Chapter 13 #2
“Like a recently fired vendor.” I thought about the way Mom made everyone feel like family within five minutes of meeting them. She was popular and would’ve been recommended by most locals. “Let’s hope it’s that simple.” Though, if Mom suspected Lehman, she surely would’ve told Nash.
“What if whoever’s doing this wasn’t directly connected, just watching the shop?” Sloane asked. “Her female customer base had increased heavily this year through word of mouth. Someone hanging around could’ve seen where your mom sent the hikers.”
The thought made my stomach turn.
Sloane reached for another journal, this one from six months before my mother’s death. “We should make note of any particular name that appears often.”
My gaze returned to the terminated vendor contract. The only one in the file. Lehman & Son – Excursion Supplies and Trail Guides. “Did Mom ever send hikers with other tour leaders?” I pushed the page in Sloane’s direction, one fingertip beneath the final words in the company title.
Sloane nibbled her bottom lip, eyes tight. “Not that I knew about, but I’m sure there’s documentation if she did.”
I had no doubt.
We dove back into the journals, working in focused silence. I was intensely aware of Sloane beside me, of the small sounds she made when she found something interesting, and the gentle brush of her fingers against mine when we reached for the same page.
“Here,” Sloane said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Eighteen months ago. ‘Met with potential vendor about additional excursions. Seems knowledgeable. Mentioned missing hiker. Appreciated.’”
“That was before Sarah Lake but after Rebecca Snow.” I rubbed a hand over my face.
“Any note on what kind of vendor? Contact information?” I didn’t even know how many vendors Mom worked with.
How was I supposed to take over her research, not to mention her life’s work, when I knew nothing about any of it?
Sloane closed the journal with shaking hands. “We’ll figure it out. It’s just going to take time. We have the VW bus connection and all Claire’s notes. It’s a lot to work with.”
The bell over the door jangled, and my hand automatically went to my hip where my sidearm would have been. Old habits. I relaxed when Archer’s familiar bulk filled the doorway, Colton right behind him.
“Well, well, well.” Archer’s grin was wide and knowing as he took in the scene. “We saw your ride outside and thought we’d check in. See how you’re doing.” He strode inside wearing black joggers and a matching black T-shirt. His baseball cap identified him as Security in white vinyl letters.
I laughed. “What exactly are you supposed to be securing?”
Archer offered a gesture better suited to someone half his age, and I smiled, knowing this meant he was happy, comfortable, and at ease.
“Looks like you’re doing well,” Colton added. Unlike his partner, dressed hat to boots in black, he wore a button-down shirt with a bright blue wave pattern, unbuttoned, over a tank top that said Carolina Babe. The words were a touristy favorite. Word play on our town name, Carolina Bay.
I shook my head at the dynamic duo.
“Good to see you again, Sloane.” Colton grinned.
She raised one hand in response. “Hi.”
“What are you guys up to?” I asked. “Besides shopping for ridiculous apparel.”
“Checking out the island.” Archer moved in our direction, his sharp eyes sliding over the counter before me, where my hand rested on Sloane’s. “Thought you might be getting hungry.” His lips twitched, fighting a smile before going flat.
“We’re looking at Claire’s logbooks,” Sloane said.
Archer’s brows rose. “Find anything?”
“Yeah.” Sloane nodded. “But there’s a lot of information. Deciding what matters and if any of it fits together will take time.”
I filled them in on the contract termination and our plans to visit the vendor as soon as possible.
Colton formed a time out sign with his hands. “Real quick,” he said. “Before we dig in. Maggie’s all excited because word around town is that the two of you are dating. And I’d like to tell you I hate to be nosy, but I don’t.”
Archer chuckled.
Sloane smiled beside me. “I guess news really does travel fast.”
“You have no idea,” I said. I narrowed my eyes on Colton. “What do you mean, Maggie is excited? Why were you talking to Maggie?”
Archer’s deep belly laugh pulled my gaze to the giant, before it tracked back to the lanky tech guy at his side.
“What did I tell you about her?” I said, getting tired of repeating myself. “Leave her alone.”
“Wait,” Sloane interrupted. “How’d Maggie hear about us already?”
Colton raised his chin, eyes twinkling, the little gossip. “She said some douche was at the gas station throwing a fit about you two, and the clerk dates the dishwasher at Maggie’s family’s restaurant.”
Sloane blinked. “Well, okay then.”
I snorted a small laugh. “Told you.”
Colton leaned a hip against the counter. “Well, congrats to you both.”
Sloane’s answering smile was kind, and her cheeks turned pink under my friends’ scrutiny.
“Anyway,” Archer said, rubbing together his palms. “I think we have our answer on your love life. Now, how can we help with all of this?” He circled his hands over the piles of papers and notebooks.
Gratitude washed over me. “Your guess is as good as ours. We’re reading everything in the hopes that something stands out and leads to something else that’s relevant.”
“Do you want to divide the piles?” Colton offered. “We can take a bunch with us back to your place.”
I nodded. This was why these men were my brothers. They gave me shit, but when it mattered, they had my back without question. “Yeah, thanks.”
I explained about the local events happening at the time of each disappearance, the possibility of another trail guide, and what little else we’d turned up.
“What makes you think there’s a new vendor?” Archer asked. “There’s only one in the terminated file.”
I nodded. “Surely someone took their place.”
“What do we know about the guy she fired?” Archer asked.
“Walter Lehman,” Colton read the name from the contract. “Sounds like a place to start.”
I looked to Sloane. “He worked with Mom for years. Chances are good that he might know who else she worked with. Could be a solid resource if nothing else, and he’s local.” I pointed to the address on file.
“We should drive out there,” Sloane said.
“It’d also be nice to talk to the victims’ families and see if any of them remember something that could help us.
Local police have likely already done that, but sometimes time will loosen a memory.
I’m sure these people were still in shock over the disappearances of their loved ones when police first spoke with them. ”
“Good point,” I said. I barely remembered anything after getting the call that my mother had a heart attack. Maggie updated me from the hospital for two days, while Mom’s life was touch and go. Everything else in the week before I made it home was fuzzy. As if none of it was real.
Archer pulled out his phone. “Colton and I can canvass the local businesses while we’re out looking for the VW bus and checking out your hometown. You two can focus on the families.”
“We’ve been looking for the bus all day. No luck,” I said. “Nash sent a list of everyone with a vehicle fitting the description. I’ll forward it to you.”
“Right on,” Colton said, head bobbing in agreement. “I don’t mind knocking on doors. No one here knows me. I’ll say I’m in the market to buy.” He inhaled deeply through his nose and patted the countertop with one of his palms. “I love a mission in the morning.”
“It’s not morning,” Archer complained. “And I’m still hungry.”
The bell jangled again, and Maggie walked in carrying two large paper bags that smelled like heaven. “Did someone order delivery?” she asked. “Because I have fried shrimp, hushpuppies and coleslaw, if anyone’s interested.”
Colton rose and reached for the bags. “Yes!”
My stomach growled in appreciation. “Thanks, Mags.”
“Colton ordered.” Her eyes landed on Sloane and me, and her expression shifted from cheerful to speculative in an instant. “Oh my God. It’s true?”