Seams Like Murder (17 page)

“There’s Eric,” Adele said as a police motorcycle went by and slowed. She seemed a little befuddled. “Pink, you’re my best friend and you’re going to be the maid of honor at my wedding. I need to tell you something. You know how I keep saying that Eric and I haven’t set a date yet because we’re not sure what kind of wedding we want? It’s not exactly the truth. Every time I try to talk to Eric about picking a date, he somehow changes the subject.”

I didn’t know what else to do, so I hugged her and assured her that everything would be okay. Like I really knew? In
any case, it seemed to make her feel better, and she rushed to the front of the store to greet Eric as he came inside.

I started to clear off the table. The strand of yarn was still sitting there. They had all denied taking it at the yarn exchange. But nobody had mentioned the obvious. If it wasn’t any of them, it had to be the one person who wasn’t there—CeeCee.

Unlike Rhoda, I wasn’t prepared for rain. I never even thought to leave an umbrella at the bookstore for days like this. I made a run for it to my car and was nicely damp by the time I shut the door.

I would certainly be glad when Samuel came home. It was hard not having help to look after the herd of animals. I had to dart home during my workday and then stop home after work before any other plans.

The crew was waiting by the door when I got home. Well, everyone but Blondie, who was doing her Greta Garbo routine as usual. I had to rouse her out of her spot and get her across the house. The dogs didn’t seem to care about the rain, and it was too dark for the cats to go out anyway. I fed them all and gave them some attention before heading out again. This time with a raincoat.

I looked forward to the day when Mason was operating
at full tilt and we could once again go out and do things, but for now the only option was to go to his place.

The rambling ranch-style house was built of dark brown wood and seemed almost to melt into the night, making the lights coming from the windows appear like they were floating. The light reflected in the small puddles on the walkway as I made my way to the front door.

I was brimming with news to tell Mason. I couldn’t wait to hear what he thought about everything. I already had the key out, and I was definitely going to use it this time. After all, he had given it to me to use. Who cared what Jaimee or Brooklyn would say or think if they realized I had it?

I put the key in the lock and opened the door. I waited for disaster to strike or for Brooklyn to appear and ask what I was doing there, but when nothing happened, I went inside. I still felt I should announce my arrival and called out down the hall. Mason came scooting toward the door with Spike running alongside.

“Sunshine, you’re here. And you’re all wet,” he said, his face breaking into a big smile. Spike checked over my shoes, as usual, since I carried the scent of all my animals. I deposited my coat on the coat tree near the entrance before leaning in to hug Mason. “Thank you again for last night,” I said. He let out a disappointed sigh.

“I’d be much happier if you were thanking me for another reason,” he said with a naughty grin. “But I’m glad I could at least show up, even if Barry really did the actual rescue.”

“But I knew you had my back,” I said. “I have so much to tell you.” I started to lead the way to the den. Mason seemed to be trying to tell me something, but I was so wound up, I had already started to spill my story as we walked. Well, I walked; he scooted.

“The cops were back at CeeCee’s,” I said, “looking around that back area. I wonder if they looked at all before. CeeCee didn’t show up at the group today. Supposedly with the cops and the newspeople, she couldn’t get out of her house.” I stopped to shake my head in dismay. “I told you about the dead woman’s vest looking familiar.” I started to explain the whole yarn exchange but finally just cut to the chase. “I think CeeCee might have made that vest.” Mason was listening, enjoying every second of the drama. “And I heard that Tony was keeping everybody away from the guest quarters both before we found Delaney and after the cops released it. It turns out he was in a big hurry to change the vent, too. Probably so it won’t happen again.” I stopped and realized I was spitting out facts out of order. “Sorry, I didn’t mention that the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning because the vent was stuffed up with twigs.”

“And you found that all out from?” he asked, his expression fading into concern.

“Assorted people,” I began. “Some of it came from CeeCee’s housekeeper, Rosa, some from Babs, the neighborly woman from Iowa City, and the carbon monoxide thing Barry told me,” I said, not mentioning when or where I’d found out that last tidbit of information.

“Are you sure he isn’t trying to win you back by giving you information about the woman’s death?”

“No, absolutely not. It’s more like he’s using the fact that he knows me to pump me for information.”

It was slow going to the den. Every time one of us said something, we stopped to talk. I started moving again, but Mason grabbed my arm.

“There’s something I have to tell you.” He dropped his voice to a whisper and then pointed to the big room ahead. “We’ll have a nice evening together, because Jaimee and
Brooklyn are off shopping somewhere.” There was something in his voice that made me sense a big
but
coming. And then there it was: “But first I have to take care of something.” He leaned into me and squeezed my shoulder. “It’s really some
one
I have to take care of.”

