Chapter 8
The pizza’s arrival was a much-needed break from the tedious task of cleaning. While they ate, Paige, Echo, Floyd and Liz chatted about the home’s potential and Liz reminded herself of all the pluses. At their age, major renovations would be a one and done, which reinforced her determination to get it right and exactly the way she wanted from the get-go.
“We can come back again tomorrow, as soon as our shift ends,” Paige offered.
“We need all the help we can get. This is for today’s work.” Liz pulled some cash from her wallet and handed several bills to each of them. “We’ll also need more cleaning supplies. Here’s some extra to pick up what you think we’ll need. If you run over, let me know. ”
“Thanks. I will.” Paige folded the bills and tucked them in her front pocket. “I know you’re not in love with the house, but it speaks to me. This would be my dream…fixing this place up and living here.”
“I wish I had your vision. You and Echo have been a tremendous help.” Liz turned to Echo. “Floyd and I were talking earlier. There’s a mobile home near the back of the property. It’s in decent shape, although it could use a good cleaning. Would you be interested in taking a look at it?”
Echo’s jaw dropped. “To live in?”
“To live in,” Liz said. “Paige’s mother is a real estate agent. I can ask her to draw up a rental agreement, something reasonable in exchange for you keeping an eye on the place. You might want to check it out first.”
“Yes. I mean, I don’t even need to look at it. There aren’t many rentals in this area and those that are available are out of my price range. Thank you.” Echo impulsively hugged Liz. “You won’t be sorry. I’ll sign a lease. I can afford a few hundred a month. Floyd has offered me a permanent job, but I’m looking for something with benefits and a few more hours.”
An idea popped into Liz’s head. “You have crime scene experience. Have you thought about contacting the Montbay County Sheriff’s Department?”
“Yes, but I need a permanent address before they’ll accept an application.”
“Which means you’re in a catch-22.”
“Until I find a place to live,” Echo said.
While the women loaded Paige’s van, Liz sent Lucy a text, asking if she could help put together a rental agreement. Lucy promptly replied, and after Liz explained it was for Paige’s friend, Echo, her phone rang.
“Hello, Liz,” Lucy’s bubbly voice greeted her. “How on earth were you able to find a rental for Echo? I’ve been searching for days now, and nothing is even close to being in her price range. ”
“There’s a mobile home on our new—and I use that term loosely—property. It’s vacant, in decent condition, and I believe it will fit the bill. She can afford a few hundred a month. I was thinking if you could put something together for three hundred a month, with Floyd and me waiving the deposits, and make it a six-month lease, I would be forever in your debt.”
“Done. When do you need it?”
“Hang on.” Liz motioned to Echo. “Lucy has agreed to put a lease together, three hundred a month for the next six-months. I’m waiving the security deposits. If she can bring it by tomorrow, will that be too soon?”
“It’s perfect.” Echo clapped her hands. “Does this mean I can move in?”
“Lock, stock and barrel, as soon as you sign the lease and pay the first month’s rent.”
“It’s a deal. We’ll be back tomorrow. Thanks, Liz. ”
“You’re welcome.” Liz told them goodbye and waited until they hopped in Paige’s van and drove off. “Hey, Lucy, Echo and Paige will be back tomorrow to help in the afternoon. Is that too soon?”
“No. That’s so sweet of you. What goes around, comes around. Margaret helped you and now you’re helping Echo. I’ll run it by. Where is it?”
“Off Cash Creek Road in Green Springs.”
“Cash Creek,” Lucy repeated.
“An appropriate name considering cash, and lots of it, is what it will take to fix this place up.”
Lucy laughed. “I think I know where it is. Is it French chateau-esque?”
“Chateau in the front. Farmhouse in the back.”
“There’s a covered bridge at the end of the road. If my memory serves me correctly, a railroad went through Cash Creek and somewhere out there is an old ghost town from years back. ”
“I wonder if one of the ghosts is missing a map and a fancy box,” Liz said.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. Thank you, Lucy. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Liz rattled off the exact address before ending the call.
Floyd traipsed across the driveway. “Paige and Echo left?”
“Yes. They’ll be back tomorrow after they finish their shift at the farm,” Liz said. “Echo enthusiastically accepted our offer to rent the mobile home for three hundred a month with a six-month lease. Lucy is writing up the rental agreement and will bring it over.”
“That was mighty nice of you to agree to let Echo move in.”
“I know how she feels. If not for Margaret offering to rent me her lakefront house at a discounted rate, I would’ve had to move in with Gloria and Paul and my sister and I would’ve killed each other.”
Floyd chuckled. “You two are complete opposites. I can see where the sparks might fly. Are you ready to head home?”
Liz’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “But dahling,” she replied in her best Eva Gabor voice. “We are home.”
“Soon, my wonderful wife.” Floyd kissed her lips. “Soon.”
*****
Liz was out like a light and woke before six the next morning. Her eyes flew open, and with a whisper of a groan, she remembered why every bone in her body ached. She slipped out of bed, only to discover Floyd was already gone, which wasn’t unusual. He loved early mornings in the barn, milking the cows, working out his schedule for the day, leaving Liz free to do what she pleased .
