by Rose Pressey
I handed him the cold glass of lemonade. “I can put Van to bed. He’s probably sleepy.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind holding him.”
Van was snuggled up next to Pierce’s neck.
“Well, I suppose if he wants to stay . . .”
Van would snuggle next to anyone if they’d let him.
I pointed toward the folding chairs. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
He paused but sat down. I took a seat in the chair next to him. We drank in silence.
I asked, “What’s the deal with you and Caleb?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I think you know what I mean. I saw the way you all were glaring at each other.”
He took another drink. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Obviously, he wasn’t going to tell me anything. Caleb had stepped away from Danny now, without even a glance in our direction.
“What did you find out about Danny?” I asked.
Van was sitting on Pierce’s lap now.
“We’ve asked him to come in for a polygraph test. At first, he said he would do it, and now he says no. That we’ll have to talk to his lawyer.”
“That doesn’t sound good. It seems as if he’s trying to hide something.”
“That’s what I think,” Pierce said. “We have no way to force him to do it, though. There’s not enough evidence to arrest him.”
I wondered if I should tell Pierce about what I’d learned from Mark Patterson. Yes, it was probably the responsible thing to do. I wanted the killer behind bars.
“Have you spoken with someone named Mark Patterson?” I asked.
“April’s boyfriend?” Pierce asked.
“So you have talked with him,” I said.
“He doesn’t seem to have any information.”
“He said he was having an affair with Erica. That would make him a person of interest and make you want to question him, right?” I asked.
“He said that?” Piece seemed surprised by this revelation.
“That’s what he told me. The woman at the bakery told me that too. Though I spoke with a friend of his named Russell, and he said he didn’t believe Mark. He said that Mark makes up a lot of stuff.”
“Well, you’ve certainly been busy with this investigation,” he said.
I hoped he wasn’t mad about that.
“Just trying to get to the bottom of things,” I said.
“Celeste, this could be dangerous. I really don’t think you should be involved.”
I knew he would say that. Maybe it was time for me to change the subject.
“How do you like your new job?” I asked.
I often wondered if the reason he left the local force was because of Caleb.
“I’m enjoying it,” he said. “Sometimes it’s nice to have a change. Plus, I’ve always wanted this opportunity.”
He finished off the last of the lemonade.
“Would you like more?” I asked.
“I really need to get back to work. Thank you for being so nice to me,” he said.
His blue eyes would make anyone melt.
“Just being nice to someone,” I said.
“Would you like to go to dinner one night when you’re not too busy?” he asked.
“Me too busy? I’d think it was more about when you’re not too busy,” I said.
“Well, I always have to make time for dinner.” He flashed a lopsided grin.
“I’ve seen you eating sandwiches while standing up and doing your work. You don’t even take time to sit down.”
“I suppose I have been busy lately,” he said. “So what about that dinner?”
“The festival will be over soon,” I said.
My answer was vague. I hadn’t said yes, but I hadn’t said no either. Of course, I’d done that on purpose.
He pushed to his feet and handed Van back to me. “I really should get going. Please, Celeste, let us do the investigating.”
I forced a grin. “Sure thing.”
I knew I wouldn’t stick with that. After all, I hadn’t promised. I was on to something, and I didn’t want to give up now. Our fingers touched, lingering for just a bit as Pierce handed the cup back to me. My heart sped up with our interaction. After a couple of seconds, Pierce broke away, and my trance stopped. He rubbed Van’s head one last time and headed away from my trailer. I watched until he moved around the corner.
CHAPTER 9
Be kind, even if you’re greeted with a bit of unfriendliness. If there’s a murderer on the loose, you’ll need all the friends you can get.
Later that evening, I decided I would take a stroll down the path just a bit. Not too far, because I was always scared that the killer might show up. My trailer was still in sight, and I knew exactly where I was headed. Van walked on his leash beside me. To anyone watching, it appeared that I was just taking my adorable little dog for a walk. That was true. However, I was planning something else as well.
I was walking past Danny’s trailer. I wasn’t sure what I hoped to accomplish by this, but I wanted to feel as if I was doing something to solve this crime. Not trying wasn’t an option. Crickets chirped in the nearby trees, and the stars sparkled in the night sky. A hint of the cool fall air that would arrive next month carried across the wind. Within seconds, it had disappeared, and the warmth settled around us again.
A light appeared in the tiny window of Danny’s trailer. I assumed he was inside. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Just thinking of his creepy face gave me the chills. What was he doing in there? Plotting his next murder? What I didn’t understand was what would have been his motive for killing Erica? He had to have one, right? I had no idea what I would do if he came out of his trailer and saw me. I’d probably run.
Maybe if I could just take a peek in the window. However, that was an invasion of privacy, and I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to do that to me. That was why I kept my blinds down at night. This was an emergency, though. I could be saving someone’s life if I found out Danny was the killer. I scanned the area to see if anyone was watching me.
The few people who remained outside seemed to be finalizing their items for the evening. I eased over to the trailer with adrenaline coursing through my veins. Standing on my tiptoes, I inched up to the window.
