“It’s pretty obvious to me that Mark Charles—or let’s call him by his real name: Charlie Marks—was blackmailing Shepherd, and anybody who’s anybody knows his less-than-stellar reputation. That piece of paper is proof that Shepherd is in bed with County Commissioner Oran Blanchard and getting special favors as far as developing land deals. My guess is that Charlie was mowing the lawn at one of Shepherd’s properties and realized his boss was in cahoots with Blanchard and that it was clear Shepherd was getting advance notice on the Palmer Packing site that was up for sale. That kind of information put him way ahead of the other developers bidding on the job—and we all know who came in with the winning proposal.”
“Pure supposition on your part,” Osborn grunted.
“I don’t know about that,” Tori said. “Ms. Bloomfield once told us that she hears what goes down in Ward County. I don’t doubt that for a second,” she said with a glance in Collins’s direction. He’d sure spied on them every time they’d been in The Bay Bar during the past week.
“Get on with your story,” Osborn ordered.
“Somehow Charlie came across that memo. He knew it was important, which is why he kept it. It might only be a copy, but it was initialed by county councilmen Duncan Harris, and it’s obvious that there’d be a big payoff for someone on the town council. A lot of money was at stake and Charlie Marks probably saw it as a way to shake down a creep like Shepherd and maybe get out of Ward County once again. He sure was living rough.”
“And you know that because?”
Collins sighed. “We talked. It wasn’t a pleasant conversation.”
“When was this?”
“Last November.”
“And how did that conversation go?” Osborn demanded.
“I told him if he ever came near my employer, he’d be sorry.”
“So why shouldn’t I believe you shot the bastard?” Osborn asked.
“Because I’m telling you I didn’t. I don’t own a gun, and I’ve never fired one. Hell, man, I was shot by a lowlife and that’s not something I’d inflict on another human being. Except for that one incident up on Lotus Point, I have a clean reputation. Charlie Marks didn’t, and neither does Shepherd.”
Osborn didn’t look impressed. “Go on.”
“Charlie told me it was a big mistake when he returned to the area and that he was getting the hell out of Ward County—just as soon as he got paid from a big deal businessman.”
“And you figure that was Shepherd.”
“That memo proves it,” Collins said. “Shepherd isn’t one to be blackmailed. What’s killing off a penny ante nobody like Mark Charles to him? It was best to shut him up for good.”
Osborn paced the confines of the kitchen. “What about the missing Valentine’s Day card?”
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“According to Ms. Cannon here, that’s the reason you broke into the house.”
Collins’s gaze shifted to the floor. “It was the proof about Charlie Marks I was interested in.”
“How did you even know it was here?” Osborn asked, his gaze narrowing.
Collins said nothing.
“Shepherd practically admitted that he ransacked my house,” Tori said. “And I have it all on video. Or at least audio.”
“What do you mean?” Osborn asked.
Tori brought her cell phone to life. The picture was that of the kitchen ceiling, but everyone listened as Tori replayed the conversation that led up to Kathy knocking Shepherd out.
“I’ll need a copy of that for evidence,” Osborn said when Tori switched off the playback.
“I’ll be happy to email you one.”
“Do you want to press charges against him?” Osborn said, shifting his gaze to Collins.
“Do I have to make up my mind right this minute?” Tori asked.
“No. But the sooner the better.”
She looked at Collins. “I had to pay for a new window and its installation. My feeling of safety in my home has been damaged, which is far more disturbing to me.”
Still, Collins said nothing.
Tori let out a breath. “I’ll let you know in a couple of days, Detective.”
He nodded.
“Is it okay if I leave now?” Simons asked. He’d remained silent through the entire discussion.
“Sure.”
“What about me?” Collins asked.
“I don’t suppose you’re going to make yourself scarce in the next couple of days.”
“I’ve got a job and other obligations in Ward County. I’m not going anywhere,” Collins said, his tone hard.
