Checked Out, page 5
To be honest with herself, this assignment was so light it didn’t register on a scale, and she’d been exhausted just from the drive, then wiped out by the short walk in the storm. When she’d checked in and been uncertain if she’d be one night or two, the owner had said it wasn’t a problem if she stayed. The next conversation with Lisette would be brief. There was no reason to stay another night.
But she wanted to.
It was her nature to question any impulse that encouraged self-indulgence. If she needed rest, she could drive home and rest for free.
It was also true, though, that her stomach was full, she was sugar- and caffeine-buzzed, and now she wanted a nap all at the same time. Instead of feeling the familiar impulse to accomplish her task, she was drowsy — but no way was she going to take a nap at nine thirty in the morning.
Dr. Shrink had been after her to listen to her body. Gazing at her what-the-cat-dragged-in reflection in the glass door of the motel office, she asked her body for the truth.
Are we up to driving back to Philly today?
She got an answer, loud and clear: No.
But I feel better than I have in a while, she countered.
You have the stamina of an asthmatic sloth. Cutting the waffle is all the workout you need today.
No it isn’t, she scolded herself. She was going to walk across the Village Green and see to her assignment by talking with Lisette, Bookend Warrior, one more time.
It was undeniable that the prospect of seeing Lisette again stirred something other than zeal for the job. Fine, she admitted. The woman was attractive with all that brown hair, and the large, alert eyes, and often mischievous smile.
The frigid air burned at her lungs even as the bright morning sun made her neck hot under the coat collar. It felt good to force herself to breathe in deeply and feel the cold instead of the ache of her ribs, at least at first. There was still plenty of pain.
Why not take another day?
She glanced toward the library where a cobalt-blue Jeep was turning into the parking lot. The diner food was distinctly comforting, and there was a small grocery a couple of blocks over to stock up on road snacks and water tomorrow. The snow — as long as she wasn’t driving in it — was lovely. The tall fir in the Village Green, bedecked in ribbons and ornaments for the season, was heartening in its normalcy, even if its presence felt like a Christmas cliché.
She pushed a quick note to the innkeepers through the key drop. Another night.
Just one.
Back in her room a wave of lightheadedness after she bent over to pick up the earring she’d dropped reinforced the wisdom of her decision. It took a couple rounds of long, steady, deep breaths to conquer her anger at herself for the persistent weakness.
You’re not Deadpool or a princess of Themyscira.
She squeezed her eyes shut to stop the replay of the flash of light followed by the roar of the explosion, but she wasn’t entirely successful. Picturing Wonder Woman gazing at her kindly would have helped more if Wonder Woman hadn’t had brown hair with red undertones, like a certain librarian. It was distracting.
When she finally felt sufficiently calm and steady on her feet, she pulled on her coat and gloves and set out for the short walk to the library.
The crisscrossed paths of the Village Green had been cleared, and the footing was good under the low-heeled boots she’d grabbed at the last minute and thrown into the back of the rental car. Her street shoes were still drying out.
At the decorated Douglas fir, she paused. It looked as if it had been planted a half century or more ago in that precise spot to become the town Tannenbaum every December. It was at least a hundred feet tall and stood proudly against the impossibly blue sky. Real snow flocked the wide, deeply green branches.
Staring at the pattern of the pine needles growing from each limb, she felt as if she was standing in a forest of trees so old they no longer remembered being seed or sapling. The wind that stirred the branches brought the voices of women, bright in laughter, low in words of love.
The honk of a horn snapped her back to the present. It felt like she’d been in a scene from an episode of Xena — something with Amazons and deerskin bikinis.
Warriors ought to wear armor.
True, she told herself. It was also true that it was far too cold to be meandering in television memories.
She studied the Tannenbaum again. Most of the lowest branches were hung with ornaments. Not the store-bought kind, rather, wood block and sturdy glass ornaments appeared to be hand-lettered with names and dates, some very recent. There were small photo frames of men and women in uniforms of decades gone by. Some frames included crosses, others the Star of David, or Star and Crescent. Small towns — a fallen soldier would be someone everyone knew. Statistics had faces here. Personal history was public knowledge.
At the base was a sign reading, “The light of sacrifice holds back the darkest of winters.”
With one last look at the tree, she resumed her walk to the library, aware that she was smiling. The hardest thing in her day was going to be talking to a terrier of a librarian. Who was kind. Intelligent. Fierce.
Appealing.
It didn’t matter how this interview turned out — she was looking forward to it.
CHAPTER NINE
THE LIBRARY MANAGER’S OFFICE blinds were drawn, but having seen her car, Peri knew Lisette was there. After the bracing cold of the walk over from the motel, the reading area and the quietly crackling gas-powered fireplace held a lot of appeal. From there she could keep an eye on Lisette’s office door.
Still feeling as if her standard-issue government-employee blue suit, white shirt, and red tie stood out in a world of plaid shirts and blue jeans, Peri nevertheless donned her usual nothing-exists-but-my-agenda attitude. It was harder to pull off without her sunglasses on. Still, no one had run screaming from her yesterday, so it was probably a good idea to get used to the sometimes open stares at her facial scar, which would only get darker with time.
