Crime of Spelled Ink Read online

  Markle shook it and tipped his head. “I’ll send your family out as soon as I’m finished with them.”

  “Good.”

  I frowned as an idea occurred to me. “Sheriff?”

  Markle paused and turned to raise a brow at me. “Yeah, Harri?”

  “I think Vanessa has the guest list. There are plenty of people who have already left you may end up wanting to talk to.”

  He nodded. “Good idea, Harri. Thanks.”

  “Sure.”

  He smiled. “Looks like those books of yours have given you some interesting little tricks. You aren’t looking for a job, are you?”

  Absolutely not. I didn’t want to get involved in this mess. Especially with an upset sister who’d need my help.

  “Sorry, Sheriff. I’m pretty happy with mine.”

  He shot me a bit of a warning look. “Good to hear.”

  Guess he didn’t want me sticking my nose into this. Not that I planned to. I was quite aware that I had no real investigative skills.

  But I was also aware that Markle didn’t really either. He was great at campaigning and handing out citations and breaking up arguments between feuding shop owners on Main Street.

  Handling a possible murder?

  I wasn’t as confident.

  But maybe I was being a judgmental city woman, expecting the bungling town Sheriff to screw things up.

  Maybe he’d surprise me.

  “Belle!”

  Father’s shout made me shoot around, my eyes widening at the sight of him kneeling on the ground, a convulsing Belle in his arms.

  Chapter Four

  Panic clawed at my throat as I fell to my knees beside them, reaching out for my shaking sister. Her eyes were rolled back in her throat and a gurgling, gasping noise came from her throat.

  "Dad, what's going on?"

  Father kept Belle’s head steady and smoothed hair out of her face as he stared down sadly at her. ”This happens to her sometimes. It's a new symptom. We just have to ride it out and then get her to the doctor."

  What? No one told me about any new symptoms.

  Jules stood behind me, rubbing my back. "She'll be okay."

  "It's ridiculous the doctors can't do more for her." April hovered behind dad, frowning in helpless frustration.

  Father sighed. “They're human, dear. They can't perform miracles on their own."

  And there still wasn't a lot of information about fibromyalgia, the government and private companies not having enough interest in funding the studies. It wasn't too long ago that medical professionals decided it was a real illness instead of something hysterical women didn't make up in their own minds. Which was infuriating.

  And left us helpless as we watched Belle suffer so much.

  I hated seeing her like this, in so much agony, feeling like her life was stalled because she couldn't live on her own or hold down a regular job since she never knew when a flare up would begin again.

  Belle's body finally calmed, leaving her limp and groggy as she blinked up at Father. "What happened?"

  Father cupped her cheek. “You had another seizure."

  Belle’s face flushed. ”Oh. I'm sorry."

  Father shook his head at her. ”You have nothing to apologize for. But we do need to get you to the hospital."

  Jules patted my back. “I’ll go let Sheriff Markle know we need to go."

  I grabbed his hand. “Let Mother and Mauve know what's going on too."

  He nodded with a worried smile. “Will do." He hurried off into the crowd which had somehow not yet noticed the drama happening with us.

  Probably because there was always plenty of drama to go around.

  I helped Father get Belle back into her chair while April hovered around us.

  Belle slumped in her seat, looking completely worn down and exhausted, nothing like the girl who was dancing and having a great time just an hour or so ago. “I don't need to go to the hospital. It'll just be the same thing they always say."

  Father sat next to her and took her hands in his. “I know, but seizures are dangerous. We just have to make sure."

  I curled my hands into fists as I tried to control my temper and my fear and lighten the mood. “Besides, it gets us out of here."

  April snorted. "Yes. This day has truly been a heinous one."

  Father shook his head with a sigh. “Succinct as always, my dear daughters.”

  Mother and Mauve rushed over, the Sheriff and Jules following after a little more slowly.

  Mauve's eyes were red and splotchy, making my chest ache for her. April wasn't wrong. What had started off so lovely and happy had certainly taken a turn at this point.

  Mother skidded to a halt in front of Belle, her face pale and worried. "Belle? What's happened?"

  Belle tried to sit up, but she fell back against the chair. “Just another episode."

  Sheriff Markle rubbed the back of his head before sighing. ”You folks can go ahead. My deputies and I can handle the rest. We'll be in touch with more questions once we have a better idea of what happened."

  Father stood and shook Markle’s hand again. “Thank you, Sheriff. Really."

  Markle smiled. “You just make sure you take care of our girl there. Get her all fixed up."

  "We will."

  Markle walked off, leaving the rest of us to figure out where to go from here.

  Belle rubbed at her face. “You don't all have to come with me. Mauve, you especially have things to handle. The emergency is over."

  April sighed. "I'll stay here and help Mauve and Will. The rest of you should go though. Get her checked out and then home."

  I was shocked at April actually offering to do something helpful for once. Belle’s episode must have rattled her as much as the rest of us.

  “All right,” I said. “Thank you, April. That's very sweet."

  Mother turned to Father. “Darling, maybe you should stay too. Harri and I can handle Belle. There's so much here that needs to be dealt with. I'm sure Mauve could use your help keeping people calm."

