Red Julie (An Olivia Miller Mystery Book 2) (25 page)

“Liv?” Joe asked, wondering why she was staring at the box.

She put the box back on the bed. “Something came into my mind. But then I lost it.” Her voice was croaky from the tube that had been dropped down her throat during the surgery. Joe tilted his head and looked at her, questioning.

“What were you thinking?” Brad asked.

“Not sure,” Olivia said. Her eyes were half closed. “When can I go home?”

Joe responded, “The doc said you can probably go home in forty-eight hours.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “Don’t leave me.” She fought to keep her eyes open, but her body’s need for rest won out and she drifted away into sleep.

Just before noon, Joe returned to the hospital from having gone home to shower and shave. He brought Olivia some pajamas, clothes and toiletries from her house and had her backpack and laptop and some flowers that he and Brad had spent quite a bit of time choosing from the florist shop. Brad had to return to work but he demanded that Joe call him every hour with updates. When Joe finally found the room Olivia had been moved to, he saw her sitting up in bed, her hair in a ponytail, talking to Detective Brown, who was sitting in the chair next to her.

Olivia’s face brightened when Joe entered the room. “Joe!”

“You look terrific,” Joe told her and kissed her head. “These are from Brad and me.” He set the vase of flowers on the window sill.

“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

“Detective.” Joe nodded to Brown and said to Olivia, “I brought your laptop and some of your things.” Joe put the bag on the floor and Olivia beamed at him.

“You recovered my backpack,” she said.

“I did indeed,” Joe said.

“Detective Brown is questioning me about the other night,” Olivia told him.

“So soon?” Joe asked, concerned about Olivia having to relive it all.

“It’s best to take the information when it’s fresh,” the detective said. “Before she has a chance to hear things from others.”

“Should I wait outside?” Joe asked.

“No,” Olivia told him. “I’d like you to stay with me.”

“It won’t take too long,” said Brown.

Joe pulled up the extra side chair and listened as Olivia recounted the events of the previous night, explaining how Alexei had texted her from Hannigan’s phone and that she went to the house expecting to meet Hannigan there. Joe’s emotions alternated between horror for what Olivia endured and fury at the people who inflicted it on her.

Brown wrote in his notebook. “I know it’s difficult to have to tell this. I appreciate your going through it with me.” He closed the notebook and looked at Olivia. His face was serious.

“You should know that Alexei Siderov survived the gunshot.”

Olivia’s eyes widened in shock. Joe looked pained.

“He’s in no condition to give us any information right now, but we hope to talk with him soon.” He paused. “Most likely, we will need you to testify when we go to court.”

Olivia nodded.

Joe piped up. “What about Mike Sullivan, Detective? Do you know how he’s doing?”

“Mr. Sullivan has been in a medically-induced coma. He was in tough shape. He hasn’t been able to give us any information. He is expected to pull through.”

“Thank God,” Olivia murmured. “What about Liz Sullivan?”

“She’ll be fine. She’s been seen by a plastic surgeon,” Brown told them. “When will you be discharged?”

“The day after tomorrow,” Olivia said.

“I’ll have to collect the necklace that Andersen passed to you. As evidence.”

“Of course,” Olivia said.

“Why don’t I give you a call the afternoon you’re discharged and see how you’re feeling? Maybe I can come by to pick it up then. The sooner the better, I’m afraid.”

“I could bring it by the station later today, if that would help,” Joe offered.

“No, no. That’s not necessary,” Brown said. “I might need to ask Olivia a few more questions anyway.” He stood. “I’m glad to see you’re doing so well,” he told her. “Thank you for your time.”

Joe stood and came around the end of the bed to shake Brown’s hand.

As soon as Brown was out the door, Joe said, “For Pete’s sake. They can’t even give you a few hours to rest.” He shook his head. “I just don’t like that guy.” He took the seat that Brown had been in.

“He’s okay, Joe. It has to be done,” Olivia said softly. She seemed to have lost her energy.

“Can’t believe one of those bastards survived,” Joe muttered angrily. “He should have died.”

“Joe…we shouldn’t think that way,” Olivia whispered.

“A trial? God,” Joe said.

Olivia was quiet.

“Are you doing alright, Liv?” Joe asked, concerned.

“Just tired from the telling, I guess.” She turned her head to Joe. “I need to hear how you and Brad showed up with the posse at Siderov’s.”

