Pepper opened her eyes and glared at me, if it was a glare. It was hard to interpret her expression with all the damage to her face.

"First things first." I took the framed photo of the baby out of the suitcase and put it on the small bedside table. Pepper's expression softened, and I spotted a trail of tears trickling down each cheek. I said, "I know you must be worried, but Little Nick is still with Jack and still in good shape. He has slept and eaten and been bathed. They have bonded, and I imagine Little Nick will have a part-time job in CYCotics after his first birthday. He is apparently very good for business. Second, I have a change of clothing for you, some fresh nightgowns, and some toiletries. I brought your hairbrush and a few other things. When they let you out of bed, I thought that would cheer you a bit."

"You know what would cheer me? Knowing where my husband is."

"Me, too," I blurted.

"I told you to find him."

"I almost did. I checked your house under the guise of getting you these things. Nick turned up. He must still have the keys."

She sat up abruptly. "He's always misplacing his so he keeps a couple of sets hidden here and there. Where is he now?"

So much for my key theory. "Take it easy, Pepper. It's a long story, but when Tierney showed, Nick jumped out the bedroom window. But before that, he was all right, if you don't count sweaty and hysterical."

"Jumped out the window? Was he hurt?"

"It was the one in the room where he keeps his clothing. The porch roof must have worked in his favor. He must have shinnied down the post. Look on the bright side. He hasn't been found, so he couldn't have been injured. All the cops were in the house, so I imagine he got away without a problem."

Of course, Nick's problems were getting worse, but I was conscious that Pepper was not at her best for dealing with this.

She narrowed her eyes in that dangerous way she has. "What were you doing in that room?"

"Hiding." I sat down on the visitor's chair so I could make better eye contact with her. "I heard someone moving around and I hid in the closet. Nick came in to get some clothes, and we almost scared each other to death. But he's all right, and if you can convince Tierney not to pursue him in the media, I think we can keep him safe until-"

"Until what?"

"We find out what's going on. Pepper, you need to know this. He told me that someone sent him a message that he had to meet you behind the storage units at the industrial park. He was attacked there and his gun was taken and his squad car stolen."

She stared. "We haven't been there since we were teenagers. Who would do such a thing?"

And was it true? I wondered.

She said, "Did you tell Tierney?"

"I thought he needed to know how this attack could have happened and to see how Nick could have been set up."

She nodded, although that was probably painful. "Yeah, that Tierney. There's something about him I don't trust."

"You don't trust him?"

"I do not. He came from a big city force and he thinks he's a cut above everyone. I will be senior to him when I go back and I think he resents that. We'll be in competition for promotions, only I have the better connections. Also I think he's jealous of Nick."

If I hadn't been sitting, I would have fallen down at that. "Jealous of Nick?" I said weakly.

"Yes. I know you don't think Nick is very bright. Fair enough. That's not where his strength lies. I admit that, Charlotte. But everyone likes him. Even you, even when you're upset. He's irresistible."

I supposed she was right. Why did I even bother with Nick? He was always hitting on me, he was a less-than-perfect husband, and he was far less intelligent than my microwave oven. Of course, I was convinced he hadn't done what he was accused of. This belief was strong enough for me to drown out the warning voices in my own head.

Pepper was still ranting. "And he's always been a popular guy on the force."

No wonder everyone's so tense about the APB. They're hunting one of their own, I thought.

Pepper continued. "Tierney doesn't fit in and he never will. Ever!"

"Do you think that's important to him? He's a senior officer, seems pretty independent. Does he care if the boys don't ask him out for a brew when Nick gets to go and get his back slapped?"

"Believe me," Pepper said. "He is no friend of the Monahans."

I took my time and helped Pepper check out what I'd brought. She said, "I apologize for yelling. Thanks for everything, Charlotte. I appreciate what you've done. I don't know when I'm getting out of here."

I said, "I am so sorry this happened to you, Pepper. I'll drop in as often as I can. Leave me a message if you need anything. Anything at all."

She said, "I need two things: Give Little Nick a big kiss from Mommy. And I still need you to keep trying to locate Nick before anything else happens."

"I'll do my best," I said, not at all sure what else I could do.

I nodded to the cop on guard as I left, but my mind was on other things as I hurried down the hall on my way to my appointment.

Pepper didn't trust Tierney.

Could I?

Next I returned Rose's car and picked up the Matrix. Somehow I ended up with a new container of Toll House cookies in the process. I always profit from a visit to Rose's even when I don't deserve to.

