“I’ve always believed you make your own luck,” said Lucy, nervously backing up against the turkey pen and reaching in her coat pocket. Behind her, she could hear TomTom making throaty noises. “Things seem to be going pretty well for you. You wouldn’t want to do anything foolish.”
“One thing I know,” he said, stepping toward her. “You don’t get ahead by being indecisive—you can’t be afraid to take risks.”
He started to lift the maul and Lucy knew he planned to kill her, just as he’d killed Curt Nolan. She edged away from him and reached deeper in her pocket, finally finding what she was looking for: the red beret she had stuffed there earlier. She pulled it out, waving it and tossing it straight at O’Hara.
He instinctively ducked and grabbed for it, giving Lucy an opportunity to unlatch the gate of TomTom’s pen.
Enraged by the sight of the red beret in O’Hara’s hand, the huge bird went straight for his supposed rival. Caught off balance by the unexpected attack, O’Hara went flying and landed on his seat in a pile of straw.
TomTom cocked his head, blinked his eyes and decided he’d been so successful at cutting this guy down to size that he might as well finish him off. He puffed out his chest, spread his tail, and renewed his attack.
Lucy didn’t wait to watch. She started to run for the door but stopped in her tracks when it flew open and Kudo ran in, followed by Barney Culpepper.
“Hold it right there!” bellowed Barney, reaching for his gun.
O’Hara froze, holding the maul at shoulder height and keeping a wary eye on the turkey. TomTom, however, was no longer interested in attacking him. He was checking out a new opponent: Kudo, who had faced off opposite him, growling.
“You’re under arrest,” Barney told O’Hara. “Put the maul down and put your hands behind your back.”
“What’s the charge?” demanded O’Hara, cocky as ever.
“Mistreating an animal will do for starters,’ ” said Barney, snapping on the cuffs.
Her knees shaking, Lucy stroked Kudo’s thick ruff. He wagged his tail, then jumped at TomTom, sending the turkey scurrying for the safety of his pen. Lucy fastened the catch with trembling hands. Then she collapsed on her knees, burying her nose in the dog’s fur and hugging him.
He tolerated this embarrassing display for a few seconds, then pulled away, cocking his head and pricking up his ears.
“You’re right,” said Lucy. “It’s time to get out of here.”
CHAPTER 22
Lucy had just put Kudo in the car when she heard sirens.
So did the Browns, who began pouring out of the house and streaming down the hill to the barnyard. About time, thought Lucy, slamming down the hatch. Where were you when I needed you?
Andy led the group, marching up to Barney and demanding, “What’s going on?”
Marian Brown stood a few steps behind him, wiping her hands on her apron and keeping an eye on the kids.
“I’m making an arrest,” said Barney, lifting off his cap and running his hand through his brush cut before replacing it.
Andy peered in the back of the cruiser, then raised his eyebrows in shock when he recognized Jack O’Hara.
“There must be some mistake!” he declared. “That’s Jack!”
“Excuse me,” said Marian, stepping beside her husband, “but what possible reason could you have for arresting Mr. O’Hara?”
“Well, somehow I think it’s for more than attempting to assault a turkey,” said Barney as a couple of state police cars spun into the driveway with their lights flashing.
Barney went to confer with the new arrivals, leaving Lucy with the Browns.
“Do you know what’s going on?” asked Andy.
“I’m not sure,” said Lucy, “but I think your friend killed Curt Nolan.”
Marian and Andy exchanged glances. Then Marian bustled off, shooing the kids back into the house. Andy hitched up his overalls and studied Lucy.
“Are you the one who came up with this bright idea?” he asked, hooking his thumbs in the straps of his overalls and looking down at her.
“It wasn’t me,” said Lucy, watching as Barney returned to the cruiser and drove off with O’Hara, followed by one of the state police cars.
“O’Hara asked me out here to show me the plans—at least that’s what he said, but things got a little out of hand.” She shuddered and looked at Andy. “What were you all doing? I must have been in the barn with him for half an hour. Didn’t you notice you had company?”
Andy’s face got a little red and he gave his overalls another hitch. “The boys and me were watching TV, one of them talk shows. It was about moms who steal their daughters’ boyfriends.” He grinned. “It got pretty wild there—pulling hair, fighting. They had to pull a couple of ’em apart.” He shook his head. “They shouldn’t allow stuff like that on TV.”
Maybe you shouldn’t watch it, thought Lucy as Lieutenant Horowitz approached them.
“I think we’ve got everything under control here,” he told Andy. “Thanks for your cooperation.”
“No problem,” said Andy. “Do you mind telling—”
“I’m afraid I can’t say anything right now,” Horowitz told him. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a few questions for Mrs. Stone.”
Andy stood his ground for a moment, then realized he was being dismissed. He shrugged and went back to the house, leaving them alone.
Lucy took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, which was orangey from the setting sun.
“I thought we had an understanding,” said Horowitz, scolding her. “I thought you were going to stay out of this.”
“I was. I did,” answered Lucy quickly. “Honest.”
Horowitz spoke slowly. “O’Hara’s a dangerous man.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” said Lucy indignantly. “He was going to bash my brains out with a maul.”
“I don’t doubt it for a minute,” said Horowitz, fixing his pale
