A Page Marked for Murder

by Lauren Elliott

  Addie eyed the willowy girl, the eyebrow piercing, and the unnaturally black hair. This new partnership would not work for long. Addie was aware from Serena’s reports that Elli had an aversion to hard work, so Addie fully expected the girl to soon follow her friend to the less grueling job of manning the coffee table. Even though Elli was the same age as Paige, early twenties, she lacked the maturity that motherhood seemed to have brought Paige. However, it didn’t take Elli long to impress Addie and show another side of herself.

  Elli proved to be a hard worker when she chose to be and didn’t shirk her duties. She bore down and put her back into the task. Between the two of them, they even shared a few belly laughs over the next few hours. Laughter was good for Addie because it took her mind off the stinging of the pine needle scratches, the throbbing ache in her lower back, and the self-doubt starting to creep in about having the stamina to continue her aunt’s legacy of community activism.

  With the last truck unloaded, Addie took that as her cue to seek out one of the seating logs around the fire pit area. With a groan, she plopped down and pulled her tote bag, complete with the wriggling ball of fur inside, closer to her throbbing feet. She swore she would never walk again, but at the same time, a sense of pride surged through her. Without Elli’s quirky sense of humor or the motivation she received from the group working around her, she would probably have packed it in long ago. Her feet certainly wished she had done what she had feared Elli would do and go off in search of less physical work. So much for moving my community activism forward.

  Addie’s partner, on the other hand, still full of energy, raced off to give Paige and Martha a hand with the coffee and sandwiches that were being distributed to the large group of exhausted and hungry volunteers. Addie snuggled Pippi, wistfully recalled what it was like to be ten years younger, and prayed that when she was ten years older than she currently was, she wouldn’t be feeling the pains she endured now even more intensely. She eyed the table of food as the strong aroma of coffee wafted on the sea breezes past her nose. Could she heave her knackered body up off this log and make an effort to reach it?

  She deposited Pippi back in the tote bag and managed to force herself to an upright position with minimal grunting. Bending down to retrieve the tote containing her small charge might pose another problem. Why didn’t I think about this before I stood up?

  She braced her lower back with one hand and did a deep knee bend to scoop up the bag with her other hand. Fiery pain shot up the back side of her leg to her hip, and she stumbled forward, nearly depositing poor Pippi into a snowbank. Footing secured, she gingerly took one step and then another toward the table. Her eyes focused on the lineup of Styrofoam coffee cups. She needed a caffeine fix so desperately that everything and everyone around her was only a blur.

  That was until Martha bellowed from the food table. “Stop it! Both of you,” she shouted and power walked her ample body in a beeline past Addie.

  Addie swung around in time to see Brett—Paige’s ex—pounding his fist into the jaw of Ken, Paige’s father. Ken, the much smaller of the two, reeled backward against the side of the stage. Out of the corner of her eye Addie caught sight of a dark blur hurtling through the air off the stage. Before she could take another breath, Keith pulled Brett off Ken and whirled Brett toward him.

  “What’s gotten into you two knuckleheads?” Keith’s voice boomed over the crashing of the waves on the rocky beach behind him.

  “For Pete’s sake, this is a family event, and look what you two morons have gone and done.” Martha stomped her foot, thrust her hands on her hips, and glared at Brett and Ken. “Now knock it off or heaven help me, you’ll both pay the price for your foolishness here.”

  As the initial shock of what just happened wore off, whispers rippled through the crowd, and Addie didn’t miss the raised eyebrows and gasps from a few of the closer onlookers. Paige sobbed as she made a dash from the food table, Elli close on her heels.

  Addie went after her, but by the time she got to the street, the two girls had disappeared into the crowd of people walking along the seawall. Addie glanced back at the family drama scene, and a cold chill raced up her spine.

