Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
“ A rake,” Amy said for what felt like the hundredth time and trying to hide her giggle as she pulled into the Treetop parking lot.
“And you should have seen what I did to it after the first punch.”
Her giggle grew. “The rake hit you more than once?”
I nodded. “I was disoriented from the first blow and when I got to my feet, I stepped on it again and WHAM!”
Amy couldn’t contain her laughter. “I am so sorry, Pepper. I shouldn’t be laughing seeing you with black eyes and a slightly swollen nose.”
“That’s okay. The staff and doctor at the urgent care I went to couldn’t contain their laughter either. Dr. Wagner told me he always enjoys seeing me and hearing what happened. It makes his day.”
Amy was still trying not to laugh and failing. “So, you told your dad about the squatter so he could check it out but not about your confrontation with the rake.”
“I wanted the swelling to go down and I was hoping my eye?—”
“Eyes,” Amy quickly corrected.
“Thanks for reminding me that I have two black eyes. Can you imagine what my dad would say if he saw me?”
“Wait until Ian sees you. I can’t believe you didn’t tell him what happened.”
“He had a busy schedule, and I didn’t want to bother him.”
Amy shook her head, laughter mingling with her grin. “You didn’t want to tell him who gave you the black eyes and swollen nose.”
“The swelling has gone down some,” I said, not wanting to admit she was right.
“Right,” Amy said, “you keep telling yourself that.”
Thinking how often I was going to have explain to people what happened to me, I said, “I need a drink.”
The Treetop was the perfect name for the place that appeared nestled in the treetops of the surrounding forest. There was an inside and outside area. Spring and autumn saw the outside area, a large upper deck, packed while the inside was the place to be in the winter with its numerous fireplaces.
Amy spoke with Tabby McGuire, the hostess, while I wandered to the outside deck trying to ignore the endless stares when I spotted Professors Anderson and Swatcher at a table. I was not about to lose a chance to talk with both and made a beeline to them.
“Good, Lord, Pepper, what happened to you?” Professor Anderson asked when I reached their table.
I kept it short and sweet. “A rake.” The two men looked at me puzzled and I realized I should have been more specific. “A garden rake.” I quickly moved the conversation along. “I really enjoyed your lecture, Professor Swatcher.”
“I’m glad to hear that and I thank you and your boyfriend for participating,” he said with a pleasant smile.
“I learned that you both are avid treasure hunters. That must be exciting.”
“Professor Swatcher more so than me,” Professor Anderson clarified.
“He’s lost the thrill of it,” Swatcher said with a chuckle.
Anderson defended himself. “It takes time and money, neither of which I have.”
“He won’t be able to stay away. When the treasure-hunting bug hits, it doesn’t let go. Whether small or large, it’s the thrill of the hunt that is addictive,” Swatcher said.
He left it wide open for me, so I dove right in. “The Willow family treasure being one of them. I noticed the three-strand pearl necklace with the pearl teardrop Claire Willow wore in the portrait at the Willow Mansion. I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to it.”
“A good point,” Swatcher said, casting an inquisitive eye at Anderson. “A treasure right in your backyard. How could you ignore it?”
“It’s long gone or sealed away with Verbena in her tomb that Ignatius Willow made sure couldn’t be opened without destroying the tomb, or the jewels were sold through the years to keep the mansion afloat,” Anderson said, offering different explanations.
Swatcher offered a different opinion. “Or Ignatius was wise enough to hide them away somewhere and never told anyone about the secret hiding place.”
An image of the skeleton key blazed in my mind. Did it unlock a treasure?
“The search is just as exciting as the find,” Swatcher said, a gleam in his eyes. “You really should join me on the next hunt, Anderson. It’s a dive and I know how much you enjoy diving and the lovely warm weather in the winter.”
“Perhaps,” Anderson said, not sounding the least interested.
Seeing Amy being seated, and not wanting to appear too curious, I said, “I am a member of the Willow Lake Historical Society, Professor Anderson, and I was wondering if you would be willing to donate your notes on the book you wrote about the history of Willow Lake to the society.”
