"That one's personal."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"
"Not like that," I said. "It's just... A long story."
"I have time."
"Well, I don't. I have to get over to Mario and Perry's. One more favor?"
"Two hours."
"Talk about bamboozling."
She smiled. "Where do you think Ursula learned it? What is it you need?"
"I tried to do a search on Joey Miller, but his name was too common. Is there any way you—"
Holding up a hand, she cut me off and went searching in her tote bag. She finally pulled out a folder and dropped it on my desk. "I had a feeling that you would be asking."
"It's scary how well you know me," I said.
"Terrifying. I'll prorate your hours appropriately." She wiggled her eyebrows and walked out.
As she greeted Sassy, I stared at the manila file. Taking a deep breath, I opened it.
Tam had done well—she even included a current picture, all his mug shots, and his Facebook profile picture. Part of me felt guilty that I used her talents this way, but the other part was just too damn grateful to have the information. Plus, most of what she gleaned was done through public records—she simply had more knowledge about how to weave through the Internet highway than I did.
At least that's what I told myself as guilt continued to prick my conscience.
I checked through the pages of Joey's rap sheet. It seemed he'd covered the whole gamut of crime from petty theft to multiple assaults to vehicular homicide.
I scanned the information Tam had found on the assaults. Most seemed to stem from confrontations with enraged homeowners who realized they'd been conned or from bar-fight incidents. He was no stranger to jails.
Flipping the page, I focused in on the homicide charge—of which he'd been ultimately acquitted. Seemed like Joey's temper had gotten the best of him—not with an irate homeowner or in a love triangle gone wrong (either of which I could easily believe)—but during a road rage incident in Michigan. Long story short was that he'd been tailgating a car on the highway, but when he tried to pass the other car would speed up, too. Both cars sped along until Joey finally passed the other vehicle—then cut back in front of it and slammed on his brakes. The other car lost control trying to avoid a crash and went off the side of the road and down an embankment. Twenty-two year old Emmett Walsh had been ejected from his car (he hadn't been wearing a seatbelt) and died on the scene.
Joey had driven off. According to the report, he claimed he hadn't been aware there'd been a crash at all. Witnesses had given the police Joey's license plate number and he was initially charged only with driving with a suspended license (a previous DUI) but he was eventually charged with vehicular homicide.
Because Emmett's car hadn't actually made contact with Joey's, and because Emmett had also been driving recklessly, Joey was acquitted.
I wondered if this case had been tried in the present day and age if the verdict would be the same. It didn't make sense to me that Joey had gotten off scot-free since it had technically been his fault that the young man had to swerve because of Joey's actions...
Letting out a sigh, I closed the file. One thing was crystal clear after reading about Joey's many transgressions: He was a dirtbag. Scum. The lowest of the low. How he kept attracting women amazed me because just looking at his picture made me want to bathe in hand sanitizer.
I stuffed the file in my backpack and swept all the confetti bits back into a new envelope, sealed it, and placed it under my blotter.
Today was going to be a busy day, and the sooner I got started the better. I took another sip of coffee, finished up some paperwork, and headed out to meet my nursery supplier at Mario and Perry's.
In a little under an hour, the backyard makeover would be in full swing and hopefully it would run smoothly all day.
Because if it wasn't, I wouldn't be able to sneak over to the county offices to check out Cain Monahan...
And I couldn't let that happen. It was time to know the truth.
Chapter Eighteen
Back in the Mill, I parked my truck in my driveway and was happy to see most of my crew already gathered across the street. A Reaux Construction van was also parked over there. Apparently we weren't the only crew in town to get an early start.
I'd stopped on my way over to buy a new pair of work boots and to pick up some Krispy Kremes and plenty of coffee for the crew. I waved Marty Johnson over to distribute the goodies to my merry band of troublemakers as I affectionately called them.
I'd also brought some donuts home for Maria and Perry, but when I went into the house, I was surprised to find it empty. There was a note from Maria on the counter saying Nate had come by early to pick her up.
I felt a sudden stab of sadness and realized I'd miss her being here. Clearly I was losing my mind.
"Perry!" I called.
He wasn't due at the salon until ten, so I thought he'd still be around. I peeked out the kitchen window, wondering if he was across the street talking to Mario, but I didn't see either of them.
I was surprised by the little pang I felt at the house being empty. Usually I liked the peace and quiet, but I'd grown accustomed to Maria's demands over the past two days and Perry's theatrics.
And of course, the silence only reminded me again that Riley didn't live here anymore.
I really had to get a grip about that. It was silly. So silly. Even if he did live here, he'd be at school by now.
Dropping the donuts on the counter, I hitched myself onto a stool and opened my laptop for a quick search of my mail.
I lit up when I saw a note from my father.
And then deflated when I opened it.
Why do you want to know about The Black Fox?
I groaned and sent off a quick one-word note. Curious.
I logged off and had started to head back outside when I spotted something that did not belong here.
I crouched down.
Gracie wagged her tail from her spot beneath the couch.
