by J. R. Cowan
Charlotte snorted.
“Don’t believe me? Why don’t you two go and take a nice little stroll around Angelica? See the magic for yourself.” Clyde smirked and winked at them.
“Oh no. Magic or no magic. Blessed or not. I’m not going anywhere near that angel.” Justin shook his head.
“Why not? Are you scared?” Charlotte poked him in the ribs.
Justin scoffed. “It’s a statue. There’s nothing to be scared of.”
“Then prove it.” Charlotte jabbed him again.
“Prove what?”
“Prove to me Angelica doesn’t scare you. That you don’t believe in magic. That it’s all made up.”
Justin clenched his jaw. This wasn’t good. He didn’t believe in Angelica, but he wasn’t willing to test it out…or was he? Why not? What did he have to lose? If he and Charlotte were meant to be together, they would fall in love, right? If not, then they could just go back to their agent/client relationship. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Chapter 16
Charlotte began to panic as Justin led her toward the front door. On the other side of the door stood Angelica. The infamous matchmaking angel who could determine if they were soulmates. What if Justin wasn’t hers? Could she stand the heartbreak? Not knowing, dreaming and wishing was one thing…there was still hope, but finding out for sure they weren’t meant to be would break her. She couldn’t do this.
“Charlotte! There you are,” Mrs. White panted as she made her way up the stairs. “Sherriff Payne has a few questions for you. About your book.”
Charlotte sighed with relief and ripped her hand from Justin’s. She hurried toward the basement steps then glanced over her shoulder at the hurt expression on Justin’s face. Or maybe it wasn’t hurt just disappointment that he couldn’t prove Clyde wrong. He always was competitive. She brushed it off and headed for the dining room.
“Afternoon, Miss Clover.” Sherriff Payne nodded at her, his balding head gleaming under the chandelier. His rounded belly filled out his tan button down shirt and his hat sat next to a plate of food in front of him. He gestured toward the built young blond man on his right. “You remember Deputy Clark.”
Charlotte gulped and nodded. Her hands turned clammy and her heart started pounding in her chest until she felt a hand brush her back. She glanced up to see Justin take the seat next to her.
“I’m Justin Walker. Charlotte’s agent.” He extended a hand across the table to the officers.
Deputy Clark eyed him suspiciously or maybe that was just Charlotte’s being paranoid. She always thought something was off about this guy. He talked a lot about the details of the case, but never gave away that he knew the victim. “What would you like to ask me about my book?” She smiled at them.
“We’ve hit another dead end. Mr. West has been cleared of Noah Kline’s murder.”
“That’s good. Will he get in any trouble?” Charlotte clasped and unclasped her hands in her lap, trying to reel in her nerves.
“Who West? He’ll probably get a little probation for not reporting the body, hiding it and tampering with evidence. We’ll make sure he doesn’t serve time, isn’t that right, Clark?” Sherriff Payne clapped Reed on the back.
Reed grimaced slightly before nodding.
“Do you have any new information for us, Miss Clover?” Sherriff Payne took a bite of turkey.
“Please call me Charlotte. Unfortunately, I don’t. It looks like we’ve all hit a dead end. Guess my story won’t have a happily ever after, after all.” Charlotte shrugged, keeping her eyes on Sherriff Payne. Knowing her poker face wouldn’t fool Reed.
Sherriff Payne finished chewing then wiped his mouth. “These cold cases just go unsolved sometimes. Not much else we can do. Better head back to the station to finish filling out Mr. West’s report.”
“Where is Mr. West? You don’t have to take him to the station, do you?”
The Sherriff shook his head before placing his hat on it. “No. The judge plans to read the report and decide from there. It’s a small town. We do things a little differently here. Thank you for your time, Miss Clover.” He tipped his hat and headed toward the stairs.
Officer Clark stood, but hesitated. “How is Miss Harper?”
“She’s resting. Has a minor concussion. It’s strange how she just tripped and fell.” Charlotte bit her cheek when Justin kicked her under the table.
“Those rocks can be slippery in the morning dew.” He shrugged.