Just as I peered inside, I heard, “Psst, psst.”
Van barked, and I moved away from the window. When I spun around, I spotted Caleb standing by the edge of Danny’s trailer. I hurried over to him. He pulled me behind the trailer and indicated for me to be quiet by placing his index finger up to his mouth. My heart thumped in my chest. I hoped that Van wouldn’t bark and reveal our hiding spot. Surely Danny would hear Van and would come out to inspect.
As the trailer door squeaked open, I held my breath. Caleb motioned for us to move farther back from the trailer. I tried to be quiet, but my feet crunched a large twig on the ground. It snapped, echoing across the night air. Danny had to have heard that sound.
“Let’s get out of here,” Caleb said.
Caleb grabbed my hand, and we ran away from the trailer. The area was open until we reached either the church or the wooded space behind the church. Danny could still see us if he happened to check behind his trailer. Catching us running would let him know that we were up to something suspicious.
After what seemed like running a marathon, Caleb and I ran around the side of the church and stopped so that we could catch our breath. I leaned my back against the brick building. We remained silent as we tried to recover from our exertion; the only sound was our breathing. Van had been quiet as he went along for the adventure. I held him in my arms, and he sniffed the air as if this was just another stroll around the festival.
“Do you think he saw us?” I asked after a few more seconds.
“I don’t think he came back there to check things out before we got away. At least I didn’t see him,” Caleb said.
“That was a close one,” I said.
&nbs
p; “Celeste, what were you doing?” Caleb asked.
I knew he’d ask that. “I was just walking.”
“I know that’s not the truth. You were walking and snooping around someone’s trailer. You’ve talked me into spying in people’s trailers before. You have to stop doing that.”
“How else can I see if they’re up to no good?” I asked.
He shook his head. “You don’t see what I’m saying at all. Just let us investigate.”
Pierce and Caleb were on repeat with that saying. They should try something else.
Silence settled between us again.
After a few seconds, Caleb asked, “Did you see anything?”
I knew he’d want to know. My snooping around wasn’t so bad, after all. “I didn’t have time before you caught me,” I said.
“What did you expect to find?” Caleb asked.
I wouldn’t admit that I had found Danny’s shoe size. Caleb would surely think I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had lost it. Even if the size was the same, it still wouldn’t prove that Danny was the killer.
“I thought maybe he would be writing a confession letter,” I said.
Caleb remained silent. I supposed he didn’t share my sense of humor over the matter.
“Seriously, Caleb, I’m just trying to help. This involves me too. I have to worry about my safety.”
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be snooping around,” he said.
“There are better ways to find the killer.”
I screeched and jumped. Ama was leaning with her back against the church, just like me. Caleb jumped and thrust his hands out in a defensive stance.
“What happened? Did something bite you?” Caleb eyed me up and down.
I supposed I had to tell him that the ghost had said something. Ama needed to stop popping up like that.
“The ghost said there are better ways to find the killer,” I said.
I might as well just come out and say it.
“What ghost?” Caleb asked as he scanned the area.
I gestured beside me with a flick of my wrist.
“There’s a ghost beside you?” Caleb whispered. “Where did she come from?”
“I met her down by the river. She lived on this land.”
“How many years ago?” Caleb asked.
“Many,” I said.
“Interesting,” he said, staring at the empty space beside me. “Do you know why she’s here?”
“She said she’s here to help me,” I said.
“Help with what?” Caleb asked.
“Finding the killer, I suppose,” Ama answered.
“Her name is Ama, by the way. She thinks she can help find the killer.”
“Oh no. Another amateur sleuth? I don’t know if I can handle another one,” Caleb said.
“I’m only trying to help,” I said.
“Celeste, I appreciate the help. I don’t want you to think that I don’t.” Caleb wrapped his hand around mine. “It’s just your safety, you know?”
My hand tingled from his touch.
“Put your hands up,” the male voice boomed from somewhere to our right.
Caleb let go of my hand. He stuck his arms in the air. I placed one arm up, while holding Van with my other. Ama placed her hands in the air as if the man could see her. On my right, I spotted Pierce, with his gun pointed at us.
“What are you doing?” Caleb demanded.
Pierce lowered the gun and put it back in the holster. He walked over to us. Caleb lowered his arms, but I wasn’t quite sure yet. I was still shocked by what had happened.
“What are you all doing out here?” Pierce moved his attention from me to Caleb. “You can put your hands down, Celeste. I’m not going to shoot you.”
“Celeste was snooping around Danny’s trailer. I caught her peeking in his window,” Caleb said.
I couldn’t believe he’d told on me.
“I wasn’t guilty yet. You caught me before I had a chance to do it,” I said.
Pierce shook his head. “I’d barely gotten away from here when I got a call about two suspicious people hiding behind the church. You can imagine I thought it might be the killer.”
“Sorry about that,” I said.
“If you were snooping around Danny’s trailer, how did you end up hiding behind the church?” Pierce lifted an eyebrow.
