Little Boy Blues 3 by Mary Jane Maffini

Author:Mary Jane Maffini
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: General, Fiction, Women Sleuths, Cozy, Mystery & Detective
ISBN: 9781894917957
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2002-05-31T23:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

Alvin’s long, fishlike fingers twitched near Loretta’s neck.

“We need to know what Mrs. Smith said.” I did not say cut the dramatic bullshit, which took some self-control on my part.

“Well, if it’s so important, why aren’t you willing to wait and hear the story?” By now, Loretta was definitely in sulk mode.

“Everyone would relish your story, Loretta,” Mrs. Parnell said. “But it is urgent. Give them the bare bones of it, and you can repeat it, adding all the rich detail, later. While young Ferguson and Ms. MacPhee are investigating, you can call your friend back and find out what the police wanted. I am certain she’ll be delighted to tell you.” Loretta glowed.

“So,” I said. “What happened?”

“She saw him. In her backyard. He seemed to be playing a game with a woman, then Jimmy careened into the roses. Destroyed her prize Peace rose bush and God knows what else.”

“A woman?”

“Yes. She said the woman shouted she was sorry, and she’d pay for any damage to the flowers, but she had to get Jimmy home fast. Then Jimmy broke right through the cedar hedge and took off, and the woman took off after him. Mrs. Smith was planning to call your mother when she got back from Ingonish and tell her to replace the rose bush.”

“Did Jimmy say anything?”

“She said no, but he was crying, and now she’ll never forgive herself. I mean, it was only a frigging rose bush.”

We stared at Loretta.

Alvin said, “What woman would have been chasing Jimmy to take him home?”

• • •

Mrs. Parnell took charge of the next phase. Unlike me and Alvin, she commanded respect from the Fergusons. Mrs. Ferguson, Frances Ann and Tracy were stunned. None of them had gone to find Jimmy, much less chased him through a garden, trampling a rose bush before bursting through a cedar fence.

“Chased him? Do you think we’re crazy?” Frances Ann said.

“No one would chase Jimmy. He would panic even if one of us chased him.” Tracy had tears in her eyes.

“Imagine, then,” Mrs. Parnell said, “what would Jimmy do if someone else was chasing him?”

Mrs. Ferguson gripped her throat. “He could have another seizure. Oh, holy mother of God.”

Alvin let out that low keening sound.

I gripped his elbow.

• • •

“Poor boy,” Mrs. Parnell said, inhaling deeply in sympathy.

Alvin was back at Loretta and Donald Donnie’s. Gussie was snuggled up next to him on the sofa.

“I hope he’s in control, because he’s been the key so far,” I said. “Do you hear me, Alvin? Jimmy needs you.”

I squinted to avoid the smoke Mrs. Parnell aimed at me.

“Don’t go too far in that direction. Remember, Ms. MacPhee.”

“Remember what?” Alvin said.

“We figure your spells are connected with Jimmy’s accident. And we’ll make sure we deal with them after we find him,” I said.

“Are you feeling all right?” Mrs. Parnell asked Alvin, after giving me a look that would kill a lesser woman.

Alvin said. “You said something about the accident?”

“Yes. We’ll make sure you finally get some treatment for that trauma.

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