by Lyndsey Cole
“Nothing in particular. Emma hired me to make some arrangements for a shower she’s having for her niece on Saturday, and after seeing their farm I just got a little curious.” Lily drained the last of her champagne and set her glass down, avoiding Iris’s piercing glare.
“Well, I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with that body you think you saw.”
Lily jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned her head to see Ryan Steele standing next to her.
Ryan politely excused himself for interrupting their dinner as he zeroed in on Lily. “I need to talk to you.” He looked at the others. “I hope you don’t mind if I steal Lily away for a few minutes, but it’s urgent.”
Chapter 7
Iris winked at Ryan. “I know that feeling, take all the time you need.” She said as she shooed Lily off.
Ryan held his hand on the small of Lily’s back, guiding her between the tables to the front door as Daisy jumped up and followed.
Betty darted over, looking concerned, just before they managed to get outside. “I hope everything is fine, you’re leaving kind of abruptly?” Betty said, more as a question than a statement.
“Everything was perfect and we’ll be right back for dessert, they needed a little alone time.” Lily nodded toward Iris and Walter who were already cuddling at the table with their heads bent together studying one dessert menu.
Betty smiled and nodded in understanding of the situation
Ryan leaned close to Lily when Betty was out of earshot. “That was quick thinking. I wonder if she thought it was weird that I showed up in my uniform looking for you.”
Lily shrugged. “Maybe if you put your arm around me and give me a kiss, she’ll just assume we’re lovers or something like that instead of some sinister story good for the gossip mill.”
Ryan didn’t hesitate to take Lily up on that idea, pulling her close and bending down to give her a toe curling kiss.
Daisy hissed at them, pulling them out the door, “This is not very professional behavior, Mr. Police Chief Steele. You’ll have the whole restaurant staring.” After the front door closed behind them, she added, “Maybe this cold air will cool you two down long enough so you can tell me what’s really going on.”
Ryan reluctantly let Lily go as his gaze swept over her from head to toe. “You’re irresistible when you get yourself all dressed up.”
Lily raised one eyebrow and put her hands on her hips, pretending to be annoyed. “And I’m not when I have my tight, comfy jeans and t-shirt on, Mr. Steele?”
Ryan stuttered, “Umm, that’s not what I meant. Of course you’re also irresistible even without your fancy clothes on.”
Lily and Daisy roared with laughter as Lily managed to sputter out some advice to Ryan. “Maybe you’d better try not to explain, it’s just getting worse and worse. I know what you mean and thanks for the compliment.”
“Okay then, that laugh felt good but I need to get back to the serious business I came here about. I’ve got some aerial photos I want you to look at. Can you both come to the station first thing in the morning?”
“Of course.” Lily looked at Daisy for confirmation before continuing. “How about seven? Do you have more information?”
Ryan winked at Lily. “Seven sounds perfect and you know I can’t tell you any details. You’d better get back inside and see if your dessert is there yet.”
Iris had ordered hazelnut coffee and was cutting into the fruit tart that Daisy had brought. “So what was so important that couldn’t wait until you’re done with dinner?”
“Nothing.” Lily took a plate, waving off her mother’s question. “This looks fantastic Daisy, you’re so talented in the dessert department.”
They chatted while eating and drinking their coffee. Iris sat back with her hands over her stomach. “I ate way too much. Let’s stroll around outside and stretch our legs, then you two need to see the view from the balcony of our suite.”
Betty hovered as soon as they stood up. “Was everything satisfactory?”
“Everything was perfect, thank you so much,” Iris assured Betty. “We’re going to stretch our legs outside and give this delicious food a chance to settle while we get some fresh air.”
“That’s a good idea. Just follow the paths that wind around all the cottages. You can make a big loop, but don’t turn onto the trails that take you into the woods or you might get lost.”
The air was chilly and the stars were twinkling in the crisp October air. Walter put his arm protectively around Iris, asking if she was warm enough. “Yes, dear, you’re making me hot.”
