by Essie Lang
“My mom lives in town with her newish husband, and my dad lives in California with his even newer wife.”
“What about going out to see him? Are you on good terms with them? It should be good weather out there at this time of year.”
“I guess we’re on good terms, but I don’t think it would help getting away.” She sighed and then sat up straight, pushing herself out of the chair. “I have to bury myself in work. That’s always been the trick before when something has bothered me.”
Surely there hadn’t been anything as shattering as this before, Shelby thought but didn’t say.
“Would you like to join me for supper tonight? I thought I’d go to the Brew House for a quick bite,” Shelby surprised herself by asking. She immediately hoped Chrissie would decline, because that would cramp Shelby’s questioning-without-seemingly-questioning Jenna.
Chrissie looked a bit cheerier. “Thanks, Shelby. That’s sweet of you, but I’m going to my mom’s tonight. I’d like to do that sometime, though. Okay?”
“For sure.” Shelby let out a little sigh of relief as Chrissie left.
Shelby debated about going home first but decided to go straight to the pub.
Fortunately, Jenna was working, but she had her back to the door as Shelby walked into the pub. When Jenna turned around holding a tray of drinks, Shelby stood just a couple of feet away.
“While it should be nice to see you, I now get this feeling in the pit of my stomach when you walk in,” Jenna said. “No offense, but you do ask a lot of questions.”
“I know I do, but this is really important. Can we talk when you’re on break? I think you should hear me out, after what I found out last night.”
Jenna’s eyebrows flew up, and the tray tilted a fraction before she righted it without spilling a drop. “Sure, okay. I’m due one in about half an hour. Grab a table. What do you want to drink?” She looked pointedly at Shelby.
“A glass of tonic water with a lime, please.” It was too early to eat, she decided. She’d do that at home.
Jenna nodded and walked around Shelby, who wandered over to a table in the corner. A nice, somewhat quiet spot. Her drink appeared shortly after, and she took her time sipping it until Jenna slid into the chair across from her some twenty minutes later.
“All right, what do you want to ask now?” Jenna asked. She sounded tired and looked even more so.
Shelby decided to go the nice but direct route. “I just wanted to be clear on one thing. Why did you feel it necessary to make a scene at the signing? Savannah was probably well on her way to writing the story. You must have realized that. I know you said you wanted to embarrass her, but you know the people in this town, and didn’t you give any thought to the fact that they might be less sympathetic to you?”
Jenna shook her head. “You don’t understand what it’s like to be a writer. Every idea is your baby.”
“Oh, I do understand, believe me. Remember, I was an editor, and I’ve worked with many authors over the years.”
“Yeah, but you’ve never been a writer, right?”
“You’re right, I haven’t. And I haven’t even done any editing in a while. I’m strictly a bookseller these days. But while I can empathize with you, I can’t help but wonder just how far you’d go to get revenge.”
“So you do think I killed her, after all I’ve told you.” It wasn’t a question. Jenna had crossed her arms across her chest, ready to do battle. Or so it appeared to Shelby.
“Well, somebody did, and Savannah was a stranger in town. So, there’s a likelihood it was someone local who did it.”
“Yeah, but her agent’s here, isn’t he? I know because I tried to get an appointment with him, but he turned me down.”
That surprised Shelby. “It’s not really the right time for that, is it?”
“If not now, when? He’s here, I’m here, and that story won’t be written at this point. But I could do it since it was my idea in the first place.”
They’d gone full circle. Did Jenna have any idea how damning that sounded? Shelby didn’t think she could push it any further, though. Now was the time to deal with the rumor.
“I also heard that you had some difficulty with a rival several years back.”
Jenna’s face went white. “Who told you? They never let you forget, do they? I should have just moved away from here, but this is my home. And I have some very good friends who have stuck by me all along. Without them, well …”
Shelby watched Jenna wringing her hands as she took a deep breath. “Nothing was ever proven, and it couldn’t be, because I didn’t push her. Sure, I was pretty steamed at her that night, but it was my boyfriend who I was really angry with. I didn’t push her. I could never do something like that. I had hoped that, after time, the busybodies would stop talking about it. It hurts, you know.”
Shelby didn’t answer. Jenna’s anguish seemed real enough, but could that be a guilty conscience at work all these years? But Chief Stone had believed her, and that would have been a tough sell. Shelby realized she needed to let it go. Jenna wasn’t finished talking, though.
“So, tell me,” Jenna continued, leaning forward on her arms, which were resting on the table, “since I’m such a skilled murderess, how did I manage to kill Savannah when she was in the castle? It was overnight. How did I get over there?”
“For the sake of argument, you’ve lived here, what, your whole life? So, you must know someone who would lend you a boat.”
“But then I’d have to kill that person to keep him from talking.” She smiled like she’d made the winning chess move.
“Or you could have borrowed it, without permission.”
Jenna sat up straight in her chair and leaned forward, lowering her voice. “I didn’t do it. I didn’t take a boat. I didn’t go over to the island. I didn’t kill her.” She looked around the room. “I want to know why you’re bugging me about this. The police aren’t.”
