by Vikki Walton
After the emotions had run their course, a hand came into view. It held a package of tissues. She looked up to see Police Chief Everett standing over her. “May I?”
She nodded yes. Anne opened the package and wiped her eyes and nose. She felt drained and cold.
“I… sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”
“A lot of people can have emotional experiences when something tragic happens.” He bent down on one knee. “Are you up for answering some questions?”
“Yes. But I don’t know how I can help. I got here at the same time as Hope.” Anne realized that, in her emotional outburst, she’d lost sight of Hope and Spencer. “Where’s…”
“Ms. Boswell is with her mother. They’re being checked over by the med techs.”
Anne hugged her knees. “I’ll tell you what I can.”
“Great.” He pulled out a long notebook similar to the one Carson used.
Anne fought back a new surge of tears. She bit her lip.
“Can you tell me where you were when the fire started?” He hit the plunger on the pen, readying himself to write.
“We…”
“We?” He interrupted.
“Me, Kandi and Hope were over at the Inn. We were talking about…”
“So just you three?”
“Yes. Um, no. Carson, I mean, Sheriff Carson came in.”
“What time was that? Do you remember?”
“No.”
“Had you called him to the Inn?”
“No.”
“He just showed up without you calling him?”
“Yes.”
She watched as he made notes. Why had Carson come there? To warn them off again?
“Then Ms. Boswell received a call about her shop?”
“Yes.”
“Who called her?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s okay. I know this is difficult. Just take your time.” His voice was soothing, and Anne relaxed.
“Hope got the call and then we rushed over here.”
“Great.” He nodded while writing. “You got here and what happened next?”
“The fire was out, but smoke was still coming out of the building. Hope was worried about her mom, who lives with her.”
“Go on.” He laid his hand next to the notepad.
“Then someone found Faith.”
“Did you talk to anyone else?”
She turned to him. “Only to Spencer.”
“Spencer?”
“Yes. He came to see what was happening.”
“That name sounds familiar. That isn’t Spencer Andrews?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“I’m often stopping over to see about the foster kids at the Lawrence’s. She does a great job for those kids in our town.”
“Yes.”
“Did Spencer say anything to you?” He held his pen poised.
“Say anything? Like what?” Alarms were ringing in Anne’s head as she remembered Carson’s words: you don’t want anyone to get hurt. Hope’s shop had been vandalized and her mother could have been killed. She wasn’t going to put Spencer in any cross-hairs.
“He wanted to make sure we were okay. That’s all.”
“Okay, good.” He pulled out his card and handed it to her. If you think of anything else, you let me know.” He got up from his position and headed toward the ambulance where Hope stood outside, and Faith sat on a stretcher. Spencer was nowhere to be seen.
She heard Faith’s voice, “It was that young man. He helped me out of the house and took me away for a walk. He brought me ice cream. I like ice cream.”
“Did this nice young man tell you his name, ma’am?” Police Chief Everett inquired.
“Yes, he had a strange name.” Faith’s head bobbed up and down.
“Do you remember what it was?” He spoke soft and soothing tones like how he’d spoken to Anne.
“It was the funniest thing. Sheriff. He said his name was Sheriff.” She laughed.
Chapter Sixteen
Anne fought sleep that night. She finally fell asleep only to have crazy dreams involving fires, and pot, and black cancer that grew and grew with no way to stop its advance. She cried out and fought, flames starting on every side, running, running…
A soft paw tapped her nose. Another touch. She tried not to open her eyes, to see how long Mouser would keep at it. But even through her squint, he saw she was awake. “Meow.”
“Feed me. Feed me. You’re like that scary shop of horrors plant. It’s all about you, isn’t it?” Mouser looked at her and meowed again as if to say, “Yes, so?”
Anne reached up and patted his head as she heard a ping sound. Ahhh, the treat tray had opened. Mouser jumped off the bed and headed to the bathroom where Anne kept another tray, in case she forgot to fill the one up downstairs before going to bed. “I see how you are. You only love me when it’s convenient.”
