“Won’t you come?”
“Sorry, Mama. I can’t. Another time.”
“Okay,” Mama T said. “Did your brother call?”
It had been their major topic for weeks. Mattie needed to be honest, or her foster mom would never forgive her. “He called last night. I was just going to tell you.”
“Mi cielo! Why didn’t you call me?”
The call had taken her mama by surprise, just as it had Mattie. Enough to warrant her favorite expletive: “my heavens.” “It was late, Mama. You would’ve been in bed. I figured it could wait until this morning, so I’m telling you now.”
“What did he say?”
“Well, let’s see.” There was only so much she could say. “He’s working in Hollywood as a car mechanic.”
“That is wonderful. Does he know any movie stars?”
Despite the strain of withholding secrets from the woman who had always shown her nothing but love, Mattie smiled. “I didn’t ask. But I bet he does, don’t you?”
“Ask him next time. What else did he say?”
Mattie told her about Willie having a girlfriend, going through rehab, and now a twelve-step program.
“That should help him, don’t you think?” Mama said.
“Yes, I agree.”
“When will you see each other again?”
Mama seemed to think it a foregone conclusion. “I don’t know. Willie doesn’t want to come back to Timber Creek.”
“You go to California.”
“It’s hard to take time off, Mama.”
“Hmm.”
It was time to get off the phone. “I’ve got to go, Mama. Robo needs his run, and I’ve got to shower. I don’t want to be late.” The punctuality card always worked with her foster mother.
“All right. But try to arrange some time off to go see your brother. He’s family.”
“You’re my family, Mama.”
“Si. I am, mijita. Don’t you forget that.”
“I won’t.” Her throat was beginning to swell and tears threatened. “Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Mattie ended the call and collapsed onto her pillow, exhausted. Robo stood and approached the bed, this time placing his muzzle on the edge to stare at her. She turned to her side and stroked his head, thinking of the word family and all its meanings. Her mind skipped around, touching on Cole and his daughters, the Hartmans and their dead child, her broken and dysfunctional kin. And Robo. He was her family now. She needed to get up and take care of him.
She sat, swinging her legs outside the quilt. The cold hardwood floor shocked her bare feet, and she got up to close the window, understanding now why she always needed it open during the night. Escape.
The first person Mattie met at the station was Brody, and his mood had not improved. She took one look at the darkness in his face and didn’t bother with a greeting. “Did you talk with the sheriff this morning?” she asked him.
“I did.” He turned away and started toward his office. “He wants to see you first thing.”
Rainbow winced at her desk where she’d apparently watched Mattie and Brody’s brief interchange. Mattie raised a hand in greeting and went over to say good morning.
“Are you okay?” Rainbow asked.
Mattie searched her friend’s face, noting her swollen eyes and reddened nose. “I’m fine. You?”
Rainbow nodded—a small, quick movement of her head. “Sheriff McCoy said for you to join him in his office as soon as you check in.” She scrutinized Mattie. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Would the whole world be able to tell that she’d changed? She would have to try harder. “Yeah, I’m just tired. I’ll clock in and meet with the sheriff.”
“I’ll let him know you’re here.”
When Mattie tapped at the door of his office, McCoy said, “Come in, Deputy.”
After glancing at her, he did a double take and a slight frown creased his brow. “Have a seat.”
Mattie sat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk, and Robo sat on the floor next to her without needing direction.
McCoy gave her a searching look while he spoke. “I’ve read your report from your interview with Rainbow. I understand you’re following up on that this morning.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Deputies Brody and Johnson will share patrol this morning. Deputy Brody will handle briefing for shift change, but you don’t need to attend. You should have the staff office to yourself most of the morning. Any questions?” He gave her a probing look.
“No, I’ll get started,” Mattie said, hoping he wouldn’t ask her how she felt and all that stuff. She pushed up out of her chair and headed toward the door with Robo at heel, relieved that McCoy remained silent.
She found the staff office empty. After logging on to the computer, she searched a business directory for chiropractors in Willow Springs. Although much larger than Timber Creek, Willow Springs was by far smaller than Denver. There were about five chiropractors in the town, and it took only a second to hit on one who had the first name Scott. Dr. Scott Stroud—Willow Springs Family Chiropractic.
Mattie glanced at the clock. Stella was due in at eleven, which gave her four hours to drive to Willow Springs to interview Scott Stroud, plenty of time. Taking Robo with her, she cleared her plan with the sheriff, checked out with Rainbow, and set off toward her destination. In shortly under an hour, she reached the chiropractor’s office, a squatty, blond brick building that looked like it had been built in the sixties, and she parked out front.
Leaving Robo in the SUV, she went inside and introduced herself to the receptionist. After showing her badge, she convinced the woman that her business was important enough to interrupt the doctor. The receptionist ushered her into a small office where Mattie took a seat in front of the desk and waited for only a few minutes.
Scott Stroud entered the room, giving Mattie a friendly smile as he introduced himself and shook hands. His grip was firm, and he wore an open expression on his round face. With his sandy hair, blue eyes, and athletic build, he might have been a model for a wholesome-living magazine. “How can I help you, Officer?” he asked, taking a seat on the other side of his desk.
Mattie told him that she was investigating a crime in Timber Creek, but she withheld further details. “Did a massage therapist named Adrienne Howard once work for you?”
“Yes.” He stretched out the syllable as if hesitant to acknowledge it.
“How long was she employed?”
“Maybe six months, but I’m guessing.”
“Why did she leave?” She hoped to find out if something—or someone—drove Adrienne away from Willow Springs.
“She accepted a job offer there in Timber Creek. I can’t tell you the name of her new place of employment, but it was some kind of health spa. I suspect you know the place.”
“Did you speak with Adrienne or have any type of correspondence with her after she moved away?”
“No.”
“Did you and Adrienne have a friendship or any type of relationship outside of working hours?”
“Well . . .” He paused, a worried frown clouding his face. “Yes and no. I need to know why we’re having this conversation.”
“I’m sorry to have to inform you, but I’m investigating Adrienne Howard’s death.”
“Good grief!” He pushed his chair back from his desk. “How did she die?”
“I can’t share details, but I need information about her personal life. What type of relationship did you and Adrienne have?”
“Adrienne was dating one of my best friends. I introduced the two of them. God—I can’t believe she’s dead.”