by Sheri Richey
He decided to drive out a half mile on Fennel Street to check the three bars clustered near the edge of town on the main highway. They would be open and might attract Ellis’ crew if they were leaving town to head towards Paxton, but there was no blue van to be found.
He did see a county car sitting in the lot and waved to the deputy. He must be the lookout for Ellis that dispatch mentioned in the text. If he was sitting there, that meant Ellis didn’t come this way, so Conrad headed back toward Spicetown.
Approaching the downtown area, Conrad heard Wink on the radio responding to another officer. He was reporting suspicious activity in the alley behind Fennel Street. Wink advised the officer he would check it out.
Conrad pulled his car to the curb in front of Ivy’s Oils & Organics and got out of the car. Walking up to the window in the front door, he put his nose against the glass and peered into the back where he could see lights were on and the storage room door standing open.
The officer hadn’t said it was Ivy’s but Conrad hadn’t shaken the apprehensive feeling he’d had the day he saw Ellis first go in there. Denise Ivy must be the mutual friend that Saucy mentioned and if Denise Ivy was Shawn Ellis’ friend, his opinion of Denise was greatly diminishing.
Conrad pulled out his phone and called Wink again. He couldn’t risk Saucy listening to the scanner and tipping anyone off on their whereabouts. He regretted his feelings of distrust of Saucy, but these recent events put his loyalties in question.
“Wink, I’m out front of Ivy’s. I can see activity in the back of the store through the front window.”
“Yep, Chief. Me and Tabor are boxing them in the alley. It looks like Ellis’ van is unloading at her place. You want to talk to him? He’s not going to be leaving right away,” Wink said with a smile in his voice.
“No, just check and see if Denise Ivy is there and consenting.”
Conrad wasn’t going to get caught up in harassment, especially on a case that was tied to Bobby Bell. It was always possible that Denise had agreed to store his boxes for him. If she was there and letting him in her store, there was nothing he could do about poor judgment. Cora had been right. Denise definitely knew Ellis.
Conrad placed his next call to dispatch to let them know where he was and asked them to share that with the Sheriff’s Office while he continued to look through the front door waiting for Wink’s next update.
Shortly after, the county car pulled up behind his cruiser and he walked down to speak to the deputy. When Wink called back, he stepped away to take his call and walked back to the storefront window.
“Chief, she’s there. She says he’s dropping off product for her, something she bought from him. Want me to let him go?”
“Yeah, let him out. Which way is he facing?”
“Allspice Street. I’ll tail him from there.”
Conrad went back to the deputy and told him to turn around and Wink would tail him until the deputy could follow.
Conrad got back in his cruiser and turned on Clove Street to wait for the van to move down the alley and Officer Tabor to follow it. With the alley clear, he pulled in behind Ivy’s Oils and saw Denise standing at the back door.
Putting his driver’s door window down, he glanced up at Denise Ivy to gauge her demeanor before speaking. He expected her to be afraid of the police involvement but her expression led him to believe she was just irritated at their intrusion.
“Evening, Ms. Ivy.” Conrad nodded a greeting. “Sorry to interrupt things but we had to make sure somebody wasn’t breaking into your store.”
He saw her expression soften and continued. “Do you know Mr. Ellis well?”
“No sir,” she said meekly. “I purchased some oils from him. His sister was selling them. She had to go out of business, so he was helping her liquidate.”
Conrad suspected the oils were stolen but wasn’t convinced that Denise wasn’t involved.
“Well, I’ll be going now,” Conrad said hesitating. “Unless you’d like me to wait around until you lock up. I don’t mind.”
“No. Thanks, Chief. I’ll be fine.”
No fear — Conrad noticed again as he drove off down the alley and heard Wink radio that he had handed off his tail to the county. The deputy had his man to follow and Conrad was headed home for the night.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bryan parked in front of Ivy’s Oils & Organics and looked over at his box of plants in the seat next to him. He had spent the morning potting sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and oregano into Amanda’s little painted pots and they looked entrancing. He was astonished at how much difference it made in their presentation and he would have never thought to do it.
He wasn’t sure Denise would like it though. It might take away from her products instead of accenting them because they were eye-catching. He left the second box in his floorboard and decided to take in only one box first to see what her reaction would be.
He saw Denise through the doorway answering the phone as he held the door open for Miss Violet to leave. She had a small bag in her hand and a tiny pot of thyme. Miss Violet had taught Bryan’s fourth grade class at Cinnamon Elementary but he was certain she didn’t remember him. That had been many years ago and Miss Violet had retired before he had graduated high school.
“Thank you.” She passed him and glanced into the open box of pots. “Oh, these are delightful. Are these little pots yours?” She held up the one she had just purchased.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“If I’d known you were bringing in more, I would have waited. I love these little pots.”
“You’re welcome to trade it out if you see something in the box you like better,” Bryan picked out another pot of thyme and held it up her. It was painted a sky blue with flowers all the way around that looked like they were growing from the base of the pot.
“Oh, I love that. My kitchen is blue. How creative you are,” Miss Violet said as she reached for the blue pot.
