Elizabeth C. Main - Jane Serrano 02 - No Rest for the Wicked (5 page)

“
And I didn’t read it either, in case you wondered.
”

I smiled at the old family joke. Respecting the privacy of others had been a big deal when the girls were growing up.

Bianca went on,
“
I mean, if you have anything special to tell me, you will, right?
”

My face warmed at the studiously casual look on her sweet face, and I knew phone calls would be beaming in short order to her sisters, Susannah and Emily. All three girls were hoping Nick would soon be joining our family. They figured that three years of widowhood was long enough.

“
You’ll be the f
irst to know. Thanks, Wendell.
”
Talking to the patient dog before me beat worrying about Alix.
Just one more peaceful moment and I’d take up reality again.

I unfastened the rubber band holding the paper to his collar. He stood and wagged his tail, eager for the expected treat. I dug around under the counter for the biscuits I kept on hand for his visits. Since they smelled of mint to keep Wendell’s breath kissing fresh, they were easy to locate. Bianca made them from natural ingredients and cut them into interesting shapes, in another of her creative business ventures. Today’s biscuit formed a question mark, in case the dog consuming it wished to contemplate the deeper meaning of life while he snacked. Wendell had never shown much interest in philosophy, but he was an excellent eater.

Only after Bianca and Wendell had exited the bookstore did I unroll the parchment and read the fancy lettering. Where on earth had Nick Constantine, attorney by trade and rumpled fisherman by inclination, come up with this wording, not to mention the ornate font?

Milady, please to cast aside care, don fine raiment, and lower the drawbridge at eight o’ the clock this very even to sup with me on wheaten bread and guinea fowl, accompanied by copious sweet mead?
Ah, Madame, far, far too long has’t been since our lips last met, our hearts entwined. We have matters of great im
port to discuss.

Translation: Nick planned to bring over chicken sandwiches and
wine
after he got back from fishing and I finished the book club meeting.
For a moment, Alix’s situation faded.
His playful words made me smile
, briefly, before thoughts of
Alix’s
situation
resurface
d.
No matter how tempting it was to think about seeing Nick, it would have to wait. First things first.
Unfortunately, I’d already rescheduled this date twice. Alix’s predicament was yet another in an unfortunate series of obligations to others that I couldn’t ignore.

Should I call now to tell him I was on my way to the sheriff’s department? No, not until I knew more. It was only six-thirty. Only two days ago, after the latest rescheduling of our date, Nick had asked me to think seriously about my tendency to let other people dictate much of my time. He’d been patient for a long time
,
and I owed him an answer.

Tyler returned from the car, carrying a plate of cookies and chewing energetically.
“
These are great. Want one?
”

“
Later. And there’d better be some left when I get back.
”

“
You know,
”
he said,
“
these cookies would be much safer if I locked up and went with you.
”

“
No way.
”

“
Hey, it was Alix who insulted that jerk of a deputy last year, not me.
”

“
Yes
, but you were part of the group outside chanting
,
‘Free Bianca.’ I’m hoping to achieve a slightly lower profile this time around.
”

“
Okay.
”
Tyler shrugged his shoulders, my logic getting through to him in spite of his disappointment.
“
I’ll work on
the blog. You’ll be back soon?
”

I went with the confident approach, but whether for myself or him, I wasn’t sure.
“
Sure. This is some kind of mistake. You know Arnie.
”

The look on Tyler’s face mirrored Bianca’s and Minnie’s earlier relief. My super sleuth credentials remained supreme with everyone but me. Now, if only I could convince myself of my invincibility. A voice in the back of my head told me that surely any sheriff, even one as inept as Arnie Kraft, would have established some connection between Alix and the murdered man to justify taking her in for questioning. I’d better find out what it was.

Chapter 3

I pulled my Volvo into the nearly deserted parking lot of the Russell County Courthouse. The expanse of empty asphalt appeared well
suited to a pickup basketball game or the swooping of skateboards, anything to make the place less forbidding. Before stepping from the car, I took some of the deep, cleansing breaths Bianca recommended from her
yoga
practice. Couldn’t hurt.

The gray building cast a shadow over the entrance as I approached. Was the resulting chill in the air just my imagination working overtime? Taking one more deep breath, I pushed through the heavy doors and smiled at the bored guard, whom I caught in mid-yawn. He ditched a fistful of Cheetos behind the counter before hiding his orange hands in disposable gloves and rummaging, red-faced, through every inch of my voluminous bag. Too bad I hadn’t stuck in one of Minnie’s gingerbread guns along with my lipstick. That’d wake him up.

