Sage held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, calm down. Just a joke. I was letting my mind wander.”
Lucky slipped off her stool. “I’ll fix you something,” she said to Sophie. She mixed together cubes of chicken, shredded lettuce, almonds, a few bits of arugula, chopped tomatoes and red onions, and added a light creamy dressing. When it was thoroughly mixed, she wrapped it up in a large spinach tortilla and placed a few baked chips on the side.
“Thanks, Lucky. This is just what I need. My feet are killing me and I’m ready to die from the heat.”
“You need something cool.” Lucky filled a glass with ice cubes and lemonade, adding a sprig of mint. She handed it to Sophie.
“Mmmm. Fanks,” she replied with a full mouth.
The bell over the front door jangled. “Customers?” Sage asked.
“So much for a break.” Lucky peeked through the hatch. “It’s Rod Thibeault. I’ll take care of it.” Sage nodded and returned to his notebook.
Lucky felt a mixture of embarrassment and suspicion at the same time. She didn’t entirely trust Rod after what she had learned about his disciplinary hearing. But on the other hand, he enjoyed a good reputation as a lawyer. Was he being completely honest when he recounted his argument outside the courtroom? Or was he painting a benign picture and there was a darker side to him? She couldn’t avoid him now. She’d just have to face him.
Rod joined Jack, Hank and Barry at their table. “An oasis. An oasis in the storm,” he announced as he sat.
“What’s up, Rod?” Barry asked him.
“Nate’s been on my case. If he out and out accused me of something I could handle it, but the questions . . . for God’s sake, what’s he thinking? I’m a lawyer. I’m not gonna kill anybody just ’cause I lost a case.”
“What can I get you, Rod?” Lucky asked as she approached the table.
Rod looked up, a disarming smile on his face. She really hoped he didn’t mention their meeting in the woods in front of Hank and Barry. “Iced tea would be great. Thanks, Lucky.”
She nodded and walked behind the counter to prepare the drink. Rod hopped out of his chair and joined her at the counter. He leaned closer as she poured the iced tea. “Look, I hope you’re not still harboring suspicions about me.”
“Of course not,” Lucky replied carefully. “I’m sorry if you thought I was accusing you of something.”
Rod raised his eyebrows. “Well, you were, but it’s okay with me. Friends?” he asked.
“Sure.” Lucky nodded and smiled in a way she hoped looked sincere. She couldn’t help it. Rod had done nothing to earn her distrust, but she had only his word about the State Bar hearing and Elizabeth’s role in it. And Jack had made a good point. If Rod were so concerned about finding Elizabeth, why wasn’t he on a search team? She handed Rod his iced tea and he carried it back to the table.
Hank pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “There were plenty of other people with a much better motive to kill Rowland than you,” he said to Rod.
Rod’s eyes widened. “Tell that to Nate. He keeps harping on that. Why wasn’t I there? I told him I had a court appearance that afternoon.” Rod heaved a sigh. “Worst of it is, I just didn’t feel like watching the Reenactment. I didn’t want to be in town no matter what. I think a lot of people feel I dropped the ball not getting that injunction.
“We don’t think you dropped the ball,” Hank replied. “They can blame those idiots on the council—all except for Ed Embry. The only man with the you-know-whats to stand up to Rowland.”
Rod leaned over the table and spoke quietly to the men. Lucky remained at the counter, eavesdropping on their conversation now that the restaurant was nearly empty. “This is just between us, but it’s no joke about the town council. I know for a fact there was talk about taking some parcels of Norman Rank’s land by eminent domain.”
“Eminent domain?” Hank asked. “What for?”
“For some other dumb project Rowland had in mind. Norman Rank’s the one Nate should be talking to.”
Barry and Hank exchanged a look across the table. Hank turned to Rod. “Too bad you weren’t at the town meeting.”
“Why?” Rod asked.
“Rowland showed up and he and Norman almost came to blows. Rowland made a remark about Norman needing to watch out before he lost some of his precious real estate.”
