Death Comes in Threes Read online

  My mother spread her feet and placed her hands on her hips. “Not on your life! I’m here to stay and we’ll get through this together. No homicidal maniac is going to hurt my daughter without coming through me first.”

  “And me,” Dolly said.

  “Ditto.” Felicity stood by my mother, backing her up.

  I found these women were actually making me feel calmer. “Okay. Strength in numbers will be David’s downfall.” I smiled at the three women. “Here’s the plan, such as it is. Let’s stay here and work on the wedding plans today. That should keep our minds on something other than a homicidal maniac.”

  My mother smiled at my reference to her comment.

  “This afternoon I want you all to leave, taking my mother’s suitcases with you. Let’s make it at least look like I’m alone. After dark you can sneak back through Dolly’s back yard. Just park on the next street and come through the yard behind Dolly’s house, and I’ll let you in the back door.”

  “And then?” Dolly asked.

  “And then we wait for him to make his move. I hope you don’t mind sitting in the dark, because I want him to think I’ve gone to bed.”

  “Put a nightlight in the living room,” Felicity suggested, “so we can see enough to function.”

  “We’ll have Stanley park down the street so he can see who comes and goes,” my mother said. “Do you still have walkie talkies?”

  “Good idea. I still have them and I’ll make sure they’re charged.” We’d used them during another case involving a killer. Good grief! What had my life come to?

  I brought Bubba in and we got to work, putting together a list of everything we had to do for the wedding. My mother called the florist back while Felicity used her cell phone to call a caterer she knew about the food and a cake. Dolly called the senior center on my cell phone and asked about using their facility for the wedding reception. It was going to be a very small wedding, but the reception would be larger, and the senior center could accommodate us.

  Mother called my pastor and asked if he had anyone who might be willing to sing at the wedding. He told her he had a friend named Lila who attended a different church, but whom he knew would be willing to sing for us. He told my mother that Lila had the voice of an angel.

  Things were coming together, and one by one we crossed things off the list.

  “You still have to find a dress.” Felicity smiled at me. “I have a friend who – ”

  “You have enough friends to take care of the whole wedding,” I interrupted.

  “That I do. If I hadn’t found the perfect dress for my wedding yesterday, I’d be going to see Ralph myself. He has a phenomenal feel for what looks right on a woman, and I know he’ll come up with something spectacular.” She picked up the phone and called him, making an appointment for the next day.

  “I need an appointment to see this guy?” I was afraid that needing an appointment probably meant he was expensive. We were on a budget.

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Then I can’t afford him.”

  Felicity mimicked my normal reaction and sighed. “You can afford him. He’s my cousin and he’ll do whatever I ask. I know where his skeletons are buried, and he has plenty.”

  “Those must be some big skeletons.” Dolly loved gossip, although she’d never admit it.

  “Let’s just say that Ralph has issues, and I’m privy to each and every one of them.” Felicity stood and walked to the counter where she poured herself another cup of coffee.

  “What’s he going to say about you buying your dress from someone else?” my mother asked.

  “Not a word – skeletons.”

  “Don’t you have any?” I asked. “We all have something we wouldn’t want anyone else to know about.”

  “None that he knows about – thankfully.”

  “Let’s take a break and have some lunch.” Dolly, as with many seniors, was on a schedule, and it was past her lunchtime. “Let’s go over to my house. I bought more roast beef at the deli than I can eat by myself, and I have some deli rolls, too.”

  Bubba’s head popped up.

  “Oh, that sounds good. My stomach is growling.” My mother’s stomach rumbled to make her point.

  “Sorry, but I’m on a diet,” Felicity said.

  Dolly looked shocked to hear Felicity say she was dieting. “You? You’re so small you could eat the whole cow and still look good. A pound or two wouldn’t hurt you.”

  Felicity laughed. “I was only joking. I’ve got a fast metabolism and I pretty much eat whatever I want.”

  “Lucky dog,” my mother said.

  Bubba’s head popped up again. Sometimes I could swear he understands everything we say. He pulled himself up and quietly walked over to stand next to Dolly. He wasn’t about to miss a meal either, and he knew Dolly would share with him.

  “Okay, let’s go.” Mother stood and held her hand out to Dolly, helping her up from the table.

  “You all go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute. I want to try calling Pete, just in case he’s within range.”

  Felicity nodded and they left, with Bubba right on their heels.

  I picked up the phone and it rang in my hand. Caller ID said it was Pete and my heart sang, as silly as that sounds. I felt relieved and didn’t care if that made me a wimp.

  “Hello? Pete, I’m so glad you called.”

  I could hear a lot of static before the line went dead. At least he’d tried to reach me.

  I set the phone down, debating whether to try calling him back. It probably wouldn’t do any good, but it was worth a shot.

  The phone rang again before I had time to make up my mind.

  “Hello? Pete?”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Is that doofus still working for you?” It was David’s voice, not Pete’s.

  Surprise overwhelmed me and I couldn’t speak for a moment.

