Allegiance, page 3
His expression hardens as he gazes across the street at Eddie who’s loading a baby crib into the back of a pickup parked in front of his house. “Hell, yes, I knew Dani. And her beautiful baby, too.”
He folds him arms across his chest and stares down at me. His teeth are stained brown from chewing tobacco, but when I look into his soul, I like what I see. This is a man I can trust. However, I keep silent while he tries to decide whether or not he can trust me.
Apparently, I pass the test, because he points at the front porch spanning the width of his old but immaculately maintained house. Two Appalachian rockers sit side by side, protected from the weather by an overhanging roof. “I could use a sit down. Let’s you and me chat a while.”
Without waiting for an answer, he turns and strides toward the house. I trot behind him; amazed I can barely keep up with a man of his advanced years.
He points at one of the rockers. “You sit there. It was my wife, Ellen’s. She’s gone now. Just like Dani.”
I thank him and settle into the chair. The cushion lining the wooden rocker still holds the shape of his wife’s body and encircles my body in a welcoming fashion,
He extends his hand. “I’m Hank Peterson. Lived here for forty years. Seen a lot of young folks come and go.”
His grip is firm even though his skin is freckled with age spots and his knuckles swollen with arthritis.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Peterson. My name is Melanie Sullivan, but most people call me Mel.”
“And I’m Hank, not Mr. Peterson,” he says. “Why did you ask me about Dani?”
“What do you think of her husband, Eddie?”
He stands, places his hands on the porch railing and spits a stream of tobacco juice into the juniper bushes lining the front of the house. He turns to me and winks. “That’s what I think of Eddie Morgan.”
He plops back into his chair. “Why do you ask?”
I choose my words carefully. “Do you know about his connection with the Rockwells and what happened when they got arrested?”
He blinks rapidly and glares at me. “I know you young people don’t believe in newspapers, but I do. I read the paper every morning. And yes, I know the Rockwells ended up with Destiny. I’d sure like to know what happened to her after they got arrested. She was an angel, just like her mother. Couldn’t ask for a better neighbor than Dani. After my wife died, Dani brought me food every day and stayed to visit. “
After my blubbering episode with Kendra, my tears are still close to the surface. A few of them spill over and trickle down my cheeks. I wipe them away. He listens carefully as I describe Kendra and Craig’s effort to add Destiny to their family. “Would you like to see her?”
“Absolutely.”
I promise I’ll try to arrange it. We rock in companionable silence for a long moment. Finally, I say, “What did you hear about Dani’s death?”
Hank folds his arms across his chest and stares into middle space. “They say she fell, hit her head, and died in the hospital.”
“Eddie said she was painting the bathroom and she hit her head on the tub. Apparently, she fell off the ladder.”
Hank’s head swivels toward me, his eyes wide with surprise. “Fell off the ladder? They didn’t own a ladder. She was going to borrow mine.”
“Maybe they bought one.”
“No way. She asked me about it the day before the accident.”
“You sure about that? The time line I mean?”
He gives me his frowny face. “Young lady. Mel. I know I’m old, but I still have all my faculties. Plus, I keep a journal. Every day, I write down details about the weather, my interaction with others, and what I’ve accomplished. It’s important, you know. To accomplish at least one task each day.”
I can’t believe it. I’ve managed to make contact with a veritable font of information. And, he has the journal to prove it.
I lift out of the rocker and shake his hand again. “Thank you so much, Hank. My friend and I are trying to prove Eddie had a hand in Dani’s death, and your journal might be very important. And please, don’t share this information with anyone unless I tell you it’s okay. I’ll be in touch.”
He stands. “So, what’s next?”
“I’m going to Eddie’s yard sale and make sure there’s no ladder in his garage.”
“I heard he got a job in Idaho starting next month.”
I blow out a sigh. “Well, damn. Guess we need to do something fast.”
“Let me know if I can help. And, bring Destiny by for a visit.”
I wave my goodbye and trot across the street and spot Eddie casting furtive glances at Kendra. He’s on the move, making sure there’s a crowd of people between the two of them. Wait ’til he sees who else has joined the party.
