by Esme Addison
“Find anything?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Hmm,” he rubbed the gray whiskers on his chin, his bushy eyebrows knitted together in thought. “You know, Ms. Ryland left her sketchbook in the dining hall during breakfast the day she died. I was going to give it to her the next time I saw her. I doubt the police will want it. I flipped through it.” He made a face. “Just a bunch of strange drawings.” He retrieved a leather portfolio from behind the counter. “Would you like it?”
“Of course.” The clock on the wall behind him chimed, and Alex realized she’d lost track of time. She needed to get back to the shop to relieve Minka.
Alex left without opening the book. She’d take a look at it later. With her head down as she texted Minka to let her know she’d be ten minutes late, she bumped into a man entering the B&B.
“Oh, sorry!” She looked up to see Bryce Greenberg grinning down at her.
“Where’s the fire, Ms. Daniels?”
She laughed. “Late for work, that’s all.”
His eyes twinkled as a quizzical look appeared on his face. “What are you doing here?”
“Just running an errand.”
He nodded, and his gaze fell to the portfolio in her hand, although he didn’t say anything.
Alex’s mind filled with questions and possibilities. He’d been staying at the same B&B as Neve. Surely, they’d have met over breakfast or in the hallways. What was their connection?
“How are you taking the news about Neve?”
He frowned and rocked back on his heels. “Ms. Ryland? It’s horrible, of course.”
“Did you know her well?”
“We talked during the evening wine-and-cheese reception.”
Alex nodded, noting that he was neatly sidestepping her questions. “And you’d never met her before coming to town?”
A slow smile dawned on his face. “I’m beginning to feel like I’m being interrogated, Ms. Daniels.”
“Sorry. I’m just curious about what happened. That’s all. But since we’re on the subject, what were you doing at eight thirty pm last night?” She smiled, hoping to soften her words. “If you don’t mind.”
He chuckled. “Wow. You are interrogating me. I have nothing to hide. Dylan and I stepped outside to get some fresh air and talk business.”
“You’re in town because of Dylan?”
“We’re friends from college. We went to Duke University together. You have my card. Give me a call and we can talk herbs.” He continued past her into the inn.
When Bryce was gone, Alex opened the sketchbook and was surprised to see a pocket on the backside cover. A sealed plastic sandwich bag was pushed to the bottom of the pocket. Alex pulled the bag out and looked inside. There was a scrap of paper with an address on it folded over multiple times so small that the small square could fit in the palm of Alex’s hand.
Alex recognized the address as the old location of Bellamy Bay Realty, with Dylan’s name and cell phone number. She needed to speak with him. She recalled him saying that he and Neve were going to tour the property. Why had Neve left this here? Was it an accident? Or meant for someone to pick up?
As Alex made her way back to the apothecary, she thought about Bryce. He seemed like a nice guy. And probably not the murderer. She’d confirm his alibi with Dylan so she could remove him from her list of suspects.
* * *
When Minka returned on her lunch break, Alex waited for her to slip her apron back on and step behind the counter before asking whether she’d mind if Alex left again. She explained that she wanted to stop by Wesley Inc. and talk to Dylan.
Minka’s face was grim. “Anything to help solve this case, Alex. That’s why you’re going? You’re investigating?”
“Yeah, I am. I texted Dylan when you were out, and he said he would be leaving town hall after a meeting, and we could talk. And I also want to learn more about his friend Bryce.”
“Let me know what you find out.”
* * *
Alex headed for the park and checked her phone. No messages from Celeste. She put the phone away and was suddenly aware of her appearance. As she approached the courtyard, she wished she’d dressed slightly better than jeans, athletic shoes, and the shop T-shirt. But it couldn’t be helped, and besides she didn’t want Dylan to be attracted to her anyway. Regardless, she pulled her hair out of its ponytail holder, shaking it out and running her fingers through it a few times before entering the park proper.
She passed the mermaid fountain and paused when she saw the mural. Stacks of flower bouquets, candles, and stuffed animals were set at the base, an impromptu memorial to the artist.
“She wasn’t here in town long but she made quite an impact, didn’t she?”
Alex turned around to see Dylan with a couple of to-go cups of sweet tea from a nearby beverage cart. Something about him called to her, made her want to wrap her arms around him and hold him tight, but she blinked it away. She was with Jack, she reminded herself. Alex took a cup. “Thank you.”
He gestured toward a bench set directly across from the mural. “Want to sit?” Alex nodded and they both sat, gazing at the mural for a moment and sipping their drinks in silence.
“This is not how I planned for this event to go,” he said quietly. “When I invited her to come to town.”
His sadness was palpable, and if things hadn’t been so awkward between them, she would’ve given him a hug. But she didn’t want him to take the display of affection the wrong way. “You feel somewhat responsible.”
He nodded.
“You couldn’t have known … it’s not your fault.” He gazed at the mural in front of them without comment. “Hopefully the police will find out who is responsible.”
This time he looked at her, a hint of a smile on his face. “You’re not mounting your own investigation like you did with Randy Bennett?”
She smiled and shook her head. “I’d rather not say.”
“Because your boyfriend wouldn’t be pleased.”
