Poison Me (22 page)

There was a moment of silence interspersed with sniffles and murmurs of approval. Ellie dried her eyes with a handkerchief, and then stuffed it into her purse. “All right, enough blubbering. I’m done.” She pointed. “Bishop, get on up here and dedicate this grave so we can go eat some ham and funeral potatoes.” She tapped the coffin. “I know—you loved them too. I’ll eat your share.”

With that she swept to Chanel’s side and whispered, “How’d I do?”

Chanel reached an arm around the frail shoulders and squeezed. “It was perfect.”

The birds twittered in the trees, and a soft breeze played with her hair. Chanel still ached to be with Jake and his family, but here at this sacred spot, she felt peace.

Chapter Twenty

After checking on Brinley the next morning, Jake found himself driving up the canyon towards the retirement center. After almost losing his sister and nephew, he couldn’t stop himself from mulling over what he was doing—or rather not doing—with his life. It wasn’t like he was a bad guy. He accomplished a lot of good with his pediatric practice. He helped others every chance he got, and he loved his family. But he couldn’t forgive himself for Angela’s death and move past the hurt.

He thought of Chanel. She was beautiful, smart, and fun—everything he’d been looking for. Yet when he imagined holding her and telling her how he felt, the guilt of betraying Angela consumed him. How could he move on and forget his first love? Then he thought of Brinley, unconscious and bloody, and how hard he’d prayed and fought to bring her back. How could he not live life when it was so fragile?

Jake made up his mind. He wanted to see Chanel. He wouldn’t put his feelings on the table today, but maybe he could stop by her office on his way to see his grandma. He clenched his fingernails into his palms. His and Chanel’s last date had ended so awkwardly. Why had he opened up so much? And why had he demanded that she tell him her own secrets? He knew the answer to the second question. He wanted to comfort her, to help her. But he couldn’t take that comfort in return, and now he’d driven her away. He shook his head, disgusted with himself.

He entered the retirement center through the back door. Nervous, he concentrated on the sound of his footsteps on the carpet. Soon, he reached Chanel’s office and poked his head in the door. She was gone.

“Sorry, Jakey. The hottie is in town getting her hair done.”

He whirled to face Ellie, unclenching his fists. “That’s fine. Where’s Grandma?”

“Where is she always? With the manly hottie.” Ellie batted her eyelashes. “I think it’s love.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “The manly hottie? You mean Michael?”

“That’s the one.”

“Hmm.” He stepped closer to Ellie. “So what’s your take on Grandma and Michael? I thought she hated him, and then it’s like a switch was flipped and all of a sudden she can’t get enough of him.”

Ellie shrugged. “Having your friends murdered has a way of changing what we think.”

Jake watched his adopted aunt struggle with her emotions. He stooped and hugged the little woman. “Are you doing any better?”

She shook her head, eyes glistening. “No.” She sniffled. “I miss her.”

“Oh, Ellie, I’m sorry.”

She pulled from his embrace. “Don’t give me that sorry business. I’ll get better.” She pivoted on her heel. “Come on, I’ll take you to Rubes.”

Jake followed Ellie, wondering how to comfort her. He jammed a hand through his hair.

Ruby and Michael snuggled together on a couch in the Palace’s commons area. Ellie cleared her throat. Ruby glanced up, saw Jake, and inserted several inches between herself and Michael.

Michael stood. Jake bent and kissed Ruby, then straightened to shake the hand Michael offered.

“How are you, Jake?” Michael asked before returning to his spot next to Ruby.

“Okay.” Jake offered Ellie a chair. He sank into a fabric love seat across from the glowing couple, thinking that Grandma Ruby looked twenty years younger. “I just stopped by the hospital. Brinley’s doing good.”

“I’m so glad to hear that,” Ruby said. “I talked with her early this morning and she sounded much better. Michael and I are going into town after lunch to pick up Trevor from his aunt, so he can stay the night with me here.” Ruby smiled up at Michael. “But we’ve got to run by the hospital first and see the cute little namesake.”

Jake arched an eyebrow. “Well, you look like you’re doing good despite,” he waved his hands in the air, “everything.”

Ruby smiled, tilting her head toward the handsome man at her side. “Michael’s been taking care of me.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “Oh. That’s…good.”

Ruby giggled. “Very good.”

Ellie gave a disgusted sigh, but there was a smile in her eyes. Michael wrapped his arm around Ruby’s shoulder, his chest flared out like a rooster’s.