While he’s focused on Kendra, I stifle an evil chuckle and head for a table piled high with pink baby clothes.
“Sir,” I call in a shrill, not to be ignored tone. “These clothes have very little wear. Are they brand new?”
Eddie whirls around and meets my gaze. It takes a moment for his brain to collate the data. When it does, his eyes flare with alarm, his upper lip curls back like a feral cat, and he backs slowly away, narrowly missing an elderly woman with a walker who barks, “Watch it, young man!”
Kendra and I skirt around the edge of the crowd. I fill her in on what I’ve learned from Hank. We check out the garage and determine there are no ladders for sale.
Our work here is done.
Chapter Five
We talk about options on the drive home and agree they are limited.
“Billy,” Kendra says. “He’s our only connection to law enforcement.”
“Not sure what he can do. He’s new on the force. Besides, you can’t bring a guy in for questioning because he doesn’t own a ladder.”
“There’s got to be a way. Eddie’s not that bright. Maybe they could tell him new evidence has been uncovered, implicating him in Dani’s death.”
“Then, he shows up with his lawyer and says, ‘What evidence?’”
I blow out an exasperated breath and pound a fist on my knee. “Damn it! All I want is the opportunity to look into the big bastard’s eyes and see if he’s lying.”
Kendra reaches over and squeezes my hand. “It will still be a dead end unless he suddenly decides to confess. Not gonna happen.”
“We still have to try. And time is running out. If he killed Dani and thinks he got away with it, he might move to Idaho and do it again. Avenging angels…right?”
Kendra nods. Frustrated and out of solutions, we ride in silence until we reach Number Ten. Billy is standing in the open doorway; his Harley parked beneath my front window.
Kendra looks over at me, gives me a wink. “Shall we double team him or would you rather use your seductive skills?”
Even though I’m still a little pissed off at Billy, I grin. “How about both? Plan A and Plan B.”
We bump fists and climb out of the car.
Billy wraps one arm around Kendra, the other around me and pulls us in for a bear hug. “How are my girls? What mischief have you been up to so early in the morning?”
Kendra pushes him away. I snuggle a little closer. Never too soon to start working on my seductive skills. We step into Number Ten and close the door. He drops a kiss on top of my head, points at the rumpled bed and the trail of clothes leading to the bathroom. “Looks like you left in a hurry.”
“Trust Billy to zero in on the bed,” Kendra mutters. She pulls out one of the two chairs next to a small table, the sum total of my furniture. “Sit.”
Billy gives her a half-assed salute, turns the chair backward and straddles it. “What can I do for you, little sis?”
Kendra takes the other chair. I perch on the bed. We both start talking a mile a minute, our outrage growing as we relate the ladder story. Finally, he lifts a hand. “Hold it. And you want me to do what?”
“Look into it, of course. Was Eddie ever questioned about Dani’s death?” I say.
“I doubt it. At the time, there was no reason to. He called 911. Said his wife fell and hit her head. Apparently the docs found nothing suspicious. So now, you’re telling me he didn’t own a ladder. Pretty easy to come up with a cover story. He’d say he borrowed one from a buddy and returned it.”
Kendra leans across the table and pokes a finger in Billy’s chest. “You’re a smart guy. I bet you can figure out a way to talk to Eddie, even if it’s not official. Just make sure Mel’s with you so…” her voice trails off.
Billy shoots me a quick glance. “So Mel can do her thing.”
Do I detect a trace of bitterness in his tone? Or am I being a hypersensitive, needy bitch? Only time will tell.
Kendra stands. “You got it. She’ll be able to tell if he’s lying.”
I cringe inwardly, knowing this is the very issue looming large in my relationship with Billy.
He says, “And do what? Charge him with murder on the basis of what Minnie sees in his soul? There’s a little thing called proof.”
With a snort of disgust, Kendra heads for the door. “First things first, brother. You do your part, we’ll do ours.”
Huh? I’m not sure what she means, but nod enthusiastically anyway. I lock the door and walk over to Billy. It’s time for Plan B.
