by Raven Snow
“Thanks,” said Rowen, choosing to take that as a compliment. She was fairly certain he had meant it as one. “I didn’t know you owned a cabin.”
“Not many people do,” said Jeff with a shrug. “Not many people just waltz on in here uninvited either.”
“We’re very sorry,” said Eric. “Rowen just got so caught up following the energy that was pulling her here.” It seemed like Eric was trying to appeal to Jeff’s child of nature disposition. That was a solid tactic.
Jeff nodded, though it was hard to tell whether he considered that a worthwhile excuse or not. “Yeah, well, this is one of two places where I hang my hat. You can’t be the life of the party every night. Sometimes I gotta come here and recharge. Sometimes I might invite a woman or two back, but usually it’s just me. Can I ask why you followed a ghost all the way out here?”
Rowen looked back at the stairs. She wasn’t sure how much she wanted to tell Jeff. “It was just… a hunch.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. She pulled up the same picture of the mayor that she had shown to Roland. “Have you seen this guy around?” she asked, taking a few steps forward and showing the picture to Jeff.
Jeff didn’t react quite like Roland had reacted. It was difficult to tell if he knew the mayor just by looking at him or not. He narrowed his eyes at the picture, taking it in, considering. Finally, he took a deep breath. “I’m not sure I should say anything.”
Rowen perked up. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“It’s the mayor, right?” Jeff nodded to the picture. “You don’t speak poorly of a guy like that and get away with it, do you? Besides, I don’t like ratting out people who are here as a general rule, but…” Jeff trailed off. He sighed.
“Tell us,” Rowen urged. “Does it have anything to do with Andrea?”
“Maybe.” Jeff looked up from the picture. His expression was firm, stony. He looked from Rowen to Eric. “You can’t tell anyone it was me who said this.”
Rowen nodded. She wasn’t sure she would actually stick to that promise. Depending on what he said next, she might have to tell the story to the police in order for anyone to come to justice.
“Vernon comes here sometimes,” Jeff admitted. “He comes here to… you know, to party.”
“And he doesn’t get noticed?” asked Eric, sounding skeptical.
“He stays here,” said Jeff, indicating the cabin they stood in. “I’ll bring him drugs or booze or women or whatever. He stays here and has a good time.”
“And he pays you for that,” Rowen guessed.
Jeff shrugged. “He’s just paying for the use of my cabin and the mood-altering stuff. The women are all willing.”
The sound of it still made Rowen feel uneasy, like just standing in this place was covering her in a layer of filth no shower would easily wash off. “And was Andrea Halifax one of those willing women?” asked Rowen.
Jeff frowned. “Can I see her picture again?”
Rowen pulled it up and showed him the phone. She noted the way he stared at her without saying anything. His frown deepened.
“Maybe,” said Jeff. He shook his head. “I didn’t want to say anything when you first questioned me about it. I was sure he couldn’t have done that. He just doesn’t have murder in him, you know? He’s the kind of guy to have other people do his dirty work. I mean, he even sent that receptionist of his back for his coat! He’s not the kind of guy to hide his own crimes.”
“Any idea who might have helped him?” Rowen asked immediately, trying to keep the anger from her voice. Jeff really should have told the police about this well before now. She could see why he hadn’t, but that only lowered her opinion of him substantially.
Jeff shook his head. “It couldn’t have been him. It couldn’t have happened here.” Jeff crossed his arms, making his large and lanky frame smaller like he suddenly felt uncomfortable in his own home. “I would have noticed… Wouldn’t I?”
“Not necessarily.” Rowen had a feeling that was all she was going to get out of Jeff. “We should go,” she said, her thoughts turning to the mayor. She needed to confront him next.
“You’re not going to the cops, are you?” asked Jeff.
“No,” Rowen lied. “I want to look into this some more. See you later, okay? Sorry for just barging into your cabin like this.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Jeff watched them go. Rowen could feel his eyes on her back as she walked out into the woods once more.
