by Sheri Richey
“We?” Bryan said as he joined her in the kitchen. “Are you going to stick around and tell me just what I’m supposed to do with that domain I just bought?”
Amanda smiled and patted his shoulder. “I am. I’m going to make you a simple website just to start out that shows your location and hours. Just basic stuff until you’re up and going. We will tweak it along the way, but you have to have an internet presence. I’ll use this logo you picked out and we will need a nice picture of the place to put on the homepage after you get new signage and the weather improves.”
“Is everything on the list this easy?”
“It is. I promise. It’s just details you need to clear up to improve the launch of your new business. You’ll want to do a grand opening in the spring and get people out here to see what you’ve got. That will get the ball rolling.”
Looking over her shoulder out the front windows she saw what looked like a few flakes of snow.
“I think it’s starting to snow. Let me get out of here before it starts coming down. I’ve got to get home to dinner anyway. I think I’ve left you with enough to think about for a while.” She smiled at his bewildered look. She was rushing him but he needed the help and he could see she was the person to help him.
Amanda hurriedly packed up her notebook and slipped on her coat, barely pausing to say goodbye.
He had been wondering all day how he was going to approach her again. He had so enjoyed her visit Saturday and thought she had too, but he didn’t know if she meant for them to be just friends. He didn’t want to offend her by assuming more, but he wanted more.
Bryan’s head was spinning with concerns on whether he could finance this vision he had. It seemed Amanda had thought more about his business structure than he had although he’d done little else all winter.
A big snow would help his finances as he hadn’t gotten as much plow work as usual this winter. That would help bring Amanda’s dreams to fruition.
Chapter Twenty-One
Conrad answered his ringing phone with hesitation. He always had to steel himself a little to pick up when he knew Bobby Bell was on the other end.
With a heavy sigh and a forced relaxed resolve, he said, “Harris here.”
“Connie! So, what happened today? He’s out?”
“Yes, Ellis was fined and released.”
“I figured as much after I read the report. Your guys didn’t have nothin’.”
“Do your guys have anything on him? Was he helpful when you questioned him?” Conrad had not been provided any update after the sheriff’s visit and could only assume that they didn’t get anywhere either.
“Nah, he wouldn’t talk. So, do you know where he is? Are your guys watching him?”
Conrad didn’t tail released people, and he hadn’t ordered anyone to follow him. Knowing Roy though, he had probably tried.
“No, we have the vehicle impounded. He can’t claim it without a valid license. Someone picked him up, and he left town. That’s all I know.”
“Do you have the plates on his ride?”
“I don’t but one of my officers might. I can check and get back with you.”
“Good,” Bobby barked gruffly. “We need to keep an eye on him.”
“Will do, Sheriff,” Conrad said as Bobby ended the call. Sam Crawford was on dispatch tonight so he sent him a message to find out the tag number and relay the information to the county.
He eased into his jacket and decided to drive down to the Juniper Junction to meet Cora because the snow was starting to accumulate. The Juniper was a local Indian restaurant that he didn’t visit often enough so he was pleased with the dinner plans.
He hoped Shawn Ellis was never coming back to Spicetown because he didn’t want to call Bobby Bell back again. It was going to be a long four years before the next election.
§
Bryan stirred some soup on the stove and wished he had put something on to cook earlier. He could have asked her to stay for dinner but the snow would have ruined that. She would have declined because of the fear of driving home.
He could tell by her abrupt reaction to a few flakes that she wasn’t going to risk being snowed in at his house. The fantasy enchanted him though.
He was waiting for the phone to ring. Soon he expected he would be called in to plow. The hours weren’t good, but it paid well. Not too many people were willing to drive in a blizzard all night. He turned to grab the coffee pot and fill it with water because the night would demand a lot of him.
As he sat down to eat, he looked at all the little pots and remembered the glow around Amanda as she talked of plans for his business. She had big ideas, bigger than his, but she believed in them. Maybe she believed in him, too.
