Deadly Neighbors (A River Valley Mystery) Read online

  I waved a hand. “Sure, go ahead.” I plopped back in my chair. All but one of my suspects had paid me a visit within the last fifteen minutes. If Billy Butler sailed through the door, I’d think God was trying to tell me something. What, I had no idea, but something, for sure.

  “You must be selling tons of stuff.” Mom plopped a spool of ribbon on the counter. “That bell hasn’t stopped ringing.” She eyed my idle sewing machine. “And you haven’t been working.”

  “That’s kind of hard when I’m waiting on customers. What are you doing back there?”

  Her face flushed. “Talking with Leroy. He’s taking me out to dinner tonight.”

  “That’s great, Mom.” I glanced at the clock. “What time is he picking you up?”

  “Five. So I’m leaving now. See you later.”

  My gaze followed her out the door. Time stopped, along with my heart, when a stern-faced Duane marched in.

  Chapter Twenty

  I swallowed against the Mount Everest-sized lump in my throat. The granite look on Duane’s face told me this wasn’t a pleasure visit. Thank you, Lord, that Mom left and wouldn’t be a witness to the continuing drama of my non-existent-slash-rollercoaster love life.

  Duane stopped in front of the counter and took a deep breath. “I can’t leave our conversation in the car unresolved. It’s making me insane.” His amazing eyes smoldered. I couldn’t blink. Could barely breathe. “I realized I loved you the moment I walked into your store a few days ago. I’m sorry I left River Valley. It tears me up inside that you married my brother instead of me. That Lindsey is Robert’s daughter and not mine. All my fault I know, but it kills me anyway.” His breath shuddered. “I walked out of your life fifteen years ago and broke your heart. I’m sorry, Marsha. With everything in me, I want to make it up to you, if you’ll let me. Think about it, please. That’s all I ask.” He spun on a booted heel and strode from the shop.

  Wow. My chest hurt from my heart’s fierce pounding. Tears I hadn’t known were forming streamed down my cheeks and plopped on the fabric. I was a cad. An awful person who held on to grudges way past their due date. The world’s handsomest, most wonderful, man loved me, and I couldn’t utter a single word as he poured out his heart. Couldn’t give him the smallest bit of encouragement. I didn’t have to think about whether I loved him; I knew I did. How long did I want him to suffer?

  Bolting from my chair, I sped out the front door and scanned the street. Duane’s truck was nowhere to be seen. I hurriedly locked the shop and dashed for my car. I’d go by his house and spill my guts. We’d lost too many years already. I didn’t want another minute to pass without his lips on mine, and his arms around me.

  I broke the sound barrier racing to his house. No cars sat in the driveway. I let my head fall forward against the steering wheel. I’d wait all night if I had to. With a deep breath, I grabbed my purse and slid from the car. A porch swing offered the perfect place for me to wait.

  Duane lived inside the city limits. The street running in front of his house entertained me and helped to pass the time. Curtains parted across the street then fell into place when I glanced that way. I smiled. Some old busy-body’s gears were turning trying to figure out what I was doing.

  Dog walker Marilyn ran to keep up with two large hounds, her face scarlet with the effort. “I can’t wait to be rid of you!” She glanced my way. I returned her wave.

  Billy sped by on a shiny dirt bike. He stopped and flung dark hair out of his eyes. He started to dismount, caught me looking, and with his face turning the color of a cantaloupe, disappeared back down the road. Handsome boy. I could see why Lindsey would be smitten with him. If only the kid didn’t look like a skittish colt every time he was around me.

  I wasn’t a danger to anyone but myself. Maybe he thought I was still upset about the car through the diner window. What happened with that anyway? Did Mom’s insurance cover the damages? Or Billy’s parents? If his parents didn’t have insurance and had to cover the cost, did that mean I needed to add them to my suspect list of folks looking for some quick cash?

  Pushing off with my foot, I set the swing into motion. I was tired of thinking of the case and boredom reared its ugly head as the occupants of Duane’s street disappeared inside their homes and porch lights flicked on. A quick glance at my watch, and a grumbling from my stomach, reminded me it was supper time.

