“You’re right. Thanks for the information.”
Sadie nibbled her pumpkin banana loaf as she walked back to her car. She began to wonder if it was time she had a chat with the detective running Jane’s murder investigation. Glancing at her watch, she decided that would have to wait because she needed to get to work on that home invasion house on Brandon Street.
When she got home she played with Hairy for a few minutes before checking her answering machine. Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing the message light blinking, but it was only Zenia from Jonelle’s Spa asking how her massage went and following up with her about the bridesmaids thing. Sadie hit delete.
Her phone chirped and again her heart did a thumpity-thump. This time it was Owen and the text said,
My timing was bad. Again. Sorry for just dropping in on you. We still need to talk.
He attached a picture of himself with a taped-up nose and bruising under his eyes. Sadie flinched in empathetic pain but she didn’t reply. What was the point? Her doctor had confirmed her pregnancy and Owen would have to wait until the baby was born to do a paternity test.
She was slipping her feet into her Nikes and getting ready to leave when she decided to change out of her jeans. There was no denying the fact that the tight waistband was beginning to cut off circulation to the rest of her body. It could be the first trimester of pregnancy, but it was more likely the effect of all the extra calories she’d been consuming lately. Slipping into yoga pants, she grabbed a pillow and stuffed it under her shirt, then looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the door. She groaned.
When Dawn was pregnant she had carried the baby all up front so that you couldn’t even tell she was with child if you stood behind her. But Sadie was a full four inches shorter than her sister. She had a feeling she’d very quickly look like a cross between the Pillsbury Doughboy and the Michelin Man. Especially if she continued eating the way she had been. She made a mental note to buy fresh fruit and stock her fridge with healthier choices.
“And more carrots too,” she told Hairy. “They aren’t just good for rabbits, you know.”
Sadie hit the road and was in West Seattle after an hour of sitting in extended traffic caused by a number of accidents.
When she suited up and walked in the house, she immediately returned to the living room. The wall had a much larger hole now and the money was gone. Sadie wished in this case that “finders keepers, losers weepers” would hold true, but sadly, the money would sit in an evidence locker instead of her bank account.
No cleaning fairy had come in the twenty-four hours while she was gone, so Sadie went to work. She missed the old days when a number of them would work together on a scene. Working alone sucked and took twice as long. On the upside, though, all the money came to her and she wasn’t doling out salaries. Soon that would change and she’d have to hire someone. A trauma cleaner she could trust who would run the show when she was birthing baby and doing the momma thing for a while.
As she sprayed emulsifiers on petrified gray matter on the fireplace mantel, her mind drifted to Zack, the baby, and then Owen. When her cheeks were becoming damp with tears behind her respirator, she told herself to suck it up.
It was eerily quiet inside the house. As the sun set and darkness settled in, Sadie found herself missing conversation from the great beyond. Although tempted to remove it, she kept the conjure bag around her neck. Ghosts might freak out others, but Sadie knew the real monsters were usually among the living.
The first stage of cleaning was done at just past ten. The next stage could be done with just gloves and, of course, her conjure bag. That would wait until tomorrow. Her back was screaming from bending and her stomach was protesting the lack of dinner.
She doffed her gear inside the garage and placed the used hazmat suit inside one of the Stericycle biohazard waste bins. She’d left her purse and phone in the locked garage too. Neither could come inside the main part of the house due to contamination issues. Her phone was blinking frantically. A quick scroll said she’d missed five calls and had numerous texts. She determined they were all from Maeva and Dawn, which caused her to wonder, but she didn’t want to slow down now. If she stayed still for a second, she was worried she’d fall asleep standing up.
Sadie loaded the large plastic tubs in the back of her van and rolled down the back door. Then she paused, tilted her head, and frowned at the vehicle. It was leaning to the right. A quick glance told her she had a flat tire. Damn! Racing around to the passenger side, she ran her fingers roughly through her short-cropped hair and swore under her breath. Both tires on that side were not only flat, but they’d been slashed beyond repair and the passenger window was broken.
She looked around nervously. It could’ve been teens. It also could’ve been whoever murdered the people inside this house. Maybe it had even been both. A group effort. Sadie knew from experience that just because you were paranoid didn’t mean hell and damnation wasn’t about to shake you down.
