Into the Fire Page 6

  Edwina squeezed past Maggie. “Take it. Vicky’s cheesecake is the best.” The older woman walked toward the staircase.

  Seconds evolved into half a minute before Maggie managed to lick her dry lips. “Mmm. Thanks. I love cheesecake. Come on in, and I’ll cut us a piece.” The thud of her rapid heartbeat thundered in her ears.

  Vicky glanced back at her closed door. “I can’t stay long, but after this week, I deserve a piece, even if it’s mid-morning.”

  Her thinking exactly. When she was upset, Maggie ate sugar-laden food. A bad habit she wished she could break. At least she jogged to help keep her weight down. “A bad week?” Maggie walked into the kitchen and began making a fresh pot of coffee, glad to do something to keep her quivering hands busy.

  “Being the secretary to the university president, I had to work overtime several nights because of the school’s centennial celebration in a few weeks. I hate doing that. I have so little time with Kenny and Ashley as it is. And then of course, that scare with Ashley. No matter what you tell your kids about staying home alone, it doesn’t look like you can prepare them for every kind of emergency that might arise. I never thought one of my children would choke on some food.”

  I can’t do this! Panic attacked Maggie’s nerves, renting them to shreds. “Your son’s quite a young man.” Maggie steadied her hand as she tried to cut two pieces of the cheesecake.

  “That he is. But if Edwina didn’t live nearby, I think I’d go crazy worrying about the kids every afternoon after school.”

  Did you worry about me? Do you ever think about the daughter you gave up? Why did you do it? Question after question bombarded Maggie, demanding answers. Finally alone with the woman, she drew in one deep breath then another before she pivoted to face her birth mother. Maggie placed the plates on the table and sat across from Vicky as though nothing were wrong, that her insides weren’t wavering from the woman’s presence.

  Vicky looked about the kitchen. “This was the first room I put in order when we moved in. A home can’t function without a kitchen. I certainly don’t envy your job of putting everything away. I’ve lived here over three years and hope never to move again.”

  “Have you always lived in Seven Oaks?”

  “No, but I grew up here. Where did you live before this?”

  “St. Louis.”

  “Even with a population of seventy thousand, Seven Oaks is small compared to St. Louis.”

  “Easier to get around in. St. Louis was a little too big for me.”

  “That’s the way I felt about the places I lived.”

  No, I don’t want us to have any similarities. Maggie took a bite of her cheesecake, forcing it down her tight throat. “Edwina’s right. This is delicious.”

  “It’s an old family recipe. My mother was quite a cook and passed down a lot of recipes to me before she died.”

  As though she’d been punched in her stomach, Maggie’s muscles knotted, pain radiating outward. She kept her gaze on the cheesecake and tried to school her features into a neutral expression, but Kane was so much better at it than she was.

  “Do you like to cook?” Vicky brushed her short brown hair behind her ears.

  Maggie picked at her dessert, wishing she could get a handle on her reeling emotions, as if she’d ridden the Tilt-a-Whirl at the state fair. “I get by.” She slowly lifted her gaze to Vicky’s. “That’s about all I can say about my cooking skills. My mom didn’t care much for the kitchen. I guess I’m the same way.” Her thoughts spun from the confused tangle of her feelings, not one taking hold for even a few seconds.

  God expected her to forgive Vicky for giving her up for adoption, but she didn’t know if she could. She’d spent lonely years in foster homes, waiting for a couple to want her enough to adopt her. She’d spent the rest of her childhood trying to please a woman who hadn’t really wanted any children. She thanked the Lord every day for her adopted dad who did want a child, but now, even he was gone from her life.

  “You don’t sound convinced?” Vicky asked.

  “I never took the time to learn to cook beyond reading the directions on the backs of microwave dinners. First school then my work demanded so much of my time.”

