“Unless somebody else somehow managed to get their hands on your pliers. But we know for sure from your security camera footage that nobody entered the store after you left,” Zach said.
“If the killer was not in your class, he or she would have to have stolen the pliers from someone who was in the class,” Josh said.
“I suppose that’s another possible scenario,” Connie said.
“There were about two hours between the end of class and the time of Allister’s death,” Zach said. “It’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible.”
“So, you had some evidence you wanted me to take a look at?” Connie asked.
“Yes,” Josh said, placing a plastic bag containing six orange beads on the table in front of Connie. “We found these six beads in the sand next to Allister’s body. Do you recognize them?”
Connie examined them closely to be sure, but she immediately knew where they came from. “These are the beads we used in class. But you should know that Paige, Abby, and Isabel were the only three who elected to make orange necklaces. The other three, besides Emma who was making a bracelet, made the same necklace but with turquoise beads.”
“What color beads was Allister working with?”
“Turquoise.”
“So, these beads had to have come from Paige, Abby, or Isabel?” Josh asked, apparently wanting to be certain he understood correctly.
“That’s correct.”
And since Paige’s alibi was verified, that meant that the killer had to be Abby or Isabel.
Connie felt a surge of excitement knowing they were closing in on the killer.
“Thank you, Connie. That helps a lot,” Josh said.
After they both stood up to leave, Josh caught Zach’s attention and gestured toward Connie.
Zach hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded.
“I’ll meet you outside. I think you two have something to talk to about,” Josh said, leaving Connie and Zach alone together in the store.
Chapter 18
A couple of times, Zach opened his mouth to say something, but before anything coherent came out, he closed it again.
After all the mixed signals he had been sending over the past couple of months, it was really up to Zach to start the conversation, but since the guy looked like he was in agony, Connie took pity and did what she could to help him along.
Connie motioned for Zach to take a seat on an armchair, and she sat on the couch facing him. It was better than standing awkwardly in the middle of the store.
“Whatever it is you want to say, it’s okay,” Connie said. “I enjoyed our date in March, but it’s okay with me if you only want to be friends.” Since they shared a few close mutual friends in Sapphire Beach, Connie didn’t want either of them to be uncomfortable when they were all together.
Zach’s expression was a cross between frustration and concern.
“No, Connie, please don’t think that. I very much enjoyed our date, too. I truly respect you, and I’m so glad you came into my life.”
Connie gave him a confused look, and Zach shifted in his seat.
“I’m not saying this right,” he said. “What I mean is I do want to take you out again. But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.”
Connie wondered if it was because she had ended up in the middle of his last three murder investigations. Was it becoming too difficult to separate his work life from his personal life? “Why wouldn’t it be a good idea?” she asked.
Finally, Zach seemed to regain his confidence and looked squarely at Connie. “I was offered a job at a department back home, and I’m considering taking it. I really do want to take you out again, but I’m afraid it would be too difficult to continue seeing each other when my future is so uncertain.”
Now it was Connie’s turn to become tongue-tied. She couldn’t decide if that was good news or bad news. On one hand, she was glad that Zach’s feelings for her hadn’t changed, but on the other hand, there was a real possibility that he may walk out of her life forever.
“I love it here in Sapphire Beach,” he continued, “but my brother’s kids are growing up fast. I got a call from a sergeant in the police department in the town where my brother lives, which is just outside of Chicago. It’s the same town we grew up in, and my parents are still there, as well. It’s a good offer, and I’d be crazy not to consider it.” He paused and then added, “But just for the record, if I do take it, one of my biggest regrets would be that you and I never got a chance.”
Connie managed a half smile. “It seems like the odds are stacked against us. When we met, I was planning to return to Boston, and now that I am settled in Sapphire Beach, you may be leaving.”
He nodded and stared at the floor for a moment.
“But you have to do what will make you happiest, Zach,” Connie said. “It would be pretty amazing to be a detective in your hometown, if that’s where you want to be. I understand your dilemma and promise to keep your decision in prayer.”
“Thank you for not making this harder than it needs to be,” he said, embracing her gently as she stood to walk him to the door. “I will let you know as soon as I make a decision. I haven’t been able to concentrate on much else since receiving the job offer, and I have a feeling that won’t change until I figure this out.”
After Zach left, Connie decided she needed to get out and clear her head. Since she couldn’t go far, she took Ginger for a brief walk, staying within sight of Just Jewelry. When she returned, she continued working on her necklace. But she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering.
Connie told herself that, since all she could do was wait for Zach to make his decision, it was pointless to dwell on it. What would be, would be, right? But still, it was hard to put it out of her mind. Of course, Connie hoped Zach wouldn’t take the job in Illinois, but she also knew how hard it was to leave family behind, especially the little ones. If Zach wasn’t completely sure he wanted to remain in Sapphire Beach, she’d rather know now than down the line, when she might be more invested in their relationship.