Anne turned over and pulled the covers up to her neck. She closed her eyes, willing herself to keep any thoughts at bay. Maybe she could go back to sleep. But the events of last night kept flooding back. After they’d cleared Faith and Hope, Kandi had offered to let them stay at her house. Her grandfather’s room had been on the first floor when it was his house and Kandi had kept it as a guest room. It would be easier on Faith than having to climb stairs at the Inn or at Anne’s.
Anne flipped over and stared at the ceiling. Her goal in moving to Carolan Springs had been to enjoy the simple life, but it had been anything but since she’d arrived. She kept running the events on replay in her mind. Over and over. Something was trying to get her attention and she just couldn’t grab it.
She yelled out to the ether, “What is it?”
Whatever the elusive thing was, it wasn’t wanting to make its presence known. Frustrated at not being able to go back to sleep or to put two thoughts together that made any sense, Anne flung the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at the clock.
That can’t be right.
She picked it up and looked closer. Ten. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept that late.
She set the clock back down and shoved her feet into slippers. Pulling on a soft fuzzy robe, she headed downstairs to make some coffee.
She’d just taken her first sip of coffee when she heard her phone ringing. It was Kandi.
“Hullo?” She took another swig of coffee.
“Where have you been?” Kandi’s voice was frantic. “I’ve been calling and calling. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Sorry. I left it downstairs and I slept in. What’s the matter, honey? Did I forget something I needed to do at the Inn?”
“No. No. It’s nothing like that. You need to get over here.”
“Why?”
“They’ve arrested Sheriff Carson.”
The cup fell from Anne’s hand and smashed on the floor. As she looked down, coffee pooled at her feet. She gripped the sink.
She heard Kandi’s voice as if through a fog, “Mom! Anne. Mom, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She canceled the call.
She began laughing hysterically. “I’m fine,” she said aloud. “Isn’t that what every woman says when they’re not fine?” The tears came again. She didn’t know why she was crying. Maybe her hormones were acting up again. Maybe she was tired. Or maybe… no, she wouldn’t consider that.
She bent down and began picking up the broken pieces.
~
Over at Kandi’s, Anne found Hope, Faith, and Stewart sitting around the kitchen table. Cups were in front of them and a good portion of a coffeecake was missing.
Kandi ran over and hugged Anne. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I just slept in.” Anne returned the hug.
She walked over to Hope and gave her a hug too. “How are you doing? Were you able to get any sleep last night?”
“Yes. I took a stress aid tincture and it helped me.”
“I think I should get some of th
at.” Anne poured herself a cup of coffee, then joined the group at the table.
Stewart rose from his chair. “I best be going. I’m going out to the Connors to install the new glass and then going over to check out the new event center going up at the Bennett’s old place.
“What?”
“That’s what I thought. Fast, right? They’ve already got trucks out bulldozing the remains of the greenhouse and they were able to save quite a bit of the house. They’re going to make it into an event ranch. A big barn is going up and they’re going to have places for RVs and campsites, so they’re putting in a ton of amperage for all the power they’ll need. Then the Bennett’s old house will be joined by a couple of other houses for overnight guests and entertainers.”
“That’s a huge plan. I’m surprised that got put through with permits and stuff.” Hope set her cup down.
“Really? I think all you need is some money and things get passed pretty easy.” Stewart huffed.
Hope sighed. “Corruption can be found anywhere, I guess.”
Stewart rose to leave. “Later.” He smiled at Kandi, who returned his smile.
“Want an omelet? It’s almost, like, time for lunch anyway. We could do brunch.”
Anne sat down, and Hope reached over and clasped Anne’s hand. “We’re in as much shock as you are.” She patted her hand.
“Literally, I never, like, saw that coming.” Kandi whipped eggs in a bowl.
