Elizabeth C. Main - Jane Serrano 02 - No Rest for the Wicked (15 page)

“
They’re not the only ones.
”
My astonishment was complete.
“
What on earth—
”

“
It was an old account.
It belonged to
his grandmother
, Irene Cook,
in Redmond
.
I didn’t think h
e even
remembered
it
.
”

Now it was my turn to stand and pace.

“
I can explain.
”

I gripped the back of the bench.
“
I hope so.
Y
ou scared
Bianca
by hiding out in your room,
a
nd all of a sudden you don’t want to say a word in front of her.
You say we have to talk and then you bring up people and bank accounts I know nothing about.
None of this makes any sense. Please
level with
me
… that is, if you want my help.
”

Alix bowed her head. Then she drew a breath.
“
I do. I need your help.
”
She exhaled.

“
I’ve paid
Irene Cook’s
bills for years, but she doesn’t know it. She thinks … thought … she never had any idea what
her grandson
was really like. At first, I didn’t know
that
he was
stealing from her
, but I’d have a hard time proving that. He told me … well, it doesn’t matter.
Back then,
I believed whatever he said. By the time I learned better, her
cash
was gone
, and so was he
. I
’ve been
putting money into her account
ever since
.
”

I had a flash of understanding.
“
You felt responsible. But you were just a kid.
You were eighteen and he was … ?
”

“
Thirty. Took me two years to understand what he was like, and another to get him
officially
out of my life.
”
Alix looked down at her hands
.
“
I should have done better by her.
She was a nice lady
.
”

“
You did better by her than her own grandson.
Isn’t that good enough? And w
hy don’t you want Bianca to know?
She’d sympathize.
”

“
I know Bianca means well, and I don’t mean to insult her, but …
”

“
But she’s a little excitable,
”
I finished.

I had to strain to make out her next words.
“
And I like having her look up to me. But I was so foolish about Hunter.
”

“
You were young, Alix!
”

The ringing of the telephone interrupted her
response
. Alix jumped up to answer it, welcoming the opportunity to escape. How embarrassing she must find it to be caught having a human emotion.

Her beauty, intelligence, and skill as a businesswoman were undeniable, so it wasn’t hard to see why Bianca had been drawn to her.
We’d always passed off
Alix’s comments about the uselessness of men
as lighthearted banter. But today, I’d pushed her to drop her self-reliant fa
c
ade. She must be terrified, or she’d never have confided in me. Well, she should be scared, with the skeleton of Hunter Blackburn rattling around in her closet.
I’d implied I could help.
But what could I do?

I wandered back into the room through the French doors and
marveled
as Alix calmly discussed flower arrangements with the person who had called.
What amazing
self-
control
. It illuminated the
determination she had shown in
re
building her
life after the disaster she’d faced at eighteen. I was proud to be her friend.

When the
conversation
ended
, Alix turned to me and spoke in a completely different tone of voice.
“
You’re
not going to like this, but there’s more
, and it’s not ancient history
.
The day he died,
I just wanted him to leave Irene alone
and get out of town
.
That’s the reason I met him, argued with him that afternoon.
”
She hesitated for a long time before finishing.
“
I also deposited three thousand
dollars
in Irene’s checking account
later
.
Arnie
might somehow trace that. If he does,
I’ll look
like
Hunter’s
accomplice.
”

“
So? You’d been doing that for years.
”

Alix hurried on, pleading with me to understand.
“
He tried to shake me down, as usual, but .
.
.
”

“
Oh, no. You didn’t pay him this time, did you? The paper said they found a lot of money on him.
”

“
No. Turns out he didn’t need my money this time.
When I said no, h
e laughed and
told me it didn’t matter
.
Then he bragged that h
e’d already used
Irene’s
debit card to withdraw
three thousand dollars, leaving her about five dollars so as not to trigger an overdraft.
It didn’t occur to me he still
knew about
that account, but I should have guessed. He
didn’t miss a trick
.
What a skunk. I was so mad, I told him that if he didn’t get his worthless hide out of town pronto, I’d call the sheriff on him myself this time. He just smiled and told me to calm down. S
aid he was leaving
anyway.
Then he walked away and t
hat’s the last I saw of him.
I
wanted to
sho
o
t him myself
.
”

