Poison Me (14 page)

Ellie chuckled. “Hate to agree with you, but—”

“It’s all pregnancy weight,” Jake defended his sister. “Trevor’s right. You do look beautiful.”

Ellie pursed her lips. “I didn’t say it wasn’t pregnancy weight. Brinley
always
looks beautiful. What’s the deal with you, Jakey? First you yell at Trevor. Then you act all defensive when I make an innocent comment. Why so testy today?”

Jake concentrated on his pool skimming, though any bugs had been eradicated minutes ago.

“You worried about Chanel coming?”

He didn’t respond.

“Quit worrying. The pool looks great.” Ellie’s gaze flickered to his deformed arm and then refocused on his face. “You look great. When she comes she’ll want to attack you.”

Brinley watched him. “I didn’t realize Chanel was such a concern.”

Trevor leapt onto the diving board again, bouncing up and down. “Watch this, Unca Jake. I call it the Slurpee.”

Jake focused on his nephew twisting and spinning through the air. “Good job, Trevor,” Jake called as the boy splashed into the water. He resurfaced and rewarded his uncle with a toothy grin.

Jake looked down at the two women in the water. “Aunt Ellie, will you do me a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Please don’t embarrass Chanel today.”

“You’re worried about what I’ll say.” Ellie grinned. “Jakey, if you’re interested in a woman, I will do everything in my power to help.”

“But I don’t want your help—”

“Hey, Chanel,” Ellie called.

Jake turned. Chanel carried a tray of fruit from the kitchen entrance, chatting with Grandma Ruby and Marissa. Her dark hair was swept into a ponytail, revealing her graceful neckline. She wore a scooped-neck pink tankini with a floral sarong tied at her waist. The olive skin revealed on her chest, arms, and legs left him speechless.

“Dang it,” Ellie muttered behind him. “I was hoping she’d change her mind and go for the bikini.”

Jake didn’t agree. Chanel’s modest swimsuit only made her more intriguing.

“Hiya, beautiful,” Trevor called from the diving board.

Chanel waved back. “Hi, Trevor.”

“That’s my line, buddy,” Jake murmured. He dropped the pole and hurried to her side, taking the fruit from her hands. “I’m glad you came.”

She grinned. “I’ll have to thank Ruby for inviting me.”

“I’ll do the same.” he said. He walked to the patio table to set down the fruit. Chanel fell into step with him.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Ruby looked over the treats and drinks on the table. “I think we’ve got everything. Marissa and I are going to jump into the pool. Are you two coming?”

“We’ll be right there,” Jake said. “Chanel promised to race the length of the pool, and I think she should eat something first to build up her strength.”

Chanel’s eyes widened. “I think you’re the one who might need some help.” She grabbed a bottle of Propel and handed it to him. “I doubt it’ll give you enough oomph to beat me, but you may as well see if there’s any truth to their advertising claims.”

Jake laughed.

“Does Chanel realize he was a national champion?” Marissa asked Ruby loudly enough for the entire neighborhood to hear.

Chanel took a step back, and Jake closed his eyes for a second. That was on his list of things he didn’t need her to find out about.

Ruby smiled and directed Marissa away from the table. “I think she just found out.”

“Maybe I don’t want to race you,” Chanel said. “National champ, huh?”

Jake grunted. “In high school. But you know I’m thinking of coming out of retirement. Olympic recruiters keep calling and calling.” He held out his hand, palm up. “When you’re in demand, you gotta give ’em a chance to work with the best.”

Chuckling, Chanel took the Propel bottle from his hands, popped the lid, and took a drink. “Ah. Now I think I’m ready to beat the national champion.” She grinned, slipped her sarong off, and ran toward the pool.

“No running!” Trevor called.

Slowing to a walk, she saluted him. “Okay, buddy. Thanks for keeping me safe.”

“Gotta watch out for the pretty ladies,” he said.

Chanel laughed.

Jake could only study her legs as Chanel dove into the pool. He watched her surface, water dripping off her long hair and soft skin, and couldn’t force himself to look away. He really liked Chanel—maybe too much. He felt almost unfaithful. But Angela was dead. Shouldn’t he go on with his life like everyone else thought?

