Come Rain or Shine, page 10
“How about a cookie for a dollar?” she asked in a bored tone.
“Just the burger,” I said in frustration.
“Gawd,” the girl snapped. “No need to get huffy.”
I stared at her in disbelief, then grumbled under my breath as I handed her a ten-dollar bill. No need getting worked up over this girl. Besides, I needed to get on her good side.
She handed me the change, and I glanced around the counter. “Do you have a tip jar?”
Her eyes widened. “Reggie won’t let us have one.”
“Can I just hand the tip to you?” I asked, trying to look innocent.
“Yeah. Sure.” She grinned as she held out her hand.
I handed her a five-dollar bill and her eyes grew wider.
“Is Wendy workin’ today?”
Her frown was back. “Whatcha want with Wendy?”
“I’m worried about her,” I said. “I saw her this morning at Dr. Arnold’s, and she wasn’t in a good place.”
She snorted. “Is that your way of sayin’ she was high as a kite?”
I grimaced. “She did seem a little out of it.”
She snorted again. “What the hell was she doin’ at Dr. Arnold’s?” She shook her head. “Stupid bitch.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked, trying not to sound too curious. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her into silence.
The girl narrowed her eyes. “Why do you care?”
She was touchier than a bramble bush. “I’m a friend of hers. She asked me for advice on how to take care of her cat’s swollen foot.”
“Stinkerbell?” she asked with a laugh. “That’s her neighbor’s cat. Wendy gets obsessed with him when she’s stoned. Weird-ass shit if you ask me.”
I frowned. “Is she scheduled to work today?”
Her upper lip curled. “What’s it to you?”
“Like I said, I’m worried about her. When I left the doctor’s office, she was wrestling with a woman over her purse.”
A huge grin spread across her face. “I sure would have loved to see that. Did you happen to get video?”
I chose not to tell her that Mrs. Preston’s little boy had probably plastered it all over the internet. “No. Wendy was almost arrested.”
“Like it would be the first time,” the girl scoffed. “Wendy’s fine.”
“So she’s not working today?”
“She opens tomorrow.”
Deciding to take a chance, I said, “Do you happen to know where she lives?”
“I’m really not supposed to tell anyone,” the girl said as she grabbed a burger from under the heat lamp behind her. As she stuffed it into the bag, she said, “Besides, Wendy’s fine. She does this from time to time, although I heard Dr. Arnold left town, so maybe it’s the end of the line for her.”
“Dr. Arnold supplied her with drugs?”
“She worked for him.”
My mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Yeah,” she said with a shrug, then pursed her lips. “That’s probably why she’s so upset.” She handed me the bag. “Have a nice day.”
I took it from her, lost in thought. “Thanks.”
I headed for the exit, my mind whirling. Was Wendy working with Denny Carmichael?
As soon as I got into the truck, I unwrapped my hamburger and took a bite, but my stomach turned when I got a mouthful of onions. Normally I liked them, but over the last month they’d turned my stomach every time I ate them. I tossed the sandwich back into the bag in disgust and grabbed my phone. I needed to talk to Joe. I wanted to tell him about Wendy, but I was more curious to hear if he’d found out anything about Mason. Not to mention I’d have to explain what had happened at the office. Better to do that before dinner tonight.
I sent him a text. Are you busy right now? Can we meet for a quick chat?
I’m at the courthouse. I can be at your office in a half hour.
I needed to check on the office anyway. See you then.
I stopped by the pharmacy and picked up Violet’s prescription, then headed back downtown.
When I parked down the street, I was surprised to see particleboard had been nailed over the opening and the glass had been cleaned up off the sidewalk. There was no sign of the chair, and I hoped someone had put it back inside, although it was secondhand and would be no great loss.
Shame washed through me. How could I have left it like that? But I knew the answer, even if it wasn’t much of an excuse—I was completely overwhelmed by all the upheaval in my life. It had been one thing too many, so I’d run from it and tried to pretend it wasn’t there.