Daisy and Lily stayed back a little, coughing to remind their mother that there were others within hearing distance. The trail circled behind the Inn and looped around a half dozen or so cute cottages that were each nestled privately among the pine trees.
Lily whispered to Daisy as they walked behind their mother and Walter, “Do you recognize which cottage we saw from the hot air balloon?”
Daisy shook her head but then she stopped, grabbed Lily’s arm and pointed. “Look at that big hydrangea bush, it’s the only cottage with one. That looks familiar.”
“I think you’re right,” Lily said excitedly as she looked around. Each cottage was lit with a lantern by the door and this cottage that was the farthest away and most secluded. It had a big hydrangea bush covered with the dried white flowers.
They hurried to catch up with Iris and Walter who were waiting back at the Inn’s entrance gazing at the stars. Lily wrapped her arm around her mothers’ shoulders. “Let’s see that view. Do you think we can see anything in the dark?”
“We’ll see something. We can sit on the balcony and have a glass of wine if you aren’t in a huge rush to get home.”
Lily looked at Daisy who nodded. “That sounds nice.”
They all went up the stairs and Iris opened the door of the honeymoon suite, extending her arm with a big fanfare. “Ta-da, what do you think?”
“Wow” was all both girls managed to say. “This is quite the treat.” Lily’s eyes took in the stone fireplace on one wall that was all ready to light if they wanted a little warmth. A dark green leather couch faced the fireplace with a rustic coffee table on a square braided rug. Joining this sitting area was a door leading into a spacious bedroom with a king size bed covered with a beautiful quilt. Everything was simple but tasteful. French doors opened to a balcony that overlooked the back area of the Inn.
Walter told the three women to get comfortable while he got glasses and wine and he also brought out wool lap blankets for each of them.
Iris looked at her daughters. “Isn’t this nice?”
They both sighed their agreement as they accepted a glass of wine from Walter.
It was dark but they could see the lights of each cottage faintly glowing through the trees and the path was edged by solar lights. It was quiet except for the crunching of someone walking on the path. Lily saw Betty heading toward the Inn carrying a big bag. She glanced up and when she saw the four of them sitting on the balcony, she clutched the bag tight to her side and almost ran the rest of the way inside.
Iris said, “She must be chilly out there without any jacket on.”
Lily stood up and stretched. “I’d better get Daisy home before she falls asleep out here. I don’t think you two want any company tonight.”
Daisy yawned and stood up. “This was a great night, thanks for letting us crash your party.” Hugs went around the circle and Lily and Daisy found their way back to the car.
As Lily backed out she asked Daisy, “So what do you think of how Betty was scurrying along that path with a big bag clutched to her chest?”
“Don’t read something into everything you see. She has to clean the cottages, it’s probably just someone’s trash.” Daisy leaned her head on the headrest and closed her eyes.
Lily pictured how Betty looked when she’d seen Lily looking down. I think there’s something in that bag that could be evidence.
***
Bright and early the next morning, Lily and Rosie left to pick up Daisy and they drove to the police station. After their late night of star gazing and wine drinking, neither of them had much to say and they made the drive in silence.
Ryan was waiting for Lily outside the station. She parked and the three of them walked toward the front door together, Lily and Ryan holding hands and Daisy wishing Adam was there to hold hers.
Nina Baldwin hustled over to them before they made it to the front door and Ryan groaned at the thought of what might be coming next. She was ready with her pad and pencil, hoping to jot down any quotes she could use for her newspaper article.
“Mr. Steele, has the body been identified yet? You haven’t given me any information.”
“Ms. Baldwin, I don’t have a statement at this time, the family of the victim hasn’t been notified. You know the routine. Once I’m ready to make a statement, your editor will be notified.” Ryan ushered Lily and Daisy inside, ignoring any more questions Nina shouted out.