The couple set aside late afternoons for just the two of them, which included dining out, taking in a movie or shopping, all the things she knew Floyd would never do if not for her.
Liz strolled into the kitchen and a small smile lit the corners of her mouth when she discovered her husband, who loved to cook, had made breakfast. Hers was waiting for her on the warming plate. She carried the food and a cup of coffee to the sunroom, where she could keep an eye out for the birds and enjoy her morning meal in peaceful solitude.
She switched the television on and began flipping through the channels when an image flashed across the screen, catching her eye. It was a picture of their Cash Creek property. Liz hurriedly turned the volume up.
“…previous property owner Pierre Gagnon’s estate on Cash Creek Road outside of Green Springs, recently purchased by Floyd Rasmussen. An unnamed source, someone who works at the Montbay County Sheriff’s Department, has told us De signer Diva owner, Deanna Andretti, visited the property only hours earlier. If the Rasmussen name sounds familiar, viewers may recall a member of the family was charged with murdering the matriarch last year.
A morning news anchor, seated behind a desk inside the studio, appeared. “This is an interesting turn of events for a family who has had their share of tragedy. Our field reporters are working on this breaking news story and will have more information during our noon report.”
Bam. The backdoor slammed. Liz quickly turned the television off. She gathered up her empty plate and coffee cup and caught up with Floyd in the kitchen. “Thank you for making breakfast. It was delicious.” She set the plate in the sink, bounced onto the tips of her toes, and gave him a quick kiss. “I’m ready to start on day two of our home renovations. ”
“There’s been a change in plans. The milking system went down and we’re still trying to get it fixed.”
“No problem. I’ll head over there alone. I want to get as much done as possible. What about the contractors?”
“I have an electrician and plumber coming out later today. I was thinking about rescheduling.”
“Don’t,” Liz said. “If you can’t make it, I’ll be there. I can talk to them.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
While Floyd left to track down their information, Liz hustled to the bathroom to get ready for the day. She’d finished and was loading more cleaning supplies in her SUV when he caught up with her. “You sure you want to do this? I can try to reschedule for tomorrow. ”
“Positive. The sooner we can get the repairs done, the better.”
“I’ll try to make it, but if not…”
Liz lifted a hand. “You take care of the farm and I’ll handle the other.”
Floyd promised to check in late morning. He gave her a quick hug and then hurried back to the barn.
With supplies loaded, she hit the road, reaching the property in no time. Instead of turning onto the driveway, Liz drove past, curious to check out the covered bridge Lucy had mentioned.
She found it less than a quarter mile away. Her tires made a clickety-clack sound as she drove over the long timber trusses running the length of the bridge. Liz did a U-turn at the crossroads on the other side and spotted a small creek running under the bridge.
She pulled off the side of the road and climbed out to admire the view. The soothing sound of the gurgling creek was like a magnet drawing her to the water’s edge. Liz’s eyes swept the banks, and she wondered if the creek was part of their property.
Ting. Her cell phone chimed. It was her sister. “Hey, Gloria.”
“Hello, Liz. Did you catch the morning news?”
“About Deanna Andretti’s death and how the reporters linked her to our place? I’m telling you, it’s only a matter of time before they track me down.”
“You have nothing to hide.”
“Except for the fact she and I argued, and I was at her place that evening. The news crew reminded viewers about the death of Floyd’s mother. I don’t know why they found it necessary to point it out.”
“Because it’s news.” Gloria changed the subject. “How’s it going?”
Liz briefly filled her in about the secret room, the medallion, and the map .
Gloria let out a low whistle. “Your new place is full of surprises.”
“And not necessarily good ones,” Liz said. “Lucy is putting together a rental agreement for Echo, a farm employee who is also Paige’s friend. Floyd and I are letting her rent the mobile home.”
“I heard. I ran into Paige and Lucy at Dot’s Restaurant last night.”
BAM! BAM! A loud pounding echoed through the line.
“What was that?”
“Ruth is banging on my back door. The reason I’m calling is we were thinking about coming by.”
“The more, the merrier. Lucy said she’d be here around noon.”
“I’ll see if we can’t all come together,” Gloria said. “Would you like us to bring lunch? ”
“Sure. Lunch sounds good. So does a bottle of bleach, disinfectant, and maybe even a couple sticks of dynamite,” Liz joked.
“Paige told us your kitchen cleaned up nicely.”
“And would be perfect if I wanted to live a sixties lifestyle.”
“Don’t get grumpy. We’ll see you around noon.” Gloria hung up before Liz could remind her to bring dishes and silverware, so she sent a text, to which her sister promptly replied they would bring everything needed.
Liz finished admiring the covered bridge and creek and climbed back into her SUV. She rolled the windows down, letting the fresh country air pour inside for the quick drive back to the chateau. Pulling close to the backdoor, she hit the hatch release and slid out.
A small movement caught her eye, and her heart skipped a beat. Someone was lurking near the side of the house .
Liz ducked down and crept to the back bumper, watching as a petite figure darted to the corner.
“No way.” She briefly closed her eyes when she realized who it was. She let out an exasperated breath and emerged from her hiding spot. “We’re going to nip this nonsense in the bud.”