She sipped on her tea and ignored his question. But she could feel the weight of his stare.
“When you called me, you said you had something to show me?”
Alex set her cup down and retrieved the bag from her purse. She told him how and where she’d found it. She handed him the address first. “Look familiar?”
“This is my family’s old homestead.”
“Why did Neve want a tour of that land?”
“Inspiration for the mural?” He shrugged. “There are scenic views there.”
“You two spent a lot of time together. What did you talk about?”
“The usual stuff, but she wanted to know if any proof of the Mermaid of Warsaw’s actual existence had surfaced in town.”
“Like what?”
“Undeniable proof.” He laughed. “Her sword, her shield.”
“And has it? Bryn thought it was buried on your grounds. Any luck on finding either?”
“Not yet.” He turned to look at the mural before speaking. “What do you think?”
Alex looked at the mural and considered his question. But first she had one of her own. “How’d you find her?”
“Referral from a friend.”
She could see the recent events weighed heavily on him. “It’s beautiful. It’s thought provoking and now with it being her last work, famous.”
Dylan stood. “Yes. That’s what I thought too.”
Alex also stood, and they began walking, when she stopped in front of the mermaid fountain. “Your friend Bryce … he said he was with you when Neve was killed.”
His jaw tightened. “Yes, so?”
“Just trying to account for everyone at the reception and their whereabouts.”
“It’s like I thought. You are investigating.”
She gave him a direct look. “You’re his alibi, and he’s yours. Anyone else see you two at that time?”
“Really? I’m on your list of suspects too? Again.” He chuckled and shook
his head in disbelief. “Sometimes, Aleksandra Daniels, you’re just too much.”
“No, I don’t think—I just needed to …” But he’d already stood and begun walking off.
And Alex was left staring at the mermaid fountain.
Chapter Eight
When Alex returned to the shop, she saw Kamila leaning against the counter, talking to Minka.
“You returned just in time,” Minka said. “Kam was just giving me an update on the case. And then you can share what you know.”
Kamila gave Alex a hard look. “I hope you’re not doing what I think you’re doing. Detective Frazier won’t like it.”
Alex’s smile was enigmatic. “I was just out for a stroll.” She wrapped an apron around her waist. “What do you have for us?”
“We’re still looking for the weapon. It’s nowhere on the premises, that’s for sure.”
“Any idea what it is?” Minka asked, lowering her voice.
Alex shook her head. “No one is sure except to say that it was hard and heavy and possibly organic in nature.”
“Organic, like a piece of wood—”
“Or a brick or rock or something,” she said grimly. “Yeah. Savage, right? There’s also no clear security footage showing the director’s office.”
“But there’s cameras all over the museum—I’ve seen them,” Minka protested.
“Yeah. Near the exhibits, but not for the offices.”
Kamila’s phone chimed with a text. She read the message and groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Alex asked, nudging her shoulder.
“It’s the wife of the man who OD’ed in the woods. She’s been calling the station every day, asking for updates.”
“Poor woman,” Alex said. “I’m sure handling the death is difficult, but to know it was because of drugs …”
Kamila shrugged. “People should remember to ‘just say no’ to drugs. You know? Alright, the mean streets of Bellamy Bay are calling. I gotta go.”
* * *
With Kamila gone and Minka in the backroom, the shop floor was quiet. Alex checked her phone. Nothing from Celeste. She was beginning to think her friend was avoiding her. Alex knew that she was probably at work and very busy, but it wasn’t like her not to respond.
Shaking her head, she opened up her laptop and went to a search window. Celeste couldn’t have murdered Neve, and the best way to prove that was to find the person who actually had done it. Beginning with Jack’s list of those who didn’t have alibis. First up was Dylan’s friend. She wanted to learn more about Bryce Greenberg.
Alex retrieved his business card and typed in the website of his company. An image of an American flag rippling in a gentle breeze appeared. She clicked on the “About” page and then “Tarheel Defense Team,” and saw a glossy headshot of Bryce. The bio underneath said he was originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, had an MBA, and was an officer in the US Army before taking over the company his father had founded a couple decades earlier.
She clicked around and saw that Pepper was right: he had numerous contracts with the Department of Defense, though the specifics of the contracts were not stated. A quick search online revealed that Bryce didn’t have any social media accounts, and she couldn’t find any connection between him and Neve.
Sighing, Alex closed the laptop. She’d have to talk to Bryce in person. Maybe she’d have better luck then.
* * *
After dinner, Alex took a long, hot shower using the Sweet Dreams soap bar from the shop, changed into a soft T-shirt and pajama bottoms, and hopped onto her bed. Athena leaped up alongside her, taking a few moments to get comfortable as she circled the bed, finally coming to rest with her nose nuzzling Alex’s legs. Alex opened her laptop and went to Neve’s website. She had some research to do.
She looked at the artist’s list of previous scheduled appearances. Neve had led a busy life, traveling often for painting assignments, staying in towns for a month or so at a time, and apparently being wined and dined by her sponsors as well as local politicians and celebrities, if the photographs were any indication.