“I should stay here,” said Eric, once they were well away from the cabin. Jeff wouldn’t be able to hear them talk from here.
“What?” Rowen turned on her husband, certain she hadn’t heard him quite right. “Absolutely not! Why would you do that?”
“Come on, Rowen.” Eric motioned back to the cabin. “Did you see him in there? How suspicious was that? He’s going to try something. We both know it. Someone needs to have eyes on him.”
Rowen didn’t like that. She didn’t like it one bit. With all that had happened with the men of the Greensmith family this past week, the last thing she wanted to do was leave her husband behind somewhere potentially dangerous. More than potentially even. This place had claimed the life of her stepfather already, after all. “I’ll stay.”
“No way,” Eric said immediately. “If Jeff did try something, it’s not like you could restrain him. No offense, but he’s a big guy.”
“Well, then no one stays. It’s too dangerous.”
“I’m staying. Go on. You want to solve this thing, don’t you?”
“Not if it means something bad happening to you.” Rowen wasn’t sure why she had to explain her reasons for not wanting Eric to stay. Surely, he knew already. “Natalie can keep watch for us.”
“Is Natalie even around?” asked Eric, which was a valid question. Rowen hadn’t felt her presence since she had warned them that they were no longer alone in the cabin. “Go on. The quicker you go, the faster you can get back. I just want to keep an eye on him, see what he does.”
“Fine.” She wasn’t getting anywhere arguing like this. Rowen thought back to what Jasper had told her. There wasn’t a curse, not anymore. It was all in their heads. It was all a coincidence. “Be careful,” she urged. “Don’t get caught.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Eric said with one of those charming smirks of his. “I’ve always been way sneakier than you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Calling Ben felt premature. He would, undoubtedly, feel obligated to give his men a call. There wouldn’t be a chance for her to sort all of this out after that. Rowen might lose her chance to solve this thing altogether. The idea was one Rowen couldn’t tolerate. Then again, the thought of something bad happening to Eric while he was out there all alone was even worse.
In the end, Rowen decided not to call Ben just yet. Eric didn’t know they were coming. He trusted her to sort out what needed to come next on her own. Rowen wasn’t going to be foolhardy about this, though. She gave Margo a call. “I think I might know what happened to Andrea and Rory,” she told her as soon as she answered.
“What? How? What happened?” Margo asked all of this in one breath. She was over caffeinated again.
Rowen launched into an explanation. She didn’t explain her theory quite as fast as Margo might have liked, but her cousin still hung on to every detail. “So, do you think you can back me up here?”
“Can do,” said Margo. Her being caffeinated was really a double-edged sword. She was a lot more hardworking and helpful like this. At the same time, it was difficult to tell if she was going to be much help with a task so involved as this.
“Thanks,” said Rowen, hoping for the best. “I appreciate it.” She hung up and got out of the car. She was at city hall. She wished Eric was here, and not just because she preferred doing her crime solving with him around. It felt a lot safer here. No one was going to murder her and chop her body up into pieces for easier disposal in the middle of city hall.
Rowen took a deep breath a
s she walked across the parking lot. Her chest was tight with anxiety. She couldn’t tell if it was for Eric or because of what she was about to do. It was probably a little bit of both. She entered the building and went to the elevator. She was waiting for it to arrive at the ground floor when someone called her name.
Rowen turned to find Emily standing there, holding a briefcase, a bunch of folders tucked under the opposite arm. “Are you here for another interview?” There was a smile on her face, but an eyebrow was raised like she was surprised to see Rowen.
Rowen supposed her presence was a bit of a surprise. “I just needed to speak with your husband really quick. It’s not a big deal or anything.”
“You could have called him,” Emily pointed out.
“I couldn’t get through,” Rowen lied, rather lamely. “I was in the area anyway, so I figured I would just swing by and see if he was in.”
