A Clue in the Stew (A Soup Lover's Mystery) (24 page)

Chapter 53

L
UCKY HAD TOSSED
and turned all night in an attempt to sleep. Dreams or nightmares kept waking her up. If Phoebe Hollister was in truth the woman they had been trying to find, was she a killer who strangled her psychiatrist and her own mother? And if so, how did Phoebe learn who her mother was and manage to penetrate her inner circle? Lucky’s dreams were populated with rushing trains and screams in the night. This morning, she’d gladly leave the problems to Nate Edgerton. Hopefully he would keep his word and stop in at the Spoonful later in the morning. She had enough other problems to worry about.

There was no doubt in her mind any longer that Nanette was targeting Jack. He was being set up, but for what reason? Nanette was definitely involved with the man at the cabin, but did she actually intend to go through with a plan to marry Jack? She had to tell her grandfather what she had learned, but when could she tell him and how could she find the words?

When Lucky arrived at the Spoonful, she slipped an apron over her head. She touched the design on the front gently.
No way is this design going to change, Mom, I promise you
, she thought. The warmth of the restaurant took the chill of the morning away. Delicious aromas emanated from the kitchen. Lucky peeked in. Sage was at the stove stirring a pot. He looked up and smiled.

“What are you making today?” she asked.

“I thought I’d try something with carrots and apples for a change.” He studied her face. “Heard you had an adventure last night,” he whispered.

“Sure did. And I guess Sophie told you why I called late last night. We’ll have to tell the others.”

Sage nodded. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“Determined.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows rose. A big grin spread across his face.

“She’s going. We’ve seen the last of our new waitress, at least as long as I’m here.”

“This I gotta see.” Sage seemed to have perked up. He grabbed a handful of carrots and began to peel them expertly.

“Is Sophie coming by this morning?”

“She said she would a little later. She wasn’t feeling too great earlier.”

“Oh? She okay?”

“I think so. Maybe just a touch of the flu.”

The phone on the kitchen wall began to ring. Lucky grabbed it. It was Nate. “Lucky, some not so good news.”

“What’s up, Nate?’

“Our Phoebe’s done a runner. She’s taken off. Disappeared.”

“How? When?”

“Sometime last night. She took a set of keys from Audra’s purse and drove away in Audra’s rental car. I’ve got an APB out for her. Hopefully, she’ll get picked up soon. I want her back here for questioning.”

“Oh, Nate. She must be Hilary’s daughter. Do you think she . . .” Lucky couldn’t bring herself to ask the question.

“It’s not looking good for her. I think she’s gonna have a lot to answer for.”

Lucky sighed. “I appreciate your calling, Nate.”

“I just wanted to keep you in the loop. You’re involved in this now, and with Meg’s attack, you all need to be on guard. Wherever she is, I doubt she’ll be back but do be careful. Keep an eye out in case she does decide to turn up. And warn the others too.”

Lucky hung up. Sage was looking at her questioningly. “That was Nate. Phoebe disappeared in the night. She stole Audra’s car and took off. Nate said to be on the lookout, in case she decides to come back.”

“Holy . . .” Sage rubbed his forehead. “I’m gonna call Sophie.”

“Good idea. Can you let the others know too?”

Sage nodded. “I will.” He set his spoon to the side and wiped his hands on a dishtowel.

“Has Nanette come in yet?”

Sage shook his head. “Haven’t seen her. I’ll call Sophie and tell her the news.”

Lucky peeked through the hatch. Jack sat at a table by the window reading the newspaper. She whispered to Sage, “I’ve got to talk to Jack while I have the chance.” Lucky was dreading the conversation she needed to have with her grandfather. She steeled herself and pushed through the swinging door, heading for his table. “Jack.”

He looked up.

“I’m sorry about the other night.” She sat across the table from him and took his hand. “It was just a shock. You know I love you and I want you to be happy more than anything in the world. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know that, my girl.” He smiled and squeezed her hand in return. “This has all happened kinda fast, I admit, but I think if you get to know Nan, you’ll change your mind. Sometimes people just rub you the wrong way.”

