A longer-than-expected trip to the grocery store and finally I was back on the road to South Cove. I'd had to trade my leisurely lunch at the new café for a drive-through bag. Munching on the fries as I steered my Jeep down the coastal highway, glimpsing the ocean at times, low mountains at others, I felt content. Everything would work out. Jackie and Josh would stop sniping, Greg would find Ted's killer, and the store would get so many donations for books, we'd be able to gift each child their own small library. Hope sprang eternal for about three minutes until I arrived back at the house to an unexpected visitor.
Jackie sat on my porch, tapping her Jimmy Choo heels when I arrived at the house. I waved as I climbed out of the Jeep, opening the back hatch and grabbing an armload of grocery sacks.
When I reached the porch, she took my keys from my hand and unlocked the door. As she power walked into the kitchen, she waved at the sacks. “Put those down and go get the rest. I'll start putting things away.”
“Thanks.” I set my purse down and hurried to grab the final few sacks. I'd bring in the soda later, not wanting my aunt to see how many twelve-packs I'd bought. The stuff had been on a crazy good sale, so I'd have drinks covered for weeks, maybe months.
By the time I'd brought the final load sans most of the soda into the kitchen, Jackie had everything else put away. She glanced into the remaining sack. “You should shop at a warehouse store. We could save a lot of money by buying in bulk and sharing the cost.”
I hadn't thought of that. I'd been tempted to get the store a membership, but my suppliers were all local and loyal and I didn't want to cut their deliveries. And just buying for me and the occasional Greg's dinner visit, didn't warrant a lot of groceries. I'd always seen warehouse stores as being more effective for people with big families. But maybe I could get Amy into the buying club, as well.
“That's a great idea.” I grabbed a soda out of the fridge and sat at the table. Jackie had already started a pot of coffee in between unloading sacks. The woman was an efficiency machine. “Come sit down. I want to tell you about visiting the center.”
My aunt sank into a chair and groaned while looking at the oversized clock on the wall. “I knew I was forgetting something. I never got to the printers.”
“Oh, I thought that was why you were here.” I took in my aunt's appearance. She wore her usual suit and heels, but the buttons on the jacket were off-kilter, and glancing at her face, I saw she'd put eye shadow on one side, but not the other. Not the typical polished Jackie look. “Are you okay? You look . . . off.”
She gave me a look that if I'd taken it seriously, would have frozen me in my chair. “I don't know what you mean.”
I dug in my purse. “Well, for one thing, your jacket is buttoned wrong.”
Jackie glanced down and straightened her buttons, letting out a short sigh as she did. “I'm perfectly fine. I just got dressed in a hurry this morning.”
I found my compact, a holdout so I could at least pretend I wore makeup most days. I flipped the small circle open and dusted off the mirror before I handed it to her. “Check your eyes.”
“They aren't red, are they?” Jackie glanced at one, then the other, and when she turned back toward me, I knew she hadn't even seen what was missing.
“Why would they be red? Have you been crying?”
Jackie shook her head quickly, a little too quickly in my opinion.
I nodded to the mirror. “Look again, you see something missing?”
She frowned but then checked a second time, horror filling her face. “Oh. My. God. And I've been out and about for hours like this. Why didn't someone tell me I'd forgotten an entire eye?” She pulled out a small makeup bag from her purse with a mini mascara, eyeliner, and shadow. She set out her lipstick, as well. “Might as well refresh everything.”
“Do you want to tell me what's going on?” I leaned back and watched her correct her glamour mistake from that morning.
She ignored me, focusing on the compact. “Are you telling me this is the only makeup you carry with you?”
“Heavens, no.” I grinned as my aunt's face filled with relief. “I also have a tube of cherry ChapStick at all times.”
She groaned as she finished up with her corrections. “I taught you better than that. No wonder Greg hasn't taken the next step and put a ring on that finger. You're not trying hard enough.”
I sipped my soda, feeling pleasure at the slight burn as the cola slipped down my throat. “No, you're wrong. I'm not trying at all. If Greg and I do take this to the next level, it's because he loves me, not some ideal version of me.”
Jackie tucked the makeup away into her case and handed me the compact. “Studies show that women who wear makeup are more confident than women who don't. It's not a matter of showing an unreal persona. It's showing your best version.”
“Can we just disagree and you can tell me what's bothering you?” I ignored the compact on the table.
She stood and poured herself a cup of coffee. Her head turned away, and she sighed. “That man. He left me a card.”
“Josh, you mean.” I didn't want to say I knew about the card and get a lecture about taking his side in this fight.
She didn't turn around, just stood at the counter after putting the pot back on the coffeemaker. “He says he loves me.”
I was stunned. I knew Josh had it bad for my aunt, but I'd never considered them a real couple. I didn't know what to say, so I went with the obvious. “Do you love him?”