Sighing to himself, he walked towards the pool. All at once he felt someone watching him.
No, it was just me thinking about
Angela. Yet the creepy sensation continued. He dragged his eyes from Chanel and slowly pivoted. A pair of eyes peered over his cedar fence, and two hands grasped the top pole.

Jake stared, and the blue eyes stared back. Their unnatural brightness seemed vaguely familiar.

The person released the fence and disappeared. Jake raced toward the front gate. After he swung it open, he tore into his front yard. He searched it and the street beyond, but no one was there. He ran to the pavement and looked up and down the road. Nothing.

He should’ve searched more, but he told himself the peeper was probably just one of the neighborhood girls who liked to flirt with him. He reentered the backyard and strode to the pool.

“Stop wasting time, Jakey,” Ellie called. “Chanel said she’s going to kick your butt with her freestyle stroke.”

Jake looked at Chanel. She dipped lower in the water with a pump of her eyebrows.

“Nobody beats me at freestyle,” he said.

“Yeah, nobody beats Unca Jake,” Trevor said.

Chanel swirled water between her fingertips. “Why don’t you come on in and try?”

Everybody laughed. Jake dove into the warm water, dismissing the image of blue eyes staring at him from over his fence.

***

Ruby studied the notes she’d written as she and Michael discussed “the case.” She hated having to write everything down, but her memory wasn’t the greatest anymore. Jennalou was still their only suspect. Michael had wondered if it was someone outside the retirement center, but they couldn’t think of a motive.

Michael stood, looking down at Ruby. “I’ve got to run into town and pick up some things before the grocery store closes.” He reached out and gathered her fingers between his. “Do you need anything?”

She shook her head no, staring at their entwined fingers. Two days ago she would’ve ripped his arm out in protest of the intimate touch. Today all she could do was smile at how it made her feel. They’d come a long way since he’d offered to help her solve the murders.

“Will I see you later?” she asked.

“If I’m lucky.” Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he pulled her to her feet. “Do you remember that day in the garden when I told you that I know things about you that other people don’t?”

With Michael sitting so close, Ruby couldn’t catch a full breath. “I remember,” she said.

“I wondered if one of the things is still true.” Michael wrapped one of his arms around her back and pulled her in.

Ruby licked her lips and glanced at him. She was crazy to let this continue, but she no longer had the self-control to fight how much she loved him. “I still like mayonnaise better than Miracle Whip.”

Michael smiled. “Not that one.”

“Oh, the other one.” Ruby swallowed at the sudden dryness in her throat. “You’re right. I still hate it when men whistle at me.”

He chuckled and lowered his head towards hers. “That’s not the one I wondered about either.”

Before Ruby could think to protest, his lips connected with hers. The kiss was short, sweet, and pure. It left her head swirling.

Michael released her and walked to the door. Glancing over his shoulder, he grinned. “I remembered correctly. Your eyes still flutter like you’re having a good dream.”

After he closed the door behind him, Ruby stared at it and whispered, “That’s because I am.”

Falling back into her chair, she wondered why she’d finally let him enter her world. After fifty years of missing him, she wanted to be with him every second. Yet they still hadn’t discussed the fifty-year hiatus, what initiated it, and the anguish they’d suffered because of her poor decisions. She could sense he wanted to, but wasn’t sure if she was ready. Thankfully, Michael hadn’t pushed the subject.

A soft rap came at the door.

“Come in.”

The gorgeous nurse, Tracy, bounced into the room, carrying a cup of something. “Hi, Ruby. How are you tonight?”

Ruby sighed. “I’m not worth the bullet to shoot me with.”

Tracy’s expression fell. “I’ve been worried about you. I’ve noticed you haven’t been acting like your happy self lately.”

Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, Ruby closed her notebook. “My friend and cousin died recently. Would you feel like your perky little self if that happened?”

“No, that’s so sad. That’s why I came to see you.” Tracy shifted the cup from one hand to the other.

Ruby wasn’t one of the girl’s patients, so why was she here? Ruby looked at the cup and asked, “Can I do something to help you, Tracy?”

“I sell these herbal drinks that help with depression. I wanted to give you a free sample.”

“No, thank you. I feel fine, just a little down.”

“That’s exactly what this is for.” The nurse edged closer.

Ruby gripped the armrests of her chair, more than a little uneasy.

