by Maci Grant
“Oh, thank you!” Blu took one of the cups and led Maddie back to her room.
Chapter 12
As Blu and Maddie settled in, she filled her friend in on the latest about the case. “So there’s not much to do now but wait. I need something to take my mind off of Gill being in that holding cell. I thought I’d look through the pictures from our visits to the ice cream shop and pick out a few. I think we should create a memory memorial for Martha. I’m sure other people in the community will have some to contribute.”
“That’s a sweet idea.” Maddie picked up the other album and began looking through it.
Blu flipped through the summer scrapbook that she and the kids had made the year before. It was filled with memories of all the fun activities that they’d done. Just as she expected, there was a full page for ice cream day. In the photograph the kids and the Peddles stood in front of the ice cream shop. Marley, much tinier and still quite shy, gripped her big brother’s hand tight. Joey gazed up at Mr. Peddle with a wide smile and cheeks smeared with ice cream. The Peddles had their arms locked together. It was a picture-perfect moment that warmed Blu’s heart.
“Look at that love. That’s not something that ends in murder.”
Maddie leaned over her shoulder to look at the photograph. “It’s a beautiful picture. You should use that if we put together a memorial. Too bad that guy photo-bombed it.”
“Huh?” Blu squinted her eyes.
“Here, in the window.” Maddie tapped the portion of the photograph with the large front window of the ice cream shop.
Clearly reflected in the window was a man holding a camera. It wasn’t a digital camera, or a cell phone camera. It looked like a camera that still used film. Blu had never noticed the reflection before, as it was off-center. Her focus was always on the children. The reflection made the man look as if he might have stood directly behind Blu.
How had she not noticed him there? More importantly, why was he taking a photograph of the Peddles and the kids? The thought of some strange man out there with the same picture left her feeling very unsettled.
“I never noticed that before. That’s odd, isn’t it?”
“A bit.”
“Why would he be taking a picture of the kids?”
Maddie tilted the scrapbook a little. “You know I love taking pictures. I’m pretty sure from the way his camera is tilted that he wasn’t taking a picture of the kids. It seems like maybe he was either taking a picture of the Peddles or something that was above their heads.”
“What would be above their heads?” The photograph cut off the top of the shop door.
“Maybe if you go take a look you’ll notice something.”
Blu nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“And maybe while you’re there, you can ask AJ if he’ll host the memorial wall at the Beach Bum.”
“AJ again?” Blu raised an eyebrow. “I’m starting to think you have a crush on him, Maddie.”
“Well, I need a backup plan in case the Alexander Dreamy plan fails.” Maddie laughed at her joke.
“Good point.” Blu smiled. “I have the rest of the evening off, so I should have plenty of time to figure it out.”
“Unfortunately I don’t. I’ve got some serious housekeeping to catch up on.”
“That’s okay.” Blu eyed her for a moment. “This isn’t some plot to get me and AJ alone, is it?”
“Would it work?”
“To be honest, I think it’s best if it doesn’t.”
“Really?”
“Summers come to an end, right?”
“Yes, that’s true. Well then, I’ll stop pestering you, I promise.” She winked. “Let me know how things turn out.”
“I will.”
After Maddie left, Blu set the books back on the shelf. Then she changed into more presentable clothing.
She drove back to the ice cream shop and parked. She walked across the parking lot to the Beach Bum. When she stuck her head through the door she could see that the bar was crowded.
She noticed one of the waitresses.
“Is AJ here?”
“No. If you see him tell him to get back to work, we’re very busy.”
“Will do.”
Blu ducked back out of the bar. She walked back across the parking lot to the ice cream shop. It was still roped off, but there weren’t any police present. Blu stared up at the roof. All she saw was a roof. She didn’t notice anything particularly special about it.
She took a few steps back in an attempt to position herself exactly where she thought the man from the photo would have been standing. When she lifted her eyes to the roof again, she noticed a shimmer. The last of the evening light seemed to be bouncing off something up there. It held her attention. She took another slight step back and tilted her head in an attempt to see even further. When she did, her back struck something solid.
Chapter 13
“Blu, what are you doing?”
She spun around to see AJ behind her.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I was behind you. I’m sorry I didn’t move out of your way.”
They stood so close that the tension between them seemed to fill the space. “I was looking for you,” said Blu.
“Oh?” His casual smile helped her to relax. “I don’t spend much time on the roof.”
“Always sarcastic.” Blu rolled her eyes. “I was looking for you at the bar, but you weren’t there.”
“Yes, I was occupied with something. You can always call me, you know.”
“Well, the question I wanted to ask is a bit too sensitive for a phone call. And also, your waitress is missing you.”
“Sensitive?” His eyes widened a little. “Are you finally going to say yes to dinner with me?”
“I don’t remember you asking.” She tilted her head to the side.
“Oh, you should.” He grinned.
Blu almost mirrored his expression, then she remembered why she wanted to talk to him.
