by Lynn Cahoon
I put one of each into an envelope, to put in the safe down here as an extra set. Then I made a set for Jackie. I put one on my key chain and one in my tote. I’d leave that one at home, just in case I needed it. Brad handed me a couple of flyers. “Thanks.”
He pointed to one that was glossier and looked more expensive. “That one is the top of the line; we sell a lot of those. And the security company has the same special deal if the referral comes from your police department connection.”
“Okay if I look at these later?” I held up the brochures. I didn’t mean to rush the guy, but Denyse was already back with a couple of books to check out.
“No worries. I’ll have the office send out an invoice for today’s work.” Brad turned and walked out the door as Denyse laid her books on the counter.
“You doing some remodeling?” She tilted her head to the exiting Brad.
I tucked away the security leaflets, but not before I caught her looking at them. “Just some updating. I’ve had the store for over five years now, thinking about making some changes.”
“Well, security systems are a great purchase, especially with your aunt living upstairs.” She pulled out her credit card. “You can never be too careful with the ones we love.”
After she left, I started cleaning the coffee bar. It had been a crazy busy day, and Deek would be coming in soon to take over. I was ready for home and Emma and either a run or a nap. But something kept bothering me. I pulled out the security flyers. I’d want to talk to Jackie before investing this kind of money, but even if she didn’t think the business could afford it, I was pulling the initial cost out of the Miss Emily fund.
Having the money my friend left to me in her will had made all the difference in my decision-making. Instead of having a bookstore on the brink of closing, I was able to hold on in the lean months and expand in the flush ones. And I’d been able to help several deserving students pay for some of their college classes. Denyse was right; putting in a security system to protect my one and only aunt—that was definitely money well spent.
Having that decision made and the coffee shop finally empty, I grabbed a cup of coffee and a few peanut butter bars and headed to the couch. Jill time.
My reading shift was interrupted a few times by random customers wanting a specialty coffee or someone heading to the beach needing something to read, but the rest of Saturday flowed easily. The universe must be making up for the craziness the morning had been. When Deek came in to replace me, I was just finishing up the book I’d started a few days before. I’d already picked out two more and they were in my tote along with the new keys, the fraud flyers, and the security ones. If Greg had a few minutes this weekend, I’d have him give me his impressions. One of the good things about living with a cop: he knew security.
“Hey, Boss Lady! My mom sends her love. And, well, this is going to sound strange, but she said to watch for the flowers tomorrow.” He went to the coffee bar and put on his apron. “Not sure what that means, but there you go.”
“Watch for the flowers? Crap.” I knew what had been bothering me. I hadn’t seen Harrold since he’d stopped in for coffee first thing this morning. He was probably up on the deck, dead of a heart attack. “I’ll be right back.”
I ran out the back door and looked up. Harrold was on the deck, along with Kyle, arranging the bench Kyle had painted. Kyle worked for Antiques by Thomas and had a flair for hand-painting wood furniture.
Kyle leaned over the railing. “Hey, Miss Gardner, it’s looking good up here. Your aunt’s going to be so excited.”
Harrold slowly made his way down the stairs, holding on to the rail. “It’s coming along nicely. Thank goodness Kyle took the day off to help me. He’s such a good boy. I wish he liked model trains more than antiques. I’d steal him from Josh in a heartbeat.”
“I heard that, old man.” Josh came around the building with a flat of peonies. “I might not run fast, but I run faster than you do. The nursery dropped these off at the store.”
“Sorry, Mr. Thomas. I told them to come to the back of the building.” Kyle bounded down the stairs and took the flat from Josh. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your day.”
“No worries, Kyle.” Josh put his hand over his eyes and took in the process on the deck. He reached out and patted Harrold on the back. “You’ve done a good job. She’s going to love it.”
Harrold put his arm around Josh and my eyes bugged out. “I hope so. You know Jackie can be a little particular in her likes and dislikes.”
