Merry Buried Christmas

by Lyndsey Cole

  The conversation Annie had earlier with Liz on the Lake Trail replayed in her head. “It means she’s gently trying to break up with Wade.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I decided, too. She rattled on about Olive and her job and some other stuff I can’t even remember. After her first sentence I couldn’t even keep up with her chatter. Then she left.”

  Randy put the coffee down and leaned back in the chair. “At first, Wade just stood and stared out the window so I let him be. I figured he’d talk if he wanted to. And it didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that he didn’t want to.”

  “Did Liz offer to give Wade back the necklace he just gave her for her birthday?”

  Randy shrugged. “I don’t know anything about that. If he’s anything like me, he wouldn’t want it back, unless maybe she was dead.”

  “Do you think Wade might kill Liz to get the necklace back?” Annie asked, fear creeping into her voice.

  Annie looked quickly at Jason who had his mouth open to say something but she shook her head.

  “Kill Liz? No. He loves that girl. I don’t think she deserves him, but he didn’t ask my opinion. No, I’m afraid he’s going after Olive.”

  “Why do you think that?” This was something Annie feared when she saw Liz and Wade at the Black Cat Café. He said he’d talk to Olive about getting Liz’s beaded clutch back or, at least, getting reimbursed. Did he decide to take matters into his own hands?

  “Because he took a gun and said he was going to find Olive. It doesn’t get much clearer than that.”

  “Did you try to stop him?”

  “Of course I did but Wade is a lot stronger than I am. He just pushed me away like I was nothing.”

  “Have you tried to call him?” Annie asked.

  Randy held up a cell phone. “Won’t do much good. He left his phone at home.”

  Annie stood. “We better go to Olive’s house and see if we can find him. If no one is there, we’ll check her store. What’s her address?”

  “She lives in her parents’ old house on Piper Road. I’ll drive,” Randy said.

  Annie had to think quickly because she didn’t want Randy stirring up trouble with Olive. “You should go home. Stay there in case Wade returns.” Besides, she didn’t plan on going anywhere with a man dressed in a union suit. She jotted her phone number on a scrap of paper. “Here, call me if he comes home.”

  “Are you always so bossy?” Randy asked.

  Annie felt her eyes narrow into thin slits. “I’m. Trying. To. Help,” came out through her gritted teeth.

  “I’m not used to taking orders from a woman.”

  Jason took Randy by the arm, pulled him to the door, and shoved his jacket into his chest. “Wait at your house. There’s no time to argue.”

  “If you say so.” He put on his coat and was gone.

  Jason chuckled. “Randy’s an old goat, isn’t he?”

  “He’s something, but that’s not exactly the word I’d use. It’s a good thing I like Wade, or Randy would have been out the door the minute he took his jacket off.”

  “Don’t tell me you aren’t a fan of his style of dressing?” Jason kept a straight face except for the wrinkles at the edges of his eyes.

  “You’d look fine in that outfit, but Randy?” Annie shook her head. “Not so much.”

  “I hope that’s what you have in one of those presents under the Christmas tree. Only, I’d like my union suit in fire engine red, please.”

  “Be careful what you wish for.” Annie pulled her boots and jacket on. “Let’s go so we can get home again. I don’t want this to turn into a late night of drama.”

  “One can only hope,” Jason added.

  At the last minute, Annie scooped up the yearbook she’d borrowed from Thelma.

  “Why are you taking that?”

  “If we have time, let’s stop at the Blackbird. Danny might like to see these pictures of his mom when she was in high school. She looked really happy in the one photo I saw. It might help him process all that has happened.”

  Jason shrugged. “Keep adding stops and we definitely won’t be home early.”

  Even though they left the coziness of their living room, the drive to Piper Road gave Annie a chance to admire everyone’s Christmas decorations. Most houses had candles in their windows, many had additional lights draped on trees, and decorated Christmas trees twinkled through windows. It did look festive.

  Jason stopped in front of Olive’s house. It was dark—a stark contrast to her neighbors’ holiday decorations. “What do you want to do now?” he asked.