I press my body against the back of the chair he’s straddling. I stroke his face with both hands, taking care to avoid his gaze. Now is not the time to talk, to ferret out the truth. Instead, I focus on his sensual mouth and softly feather my lips across his. His hands slide around my body, cupping my butt, his fingers probing and caressing. A shiver of anticipation crawls down my spine and settles deep in my belly. I catch my breath, wrap my arms around his neck and lean into the kiss.
Breathing hard, Billy pulls away. “Hang on.”
He stands, kicks the chair away, and lifts me up, pressing me against his body. My legs encircle his waist, and I hang on tight as he walks us to the bed. Flat on my back with Billy above me, I reach for the fastener on my jeans. His hand is already there, deftly unbuttoning my pants and sliding beneath my panties. I groan with pleasure as his lips follow the path of his hand, trailing kisses along the tender skin of my belly.
Eager to feel his naked body against mine, I push him away and try to squirm out of my jeans, only to get them hung up on my running shoes. My ankles are bound together. I struggle to a sitting position and reach for the shoes.
Billy chuckles and uses his body to pin me to the bed. His mouth brushes against my ear. He whispers, “You have a dilemma, Minnie. Handcuffs for the feet. Looks like you’re at my mercy. Hmm, whatever do you suppose I should do in this situation?”
He clamps his hands around my hips and slides down my body, his silken tongue leaving a trail of heat, igniting a fire begging to be quenched.
I manage to gasp out an answer, “Not much fun for you.”
He lifts his head stares directly into my eyes. The fire I see burning in his soul each time we make love burns brightly. “Making you happy makes me happy.”
The honesty I see in his soul chases away my doubts. For the moment.
“Besides,” he murmurs. “My turn will come.”
Guess I didn’t realize how much my body missed his. I lose myself in the sensation of his mouth hot against me, unable to think, unable to breathe, unable to move until I’m borne away on waves of pleasure.
I remain in my happy place while Billy kneels, removes my shoes and releases me from my denim prison. Our clothing ends up in a tangled mess on the floor. At some level I’m aware he’s slipped on a condom. Then, his body covers mine and we rock together in a rhythm as ancient as the history of mankind.
Later, as we snuggle together half asleep, I realize I’ve lost my focus. I’ve never been good at using my feminine wiles for trickery. Is it too late now? Worth a try.
I give Billy’s neck a little nip. He rouses from his somnolence and pulls me closer. “Again, you insatiable wench?”
“Nope, just wondering where Eddie Morgan hangs out now. It’s sure not at Nick’s. Guess he doesn’t want to run into me.”
He pulls me on top of his body and ruffles my hair with one big hand. “Wondered when we were going to get around to Eddie.”
I feel a flush rise in my cheeks. Guess my seductive skills could use a bit of tuning up. “Sorry, Billy. I can’t let it go.”
His chest rises and falls in a deep sigh. “Tell you what. I’ll check it out and let you know. Will that work?”
“Oh, yeah, that will work,” I say. “Making you happy, makes me happy.”
And, I proceeded to make him happy. Again.
Chapter Six
I’m standing in the shower. A stream of hot water pounds the top of my skull. My brain is swimming in confusion. Before Billy left to go to the Vet’s Center for a meeting, he said Candy Talbot has a new boyfriend. Yes, the very same Candy who I had pegged as my rival for Billy’s affection. She now has a rich lawyer boyfriend and, according to Billy, is madly in love.
Part of me is relieved. The other part is still fretting, since I can clearly see Billy is troubled. The only time he’s fully present is when we make love. The rest of the time, his glances are fleeting, as if he’s afraid I’ll see something he’d rather keep hidden. Therefore, I tiptoe around the issue, taking care not to rock the boat. I can’t be myself. I feel like we’re living a lie, and it’s making me crazy.
I hop out of the shower, throw on some clothes, and fire up Buttercup. Steve and I have an 11:00 a.m. meeting with Louise Goodhart concerning her client, Rebecca Porter. I glance at the time on my cell phone and stomp on the accelerator. Time wise, I’m cutting it close. Louise does not look like the type who tolerates tardiness.
