Designed to Death Page 18

  “Good morning, Karen.”

  “You’re sure in a hurry. You forgot something.” Karen placed a hand on the parking meter by my car. “I’d hate for you to get a ticket. I know these beauties always get checked.”

  Of course they did, the meter people, not just gals in this town, didn’t have to go far. Most people were either running late or so much in a tizzy they routinely forgot to feed the meters in front of the courthouse. Easy source of income for Eden.

  “Thanks.” I opened my large bag and dug around for a quarter as I walked back to my car. I turned up a book of stamps with only two stamps, a couple of cough drops, three hundred pens, or something along that number, but no quarter.

  “I got one.” I heard a muffled plink.

  “Thanks,” I said, trying not to sound begrudging.

  This was such an odd start for a day, thanking Karen for being helpful to me. I started worrying about the meeting with Darlene. I had a bad feeling it wasn’t going to go as planned.

  “Visiting Steve this morning?” Karen kept her eyes opened wide, portraying a friendly innocence not matching the glint of steel in her blue eyes.

  The question I had to answer first was did I want to tell her the truth, a slightly off-centered truth, or a bold faced lie. Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. Thinking fast on my feet, after drinking only one cup of coffee, wasn’t a strong suit of mine.

  Piquing her interest with a version of the truth might work best in my favor. I went with a mix, and left Steve out of it. He’d thank me for it later.

  If he ever found out.

  “No. Though, I wouldn’t mind seeing him of course.” I had to make sure she knew Steve kind of belonged to me.

  “Of course.” Karen’s smile became thinner and less happy looking.

  “I have a tiny bit of business here at the courthouse. Stop people from speaking out of turn.”

  “Do you now?” The smile turned into a sneer. “Anything involving a murder?”

  I locked my knees to stop myself for taking a step back. Fear wiggled through me. Was Karen sent all that information about me? What better way to hurt me, and stay off the radar, then for the burglar to send the illegally obtained info to the newspaper. Karen wouldn’t care how it came into the anonymous informant’s hands, just that it was now in her’s. She wanted a big story. And she’d have it, and very possibly get Steve as a bonus.

  “I’m sure you’ve heard what Hazel has been saying,” I said as nonchalantly as I could muster with my heart trying to escape from my body.

  “It’s not what Hazel’s saying I’d be worried about.” Karen waved her hand, showing it was no concern of hers. “No one is surprised Hazel went off the deep end. Her life was wrapped around her daughter. Still is. I’d be more concerned about the editor-in-chief from Utah. She has a lot of clout, money, and resources to make your life miserable.”

  “Thanks for the advice. I’ll do my best to stay off her radar.”

  “Try harder, Faith, because she’s about to roast you alive.”

  I hurried into the courthouse. Karen’s words swirled around me. Leslie Amtower had resources. Enough to hire someone to help her search my house. It explained the mix of donut and flower smell. I patted the pocket of my jacket where I kept the flash drive. Another one was in the coin section of my wallet. I wasn’t stupid enough to give Darlene the only one I had.

  I squared my shoulders and gave myself a little shake, ridding myself of the ominous feelings Karen’s words stirred in me. I needed to look confident, perturbed, and determined...not like I had something to hide.

  Mrs. Alwright looked away from her computer screen. Her eyes grew wide and she shot a horrified glance toward the hallway lined with chairs used as a waiting room for those not wanting to stand in line with friends or family paying taxes, filing documents, or having to give rides for a court appearance.

  I glanced down the hall.

  Darlene sat on one of the chairs, tapping her foot and glancing at her watch. She looked up and caught me staring at her. She made a point of looking at her wrist.

  I was late. I got it. But before I went over there, I had to put on another little performance. I needed to get this case over with. All my working around the truth was going to lead to a lot of explaining on judgment day...or sooner if my grandmothers found out. I wasn’t sure which I feared more.

