake handed over his charge card. “I understand. I’m happy the house is okay.” As if mocking Jake, the bulb in the lamp continued to burn steady and bright.
The electrician gave him the receipt. “Old houses can have crazy quirks.”
Jake shut the front door behind him. He returned to the parlor and sank into the couch. What a lousy morning. He even blew the chance to talk to Katherine Fleming for the second time. Unexpectedly, Jake had found her image popping into his thoughts more than once during the past week.
Fancy running into her like that. Jake’s curiosity had been piqued by their first encounter. Enough for him to catch the end of Miss Harmony’s ridiculous talk show last Sunday and then Chit Chat with Parker Pratt. For a shrink, she looked really hot in that red suit.
Jake voiced internal approval. Smart, too. The type of person anyone could go to in trouble. She probably gave great advice.
The lamp flicked off.
Jake leaned his head back against the cushions and moaned at the ceiling, “Aw, c’mon.”
****
Katherine rose early Sunday morning. Curious about The B Guy, she tuned into GAB-TV for Chit Chat with Parker Pratt and watched the last few minutes of Miss Harmony’s show. She was as nauseatingly effusive with callers as ever. Whiskers sprawled limply in her lap with his eyes closed. Katherine hoped he wasn’t dead.
The B Guy was really a bee guy; a beekeeper who sold his honey at the local farmer’s market. He exuded such enthusiasm that Katherine walked over in the afternoon and bought a jar. They had a pleasant conversation and he took one of her cards to pass to a cousin who recently left a bad marriage and needed a little help to get her life on track.
On Monday morning, the cousin called the office for an appointment. Diana said the new client mentioned she had actually seen her guest appearance on the previous week’s show. Katherine was now definitely a fan of Parker.
By Friday, Katherine’s thoughts drifted more and more toward the weekend. Parker’s second interview on Saturday afternoon certainly would be nice publicity. She should celebrate with a morning coffee at the shop around the corner. The thought of running into the man with the truck again produced a pleasant tingle in spots that hadn’t tingled in a while. Her love life had been sadly lacking since the move south.
It wasn’t that great in Chicago either, scolded her inner Grampa. Her mother’s voice chimed with her often-expressed opinion. You’re too picky.
“I’m not picky,” she murmured, “just observant. Okay,” she sighed, “possibly a tad too observant.”
Katherine drummed her fingers on the desk. Relationships always started well, but ardor eventually cooled leaving a hole in her heart no one seemed to fill. How could she make her mother understand? Being observant was also a curse when she could spot the flaws in a romance before they became apparent to others. Lately, her love life seemed like a dead battery waiting for the jumpstart.
You think too much, said Grampa. Lead with your heart next time, not your head.
She snorted. “You taught me.”
On the way home from work, Katherine detoured to the supermarket. A few steps from the entrance, she pulled up short. Miss Harmony exited the store with a tearful elderly woman at her side. The stranger was well-dressed and wore several pieces of expensive jewelry. She gazed at Miss Harmony in awe. “Can you really reach my husband?”
Miss Harmony pressed a business card into her hand. “I’m certain of it,” she gushed. “Call me Monday and we’ll set up an appointment.”
“Thank you.” The woman clutched the card to her chest. Her voice trembled. “It’s been so hard… I’ve felt so alone.”
“Put your mind at ease. You’re in my hands now.” With a grateful smile, the woman said goodbye. Miss Harmony’s gaze followed her as she crossed the street. Her eyes narrowed slightly, the corners of her lips made a faint upward turn.
Katherine scowled. In the full light of day, the signs were so clear. “You really are a piece of work.”
Startled, Miss Harmony turned around. “Why, Katherine,” she gushed. “I didn’t see you there.”
“I thought a psychic with your powers would sense my transcendent aura. Wait…” Her voice dripped sarcasm. “I forgot, Whiskers is the psychic. You’re the hustler.” She motioned toward the elderly woman. “How much will you take that poor woman for?”
Miss Harmony bristled. “You needn’t be insulting, and, by the way, my fees are lower than yours.” She regarded her without a shred of guilt. “You and I are basically the same. We both help clients achieve peace of mind.”