“Don’t I know it.” Josh grinned at him. Then he looked at me. “How are you today, Miss Gardner?”
“Fine; thanks for asking.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Well, I better get back to the shop before the customers steal me blind.” He nodded to Harrold. “Come see me next week and let me know how the reveal goes.”
“I will. I’ll bring Lille’s cinnamon rolls if you have coffee.”
Josh took another glance at the patio. “I’ll have my pot brewed by eight.”
I waited for Josh to return to the front of the building. He’d lost a lot of weight and no longer wore the black suits that made him look like a funeral director. When he turned the corner to go into his shop, I turned to Harrold. “What was that all about?”
“What?” He glanced at the flowers Kyle still held. “Those will work nicely. Take them up and I’ll be right there.”
“Sure, Mr. Snider.” Kyle bounded back up the stairs with as much or more energy as when he came down.
“You and Josh are friends now?” I whispered the question.
Harrold laughed and put a hand on my shoulder. “Josh came over to talk to me when Jackie broke the engagement. He wanted to express his condolences, because he knew what it felt like. I think he was looking for me to bash Jackie, but instead, I invited him in for coffee. We’ve been meeting up at least once a week since then. He’s a good guy.”
“Mr. Thomas is the best. He’s just a little cautious around people,” Kyle called from the patio.
“And there you go.” Harrold started walking toward the stairs, then stopped. “Where is my head? I didn’t ask you if you needed anything. Don’t tell me that Jackie is on her way back already. We need at least another hour to get that last flat planted and everything cleaned.”
“No, I was just checking to see if you needed anything. Can I bring you some water or a treat?”
Harrold shook his head. “We’re good. I brought a cooler filled with waters and those sugary sodas the kid’s so fond of. Lille brought us out lunch about an hour ago.”
“Okay, then. If you need anything, I’ll leave the back door open. Just come on in through the office. Either Deek or I will be tending the shop.”
I left the two men working on a landscaping project for my aunt, who didn’t seem to realize what she had in her hands. A man who was smitten and willing to do anything for her. As I walked through the office door out into the dining room, Fred Mucke waved me over to where he stood, talking to Deek.
“There she is. I’m so glad I caught you, Miss Gardner. I was afraid you might have gone home for the night.” He took my arm when I reached them and walked me over to the book shelves.
I wanted to shake him off, but I knew if I did, the fact that I was impolite to the his henchman would be an issue the next time I saw Mayor Baylor. And I did still like my job as the business representative to the city council. When we reached the sitting area, I sat in the wing-back chair, instead of the couch where Fred had been leading me. He frowned, then sat.
“What can I help you with, Mr. Mucke?”
He smiled a little. “Direct and to the point. Marvin said you were like that. Anyway, I’ll do my best to copy your communication style. Like I said, I’m so glad I found you. I’m not sure I could have gathered up the courage to come again.”
I felt my eyes n
arrow as I studied him. “The courage to tell me what? I’ve already told you and the mayor that Greg isn’t running in the primary.”
“And Mayor Baylor respects your honesty. I’m not here about the election.” Fred looked around nervously, but besides Deek, who I knew was watching the two of us very closely, the shop was empty. “I’m afraid this is a personal matter.”
Alarm bells went off in my head, but I wanted to hear him out. “What do you want to say?”
Fred took a deep breath, then spoke. “I’m afraid I saw Greg in a compromising position this morning with a woman I think he called Sherry.”
“Sherry’s his ex-wife. If she was there, she was probably trying to get money out of him.” If this guy thought he could make me jealous just by mentioning Sherry’s name, he was so out of his league. I’d already blown all my gaskets when Sherry tried to get Greg back. And he’d assured me that the sun would turn to ice before he left me for her. Although there was the issue of Sherry’s phone number in Greg’s pants pocket. But I shook off the doubt. If I was worried, Greg would be the person I talked about this with, not some stranger. I stood. “If that’s all, I have a business to run.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve seen them together. I mean, rumors must be all over City Hall about their midday trysts. I even hear he’s bringing her into his office after-hours.” He waved me back into my seat. “I don’t want to hurt you; I just thought you should know. Especially because you were so nice to Marvin.”
