“Okay. Go. Work. Save Jess. We’ll figure it out later.”
She smiled, thinking it was a good thing that Ben had her pack for a few days at Uncle Sal’s. Otherwise, she’d have nothing clean to put on. She went to her closet and got a pair of jeans and a sweater. Ben had said not to worry about bringing things over, that they’d get movers to do it; but they had two houses full of furniture. What were they going to do with all of it? She smiled, too bad the church wasn’t having another garage sale.
Ben walked through the house. Jamie and Joey were in the kitchen. It smelled like they were making pancakes. He’d lived alone since he was in law school. It was strange having a house full of people. Not bad, just strange.
It was nine o’clock Saturday morning when Ben checked in at the desk at the Leawood Police station. No one had even mentioned the guy’s name last night. Uncle Sal had said he didn’t know the guy. Ben explained what he was doing there. The woman at the desk pushed the buzzer to open the secure door and he went through.
A plain clothes officer met him. “Mr. Bellini, the charges against your client are being dropped.”
Well, that was good news, and he hadn’t even talked to the guy yet. “That’s good news. What about the guy, you are charging him with assault against my uncle though, aren’t you?”
“No. He died in custody last night.”
Ben narrowed his eyes and looked at him. “Died?”
“Yes, it appears he committed suicide. Hung himself.”
Ben could choose to ask a lot of questions, or he could walk away. The guy wasn’t his client and because he was dead, the charges against Jess would be dropped. No complainant, no charges. Ben thanked him for his time and left.
Once in the Jag, he called Uncle Sal. “The guy who pushed you last night apparently committed suicide in custody last night. The charges against Jess were dropped. No complainant, no charges. I’m on my way home. Will we see you tonight at Papa’s?”
“Sì, Nipote.”
“Is Pauli still with you or has he gone to my house now?”
“He should be at your house, he left earlier.”
*****
Lane, Jess, Joey and Jamie drove to the Parkers’ house. The first order of business was to get clothes. They’d figure out what to do about furniture and other personal items later. They used Lane’s Escalade and Ben’s Navigator and Jamie’s Chevy Colorado. They grabbed Lane’s, Jamie’s and Jess’s clothes, the television from Jamie’s bedroom and Jamie got the gaming systems. They loaded the vehicles and drove the few blocks back to their new home.
Pauli and Ben were already at the house when the Parker caravan arrived. They met Lane, Jamie, Jess and Joey in the driveway, and helped unload and carry everything into the house. Lane, Jess and Jamie had each cleaned out their closets and dressers, bringing both suitcases and hanging clothes.
Ben had spent a small fortune furnishing his 6000 square foot house. A lot of single men would have skipped furnishing the unused rooms, like the three or four extra bedrooms. But Ben had completely furnished each of the guestrooms. Each had a queen or king size bed, a dresser, night stands, bedside lamps and a comfortable chair. He still needed to tell Lane about the new house, and he thanked God it was a seven bedroom house. He had an idea that one or the other or both of his brothers would be at his house any time Jess was in town. And with the baby on the way now that meant they needed at least six bedrooms.
After everything was unloaded and in the house, Ben had everyone come into the great room. “The charges against Jess have been dropped. The man who assaulted Uncle Sal apparently committed suicide while in custody last night. We have a lot to celebrate tonight. So, in the meantime, lunch is on me. Shall we go out or call for take-out?”
Lane looked at her family. Was she the only one who was thinking that there were now three dead bodies somehow connected to them over the last several days? Lila Crane was dead, Clyde Benson was dead and now this third guy, whose name she didn’t even know. Seriously, when had they turned into the family who couldn’t go anyplace without tripping over a body?
While everyone was talking about what they wanted for lunch, Lane leaned toward Ben. “I’d really like some of Aunt Em’s Lemon Meringue pie. But I don’t think I can go there. It’s where I fainted the other day.”
Pauli was sitting next to Lane and heard what she’d said to Ben. “So, the cravings have started?” He paused and then said, “You fainted? When?”
Lane smiled. “A few days ago. That’s how I found out I’m pregnant. And it might be cravings, but I’m really fond of Aunt Em’s pies anyway.”
Jess shook her head and stood up. Pauli was obviously worried when Lane talked about fainting and he still claimed he wasn’t crushing. If she were to comment, he’d no doubt claim he was showing a doctor’s concern.
“I’ll go. Anyone else want pie? I can bring back more than one.”
Joey stood up. “I could go for Aunt Em’s apple pie.”
Jamie stood up. “How about Jack Stack for lunch? Jess, one more time before you go back to Cali?”
Cell phones were pulled out and to-go orders were placed.
“Someone should call Jake.” Ben said as he took out his phone. There was no reason for him to miss everything.
Lane walked to the kitchen to look through the cupboards. Ben had stocked Diet Dr. Pepper for her; but since both caffeine and artificial sweeteners were no longer part of her diet, she needed to check for herbal tea. Ben came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “What are we missing? Do I need to go to the store?”
She leaned back so that her back was against his chest. “Caffeine and artificial sweeteners have been taken off of my diet. I’m on herbal tea, hot or iced for the duration. I’m just checking.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Don’t bother you won’t find any. I can either go to the store, or go to your house and get your tea kettle, teapot, tea, and whatever you need. You sit and put your feet up. I’ll go.”
She patted his hand that he had placed on her abdomen. “You do know I’m pregnant, not sick or helpless, right?”
“Yes, I know.” He kissed the back of her neck. “I also know the doctor said the first few weeks could really sap your energy. You’re used to doing everything for yourself. You don’t have to do that anymore. Let me pamper you a little, I think it’s time someone did.”
This man was amazing. He was handsome, smart, witty, kind, considerate, romantic and loving. “Fine, go get my tea things. But I can’t sit down, I have to put my clothes away.” She smiled at him. “No one else can do it. I don’t want anyone else in my underwear.”
“Neither do I.” He said as he laughed and kissed her head again. “I’ll only be a few minutes. Is there anything else you want while I’m out?”
“No, just the tea things.” She patted his hand again, “I have everything else I need.”
Jess and Joey left for Aunt Em’s, Jamie and Pauli went to Jack Stack, Ben left for the Parkers’ house and Lane was alone for the first time in days. She went into the master bedroom and started putting her clothes away. Her solitude didn’t last long. She soon heard the little feet of Abbey Kelly running through the house.
Abbey’s little voice was calling out, “Mizwane, Mizwane” as her little feet pattered through the house.
Lane stepped out of the bedroom and called, “Here I am.”
Abbey ran into her arms, and covered her face with wet, slobbery, kisses that were only tolerable because they were from a two year old. It had cooled outside and Abbey wore a light weight jacket. Lane helped her remove it.
“We tame fow wunch.” She told Lane.
“Yes, I know.” She said as she looked at Meg and Jake. “Everyone is out getting our lunch now. I hope you’re very hungry. We’re having barbecue with pie for desert.” Lane sat down in the great room and pulled Abbey onto her lap.