Authors: Ellen Hart

Night Vision (20 page)

BOOK: Night Vision

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T
he big morning had arrived. Cordelia was up in her bedroom, going through her clothes closet, trying to figure out what to wear for Joanna's first official day at the theater. She wanted, as always, to make just the right statement.

After dithering over her choices for a few minutes, she settled on something she'd never worn before. She'd been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself, and this morning seemed perfect. She'd purchased it online from her favorite army-navy surplus store. It was a navy blue Basic Issue Ultra Force SWAT Team top and slacks. The ad said it had reinforced elbows, seat, and knees. All important gear for her first rehearsal. She had no interest in the military aspects of it but found the clothing both attractive in an appallingly boring sort of way and comfortable. She completed the ensemble with a red satin scarf draped loosely around her neck with the ends tossed with casual insouciance over each shoulder. She needed
some
color, after all. The scarf gave the SWAT gear attitude.

Once she'd slipped into her black speed-lace jungle boots, she felt ready for anything. She was in the process of doing a final check on her makeup in the bathroom mirror when Hattie skipped up the stairs and rushed toward her.

Cordelia scooped her up in her arms and gave her a big kiss and a hug. Then it dawned on her. “Didn't I say good-bye to you already? It's a baby school day. How come you're still home?”

Hattie shook her head. “Mommy said I should stay home.” She patted Cordelia's long auburn curls.

“Mommy?”

“You know her,” said Hattie, cocking her head. “That dingbat sister of mine.”

Cordelia covered Hattie's mouth. “Honey, don't say that.”

“But
you
do.”

“Shhh.” Cordelia had to think. “How long has she been here?”

The little girl turned her palms faceup and shrugged.

“No, you can't tell time. What am I thinking. Is she alone?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Is there a man with her?”

She gave a big nod. “He's nice. He tic-od me.”

Peachy, thought Cordelia. Mommy Dearest and the Tickle King arrive unannounced. Just what the day needed. A little nausea.

On her way down the stairs with Hattie tucked safely in her arms, Cordelia was met by a nervous-looking Octavia and a Clive Owen clone. Cecily and Mouse were sitting on the couch, both looking bored. Octavia had that effect.

“Cordelia, hi,” said Octavia. She looked flawless, as usual. Willowy and lovely, with an edge of tragedy about her. “Sorry to drop in on you so unexpectedly,” she continued, touching her newly dyed brown hair.

“You're not the least bit sorry,” said Cordelia, setting Hattie down.

“Come here, sweetheart,” said Octavia, motioning for Hattie to join her.

Hattie hid behind Cordelia's legs.

Looking embarrassed, Octavia turned to the man standing next to her. “I'd like you to meet Radley Cunningham.”

“Radley?” repeated Cordelia. “Named after Boo Radley?”

“Pardon me?” said the man, using his most cultured British accent.

“Ignore her,” said Octavia, her smile tragic.

On further examination, the clone's thinning hair, imperfect teeth, and stomach pushing hard against his belt suggested that this wasn't one of Octavia's usual lust-driven couplings. Oh, no. Cordelia would have bet money that this guy had been admitted to her sister's inner sanctum because she figured he could further her career in some way.

“Radley's a producer,” said Octavia, slipping her arm through his.

“Bingo,” said Cordelia. She wasn't sure why Octavia seemed so nervous. Normally, she treated Cordelia's loft like her ownâand Cordelia like she was part of the staff.

“We were hoping that we might borrow Hattie for the afternoon,” said Radley, stroking Octavia's hand. “She seems like a wonderful little girl. We thought we'd take her to this theme park you have hereâCamp Snoopy I believe it's called?”

Hattie peeked out from behind Cordelia's legs. “I YUV the Maw of America!”

Cordelia could hardly say no, although she wanted to. The idea that Octavia could just drop in and out of Hattie's life at her whim infuriated her. “She should be in preschool today. She's done with her tortilla work and is supposed to move into pickle work this week. It's
very
important.”

“
Pickle
work?” repeated Octavia, a confused look on her face.

“If you were ever around, you'd understand how baby school works.”

“I'm sure that's true,” said the clone, oozing conviviality. “Octavia would like to rectify that in the future.”

It was the last thing Cordelia wanted to hear.

Octavia's tragic expression turned acid. “I don't need your permission to see my own daughter. Hattie, dear, let's find your coat. We're going to have
such
a fun day together. Have you ever been to F.A.O. Schwarz at the Mall of America?”

