The Bark of the Town

by Stella St. Claire

  Frank looked at her face. “Has something happened to Wednesday? Was she arrested? Denton said he’d try to warn me.”

  “No,” Willow said quickly. “She’s no worse than she was before.”

  “Let’s talk,” Frank said, seeming to sense that this was serious.

  He looked around for some seats that they could use and brought over an ottoman and a rocking chair. He chose the stationary seat. Willow felt a tad ridiculous rocking when she knew that what she was going to say would devastate him.

  “I spoke to Wednesday again. And she finally told me why she went over to Patricia’s.”

  “Why?” Frank asked, keeping his eyes firmly on her.

  “Because she wanted to get a secret file from her. She was just going to talk to her. She didn’t kill her, obviously. But the secret that Patricia was holding over her…”

  Willow found it difficult to continue, so Frank piped up. “Wednesday doesn’t have any secrets that she could be blackmailed for. Maybe some minor indiscretions like reading police files when she hasn’t been instructed to specifically. But nothing that there could be a file on. Besides, we saw the list of people who there were files on. She wasn’t there.”

  “Patricia didn’t keep it at her house. But she told Wednesday that she had information about you that could ruin your career. And she showed her proof.”

  “I don’t understand,” Frank said.

  Of course, he wouldn’t. He had never done anything wrong in his career. He was the best chief of police that Pineview ever had and he was going to get in trouble for Willow’s mistake.

  “Because it wasn’t really something that you did. It was something that I did. Patricia told Wednesday that it was about you, but I was the one who ruined things. And Wednesday is in trouble today because of me.” She couldn’t bear looking at him and stared down at the floor. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m still not sure what you mean.”

  Now that she started, it all came rushing out. “When I was interning for the police station, you had a big bank robbery case. I thought I could solve it all on my own. And I did figure out who did it. But then I tipped him off. I didn’t mean to, but I did. And then you were never able to prove that he did it because he knew what you were looking for. And I know he left the country.”

  “Are you talking about Dennis Hoskins?”

  “That’s right. He got away with everything scot-free because of me. I’ve regretted it every day since then, but I was too ashamed and frightened to say anything. Patricia found out part of the story. But she thought you were responsible when in reality it was me. And I’m willing to tell everyone that it was my fault and that it had nothing to do with you. I’d go to the station right now and turn myself in, but I’m afraid it might hurt Wednesday’s case even more. But as soon as this is cleared up, I’ll tell whoever you want. But I knew I had to tell you now.”

  She quickly got to her feet and started to leave, but Frank stopped her. He placed an arm on her shoulder.

  “Willow, I knew you tipped off Hoskins.”

  “What?” she asked, feeling her knees buckling from shock. He led her back to the chairs, but this time he took the rocking chair.

  “Well, I am a pretty good detective.”

  Willow wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry at this. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

  “I figured you didn’t want to talk about it. And then you went and started changing your life so drastically. You went away to Chicago for school. And you started getting into dog training instead of detecting, but I can see how you love it. And you were with that boy you ended up marrying. I wasn’t sure if it was the cop career that you were running away from or from me.”

  “The career. After I learned how terrible I was at it, and how I hurt so many people. I love you and Wednesday,” Willow said all in a rush. “But what I really meant was why didn’t you say anything to turn me in?”

  “Oh,” Frank said, rocking. “Well, the people who needed to know did. And the people who didn’t need to know, didn’t.”

  “Were you covering up for me?” Willow asked. “I really did get you in trouble.”

  “Willow, you were seventeen. Nobody planned on telling the press what you did. We wanted to protect all our interns. It is supposed to be a learning experience. And Detective Lehigh was a little embarrassed that you had cracked the case before he did.”

  “But Hoskins got away because of me,” Willow said.

  “Yes,” Frank said simply.

  “So, it’s all my fault,” Willow said, throwing up her arms. “And we’ve been thinking about McMillen and his cheating daughter. I’m just as bad. Probably worse.”

  “Megan McMillen was cheating on her test because she didn’t want to devote time to studying but wanted the glory of a higher rank. Why did you go and confront Dennis Hoskins?”

  “Because I was young and stupid and cocky. I thought I could get him to confess on my own.”

  “And why was this? Because you wanted to be one of the youngest people to make an arrest?”

  “No,” Willow said as if the idea was ridiculous. “Because I didn’t want the bad guy to get away. It didn’t really work out though, did it?”

  “No,” Frank admitted. “But I feel the motivation behind why we do something is often important.”

  “Not now. Wednesday is in trouble because of me!” she said, standing up again. “It was a wrong place, wrong time thing. But she was in the wrong place because of the mistake I made.”

  “Willow,” he said, making sure she was looking at him. “It was a mistake. But that’s all it was. A mistake. Everyone makes them. I’m not immune. No one is. You just have to do the best you can with the information you have, learn from your mistakes, and do better next time.”

  “You really think so?” Willow asked, hoping that it was true.

  He nodded. “And what have you learned from that mistake?”