Connie thought back on their brief time together. Her gaze drifted toward a painting hanging on the driftwood accent wall of a parasailer floating above the Gulf of Mexico that he had offered her as a gift when he thought she was returning to Boston permanently. Zach had wanted to give her something that would remind her of Sapphire Beach, and she had been so touched by his gesture that she gave the beautiful painting a prime spot in her store.
They only had one date, and it had certainly been one for the books, but, as she thought about it, she realized that Zach had been present at every significant moment of her life in Sapphire Beach. He was there when she announced to her friends that she would open Just Jewelry and relocate to Sapphire Beach. He sent her postcards while she was back in Boston for six weeks transitioning out of her job and wrapping up her affairs in Boston. And then there was that unforgettable parasailing date, after which they had both expressed a desire to see one another again. And how could she forget his support and presence at the grand opening of her store? He was even on her Wall of Fame. So much life had been packed into the last five months that she felt like she had known Zach forever.
Connie let out a frustrated sigh. It wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be to put the whole thing out of her mind. So, she tried a different tactic and focused her attention on the orange beads that were found in the sand next to Allister’s body.
There was no way those beads could have been at the crime scene unless they were brought there by Paige, Abby, or Isabel. And Paige had an alibi, so Connie was down to two suspects. For the first time in nearly two weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope that the crime might soon be solved. She couldn’t interfere with the investigation by confronting Abby and Isabel, but, with a little luck, the police would find their answers and soon make an arrest.
Customers trickled in and out of the store throughout the day, mostly buying less expensive items, such as a pair of earrings or an inexpensive bracelet.
“It looks like it’s about to downpour,” Connie said, after greeting the women, whose cheeks were pink from a day in the sun. Gray clouds were slowly beginning to make their presence felt.
“I think you’re right, but we saw your display window on our way to the beach earlier, and we just had to come in,” one of the women said. “I’m Joyce, and this is Alice.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Connie.”
Joyce picked up multi-strand necklace made of mixed-sized red coral beads that Connie had finished a few weeks before. “You have some beautiful pieces.”
“Thank you,” Connie said. “I recently finished that piece. The beads are Mediterranean coral.” It had taken Connie more than forty hours of tedious work to create it. She had hesitated to purchase the expensive beads but had fallen in love with them. The price of the necklace reflected both the premium cost of the beads and her many hours of disciplined work. The profit from that piece alone could pay Grace’s salary for a month.
Connie called to their attention the matching earrings and bracelet, which she had displayed next to the necklace.
“Oooh, these are exquisite,” Alice said. “Do you know who would love these?”
Both women said in unison, “Diane.”
Joyce explained to Connie that Diane was a mutual friend who was feeling down, because her youngest daughter would be going off to college in California next month. It was their friend’s birthday the following weekend, and the three women had dinner plans on Friday to celebrate.
“These would be just the gift to cheer her up,” Alice said, holding the matching bracelet and earrings next to the necklace. “How about if we split the cost and give it to her as a birthday gift?”
Joyce happily agreed, and Connie rang up the matching pieces, splitting the payment equally between each woman’s credit card. It was the largest sale Connie had made in the three months she had been in business.
When Joyce and Alice left, Connie felt as though she was walking on air. She had needed something positive to happen after the Florida Sands group dropped out of her class and receiving Zach’s news.
With newfound motivation, Connie designed a poster that she had been meaning to make to let customers know that she offered custom jewelry for bridal parties. She tweaked the text and the images until she was satisfied, then printed the 8 ½ by 11-inch flyer, mounted it in a gold frame, and strategically placed it on the checkout counter.
She glanced at her phone to check the time. The evening was still young, so, with new energy, she decided to complete the necklace she had been working on.
But first it would be a good time to call her parents.
Chapter 19
Connie made it a point to call her parents at least once a week, and this time of day they were most likely unwinding before dinner. Connie’s father, Greg, was an accountant who ran his own firm, and her mother, Josephine, along with Gianna, owned a home staging company together.
Right after the first ring, her mother’s soothing voice melted away the fifteen hundred miles that separated them. “Hi, sweetie, good timing. Dinner is in the oven, and your dad and I were just relaxing.” Connie smiled at their comforting predictability. “Are you hanging in there?”
She had already told her about what happened with Allister, so she guessed that that was what her mother was referring to.
“Yeah. The police haven’t yet made an arrest, but I’m doing okay. Although I’m still a little concerned about how this might affect enrollment in my future classes.”
“Dad says to be careful and make sure you set the alarm whenever you leave the store. With all these murders lately in Sapphire Beach, your father and I feel better knowing Zach is watching out for you.”
Connie decided not to mention her earlier conversation with Zach. She didn’t feel like talking about it, since there was nothing she could do to change the situation. If it became necessary, she would tell them about it when Zach made his final decision.
“Both Zach and Josh are working hard to solve this case,” Connie said. “But on a more positive note, I just made my biggest sale yet.” Connie told her mom about the pieces she sold and how the women were buying them for a friend who was feeling low. “Not only was it great for business, but I love knowing that my creations might bring someone joy during a difficult time.”
