by Lynn Cahoon
“Poor Justin.” My words were soft, but Greg, who stood by my side, answered.
He put his arm around my waist. “Some people have never had to deal with the reality of death before. From what I hear, even Justin’s grandparents are still alive and working on that farm in Missouri.”
“He had to have pets that have passed.” I worried about Amy and how heavy the stress of Justin’s emotions weighed on her.
“Animals are different. Justin’s a strong guy; he’ll get through this.” Greg pulled me into a quick hug. “You ready for your stage debut?”
“Actually, I’m experienced.” I stared up into Greg’s baby blue eyes and for a second, forgot what I was saying. “You’re looking at the star of the Liberty High School production of Our Town.”
“I’m surprised Darla didn’t give you a bigger part, knowing you were a celebrity and all.”
I fluffed my hair. “Seriously, she doesn’t know what she passed up.”
The lights dimmed, and the curtains pulled back. For one second, I held my breath, hoping a body wasn’t lying in the middle of the stage. I saw Justin and Amy enter the scene, and after a brief hesitation, Justin delivered his line: “Lovely night for a stroll.”
An hour later, with practice done, the beer flowed with the conversation. Justin and Amy had joined us at our table, and the hesitancy had vanished from the surfing professor. When Greg and Justin left to get more drinks, I turned to my friend, who had sunk back into her chair.
“He’s normal again.” I nodded to the men’s backs as they made their way through the crowd.
Amy’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I had to drag him here, but now, it’s like this is what he needed. You know how sometimes a disc gets stuck and plays the same thing, over and over? It’s like he was in a loop and this knocked him out.”
“I told you to give him some time. Why don’t you suggest surfing this Sunday?” I sipped on my longneck. “I have to cancel our breakfast anyway.”
Amy nodded. “That’s a great idea. Wait, why are you canceling? The investigation isn’t complete, is it? Are you guys heading out for the weekend?”
“I wish. No, Jim invited us on a fishing expedition. If I wind up as shark bait, you know who to blame.”
“I didn’t think you and Jim got along.” Amy knew all about my hesitations about Greg’s brother. “This is a good sign.”
“I think Greg told him I was coming. I’m pretty sure Jim didn’t suggest bringing a girl along on a fishing trip.” If I knew anything about Greg’s brother, he was traditional in his view of the sexes. Women stayed home and tended the fires while men went out hunting for food. “I would have backed out, except I know it’s going to mess with Jim’s head that I’m there.”
“You’d rather spend a day being miserable fishing than let the guy win one?”
I saw Greg and Justin heading back to the table, so I answered quickly, “You got it, sister.”
“You’re evil, you know that?” Amy stretched an arm in front of herself.
“You’re just now figuring that out?” Greg handed me a bottle and scooted his chair closer to me. “What were you girls talking about? Or do you want me to guess?”
I poked him in the side with my finger. “It’s not what you think. We were actually talking about Aunt Jackie and Josh.”
Amy choked on the sip of beer she’d just taken.
“And you are a terrible liar.” Greg covered his side with a hand, faking a pain. “Now, no more hitting. I might have to call Toby and have him take you in.”
“Pansy.” I took a sip of my own beer, making eye contact with Amy, who rolled her eyes at me. I scanned the room. It was slowly emptying, as most people, including me, had an early wake-up call for tomorrow. “You really think we’re ready for prime time?”
“As long as they serve plenty of alcohol before, during, and after.” Justin held up his beer. “To the audience as well as the cast members.”
“Anything for charity,” Greg muttered. I leaned into his shoulder. “The next time you try to talk me into something like this, I’m holding out for a weeklong hunting trip with the boys. You deer-hunt, Justin?”
Even in the darkened room, I could see his face turn pale. “Not me. I’m more of a camera guy myself. Shoot and release.” Even though Justin tried to joke it off, I could see he was thinking about finding Kent’s body. Amy was right, Justin was better, just not totally healed.
