Guns and Ammo and Murder

by Patti Larsen

  Mom’s quick mind was on other things as she carefully navigated the winding road to the hunting retreat. It’s not like I didn’t trust her driving. She was methodical and rather pokey, a good thing on these switchback roads that seemed far too narrow for two-way traffic. But when she pulled onto the metal frame bridge with its crosshatch surface that did nothing to hide the slow moving water of the suffering river under it, I felt myself tense.

  Good thing she was either prepared for my nervousness or just reached the point she was ready to talk. “How long, do you think, will it take for Olivia’s plans to fall apart once Geoffrey is elected?”

  “Way to be optimistic and everything, Mom,” I said, only half teasing her but super grateful for the distraction. I kept my gaze locked on the back of Petunia’s harness while my stomach did a bit of a flip over as Mom’s tires hummed on what felt like the ricketiest bridge that ever supposedly passed muster to carry the weight of a car in the history of oh my god we’re going to die.

  She snorted, but without humor. “Time to be realistic about things, Fee,” she said, nodding like she’d been having this conversation with herself in her head all along and was punctuating a point she’d made previously. “I’m not giving up, but I’m also with it enough to realize we might have to take matters into our own hands at some point. Regardless of the outcome of this election, sweetie, there will come a day Olivia isn’t mayor and we have to stand on our own.” She chewed her bottom lip, eyes narrowing. “Or, together, preferably.”

  “You mean, as a town?” What was she plotting now?

  “Maybe,” she said. “Or a collective of some kind.”

  “You’re talking about a merchant’s association?” We had one, but it was pretty ineffectual, dominated mostly by those who hated change. Big surprise there.

  “I don’t know what I’m thinking,” Mom said. “But it’s obvious we can’t rely on others to have our best interest at heart. Right?”

  I nodded, thankful we were over the bridge, sighing out my tension. I’d had a bit of a thing with water lately, thanks to my near drowning in August and still struggled with nightmares of falling into black icy waves and never emerging. I’d had bad dreams before based on previous murders, but this was the worst I’d lived with. I hugged Petunia, admitting that was the reason I’d brought my pug along, before steering my mind toward the question Mom asked me. I stared out the window at the passing evergreens, the road on this side of the river dirt and gravel, with that kind of wavy corduroy effect that raised my nausea and gave me the beginning of a headache.

  “Two years,” I said at last. “Before they really start to collapse.” My whole next summer was booked up and I knew the annex was booked ahead for weddings two summers in advance. “Barring some kind of massive disaster, that is.” I wasn’t holding my breath, though. Unless the whole town burned down or some kind of zombie apocalypse struck only our little slice of the universe, it would take a bit for the wind down to fully take hold. “And, after that? I don’t know, Mom. Maybe a few more years before we were in full decline.” Again, that was a guess based on current economic truths. But no one knew what the future held. “For all I know, we might have enough momentum to carry us a decade.”

  She hummed softly under her breath before exhaling with a smile. “I made the same guesses,” she said. “I think you’re right. We have time. And we’re going to make the most of it, Fee.”

  Okie doke. Whatever Mom was up to, well. She was my mother and I’d be saying yes, wouldn’t I, no matter what kind of crazy scheme she came up with? She pulled up to the front of the long building at the end of the road, tucking her sedan into a parking spot near the side door, avoiding the towering three story entry to the retreat main building. I’d never been up here before and found myself impressed despite the remoteness of the location. The log construction looked imposing but welcoming, at least, the new sign over the giant wooden double doors beautifully carved with a giant black bear as the backdrop.

  Mom turned to me as she put the car in park, switching off the engine, one hand grasping mine. “We need another meeting with Vivian,” she said. “Without Olivia this time.”

  Huh. Did my mother really just suggest we cut the mayor out of our conversation about the future in the implication she wouldn’t be part of it? I grinned as Mom stepped out of the car. Well, Olivia had plans to throw Crew under a bus, right? So hey, no qualms here, nope nope.

