Читать книгу Dangerous Relations - Carol Post J. - Страница 15

Shelby sat at her desk, a stack of cash in front of her. Music blared through the diner, a 1980s tune. The girls insisted they could get through cleanup faster with peppy music. Today it was Jeri’s turn to pick what played, so she’d brought in a Def Leppard CD. Not Shelby’s first choice, but as long as the work was getting done, she could listen to anything.

She tore a deposit slip from the pad and laid it next to the stack of cash. After transferring the currency and coin figures from the Post-It onto the correct lines, she stuffed everything into the zippered bag and locked it in the safe. Tomorrow morning, she’d slip out and make the bank run.

When she exited the office, Jeri was mopping the diner floor in time to “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak.” Tessa and Pam were apparently working in the kitchen.

Shelby stepped through the swinging metal doors, and Tessa looked up from the cast-iron griddle she was curing. An easy smile climbed up her cheeks. That wasn’t unusual. Whatever the task, Tessa radiated cheer.

Hiring her to fill the position of assistant manager three months ago had been one of the best decisions Shelby had made. With Tessa in charge, everything seemed to run as smoothly in Shelby’s absence as when she was there. Though Shelby hadn’t gone on a real vacation in years, several situations recently had taken her away from the diner for the day.

Two weeks ago, it was Aunt Bea’s funeral. This week, it was meeting with a child-custody lawyer and planning yet another funeral. Saturday, she would leave Tessa in charge again while she said her final goodbye to Mia. In the coming months, there were going to be more obligations—checkups for Chloe, lawyer appointments, court hearings, interviews with Child Services.

Meanwhile, she’d dig up all the dirt she could find on the McConnells. Addy had already given her Randall’s history. He’d been in and out of trouble and finally gotten caught dealing heroin. According to Addy, Robert was just as bad, was maybe even Mafia. Shelby hoped Addy had exaggerated that part because of her obvious dislike for both Ryan and his brother.

Shelby didn’t know much about Ryan. Addy had only said he was a ladies’ man and couldn’t be trusted. But her gut told her he wasn’t like his father and brother. Maybe it was the seriousness in his eyes. Or the fact that he’d spent the past twenty years serving his country. Or the way he carried himself, with pride and honor.

But he was a McConnell, and she didn’t trust him any more than she trusted the others.

The jangling of the phone blended with the blare of guitars pouring from the CD player. Shelby hit Pause before slipping behind the counter to take the call. They were technically closed—they had been for more than a half hour—but she’d have to take care of the caller eventually. Why not now?

She lifted the receiver from the cradle on the back wall and put it to her ear. “Aunt Bea’s Diner.”

“Shelby?”

She’d spoken with Ryan a grand total of three times, but she recognized his smooth, rich voice instantly. She lowered the phone. Before she could place it back on the hook, pleading words reached her.

“Please, don’t hang up.” The desperation in his tone drew her up short.

She brought the receiver back to her ear. “All right.” She’d let him have his say. Then she’d hang up on him.

“I couldn’t figure out what happened last night.” He was talking fast, words tumbling out. “My dad paid you a visit, didn’t he?”

She rolled her eyes. “And you knew nothing about it.”

“No, I didn’t. I knew Mia visited them regularly, but I had no idea they’d try to take custody of Chloe. We can’t let that happen, Shelby. We don’t want my dad raising our niece.”

The conviction in his tone sent uneasiness spiking through her. “What do you suggest?”

“That we file for joint custody.”

She pursed her lips. The whole thing could be a con. Maybe he was manipulating her, trying to make her feel they were on the same side so she’d let down her guard.

“How do I know you’re not working with your parents?”

“You don’t. You’ll have to trust me.”

Yeah, right. “And if I don’t?”

“My father will win. Neither of us have the means to fight him alone. We need to work together.”

She closed her eyes. If only Aunt Bea was still alive. She’d been Shelby’s sounding board more than once. She’d possessed quiet strength and infinite wisdom, both of which she’d attributed to her relationship with God. Shelby had never found that kind of faith, but she’d always admired what she’d seen in Aunt Bea.

