I scooted closer. “My guess is someone felt Gwen should know, maybe since she visited Tressa often. Remember I told you about the phone conversation I overheard Gwen having? She argued with someone, saying how cruel the person was and warning that he or she would pay. What if she was talking to William and the conversation was about Tressa?” I shook my head. “Now everything makes perfect sense. The excessive drinking, her strange behavior, and talking about some man she’s dating.”
She braced both arms behind her on the dock and leaned back. “And this connects to the murder how?”
“Gwen’s story about where she was that night has to be true. The letter is postmarked two days before the murder. She probably went to Sinclair on Thursday evening, like the director invited her to, to see if there was any way to stop them from transferring Tressa. So sad, that phone call could have been her hail Mary, hoping she could change William’s mind.”
“I’m glad if this puts her in the clear, but it really narrows down the suspect list. Maybe we’ll never find out who killed Fiona. Does Hunter know about all this?”
It hit me. Of course, he had to know. After talking to the director at Sinclair Point, he would’ve learned about Gwen’s visits, including if she’d been there the evening of the murder. The director wouldn’t need a computer log to jog her memory. Residents didn’t get booted out all that often. “He does! He has to know. Instead of sharing the whole truth, he talked about the nursing home’s computer snafu and power outage. Such a tool.”
“Hey! I’m the one who gets to call Hunter a tool.” Izzie winked. “Don’t fume about it too much. He’s the detective, and we’re the bumbling amateur snoops. Isn’t that what you said? Nothing says he has to share his information.”
“You’re right. Teaches me to stay out of his business, I guess.” I kicked my feet in the water.
She jabbed my side with her elbow. “Which you won’t do. You never could stop poking your nose into what you shouldn’t. How many times did Mom or Dad ground you?”
“I lost count.” I grinned. “But it was a heck of a lot.” I bounced onto my feet. “I’m glad I snooped this time, though.
“Me too.” Izzie stood and brushed off her bottom.
I pointed over my shoulder. “I’m heading over to our host’s deck. I think there’s a wine bar set up. You want to tag along?”
“Nah. I’m visiting the seafood table. I haven’t had lobster in weeks, thanks to Mom and her ‘save the sea creatures’ campaign.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry. Her next crusade will come along soon. What about the Sterling brothers?”
She smiled. “Oh, they must like seafood too because they’re standing next to the crab legs.”
“My sister the multitasker. Good luck.” I waved and walked back toward the bonfire, searching for any sign of Ross. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Or another web conference with a client was keeping him busy.
I snorted. “Why should I care how he spends his vacation?” A heavy feeling settled in my stomach, along with the huge rack of ribs I’d eaten. I wormed my way through the crowd when I spotted Grayson. “Maybe that’s who I should focus my attention on.” I was speaking into my chest, while stepping onto the deck.
“What can I pour for you? We have red, white, sweet, dry, any number of both domestic and imported wines.” The bartender smiled at me.
“I’ll take a glass of Merlot, please.” I tapped my foot while twisting to look behind me.
Grayson remained in his spot.
“Here you go, miss.”
I clutched the stem of the plastic goblet and stepped off the deck. Making my way toward Grayson, I scrambled to think of something clever to say, anything that would impress a rich, famous, and talented man. I moaned and took a healthy sip of wine. Who was I kidding? I was totally out of his league. Within a few yards, I pulled up short and frowned.
Through the crowd, someone with a bob of pink and purple hair approached Grayson. As she reached him, I gasped. Willow grabbed his arm with one hand and waved the other around. Their mouths moved as if in a heated exchange. Within seconds, Grayson led the way toward the side entrance to the condo and Willow followed. They disappeared inside, but I could still hear the sound of raised voices.
