This must have occurred to the two men as well. Zack waved at me finally and said, “Marlee, could we talk to you for a minute?”
“I’m a little busy.” I poured a glass of cranberry wine for a customer.
“Excuse me, miss,” the gentleman from Oregon asked, “but can any berries be made into wine? I’d love to make homemade wine from my elderberry bushes.”
“Wine can be made from almost any berry,” I replied. “The basic recipe calls for fruit, yeast, filtered water, sugar, and honey.”
He took another sip of his wine. “How long does it take for the mixture to ferment?”
“There are different steps to the process. A month is average for the fermentation process. Most homemade vintners let their wine clarify for a few months before bottling it. But some people don’t bother to let it age. They drink it as soon as it ferments.”
Everyone crowded about the table listened intently to my explanation, including Zack and Christian. In fact, both men appeared unhappy, which didn’t surprise me. The sight and smell of so much wine would be upsetting to a recovering alcoholic and his concerned friend.
“Make certain you enjoy the taste of the berry chosen for your wine,” I added. “Some fermented berries can be too sweet, others too bitter. And be careful no insects or bugs get into the mixture. Also, all the equipment and utensils must be kept clean and sanitized throughout the process. But it’s easier to make homemade fruit wines than most people think.”
Five minutes later, the last of the sample wines had been poured, and only crumbs remained on my cheese and cracker platter.
“I need to end the wine tasting now,” I announced, pleased at how many people had chosen to buy the wines they had sampled. “Thank you so much for participating in our event. I hope you’ve all discovered at least one berry wine that has pleased your palate.”
This was met with a brief smattering of applause and cheers. The wine had put everyone in a good mood.
“Zack has something he wants to say to you, Marlee. It won’t take long.” I jumped at the sound of Christian’s voice. He and Zack had muscled their way closer to me and now stood only a few feet away.
“Let me clear off the table first. Both of you can wait in the back of the shop, where it’s less crowded. I’ll be there when I can.”
A couple I recognized from Kalamazoo approached me, and we exchanged friendly greetings. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw Christian and Zack in the rear of the store. Minnie sat perched a few feet away. Their conversation prompted her to shout, “Shut up!”
After the Kalamazoo couple moved off to inspect the berry pastries, my store traffic increased yet again when two of the performers from the Oriole Point Theater production of Grease burst in. Recognizing me from the Fourth of July parade, the actors currently playing Danny Zuko and Kenickie greeted me with shouts and bear hugs. By the time I came up for air, I spotted Christian in line at the ice cream counter, where Andrew appeared to be making an endless number of sundaes.
“This place is busier than Grand Central.” I turned to see Zack standing behind me.
“Things aren’t always so crazy,” I said. “But it is high season along the lakeshore. And when you add the alumni from the Blackberry Art School . . .”
“That’s what I need to talk to you about. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for what happened last night. To be honest, I don’t remember most of it, but Christian told me I got belligerent and angry. He says I pushed you to the ground. He brought me to your store today to apologize.” Zack sighed. “We didn’t expect you to be holding a wine tasting.”
“At breakfast yesterday you told me how you’ve remained sober for over seven years. If you could do that, a few bottles of berry wine should be easy to resist.”
When I placed my hand on his shoulder to give him a reassuring squeeze, I realized he was trembling. Zack suddenly reminded me of Theo; while Zack sought refuge in alcohol, Theo did so by retreating from the world. Both men seemed emotionally fragile and one step away from losing their balance.
“I should never have started drinking last night. It was the worst thing I could have done. You saw what happens when I do. I hope I didn’t hurt you. Again, I’m really sorry.”
“I’m fine. And thank you for the apology.”
“Making amends is one of the Twelve Steps. Waste of time for me, going through the whole dozen. Here I am, back where I started, looking at life through a bottle.”
“But you’re not back where you started. You just hit a rough patch. Everyone has their weak moments. Don’t spend time beating yourself up over it.”
