Whispering Walls & Murder

by Jenna St James

  “A couple weeks before graduation,” Heidi continued, “David gets arrested for trying to steal a ring for his girlfriend. Because it wasn’t a very expensive ring, under the dollar amount or whatever to make it like a felony, the DA made a deal with him. He does three days in the county jail and has to complete forty hours of community service. He did his forty hours at the local library here in Traveler’s Bay, where according to his aunt, he shined. He really seemed to enjoy it, and for the first time seemed interested in something other than a thug life.”

  “Reading and helping others can do that for a person,” Mom said.

  “Almost immediately after he completed his community service hours,” Heidi said, “he sent the note to his parents, and he’s never heard from again.”

  “Did they call the police?” Mom asked.

  “Or maybe hire someone to find him?” Tillie suggested.

  Bridget nodded. “Yes. I remember talking to Mae, David’s aunt, right after it happened. The police couldn’t do anything because there wasn’t really a crime. He’d served his three days in jail and did his community service. David’s parents did hire a PI out of Santa Rosa, but he never came up with anything. Then Jayla Parker married Manny Lopez a month later, and things just quieted down.”

  I snapped my fingers. “That’s where I know this story from. I overheard someone talking about it once. But I heard the story as this David boy ran because his girlfriend was pregnant, and his best friend ended up marrying the girl.”

  Heidi took a big bite of the boozy pumpkin bar and nodded. “That’s how it looked to all of us. Jayla tells David she’s pregnant, he panics and runs, leaving Manny to step in. Manny married her, and he’s now raising the daughter as his own.”

  “Which begs the question,” I said, “did this Manny Lopez have feelings beforehand for Jayla and so he decided to get rid of David?”

  Chapter 5

  “Kill his best friend?” Tillie said. “That’s horrible.”

  “It’s a motive we should look at,” I said.

  Gramps cleared his throat and gave me a knowing look.

  “Mike told me to stay out of trouble,” I said. “I’m doing exactly that. I’m sitting in my place of business casually listening to a story.”

  “I doubt that,” he said.

  I was about to respond when Loretta Moore looked up from her book and signaled me. “Duty calls. Hold the story until I get back.”

  Loretta and her sister, Constance, sat side by side on the couch in front of the window. Both were mid-sixties or seventies, always well groomed, and loved their Melville’s Ocean Water—a drink made of Sprite, blue curacao, and coconut vodka.

  “Oh Jaycee,” Loretta cooed. “Could we bother you for another wonderful ocean drink?”

  I grinned. “It’s no bother at all. What are you ladies reading today?”

  Constance held up the latest Julie Moffett book. “I just love Lexi Carmichael.” She hugged the book to her chest and got a dreamy, far off look in her eyes. “Oh, to be that young and smart and fearless.”

  “I love her books too.” I turned to Loretta. “What about you?”

  “I like a little more romance and intense mystery. So I’m reading Toni Anderson’s latest in her Cold series.”

  “I’ve read that series too. Love it! Looks like you girls are good on reading material. Just give me a minute, and I’ll be right back with your order.”

  Rushing back to the bar, I gave Gramps the order then turned to Heidi. “Keep talking.”

  “That’s really all I know,” Heidi said. “David was periodically in trouble with the law in high school, had two friends also in trouble with the law, had a serious girlfriend, got arrested for stealing a ring for her, was sentenced to three days in jail and forty hours community service. He completed the community service at the library, and like a day or two later he writes a note to his parents and leaves Traveler’s Bay and a now-we-know pregnant girlfriend behind.”

  “Never to be heard from again,” Mom said.

  “Until I unearthed him last night,” I added.

  “So where do we go from here?” Bridget asked.

  Mom grabbed my pen and started writing on her napkin. “I say we definitely question the two friends, Logan Blevins and Manny Lopez. Especially Manny. Right now he seems to have the best motive to kill David.”

  “Why would Logan Blevins kill David?” Tillie asked.

