“Now see, I knew Lenore would get it. I just want the community to grow. Having that golf course would be such a windfall for the local economy. It would bring jobs here, which would bring in more people and grow our congregation.”
Lenore gritted her teeth and continued to placate Boone. “Tanner doesn’t think you had anything to do with Livvy’s death. A religious man like you couldn’t possibly have had anything to do with such an atrocious act. It would take a monster to murder innocent children, or to even be part of it.”
“That’s what I tried to explain.”
“Then as a pastor, you should be able to forgive and forget. That’s why we’re here. After all, that’s the business you’re in. I’m sure over the years, in your line of work, you’ve had many situations where you’ve disagreed with members of your flock, only to set aside your differences long enough to console those who’ve experienced the loss of their loved ones.”
“Most certainly. Why don’t we take this back over to the office?”
“No need to do that. We’re here now. Why don’t you sit back down and I’ll go order us some coffee. Tanner just needs to go over a few things with you about the memorial service.” Lenore took a deep breath and handed off the rest to her husband. She left him to pick up the slack and hoped he didn’t drop the ball.
Tanner took a seat across from Boone. “Before we get started though there’s something I have to know. Did Livvy or Walker ever confide in you about having marital problems?”
Boone raised a brow. “I heard rumors. But neither one ever approached me about that sort of thing. If they had, I would’ve offered to counsel them. I often wondered if there was any truth to the gossip.”
“Do you think Walker was into anything he shouldn’t have been?”
Tanner noticed Boone cut his eyes away toward the plate glass window and look beyond into the street. It took some time before the pastor met his eyes again. “Walker was Royce’s golden child. I don’t think he would’ve put up with any type of rogue scheme.”
Tanner nodded as if fully buying it. “Then tell me this, when’s the last time you saw Livvy?”
Boone fidgeted in his chair. “That would’ve been at church on Sunday morning. She and Walker were both there with the kids. They didn’t show up that Wednesday night for services, though. It wasn’t unusual. Sometimes they passed on the prayer supper. Now what about the memorial service? Anything special you’d like me to say?”
“I’ll get to that in a minute.”
Lenore came over carrying a tray with three coffees. “Did Tanner ask if anyone ever talked about hurting Livvy or Walker? Did you hear any gossip about anything like that?”
Boone flinched at the question. It was so subtle, Lenore wondered if she’d imagined his reaction. But then he looked up at her and finally shook his head. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. But why are you asking me all this?”
Tanner cleared his throat and leaned across the table. “Between you and me, my boys ponied up a pretty penny to get that investigator on board. You ask me, she’s not worth a plug nickel.”
“Ah. I see. Well, anything I can do to help. It’s such a tragedy when children are involved in something like this.”
“Something like what?” Lenore asked. “Do you think Livvy and Walker got themselves into something they couldn’t control? Maybe a financial jam?”
Boone adjusted his glasses again. “I didn’t want to say anything but they had gotten a little lax on their tithing lately. Actually, they were months behind in their contributions. Susan Rauner keeps track of all that so she let me know right away there was a problem. I did what I could to prod Walker to get caught up.”
“I’m sure you did. And I’ve always thought Susan does such a fantastic job as church secretary. You know there were rumors floating around last winter that you and Susan were an item.”
Boone went on the defensive. “What? Why, that’s preposterous. I wasn’t aware people were talking about such things. When was this?”
“About a year ago. We didn’t believe them, of course. Every time anyone mentioned those stories about you and Susan, Tanner and I would always take up for you. Why? Because we have complete confidence in our pastor.”
“I’m just blown away by that sort of slanderous talk. I had no idea.”
Tanner nodded in understanding. “You’d be surprised at the fodder people find interesting—affairs, money woes, people even babble on about a person’s past—all those dark things no one’s supposed to find out about. You know, a friend of Jackson’s mentioned he knew you from the Pacific Northwest.”
