The Spook in the Stacks

by Eva Gates

  He let out a long sigh. “If you say so, Lucy.”

  “I do. How did you get here anyway? Did you drive yourself?”

  “I did. Greg asked me to check with reception as to checkout time, and when I got outside, they’d driven off. I told you he was underhanded.”

  “Go home. I’ll tell Julia to call you or Greg when she’s ready to leave.”

  “Don’t offer Greg. I’ll come.”

  “Goodbye, Teddy.”

  As Theodore headed out the door, Charles raised one eyebrow at me and wiggled his whiskers.

  “When a woman first begins to love, life is all romance to her.” I quoted Washington Irving. “We can change woman to man in this case.”

  Charles meowed his agreement.

  Two women came in with armloads of books. I exchanged greetings with them and went to work.

  * * *

  I spent the rest of the morning engrossed in publishers’ catalogues. What a fantastic bunch of mysteries were due to be released in the spring. Our budget didn’t stretch to buying everything we might want (nor did space on our shelves), and it would be difficult to choose.

  Several of our regulars were perusing the stacks, when Julia clattered down the stairs, her face glowing. “My, but that was interesting. Charlene’s a font of knowledge. I’m thinking of buying a vacation home in Nags Head so I can come in every day. Maybe I inherited some of that Outer Banks blood after all.”

  “That would be great,” I said.

  The smile faded, and a cloud settled over Julia’s face. “For a moment there, I was about to call Grandfather and ask him to recommend a realtor for me. I’m going to miss him so very much. For my whole life it’s been me and Grandfather. Us against the world, he used to say.” Julia stared into the space above my head. “What am I going to do without him?”

  Charles leapt onto the returns shelf, and Julia gathered him into her arms.

  “I get the feeling your mother would like to have a relationship with you.” I said.

  “Anna? We’ve been apart for so long. We’re so different.”

  “Give it time,” I said. “Give her time.” I slid a box of tissues toward her and then lowered my head and busied myself on the computer, giving Julia what bit of privacy I could.

  Eventually, she put Charles on the desk and wiped her eyes. “Perhaps I should get a cat.”

  Charles meowed his agreement, and Julia smiled. Trust Charles to know exactly how to lighten the mood.

  “I’m sorry, Lucy. You don’t need to hear my life story.”

  “I did ask,” I reminded her. “Don’t be sorry. I’m happy to do what little I can to help.”

  She smiled at me. “Everyone here’s been so nice to me. I called Greg to come and get me. I’ll walk up to the road to meet him.”

  * * *

  By seven o’clock, Bertie, Ronald, and Charlene had left for the day, and only one patron remained in the library. As soon as she was finished, I could lock up.

  She dropped a stack of books onto the desk. “This is all proving to be far harder than we were expecting.”

  I read the spines of the volumes she’d chosen. All were variations of legal titles For Dummies.

  “The house is far too big for us now the children have moved away,” she said. “We want to sell it and get something smaller. My husband insists we can do everything ourselves without a realtor. I’m not so sure.”

  “You’ve got a lot of reading here,” I said.

  She grimaced. “More than I can get through. Too many now that I see them all in a pile like that. I’ll only take this one, thanks.” She pointed to Home Buying for Dummies.

  I checked the book out, handed it to her, and said good night. I followed her to the door and was about to lock it, when I saw Theodore hurrying up the path.

  “I’ve come to collect Julia,” he said to me.

  “Oh, Teddy. You should have called. She left hours ago.”

  Hangdog was the expression. “I suppose that Greg collected her.”

  “She didn’t want to bother you.” I gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile. “Greg is her employee, remember. He worked for her grandfather, so I assume she inherited him. Natural enough she’d call him to run errands for her.”

  Theodore looked dubious. Charles wound himself around the man’s legs. “It’s just … you see, Lucy … I … I don’t have a great deal of experience with women. I like Julia. I like her very much. I was hoping we could be friends … more than friends, I mean.”

  I tried to look surprised at that news. “Give her time, Theodore. Don’t rush her.”