As soon as the beers were finished, Greg and I said good-bye to Amy and Justin and walked toward town. “That was nice.”
Greg took my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. “This is nice. That was fun.”
“You always have to have the last word, right?”
Greg chuckled, the sound seeming to echo in the empty street. “Just a clarification, not an argument.” He brought the back of my hand up to his lips and kissed it. “You want to tell me that acting out some play is nicer than spending some one-on-one time together without anyone to interrupt?”
“Well, when you put it that way …” I leaned my head into his shoulder, grateful for the heat radiating from his body. The night had grown cool, and I’d left the house with only my light jacket. “Very, very nice.”
We turned the corner and started strolling down Main Street. The lights glowed softly, making South Cove look more like an English village than a California tourist stop. As we passed by the recently replanted flower pots, the floral smell mixed with the sea salt on the breeze. I leaned into Greg’s arm.
“I kind of love it here,” I murmured. When he didn’t answer, I tilted my head to see his face. He was staring across the street. “What’s got your attention? Some beach bunny in a bikini?”
My gaze followed his and landed on the bank. No one seemed to be around, but now Greg had stopped walking.
“What’s going on?” I nudged him.
He stepped away from me. “Shh. Go to the shop and call Toby.”
“No one’s at the shop, Aunt Jackie closed about ten minutes ago.” I peered closer at the brick building Greg was so intent on watching. I repeated, “What’s going on?”
He turned toward me. “Listen to me without questioning, please. Go to your shop and lock the doors behind you. Once you’re in the building, call Toby. Tell him to meet me here.”
I froze beside him and felt his gentle push. “Go, Jill. It’s probably nothing, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Be careful,” I whispered, then I started power-walking the short distance to my building, digging in my purse for my keys without stopping or looking in the large tote. My fingers grazed the cool metal, and I pulled the key ring out before I crossed the street.
My hands were shaking so hard, I kept missing the keyhole. Get a grip, Jill.
On the third try, the key slipped into the lock and I heard the opening click when I turned the key. As I was about to enter, a hand grabbed hold of the metal frame of the door and I screamed.
CHAPTER 18
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” a familiar female voice spoke right behind me. She stood so close, I could feel her hot breath on my neck. I turned to find Cheryl Paine standing there in jeans and a black silk shirt. She must have dressed for the weather as she had on one of those skiers’ parkas, the ones with the mountain name emblazoned on the front.
A nervous laugh bubbled out of me. The keys jingled in my hands due to their violent shaking. “Well, apparently I scare easily. What are you doing out here in the dark?” I glanced around, but there were no other businesses open. I strained to try to see Greg near the bank in the gloom with no luck. The street, which had seemed so romantic a few minutes ago, seemed to have too many shadows. Even The Glass Slipper, a stained-glass shop that often had weeknight classes, appeared dark. Where had Cheryl come from?
“I ate a late dinner at the diner up the street and was trying to check in on the businesses I’d talked to earlier this week to see if they had any questions.” She nodded to the empty shop. �
�Can we talk for a while?”
“Actually, we’re not open. I’m waiting for the police chief to arrive; we have a safety survey he does every six months.” She didn’t need to know I was alone here until Greg and Toby figured out what was going on at the bank. I wasn’t sure why I used Greg’s position instead of his name, but something was off about Cheryl tonight, including her explanation of why she was on the streets.
Cheryl’s eyebrows raised, an amused expression filling her face. “Interesting. Kent never mentioned any South Cove safety audits.” She paused. “Maybe it’s just because he’s your boyfriend that your business gets special treatment?”
I twisted around to face her and closed the door partway, using my body to block the entry. “I don’t like to advertise our relationship, especially to people I’ve just met.”
Cheryl’s eyes sparkled in the dim light. I’d yet to flip the switch that would bathe the shop in light, but I could still see her mind racing, trying to figure out what I was thinking. “Well, I guess I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Do you know if Mr. Thomas is in his shop? He bought my best package last week, and I’d love to stop in and deliver a gift basket I have waiting in the car.”