“Uh, well, first of all, I still have the same problem. We have no valid identification for her.”

“I understand. You’re right. But she won’t have to worry about working anymore, not once we get married. Not unless she wants to. I don’t have a lot, but I have my little house and my pension.”

Lucky bit her tongue. “Is she here yet?”

Jack checked his watch. “No, she’s a little late. It’s two bells already.”

“Well, I’m sure she’ll be here soon. Uh, Jack. Listen, there’s something I have to talk to you about. Before . . .”

“Before what?”

“Before we open. I . . . last night . . .”

“Oh!” Jack slapped his forehead. “I completely forgot. I’ve got to get to the bank this morning.” He looked across the table, “Can this wait till I’m back? I want to get there and get back early, before it gets busy. Maybe Meg can watch the cash register for a little while? I’ve been so busy, I’ve forgotten to get there all week. Won’t take me long.”

Lucky sighed. “Sure. We can talk later.”

Jack rose and headed for the office, where he had secured the cash.

Lucky straightened out their chairs and went behind the counter to get ready for the day. “Meg?”

“Right here.” Meg peeked through the hatch from the kitchen.

“Jack’s heading over to the bank. Can you take care of the register while he’s gone?” Lucky was determined to take Meg into her confidence about Nanette and everything else she had learned as soon as the right moment presented itself.

“Sure, no worries,” she replied.

Lucky rummaged through the drawer of CDs. Music would calm everyone’s nerves today. She found a soothing classical piece and popped it into the CD player. The first notes had just filled the restaurant when Jack came through the swinging door. His face was gray.

“Jack?” Lucky was immediately alarmed. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s . . . it’s gone.”

“What’s gone?” A fearful chill ran up Lucky’s spine.

“The cash. Our week’s take. It’s all gone.” He clutched his chest. His face contorted in pain. His knees buckled and he fell forward on to the floor.

“Sage!” Lucky screamed.

Chapter 54

L
UCKY RACED TO
Jack’s side. He lay gasping for breath on the floor. His eyes were wide. He looked terribly frightened.

Sage rushed from the kitchen and kneeled next to him. “Jack, can you hear me?” he asked. Jack’s eyes fluttered. Sage carefully rolled Jack onto his back and stretched out his legs. He felt for a pulse. He looked up at Lucky. “Call for an ambulance. Right away.”

Lucky could barely breathe. She raced to the kitchen phone and dialed the Clinic, praying Elias was there and not seeing patients in Lincoln Falls. Rosemary, the receptionist at the Clinic, immediately put her call through to him in his office.

“I’ll take care of the ambulance,” he answered. “I can get them quicker than you. I’ll be right over.”

Lucky rushed back to Jack’s side. Meg stood helplessly nearby. Tears were streaming down her face. Sage felt Jack’s pulse. It was clear Jack was losing consciousness. “He’s breathing but I think his heartbeat is very slow. Do you remember that course we took?” Sage asked.

Lucky nodded. She was so frightened, she couldn’t speak.

“I think . . . I think we need the AED. I’ll get it.”

Lucky felt Jack’s wrist. Sage was right. His heart was beating but the rhythm felt very slow.

Sage rushed back with the restaurant’s automatic external defibrillator in his hands. He quickly unbuttoned Jack’s shirt. He placed the pads on Jack’s chest. Before he could turn on the power, Lucky heard the back door slam. Elias came though the swinging door. His eyes quickly took in the scene.

Elias looked up at Meg. “Can you get me a stack of towels from the kitchen?”

Meg rushed away and returned a moment later with several fresh dishtowels. Elias placed them under Jack’s head, creating a soft cushion.

Lucky quelled the sob rising in her chest. “He just came through the door and said something about the money being gone, then he went down.” She grasped her grandfather’s hand.

Elias checked Jack’s pulse and breathing. “We’re in luck,” Elias said. “The paramedics were still in town. They’ll be here in a few minutes.” He opened his bag and drew out a syringe.

