by Tim Myers
“I’d be happy to show you, if you’ve got the time, but who’s watching your place?”
Addie’s posture slumped. “I didn’t have the heart to keep it open,” she admitted. “It was probably insane for me to even come in today, but to be honest with you, I was afraid if I didn’t go in this morning, I wouldn’t be able to step inside the shop ever again. Crazy, isn’t it?”
“No, it makes perfect sense to me. So what kind of card would you like to make?”
She looked as if she was ready to cry, but she manned to hold it in. “Can I take a rain check, Jennifer? I just want to go home, now that things are patched between us. I never could stand having anyone mad at me. It’s a character flaw, I guess.”
“Hey, everybody wants to be liked,” I said, though I wasn’t sure it was true. Eliza Glade surely hadn’t put in much effort to achieve that, it.
As Addie started for the door, I said, “Hang on a second.” I grabbed one of my basic card-making kits and pressed it into her hands. “If you feel like trying it later, this will give you something to do.”
“I can’t take this from you, Jennifer. That’s not why at brought you a gift.”
I smiled at her. “Don’t worry, I promise it’s not quid pro quo. I’d like you to have it.”
“Thanks,” she said, and before I could say another word, she was gone. Now why did she have to go and be nice to me? I was all ready to go after her as my prime suspect, and she’d made a peace offering and set out an apology. It was going to be hard thinking of her as a murderer now. Then again, could that be the point? Had she come by my card shop with gifts in hand to diffuse my zeal? If so, it was a clever and devious act, more suited to her former partner than to what I knew of Addie. But it had worked—or at least it had before I inspected she might be playing me. I put the gift bag on the counter and tried to think about what Lillian and I should do next. I knew she was following her own line of inquiry, but so far I hadn’t added much to the mix. I was still staring off into space when Lillian came back. I was surprised, when I glanced at the dock, to see that it was almost closing time.
“You’ve been gone a while,” I said.
“Detective work takes time, skill, dedication and a gentle manner with people,” she said. “Besides that I stopped off and had a facial, too.”
“Does that help you think?”
“No, but my skin feels absolutely marvelous. That’s reason enough to pamper myself, isn’t it? I wish you’d let me treat you to a day at the spa. It’s wonderful, Jennifer.”
“Thanks, but I’ll stick with my oatmeal and olive oil scrub,” I said.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” she said.
“And isn’t it probably better that way? One day of pampering with you and I’d never be able to face my homemade scrub again.”
“Perhaps you have a point,” she conceded. “So what have you done this afternoon? Have we had much business?”
“It’s been quiet,” I said.
Lillian noticed the gift bag on the counter. “What have we here?”
“You’re never going to believe this. Or maybe you will. Addie came by with a peace offering, and from the way she was talking, I have a sneaking suspicion that you were behind the whole thing.”
“Nonsense,” Lillian said. “Certainly we discussed what happened in her shop earlier, but I didn’t say a word about her coming here to apologize.”
“Then how did you know she apologized?”
“Why else would she bring you such a lovely gift bag, Jennifer? I trust you reciprocated.”
“I gave her a beginning card-making kit,” I admitted.
“That was exactly the right thing to do,” Lillian said. “I’m proud of you.”
“Don’t rush your judgment,” I said. “The entire afternoon I’ve been standing here wondering if there was an ulterior motive behind her present and apology.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Think about it, Lillian,” I said as I picked up the bag. “What better way to throw me off her trail than by killing me with kindness? She knew why we were at her shop this morning. It was pretty obvious we’re digging into Eliza’s murder. Addie wanted us to think about her sympathetically.”
I’d half expected a blast of scorn from Lillian, but instead, she laughed.
“What’s so funny?” I finally asked.
“I’m sorry, Jennifer. It’s just perfect. I’ve somehow managed to turn the sweetest young woman in Rebel Forge into a paranoid skeptic. My work is done here.”
“You’re not disappointed in me?” I asked. “Are you kidding me? I couldn’t be prouder.” What kind of family had I been born into, anyway? “You’re insane; you know that, don’t you?”
“I’ve heard the rumors,” she said, “but I choose to ignore them. So, are you excited about this evening?”
“Why, what’s happening? Oh, that’s right. I’m having dinner with Greg.”
Lillian said, “I certainly hope you’ll be able to muster up more enthusiasm than that when he picks you up.”
“I don’t want to go at all,” I said. “As a matter of fact, I think I’m going to go cancel this mistake before it goes any farther.”
As I headed for the door, Lillian grabbed my arm. “I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.”
“Why not?” I asked, pulling away. “What possible good can come from this?”
Lillian took my hands in hers, something she’d not done since I’d been a child. It meant she had a point to make, and wasn’t about to give up until she made it. “Jennifer, you and Greg have been dancing around this for years. It’s not healthy having things unresolved between you. Have you ever considered the possibility that you haven’t been able to move on romantically because you still have such strong feelings for Greg?”
“That’s utterly ridiculous,” I said.
