Chapter 18
Noelle rapped firmly on Cheyenne Clifton’s apartment door. “Special delivery.” She could hear muffled voices echoing from within.
The door opened a crack. Cheyenne appeared. “What do you want?” she asked rudely.
Noelle tightened her grip on the tin of pricey flowers. “I have a delivery for Cheyenne Clifton.”
“Flowers?” Her tone softened.
“Venus et Fleur, also known as forever flowers. They’re sourced from farms known for their extraordinary horticultural standards.”
“I like the word extraordinary,” Cheyenne smugly replied.
“It’s because of the preservation process. They should last at least a year.”
“Guaranteed?”
Noelle resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Correct. The company guarantees their beauty for a year.” She tapped the top of the instruction sheet tucked in behind the signature card.
Cheyenne snatched the container from Noelle’s hands. “I’ll be checking them to make sure none are damaged.”
“As I said…”
The door slammed in Noelle’s face. “What a witch,” she muttered under her breath.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the curtain move and glimpsed a man resembling Robert Barbetz.
Noelle stomped down the sidewalk, all the while hoping Cheyenne was allergic to the chemical in the flower’s preservatives and that she broke out into an itchy, scaly rash. Moving at a brisk pace, she reached the coffee shop in record time.
Peyton was already inside, watching for her friend. She sprang from her chair, flagging her down.
Noelle marched over, still aggravated by the woman’s rude behavior.
“I would ask if you delivered the flowers to our annoying islander, but I can tell by the look on your face you have,” Peyton joked.
“That woman is obnoxious,” Noelle huffed. “She grabbed the flowers right out of my hands. Had she not slammed the door in my face, I could’ve conked her over the head with the metal container.”
Her friend laughed out loud. “Now, this is a sight I would’ve paid to see. Was Robert around?”
“I noticed a guy peeking out from behind a curtain.”
Peyton slid a cup toward her. “I went ahead and ordered a chai tea for you. I hope it’s okay.”
“I love chai tea.” Noelle sipped the savory concoction. “I feel calmer already. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Peyton reached into her jacket pocket and removed a pair of travel binoculars. “This is the perfect spot to monitor the situation.”
“You can see Cheyenne’s place?”
“Clear as a bell. I watched the delivery, but because your back was to me, I missed the part where she grabbed the flowers, although I did see her slam the door.”
“Right in my face,” Noelle said. “I’ve never met Harlow’s ex, but I almost feel sorry for him.”
“Sounds like a match made in heaven to me.” Peyton held the binoculars to her eyes and adjusted the dial. “These little gems work like a charm. I can see movement behind the curtains.”
“Seriously?” Her friend craned her neck.
“For sure, two people are moving around inside her place.” Peyton handed her the binoculars. “Check it out.”
Noelle set her drink off to the side. “We couldn’t have picked a more perfect spot. We have an unobstructed view of her place.”
“Can I help you find something?”
Peyton jerked back, startled by the booming voice. She spun around and found the coffee shop owner / manager peering down at them. “No. We’re all set.”
“What are you doing?”
“Covert surveillance,” Noelle said. “Why do you ask?”
“Noelle Snyder,” he chided, gazing out the window. “Are you spying on Cheyenne Clifton?”
“Maybe. Is there a law against it?”
“No, but one…namely me…does wonder why you and Peyton, two upstanding island business owners, are spying on someone.”
“It’s for a friend,” Peyton answered evasively. “As a favor.”
Noelle turned, giving the man her full attention. “Are you going to rat us out?”
He tipped his head back and burst out laughing. “If it was anyone other than the ‘high-and-mighty’ Cheyenne, I might.”
“Good.” Peyton could feel herself relax. “We shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Take your time.” He offered them a free refill of their beverages to which they gratefully accepted.
Noelle waited for him to walk away. “You have to wonder if there’s anyone on this island who likes Cheyenne.”
“Robert and her parents?” Peyton joked. “She’s not a very nice person.”
“Nope.”
The women grew quiet, sipping their drinks and keeping a close eye on the apartment. The minutes slowly ticked past…fifteen…twenty…half an hour and then an hour.
At the two-hour mark, Noelle started fidgeting. “Nothing is happening. For all we know, they might not leave.”
“True.”
Taking turns for bathroom breaks, the duo resumed their surveillance mission, checking in with the other Mackies and sending a group text that so far all was quiet.
Two hours and twenty plus minutes in, at half past eight, Cheyenne’s front door opened.
“Grab your phone,” Peyton excitedly said. “I see activity.”
Noelle plucked her cell phone from the table, her hand trembling as she turned the recording app on and aimed it toward the apartment.
Cheyenne emerged first, wearing a ski jacket, black leggings, and knee-high black boots with a hot pink scarf draped around her neck. She turned back, smiling at someone still out of view.
“Are you getting this?” Peyton whispered.
“Yep. Every single move.”
Cheyenne lingered in the doorway, still smiling.
Within seconds, a man emerged.
Noelle zoomed in, getting a closeup of the guy who stepped out. He pulled the door shut behind him before slipping his arm around Cheyenne’s shoulders. Moving at a leisurely pace, the couple meandered down the sidewalk.
Reaching the stop sign, they turned left and began strolling along the back alley toward the main street, where the bars and restaurants were located.
“They’re gone.” Noelle tapped the screen and ended the recording. “It’s time to send an update.”
“And get phase two of this surveillance operation underway.” Peyton pulled up the Mackies’ group list. “I can do it.” She tapped out a text. Cheyenne and Robert are heading downtown.
Going where? Abby promptly replied.
We couldn’t see. There are only a few bars and restaurants open at this hour. It shouldn’t be too hard to figure it out.
We’re on it, Meg replied. We’ll keep you posted.
“We’ve done our part.” Peyton lifted her hand, giving her friend a high five. “It’s up to Meg and Abby now to keep tabs on what Robert and Cheyenne are up to.”