I also needed to spend a little more quality time with my mom and Reese before they left for New York the day after tomorrow. I went on a shopping trip with the both of them the next day and tried hard to forget about the case for a while. This worked until I got home and found I had a text from Eddy telling me the Sheriff wasn't too happy, and warning me that I may get a visit from him anytime soon.
I sighed and lay down on my bed, exhausted from the days excursions.
* * *
T H E N E X T M O R N I N G, I packed my mom and Reese off to New York and watched their backs disappearing into the airport with some relief at having the house to myself again. It was surprising how distracting it could be having them to stay, even though I'd enjoyed seeing them again.
I had a long soak in the bath when I got home to try and relax my troubled mind.
Half an hour later, the doorbell was ringing downstairs and I was still in my bathrobe and my hair was wrapped up in a towel. I ran to the window of my bedroom to take a peek through the curtains.
"Oh, drat," I said, when I saw Sheriff Mali standing at my door.
I was just about to stand away from the window and pretend I wasn't home, when he stood back and looked up. He saw me straight away and signed for me to come down.
I had no choice but to go down, bathrobe and all!
I opened the door forcibly to show my annoyance at being disturbed in this way and he flashed me an angry look in return.
"Can't you see I'm tied up?" I asked.
He looked down at my bathrobe and smirked, "this won't take long, Miss Womack. I'm just letting you know that if I hear that you, and that so called deputy of mine, think to go around playing detective, against my orders. I say again, against my orders. I will see to it that he is fired, and I'll get a petition signed to see him and you driven out of Sunshine Bluff for good. Have you got that?" He spoke low, but I could tell he meant business, as that was all he ever meant.
"I think so," I said quietly, looking down at his feet, on which he wore black boots.
I was now just beginning to realise there was no use in arguing with this man, he had too much authority in this town, not to mention his stubborn willfulness.
"I'm glad we understand each other at last. I'll let you get back to your petty women's newspaper, or whatever it is you do."
I let this unfair comment pass and watched him walk away from the house, before slamming the door behind him. I fell against it, frustrated, but more determined than ever to catch Vera's killer and get Luke off the hook. I was convinced he had been framed for her murder, and that it had something to do with Vera's past. I just needed to find out what that missing link was.
I got dressed into a red jumper and leggings and headed for Leann Combs' house, stopping off for lunch at Lulu's diner on the way.
Leann was as docile as ever and I still could not tell how she was feeling, as she never gave much away. Was that deliberate?
"Would you like to come through?" She asked, beckoning me inside. Her hair looked much cleaner and tidier as she wore it in a sleek pony tail, and she had smartened herself up considerably, in a striped pinafore dress and green sweater.
"Thanks," I said, stepping inside. Again she seemed far too eager to let me inside.
While Leann made us a drink, leaving me alone in the living room, I went across to the dresser and picked up one of the pictures of a girl who looked similar to Leann, though younger and a little more glamorous than her. This must be her sister, I thought.
I was wondering what her costume would have been like at the party, when Leann came into the room from behind, carrying a tray.
I turned around with the picture still in my hands. She looked frightened when she saw me with it and I quickly tried to strike up a casual conversation about her sister.
"You and your sister are so alike, I can hardly tell you apart," I said, smiling.
"Oh, I don't know about that. She has always been the classy one," she said, relaxing a little. She placed the tray down on the table and beckoned for me to be seated.
I placed the picture back where it belonged and taking up a mug of coffee, seated myself on one of the armchairs. Leann sat opposite me on the couch and crossed her legs, placing her hands on her knees.
"Does she live with your parents, your sister?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation on her.
"Yes, she does. They live in the next town."
"Oh, really? But I thought I understood your sister went to school in Sunshine Bluff, is that right?"
"Yes, that was when they lived here."
"They used to live here?"
"That's right. When I was at home as well as Sara."
"Sara? Is that your sister's name?"
She nodded nervously and swallowed hard.
"What made them decide to move?"
"Just personal stuff. You're a friend of Luke's, aren't you? Is that what this is about? You don't think he killed Vera?"
I shook my head, "I certainly don't think so."
"But Sheriff Mali does?"
"Yes, but it's no secret that me and Sheriff Mali do not think alike, to put it mildly."
"It couldn't have been her! Do you understand me? Sara didn't kill her, she just couldn't!" Leann cried, the tears starting to flow. It was the first sign of emotion I'd seen from her yet.
"Hey, Leann. It's okay. No one is accusing your sister. Let alone me," I said gently.
I moved over to the couch and put a comforting arm around her. I let her have her little cry out before said anymore.
"I have been so worried, you see? I thought she'd done it! I was accusing her in my heart!" She cried, breathing deeply.
"Are you ready to tell me why you thought that?"
She nodded and began to speak slowly, "she was bullied terribly by Vera. That is why my parents moved away to the next town, to get her into another school, but it was too late by then."
"How too late?"
"The damage had been done and she's a wreck. You should see her. She hardly ever goes out the house. Vera destroyed her!" She cried out bitterly.