I looked side to side. No one else seemed to notice what was going on. In a snap decision, I set my wine glass on a bench and made my way to the sliding door entrance. I was worried about Willow. After the quarrel between Megan and Grayson, I was beginning to question my judgment. Grayson might not be such a nice guy after all. He was certainly showing a side of himself I didn’t care for. Quietly, I opened the slider and tiptoed inside. Staying close to the door, I listened to their voices coming from down the hall. On tiptoe, I inched my way closer until I could peek around the corner of the room in which they stood.
“I asked you to do one thing. Just one,” Grayson said. The muscles in his face knotted in anger.
Willow shrank away. “I couldn’t. I’m sorry, Grayson. I tried but it was just too hard.”
“You’re a silly little girl. Never will amount to anything.” He waved an arm. “Get out of my sight. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
Willow sobbed and reached for his hand, but he stepped back. “Please don’t say that. I love you. I’d do anything for you.”
He shook his head and laughed. “Silly and pathetic. Now leave. Before I have someone throw you out.”
I cringed at the anger and the coldness in his voice. My heart skipped as Willow cried and ran out of the condo. It took no more than a second. I flew down the hall and outside, hoping to catch her. Instead, I collided with one of the servers carrying a tray. Shrimp and puff pastries scattered across the patio.
“Oh! I’m so sorry.” I threw up my arms, then sidestepped to move around him. “Sorry!” I called over my shoulder as I hurried across the lawn, nearly colliding with other guests. I strained to catch sight of Willow, but by now she had been swallowed up by the crowd.
“Hey! Leaving so soon?”
A hand gripped my arm. My head snapped around. Grayson smiled in his charming way that no longer appealed to me. A sour taste filled my mouth. “I’m not feeling so great. Thinking of heading home and turning in early.”
Several thoughts collided in my head. Willow and Grayson knew each other, but how? She hadn’t mentioned this when I had brought up the invitation to his bonfire, which puzzled me. My stomach clenched with concern. The decision to go after Willow and see if she needed help jarred me. I feared she was in some kind of trouble, and the cause of that trouble was standing right in front of me.
“You look stunning, by the way. Maybe you could stay for a bit longer?” He stroked my arm.
“I really should go. Maybe we’ll get together some other time.” I spoke while slowly stepping away from him. The casual, smooth talk sounded fake now. Like all of it was an act to cover up some underlying anger or something I couldn’t understand. What I did know was the impression I’d had of him had vanished.
“I’ve been meaning to visit you at the shop. Business keeps getting in the way.” He chuckled and kept moving forward as I backed away. “How is the shop doing? With all the trouble going on, making a go of it is a struggle, I’m sure.”
My gaze scanned the area, searching for a familiar face, like Izzie or Ross. “We’re doing great. Izzie has scheduled several events and slots are filling up faster than ever.” I lifted my arms with palms face out. “Look, I really have to go. Nice party,” I hollered as I turned to weave my way through the crowd. I couldn’t escape quickly enough.
“Chloe. What’s wrong?” Izzie came from behind me.
“I’m not sure.” I wrapped my arm around her waist and snuggled closer to warm myself. “But I think Willow might be in trouble.”
Chapter Eighteen
“We’ve tried the shop and her apartment and called her phone a dozen times. What more can we do?” Izzie dropped into the living room chair.
I checked my watch. An ho
ur had passed since we had left the bonfire, and everything was shadowed in darkness. Searching more now would be pointless. Frustration put my nerves on edge. “How far did you go in checking her background?” I had an idea that wouldn’t involve stumbling around blindly.
“I didn’t call the FBI or hire a detective to see if she’s been on a crime spree, if that’s what you mean.” Izzie narrowed her eyes and grew rigid.
“I’m not judging. After seeing her on the job and all she can do, I’d hire her on the spot.” I sipped my water and leaned forward. “There’s a good chance she left town and has gone to stay with a relative or friend. That’s why I asked. Did she give you an emergency contact name and number?”
Izzie frowned. “No. In fact, she mentioned not having any family and how she came to Whisper Cove for a do-over since she lost her last job due to the business closing.”
“Hmm. What business was that?” I pulled out my phone and opened a window.
