Beyond Suspicion (8 page)

“I can't make a U-turn. I'll have to find a spot to turn around.”

He turned left, drove straight, then pulled into a parking lot, circled around, and whipped the car back onto the road. The light was red and there was a car in front of them.

Shelby rubbed her sweaty palms on her knees. “Change already!” she yelled. The light changed. The car in front of them went straight so Matt turned the corner and gunned it.

“Do you see it at all?” Matt asked as he weaved in and out of traffic at a pretty fast clip.

“No, I don't see it anywhere. Keep going.”

Matt had to stop at the next light. “I can't see it.”

Shelby slumped in her seat near tears. “We lost him.”

“We'll turn around and check side streets and parking lots. We might get lucky enough to see it again.”

They spent half an hour cruising the side streets, with no luck. In the end, it was Shelby who called a halt to the search.

“Let's go eat. We did our best. He's gone.”

Thirteen

At Dairy Delight Drive-in Matt parked at the end of a row. “I'm sorry we lost him. I wonder if he sped off because he recognized you.”

“Too bad we were stuck in traffic heading the wrong way.”

They talked about the van and where it might have come from. Shelby mentioned the chain grocery store about a block back from the light where they had first seen him. “Maybe we should tell the police to check out the store's video.”

Matt dashed her hopes. “What would they look for? Your description of the guy is vague.”

“I could look at the video.”

“Do you think they would believe you?”

“Oh.” They already decided she was capable of murder, so seeing a guy on a store video to save herself wouldn't be a far stretch for Rutherford or Grimes. It was so maddening!

The carhop brought their food, and Shelby was glad for the chance to think about something else.

“Tell me about your family,” she said.

After including a good tip, Matt told the waitress, “You can take the tray in a second.” They retrieved their food quickly.

Shelby watched the carhop admire Matt with a gleam in her eye. “Thank you.” She gave him an eyelash flutter as she took the tray. “Come back soon.”

“I will, for sure. See ya.”

The carhop giggled as she walked away and Matt watched until she went inside. Shelby rolled her eyes and plunged her straw through the lid of the cup. Yep, this was definitely not a date.

Matt took a bite of his burger and a swig of cola. “Have you heard from your father?”

“No.” Shelby had told him earlier how everyone had left messages for him. She teared up. “I'm sorry. You don't need this. I was hoping for some sort of miracle tonight. I had visions of going home with Josh.”

Matt patted her shoulder while she wiped her eyes with the napkin he handed her. “Shelby, your feelings are all mixed up. I get that. Tell me everything that happened. Don't leave out anything. Just talk to me, maybe there's something you'll remember that will help.”

She thought she saw something more than sympathy in his eyes. It was almost like Valerie or Rachel, waiting for some good gossip. She didn't like it. “It's late. We better hurry and eat. My grandparents are going to be arriving and I want to see them.”

“Sure.” He abruptly faced forward, picking up his drink. “But I've helped you twice today and it makes me feel bad you won't talk to me.”

Shelby didn't know how to answer that, so she said nothing. It seemed like he wanted to be her friend, but he was still a stranger. She bit into her hamburger.

“So, you said your grandparents were coming. What are they like?”

Glad for the change of subject, Shelby plunged in and told him how wonderful they were. They finished their meal with a lot of small talk.

Something caught Matt's attention in the rearview mirror. “Oh, no.”

“What?”

“Company, keep out of sight.”

“Hey, Matt!”

“Hey, guys,” Matt answered with a wave to the car pulling in the slot next to them.

Shelby tried to catch a glimpse of the two high school boys, but Matt blocked the window with his body.

“Can't talk now.” Matt started the ignition, popped the gear in reverse and backed out.

All they saw of Shelby was the back of her head. One of the guys yelled something, but she couldn't understand what he said.

“I'll be there,” Matt hollered. As he pulled away he mumbled, “That was close.”

“I don't think I've ever seen them before. Did you think they would recognize me?”

“It's not a chance I want to take. Let's get you home.”

“Who were they?”

“Just guys from school.”

The set of his jaw bothered her. Then it hit her, maybe he was embarrassed to be seen with her. Or maybe he had a girlfriend. She picked up the trash from their meal and stuffed it into the bag. It hadn't occurred to her before, but he was risking a lot to be with her. He was cute and everyone thought she was a baby killer.

“Just leave the bag on the floor. I'll take care of it later.” His tone was sharp.