“Is it? Then you have nothing to fear tonight. If your love for Greg is as dead as you claim, then all that will happen tonight is that you get a free meal in the finest restaurant in seven counties.”
“I still don’t see why I should go through with it,” I said. “But if it will keep you off my back, I will.”
She released my hands, then said, “You’d better get going. I’ll close up, and you can go get ready for your ... evening out.” It was pretty clear she’d wanted to say “date,” but had thought better of it at the last second.
“Fine—especially if it’s the only way I’m going to get you to drop this, once and for all.”
If my aunt noticed the bite in my words, she chose not to comment on them. I left her at the shop and went home to shower and change clothes. Had I been protesting too much when Lillian had pressed me about my feelings for Greg? There was a great deal of history between the two of us, much of it good, but that didn’t mean I wanted to go back and do it all over again. I hated to admit it, but his girlfriend was right. It was time for Greg and me to move on. My head kept telling me that, anyway, but my heart was another matter. There was something about that man—something I’d never been able to put my finger on, but real nonetheless. Intellect seemed to vanish when I was in his presence, and emotion took over. I’d just have to find a way to keep it in check tonight.
Then maybe, finally, we could both get on with our lives.
I fed the cats, then showered and dressed, just in time. I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup when the doorbell rang.
One last check in the mirror, then I answered it.
“Hi, Greg. Don’t you look handsome.” He did, too, wearing a charcoal gray suit I’d never seen before, and a burgundy tie that looked expensive.
He looked me up and down, then said, “I’d whistle at you, but I’m afraid you’d slap me.”
“Go with those instincts,” I said coolly, though for some reason I was happy he liked the way I looked. The red dress managed to hide most of my figure’s flaws while highlighting the few assets I had.
“I’ve always loved you in that
dress,” he said as we walked down the steps to the front door.
“This old thing?” I asked, smiling despite my earlier promise to keep this light.
“You wore it to our last engagement party,” he said softly. “Remember?”
Blast it all, I’d forgotten all about that. “I can change,” I said. “Give me two minutes. Honestly, I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Don’t you dare. You look great,” he said. “Besides, if we’re late for our reservation, they’ll give our table away.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind. Honestly, I don’t.”
“Come on, Jen. If I let you go back in your apartment, I’ll never get you out again.”
We were just leaving the house when Barrett walked out of his apartment. He looked at us both before saying a word. Was that a touch of envy in his eyes? It was probably just my imagination, but I sincerely hoped not.
“Evening,” he said.
“Good-bye,” I countered, and Greg held the door open for me.
“What was that all about?” he asked once I was safely in his vehicle.
“Barrett has an overly generous opinion of his own charm,” I said.
Greg laughed, and I asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I miss your wit, Jennifer,” he said.
“You didn’t seem to miss it so much when you were dating Teresa Haywood.”
“Hey, don’t forget, that was after you broke up with me.”
“How long did you wait to ask her out? Ten minutes, or did you show remarkable restraint and wait for fifteen?”
“As a matter of fact, Teresa asked me out. Is it my fault you were at Hurley’s the same night we were there?”
I laughed, remembering the look of abject discomfort that had been on Greg’s face that night. “You looked like a deer blinded by headlights. Whatever happened to Teresa?”
“She moved to West Virginia,” he said.
“You seem to have a difficult time keeping your women,” I said.
“Funny, it never was a trend until you came along,” Greg said.
“What can I say? I’m special that way.” As he drove us to the restaurant in his pickup truck, I said, “You know, we don’t have anything to prove tonight, and I know you can’t afford The Chateau. Why don’t we go to The Lunch Box and eat there instead?”
“Are you kidding me? Savannah would never let you live it down that you were silly enough to go out with me again.”
I touched his arm lightly. “Then let’s go to Hurley’s. I agreed to this farce, but I’m not going to put you in debt on my account.”
“I can cover it,” he said grimly. I knew how much his pottery shop made when the mass of tourists were one, and we’d all gone through a lean winter, with summer nearly there.
“To be honest with you, I’d feel more comfortable at Hurley’s,” I said. “The Chateau is just a little too exclusive for my taste.”
“Are you serious?” he asked.
“I am. Greg, let’s at least have some fun, since this is the last time we’re doing this.”
Greg shrugged, then turned the truck around and headed for Hurley’s. As he drove, I said, “You can take your tie off, too. I know it’s got to be choking you.”
“Come on, at least give me this much. Leave me with a little delusion that this night’s special.”
I said softly, “It is, because it’s the last time we’re going to do it. There’s no pressure tonight, no final farewells or anything so melodramatic. Let’s just be two old friends sharing a meal and some time together.”
He nodded. “I’ve got to admit that sounds wonderful.”
We parked in front of Hurley’s. Greg jumped out to open my door, but I was too quick for him. Before I could get out, he said, “You’re not playing fair. You never minded me opening doors for you before.”
“Okay, I’ll let you win, but just this once.” I closed my door and waited for him to open it, but when nothing happened, I looked up to see him grinning at me. I was about to reach for the handle again when he popped my door open, and I barely managed not tumble out onto the curb.
