by Maci Grant
“No. No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He pulled her back slightly.
“I can’t let this happen. I can’t just stand here and watch with you while he suffers in a holding cell. Or what? Is your uncle going to interrogate him?”
“Blu, take it easy.” AJ met her eyes. “You have to tread carefully around my uncle.”
“Maybe you have to, AJ, but I don’t. I’m not going to sit by while a sweet old man is accused of such a terrible thing.”
“Blu, I’m warning you.”
“You don’t do that.” She pulled her hand firmly away from him. “You don’t get to warn me. Maybe I’ve given you the wrong impression, AJ, but there is one thing about me that you’ll learn as you get to know me. I will not stand idly by when someone is being treated unfairly.”
“We’re not talking about sharing toys or shoving on the playground, Blu. We’re talking about interfering with a case.” His forehead creased as he leaned closer to her. “I know that you’re going to do what you please, but my uncle isn’t the type to question. He also isn’t the type to jail an innocent man.”
“I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.” Blu held his gaze for a long moment. “AJ, I have no intention of offending or being disrespectful to your uncle, but I will make sure that Gill is treated correctly.”
AJ held his hands up in the air, nodded, and walked away. A twinge of anxiety sped up Blu’s heart as she wondered if she had pushed things too far with AJ. Then she reminded herself of the promise she’d made the night before. It was better to push AJ away than to deal with the consequences of stringing him along.
As she walked across the parking lot to the ice cream shop the patrol car pulled away. She’d missed her chance to speak to Gill, but she could still take a look at the shop and the surrounding area. Most of the shop, including the area behind it that led to the bathroom, was roped off with crime scene tape. Blu’s stomach fluttered again at the thought of Martha’s death.
“Can I help you?” A young officer with a crisp uniform and a stern voice eyed her as she approached.
“I’m just looking.”
“That’s a bit morbid.”
Blu offered him a faint smile. “I’m not trying to cause any trouble.”
“There’s no reason for you to be here, so please move along.”
“Sir, I—”
“You there! Why are you taking pictures?” The officer’s attention shifted to another man who stood near the police tape and was busy snapping several pictures of the ice cream shop.
Blu realized right away that he was the same man she saw walking toward the shop the day before.
The man lowered his camera. “I have every right to be here.”
“You don’t have a right to take photographs.”
“Are you sure about that? You might want to brush up on the law.”
“Are you being combative, sir? I have given you a direct order to leave the area. I suggest that you leave.”
The man shifted from one foot to the other. He toyed with his camera as if he might take more pictures. Then he turned away from the officer and began to walk away.
Blu didn’t wait for the officer to tell her to leave again. Instead, she followed the man with the camera. He approached a sleek dark blue car. The license plate on the car was a vanity plate with the name STR AGNT written across the placard. He reached for the door handle of the driver’s side, then paused. He spun around so fast that Blu jumped back.
“Are you following me?” He raised an eyebrow.
Blu studied his business suit and suitcase. She was sure he was the same man from the day before.
“What business do you have with Gill Peddle?”
He turned all the way around and leaned back against his spotless car. “And you are?”
“My name is Blu.”
“Blu?” He smiled a little. “Interesting. So why are you following me?”
“A woman was murdered, and I want to know how you are involved.”
“How am I involved in a murder? I’m not. That’s absurd. I’m here on a professional basis.”
“Oh? Snapping pictures of crime scenes is your job?”
He cleared his throat. “Snapping pictures of real estate that I have an interest in is. I need to ensure that my client has up-to-date photographs of the land he intends to purchase.”
“So you’re the real estate agent that has been pressuring Mr. Peddle?”
“I do my job—if that’s what you mean. Still, you haven’t told me what your interest in all of this is?”
“I’m a friend of Mr. Peddle’s.”
“Are you? Then I’m sure you knew his wife, and I’m sorry for your loss. However, I’m not a friend, and I do not care if ten people were murdered, I only care about my client’s interests. Now that I know a murder has been committed on this property, that should help me in future negotiations.”
“You are heartless.” Blu narrowed her eyes.
“I didn’t get to where I am by being kind. I don’t care what people think of me.” He shrugged. “Least of all a random woman that stalks people.”
“I wasn’t stalking you.”
“Sure.” He turned back to his car and opened the door.
“Wait. What’s your name?” Blu stepped closer to him.
“Why would you want to know the name of a heartless man?”
“I’m just curious.” Blu offered him a feigned sweet smile.
“It’s Ken Buchman.”
“Wonderful, Ken Buchman. You should know that if I see you harassing Gill or loitering around his property I will file a complaint with the local police.”
“Oh?” He smirked. “Good luck with that.” He pulled open the car door and got in, then slammed it closed again.
Chapter 10
Blu watched as Ken Buchman drove out of the parking lot. She hadn’t mentioned seeing him the day before to Chief Pitman, but now she wished that she had.
As she headed back to the beach house she dialed Maddie’s phone number.
“What’s happening, Blu? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry about today. I lost it.”