  Maybe I should just call Duane and let him know I waited. I dug through my purse. What’s this? I grinned and held up my two new toys. The barrel of the gun gleamed in the setting sun, and since I didn’t want to frighten anyone who might be passing, I shoved it back in my purse. The Tazer was another matter.

  I glanced around the yard for something to practice on. No four-legged creatures dared get close enough to me. What could I zap? I’d seen bugs fry against electrical devices before. Was a Tazer the same as a bug-zapper? I’d touched my finger on the electric fly-swatter my mom had. My finger went numb for a minute but nothing more. I needed to make sure my new Tazer would actually serve as self-defense.

  “Here, Kitty, Kitty.” I rose from the swing then crouched behind a bush. A one-second zap wouldn’t hurt a cat, would it? They had nine lives after all. But what if it did? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt an animal.

  I supposed I wouldn’t get to practice after all. I pressed the button and oohed and aahed over the blue arc between the connectors.

  For the first time since meeting the girl, I wished for Marilyn to sashay by with a large dog. That’d be the perfect guinea pig. Her, not the dog. The deserted street taunted me. Why did everyone in this town eat dinner so early? And what was wrong with me? Would I really torture a defenseless animal, or human, out of boredom?

  I lowered myself to the top step of the porch, resigned to the fact I couldn’t zap anything. Stephanie’s face came to mind. I knew I shouldn’t be that way, but the woman rubbed me wrong. Her perfect hair, her designer clothes, big fancy car –and wanting to do good by adopting a third-world child. All reasons to like the woman, but I didn’t. She seemed fake to me.

  Maybe I was in over my head trying to solve this case. Bruce hadn’t accused Lindsey of stealing anything in the last couple of days. I should leave things alone and concentrate on my feelings for Duane.

  I’d grown to love my husband, Robert, but he’d never rocked my boat the way Duane did. I kept pushing the button on my Tazer and watched the spark. My and Duane’s relationship had been a bit like my new toy. Shocking, beautiful—and capable of inflicting harm. Had it been worth it? Not at the time. But maybe now it could be.

  Full dark set in, and Duane still hadn’t showed. The Tazer glowed more beautiful. I played around, seeing how close I could stick my finger without actually touching the electricity.

  “Marsha?”

  “Duane?”

  Zap. Holy Mary Mother of …!

  I twitched like a fish on a line. Fire burned through my body. Drool gathered at the corner of my mouth. Pain worse than childbirth ravaged my body. Who would have thought touching that colorful arc would render me stupid enough I couldn’t withdraw my finger from the button?

  Duane yanked the Tazer out of my hand and tossed it on the porch. He bent his lovely face over mine, and—goodness—proceeded to give me mouth-to-mouth. I’d died and gone to heaven. Except for the pain. That kept me rooted to good ol’ planet Earth.

  “Marsha.” He patted my cheek.

  “Iluveu.”

  “What?” He frowned and bent for another life-giving breath.

  Only problem with that was the touch of his lips on mine stole my breath away. No longer jerking like a live wire, I pushed him away and sat up.

  “Marsha Calloway Steele, what were you thinking?” He retrieved my Tazer. “These are not toys.”

  “You startled me, and I was bored.” I tried patting my hair in place. My finger throbbed with each beat of my heart. With the condition I was in, this happened with lightening speed.

  Duane sat on the
step next to me. “What are you doing with this?”

  “I have a gun, too.”

  He closed his eyes for a second. “Thank God you weren’t playing with that.” He took a deep breath and looked at me. His eyes shimmered. “Were you waiting for me?”

  I nodded. “You rendered me speechless in the store. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything.” Tears welled in my eyes. “I love you, Duane. Always have. . .always will. I couldn’t let you storm out of the shop thinking I didn’t. I’d have waited here all night if I had to.”

  His mouth hitched. “Good thing I didn’t let football practice go any longer. Of course, it might be interesting to see how long you could’ve held your finger on that Tazer trigger.”

  I planted both hands against his chest and shoved hard enough to cause him to lie flat. “Don’t poke fun at a serious moment like this.”

  “I’m sorry.” He grabbed my hands in his and pulled me on top of him. “Did you try telling me you loved me while thrashing around on my porch?”

  I nodded.

  “Then kiss me. Let’s see whether you can quiver again.”

