Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
“ Y ou don’t have to be here, Mom,” I said for the umpteenth time since dropping off Mo at home and arriving at the hospital twenty minutes ago. “Dad can let you know what’s happening with Mayor Barrett.”
“It’s my fault he’s here. I need to be here,” she insisted, her stiff posture announcing she had no intention of going anywhere just yet.
“From what you told Dad, and what I heard others tell the police officers taking statements, Mayor Barrett got angry, telling everyone they were ingrates, unappreciative of what he was doing for them.”
“He was taking away their homes, tearing down the senior living complex and having a new, smaller senior complex built in the middle of nowhere. He then intended to build a luxury apartment building that he insisted would bring much-needed tax revenue to the town, which it needs because of what I am beginning to believe is his mismanagement. The seniors voiced their objection with his ridiculous plan, and he brushed off their concerns as if they didn’t matter and then called them ingrates. So, I demanded to know why seniors should suffer for his mishandling of the town’s finances. That’s when things turned heated. I should have handled it better.”
“You did the right thing, Sally. You spoke the truth,” my dad said, entering the hospital waiting room.
My mom hurried to her feet. “How is the mayor?”
“It was a heart attack waiting to happen from what the doctors are saying. He’s stable and he’s going to be transported to Northwood General where they will determine whether stents will work or if he needs open heart surgery. His wife?—”
“Ellen,” my mom called out and went to the slim woman who entered the waiting room.
“Sally,” Ellen said and the two hugged. “Warren told me that you were here and what happened and knowing you for years, I knew you’d blame yourself for Jim’s heart attack. It was his own fault. His heart doctor has been telling him for years to lose weight and slow down, but does he listen?” She shook her head. “Not for a minute. I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen for months now. Now he has no choice but to do what he’s told if he wants to live. Oh, and congrats, Mayor Madison, on winning the mayor’s race since I have it on good authority that Jim will be dropping out.”
I couldn’t help but smile hearing my dad groan at the news, but I was thrilled for my mom. She’d make a great mayor.
“I have to get back to Jim, but I’ll let you know how things go,” Ellen said and walked away.
My mom turned to us looking pale.
“That’s it. I’m having a doctor check you out while we’re here,” my dad ordered.
“Nonsense, I’ve been checked out enough. I’m just shocked by the news and a bit skeptical. Ellen may want that, but Jim can be stubborn. I cannot see him stepping down from the race that easily.”
“Like someone I know,” my dad said. “No excuses. You’re seeing a doctor.”
“Go, Mom, I’ll wait here,” I said, “and we can grab something to eat when you’re done.”
“That’s a good idea,” my dad said with a grateful nod to me. “She may be a while.”
“I’ll go grab a tea at the cafeteria.”
My parents went one way, and I went the other. On my way to the cafeteria, I got an idea. I knew many nurses and doctors due to my penchant for mishaps and I was hoping one was on duty on the floor where the vanishing guy was located. I remembered my dad telling me he was on the third floor, so I headed that way.
When I stepped out of the elevator I got a surprise. Stone was at the nurse’s station, his back to me, looking as if he was sweet-talking one of the nurses I knew, Jackie.
I ducked behind a tall cart stacked with sheets and blankets so neither of them could spot me and risk Jackie alerting Stone to my arrival. I wondered what it was he was trying to get out of her and if it had anything to do with the vanishing guy.
Jackie smiled and shook her head at Stone who looked as if he was playfully begging her. He was wasting his time. Jackie was a stickler for the rules. I wouldn’t be surprised if my dad had requested that the vanishing guy be assigned to her floor.
Stone had no choice but to give up when I saw Jackie stretch her arm out and point directly to the end of the hall where a lit sign over the door read… EXIT.
I heard Stone say, “You’re one strong woman, Jackie.”
Jackie was quick to tell him, “You got that right.”
I expected Stone to turn and take the elevator, but he didn’t. He headed to the door at the end of the hall. I stepped from behind the cart when Stone disappeared beyond the door, and I pressed my finger to my lips when Jackie spotted me. I hurried down the hall, counted to ten at the door, then eased it open so as not to make a sound. I remained at the top of the stairs listening for footsteps but instead I heard voices, the stairwell conducive to carrying sound at a distance. I slowly, so as not to be detected, crept down the stairs until I was in good earshot of hearing clearly but not being seen.
“Need to get rid of him.”
I recognized Stone’s voice.
“Working on it.”
“Work harder. I need this done yesterday.”
