My Novel : Chapter 10

Running:

When I was a runner I knew certain things went into having a good run. My top 5 ingredients: good running shoes, good socks, comfy clothing, great music, the perfect temperature.

Writing:

Good writing means filling up the content with the basics and then adding in lots of good stuff. It's kind of like making cookies--really yummy when I get it right.

Good stuff ready to dump into basic cookie dough.

Secrets at Midnight

Leona Palmer Haag

Chapter 10

After getting nowhere, and weaseling nothing out of Matt but shrugs for excuses, Jenn leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Eventually they pulled off the freeway to fill the gas tank. He asked if she needed anything from the quick mart and she muttered, “Yeah—a caramel-coated, peanut-packed, chocolate-covered new life.” He laughed and swung the car door shut like he didn’t believe her, and leaving her with Katie and a giant headache. Moments later he returned, offering a diet soda and a couple candy bars. He put his caffeine fix in the cup holder and pulled back onto the freeway.

Folding her hands in her lap, something nagging the back of Jenn’s mind finally moved forward. “Where's my gun?”

Matt shrugged. “I thought I'd eventually ask you the same question.”

“You didn't stash it in your trunk?”

He scowled. “We couldn't find it.”

Had anyone passed a law against playing with an x-cop? Jenn doubted it. She grabbed his arm and tugged. “You can find passports, an itty-bitty fingernail, fabric fibers, but not a dangerous weapon? No wonder you quit law enforcement. Fired, I suspect. And what kind of detective was Kevin? Lousy? No wonder he sells life insurance now.”

Matt chuckled. “Actually, Curtis doesn’t sell insurance.”

“Let me guess—the former cop-turned-insurance-guru investigates fraud claims when he’s not tampering with murder cases?”

“You hit the nail pretty close to the head.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding.” The puzzle pieces seemed to fit. The big linebacker—no, Kevin was the entire football team—snooped. “He spies on people who claim disability while golfing in Tahiti and kayaking white water?”

“Basically, except I don’t think he’s ever been to Tahiti.”

 She sighed. “No wonder my gun hasn’t been discovered. He’s a lousy investigator. My house is how big—twelve-hundred square feet, give or take a dozen? It’s one-hundred percent devoid of junk, so where could a little gun hide?”

Matt chuckled. “I'll tell him you said he’s half-rate. It’ll motivate him. Where is it?”

“Not under the bed, but I assume you know that already.”

“You’re right—there’s nothing but dust bunnies, and they’re multiplying fast. Your whole house will be infested before you get back, maybe the entire neighborhood too. Your reputation—ruined.”

Jenn laughed. That was the Matt she'd known ever since her mother had told Shawn he was in charge of his baby sister. But the assignment was given long before she could remember. Her brother took the charge seriously, extending it to Matt. They played ball, rode bikes and hung out together. The guys took care of her like a celebrity, not a nuisance. Matt had been there every day with a funny comment, laugh or game. But this was real. Shivers inching across her skin confirmed it. “It's in a box on the top shelf above the washing machine. It’s labeled ‘spare buttons.’”

“Not very convenient,” he said, an eyebrow lifting. He pulled out his phone, flipped it open and punched a number. 

“I've never needed it, not even last night—I probably couldn’t have used it even if I’d had it in my pocket.” She grappled with an image of her aiming at someone rather than a target.

Matt's voice shattered the scene playing through her mind. “Hey, Curtis, Jenn thinks you're a low-rate, over-paid wanna-be cop who ought to be selling life insurance to earn your keep.” Kevin’s voice broke in, loud and angry sounding, and across the car it sounded like a swarm of killer bees zeroing in for an attack, making her glad she couldn’t make out his words. Matt talked above the noise. “Her gun's in a box above the washing machine.” More angry buzzing sounds erupted and Matt pulled his phone from his ear and lowered the volume. He closed his phone a moment later. “He'll call back when he finds it. Did I send him on a wild goose chase?”

“No, and the bullets are in a decorative case at the bottom of my crafting box—and if I get in trouble with Kevin because he thinks I said all that, you’re in trouble. I do not want a guy who looks like an entire army mad at me.”

“I tossed in things I’m sure you would have said if you knew him better. I'll inform him where the ammo is when he calls back, because he didn’t find that either.”

Jenn watched the clock numbers tick away. “Kevin's going to break into my house?”

“He's got a key.”

She stared at him. “Who gave him one? Not me.”

Matt raised his hand. “Guilty.”

Without counting to ten first, Jenn turned a storm loose. “Who else has a key to my house? What did you do, make ten copies and pass them out like candy? Did you give one to the mailman?” Matt held up his hand and she quieted because the look on his face said he was willing to talk—finally.

“Marshall. Monica.”

“Your boss?”

“In case he needs it. That’s what keys are for.”

