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"Time is ticking, Rainbow," Jake Timberland, cornered me as I watched out the Pit Stop window. He stood like a brick wall in my way, a trick he learned as a football linebacker. “I have to be back in the office for a very important meeting in less than an hour."
Taking one last glance out the window, I sighed. He was right. I asked for just a bit of his time and I needed his support today. But maybe I could stall just for a few more minutes.
Putting on my best smile, I capitulated, "You are correct, as usual. Your lunch time is valuable, I would like to invite you to a free lunch, anything off the menu, as a thank you for taking the time to come. When you have your order, head upstairs to my studio for a proposition my family has been working on. Skyler will help you get situated upstairs."
I offered the other three invitees: Mrs. Claire Hempel, the School Board president, and Bob Baker, the city accountant, and Mrs. Granger, the School Board accountant, the same deal. Secretly, I was hoping for two more arrivals, but it was not guaranteed they would make it in time.
Once my guests had found a seat upstairs, I was forced to stall no longer, "Ladies and Gentlemen, two years ago at this time, there was a suggestion to create a more complete physical fitness center at the high school."
"The original plans were benched because of the price tag, if I recall," interrupted Bob Baker, the city accountant.
"Which is why fundraising has already begun by the students," I added. "They want it, and are willing to work for it."
"And we couldn't decide on what should be in it," said the Mayor, who was also the baseball coach.
"Or where and how to make it work with the high school," added Mrs. Hempel.
I continued, "So the school just paid the membership dues at Power Fitness for the students on sports teams as they had for years. I know. But now that is burned to the ground. We really need a new plan." I motioned to Skylar and Hunter, "Boys, would you show them the plans you drew up?"
Hunter stepped up next to Skyler as Trevor removed a cloth with flare, off the display they had worked on for the last three days. "We started with the various previous suggestions found in the city archives. You see here, we have weight lifting, locker rooms, a swimming pool, and indoor track laid out. All of the current teams accounted for. The outside wall is butting up against the current high school back wall by the...."
As he went on, I stepped back to the door, pleased to see a late arrival to the party being escorted up by Emily.
"Welcome, Chief, so glad you could make it." One step at a time, he leaned heavily on the banister.
"Mrs. Bailey, glad to see the color back in your cheeks." Chief Flint nodded, as he reached the top. "I'm not staying for the meeting. I just came by to see Sheri. I was told she was here."
"Sorry, she didn't stay. But she did drop something off for you." I turned back towards the center of the room. "Now where did I put that?"
"You put it in the doll house, Mom," Emily answered.
"Oh, yes I did." I lead the way across the room. "Did you have any lunch, yet?"
"Ah, no. Thank you anyway."
Just then Audrey arrived with a platter, as Emily laid out a TV tray we had in the corner. "One Roast beef special, with potato salad, not fries. Made especially for you Chief."
He looked at it longingly, but hesitantly.
"Just the facts, sir," I imitated his finger counting style. "You need to eat for your strength and hospital food stinks. You were just released from that hospital so the food in your house is five days old or more. Also, if you don't eat this food, it will just go to waste. Add that all together equals: You. Sit. Eat."
He held up his hands, surrendering. "If I eat, will you stop talking?"
I put a fake zipper across my lips before I walked away, leaving the Chief in Emily's capable hands.
Mrs. Granger was explaining to the boys, "But this project needs to come out of school funds, not city funds, and that would require raising taxes. We tried that two years ago. You know that was voted down at the last general election."
"Yes, Ma'am," Skylar answered. "At the time, the plans for a new gymnasium was presented as a school budget item. However, what we are proposing is not a new school only gymnasium, but a community athletic center attached to the high school. This would be voted on, and funded by the city and residents as such."
"Your new design adds fifty percent to the cost, and that is just an estimate. This is a pretty expensive homeschool project you are just throwing out to us, young man," stated Mr. Barker. "But knowing the Bailey clan, I suppose you also have a plan where those funds will come from?"
"First of all," I chimed in, "This is not a homeschool project. This is a community service project."
"Secondly, many high school groups have pledged their money earnings from this weekend toward just upgrading the gym, which is the last resort in their minds. This project involves not a renovation of a few barbells , but building on a new gym, an option that they started with anyway."
"Does anyone know how much was raised last year’s auction weekend?" Mrs. Granger chimed in.
Hunter already had the figures ready, "Of the eleven clubs and sports groups that had booths specifically to raise money for the gymnasium, the combined total equals almost twelve thousand dollars."
"Which just proves my point," argued Mr. Barker. "It will take ten years or more to get the money together."