“Okay,” I said, curious as to who the someone was. I suppose I was afraid it was a woman, so I was surprised when I saw the man sitting on the soft leather couch.

The TV was on, but the frame was frozen, as if something had interrupted Mason while he was watching it. It was the same show he’d been watching the last time.

The man turned in our direction as we came in the room. “Molly, this is Todd,” Mason said, indicating the man. He looked sort of familiar, but I was at a loss to place him. Mason picked up on my confusion and leaned close to me. “Jaimee’s ex,” he whispered. “But I’m trying to remedy it.” I gave the man a second look. He was younger than Jaimee by a good fifteen years. I couldn’t imagine being with someone that much younger. I guessed he was tall, though it was hard to tell since he was sitting down. He had the symmetrical good looks of a model, and his ivory polo shirt brought out his tan. It tickled me that he had the collar turned up. I guess it was supposed to look like it just ended up that way, but it was so clearly arranged.

I noticed that Mason didn’t give Todd any explanation as to who I was other than to sit down, pull me down next to him, and put his arm around me. “Todd came looking for Jaimee. Since she’s not here, Todd and I have been talking about their breakup.” He turned to Todd. “Now, you were telling me that Jaimee just announced she was breaking up with you with no warning,” Mason said.

Todd nodded with a look of consternation. “She didn’t say anything about why. I came over and the locks had been
changed, and when I rang the bell, she said we were done. She wouldn’t even let me get my stuff.”

“You mean the stuff I bought for you,” said a female voice, startling all of us. Jaimee sashayed in, dropping a handful of shopping bags with high-end store names on the floor before she continued. “Do you have any idea how expensive those handmade tennis rackets were? And how many people are given tennis balls made with their name on them? Though I don’t know why you kept everything in those dull bags.”

“Some of the stuff was mine. Did you go through all of them?” Todd asked, definitely perturbed.

Oh man, did I want to get out of there. I didn’t want to hear about their problems, and I certainly didn’t want to be in the middle of this. I edged down the sofa, but Mason held on to me. I got it. He wanted me there for moral support.

“Hardly,” Jaimee said. “I have better things to do with my time. I just unzipped a couple and saw the balls and rackets. Technically, I guess the bags are yours. They’re not at the house anymore. Everything is in a storage unit. If it means so much to you, when I get everything out of storage, I’ll go through everything and ship back what is yours.”

“I don’t really care about the things. What I care about is that you won’t give me another chance.”

“Then you’re admitting I was right! There is someone else, and that’s why you were always so busy and didn’t want me to stay at your place.”

Mason stepped in and spoke to his ex-wife. “Can’t you see that Todd really wants another chance?”

“I do,” Todd said. “We could start all over again.” He got up and stepped close to Jaimee. “Remember how I used to give you lessons? I’d stand behind you and we’d practice
your swing. We could start again tomorrow. The court up there is functional, right?”

I thought Jaimee was going to go for it. Todd moved his hand, and for some reason I thought he was going to scratch his arm, but instead he began to run his fingers along her arm in a seductive way. He leaned in so close to her that his breath must have been tickling her ear.

“No,” she said, stepping away. “It’s time for you to go.” She ushered him to the door.

Mason looked at me and shook his head, unhappy that his plan hadn’t worked. Jaimee returned a moment later.

“If that guy wants you back so bad,” Mason said, “why not give him another chance?”

“It’ll take more than the offer of another tennis lesson. How about admitting what he did and apologizing, and then pleading for me to forgive him? Then I’d consider getting back with him.”

“Why didn’t you tell him that was what you wanted?” Mason said.

“He should be able to figure it out himself.” Jaimee sounded angry.

“What’s going on?” Brooklyn asked, coming into the room. “I saw Todd going out the door. What was he doing here?” She didn’t admit to it, but I guessed she’d been standing around the corner, eavesdropping.

“He wants your mother to give him another chance. And I was trying to help them work it out.”

Brooklyn threw me a hostile stare, and I got the message—she didn’t want to talk in front of me. I excused myself and went into the kitchen, supposedly to get a drink. Of course, I could hear everything that was going on.

“Why are you trying to get them back together? I’m glad
they’re broken up.” Jaimee tried to say something, but Brooklyn continued. “What’s wrong with you, Dad? You used to keep your women out of our lives. That’s it, isn’t it? You want to get rid of Mother and me so you can scoot off into the sunset with that woman.”

Whew. So I was
that
woman
now, when she knew my name perfectly well. I waited to see who would speak next, and Jaimee jumped into the fray. “Mason, having her around is too taxing in your condition. If you want, I’ll tell her you need to get some rest.”

I had edged closer to the door to better hear his answer, but instead of responding, Mason rolled into the kitchen on the scooter. “You heard, didn’t you?”