“Amanda Morgan painted them. If you like that better, you can just put the other in the box and take that one.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Miss Violet scrutinized Bryan, but he just smiled and shook his head. “Thank you, dear. I think I will then,” she said as she placed the plain pot in his box.
Bryan, still holding the door, turned to walk into the store and waited for Denise to finish her phone call.
“Oh, shut up, Harvey. You don’t know what you’re talking about. These small-town cops are stupid. Just forget about it.”
Bryan put his box on her counter and she turned around, slapping her chest in shock. He hadn’t meant to startle her.
“I’ve got to go,” Denise said into the phone and hung up without any goodbye.
“Oh my, you scared me to death. I didn’t see you come in.”
“I’m sorry. I came in when Miss Violet was leaving. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Not a problem.” Denise waved her hand to disregard his concern and gazed into the box.
“Wow.” She lifted a green pot from the box with bumblebees and flowers painted on the side.
“A friend of mine painted the pots,” Bryan said cautiously in hopes she would tell him what she thought.
“They’re adorable! I love them.” Denise pulled each one out to look them over. “These should really sell—Not that the others aren’t. I’ve sold all except two of those you brought last week.” Denise pulled an envelope out from a drawer under the counter and handed it to Bryan.
“I have more in the truck. How many should I leave?”
“Bring them all in,” Denise said excitedly. “We’ll find a place for them.”
§
“You’re chipper today.” Cora smiled at Amanda as she loaded the copier with paper. “Did you have a good weekend, and I just didn’t hear about it yesterday?”
“Actually, I did.” Amanda giggled. “I painted all weekend, and I had a good time.”
“Painted? I didn’t know you could paint.”
<
br /> “Well, not like portraits or anything.” Amanda pulled out her office chair to sit. “I painted pictures on little flower pots. Silly, I know but I had a good time. I haven’t done any crafting since I came home from college and I forgot how much fun it is.”
“You’ll have to bring one in the office. I’d love to see them. What are you going to do with them?”
“Well, did you see those little pots with herbs in them that were in Ivy’s Oils & Organics?”
“Yes. The one on the counter had a tiny sage plant in it. It was cute. I just rarely cook much anymore but they would make a nice little gift.”
“Those are Bryan’s.”
“Bryan Stotlar?”
“Yes, so I painted some little pots for him just to spruce it up a little. You know he’s planning to open in the spring with a full nursery of trees and plants. He’s going to do yard landscaping too. It’s a big expansion and I’m trying to help with some of the design stuff.”
“This is right up your alley. Does this mean you two are a thing? I didn’t know you’d been out again.”
“We haven’t actually been out, really,” Amanda said hesitantly but revealed a slight blush. “I just like doing this stuff so I offered to help.”
“That’s nice. It sounds like you had fun. I’m not very crafty myself. I could barely entertain fifth graders when I needed to and usually their art projects looked better than mine.” Cora laughed as she walked back in her office.
“I’ll look for them the next time I go down there,” Cora yelled out the door after she walked around her desk. Maybe it was time to take a trip down Fennel Street today for lunch. The snow had all been cleared from the streets and walkways, and the sun was shining brightly.
“Oh, Mayor,” Amanda called out and Cora looked up to find her in her doorway. “I wanted to let you know I did test those oils you gave me and the new ones are good.”
“I expected that.” Cora gave a sly smile and a wink.
Chapter Twenty-Five
While Conrad was making his morning pot of coffee in his office, Georgia Marks had warned him the Sheriff was on his way over. The message did not come with any explanation. Conrad sat down hard in his chair and took a deep breath to calm the dread he felt creeping over him.
“Connie,” the Sheriff bellowed as he walked into Conrad’s office hiking up his pants at the waist. “Hate to bother you again but I need an interview room.”
“Sure thing, Sheriff,” Conrad said. They had no one in holding so Conrad had no idea who he wanted to interview, but he wasn’t giving Bobby Bell the satisfaction of making him ask. He knew he had to cooperate, regardless. “We’re happy to help.”
“Got to pick up one of your locals. You want to send someone along?”
“I’m sure I’ve got somebody nearby,” Conrad said turning to his computer monitor. “Where are you headed?”
“Just a few blocks.” Sheriff Bell pointed out the office window. “Going to Ivy’s Oils & Organics. She’s been doing business with Shawn Ellis. Have you ever talked to her?”
“I have. I’ve been in the store there and I know she’s acquainted with Ellis. That’s where he was the first time I saw him in town.”
“That must be why he gave up her name so easy. He thought we already knew about her. So, what’s her deal?”
“No deal that I’m aware of.” Conrad leaned back in his chair. “She’s a new business, just getting started. She bought some products from him and he delivered them to her after his release.”
Sheriff Bell stepped closer to Conrad’s desk. “What kind of product?”
“She said they were oils. His sister had to go out of business and he was trying to offload her stock. He was storing the boxes in Harvey Salzman’s garage and after his release, he moved them out. He delivered what she purchased to her as he left town. That’s what was going on when your officer came over to escort.”
“So, what do you know about this Salzman guy?”
“Law abiding senior citizen, as far as I’ve ever known. Said he was helping out a friend which I assume was Denise Ivy, the owner.”