Jo squealed and related the news to Greg. “That’s wonderful, honey. We’re so proud of you.”
“Way to go,” her father said, briefly taking the phone from her mother. “It will be the first of many, I’m sure.”
Connie could hear the microwave timer go off in the background. “Sounds like dinner’s ready. I’ll let you go.”
“Yup, that’s the timer for our chicken. But before I hang up, your dad and I were wondering if you plan to come home for a visit anytime soon.”
Connie let out a deep breath. “I really wish I could, Mom, but it’s just Grace and me in the store, and she’s only part time. I do plan on hiring additional help in the fall, but I don’t think I’ll be at the point where I can leave things until probably next year.” She hated to disappoint her parents, but what could she do?
Then she added, “Actually, I’ve been thinking about the holidays. Why don’t you, Dad, Gianna, Gary, and the twins come here for Christmas? You could see the store and get away from the cold for a little while. Then maybe next summer I will be in a place where I can come home.”
Her mother hesitated. “I don’t know, honey. I would love to, but you’d have to talk to your sister. I don’t know how she and Gary will feel about being away from home for Christmas with the twins so young.”
“I was planning to call her,” Connie said. “I just wanted to get your take on it first.”
“If they agree, your father and I are game.”
With a glimmer of hope, Connie called Gianna as soon as she hung up with her mother and left a message on her cell phone. Then she went back to work on the necklace.
A few minutes later, she received a text from her sister: Sorry, can’t talk right now. The kids are on a sugar high. But I heard your message. I promise we’ll think about coming for Christmas.
A surge of adrenaline ran through Connie that further fueled her work on the necklace.
Within a couple of hours, it was finally complete. Connie relished the feeling of accomplishment that always came over her upon completing a piece of jewelry. One of the many things she loved about her work was that in the end, she could hold and admire the fruit of her labor. This necklace, along with the matching earrings she had completed and the bracelet she would soon get started on, would be an exquisite set.
While Connie was in the storage room tucking safely away the newly completed necklace, the door chimed. She returned to the front of the store to find Paige glancing around, presumably searching for Connie.
“Hi Paige. What a pleasant surprise. What brings you here so late?” It was nearly closing time, so Connie doubted Paige came to work on her necklace.
Paige looked relieved to have found Connie. “I’m glad I caught you here. I was at home tonight working on my necklace and, as I got to the end, I noticed that I’m missing some beads.”
She pulled out her orange necklace to show Connie, then a small plastic bag containing fewer beads than would be necessary to complete her work. “I didn’t notice that they were missing the last time I was here, but now that I’m almost finished, it seems clear that I’m short.”
Connie took the necklace into her hands to examine it. Paige was correct. She would need several more beads to finish the project.
“That’s no problem, I have some extras.” Connie went over to the dentistry cabinet by the oak table where she stored
many of her supplies and pulled out the beads that Paige would need. As she slipped the beads into a small plastic bag, something suddenly occurred to her. Paige’s missing beads could be the ones that the police found in the sand next to Allister’s body.
But Paige couldn’t be the killer. Josh had verified her alibi.
Connie handed Paige the extra beads. “There should be plenty here to finish the necklace.”
Paige breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Connie. I was afraid that after all that work, I wouldn’t be able to complete it, and I wanted to wear it on a dinner date this weekend, with a navy-blue dress I bought.”
“That will look amazing,” Connie said, making Paige promise to send a picture.
“Paige, can you sit down for a minute?” Connie asked, gesturing toward the oak table.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I want you to think really hard on this. Do you have any idea where you lost those orange beads?” Connie asked.
Paige shrugged her shoulders. “It could have been anywhere. Why is it so important?”
Connie wasn’t sure if she should confide in Paige that the police found three orange beads at the crime scene, but there was no way around it if she wanted Paige’s help. So she explained the situation.
Paige leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table. “You mean the killer stole them from me? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Think hard. Were you with Abby or Isabel after class? Even briefly?”
Paige firmly shook her head back and forth. “No.”
Then Connie remembered that Paige and Allister had dinner together at Gallagher’s. “Paige, did you take out your necklace at any point during dinner to show Allister?”
She started to shake her head again, then stopped abruptly. “Wait a minute. Not in the restaurant, but do you remember how I told you that Jerry followed us out?”
“Yes.”
“Well, we stopped to talk with him for a minute. He was in a sour mood, but we spoke briefly about class, and I told Jerry that I thought it was sweet that he was making an anniversary present for his wife. Allister was laying on the charm with me, still trying to get me to like him, so he told Jerry what a talented jewelry maker he thought I was, and insisted I show him my necklace. Just to humor him and because Jerry clearly wanted to get out of there, I quickly showed it to him. Then I got in my car and drove away.” Paige became more animated. “When I pulled away, Allister was bending down to pick something up. I probably lost the beads when I took out my necklace in my rush to show Jerry.”
Sapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Collection Page 46