He got so agitated, he forgot to control the volume of his voice. “Because I don’t trust Schuler, that’s why! When I came under suspicion for the murder of Ken Fenton, Schuler wouldn’t give me the benefit of doubt—and the man knew me. He’d worked with me for years. And he tried to convict me on evidence manufactured by other people. Do you honestly think I could stand by and let that happen to you?”
Katie placed a hand on his arm, hoping to both calm him down and reassure him. “I appreciate your concern, but I feel compelled to turn the object over to the police. It could hold traces of the killer’s DNA or something.”
“That object was found in your apartment and likely is contaminated with your DNA,” Ray reminded. “Besides, how are you going to tell Schuler or one of his deputies that you found it after their extensive searches turned up nothing?”
“I won’t let on that I found it here,” she said. “I’ll say I found it on the street or inside Artisans Alley somewhere other than my office—like, near the cash desks. That would work, wouldn’t it?”
“No. Turning that thing in now with some lame explanation about just happening to run across it—the very thing they turned your apartments upside down looking for—is going to make you look even more suspicious to them than you already do.”
“Fine.” She turned and leaned against the sink, wondering if dousing her head beneath the cold running water would help clear her thoughts…or if dunking Ray would clear his. “Why don’t you give it back to me until I decide what to do with it?”
“I can’t,” he said. “It was only a few hours ago that you told me you trusted me. Have you changed your mind?”
“Of course not. But you’re acting like you don’t trust me.”
“I don’t trust you not to possibly condemn yourself by turning damning evidence over to police,” he said.
“How would that be condemning myself?” she asked.
He lowered his voice to a whisper. “You know that ring was taken from the finger of a dead woman, presumably after she died and presumably by the killer.” He gently cupped her chin and turned her face up to look at him. “I don’t know if the killer planned to use the ring to misdirect police or if he intended to hang on to it as a keepsake. The fact of the matter is that it ended up in your apartment. Let that sink in.”
Katie turned the water off. “I can’t do this.”
“Then let’s go downstairs and have a cup of tea,” he suggested.
“I—” She started to say no, but she decided to hear him out. “One quick cup.”
“That’s all I want.”
They used the interior stairs to go down into the now-closed Tealicious. At the bottom of the stairs, Katie asked, “Do you really want tea, or was that merely a ruse to get out of the apartment?”
“I’d drink some tea.”
She put a kettle on before turning to Ray and folding her arms over her chest. “You told me you didn’t suspect Andy, and yet upstairs you mentioned that the killer might’ve held onto the ring as a keepsake.”
“I still don’t suspect Andy,” he said. “He wouldn’t have kept the ring even if he had killed her.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He didn’t need a trophy, and he wouldn’t have used the ring to implicate you in Erikka’s murder.” He shrugged. “Had Andy killed the woman, his motive would have been because he felt she stood in the way of your relationship. He wouldn’t have wanted you to be convicted of the crime.”
“Fair enough. Who do you think did kill her?”
The tea kettle whistled, and Katie started at the sound.
“Have a seat,” Ray said. “I’ll pour the water over the tea bags.”
“I don’t need to sit down. I need answers. What did you do with the ring?”
“I threw it in the lake.”
She gaped at him. “Why? Ray, do you honestly think I killed Erikka?”
“No, of course not.” He avoided her eyes, carefully pouring the boiling water into the mugs and dunking the teabags up and down.
“Then why would you throw her ring in the lake?”
His eyes narrowed. “Dammit, I’m just looking out for you, Katie.”
Despite the warmth of the tea shop, she felt a sudden chill. He does. He thinks I killed Erikka Wiley, she thought with horror. That implied indictment hurt almost as much as Andy’s betrayal.
Chapter 23
Katie felt as if a weight were pressing on her chest when she awakened on Sunday morning. The fact that a cat sat on her sternum wasn’t the root cause of the feeling. Rather, it was days of stress and exhaustion without a break. She desperately needed a break—even if it was for only a couple of hours.
Before she even fed the cats, Katie reached over to the nightstand for her phone and called Rose. As her second in command, Vance would’ve been her first choice; but Katie knew he and his family would be at church.
Sounding as chipper as if she’d been up for ages—which in Rose’s case was likely—Rose answered, “Good morning, Katie. Isn’t it gorgeous out today?”
“I…um…I haven’t looked out my window yet,” Katie said. “I’ll take your word for it. I’m calling to let you know I’ll be late coming into Artisans Alley today. If anyone needs me, tell them I’ll be there soon.”
“Is anything wrong?”
Katie nearly laughed at the unintentional absurdity of Rose’s question. Is anything in my life going right? “I’m simply taking a little time this morning to adjust to the new apartment and to spend some time with Mason and Della.”
“Oh, how nice. Yes, you should absolutely do that,” Rose said cheerfully. “You can count on me to hold down the fort.”
“I know. Thank you.”
After speaking with Rose, Katie took a few more minutes to align her body and mind to the fact that she was awake and that she couldn’t lie in bed the entire day. So, as tempting as that thought was, she pushed back the covers, stretched, and got up. After making up her bed and hiding it in its wall niche, Katie leisurely fed the cats, made herself some scrambled eggs, and took her breakfast into the living area where she could curl up on the love seat while she ate.
