His shoulders looked stiff. Had she offended him? She hadn’t intended to. To smooth the awkward moment, she gave a short laugh.
“You know what my first thought was when I saw this stuff on the floorboard? That I was glad I’d taken my candles into my hotel room when I checked in earlier. I’d hate to lose them.”
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Trust me. There’s more where those came from.”
A thrill zinged through her. Was he saying … Don’t look for hidden meanings. He probably meant he’d sell her all the candles she wanted. Actually, he probably just meant that he runs the factory that makes them. She needed to excuse herself before she said or did anything foolish. She was losing her grip.
She stepped inside. “Good night, Chase. I had a good time. Tell your mom I’m glad she suggested the concert.”
“I’ll call you in the morning.”
He let go of the door, and it whooshed closed with a bang. Caitlin stood staring at the windowless metal, her thoughts whirling. If she’d been on the lookout for a new boyfriend, guys would be avoiding her like she had leprosy. But the minute she decided to guard her heart, up pops Mr. Perfect and practically begs to take her to dinner.
Life just wasn’t fair.
As he walked to his pickup, Chase whistled a tuneless version of one of the gospel songs. He’d enjoyed himself tonight, more than he’d expected. Caitlin surprised him at the concert with an enthusiasm that matched Maude’s. He’d pegged her as a quiet, sit-in-the-pew-and-listen type. Weren’t flute players all into highbrow music? A grin curved his lips at the memory of Caitlin and Maude standing side by side, clapping to the beat of a jazzed-up version of “Power in the Blood.” Apparently some flute players appreciated a good country gospel tune.
He rounded the front bumper of the pickup and caught sight of the quick fix he’d performed on her car. A sour ending to an otherwise enjoyable evening.
Of course, she’d gone cold on him when he asked her to dinner. The thought gave him pause as he opened the pickup’s door. Weird. She seemed to like him, and yet she didn’t want to go out with him. Had he offended her with that hug? She’d looked so vulnerable; it had seemed like a friendly gesture. But it wasn’t, not really. She felt good in his arms, like she fit there. And when she’d looked up at him, he’d even wanted to kiss her.
He hadn’t felt like kissing a woman in a long time, and when he finally did, she practically ran from him. And yet, unless he was getting his signals completely crossed, she felt at least some of the attraction for him that he felt for her.
Of course, she had just discovered that her car had been vandalized. And they’d only met today. Maybe she just needed a little time.
He started the engine and backed out of the parking place. Caitlin had an openness he didn’t find in most people. When he looked into her face, he could almost see her thoughts. Like she held nothing back, couldn’t if she tried. In her company tonight he’d almost managed to forget the gut-wrenching anxiety of the day.
Almost. But not quite. No wonder she didn’t want to go out with him. She’d probably sensed his foul mood all evening. For a few moments at the concert he’d successfully blocked the sight of George Walter Lancaster out of his mind. But when the concert ended, it had come crashing back. The memory haunted him. That, and the sight of all those tinfoil packets in the blue container.
He approached the road leading to the candle factory, and on impulse, he pulled onto it. The building looked dark, deserted. Just behind it and to one side, the glimmer of a light beyond the thick stand of trees bordering the empty parking lot caught his eye. The small trailer where Korey lived sat back from the main road on family property, nearly invisible in daylight. Chase glanced at the illuminated numbers on the dashboard. Just past ten-thirty, still early. He could go home and battle his thoughts, or maybe he could kill an hour or so with his cousin. Korey was always good for a few hours’ distraction.
He stopped the truck, backed up on the darkened road, and drove through the factory’s parking lot around to the back of the building. Korey’s trailer lay at the end of a narrow dirt driveway carved through the trees. The shed he used as a woodworking shop was dark, but a light shone behind the closed miniblinds in the trailer’s front window.
Chase parked the truck beside his cousin’s car, mounted the rickety metal stairs and knocked on the door.
Korey’s voice came from inside. “Who’s there?”
“It’s the new boss,” Chase said, grinning as he used the name Korey teased him with. If all went well, in a couple of years he’d be able to claim that title for real.
