On Monday after a quiet weekend, Kit swallowed some coffee and called up the stairs. “Five minutes, kids.”
Amanda emerged from the master bedroom in Kit’s bathrobe and a mild case of bedhead.
“Don’t worry about cleaning up the breakfast dishes.” She hobbled through the living room on crutches Kit had loaned her. “I need something to make me feel useful while I’m here. Sorry to take over your bedroom. You need anything in there?”
“No, I’m good.” Kit had persuaded Amanda and Eric to stay when a friend’s second home option didn’t work out. It seemed like the right thing to do. She hadn’t even had time to worry about running out of food before Amanda ordered a generous supply of groceries, saying she needed to replace what was lost in the fire.
Amanda seated herself at the table in the breakfast nook, laying her crutches on the floor beside her. Kit set a cup of coffee before her then dug through her purse on the counter for her car keys.
“Have you talked to your boss about the burned equipment?”
“He said they’ll get me set up again if I can stay in one place for a few days.” Amanda raised the coffee cup to her lips.
“Have them set it up here. It’ll be quiet during the day when we’re all gone, and it’ll give you something to do. Take the game room. Better yet, use Jeff’s closet in the master bedroom.”
Amanda pursed her lips. “I’ll think about that.”
Kit watched her. “Are you sure you don’t mind being here alone?”
Amanda held up her phone. “I have the police on speed dial.”
Heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs. Bryce and Eric entered the kitchen, and Amanda held out her car keys to Eric.
“Drive safe, son. It’s the only car we’ve got until the insurance money comes through.”
Amanda lifted her cheek and Kit smiled at Eric’s embarrassment over kissing her. He followed Bryce out the door, mumbling about driving a “mom car.”
“At least you have wheels,” Bryce countered. “And your license.” Their voices trailed off as the door closed behind them.
Maddie entered the kitchen, shrugging into her backpack. Kit finished off her coffee and put her cup in the dishwasher.
“Text me if you need anything, Amanda. If I’m with a patient, I’ll answer as soon as I’m free.”
Kit dropped Maddie off at school then headed for the office. She arrived right behind Dave.
“So now you and Amanda James are BFFs?” Dave held the door open for her. “How did this come about?”
“We’re hardly best friends. We just happened to meet and managed to talk things out.” Careful to avoid any mention of the current housing arrangement, Kit led the way to his office and took a seat in front of his desk. “Now, what do I need to sign?”
Dave took his seat and stared at her.
“Why do I have a feeling it wasn’t a chance meeting?” He rolled his chair closer to his desk and grabbed some documents. “Amanda said she was back in the hospital. Same issue?”
“Sort of. Let’s say it’s related.” Kit picked up a pen and held out her hand for the papers. Dave studied her a moment more then handed over the employment forms. Kit signed and initialed each appropriate line and slid them back to him. “Have you assigned her to me, like you promised?”
“Since she’s been in the hospital, I’ll need to check with the doctor to make sure the treatment plan is still valid. Once I get that, you can go back in.”
“Thanks for giving me Betty Rusch again, too.”
“No problem. Rachel had picked her up, but Betty’s been calling and asking about you.”
Kit stood to leave, and Dave shuffled the papers and file folders on his desk. He spoke once more as she left his office.
“Welcome back, Kit. You’ve been missed.”
* * *
Shortly after lunch, Kit pressed the doorbell at Betty Rusch’s house. If Betty had made the progress Kit expected, she’d soon be discharged as a patient.
The door opened, framing Betty with her walker. Beside her, hand on the doorknob stood a man about Kit’s height with dark curly hair and a well-defined nose and chin.
“Come in, Kit. You’re just in time. I want you to meet Victor.” Betty backed up, making room for Kit to enter. Victor closed the door behind her then extended his hand with the slightest bow.
“Vic Dallas,” he said. “And you are?”
“Kit Squires.”
He hesitated, still holding her hand, and his eyes widened with recognition.