I craned my neck to the right, toward Antiques by Thomas. “Looks like he’s locked up, too. Maybe you should come back midday. I’m sure you’ll find him then.”
I closed the door, not waiting for Cheryl’s reply, and then flipped the locks. I watched as she walked down the street toward Josh’s antique shop. Maybe I should call and warn him?
Then I remembered Greg’s instructions. I found my cell, dialed Toby’s cell, and repeated Greg’s message.
“It’s okay, Jill, I’ll keep him safe.” Toby didn’t say good-bye, he just ended the call. But he’d known what I needed to hear. I said a short prayer for both of them and went to the bar to make a pot of coffee. Once they cleared the area, Toby and Greg would come to the shop and I’d probably get another ride in the back of the squad car. Although this time, I don’t think I’d worry so much about my accommodations.
An hour later, Greg knocked on the door, and I jumped up from the couch to let him in. Toby followed right behind him. As he walked into the shop, I grabbed Greg and squeezed him, not worried about what anyone thought. Besides, only Toby could see me.
“It’s okay, honey.” He sniffed the air. “Great, you made coffee. I could use a cup.”
Toby walked around us. “I’ll pour us both a mug. Black?”
Greg turned me and led me to the counter. “Perfect.”
I went back over to the couch and got my own cup for a refill. The pause gave me time to breathe and choke down the worry that had flowed out as soon as I heard Greg’s knock. “So what happened?”
Greg waited for me to return to the counter and sit on a stool and for Toby to finish pouring the coffee and join us. “False alarm. There were lights on that shouldn’t have been, so the place looked off. But the doors were locked, and when the new manager came, she said everything looked fine. She’s doing a deeper look around tomorrow before they open.”
“They need a real security system. That thing Kent bought is a joke,” Toby growled. “You know he got a kickback from his ex for buying that piece of crap.”
“The bank has a new system scheduled to go up in two weeks. I guess it takes some time to get all the paperwork cleared through the corporate world.” Greg touched my cheek. “Cheer up, we’ll actually be able to eat a full dinner without being called out to the bank for one of their glitches by the end of the month.”
I rolled my neck, trying to release some of the tension. “Kent’s dead and he’s still messing with South Cove.”
“Have you contacted a security service yet?” Greg sipped his coffee. “With all the stuff happening lately, I’d feel better knowing you were wired up here.”
“Funny you should bring that up. Cheryl Paine greeted me at the door a few minutes ago wanting to know if I’d made a decision.” I pushed away my full cup. My hands were still shaking from the shock she’d given me. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear my scream at the bank.”
“Why were you screaming?” Toby leaned on the counter, watching me. “And why didn’t you tell me this when you called?”
I held my hand up to stop the lecture I knew was coming in stereo. “She was visiting the shops where she’d dropped off materials earlier this week.”
Greg glanced at his watch. “At ten at night?”
“It was just past nine. Besides, I sent her packing.” I tried to change the focus of the conversation. “Antiques by Thomas signed with Stay Safe Security.” I watched the look pass between the two men. “Apparently Toby thinks I should buy my security services from a company based locally instead.”
“I agree with Toby.” Greg set his cup down.
I considered the two men. “You’re not going to tell me what’s really bothering you about Cheryl Paine and her company, are you?”
“Isn’t it enough that we’re telling you not to use them?” Toby filled a to-go cup with coffee and grabbed a few oatmeal cookies in a napkin. “I’ve got to go back to the station and write up the report. See you guys tomorrow.”
I went behind the counter and emptied the pot of coffee into two more cups, then put lids on them before setting them in front of Greg. “You want a cookie, too?”
He shook his head, finishing the rest of the coffee in his cup. “I’m good. Let’s get you home, then I’m crashing in my office for a few hours. I’ve got an early meeting.”
