by Lynn Cahoon
Josh turned to the front door. “Have a good evening.” And then he disappeared into the night.
Well, really he walked to his building and climbed the stairs to his apartment. I was reading way too many mysteries. My brain saw danger even when it was just Josh and his stalker persona.
“You okay?” Toby looked around the shop. “Need me to help with anything?”
I waved him toward the door. “Just leave so I can lock up. And no, before you ask, I don’t want a ride home.”
Toby chuckled. “But I cleaned out the backseat just in case you needed an escort.”
“For the first time since when?”
He started walking toward the door and I followed so I could lock it again. “Last month, but I’ve only had three DUIs since then, and most of those haven’t been pukers.”
“Charming.” I motioned him outside, but he paused before I could close the door.
“Do me a favor and text me when you get to the house. That way I won’t worry.” Toby looked at his cell. “And I’m off to the winery to break up a fight. The fun never ends around here.”
“Be safe, and yes, I’ll text.” I closed and locked the door behind him and turned off the main shop lights. As I moved to the back, I thought about my aunt and hoped her date was worth all the trouble it was causing around here.
The thought might have been totally unfair, but the way I felt tonight, I didn’t even try to take it back.
CHAPTER 18
I woke to a rapping downstairs and Emma barking at the side of my bed. I leaned over and looked at the alarm clock next to my bed. Six thirty. I was going to kill someone. I dragged myself out of bed, threw a robe over my pajamas, and headed downstairs, Emma in front of me. Instead of heading to the front door, she swerved into the kitchen. Either she wanted to go out, or Toby was our morning visitor.
It turned out to be both. Emma quickly greeted him, sniffing at the Diamond Lille’s bag in his hand, and then raced to the yard to check for any stray bunnies or groundhogs in her yard. Once, she’d brought a dead snake up to the porch. I’d about had a heart attack before I realized it was already deceased.
Toby pushed past me and headed to the coffeepot. He took two cups out of the cabinet and poured the coffee I’d set to brew last night before going to bed. Handing me a cup, he raised his eyebrows. “You miss out on sleep last night? Don’t tell me that Josh’s little stunt had you worried.”
I ran my hand over my hair. “I slept fine, thank you.” Of course, I’d read long past my bedtime thinking I’d sleep in this morning as Jackie was handling my opening shift. I took a sip of my coffee and motioned to the table. “Sit and I’ll be back in a few minutes after I get dressed.”
“Works for me. You look a little too comfortable in those shortie pj’s. I’d hate to have Greg walk in on our breakfast strategy meeting.” He grinned and held up the bag. “I brought muffins from Lille’s.”
“Another reason to run this morning,” I grumbled, but my stomach gave me away with a large growl in response to the sweet smell. “There better be a blueberry crumble in there when I get back.”
I climbed back up the stairs and dressed. The shower could wait until after I took Emma for our run. I smoothed hair that looked like I’d put my finger in a light socket sometime during the night and twisted it into a ponytail. After brushing my teeth, I called it good and headed back downstairs for my muffin. Before I sat down, I took my notebook out of my tote along with a pen.
“Eat before we start. You’ll be in a better mood.” He nodded to the plate with the blueberry crumble muffin set in the middle. He stood to refill my coffee cup.
“Thanks.” I unwrapped the muffin and took a big bite, savoring the sweet, moist cakelike texture. I opened my notebook. “I talked to Austin last night.”
Toby sat across from me. “He find your note?”
Shaking my head, I sipped the dark coffee. “I don’t think so. He was there to talk to Aunt Jackie about Coffee, Books, and More purchasing the food truck from him. I guess the gluten-free dessert business is done.”
“I got the feeling that was more Kacey’s dream than Austin’s.” Toby took another muffin out of the bag and broke it in half, spreading butter on both sides. “But doesn’t it seem a little quick to be selling off the parts?”
“Maybe seeing it parked in front of his rental shop brings back bad memories. I didn’t ask.” I stood and let Emma into the kitchen. “I was too annoyed about him thinking he needed to talk to Jackie instead of me. Sometimes I think everyone believes it’s her shop.”