“I paid my father a visit last night.” His words cut into her thoughts. “We hadn’t spoken in twenty years.”

What? And Ryan was critical of her for not staying in contact with Mia. “You live an hour apart.”

“I’m the oldest child. My dad planned for me to work with him, to eventually take over his clubs. I wanted nothing to do with them. When I joined the Navy, he disowned me. The only way I got to speak with him last night was by following him onto his property before the electronic gate could close. His security person had a pistol aimed at me the whole time.”

She lifted her eyebrows. She wasn’t about to trust him, but what he was saying was too unbelievable to make up.

“My father is a dangerous man, Shelby.” Urgency slipped into his voice. “Whether he’s behind Mia’s murder or not, the fact that you’re fighting him for custody of Chloe puts your life in danger.”

She closed her eyes and slouched against the counter. She’d always avoided trouble and minded her own business. How could this be happening?

She liked to think she was a good judge of character. But people like the McConnells were way out of her league.

Ryan had said to trust him. For now, it looked like she had no choice. “What do we do?”

“We come up with an arrangement we can agree on, then present a united front.”

Jeri wheeled the mop bucket to the far side of the floor to finish the last ten-foot strip. The lack of music didn’t seem to be slowing her down. As soon as Shelby finished with Ryan, she’d take the player off Pause and check Pam’s progress in the kitchen. In another fifteen minutes, they should all be out of there.

“How would the joint custody work?” she asked.

“Maybe you have her one week, I have her the next, with visitation in between.”

“That might work.” Shelby would do whatever was best for her niece. If that meant sharing her with Ryan, so be it. Once the little girl started kindergarten, he’d have to be content with weekends. Or move to the same school district.

Whatever they worked out, Addy would be Chloe’s constant. She’d already said that where Chloe went, she went.

Last night, the three of them had watched a movie after all—Disney’s Frozen. Addy had thrown several children’s DVDs in with Chloe’s other items. While the movie played, Addy had held Chloe, and Shelby had sat next to them. Several times, Chloe had let Shelby take her hand. Baby steps.

“Did you want to try that visit again?” If what he said was true, she almost felt bad for turning him away.

“If you didn’t offer, I was going to ask.” The relief in his tone was obvious. “I’ll head over when I get off duty. It’ll be around the same time as last night.” He paused. “Thank you, Shelby.”

Warmth swelled inside. She didn’t have Aunt Bea’s connection to the Almighty, but her gut said she’d made the right decision.

As she finished the call, Tessa walked out of the kitchen and began positioning chairs where the floor had dried. Shelby hung up the phone and released the pause button. “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” resumed, the blast of sound jarring after the relative silence.

When she poked her head into the kitchen, everything looked good. The dishwashers were on their dry cycles and Pam was spraying disinfectant on the work surfaces. Shelby helped her staff finish the chores, then ejected the CD. Muffled screams came from upstairs.

Tessa gave Shelby a sympathetic smile. “Your niece isn’t a happy camper.”

“Addy will get her settled down.” She always did. It wasn’t that Shelby didn’t want to soothe the little girl’s troubles, Chloe just wouldn’t let her. Someday.

She handed the CD to Jeri and followed the women to the door. After locking it behind them, she clicked off the lights. As she ascended the stairs, the wails grew louder.

An hour ago, Chloe had been fine. Addy had popped down to show her off to the staff and the last straggling customers. When Addy had asked, Shelby had told her they were working on closing and she’d be up in an hour. Either the nap Addy had planned for Chloe hadn’t happened, or Chloe had awoken too early.

At the top of the stairs, Shelby opened the door and stepped into the hall. The screams came from the living room. When she rounded the corner, her knees went weak. The coffee table was flipped on its side. Aunt Bea’s Tiffany lamp was lying in front of the end table, colorful pieces of glass scattered across the hardwood floor.

Shelby rushed into the room, her heart pounding. Addy sat on the floor, holding a screaming Chloe. Next to them was a ring of keys with a pink tube that looked a lot like a pepper spray canister. Twenty feet away, the exterior door was wide open.