  A dark-haired woman Addie didn’t recognize joined the angry pack. Given Martha’s rigid body language and accusing finger pointing in the woman’s face, the stranger wasn’t a welcome addition to the group. Addie resigned herself to follow Simon’s earlier advice and stay out of it, at least for now. Martha appeared to be on the warpath. From experience, Addie knew that despite Martha’s cuddly teddy-bear look, when poked, the stuffing retracted, and claws slashed out. She was showing her fangs, too. Addie only hoped the woman saw that and backed off before Martha drew blood.

  Addie’s phone vibrated a text alert in her jacket pocket, and she shifted the tote on her shoulder as not to dislodge Pippi while she fished it out.

  The patient from tonight needs surgery so won’t be back there. I’ll call after if it’s not too late xxx

  Addie’s heart sank as her thumbs danced across the small keypad. She knew that by getting involved with Simon—a trauma surgeon, emergency department doctor, and the area coroner—that times like this would come up. But it just didn’t seem fair that every time they planned on spending an evening or weekend together. He had an emergency to deal with. She reread what she’d written and deleted it, writing instead:

  Sorry to hear that. I hope the guy’s okay? Chat later xxx

  That was better. Just because she was having an off day and feeling insecure didn’t mean she should take it out on Simon. She’d made her choice. He was it. He was her person. He was who he was and did what he had to do, and she loved him even more for it. Love? Had she really just admitted that to herself? A soft smile crept across her lips, and she glanced down at the small wriggling parcel in her bag. “No, I haven’t forgotten that you’re there.” She gave Pippi a head scratch. “And yes, I think I’m falling a little in love with you, too.” She pulled the squirming dog out of her tote. “Well, I guess that depends on how you behave tonight, and if you leave me any pillow space.” She laughed, and she set her new friend down to do her business.

  Chapter Six

  In Addie’s mind there was nothing creepier than sensing someone watching her while she slept. She had read far too many horror books in her life, which afterward always conjured up images of some madman bending over her or of a monster that had clawed its way from under her bed while she slept. Except this time it was different.

  She was painfully aware that the sensation was real, and she knew that if she opened her eyes even just a smidge, she would be forced to give up her snuggly warm cocoon in the large four-poster bed. Something she wasn’t quite ready to do. It was Sunday. This was supposed to be her day to sleep in. Besides, it wasn’t even seven a.m. yet, which was far too early to be traipsing around in the snow and cold so her new roommate could relieve herself. No, her little friend would have to wait at least five more minutes.

  When Addie refused to budge, let alone acknowledge the probing eyes set on her, a silky, cold, wet nose nuzzled under her chin and nudged it upward. She fought to suppress the laugh bubbling up from her chest but failed, and that was it. She’d lost yet another battle and conceded to the wiggling ball of fur, now excitedly lapping at her cheek.

  Addie threw back her comforter and seized her pink bathrobe from the foot of the bed. Even as she tied it closed around her, the chill of the morning still seeped in. She gazed longingly back at her warm, comfy nest, but Pippi was having none of it. As she excitedly danced backward toward the door, her pin-like nails clickity-clacked across the hardwood floor.

  Addie stumbled along, following the skittering dog down the staircase, through the front foyer, and down the wide hallway into the kitchen at the back of her nineteenth-century Victorian. Even though the portable fencing had been a lifesaver, literally, for her furry roommate, it proved to be a genuine pain in the feet for Addie. Scampering down the steps of her rear porch to deposit the
dog in the pen and race back up to the warmth of her kitchen proved painful to her poor pre-frostbitten feet. Hopping from one numbed foot to the other, she peered out the small window of her back door and waited for Pippi’s signal that she was ready to come in.

  Pippi performed her morning deed quickly, yapped to get in and then waited patiently while Addie filled the dog bowl with kibble. Dog fed and watered, Addie settled on one of the stools at the kitchen island and took a long, slow sip of her freshly brewed morning elixir. “Ah.” She closed her eyes and took in the nutty flavors of her favorite coffee blend.