Boone suddenly looked like a deer caught in the headlights, frozen in place in the middle of the lonely Everglades, surrounded by hungry gators. He squirmed in his chair. “Me? Not me. Never even been there.”
“That’s what I told my boy, that it was impossible. You’d have told us if you’d ever lived in Oregon.”
Boone picked up a napkin and dotted the sweat bursting out over his upper lip. “Maybe we should discuss the details of the memorial service now.”
“Oh, about that.” Lenore patted his hand. “Raine and Tessa—you know Tessa, the woman who lost her brother down here over Labor Day weekend when he came down to go fishing with Walker. Anyway, Tessa had this great idea. We’re holding the memorial service at Estrella Park.”
Boone looked horrified. “You can’t be serious. Who holds a memorial service in a park? I’m not sure Royce will agree to that.”
Lenore patted Tanner’s hand signaling she had this covered. “Agree? There isn’t much influence or pressure Royce can lord over us if we want to hold a nice service outdoors for our daughter and grandchildren. Surely you understand that, Boone. Livvy grew up playing in that park. She took her kids there almost every weekend. She loved the outdoors. Didn’t you yourself tell us how much she wanted to travel and see more of the world? When you think about it, the park is the perfect venue. And Tessa, bless her heart, already got the required permit, although the mayor did make her wait several days before signing off.”
Because his glasses had slipped down his nose again, Boone had to push them back up. “Well, yes…but…that’s just so tacky. I mean, what about the casket? Where would you put the casket at the park?”
“No casket,” Tanner grunted. “There’ll be a separate service for burial, family only.”
Boone persisted. “But who’ll say the prayer? You’re both talking crazy. What you’re suggesting is so nontraditional, so pagan.”
“It is, isn’t it? Which makes sense because the park won’t be so confining, no four walls to feel as though we’re all bunched up. Blake’s and Ally’s little friends are free to run around and play afterward.”
“But it would be so much more dignified in the auditorium where Joss Kade could play a string of hymns. And you’ll want a processional. You can’t have a funeral without a proper processional played on the organ.”
Lenore waved her hand in the air. “It’s a memorial service, Boone. I already talked to Joss and she agreed to play her flute along with her brother Quentin. They’re both such good flautists, they also play at civic center events throughout the year. When Livvy was alive she adored listening to the sounds of Native American woodwinds. She used to say how she wished those instruments were part of our church service. And with Livvy’s roots here…why, it’s perfect. And when Tessa got involved with that part, she discovered Joss and Quentin might even be Tanner’s distant cousins, certainly Seminole ancestors, for sure. The Kades were thrilled to be a part of the music. And my boys are planning to play several of Livvy’s favorite songs. Doesn’t that work out beautifully? So much better than in that stuffy auditorium.”
Lenore steamrolled over Boone as he tried to sputter out an objection. “By the way, what do you make of Nathan Hollister going missing?”
“Missing? I heard he went out of town on a business trip. Denver, I think. Wendy definitely mentioned Denver.”
“Did you ever talk
to a man by the name of Hugo Reiner? He’s known to hang out at the marina.”
Boone’s face went white as a sheet. “I don’t know that name.”
“Really? Huh. I guess Tanner and I’ve been out of the loop. Did you ever meet Tessa’s brother, Ryan Connelly? Nice man, her brother. You know we just got back from his funeral in Nags Head. Beautiful service. Did you ever meet up with Ryan when he was down here visiting from North Carolina? Did you ever talk to him? It’s such a pity what happened to him and right in our own backyard.”
“What? No. Well, maybe once or twice I might’ve bumped into him in this very sandwich shop having my lunch.”
“Now see I didn’t know that.” She turned to Tanner. “Did you know that?”
“Nope. Did you ever tell Sinclair about it or that state investigator?”
“Jessup? Yes, I believe I did.” Boone was starting to get visibly more nervous at each question. They could tell because his forehead looked like he’d just stepped out of a sauna without wiping down his face.
