BETTER WATCH OUT

by Christina Freeburn

  “A meeting? About what?”

  Her eyes widened. “You didn’t know. Norman told me he’d be delayed because of an emergency meeting the mayor was calling. I figured it had to do with the parade. Since…” She trailed.

  Since Jenna was murdered in Santa’s sleigh. Though, I knew there was another reason: the embezzled money. Was the mayor planning on telling everyone that my deceased ex-husband—husband—was responsible? I had to go there and be a voice for Samuel.

  I stood. “How about I take you to Norman? The mayor has a comfortable waiting room.”

  “I’d like that.” She grinned, a little girl smile. “Hopefully, I can talk Norman into taking me out to lunch. I’m so tired of being cooped up in either the house or Season’s Living. I want to get out and live a little while I still can.”

  Twelve

  Loud voices carried down the hall from Mayor Vine’s office. I made out two people: the mayor and Norman. Either the other city council members weren’t present or no one else wanted to say anything. Whatever was the topic, it wasn’t pleasant. The voices were growing angrier with each word. I couldn’t grasp them all but enough that I knew the budget, or rather the missing money, was the topic.

  Angela paused, fear growing on her face. “Maybe you should take me home.”

  “We’re here now. Besides, it might be best if I break it up.” I hooked my arm through hers and continued down the hallway, taking small steps as not to drag Angela whose pace had slowed down.

  I opened the main door to the office and stepped inside.

  “Merry…” Norman said.

  I was about to return the greeting when I realized I wasn’t being acknowledged but talked about. The private office door was shut. No one knew Angela and I were here.

  “Has no need to know,” Mayor Vine said.

  “She’ll learn.”

  “You can’t tell her.” Mayor Vine’s voice was angry, almost threatening.

  “She already knows about the money,” I said.

  Mayor Vine and Norman grew quiet.

  Angela moaned and sank on the couch. She buried her head in her hands.

  “Are you okay?” I knelt beside her, instantly feeling remorse at insisting we barge into the conversation. Tense situations were not good for her heart, and I forced her to come along to this one. I should’ve asked her to stay in the car or had left when she mentioned it.

  “He’s not going to be happy,” she whispered, eyes wide with fear. Her whole body shook.

  Before I could ask her which man because I’d never known Angela to fear Norman, the door banged open and Mayor Vine charged out of the office. There was a spot darkening on his cheek.

  “What are you doing here?” He glared at me.

  I rose and moved in front of Angela. Peering into the office, I spotted there was only two people in the room—him and Norman. “Angela needed her husband. How come you’re having an emergency meeting without all of the city council members present?”

  Vine’s face turned red. “Where did you hear that?”

  Norman pushed past the mayor and went to Angela, concern clear on his face. “Sweetheart?” He gathered her hands to his heart, wincing as his fingers flexed. There was a slight bruise on his enlarged knuckles.

  Angela kissed her husband’s hands. “I’m fine, my love. I was just missing you.”

  “Who told you?” The mayor stared at me, narrowing his eyes.

  I shrugged, not wanting to tattle on Angela and raise the Mayor’s ire toward her, as Norman and the mayor already came to blows once. No need to create a repeat performance. “Does it matter? I also heard about you wanting to drag Samuel into a town issue.”

  Without a word, the mayor stomped into his office and slammed the door. I spent years dealing with a teenage girl, a slammed door didn’t stop me from getting answers. I marched right into his office.

  “Why are you telling people that Samuel embezzled money from the town?” I demanded. “Don’t even try and tell me that you haven’t said that. I have it on good authority.”

  “What would make you believe that person over me?”

  I crossed my arms. “Because this person was rather pleased to fill me in on the information. It also explains why the security guard was looking at me like I was an unpleasant person. He just met me. The only thing I wanted to do was talk to you about the parade. You told him.”

  “The guard shouldn’t have said anything to you.” The mayor slapped his hands on the desk. A picture frame toppled over, the mayor’s family was now face down on the dark wood surface.

  “Actually, he didn’t. Someone else did. So, you’ve been telling a lot of people Samuel took the town’s money. Why blame him?”

  “Because that is who the evidence pointed to.”

  “What evidence?”

  The mayor sat and leaned back in his chair, placing his feet on the desk. He was much calmer than a moment ago. Either the evidence was irrefutable, or he thought saying that put me into a corner.

  Well, I wasn’t buying it. I didn’t believe for one moment, Samuel would be given access to the town’s account. And the only time he’d get his hands on the information was during a city council meeting about the parade. There’d have been too many people around for Samuel to take that type of chance—which I doubted he ever would.

  “Blaming the dead guy,” I said. “How convenient. It won’t work. Samuel didn’t have access to the town’s money.”

  Norman entered the room and shut the door. He gestured toward a chair. “Why don’t you have a seat, Merry? Maybe, there’s a simple solution to this problem.”

  “It sure is. The mayor has to stop accusing Samuel of something he didn’t do and tell everyone he’s told he was wrong. Samuel didn’t steal the money.”