  I lowered my head. The electricity that sparked between us burned brighter than an Ozark summer sun and left me almost as weak as the Tazer.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When I floated into the house, Mom and Leroy sat in front of the television watching a game show. She’d been spending a lot of time with the man. I definitely needed to learn more about him.

  Mom raised her eyebrows before turning to Leroy. “Uh-oh. My daughter looks like a woman who’s been thoroughly kissed.”

  Leroy winked. “Want a look to match?”

  Mom giggled and punched his shoulder. “Silly. Not in front of my daughter.”

  I rolled my eyes. Dusk or not, I needed to give them privacy, or go blind. “I’m going to work on the shed. See y’all lovebirds later.”

  The grin on my face must have matched the Cheshire Cat’s. Mom’s description of the way I looked mirrored how I felt. Thoroughly kissed. Yep, I liked that analogy.

  My finger sported a blister from my stupidity with the Tazer. Maybe I should detour to get a band-aid. “What do you think, Cleo? Should I play injured or get to work.” My dog’s ears rose, and her tail thumped the floor. “To work it is. Come on. You can keep me company while I clean out our new home.”

  Cleo padded along behind me, clearly pleased and excited to be in my company. The front door to the guesthouse squeaked when I opened it, reminding me I’d need to oil its hinges one day. One flick of the light switch showed Mom had followed through with her promise to have Leroy install new bulbs.

  The pile of boxes and plastic crates did nothing to make me excited about the job ahead. They towered above me like blocks stacked by a toddler, threatening to teeter and crash down on my head with the slightest breeze.

  “This could be hazardous to our health.” I shoved aside dust-covered curtains. The early evening light barely cut through the grime on the windows. “I’m not sure where to start, Cleo girl.” I unstacked the nearest pile of boxes and sat cross-legged on the wooden floor.

  The first box revealed tax records older than I was. I’d really have to talk to Mom about the art of shredding. The next held old photo albums of sepia-toned and black-and-white family members of decades gone by. I settled down to take a trip back in time. At this rate, I wouldn’t have anything for Stephanie to sell at her yard sale, and I’d never have this place habitable for myself and Lindsey before my daughter graduated high school.

  Moon beams caressed my legs before I’d finished. My back ached, and my tail bone felt bruised. I carefully replaced the photo albums and reached for the next box. My maternity clothes. Those could go. I shoved them closer to the door.

  Nostalgia greeted me with the next one. My father’s old medical journals. He’d loved reading through them every time one of his old cronies had some ache or pain. He’d never had the opportunity or means to attend medical school, so he’d done the next best thing; read everything he could get his hands on in the medical field. I wanted to keep these. They’d have a place of prominence on my bookshelf. I pushed them to the side. A faded photo fell out.

  I held it to the light. Mom, as a young woman, laughed, her face tilted to my handsome father’s. They’d been so happy. Best friends since high school, they’d been completely into each other, yet never left me feeling like the third wheel. I tucked the picture back into the book. Dad died five years ago, leaving a canyon-sized hole in my heart. As much pain as I’d been in, how much more had my mother? If Leroy could make her happy, then God bless him. Leroy might not be the love of my mother’s life, but she would be good to him.

  Two hours later, I popped the kinks from my back and surveyed the new stacks; keep, toss, and give away. I started lugging the toss boxes to the garage. There wasn’t anything more I could do until Mom went through them. Then, I shoved the ones for Stephanie onto the miniscule porch of the guesthouse. Tomorrow, I’d start the chore of cleaning my new home.

  My body ached, my skin itched from the layer of dust covering it, and my throat felt like someone had attacked it with sandpaper. The promise of a hot shower and a long night’s sleep kept me moving forward.

  Leroy’s car was gone from the driveway, and Mom left the kitchen light burning for me. I glanced at my watch. Midnight! I’d been working forever. On the kitchen table sat a hefty chunk of chocolate cake. Without looking, I knew there’d be a tall glass of milk in the fridge. Mom was so good to me. She’d even left a steak bone in Cleo’s dish, from Leroy most likely.

  I tossed my purse on the table. The gun in the bottom clunked on the laminate top. I’d almost forgotten. Target shooting would’ve been way more fun than digging through boxes.

