CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Even though Didi was still recovering, her mother had been doing more than her share around the house, and she wanted to pitch in and help. She’d just finished folding a stack of towels, a real feat, when the doorbell rang.

As she opened the door, Officer Anderson stood up straighter and smiled his best professional smile. “I hope I’m not intruding, Ms. O’Brien, but I was in the neighborhood, and I wanted to drop by to see how you’re doing. I heard you were staying at your mother’s. Nice neighborhood.” The police officer slipped off his hat and nodded solemnly.

Didi marveled at how young he looked. If she’d had a kid brother, she would have wanted him to be like this dependable man. The cop had visited her at Frederick General a second time, and her mom suspected the officer was “sweet on her.” Although he wasn’t her type, Didi had wondered if he had a girlfriend. She knew more than one single woman looking for a good man. “Thanks for stopping by. Can I get you a soda?”

“No, thank you, ma’am. I’ll only stay a minute. I figured you might want an update on the Cabot case.”

Didi led the way into the living room, and they took a seat. “That’s very nice of you. I have to admit I’m more than a little curious. The last time I saw him, he was running from my hospital room with Jake in hot pursuit.”

“I’m sure that was a very difficult night for you, ma’am. We found a green VW Beetle in the hospital parking lot matching the description of a stolen car owned by Kevin’s secretary, Ms. Tiffany White. From there, we tracked down his expensive sports car. He’d stashed it in the woods behind her garage. We also ran the gun he was packing—uh, carrying. Not surprisingly, the 9mm was not registered to Mr. Cabot. It was also stolen. We assume he’d made unsavory connections in his job.”

What sordid “friends” had Kevin made in order to procure an illegal weapon? She shuddered.

“It seems Mr. Cabot’s dug himself a hole he can’t get out of despite the fancy lawyer he hired. No one from his own firm would agree to represent him, so he’s hired a high-priced attorney from Philadelphia. Since your ex violated the protective order you filed, and he was in possession of an unregistered firearm, and we have two witnesses to the shooting of Mr. Montgomery—that would be you and Nurse Angela Baron, of course—I’m thinking we have an excellent case against him.” Officer Anderson’s professionalism slipped a notch, and he allowed himself one bounce on his toes. “I’m happy to say the Honorable Judge Roeder denied him bail, and Mr. Cabot is still safely behind bars.”

She crossed her legs and breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m thrilled to hear that. I still have no idea how I could have been so blind, but the world’s a better place with Kevin behind bars.”

“I agree with you there, Ms. O’Brien. The trial will most likely be sometime in the fall. You and Mr. Montgomery will be called as witnesses for the prosecution, so be prepared for that, but then all this should be over.” Officer Anderson rose to his feet and nodded. “If there’s anything else I can do for you, ma’am, please call me. I’m always happy to help.” Once again, he gave her his card. She already had three, but she took it anyway to be polite.

“Thanks for coming, officer. It eases my mind to know Kevin is where he can’t hurt anybody.” Didi dreaded seeing him again, even from the relative safety of the witness stand, but it would have to be done. She didn’t want him loose on the streets harassing other women.

“It eases my mind, too. Oh, and glad to see you’re looking so much better, ma’am.”

The sympathetic policeman took his leave, and Didi shuffled back to her bedroom to read. Or maybe she needed a short nap before dinner. She still had precious little stamina. Once she’d stretched out on the bed, she decided on the nap. She needed the rest. Keeping her mind off of Jake involved real work, and she’d pretty much given up trying. His sympathy card was still under her pillow, and the hole in her heart still bled.

Maisie hopped up beside her and snuggled. At least she still had her cat.

* * *

In the days that followed, Jake had more than enough spare time to miss Didi. Breaking up with her had nearly killed him. If he hadn’t mustered the courage that awful day, he wasn’t sure he’d have had the strength to leave her. A dozen times over the past several weeks, he’d picked up the phone to call her, and a dozen times, he’d made himself put the phone back down.

Missing her was worse late at night when he tried to sleep. Images of Didi smiling and enjoying life darted through his mind. He did his best to thrust the picture show aside, but he longed to hold her again in his arms. Instead, he hugged his pillow and prayed for courage.

The day before his birthday, Jake took his frustrations out in a long, grueling tennis match with Brian. They’d been playing at least once a week, and Jake was grateful for the company and the exercise. Smacking the ball around felt good, and the rusty skills of both men were improving rapidly. Afterward, they had lunch at an upscale burger joint with Brian buying.

When the dishes had been cleared away, Brian made an announcement: “You know, I’ve been brooding over what you’ve told me about Victoria’s final hours. A couple of days ago, I had a flash of inspiration, so I drove over to Morningstar Manor.”

“On a whim, you took a little jaunt and drove for over three hours?”

“Not just a whim. A brilliant deduction. I called ahead and spoke with Amanda, the receptionist. Cute girl. Curvy. Long, dark hair that fell in a little wave over her brow just so…but anyway, after some sweet talk—which I am a master at, by the way—the young woman was only too happy to show me last year’s appointment books. There in black and white was the answer you’ve so long sought.”

Jake froze, suddenly all ears.

Brian drew a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to him. “I made a copy. As you can see from the highlighted date and time, Victoria had booked an appointment at Morningstar Manor to discuss wedding plans for the morning after she died. She never showed.” He lobbed Jake a big grin. “Happy birthday.”

If Brian had been a girl, Jake would have kissed him. Now, that was a gift that could not be repaid.

When he returned home after lunch, Jake found Lucy lying on the kitchen counter, staring intently at the cell phone he’d left charging there. His mastermind cat was never wrong. One message awaited him. He called voicemail and laughed when Drew’s jovial voice burst through.

“Hey, buddy. Donna said I had to call you. We’d like you to come over for dinner tomorrow night if you can make it. No need to bring anything, except maybe a burp rag. Baby boys can be messy. We’ll expect you at six, okay?

“Oh, and we’re also inviting Todd, the youth pastor from church, so if you see a strange car in the driveway, don’t think we’re trying to set you up. Bye.”

Another answer to his prayers? Hopefully yes, but if not, at least Jake had something to do on a Saturday night.