I mumbled something noncommittal.

“I am so sorry,” he said. “Now maybe you understand why I kept you and my family separate. I’ll get Jaimee back together with that boyfriend of hers, and then she’ll be gone. Then, once I’m driving again, it will be time for Brooklyn to leave.”

I saw his shoulders drop. “And face whatever she is running away from.” Our eyes met, and he gave my cheek an affectionate brush. “I wasn’t born yesterday. The way she showed up insisting on taking care of me, when that isn’t her nature—something’s up.” He put his arms around me, and I stuck my foot in front of the wheels of the scooter so it wouldn’t start to roll. “All I can say is how sorry I am for you to be caught in the middle of this.”

I both loved and hated that Mason was so responsible for his family. I was just settling into the hug when Jaimee came in, waving a take-out menu.

“Brooklyn and I are ordering some food. Do you want something?” There wasn’t the slightest doubt that her question was only aimed at Mason.

“Are you sure this is such a good idea?” Dinah said the next night as I pulled out the bin of supplies for Sheila’s practice class. It was just about time for the bookstore to close, and the yarn department was deserted.

“Sheila needs to get that image of Delaney out of her head.” I made sure the top on the bin was secure, put my bag on it, and got ready to go. It had taken a bit of doing, but I had gotten the group to agree to gather for Sheila’s practice class. I had even rushed home and baked more biscuits. “I think this is going to work.” We started to walk to the front. “At least I hope so. We’re running out of time.”

Sheila was waiting outside the front door of the bookstore when Dinah and I came out.

Her round face seemed racked with tension as she tried to smile. It always struck me as odd that while Sheila crocheted things with such lush colors and had a background in costume design, when it came to her own wardrobe, she always went
for bland. Sheila hadn’t even added a scarf or cowl for color with her beige jacket. Underneath, the navy blue pants and sweater over a white shirt looked kind of like a school uniform. Not that I was in a position to talk. I’m sure people said the same about my standard khaki pants and shirt.

“Thank you for doing this,” she said. She seemed determined and tense at the same time. “I’m sorry for being so difficult.” It had taken a bit of doing to get Sheila to agree to go back to the scene of the problem.

Adele bustled out the door a moment later. “I’ll take Sheila,” she said. “I can give her a pep talk on the way over.” I hesitated, wondering what kind of pep talk Adele would give our shy crocheter. I had my doubts that Adele could understand how Sheila felt, since she was fearless when it came to being in front of a group. If anything, she loved the spotlight.

Thankfully, it hadn’t taken much persuading to get CeeCee to agree to my plan. Having the cops all over her place the day before had only made her more uncomfortable in her own surroundings. She hadn’t been up to the guest quarters since we’d first found Delaney.

Luckily, I’d had the genius idea of contacting Esmaya to see if she did private purifying rituals. When she heard it had to do with CeeCee Collins and a crime scene, she agreed immediately and said she’d do the premium spiritual counseling package.

Dinah and I drove together, and a short time later, I parked the greenmobile in front of CeeCee’s. I was relieved to see there were no news crews or photographers hanging out in front anymore. Adele pulled her Matrix up behind me. The lanterns on top of the pillars on either side of CeeCee’s front gate illuminated the area. “Uh-oh,” I said, seeing Sheila rush out of the passenger seat with a stunned expression.

I grabbed Adele and pulled her aside. “What did you tell her?”

Adele seem unfazed by Sheila’s expression or my question and shrugged as she spoke. “I just told her the thing I’ve always heard if you have a problem with public speaking. You just imagine everyone in their birthday suits.”

No wonder Sheila had looked stunned. Did she really want to imagine all that naked skin? “Uh, I think you’re supposed to picture them in their underwear,” I offered.

“I like my version better,” Adele said. No surprise.

“I’m here,” Babs said as she walked into the circle of light. “Thanks for including me. I told my girlfriend in Iowa City that I was hanging out with celebrities and had become a Hooker.” She laughed at her own joke.

The Buick carrying Rhoda and Elise pulled up a moment later. Eduardo had had to beg off, as he had some kind of event going on at the Apothecary. Esmaya zipped up in a Smart Car just behind them. I wasn’t totally sure about her skills as a spiritual counselor, but she sure dressed the part. She wore a long white caftan with a necklace of carved wooden pieces. Her honey blond hair was twisted up and held in place by some leather thongs. She carried a tote made out of thick, dry grasses.

“Is her hair twinkling?” Dinah asked.

“I don’t think so,” I said, but then I looked again and saw that Dinah wasn’t seeing things. I stepped closer for a better look.

“They’re LED lights,” the spiritual counselor said. “Don’t they add a nice touch of magic?”

