by Wendy Byrne
While I was waiting for the paint to dry, I contemplated a lot of things, starting with what had happened yesterday at Purdy's. Maybe I should see an allergist to see if it was a reaction to shrimp. Judging by what had happened, it seemed like something I should explore. Part of me thought there might be something more sinister going on, but that seemed unlikely, as nobody knew we were headed to Purdy's and nobody could possibly have known what we were up to. Well, except for Titus and Rocky. But what were the chances they'd set us up like that? Remote. But that might be something to consider.
The day was beautiful, the sun was shining, and I lost myself in something I loved to do. Maybe I should keep the storefront and turn it into an art studio. I could fill it with local artists, jewelry displays, decorated pottery, and everything imaginable. The town of Inez wasn't exactly a hotbed of activity, so I'd need a draw to get tourists to stop here. With enough advertising combined with word of mouth, I could pull it off. The Qs and I had successfully launched the town's first Spring Fling a couple of months ago. While we did it to entice a murderer, our efforts had proved successful to draw a crowd on short notice as well.
"I was told I might find you here." Drew Lannon walked up, startling me.
I tried to temper my anxiousness while nerves threatened to explode inside me. I'd long ago abandoned being impartial, and this guy should have figured that out by now based on our last conversation. Yet here he was.
"I'm not sure why you're here." I crossed my arms over my chest as if to put an exclamation on my point.
"We might have gotten off on the wrong foot the other day." If a person could fake embarrassment with a blush, he managed to do it. "I'm afraid I let my emotions get the better of me. I'm genuinely interested in my niece's welfare and want to do right by her no matter what happens to her father."
"And I figure into your plan how?" I knew what he was itching for and wasn't about to scratch it.
"I'd like to meet with her. She doesn't have to know who I am, but I know you and she have a relationship. I suspect she resembles my sister, and that will give me comfort. Nate doesn't have to know."
I was pretty sure my heart might have stopped. The idea of betraying Nate like that was unconscionable. "I would say you can't be serious, but I can see that you are. I think you know where my loyalties are, and they're not with you. So if you don't mind, I have work to do." As if to illustrate that point, I turned my back on him and began to paint with shaky hands.
"I apologize. I wanted to see her before I headed back home to New York. I didn't mean to…" His voice faded as he walked away.
Phew.
As I contemplated what or if to tell Nate, a man walked my way carrying a cane like an accessory more than a necessity. I'm not being harsh, but the guy didn't put any weight on it, so I figured he liked the idea of carrying a cane. Whatever floats your boat I guess.
"Hi. I saw you at the park yesterday, didn't I?" the man said. If I had to guess I'd have put him midfifties, maybe a lawyer or banker with a sculpted handlebar mustache. Yes, you heard that right. I didn't know such a thing existed in this century either.
"Don't think so. I wasn't in town, let alone at the park yesterday." I shook my head and continued to paint. While I didn't want to seem rude, ingrained habits from Manhattan told me not to talk to strange men walking down the street, especially if they had a handlebar mustache. I suppressed the heebie-jeebies even while I felt secure.
Besides, I was on the front sidewalk in broad daylight with people passing by. Granted, downtown Inez wasn't a hotbed of activity, but there were always a few stragglers walking past—even if most of them hovered around eighty years old and were hard of hearing. Then again, Jeremy was across the street and would hear me if I made a commotion.
"Really? I could have sworn I saw you. It's not like there're a lot of women your age in this town. But you were having a drink at the fountain in the square. It looked like you'd just finished a run."
"I assure you that wasn't me." If I hadn't heard something similar from two people now, I would have been blowing this guy off. But I was starting to worry about having a twin lurking around the area.
"I heard there was some excitement around town involving the sheriff and his missing ex-wife. Do you think he killed her? In my experience, it's always the ex-husband."
Was he snooping around for someone or being nosy? One could be annoying, the other potentially dangerous. I tempered my words. "Nate wouldn't hurt a flea."