“An excellent idea,” Swatcher said.
Anderson agreed. “I would be only too glad to donate them to the society.”
“Wonderful. I will be in touch about getting the papers from you. Now, I have interrupted your meal long enough. Have a good evening.”
“Nonsense, we’re just finishing up and it has been delightful speaking with you, Pepper,” Swatcher said.
“Same here, Professor,” I said and with a nod left the two men and hurried over to Amy who was wise enough to get a table tucked away in a corner so people wouldn’t be able to stare at my black eyes. I immediately thanked her. “Bless you for keeping me hidden.”
“I knew you would do the same for me if I wore raccoon eyes.” She giggled.
“You would not come out of your house if you had black eyes.”
“We know each other well,” Amy said. “So, what did you learn from the two professors? Oh, Beau texted. He and Ian will be about twenty minutes, so I ordered us wine and a couple of appetizers to hold us.”
“Bless you again. I’m starving.”
“So, spill,” Amy urged, leaning close so no one would hear. “What did you learn from the professors?”
I went to speak and heard. “Why are two such gorgeous women having supper alone?”
Amy smiled and I delayed looking at Burke Strathmore due to my raccoon eyes. I was the only girl who never dated him in high school, and he had yet to give up. Most women would consider him a hunk with his stylish chestnut brown hair and his crystal blue eyes not to mention his athletic body. The problem was he knew it and used it to his advantage.
“I heard things are going more in my brother’s Josh direction with Kate at Yesterday’s Treasures than with you,” I said, knowing it would rankle him and possibly direct his attention away from my eyes. No such luck.
“Holy hell!” Burke cringed. “What happened to you?”
Of course, that got people turning to look at me and made me realize I should have stayed home and ordered takeout for the four of us.
“Way to be discreet about my mishap,” I said.
He lowered his voice. “Seriously, Pepper, are you alright?”
Amy came to my rescue if you could call it that.
“The garden rake looks even worse,” she said with a laugh.
Burke’s eyes went wide along with his smile. “You really need to watch your step, Pepper.”
Amy tried not to laugh, but Burke’s laughter got her going.
“You’re both laughing when I am bruised and battered?—”
“By a garden rake that left you looking like a raccoon,” Burke said through peals of laughter.
I gave him my most deadly stare, not that it fazed him, but it did quell his laughter.
“Sorry, Pepper, but the situation is just too comical not to laugh.” He was quick to add. “And I’m glad you’re alright.”
I waited, knowing Burke wouldn’t be able to leave it at that and he proved me right.
“And we all know rakes are tough, not to mention stiff opponents.”
Amy once again tried to contain her laughter, not so Burke.
Where was that wine when I needed it?
With his laughter calmed, Burke asked, “So, what are you gals doing here alone?”
“Waiting for our guys,” Amy said as the server filled our wine glasses with chardonnay and left it chilling in an ice bucket beside the table.
“Help yourself to a glass, Burke,” Amy offered.
“Thanks, but I have a business meeting here,” he said. “When are you going to get me those plans for developing part of the lodge land?”
Grateful the teasing had ended, though I did have the whole night ahead of me to go, I said, “I’m thinking on it.”
I’d been putting it off, not sure what I wanted to do. I knew it would be a solid investment to take part of the land attached to the lodge and have condos built on it. But I just wasn’t sure if my Aunt Effie would want me to do that.
“Too busy with the plans for the preserve?” Burke asked.
“You got it. It’s something my Aunt Effie wanted, and I am going to make sure her plans see fruition.”
“I can understand that.” He leaned across the table. “You know you still owe me a date and I’d even take you out while sporting those raccoon eyes.”
“How thoughtful, but in your dreams, Burke.”
“Cheating on your old man?”
Burke and I both turned to see the biker Stone standing by the table.
“What makes you think it’s any of your business?” Burke asked with an attitude.