  “Well,” Willow said, almost feeling relief that she could finally talk about it. “I learned that assumptions can haunt you. All this time, I’ve been running away from this mistake, trying to keep it a secret, and it hadn’t really been a secret after all.”

  Her father pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back, grateful that there was no longer this secret between them. She felt lighter knowing it was all in the open.

  “And,” Willow said, trying to make a joke to hide how vulnerable she still felt. “I learned you can’t just walk up to a suspect, say I know you did it, and expect them to confess.”

  “Also very true.”

  Having been more talkative and emotional than was his custom, Frank then suggested that they move the boxes he spoke of when she first arrived. Willow happily agreed, and they moved them to their new locations.

  Frank added, “I do keep a tab on whether any heirlooms from that heist turn up. Every once in a while, they get flagged at a pawn shop. Because it was stolen property, the original owner can be reunited with it. And Hoskins is in a country where they don’t extradite, but you can bet that if he ever leaves, our station will know.”

  Willow smiled.

  “But enough about that,” Frank said. “How is your current case going? How did it go with Larissa? Was there anything there?”

  “Larissa,” Willow said, wanting to hit herself. “I found out more about her background, but I haven’t cleared her as a suspect. I spent a while looking into Daniel Blakemore and Hudson Wright, only to discover they’re thieves and not killers. But it’s still possible that Larissa is.”

  “Because of Patricia’s file on her?”

  “Patricia and Becca had been mean to her since high school and continued through adulthood. I know Larissa was really angry at them.”

  “That definitely sounds like motive,” Frank agreed, leaning on one of his boxes.

  “And the nail polish set up at Becca’s salon might not have been there for Wednesday. Maybe it was there for Larissa? Or Wednesday was asked to com
e in later so Larissa could be first, so it technically was for both of them.”

  “I think you should talk to this woman again,” Frank said. “I know that you’re a great investigator now.”

  “Thanks,” said Willow. “And I’ve just thought of something. Larissa said that Patricia was claiming that she turned up evidence of Larissa’s false pregnancy but that doesn’t seem likely. I believe that Larissa really was pregnant. But if that’s true, then what did Patricia really have in that file?”

  “I’m not sure Denton can get us that information.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll see if I can get it straight from Larissa. But I was just thinking that there might be more to her secret. Wednesday and I had both felt pretty desperate about our own secrets. If Larissa felt desperation combined with her anger? Well, she just might have gone as far as murder.”

  17

  Willow returned to Namaste A While and held back a sigh. She knew attending the prenatal yoga class meant that there was a strong possibility that she would run into Larissa again. However, she wasn’t looking forward to inspiring town gossip about why she was there She had better warn Griffin that she was merely going undercover and that there was no reason for him to be alarmed.

  However, as she prepared for the class, she saw a few people who seemed to be in the same boat as her. Cassandra had joined the class, and another woman who Willow knew couldn’t be pregnant was there as well. Nora made fresh jams and jellies at a local shop and had to be in her mid-60s.

  Willow held her yoga mat and sidled over next to Cassandra.

  “How are you holding up?” she asked.

  Cassandra looked surprised to see her but smiled. “I'm doing all right, but I am a little embarrassed to be in this class.”

  “You’re not pregnant either?” Willow asked.

  Cassandra shook her head. “No. This is just the one class that fits into my schedule during the workweek. What about you?”

  “No. I'm not pregnant either.”

  Cassandra looked at her inquisitively. Willow realized that she needed to come up with a reason why she was there without admitting that she was spying on Larissa. She blurted out the first lie that came to her mind.

  “I come to some of these classes because they're good for your hips,” Willow said. “I need to make sure that my hips are strong in case a big dog leans against me.”

  “That’s true,’ Cassandra said, accepting her reason. “I’d say you’re just as big of an Irish wolfhound.”

  Willow normally wasn’t a fan of these kinds of comparisons, but this time she laughed along. Maybe the explanation she had come up with could be useful in explaining all the times she had to come to one of these classes.

  “I’m glad there’s other people here who aren’t expecting as well,” Cassandra said. “I was worried about gossip, though I guess with Patricia and Becca gone, the main sources of info in town are gone too.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it like that, but I guess you’re right.”

  Though she didn't share it, Willow was also thinking that not having Wednesday at her usual post meant that she wasn’t being filled in on what was going on in town either.

  “I’m sure somebody will step up to fill the gossip void at some point,” Cassandra said. “That seems to be the natural order of things. Unfortunately.”

  The instructor entered the room and checked in with the women who wanted to tell her about their pregnancy progress and ask how it could affect their movements.

  Cassandra and Willow set up near the side. Willow was starting to worry that Larissa wouldn’t be coming, but it would be awkward to explain to Cassandra if Willow just ran out of the room now. She began stretching and readying for the class.

  Larissa did make it in time for the class to begin. Willow nodded at her, acting friendly. However, inwardly, she was thinking about how Larissa was probably glad that the two gossipy women were dead.

  Curious whether Cassandra had any information on her, she asked if she knew Larissa.