From inside came the sound of a scramble. Chase heard a shuffle, a thud and a bang. A minute later, the door jerked open. Korey stood in the doorway, shirtless, barefoot, wearing stained gray sweatpants.
“What are you doing here, dude? It’s late.”
Chase made a show of looking at his watch. “It’s ten-thirty. That’s early for you. Don’t you usually stay up half the night?” He tilted his head to look behind Korey at the cluttered living room. “Am I interrupting something?”
Korey hesitated. He tossed a quick glance over his shoulder. “No, not a thing.” His attitude said something different, but after another pause, he pushed open the door and stepped back. “Come on in.”
Chase picked his way around an overflowing laundry basket in the center of the tiny living-room floor, and then hefted a box filled with hardware and woodworking tools from the couch. “Man, you really ought to pick up every now and then.”
Korey took the box from Chase’s hands and placed it on the corner of a small kitchen table, most of which was taken up by a computer monitor. “Yeah, I know. Mom came by the other day and threatened to torch the place.”
Chase sat on the couch, but Korey didn’t join him. He stood at the counter, arms crossed, fingers tapping on his skin. Strange behavior for Korey. Normally he didn’t mind Chase stopping by to watch a game or something.
“I thought you’d be out in the shop, making a birdhouse.” Chase laughed at his own jibe. Korey’s love affair with wood began when he was six. He fashioned a lopsided box that went unoccupied by the thousands of birds that inhabited the forest surrounding his parents’ house. He couldn’t understand why the birds avoided such a terrific place to nest, and his mother hadn’t wanted to hurt his tender feelings. Finally, his father took pity on him and pointed out that birds couldn’t get inside the house. Since he wasn’t allowed to use a power saw, Korey had painted a black circle for the door. Aunt Dot still kept the box hanging from a branch in her backyard.
Korey didn’t crack a smile. “Not tonight. I was just …” His gaze slid to the computer on the kitchen table. He gave a shrug. “Surfing.”
“Ah.”
Chase glanced around the trailer’s interior. A typical guy’s place. A place where you could prop your feet on the coffee table if you wanted. In a position of honor atop a small television screen stood a large Forbidden Fantasy candle, the only scent Korey had ever created. The TV’s screen remained dark. Chase considered suggesting they turn it on and see what was playing on ESPN, but then changed his mind. He wasn’t in the mood, and his cousin clearly wasn’t, either. He would have liked to tell Korey about his evening with Caitlin, especially their moment in the hotel parking lot. But Korey didn’t seem like a receptive audience tonight. He found himself tapping a foot on the floor, much like Korey’s finger tapping. An awkward silence pounded against his ears. His normally talkative cousin obviously didn’t want to be bothered tonight.
Chase launched himself to his feet. “Okay, well, I guess I’ll head on home.”
Korey’s relief was almost insultingly apparent. His face cleared of the pensive look as he unfolded his arms and crossed to the door in a couple of steps. “All right, dude. See you tomorrow.”
The door closed behind Chase before his foot hit the bottom step. He turned and stared at it. Weird. As cousins close to the same age, and with a family that worked t
ogether day in and day out, he and Korey had been raised practically as brothers. They’d argued and even occasionally fought, but this was the first time he’d ever felt like Korey didn’t want him around. What was up with that?
Caitlin settled the blanket over her legs, leaned back against two fluffy pillows, and dialed Liz’s number on her cell phone. Her friend picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, girl! How you doing up there in Hoosier land?”
She smiled at the energy in Liz’s voice. Love had definitely brightened the attitude of the previously surly cello player.
“Great. But can you hold on a sec? I want to three-way Jazzy.”
“Uh-oh.” Liz became suspicious. “What’s happening up there? It’s either really good or really bad if the situation calls for a three-way call.”
Caitlin laughed. “Just hold on.”
She pressed the hold button on her phone, dialed Jazzy’s number and then pressed Link to connect the call.
Jazzy answered without unnecessary greetings. “It’s about time you called. I expected you to let me know when you got there safely.”
Liz’s low laugh sounded through the line. “What are you, her mommy?”