“You’re out of practice,” I said as I got out.
“I guess my timing is a little off,” he said. “That’s the story of my life.”
We walked into Hurley’s, and I was surprised that the place was only half full. Jack was frowning at his reservation book when he spotted us.
“We didn’t call ahead,” Greg said. “I hope you have room for us.”
“You and a marching band,” Jack said. He took in our outfits, then added, “My, don’t you two look nice. Jennifer, if I weren’t married with a zoo of kids, I’d ask you out myself.”
“But would I say yes?” I said, fighting a losing battle to hide my smile. It never failed. Every time I was around Jack Hurley, I felt like I was fifteen years old a freshman with a crush on a senior.
“There’s no doubt in my mind, because I wouldn’t give up until you did.”
“Hey, in case you weren’t sure, we’re on a date here.”
The tone of Greg’s voice surprised me. Had the banter made him jealous?
Jack said, “Sorry, we were just teasing,” as he led us to a table by the window, one of my favorite spots in the restaurant. “Beth will be serving you tonight, but in the meantime, can I get you something from the bar?’
After we ordered our drinks, Jack went away to, make them, but not before pausing long enough to wink at me. I just shook my head and smiled.
Greg asked, “What was that for?”
“I just find it surreal being here with you tonight. So tell me about Stephanie,” I asked. “She seems nice, and she’s certainly pretty.”
“Do we have to talk about her? I thought tonight was going to be about us.”
I looked at him, but it was difficult to read his expression in the dim light of the restaurant. “Okay, if it’s a stroll down memory lane you’re after, then I’m your gal.”
“Jennifer, at least try to act like this was a good idea.”
I suppose I had been a little hard on him. After all, if I wasn’t prepared to be gracious about it, I never should have agreed to the evening out. I was still refusing to call it a date, even in my mind.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I reached across the table to touch his hand. I’d done it with no conscious volition, just a habit resurfacing from the past, but I didn’t pull my hand away, and neither did Greg.
Jack slipped our drinks in front of us, then said, “Beth will be right with you.”
That broke the spell between us, and I picked up my drink and I started to take a sip.
Greg said, “Hang on a second. We should make a toast.”
“Go ahead,” I said, still rattled by the spark of his touch.
“To us,” he said simply.
I had no choice. “To us,” I echoed, and we both drank.
Beth showed up with the menus, and though she wore a simple black skirt and white blouse, her rainbow hair coloring diluted the attempt at creating a formal impression.
“Would you like a second?” she said.
“No, I think we’re ready to order,” Greg said. “Jen, do you still like steak?”
“Slide one in front of me and we’ll see,” I said. Usually I hated it when men ordered for me, but I knew how much Greg liked to do it, so I let him.
After Beth left to place our order, I said, “You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”
He nodded. “Thanks for letting me order, and, thank you for coming tonight.”
“It’s fun,” I admitted, then I said, “If you’ll excuse me for a second, I need to go to the ladies’ room.”
He stood as I did, and I was still laughing about his courtly manners when I walked toward the restroom.
I was nearly there when Jack approached. “Jennifer. I need to speak with you a second.”
“Come on, you’re a happily married man and I’m out on a date. We can’t keep sneaking around like this,” I said with a smile
.
“This is serious. Someone outside needs to talk to you.”
I followed him through the kitchen and out toward the loading dock. Before I went outside, Jack put a hand on my arm. “I’ll be right here if you need me.’
“What’s this all about?”
He shrugged, and, after a moment’s hesitation, I walked outside. I wasn’t sure who I expected to see but I was stunned nonetheless when Bailey stepped out of the shadows.
“Jennifer, thank God you were here tonight. I’m in some serious trouble. You’ve got to help me.”
Chapter 9
I glanced over my shoulder to see if Jack was still there, but it was just the two of us standing in the dark. Great. My brother-in-law looked desperate, and, at that second, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was safe to be alone with him.
“Bailey, what’s wrong?”
His gaze scanned the alley behind us as he spoke. “Somebody’s after me. That’s why I took off like I did. Jennifer, I think I know who killed Eliza.”
“Tell me,” I said.
“I’ve got a feeling that I’m not the only one Eliza’s been seeing lately. She told me something . . . No, I’d better not say it.”
“Come on. I need to know, if I’m going to help you.”
Bailey seemed to consider it for a moment, then he said, “I can’t. It will be too dangerous for you if you know.”
“Like I’m not in danger right now just standing here talking to you,” I said.
He ignored that completely, and I knew not to push him on it. After a second, Bailey said, “Sara Lynn must hate me. Does she know I took our emergency fund?”
“You made it kind of obvious when you left every, light in the house on.”
Bailey stopped and stared at me. “Jennifer, when I left the house, it was completely dark.”
“Then someone must have come in after you, and they didn’t mind if the world knew it.” I started looking out into the darkness myself. His paranoia whether real or imagined, was catching.
“Oh, no, this is worse than I thought. I don’t know what to do. You’ve got to help me.”
