Accessories & Alibis (The Presley Thurman Mystery Series Book 10)

by Laina Turner

  “Some guys came in here looking for Roxanne and they clearly weren’t friends of hers. They freaked Joyce and I out. Thank goodness the other two girls were on their break, and there weren’t any customers in here at the time, or they probably would have walked out.”

  “Did they threaten you? What’d they say?”

  “They didn’t threaten. They didn’t need to. They were just threatening to look at. Just hurry up and get back here.”

  “Ok, I’m on my way,” I said and though this was the last thing I needed, Silk needed. Maybe I was making a mistake getting involved with Roxanne’s mess. Who was she involved with that she wasn’t telling me?

  Chapter 7

  Traffic was horrible, and it took me twice as long to get back to Silk as it should have. Of course, seeming agonizingly slower because I was in a hurry, that’s always how it seemed to work out when you were in a rush. As soon as I walked through the doors Katy, and Joyce pounced on me and both started talking at once.

  “Give me a second to take my coat off and set my stuff down,” I said. I quickly went to the back to do so, walking back out to the floor where Katy and Joyce were waiting. “Where is everyone else?” I said, noticing we were the only ones in the store.

  “I sent them home. They were kind of useless, and as you can see, it hasn’t been that busy. We need to talk about them. Oh boy do we need to talk about them, but we need to talk about this first.” Katy said.

  “So what happened?”

  “You should have seen these guys, Presley. They were scary. Not the kind of people you would want to run across in a dark alley. Or lighted alley for that matter. Wouldn’t you say, Joyce?"

  Joyce nodded, and if I hadn’t known Katy for so long and knew that she wasn’t prone to hysterics, I might think she was overreacting. This had me worried. She didn’t, usually, act like this. “What do you mean cold and evil?”

  “I don’t know. Kind of like mafia types. You know the kind who would hit someone over the head with a hammer and not bat an eye,” Katy said.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah! Wouldn’t you agree Joyce?”

  Joyce nodded. “I know it might sound crazy but she’s right, Presley. These guys were creepy. They gave off a bad vibe.”

  “And you said they were looking for Roxanne?”

  Katy nodded.

  “So they don’t know she’s been arrested.”

  “I guess not,” she shrugged. “But it did only happen yesterday.”

  Which didn’t make any sense to me. “If they were looking for her surely they would have heard the news of her arrest?”

  “I don’t know. If they knew, they wouldn’t have come in looking. Maybe they don’t watch the news.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Nothing beyond ask for her. I tried asking who they were, and they just ignored me. They stared at us and asked the same thing over and over like we were going to change our story. It’s hard to explain, Pres, they just gave me the creeps,” Katy said.

  “Did they leave a number or a name of anything?” I asked.

  “No. I didn’t ask. I just wanted them to leave. I’m just afraid they will come back, and we don’t need anymore drama here to scare away customers.”

  “Maybe with Roxanne in jail, they won’t come back,” Joyce said.

  “It just makes me wonder what Roxanne was involved in,” Katy said. “Something’s not right about this.”

  “That’s why I went to see her, to try and get more information. She seems to think Drew’s parents are trying to frame her because they don’t like her and there was this email she sent,” I said, trying to explain to them what she had told me.

  “That seems a little farfetched,” Katy said. “Surely the police don’t arrest someone because of one email.”

  “That’s exactly my thought. But Roxanne was adamant that the police told her she had threatened to kill Drew in her email, and that’s what they’ve got on her.”

  “Do you believe her,” Katy said.

  “I don’t think she killed Drew but I think there’s something she’s not telling. Now with these guys coming in to look for her, it seems even more likely she’s hiding something.” I wondered if helping her was still a good idea.

  *****

  “All drama with our visitors aside, we need to do something about Debbie and Brenda,” Katy said. We were heading out the door of Silk for the night to go home after what had been a super long day. Especially for her. I still felt guilty that I had left her at the store to deal with those guys who showed up.