“Good. Show up at my office tomorrow at ten to make a formal statement.”
“Thanks.”
“Come on, Ron. I’ll give you a lift back to the house,” Simons said.
Tori and Kathy glanced askance at each other. Collins lived in the mansion. Was he going back to warm Lucinda Bloomfield’s bed—or had Simons been doing that when he’d been otherwise occupied earlier that evening? They’d probably never know.
They watched the two Bloomfield employees leave.
“What about my front door, Detective?”
“Yeah, we can’t sleep knowing just anybody could get in,” Kathy asserted.
“Don’t you have some wood around you can cover it with? Otherwise, I can call the emergency response repair guys, but it could be a couple of hours before they show up—and it’ll cost you.”
Tori sighed. “Maybe Anissa hasn’t gone to bed yet.”
“I’ll call her,” Kathy said. She nodded at Osborn. “I’ll be sending you my video of the phone call of Shepherd threatening Tori.”
“You do that, Ms. Grant.”
Kathy left the room to make her call.
“How much longer will you and your team be here?” Tori asked the detective.
He shrugged. “We can probably wrap this up in half an hour.”
“Good. Because I want to sweep up the mess in this kitchen. I suppose I’ll have to pay for the repair to the ceiling, too.”
“Your insurance should pay for that.”
“And we all know how fast they cut checks for stuff like that.”
“Better the ceiling got shot instead of you and your roommate.”
He was right about that.
Tori’s ringtone sounded and she plucked her phone from her jeans pocket. She recognized the number right away. “Gramps?”
“I’ve been trying to get you at the house number for hours. Why didn’t you call me? It’s Sunday night—you always call on Sunday night.”
“Well,” Tori said, turning away and walking into her bedroom. “We had a little trouble at the compound tonight,” she admitted. “The phone line got cut and … it’s a really long story, Gramps, and I’m not sure I’m up to telling it tonight.”
“Don’t tell me you girls have once again been poking around in things that don’t concern you,” he chided her.
“Well, we figured out who killed Mark Charles—or Charlie Marks.”
“You’re supposed to let the Sheriff’s Department do that.”
“I know Gramps. I know.”
“All right. You can tell me all about it tomorrow. But there’s another reason I called.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” Herb said, sounding rather cowed. “Irene and me have been talking about The Lotus Lodge.”
Tori perked up. She and Irene had never been best buddies, but there was no doubt when it came to The Lotus Lodge, Irene was definitely in her corner. For some reason, Irene had it in her head that the little motel should never have closed. She’d helped Tori’s grandmother, Josie, accumulate linens and other items to be used should it ever reopen. Tori had kept all of that stuff in protective totes just on the chance that her dream of seeing The Lotus Lodge resurrected ever came true.
“Talking how?” Tori asked.
“Well, first off, she reminded me that it was you who paid for the lottery ticket that brought me all the money for my new life.” Since
Irene was now shacking up with her grandfather, he might have said “our” to be technically correct, but what he said was true.
“Unlike the rest of the family, most of who are no longer speaking to me, you never asked me for a dime. You never once brought up the fact that I didn’t buy that ticket. And you and Kathy worked your tails off last summer to bring the bait shop back to life and in the black.”
“I did it for myself, Gramps. I couldn’t let it die. I loved it and being here on Lotus Bay too much to see that happen.”
“Well, I don’t consider that a selfish motive. And because of that, if reopening that money pit of a motel is what you really want, then I’m going to help you do that by financing the restoration. I don’t want you taking money from strangers or getting yourself in over your head with loans and stuff. That motel was a family business, and that’s the way I want it to stay.”
“I don’t know what to say, Gramps, except thank you,” Tori managed, tears leaking from her eyes. “And please thank Irene, too.”
“I’ll do that, honey.”
“And please—tell me why Irene has always wanted The Lotus Lodge to reopen. It doesn’t make sense to me.”
