5 Windy City Hunter (16 page)

I was stunned. How could this woman be so cold? It didn’t seem natural. Her grandmotherly quality had completely disappeared.

“Bonnie!” I said sharply. “She was drugged through Darby’s vanilla. If she dies, he’s going to be charged with involuntary manslaughter.”

She never batted an eye as she said, “It’s always the cute ones. He worked fast to commit two murders in one weekend, didn’t he?”

My mouth fell open in astonishment. Detective Bentley shot a quick frown my way. I knew he wanted me to shut up.

He turned back to Bonnie and said, “We have a witness who saw you messing around with Susan and Darby’s things before the cooking competition.”

“So,” she said again with the same tone. “That doesn’t prove anythin’.”

“The security cameras will though,” he said. “We’ve already seen the footage of Delma tasting the vanilla and adding it to her icing.”

She flinched. Just a little, but I saw it. She probably hadn’t thought of security cameras in the cooking areas. “I don’t have to answer any of your questions,” she said. “I want my lawyer.”

And just like that, we were done. I had seen my fair share of police shows to know that once someone asks for a lawyer, you have to leave them alone. We didn’t have any more than what we had come here with, and now I felt defeated. I pulled my gloves out of my pocket to put them on.

“Bonnie, you don’t have to tell us anything,” said Detective Bentley as he stood up. He was now a formidable and authoritative presence as he stood above her. “But you’re going to listen. You were seen getting into the box with the vanilla, then hiding it in Delma’s station and scurrying off so Darby wouldn’t see you. We know you’re a retired nurse, and if you wanted Rohypnol, you would know how to get your hands on it. We also know that you know Darby. You may not have ever met him before this weekend, but you know who he is through Brightwood, Incorporated.”

She more than flinched this time. Her face turned red and she shouted, “That stupid Darby Tapley! He wrote articles and posted lies on that website. The things he wrote made people think we were the ones in the way of the happiness of everyone in the city. He made a stupid shoppin’ mall and office buildings sound like the answer to everyone’s problems. We were outvoted and turned down in court at every turn. It was his fault we lost our home!”

She started crying. Tears were streaming down her face and her nose was running. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw he was here at the cookin’ contest this weekend,” she said. “I asked to be moved to an end station so I could be closer to him. It was perfect. I only put the roofie in his vanilla so he would get sick and have to drop out of the competition. He wasn’t takin’ my home away from me and winnin’ the prize money, too. Then that idiot Dee had to interfere and steal his vanilla. Who would do that? That was against the rules, and then she walked into traffic? Serves her right.” Her tears turned to anger again, and she screamed, “I want my lawyer.”

Detective Bentley and I stepped out into the hallway. Moments later, we could hear her screaming and throwing things around in the room. It sounded like she was breaking everything possible. The detective dialed 911 to report the trashing of the room, and then he called Detective Malloy to tell him we had a confession from Bonnie Montgomery.

By the time Detective Malloy and the police arrived, and we had all given statements, it was obvious we were going to be late to Darby’s arraignment. We jogged back to the condo to get the car, and it was already 4:00 when we pulled into the parking lot at the courthouse.

Once again, we found ourselves jogging as we hustled to the building. We were delayed for a few moments while we went through metal detectors. My purse was searched, and Detective Bentley had to empty his pockets. Then we were off jogging down a series of hallways. When we reached the courtroom, the detective quietly opened the door, and we slipped into the back of the room.

“Bail is denied,” said the judge as he slammed his gavel down.

I only saw the back of Darby’s head until he stood from his chair. An officer gripped his arm to lead him from the room. He tried to look over his shoulder, but was forced to move forward. He was wearing what appeared to be tan pajamas, and his arms were behind him, so I knew he was in handcuffs. We had missed his arraignment, and he would have left the room thinking we didn’t show up for him.

I turned to Detective Bentley and burst into tears.

The floodgates were open and there was no closing them. I was inconsolable. I cried the entire way back to the condo. Detective Bentley stayed downstairs to talk with Terry and Emma while I rushed past to the elevator. In the condo, I threw my coat on the floor and ran, sobbing, into the bedroom. I shut the door, climbed into bed, and buried my face in the pillow. Whenever I thought I could quit crying, the thought was quickly dispelled by the image burned into my brain of Darby in jail clothing and handcuffs. What must he be thinking? Would he think I didn’t care about him? Would he think we went home and left him here? The tears were never ending.

Hours passed.

Sleep came and went, but it was always short-lived, and the image of Darby brought a fresh wave of tears every time.

Finally, there was a moment of calmness. I looked at my watch. It was after eight o’clock. The need to use the bathroom drove me from the room.

Detective Bentley was sitting on the sofa in the darkened living room. Christmas music was playing softly from the entertainment center. The Christmas tree was lit, and the room was inviting.

I slipped into the bathroom. Before leaving, I splashed my face with cold water and brushed my teeth. The simple acts seemed to have a calming effect.

I walked down the steps and plopped into the chair. I looked at the detective and tried to smile, but a single tear fell out of each eye.

“Susan,” the detective said sympathetically. But he didn’t say anything more. I knew he didn’t know what to say.

“Chuck, I’ll be ok,” I said. “I can’t believe we missed Darby’s arraignment. It’s tearing me up, but I know part of not being able to stop crying is the pregnancy. I’ve had a few crying jags since I’ve been pregnant. I’ll be ok.”

He smiled and said, “I remember when my wife was pregnant with our second. For a couple of months, she was either laughing or crying, and there didn’t seem to be any in-between.”

“You have children?” I asked incredulously. How did I not know he had children?

“Yes, Susan, I have three,” he said with a laugh. “Two boys and a girl in the middle. It was the girl who made my wife laugh and cry so much, so I think we can safely assume you’re having a girl.”