Rubbing her ears, I said, "Who's a good girl?"
She closed her eyes and wagged faster.
Slowly, I stood, wincing at the way my knees made popping noises and went to the kitchen phone. I dialed Maria. She answered on the second ring.
"You forgot something here," I said.
"I did?"
She tried to sound innocent but I wasn't buying it.
"Maria," I warned.
"Nina, I don't really see what you're getting worked up about. Can't you just watch her for a week or two? Or a month? Just, you know, until the baby's home and settled in. Then we can introduce Gracie more smoothly."
"You're not serious."
"You don't like that plan?"
I noticed that Maria had left food and water bowls out for Gracie and both were topped off—I'm glad she remembered to do that, at least. "You need to come back and get her. I'll be out of the house all day."
"I can't, Nina. Nate's just left for work."
"I thought he was taking the week off?"
"I thought it was best that he get as much work done before the baby comes. He agreed."
I bet he did. "Then drive over here and get her yourself."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. My blood pressure is a little high right now, so I need to lie down."
I bit the inside of my cheek. "What are you up to, Maria Ceceri Biederman?"
"I guess I could be persuaded to come by and get her if you also have my ultrasound results..."
Ah. Now I understood. "You're using your dog as a pawn? That's just low, Maria. Even for you."
"Don't use that tone with me, Nina. I'm desperate! And besides, we both know she likes you better than me."
"You're crazy."
"Take that back!"
"We also both know this is just some game you're playing because you're bored. You could easily go to the doctor's and get another ultrasound done instead of torturing me this way."
"Hmmph
!" she said and hung up on me.
Gracie came out from beneath the couch and looked up at me with her cloudy eyes.
"I guess you're coming to work with me," I said.
If the piddle on the floor was any indication, she was as excited by the idea as I was.
***
Before I went to work, I stopped over at Mr. Cabrera's house to tell him about Brickhouse's travel plans. His car was in the driveway, but when I knocked and rang the doorbell, he didn't answer. I peered in the window, and the place looked deserted.
I hoped he wasn't hiding out. The big chicken.
Across the street, I tied Gracie to a maple tree in Mario and Perry's side yard, set out a water bowl, and laid out a towel for her in the shade. I found Kit in the back yard hard at work with the sod cutter, ripping up the sparse existing grass. The lawn had several varieties of grass seed and a poor root system. It had to go. Yesterday, Coby had cut down two more diseased trees, and the change in the amount of sunshine now getting to the back yard was going to make all the difference with the new sod and plantings.
I glanced around at everyone hard at work. Coby and Marty had already started on building the new deck. Shay Oshwalter and Jeff Dannon were laying out a test paver pattern. It was going to take another hour or two before the yard was a clean slate—and then the work would really begin.
Kit shut down the sod cutter as I walked up to him.
"Where's Jean-Claude?" He should have been here by now.
"He called me this morning and said he'd be late. Delphine's due in court at nine and he wanted to be there. Plum's with him, too."
Delphine was still being charged with Joey's death.
I wondered if Honey would show up in court on Jean-Claude's arm. What a spectacle that would be.
I started thinking about Honey, and wondered again how she could have married Joey in the first place. She had to have sensed the sleaze factor.
"Why're you looking like that?" Kit asked. He wore a bandana wrapped around his bald head and safety eyewear.
No one dared make fun of him.
"Like what?" I asked.
"You know what."
I did know. I was meddling again. I needed to call Tam. It'd be nice to run a check on Honey, too.
I was starting to feel like I was getting in over my head, and that Kevin might be right—I should stay out of this.
But I was already in so far...a little more couldn't hurt.
I hoped.
Bear and Ethan came out on the back deck, lit their cigarettes, and looked around. I stepped closer to Kit. "How's it going in there?"
"Just about done," Kit said. "Plum called in an extra set of hands, a plumber, and that guy is finishing up in the basement. Between him and Bear and Ethan, the plumbing will be fixed today."
"So Mario will be moved back in tonight?"
"He better be."
I elbowed him. "You know you love him."
Kit eyed my elbow. I took a small step away from him.
"He wears smelly cologne, eats smelly cheese, and he snores."
"Louder than you?"
He stared. "Don't you have work to do?"
I did. "I need to make a call first." I started to walk away then turned back. "Did you happen to see Perry this morning? He was supposed to talk things over with Mario first thing today."
"I saw him."
"And?"
"He left again."
I wrinkled my nose. "Do you know where? Did they make up?"
"He stomped off, hopped in his car, and peeled out, so my guess is no. But I think Mario's just playing hard to get, especially after he went on and on about Perry last night at dinner. Made me sick."
"Right," I said. "Because you're made of stone."
"Something like that," he said.
"Right." I rocked on my heels. "When are you going to ask Ana to marry you, anyway?"
He snarled. "Go away."
"Just so you know, Saul has a nice selection of rings at The Gem Shop. Tell him I sent you and you can probably get the friends and family discount."
"Go. Away."
Smiling, I walked off, found a relatively quiet corner, and called Tam. At this rate, I was going to be babysitting Nic for a month straight.