Normally Anne would come back with a silly retort about Kandi’s liberal use of literally or like, but she said nothing.
“How did you all hear that he’d been arrested? When did this happen? What was he arrested for? What evidence do they have?” The questions spilled from Anne’s lips.
“Hold up there.” Hope raised her palm up to stop Anne’s barrage.
“Sorry.” Anne ran her fingers through her hair and pulled it together before letting the messy curls drop back onto her shoulders.
As Kandi added butter to an omelet pan, Hope spun the account. “This morning, I was on my way over to the Inn with Kandi when Stewart showed up. He’d been in town getting some materials for a carpentry job over at Stanley’s when he saw Deputy Ruiz pull up at the sheriff’s office. He started to say hello when he noticed that there was another person in the backseat. It was Carson. Ruiz brought him out and Carson’s hands were cuffed behind his back.” She paused as Kandi asked if they wanted spinach and mushrooms in their omelets. Both Hope and Anne nodded yes.
“Stewart was shocked. He was going to go inside when he noticed Police Chief Everett in his cruiser. He went over and inquired about what he’d just seen.” Hope paused her story as Kandi set down the warm omelets in front of the women. She pulled some croissants from a warming tray and set those on the table as well. After everything was on the table, Kandi refilled everyone’s coffee cups and set tumblers of fresh-squeezed orange juice at their places.
Anne smiled up at the perky young woman. “Kandi, you are truly a treasure. You make things feel so much better.” She took a bite of the fluffy omelet. “And your cooking is heavenly.”
“Agreed.” Hope speared some egg, mushroom, and spinach on her fork.
After everyone had eaten a few bites, Anne said, “Was Stewart able to get Chief Everett to say what had happened?”
“Yes, and no. He would never come out with the full story, so Stewart had to ask questions—Is this to do with the arson, for example—and figure out Everett’s answers. Sad to see an officer of the law be on the wrong side of it.’”
“Why would Carson have anything to do with the fire at your place?” Anne set her fork down. “It makes no sense.”
“I agree. But Spencer said the kid told him he was the sheriff, and Mama said it was the sheriff who took her away from the house.”
Anne speared a piece of the omelet. “Yes, but your mom said that he was a young man. Carson isn’t young.”
Hope laughed. “In relation to who? You, me, my mom?”
“Oh, I guess you’re right. But don’t you think it’s weird that he would have given out his name?’ Anne set down her fork. “That makes absolutely no sense.”
“What’s, like, our next move?” Kandi chirped.
“I have no clue, Watson.”
Hope shook her head. “Well, I do. Anne, you need to go to the source. You need to go see Carson.”
Chapter Seventeen
The sheriff’s office didn’t look any different from the last time Anne had been inside. She walked in to find Thelma, the sheriff’s elderly receptionist, squinting at a pile of papers in front of her. Another deputy sat a desk across from Thelma, typing something on a computer. Anne stole a glance to the two cells in the far left corner—one she knew held Sheriff Carson.
“I’m here to see Sheriff Carson.”
“Are you now?” Thelma pushed her readers up and narrowed her eyes at Anne. “Reason?”
Anne wondered what she should say. “I’m a friend.”
The deputy looked up from his paperwork and gave a nod of affirmation to Thelma. She pulled out a log and shoved her bony, wrinkled finger toward a line. “Sign here.”
After Anne had left her purse with the deputy, he walked her to the back cell. Inside, Carson sat on a cot covered in a scratchy wool blanket. He looked over at her but made no move to get up. “I, I… heard, and I wanted to come and offer my help.”
He jumped up from the cot and grabbed the bars. Anne jumped back. She quickly looked over her shoulder but neither Thelma nor the deputy had seen her reaction.
He spoke in low, angry tones. “No. I do not want your help. Stay out of it.”
She lowered her voice to match his, as she knew Thelma would strain to hear every word.
“But you didn’t do it.”