“We’re nothing alike,” Katherine snapped. “My goal is to help get people well enough to function on their own. Yours is to sucker them in and pry their wallets open.”
“Grieving loved ones get comfort,” Miss Harmony cooed. “They’re happy and satisfied with my services.” Her voice dropped to a sly whisper, “I intend to keep them that way. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must be going.”
Miss Harmony sauntered away calling over her shoulder, “I understand you’re a guest on Parker’s show tomorrow. Don’t forget to touch up your makeup. The camera picks up every flaw, and you looked a little pasty last time.”
Katherine scowled. “Pasty, my ass.”
She finished the shopping quickly and hurried home. The encounter with Miss Harmony soured her evening. Katherine went to bed early, fighting a vague feeling of malaise. She curled under the covers and shut her eyes. “Saturday will be better. I have the show with Parker in the afternoon and in the morning I’ll treat myself to a latte.” Her spirits lifted once more at the possibility of running into the man with the truck again.
Chapter 4
Jake slammed the French doors to the parlor. He leaned against the wall, heart pounding a ferocious beat. Saturday morning had started so well, too. He got up early with plans to head for the coffee shop, maybe run into Katherine Fleming…
His gaze went to the parlor door. It can’t be. It can’t be. It can’t be. No matter how many times his mind desperately repeated the words, the simple mantra didn’t erase any of the last few minutes from memory. He drew a deep steadying breath, and the mantra changed.
You saw it. You saw it. You saw it.
“Okay! I saw it. It’s real. Now what the hell do I do?”
Ideas barreled through him, each one considered in a flash and then rapidly discarded. Finally, a face appeared. “No, no, no,” he groaned. “I can’t.”
Have you completely lost your mind? It’s crazy. You’re crazy for even considering the idea.
Jake bolted from the house, slammed the front door, and got in his truck. He gripped the steering wheel, staring out the windshield at the windows of the parlor where the light continued to flick on and off. Jaw set, he whipped the phone from his pocket. He had a signal now. He placed the call, and made an appointment to meet right away. Jake hung up with a sickening feeling he just made the biggest mistake of his life.
****
Katherine walked to the coffee shop Saturday morning, an image of the mystery man in the t-shirt occupying her thoughts. She lingered at a table, reading a book on her tablet for two hours, and keeping a watchful eye on the parking lot for the pickup truck. Casual conversation starters played over in her mind, but her careful advance planning was to no avail. He never showed.
Despite the sunshine, Katherine trudged home in gloom. She kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk. What was the big deal? It’s not as if they planned a rendezvous. He was a total stranger for heaven’s sake. She didn’t even know his name. Katherine cut through the parking lot to the back entrance of the apartment building, so sunk in wistful melancholy her surroundings barely registered.
“M’row?”
“What the—” Katherine jumped, heart in her mouth, as a white cat pounced from the bushes and playfully batted at her ankle. “You again?”
The cat rubbed his face against her leg. In the bright sunlight, the name on the rhinestone collar was clearly visible.
Katherine knelt down and patted his head. “Well, I’ll be damned, Whiskers. What are you doing here? Miss Harmony films today and she can’t work her little scam alone.”
Without warning, Whiskers jumped into her arms. Katherine cradled him with a chuckle. “Wow, you’re a lot more active out of the studio. Does she dope you up before air time to keep you quiet?” She stroked his paw and cooed, “I’ll bet she does, poor thing.”
Her finger brushed against something sticky and instinctively pulled away. Red glistening droplets clung to her skin. “What did you step in? Miss Harmony will definitely not be pleased. The camera picks up every flaw…” Katherine’s eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. “Is that blood? Are you hurt?” She gave Whiskers a quick once-over, but to her relief the cat appeared unharmed. “I hope you didn’t kill a bird. If so, Miss Harmony shoulders the blame for letting you run free.”
Katherine stood up with Whiskers. “I’ll call and tell her you wandered over to my apartment. Meanwhile, come inside with me.” She made a face. “Of course, seeing as you and Miss Harmony are psychically joined, she must already have a clue.”
Miss Harmony’s business card remained in the pocket of Katherine’s red suit, but the call went directly to voicemail. She left a message and sent a text as good measure. Hours passed without any response, so Katherine phoned April.