That successful dream she seemed to shine with became his dream, too. He finally felt it was possible to become prosperous. He’d only worried about getting by before, but her confidence in him was infectious and she had made his dreams grow tonight.
Tomorrow he would get his inventory lists together and sketch out some displays. He’d make some calls to get estimates on a new sign and write some ad copy. Then he’d price some new order forms and tags with his imprinted logo. He needed to look and act professional to be treated that way. His father had told him that.
§
Cora was already seated when Conrad arrived. She was right in the middle of the room as usual. She never wanted to miss anyone coming or going. She smiled at him when he came in the door and darted her eyes to the right before looking down. Glancing over, Conrad saw Saucy hunched over a plate at a small table against the wall with his back to the door.
“Evening, Chief,” Cora said as Conrad pulled out a chair. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Evening, Mayor. Hope you didn’t order this snow. It’s going to cost you money.” Conrad chuckled as he saw Cora’s nose crinkle. She hated the unexpected expense the city incurred when they had to plow the snow. It was one of those expenses she could never estimate accurately. Cora didn’t like estimates, she wanted definites.
“I told Jimmy Kole it was his call tonight. I’m not even going to look at it. Whatever I do, it plays games with me. As soon as I call the plows out, it stops. If I don’t call, we get a blizzard. I’ve given up weather forecasting.”
Conrad laughed at Cora’s bluster and picked up a menu. “Have you said hello to our friend?”
“No,” Cora said leaning over and lowering her voice. “I don’t think he knows we’re here yet.”
After they had placed their order, Cora stirred her tea and put away her reading glasses. “Did you by chance speak to the sheriff today?”
“Indeed, I did,” Conrad said, surprised by the question.
“I could see the dark cloud around you when you walked in the door,” Cora said as Conrad smiled. Cora could read him well.
“It went okay. As usual, he wanted information from me, but didn’t want to share anything.”
“He’s asking about the Ellis boy?”
“Yes, he thinks I should have been tailing him when he was released so he would know where he is. I still don’t really know what he’s looking for. He doesn’t have anything on him, but he suspects him of something. Something that’s linked to the firework theft.”
“He doesn’t want you to get there first.”
Conrad nodded, but he didn’t think that was the reason. Whatever Bobby was looking for was something happening in Paxton.
“At least Saucy is staying out of trouble. I haven’t seen him in a few days,” Conrad said glancing over his shoulder where Harvey Salzman was finishing up his meal.
“I haven’t seen him either but they are bringing him a check now so I guess we can find out.” Conrad watched Cora wiggling her fingers in a subtle wave Saucy’s way.
Conrad turned when he saw Cora’s smile and also waved at Saucy so he ambled slowly over with his check in his hand.
“Hi, Saucy,” Cora said holding her hand open to offer him a chair. “Join us.”
“Oh, thank you.” Saucy pulled out his wallet as his phone vibrated. “I’d love to but I need to get home before this weather gets worse.”
“What have you been up to?” Conrad patted the seat of the chair next to him for further encouragement. “I haven’t seen you for a while. Have you been away?”
“Oh, no,” Saucy shook his head vigorously as he glanced at his phone. “I’ve just been out and around like usual. This snow though, I may have to hole up for a bit until it passes. I don’t like to be out driving when it’s like this. You know people just drive crazy when the weather is bad.”
“The plows will take care of it. Everything will be fine,” Cora said, trying to keep him talking. “Is your sister doing okay? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
“Yeah. Yeah, June is fine. I need to go check on her. I’ll tell her you asked after her but I need to get going.”
Conrad opened his mouth to try to keep him from running off, but Saucy was too quick. Turning to Cora, he said, “He’s nervous as a cat.”
“Yes, but he’s always that way,” Cora said.
