Die Me a River Read online

  “Maybe a month, but she usually went home Friday and didn’t come back until Monday morning.” Bunny dragged the bread through the dish of olive oil. “At first, she came into the alley in the evening during regular hours. She tried to have something to eat at the grill and relax, but people pounced on her like she was the last cookie in the jar.”

  “Because of all the claims she disallowing,” Skye speculated.

  “Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the girl a prize.” Bunny licked the oil off her fingers. “Any time money is involved, people get nasty.”

  “Which meant that Paige being out in public was stressful, and I’m sure that the last thing she wanted during her leisure hours was to talk about work.”

  Skye sure understood that problem. She couldn’t even run to the bank or grocery store without a parent cornering her to talk about their child’s problems or complain about the way the school was handling said problem. And it was the same for Wally. There was no such thing as being off duty.

  Skye thought over what she’d heard about Paige, then turned to Wally and asked, “Do we know if she was staying at Charlie’s?”

  “Not yet. I have Martinez gathering that kind of information, as well as finding the next of kin.” Wally sipped his iced tea. “But her only other option would be driving thirty-five minutes one way from Kankakee to meet with her clients or to inspect damaged properties, and in that case, she might as well commute from Normalton.”

  “Then let’s assume she was renting a cabin at the motor court,” Skye said. “It would be easy to grab something to eat while she was out and about, but in the evening, when she was alone and wanted to have a drink, she really wouldn’t want to drive any great distance. Especially on dark country roads.” Skye zeroed in on Bunny. “Which is where you came into the equation. Am I correct so far?”

  “Possibly.” Bunny grabbed her wine and chugged half the glass.

  Noticing that their server was approaching, Skye paused as the woman placed their appetizer tray on the table. After being assured that they didn’t need anything else, she left them to their first course.

  Immediately, Skye grabbed a slice of bruschetta and bit into the grilled bread topped with chopped tomato. The salty garlic taste was heavenly. She wasn’t sure if the chef was really good or if she was really hungry. Probably a little bit of both.

  Wally and Carson went for the stuffed potato skins oozing with melted cheese, sour cream, and chives, while Bunny sampled the breaded mushrooms. For several minutes, they all concentrated on their food.

  Finally, Skye wiped her fingers, took a sip of her soda, and, looking at Bunny, said, “I’ve been thinking. The bowling alley isn’t open at all on Mondays and closes at nine on the other weekdays, right?”

  “Yes,” Bunny said after she finished the rest of her wine, then started to tear pieces off of the paper napkin under her drink until she’d built a tiny ski slope. “Sonny Boy thinks that those hours suggest a more family-friendly place.”

  “Hmm.” Skye tilted her head. “In that case, I’m a little surprised that he allowed you to add the video gambling machines.”

  “He took a lot of convincing. I had to promise to keep them behind closed doors and he still wasn’t happy.” Bunny’s brow puckered. “Which is why he’s going to blow a gasket if he finds out about Paige.”

  “What about her?” Skye asked, reaching for the last mushroom.

  “Seriously, you’ve got to keep this from Sonny Boy or my goose is cooked.” Bunny waved over the waitress and asked for another glass of wine.

  “I’ll do what I can.” Skye shook her head. “But like I’ve said before, the news will probably get out and it would be best to tell him yourself.”

  Wally polished off the remaining potato skin and said, “Back to Paige.”

  “How much did she offer you to let her into the alley after closing?” Skye asked, having a pretty good guess as to why Bunny would allow Paige into the alley after hours. The redhead was always looking to make a little cash on the side.

  “A hundred bucks a week,” Bunny said, then thanked the server as the woman placed a full glass of cabernet in front of her.

  The waitress took their dinner orders, and when she left, Skye said, “That doesn’t seem like enough to risk upsetting Simon.”

  “That wasn’t all there was to it though, was it?” Wally crossed his arms.

  “Not exactly.” Bunny sighed. “Paige liked to play the machines.”

  “Now that makes more sense,” Skye said. Bunny was no one’s fool.

