Rohn Federbush - Sally Bianco 01 - The Legitimate Way (12 page)

“Not until June. Sam and Sylvester are coming to dinner this evening, too.”

“Yes they told us,” John said. “We entertained them with stories about our stressful ride out to your ranch house.”

“I was so nervous, I was driving like a madman, afraid Penny would back out of the marriage at the last minute.”

Those had been Sally’s exact thoughts, but the couple seemed happy. At least in
Michigan, Penny’s family would be close at hand to welcome the new baby. “Babies can be a lot of work.”

“Simon’s going to hire a nurse to help me. I need to finish my degree.”

“I’m opening a law office here in Ann Arbor, specializing in real-estate law.”

When Sam and Sylvester Tedler arrived, Sally was surprised to see they brought Mary Jo along. “She needs to get away from her hotel room,” Sylvester said. “I’m sure we can keep her safe enough to eat dinner.” Sylvester was wearing his police uniform, but Sam was dressed casually. Sally could tell Mary Jo’s sweater and slacks were worn more than once between cleanings. She would explain the necessities of life to Sylvester when they were alone. Protective custody should allow some basic amenities.

“I’m glad you came,” Penny said graciously. “We’re eating buffet style this evening, anyway.”

“I made the chili,” Simon said. “Penny says she married me because I love to cook.”

“Fatherhood was probably more of the reason.” Penny laughed in her old childish, unthinking way.

After hugging the expectant mother, Mary Jo sat on the couch next to Sally. “I miss Robert so much.”

“Yes.” Sally was surprised at a sudden rush of anger. She did not blame Mary Jo’s marital problems for Robert’s death. “If he could have stopped drinking.” Sally reasoned with herself. “I believe he would have lived ten more years.”

“I’m mad at him for not lasting long enough to see my baby.” Penny turned to her husband. “I suppose I’m awful.” Then she served the women bowls of chili, placing garlic bread on the low wicker table in front of them.

Simon marshaled the men into the kitchen to fill their own plates. Sam sat down in a chair across from Mary Jo and Sally. He kept his eyes on his full plate of chili. “I think we all feel angry at Robert for dying too soon.”

Mary Jo kept her spoon in her chili. “I’m thankful you don’t hold me responsible. If my stupid husband knew how to control his
temper …
.
”

“Do you think he killed his second wife?” John asked.

“Her sister, Harriet, certainly does.” Mary Jo took a bite of the chili. “The children are beautiful. Their aunt renamed them. Susan is eight. She has dark thick hair. Her sister, Sarah, is six and a redhead. The boys are younger; Melvin is four and Martin just two.”

“What does she tell them about their father?” Sam asked.

“Harriet told them he’s dead, a soldier fallen in Iraq. They visit their mother’s grave each Sunday.”

“How did she die?” Sally asked.

“Supposedly a heart attack, at twenty-eight. The doctor told Harriett giving birth to four children in four years might have been a factor.”

“We’ll find out the truth when we’re down there,” Sally said. “Robert mentioned you were helping them out financially.”

“My mother left me a considerable amount of money. I guess they accept me as a kind of aunt.”

Sylvester stood next to Mary Jo’s chair. “Mr. Sites says your inheritance is probably a factor in your husband’s hunt for you.”

Mary Jo looked up at Sylvester. Sally watched Sylvester’s heart melt under Mary Jo’s unhappy gaze. Mary Jo’s money was only one of the reasons Ricco would hate losing his attractive wife.

Sam noticed, too. “Sylvester, how long should we keep Mary Jo out?”

“I…I guess we should leave,” Sylvester said.

Sam picked up their empty bowls and deposited them in the kitchen, before he went along with Mary Jo and Sylvester.

Simon said as part of his good-bye speech, “Maybe you should keep tabs on each other around such a lovely hostage.”