The storm resumed. “Bad reason. No one gives their boss a key. Did I give Dawn Ann a key to my house? No. And how long has Monica had one? Did Nick give it to her? Are they having an affair? Is she in Chicago with him? Is that why she hasn't called and why I haven't heard from him except a few short e-mails? Is that why she's been so intent on being my friend? Is she trying to squeeze into our relationship so she can steal my husband? There is no reason for either of them to have my house key. It’s mine, you know. Do I have your house key? No! Can you give me one good reason why either…”

“Whoa!” Matt said, halting the inquisition. “You’re way off base.”

Jenn gathered her arms around her middle, squishing her stomach to calm it. “Why does she need a key?”  

Matt’s cell phone rang and he snapped it open. “Kevin found the gun,” he reported. “Should I tell him where the bullets are?”

“No. Make him search. He’s got two minutes.” She glared at the clock and fumed.

Turning back to the phone, Matt said, “Jenn says you're a lousy detective. Keep looking and don't make a mess. Vacuum up those dust bunnies while you're at it if you don't want her accusing you of breaking and entering.” He hung up and chuckled.

“How do you feel about Nick and Monica having an affair under our noses?”

His grin widened. “I’m okay with it since it's less involved and not as serious as ours.” He shot her a charm-packed smile.

Holding back the temptation to give her childhood daydream a black eye, Jenn said, “We're long past thinking about anything serious. You married Miss Universe and I fell desperately in love with the guy you brought me.”

He cleared his throat. “Can you still shoot a gun?”

What did it matter to him if she knew how to use her gun? It wasn’t something she’d forget overnight, although she hadn’t pulled it from the box in months. If it were in her hand she’d instantly remember. She smiled. “Of course I can. If I had it right now I'd....” She turned and aimed her finger at him.

“Take me out?”

“No, just convince you to turn around.” She rummaged through her purse and pulled out her cell phone. “I'll try Nick again. I'll say something about Kevin having a key and stealing my handgun and you taking me out of state—illegally—because I’m here against my will. Anything else I should mention? What are you guilty of that I don’t know about?”

He chuckled and shrugged. “Didn’t know I was so dark and scary.”

She flipped her phone open and found a black screen. “The battery's dead. How convenient for you. A dead battery, a dead woman, a kidnapped woman, and you're involved with all three. You need an excellent lawyer.”

He didn’t laugh or deny anything, making him dark and scary. To lift the mood swirling in the car she lightly said, “Or maybe you packed my phone charger along with everything else you dumped in my suitcases.” She tossed it into the glove box on top of the passports. “As soon as Nick has room in his voice mail I’ll borrow your phone and leave an incredibly strange message. One that might end up in a broken neck—yours.”

Katie awoke and squirmed, and within minutes began kicking the back of Matt's seat. Jenn hid a smile: He deserved it. A moment later the toddler filled the car with ear-splitting shrieks. Jenn turned and checked on her. “It's diaper time.”

Nothing broke the horizon and they’d passed the last exit miles ago. “We’re in the middle of nowhere,” Matt said.

She sighed like he’d missed something obvious. “Then find something. You're the one who kidnapped a baby who hates wet diapers.” He complained about the accusation so she patted his shoulder. “Have you ever heard of thinking before you jump?”

She turned around and leaned through the narrow gap between the seats and snagged the diaper bag and pulled until it dislodged from the space beneath Katie’s feet, then rummaged for the emergency stash of goodies. Katie kicked and fussed but finally accepted a snack. Moments later she resumed howling. Jenn’s tummy rumbled. “Did you include food during your frenzied packing spree?”

Matt checked the clock. “We'll stop in the next town.”

Jenn tried to appease Katie without much luck. She glanced at her companion a couple times, but he ignored her and didn’t offer any help except trying to find soothing music on the radio. “Twenty-two miles to the next exit. A few more into town. Do you want me to stop or go on?” he finally said.

Going on wasn’t in Jenn’s plans. “Stop.” She’d figure out how to get away from him or convince him to turn around later.

Thirty-eight minutes passed before they pulled into a service station. Matt pulled out his wallet and handed her two twenties. “While I top off the tank, go over to the Dairy Freeze and buy dinner.”

Jenn fisted the bills. “What if I take your money and run? Are you afraid of that?”

He pushed his face into hers. “I'm afraid of a lot of things, kid, but that’s not on my list. Run if you want. Want me to get Katie out so you're not alone?”

She frowned. “I'll get her myself.” She hopped out and circled the car and yanked open the back door and began unbuckling Katie under Matt’s watchful eye. With Katie on her hip she said, “Maybe I should pump gas while you get food.”

He shrugged and took the keys, handed over his credit card and jogged across the street, leaving the twenties behind. Jenn inserted the card and chose premium, hoping he preferred regular. While the tank filled she gathered supplies and carried Katie inside, hoping the restroom looked sanitary and had a baby changing station.

 End Chapter 10

 Yikes! The last 2 chapters have been small, just like the size of little cookies. The next chapter doesn't look much bigger.

If you feel like it, leave a comment. Please keep it little cookie sized too!