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Worse. They stand around and look the part, but they don’t do a whole lot but look cute. Which I have to hand it to them they do well. I gave them a few tasks and nothing got done, nor did they get anything done on your list from yesterday. I thought at first they maybe just didn’t know what they were supposed to do, but I think they just don’t care to work. They would make a half-hearted attempt and then pretty much ignore what I had asked them to do. Like I wasn’t going to notice. I don’t think Roxanne ever made them work.”

  “We can start interviewing I guess but I hate to get rid of them before we have replacements lined up. At least they are somewhat familiar with things. We’re already down Roxanne, and there’s a lot of work to do. If nothing else, they are bodies on the sales floor.”

  “I know but honestly they don’t do that much work. It’s a waste of your money. I’d rather we just work more.”

  “That’s easy for you to say,” I joked. “Do you think talking to them would help?” I asked. “Explain to them what’s expected of them?”

  “I don’t know. My gut says I doubt it, but I guess you never know.”

  “It’s probably worth a try while we are looking for replacements and at least give them the benefit of the doubt. Can we make a quick stop on our way home?” I asked Katy, changing the subject as I started to pull out of the parking lot.

  “Sure, where do you want to go?”

  “When I was talking to Roxanne, she mentioned that Drew had told her he was planning to sell the business. Rod didn’t mention a thing about that when I talked to him. I thought we could stop by and see if he were still at work so I could ask him quick. It seems like selling the business and not being in agreement on doing so with your partner is a big deal. He said he wanted to help yet he held back this piece of information. Doesn’t make sense to me.”

  “Maybe he felt it was something that could make him look guilty.”

  “That’s a good point, but he’s not the one in jail and it’s not like I could do anything to him. You sure you don’t mind if we swing by there. I know you’re probably tired from working all day and having to deal with everything. I feel bad that I left you.”

  “It’s fine as long as there is a Starbucks on the way. I need an evening pick me up. I know you just want to help Roxanne but if that’s your plan, then hurry up and figure out who killed Drew so you can have 100% of your focus back on Silk. It needs it.”

  She was light about it, but I knew she was right. I wasn't a good business owner, and this was just my first week. I had to maintain focus. Helping Roxanne wasn’t going to pay the bills that seemed to increase daily.

  “Don’t worry I know all the Starbucks drive thru’s in this vicinity and you’re right about my priorities. I just hate to think of someone in jail for a crime they didn’t commit. It seems much more important than a store in the grand scheme of things.”

  “I get it and I agree. I just don’t want you to drive yourself nuts between it all because at the end of the day it’s the business that is going to make you or break you. Not Roxanne. Not that I don’t want you to be a good person and help her out, but you need to protect your interests. Did Gary or Jim get back to you about the tax thing?”

  “Yeah, I have a meeting with Gary set. Day after tomorrow, I think.”

  “You couldn’t get anything sooner?”

  “He said he needed time to resea
rch things.”

  “Oh. I guess that makes sense. It’s just hard to wait.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  It didn’t take long to get our Starbucks and head over to Rod’s office. Since it was later in the evening and not rush hour, traffic wasn’t as crazy as it had been earlier, and it didn’t take long.

  “It looks like we’ve arrived just in time,” I said to Katy because as we pulled up I saw Rod walking out of the building to the parking lot. I rolled down my window to yell, “Hey, Rod, wait!”

  He looked up startled and when he saw it was me he waved. For a moment, I thought I spotted a look of annoyance on his face. Though when I slowly pulled up to him, he was all smiles and just looked tired. Maybe I had misread his look.

  “Twice in one day. How did I get so lucky?” he said. He came across so genuine I could tell he must be a good salesman.

  “I’m sorry to bother you again like this but I have a couple more questions.”

  “I only have a minute. I’m heading over to the viewing. Drew’s parents are going to be there, and I hate these things but I need to put in an appearance.”

  “Again, I’m so sorry. I know how difficult this must be for you.”

  He waved his hands as if to tell me it was no big deal or maybe he just didn’t want to talk about it. “What’s your question?”

