As soon as she ended the first call, she dialed a different number. When her friend answered, Annie drew a sigh of relief. “Alice, thank God you’re at home! I need your help.”
“Then I’m glad I’m home too,” said Alice. “What’s up?”
“I just had the most awful visit from John Palmer, and it followed a phone call from Peggy with a strange story.” Annie heard a beeping begin on the other side of the line. “Now I’m truly worried about Gwen.”
“I can tell by your voice. Do you want me to come over?” Annie heard the beeping stop and the sound of Alice’s oven door opening and shutting.
“Would you? It sounds like you’re baking again.”
“I was baking again. Just took the last of it out of the oven. Let me pull on my rain gear and I’ll see you in a few.”
As soon as Alice had shaken the rain from her clothing and shed her hat, coat, and boots, Annie led her to the living room and described her phone call from Peggy and John’s eerie visit. When she was finished, Alice leaned an elbow against the arm of the couch, resting her cheek in hand. “How many years have I lived in Stony Point and have known John and Gwen?” she said. “Decades, and not once have I ever heard about or seen that kind of behavior from either one of them. They’ve always been the embodiment of self-control. At times I’ve hoped they would loosen up, let go some. But this is scary!” Boots sprang onto the couch between the two friends, kneaded the cushion under her front paws, and curled up for a nap. A hand from each side gently stroked the sleek back.
“What do we do next?” Annie asked. “My thinking is that Gwen was not with John when he came here; he looked insecure when I asked if Gwen was in the car. And if she felt like I had hurt her somehow—although I can’t think of any way that I have—would she come anywhere near Grey Gables? I don’t see it.”
Alice gave a small shake of her head. “Neither do I. Did Peggy see how the argument ended?”
“I don’t know. I had to end the call quickly when John knocked on the door. Banged, actually. Maybe we should call Peggy and see if she saw where they headed after they left the diner.” Annie started to get up to retrieve the phone, but Alice motioned for her to stay put. She handed Annie her cell phone, pulled from the pocket of her jeans. “Speed dial number three.”
Annie settled back against the couch cushion as the line rang. Peggy answered, “Ay, Alice.”
“It’s Annie, Peggy. Sorry to fool you. I won’t keep you long. I was wondering if you could tell where Gwen and John were headed after the argument. Or did one of them say anything about where they were going next?” Annie wasn’t sure how to word her questions differently, as she preferred not to mention John’s visit.
“Let me think a minute, Annie.” Peggy paused to run the scene through her mind. “Can’t say I heard any place names, just John complaining about ‘those Holdens.’ Just as they were starting to get really loud, I think they realized folks were listening. They walked out quick like. I tried to peek out the window as long as I could. I saw John lurch over to the passenger door and open it for Gwen, still hotter than a hornet. But Gwen shook her head and backed away from the car. The last thing I saw was Gwen taking off down Main Street and John throwing up his hands. Then a big order came up, and I had to leave the window.”
“Gwen must have been at wit’s end to run off on a night like tonight.”
“Don’t ya know it! I see a lot at the diner, but I never expected to see John and Gwen going at it.”
“Do you remember which way Gwen went on Main, Peggy?”
“Uh … yeah, south.”
“Thanks for your help. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“No problem. I hope you can help Gwen work out whatever’s bothering her. G’night, Annie.”
“Good night, Peggy.” Annie switched off the phone and handed it back to Alice.
“Well?” Alice said, slipping her phone back into her pocket.
“My hunch might be right. Peggy saw Gwen refuse to get into the car with John. She ran south on Main.”
“That eliminates a few blocks of searching. It’s something. Do you suppose Gwen just went home?”
“I don’t know, but I think we should start looking there. If John went home from here, you’re going to have to go to the door alone, while I hide in the car. My presence would not lend a calming atmosphere to your conversation with John.” Annie stood up. “And we better not wait any longer.”
Alice followed Annie into the hall. “How about we take the Mustang?” She didn’t feel the need to explain why. Her boots stood at attention on the entry rug. She pulled them on first, before putting on her coat and hat.