The Marsh Madness

Snuffle.

I found a quiet parking spot at the end of the back row in the Park N Ride. The police had no reason to look for me there, and, in fact, they had no reason to suspect I was in the Navigator. Even though I’d spent the night in Shelby’s neighborhood, the plates would have been obscured by dust, and they may have belonged to a totally different vehicle. I checked the storage area and found two neatly folded plaid travel blankets. I let the backseat recline, flipped open one blanket and used the other as a pillow. Walter, who had slept all night, was still game for a nap with me. I was out like a light in a minute.


*

I WOKE UP, stiff and groggy, longing for my facecloth and my toothbrush. I checked the time.

Nine o’clock.

I ducked into the first Stewart’s I found. I bought a toothbrush and toothpaste, some wipes and deodorant. I was still wearing the dregs of last night’s makeup. I washed my face in the bathroom sink and brushed my teeth and all that.

On the way out, feeling more—but not completely—human, I bought an Eggwich and an apple fritter, plus two extra-large coffees. One for me and the other for me. I picked up a package of dog treats and some bottled water for Walter.

I polished off the Eggwich, the fritter and the two coffees in the Navigator, taking care to clean up. Walter enjoyed his breakfast more than I did.

Where could I go? Not to Van Alst House. Not to Uncle Mick’s. Tiff had let her apartment go when she sailed away to work on the cruise line. She wasn’t one to throw away money on an empty space and we never knew where she’d go next. Most likely not back here to Harrison Falls. My friend Karen Smith—now my aunt—had lost her home in a fire that I still had nightmares about.

That left Lance.

I drove slowly to the library, which was just about to open at nine thirty. Lance would be on duty in the reference department. I figured I’d borrow Lance’s key, hide out at his place until I knew what was going on and maybe even sleep on his sleigh bed with the designer linens.

That plan was about to evaporate.

Three police cars were parked in front of the library. I pulled in, parked and called the reference department using the new burner.

Lance sounded breathless and stressed. “Harrison Falls Public Library, Reference Department. May I call you back?”

“Me here. Fake your answers.”

“Sorry. We’re very busy here.”

“Police?”

“That’s right, madam.”

“Looking for me?”

“Correct. So please call again—”

“Are you in any trouble?”

“I believe so. It will take a few minutes to find out, but it sure looks like it . . . Excuse me . . . Sorry, Officer? What is it? Oh. Yes. I suppose I can come with you. I have to go, madam. You’ll have to check your own family history.”

Lance? In trouble? For helping me, of course. How was he going to deal with that? Lance has never been in trouble. Lance is the golden boy, the darling of his posse.

The front door of the library opened, and an officer frog-marched Lance out. Were those handcuffs? I couldn’t believe my eyes. The officer put his hand on Lance’s head, and the Harrison Falls library legend folded into the backseat of the cruiser.

Kathy, the library director, stood on the steps with her arms folded. But the posse tried to rush the car, several of the members yelling and shaking their fists at the police.

Well, that was something, at least.

Two other officers faced the crowd. I thought I recognized the woman who’d searched my underwear drawer. I also spotted Tyler Dekker. The world had gone crazy.

The posse melted away in the face of armed police. I was a bit disappointed in them. I was hoping at least they’d bang on the hood.

The first cruiser pulled away with Lance, and the two other officers got into their vehicles and followed.