Finally Home (Chapter Nine)

Finally Home

D. A. Ratliff

Chapter 9

Rhett’s mewing woke Lia a bit before seven. She opened one eye to find the big orange kitty standing over her. She laughed as he reached out his paw and tapped her chin.

“Okay, okay. Starving, are you? I’ll get up, but I’m taking a shower before you get to eat.”

Lia was slipping on a T-shirt when Cade called.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Good morning. You flatter me.”

“I tell the truth. Any word from Irving about that phone call? Able to trace it?”

“Nothing yet.” She took a deep breath. “Not expecting anything.”

“Don’t get discouraged. We’ll find out who is doing this.”

“There is one thing that I wanted to tell you. A necklace and ring are missing from the house that Sadie and Josephine’s best friend, Miss Ginny, say were especially important to her. Sadie and I searched Josie’s bedroom and checked the safety deposit box, but nothing.”

“You think someone stole the jewelry?”

“Not certain what to think.”

“Not many people could have gotten in that house.”

“No, but between the time she died and when I got here, only Rhett was here at night and Sadie during the day, but not all the time.”

“You spoke to Miss Ginny?”

“She’s back. I went to see her yesterday. Also, we found some letters. My uncle may have had a child, but Josephine denied it. Ginny said she had heard rumors but didn’t know the truth.”

“This is interesting. What if someone thinks there is another heir? You should tell Irving.”

“I’m going to search for the jewelry again, and then I will call him.”

“Good. Dad and I were talking. We would prefer it if you didn’t go anywhere without someone with you. Take Sadie or Danny or call my mom. She will go with you. We think you shouldn’t be alone at any time.”

‘Cade, I…”

“No, argument. Don’t make me have to call Sadie, and I will.”

“Okay, you might be right. I would feel better having someone with me.”

“Good girl. Have to go. Attorney and his client just arrived for the deposition.”

“Hope your day is good.”

“Me, too. You call or text me if you need me. Promise.”

“Promise.”

Rhett pawed at her arm. “I know you are hungry. Let’s get you yummies.”

~~~

“Good morning.” Sadie joined her in the kitchen.

Lia paused from her task of breaking eggs. “Just in time. I’m fixing breakfast this morning. Hope you’re in the mood for scrambled eggs.”

“Sounds good.”

Rhett jumped on the barstool next to Sadie and meowed. “Now, you hush. I know you’ve eaten, so don’t try that ‘I’m hungry’ whine on me.”

“I talked to Cade this morning, and he doesn’t want me to go anywhere alone. So, he wants you or Danny to be my bodyguard unless he is with me. Are you okay with that?”

Sadie scoffed. “Good lord, child, you know better.”

“Thank you. After breakfast, I’m going back upstairs and search Josie’s room again. Ginny said she would never allow that jewelry out of her sight, so I will look again before I call Irving.”

~~~

By noon, Lia had given up. She searched the bedroom, Josie’s bathroom, and the closet, even looking in shoe boxes in case she had stashed the jewelry there but nothing. She was sitting cross-legged in the center of the room, Rhett draped across her right knee.

She scratched his ear. “Why do I think you might be the only one around here who knows what’s happening?”

Rhett meowed and walked away. “Yeah, just what I thought. You aren’t telling.”

Time to call Irving. Maybe he could figure things out. He was the detective. After a brief conversation with him, she joined Sadie downstairs.

“I take it you found nothing.”

“No, I didn’t. But I called Irving, and he is coming at two p.m.”

“Good. Time for some lunch before the gals get here to clean. I’ll have them do the kitchen and den first, and you can talk to Irving here.”

“I want you with me when I talk to him.”

“If you want me, I’ll be glad to talk to him.” Sadie closed the laptop. “Enough on the cookbook for today. I made tuna salad. Let’s have lunch on the terrace.”

“Sounds nice. We need to do something about Josephine’s clothes. I think you could wear some of her things. Her shoes? They’re gorgeous but too big for me. Can you wear them?”

“Too small for me, but you are right. We need to do something about her things.”