“Liz?” Surprise colored Jazzy’s tone. “Where are you?”
“She’s at home, and I’m in Indiana,” Caitlin explained. “Since you’re both supposed to be here in this hotel room with me, I figured we’d do the next best thing and have a virtual pajama party via cell phone.”
“Good idea,” Jazzy said. “I’ll make the popcorn. Y’all want butter?”
“Funny girl,” Liz commented dryly. “Caitlin, how’s the room?”
Caitlin glanced at her surroundings. “Typical hotel room. A dresser, television, a minibar that I haven’t opened yet. Two double beds. A sign on the front desk said we get free wireless, so if you bring your laptop you can check your e-mail.”
“Good.” Liz’s fiancé lived in Park City, Utah, so telephones and e-mail were their primary methods of communication.
“But is it clean?” Jazzy, the ever-cautious clean freak, asked.
Caitlin could still smell the comforting odor of the housekeeper’s cleaning solution. “Even clean enough for you,” she assured Jazzy.
“I’m still bringing Lysol.”
Caitlin laughed. “Of course you are.”
“So, have you found anything really good in all those shops?” Jazzy asked. “Like, maybe, wedding presents for your two best friends?”
“Not yet, but I’m going to do some serious shopping tomorrow.” Caitlin sobered. “Listen, the reason I called this pajama party is because I need your advice. Something’s going on up here.”
“Let me guess,” Liz said. “You met a guy.”
An image of Chase loomed in Caitlin’s mind. “Yes, but there’s a couple of complications.” She explained her decision about the dateless year, and then brought them up to date on meeting Chase and his mother, and their evening at the church.
Liz’s voice was serious. “I think you’re wise to hold off on dating for a while. You’re still hurting from Glenn.”
“The jerk,” Jazzy put in.
Caitlin smiled at the loyalty in her voice. “Chase lost his best friend a year ago, and I don’t think he’s opened up to anyone since. Tonight he seemed to want to talk to me about it. I think he needs a friend more than anything.”
“I’m hearing something in your voice when you mention this guy. Are you sure all you’re interested in offering him is friendship?” Liz asked.
Caitlin plucked at a piece of fuzz on the blanket. Trust Liz to see to the heart of the matter. “He is very attractive. In fact, if I hadn’t come to my decision just a few hours before I met him, I’d be falling for him hard.”
“Well,” Jazzy said, “you take care of yourself first. Let him find a friend somewhere else. Or let his mother find him one.”
Caitlin laughed. Then she remembered the end to the evening. She gave them the bad news. “One other thing happened. When he brought me back to the hotel, we discovered someone had broken my car window.”
“What?” Alarm made Jazzy’s voice tight. “Is the hotel not safe?”
“It’s as safe as any, I guess. It was probably my own fault,” she admitted. “I shouldn’t have left my shopping bags in plain sight on the seat.”
Liz spoke up. “Well, as long as nobody’s been killed there, we’re okay.”
In the past two years the trio had taken only two road trips to play at out-of-town weddings. Both times they had been unwillingly entangled in a murder case. And both times, one of them had narrowly escaped with their lives.
Caitlin smoothed the blanket with a flat hand. She should tell Jazzy and Liz about the body in the park, and about Chase’s involvement. But she knew what they’d say. They’d insist she return home immediately. And if she refused, they’d come up here and forcibly drag her home. Forget their commitment to play at the wedding this weekend, they’d say no wedding was worth it. And they just might be right.
But now that she was up here, she couldn’t leave. How awful would it be to ditch a bride mere days before her wedding? What would the poor girl do for music?
Besides, Chase’s involvement in this latest murder was purely accidental. And he’d been nothing but kind to her. The least she could do was provide a friendly ear and a reason to forget the painful memories of his friend’s death.
At least the body wasn’t found in the hotel.
Caitlin chose her words carefully. “Nobody’s been killed in this hotel. Don’t worry. We’re perfectly safe on this trip.”
TEN
“So, how was the hot date last night?”