She
must have noticed
my
startled
expression
.
“
But I didn’t, of course.
Somebody else took care of that later. Want to hear the
icing on the cake?
Irene
always used the same
PIN
, his birthday, ’cause she was so proud of him.
I knew she’d need money to pay her bills, so I replaced the money
later.
I didn’t think it was relevant to his murder—
”

“
Not relevant?
”
M
y frustration erupt
ed
in a torrent of words.
“
Even Arnie could make a
connection
out of that. What else don’t I know? You asked me to help you.
You certainly aren’t making it easy.
Did you write
a
check?
”

“
No. Always cash. I’m sorry
I didn’t tell you before.
I’d hoped, perhaps foolishly, that no one would
ever realize
that
Irene’s
money
came from
me.
But t
he longer this drags on
without another suspect
, the more I’m afraid
they will.
And if Arnie
ever
puts those deposits together with me, I’ll look like Hunter’s accomplice, which would give me a motive for
his
murder. You know, thieves fighting over money
…
”
Alix collapsed onto the chair beside her desk.
“
Now you know absolutely everything.
”

I let out my breath with a whoosh.
“
And it’s plenty. I’ll say that much. I know
this wasn’t easy for you
, Alix, and I appreciate your trust
.
But n
ow what?
”

“
I was hoping
to convince
you to talk to Hunter’s grandmother
, see if she can shed any light
.
”

“
Why don’t you talk to her yourself?
”

“
I can’t. She thinks I was the one who stole her money
years ago
.
I told you, she never really understood what Hunter was like.
”

“
So, what could I say
that would help?
”

“
Maybe … well, I don’t know, but it’s the only idea I have.
You’ll think of something.
”
Alix twisted her slender fingers together while she waited for my response. She stood very straight, braced for the worst, but her eyes pleaded with me.

I doubted her confidence in my abilities, but didn’t think I could resist the pleading in her eyes.
“
I asked you a while ago why you’d opened the Wedding Belle
.
I’d really like to know.
”
Some instinct told me that Alix’s answer to this particular question was important.

Alix
came over and
trailed her crimson nails along the arm of the chintz loveseat before sinking gracefully onto one of the cushions.

I sat on the other cushion and waited.

“
Okay, but you won’t believe it.
”
Alix smoothed the flowered fabric beside her over and over as though trying to remove nonexistent wrinkles. About the time I was ready to grab her hand to make her stop, she spoke.
“
I used to play with dolls when I was little. That pretend world was easier than … well, anyway, when I was about eight or nine, I won a bride doll at a community Christmas party. The most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen. She came in her own box—you know the kind, with the clear plastic on the front—and her blue eyes opened and closed. She had a detachable veil, too. I loved that doll more than anything. So I dreamed of dressing up in a white gown someday and being a bride just like her. Beautiful, no problems, handsome prince.
”
She waved her hand dismissively and cleared her throat.
“
The usual kid stuff. Never happened. I moved away … did this and that … and then the Wedding Belle came on the market. I bought it on a whim, and here I am.
”

“
Can I see the doll?
”

Alix seemed startled.
“
Why would I still have a kid’s doll?
”

“
Because you loved her.
”

My understanding of Alix was growing by the minute. She did her best to keep herself hidden inside her protective shell, but the necessity of asking for my help had cracked that shell wide open. Alix did have a separate personality that I hadn’t seen before, but it was exposed now, and it wasn’t the personality of a killer.

“
In that bench
,
under the window seat,
”
she whispered, her face bright red.

The white satin dress had yellowed with age, and the box was scuffed, but the doll’s bright blue eyes opened wide as I lifted her, and her smile never wavered. She was ready and waiting for the good things of the world to happen.

