Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
“ I had no idea Pierce’s hobby was treasure hunting,” my mom said when I arrived at the Willow Lake Senior Center with Amy and showed her the article on my phone.
“He never mentioned it when you worked with him on the book and the Willow family treasure was discussed?” I asked, then wondered if he purposely avoided telling her.
“He never said a word about it.” My mom tapped my cell screen. “That article is five years old, maybe he no longer goes treasure hunting.”
“Or maybe he agreed to keep the part about the possible treasure out of the book because he wanted to find it himself,” I suggested.
“If that were so, wouldn’t his desire to search for it have surfaced by now?” my mom argued.
She got me on that one.
My mom rummaged through her large purse. “I am going to call Edna and see if she knows anything about how that unsubstantiated information got in the book. You should go speak with Charlie before he leaves. It’s a larger crowd than usual today and he’s not partial to large crowds, so he may leave soon.” She pointed out a man who was showering Mo with hugs and rubs and slipping him a treat from his pocket when he didn’t think anyone was looking.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said, and Amy joined me as I headed for Charlie and Mo.
“No wonder Mo loves coming here. I watched several of the seniors give him a treat,” Amy said. “Though I must admit Mo gives much in return. He seems to know the people who need to feel his head on their leg or leaning against it. It always brings a smile to their faces.”
“Mo does sense when someone is in need and he’s generous in offering them comfort like he’s doing now with Charlie.”
We both glanced at the man whose wrinkles spoke of age but nowhere near the over ninety years some claimed him to be. He was short and slim and had a full head of white hair he kept neatly trimmed and he had no stoop to his shoulders.
“Mr. Gibbons,” I said when Amy and I reached him. “This is Amy, my friend, and I’m?—”
“Mo’s owner, Pepper Madison,” he said before I could finish. “I must commend you on how well you trained Mo. He is an exceptional dog.”
“I can’t take full credit for that. He was partially trained when I got him, and I continued the training with him.”
“You did well, and I bet he trained easily,” Charlie said, giving Mo a rub behind his ear, a spot he favored.
I had to chuckle. “Too easily and he went right on training himself. He can unlock all my doors, and he taught himself to turn on the television so he can watch his favorite animal channel.”
“My Goldie could turn on the television, though it was more like she turned it off after I fell asleep for the night.” He got teary-eyed. “I miss her so much. Mo helps me with that. I enjoy coming here and spending time with him.” He took a handkerchief from his back pocket and patted his moist eyes. “Allergies. Your mom mentioned that you wanted to talk about the Willow family. I don’t know how much I can tell you though I know the grounds well. My father was the last Gibbons groundskeeper to live and work there. My mom, dad, and I were sad when we had to leave. She loved the place and the memories I have of it were happy ones. I hated to see it fall into disrepair like it did and my family worried about its future when the town claimed it for unpaid taxes. Your Aunt Effie is a hero to me, establishing the Willow Lake Historical Society and campaigning for contributions to buy and restore the Willow Mansion. She tirelessly pursued its restoration and brought the mansion back to its glory days. And your mother tells me that you and your friends will carry on her work. I think that is wonderful and I believe your aunt would be proud of you.”
“Thank you and I would be grateful if you could tell me if you recall your parents or any of your relatives who worked at the mansion hearing anything about a dowry or treasure.”
“I recall hearing a tale about Verbena’s dowry. Some say it was a treasure trove of gems. The death of his daughter devastated Ignatius Willow and his wife as well from what I was told. It was believed that after Verbena died and Ignatius had her tomb sealed shut, that he had her dowry buried with her. When the ruby was discovered, my father told me a different story, one not many knew. Verbena understood she was dying even though her father and mother refused to acknowledge it. She requested one thing be buried with her and one thing only and since the servants saw her wear a diamond and pearl necklace when she practiced her posture lessons, it was assumed that it was the necklace she requested. The remainder of the dowry was never seen again until the ruby was discovered and along with it the possibility the dowry still existed.”
“So, there is a good chance that the necklace is buried with Verbena and the dowry is somewhere in the Willow Mansion,” I said.
“That is what I would assume from hearing the stories passed down to my father and mother,” Charlie said.
“By any chance would you know if there is a secret passageway out of the mausoleum?” I asked.
“There most definitely is, but Ignatius never revealed it,” Charlie confirmed.
That got me wishing I could get into the mausoleum. “Do you know much about the mansion itself?”
“Only what my parents told me from stories handed down through generations.” He smiled. “I do remember your aunt. She was beautiful and you look just like her.”
