Trouble on the Books

by Essie Lang

  Shelby spent the final few minutes making sure things were ready to go in the morning, and then on the shuttle ride back, she puzzled over what Felicity wanted to see her about. Was she still upset about their last talk? If so, Shelby had no idea how to deal with that. If it was something else, well, she’d just have to wait and see.

  When she reached the Gallery on the Bay, she could see Felicity sitting behind the counter staring into space. Maybe not such a good start. Shelby hesitantly pushed the door open, and the bells above it startled them both. Felicity turned to look, but her expression relaxed when she saw who it was. She looked every inch the businesswoman today. Her hair was artfully styled in a chignon, her glasses were propped on her forehead, and the crisp stand-up collar of her white cotton shirt peeked above the line of her collarless navy suit jacket.

  “Thanks for coming, Shelby. I’ve been giving our last talk a lot of thought, and I think I should tell you something.”

  Uh-oh. Shelby prepared for the worst, which in her books would be a lecture from Felicity. She looked around but couldn’t spot another stool, so she just leaned against the counter.

  “I don’t think anyone will interrupt us at this hour of the day,” Felicity said, looking out the store window. Then she took a deep breath and turned back to face Shelby.

  “I wasn’t entirely open with you when we last spoke. In fact, I have to admit I’ve been in a bit of a snit, and also fooling myself about the relationship between Loreena and Duncan. I’m pretty sure it was getting to be more than friendship, even though I’d always hoped he and I would be together, if you know what I mean. That’s why I was snapping at you. It wasn’t your fault. It was just hard to face up to the truth. But Loreena had also recently been dating Barry Pellen, of that I’m sure, so I told Duncan. I know it was mean of me, but he did have a right to know, what with acting so loopy about her, and also, I hoped he’d drop Loreena and finally realize he had feelings for me. So foolish, right?”

  Felicity looked so forlorn and yet hopeful, her blue eyes watery and the corners of her mouth turned down ever so slightly.

  Shelby silently agreed but knew that wasn’t what Felicity wanted to hear. She patted Felicity’s arm instead.

  Felicity carried on without acknowledging Shelby’s touch. “I don’t know what, if anything, went on between the two of them, but I did hear Loreena and Barry arguing a couple of days later. They were sitting on the outdoor patio of the Ice Cream Shoppe, and I happened to pass by, but then I ducked into the doorway of the Clockworks store, right next door, and unabashedly listened in as well as I could. Loreena was saying something about that she knew why Barry was dating her.”

  “Did she say anything else?”

  “No. The store door opened and I managed to squeeze inside without being seen. A few minutes later I saw Loreena stomp past, but I don’t know where Barry went. That’s actually the last time I saw Loreena. Do you think it’s connected? Do you think Barry’s the killer?”

  Shelby’s mind was racing, and that’s exactly what she was thinking. But even though the exchange made it sound like Pellen had a motive, she still had no idea what he was up to and why he’d have to stop Loreena from doing whatever it was she’d planned to do.

  What should Shelby do? She realized Felicity was waiting for a reply.

  “I really have no idea about any of this, but I do think you have to tell the police.”

  “I guess you’re right, but I do feel sort of foolish, about Duncan and all. I didn’t want Tekla Stone to know how silly I’ve been. And now I’ve waited too long to tell anyone. What will the police think?”

  Shelby really did feel badly for her now. “Why not call the State Police. Ask for Lieutenant Guthrie. He’ll probably think you were confused about what to do, that’s all. I’ll stay here with you while you explain it to him, if you’d like.”

  “Would you?” Felicity looked relieved. “You’re right. But I think I also have to tell Tekla. And tell her first, or she’ll have it in for me. She always liked being the one in charge.” Felicity picked up the phone and dialed, listened to a message, and then hung up. “It’s closed for the day. She always did think I was a bit of a twit. Now this will confirm it.”

