RUN FASTER: A Hallie James Mystery (The Hallie James Mysteries Book 2) Page 2

  "It's not anything horrible. Maybe things are going so well in my life that I'm getting a little bit spoiled." I took a bite of muffin. "You'd think it was stupid."

  "Try me," Ben said taking a whoopie pie from the bag.

  I told him about the horrible orange dress and green shoes, watching as a grin spread across his face. Then I got to the real problem. "I have to be in the same room as Hank tonight."

  "Does it have something to do with him catering Gram's wedding?"

  "Yep, she has a meeting with him, and Aunt Jeannie's busy." I sipped my mocha. "I'll have to be professional and control my anger. But I'd really like to ask him, how he could think the worst of me, so easily."

  "I think you need to ask him that," Ben said. "Not tonight. Tonight's about Gram, but do it sometime soon. You need closure."

  "How did I ever get by without you?” I patted his arm.

  He blushed a little. "Are we going to Mr. Myer's store before you go home?" Ben was referring to the store manager, who needed help spying on his employees.

  "Yep, after I finish this muffin, we'll go to the storeroom and get the equipment that we'll need. We need to make a list for Jessie of what we take, so she can bill him for it."

  "Is it hard to install the cameras?" Ben asked.

  "Nope. These are simple to install and hide," I said. "He'll be able to monitor and record the footage from his office."

  "This is the best job in the world!" Ben exclaimed.

  I wiped crumbs from my face and smiled at his enthusiasm. Usually, it was a great job. Most of the time we helped people, and it was something different every day.

  And all the cool gadgets, available these days, were really fun to play with. I'd invested thousands of dollars into these items. I was sure we'd need to restock every three months, and I checked the outlets often, for advancements in technology.

  "Let's go," I said after checking my watch.

  After finishing the camera install, I dropped Ben back at the office and drove home. It was after five, and the temperature had dropped below freezing. I parked near the garage bay where Chitty was sleeping until spring.

  Chitty is my small, ancient, recreational vehicle that I'd lived in for six months. I 'd had her winterized, and she seemed happy to be hibernating in the garage this winter.

  I made my way down the front walk to my home. The huge, brick mansion had been in my family for generations. My great, great grandfather built the house, and a large fortune, in 1870. The fortune grew with each generation, (except for me) and the home was lovingly maintained.

  I entered through the double front doors. Instantly, my mouth watered at a delicious scent that wafted into my nostrils. Liv must have supper ready.

  Liv is my deceased grandfather's cousin. Years ago, Liv lost her husband and two little boys in a car accident, and she came to live with us. She loves to cook and was truly talented in the kitchen, so she's cooked for us ever since. In her spare time, she enjoys bossing around the cleaning staff.

  I took off my coat, hung it in the hall closet, and followed my nose.

  I found Liv in the kitchen, stirring something in a slow cooker. I put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug. "What smells so great in here?"

  "Ham, string beans, and potatoes," Liv said. "And there's fresh bread in the oven."

  "Sounds wonderful," I said. "When's it ready?"

  "Been waiting on you. Your grandmother and George are in the dining room. Jeannie left to pick up the Ruhls at the airport." Liv started ladling the stew into a serving bowl.

  The Ruhls are George's daughter and son in law, Laura and Jack. They grew up here in Herville, but they moved to California before Poppy was born. Jack Ruhl is a computer genius and holds a good job in Silicon Valley. I met them once before, in early September, when they were here for a funeral. They're nice people.

  I nodded and offered to help take the meal into the dining room. Liv declined with a smile and shooed me away. She has a cart to transport everything to the dining room and enjoyed presenting the meal to us before taking her place at the table.

  Gram and George were seated and waiting for Liv and me.

  "Hello, dear. How was your day?" Gram asked. Her warm smile lit up her face, the features much like my own.

  “It was good,” I said kissing her cheek. I was trying to put the orange dress out of my mind. "Business is fantastic, and I've only been open for five days. I think I'll be hiring more staff before long."

  "That's wonderful. And I'm so glad it's making you happy. Life is too short to be miserable." Gram squeezed George's hand.

