Peggy Dulle - Liza Wilcox 05 - Till Death Do Us Part Read online

  Chapter 8

  I lowered my head and mumbled, “What now?”

  Tom took a step ahead of me and said, “What can we do for you, detectives?”

  “We have a few more questions.”

  I glanced at my watch. It was almost eleven thirty. “Now?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Detective Miller said.

  Bad cop was starting to get on my last nerve.

  “We’ve only got a few more questions and then we’ll let you get some sleep,” Detective Johnson added.

  Good cop was starting to get on my last nerve, too.

  “Was there anything missing from your hotel room?” Detective Johnson asked.

  I looked at Tom. I didn’t look, did he? Tom shrugged.

  “We didn’t even think to look,” Tom told the detectives.

  “Can you look for us, please?” Detective Johnson asked.

  “Have you found something that you think belongs to us somewhere it shouldn’t be?” I asked.

  Detective Johnson’s eyes shot up and Miller scowled.

  Tom looked at me and smiled, “Good question, Liza.”

  “Can you just check your stuff?” Detective Miller growled.

  I laughed. “If you tell me what I’m missing – I can tell you that I’m missing it.”

  Detective Miller took a step toward me, Tom got in between us.

  Tom looked over his shoulder at me and said, “Stop baiting the man, Liza.”

  “Easy target,” I mumbled.

  “This is silly, detectives. If you’ve found something of mine or Liza’s, just tell us what you found.” Tom insisted.

  I put my hand immediately to the chain around my neck. The ring and my half of my mom’s unicorn locket were still there. Anything else, I didn’t care about.

  Detective Johnson pulled out an evidence bag and emptied its contents into his hand. It was the bracelet my students gave me at the end of the school year. It had twenty-six little charms, one for each of them. They had each picked one out for me: some were dogs, soccer balls, ballerinas, and letters. A heart charm was engraved with the words, “We love our teacher.”

  I put out my hand, “That’s mine.”

  Tom turned to me and said, “Did you have it with you?”

  “Yes, it was in my make-up bag.”

  “Where’d you find it?” Tom asked.

  “On the dead woman’s wrist.”

  I shuddered.

  But Tom relaxed immediately. “So whoever killed the woman, rifled through Liza’s makeup bag looking for money or jewelry, took it and put it on the woman’s wrist?”

  “Possibly,” Detective Miller said.

  “Probably,” Detective Johnson added.

  I put out my hand. “Can I have it back?”

  “No,” Detective Miller said.

  “When can she have it back?” Tom asked.

  “When we determine it has nothing to do with our investigation,” Detective Johnson answered.

  “Great,” I mumbled. “I’ll never see it again.”

  “Can I get an inventory of all twenty-six charms?” Tom asked them.

  “Sure,” Detective Johnson said.

  Tom turned to me and said, “I’ll replace the bracelet, Liza. It will be easier and less of a hassle then getting it back from them.”

  “It won’t be the same,” I mumbled.

  “Is there anything else, detectives?” Tom asked.

  They both shook their head and Tom said, “Good, now we’ve had a long day in Disneyland and we’re going to bed.”

  And that’s just what we did. When we crawled into bed, Tom pulled me close, and tears filled my eyes. I loved that bracelet and it just wouldn’t be the same to have Tom replace it, even though it would physically be the same, it wouldn’t be. I knew that didn’t make any sense but it was the way I felt.

  I was up again at six, dressed and ready to go again. Tom rolled over and glared at me. “We’re going early again?”

  “Today is California Adventure day, plus a little Disneyland, too.”

  Tom sighed, got out of bed and headed to the shower.

  On the walk over, Tom said, “I don’t feel like I got the full experience yesterday.”

  “What do you mean, Tom?” I asked.

  “You kept leaving me places. Today, I want to stay with you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I felt like a grandpa that you have to leave places while you run off and take care of business.”

  “Okay,” I said.

