Path to Nowhere (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 2)

by Cynthia Hickey

  It wasn’t surprising that I’d been forgotten in all the hullabaloo.

  Mom tied a dish towel around my arm. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back. Don’t die on me.”

  I laughed, which hurt. I didn’t plan on dying, and doubted a scrape I hadn’t noticed at first would finish me off. “I’ll be here.”

  She returned within five minutes and another three had us speeding toward the hospital. She pulled up right in front of the Emergency Room doors. “We need help here!”

  Waving off the approaching medics, I walked into the building on my own two feet. “I’m here to see Ida Grayson and Heath McLeroy.”

  The nurse eyed the bandage around my arm. “They’re in a room together. I’ll add you to the party. Follow me.”

  She led me to a room where another nurse stitched Heath’s arm and Grandma lay on a bed. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, immediately dissolving my worry.

  “Wait.” Heath narrowed his eyes, pushing the nurse’s hands away. “Shelby, you’re injured.”

  “Same bullet that got you, I guess.” I plopped in the last available seat. “How are you two feeling?”

  “Peachy.” Grandma winked at the young resident who entered the curtained off cubicle. “There’s quite a bit of eye candy around here.”

  “Now, you behave, Mrs. Grayson.” He checked her stats.

  “This is my granddaughter, Shelby. She would make a good doctor’s wife.”

  “Hey.” Heath glowered. “Don’t go marrying her off. I’m sure I’ve a bit of her blood in me now. That makes us practically one person.”

  The resident glanced at me. “We’ll take care of you next, Miss.”

  “I’m in no hurry.” Except for the pain. I couldn’t believe how much my arm burned. “Some Tylenol would be nice.”

  Officer Ted joined us. “She got away. I’ll need you three to be very careful until we catch her. She won’t take kindly to Ida breaking a plate over her head.”

  Or me stealing Heath. I grinned, remembering again the words he’d said to get rid of her.

  “Your turn.” The nurse peeled off the dishtowel and handed it to Mom. “Want this?”

  “Nope.” She took it between two fingers and dropped it in the trash. “Why does all the excitement happen when I’m in bed?”

  “Because you go to sleep with the sun,” Grandma said. “How are you going to find another man living like that?”

  “I don’t want another husband.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  I shook my head and met Heath’s amused glance.

  The nurse cleaned and dressed my superficial wound. “Keep it clean. You’ll have a light scar to show off.”

  My very own battle wound. Two hours later, release papers in hand, we piled into Mom’s car, and headed home. Officer Ted followed in his squad car to take our reports. I really needed to just make copies of one report and hand him one every time he came around.

  We congregated at my place, which seemed to be the norm. Mom made tea, of course, and the rest of us sat anywhere there was room.

  Before he could ask, I told Officer Ted what had transpired, with Grandma and Heath injecting their own versions.

  “Shelby Jenkins, you need your own police department to keep up with you.”

  “Think of it as job security,” I said, smiling. “And of how much I enrich your life.”

  He laughed, actually laughed. It might have been the first time I’d witnessed such a thing from him. “That you do.”

  “I’m sorry you were hurt.” Heath snuggled me close under his good arm. “I should have noticed.”

  “Why? I didn’t until Mom said something.” I stared into his eyes. “I’m glad things weren’t worse. Where do you think Lauren went?”

  “I told Ted about a cabin she goes to in the mountains. Maybe he’ll find her there and we won’t have to worry anymore.”

  “Do you think she killed Teresa?” That would make things easy and finished.

  “I don’t see a motive.”

  Neither did I. Still, I wouldn’t discount her as the killer. It also didn’t look as if the cottages would be renovated any time soon. Lord, I hoped Alice didn’t give me that particular job.

  I closed my eyes and fell asleep on his shoulder.

  When I woke, I was alone, on the sofa, covered with a light blanket. I sat up and tested the use of my arm. Sore, and a bit of pulling, but nothing too bad.