My eyes filled with tears.
“
She’s beautiful. What’s her name?
”

“
Mirabella. I thought it sounded romantic.
”

I nodded. After a moment, I settled Mirabella comfortably back in place and turned to face Alix.
“
I’d better get started for Redmond. We still have things to clear up before we all live happily ever after.
”

Chapter 15

Armed with as much information about Irene Cook as Alix could provide, I intended to drive to Redmond to interview her before I could lose my nerve.
Since I had no idea what I could possibly accomplish, the sooner I put this project behind me, the better.
Alix wouldn’t be able to think about anything else until I did.

I was halfway out
the door when Bianca bounced in
, followed by Tyler.
“
Look who I found.
”

Her cheerful tone didn’t match the anxious look she sent my way, so I gave her a thumbs-up
to indicate that my conversation had
calm
ed Alix’s earlier distress
. No need to disclose
tha
t my own anxiety level had shot up to record levels with my new knowledge and assignment
.

Clearly relieved, she smiled back before picking up the conversational ball.
“
I told him we needed his help to carry things.
”
She looked expectantly at Alix, who didn’t seem to be tracking.
“
You know, the Palmer wedding?
”

Alix’s blank look changed to a consternation she wasn’t faking.
“
My god. It’s … it’s tomorrow.
”

“
Don’t worry about a thing. I’m just glad I remembered in time.
”
Bianca’s smile was luminescent, now that she had thought of something useful to do.
“
Ty and I have it all under control. You just stay here and … and take care of things at this end. We’ll do the wedding prep, and Ty will help me tomorrow, too.
”

“
Things okay at Thornton’s?
”
I directed my question to Tyler, who looked particularly glum.

“
Fine. Grandpa was happy to get rid of me. But this wedding stuff isn’t my bag.
”

Normally Tyler was happy to be anywhere near Bianca, but he didn’t seem to be in the mood for this outing.

“
You think Wendell’d be more help?
”
Bianca gestured behind her at the ever-faithful dog.

Hearing his name, Wendell regarded Bianca intently with his one good eye, waiting for instructions or, better yet, food.

From my own dealings with Bianca’s determined nature I suspected that Tyler would end up helping, regardless of his feelings about weddings
.

Bianca made it easier for him by sweetening the pot.
“
It’s a nice afternoon for a drive in the convertible.
”

Smothering a smile, I saw that Tyler was toast even before he spoke. The lure of riding in Alix’s cream-colored BMW would be irresistible.

“
What do you want me to carry?
”

“
Start with that box by the door. I’ll take the programs.
”

Tyler hesitated.
“
This? You want a box of grass and vines?
”

“
I told you. Matrimonial vines, for the frontier theme. See? The programs are made of gingham squares tied in rolls with grass.
”

“
That’s stupid. The grass will break.
”

“
Probably. But Melissa’s
an old-time movie buff and her
all-time favorite movie is ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
.
’
T
hat’s what she wanted. Simplicity. The guests sit on hay bales … harmonica and fiddle for the music.
”

“
Does the groom get to wear bib overalls?
”
Tyler asked.

“
Now you’re getting it.
”
Bianca beamed at him.

“
That’s probably what made him go for such a dumb theme.
”
Tyler still didn’t sound convinced.

“
That’s a cute movie,
”
I said
.
“
But
I hope the wedding doesn’t duplicate the barn-raising scene.
”

Bianca laughed before turning to explain the reference to Tyler.
“
She brought us the DVD to watch before we started planning.
See, in the movie the guys get to fighting over the girls and the whole barn falls down. Total disaster.
”

Alix glanced at Wendell, soberly guarding the box of grass.
“
Speaking of disasters, what’s Wendell’s job tomorrow?
”

“
Wendell will be fine,
”
Bianca assured her.
“
We’ll keep the food trays up much higher this time
.
Besides, you know he brings in more business than he costs us. He’ll escort the flower girl—carrying wildflowers, of course—and then he’ll go back to escort the little boy with the rings. Other than that, he’ll just be a frontier dog, sitting beside the preacher. At first, they wanted him to bark when the preacher asks, ‘Who giveth this woman?’ but the bride’s parents didn’t go for that idea
,
so they dropped it.
”

The ringing of the phone cut off any need for further comment. While Alix answered it, Bianca and Tyler each hoisted a box.
Bianca lagged behind.