“Thank you, Charlie,” I said, having received that compliment often. “Would you like to visit the Willow Mansion one day?”
His smile grew. “I would love to. Your aunt hired my dad to oversee the restoration work on the grounds and gardens. Has it still been kept up?”
“That’s a good question,” I said, “And one you can answer when I take you to visit the mansion.”
“Any time,” Charlie said, and I let him know I’d be in touch.
“I want to go when you take Charlie there. He could be a big help when it comes to the accuracy of the grounds’ upkeep. After looking over the society’s financial records, they have no money to hire a groundskeeper or do much.”
“You should sit on the board not me with that wise financial mind of yours.”
Amy grinned. “If you insist.” She shook her head. “Not really. You need to apply for the board seat. Aunt Effie would want you to.”
“We’ll see,” I said, thinking how full my plate already was and wondering if I’d have any time for such an important position. I saw my mom waving to us and we hurried to her. “What did you find out.”
“Melvin Waters, the late board president, is the culprit. He made the choice without consulting the board and we will never know why since he suffered a heart attack and died just prior to the release of the book.”
“Are you telling me the president’s seat is empty?” I asked.
“Yes, Melvin died leaving the seat vacant, and I think you, Pepper, would fill the position as honorably as your aunt did.”
I had no time to protest. My mom went right on talking as she glanced at Charlie.
“What did you say to Charlie? He’s smiling from ear to ear and he’s talking with other people, something he rarely does.”
“Amy and I are going to take him to see the Willow Mansion, though it’s the grounds he’s most interested in.”
“Oh, that is wonderful, Pepper, and so thoughtful of you. Was Charlie able to help you in any way?”
“He was very helpful,” I said, and told her all he had said.
“Oh, my goodness,” my mom said, resting her hand against her chest. “If the rest of Verbena’s dowry is somewhere in the mansion and we can find it, we could sell some of the jewels to help maintain the mansion and the historical society. Your aunt sold the ruby to finish the last of the restoration. You need to find the rest of those jewels, Pepper.”
I was excited to attend the lecture Reading People Like An Open Book. Though with my dad in law enforcement, he had taught me a lot about observing people. But I embraced the idea that there was always more to learn, especially when trying to solve a mystery.
I don’t think my dad felt the same since I could feel him fidgeting in his seat behind me in one of the middle rows. Ian sat to my right as excited as I was to attend, and Amy was to my left with Beau next to her. I was surprised to see my brother Josh enter with Kate from Yesterday’s Treasures and join my parents sitting behind Amy and Beau.
Greetings were exchanged, Kate having already met my parents. They both had been to her shop several times since it opened.
The room filled quickly, leaving barely any empty seats by the time Professor Swatcher entered and not alone. I could almost feel my dad tense behind me seeing Professor Anderson with him. The two exchanged a few words, then Professor Anderson found himself an empty seat in the back.
Professor Anderson was a good-looking man, tall and slim, and with hair as white as my dad’s. I imagined he got a lot of attention from many of the females at the college. Professor Swatcher was shorter in contrast, though not that short, average looks, brown hair that brushed his shoulders and a slight paunch to his stomach though otherwise slim body.
He went to the podium and didn’t waste any time getting started.
“Imagine walking into a room full of strangers and, within moments, understanding their motives, desires, and insecurities as if you’d read the first few chapters of their life story. Sounds like magic, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not magic—it’s psychology.
“Welcome, everyone. This evening, we’re going to unlock the fascinating world of human behavior—a world where every glance, every shift in posture, and every offhand comment is a line in a story waiting to be read. People, after all, are the most complex, multi-genre novels you’ll ever encounter—thrillers, comedies, and dramas all rolled into one. But unlike books, they don’t come with a table of contents or a helpful blurb on the back. You have to figure it out as you go.
“Here’s the good news, every one of us is already a reader. From the moment we’re born, we start observing faces, tone of voice, and body language. The bad news? Most of us stop paying close attention. We skim people the way we skim social media—fast, shallow, and often full of assumptions.
“But tonight, we’re going to slow down. We’re going to crack the spine of human behavior, turn the pages with care, and learn how to spot the plot twists before they happen. We’ll explore the subtle language of body movement, the hidden chapters of tone and word choice, and the foreshadowing that people give away without even realizing it.
“By the end of this lecture, you’ll walk away with more than just insight—you’ll have tools. Tools to spot honesty from deceit, confidence from insecurity, and truth from polite fiction. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your personal relationships, boost your professional intuition, or simply satisfy your inner Sherlock Holmes, you’re in the right place.