  “Oh, wait! I’ll bet that’s who you’re marrying. Am I right? Well, I never liked him anyway, so when I strangle you it’ll be my pleasure to know I hurt him. I guess I’ll have to get rid of that monster dog of yours, too.”

  Anger took over – quickly and completely. “I’m waiting for you, David. You’re so smug, but let me tell you, I won’t be the one who goes down. I’m turning the tables on you.” I felt my jaw muscles tighten. It was easy to be brave and threatening on the phone. “You’ve just moved from the role of hunter to the role of hunted.”

  “Wow. I’m really scared, little girl.” I could hear laughter bubbling just below the surface of his words.

  “You should be. I’m not the same innocent woman you knew a few years ago. I’ve learned a lot, and I can take care of myself. And the most important part of all of this? I’m waiting for you, just like I said. Come on. I’m begging you to make your move. This is one confrontation I’m looking forward to.”

  “You’re right.” The laughter had disappeared from his voice. “You have changed. All the more reason to kill you. Now would be a good time. You’re home alone.”

  He hung up before I could say another word.

  Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out, I told myself.

  How could I be so stupid? I’d challenged him, and it sounded like I’d made him angry in the process. And how did he know I was home alone at this particular moment? I’d had company all morning. He had to be close by, and he had to be watching.

  I hurried to the living room and peeked through the peep hole. I couldn’t see enough so I pulled aside the drape and scanned as much of the neighborhood as I could. I didn’t see any strange cars and I didn’t see anyone walking down the street, or lurking in the bushes.

  Opening the door, I quickly stepped out, locked it, and power-walked to Dolly’s house. I didn’t want to appear fearful, but I couldn’t slow down. My little legs carried me as fast as they could across the two yards. As much as I hated to admit it, for at least that moment I needed my mommy.

  Throwing open Dolly’s front door, I stomped to the
kitchen. “What the heck’s the matter with you women? Why wasn’t the front door locked?”

  Three startled faces turned my way.

  “I forgot,” Dolly said. “What’s the matter with you?”

  “He called again.” I sat down on a chair and dropped my head.

  “What did he say this time?” My mother hurried around the table and nestled her head against mine, which was just what I needed.

  I sat up. “It’s not so much what he said that’s worrisome. It’s what I said.”

  “What did you say?” Felicity’s tone was gentle and made me want to cry.

  What had I told Rick? Life’s tough, but I’m tougher. Uh huh.

  “I practically invited him over for dinner.”

  “You what?” My mother sounded shocked.

  “I told him I’m hunting him, not the other way around, and I begged him to make his move.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” Dolly’s face was turning red. I hoped she wasn’t going to stroke out. It would be my fault, and I couldn’t bear that.

  I didn’t know how much good it would do, but I tried to explain. “He’s trying to be intimidating – turn me into a quivering bowl of jelly. When I talked to him, it seemed like a good idea to turn the tables and put him on the defensive. The idea doesn’t seem quite so appealing now that I’ve issued the challenge.” I put my fingertips to my temples and rubbed. I could feel a headache coming on. “I may have just signed my own death warrant. Oh. He knew I was home alone, too. Can you believe that? He’s got to be right here in the neighborhood.”

  My mother started to choke. Felicity jumped up and thumped her on the back.

  “Swallowed down the wrong pipe,” Mother said through her coughs. It took her a moment to settle down.

  Dolly ran water into a glass and handed it to my mother. “Here, Livvie, try drinking this.” I noticed her face wasn’t red anymore and I felt better.

  On the other hand, my mother’s face was bright red from choking.

  “I feel so guilty. I didn’t mean to drag you all into this. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly, and I wasn’t taking things seriously enough. It’s one thing to have someone say David escaped and he’s coming after me, but it’s another to actually talk to him on the phone and have him say he’s going to murder me. He said it so calmly – so matter-of-factly.”

  Bubba ambled over and sat down next to my chair. He leaned into my leg, and it seemed like he knew I was in trouble. I reached out and rubbed the top of his head. He was such a very big dog – comforting, protective, and even loving. He took up so much space in my life.

  My eyes filled with tears. “He said he was going to get rid of Bubba. That’s when I lost my temper and came unglued.”

  My mother patted my back. “Like mother, like daughter. I would have had the same reaction, sweetie. We’ll work this out, I promise.”

  Pulling myself together, I glanced at the clock. “Look at the time. I’ve got to go home and charge the walkie talkies. We’ve got to put our plan into action.” I stood up. “After we eat dinner tonight, we’ll make a big deal about the three of you leaving the house.”

  “Sandi, Dolly’s in her eighties. Don’t you think you’re asking an awful lot of her?” My mother was voicing something I’d been trying not to think about.

  “I might be in my eighties, but I’m spry. Don’t forget, I’ve had self-defense classes. I can take care of myself, Livvie.” The pride in her voice made me smile.

  “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Apparently Felicity had been having the same thoughts.

  “I’m sure. You young ladies had just better be able to keep up with me.”

  Miss Kitty, Dolly’s cat, jumped up onto my lap. Bubba woofed one of his more intimidating woofs and the cat made a mad dash out of the room.

  “Ouch!” She dug her claws in my leg while making her getaway.