  I readied myself to start the day then headed to breakfast, mentally going over my to-do list. First thing, I wanted to clean the bathroom mirror. There would be no more messages. Second, I needed to hire someone to clean the maze and start trimming.

  With the money the yard sale had brought in, there was no reason to do the work myself. I had other things to occupy my time.

  I waved at my family and headed for the bathroom. My blood chilled. Written on the mirror were the words, “It isn’t over yet.”

  Seriously? How did Lauren do this and not get caught? I snapped a photo with my cell phone. Should I reply or let the dangerous game die? I decided to let it die and wiped the message away.

  Back at the table, I showed Heath and the others the picture of the message. “Do you think she did this before taking off?”

  “Or she’s hiding close by,” Heath said. “We have to let Ted know.”

  I nodded and sent him a copy of the message via text, and explained about the ongoing game. His reply, “Stop doing things like this! Do you have a death wish?”

  I smiled and slipped my phone in my pocket as Mom set an omelet in front of me.

  “Let me serve you, my injured chick.”

  “Thanks. You’re the best Mom ever.”

  “I know.” She patted my shoulder and sat down.

  As I glanced around the table, I realized I was the luckiest girl in the world. Then, I lifted my head to see Alice motioning me over. With a sigh, I pushed to my feet and went to see how she would disrupt my day.

  “What happened to you?”

  I explained about last night, leaving out Heath’s declaration of love. Why rub salt in the wound?

  “Why am I just now finding out about this? I’m the manager!”

  “I’m sure you were asleep. Why wake you?”

  “You frustrate me. Anyway, I need you in my office. I have a list of things to work on.”

  Of course. “I’ll be in as soon as I finish my breakfast.”

  “Very well.” She turned and headed for the elevator. “Bring Heath with you,” she tossed over her shoulder.

  Half an hour later, Heath and I sat across from Alice’s desk. She handed us both packets.

  “There are still several areas of this community that need attention. I assume Shelby will be working on the maze now that it’s clear. Heath, I need you to repair the boathouse. I’d like to purchase a couple of fishing boats and kayaks.”

  “We have a lake?” My head jerked.

  “Have you still not read your employee papers, Shelby?” Alice spit the words. “Yes, we have a lake. We will soon have an exercise room and a functioning maze. Why must I do everything myself?”

  I shrugged. “If you didn’t keep me so busy from sunup to sundown, I might have time to read those papers.”

  “Make it a priority. Failure to do so can result in dismissal of your duties.”

  I seriously doubted she’d fire me. Where else could she find someone who does all that I do with little complaint? Notice I didn’t say no complaint. Somedays, I was the queen of complaint.

  “With your permission, I’ll be hiring workers for the maze. That job is too big for me.”

  “Fine. Heath, once you have a chance to look at the boathouse, let me know what you need.”

  “I’ve seen it. It needs a complete overhaul. I figure Scott and I can rebuild it within a week.”

  “That’s how I like my employees to act.” She cut a sharp glance at me.

  “I can have the maze done in a week…with help. I’ll hire some today.
” Gosh. I wasn’t a miracle worker.

  She released us shortly, armed with a packet containing enough jobs to last through the summer. I counted it job security.

  “Want to visit the boathouse with me?” Heath slung his arm around my shoulders.

  “Sure. I can hire some workers as we walk.” Three ought to do it. I called a temporary agency I trusted, got the promise of three men starting tomorrow, one with a backhoe, and continued happily alongside my guy to the boathouse.

  “You weren’t kidding about a new build.” The shack listed to one side and contained holes large enough to put my head through.

  “We’ll have to tear it down and start fresh, but the two boats inside are serviceable.” He opened the door.

  I cringed as it creaked on rusty hinges. Inside, my gaze immediately fell on a sleeping bag and coleman stove. “We have to leave now.” I tugged on his arm. “We need to get Officer Ted. This is where Lauren is staying.” I had no intention of seeing her gun again.

  “Are you sure? In a shack?”

  “She’s deranged.”

