Chapter 11
Greg was in a meeting when I arrived at the police station, so I took a few minutes to catch up with Esmeralda. “How was the trip?”
“Interesting. I think Nic’s sister is settling into her new life. Eddie reminds me a lot of you. She was planning a different life in Seattle, but things changed when she moved home.”
“Like when I took out my retirement savings and bet it all on a bookstore in a tiny tourist town?” I laughed at the memory.
“If I hadn’t been so mad at my boss at the law firm for being passed on a promotion, I would still be there, locked in a tiny office and helping people navigate their divorces.
And probably still living in that tiny condo. ”
“Your love of the beach would have led you out of there eventually. The fates work in mysterious ways.” She moved a piece of paper into a file. “Your sister-in-law, Beth, caught me at the beach yesterday. She’s a bright soul. I enjoyed talking with her.”
“She’s here doing research for her book.” I didn’t know what Beth had shared with Esmeralda, but it wasn’t my place to talk about Beth’s relationship.
“If you say so,” Esmeralda responded, clearly sensing there was more to the story. “Anyway, Deek did a nice job watching my house. The spirits were pleased. He’s getting ready to start his new journey. I’m going to miss having him around.”
“You think he’s leaving permanently?” I was prepared to have Deek around less, not gone. But Esmeralda was his godmother. If he’d told her he was leaving, it was probably true.
“Don’t be so upset. The boy has to go find his calling. He’ll come home.” Esmeralda glanced at the phone. “Sorry, I’ve got to take this call. I’m dispatching this morning while the team meets on the investigation.”
The phone wasn’t ringing, but I didn’t mention that fact. “Well, I’ll see you soon. Maybe we could do a girls’ night before Beth leaves?”
“That would be lovely. Just let me know when and where.” Esmeralda nodded as the phone lit up and rang. “South Cove Police Department, may I help you?”
I shook my head as I walked out of the station and headed toward the bookstore. My friend was always a step ahead of everyone and everything. She credited the spirits. I thought she was just good at watching people. But that phone thing was weird.
Evie was behind the counter, helping a customer with a book purchase, and Beth was clearing tables in the front.
She looked up as I came in, then glanced at the cat clock on the wall.
“I can’t believe it’s already that time.
The morning flew by. I’ve missed working with people.
I mean, I have a few people come in during the day at the church office, but it was always the same people. ”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I feel bad having you work on your vacation.
” I waved at Evie, who gave me a thumbs-up.
Apparently, the morning had gone well. We didn’t stay open all day, but we had enough morning traffic that it was worthwhile staying open until one.
“Evie, can I steal her away? Or do you need her for the next hour?”
“You’re kidding, right? I got so much done today.
” Evie came over and handed me a travel cup filled with coffee.
She always added a pump of salted caramel when I came on Sunday as my “treat.” “Beth handled the coffee shop and bookstore while I worked on payroll. I know she lives in Nebraska, but can we keep her? You said we were looking for another part-timer.”
Beth laughed as she took the bin of dirty dishes back around the counter. “Sorry, girl, I’ve got a job starting in January. This just keeps my mind working while I’m doing other things. I’m dying to get to the library this afternoon.”
“Deek says the same thing when he’s stuck in a story.
He starts cleaning the shop and rearranging the bookshelves.
Then you lose him to his laptop for hours.
” Evie shrugged. “Must be a writer thing. I avoid cleaning at all costs. Especially when I’m working out a problem in my head. Do you want a coffee to go?”
Beth grabbed a travel mug, stepping over to the coffee machine. “Please, let me. Are you sure you’re okay with me leaving?”
“It’s been fun working with you.” Evie glanced at the display case. “I’ve got all our treats out in the display case, but I think it will last until Sadie’s delivery tomorrow morning.”
“We’ve been selling a lot of cookies.” I scanned the limited offerings in the case. “Beth, you’ll meet Sadie tomorrow morning. She’s the one you’re having coffee with on Wednesday. She’s engaged to the local minister. I thought you might have some things in common.”