“Aw, that crazy woman is a big bag of sentimental mush.”
“What do you mean?”
“Our second summer, your grandma sprained her ankle real bad. She could barely walk from the Fourth of July right through ’til Labor Day. It was make-it or break-it time for the entire season. We had to hire help—and Irene took the job. It was the first job she ever had, and ever since she’s had a really soft spot for The Lotus Lodge. It about broke her heart when we had to close it down. And of course, she and your grandma were best friends for all those years—right up until the day Josie died.”
“I’m glad Grandma had such a true friend.”
“Yeah, I’m glad of that, too,” Herb said, and Tori could hear the affection in his voice for his new love. He cleared his throat. “Nothing much can happen this year. I mean—you can’t get it up and running in five weeks. But what you can do is make plans. Then at the end of the season, maybe we can make some upgrades and get the place buttoned up for the winter, and then come March when the weather breaks, get it finished up in time for next year. What do you say?”
“I think that sounds fantastic,” Tori said, wiping fresh tears from her eyes.
“Good, good. I was thinking maybe we could help Anissa out by having her act as our contractor. What do you say?”
“I think she’d be thrilled to have a steady job.”
“Good, good. Okay, we’ll talk more about this when you call tomorrow. But not too early. Irene and me are heading for this great little diner that serves pancakes almost as good as your grandma used to make. And get this, it’s called Josie’s.” He laughed. “It seems like your grandma’s still taking care of us. What do you think?”
“I’ll bet she’s smiling down on us right now.”
Herb laughed again. “Okay, now don’t forget to call me.”
“I won’t, Gramps. I love you.”
“I love you, too, honey. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Tori tapped the end call icon and stared at her phone, unable to believe how her life had suddenly turned around—especially when just a few hours before she’d been frightened that her life might just end.
Kathy poked her head inside the room. “Anissa’s here to board up the window. Hey, are you okay?”
Tori faced her. “Okay? I’m better than okay. I’m fantastic. And have I got a story to tell the two of you.”
“I don’t know about you, but after what we’ve been through tonight, I’m going to crack open another bottle of wine and I may just finish it off. Do you want to join me?”
“Yes, because I’ve sure got an awful lot to celebrate.”
31
It was probably far too early to plant flowers in front of Swans Nest since the threat of frost was always possible right up until Memorial Day, but Kathy couldn’t help herself. The dual urns that sat on the front porch were probably safe from freezing thanks to being covered, and she could always drag them closer to the house should the temperatures dip into the low thirties, but she could handle that. And the pansies she’d just installed along the front walk were hardy little plants. She had some old sheets she could cover them with if the need arose. Just looking at their cheerful little faces in a myriad of colors had caused her to burst into song. She was just happy no one was around to hear her sing.
As she peeled off her thin gardening gloves, a truck pulled into the lot. “Are you ready for the big day?” Tori called as she got out of the cab with a potted plant. She’d had a teaching job that morning, but was now free for the rest of the weekend.
Kathy smiled, and a shiver of excitement ran down her back. “My guests will be arriving in a little over two hours. I’m as nervous as all get out.”
Tori waved a hand in dismissal. “They don’t know how lucky they are to be spending the weekend in such a beautifully restored home.”
Kathy laughed. “I hope I don’t bore them with my scrapbooks chronicling the work, but I do think at least some of my guests would love to take that journey.” She nodded toward the faux orchid in Tori’s hands. “What have you got there?”
“It’s a house-warming gift. It’s not real,” she said unnecessarily, “but it looks it. And I figured it would look pretty somewhere in your house. You won’t have to water it so you can’t kill it, and it’ll look nice for years.” She handed it to Kathy.
“Thanks.”
The sound of an approaching engine caused them to look up and then Anissa’s pickup pulled into the parking space next to Tori’s truck. She got out. “Boy howdy does this little parking area look sharp. When did the lines get painted?”
“Yesterday afternoon,” Kathy said.