“So, grab your metaphorical magnifying glass, and let’s start. Because every person you meet is a story. And today, you’re going to learn how to read them cover to cover.”
I knew as soon as he mentioned Sherlock Holmes that I was going to enjoy the lecture.
He continued. “Take notes if you wish, but on the screen behind me is the web address where you will be able to download detailed notes. As I finish each section of the lecture, I will allow questions, so please hold your questions until then.”
Josh leaned between me and Amy and whispered. “He’s talking to you, Pepper.”
I wouldn’t let his teasing ruin the lecture for me, so I ignored him and settled in to enjoy.
“A smile is often the opening line in the story of a person. It’s one of the first things we notice, and like the first chapter of a good book, it sets the tone for everything that follows. But not all smiles are the same. Some are warm and welcoming, like a cozy fireside scene. Others are forced, like a plot twist you didn’t see coming.
“At its core, a smile is a signal—a universal sign of friendliness, safety, and connection. It’s nature’s way of saying, ‘I’m not a threat. You’re safe here.’ Babies recognize it before they understand words, and it has the power to disarm conflict faster than any argument. But if you read a smile a little more closely, you’ll notice it’s far more complex than simple happiness.”
I listened intently and my hand was the first to shoot up when he opened the floor to questions. “Can a person intentionally train themselves to produce a genuine-looking smile, and if so, how would that impact their relationships and interactions with others?”
“Good question and the answer is yes, people can train themselves to produce a convincing genuine-looking smile. True Duchenne smiles engage the muscles around the eyes, not just the mouth, which is harder to fake. Actors and public figures often master this by recalling positive memories or practicing in mirrors to activate these muscles.
“While a well-executed smile can boost likability and trust, if it’s detected as fake—even subconsciously—it can breed suspicion or discomfort. Humans are skilled at spotting micro-expressions that betray true feelings. Ultimately, while a genuine-looking smile can be learned, true emotional authenticity is much harder to fake.
“Let’s do a demonstration. Would you and the gentleman beside you mind participating?”
I looked at Ian.
“As long as you don’t mind, Pep,” Ian said.
We both stood and consented.
“Wonderful,” Professor Swatcher said gleefully. “Your names, please.”
“Pepper,” I said, and Ian followed with his name.
“Ian.”
“Pepper and Ian, thank you for agreeing to do this. Now, Ian, would you please cast a smile around the room.”
Ian produced the most radiant smile as he looked around the room with ease. I expected to see a few women looking as if they were ready to devour him but there were a lot more, a whole lot more than I expected, and it annoyed me more than I expected.
“Excellent, Ian, now please look at Pepper and smile,” Professor Swatcher said.
As soon as Ian’s eyes met mine, I saw the difference. It was a tender, loving smile, and it wrapped around me like a gentle hug. Others must have spotted it as well since several ahhhs could be heard.
Professor Swatcher smiled. “I can tell by the numerous ahhs that most of you could see the difference in Ian’s smile. Ian turned a genuine, relaxed smile on the audience but when it came to Pepper,” —his smile widened— “well, Ian is obviously in love with Pepper.”
“I cannae deny it. I am in love with Pep,” Ian said without hesitation.
A round of applause filled the room, and I did something that was completely out of my comfort zone, I shouted, “I love Ian as well.”
My mom bolted out of her seat, clapping like a mad woman and I have to admit it did feel good saying it aloud, but it felt even better seeing the ecstatic look on Ian’s face. He was so happy that I announced it to everyone, he grabbed me around the waist, pulled me against him, and kissed me.
Once the applause quieted and things returned to normal, and Ian and I were once again seated, the lecture continued, along with my questions. I was fascinated by everything the professor had to say and planned to put much of it to good use. Before I knew it the professor was wrapping up the session.
“Every person you meet is a story in progress—a tale of hope, fear, ambition, and everything in between. And like any good book, the more closely you read, the more you understand.”
“This evening, we’ve explored how people reveal themselves in subtle, often unspoken ways—through their body language, tone, and, yes, even their smiles. These cues aren’t random, they are the punctuation marks of human behavior, giving emphasis to the unsaid.
“But here’s the final twist—just as you can read others, others are reading you. Every glance, every shift in posture, every smile you offer tells your story too. The question is, what story do you want to tell?
“So, as you walk away today, I encourage you to slow down, observe more, and listen to the unspoken dialogue happening all around you. Every person you meet is a novel with no back cover summary. But if you pay attention, you’ll find the clues are already there—waiting for a sharp reader like you. Thank you for being part of this journey. Now, go read some people—and maybe, let them read you, too.”
