Until Dark - Mariah Stewart [53]
“Oh, out of a passing car, perhaps?” he said sarcastically.
“No, but by someone passing by in a canoe maybe. People canoe and kayak back there all the time. Every day.”
“Did you tell the police?”
“Of course. They identified the poison as one of those over-the-counter spray insecticides.”
“How’s the dog?”
“Oh, she’s fine. She totally recovered within two days.”
“Well, I guess your friend won’t be letting her dog run loose anymore.”
“It’s tough to keep her from running off, Adam. Selena’s yard is small and fenced, and Lola likes to run. She often comes to visit with me when Selena is at work or when she sees patients at the house.”
“She sees patients at her house? Alone?” Adam frowned. “Are you all nuts back there in Smith’s Forge?”
“Nothing ever happens in Smith’s Forge, Adam. Nothing ever has. Probably never will.”
“Well then, we’ll have to see what we can do about that,” he said as he drew her to him.
“Why don’t you come and see for yourself over the weekend,” she suggested. “If you can get away, that is.”
“I’m tied up this weekend,” he told her. “My father’s getting married on Saturday. There will be hell to pay if his only son—and best man—is among the missing.”
“Your father is getting married again?”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t look so happy about it. Do you know the bride?”
“Sure. Clare was an old friend of my mother’s.”
“I see.”
“Actually, I don’t see, but my sister tells me I’m being immature and shortsighted and keeps reminding me that my father deserves to be happy, and that he’s been alone for a long time. Which isn’t quite true, since he started dating Clare within six months of my mother’s death. They just didn’t admit to it until last year.” He shook his head. “I think it would be easier to accept if they hadn’t been so deceitful about it.”
“And if he was marrying someone other than your mother’s friend?”
“That, too. It feels too much like a betrayal to me.”
“If I could give you some unsolicited advice?”
He gestured for her to go right ahead.
“Whatever your feelings are for her, he’s still your father. Be grateful you still have him. Be grateful your sister is still a part of your life. Be grateful for any bit of family you still have. Any one of them can be taken from you like that.” She snapped her fingers.
“I’ll work on it,” he said with a nod. “Now, are you sure you won’t change your mind and stay over tonight? I’m sure we can get you a room at the hotel where I’m staying.”
She shook her head.
“Not this time. I really need to get an early start tomorrow,” she said, thinking of cakes to be baked and fruits to be cut up for salad. “I’m not used to cooking for crowds, you know. I have no idea how long all this prep work is going to take.”
“I’ll walk you to your car then, since I can’t talk you into staying over.”
“Thanks,” she said as she got out of the passenger side.
He opened the back passenger door of her car after she’d unlocked it.
“Sorry,” he told her. “Force of habit. Just checking the backseat.”
“With everything that’s been going on, don’t bother to apologize. I appreciate the gesture.”
“Keep your doors locked.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be careful. And in a few hours I’ll be home, safe and sound in my own house.” She leaned up and kissed him soundly on the mouth. “Now you go back to your room and get some sleep. You look like the walking dead.”
“Careful, too much flattery could turn my head.”
“Go then.” She got into her car. “Don’t set the alarm, don’t ask for a wake-up call. Just sleep.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” He closed the door for her, then stepped back and watched her turn the car around, waving as she passed. Adam walked back to his own car, got in, and headed for the hotel, praying that tonight there would be no new body, no new call.
Chapter
Eleven
Selena Brennan had met Father Tim shortly after he purchased the house on Main that had once belonged to her grandparents in Cole, the next town over, and soon became involved in his work