Clicking the TV remote’s on button, she saw that an episode of the classic show I Dream of Jeannie was playing. She wished she had her own personal genie who could magically blink away all her problems. She imagined herself striding into an antique shop and manically rubbing every lamp in the place, and then she wondered what she’d wish for first.
I’d wish for Aunt Lizzie to still be here. And Chad. And that Chad and I were running the English Ivy Inn bed and breakfast.
But that thought brought her up short. Had she and Chad purchased the mansion, Nick and Don wouldn’t be in her life, either. Nor would Artisans Alley or Tealicious. Or Ray. Of course, meeting Erikka, and being suspected of her murder, and Andy wouldn’t be in her life either.
There would have been other heartaches though. No life was free from those. Now that her appetite had deserted her, Katie turned off the TV, divided the remainder of her eggs between the two cats’ bowls, and sat behind her new desk. She opened her laptop, checked her social media accounts, and ensured that she was still blocked from seeing anything pertaining to Errika’s sister. The fleeting glance of the photograph she’d seen still bugged her. VJ was a computer whiz—talented in all things tech. She wondered if he could somehow find the photograph and enlarge it for her?
Checking the clock, she decided he was likely still at church with his parents. She’d call him when she got into her office at Artisans Alley. Meanwhile, it was time for a bath in that new soaker bathtub.
As she strolled into Artisans Alley at a little after eleven, Katie felt more relaxed than she had in days. Sadly, that sensation was short-lived.
She found Rose in the vendors’ lounge refilling her coffee cup. Her cheerful demeanor had evaporated as well. “We’ve got to do something about that mean old Nona Fiske,” Rose said in lieu of a greeting. “She’s telling her
customers and everyone on the Square that Moonbeam Carruthers is a hippie and a witch and that people should stay out of her voodoo shop.”
Having been the recipient of Nona’s malicious gossip, Katie knew Rose was right—something had to be done before the old meddler did any real damage. “I doubt Nona has ever even visited Moonbeam’s shop. If she had, she’d know how charming it is.”
“I agree. I love her lavender-scented soaps,” Rose said. “And the hand lotions are nice, too.”
Katie thought about it for a moment, considering what approach to take. “Given Sue’s misinformation about the food for the Harvest Festival vendors’ party, and Nona’s rumors, it might be a good idea for me to call a special meeting of the Merchants Association.”
The Victoria Square Merchants Association had been in place long before Katie became its president. The organization had been formed to provide the merchants a place to express concerns, share promotional ideas, and—most recently—become business partners.
Rose returned to the Alley’s main cash desk, and Katie headed for her office. She’d planned to call VJ first thing, but now she realized a call to his mother should be her priority.
Katie scrolled through the contacts on her cell phone and tapped Janey’s name. She answered on the third ring.
“Hey, Katie. What’s up?”
“Hi, Janey. I’m going to call a special meeting of the Merchants Association, and I’d like for you to be there.”
“Oh? What’s going on?”
“It seems that Nona Fiske is spreading gossip about our newest merchant, Moonbeam Carruthers.”
“Well, that’s just uncalled for,” Janey huffed. “I’ve met her and Moonbeam is as sweet as can be.”
“I agree. But I can’t very well call the meeting so the merchants can see that Moonbeam is great and that Nona is merely being a busybody.”
Laughing, Janey said, “If you called a meeting every time Nona stuck her nose into someone else’s business, the Merchants Association would have to get together on a daily basis.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Katie said and laughed. “That’s why the official purpose of the meeting will be to provide an update on the Harvest Festival. That’s why I’d like you to be there—to give a progress report on the vendors’ party. Can you to it?”
“I’m honored you’ve asked me, and I’ll be happy to do whatever you need me to do,” Janey said. “When will the meeting take place?”
“I’ll try to schedule it for tomorrow evening at Del’s. Does that work for you?”
Janey said it did, and Katie asked her if VJ was around.
“He’s not here at the moment, but I can call his cell and have him get in touch with you,” Janey said.
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that. I’m having a…a computer issue…I hope he can help with.” She didn’t want to tell the boy’s mother that she hoped he could print out a picture from Erikka’s sister’s social media account. She wasn’t sure how Janey would feel about that.
“I’ll let him know.” Janey paused. “By the way, I think I’ve taken care of that whole situation with Izzy.”
Something in Janey’s voice made Katie apprehensive. “What did you do? I mean, did you talk with VJ?”
“I did.” The woman sounded downright triumphant. “And I told him I absolutely couldn’t stand that snooty little Izzy.”
“What? I thought you liked Izzy,” Katie said. “You told me you thought she was a good influence on him.”
“I still do, hon. Izzy’s an amazing young woman. I’m using the old reverse psychology on VJ.”
“Oh…okay.” Katie thought that was a terrible idea, but of course, she didn’t tell Janey that.
“Do I need to bring anything to Del’s?” Janey asked.
“Just yourself. If you want to do a handout or anything, let me know and we can work it up before the meeting.”
