“Let me know if you like the scones,” Penny called out as Sylvia left the shop and headed to her store. When she reached her door, she stood stock-still. The door was ajar; the window next to the door was broken.
Sylvia stepped back nervously, turned and scuttled back to Cup N Cake. She hurried through the front door and rushed to where Gathe and Tricia sat.
“Gathe, someone broke into my shop. The window is broken, and the door is open.”
Gathe jumped up. “Tricia, call the police.” He moved around the table and put his arm around Sylvia. “Now, stay calm. We’ll find out what it’s all about.”
Sylvia stood nervously twisting her hands, waiting while Tricia called 911. As she spoke into her phone and told the police the address and what had happened, Jason and Jennifer looked up.
They both rose from their seats and hurried over. Jennifer spoke up. “We couldn’t help but overhear you, Miss Sylvia. Someone broke into your shop?”
“Yes, I was just about to go in when I noticed the window broken and the door ajar. I hope whoever broke in is gone now.”
Just then, they heard sirens outside. They all moved as a group out into the courtyard and waited for the police.
“So, Miss Sylvia,” Officer McClan said, while writing on a small notepad. “From what we can tell, someone wanted to steal something specific. It seems only your desk area and the bookshelves were rifled through. Do you have any idea what they were looking for?”
Sylvia shook her head back and forth. Nothing came to mind. Although she had some first edition books, it made no sense for anyone to rifle through her desk.
“Even my safe? Wasn’t it broken into?”
The officer shook his head.
Sylvia noticed Jennifer standing alone, Jason had slipped away when the first police car arrived. She walked over and asked, “Jennifer, why did Jason leave?”
Jennifer flushed. “He doesn’t like the police. He’s afraid that somehow he might be accused of…”
Sylvia lifted Jennifer's hand and patted it. “Your father told me about his juvenile record.”
“He’s not like that anymore. My father just doesn’t understand.”
“Give him time. I’m sure Jason will prove himself to your father. Be patient.”
Jennifer smiled. “Thank you, Miss Sylvia. I hope nothing important was stolen.”
“So do I, but I’ve been thinking. If someone was rifling through my desk, they must be looking for something small, like a notebook, or a paper, or a diary.”
Jennifer’s mouth formed an O. “Do you think so? I know you collect diaries. Do you have any that are worth a lot of money?”
“Hmm, just the newest one, I think.” Sylvia’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me, Jennifer, I think I need to tell Officer McClan something.”
“I noticed a young man here when I first arrived, but he slipped away before I could ask him any questions,” Officer McClan stated.
“Yes, his name is Jason Barnes, but I don’t think he has anything to do with the break-in.” Sylvia stated, hand on hip.
The officer gave a crooked smile, “Ma’am, I’ll be the judge of that. His behavior was odd.”
“May I go in the shop now?” Sylvia asked. Her legs were shaking from standing so long. The officer nodded.
“Yes, we need you to take an inventory of everything and tell us if something specific is missing. It may have something to do with that diary, but it could be something else. Where is the diary now?” He asked. She had mentioned it to him earlier.
“It’s in my purse. Do I have to turn it in to you?” Sylvia didn’t want to have to turn it over, but she would if necessary.
“Not yet, but keep it safe in case I need it later on.”
Sylvia agreed and headed into her shop. She was shocked by the mess. All the papers on her counters were flung on the floor, and all the books in her book corner were tossed around the room. From a quick glance, she could see nothing seriously damaged. With a sigh, she sat on the chair behind her counter and put her head down.
A few minutes later, Bill rushed through the door. “Miss Sylvia, I heard what happened. Are you okay?”
Sylvia lifted her head and gave him a weak smile. “Yes, I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed.” She swung her hand around indicating the mess.
Bill bent over and lifted a book. “I’ll take you home then come back here and pick up everything. I may not be able to put the books in order, but I can clean up a bit.”