  We hurried away, my fingers already dialing Officer Ted. I don’t know why I couldn’t bring myself to simply call him Ted like everyone else. It had to be the uniform.

  “I’m on my way. Don’t touch anything.”

  “We’ve already left the building.”

  Heath led me to a bench close to the cottages. “We should be relatively safe here.”

  “She did shoot us at the pool last night. We aren’t safe anywhere.”

  “Good morning!” Alan Barker, a backpack slung over one arm and his other hand clutching a thick stick, strolled toward us. “I just learned we have a hiking trail that skirts a lake. Ciao!”

  “Should we stop him?” I craned my neck as he disappeared into the trees.

  “Lauren’s beef isn’t with him. The best thing we can do is avoid her at all costs.”

  No argument from me. “There’s the calvary.” I stood to welcome Officer Ted.

  “Show me,” he said.

  We made our way back to the boathouse and stood around while he went inside. I’d never felt more vulnerable. A bullet could come from the trees at any moment. One that would finish off me or Heath.

  I stepped in front of him.

  He shoved me behind him.

  I giggled and stepped in front again.

  “If the two of you are finished doing some weird tango, I’m ready to head back,” Officer Ted said.

  “Is it her?” I asked.

  “Only forensics can say for sure.” He ushered us ahead of him. “Until then, maybe you should stay away.”

  “I have to rebuild,” Heath said.

  “Then don’t come here alone. Ever.”

  He nodded. “I can promise that.”

  “Shelby doesn’t count.”

  I made a noise in my throat. The only reason I would hang around the boathouse in the first place was to spend time with Heath. But, since my own list was as long as the Arkansas River, I’d stay busy.

  I glanced back once more and spotted Alan watching us from the tree line. He gave a salute and ducked into the shack.

  12

  With workers repairing the maze, and Heath busy supervising the boathouse reconstruction, I was free to take my first day off in weeks. I was supposed to have Sundays and Mondays off, but somehow that never seemed to happen.

  I led Mom and Grandma to my Volkswagon. Grandma stopped.

  “I’m not riding in a bug. Besides, it’s too small. Where will we put all of our packages?”

  I rolled my eyes and switched direction toward Mom’s dilapidated van. “You need a new vehicle, Mom.”

  “Not on my salary.”

  Maybe not, but on what Cheryl was paying for rent, she could. I climbed into the backseat, and clicked my seatbelt into place.

  After all the clothes I had picked from Teresa’s things, I didn’t really need a trip to the mall, but wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to spend time with the two most special people in my life without someone trying to kill me. Maybe, I’d find a new pair of rain boots and/or floppy hat. That was enough to spur excitement for me.

  An hour later, Mom parked in front of the mall and we piled out, giddy on the high of shopping. “We need to do this more often.”

  “Maybe not shopping,” I said, thinking of my bank account, “but definitely girl time away from Shady Acres.”

  “Don’t bash our home, girl.” Grandma tapped me on the shoulder. “I love it there. Especially now with all the new amenities. The best thing the new owner did was hire Alice as manager. She might be like salt in an open wound, but she gets the job done.”

  “She’s a great delegator.” I hitched my purse onto my shoulder. “So, shall we start at one end and wander?”

  “Yes,” they said in unison.

  It was going to be a long, wonderful day.

  Grandma exited the dressing room of the first upscale boutique. “Well?” She twirled.

  Mom and I glanced at each other. How could I kindly tell her that the strapless gown was more suited to a twelve year old who had yet to have need of a bra rather than a close to seventy-year-old who had an ample bosom? Not to mention the dress was mustard yellow and did nothing for her complexion.

  “I can see from your expressions that it’s not for me.” Grandma sent us a dirty look and ducked back behind the curtain.

  “She really needs to act her age,” Mom said.

  “I heard that! Just because I don’t dress like I have one foot in the grave doesn’t mean I’m not a mature woman.”

  Mom hadn’t actually said that at all. “Try on the next dress, Grandma. Maybe it will be better suited for…your skin tone.”