Lily hissed at Ryan, “What’s going on, are we in trouble?”
“No, come on in here and I’ll explain everything.” Ryan led the way to the back, passing Anna and Kari Sparks sitting in the main part of the station.
“Why are they here?” Lily asked Ryan.
Ignoring her question, he opened the door to a small room, ushering them both in.
Daisy shrieked when she walked in. “When did you get back?” She looked daggers at Ryan. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought you would like the surprise,” he said as he smiled at Daisy’s response at seeing Detective Adam May sitting in the room.
Adam stood up, grinning at Daisy. “Ryan said he needed my help on this investigation. I just got here about five minutes before you walked in.”
Ryan took charge, telling everyone where to sit at the table before he sat down. “To answer your question, Lily, we originally thought the victim was Kari Sparks because of the driver’s license, but obviously, Kari is alive and well. I brought her here hoping to find out why her driver’s license was found near the body, but she isn’t talking. Her mother insisted on coming too.” Ryan opened a folder, sliding a copy of an aerial photo to each of them. “Now, I need information from the two of you. Can you figure out which cottage was the one you saw when you were in the hot air balloon?”
Lily stabbed her finger at a spot on the photo. “This is the cottage we saw that person carrying the body from.” She looked at Daisy who nodded in agreement with her finger on the exact same spot.
“Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes, I remember it had two chimneys and none of the other cottages do. See? Take a look.”
Daisy added, “Last night, when we took a walk around after dessert, we saw that only one cottage had a hydrangea bush in front and we both remembered seeing that too.”
“Think back to that moment. Was there a car parked in front, like there is in this photo?”
Lily scrunched up her face. “I don’t think there was a car. You asked me before and I wasn’t sure but seeing a car in this photo just doesn’t look the same as what I remember seeing from the hot air balloon.”
Ryan slid another photo across the table, this one without the car. “How about this?”
“I think that’s how it looked. Except, of course, the person isn’t in this photo.” Lily studied it some more. “There isn’t a lot of open space so if there was a car, I think we would have seen it, right Daisy?”
Daisy put both photos next to each other. “I don’t think there was a car in this open space, but someone might have pulled between these trees and the leaves would have made it hard to see from above.”
Lily put the photo down and folded her hands in front of her on the table. “Now I have a question.” She watched Ryan’s face carefully. “Daisy and I saw a body and you found a body. Where did you find it and is it the same one we saw?”
Ryan hesitated before answering and Lily knew he didn’t actually want to tell them. “The body was found about a mile south from the Stone House Inn, in the woods, between the road where it gets close to a popular walking and riding trail. We don’t know if it’s the same one you saw, but I think it is. Now that you’ve identified the cottage, we have to search it.” Ryan pointed toward Adam. “That’s why I’ve asked for Adam’s help. If we can connect the body to that cottage, then we’ll know that someone moved her.”
“Do you know who it is yet?”
Ryan hesitated. “We know who it isn’t, but we don’t have an ID yet.”
Lily cocked her head to the side. “Did you know that Lance Turner has one of the cottages reserved exclusively for his use?”
Ryan flinched. “How did you find that out?”
“His pilot told me during a conversation about Lance’s wife, Emma. I wonder which cottage is his. He certainly seems to have an eye for younger women,” Lily said with disgust, implying that Lance could be involved.
Ryan stood up and told Lily and Daisy they could leave and he thanked them for looking at the photos and helping with the investigation. As they were walking out, Lily nodded to Anna Sparks who was sitting with Kari.
Anna got up and followed Lily outside. She looked at Lily with red, swollen eyes as she clutched Lily’s arm. “Can you help us?”
“What’s going on? Is Kari alright?”
Anna looked away and in a small voice she said, “I don’t know, she won’t talk to me. The police have been asking her where she was two nights ago and who she was with but she won’t say anything. I’m really scared, Lily.”
