The Wolfe Widow (A Book Collector Mystery) (19 page)

“Hmm. How is Mick? We haven’t seen him here in a while.”

I laughed, despite the pang in my heart. “Join the club. He’s very busy. Got a big project going.”

“Something to do with antiques, I imagine.”

I hope not
, I thought. “Most likely,” I said. “Anyway—”

“So tell him I say ‘hi’ and mention that we have a fish and chips special tomorrow. Even more special for our friends.”

“Right,” I said. “So—”

She glanced over toward Mr. Murphy, who wasn’t taking part in the lively chatter at the table. Instead he was gazing out the window with a furrowed brow, oblivious.

“You sure got to him.”

“I didn’t mean to. I just mentioned Vera Van Alst and Muriel Delgado and asked about their relationship in high school. That’s all it took.”

“Why do you need to know?”

I hesitated. I didn’t know Flo except I was willing to bet she couldn’t keep a secret. “It’s complicated,” I said. “And sensitive.” Of course, I didn’t want to alienate her. I added, “Did you know them? I think they’re quite a bit older than you.” Another thing I’d picked up from the Kelly uncles: shameless flattery will hardly ever fail you.

She laughed and gave me a playful tap on the arm. “I can tell who you’re related to and yes, I did know them.”

“Muriel and Vera?”

“Yes, we went to school at the same time, not that either of them gave me the time of day. But I saw things.”

“Did you?”

“Oh yeah. I might not have been a brain like that Vera Van Alst, but I wasn’t stupid.”

“And you probably had lots of friends.”

“I did. People liked me, which is more than you can say for either—”

“I bet they did. Here’s the thing. I used to work for Vera Van Alst, but a few days ago, Muriel Delgado moved in and I was fired. So I’m—”

“What?”

“I was fired.”

“You said that Muriel Delgado moved in to Van Alst House.” Flo leaned against the counter and stared. “I can’t believe it. Did she have a gun?”

“A gun? No . . . oh, you’re joking.”

“I guess that wasn’t funny.”

“I think Vera is in danger, so can you tell me why you reacted that way?”

“Because they hated each other, at least at first. Well, Vera just had her nose in the air. She probably didn’t hate Muriel, but she wouldn’t give her the time of day. Mind you, she didn’t give anyone the time of day. I guess that changed afterward and they became friends. Muriel was a strange girl, and what a little snob that Vera was! And that was after the factory going under all because of her father and his mismanagement.”

“She hasn’t changed much.”

“You worked for her?”

“I did. And in spite of her, um, personality traits, I’m really fond of her. She was a good boss. She’s also a lonely soul. Now I am worried.”

“You should be. Muriel was a piece of work.”

At that moment a cluster of retired teachers got up and signaled. Flo made her way to the cash register.

I ducked outside to check on the dogs, who were happily cadging treats and getting ear scratches from everyone who walked by. “Won’t be long, lads,” I said. “I think I’m onto something.”

I headed back in and looked around for Flo. She was bending over listening intently to Mr. Murphy. I waited until the bills were taken care of. When I approached, she didn’t make eye contact. Bad sign.

“You were saying?” I gave her my most encouraging smile.

“I can’t really remember much. It’s been a long time since I saw either one of them. We were stupid kids. I’m sorry if I gave you any other impression.”

I felt a tingle on my neck. I turned to find Mr. Murphy’s eyes on me. There was no point in attempting to bully poor Flo. She was obviously fond of the former teacher and he’d given her a hard time.

O
UTSIDE
THE
H
UDSON
Café a couple of the regulars thought they might have recognized the Rileys. They didn’t remember where or how or why they recognized them. As I was finishing my questions, Lainie rushed out of the restaurant and gave me a huge bear hug. “I heard.”

“Heard what?”

She blinked, brushed back her elegant silver hair. “That you’d been hit by a truck, of course. Oh my God, your poor face! Those bruises.”

“Was it on the news?”

“I didn’t hear it on the news, but Jasmine from the pet shop came in for a cake a couple of minutes ago and she told me. She said you’d been in this morning.”

“Right. I went there before I saw Phyllis at the Food Drop.”

“Should you be walking around?”

I said with a grin, “A slice of your caramel cheesecake might make everything better.” For a moment I debated picking up a couple of double-chocolate mocha brownies with truffle icing, the signature treat at the Hudson Café. So many treats, so little time.

“I shouldn’t have said that about your face, Jordan. I was just alarmed about the bruises. You’re as pretty as ever and the blue will match your eyes. And I will prove that I am sorry by giving you the entire cake.”

“What? No, Lainie. How are you going to make a go of it if you give away your cakes?”

“We love you. You bring in your friends. You get hit by trucks. We want to keep you alive.”

Lainie was so warm and charming and we were so lucky to have her in our lives. I smiled. “Well. I guess I could accept
some
cake in that case.”