Jake couldn’t help smiling. If his grandma was happy, who was he to question how or why it had happened? But he had to ask, “So, you’re doing okay with Marissa’s death?”

Grandma Ruby’s face went pale, and Michael tightened his grip on her.

Ellie wrung her hands together. “Okay will take a long time, Jake.”

He nodded.

“The pain of losing someone like Marissa won’t go away,” Ruby said. “Sometimes we’ll forget for a while, but the ache will always be a part of us.”

“Is that how you feel about losing Grandpa?” It was an innocent question, but Jake felt instant chagrin as he saw Ruby’s face blanch.

“Jake, honey, there are things I need to tell you about your grandpa.” She paused and sighed, glancing at Ellie, then Michael. They both nodded encouragingly. Ruby shook her head. “Maybe someday we can sit down and I will tell you about our relationship.”

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Or lack thereof. Spit the story out, Rubes. The boy deserves to know the truth about who his grandpa really was…or is.” She grinned at Michael.

“I know, but…” Ruby glanced at Michael as if asking for help.

The front door of the Palace opened and someone stomped in. Jake was the only one facing the doorway. Glancing up, he disregarded the rounded, balding stranger, but then his eyes flitted to the man again. Jake’s heart stopped. He blinked to clear his vision and then looked again. “Grandpa Don?”

Ellie, Ruby, and Michael turned to face the intruder. Michael leapt to his feet. His fists clenched, and he instantly took a boxer’s stance. Ruby closed her eyes and buried her hands in her hair.

Ellie shrieked. “What in the name of all that is evil are you doing back from the dead?” She jumped out of her chair and hurried over to Don, hitting him with her small fists, then shook her hand at the ceiling. “Why? Why, Lord? How could you make this big of a mistake? I pray and pray for Marissa to be resurrected and you send us this putz!”

Don frowned. “Good to see you too, Ellie.” He rushed past her. “Ruby, we need to talk.”

She didn’t move. Michael stepped in front of her, and Don stopped short. “Trapper? What are
you
doing here?”

Michael tightened his fists.

Jake rose on trembling legs. “Grandpa Don?”

The old man turned to face him. “Jake?” He sputtered, gulping in air and clutching a hand over his chest.

Jake nodded, staring at the grandfather he’d thought was dead.

Don crossed the space separating them and pulled Jake into a fierce hug. “Jake. I wanted to see you—hoped I would—but I didn’t want to confuse you.” He leaned back and studied Jake’s face, then hugged him again. “Oh, my boy, I’ve missed you.”

Jake pulled away. “But… you’re… you died. You burned in the fire.”

Don smiled gently, patting Jake’s arm like a child. “No. You just think I’m dead.”

Jake looked at Ruby with wide eyes. “Grandma?” He turned to face the apparition in front of him. “Grandpa? What’s going on here?”

Ellie sank onto the floor, hands clasped, head lifted toward the ceiling. “Why, Lord? How could you send us the wrong one? I ask for a simple miracle, just one saintly woman, and you send us the devil reincarnated.”

Don glared at Ellie, sweeping a long hair from his forehead. “Do you want to explain it, woman, or should I?”

“You,” Ruby said to the floor.

Don gripped Jake’s arms, forcing the younger man to look into his grandpa’s eyes. “Your grandma and I faked my death. She was frustrated about some things that happened between us, and I needed a new start.”

Ruby’s head whipped up, her back straightening like a steel pole. “Tell him the truth, Don.”

Grandpa Don stared at Ruby for a long time, then released Jake and looked away. “I lost a lot of money with online poker. I thought your dad would help us out.” He rolled his eyes. “Selfish little brat told me to take care of myself, when I am the only reason he made his money in the first place.”

Ruby stood, glaring at Don and reaching for Michael’s hand.

“You want the truth, let’s get it all out there,” Don said.

“But then you’d have nothing to blackmail me.” When he didn’t reply she said, “No one’s to blame here but you, Don.” She turned to Jake. “He lost it all, sweetheart. All of our retirement. All of the inheritance we received from our parents. All the money your dad had paid him. He refinanced our house and maxed out our credit cards to give himself more gambling money.” She snapped her fingers at Don and grunted in disgust.

Don hung his head.

“His only solution was to file bankruptcy papers so they couldn’t take our house, and then try to live off your dad’s money. I couldn’t stand it anymore.” Ruby exhaled. “Don agreed to start the fire, plant evidence that he burned in it, hide out until I could obtain the life insurance money, and then run with it. He promised I’d never see him again.” She glared at her husband. “Just another lie, huh, Don?”