I locked up the shop and we walked toward the end of town. This time, I felt more unease as I walked through the deserted town. As we approached City Hall, a car sped by on its way out of town.
“Did you see that plate?” Greg asked, pulling out the notebook he carried everywhere.
I stuttered, “No, I mean, I wasn’t really looking.”
I felt his hand on my back. “It wasn’t a test.” He jotted something down and closed his notebook.
At the front porch, he hesitated as I opened the door. “You coming in?”
He shook his head. “Not tonight, Jill. I’ve got some things to think about.”
“Good night then.” I kissed him quickly on the lips and stepped into the house, shutting the door after me. I watched out the side window as he stood, waiting for me to click the dead bolt. Then he stepped off into the gloom that had turned into a dense fog. For the second time that night, I prayed for his safety.
Thursday had gone splendidly—so far. My run with Emma had been amazing. The commuter coffee club had actually bought books as well as their daily hit of joe. And I’d had a good lull in customers, which meant more time to read. When the bell over the door jingled, I slipped a marker into my book and stood to stretch.
“Were you serious about putting the litter problem on the agenda?” Josh Thomas stood just inside my door, holding a manila folder.
Inside I groaned. On the outside, however, I put on my best fake smile and nodded. “Of course. But we’ve got weeks before our next meeting.”
Josh blushed and thrust the folder toward me. “Not that long. Besides, I want the committee to be prepared. Can you make copies of this file for each member? City Hall should be paying for these administrative costs, not me.”
I took the file that was stuffed with paper copies of digital pictures Josh had taken regarding the trash flowing through our lovely town. A rubber band held the folder together. “I may not be able to make everyone a full set of these, but I’ll have several copies made so people can get the full scope of the problem.”
Josh pursed his lips together, considering my offer. “I guess that will work.” He glanced toward the back of the shop. “Is Jackie working today?”
“Five to nine, just like every other Thursday.” I set the folder on a table. “Why? Are you two fighting again?” I didn’t know what she saw in the man, but he worshiped her.
Josh sighed and I thought I felt a minitremor run through the floor of the shop. “I don�
��t know. I mean, I’ve seen a man hanging around watching for her. He disappears when I make myself known. Is she dating someone?”
“Not that I know of.” Except you, I added in my head. “But maybe it’s the guy who scammed Mary. What does he look like?”
Josh huffed. “It couldn’t be that guy. The person I’m seeing has impeccable taste in clothes and looks like he’s rich. Exactly the type of guy Jackie should be dating.”
Now I got it—Josh was feeling insecure. “Actually that sounds exactly like the type of man who could scam money out of unsuspecting travelers like Mary. Let me see your shots of him.”
“Who said I took pictures?” Josh rubbed the edge of his black suit jacket.
I held out my hand for the digital camera that hung around his neck. “Come on, I know you took pictures. Just to torture yourself.”
He stared at me for a few long seconds, then took the camera off his neck. He scrolled through a few shots, then held the screen so I could see the image. The man was casually leaning against a car parked in front of The Glass Slipper, like he was waiting for his wife to reappear after a quick shopping trip. But instead of watching the stained-glass store, his focus was on the business across the street—my shop. From the lighting, this shot was taken at dusk, right when my aunt would have been working. “You have other shots of this guy?”
Josh nodded. “I saw him a couple of days ago, but then yesterday, he was in town every time I went out to shoot pictures. I have a schedule. I shoot at eight, ten, noon, two, four, and six. That way the council can see the effect of tourists on the amount of litter.”
The guy was taking his crusade seriously. “Take all the pictures of this guy to Greg. Maybe he can verify if it’s the owner of the business where Aunt Jackie had her issues. It should be enough to get him brought in for questioning, I think.”
Josh hiked up his pants and grabbed the camera. “If Jackie’s in danger, then I’d better get this over to the police station now.”
