Bear Witness to Murder

by Meg Macy

  “Matt was detained, not arrested. He was released yesterday.” I figured she’d get around to the point. Eventually. “Not all that fun for the family.”

  “Yeah. I’d hate for my kids to hear about that kind of thing when they get older.”

  I only nodded, wondering again why Lisa had come to visit. We didn’t know each other that well. She rubbed her belly, shifted again, examined her fingernails. Patient, I waited her out. Finally Lisa glanced my way.

  “I’m here about Holly Parker. She’s cracked, Sasha. I want you to know that.”

  “Uh. I don’t understand.” I knew she was right, but wanted Lisa to explain. It didn’t take long for her to launch into the full story. But I was surprised by her rush of emotion.

  “She’s been driving me nuts,” Lisa said, dabbing away a tear when it rolled down her cheek, “calling and leaving voice mails, plus texting me all the time. Like it doesn’t matter that we haven’t seen each other since high school! Holly expects us to be close friends again, I guess. But I’ve changed. A lot. I’m busy with my shop and kids.”

  “I can see that.” I nodded, as encouragement to continue.

  “We don’t have anything in common now, too. And Holly has to be first in everything. That’s why she came back to Silver Hollow.” Lisa sniffled and drew out a tissue. “Holly found out how successful you’ve been. She told me she planned it all out a few months ago. How to take you and your family down—”

  “Wait, what? Take us down?”

  “She’s so jealous! I told you, Holly’s got a screw loose.” Lisa stopped me before I could say anything. “Remember back in high school? She knew Maddie was my friend. She asked me about you both all the time. I don’t know why I listened to her so much. Mike’s ready to go to the police, but I don’t want any trouble. She might get even crazier.”

  “Holly? Like how much crazier?”

  “What if she targets my kids? Or Mike?” Lisa shifted on the bench, wringing her hands. “I’m telling you she’s obsessed. Holly will find out and then take revenge on us.”

  That sounded totally whacked, especially this early on a Monday morning, but I took a deep breath. “I’m glad you’re telling me this,” I said. “I mean, after someone painted that graffiti on her shop windows, and killed her shop assistant. It’s beyond crazy.”

  “Yes! Exactly. Holly said she knows who painted her windows.” Lisa leaned forward and lowered her voice. “She said Maddie did it, not your cousin Matt. See what I mean? Your sister wouldn’t do anything like that! But she’s telling everyone.”

  “Holly thinks Maddie—”

  “Yeah, and that’s why Mike convinced me to come here today. To confess.”

  “Confess?” Now I really was confused. “What do you mean?”

  Lisa rushed on, her words tumbling over one another. “About what I did for Holly. Back in high school, and her rivalry with you. She won’t let it go, trust me. And yes, I’m going to the police and telling them. But I had to warn you. Holly’s capable of anything.”

  I hoped no other customers walked in on us. I dreaded anyone overhearing this chat, especially one of Holly’s sympathizers, but I steeled myself. Patience wasn’t my strongest suit, but I had to clear up a few things.

  “Do you think Holly is capable of murder?” I asked. Lisa blinked a few times but didn’t reply. “She might have killed Gina because she kept borrowing her stuff.”

  “I suppose it’s possible. Like I said, Holly takes revenge. She’s very careful planning things. Like having me do stuff for her, because she never wanted to get caught.”

  “You mean back in school,” I said, cautious.

  Lisa nodded. “Why can’t she forget all that? Holly’s jealous of your parents, the house you lived in, and now this shop. She hates her own family. Her parents divorced a long time ago, and her mom’s an alcoholic. Holly hasn’t visited her in years—”

  “Wait. I’m pretty sure Holly told the police she was with her mom last Saturday, the night Gina was killed,” I said. “It’s supposed to be her alibi.”

  “I’m sure that’s a fat lie.” Lisa stretched sideways and massaged her lower back. “Holly swore long ago that she’d prove she was better than you.”

  “Better than me and my family.”

  At last I had the answer. Holly’s anger and resentment had built over the years, whether or not I’d ever done anything to deserve it. I couldn’t remember doing anything, that is, directly to her—I hadn’t even accused her of plagiarism. I’d mourned privately, and hadn’t involved my parents. They’d have fought for me, but I never wanted that. Holly and I had never been friends. Never shared many classes together, either.

