A Box Full of Trouble

by Carolyn Haines

  Shelby Rae loaded a few remaining things into the dishwasher while Erin rifled in the fridge for a snack. Strangely enough, she was less regular about meals at home than she was at school.

  "You're dressed up. You have a date with that Daly boy?" There was no sign of teasing or rancor in her voice. Only curiosity.

  "Not really a date. We went out to see Chief Deputy Wilkins. I wanted to know if he could tell us anything about Julie. He and Noah are friends. But you probably already know that." Erin didn't look at Shelby Rae, but waited.

  "Good Lord, why would I know that? I don't care to know anything about the social life of a Zach Wilkins or a car mechanic. I'm surprised you would bother with a boy like him. Especially with how he was involved in your mother's case. Does your father know? He asked about the motorcycle in the driveway. He knows it was the Daly boy's."

  Erin laid out the goat cheese, some grapes, and her favorite nut crackers on a plate. She wasn't going to let Shelby Rae's snobbery get to her. She shrugged. "We're just hanging out. No big deal."

  "It's not a big deal that Noah Daly found Julie's body? Seems pretty coincidental to me. He could be a suspect."

  "Oh, my gosh," Erin said. "Speaking of coincidence...the weirdest thing."

  Shelby Rae plucked a small cluster of grapes from the colander and popped a grape in her mouth. Erin had a sudden memory of giggling with her over a plate of chicken salad and strawberries at a tearoom in Louisville after they'd gone shopping for school clothes. She must have been thirteen or fourteen. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

  "What?"

  Erin put down her plate. "Zach Wilkins has a Kentucky Colonel certificate and his high school diploma hanging in his bathroom. He's from Louisville, too. Did you know him when you lived there?"

  The question took Shelby Rae by surprise, and Erin watched her eyes change as she considered her answer. Finally, she gave a smile that was more of a grimace.

  "I did know him in high school, but we weren't friends or anything. He was kind of a loser. Not somebody I ever would hang around with. You know, he wasn't on the football team or anything like that. He skipped school a lot to go hunting. None of my friends did. We weren't hillbilly like that."

  "You never told me why you moved to New Belford. It seems weird that you would choose to come live here."

  Shelby Rae made a scoffing noise. "Yes, I did tell you. My aunt had cancer and I came down here to help my uncle take care of her. I was the only one who would do it. My Uncle Travis can be a waste of space sometimes, but my aunt was good people. I know you don't like Uncle Travis. At least you don't like me helping him out. Or my mother. Some people just have bad luck with money. Not something you ever have to worry about."

  Erin didn't rise to the bait.

  "Did you meet Chief Deputy Wilkins again after you moved here?"

  "Sure. I mean, he was a cop, right? I saw them all at the dealership from time to time. Is there something wrong with that? It's not like I could escape seeing him after Jeb Daly robbed the bank. Everybody knew him. It's my opinion he should have left town after everything was straightened out and Jeb Daly went to jail. It was strange the way people just went on with their lives—your father giving Jeb Daly's son a job, and being pretty nice to Zach. Well, mostly nice." She paused a moment and looked at Erin shrewdly. "Did Zach say something to you? Is that what this is all about?"

  "About what?"

  "Did he say anything rude about me, about high school or anything? Or about me marrying your dad?"

  Erin shook her head. "No, he didn't say anything about you at all," she lied. Zach had talked about Shelby Rae needing to be interviewed. Erin had just been curious about their having grown up in the same town, a big town at that. But now she really was interested. Zach now knew about the kidnapping, and he was going to investigate Bryn Owens some more for them. They had told him not to mention the kidnapping to anyone else, hadn't they? Damn. She couldn't remember.

  Something about Zach Wilkins bugged her, and she felt like it was more than the fact that he almost shot a fleeing Trouble.

  After Erin reassured Shelby Rae again that, no, Zach had said nothing unpleasant about her, Shelby Rae wandered toward the stairs.

  "Turn the lights out, will you?" she asked. "Good night."

  It was the most pleasant her stepmother had been to her in a week.