"Hmm…that's not what I heard."
"Then you must be talking to the wrong people. Now, if you don't mind, I'm busy." I managed a tight smile.
"Really? I heard she was into drugs and that's what they fought over." When I sighed loud enough to wake the dead, he softened his approach. "Truth is, I saw the sign and was wondering how much you were thinking of renting the space out for." His question struck me as odd since he hadn't peeked inside. I assumed that meant he was just trying to get me to keeping talking.
"What kind of business are you in?"
"A little of this and a little of that. Mostly I collect rare books." That sounded so creepy, like something Hannibal Lecter might say about fava beans. His disturbing smile sent a round of goosebumps down my arms.
"I don't think that would go so well around here." I was making stuff up on the fly, but I wouldn't rent to this guy even if he were offering free chocolate and coffee every day.
"Now I know where I saw you. You're the woman who solves the murder mysteries, aren't you? Are you working on the case of who killed the sheriff's ex?" His tone was laced with condescension on steroids. It took everything in me to not throw him out on his ear. And I was wishing I had those nunchucks handy about now. But since I couldn't do either, I gave him my best stink-eye. And by now I could do a pretty good imitation of Alice's world-class stink-eye.
"First off, there's no evidence Jen is dead. Second, are you here to ask me questions or rent the space?" I placed my hands on my hips to emphasize I meant business.
No longer was I that girl who was intimidated easily. The Qs had taught me a lot in nine months of palling around with them. But I had to admit there were times I wished I had a female contemporary I could talk to about stuff—like how to get Gabe to open up and tell me why he's so secretive at times? But that was fodder for another day's work.
"How about a little of both?" He gave me another creepy smile.
This. Guy. Had. To. Go. Now.
"I'm looking for someone, and you're the type of person who could help me out. Here's a picture." He handed me a photo. "I heard she was headed this way. She's got a little girl with her, and I need to talk to her. She's inherited a substantial sum of money that she doesn't know about. I'm sure she could use it, so if you see her, let me know." He handed me a card and walked away—Daniel Opps it said in royal blue printing. Beneath it was an email address as well as a phone number. He said over his shoulder, "There's a finder's fee too in case you're interested."
I wondered if the guy was unnerving enough to add to my suspect list if for no other reason than him being a jerk. Another mystery left to solve. I couldn't wait to tell the Qs. And maybe check in with Nate. It would get his mind off his troubles if only for a bit.
CHAPTER NINE
I strolled toward Nate's because I felt a need to check on him and had more than a few questions to ask—like was he really a millionaire for starters. After I knocked, it took him a while to get to the door, as if he wasn't sure if he wanted to answer. On seeing the deep lines etched below his eyes that weren't there a week ago, I'd have said he hadn't had much sleep over the last few days.
I gave him a hug when he ushered me inside, and I could have sworn he had a sprinkle of tears in his eyes. My heart broke for him. I tried to think of something enlightening or motivational to say, but happy thoughts escaped me.
My smile felt fake as I glanced around. "Where's Em?"
He sucked in a breath. "She's playing at a friend's house for the day. Anything I c
an help you with?" The energy had gone from his tone as he asked the question, like he didn't want an answer.
Gone was the confident, tell-it-like-it-is Nate. My heart broke a little more, but I continued on. "I came to see how you were doing and tell you about a curious visitor I had the other day."
His face perked up a bit. "You know I'm on leave, so I can't do anything in an official capacity."
"I know, but I'm looking for your thoughts. First, this weirdo tried to say he saw me in the park yesterday, but I wasn't there. I—"
He stopped me from continuing with a raised hand. "That's weird because Emily mentioned the same thing. She was at the park with her Brownie troop and said you didn't wave back. I told her you probably didn't see her."
I chewed my lip. This was getting stranger by the minute. "It wasn't me, and I'm getting a little creeped out since other people have said the same thing."
"Probably somebody who looks like you is passing through town," he said, but I could tell he had his doubts. "Something else bothering you?"