“True. I’ll drive by his place after we eat and see if he went home.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The snow had been falling daintily when dinner began but by the time Conrad walked out to his car, it was twirling in a cold wet wind that was biting on his skin. He saw Cora waving at the snow plow driver as she got into her car across the street. It looked like Jimmy Kole had made the right call.
He waited for Cora to pull out and quietly followed her home at a distance as he customarily did if she was out at night. They never spoke of it, but he was certain she knew he was back there. Her silence told him that she appreciated him watching out for her.
He circled her block on Basil Boulevard once she was safely in her home and turned to drive slowly towards Sage Street. The roads were showing signs of icing up but his cruiser still moved smoothly.
As he neared the intersection of Sage Street and Dill Seed Drive, he could see a dark panel van in Saucy’s driveway and his white truck parked on the street up ahead on the left. He turned a block before the intersection and circle around to approach Saucy’s house front on Dill Seed Drive instead, so his headlights shined on Saucy’s driveway.
He saw the van doors open towards the garage door which was also raised up. Saucy had his outdoor flood lights on but Conrad couldn’t make out who was out there. He’d always wondered what was in that garage, so he pulled his cruiser behind Saucy’s truck, blocking the van in the driveway and got out slowly to approach.
Standing in the yard, he paused before approaching to watch the men take boxes from Saucy’s garage and load them into the back of the van. He didn’t see Saucy around and didn’t know either of the two men loading but someone was sitting in the passenger seat of the van.
As soon as he started to take a step forward, Saucy popped out of his side door near the garage and waved while he trotted towards Conrad.
“Hey, Chief! Fancy seeing you twice in one night.”
“Do you know these men?” Conrad said softly once Saucy had joined him on the lawn.
“Oh, sure Chief. I just let them use my garage for some storage and they’re here to pick up their things. Nothing to worry about.”
Conrad felt Saucy met him in the yard to prevent him from moving forward so naturally he advanced another step. He wanted a closer look.
“They’ll be out of here in just a minute. Can I offer you some coffee? It’s pretty cold out here. Why don’t you come in and I’ll get you some? I’ve some already made up.”
“No, thank you,” Conrad said as he continued to approach the van. Just as he was aligned to the passenger door, he heard the door handle click as the van door opened slightly and the inside light came on.
Conrad’s eyes locked with Shawn Ellis’ in a silent challenge.
“Saucy, you know this man?”
“Well…” Saucy stammered as Shawn climbed from the van to stand before the Chief.
“He was just helping me out with some temporary storage, Chief. Nothing to worry about.” Shawn moved to put his body between Conrad and the back of the van.
“What were you storing, Saucy?” Conrad said to Saucy while not removing his eyes from Shawn.
“Just stuff, Chief. Nothin’…”
“Nothing to worry about,” Shawn said finishing the sentence for him. “We had a short-term arrangement. I’m leaving the area now and that’s why I’m having my belongings moved.”
Conrad walked around Shawn and looked closely at the boxes. He couldn’t make the man open the sealed boxes, but he studied their size and looked for labels.
“I think I will take that coffee from you, if you’ve got some made,” Conrad said as he glanced back at Saucy.
“Sure. Sure, Chief. Come on in.” Saucy rushed up the steps to hold the door open for Conrad.
Once they were inside, Conrad got out his phone and called Sam at dispatch.
“Sam, I need a plate. George-Adam-Charlie 5743… One more thing, Sam. I’m at Saucy’s house. Can you call Bobby and tell him I found what he’s looking for? You can let him know where I’m at… Thanks.”
It took Sam a few attempts to guess who Bobby was, but Conrad felt confident he understood before he disconnected. Saucy looked shaken by the conversation, but he didn’t want to alarm him.
“Gotta let them know where I’m at,” Conrad forced a snicker. “Sure as I wander off, someone’ll be huntin’ me.”
“You keep awful long hours, Chief. I’m sure you’re a busy man.” Saucy handed him a large mug of coffee. “Did you want sugar or milk?”