  * * *

  Erin hung out in the kitchen a while, watching Netflix on her iPad, hoping Trouble might come through the pet door. Weary after half an hour, she loaded her dishes into the dishwasher and started it. She thought about Julie, and how very quiet her house must be now that she was dead and the police were gone. Because they’d once been so close, she felt badly about how irritating she'd found Julie lately. But the photographs she'd had of Shelby Rae with the man in her car bothered Erin. Now they sat in a shoebox in her closet, perhaps some kind of evidence linked to Julie's death.

  Was it possible Shelby Rae was involved? She didn't want to believe it, if only for her father's sake. It wasn't like Shelby Rae couldn't just divorce him if she didn't love him anymore. He would surely give her all the money she needed, after begging her to stay. It was almost painful to Erin to know how much her father loved Shelby Rae.

  She should've told him right away that she'd retrieved the photographs, so he didn't worry, but it was too late now. Even Shelby Rae was probably asleep. She also needed to know if he'd told the police he'd gone to Julie's house.

  By the time she reached her bedroom, Erin was so tired she barely had the energy to swish the toothbrush over her teeth. She went to her closet and took off the romper, stuffed it into her hamper, and threw on a long T-shirt to sleep in.

  The next day would be a long one, searching for Trouble, volunteering at the shelter, and having dinner at Noah's house. Oh no, what should I even wear? Should I take dessert? Her mind was suddenly filled with more questions, more worry.

  But the questions and worry evaporated when she discovered Trouble lying on her bed, busily washing one of his long legs. His soft black fur was dotted with burrs and bits of dirt, making him look untidier than she'd ever seen him. Lying on the bed close beside him was a creased and tattered photograph. Erin picked it up and held it near her bedside lamp. The paper was pocked with tiny punctures, like from an animal's teeth, around the edges. It was a photograph of a teenage girl in a pageant gown hung with a sash that read Miss Jeffersonville. The girl's smile was radiant, and she held a bouquet of yellow roses in one arm. Her opposite hand was raised to steady the tiara not quite centered on her head.

  Erin had seen a similar, more formal photograph in an album Shelby Rae had shown her years earlier. But this photo was a snapshot, taken just below the stage, from the audience. Erin was sure Trouble had brought it from Zach Wilkins' place.

  She touched Trouble lightly on the head, not wanting to interrupt his grooming. “Trouble, you’re brilliant.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Noah, if you don't calm down, you're going to drive us both crazy before lunchtime, and breakfast isn't even over." His mother laughed as she set a stack of pancakes in front of him.

  He'd gotten up an hour earlier than usual before work to dust and vacuum the living room and dining room and clean the guest bathroom. It wasn't that he didn't think his mother kept a clean house. In fact he'd had cleaning chores himself since he was a kid. It was just that he wanted all signs of his father out—the ashtrays, the smudge rings on the tables from where his father's friends had left beer, the dirty fingerprints on the bathroom light switch. (Okay, maybe those were actually his.) If only his father would stay away, now that he was gone. It was almost like he was off in prison again. Almost.

  Where was his father? His mother said one of the Atwell brothers had picked him up in his truck. "I hear things about them. What they do out at their place. I don't think your father should hang out with them, but he doesn't listen to me," she'd said.

  No. He wouldn't think about his father right now.

&nbs
p; "You've got stuff for tuna casserole, right? I'll stop at the store and get bread. Asparagus, too. What if she doesn't like asparagus?" Asparagus was Noah's favorite vegetable, and he thought everyone should like it. He liked Erin and he liked asparagus. It wasn't possible that she didn't like it, too.

  "Why would you want tuna noodle?" his mother asked. "That's not very fancy. I could pick up steaks or something. We're not poor, honey."

  Noah found it hard to explain. He wanted to be honest about the kind of people he and his mother were. They didn't try to be people they weren't. Even though he planned to eventually go to college to study architecture, he didn't ever want to be the kind of person who was ashamed of where he'd come from. He'd long ago stopped thinking of his father when he counted his family, even if there were people in town who didn’t want to let him forget. In fact, he saw himself leaving New Belford behind one day. He wondered how Erin would feel about that.