The phone rang, and Tracy jumped. The fluid sloshed to the rim of the cup but didn’t spill. She hurried toward the door. “Maybe I can come back another time.”

Ruby shook her head, reaching for the phone. “Don’t worry about me. I’m not signed up with Home Health. I’m sure you’ve got enough
sick
people to help.”

Tracy nodded and left the room.

The call was a telemarketer. Ruby refused the zero-interest credit card and hung up quickly. She stood, rushed to the door, and locked it. Why would Tracy come to see her, and why had the nurse behaved so strangely?

Leaning against the door, Ruby sorted through the conversation and Tracy’s actions. What was the herbal drink the nurse wanted her to try? Ruby’s eyes widened. The drink. Something to cure Ruby’s depression. No, it couldn’t be possible. Slutty Tracy, the murderer?

Rats
, Ruby thought. She should’ve said she’d drink the concoction, then gotten a sniff before dumping it down the woman’s tight shirt. If it were the same smell as the poison that killed Richard and Anne, she would recognize it instantly. Darn it. Now she had no proof but her own heightened suspicions.

Her door handle shimmied. Ruby froze. Someone was trying to get into her apartment! The door shuddered with a pounding against her back. Ruby pressed against the door, praying it wasn’t Tracy and gauging the distance to the phone and help.

The door vibrated again. “Grandma? Are you in there?”

“Oh, Jake,” she whispered.

“Grandma?” he called. “It’s me. Unlock the door.”

She exhaled, turned, and flung the door open. “Hello, sweetheart.”

Jake bent and kissed her cheek. “How are you?”

“Not as good as you.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Don’t you smell nice.” She clucked her tongue, noticing his freshly shaven face. “Look even better. Going to visit the new activities director, are we?”

One side of his mouth tilted up. “No. I came to see you.”

Ruby wanted to tell him about Tracy’s odd visit and her suspicions of the nurse, but she held her tongue. She had better wait until she had proof, rather than make Jake worry about her sanity and her imagination. “What are you doing
after
you visit me?”

Closing the door behind him, Jake escorted Ruby to her chair. “I might swing past Chanel’s office and,” he paused, drawing out the suspense, “take her on a date tonight.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful, sweetheart. I sure like that girl.” Ruby smiled and sat down, sliding her notebook underneath a phonebook.

“Me too,” Jake said.

Ruby opened her mouth. “What are—”

“I spoke with Michael Trapper in the parking lot,” Jake interrupted before she could question him about Chanel. “He looked happy.” Jake stared at his grandmother as if gauging her reaction.

Ruby stiffened. “He did?”

“Yeah. A lot happier than the last few times I’ve seen him.” Jake stroked his chin with his fingertips. “He’s such a nice guy. What’s going on between you two?”

Ruby brushed at her skirt. Michael hadn’t told Jake he’d been spending time with her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You pretend to hate him, Grandma, but there’s something in your eyes whenever he’s around.”

“I don’t hate him. But there’s nothing going on between us.”
Nothing I’m going to admit to my grandson, anyway.

Jake slowly rotated a piece of gum between his teeth. “Hmm. I wonder.”

“That’s enough, young man,” Ruby said in her sternest voice. “Now spit out that gum.” She pointed to the garbage can in the kitchen. Jake complied without saying anything. “Is there something, besides Michael,” her heart raced as she said his name, “that you’d like to talk about? Maybe the new activities director.”

Jake’s eyes smiled. “Actually, I have been wanting to ask you about something.” He paused. “I’m wondering if you saved anything from your house. You know—books, pictures, any little knick knacks or remembrances?”

“No, nothing. Everything burned.” Ruby groaned inside. She should’ve kept the conversation focused on Michael.

Jake glanced out the window. Then his gaze rested on her face. “I’ve been thinking about Grandpa Don a lot lately.”

Ruby’s stomach clenched. She gripped her hands together, rotating the thumbs around each other. “Why would you do that?”

“He was always so good to me, taking me fishing and then for ice cream. I wish you had a journal or more pictures so I could remember him better.”

Ruby frowned. She only wanted to forget. The diamond and ruby ring on her left hand dug into her finger. She decided at that moment she would give her wedding ring to Brinley. She’d kept wearing it as a mourning widow, but she’d pretended long enough. Don being gone was reason to celebrate, not mourn. She slipped the ring off her finger.