“Didn’t I?” He chuckled. “You think you know me so well, don’t you?” His tone grew more menacing. “You don’t know me. They got me all right. Fingerprints. Items to start the fires. Now they’re even checking to see if I could have shot Ray Lawrence with my gun.”
Anne recoiled. She couldn’t be wrong about him. But she’d been wrong about others in the past. She’d trusted before and been conned.
“Okay, fine. Have it your way. I thought you were one of the good guys.”
“You thought wrong.”
Anne fought back anger and tears. “I see that now.”
“Leave. I have nothing more to say to you.” He sat back down on the cot.
Anne struggled to keep her composure as she gathered her purse from the deputy. She headed for the door, but Thelma’s raspy voice stopped her. “You have to sign out too.”
Anne rolled her eyes but walked over to the woman. A sheet of paper was next to her name. In a rough scribble, it said simply, “Don’t listen to him.”
Puzzled, Anne looked up to see that Thelma had cupped her chin with her arthritic hands but placed one finger over her lips. She glanced over toward the deputy who looked up at her.
“Need anything else?”
“No. no. Thank you.” She set the pen down and locked eyes with Thelma.
The old women grabbed the book and shoved it into a desk drawer. “Now get on outta here. We don’t have time for no loitering.”
Anne put the crossbody bag over her shoulder. Outside, she waited for her eyes to adjust to the sunshine. While she was here, she might as well go see Hope’s shop in daylight. As she turned, a figure jogged across the street and around a building.
It’s that woman again. That’s when bells went off. Last night, Anne had seen her standing across the street in the gathered crowd. Who was this woman and why had she come to Carolan Springs?
Chapter Eighteen
Anne had arrived back at the Inn to find Kandi and Spencer cleaning out the vacated rooms. They hauled the sheets and towels down to a large bin on the back porch for laundry pick-up. Then Spencer left to go work at Patty’s Pet Shop for the afternoon.
“That’s what he said?” Kandi’s eyes had widened so much that sh
e reminded Anne of an owl.
“Yes. Then Thelma’s note. What did she mean about not listening to him?”
“Stewart told me that rumors are flying about Sheriff Carson being involved in the fires, Ray’s death, even Bill’s injury.”
“Rumors are just that. Rumors. What would he have to gain from any of this?” Anne shook her head. “What’s the connection for everything?”
“You mean, like, the motive?”
“Exactly. What would be his motive?”
“Maybe it was Bill.”
Anne tipped her head. “Bill? Really? You don’t usually try to kill yourself to frame someone else.”
“Okay, maybe Cal Bennett came back early—or never left—found Ray in his greenhouse, so he killed him. Then he left town for an alibi.”
“So, he burned down his own greenhouse, and almost his home, to cover up a murder in his greenhouse?”
Kandi twisted her mouth. “Yeah. I guess that doesn’t make much sense. This is a tough one. It does seem that we don’t have that many suspects and it all points to Sheriff Carson.”
The door flew open and Kandi’s brothers came in, back from their trip to Boulder. “Kandi,” Kevin started. “We’re out of here. This place has bad vibes.” Karl nodded his head in agreement.
“Really? You haven’t been here very long. Where to now?”
“We’re catching a ride to the west coast and then taking a freighter over to Asia.”
“But…” Kandi pouted.
“Hey, sis, we’ve got to live in the moment.” Kevin hugged her.
“Truth, man. This place is too—” Karl joined in.
“Yeah, too.”
Anne couldn’t figure out what she was hearing other than the boys would be leaving.
After the boys left, Kandi spoke up. “I love my brothers but they’re so…”
“Weird?” Anne laughed.
Kandi giggled. “I guess. I love my home. I don’t see that it has any bad vibes other than—”
“Let’s not go down that road.”
“Okay. What road should we go down?”
“I think we need to go back and talk with the Connors. They may be able to shed some light on what we’re missing.”