“Whew!” Rod whistled. “Norman must have gone ballistic. Sounds like maybe he’s heard the rumors.”
“Who told you?” Hank asked.
“I can’t say. The person who told me didn’t care if the word got around, just didn’t want anyone to know where it came from.” Rod took a long swallow of his iced tea. “Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not accusing Norman of murdering Rowland—not at all—but if anybody had a motive it was him. There’s another strange thing . . .”
Hank tilted his head back and looked quizzically at Rod over his pince-nez glasses. “What’s that?”
“Well, it may mean nothing at all, but I saw Harry Hodges talking to Rowland the day before Hodges was murdered. I had come into town to meet with a new client and parked my car on the other side of Water Street. When I came back to my car, I saw them on the Green. They looked like they were discussing something pretty serious.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Barry said. “Some people thought Harry was making a backdoor deal with Rowland.”
Rod shrugged. “Maybe he was. Maybe he was making a last-ditch effort to talk Rowland into putting it behind his shop. Would have been good for both of them.”
“And now they’re both dead,” Jack replied. “It seems the car wash was the thing they had in common. I just hope Nate gets to the bottom of this soon.”
Chapter 30
ELIAS DEFTLY MIXED the grated cheese, nutmeg and cream with the steaming fettuccini. Then he stirred the contents of the bowl until the hot noodles blended the cream and cheese into a delicious, thick sauce. When he was satisfied with his efforts, he scooped generous servings onto their two warmed dinner plates.
“Pepper?” He smiled holding a large wooden grinder over her plate.
“Yes, lots.” Lucky breathed in the delicious aroma as Elias grated hunks of fresh black peppercorns over the plate of steaming fettuccini. “I’m so glad you cook. The last thing I want to do when I leave the Spoonful is think about making food.”
“Are you saying I’d make a wonderful wife? I’m no expert, but I’m good at simple things.” He shook out his linen napkin and spread it over his lap. “So tell me. Any news? Anything at all?”
“Nothing.” Lucky felt a clutch in her stomach and wondered if she’d be able to eat her meal. “I’m worried sick, but I don’t know what more I can possibly do. I keep thinking her car will turn up, but we haven’t found anything, except running into Rod Thibeault.”
“The more I think about that, the more it gives me the creeps. Jack’s right. Neither you nor Sophie should do this alone.”
“We just thought we could cover more ground if we split up and stayed in touch by phone.”
“That’s terrific, but as you learned, there are lots of spots where you can’t get service.” Elias looked as if he were about to launch into a lecture.
“Are you upset with me?”
“Upset? No, I’m worried. You shouldn’t be trawling the woods alone. There have been two murders in this town. We have no idea why . . . or who might have done them. The whole community is in a state of panic but you don’t seem to have an ounce of fear.”
“That’s not true. I am afraid. Just like everyone else. And I’m terrified for Elizabeth,” Lucky retorted angrily.
Elias sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to get on a soapbox about it, but I really think if you’re going to do this, you do it with someone—Sophie, Sage, anyone. And make sure you let somebody know what area you’re searching.”
Lucky took a deep breath. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I had a moment when I was scared to confront Rod.” Lucky stirre
d a fettuccini noodle around in the creamy sauce.
“So now he thinks you suspected him of disposing of a body. How did he take all that?” Elias spoke quietly. “You could have been in a serious bind. Maybe Rod isn’t guilty of anything, but what if he did have something to hide? What if something happened to you? I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.”
Lucky reached across the table and grasped his hand. “I feel the same way about you. I promise I won’t go out alone anymore. Sophie and I will stick together.”
“I’d feel a lot better.” Elias finally smiled.
Lucky twirled a length of fettuccini noodle around her fork and took a bite. It was heavenly. “What is happening, Elias? First Harry—of all people. Everybody liked him; he never caused anyone any trouble. Not to mention that he kept everyone’s cars running. That’s the one I can’t get my head around. Rowland . . . well, I’m not saying he deserved to be murdered like that, but at least there are plenty of people who won’t be crying at his funeral.”