Lily led Anna away from the building and anyone who might possibly overhear their conversation. “Did you know that a body has been found and Kari’s driver’s license was near the body?”
Anna’s eyes grew as big as saucers and she started to shake. “Amber.”
“Amber?” Lily asked.
Anna slid down the side of the car they were standing next to, stopping in a half crouched position. “Amber Santos. She’s Kari’s new friend.” Anna looked up at Lily and Daisy. “I don’t know much about her except that she drifted into Kari’s life a month or so ago and Kari has been spending a lot of time with her. She’s only nineteen and borrows Kari’s license sometimes so she can get into clubs. They look enough alike; tall, slender, long dark hair and dark eyes.”
Lily crouched next to Anna. “You need to tell the police this much so they know who the victim is and they can find her family. She probably has a mom out there somewhere worried sick about her.”
Anna bowed her head and sighed. “I guess you’re right but I’m so afraid for Kari.” She peered at Lily. “Can you imagine what it’s like to worry day and night about your daughter? I can’t even sleep anymore.”
“Do you think she’s involved in the murder?”
“No! I think she could be in danger though.”
Lily pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I’m going to call the police chief and ask him to meet us out here, that way Kari won’t know that you’re talking to him. Okay?”
Anna nodded, stood up, and wiped the tears from her face. “Will you stay here with me?”
Daisy put her arm around Anna. “Of course we’ll stay.” Daisy nodded to Lily to go ahead and call Ryan.
Lily dialed, then slid her phone back into her pocket. “He didn’t answer. I’m going inside to find him so just wait here until I get back.” Lily hugged Anna then held her shoulders, looking right into her dark eyes. “It will be okay.” To herself she added, I hope I know what the heck I’m talking about.
Chapter 8
Lily hurried back into the police station hoping Ryan wasn’t too busy to come out and talk to Anna before she lost her nerve and changed her mind.
The first person she saw was Kari, sitting huddled with her arms wrapped around her slim figure, her head facing the floor and her long dark hair hiding her face.
Acting on impulse and gut instinct, Lily sat down next to Kari. “ever since
I saw your mom yesterday, I’ve been thinking about hiring a part time person to help me in my flower shop. My sister works for me but she’s starting her own baking business and it’s just a matter of time before I start pulling my hair out trying to get everything done by myself.”
Kari relaxed her arms slightly and turned her head toward Lily. “Why are you telling me this? I don’t care about your problems.”
“You might not care about my problems, but my problems could mean a job if you have any interest. Think about it.” Lily patted Kari’s leg as a friendly gesture, then got up and walked down the hall. I planted that seed, let’s see if it grows into anything. Now it’s up to Kari to come to me, I’m certainly not going to beg her.
Lost in her thoughts and wondering if she would regret the offer she just made, she crashed right into Ryan as he excited his office.
“Missing me already?” He grinned his lopsided grin.
Lily pulled him back into his office and closed the door. “Can you come out to the parking lot? Now?”
“Gee Lily, can’t you wait until I’m off work?”
She slapped his arm playfully. “Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s not what you’re thinking. Anna Sparks is ready to talk to you but she doesn’t want her daughter to know. She’s waiting outside with Daisy.” She paused to let that bombshell sink into Ryan’s brain. “I’m going back out, follow me in a few minutes.”
Lily turned to leave but Ryan held her arm and stopped her. “What’s going on? I’ve been trying to get the two of them to say anything and I haven’t gotten one word.”
Lily shrugged and her mouth curled into a grin. “They like me. Don’t wait too long or she might spook and leave.”
Lily smiled as she walked by Kari and Kari’s lip twitched into the ever so slight beginning of a grin. I wonder what can of worms I’ve just opened up.
Lily found Daisy and Anna in the same spot. Anna had managed to pull herself together and she looked like a big weight had fallen off her shoulders. “The police chief will be out in a few minutes. Don’t worry, just relax and tell him what you told us. He’s a nice guy and wants to help.”
