by Holly Quinn
“Okay,” the relief on his face was noticeable.
“I’ll make a point of finding Coach today to talk with him and pay my respects properly. And I’ll work on getting out of my own head and pay more attention to my behavior. I’m really sorry.”
Carter nodded.
She never should have let her altercation with the detective lead her so off course. Why did it? Was she trying to prove her worth to him? That was something she needed to ponder later. For now, they had a full day ahead.
“Do you need help with the brats? I think we should wait until after the parade to start the grill. If we start it before, the parade watchers might veer off course following the delicious scent to buy one! Boy, then we’d be in trouble. I’d have the mayor complaining.” She grinned at him. “You know I’m only kidding about your dad.” Sammy poked him in the side with one finger.
“Yeah, I know,” he chuckled. “Good idea, though. I could totally see that happening. I have some of the team coming to help sell brats too. That should work out great. Some of the guys wanted to know if I could join the basketball team on the back of a pickup float, but I said no. Should I run home and get my uniform?”
“Yes, of course! You should be with the team in the parade! Go … go … go!”
“But I thought you needed me?”
“I do! After the parade, you can come back to work the grill. Heidi and Ellie are on their way in, and Deborah is going to help for the day too. Seriously, enjoy this moment. It’s your senior year! Before you know it, you’ll be graduating.” Sammy gave him a shove with her shoulder in the direction of the office door.
“Awesome! Thanks. I’ll be back!” He waved goodbye and took long strides out the back door.
Sammy reprimanded herself. Seems like she owed everyone an apology. The Allens, Coach, and even Detective Liam Nash. Kate, I need your help here. Why can’t I be less impulsive and more patient and loving like you were? I need you, Kate. She missed her best friend enormously. Kate loved community events such as Spring Fling. God, how she wished things were different and Kate was still alive to join in the celebration.
In his haste to go home to retrieve his basketball uniform, Carter had left the remaining brats on the side table. Sammy stacked the rest of the packages into the refrigerator.
A nagging feeling of remorse for her impulsive behavior dogged her. But if she continued to carry it around, she would be ignoring the very advice she had just given to Carter. She decided to make an apology and try harder next time. Her eyes darted to the clock as she lifted the phone to call Liam Nash. When he answered he said they must be on the same wavelength because he had planned to stop in after he made it through the coffee line at Liquid Joy.
While Sammy was waiting for the detective to enter the store, she decided to fill helium balloons. Yesterday afternoon, she had rented the machine from the hardware store and decided there was no better time than the present, especially since it was still quiet in the store. Each of the children who came into Community Craft would get a balloon tied to their wrist. Sammy would also bring the balloons outside during the parade to hand out to the children along the sidewalk. She loved the fact that during the entire day she would see these waves of colorful bopping balloons as the children walked throughout the town. It became a yearly tradition. So much so, the children this year would be seeking her out for a balloon. She hoped she had enough. By the time the detective arrived, Sammy had already filled well over twenty balloons. They hovered along the ceiling, their multicolored ribbon strings hanging in wait.
As she noticed Liam move closer, she turned, secretly took a filled yellow balloon in her hand, and sucked in a little helium. In a high pitched squeaky voice, she said, “I’m very sorry for my behavior the other day. I’m an ass.”
The detective laughed heartily. “How can I take your apology seriously when you say it like that?”
“You want some?” Sammy tried giving him the untied balloon. She wanted to hear his helium voice, but he refused and put a hand up to stop her.
“No, thanks. I’m on duty.” He jutted his hip to show his ever-important badge.
Sammy was going to have to change her attitude. She presumed he was here so they could clear the air. Not so she could judge his ego.
He handed her a coffee. “Truce?”
“Truce.” She nodded and took the coffee from his hand. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Bring me coffee. But thanks.” She lifted the yellow smiley cup in cheers.
“The barista said she knows what you like so you can blame her if she didn’t get the order right.” He grinned.