“Okay.” She put it down and picked up her soda. As she sipped what was left she felt a little self-conscious. He didn't mind giving her a ride from the park or talking on the phone, but now he seemed so upset about almost being seen with her. She reminded herself that going out for a meal had been his idea.

The trip took forever. Matt never said a word, but it was clear that his mood had darkened. It was a relief when they turned into the alley and stopped at the barricade. She started to open the door.

“Stay here.” He got out and moved the barrier, got back in, drove forward, then got out again to replace it.

Shelby sat there staring out her window as he drove toward her house. When he pulled up at the gate, she had no idea what to say to him.

“I think you're safe from reporters.” He cut the engine and faced her. “About what happened back there. I have to tell you something.”

“Forget it. You can't risk being seen with me. I understand.” Shelby pulled the door handle.

“I don't care about that. I owe you an explanation.”

“It's okay, Matt. Whatever it is, it's okay. Don't get out.” She talked non-stop so that she wouldn't have to hear whatever it was—he had a girlfriend, his friends would laugh at him, she was too young, too inexperienced. Whatever it was, she didn't want to hear it. “Thanks for helping me. I appreciate everything you did today.”

“Shelby, wait…”

“Thanks again, Matt.” She slammed the door, and ran through the backyard and into the house. Through the kitchen window she watched Matt's car. It didn't move. Maybe he was going to come after her.
Don't do it. Please, don't do it.
But when the headlights went on and the car moved slowly up the alley, she felt only regret. What was the matter with her?

“Shelby, is that you?”

“Yes, Mom, I'm home. Just getting a glass of water.” She filled a glass with tap water and sipped, swallowing tears that threatened to form while trying to calm her trembling fingers.

Her grandparents were sitting in the living room. She ran to her grandfather, who jumped up with his arms flung wide.

“Grammy! Pop!”

Pop lifted her up and gave her a bear hug. “Oh, I missed you!” he said, squeezing hard.

“I missed you, too.” Shelby hugged him back then hugged her grandmother. “Grammy, I'm so glad you guys came.” This time the tears flowed with no one to question them.

As they sat in the living room and talked, Shelby learned that Roger's parents had a flight delay in Florida, which was okay with her, but Roger was devastated. She realized even grown men need their parents when dreadful things happen.

Grammy and her mother got up and went to the kitchen, where they prepared a meal from the groceries Myra had brought over. When Shelby went into the kitchen to get a soda for Roger and Pop she heard them talking about Myra.

“She's constantly fawning over Roger,” Mom said, “and he actually likes it. Then she's like a little puppy when he praises her. It's a little embarrassing. ”

“Sounds like work is her whole life.”

“It sure is. When we were dating and I called the office, she acted like I was invading her territory or that it wasn't my place to bother him at work. Once we married, her attitude changed and now she is very sweet to me.”

“She probably didn't like that other woman he was almost engaged to either,” Grammy said.

Shelby saw her mother elbow her grandmother. “Shelby, do you have everything you need?”

“Sure, Mom.” Shelby closed the refrigerator. “I didn't know Roger was almost engaged to someone else.”

Her grandmother gave her mom an apologetic grimace. “Sorry.”

“It's something I didn't think you needed to know about,” her mother said. “I still don't.”

Shelby put her hands on her hips. “Okay, but when my hot mother steals another woman's boyfriend, it sure would be nice to know about it. Go, Mom!”

Grammy burst out laughing. But, even though she was chuckling, her mother still sent her out of the kitchen.

Pop told her he had made reservations at a nearby motel so Shelby could keep her room. “You need your rest and that couch won't do it.”

They ate a late meal. The arrival of her grandparents did a world of good for Roger and her mom. They seemed more focused and alert, not so devastated and in shock.

“Don't you worry, Shelby,” Pop said. “We're here now and maybe we can nudge the police into searching for that van. Roger and I might do that tomorrow.”

Roger's eyes flared for a second. “I'd like that. It would be better than sitting here and worrying.”

Shelby knew that feeling. She didn't know whether to confess what she and Matt had done. After all, she had spotted the van in a certain area. That information could be valuable. But she'd have to get Matt involved with the police and she didn't think he'd like that.

“Then that's what we'll do first thing tomorrow morning,” said Pop.

“One thing you need to know,” Shelby said. “I described the van to Matt, so he took me to a business parking lot and showed me some just like it. He said they are called cargo vans.”