  How odd that she’d focused on me as a target.

  “Holly wanted to be like you, Sasha. Everyone liked you,” Lisa said, which surprised me. “All your teachers, the band director, even the Study Hall monitors. You worked so hard to get good grades. But Holly made it her goal to take your place at the top.”

  “But I wasn’t at the top,” I protested. “Not like Brittany and Ashley. They were more popular. Rivals for Prom Queen and all that rot. They dated the football jocks, not me.”

  “Yeah, I know that. And you know that. But Holly didn’t see it like that. She needed you to suffer, so she took your boyfriend away, and beat you for first chair in Band. But you always bounced back. It didn’t seem to affect you at all. Holly’s been stewing about that for years. She’s determined to turn people here in Silver Hollow against you. And your shop.”

  Stunned, I had trouble thinking. “That is crazy.”

  Lisa rubbed her swollen belly with a frown. “All these years, I’ve felt so guilty over what I did to help her. That’s why I came here today.”

  “How did you help her?”

  “I stole that mink teddy bear, and I am so sorry. I took it during Maddie’s slumber party.” Lisa straightened her shoulders. “I hid it in my sleeping bag.”

  “And then you gave it to Holly,” I said. “Wow.”

  “Yes. I thought it was yours, and she was thrilled to have it. But after the Cran-beary Tea Party, Holly called me. She found out then that the mink teddy bear actually belongs to your mom. She was so mad!”

  “That’s why Holly saved it all these years.” I tapped a finger on the bench’s wooden arm. “Do you know if Holly stole anything else? Like Jay Kirby’s carved bird?”

  Lisa nodded. “I refused, so she had to do it.”

  “But why?”

  “Holly got mad at Jay when he laughed at a mistake she made in math class. She started dating his locker partner, so she could get close, and stole Jay’s carving. Then Holly dumped the guy. Just wait. She’ll soon find out you and Jay are hooking up.”

  I didn’t want to think about that. “So she collected trophies. Minky Bear and then Jay’s carving, but what about a scrapbook? Or an oil painting?”

  “Holly knows lots of artists, but she never told me about stealing a painting,” Lisa said, biting her bottom lip. “She co-owned some kind of stationery store with a friend, though, up north. I hope you can forgive me. For taking your mother’s teddy bear.”

  I squeezed her shoulder. “It turned up, so Mom’s happy. And once Detective Mason figures out who killed Gina, this will be over.”

  “I’m so worried Holly will find out I came here.” Lisa stood up, awkwardly, and plucked a bear from the nearest bin. “I’ll have to buy one from her shop, too, or she’ll flip. This is really silly, I know, but whatever works.”

  “Okay, if you really think so.” I rang up the sale and nestled the small brown bear in a layer of tissue, then handed her the bag. “Tell Holly you wanted to get two different teddy bears so your boys can each give the new baby a present.”

  “Good idea,” Lisa said with a shaky laugh. “I’ll have to stop by her shop after my doctor appointment, though. I’m running late.”

  I walked her outside to the porch. “Thanks so much for explaining everything.”

  “Sure. Th
anks for listening.”

  Lisa walked to her car in the parking lot. I didn’t blame her for being so afraid of Holly Parker. The fact that she’d been hounding Lisa with constant phone calls and texts, when the poor woman had two sweet kids, a shop to run, and a baby on the way, seemed bizarre.

  I returned inside and sat on a stool behind the sales counter. Propped my chin in one palm and stared out the window, thinking over everything. Maybe it wasn’t such a stretch after all, if Holly found someone else to set up Digger Sykes for Gina’s murder. According to Lisa Blake, she was capable of anything. A real loon. What if she’d befriended one of the guys Matt, Jay, and Kip saw up north? And talked him into stealing Digger’s knife? Hmm.

  I plucked up the ringing phone near the cash register. “Silver Bear Shop, how can I help you?” I said automatically. “We’re open until six, Monday through Saturday. Sure.”

  My coffee tasted cold and bitter. Dang. I considered contacting Detective Mason and relating what I’d learned from Lisa Blake, but he might dismiss it without merit. Despite my vow to avoid trouble after Will’s Folly, I’d become entangled in another dangerous mess. Ever since finding Gina’s body, my world had tilted like a polar bear on a drifting iceberg.