Sadie’s expression became wistful, and Lia understood. The more she learned about her grandmother, the more she wanted her back.

~~~

Irving arrived as Lynn Marie, and Sherri finished, and Lia led him to the den where Sadie was waiting. After she served coffee, Irving spoke.

“So far, we have nothing on the person who threw the brick. The security cameras across the street showed the incident, but other than a description of the bike and the clothing, we only have a general body size, no distinguishing features.”

“We can’t get a break, can we?” Lia wasn’t expecting an answer.

The detective continued. “Nothing more on the rental car that hit you. Name and license he used were fake. We sent a photo to the FBI to do a facial recognition search, but no results yet. Tell me about the call last night and the missing jewelry.”

Lia and Sadie filled Irving in, and when done, he leaned back in the armchair. “Ms. Pickett, can you make a list of everyone who’s been in the house since Ms. Sinclair died? All visitors, family, workers, anyone.”

“I can try, it’s been a few months, and I might not remember everyone.”

“Do the best you can. Who knew that she kept the missing jewelry here?”

Sadie shrugged. “I have no idea. She wore those pieces often, so I expect anyone paying attention would assume she kept them here.”

“Is there a safe here?

“No. Miss Josie didn’t believe in them. She trusted the bank.”

Irving blew out a breath. “But she didn’t put these jewels there, did she? Let’s start with the obvious. Not including you two or your grandson Ms. Pickett, who has been in this house the most and would have access to the third floor?”

Lia glanced at Sadie. “Danny often has friends here, and Lynn Marie, and Sherri are here to clean a couple of times a week.”

“How long have these women been cleaning?”

Sadie huffed. “Lynn Marie has been working for Miss Josie for years. Sherri started about three years ago but never had an issue with either. They are both bonded. Ms. Josie insisted on that, otherwise.”

“I understand that, Ms. Pickett, but I must ask. Do either of them have keys to the house?”

“On a couple of occasions, we gave Lynn Marie a key. Miss Josie and I traveled a couple of times for a few days. So, we gave Lynn Marie the key to check on things, but that was a few years ago. She always returned the key to us, and nothing was missing.”

“I will need their full names and the names of your grandson’s friends. Please do not tell any of them that we are checking on them. I certainly don’t expect to find anything, but we have to start somewhere.” He tapped the pad he was writing on and then looked toward Lia.

“By itself, I would look at this as theft and file it as such. But there are far too many incidents occurring not to consider everything. Please report anything that happens which seems strange. Now, those names, and I’ll get started.”

Irving left a few minutes later. Lia walked him out, and when she turned to head back to the den, Sherri emerged from the powder room under the stairs near the kitchen door and startled her.

“I thought you were upstairs?”

Sherri hurried past her, clutching a spray bottle. “Sorry, Ms. Lia, I left this cleaner here and came back to get it. Gotta go finish the upstairs bathrooms.” Without another word, she headed up the staircase, leaving Lia alone in the hall.

An unease swept Lia as she wondered how much Sherri had heard of the conversation with Irving. She wasn’t sure why Sherri overhearing bothered her, but it did. She shivered but decided she was simply on edge about everything. There was no need to start manufacturing more worry.

~~~

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the backyard. Restless, Lia decided painting might settle her nerves. She dragged a small table and a ladderback chair from the lower level, along with her paints and easel, and decided to paint the gazebo as she remembered it from her birthday party so many years before.

Purple, pink, and green crepe paper tied with wide satin ribbon had draped the top of the gazebo, and her birthday cake had sat inside on a table covered in a pink tablecloth and purple tulle. Lia’s hand shook as she dipped her brush into the paint, stopping as memories of her mother, father, and grandparents flashed through her mind. So many years lost, not only from her father’s death but years lost from her grandparents. She knew she had been fortunate. Her mother provided for her and her brother after their father died. They had their maternal grandparents for many years—and Perry. Her stepfather became the rock they needed, and Lia loved him. She wasn’t sure she would have survived the ordeal in Paris without him.

A rumble of thunder interrupted her reflection. Lia glanced over her shoulder, noticing stormy black clouds coming from the southwest. Time to go in. She gathered her paints and easel, took them inside, returning for the chair and table. By the time she made it inside, rain droplets were hitting the patio. She put her paints away and was heading upstairs when Cade called.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hi, Cade. How was your day?”