  “Bubba must be feeling our moods. He never barks at my kitty like that.” Dolly blinked rapidly several times.

  Felicity’s cell phone rang and she went to the living room, looking for privacy.

  Mother sat down on Felicity’s chair. “Okay, so we act like we’re leaving you alone. Is he going to believe we’d leave you like that? I don’t think so. So here’s my idea. You and I can have an argument on the front porch. I want to stay and you want me to leave. You can be mean to me, but just this one time, and I mean verbally. We’ve got to convince him. He knew you were home by yourself, so he’s somewhere close where he can watch you. You’re right about that, Sandi.”

  Dolly stood up and walked to the living room. I could see her watching out the front window, looking around the neighborhood. She opened the front door and walked onto the porch.

  “Dolly, come back inside,” I called to her.

  She did, but she took her time.

  “Did you see anything?” Mother took hold of Dolly’s hand and pulled her back to the table.

  “I’ve had a thought,” Dolly replied. “The house right across the street is vacant. It’s a rental, and they haven’t been able to find a suitable tenant. David could be hiding there and we’d never know it.”

  Shoving Bubba out of the way, which is no easy task, I stood and picked up Dolly’s phone. I dialed L.A.P.D. and asked for Rick Mason, catching him at his desk. After telling him about the second call and the vacant house, I asked Dolly what the address was.

  “I don’t know. I’ll go look.” Returning, she gave me the street number and I passed the information on to Rick.

  “I’ll send someone over right away. Don’t let him see you watching the house.”

  We hung up.

  “Could it be this easy? Can the police catch him?” I scratched my head. I had doubts, but I didn’t want to dwell on them. David was cagey, but the police knew what they were doing.

  “Let’s hope so,” Dolly said. “By the way, don’t ever tell my granddaughter about this little adventure.”

  My mother smiled at Dolly.

  I felt like my eyes were crossing when I said, “Little adventure? Do I have to keep reminding everyone that this is a life or death situation?”

  “No, dear, we’re just trying to lighten things up.” Since I was still standing, my mother gave me a tight hug. “Believe me when I say we know how serious this is. It’s just that I don’t think he’s got a chance against the four of us. Well, the five of us if you include Stan. By the way, shouldn’t he be back by now?”

  “He’ll be here soon,” Felicity said from the doorway. “He stopped at the office and something’s come up that he wants to discuss with you, Sandi. It has something to do with a message someone left on the machine.”

  “Did he say what it was about?”

  “No. He just said he needed to talk to you.”

  I saw Miss Kitty sitting in the doorway and decided to pick her up and comfort her. She was surely in a snit after Bubba running her off. But as I turned to go pick her up, I tripped over my dumb dog. How on earth could I miss seeing something so big? Felicity tried to catch me and we both went down. Bubba took advantage and began licking our faces. It’s difficult to pick yourself up with that much dog looming over you.

  Felicity began to giggle and tried to push him away, which just made him lick faster. That made me start laughing and he turned his attention my way. Felicity slid away and stood up as quickly as she could.

  “Bubba, get off,” I said, between trying to roll away and laughing.

  Mother grabbed him by his collar, but she couldn’t budge him until she said, “Treat? Want a treat?”

  Bubba whipped his head around and almost knocked her down. She was too quick for him though, and she reached into her pocket and pulled out a tasty little morsel. I took advantage of the moment and stood up.

  Taking the treat from my mother’s hand, I patted Bubba on the head. “Okay, so it’s true. Laughter is the best medicine.”

  And then, looking toward the front window, I saw two patrol cars pull up across the street. All thoughts
of laughter disappeared and I ran to the window.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I watched as cops approached the house with guns drawn. A third patrol car pulled up and another cop followed suit, although he ran to the rear of the house. They knocked on the door and I could hear them yell something. When there was no response they looked carefully through the curtainless windows.

  A car pulled up behind the patrol cars and a man headed for the house. One of the cops waved him off and he moved behind the patrol car, where he waited. Apparently the new guy was the landlord, who’d brought a key, so he didn’t have to wait long. The cop who’d waved him off retrieved the key from him and unlocked the front door.

  I could feel someone’s hot breath on my neck, but I didn’t turn around to see who was standing so close. My eyes were glued to the house. I saw the officers carefully invade the house, guns at the ready.

  I waited, watching.

  Rick pulled up and entered the vacant house.

  A few short minutes went by, but it felt like hours. The hot breath on the back of my neck came in rapid bursts, and I reached back, pushing someone away.

  “Sorry.” My mother stepped from behind me and stood by my side. Felicity and Dolly stood on either side of us.

  Rick exited the house and headed toward my place. I hurried to the front door and ran down the walkway to meet him.

  “Anything?” I asked.

  “Someone’s been there. A rear window was broken and there were fast food bags on the kitchen counter. Officer Post is checking for prints. If it was Smith, I’m guessing he won’t return, at least to this particular house. There are other vacant houses on your street, so we’re going to do a cursory look at each one and continue to watch the neighborhood.”

  “He called again.” I felt my jaws clench.

  “What did he say this time?”