Charlotte nodded. “You didn’t tell me that you knew Holly. That you were friends with Noah.” She tried not to flinch as Justin dug his foot into hers. She knew she was walking a thin line, but couldn’t stop herself. The writer in her wanted answers and since she couldn’t create the answers, she had to find them.
Reed looked toward the stairs then back at Charlotte. “Noah was like a brother to me. Holly is like a sister. I would never hurt them, Miss Clover.”
“So why didn’t you tell me that you knew them when I interviewed you?” Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
“When Noah disappeared, I knew something wasn’t right. He wouldn’t do that. Wouldn’t leave Holly. He adored her. Loved her. I took this job to find out more. I’m still trying to do that. Please let me. Don’t blow my cover.” Reed’s eyes were filled with sincerity and held hers for a moment before he turned to leave.
Charlotte frowned. She hadn’t been expecting his words. Wasn’t sure what she’d expected. A confession? No, that would have been too easy. None of this made any sense. If Reed didn’t kill Noah…then who did?
Chapter 17
Justin paced the living room of the Manor. His phone to his ear. Trying to reach his mother. Charlotte’s comment about her heart still playing on a loop in his mind. He left another message and hung up.
“Everything okay?”
“No, tell me what’s wrong with my mother.” He stomped toward Charlotte, stopping just inches from her then gently took her hand in his. “Please.”
“I promised I wouldn’t. Actually, I promised my mom I wouldn’t since she let it slip.” Charlotte bit her lip.
Justin’s eyes flitted to her lip. He gulped and refocused. “I’ll pretend I have no idea. Please I’m going crazy here, Coco.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “Only my friends call me that.”
He smirked. “And why do they call you that?”
She shrugged. “I make a mean cocoa.”
“Huh?”
Charlotte sighed. “In high school when my friends would be upset, I would make them my famous cocoa. It always made them feel better, so they started calling me Coco.”
Justin chuckled then his expression turned serious. “I’m upset about my mother. Will you make me some cocoa and tell me what’s wrong with her?”
Charlotte pursued her lips. “Mrs. White is out of milk. You’ll have to wait, but I will tell you what’s wrong with her. I know how worried I was about my mom a couple of months ago when she had her heart attack the same weekend Luke and Lila fell in love, but you have to promise that you didn’t hear it from me.” She held up her pinky.
He rolled his eyes, but shook her pinky. “I promise.”
“I know you. You’re going to hear what I have to say and go crazy. Promise me you won’t overreact.” She kept a hold of his pinky and squeezed.
“Ouch. Fine. I promise I won’t overreact.” He rubbed his pinky when Charlotte finally let it go then followed her to the couch.
Charlotte sighed. “Something is going on with the company. There have been rumors. Bankruptcy has been thrown around.”
“What?! I’ve seen the numbers. We keep doing better every year.”
“Who gives you the numbers?”
“My mother. We go over them every month.” He ran a hand through his hair. “So, she’s been lying to me?”
Charlotte shrugged. “These are just rumors. Talk to your mother. Find out the truth.”
“What does this have to do with her heart?”
“Stress. Sh
e started having pain in her arm and went in a couple of weeks ago for a check-up. I overheard my mother giving her the name of her heart doctor. When I pushed for answers, she confided in me. Your mother doesn’t want you to worry. She’s on some medication and hopefully that will take care of things. Reducing her stress and watching her diet and increasing her exercise will help too.”
Justin stood up and paced the room. How did he not know this? He should have dug further. He knew she let a few authors go over the past few months, but they’d both agreed since the authors weren’t producing new material, it was best to focus on the ones that were. It made sense. A good financial decision. She wouldn’t lie to him, right? Maybe about her health so he wouldn’t worry, but not about their family business. His phone rang, and his mother’s face popped up. The moment of truth.
Chapter 18
Charlotte sat on the front porch swing of the Manor listening to the rustle of the leaves as squirrels jumped and played around the yard. The air was brisk, so she was glad she’d snagged a blanket from the couch before giving Justin some privacy to talk with his mother.