  Shelby dug into her purse and pulled out her iPhone. “Here, I have her home number. You probably shouldn’t wait.” She dialed the chief and handed her iPhone over to Felicity when Stone answered. Shelby listened while Felicity quickly explained everything, although she was certain the chief wouldn’t be able to untangle all the information.

  She was right. The chief was on her way over. Felicity didn’t waste any time chatting with Shelby but rather finished her closing process while Shelby wandered around the shop, eyeing the stock.

  Finally, she leaned against the counter and said to Felicity, “I saw you having dinner with Barry Pellen the other night.”

  Felicity stopped in her tracks. “You saw us? Uh, I was sort of hoping nobody had.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I was being really silly, that’s why. Barry made a play for me and I thought he really liked me. We went out a few times. But then I found out he was also dating Loreena and, after her, some young thing who works at the Inn on the Bay. I realized then what an idiot I’d been. What would he see in someone like me, anyway?”

  “Did you break it off?”

  “Not yet, not really, but I haven’t gone out with him lately. He still sends me flowers. Silly, huh?”

  Fortunately, Shelby didn’t have to answer because Chief Stone arrived just then.

  When Chief Stone arrived, Shelby felt some of her own nervousness evaporate.

  After Felicity went through it all again, at a slower pace, Stone frowned, pulled out her phone, and made a call. “I’ve called Dwayne Guthrie at the State Police. He’ll be right over. I want you to repeat what you’ve said when he gets here.”

  Felicity looked both tired and like she’d prefer to hide under the counter. But about fifteen minutes later, Lieutenant Guthrie walked in the door and Stone turned the sign on the door to CLOSED, locking the door. Felicity went through her story yet again while Shelby watched Guthrie’s face for a reaction.

  He finally looked at Shelby and asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “Felicity asked me to stop by so she could tell me what she just told you.”

  “Why you?”

  Shelby couldn’t tell if he was mad or just unhappy. Maybe it was his dinnertime and he was hungry. She could relate to that. “Because we’d talked about Loreena and Duncan a few days ago.”

  He grunted. “That must have been before your middle-of-the-night visitor, right?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Okay tomorrow we’ll have a talk with those two,” he looked at the notes he’d been making—“Barry Pellen and Duncan Caine, and see if any of this means anything. Would you like to sit in, Chief?”

  “Damned straight.”

  “Please don’t mention this to anyone else, Ms. Foxworth,” Guthrie continued. “And you, Ms. Cox, you are not to talk to any of them before I do, is that understood?”

  Shelby nodded, although she thought she was being unfairly warned. If it hadn’t been for her previous talk to Felicity, none of this might have come to light.

  “Good. Now, I suggest everyone go on home and have supper.”

  Felicity followed them all outside and locked the door behind her. “Thank you for staying, Shelby,” she said, then picked up her dog who had been surprisingly quiet through everything and hurried off.

  Chief Stone put a restraining hand on Shelby’s arm. “Guthrie’s right, you know. You’re in over your head on this, and I’d hate to see a repeat of the other night. I’m going to ask him to continue to send a patrol car around for spot checks overnight. Now, you head home and stay put, young lady. You hear?”

  Shelby nodded, suppressing a smile. Young lady. Whether she liked it or not, Chief Stone had more in common with Edie than she thought.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  S
helby had just finished washing her supper dishes when she felt someone step onto the deck of the houseboat, followed by a knock on the door. She almost tripped over J.T. as she hurried to the door. She hoped it was Zack, although why he’d stop by now she didn’t know.

  She saw Barry Pellen standing at the door, and her heart started pounding. Lieutenant Guthrie had said not to speak to him, and yet, she hadn’t sought him out. Surely that wouldn’t count. She did have a few questions for him, but what if he was involved in whatever was going on? Could she be in danger? He knocked again and pointed to the doorknob. She opened the door but didn’t invite him in.

  “Hi, Barry. I’m sort of busy right now. What can I do for you?”

  “I have some business I need to talk over with you, and it really can’t wait. I have some decisions to make tomorrow, so I was hoping to take up just a few minutes of your time tonight. Would that work?”