  He nodded and asked, “Are we going to Cars Land?”

  “No, not this trip. It just opened. I’m not that crazy.”

  “Good to know.” He smiled and gave me a hug.

  When the gate opened at eight, I grabbed Tom’s hand and dragged him directly to California Screaming to get Fast Passes, then to Toy Story Mania where the wait was only twenty minutes – a miracle. Tom loved it, although I still got a better score than he did. He kept saying his gun was faulty. Then we raced to Tower of Terror and got Fast Pass tickets. Then we had breakfast at the Pacific Wharf Café. I dragged Tom to get Fast Passes for Soaring Over California, stopping two times to check lanyards. To kill time and let Tom rest we rode Little Mermaid. I took him on the swinging side of the Ferris wheel, which was my favorite because the entire cage slid from one side to the other. Tom freaked out.

  “Why is this thing moving? Ferris wheels don’t move!”

  “We’re on the swinging side,” I told him.

  “Next time we ride the non-swinging side,” he said, grabbing the cage as we slid again.

  Then we rode Soaring Over California. A cool ride, although I don’t think Tom liked having his feet dangling or the moving movie. I saw him close his eyes several times during the ride.

  “Why are we skipping California Screaming and Tower of Terror?” he asked.

  “Better at night,” I told him.

  Then I dragged him back to Disneyland.

  “I thought we were spending the day in California Adventure?” Tom asked as we went through the turnstile into Disneyland.

  “No, we’re done there until tonight.”

  We got Fast Passes for Thunder Mountain, then rode Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and paddled canoes. Then we got Fast Passes for Space Mountain and went over to the Pirate’s Lair, watched a show and climbed around. We picked up lunch at the Bengal Barbecue on the way to the Astro Blasters. When we rode the Astro Orbiter, I even let Tom control the altitude of the ship. We went back and rode Thunder Mountain and got Fast Passes for Indiana Jones. Bought ice cream, checked five lanyards, and road the Monorail around the park. Then we stood in line for the Matterhorn again. The wait was only thirty-five minutes, so it wasn’t bad. Then we rode Space Mountain and drove the Autopia cars.

  When we walked past the submarine ride, Tom asked, “Are we going on that?”

  “I’m not a fan of small enclosed places with little kids, how about you?”

  “Never mind,” he said and we moved on.

  We rode Indiana Jones and headed back to California Adventure. We got another Fast Pass for California Screaming.

  It was almost seven so we walked back to Disneyland to have dinner at the Blue Bayou. They seated us right by the water and it was as cool as ever, watching the people who were riding the ride go by, the twinkling lights and sounds of the bayou. The food was fabulous and Tom and I talked about nothing important, just conversation. When I would bring up anything related to the murdered woman, Tom would remind me that we weren’t investigating her death.

  After dinner we rode California Screaming with our previous Fast Passes. Tom loved the ride. It was dark so we got in line to ride Tower of Terror. It broke down once, but I didn’t get out of line. Tom wanted to leave but I knew better. It was up and running in ten minutes. After that we went back to Toy Story Mania and played the games on the Boardwalk. Tom spent over twenty dollars and I got a small teddy bear. Next came the Golden Zephyr and the Silly Swings. They’re both fun and
not usually much of a wait. When World of Color was finally over, we went back and rode California Screaming again.

  “Let’s head back over to Disneyland,” I told Tom.

  “Do we have too?” he asked.

  “It’s only eleven o’clock. The park is open another hour.”

  Tom had slowed down tremendously in the last two hours. In fact, I think he slowed down right after lunch. That’s when his eyes started to glaze over.

  I shrugged and said, “Sure, I’m ready to go, too.”

  “That’s great,” Tom said.

  We walked back to the hotel and no detectives waited for us. Thank God. Tom walked into the room and fell face first on the bed. He was out in a matter of minutes. I changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed with him.

  I leaned over, kissed him on the cheek, and whispered, “Good night, Tom.”