  “I teach a four-week cooking class starting next Wednesday night at the high school. It’s from eight to ten. I don’t usually recruit my students, but in this case, I hope you’ll join us. We have a lot of fun. I pick a nationality and center the sessions on that country. The first week’s lesson is about Italian food. My mother was Italian. I think that’s where I got my love for cooking.”

  How in the world did I ever think I could calmly sit across from her and talk as if we’re friends? Lord, help me to make it to the end of this conversation without shouting the truth at this woman.

  Maggie rose and poured two cups of coffee. One part of her wanted to grab at anything the woman had to offer, to learn everything there was about Victoria Pennington. The other part felt guilty as if she were betraying her adoptive parents—especially her adoptive mother who hadn’t returned any of her calls in months since she’d discovered what she had been doing—for even sitting here and listening to Vicky.

  “I don’t know,” Maggie finally said as she sat down. “My schedule is so chaotic right now.”

  “The class doesn’t start for a few days. Just let me know if you want to come, and I’ll take care of the rest. It’s the least I can do after what you did for Ashley.”

  Maggie waved her hand. “That was nothing. I’m just glad I was here to help.”

  Vicky frowned. “So am I.” After taking a long sip of her coffee, she looked Maggie straight in the eye. “Do you think you could show Kenny the Heimlich maneuver?”

  “Of course, I will,” Maggie answered quickly, eager for any time she could spend with her half-brother.

  “Oh, good,” Vicky said with a sigh. “I’ll feel much better if he knows. I pray that never happens again, but it doesn’t hurt to cover every base.” After finishing her piece of cheesecake and taking a few more sips of coffee, she stood. “I’d better get back to the trenches. Saturday morning is cleanup day, and if I’m not there to supervise, nothing is ever done.”

  “Yeah, I have a few boxes to unpack.” Maggie trailed the older woman to the small foyer. She needed to be alone.

  At the door, Vicky said, “By the way, I wanted to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. It’s our family night. It’s when I go all out. Can you come?”

  Family night! The tightness in Maggie’s chest threatened her breathing. She nodded, unable to say a word.

  “Good. Dinner’s at seven. Come a little early. I think Kenny wants to show you something.”

  When Maggie was left alone in her apartment, she leaned into the hall table, gripping its edges, her eyes sliding closed. Quiver after quiver rippled down her length. A special family dinner every Sunday night. Grew up in Seven Oaks. Italian heritage. Fragmented thoughts bombarded her. She pressed her hands into her eyes and wished she could clear her mind. Everything was happening too fast as if she were falling into a bottomless pit. She didn’t have any time to take it in and digest the information slowly.

  But if she could manage to approach the situation unemotionally, she couldn’t help thinking dinner Sunday night would be the perfect place to start getting some of her answers, so she could leave and return to her normal life.

  Chapter Five

  “This one is the last box,” Maggie said as she brought it to Edwina, who was perched on a chair that Kane had moved into the storeroom.

  The older woman opened the container, inspected its contents and picked up part of a coffeemaker. “Henry hated coffee. I could never understand why he kept this out on his countertop.”

  “For people who visited?”

  Edwina laughed. “He wasn’t one to offer a person something to drink unless he wanted it, too.” Shaking her head, she continued, “Besides, he didn’t have too many people visiting. If they came, they didn’t stay long. He was a strange man.�
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  “He sounds awful. Surely he had some redeeming qualities.”

  The older woman placed the coffeemaker back in the box and closed the lid. “Yes, believe it or not, he gave a lot of money to a rec center for underprivileged children in Seven Oaks.”

  “Why? That doesn’t sound like the man I’ve been hearing about.”

  “I don’t know why. He didn’t share much of himself with anyone.” Edwina taped the container again.

  Just like Kane, Maggie thought and scanned the already checked boxes. “Do you know what’s missing?”

  “Yep, Henry’s laptop and other desk items.”

  “Did he have a desktop computer, too?”

  “No, only the laptop at home, and I know that my nephew checked it before releasing it.”

  Maggie sat on a box. “I wonder what was on it.”

  “I can call David and find out, but computers are easy to pawn.”