Not knowing how long she’d be waiting, finding something to read seemed a good idea. The last thing she wanted to do was doze off. That would be exactly the wrong message to send.
A bookcase in the lobby said, “Lucky Day” across the top. She paused to figure out exactly what that meant and saw a just-released new mystery from her favorite writer on the middle shelf. She scooped it up and settled in to enjoy the opening chapter.
The fire eased the pinched feeling in her arms and legs. The only thing better would have been if this chair, the fireplace, and the book were all in a place of her own. She’d lived the life of a vagabond, going where DHS sent her. Until now she hadn’t yearned for anything else.
Don’t get used to this.
Her inner voice responded, Why not?
Because small towns, she answered herself. No privacy. She eyed some of the nearby patrons. So much knitting. Glancing around at the holiday decorations she added, And glitter.
She’d turned the page to begin chapter three when the door to the library manager’s office opened. A man in slacks and white shirt with a bland blue tie emerged, carrying a thick forester jacket. He looked very much like a lawyer might. Lisette’s shapely print dress of yesterday had been replaced with a bright purple-and-white sweater over black slacks and sleek, flat-heeled boots.
“Thanks for stopping by,” Lisette was saying. “Give Celia a hug for me.”
About to get up before Lisette was waylaid by a patron or staff member, she was surprised to realize that Lisette was making a beeline for her.
“Back already?”
“As promised.”
Lisette gestured at the book tucked under Peri’s arm. “Are you enjoying that?”
“Very much. What is ‘Lucky Day’?”
“Items in high demand with long wait lists, like a new James Patterson anything or superhero movie DVD. We put out a selection and if it’s there when you walk in, it’s…” She cued her with a wave of one hand.
“My lucky day, I get it now. I pre-ordered this, but I didn’t get to the bookstore before I headed here.”
An awkward silence fell between them. Lisette looked on the verge of speaking, then said nothing.
A suddenly raised voice drew their attention. Peri felt a throb of adrenaline and made herself relax. What happened in a library?
With a muttered, “Twice in one week, that’s a first,” Lisette pivoted toward the desk. “Mr. Taylor, perhaps you’d like to speak to me?”
Peri drifted closer to the desk. She knew Lisette could handle the situation, but she couldn’t help herself. Five ten, Peri thought, Caucasian, in his seventies, brown eyes, short gray hair, tremor affecting his right arm — and very red in the face.
“I threw that book out because it was obscene. I’m not going to pay for it!”
Lisette’s tone was level and firm. “We can’t discuss this if you’re shouting at me. There’s no reason to raise your voice. I’m listening.”
Slightly less loudly, the patron said, “It was filthy. Nothing a young person should ever be exposed to.”
“I understand your opinion, Mr. Taylor, but as we have discussed many times before, you cannot damage the library’s property with impunity. You are only one person, and we serve everyone in our community.”
“That writer does nothing but complain about this country—”
“As did Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Voluminously.”
Peri hid a smirk. She actually felt a little bit sorry for the old guy, but not so much she’d take his place.
Huffing out his chest, Taylor argued, “That idiot is no Jefferson.”
“I agree with you,” Lisette said promptly. She was smiling slightly. “But you still can’t throw away books you don’t like or agree with. The last time you did this I warned you that the suspension from borrowing privileges would be longer. If you continue this way, I will have to ask the board for a permanent ban on borrowing. I don’t want to do that. I know you love the library, or you wouldn’t feel so strongly.”
Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, Peri slowly wandered back toward the fire. A spirited ruckus emanated from the children’s area where the young librarian who’d had words with Taylor yesterday was reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie to toddlers, most of whom were having trouble staying in their parents’ laps. For a moment Peri was transported to her sister’s house, where she’d read that same book aloud to her nephew a few years ago while visiting over the holidays.
How many years had it been? Three? To her horror, she realized it was more than three — more than five, even. More like eight. Her nephew could be a teenager now. Her sister had divorced and moved to the Netherlands to take a great opportunity to join the staff at a world-class museum. She’d meant to visit Jan and David every time she’d been sent to Berlin — it was a short train ride. The last time she’d seen her sister was solo, when she’d visited Peri in the Paris hospital.
Lisette’s voice at her elbow startled Peri out of her reverie. “So, Agent Garritsen, how can I help you today?”
Peri did her best to assume her usual no-nonsense expression. “Could we speak in your office?”
“Of course.”
Almost to the office door, Peri’s foot caught on a minuscule ripple in the carpet. The resulting awkward stumble was small, but the jolt of pain that shot from her hip to her sternum was agonizing. Every nerve lulled into quietude with the time next to the crackling fire seared awake, literally taking her breath away. She made her way to the nearest guest chair and unceremoniously collapsed.
Lisette gave Peri an odd look, then did a double take. Peri was sure there was no blood in her face. Lisette wouldn’t miss that, not with those observant eyes. She felt exposed, even more than last night in boxers and a T-shirt.