“So what role do I play in the memorial service? You’ll be sure to send me the time when you want me there.”
Lenore and Tanner stood up to go, leaving the best for last. “That’s just it, Boone. Raine and Tessa have it all planned out. I’m afraid there’s not a single speaking slot left for you.”
As they walked out and got away from the sandwich shop, they left a flustered preacher shaking in his boots and sweating. Once they got around the corner, Lenore took out her cell phone and sent a text message to Raine. Finished with Boone. Will stop by the The Blue Taco and drop off the recorder. You’re up now, darlin’. Now go get Carson.
Raine left Tessa behind the counter at the restaurant and went home to get ready. She put on a short skater skirt that showed plenty of leg and a peasant top that left her shoulders bare. It didn’t hurt to amp up the visual. She already knew the baker at Glazed & Dazed Donuts liked to hang out on the weekends at a nightspot called Theo’s. But Raine had no intention of waiting that long to go after Carson Frawley. She didn’t have to. The doughnut shop only stayed open from six in the morning until two in the afternoon. After that, Carson could be found losing money at a sports dive—betting on anything from college basketball to professional sports—on the other side of the island. It would likely be a noisy venue to talk, but hey, the situation called for a challenge to her creativity.
When Raine walked past the bar, Carson was in the process of putting the moves on a cute redheaded waitress half his age. But she glided on by and spotted Mitch in the corner who was there to springboard her act.
“You’re late,” Mitch snapped. “I told you I had to get back to the boat by three.”
Within earshot of the baker and whoever else wanted to listen in, Raine began, “Same old Indigo. What is it with the attitude? You’re the one who wanted to meet way out here. You want my help, the least you can do is lose the temper.”
“You were supposed to be helping my mother with the funeral preparations. She’s under a lot of stress. Now she tells me you’re backing out.”
“It can’t be helped. I’m busy at the restaurant. I work sometimes from ten to seven at night without a break.”
“That’s no excuse. My mother was counting on you to follow through. You’re leaving everything up to her. It’s not right.”
“There’s no need to take that snotty tone. Lose the attitude. I do the best I can.”
Mitch stood up. “As usual your best is hardly good enough.”
After he stormed out, Raine let out a huge sigh. “There’s just no pleasing that man.”
As she’d hoped, Carson turned on his barstool. “Why bother trying? I thought you hated that guy.”
Raine shrugged. “Old friend and all. His family is going through a tough time right now. I thought I was doing him a favor by trying to help with the funeral arrangements. After all, I feel bad for Tanner and Lenore, don’t you?”
“Sure. But there’s no need to put up with Mitch. He’s never around here anyway.”
“So true.” Raine patted the seat next to her. “Why don’t you join me? After that little scene, I could use a beer.”
She waited for Carson to slide in beside her before she signaled the redhead over to take her order. “I’ll take a Caribbean Pilsner.”
She glanced at Carson’s almost-empty cocktail glass. “And I’m guessing you’re still drinking malt scotch.”
Carson drained the liquid and held up his whiskey glass. “You bet. If it’s Wednesday, I’m throwing back Glenlivet.”
“That’s what I like about you, Carson. You always stay the same. And when you get going, you really know how to party.” She leaned into him, giving him an ample view of cleavage. “Talk about partying, Walker loved to, didn’t he?”
“Oh, tell me about it. That man would drink the craziest concoctions. He thought nothing of buying rounds of Johnny Walker Blue for everybody over at Mattito’s.” Carson snorted with laughter. “Used to ruin the taste by adding a damn soft drink into the mix. Didn’t matter if it was Coca-Cola or ginger ale, that’s the way he’d order a drink. Walker was either the biggest dumbass around or always trying to impress you with his money.”
“You have to admit that man was generous with his liquor, you have to give him that,” Raine reminded him.
“Sure. Sure. Couldn’t hold his drink, though. More you poured into him, the more he liked to run his mouth.”
“What about?”