“Thankfully, over. We’ve finished the depos, and Dad and I decided we needed to relax. So, we would like you, Sadie, and Danny to join us for dinner. Mom suggested the Pier. Up to a night out?”

“Sounds like fun. I would love to go.”

“Good. I’m leaving the office now. I’ll go home and change and pick you all up at six-thirty p.m. You tell Sadie that she can’t say no.”

“I will. See you at six-thirty.”

She raced upstairs to tell Sadie and Danny they were going to dinner.

By seven p.m., they sat at a table indoors as a storm raged outside. The server took their orders, brought their drinks, and the discussion quickly turned to the brick thrown through the window and the photograph Lia left at the firm for Jasper.

“Lia, about the infant’s photo you left at the office, I’ve never seen it before.”

“But had you heard the rumors that Bradley had a child?”

Jasper and Tillie exchanged glances. Tillie answered. “There were rumors. Bradley’s behavior was, how do I say this, common knowledge in town. He had a chip on his shoulder and a drink in his hand whenever anyone saw him.”

Nodding, Jasper continued. “I spoke to Josie about the rumor. She told me about the letters she received but vehemently refused to believe the story about a baby. Kept telling me over and over that Bradley could not have been the father. He was in New Orleans when conception and birth would have taken place.” Jasper sipped the bourbon drink he ordered. “Josie was old-fashioned despite her appearance as the modern woman before her time. She told me she had two grandchildren she couldn’t watch growing up. She didn’t want a bastard baby in the family.

Lia signed. “You didn’t believe her, did you?”

“No, I didn’t, but I also didn’t believe she was that callous about a child, especially one that was Bradley’s. I believe she wanted to protect Franklin from further heartache and disappointment regarding his sons.”

Sadie looked toward Lia and then back at Jasper. “I didn’t know about any of this. Miss Josie kept it from me and, I assume, Mr. Franklin as well. But he withdrew from everything regarding Bradley. They never spoke his name in the house. When Lia and I found that infant photo and the letters, I knew in my gut that Miss Josie believed it, which is why she kept that photo.”

Lia was about to comment when their server brought their food, accompanied by another server. Sadie noticed first that the second server was Sherri.

“Sherri, I didn’t know you were working here?”

The young woman’s eyes shifted from Sadie to Lia and back. She answered nervously. “I only work here a couple of nights during the week.”

Lia smiled at her, but Sherri helped serve the dinner, left quickly to grab a water pitcher, approached a table where a man sat alone, refilled his glass, and walked away. Lia thought she looked nervous. She supposed Sherri was worried about them finding out she was working in the restaurant. But she had nothing to worry about over that. Sadie was pleased with her work, as was she. Just youthful fears, Lia remembered them well.

The discussion during dinner was lively. Lia watched Sadie beam as Cade and Jasper engaged Danny in conversation about college and sports. She felt at home with these people, her heartwarming when Cade glanced at her, his eyes reflecting her emotions. They were her family. She would feel complete if her mother, Perry, and Jason were here. But she wasn’t complete. One person would always be missing—her grandmother.

Jasper has insisted on dessert for everyone. They laughed at Danny, whose eyes got as big as saucers when the server set a huge piece of apple pie with a mound of ice cream in front of him. Jasper had just asked for the check when a loud cracking sound followed by a spray of shattered glass spread across the restaurant.

Cade grabbed Lia and pulled her to the floor. She could hear Jasper and another man yelling for everyone to get down. A scream caused her to rise, but Cade pushed her back to the floor.

“Stay down. That was a gunshot.”

“Sadie? Danny?” Lia called them.

Danny responded. “We’re okay.”

“Lia, you okay?” Sadie’s muffled voice barely rose above the chaos in the room.

“Yes.” Lia reached for Cade. “Your parents?”

“Fine. Now, stay down.”