"Not if we have community support and donations," I responded, "which I think we can get now that the Power Fitness is gone. This community needs somewhere to go for fitness, exercise, and rehab, which the Power Fitness had provided to some degree. We took the original ideas of a large cool pool for the swim team, small warmer pool for rehab, weight lifting, etc. It will touch every life in this community. "
Hunter added, "We are asking just one question at this informal gathering. Can the city board and school board get behind this plan that the school board presented two years ago, together? Can we, as a community, think that this is a good idea and work towards its completion together?"
They looked at each other, and the design. Bob Barker added, "I have heard of this kind of idea in other cities: A community center added on to a school. Scheduling would be a challenge at times, but it would be used year-round that way."
Slowly heads nodded in a consensus.
"Yes, it would benefit both the community and the school. But that is an unofficial vote, since this is not an official meeting. And then we are still stuck trying to find the funds for this out of thin air," Mr. Barker insisted.
"Well, to get the financing started," I announced as the second late guest walked in, "I am willing to sell the paintings you see here, in this room. They are still a bit wet since I just painted them based on this weekend’s events."
"Now, Rainbow, you know we all appreciate your art work, and generous donations to the city offices over the years. But we are back to the 'just a drop in the bucket' beginning here. I mean, how much can these be worth?"
"Twenty thousand, for opening bid," called the voice from the back, as Veronica Talman stepped up and announced her presence.
Thump! At the sight of her, Chief Flint had jumped to his feet, but his leg wouldn't hold him and he came crashing back down, kicking over the food table.
"Veronica, I thought you had returned to New York," exclaimed Mrs. Granger, her aunt, as everyone turned to see the newcomer.
"I had, but Rainbow insisted I return." Veronica answered her aunt, while reaching over to help Chief. She added, "I have not had a man fall at my feet in a while. Thank you for the compliment."
Travis had just arrived with the dessert platter. I grabbed it and sent him off. "Travis, run down stairs for paper towels, and tell Dad to replace Chief's lunch. Audrey, and Em, please serve dessert," I directed.
Chief Flint, just stared at Veronica, in disbelief. I made the proper introductions. "Chief Johnathan Flint, this is Veronica Talman. Veronica, this is our new Chief of Police, Johnathan Flint. He was married to Laura Pennington, recently deceased."
Veronica held out her hand, "So sorry to hear that. No wonder you look like you saw a ghost! Laura and I could have passed for twins in our younger days. I guess we still look alike?"
He reached out and grabbed her offered hand for support as he stood.
"Ah, just a bit, yes," he stammered, with a half-smile as the color began creeping back into his cheeks.
"Hey, Chief," I asked, while wiping the floor dry, "Did you find that message in the doll house you were looking for?"
That really made the color come back to his cheeks, "Uh, yeah. It was on the 18th century credenza."
"A message in the doll house? Sounds mysterious. The credenza in the living room or playroom?" Veronica inquired.
"The parlor actually," he replied. Then he added to me, "That is one antique dollhouse. Such intricate replicas of items from back in the day."
"You know antiques?" Veronica asked.
"Some," he admitted. "Laura loved them and I would help with the odd repair. I learned along the way."
Veronica caught my eye, as she said to the Chief, "We will talk later, so don't go anywhere. I need to dig my favorite client out of this mess, first."
Martin arrived with the new food for the Chief, as I followed Veronica. She inspected the five paintings drying on the easels. "I am very glad I did return. Stunning work. Three Days, Boo? You did this in three days?"
"Well, the donation from the paintings would be a start," Mr. Barker, still with a bit of chocolate cookie around his mouth, choked a bit on that figure, "is still a long way from what we need."
"Did I say twenty? I meant thirty. This is way different than her usual style. It is hard. It is crisp. Yet it yearns with emotion."
"Well, that is a bigger drop, but the whole amount will still be a hard sell to the people."
Veronica walked up to Mr. Bob Barker, her old boyfriend in high school.
Nose to nose she added, "Each, old sweetheart. That should give you a bigger drop."
"You are kidding!" He retorted.
"I never kid, lie or joke about art and its value. My business is built on my reputation," Veronica replied.
"Plus," I dove into the middle of them. I wanted the discussion flowing, not fists. "The school did have a budget plan for the renovations. And our community has an active base of workers. If we contract locally, and they are willing to work at cost, the total bill will drop. And if the community assists, we could get the funding together for the rest of the bill. You see, it will be a community project."
Skylar added, "We also have thoughts on membership fees for the daily costs after it is open. Keeping them low enough for usage, but enough to pay for employees and water bills and such."
