Sticks & Stones (A Hollis Morgan Mystery) (20 page)

“With what?
Did you have peanut butter and jelly on your hands? You don’t know why I left it unlocked. Maybe I wanted it unlocked. Haven’t you ever heard that if you don’t own it, it’s not yours?” She knew she was overreacting, but her heart still pounded rapidly as her adrenaline made the slow path back to its gland.

“I just wanted to thank you for being so nice to me, but I guess I fell asleep waiting for you.”

“You guess?” Hollis was having little success calming her voice. She took a deep breath. “Look, you have got to stop following me. What do you do all day?”

He shrugged. “I mostly help out at the food kitchen, make deliveries for the shut-ins
, and clean-up at Fresh Start at night.”

“Is your
mom still in rehab?”

Vince said nothing but kept his eyes downcast.

“Look, I’m really tired, and I’m really sorry about your Mom. But you’re not going to be my shadow. You’re starting to creep me out.” She turned back to look out over her steering wheel.

He nodded. “I get it. I’ll leave you alone.” He backed away.

Hollis sighed in exasperation. “Don’t you have any friends?”

He paused and shook his head. “You’re my only friend.”

His words hit her with a bolt of recognition.

She stared at him, wondering where the air in her lungs had gone. She blinked her eyes, which started to blur
, and then opened them to see Vince, head down, hands deep in the pockets of his hoodie, make a right turn down the street.

Hollis took a deep sigh
, started the car, and pulled up alongside him. “Okay, okay, get in.”

Vince started to open the car door but saw her look at his hands. He gave them a brisk rub on his jeans.

Hollis rolled her eyes and pulled back into traffic.

“Are you hungry?”

Vince shook his head. “You think I just see you ’cause I want a handout?”

“Well
 ….” The thought had crossed her mind.

Vince’s face turned red.

Hollis felt shame. “No, no I don’t think that. I just want you to be … safe.” She spoke hurriedly. “I want you … I want you to have a real life.”

He turned away from her and looked out the window.

“Vince?”

He turned to her, his hands making fists. “Let me help you. I can do a lot of stuff. Let me help you find the guy who killed your friend.”

It was Hollis’ turn to shake her head.

“I have a job that pays me to work on Cathy’s murder. I don’t have the money to pay you to work on it too.”

He looked at her. “Not for money. I just want … I just want ….” His voice drifted.

She nodded. Her voice caught. “I
 … I understand.”

There was silence between them as she made her way through the streets
and parked in front of a community park down a short ways from Triple D.

“Tell you what. You pass the GED
, and I’ll come up with something.”

“Aw, Hollis, I don’t need no GED.”

She shook her head. “It’s ‘I don’t need a GED’. If you had a GED you’d know that. I told you before that I’d help you. If you want to work with me then you have to have a high school diploma.”

Scowling, he jerked on the door handle, got out and slammed the door. Hollis called after him, but he didn’t look back as he blended into
the crowd of pedestrians.

The next day, Hollis and Stephanie met for lunch in a little deli not far from the police station. Clearly, it was also the favored eatery of the forensic unit, because Stephanie got several nods of hello.

Stephanie leaned over to reach for the Italian dressing.
“Well I’d say he was pretty ungrateful. I can’t believe you’re still dealing with that kid.”

Hollis shook her head. “I’m not dealing with him. He’s adopted me. Besides
—”

“Besides, what? There are no besides.”

“I don’t think he has anywhere to go. I think he’s alone. I’m even beginning to wonder about the existence of his mother.”

Stephanie took another bite of salad. “Great, now you’re going to start bringing home
stray puppies.”

“Will you stop saying that
? He’s not a stray puppy and I’m not bringing him home.” She took a sip of water. “Let’s talk about something else. How’s work?”

“We’re already down five people
. Now they want to lay off one more, just as we’re taking on more lab work from the Sheriff’s Department.” Stephanie’s brow furrowed. “So, what’s with Cathy’s case? You any closer to clearing her?”

Hollis shrugged. “Mark and I are fairly confident about beating the suit. It’s not our call, but I would hate to go with a settlement. I can’t help thinking I’m missing something.”

“You said ‘fairly’ confident. I know you. That’s not good.”