“Of course you did. After what you saw how could you not?”
“I don’t know what to think, Maddie. They just took Mr. Peddle to the police station.”
“Are you serious? They really think he had something to do with it?”
“It certainly looks that way. I think I might need your help.”
“With what? You know I’ll do anything.”
“Rachel mentioned that she didn’t think Mr. Peddle had any kids. He may not have many living relatives. I’m just worried that he won’t have anybody to stand up for him. As devastated as he must be with the loss of his wife, I hate to think of him going through all of this alone. I’m going to take a ride down to the police station and check on him.”
“Oh, I bet Chief Pitman will just love that.”
“Well, I have something else I want to tell him. Hopefully that will make him more responsive.”
“Maybe. But watch yourself, Blu; you don’t want to get into anything that you can’t get out of, that’s for sure. In the meantime I’ll check into Mr. Peddle and see if he has any family we might not know about. He might be too grief-stricken to even notify them.”
“Good idea. Thanks so much, Maddie.”
“Any time.”
“You’re the best. I don’t know what I’d do without you here. You’ve really been helping me out a lot lately.”
“Well, you’ve certainly helped me out in the past. It’s the least I can do,” said Maddie.
Blu hung up the phone as she reached the driveway to the beach house. She got behind the wheel of her car and drove to the police station. Her swirling thoughts focused in on the last few times she’d seen Martha. The confrontation at the mall suddenly came to the forefront of her mind.
She parked her car in the parking lot of the police station and took a minute to try t
o remember exactly what was said between the two women.
When she walked into the police station there was quite a bit of activity—phones were ringing, uniformed police officers hurried in and out of the restricted section. Blu caught sight of Chief Pitman just as he was about to disappear down a hallway.
“Chief Pitman!” She rushed forward. “Chief Pitman!”
He paused and looked over at her. His nostrils flared and his upper lip curled.
“What is it, Blu?”
“I need to speak to you for a moment.”
“I’m a little busy right now—solving crime, protecting the city, and so forth.”
“I understand, but I think you’re going to want to hear what I have to say. Please, can I have just a minute of your time?” Blu offered her most endearing smile.
Chief Pitman sighed so heavily that his shoulders slumped. “Alright, one minute. That’s it.”
“Great.” Blu walked toward him.
One of the uniformed officers tried to step in front of her. “Wait a minute, you can’t go back there.”
“It’s okay, just let her go. Nothing can stop this one.” Chief Pitman rolled his eyes.
Blu smiled a little at what she took as a compliment about her determination.
“Chief, how could you arrest Gill?”
“Oh? This is what you needed my time for? To question my skills as a law enforcement officer? Are you aware that they don’t just hand out these chief of police titles? They actually have to be earned through education and experience, not to mention the confidence of an entire community and police force.”
“Alright, alright. I’m sorry. But I know that Gill didn’t do this. He has to be beside himself with worry.”
“Oh, you know that, do you?” He met her eyes. “Then why do you think Gill just finished giving me his confession?”
“What?” Blu’s eyes widened.
“Surprised?”
“Very. Are you sure that he did it?”
“Well people don’t usually fess up to murder on a whim.”
“But Chief, there are other suspects. Just today when I was near the ice cream shop, I saw this man trying to take pictures.”
“Oh, I know about him.”
“Yes, well, I saw the same man yesterday walking toward the ice cream shop, so that means that he was likely scoping the place out—maybe even stalking Martha.”
“Is that what you think?” Chief Pitman shook his head. “Well, there you go—let’s throw out the confession and arrest the real estate agent for doing his job.”
“But Chief, he has this terrible attitude—”
“If attitudes were the issue, half of this city would be in jail. Listen, Blu, I do appreciate your enthusiasm, but at some point you’re going to have to realize that you’re not a police officer. I, along with my very talented employees, can handle the crime in this town.”
“Okay. Then how about the woman who had a screaming match with Mrs. Peddle at the mall yesterday?”
“Huh? What woman?”
Blu couldn’t help feeling a little smug in reaction to the curiosity in his voice. “I saw Martha at the mall yesterday. I was going to say hello, but she was in the middle of an argument with another woman and so I decided to stay out of it. But I did see her and the other woman.”
“What were they arguing about?”
“I’m not sure. The other woman said something like ‘He’s a liar, you both are.’ I honestly don’t remember if that’s exactly what she said, but it was something like that.”
“Did Martha mention the other woman’s name, or maybe what she was accusing her of?”
“No. That’s all I heard. But the other woman was angry. I can tell you that much.”
“Well, that’s not much, Blu. I appreciate the intel, but I don’t think it’s going to lead us anywhere. In fact it sounds more like this incident might have been the tragic consequence of a lover’s triangle.”
“What?” Blu shook her head. “That’s crazy. Martha and Gill were in love. There’s no way he would ever do anything to jeopardize that.”
“According to Gill, he had something to do with his wife’s death. Now, if you’d like to argue with the man, feel free. But as far as I’m concerned if he wants to confess to murdering his wife, that’s his business.”