  Her new friend and she had battled for pillow dominancy into the wee hours of the morning again. At this particular moment, Addie wasn’t certain she’d be able to make it until midnight tonight for the fireworks display after the tree burning. Another comforting sip accompanied by a burst of energy, and she scrolled through her phone to see what she had missed due to doggy distractions.

  There were two messages from Serena, who had been at a family dinner last night and missed the action on the beach. Not being the type to be left out of the loop, she demanded to know what Addie knew about the fight. Addie didn’t like to spread gossip and figured that, through the town grapevine, Serena had probably heard more about it than she knew herself. She only sent back a smile emoji and a message saying they would talk this afternoon at the park. Addie giggled, knowing that would make her friend crazy, but she didn’t have any inside information for her.

  The next missed message was from Simon, and she grinned like a schoolgirl.

  Sorry I didn’t call last night. Surgery went longer than anticipated. Are we still on for today? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  Ooo, so many kisses. I like that . I can’t wait to see you. What time?

  How about noon? I’m just starting my morning rounds at the hospital.

  If you see Gloria, tell her I have her keys and will drop them off later if she’s up to having visitors today.

  Sure, I’m heading to her room now.

  Great, thanks. Also ask her what the trick is to getting Pippi to sleep in her own bed and not to cry all night?

  Oh dear, another bad one?

  Yup, let’s say you’ll just have to ply me with A LOT of coffee today.

  No problem.

  I could drop the keys off just before noon and then meet when you’re done so we can head right over to the festival.

  Sounds good. I’ll meet you in the lobby. See you then XXXXXXXX

  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  Addie sat back and sighed. Even though the kisses they exchanged were cyber ones, it was still the best way to start her day and left her with a renewed vigor. She scrolled through the local news alerts, but there was no mention of dead bodies having been found anywhere, and she took that as a good sign that Paige’s family blowout had ended with the altercation she had witnessed on the beach. She drained her cup and was about to rinse it out when her text alert pinged.

  Gloria says thank you for the keys, and yes, she would love the company. She wants to know if Pippi had Baxter in her doggy bed with her.

  Addie’s mind went blank. Who and what is Baxter?

  A minute later . . . Baxter is a stuffed teddy bear Pippi can’t sleep without.

  Addie wracked her brain trying to picture having seen a teddy bear in the mix of toys in the doggy bed. What color is it?

  . . . Brown with a blue vest and bow tie, the right ear is droopy Gloria says that’s because Pippi sleeps with him under her head.

  “Shoot!” Addie remembered seeing it at the store but couldn’t place it upstairs in the bed. Tell her thanks and sorry I’m such a failure as a dog sitter.

  . . . She says not to worry, she should have told you about Baxter before.

  Tell her I’ll make sure he’s in there tonight. See you soon. xxxxxxxxx

  ♥

  Addie looked down at the ball of fur nestled up against her pink fuzzy slipper and shook her head. “Who would have thought that a teddy bear named Baxter would be what helps you sleep at night?” She grinned when the little dog’s ears perked at the name, but her smile faded when Pippi laid her head on her front paws and let out a woeful whine. “Oh dear, you know exactly what I was saying, don’t you?”

  She scooped up her heartbroken friend and cuddled her close. “Don’t worry. We’ll make a stop before I return your mom’s keys and we meet Simon before the festival today. I won’t make you go through another night without your little buddy.” Addie nestled her face into the soft fur on the back of Pippi’s neck. “Tell you what, I’ll spoil you rotten today to make up for it. I even have a huge straw beach bag I can turn into the perfect doggy carrier. We’ll put some rolled-up towels in the bottom for comfort and to make it easier for you to see out. How does that sound?” Pippi let out a little yelp and licked Addie’s cheek. “My, my, you are a smart one, aren’t you? No wonder your mommy treats you like a princess.” She was unable to stop the laughy snort that slipped out. “You even have me doing it, and it’s only been two days.”

  Still chuckling, Addie carried her friend upstairs and paused at Kalea’s door. With no sounds coming from inside, Addie opened the door just wide enough to glimpse sight of the empty bed and quickly closed it.