  She hadn’t heard him sound so friendly before. Maybe it would be all right. “Okay, come in. But I really don’t have a lot of time.”

  “Thanks,” he said as he stepped through the door she’d pulled open. He looked around the room. “This looks nice and cozy. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live on a houseboat.”

  She almost asked him how he knew where she lived but remembered that this was Alexandria Bay. Nothing was a secret here.

  “What can I do for you?”

  He turned around to face her. “I have a business proposition for you and your aunt.”

  “And you need to discuss it tonight? At this hour?”

  “Deals are made at any time, day or night. In my line of work, when a decision needs to be made, there’s no waiting. As I said, it may affect something I have to decide on tomorrow. Now, I stopped by Bayside Books in the village today and was lucky enough to find your aunt there, so I told her what’s on my mind. She wanted nothing to do with it. I’m telling you that outright so you can see I’m not trying to pull a fast one. But I thought you might be more reasonable. You are a partner, after all, and, being younger, I thought you might see beyond the sentiment and measure the business value of what I’m proposing.”

  Shelby definitely didn’t like where this was heading or to be hearing it without Edie present, but she didn’t see what else she could do. “Okay, I’m listening.” She made a point of not inviting him to sit down but, rather, leaned against the wall and crossed her arms.

  Pellen smiled. “Okay, I get it. But this is all very simple and aboveboard. I’d like to take over your lease at Blye Castle.”

  “You mean like take over the bookstore?”

  “No. I mean you shut down the bookstore and I take over the space. I’m offering you two a very, very lucrative compensation package. You can sink the money into the main store and expand, or redecorate, or do whatever.”

  That was the last thing Shelby had been expecting to hear, and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “Why our space? Isn’t there somewhere else? And for what purpose?”

  “Not in Blye Castle there isn’t. The Heritage Society has made that very clear. In fact, Loreena was most adamant that nothing else commercial could be let inside those sacred halls.” He snorted.

  “Even given your relationship with her?”

  For a fleeting moment, Shelby thought he looked embarrassed. “Oh, that. No, she didn’t mix business and pleasure.”

  “But you do.” A light dawned. If he was a murderer, it certainly wasn’t because of a lovers’ quarrel or triangle. But would Loreena stonewalling him about the castle be a motive? It didn’t seem likely. What did he want the space for anyway? “That was why you were so keen on meeting Edie. You saw another way into the castle?” Shelby huffed.

  And here she’d thought he might have a personal interest in Edie. He’d intimated it anyway, or maybe that’s just how she’d taken it.

  “Oh, come on now. You were out in the business world before coming here. You know how these things work. So, let’s cut the indignation and get down to the business at hand. As I already mentioned, the money I’m offering could go a long way into paying off the bookstore bills and maybe doing some of the renos and expansion that Edie’s been wanting for the main location.”

  That was the first mention Shelby had heard of Edie wanting any of those things. Was he bluffing? It didn’t matter; it wasn’t her decision to make alone.

  “I’ll have to talk it over with Edie. Even if I were tempted, I can’t agree to it on my own, even if I wanted to. And, just so you know, I don’t.”

  He grimaced, then took a step toward her, and she drew in a sharp breath. “I can make it worth your while. You might just want to give that some serious thought. On the other hand, you need to remember that small businesses can be very tricky. Any number of problems can occur. Customers drop off, supplies don’t arrive, accidents happen. And what would happen if your aunt fell and hurt her other knee now that’s she’s on the mend? Might she then reconsider, thinking it’s getting to be too much? My offer would be off the table by then, and what would your options be? Think about it.”

  He turned abruptly and had the door open before turning back to Shelby. “By the way, I hear that you think Loreena’s murder might be tied into some smuggling in the area. That’s a nasty piece of business, if it is happening. I’d be careful, if I were you, asking all those questions around town. After all, I want your support for the space in the castle. I’m not interested in getting it over your dead body.”

