Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Rob’s house was just a block away from Ruthie Everett’s.
Although, I supposed in a town this small, that could be said about most of my friends.
I decided to take a detour and hoped Rob would follow my lead.
I hadn’t heard from her since I’d seen Henry leading her away, and I needed to check on her.
“Where are we going?” Millie asked as I navigated the turn. “Rob’s house is that way.”
“You know where he lives?”
I was happy to see a little of the lingering sadness in her eyes lift as she gave me a look that was full-on kitty eye-roll.
“I have an excellent inner GPS system. All cats do.”
“Really? I’d heard that when you move with a cat, you need to let them stay indoors for thirty days so they know where their home is, but...”
She let out a soft sigh.
“Humans and their misconceptions. Where are we going?”
“Ruthie’s. I want to check on her. She looked so shaken...”
Millie’s purr rumbled through the dark interior of the car.
“Oh, good. She’ll be so happy to see you.”
“And you as well. She adores you.”
She puffed out her little chest, and I smiled to myself as I turned onto Ruthie’s street. Her lights were on, even though it was close to ten at night. Knowing Ruthie, she was probably researching car bombs.
Rob pulled to a stop behind me as I got out, Millie in my arms.
“I had a feeling you’d want to stop here,” he said.
“You know me well,” I said as I headed up the drive. “It won’t take long. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“It can take as long as you want, Livie,” he said as he reached for the doorbell. “Just letting her know we’re here so she can put her shotgun away.”
The door swung open, revealing Ruthie. Her eyes were narrowed, her arms crossed over her chest.
“I heard that. I have a permit for that gun, Chief.”
He grinned, his Paul Newman blue eyes crinkling at the corners.
“I know. I gave it to you. That’s why I’m being cautious.”
She scoffed and then waved us in.
“Well, don’t just stand there. This is a lovely surprise. I didn’t expect to see you tonight, Olivia. Or you, Rob.”
Millie hopped down and headed straight for Ruthie’s stick-thin legs, purring like a machine. Ruthie smiled and bent down to pet her.
“Now this is a visit I can get behind. Can I get you anything? I was just about to head to bed.”
She straightened, wrapping her fuzzy robe a little tighter around her chest.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said. “We don’t need anything. I just wanted to make sure you were okay after what happened earlier.”
“Well, I’m a little more deaf than I used to be, but I’m fine.
A little shaken around the edges. I never thought I’d live to see the day where we had a car bomb go off in Timber Falls.
A sign of the times, I guess. I think I’ll make some tea.
Are you sure you don’t want anything? I’ve got some cookies. ”
I perked up as we followed her into the kitchen. It was a small, homey space, full of appliances that had to be at least forty years old. If not older. The red brick and golden oak cabinets made the space feel warm and rather like an old pizza place. I loved it.
“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever turned down a cookie in my life.”
“Sit. I’ll get the water going. So, Rob, any suspects?”
She bustled around the kitchen, filling up a faded yellow teapot and clanging it on the ancient stove. The electric ring flared to life, a bright cherry red.
“Not yet. The investigation is still ongoing.”
“I think Jo is right. I think that the man who accosted you in the park today is to blame.”
Rob’s eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened as he turned to look at me.
“You were accosted in the park? And you didn’t tell me?”
Ruthie shot me an apologetic wince and turned her back to us, rummaging in the cupboard for some mugs. I looked at Millie as she sniffed her way around the kitchen.
“I wouldn’t say accosted,” I said slowly. “There was a loose dog in the park. Huge creature. He gave us quite a fright when he ran at us, but his owner appeared and held him off.”
Ruthie turned slightly, as if sensing I wasn’t being completely honest. I wasn’t, and that hurt. I never wanted to lie to Rob. But could I tell him that my cat magically dropped an enormous mastiff before it could jump on her? I wasn’t sure.
“Who owned the dog?”
His words were as tight as his jaw. I reached for his hand.
“Declan Fairmont. He’s not from here. I couldn’t quite place his accent, but I’m guessing he’s from the UK or Ireland. His dog’s name is Fang.”
“Any plate information? I’d like to find this guy,” Rob said, still fully in cop-mode.
“Not that I saw. It was a simple thing, nothing big. I think it’s odd he came into town right before the explosion happened, but it honestly could be unrelated. I’d hate to be someone who pointed a finger at an innocent tourist just because he’s not from here.”
“Can you describe him?” Rob asked, still on high alert.
“Well, he was around his mid-thirties, I’d say. Taller. His hair was on the longish side, and he was wearing a beanie. Pretty light green eyes. Tan complexion. Naomi swooned over his accent.”
Rob’s left eye twitched slightly, and I wished I could take back the pretty eyes comment.
“Okay. And the dog?”