Hattie's large blue eyes emitted sparks the size of thunderbolts.

“Where are you staying?” demanded Cordelia. “I need phone numbers.”

“You have my cell phone,” said Octavia.

“Ladies, let's not raise our voices in front of the child,” said Radley. “We're at hotel Sofitel in Bloomington, suite six four.”

Who the hell did this guy think he was, telling her what to do?

His smile grew amused. “I don't usually argue with women who have the word SWAT written above their shirt pocket.”

He was charming. How thrilling. Cordelia crouched down. “Hattie, do you want to go with your mother and this man?”

The little girl looked up at Octavia, then at Cordelia. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I miss Mommy Dearest.”

“What did she say?” shrieked Octavia.

Radley put his hand on her shoulder. “Just leave it alone, darling. Let's get her things and be on our way.”

Cordelia knew it was useless to protest. She had no rights when it came to Hattie, at least none that love didn't bestow. “When will you be back?”

The clone looked at his watch. “We'll have her home by seven. Don't worry, Cordelia. We'll take very good care of her. You have my word on that.”

Cordelia had no choice. She helped Hattie get ready and hugged her tight before she left. Hattie might as well have been off to Borneo. Cordelia couldn't have felt more bereft.

By the time she made it out to the parking lot in the back of the building, Cordelia was in the foulest of moods. She was supposed to meet Joanna by the goon-driven black limo parked next to the building. The limo was there. So was the six-foot-five driver with the Beretta. But no Joanna.

“She's on her way down,” said the goon, introducing himself as Bonner. She didn't know if it was a first name or a last name, nor did she care. He opened the back door for her, glancing without comment at her clothing. She was about to give him her standard lecture on the importance of costume in social self-expression when Joanna sailed through the back door. She nodded to the security guard, then started down the steps.

A few seconds later, a gray-haired man, one who looked like he
was headed for the country club, pushed out of the building. Cordelia found him vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place the face.

As Joanna approached the limo, the older man caught up with her, draping his arm protectively around her shoulders. “You remember Freddy?” she said offhandedly, turning and giving him a peck on his cheek.

“Nice outfit,” said Freddy, his eyes dropping to Cordelia's combat boots. “You must have one hell of a problem with your actors,” he said, grinning. He was trim and tanned, and still had a fabulous white smile, compliments of his dentist. Cordelia did remember him now. She'd met him only once. His presence this morning filled her with a million questions.

“Bye, Freddy. I'll call you when I'm done,” said Joanna, slipping gracefully into the backseat.

“You â¦ here on business?” asked Cordelia.

“Something like that.”

As they pulled away from the building, Cordelia eyed Joanna suspiciously. “What's going on?”

“Nothing. Unless you're referring to my life exploding all around me.”

Cordelia's assignment for the day was to keep Joanna calm and centered. But now that Hattie had fallen into her sister's dastardly clutches, she couldn't even keep herself on task. “How come Freddy's here?”

Joanna leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Gordon was outside the loft yesterday afternoon.”

“Are you serious?”

“I spoke to him on the phone. He's not going to leave me alone, Cordelia. Ever. I knew Freddy was in town, so I called him. Asked him to come over. I couldn't be alone.”

“He spent the night?”

Joanna gave her a sideways glance. “We're adults.”

“I know that, but he's your
ex.
”

“So? We're still friends.”

Okay, thought Cordelia. Whatever. “What about Nolan? Did you tell him what happened?”

“Sure. A lot of good he's doing me. He said he had a man surveilling Gordon yesterday. This man apparently watched from the road outside Gordon's cabin all day. He told Nolan the truck never moved. Now, if that's true, then it suggests that Gordon teleports himself through the universe in some new, unique way. I don't buy any of it. And it sure doesn't make me feel very confident about Nolan's services.”

Cordelia was at a lossâa rare situation.

“I don't want to talk about it, okay?” Joanna rolled her shoulders and turned her head away.

“Ah, okay. Do you want to talk about anything else?”

“No. I just want to sit here and try not to panic.” An instant later, she sat forward. “Driver, turn the car around. Take me back to the loft.”

“Excuse me?” said Cordelia. “You're not going to the theater?”

Joanna closed her eyes and deadpanned, “What was your first clue?”