Under “Recent Murals” were three beautiful images created by Neve in the past year. A mural of Poseidon welding his trident over rolling waves; the Norse god, Thor, holding his hammer, and another of a languidly beautiful Asian woman holding several jewels. It was clear that Neve had been fascinated with mythological deities beyond the Mermaid of Warsaw.
Each mural had been painted in a different city: Poseidon and his trident in Boston, Watasumi’s Tide Jewels in Honolulu, Thor in St. Cloud. Alex couldn’t discern a pattern beyond the theme of mythology.
She opened her eyes and texted Pepper, telling her about the findings on Neve’s website, and asked her for help researching the paintings. When Pepper asked what she hoped to find, Alex could only tell her she didn’t know. Just to check, please.
After Pepper responded that she was on it, Alex decided to call Celeste. Drinking her tea, she dialed the number and wasn’t surprised when it went straight to voicemail. She went back to her laptop and searched for Neve’s website. Her scroll was endless, and the effects of the Sweet Dream soap and the Calm Down tea were making it impossible for Alex to keep her eyes open. She was just about to nod off, when her head snapped up.
She was staring at a picture of Neve. She was in a gallery or museum, standing with a crowd of people wearing evening wear and holding drinks. Jasper was in the row behind her, and while his grin was wide for the camera, his gaze was on the back of her head.
Jasper had lied. He had known Neve.
Chapter Nine
Today was Alex’s turn to open up Botanika.
The clock had just chimed nine, and she’d just unlocked the front door when Pepper bustled into the store.
“Heard the latest?”
“Good morning to you too.” Alex grinned. She reached behind her to turn on the low mood music that always played in the store.
Pepper moved around the shop, restlessly smelling items from the new candle table. “Remember that big news Tegan Wesley was so closemouthed about?” Alex nodded. “Well, it was posted on Twitter this morning. Wesley Inc. purchased four companies.” She rattled off the names of the companies. “Apparently about two thousand employees will lose their jobs. And really random industries—I don’t understand Dylan’s strategy. But anyway, one company specializes in language studies, one creates new source materials for industry, and—”
“Wait,” Alex interrupted. “What was the last company you just named?”
“Tarheel Defense. Why? Ring a bell?”
“Yes. It’s Bryce Greenberg’s company. And Dylan just acquired it. That doesn’t sound like real estate development. What does Tarheel Defense do exactly?”
Pepper’s eyes widened. “I’ve heard of them. Last year, I researched an article dealing with Camp Malveaux and they were one of the companies involved. “They are a veteran-owned company with some major contracts with the Department of Defense. They make weapons, I believe.”
“Since when has Wesley been in the business of war?”
Pepper shrugged. “Who knows? And I’ll take these.” She held up several bars of pink and purple soap and handed them to Alex. “Anyway, my dad says it will be good for the town. Bring more jobs.”
“This must be the top-secret thing Celeste is working on.” Speaking of which, Celeste had never called her back. She thought, not enjoying the feeling of foreboding churning in her stomach.
Pepper took her shopping bag. “I’ve got my research intern looking into Neve’s past commission. I also gave him the name of everyone on Jack’s list, and he can see if there’s a match with her prior sponsors. It’s probably a wild goose chase, but we’ll see.”
“Thanks, Pepper. I appreciate it. Say, listen … have you heard your father talking about doing business with Leviathan Industries?” Pepper gave her a blank look, so Alex continued. “Minka heard that it’s a sea mining company, and she’s concerned that he’s interested i
n getting your father’s permission to mine off the coast of Bellamy Bay.”
“I know that Mr. Blue has been out with my father for drinks and golf a few times, but I can’t imagine my father every agreeing to let someone harm our coast in that manner. His family founded this town. He loves it—he wouldn’t want to see it destroyed.”
“Of course. I just wondered …”
“I can ask, of course, but I’m certain Mr. Blue is only in town for the festival and nothing more.”
* * *
Later that night, after a busy day at the shop, Alex made herself a cup of matcha and lemongrass tea before heading to her bedroom. She called Celeste again, but her phone went straight to voicemail. Now Alex knew Celeste was avoiding her. She’d left another message expressing her concern for her and telling her it was urgent that they speak, that Jack considered her a suspect—all information she explicitly did not want to share in a message, but desperately needed to relay. Resolved that she’d said all that she could in a three-minute message, she set her phone down and looked around the room, her gaze falling on the portfolio Mac had given her.
She retrieved it from her dresser, sat in a chair, and began flipping through it. She sipped her tea, then froze when she saw the first image. And then the second. And the third. She was shocked to find horrific images of war and devastation. One image after another was a colorful, chaotic scene of death.
Alex had been expecting mermaids and gods, but this was disturbing. What would cause Neve to create such horrible images? She went to her laptop and returned to Neve’s website, searching for her paintings again. She found them and clicked through all the images. There was nothing that compared to the violent sketches in the portfolio.
She returned to her laptop and searched on “Wesley Inc. and pharmaceuticals” and came up with nothing. She did the same for “Leviathan” and was left with no hits. Then she searched “Tarheel Defense” and found something: an old Carolina Business News article discussing the two divisions of Tarheel Defense: Pro-Tek and Bio-Tek, it’s bioweaponry arm.
