Necklaces & Nooses Page 18

  “So you’re telling me they didn’t know that they were half siblings?”

  “Not until a few years ago when Solange found out. She was very understanding and didn’t feel she needed to cause family drama by carrying about old secrets. The others don’t know, and Solange wanted it that way. I’m afraid there wasn’t anything that made Sheila happy, and while I do worry that it’s from giving up that baby all those years ago, it did give her so many opportunities she hasn’t pursued. Instead, she has gone through life being bitter.”

  “The positive is that her life isn’t over, and she still has time to get to know her daughter. Maybe she will eventually realize what she is giving up.”

  “I certainly hope so,” Lorraine said, reaching across the table putting her hand over mine. “Thank you for listening to me dear, and I haven’t even ordered our proper tea yet.” She looked up in the direction of a waiter and one immediately came over.

  “The usual, Mrs. Barker?”

  “Yes, please, Josh. I hope you don’t mind me ordering for you, dear.”

  “Not at all, Lorraine. I’m sure you know what’s best here.”

  A few minutes went by and we kept chit chatting and I kept waiting for her to tell me why she wanted to meet me. Finally, my impatience got the best of me and I had to ask.

  “Mrs. Barker, I appreciate your inviting me to tea and your company has been wonderful but I’m not sure why. Why you asked me to tea I mean. Is there something I can do for you?”

  She smiled at me. “I guess I just wanted you to know the real Solange.”

  Chapter 21

  Hi, Willie. What’s up?” I was surprised to hear from him. I had just talked to him a few hours before and he had said he would talk to me that night. Something must have been going on. Maybe he knew something about the case.

  “Do you have any idea where James is? Have you talked to him today?”

  “No. I talked to him yesterday, but he hasn’t made his daily call today.” James was the thorn in my side. I tried to be sympathetic, since he had just lost his wife, but he was so annoying, calling me incessantly and bugging me about the store. I cringed every time I saw his number pop up on my screen. I didn’t really think it was the store he was worried about. I thought he really missed Solange and having someone to talk to and yell at, but that was my personal assumption and didn’t make dealing with him any easier. “He usually calls about now, closing time, to see what the day’s sales were, but he hasn’t called yet. Why?”

  “Well, after you told me about what Amy said, I wanted to have a chat with him and just get his side. I’ve called him several times and left many messages and haven’t heard back. That’s not like him, since thus far in the investigation he has been readily available to the point of hounding me.”

  “That is interesting that neither one of us have heard anything when he usually is so good about bugging us both. I’ll let you know if I hear from him and will tell him to call you. What was your initial thought after talking to Amy?”

  “Well, I don’t think she’s guilty of anything, except being completely without common sense.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  I punched a set of numbers into my cell phone

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Lorraine, it’s Presley”

  “Hello, dear. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?” The warmth of her voice came through the phone. She was truly a nice person. I was glad I had the chance to get to know her better, even if it was under these poor circumstances.

  “Have you heard from James today?”

  “No dear, I haven’t, not since the day before yesterday, though now that I think about it, it’s a little odd. He usually calls me a few times a day to check in on me. He’s such a good boy.”

  So, Willie and I weren’t the only ones he called all the time these days. He must really like talking on the phone. “The detective on Solange’s case is trying to reach him, so if you hear from him, can you tell him to call Willie, I mean Detective Landon?”

  “I sure can. What does he need? Maybe I can help.”

  I hesitated to tell her as I didn’t know James’s side of things, and didn’t want to stir up any more gossip than was already floating around out there. But then, she seemed to be the kind of lady that just took it all in stride. “Well, there’s a girl named Amy who worked for Solange…”

  “Let me guess, the detective wants to talk to James to see if there was any validity to her claims of them having an affair.”

  It seemed like nothing got by Lorraine. “You know everything, don’t you?”

  “At my age, dear, it pays to pay attention. That girl was a twit, she was nothing. Solange knew she was harmless, and James wanted nothing to do with her. Yes, he flirted with her, for which he begged for Solange’s forgiveness, but she knew he meant nothing by it, and he got his punishment as the girl made his life miserable for a while.”

  “Solange knew about Amy’s behavior while she still worked there?”

  “Yes. She was hoping the silly girl would wise up and come to her senses. Solange was always a softy. She knew the girl was just infatuated. A schoolgirl crush! Apt, since this young lady is a schoolgirl. Solange had hoped she would tire of it and learn her lesson. When she didn’t, Solange finally got fed up, and that’s when she let Amy go.”

  “So, that had nothing to do with Solange and James…” I trailed off.

  “Oh no, not at all.” She chuckled. “Though if James has gone incommunicado, I might know where he is.”

  “Really? That would be a big help.”