“
Ouch!
”
He snatched his hand out.
“
What the … ?
”

“
Oh, the can opener. For our book club meeting,
”
I explained as he held up the can of pineapple tidbits. He didn’t appear impressed at my attempt to provide a healthful snack, but what could I expec
t from someone who ate Cheetos?

“
Oh, yeah. You’re that Murder of the Month woman.
”
His tone didn’t suggest an immediate interest in getting my autograph.
“
The can opener stays here
’
til you come out.
”

“
Afraid I’ll use it—metaphorically speaking—to get someone out of the ‘
can
’
?
You can keep the pineapple, too, if you want.
”
No response, so I lowered my voice.
“
You know, that can’s heavy. Make a good weapon.
”
His look caused me to abandon further attempt at conversation.

During the extended screening, I surveyed the room beyond the metal detector. The deputy at the desk wasn’t familiar, thank goodness. I relaxed a fraction. Anyone we’d met here last year would view me with all the enthusiasm they’d show an escaped ferret.
Cheeto-hands finally motioned me on.

At the desk, the deputy smiled.
“
Good evening,
m
a’am. I’m Deputy Swenson. How may I assist you?
”
He was not only polite, but he had beautiful teeth.

I wondered whether Deputy Grumpy at the door knew that smiling wasn’t against departmental policy.
“
Is
Brady Newman on duty tonight?
”

“
Let me check.
”
He tapped out a few strokes on his keyboard.
“
You’re in luck. He’s in the building. If you’ll wait ov
er there, I’ll get him for you
… ?
”

“
Jane Serrano. Yes, thank you.
”

I moved toward the bank of chairs he indicated. I never could decide whether the domed circular reception hall of the new courthouse reminded me of a space ship or a train station. Whatever, this monstrosity had been built with expansion in mind. Why such a grandiose building for out-of the-way Russell County? Too many vacationers and developers had already found us, with more on the way as the building boom in neighboring Deschutes County spilled over.

I sank into a chair. Last summer I’d been so focused on getting Bianca out of here that I hadn’t looked around before. The elevated ceiling swallowed sound, almost as though humans didn’t really belong here. That was fine with me. I’d be on my way as soon as possible.

Attempts had been made to make the place inviting, with magazines scattered on the low tables and scenic photographs of the high desert on the walls. Nice photos, though their magazine selection could use some work:
Field & Stream
,
Woman’s Day
, and, inexplicably,
Arizona Highways
.
P
erhaps Thornton’s could donate copies of
Crime and Punishment
, or possibly
The Trial
to remind people that breaki
ng the law wasn’t a good idea.

“
Ms. Serrano?
”

From the concerned look on Brady Newman’s face, I suspected that he’d been standing
there
for some time. His uniform was pressed, his shoes sh
ined, but his round young face—
surely he wasn’t old enough for this job—made me wonder why the coun
ty gave babies badges and guns.

“
Oh, Brady, I didn’t hear you.
”
I rose to greet him and found myself still looking up a considerable distance. Minnie’s former Sunday school pupil had put on a few years, and more than a few pounds, since Minnie had taught him his Bible verses.
“
I’m so glad you’re here tonight. You know how much we appreciated your help last year with that horrible mix-up.
”
I paused to let him remember that bond on his own, trying to indicate without words that surely people who wanted to do the right thing, people who were not intimidated by bureaucratic rules and regulations, people who’d learned their Sunday school lessons well, should stick together.

Brady’s eyes didn’t quite meet mine.
“
It’s nice to see you again, too.
”

The fact that he looked somewhere over my left shoulder as he spoke told me that he remembered, all right. This bland fa
c
ade, so different from Brady’s natural friendliness, chilled any hope that Alix’s dete
ntion had a simple explanation
.

I tried for an offhand tone.
“
There’s been some misunderstanding about Alix. I understand she’s here
,
and I
’d
hoped I could see her, or you could tell me—
”

“
Sorry.
”
Brady’s voice was low. Without moving a step, he retreated further into himself. Now he was looking over my other shoulder.
“
I can’t do that.
”

“
Which part?
”
I smiled as best I could while my stomach muscles knotted.
“
I can’t see her
,
or you can’t tell me what’s happened?
”

“
I’m really sorry, Ms. Serrano.
”

“
Ms. Serrano! What happened to ‘Jane
’
?
”

“
Sorry,
m
a’am. I’m on duty.
”
Brady’s reddening cheeks made him look younger by the minute, even as he concentrated on presenting himself professionally.