Instead of telling him about Drew's visit, I relayed my impressions of that Opps guy and the suspect information he gave me about the missing woman and her daughter. I might be in the mode where everything seemed suspicious to me, but the guy kind of gave me the creeps. I handed him the card.
"The name sounds familiar, but I can't place him. My guess is he's a bounty hunter. We both know there's no inheritance. That's the oldest trick in the book and has been used way too many times to be credible."
"I agree." I pulled out the photo the man had given me. It was good to see the light in Nate's eyes for a change, like he had something to think about other than his troubles. "What do you think? Have you seen her? I wonder why he thinks she's in the area."
He studied the picture intently. "She looks like…" He shook his head.
"Do you know her?"
"She reminds me of somebody from high school, but last I heard she was living abroad. Mr. Opps won't be around for long once he doesn't find the woman and her daughter in Inez."
"Yep, that's what I was thinking too but thought I'd run it by you to see what you thought. How are you holding up?"
"My deputies are making pests of themselves, and Chaz has been calling me every day, so I'll make a copy of this if you don't mind and send it off to them." He looked some more at the picture as if trying to remember or trying to forget. I couldn't tell which. "I still have connections with the Bureau, so I'll send it off to the FBI to see if she registers on any of their databases." There was something he wasn't saying, but I didn't want to push the issue.
"It might keep your mind off your troubles for a while and maybe help figure out the mystery. After all, the Qs and I have our hands full with your mystery, so it's only fair," I teased.
"I could use all the help I can get." That old weight-of-the-world took over his expression once again.
I hated to push the envelope but felt like I needed some answers. "Just a couple more things. I'm not sure if Gabe told you, but Mel stopped by his house the other day, worried about Jen."
Nate looked puzzled. I wasn't sure if it was because Gabe hadn't told him or if it was skepticism about Mel's appearance. "Nope. But that does sound weird. They weren't close."
I gulped as I thought through how to give him the facts. "She made it sound like she and Jen were BFFs. Then again, Gabe has told me more than once Mel loves to create drama, so I'm sure that's what it was about."
He nodded slowly. "Probably."
"One more thing, and this question is a little insensitive, so I'm apologizing in advance." I sucked in a deep breath. "I'm going to come right out and ask. Are you a millionaire?"
His gaze widened. "Why do you ask?"
"Maybe this plays into the whole reason you were set up. I don't know how yet, but I have to believe it's somehow connected."
Nate shook his head. "I inherited that money a long time ago. Jen never knew about it. Now I'm glad."
"What if she found out?"
"The only time she didn't drink or do drugs was when she was pregnant with Emily. For that I'm grateful. But the other times, she was way too busy doing her thing." He shook his head. "I hate to say this kind of stuff about her, but it is what it is. I still hold out hope she's off on a binge somewhere and she'll show up eventually. She's never been what I would call reliable. It's what I loved about her in the beginning." He eked out a smile. "My whole life has been about following the rules, but not her. She was spontaneous. For a while that felt refreshing." He shook his head.
Based on his expression, it seemed like bittersweet memories had invaded his thoughts, as he remained quiet before raising his gaze to meet mine.
I cleared my throat. "Like I said, with her brother showing up all of a sudden, it feels that there's a piece we're missing, especially now that I found out about this inheritance you received. It could motivate some people to do some pretty drastic things."
"Which is why I've kept it quiet. I never even told Gabe. So how did you find out?"
I shook my head. "If you can believe it, my father knew about it. The man has his ear to the rumor mill. But if he knows, there's a strong possibility that this Drew guy somehow found out as well. When he came to my house, he was spouting about his sister and also about being denied the opportunity to ever see his niece." I knew that part wouldn't go over so well, but I couldn't sugarcoat the truth any longer.
