Cluttered Attic Secrets (16 page)

Tina stared at Michele for a moment before walking toward her. The woman looked spectacular. She wore little makeup except around her eyes, and every blond hair on her head had been carefully arranged into a flyaway style that most women her age couldn’t carry off. She wore a lavender silk blouse and black designer jeans under an open Burberry black trench coat. Four-inch ankle boots and some tasteful jewelry completed her outfit.

Tina felt grubby after spending so much time in the dusty attic and badly dressed in comparison. She really didn’t want to talk to the woman, but she sure was curious.

“Hello, Tina.” Michele’s melodious voice was neutral in tone.

“Hello, Michele. What can I do for you?” Tina told herself to relax, and she loosened her shoulders.

“We need to talk. I see there’s a coffee shop at the corner on Thames. Let’s drop in there, shall we?”

Tina shrugged. She’d rather sit down while talking to the woman than stand outside Brandon’s condo. “Sounds good.”

Michele headed toward the corner, Tina a half-step behind her on the narrow sidewalk.

When they entered the shop, Michele asked Tina what she’d like to have. “Just regular with cream and sugar is fine.”

“Find a spot. I’ll order.” Michele marched over to the counter.

Tina picked out a table and sat down. She watched Michele order and wait. When the drinks were served, she came over, placed them on the table, and sat down.

She didn’t say anything for a minute or so. Tina had nothing to say to the woman, so she sipped her coffee and waited.

Finally, Michele said, “I’m concerned about Hank.”

Tina blinked. This was not the opening she expected. “Why?”

“He won’t talk to me. He won’t tell me about what’s going on at Ms. Young’s house, and I have no reason to ask the local police about that. So, I’d appreciate it if you’ll tell me what’s happening there.”

“Why would this make you worried about Hank?” She stared at the woman, her coffee forgotten.

Michele frowned. “We had a problem in New York. Hank made a mistake, and he was taken off the case. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, or feeling. I need to know.”

“Well, I don’t know why I should tell you anything. How do I know you have his best interests at heart?”

Michele cocked her head. “I do. I really do. He’s one of the best men we have, and—“

“Who’s we?” Tina sat up straight. “I thought he was only consulting for the Newport police department.”

“He hasn’t told you anything else?”

“No.”

“Interesting,” Michele murmured. “If that’s the case, can I assume he told you nothing about what went down in New York?”

“He’s told me nothing. You tell me.”

Michele raised an eyebrow “I’m afraid I can’t do that just yet. I would appreciate your telling me what’s going on with Ms. Young, though.”

“I don’t understand why you’re interested.”

“Everything Hank Silver does interests me.” At Tina’s look of astonishment, she hurried to say, “Professionally. We don’t have a personal relationship.”

“Any longer.”

Michele’s eyes widened. “He told you about us, but about nothing else?”

“He didn’t tell me much, just that you had, as you call it, a relationship, in the past.”

“I’ve been assuming you and Hank have a very close, personal relationship in the present. True?”

“It’s complicated. I’d rather not talk about it.”

“All right. I can understand that. What about telling me what’s got you and Hank so busy at Ms. Young’s house?”

The woman was relentless. Tina debated with herself. What harm could there be? She knew that Michele and Hank worked together. But would Hank be furious with her for telling Michele what he himself was keeping secret? The biggest question of all was, why was he keeping it secret?
Well, ask the woman.
“Why do you think Hank’s not confiding in you right now?”

“He’s upset. He’s not convinced he made a mistake and thinks he should have been kept on the case.”

“So, what kind of case was it?”

Michele hesitated. Sighed. “Human trafficking.”

“What?” A jolt of surprise hit Tina’s heart. “Ohmygod.”

Michele looked as astonished as Tina felt. Her eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”

Tina stood up, her thigh hitting the table painfully, making the only partially drunk coffee slosh. “Sorry. I can’t talk to you right now. Thanks for the coffee.” She turned and dashed out of the shop, faintly hearing Michele calling her name.

Tina fumbled for the cell phone in her purse as she ran to her car. When Hank answered, she said, “We need to talk. Now. No excuses. I’m driving to your house, and we will talk until I’m satisfied, or we are through, Hank Silver.” She yanked open the VW’s driver’s door and climbed in. Ended the call, threw the phone in the passenger’s seat, and pushed the key into the ignition. When she looked up she saw Michele standing by her own car, looking perplexed. Tina ignored her and drove to Hank’s house. When she looked in the rearview mirror, she saw Michele following her.