That was the old me, and I didn’t like the implications.
Pushing out a sigh, I unlocked the front door and let myself in. The glass on the office floor had been cleaned up too, and the office chair was back in its original place, looking none the worse for wear.
I sat down at my desk and booted up my accounting program. I was in no frame of mind to design anything, but I could handle inputting receipts.
I was focused on my work when the bell on the front door sounded. My heart skipped a beat, but I reminded myself Joe was supposed to drop by. It surprised me to see Carter instead.
“Rose, I take it this afternoon went well.”
“Uh…yeah.” My face flushed with embarrassment, but I still gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“Don’t be thankin’ me,” he said in a dry tone as he sat in a client chair in front of my desk. “I told him it was an asinine idea, but since when does he listen to me?”
“I’m sorry if he’s frustratin’ you,” I said, meaning it. While I was thankful we’d had that hour to ourselves, I knew James didn’t always take the advice given to him, which meant he was making Carter’s life ten times more stressful.
He leaned back and crossed his legs. “You and I still need to have a chat to discuss your testimony.”
I wasn’t surprised. Although James seemed to think there was nothing for Carter and me to discuss, Carter was our attorney. He wouldn’t be doing his due diligence if he sent me off to testify without a chat.
“Okay.” I clicked my mouse and put my computer screen to sleep. “I need to warn you that Joe Simmons will be showing up at any time.”
He nodded. “I’m your attorney. We’re having a professional meeting.” A dark look filled his eyes. “But if he shows up before we finish, I suggest you send him on his way. I do hope you haven’t shared sensitive details with the chief deputy sheriff.”
I could have gotten angry, but I understood his loyalty to his client. In fact, I was grateful for it. “As I told you earlier, we share the same concerns. I’ve been loyal to your client, and he knows it.”
He gave me a curt nod. “I take it he discussed your testimony.”
“He told me to tell the truth.”
Carter looked like he’d swallowed a cockroach. “Yes.” The word sounded strangled.
“You disagree?”
“With telling the truth? Given the situation, and given that both of you are my clients, yes, it’s what you should do.”
I cocked my head as I studied him. “But it’s not what you would have me do.”
“We’ve moved past that point. He’s made a decision and it’s too late to turn back now.”
Which was exactly what James had implied earlier. Icy fear settled into my belly. “What has he done, Carter?”
He gave me a wry grin. “So he still hasn’t told you? He’s adamant that no one know the details. Not even Jed.” He shook his head, then narrowed his eyes on me. “He’s a fool. A fool for you.”
Fear snaked its way into my gut. My head. “He’s working with the FBI, isn’t he?”
He studied me. “He’s made a risky move that I wholeheartedly advised him against. But rest assured, this has been in play for far longer than you think. It’s only recently that the heat has been increased.” He took a breath, then exhaustion covered his face. “Tell the truth. Keep your answers short. Don’t volunteer information, but for God’s sake, don’t lie. Then I’ll be havin’ to haul you out of a mess.”
“What about Denny Carmichael?”
“What about him?”
The bell on the door dinged and Joe walked in, freezing mid-step when he saw Carter.
“Hale,” he said in a hard tone.
“Simmons.” Carter sounded amused, but then he loved riling up law enforcement officers.
The two men shared a dark look, full of undercurrents, before Carter stood and said, “I need to be goin’. The special prosecutor is keeping me on my toes.”
Joe’s face lit up with an amused smirk. “I bet.”
Carter ignored him and headed toward the door.
“Carter, will you be there tomorrow?” I asked.
He stopped at the door and turned to face me. “I’ll likely be tied up, but they wouldn’t let me in with you anyway. Just do what we talked about, and you’ll be fine.”
He gave Joe another cocky grin, then walked out and shut the door behind him.
I watched Carter through the window on the right side of the door as he crossed the street and headed back to his office.
