Crazy as a Quilt (A Harriet Turman/Loose Threads Mystery Book 8) (33 page)

The female barista came over with a white mop rag and began sponging the table. Harriet took Jules’s empty cup to the bar.

The other barista met her at the counter. She slid the cup toward him; but before she could ask for a plastic bag to put it in and figure out how she was going to explain it, he picked it up and whispered, “I’m with the police. I’ll get this to the detectives.”

At the same time, he handed her one already filled with coffee to take back to Jules.

“I’m really sorry I’m so clumsy.” She set the mug in front of Jules and turned to Michelle. “I’m so sorry I interrupted you.”

Michelle glared daggers at her. Harriet smiled at her and continued on to the restroom.

Lauren wadded up her napkin as Harriet returned to their table several minutes later.

“I think it’s time for us to go.”

“I think you’re right,” Harriet agreed.

The four women picked up their bags and coats and made their way out the front door of the coffee shop. Harriet was surprised no one stopped them as they walked to the corner.

“We’re going to have to go around the block, since we came out the front door,” she told the two visitors.

Lauren led the way.

“We can use the extra walk after eating all those cinnamon twists.”

Detective Morse was waiting in Pins and Needles when they arrived, leaning against a table of sale fabric. She looked at Harriet and Lauren and then down at her feet.

“I don’t even know what to say.”

“Complete coincidence,” Lauren told her.

Jessica smiled sheepishly.

“We did go out of town today.”

Harriet stood in front of the detective.

“We went to the garden tour in Sequim and decided to go get cinnamon twists at Annie’s on our way here. You said you were going to let Jules sleep a few hours then have him call Michelle. We figured this would be all over before we got back.”

“You thought wrong. That being said…” Morse paused. “…it appears you saved Jules’s life. Michelle was going to eliminate him before he even got to set a price. We have to test the coffee mug, but I think we know what we’re going to find.” She held her hand to the tiny receiver in her ear. “Okay,” she said to someone not in the room. “Thanks, I’ll be waiting to hear.

“She took the bait,” Morse said. “He gave her until tomorrow morning to deliver the hush money.”

“I hope you’re going to take better care of Jules this time. As you said, it appears we were the ones to save his life. And we stumbled in there by chance.”

Morse turned her head away.

“Let’s just say my team members were less than enthusiastic about our plan. Until this drama went down, they were still convinced Aiden was their killer. They were only cooperating because the captain told them they had to.”

“And Jules almost paid the price. You know, he believes people who live on his side of the tracks don’t get treated the same as the rest of us. I’m starting to think he’s on to something,” Harriet told her.

“Yet Aiden’s name and money didn’t keep him out of jail,” Morse pointed out. She paused and listened. “Okay.” She stood up. “Jules and Michelle are both clear of the area, so I’m done here.”

Harriet walked with her to the door.

“Can you let us know when you have her in custody?”

“I will. And we’ll have someone watching Jules overnight, just in case she tries anything else.”

Morse went out, and Harriet went to the back classroom to find Marjory.

“Do you mind if Lauren and I take our workshop guests up to look at the trims in the attic?”

Marjory laughed. “If any of you are interested in that stuff, I’ll give you a really good deal.”

“Thanks, you’re the best.”

Chapter 30

Mavis tapped on the studio door and let herself in.

“Whoa. Looks like you ladies had fun in Marjory’s attic.”

Lauren, Jessica, Sharon and Harriet were sitting at the four sides of the big cutting table, each with a pile of ribbons and lace in front of them. A larger collection of embellishments was piled in the middle.

“Marjory made us a deal we couldn’t refuse,” Sharon told her.

Jessica looked up. “After this week, we know what to do with all this stuff. More is better, as my teacher said.”

Aunt Beth came in as Mavis was digging through the center pile; she now had her own assortment next to Harriet’s.

“What on earth are you all doing?” Beth asked.

“Marjory gave them a deal on a bunch of stuff from the attic,” Mavis explained. “There’s plenty for all of us.”

“I’ll look after you’re all done. Jorge is coming in a few minutes with dinner.”

“He’s here,” he said as he came in behind her, insulated bags in each hand.

Harriet stood. “Do you need any help?”

“Sure,” he said over his shoulder as he continued on to the kitchen. “You can set your dining room table and help me find two big platters and a bowl.”

Harriet got him the requested serving dishes and set the table.

“Have you talked to Aiden today?”

“I did. I hope this is over soon. He is too sensitive to be locked up with criminals.”

“Unfortunately, getting out of jail is only going to be the beginning of his troubles. I’m not sure how much my aunt told you, but it looks like Michelle murdered Marine and her father. The police wired her brother, and he met with her and told her he saw her go into Aiden’s apartment with Marine and come out alone. She’s supposed to pay for his silence tomorrow. Morse said we can’t tell Aiden or anyone until they have Michelle in custody.”

“
Diós mio!
It’s going to kill him when he finds out.”

“Jail was hard enough. Getting out is going to be worse.”