I shuddered as I remembered the beast running toward us.
“A mastiff mix or something like it. Huge. He has a brindle-brown coat. Mean. The owner had one of those collars, you know the type? They have spikes on the inside. I honestly don’t blame the dog for slipping out of it. Those things should be outlawed.”
Ruthie made a tsking sound.
“Brutal. No wonder the dog is mean. I guarantee anyone would be if they had one of those torture devices around their neck.”
Rob nodded, his face going dark.
“I’ve known people who swear by them for powerful dogs, but I’ve never approved of the practice. And you saw him at which park?”
“The center one right in town that backs into the forest. He came from the trees. Maybe he has a camper or something parked in there. I’m sorry, Rob. I really didn’t pay much attention after the dog rushed at us. It was scary.”
His hand went automatically to my back, offering comfort.
“I can only imagine. Well, I’ll do my best to find him. Let me get in touch with Trevor and I’ll have him brought in as a person of interest.”
Something I couldn’t quite name went through me. Had I done the right thing? It wasn’t a crime to be a stranger. I’d once been a stranger in this town, accused of murdering the beloved former owner of the bookshop I’d arrived to purchase.
Ruthie tilted her head and reached for my hand, seeming to read my thoughts.
“It has to be done. I don’t think anyone local would create a car bomb and try to kill a famous author.”
She had a point, but that didn’t erase the foul taste in my mouth. A wave of exhaustion crested over me, and suddenly, I just wanted to go home. My home. Nothing against Rob and his generous offer, but I just wanted to snuggle up with my cat and forget about the world for a night.
“Ready, Olivia?” Rob asked.
“Yes. I’m glad you’re okay, Ruthie. Just let me know if you need anything,” I said, stifling a yawn. “Let me at least help with the dishes.”
“I’m old, but I’m not decrepit. Yet. I can rinse a few mugs and toss them into the dishwasher. I’ll be just fine. Go and get some rest. This has been a very trying day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We said our goodbyes and headed back outside. The chill night air raised gooseflesh on my arms as I hurried back to my car with Millie.
“Do you have any other stops to make?” Rob asked, a soft smile easing the lines that looked a little deeper in the dark.
“No. I’m ready for bed.”
I climbed in, got Millie settled in the passenger seat, and Rob closed the door, gently tapping on the roof before walking back to his pickup. A heavy sadness settled in my heart as I followed him back to his house.
“I hope I didn’t just condemn an innocent man,” I said.
Millie huffed out a sigh.
“If he’s innocent, he has nothing to worry about. This is Rob you’re talking about. Not Sinclair Miller.”
I snorted as I pulled to a stop in front of Rob’s brick house. No lights were on inside, and I felt another longing pang for my cozy apartment.
“Well, are you ready, sweetheart?” I asked, turning off the car.
“I know how you feel, Olivia. I miss my things, too. But it’s only for a night.”
Brought back to reality by the logic of a cat. I nodded and reached for her.
“How did you get to be so wise?”
“It comes with the territory.”
She yawned and cuddled close as I got out and popped the trunk. Rob came down the driveway and insisted on carrying our bags. We followed him into the house, and he flipped on the light. A grimace crossed his face as he looked around the living room.
“Sorry it’s so...”
He gestured around the bare room. No art was on the walls.
Just a couch that faced a television, lit by the harsh glare of an overhead light.
It was obvious he spent little time here.
And that he was a confirmed bachelor. It was a good thing we didn’t have Emma or Naomi with us.
They would have immediately launched a beautification campaign.
“It’s fine, Rob. You’re very kind to put us up.”
“I’d do anything for you, Livie.”
I turned to see his expression. He meant that, down to his very bones.
It was a unique feeling, to be on the receiving end of such earnestness, especially after the debacle of my past marriage.
I couldn’t help but smile as I let Millie down to explore.
She trotted off toward the kitchen, her tail an ivory plume.
“I know. And I feel the same way about you. I’m sorry if I’m not very enthusiastic.
I just keep hearing the explosion and seeing the people screaming.
My hearing cut out and it was... it was awful.
Just this weird feeling in my ears and the ringing.
I can still hear it, even if it’s quieter now.
The EMTs said I can expect it to last for a few days.
I was lucky. Poor Naomi. She might have scars and permanent hearing loss because she was so close to the window when it happened. It could have been so much worse...”
Tears sprang unbidden to my eyes, and Rob crossed the distance between us in two steps, wrapping me in a hug that made me feel instantly safe. Cherished.
“I can’t imagine, Livie. It’s all over with. You’re safe, and we’re going to find out who did this.”
I wanted to believe him, but something Millie said earlier played through my brain. She couldn’t stop fate. What had she meant? Part of me didn’t want to know.