Chase ignored Alex’s smirk as he unlocked the door to the factory at seven o’clock Thursday morning. Was that a touch of jealousy he detected in the lothario’s voice? The guy wasn’t accustomed to watching someone else score with the ladies while he was left on the sidelines. Apparently he didn’t like it much.
“We had a great time.” He pulled the door open and held it for Alex to step inside. As he passed, Chase couldn’t help adding, “We’re going out again tonight.” Not to dinner, as he’d hoped, but Alex didn’t need to know that.
“You had a great time at church?” From his tone, Alex didn’t believe anyone could have a good time at church.
“Absolutely. The whole place was rocking.” Chase grinned at Alex’s incredulous stare. “Next time we have a gospel group visit, you’re welcome to come with me and see for yourself.”
He snorted and stepped past Chase, toward the workroom, mumbling something about cold days. Chuckling, Chase headed for the office.
Before he’d even taken his seat, Korey followed him in. “Hey, dude.”
Chase started to bid his cousin good morning, but stopped as he got a good look at him. Korey looked terrible. Pouches of dark skin sagged beneath red-rimmed eyes. He hadn’t bothered to comb his hair, and though he had thrown on a wrinkled T-shirt and flip-flops, he wore the same stained sweats from last night. He’d looked tired and distracted last night, but not like this.
“What happened to you?” Chase asked, alarmed at the overnight change in his cousin. “Are you sick or something?”
Korey dropped into the chair at the second desk and leaned his head against the back, eyes closed. “That’s what I came to tell you. I’ve been up all night, didn’t get any sleep, and I feel lousy. I’m not working today, okay?”
Chase nodded. “No problem. Stay home and rest. You didn’t have to come over. You could have called.”
Korey lifted his shoulders. “I saw your truck pull into the parking lot and figured I’d come tell you.” He cracked an eye open. “Don’t tell my mom, okay? She’ll want to bring me chicken soup or something, and then she’ll stick around to ‘take care of me.’ I can’t handle that today.”
He looked like he could use some taking care of, but Chase completely understood not wanting your mother hovering over you.
“Are you sure y
ou don’t need to see a doctor?” Chase eyed him with concern. “You look awful. I mean, really bad.”
He gave a sardonic snort. “Thanks, dude.” He hefted himself out of the chair and stumbled toward the door. “Nah, don’t need a doctor. A few hours of sleep and I’ll be fine.”
Chase wasn’t so sure, but other than hog-tie the guy and drag him to the doctor’s office, he couldn’t do anything. “Okay, if you say so. Don’t worry about anything here. We’ll handle it.”
After Korey left, Chase shook his head as he slid into his seat. Korey spent so much time away from the factory, his absence today probably wouldn’t even be noticed. His focus lately was on woodworking, and making enough products to open his own shop downtown in a couple of years with the money Chase paid him for his share in Good Things In Wax. That goal had taken him away from the day-to-day operation of the candle factory for months.
Most of Chase’s daily conversations with the Lord took place at night as he lay in bed waiting for sleep, a result of the childhood habit of bedtime prayers. But today, as he sat at his desk first thing in the morning, he found himself mouthing a prayer for his cousin’s health.
“The candle wasn’t in her car.”
Beads of sweat broke out on Ed’s forehead. His grip on the telephone tightened so that the instrument shook against his ear. The walls of the candle-shop office seemed to move toward him, box him in. He closed his eyes.
“This is a disaster.” His voice shook, but he didn’t care. “You’ve got to take care of this.”
“I know! I’m trying. She must have taken it inside with her.”
Ed sank against the edge of the desk. “You don’t think she burned it, do you?”
“Well, have the cops showed up at your store yet?”
Panic threatened to close his throat. That’s exactly what they’d do. They’d come in here with a warrant, search the place and cart him off in handcuffs in front of his employees and the whole town. But he wouldn’t go down by himself. “They’ll go to the candle factory, too. We’re both in up to our necks if we don’t get that candle back. You’re going to have to search her hotel room. I know she’s going to be out this afternoon. She’ll be at the middle school giving my kid a flute lesson. Get into her room then.”
Murder in D Minor Boxed Set Page 43
