Page 128 of The Change
“People get chatty when death’s at the door. He also informed me he was getting paid very well to stay silent.”
“Who was paying him?”
“He didn’t know. He said he’d never met his employer, and he claimed he’d never heard of Spencer Harding.” When Harriett rose to her feet, she seemed to be a few inches taller than she had been before. “So do you think I did the wrong thing?” she asked.
The question felt like a test, Nessa thought. But she knew the right answer, and she had no problem giving it.
“No,” Nessa said. “The man was a monster.”
“The mold ate him alive,” Harriett informed her. “He died in terrible agony.”
“He was going to kill Jo’s baby. I’m sure he killed others. He got what he deserved.”
Harriett nodded. “I’m so glad we see eye to eye on this subject.”
Nessa watched Harriett walk out of the cell and through the police station, her bare feet leaving a trail of jet-black prints. Something important had just been decided. Nessa wasn’t entirely sure what it was. But she knew things would be different going forward.
Outside in the parking lot, the young officer Nessa had saved was being loaded into the back of an ambulance. The chief of police was waiting to ambush Nessa and Harriett when they emerged.
“What have you done to my station?” he snarled at Harriett.
“Excuse me?” Nessa shot back. “A mold problem you’ve left untreated just killed a man. If I were you, I’d be very careful what you say right now. We’re contemplating a hefty lawsuit.”
Rocca ignored Nessa and focused on Harriett. “I just got off the phone with the hospital. The officers who were executing the search of your garden have all been admitted for treatment. Two of them were attacked by ants, and one brushed up against something that left him in so much pain that he had to be sedated.”
“Oh dear,” Harriett droned. “I did warn them to be careful around my plants, particularly themala mujer. I know it’s pretty, but it will fight back if you fondle it. Sounds like one of your men didn’t listen. Did they happen to find any of the mushrooms they were after?”
Rocca’s face had turned an unsettling shade of red. “I swear to God, I’m going to be all over you from now on. You may have gotten lucky this time, but you won’t the next.”
Harriett gave him a grin. “I’m no lawyer, but that certainly sounds like harassment. Does that sound like harassment to you, Nessa?”
“It does, Harriett,” Nessa agreed. “As does locking you up for possessing a few mushrooms and making you wait in a moldy cell.I’m sure your lawyer would love to know what probable cause led to the search of your home in the first place.”
“Her husband, Chase Osborne, informed me that she was selling drugs out of their yard.”
Nessa’s jaw dropped at the betrayal, but Harriett took it all in stride.
“Chase is not my husband, and the yard to which he referred is mine. He hasn’t lived in the house for almost a year now. As for my business, all I sell is peace of mind to women who have to deal with sad little men like you and Chase. Since you and my ex-husband seem to be in regular contact, perhaps you can ask him what your future might hold. He’s had a taste of what I can do.”
“Are you threatening me, you fucking witch?” Rocca snarled.
“Fucking witch.You say that as if it’s an insult,” Harriett replied. “For your information, I don’t plan to ever see you again.”
They walked around him to Nessa’s car and climbed inside.
“You’ve become quite a badass, my dear,” Harriett noted as Nessa peeled out of the parking lot. “Feels nice, doesn’t it?” Harriett reached into her thicket of hair and pulled out a fat joint.
“Harriett, you snuck a joint into jail?” Nessa marveled. “And when the hell did you and Eric start growing shrooms?”
“When I learned they can help treat depression,” Harriett said. “Why obey laws that are in no one’s best interests?”
Nessa wasn’t going to argue. “Well, I don’t know where you hid your stash, but we both know you were lucky as hell they didn’t find it.”
“Yes,” Harriett agreed. “Which means it’s time to celebrate.”
“Put that away until I get you home!” Nessa ordered.
“Only if you agree to give it a try,” Harriett said. “If you like it, I’ll send you off with a thank-you gift. A few puffs before sex, and I swear you’ll see God.”