Meg stepped around them and hurried through the swinging door to the corridor. Lucky heard her steps on the wooden floor. She peeked out a moment later. “Oh, Lucky, Jack was right.” She held an empty cash bag in her hand. “Looks like someone forced the lock on the drawer.”

Sage caught Lucky’s eye.

“Nanette,” she said. He nodded in acknowledgment.

“Want me to call Nate?” Meg asked.

“Later, Meg. I don’t care about the money,” Lucky answered. “I just want Jack to get help.”

“I’m gonna call him anyway,” Meg replied. She marched into the kitchen, her face red with anger. Lucky heard her voice on the phone.

Five minutes that felt like an eternity passed while Elias monitored Jack’s vital signs. Lucky spotted the ambulance pulling up outside the windows of the restaurant. “They’re here.”

“Good,” Elias said. “Let’s get them in here. I’ll call ahead to the ER.”

Lucky rushed to the front door and unlocked it. She called out to Meg and Sage. “We can’t open today. I’ve got to stay with Jack. It’ll be too much for you two to handle.”

“Let me call Sophie,” Sage said. “If she can come right over, we can keep going.”

“Good idea,” Meg offered. “We can close the counter, I can handle the tables and Sophie can do Jack’s job. That’ll work.”

The paramedics entered with their equipment. One of the men nodded to Elias. “Hey, Dr. Scott.”

Elias quickly related Jack’s vitals and medication to the paramedics, then together they expertly moved Jack onto a gurney, placing an oxygen mask over Jack’s nose and mouth.

“The anticoagulant should see him through and he’s stable for now, but don’t delay.”

“We’ll get him there fast,” one of the men replied.

Lucky was almost in tears as the paramedics lifted Jack into the ambulance. She turned back to Sage and Meg. “You two are the best. But listen, if Sophie can’t make it, just close up shop. I’ll stay in touch by phone.”

“Call us as soon as you know anything, Lucky,” Sage said.

Elias put his hands on Lucky’s shoulders. “I have two patients waiting at the Clinic. Jack’s in very good hands. I’ll call the ER and let them know what to expect. They’ll admit him right away. As soon as I can, I’ll meet you there.”

“Okay.” Lucky was disappointed Elias couldn’t travel immediately but she knew he had a heavy schedule. “I’ll ride with Jack then.”

“You’d only worry more. Besides you’d be stranded there. It might be better if you followed them to the hospital. As long as you’re okay to drive. Are you?” he asked.

Lucky nodded. “I’ll be careful. Don’t worry about that.”

Elias leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Try not to worry. Drive safely. I’ll be there very soon.” Elias followed the gurney out to the sidewalk and watched as one man climbed in the rear and the other returned to the driver’s seat.

Lucky rushed down the hall, grabbed her purse and hurried out the back door to her car. She said a silent prayer for Jack under her breath. Why had she ever let that horrid woman bulldoze her way into the restaurant?

Chapter 55

L
UCKY’S HEART WAS
racing as she followed the ambulance to the hospital at Lincoln Falls, the sound of its siren adding to her fear. She wished now she had gone in the ambulance. At least she could be with Jack in case he came to inside the vehicle. He wouldn’t know where he was or what happened. On the other hand, Elias was right. If she needed to return to Snowflake for any reason, it was best to have her car handy.

After what seemed like an age, the ambulance lumbered into the emergency entrance of the hospital. Lucky parked quickly in a nearby spot and hurried over to the back door of the van, where the paramedics were lifting out the gurney on which Jack rested. His eyes were open now. True to his word, Elias had alerted the emergency room personnel and a nurse was waiting for them as soon as they entered.

“Follow me, fellows,” she said to the two men. She approached Lucky. “Family member?”

“Yes,” she replied breathlessly.

“Okay. The doctor will be with him right away.” Out of the corner of her eye Lucky spotted a tall man in a white medical coat hurry from a door marked
STAFF LOUNGE
into the room where Jack had been taken. His hair was tousled and he looked as if he had just woken up. The nurse caught Lucky’s look. “We’ve been on alert all night. There was a bad crash on the interstate.” She smiled, “Don’t worry, he’s in good hands. Could you step over to the window and give his insurance information to the clerk?”