  “Good morning, Faith.” Mrs. Alwright offered a toothy smile. “Let me just check Steve’s schedule. I do believe he’ll be out of court in ten minutes. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you waited for him in his office.”

  “I didn’t come here to see Steve.” I leaned forward, talking in a loud, conspiratorial whisper.

  “Did you buy a new car and need to register it? The line is short right now, it’ll pick up soon. I’d hurry in there.”

  I bit back a smile. Darlene laid the groundwork real good. Mrs. Alwright wanted to make sure I didn’t spot my nemesis. “I’m not here to register anything or pay a ticket. I’m going to get the paperwork to file a restraining order...”

  Mrs. Alwright’s eyes bulged out. Guilt reared its not so pretty head. I wanted to create a little explanation for my and Darlene’s talk, not give someone a heart attack.

  “Honey, things like that get ugly. Do you really need to do that? It’s so extreme. Word will be all over town.” Mrs. Alwright emerged from behind the desk and gathered my hands into hers. Concern reflected in her hazel gaze.

  Now I felt worse. She meant to help me, not knowing I had no intention of filing anything. I kept up with the charade. “She keeps calling me. Just because I work for my grandmothers doesn’t mean I can take phone calls all the time. I get it. She didn’t do it. I don’t know why she’s telling me, constantly, instead of Karen. Karen is the investigative reporter not me. Why would I even care?”

  I halted myself. Boy, when I got going, I sure got going. I wanted to give reasons, not work myself into such a frenzy that I actually went and took out a restraining order on Darlene.

  “This week has been so tragic already. There is no sense bringing more pain into the community. People taking sides...”

  Not really a concern for me because I was pretty sure who most people would line up behind. Hint: it wasn’t Darlene.

  “Gossip isn’t such a good thing for a community either,” I said.

  Mrs. Alwright frowned. “I thought you said you were bothered by calls.”

  I did, didn’t I. Drat. Okay, I needed an add-on for my explanation.

  “Other people are talking also. I’ve had a few people say I’m involved.”

  “No sense taking it out on Darlene.” Mrs. Alwright linked her arm through mine and led me toward Darlene. “Why don’t you girls just talk this thing out? I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding.”

  Thank you, Mrs. Alwright!

  Darlene huffed and swiveled, giving me her back. “Of course you’re on Faith’s side. You work for one of her boyfriends.”

  One of? So we were going there. Fine. I’d play. “You’re just jealous.”

  “Of a hussy. I don’t think so.” Darlene snapped her fingers in the air.

  Those were fighting words, pretend insult or not. “So a woman who has a man interested in her is a hussy? I’m sure your mom would like to know that’s what you call her behind her back.”

  Darlene shot to her feet. “Excuse me! Ex...cu...se me.”

  “What? Hard of hearing, Darlene? Your mother has a boyfriend—”

  “Young ladies, enough from both of you.” Mrs. Alwright pressed a hand onto mine and Darlene’s shoulders, forcing us to take a seat. “If you keep this up, I’ll call both of your families. Besides, do you really want to be giving Karen something to write about?”

  Darlene and I craned our necks.

  Karen had taken up residence on the far side of the entrance area, a better position for staying within earshot without us being able to see her. Until she played a giraffe and stretched her body and neck out like she was reaching for th
e top of a tree for an early morning snack.

  “No,” I said.

  Darlene remained silent, glaring at me.

  Geez, she started it. I nudged her ankle with my toe.

  “No,” Darlene said none too happy.

  I forgot for a moment Darlene was the type who liked giving it but thought she was above receiving it back. Since I had to work with her, I needed to eat some very unappetizing humble pie.

  “I’m sorry. I never should’ve brought your mom into our argument.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have.” Darlene crossed her arms.

  Mrs. Alwright perched her reading glasses on the end of her nose and gazed down at Darlene, the disappointed Sunday school teacher scowl.

  “I apologize also. I shouldn’t have called you a horrible name. It’s not your fault two of Eden’s most handsome, available men are interested in you.”