  “The fact is there is money missing from the account.” Norman sat down and using his foot, scooted a chair closer to me. “Let’s try and calm this conversation down. The less people who know the better. It wouldn’t be good for rumors to get out. Harder to clear up what might just be a simple misunderstanding. It’s possible the money was moved into another account and we just noticed it once we went over the books again after Jenna’s death. It’s natural we’d take another look at the accounts once the treasurer died.”

  “As I’ve already said, Norman, there is no way to keep this quiet.” Vine leaned back in his chair. “It’s already getting out. The town will soon know one hundred and fifty thousand dollars is missing from the coffers.”

  My eyes widened. That was a lot of money to misplace in another account. “When was this noticed?”

  “A few weeks ago,” Mayor Vine said.

  “Before or after Samuel’s murder?” I asked.

  The mayor stared up at the ceiling as if waiting for the universe to give him the proper answer.

  If it was before, I was positive the police would’ve looked into it as a motive for his death. Now with Jenna’s death—it was a likely cause. “Have you told the police about the missing money?”

  Norman and the mayor glanced at each other. The mayor broke eye contact first. I was taking that as a no.

  The mayor steepled his fingers under his chin. “Norman wasn’t sure that would be the most prudent choice.”

  My mind flashed to the bank slips Nancy had dropped. “Someone might have killed Jenna because the money is gone. They might have thought Jenna embezzled the money. Being the treasurer, she’d have the easiest time moving money over into another account.”

  The mayor tsked. “Shame on you. Blaming a dead person who can’t defend themselves.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I wasn’t blaming her per se, just mentioned it would be a motive for someone to kill her.”

  “Why would someone kill Jenna for embezzling money?” the Mayor asked. “Seems kind of strange to commit a worse crime because you’re angry a
bout one someone else did. Murder is worse than stealing.”

  I hated to admit, even to myself, that the mayor had a point. Why kill Jenna because she stole money? It was better to rat her out to police and watch her suffer in prison. “The police aren’t going to be happy that information was withheld from them.”

  “We were trying to spare you any ill-feelings the community might have over your husband stealing the money. He is still your husband. Correct?” The mayor struggled with holding back a smile.

  The man was very pleased about being able to point the finger at Samuel. I wasn’t sure if it was because Samuel was dead and couldn’t defend himself, or because Samuel had shown himself to be somewhat of an unsavory character and people would believe it, so no one else’s reputation would take a hit. Except for mine. Not that I was responsible for whatever my husband—ex-husband—had done. But some people liked to judge others by the company they kept, even if at the end you had tried to get rid of that company—by divorce not murder.

  I heaved out a sigh. “It appears that way. My attorney is working on that matter for me.”

  “We want to keep this quiet for you.” The mayor forced out a contrite expression.

  Norman patted my hand. “We’ll protect you.”

  I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. How was I going to get out of this? My attorney. Brett dealt with a lot of different types of cases. I bet he’d know what I could do about the mayor trying to pin the embezzling on Samuel, or if he didn’t, he was partners in a law firm where one of the other attorneys would know. “I’ll get my attorney’s advice on this issue also.”

  A nerve twitched in the mayor’s jaw.

  “Is that really necessary?” Norman leaned forward and rested a hand on my knee. “We really don’t want word getting out. This isn’t about shaming anyone. All we really want is to find that money and put it back. Right, Mayor? Would that be acceptable? If the money was returned, we can have this all go away. It’s not like Samuel could steal again.”

  I opened my mouth to state, yet again, it wasn’t Samuel and decided to not waste the words. Something pointed to Samuel having committed the crime and the men weren’t going to change their minds. Samuel was the easy answer.

  The mayor pulled a notebook onto his lap and started jotting down notes. He crossed through a sentence, wrote a new one then circled it. “It has the potential to work. We just have to have a good reason why we’re not pursuing this matter legally.”

  “We made a mistake,” Norma said. “The simplest reason is always the best one.”

  “Except the security guard and the pastor might not buy it,” I said.

  Mayor Vine’s eyes widened. “Pastor Heath told you about Samuel.”

  Oops.

  “Security guard?” Norman asked.

  The mayor cringed.

  Sadness welled up in me. I doubted Norman hadn’t been introduced to the man as a city council member he’d have known about the hiring. “Yes. Tall guy, dark hair, beard. Has a tattoo. He goes along with the metal detector installed near the front door.”

  The mayor glanced at his watch and jumped up. “I have an appointment at the other end of town. We’ll wrap this up for today and continue this conversation later.”

  Norman looked at me oddly. “The metal detector was installed here because the court house has to be closed for a few weeks due to asbestos. Court cases are going to take place in the large reception room. The city didn’t hire a security guard.”

  “That’s who he said he was.”

  “I’m sorry, but I have to go.” The mayor reached for my arm.

  I drew my arm against my body and glared up at him. “Not until we clear this up. You said he was a security guard. You lied to me.”

  “Now, Merry, all I did was not correct you. You said he was a security guard and I felt it best to let you believe that,” the mayor said. “I can promise that if we can get the funds back into the town’s account, who he is won’t matter.”