“Hey, good for him,” Roger said. “That does help.”

“It would be good to get out and do something. Sitting here waiting is driving me nuts,” Shelby's mother said. “Instead of depending on the police, maybe it's time to get out flyers. Mr. Quick said some of our neighbors were already doing that. We need to join them. Mother, do you think you could help me print some up?”

“Of course we can, Melissa, and we can start rallying for friends to help,” she said. “We need some volunteers to start organizing. People can put up flyers all over town and get that media out there to do something good.”

Shelby cleared the table and did the dishes while Roger and her mother made some phone calls. Their friends jumped at the chance to help. They would all meet at the house tomorrow. As they talked late into the night, Shelby saw hope in her mother's eyes.

After her grandparents left, they locked up and went to bed. In her room Shelby thought about this other woman. The one her mom stole Roger from. How angry did this other woman get when Roger dumped her? If she was jealous, wouldn't that be a motive to take Josh? It would be a great way to punish both Roger and her mother. She needed to talk to Myra. If anyone knew who this woman was and what she was capable of, it would be Myra.

Shelby picked up her cell phone. She hadn't checked it since her drive with Matt. Rachel had texted an answer.
Yes, I tried, honest.

So, no more best friends. She shoved away the unhappy feelings. At least they still wanted to be friends. It was their parents who were making them stay clear of her.

Josh. She had to keep her mind on Josh. Shelby took a shower and went to bed. Lying there, she came up with a plan to check out the jilted woman. With everyone busy organizing flyers tomorrow, she just might be able to pull it off.

Fourteen

“Hello?”

“Miss Tuttle, I'm sorry to bother you at home on a Sunday. This is Shelby, do you have a minute?”

“Certainly, Shelby, and call me Myra. Is everything okay? I can come right over.”

“No, we're doing okay, but I just found out that Roger was going with someone and dumped her when he met Mom. Do you know who she is?”

“I'm not sure if we should be discussing this.” Myra's voice had a definite chill. “Mr. Butler may not like it.”

“Myra, I was thinking. If that woman was mad about being dumped, maybe she took Josh to get even.”

There was a quick gasp followed by silence.

Shelby waited uneasily, giving Myra time to think about it. She had slipped away to call when Roger and her mother had invited a reporter inside. They were giving an interview in the kitchen this very minute. Shelby was supposed to be offering refreshments to the volunteers. Grammy might notice she had disappeared and she'd come knocking on her bedroom door.

“Myra, can you help me?”

“I don't know, Shelby,” Myra sounded uncertain. “Would you have to tell the police?”

“Myra, they wouldn't believe a word I said. They think I did it.”

“They are making it seem that way. What are you going to do if I tell you?”

“I thought maybe I would mention it to my attorney. The police would be more willing to listen to him. I won't tell him where I got the information if you don't want me to.” Shelby squeezed the phone. Come on, Myra, she thought. Just tell me her name.

“Well, she's not a nice woman. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they found out she did it. Okay, Shelby, I'll tell you, just please don't get me fired.”

“Myra, Roger would never fire you. He thinks you're perfect.”

Myra's voice hit a high note as she gave a short giggle of delight. “What a sweet thing to say.”

“So, who is she?” Shelby kept her voice calm even though she was about ready to scream.

Myra's tone became flat. “Gina Manelli. She's a bleached-blonde bimbo. I'll never know what a refined man like Mr. Butler ever saw in her.”

“Do you know where we can find her?” Shelby clamped down on the excitement bubbling to the surface. She pictured the woman in the van. Bleached blonde?

“Gina Manelli is a waitress at the Broken Branch. It's a bar and grill.”

“I know where that is. We've passed it a few times going downtown.”

“She lives in Buena Vista on Desert Sand. Hang on a minute while I move to my computer.” Shelby heard the clicking of computer keys. “I'll have her address in a second.”

“That would be great.”

“Here it is, got a pencil?”

“Yes.” Shelby wrote everything down with shaky fingers. “Thanks, Myra.”

“Shelby, if you need me to talk to that lawyer about her, it's okay to have him call me.”

“I will.” Shelby thanked her and apologized again for bothering her on a Sunday.

“Anytime, Shelby, it's no bother.”

Shelby hung up. If the van was at the bleached blonde's house, then that's where they'd find Josh. She needed to tell Roger. He was going out with Pop to search, so they could try that address first.