It was then Sammy noticed he had one tooth on the bottom that jutted out in front of the rest. Why was she looking for his imperfections? This had to stop. Immediately. She was having trouble finding any flaws in his good-looking appearance. He wasn’t gorgeous, but there was just something about him that drew her in with a magnetic pull. She wished she could put her finger on it. At that very moment though, it eluded her.
“Please let me apologize again, without helium, for my behavior at Ingrid’s memorial. In no way did I mean to get in the way or undermine your investigation. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” Liam nodded.
“Now that I’ve made that clear, there is something I need to tell you.” Sammy took a deep breath before continuing. “Yesterday, on my way to the floral shop, I saw a man who was on the scene when the coach was hit. I’d never seen him in town before. Something prompted me. Call it woman’s intuition maybe? Anyhow, I followed him down Second Avenue. Do you want me to help a sketch artist do a markup?”
“I accept your apology. However, now I’m beginning to think that was just a ploy to get my attention and badger me further.” He placed his coffee on top of the wooden countertop and then placed his hands firmly on his hips. “Do you watch a lot of television? Prime time crime dramas perhaps? Although I appreciate your enthusiasm, just because someone was standing and watching an event unfold, that’s not exactly recognized as a crime. He could have said the same of you,” he said pointing directly at her.
Badger me? I thought he liked being around me? Obviously, my radar is way off if this is how he sees me. “Look, I’m not trying to pester you. But the guy drove a dark blue car, and I think it might be the one I saw screech out of the parking lot the day Ingrid was murdered.”
“You think? Or you know?”
“I think.”
“What’s the make and model of the car?”
“I don’t know.”
“License plate?”
“No, I was too far away. That’s why I can’t confirm the make and model.”
“If you’re trying to help, you’re not. Although I appreciate your concern for the community, you’re going to have to do better than a dark blue car and an unfamiliar guy.”
“Sketch?”
“No. There isn’t nearly enough information for a sketch. If you don’t know the make and model of the car, we could be sketching the wrong person. Have you ever been wrongfully convicted of a crime? Or even accused? It doesn’t end well. Besides, if he was the one who hit the coach with his car, how could he be standing there watching the event unfold?”
“He wasn’t,” Sammy corrected. “He showed up at the end. And besides, I know perps like to watch after they commit a crime. It’s a creepy thing they do. I know. I watch Dateline.”
The detective forced a smile. “Listen. Why don’t you concentrate on your Spring Thing? And leave the investigation to the police department. I think we’ve got it covered.” Liam tapped his chest with his finger, letting her know he was in charge.
“It’s Spring Fling,” Sammy corrected again.
Why couldn’t he get that right? Maybe it really wasn’t a date the other night. She doubted if they could even still be friends at this point. She thought apologizing would make her feel better. Instead, she felt as if she was a child who just gotten her hand slap
ped for stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.
“I guess I’d better get back to it then.” Sammy placed an unfulfilled balloon onto the helium machine and gave it a go. The noise was an obvious I’m done with you signal, but the detective didn’t pick up her cue. He just stood there watching her. Sammy continued to fill balloons and tried to ignore his presence, but his stare was unnerving. After filling three more balloons and attaching the ribbons, she said, “Either tie a ribbon or you can fill these.” She shook an unfilled balloon in her fingers and dropped it on the counter. “Or, you certainly can go. I don’t want to keep you from your important detective work.” She emphasized the word in a sarcastic tone and added air quotes to drive the point home.
“I don’t know what to make of you, Samantha Kane.” He stared at her. It was obvious he was waiting for her to stop what she was doing to give him her full attention, but the stubborn child in her refused.
“Ditto.”
He leaned an elbow on the counter casually. “It certainly seems that I irritate you. I guess I’m trying to figure out … why?”
Sammy opened her mouth to respond and then changed her mind and closed it. She wanted to say, Because I’m wildly attracted to you. And it scares the piss out of me because just when I think you’re interested in me too you either want cake or you find me mildly annoying.