  “Maybe he was helping Manny,” I said. “We know the two boys were best friends with David, so maybe Manny and Logan conspired to kill David so Manny could marry Jayla.”

  “Who else?” Mom asked, her pen poised above her napkin.

  “Jayla Parker-Lopez is also someone we need to speak to. Also, if we can,” I said, “we need to talk with David’s parents. Get their side. Then I say we talk to the librarian at the library. See what he or she remembers about David.”

  “It’s a she,” Heidi said. “Jane Forsythe.”

  “So basically we just trace his last two weeks of his life,” Bridget said. “Get everything we know on him.”

  I nodded. “Yeah.”

  The front door flew open and Jax came running in. “Did I miss anything?”

  I laughed. “Pretty much everything. But don’t worry, we can fill you in real quick.”

  While the girls filled Jax in on what we knew so far, I delivered the two drinks and made sure everyone else was good. There were eight customers, excluding Heidi and Bridget, eating and reading.

  Jax was still asking questions when I made it back to the counter, so I wandered over to where Gramps stood by the cash register. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

  Gramps leveled his gaze on me for a few seconds before he spoke. “I want you to be extra careful around that Blevins family. They’re seriously bad news. I’m talking, I want you carrying weapons around them.”

  My eyes widened. “That bad, huh?”

  “Yes,” Gramps said. “I know for a fact when the grandfather was in his thirties, he went away for about seven years.”

  “Prison?” I asked.

  Gramps snorted. “Of course prison. Then about ten years ago, he went away again for a couple years. Theft and some other charges. Trust me, that family is bad news from the grandfather all the way down to the grandson.”

  “How do they stay in business?” I asked.

  “They’re good at what they do,” Gramps said. “At least when it comes to cars.”

  “So what makes you think they’re—”

  Gramps leveled me with one of his I’m-not-messing-around-and-this-isn’t-up-for-discussion glares.

  “Jaycee,” Mom called, “get down here. We have a plan.”

  I shrugged innocently at Gramps and ambled over to where they gathered. “What’s up?”

  “Mae told me this morning that Manny Lopez works at Elliott Hardware & Lumber here in town,” Heidi said.

  “And I just googled them to see how late they’re open,” Jax said, “and it’s until seven on weekdays.”

  I smiled. “So then I guess Jax and I will go to the hardware store when she gets off around five. If he’s there, we’ll ask him some questions.”

  Gramps cleared his throat. “And just who will be here manning the bar? I’ll be home by then.”

  Tillie’s multi-braceleted hand shot up in the air. “Oh, Elizabeth and I will cover! You know I like running the bar.”

  Gramps shook his head and sighed. “Duke, looks like you and me are eating leftovers and watching John Wayne tonight.”

  Ruff! Ruff!

  “Duke’s okay with that,” I said.

  Gramps lifted an eyebrow but didn’t say anything more.

  “I promise not to be more than thirty minutes,” I said.

  “And Bridget and I will stop by around six for drinks and to see how it went,” Heidi said.

  Chapter 6

  Elliott Hardware & Lumber was located on Main Street in downtown Traveler’s Bay. It took up nearly a whole city block and
had everything you could need for home repair from appliances to building materials.

  The smell of oil, fertilizer, and treated lumber assaulted me as Jax and I stepped inside. The cashier behind the counter greeted us as we walked past her and headed deeper into the store. I wasn’t sure if Manny was working or not, but we had a fifty-fifty chance…and I hoped luck was on our side.

  “Hello, ladies, can I help you?”

  A man in his mid-twenties gave us a dazzling smile, showing off even, straight teeth. Even though he was of average height, he was well-muscled and thick through the torso and shoulders. His blond hair was longer on top than the sides, and it was cut in a way that made one side fall over his left eye.

  “My name’s Jordan Elliott, and I’m the floor manager,” he continued. “Can I help you find anything?” His brow furrowed as he looked at Jax. “Do I know you?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  Jordan snapped his fingers. “Yeah. You’re that Sullivan girl. I was like a freshman when you were a senior.”