Lia crouched under the table and felt a hand touch hers. She looked around to see Tillie had crawled close to her. She grabbed Tillie’s hand and didn’t let go.

~~~

The sound of glass shattering twice in a matter of days unnerved Lia. She glanced at Sadie sitting next to her on a bench in the restaurant lobby, and Sadie squeezed her hand.

“Don’t fret. Probably just some punk thinking it was fun to shoot at people.”

Lia shuddered. “You know what this was.”

“Now, child, don’t go thinking that everything that happens is because someone wants you to leave Beaufort.”

Sitting on the other side, Tillie slipped her around Lia’s shoulders. “Sadie’s right. You cannot go jumping to conclusions. “

“I don’t know, but this feels like someone aimed at me.”

Cade, Jasper, and Danny talked with a police officer as paramedics tended to a couple of people cut by glass. One EMT crew transported a server with a deep cut to her arm from a piece of glass to the hospital.

Sadie nudged Lia. “That Jasper and Cade are good men. They told Danny to come with them when they talked to the police. Treating him like a man. “

“He might be eighteen, but he is a man. He proves that every day. Just the way he treats….”

Sherri approached and interrupted. “I’m sorry, but I just wanted to say I’m glad none of you were hurt.”

Lia smiled. “Thanks, as we are that you didn’t get hurt. Your friend, is she going to be okay?”

“Yeah, the manager said she has a pretty deep cut, gonna need stitches, but she’s fine.”

“That’s good.”

“Okay, I’m gonna go home now. Police said I could leave after they took my statement. They closed the restaurant.” Sherri uttered a nervous laugh. “I guess that’s normal. Anyway, I’ll see you Friday.” Sherri left without waiting for a reply.

“She’s pretty shaken up.” Sadie added, “But then we all are.”

Cade walked over. “Come with me, ladies, we’re going to head to your house, and Irving is going to meet us there.”

“Why is Irving coming.”

“He wants to talk about what happened here.”

“Then he thinks….”

“I don’t know what he thinks, but I do know that he wants to talk to us.”

They spoke little on the way to Lia’s. Upon arriving, Sadie had Danny help her make coffee while the others waited for Irving in the den.

Tillie uttered a small yelp, startling everyone. “Oh, sorry, I just happened to think we didn’t pay for dinner.”

Jasper laughed. “Not to worry, I spoke to the manager and told him I’d stop by tomorrow to pay the tab.”

“Oh good, I love that restaurant.”

Lia fidgeted with a pillow on the settee. “That bullet was for me, wasn’t it?”

Cade sat next to her. “We don’t know that.”

“Don’t coddle me. I’m putting everyone in danger. I think it might be best for me to go back to Seattle. I don’t want anyone hurt.”

“Stop that nonsense. You aren’t going anywhere. I won’t let you.”

Jasper spoke. “Cade’s right, we aren’t going to let you go, but we are going to keep you safe.”

“It’s too much of a risk.”

The doorbell rang, and Danny answered it, returning with Detective Irving. He sank wearily into an empty chair, and Sadie brought him a coffee. He gave a smile.

“I will say this. You all are the most hospitable victims I dealt with as long as I’ve been a cop.”

Sadie nodded. “Well, Detective Irving, we appreciate your help.”

He looked around the room. “First, start calling me Miles. Detective Irving is too formal.” He sipped the coffee, then spoke.

“First, according to one of the guests facing the window, the shot was high. So, whoever fired the shot wasn’t intending to kill anyone, at least, we think not.”

“You think.” Lia’s voice revealed her frustration.

Jasper interjected. “Detective… Miles, we need to proceed under the assumption that the shot may represent an escalated warning. What do you propose we do?”

“I think, Ms. Sinclair….”

“Lia, please.”

“I think you need to stay in this house for the time being and not venture out until we have an idea of what is happening.”

Cade nodded. “I think that is wise.”

“So, I’m to be a prisoner here. Sorry, been through that once before. I don’t….”

Irving stopped her. “Lia, I know what you went through.”

“You know?”

“Yes, my job to know. I spoke with the Paris police, who told me the details and that you had no connection to your ex-husband’s crimes. I realize you were in a Paris jail for a time, but this is not the same situation. This is for your safety.”

“He’s right, Lia. This isn’t the same. We’ll all be here with you.”