  What about Jay? I wanted to tell him, for sympathy if nothing else. Short of quitting Silver Hollow and moving away, I had no idea how to free myself of Holly Parker. And that was out of the question. My family and I were not the problem.

  I rubbed my face and eyes with both hands, trying to clear my head. “It’s so insane, who would believe it? Stranger than fiction, for sure.”

  One thing was certain. Given Holly’s close proximity to the Silver Bear Shop, I’d have to tread carefully. She might be watching my every move. I sounded paranoid, but it wasn’t funny in the least. The bell over the door jangled. I put my worries aside, since several customers walked through the door. Maybe things would settle down. Maybe Mason would solve the case. Maybe Gina had been a random killing, in the wrong place and at the wrong time.

  “Good morning,” I said, but my voice sounded as hollow as my hope.

  Chapter 19

  While Monday proved a slow day at the shop, Tuesday more than made up for it. After dealing with the last wave of customers, I felt frazzled. Once I replenished accessories in the racks, and laminated the photos printed out for the shipping bins, I headed to the factory. Deon agreed to post them, so I checked on the grand prize bear’s lederhosen costume. Uncle Ross had come through, making certain the patterns were accurate, although Joan had insisted the muslin shirt needed embroidery. I examined the intricate floral pattern with interest.

  “I found a template to follow,” she explained, “and that made it much easier. It was worth the extra work, although I had to keep changing the bobbins.”

  “Looks fantastic,” I said. “How about the hat?”

  “Waste of time,” Uncle Ross growled. “Don’t bother, in my opinion. Plus I’m starved. I’m ready for a burger.”

  “At Quinn’s Pub?”

  He gave a noncommittal shrug. “Or Ham Heaven, whatever Eve wants.”

  I exchanged furtive looks with several other staff members, but put a finger on my lips. After the door clicked shut behind Uncle Ross, we all snickered. I’d wondered how long his “old codger” persona would last after my aunt’s return. Some rough edges had clearly softened.

  “We should start a pool,” Joan said. “When will wedding bells ring again? We can make a grid, and whoever comes closest wins.”

  Even Deon laughed at that suggestion. “Ross keeps his cards close to the chest, though. Hasn’t said much to me. But he doesn’t complain as much.”

  “He hasn’t bickered with Aunt Eve, so maybe he’s given up trying to win.” I held up the embroidered billowy shirt. “Let’s see if the costume fits the prize bear. Bring it down from the loft, Tim. Use the elevator.”

  Once he returned with the enormous bear, we all held our breath while Hilda, Joan, and Evelyn stuffed the giant toy’s arms and legs into the outfit. “What a relief it fits,” Jessica said. “Good thing, too. There’s no time to do alterations.”

  Evelyn held up a finger. “Don’t forget we still have to make the hat. We ordered felt, but it hasn’t come in yet. At least we have a pattern.”

  “Don’t worry about it now,” I said. “Go on home, everyone. It’s late.”

  “Did Ross tell you about my sewing machine?” Evelyn asked. “It’s been giving me fits, no matter how often he brings in the repairman.”

  “Yes, we discussed it and we’re ordering two new machines.” I eyed the sewing area, wondering where we might put them. “We can’t afford any more downtime if one goes on the fritz. With sales booming, I’m not going to complain about the cost.”

  “And Christmas orders haven’t started coming in yet,” Joan said.

  I nodded. “Don’t remind me.”

  A month ago, Will Taylor bemoaned lagging sales. Our sales rep’s murder made the local and state newspapers, and orders started pouring in from all around the country once Mason solved the case. Online orders boomed as well. Maddie had scrambled to hire replacements for the staff members we lost, and I hoped we could find seasonal help. Maybe Aunt Eve could deal with that problem after the Oktobear Fest.

  I also hoped my sister had succeeded in helping Kip to finish his bear. But I hadn’t heard from Maddie since Sunday night, when she’d come home exhausted yet pleased. I guessed they had made some progress, although I didn’t want to ask.

