“Margaret, the librarian, gave me three different pictures from the security camera they have set up there. The angle wasn’t the best, but it was good enough to give me something to go on. She also gave me one woman’s name and the last names of the other two,” Holly said.
“Well, that’s a start,” Brigid said. “Let me see the pictures. It’s always possible I may know one of them.”
Holly climbed out of her chair and walked over to where she’d dropped her backpack. She carried it back to the chair, unzipped it, and dug out the printed photos. “She wrote the names on the backs of each of the photos,” she pointed out.
Brigid nodded and slowly inspected each one. She looked at all three, then went back through them to double check. After a few moments, she shook her head. “One of them looks familiar, like I may have seen her before, but I can’t say I know her. I probably saw her once or twice at the store or something. Sorry,” she said as she handed the photos back to Holly.
“That’s okay. It would have been a little too easy if you knew exactly who they were,” Holly sighed. “But I wasn’t really sure what to do if you didn’t know any of them.”
“So your main plan is to find out who donated the coat and then try and talk to them. Is that right?” Brigid asked.
“Pretty much. My story has been to tell people that I was helping with the coat drive and found something in one of the pockets that I imagine the person would want back.” Holly took a long drink from her root beer. “But now I need to find these three people. Margaret couldn’t tell specifically which person had donated that particular coat, but each of these three donated a coat that looked similar to it.”
“That’s as good a place as any to start,” Brigid agreed. “But now you need someone who can identify the people in the photos.”
“Right. I gave Wade the names to see if he could find out anything online. That could either give us lots of great information or nothing,” Holly said. “I’m not exactly riding all my hopes on that.”
“Still, that was a good place to start. At least you’ll probably find out some contact information for the one you have a full name for,” Brigid said.
“I hope so,” Holly said. “But it would probably be too much to hope for that it was the person who actually donated the coat.”
“I know who you should ask!” Brigid burst out. “Fiona. Not only does she run the bookstore, but she’s lived here her whole life. If anyone can identify those three, I’d guess it would be her.”
“Great idea. I didn’t even think of her,” Holly said, tapping her chin. “Out of everyone we know, she’s probably the best bet.”
“I don’t think you should bother her tonight,” Brigid said, looking at the clock. “I spoke to her earlier, and she said something about going to bed early, but you can talk to her tomorrow.”
Holly nodded. “I will. Thanks, Brigid. I was starting to think maybe I was in too deep with this one.”
“Nonsense,” Brigid said. “Sometimes you just have to work your way around a roadblock, and as long as you’re persistent, you’ll find what you need.”
Holly thanked Brigid and told her she was going to turn in early. She said goodnight and headed for her bedroom. She tried to be quiet, so she wouldn’t wake Lucky, but as she turned around after quietly closing her door, she saw he was sitting up looking at her, tail wagging.
“Hey, little man. How are you doing?” she asked as she went over and sat beside him. He stood up and moved closer to her, yawning. “You did get a haircut, didn’t you?” she said to him. “It’s a little short, but I bet you feel ten times better, huh?”
She ran her hand along his back, and he promptly rolled over exposing his belly. “Awww, you want tummy scratches?” she asked. “I don’t see how anyone could get rid of you on the side of the road, but honestly, I’m glad they did. If they’d taken you to the shelter, I wouldn’t have been able to bring you home.”
Her mind wandered to all those shelters across the country and all the dogs in them. So many of them were operated as kill shelters, and it just broke her heart. How many sweet dogs and cats were put to sleep simply because their owners hadn’t been patient enough? She shook her head to get rid of the thought of what might have happened to Lucky.
“Well, you have a home now,” she said softly as he curled up beside her and started to fall back to sleep. “Think we better go outside one more time before bedtime.” He followed her down the hall and out the back door. A few minutes later they returned to her room, and he jumped up on her bed.
Running her fingers through his soft coat, she couldn’t help but start to hum. She wasn’t sure what it was at first, just a tune she’d heard somewhere. Whatever it was, it seemed to make him feel comfortable, because in a matter of minutes he was sound asleep and snoring softly.
As he slept, Holly reached over to the nightstand next to her bed and picked up the book she’d been reading. It was a fantasy book about a girl who found out she came from a long line of witches. She had a feeling it was going to be the next book she’d recommend at the bookstore.
It was so compelling and engaging she hadn’t wanted to put it down last night, but when she’d seen how late it was, she knew she had no choice but to tuck her bookmark between the pages and set it to the side unless she wanted to be a zombie in class the next day. But tonight, she was finishing it, no matter what. She fluffed her pillow, got comfortable, and began to read.
CHAPTER 12
Finally, it was Friday, and the last bell had just rung. Holly weaved her way through a sea of her fellow classmates as she made her way to her locker. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Wade about the pills all day. That morning he told her he’d found Brittany Jackson online, but then Brigid had called her to say she’d almost forgotten to tell Holly about the self-defense class schedule, interrupting Wade’s and her conversation. The car ride to school that morning hadn’t taken that long, and they’d been running behind, so he told her he’d finish the discussion after school.