Burke was never one to take anything from anyone, so I wasn’t surprised that he went back at Stone.
“You certainly have a pair of?—”
“Watch your mouth in front of the ladies,” Burke warned, looking ready to stand and defend my and Amy’s honor.
Amy leaned over to me and whispered, “That’s a lot of testosterone going on.”
I had to agree with her, and I was worried about where it was headed.
“Mr. Strathmore, the party you are meeting is here,” a server said.
“Saved by the bell,” Stone said with a sly grin.
“Anytime, anyplace,” Burke challenged.
“Are you sure you want that pretty face of yours rearranged,” Stone threatened.
“Mr. Strathmore,” the server said, reminding him that he was waiting and doing his best to prevent an altercation between patrons.
“Enjoy the night, Burke, and I’ll talk with you soon, whereas I won’t be talking with this arrogant biker anytime soon,” I said, diverting Stone’s attention to me.
“Talk with you soon, Pepper,” Burke said and with a look of distaste at Stone, Burke followed the server.
“Holy shit, what happened to you?” Stone asked, keeping his eyes on me as he took a seat.
“None of your business and I don’t recall inviting you to join us,” I said.
“Maybe not, but I’ve got an offer you can’t refuse,” he said, and lifted the wine glass in front of him to wiggle at me. “I’d prefer a beer, but wine will do for now.”
“What offer?” I asked, ignoring his request for a drink.
“There is at least a half a million dollars’ worth of jewels the Willow family hid and if you help me find it, I’ll cut you in on it.”
“So, that’s the reason you’re claiming to be a relative of the Willow family, to claim a fortune in jewels?” I asked.
“What I’m doing is letting you know there’s plenty of reason why others are trying to get access to the mausoleum,” he said.
“Others?” I asked.
“The guy you found there and got away, then the guy we chased in the woods, and, of course, the treasure hunter professor,” he said. “Join forces with me, you won’t be sorry. Besides, I can satisfy you far better than that fancy pants model you’re with now.”
I laughed, a hardy laugh. In hindsight, it was a mistake.
Stone lurched at me and instinct had me leaning back far too fast, momentum took hold, and me and the chair tumbled back. He leaned over me, his hand reaching to help or retaliate, I wasn’t sure when he was suddenly yanked away.
“Lay a hand on her and you’re a dead man,” Ian warned, shoving him away.
Beau stood behind Ian, ready to fight if necessary.
“Time for you to leave.”
I couldn’t see the face, but I knew that voice. It was my brother Josh and when I caught sight of him, I saw that he was in uniform, which meant the restaurant had called the police.
Ian leaned down to help me and the chair up and stopped dead. “Did he do that to you? I’m going to?—”
He went to turn, and I grabbed his arm.
“What did he do?” Josh asked, before I could explain, and anger flared in his eyes when he caught a look at my face, and he grabbed his handcuffs. “You’re under arrest for assault.”
“I didn’t touch her,” Stone said.
Words flew like rapid bullets from Stone and Amy as they tried to explain what happened.
Ian helped me and the chair up and squatted down in front of me. “How did you get those black eyes?”
I explained what had happened and unlike others, he didn’t laugh.
“You should have called me right away, Pep,” Ian said, not angry with me but looking as though he shared my discomfort.
“I felt foolish,” I admitted.
“When aren’t you foolish, Pep?” Ian asked with a loving smile. “That’s one of the things I love about you. You don’t mind being a fool when necessary.”
I really did love this guy. I mean how do you not love a guy who truly understands you and loves you anyway?
“A rake, Pepper? Really?” Josh said, interrupting Ian’s and my moment. “Wait until Dad hears about this.”
I sneered at his smug smile. “And, of course, you’re going to tell him.”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I just want to be there when he gets a look at your face.”
“Excuse me, Officer, but can you move this along, please? It is distracting to the other patrons,” the hostess, said softly.
“Wrapping it up now, Tabby, and I apologize for the chaos.”