She prayed the company wasn’t in any financial trouble. Wondered how it could be with as much money as she brought in every year. It’d been eight months since she’d put out a book, but it couldn’t be the reason for their financial decline.
The front door opened, and Charlotte turned to find Lila in the same yoga pants and a sweatshirt she had on earlier. “Have you showered today?”
Lila smacked her playfully before snuggling under the blanket beside her. “It’s been a little busy around here. Checking out guests, Holly going missing and then finding out she’d been hurt, Mr. West giving his statement and talking with the Sherriff not to mention keeping an eye on Marcus, I haven’t had time to worry about how I look.”
“Well you look beautiful.”
“Thanks coco.” Lila smiled. “So, what’s up with Marcus and Holly?”
“It’s so strange. Yesterday, she punched him in the face for accusing her of murdering Noah and today, they are inseparable. I don’t get it.” Charlotte set the swing in motion.
“Hmm. I did see them sitting in front of Angelica yesterday. Maybe…”
Charlotte held up a hand. “Don’t even go there.”
Lila smiled. “She’s pretty magical. Maybe you and Just-”
“Stop.”
“Fine.”
They swung in silence for a few minutes.
“Oh, I almost forgot, Cynthia said to tell you and Justin that dinner will be a little later tonight. Something about Mrs. White needing an ingredient for Mr. West’s favorite meal and having to run to another town to get it.”
“So what time is dinner?”
“Eight. Appetizers at six. Wyatt is complaining he’ll miss dinner since his bedtime is at eight. We’re letting him stay up a little later, so he can enjoy Mrs. White’s special welcome home dinner for Mr. West.”
Charlotte laughed. “My Godson loves his meals especially Mrs. White’s. It’s all he talks about when he calls me.”
“I know. I’m afraid once me and Luke get married and I start cooking to give Mrs. White a break, I’ll have a mutiny on my hands.” Lila huffed then smirked. “I’m glad he loves it here. I was really worried when we made the move. It’s been good. Really good. Healing even.” She bit her lip. “I think I’m ready to forgive Vic.”
“Really?”
Lila nodded. “I know he’s been Luke’s best friend for years. Next to Henry, of course, I think it would be good to invite him to the wedding. If Luke wants too.”
“Wow. You’re a bigger woman than I am, Lila. Don’t make any decisions until you’re sure, though.” Charlotte squeezed her hand.
“I won’t. I feel it’s time to let go. Move on. Forgive him so I can start my marriage to Luke with nothing from my past hanging over me. Besides Henry and Amy are spending so much time in Uganda right now trying to adopt that sweet baby, Mila that I’m not sure they will even be back next year. Who will stand next to Luke?”
“His dad?”
Lila shook her head. “Vic was like his brother. He’s in rehab. Outpatient, but he’s really trying to be better. I should give him a chance. Let him get to know Wyatt although he’s already given Luke the papers to be his legal father. It warms my heart seeing Luke and Wyatt together.” Lila sighed. “If I had my way, I’d marry Luke right now. Skip the fuss and just become Mrs. Lucas Miles.” She giggled.
“Bite your tongue.” Charlotte made a face. “You know how much I love weddings. Plus, I need an excuse to buy a new pair of shoes.”
Lila groaned. “Don’t you have enough shoes?”
Charlotte gasped. “A woman can never have too many shoes.”
They both giggled then commotion inside drew their attention. Just as they were getting up to check it out the front door opened, and Marcus rolled onto the front porch. Justin stormed out behind him.
“I’m not going to fight you, Justin. I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Marcus wiped his bloody lip with the back of his hand.
“You didn’t mean to embezzle money from my family? Steal our authors and nearly bankrupt us? Justin’s fists were clenched, his eyes narrowed, and his body was shaking with rage.
“Let me explain.”
“Oh, my mother told me all about what you did. She’s been covering for you while you’ve continued to bleed us dry. Her heart…her heart condition is because of YOU!” Justin dove for Marcus.