Shelby slid off the bed and rushed to the living room. Some of the women peeked at her. When Shelby met their eyes, they quickly lowered their heads and went back to work. Their actions made her feel uncomfortable but she brushed the feeling away. At least they were here helping. It didn't matter what they thought about her.

She hurried into the kitchen. It was packed with women standing around visiting over coffee while a few were at the table with her mother. The reporter had left. Shelby sidled up to her mother. “Where's Roger and Pop?”

“They left already. Do you need something?”

“No.” Two of the women cocked an eyebrow at each other, the third woman, Mrs. Purdy from church, was sipping her coffee as if she weren't listening. “Mrs. Purdy, can I help you ladies with anything?” Shelby eyed her to let her know she wasn't intimidated by being the subject of their hostilities.

“Oh, no,” Mrs. Purdy said, in a sharp tone. She recovered nicely. “There are so many volunteers there's nothing left to do.”

The other two women suddenly found the grain on the wood table fascinating.

“Mrs. Purdy's right, honey.” Her mom draped an arm around her shoulder. “Everyone's been so generous and helpful. Why don't you read or draw or something?”

“Okay, I'll be in my room if you need me.” She gave her mother a hug, nodded at the women, and left. There were more furtive glimpses as she passed through the living room. She closed her bedroom door and leaned against it. No way would she ever get used to those suspicious and accusing looks from people she'd known for ages. Shelby crossed the room and stared at her sketch pad and charcoal pencils lying on the desk next to her computer. Artists were supposed to depict their emotions in their art but drawing had always been something she did when she felt happy or driven. She ran her finger across the tablet. Finding Josh drove her now.

Roger was busy with Pop and it wouldn't take that long to check out Gina Manelli's house. If the van was there she could call the police and him at the same time. Would a city bus take her to that area? Hurriedly sitting, she turned on her computer and pulled up the bus schedule. They ran every thirty minutes. If she picked up the bus at the strip mall it would take her to the Buena Vista area. She pulled up a city street map and located Desert Sand. The bus stopped right on the corner, but the house address was five blocks away.

Shelby stuffed some money in her pocket along with her cell. A purse would be in the way if she needed to grab Josh and run. Her heart began racing. It would be wonderful if she found him and brought him home.

Shelby went across the hall to Josh's window. Some of the media vans were back because of all the activity in the house. A few volunteers were giving interviews as they headed out with flyers and staple guns. She closed his door and went back to her bedroom.

Amazingly, the alley was still clear. If she took the route away from the park, she could do some zigzagging in the alleys of the next few blocks to reach the main road across from the strip mall. Her watch showed the next bus was in forty minutes. If she hurried she could just make it.

Shelby loosened her hair and let it fall. All the pictures of her lately showed her hair at the nape of her neck in a scrunchie. Last touch was her prescription sunglasses. Then, with a felt marker she made a sign for her bedroom door and taped it up:
Napping, Please Don't Disturb, Thanks!

She slid her window up and with a nail file she popped the screen off the track, letting it fall. After climbing out, she lowered the window and propped one corner of the screen in place, letting it lean against the window. Hopefully, it would hold until she got back.

Running bent over, she made it to the gate and out into the alley without anyone seeing her. Then she ran as fast as she could. At the first street she only had to wait for a few cars before darting across the road to the next block. A glance at her watch showed she only had about fifteen minutes. When her cell rang she slowed to a fast walk. It was Matt. She hesitated only a second before answering.

“Hi, Matt.”

“Just called to see how things were going. I heard about the volunteers. It's all over the news.”

“I've got a lead on Roger's ex-fiancée. She's a blonde bombshell who could be the one in the van.”

“Did you tell the cops?”

“No.”

He gave an exasperated sigh. “Why not?”

The sigh and the question rankled. “Like they would believe me and hop right on it? I'll talk to you later.” She disconnected. He called back. She shoved the phone in her pocket and ran.

The bus smelled of air-conditioned exhaust fumes. Probably worse in the back, but it would be harder for anyone to recognize her in the last row. They'd have to be obvious and turn around. If someone did that, she'd ditch the bus. She began to relax when no one paid any attention to her. After several stops of loading and unloading, she pulled the cord to get off at Desert Sand.