His eyebrows raised. “It’s not? She hired me, not you. She runs most of the staff meetings, and she’s always making changes in what we’re doing.”
“That reminds me, I saw you set up the water station yesterday.” I waited to hear his response before bringing down the hammer. I could be the bad cop in the business relationship, not just Aunt Jackie.
Toby shrugged. “I had a lot of kids in yesterday doing homework before the weekend started. They kept asking for water, so I set up a station. I was too busy to wait on them all the time.”
“I get it, I do. But until this drought is over, we’ve committed to doing our part to conserve, and I dumped a half of a pitcher down the drain last night.” I smiled. “I’ll let Aunt Jackie give you the next warning.”
“I’m so scared.” Toby polished off the last of his muffin. “Enough of the small talk. I want to know what you found out from Austin, or was it just about the food truck?”
I told him about asking about Kacey’s friends and getting Ginny’s name. “I’m heading in to Bakerstown to Linens and Loots to try to talk to the woman. At least, I should be able to get her address or phone number out of Jen.”
“Sounds like a good lead.” Toby sipped his coffee as he considered my information. “Greg told me they went to the nursing home and interviewed MJ.”
“How did that go?”
“Apparently not well. The woman has early onset Alzheimer’s, so most of what she talked about was how her Quaker family had disowned her due to her radical views against the war. She really railed about their hypocrisy. She told Greg that change doesn’t come from speaking out against an immoral war, change comes from destruction and blood.” Toby let that statement hang in the air.
“So the story Austin told Sadie was probably true. Mary Jane was the driving force behind the bombings on campus and he was just trying to keep her safe.” I scribbled some notes on a new page in my notebook.
“She told Greg that she duped some guy who was in love with her into driving the getaway car. She seemed pretty proud of the way she used him.” He shook his head. “I even felt for the guy. Here he’s gone into hiding for the woman, dedicating his future to her, and she’s just not that into him.”
“No wonder women like Kacey and Sadie were attractive to him. They’re both kind and attentive.” I focused on Toby. “Do you think he killed Kacey?”
“Austin?” He shook his head. “The guy’s a lover, not a killer. I don’t even think he knew about the bombings until after they happened.”
“That’s what I think, too.” I darkened the line through Austin’s name. “But now, the only other suspect we have is Sadie. And I know she couldn’t kill anyone.”
“No, Sadie’s just the only one we know about right now. Nothing’s ever done until someone is in jail.” He pointed to my notebook. “Anyway, you have a great lead. Women tell their best friends everything. Maybe someone was bothering Kacey.”
“Austin said something about Taylor being upset when she kept getting elected to run that geo club.” I stared at Toby. “You don’t think he was really that upset, do you?”
Toby stood, refilled his coffee cup, and put the last muffin on the table in front of me. He threw away the bag and the muffin wrappers. “I’ve heard of people killed for stupid reasons. This could be the reason.”
“Seems petty.” I didn’t like Taylor, but I didn’t think anyone would kill to get control
over a group of hobbyists. That was like killing the winner of the blue ribbon in quilting so your creation would stop taking second place every year.
“See what Ginny has to say. Maybe she’s got some insight we haven’t thought of.” Toby opened the back door. “And Greg hasn’t gotten any information about Kacey’s friends, so we’re ahead of the investigation with this lead.”
Somehow that didn’t make me feel any better.
After Toby left, I made my shopping list. The cupboard was bare, and Greg had already made our plans for Sunday. Besides, I needed a good excuse to go to Bakerstown besides talking to Ginny. After the list was complete, I started a load of laundry, changed into my running clothes and took a long run, trying not to think about anything but the way the salt air tasted in my mouth and the sound of the seagulls as they flew over the waves.
Driving in to town later that morning, I planned my day. First I’d hit the Pet Palace for chew toys for Emma, then Linens and Loots to talk to Ginny. Jen had complained about needing all her employees to work on the weekends, and since I knew the club had an event tomorrow, I was betting Ginny would be on-site today. Finally, I’d hit the grocery store and top the trip off with a quick stop at a locally owned drive-in that served the best fish tacos in the area. The place was a dive, but clean, and the food, amazing.