  “Oh, was that all? They have the same dress in cherry red.”

  “Now, you’ve done it.” Mom sighed, and lowered her voice. “Can you imagine being her daughter?”

  “I would have laughed my way through high school.”

  Grandma didn’t bother trying on the red dress. Instead, head held high, she marched to the counter and purchased it. Once she had, she thrust the bag at me. “Early Happy Birthday.” She grinned.

  “Really?” The dress would fit my slimmer figure very well. “When would I ever wear it?”

  “I think the proper response is thank you.”

  “Oh, I thank you very much.” I draped the garment bag over my arm. Wait until Heath saw me wearing the lovely gown. His eyes would pop out.

  “I’m hungry.” Grandma led the way to the food court where the three of us split up to purchase the lunch of our choice before meeting at a table to the side of the court.

  I set my salad down while Grandma set down a cheeseburger and fries. Mom ordered a chicken wrap.

  “That is bad for your cholesterol,” she said, motioning to Grandma’s burger.

  “Mind your own business.”

  “I have to look out for you.”

  “See how she cramps my style?” Grandma glanced at me with wide eyes.

  I laughed and dug into my fully loaded taco salad. “I needed today, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now,” Grandma rubbed her hands together, “let’s talk about the case.”

  Mom and I groaned.

  “There isn’t a lot to tell.” I glanced at the healing graze on my arm. “Nothing has happened in almost a week. Although, I did see Alan Barker duck into the shed the day we found the sleeping bag.”

  “Lauren’s sleeping bag,” Grandma said, pointing a French fry at me.

  “Allegedly. But, since she has yet to show her face again, and she wasn’t at the cabin Heath mentioned to Ted, we think she may have fled.”

  “Of course she fled. You don’t shoot two people and stick around.”

  “The two of you scare my blood cold.” Mom shook her head. “Want to know what I think?”

  “Yes.” I tilted my head. She rarely ventured her opinion on anything as dangerous as murder.

  “I think she’s close by and waitin
g to finish what she started.”

  “Kill me or Heath?”

  “Yes.” She avoided my gaze. “But…I do not think she killed Teresa.”

  “Why?”

  “Her shooting you and Heath was spur of the moment. Whoever killed Teresa lured her to the maze. Thus, it was premeditated.”

  “Good observation.” I needed to ask her opinion more often. “Where could Lauren hide close by?”

  “There is fifty acres of wooded land surrounding Shady Acres. Not to mention the basement no one visits. I’m sure there are other hidey holes. This was quite the resort during Prohibition. You know how those people liked to hide the liquor.”

  “How do you know this?”

  She glanced up. “It was in the new employee paperwork. Didn’t you read yours?”

  I groaned and shoved another bite of salad into my mouth. I barely had time to dive into the newest mystery novel much less a stack of boring papers. Although, I needed to, if they were also full of this type of information. “I’ll finish reading them tonight.”

  “Look. There’s that new resident Damon. He’s dreamy,” Grandma said.

  “Twenty years too young for you,” Mom said.

  “Age is nothing more than a number. But, I’ve got my man. My eyes still work though. I figure I’ll recognize a fine looking man until the Good Lord takes me home or takes away my sight.”

  “He appears to be very interested in us,” Mom pointed out.

  I’d noticed the same thing through Grandma’s short speech. With the three of us staring back, he turned and strolled away. Now, why hadn’t he come over and said hello? “Let’s follow him.” I tossed everyone’s unfinished lunches onto a tray and slid them into the garbage.

  “I wasn’t exactly finished eating,” Grandma said, “but okay. I’m always up for surveillance.”

  “There’s very little you aren’t up for,” Mom replied.

  “Hush, you two.” I made a shushing motion with my hand. “He went into Hot Topic.” Why would a single man go into a store for young women?

  “Oh, I love that store.” Grandma took a step forward.

  I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Don’t let him see you.” I glanced around us, my gaze falling on a couple of teenage girls. “I’ll give you ten dollars each to nonchalantly find out what that man is buying.”