She said this very passionately and it was certainly a very strong motive for murder.
"Leann, I need to know. Did you invent that story about seeing someone dressed as Zoro? I'm sorry to have to ask you this," I said, biting my lip.
"You sound like Sheriff Mali, I thought you didn't agree with him!" She cried, shaking her head suspiciously.
"I don't!" I cried, resenting the accusation.
"Then why ask me that? I did see him! I did!"
"Alright. I believe you. I did need to ask you that, though. I'm sorry for putting you through all this."
She calmed down when she saw how sincere I was and smiled.
"I'm sorry, I'm just stressed out. You don't think she did it, do you?"
"No, I don't. I'm sure she couldn't have. It had to be someone at that party and from Vera's past. Can you tell me anything else about that night, when you found her?"
"Not really. I went to use the restroom and there she was. Just lying there all cold and lifeless."
"And then you saw Zoro?"
"Yes," she said, giggling despite everything.
"How was he acting?"
"I saw him coming out of the restroom and then he vanished outside."
"The restroom was where the weapon was found. It couldn't have been Luke. I remember seeing him just before you screamed. It could have been a woman under that cloak too."
"I know that's why I thought of Sara."
"You have been very helpful, Leann. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
C h a p t e r9
I left Leann's house at a loss where to go next with the investigating and wondering how I might find out who went to the costume party as Zoro, though not to party!
I was half way home when it suddenly dawned on me how stupid I'd been.
The Costume Store! Of course!
I pulled up in the nearest layby I could find
and slapped myself on the forehead.
The costume store would have a name and address in their records of everyone who ordered costumes and which ones. How could I have not thought of that before?
I doubled back into the main town, drove into the store's car park around the back and went inside.
I was in luck. It was Sandy behind the counter and I knew she would look it up for me.
"Hi, Sandy!" I called as I walked over to her and leaned on the counter.
"Hi, Bryony. What can I do for you?" She asked, smiling pleasantly. She was always so friendly.
"I haven't come to order another weird and wonderful costume, but I wondered if you could help me find someone else's."
She looked surprised and then realisation seemed to dawn on her at the last minute.
"Ah, it's about that snow queen business, isn't it? Aren't you tring to help Luke?" She asked.
"That's right. Word gets around fast, doesn't it?"
"It does in this town. So, what can I help you with?" She asked, her slate coloured eyes were wide and innocent.
"Do you happen to know if anyone ordered a Zoro costume for the party?"
"Zoro? We do have a Zoro costume in stock. I'll just check on the computer."
Her fingers sped along the keyboard a million miles a minute, long red fingernails clicking every now and then against the keys.
"Here we are," she said after a couple of minutes. "So, the good news is that the Zoro costume was ordered for the night of the party, but the bad news is that it wasn't picked up here."
"It wasn't?"
"No, it was ordered over the telephone, and someone asked for it to be delivered to Sunshine Bluff garage," her voice went up a notch when she said the last part.
"The garage?"
It was the boyfriend then, I added to myself.
"Do you know who ordered it?" I asked, doubtfully.
"Nope. Not a clue, I'm afraid. I didn't speak to them and I would never have remembered if I had."
"No, that's the tricky part. Do you know who returned it?"
"Ah, it says here it was never returned. See?" She turned the computer screen to the left so I could read it and in big, bold, red letters, it said: Not returned!
I thanked her and left the shop feeling that I was actually getting somewhere for a change.
Jonny Andrews here I come!
* * *
J O N N Y A N D R E W S W A S S T A N D I N G outside the hut he worked in when I got to the garage, soaking up a bit of sun whilst drinking a mug of coffee. He rolled his eyes when he saw me coming towards him and frowned.
"What do you want?"
"I have some more questions to ask you about the night Vera died," I said, looking him straight in the face.
"Do you? Well, I have nothing to say to you. You're not the police. I've spoken to the Sheriff and he hasn't authorised you to get involved in this. So, you can just turn around and leave. If I see you here again, I'm going straight to the Sheriff. Got it?" He said threateningly.
"How do you explain the fact that you hired a Zoro costume from the store in the town, and you were seen coming out of the restroom at the party venue?" I persisted boldly.
"Who says I did?"
"The costume store."
I folded my arms to show him I wasn't moving until I got an answer.
"What, they actually said my name?" He asked, looking genuinely surprised.
"It was sent to this garage, apparently. And you have a strong motive and a shaky alibi at best. You also said you wanted Vera out of the way."
"It was sent to this garage? Well, it wasn't me who hired it. I know nothing about it!"
"I only have your word for that though, don't I? It isn't looking good for you, you have to admit."
"What do you mean? I didn't do it! It's as simple as that."
"The police might see it differently."
"The police won't be interested. You have no proof."
"I will if I can find the costume on you. It was never returned, apparently."
"You won't find it, because it wasn't me!"
"Are you refusing to let me take a look around the garage?"
"Yes, you don't have any authority what so ever, so clear off!"