  “Were you and Drew planning on selling your business?”

  Rod paused and looked at me with surprise, making me wonder what he was thinking. Was he surprised I had come across that information.

  “We were exploring some options, a merger possibly. Why do you ask?” He said cautiously, his playful demeanor from earlier gone. I felt he was putting his guard up.

  “I was just wondering if maybe that could have anything to do with his murder. Industry rivalry and jealousy. You know that sort of thing.” And again I wondered why he hadn’t told me before if he wanted to help Roxanne. Something didn’t seem right.

  “I don’t see how that would be possible. There isn’t much cutthroat rivalry in our line of work. How did you even hear about it?”

  “I went to see Roxanne and she told me Drew was selling. So I wondered why you hadn’t said anything,” I said, deciding to be honest so I could get his reaction.

  “Roxanne said that?” he said his face looking surprised. “You got to see Roxanne? Is she out?” Once again, his attitude changed, and it was all about Roxanne. He liked her for more than just a friend. I would bet on it.

  I nodded. “I went to visit her in jail. They set bail, but it's a million dollars, so she doesn’t think she’s getting out soon.”

  “Maybe Drew was more interested in selling than I thought. I’m surprised that he talked to her about it.”

  “You said earlier you couldn’t think of any enemies Roxanne, or Drew for that matter, had, but a couple guys came by the store looking for her when I was here. Katy said they didn’t exactly seem like her friends,” I said.

  “Oh!” he said and I felt that got his attention. His demeanor completely changed. “Who were they?”

  “They didn’t say, wouldn’t say actually,” Katy said, leaning over me in order to see Rod. “Two guys of what I would guess Ukrainian descent or Russian maybe.”

  This time the look of shock on his face was crystal clear, even though he recovered quickly. I would bet money on the fact he knew who those guys were. So why did he deny it.

  “Do you know them?” I asked.

  “No, no idea. Listen I hate to rush, but I really need to get to the viewing and you never know what traffic is going to be like,” he said with an apologetic tone, but I could tell he just wanted to get going. Mentioning those guys stopping by had unsettled him. I could clearly see that.

  “Sure. I understand. Thanks for talking to me.”

  As he got into his car, I turned to Katy, “He’s hiding something.”

  “Yeah, I noticed his look when I described them.”

  “What does that mean?” I said.

  “Maybe those guys are the ones who killed Drew? And they’re afraid of them.”

  “You might have something there. I wonder if I can get in to talk to Roxanne again.”

  *****

  “What did people do before the internet?” I said to Katy later that night as we were home having one of my food dinner staples of red wine and popcorn. Jared was out on a date and didn’t cook, and Katy and I were too tired to cook.

  “We’d be at the library looking up archived articles or microfiche.”

  I stared at her. “I don’t think I’ve heard that word microfiche since high school. Oh my God, that was a painful way to look things up.”

  “Who are you researching this time.”

  “Rod. I want to know more about him. I just don’t get it. If he wants to help Roxanne, he won't hold back.”

  “Maybe he killed Drew and doesn’t want to incriminate himself.”

  “I don’t get that feeling,” I said though my mind had thought about that possibility and reached for another handful of popcorn. “If he’s done anything it’s not that crazy, because I’m all ready to the third page of Google and besides a few press releases about Whole Pi stuff, nothing.”

  “Well, you have fun with your search. I’m heading to bed.”

  “Me too in just a minute. I want to finish this popcorn first.”

  Katy went to bed, and I closed my laptop, lying back on the couch, popcorn bowl resting on my stomach and wine glass in my hand. I knew Katy thought I shouldn’t be distracting myself from Silk with the drama surrounding Roxanne, but it was all that was keeping me from obsessing over Silk and the tax issue, and the sales, issue, and the employee issue. I was so scared I wouldn’t be able to do this. Of all the times for, Cooper to be gone. He was my rock and helped keep me sane when I was stressed out. I looked at the clock and saw it was almost midnight. I needed to talk to him, and it wasn’t that late. Even if it was I knew he wouldn’t care.