She had a point there. “I guess I just can’t let it go. Someone killed Savannah Page, and you had a motive. If you hadn’t been so public about it, no one would have known.”
And you could have killed her and possibly gotten away with it. That thought presented itself, crystal clear in her brain.
“Can’t you try to see my side of this? I felt the only way I could retaliate was to confront her in public. I want to be a real published writer. I want to be someone writing books that people want to read. Ideas are what I need to start out with, and then I have to figure out how to best write the story. I was sure it was a good story; in fact, Savannah confirmed that by stealing it. I’d already invested some time and research into it, and then I had nothing. Can you imagine how that made me feel?”
Jenna was almost pleading by this point. She seemed sincere, and it did make a lot of sense.
Shelby sighed. “All right, I do understand what you’re saying, and you’re right, I will back off. I’m also sorry for digging up the past, but I had to hear your side. I won’t bother you about it again.” She stood up and grabbed her purse.
“That would be nice.” Jenna reached out to touch Shelby’s arm. “I do think it’s good of you to try to find her killer, though.”
Shelby nodded and walked away. As she reached the door, Jenna hurried over to her. “And I’d really love it if you could see your way to read one of my manuscripts sometime.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Shelby was kneeling on the floor of the store on Thursday morning, straightening the bottom row of the mystery section, when the door swung open and Bryce walked in. She couldn’t cover her surprise as she stood up and welcomed him.
“I just wanted to have a look at this location,” he explained. “And, also, I thought I’d wander around the castle and see why Savannah was so enamored of it. She did seem swept up by the mystique of it all.”
“How did you know what she felt about the castle?” Had he just made a slip-up?
“She texted me after the signing here.” He walked over
to the bay window and peered outside. “It’s a dynamite location, that’s for sure.” He seemed lost in thought.
“As is the entire castle.”
“What? Oh, I’m sure. I can see why she wanted to set a book here on the island. Although I have to admit, I wish she hadn’t gotten this idea, and then maybe none of this would have happened.” He suddenly looked at a bit of a loss. “Sorry, it still seems improbable.”
“I totally agree. I didn’t know her well or for very long, but she left an impression.” Shelby eyed him a moment before continuing, “She wasn’t the only author interested in the Joe Cabana story, you know.”
“I didn’t at the time, but I have heard something like that recently.”
“Did you hear that, during the signing at the main store, a local writer made a scene and accused Savannah of stealing her plot?”
He nodded. “I know, Jenna something. She works at that pub. I had lunch there one day last week, and she asked if she could talk to me. She told me about her idea and what she claimed Savannah had done.”
“Yes, apparently, according to Jenna, they were both at the same writers’ festival several months ago, and, again according to Jenna, she mentioned she was thinking about writing a book about Joe Cabana’s death, and then suddenly Savannah is researching the same book.”
Bryce shook his head. “Savannah wouldn’t have stolen an idea. No way. She had plenty of her own. And I told as much to Jenna.”
“When did Savannah first mention this idea to you?”
“I can’t remember offhand. I’d have to check my emails, but I won’t because I simply don’t believe it.” He looked determined not to go down that road.
“And I heard you’re not even interested in seeing a proposal from Jenna.”
“She caught me off guard. Besides, it’s too soon.”
“All right. There is also another true-crime writer who’s been a really loyal fan of Savannah’s, who came to the Bay to meet Savannah, and apparently they were going to have coffee together on Friday. Rachel Michaels, the writer, wanted to ask some questions about writing and researching.”
“And Savannah agreed?”
“According to Rachel.”
“That’s unusual for Savannah. She was usually too busy to offer advice or help to upcoming authors. I wonder what the trade-off was?”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, nothing. Forget I said that. What happened with this Rachel?”
“She’s still in town doing research. Apparently, she now also wants to write a story about Joe Cabana’s death and tie it in to Savannah’s.”
He shook his head. “Any opportunity. There are lots of authors like that around, unfortunately.” He wandered around the store, taking a close look at the various shelves. Just before leaving, he asked, “Do you know where she’s staying, by any chance?”
“Rachel? At one of the B and Bs, although she didn’t mention the name. She did leave me her email and phone number, though. Why do you ask?”
“Just gathering information. Thanks for letting me look around. I really think you’ve got a wonderful store here. See you later.”
After he’d gone, Shelby thought it was odd that he hadn’t followed through and asked for Rachel’s phone number after asking about her. She also found it odd that he’d left in a bit of a hurry, but maybe he just felt uncomfortable talking about Savannah.
Maybe.
* * *
Shelby saw Bryce again the next day after work, and he was having coffee with Rachel. She took note that they were not in Chocomania, possibly so that Erica wouldn’t see them. So, why had the two gotten together? Did it have to do with the conversation she’d had with Bryce the day before? Of course it does.
She continued down the street to the convenience store on Market, and after picking up some toothpaste and dental floss, she stopped in at Chocomania. She was surprised to see Bryce inside leaning over the counter and saying something softly to Erica. He sure got around.
Bryce looked over at Shelby and smiled, picking up his mug of coffee and walking over to a table for two.
