A Fresh Kill

by Eryn Scott

  Suze nodded. “Bummer.”

  Dejected, they climbed back into Hazel’s car. They rejoined traffic in silence, and Hadley stared at a big semitruck rumbling along next to them on the two-lane hiway that cut through Cascade Ridge. Semitrucks weren’t something they saw often down in Stoneybrook, the town’s infrastructure too small and its businesses in no need of such large deliveries. Hadley’s heart felt like it’d been run over by the huge machine.

  She sighed as Suze clicked on her blinker and pulled in behind the truck.

  “Omigosh!”

  The car screeched to a near stop. Then Suze flipped on her blinker and pulled into a block of two parallel-parking spots in front of a row of businesses. Hadley glanced at the street, then at Suze.

  “It’s her!”

  “What?”

  Suze pointed at a bench next to a bus stop about ten feet in front of them on the right. The bench featured one of those realtor ads that ran along the whole back rest. This one featured a woman with a sincere smile and smart, dark-brown hair worn in a bob. “Vivian Harris, Vanderberg Realty,” said the advertisement.

  “That’s the woman I saw parked in front of the market on Saturday, the one who sped away when I went to warn her about parking in the tow-away zone.”

  Hadley’s eyes widened, realizing what this meant. “It’s her?”

  Suze put up her hands and smiled. “It’s her!”

  Both the women looked over at the bench and the picture of Vivian’s face one more time.

  “Technically you’re in the market for a house.” Suze cocked an eyebrow.

  “Not in Cascade Ridge, though!” Hadley scoffed, offended she would even consider that an option.

  Suze dipped her head from side to side. “Well, of course, but Vivian doesn’t need to know that.”

  “Oh.” Hadley’s mouth formed a little circle. “Right.” She began to nod the more and more the idea sank in. “Okay. We could do that. Do you think she’ll recognize you, though?”

  Letting out a scoff, Suze waved a hand at Hadley. “The woman peeled out so fast, I doubt she noticed anything about me.”

  Satisfied, Hadley found the realty office’s address on her phone and Suze plugged it into the car’s GPS. Excitement built in Hadley’s stomach as the GPS began directing them toward Vivian, possibly toward some answers.

  Vanderberg Realty was housed in a large, beautiful building that overlooked the valley from its perch at the southeast edge of the city. Hadley gaped at the office, having a hard time not comparing it to Deborah’s tiny office in downtown Stoneybrook. She immediately felt awful for doing so. Vanderberg Realty was a national chain competing with the likes of Windermere, John L. Scott, and even Sotheby’s. Hadley preferred the intimate setting and small-town charm to this fancy operation any day.

  “This place is fancy.” Suze let out a whistle then snapped at Hadley, pointing at the glove box. “Can you reach in there and grab me a hair stick from th—” Suze’s face fell. “Oh darn. I forgot this isn’t my car.”

  Suze’s hair sticks were well known in Stoneybrook. Gathered from the riverbanks, Suze sanded and painted unique pieces of wood and kept them as single chopsticks to hold up her mass of brown curls whenever she got overwhelmed. From the unique patterns and colors to the way they only seemed to work in Suze’s wild locks, those hair sticks were something Hadley had always associated with her best friend.

  “Well.” She shrugged. “I guess I’m going in full volume, then.” Suze fluffed her curls, and they got out of the car.

  Hadley sucked in a deep breath as they approached the building and headed inside. A whoosh of air wrapped around them, smelling of a recent remodel, all new carpet and just-dried paint. A chipper, lanky, young woman sat behind a sensible desk in the foyer. Hadley smiled back at her when she beamed up at them.

  “Welcome. What can I do for you today?” she asked.

  “We’re here to see Vivian Harris,” Hadley stepped forward, Suze right by her side. “I’m moving into town and would like to look at some properties.”

  The receptionist nodded. “Sure thing. Who can I tell her is asking?”

  “Hadley James.”

  The girl picked up the phone. “Hey, Viv. When’s your first appointment today?” The girl glanced up at Hadley, winking. “Oh, perfect. You have a couple women here who are moving to town and would love to talk with you if you don’t mind starting a little early. Great.” She put the phone down and said, “You’re in luck; she has time to see you right now.”