Tabby smiled. “It is something I’ve learned to expect when Pepper dines here, which is why, among other reasons, I have your number.”
Josh winked at her and gave Stone a nudge. “Let’s go. You’re out of here.”
“See you around, gorgeous,” Stone said with a smile.
“Get moving,” Josh ordered, giving Stone another nudge.
Ian gave me a gentle kiss and moved me and the chair comfortably close to the table before taking the seat next to me. “Please tell me you saw a doctor, Pep.”
“I did. Dr. Wagner at urgent care gave me a thorough once over and took X-rays. No serious damage done except to my pride.”
Beau smiled, though I heard the chuckle beneath it. “Wow, Pepper. Ian is right when he says life is never dull with you around.”
This time I laughed. “And that’s with no effort.”
We all laughed and plunged into the appetizers on the table, all of us hungry, as we considered supper choices.
Beau moved his chair closer to Amy, slipping his arm around her. “So, from what I could gather from the rapid-fire conversation, this biker dude wants you to help him find this so-called treasure, that he’s not entitled to, if it even exists.”
“Some believe that Verbena Willow was buried with a necklace her father had crafted for her and in today’s market it could be easily worth half a mill,” Amy said.
Ian reached out to take my hand. “Are you really all right? I saw your head hit the floor hard.”
“He’s right,” Amy said. “You did go down pretty hard.”
Ian’s hand left mine to feel the back of my head and I winced when he touched a spot.
“A small bump,” Ian said and signaled the server. “A bag of ice for the bump she got on her head, please.”
“Right away,” the young woman said and hurried off.
“If Ignatius kept such detailed records and receipts wouldn’t there be something on the purchase of such an expensive necklace?” Beau asked.
“You would think,” Amy said, “but so far, we haven’t found anything in the Willow documents to confirm a treasure even exists.”
“Maybe he hid the information so no one would know about the necklace and disturb his daughter’s tomb,” Beau suggested.
“Or the necklace and more are hidden somewhere in the Willow Mansion,” Amy said.
“Not there. Wasn’t that the words scrolled across the page of the picture of Verbena’s tomb that was torn out of that book you got at Kate’s, Pep?” Ian asked.
“And the reason my mom may have been hit on the head and her pockets turned inside out,” I said. “Someone was looking for her keys to the Willow Mansion thinking the necklace might be there.”
“But in Ignatius’s grief over losing his daughter, the necklace became worthless to him, and he had it buried with her, never wanting to look upon it again?” Amy said as if reading the words from a novel.
“It would explain why someone wanted access to the tomb,” Beau said. “They believed the necklace rests with Verbena.”
“But what proof could they have gotten that it wasn’t there and turned their search to the Willow Mansion?” Amy asked, but no one had an answer.
“What about the fellow that caused your mishap with the rake? Were you able to see who it was?” Ian asked.
“Unfortunately, no, but my first thought was the vanishing guy though that could be because he wore jeans and a hoodie. Strange, though, that the guy chose to squat on Willow land.”
The manager of the restaurant brought a bag of ice. Ian took turns with me holding it to the back of my head, until supper was brought to the table. We ate and talked about more than the Willow mystery and I had a better time than I expected since I thought I’d be quizzed endlessly about the rake incident, but thankfully my friends spared me.
We stepped out of the restaurant to see two police cars parked near the back of the parking lot, their lights flashing.
“They found a body. Haven’t heard if he’s dead or unconscious,” a man said as we stopped beside him and the woman with him.
I looked at Ian and I could tell by his expression that his thought was the same as mine. Could it be the guy who kept vanishing? We ran toward the police cars.
“Is there any time Pepper is not involved when a body is found?” I heard Beau say and Amy laughed as they followed us.
“I was just coming to get you two,” Josh said. “I think he’s a match to your guy.”
“Is he dead?” I asked.
“No, he’s unconscious and the EMT guys are almost ready to transport him. So, hurry and have a look.”
One look was all Ian and I needed.
“It’s him,” Ian and I said in unison.