I had to admit I seemed guilty.
“When Danny came out of the trailer, I didn’t want him to see us lurking around, so we ran away,” Caleb said.
“That doesn’t sound professional,” Pierce said.
Now I was causing more friction between them.
“I did what was necessary,” Caleb said defensively. “I’ll walk her back to her trailer.”
“I can walk her back,” Pierce said.
“That won’t be necessary. I got it.” Caleb motioned for us to start walking.
“I can walk myself back,” I said.
“It’s too dangerous,” they said in unison.
“Okay, how about you both walk me back.”
I had to do something before they fought right there by the church. They scrutinized each other with their eyes. When they didn’t answer, I simply walked anyway. Soon they’d fallen in step beside me. This was completely awkward, being escorted back to my trailer with two cops on each side. At least I felt safe. I hoped they didn’t argue once I was back in my trailer.
Silence settled between us as we walked across the open space toward the trailers. I wondered who had called the police on us. Had it been Danny? I wondered if he’d seen Caleb and me after all. It was possible that he knew he was calling the police on us and not a couple of random people. Soon we arrived back at my trailer. I paused at the door, facing Caleb and Pierce.
“Good night, men. No more competition tonight,” I said.
Pierce and Caleb raised their eyebrows as if it was a synchronized move. They knew what I meant.
CHAPTER 10
Smile and greet customers, even if you’re terrified. You don’t want to look like you’ve seen a ghost—even if you have seen one.
As soon as I set foot in my trailer, I noticed the paper on the floor. Was it something that I’d dropped? I reached down and picked it up. Anxiety slowly trickled in as I unfolded the paper. Maybe someone had left me a note.
I know what you’re doing.
I released an audible gasp. My stomach churned, and my heart sped up. What did this mean? Who had left the note? I opened the trailer door and peered out to see if Caleb and Pierce were still around. They’d already gone. Should I call them and let them know about this? I hated to ask them to come back here after they’d just left. I was causing yet another problem for them. I should just wait until the morning.
What if the killer had left the note and came back for me? I slammed the trailer door shut and quickly locked it. I placed the note on the counter and studied it for a couple of minutes. I soon realized that watching it wouldn’t do any good, so I decided to try to get some sleep and figure it out in the morning. Would I be able to sleep after this? Van and I snuggled under the covers. Had that crack always been in the ceiling? Maybe I need to repair it. I examined the ceiling for what seemed like forever while Van slept.
With every sound I jumped. Several times I got up and checked out the window. Occasionally, I noticed other vendors doing stuff at their trailers, but no one was around mine. I wasn’t sure what time I’d fallen asleep, but I knew I hadn’t gotten many hours. It would be hard to struggle through the day with the lack of sleep, but I had to push forward.
Not only was I concerned with finding out who had left the note, but I needed to finish some paintings. The note could be life or death, but no paintings to sell could be life or death too, as in, I’d have no money for food. Where was Ama this morning? I had expected her to appear right when I woke up. So far there’d been no sign of her. Van and I finished breakfast and stepped outside into the early-morning sun, which had just popped over the horizon, sending streak
s of red and purple across the eastern sky.
“What a beautiful day, Van,” I said.
My mind was still on the note. I’d shoved it into my pocket. I wasn’t sure when I should notify Pierce or Caleb. Should I wait for a bit longer to make sure they were awake? I’d made it through the night, so maybe I was just worrying over nothing. If the killer wanted me, wouldn’t he have tried to come after me already?
Furthermore, I wasn’t sure whom to tell about this first. Both Caleb and Pierce would be upset if I told the other one first. Maybe I should text them at the same time. Yes, that was exactly what I should do. I pulled out my phone and wrote them a text.
I’m not sure if this is something to worry about, but I received a strange note in my trailer last night. Someone had slipped it under the door. Could it have been Danny? I saved the note. The person said they knew what I’d done.
What did the person mean when they said that? Was it Danny referring to me snooping around his trailer? Yes, that had to be it. It must have infuriated him to see us by his trailer.
“Are you ready?” the female voice called out.
When I spun around, I spotted Ama. She stood by the edge of the trailer, peeking around as if someone might see her.
I hurried over so that I could disguise talking to her better.
“Ready for what?” I asked.
“You have to go to the river and paint,” she said. “I think you’ll get the answers you need there.”
She wasn’t giving up on this. I had to admit that I was curious.
“Can’t I just paint here?”
She shook her head. “It won’t be the same. You need the energy from the river.”
Since it was still early, I had time. “Okay, but I can’t stay long.”
Ama moved over to the path and motioned for me to join her. I left Van in the trailer and grabbed my canvas and paints. I hoped Caleb and Pierce didn’t discover what I’d done. Following Ama, I walked along the wooded path toward the river. Every time a tree branch cracked under my foot, I jumped. Only the sound of the swaying tree branches and a few chatty birds filled the air. Light broke through the dim area when I came to the river clearing. The morning sun trickled over the water, glistening and dancing.