“You have to take it all. No more arguments. Save it for what matters.”

She took my arm and propelled me, arm in arm, into the café. I tried not to think that I was usually there with my best friends, now among the disappeared. Still, I had friends left, like Lainie.

“What’s that?” She gestured to the photos I was carrying.

“Oh, almost forgot. Do you know either of these guys?”

She squinted and paused. “I think I do. They look like a couple of landscapers who did some work for my neighbor last summer. Why?”

“They may be the guys who hit me.”

She bit her lip. “Whoa. Maybe you shouldn’t be flashing their pictures around. Did you tell the police?”

“I’m not sure I trust the police.”

Her eyes widened. “But aren’t you dating that cute blond officer?”

“He’s out of town. I’m on my own except for my uncle, who is like having the Three Stooges conveniently colocated in one body. Oh, and I have the dogs too.” I didn’t mention Cherie. She was too hard to explain.

“The Three Stooges in one man?” Lainie hooted with laughter before turning to a pair of passing servers and asking me to show the photos.

They both shook their heads.

Lainie looked worried as I left with my entire—that’s right,
entire
—caramel cheesecake. “Please be careful. I will talk to my neighbor. If I remember correctly, it wasn’t a happy situation with them. I’ll call you with whatever I find out.”

I gave her my cell number and a thankful hug. I promised to come in for a meal soon. Then I collected the dogs and headed home, not much wiser than when I left.

I was stepping out of the restaurant, carrying the cake in a large cardboard box and wondering how I could manage to carry it home while hanging on to two uncoordinated dogs of different sizes and traveling speeds. Just out the door, I spotted something that made me gasp. I stepped back into the restaurant and bumped into Lainie again.

“What is it?” she said. “You’re white as a sheet.”

“There’s a cop working his way down the street.” We peeked out, just in time to see Jones enter the Poocherie. “He’s the one who gives me really bad vibes. I think he might be connected with the Rileys. I don’t trust him at all.”

Lainie stared at me. “Really? Like a crime show on television when there’s a corrupt cop and nobody knows?”

“Except this is real. Don’t tell him I was looking for the Rileys.”

She put her hand on my shoulder and looked me straight in the eye. “Maybe you shouldn’t be looking for them. Maybe you should find a friend and just go visit for a while. Out of town. You’re in between jobs. Take advantage of it. Fly, little birdie.”

“Well, I would fly but now I have this big cake to eat. Afterward I’ll be too heavy for liftoff.”

“Cute.” She chuckled. “If you won’t be sensible, be careful. And remember, you’re not alone with just your Stooge uncle. You can call me any time.”

I felt tears welling. I hate that. “Thanks.”

Lainie’s patients must have been very lucky when she had her practice in Manhattan. Now we were fortunate to have her healing presence and her great food in Harrison Falls. I got out of there before I started to blubber.

The dogs and I turned the first corner we could and scuttled back to Michael Kelly’s Fine Antiques. Once there, I put the cheesecake in the fridge and gave the cats their Blue Wilderness. I thought I heard them ask for Cheez-Its, but surely not.

I made sure the cats were contained on Uncle Lucky’s side and then left the dogs in charge of security. I made tracks for Maple Street with my photos.

*   *   *

I CALLED UNCLE
Kev. He answered immediately in a whisper.

“Bo Peep,” he said.

“How are things?”

“You mean how are things, Eagle.”

I sighed.

“Not so good. The signora is in a bad state. She’s cooking all the time, but you know that Muriel won’t eat Italian food. The freezers are jammed and the signora’s still at it. Even the freezers in the kitchen refrigerators are stuffed with ravioli. The good stuff! Muriel won’t even look at it and I heard her complaining to Vera.”

“Well, we’re working on the Muriel problem and I need you to do some—”

“Anything you need. I’m yer man.”

“Right. So just please listen to me and don’t inter—”

“I never interrupt.”

I rolled my eyes. “I need you to go to George’s Diner and talk to a waitress called Flo. Try to find out what happened between Muriel and Vera back in high school. Flo was there at the same time. And make sure that you get her alone. There’s a retired teacher named Mr. Murphy who knows something. He says it’s unethical for him to talk about them. He doesn’t want Flo talking either, so stay out of his sight.”

“The diner’s not that big. If you’re there, you’re in sight, Jordie.”

“Yes, I found that out the hard way. Stay sharp.”

“I have an idea.”

My common sense told me not to let Uncle Kev go with any of his “ideas,” but as they say, beggars can’t be choosers.

“Just find out what people said about them. Gossip is fine. We want to know if Muriel had a hold over Vera. Apparently, at first they hated each other, oh, and Vera was a snob.”

“There’s a shocker,” Kev said with a chortle.

“Dig deep, Kev. We need to uncover what explains this bizarre hold Muriel has.”

