Софи Райан - The Whole Cat Аnd Caboodle

I could almost see Maddie’s thoughts as she weighed her loyalty to Aleida Scott against the possibility that she could spend the rest of her life in jail, mixed with Rose’s monumental stubborn streak.

“All right,” she said.

I smiled at her, and Liz and Charlotte exchanged satisfied looks. Even Jess looked pleased.

“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” Rose said.

I turned to look at her, “Hang on, Drew Barrymore,” I said. I looked back at Maddie. “Do you want to call Aleida first?”

She traced the edge of the table with one finger. “She won’t talk to me.”

“Then I guess we’re going to see her,” I said.

“Oh, goody. Road trip,” Jess said. She stood up, stretched and started gathering our dishes.

“You’re coming with us?” I asked.

She grinned and handed me my cup so I could drink the last mouthful of coffee. “There’s no way I’m staying behind.”

I drained my coffee and handed the mug back to her. “Maddie, where are we going?” I asked.

“Rockport,” she said.

Half an hour, maybe forty minutes, depending on where Aleida lived in the small resort town.

Jess headed for the counter with the loaded tray. Rose and Mr. P. had their heads together. I was guessing that she was filling him in.

Maddie had gotten to her feet, but she still looked very uncertain. I was a little worried that her kind heart was getting in the way.

“Maddie, I think you should stay here,” I said.

She looked surprised. “Why?”

“Because you already tried to convince Aleida to help you. I don’t want her to feel like she’s being ambushed. If we go without you we’re just concerned friends.”

Charlotte put her arm around Maddie’s shoulders. “I think that’s a good idea,” she said. She looked at me. “I’m going to stay here, too.”

I nodded. “I’ll keep Rose in check,” I said.

Maddie reached out and caught my hand. “I don’t know how to thank you,” she said. There was a glint of unshed tears in her eyes.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I said quietly. Our eyes met and after a moment she nodded.

Charlotte came around the table and hugged me. “I love you, sweetie,” she said.

“Love you, too,” I said, giving her an extra squeeze. “I’ll call you when there’s anything to share.”

I walked over to Rose and Mr. P. “Are you coming with us?” I asked him.

“Absolutely, my dear,” he said. “You may need tech support—or muscle.”

Rose gave him an encouraging smile.

“Good to have you along,” I said.

Liz rode shotgun. “Are you sure you want to sit back there?” she turned to ask Jess.

“Oh yeah,” Jess said. “I have a feeling the backseat is where all the fun conversation is going to happen.” She looked from Liz to me. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Liz said.

Maddie had written down Aleida’s address. I showed it to Liz. “Highway?” I asked.

She nodded. “I know where it is. I’ll give you directions once we get to the turnoff.”

The conversation in the backseat certainly was . . . interesting. Rose explained how Avery had dubbed them Charlie’s Angels and they debated who was who. Then Mr. P. shared some of his more colorful computer hacking stories.

“The police are going to arrive at the shop one of these days, cut off my Wi-Fi and throw me in jail, aren’t they?” I said quietly to Liz.

She shot a quick glance over her shoulder. “There’s a good chance of it,” she said. Then she grinned. “Don’t worry. We’ll take your case. We’ll even give you the family rate.”

“That’s so comforting,” I said dryly.

Liz gave clear, concise directions and we turned onto Aleida Scott’s street about forty minutes after we’d left McNamara’s. She lived in a medium-size gray bungalow with black shutters and a deep purple front door. There was a maple tree with buttery yellow leaves near the edge of the driveway.

“How are we going to do this?” Liz asked, shifting in her seat to look into the backseat. “We can’t all go. That really would be an ambush.”

“Sarah and I will go talk to her,” Rose said.

Liz gave her a look.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Rose said, frowning at her friend. “I’m not going to attack the woman. I just want her to understand what’s at stake.” She turned to me. “Please.”

“Let Rose and me give it a try,” I said.

Now I was the one getting a look from Liz. I waited.

“All right,” she said. “Go ahead.”

Good luck, Jess mouthed. I saw Mr. P. give Rose’s arm a quick pat.

Rose and I got out of the SUV and started up Aleida Scott’s driveway.

“So, what’s the plan?” I asked.

“You know Maddie didn’t kill Arthur,” Rose said. “You know she’s not capable of anything like that.”

“Of course I do,” I said.

Her eyes met mine. For once there was no sign of her stubborn streak or her mischievous sense of humor. For the first time I saw fear. “I think you should talk to this woman. I think you, better than any of us, can convince her to help Maddie.”

I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell Rose that she would be a lot better at convincing Aleida Scott to help Maddie. But I didn’t. I could see a hint of fear in her gaze, but I could also see her complete faith in me. All of them—Rose, Liz, Charlotte, my grandmother—they had always been my cheering section. If Rose thought I could do this, then I would.

We rang the doorbell and waited. I hoped the fact that there were no cars in the driveway meant Aleida Scott was home alone.

She opened the door and gave us a polite smile. Before either Rose or I could speak she held up a hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not interested in changing my religion.”

“We’re not trying to convert you,” Rose said. “We’re friends of Madeline Hamilton.”

She blanched.

“Please give us two minutes,” I said. “That’s all. Then we’ll go.”

I kept my eyes fixed on her face. “All right,” she said. “You’d better come inside.” She stepped back and we stepped inside.

Her living room was a warm, welcoming space with a caramel-colored sofa and two black leather chairs. The floors were oak and there was some beautiful artwork on the walls. Aleida didn’t invite us to sit down.

“I can’t help Madeline,” she said. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can say that will make a difference with the police.”

I felt Rose stiffen beside me. I swallowed, hoping the words I was about to say would be enough. “Mrs. Scott, when I was five years old my father was hit on his way home by a car that crossed the center line. His car went down an embankment and a tree sliced through the windshield. He died before my mother, my grandmother and I got to the hospital.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said.

“He didn’t die alone, surrounded by strangers and machines, because Maddie was there. She was a nurse in that hospital. It was the end of her shift but when she heard about the accident she went down to the emergency room and she stayed with my father.”

Rose reached over and took my hand and the warmth of hers reminded me that I could do this.

“She held his hand and he didn’t die all alone. He died knowing that somebody cared about him.” I worked to keep my voice steady. “That’s the kind of person Maddie Hamilton is. That’s how I know she didn’t kill Arthur Fenety. You know because you were in her house. What I know doesn’t mean anything to the police. What you know will.”

The silence seemed to go on forever, even though it was maybe half a minute.

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” she said at last.