  I followed Mom out, setting Petunia on her sturdy little feet, the pug shaking hard enough a wave of her thick, fawn hairs settled on the gravel around her. No use wiping at the stuff on my jeans and t-shirt—they had this insidious way of weaving themselves into the fabric that ignored the laws of physics and most attempts to remove them. Instead, I wound her leash around my wrist and helped my mother with the few boxes she’d brought with her, mostly dried goods and spices. At least the retreat was fully stocked with everything else. I hadn’t relished carrying everything from plates to napkins to salt and pepper shakers all the way up the mountain. Yes, it was only a half hour drive, but going back to Petunia’s for anything we were missing was going to be a pain in the butt.

  I trudged along behind my mother, Petunia huffing at my side, the thick wooden stairs thudding under our feet as we approached the side door. Before Mom could rebalance her load and open the door it gaped wide for us, the tall and looming figure on the other side reminding me of someone for a moment. But, this wasn’t Bill Saunders, the maintenance man at the White Valley Lodge. Unfortunately. It would have been great to see the quiet hulk and his equally massive Newfoundland, Moose.

  Petunia didn’t seem to care it wasn’t Bill, perking at the sight of a stranger like she always did. I’d worried after Robert kicked her into the harbor that day in response to her protective reaction she might have lost some of the utterly innocent trust she held for the people she encountered. But nope, needn’t have worried, not completely. Sure, she had the odd nervous reaction now to those who she thought might not like her back, but that didn’t stop her from trying. As the big man with the beefy hands dressed in camouflage and heavy boots bent down with a smile to pet her, I was reassured at least she was in good hands with those who ran this place.

  “Nice to see you, Lucy,” he said in a surprisingly soft tenor.

  “Dan,” she said, handing the box in her arms to him. He took it as he rose, silver temples catching the sunlight, faintly receding hairline still dark for the most part. “Have you met my daughter, Fiona?” She gestured to me and Dan did his best to shake my hand while I laughed and shook my head, my own hands full of supplies. “Fee, this is Dan Robles, an old friend of your father’s.”

  A friend of Dad’s was a friend of mine. “Nice to meet you,” I said. “Cool place you’ve got here.”

  Dan’s easy smile matched the laugh lines around his dark eyes. He stepped aside and let me enter before nudging the door closed behind me. Mom proceeded without instructions, heading through the small sitting room and past the swinging door at the other side into what had to be the kitchen.

  “Nice to meet you too, Fee,” he said. “Your parents both speak so highly of you. You’ve made a huge impression on our little town the last few years.”

  Grunt. “Yeah, sorry about that,” I said.

  He laughed, shook his head. “Just teasing. And thanks, but I only work here.”

  “Who owns it?” There had been so much growth in Reading lately I’d lost track of everyone and everything going on. My guess was my friends Jared Wilkins and his fiancé, Alicia Conway were behind it but Dan’s answer startled me.

  “Out of towner,” he said. “By the name of Eddie Mauer.”

  Had to be a coincidence. No way it was the same Eddie Mauer I used to know. The same Eddie I’d called friend once, a long time ago, when I’d been dating my cheating ex, Ryan Richards. He’d gone to college with Ryan and was one of those who chose his bro’s side over the woman he’d wronged. My stomach did a bit of a flip at the name while I talke
d myself into believing there was no way the guy I knew could possibly be the same Eddie Mauer.

  Dear god, please. Just this once, let things go my way…?

  ***

  Chapter Eight

  I made it to the kitchen, hands clutching at the box in my arms so tightly my fingers were cramping by the time I set it on the counter. Petunia seemed to notice my anxiety, her squish face turned up toward me, black triangle ears perked. I bent and scratched her ruff for a moment, catching my breath that had nothing to do with the easy walk from the front door to the large, stainless steel countered space while Mom spoke.

  “This will do fine, Dan,” she said, all brusque and businesslike. I stood again, forced myself to look around, admiring the log motif paired with the uber modern feel of metal and white tile. “We’ll get started right away. What time are the guests arriving?”