  Sitting up and setting the popcorn and the wine down, I grabbed my phone and went to favorites and tapped his face to initiate the call. A few rings and it went to voicemail. Damn.

  He was either sleeping or working. I didn’t leave a message. I knew he would see the missed call and call me when he had time. I was so happy that things were finally right between us. That was one part of my life that currently was amazing.

  Chapter 8

  “Look at this, Katy,” I said the next day as we were in the back room of Silk. I was still trying to make sense of packing slips, and invoices, and payments from the last six months, which at the rate I was going was going to take me the next six months. Accounting type stuff wasn’t my strong suit anyways, and when it was a mess, it was even harder. I knew I needed to get everything organized to set things up for success going forward, and it had been a long morning trying to do just that and I hadn’t even made a dent.

  She walked over from where she was steaming yet another box of merchandise we had found stuffed in the mop closet of all places to peer over my shoulder.

  “I see a bunch of numbers. What am I looking at?”

  “These don’t add up,” I said frowning. “This one is the list of shipments we’ve received, and this other list has the payments we’ve made for the shipments. I was trying to make sure I knew exactly what we owed each vendor before going back to the lawyer to get James to live up to his end of the bargain. Jim wanted to make sure we weren’t missing any information that apparently is a good thing. There is a ton of paperwork here that I found stuffed in a box I think James might not have even known existed. But that’s not even the craziest thing. The majority of vendors haven’t been paid in months that we knew except this one here got paid like clockwork. Threads Abound got paid when no one else has. That doesn’t make sense. Why this one vendor?”

  “Maybe Roxanne had a personal relationship or something with this one vendor, and she felt bad not paying them, so did it without his permission.”

  “But we don’t have any
shipments from this vendor, so I don’t see what we are paying for. I’ve never even heard of this label and haven’t seen a single thing in the store from them. I still haven’t found a record of that Halston shipment or those other dresses we found new in the box. Too many things just don’t add up.”

  “Maybe they got thrown away. Nothing in this store is organized. Thought I have to agree the Threads Abound vendor getting paid when no one else is, that is a little odd.”

  “What is that money going for?” I said, thinking out loud.

  “Hello, Presley are you back here?” a voice called out.

  That sounded like Roxanne but what would she possibly be doing here? I stood up to step outside the office and was shocked to see that it was Roxanne. Dressed up and not at all looking like she had spent the last forty-eight hours in jail accused of murder. She bounced back well. If I were in her place, I would be curled up on a couch somewhere, not out on the town looking glam.

  “What are you doing here?” I exclaimed. To say I was shocked was an understatement. Yesterday, she didn’t think making her bail was even a possibility and yet less than twenty-four hours later, here she stood looking as if none of that had happened.

  “You don’t seem so happy to see me,” she joked seeming in good spirits for her situation. I was caught off guard by her casual, upbeat attitude. It made me wonder if she was having a moment of temporary insanity and had forgot she was being charged with murder.

  “I’m just surprised; that’s all. I’m glad to see you. I’m glad you got out. When did you get out?” I asked.

  “This morning. I then went to Debbie’s to shower, my apartment is still a crime scene and even if it wasn’t I couldn’t fathom going back there. I don’t think I can ever go back there. After I put on my clothes and felt somewhat normal again, I came here hoping to find you.”

  “Who bailed you out?” I asked, curious because as of yesterday, she hadn’t told her family and said none of her friends had that kind of money. She told me she was hoping the news wouldn’t travel all the way to Iowa, where her family lived. She didn’t want them to know. She said they didn’t have even close to that kind of money, and she wanted to save them from the worry. Personally, I thought it was taking a big risk that they wouldn’t find out. If they spent any time surfing the web looking at news was bound to come across it. Nothing could stay very secret these days it seemed. Not to mention the cops or lawyers were sure to contact people back for information at some point. A fact I had pointed out to her, but that she just ignored.