by Olivia Swift
“She doesn’t know how much energy she uses,” Maddie told him and asked about their plans. They woke Miller from her dreams, and Maddie kissed them both goodnight and tottered off to bed.
In the morning, there was another slight change in the plan because the police called to say that the house was now available for them to use again. Miller put the phone down and told the others.
“Well, we can go and check it out on the way to the shop,” Jules suggested. She called Carly to say they would be late and why, and a few minutes later Evan called to say that he and Dex would meet them at the house and help to clear the place up.
“It won’t be perfect, but it will be better than the chaos,” he said, and Miller told him that it would be wonderful to have the help.
She was apprehensive about seeing the place again, but Jules held her hand as they climbed out of the car.
“When we come back from the photo shoot, we’ll put the door right,” he told her and took the pain out of seeing it spoiled again. Inside the house was worse than they remembered, and she put her hand over her mouth in horror at the state of it. The wet materials thrown around from the kitchen had dried and hardened. Feathers from cushions had been plastered to walls and floors. Dex and Evan joined them and stood aghast as well.
“Where are your trash bags?” Evan asked on a practical note, and it spurred her into action.
“You are right,” she declared. “Standing here will not make it right.” She stomped into the shed at the back to find bags, brushes, and a big bin. “If I find out who did this, I will be very tempted to pour paint over their heads in return.” She started throwing stuff into bags and taking her anger out on the job at hand. It did the trick and the others followed suit. An hour later, there was some semblance of normality in the place.
“Your new wooden doors have escaped intact,” Jules remarked, and she smiled with her hands on her hips, panting slightly.
“Thanks, guys, for all of this. At least it looks like a house again. We can leave this now and I can think of where to start making it good again.”
“We can think,” Jules said. “You are not alone in this and…” She stopped him continuing by covering his mouth.
“If you were going to say it is all your fault, think again.” Evan laughed.
“She has you figured, Jules. Give in gracefully,” Jules nodded and grinned.
“Okay. You win, Redhead,” He said, and they all looked as there was a knock on the door. Miller opened it cautiously to find one of her neighbors on the step.
“Hello,” she said. “I am so sorry you had all of this trouble. The police asked if we had seen anything and none of us had,” she said,“but yesterday this was pushed through my door with your name on it. I thought you could take it to the police yourself.”
Miller took the small envelope and the woman came inside. Inside the envelope was one photograph. It was not clear as there was not much light, but two figures could be seen with a paint tin at the front door. They wore dark clothes and no faces could be seen.
“It is definitely two women,” Dex said. “That is about all you can tell.”
“Thanks anyway,” Miller told her neighbor. “I will pass it on to the police.” Jules took the photo and the envelope and looked at them closely.
“I can bring this up better on the computer,” he said. “Let’s try that first.”
“The envelope might have prints on it,” Evan suggested, and Miller found a larger packet into which they slipped the two pieces.
“Thanks for all the help, guys,” Miller said as they left and locked the door. “Must admit, I actually want to start putting that door right again.”
Driving to the shop Miller remarked that Jules was deep in thought.
“Why would somebody send you that? Why would they want to help? And what were they doing watching and not calling for help? It might just be a neighbor being helpful.” Then he added, “There is something familiar about the figures and the writing. I don’t know what, but it will probably come to me in the end.” By the time they had told Carly everything, it was lunchtime and Jules popped out to buy some food. Carly gave her friend a hug.
“How do you feel?” she asked.
“Better now that the house is cleared up a bit.” She frowned and Carly prompted her to go on. “Do you suppose all of this is directed at Jules and not me? He might be in danger.”
“You had better suggest that to him then,” was Carly’s advice as the man in question came back bearing pizza and cake.
“Suggest what?” he asked.
“Miller wondered if the nastiness was directed at you and not at her,” Carly said. He frowned and took a bite of pizza.
“But Miller got fired. It was her front door and house,” he reasoned.
“They might be getting at me to annoy you,” Miller answered. He shook his head.
“Seems a bit far-fetched,” Jules told them, but he pulled out the photo and tried not to handle it too much. He turned it in different directions and went to scan it. As the machine whirred away, he looked at the two girls.
“Tell you something. Neither of those intruders is Glenda. I’ve known her since I was four, and that is not Glenda Marine,”
“Glenda le Coup, you mean,” Miller smiled at him.
“I never thought she would lower herself to actually do the deed, but she might have sent someone else,” he added.
“It is a woman’s sort of thing, isn’t it?” Carly reasoned. “I suppose I shouldn’t say this, but women are more spiteful like that than men.”
“But the house destroyed is more like a man thing. It must have been quite hard work to rip everything apart like that,” Miller answered.
“More and more mysterious,” Jules pondered. He was onto the cake by that time and said he would look at the photos when he had finished. Miller finished her pizza and went upstairs to check out the console table, and Carly went back to making earrings.