Wendy's project was now on top of this list and close to being finished. Even though Wendy was my preferred client, I needed to make a living and it was time to move on. I checked Lilith's list of inventory. As usual, Lilith had done a great job. If I ever expanded my business, I would snap her up as a full-time assistant. I knew I was lucky to be able to squeeze a few hours from her now and then. I fine-tuned the list of what we needed: hanging cloth shelves, clear shoe pockets to hang on the door, and a double-hanging rod. From my earlier checking, I knew the cloth shelves were heavily discounted that week, and I had a coupon that would lop ten dollars off the double-hanging rod. After quick stops at the dollar store, the hardware store, and the container store, I was soon on my way.

I was smiling as I pulled into Wendy's driveway. Brad was working on the lawn and he gave me the high sign.

"I'll be out of your hair soon," I said.

"Are you kidding? You can move in. You've made Wendy real happy. Where's your assistant?"

"Her part is done. I'm on my own."

"Someone will be disappointed."

Ah yes, Seth. I grinned. "She's at her other job. She hasn't moved out of town."

"Might as well be on the moon, that boy's so shy."

"Sometimes these things work out. It's not that big a town."

Wendy was waiting with chocolate milk and short-bread cookies. She ushered me and my parcels in through the side door. As usual the house smelled wonderful. Something tantalizing was simmering in the large slow cooker, and a number of saucepans were bubbling on the stove.

"Expecting an army?" I said.

"Pretty much. Aaron and Jason, my other boys, are working in Albany during the summer, but they'll be home for the weekend. Forewarned is forearmed. I'm cooking up a storm. They'll eat through the house like a plague of locusts, and I want to have care packages for them to take back. I can't stand the thought of them living on pizza and takeout and submarine sandwiches."

I made a noncommittal sound. She had curled a motherly lip at my regular food choices.

Wendy said, "And candy bars. You can imagine."

For sure, I could.

Once we were in the bedroom, I parked my chocolate milk on a small dresser with a coaster and went to work.

"We'll use these hanging cloth shelves to divide the space between you and Brad. You can fold cotton tops and sweaters and store them there. Although now that two of your boys have moved out, I wonder if Brad could take over one of the other closets?"

Wendy said, "Oh, I don't know. I hate to ask him that."

"Do you mind if I do? I know other couples who manage quite well." I would never have held up Lorelei and Harry or Pepper and Nick as model couples in any other ways, especially as Wendy and Brad seemed so affectionate and compatible. But the separate closet approach had a lot to recommend it.

Wendy said, "You can sound him out. Couldn't hurt. He might not like to change. And that will be all right with me."

"I'll go ask him now," I said.

"Too late. I think he left."

"He can run but he can't hide," I said. "I'll get him later."

I attached the double-hanging rod to the existing rod and said, "Show me the blouses and jackets you wear most often."

Wendy pointed to the items that Lilith had stacked and folded and stored on top of the bins. I tucked the chosen batch of tops into the middle. "Most often used, most accessible." We went through the other piles until the sweater "shelves" were filled.

"Keep your wardrobe simple, and keep getting rid of what you don't use. It will allow you to maintain a useful cupboard."

"Like magic," Wendy said. "I've seen those cloth shelves, but they always looked so flimsy that I couldn't imagine them working like this."

More magical moments. Before we began to rehang her clothing, we changed the mismatched and mangled wire hangers for the sturdy new plastic ones.

I slung the bargain clear plastic shoe pockets over the door. The shoes slid into the shoe pockets in a flash. I rolled up her collection of scarves and tucked them into the top pockets, clearly visible and easy to access. I stood back to admire the closet. Almost done and looking good.

I bent to pick up the bin with clothing to donate. "I'll get this out of the way so you won't be tempted to dive in and rescue anything."

Wendy kept saying, "Wow!"

"Not completely finished yet. I know Lilith has a last-minute surprise for you."

"What a sweet girl. That reminds me, I have some chili to send to her and Rose. There's plenty for you and a friend, too. Oh wait, before you take away that stuff, I keep forgetting to check the pockets. What do you bet I find some change and five of my front door keys?" Wendy quickly inspected all the pant pockets and came up with about twelve dollars in change and, as she had suggested, three extra copies of her front door key.

I said absently, "If you have one place for your keys and you always put them there, you'll be able to find them."

Wendy laughed. "I know the theory. It's the practice that comes up short."