  "You make the best tuna casserole on the planet, Mom. Who wouldn't be impressed by that?"

  She laughed again and gave him a little push on the shoulder. "Go on, you!"

  When he arrived at work and was putting his lunch in his locker, his phone buzzed.

  Trouble came back last night with a picture. I think it came from Zach's! Shelby Rae as a teenager. Isn't that freaky????

  * * *

  Maybe he got it in your house?

  * * *

  It's kind of torn up with lots of teeth marks. Ripped too. He was covered in dirt and stuff. I bet that's why he ran away. So I could see the picture.

  Noah wasn't quite sure what to answer. He was skeptical that Zach would have a photo of Shelby Rae. Why would he even have anything to do with Shelby Rae? Shelby Rae was pretty, sure. Men flocked around her and talked about her. But Zach had never been like that. He hardly even dated, and had never had a woman living with him that Noah could remember. Maybe Erin was grasping at straws, trying to find anything and anyone connected to the kidnapping or Julie Berry's murder. He really couldn't blame her. But Zach?

  Bring it with you later and the others. I want to see them.

  What if Zach is the one who kidnapped Shelby Rae? Do you think he's dangerous? Wow I can't believe I said that. You know, --my mom.

  Now Noah really didn't know how to answer.

  Is Trouble okay? Not hurt?

  Sleeping like a champ. I'm volunteering at the shelter this afternoon. Have to talk to my dad at work later. Maybe see you there? Or I'll just see you tonight. I feel like we're getting close to something. Bye!

  I feel like we're getting close to something. Noah read the line again. He hoped her idea of getting close to something wasn't just making assumptions about Zach. Even if Zach had an old photo of Shelby Rae upstairs, would it mean anything? Noah didn't want to think so. He trusted Zach.

  The morning rushed by. Everyone in the service department was so busy that they hardly had time for breaks or even talking. A lot of people had their cars in the shop getting ready to take vacations tagged onto the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Every year the Rotary Club sponsored a picnic and fireworks display at the county fairgrounds. Last year he’d gone with Katelyn and her family, and it had been a disaster because one of his friends who'd just turned twenty-one surprised him by bringing a beer over to where they sat eating. Katelyn's family didn't believe in drinking alcohol and didn't approve of anyone who did. Plus, he half-suspected his so-called friend had done it on purpose to insult Katelyn's family. Noah believed in the concept of live-and-let live. Embarrassed, when the guy walked away, Noah had poured the beer in the grass and dropped the can in the trash.

  Katelyn had given him hell later.

  Now, ten minutes before lunch, his phone buzzed again with a text message, and—--hoping it was Erin again—--he snuck it out of his coveralls pocket. Noah didn't recognize the number, but the message got his attention.

  Son need a favor. A buddy in a delivery van is going to be pulling up behind your bike in about 15 minutes. He’s got a package I need you to bring me right after work. Won't take you long. Directions coming.

  Noah texted back right away that he didn't have time. He didn't mention that neither did he want to have anything to do with his father or strangers with packages that almost certainly contained enough drugs to get him sent to prison for a long, long time. But the only answer he got was a few lines with directions leading to someplace about fifteen miles out of town.

  He sent an answer. No I'm not coming.

  No response. Of course there wouldn't be. His father's silence indicated that he expected no backtalk.

  What can he do to me? Though he knew he could handle any kind of crap he got from his dad for disobeying, he also knew his father was just as likely to take out his anger on his mother.

  It was his father's dumb luck that it was one of Noah's days to take the early lunch shift. As soon as the clock hit noon he grabbed his lunch and backpack and went outside to his bike before anyone could ask him where he was going. Sure enough there was a yellow and white delivery van stopped behind it, a man with neat brown hair and sunglasses behind the wheel. He also wore an official-looking white shirt with yellow pockets. When Noah approached the van, the driver put down the window.

  "You Noah Daly?"

  "Yes."