“Got it, and you better watch out for the prepper broad or she’s going to ruin everything.”
I heard laughter.
“When have I not been able to handle a broad?”
I didn’t need to recognize the voice to know it was Stone who said that. I didn’t like the other guy’s response.
“Yeah, but she’s a sly one. You know what you have to do if she proves to be too much.”
A door opened from somewhere below and the two men turned quiet until footsteps faded beneath them.
“Don’t worry about the prepper broad. I’ll take care of her. You get rid of the other problem,” Stone ordered.
Footsteps and two doors opening and closing told me the two men had gone in opposite directions.
I hurried back to Jackie.
“What was that all about?” Jackie asked when I reached her.
“You tell me. What did he want?”
“He was giving me some bullsh—” She stopped abruptly and glanced around.
No doubt she was fearful my mom may be lingering about, and she would hear her slip and break my mom’s golden rule—no cuss words. Though it wasn’t fear of my mom that had her vigilant. She, like most, feared losing my mom’s respect.
“He was asking when I got off duty and how about we have a drink, really hitting it hard, too hard if you ask me.”
“Is it the only time he’s been here?”
“Yup, first time that I know of and if he had been here hitting on any of the other nurses, I would have heard about it. They’d be bragging about the hot biker. You know him?”
“Our paths have crossed.”
“What brings you here, Pepper?” Jackie asked.
“Wondering how the vanishing guy is doing.” I didn’t think Jackie would share any info with me, but what she didn’t share might give me a glimmer of a clue.
“Your dad, the sheriff, hasn’t kept you informed?” she asked with a grin.
I returned her grin with a wider one. “Which means if he hasn’t told me anything, then you certainly won’t.”
“You are so wise, Pepper.”
“Here’s a bit of wisdom for you… avoid Stone.”
“He’s not my type. Besides, I’m in a committed relationship and I an extremely happy with my guy.”
“And who is that?” I asked. “Besides being wise, I’m curious or maybe just plain nosy.”
Jackie laughed. “Cliff in radiology.”
“Glad to hear it. Much luck.”
“Thanks, and how is your hunk?”
My broad smile said it all.
“Good for you, Pepper.”
My cell pinged as I took the elevator down to the cafeteria, my dad letting me know Mom would be done in about ten minutes. Just enough time for me to grab tea.
When the elevator door opened, I came face to face with Stone, a container of coffee in his hand.
“Fancy meeting you here, Spicy,” he said with that disarming smile and stepped into the elevator.
I stayed right where I was. After all, I had him cornered, and as soon as the doors slid shut, I didn’t hesitate, I spoke in haste when I should have considered hindsight. “So, who were you talking with in the stairwell? Is it the vanishing guy you’re trying to get rid of? Oh, and just so you know, I think you’ve finally met a broad you can’t handle.” My smug smile practically sparkled.
Stone couldn’t mask his shock or annoyance. “None of your business,” he snapped.
“My dad, the sheriff,” I reminded him, “might think differently. So, can the vanishing guy implicate you in something? Was he running from you? You were at Treetop the night that guy was attacked. And what are you doing here?”
“I was talking to one of my crew who’s been giving me trouble,” Stone said through gritted teeth.
“Why meet at the hospital?”
“He was visiting someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Stone growled.
“You can tell my dad, the sheriff, his name. He can verify your story.” I crossed my arms, the picture of innocence and persistence.
Stone suddenly stepped closer, reversing the whole cornering situation before I realized what was happening. “You’re far from stupid, Spicy. Stay out of it,” he warned, his voice low.
Of course, I couldn’t let it go. “You really think it’s smart to threaten me when my dad’s the sheriff? Not your brightest moment, Stone.”
He slapped his hand against the wall beside my head, leaning in so close his leather jacket brushed against me. His cologne—a mix of danger and bad decisions—filled my nose. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.
Before I could blink, Stone was yanked away from me.
“What the—” Stone started, but Ian didn’t give him a chance to finish. Stone swung at him, and Ian sidestepped like it was a dance move, sending Stone hurtling into a display of hospital brochures. Pamphlets flew everywhere, paper helicopters spiraling down around us.
I wasted no time texting my dad and he and my mom arrived just after security showed up. Ian and I stood to the side with my mom as my dad spoke with Stone.
My mom asked what I should have. “Ian, what are you doing here?”
“I heard that you and Pep were at the hospital, and I came to make sure you both were all right.”
“That’s so sweet of you,” my mom said, “but how did Mr. Stone wind up covered in pamphlets?”
“He slipped,” I said, trying not to smile.