She came back to the table and sipped her coffee before she answered. “The man is infuriating. I don't know how I feel, except I'm mad at him most of the time. If he's not insulting you or the shop, he's complaining about the town. Seriously, I have no idea why he even moved here, except his profits are three times higher here than in the city.”
“So you don't love him,” I prodded.
She didn't meet my eyes. “Honestly, Jill, I don't know.” She glanced at the clock again and stood, taking one last sip of coffee before dumping most of the contents down the drain. “I've got to run if I'm going to make it to the printers before they close. We'll talk Wednesday. I'm going to stay in the city tonight and relax.”
“Shopping?” I grinned. Usually “relax” was her code word for “I need a Michael Kors fix.” This time my aunt shook her head.
“I don't think so. The stores will be packed with holiday shoppers. There's a movie I want to see and I might walk through the museum. I'll be at the hotel if you need me.” She air-kissed me and reached down to pet Emma, who adored my aunt.
And then she was gone. I turned my attention back to my to-do list, crossing off the things I'd completed and adding things I'd forgotten. As I was putting the compact back into my purse, my hand brushed against the folded paper from Ted's picture frame.
I pulled it out and saw it was a bill from a company named Elite Investigations in the amount of two thousand dollars. The one-word descriptor for services made my heartbeat speed up:
retainer
. Ted had hired a private investigator.
When?
I wondered. I checked the date of the bill. Exactly three years ago, before he'd moved west. But the office listed on the top of the page was San Francisco. Elite Investigations was the same company that my law firm had on retainer for the less-than-clean research that needed to be done at times.
Definitely a clue. One that seemed to suggest that Ted had tracked his missing wife down to California before he'd left his comfortable surroundings in Boston for the sunny coast. But was it enough? I wondered who had worked his account. I grabbed my old day planner from my law career out of the desk drawer in my office. I paged through until I'd found the name, Rachel at Elite. I dialed the number. While the phone was ringing, I brought up my e-mail, looking to see if the alumni contact had responded. Nothing.
Rachel wasn't in so I left a long voice mail, hoping
she'd
actually talk to me, especially since the client was deceased. I'd give the note to Greg and let him pursue the lead if Rachel gave me the privilege spiel.
You should give the note to Greg anyway
, the angel on my shoulder nudged.
I wouldâI will
, I corrected myself. It might be a total dead end. Besides, I'd already let him know about my suspicions about Marie, it wasn't my fault this information had just fallen into my lap.
I could almost hear the sigh from my good side. I ignored it.
CHAPTER 10
B
y the time I'd turned down the sheets and crawled into bed with a book, I still hadn't heard from Rachel. The good news was I hadn't heard from Greg, either. I could go to sleep with a clear conscience, knowing I hadn't lied to him even by omission. Of course, I had stolen a piece of evidence from Ted's belongings, but apparently the police had already been in his office and had considered the box clear to hand off to family. Greg would thank me for allowing the paper to slip into my hand and then into my purse. The little bit of guilt I did feel didn't keep me from getting engrossed in the second book of the young adult series I'd started last week. I could get accustomed to the fast-paced and fun stories.
I woke early Tuesday, running with Emma on the beach before going in to the shop to open. This was my long day as I worked mine and Jackie's shifts, with Toby spelling me in the middle. I remembered halfway through my shower, Tina Baylor was coming over to discuss festival ideas with me. Oh joy. At ten that morning, I'd be stuck playing nice with the mayor's wife..
My first customers were the daily commuters who stopped by on their way into the city. Some even dropped off the highway on their way from Bakerstown to the city to make a special trip to my shop, even though they passed at least one chain coffee shop on their trip. I'd talked to Jackie about making up cards that gave a free dessert for every ten cups of coffee, but she told me we'd implement that after the first of the year when sales dropped off. Give the people trying to save money an incentive for stopping in to get their morning jolt.
The morning rush over, I was surprised when the bell chimed at about eight thirty. A tall man dressed in a suit entered the room and went straight for the young adult section. After perusing the shelves, he picked up the first book in the series I'd just started. He laid the book on the counter, and in a deep voice ordered two large coffees and a carrot cake muffin to go. I quickly poured the coffee, setting the cups into a carrier with a small bag containing the muffin. I slipped the book into a larger bag, tapping the bag with my hand.
“I read that last week. I loved the author's way with words.” I rang up the purchases and gave him a total. “I just started book two and I love that one just as much. I won't say more, I don't want to spoil the story for you.”
He smiled. “My brother gives me crap for reading kid stuff, but ever since I read the Harry Potter books, I've been hooked. I ran through all of the Percy Jackson books, but frankly I was a bit disappointed in the movie.” He sighed and gave me a credit card for the purchase.