  “Oh.” I could all but see the wheels turning in Jax’s head. She had no clue who this guy was. “Well, my senior year was a while ago, and my memory isn’t what it used to be.”

  He winked. “Almost a ten-year anniversary for you.”

  Jax gave him a weak smile. “That’s right.”

  “I’ve been working here at the hardware store since I was a junior in high school,” Jordan boasted. “So whatever you need, I can help you find it.” He gave Jax another wink. “Maybe even show you how to use it if you need help with the project you’re doing.”

  I coughed to cover my snort. This guy was smarmy and slick. And I couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of what Trevor would say to Jordan’s overt suggestion to Jax.

  “Thank you,” Jax said, “but my fiancé is a local carpenter. If I have any questions about the project I’m currently working on, he can help me.”

  The smile fell from Jordan’s face. “Oh, well in that case, what can I help you find?”

  “We’re actually looking for someone,” I said. “Manny Lopez.”

  “Manny?” Jordan mused. “Is this related to work or personal?”

  “Does it matter?” I asked.

  Jax rested her hand on Jordan’s arm. “Last night my sister and I had the unfortunate luck to discover David Saddler’s body.”

  Jordan’s mouth dropped open and he took a step backward. “That was you? Wow.” Eyes darting around the aisle not making contact, Jordan lifted his hands to his tie and began flipping the end back and forth in the air. “Um, yes, I guess I can see why you might want to talk with him. He’s pretty broken up today.”

  “Did you know David?” I asked. “You were probably around the same age.”

  Jordan dropped his hands and squared his shoulders. “I’m a couple years older. And it’s not like we hung out in the same crowd. I was on the football team and played basketball. They were—well, they weren’t exactly model citizens if you get my meaning.”

  “I think we all get your meaning,” a menacing voice said as he rounded the corner behind Jordan.

  Early twenties, tall and thin with dark hair and eyes. The sneer on his handsome, bronze face struck me as being out of place somehow. Like it wasn’t a look he had often. Tattoos peeked out from under his shirt sleeves and above his collar.

  “Hey Manny,” Jordan said a little too loudly. “These ladies were just asking for you.”

  “So I heard.” His eyes never left mine as he spoke. “I’ve already talked with a detective today about David. I ain’t speakin’ to you two about him.”

  Jordan’s mouth dropped. “Manny, we don’t talk to customers like that.”

  Manny turned his head and narrowed his eyes at Jordan. “They ain’t customers.”

  “And this is why you’ll never move up in your job like me,” Jordan said. “I started out working the floor in high school, just like you. But by the time I was your age, I was already the floor manager.”

  Manny snorted. “Your pops owns the store. Of course you’re the manager.”

  Jordan’s face turned red. “That has nothing—I’m good at—” Without finishing his sentence, Jordan turned and strode away.

  “Guy wouldn’t know a waffle-head hammer from a smooth-face hammer,” Manny grumbled.

  “Still a little harsh,” I said.

  Manny shrugged, but his lips twitched in what I took for a suppressed smile. “His parents are cool. They’re the ones who own the store, but they had Jordan late in life, so he’s one of those kids. I wasn’t kidding when I said he wouldn’t know one hammer from the next. And he doesn’t feel he has to learn because his dad owns the store. That’s the part I don’t like. He doesn’t care about making this place any better.”

  “You obviously like your job,” Jax said.

  “I do, yeah. I take pride in working here.”

  “Manny, my name is Jaycee Sullivan, and this is my sister, Jax. We were the ones who found—”

  “I know who you are,” he interrupted. “Like I said, some detective came by a couple hours ago to ask me questions. He told me who found David’s body and where he was found. I told him what I remembered, and that’s it. I don’t want to talk about it no more. Especially to two people I don’t know.”

  “We’re just trying to figure out what happened to David,” Jax said softly. “Don’t you want that for your friend?”