“I see.” Emily still had an eyebrow raised. “Well, he isn’t in, actually. You should still be able to reach him on his phone, but if that isn’t working… Is it something you could ask me? Maybe I could answer or pass your question on to him if it’s something you would rather not leave with his receptionist?”
The elevator doors opened and a couple men in suits filed out. They frowned at Rowen as they skirted around her. Rowen looked at the open doors, considering them. Maybe talking with Emily was the best option here. “Okay,” she said with a nod.
“Great. There’s an office I use sometimes while I’m here. We can talk there.” Emily led Rowen down a series of hallways. There was a room tucked away in the back of the building. It was largely empty. There was a desk there and some filing cabinets but no personal touches. Emily laid her things on the desk.
“I don’t spend much time here,” she explained. She was already unpacking a laptop, settling in to get some work done. “What did you come here to talk about?”
Rowen wasn’t quite sure where to start. She played several sentences in her head, trying to get a feel for what was appropriate to say. It wasn’t easy.
“Do you want to take a seat?” Emily offered. She pointed to one of the chairs in front of the desk. She took a seat on the corner of the desk herself.
Rowen took her up on that. “I’m sure you know your husband sleeps with other women.” Why beat around the bush?
The smile on Emily’s face faltered. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to imply with that.”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m stating a fact. This isn’t going in the paper or anything. You’re aware that your husband sleeps with other women. You have an open relationship.”
Emily didn’t respond for a while there. The frown remained on her face. Rowen was nervous she had offended her, but she finally spoke.
“The relationship I have with my husband works for both of us. I don’t see what concern that is of yours.”
“I think…” Rowen hesitated then showed her hand. “I think he might have been sleeping with Andrea Halifax the night she and my stepfather were killed.”
“What?” Emily slid from the desk. She stood there, looking down at Rowen with an incredulous expression. “Why would you think that? What proof do you have?”
“He was at Jeff’s cabin the night it all happened. He slept with Andrea. I’m not sure what happened after that, but obviously she ended up dead. I think maybe Jeff helped him hide the body. Jeff is trying to pin it all on your husband, but… I think it was probably a joint effort.”
Emily walked to one corner of the room and back to the desk. She began to pace. “I thought he was acting oddly,” she said, mostly to herself.
“God, what a mess.” She glanced to Rowen and, as if remembering herself added, “That poor girl.”
“Can you account for where he was that night?” If Rowen could get Emily’s help in corroborating the story, she wanted it.
Emily shook her head. “Does anyone else know? Have you gone to the cops?”
“I’ve got eyes on Jeff making sure he doesn’t run. I haven’t gone to the police yet. I wanted to see if I could get a bit more proof.”
“That’s a good idea… I should- we should talk this through. We should figure out how to come forward to the police.”
“All right,” said Rowen. She was willing to play along if Emily was willing to turn against her husband. Obviously, Emily just wanted to come out ahead in all this. That was a price Rowen was willing to pay, though. Emily was the much lesser of two evils, after all.
“I need some coffee,” Emily announced as she paced. “Do you want some coffee? Water? Whatever?”
“Coffee sounds good,” said Rowen.
Emily nodded and left the room, leaving Rowen alone with her thoughts. She pictured Eric waiting in the woods, alone. It sounded like Emily was settling in for a long conversation about what their next step would be. Rowen wasn’t sure she had that kind of time to spare.
***
Emily returned, juggling two foam cups in one hand while she opened the door. She offered one of the cups to Rowen. “I didn’t think to ask what you liked in your coffee, so I just left it black.”
Rowen nodded. “That’s fine, thanks.” She placed the coffee on the desk. Emily sat down in the chair across from her, putting her own coffee down. Rowen watched as she took a long, deep breath.
“Are you absolutely certain it was my husband who did this?” asked Emily.
“It fits,” said Rowen. She couldn’t be certain of much, but she didn’t feel like she was in the wrong here. “Jeff puts him there the night all this happened. Then you’ve got his receptionist retrieving his coat.”