  Carson had been silent up until now, but he leaned forward and, his deep voice rumbling like thunder, said, “It sounds as if you’re convinced that Ms. Myler was the intended victim.”

  “Not at all, Dad.” Wally turned to his father. “We are just gathering facts right now, but we’ll be considering several possibilities.”

  “Good. If Bunny could be in danger, we need to know.” Carson put his arm around her shoulders. “To get her some protection.”

  “There are several sound motives for the bowling alley being the bomber’s objective.” Wally held up a finger. “One, some poor schmuck who put his paycheck into the video gaming machines and ended up with nothing. Two, an individual, or a group, who is anti-gambling. Three, one of Bunny’s competitors trying to close down the lounge. And, four, one of Bunny’s gentlemen friends who isn’t happy she’s with someone new.”

  “There’s that woman, Udelle Calvert,” Carson offered. “She’s the president of the Stanley County Anti-Gambling League Defense. From the flyers she’s been leaving around town, SCALD has been trying to keep video gaming out of the area.”

  Wally took a pad from his shirt pocket and made a note. “I’ll look into that.”

  “Zeus Hammersmith was complaining the other night that the machines are rigged.” Carson glanced at Bunny. “What did he say to you, darlin’?”

  “He told me I’d be sorry for stealing his money.” Bunny twirled a red curl around her finger. “But he was just blowing off steam.”

  “Maybe.” Wally jotted down the guy’s name, then skewered Bunny with a look. “I’ll check out your competitors as well, but you need to provide me with a list of your exes.”

  “I can do that right now.” Bunny dug through her enormous purse, took out a dry cleaning receipt, and began writing on the back of the crumpled paper.

  As the redhead wrote, Skye thought about what they’d learned. The sound of rapid tapping distracted her and she frowned until she realized that it was her own foot bouncing off the back of the booth. She made herself stop, then began piling the dirty plates on the empty appetizer tray. She knew the server would do it, but a tiny part of her mother’s cleanliness obsession had evidently welded itself to her DNA.

  As Skye tidied up the table, an idea formed and she asked, “Did Paige play the machines every time she came in after hours?”

  Bunny nodded. “It’s the main reason she wanted access to the place. That and to have a drink alone without anyone bothering her.”

  “And if the person who planted the explosive device knew that,” Skye mused, then finished her own sentence, “it’s a lot more likely that she was the target.”

  Chapter 11

  My Baby Must Be a Magician

  The rest of the meal had been pleasant, as they all made an effort to discuss topics other than the bombing. However, by the time they finished and were heading back to Scumble River, they’d run out of small talk and everyone was silent.

  It had started pouring and rain hammered against the truck’s roof so Carson concentrated on the slick road. Bunny stared out the blurred windshield, occasionally jotting another name on the growing list of her ex-boyfriends, while Wally was busy texting instructions to his officers. Skye’s full stomach and constant state of exhaustion had her on the verge of dozing off again.

  When Carson dropped
Wally and Skye off at the dance studio to pick up the squad car, Bunny held out the crumpled scrap of paper she’d been using and said, “These are guys I dated in the last year or two.” She glanced uneasily at Carson. “Is that far enough back?”

  “For now.” Wally tucked the list into his pocket and tapped his father on the shoulder. “You two be careful.” He shook his head. “I never thought I’d say this, but keep your cell on and check in with me a few times a day so I know how to find you.”

  Bunny giggled and Skye burst out laughing. Taking Wally’s hand, she tugged. “Come on, Papa Bear. Time to go see how our real cubs are doing.” She waved to the older couple and said, “Later.”

  Although they ran as fast as they could from Carson’s pickup to the squad car parked next to it, both Skye and Wally were drenched. The rain was coming down in sheets and there was no dodging the deluge.

  Wiping her cheeks with a tissue, Skye glanced at Wally, who was using his handkerchief to dry his own face. Even soaking wet, after a long day at work, he was still the best-looking man she’d ever met. His wet uniform molded to his muscular chest. The threads of silver in his black hair gleamed and his chocolate-brown eyes were filled with a good-humored tolerance for the situation.