“I need to talk to him too, then.” Bobby sat down and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “You pick him up for me?”
“Sure,” Conrad said, secretly hoping Saucy was not at home. He hated to see him badgered by the sheriff.
They both rose from their chairs and Conrad went out to dispatch to have Georgia radio Roy Asher to meet the sheriff at Ivy’s. He slipped into his coat and went out the back to his car as Bobby led his deputies out the front door to their cars. Bobby still hadn’t explained what he thought Shawn Ellis had done specifically, but he had to turn his thoughts to Saucy now.
§
While Cora was out for lunch, Amanda did some internet searches on landscapers and nurseries. She printed several that she liked and looked for patterns in the way they presented their products. She knew Bryan wasn’t a website designer, but she thought together they could put up a site to get him started.
She sketched a layout with boxes and notes of what could go in each one. She wanted it to look traditional but original at the same time. This was a small town, and she felt the market wanted practical information more than dazzle. She thought Bryan could write some planting tips and plant care ideas for filler.
As she browsed the image files online looking for something serene and natural for a background, she jumped when she heard someone knock softly on the doorframe.
“Hey,” Bryan said softly, peeking his head in the door. “Have you had lunch yet? I was just going to grab a bite and thought you might want to go, too.”
“Perfect timing!” Amanda motioned Bryan to come in. “Don’t worry. She’s at lunch. Come look at some of these and tell me what you think.”
Amanda showed him the sites she had copied and explained what she thought would be good for his site. Then she showed him her sketch and looked up when he didn’t respond.
“Well, what do you like about these websites? I’m sure you don’t want to be changing products out every night, so maybe it would be easiest to just list basic tools and products you carry and then have a place to mention sales.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Bryan stammered. “I don’t know how to do any of that. It all looks great, but I don’t see how…”
“We can do it. It may not be fancy, but a basic site we can do ourselves,” Amanda said confidently. “I know how to do a basic design to make a simple website and I can show you how to update it easily.”
“Okay, if you say so,” Bryan smiled, not at Amanda’s confidence as much as at her including herself in the project. “I trust you.”
He realized then that he actually did trust her. She’d gone above and beyond to be helpful to him and he hadn’t asked for anything. He still wasn’t certain if she was interested in the business or in him.
“Let’s walk down to the café.” Bryan lifted her coat from the coat tree by the door and held it out for her. “I’ll leave my car out front.”
§
“Hey, Chief,” Saucy said excitedly when he opened the door at Conrad’s knock. “What brings you by in the middle of the day? Have you had lunch? Are you hungry? I’ve got clam chowder in the crock pot and it’s hot. I could get you a bowl. It’ll warm you up. Come in. Come in.”
“No. No thank you.” Conrad stepped inside the door when Saucy held it open for him. He could smell the chowder and felt his stomach growl. Bobby’s visit had interrupted his lunch plans, but he wanted to get this over quickly so Bobby would be gone.
“I’ve come by to ask you if you’d go down to the station with me for a few minutes.” Conrad saw fear register on Saucy’s face as he backed up towards his rocking chair to sit down.
“The sheriff is down there and he’d like to talk to you. I offered to come by and pick you up.”
“But… but why would the sheriff want me?” Saucy’s face twisted with anguish as he spread his hand out over his heart. “I cert
ainly haven’t done anything to worry the sheriff.”
“He didn’t really say, but I think he just wants to know about your interaction with Shawn Ellis. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about, Saucy. I think he’s just wanting to hear what you know about him.”
“Oh, I don’t know nothin’, Chief. I was just helping out Denise Ivy. You know her store is tiny, and she asked if she could use my garage for a short time. I thought it was her stuff until that night he moved the boxes out. He told me then that most of it was his. I didn’t know. I don’t even know him.”
“I understand, Saucy. I’m sure that’s all he wants to know, too. He just wants to talk with you. Maybe get a statement from you. It shouldn’t take too long. Can you come with me now?”
Conrad could tell when Saucy’s eyes darted away to stare at the corner of the room that he was debating whether to submit. It would be better for him to come in. If Bobby had to come to his house, he’d want to snoop around it and that would cause Saucy additional anxiety.
“Okay, Chief, but I didn’t do nothin’. Can’t I just give you my statement? I don’t even know this new sheriff and I’d rather just tell you. We could do it right now, right here.”
“I wish I could, but this is his investigation, not mine. It’s up to him. I’ll ask him once we get there though. Okay?”
Conrad looked around for his coat and walked back to open the door hoping to encourage Saucy to come with him.
§
“I know business stuff is your kind of thing,” Bryan said as he pushed his plate forward. “I really appreciate all your help and advice, but…”
“I’m overwhelming, aren’t I?” Amanda looked down at her clasped hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be pushy. You’re right. I’m excited for you. Starting a new business sounds like lots of fun and I’m enjoying helping. I don’t mean to be so pushy.”
“No, I don’t mean that at all. You’re not pushy. You’re great! I just feel bad. There’s nothing I can help you with.”
“Is that why you invited me to lunch? Is this some kind of…? Are you paying me back? Because if you are, I don’t…”