Shelby dropped to her knees in front of Addy. “What happened?”

“He tried to take Chloe.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.” Hysteria raised her voice an octave. “He wanted to know where Mia’s phone was. He hit me.”

Shelby rose and ran onto the landing. The alley below was empty. The assailant had likely crossed the railroad tracks and disappeared into the woods.

After locking the door, she returned to where Addy sat and took her screaming niece. “Have you called the police?”

“No.”

“Do it now.” They could sort out what happened once law enforcement arrived.

Addy rose and walked into the kitchen while Shelby paced the floor with Chloe. The little girl wasn’t any more distraught than she’d been when Addy had held her, but she wasn’t calming down, either.

Shelby rubbed Chloe’s back, making slow circles. “Shh, sweetie. It’s okay. Aunt Shelby’s got you.”

When pacing didn’t work, she sank onto the love seat. As she rocked back and forth, the little girl’s wails quieted to sobs, each ragged breath shaking her body. Chloe slipped her thumb into her mouth and pressed the side of her face against Shelby’s chest. Shelby held her more tightly, a sense of protectiveness surging through her. Her niece had been with her less than forty-eight hours, and she’d already planted herself deep in Shelby’s heart.

Addy returned and sat on the couch, dropping her phone next to her. “The police are on the way.”

Shelby nodded. “What happened? How did this person get in?”

“He knocked on the door. I thought it was you.”

“When I’m coming from the diner, I use the inside stairs.” But Addy wouldn’t know that. Yesterday Shelby had gone shopping after closing and used the other door.

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know.” She pressed shaking fingers to her face. Her right cheek was red and starting to swell. “He was wearing a ski mask.”

“What did he say?”

“He demanded—”

Addy’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. She frowned and picked it up. For the next several seconds, her thumbs slid over the screen. Then she laid it facedown on the couch.

“Who was that?” Maybe it was none of her business. But she wasn’t leaving any questions unanswered.

“A friend. We were talking about doing something tonight, but I told him this is a bad time.”

Sirens sounded in the distance, increasing in volume. Shelby continued to rub Chloe’s back. Except for an occasional hiccup, she was silent and still.

“What did the guy with the mask say?”

“He wanted Mia’s phone.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe there was something on it. I told him I didn’t have it. Then he hit me.”

“Where was Chloe?” Based on how upset she’d been, she’d probably witnessed the entire thing.

“On the couch. I had trouble getting her to go down for her nap, so I was reading to her. When I couldn’t give him the phone, he tried to take Chloe.”

The sirens grew louder, one apparently coming from the back. When they died, Addy moved to the door. The responding officer would get the rest of the details. Meanwhile, if Chloe was ready for a nap, Shelby would put her in bed, then round up something to eat.

Addy opened the door and called a greeting. The thudding of heavy footfalls on the steps followed. When Shelby rose, Chloe’s thumb remained in her mouth, her other arm hanging limp at her side. Shelby walked into the bedroom that Chloe and Addy shared.

It wasn’t the ideal setup. Chloe needed her own space. But the apartment only had two bedrooms. When Addy had insisted on setting up the Pack ’N Play in the guest bedroom, Shelby hadn’t argued. If Chloe awoke in the middle of the night frightened, she’d feel more secure knowing Addy was with her.

Shelby stopped next to the portable playpen and bent over the side rail to lay Chloe in the bottom. Her eyes opened for a moment before falling closed again, and her mouth moved in a sucking motion. After picking up the stuffed seal from the bottom of the playpen, Shelby slid it under Chloe’s arm, then positioned the lightweight baby blanket over her.

For several moments, she stood watching her niece sleep. Brownish-red curls fell across Chloe’s face. Her eyes were closed and her mouth relaxed around the thumb. She was so young and innocent.

And Shelby was responsible for her well-being—mental, physical and emotional. Never in her life had she felt so inadequate.

She drew in a stabilizing breath and moved toward the door. A framed picture sat atop the chest of drawers. She’d asked the detectives if she could take it. Since it had been in Chloe’s room, which was untouched, they’d given her permission. It was a picture of Mia holding Chloe. Had Mia felt inadequate, too?

