Death by Auction

by Alexis Morgan

  “Maybe.” His smile turned a bit sad. “My ex remarried years ago and, by all reports, is far happier than she ever was with me. I’m truly glad for that. She was a good woman, Abby, just not cut out to be an army wife. It certainly didn’t help that I came back from my deployments a different man from the one she’d married.”

  Abby gave him a quick hug. “I’ll have to take your word for that, but I like the man you are now just fine. I’m guessing Connie does, too. Speaking of whom, she’s headed this way.”

  That hungry look made another fleeting appearance as he watched Connie work her way through the crowd in their direction.

  Which meant it was time to move on. For one thing, she needed to give Bryce Cadigan the check for the second half of his fee for the evening and have him sign off on the contract. It took her a minute to pick him out in the crowd. He was in the back corner talking to another man about his own age, perhaps someone he’d gone to high school with back in the day. Although Bryce was smiling, the other man didn’t look nearly as happy about being cornered by the town’s golden boy. Maybe she was imagining things, but there seemed to be a lot of tension in the way he stood and kept scanning the room beyond, as if hoping for someone to come rescue him.

  “Abby, can we talk?”

  Darn it, she’d meant to keep an eye on Tripp’s whereabouts. The last thing she wanted right now was to talk to him, but he’d managed to slip up behind her unnoticed. The man had uncanny stealth capabilities for someone his size. Must be a talent left over from his days in the Special Forces.

  “Sorry, but now isn’t a good time, Tripp. I have things to do, people to see.”

  Before she could walk away, he caught her arm. She stared down at his hand and then back up to meet his gaze. Normally, she liked his touch. This time, though, the small connection hurt her heart.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled as he let his hand drop back down to his side. “Please, I need to explain.”

  “Explain what, exactly?”

  Like she didn’t know. She wasn’t playing dumb; she was just angry and hurt.

  “Valerie isn’t my wife.”

  Yeah, right. “You said she was. Were you lying earlier or lying now?”

  He ran his fingers through his hair in obvious frustration. “She isn’t my wife now, but she used to be. Val was in college when we met, and we got married right after I joined the army. The marriage didn’t last all that long. I was gone so much in those days that Val said it was like not having a husband at all. It didn’t help that while she was going to school, I was going to war. Realizing we lived in two different worlds, she filed for divorce when I left on my third deployment.”

  The couple had broken up a long time ago, but she could still hear the hurt in Tripp’s voice. Maybe the ex-Mrs. Blackston had good reasons to walk away from their marriage, but it was clear Tripp had clearly felt differently about the situation. Knowing him, he saw it as a major failure on his part. Pastor Haliday’s comments about his own divorce had echoed that same sentiment. Heck, she had similar feelings about her own marriage falling apart.

  Her anger slowly dissipated. “I’m sorry, Tripp. I know how much it hurts.”

  “I didn’t intentionally keep my marriage secret from you. I just don’t like talking about it.” He stared across the room to where Valerie stood talking to the mayor. “It all happened so long ago that I barely remember what it felt like to be married. I swear I would’ve warned you if I’d known she was going to show up here tonight.”

  “So you didn’t know she was coming?”

  Tripp looked frustrated. “No, I haven’t heard from Val in years. I was as shocked as anybody when she plunked down that much money just to go to a dance with me. It makes no sense, and Val hasn’t explained why she’s here, not just at the auction, but in the area. She lives in Los Angeles. If she had something to say to me, she could’ve just called.”

  It didn’t seem likely the woman was interested in getting back together with Tripp after all this time, but that might be wishful thinking on Abby’s part. There had to be a pretty powerful reason for her to spend thousands of dollars to force him to spend an evening in her company.

  “Maybe she was in town anyway and heard about the auction. She could’ve wanted to see how you’re doing these days. You know, for old time’s sake.”

  “I can’t imagine why.” He frowned as he considered that idea. “She does travel some for work, though. The last I heard Val is the head buyer for Suits-Herself, Inc. You might have heard of it.”

  “Yeah, I have.”

