Chapter 26
I REMEMBERED Myra waking me up for more pills. I told her to leave me alone, but most of my words got stuck in the pillow I’d dragged over half of my face.
When I finally woke enough to push the pillow away, it was hours later, and I decided a trip to the bathroom was a really good idea. A wide strip of bubble wrap was stapled outside the bedroom door, long enough I couldn’t just hop over it.
“Really?” I stepped on it, and half a dozen air chambers popped. I smiled at Myra’s alarm system. Took another step and set off another round of popping.
“Delaney, dear?” Pearl appeared in the hallway with a cup of tea. “I was just going to try to wake you up.”
“Hey, Pearl.” I shuffled toward the bathroom. “Did Myra make you babysit?”
“You know I’m always happy to help. I thought my medical background might be useful. I’ll change your bandage when you’re ready.”
“Hold on a sec. I’ll be right out.”
I made use of the facilities then stared at my reflection in the mirror while I washed my hands in warm water.
I tended to freckle, but my job kept me outdoors enough that I maintained a tan under all my spots. Right now I was sheet-white against medium brown hair that seemed too dark, my blue-green eyes gone almost gray.
If I had met me on the street, I’d say I’d had a couple of bad days. I’d also sit myself down and insist I eat a solid meal and get some sleep.
My stomach was twitchy at the very idea of food, but I’d probably have to take my meds again soon anyway, and I hadn’t eaten anything since the half peanut butter sandwich at the hospital.
I wanted a shower more than food, but I couldn’t remember if bathing was approved with the hole in my side.
There was a soft knock on the door. “Delaney?”
I opened the door. “Sorry. Moving kind of slow. What time is it?”
“Twelve thirty.”
“In the afternoon?” I asked, shocked.
“Yes.”
“Is it Friday?”
“Saturday.” She held a cup out for me and I took it.
The inviting fragrance of tea with sugar and cream wafted up to me, and I wondered why I never drank tea. I took a sip, then another, as warmth spread out from my chest and my fingers soaked in the cup’s heat.
Pearl walked away, leaving me there to lean on the sink with my tea. When she came back, she was carrying a kitchen chair.
“Sit there. I’m going to get a blanket, then take a look at your wound.”
Pearl was kind and efficient and impossible to say no to. She checked my ribs, gave me my pills, then sent me into the shower, promising to re-bandage my wound when I was done.
The combination of hot water, pain pills, and tea cleared my head.
It was Saturday. I’d missed the sunrise blessing of the regatta that signaled the beginning of the Rhubarb Rally. I’d missed the first day, and now half of Saturday. The rally would be in full swing, with rides, food, entertainment, and local businesses representing their wares.
Myra and Jean would be busy policing the crowd, probably with Ryder and Roy. No one would be at the station, except for Dan Perkin, who should still be in the holding cell.
I got out of the shower and into the clothes I’d worn from the hospital. I wandered into the kitchen, where Pearl had a bowl of oatmeal waiting for me. She’d arranged the raisins in the bowl to make a smiley face.
“I hope you like it that way.” She handed me a spoon as a not-so-subtle hint that I should eat.
The buttery-smooth porridge was just the right amount of sweet and nutty. My appetite that had been missing in action suddenly roared back to life. “I need to fill out some paperwork on the shooting,” I lied as I finished the last bit, standing at the kitchen counter.
Pearl walked toward me, her hands folded neatly in front of her. “Is that what you want me to tell Myra when she calls?”
“Would you just tell her I’m on the couch sleeping?”
“Delaney. I don’t think you are…steady enough to be on your own today. Are you doing something you don’t want your sister to know about?”
“Maybe a little. I want to go talk to Dan. I think… I don’t think he’s really the kind of guy who would shoot someone.”
Pearl looked down at her hands, and a frown tugged her mouth.
“Do you know something about this, Pearl?”
She shook her head, her eyes finally drawing back up to mine.
“He’s… I know he’s a trouble maker. Too angry at…everything. But I’ve never seen him resort to violence before.”
“Okay. That’s good to hear. Is there anything else?”
“I don’t think Chris Lagon was responsible for blowing up Dan’s rhubarb patch.”
It seemed like an odd jump in the conversation, but I followed along. “Do you know who might be?”
She nodded, an almost imperceptible movement.
I waited.
“Dan,” she said.
“Dan what?”
“I believe he blew up his own rhubarb.”
“He… Okay. Why would Dan do that?”
“By accident. I think…” She seemed to make up her mind, and all hesitancy disappeared. “I think he had bought the dynamite and planned to blow up something else but changed his mind.”
“What something else?”
“Chris’s tanks. Not all of them, but the ones containing his rhubarb beer. I think he was experimenting with how much dynamite he’d need to take out his competition. Not Chris—just the beer. And it backfired.”
It made a certain sense. Dan had jumped on the chance to lay the explosion blame on Chris—an easier and less violent way to take out his competition, which suited Dan’s style. But Chris had his alibi for not being available to set the dynamite in Dan’s yard. Chris was with Margot Lapointe.
“Did Dan tell you that?”
“No. But he mutters to himself when he’s angry. And he’s always angry.” She smiled almost fondly, and I found myself amazed at her capacity for patience. “I heard him while I was working in my flowerbeds. At first, I thought he was arguing with someone, but when I looked over in his yard, he was arguing with himself.”
“About blowing up Chris’s beer?”
“About if he should test it on his own rhubarb.”
“Did he actually mention the dynamite?”
“No. But very early the next morning, he was out in his backyard, and that was when the explosion happened. I hadn’t put together that he might have blown up his own garden. I mean, who does that sort of thing?”
“Dan.” I sighed. “That’s the sort of thing I’d expect from him.”
She nodded. “That’s what I’d been thinking. But I didn’t have proof. But if you’re doubting that he shot you, I thought you should know I’m doubting his story about the explosion.”
“I’ll keep it in mind. Thank you, Pearl. It helps.”
She folded her hands in front of her again. “You’re still going, aren’t you?”
The song of Heim’s power was filling my head again. Not to the point of pain, but it was a pressure I couldn’t duck. I had two days to find the mortal the power belonged to and still had no idea how to do that. If I wanted any time alone with Dan, it would have to be now.
Dan was the beginning of all this, and I’d just have to start with him and see if I could unravel the week’s events.
I tucked my hair back behind one ear, wishing I had a rubber band. “Dan will be transferred to the valley on Monday. Now would be best. Plus there really is paperwork I need to work on. If I get tired, I’ll nap on the cot.”
“I don’t like it, but it’s not like I can tie you up. Let me get your medicines.”
“Thanks,” I said, getting into my coat. “Um, can I ask a favor?”
She raised her eyebrows. “I won’t lie to your sisters.”
“I know. Would you mind driving me home? I’m going to need my car.”