“Even if it’s a lie?” Blu met his eyes directly.
Chief Pitman stared at her for a moment, then he sighed. “If you can find me something solid that points to anyone else, then let me know. Until then, you need to let me get my work done and stay out of it.”
“Thanks a lot, Chief Pitman.” Blu pursed her lips. “Can I see him? Mr. Peddle?”
“No. He’s in custody. If you want to see him you’ll have to go through his lawyer. But he’s going to have to hire one first. Good day, Blu.” He turned and walked away from her.
This time when Blu tried to follow after him, the officer put a restraining hand on her shoulder. “You can’t go back there.”
“Fine.” Blu nodded. “Fine.”
She hurried back to her car, more determined than ever to get to the truth.
Chapter 11
Blu tried to be quiet when she opened the door to the beach house, but Rachel was waiting for her in the living room.
“Blu? Did you find out anything?”
Blu sighed as she walked over to the couch. “Nothing good.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’ve arrested Gill. They think that he’s the one who killed Martha.”
“Oh, that’s terrible. Why would he do such a thing?”
“I don’t think he did.”
“Do the police have any other suspects?” Rachel slid over on the couch so that Blu could sit beside her.
“Even if they did, they won’t follow up on them.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Because Gill confessed.”
Rachel grimaced. “How awful. So he did do it then?”
“I really don’t think so, Rachel. I know that a confession is pretty damning, but I really don’t think it was him. I think he’s devastated by Martha’s death and not thinking straight. I know he has a lot of respect for Chief Pitman, and maybe he’s intimidated by him.”
“You think the chief forced a confession?”
“I think he might have taken advantage of Gill’s grief and put more pressure on him than he should have. Gill’s all alone in there. He has no one to stand up for him and protect him. Rachel?” She looked into the woman’s eyes. “Remember when you asked me to let you know if he needed anything?”
“Yes.”
“I think he needs a lawyer—a good one. Not the one the city has to provide to him. I know it’s a lot to ask, but do you think one of your connections might be able to help him? Or maybe you could help him?”
Rachel frowned and leaned back against the couch. “Yes, that’s a lot—not just because of the money, but with the crime he’s accused of that could damage our family name.”
“But he’s innocent, Rachel, I know he is.”
“I’d have to talk to Marshall about it.”
“I understand that, and I respect that. But I’m not sure that Mr. Peddle has that kind of time. He has no one to help him.”
“Blu, why are you so sure that he didn’t do this?’
“He loved her—a real, lifetime-long love. It’s tragic enough that it ends in murder—it’s even worse if it ends like this.”
“I’ll call Marshall now. If he okays it, then we’ll get the ball rolling. Okay?” She squeezed Blu’s hand.
“Thank you, Rachel. I think I’m going to go freshen up.”
“Take it easy, Blu, it’s been a wild day.”
Blu stepped into her room and shut the door. She leaned her back against it as she closed her eyes. The moment her eyes were closed she was in the alley again. Her heart ached for Martha and for Gill. She wanted to believe that Chief Pitman was as honest as AJ claimed, but she wasn’t sure. After all, he had
accepted the confession of an innocent man.
With the weight of his instruction to find a better suspect weighing on her mind, she headed for the shower. Aside from running, a hot shower was the best way to clear her mind. The white noise of the water, as it engulfed her, inspired a sense of relaxation that allowed her mind to quiet.
No matter what she might have thought about the chief, he did point out the mistakes she’d made when she found Martha—things she barely remembered. He also shot down the only other suspects that she was able to come up with.
She turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. Once she was dry, she dressed in a comfortable pair of pants and loose top. Then she pulled two photo albums off her shelf. Before she opened them she called Maddie.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Maddie. Did you find anything?”
“Unfortunately not. If there are any family members, I can’t find them. I mean there are plenty of Peddles out there, but I haven’t been able to connect them. I’m sorry, Blu.”
“Don’t be. You tried.”
“How is Gill?”
“I didn’t actually get to see him. I think I’ve hit a dead end when I’ve barely even started. Do you want to come over for a bit?”
“I’d love to. Penelope is taking the kids out tonight, so I’m free. I can be there in ten minutes.”
“Awesome. Thanks for the company, Maddie.”
She hung up the phone and set the albums aside to look through with Maddie. When she walked out into the living room to wait for her, Rachel met her there.
“I spoke with Marshall. He agreed to use our connections, but none of this can come back on us. So we’re going to send a friend of ours to look over the case and speak to Gill. If he decides that there’s a chance that Gill is innocent, he’ll take the case. I’m sorry. I know that’s not exactly what you wanted, but it’s the best that we can do.”
“No, that’s wonderful. It’s more than I could have hoped for, Rachel, and I’m sure that Gill will be grateful for it.”
“I’ll go ahead and make the call then.” As Rachel walked off there was a knock on the door.
Blu braced herself when she opened it, just in case it was another visit from Chief Pitman. To her relief, it was Maddie holding out a two fresh cups of coffee.