First stop done, and I found myself in the parking lot for Linens and Loots. I decided to splurge on the grill pans Greg and I’d been talking about so we could cook fresh veggies over the grill easier. And a grill brush cleaner tool.
My cover purchase decided, I locked the Jeep and strolled into the store. Jen hadn’t been kidding, the place was packed. Women pushed undersized plastic carts through the narrow aisles, filled with bedsheets, towels, and kitchen equipment. I saw Jen at one of the registers and waved. I didn’t see Ginny on a register, so I wandered back through the store. I found her folding towels in the bath section. I ran my hand along one of the towels and pretended to consider it, but then was shocked at how plush and soft it felt.
Ginny must have seen the reaction on my face because she laughed. “They are the best we carry. If I could afford to, I’d replace every towel I owned with these. I buy one a month. That’s all I can do on my salary.”
I looked at the price tag. She wasn’t kidding. But then I felt the fabric again and sighed. “I might just have to eat peanut butter sandwiches for a month to afford these.”
She continued to fold and stack the new shipment. When she saw me still standing by the towels, she paused. “Can I help you with something?”
“You’re part of that geocache club, right?” I kept my hand on the top of one stack of towels, pretending to consider a purchase.
“How did you know?” Now I had her attention and she stopped folding.
“My boyfriend and I went to an event last month. I thought I saw you over by the food booth.” I shook my head. “I heard about that poor girl who died on the beach. It was so nice of the club to give her a memorial.”
Ginny snorted. “Well, the members owed her at least that. Kacey was the heart and soul of the Coastal Geocache Club. She built that group from just a few people who liked to get together on weekends to geocache.” She smiled at a memory. “That’s how we met. I was her best friend, especially during her breakup with her jerk of a husband. She and I went everywhere together.”
“I’m sure you’re going to miss her. So sad for a young woman to just die like that.” I knew I was pushing buttons, but that’s what I was there for, right?
Her hands tightened on a towel, squeezing the softness out of the plush. “She didn’t just die. She was murdered. And I know who did it.”
The overhead speaker buzzed, then Jen’s voice came over. “Will all available associates come to the front to open more registers? Customer service alert.”
Ginny shook her head. “I’ve got to go up front. You should get the towels, you won’t be disappointed.”
I watched her disappear, disappointed I hadn’t heard her theory on who had killed Kacey. Of course, she could be in the “hang Austin” camp since she didn’t seem to care for him at all. I decided I’d have another chance with her on Sunday. No way would she miss the monthly club activity. I picked up two of the bath towels in a powder blue that would match my current bathroom décor and decided against the grill accessories. I’d come back later.
By the time I got to the checkout line, I was three people back. Ginny’s line was packed with people who had several carts filled to the brim and seemed to be redeeming gift cards. I looked at my watch and decided to stay in the line I was in. Jen paused by the cashier’s station as I was checking out. She bagged my towels.
“I see you found the good stuff.” She squeezed each towel as she put it into the bag. “I adore this brand. If I had my way, it would be the only towel I sold.”
“Your associate, Ginny, told me how wonderful they were, so I decided to take a chance.” I handed the cashier a credit card.
Jen looked toward Ginny’s line. “That’s interesting. I didn’t think she recommended anything we sold.” She flushed and glanced at the cashier, who was soaking in all the gossip. “Anyway, I’m serious about coming in to South Cove for a coffee date. Text me next week and we’ll set up formal plans.” Jen nodded to Ginny and me, then walked toward a cashier who had been waving her over.
The cashier handed me my slip and credit card. “Here you go, thanks for visiting.” Then she leaned forward. “I didn’t realize the boss had any friends. Glad to know she’s human.”
I nodded and tried to act very friendly so maybe my own persona would make Jen seem more in tune with her employees. As I walked out of the store, I thought about the pressure to perform that corporate bosses put on managers like Jen. And for not the first time, I blessed my luck in owning my own business and being my own boss. Well, after Aunt Jackie.