  “Yes, but what about Henry’s stamp collection? It wasn’t touched and my dad had one. He had several stamps worth a lot of money.”

  Edwina snapped her fingers. “I recall Henry bragging about a one of a kind he’d finally tracked down and purchased.”

  “Okay, then it could be someone searching for something in Henry’s possessions—possibly on his computer.”

  “But how many people realize how valuable a stamp collection can be?”

  “Maybe the person didn’t have time to check all the boxes.”

  “Or he found exactly what he was looking for.” Edwina rubbed her hand into the small of her back.

  “What were the other items in the box besides the laptop?”

  “Mostly papers, a few things he had in his drawer like a photo of a young girl, some pens and pencils…” Edwina tapped her chin and stared at the far corner for a moment before adding, “and items like paper clips and rubber bands. The usual things in a desk drawer. Again, obviously nothing my nephew thought would be a motive for murder.”

  “A photo of a young girl? Did you recognize her?”

  Edwina shrugged. “No. Maybe a lost love although it looked more current than that.”

  Was the photo a clue? Maggie shook her head. Probably not because if so, the intruder would have only taken it.

  “Did you figure out what was missing?” Kane asked from the doorway.

  Maggie’s heartbeat sped up at the sound of his voice. When she glanced at him, he was leaning against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest, warmth in his gaze. “Henry’s laptop and a few items from the desk.”

  “My, I’m ready for a nap.” Edwina shoved to her feet. “I’ll give David a call and let him know what’s gone and see if he’ll tell me anything about what they found on the computer.”

  “I imagine if they had found something, they would have kept it for evidence.” Kane stepped into the room while Edwina passed him.

  “You’re probably right,” Edwina said as she scurried down the hall.

  “She sure moves fast for someone who’s tired enough for a nap.” Maggie chuckled and started to lift the box.

  Kane beat her to it, his hands brushing hers away. “I’ll take care of this.”

  She straightened and backed up a few paces toward the door while he effortlessly stacked the container on top of the pile. Edwina’s matchmaking attempt the day before paraded across her mind. What happened between Kane and his fiancée? What happened in the war to change him so much? And why was she focusing on him and not the reason she was here?

  “I’d hoped to be able to help you all, but I received a call from the president of the university.”

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “There’s been another negative article in the newspaper in Lexington about the murder, on the first page no less. He’s concerned about how this will affect enrollment.”

  “I imagine those types of headlines wouldn’t be too good for a university.”

  “Especially when the killer is still at large.” Kane locked the cage, gesturing toward the boxes inside it. “So, what do you think? Is the break-in connected to Henry’s murder?”

  “Maybe, but it’s hard to tell. Either way, I should be all right because of the extra precautions you’ve put in place. Plus, the attacker now knows I live in the apartment. I certainly don’t have much worth stealing.” Maggie exited the storage room, pausing in the hallway while Kane locked the door and pocketed the key ring.

  “Although I agree you should be safe, I’m not going to rest well until the murderer is caught.” Kane stopped in front of the entrance into his apartment. “I understand from Edwina you’re going to the Penningtons’ tonight for dinner.”

  “Does the whole building know?”

  “Pretty much. Although I’m not sure if Kyra has returned from her weekend trip.” Silent laughter brightened his eyes.

  “What Edwina knows obviously doesn’t stay with her.”

  “Nope.” He turned toward his door. “I’ll see you tonight,” he added and slipped inside his apartment before Maggie could ask what he meant by that. Was he going to be at the Penningtons’, too?

  The very thought made her steps light as she headed up the stairs. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he were there.

  * * *

  At her apartment door two hours later Maggie stopped, her hand on the knob. This was worse than the first time she had gotten up in front of a large audience in high school and given a campaign speech. Her heart fluttered like a flag in a brisk wind. After wiping her damp palms on her jeans, she touched her cameo, drawing silent support from the knowledge of her adoptive father’s love. Between his love and the Lord’s, she knew she could do anything.