Marcus scrambled to his feet and dodged Justin’s hands.
Luke and Clyde hurried out to separate the two men.
“What’s going on?” Luke held Justin’s arms behind his back.
“Ask Marcus. Better yet, don’t. He’ll lie anyway.”
“I had no choice, Justin.” Marcus wiped more blood from his lip.
“Everyone has a choice.”
“I didn’t. Shaw, he took everything.” Marcus hung his head.
Justin blinked and stared blankly at Marcus. “What does Shaw have to do with this?”
“If you’d let me explain without attacking me, I’d tell you.”
“By all means.” Justin shook off Luke and gestured with his hand as if showing off a new car.
Marcus stumbled over to the bottom porch step and sat down.
Charlotte and Lila sat above him on the top step while the men stood around him.
“When my parents died they had a lot of debt. I mean a lot.”
“Your parents were loaded. Do you really expect me to believe they left you broke?” Justin crossed his arms.
Marcus shook his head. “They kept up with appearances, but they were broke. Overextended. I was left without parents and a mountain of bills to pay.”
“Why didn’t you say something? We could have helped you.”
“Even you didn’t have that kind of money. Shaw offered to help me out with it. A loan if you will, but I became his errand boy. At first, it was simply gathering information for him. Then it was sabotage and then when I refused one ‘errand’ ie: running drugs, he told me that either I pay my loan in full or I’d better do what he asked…otherwise…” Marcus ran his index finger across his neck.
Charlotte and Lila gasped.
“He threatened to kill you,” Justin whispered
Marcus nodded. “I didn’t know what to do so I started skimming money from your company in hopes I could pay him enough to ‘buy’ my freedom. Then he demanded I start moving authors over to his new agency. It all got to be too much. I snapped. That’s what happened the day I quit. I couldn’t take it anymore. The lies. The deceit. Staring you and your mother in the eyes while I stole from you. It was too much. You were like family to me and I betrayed you.” Marcus broke into tears.
Lila moved down the steps and patted him on the back.
“Shaw wants Charlotte’s new book. Sent me to try and ‘steal’ her from you. He thinks it’s going to be a best seller. Told me if I did this one last thing for him I would be free. He
set up the press conference after I lied and told him that Charlotte had agreed to sign with me. He was furious when he found out she hadn’t and added more money to my bill. I got desperate, so I spiked Lila’s wine and tried to get you to think we were together. Hoping it would end your relationship then she’d have no choice but to sign with me.” He turned to Charlotte. “Nothing happened, I promise you. You were snoring when I carried you into the room and I slept in the chair the whole night. Contemplated several times about carrying you back to Luke’s, but didn’t want to have to explain things if I ran into anyone. I’m sorry.”
“What about Holly? How does she fit into all of this?” Charlotte rested her arms on her knees.
“What do you mean?” Marcus furrowed his brow.
“All of the sudden you two are inseparable. Yesterday, you accused her of murdering her fiancé. Now, you’re winking and smiling at each other. What gives?”
Marcus sighed. “I really like her. We talked a little bit yesterday afternoon in front of Angelica before Mr. West was found. I apologized. Actually, told her everything I just told you. It was like I couldn’t stop myself. Looking at her, it was so magical. She didn’t judge me. Listened and gave me advice. Advice I’m taking, starting with making this right. I have no money to repay you right now, Justin, but I will. I’ll pay back every penny I stole from you. Please forgive me.” His eyes filled with guilt and sincerity.
Justin studied him. “What about Shaw? Charlotte’s book? I can’t afford to lose it. She’s my client.”
Marcus nodded. “I know. I was wrong to try and steal her from you. Just like I was wrong to kiss her in high school. I know how much that gutted you.”
Charlotte’s head snapped up and she gaped at Justin. “Is that true?”
“Is what true?” Justin shrugged.
“Did you tell me you hated me because I kissed Marcus? Because you thought I liked him?”
Justin opened his mouth to respond when Holly came rushing out the door. “Reed just called and said he has some information about who killed Noah. Told me to meet him at the bluffs.”