He was pulling into his driveway when Tina arrived. She parked behind him and climbed out of the VW. He waited for her at the front door, but he looked away and stared at the street. Tina turned around to see Michele pull up at the curb.

“What’s going on?” Hank unlocked the door and took Tina by the arm, practically dragging her inside. “Did Michele talk to you?”

Tina jerked away from him. “Yes, she did. She says she’s worried about you.”

Hank scowled and turned toward the living room. “She had no right.”

“Well, let’s talk about rights.” Tina collapsed into a chair and glared at him. “How long were you going to keep Leslie, Brandon, and me in the dark about what might be going on at her house?”

Hank slowly lowered himself onto the couch. “Until I finished investigating. I have no proof of anything yet. There is no sense getting you all into an uproar until I do. What exactly did Michele tell you?”

Tina closed her eyes. When she opened them, Hank was studying her with that hungry look he got sometimes. It surprised her that he wanted her now, when she was so furious with him. She took a deep breath. “She wanted to know what we were doing at Leslie’s house. She told me you had been taken off the case in New York for some mistake. When I pressed her, she told me it was a case of human trafficking. Explain.”

Hank’s mouth formed a straight line, and he frowned. “She was just a fountain of information, wasn’t she?” His tone was bitter.

“She wanted information in return. I didn’t give her any.”

Hank studied her for a few moments. “That’s good. Thank you.” The hungry look returned.

Tina’s anger was dissipating. She didn’t know whether to whip it up again or let it go. Sudden exhaustion was closing in, and she sank back into the soft chair back and just sat, looking at Hank.

He leaned forward. “Since the cat, or I should say cats, are out of the bag, I’ll fill you in I still don’t like the idea, though.”

“Why not?”

“Several reasons. Mainly because you’ll worry.”

“Like I’m not already.”

“But until now, you haven’t really known how high the stakes are. You sure you want to know?”

“Yes.” But was she? She waited.

Hank studied her, and before he could say anything, her phone rang.

She looked at the screen, swiped it. “Brandon. Hello.”

“Tina. I’m at the hospital. Got dizzy, disoriented, so called 911. They’ve just admitted me. Would you call Leslie, tell her so she can tell the parents? I’d rather not do that myself.”

“Of course I will. What room are you in?” He told her. “What are they going to do? Did you have some tests?”

“Some kind of x-ray. CAT scan, MRI, I can’t remember. Right now, just here for observation, some more tests, some meds.” His speech sounded slurred.

“You’re tired. Rest. I’ll take care of everything and talk to Leslie. Then we’ll come see how you’re doing.”

“Thanks.” He ended the call. It wasn’t like him to be so abrupt.

“What happened?” Hank asked.

Tina told him. “I think I should go see Leslie to tell her in person.”

Hank stood up. “I agree. Want me to drive you there and then to the hospital?”

Tina debated with herself. She realized she was shaking and probably shouldn’t drive. On the other hand, she would prefer to have her car available in case Hank had to run off, do something with Michele. “I’ll drive myself.”

Hank took a step toward her. She realized he wanted to hold her. She ached for him. Everything was such a mess. She couldn’t fall apart now, though.

Straightening her shoulders, she headed for the door. “What are you going to do?”

“I’ll follow you. Anywhere.”

She glanced back at him. “Oh, Hank.” She almost went to him, but turned back, opened the door.

“It’ll be all right, Tina. We’ll work it out. I love you.”

“I know.” She wouldn’t look at him. It seemed that since he’d at last been able to say he loved her, he couldn’t stop saying it.

Michele stood leaning against her car, arms folded across her chest. Her eyes narrowed when she caught sight of them. Tina bet she was surprised when she saw both of them drive away in their cars. Checking her rearview mirror, she saw she had a convoy, Hank, and then Michele.

Leslie opened the door at the Young’s house. “Tina. Hank. What are you doing here?”

Tina took a deep breath. “We have some news about Brandon.”

Leslie looked alarmed. “Come in. What is it?”

“Let’s go sit down.” Tina gestured toward the living room.

“It’s that bad?”

“No, but we’ll be more comfortable. Where are the parents?”

“Upstairs, resting.

“Okay.” Everyone sat down. “Brandon called to tell me he’s in the hospital. He’s awake and alert, but he had a dizzy spell and decided he’d better get checked out. At last.”