Chapter 10
A small whimper escaped her throat and she sat down in the driveway and cried for a full minute. Then her phone rang in her hand. It was Maeva.
“How
are
you?” she asked without benefit of a hello.
“The shits. Just came out of my job on Brandon Street to find the window on my van got broken and two tires slashed while I was working, so I’m stuck at the house. Guess I’ll have to call the cops and then call a cab.”
“Oh! Do you need a ride? Because Terry is willing and able to watch Osbert while I come right down there and give you a lift home.” Then away from the phone she shouted, “Aren’t you, Terry?”
“That seems a lot to ask. It’s late. You’ve both gotta work tomorrow. I’ll call it in to the cops in case it’s got something to do with what happened at this house. Then I’ll take a cab home and have someone deal with the van in the morning.”
“Trust me when I say it’s no trouble. As a matter of fact, I’m putting you on speaker in a minute because I’m walking to my car,” Maeva said quickly. “Give me the address.”
Sadie thanked her friend and gave her the Southwest Brandon Street house number.
“Okay, go and lock yourself up somewhere until I get there,” Maeva told her. “By the way, have you talked to Dawn at all?”
“Yes, earlier today. Guess you heard the news? She’s pregnant.”
“Yeah, um, don’t take any calls from her before I get there, okay?”
Sadie held the phone away for a second and stared at it. Maeva was behaving strangely and when a flamboyant psychic medium acted odd, you knew something was up.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” Sadie asked.
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Maeva said and hung up.
Sadie was too tired and pissed off to deal with Maeva’s drama. She dialed the Seattle police and reported what happened to her van. There was a patrol car in the neighborhood so he stopped by and took a look right around the time Maeva was pulling to the curb.
“So do you think that whoever killed the four people who lived here also returned to vandalize my van?” Sadie asked.
“Nah. I can’t see a murderer taking a chance of being seen like that,” the officer said.
“So probably teens or crackheads looking to steal anything in my vehicle?”
“That would be my normal guess but they wouldn’t usually slash your tires then; they’d just try for a quick smash and grab.” The cop scratched his head distractedly. “Feels more like someone who’s pissed at you.”
Sadie groaned and waved to Maeva, who was waiting in her car.
“But I could be wrong. If they’re popped up on drugs, they could’ve thought your tires were serpents out to eat their toes or something.” He chuckled.
“That’s only slightly more comforting,” Sadie told him. “My ride’s here. I’m going to deal with the van in the morning.”
He helped her tape a plastic bag over the passenger window to keep out the wet in case it rained. Then Sadie dragged her dejected body over to Maeva’s car and climbed in.
“Thanks for getting me.” She buckled up, then leaned back and closed her eyes as Maeva pulled away.
“Does the cop have any idea who vandalized your van?”
“Either a gang of marauding teens or paranoid druggies who thought my tires were out to get them.” Sadie yawned. “I’m starved but I’m too tired to chew. Could we go through a drive-thru so I can get a milk shake?”
“Sure. Anything for you because you’re my best friend and I would never do anything to hurt you.”
Sadie cracked open one eye and stole a sidelong gaze at Maeva.
“You’re acting weird. Even for you.”
Sadie’s phone chirped and she dug it out of her pocket and read the text message from Dawn.
I can’t believe you told Maeva you’re pregnant but didn’t tell your own sister!
“You told her?” Sadie shouted. “How
could
you?”
“It wasn’t me!” Maeva protested. “It was stupid Terry. I had a late-night reading tonight so he took Osbert to his Gymboree Play and Learn class,” she said talking in hyperspeed. “And you know Dawn takes Dylan to the same class, right? Well, Terry saw Dawn there and she tells him that she’s expecting her second baby and Terry blurts out that it’s so cool that you and she will be having babies so close together.”
“Terry has a big fat mouth,” Sadie said with a pout.
“He is a big fat loser and I will never, ever tell him anything again. Ever.”
“You will so. You have to. He’s your husband so it’s kind of like part of the marriage law or something.” Sadie rubbed her tired eyes.
“Well, I’m breaking the law. He no longer deserves to know anything,” Maeva said angrily. “He’s going to live so much in the dark he’ll start to grow mushrooms out of his ass.”