Detective Liam Nash tapped the counter twice with an open palm. “Have a good day. Enjoy your spring thing.”
Did he just say that to irritate her? She thought so. “Spring. F-L-I-N-G. With an F.” She spelled out each letter for the last time. And then shooed him from her counter.
As she watched the detective saunter out the back of her shop, she grumbled to herself and returned to the task at hand.
Heidi and Tim stepped into the back door of Community Craft directly into the path of Liam Nash’s exit. As Heidi rushed past the detective to greet Sammy, Tim stepped backward half inside and half outside the door to talk to the other investigator.
“Good morning! Looks like we’re going to have the perfect day for Spring Fling!” Heidi gushed.
Sammy smiled. “We certainly lucked out this year, that’s for sure. I think it will warm up nicely too.”
Heidi eyed her cousin carefully as she approached. “You seem a little flushed. Maybe I should go grab my blood pressure cuff.” She moved closer to Sammy to more thoroughly look her over. “You okay?”
Sammy breathed deep and then let it out slowly. “Yes. I’m fine.” Then she huffed audibly as she blew the hair away from her face.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with that guy.” Heidi pointed toward the back door where Tim stood halfway, blocking the visual of the detective as they stood and talked.
“You know how my mom says if you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.” Sammy zipped her lips with her fingers, mirroring what Heidi always did when she wanted to shut something down.
“Oh, no. What happened this time? Whatever it is, I think your blood pressure is climbing to an unsafe level. Liam Nash sure knows how to get underneath your skin.”
“Or, it could be from sucking too much helium.” Sammy brushed the comment off as she tied a ribbon and let a green balloon bop up to the ceiling.
“Am I wrong to assume you had another argument with our new detective?” Heidi flung a hand to one hip.
“Do you really want to hear how I’m butting into the investigation? That I’m still playing S.H.E.? I’m assuming you don’t want to hear that.” Sammy placed her hand over her ears like she was putting on ear muffs to make a point.
“You’re right. Let’s talk about something else.” Heidi looked at the ceiling and noticed the large collection of balloons, the ribbons swaying lightly. “I think you can probably stop soon. Don’t you think that’s plenty?”
Sammy looked up and smiled when she saw how many she had filled. “I guess you’re right.”
Tim approached and made a path with his hands through the hanging ribbons, sending the balloons bouncing along the ceiling and knocking into the hanging umbrellas.
“Really? Did you have to go that way? Did you have to make my balloons go flying everywhere?” Sammy asked sarcastically.
“I heard you were a little prickly today,” Tim retorted.
Heidi shook her boyfriend’s arm. “Don’t go there,” she warned.
Tim leaned his full weight on the wooden counter. “I gotta get home and suit up for work. For you gals, this is all fun and games.” He waved his hands up to the scattered balloons. “For me, it’s extra duty.”
Sammy rolled her eyes. “I think it will be okay, big guy. No big crimes today. It’s too festive a day. The whole town looks forward to Spring Fling!” Sammy said aloud, then added under her breath, “at least those who know it’s not just a thing.”
“Oh, to live in your world.” Tim pushed himself off the counter and scooped Heidi off her feet easily and kissed her goodbye.
“Gross. You two can swap your germy spit somewhere else,” Sammy said.
Tim winked at Sammy. “You’re just jealous.” He turned and moseyed toward the back door. He turned one last time to gain Heidi’s attention. “Save a dance for me on the street later,” he said, wiggling his hips and jutting his backside along the way. A very sad attempt at dancing out the door. Very sad indeed.
“What a weirdo.” Sammy hollered after him.
Heidi waved goodbye to her dancing boyfriend and then gathered the hanging ribbons to relocate the balloons that he had displaced into one large grouping. “You know he might be on to something. Maybe Tim is right.”
“About what?”
“Maybe you are jealous? Not of Tim and I per se … But of the idea of a relationship. You think?”
