The idea for Timeless Treasures had been conceived in a college marketing class years ago. After graduating, Haley and Kate had put their plan into action and opened the antique store, specializing in high-end jewelry and dinnerware. Three years later, the store had started showing a hefty profit. Recently, they’d acquired political memorabilia from the 1800s.
Kate pointed at the mess on Haley’s desk. “What’s all this?”
“Bills. Allen’s and now it seems, mine as well.”
“Where’d they come from?”
“A courier dropped them off at my place. Apparently, Allen’s secretary,” she said making air quotes, “was too broken up over his death to deal with his mail…until a week ago when she turned over the first box. The second one arrived yesterday morning.”
“Are you serious?”
By now, Haley’s headache had worsened. She rested her elbows on the desk and massaged her temples. “I’m trying to put them in some semblance of order before I haul them over to his former lawyer’s office.”
Kate recoiled. “Allen’s scum sucking lawyer? Why in the world would you want anything to do with him?
“I ran into Mr. Libertini at the Renaissance faire and shamed him into helping me straighten out this mess. Hopefully, he can spout some legalese to the creditors that will get me out of the situation his client got himself—and me—into.”
“Good for you.” Kate glanced at Haley’s half-empty coffee mug. “Can I make you a fresh cup?”
“Thanks. I’d love it. Maybe a jolt of caffeine is what I need to get rid of this god-awful headache.”
“Coming right up.” Kate fixed them each a cup from the Keurig brewer. She divided the muffin with a butter knife and handed half to Haley on a napkin. “You know, I’ve been thinking about something, and I want to run it by you.” Her brow wrinkled, and she chewed on her bottom lip.
Oh God, don’t tell me she wants to open her own store. Ignoring the butterflies in her stomach, but unable to hide the caution in her voice, Haley asked, “About…what?” Had all these months of Kate listening to her complain about Allen finally taken a toll on their business association and friendship?
“Geez, don’t look so glum. It’s nothing bad.” She chuckled and leaned against the desk. “I’ve been thinking about expanding the store. I heard a rumor that the business next to us is relocating.” Her eyes widened. “What do you think? Should we make an offer?”
Haley shrugged. “Why not? Doesn’t hurt to check it out.”
“That’s what I thought.” She glanced at her watch. “I’m going to leave you alone with your project and go out front. We open in less than an hour. Have fun.” With a coffee mug in one hand and half a muffin in the other, Kate disappeared around the corner.
The deeper Haley dug into Allen’s finances, the more she realized how little she knew about him. She pored over credit card statements. Apparently, he’d made several purchases from Victoria’s Secret. You’d think a man as intelligent as Allen would have paid cash for something he didn’t want his wife to see. Other charges included restaurants, adult movie theaters, and jewelry stores.
And what about the mystery storage units? Both in Pine Mountain, a mountain community over a hundred miles away. Interesting. Her stomach churned. Why not use a storage facility closer to home? The man of many secrets she’d married must have had something he didn’t want anyone to find. Including her. But what was he hiding? She’d noticed things disappearing from the store. Expensive items she’d chalked up to shoplifters. Even pieces of her family’s heirloom jewelry had gone missing. Could Allen have stolen them?
She ripped open envelope after envelope from Pine Mountain Storage. Each contained an overdue notice. Certified letters had arrived and were signed for by her. By her? Her hands shook as she fingered the face of the envelope. The receipt had been removed. Who had signed her name? Had the so-called secretary forged her signature? At this point, nothing surprised her. The next certified letter she opened stated that locks had been affixed to the units. Locks? She opened the latest bill from the storage company. Bold letters at the top of the bill announced: AUCTION. Her stomach turned a somersault.
Scanning the body of the letter, she searched for the date and time when she might lose what Allen had hidden from her. She glanced at the calendar on her desk. Two days! She cursed when she realized that if she’d lived in or around Pine Mountain, she might have seen an announcement in the local paper. Pine Mountain was in Riverside County, and she lived in Orange County. But even if notices were posted in Orange County, upcoming auctions weren’t something she checked or was interested in—until now. According to the notice, there were only two days before the units’ contents went on the auction block. Two days before what was rightfully hers would be lost forever. She needed to get to Pine Mountain.
The storage company had mailed the bills to Allen’s office address, so they probably assumed Allen was alive. No reason to tell them any differently now. She had to find out what her late husband had stashed away. Would she find her family’s missing heirloom jewelry?
Time was running out.
Rubber-banding the credit card bills in one bundle and bank statements in another, she arranged them in neat piles inside her tote. The bills were going to Libertini and Farthing to sort through. Hell, Allen had paid the firm a ton of money to take care of him. Why not extend that luxury to the afterlife?
Taking a deep breath, she called the storage company and explained that her husband’s office was being remodeled and that workers had collected the mail and only recently handed them over.
Suspicion flew through the phone lines and smacked her like a tornado.
“Why didn’t you call before now? You signed for the letters. I’m looking at your signature as we speak?” a male clerk said. “If you didn’t sign them, who did?”