  Hadley and Suze thanked the smiling girl and then stepped back to wait.

  Before long, the clicking of heels echoed out from the tiled hallway. Vivian Harris stepped out into the foyer like she was stepping right out of her bench ad. Her hair looked camera ready, as did her gray skirt suit and wide grin.

  Unlike Deborah—whose smile pushed the limits of dentistry, and whose makeup was thick enough for the stage—Vivian was put together in an understated way that made her all the more appealing.

  “Hello,” Vivian said, walking toward them with her hand outstretched. “Vivian Harris. Lovely to meet you.”

  “Hadley James.” Hadley shook her hand, feeling quite self-conscious of her chipped nails as she got a look at Vivian’s expertly manicured set. She stepped aside so Vivian could shake Suze’s hand. “This is my friend, Suzanne Till.”

  Vivian greeted Suze and then held her arm out toward the hall she’d come out from. “Why don’t we talk in my office?”

  She led the way to the back corner of the building and ushered them into a room that took Hadley’s breath away.

  Okay, maybe not everything about Cascade Ridge is terrible, she thought to herself as she looked out the two large picture windows opening out to the North Cascades. While Hadley had spent her whole life staring up at these same mountains and could name each peak, this was a different view. She could even see the row of mountains beyond the valley.

  “Wow, that’s quite the view.” Hadley exhaled for effect.

  Vivian beamed as she took a seat behind her desk. She glanced out at the scenery like a proud mother looking at her child. “It’s like my slogan says, ‘Cascade Ridge is the best place to live. Hands down.’ That wasn’t an overstatement when I wrote it.” Looking back to Hadley, she asked, “Where are you relocating from?”

  Torn between the beauty outside the window and her irritation at yet another example of Cascade Ridge residents’ belief that anywhere else—especially Stoneybrook—was terrible, Hadley took a moment to answer. She was tempted to lie to save herself from the frown she knew would come once she revealed she was from Stoneybrook, but she also couldn’t think of a better way to get Vivian talking about Charlie, so…

  “Stoneybrook.” Hadley cringed, like someone waiting to be slapped.

  But instead of launching into the usual diatribe against the small town to the south, Vivian’s face went pale, and her open mouth clamped shut.

  Feeling the awkwardness wrap around her throat like a hand, Hadley swallowed. “But… I just got divorced, and I think I need to get out of there. You know, my ex’s family lives there and it’s a little awkward still. A fresh start would be good.” Hadley stopped herself, realizing she was rambling to cover up her discomfort.

  As if she’d stopped listening at the word “Stoneybrook,” Vivian’s eyes narrowed, and she turned her attention to Suze.

  “You’re from Stoneybrook? That’s why you look so familiar. You were there on Saturday.”

  Suze gulped, glancing over at Hadley for a moment before turning back to Vivian.

  “Uh, yeah…” Suze squeaked out the answer.

  Maybe it was how the realtor’s amiable disposition had changed to a decidedly less-friendly version of her, or it was the chill which seemed to settle over the room, but Hadley worried they’d made a huge mistake by coming there alone.

  7

  Vivian smoothed a let’s sell you this house smile over her previously concerned face. “Stoneybrook is a
dorable.” Her gaze shifted between Suze and Hadley. “I wanted to check out your famous farmers market, but I saw people being turned away. I guess it just wasn’t my week.”

  “Sorry about that,” Suze said.

  “It’s kind of terrible, actually,” Hadley said, seeing her opening. “There was a death at the market.” Hadley searched Vivian’s face as she took in the news.

  The woman gasped. “Oh no. That’s terrible.” Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.

  Suze nodded. “It was awful.”

  “He was from Cascade Ridge, not Stoneybrook. Charlie Lloyd? He owns a floral shop up here, Bloom. Did you know him?”

  Vivian blinked, then shook her head. “No, I’m sorry to say I didn’t. There are a few florists in Cascade Ridge, and I can’t say I know any of them on a first-name basis. But we’re not like you small-towners; we don’t know every one of our neighbors the way you folks do.”

  Hadley smiled to cover up how hard she was gritting her teeth.