“Paint and Play? She described it as a small shop offering activity workshops for kids, but I already checked and found a dead end.”
I typed in the name. “The link to the website shows the domain is for sale. You’re right. Nothing more is listed.” I scratched behind one ear. “We could call the police, but they won’t search for her yet.”
“Maybe we’re being premature. I wouldn’t be surprised if we walk into the shop tomorrow morning and find her there.” Izzie hiccupped.
“Ah, your words say everything’s fine, but your hiccups say you’re still worried. Be glad you weren’t there to see them. Grayson was so angry, and Willow looked really frightened. I can’t stop until we find her and I know she’s okay.” I sighed. “I’m heading upstairs to use my laptop and search online for more info. If you have Willow’s résumé and application in your files here at the house, text me her SSN and any other personal info that might help me, would you?”
“I do and will. In the meantime, I’ll make a few more calls and check with her landlord and places I know she likes to go.” Izzie stood. “What about Grayson? Maybe we should go back to the condo and speak with him.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t trust him being anywhere near us. Not now.” I shuddered. “If someone needs to question him, let it be Hunter.”
I went up to my room. Max trotted after me. We snuggled together on the bed, and I booted up my laptop. North was a common name. If I was going to get results, some extensive searching would be necessary and would involve database programs I didn’t have at my fingertips. “We’ll work with what we’ve got, right, Max?” I scratched the top of his head, and he immediately rolled over on his back. I laughed. “Always looking for a belly rub.”
My phone dinged. I read the text from Izzie with the information I needed. “Okay, let’s do this.”
A half hour later, my search ended with a list of several addresses where Willow had lived, all of them in and around New York City. Other than the fact she had never stayed in one place for long, I had nothing. I tapped the sides of the laptop while contemplating the pros and cons of my next move. I hated the idea of owing him anything. “Oh, what the heck.” I picked up my phone and dialed the familiar number. Chances were he wouldn’t answer. I pictured him doing something fun like dancing with some hottie, taking full advantage of his summer vacation. I still didn’t fully buy into this new and improved Ross who played in the lake water and wore clothes fit only for a tourist. “Hi! You answered.” I sat up straight and cleared my throat.
“Ah, yeah. That’s what happens when my phone rings. I answer and have a conversation. Are you at the bonfire? I looked for you,” Ross said.
“Something happened and we had to leave early.” I picked at the fringes of my blanket. “Are you enjoying the party?”
“It was a total bore without you. I left and came back to the hotel. So, what’s the something that happened? Are you and Izzie okay?” His voice shifted to a somber tone.
“We’re fine but worried about Willow. After having an argument with Grayson Stone, she was upset and ran away from the bonfire. We tried to find her, but it’s like she vanished.”
“From all you’ve told me, that guy sure seems to have a problem with women. Anyway, what can I do to help?”
I smiled. I didn’t even have to ask. Maybe I was being too harsh. He hadn’t been such an awful boyfriend, just unavailable most of the time. “You have access to databases, don’t you?”
“Me and the NYPD are tight. You want me to search her name. Willow North, right?”
“Her last address was in Manhattan, and she worked for a small business called Paint and Play. I’m texting you her social security number.” I pressed send, then added, “I can’t get over the two of them knowing each other. She never once mentioned Grayson by name. When I told her about meeting him by the lake and his invitation to the bonfire, she asked who he was. So strange.”
I heard the tapping of keys. I set my phone and laptop aside, then leaned against the bed frame to wait. One thing was for sure, Ross excelled at research. On almost every case he worked, he needed very little time to prepare his brief.
“It seems she’s got a criminal record.”
“Oh? I didn’t see that coming.” I gripped the phone. How Izzie could’ve missed that important detail was beyond me.
“Wait. Only a couple of misdemeanors for shoplifting. One incident involved a Quicky Mart, where she stole a package of ground chuck and a box of rice mix.”