  He leaned against the counter, hands in his pockets while I helped Mom sort out the contents of her boxes. “Any time now,” he said. “Eddie was giving them a tour of Reading for the morning.”

  If that was Ryan’s friend, I’d be having a talk with him about almost running over pedestrians and the proper use of stop signs.

  “And how many total?” Mom paused, head tilted just a bit, shining red hair perfectly bobbed. My own matching locks never looked that good, and I had to think for a second to remember if I’d actually brushed it after my shower this morning before shoving it into a messy bun at the base of my neck.

  “Eddie, Caleb,” Dan said, “me, of course, the two of you. Bill is coming with Moose.” I guess wishes turned into reality after all. Why was I relieved to know the soft-spoken ex-con was going to be around? “And three guests, don’t know them, sorry.”

  Mom seemed to be planning things out in her head. “Perfect,” she said. “I’d best get on dinner then, if you could show Fee around?”

  I left my mother to her work, knowing she had things well in hand, and followed Dan out of the kitchen, though a different door and into a long, low dining hall that felt more like the traditional hunting lodge than the previous room had. Complete with a huge moose’s stuffed head mounted over the fireplace at the far end of the space, the rustic charm of the place felt oddly staged.

  “The renos are just finished,” Dan said, tromping his way through the dining room and to the far double doors, leading me into the towering foyer. It gave the White Valley Lodge a run for its money, though the pale pristine iciness of that place was about as far from the deep stained wood and looming pillars of what looked like ancient trees climbing toward the vaulted ceiling. I stared up a moment at the wagon wheel chandelier tiered with iron rings and more lights than necessary before moving on, the polished wood floor turning to stone near the front desk. I let myself examine the sitting area with another giant fireplace, this one outlined in rock matching the flooring, with a critical business eye as Dan went on. “They did a great job, keeping the original feel of the place.”

  “Shame another of Reading’s properties was bought out by a foreigner.” Did I really say that out loud? No, I didn’t mean it, not totally. Okay, maybe a little. Since my return the wellbeing of my home was more important to me than it had ever been. But progress was a good thing, as long as it served the cutest town in America.

  Right?

  No, my comment was more of a test for Dan. He shrugged, though the frown that deepened the heavy lines on his forehead and around his wide mouth told me he agreed with the sentiment at least partially. “As long as they treat our home with respect, I’m all for it.”

  Had to agree there. “You and Bill friends, too?” I was actually looking forward to seeing the big galoot. I’d been so busy I’d lost track of him a little, though it never seemed to bother him or that hulk of a black bear he called a dog. Petunia was going to be so excited to see Moose.

  “Good answer, Dan.” I spun in surprise to find a tall, handsome man, dark hair clipped short, tight scruff of a beard cleanly trimmed, brown eyes smiling at me approaching from behind the desk. I’d missed seeing him there, I guess, though the gaping doorway behind it told me he’d likely been in the office space, so fair enough I hadn’t known someone else was around. He offered his hand before he even came to a halt, shaking mine, his denim shirt embroidered over the heart with Black Forest Hunting and Fishing stitched across the bear logo matching the one outside. I shook back, smiling in answer. “Caleb Wells, Miss Fleming,” he said.

  “Fee, please,” I said. “Mom’s in the kitchen, have you met?”

  He shook his head, letting my hand drop. “Your mother’s cooking prowess is legendary.” He rubbed his flat stomach with a big grin. “I was super excited when she agreed to this.”

  “I manage the property,” Dan said, clapping Caleb on the shoulder with a smile. It was clear the two liked working together. “The kid here organizes everything else.”

  So maybe this wasn’t going to be a crappy two days after all. They both seemed nice enough. “Are you local, Caleb?” I didn’t recognize him and he seemed about my age, maybe a bit younger, but I’d been gone a long time before coming home again. Could be he’d done the same or moved here after I left.

  But he shook his head with a little smile. “I wish,” he said. “Grew up in Montpelier. I love it here, though. Hoping to make Reading my home, if I can. If this flies.”

