Claws For Concern

I signed the note and tore the page out. After I restored the notebook to the glove compartment, I told the cat we were going back upstairs. He meowed loudly, and I couldn’t decide whether he was complaining or commenting. Either way, he followed me back to Delaney’s door. I folded the note and wedged it into the crack between the door and the frame beside the knob. I hoped no one would come along and remove it, but there wasn’t much I could do about it if that happened.

“Okay, Diesel, we’re going back to the car, and this time we’re leaving.” I received a quick trill in response.

I would be happy to get home again and stay out of the heat for the rest of the day. The older I got, the less I liked the high heat and humidity of a Mississippi summer. I had given thought recently to the idea of buying or renting a property in a cooler climate for the summer months. I hadn’t done any in-depth research yet, nor had I discussed it with Helen Louise. There would be no point in my buying or renting if she wasn’t willing to come with me. In a couple of years, perhaps, she might consider it if she could actually bring herself to step back from micromanagement of the bistro.

Back at home, I gave Diesel fresh water and added dry food to his bowl while he supervised. He rewarded me with a couple of happy warbles when I finished. Now it was my turn for refreshment.

Nothing appealed more to me at the moment than a tall glass of ice water. I downed a third of it in one gulp, refilled it, and took my place at the kitchen table. I pulled out my phone to check e-mail. If Miss An’gel had responded to my request for contact information for Ernie Carpenter, I planned to get in touch with her.

Once my new e-mail messages appeared, I scrolled through them. Three obvious spam messages, and two legitimate ones. The latter came from Miss An’gel and Jack Pemberton. I was a bit surprised to hear again from Jack so soon after the phone call that morning, but I supposed he might have further information.

I read Miss An’gel’s message first. To my surprise, she informed me that Ernie was once again at Riverhill for the weekend. Miss An’gel extended an invitation to Diesel and me to come to lunch, if we were available. Should we not be, however, she provided Ernie’s cell number and suggested I call her around eleven. I checked the time at the top of the screen. Less than five minutes until ten thirty. I wouldn’t have to wait long to call Ernie.

In the meantime I replied to Miss An’gel’s invitation. The thought of a meal at Riverhill always enticed me, because Clementine was as talented a cook as Azalea—though I would never have told the latter that. I thanked Miss An’gel but declined with the always-useful-but-vague statement that I had a prior engagement. I ended by saying that I would call Ernie around eleven.

I drank more water before I opened Jack’s message, the subject of which read: Great idea. The message was brief, only three sentences. I skimmed the words, shaking my head in disbelief. Jack’s great idea was for the two of us to work together to solve the Barber murders.

I started to respond with no thanks, but, after a momentary hesitation, I instead laid the phone on the table.

Sean and Laura would no doubt tell me that I should keep my nose out of this cold case, and I agreed. Sort of. I couldn’t help thinking that I would never be certain about Bill Delaney until I knew whether he was a cold-blooded killer. Didn’t I owe it to Aunt Dottie to do what I could for her husband’s only living offspring?

Some might tell me I was foolish to think about doing anything for a man to whom I had no blood ties. But Aunt Dottie had served as a profound influence in my life, and I knew without the least bit of doubt that she would encourage me to do what I could to help. Even if that included delving into a twenty-year-old unsolved murder case. Because if Delaney did kill that family, he should be brought to justice.

From time to time I hated my conscience because I ended up in uncomfortable situations like the current one. Doing the right thing was often inconvenient. I simply had to pray that, in this case, it didn’t turn out to be life-threatening as well.

I decided I wasn’t ready to say yes to Jack. I’d have to let my subconscious stew over it a while longer. I had to be absolutely certain that assisting Jack was the right thing to do.

The sound of the doorbell interrupted my reverie. I rose from the table and headed for the front door. Diesel scampered past me. He always wanted to see who was on the other side of the door. I remembered that Laura and Frank planned to leave baby Charlie with me while they had a respite from childcare. I opened the door, ready to see my grandson and his parents.

Instead I found Helen Louise, bearing a picnic basket in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.

“Surprise.” She grinned at me and stepped into the front hall.