“Are you all right?”
“In a moment.”
“Do you need water?”
She nodded and watched Lisette pour a glass from the covered pitcher on her credenza.
She sipped, then managed, “Did you know that for many people, a swallow of water is a neural reset?”
“I didn’t. But now that I think about it… It’s something so autonomic it would be a normalizing event after a shock.”
“Exactly.” She sipped again and did feel better, though her ribs were throbbing. What have I become? A stupid library carpet is taking me down for the count.
She did her best to get back on target. “I don’t suppose you’ve reconsidered telling me if the information we want exists?”
“You know the answer to the question. I’ve just conferred with our legal counsel, though I didn’t need to. I still have committed to memory what I said to the twelve separate grand juries I was summoned to.”
Twelve? There was nothing about previous contact with the subject in the file she’d been given.
“And I quote,” Lisette continued. “‘Under the advice of counsel I am not obligated to answer your questions until I am presented with a valid court order to do so.’”
Floundering, Peri snapped, “Is that your entire statement?”
Lisette eyes narrowed. “My statement is as it was in the letter. I assume this is the same matter that I received a query about two months ago. Did the FBI not give you a copy? And why did they send someone from Homeland Security this time? Seven years ago it was nonstop FBI.”
She’s asking better questions than you are.
When Peri didn’t say anything, Lisette went on. “Did you really think I’d change my mind?”
“No.”
“Are we clear now?”
“I would say that my part of the inquiry is concluded. For now.” All at once she remembered the quiet voice in the night telling her to go back to sleep. She got her feet under her and stood up, indicating the book. “I got a head start on this at least.”
“You’re welcome to stay if you want to read more of it.”
“Perhaps I’ll do that.”
“There are several very good mysteries on Lucky Day.” She led Peri out of her office, effectively ending the interview. “I have to say I’m glad you’re not attempting the drive today. It’s tricky — there’ll be black ice and glaze on all the bridges, and in the deep shadows. By tomorrow, if the temps stay up in the thirties, you should be much better off.”
Now that Peri was no longer trying to interrogate her, Lisette was in full helpful, informative mode. Peri couldn’t resist saying, “Thank you, you have answered all my driving-in-icy-weather questions today.”
Lisette’s laugh was momentarily loud enough that heads swiveled in their direction.
A wave of pleasure that she’d caused that laugh settled her jangling nerves. It came with the realization that she would love to cause another at any time.
“Well played, Agent Garritsen, well played.”
Peri was distracted by the arrival of Sheriff Kakaria, who immediately headed in their direction. Her expression must have warned Lisette because she turned to follow Peri’s line of sight and then glanced at her watch.
“Ready for lunch?”
“I’m so sorry. I got roped into a meeting and I forgot to text you.” Mischief crept into her voice as she added, “You should take Agent Garritsen — she came to my rescue last night, and I haven’t adequately repaid her.”
Peri had real trouble holding an impassive expression. “She exaggerates.”
Lisette piled on with, “It’s almost scandalous too.” She directed a nod at a business-suited woman who was shedding a bulky, hooded coat at the entrance. “My meeting has arrived. Here, give me that book and I’ll check it out for you with my card. Just drop back later to get it when you’re ready and be sure it’s back in seven days or less.”
“That won’t be an issue.” Bemused, Peri glanced at the page number and handed it over. With that Lisette walked away, a bounce in her step.
The sheriff looked Peri up and down with plain disapproval. “You want lunch?”
“I ate a very large breakfast not that long ago.”
“Are you saying you won’t let me buy you a cup of coffee — professional courtesy and all?”
“I don’t believe that’s what I was saying.”
Read the room.
She hastily added, “As that would be a mistake.”
“Yeah. We might as well make a few things clear, and I rolled out before breakfast this morning, which makes me extra cranky.”
Intrigued, Peri decided the only thing to say was, “Well then, after you.”
CHAPTER TEN
“SO HOW DID YOU come to my best friend in the world’s rescue?”
Their footsteps crunched in the crusty, melting snow as they crossed the Village Green. “She exaggerated. As I was heading to bed I heard the library alarm.”
“And you couldn’t let it go?”
“Could you?”
“Nope. Their new fancy alarm system has been a royal pain.”
“I scared the life out of her, though I tried not to. She threatened me with a bookend.”
“That’s my girl. You should have been terrified.”
“I was impressed. And then by the time that was dealt with, the conditions were near whiteout. She was afraid she’d get stuck and have to call someone for help. She was going to get a room at the motel—” She gestured at the building as they passed the office door.
The other woman let out an aha grunt. “But Ted and Dan had gone home, because they’re not idiots out in a blizzard.”
“So I invited her to share my room — two beds and everyone’s modesty was preserved.”
“Not exactly standard protocol, given why you’re in town.”
“No, and my superiors won’t understand there was no other choice at that point in the storm.” The sound of that gentle voice in the night, telling her everything was okay, drifted through Peri’s mind. Several things weren’t going into her report.