“Will do, Bo Peep. Over and out.”

“Wait a minute! While you’re there, ask around about the Rileys. Did you get the photos from Cherie?”

“She’s great, isn’t she? In fact—”

“Kev? Focus. We’re pretty sure the Rileys hit me with their truck. I’m
really
not going to feel safe until I know where these guys are.”

“On it!”

“And Kev.”

“Yes, Jor—Bo Peep.”

“Be careful.”

*   *   *

TOM WAS PUTTERING
outside when I arrived. As usual, the Snows’ yard was immaculate. He seemed thrilled to see me. I sauntered over, keeping an eye out for rogue trucks as I went.

“Mindy will be thrilled. She’s just made a big batch of pumpkin spice muffins for Thanksgiving. Cream cheese icing too. They’re the best things ever, except for her pies. Why don’t you come in for a bite?”

Ha. I’d barely had time to drop off the cheesecake. Was it my day for baked treats or what? If I hadn’t thought my life was in danger, I would have been a happy camper. I cheerfully followed Tom.

I was disappointed that neither of them recognized the men in the photos.

“I don’t think so,” Mindy said, frowning.

“Can’t be sure,” said Tom. “The truck was moving so fast and we were just coming out the door. What we saw was you flying through the air. Want to try the muffins? They have dried cranberries and candied pumpkin seeds.”

Mindy said, “Everyone loves them so I have to bake a lot for the holidays.”

Tom glanced at her. A look of intense sadness passed between them. What was I missing?”

“One or two?” Tom said to me. I noticed that he patted Mindy’s shoulder gently as he spoke.

Who was I to say no?

It was a different story at Audra’s house. The kids were playing happily with her kitchen pots when she answered the door. Her smile faded when she saw me.

“It will just take a minute,” I said. “No pressure. I’ve been to see the Snows. They sent you these amazing pumpkin muffins. Can I come in?”

In spite of the muffins, I sensed she wanted to say no. I solved that problem by stepping through the door, smiling broadly and trying to give her a hug. “I owe you so much.”

She dodged my hug. “Mindy’s always sending food. She’s such a good cook and it’s a real shame that—”

“What?”

“You know.” She glanced at the beautiful children who shared her green eyes.

“I don’t know. Please tell me so I don’t put my foot in it when I’m talking to them. I really like them.”

“She’s always preparing for visits that never happen. They’ve a boy and a girl, both high flyers. Both married. No one made it for Thanksgiving last year. Or Christmas. They just let them think that they’ll make it this time and then something ‘comes up.’ Last year Tom and Mindy invited us at the last minute because in the end they had an empty house. Nice for us, but it’s heartbreaking.” Her voice cracked. “I can’t imagine that as a parent.”

“I’m sad to hear it. And I’m sorry to trouble you with these photos. Do you recognize these men?”

I pulled out the photos and slid them on the hall console, even as she began to protest.

Audra barely glanced at the photos. “No.” She shook her head a little too emphatically. “I’ve never seen them.”

“Sure they weren’t in the truck that hit me?”

“Yes.”

Her knuckles were white as she gripped the table edge. She wasn’t good at lying. “Good luck with your search. I have to get back to the kids now.”

I headed for the door and she was right behind me, shutting the door so fast it almost clipped my butt. It didn’t matter. Her reaction confirmed it. She’d seen the Rileys in that truck. She was too scared to admit it. She feared for her children and she knew these men were capable of killing. I couldn’t blame her.

Whatever was going on between the Rileys and Muriel, it was dangerous.

*   *   *

AFTER MY VISIT
to Audra, I sat in my car thinking for a bit before I sent a text message to Tyler Dekker.

If anything happens 2 me, check out Muriel Delgado + Det Jack Jones

Audra Bennacke is lying. She’s scared.

Retired teacher Mr. Murphy knows something–ask Flo at George’s.

Wish U were here.

I added,
Miss U

That was true. His absence had made my heart grow fonder, as inconvenient as that was. Still, I couldn’t count on him to solve the crime against me. I’d count on myself and Uncle Kev and possibly Cherie; time would tell. My role model, Archie Goodwin, wouldn’t allow a lack of facts to dampen his spirits. That would be my approach.

I had barely sent the text to Smiley when my cell phone rang.
The Hudson Café
showed up on the screen. Lainie’s call reinforced what I already knew: The Rileys were like unstable bombs.

“I don’t want to alarm you,” she said, somewhat breathlessly. “But I talked to my friend about those landscapers, the Rileys. They’re a father and son. She said to tell you to steer clear. She said she found them very intimidating and became frightened in the end. They did a shoddy job and she’s probably going to have to pay to get it redone. She was terrified to take action against them. The father threatened her and she took it seriously. They’re a couple of thugs. Please be careful and let the police handle it, Jordan.”