  Father nodded. "I'll see you all at home. Keep me informed, please."

  "Of course." Mother kissed his cheek and between the two of us, we got Belle to her feet.

  Before Jules swooped in and swept her into his arms. "I'm coming."

  Mother chuckled. “Thanks, Julian. That's sweet of you."

  "I think the two of you need me more than they do here. Besides, I'm usually Belle's doctor buddy." Jules strode ahead towards his vehicle, leaving Mother and I to follow.

  My eyes widened in surprise. “What?"

  What else were they keeping from me? I was getting way too much new information all of the sudden.

  "He takes her to most of her appointments since I can't miss so much work and your Father is usually busy as well."

  What was Father so busy with?

  "That's sweet of you, Jules. Why haven't you ever mentioned it?"

  Jules looked back at us over his shoulder with a grin. “You know I don't like to toot my own horn."

  I snorted. “Since when?"

  It got the laugh I was looking for from everyone and I noticed with no small amount of satisfaction that Belle looked stronger and steadier as Jules set her down beside his car. She hopped in with a little more spring in her step once he opened the door.

  I was not feeling quite so strong or steady or springy. My hands shook as I climbed into the backseat of Jules' car next to Belle, the adrenaline trying to work its way out of my system. I was terrified that one day, this illness would take Belle away from me much sooner than I could stand.

  And it would be her dead body I was finding.

  Belle reached over and took one of my hands in both of hers. "I'm okay, Harri. It's just something new they think is caused by some of my meds. They're trying to pinpoint which one it is and go from there."

  Jules pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the hospital on the other side of town.

  "Right. And why did no one mention this new development to me?" I asked.

  Mother turned in her seat from the front and shot me an apologetic grimace. “We probably all thought one of the others told you. And honestly, Harri, there's nothing you could've done other than worry."

  Mother was right, but it still chafed. I liked to know things. I was really glad I was here to help for the summer. And all the more determined to get Belle into a new place with a little less stress for her.

  Stress was a massive contributor to her illness.

  Mother dug in her purse. “I’m going to call ahead to the hospital and have them page her doctor."

  I turned to Belle. "Any pain?"

  "No. Just a general lethargy. I wish I could just go home and sleep." She leaned her head back against the headrest.

  "Hopefully, the hospital visit won't take too long."

  She hated the hospital. Probably because she’d spent so much of her life in the blasted things.

  "I'm just getting a little tired of being poked and prodded and none of it really helping."

  "I'm sorry, love." I checked on Mother and Jules in the front, making sure they weren't paying attention before I lowered my voice. "I was wondering if you were interested in moving out of the house with me."

  Belle lifted her head to frown at me in confusion. ”What?"

  I grinned at her. “I’ve been considering renting a little summer cottage for my visit and thought you might like to stay with me."

  It wasn’t the best time to bring this up after everything, but we both needed something to cheer us up. Something to look forward to.

  If she was interested.

  "Why?"

  "It's a little hard to focus in Mother and Father's house with all the coming and going and noise right out on the street.
It's a little cramped too with you, me, and April all there. I thought it might be nice to find a cute little place with maybe a garden and plenty of privacy."

  Her face brightened. “That could be fun. Mother and Father might enjoy the break too. I know it wears on them, always worrying about me. But I don't want you taking their place."

  I shot her a playful glare. “It won't be a worry, it'll be fun. Just the two of us with your piano and my books. Maybe a cat or two we could find in the woods and try to tame."

  "Are you sure?" Belle asked.

  "Very."

  I loved my family more than anything, but after getting used to living on my own for so long, I truly was struggling to focus with a full house. My attention was torn between my work and spending time with them.

  "I don't want to get in your way while you try to work."

  I rolled my eyes. “You're one of the quietest people I've ever met. I don't have the slightest concern that you'd ever get in my way."

  She was being ridiculous. Though I hoped this wasn’t her way of trying to talk me out of it because she wasn’t interested.

  A huge smile broke out across her face and she beamed at me. “Then, yes. I'd love to. It sounds like fun."

  I beamed back at her, excitement replacing some of the dread and stress bubbling in my stomach. “Excellent. I'll start looking for a place."

  "We're here." Jules hopped out and scooped Belle back out of the car, ignoring her protests.

  Mother squeezed my shoulder when we got out on the other side. "I heard what you're planning."

  "Is it okay? I'm not trying to come here and take over." I didn’t want to step on her toes.

  Tears glimmered in Mother’s eyes. ”Oh, I know. And I think it's a wonderful idea. The two of you have always been so close and I worry she's been lonely. Julian comes to see her as often as he can, but it's not the same as having you here. There's just some things it's easier to talk to your sister about than your friend. Or even your mother. And our rickety house isn't the best place for her. I think she'll thrive in a little summer home with you."

  We followed Jules as he carried Belle into the ER waiting room, our steps slower as we talked.

  I sighed. “I hate this. I hate that her life has been put on hold because of this illness."

  Mother wrapped her arm around my waist. “Her life hasn't been put on hold and it isn't less than a perfectly healthy person. She just has to live a little differently. But she can still have a full and happy life. Something I think living with you will remind her of."