“That’s so kind, Bill, but you already do enough, driving me around town. This isn’t your mess.”
“I’ll help,” Jennifer’s voice rang out as she entered the store. “And, when I find Jason, he’ll help, too.”
Just then, there was a gasp, and Sylvia’s eyes went to the open door again. Hatty was standing there with a hand over her mouth.
“What happened here, Sylvia?” She asked in an unconvincing voice.
Sylvia sighed. “As you can see, Hatty. My shop was broken into.”
“Oh, no. Was anything taken?” She glanced around the room and noticed the books strewn about. “Were any of your precious diaries stolen?”
Sylvia shook her head. “I don’t think so, but I need to do a full inventory.”
“Should I be worried about my shop?” Hatty glanced out the front window. She had a rather distressed look on her face.
“I wouldn’t worry, Hatty. It does seem as if they were looking for something specific.”
“What’s that?”
Bill turned around. “Hatty, Sylvia’s pretty shook up right now. Maybe you can come back later?”
Hatty’s mouth gaped at Bill’s words. “Well, I never…” she pulled her sweater closed across her chest, turned and stomped out of the store. Before she exited, she stopped and looked around once more. “Where is that new desk you bought, Sylvia?”
“It’s being delivered to my…” Bill stepped closer, took Hatty by the arm and led her ungraciously to the door. When they reached the door, Hatty pulled away from him, gave one last look around, then huffed away.
Sylvia gave Bill a glare. “Bill, that wasn’t very nice.”
“She’s an old bitty.” He walked over and put his arm around Sylvia’s shoulders. “Let me take you home.”
Sylvia nodded. This mess could wait another day. She was pretty shaky. “If we tape up that broken window, we should be able to leave.”
Bill searched for some duct tape and spent a few minutes taping the window. “I’ll have to get you a new lock for the front door.”
Sylvia slipped her purse on her shoulder and allowed Bill to lead her to the back door. He had parked his taxi on the street behind the antique shop. He insisted Sylvia hold his arm until they reached the car, then he held the car door open so she could slide into the back seat. When he was sure she was settled in, her got into the front seat and turned on the engine.
Bill drove slowly, taking the lovely Gulf Road so Sylvia could relax. He knew she loved the sound of the surf. When he pulled into Sylvia’s driveway, he heard her sigh.
“I’m sorry you had to go through all of that, Sylvia.”
“There’s nothing to be done about it, but it is disconcerting. I just can’t imagine anything in my shop anyone would want so badly. Even my most expensive books aren’t worth so much money that anyone would steal them. And besides, why would they have made such a mess?”
Bill eyed her in the mirror. “What about that diary?”
“I can’t imagine it’s that important, even if it has a clue to the whereabouts of Mary Pendecot’s jewels. Everyone in town knows I’d be the first to share the information. I wouldn’t be trying to keep them for myself.”
Bill’s eyes looked dark. “Maybe that’s the problem. What if someone doesn’t want you to share the information? Maybe you better tell me who all was at that estate sale.”
Sylvia leaned forward and opened the taxi door. “I just want to rest now. If you come back in an hour, I’ll be ready to go back to the s
hop and start cleanup.”
Bill walked her to the door then patted her hand. “You just get some rest.”
Chapter 4
Sylvia spent the afternoon reorganizing her bookshelves. Nothing was missing, and nothing was damaged. She was happy nothing was gone, but it all seemed so strange. There were some pretty rare editions of books a thief should have taken if it were a robbery.
After an hour or so, she sat down and took a sip of her coffee.
I can’t believe my shop was broken into. Is there any chance this was all about that Pendecot Diary?
She reached into her purse and pulled out the diary. She opened to the first page and began to read. Mary Pendecot had started writing in the diary when she first married her husband and moved into the Pendecot mansion.
Sylvia flipped the pages and checked the different entry dates. Mary only wrote in the diary from time to time over twenty years, but the things she wrote about were detailed and filled with rich history.