“Until this week, I hadn't read any young adult since the Potter books. I've been lost in catching up with historical romance.” I ran his card, glancing down at the name. “David. There's just too many books and not enough time.”
He grinned as he filed his card into his wallet. “Ain't that the truth.”
As I watched him leave the shop, he held the door open for a woman entering. Tina. I groaned on the inside, wondering why some people could make you feel good about yourself with just a few words, and some could make you feel horrible with just a look. I pasted on a smile, wondering why she was so early.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I pointed to the menu board. “On the house, of course.”
“Spiced coffee would be lovely. We can pretend it's a chilly fall day out there at least. You should visit New England in the fall, Jill, it's quite lovely. I've told Marvin for years that we need to move somewhere with four seasons, but he won't even talk about retiring.” Tina glanced around the room, putting her large tote on a four-seater table. “I guess we can set up here.”
I set cups down on the table and turned back to the counter. “I'll get a notebook and a calendar. I like to take notes so I don't forget.”
“Great idea,” she mumbled, then picked up a call on her chiming phone. “Oh hey, honey. No, I didn't mean to sneak out . . .”
I left her talking to the obviously put-out Mr. Baylor, who had apparently expected a little marital comforting this morning. The image made me shudder. I guess there was someone for everyone. But the thought still made me cringe.
I took my time grabbing my notebook and paused at the door until I heard her say good-bye. Then I went back into the front.
“My, that took long enough,” she chided. “What were you doing? Making a personal call?”
I swallowed the first ten things that came to mind to say, nodding at her phone. “I wanted to give you some privacy for your personal call.” I tried extremely hard to keep the emphasis off the word
personal
. Then I added my best customers-suck smile and somehow, she bought my sarcasm as not.
“So, about our charity project.” Tina ignored my slanted apology.
I held my hand up to stop her. “We've already committed to the Bakerstown Children's Center. The lady who runs the place is overjoyed at the idea. I don't think we could do more than a token support for a South Coveâwide project.”
Tina's eyes narrowed. “I specifically told you that your store was expected to work with my project. Don't you listen at all? No wonder Greg hasn't married you.”
This time I didn't bite back my words. “Don't bring my personal life into our discussions. It's unprofessional and honestly, quite rude. If you want my help with South Cove's festival, you can keep a civil tongue.”
Tina's eyes widened at my outburst, and as her face started to harden, I'd realized my mistake. I'd made her the enemy. The only person who had more power over the council and the business community than the mayor was the person who kept him happy in the sack. And I'd just ticked her off.
Tina threw her papers back into her briefcase and stood, shaking the table hard enough that her coffee sloshed on the surface. “Well, I guess we're done here.”
I sighed, trying to take back my words. “Look, I didn't mean to be so bitchy. I'm just tired of people questioning my relationship with Greg. It's no one's business besides ours.”
Tina's face stayed as smooth as marble. “Understandable. However, I've just realized I have another pressing engagement.”
I blocked her as she stepped toward the door. “I'd love to hear about your festival plans.”
Tina sniffed, then stepped around me. “Some other time maybe.”
As she walked out the door, I knew the day wasn't going to be pleasant. Maybe she'd force Mayor Baylor to kick me out of my liaison position. Wait, that could be a good thing. I cleaned off the table and went back to my list of must dos for the morning. I'd just finished the first page of reminders when the door chimed again. This time, two women wearing dresses so tight you could see the Spanx underneath clicked their way into the store. The height of their hair rivaled the heels on their stilettos. The blonde was focused on her phone, her thumbs texting away. The other rushed to the counter. “Two skinny, no-fat lattes to go.”
“What size?” The blonde kept glancing around the shop, then texting something. If she'd been a teenager, I would have wondered if the place was being scouted for a late-night break-in. But there was no way these women were anything but trophy wives. They probably didn't have a minute to spare what with running to the gym for Pilates and their spa treatments.
The brunette rolled her eyes. “Large, I said that.”
Again I had to bite back the words. What was wrong with me? I mused as I prepared the Kardashian wannabes' drinks. I slipped sleeves on the cups, then started ringing up the purchase. “Anything else? We have a special on pumpkin pie with real whipped cream this week.”
The brunette handed me her credit card, shaking her head. “The coffee will be fine, thanks.” But her gaze did drift over to the display case, and I thought I saw a flicker of desire for the treats.
I swiped the card. “Remember, the women on the
Titanic
who skipped dessert were sorry later.”
She glared at me as she signed the receipt, crossing out the tip line. “That's a rumor.” She walked over to the other woman and shoved a cup in her hand. “Here, are you done yet?”
The blonde nodded, watching me closely.
