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Chapter Twenty-Six

Sean, hyper from his lack of enough playtime during the week, had more interest in returning to whatever game he’d designed with Sophie than eating pizza with a bunch of adults. He sat at an island stool gobbling a slice until Sophie finished her kibbles, then urged his mother to let him go outside again.

Jessica gave her permission, yet reminded him about the shorter, cooler evenings. “If you’re cold, come in for your sweater. And, no rough-housing,” she added before he called to Sophie.

Our dog hesitated, perhaps preferring to stay with Clare, yet eventually heeding Sean’s insistent calls. Sophie’s lack of interest seemed strange to me, though I figured they’d work it out.

By the time Ryan arrived, we’d settled in the living room to eat and talk. He knew the drill: grab a slice of pizza and something to drink, then join the rest of us.

Surprised to see Clare, he asked, “Did your sister return home? ”

“Not yet, and I’m hoping you can put an alert in the county newspaper.”

Ryan glanced at Alan for endorsement, then replied, “I’ll be happy to help. Maybe you and I could talk after supper.”

“That’s the plan,” Alan said before folding his slice and taking a bite.

Judy headed to the kitchen for second helpings. On her return, she asked, “Can someone fill me in, please?”

Clare obliged, and she didn’t leave out any details from the time of her arrival until the present. Jessica, Ryan, Judy, and Tom all stared at her, stunned about her situation.

Judy gasped when she heard about the rock being tossed through a bedroom window and the voodoo doll left on the porch. “Why would someone do those things?”

“Maybe to scare her,” Tom muttered.

“That’s what I assume,” Clare replied, “but I’m not leaving until I know my sister is safe.”

Ryan pulled a notepad and pen from his breast pocket and jotted a few notes. “Could your sister have gone to visit other family?”

“There’s no one left on our side, and her husband’s brother and sister don’t have any idea where she might be, other than the golf club, which we’ve checked.”

My mind wandered during the conversation as I reflected on what we knew and what might lurk below the surface. Liz had a number of acquaintances, none of whom seemed worried about her. Clare referred to her as “busy Lizzie,” not pejoratively, which aligned with what people knew of her: Liz was occupied, but she’d be available later .

Sean caught my attention when he came inside for another slice of pizza. Sophie, sitting on the back stoop, begged for entry, too. I walked over to open the door for her.

“Hey,” Sean groused. “We’re still playing.”

“I thought you were finished and, besides, it’s almost dark outside.”

“The stars aren’t out, so can we have five more minutes?”

Given the topic of conversation in the living room, I didn’t want him to have nightmares. “Yes,” I agreed. “I’ll call you when it’s time, and we’ll have no further negotiations. Deal?”

“Deal,” he grinned before urging Sophie to follow.

When I returned, Jessica gave me a smirk and whispered, “You’re a softie, Mimi.”

I thought I’d done a good job setting boundaries, though I admitted the little stinker had a way of wrapping me around his pinky finger.

^^^

While Ryan interviewed Clare, Jessica and I wrapped six slices of pizza in foil for her to take home. Judy and Tom didn’t want any leftovers since they had plans to eat out during the weekend.

“I remember those carefree days of dating,” Jessica teased. “It’s not like that for me any more.”

“I don’t know how you manage to handle everything, what with being seven months pregnant,” Judy replied good-naturedly. “That reminds me. We’d better soon have the baby shower. Do you have a date in mind? ”

“It has to be after the Harvest Gala and before the baby comes in November.”

“Right,” Judy nodded. “I’ll check my event calendar and get back to you.”

“We can have it here,” I suggested.

Judy slowly shook her head. “I’m thinking we might want to rent the hall at Ridgeton Manor since we’ll have a lot of guests.”

“That’s where she had her wedding reception,” I noted.

“It won’t matter,” she replied. “It’s a great space.”

“Yes, it is,” I agreed.

I gladly handed Judy the responsibility for organizing the shower since she was now an event planner, in addition to working at Trinkets and Treasures . She quit her second job of waitressing at the Black Horse Pub earlier in the summer so she could devote more time to her new endeavor—and, I supposed, Tom.

After Judy promised to plan the baby shower, she and Tom bid farewell and departed. Jessica decided to take Sean home, rather than have him listen to details about Liz’s disappearance. She let Ryan know of her plans, grabbed the munchkin’s sweater from a dining room chair, and wished everyone a good night.

I walked her to the door and called Sophie in. “Are you doing all right?” I queried.

“Really good, Mimi. Thanks, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I loved having my granddaughter living in the house next door, and I could hardly wait for the new baby to arrive.

When I returned to the living room after letting Sophie in, Ryan had finished his interview with Clare. Closing his notebook, he assured her, “I’ll write this up tonight and submit it in the morning. Hopefully, it’ll run by this Sunday’s edition.”

She smiled her relief as she rubbed Sophie’s ears. “I really appreciate it. One of the older Sisters at the Motherhouse offered to come stay with me until we find Liz, but she wouldn’t be able to manage the stairs.”

“That’s too bad,” Alan stated. “She could help keep an eye on your place since we don’t have anyone standing watch 24/7.”

She gave him a questioning gaze. “I’m not in any danger. Right?”

“We don’t know.”

“I don’t think I am, so I’ll play it by ear. In the meantime, would you and Sue take a look at Liz’s day planner?”

I retrieved it from the entry table and handed it to her. She gave it back to me saying, “It doesn’t make sense to me because she had things lined up for this week and, even, the rest of the month. Liz did not plan to go missing.”

I flipped through the past weeks to see planned activities and appointments every day, including when she scheduled golf, lunch dates with friends, working on Ed’s accounting files, and shopping for her neighbor’s groceries.

When nothing struck me as out-of-the-ordinary, I gave it to Alan. He looked specifically at the previous Sunday and said, “Liz knew your plane would arrive last week. It’s on the calendar.”

Clare nodded gloomily. “I know.”

“Did you see her at the airport?”

“No, although I’d intended to rent a car since she hadn’t returned my calls, then Sue told me you lived in Aspen Notch. It felt as if my guardian angel had interceded, although I don’t know what to believe now .

“That’s quite plausible,” Alan said. “Would you like to stay with us tonight?”

“No, thank you. I’d rather continue searching Liz’s house for clues.”

Alan nodded his understanding, and Ryan offered to walk with her across the street. She stood and thanked us for inviting her to our family night.

“You’re very lucky,” she said, walking to the door.

We followed, and Alan draped his arm across my shoulders. I leaned into him, feeling his warmth and comfort. As she and Ryan made their way down our front steps, I whispered to my husband, “I agree. We’re very lucky.”

We kissed after he closed the door. “Yes, we are.”