Chapter 22
After getting the first batch of cookies ready to bake, I told Beth I needed to run to the bookstore (truth) to check in with Evie about next week’s schedule (lie.) Okay, maybe not really a lie, but a misdirection.
The reason I was going to the bookstore was a surprise.
So it was a Christmas lie, which didn’t count.
I hoped Santa used the same logic pattern.
I just didn’t mention the other stops. I’d be in South Cove, not wandering the countryside looking for killers.
I tried not to play back the conversation where Greg said he liked having Beth here because it kept me out of trouble. I decided to take Emma, giving me one more excuse for leaving. The dog needed a walk.
As we passed by Lille’s, I saw that Dom and his friends, the gang, were there, as well as Uncle Harrold.
I could see Dom and Uncle Harrold through the windows.
The motorcycles lined up against the back brick wall where the parking lot ended.
I’d pop my head inside, but I had Emma, and Lille hated me. So I kept walking.
Dom and Uncle Harrold. That was a strange combination.
If Uncle Harrold wasn’t honest as the day was long, I’d question it.
But he didn’t even lie to Aunt Jackie if an outfit wasn’t quite her style.
He’d tell her. I never questioned my aunt’s clothes or motives.
I didn’t want to be on her bad side. We were out at a restaurant having dinner one night when Harrold told her if she didn’t want the truth, she shouldn’t ask him.
I had about choked on a glass of wine when he said that.
My aunt handed me a napkin and just said, “Wipe your face, dear. And close your mouth. You’re going to attract flies. ”
Her way of saying, “Stay out of it.”
What had Dom and Harrold been talking about so late at night?
That was a question for another day. I kept walking and we passed by Matty’s still-closed shop. I wondered if Greg had talked to her yet. I wouldn’t want to be on Greg’s bad side, and even though she’d been attacked or fallen in her shop, he wouldn’t take it easy on her.
I groaned as I realized Greg was probably in Bakerstown and not at the station. He’d ask why I didn’t wait and give the blueprints to him tonight at dinner. Emma nudged me and I started walking again. The dog needed a walk and I had something to drop off and pick up.
When we got to the station, Greg was out like I’d expected. Esmeralda took the blueprints and pictures, gave Emma a treat, and went back to answering the phone. Sunday morning dispatch must be busy.
I saw Chris’s car at Chip’s Bar. It was still early enough that she could have a car on the street, but time was ticking, so I left her alone and headed to the bookstore.
Emma and I came into the front and Andrew hurried over. “Can you have a dog in here?”
“Sometimes. My dog, always. Can you get a bag that Evie left for me in the back?” I asked as Andrew focused on Emma.
“I’ve got it.” Evie came out of the back with a bright red gift bag.
“Hey, I wanted to tell you we’re doing a trial Monday opening tomorrow—ten to three.
If we get enough shoppers, I’ve got commitments from staff to work the shift until Christmas, when we’ll go back to being closed.
Thoughts? I’m overstepping, right? Do you hate me? ”
“Why would I hate you?” I took the bag and looked around. The bookstore was busy and several people sat in the dining room, drinking coffee and reading. It was the image of a perfect Sunday morning. At least in my head. “I’ve got to go. See you on Tuesday.”
Andrew was already back at the counter, washing his hands after petting Emma. He waved as we left. For the second time that week, I felt like my baby birds had all flown the nest. The store was doing well without me. Maybe I needed another hobby.
I’d talk to Beth when I got home. Maybe she would have some ideas. First up, I needed to ask Josh exactly what Matty had asked him to help with. I found him in the store, sweeping. “Okay if Emma comes in?”
“Sure, she’s a good dog. Not like some of the ones people bring in.
I caught one chewing on a leg of a dining room set I’d just bought from an estate sale.
” He put the broom away. “Mandy said she told you she put her foot down with Matty. Now I hear she was attacked in her store. Something’s wrong with that woman. ”
I tried to hide the smile. I agreed. Something was really wrong with Matty. “Josh, what did she want you to do that night she called? Do you know?”
“I wasn’t going to go anyway. She’d told me she needed help with a situation.
Someone talked her into robbing her store to help her get through this season.
She’s been having money issues. She told me that the only person hurt would have been the insurance company, but whoever she was working with had lied to her and was keeping her jewelry.
She wanted me to talk him into giving it back.
” Josh sighed. “I should have called Greg, but all I knew was what Matty told me. And I stepped away from her then. There was no way I would be involved in something like this.”
“Did she say who was helping her?” I thought I knew the answer, and so when Josh told me the name, I wasn’t surprised.
“She’s not a nice person. I talked to her after she and Mandy got into it and she was horrible to me, calling me names and such. I guess I’m just not a good judge of character.” He adjusted a stack of papers on the desk.