“I thought it would be nice to have a memorial wall for Martha where people could post pictures of their memories at the ice cream shop, and I was hoping that you would agree to host it.”
“Ah. That kind of sensitive.” He ran his palm along the back of his neck. “I don’t know, Blu. I’d have to run it by my uncle.”
Blu lifted an eyebrow. “You have to get his permission?”
“Of course not.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “It’s a matter of respect. The case is still active.”
“Oh, does he consider it active? I thought he got his man.” Blu crossed her arms.
AJ met her eyes, his lips half-turned up and his lashes narrowed. “I guess you don’t agree.”
“You know I don’t. Gill wouldn’t do that to his wife.”
“So you say. But my uncle sees things differently at the moment. I don’t want to step on his toes. I’ll check with him, and as long as he is fine with it, I’ll host it.”
Blu pursed her lips. It was not exactly the answer that she wanted, but she could tell from the tension of AJ’s shoulders and the set of his jaw that it was the only one she was going to get.
She glanced away from him, back up at the roof. When she did, a flash of light caught her right in the eyes. She winced and drew back, which caused her to collide with AJ once more. He instinctively swept an arm around her waist to steady her.
“What is that?” Blu squinted.
“What?”
“There’s something shiny on the roof.”
“Maybe a rusted shingle, or something that got stuck up there.”
“Hm.” Blu studied the slope of the roof. “Is there a way to get up there?”
“A way to get on the roof of a building that doesn’t belong to you and that you have no reason to be climbing? Oh, let’s not forget, it’s part of a murder investigation.”
“The murder took place in the alley.”
“Actually the death
took place in the alley, but Martha could have eaten the ice cream anywhere.”
“Are you sure you’re not the cop in the family?” Blu rolled her eyes and strolled right past him. Before he could stop her she grabbed a ladder from behind the ice cream shop. She positioned it at what she thought would be an easy access point.
“Blu.”
She put one foot on the bottom rung.
“Blu, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Still doing it.” She climbed up to the next rung.
“Alright, alright. Here, let me get that.” He grabbed the ladder and held it steady.
As Blu climbed higher she could see a metal object on the roof. She couldn’t figure out what it was. “I’m going onto the roof.”
“Blu, don’t! You might fall.”
“I’m not going to fall. I’ll be just fine.” She climbed up onto the roof and promptly slid right down to her knees. “Ouch.”
“Blu!” AJ surged up the ladder to help her, but she waved him away.
“I’m fine, I promise. Just give me a second.”
She edged her way along the roof. Its sharp slope made it difficult to keep her balance. When she reached the metal object she discovered that it was a large horseshoe.
“Hurry up, someone’s coming.”
Blu grabbed the horseshoe and gave it a hard tug. It wouldn’t budge. This wasn’t just something that had been placed on the roof; it was anchored to the roof. She wondered why anyone would affix the horseshoe to the roof in a place where no one could see it. She gave up on getting it free and inched her way back to the ladder. Before she made it all the way there, voices drifted up to her.
“Hey, Uncle Paul.”
“AJ, what are you doing?”
“Uh. I noticed that there was some damage on the roof. I was just going to snap a picture of it. I thought maybe it was from that last storm that rolled through.”
“Why would you think that was a good idea?”
“You know me, always keeping myself busy.”
“Really? Because I got a call from one of your waitresses wanting to make a missing persons report on you.”
“I was just headed over.”
Blu held her breath and flattened herself against the slope of the roof. The last thing she needed was to have to explain herself to Chief Pitman.
“So what kind of damage did you find?”
“Not much—just a little wind damage.”
“What’s going on, AJ?” Chief Pitman’s voice hardened. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“No, sir.”
Blu bit into her bottom lip. Despite AJ’s being about the same age as her, and much larger than Chief Pitman, she could hear the deference in his voice.
“I know you, AJ. I know when you’re lying to me. You had better think long and hard about whether it’s worth being deceitful.”
“It’s nothing, Uncle Paul. I swear.”
“It better be. Do you want some help with the ladder?”
“No, I’ll get it.”
“Alright. I came by looking for that nanny. Blu, right?”
“You know her name, Uncle Paul.”
“Right. Well, if you see her, let me know. I want to speak to her.”
“About what?”
“If you’re going to keep secrets, AJ, then so am I. Just tell me if you see her.”
Chapter 14
Blu heard his footsteps as he walked away. She knew that if she did anything to draw Chief Pitman’s attention he’d spot her and know that AJ was lying through his teeth. She also wondered what he wanted to speak to her about. Her statement had already been given.
Just when she thought she might be in the clear, Chief Pitman stopped and turned back to look at AJ. Blu held her breath. All it would take was one look up and the chief would see that she was there. That would be it. She couldn’t begin to imagine how angry he would be at AJ.
“I mean it, AJ. If you see her, I want to know. You might be sweet on her, but she has information about my case.”