  “Much better. You girls talk about this civilly.” Mrs. Alwright stuck out her index finger and moved it back and forth, calling us both out. “I’m going to see what Miss Pancake is up too.”

  Mrs. Alwright was one of the people in Eden who refused to call Karen by her ‘made up last name’ as some of the older people in our town called it. They didn’t care if it was a legal name change or not. She was born Karen Pancake and would stay Karen Pancake.

  The secretary straightened her spine and marched over to her desk, muttering under her breath. “She better not think she’s visiting Steve.”

  Darlene placed her purse on her lap and opened it. She stuck her hands inside and withdrew a pen and a small notepad. “So, competition is what has you staking a firm claim into Steve.”

  Color me impressed. She found what she wanted without having to look.

  “He’s not a piece of property the first girl to sink her nails into gets.” I stuck my hand into my coat pocket and pulled out the flash drive. “Keep this safe.”

  Darlene stared at the device like it was a poisonous apple.

  “It’s not a bomb. Nor does it hold journaling confessing a murder.”

  “What’s on it?” Darlene clutched her pen and pink and green paisley notebook. “We came here so I could tell you the plan.”

  “I have a plan also. This...” I held the drive in front of her nose. “...is part of it. Someone broke into my house last night and erased all my files.”

  Darlene examined her nails. Bored.

  “Including all my photos.”

  Darlene gasped and clutched her chest.

  “He or she also broke the glass on all the framed pictures and took every single memory card I had.”

  “All your photos are gone?” Darlene took hold of my hands.

  I nodded.

  “Animal!” Darlene clenched my hands harder. “Don’t fret. I’ll help you find the person responsible and get back your memories.”

  There was something sweet and comforting about Darlene’s outrage. She was truly mad over this person taking away and wiping out my family history.

  “I appreciate it.” I swallowed down some tears.

  Darlene patted my hand. “I know. So, what’s on this?” Darlene plucked the flash drive from my fingers.

  “The identity of who broke into my house and if I’m right...” I paused for dramatic effect. “Belinda’s murderer.”

  “Why didn’t they take it?”

  “It was in a place a criminal wouldn’t think of checking, a washing machine.”

  Darlene nodded. “Very good hiding place for valuables. So, do you need my help in deciphering what you found?”

  “No. I need your help in letting me know if there was any more to the conversation before the thread got deleted.”

  “The thread?” Darlene tilted her head and then her eyes widened. “Oh, the thread. I guess I know why you didn’t want to help me earlier.”

  Actually, I wouldn’t have wanted to help her even without the thread. A thought I politely kept in my head.

  “I got carried away. I was so angry about what Belinda did. She knew I wouldn’t want her submitting under her name. Someone had to encourage her...”

  “Naturally, you thought it was me.”

  Darlene smiled a little bashfully. “Considering how no one would ever mistake us for friends or even acquaintances it wasn’t a far stretch.”

  I crossed my arms. “Didn’t I grant you a little favor during our last contest? I’m not out to get you.”

  “I let my emotions get the best of me. Those women started coming after me...” Her hands splayed open, Darlene rested them under her throat. “...like I was lying about Belinda. Not that it’s important now. I hate the fact the last words I had with my cousin were cross ones.”

  “I’m sure Belinda forgave you.”

  Darlene lowered her hands to her lap and stared at them. “I’ll never know for sure.”

  With her usual brusque and condescending manner, it was easy to overlook Darlene’s grief. Her cousin was murdered after they had a very public brawl and people now believed she did it. It was bad enough for people to think you killed a stranger, but a family member was a different kind of heartbreak.

  Compassion welled up in me. I draped an arm over Darlene’s shoulders. “We’ll find out who did this and clear your name. I promise.”

  “Really?” Steve’s angry voice drifted toward us.

  We both jumped in our chairs. Darlene’s purse tumbled to the floor.

  “I believe that’s called interfering in a police investigation, which I know you’ve both been warned about.” Steve’s angry tone floated around us.