“Hey,” Wade said with a grin as he leaned up against the locker next to hers. “It’s finally the weekend.” Holly still couldn’t get over how incredibly cute he was when he smiled.
“I know,” she said with a smile. “Maybe now we can make some progress with the pill investigation. All my homework and working after school has taken up a lot of time, and I haven’t been able to find out anything.”
“I know. But at least I have a lead. Sorry I wasn’t at lunch today. Mr. Clements needed my help, but that was okay because I got some extra credit points. However, like I said, I was able to get a lead. Brittany Jackson works at the hardware store here in town. If we hurry, we should be able to make it over there before it closes.” It was quite obvious Wade was proud of himself for digging up the information.
“How did you figure out where she works?” Holly asked.
“Social media, silly,” he said as if it was a no-brainer.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” she asked, as she closed her locker door, and they began to walk down the hall.
“Because once in a while I need to contribute something. I was just glad I could beat someone as smart as you to the punch. Usually you’re the one who has all the brilliant ideas, and I always feel like I’m struggling to catch up,” he chuckled.
“I’m sorry. You know I don’t do it on purpose,” Holly said. At times like this, she hated how smart she was. It wasn’t always a big deal, but she knew that sometimes it made the people around her feel inferior. It wasn’t as if she tried. She was just able to figure things out a little faster than most people could.
“I know, and it doesn’t bother me. It’s just a part of hanging out with you. I know that sometimes I’m going to feel like an idiot and that’s okay,” he said with a shrug. He held the door open for her as they left the building. Both of them took a deep breath at the same time causing them to look at each other and laugh. “Were you thinking it, too?” he asked.
“The s
weet smell of freedom?” Holly asked.
“Exactly,” he said as they continued walking to his car. “I always love the smell of the fresh air after being trapped inside all day.”
“Agreed,” Holly said nodding. “Oh, I talked to Brigid last night about the people in the photos to see if she knew any of them.” When they got to his car, they tossed their backpacks in the backseat and climbed in.
“Did she?” he asked after they shut their doors and buckled their seat belts.
“No, she thought she recognized one of them, but that was about it. However, she had a great idea. She told me I should ask Fiona. Since she’s lived her in Cottonwood Springs her whole life, and so many people go to her bookstore, there’s a fairly good chance she may know the person,” she said excitedly.
Wade started the car and begin backing out of the parking space. “That’s a good idea. If this Brittany woman isn’t our person, maybe we should swing by the bookstore and talk to Fiona.”
“I’d like to, but she won’t be there. She closes early on Friday’s, but she should be home by the time we finish up at the hardware store,” Holly said, nodding.
A few minutes later Wade pulled into a parking space in front of the hardware store, and they got out of his car. The store was a newer building that had been done in wood siding which had been stained and sealed. More than likely that was because the store advertised that it was the only place in town where you could find lumber and pretty much anything else you needed to build something.
As they pushed open the large glass door, an overhead bell chimed, announcing their arrival. A tall, pretty brunette was at the counter and smiled at them. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, her long dark hair hanging in loose curls framed her face. Long eyelashes set off her caramel-colored eyes.
“Is there something I can help you with?” she asked them.
“That’s her,” Wade whispered.
Holly nodded. “Yeah, I think it is,” she whispered back as they walked over to the counter. “You’re Brittany, right?” she asked the young woman. She knew Wade had said it was, but she wanted the woman to confirm it.
“I sure am. Do I know you?” she asked as her brow wrinkled, trying to place Holly.
“No, and I promise to make this quick,” Holly began. “You see, we were helping with the coat drive the church organized, and we found something in one of the coats that we think the person who donated the coat may have forgotten about.
“We’ve narrowed it down to a few people who may have dropped it off, and you’re one of them.” Holly pulled her phone out of her pocket and found the picture of the coat. She stepped closer and showed it to Brittany. “This was the coat.”
Brittany took the phone from her and looked closely at the photo. “I did drop one off at the library donation box which was similar, but that one isn’t mine. I donated a dark brown coat,” she said handing the phone back. “Sorry.”
“No, that’s fine. We’re just trying to find the owner. Thanks anyway,” Holly said.
“May I ask what was left in the coat?” Brittany asked.
“I’d rather not say,” Holly said. “I want them to identify the item when I do find the coat’s owner, just to double check it’s theirs, so it wouldn’t do me much good if I went around telling everyone what it was.”
She didn’t want to tell everyone she was looking for someone who might have a pill problem, because she knew that would not only raise a few eyebrows, it might cause the owner not to admit that they’d donated the coat.
“That makes sense,” Brittany said. “Well, good luck. I wish I could have been more helpful.”
“Sorry to bother you,” Wade said with a small wave as they turned and left the store.
Climbing back into his car, Holly sat back and sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Wade asked, concerned. He’d seen that look on her face before. Something was bothering her.