  He closed the door, and she felt gentle rocking as he stepped back onto the dock. She couldn’t believe he was actually whistling as he walked away.

  Shelby sat down on one of the club chairs until her heart stopped pumping so fast. She wasn’t quite sure what to do, but she thought she’d just been threatened. That the store had been threatened, too. She stood up and walked over to the phone but didn’t pick it up. She went to the refrigerator first and took out a partially empty bottle of red wine and poured herself a glass. After a hefty gulp, she called Chief Stone and sat back down to wait.

  J.T. pounced on her lap and started kneading on her leg. Shelby didn’t even bother to push him off. She wanted the contact. It felt settling. Finally, she heard Chief Stone’s voice at the door as she called out and then knocked.

  Shelby set J.T. down on the chair and opened the door.

  “Okay, so what’s so urgent, Ms. Shelby?” Chief Stone looked like she’d been getting ready for bed. She’d scrubbed her face clean of her usual mascara, blush, and lipstick and had unwound her hair from its usual braiding. It flowed down below her shoulders in a mass of thin waves. Shelby looked down and noticed the clogs on her feet, the gray sweat pants, and the knit sweater pulled over a T-shirt.

  “I’m sorry to have disturbed you, but I just had a visitor. Barry Pellen.”

  Stone’s face hardened. “I thought we told you not to talk to him.”

  “He came here and insisted on talking to me. What could I do?”

  “Okay, so what did he want?”

  Shelby gestured for her to sit, then recounted the conversation. When she finished, she took another sip of her wine and held up her glass to the chief. “Would you like one?”

  Chief Stone shook her head and sat silent for several minutes. Shelby wondered what was going on in her head. She’d love to hear some words of reassurance. Or did the chief think she’d blown things out of proportion? Surely not.

  Finally, Chief Stone smiled. “I think we may have finally shaken loose something useful in this investigation. Now, you lock up and don’t answer the door again tonight. On second thought, maybe you should stay at Edie’s.”

  Shelby shook her head. “No, I don’t want to worry her. And besides, he thinks I’m giving his so-called offer some thought. I don’t see why he’d come back or try anything else.”

  “You could be right. But I want you to call me on my cell phone when you get up in the morning, and then I expect a couple of calls throughout the day, just letting me know that everything’
s okay. Okay?”

  Shelby nodded, grateful for the concern. But also, all of a sudden, a bit terrified.

  * * *

  Shelby was on the phone to Edie first thing the next morning. She quickly filled her in on the conversation with Barry and waited for a reaction.

  “I can’t believe he went to you behind my back,” Edie exploded. “I turned him down, on both counts, and expected that would be the end of it.”

  “What do you mean, both counts?”

  She heard Edie sigh and could picture her settling back in her chair. “Well, first off, he just appeared at my front door without an invitation and without checking with me first. He did have a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses for me, though. I thought that was very thoughtful, so I invited him in and we had some iced tea.”

  “This is getting interesting.”

  “Harrumph. It could have been, but he got very personal very quickly. Oh, he was suave about it, but I don’t like being asked to share personal details on a first meeting. Then, he asked me out to dinner.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes, he did, and I said no. He turned up the charm, but I didn’t change my mind, so then he changed tactics and made the same store pitch he gave you.”

  “Ouch. Do you think he’d been buttering you up with the flowers and dinner invitation?”

  “Yes, I do, and I don’t do business like that. I told him what I thought about the whole thing and showed him to the door. Can you believe the gall?”

  Shelby took a moment in answering. “He sounds like a desperate man, but why?”

  “I have no idea, but I hope you stay clear of him.”

  “Oh, I will, Aunt Edie. You can bet on it.”

  They hung up, and Shelby grabbed her sweater and bag before dashing off to the shuttle.

  Taylor met Shelby at the dock and immediately filled her in on the online shopping spree she and Chuck had done the night before. Within the next couple of weeks, deliveries of baby items would be arriving, spurring them to devote the upcoming weekend to painting the room that had been designated as the nursery.