Tomorrow's Promises (Bellingwood Book 7) (27 page)

Eliseo grinned up at her. "Then on that basis, we'd have to assume that she is still in town because she didn't manage to kill Ralph and couldn't satisfy her need for a clean death."

"Maybe I'll talk you into joining my private investigation firm and we'll put Aaron out of business," Polly said. "Are you going back down to the hospital to see him today?"

"I don't know." He shook his head. "There's so much to do here. With him in ICU and completely out of it, there's not much I can do. I need to talk to Deputy Decker and see if I can check his house, just to make sure that it's all cleaned up and ready for him to come home." He pounded his hand down on the bench beside him, startling the cat. "He's an old man, damn it. I guess I hope he can come home at all. What a despicable thing to do."

"We should be glad he's still alive, right?"

"You're right. I know that. How's he going to take care of himself out there?"

"Now's not the time to worry about that," she said. "First we need him to wake up and be okay. He'll be in the hospital for a while."

Eliseo put the cat down on the bench and stood up. "I can't do anything sitting here getting frustrated. I'll take care of what I can and let the rest fall into place. Thanks."

"I didn't do anything."

"You didn't let me bury this in my head." This time it was Eliseo who reached out and touched her arm. "It wasn't much, but thanks."

Before she could respond he turned away. Her phone rang. "Excuse me," she said and walked to the front door. Why was Joss calling this early?

"Hello, Joss? Is everything okay?"

"Polly!" Joss squealed a little on the other end of the call.

"What?" Polly asked, laughing.

"We're on the road to Omaha!"

"Wait. What? Did the girl change her mind again?"

"No, it's another girl. She just made the decision last night and she's going to have a Cesarean this afternoon."

"But everything's okay?"

"Yes! Can you believe it?"

"I'm so excited! And I'm glad I'll be in town when you bring the baby home. I really don't think I would have been able to stand it if I was clear out in Arizona."

"Thanks for making me go out last night. I have a feeling that will be the last one of those for a very long time."

"Oh, I hope not. Surely you can make Nate stay with the baby once in a while so we can party."

"Uhhh ... yeah. Maybe. Anyway, I knew you'd be up and I had to tell someone before I exploded, but I'll call later today, okay?"

"Absolutely. I'm really happy for you. Let me know if you need anything and poke your silly husband for me."

There was a grunt in the background, followed by "That wasn't nice!"

"I did. He's confused now. I'd better go."

"Drive safe and keep me up to date."

"Love you!" Joss hung up before Polly could reply.

Polly turned to look for Eliseo. He had disappeared into one of the stalls and she knew better than to press it.

Jessie had done what she could to help Jason, but it didn't take long for her to end up on a bench with two friendly donkeys begging for attention. Polly sat down beside her.

"I'm going back up to the apartment. You can come and go as you please. If you want to stay here for a while, that's fine."

"Thanks," Jessie said. She giggled as Huck pushed his head under her hand. "I have to get a job and find an apartment. Maybe I should do that today."

Polly put her hand on the girl's knee. "No. Not today. Maybe not even this week. Jessie, you've been through a lot. You don't have to rush right back out into the world and live on your own."

"But that's why I came out here."

"Is it what you want to do today?"

"Well ..."

"I'm really proud of you that you don't want to sit around and feel sorry for yourself and that you're ready to grab the world, but it's okay if you relax for a few days. You've been through more in a few weeks than most people will ever face in their entire lives. Take a breath."

"I don't want to be a burden."

"You aren't. Take time to learn about what Eliseo and Jason do down here. Then I'll introduce you to Rachel and you can help her in the main building. You can work with Eliseo in the garden and if Sarah needs help in the office, you can poke around there. I might ask you to babysit with Andrew and Rebecca sometimes and we'll just take it slow."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Get to know Bellingwood and then we'll keep an eye out for jobs that might come up. But don't worry. It doesn't have to happen today or tomorrow."

"Thank you very much. I never expected this."

"Do you want to stay here in the barn for a while?"

