Chapter Twenty #2
Ronan swallowed hard, his throat suddenly thick. “Have I told you lately how damn proud I am of you?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Penny said, sounding embarrassed.
“There’s another reason I called and now I feel bad about even asking. You have such a big heart, I might be taking advantage of it.”
“So…am I making the bed in our spare room or the Airbnb next door?”
“God, Pen. Are you clairvoyant or something?”
“Nope. Just your kid. You have a big heart, too, you know. Nobody’s going to want to give the hunter and her lawyer friend shelter after this. They can’t just sleep in their car. So, spare room or Airbnb?”
“They can’t stay with us. It would compromise me and the case.”
“So the Airbnb.”
The house next door was owned by Emil and Lydia, a couple Ronan’s parents had been close friends with.
Ronan had known them all his life. Emil and Lydia went south for the winter and rented out the place while they were gone.
As a personal favor, Ronan and Penny kept an eye on their house.
“I’ll send Emil a message and get permission for them to stay. ”
“What time will you be bringing them? I’ll make them some dinner.”
He was buying her that jacket. He didn’t care how much it cost. He’d throw in the boots, too.
“Not sure yet. I have to finish up here, then I’ll drop them off.”
“I can come get them.”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “Thanks, but no. It’s not safe. In fact, it might be a good idea for you to stay with Aunt Carol in Lakeport. Take Puff with you.”
Carol was Ronan’s aunt who lived far enough away that Penny would be safe. Lakeport was a two-hour drive on a good day.
“Nope. Not happening. Just come home, Dad. I’ve got the dog, the alarm system, and my Glock.
I’ll be okay. Just come home as soon as you can.
Give me a few minutes’ notice before you drop the hunter and her friend off at the house.
I’ll take a casserole over and show them where everything is. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too. Lock all the doors.”
“I will.”
She ended the call and Ronan put his phone away, his cheeks heating when he saw Debbie the restaurant manager smiling at him.
“She’s a good kid, Ronan.”
“I know. Trust me, I know. I need a favor.”
Within minutes, Debbie was stationed at the front desk and he had three orders of crab cakes in hand. It would keep him, Elle, and Alexis fed until he could get them to the safety of his neighbors’ house.
He wasn’t sure he’d be able to sleep knowing Elle was staying anywhere else. Their killer was getting truly bold.
All his attempts to frame Elle had failed, so it appeared he was now snipping off loose ends. Like Olive Lavery.
As Ronan was walking to the front where he’d left Elle and Alexis, he brought up on his phone the list of staff that Carrie had emailed him earlier in the day. He’d take a moment to eat and then he’d begin his interviews.
It was going to be a long evening.
Mendocino, California
Wednesday, February 4, 1:20 a.m.
“Thank you, Penny.” Elle was overwhelmed by her generosity. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
Ronan’s daughter had been waiting for them in the house next door to Ronan’s with a welcoming smile and the promise of a good meal. With the exception of her eyes, Penny didn’t look like Ronan at all. She was dark where he was blond.
But she had Ronan’s gray eyes and they were filled with sympathy and kindness.
Alexis scooped a big spoonful of pizza casserole onto a plate. “Yes, thank you, Penny. I think I could eat this entire pan myself. Pepperoni and cheese. This is amazing, and I want the recipe.”
“I’ll send you a link,” Penny promised. “I don’t cook that many dishes, but the ones I make are simple and good.”
“Very good,” Alexis agreed. “Elle, eat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She filled her plate and looked around the small house that Ronan had declared to be nearly as safe as his own. He’d said the only thing that would make it safer would be if he slept on the couch, but both he and Elle knew that couldn’t happen. “Who lives here?”
The house was a simple ranch, different in style than Ronan’s A-frame, but both had back decks that looked out to the bluffs. The view must be spectacular.
“Uncle Emil and Aunt Lydia.” Penny rolled up the insulated carrier bag that had held the casserole. “They aren’t really my aunt and uncle. Just close family friends, but I’ve known them since I was born. Dad’s known them since he was born, too. They winter in San Diego.”
“Sun,” Elle said wistfully. “Warm sun.”
Penny’s shudder was exaggerated. “Way too hot for me down there. I like it cool and the bluffs are so much prettier than their beaches. Anyway, they have a property manager for this place, but Dad and I let them know if their guests are party animals. You know.”
“Let me know who to pay for the rent,” Alexis said before shoving another spoonful in her mouth. “Ellie, eat.”
Elle rolled her eyes. “I’m eating.”
“Like a damn bird,” Alexis grumbled. “I know you eat more than that.”
“It’s hard when there’s stress,” Penny said sympathetically.
“Eat what you can, Elle. This casserole is amazing reheated, but I made sure the pantry has some cereal and there’s milk and eggs in the fridge and bread next to the toaster so you can have an actual breakfast. There’s also some soup and a few protein drinks if your stomach won’t tolerate solid food. ”
“Thank you. You’re very kind.”
Penny zipped up her jacket. “I’ll be right next door.
Call if you need anything. That Post-it on the fridge is my cell number and the Wi-Fi password is right beneath it.
It’s secure Wi-Fi, so you don’t have to worry about using it for confidential stuff.
The beds are ready for you and there are clean towels in the bathroom. ”
“Thank you, Penny,” Elle said. “You’ve been amazing.”