For Letter or Worse

by Vivian Conroy

  Could whatever was buried there be related to the earlier murder of Athena Barrows? Did the villa hide something valuable that people were willing to kill for?

  The gate was closed, and Jonas stopped the Jeep in front. He jumped out and gestured for her to follow him. He began to run along the wall fencing off the garden. “There is open wood in the back, so we must be able to get on the grounds that way,” Jonas grunted. “That guy will be long gone, I bet.”

  “But did he find what he was looking for?” Delta pushed a hand to her side as she tried to keep up.

  Finally, they saw the crime scene tape. Jonas reduced speed and then stopped altogether. The earth within the fenced-off area was undisturbed. “No one dug here recently,” he said. “I’d be able to tell. You can’t quite put it back the way it was.”

  “Why not?” Delta asked. “Everything is covered in dead leaves. You could simply throw leaves on it and—”

  Jonas put his hand on her arm. “We’re not going to touch anything. We need the police to come and dig. To see if anything is buried here. It could provide motive for Sally Drake’s murder.”

  “What on earth are you doing?” A gasping deputy appeared behind them. “I asked my colleague to man the station and came after you.”

  “Great,” Jonas said. “Now I don’t have to drive back or borrow Delta’s phone to call you. You have to dig in there.” He pointed at the area. “There could be something valuable hidden. It may even have to do with the murder.”

  The deputy looked dubious. “Dig? For what?”

  “If I knew that, I’d tell you. Right?”

  “Maybe the jade statue.” Delta looked at Jonas. “Remember that Sally Drake left the museum where she worked in LA, and they discovered later that a jade statue was missing from the depot? They thought she might have taken it. We assumed that if she had, she’d have left it somewhere along the way in a safe-deposit box at a bank or something. But what if she hid it here?”

  The deputy looked even more doubtful. “That wouldn’t be very safe. Someone else might find it.”

  “Who would start digging in the middle of nowhere? Except for a dog, of course.” Delta grinned. “Maybe those two crazy poodles will do some good anyway.”

  * * *

  Jonas had told her to go back into town, but Delta had wanted to be part of the action and hung around while the deputy and Jonas dug. It took them about an hour to hit on the right spot. It was just outside the fenced-off area. Jonas fell to his knees and cleared away the last of the earth with his hands. Then he pulled out a metal box. It was secured with a padlock. He managed to strike off the padlock with the sharp blade of his shovel, and then the box opened.

  The deputy and Delta leaned over him while he lifted out a cloth-wrapped item. He unwound the cloth, and there lay a smooth, green jade statue of a tiger with two cubs. The craftmanship was excellent.

  Jonas whistled. “Sally Drake was a thief.”

  “If this is what the museum is missing.”

  “There won’t be two jade statues lying around.” The deputy tapped Jonas on the shoulder. “I’ll take this in now.”

  “No.” The sharp voice came from behind them. “I’ll take it.” The sound of a gun cocking echoed through the silence.

  Delta sucked in air.

  The handyman came from the shadows beneath the trees. He held a pistol aimed at them. “Don’t be stupid. Nobody wants to get hurt over that thing.”

  The deputy twitched to move his hand toward the gun on his hip, but the handyman clicked his tongue. “One wrong move, and I’ll shoot.”

  “Let’s do what he asks,” Jonas said quickly. He held his hands up, palms to the man.

  “Back away,” the handyman ordered.

  They did. The man closed in, keeping his eyes on them. The statue was on the ground. He glanced down at it. He reached with his free hand to pick it up. While he moved to get it off the ground, Jonas leapt forward with lightning-fast speed and kicked the man’s gun hand. The pistol shot from his grasp and flew through the air. It landed in the leaves a few feet away. The crook shouted in pain and frustration and swung his other hand at Jonas, but Jonas grabbed him by the wrist and wrestled him to the forest floor. “Quick, handcuffs,” he called to the deputy, who cuffed the criminal and pulled him to his feet.