"Would that be okay?"

"Sure. I'll take my dog and head back. I know you don't have a phone yet, but Jason and Eliseo can reach me if you need something and can't find me."

Polly stood and patted her leg for Obiwan to follow. They went back up to the main building and she wondered about Lois Wexler. After calling Sarah last night, she'd completely forgotten about their guest. Hopefully Sarah had gotten the information that Aaron needed. Polly glanced up at the room, but it was still dark. She didn't know whether that meant the woman was gone or simply asleep. Lights were on in Sarah and Rebecca's room, but not in the room Ben and Amanda Bowen were using. It was good that Amanda had finally snapped out of her shock. Most everyone in Bellingwood was starting to find their way back to their regular lives after the tornado had spun the community out of control. Polly had noticed it last night when she was downtown. People were out and about - playing, chatting and thinking about anything other than the devastation that had hit the community.

There was no one in the apartment when she returned, so she fed the animals and went into her bedroom to take a shower. Polly was in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee and eating a piece of toast when Jessie walked in, her face flushed and her eyes bright.

"What's up?" Polly asked.

"It was awesome."

"What?"

"We let the horses out into the pasture and then I played fetch with Tom and Huck. They love that red ball. They're like dogs. Demi rolled around in some mud and Jason told me I was going to have to brush him down later on. They'll really let me do that?"

"Oh, honey, if you want to spend time with those animals, they'll let you do everything."

"That was awesome. I'm going back this afternoon, if that's okay."

"You have no schedule to keep with me."

"I talked to Rachel. She said I could help her in the kitchen this morning."

"Wow, you're really digging right in." It occurred to Polly that Kelly Locke didn't know what she was talking about when she accused Jessie of having no gumption. She decided she couldn't think about it anymore. It just made her angry.

"I don't like to sit around. I start thinking about things and then I get depressed. I need to keep busy. If you have something you want me to do up here, just tell me."

"We're good, but thanks."

"I'm going to take a shower. I've never been in anything like that bathroom."

Polly smiled. "Me either until I had these built. I thought I was doing something wonderful for my guests, but I love them. If I'm not here when you come out, I'll see you later."

With no notice, Jessie rushed at Polly and hugged her. "Thank you," she said and ran out of the room.

"You're welcome," Polly said quietly
.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN

Filing the last few pieces of paperwork, Polly turned back to her desk when her cell phone rang. She didn't recognize the number, though it was a Boston area code.

"Hello?"

"Polly, it's me, Bunny."

"Hi sweetie, how are you?"

"I'm wonderful! I had two dates this week with the same guy!"

"Do you like him? How did you meet him?"

"You aren't going to believe it, but Drea set me up."

"Really!" Polly grinned. As snarky as Drea was, she had a heart as big as the city they lived in. "Who's the lucky guy?"

"It's one of her clients and she set us up for coffee on Thursday and then he asked me to go out for dinner with him Saturday. We're going to a little concert series in Belmont this Thursday."

"Well, what do you think of him?"

"He's sweet and he's loaded. He's divorced and doesn't have any kids yet. It sounds perfect, doesn't it?"

"I'm happy for you, Bunny. I hope you have a great time with him."

"Me too and I am going to try my best to not go overboard. Drea told me that I can't plan a wedding until he asks me to marry him and if he doesn't ask me, then I can't make a scene about it."

"She's right. I hope this works out for you." Siccing Drea on Bunny for a few hours had done the silly girl a world of good.

"Will you come out to Boston and be my Matron of Honor when I get married?"

"You're planning, Bunny. Stop it. But of course I will."

Bunny giggled on the other end of the call. "Oops, you're right. I'm going to just enjoy the moment. So, do you think the universe heard me whining at you all last week and decided it had had enough of my pitiful behavior?"

"That makes as much sense as anything. It was wonderful to see you, though."

"I'm sorry that you didn't get to go on your honeymoon. I can't believe we flew out of there just before that tornado came through. CNN was showing video of it. I couldn't believe that I'd just been there!"