  “That stinks you didn’t get to look around at all,” Suze said, inserting herself into the conversation when she must’ve noticed Hadley was growing irritated.

  Picking up a pen from her desk, Vivian clicked it open and then closed it again. “Yes, a shame. Well, enough about that. Adorable as it is, Stoneybrook is stuck in the past. We definitely need to get you out of there. What’s your price range?”

  Hadley quoted the same amount she’d shared with Deborah the other day. She and Tyler were splitting the sale of the house, so the equity they’d built up over the past five years wasn’t much, but it would at least help her with a down payment.

  Instead of smiling and nodding—as Deborah had—Vivian inhaled, long and slow. “The market up here is much more competitive, I fear. That added to the fact that our homes just trend higher because of the views and better location…” Vivian’s forehead wrinkled, and she pulled out a pad of paper, jotting a few things down. “It’ll be tough, but I can find you something, I’m sure.” She smiled up at Hadley.

  Fighting the urge to roll her eyes at such stereotypical Cascade Ridge behavior, Hadley matched the woman’s grin. Thank goodness she didn’t have to buy up here, pretending she was going to was hard enough.

  “That would be great,” she said around the fake smile.

  “I could have some listings pulled for us to view by the end of the week. Does that work for you?” Vivian clicked on her computer and typed blindingly fast for a few seconds before she looked back up.

  “Yes, that works.” Hadley nodded.

  Vivian stood. “Great. I’ll give you a call. If you wouldn’t mind leaving your number with my receptionist, she’ll get in touch when I’ve got a firm date and time.”

  Agreeing she would, Hadley stood to leave, Suze following behind. And after stopping to give her phone number at the front desk, they scurried out into the parking lot. Hadley puffed up her cheeks and let her breath release slowly as they climbed into Hazel’s car.

  “Ugh. As if I could hate Cascade Ridge anymore than I already do.” She sighed. “At least I won’t have to see Vivian again. That story checks out. She must’ve just been there for the market.”

  Suze, who hadn’t said much the whole meeting—uncharacteristically—pressed her lips together. “Sorry Had, but you’re going to have to go back.”

  “What? Why?”

  “While you two were talking, I was looking around her office. She has a file organizer behind her desk labeled ‘Vendors,’ and one of the files said, ‘Charlie Lloyd - Bloom.’”

  “That liar,” Hadley snapped, slapping her hand down on her leg.

  Calm, cool, and put together as Vivian appeared, Hadley would take the overdone Deborah, her setups, and her poisonous perfume any day over Vivian Harris.

  “And if she lied about knowing Charlie, she could be lying about why she was in Stoneybrook the other day,” Hadley said, calming.

  People from Cascade Ridge always did this to her too. Knowing it wouldn’t help to yell, she resorted to picking off the last bit of her purple nail polish.

  “Hey, you’re getting flakes all over Hazel’s car. Knock it off.” Suze swatted at her.

  “Sorry. Okay, what do we do now?”

  “You have to take your appointment with Vivian later this week. I’ll come with you again, but we need to figure out a way to get her talking about Charlie. I want to know why she lied about knowing him and what she’s trying to cover up.”

  “Fine. I’ll call to set up an appointment, but let’s get out of here. I’m missing home like crazy.”

  Suze agreed and pulled out of the realty parking lot. Traffic in Cascade Ridge was nothing compared to a city like Seattle, but for Hadley and Suze, having grown up in Stoneybrook—where there wasn’t even one stoplight—the whole thing felt frazzling and frustrating. Despite the traffic, Suze navigated them back to the main hiway through the city. The route took them past Bloom again, and Hadley stared at the building as it passed by her window.

  “Is it just me, or does Bloom look open now?” she asked, noticing rows of lights on that hadn’t been before.

  Suze didn’t even take her eyes off the road, instead just flipping on her blinker and pulling into the parking lot. After parking, she bobbed her head up and down to better see the store. “I think you’re right.”

  Shrugging, they got out of the car.

  When they entered, a young man stood behind the counter. He was tall and handsome, though a good ten years younger than Hadley and Suze. He had long, wavy, brown hair sitting just at his broad shoulders. He swiped it back out of his face as he smiled at them.