  He turned, unfastened the necklace around my neck, slipped off the ring and put it on my left hand.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Stretch is too exhausting; I think I’ll stick to Liza.” And he was asleep again.

  I smiled and got my phone. I texted two people – Kenny and my sister Jordan.

  Me: I have the ring on!

  Kenny: Wore him out, didn’t you? LOL I’m happy for you!

  Jordan: It’s about time. I’ll call you in the morning.

  I got out my iPad and sent an email to the Human Resource department of my district resigning my position and telling them I would be in this week to sign the papers. Then I sent an email to John Grant, the Superintendent of Schools in Gainesville. He already offered me a job when he learned that Tom and I were engaged. I wasn’t sure what grade I would be teaching but at least I would have a job next year.

  I fell asleep rubbing the ring between my fingers.

  “Mrs. Tom Owens,” I whispered. I liked the sound of that.

  Chapter 9

  When Tom rolled over in the morning, I held up my hand and said, “Are you sure?”

  He shook his head and looked at the ring, obviously trying to remember why I was wearing it.

  I glared at him.

  He laughed and said, “I remember, Liza.”

  “So Stretch is too exhausting.”

  “I figured on this trip, on that first evening, I had Liza, Day 2, I had a mixture of Liza and Stretch, and Day 3 was all Stretch. I don’t think I have the energy to keep up with her.”

  I leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips.

  When I pulled away, he said, “But there are some things I do like about Stretch.”

  “What?”

  “Her enthusiasm for life, her take-charge and leave-no-prisoners attitude, and even her sarcasm.”

  “And Liza?”

  “Her never-ending kindness, love, respect for everyone and everything, and her sarcasm.”

  “Hey.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “You said sarcasm twice.”

  “Yeah, I’m not quite sure which of you that comes from.” He laughed, pulled me down to him and kissed me, deeply and passionately.

  I leaned into him and reciprocated. It was two hours before we got out of that bed.

  Tom insisted upon going to the desk to check out. I tried to convince him that we could just do it on the TV, leave the keys in the room and get in the car but he wanted to double-check the bill and make sure it was correct. I don’t think I have ever done that before.

  While he checked out, I explained the Fast Pass system to a group of teenagers. Afterwards the clerk told me they were changing the system.

  “Yeah, everyone, like you, has figured out a way to work the system to their advantage, so they’re changing it next February,” the clerk told me.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, you will have to use the pass during the time listed on them and, except for the Fast Passes for Cars, which takes forever, you can only get two Fast Passes at a time. The system won’t let you get three.”

  “No,” I groaned.

  “There’s only one way to circumvent the new system.”

  I leaned forward. “What is it?”

  “Have a kid.”

  Tom beamed.

  “Why?”

  “If you have four people and a kid under the height requirement of most rides, then you get a Switch Pass. It allows two people to go while the other two stay with the kid, then the two that stayed practically go to the front of the line and get on the ride. You can get them now but they’re going to be gold after this new system goes into effect.”

  “Thanks for info. I think I’ll try to get back before February and use the old system.”

  Tom smiled. “If not, we’ll just have to have a kid so Stretch can get her full experience at Disneyland.”

  I snorted.

  On the drive home, my sister called. “Okay, Sis,” she said. “I’ve got just the helper you need.”

  “For what?” I asked. Since my sister and I didn’t agree on anything, I wasn’t sure I wanted anyone she would consider a helper.

  “The wedding, silly. I have a friend from high school who has a wedding planner business in San Ramon. She was a straight A student, in all the honors classes, and captain of the debate team the two years I went to school there before we moved to Sacramento.”

  “In other words, she was a total stranger from you in high school.”

  “Yes, but we’ve reconnected on Facebook and she’s doing great. You’ve barely got a month or so to plan and execute this wedding, you will need help.”

  She was right. “Okay, I’ll give her a call. What’s her name?”