"It was pretty crazy stuff."

"I wanted to tell you about Brett, but that's not the only reason I called."

"What's up?"

"I know this won't surprise you, but last night I finally got around to emptying my suitcases. I found something weird in my travel bag. I can't believe I didn't notice it while I was there. But, it's just a little black kit - kind of like a first aid kit or something. Only it's not mine."

"Okay ... ?"

"Well, I think it came from that girl who drove up to Bellingwood with us. We were jammed in the back seat of that car and this must have dropped into my bag."

"Is it important enough that you want to ship it to me so I can give it to her?" Polly wasn't really even sure how long Lois Wexler planned to stay. She quickly jotted a note to herself. It had gone in and out of her mind to ask Sarah about the dates that Lois had scheduled, but each time she'd completely forgotten.

"No, I think it's more important than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, there's a big roll of money in there and old lady jewelry. I think it's the real stuff, too. And then there are two big pill bottles."

"All of that could be hers."

"Polly, the bottles have bullets in them."

Polly deflated. "Crap," she said.

"I know, right?"

"Sweetie, are you going to be around this morning?"

"Yeah, I have a meeting with a client this afternoon, but otherwise I'm free."

"Let me ask some questions and I'll get back to you, okay? Don't do anything with that."

"Okay. Is it important?"

"It might be. I'm glad you called me. I'm so excited to hear about a great guy in your life, too."

"You'll call me back?"

"
Yes. I love you, sweetie!"

"Love you too!"

They hung up and Polly dropped her head to her chest. That was unexpected.

"Sarah?" she called as she got up and went into the main office.

"Yes?"

"Did you talk to Aaron last night about Lois Wexler?"

"Yeah. He came over and got copies of her information. What's up?"

"So, when did she register?"

"It was a last minute thing. She called that morning to see if we had a room available and Jeff told me that if you needed it, you'd have already filled it up. She wanted it for two weeks."

"Have you seen her this morning?"

"I heard someone moving around up in her room last night. She's right above our room. I was awake about three o'clock."

"But nothing this morning?"

"No. Deputy Decker was here before you came downstairs. He knocked on her door, but she didn't answer. Jeff went upstairs with him, so I don't know if they went in or not."

"Okay, thanks. All of this is happening under my roof and I know nothing!"

"What's happening?"

"She might be a suspect in the shooting of Ralph Bedford."

"I had no idea!"

It hit Polly that she'd probably said the wrong thing to a mother whose little girl was sleeping in the room right below a potential murder suspect. "She's dangerous, but mostly to old men, I think," Polly said. "You and Rebecca are safe."

That wasn't helpful either. The stalker who had pursued Henry and Polly a few months ago had held Rebecca hostage. She shouldn't have been involved at all, but in the end, her life had been in danger.

Polly leaned over and hugged Sarah's shoulders. "I feel like I'm a little dangerous to be around," she said, with a half-hearted chuckle.

"I'm trying not to be nervous about it."

"I'll bet she has cleared out. I saw her at Pizzazz last night with some old guy and that's why Aaron was checking on her. More than likely we've scared her off. Maybe even out of town for good."

"I hope so. It's kind of creepy thinking about a murderer living over my head."

Jeff came out of his office. "Now you're rubbing off on Sycamore House, Polly."

"What do you mean?" Polly spun on him.

"People are going to quit making reservations if they think they might get murdered here or might be living next to a murderer."

"That's not fair," she cried.

Sarah chuckled. "He's not being honest with you."

"Hush. You work for me," he said, wagging his index finger.

"Oh. Sorry boss."

"What did she mean by that?" Polly tugged on his shirtsleeve and winked at him.

"Nothing. She meant nothing."

"Sarah?" she asked.

"I only work here, but if this pile of
reservation requests is growing because people think that Sycamore House might offer them a chance to see a murder happen while they're in town ..."

"So, I'm good for Sycamore House," Polly said, standing up a little straighter.

"Don't you think now would be a good time to let all of this talk about our owner finding dead bodies become legendary rather than everyday reality?" he asked.