  “It doesn’t look like she’s home but let’s knock on her door anyway. Maybe she likes to sit in the dark.”

  Jason rolled his eyes. “If she does open the door, don’t go in.”

  “You think she’s going to pull us inside and shoot us?”

  “Or pull that beautiful necklace off. No point in taking any chances.”

  Annie’s hand went to the snowflake pendant. Jason had a point. She tucked the pendant under her shirt and out of sight.

  It wasn’t far to the front door. Annie knocked. She cupped her hands around her face and peered through the narrow side window. “There’s a little bit of light inside from a nightlight,” she told Jason.

  “Do you see anyone?”

  “No. Wait a minute. I think I just saw something move.” Annie smooshed her face right against the glass, crushing her nose in the process.

  “Maybe she’s got a cat that’s moving around,” Jason suggested. He leaned over Annie and looked through the window, too.

  “Maybe that’s it. Let’s go,” Annie said.

  Just as they turned around, the door opened. “Annie? What are you doing here?”

  “Um. Are you okay, Olive?”

  “No. I’m sitting here in the dark wondering if he’s going to come back.” Olive stood on her tiptoes and stretched her neck to see over Annie. “Is it just the two of you?”

  “Yeah. What’s going on?”

  “It’s Wade. I think he’s crazy. He came here pounding on my door and yelling and screaming that I had to pay Liz for that clutch, or else.”

  “But he left?”

  “He left. I turned off all my lights and I’ve been sitting locked in my bedroom upstairs. I can look out the window and watch the street. Do you think he’s coming back? Is that why you’re here?”

  “Maybe we should come in and talk about this,” Jason said.

  Olive didn’t move out of the way. “I’d rather not, just tell me why you’re here.”

  “Randy asked us to help him find Wade,” Annie said. She wrapped her arms around herself to try to keep some of her body heat in. She jumped from one foot to the other.

  “And you came here?”

  “Wade is upset at what happened to Liz. He’s trying to help her get that clutch back,” Annie explained.

  “I don’t have that stupid clutch. She let me use it in my display and now she wants me to pay her for it. Can you believe it? It’s just a bunch of beads. She’s crazy, too. I told you already that she probably took it herself so she could try to blackmail me. Good night!” Olive slammed the door right in Annie’s face.

  “Okay, then. That didn’t go very well.” Jason put his arm around Annie’s shoulder and guided her back to his car.

  “I have to let Wade know that I have that beaded clutch before something terrible happens. If Wade is out there threatening people so he can be Liz’s knight in shining armor, I have to end this part of the mystery.”

  “You can’t call Wade because he doesn’t have his phone,” Jason reminded Annie. “Call Liz. There’s always the possibility he’s with her.”

  “I don’t know her number.” Annie marched back to Olive’s front door and pounded. “Olive? Open up.”

  It took a minute but the door finally opened. “I need Liz’s phone number.” Annie’s tone didn’t give Olive any choice in the matter.

  “I don’t owe you anything,” Olive sneered. She s
hoved the door.

  Annie’s foot shot into the opening. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Using her knee, she pushed the rest of her leg inside. “The number, Olive.”

  Olive rattled the number off from memory. Annie stepped back. The door slammed with a resounding thud.

  Annie ran back to Jason’s car. She dialed the number, hoping it was actually Liz’s number, and hit the speakerphone button so Jason could listen, too.

  “Hello? Who is this?” a suspicious voice asked.

  “Liz? It’s me, Annie.

  “What do you want?”

  “I’m trying to find Wade.”

  “Why? Is he okay?” Liz’s voice softened slightly.

  “I’m not sure. Can you get a hold of him and meet me at the Blackbird in about fifteen minutes? It’s about your beaded clutch; it’s really important.”

  “Um . . . I’ll try but I can’t promise anything.” Liz hung up.

  Jason started the car. “I guess our next stop is the Blackbird?”

  “It’s close. We can wait for Liz and Wade to show up. That will give us time to explain what’s going on.” Annie put the yearbook in her lap.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing with that yearbook. It might make Danny more upset.”