Sally wondered if Penny noticed how much her new husband’s discourse resembled Harvey Clemmons’ mode of salacious speech. Robert’s friends, Robert’s words were constantly in the forefront of Sally’s brain. She refrained from referencing them. Penny’s hospitality and present happiness need not be disturbed.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Independence, Missouri

First Monday in October

October weather in Missouri did not resemble Michigan’s. Instead of crisp air, colorful scenery, and sweeps of cold rain, Missouri’s world was green, the grass, the leaves, even the breezes retained the warmth of summer. They found Harriett Cardonè’s rural home outside of Independence, Missouri, with help from the rental car’s GPS system. Weeping willows surrounded the small home’s extensive lawns. In the front yard, four children of wicked Ricco played near a swinging bench, which Harriett nearly filled with her mammoth body.

“Don’t get up.” John called to the hefty woman, even though it was obviously not her intention.

“Mary Jo said we should introduce ourselves as her friends. I’m Sally Bianco. This is my fiancée, John Nelson, and this is Officer Sam Tedler.”

“I’ve taken copies of these papers to the county coroner.” Sam handed Harriett a sheaf of legal documents.

Harriett re-positioned herself to the edge of the swing and holding onto the wooden braces, she hefted herself to a standing position. “Come into the house.” She clutched the documents to her chest. “Susan, watch the children don’t go near the road.”

John and Sam followed Sally to the front door of the house. A thin stone acted as the front step of the entrance. Sam and John ducked their heads to cross the threshold. Sally was sure they could feel the ceiling brush the top of their heads.

“Come into the kitchen. I have coffee and biscuits. Do you boys want a slice of ham with your eggs?” Neither man turned down the Southern breakfast. Harriett’s size didn’t prevent her from eating right along with them.

“This strawberry jam must be homemade.”

“It is, it is.” Harriett beamed. “It’s better than any store-bought I can find.”

Sam was all smiles. “Usually when I accompany Sally and John on their detective missions, I only have time to chew on toothpicks. You’re a great cook!”

“I try.” Harriett was pleased; but she suddenly noticed something amiss on the front room carpet. She scurried faster than her bulk would predict to the side door and yelled, “Susan, who’s been tracking mud into my front room?”

Susan arrived and pointed to her aunt’s own shoes. “You usually take your shoes off.”

Harriett laughed and kicked off her muddy shoes. Susan picked one slipper up and hit her aunt on the head with it. Harriett only laughed at the child’s antics. So Sally, John and Sam joined in. After they calmed down and the triumphant Susan returned to the front yard, Harriett asked, “Is Mary Jo safe? She’s not answering her cell phone.”

Sam put his hand in front of his mouth, which was jammed with food. “My older brother is helping to protect her.”

“Ricco was arrested for making false accusations and assaulting a friend of mine.” Sally didn’t expand on the statement. “But Judge Wilcox says we need more evidence to bring murder charges against him.”

John took over. “Ricco is incarcerated now, but we want him out of the way permanently. We’re also afraid he might send others to harm Mary Jo, which is why Sylvester and the local police are guarding her location. They’re probably monitoring her cell phone calls.”

“Will the children need to testify?” Harriett asked.

“No,” John answered spontaneously, then he asked, Sam. “Would they ask the children to face their father?”

“We’ll do everything we can to prevent involving the children.” Sally waved her hand to not accept any more servings of breakfast. “Mary Jo says the children think their father died in Iraq.”

“I don’t think they need to know what kind of male specimen fathered them. With Mary Jo’s help, we hope to see these babies educated and living normal, peaceful lives.”

“With God’s help,” Sally said. She decided to stay with Harriett and the children, when Sam and John left for the judicial offices in Kansas City. She needed to take a break from her detective obligations and the company of Mary Jo’s stepchildren promised to keep her pleasantly occupied.

Eight-year-old Susan’s motherly duties for her sister and younger brothers were demanding precious hours of her childhood, as far as Sally was concerned. “How about we go shopping for school clothes?” She asked Susan and her Aunt Harriett.

“Could we?” Susan asked, and then added, “Sarah needs some, too.”