T
he sun was low in the sky over downtown Minneapolis when Jane finally dropped David off in front of the Linden Building. They'd spent an extra day in Nebraska for two reasonsâthree if you counted the fact that Jane was having a terrible time convincing Kenzie that she'd be safe flying David back to Minneapolis. The main reason they'd stayed was to allow David some time to rest. He was so deeply exhausted that he'd slept nearly all day Sunday. He'd knocked on the locked bedroom door around seven that night. Kenzie had let him out but kept the rifle on him all during dinner. Jane was ready with barbecued chicken, smashed parmesan potatoes, and broccoli au gratin. After apologizing profusely again and againâand promising that he'd see a shrink as soon as he returned to the Twin Citiesâhe went back to bed and slept peacefully for another sixteen hours.

The other reason that Jane wanted to stay an extra day was because her face looked like she'd gone ten rounds with a rabid moose. Her body felt the same way, but you couldn't see those bruises. She had a bad gash near her left eye, the same eye that had rapidly swollen shut and turned a blackish purple. She also had some scratches on her right cheek and another cut under her chin.

When it came to her appearance, waiting an extra day had been
fruitless. David winced when he saw the extent of the damage for the first time on Sunday evening, but there was little he could do except say again how sorry he was. Kenzie had applied some makeup before they left for the airport, not that it helped much. On the way back, Jane and David had talked about a cover story. She'd fallen off a tractor, or been mauled by a cow. It would have been pretty hilarious if it hadn't been so serious. And also, it hurt when Jane laughed. David had his own cuts and bruises, but nothing to match Jane's battered face.

“You going to be okay?” Jane asked as David opened the car door.

“I think so.”

“I don't feel entirely comfortable about you sleeping in your car tonight.”

“If I don't drink, I've got much better judgment.”

“So don't drink. Promise?”

He smiled at her. “Promise.”

“You know, we could still rent a motel room. I could stand guard and you could sleep.”

“Absolutely not. We've already been through that. I've used my car this long, a few more nights won't kill me.”

She gave a grudging nod. “I guess.”

“Where are you headed?”

Under normal circumstances, Jane would have gone up to Cordelia's apartment to get Mouse. After nearly losing him, she didn't even like the idea of letting him out of her sight. But she knew he was safe with Cordelia and Cecily. She also had a couple of calls she wanted to makeâwithout Cordelia watering plants or tying a shoelace right next to her. Jane was used to a lot more privacy than Cordelia allowed her.

“I'm not sure.” She couldn't go homeâLuberman could be lurking. Same with her restaurants. “I may run out to Southdale, try to find some better makeup. Cordelia's going to hit the ceiling when she sees my face.”

“What did we settle on?”

“I was thrown from a horse.”

“Right. I'm not sure I'd buy it, but hopefully she's more gullible.”

“Let's hope,” said Jane. “I'll call my old therapist from there. One way or the other, I'll get you in to see someone tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Jane. You're my angel.”

“Hardly.”

“Don't kid yourself. See you in the morning.”

As she drove away, she knew without a doubt that David needed to talk to someone and fastâa therapist, or even a plain old doctor, someone who could help him sort out what was happening to him. Until he had a diagnosis, he was a man truly alone in the dark.

Jane drove a few blocks, then pulled into a parking space across from the Butler Building and stopped. She called Nolan on her cell phone.

“Hey, it's me,” she said, rolling down the window and resting her elbow on the door. “I'm back from Nebraska.”

“Welcome home,” said Nolan. “You have a good time?”

“Yes and no.”

“Sounds like a story there.”

“Where are you?”

“I'm in Winneconne, still working on the Kiskanen murder. So far, it's been a dead end.”

All weekend she'd been undecided about whether or not to tell him about the run-in she'd had with Luberman on Friday night. She decided to let it goâfor now. “Anything new in Eagle Ridge?”

He explained about Luberman somehow ending up in Minneapolis right outside the Linden Building. “His truck never left his cabin. Far as I know, he doesn't have another car. I don't know
what
happened.”

“Joanna must have been terrified.”

“And then some. But there is some good news. Just got off the phone with Hitchcock in Eagle Ridge. Seems they're going to start dredging Whitefish Lake in the morning.”

“Did you tell him what Cordelia found on Luberman's houseboat?”

“You bet I did. Problem is, they can't get a warrant to search the property without legally obtained evidence.” He cleared his throat.

Jane got the point.

“But Hitchcock's been working on a warrant to dredge the lake for
weeks. He finally succeeded. If they find the body of that woman, Luberman will be put away for a good long time.”

“Have you told Joanna?”

