Chapter 14
As Beatrice was gathering up some books to take to DeeAnn, her doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Jon said. He was so helpful.
Bea placed a few books in a bag, then removed a couple. She didn’t want to overwhelm DeeAnn. She’d just tell her there were more, if she was interested. Bea placed the bag on her kitchen table next to the lasagna she had made for DeeAnn and Jacob. It should last them a few days.
“Hey, Bea,” Annie said, walking into the kitchen.
“Well, hello there. Have a seat. I’m just getting some things ready to take to DeeAnn.”
“The lasagna looks good,” Annie said, picking up a few books and looking at them. “I love these. They are a lot of fun, yet they aren’t stupid, you know?”
“I’ve got so many of them and DeeAnn is bored out of her mind,” Bea said.
“I’ve been taking my books down to Blue Moon Bookstore,” Annie said. “They sell secondhand books along with new ones.”
Beatrice sat down. “You know, I haven’t been there in awhile. I forget about that place. Nice bookstore.”
“I’ve been spending a lot of time there. They have book groups, writer’s groups,” Annie said, sitting down.
“Hmmm, interesting,” Bea said. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, I’m not staying. The boys will be home in about ten minutes. I’ve just come from the police station and I don’t like what I heard. I wanted to run a few things by you since you’ve lived here your whole life.”
Beatrice looked up from her stack of books.
“I went over to Druid Lane where those new apartments are. It’s where the Martelino sisters lived. I just wanted to have a look around and maybe talk to some people.”
“And?”
“Well, I started to speak to a woman behind the counter at the office. She seemed nice, but then this man came up behind me and he was rude and threatening.”
“Oh dear,” Beatrice said.
“So I hightailed it over to the police department. Come to find out, it’s a hotbed of gang activity.”
Beatrice’s mouth dropped open.
Jon walked by on his way to the sink. “What? Gangs in Cumberland Creek?” He said, stopping at the table. “Did I hear that right?”
“Evidently it’s been a problem for quite some time,” Annie said. “For the most part, it’s not been in the news, but a few months ago when the young woman was raped and attacked . . . well, that was gang-related. I learned about it from DeeAnn. It checks out.”
“Do you think that’s the case with the Martelino sisters?” Beatrice asked.
“I have no idea. It certainly seems personal—sisters killed within twenty-four hours of one another.” Annie paused a moment before continuing. “But Beatrice, I wanted to ask you what you make of this gang business and what you know about Druid Lane and the neighborhood.”
Beatrice thought about it for a moment, sifting through images and memories. “Where exactly is it? Don’t think I’ve ever been there. And I thought I knew this town pretty well.”
“It’s over near the park across the river,” Annie told her. “It looks pretty new. Newly paved road, new apartments.”
“Hmm. I don’t know a thing about it.” Beatrice shrugged. “I know Cumberland Creek is growing and there’s been a lot of new construction, but I don’t know about that area.”
“Is that where the gangs are?” Jon asked.
“I don’t know,” Annie replied. “That’s what the cops say, but I covered gangs in DC and many times where you think they are is just a cover for where they really are.”
Jon’s mouth twisted. “Sounds sophisticated.”
“Wait a minute,” Beatrice said. “Did that property used to be a farm? I think it did.”
“Interesting,” Annie said. “I’ll look into who owned it.”
“I know who owned it. That was the old Drummond homestead, I believe,” Bea said. “When did they sell it to become apartments? Where have I been? How did I miss it?” A wash of nostalgia overcame her. She had such fond memories of the Drummonds, their house, and their orchard—one of the oldest in the state.
“You have a full life, Beatrice,” Annie said after a moment. “You’ve been busy with your new husband.”
“Oui,” Jon said and grinned. “Plus, so many other things.”
“But I read the paper every day and I talk to people every day. I mean, I consider myself well-informed.” Beatrice was indignant. It didn’t make sense. How could something be happening and she not know anything about it?
“As far as the gangs go,” Annie said, “the police are watching very closely. I guess they are trying to keep things quiet so as not to set off panic.”
Beatrice thought a moment. “I never thought I’d see the day I’d agree with the police. But a lot of the old-timers around here would welcome a reason to fight off a group of foreigners. Pains me to say it. Just the other day, someone was complaining about the Mexicans and other foreigners taking their jobs.”
“Really?” Annie said. “Was that at the senior center?”
Beatrice nodded. “Over bingo.” She reached for Jon’s hand. “They completely ignored the fact that a foreigner was sitting right next to me.”