  Deciding against a bike ride, I collected Rosie’s leash and harness. That started her tail wriggling. I’d forgotten to use sunscreen on Saturday, so I took the time to smooth aloe vera gel on my peeling nose and cheeks.

  “Every Saturday football game at The Big House at UM, fighting traffic in Ann Arbor, I never missed wearing sunscreen. I’m getting old and forgetful, Rosie.”

  She only thumped her tail and led the way outside. To avoid Holly’s shop, we walked in the opposite direction, past the Davisons’ home, the Queen Bess Tea Room, and Flambé, to the end of Theodore Lane. The scraggly picnic area was empty, although traffic rushed by on Main Street. Coming this way meant walking past the shuttered theater—an old opera house from the early nineteen hundreds, designed for stage plays—and La Mesa, with its tantalizing scents of frying tacos and refried beans. The Fish Bear stood in front of Quinn’s Pub. Late afternoon sunshine glinted off the colorful paint.

  I walked to Kermit Street and passed by Fresh Grounds, still busy with customers. The accordion strap on my sister’s Polka Bear had been repaired, although kids clustered around the sculpture; they poked the bellows and laughed at the wheezing sounds. I crossed over to The Birdcage and glimpsed Deanna Walsh behind the counter. Rosie rushed to sniff the base of the Starry Night Bear in front of the Time Turner shop, her nose working overtime.

  “Hey, Sasha. Got a minute?”

  Cissy Davison stood in the doorway. Her straightened platinum hair, worn with a side sweep over half of her face, fell below her shoulders; bright red lipstick matched her dazzling fingernails. She teetered on leopard high heels below black skinny jeans.

  “Sure. Can I bring Rosie inside with me?” I could tell by her hesitation that she wasn’t so keen on the idea. “I can’t leave her out here alone with so many people walking around to see the bear sculptures. She’s not great with strangers.”

  “I guess, since this won’t take long.”

  Cissy smoothed her leopard print top when I walked past the small wooden cart beside the door. Her shop carried books of all sizes, mostly paranormal topics from astrology to psychic interpretations, dream interpretation manuals, plus tarot card sets. A faded sign by the register read PSYCHIC READER MONDAYS. Two wreaths graced the brick on the far wall, one studded with Queen Anne’s lace and dried flowers, the other a mess of metal wires, glittery stars, and tiny fairy lights. The wicker seat in a corner needed a teddy bear, in my opinion.

  A virtual mishmash of tchotchkes, glass bottle
s, exotic jewelry, even hats and scarves filled the shelves. Racks of chiffon-layered dresses and fringed shawls stood by the long polished counter. Rosie lay down by my feet, disinterested. I didn’t blame her. The stuffy air gave me a sense of claustrophobia.

  “Has the Starry Night Bear brought in a lot of customers?” I asked.

  “Browsing, but not many buyers.” Cissy shrugged. “Fall is for college kids setting up their dorm rooms with cheap junk. Christmas is on the way, though. People will start thinking of buying gifts once the Oktobear Fest is over.”

  “That’s true.”

  “How many more sculptures are coming?” she asked.

  I had to think through what was already installed. “Four or five. I think.”

  “Nice.” She sounded bored, actually, but I didn’t reply. Cissy fiddled with a diamond ring on her left hand. She smiled when I complimented the setting. “Gus is spoiling me. He wants me to sell the shop, even though the wedding’s not till next year. I haven’t decided what to do. I’m swamped with planning everything.”

  “Congratulations again,” I said, and meant it. “How’s Debbie? I should call her and see if she has more honey to sell from her hives.”

  “I don’t know. She’s had a lot of trouble with bees this year.”

  “By the way, Maddie mentioned that Gina Lawson, the woman who was killed a week ago, worked for you earlier this year.”

  “Yeah, for a bit.” Cissy hesitated. “I let her go when it didn’t work out.”

  “Too bad. Holly said Gina was like a sister to her.”

  She reared back as if I’d slapped her. “You’re kidding, right?”

  I shrugged. “That’s what Holly told the detective.”

  “They weren’t that close. But I’ll tell you what happened,” Cissy said, glancing around as if anyone might be listening. “I let Gina go when I caught her snitching a few items here and there. ‘Borrowing’ is how she termed it. Unacceptable on my terms, though.”