Chapter 21
I didn’t get emotional. People in my line of work could die if they got emotional, yet I couldn’t stop this unfamiliar feeling of anger and regret coursing through my body.
I drove without remembering how I got to Carter’s house, completely forgetting to return Faith’s truck. That was the price I paid for the emotional haze. It wasn’t worth it. I parked outside the gate and nodded as I passed the security guard. At leasthewas doing his job.
The air around the grounds was quiet. Not that I expected much of anything else. The trees rustled in the breeze as I walked the property line, more for peace of mind and the need to think than for any security reasons. I wasn’t worried about another breach. I’d made sure this whole place was protected and sealed up tight. When I hit the edge of the back fence on the property line, I glanced up at the camera and smiled, knowing that security would recognize me. They’d probably been tracking me since I passed through the gate.
I headed toward the lit house and entered through the back door, where Rose was sitting at the kitchen table eating.
“Late dinner?” I asked.
“Chef Robin saved me a bowl of stew. I swear Amelia is an alien. She doesn’t stop to eat. Apparently, she says she’s fasting to fit into her wedding gown.”
“Fasting?” I asked, pulling out a chair to sit with Rose. Amelia wasn’t a big woman. If I’d had to guess, maybe a size six soaking wet. There was nothing flabby on that woman.
“Sixteen hours she fasts, and then she eats for only eight hours a day. I just can’t even imagine having to do that.”
“I wouldn’t have pegged her to be so disciplined,” I said, thinking back to Petunia’s birthday party. Come to think about it, I didn’t think Amelia had even a single bite of food.
“And if she doesn’t stop, neither do I. You know the drill,” Rose said.
“Anything else you need to report?” I asked, rising from my seat.
“All else is quiet. There hasn’t been anything to report. It’s like we showed up and the threats stopped,” Rose said.
I stepped into the pantry and grabbed a pack of peanut butter crackers. “Keep those in your pocket so you always have a snack in the event she keeps the same schedule tomorrow.”
“Thanks. You know I wish we would have a threat so we could finish this. The wedding is only a few days away.”
“If he’s going to make his move, it will be soon. All of the wedding festivities will be a trigger.”
“Festivities?”
“You didn’t get the schedule? She’s acting as her own wedding planner. She’s overseeing every single detail down to the catering staff and the kitchen. She’s kind of OCD if you haven’t noticed.” Rose grinned and slid a folded piece of paper across the smooth tabletop.
I opened the paper, and my mouth parted as I snapped my gaze to Rose. “She can’t be serious?”
“Oh, she is, all right. She’s got one more dress fitting, she plans to double-check everything with the caterer, and check on the cake. She also intends to go to the country club and boss around the set-up people to make sure everything’s just perfect.” Rose pinched her lips together.
I sighed. “We’ve been through worse. I’m tracking down Larry tomorrow to have a talk and also Paul Kilnery to determine if he’s involved. If it’s not one of those two, then we’re back to square one.”
“That doesn’t sound promising,” Carter Pierce said from the doorway.
“I’ve ruled out her teacher so far.” I gave Carter a cheesy smile. “Larry’s name dropped into my lap. He’s the friend from the park, so I’m chatting with him tomorrow, and then I plan to visit the parolee. We don’t have much else to go on since we haven’t been given a formal list from either your sister or her fiancé, Dexter Cline. If you could twist their arms to participate, that would be great.” I patted his arm in passing as I headed out of the kitchen. “I’m going to check in with Cassandra and then hit the sack.”
“Did she just ask me to twist their arms?” Carter asked. His voice carried through the foyer as I headed for the stairs.
I slowed when I found Cassandra pacing the hall. “What are you doing here?”
“Amelia is with Petunia, making her try on her flower girl dress…again.”
“Yes, well…everything must be perfect.”
Cassandra rolled her eyes. She leaned in to whisper. “That woman is the dictionary picture of OCD, but only when it comes to things that directly affect her.”
We knew the type. We’d dealt with enough crazy clients and their families that this one was technically a walk in the park, if I could just stay focused. “My suspect list is dwindling, so keep your ears and eyes open.”
“Petunia is a smart little girl. Not much gets by her if you ask the right questions. She told me that she saw Johnny kissing her mommy before she met Dexter.”