  He threw up his hands. “I don’t have time, Lucy. That so-called curator is constantly lurking about. He’ll be taking her back to New York now that Watson says they can leave.”

  “New York’s not on the far side of the moon. Naturally, she’ll want to go home as soon as she can. If nothing else, she has arrangements to make for her grandfather. Let her know you’ll call her in a few days, perhaps come up for a visit to see how she’s doing.”

  His big smile showed his browning teeth to full effect. “You’re so wise, Lucy.”

  I was saved from having to reply when the door opened, and Julia came in.

  Teddy’s face filled with joy. Poor Theodore. Julia would go back to New York, and her life would change now that she was in control not only of the Ruddle money but the historical collection. She’d be busy settling her grandfather’s estate. She’d probably forget all about the Lighthouse Library and our research room and her plans to buy a vacation home here. Charlene kept piles of original material, but they did have libraries in New York City. Once away from Theodore, Greg would make sure Julia would only remember what an unattractive, uncomfortable man the book collector was.

  Then again, maybe I wasn’t giving Julia enough credit. Maybe she did like Theodore exactly the way he was.

  “Julia!” he said. “What brings you out this evening?”

  “I’m glad to find you still here. Both of you. I’m going home tomorrow morning, and I wanted to say goodbye.”

  The joy died, and Theodore’s face became a study in disappointment. He truly was as readable as a book. “So soon?”

  “Watson called to tell me he’s finished the paperwork to release the … my grandfather, and I’m free to leave. I have to take Grandfather home and make the funeral arrangements. We’ll be on our way first thing tomorrow.”

  “Do you need a ride to New York?” Teddy said with as much eagerness as a puppy begging her to throw the ball one last time.

  “That’s so sweet of you, but Greg’s arranged a plane for us.”

  Charles leapt onto the nearest shelf and rubbed himself against Julia’s arm.

  Julia laughed and gave him a pat. “Hello, you. I’m glad to see you too. I’ve made up my mind, and the first thing I’m going to do when I get home is get a cat. I’ve never had pets, because Grandfather said they were nothing but a nuisance, but I’d like to get myself a cat just like this one.”

  “Excellent idea,” Theodore said. Julia smiled at him.

  The smile she gave the man was the exact same as the one she’d given the cat. Julia liked Teddy, I realized, but in the same way that I like him. I’d happily accept a lift into town, but I wouldn’t want to date him.

  Poor Teddy. Shy, awkward, sometimes foolish, but good-hearted Theodore was going to have his heart broken.

  “I’ll be back,” Julia said. “I’m determined to spend a lot more time here.”

  “Excellent. I’ll be waiting.” Theodore cleared his throat and shifted his feet. “Before you go, how about a walk on the boardwalk? It’s a beautiful evening.”

  “I’d enjoy that,” she said. “It’s been a long, emotional day.”

  I waved them out the door. Expecting them to pop back in to wish me a good night, I didn’t lock the door behind them.

  Charles went off in search of sustenance, and instead of going upstairs while waiting for Julia and Theodore to return, I
sat at the desk and logged onto Facebook to check up on news from friends back in Boston.

  The door opened as I was wondering if my sister-in-law was aware that Facebook is a public forum. My eldest brother had apparently been so drunk last night, he’d fallen asleep in the car and couldn’t be woken when they got home. She’d left him there to sleep it off.

  Instead of Theodore and the fair Julia returning from their walk, the new arrival was Dave. He wasn’t accompanied by Anna. Charles leapt onto the desk, and the fur along his back rose.

  “Hi,” Dave said. “Sorry to bother you. I see the ‘Closed’ sign on the door, but I’m looking for Julia. I ran into Greg back at the hotel, and he told me she’d come here to say goodbye and to thank you for your help.”

  “She went for a walk.”

  “I suppose that annoying man is with her.”

  “Theodore? Yes, but he’s not annoying. He’s fond of Julia. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

  Dave sighed. “I don’t know, Lucy. I’ve seen guys like that before. I can tell them a mile away. He’s trouble, pure and simple. I told Anna to keep an eye on him, but Anna’s not exactly levelheaded when it comes to men.” He laughed awkwardly. “She’s married to me, isn’t she?”