  The driver shoved a large brown padded envelope at him. "No need to sign."

  Noah hesitated and the driver pushed it another inch toward him. "Why can't you just deliver it to my old man?" But Noah took the package anyway.

  The driver turned away and put the van in gear. "Don't ask me questions. Do I look like goddamn Wikipedia?" He drove slowly until he reached the dealership's exit, then turned onto the road leading out of town and quickly picked up speed.

  His hand shaking slightly, Noah stowed the envelope in his backpack and took the backpack inside to his locker.

  Right after lunch, the afternoon went from bad to weird.

  Earl paged him to come to the service desk. That was rarely a good thing. He didn't like surprises at work. As soon as he got to the door he saw this was one of those not-good times.

  "This nice young lady says she'd like you to service her Escape, Noah. Told her you'd be happy to."

  Katelyn stood in front of the service desk, her bright pink purse swinging from one hand. She looked different, more relaxed than when he'd seen her last. Her sunglasses were atop her head, holding back her deep auburn hair, and she was wearing dressy shorts and a sleeveless white blouse unbuttoned generously from the top.

  "Noah!" she shrieked. "Am I ever glad to see you."

  An uncharacteristic hint of a smile played at Earl's mouth as he turned back to the computer screen.

  "Katelyn. Hey." He froze as she threw her arms around him. She smelled of hairspray and lemon and something sweet, like a little girl. "You got a new car?"

  "I got a job of my own. Phone sales and marketing for a data company. It's super fun, and I got my own apartment, too. Well, with two other girls, anyway. It's really great living away from home."

  "That's great. Sure, I can service your car. No problem. It's good to see you." It was good to see her, but he still felt awkward. Katelyn had an oddly manic look in her eyes. He wondered if she wasn't giddy with the freedom of being out from under her parents' thumb. She'd been so adamant about doing everything they said, living her life exactly as they planned it. But she did look even prettier now, nervy and vibrant.

  "Maybe we could get something to eat later. It's my day off." Katelyn looked up at him, her blue eyes wide and appealing. "I've missed you."

  Behind her, the door from the back hallway opened and Erin, looking weary and sad, came in. She looked from him to Katelyn and back to him again. Katelyn's body language was obvious, and Noah reddened slightly.

  "Um, sorry. I've got plans," he said. "I need to get to work."

  Katelyn hadn't yet noticed Erin. "My cell number's the same. My parents stopped paying for my phone, but the phone company let me keep my number when I g
ot my own account. Call me, okay?"

  Something in Erin's face changed and became determined instead of sad.

  "Hey, Noah," she said brightly.

  Katelyn turned around.

  Erin nodded to Katelyn and gave her a quick smile. Katelyn's own smile faded a bit. Without saying anything to Katelyn, Erin stood on tiptoe beside Noah and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "See you later!" Then she continued out the door to the parking lot, leaving both Noah and Katelyn staring after her.

  * * *

  Noah headed out of work the minute he could and, wearing the backpack with its mysterious contents, got on his bike. Inwardly he was still smiling about Erin and the kiss she'd given him. Talk about a surprise. Katelyn had definitely gotten the message. And he was pretty sure he'd gotten a message, too. A message that definitely distracted him from his errand.

  If things went well, he would make it back to the house in time to grab a quick shower and change before Erin arrived.

  The place where his father wanted him to bring the package was an old concert grounds called Honeysuckle Jamboree that had been popular with groups of hippies in the seventies, but was now mostly overgrown and padlocked. It was rumored that various cult-like groups rented it out from time to time, and there were tales of weirdness and devil worship, but Noah suspected the stories were probably bullshit. He'd give anything not to know his father was hanging out there. Surely it was filled with plenty of types he was disallowed from being around. That was his father all over. Oblivious. He hoped he could just drop the package off and go, and that his father wouldn't make him come inside. He silently prayed that he didn't get pulled over, and that the cops weren't watching the place. If the package contained drugs, he would be screwed. But he couldn't take the chance that his father would punish his mother if he didn't deliver.