  Manny’s eyes narrowed. “Of course I want that for David. We were best friends. I—I cared for him like a brother.”

  “Then let us help you find out what happened to him,” I said.

  “I think that’s what the police guy is going to do,” Manny said.

  “Can you just answer a couple questions for us?” I insisted.

  Manny sighed. “Fine. What do you want to know?”

  “When was the last time you spoke to David?” I asked.

  He closed his eyes briefly before speaking. “I went over to his house to hang out with him right before—well, right before he left town. Or so I’d always thought he’d left town.”

  “Do you know what day that was?” I asked.

  “Friday. He’d just finished his last day of community service. I did text him on Sunday to see if he wanted to get together, but he never responded.”

  “You didn’t see him or text him on Saturday?” I asked.

  Manny shrugged. “Nah. Usually he hung out with Jayla on Saturday nights.”

  “I’m sure Detective Connors already asked you for your alibi on Saturday night, right?” I asked.

  A muscle in Manny’s jaw twitched. “Yes, he did.”

  “What did you tell him?” Jax asked.

  “I actually don’t remember what I did that night. I think I may have went to a party Saturday night.” He shrugged. “But it was so long ago, I don’t really remember.”

  Convenient.

  “So you always believed David skipped town and just left without a word to anyone?” I asked.

  He must have heard the skepticism in my voice because he shifted his posture and scowled. “That’s what I said.”

  “Yet you married David’s girlfriend, Jayla, not even a month after he skipped town,” I pointed out. “Weren’t you afraid he’d come back for her?”

  Manny didn’t answer…he just continued to stare at me.

  “Did you always have feelings for Jayla, or was it just something that happened once David was out of the picture?”

  Rage danced in Manny’s eyes, and his face contorted in anger. “I’m not answering that question.”

  I think you just did.

  “What about your friend Logan Blevins?” I asked. “Do you know the last time Logan saw David?”

  “I’m not friends with Logan Blevins anymore,” Manny said tightly. “So any questions you want Logan to answer about David, you will have to contact him.”

  “Did you guys have a falling out?” Jax asked.

  “High school was three year
s ago,” Manny said. “People change. I changed. I have a wife and a little girl now. I don’t socialize with Logan or anyone like him.”

  “Did David say anything to you about wanting to leave town the last time you saw him?” I asked.

  “I need to get back to work,” Manny said. “You’ve taken up too much of my time as it is. I can’t afford to lose this job.”

  Chapter 7

  “We learned a couple useful things,” Jax said.

  “Sure did.” I started the Rubicon—a gift from Gramps after someone cut my brake lines, and I totaled my mini-Cooper—and headed back to Gone with the Whiskey. “We have at least established a timeline and motive.”

  “On a different note,” Jax said, “has Mom said anything to you about setting a date for your wedding? Because she’s dropped a few hints to me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “We’ve only been engaged for a couple weeks! She needs to chill.”

  Jax snorted. “Mom chill? That’ll be the day.”

  I bit my lip and slid her a sideways glance. “Have you thought about setting a date?”

  “Yeah. But don’t tell Mom!” Jax grinned. “Have you?”

  “Yeah.”

  When I didn’t say anything else, Jax squealed and hit me in the arm. “Well, dish!”

  Laughing, I made the turn into the shared parking lot of Gone with the Whiskey. Our stores were located on the south side of town in a cluster of old wooden saloon-type structures. All the stores were connected via wooden walkways and small foot bridges. “Let me think on it a little longer, okay? I have some ideas, but I want to get things in order before I say anything.”

  “You’re a cruel woman, Jaycee Sullivan,” Jax joked.

  “Let’s just say we all need to talk soon.”

  I pushed open the front door and we walked inside. Mom was behind the bar, while Tillie was on the floor taking orders. Greeting a couple customers, I tossed my purse behind the bar and tied an apron around me.

  “Where do you want me?” I asked Mom.

  She finished making a Hobbit Hotscotch and gently slid it to me. “This needs to go to Bernice Davenport.”