Джанет Кантрелл - Fat Cat Spreads Out

“You’d better. You’re marrying him. I’m relieved nothing is wrong. I was afraid something had happened between you two. Or, worse, something bad happened with Detective Olson.”

Anna gave her a blank look. “Why would you think that? I’m not involved in any of the drama at the fair.”

“I know, but it made me nervous when he talked to you earlier today. I wonder if he thinks you’re consorting with Elsa because, well, because maybe you’re helping her conceal her guilt.”

“What guilt? She didn’t kill her husband.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Anna shrugged. “I don’t know. I just am.”

Chase wasn’t sure at all.

EIGHTEEN

It was nearly midnight, but Chase had ignored three more text messages from Tanner during the day. She had to give him something to work with. He wanted to do the project, needed the money, she was sure, and was doing a good job. She should hold up her end of the bargain.

She sat at the computer and typed until she was bleary-eyed, but got good descriptions written for fifteen of their best sellers.

Hula Bars: These coconut-pineapple-walnut bars will transport you to the South Pacific at the first taste.

Lemon Bars: Just the right amount of tang and sweet. You’ve never tasted better Lemon Bars.

Harvest Bars: Imagine a crisp fall day, just before the frost is on the pumpkin. That’s where you’ll be when you taste these pumpkin spice delectables.

She used words like goodies and descriptions like “heavenly creations” and even “masterpiece confection” in describing the Peanut Butter Fudge Bars.

Finally, just before two o’clock, she sent the file to Tanner and stumbled up the stairs to fall onto the couch with her clothes on.

* * *

The next morning,Inger’s good mood of the night before had vanished. The first thing she said was that she wished Chase would get some decent coffee. “I think the smell of this kind makes me sick.”

“I don’t think you’re supposed to drink caffeine when you’re pregnant, are you?” Chase asked, continuing to make her usual coffee, French roast from the grocery store. She was too tired to rouse herself to get angry at Inger.

“Where did you hear that?”

“Around. I supposed it was common wisdom. What does your doctor say?” She poured water into the coffeemaker and switched it on.

Inger plopped into a kitchen chair as if she were eight months pregnant. “I didn’t really see a doctor. They just gave me a test and told me I’m pregnant.”

“Oh dear! You haven’t seen anyone?” Now that she was awake, she felt a headache coming on. What was Inger thinking?

“I didn’t need to go to the clinic anyway. I got a test from the drugstore. I did it three times. I know I’m pregnant.”

“That’s not the point.” Chase, reaching for two coffee mugs, hesitated, then realized what she was doing and put one on the table. Maybe Inger would have some tea again. “You’re supposed to take special vitamins. There are probably all sorts of things that should be looked into.”

“They gave me some vitamins at the clinic, but I don’t like to take pills.”

“You have to take them!”

“Why?”

“To help the baby grow strong, I think. Look, you need to see someone right away.”

“I don’t even know if I’m keeping it or giving it up for adoption.”

“Whether you keep it or not, it’s your job to make sure the baby is healthy. And, speaking of keeping him, or her, do you have anyone helping you with that decision?” Chase knew the answer, but wanted to make sure Inger understood she had a momentous choice to make.

Inger shrugged. “I’m not hungry. It’s cold in here.” She got up and went into the bathroom.

Morning sickness, Chase thought. The apartment was chilly. Fall had arrived in earnest, from the looks of the blowing tree leaves outside the window. Chase nudged her thermostat up a notch, even though she would be leaving soon and Inger would be downstairs.

The sounds of retching and of the toilet flushing, plus the smell of the bathroom freshener bolstered Chase’s assumption of morning sickness.

After Chase had eaten a piece of toast and a banana and had given Quincy his breakfast, Inger emerged. She looked wan and pale. Chase had no idea how to proceed. She must get Inger to a doctor for both the baby’s sake and hers. Before she could say anything, Inger spoke.

“Look, this isn’t working out too well. We’re getting on each other’s nerves. I appreciate what you’ve done for me, but I need to find someplace else. Maybe I could stay at Anna’s again, even if those women and the parrot are there. The parrot is something else.” Inger flashed a quick smile.

“I don’t think so. There are four people sleeping there now. It’s a small house.”

“Four?”

“Yes. Julie Larson is staying there.”

“Well, where does Julie live? Is her place empty?”

It was, and Chase and Julie had even talked, briefly, of Inger staying there. They had both decided that Quincy was good therapy for her. But maybe that wasn’t very important at this point. Chase agreed that she and Inger needed a break from each other.

“Let me call Julie. I’ll talk to her about you staying at her place. It’s Friday. The fair is over on Sunday. We might close up the shop that day.”

“Don’t we usually close Monday and Tuesday?”

“Yes, but you’ve been running the store all by yourself for long enough. Monday and Tuesday, we’ll be recovering from the fair, bringing everything back, moving back in. It might be best to close an extra day. I’ll see if I can get you an appointment with a doctor for next week. And you can take some extra time off.”

“How long?” Inger perked up and looked alarmed. “I need the money.”

“Just the three days. Would that be all right? You could stay at Julie’s and we wouldn’t have to worry about transportation over here for you to work. Maybe we can even find you another place to live. Do you want me to make you tea and toast before I go?”

“Not if it’s the same kind you had before.” She wrinkled her nose. “Maybe you’d better take the cat with you today.”

“You can’t look in on him?” The pounding in her head got stronger.

“It’s bothering me, climbing these stairs.”

Chase clenched her jaw and enticed Quincy into his carrier. He wasn’t thrilled about getting into it again.

“It’s only for a couple more days, little fella,” Chase crooned. “Then you can get back to normal.” She turned to Inger. “You’ll be okay running the shop today?”

Inger lifted one shoulder. Chase was getting tired of Inger shrugging her off. Her pity of last night seemed remote this morning. As Inger said, they definitely needed a break.

Chase left Inger to open up the Bar None and drove out of Dinkytown and to the vendors’ lot at the Bunyan County Fairgrounds. Before she got out of her Ford Fusion, Julie called.

“You got a minute?” she asked.

“I just got to the fair, still in my car. Sure. What’s on your mind? Have you decided anything about your job yet?”

“Not definitely. But I talked to a guy in real estate and he’s going to get together with me over dinner tonight.”

“Oh, oh . Does Jay know about this?” she teased. She got Quincy out and started walking toward the fair.

Julie tittered. “I invited Jay. He’s still too busy on his case. He wants to hear what Bud says, though, so I might even take notes.”

“I want to see your notes, too. Unless you write them in lawyerese.”

Julie laughed again. “How do you think Anna is doing with those two women and their parrot?”

“I’m not sure. I’m glad you’ll be there, but they’re not ideal houseguests. Anna doesn’t suspect her at all, but I wonder if Elsa killed her husband. I hope they leave very soon. Speaking of—”