Beth rolled her eyes as she took off her apron. “Thanks. It will be nice to compare notes. I know Jim isn’t clergy, but he’s on the board of deacons, and until we started dating, he mostly focused on church business. Now, I need to teach him how to have a life too.”
I wondered if that was even possible. Jim was determined. And focused. And single-minded. When he made his mind up, he tended to stick to his decision. But I was hopeful. “We still have to walk back home to get the Jeep.”
“I’ll drive. I don’t want that rental just sitting there,” Beth said as we walked outside. She looked at my tote. “That looks heavy. You didn’t pick up books at the bookstore. Did you mean to leave some?”
“No, I got these from Josh Thomas.” I pointed out his store as we walked by. “He loaned me a few on South Cove history. I thought researching the building might give me a clue as to why Chip was killed.”
“Tell me the building held pirate treasure.” Beth sounded hopeful.
Laughing, we crossed the street before the barricades keeping traffic off. “I don’t think so. But maybe something from the golden age of flappers and bootleggers. The building wasn’t built until 1922.”
“So that’s why you want to go with me to the library. To research South Cove history.” She glanced backward at the station. “Does Greg know?”
“I stopped by to chat with him, but he was in a meeting. Besides, I’m going to a college library. How much trouble can I even get in?” I ran up the porch stairs to the house. “I’m going to let Emma out for a few minutes and drop these books off. Do you want to change?”
“I need my laptop and backpack, and yes, I’ll change into jeans and a shirt that doesn’t smell like coffee and sugar. Although, it’s not such a bad perfume.”
It took us less than ten minutes to get ready and on the road.
Beth had the windows down and the soft rock station music blaring as she drove.
I just leaned back and enjoyed the ride.
As well as thought about the world when Chip’s building was built.
It could have nothing to do with why he was killed, but I had to wonder, what were the killers looking for?
Did the building hold its own secrets? If it was a well-known legend, I’d find something about it in the library.
And if not, well, that was one more thing that didn’t explain Chip’s death.
An investigator I’d heard talking at one of Deek’s author events said it was all about clearing away the invalid answers and reasonings first. Then you could see what was left.
Sometimes I think I cleared away too much stuff.
Like taking Dom and Chris off the suspect list because I liked them both as people.
Could I feel good about or like someone who had killed someone else? I guess that was a question I needed to ask myself. Maybe I was being fooled by Dom’s in-your-face honesty. But he’d been so engaging at Thanksgiving. Not just with me, but also with Beth.
I looked over at her, wondering what she thought of the motorcycle club leader.
Beth turned down the music without looking at me. “I can feel you staring. What do you want to ask me? Did Evie tell you I did a bad job at the bookstore? If so, don’t feel like you have to let me continue. I can take bad news.”
“You did an amazing job at the bookstore. Like Evie said, if you lived here, you’d be already on the full-time payroll.
If you wanted a job, that is.” I glanced around to see where we were.
I’d been daydreaming for a while and we were almost at the library.
“Tell me what you thought of Dominic Reedy. When you met him at Thanksgiving dinner.”
Beth rolled up the windows and slowed the car a little.
“He’s interesting. He’s focused on what you say.
I can see why Lille is attracted to him.
He’s intelligent. He truly listens, which sometimes is rare in a man.
Clearly, he’s done his research in cults, which made him a good source of local gossip about C-scam—or New Hope.
He said he had a relative who joined a cult a few years ago and went deep.
And another friend who knew someone who joined New Hope and gave the leadership their life savings.
When it blew up last year, the guy had to go live with his mom for a few months.
He’s still convinced that the government killed Kane and blamed it on church leadership.
But he has a job again and is learning to adjust to real life. ”
“That must have been hard for him. Watching someone go so deep into the fantasy they built.” I paused, thinking about what Beth had shared.
“Did he say anything more about the relative? I wonder how close they were and if it affected his decision to join the motorcycle club. You hear about people joining gangs for the family connection.”
“Funny, I was wondering about that too. I asked him if he thought being part of his motorcycle club was the same thing as joining a cult.” Beth took the exit to the college and slowed the car even more.
“You didn’t.” I was shocked at Beth’s forwardness. I wasn’t sure I could have asked him that.