“You chose Mandy. That was a good decision,” I reminded him.
A text came over my phone. Beth was ready to start the next batch of cookies, and if I didn’t get home quickly, she was going to make sugar cookies that I would be responsible for decorating alone.
I smiled as I let her know I was on my way back.
“Thanks for talking to me this morning, Josh. Did Mandy tell you about the document library?”
I shouldn’t have opened that discussion.
Five minutes later, I finally left the antique store to head home.
It was almost nine and Chris’s car was still on the street.
The mayor had told Greg to tow any car that still was left on the street, so instead of heading straight home, I went over to Chip’s Bar.
The front door was open, but I knocked and called out, “Chris? You need to move your car.”
I heard voices in the back. Then an upset Chris hurried out of the office and into the bar area. It looked like she’d been thrown through the open door. “Sorry, I’ll be out of here in just a minute. I’m taking stock of the liquor bottles to see if we can reopen next week.”
It was a great reason to be there, except Chris had already done an inventory last week. I was there. She brushed tears away from her face.
“You look upset. Maybe you should do this another day. You shouldn’t just push away the grief.” I tried to wave her toward me. Someone had to be in the back. In the room where I’d found the secret entrance on the blueprints that I’d left for Greg.
“I’m fine. I’ve got to get back to my normal life sometime, right? I’d invite you in for a drink but you can’t bring that dog inside.” A noise sounded behind her. “Look, just leave me alone. I’ll move my car in a minute.”
She disappeared into the back and I left the bar.
I didn’t pick up my phone. I was worried that whoever was in the bar with Chris might see me calling for help and do something stupid.
Instead, once I was out of the line of sight, I called out to Emma.
“Should we see if your Daddy’s back from Bakerstown yet? ”
If I was being watched, maybe this would give me a good excuse that wouldn’t get Chris shot.
I headed into the station, locking the door behind me. Then I sank into a chair near Esmeralda’s desk.
“Jill, what’s wrong?” She came around and sat next to me.
I looked up into my friend’s face. “I think Gunter is holding Chris hostage as he looks for Chip’s secret room.”
I sounded like a lunatic, but instead of continuing to question me, Esmeralda stood and called out to Toby as she picked up the phone. “I need you in here, now.”
It took Greg less than ten minutes to arrive, and by that time, Toby had assembled all the deputies in town. They were dressed in riot gear, which included helmets and bulletproof vests. Greg had told them to get ready but wait for him.
I’d called Beth and told her to stay in the house with the doors locked.
And that I’d be late getting back. There was no way I was walking home during this mess.
Not with a murder suspect in town. Greg had sent officers to block off the street and Esmeralda was calling every business in town letting them know it was a total shutdown.
Hopefully, this would be over before the Sunday holiday shoppers arrived. Darla had already tried to call me twice after she got the call from Esmeralda.
Greg rubbed Emma’s head and kissed me on the cheek when he came inside. “Show me the blueprints.”
As I did, he and Toby talked about the best access points. They were going to storm the bar. My heart sank as I heard them talking. “Greg? Is this the best answer? Can’t we wait for him to leave?”
He took me in his arms before getting in his protective gear. “I’m afraid we’d risk losing Chris if we wait. Have a little faith. Beth knows to stay inside?”
I nodded, holding up my phone. “I called her. And Darla would like to talk to you.”
He chuckled. “Figures. It’s always about the story, right?”
“That’s our Darla.” I touched his cheek. “Be careful, okay?”
“How do you know it’s Gunter? Did you see him?”
I shook my head. “Josh told me. Matty’s involved too. Some sort of insurance scam. I guess it’s not her first time, either.”
“I talked to Matty and she said she fell. When I asked how, and then pointed out the flaws in her story, she pretended to fall asleep. I heard from the guard that’s posted on her room that she tried to leave right after I left.
I had this covered. You didn’t need to get involved.
” He looked up as Toby came back into the room.
“We’re ready,” Toby said as he rubbed Emma’s head.
“We’ll talk later.” Greg stood and headed out the door with Toby. “Oh, and Jill?”
“Yes?”
“Can you and Emma hang around and keep Esmeralda company until we get back?” His eyes twinkled as he asked.
“I swear, I wasn’t investigating. I went to the shop to get Beth’s Christmas present so I could give it to her and then I talked to Josh.”
“And?” Greg paused at the door.
“And then I popped my head in to keep Chris’s car from being towed. I was being a good business council manager.”
“Keep telling yourself that. Oh, and don’t call Darla back, please.” He nodded toward the door, and they all headed out of the station and toward the bar.
Esmeralda came with a cup of coffee and a bowl of water for Emma. “And now we wait.”
I nodded, but inside I was freaking out. I wasn’t good at waiting.