“
No, that’s not good, but it’s where we are.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Cathy was a pro and had anyone asked me before she died, I would have bet my life that anything she wrote was not only verifiable and credible, but defensible. But I read her article. It was atypically harsh. She was writing a three-part series, so why did she come out with all barrels blasting in the first one?” Hollis played with her napkin, ripping the edges into thin shreds. “That’s when I stepped back and said, ‘What’s wrong with this picture?’ I can’t go into it, but Stephanie, I think Cathy was onto something.”

“What are you saying?”

“I don’t know what I’m saying. Just that the article didn’t sound like her.” Hollis sighed. “Cathy hid papers that appear to have nothing to do with Fields. All my follow-up contacts leave me certain that something was going on. But I don’t know if these papers had to do with Fields or if she was working on her next article.”

“Maybe both. You know, when you look back at what happened, no matter what happens, you did the best you could.” Stephanie looked at her watch. “I’ve got to get back, but I need a big favor.”

“What?”

“Can I borrow your car on Sunday to go to a conference on Monday?”

“Again?”

“What? Wasn’t the last time over six months ago?”

“Yeah, and I ended up with an empty gas tank, a parking ticket, an angry neighbor who swears it was me who ran across a corner of his manicured lawn with my tire, and you and I don’t even look alike.”

“That’s not fair.”

“I know, to me,” said Hollis. “When are you going to get your own car?”

“I’m going to.” Stephanie finished chewing on an olive. “I just can’t make up my mind. I still can’t get over losing Cooper.”

Hollis almost choked on her bread crust. Stephanie had named her car Cooper because it was a bright red and white 2006 Mini Cooper.

“You didn’t lose Cooper, you totaled it.” Hollis laughed. “And that was almost two years ago. All your friends know you rotate us for our cars.”

Stephanie looked sheepish. “So, can I?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll get Mark to take me to the office on Monday,” Hollis said. “I’ll drop the car off Sunday at your house and you can come with me to the bookstore.”

“Thanks, sweetie. I won’t point out that you seem to be avoiding letting me inside your house. Maybe one day I’ll be worthy.” Stephanie got up and kissed her on the cheek.

Hollis started for the door. “And, Steph, I need it back no later than Tuesday.”

Stephanie waved her away. “I’ll make it Monday.”

O
n Monday, settled in her desk chair, Hollis read
Transformation
’s draft rewrite of Cathy’s article. She had to admit the reporter had done a good job. She made a couple comments at the end of the text and then scanned the copy to Mark so he could add his review. Fields’ attorneys were still trying to have all their legal fees paid by
Transformation
magazine; Carl Devi was just as focused on making sure they didn’t get a dime.

Mark suggested that Devi let them see the rewrite after incorporating their comments, but Devi nixed the idea. He was not going to be censored
. It set a bad precedent. Hollis shrugged. It was his money.

She was eating lunch in her office
, because Stephanie had her car and wouldn’t be bringing it back until the end of the day.

Her ring tone went off and she rustled through her purse for her phone.

“Hungry?”

“Why, Mr. Faber,
isn’t it a little late for lunch?”

“Well, not lunch. I’ve got to follow up on a case; I was hoping you’d be interested in an early dinner.”

“I’m sure I’ll be hungry then, too.” Hollis smiled. “Actually, that will work out better. A friend borrowed my car, and now she won’t have to pick me up. Can you meet me at my office?”

“See you out front.”

The smile remained on her face even after she hung up, and it was still there after George appeared in her doorway.

“Boy, something has lit up your face.”

Hollis started and the smile vanished. “George, you scared me. What’s the matter?”

“Not a thing. I was able to get a continuance in the Koch probate hearing. I explained to the judge the last minute confirmation we received. There wasn’t a problem. But don’t think I’ve forgotten you didn’t take my calls the other day.” He took a seat across from her. “You’re
only off the hook because you found an heir to the Koch estate. But don’t ignore my calls again. Still, I want to reiterate: it was real good work, Hollis. I’ll have to let Pierson know that his report was faulty.”

She winced. She was glad she didn’t have to be the one to tell him.

“Thanks, George,” she said, not bothering to suppress her smile of gratification. “I’ll redo all the filing papers and get them over to the court early next week.”