Anissa laughed. “I didn’t see them because I’ve been working east of here for the past couple of days.” She crossed her arms and took in Swans Nest. “What a pretty B and B. We sure did her proud.”
“I’ll say,” Tori echoed. “A year ago this place was a dump and now…I can’t believe the transformation. And next year, we’ll be standing in front of the refurbished Lotus Lodge and feeling just as happy.”
“You got that right,” Kathy agreed.
Movement from her left caused Kathy to turn, and she saw Noreen hurrying over to join them. “It’s the big day!” she called.
Kathy felt ready to burst with pride. “For so long it seemed like this would never happen.”
Noreen blushed. “I have a little housewarming gift for you.”
“Aw, you didn’t need to do that,” Kathy said automatically.
“Yes, I did.” Noreen sobered. “You acted in good faith when you took in my overflow guests, and they treated you terribly by destroying your pretty room. I felt just awful about that, but worse was knowing that insurance wouldn’t handle the damage. She reached into the pocket of her bib apron. “I’m sorry it took so long, but after a lot of detective work—and cutting off the people who vouched for those louts—I was able to get them to cough up what I hope will pay for the damage.”
Kathy accepted the check, which had been cut from The Bay Bar’s account. “Oh, I’m not sure I can—”
“Yes, you can take it. I promise you, this money isn’t from Paul and me—although if we hadn’t tracked the guy down, it would have been. They paid us in cash. I put it in the bank and wrote the check.”
“Thank you, Noreen. You and Paul are good neighbors.”
Noreen smiled. “And we may be even better ones.”
“In what way?” Tori asked.
“Well, since Kathy has turned this former wreck into a gem, and what with The Lotus Lodge going to reopen, Paul and I have decided that we’re going to turn the floor over the bar into a couple more rooms for fishermen.”
Kathy could see from Tori’s expression that it wasn’t exactly good news, as she intended to rent Lotus Lodge rooms
to fishermen, too.
“Don’t worry, Tori. I was thinking that with all the new business at this end of the bay, we’ll be turning away business. You and I can trade overflow—but we’ll insist on reservations and vetting.”
“If you say so,” Tori said sounding unconvinced.
“But having people staying above the bar means we’ll be turning our jukebox down even earlier, Kath. That’ll give your honeymooners a much more quiet guest experience.”
Kathy wasn’t about to argue with that new arrangement.
“When do you think you’ll open your rooms?” Anissa asked.
“How soon can you start working on them?”
“I’ll check my schedule and get back to you,” Anissa said and grinned.
Just then, a vintage silver Town Car pulled into the small lot. Ronnie Collins exited the driver’s door, walked around to the back of the car and opened the right side passenger door, offering his hand and helping Lucinda Bloomfield from the car, which must have belonged to her late father. Collins shut the door but stood by the car as Lucinda approached the other women.
She was dressed in a peach linen suit and holding a bouquet of red roses and baby’s breath. “Good afternoon,” she said. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Not at all,” Kathy said. “I don’t think you know our friend Noreen Dancy. She’s co-owner of The Bay Bar.”
“How do you do,” Lucinda asked and offered her hand.
Noreen shook it but seemed tongue-tied.
Lucinda turned back to Kathy, whose gaze was riveted on the roses. “I understand you’ll be opening Swans Nest this weekend.”
“That’s right. My first official guests will be arriving in just a little while.”
“I wanted to wish you good luck.”
“Thank you.”
Lucinda didn’t offer the roses. Instead, she turned to Tori. “I hope you’ll accept these flowers as a gesture of friendship.”
Tori’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Lucinda’s face. “What for?”
Lucinda seemed to hesitate. “You could have made things very difficult for Mr. Collins.”
Tori shrugged. “The fact that you sent down a team of people to replace the door and add security lighting around the house was very thoughtful. I hope you received my thank you card.”
A Reel Catch Page 22