Irving frowned. “I do need to ask you if you know of any reason your ex-husband could be behind what is happening?”

“How could he be? He’s in prison for art theft. How could he do anything to me here?”

“Any associates you know of that could be working for him?”

“The only person I know of working with Nigel was my co-worker. I…” Lia blew out a breath as tears spilled down her cheeks, “I just don’t know.”

Cade pulled her into his arms. “Miles, I’m going to stay here tonight. I don’t want to leave these three alone. The security system is working, but the cameras are on backorder. With no surveillance, an extra car here will hopefully deter anyone from trying anything.”

Irving drank a bit more coffee. “I think that’s a good plan. Again, I can't assign an officer here until I can tie all of this together, but I will have a patrol car park here as they wait for calls.” He stood up. “Tomorrow, I am going to pay a visit to your cousins, all of them, and see if I can rattle any of them. But Lia, I don’t think it’s them. Something else is going on here.”

Jasper and Tillie left when Irving did. Danny left to go home for a few minutes while Sadie went upstairs, leaving Lia and Cade alone. Lia was pacing, and Cade kept quiet.

She turned to face him. “You do not need to stay.”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “You don’t want me to stay the night?”

“No, it’s not that I ….”

“So, you do want me to stay.”

“Don’t... don’t.” Her tears flowed again, and Cade rose, pulled her into his arms, and let her cry.

When she calmed, he slid his fingers along her jaw, then tilted her chin, his gaze locked with hers. She breathed deeply, her breaths matching his, and he leaned down to press his lips against hers. He broke the gentle kiss with a chuckle. “Salt never tasted so good.”

“Cade… “

He stopped her with another kiss, deepening as passion built between them. When he pulled away, Lia took a deep breath, pressing her head against his shoulder. He cupped the back of her head, fingers entwined in her hair.

“Lia, we both know what is happening between us, but until we find out who is threatening you, I think it’s best we don’t… well, best we….”

“I understand, and I agree.”

Rhett, who had been asleep on the back of his favorite chair, jumped onto the couch and meowed loudly, pawing at Lia. She laughed. “I think Rhett believes that is a good idea too.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t want….”

“I know.”

Cade brushed his lips across her and stepped back. “To be continued.”

“Let’s pick up these coffee cups.”

Danny entered the kitchen as Lia put the last cup in the dishwasher. He held out a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to Cade. “I thought you might want to get out of that suit. I think these will fit you. Shirt’s a bit big on me.”

“Thanks, Danny, very thoughtful, and you’re right. I am dying to get out of this suit. Be right back.”

Sadie returned downstairs, and when Sadie returned, they watched a movie and then went to bed. As Lia left the den, where Cade elected to sleep, she stopped. Desire to have him join her swept through her body, but he was right. Best they waited—she went to bed only with Rhett.

The morning was hectic as Danny had an early class, and Cade needed to go home to shower and change. Sadie Lee managed to get everyone, including a fussy Rhett, fed. When the guys left, she poured Lia and herself a second cup of coffee.

“You know, nice having Cade around.”

Lia glanced at her quickly and then dropped her eyes. Sadie laughed. “Child, stop pretending no one knows you and Cade are crazy about each other.”

“I don’t know what….” Lia stopped. “It’s that obvious?”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t expecting to—to fall in love, Sadie. What happened with Nigel hurt so much that I never wanted to put myself in such a vulnerable position again.”

“Love doesn’t understand all that nonsense. It happens when it happens, and no matter how we think we can control it, love won’t let us. It sneaks up and won’t let go until it consumes us. Let it happen, Lia. Cade’s a good man, an incredibly good man. Don’t push him away out of fear.”

Lia closed her eyes briefly, Cade’s face in her thoughts. She grabbed Sadie’s hand. “You are a wise woman. No wonder Miss Josie valued your counsel and your friendship. I do as well.”

“I feel the same for you.”

“I haven’t been able to say it aloud… or say it to him. I love Cade.”

“I know, child. And I have no doubt he loves you.”