While I appreciated the fact that he forced a smile, I could tell I'd inadvertently brought him to a place he didn't want to be. My eyes welled. "I know you didn't do anything to hurt Jen, and I'm going to figure this out for you." I hugged him and felt his body tremble. I wiped the tears from my cheeks before I separated from him. "It's the least I can do. Besides, you know how I love to be right. And this kind of mystery is in my wheelhouse."
"That reminds me. I did find out there's a guy named Drew Lannon also from Kyleen. Midthirties. No record of arrests. No outstanding warrants. But there's also no driver's license photo in the Iowa database."
"It fits." I nodded slowly. "He said he was headed back to his home in New York."
"Thanks, Izzy."
As I walked out the door and contemplated what I should do next, a deal with the devil came to mind. At first, I brushed it away, as it was the last place I wanted to be. I couldn't even believe I entertained the idea, but it might help. I had to face it. I was at a dead end with nowhere to go but up or down considering my current way of thinking.
Besides, I needed the time to think about Nate's insight as well as formulate a plan. Maybe I'd have the Qs stop by and we could brainstorm theories on how to solve this case before Nate's butt ended in jail. I had a sneaking suspicion that might happen soon, and I wanted to be proactive rather than reactive for once.
Yes, you guessed it. I was actually thinking about going to Iowa City and visiting Cleo. Call me crazy, but she'd helped before. Never would I go there alone. And laugh all you want that I was bringing my senior citizen bodyguards with me, but I figured it was time I should go big or go home with my tail between my legs. While hibernating in my apartment seemed like a safe option right now, I couldn't bring myself to take the safe route any longer. Yep, I was definitely losing it.
* * *
Needless to say, the Qs were over-the-moon excited when I came to pick them up. The endless chatter continued the entire drive to Iowa City.
"Cleo is so good at picking up on your vibes or aura or whatever she calls it," Ramona said.
I nodded. While to them it was a badge of honor, I didn't think of it that way. The woman positively horrified me. I wasn't sure if she was reading my aura or my mind, but either way, every encounter left me entirely creeped out. This time I'd take one on the chin for the sake of expediency. Besides, it seemed like this whole thing with Nate might explode any minute.
Since Alice had Cleo on speed dial for some strange reason, she took care of the arrangements. As a part-time psychic along with full-time artist, to say sh
e was colorful would be a vast understatement. The woman exemplified the word quirky—of the scary variety, at least to me.
She opened the door before we could knock. My eyes went wide as I took in her appearance.
"Cool." Alice held her hands high and pranced around in circles with Cleo.
I still couldn't find the words because…well…the woman was a rainbow. I didn't mean metaphorically. I meant literally. Her tights, her bare feet, her face, her arms, the dress she wore. Everything, including her eyelashes, was rainbow and glitter. The glitter had to be the cherry on the top of the rainbow sundae of crazy.
I'd seen her in a lot of different and bizarre outfits, but this took that concept to a whole other level. For a moment, I couldn't help but wonder what brought it all on. Then again, knowing Cleo, it could have been something as simple as a dream or getting inspired by a real rainbow or having a premonition.
I had second thoughts about coming. Heck, I had third and fourth thoughts as well. In my opinion, no sane person dressed as a rainbow. But I shouldn't be judgmental, even if the woman needed help from a mental health professional.
"Oh, poor Izzy. You're so conflicted." Cleo grasped my hand, sending a shower of glitter all over my arm.
Gee, ya think?
My thoughts of how did I get myself into this mess warred with she might be the only lead I have, even if it's a shaky one. But in the end, we were here. I needed to brush aside my fears and soldier on, as the saying goes.
"What's she conflicted about?" Alice asked as she found some glitter, threw it into the air, and let it rain on her. She seemed pretty pleased with herself as it clung to her hair and arms.
Cleo stared at me so intensely I had no option but to look away. I was being a wuss, but each time I met with this woman I swore I'd overcome my fears of those things that went bump in the night, but then I'd see her and feel like a six-year-old girl once again watching my first creepy movie.
She narrowed her gaze. "A woman, a man, and a boat are making you feel afloat."