  Jonas collected the pistol from among the leaves and put the safety on. “Nice little toy.”

  The deputy said, “You took a risk, Nord.”

  Jonas laughed softly. “I had handled the box. I knew the statue was heavier than he would expect. The moment he tried to lift it, his attention would be diverted, and I could strike. I’d have to.” He eyed the deputy seriously. “Who said that after he had what he came for, he wouldn’t have shot us anyway? I have no idea how violent he is, and neither do you.”

  He looked at the man. “You can tell us all about it at the station.”

  The man gave him a vicious look. “I’m not talking. You got nothing on me.”

  As the deputy pulled him along, Jonas said to Delta, “I’ll come too to ensure this passenger arrives safely at the station. Can you wrap up the statue, put it back in the box, and follow behind?”

  Delta nodded. Leaning down, she wound the cloth around the tiger again. It had such quiet beauty, and apparently, a high monetary value, filling people with greed. Even someone quiet and rational like Sally Drake.

  * * *

  At the station, Sheriff West had to begrudgingly admit that Jonas had done a good job helping to apprehend the would-be thief. He looked at the statue, which Delta had placed on his desk, and said, “Not a very impressive thing. But must be worth something. I’ll call that guy from insurance.”

  “Investo Insurance,” Delta said. “They should be able to tell you more about it. It must be old, or else it wouldn’t have been in a museum.”

  West shook his head. “I’m first going to run the guy’s prints through the system and see if we know him. Maybe the feds are looking for him, and then I can turn him over. He’ll be their hassle.”

  “He could be Sally Drake’s killer,” Jonas protested. “Or are you still sticking to the husband?”

  West grunted. “I had to let Jarvis go. Lack of evidence. But the discovery of this statue sheds more light on the crime. That handyman must have been Sally Drake’s accomplice in the theft. But she ran here with it, to keep it to herself. He followed her to get it back. They argued about it on the edge of the garden, and he killed her.”

  “But he couldn’t find the statue?” Jonas shook his head. “It wouldn’t have been very smart of him to kill her without having found out the statue’s hiding place first.”

  “Who said criminals are smart?” The sheriff reached for the phone. “I have work to do.”

  Jonas ushered Delta along. “I guess that is as much of a thank you as we’re ever going to get from him. How are you?” He eyed her worriedly. “That guy with the gun was not part of my plan.”

  “You handled him. That’s what matters. I should get back into town. My gran dropped by to see the store and how I live here in my new hometown.”

  “Really? And you walked out on her to come to help me?” Jonas studied her.

  Delta looked down. “I was worried, because my messages didn’t seem to be getting through. I wanted the thief to be caught, not get away.”

  “Thanks.” Jonas brushed his fingers across her cheek a moment. “You’re the best.” Then he turned to his Jeep and went off. Delta stared after him. She hadn’t even realized until now that Spud wasn’t with him. Odd.

  She drove back into town and found Gran at Wanted, trying to put elegant curls on all her g’s and y’s. Hazel approved her progress and cast Delta a questioning look.

  Delta gave her a cheerful thumbs-up and went into the kitchen area to wash her hands. Looking back on it, with her adrenaline fading, her legs di
d feel a bit wobbly, and she sat down and rested her head in her hands. It wasn’t just for her own sake. Jonas could have been hurt as well. Over a statue!

  “Are you okay?” Hazel stood in front of her. She spoke in a whisper, as if she was worried Gran in the store would overhear. “What happened? You were gone so long.”

  “Yes, it’s a long story. But I don’t want Gran to find out. Let’s uh…close up for an hour and have some pancakes at Mine Forever.”

  “Great idea.” Hazel went back into the store to tear Gran away from her newfound hobby. Delta realized with a stab of guilt that she wasn’t after innocent diversion; she also wanted to ask Tammy about that handyman. She had to snap out of sleuthing mode, really, but at the same time she realized that the discovery of the statue and the arrest of the handyman left a lot of questions unanswered. She did need to push on, also to help Jonas.