“His coat?” Emily raised her eyebrows. She shook her head. “What an idiot.” She paused for a moment then. “Why would he kill your stepfather, though.”
“I think Rory caught him disposing of the body.”
Emily frowned. “I just can’t believe he would do something like that.” She took a sip of her coffee. Her eyes settled on the cup in front of Rowen. “I can get you a couple of sugars or some creamer, if you want.”
“No, I’m fine.” Rowen was just waiting for her coffee to cool a bit. Though, now that she noticed the way Emily’s eyes were lingering on the cup, she was beginning to wonder. What if she had made a miscalculation here? What if Emily wasn’t willing to go forward to the cops? What if she decided she would rather just make the problem that was Rowen go away. “You know, none of this really reflects poorly on you. Lots of men live double lives without the wives being any the wiser.”
“That’s thoughtful of you to say, but I’d be a laughing stock.” Emily took another sip of her coffee.
The way she had said that troubled Rowen. She “would be.” It was like going forward to the police wasn’t actually an option. It was just an idea that she had already rejected.
“I should get going,” she said, leaving her coffee untouched. Maybe she should go directly to the police after all. She didn’t feel as safe in city hall as she had imagined she would. “Give me a call if you think of anything that might help. You have my number.”
“I’d really like to sit down and discuss this some more,” said Emily, reaching across the desk and placing her hand atop Rowen’s.
“Our next step is important here. Maybe not for you, but it could make or break my whole career.”
“Two people got murdered,” Rowen reminded her. “It’s more important that we find a way to take care of this quickly, before anyone else gets hurt. I’m sorry.” She stood and turned, heading for the office door. She opened it only to find herself face to face with Vernon. With a yelp, she took an instinctive step back.
Vernon looked pale. “I didn’t hurt anyone,” he said immediately.
“Okay,” Rowen said, slowly, regaining her composure. “We can talk about this.”
“Sit back down then,” said Emily. “Let’s all talk about this like rational people.”
It was hard not to feel like an idiot, getting cornered like this. Still, Rowen hadn’t expec
ted they would try and intimidate her in city hall. Surely, this wouldn’t go any further. She would be able to get away. “I really need to go.” She tried to push past Vernon, but he continued to block her way.
“We have to talk about this,” he said.
“All right, walk me out to my car then. We’ll talk about it while we go.” Rowen tried yet again to shoulder past him. He didn’t allow it. He shoved her back, harder this time.
Rowen lost her footing and tumbled to the ground. She landed hard and looked up just in time to see Emily drop down atop her chest. Her hands pressed against Rowen’s throat, cutting off her air. Rowen reached up, clawing for Emily’s face. She didn’t get the chance to even try and push her off. Emily barked her husband’s name and, just like that, he was holding her arms.
Rowen’s vision grew fuzzy around the edges. She struggled to breathe, but try as she might she couldn’t get any air whatsoever. She struggled, kicked, tried to wave her arms. That just made things worse. All fight was leaving her. She didn’t have the energy to make a sustained effort for freedom. Rowen’s last thought as the curtains went down was that she really should have seen this coming.
Chapter Sixteen
Rowen didn’t wake up all at once. It was a gradual process. Spots danced in front of her eyes. She was aware of being very uncomfortable and of people talking around her. Rowen was still unclear on what exactly was happening even when she had opened her eyes and taken a look around. This wasn’t her home or either of the places she worked. Where had she fallen asleep?
A muffled voice made Rowen turn her head. She immediately recognized Eric. Next came registering the position he was in. Her husband had a gag around his mouth and his hands and feet tied to a wooden chair. His eyes were on her, wide with concern.
“What in the world?” Rowen began, but it only came out equally muffled. She too was gagged, she realized. Her arms and legs were bound tightly to a chair all her own. But why? It all came rushing back to her as she took in her surroundings.