The morning was turning into a
Twilight Zone
episode. I watched the two walk out of the door, turn left, and all of a sudden the blonde fell out of sight. I ran to the door and, throwing it open, saw her sprawled on the brick sidewalk cradling her ankle.
“Sherry, are you okay?” the brunette cried out.
The blonde, Sherry, held out her shoe, the heel broken off. “Not hardly. My Christian Louboutins are ruined.”
“Oh dear.” The woman helped Sherry up off the ground, dusting off her dress. “At least your Vera looks untorn.”
Sherry focused her blue-eyed glare at me, slipping off the other shoe. “I expect you to replace these.”
“Excuse me?” Now I knew I must be dreaming. No morning could actually go this bad.
Sherry shook the shoe at me. “You heard me, these were two hundred dollars on sale and your lack of maintenance on this sidewalk ruined my shoes. I should sue you for pain and suffering, too, but I'm not a total bitch.”
My anger bubbled inside. “Look, I'm sorry you tripped. And I'll give you a new coffee, free of charge. But I am not responsible for the sidewalk maintenance. If you have issues with that, please report them to City Hall.”
“Don't think I won't.” Sherry stepped closer, pointing her finger at me. “I can't even imagine what he sees in you.”
“Sherry,” the other woman hissed. “Let's get out of here.” Sherry shot me a die-bitch-die look and started to follow her friend down the street.
“If you need directions to City Hall, I'll be glad to tell you where to go,” I said.
At this she turned and smiled. A really mean-looking smile. “Believe me, honey, I know exactly where City Hall is.”
And then she turned and whispered something to her friend, who laughed as she snuck a glance at me over her shoulder.
Weirder and weirder.
By the time Toby had arrived, I'd scrubbed clean the spilled latte off the sidewalk, and emptied and cleaned the display case and the entire back counter area. I'd just started taking the books off the shelf to dust and restock when he sauntered in. He stopped at the sight of me with a pile of books in my arms heading to a table.
“Did I miss the fall cleaning memo?” He walked over and started reshelving the books out of my arms.
“It's been that kind of morning, and staying busy helps me not kill someone.” I sighed as he took the last book out of my hand, and sank into one of the large reading chairs. “I'm so glad you're here. I need a run. Or a drink.”
“Don't you run before work?” Toby leaned on the table watching me, concern filling his eyes.
“I do, and I did. I just need a second one.”
His eyes widened. “Man, it must have been some day.”
I told him about my slip with Tina, then went on to tell him about the falling Sherry who wanted me to buy her shoes. He frowned when I mentioned she knew the way to City Hall. “Blonde, lots of makeup, tight clothes, probably early thirties? Was her friend's name Pat?”
I thought about the credit card, had it said Pat? I nodded. “Don't tell me these are a couple of your old girlfriends.”
Toby laughed. “Nope, not mine, but I think that Sherry might be Greg's ex-wife. Haven't you met her yet?”
My stomach rolled. “No.” I stared at Toby. “Seriously? Could that have been her?”
As if in answer to my question, my cell rang. Amy.
“Hey, lunch?” I asked, wondering what was going on that she wanted to meet on Tuesday rather than our normal Wednesday.
“You need to get down here. Mayor Baylor is steaming.” Amy's voice was quiet.
I sighed. “Look, I didn't mean to upset Tina. I'll smooth things over tomorrow. Right now I need some alone time before I have to be back here for the late shift.”
“No. Now. It's not just Tina. Greg's ex is here, throwing a pitch fit and saying you sent her to have the mayor buy her new shoes.”
Toby raised his eyebrows in a “told ya so” manner since he could hear Amy talking over the speaker.
“You sure she's Greg's ex?” My shoulders sagged. No way would I get out of an apology for this one, even though the woman had been totally in the wrong.
“The mayor called him in to the office to calm her down. Now she and Tina are making plans to burn you at a bonfire for the witch you are. And then throw a party.” Amy paused. “Are you coming or not? I don't want to be the only one defending you in the room.”
“I'm coming. Wait, Greg's not defending me?” I stood, pausing and waiting for an answer.
“He's playing good cop, trying to get the women to calm down. He's not on their side. At least not totally,” Amy said. “Crap, the voices just got louder. Get down here.”
The phone went dead and I slipped it into my pocket. “I'm heading to City Hall,” I repeated, even though Toby had heard the entire conversation. “If I'm not back here by five to relieve you, they've either arrested me or killed me. So just lock up when you leave.”
“Drama queen.” Toby put his arm around me as we walked back to the counter so I could collect my purse. “Greg won't let them shoot you.”
“At least one of my worries is without merit then.” I smiled. “I am so looking forward to this day being over.”
By the time I reached City Hall, the lobby area was quiet. Amy sat at her desk working on her computer.