The Misadventures of the Laundry Hag 00 - Swept Under the Rug

I could question him.
    “I’m keeping the day open for Richard. Unfortunately, he’s a night owl and I’m a Lark so I probably won’t hear from him until about noon.”
    “Hey, do you want to come skiing with us? You can keep me company in the lodge while the guys are busy being physical.” I asked, enjoying the image.
    There was a loud clatter, followed by a curse from the kitchen and I turned to see Neil, his hand shoved under the running faucet. “Oh, sweetie, did you burn yourself?” I jumped up scurrying to his side. “Here, let me look.”
    I reached for his hand, but he drew back, scowling. “It’s fine.”
    “Let me just run and get the burn ointment. Kenny is the first aid kit in your room?” I was halfway down the hall when Neil caught my arm.
    “I said I’m fine. Just forget about it.”
    “What’s the matter with you?” I asked. He opened his mouth to reply, but his words were cut off by the ringing doorbell.
    “Let me see who that is, then we’ll finish this.” I marched to the front door, pulling it open.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked Detective Capri. “Someone’s already returned my car.”
    Capri proffered her gloved hand and a thrice fold sheet of white paper. Her face gave away nothing. “Mrs. Phillips, we have a warrant to search your house.”

    * * * *
    My family, plus Leo, clustered in the living room while one of the uniformed officers under Capri’s command kept an eye on us. Kenny bounced on the air mattress, excited because his house was being searched and sacked. “I can’t wait to tell the guys at school about this!” he kept saying. Josh sprawled on the floor and commanded his brother to shut it every thirty seconds like clockwork.
    Penny, her feet up on Marty’s lap, allowed Leo to hold an ice pack on her forehead. The three of them took up the couch. Neil prowled the room, the copy of the search warrant in his hands. I’d tried to talk with him a few times, but he brushed me aside, so I stood in the corner, arms wrapped around myself. Sounds of drawers being emptied, papers fluttering to the floor and the soft murmur of animated discussion drifted from the hallway.
    “Maybe one of us should watch them, make sure they aren’t planting evidence.” Marty said for the fifth time.
Neil growled unintelligibly from the corner. I slid him a look, but he turned away, his shoulders unnaturally stiff. I strode over to Marty and lowered my voice.
    “They’re looking for Candy Valentino, Sprout and I’m pretty sure they didn’t smuggle her in under their department issued coats.”
    “Ten frigging minutes,” Neil muttered and shook his head. I understood what he meant. Ten minutes more and in all likelihood, we would have been on our way out of town, blissfully unaware that our house was being ransacked. I was sorry his Sunday plans had been spoiled, but really, wasn’t it better to be here for the search?
    “I still don’t understand,” I said to the officer. “Markus Valentino claimed I was blackmailing him?”
    “That’s right.” The answer came from Detective Capri, who’d appeared in the foyer. “He said you came to him demanding a certain amount of money for proof of life on Candie. That, when he delivered the aforementioned monies, you refused and laughed at him. He also implicated you in the arson at his estate.”
    “I saved his worthless ass.” Neil seethed. “How dare he—”
    “Detective, I think I’ve got something here.”
    Capri turned and handed an envelope over to her. Still wearing latex gloves, she slid its contents out, scanned them briefly before meeting my gaze. “A check from Markus Valentino.”
    “I worked for him, you know that!” I shouted at her.
    “This is quite a hefty sum for a cleaning service. Bag it.” She ordered her aide.
    “Let me explain—”
    “You’ll have plenty of time to explain down at the station. “Margaret Phillips, you are under arrest for extortion. You have the right to remain silent….” Capri droned on, a flash of pity in her eyes while one of the officers handcuffed me.
    I blinked back tears and Neil was at my side, ready to surge into battle if need be. “I’m sorry I ruined your plans for today,” I told him, my voice wobbling.
    He ignored my apology, focusing on what mattered. “Don’t worry Maggie, we’ll fix this. I’ll call my Dad and we’ll get you a lawyer. Don’t say anything without a lawyer present, got it?”
    I nodded as my police escort ushered me