Sammy huffed, “I’m actually enjoying the single life. And besides, I have Bara.” Her dog lifted his head to acknowledge his name and then set it back between his two paws, covering his eyes.
“I disagree. I think you’re starting to like Detective Nash, but you’ve been throwing your guard up. I think you’re afraid of building any close relationships for fear of losing someone else. Ever since Brian broke up with you and since we lost Kate, you’ve been so closed off. Just because you lost them doesn’t mean you’ll lose everyone you get close to.
“Well thank you, Sigmund Freud.”
Heidi’s words stung. But Sammy knew her cousin was only speaking from her heart. And, if she was being honest with herself, her cousin might just be exactly right.
Chapter Nineteen
The Spring Fling parade was minutes from crowding Main Street with floats, animals, and participants. Since it seemed the entire town was out on the sidewalk waiting, Sammy decided to leave the cash register unattended. Customers would know where to find her. Heidi had already left her side and was outdoors handing balloons to swarms of children. Sammy scooped up another handful to replenish Heidi’s stock on her way out the front door. As she stepped outside, she felt the anticipation of the people sitting in lawn chairs along the parade route. Moms and dads, along with grandparents, relatives, and friends, sat patiently, while anxious children waited to fill empty candy bags. Heidi reached for more balloons in haste. “Where’s Deborah? I thought you said she was going to help out today?”
“She is. I told her to stop in after the parade. Her kids are marching in it. I didn’t want her to miss taking pictures of her own kids. I figured it would be no big deal since you, Ellie, and Carter would be here. I didn’t know I would lose Carter to the parade … And I haven’t heard from Ellie yet today. Have you?”
“No. But you better go back inside and grab some more of these. I guess I shouldn’t have stopped you filling balloons. I seriously underestimated how many we’d need. I think every kid in Heartsford is after me!” A look of panic crept across Heidi’s face as swarms of children began pushing and shoving in her direction.
Sammy laughed aloud at her cousin’s predicament and then retreated inside the door. “I’ll be right b
ack!”
She hurried toward the hanging ribbons and just as she was going to grasp them in her hand, something grabbed ahold of her wrist and stopped her. Her eyes lifted and took in a person taller than her own five-foot height, who was wearing what appeared to be a super hero costume. Or was he dressed as a villain? His face was completely covered in dark green paint, and a bizarre purple hat with points jutting out on all sides hid any hair.
Sammy laughed aloud. “Is that you, Carter? Did the guys on the basketball team put you up to this for the parade? I didn’t know Heartsford had a new mascot? You look absolutely hilarious!”
But the person didn’t answer. He only grasped her wrist tighter—so tightly she wondered if it would bruise. Pain seared through her arm as he reached for her other arm. It was then Sammy realized this was no joke. Her heart hammered in her chest.
“Let me go!” She seethed as she ineffectively wriggled to remove her wrist from his clutch.
The man squeezed tighter and yanked her in close. A slight whiff of stale booze caught her nostrils and made Sammy’s empty stomach turn. Still holding her wrist, he untied a string with one hand and took a hit of helium from a balloon before bringing his wet warm breath to her ear and warning her with a squeaky voice. “Back off or you’ll end up like Ingrid.” A cruel, hideous, high-pitched giggle followed.
Sammy tried hard to place the voice but couldn’t distinguish who it might be. The helium disguise had worked in his favor. She strained to shake her hand loose and free her body which only angered the man more. He shoved her to the ground, releasing her wrists for a moment. Sammy scrambled backward on all fours, like a crab. Before she could make her escape, he grasped her leg and slid her body across the hard floor. He was now on top of her, holding her down. Panic started to set in. Sammy could hear herself taking small quick breaths, panting like a dog. Where was Bara? She knew while the parade was taking place, the store would be empty. Nobody would be in Community Craft to rescue her. His hands reached for her throat, which made Sammy gasp. Abruptly she heard Heidi’s voice calling from a distance.