Shelby had planned on getting a truffle but added a latte to the order. She chatted with Erica for a few minutes, and after Erica had disappeared into the back room, she took her purchase and went over to talk to Bryce.
“Do you mind if I join you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I notice that you met up with Rachel Michaels, but you turned down Jenna Dunlop.” She took a sip of her latte and watched his face.
He nodded. “Guilty on both counts.”
“Why Rachel?”
“Because after you’d mentioned her, I looked her up on the Internet and saw that she had some cred. Whereas, when I checked up on Jenna, she did not. I’m not really looking for another self-published author at this point.”
Hmm. “So Rachel is good?”
“Oh, I have no idea yet. I tracked her down to where she’s staying, at Munro’s B&B, and I asked her to send me some pages. I’ll make a decision after reading what she sends along. Cold case stories are hot right now, so it would be advantageous to find someone to replace Savannah, although no one could fully do that.” He looked so down that Shelby forgave him for her thoughts about his two-timing Erica.
“I have a feeling that she won’t be that easy to work with, though,” he added with a shrug.
Should she warn him that Rachel, beyond being a challenging client, was also a very real suspect?
Chapter Thirty-Six
After Bryce left, Shelby took her empty mug back to the counter. But the look on Erica’s face surprised her.
“Yikes,” Shelby said. “Has business been that slow today?”
Erica gave her a quizzical look.
“You appear to be in a deep funk.”
“I guess I am, but it’s not about business. In fact, most of the day there’s been a lot of activity here. It’s only just died down in the past half hour. And then there’s been Bryce, and you. So, everything’s good.”
“No, it’s not. I can easily see that. So what gives?”
Erica leaned on the counter, crossing her arms. “It’s Bryce. I saw him having coffee with that Rachel person yesterday and then again today.”
“How do you know it was her?”
“I asked him, just before you came in.” She shrugged. “I guess that’s pretty dumb to worry about, since I’ve only gone out with him a couple of times. It’s not like we’re dating or anything. After all, it’s not like he’s going to stick around after the police are through with him.”
Shelby stared at her friend. She hadn’t realized how far gone her friend was, and with Bryce still a suspect. Not good. “If it helps, he’s thinking of taking her on as a client. She’s writing true crime, and now that Savannah is gone, I guess he has a spot open, more or less. Don’t worry, she’s nowhere near his type.”
That brought a smile to Erica’s face. “Nowhere near? How do you know what his type is?”
“The evidence stands before me. Take a look at yourself. Also, you’re the one he’s been so intense about, and I’ll bet you’re the reason he’s staying here longer.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I was told he was free to leave town whenever he wanted.”
“Seriously? You think he’s staying because of me?” Her face beamed.
Shelby nodded, although she suddenly had the thought that it might be because he wanted to keep an eye on the investigation and try to deflect any suspicion from himself. She desperately hoped it wasn’t that.
“All right then.” Erica finished wiping the counter. “Do you have time for supper at the Mango Lagoon? I just can’t stand facing making a meal, and unfortunately, I don’t have any plans.”
Shelby wondered where Bryce was headed after his coffee but knew it best not to mention that. She already knew that Zack had a stakeout that night, although he wouldn’t share any information other than that. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could contain her curiosity wh
enever he fed her tidbits of information about his work. She knew she’d have to work long and hard on that, if the relationship was going someplace serious. But for tonight, she wouldn’t think about it.
“Sure, that sounds like fun.” She waited while Erica closed up shop; then they walked arm in arm to the popular bistro at the corner.
So, this was where everyone gathered after the stores closed. The place was packed, with only two small tables still empty. They grabbed the one in the far corner and scanned their menus before talking.
“So, tell me, what’s new with you and Zack?” Erica asked, pushing her menu to the edge of the table.
“Nothing’s new. I haven’t seen much of him this week, he’s been so busy.”
“No new arguments?”
Shelby glanced quickly at Erica, just in time to see the teasing smile on her face, before answering. “None that I know of. I’ve been very friendly and noncombative whenever we’ve talked on the phone.”
They gave their orders to the server, who appeared fairly quickly, and then got back to the conversation.
“Good girl. You’re coming up on your first Christmas in the Bay.” Erica rubbed her hands together. “It’s always my favorite time of year.”
“I like Christmas too, but isn’t it a bit early to be thinking about it? Mind you, Juliette at book club had the same thing on her mind. She’d even gone so far as to wear some holly in her fascinator.”
“Oh, Juliette and her fascinators. She’s a real character, isn’t she? And quite the gossip. But it’s not early if you’re going to get into the spirit of it all. I’ve been looking at Pinterest and Instagram, trying to find new ideas for decorating Chocomania. You know, the town has a contest every year for the most festive store, and the prize is usually well worth the effort.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?”
“Well, an overnight stay and breakfast for two in one of the jacuzzi suites at the Bonnie Castle Resort.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Know anyone who might enjoy that? And a couple of stores have gift packages. Some passes to some of the summer festivals. Of course, there’s my favorite, a specialty coffee a week from Chocomania.”