  “It’s a good thing it’s Sunday, and I wasn’t counting on her today.” Addie grumbled and padded her way to her bedroom and en suite bathroom. She set her little charge on the bathmat and proceeded to get ready for her day.

  Two hours later, freshly showered and loaded up on caffeine, Addie drove up the alley off Birch toward the parking space behind her shop. She glanced at the beach bag on the seat beside her and smiled at the little head poking out. She swore Pippi had an ear-to-ear grin on her face. Can dogs actually smile? She would have to look that up later. But somehow Pippi seemed to sense that she would be reunited with her teddy bear friend and appeared happy.

  As Addie drew closer to her shop, she caught sight of a dark shape against the back wall of Martha’s Bakery. She blinked, twice. It was a person wearing a navy-blue jacket and appeared to be huddled under the ovens’ large ventilation duct. It looked like Bill, and her heart ached at the sight of him being so cold he’d have to seek out a warm air vent. She scowled. But hadn’t he confirmed to her on Friday that he’d secured a bed for the winter at the shelter? She pressed her lips together in thought as she bounced over a tire rut in the alley. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen him all weekend, not at the festival Friday night or at the beach last night. Had something happened between when she last spoke to him and now that put him back on the street? She slid into her parking space and shifted into park.

  “Bill,” she called as she opened the car door. A blast of frigid sea air engulfed her. She shivered. It was no wonder he was huddled against the hot air blast. This winter was far too cold for anyone to survive without shelter. “It’s me. Addie.” With no reaction from him, she stepped closer. “Is everything okay?” she tentatively asked. The last thing she wanted to do was startle and scare the bejesus out of him. “Bill?” When he didn’t stir, her gut tightened. She reached for his navy-blue parka collar, and he tumbled onto his side. Except it wasn’t Old Bill. It was Brett Palmer.

  Bile rose in the back of her throat, stifling her shrill shriek. Her stomach lurched, and she felt the blood drain from her face and pool in her toes at the sight before her. Brett Palmer’s white face and gaping puncture wound at the base of his throat stared back at her.

  Chapter Seven

  Addie’s heaving chest constricted as she bent down and pressed two fingers on Brett’s neck to check for a pulse.

  “I guess he wasn’t sleeping.”

  She recoiled and whirled around toward the voice behind her. “Bill! What happened here?”

  He shrugged. “I thought the guy was sleeping it off, and I was trying to be quiet, so I didn’t wake him up.” He stared down at the body. “Guess I didn’t have to be.”

  Addie raked her hand over her forehead and took a deep breath to stop the erratic
pounding in her chest. “Okay.” She gulped. “Start at the beginning and tell me what you were doing here and what you saw.”

  “I didn’t see nothing, Miss Addie. I swear. I was just here looking for something to eat. You know Miss Martha always leaves me a bag of food by her back door when she leaves for the day, but she didn’t last night. So I came back this morning to see if it was here now.”

  Addie’s head bobbed up and down as she tried to process the sight of the body and calm herself.

  “I saw the guy huddled up over there and thought he was sleeping.” He glanced down at the ashen face. “I saw him at the beach last night real late and figured, well . . . you know.”

  “Yeah, he was at the beach last night with Martha and her ex-husband, Ken.” Addie frowned. “But I didn’t see you there.”

  “No, when I saw him, it was real late, like after midnight. I waited till everybody left. That’s the best time to find bottles.” He tugged his wool cap off his head and toyed with it in his weather-chapped hands. “Except this guy was still there. He was yelling at someone on his phone and looked real mad, kicked the logs by the fire pit and everything. So, I hightailed it out of there in case he saw me and started kicking me, too.” He bit down on his lip. “I don’t like to make people mad at me.” He looked up at Addie. His faded eyes darkened with pain. “You’re not mad at me now, are you? Cause you gotta believe me. I don’t know nothing about this, Miss Addie. I really don’t.”