As soon as I hung up with her, I called Perry. He didn't answer, and I left him a message that I'd called to check on him, and if he wanted to talk then to call me. I hoped Kit was right—that Mario was just playing hard to get at this point. He'd definitely been wronged by Perry, so I didn't blame him for putting Perry through the paces, but enough was enough.
I checked on Gracie, who was sound asleep under the tree, and wondered how long I could hold out until I ran over to the county offices.
Since they didn't even open 'til nine, I had two hours to kill by actually working.
It was going to be the longest two hours of my life.
Chapter Nineteen
Two hours later, I was itching to go. I glanced around and wiped the sweat off my brow.
The yard had come a long way in a short time. Heavy equipment like a skid steer loader helped speed the process along. The yard had been properly graded, new soil had been brought in using the bobcat and placed in the planting beds, and the preparation for the paver patio was almost complete.
To someone unfamiliar with the process of a makeover, it looked a complete mess. But I could easily see that we were right on schedule.
Jean-Claude still hadn't shown up, and I couldn't help but wonder how the hearing was going.
I walked over and checked on Gracie—she was still happily asleep. I thought for sure the vibrations from the equipment would startle her, but she was happily oblivious. All around her were the plantings the nursery had dropped off. I fingered one of the leaves of a star magnolia tree. It was past its bloom time now, but come next spring it would be beautiful. There were also two dogwoods as well as a beech tree to plant.
I bent down to check out the yellow flowers of the moonbeam coreopsis, and the tight buds on the wild blue indigo that would open in a few weeks. For a second, I was lost in the plants and the happiness they brought me. And for the first time in a long time I remembered why I loved my job so much.
A door slammed nearby and I glanced up just as Mr. Cabrera came out of his house and headed my way.
As soon as he spotted me, he tossed his hands in the air. "She's not answering my calls!"
"Can you blame her?"
A bushy eyebrow shot up. "Whose side are you on?"
"Both of yours. You need to go over there and talk to her. Don't do it on the phone. And you better hurry—she has a flight scheduled for tonight."
His face puckered, and he said, "Pah! I think I'll see if they need any help inside first." Turning, he walked away and went inside the house.
I wasn't sure what his "pah!" meant, but I had a feeling it wasn't good. My heart sank, but I realized that if he was going to get her back, he had to do the rest on his own. I'd helped him as much as I could.
I found Kit again and told him I needed to run an errand. I wasn't the least bit concerned leaving the yard under his control. Unfortunately, I couldn't leave Gracie under his watch. I brought her back to my house, settled her in the kitchen, safely behind a baby gate I used for her visits, and ran upstairs for a quick shower.
There was no way I was going to go see Cain Monahan while covered in a fine layer of dust and dirt.
I scrubbed the film from my skin and tried to tell myself that I hadn't completely lost my mind in seeking him out. But I knew I had. This was little more than a wild goose chase—and with a start I realized I was just as crazy as Maria. When we both had something stuck in our heads, it was hard to let it go.
For the millionth time since I met him, I silently thanked Perry for the easy-breezy haircut he'd given me. I combed through the wet strands and pulled out the hair dryer for a quick blow out. Tossing a look at my makeup bag, I debated whether a little mascara would make me look like I was trying too hard and
decided I didn't care. I even dabbed on some lip gloss.
Sue me.
To prove that I wasn't fluffing myself up, as Mr. Cabrera would say, I threw on an old pair of jeans and a plain white T-shirt. I ran downstairs, said goodbye to Gracie, slipped on a pair of sandals and hopped in my truck.
It was closing in on eleven—it had taken me a while to get ready. I'd already let Ana know I was running late, but texted her now, too. On my way.
She texted back almost immediately. I'll be on the lookout.
With jittery hands, I put the truck in reverse and slowly backed out of my driveway. As I drove toward the county offices, I tried to shake the feeling that my life was about to change forever...
But I couldn't quite manage it.
***
Ana met me in the front lobby. "I did a little scoping out, and no one knows much about Cain Monahan. He's only been working here a few months."
"I have Tam on it," I said.
"Good, good. The coroner's offices are on the second floor. Do you want me to come with you?"
"I think I can do it on my own."
She studied me. "Are you wearing lip gloss?"
"Chapstick," I lied.
"My ass," she said.
"I'll check in with you when I'm done."
"I can hardly stand the suspense," she said, rubbing her hands.
I decided that my whole family had issues. Trying to calm my nerves with deep breathing, I took the stairs to the second floor. Harsh overhead lighting illuminated the wide hallway, and I was surprised at how luxurious the decor was from the thick rug to the dark wood wainscoting.
The county must be doing well for itself.
Small signs hung by each door in the hallway, and I stopped at the one that designated the coroner's office. My hand shook as I reached for the knob. I turned it and gave a little push.
There was no going back now.
The door opened into a small reception area, complete with four chairs, a coffee table, and a whole slew of magazines. A woman sitting behind a large wooden desk looked up when I came in.