“Harry was the main organizer of the demonstration against the car wash. And Rowland certainly had a motive to get Harry out of the way. Whether Rowland was capable of murder, I don’t know.”
“Harry was the main guy, yes, but he was just one of the organizers, certainly not the only one. Edward Embry had far more influence in town than Harry. He had voted against building the car wash. And he had been very outspoken about it. If it’s about the car wash then Ed Embry might be the logical target.”
“Nobody really wanted Rowland dead, just gone.”
“A lot of the men were criticizing Harry for not being at the demonstration. Of course, we had no way of knowing he was already dead. And there were a lot of really angry people—not just Ed Embry, but Rod Thibeault and Norman Rank. Maybe we should look at it from another direction. What if the attack on Harry had nothing to do with the construction of the car wash?” Lucky speared a piece of arugula with her fork. “I’m sorry, Elias. I don’t think I can eat all this. It’s delicious but my stomach’s in knots.”
“Eat whatever you can. It’ll keep.” He swirled a long noodle on his fork. “Okay. What if it didn’t? What if, as you said, Harry had something he wanted to get off his chest—a confession, a secret? Who would know?”
Lucky shook her head. “Pastor Wilson might have a clue. Maybe Harry gave him some idea what he wanted to talk about. And even if we knew, how does that connect with Elizabeth going missing?”
Elias reached across the table and grasped her hand. “I’m not saying you’re wrong to be worried about Elizabeth, and you’re not overreacting, but it must bring up feelings about your parents.”
Lucky shivered. Her first reaction was to hotly deny that she was influenced by the shock of her parents’ sudden death. When she opened her mouth to retort, stinging tears came to her eyes. Her voice shook when she answered. “It’s the cruelest . . . to have loved ones ripped away with no warning. I’ve had so many dreams and so many nights when I woke up convinced it hadn’t really happened. When I look around me, I know it did happen. I’m not in Madison. I’m not in my mother’s house. I’m in a small apartment and my past is gone.”
Elias came around the table and took her in his arms. “You’re not alone. I’m here and so is Jack. And Elizabeth will be found. I feel sure she will be.”
Lucky felt her shoulders relax in the comfort of his arms. She touched the warm skin of his neck and breathed in a scent of aftershave. “I’m turning into a blubbering idiot.” She quickly wiped her tears away with her napkin.
“Don’t apologize. It’s normal to feel that way. There’s no magic formula—except time. Time always softens the hurt. Don’t forget, it hasn’t even been a year.”
“I know.” She took a shaky breath. “I know you’re right.”
“Eat a little more, miss, or I’ll think you really hate my cooking.” His comment elicited a smile from Lucky. He returned to his chair and poured more wine for both of them.
“Oh, another thing I meant to tell you. Rod Thibeault stopped in at the Spoonful earlier today. He mentioned something interesting. You know Norman Rank owns a lot of property all around, not just in town. In fact, he’s our landlord.”
“He owns the Spoonful building too?” Elias asked.
Lucky nodded. “Rod said Rowland had the town council in his pocket . . .”
“Meaning what? Bribed?”
“That was the implication. Apparently there is, or was, a plan brewing to take some of Norman Rank’s real estate by eminent domain.”
Elias chuckled mirthlessly. “I’m sure Norman would consider that grounds for justifiable homicide. Taken for what purpose? There has to be some benefit to the community as a whole, doesn’t there?”
“We both know if there’s enough money floating around, developers get what they want. Just look at that stupid car wash—case in point. But beyond that, there’s got to be some connection between those two men—between Harry Hodges and Rowland. And maybe it’s somehow connected to Elizabeth and to the attack on Horace.” Lucky put her fork down and took a sip of wine. “Those two couldn’t have been more different. They led totally different lives in different places. I keep replaying the conversation I overheard between Harry and Pastor Wilson.”