  “Becca and Patricia were pretty terrible to her in high school. And I didn’t do anything to stop it,” Cassandra admitted. “I feel bad about that now. Becca and Patricia were both bullies, and I guess I was an accomplice.”

  “I guess Larissa isn’t too sad to hear that they’ve died then,” Willow said, trying to tread carefully but still get the info she wanted.

  “Probably not. They were awful to her.” Cassandra sighed. “But I guess they were awful to a lot of people.”

  “Like who?”

  “The list goes on and on. I only know some of it. People they didn’t like from high school, Julie Hammer, customer service employees.” Cassandra stopped and Willow sensed that the other woman could have kept talking until class started and she wouldn’t have gotten through everyone.

  “I guess it didn’t pay to get on their bad side,” Willow remarked.

  “I tried to distance myself from that side of things since we grew up,” Cassandra said. “But I always felt bad for Larissa. They just couldn’t stop harassing her. They even started this rumor that she wasn’t really pregnant.”

  “You knew it was a false rumor?” Willow asked. “Then, you are friends with her?”

  “No. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to be friends with me. I was there when the bullying happened in high school,” Cassandra admitted. “But I did try and stop the rumors about her fake pregnancy if anyone ever brought it up to me. I knew the pregnancy was real. And it is real again. I’m friends with Cynthia, and she went to the sonogram.”

  “Cynthia?”

  “Larissa’s husband is Cynthia’s ex-husband,” Cassandra explained.

  “And she went to the sonogram?” Willow asked, while thinking that this was just the confirmation she needed to know Larissa had been telling her the truth.

  “I know,” Cassandra said. “It seems weird to me too. But it really is one of those weird family situations where everyone gets along. Charles also goes golfing with Cynthia’s new boyfriend. And Cynthia told me she’s so excited for her children to meet their half-brother or sister.”

  “Good for them,” Willow said. “I don’t think I could be so understanding.”

  “Me neither,” Cassandra agreed. “I see it firsthand and I still can’t fathom it. I couldn’t do it. I’d kill the younger model before I went to a sonogram with her.”

  She shuddered dramatically for emphasis and Willow laughed.

  One woman seemed to have captured the instructor as she explained her first-time pregnancy concerns. It looked as if the class wouldn’t be beginning right away.

  “So,” Cassandra said. “How do you like the new clothing?”

  “I’m really excited I got it,” Willow said, modeling off the lavender pants that she had purchased from her. “Thank you again for helping me pick them out.”

  “No problem. I’m always happy to help people in my store. I’ve always been good with coordinating outfits, and I like helping people find things that make them feel pretty. Also, if I help people pick things out, it usually leads to more repeat business. I think making people feel welcome is the most important thing in a business.”

  “I think you might be onto something there, though…”

  “What?” Cassandra asked.

  “Nothing,” Willow said. “I was just thinking about my newest assistant and how he has been making customers feel welcome. He might be a little too good at it.”

  “Meaning he's better at it than you?” Cassandra asked knowingly.

  Willow thought it was time to change the subject. “I’m going to be wearing one of your outfits tomorrow at my big meeting with the dog food ad executives.”

  “Good luck,” Cassandra said. “I’m sure it will go well. And I’m positive you will look great for it.”

  Willow smiled at her. Then, the instructor was able to escape from individual time with the moms-to-be. She headed up to the front of the room and began the class.

  Willow enjoyed all the st
retching and easy movement during the session. This type of yoga really focused on finding your center of gravity and moving knowingly. There were also a lot of hip stretches, which fit into Willow’s cover story about the reason she was there.

  After the yoga session, Willow walked up to Larissa.

  “Does your coming to this class mean that you’re starting to tell people?” Willow asked. “Or are you merely popping in the same way I did? Because I like the hip stretches.”

  Larissa shrugged. “I am hesitant to tell people after last time. But I decided if rumors were going to start about me no matter what I do anyway, then I might as well do the things I want to do. And besides, the rumor mill might have died down some recently.”

  “Because of Patricia and Becca’s deaths?” Willow asked.

  “At least until the salon reopens, maybe the women in town will have to find something else to do then talk about people behind their backs,” Larissa said simply. She picked up her things and prepared to leave.

  “Well,” Willow said, changing gears, and trying to keep her in the building. “I’m glad I saw you again. I wanted to apologize for leaving so abruptly.”

  “It’s all right,” Larissa said. “Though I have to admit I was a little nervous for you at the time. He looked like such a scary guy. Who was he?”

  Cassandra walked up to the two women then and nodded at them agreeably. “That was a fun class, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes,” Larissa agreed. “And good both for those who are expecting and who aren’t.”

  They all giggled. Then, Larissa turned back to Willow. “And I was really glad to see you again too. Because that man looked so out of place here. And angry.”

  “What man?” Cassandra asked.

  “It turns out his name was Hudson Wright, and he came in with that dog because he had some questions,” Willow said.

  She wasn’t going to explain to a potential suspect like Larissa that the reason she had agreed to walk out with Hudson was because she was hoping he might shed light on the murder. It was better if she didn’t know that she was investigating.

  “I know Hudson,” Cassandra said.