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THE NEXT DAY I SNEAKED regular, nervous peeks at my rental unit. Detective Medeiros had told me to expect Edward Ladd to return after he’d paid his bail. Ladd finally did come back that evening. I knew right away. Not because of my unceasing surveillance, but because he actually came by and knocked on my door. When I opened it and saw him standing there, I practically had a heart attack.
I was alone. Emma and Pat had left to do some grocery shopping and get takeout at Chang’s Pizza Pagoda.
“No offense to Donnie’s cooking,” Emma had said. “But Chang’s Pizza Pagoda got a two for one special on their cheesy kung pao shrimp pizza.”
“I’ll be moving back in, just wanted to let you know,” Ladd said. “So you wouldn’t think there was an intruder and call the police.”
“Heh, call the police...that’s a good one.” I tried to force myself to smile. At that moment I would have been happy to refund the entire amount they’d paid for the lease, just to have Edward Ladd out of my life entirely.
Ladd stood on my porch, waiting. For me to ask him about Jandie? For me to say I was glad to have him back? For me to invite him in?
“Can I...help with anything?” I asked.
“No, I just wondered what you thought of my manuscript.”
Ladd knew we had his book? Were we supposed to have it, or was he trying to trick me into admitting I’d read it? What exactly had Howdy Howell told us? My brain helpfully reminded me that serial killers say the second murder is easier than the first, so I should be careful about what I say to Edward Ladd. Thanks a lot, brain, now how about telling me exactly what I am supposed to say to this guy?
“Your book?” I stalled cleverly, hoping the “master of persuasion” couldn’t also read minds.
“I gave it to Howell,” Ladd said. “He said he was going to give it to everyone he knows. That includes you.”
“Oh, Howdy Howell. The reporter. I’ve only met him a couple of times, but I’ll have to ask him about it next time I see him. A book, you say.”
Misleading, but not an actual lie.
“If you want to assign it to your students, you don’t need to ask permission,” Ladd said. “Just make sure they’re not buying bootleg copies.”
“You have my word,” I said. “I will never encourage my students to buy bootleg copies of your book. By the way, have you heard from Jandie? We’re all really worried about her.”
Ladd shook his head and without a word, turned and walked away.
Harriet came by that night about ten o'clock, with a big bottle of Irish whiskey. Before I could thank her, she told me it was a present for Pat.
“Why Pat?” I asked. “It’s not his birthday or anything.”
“It’s Saint Patrick’s Day,” she said.
“Today’s the eighteenth. St. Patrick’s Day was yesterday.”
“Was it? So easy to lose track during the spring holiday.”
Harriet pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining room table. I joined her there.
“I know,” I said. “I’m not really watching the calendar too closely either, but Pat and Emma went shopping today and came back from Mizuno Mart with a bunch of half-price marshmallow shamrocks and green candy corn.”
“I see. I’m a day late. Can we call it Irish punctuality then? Where’s yer man?”
“Pat’s already asleep,” I said. “It’d be like trying to wake the dead. Besides, he doesn’t drink.”
“Not really? Nakamura told me, but I thought she was taking the Mickey.”
“No, it’s true. Coffee’s Pat’s psychoactive of choice. But it would be a shame to let your generous gift go to waste.”
“So it would.” Harriet unboxed the whiskey. I went to the couch to shake Emma awake.
“So Ladd’s back,” Harriet said, once we were all at the table. “Any news about young Jandie?”
“So creepy, that guy,” Emma said. “Doesn’t even seem to bother him that his wife’s missing. If I’d been here, I woulda said so to his face. I don’t care, I’d take him on.”
“It’s probably better you were out then,” I said. “I don’t think you kicking him in the shins would advance the cause of justice. Also I appreciate all the food you guys brought home, so thanks.”
“Eh, Harriet, this is how narcissistic he is. He asked Molly what she thought of his book.”
“Ladd’s got a book, has he?” Harriet raised her glass. “Any good?”
“No,” Emma and I said at the same time.
“Any idea who the publisher is?”
“None,” I said. “We just have the manuscript, not the final printed version.”
“Hard to find a reliable publisher these days. Nigel’s seems a bit dodgy. I’m not complaining, mind you, we’re quids in, but their paperwork’s a dog’s breakfast. Filing our U.S. taxes is going to be an adventure.”
“Speaking of money,” Emma said, “it’s weird that Ladd managed to make bail. Last I heard he was using the public defender and she was trying to argue the amount down cause he couldn’t pay the original amount. I hope he hasn’t gotten his murderer hands on Jandie’s money.”
“Ah, yes, funny that,” Harriet said. “It seems a benevolent stranger paid his bail.”
Emma and I turned to look at Harriet.
“Well he hadn’t the money to pay it, had he? Here, go on.” Harriet refilled our glasses.
“Seriously, Harriet?” Emma demanded. “You paid that psycho’s bail?”
“Harriet,” I said, “what are you going to do if he skips town this time? They already caught him trying to fly out of Mahina. If he leaves, you’re going to be the one left holding the bag. I mean, you teach law, you obviously know this. I just...why?”
“He’s not going to do anything useful while he’s locked up,” Harriet said cheerfully. “Far more instructive to observe the man in his natural habitat.”
Emma opened her mouth to argue, but apparently changed her mind.
“Yeah, I see your point,” she said.
“Emma, you what? This is insane. No. No one is observing anyone.”
“Oh, and you say I’m bossy?” Emma retorted.
“I’m not bossing anyone. You two can do whatever you like. Just keep me out of it. I’m not involved in this at all.”
“Plausible deniability, eh, Barda?” Harriet said.
“Yes,” I said. “Sorry to be no fun, but I’m exhausted and I’m going to bed.”
“Oh I say, you won’t mind if I hang about tonight.”
“What? Okay, why not. As long as no one does anything that could get me sued or arrested, both of you, stay as long as you like. Help yourselves to anything in the pantry or the fridge. There’s plenty of green candy corn. Harriet, thank you for the whiskey. It was delightful.”
I thought Emma and Harriet would stay up for a while, drink some more, go to bed, and forget about everything by the next morning. I was wrong.