  For a moment, she touched her cheek where he had brushed it and smiled to herself. Then she sprang into action and went into the shop.

  Chapter Sixteen

  While Hazel gave Gran the best seat in Mine Forever, with a lovely view of Wanted on the other side of the street, Delta talked to Tammy, asking her where that handyman had come from.

  “He dropped by and offered his services at a low price.” Tammy grimaced. “That mention of a low price convinced my boss. He knew the equipment on top of the building needed a bit of a cleanup, but he had put it off, saying he didn’t want to invest in it. So, the offer was just right. I didn’t like the guy, though. Shifty eyes, if you know what I mean. And slow, slow. Like a snail. Although then he was suddenly done and packing up his things. Odd guy.”

  “And you don’t know where he came from? He’s not local?”

  “No. His van had no name on it either.” Tammy shrugged. “Super-shady if you ask me. But it wasn’t my decision to make. Now what can I get you?”

  While they enjoyed the prize-winning coffee and pancakes with bacon and cheese, Delta’s fingers itched to sketch the new information into her case file. She had a feeling they were somehow getting closer to real answers, but she wasn’t quite sure yet how it all fit together. Sally had left LA with a stolen statue. She had taken it from a depot, had maybe believed the theft wouldn’t be discovered for a while. She had settled here, intending to work in Drake’s company. But if she had known she could ask her brother for a job, why steal a statue? Not for money, it seemed. To get rid of her husband Abe? A sort of buy-off? Had they met away from the party to settle the deal? After all, Jonas had told her earlier that the divorce would leave Sally almost penniless. Maybe she had tried to get something out of it by offering her husband the statue? Or Jarvis had actually asked for it?

  Or had someone else put her up to the theft? The handyman? But Lena had said he had been after her before. How had Lena’s stalker gotten in touch with Sally? How would he have known she had access to a valuable statue?

  It seemed more likely he had learned about the statue while he was here in Tundish, stalking Lena. For instance, at the party. But then they were left with the question Jonas had raised at the police station: Why kill the very person who knew the hiding place of the valuable item he was after? It made no sense. Other pieces didn’t seem to fit as well. Sally coming into the company while Drake had wanted to work with Lydia and Clara. Who, by contrast with Sally, knew plenty about design. The models in Lydia’s office had been so well done, detailed and smart. Why would a clever businessman let a woman with no experience into his company? Only because she was the little sister he loved and wanted to protect?

  And where was Lena Laroy now? Why hadn’t she gone back to the villa?

  Was Zara merely a daughter wanting to reunite with her father?

  “Delta?”

  She looked up and realized Gran had asked her something. “Sorry, what did you say?”

  “That you have everything so nicely organized. I’m so happy you’re set up here now. That young man was very nice last night.” Gran winked at her.

  “Ray is really not my type.” Delta glanced at Hazel.

  “No? Oh, there was someone else, I think. What was his name? The ranger with the retired police dog.”

  “Gran! I never said that—” Delta cut up her pancake.

  “I’m sorry, darling.” Gran reached out and put her hand on Delta’s. “Elderly people like to see others happy. I hope you are.”

  “Oh, yes, I am.”

  “It’s just that…” Hazel spread butter across her pancake. “We did a workshop a few days ago at one of those big villas along the lake, and one of the houseguests was murdered. We’re not involved this time, not really, but… Well, it did shock the town, of course. Everyone is a bit preoccupied.”

  “Another murder?” Gran sat up and stared at Delta. “This town doesn’t seem to be very safe.”

  “The houseguest came from LA, so she might have been killed over something that happened there. Her husband could be involved. She was about to divorce him, that is. And he didn’t want to let her go.” Not to mention the life insurance he’s collecting now that she’s dead.

  “Oh. One of those relationship dramas you read about. So sad.” Gran shook her head and took another bite of her pancake.