“Oh lord. Poor, starving, living on the street, selling sketches for any money people would give her. It’s horrible.” I squeezed my eyes shut.
“I see you haven’t lost your wild imagination. But before you play the sympathy card, these addresses she’s lived at are in some upscale neighborhoods. Hardly poor and starving.”
“Yeah, well, we’re all one paycheck away from living on the streets, you know.”
“Hold on. I found something interesting.”
I thought aloud while his key tapping resumed. “If she lived in comfort, why come to Whisper Cove? I mean, she could be running away from something or someone.” My mind jumped to the argument between Willow and Grayson. “My gut tells me she and Grayson Stone have a history, but I can’t imagine what that could be.”
“I’m switching to video chat. You won’t believe this until you see it with your own eyes.”
I clicked to accept the video call, and Ross’s face filled the screen. “You’re right. I thought I was talking to someone who sounded exactly like you. How relieved I am now.” A smirk crossed my face.
“Funny lady. No, look.” He turned his phone to view his computer screen.
“What am I looking at?” I squinted and leaned closer. “Would you hold the phone still? No, move in closer so I can read. It’s too blurry.”
“Oh, for—” He groaned and switched the camera back to him. “There’s more than one of her. Willow North, Willow Noel, and Willow Singer. Her photo ID is the same, only the name changes.”
“I don’t understand. She has fake IDs?”
“It would take a while to explain how these databases work. Trust me. Willow has these aliases, and I’ll probably find more if I keep searching. Why, I don’t know. I could wager a couple of guesses. Running from the authorities or maybe escaping an abusive home come to mind.”
I’d already done a search for Grayson Stone, but I didn’t have the advantage of using Ross’s toolbox of tech goodies. “One more favor? Can you search Grayson Stone in your database?”
His face blushed and he glanced away. “Already did.”
“And why’s that?” I stabbed my finger at the phone screen. “Let me guess. You checked him out because Izzie asked you to, or maybe she told you I was interested in him, which I’m not. Ross Thompson, when will you give up? We’re not getting back together.” I slammed my back against the headboard.
He rubbed his jaw with one hand. “Your sister cares about you and your safety. I do too. No matter whether we’re together or not, Chl
oe, I’ll always look out for you.”
“Totally not necessary, but thanks.” I slouched in my seat. “What did you find?”
“No criminal record. His accomplishments run a mile long. The guy’s a saint.” His eyes brightened. “But you’re not interested in him, so none of it matters.”
“That’s not why I asked, you goof.” I squirmed in my seat while Max curled in a ball with his rear end pushed against me. “What about the connection to Willow? Did you check the social pages? Any details about his personal life, family, girlfriend?”
“A few articles mention his parents, who, by the way, are wealthy enough to be in the top one percent. As for siblings, he has a brother who lives in San Francisco and works for some software company. There’s also a sister who’s much younger. She attended prep school, then started her freshman year at a private college, but that’s when the information on her stops. For some reason, she fell off the radar.”
“None of this helps, does it?” I sighed. All the information we’d found created more questions than answers.
“There was one credential about Stone that raised my curiosity.” Ross grabbed a paper off the table in front of him. “Besides his sculptures, his philanthropic efforts, and appearances with the New York Symphony, he also runs a real estate development company, which has completed several projects across the country.”
“Of course, he has the money to start a dozen companies. Doesn’t sound fishy to me.”
“I’m not finished. What surprises me is how his company makes some of these deals. I searched the court records. On one occasion, Stone was able to persuade a zoning committee to change a residential area to a business zone by cutting through the red tape. There’s even a case I found where someone accused the company of using pressure tactics to convince property owners to sell. No charges have ever stuck, but still, the pillar of society might have a crack in his reputation.”
My stomach soured. To be honest, I wasn’t totally surprised, after what I’d experienced this evening. All the charm and good looks meant nothing. “Thanks for your help and digging up a ton of info, even if none of it leads to finding Willow.”
A Brush with Murder Page 23