“I called my sponsor as soon as I woke up this morning. He wants me to call him again this afternoon. I have a lot of work to do.” Zack took a deep breath. “Marlee, I need to talk something over with you. I think it may help me. And Theo.”
“What is it?”
“I can’t talk about it here,” he said in a lower voice.
“As soon as the next shift arrives, we can go into my office. Or maybe you and I can get something to eat. Christian, too.”
He looked over at where Christian was pointing to the toppings he wanted Andrew to put on his sundae. “Christian doesn’t need to be part of this conversation. Only us.”
I was now confused, and a bit wary. “I assume this has something to do with Sienna.”
“Everything in my life these past twenty years has had something to do with Sienna. And it needs to stop. I have to stop it; otherwise I’ll drink myself into the grave. Although that’s exactly what I was doing for years. Drinking myself to death.”
This was an incongruous conversation to have in the middle of my store as tourists buying berry jam bustled all around us and Minnie sang “Ba-ba-ba ba-ba ba-ran” every thirty seconds. I felt in over my head and uncertain of how to proceed.
“There’s an art exhibition set up today at BAS. I planned to go there after work. We could talk at the school.”
He visibly paled. “Not there. The place will be crawling with alumni.”
“So is most of Oriole Point this week.” I nodded at a trio of women who now entered my store, all of them sporting the school’s purple T-shirts. “Hard to avoid them.”
When Zack saw the BAS alumni, he averted his face. “How about if I meet you this evening at your house? Christian’s rented a Jeep. I’ll see if I can get the keys from him for an hour or two. ”
I had no intention of meeting Zack at my house, especially alone. While I felt sorry for him, I didn’t trust him. And because he seemed determined to avoid running into any BAS alumni, finding a place in town where that wouldn’t happen was tricky. Then I recalled the road rally clue I brainstormed with Andrew earlier today.
“How about the Red Tree Market on Blue Star Highway? It’s a farm market halfway between here and South Haven. Because they also run an ice cream parlor, they’re open until ten on summer nights.”
He didn’t seem convinced. “Do a lot of tourists go there?”
“Yes, but they’re usually the ones renting houses for the week or the summer. Not likely any BAS alumni would be there.”
Zack considered this for a moment. “Okay. Let’s meet around nine. I should be able to lose the others by then. And you won’t be able to miss me. I’ll be driving Christian’s yellow Jeep.” He looked up. “He’s coming. Don’t say anything about this to him. And please don’t bring anyone from BAS. Or your police friends.”
“Fine.” Of course, that still left a lot of people I could ask to accompany me tonight.
After Christian returned with his ice cream, the three of us said our good-byes. Christian seemed relieved, obviously believing that the purpose of their visit today—Zack’s apology to me—had been accomplished. But as I watched them leave the shop, I knew there was unfinished business looming ahead.
I could call Kit Holt and have him lurking in the vicinity of Red Tree Market. Except that might escalate things if Zack caught sight of him. Better to ask Ryan to come with me; m
y orchard cowboy was more than capable of subduing Zack if he became aggressive. Then again, what if Zack had been the one to murder Sienna? Maybe he wanted me out of the way because I was asking too many questions. But if I mysteriously died, or disappeared, as Sienna had twenty years ago, even more suspicion would fall on him and his fellow Bramble members.
No, he had valuable information he wanted to pass on to me. And he knew I would give this information to the police.
My thoughts were interrupted by Minnie asking, “Where are the cashews?”
I made my way to her perch at the back of the store. I was as happy as Andrew to see that Dean and Gillian had arrived for their shifts. And Minnie was happy when I lifted her down from her perch and gave her another cashew.
“Don’t tell her,” Minnie said. “Don’t tell her.”
“I haven’t heard this phrase before,” I said to the bird, who gazed at me with her head cocked to one side. “Did you hear someone say this today?”