Jake couldn’t speak. How could his grandfather betray him like this?

“Please resurrect the right one next time,” Ellie muttered. After one more look of anguish at the ceiling, she stood and ambled over to Ruby’s side.

Michael wrapped his arm around Ruby and pulled her close.

“Get your hands off my wife,” Don growled.

“You are dead, and I am not your wife.” Ruby lifted her chin. “I never should’ve been your wife. I never loved you.”

Don took two steps closer. “I knew you’d run to him as soon as I was gone. Once a whore, always a whore.” He shoved Michael with all his strength. Michael teetered for a moment, then regained his balance.

“Grandpa!” Jake cried out.

Michael released his grasp on Ruby. He grabbed Don’s wrist and twisted the smaller man’s arm. Blood vessels popped up in Michael’s forearms.

“Stop. Let go, you son of a—,” Don cursed.

Jake was sure his grandpa’s bones would break. Ruby looked on with wide eyes.

Ellie cheered. “Go, Michael! Don’t just squeeze him—why don’t you kick him or something?” Taking her own advice she sashayed close and kicked Don with her toe.

Spewing insults, Don tried to pivot and kick her back, but Michael’s grip prevented the movement.

Michael spoke in a hushed voice that rang above Don’s angry words. “Ruby’s mine,” Michael said. “You’ve never been worthy of her.”

“Oh, and you have?” Don taunted.

“No, but at least I’ll treat her right.” Michael released Don’s wrist and shoved him toward the door. “Get out of here before I decide to do something about the hurt you’ve caused her.”

Don held his wrist, cast a lingering glance at Jake, and then scurried through the front door. A crowd had gathered—several residents, the managers, and Tracy. Everyone cheered, Ellie the loudest. “Shiska boom rum, Michael kicked his bum. Shiska boom bass, Michael pummeled his…”

“Ellie!” Ruby interrupted.

Ellie whirled on her. “Don’t you ‘Ellie’ me. What the crap is this? Don’s alive and you never told me.” She jabbed a finger at Ruby. “You lied to me. Me! Your best friend.” Ellie stomped her foot. “Sixty—no seventy—years of loyal friendship I give you, and what do you do? You lie to me.”

Ruby nodded. “You’re right.”

Ellie folded her arms across her chest. “I need an apology.”

Ruby bowed her head. “You’re right,” she said again. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Ellie scowled. “That’s a pretty lame apology. I don’t know if it will make up for two years of lies.” She sniffed. “I’ll have to get back to you on whether or not I accept it.”

“I understand,” Ruby said softly, her face filled with anguish. She spun to face Michael. “I’m sorry, I lied to you, too.”

He shook his head and smiled. “I just wish the sucker really was dead.”

Ruby wrapped her arms around her middle and glanced at Jake. “And I’m sorry I lied to you.”

He opened his mouth to try to comfort her. “Uh… I…” he sputtered. He didn’t know what to say. Grandpa Don’s betrayal hurt, but nothing could compare with the pain of his wonderful grandmother keeping this kind of a secret from him.

Ruby backed away. “I’m sorry, Jake. I’m so sorry.” Eyes bright, she spun on her heel and fled toward the back door. Michael hurried after her.

Jake rushed in front of the older man. “Wait, Michael. Please. Can you let me talk to her first?”

Michael’s eyes shifted past Jake to Ruby’s retreating form.

“Please, Mr. Trapper,” Jake said. “I need to be with my grandma right now.”

Michael searched Jake’s eyes. “Be gentle with her. She’s been through a lot.”

She’s been through a lot?
What else was his grandmother hiding from him? Jake wanted to ask so many questions, instinctively knowing Michael held the keys.

Michael shook his head. “Not now, son. Go after her.”

Jake pivoted and sprinted after his grandma.

Chapter Twenty-One

Willy pointed at an older man emerging from the Retirement Palace’s front doors. “Don?”

Ace leaned closer to the car’s windshield, studying the man. “That’s him. Finally.”

Willy pulled on the door handle, preparing to intercept the old man.

Ace lifted a hand, restraining his partner. “No. We know we’re at the right place now. This is where his wife lives. He’ll be back. Let’s check out the facility and wait for him.” He grinned. “It’s all going to work out now, but we’ve got to find the right moment.” He clapped Willy’s shoulder. “I can almost taste the cash.”