Hunter concluded, "It is all laid out in these portfolios. We are asking that you look them over and help to present them to your boards having meetings this week. We can answer any questions you have."
"I will let the boys answer any questions you have right now," I offered to the board members as I noticed some uninvited new arrivals lead by Audrey. "Veronica, may I borrow you for a moment?"
Veronica and I walked over to flank Chief Flint as Vernon Flandan and his attorney, and cousin, Jason Flandan arrived.
"Mayor, there you are. We have a major breach of contract here," Jason beelined straight to Jake Timberland.
"Now hold on," Mr. Timberland called, walking over. "May I assume you are talking about Vernon's rental to the city on Chief Flint's behalf?"
"Most assuredly yes. It is clear in the contract that Vernon's grandfather estate will allow the property to be rented, but only to people not in Jensen clan!"
"Yes, yes, I just learned about it myself recently. But with everything going on, plus the fact that it was rented to the city, I thought it would give us some time to come up with a suitable alternative." Jake tried to stall.
"Excuse me?" inserted the Chief. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes. There is a problem. You are living in my house, and I just learned your wife was a Jensen. You need to move out today!" announced Vernon.
"Now, Vernon," said Mayor Timberland. "This is just a misunderstanding, and the board plans on rectifying it as soon as we have a meeting tonight. It wasn't done on purpose. In fact, your cousin, when the contract was written, had access to the same info as the rest of us. Chief Flint listed his wife as deceased without including a name, and none of us asked for specifics. Now, Chief Flint has only just been released from the hospital. We haven't even had a chance to explain it yet."
"Explain what?" Chief asked.
Veronica took over from here, doing exactly what I had hoped she would do. "Laura Pennington was from the Jensen family, and thus you are also, by marriage, a Jensen. Vernon here is from the Maurey family. These two families had a feud for some unknown reason ages ago. The prejudices still continue today."
"We still remember what it was about!" Vernon announced. "Don't you, Jason?"
Jason nodded. "Of course!"
"Only you would!" Veronica answered.
"They are kidding, right?" Chief asked Veronica.
"Not in the slightest, unfortunately," answered Veronica. "But tell me Chief, how would you like to see the house that particular dollhouse is modeled after? Even full of the very same antiques you saw in the dollhouse."
Shocked at the change in topic, he replied, "That many preserved antiques would be extremely impressive."
"Antique, yes. Preserved, they are not. Come, look out this window to the pink Victorian house."
"Hey," interrupted Vernon, "The housing situation."
"Pipe down and let the big kids talk." Veronica commanded Vernon. "Let the lawyers do what you pay them for. We are just being friendly over here."
Turning to Chief Flint, Veronica walked the Chief over to the window, "You can just see it here through the trees. That doll house was made as a Christmas gift from my great grandfather to my grandmother. I inherited that jumbled monstrosity six years ago. I don't live in town, so I haven't been able to do much more than walk through it and arrange for someone to keep an eye on the place. However, that person quit a month ago, vacating the apartment he was using."
Pointing to the left, she added, "See that garage house next to it? When it was originally built, the upstairs was for the stable boys. It has been completely remodeled into two modern apartments. Each with two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. I use one when I come for an overnight. The other goes to whomever I hire to take care of the place. No paycheck, but cheap rent, plus utilities."
"What responsibilities are there?" asked the Chief, barely peeling his eyes away from the window.
"Just checking the property, inside and outside, daily, and coordinating with the police if there is a problem." Veronica smiled at him. "And, I will waive the rental fee for time spend cataloging the inventory."
"Sounds like a good deal for an expert."
"It is. The problem is finding an expert, and those I do find are usually only looking for wheelchair accessible apartments. The stairs going up to the apartment scares them off. Think you could do it, even with an injured leg?"
"Probably not right away," I piped up. "But let Martin handle Vernon."
I turned to look right at the Chief, "That is if you want to take the offer. Will you stay here, in our town?"
He thought about it for a moment, while the men in the background were arguing over Equal Housing Laws. "You mean to ask, will I stay and deal with family feuds, an interfering busy homeschooling mother of five, an ornery secretary who shredded my resignation letter and put it in a wrapped box I discovered in the doll house, and whatever other craziness I will find in this quaint small town?"
Veronica and I smiled and nodded.
"Now I know why Laura loved her memories but did not ever contemplate visiting," He sighed, disbelieving. "I have no other good plans. So, I might as well take the deal. At least for now."
They shook hands, while I caught Martin before he headed back downstairs.
Soon he was approaching the group of arguing men. "Vernon, if I remember correctly my cousin Jim Flandan, your father, proudly served in a few American conflicts overseas."