  “And how is that going to happen?” I asked. “Samuel is dead. He can’t give you back the money, especially since he didn’t take it. You better not be thinking about going after Cassie.”

  “His daughter isn’t inheriting his ticket,” Norman whispered. His cheeks reddened, and he looked away from me. “I know you don’t want to believe this worst about Samuel, Merry. I hated doing so also, but Samuel borrowed the money from the town. He said he’d return it once he cashed in the lottery ticket.”

  My stomach plummeted, and a familiar anger churned in me. I couldn’t believe Samuel outright stole money from the town, but I could see him sweettalking a loan out of someone, though I was surprised Jenna agreed to it. But Jenna was the one who was willing to bend the rules for the right price and I was sure Samuel offered her a nice monetary incentive.

  “Do we have a deal, Merry?” The mayor held out his hand. “You pay back the money and this will go quietly away.”

  I tucked my hands under my arms and slipped past the mayor. “First, I want to have a conversation with someone.”

  “Merry, wait.” Norman followed me out the main office door into the hallway.

  I ignored him, heading for the exit. Rage was pulsing through me. I was afraid of lashing out at Norman. How could he believe Samuel would steal from the town? He had known Samuel—the thought stopped me in my tracks. Yes. He had known my husband for years. Longer than I had. And while Norman had congratulated us on our engagement, it had been reserved. I had always wondered why but discounted it as Norman’s personality rather than concern that two people he knew and cared about were about to enter into a marriage that suited neither…and might break one of them.

  I stopped and turned toward Norman, trying to will away the building tears. I had told myself weeks ago I was done crying because of Samuel. And yet, I found myself near tears more now that he was gone than when we were divorcing.

  “Do you think Samuel embezzled—borrowed—the money?” I asked. “That he was that type of man?”

  Norman let out a long, pained breath. “I think anyone can be that type of person. Samuel was somehow, once again, in a financial bind. Jenna shouldn’t have loaned money, but she did. We know how persuasive and charming your husband could be at times.”

  My face heated. “Where is that money? When the police were investigating Samuel’s murder, they would’ve been suspicious about that sum of money showing up in his account.”

  “No one knows what Samuel did with the money. The community will suffer if it’s not returned.” He clasped my hands. His speech was halting, like he was struggling to remember words. “Once the money is back into the account, this can all go away. I’m truly sorry you’re wrapped up in this Merry, but without being able to find the money Samuel borrowed, you’re the only hope for this town.”

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  Norman drew back. “Why do you ask that?”

  “Your forgetfulness.” I blurted it out before I changed my mind.

  In a flash, Norman’s expression changed. It went from open and pleading to closed off. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “You weren’t dressed as Santa. You forgot about the parade.”

  Without a word, Norman spun away and trudged down the hall. But he had faced me long enough for me to have seen the fear, anger, and shame in his eyes. The same look my mother had on her face when I first questioned her about her memory lapses.

  I wanted to chase after him. Make him confide in me. Convince him to see the doctor. But I knew Norman was done talking today. I’d try again later to help Norman face the truth. Now, it was time for me to face the truth about what Samuel had done. There was one person alive who had the potential to know the deal Samuel made with Jenna—Eric.

  Thirteen

  There was an eeriness pulling into the Wilcox’s driveway. The area around the house appear
ed dark and gloomy even though the sun was shining and there were no leaves on the trees to block the sunlight. Today’s newspaper was still on the porch. The curtains were drawn tight.

  Every instinct in me said to turn around. Leave. Instead, I ignored the warning in my brain and parked right next to Eric’s truck. He was the only one who’d know the truth about Samuel having any deals with Jenna. I knew I was taking a big risk coming here, but the even bigger risk was not getting the answer before I either brought Brett into this new trouble—or made a deal with Mayor Vine. I didn’t want one of Samuel’s other bad choices haunting me, already had one to deal with. More importantly, I didn’t want it to affect Cassie’s life.

  Cassie had been raised for most of her life in Season’s Greetings. She needed her community right now. Her father had died, her mother was in prison, and her grandmother was dying. I didn’t want the eighteen-year-old to feel like she had to flee the town she loved because of a mistake her father made. If Samuel had borrowed money from the town, I would pay it back.

  There was a chance Eric wouldn’t tell me, but I’d convince him it was just as much for his best interest as mine to resolve this issue. Jenna wasn’t innocent in the matter as she’d have been the one to hand Samuel the money.

  I slid out of my SUV. The ground was firm beneath my feet, having dried out since my earlier visit. The place was quiet. No birds. No hum of farm equipment. No animals. Total silence.

  No one was here, and I wasn’t sure that was such a good thing. Where was Eric? Had the police taken him in for questioning? Before, an entourage of cats had greeted me the moment my foot touched the ground. Had the police rounded them up because there was no one to care for them? Uneasiness settled over me. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the lack of a sign of life, or the fact the police might already know about Samuel’s loan. Someone had killed Jenna. What if the killer thought Eric knew something and silenced him? Or, what if Jenna had been murdered because she witnessed her husband being killed? I had thought I had seen him last night. But, why hadn’t he come to find me to ask about Jenna?