“Don’t tell her,” Minnie repeated. She gave a piercing whistle before adding, “You’re a fool. You’re a fool. Don’t tell her.”
I waited to see if she had any other new phrases, but Minnie began singing, “La-la-la-la-la.” Besides, I had a good idea where she had heard these new sayings. After all, I had seen Christian and Zack talking near Minnie’s perch while I was occupied with my customers. Zack had probably been warned not to talk to me. No wonder he was anxious to keep our meeting private.
The cell phone in my apron pocket vibrated. Expecting the call to be from Emma or Alison, I was surprised to see Theo’s name on my screen. He never called me.
“Theo?” I asked. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
“Marlee, the police are here! Make them go away.”
“Is it the state police or the sheriff’s department?” If Holt had gone to see Theo without taking me along, I would be severely disappointed in him. “What did they say to you?”
“Nothing. I didn’t see them. They’re hiding. But I know they’re here.” Theo’s breathing became ragged, and I feared he was crying. “Help me, Marlee. I can’t see them, but I think they’re hiding in my shed. Or maybe they’re hiding in my car. I’m afraid to go outside. They’ll take me to jail. And I can’t go. I can’t!”
“Calm down. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Everything will be fine. I promise.”
Except, if Theo was now hallucinating about the police, things weren’t fine at all.
Chapter 16
Minnie serenaded me all the way to Crow Cottage. Because I didn’t want to leave her at the store, I hurriedly put my bird in her traveling cage, where she sang “Ba-ba-ba ba-ba ba-ran” nonstop from the backseat. As I sped to Theo’s house, she repeated this chorus like an old vinyl LP stuck in a groove. I needed to expose her to other catchy tunes. And soon.
When I parked in front of Theo’s cottage, Minnie stopped singing long enough to ask, “Wassup?”
“I have no idea,” I replied as I got out of the car.
A quick scan of the cul-de-sac showed no state trooper cruisers or sheriff vans in sight, but at least Theo’s blue VW was still here. I’d been afraid he might make a run for it before I arrived. The only signs of activity were a guy mowing his lawn and a woman in the distance jogging along the river. My concern deepened. Why did Theo think the police were here? Did he suffer from bouts of paranoia, maybe even schizophrenia? I prayed Theo’s frantic phone call was the result of some simple misunderstanding. Perhaps he’d heard the sound of a siren in the distance again, or spotted a police car. Anything other than my gentle baker had lost complete touch with reality.
With a heavy heart, I made my way to the cottage. Before I reached his front porch, I stopped. A police cap and shiny badge lay on the rubber doormat. I blinked to make certain I was seeing correctly. A second look told me the police badge and hat were not authentic.
When I knelt to examine the objects better, the door swung open. “I told you,” Theo said in a stage whisper. He stuck his head out and looked from side to side. “The police are here.”
“No, they’re not.” I stood up. “They never were. The badge and hat are fake. The kind of thing kids use to play dress up. These don’t belong to a police officer.”
“Are you sure?” He stared down at the objects with an expression of dread.
“I’m sure. You can come outside, Theo. There’s no one on the street except for me and a neighbor cutting his grass.” I beckoned to him. “Really, it’s safe to come out.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Maybe they’re hiding. Maybe the police want me to think these are only toys and are waiting for me to leave my house. They want to arrest me.”
“No one wants to arrest you. And the police aren’t in the habit of dropping off toys.”
He took a tentative step onto the porch, staring at the items as if they were poisonous vipers ready to strike. “But why did someone leave them here? I don’t understand.”
I was as unhappy about this turn of events as Theo, but for different reasons. “As a joke maybe,” I suggested. “Not a very nice one, either.”
“A joke.” His face changed to one of stubborn disapproval. “I don’t like jokes. Jokes are mean.” Theo snatched up the hat and badge. With a speed that surprised me, he jumped off his porch and sprinted to the back of his house.
“Where are you going?” I ran after him.