“Yes, sir.” AJ nodded.
Chief Pitman turned and walked around the building back to his car.
Blu waited to hear the engine start, then fade away. Only then did she inch her way back to the ladder. AJ held it steady as she climbed back down.
“What was that about?”
“He seems to want to speak to you.”
“Hm.” Blu met his eyes. “Thanks for not telling him I was here.”
“I couldn’t think of a good way to explain it, considering that I don’t have a clue what you were even doing up there.”
“Well, I found what was shiny.”
“What is it?”
“A horseshoe. I couldn’t get it free.”
“What do you think it means?”
“I’m not sure. But I think it’s there for a reason. Someone went to a lot of trouble to put it there.”
“People have weird tastes in decoration sometimes.”
“That’s true, but why place something as a decoration that no one else can see?”
“It’s possible that Gill didn’t even know it was there.” AJ shrugged. “Things happen.”
“I guess I’d better see what your uncle wanted.”
“He’s not going to stop looking for you until you do. Remember, Blu, he’s trying to solve the murder too.”
“And I am just trying to help.” Blu winked at him. “Let me know about the memorial wall.”
“I will.”
Blu left the ice cream shop and drove toward the police station. She was tempted to go back to the beach house instead, but she did want to cooperate with Chief Pitman. If there was something that he needed from her, she wanted to be able to provide it.
When she walked into the police station she found Chief Pitman right away. He sat just behind the front desk at a smaller desk. His gaze was focused on something he had right in front of him.
“I heard that you were looking for me.”
“Ah, the elusive Nanny Blu.” He folded his hands over the soft mound of his stomach.
“It’s just Blu.”
“Alright. Sit.” He gestured to the chair opposite him.
Blu sat down and looked up at him. “What is this about?”
“I feel like you and I have the wrong idea about one another.”
“Oh?”
“When I asked for your cooperation, I meant it.” He sat forward in his chair and met her eyes. “You might not be a police officer, but you do seem to have a nose for things. When I say I want your help, I mean it.”
Blu blinked. She furrowed an eyebrow. “Are you joking?”
“No. I’m not.” He grimaced. “I am not the most likable man, I know that. But I am also not the person that you think I am.”
“I don’t know you, Chief Pitman. I try to reserve judgment.”
Chief Pitman quirked his lip. “Well, I know some things about you. Your lawyer showed up.”
“He’s not my lawyer.”
“You’re right, he’s Gill’s lawyer. But it was your influence that brought him here. I know that. I respect that.”
“Why the sudden change of heart? I thought that you were convinced that Gill was the killer?”
“I’m still suspicious of him, but I’ve discovered a few things about Gill. He seems to be carrying a very heavy burden of guilt that goes beyond Martha’s death. I feel like he’s keeping something from me. No matter what you may believe, Blu, I’m not interested in just closing a case. I want to know that the right person is paying for the crime. The last thing I would ever want is to see an innocent person behind bars. If you don’t know that about me, then I’ve given you the wrong impression.”
Blu experienced some relief at his strong stance. It gave her some comfort to think that she and Chief Pitman really were working on the same side.
“If there’s any way I can help, then yes, I’d like to. I’m just not sure what more I can offer.”
“Well, so far yo
u’ve brought me more information than anyone else involved in the investigation. You’re also my one and only witness.”
“But I didn’t witness anything. We’ve been over this already.”
“You were near the scene of the crime the day before the murder, and very likely during the murder. Although you may not be able to remember, I believe you heard and saw more than you realize.”
“Well, if anything comes up, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“I was wondering if you would do a walk-through with me. Back through the scene. Say, first thing in the morning?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have the kids.”
“AJ can keep an eye on them.”
“Okay, if he doesn’t mind.”
“He won’t.”
“Then I’ll see you in the morning.”
He held his hand out to her. “Thanks for coming in, Blu.”
Blu gave his hand a quick shake. “Does this mean that I can see Gill?”
“Not tonight. Maybe after our walk-through tomorrow. I look forward to working with you, Blu.”
Blu studied him for a moment. She wasn’t sure whether to be convinced of his change of heart, but his expression gave her no reason to doubt him.
“See you then.”
As she left the police station her mind wandered back to the horseshoe. She was sure that it meant something. She made a mental note to speak with Gill about it the next day.
Chapter 15
That night Blu spent some time talking to Maddie on the phone about her exploration of the roof.
“I really think that the horseshoe means something. If the man in the photograph was so intent on taking the picture, he had to have known that it was there.”
“Especially with that old-fashioned camera. Even two years ago, not many people were still taking pictures with film.”
“Hm. I wonder.”
“What?”
“Well, maybe if he got the pictures developed in the area we could figure out who it is somehow.”
“That’s a good idea. I think the only place that still develops in town is Power’s Pharmacy. Otherwise he would have had to go a little ways out of town.”