“Not yet. Thought I'd wait, see if they come up with anything. I don't want to get her hopes up. She's kind of, you know â¦ emotional.”

Jane smiled. That was an understatement.

“Not much more we can do for now. We just gotta show a little patience. My guy in Eagle Ridge said he'd stick to Luberman like glue. If he's got another car somewhere, we'll find it.”

They talked for a few more minutes. As soon as they said good-bye, Jane got another call. She checked the caller ID. Cordelia.

“Hi,” she said, opening the glove compartment and grabbing a handful of Reese's Pieces. “What's up?”

“You're back?” She sounded breathless.

“Yup.”

“Where are you?”

“Ah, the Lyme House. Why?”

“I'm having a nervous breakdown, that's
why
!”

“Joanna?”

“Well there's
that,
yes. But this is about Hattie. Octavia and some new boyfriend of hers stopped by this morning. They're in town for a few days and wanted to take Hatts to the Mall of America. The
Mall of America,
that vile monument to hedonistic consumption!”

“You love the Mall of America.”

“Don't change the subject. I didn't want to let her go. I mean, what business does Octavia have waving the name F.A.O. Schwarz in front of Hattie's nose like some â¦ some huge lump of bubble gum? It was a bribe. Bribing her own daughter! But that's just like Octavia, oiling around, blinking her fake eyelashes, and looking needy. What could I do? Hattie wanted to go, and Octavia
is
more or less her mother. Anyway, they said they'd have her back by seven, but it's past seven and she's not here! Something bad's happened, Janey, I know it.”

Jane checked her watch. It was ten after seven. “They probably got caught in traffic. Give them a little more time, okay?”

“Jane, you have to get back here right away. I need someone to lean on when the phone call comes.”

“What phone call?”

“From the police. Or the FBI. Come to think of it, it could even be from the Department of Homeland Security! That new boyfriend of hers is a
foreigner.
”

“Where's he from?”

“England!”

There was no point in arguing. Cordelia would worry herself into a frenzy until Hattie was home safe and sound.

“Wait â¦ wait,” shrieked Cordelia. “That's my cell phone. Just a minute.”

Jane could hear Cordelia's voice in the background. A moment later she was back on the line, whispering this time. “It's Octavia.”

“And?”

“She wants to keep Hattie overnight.”

The problem was the same. Cordelia couldn't really say no. “What does Hattie want?”

“Don't know. Just a sec.”

Jane waited for several minutes this time. When Cordelia finally came back, she wasn't whispering anymore. Her voice was flat. “Hattie wants to stay with them. They promised to take her to a movie. More bribes. You know how much Hattie adores modern film. It's all my fault, Jane. I taught her all about the movies, and now it comes back to bite me on the ass.”

“Cordelia, she'll be fine. Octavia may not be much of a mother, but she won't let anything happen to Hattie. I'm sure of it.”

“Oh, Janey.” There was a long pause, during which Cordelia's voice regained some of its normal firmness. “I can't stand this. First thing in the morning I'm contacting a lawyer. I should have done it ages ago. I want full custody of Hattie. And I want it by tomorrow night.”

“I, ah, don't think the court system moves that fast.”

“Do you think Octavia will contest it?”

“Honestly, Cordelia, I have no idea. For your sake, I hope not.”

“Yeah, well, that kid will only be gone one night and I already miss her like â¦ like I'd miss my own nose if it fell off.”

“Your
nose
?”

“Yeah. You know what I mean.”

“Sure.”

“Janey, how did this happen to a woman who once viewed all children as sticky, noisy, snot-filled, demanding, malevolent little monsters?”

“Don't know. Guess you actually got to know one.”

“Huh.” Another pause. “When are you coming back to the loft?”

Jane had pretty much decided that she'd spend the night in a motel. She wanted to give her face a little more time to heal before Cordelia saw it and demanded an explanation. She also had to call her therapist, see if she could get David in first thing tomorrow morning. “Well, I was thinking I'd stay here. Get a little work done.”

Jane wasn't sure exactly how, but Cordelia always knew when she wasn't telling the full story.

“What's up?”

“Nothing's up. I just, you know, thoughtâ”

“You never told me how things went with Kenzie.”

“You never asked.”

“I'm in no mood for
cute,
Jane.”

“Kenzie's great. We had a wonderful time.”

“But?”

“No buts.”

“Janey? It's foolish to try to hide things from Auntie Cordelia.”

“If you want me to come back to the loft tonight, I'll come back.”

“Excellent. And you'll tell me everything.”