  When Wally’s cell dinged, he read the message, then turned to Skye and asked, “Think your mother would mind if we made one more stop before we went home?”

  “Not at all.” Skye reached for her phone. “What’s up?”

  Wally handed Skye his cell and she read the message from Zelda.

  You have to see this. Texts went out all over town. Millicent Rose is performing a purification ceremony in front of her cottage. Just like I thought, she set off the bomb to get people to pay her for protection!

  Skye glanced at Wally. He hadn’t mentioned that Zelda thought the fairy godmother was behind the bombing, so he must not have thought the young officer’s theory held water. Would he change his mind now?

  Giving Wally back his phone, Skye used hers to update May on their ETA. Once her mother assured her that the twins were fine, Skye realized that Wally had already driven the six blocks between the dance school and the Enchanted Cottage. She had forgotten that the former Young at Heart Photography studio was kitty-corner across the street from Bunny Lanes and she saw that there was a huge crowd of people pressing against the police tape strung around the bowling alley.

  “Why in God’s green earth are these fools standing out in the rain to watch a charlatan perform some hocus-pocus?” Wally snarled.

  “Actually, we’re lucky the weather’s bad or there’d probably be even more folks here.” Skye twisted in her seat to take in the entire scene.

  There was already one squad car parked at the curb in front of the Enchanted Cottage, and as Wally slowly inched his police cruiser in behind it, the throng reluctantly parted to give him space.

  Skye looked at the sea of umbrellas and saw people sloshing through the puddles that had already formed. Few Scumble Riverites appeared to own rain boots, and Skye cringed as their athletic shoes suffered the consequences.

  The windshield wipers worked to keep up with the torrent and it was difficult to make out any details. Scooting forward, Skye spotted the self-proclaimed fairy godmother standing in the cottage’s overgrown front lawn with several large spotlights illuminating the yard.

  The photography studio had sat empty since its owner had been sent to prison and the years had not been kind to the landscaping. The thorny limbs of bramble bushes competed with the sycamore seedlings to turn the once-well-kept lawn into chaos.

  The crowd formed a semicircle around Millicent, the streetlights painting them in a sulfurous glow. Their shadows lengthened and crept like tentacles toward the woman at whose behest they had all gathered.

  Millicent Rose was dressed in a light-blue cloak with a pointy hood that concealed much of her face. But rather than the satin cape Skye had seen her wear previously, this one was waterproof and droplets rolled off of it. Unfortunately, the pink bow at her throat was more vulnerable to the rain and it lay in a soggy mess just below her round chin. She stood behind a half-moon-shaped table with an attached canopy and surrounded by a circle of white stones.

  Figuring she was already wet, Skye unfastened her seat belt and lowered her window so that she could hear whatever Millicent said. Wally followed suit. Stinging droplets pelted Skye’s cheeks and she held a hand over her eyes to protect them from the rain and help her see what was happening.

  Millicent lifted a metal bowl from the silver-cloth-covered table, passed it through a white pillar candle’s flame, and held it out, allowing it to fill with the rainwater, then said, “Imbue this instrument with energy, that it may be a source of righteousness.” She placed the bowl on her flattened palm, put her other hand over it, and continued, “Sanctify and favor this instrument for the purposes of good. May it always be used for right and never for wrong. May it assist the community of Scumble River well, as long as its citizens are pure of heart and their goals are virtuous, I do devote you.”

  Millicent’s voice had been hypnotic and Skye startled when the screech of an owl broke the night’s eerie silence. Goose bumps blossomed across Skye’s skin, and she shivered.

  As if Millicent had been waiting for the bird’s cry, she slowly faced Bunny Lanes and, holding the bowl to her chest, said, “We cleanse you of all evil influences.” She dipped her pudgy fingers in the bowl and sprinkled the drops toward the bowling alley. “Be now an instrument of the light. Help us see what is needed that we may regain blessings. So must it be.”