"I will get a warrant then, so you had better watch out. Goodbye, Mr Andrews."
Delaying the action of going to see the Sheriff, an action I wasn't looking forward to in the least, I drove over to Jonny's parents house to check on his alibi. I had a plan in motion the whole time!
Mrs Andrews was at home but she was as defiant as she had been on the first occasion of my visit, so I was doubtful I would get very far anyway. It was worth a shot!
"What is it this time? Don't give me any of that nonsense about being his friend either, I know that young man you were with is the Sheriff's deputy," she said, folding her arms in defiance.
I could see she could be as nasty as her son when provoked.
"Was it you who told the Sheriff?"
She scowled at me, "I had every right to do so when my boy is accused of a crime he didn't commit."
"Who says I'm accusing him?"
"I wasn't born yesterday, you know? I know what's going on and my boy has been through the wars recently as it is."
"Look, I just need to get the facts straight here. I am not accusing anyone, but I need to know if your son was home the evening of the party?" I asked, trying to soften her a little.
"He was here alright. He never left the house."
"You're sure?"
"I'm positive. He came straight back here dressed as batman and just crashed on the couch in front of the t.v all night."
"Are you sure it was batman he was dressed as and not Zoro, for instance? The two could easily be confused, they both involve capes and masks?"
"I'm sure. It was me who ordered the costume."
"And did you pick it up yourself?"
"Yes. I picked it up on the day of the party."
"Can you be certain it was your son here the whole evening? He was in costume," I pointed out.
"What kind of a silly question is that? I know it was him. He did take his mask off. I spoke to him too."
I left it at that as I could see there was no point in arguing, she would never shop her son in any case. I called in at the Sheriff's office to hopefully put my plan into motion.
C h a p t e r10
"Bryony, what are you doing here?" Eddy asked from behind his desk, at the Sheriff's office.
"Don't be alarmed, I'm not going to get you into anymore trouble. I just need to see the Sheriff for a couple of minutes. I have new evidence to convict Jonny Andrews of Vera's death," I said.
"You certainly pick your moments. He's in a fowl mood this morning, so this won't go down too well. Can't you come back another time?" His asked, worriedly.
"Hardly, this is a crucial moment. I have set a plan in motion and it needs to be done now."
The door to the Sheriff's office opened and he stood in the doorway frowning at me.
"Miss Womack, I thought I heard your voice, and I was thinking to myself this can only spell trouble," he said. I was surprised that he hadn't sounded angry at all, even though Eddy had said he was in a bad mood that day.
"I really need to talk to you, Sheriff. Seen as I now know for sure you have arrested the wrong man, I think you need to hear me out."
A long sigh escaped his lips and his arms dropped to his side. All signs that he was wavering.
"I suppose I'd better hear what you have to say. Come through."
He stood aside and I had to duck underneath his arm to enter his office.
Once I was inside, I couldn't believe how immaculate the place was! He sure was more organised than I had ever been at work, even in my office at home.
He pulled out a neatly packed away chair for me, which I refused with a shake of my head.
"This won't take long. You'll need to act immediately."
"Will I? I thought I was the one who gave the
orders around here?"
"But clearly you don't give the right ones, or else we wouldn't be in this situation, would we?" I said, giving him my honest opinion.
"You're honest, I'll give you that. Alright, let's hear it then," he said, calmer than I expected. He perched on the edge of his desk and stared at me expectantly.
Here goes, I told myself.
"I have strong evidence that connects Jonny Andrews with the death of Vera Pritchard. He was Vera's boyfriend and he works at the garage. I have just been to see him and I think if you go to the garage now, you'll catch him in the process of discarding the costume he used to disguise himself with."
"Hang on, you went to see him?"
"Yeah, I did."
"You told him about the evidence?"
"Of course."
"Then we'll never find it even if it was there in the first place. Can't you see that now you have been snooping, he'll just get rid of the evidence?"
"Just hear me out, Sheriff. Because that's the whole point. I do have a plan, you know?" I said, getting angry now.
"Then you'd better tell me!" He said, angry in his turn.
"I have put the thought in his head to discard it so you could catch him in the act, if you act now that is."
"You may be too late."
"I figured he would wait a little before he tried anything. I told him I was going straight to you."
"Then what is it? What is the evidence?"
"He wore a Zoro Costume to disguise himself. Leann Combs saw him coming out of the restroom at the party, and the costume store tells me it was delivered to the garage he works for."
"That doesn't give me enough evidence to convict him. You have no proof it was him inside that costume!"
"That is why you need to act fast, Sheriff. If you catch him trying to get rid of the evidence, you'll know he's our man. That is all the evidence you need."
"Alright, alright. But I need you to stay out of this. I'll go myself with Shiller."
"Hm. That's a reasonable enough request."
He moved quickly and was out the door in no time, closely followed by Eddy. I breathed a sigh of relief hoping it would end here and Luke would be freed. As I found out later, however, things wouldn't turn out as simple as that!
Costume Corpse Page 4