  George smiled at me. He looked totally recovered from a gunshot wound. He's short and wiry with pleasant features and steel-gray hair. He did two tours of duty in Viet Nam, then went on to teach school until retirement. He’s a wonderful person, genuinely warm and kind. He's perfect for my Gram, and I was thankful he and Gram had found each other.

  Liv pushed her cart into the room and placed a huge bowl of ham, string beans, and potatoes on the table. After that, was a loaf of fresh bread and butter. Next to a pitcher of iced tea, that was still on the cart, I spotted a shoo-fly pie.

  Shoo-fly pie is basically, molasses pie. It's a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty, but it's very popular with everyone throughout the region. Liv's was mouthwatering, just like everything else she made.

  "It's after six, Hallie," Gram reminded me. I told Hank, I'd meet him around seven."

  "I'll be ready." I ladled a helping of ham and string beans into my bowl and began eating the green beans first. "What are you doing tonight, George?"

  "Waiting for Laura and Jack to get here. Jeannie sent a text, their plane landed ten minutes ago."

  "Are they staying here?" I tried a piece of ham. It was delicious, both smoky and sweet.

  "Nope, they wanna stay with Poppy and Woody. My house is plenty big enough for the four of them." George cut a piece of bread from the loaf and offered it to me.

  I took it and slathered it with butter.

  "Jack and my pal Ernie are taking me out for a few drinks tomorrow night, " George said.

  "Ooh, bachelor party!" I teased. "No strippers."

  George snorted while Gram smiled weakly. She reached for her water and dropped her napkin. Standing up I reached under the table. I yelped when something clamped down on my fingers with sharp little teeth.

  "Damn it, Rupert. I didn't know you were under there." Rupert is Gram's dog. He's small, of mixed parentage, and has curly brown hair and button eyes that make him look adorable. But he has the personality of an angry, constipated, crocodile. He particularly hates me.

  There are two other dogs that live in the house: Princess, an American Pitbull Terrier, and Buddy, a Pitbull/Lab mix. They look a lot alike except for their coloring. Princess is white and brown with brown circles around both eyes. Buddy is dark brown except for his chin, chest, and front paws.

  I'd been afraid of them at first, but now I adore them. Most nights they sleep in my bedroom. They could open most of the doors in the house and might be waiting for me now, by my sitting room fireplace.

  I finished my supper and told Liv, I'd have some pie after Gram's meeting with Hank. Agreeing to meet Gram in the front hall, I went upstairs to my suite in the western wing of the house.

  In my sitting room, Buddy and Princess were laying by the cold hearth. They greeted me with wagging tails and kisses before going back to the fireplace. Looking meaningfully at the unlit kindling, they waited for me to join them.

  I sat down on the floor next to them for some cuddles. "I can't light the fire until I get back. I have to take Gram somewhere. When I get back, I'll light the fire, and we'll have popcorn and shoo-fly pie. OK, guys?" I kissed them both on the top of their heads and stood up.

  Turning on the sixty-inch flat screen, I turned the channel to cartoons for the dogs. Then I strolled to my bathroom.

  After brushing my teeth, I combed my hair, and freshened my makeup. Then I ran a lint roller over my clothe
s, to remove some of the dog hair I'd gotten on my skirt. After a spritz of lilac body spray, I pronounced myself ready. I left my Ruger .380 in the holster at my waist. Since last August, I went nowhere without a gun.

  I used to have a Glock 9mm, but I gave it to George. After that terrible August night, it was obvious he could handle it well. It was a great weapon, but I didn't want to look at it anymore.

  I met Gram downstairs, and we went out the door.

  It was only a few minutes’ drive up the highway to Hank's bar/restaurant. The lot was more than half full, the Friday night crowd was already amassing. I parked in a spot in the third row and escorted my grandmother into the bar.

  A short, stacked, very pretty, blond woman grabbed me in a bear hug before I made it to the bar. "Hallie, I know you're busy with the new business and all, but call me sometime, will ya?" She said. It was my friend Gabi Thomas.

  Gabi's also Hank and Andy Ross's cousin. She owned the most popular beauty salon in town and was a wonder with hair.

  "I'm sorry. Things have been crazy." I hugged her back.