Joe lowered into the chair in front of my desk, looking stiff and ready to do battle. I was sure it was over my irresponsible behavior after the window was broken.
“Joe,” I said with a sigh. “I’m so sorry. I should have called you right away about the window. You’ve put your life on hold for me, and I was thoughtless and irresponsible. Can you please forgive me? I don’t think I can handle the cold shoulder from you right now.”
Surprise washed over his face once again, and his body relaxed. “Rose,” he said, but this time with much more warmth, “I realize you’ve been running around the last year hoarding a closet full of secrets, but I’m here for you. You have to know that by now.”
“I do,” I said, suddenly feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I needed to change the subject. “Did you know about Dr. Arnold fleeing the county?”
He grimaced and sat back in his chair. “I learned about it this morning at my meetin’. Apparently, the FBI knew all about it but didn’t feel obligated to tell any local law enforcement.” Irritation flickered in his eyes, but he shifted in his seat and then it was gone. “Did you have trouble picking up Violet’s medication? I wondered after I found out about Arnold. We can move her paperwork to a new doctor. I heard about a good one up in Magnolia.”
“Nah,” I said. “I met the new doctor, and she’s very nice and supportive. I had to go in this afternoon to chat with her. I think she’s meetin’ all her patients who use narcotics, but I didn’t have any trouble. She knows Vi needs it.”
“Sounds like she’s got her head on straight,” he said in approval.
I hesitated, wondering if I should bring this up, but decided he had a right to know. “Did you know half the town thinks we’re datin’?”
“That was the plan,” he said, his voice firm as though preparing for an argument, “and I decided not to leave it to chance. I’ve gone out of my way to make people think we’re a couple.”
I blinked. “How did you do that?”
“I’ve dropped your name in conversations with people I knew were gossips,” he said. “Saying you and I had watched a particular movie the night before and loved it, or that we’d gone to the new movie theater up in Magnolia.”
All true, but he’d manipulated the information to make our time together sound romantic.
His jaw tightened. “Now, before you get mad—”
“I’m not mad,” I said sincerely. “I’m grateful to have such a good friend.”
He sat back, looking stunned.
“We really are growin’ up, aren’t we?” I teased.
We sat in a comfortable silence for a few seconds. I’d tried to push him away earlier, and he’d dug his heels in. I couldn’t deny I was grateful for his support, and that he’d settle for friendship, whatever he might privately want. Maybe I wasn’t ready to let him go just yet. Did that make me selfish?
My mind was still on my visit with Dr. Newton. “When I showed up at the doctor’s office this morning, there was a woman who came lookin’ for Dr. Arnold. She was stumbling around like she was drunk or high. She ended up gettin’ into a scuffle with a woman in the waiting room, and the office staff had to call the police.”
A grin lit up his eyes. “Sounds like you had an eventful morning.”
“True,” I said slowly. “But I found out from Wendy’s coworker that she was workin’ for Dr. Arnold.”
His eyes narrowed and he shifted forward. “Doin’ what exactly?”
“She didn’t say.”
Confusion washed over his face. “Who didn’t say?”
“The cashier at the Burger Shack.” When he gave me a look that suggested he didn’t follow, I said, “That’s where Wendy works. I take it her work with Dr. Arnold was a part-time gig.”
He paused for a moment, his face going blank. “Did someone hire you and Neely Kate for a case?”
“No.”
A familiar irritation filled his eyes. “So what were you doin’ askin’ around about Wendy?”
That was a great question, one I wasn’t sure how to answer, especially given my upcoming grand jury testimony.
Pushing out a sigh, he shook his head. “You can’t help yourself. You’re like a cat with that damn curiosity.”
He was right. All of the previous investigations I’d done had only encouraged my innate desire for answers. Especially when it involved the criminal world. And especially when it might affect James in some way.
“Rose,” he said emphatically, “I’m beggin’ you to let this one go. The FBI’s all over it, and if they think you’re messing in something you don’t belong in, they’ll bring the hammer down.” His eyes held mine. “Promise me you’ll stay out of it.”