CeeCee buzzed the gate open, and we all trooped in. CeeCee was standing outside waiting, and I could hear Tallulah and Marlene barking from inside. CeeCee seemed
unusually tense and grabbed my arm. “I certainly hope your plan works for all of us. I haven’t been able to bring myself to go up there since it happened.” Rosa came outside and stopped next to her employer, eyeing all of us.

“Is there anything you need?” the housekeeper asked. CeeCee seemed preoccupied and shook her head.

It was the first time I’d ever come over and CeeCee hadn’t asked what treats I’d brought. I was going to mention the biscuits, but CeeCee was impatient to get to the guest apartment. I was glad that there was a hanging string of lights on the patio next to the house. They brightened up the whole area.

Unsurprisingly, CeeCee had Esmaya and me go up the stairway first. I opened the door but felt a little apprehensive as I got ready to flip the light switch. I was automatically holding my nose, remembering the smell of death from last time. I was relieved when the recessed lighting in the ceiling illuminated the whole room and nobody was lying there. The only reminder that anything had gone on there was a piece of yellow tape on the doorknob.

CeeCee was right behind me. “Tony cleaned up everything after the cops left.” I started to breathe through my nose again and noted the faint scent of Murphy’s Oil Soap. A long folding table had been set up with folding chairs around it. A few other chairs had been spaced around the room. As I stepped inside I noticed the air was warm and stopped in my tracks.

“It’s okay,” CeeCee said, giving me a slight push. “Tony arranged for the heater vent to be changed.” I took her at her word and went inside and set the basket of biscuits on the counter next to a brown box. “Should I move this?” I asked CeeCee.

“I don’t know what it is,” CeeCee said, nervously backing away from it. Babs came forward and opened the flap of the box.

“What is it?” I asked, pulling back the flap on the other side of the box. There seemed to be pipes, a lot of leaves and twigs, and something bright and fuzzy. Babs closed the flap on her side and then closed the one on mine.

“The workmen must have left it. Where I come from, they always leave the old stuff so you can see what they did.”

“I don’t care,” CeeCee said in an impatient voice. “Let’s just get going on this.” We all moved to the center of the room. “Where’s Tony?” she asked. “He was going to come for moral support.”

“Here I am, honey,” Tony said in a bright voice as he entered the room. “I just wanted to make sure you know there’s nothing to worry about. The battery in the carbon monoxide detector has been changed.” He pointed out something hanging on the wall. “The green light means it’s working.”

“He’s sure chipper,” Dinah said in a low voice meant just for me to hear.

“And he’s an actor,” I said. “Who knows what’s real?”

I stood back and let Esmaya take over. She looked around the big room and did some ethereal-ish moves with her arms. “Ah yes, I can feel the bad energy lingering in here.” She moved her arms around some more. “When I’m done it will all be gone.”

She put down her tote, took out a blue ceramic bowl, and set it on the table before kicking off her thong sandals. Next, she extracted a bound bunch of sage and laid it in the middle of the bowl. She lit it with a lighter, and in a moment a thin trail of bluish smoke began to rise from the herbs, giving off a pungent odor. She picked up the bowl and began to walk around the room, doing a slow dance and chanting. I was relieved when Babs steered Esmaya away from the smoke detector.

When the last of the sage had burned, she stood at the doorway and held her arms up. “All bad vibes be gone. May
this place be filled with good chi.” She moved her hands as if she was gathering something up and hurled it out the door into the night. “You’re good to go,” she announced, slipping on her shoes. I thought she was going to leave, but she asked to stay and see how things went.

“Okay, Sheila, we’re ready for you,” I coaxed as I pulled the bin of yarn to the table and Dinah started to distribute small amounts of different-colored yarns. Sheila went to the head of the table and began to set up her samples and supplies.

“Here we go again,” Dinah said under her breath. “Fingers crossed nothing else happens.”

“What could possibly happen to wreck this?” I saw Dinah wince at me. “I know I’m tempting fate. But really, I think Sheila is going to sail through it this time.”

Tony hung next to CeeCee, apparently trying to be a supportive partner.

Sheila took a deep breath and began. “Thank you for being such good friends. Really, you are my family now. And this time I’m going to get through it.” She held up an airy wrap in shades of blue and started to talk about the yarn. “If you’re going to use three strands, none of them can be too thick.”

We all made encouraging sounds and followed her suggestion to feel the different yarns in front of us. Sheila let out her breath and seemed to be finding her way.

I nudged Dinah with a nod. “I told you nothing would happen.”

But I’d spoken too soon. Suddenly and without warning the door flew open and a series of cops with their weapons drawn rushed into the room. Barry appeared through the crowd as they surrounded Tony. He took out his handcuffs.

“You’re under arrest for the murder of Delaney Tanner.”