“Not now, sweetheart. Why don’t you rest?”

“I want to hear. Tell me. I can listen while I rest. Please, Joe.”

“I’ll give you the condensed version. Then when Brad is here, you can get us to fill things in,” Joe told her.

She closed her eyes and nodded. “Tell,” she said.

“Brad came to my house looking for you,” Joe said. “He had been trying to reach you for hours. We went to the shop, went to your house. Brad had to go back to work the event at his bookstore, so I took the bike and went to Hannigan’s house to see if you were there doing surveillance. There was a light on in the living room and I decided to go up and knock. I saw your backpack on the couch and I got panicked. Detective Brown came into the living room just as I was about to bang on the glass. He was searching Hannigan’s house, looking for anything that could shed some light on Andersen’s death. I told him my concerns, grabbed your backpack, and we went to the Siderov’s to speak to them. Of course, while riding the bike to Hannigan’s my phone fell out of my pocket and Brad couldn’t reach me.”

Olivia opened her eyes and chuckled, but had to clutch her stomach from the pain. “Ugh. You and that phone, Joe.”

“So Brad called the Ogunquit police and made up a story that he saw a man dragging me into Hannigan’s house.” Olivia opened her eyes in astonishment.

Joe continued, “Well, I wouldn’t answer his calls and he knew I went to Hannigan’s and he was worried. The police met Brad at Hannigan’s just when Brown and I were leaving for the Siderov’s so we all went together.”

Joe paused and cleared his throat. “The housekeeper answered the door. She looked frightened, nervous. One thing led to another and we ended up breaking into the basement.”

Joe looked over at Olivia. “The end,” he said.

Olivia turned her head. “I’m surprised the police would agree to go to the Siderov’s based solely on your worries.”

“They had some suspicions of their own as it turns out, and with you missing – well, it gave them cause.” Joe paused, then said, “There was a drug warehouse in the basement of the Siderov’s house.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “What?”

“They were storing drugs, shipping them through Canada to couriers who took them overseas. Allegedly, of course. They were also suspected of money laundering, racketeering, theft of antiquities and major works of art. Not to mention the murder of at least nineteen people. Those are the things the police know about. There may be more.”

“You’re making this up,” Olivia said.

“I kid you not,” Joe answered.

“Good God,” she said.

“You got that right.”

Olivia struggled to sit up. “So what were Aggie’s and Martin Andersen’s connection, besides him being a customer of hers? What did they know? How was Aggie involved with the Siderovs?”

Joe shrugged. “Unknown.”

Olivia frowned.

“I assume the police will try to link that necklace Andersen gave you to the Siderovs,” Joe said. “And as far as ‘red Julie’…no clue.”

Olivia looked off into space and sighed. Her face brightened. “Joe! I almost forgot! When I was at Hannigan’s, I saw Aggie’s camera bag on a bookshelf. She had been at Andersen’s house. We need to get it. We need to look through the pictures on her camera.”

“Her camera bag?” Joe stared at her. “Why was it there?” Joe wondered.

“Maybe she and Andersen were watching the Siderov’s house?” Olivia said. “Would you hand me my laptop, Joe?”

Olivia sent an email to Rodney Hannigan telling him that she was okay and that while she was being held at his house against her will, she saw a camera bag belonging to Aggie. As she would have to lie low for a few days to recover from surgery, Olivia asked if Joe might be able to borrow the key from Detective Brown and go by and pick up the bag sometime soon. She included Joe’s cell phone number in the email.

Olivia shut down her laptop and Joe moved it aside. She leaned back on her pillow. “Joe, maybe we’ll find some pictures on Aggie’s camera that will give us some information.”

Joe nodded. “And maybe that bastard Alexei can give some answers as well. And if I find out he had something to do with Aggie’s death…” His voice trailed off.

By the time the hospital managed to discharge Olivia, it was well past noon. Brad and Joe loaded Olivia and all her things into Brad’s car and they made the short drive back to Ogunquit. As they pulled into her driveway Joe said, “I don’t know why you have to be so difficult.”

“Well if I wasn’t, then it wouldn’t be me,” Olivia said.

“I agree with Joe,” Brad said.

“That is no surprise,” Olivia answered.