“He will be hurt, but we will all support him. After the initial shock, he has to know things were never going to end well with his sister. She was trouble from the start. Their parents gave her every kind of therapy and counseling money could buy. They spent time with the girl, too. It wasn’t like they neglected her or let other people raise her.” He shook his head. “I think some people are just born bad.”

Harriet sighed. “I hope he’s strong enough to get through all this.”

Jessica pushed away from the table.

“That was amazing. If you’re all eating Jorge’s cooking every week, I don’t understand why you don’t weigh a million pounds.”

Harriet smiled. “It’s the main reason I run.”

“I’m blessed with a good metabolism,” Lauren told her.

Sharon set her fork on her plate.

“The raisins were unexpected in the picadillo.”

Jorge blushed. “I have to surprise these ladies once in a while.”

Beth poked him in the shoulder.

“Admit it, you’ve been showing off for our visitors.”

“I have a reputation—”

Jorge was interrupted by the front doorbell ringing. Harriet and Aunt Beth looked at each other.

“No one comes to the front door,” Harriet said.

“Someone better go answer it,” Lauren suggested.

Harriet slid her chair back and stepped out into the entryway. She opened the small spy door at eye level that allowed her to see who was on her porch.

“Michelle?” she said, then, louder: “What do you want?”

“Can I come in a minute? I need to talk to you.”

She held a packet of papers in her hand and was bouncing up and down on her toes. Harriet decided she didn’t look immediately dangerous.

She turned to call back toward the dining room, “It’s Michelle”. She took a deep breath and opened the door. “Michelle, come in. How can I help you?”

“I have to go help a friend in Seattle, and I need to leave tonight. I couldn’t get hold of the Renfros to talk to the kids, and Marcel isn’t taking my calls. Here.” She shoved the packet of papers into Harriet’s hand. “I’m not sure how long this will take. This is a temporary medical power of attorney for each of them and their passports. It’s not a big deal—we do this whenever they spend a weekend away. Tell them I’ll be in touch when I can, but I don’t know how long my friend will need me.”

“Do you have a name or number where we can reach you?”

“You’ve got my cell number, I’ll keep it on. Look, I gotta go.” She turned and all but ran out the front door. Harriet watched as she crossed the porch, descended the steps and got into Aiden’s Bronco.

Harriet leaned against the front door, her hand to her heart. Lauren and Aunt Beth had rushed into the entry.

“Oh, my gosh,” she told them. “She’s making a run for it.”

Lauren pulled her phone from her pants pocket.

“We need to call Morse.”

Aunt Beth took Harriet by the arm and led her back to the dining room to her chair.

“Come on. Sit down.” She handed Harriet her glass of water. “Don’t you think the police have her under surveillance?”

“Call Morse,” Harriet said. “Michelle’s driving Aiden’s Bronco, so I’m guessing she had a plan B—and it worked.”

“Call me right away. Michelle was just here.” Lauren looked up at the group. “It went straight to the machine.”

“Call nine-one-one.” Harriet said.

Lauren complied, but from her side of the conversation, it didn’t go well.

“Well, apparently, Michelle isn’t on any sort of wanted list, and no one they talked to knew anything about her. The operator said she’d contact the detectives on call and have those guys get in touch with us.”

“What did she give you?” Mavis asked.

Harriet opened the packet Michelle had handed her.

“She said it’s the kids’ medical power of attorney and their passports.” She leafed through the papers. Looks like that’s what it is.”

“Surprising she was that thoughtful.” Lauren said.

“She is a narcissist, and I can’t say she’s been the most thoughtful mother, but she does make sure their basic needs are taken care of.”

Jorge came from the kitchen carrying a tray with dishes of flan.

“We might as well have our dessert while we wait for a call back.”

Harriet was eating her last bite of flan when her phone rang.

“Yes, Michelle came to my house and gave me her kids’ passports and said she had to go to Seattle,” she said when Morse identified herself. “She’s driving Aiden’s Bronco…About ten, fifteen minutes ago. Lauren called you right after she left.” Harriet keyed her phone off. “Bye,” she said to the dead screen.

The rest of the group was watching her.

“She was in a hurry. She did say everyone should stay here in case Michelle gets spooked and decides to come back.”

Lauren went to the studio and returned with her tablet.

“Who wants to take bets on whether Michelle gets into Canada before they catch up to her?”

Aunt Beth looked at her watch.

“Ten minutes to the highway and another ten to the ferry terminal, if she drives fast. If a ferry is sitting there, and she walks on....” She looked at the ceiling in what Harriet knew was her counting-in-her-head mode. “She might make it.”

“Touch and go whether she makes the last ferry,” Lauren said when she’d pulled up the schedule.

Harriet scraped the last bit of caramel sauce from her plate and licked it off her spoon.

“Even if she gets on the ferry, it takes—what?—two hours to cross the strait. That should give the police enough time to alert the guys on the other side to grab her.”

“So, now we wait.” Mavis said.

“Now, we wait,” Harriet agreed.