  “I’d hardly call Theodore trouble. He means well.”

  “They always mean well. Until they don’t. Julia told Anna she’s going back to New York tomorrow. I’m worried that guy’ll do something he might regret when she tells him she’s leaving.”

  Charles hissed.

  I shook my head. “Theodore’s not like that.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. Perhaps I’m worried about nothing. Comes with living with Anna, I bet. Always on the lookout for high drama.” He ran his hands through his hair and gave me a tight smile.

  “Sure,” I said.

  “I’ll leave you to it then. We’ll be leaving tomorrow with Julia and Greg. In a private plane no less. How the other half lives, eh?”

  “Have a safe trip,” I said.

  He smiled at me, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s been nice meeting you, Lucy, and getting a look at your lighthouse. I popped in to have a last look at it. It’s pretty impressive.” He shifted from one foot to another. His eyes darted around the room, but he avoided looking directly at me. “Maybe if Julia buys that vacation home she’s talking about, I’ll see you again sometime.” He fiddled with something in his pants pocket, and I got a glimpse of a black leather glove. “’Course if she’s anything like her mother, any plans she makes will be forgotten the next morning. Bye.”

  “Goodbye,” I said. He left and I went back to Facebook.

  Charles swatted my hand.

  “Hold your horses,” I said. “We’ll go up after Julia leaves. She might want to say goodbye again. Wow! Look at this. She really has no sense of privacy.” My sister-in-law was telling the world that if my brother didn’t sober up, she’d leave him. One of her friends replied that she knew the top divorce lawyer in Boston.

  My mother kept a keen eye on family goings-on via Facebook. She’d be having a fit right about now. More about the airing of laundry in public than a potential divorce from a daughter-in-law she never liked. She’d also be on the phone to her lawyers, determined to keep every cent of Richardson money out of any looming legal battles. These things could get mighty expensive.

  My attention was torn away from the computer when Charles dropped his entire body on top of Estate and Trust Administration for Dummies. He swatted at my hand again, this time with claws outstretched.

  It hurt. “Hey! Don’t do that. What’s gotten into you? Don’t sit on that book.” I started to pick him up.

  Inheritance. Wills.

  Jay Ruddle had been a wealthy man. Julia was his only living descendent. I knew nothing about the rest of Julia’s life, but I thought it significant that no one had come to the Outer Banks to be with her after her grandfather’s death. What had she told me Jay always said to her? Us against the world. If she had no close friends or extended family, then who was most likely to be Julia’s heir? Anna. No matter the distance of their relationship. Anna was still Julia’s mother.

  Julia wasn’t going to be convicted of killing her grandfather and go to prison. Watson had pretty much dropped that line of inquiry.

  Because she hadn’t done it.

  If Julia had gone to prison, that would have meant someone else would either inherit the money or manage it in Julia’s absence.

  I looked at Charles. He’d moved off the book and was now sitting beside it. His intense blue eyes studied my face as if saying, “Finally, she gets it.”

  I’d considered the idea that Anna, instead of being in Europe playing the violin, had been in North Carolina and had sneaked into the library during Louise Jane’s lecture to murder her father-in-law. I’d dismissed that argument because I couldn’t see Anna melting into a crowd. Nor could I see her calmly reappearing to comfort her daughter. Anna was the sort who wouldn’t be able to resist comments like “He deserved it, moya dorogaya,” or “You’re better off without him. Now that he’s gone, we can be together.”

  Watson told me Anna had been in Europe when Jay died. I had to believe the police knew what they were talking about.

  Therefore Anna Makarova had not killed Jay Ruddle.

  Anna had said Dave was with her on her violin tour. But that didn’t mean it was true. Had he told her it was easier to say he was and avoid difficult questions? I could see Anna waving her hand and saying, “Of course, darling.” Watson hadn’t said anything about Dave’s whereabouts, and I hadn’t thought to ask him to check.