  With that, she flung the remaining water, blew out the candle, and wrapped it and the bowl in the cloth covering the table.

  Up until now, the crowd had been silent, but it was as if a spell had been broken and someone yelled, “What was the hocus-pocus all about?”

  “The Bunny Lanes’s aura was covered in evil soot. Whenever there has been a disturbing occurrence in our physical surroundings, it is necessary to perform a ritual to clean up any residue of wickedness that might remain.” Millicent’s smile was beatific. “Think of it as a baptism.”

  “So you’re saying a demon blew up the bowling alley?” An onlooker approached her and challenged. “Is it the gateway to hell or something?”

  By this point, the rain had lessened to a light mist, and although it was still breezy, Millicent’s audience was becoming livelier.

  “Not at all.” Millicent paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. “At least, not of which I’m currently aware. The miscreant who set off the explosive device was no doubt human. But her malevolence will attract others who aren’t and they will feed on her cruelty.”

  “Her?” the guy asked.

  “Or his.” Millicent shrugged. “Although in my many years as a fairy godmother, I’ve found that the troublemaker is usually a villainess rather than a villain.”

  “Then you don’t know who’s behind the bombing?” a woman asked.

  “I’m afraid not.” Millicent extended a chubby finger tipped in a pink fingernail at the cruiser. “Finding criminals is the police department’s job. Mine is making sure that the evildoer’s forces do no harm.”

  “Right,” the woman sneered, and Skye wondered if she had been offended that Millicent had said most troublemakers were female.

  “The more of you who doubt”—Millicent paused and stared at the woman—“the more difficult it is to cleanse the area.”

  “Why should we care if it is or isn’t?” The woman tossed down the gauntlet.

  “You want it cleansed.” Millicent threw out her arms and said, “Trust me on that.”

  The woman said something that Skye missed when the wind stilled and the drizzle stopped. The hair on the back of Skye’s neck stood up, and suddenly, the neon lights in the Bunny Lanes sign blinked on.

  Skye’s heart spasmed like she’d just been jolted by a defibrill
ator.

  Looking at Wally, she fought to keep her voice steady and asked, “Didn’t the fire department turn off the bowling alley’s electricity?”

  “The backup generator must have kicked in.” Wally’s smile was playful. “You don’t believe that Millicent’s little act was real, do you?”

  “No.” Skye glanced at Bunny Lanes again, just in time to see the inside lights flicker on. “But the generator didn’t do anything last night.”

  “It must be on a timer.” Wally gestured to the people who were beginning to wander away. “See, no one thinks the lights mean anything.”

  “Most of them had their backs to the alley and probably don’t realize that the lights came on at the precise moment that they did,” Skye pointed out, then shrugged. “Anyway, like you said, it’s probably just an odd coincidence.” She paused, then added, “Unless Zelda’s idea that Ms. Rose is the bomber is true. Do you think Zelda’s onto something?”

  “I’m keeping her theory in mind, but the Rose woman isn’t on the top of my suspect list right now.” Wally jerked his chin at the other squad car. “Martinez will keep an eye on things here until everyone disburses. Let’s go drop off the cruiser and pick up the Hummer. That’s if you’re ready to go home?”

  “Whenever you are.” Skye rolled up the window and refastened her seat belt.

  “Interesting display,” Wally commented as he pulled away from the curb. “What do you think was her purpose in putting on that little show?”

  “Maybe she really believes she can purify the area of evil.” Skye glanced uneasily back toward the now brightly lit bowling alley. “I mean, she didn’t ask for donations of anything.”

  “More likely she’s priming the pump.” Wally drove toward the police station. “Once she’s stirred up people, she’ll start collecting fees.”

  “I suppose, which would make Zelda’s suspicions about her a bit more believable.” Skye nibbled on her bottom lip. Her instinct told her Millicent Rose was something other than a con artist, but she didn’t know what that other thing could be. Changing the subject, she asked, “After our conversation with Bunny, and if you aren’t moving Ms. Rose to the top of your list, what are your thoughts on the bomber’s target?”