  "I know what it's like to get a business off the ground, but you gotta take some time for yourself," Gabi said. She noticed Gram at my side. "Mrs. James, it's so good to see you."

  "And you as well, Gabrielle," Gram said giving Gabi a hug. "How's your family?"

  "The kids are almost all grown up. Troy Jr. started college in September, Tim is a senior this year, and Hannah started high school." Gabi sighed. "It won't be long until I have an empty nest. Where does the time go?"

  "Gram patted her arm. " You're just starting another era of your life. It's up to you to make it a good one. Just don't spend too much time looking back. Memories are a fun thing to take out and enjoy occasionally, but don't spend all your time with them. If you do, you'll miss out on new adventures."

  "Speaking of new adventures, where's that handsome fiancé of yours?" Gabi winked at Gram.

  "He’s waiting to greet his daughter when she arrives from California," Gram said. She waved at someone across the room. "Hank's waiting for us, dear. We'll see you next Saturday morning, Gabrielle. I'd trust no one else to make me beautiful for my groom."

  "I'll have my shop ready, and I'll personally, take care of you." Gabi smiled.

  "And I'll see you and your husband at the wedding?"

  "We'll be there with bells on," Gabi assured Gram. Then she looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Call me," she said with a smile.

  We met Hank at the swinging door to the kitchen. He led us inside and through another door. Down a short hallway, we came to his office. I blushed at the memory of a passionate encounter with Hank, in this very room. I gave myself a mental slap and tried to focus on Gram.

  But my eyes kept wandering back to Hank. Hank's tall and hunky, with sapphire blue eyes and a well-formed masculine body. We dated our last two years of high school.

  I thought we'd be together forever. I gave him my all after the Halloween dance in our senior year. I was dressed as a butterfly, Hank as a cowboy. When I got home, I realized that I'd lost my feelers and my wings were bent. But, it was worth it. It's been twenty-three years, and I still get hot and bothered when I hear spurs jangling.

  "What do you think, Hallie?" Gram asked.

  "Oh, I don't know. What do you think? “I had no idea what she'd asked me, so I was trying to bluff.

  "Well, George loves mashed potatoes, but au gratin potatoes are very good too," Gram answered.

  "Why not have both?" I smiled, paying close attention to the conversation.

  "Yes, why not," Gram said. “Hank, we'll have both."

  "Ok, and do you still want roast beef and turkey for the entree?" Hank asked, finally looking at me.

  I looked back, my professional bitch face firmly in place.

  “Yes,” Gram answered. “Roast Beef and turkey will be fine.”

  Hank looked at a clipboard. "You said that you want shrimp as one of the appetizers. Do you want us to make up individual shrimp cocktails?"

  "That's far too much work," Gram said. "Just order plenty, and dump them into large bowls. You can place cocktail sauce nearby."

  Hank nodded. "I've ordered your cake from the bakery, and the fire hall is allowing me bring the beer, wine, and liquor for the open bar. I've got people lined up to bartend.

  If you'd please look over this menu now, and tell me of any changes you want to make. I have to order everything tomorrow."

  I gave the menu a quick read over Gram's shoulder. Then my attention wondered back to Hank.

  I hadn't let myself miss him, but I did. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and beg him to kiss me, but I wouldn't. Ben was right, I needed closure. I needed to know how Hank could turn his love for me, off and on like a light switch. Was it because he didn't love me and never did? I felt tears come to my eyes. I blinked them back and dug out a tissue.

  Pretending to stifle a sneeze, I blew my nose and wiped my eyes. "Everything looks good to me, Gram." I worked up a convincing smile.

  "I think so too," Gram said. "Thank you, Hank. I think the reception will be a success." Gram handed Hank the clipboard.

  Eager to escape, I opened the office door and was startled by a man standing inches away from me. He was about my age and height with curly, dark hair and eyes. He wore a leather jacket, and I spotted the bulge of a gun at his waist.

  He glared at me, like I'd ruined his day. I glared back. He gave off a bad vibe. And I didn't like the way his eyes had shifted to my grandmother, concentrating on the diamonds in her ears.

  Before I could say, “what the hell are you staring at, jackass?" Hank pushed past me and shook his hand.

  "Chet Marlowe," Hank said warmly, "how have you been?"