“No, this is just fine. I appreciate it.”
“Always happy to help you out. You have helped me many times.”
“Well, maybe you can help me again,” Conrad said as he watched out the side door window. “What are you doing with these guys, Saucy? These are not good guys.”
“I know you arrested him for driving without a license, but I didn’t know he was a bad guy. I just thought he needed my garage for a little while so I tried to help. It wasn’t until later after it was all stored that he caught trouble with you. I didn’t know he was a bad guy--”
“But how did you get connected to him?” Conrad interrupted Saucy’s nervous chatter and tried to look him in the eye. “He didn’t just knock on your door and ask to use your garage.”
“Well, no,” Saucy said as he wiped down his counter avoiding Conrad’s glare and concentrated on rubbing a kitchen sponge vigorously over an imaginary stain. “I met him through a friend, just briefly. I just thought I was helping out a friend. That’s all.”
Before Conrad could ask for the name of the friend he was failing to disclose, he heard the van doors slam shut and felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
“It looks like they’re leaving now. Do you need to go out and talk to them before they go?”
“No, I’m sure they’ll just be on their way.” Saucy continued tiding up his kitchen.
“Well, you better check your garage and see if your personal items are still there. I hear your new friend has a bad habit,” Conrad said as he moved to open the door.
“So, where are you headed, Ellis?” Conrad called out as Shawn opened the passenger door of the van.
“Out of town, Chief. I don’t want any trouble.”
“I can’t say I’m sorry to hear that,” Conrad said as Ellis slammed the passenger van door shut and the engine started. Conrad came down the stairs with Saucy on his heels.
Saucy went in his garage and turned on the overhead light to look around while Conrad called Sam again.
“Sam, did you reach the sheriff? They just left in that blue van and they’re headed down Sage Street… I’ll keep an eye out and let you know.”
Sticking his head in the garage, he saw Saucy combing over his tools on his worktable.
“Is everything there?”
“Seems to be, Chief. Probably because you were here. I�
��m glad you stopped by.”
“Do you know where he’s going?”
“No, I don’t know much of anything about him. He didn’t say anything to me. I don’t expect I’ll be seeing him again.”
“That’s for the best.” Conrad put his phone back in his pocket. “I need to go now. Thanks for the coffee.”
“Anytime,” Saucy yelled out as Conrad moved swiftly to his cruiser. He wasn’t going to tail Ellis, but it was worth his time to circle through town and make sure he didn’t see him loitering anywhere. He needed to get the word out to Wink, too. He wanted Ellis to leave tonight.
“Hey, Wink. Where are you?”
“I’m on Spearmint Street.”
“Shawn Ellis just left Saucy’s house in a blue van with Ohio plates, George-Adam-Charlie 5743. He says he’s leaving town, but he’s got a load in the back that he packed from Saucy’s garage. He says it’s his stuff that Saucy was storing for him. If you have any guys on the perimeter of town, let them know.”
“You want him stopped?”
“Not unless he’s speeding. We don’t have cause.”
“Okay, I’ll let them know. What’s Saucy doing messing with that guy?”
“No clue. He said he was helping a friend of Ellis’ but he wouldn’t tell me who that was.” Conrad ended the call. Wink would have everyone’s eyes on the exits as he turned to head toward town. He wanted an eye on the retailers with a thief lurking around.
Conrad noticed then that he’d missed a text from Sam, “SO sending car”.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Conrad drove slowly down Paprika Parkway and turned on Fennel Street. Most of the primary businesses in town faced one of these two streets although smaller stores could be found a block or two off this main drag.
Everything appeared closed down and quiet except for the restaurants. Sesame Subs on Paprika Parkway had some diners and Ole’ Thyme Italian still had a full parking lot. There were a few cars still at Juniper Junction and The Barberry Tower, but the Caraway Café and the Fennel Street Bakery were closed up tight.