Even as I smiled at her, I was distracted by a pocket thought: how had I forgotten about the paper I'd taken from Nick's uniform pocket? There was way too much happening in my life, too many hospitals, police, and unknown malefactors. It was interfering with my priorities. But even so, I felt like a doofus. I whipped out my notebook and penned in a reminder to do that ASAP.

I grinned at Wendy. "One more visit and you'll be done with us and free to enjoy your wonderful closet."

Unfortunately, I was off to face the Beauchamps.

21.

It may sound simple, but keep the items you use most often in the easiest spot to access. This will save you time and aggravation when you're getting ready in a hurry. Reserve top shelves and out-of-t he-way places for rarely worn or out-of-season clothing.

Yes, I was aware of the evils of procrastination, but I didn't have an appointment with Lorelei until three. I headed for CYCotics with a large insulated container of Wendy's chili and rolls, plenty for Jack and me, too. Wendy couldn't have shown her gratitude in a better way. Jack had been overrun with midday customers, and I offered to distract Little Nick for a few minutes while he ate an early lunch in case the noon crowd overwhelmed him. His part-time repair guy was also run off his feet. I would have changed the baby's diaper, too, but that had all been taken care of. Jack was hitting his stride rather than losing interest as I had hoped. I reminded myself that he'd never lost interest in rescuing dogs and fund-raising for WAG'D. Apparently babies were just as fascinating, if not more so. He didn't seem to require any more assistance, so I dashed home to let the dogs out. Left to their own devices they will sleep until I arrive. This time was no different. There was no sign of gratitude when I woke them up and took them out. They were back busily dreaming in minutes. That reminded me, Go back. My own dreams had instructed me to go back.

Shortly after, I sailed down Long March Road. I had plenty of time. It was just after noon as I headed down to Friesen Street.

Go back echoed in my head. "This is not going back," I said out loud. "This is merely checking something." I slowed in front of the apartment building across from the building site and stopped. I looked up. There was no one in the window with the flowers, but a woman was peering out the door to a second-floor balcony with a thick row of thriving plants. An elderly man shuffled slowly into the building.

I locked the car and hurried through the front door at the same time. He turned and held it for me. He held the interior door for me, too. So much for security measures. I reined in my inner bossy boots and refrained from telling him not to let strangers into the building. You can't go by appearances. However, it was convenient for me. I figured the second floor was the place to start. I headed to the end of the corridor where I assumed the occupants would have windows and balconies overlooking the street and the construction site. There was no answer at the first door. If my guess was right, the second door would probably be the unit with the balcony plants. I knocked on the door and waited as a tapping sound came closer. An angular woman who would have been tall if she hadn't been quite so stooped opened the door and asked in a quavery voice what I wanted. I put her somewhere in her late eighties, still going strong and elegant in her periwinkle silk blouse.

"My name is Charlotte Adams. I would like to ask you a few questions about the construction site opposite. Are you comfortable talking to me?"

A chuckle followed. "Well, you're no bigger than a minute. I think I'll be safe enough."

This presented another opportunity to warn about judging people by appearances and how that can be dangerous for older people. But, she got it right: I am not very big and she'd be safe with me.

I stepped inside a tiny apartment, stuffed with enough furniture to fill a two-story house. I like to help people who are in that situation, but that wasn't why I was there.

"I am Thalia Waverman. Please have a seat," she said, gesturing around to the two oversize sofas and the cluster of chairs.

She moved with a slow, arthritic gait. It didn't dampen her mood, though, and I got a whiff of Chanel as she limped past me.

I said, "I'd love to see the plants on your balcony. They look quite amazing from the ground floor."

She brightened. "Why don't we talk out there? Spring and summer are too short. We should enjoy them while we can, although you probably have a few more years than I do ahead of you. You'll need to carry an extra chair, though. I can no longer manage that."

"Happy to." I selected the nearest dining chair and carted it to the outdoor space.

She glanced down as the man in the fedora scooted past on his motorized scooter. Across the street and down, people came and went from the Hope for Youth at Risk office.

I said, "I thought that the construction site would be visible from here. But I see it's obscured by these plants."

She nodded. "Hibiscus. I put them there because I didn't want to look at it."

"I can't blame you. What was there before? Familiar buildings?"

"It's not that," she said. "They were derelict and boarded up. A danger to our neighborhood. People were afraid to walk past them."

"Did people in the neighborhood resist the redevelopment?"