Chapter 23 #2
I waited for her message to finish and, after the beep, said, “Hi, Finette. It’s Allie. I …” I paused. Taunting her about finding the bracelet would be foolish. Outright accusing her of murder would be, too. “I’m coming to the town council meeting. I’ll bring cookies. See you there.”
I ended the call and stared at the phone’s screen. Yes, contacting her had been rash. Luckily, I’d put on the brakes in time. I slipped her ankle bracelet into my pocket and texted Zach.
Me: I know you’re ticked at me. Sorry. A girl’s gotta do …
I erased the text, muttered, “C’mon, Allie. Use your brain,” and I started over.
Me: I wish you would return my call. I have some news you’ll want to hear. I promise I won’t be wasting your valuable time.
I moaned softly, admitting it was a sarcastic use of the word valuable, and erased the message.
Me: I hope you’ll be at the town council meeting tonight. I’m bringing sugar cookies. Maybe we could chat afterward. Get caught up.
Good. Friendly and bland. So be it. Heaven forbid I texted my intention to confront the woman I suspected of killing Jason.
The Bramblewood Park and Rec Center was located at the intersection of Main Street and North Mountain Road. It housed a gymnasium for sporting events; an auditorium, where the town held concerts and indoor festivals; and a few smaller rooms, one of which was where the town council convened.
Before entering the room, I drew in a deep breath. You can do this, Allie.
The meeting was already in session. All fifty chairs were filled.
A few onlookers were standing by the right-hand wall, including Vanna and Tegan.
Vanna was rocking it in a creamcolored suit and a soft blue blouse, but I could tell she was nervous, because she kept checking her fingernails.
Tegan caught sight of me and offered a supremely bored face.
I was wound too tightly to laugh. She eyed me, concerned, and tapped something on her cell phone.
I felt my phone ping and scanned the screen. Tegan had sent a text.
Tegan: Meeting with divorce attorney went well. Winston is handled.
Me: Good. Talk later.
I pocketed the phone.
At the front of the room, Reika Moore was standing at the lectern, speaking into the microphone as she discussed her role in the Bramblewood Historical Preservation Society.
Three councilmen sat at each of the tables positioned on either side of the lectern.
In front of the men sat white placards scrawled with the particular person’s name.
To the left stood Finette, in profile. She was clad in the white skirt suit she’d worn earlier in the week and came across self-assured and serene.
Was I mistaken about Darcy and her getting into a squabble?
Wrong about the ankle bracelet belonging to her? Wrong about her need for money?
No. I didn’t think I was, but my gut was roiling with doubt.
Tamping down my angst, I strolled to the beverage and treats station in the rear right corner. I placed the platter of cookies I’d brought beside the coffee urn, removed the saran wrap, and tossed it into the garbage pail.
Reika said, “The preservation society has a long-standing relationship with this town. Because of the work we do …”
A few people were checking their watches. Finette looked itchy to move on.
“We are prepared to offer top dollar for the Yeagers’ historic properties,” Reika said. “The town will reap the benefits. There will be no loss.”
“Hold on!” Patrick, who was sitting beside the mayor in the front row of chairs, jumped to his feet. “I want to make a bid. I secured the financing.”
I wondered if he knew Mr. Ott had vouched for him and he was no longer a suspect. Maybe he had never thought he was under suspicion.
“Not so fast,” Iggie said, bounding to a stand. “I’ve already been told I won the bid.”
“Gentlemen, decorum!” Finette bellowed. “You’ll have your turn to make a pitch. Sit, please.”
Iggie spotted me, inched out of the row, and moseyed to the food table. He picked up a cookie, ate half, and wiped his mouth free of crumbs. “Evening, Allie. I heard the bookshop hosted my wife’s book club at the last minute.”
“We did.”
“She was very happy.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I also heard you chatted with Shayna’s friend Ulla.”
Interesting segue. “Did Shayna tell you?”
“Ulla did. Every detail. She wasn’t lying to you. We’re through. Neither she nor I will be telling Shayna about the affair. What’s past is past.”
“I think you should inform Detective Armstrong.”
He cocked his head. “Why does he need to know?”
“Because he’s wondering if you had motive to kill Jason Gardner.”
“Me? Murder Gardner? Get real.”
“The police came across your cuff link at the crime scene.”
“What the blazes are you talking about?”
“A cuff link with a cursive capital I on it, to be exact.” I still didn’t know if Zach had verified the letter was an I or a J, but I figured a small distortion of the truth was allowable.
Iggie’s cheeks puffed up. Warm air leaked from his mouth. “I was never there.”
“So you say.”
“My friend Ed Smith heard a dog that night.”
“Yes, I know.”
“I don’t have a dog.”
“The murderer didn’t necessarily bring a dog to the scene. It could have been one of many in the neighborhood.”
Iggie worked his tongue along the inside of his cheek. “Yeah, fine, I’ll talk to Armstrong. Please …” His gaze was filled with remorse. “Please keep my relationship with Ulla on the down-low.”
I murmured, “Okay.”
Reika completed her pitch and left her post at the lectern.
Finette jumped into the spot Reika had vacated.
The audience applauded politely as Reika collected Amira, who was sitting dutifully at the end of the first row, and she took a seat beside a weathered, silver-haired man in the middle of the row.
He pecked her on the cheek, making me wonder if he might be Roy.
Finette spoke into the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen—”
“My turn.” Patrick leaped to his feet again.
She shot him a dirty look but quickly forced a smile. “Yes, Mr. Hardwick. Please come forward. You have three minutes.” She left her post, caught sight of me, and lasered me with a look.
Because I’d brought cookies? Or because she’d learned I’d visited her great-aunt?
Remaining the object of her wrath, I proceeded along the right side of the room. Vanna still seemed nervous. Why hadn’t she made an appointment at the mayor’s office, where she wouldn’t have dozens of other people pleading for a moment of his time?
I sidled to Tegan. “How’s your sister doing?”
“I’ve never seen her so edgy. I’m not sure what the whole story is.”
“And you? Winston is handled?”
She brushed her hands together. “Done and done. His attorney made him realize he was grasping at straws. When my attorney threatened to sue him, he caved. He signed papers this afternoon and FedExed them. As of tomorrow, I’m free!” She studied my face. “What’s up?”
“You won’t believe what I learned.”
“Tell me.”
I whispered in her ear and pulled Finette’s bracelet from my pocket. She gazed at it and whistled softly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Finette approaching. Quickly, I stuffed the bracelet into its hiding place.
“Allie,” Finette said, “thanks for calling and leaving a message. Given your kind visit to my great-aunt, I was hoping you would show up. A word.”
“After the meeting.”
“Now.”