“We’ll take Sarah tomorrow. You can help me find a shopping mall, if your aunt lets me drive her pick-up.”

Susan looked at her aunt. “Would it be all right?”

Harriett embraced the youngster. “Of course, baby. You go ahead with Mrs. Bianco.” She smiled at Sally. “She’s going to need a new raincoat, with a hood, too.”

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

When Sally and her young charge returned to Harriett’s home, the back of the pick-up was filled with boxes. Sally saw no reason for Mary Jo to have all the fun providing what these young orphans obviously needed. John and Sam returned from the city empty handed, just in time to haul in the booty. The noise level inside the house rose to near pandemonium as the children opened the packages of clothing and boxes of toys and candy. Sam was leaning against the front door or they might never have heard the knock. Mary Jo and Sylvester entered the melee.

Susan said it all. “Look, Aunt Mary Jo, it’s Christmas in October!”

Mary Jo hugged the girl. “Mrs. Bianco has been shopping, I see.”

“And a new TV!” Young Martin jumped up and down in front of his newly arrived aunt. Then he stopped and doubled up his little fists. “Where have you been?”

Sarah and Melvin came over to where Mary Jo stood, too. “Yeah?” they chorused.

“We’ve just come to see you for a little while.” Mary Jo lifted chunky Martin into her arms. “Susan, Sarah, Martin, Melvin, say hello to this nice police officer?”

“I don’t know.” Melvin eyed Sylvester. “What’s he doing here?”

“He’s keeping your aunt very safe.” Sam said, then he addressed his brother. “Any trouble in Michigan?”

“Judge Wilcox visited us last night.” Sylvester explained. “Mary Jo started talking about how great you kids are and he sent her down to see you, until we need her in
Michigan again.”

Harriett took Sylvester’s hat, shook his hand. “You didn’t bring any trouble trailing you down here, did you?”

“No, ma’am. We flew to Canada, before we rented a car to drive down here.”

“I bet you’re hungry.” Harriett said. “Kids let Mary Jo come eat a bite, then you can tell her your news.”

All four children dropped whatever toy or article of new clothing they were holding and marched into the kitchen, testimony to their Aunt Harriett’s cooking. Sally made their excuses and John and Sam left with her for their hotel room in Kansas City. Sally hugged Mary Jo at the door. “I’ll be back out in the morning, if that’s okay.”

“I can tell you think these kids are great.”

“I do. John and Sam can visit the coroner’s office, while I’m out in the sunshine with these sparks of life.”

“Robert taught us well, didn’t he?”

“I guess he did.” Sally agreed. Anything life-affirming would be worth Robert Koelz’ attention. The cunning trap of alcohol didn’t allow him adequate time on earth. Sally sent a plea to her Higher Power for those still suffering under its influence. “I’ll miss the sound of his voice for the rest of my life.”

“I still hear his words.” Mary Jo pointed to her forehead. “In here.”

“And here.” Sally touched her heart. She prayed the Lord would receive the old reprobate with loving kindness. “He wasn’t your most perfect saint.” Sally prayed silently. “But we loved your handiwork. Robert will never be replaced, Lord. Keep him close to your heart until we join You.” Sally remembered she needed to call her sponsor as soon as she got back to their hotel.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Hyatt, Kansas City

Sally’s Room

“Missouri?” Grace asked. “Are you vacationing?”

“I’m helping a detective unearth evidence.”

“Did you take your AA books with you?”

“I’ll read you Step Three.” Sally appreciated Grace’s time, which felt as if her mother’s attention was focused on her. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-nine. Why?”

“I was just thinking, I feel like I’m reporting to a parent.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No! I’m thankful for your time. ‘Step Three: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.’ I noticed on page 34, it says ‘We can have faith, yet keep God out of our lives.’ I think it’s true.”

“Have you found a meeting in Kansas City?”

“I’ve been watching four children, taking them shopping.”

“Use the telephone book in your hotel. They’ll pick you up for a meeting.”

“I don’t want to tell you I’ll do something and not do it.”