Sadie burst out laughing.
“Okay. What’s done is done. Terry didn’t know he was adding rocket fuel to the flames engulfing my life, so I forgive him. And you. Especially if you buy me that milk shake.”
Sadie pointed to a McDonald’s up ahead. She ended up getting a cheeseburger and fries along with the shake.
“You’re going to have to start eating healthier. More fruits and veggies and less crap,” Maeva told her as she reached over and stole a French fry.
“It’s on my to-do list,” Sadie promised. “Do you think Dawn told my mom?”
“No. Absolutely not,” Maeva said adamantly. “Once Terry realized his mistake he made her swear on Dylan’s life.”
Sadie took out her phone and texted her sister. She apologized for not telling her right away and used the excuse that she didn’t want to trump Dawn’s own good news.
When she tucked the phone back inside her pocket Maeva asked, “So is everything good?”
“Oh sure. For now,” Sadie replied. “She’s over-the-moon excited that we’ll be having babies who’ll grow up together. She thinks Mom will be equally thrilled.” Sadie took a deep breath. “Of course she also thinks Zack and I should get married now.”
“So you didn’t tell her about Owen being your baby daddy?”
“No. I told her I’d talk to her tomorrow. That kind of story can’t be told in a text.”
“And you haven’t heard from Owen or Zack?”
“No word from Zack. Truthfully, I don’t know if I’ll ever hear from him again.” Sadie sucked hard on her milk shake straw, trying to ice over the pain in her chest caused by her broken heart. “Owen, on the other hand, sent me a picture of his face. His nose appears broken. He said we need to talk.”
“He’s right. You do need to talk.”
“Maybe,” Sadie agreed. “But first I need to sleep.”
As they pulled up Sadie’s driveway, she thanked her friend for the ride.
Maeva turned in the driver’s seat to face Sadie.
“I just want you to know that I will be there for you through all of this baby stuff. I’ll even be in the delivery room with you if you want. You’re not alone.”
“Thanks.”
Sadie smiled at Maeva but as she walked toward her dark house, empty except for one lone rabbit, she felt totally and completely alone. Just as she was putting her key in the lock, though, the front door burst open and Sadie was knocked backward to the ground by someone hauling ass out her house.
“Hey!”
Sadie jumped to her feet and was tempted to chase but then remembered she wasn’t a superhero. Whoever had broken into her house was through the hedge and down the street in a blur of dark clothing.
“Are you okay?” Maeva was at her side. “Who the hell was that?”
“I have no idea.” Sadie’s hands shook as she dusted herself off. “Average build and average height wearing black pants and a dark hoodie with the hood up. Could’ve been the pope for all I know.”
“I don’t think it was the pope,” Maeva said dryly. She had her phone in her hand and was dialing 911. A minute later she told Sadie, “The cops are on their way.”
“Well, let’s go inside and check out the damage,” Sadie suggested.
“Uh-uh, no way.” Maeva shook her head. “We wait until the police arrive.” Then she waggled her finger in Sadie’s face. “Don’t you have a house alarm?”
“Yes. I just don’t always remember to use it.”
“Honey, it’s like a condom. It’s only got a chance of working if you actually use it.”
“We both know my track record there isn’t so good either.” Sadie cursed under her breath. “I’ve had a crappy day so I’d prefer if you saved the lecture for another time.”
It took two officers less than five minutes to get to Sadie’s house. They took down her description of the person in black.
“And you should know this is the second time I was targeted tonight,” Sadie said. “I was working over in West Seattle and had my company van broken into and tires slashed.” She nodded to Maeva. “My friend just drove me home.”
“What time was your vehicle broken into?” one officer asked while the other went inside the house.
“I don’t know the time. I discovered it about an hour ago, but I was working there for about five hours.”
He nodded.
“We see this kind of thing all the time. Whoever did the smash on your van would’ve taken down your address from your registration papers and hopped on over here to get your valuables. They slashed your tires to slow you down.” He shrugged. “We’ve had half a dozen of these kinds of calls in the last few weeks. Sorry you had to be another victim.”
“Actually, hearing that kind of makes me feel better,” Sadie told him.