“Your husband. Wasn’t he one of the shooting victims?” A polite way to put it. Kit nodded, avoiding eye contact, but Vic squeezed her hand and covered it with his other one. “I’m so sorry. It must be devastating for you. I’ve been praying for you and the others involved.” She raised her eyes to his and saw compassion. No judgment, no condemnation.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Victor came to visit me and brought lunch,” Betty said, beaming. Kit couldn’t help but smile at the older woman’s obvious delight.
“She’s been bragging on you,” Kit told Vic. “Singing your praises every chance she gets.” She winked at Betty, and Vic chuckled.
“If everyone had a personal cheerleader like Miss Betty, there’d be a lot fewer problems in the world. But don’t believe half of what she tells you. And be suspicious about the other half.” Vic tossed an indulgent smile Betty’s way.
“Oh, go on.” Betty’s eyes twinkled as she bantered with him.
“I’m glad I had the chance to meet you,” Kit said. “I’ve wanted to thank you for restoring my garage door.”
Vic blinked and tipped his head ever so slightly at Betty. “Is this some new miracle you’ve credited me with? Resurrecting garage doors?”
Betty laughed. “Don’t look at me.”
“No miracle,” Kit said. “Just a little paint to cover the graffiti.”
Vic shook his head, his brow wrinkled. “I’m sorry. I’m still not sure what you’re referring to.”
“The graffiti on my garage door? After the shooting? Charlie Cullen said you okayed buying the paint and letting him come out and repaint the door to cover the graffiti.”
“You know Charlie?”
“He and my husband were coffee buddies.”
“And he took care of it?”
“Yes, it looks good as new.”
“Well, that’s…nice to know. I’m glad we could be of help.” The crease between Vic’s eyebrows lingered until he shook himself and zipped his fleece jacket. “I should get going. Wouldn’t want to distract Miss Betty during her therapy.” He hugged Betty and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you again, Miss Betty. Tell Gary I’ll be in touch.”
“I will, and you give my love to Yolanda and the kids.”
“Of course.” Vic shook Kit’s hand again. “So glad I had a chance to meet you, Kit. I’ll continue to pray God’s comfort and peace for you and your family.” With a smile and a nod, Vic Dallas made his exit.
Betty watched him stride out to his car.
“I love him like he was my own,” she said. “How many men in his position would make time to share lunch with an old woman who can’t offer anything in return? I just wish there was something I could do to help him now.” Betty turned toward the living room, her expression darkening.
“Is something wrong?” Kit followed her patient to where she sat down in a straight chair.
“Remember how I told you my son, Gary, audits Victor’s books each year?” Betty lifted her knee at Kit’s direction and extended her leg out then lowered it.
“Yes, I remember. And I can tell you’ve been pumping your chunky soups. You’re stronger than the last time I was here.”
“That’s good to hear. It’s hard to tell from one day to the next.”
“You winced,” Kit said. “Does that hurt?”
“No, it just takes so much effort.”
“It’ll get easier, I promise, but it takes time. Let me see you do it again.”
Betty followed Kit’s instructions. “He found some irregularities in his audit.”
“What does that mean?”
“He didn’t say exactly. Just that the numbers don’t add up.”
“Let’s do some more walking,” Kit positioned the walker in front of Betty. “Has your balance been giving you any trouble?”
“Not so much around the house here, except when I use the toilet. Gary got me one of those raised seats and that helps.” Betty stepped toward the kitchen.
“What happens if it turns out there are real problems? Will that affect your son’s friendship with Vic?”
Betty halted and looked back at Kit. “Oh no! That’s why Victor hires Gary, to make sure everything is right and proper.”
“So, you don’t think Victor is doing anything unethical?”
“No-o-o, not Victor. He’s as honest as they come.” Betty made her way through the kitchen and out into the hallway. “If there are problems, it would have to be someone else that has access to the money.”