Nester chuckled. “I figured you’d ask, and she said she would be happy to see you on Saturday. They have some ritual deal going on this week that has something to do with Delta River’s death, and the co-op is closed to the public, so she won’t see you till then.”
Finally they’d found a lead Laurel could pursue. “Would you make flight arrangements for me?”
“I already did,” Nester said.
Huck would want to accompany her, and he absolutely could not.
She dreaded that fight.
Chapter 23
Laurel wearily climbed the stairs to her mother’s house and unlocked the door, stepping inside and nodding to the two patrol officers in their car by the fence. They’d watch the house all night. “Mom,” she called out, kicking off her boots and outerwear. Fred rushed up and rubbed against her legs, and she leaned down to pet him.
“I’m in the kitchen.” Deidre peered around the corner. “I made spaghetti. It’s pretty simple. I didn’t even put anything interesting in the sauce.”
Laurel walked that way, rolling her shoulders. “That sounds delicious.” She couldn’t remember ever being this tired. She’d fought off serial killers before, and she’d run through woods and icy snow while being shot at, but pregnancy . . . That took a toll. She reached the kitchen and sank onto one of the wooden chairs. “How are you?”
“I’m much better. I just wish I could’ve told you who drove that darn truck.” Deidre dished up two plates to bring to the table. “I’ve decided to concentrate on work. Our preorders for the spring and summer blends are way up. When I say ‘way up,’ I mean you’d better find somewhere to invest the earnings.”
Laurel tugged her hair out of its clip. “I’ve found several places to invest. Just let me know how much I have to play with.”
Deidre flopped onto her seat, wearing a tight-fitting black yoga outfit with a white tank top beneath her jacket. “Not that we’re rich. I know we keep investing our profits, but still, it’s nice to be able to buy shoes if I want to buy shoes.”
“I concur.” As the smell of fresh tomato paste hit Laurel, her stomach rumbled. She reached for a fork and instantly dug in. “I need to talk to you.”
“Ruh-roh. Are you moving out?” Deidre poured herself a glass of cabernet.
Laurel’s eyebrows lifted. “You want me to move out?”
“No, I don’t want you to move out. I figured once you’d finished building your barndominium that you would, but with this weather, your plans have been put on hold, haven’t they?”
“They have,” Laurel said. She was converting an old barn down the road into a home for herself. With the baby coming, perhaps she should discuss the matter with Huck. They could build something together. His cabin wasn’t big enough for a baby, but then again, they hadn’t discussed fully moving in together.
Deidre watched her thoughtfully and then sipped her wine. “There are a lot of thoughts crossing your face. Maybe you and Captain Rivers need to sit down and have a nice talk.”
“I suppose so,” Laurel said thoughtfully. “We haven’t planned much.”
“You haven’t known about the baby for long. Give yourself a break.”
The last thing in the world Laurel wanted to do was take the smile off her mom’s face, but they really did need to talk. “Zeke Caine called me earlier today and said that he has been phoning you.”
Deidre paused with a fork halfway to her mouth and then set it down, still with pasta entwined through the prongs. “Yes. He has called the office several times, and I have ignored him.”
“He doesn’t have your personal cell phone number?”
“Not yet, but if I remember, he’s rather persistent.” Deidre paled.
Laurel stood up and fetched a glass of water before reseating herself. “He’s dangerous.”
“I know,” Deidre burst out. “I’ve wondered if he was in the truck that tried to run me off the road.”
As had Laurel. Of course, it could’ve been Jason Abbott. Or another killer she hadn’t met yet. She pushed the pasta around her plate with her fork. “I was thinking that perhaps you should travel sooner rather than later to Asia.”
Deidre blinked. “Laurel, I’m leaving in two weeks.”
“Yes, I know, but harvest times for tea leaves and the other ingredients you love started a week ago and will continue for months.”
Deidre stared at her over the rim of her wineglass. “You want me out of town, Laurel Snow.”