  “Good afternoon, ladies. Welcome to Bloom.”

  “Hi,” the women said simultaneously.

  “Can I help you find anything in particular?”

  Hadley pulled in a deep breath of the fragrant air as she looked around. The place was large enough to have eaten Valley Wildflowers whole and still have room to gobble up three other flower shops along with it. Not only did Hadley recognize some of the native flowers she was used to seeing in Leo’s shop, but there were also the standard types she was sure they carried year-round.

  Cookie cutter as it was, Hadley glanced at the arrangement the young man had been working on when they entered; it was gorgeous. He was an artist for sure. Suze appraised the piece as well, and from her raised eyebrows, Hadley could tell her artistic friend approved.

  The young man cleared his throat, still waiting for an answer.

  “Sorry, we’re not usually this spacey. It’s been a weird day.” Hadley stepped closer to the counter.

  The young man’s face softened. “No worries. Just let me know if you need any help.”

  “Actually,” Suze said. “This is our first time in the shop. Do you own it?”

  Any kindness evident in the man’s features hardened over. He shook his head. “I’m just the assistant manager. My boss owns the place… er—he did. Sorry, it’s been a weird couple of days for me.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.” Hadley hadn’t missed the anger that flared up when he talked about Charlie. She stepped closer to the young man so she could read his name tag.

  “It’s not. He died.” Stuart shrugged. “I didn’t open up this morning, but it didn’t feel right. I didn’t know what else to do, so I eventually came in to work like normal.” He looked around the store nostalgically.

  “I’m so sorry.” Hadley locked eyes with him. “Does that mean you’re out of a job?”

  Again, Stuart shrugged. “I don’t know.” Then he huffed out a deprecating laugh. “I should know that, huh?”

  Suze and Hadley smiled along with him.

  “We had a few things in the works—a second store, some changes to this one. But…” Stuart shook his head. “Now I don’t know where any of that stands. I’ve worked here since I was sixteen. I don’t know what I’ll do now.”

  “Your boss’s lawyer will be able to help you with all of it. I wouldn’t worry about it now. I’m sure he thou
ght about you.” Hadley knew she was leading, but she kept on going. “If you’ve worked here that long, you and your boss must be like family.”

  Stuart barked out a humorless laugh. “That’s a good one. No. That’s the one clear thing in this whole situation.”

  Suze wrinkled her forehead. “If you two didn’t get along, why did you continue to work here for so long then?”

  Sighing, Stuart said, “He was a master manipulator. Each time I sounded like I was going to quit, he’d offer me a carrot and convince me to stay. Then things would get a little better for a bit. But after a few months, we’d be right back where we were.”

  Hadley chewed on the inside of her cheek as she thought. She knew Charlie wasn’t a nice man, but it also sounded like Stuart was kind of silly for not leaving. Or, maybe Stuart wasn't telling the whole story.

  She was about to ask if their business worked with Vanderberg Realty, and if so, in what capacity, when the shop door opened behind her, letting in a burst of air.

  “Uh oh…” Suze mumbled under her breath, jabbing at Hadley with her elbow.

  Hadley turned to see what Suze was looking at and groaned. Paul loomed in the doorway, arms crossed in front of his chest and an eyebrow cocked in disapproval. Her stomach lurched; she was never going to hear the end of this.

  8

  Hadley turned back to a confused Stuart and pasted a fake grin on her face. “I’m so sorry. In an unexpected turn of events, we must go. Immediately.” She grabbed on to Suze’s forearm and tugged her toward the door.

  “But we’ll be back,” Suze called back to him.

  “Oh, no you won’t,” Paul grumbled, following the women out the door.

  Out in the parking lot, Hadley turned to Paul. “What a weird coincidence. We were just looking into some flowers for… uh…”

  “Price comparison,” Suze said, coming to her rescue.

  Hadley nodded, thanking her friend in her thoughts.

  The hard creases on either side of Paul’s mouth told Hadley he didn’t buy it. “It doesn’t matter if Valley Wildflowers started charging in gold coins, you’d never choose anything in Cascade Ridge over Stoneybrook. Cut the act, ladies. Just tell me what you were doing.”