I should have warned Theo not to touch the hat and badge. Any fingerprints on them would now be compromised. They were compromised even further when Theo flung the objects into the Oriole River.
When I reached his side, he pointed at the shimmering water. “Next time someone brings a police hat or a badge, I’ll throw it in the river as soon as I see it.”
So much for evidence. “When did you find the hat and badge on your porch?”
“Right before I called you.”
“Did you hear a car drive up? Or anyone moving around outside your house?”
“I didn’t hear anything. After lunch I lie there and watch the birds.” Theo pointed at a faded green hammock suspended on a metal frame. “Sometimes I fall asleep. I did today.”
“After you woke up and went back to the house, you found the hat and badge on your front mat?”
“Yes. It frightened me. I thought the police came to take me away.” His voice lowered to a whisper once more. “They did once. Did you know that?”
“I spoke to your father, Theo. He told me how you were arrested at a protest march.”
“I marched with my cousin to help the animals. And the birds. It was a good thing to do. My family said so. Then the police came and got angry because I didn’t want to go with them. But Dad told me never to go with anyone.” He shuddered. “They put me in jail. For a long time.”
No doubt his two days locked up in jail had seemed like an eternity to him. It would seem pretty endless to me. “That was a terrible mistake, and it should never have happened. But no one is going to take you away now. Besides, the police didn’t leave those things on your porch.”
“Who did?”
“Someone who knows how afraid you are of the police.” I bit my lip at the memory of Theo telling Gordon about his fear of the police during their encounter in the parking lot.
As if he read my mind, Theo said, “I told Gordon I was afraid of them.”
“Yes, I remember. He might have told the others. Sienna’s Bramble friends.” I began to pace back and forth. This latest turn of events was troubling, and I worried things had grown dangerous for Theo. The police would have to be told, but I’d just reassured Theo they weren’t coming. Yet how was I supposed to keep him safe if I didn’t call the police? Whoever left the hat and badge meant to frighten Theo. I recalled Gordon’s words to Theo and me two nights ago. “Maybe he isn’t talking to the police,” Gordon had said, “but I suspect he is. The police are questioning everyone about Sienna’s murder. Of course they’d question him. And what will they get from your nervous baker? Cryptic, conf
using statements that could incriminate other people.”
I turned to Theo, who watched me as if I were an interesting bird species visiting his feeders. “Whoever left those things believes you know something about Sienna’s murder.”
He appeared confused. “But I don’t know anything. That’s why I’ve been asking Sienna’s Bramble friends about her.”
My fear for him increased. “When did you do that?”
“At the BAS parties. The first night I talked to Leah. And I asked Gordon about Sienna when I went to the parking lot. But he got mad. When I was at the Hawaiian party, I talked to Christian and the others.”
If the killer wasn’t nervous before this, he or she probably was now. “Theo, I never saw you at the luau last night. Where were you?”
“By the bayou. I watched you win the contest. You were very good. But I left after that. The mosquitoes bit me too much.” He held out his arms, which were covered in mosquito bites.
“What did you ask all of them?”
“I wanted to know if they saw Sienna the night she went missing.” His expression turned disapproving. “I told them I wasn’t happy they didn’t protect her like I had.”
“How did you protect Sienna?”
“Every day after class I followed her to make certain she didn’t get into trouble. And to see that no one hurt her.” He lifted his chin. “Sienna was my friend. She liked me and she liked the bracelet I made her. I shouldn’t have gone home. When I left, there was no one who could watch out for her.”
“But why did she need protecting?” I asked.
“Because she was younger than her friends. She was little. The others were much taller and bigger.” He shook his head. “They treated her like she was a grown-up. But she wasn’t.”
Theo knew something significant, but how to extract the information from him? “How did they treat her like a grown-up?”
“They had parties after everyone went to bed.” He moved closer to me. “Leah would use her special bird call and they would all come out. They would go into the woods together.”
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