The table looked good; she was satisfied. She walked around it several times and looked at the underside and the reverse to make sure it was flawless, and then she took a soft cloth and polished the piece thoroughly. It gleamed but she wondered if the orange was too bright for Marvin’s taste. She called his number and he told her to bring it over.
“Looking forward to it,” he said. She went back down to ask for help to carry the table downstairs and found Carly and Jules bent over the computer screen. She looked herself and the picture was lighter and clearer than before, but still no way of identifying the culprits. It was definitely two female figures and the black paint can could be deciphered as a well-known make, but other than that, nothing new.
“Marvin would like to see the table and we could drop the picture off to the precinct afterwards,” she said, and they brought it downstairs.
“It’s fabulous,” Carly said. “Doesn’t match my color scheme but fabulous just the same.” They loaded it into the car and left Carly to her earrings.
Marvin was delighted.
“What about the orange?” Miller asked but he laughed and said some folk loved that sort of bright piece. “It is so original. That is what sells this stuff.”
Jules showed him the photo but asked him to hold it with a cloth. Marvin stared at the shot and turned it around and upside down but shook his head.
“Sorry, nobody I recognize, but I know what you mean about there is something that looks vaguely familiar,” Marvin agreed and asked Jules about the situation with his folks.
“Well I left and haven’t heard anything,” Jules told him. They brought him up-to-date about the house and the police but didn’t mention Glenda’s marriage. “We are going off to take photos for the tourist board tomorrow.”
“So sorry, no more furniture for a little while,” Miller added. He told her to get back in touch when she could because he had some lovely old wooden chairs promised that would need a makeover. Miller had spotted a beautiful throw that she absolutely loved and asked to buy it.
“Some of my distant relatives made that,” he told her and wrapped it for her to take away.
“This is the start of my new renovation to the house,” she said happily. “We will sand down the door and remodel it when we come back.”
They made their way to the precinct and asked if Mackay was available. After a phone call, the man himself appeared and took them into a small room. Jules explained the neighbor and handed over the photo and envelope in a bag.
“We tried not to touch it too much,” he said.
“Thanks,” the detective answered. “The tech boys can have a go at this and I will let you know if they find anything.” He looked at the shot again. “We might be able to work out where the photo was taken from and find a new strand of enquiry.”
12
Back at the shop, Carly had sold a small table and she was thrilled.
“I had a quick look upstairs and wondered if I could have the lavender bookcase?” she asked Miller who said of course she could have it.
“We are off to take photographs tomorrow,” Miller said happily. “I will start work on the rest when we come back.”
“Enjoy yourselves,” Carly said. “Work will still be here when you are home again.”
“Excuse me,” Jules replied with mock annoyance. “One of us is going to be working on this trip.”
“It will be good to get away though,” Miller said. “No Glenda, no mess in the house, and lovely views.” They collected computers and set off for the Hollenbeck house.
Over an evening meal, Rick gave them some news.
“Golfing gives you the opportunity to talk,” he said, and went on to tell them that maybe there was a reason for some of the things that had happened to Miller. They all stopped eating and listened. “I was out with Reg Buttoni and told him about your house and the trip to the gallery. He told me that he had withdrawn his support for the art exhibitions and Valeriana was not at all happy about the move.”
“I guess that is understandable,” Jules answered. “She did get a large chunk of cash from him.” Rick nodded and went on to say that Reg had not known about the trouble with the photo, but by coincidence, the next day was when he told her he was withdrawing from the arrangement.
“Oh,” Miller said. “She could have blamed me.”
“Exactly,” her stepdad agreed. Jules put down his knife and fork.
“That was what niggled at me,” he exclaimed. “The photo reminded me of someone I know,” he paused and looked around the table. “It was her, Valeriana, with the paint can.”
“Wow,” Miller said. “Well, that would explain that particular incident. We should tell the police.”
“I wonder if she trashed the inside as well,” Maddie put in. “It would clear up some of the situation if that was the case.” Jules looked at Miller.
“I guess we see the detective in the morning. We might have to delay the trip for a day.”
“If it gets the house mess sorted out, it will be one less thing to worry about,” she answered. “I think Glenda probably got me fired, and if Valeriana solves the house mess, we might be able to relax and enjoy ourselves. I’ll feel a lot better about putting it right again, if I know who did it in the first place.” Jules and Miller had a walk in the garden after the meal and sat in her favorite spot in the gazebo. It felt good to have his arm around her shoulders and to feel that maybe things would be safe again.
In the morning, they called Mackay and he asked them to come down to the station. Rick went along as well because, really, it was he who had found out the information. Mallarchy Mackay listened to the whole tale and pulled out the photo.
“Tell me why you think it is this gallery woman,” he said to Jules.
“I am used to looking at photographs, and it has been puzzling me why I cannot see what troubles me about this.” He pointed to the figure with the paint cab. “She has a slight stoop when she walks, and Valeriana is the only person I know who moves in that way. She corrects it by wearing almost flat heels. If she had high heels on, the move would be more apparent.” He handed it back. “The build is right as well, but I know that it is Valeriana Purvis holding that paint can.”