A police vehicle pulled up in front of the hospital, lights swirling and, of course, it had to be Josh who got out and entered the main entrance.
He wore a serious expression until he spotted me, then he smiled. “I can’t wait to hear this one.”
He had no time to tease me, my dad ordering, “Josh, take Mr. Stone to the police station. I will be there shortly to talk with him.”
While Josh did as ordered, my dad walked over to us and looked directly at me.
“You are to stay away from Stone,” my dad said in his commanding sheriff tone.
“But I?—”
My words died when my dad’s hand shot up to silence me. “I don’t want to hear it or any excuses. I am ordering you to stay away from Stone.” He shot a stern look at Ian. “That goes for you too.”
“He had Pep cornered in the elevator,” Ian said.
“That won’t happen again because my daughter is going to obey the sheriff and do as ordered, though I do appreciate you protecting Pepper.”
My brow scrunched wondering why my dad didn’t question me about the incident.
“Don’t overthink this, Pepper,” my dad warned. “Now take your mom to lunch and for heaven’s sake don’t get into any more trouble.” He turned away from us and rushed out the door.
“That was odd of your dad not asking you what happened,” my mom said, confirming what I thought, then looked to Ian. “Please join us for lunch.” She took hold of Ian’s arm as if not giving him a choice. “After all, you must be as curious as I am to find out how Pepper wound up in the elevator with Mr. Stone.”
My mom and Ian both turned probing smiles on me.
We settled at the Star Diner for lunch and after placing our order, I explained everything that happened.
“Cornering Stone was not a wise move, Pep, after hearing what he said in the stairwell,” Ian said. “And your dad needs to know Stone threatened you.”
My mom agreed, shaking her head in dismay. “He’s right, Pepper. Whatever were you thinking? He could have harmed you and your dad does need to hear this.”
“The hospital elevators have cameras,” I said, though I hadn’t taken note of them until after the incident. “But you’re both right, I should have thought better of confronting him in the elevator.”
“Or confronting him at all,” Ian said.
“I still cannot understand why your dad didn’t question you at all about the encounter,” my mom said, puzzled.
“I’m just as surprised as you,” I said. “It’s not like Dad not to question all parties concerned in an incident.”
“Maybe it was something Stone said to him,” Ian suggested.
“You think he explained to my dad about the conversation I heard him have on the stairwell before I could tell him anything?” I asked and shook my head. “But Stone certainly wouldn’t tell him that my name came up.”
“Maybe Stone explained it differently,” Ian said.
“The very reason he should have questioned me, to get the truth,” I argued.
“Police business,” my mom reminded. “He can’t always share everything with you, Pepper. It could be confidential information Mr. Stone shared with him.”
“Stone has to be lying to him,” I insisted. “Dad would never tolerate a threat against me.”
“True enough,” My mom said. “He verifies everything. If Stone is lying, he won’t get away with it.” She patted my arm. “You’re just feeling left out.”
Ian nudged me in the side. “Your mum is right.”
“Sally! Is it true? Has Mayor Barrett withdrawn from the race?” someone called out.
“Let me go handle this. I thought I would have more time to consider the possibility before the news spread,” my mom said, sliding out of the booth. “I will be back shortly.”
Ian and I watched as several locals gathered around my mom, along with Zelda, curious to hear.
“Do you think Barrett will give up and leave your mum the win?”
“He can be obstinate but Ellen, his wife, can be just as tenacious and she wants him out of the race. He’ll be out of the race for a while anyway while he recovers.” I shrugged. “It’s still too soon to tell.”
“And you?” Ian asked and slipped his arm around my waist and tugged me to turn and face him in the booth.
“And me what?” I asked.
“Don’t tell me that you aren’t already thinking of ways to find out what Stone said to your dad and why he’s so adamant about you and me keeping our distance from Stone,” he said, giving my waist a playful squeeze.
I leaned closer to him and whispered, “Don’t tell me you aren’t thinking the same.”
“Great minds think alike.”
“It’s not going to be easy, but I have my ways of getting around my dad.”
“Even when it comes to police matters?” Ian asked, skeptical.
“It’s what people don’t say that provides more information than what they do say. Then there are the pieces that surround it that need to fit together to make more sense.”
“Like what could possibly stop your dad from questioning you about the incident or sharing with you what Stone said to him?”
“Sharing it with anyone,” I questioned.
Ian looked puzzled.
“I need to find out if my dad was the only one to interrogate Stone and if anyone was allowed to listen in on it.”