“Oh, anything that popped into his head.”
“Like that big land deal of Royce’s that promised a casino in the area?”
“Exactly. Walker and his daddy pulled most of the church into that. But then old man Indigo had to go and stick his nose in, takes the fight to one of those environmental lawyers.”
Raine shook her head in sympathy. “There’s just no getting those Indigos. You’d think they’d want to see the town succeed.”
“His own daughter was against her father doing that. She wanted that deal to go through as much as Walker.”
“Livvy told you that?”
“That’s what Walker said.”
“What about that other big deal, the one, you know, involving Ryan Connelly?”
The corners of Carson’s eyes jittered with a sudden nervous twitch. He suddenly did his best to fight the alcohol buzz affecting his judgment. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you do. People talk, Carson. You can’t hope to keep a secret like that in a town this small.”
“Ah, you mean the gold thing? That was all Walker and Livvy.”
“Did Walker get his info straight from Hugo?”
Carson’s face paled. “I…I…how would I know? But if Royce had known what Walker planned to do, he would’ve kicked his ass all the way back to Miami and beyond, probably smack up against that Ellerbee woman.”
“So you knew about Walker’s affair?”
Carson let out a soulful laugh. “Like you said, hard to keep a thing like that a secret in a town this size.”
“So Royce didn’t approve of Walker’s affair?”
“He told him, on more than one occasion that I know about, to stop fooling around. But you know Walker, he did what he wanted to do.”
“I thought it was pretty funny that you said Livvy planned to take a trip to see New York in the fall.” She bumped his shoulder. “I knew that was a lie. She had kids in school. No one in their right mind believed she took off.”
“Hey, I was just doing my part to keep the family’s hopes alive.”
Raine patted his arm. “You’re such a good person that way.”
Carson closed the space, got right up to her ear. “Why didn’t it work out between us? I thought we were hitting it off.”
She realized she might’ve overplayed her hand. She dug deep for a zinger, lifted a brow. “It probably had something to do with the rumor you were sleeping with Lucy Navarro, the dental hygienist.”
“Oh. Yeah. I guess that’s what d
id it. Lucy had a great pair of hands, though. You know, she gave fantastic massages.”
“If it’s a great massage you want, you should really try Lucy’s cousin, Desiree. She owns the place out on the highway, Magic Hands. Sinclair even goes there, says Desiree really knows how to loosen a man up. Tell me, do you think Nathan going missing has anything to do with Walker and Livvy?”
“Nathan’s gone missing? When?”
She leaned into him again for effect. “He went on a business trip, supposedly, a week ago. But no one seems to be able to locate him. Odd, don’t you think, how all of a sudden there’s so many people going missing? Why do you think that is?”
The jovial mood, brought on by the booze, seemed to abruptly end. “I really need to get going.”
“That’s a shame. We were just beginning to catch up.”
Carson threw a twenty on the table and stood up. “I could call you. We could catch up later.”
Raine smiled. “Sure.” When hell freezes over, she thought, as she watched him head to the men’s room.
Once outside, Raine met back up with Mitch in the parking lot.
Arms crossed over his chest, he was leaning against her roadster. Admiration flashed in his eyes as he looked her up and down. Petite at five-three, she still packed a punch, especially in those spiked heels she’d put on. “Nice outfit. Still driving Danny’s old car, I see.”
“You helped him put in the engine,” she said, unlocking the car door.
“Nice job in there. Get anything usable?”
“Oh yeah. I told you Carson wouldn’t disappoint. He was lying through his teeth every time his lips moved.”
She dug out her cell and sent Garret a text. Done with Carson. Giving Mitch the recorder to pass on to you. Good luck with Oakerson.
City hall shared a building with the police department. Even if Anniston hadn’t put the place off limits for a face to face, it was a bad idea for Garret to go in there and run the risk of bumping into Chief Sinclair.
The Indigo Brothers Trilogy Boxed Set Page 46