“I didn’t mean to investigate anything, Joe,” I said. “I was worried about Wendy because she was so out of it and wanted to check on her.”
“And you just happened to know where she worked,” he said, clearly not buying a word of it.
“Someone mentioned it at the doctor’s office. Plus I was hungry for a burger, so I figured why not get one there and inquire about Wendy?”
His gaze narrowed. “Uh-huh…”
“And the cashier volunteered the information after I mentioned I was worried about Wendy. She said Wendy was probably at the office because she worked for Dr. Arnold.” When he still looked unconvinced, I added, “I could have tried to press her about what Wendy did for Dr. Arnold, but I let it go.”
His face softened. “Rose, with the grand jury and Violet…you really need to keep your nose clean right now. Especially with the FBI sniffin’ around.”
He was right and I knew it, and I had to admit he wasn’t wrong about me. Part of me was interested in more than just Wendy’s well-being. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”
Sitting back, he turned serious. “Now, let’s talk about why you didn’t tell me about the window.”
I should have expected this one, but it still made my stomach tumble. “I think you know why.”
“Denny Carmichael sent someone to keep you quiet.”
Raking my teeth over my lower lip, I nodded.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No.” I told him about the entire exchange. He listened intently, and after I finished, he was silent for a moment.
“I wish you’d trusted me enough to tell me. To let me do the job you asked me to do.”
He had a right to be hurt, so I didn’t say a word, just stewed in my guilt.
He took my silence as an admission that he was right. “After everything, you still don’t trust me.”
The hurt on his face was my undoing. “That’s not it at all, Joe. I’m tryin’ to protect you.”
“Protect me?” he asked, incredulous. “Need I remind you I’m the one wearin’ a badge and a gun?”
I glanced down at the weapon holster at his hip and flashed him a tight smile. “I’ve got one too.”
His mouth twisted, making it clear what he thought about that, yet he’d agreed weeks ago that I needed to carry it.
“I have the law on my side, Rose.”
“And what kind of position would you be in if I told you everything? We already agreed that some things were better left unsaid,” I reminded him.
He glanced over his shoulder at the particleboard covering the window and rubbed his chin. “I’m startin’ to reconsider that decision.”
“Joe…” I paused, waiting for him to meet my gaze. “I intend to tell them the full truth tomorrow.”
His body tensed. “What exactly does that mean?”
“It means I’m telling them about Denny. And I’ll answer whatever they ask me about James too. I’ll answer whatever they ask.”
Fear flashed in his eyes. “I’m gonna need to get a detail assigned to the farm. I also think it might be a good idea if you skip work for a few days.”
I nodded. “Dr. Newton already recommended the same thing to me. At my physical, she suggested I take some time off and spend it with Violet.”
He gave a slight shake of his head. “I thought you just went in to talk to her about Violet.”
“I did,” I assured him. “But when I told her how anxious I’ve been feeling, she decided to do a physical in case I need something to help with it.”
“Like antidepressants?” he asked in surprise.
“I don’t know exactly. I told her no, but she said I was due for another exam soon anyway, so I figured I might as well do it. If I change my mind about the pills, I can let her know.” When I saw the concern in his eyes, I rushed to say, “Joe, I’m not depressed. The stress of everything has been gettin’ to me, is all. I’m tired all the time and I’ve lost weight over my upset stomach. Normal reactions to stress.”
Guilt washed over his face. “I should be helpin’ more.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re already helpin’ more than you know. We have Carly helpin’ too, for heaven’s sake. But the end is approachin’…” A lump filled my throat. “I’m strugglin’ to consider a world without my sister.”
Tears filled Joe’s eyes. “You won’t be alone, Rose. I’ll be here for you. So will Neely Kate.” His throat bulged like he’d just swallowed a bug, but he added, “And so will Jed.”
