Part 14 (2/2)
Although the detective had a point, it still didn't alleviate the guilt. Or the confusion. She'd been so certain that Lea, or maybe her husband, had everything to do with Tracy and Sandra's death. She hadn't wanted to be right, but she'd also selfishly hoped that once their killer was found, she could gain control of the trances.
Now she was left with self-doubt, regret and more unanswered questions. The people who stood to gain the most from Tracy and Sandra's deaths had legitimate alibis. Who else could have wanted them dead? And would they kill again?
Chapter 13.
EXHAUSTED FROM TOSSING and turning throughout the night, Celeste smothered a yawn, then poured coffee into her favorite gnome mug. When the timer dinged, signaling Olivia's pancakes were finished, she opened the microwave and pulled out the plate. John came into the kitchen, gave Olivia a kiss on the head, then wrapped an arm around Celeste's waist. She stopped cutting up the pancakes long enough to give him a kiss, then swatted his hand when he stole a piece of Olivia's pancake.
”I'm starving and Livy doesn't mind sharing with her daddy. Isn't that right?”
”Dada,” Olivia replied, and smacked her tray.
He chuckled and leaned against the counter, then nudged her. ”Doing any better today?”
”I'm tired. I didn't sleep well.”
”I know.”
She looked at him. ”I'm sorry if I kept you awake.”
”No biggie. I know you have a lot on your mind. Like I told you last night, listen to the detectives. This isn't over. The autopsy isn't finished, alibis haven't been checked...”
”I know. But I can't stop thinking about it and what I put Kelly and her family through.”
”Are you going to the memorial service?”
She nodded, then placed the plate of pancakes on Olivia's tray. Her daughter immediately picked up the plate, then dumped the contents. ”Looks like she has your manners.”
He chuckled. ”Right. Because I always eat off the table.”
”Barbarian,” she said with a grin, and picked up her coffee mug. ”The service is at noon. I'm taking Olivia to the church with me, then heading into work to take care of a few things.” She took a sip of coffee, then set the mug on the counter. ”I feel so unattached to the bakery right now. I can't believe I wasn't in there once this weekend.”
”And yet the place survived without you.” He bent and let Olivia feed him a piece of her pancake. ”Maybe this is a good indicator that you don't need to spend every weekend there.”
”True,” she said, and watched as Olivia gave John another piece. ”You do realize she just discovered she has nostrils, right?”
He slowly chewed, then swallowed. ”She picks her nose?”
Celeste grinned. ”I told you she has your manners.”
John made a face at Olivia, who giggled, then he turned to Celeste. ”I was going to see if you'd make me something to eat, but I've lost my appet.i.te.” He stepped into the hall, then returned with his coat. ”Are you sure you don't want me to watch Olivia today? Ian said I could work from home if I need to.”
”No, that's okay. Livy likes going to the bakery and knows exactly where to find the chocolate chip cookies. If she's bad at the church, we'll leave.” She approached him and twined her arms around his neck. ”I thought I'd make us a nice dinner, since you'll be dining on takeout for the next few days.”
”Don't remind me. I'm not looking forward to leaving again.” He placed his hands on her hips and kissed her. ”Since you're concerned about what I'm eating, I'm a.s.suming you're also concerned about what neither of us will be getting while I'm gone.” He slid his hand over her rear. ”I think tonight calls for going out of town s.e.x.”
”Going out of town s.e.x? I think we could schedule that in,” she said with a smile.
After he kissed Olivia good-bye, then gave Celeste another kiss-this one holding promise for what was to come later-he left. Celeste locked the door behind him, then checked the kitchen clock. She had over three hours before she needed to leave. Plenty of time to shower and tackle a little paperwork.
While Olivia finished shoveling the pancakes into her mouth, Celeste considered calling George to ask him if he'd spoken with the detectives she'd met last night. She decided to wait until later this afternoon. She had no idea when the ME would perform Sandra's autopsy, and the detectives would need time to confirm alibis. Still, she was dying to know what the detectives thought about the interviews-and her.
Celeste picked up her cell phone, bypa.s.sed George's number and called Maxine. ”Morning,” she said, when Maxine answered.
”How did everything go yesterday?” Maxine asked.
Celeste explained what had happened at the funeral home, as well as the police station. ”The Milwaukee police know for a fact Tracy was murdered, but maybe I was wrong about Sandra. I'm wondering if my memory of the trance is skewed. I mean, what if Sandra contacted me to make sure her daughter's body was found?” As stupid as the possibility sounded, what other explanation did she have?
”Anything is possible when we don't understand the impossible,” Maxine said. ”Try not to worry about this until you've been presented with all the facts.”
”That's easier said than done, but I'll try.” She cleaned Olivia's face and hands, then took her out of the highchair. ”I'll call you when I know something.”
”Please do. I'm anxious to hear what the detectives find.”
She set Olivia on the hardwood floor and watched her toddle into the living room. ”One more thing before I go. I talked with John and he's still concerned about leaving Olivia alone with me-especially during bath-time.”
”I admit that I have my concerns, too.”
”Me, too,” she confessed. ”But I don't know what to do. I can't have someone here to babysit me while John's out of town. John thinks I should stay on the phone with someone during bath-time, which is fine, but what if I slip into a trance while I'm cooking or cleaning, and Olivia is loose around the condo?”
”Again, this is concerning, but I might have a solution. When is John leaving again?”
”Tomorrow evening.”
”Would the two of you be able to come to my house in the afternoon? Say, around four o'clock?”
Celeste quickly opened her calendar and checked tomorrow's schedule. ”I'm good for that time, let me check with John and I'll get back to you.” She closed the calendar. ”What's your possible solution?”
”In case I'm wrong, I don't want to say anything yet. Just let me know if that time works, otherwise I'll arrange my schedule around yours.” Maxine paused. ”This is very important, Celeste, and something that definitely needs to be addressed until we can get your trances under control.”
Maxine was putting a huge dent in her confidence. ”I know. I'll call you soon.”
”Please do. And good luck today.”
A knock rapped at the front door. ”Thanks, Maxine. For everything,” she said, as she headed for the door. ”Someone's here. I'll talk to you later.”
After she ended the call, she looked through the peephole, then quickly unlocked the door. ”Kelly,” she said, then quickly embraced her friend. Kelly looked as if she hadn't slept and had stayed up all night crying. ”Oh, my G.o.d. Is everything okay?”
Kelly let out a ragged sob and squeezed her tight. ”Nothing is okay. I'm sorry to barge over, but I needed to talk to someone.”
”It's okay. Please, come in.” After shutting the door, she led Kelly into the kitchen. ”Can I get you anything? Coffee, something to eat?”
Kelly shook her head. ”I haven't been able to eat a thing for days. It's bad enough I lost my mom, but now...”
Olivia walked over and tugged at Kelly's coat. Fresh tears filled her bloodshot eyes. Kelly looked down and gave Olivia a watery smile. ”Hi, sweetie,” she said, then ran her fingers along Olivia's curls. She met Celeste's gaze. ”I want to pretend my mom is still alive. I want to go back to a week ago when my little world was normal.” She glanced to Olivia again. ”Right now I want to be in bed, snuggling with my daughter and enjoying her laughter and innocence. Instead, I have to go to my mother's memorial service and deal with a murder investigation.”
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