“You know, for the longest time, I had no idea you were married,” I said. “You never wear a ring, and I had no idea you were a family man.”

He smiled. “I’m allergic to gold, but I’ll wear my ring for special occasions. I actually have it with me, because I was wearing it Saturday night for Willa’s birthday, but the doggone thing makes my finger itch so bad, I don’t wear it very often.”

“How old are your children?” I asked.

“My oldest is 22 and in college,” he said. He seemed to be enjoying the conversation, and I found myself enjoying his company. Seeing this more relaxed side of him helped tremendously to alleviate the angst I usually had around him. “Our daughter is 20, and she’s overseas right now. She has a year-long internship with a marine biologist, so she won’t be home for Christmas this year. Our youngest boy is 16.”

I managed a small smile and said, “I’m sorry all of this happened, Chuck. I’m sorry you’re away from your family right now.”

“Don’t give it a thought,” he said. “I don’t know what you could have done here by yourself. It would have been a hard waiting game. I’m happy to help out, and my wife understands. She’s lived with my job for a lot of years.”

We didn’t talk for a few minutes. Both of us seemed to be lost in our own thoughts. I finally said, “I didn’t hear from Mick today. Did you?”

The detective sat up a little taller and said, “I forgot to tell you. When we came back from the courthouse, I checked to be sure you were in your room, and then I went over to the police station where they’re still holding Darby. I saw him for a few minutes. I explained to him what happened, so he knows we’re still here, and that we were there for him, even though we were late.”

Tears started to run down my face again, but at least I wasn’t sobbing.

“He also said you did a good job finding the information about Bonnie, and he wanted me to tell you to quit crying.”

I laughed through my tears. “What about Mick?” I asked.

“When I came back, I could hear through the bedroom door that you were still crying, so I called him. I told him you were sleeping. You’ll have to forgive me for that, but I can’t have him worried sick about you when he’s still in England. Knowing what Willa went through with our daughter, I knew you were ok, and I told him you would call him tomorrow. He still can’t get a flight out, but the weather forecast is better for tomorrow, so I think you can expect to see him tomorrow night.”

I instantly felt a warm surge through my body. It was nothing more than a flush of happiness. I missed Mick, and the thought of having him hold me close tomorrow night was comforting.

“I’m starving,” I said. “Did you eat?”

“No,” he said. “I was contemplating what to eat when you came out of the bedroom. I thought about ordering a pizza.”

“Oh my gosh, no!” I said. “I mean, you can order a pizza for you if you want. Darby and I had one the other night, and then we watched the end of a zombie movie. I dreamed about zombies all night long. Pizza is not agreeing with this baby. I’ll eat leftover quiche. It was really good.”

“The quiche does sound good,” he said. “I’ll join you and have that, too.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hmmm … I was happy. I snuggled deeper into the pillows and the bedding. I loved these soft sheets. Mick’s arm was thrown over my side, his hand was on my belly, and we were spooning. It felt so good to feel him behind me. I had missed him so much. I wriggled up against him. I didn’t want to fully wake up, but I wanted to enjoy feeling him against me.

My brain signaled something was wrong. When did Mick get here? I slowly turned over and opened my eyes. Darby was smiling at me.

It was only a second before I jumped out of bed and screamed at the top of my lungs. Even though I was dressed from head to toe in flannel pajamas, I tried to cover myself with my hands.

Detective Bentley came banging through the door wearing only boxer shorts. He had a baseball bat in his hand, and he was holding it up with intent to use.

“Susan!” he yelled.

I stopped screaming and looked around. The man in the bed was sitting up and still smiling. I looked at Detective Bentley and said, “Where did you get a baseball bat?”

The smiling man said, “It was under his bed.”

The detective lowered the bat. “Jack Tapley, I presume,” he said.

“You presume right, sir,” he said. “And who might you be?”

I stamped my foot and snapped, “What are you doing in this bed?”

“It’s my bed,” he said.

“But you knew I would be here,” I protested. “Why would you get into bed with me?” I was flabbergasted he had slept with me.

“Actually, dear, I thought my houseguests left yesterday. I didn’t expect to come home to a beauty in my bed, and it was late. You didn’t protest when I climbed in, and you snuggled right up to me, so I thought we were good.”

“Ooh!” I groaned. I looked at Detective Bentley and said indignantly, “Can’t you arrest him for assault?”

Jack threw the covers back and stood up. He was wearing nothing but a pair of tight black briefs that left nothing to the imagination. I quickly turned my back and let out another indignant groan. From the corner of my eye, I saw him grab a robe from the closet and slip it on.

“You can turn around now, Sunshine,” he said. “I’m covered.”

I spun around with my mouth hanging open. “Why did you call me that?” I demanded.

“I’m still doing some guessing here,” he said, “but I’m assuming you’re Susan Hunter, and Darby always says you’re like a ray of sunshine. After the lovely wakeup call you gave me this morning, I can certainly agree with him.”

I stamped my foot again and let out an aggravated, “Oomph!”

Jack turned to Detective Bentley and said, “I’ll ask again. Who are you, and where is my nephew this fine morning?”

The detective looked to me and said, “Susan, let me get a robe, and I’ll put coffee on for the three of us.”

Jack was still smiling as the detective left the room. I sat down on the bed and said, “That is Detective Bentley from the Carbide City Police Department back home in Ohio. He’s a friend of mine, and he came to help me and Darby. Darby’s in jail.”

The smile faded from his face.

“He’s been accused of murdering Penelope Fisher,” I said.

“Penelope’s dead? Darby’s in jail?” he asked. His face went completely white, and I thought he might pass out. Instead he came over and sat down beside me on the bed. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. When he looked up at me, I thought I saw tears welling up in his pretty blue eyes.