“Yeah, at least you now know somebody isn’t out to get you,” Maeva added. “Just your stuff.”
“It’s all clear,” the other officer announced. He was walking out of Sadie’s house holding Hairy in his arms. “Found this little guy shaking like a leaf in your bedroom.”
Sadie took Hairy and nuzzled his fur.
“You may want to consider trading that rabbit in for a dog. Or at least turn on your alarm when you go out,” the other officer said.
“Yeah. I know. Can I go inside now?” she asked.
“Go ahead and give it the once-over to see if anything was taken.”
Sadie, Maeva, and Hairy walked through the house. Her TV and Blu-ray player were still in the living room and her old laptop still sat in her den.
“I think the burglar hit rock bottom here,” Sadie told Maeva. “Unless he took my pint of rocky road ice cream, it’s safe to say nothing was taken.”
“What about jewelry?” Maeva asked.
“Have you ever seen me wear anything besides a watch?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a family heirloom stashed away.”
“The most expensive things in the house are probably some of the crates of cleaning supplies I have in the garage,” Sadie commented. She walked down the hall and flipped on the light in the garage.
“Nothing looks disturbed here either,” Maeva said, looking over her shoulder.
“Just a sec.” Sadie walked down the steps into the garage and swore under her breath as she saw her car. “More tire damage.”
“Oh no!” Maeva clucked her tongue in sympathy.
Sadie rolled up the garage door and they exited there to join the officers outside the house. The police weren’t particularly helpful about her second set of slashed tires in one night. They were anxious to get a move on to catch real crooks or, possibly, head to Krispy Kreme.
“So you still don’t think I’ve got a target on my back?” Sadie asked.
“On your vehicles, yes,” one officer said. “On your back, I don’t think so. You said the guy busted out of here like the devil was on his tail when you got to the door, right? So you scared him off before he could take anything.”
“We’ll drive around the neighborhood and see if we spot anyone matching the description you gave us,” said his partner.
Sadie thanked them. Once they were gone Maeva also needed to be on her way.
“I have to work in the morning, but you’re welcome to come to my place and stay the night,” Maeva said.
“No thanks. I’m fine.”
“Okay then.” Maeva pursed her lips. “Set your alarm as soon as you get inside and then call me when you’re up and I’ll make Terry drive you down to the house you’re working on.”
“I’m sure he has other things to do.”
“Consider it penance.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure Dawn will be chomping at the bit to have a sit-down with me. I’ll get her to drive me.”
“True. If you change your mind, you know how to reach me.”
Sadie went inside and snuggled on the sofa with her bunny for a while. Then she went to bed and crawled under her covers, curled up with the pregnancy book Maeva had loaned her. She fell asleep reading about how her baby was the size of a plum and her uterus the size of a grapefruit. No wonder she always had to pee. In her dreams she was being chased by an army of giant grapefruits. She’d poke them with a fork-like sword and then they’d deflate and look like car tires.
“A burger and shake might not be the best choice to eat for peaceful dreams,” she said as she yawned and stretched in the morning.
Sadie felt so good that morning she decided to go for a jog around the neighborhood. She forgot about the house alarm and accidentally set it off when she was going out the door. She waited around to talk to the monitor station and assure them it was only her and not the tire slasher from the night before. Then the phone rang and it was her doctor’s office advising her of the time and date for her ultrasound appointment. Next, she called Dawn and fended off all her interrogations. She only got off that call by asking her sister to drive her to Brandon Street and promising to give her information on the way. Dawn excitedly agreed to pick her up in two hours.
The next call was to her mechanic, who was an old family friend. Sadie told him where the van was parked and that it needed two new tires and then said the same about her Corolla. He agreed to drive out to the van in a few hours and replace the tires while she worked on cleaning that house. Then she’d give him a spare key so he could swing by her house and also take care of fixing the tires on her Corolla.
“Aren’t you going to ask why I had tires slashed on both my vehicles in one evening?” she asked him.
“Sadie, I stopped asking those kinds of questions about you long ago.”
It didn’t make her feel any better that even her mechanic saw her as a magnet for trouble.
By the time she was off the phone she was no longer in the mood for an enthusiastic jog and settled for a somewhat dispassionate, meandering stroll around the neighborhood.