It was a working-class neighborhood of small, ranch-style homes built in the early sixties. There were no garages, only carports, and most of them had been remodeled into rooms. It seemed like every house had wrought-iron burglar bars. Most of the homes had scruffy patches of Bermuda grass that depended on rain for water. A few homes had nice lawns, trimmed shrubs, and brightly colored potted flowers. She passed a car that was up on blocks, a boat parked on the grass, and a couple of RVs that had seen better days. Dogs and cats ran loose but most of them ignored her. One scruffy hound mix came up for a friendly pat. He followed her for a few minutes before something got his attention and he veered off.

At this time of day, hardly anyone was at home. A few teens bounced a basketball in the street and a couple of toddlers played in a fenced front yard. No one paid any attention to her. She walked faster. The address she wanted was still a couple of blocks away. The sun was high and the puffy clouds offered no shade.

When she came to Manelli's block, she slowed. The house would be on her side of the street. Shelby counted ahead. It had to be the blue stucco with the skimpy mimosa in the middle of the front yard. When she reached it, she dropped to one knee, pretending to tie her shoe. A faded blue sedan was in the carport but no white van. The front door stood open, but the house was protected from insects by a sagging screen door. There was a chain-link fence around the backyard. Maybe there was an alley where she could peep through the windows.

The ringing of her phone startled her. She grabbed it and hurried up the street to get out of sight of the house. Matt again.

“Tell me where you are and I'll come meet you.”

“How did you know I wasn't at home? Oh, no, tell me you didn't call?” Her mother would be frantic and furious. She stopped at a large mulberry growing between the sidewalk and the street.

“No, I parked in the alley to go in the back way and saw the window screen. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure you snuck out. Where are you?”

She hesitated only a moment. “Hiding behind a mulberry tree on Desert Sand.” Between her feelings and Josh's safety, it was clear which was more important.

“Give me the address—and don't do anything dumb until I get there.”

Dumb? She made a face into the phone as she gave him the address and told him how to get there. “I'm two houses past it. You can't miss the mulberry, it's huge.”

“I'll be there soon.” Matt disconnected.

Shelby waited under the heavily leafed branches. Not only was the shade cooling, but leaning against the trunk was a good place to keep an eye on the Manelli house without being seen. To the casual observer it would seem like she was waiting for a ride because of the way she glanced at her watch, then gazed up and down the street. No one could see she kept her eyes on one particular house. When she saw Matt's Jeep coming toward her, she stepped to the curb and waved. He crossed the lane and parked.

“Which house is it?”

“The blue stucco with the pitiful mimosa.” She walked around the front of the Jeep to the passenger side.

“Um, could you answer a question for me?”

“Sure.” She buckled her seat belt.

“Why'd you pat the mulberry before you stepped in the street?”

“It's my new best friend.”

“Girls.” Matt put the Jeep in reverse, backed up, and rolled to a stop in front of the Manelli house.

“What are you doing?” Shelby asked, panic stricken.

He turned off the engine and put his hand on the door handle. “Your face is shaded so you won't be seen, but keep watching. I'm going to knock on the door and hope Gina Manelli answers.”

Shelby grasped his forearm. “Are you nuts?” When he looked down at her hand she let go immediately.

“No,” he said. “Once you see her, you'll know.”

“What are you going to say?”

“I don't know yet. Stay out of sight.”

Shelby watched him lope up the driveway to the front door. As nervous as she was about that, it amazed her that her fingertips could still feel his arm. She forced her eyes to focus on the front door.

Matt rang the bell, but no one was in any kind of hurry to answer. He turned around and gave a little shrug. A second later he swung back. Someone was there, but she couldn't see through the dark screen.

Suddenly the screen opened wide and a woman stepped out in high-heeled plastic slip-ons. A bleached blonde bimbo described her perfectly. Her hair was chicken-yellow poufy, which went well with her tight purple shorts and low-cut tank top. She pointed down the street and waved her arm a few times, jangling several bracelets. Shelby could hear Matt thank her, and as Gina Manelli disappeared inside, Matt sauntered back to the car.

He slid behind the wheel. “Not her, I take it?”

“No.” She was disappointed, and something else. “I wonder what Roger saw in her. She's nothing like my mother.”

Matt rolled his eyes as he started the engine. “Oh, I don't know, she seems like a real sweet lady.”

Shelby pulled an unused tissue from her pocket and held it out to him.

“What's this for?”

“The drool on your chin.”

“Thanks.” He swept it across his chin in an exaggerated swirl and held it out to her.

“Keep it,” she said shortly. “I'm sure you'll need it again soon. Boys.”