By the time I park the car and dash up the stairs to the CyberSecure office, it’s 11:05. I’m overheated and breathing hard. I burst through the door and find Steve and Louise sipping tea from the delicate china cups I’m afraid to use for fear of breakage. Give me a sturdy mug filled with strong, black coffee, and I’m a happy camper.
“Ah, here she is,” Steve says with a smile.
Goodhart’s cool glance appraises my frazzled appearance, and I feel my face heat up. It’s like she knows exactly why I’m late. Thank you, Billy.
“Sorry.” I pull up a chair. “Heavy traffic.”
I can see Louise doesn’t buy this, but Steve waves a dismissive hand. “No problem.”
He slides a folder across the desk to Goodhart. “Melanie and I conferred, after her meeting with your client. Here are the results.”
She takes her time, tracing the words down the page with her pointer finger. When she’s done, her frosty gaze swings over to me. “So, bottom line, she’s not lying about the optometrist? “
“She’s not lying.”
She frowns at me. “But you mention seeing something else. Therefore, you can’t be one hundred percent sure, can you?”
Steve clears his throat. I sense he’s about to jump in and rescue me. No way.
“I am absolutely, one hundred percent certain she’s not lying about the doctor and his inappropriate behavior. The other issue is harder to explain.”
I glance over at Steve who gives me a barely perceptible nod, his way of telling me to go for it.
“Steve and I have seen this phenomenon before. A fleeting image darts across the soul, indicating the person has a secret he or she would rather not share. Something is bothering Rebecca, something she wants to keep hidden.”
“Maybe she’s hiding the fact she’s lying.”
“No,” I insist. “We’re talking about two separate issues.”
She looks at Steve. “Do you agree?”
“Absolutely. Of course, it’s your decision about what to do with the information. It’s not for us to say.”
Goodhart sets the report on Steve’s desk and sighs. “Yes, you’re right. My decision.”
She drums her fingers on the desktop and considers her options for at least a full minute. Finally she turns to me and her lips curl upward in a brief, humorless smile. “I believe I’ll take her case on one condition.”
Steve and I wait her out.
She rises and stabs a finger in my direction. “I need further proof. Therefore, I think it would be advantageous to have another opinion. Melanie, perhaps you’re in need of an eye exam.”
Even though I’m wondering why I’m the chosen one, not Louise who wastes no time leaving our office, I reluctantly make an appointment with Dr. Dirk Hoffman for the following week. Billable hours. I need the money, plus, I’ll be getting a free eye exam. Bring it on, Dr. Hoffman!
Before I head out, Steve says, “Don’t forget about lunch tomorrow.”
“There’s no way I can ever forget my birthday,” I say. “Thanks to my mother.”
Steve grins. “So, you’ll be getting a phone call?”
“Oh, yeah. Every year I hear the same story. A detailed description of her long, agonizing labor, the delivery, and how I was kicking and screaming like I didn’t want to be born and…” I take a shaky breath and stare at the floor before continuing. “Not Hope though. Sandra swears Hope was born smiling.”
Memories of my twin sister who died at age six always had the same result—me fighting back tears, which is why I do my best to keep thoughts of her at bay. I swipe at my eyes and turn toward the door.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you deal with your sister’s death?”
My anger flares. I stop and spin around, ready to tear into him. How dare he pass judgment about the worst day of my life? When it happened, he was living in Spain and seemingly unaware of our existence.
My anger fades when I see what he’s holding, cradling in his hands like it’s a fragile, exquisite treasure. I know exactly what he’s seeing since I have the original photograph. It was our sixth birthday. A smiling Hope squints into the camera with a gap-toothed smile. I stand next to her, mugging for the camera. Our hands are joined. With her free hand, Hope grips the string attached to the red helium balloon floating above her. Mine is blue. Our birthday tradition. Red balloon for Hope. Blue balloon for Honor. Obviously, the tradition died along with Hope.