"Yes, Sir," Vernon stood a little straighter at the memory. "All the Flandan men have proudly served in uniform."
"And Grandfather Patrick was even the sheriff for a time in our fair town."
"True again."
"Then I have one question for you. Which would make Patrick more furious: Kicking a policeman, wounded on the job, out of a house, or letting an unknowing Jensen to continue to live in the house for another ninety days to let his leg heal?"
Vernon Flandan deflated for a second before rebounding with a counter offer. "Thirty days and then he is out."
"Sixty days maximum, and the house will be cleaned so you won't even know it had been rented in the first place," Martin counter offered.
"You pay for Cousin Anna to do the cleaning." Vernon added. "I only trust her."
"You got a deal. Now let’s go get some coffee. I have a new vanilla roast I want you to try," Martin concluded the deal and the men followed him down.
Chief Flint turned to me. "You want to explain to me what just happened?"
"Well, we bought you more time to heal, and a new apartment that I think you will love. Martin negotiated the deal because he is a born Maurey."
"But Laura was a Jensen? How is it that I had never heard of these clans?" The Chief asked.
"Yes, her grandma specifically," Veronica explained, while I started cleaning up. "And most people in town have learned to work with all people, thanks to Rainbow and Martin, but some such as Vernon still hold a grudge."
"Oh, how so?"
"Well, Martin is a Maurey by birthright, but Rainbow is a Jensen. When they got married, it caused such a ruckus in town. But, that didn't stop them. Rainbow personally wrote on the invite that people could come and celebrate with them, or stay away from the fun. That it was their choice which side of the fence they sat, and it would only hurt themselves. Rainbow is my hero, and helped me get started in my career. Which reminds me, I need to get going or I will miss my plane."
She started walking downstairs all the while leaving instructions. "Well, it has been fun as always, Boo! Now, the minute the paint is dry, call me. I will arrange for shipping to New York. Meanwhile, I will start the phone calls."
"Is that where you live? New York?" The Chief did his best to keep up with her, limping along with his cane.
"New Jersey actually. But my art gallery is in New York."
"You come back often?" Chief asked as he finally reached the bottom.
"Well, usually once a year." She answered with a smile. "But I will be back for the paintings, and when you move in. Oh, Chief, when you feel up to it, take a tour of the place. Rainbow has keys. If for some reason you change your mind, just let me know. I know we kind of railroaded you. I am just glad I was able to help buy you some time."
Looking at her watch, "Oops, I have got to go. Love your concepts, Rainbow, as usual. Chief, looking forward to seeing you again."
She shook hands and raced out to her rented bright red convertible. Speeding off, she narrowly missed Corbin crossing the street.
"Chief Flint, I am ready to give you a ride home whenever you need it," Corbin announced.
"Just as soon as I settle my bill," Chief responded. Turning to Martin, he asked, "How much?"
"For saving my wife? Lunch on us. It's the least we can do," Martin said.
The Chief looked around at every one in the shop, then at the lunch menu prices, taking a moment to respond. Placing money on the counter, he announced to all in the shop, "I was a good cop in St Louis. I didn't take the free lunches or other favors. And I intend to be a good Chief of Police in this town. So here is my money for that delicious lunch. Now it is up to you to decide what to do with it. You can put it in the cash register, or drop it into the charity jar for the community gym. That is up to you."
Martin picked up the money and stuffed it in jar on the counter to raise money for the new high school gym, smiling. "Well played, Chief, well played."
Chief turned around and cornered me at the door. "You planned that whole thing upstairs, didn't you?"
"The paintings, the meeting, and introducing Veronica, yes. I had no idea what was in the box from Sheri. And Veronica's offer was all hers."
"But you were hoping, weren't you?"
"Yes," I just smiled brightly. "I knew about the housing issue the minute I saw the picture of your wife."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I figured you had enough on your plate with a murder to solve, and the big fair weekend. And there was nothing you do could about it. It was the city who needed to fix the contract."
"Alright, trouble maker," he laughed. "Now I better follow doctor's orders and get this leg up. I need to be at the top of my game before you get into trouble again, because I have a feeling this isn't the first time, nor the last."
Behind us, my kids giggled.
"No worries about me, Chief, I am happily going back to being a boring housewife and mother."
"Boring?" Chief Flint rolled his eyes, as Martin joined in the laughter. "Yeah, that is what I thought."
"Welcome to the community, Chief!" I smiled, as the Chief limped out the door to Corbin's police cruiser. "And remember Chief, you have friends here to help you anytime you need it."
The Chief paused at the car before climbing in. He turned around to add, "Rainbow, when I am not in uniform, my friends call my Jack."