  “James and Solange have a cabin on the water in Crivitz, Wisconsin. I know the last few months when things had been bad between them, James spent a lot of time out there. He said it was calm and peaceful, and gave him time to think. The only problem is there’s not a phone there, it’s very remote, and only when the wind blows right do you even get a cell signal. So if he’s not answering his cell you still won’t be able to get a hold of him.”

  “Do you think you could call him and just let him know he needs to check in with Willie, er, Detective Landon? He might be more inclined to answer your call than the police’s.”

  “I sure will, dear.”

  “Thanks, Lorraine. I will call you in a couple days,” I said then hung up. Where did that come from? Maybe that was why James called her so much. She was such a warm person who just sort of sucked you into her circle where you wanted to be. Much more motherly than my own mother, except, maybe most people felt that way about their own mothers. Growing up, I always thought my friends’ moms were the coolest, and my friends thought my mom was awesome, and I didn’t see it. Though now as an adult she might annoy the heck out of me at times, I could at least see she was a pretty cool mom.

  “Presley, you’re never going to guess my news!”

  Anna called me and asked me to meet her for a drink after work. I told her it would have to be fast because Willie was coming over for dinner, and I was already on my way home. I tried to get her to skip the dramatics and just tell me over the phone, but she said it was important news she didn’t want to share over the phone. That it had to be in person.

  “You got the promotion?” I said as soon as she walked up to me at the bar at Muldoon’s where I was waiting for our drinks. That’s the only thing I could guess would have her this excited.

  “Not that. I won’t know for at least two more weeks. No, this is way more exciting than work.”

  “You’re next on the waiting list for a Birkin purse?” I knew that was what would get me this jazzed—but also, so impossible for normal, non-millionaires like us.

  “Stop being silly. This is important.”

  “And a Birkin purse isn’t?”

  She gave me a look.

  “Sorry. Stop making me guess, then. Just tell me.”

  Anna held out her left hand and waggled her ring finger. She was sporting a large square-cut diamond ring, at least two carats by my untrained eye. It wa
s absolutely stunning.

  “Do not tell me that’s from Jeff.” I instantly regretted my words as I saw Anna’s face fall, and she now looked close to tears. “Anna, I’m sorry. That’s not how I meant it. I was just shocked, that’s all.” Anna looked a little better, but I could tell she was still hurt. “I am so glad he finally came to his senses about how he was treating you and stepped up.”

  “I know, Presley. And I understand why you would be skeptical, but he finally realized we belong together, and he has been a completely different person these last few days. I know it’s only been a few days, but we have such a history and I know him so well, I truly believe this is it. He has finally made a commitment to me.”

  “Anna, I am so happy for you.” I grabbed her and gave her a hug. “Now, let me see this ring again. Wow, this is gorgeous. I am so jealous.”

  “I know, square-cut diamond on a plain platinum band. He actually did pay attention to me every once in a while when I talked about the rings I liked.”

  “Interesting what men will pay attention to or hear when they act like they are ignoring you.” I laughed. “I really am happy for you, Anna. I know I haven’t always been the biggest supporter of Jeff, but he is obviously trying to change, and I can’t fault that.” I wanted to believe that he had realized what he had in Anna.

  “Thanks, Pres, that means a lot. Now, you know you’re my best friend, so I have to ask. Will you be my maid of honor?”

  “Of course I will! Think of all the great shopping for dresses fun we’ll have.”

  “And the bachelorette party.”

  “Oh yeah, that will be the best. Maybe we can go visit Jesse in Vegas?”

  “That would be perfect.”

  “When are you planning on setting a date?”

  “Well. Don’t freak out, but we figured we’ve been together this long, so why have a long engagement? We were thinking… October?” Anna said tentatively, waiting for me to be shocked. She wasn’t disappointed.

  “Three months from now! Not even three months. Are you nuts?”

  “You know, you say that to me a lot. I’m starting to get a complex,” she said good-naturedly.

  “I can’t help it. You are nuts.”

  “Pres, I know it’s soon, but why should we wait?”

  “Anna, this has nothing to do with you guys waiting. It has to do with planning. Planning a wedding in general is hard. I should know. I’ve been maid of honor more times than I care to count. But three months makes it stress times ten. Have you told your mom yet?”

  “No. Jeff and I are going down there this weekend to tell my parents.”

  “Anna, you’re mom is going to flip when she finds out she has three months to plan.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather me be a bridezilla for three months than a year?”

  “Good point. Okay, maybe we can do this.”

  “Besides, his parents thought it was fine.”

  “That’s because they love you and know how good you are for Jeff. Maybe his mom will help plan. That would make it easier.”