  Seriously, was the man totally clueless? Suits-Herself was a chain of high-end clothing stores that catered to women executives. Back in Abby’s previous life, she had shopped there, but only when they had a major sale going on. It didn’t help Abby’s mood to learn that Valerie was both gorgeous and successful. Was it wrong to hate her just on principle?

  It was time to change the subject. She really didn’t want to stand around and talk about Tripp’s former wife. There was one thing that might cheer Tripp up a little. “Just so you know, Jean is mad that you let yourself get bought by someone other than me or her. She said you won’t be getting another of her casseroles anytime soon.”

  Tripp’s laughter rang out across the room, turning heads in their direction. “Seriously? All it took was having Val show up? If I’d known that, I would’ve begged her to stop by weeks ago.”

  Then his expression sobered. “I guess I should apologize to Jean, too.”

  “Yes, you should.”

  Then Abby waited for him to follow that thought to its logical conclusion. It didn’t take long. “And if I do, she’ll probably bring me a casserole to let me know I’m back in her good graces.”

  Now she was the one who was laughing. “I can pretty much guarantee it.”

  He chuckled again. “Guess I’ll just enjoy the respite while it lasts.”

  “That’s the spirit, Tripp. Look on the bright side.”

  “What bright side is that?”

  They both turned to face Valerie. Maybe she’d picked up a few of Tripp’s ninja skills while they’d been married, because he also seemed surprised that the woman had somehow slipped up behind them. If Abby had noticed she was headed their way, she would’ve made some excuse to Tripp and disappeared into the crowded room.

  When he didn’t respond, Abby struggled to come up with an answer that made sense. While she and Tripp might find Jean’s love for sharing tuna amusing, she wouldn’t invite the other woman to enjoy a joke at their friend’s expense. “I was just telling him that tonight’s success has already resulted in someone else wanting me to run a fund-raiser for them. Rather than feel sorry for me, he’s celebrating it’s not one he would have to help with.”

  Valerie clearly didn’t get it, but that was okay. Meanwhile, she elbowed him in the ribs. “Where are your manners, Tripp? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

  “Oops, sorry. This is my landlady, Abby McCree. Abs, this is Valerie Brunn, my ex-wife.”

  The poor guy just kept stumbling over his own two feet tonight, because neither she nor Valerie were happy with his introductions. Couldn’t he have just said Abby was a friend? Calling her his landlady made her sound decades older than he was when she was several years younger. Rather than point it out, she forced a smile and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Brunn.”

  The handshake was quick and cool as they assessed each other. Valerie immediately latched on to Tripp’s arm again, staking out her territory. “Likewise, Ms. McCree. I’m guessing from a few comments I’ve overheard tonight, you expected to be the one going to the dance with Tripp.”

  “Really? That’s odd since I didn’t actually place any bids this evening.”

  Only because of Valerie’s sniper bid, but that didn’t make it any less true. Rather than let the conversation deteriorate any further, she aimed for the high ground. “I do want to thank you for supporting the veterans group. I know Tripp and the other members appreci
ated everyone turning out tonight for a good cause. Now, if you two will excuse me, I have some business to attend to.”

  Valerie might have said something else, but Abby just kept walking. As she did, she stared at the clock on the wall and begged it to pick up speed. She really needed this evening to end.

  * * *

  It was tempting to drink another glass of wine, but it wouldn’t help. Abby had been trying unsuccessfully to corner Bryce Cadigan for the past half hour. She wasn’t on the cleanup crew tonight, and the only thing holding her there was the need to hand him his check.

  Right after she’d walked away from Tripp and his ex-barnacle, she spotted Bryce over near the stage. By the time she’d gotten there, he was deep in conversation with the high school football coach and a few other men. Maybe she’d have that glass of wine after all.

  In just the couple of minutes it took her to flag down a waiter, Bryce had moved on from talking to the coach to having what looked like a pretty intense discussion with another man. This one was older with graying hair worn pulled back in a short ponytail. Bryce was no longer smiling, his usual charm nowhere to be seen. If anything, he looked uncomfortable as he focused on what the man had to say. He took a couple of steps back as if trying to end the conversation, but his companion followed him step for step. What was that all about? Not that it was any of her business.