Leslie nodded, couldn’t seem to stop. “That’s good. I mean it’s good he’s being checked out. Not the dizzy spell.”

Tina suspected it might have been a bit more than just a dizzy spell that made Brandon call the EMTs. She told Leslie everything Brandon had said. “Want me to take you to the hospital?”

Leslie stood up. “Right after I talk to Mom and Dad.” She looked as tired as Tina felt.

“We’ll wait for you. I can drive you to the hospital, if you want. Or Hank can.”

“Thanks. I’ll go with you, Tina.” She glanced at Hank. “I figure you might have something else to do?”

“Not until I see Brandon.”

Leslie’s face softened. “You’re both such good friends.” She gave Tina a questioning look. “Everything okay?”

“Sure,” Tina lied.

Leslie was too distracted to notice Tina was fibbing. Usually she’d be all over it. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

After she left, Tina and Hank sat staring at each other. Tina was too tired to talk to him. He studied her for a moment, but remained silent. Her anger seemed to be leaking away every minute. But she decided not to do anything until she’d had a good night’s sleep.

She glanced at her watch. Almost eight o’clock. She realized she was famished. “Have you eaten?”

Hank smiled. “No. You?”

“Not since this morning. You can feed me after we see Brandon.”

“Deal.”

She noticed his shoulders relaxed a little. Then she looked at everything from his viewpoint. He was probably embarrassed that his boss took him off a case. He wanted to shield her and Leslie and Brandon from danger. His nature was to be secretive. Always held together. Two of the reasons she loved him was for his strength and integrity.

She ached for him, almost went to him. Leslie came into the room, looking haggard.

“How’d it go?” Tina stood up and gave her a hug.

Leslie clung to her. “They’re getting ready to go to the hospital. I couldn’t convince them to stay home and rest.”

Tina pulled away so she could look at Leslie. Tried to smile. “Parents. What’re you going to do?”

Leslie gave a shaky laugh. “Let’s go.”

Hank stood up, and they all left the house. In the car, Leslie asked, “How’s it going with you and Hank?”

“I’m being an idiot.”

Leslie grinned. “So what else is new?”

Tina swatted her arm. “I get it from hanging with you.”

“Hey, I’m not having boyfriend trouble. Of course, that’s easy since I don’t have a boyfriend. I didn’t get a chance to tell you Gil called. Asked me out.”

“Seriously? That’s great.” Tina grinned.

“Yeah. About an hour later, Roger called. Asked me out.”

Tina laughed out loud. “A cop and a fireman. Have fun juggling those two.”

“I’m up for it.”

“Good to know. When you’re first date?”

“Friday night with Gil next Saturday with Roger.”

“Which one do you like best right now?”

“I don’t know either of them well enough to decide. They’re both cute, though.”

“You’re right about that. What are they planning for the dates?”

“Gil said he’d take me to Christi’s. Haven’t been there in ages.”

“Kind of expensive for a cop.”

“I know. But he suggested it.”

“He must really want to impress you.”

“I guess.”

Tina pulled into the hospital parking lot. When they got out of the VW, they waited for Hank. Tina heard a car door slam a ways down and glanced to see who it was. She held back a gasp. It looked like the same man she’d seen before. She wanted to run over to him and demand to know why he was following them. Or was it just her? She got a better look at him tonight, as he stood under a lamp post. He had angular features and cold eyes. He even wore a trench coat and a gray fedora. Like he was one of Uncle Bob’s clichés.

Tina, determined not to be scared, led the way to the hospital entrance, and Hank took Leslie’s arm. He always did the right thing. When they walked into Brandon’s room, he was dozing. He woke up immediately when Leslie touched his arm and smiled at her. She bent down to give him a kiss on the cheek.

Tina noticed how pale he looked. “Any news?”

“Not yet. Since the x-rays didn’t show a concussion, they’re not sure what’s going on. I threw up.”

“Ugh.” Leslie pulled up a chair. “How did they explain that?”

“They didn’t. Could have been from the Mexican food I ordered. Thinking about it, it did taste a bit odd. I was too distracted to pay much attention.”

Hank shifted his weight and frowned. “They doing any tox tests?”

Tina gasped. “You don’t think—”

Hank shot her a warning glance.

But Brandon got it right away. “Someone put something in the food?” He dry-washed his face, his expression bleak when he finished.