  "Great, Hank," he replied. "Sorry, did I interrupt something?"

  "No," I said firmly. "We were just leaving."

  "Thank you, Hank," Gram said again and followed me out the door.

  I led Gram outside through the kitchen door. We got back into my car, and I started the engine and turned on the heat. Looking at the bar, I sighed.

  "Darling, you can take me home and come back to spend time with your friends," Gram said.

  "I have appointments in the morning," I said, shifting into gear. "And I was looking forward to a fire with my furry pals, a piece of Liv's pie, and a hot bath."

  "Gabi was right though, dear. Sometimes, you need recreation."

  "Maybe tomorrow." I answered and started for home.

  TWO

  The next morning was clear and cold. I showered, put on my makeup, and did my hair before dressing in gray, corduroy, skinny jeans, a sweater and black, ankle-high boots.

  After coffee, and a plate of scrambled eggs and toast, I used my remote starter to warm up my car before going outside.

  My breath plumed out, in big clouds, as I walked to my car. The heater had blasted a hole through the ice on my windshield, so I quickly climbed inside.

  I drove the two miles to town and parked on Blossom street, near my office. Then I ran into Brew's for my mocha. Feeling proud of myself for ignoring the scones, I breezed in the office door. Jessie and Ben were on the couch in the reception area. I tossed my coat on a chair and joined them.

  "It's scary, but I'm so proud of him," Jessie said as I sat down.

  "What'd I miss." I picked up a chocolate chip cookie from the coffee table in front of me. I took a big bite, it was soft and still warm. Then I remembered and froze. "Shit, thirty-four,” I mumbled as Ben laughed from the other end of the couch.

  Jessie turned toward me. "Andy made a big drug bust last night!"

  "Wow! Where?"

  "On the highway, not far from your house. He saw a car swerve and stopped him. When he asked the guy to step out of the car, he tried to pull a gun on him. But Andy was faster and got the drop on him. Then he called for backup." Jessie stopped to drink her coffee. "Anyhow, when Andy searched the car, he found four ounces of methamphetamine! "

  "That garbage is everywhere these
days," Ben said.

  "Was he a local?" I put the last bite of cookie in my mouth and checked for crumbs on my teal angora sweater.

  "No, he's from New York. His name's Chet, something," Jessie said.

  Bell's went off in my head. What was the name of the guy in Hank's office? He'd called him Chet. "It wasn't Chet Marlowe?"

  "Yeah, that sounds right. How'd you know?" Jessie looked at me curiously. "Is it on the news?"

  "No. When I took Gram to discuss the reception with Hank, a man came to the door. He was creepy, and I got a bad feeling about him. He was carrying concealed, but I doubt he was a cop." I picked up another cookie. There's always tomorrow.

  "Where'd you hear his name?" Jessie asked.

  "Hank called him Chet Marlowe and asked him how he'd been. He acted like he knew Chet very well but hadn't seen him in a long time."

  "I'll ask Andy." She picked up her phone and dialed. But the call went to voicemail. "That's weird. He should be home. He's on four till midnight, all week."

  "Maybe he's on the john," Ben said with a grin. "Give him a while before you call back "

  I checked my schedule on my phone. I had an appointment in ten minutes with another lawyer wanting background checks. I got up and stretched. Maybe the guy Andy busted wasn't the same guy that was in Hank's office. But what are the odds of there being two guys named Chet, who aren't from around here, and carried a concealed weapon?

  Ben was watching me and read my mind again. "Coincidences happen."

  I shrugged. "Let's get to work."

  Two hours later, I had a contract with the lawyer to do all his background checks. And Ben and I had a job to do tonight.

  The mother of a twenty-year-old girl was concerned about her daughter. The girl showed up every Sunday morning with bruises on her face and arms. She wouldn't admit that her boyfriend was hitting her, but the mother insisted he got staggering drunk, every Saturday night.

  I ran a check for a criminal record, and he had a history of getting drunk and violent.

  Tonight, was Saturday night. I would get proof of his violence towards the girl, call the police, and try to keep the girl from more harm. I would take Ben, and a retired police officer, Harry Ikeler, who was on my payroll. Things like this could get ugly, and Harry was a cool headed professional.