Lucky nodded wordlessly, still panicked about Jack’s condition.

“That’s a good girl,” the nurse said.

Lucky thought,
Girl?
How apt. That’s exactly how she felt, as if she were five years old and helpless in an emergency. By the time she completed the paperwork and answered questions at the front desk, the doctor had finished his examination and she was allowed in the room. Jack was conscious although not terribly alert. She rushed to his side and grasped his hand, noticing the plastic bracelet around his wrist.

“I’m so sorry, my girl. I must have given you a terrible fright.”

“You did, Jack. I’m just glad you’re all right.”

“The doc here was telling me some things, but it’s better if he tells you, you’ll understand better than me.”

Lucky turned to the tall man with the tousled hair. His name tag said,
HERBERT M
c
CUTCHEON, M.D.
“You’re the granddaughter?”

Lucky nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, your grandfather’s stable right now, but I’m going to admit him. He needs to see the cardiologist and have some tests run. And he needs to be under observation and monitored for the next few days, depending on what we find. The lab technician will be here in a minute to draw blood. We’ll check his enzymes and we’ll get him to Cardiology for an EKG, but I’m pretty sure he’s had a myocardial infarction—a heart attack. It was a mild one but it’s a good idea to check out any underlying conditions.”

Lucky felt as if a hand were squeezing her chest. “I see. Can I stay with him?”

“Of course. You may have to wait outside the Cardiology Lab, and he’ll be in the Coronary Care Unit, but otherwise, you can stay close. Does he have a primary doctor?”

“Yes. We live in Snowflake. Elias Scott is his doctor.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Dr. McCutcheon turned as a woman in a lab coat arrived with a carryall of tubes. He turned to her. “CBC and a cardiac panel.”

The woman nodded her head and approached the gurney. Lucky was immediately concerned that Jack, who always had a reaction to the sight of blood, might have a worse one at the sight of his own blood. The technician wrapped a flexible tourniquet around his arm and asked him to clench his fist. Lucky moved to the other side of the gurney and held his hand. “Just look at me, Jack.”

The doctor took notice of her comment. She looked up at him. “Jack served in the Pacific and sometimes . . .”

“I understand,” he said. “I’ve given him something to relax him.” He turned to Jack. “No need to be anxious at all. Your granddaughter’s staying with you.” He stepped to the doorway. I’m on duty here but I’ll stay in touch with Admissions and Cardiology. They’ll take care of you.”

Jack closed his eyes as the technician drew several tubes of blood. When she had finished her work, Jack said, “I’m remembering now. The money, Lucky. It was all gone.”

Lucky nodded. “Don’t worry about that now. It’s only money. We’ll get it back or we’ll make some more. It’s not important.”

“I’ve been such a fool.” His eyes filled with tears.

“Stop that.” She squeezed his hand. “You were worked on by a professional, Jack. I’m sure of that.”

“Can’t believe I trusted her. I let her see where I kept the cash, and if I hadn’t been so caught up, I would have taken it to the bank a few days ago.”

“It’s my fault too, Jack. I should have checked. I could have gone to the bank too. I just wasn’t paying enough attention. But I don’t want you worrying about that now. Please. Just concentrate on getting your strength back.” Lucky thought his complexion seemed gray under the neon lights. Even his cheeks seemed to have sunken.

Jack shook his head and groaned. “No fool like an old fool.”

•   •   •

L
UCKY SPENT THE
next few hours trailing Jack’s gurney through the hospital. One nurse wheeled him to the Cardiology Department. Another took him to the third floor with his paperwork. The cardiac care nurse helped him undress and made sure he was comfortable in his bed. Lucky waited outside until Jack was set and then she stepped inside the room. The space wasn’t private but there were no other patients nearby. She was grateful that Jack would have some privacy at least.

