Weeding Out Trouble by Heather Webber

my chest, I said, "I just don't get it."
    "Get what?"
    "Why wouldn't Kit tell me about this other man in Daisy's life? Why not tell me he was helping her with Heavenly Hope?"
    "Honestly? I don't know."
    "You're a big help, Perry."
    "Don't go getting snippy with me, young lady."
    I smiled at his tone. "Sorry. I'm just confused. Did you learn anything from Maddie in the kitchen? She didn't seem too worried about Kit to me."
    We'd stayed for two hours, and were able to spend an hour of that time alone with Maddie. If she knew anything at all, she didn't let it slip.
    And much to our dismay, Kit hadn't made an appearance.
    "Let's see. I learned her secret for making the best homemade apple pie. I learned she alphabetizes her spices. I learned—"
    I cut him off. "I'm not amused. I'm a woman on the edge, Perry."
    He laughed. "She told me she hasn't heard from him."
    Shocked, I said, "You asked her outright?"
    "I don't believe in beating around the bush, sugar."
    I admired his gumption. "Do you believe her?"
    "Not at all. She has this habit of licking her lips when she lies. I picked up on it right away when I asked about Kit."
    "The police will check her phone records. They'll know."
    "Not necessarily. If he called from a pay phone, then she just has to say someone called but it was the wrong number."
    "Awfully coincidental."
    "Maybe so, but there wouldn't be enough evidence to get her into trouble."
    I wished she'd told us if Kit had called. Just to set my mind at ease. However, for the first time in a day and a half, I relaxed a bit. I was fairly sure Kit was okay. I didn't have a clue as to where he was or what kind of danger he'd placed himself in, but he was okay.
    Now I just had to figure out a way to clear his name, because it was obvious to me the police had already tried and convicted him.
    I had a couple of leads to follow. I needed to call Ian and ask about the pills I'd seen. I also wanted to find the new man in Daisy's life. And how much did Randall Oh know about Daisy's freelance work? And was he part of it?
    "Can I borrow your phone again?" I asked. I'd left mine at home.
    Without a word, Perry handed it over. His wipers pushed the snow from the windshield. Traffic on the highway had gone from three lanes to one.
    Tam answered on the fourth ring. I could hear her daughter Niki cooing in the background.
    "It's me again. I'm just checking in," I said.
    "Any news?" Worry laced her voice.
    I told her about our visit with Kit's mom. "I think Maddie knows where Kit is. She doesn't seem worried."
    Tam let out a breath. "That's good news."
    "How's everything there?"
    She knew what I was asking. "Coby just crossed the Tennessee border. Harvey's right behind him."
    Perry's plan, so far, was working perfectly. Soon, Lewy and Joe would be taking a long road trip.
    Snow fell steadily. I spotted another car in a ditch on the side of the road. Number eleven. Thankfully, Perry was a great driver.
    "As soon as they reach Atlanta, they're going to abandon Coby's TBS truck on the side of the road."
    And Harvey would drive him back.
    "Call me as soon as they're on the way back. I'll let the good detectives know a TBS truck is missing. Hopefully they'll think Kit took it and is on his way to warmer climes."
    I could hear the smile in her voice. "Then they'll leave you alone."
    "That's the hope."
    "Serves them right."
    I couldn't agree with her more.

    By the time Perry turned down my street, the snow had stopped, the sun was peeking out from the clouds, and I was having second thoughts about sending Lewy and Joe on a wild goose chase.
    It had to be a misdemeanor at the very least. If they weren't all that happy with me already, then what would they do if they found out I was obstructing justice?
    Would I spend Thanksgiving in the clink? Actually, with the way my holiday was shaping up, the clink wasn't looking so bad.
    I bet the jailhouse cooks already had their turkeys. I wouldn't have to worry about all the things that usually go wrong