~~~

Sadie had a mid-afternoon doctor’s appointment that Lia insisted she keep. “Danny is here, and now that he’s parking his car here, it will look like more people are home. Go to the doctor.”

“Okay, but don’t you leave. I’m going to the grocery store on my way home. Since you told Danny it was okay for some of his friends to come over tomorrow night, I’m going to get more soft drinks and snacks.”

“Okay, and let’s order pizza for everyone, so no worries about cooking.”

“Sounds good. I’m off. You stay put.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After Sadie left, Lia decided to paint. Danny was studying in the bedroom on the lower level where he had been sleeping. She rapped on the door and opened it to his response.

“How’s the studying going?”

“Good, I have an essay for history class, so I’m surfing the net for info. Hey, I got my summer class schedule. I’m taking Art Appreciation, it’s required, and I don’t know anything about art. Think you wouldn’t mind tutoring me?”

“I would love to do that. In the meantime, I’m going to paint. I want to finish a canvas I started yesterday. I’ll be in the backyard for a bit.”

“Okay, holler if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Lia collected her paints and easel from the room she used to store her art supplies. As she took the chair and utility table outside and returned for the paint tubes, she thought she might just set up that room as a painting studio. There were large windows on two walls, and though the light was not ideal because of the heavy vegetation, it would do. She was going outside when she realized she was planning to create a studio in the house and promised Danny to tutor him for his art class. Maybe she was planning to stay after all.

An hour later, satisfied with the gazebo painting from her birthday party, she started to gather her paints. A squeaking screen door roused her from her thoughts about the long-ago party. Assuming it was Danny, she was about to ask him to look at the painting when an arm encircled her neck. She grabbed the arm, trying to pull it away, kicking over the easel as she struggled. She tried to scream, but a gruff voice told her to shut up, increasing the pressure on her neck. As she lost consciousness, she heard him yell. “Bring the van to the side. There’s a gate. We’ll give her the shot in the van.”

~~~

Sadie returned from her appointment, pulling into the driveway beside Lia’s car. Danny parked his car on the street, so he was home as she had asked until she returned. She entered the lower-level side door to get Danny to help her bring in the groceries. The door to his room was open, and he wasn’t inside. Goosebumps rose on her arms as instinct told her something was wrong. There was daylight coming from the back of the house. The rear door was open. She hurried down the hall, then screamed when she saw Danny lying on the floor.

She knelt beside him. “Danny, wake up.” She raised his head, her fingers touching something thick and sticky. Blood. “Oh my god, Danny, wake up.”

She grabbed her phone and dialed 9-1-1, and, while talking to them, rushed to the nearby bathroom for towels. She sat with Danny talking to the dispatcher until the first officer arrived within a few minutes. He came through the side door and knelt next to Danny, checking his pulse.

“Pulse is strong, ma’am. Probably just knocked him out. Ambulance is right behind me. Dispatch said there should be another person here. Who?”

“Lia Sinclair… on my god. She’d be with Danny unless something happened to her. You gotta find her.”

“We’ll find her.”

As the EMTs arrived, Danny stirred. “Grandma... Lia… she…”

The officer knelt again. “Do you know where she is, sir?”

Danny’s eyes opened wide. “She was in the backyard. I heard a noise and came out of my room to check. I—I saw a man inside at the back door but couldn’t, uh, couldn’t see his face. Then something hit my head.”

The officer looked at Sadie. “I’ll check.”

He returned, talking on his radio. “Thanks, Joe.” He clicked his mic again. “Dispatch, need all available units to this location for a search. Possible abduction.”

Sadie was standing as the EMTs loaded Danny onto a gurney. “Where is she? Is she okay?”

“Ma’am, the officers searching the rest of the house say no one is upstairs, and she is not in the backyard. There are signs of a struggle, and the side gate is open.”

“Oh no.” Sadie sagged against the wall for support. “How am I going to tell Cade.”

“I promise, ma’am. We’ll do everything we can to find her.”

“You need to call Detective Irving now. And I need to call Cade.”

Sadie’s hands trembled as she called Cade, waiting for him to answer. When she heard his voice, she started sobbing.

“She’s gone, Cade. Somebody took her.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Coming up in Chapter Ten: Lia makes a startling discovery while in the hands of her kidnappers and is determined to free herself.

____________________

Finally Home is a mystery romance novel being serialized on Vocal.media.

Link to Chapter One: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/finally-home-j41pad0zyc