Tina wanted to sit down, but Leslie sat in the only chair.

A man in a white lab coat entered, looking harried. “Mr. Young, you didn’t tell us you had taken quite a lot of Hydrocodone. That would make you dizzy and vomit.” He glanced around the room and scowled at everyone. Tina thought he probably realized he shouldn’t have said anything with them there. Her idea was confirmed when he waved everyone out.

The doctor shut the door, and they stood in the hall, trying to hear the conversation, but it was too faint.

“He thinks Brandon did it to himself,” Leslie said. “Of course, he wouldn’t think someone else would try to—oh, oh.” Her knees gave way. Hank caught her by the arm and looked around for a place for her to sit.

“This way,” Tina said when she saw the waiting room sign.

Hank helped Leslie into a chair, and Tina and Hank sat on either side of her. She burst into tears. Tina and Hank exchanged glances over her head.

The Youngs entered the room and looked at Leslie.

“What’s wrong?” Mr. Young asked. “There was a doctor’s in Brandon’s room, and he wouldn’t let us in. Is Brandon all right?”

“We’re pretty sure he’ll be fine,” Hank said.

Mrs. Young sat down next to Tina. “What does that mean, you’re pretty sure?”

“They don’t think he has a concussion. But he had some drugs in his body—”

“What?” The word exploded out of Mr. Young’ mouth. “What kind of drugs? Brandon has never abused drugs in his life.”

“We don’t think he did now, either.” Hank’s voice was firm with conviction.

“Then how…” Mrs. Young looked at Hank, her mouth slightly agape.

Hank’s eyes pleaded with Tina to help. She nodded, swallowed hard, and took Mrs. Young’s hand in her own. “He ordered some food out. We think it may have been tampered with.”

Mrs. Young looked even more shocked than before. Her husband shifted in his chair, shaking his head. “Why would anyone do such a thing to Brandon?”

“We’ll be checking into that, Mr. Young,” Hank said. “For any connection between what happened to both Brandon and Joshua. We’ll also check into Brandon’s practice to see if anyone might be holding a grudge, although that seems more remote. Quite a coincidence if that’s the case.”

“You mean,” Mrs. Young sputtered, “that Brandon might be in danger because of Leslie’s house? That’s preposterous.”

“Has she told you about the secret room?”

Mrs. Young slumped in her chair. “Yes. What could it all mean?”

“We don’t know. We’re investigating.”

“Is Leslie in more danger now, too?” Mrs. Young asked.

Hank met Tina’s eyes. “As long as everyone stays out of the house now, I think they’ll be all right.”

“But Brandon wasn’t in the house when…when…”

“I know. But it doesn’t appear they meant to kill him.”

Tina read the unspoken thought in his eyes.
Or they would have.
She shuddered.

“Then why?” Mrs. Young was squeezing her hands together so hard, they had turned white.

“A warning, I think.” Hank stood up abruptly. “I wonder. Anyone have a key to the condo handy? I want to go check it out.”

“But why?” Mrs. Young asked.

“We took some papers from the attic. Maybe that’s what they were after.”

“So, they poisoned our son to get him out of the condo?” Mr. Young looked almost as shocked as his wife.

“Possibly. Leslie, tell Brandon we’re going to check out his place. Tell him to be careful—no more takeout.”

Leslie nodded, fished in her purse for the key, and handed it to him. “Be careful yourself.”

“I will. Tina, I’d like you to come with me.”

“What? Oh.” She stood up, murmured good-bye to the Youngs, and left with Hank. “Why do you want me to go? Oh, I’m your backup. This keeps up, I’ll need to get to the range for more practice.” She gave a shaky laugh.

He grabbed her hand and hustled her along. “I don’t want your going around town alone anymore. We’re going to drive to your house, drop off your car, and I’ll bring you home after we check out Brandon’s condo.”

“You’ll bring me home after you feed me, you mean.”

“You’re hungry after all this?”

“I’m starving.”

Hank laughed. “That’s good. Very good.”

They arrived at her car, and he bent down to kiss her on the forehead. “Drive carefully.”

She nodded and looked around for Michele and the strange man, but didn’t see either of them. It was dark now, though, so they could be there and she wouldn’t know.

After dropping off her car, they arrived at Brandon’s. They hurried to the front door. Hank went to put the key in the lock, hesitated, then pushed on the door. It opened at his touch.