“You shouldn’t be alone right after getting out of the hospital,” Brad told her. “The nurse said so.”

“Joe is right next door,” Olivia said.

This argument had been going on since they pulled out of the hospital driveway. Olivia wanted to be in her own house and in her own bed. She knew Joe and Brad had work to tend to - and anyway, she didn’t want to be fussed over.

“Liv…forget it. I’m not going to Wells today,” Joe said. “And maybe not tomorrow either. If you won’t come to my house, then I’m coming to yours. I’ll bring my paperwork over and I’ll do it at your kitchen table. After that, I’ll leave you alone for a while, but I’ll be back with dinner and I’m sleeping in the guest room tonight. You aren’t going to be alone your first night out of the hospital. That would be just plain dumb.”

Olivia sighed. “Fine.”

They helped her into her house. Brad got pillows and blankets from the spare bedroom and made a nice nest on the couch for Olivia. Joe put her clothes away and freshened the water in the vase of flowers. He brought her some books and made sure her laptop was in easy reach. Brad made a pot of tea and placed it on the coffee table.

“You’re both good to me.” She smiled at them as she settled on the couch and snuggled under the fleece blanket. Even though it was a warm day, she felt a little chilled. She sipped the tea. “Thank you,” she said. Brad put her cell phone and the television remote on the end table.

“I’ll call you later,” Brad told her. “I need to get back to the store. Don’t give Joe a hard time.”

“Tell him not to give me a hard time,” she said. “He’s like a clucking hen.”

“I heard that,” Joe called from the kitchen. He carried in a plate of toast and jam. “I’m going home to get my paperwork. I’ll be right back. Try to stay out of trouble until I get back.”

Brad and Joe walked to the door. “Call me if she gets too unbearable,” Brad said to Joe.

Joe worked at Olivia’s kitchen table while she dozed, used her laptop, nibbled at whatever Joe brought her to eat, and strolled around the house a little.

“I better get better fast otherwise I’ll go stir crazy.”

Joe answered without looking up from his papers, “You’ve only been home for four hours.” Joe’s phone rang and he answered. A realtor friend of his called to tell him about a property coming up for sale and he asked Joe if he wanted to come take a look. It was right near the center of Ogunquit on Beach Street and Olivia urged him to go.

“I’m fine. Go. You’ll be back before my next round of bad luck descends. I’d ask to come along but I know what the answer will be.”

Joe reluctantly made arrangements to meet the realtor for a brief look at the house. “I’ll be back in an hour or two. I’ll bring dinner back.”

“Don’t rush. Really. Nothing can happen to me sitting here on the sofa,” Olivia told him. Joe kissed her and headed out to walk up to the center of town.

Olivia startled awake with a jolt. She had napped sitting in the living room chair and wasn’t sure if what woke her was in her dream or not. A strong breeze was blowing outside and the shade was banging against the open window. Olivia held her stomach with one hand and with the other pushed herself up out of the chair. She walked over to the window to shut it and saw that black clouds were rolling in from the west. She went around the rest of the rooms to shut the windows in anticipation of rain. When she was in the den, the doorbell rang. Olivia’s stomach was getting sore, so she kept her hand on the bandages as she tried to hurry to the front door.

“Detective.” Olivia was surprised to see Detective Brown standing on her front porch.

“Sorry I didn’t call first. I was driving by and thought I’d take the chance to see if you were home so I could pick up the necklace.” A gust of wind brought the scent of rain.

Olivia nodded and stepped back. “Come in.”

The detective walked into the living room. “Thanks. Are your friends around?” Brown asked.

“No, Brad is working and Joe had to go out,” Olivia said. “He won’t be gone long.

The necklace is in my room,” Olivia told him. “Please sit down. I’ll just be a minute to get it.” She gestured to the living room chairs. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“Oh, no, thanks. I’m all set.”

Olivia started for the hallway.

“How are you feeling?” the detective asked.

“I’m okay. Just starting to feel a little tired and sore, but not bad at all,” Olivia said as she left the room to get the necklace. She walked gingerly down the hall to her bedroom, holding her stomach.

“Glad to hear it,” Brown called to her from the living room. “You’ll be good as new to start Stanford in the fall.”

Olivia stopped short. Her breath caught in her throat.
Stanford? The only person I told I was going to Stanford was Siderov.
Her blood turned to ice.