  And I’m sure down the hall. I kept my gaze to the front.

  “Look at the time.” Darlene scrambled to her feet. “Mrs. Alwright was correct. We needed to have this little chat. I don’t need the court after all.”

  “Me neither.” I shot to my feet and attempted my getaway.

  Steve snagged an arm of mine and one of Darlene’s. “Not so fast, ladies. My office. Now.”

  Darlene shot me a do-something look.

  I stared at her with “what” in my gaze. Scream. Cry. Faint. Kiss him. How in the world did she expect me to get us out of this? I’d only prolong the inevitable. Steve would get his lecture in sooner or later. I preferred sooner, before the later happened in front of my grandmothers—or even worse, Detective Roget.

  Besides, there might be something in Steve’s office useful to our investigation. I heaved out a defeated sigh. “I thought you were in court.”

  “I’m sure you did.” Steve released our arms and made an “after you” gallant gesture.

  “There goes the plan,” Darlene muttered under her breath. Steve trailed behind us.

  Mrs. Alwright ducked down and fiddled with the cords under her desk. She ratted me out. Probably thought Darlene and I were too quiet. Or else Karen did. Mrs. Alwright wanted Steve and me together. Karen wanted her and Steve as the couple.

  “Quit the pessimism. I can work with this.” I lowered my head, feigning shame.

  “You better,” Darlene said.

  I would. If nothing else, I’d find out exactly what Karen knew and told Steve. And why he’d been avoiding me the last few nights. After all, he was the one who wanted our relationship moving forward and once I said yes, he started running backwards.

  I chased after answers, not a man who changed his mind based on rumors—or the truth.

  TWENTY

  Steve clicked the tip of the ballpoint pen. In and out. In and out. The noise scratched along my nerves. It felt like a torture device. He waited for us to crack. Kind of silly since he overheard us. He already knew what we were up to, why the need for our admission.

  I wished he’d get the lecture over. I had places to go, snooping to do, and other people to avoid.

  I squirmed in the chair. Darlene crossed her legs and clutched her purse to her chest.

  “Are you two aware interfering in a police investigation is a crime?” Steve placed the pen down and steepled his fingers, tapping his index fingers a
s he glowered at us.

  I rolled my eyes, finding no reason to answer an obvious, and a rhetorical, question. Of course I knew. He knew I knew.

  “Since when is two women offering each other support interfering?” Darlene asked.

  “When it’s based on them deciding the police can’t do their jobs and are going to investigate a murder on their own.”

  I fixed my innocent-damsel eyes on Steve. “I didn’t say that. Neither did Darlene.” Or at least not to my recollection. “Did someone say we did?”

  Darlene snorted then lifted her nose in the mock aristocratic way she had from watching and re-watching Downton Abbey.

  “You did.” Steve centered a hard look on me. “I clearly heard you promise to find out who did this and clear Ms. Johnson’s name.”

  Oh! I did say that. Now I needed a good reason for saying it.

  Darlene bumped my elbow while she dug around in her purse. She pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.

  “Great. Now, I’m going to have to admit this in front of Darlene.” I heaved out a long sigh adding a little moan on the end. “I said it to make her feel better. She told me how distraught she was over the argument her and Belinda had in Scrap This. What she said during the fight were the last words they spoke to each other. I wanted her to know that someone knew she wasn’t that horrible of a woman, to kill her own family member.”

  “You don’t believe me!” Darlene wailed. She squashed the handkerchief against her face.

  Okay, she was going a little over the top. Steve wasn’t going to believe this display. If she didn’t want to help, she should at least not hamper my work.

  “I never thought you did it, I just don’t want to hunt down a killer. I’m not fond of jails.” I tapped Steve’s desk. “That’s for the record, so don’t forget to write it down. I was talking about finding out who was spreading vicious rumors about her being a murderer. No one’s been charged—”

  “This is so embarrassing.” Darlene broke in, whispering out of the side of her mouth.