A round of applause sounded, and people started rushing to talk with Professor Swatcher.
“I enjoyed that more than I thought I would,” my dad admitted, and my mom smiled.
“I thought it was fascinating,” Kate said, smiling. “And I think it will be very helpful when dealing with customers.”
“I doubt you will be able to read me,” Josh offered.
Kate’s smile turned into light laughter. “You are an open book, Josh.”
“Then read me,” Josh challenged.
“Do you really want me to do that in front of your parents?” Kate asked.
My dad started laughing and my mom elbowed him in the side.
Ian didn’t stop me from laughing, he joined in as did Amy and Beau.
“You left yourself open for that one, pal,” Beau said, containing his laughter as best he could.
I was surprised my brother smiled, and also his response.
“You’re right, Beau, I did.”
We started to file out of the aisle, and I gave a quick glance at Professor Swatcher. He had a line of people waiting to talk with him, but he looked anxious to leave, repeatedly glancing to the back of the room. I followed his glance and saw he was looking at Professor Anderson who obviously was impatiently waiting for him since he tapped at his watch as if time was running out.
Once we stepped outside, women began to hurry toward Ian and Beau, some even had paperback books in their hands, both gracing the covers.
Ian turned to me, and I smiled. “I’ll wait while you accommodate your fans.”
Ian kissed my cheek. “You are the best, Pep.”
I turned to join Amy, but she was busy talking with one of her old professors and I didn’t want to disturb her. Josh and Kate had already taken off, having late dinner plans and my mom and dad were talking with a couple they had known for years.
I didn’t mind some alone time, so I strolled toward the fountain, the scene of the infamous cannonball trio and was surprised to see Professor Anderson standing there. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to speak with him.
“Professor Anderson, can I have a moment of your time?” I asked, introducing myself when I reached him and was surprised when I was able to spot that his smile was not sincere though it changed after I introduced myself. “I’m Pepper Madison.”
“Pepper the prepper,” he said with a genuine smile. “And Sally’s talented daughter at solving mysteries.”
“Guilty to both,” I said with a laugh and wasted no time in getting to the point. “And you, Professor, authored the book on Willow Lake and you are also a treasure hunter.”
“He’s a treasure hunter?”
The professor and I turned to see Stone striding toward us with a confident swagger and a hint of annoyance in his eyes.
“Don’t think you’re getting my family’s treasure,” Stone warned.
“There is no proof you are related to the Willow family,” I countered.
The professor tried to offer some insight. “The Willows had no heirs when they died at an old age. Ignatius Willow left the house to the married couple who oversaw the running of it along with his vast wealth and investments, his wife having preceded him in death. It remained with their family through the years until it was lost to taxes and then purchased by the Willow Lake Historical Society who would be the rightful owner of any found treasure Relative or not, you would have no rights to any treasure found.”
“My family, my treasure,” Stone insisted, like a hungry dog with a bone ready to attack anyone who tried to take it away from him.
I spotted the menace in his expression, which made me realize it was time to alert my dad to a potential problem. Unwisely, I thought by mentioning it to Stone that it might have him leaving on his own.
“I’ll get my dad, the sheriff, in case you forgot, and you can speak to him about this.”
“You don’t need to do that, gorgeous. I don’t mean the professor any harm, just giving him a friendly warning that he can’t have what’s mine.”
“Friendly warning. Now there’s an oxymoron,” Professor Anderson said and with a laugh.
“Are you calling me a moron?” Stone sneered.
It all happened so fast I had no time to react. Stone’s hand shot out like a snake striking prey to grab the professor, but he quickly stepped out of reach and Stone grabbed my arm instead, yanking me back.
“Hey!” I yelped, stumbling like I’d just missed a step on an escalator.
Professor Anderson, either driven by chivalry or just really bad timing, rushed to help me. Unfortunately, physics wasn’t on our side. The combined momentum of three bodies colliding at once was enough to activate what I believe would be referred to as The Human Domino Effect.
One moment we’re on solid ground, the next I’m starring at a slow-motion action scene, hearing shouts and people running while we’re flailing like toddlers, then—SPLASH!
The water was cold, shockingly so, and I’m not ashamed to admit I let out a screech that could’ve shattered glass. Stone’s face broke the surface with a spluttering roar, his hair plastered to his forehead like a soggy mop. Beside him, the professor gasped, looking like a bewildered cat that had fallen accidentally into a baby pool.
Bless Ian. He didn’t think twice of stepping into the fountain and rescuing me. I found myself up in his arms, shivering.
“I was right. Life is never going to be dull with you, Pep.”