“I assume I no longer have to worry about further delays?”
he said. “I got your email about the
Transformation
matter. Once that gets wrapped up, I could use you on a complicated estate trust. You need to contact the parties and make arrangements for a meeting in two weeks.”

“Got it.” She scribbled down notes. “George, I apologize for the time it’s taken for the
Transformation
lawsuit. It’s about over. Mark thinks that
Transformation
is going to pull the defense plug.”

He nodded.
“I’m sorry. I know you wanted to clear her reputation. From what you’ve told me, the proof just wasn’t there.” He looked at his watch and stood. “I’ve got a client meeting to go to. Let’s you and I get together Thursday at three so I can turn this new matter over to you.”

As soon as he left, Hollis called Stephanie and told her to drop the car off in the driveway. She could give back the spare key at lunch the next week.

Stephanie’s smile was evident in her voice. “Dinner again, huh? Sounds like Mr. Faber wants to be a contender.”

“Oh, no
. I’ve been down that road before.”

“I wouldn’t paint everyone like your ex.”

Hollis didn’t answer.

It was easier said than done.

This time Hollis felt more confident and composed on their date. John picked a local eatery that specialized in home-cooked Chinese food, and they both realized they preferred to use chopsticks. The evening had gone smoothly. They talked about everything but their work
, and they slowly relaxed into a comfortable silence.

Hollis leaned back. “I meant to ask you this before
. Why did you go into law enforcement?”

“Two reasons.” John pursed his lips. “It was television
. I loved the action. And my uncle, who I admired a lot as a kid, gave me the idea that helping people by putting away bad guys would be rewarding.” He picked up a shrimp, bit half then popped the rest of it in his mouth.

“Your uncle was a police officer?”

“Yep, he served on the force for twenty-three years before he was shot and killed by one of those bad guys trying to rob a store.”

“I’m sorry.”

Neither of them said anything for a moment. It wasn’t an awkward silence—more a contemplative one.

John took a swallow of Tsing
tao. “I know we talked about this last time, but why probate? I mean really, why?”

“I’ve settled on probate law because it’s what I know best.” She dabbed her mouth with the napkin. “For me, it’s a good balance between people and problem-solving.”

“Aren’t your clients dead?”

Hollis laughed. “I never saw it that way, but I see your point. No, my clients are also the families left behind and the estate itself. They all need closure
; I bring closure. It’s like I’m the last chance to get it right.”

“That makes a lot of sense.” He paused. She could tell he wanted to say or ask her something.

“What?”

He looked her in the eyes. “Why did you do it?”

The question took her off guard. Then a combination of anger and shame shot through her.

“You mean the insurance fraud?” She bristled. “I thought we had this conversation a long time ago.”

John nodded. “I know I risk you leaving me at this table. But ordinarily I don’t get to ask that question. I don’t even want to know the answer because I usually don’t care, but I care about you.”

She fingered the porcelain tea cup. She wasn’t sure she was going to answer until she heard herself respond. “I turned my back on me. I put someone else’s idea of who I was in place of my own moral compass. I just plain screwed up.”

He stared into his glass and said nothing.

She didn’t realize how much she wanted to have him answer, until he didn’t.

The waitress put the bill between them.

Hollis snatched it.

John protested. “No. This was my invite. Why are you doing this?”

“Because I need to
. Please take me home.”

He finally convinced her to give him the check, but the
atmosphere between them was strained and thick. Although he made several attempts to get her to talk while they drove, she refused.

“Hollis, I didn’t mean to upset you. Can’t you give me another chance?”

He reached for her hand and she let him take it.

“I guess I just plain screwed up.”

A slow sad smile crept across her face. She nodded.

“We’re okay?” he asked.

She nodded again.

They pulled along the curb in front of her condo. Her car was in the driveway where Stephanie left it. Hollis frowned. Stephanie had left the car’s interior light on and the door cracked.

“Well, it looks like we got here in time before the battery went dead
,” John said, getting out of the car.

Hollis frowned. “She’s not usually this scatter-brained.”

She walked up the driveway to the front steps and screamed.

John scrambled after and looked around the car to where Stephanie lay across the bottom two entry steps. He dialed 911.

Hollis bent down. The scent of honeysuckle drifted into the night air.

“Wait
,” John said.

She pulled back.

He put his fingers against Stephanie’s neck and spoke with the dispatcher on the phone.

