On Ice (29 page)

“
I have to know something,” Honeybee said in a rush.

Rene felt a knot of fear in her stomach. She couldn’t stand up to much scrutiny. “What is it?” she asked.

“
It’s about Ben,” Honeybee said, the color in her cheeks deepening.

“
Ben?” Rene almost laughed in relief.

“
It’s not funny!” Honeybee’s warm brown eyes flashed a warning. “Don’t laugh.”

“
I’m not laughing at Ben,” Rene said. “He’s a wonderful person.”

“
To me, he’s a wonderful man. We’ve been friends since we were children.” Honeybee looked down at her hands, speaking very carefully, “I don’t want you to hurt him.”

“
Hurt Ben?” Rene was confused. “I would never hurt Ben. He’s always great to us.”

“
So I’ve heard. Pinky said you told him Ben was your man.” Her tone was accusing. A shaft of afternoon sun lit her auburn hair from behind. She looked like an avenging angel with an aura of flames.

“
But, I just--I mean it wasn’t like that. Ben is my friend.”

“
You’ve set everyone’s tongues to wagging by spending so much time with Brett. If you and Ben are. . .involved, how do you think he feels?”

Rene took a deep breath, wincing as a twinge reminded her of her accident. “Pinky has been coming on to me since I first arrived. I was just trying to shut him up.”

“
What about Ben?” Honeybee didn’t look convinced.

“
Ben and I are friends. Brett pays him to maintain the cabin, or, as he says, to ‘do for’ me.”

Tears glistened in Honeybee’s eyes. The tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks.

Rene reached out to squeeze Honeybee’s arm. “Oh, no! Please don’t cry. There’s been a misunderstanding.”

Honeybee pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed her eyes.

“
Please believe me.” Rene patted Honeybee’s shoulder. “I would never do anything to hurt Ben. Why are you so concerned?”

“
Because Ben is my friend,” Honeybee said, a sob punctuating her claim.

“
It sounds like your friendship is different than our friendship,” Rene said.

“
Maybe. . . I never thought about it before.” She mopped her eyes and blew her nose heartily.

“
Perhaps you ought to think about it. Sounds like you have a lot of feelings there.” Rene smiled at her encouragingly.

“
You could be right, but Ben doesn’t feel that way about me. We’re just--friends.”

“
What is it that you like about Ben?”

“
He’s so sweet and he talks to me. When we talk he’s not staring at my boobs.”

“
The two of you should talk about your feelings.”

When Honeybee donned her jacket and crunched out to her truck, Rene thought about her visit. Were there other people in town who thought Rene was two-timing Ben?

~*~

Mark tried not to be impatient. Each passing day took Rene farther and farther away from him. She was his wife. She belonged to him. She had no right to leave him. When he found her he would make sure she regretted her actions. He thought about their reunion constantly.

In the meantime, he was playing the game. He’d befriended the fool, Tommy, playing along with his little crush.

Tommy sent his brother Wayne upstairs to meet him.
Another fool, large economy size
. When Mark opened the door, he had to look up at Wayne. He stood at least six-foot-four and wore steel toed Wolverines. Mark brought him in and tried to explain what he needed.

“
Tell me again what you want me to do?” The arms hanging out of his uniform were so muscled he couldn’t hold them straight down at his sides.

Can you say steroids?
“I need you to install this equipment on the telephones at this address.”

Wayne stared at the address and at the equipment Mark had purchased. “I don’t know if I can do that.”

“
Wayne, the directions are right inside the boxes. You know how to read directions, don’t you?”

“
Yeah, but I mean, I don’t know if I should do it. I don’t want to get in trouble or nothin’.” He met Mark’s steady gaze. “I mean, I need this job.”

“
I understand,” Mark said. “What you’re saying is that your employers are okay with you taking money to hook up stolen phone service, but not to do this little job?”

There was a long silence while Wayne and Mark stared each other down.

“
You know,” Mark whispered. “I would hate to tip off your boss about your activities. It’s such a shame to bring down such a shining example of the free enterprise system.”

Wayne acquiesced, as Mark knew he would.

Now he waited.

~*~

The doorbell rang and Maddy started. She would have jumped up to answer it before she became Mark’s victim, but Ted was there to stop her. Now she waited with apprehension while Terrence strode for the door. She glimpsed a lovely young woman standing on the porch.

“
Yes?” Terrence stared blankly at her.

“
Dr. Sanders?” She walked confidently inside. Her shoulder-length blue-black hair bounced as she crossed the threshold.

“
I’m Terrence. Dr. and Mrs. Sanders are in the study. May I tell them who’s callin’?” Terrence appeared to be taken aback by her appearance.

“
T. J. McCann. I have an appointment.” She seemed to appraise him through her obsidian eyes.

Maddy and Ted sat holding hands on the sofa. Ted kissed her fingertips as Terrence led the young woman to the study.

“
Miss T.J. McCann,” Terrence intoned in a resonant voice.

Maddy and Ted exchanged a glance.

“
There must be a mistake,” Ted said. He crossed the room to intercept her. “We were expecting T. J. McCann, the Private Investigator.

“
That’s me. Tiger Jin McCann, P.I., at your service.” She reached out to shake his hand.

“
Impossible!” Ted sputtered.

“
You were expecting someone else?”

“
Yes. Someone--,” Ted floundered.

“
Bigger, stronger, older, more testosterone,” Maddy finished. “Come and sit down, Miss McCann.” Maddy offered her hand, not rising from her comfortable nest.

T. J. shook it with a remarkably firm grip for one so small. She seated herself on the loveseat opposite Maddy. “How can I be of service to you?” She smoothed the skirt of her chrysanthemum-yellow, raw silk suit.