“
So,
”
she said in a low voice.
“
Alix is okay
?
”

“
She’s fine.
Just a little jittery
.
”
I carr
ied
a third box
out to the curb.
“
If y
ou and Tyler
can
take care of the wedding
, it’ll
be a big help.
”
I wished
I could banish
my
own
jitters
so easily, but she didn’t need to know about that
.

“
Great.
”
With a grin, Bianca returned to the office and struggled back under the weight of the last box. It contained a battered blue-speckled tin coffee pot and several cast iron skillets.
At my questioning look,
she
enlightened me.
“
F
or the
coffee and
corn pone the womenfolk’ll cook at the potluck reception.
”

Tyler and I stowed the boxes in the back seat and made room for Wendell to sit.

“
How’s your grandfather today? Think he’ll be okay alone at the store?
”

“
Better than okay. He caught me snooping in his desk and got really mad, so he was happy to get me out of there for a while. He was trying to hide some sweepstakes entries by locking the desk drawer,
b
ut
I found the key.
”

“
Would you want someone poking around your private papers?
”

“
That’s different. I have a good reason for snooping.
”

“
Come on, Tyler. He doesn’t know that.
”

“
Well, still … have you come up with any ideas? I know this deal with Alix has probably . .
.
”

“
Sorry. Not yet. Look, are you absolutely sure you shouldn’t tell your mother about Laurence? I know you don’t want to, but—
”

“
You haven’t met her,
”
Tyler said flatly.
“
She’s not like a regular mother. I mean, she used to be, but not now. She called late the other night, asked if ‘the old man’ was around anywhere. When I told her he was already asleep, she made a joke about me staying up late to sneak his booze.
”

“
Think she’s drinking again?
”
Tyler had mentioned before that his mother often described her own habits, not her son’s.

“
I hope not. Her voice sounded pretty clear this time. Anyway, she talked again about how much easier it’d be for her if I came back. Said she could use some help.
”

No question about that.
“
What’d you tell her?
”

“
That Grandpa needs me a while longer.
S
he took that to mean he’s just found himself some cheap help. Said there was no need to let the old faker take advantage.
”

“
She
actually said that?
”
My words erupted before I could censor myself and issue an automatic reassurance.

“
Guess she didn’t want him to beat her to the punch
.
”

His realistic assessment made my heart ache.
“
I’m sorry, Tyler. She’s probably doing the best she can.
”

“
Yeah, that’s what they told me at the clinic.
”
He gave a rueful laugh.
“
But what else can they say, right? Anyway, she’s talking about coming to visit, see how things are going.
”
He pressed his lips together and shook his head.
“
I told her, ‘Good idea,’ but I’m not too worried. She won’t be able to get hers
elf organized enough.
”

“
You’re sure?
”
I could barely squeeze the question past my suddenly constricted throat. Tyler would hate it if I cried at his matter-of-fact recitation. He wasn’t asking for sympathy. He was simply giving me enough information to help him c
ope with his wreck of a family.

“
Yeah. Been down that road a few times already.
”
He held
out
his hand, palm up, in a ‘stop’ gesture.
“
And you don’t have to tell me again about resentment being bad for me. I got the message.
”
He looked down and blinked rapidly a couple of times.
“
The thing is, she can’t help the way she acts, but I can’t help her. At least for now, I need to stay here.
”

This poor kid had already heard every bit of useful advice I had to offer
,
and he didn’t need any platitudes, so I told him exactly what I thought.
“
I agree. You belong in Juniper—regardless of what’s going on with your grandfather—and I’ll do everything in my power to help you stay here. Okay?
”

He took a deep breath.
“
Okay.
”

Tyler still had faith in at least one adult in his world. I w
ouldn’t, couldn’t let him down.