“If causing a rift between Greg and me was the purpose of your visit, you failed. Greg would no more cheat on me than dishonor his job. He’s a good, kind, and thoughtful man. And you should be afraid of him as an opponent. Anyone with half a brain would vote him into the mayor’s chair if he’d just run.” I pointed to the door. “This is my store and I choose who we will serve. You have just become the first person banned from Coffee, Books, and More.” I took a breath to try to calm down my shaking hands. “Do I have to ask Deek to escort you or will you leave now?”
“You’re going to regret this.” Fred stepped toward me, and all of a sudden, a flash of electric-blue hair moved in between us.
“I think Jill asked you kindly to leave. I won’t be so nice if you’re not moving toward that door by the time I count to five.” Deek held the baseball bat Aunt Jackie had bought five years ago to keep behind the counter. I didn’t think it even had been moved from the shelf where she’d put it since. Now he tapped it in his hand. “One, two, three…”
“Fine, I’m out of here.” He stomped out of the shop like a child who had been told he couldn’t have candy. “I’ll never try to be the hero again. Apparently, you like being cheated on.”
The shop was dead silent after he left the room. Deek set down the bat on the table. “Man, I’m glad he left. I’ve never hit a person with a baseball bat. At least not intentionally.”
When I didn’t answer, he sank into the couch. “Look, he was just trying to get under your skin. You know Greg wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
“I know that.” But it didn’t explain the piece of paper I’d picked up off the floor. Could Fred have planted it? Or was it really Sherry’s number with a perfectly good explanation? “I knew he was lying when he said everyone at City Hall had been gossiping about it. If it was true, Amy would have told me. Well, after she kicked Greg’s butt.”
“It’s good to have friends.” Deek fidgeted. “I don’t know protocol here. Do you need a hug? I feel like I do and the guy wasn’t even in my face.”
“I’m good. But I think I’m going to walk home.” I looked around the empty shop. “Unless you think you’ll need me?”
He twirled the baseball bat. “I think I’m good. But why would the guy try to mess with you like that? Any clue?”
“He’s the campaign manager for the mayor. My thought is they’re really concerned about Greg running. Which he isn’t. But after this? He just might.” I tried to settle myself. I hated conflict. That was why Greg and I got along so well. We kept things out in the open so there wasn’t any. Well, unless I was sticking my nose in one of his murder investigations. “I don’t understand politics, and after today, I don’t want to. If Aunt Jackie comes back from the city before you close up, give her the envelope under the cash register.”
“Works for me. Do I need a new key to close up with?” He followed me to the coffee bar and replaced the bat onto its storage shelf. Thank God Jackie planned for any future event, even when the possibility was slim to none. But I wasn’t sure I was going to tell her about today.
“Yes. OMG, yes. I totally forgot.” I grabbed the closing key, which we kept on a South Cove key chain in the cash register. I replaced the key and put it back in the drawer. We only used it when someone besides Aunt Jackie or me closed or opened the shop. That way we didn’t have to make keys for all the employees. “Seriously, I need to get my head in the game. With everything that’s going on, I’m losing it.”
“Stress makes people miss things. Then they get more stressed when they realize they missed something.” Deek refilled his coffee cup. “Do I need to do anything with the guys out in the back?”
Leave it to Deek to notice everything. The guy was amazing. “See if they want something in about an hour. They should be done soon, or at least I hope so. I don’t think Jackie was planning on staying in the city late.”
“It’s a nice thing the train dude is doing for her. I hope she takes him back.” He sipped his coffee, but I noticed a little tremor in his hand. He grinned when he realized I had seen it. “I have to admit, this was a pretty exciting day. I’ll be fine as long as the guy doesn’t come back. Then I’m just calling the local law enforcement number and letting your boy toy kick his butt.”