As I headed to the grocery store, I rolled down the window to let the warm air into the car. It was a beautiful day. As I walked into the store, my phone rang. I answered without looking at the display. “Hello?”
“Hey, yourself. Are you home?” Greg’s voice always contained a bit of honey, especially over the phone.
“Nope, I’m walking into the grocery store. What’s up?” I took a cart and headed toward the produce section.
“Good, pick up something for dinner. The case has stalled and I’m declaring a night off.” Greg chuckled. “Unless you’re going to grill me for information.”
“No grilling here except for meat on the porch. You want steak and corn on the cob?” I spied some out-of-season corn that some local farmer probably had delivered this week.
“Sounds like heaven. I’ll stop at the shop and pick up one of Sadie’s cheesecakes. You have much stock this week?”
I glanced at my watch. “Tell Toby to pull one out of the freezer. It will be thawed by the time we’re ready. And we can invite Amy and Justin over for coffee tomorrow. Maybe it will sweeten things a bit between us.”
“You two still fighting?”
I wheeled the cart toward the soup aisle. “I guess. I wish I’d just ignored her request to spy on Esmeralda. Or I could have agreed and then ignored it.”
“You tend to say exactly what’s on your mind. That’s why I love you so much.” He must have covered the phone because I heard mumbled conversation. “Look, I need to go. Don’t forget a six-pack.”
“Do I ever?” I clicked off my phone and slipped it into my purse. I started checking things off my shopping list. The good thing about living alone: You got to eat whatever you felt like for dinner. The bad thing: You got to eat whatever you felt like. I’d decided to try to eat at least a little healthier on nights when Greg didn’t come by, and I thought stocking my shelves with a variety of soups might convince me to heat up something rather than finishing off a bag of chips in my cabinet.
It was a theory at least. I finished my shopping and went to get some tacos.
I’d missed the lunch crowd at Jos
e’s Hangout, so it took me just a few minutes to be back on the road to South Cove. I had just unwrapped a taco when my phone rang. “Yep?” Or at least that’s what I tried to say with a mouth full of amazing fish taco.
“Hey, boss. You okay? You sound weird.” Toby’s voice echoed through my Bluetooth.
I chewed fast, then swallowed. “I’m trying to eat.”
The line went silent for a minute. Then he came back on. “Aren’t you driving? You know it’s not safe to be distracted while you’re driving.”
“I wasn’t distracted until you called.” I slowed for a turning car. “So, what’s up?”
“Josh just dropped off an envelope with a citation for the water station yesterday. Man, if I’d known what was in the stupid thing, I probably would have wrung his neck. If my hands would fit around it.”
“Put it on the office table and forget about it. I’ve already talked to Bill, and the committee has no power to be citing people. It’s an advisory committee, and he’s had plenty of complaints about Josh’s heavy-handedness. Give it to Jackie when she comes in to work.” I looked at the taco and my stomach growled. “Oh, Greg’s coming by to pick up a cheesecake. Take one out of the freezer for him.”
“Yes, ma’am. You’re kind of calm about this whole water citation thing.”
“Not my first envelope.” I said my good-byes and clicked off the phone. Then I picked up the taco and scarfed it before anything else could happen to stop me. By the time I’d made it home, I’d eaten both tacos, a serving of seasoned fries, and drank most of my frozen lime soda. Just call me the queen of emotional eaters.
I had a few hours before Greg would show up, so I made good use of the time. I put away the groceries, made a quick pasta salad and put it in the fridge to cool, then I set a new jar of sun tea out. Filling my glass with the last of the tea from the previous pitcher, I took a book out of my tote and Emma and I went to the porch to read.
Six on the dot, I heard Greg’s truck pull into the driveway. Toby had arrived earlier and had his truck parked by the garage. I assumed he was asleep since he started his Saturday shift at nine. Tim was technically on all day Saturday with Greg filling in when needed, but in the off season, nothing much happened on the weekends, so the guys played a lot of Halo in the station’s break room.