“Maybe Harry was seeking some kind of spiritual help.”
“Completely understandable, given what you’ve told me. If Harry was dying, maybe he did want to confess to something. And then he looked like he could jump out of his skin when he saw me. He bolted away. The Pastor wasn’t forcing him into anything, just letting him know the door was open when he was ready to talk about whatever was bothering him.”
Elias was lost in thought. “Harry’s condition was terminal, as I told you. At the most, he had maybe a few months. You suspect something criminal?”
Lucky shook her head. “I don’t know. I can’t imagine Harry Hodges doing anything criminal. But what if he had knowledge of a crime and kept it to himself?”
“That could be what got him killed.” Elias stared at Lucky’s plate. “You’ve barely eaten anything.”
“It’s delicious but I lost my appetite. Can I have a doggie bag?”
Elias smiled. “Only if you promise to spend the night.”
Lucky sighed. “I want to, believe me. It’s just . . . there are so many wagging tongues in town. I have a business to run and so do you. You know how people talk.” There was nothing she wanted more than to wake up in Elias’s arms, but she wasn’t sure what judgments would come their way in a town as small as Snowflake, what comments would be made about them behind their backs. It was especially true for Elias. As the only doctor in town, he was in a far more vulnerable position. In reality, she didn’t give a hoot what people thought, but she didn’t want anything hurting her business or Elias’s position.
Elias reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m serious about this, Letitia Jamieson. I want us to be together. I don’t want to wait much longer.”
She was sure a deep blush was creeping up her cheeks. “I feel the same way about you.”
“Then what’s holding you back?”
“It’s just not great timing right now, Elias. I have the restaurant to worry about and Jack.”
“Jack would be thrilled.”
“He would. He’s really happy we’re seeing each other. But it hasn’t even been a year since my parents died.” She detected a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. As soon as the words were out of her mouth she realized she had used Elias’s own words against him. Was she an idiot or what? What was keeping her from making such a commitment? It was fear of course, but not a lack of feeling or trust in Elias. What fear though? Fear of loss? Fear of being totally at risk? Fear of losing her independence? She needed more time before she could give Elias a wholehearted “yes.”
He nodded. “There’s that, of course.” He pulled her from the chair. He grasped her hair and wove his fingers through it. Smiling, he lifted her chin and kissed her
slowly. Without another word, he led her toward the staircase.
Chapter 31
A COOL EARLY morning breeze blew through the open windows of Lucky’s bedroom. The flowered drapes billowed into the room bringing the heavy scent of roses from the garden below. Lucky stretched and reluctantly came awake remembering the evening with Elias, after which he had gallantly walked her home to her apartment door.
She was overcome with a sense of loneliness when he left to return home. She listened to his footsteps descend the stairs, angry with herself for once again shying away from an obvious proposal. She was overwhelmed with physical feelings she had never experienced before. And now she was pathetically head over heels in love with him. So what was holding her back? Elias had worked hard to achieve what he had and was ready to settle down. But was she? Once Elias had gone, she had fallen into bed and slept deeply for several hours until the alarm woke her.
She and Sophie went out together at first light and continued searching the smaller roads on the same route she had undertaken the day she met Rod Thibeault. Sophie agreed that they would stick together, particularly since cell phone service was sketchy around the mountain. They found nothing. By the time Sophie dropped her back at her apartment, she felt as if she had been driving for days. She set her alarm once again and fell across her bed, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep for one more blessed hour. But there was a heaviness in her muscles that even sleep would not cure. If only her anxiety would abate. If only this feeling of dread would leave her. If only her mood could match the sweetness of the world outside her windows. She pushed back the covers and stumbled into the kitchen of her small apartment. She turned the burner on under the kettle and sat in a kitchen chair by the window. She rubbed her temples, feeling a low-grade headache as she waited for the kettle to come to a boil. When it started to shriek, she turned off the burner and spooned two helpings of strong coffee into a filter. She poured boiling water through and dropped a piece of bread into the toaster.
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