Sylvia had recently started a blog called “Diaries of the Past.” Each day she blogged different excerpts from diaries she’d collected over the years. She already had about 500 followers. Perhaps she would blog the entire Pendecot diary.
Sylvia moved over to her computer and turned it on. First, she would need to pre-blog about it, tell some background details about the Pendecot family, post a photo of the desk and the diary. Maybe she could get back in the house and take some photos.
Hmm, it’s going to be very interesting. I’ll need to read the Gazette article as well.
A half hour later, the front door opened, and she looked up.
“Doc?”
Doc Holiday stomped into the store. “What’s all this hullabaloo I heard about someone breaking into your store?”
Sylvia closed the diary and slipped it into her purse. She wasn’t sure if he noticed it or not. She moved away from the computer. “Yes, someone broke in.”
“What’d they take?” His eyes swept the room.
“That’s the strange part; nothing’s missing.”
“Where’s that desk you bought the other day?”
“It’s not here.”
“I can see that,” he growled.
Sylvia stood up and stretched. “Doc, what’s your interest in that desk?”
The man gave her a mean stare. “I told you, I just like the desk. I came today to make you a fair offer on it.”
“But I don’t want to sell it.”
“Didn’t they make their deliveries today?” He
moved toward the back office and slipped open the door. Sylvia rushed over, pushed him slightly and shut the office door.
“Doc, I’m not interested in selling my desk. I don’t need you poking around my office. But seriously, you’ve never been interested in furniture before. Why this sudden interest in a desk?”
“I told you, I just want to buy it. Why are you being such a stubborn woman?”
Sylvia set her hands on her hips and glared at the man. “I’m not being stubborn. I want to keep the desk. It’s not for sale. Now, can you go away so I can finish cleaning up in here?”
The man stomped out the front door, mumbling to himself.
With a small frown on her face, Sylvia wondered, what does that man want with my desk? It has to be something about the missing coin collection, but I pulled out all the drawers and didn’t find any coins.
Sylvia took a deep breath and turned back to her work, but the bell over the front door chimed.
What now?
Sylvia wiped her hands on a cloth and set it on the counter. She moved to the front of the shop. A young man was standing there.
“Can I help you?” Sylvia called out. The man turned. It was Jason Jones.
“I wanted to know if you could use some help?” His eyes slid around the store. “Jennifer told me to come over and help you.”
Without hesitation, Sylvia answered. “That was kind of Jennifer. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit exhausted. I’ve picked up all the books that were thrown around in disarray, but the whole store needs to have the broken glass swept out. Could you do that?”
“Sure.”
Sylvia pointed at the broom against the wall. Jason grabbed it and began to vigorously sweep.
“I’ll just push it all to the back door then put it in a trash can. Did you figure out why someone broke in?”
Sylvia shook her head from side to side. “From what I can tell, nothing was taken. I assume it was someone who wanted to go through the desk I bought, but that doesn’t explain all my books being thrown on the floor.”
Jason glanced around. “Where is that desk?”
Sylvia thought his face showed signs of innocent curiosity, but for right now she didn’t feel like giving anyone any more information about the desk. She pretended not to hear his question.
“I’ve got to go over to Cup N Cake and get a fresh cup of coffee.” She waved and left him behind, once more sweeping.
“Hi there, Miss Sylvia.” Penny called out.
“Just came to get a refill.” Sylvia held up her cup then walked over to the counter. Penny took the cup and began to fill it.
“Sorry to hear about your break-in.” Penny spoke sympathetically. “Did they take money?”
“No. Nothing was taken. I thought they’d broken in to steal one of my collectible diaries, but not a single one’s missing. All the books were thrown on the floor so it took all day to clean up.”
Penny frowned. “It doesn’t make much sense. Do you have any thoughts?”
“The only thing I can imagine is that it has something to do with the desk I bought at the Pendecot estate sale. There were several people who seemed overly interested in it, especially since it was in the Gazette.”