“Sure thing. I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
Katie hit the end-call icon and set her phone on the desk. Now all she had to figure out was how she was going to approach the Nona problem. Perhaps she should have made sure Moonbeam could attend the meeting before she made arrangements at Del’s. And that was another expense the Association would have to eat. They needed to figure out a place to meet that wouldn’t cost them an arm and a leg, not that Del overcharged them for special meetings. But he was in business to make money, after all. When they had their monthly dinner meetings, everyone paid for their own meals.
First things first. Katie needed to call Moonbeam to ensure she could actually attend the meeting.
After speaking with Moonbeam, Katie contacted Del’s Diner and was happy to find no one had booked their party room for the following evening. She sent an email to the Merchants Association members scheduling the special meeting for the following evening. She was working on the agenda when VJ stopped by her office. Like his father, the boy was tall and lanky and Katie could see the resemblance between them grow more and more each day.
“Hi, there,” she said, turning away from her computer to give him her full attention.
“Hey. My Mom said you were having computer issues.” He frowned at her laptop. “Is this the one?”
“Um…” She didn’t know how to dive right in and tell him what she wanted him to do. It felt awkward without a little upfront small talk. “You sure got here fast. It wasn’t that long ago that I spoke with your mom.”
“Yeah, I was at Brady’s studio when she called.”
“Do you help Matt out often?” she asked.
“Sometimes. Today I was there talking to Izzy.” His gaze dipped to the floor. “I guess I hurt her feelings. I kinda don’t know how to make it up to her,” he said sheepishly.
“It’s none of my business,” Katie said, “but I found Izzy in tears after the two of you broke up. She said you were upset because your mom likes her too much.”
VJ met Katie’s eyes. “That’s the thing—Mom has changed her mind about Izzy. She doesn’t like her anymore.”
“When I was in college, it was considered a good thing for your parents to like the person you were dating,” Katie said.
“Yeah, but you don’t want them to like the person too much, or then it’s just weird—especially if things don’t work out and your parents pressure you to get back together. That happened to a friend of mine,” he confided somberly.
“I see.” Katie took a peppermint from the jar, offered one to VJ, and he accepted. “I can understand why that would be a problem. But you should date someone because you like her, regardless of how others feel. Do you like Izzy?”
VJ’s expression brightened. “Izzy’s awesome. She likes me even though she’s a whole six months older than me. I just didn’t want to end up in a bad situation like my friend, Adam.” VJ unwrapped the peppermint and tossed the cellophane wrapper into her wastebasket. “But, then, you know all about that—am I right?”
Katie frowned. Great. Even the kids around here know I’m screwed.
When Katie didn’t answer, VJ took a seat in the chair beside her desk and nodded toward the laptop. “So, what’s going on with your computer?”
Taking a deep breath, she said, “It’s not so much my computer but a photo I’m trying to get off social media. Since you obviously know something of the predicament I’m in, I don’t mind telling you that I’m looking for leads as to who might’ve killed Erikka Wiley. All I know is that it wasn’t me.” She added that last part not only for VJ’s benefit but for the benefit of anyone who might be listening in.
VJ nodded thoughtfully. “That’s understandable. I’d feel the same way.”
She wrote Erryn’s name and the date of the post on a sticky note and handed it to VJ. “If you could print and enlarge the photo posted on that account on the date I’ve given you, I’d be in your debt.”
VJ shrugged. “That should be easy. Mind if I use your computer?” he asked.
“Not at all.” Katie pushed
the keyboard in his direction.
After logging in to his own online account, VJ frowned. “You have to be a friend to see the majority of her posts. Only friends and approved followers can see all of them.”
“Rats.” There goes that lead. “I appreciate your trying, VJ.”
“No problem.” He held up the sticky note. “May I keep this? I might think of another way of getting access to the account.”
“Thanks, VJ.”
As the young man left her office, Katie wondered if Andy followed Erryn on social media. Of course, since Erryn had blocked Katie, the only way she could know was if she called Andy and asked him. Was she that desperate?
Maybe.
And then it occurred to Katie that she might be blocked from Erryn’s page, but as VJ had showed her, the world at large could at least see she had a profile.
Logging out, she went to the sign-up page and used Artisans Alley’s generic email address and set up a new account. In seconds, she typed Erryn’s name into the search bar. Sure enough, her profile page flashed onto Katie’s screen. As VJ said, she could only see a couple of Erryn’s posts, the latest being some ten months before, and the other two from several years past. Katie decided to check out Erryn’s friends’ pages. When she typed Andy’s name in, it came up in less than a second.
So, Andy had friended Erikka’s sister—or had it been she who’d befriended him?
Again Katie considered calling Andy.
Again, she decided not to. He had cheated on her not once, but twice, and maybe more. She had loved him and he’d betrayed her.
Katie swallowed, worried that after being betrayed first by her husband and now by Andy, that she might never trust—or love—a man ever again.
Chapter 24
The workday had come to an end, and Katie had shut down her computer, locked her desk, and was on her way out the door when her phone rang. She glanced at the text on her screen and saw it was Jordan Tanner. She tapped the call-accept button.
A Murderous Misconception Page 15