  “It’s worth the risk. It also could trigger a helpful memory. Knowing Danny, he’s blocked out all those bad memories from when he was younger, but there has to be something that could help figure out who killed his mother.”

  Jason parked next to Leona’s Mustang.

  Annie slid the yearbook into her bag. She wasn’t sure when the best timing would be to ask Danny to look through the pictures.

  Danny’s workshop, off to one side of the bed and breakfast, glowed warmly in the darkness. “Let’s see if Danny is in his shop,” Annie suggested. “I hate to say it, but if we get him away from Leona, he’ll have more of a chance to answer our questions. Leona has a tendency to butt in all the time.”

  Jason chuckled. “You’ve noticed. I think that’s why they make such a good team. Leona loves to talk and Danny is quiet and listens.”

  “That’s true, but I’d like Danny to start doing more talking.”

  27

  Annie peered through the window of Danny’s workshop. He was bent over his worktable, engrossed with some kind of project. Annie’s heart wrenched with worry for both Danny and Leona. This tragedy was so close to throwing their lives into complete turmoil.

  “Are you sure you want to bother him?” Jason asked Annie. “He’s completely focused on something.”

  “We have to. Liz will be here shortly and if she has Wade with her, I want to prepare Danny for the intrusion.”

  She waited for a few more seconds before she tapped on the door.

  Danny looked up. He smiled and waved them in.

  “This is an unexpected surprise.” He stood between Annie and whatever he had been working on. “I just finished a present for Leona. If you can keep a secret, I’ll show you.”

  Jason stepped in from of Annie. “I can but I’m not sure about Annie. Maybe you should blindfold her.”

  Annie pushed Jason out of the way. “That’s just mean. You both know I can keep a secret. How’d you manage to keep Leona away?”

  Danny waved his hand dismissively. “She’s running around getting ready for our wedding tomorrow so she couldn’t have been happier when I got out of her way and came down here.”

  “You are a sneaky one, Danny Davis.” Annie laughed. “So, are you going to reveal your surprise?”

  Danny moved to one side. He tilted a sign upright so Annie and Jason could get the full view of his work. Blackbird Bed and Breakfast was hand carved on an oval piece of wood. The wood was stained dark red, the words were painted gold with black trim, and a blackbird rested on a branch in the top left corner. The outside of the sign was edged with gold.

  Annie’s hand covered her mouth. She was speechless.

  “Absolutely beautiful, Danny,” Jason said.

  Jason elbowed Annie in the side. She nodded and found her voice. “Leona will be speechless when she sees this. And you know that’s not something that happens to Leona very often. When are you giving it to her?”

  “I’m not sure. Should I wait for Christmas morning or give it to her tomorrow night after we are married?”

  “It’s up to you to make that decision, but . . . if you really want my opinion, I’d give it to her tomorrow night,” Annie said.

  Jason nodded his agreement.

  Danny smiled. “Do you really like it or are you just saying it to make me feel good?”

  Annie walked over and hugged Danny. “You big teddy bear. It’s stunning. I love it.” She looked at Jason. “Jason loves it. And I know in my heart that Leona will probably cry when she sees it.”

  Danny’s face suddenly turned serious. “I don’t want to make her cry.”

  Annie traced her fingers over the letters. “Don’t worry about that. It will be tears of happiness.”

  Both Danny and Jason shook their heads and muttered, “Women.”

  Danny carefully set the sign into a large box. “I had a hard time finding a box big enough for the sign, but I want to wrap it and make Leona wonder what’s inside.” He looked at Annie. “Would you help me with the wrapping? I’m all thumbs when it comes to something like that.”

  “I’d love to. Giving Leona a surprise, and the bigger the better, will be almost as exciting as watching her open your gift.”

  Lights flooded Danny’s workshop from outside. He turned. “Someone’s here.” He didn’t sound happy.

  Annie held Danny’s arm. “It’s Liz. She works for Olive at Gently Used Boutique. I asked her to meet me here.”