“She’s still alive. Don’t touch her
; the medics are on their way.”

She bent over her friend. “Oh, my God, Stephanie, can you hear me?”

No response, but sirens were already approaching. She looked at John.

“What do you think happened?”

“Judging by what I can see of her injury and the pool of blood under her, I’d say she was shot.”

Shot
.

An ambulance pulled up behind the car and two EMTs jumped out. John pulled Hollis aside, but she moved forward when she heard Stephanie groan.

“Steph, can you hear me? I’m here.”

They were still lifting her into the ambulance when a patrol car and unmarked vehicle pulled up. John went over to speak to a tall
, thin man, who Hollis gathered from experience must be the lead detective.

Hollis went up to the EMT as he was pushing the ambulance doors shut.

“Can I ride with her?”

“Are you family?”

“No, she doesn’t have any family. I’m her best friend.”

“I’m sorry, we can’t let you ride inside, but we’re taking her to St. Rose.”

She stepped back onto the sidewalk.

John came to her side. “Hollis, can you take a minute and talk to Detective Perry about what Stephanie was doing here with your car?”

The older man standing behind John came forward.

“Detective Jake Perry, Ms. Morgan. Sorry about your friend, but I have a couple of questions.”

“I … I can’t. I’ve got to go to the hospital.”

“Yes, ma’am
. We can get this over with real quick.”

Ignoring him, Hollis walked away to get her purse out of John’s car. She looked back and realized she didn’t have a car. John came up to her and leaned down. “Let me drive you.”

She looked into his eyes. “Thank you, can we go now?”

He pulled her to the side. “Answer Perry’s questions. I’ll tell him to limit it to two; he can
save the rest for tomorrow. Besides, you won’t be able to see Stephanie until they examine and work on her. You can help her best by helping Perry find who did this thing.”

It was dark now. The neighbors who had been standing on their front lawns had started to go inside. Hollis noticed the officers knocking on her neighbors’ doors. She sighed and walked around to the side pathway leading to the rear yard. The next homeowners
’ meeting would likely include a petition to make her explain the steady flow of police activity at her home.

John motioned to Perry to follow. The three stood on a little patio at the side of the building.

“I’d invite you to sit but I need to get to the hospital,” Hollis said.

It was clear to her that this setup was less than desirable for both of them, but she didn’t care.

Perry pulled out a pad and pen. “Ms. Morgan can you explain why Stephanie Ross was driving your car?’

Hollis explained with what she hoped resembled patience.

John gave her an encouraging nod.

“Okay, did you tell anyone she was going to be here?”

Hollis hesitated. “No, no one knew. Did anyone see anything or hear the shots?”

“We’re checking now, ma’am. But maybe you could tell me—”

John put his hand on Perry’s shoulder. “Jake, you had your two questions. I need to get Hollis to the hospital. I’m sure she would be willing to meet you at the station tomorrow to answer the rest.”

Hollis’ heart did a grateful leap. She gave him a look of immense gratitude.

Perry shrugged. “Okay, be in my office at nine a.m.” He gave Faber a curious look and walked back to his car.

John turned her to face him. “You can’t stay here tonight. Is there a friend you can visit?”

She shook her head.

Cathy was dead, and now Stephanie had been attacked.

“Well, let’s get to the hospital and we’ll talk about lodging later.”

St. Rose Hospital was much nicer than Hollis expected. Instead of plastic chairs, the waiting room was furnished with sofas and loveseats. But it was still a waiting room, and so she waited. John left her while he went to check on Stephanie’s injuries.

It
had been almost four hours since they found her.

Hollis was grateful she didn’t have to share the waiting room with strangers. She was deep in thought when she felt a touch on her shoulder. It was John.

“She’s still in surgery. She was shot in the chest. The bullet hit an artery but it was a through and through. Sorry, a through-and-through is—”

“
A through-and-through means it was a clean shot,” Hollis said. “It went in and came out. I’ve been to the big house, remember?”

He gave her a small smile. “Anyway, she’s holding her own. The doctor knows you’re waiting
, and he’ll come out when they’re finished.”

She grimaced. “Why would someone shoot Stephanie? Could she have interrupted another burglary?”

John hesitated. “She was shot before she entered the house. I don’t think it was your friend they were waiting for.”