  “So, for a color scheme I was thinking ivory and brown, since it’s a fall wedding.”

  “As long as you don’t try to put me in an orange dress I will be fine. I have no desire to look like a huge pumpkin at my best friend’s wedding.”

  “I wouldn’t do that to you. Though we could pass out candy and bob for apples at the reception.”

  “Funny.”

  Anna and I chatted for a few more minutes while we finished our wine, but then I had to go meet Willie. I told her I would call her tomorrow, and we would set up some dress-shopping dates. That part of the wedding planning I was definitely looking forward to.

  I rushed home, hoping Willie wouldn’t be early; almost hoping he would be late. He was coming over for dinner, and even though I had made the lasagna before I went to work that morning—it was one of the only things I knew how to cook—I needed to warm it up and make the salad and garlic bread. I wanted to have it ready when he got to my house so we could eat and relax, if that was even possible. It seemed like something always interfered with downtime. He wasn’t waiting in the lobby for me when I got to my building, so that was positive. I waved to John the doorman on duty and pushed the button for the elevator. Unlocking my door, I dropped my bags and walked into my tiny kitchen. I set the oven at 350, took the lasagna and salad fixings out of the refrigerator, and grabbed the garlic bread from the freezer. I put the lasagna on the top rack to warm and pulled out a cookie sheet for the bread. I wouldn’t put that in until he got here, which was at that instant since there was a knock at my door and I wasn’t expecting anyone else.

  I wiped my hands on a dishtowel and walked to the door. Opening it, what I saw made me smile. He was so cute in distressed jeans and a soft-looking gray T-shirt. “Hi there,” I said.

  “Hi, yourself. Here, put these in some water.” He handed me a pretty assortment of daisies.

  “Thanks, Willie. You didn’t need to bring me flowers, but I appreciate it.”

  “I thought you might like something for the table, and these looked bright and cheery. What can I say? I like flowers. Just don’t tell my mom.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “It sure smells good in here.”

  “It’s my famous lasagna.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s one of the few things I make well, so I have perfected it over the years.” I laughed.

  “Then you’re in luck that I love lasagna.”

  We ate until we were stuffed. I almost wanted to go put on elastic pants, but hadn’t known him long enough to go there yet. Then we took our wine to the living room.

  “I think I found a connection linking Peter and Steven.”

  “Really? How? What?” I was excited. Maybe this was the break we had been looking for. Things had been frustrating without much progress. Same reason I only liked fishing if I was catching something. Patience was not one of my virtues. I knew that Peter had to be involved somehow. It was too much of a coincidence his being around.

  “I was canvassing the area, and the bartender at Rookie’s, a dive bar a couple blocks from here, remembered both of them coming in a few times. He said Rookie’s was a regular hangout of Steven’s, before his many attempts at sobriety and each time he had a lapse, kind of his home away from home. The bartender, Ted, said Solange had come in a lot to drive, or drag, Steven home. A couple of months ago, Ted remembers seeing Peter start coming in, and he and Steven would drink together. I think that coincidentally, Peter learned of Solange, maybe talked to her one of the times she came in to pick up Steven. Seems like he found out about her store and realized it was a perfect front for his smuggling. Peter then found a building close to the boutique, and somehow was able to switch out shipments, or something like that. I’m not entirely sure how he did it yet, but I just have a hunch there is something there.”

  “Do you think Steven realized?”

  “I believe he loved Solange a lot and doubt he would ever do anything to hurt her. But I also think that when he isn’t in his right mind, he might say or do things that could give away too much information. I highly doubt he had any idea what Peter was up to, if that’s indeed what he’s up to. I could be wrong, but I also doubt he knew Peter had a criminal background. Steven had his issues, but he’s never been in any trouble outside of alcohol. He doesn’t have a record of stealing or anything that would link him to Peter. His crimes are all a result of his alcoholism.”

  “So what does this mean?”

  “I’m not sure, Pres. I still feel that Peter is somehow involved, but there’s no concrete proof.”

  “Willie, it has to be so obvious that we are just missing it.”

  “I know. It will come to me, or you. So what’s your important news?”

  “I guess there was a lot of resentment from Sheila toward Solange.”

  “Right. We already knew that as a result of your meeting with Steven and Sheila.”

  “T
rue, but there is more of a reason than what we thought and this comes right from their mother. I had a long lunch with Lorraine and got a lot of insight. She is such a lovely women; I hate all this for her.”

  “And are you going to tell me what you found out?”

  “Yes, if you would stop interrupting,” I said playfully.

  “Sor-ry. Go ahead.”

  “Seems that James and Sheila dated in college. Sheila thought he was the one, and she brought him home to meet the parents, where he met Solange and promptly dumped Sheila for her.”