“Great plan.” I grabbed my tote and rechecked what keys I had. I needed my own keys to the apartment and the shop, which I would give to Jackie if she came home late. I needed to run to Bakerstown and have more keys made. If Denyse hadn’t interrupted me, I would have had Brad make me another set of everything.
“Boss Lady? Are you all right? You look like you just saw a ghost.” Deek studied my face.
“What? Oh, no, I’m fine. I was thinking that I need to get some duplicates made.” Well, I hadn’t been exactly, but whatever I had been thinking about had disappeared. I knew I needed the keys. “See you tomorrow.”
“Are you coming in?”
Typically, I took Sundays off, but I hadn’t talked to Jackie about her shift, which I should know, she’d be here. “I might pop in. If Jackie doesn’t want to cover the register during your book club.”
“See you when I see you. Get home safe, okay?” Concern filled his voice.
“I’m calling Greg as soon as I hit the street, so I’ll be fine. Do you want me to call when I get home?”
His face brightened. “Would you? That would be great, so I don’t worry. That guy’s aura was black as night. And I know you’re still shaken up, I can see that without my superpower.”
“Okay, Mom. I’ll call.” Smiling as I left the shop, I realized Deek had not only filled the gap at the shop when Sasha left but also become part of our little family. Even though his blond dreadlocks, now with electric blue edges, hadn’t come from my side of the family tree.
Chapter 21
As I walked home through South Cove, trying to let the afternoon sun and the ocean breezes calm me, I dialed Greg. He picked up on the first ring.
“What’s happening? Are you on your way home?” He sounded warm and loving, and the words almost made me tear up. Yep, the incident had shaken me more than I wanted to admit to either Deek or myself.
Trying to keep my voice steady, I told him about the incident. Afterward, his side of the line was quiet. “Greg, did I lose you?”
“No, I’m here. I’m just trying to fight off the urge to go kick down the mayor’s door and ask him what game he’s playing here. You
know I would never do that to you. Not here at the station, not anywhere.”
I blinked back the tears. “I know you wouldn’t, because if Amy found out, she’d take care of my busy work. Then I’d dump all your worldly possessions in the yard and Emma and I would roast marshmallows over the bonfire.”
“Sounds like you’ve given this some thought.” He chuckled; then his tone got serious. “I know Marvin hates me, but this is above and beyond his usual tactics. You don’t think this is about the mayoral race, do you?”
“I think that’s exactly what it’s about. The guy is scared of you. And he thought if I got mad enough, maybe that would upset your plans to run.” I waved at a local artist, who was sitting outside his shop, drawing. I decided to put it all out there. “Greg, there is one thing. When I dumped out your pockets so I could wash your jeans, I found a slip of paper with Sherry’s number on it.”
“I saw that on top of my wallet and shield. I was going to ask you about it. I thought you put it there.”
“I did put it there, but it came out of your pocket.” I let the implication hang.
“Jill, I haven’t talked to Sherry in months. Pat stopped me a few days ago and let it drop that Sherry was in New York on a shopping trip for the store. Of course she’s been there for months, and Pat’s getting a little fed up with her excuses.”
“Running a business is hard on your own.” I felt for Pat’s situation. As Sherry’s best friend, she’d gone into the Vintage Duds consignment store thinking she had a partner. But Sherry was all about the flash. “So she wasn’t at the station last week and she couldn’t have given you her number.”
“Pat will tell you the same thing.” He sighed. “I hate that I have to defend myself against this. But I know you deserve the whole truth. I had my shield and wallet on my desk a few days ago when the mayor pulled me into a meeting about the case. He said he needed an update. Maybe this Fred guy planted it. That’s the only explanation I can think of. He probably counted on you finding it and then upped the game when it didn’t change anything.”