  Determinedly she crossed the hall to the Penningtons’. The door opened a second after her knock.

  Kenny’s grin looked like a big half-moon. “You came!” He stepped aside for her to enter. “We’re having lasagna!”

  “I get the feeling you like lasagna.” His enthusiasm was contagious, and Maggie matched his smile with her own.

  “Yep. Mom’s is the best.”

  Before Maggie was halfway into the living room, another rap echoed through the place. When Kenny opened the door to reveal Kane standing in the hallway, the warmth she felt at her brother’s greeting evolved into an all-encompassing awareness of the man at the door.

  “Uncle Kane!” Ashley ran into the living room and threw her arms around him. “Come.” She tugged on his hand, leading him off in the direction of the bedrooms.

  He threw a helpless look over his shoulder. “Be back in a sec.”

  “Ashley’s showing Uncle Kane our new pet. I’m the one who gets to keep the snake for my science class for the month.” Kenny’s chest puffed out, his expression proud. “Wanna see?”

  “Sure.” I think, she added silently, not really sure if she should be in the same room with Kane any more than necessary. He was totally undermining her resolve to heed his advice and not get involved with him.

  When Maggie stepped into Kenny’s bedroom, she saw Ashley, with a big grin on her face, hand the snake to Kane. The little girl glanced at Maggie, dropped her gaze to the floor and scooted around behind Kane. When she stuck her thumb in her mouth, Maggie fought her impulse to hug the child to her. Every time she saw Ashley with her thumb in her mouth, Maggie thought of herself at the age of five at the foster home, sucking her thumb, scared of so many things in the world around her, desperately wanting a family who loved her and would keep her.

  “Would you like to hold it?” Kane asked, a gleam dancing in his eyes as he held the reptile out for Maggie to take.

  From his smug expression, Maggie was sure Kane thought her worried look was because of the snake. She took the animal from him and stretched her arm out, allowing the reptile to slide up it.

  The look of astonishment on Kane’s face caused her to laugh. “When I was growing up, I had a snake. I think I was the only girl in the school who did.”

  “You did?” Kenny’s eyes widened. “Mom wasn’t gonn
a let me keep him at first. Dad talked her into it. Mom’s scared of them.”

  “So was I at first. But I discovered the best way to get over a fear is to confront it head-on.” As the garter snake curled around her arm, Maggie glanced up at Kane. He stared at her with a strange, though unreadable, expression on his face.

  “Tell that to Mom. I think she would die if Rosie ever got loose in the apartment.”

  With her gaze still bound to Kane’s, Maggie asked, “Ashley, would you like to put the snake back in its cage?” When the child didn’t say anything, Maggie peered down at her sister, who still stood partially hidden behind Kane. The girl’s brow was furrowed in a deep frown, her gaze riveted to the floor.

  “I’ll take him. Ashley doesn’t talk much around new people.” Kenny put the reptile back in its aquarium.

  She didn’t want to be a stranger to her own sister. A sudden surge of anger gripped Maggie, the walls of the bedroom closing in on her.

  “Kenny. Ashley. I need your help,” Vicky called from the end of the hallway.

  At the door, Kenny spun around. “Uncle Kane, remember you’re supposed to help us with the—” he glanced at Maggie “—dessert.”

  “Yeah, be right there.”

  As Kenny and Ashley left the bedroom, Maggie avoided Kane’s probing gaze, turning her back on him as though she were fascinated with the children’s exit. She needed her emotional strength for the next few hours. She couldn’t afford the luxury of giving in to her newfound feelings concerning Kane. She concentrated, instead, on the feelings of abandonment and anger that she experienced standing in the middle of her siblings’ bedroom, unable to say anything about who she was to them and wanting desperately to be a part of their lives as a sister should be.

  When she had planned her move to Seven Oaks in the safe emotional comforts of St. Louis, she hadn’t thought she would feel this kind of anger at her birth mother. She’d only wanted answers about her biological family.