“Someone from the construction company who was authorized to sign for packages and building materials.” God, she hated lying, especially since she was such a bad liar. She winced and waited for his response. None came.
“What do I need to do to stop the auction?”
“You need to show me ID and pay all the fees and late charges before the auction starts.”
No sweat. “How to I pay?”
“We prefer cash. But we’ll accept credit cards. No checks though. Bad ones seem to pop up.”
“How much do I owe?”
The amount quoted caused her stomach to twist.
“Thank you.” Her voice trembled and she hoped he wouldn’t notice. “I’ll be there…with the money.”
“Great. You’ve got up until a few minutes before the auction starts. After that, you’ll have to bid on the units just like everybody else.”
After saying good-bye, she ended the call. Her hand shook as she wiped perspiration from her brow.
It was too late to make the trip today. Tomorrow, she’d drive to the mountain community to check out what Allen hadn’t wanted her to find.
Gathering everything pertaining to Pine Mountain Storage, she dropped the information into her handbag. She locked up her computer, grabbed her things, and hurried out of her office.
“Kate, do you think you can handle things in the store if I take the rest of the week off? Something’s come up.”
“Is everything all right?” Her partner’s voice took on a serious tone.
Reluctant to confide details of her discovery, she answered, “It has to do with Allen’s estate. In going through his financial records, a problem came up. Something I need to take care of right away. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Do what you have to do. I’ll be fine. If I need help, I’ll call Kylie. She can always use the hours.”
“Thanks. You’re a dear.”
“Can you give me a one-word clue about what’s going on?”
She pondered her answer. “I’ll give you three words. Storage units. Auction.”
“How many?”
“Two, for sure.”
Op
ening the front door, Haley realized she’d forgotten to phone Eli to set up an appointment to drop off Allen’s bills. She considered placing the call, then decided against it. She’d contact him tomorrow instead.
Haley rushed to her car, and a chill swirled around her, raising goose bumps on her bare arms. When had the sun slipped behind the dark clouds and taken its warmth with it? Was that rain threatening? Although Southern California was in the midst of the worst drought in nearly a hundred years, Haley didn’t want to drive to the mountains during a rainstorm.
She studied the angry-looking clouds and worry settled on her shoulders. If a downpour prevented her from getting to the auction in time, there wasn’t a damn thing she could do except bid on the units like everybody else. Allen was a man with expensive tastes and settled for nothing less than the best. Why would the storage units be filled with anything but the best items—expensive items? If she was forced to bid—with her limited cash—she would be totally screwed.
Chapter Five
To avoid being seen by his colleagues, and getting caught up in a meeting or discussion about a case, Eli slipped into his office through the side door. He’d already arranged for a day off, so no one would be expecting him.
He wanted to find out what Allen had hidden from Haley. For that kind of digging, he needed a company computer where he had access to the firm’s restricted database.
He called Sarah, his assistant, who sat directly outside his office and asked if she’d bring him a cup of strong, black coffee.
A few minutes later, there was a light knock on the door.
“Come in.”
She stepped inside, a puzzled look on her face. “I thought you were going to take a much-deserved day off today.”
“I was, but I need to check some records for a new client. I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention to anyone that I’m here.”
Sarah acted like his mother, treating him like the son she never had. She’d worked for Eli ever since he set up practice. Efficient, professional, and meddlesome to a fault—especially when it came to his love life.
“Who’s your new client?”
He weighed his answer carefully. “Allen Monroe’s widow. It seems our former client left a wide trail of debt. I’m searching his database and files to see if anything points to him doing something illegal or if any suspicious business dealings show up.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Keep what I’m doing quiet. For now.” He scrolled, paged through a list of Allen’s assets. His breath hitched. “Well, this is interesting.” This must be what Haley was talking about. He turned the computer screen toward Sarah, so she could read what he’d discovered buried in Allen’s ledgers.
She inched up to the desk. “Storage units in Pine Mountain? Isn’t Pine Mountain on the other side of Idyllwild?”
“It sure is.”
“Why so far? Why not store your belongings at a local facility?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Recalling Haley’s mention she owned Timeless Treasures, he googled the store and dialed the number. He expected to hear Haley answer the phone. Instead, he reached someone named Kate.
“Is Haley Monroe in?”
“No, she’s not. Can I be of assistance?”
“This is a personal matter. When would be a good time to call her? It’s important I speak with her.”
He heard the hesitation in Kate’s voice, signaling her unwillingness to dole out personal information. He didn’t blame her. He’d have done the same. Sucking in a deep breath, he continued, being careful not to discuss Allen’s financial files with anyone other than Haley or Sarah. “I’m with Libertini and Farthing. Mrs. Monroe has requested my assistance, and I’d like to provide her with an update.”
“Haley will be out of town for a few days on a personal matter. I’ll contact her and relay your message. Can I have your number?”
He rattled off his cell number, thanked her, and said good-bye. He spun his chair around to face Sarah. “It seems our former client pulled a fast one. I wonder what he didn’t want to disclose.”