  “Why?”

  Annie sighed. “Randy is worried about Wade. He took one of Randy’s guns and headed off looking for Olive. It has something to do with the beaded clutch from Heather’s hobo bag. He’s trying to get it back for Liz. I want to tell her what happened to the clutch before Wade does something he’ll regret.”

  Danny started to ask more question but Annie headed outside and he followed, shutting off the lights and locking the door.

  Liz stood in front of her car. Alone.

  “Wade didn’t answer his phone,” Liz said when she saw Annie. “I’m kind of worried. He always answers.”

  “He doesn’t have his phone with him, Liz.”

  “Let’s go inside where it’s warm,” Danny suggested.

  Annie took Liz’s arm and led her up the path to the front door. The rush of warm air that hit Annie when she stepped inside made her hurry out of her winter jacket. She took Liz’s coat and hung both on the coat tree next to the door. She led the way into the living room to sit by the crackling fire.

  Leona was busy draping more evergreen roping around the windows, the mantel, and the doorways. Sprigs of holly gave a red pop of color against the greenery.

  “What do you think?” Leona turned around and asked Annie. “Oh, we have company.” She covered her surprise well.

  “I asked Liz to meet me here. We are trying to find Wade before he does something stupid in his search for Liz’s beaded clutch.”

  “Oh?” Leona’s eyebrows shot up. “Don’t you have it, Annie?”

  Annie looked at Liz. Her expression changed from her mouth hanging open in shock to a tightly clamped jaw and narrowed angry eyes. “You’re letting Wade go on a wild goose chase when you have my clutch? How did you get it?”

  “Let’s sit down and I can explain everything,” Annie said.

  With the fire roaring and tensions soaring, the heat in the living room became stifling. As soon as Liz sat on the chair facing the fire, she pushed up the sleeves of her festive holiday red sweater.

  Annie and Jason sat on the couch. Danny chose the chair opposite Liz. Leona kept working.

  Liz perched at the edge of the chair, both feet on the floor, knees clamped together with her arms crossed. “I can’t wait to hear this,” she said sarcastically.<
br />
  Annie cleared her throat. She didn’t know where to start without making them all look like they had interfered in Heather’s murder investigation. “I—”

  “Wait a minute,” Danny said. He stood and walked over to Liz. He leaned down. “Where did you get that necklace?”

  Liz’s hand instinctively went to the diamond pendant around her neck. She looked down as if she had forgotten what was even there. She looked at Danny. “Wade gave this to me. For my birthday.” Her voice came out as soft as falling snow.

  Danny put his hand out. “Can I take a closer look at it?”

  “What’s wrong, Danny?” Leona stopped working and stood next to him.

  He didn’t answer her. He waited for Liz to hand him the necklace. When he turned the pendant over, the color drained from his face. “I don’t believe it. I wondered what happened to this necklace. My mother never took it off for as long as I can remember.”

  Liz snatched the necklace back. “What are you talking about? Wade bought this for me.”

  “Look at the back.” Danny closed his eyes. “The initials DD to HD are engraved on the back. Dan Davis to Heather Davis.”

  Liz’s eyes opened wide as she stared at the engraving on the back of the pendant. She gasped. Her hand closed around the diamond. “How did Wade get this? I didn’t think he could afford to buy me something this valuable.”

  How indeed, Annie wondered also. She didn’t want to believe what she was hearing. Wade Berry, so good with horses and kids, and he had been filled with devotion when he gave Liz the necklace. Was he actually a killer and thief instead? She remembered how the clasp was bent when she hooked it on Liz’s neck at the Black Cat Café. Did Wade rip it off Heather’s neck? Annie’s stomach churned with disgust.

  “Where can he be?” Annie asked.

  “I don’t know and, at this point, I couldn’t care less,” Liz announced. She stood and marched toward the front door. “I’m done with him.” She grabbed her coat, opened the door, and slammed it on her way out.

  “That flustered her,” Leona said. “Liz didn’t even wait around to hear about her beaded clutch. What now?” Leona asked.