  Dave, unlike Anna, could easily blend into an Outer Banks crowd. No one knew him. No one had any reason to remember seeing him. If he wore a ball cap, like so many men his age, and pulled it low over his forehead, even if I’d seen him, I would be unlikely to recognize him later. Nothing about Dave’s clothes would make him stand out in a crowd.

  His clothes.

  It wasn’t summer any more, but the weather was pleasant tonight. Dave had been wearing baggy jeans with a shirt and a denim jacket, normal clothes for such an evening. Normal, except for the leather gloves stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. Why would a man go to the trouble of bringing gloves he wouldn’t need?

  To keep his fingerprints off the murder weapon.

  Charles leapt off the desk and headed for the door.

  I jumped to my feet. Knowing Theodore as I did, I’d dismissed everything Dave had implied a few minutes ago about my book collector friend and his feelings for Julia. Dave had said the other man couldn’t be trusted, not only to me, but to Anna. Could that have been an attempt to put the idea into our heads that awkward, eccentric Theodore would lash out if Julia told him she didn’t want to see him again?

  Dave couldn’t just kill Julia. Her death, following so closely on that of her grandfather, would focus police attention on potential heirs. But what if the guilty party was found at the scene? Perhaps with a smoking gun clutched in his hand and a dead woman at his feet?

  I ran.

  “Call 911,” I shouted to Charles, before remembering that he couldn’t do that.

  Chapter Twenty

  Four cars were in the parking lot. My teal Yaris, Teddy’s rattletrap, Julia’s rented Escalade, and a compact rental car. No one was in sight.

  I tried to envision Julia as she came into the library. She’d been wearing a knee-length skirt, pantyhose, and pumps with one-inch heels. Not suitable footwear for venturing into the marsh itself. I ran around the lighthouse. The boardwalk is well maintained, winding through the long lush grasses, climbing onto stilts that extend into the water, and ending at a small dock and viewing platform overlooking the marsh. It’s a popular spot for family groups and birders.

  The sun had set over Roanoke Island and the mainland. A thin red line marked the horizon, and the fresh, salty air shimmered with a fading golden light. The 1000-watt bulb at the top of the lighthouse tower flashed in its rhythm.

&n
bsp; Highly romantic.

  I sprinted toward the boardwalk, and three figures came into view. Two of them stood at the edge of the dock, watching night settle over the wetlands. Theodore’s tall, skinny frame and Julia’s much shorter one. The man took a step closer to the woman and, after considerable hesitation, lifted his arm and placed it on her shoulders. Her head turned toward him.

  I might have slipped quietly away and gone back inside if not for the third person, the one running fast toward them. He’d put on the leather gloves, and, as I watched, he reached into a jacket pocket.

  I ran across the boards. I yelled, but the wind was blowing toward me, and it snatched my voice away.

  Theodore and Julia heard Dave approaching. Teddy dropped his arm, and they separated and turned to face him.

  “No!” Dave shouted. “No!” He rushed at Julia. When he was within a foot of her, he pulled his arm back.

  Theodore leapt between them. Julia screamed. To my horror, I saw Theodore clutch his right arm. He staggered backward, collapsed into the railing, and slid to the ground. Julia reached for him, but Dave swung again. I screamed and kept screaming as I ran forward.

  Dave heard me and whirled around. The last rays of sunlight reflected off the gleam of the knife in his hand. “Thank heavens you’re here, Lucy. That maniac attacked Julia. Run to the library and lock yourself in. Call the police. I’ve got this.”

  “I’m fine right here,” I said. I reached the viewing platform but kept my distance, my eyes on the knife and my hands in the air. Julia crouched at Theodore’s side, and her arms were around him.

  Dave’s eyes flickered, but the knife didn’t move.

  “Why don’t we go up to the library and make ourselves comfortable,” I said. “I can put the kettle on or open a bottle of wine if you’d prefer, and we can talk things over.” I felt in my pocket for my phone. My fingers closed on its solid bulk, but I didn’t dare take it out. I cursed myself for not calling for help before chasing after Dave.

  “I’m all right,” Theodore groaned. “You go with Lucy, Julia.”