  Was that doubt? If he knew anything at all about the rapidly spiraling political climate, maybe he was getting nervous?

  “I’m sure it’ll work out,” I said. “Welcome to Reading.”

  He was about to answer when the sound of tires on gravel outside caught our attention. I winced inwardly, wondering suddenly if I’d given him some kind of flirtatious impression by accident being friendly like that. I had a boyfriend, thanks, (at least, as far as I was concerned) one I loved and wished was here right now instead of Caleb. Then again, I was likely just imagining the sparkle in his eyes and how he leaned a little closer before spinning on his boots and striding for the front door. I followed, Petunia on my heels, Dan at my side, as Caleb opened wide both large wooden doors, the giant portals swinging silently on new hinges. Impressive, I had to admit, though the sight of the overdone SUV limo made me wrinkle my nose.

  Hopefully the guests this weekend would be as nice and polite as the two men I’d just met. And, as the back door opened and the first of them stepped out, I allowed a moment of optimism. Two quiet nights, two quiet days and Crew Turner’s spaghetti dinner was all mine. With the sheriff himself for dessert.

  Silly Fiona. Surely I knew better than to believe anything could go so smoothly when I had so much previous experience to the contrary. What was I thinking?

  Because as soon as he exited the vehicle, his familiar face clear in the sunlight, that tall, narrow body exactly as I remembered even after two years apart, I felt darkness close in around my vision while my heart stopped with a single, heavy thud before dropping to my feet in dread. Cold, bitter, angry dread filling me with the level of icy hate that stole my breath and my soul and left the shards of who I’d become behind in the ashes of the woman I’d been.

  No. It couldn’t be. It couldn’t. Not here. Not now. Not like this when my life was finally the way I wanted it to be.

  But it was.

  Just my luck. Ryan Richards had come to Reading, and I had been hired to serve him.

  ***

  Chapter Nine

  I almost lost it, I’m not embarrassed to admit. Like, literally almost lost it, feeling my knees go weak, my stomach surge, my whole body tremor as if I’d just experienced a massive Feequake about a million on the Richter scale. This could only go one way and that would end badly for everyone involved. Especially Ryan. Me, well, jail was inevitable and likely, but it would be worth it, just for the satisfaction.

  I know I would have found myself in front of Ryan, screaming like a banshee, turning this entire mountainside into an inferno of rage soaked tears and snot if it hadn’t been for one absolutely and utterly amazing person I�
��ll be forever grateful to. The only person on this entire planet capable of keeping me from utterly and completely melting down into a frenzy of animal rage bent on destroying the source of my hurt.

  My mother’s hand caught my arm before I could fly out the door, her fingernails digging into my flesh so hard I gasped and turned to face her. Why were her beautiful green eyes a blur before me, her shining red hair, her flawless skin? Right, had to do with the surge of furious tears burning their way down my cheeks, didn’t it? Tears that felt like fresh failure untouched by the passage of time. Who knew I wasn’t over Ryan Richards?

  Mom, apparently.

  She jerked me inside the foyer and pushed me bodily into the dining room before slamming the swinging door shut behind us to the kitchen—no mean feat considering it swung both ways. But the force of her motion must have shoved it past its normal route because I distinctly heard it thud before it resumed a muted swing as if apologizing to her for not being more satisfying in its closure.

  “Fiona Fleming,” she said, crisp and professional and utterly Momtastic, “don’t you dare let that boy see you cry.”

  I gaped at her, hands clasping at hers, hating the reaction to Ryan’s unexpected appearance. I was over him, long and ever ago. I’d shed him like a false skin, released myself from the chains of the agony he’d caused me. I was stronger than this, better. What the hell was wrong with me? I had an amazing boyfriend—yes, damn it, boyfriend—a fabulous life. I’d left Ryan and his cheating, lying ass in New York years ago, where he belonged. Alone and sad and in pain (right, like a heartless snake could ever feel anything, but imagining him suffering without me was always satisfying). Why then did his unexpected arrival have such a huge impact on me?