“This. I don’t know why, but I feel like Margo might have been right. Maybe this is all just a stupid idea of mine. We don’t even know if whoever donated the coat will admit it was theirs. Maybe they realized what they’ve done and are going to try to cover it up or deny the whole thing.”
She knew she was just getting frustrated, but she was starting to wonder if this really was a dumb idea. Maybe it was just a fool’s errand that she’d been far too confident she could solve.
“Holly, don’t get so down on yourself. You’re doing this with the best of intentions. You know how bad this sort of thing is, and all you want to do is help someone with their problem. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Tell you what. Let’s go talk to Fiona and see if she knows who the other two people are. You have the pictures with you, right?” Holly nodded affirmatively.
“Good. Let’s see what she has to say. If we hit a dead end, we’ll consider it a sign. But as long as everything keeps going in our favor, I say we keep moving forward. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone tells us to mind our own business? Big deal. What if they really do need help? What if they don’t realize the harm they’re doing to themselves?”
Holly let everything Wade said sink in. He was right. There was a reason she wanted to do this. She was worried about whoever it was. They may be a complete stranger, but how often have people said that their lives were changed just because a random stranger reached out to help them when they needed it?
“Okay,” she said nodding. “You’re right. I don’t want to accept defeat when we still have things to try. Let’s go visit Fiona.”
“That’s the spirit,” Wade said with a grin. “I’m telling you, you’re going to figure it out. I can feel it in my bones.”
“I just hope your bones are right,” Holly said with a sigh.
CHAPTER 13
They drove through the small town while Holly gave Wade directions to Fiona’s house. The closer they got, the more convinced Holly was that this would work. After all, Fiona knew practically every customer by name. If the donor of the coat visited the library, there was a pretty good chance they’d also gone to the bookstore. If Fiona even knew one of them, preferably one with the initial that matched the one on the coat, Holly would be happy. There would still be a lead for her to follow.
“It’s the next house up ahead,” Holly instructed. She pointed towards the driveway and Wade pulled in.
As they began to unbuckle their seat belts and open their car doors, Brandon, Fiona’s husband, opened the front door. “Oh, hey Holly. Wade.” He waved to them.
“How’s Fiona feeling?” Holly asked as they walked up the sidewalk.
“Pretty good, actually. She’s got her feet propped up to help with her blood circulation, and she’s relaxing. Come on in,” he said as he held the door for them.
When they stepped inside the house, they saw Fiona kicked back on the couch, her legs stretched across most of it and several pillows tucked under her feet to provide some gentle elevation. She lifted her eyes from the book she was reading and smiled at them.
“Holly, Wade, what’s up? I wasn’t expecting a visit from my two favorite teenagers,” she said.
“I was kind of hoping we could pick your brain,” Holly said as she sat down at the end of the couch, just past where Fiona’s feet were resting. Wade sat in a nearby chair.
“Sure, what do you need?” She tucked her feet underneath her and sat up a little straighter.
“I’m kind of on a mission,” Holly explained.
“My sister has rubbed off on you, hasn’t she?” Fiona asked, grinning, as she shook her head. Wade couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Maybe,” Holly said with a slight smile. “But this is serious. We were helping Missy with the coat drive over at the church, and I found a bottle of pills in the pocket of one of the coats. The label had been peeled off, and we found out they’re Adderall.”
Fiona shook her head. “Sounds like someone was doing something they shouldn’t have been doing.”
“I know,” Holly said. “That
’s the reason I want to find out who it was. I don’t want to get them in any trouble. I just want to see if they need help.”
“It might be a stretch, kiddo,” Fiona sighed. “Maybe they don’t want help. What if you get yourself into trouble? I don’t know if I like this.”
“I’m being careful, I swear,” Holly promised.
Wade nodded. “I’m keeping an eye out for her. Brigid knows what’s going on too.”
“That only makes me feel slightly better. I mean, do you know what my sister has done before while helping the sheriff on a case? Like some crazy fool, she walked right up to a suspected murderer and…”
“Fiona, come on. This is me. Am I reckless?” Holly asked, looking at her pointedly.
Fiona sighed. “Not usually. Okay, I’m listening.”
Holly began to dig in her backpack for the photos, pulling out the two they hadn’t been able to identify. “Margaret at the library tried to remember their full names, but she could only recall their last names,” Holly explained as she handed over the photos.
Fiona took them from her and looked closely at each one. “I think I know both of them,” she finally said. “One I’m not as sure about as the other, but honestly, it’s not that great of an image.”
“I agree,” Holly agreed. “Do you know their names?”
“Sure,” Fiona said as she handed a photo back to Holly. “This one is Leslie Cole. She’s the one I’m sure about.”
Holly took the photo from her and flipped it over. After pulling a pen from her backpack she wrote the name “Leslie” before the name “Cole.”
“This one I’m only like, three quarters sure, but I believe it’s Jodi Jenkins.” She handed the other photo to Holly and spelled the name out for her. “But I don’t think either one of them are the kind of people to have a pill problem. Maybe they just brought the coats in for someone else?” Fiona suggested.
Holly Lewis Mystery series Box Set Page 20