  As I dug into my cake and milk, and Cleo succumbed to bone-gnawing heaven, I envisioned soda cans lining the back fence. With deadly aim, I’d shoot them off in rapid succession. I crooked my finger and pointed, “Bang.”

  “Who are you trying to kill?” Mom shuffled into the room.

  “I thought you’d be asleep.” I lowered my hand.

  “Leroy and I took in a late movie.” She dropped into a nearby chair. “That man spoils me.”

  “You need to be spoiled again, Mom. Leroy seems like a nice guy.”

  “You’re okay with this?”

  “It’s been over five years.” Dad’s face rose to my mind. It seemed like he smiled and nodded. “Dad would want you to be happy.”

  “You too, sweetie. How are you and Duane getting along?”

  I started sweating. Fair’s fair. I asked about her man, she asked about mine. “Pretty good. We crossed a mile-stone today. I’ve decided to give him a fresh chance. I’m going to forgive the past and move forward.”

  “You love him.”

  This was getting way too personal. Pretty soon I’d be telling her how I zapped myself and fell all over Duane on his front porch. “Do you want to see what I bought today?” I dumped my purse out on the table.

  “A Tazer, a gun, and a shiny new phone.” Mom shook her head. “I’ve seen it all now.” She reached for the Tazer and pressed the button. The electricity arced. “Cool.” Her eyes narrowed. “You haven’t been playing with this, have you?”

  My face heated. “Why would you ask that?”

  “I know you.” She set the Tazer back on the table. “What’s with all this? A dog—now weapons. Aren’t you getting a little paranoid?”

  “Protection. Three women alone in a house, well,--.” I scooped everything back into the sling bag I used as a purse. “A girl can’t be too careful now-a-days. Do you think I should get a can of pepper spray?”

  “You’ll probably shoot yourself in the foot with that gun, and from the blister on your finger, I’d say you’ve been playing with the Tazer.” She pointed at me. “Pepper spray is most likely all you would’ve needed in the first place, but more than likely even that would send you to the hospital. We live in small-town, America, don’t forget. Not a big me
tropolis. Now, I’ll have to add to my prayer time and have God assign extra angels to watch out for the foolish whims of my daughter.” She rose. “I’m going to bed. You should too. Got to open the store in the morning.”

  “I was hoping to clean the guesthouse.” And sleep in. “So I can move in this weekend.”

  “You can clean in the evenings.” Mom squeezed my shoulder then left the room. “I need your help.”

  But I wanted to spend my evenings with Duane, and find out who framed my daughter as a thief. And who’d been inside Sharon’s house before she died. The list went on and on. I sighed. I’d gotten very little sleuthing done. Maybe I went around it the wrong way. I needed help. Did they sell books on crime solving? I couldn’t ask Bruce. He’d tell me to mind my own business and stay out of things. Lynn would say the same.

  “Well, Cleo, girl. Time for what little sleep we can squeeze in before the sun comes up.” I slung my purse over my shoulder and headed up the stairs.

  I stopped and peered into Lindsey’s room. Her empty bed mocked me. She’d obviously taken advantage of my busyness to sneak out past curfew. Well, I’d show her. I dropped my purse and spread out across her pink and yellow quilt. When she waltzed in to go to sleep, she’d find me here, wide awake, waiting, and demanding answers.

  I crossed my arms and glared at the doorway. My eyelids grew heavy. I tried keeping them open with my fingers. No such luck. Then I ran over my suspects, again, but that was kind of like counting sheep. I glanced around the dim room. Teenage heart throbs adorned the walls. Clothes hung out of the closet and open drawers. My daughter wasn’t very neat. Maybe I should use the time to clean her room. No, I wasn’t that desperate.

  I blinked against the growing sand paper in my eyes. Why wouldn’t they stay open? Maybe I’d close them for just a minute.

  The sun streamed through the open curtains and stabbed at my eyelids. I glanced at my watch. Seven o’clock. I’d have to hurry to open Gifts from Country Heaven at eight. I sat up. Lindsey! She hadn’t come home last night. I wracked my brain, trying to remember if she’d said she would spend the night with a friend. No, she hadn’t said anything.