“
I’m being stalked by a madman. I’ve been injured and so has Terrence.” She nodded toward the big Scot. “I’m tired of being held prisoner inside my own house.”

“
You’ve contacted the police?”

“
They don’t seem to be too concerned.”

“
You know who’s stalking you?”

“
My brother-in-law.” Maddy skimmed over the story, omitting details as to where Rene’s whereabouts. Ted and Terrence stood like stony sentinels across the room. “I want you to locate him. He’s become invisible, just popping out to frighten or injure one of us. He attacked Terrence right in our garage.”

“
Must be a big guy to go after that one.” T. J. swept Terrence again with her lustrous black eyes. Her creamy golden skin echoed the tone of her suit.

“
I wouldn’t say unusually big. He’s in good shape, though. Works out all the time.” Maddy shuddered involuntarily.

“
And what of your sister? Where is she in all this?”

Maddy was silent for a moment. “She’s in hiding for the present. She ran away from an abusive relationship with her two children. The only way she will ever be able to return is if Mark is behind bars.”

“
What are the charges against him?”

“
The assault on Terrence, assault with a motor vehicle or assault with intent to commit murder. They couldn’t decide. Since he’s not in custody, it doesn’t matter.”

“
The assault with intent would probably carry a longer sentence,” T.J. said thoughtfully.

“
Miss McCann,” Ted said.

Maddy and T.J. turned to him.

“
I can’t believe you’re the famous T.J. McCann. I asked around and was told of some pretty incredible exploits.” He shook his head, taking in her diminutive form. “I could have sworn they said ‘he’.”

“
My dad. He is pretty incredible but he’s semi-retired now. Works on his golf game. He is the senior partner.”

“
I, I just don’t know if I could ethically hire you, Miss McCann.”

“
Ethically?” T.J. turned to face him.

Maddy could almost see the indignation emanating from her petite frame. “Oh, Ted! For heaven’s sake! You sound like such an old stuffed shirt.”

“
Maddy, I’m concerned for her welfare. I don’t think she’s any match for Mark. He’s completely ruthless.”

“
Dr. Sanders,” T.J. stood up. “You have the choice of hiring or not hiring me. Please don’t let it be because of my gender or stature. I assure you, I’m much bigger than I appear.” The corners of her mouth curved up into a smile that the Mona Lisa could envy. “I hold the highest degrees in several forms of self-defense and I am a skilled marksman.”

Terrence drew in a breath, making a sound almost like a moan. “Ooh, armed as well as dangerous.”

“
I don’t know.” Ted rubbed his forefinger across his chin.

“
Ted, you don’t have to hire her, but I will. This problem with Mark began with my actions. I think I have a right to decide on the solution.”

“
I don’t want to be the cause of marital discord.” T.J. held up her small hands as if to hold off the disagreement.

“
Ted!” Maddy’s voice held an ultimatum.

“
If you’re certain that you can handle a monster, Miss McCann, you’re more than welcome to him.” Ted’s mouth formed a little smirk of its own.

“
See, it’s all settled,” Maddy ignored Ted’s expression. “Now, how much do you charge for your services?”

T. J. explained her fee structure and Maddy agreed. Ted remained silent.

“
I’ll be in touch.” T. J. departed after another round of hand shaking and receiving a retainer check.

“
Well?” Maddy said.

“
Well, what?” Ted asked.

“
What are you thinking?”

“
She’s just so--” He waved his hands in circles.

“
I like her.”

“
I don’t know.” Ted folded his arms across his chest.

“
She doesn’t have to be bigger or stronger than Mark. Just smarter.” Maddy smiled as she noted Terrence’s expression. “What did you think, Terrence. Do you like her?”

“
Aye, that I do,” he said softly, coloring slightly when he caught her eye.

~*~

Brett carefully helped Rene into the Hummer. The children chattered together in the back seat.

“
I’ve never been to a Catholic service,” Brett said as he started the motor.

“
I appreciate you taking us,” Rene said. “I’m sure we’ll be the subject of some juicy gossip.”

“
You’re getting to know Sad Horse. The tongues do wag.” He smiled at her.

“
So I’m told. How can you avoid it?” Rene had a strong need to go to church. Since moving to Sad Horse, she had become attuned to her own and her children’s spiritual needs, something sadly neglected.

Many pairs of eyes turned their way when they arrived.
They’re only curious.
. .
They don’t know about my past.
Rene took a deep breath, smiling and waving at people she knew.

After the service, Rene spoke to Rick Starkey. “Have you missed school?”

“
I think we all have. I’m glad you’re better, Mrs. Nichols.”

Kipp joined them, holding Jill in his arms. He put her down beside Sara. The two little girls greeted each other enthusiastically. Brett took Seth and the girls for refreshments.

“
I’m much better, thank you. I’ll be back in school tomorrow. I’ve missed you all.” She turned to Kipp, “I was over at Father Paul’s before the accident. We were discussing you, Kipp.”

“
Me? Oh...” He blushed. “I’m sorry about doing Rick’s writing assignments. I didn’t mean to be cheating,”

“
I understand. Did Rick tell you that I want you to keep on doing the writing assignments for me?”

“
Yeah. Thanks, but I don’t want you to have to go to any extra trouble.” He shrugged his shoulders and lifted a hand to brush back his long, blond hair.

“
It’s no trouble,” Rene insisted. “Father Paul suggested that you might be able to work part-time and come to school part-time.”

“
I don’t know,” he said slowly. “We can’t get by if I don’t work full-time. I need my job.”

“
What’s this?” Brett asked as he joined them. He gave Rene a plate of cookies and a cup of coffee. “You don’t have to worry about your job.” He turned to Rene. “Kipp is one of my best men. I wish I had ten more just like him.”