  Hazel said, “It was a very unfortunate coincidence we were doing a workshop at that party. But I had no idea that we’d encounter murder when I agreed to do it. After all, you don’t tell Lena Laroy no.”

  “Lena Laroy?” Gran perked up. “The former model? She used to be in all the magazines I read at the hairdresser’s. Didn’t she marry some very rich man? Who had been married before?”

  “Yes, Calvin Drake.” Hazel reached for her coffee.

  “Oh, yes.” Gran gestured with her fork. “He betrayed his first wife with the babysitter. It was all over the tabloids. Not a new story but still very sad when you think about it. When you take someone into your home to care for your children, you don’t expect anything like that. Oh, look. What cute dogs.” She pointed into the street. Delta followed her movement and saw a pink-clad figure on the other side of the street, peeking into the window at Wanted. Two big, black poodles strained on their leashes.

  “It’s Zara,” Hazel exclaimed. “What can she want with us?”

  “I have no idea, but I’ll go ask her.” Delta rose and smiled at Gran. “You have more coffee if you like.”

  “It’s very good.”

  Hazel gestured for Tammy to come over with the coffeepot, and Delta left the restaurant and crossed the street. Zara had stopped looking into windows and was typing something on her phone when Delta reached her. “Hello.”

  “Oh!” Zara almost dropped the phone. “You startled me.” She got tugged to the right by a poodle and put her phone away. Taking a better hold of the leashes, she said, “I was looking for you.”

  “I thought so. I was over there having lunch.” Delta gestured at Mine Forever. “What’s up?”

  “Drake called me. He said he had heard from a neighbor that the police had been to the house again. I didn’t dare tell him that I wasn’t there. I took the dogs out and had a manicure.” She showed Delta her shocking-pink fingernails. “I hoped you would know more about it.”

  “Why me?” Delta said.

  “Because you seem to know everything.” Zara eyed her. “I can’t face Drake later today and tell him that I know nothing about the police being at the house. I’m supposed to know.”

  “You’re the dog walker, right, not his house sitter.” Delta took a deep breath. “He does allow you a lot of freedom. Other staff members might already have been fired over smaller things.”

  “That’s none of your business.” Zara eyed her coldly. “Now what happened with the police? The neighbor told Drake you were with them at the house. Why?”

  “I wonder which neighbor that was who could see everything so well,” Delta said. Zara’s attitude irritated her. “It
sounds like he spied on us with binoculars. Then he probably also saw what happened.”

  “Not really. Only that you left with some box in your arms. Did you find something?”

  Delta shrugged. “If Drake wants to know, he has to ask the police.” She wasn’t about to reveal the discovery of the jade statue Sally had allegedly stolen from the LA depot. Maybe Zara knew nothing about this, and Drake would prefer to keep it that way.

  Zara straightened up. “Really?” Then she let her shoulders hang and said in an anxious tone, “You were right. I should already have been fired. It’s just my luck I wasn’t. I need this job. Please help me. Don’t let Drake get angry with me. Tell me what you found out this morning.”

  “Sorry, can’t do.” Delta turned away and crossed the street again. She stepped into Mine Forever’s hallway and pulled up her phone. She called Drake. He answered after a few rings.

  “You wanted to know what happened at your house?”

  “Did something happen at my house then?” He sounded confused.

  “Yes, Zara stopped me in the street and asked about it. A neighbor informed you about the police being present?”

  “A neighbor? No. No one called me about anything. Least of all Lena’s whereabouts. I’m so worried about her. Do you know anything?”

  “No. But you got no call? Zara made that up?”

  “I haven’t talked to her all morning. I don’t know why she said that to you.” Drake sighed. “Frankly, she’s been misbehaving since the power outage and Lena’s hysteria.”

  “I see. Sorry to hear that. I have to run. Bye.” Delta disconnected. Zara had lied about a neighbor having seen something was up at the villa. Had she come back to it and seen the police leave? Had she wondered what was up and devised a story to find out?

  But why? And how much had she known about the jade statue being buried there near the rose bushes?