  "I hope so."

  Mother stopped before we made it to the doors, dragging me to a halt with her. “Don't make the same mistake your father and I have."

  My brows furrowed. “What mistake?”

  Mother winced, looking guilty. “Coddling her. Smothering her. I worry we clipped her wings and made her believe she had to stay here with us instead of finding out what she's truly capable of."

  I hated that she was doubting herself. She was an actual superhero and needed to remember that.

  "I'll keep that in mind, but I don't think you've clipped her wings. Even if she didn't have an illness, she's always been horribly shy and a complete homebody. I doubt she ever would've gone far."

  "Not everyone has to leave to learn how to fly like you did. Like April could use. Mauve never left and she's happy. I want to see Belle do the same. And I think you're just what she needs to do that." She patted my arm.

  "I'll do what I can."

  She started walking again, opening the door and holding it open for me. “You don't have to do anything special. Just be there for her. And with her. Just being around you will probably bring out the adventurous parts of her."

  "If you say so." I hoped she was right.

  "I do. I'm so glad you're home." She smiled at me.

  I smiled back at her. “Me too."

  Things had been so insane since I got back we hadn’t had much time together. And now I was moving out and taking Belle with me.

  Jules met us by the chairs where Belle sat. “I’ve got Belle checked in. They said it's a slow night, so they should be able to get her back there soon. They did say only one of us can go back with her for now."

  "You should go, Mother,” I said.

  She nodded. “Thanks, I will. Will you and Julian be all right?"

  "Of course. We'll keep in touch with Mauve and Father to make sure there are no more disasters."

  "Right. Oh, for a moment, I forgot all about poor Sally." Mother looked older all of a sudden, the stress of everything wearing on her.

  "Belle Stride?” A nurse poked his head out the door leading into the ER.

  Belle stood, steady but still pale. “I’m here."

  The nurse waved. ”Come on back."

  Belle leaned on Mother, both of them looking so fragile as they followed the nurse through the ER doors.

  Jules wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "She's fine. It's a mean disease, but it's not fatal."

  I let him lead me back to the chairs to sit down and wait this out. “It just seems like every time I see her, she's worse."

  "Maybe with distance, comes a bit of forgetting. Like when you see someone after they've lost weight. The people who see them every day don't notice as much. But it's always a shock if you see them months into the weight loss."

  I sighed. “Maybe. Maybe I do look back with rose colored glasses instead of remembering how things really were."

  He rubbed my back. “I think we all have a habit of romanticizing the past. Especially the negative stuff. That way, it doesn't seem so painful."

  "Well, I certainly didn't romanticize you. I don't remember you being so smart.” It was a weak tease, but the best I could do at the moment.

  He winked at me. “Oh, I wasn't. I was a complete fool."

  "You had your moments of brilliance every now and again."

  "Well, let me dazzle you with another moment of brilliance." He turned his body to face me completely.

  I blew out a dramatic breath. “Okay. I'm ready."

  He smirked at me. “Cute. Now seriously. I have the perfect place for you and Belle to spend the summer."

  Of course he was listening.

  I groaned.“I should've known the backseat of a car wasn't the best place to try and have a private conversation. But tell me about this perfect place."

  I hadn’t really gotten that far in my plans yet. There were a few places I looked into, but nothing suitable yet.

  Jules bounced in his seat. “Well, one, it's right down the road from me."

  "Oh, I love your house. And your street."

  There were only a few houses down there. He lived on the outer edges of the town, surrounded by trees and trails and streams. It was beautiful and private.

  Jules grinned triumphantly. ”Yes. It has just what you're looking for. Plenty of quiet, nature, and privacy. The best part? It comes fully furnished so you won't need to worry about getting it set up. It's move in ready right now."

  My brows shot high. “It sounds amazing."

  Almost too good to be true.

  Based on the gleeful look on Jules’ face, he wasn’t done trying to sell me on this place.

  "And I'm friends with the owner. He may actually be able to get you in there tomorrow or the next day. He's been hoping to find a tenant soon. Do you want me to give him a call?"

  "You've seen the inside?" I wasn’t super picky, but I didn’t love the idea of seventies furniture filling the place.

  "Trust me. it's just what you and Belle need. We can have you moved in within a couple hours once you sign the lease. You could be moved in by tomorrow.”

  Jules knew me better than anyone. If he said we’d love it, I believed him. And I definitely liked the idea of having a space so soon. I didn’t want to spend weeks searching for a place to only get to stay there for a month.

  "All right. I'll trust you. Give your friend a call. If we hate it, the summer is only a couple months long. Will he let me rent month by month?" I didn’t want to get sucked into a long lease I’d have to pay a fortune to break.

  Jules nodded. “Yes. That's what he's looking for right now. He plans on getting things set up for a longer agreement, but you definitely have until the end of the summer before that happens."

  I sucked in a breath. “All right. Go for it, then."

  He jumped up, excitement dancing in his eyes. “I’m going to enjoy being neighbors again."

  I laughed. “Me too."