What he had unearthed about his former client’s finances might be significant, and he needed to run it by Haley to find out what she knew about the storage units. Had Allen been hiding assets? Had Allen, as Haley had accused during the negotiations, failed to divulge his full worth?
“Sarah, there is something you can do. Can you find out Mrs. Monroe’s cell number? And while you’re at it, get me her home number, too.”
Chapter Six
Haley awoke to the sound of rain pelting her bedroom window.
The Weather Channel predicted more of the same.
It looked like her planned leisurely drive to the mountains was going to become a white-knuckled thrill ride. Grumbling about her bad luck, she dressed in casual clothes—jeans, red sweatshirt, and tennis shoes.
She toasted a bagel, slathered it with a thick layer of cream cheese, and downed it with strong mocha café.
If the two-day deadline hadn’t been hanging over her head, she would have delayed the trip until the weather cleared. But when she had called the storage company, the manager had refused to delay the auction. Legally, it had to go forward. Notices had been posted in the local papers and on site. As far as he was concerned, the date of the auction was set in stone.
She scanned her checklist to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything—the phone number of the storage company along with a map and directions, ID to prove she was who she claimed to be, keys, codes, cash, every credit card she owned, and a cell phone charger. After dropping the items into a large, canvas tote, she tossed in two bottles of water and a half dozen protein bars, and poured her coffee from breakfast into a travel mug.
What if the weather worsened and she had to spend the night in a motel? Her gut clenched at the possibility. Best be prepared. She tossed a change of clothing, pajamas, and toiletries into the overnight bag she kept in the hall closet.
Slipping on a waterproof jacket, she grabbed an umbrella and headed out.
A half hour into her trip, the rain shower turned into a downpour. The sky grew dark and foreboding. In the distance, lightning lit up the sky. Thunder rumbled.
Haley contemplated turning around, but, nearing the midpoint, she decided to brave the inclement weather. Besides, oncoming traffic was bumper to bumper. Ahead, the freeway was wide open. She charged onward.
***
Eli drummed his fingers on the top of his desk and stared at the rain hitting his office window. He should be feeling mighty proud of himself for verifying the existence of Allen’s secret storage units. Instead, he worried about Haley.
Why hadn’t she called yesterday?
Why wasn’t she answering her phone?
Why did her plight weigh so heavily on his heart?
Damn her. Damn him for caring.
From deep within his chest, a groan escaped.
His cell rang. His heartbeat quickened. Haley? But caller ID told him it was Parker.
“Yeah.”
“The fellow you recognized from the Renaissance faire is a real bad guy, Eli. He’s muscle for a loan shark.”
His blood chilled. He had to warn Haley.
She’d mentioned wanting to meet with him as soon as possible. If that was the case, why did she leave town in such a hurry? A personal matter. Whatever prompted her to take off must have been pretty damn important. Instinct told him that her out-of-town trip had to do with the storage units. If so, there was a better than good chance she was on her way to Pine Mountain right now.
Eli knew what he had to do. He printed out information on the storage company and gave Sarah his thumbnail itinerary for the next couple of days.
He rushed home. After tossing a change of clothes into a gym bag and dropping Liza off at the cat hotel, Eli made an illegal U-turn in a busy intersection and pointed his black Jaguar toward the freeway.
“Damn it, Haley.” He wanted to turn around, but the thought of her dr
iving to such a remote area in the rain—alone—caused his stomach to roil.
He sped up the on-ramp and merged with traffic heading east.
***
Half an hour later, the rainstorm intensified. Thunder boomed. Lightning slashed the sky. Sheets of water drilled Haley’s white Camry. Windshield wipers strained, struggling to keep up under the hammering cloudburst. Rain splashed the paved highway, creating a layer of gray, concealing the white lines. Near-zero visibility. Concentrate. She turned the radio off, and her heart pounded in her ears like a bass drum. She sat forward on the seat and rested her chin on the top of the steering wheel.
Behind her and to the left, headlights closed in, coming right at her. She held her breath and checked for vehicles in the lane on the right. No headlights. “Dear God, please don’t let anyone be there.” She swallowed hard, signaled, and swerved into the lane next to her—just in time to avoid being rear-ended. An out-of-control car flew past, spun sideways, and hit the center divider.
She screamed.
Too dangerous to stop.
Fearing the same thing might happen to her, she searched for an opportunity to pull off the freeway to call 911 and report the accident. But the dark clouds pushed back the daylight, and sheets of rain pounding the freeway blinded her, keeping her from seeing the off-ramps in time. She plowed ahead, following the taillights in front of her.
She prayed.
Her cell phone rang, but she couldn’t answer it. Taking her eyes off the road for even a split second might cause her to veer into the next lane or hit the center divider.
It wasn’t even noon yet, but she felt as if she’d been driving all day. Her back ached; her shoulders burned. She should have turned around the instant the deluge began. Better yet, she should have stayed home. Getting a look inside Allen’s storage units became less important than surviving the storm. She squinted, trying to make sense of the foggy blur ahead.
Lost and Found (Beyond Fairytales) Page 3