Shelby touched a finger to the glass. As always, Mia was beautiful. She couldn’t take a bad picture if she tried. But upon a closer look, her makeup was a little too heavy, her smile a little too fake and her eyes a little too empty.

Shaking off a sudden sense of melancholy, Shelby stepped into the hall. When she returned to the living room, Addy was sitting on the love seat, relaying what had happened. Dave Jenkins was on the sofa adjacent to her in his crisp dark uniform. In his midfifties and single, he was one of the officers who frequented Aunt Bea’s.

He stopped writing and ran his fingers through his thinning hair, making some of the shorter strands on top stand up. Shelby gave him a nod and headed toward the kitchen. As she passed the door, a soft knock sounded. Ryan was almost twenty minutes earlier than he’d estimated.

When she opened the door, it wasn’t Ryan who stood there. The man was younger, closer to her age, with blond hair on the long side and a day’s worth of stubble. Ryan had him beat by only an inch or two, but probably outweighed him by fifty pounds.

She lifted an eyebrow. “Can I help you?”

“Is Addy here?”

Shelby cast a glance at Addy. She didn’t look happy. Her eyes were narrowed, her mouth tight. “I told you not to come.”

The stranger stepped inside. “I was worried. I had to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

Her curt tone didn’t deter him. Neither did Dave, with his badge. “Your face is red. You’re hurt.”

Addy had referred to him as a friend, but that wasn’t how he was looking at her.

“I told you I’m fine.” Her tone held a solid dose of annoyance. Unlike Mia, Addy apparently didn’t like to be fussed over. Unfortunately, her friend seemed the type to do just that. Creases of worry framed his frown.

Addy turned her attention back to Dave, ignoring her unwanted visitor. “I don’t know what’s on Mia’s cell phone. This incident is probably related to her murder. I’m guessing there are incriminating pictures. If they’re erased from her phone, you should look for a Google account or somewhere else she might have stored photos on the cloud.”

As she talked, her friend made no attempt to leave. Shelby wasn’t going to throw him out. Once Dave left, Addy could do as she pleased. The guy seemed harmless. He stood silently against the wall, watching Addy with puppy-dog eyes. As if there was no one else in the room.

A pang of jealousy shot through Shelby, unwanted and irrational. She turned and walked into the kitchen. She didn’t want anyone to look at her that way. At least not now. Her life was in too much turmoil. The few guys she’d dated had expected to be the center of her universe. She hadn’t had the time or patience for that level of possessiveness then, and she certainly didn’t now.

She pulled the pack of ground beef from the fridge and laid an onion on the counter. Busy was okay. It was that sense of not being in control that was unsettling. The moment she’d learned of Mia’s murder, her world had slanted sideways. It still hadn’t righted itself.

She placed a skillet on the stove, then tore into the cellophane covering the beef. Eventually, she’d settle into a routine. Instead of her and Aunt Bea, her family unit would consist of her and Chloe. And Addy. Ryan would probably join them on holidays.

She didn’t know about her mom and dad. They’d left Seattle for Arizona two years ago, tired of the city, the winters and the rain. They hadn’t made it back for a visit yet. Shelby had hoped the sunshine would lift her mom’s spirits. Based on Shelby’s monthly phone calls, it hadn’t.

While the beef simmered, she diced the onion, relieved that Ryan was on his way. She’d always felt safe in North Bend. But Ryan’s warnings about his father had scared her more than she wanted to admit. And the attack on Addy had sent her uneasiness skyrocketing.

Was the senior McConnell responsible? He was determined to get Chloe. He’d made that clear yesterday. But why would he resort to kidnapping when they hadn’t even begun the legal process?

Maybe there was more to it than that. If Robert McConnell was the one who’d had Mia killed, maybe he sent one of his thugs to get her phone, and when Addy didn’t produce it, the guy tried to come up with a bargaining chip—the kid for the phone. Maybe the two events weren’t even connected. What if Mia had more than one enemy?