We faced each other in silence. As I tried to think what to do or say next, he settled the matter by looking directly at me for the first time. The despair in his eyes made me gasp. This young deputy had experienced something that haunted him. He didn’t need further problems from me.

“
I understand. Thank you for seeing me.
”

He looked so relieved at my sudden about
-face
that I was ashamed of myself for having tried to play on his friendship. This was serious stuff, whatever it was.
“
Would it be all right if I waited here for Alix? She’ll need a ride home.
”

“
It might be a long wait.
”

I thought of Nick
, gave an internal sigh.
No choice but to cancel again.
I pictured his wry smile as he’d composed his silly note earlier, anticipating our plans for the evening. This wasn’t the way either of us had envisioned it.
“
That’s okay. I’ve got time.
”

Brady strode
ramrod-
straight to the opposite side of the lobby and disappeared into the back rooms. I picked up the nearest magazine and stared at the cover for some minutes without seeing it. The June day had been warm enough for my short-sleeved top and sandals, but now goose bumps rose on my arms.
Leaving
the magazine open in my lap,
I rubbed them and wondered how long I’d have to wait. No sign of Alix yet
.
I’d
call Nick
.
I longed to hear his voice,
though he wouldn’t like what I had to say
.

A warm hand landed on my shoulder just as I flipped open the phone
.
I turned to find Nick easing
onto
the seat beside me.

“
Field & Stream
? I had no idea you were such a fan.
”
His
intense
scrutiny belied the bantering tone as his warm brown eyes searched my face for clues about the situation.

“
I’m so sorry.
”
The hours of strain broke through my control
. I dropped the phone
,
and my words
tumbled
out
.
“
I
was just about
to call. How could this have happened again?
”

He waved away the apology
and set the phone on the table beside me
.
“
Hey. Take a deep breath.
”
Enfolding my icy hands in his large warm grasp, he continued.
“
Tyler told me. Of course you had to be here.
”
He looked around at the quiet lobby.
“
What have you learned?
”

“
Just that the security guard needs a personality transplant.
”

“
Ah, now you’re sounding more like yourself. Things can’t be all that bad then. Have you spoken to Alix?
”

“
Not yet. Brady told me I could wait. Said it might be a long time.
”
I pressed my lips together and suppressed the memory of the grim look on Brady’s face when he talked about Alix. Better to concentrate on annoyance at the security guard’s attitude until or unless I learned for sure there was something bigger to worry about.
“
But what are you doing here?
”

“
You’ve got problems. Where else would I be?
”

Nick’s simple reply sabotaged my attempt to maintain emotional control and tears
sprang to
my
eyes
.
“
But after you said—
”

He
noticed; he
gathered me into his arms and stroked my hair.
“
Yeah, I know, but this is something
else. We’ll
talk later. You can’t get rid of me that easily.
”

“
But this keeps happening.
”
I leaned back to look up at him. Nothing but concern written on his face. Why was I so lucky?
“
I thought you’d be mad.
”

“
Come on. Give me some credit. You didn’t plan for this to happen, or did you?
It does seem to keep happening. Hmmm.
”
As I opened my mouth to protest, he gave my shoulders a gentle shake.
“
I’m kidding, Jane. This has to be some kind of
mistake. This
is our friend Alix we’re talking about, not some serial killer. On the other hand, if you’re really sweating it, I can present myself as her attorney. Might speed things up.
”

“
I’ve probably been sitting here too long, thinking up scary stories. But an attorney? I do
n’t know. Somehow seems like—
”

“
—we think maybe there’s a reason she’ll need one?
”
I
nod
ded, prompting him to
continue in a low, reassuring voice.
“
Look, if Brady told you to wait, that’s a good sign.
I’ll
stay
out of it for now, if that’s what you want, but
I’ll leave the cell on, just in case.
H
ere.
”
He dug in his shirt pocket and pulled out a Snickers bar.
“
I don’t want you complaining that I did you out of dinner. Sorry, but that’s the best I can do. I ate both our chicken sandwiches on the way over here.
”