A different nurse entered. “Mr. Jamieson, we’ll be giving you fluids intravenously for now. But would you like some water?”

“Uh, yes. That would be nice. But please call me Jack.”

The nurse smiled back. “Jack it is then.” She gave Lucky an encouraging smile as well. “If you’re staying around, you might want to grab something yourself downstairs in the cafeteria. They’ll be serving lunch now.”

“Okay, thanks.” Lucky touched Jack’s arm. “I’ll be back in a bit, Jack. I need to call the Spoonful and let them know you’re okay. I know everyone will be very worried.”

“Oh,” he groaned. “I don’t want anybody worrying about me.”

“And I need to call Elias and let him know what’s happening. He’ll be here as soon as he can.”

“Okay, my girl.” Jack smiled for the first time.

Lucky leaned over and kissed his check. “I’ll be back in a short while.” She slipped out the door and headed for the elevators. When one opened, she stepped inside and hit the button for the floor below the lobby entrance and then followed the signs pointing toward the hospital cafeteria. A few people on a lunch break were drifting in but the cafeteria was almost empty. It was quiet enough that she could make some phone calls. She picked up a tray and moved through the glass displays of food. Suddenly she was ravenously hungry. She realized she hadn’t eaten even a piece of toast that morning. She chose a helping of meatloaf with mashed potatoes and peas. She smiled to herself, a childhood memory flashing before her eyes of her grandmother’s weekly meatloaf. Jack had outlived his wife by many years. No wonder he was lonely and Nanette had been able to turn his head. She should have realized his feelings. She should have made more of an effort to spend time with him, do things with him. She sighed and moved her tray to the cash register, paying for her purchase.

When she finished her meal, she dialed the restaurant. Sophie answered.

“What’s happening? How’s Jack?”

“He’s okay. He’s awake and on a heart monitor. They’ve been running tests and waiting for results. The cardiologist said it was a mild heart attack . . . if there is such a thing.”

“Poor Jack. He shouldn’t be going through this.”

“I agree.”

“Meg called Nate, but I guess you know that. He stopped by and I told him about the place we followed Nanette to. I just hope he can find it okay.”

“She could be gone by now, Sophie. I’ve been thinking. She must have broken into that drawer and grabbed the cash last night when we were all out front. I didn’t go into the office before we closed up. She’s taken off. She had to know we’d figure it out right away.”

“Now you know why she didn’t want to show you any ID.”

“I was an idiot to let her hang around at all. And I should have realized Jack was distracted and made sure that cash got to the bank. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t listen to my first instincts. If I had, none of this would have happened.”

“Well, stop beating yourself up. The important thing is that Jack’s okay. Are you coming back to town tonight?”

“I don’t think so, Sophie. I’d feel better if I stayed here. Just in case anything worse were to happen. They told me immediate family can stay after an emergency or after surgery.”

“Where will you sleep?”

“There are chairs and a sofa in the waiting room and I’m sure the nurses will give me a blanket. I’ll be okay. I can chat with Jack if he feels up to it. I don’t want to dump any more work on you though. I think we should close the restaurant tomorrow, just for one day. I can come home after tomorrow when I’m sure Jack’s stable.”

“I won’t argue with you. Today was crazy busy and then everybody was asking about Jack. Guy Bessette and Horace and Barry and Nate and everyone. They’ll probably all troop over to visit him tomorrow. Everybody’s been worried sick.”

“That might cheer him up a bit. I think he’s pretty depressed right now.”

“In fact, I’ll come over tomorrow morning if you don’t need me at the Spoonful and give you a break if you like.”

“Thanks, Sophie. I can’t tell you how much . . .” Lucky felt her throat tighten and tears came to her eyes. “How much you and Sage mean to me . . .”

“Stop that mushy stuff right now, or you’ll have me in tears. We all got a bad fright, but it’s going to be okay.”

Lucky sniffed her tears back and laughed. “Thanks. Love you,” and she clicked off. Sophie was right. This was an awful scare. A scare she was sure would never have happened if it hadn’t been for Nanette.