  “Savanah Wooding.” Jordan gave me her number and then added. “Please remember the promise you made me when I was twelve.”

  “I remember.” I laughed.

  “Repeat it, please.”

  “I will not make you wear some awful bridesmaid dress in my wedding. I will let you have a say and veto power on any dress I think you should wear.”

  “Perfect. Now call Savanah.”

  “What’s she like?” I asked.

  “She was a brunette, shorter than me and a little overweight, but people change in fourteen years.”

  “Most women are shorter than your five foot ten inch frame, Jordan,” I chuckled, then said goodbye. I dialed the number Jordan gave me and a woman answered on the first ring.

  “Wooding’s Bridal Consultant, how can I direct your call?”

  “I was given Savanah Wooding’s number from my sister. I have to plan a wedding in less than a month.”

  “Oh, that won’t be a problem. Would you like to make an appointment and come in and see Miss Wooding?”

  “Yes, how about tomorrow?”

  I heard flipping of pages and then she said, “We’ve got an opening at ten.”

  “That’s fine. Can you give me the address?”

  “Let me text it to you, then if you need directions you can just tap on it and your phone will pull up a map and directions.”

  Modern technology – you’ve got to love it! “Okay,” I told her and ended the call.

  A few seconds later, an address appeared on my phone. I touched the address and it immediately brought up a map. A couple of strokes later and there was a list of directions. It wasn’t far from my house.

  When we got home, Tom put my suitcase in my room and then went to get his. I followed him out.

  “Tom, how much say do you want in this wedding?”

  “Give me the date. I’d like to wear a dark gray tux since I wore a black one for the last ceremony and we both know how well that turned out. Other than that, I don’t care.”

  “Okay, then you should go home.”

  “I have one more day of my vacation,” Tom suggested, his eyes sparkling with desire.

  “I have an entire wedding to plan, quit my old job, and figure out the curriculum for a new grade level.”

  “You don’t have time for me?”

  I shook my head.

  “How about you take a year off? That will drop your
list of things to do.”

  “I’m not taking a year off, Tom. I like working.”

  “What if John gives you seventh grade math?”

  “He can’t. My credential won’t let me teach only a single subject,” I said smugly.

  “I bet it would in Gainesville. We’re kind of little and make exceptions all the time.”

  I frowned at him.

  “Okay,” he said. “I’ll go home. By the way who will be your maid of honor? Your sister?”

  “No, Kenny. My sister wants to be a bridesmaid with veto power on the dress.”

  Tom smiled. “Put him in a blue tux.”

  I laughed, but opened Tom’s truck door and pushed him inside. “Go home, Tom. I’ll talk to you later.”

  After Tom left, I spent the evening on the internet looking at wedding dresses. There were just too many to choose from: short sleeves, no sleeves, white, crème, high waist, low waist, ball room, tight fitting, and the list went on and on. And most couldn’t be ready in less than a month. That would limit my possibilities and that was a good thing. I knew that certain styles would probably look better on me than others, but what girl doesn’t dream of a princess-style ball gown for her wedding dress? I especially liked the vintage dresses in smooth satin with very little glitter or lace on them. There was even one with buttons starting at the collar and going all the way down a very long train. It was beautiful.

  Justin brought Shelby over and as soon as he saw the ring back on my finger his face broke out in a huge smile. I rolled my eyes.

  “So when’s the wedding?” he asked as he came into my house.

  “This summer sometime. I have to find the place first and then see when it’s available.”

  “Are you going to be married here or up in Gainesville?”

  “I’m shooting for some place in between so both our friends don’t have to make a long drive.”

  “What’s in the middle?”

  “Somewhere around Modesto, I think.”

  “Well, if you need any help finding a place, I can always use my skills to help out.”

  “Jordan has a high school friend who is a wedding planner, so I called her. I’m meeting her tomorrow at ten.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. It would be easy to forget something.”