“But, why would the books be thrown around. Was the desk broken into or damaged?”
Sylvia shrugged her shoulders. “That’s the strangest part of all. The desk isn’t at my shop. I told Jennifer to have it delivered to my house. It won’t be there until tomorrow.”
Penny handed the cup to Sylvia. “Well, I hope it had nothing to do with the desk. The last thing you need is to have your house broken into.”
Sylvia’s heart dropped. She hadn’t thought about that. Maybe she should talk with Officer McClan about it. She’d told him about the diary but hadn’t put much emphasis on the desk. Sylvia took her cup and pushed away from the counter.
“I guess it’s back to the shop. I closed for the day to clean up the mess. Oh, by the way, can I get a muffin and coffee to go? I’ll treat Jason since he’s helping me.”
“He’s a nice young man.” Penny pulled a muffin out of the glass case and put it in a bag.
“Hmm, I don’t know him, but he offered to help me so I’ll give him the benefit of doubt.”
“He and Jennifer seem close. But if he can’t prove himself, Hubert will never allow Jennifer to keep seeing him.”
“I’m just hoping he proves himself to me,” Sylvia grabbed the bag and cups and made her way across the square and back into the antique shop. She noted Hatty’s store had several customers.
Not a day to have to be closed. She sighed heavily as she pushed open the front door.
Jason was standing behind the counter. It appeared he was looking at her computer. He stepped back, a startled look on his face.
Sylvia set the coffee cup on the counter, trying to appear casual. She could see Jason had been looking at her website. She handed him the bag with the muffin in it. Not one to beat around the bush, she decided to confront him.
“Jason, I appreciate your helping me around here, but I can see you were on my computer. What’s your interest?”
Jason fidgeted with the bottom of his shirt then squared his shoulders. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I wanted to check my email. My computer died the other day, but before I could get into my email, I saw your blog and started reading about the Pendecot diary. Your blog is really good. I was very interested in what you wrote so far.”
> Sylvia glared at him, wondering if she should believe him or not.
Jason stepped closer. “Please believe me, Miss Sylvia. I know what they say about me, but you can trust me.”
Sylvia took a sip of her coffee, eyeing him over the cup. He looked innocent enough. She assumed he was a misunderstood young man.
“I’m hoping my followers will enjoy reading a continuing story. I’ll post the most interesting excerpts from the Pendecot diary. For all I know, I’ll find out the secret hiding place for her jewels.”
Jason straightened. “Jewels?”
“Yes, the Pendecot jewels are missing. They might be hidden in the house somewhere. Since they belonged to Mrs. Pendecot, maybe she wrote about it in the diary.”
Jason whistled. “Sounds like a mystery.”
Sylvia smiled at the younger man. “There’s a muffin in that bag for you.” She watched as he eagerly grabbed the bag. “Do you have a job, Jason?”
“No, I’ve been trying to get one, helping out here and there, but no one will hire me.”
“I can use some help. I’ve been thinking about hiring someone to help me with the bigger items. I’m not able to load items for my customers, and I always have to call Gathe. I don’t think he appreciates it, but he’s too kind to say anything.”
“Do you really mean it, Miss Sylvia? I’m trustworthy. I’ll stay out of the way; no one needs to know I’m working here.”
Sylvia cocked her head. “Why would I care if anyone knew you were working here?”
A bitter laugh came from the young man’s throat. “Seriously, I’m sure you know about my juvenile record. You’d think I was a murderer or bank robber, the way everyone looks at me.”
“Psh, you were young. I’m willing to give you a try.”
Jason picked up the broom again, a huge grin across his face. “Thank you so much, Miss Sylvia. I’ll prove valuable to you.”
Sylvia looked around at the shop, noting that it seemed as if everything was nearly back in order.
“I’m tired. I think I’ll close up shop for tonight. Can you be here at eight thirty each morning.?”
Diary and Death Page 3