“Leave it with me,” Mackay said. “We will let you know if it is safe to go back and live in the house. I still think you are better at your parents’ house at present.” Rick left them deciding what to do and they went back to the shop to tell Carly about the change in plan.
“At least one of the mysteries seems to be solved,” Carly reasoned.
“I am so unsettled now with the change to the photography visit that I think I would like to go and start cleaning the house,” Miller announced, and Jules agreed to lend a hand.
“Then we take off in the morning to the national park,” he answered. “Let’s go.” They drove to the house and stood looking at the door.
“Maybe we should do the door first,” Jules suggested, and they found sandpaper to make a start.
“Hard work is good for you,” Miller panted and flexed her arm.
“But we are nearly there.” Jules ran his hand over the now flattened paintwork. The black was barely visible as a grey stain. “Good job she never reached as high as the glass,” he added.
“There are a few flecks on the glass,” Miller said, and produced a razor blade to gently scrape at the dots. They stood back and viewed their work. “I’ll find a primer,” she added and came back with a brush and a can. The primer took no time at all and they left it to dry. “At least there is no black splotch there anymore,” she said.
“Where do you want to start inside?” Jules asked, and they started in the living room. Buckets of hot, soapy water for the walls, wooden flooring, and the furniture took a lot of effort and quite some time but in the end, at least one room was clean.
“We can leave it to dry now and then start on soft furnishings. They ripped the curtains as well so I will get some new ones.” Miller looked around and smiled. “I have Marvin’s throw as a starting point. The colors are marvelous and they can be repeated in the cushions and lampshades.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thanks for all the hard work and the company.”
“Nobody could keep me away,” he answered and turned her towards him. The joy of being together and things starting to look better was a good feeling, and he poured it into the kiss that they lingered over. He held her back from him at last and smiled. “I was going to say sorry again but I know it would bring out the mad in you.” In reply he was pulled down towards her and his mouth ravished with a kiss that sent a feeling from the top of his head to his very toes. “What would have happened if I had said sorry?” he wondered out loud and was rewarded with a punch to his midriff. “Ouch,” he managed as she went to get the gloss paint for the front door. As he watched her applying the paint carefully, which would restore the door to its former beauty, she told him that none of it was his fault.
“If Valeriana spoiled the door and maybe trashed the house, that is because she is a spiteful woman who relies on other people to finance her business.” She thought for a second or two. “And if Glenda got me fired, the same goes for her as well. They will just have to get over it,” she added. “Serves them right for being nasty.”
“It looks wonderful again,” he said and pulled out his phone. “This one is just for us.” He stood in front of the door, pulled her towards him, and held up the mobile for a selfie. “This is private.” They looked at the photo and laughed together. He sent it to her phone so that both of them had a copy, and while Miller held her own mobile, she took a few shots of Jules to keep for herself. He held up his hands and said that photographers never liked to be photographed.
“These are my private pieces,” she said and flipped through them. “Granted, I am not the best at taking photos.”
“That is very true,” he answered with a laugh. “I’ll give you some tips tomorrow.”
“Let’s clear up and get going,” she said. “I am quite excited about a road trip.” The c
ar that had been watching them started up as they left and kept a safe distance. Jules did notice it at one point and thought he would keep his eyes open. He was not certain that things were completely over. The message at home confirmed this as Mackay had left a message to say that the gallery owner had confessed to the paint on the door, but she and her assistant were in New York when the house was ruined and there were witnesses to prove it. The enquiry was ongoing.
“Stranger and stranger,” Miller said. “It will be nice to get away.” She went to pack a bag to take along and they made plans for an early start. Maddie got up to cook them breakfast and wave them off at the door, and Miller snuggled happily into the passenger seat. They left the house behind and drove steadily into the glorious and beautiful countryside. He stopped the car a couple of times to take some distance shots that appealed to his photographic mind, and Miller thought how lucky she was as she took in the lean figure, completely absorbed in his work. He wore jeans and a sweat shirt along with some tan boots.
“I like your boots,” she remarked. “Haven’t seen those before.”
“An indulgence,” he told her. “Once in a while, even I succumb to the desire for designer.” He told her which designer and her eyes widened.
“Goodness gracious,” she said. “There is another side to you I never imagined.” Then she added, “Might get myself a pair,” she laughed, “when I’ve sold a few more tables and bookcases.” They traveled on into the wilderness of the national park and found the hotel where they were booked. The building itself fit into the landscape with wooden verandas everywhere that could be used as viewing platforms. The main lake stretched away almost from the veranda itself and was surrounded by wonderful mountains. Between the folds of the hills, more rivers and streams tumbled and rolled down into the main body of water. Forests filled the entire spare ground on the lower land and halfway up the mountains.
“It is perfect,” Miller breathed and took in the clear fresh air and stillness.
“Well, I guess I’ve got the water; just got to find the angles,” he said and pointed down to a jetty where boats were tied up. “Start at the jetty, I think.”