"You might have something there," she responded. "I need to call Aaron, though. I'll be in my office." Polly slipped past him and went back into her office and shut the door.

She dialed a very familiar phone number and when Aaron answered, he said, "Polly, every time I see your name come up on my screen, my insides clench up and my head starts to pound."

"No bodies this time. Do you know who the old guy was with Lois Wexler last night?"

"Yes, it was Russell Gourley."

That name was familiar to Polly. But he wasn't a widower. She'd met his wife at some event Lydia hosted.

"Was she really his granddaughter? Because his wife is still alive."

"Actually his wife is in Maine for the month with their daughter
and granddaughter. I went out to talk to him last night and he was very embarrassed about your little guest. She'd flirted with him and he just thought she was as cute as a button. When she told people she was his granddaughter, he figured that she was trying to save his dignity. He dropped her off at Sycamore House after they left Pizzazz and he went on home without her. They were planning to meet again this evening for dinner, but I think he's a little more wary now."

"Do you suppose she's already gone?"

"I don't know, Polly. I don't want her in my town any longer, but I hate the idea that she's going to move on to another community."

"My friend Bunny called me this morning."

"I remember her. Chatty little thing."

Polly chuckled. "Yes, that describes her. But I have a real reason for telling you about her call. I think that Lois Wexler inadvertently dropped a bag into Bunny's travel bag when they were driving up from Des Moines last week. Bunny didn't finish unpacking until last night and that's when she found it."

"Is there something interesting about the bag?"

"Well, she said there was money and jewelry in it, and two large pill bottles filled with bullets."

"That's very interesting. Please don't tell me this was a bag she carried onto the plane."

"Like Bunny would carry anything. I can't even imagine her carrying her purse. No, I'm sure she checked it through."

"Well, since I made friends in Boston a year and a half ago when you were out there with your friend, Joey, I'll ask for help."

"I told her I would call back this morning and let her know what to do."

A rumbling chuckle came from the other end of the phone.

"What's so funny?" Polly asked.

"Well, what I wanted to say was 'tell her that I'll make sure a couple of good looking Boston policemen show up at her front door to take custody of that bag,' but I decided that was probably out of line."

"Everyone learned what she was about in three short days, didn't they."

"Yes we did, but she seemed like a nice girl anyway. Tell her that someone will contact her. And tell her thank you."

"Will do."

"And Polly?"

"Yes?"

"If you see Lois Wexler anywhere in town, will you please try to avoid confronting her? I don't want to have to tell Henry that his lovely wife is in the hospital."

"I'll do my best, but you know as well as I do that I can't guarantee anything. Sometimes I feel like I'm wearing a magnet."

"Just promise to be careful."

"Like I said, I'll do my best."

"That's all I can ask. Do you have a building full of people again this week?"

"I think there are a couple of groups coming in again. We've cleared the classrooms and auditorium for them."

"Thanks for all your help. It means a lot."

Polly shook her head, even though he couldn't see it. "I don't understand what the big deal is, Aaron. People have done far more than I have this last week. I'm a part of Bellingwood. It's my home."

"Yes it is. We're glad you're here."

Well, she'd done what she could. She put the phone down and ran her fingers through her hair. It was frustrating to think about a murderer getting away with hurting Ralph Bedford. If she were Lois Wexler, she'd have ducked out of town as soon as possible. Bellingwood had to have frustrated the girl. She'd gotten nothing and apparently she'd lost a large chunk of what she'd had to Bunny's travel bag. And how did she plan to get out of town? She didn't have a car.

Polly jumped out of her seat and ran out of the office, then headed for the barn. She opened the door and pulled up short when she saw Jason and Eliseo. Both of them were startled to see her.

"What's up, Polly?" Eliseo asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"What if she went back to Ralph Bedford's house to get whatever she could from him?" Polly asked. "She didn't get anywhere with Russ Gourley last night and Bunny called me this morning to tell me that she had a bag filled with money, jewelry, and bullets."