  Rather than interrupt them, she’d stopped to talk to Gage and the mayor, Rosalyn McKay. She found it interesting that the pair had been inseparable all evening,

  Rosalyn glanced around at the crowded room. “Abby, I’m impressed. You did an amazing job organizing all of this. I’m really excited about the dance, too. Going World War II retro was such a clever idea.”

  Abby thought so, too. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s a huge relief the turnout has been so great. I’ve had a few sleepless nights worrying I’d be the only one who showed up.”

  She didn’t regret the evening’s success, but impressing Rosalyn McKay might not have been in Abby’s own self-interest. The woman had already drafted her into running one committee here in town. She’d already handed that group off to her successor and didn’t want the mayor or her assistant deciding they had another perfect spot to plug Abby into their network of boards and committees.

  Meanwhile, Abby kept an eye on Bryce, who had finally escaped the man he’d been with a short time ago. Right now he stood still, his attention riveted on someone across the room. After a few seconds, he smiled and cut across the room at a fast pace, barely acknowledging the various people who called out greetings as he passed by. Given his current trajectory, it appeared that his target was the trio of women standing in the back corner.

  As he closed in on them, one of them finally took notice and said something to the other two. Although Abby couldn’t hear what was being said, it appeared she was trying to shoo the other two away. After a brief hesitation, they gave Bryce one more questioning look before abandoning their friend to face him alone. Even from where Abby stood, it was easy to tell the smile the woman offered Bryce looked a bit forced.

  He hugged her, holding on a little longer than the woman appreciated. He grinned when she tried to shove him back. Whatever he said to the woman had her dropping her hands back down to her sides and glancing around to see if anyone was watching them. As their conversation continued, their body language was definitely interesting. Bryce seemed to be enjoying himself, but his companion was anything but relaxed.

  When Bryce leaned in close to whisper something close to the lady’s ear, she stiffened, her hands clenched briefly into fists. Either the man didn’t pick up on the woman’s discomfort at being crowded, or else he didn’t care. If anything, he hovered even closer for several seconds before finally taking a short step back.

  Gage must have picked up on Abby’s interest in Bryce Cadigan’s ongoing conversation, because he asked, “Is something wrong?”

  The woman looked marginally happier now that Bryce had given her a little breathing room, although her smile remained a little tight. Either way, it wasn’t Abby’s problem. “No, I was just trying to think of that lady’s name, the one talking to Bryce Cadigan over in the corner. I noticed she ended up with one of the baskets, and I’m trying to thank everyone who financially supported our cause tonight.”

  Both of her companions looked to see whom she was talking about. It was Rosalyn who answered, “That’s Robin Alstead. She used to teach English at the high school, but now she works at that big discount store out near the highway. I don’t know much about her other than she’s a member of that really conservative church about ten miles north of here. Her late husband was a deacon there, I believe.”

  What little Abby had heard about that congregation explained the woman’s rather old-fashioned attire. She wore no makeup, and her hair was coiled in a braid at the nape of her neck. Her simple white blouse was paired with a mid-calf-length navy skirt and plain black flats.

  Bryce said something else and then walked away laughing. Mrs. Alstead appeared to be relieved that he was gone. After taking a quick look around, maybe wondering where her friends had gone, she disappeared down the nearby hallway that led toward the restrooms. She hesitated right at the entrance to watch Bryce for a few more seconds before disappearing from sight.

  Meanwhile, Bryce continued toward the exit. Realizing he might be leaving, Abby said, “If you two will excuse me, I’ve got to catch Bryce while I have a chance.”

  Once again, she didn’t move fast enough. Before Abby had gone half a dozen steps, Valerie Brunn blocked his way, which brought the man to a screeching halt. Abby froze in her tracks, not wanting to cross paths with Tripp’s ex again. On the other hand, the interchange between Val and Bryce was riveting. It looked as if Valerie was reading him the riot act. At the same time, he kept looking around to see if they were drawing any attention from the surrounding crowd.

  The second he realized Abby was watching them, Bryce grabbed Valerie by the arm and dragged her through the door that led outside to the parking lot. It was tempting to follow, but whatever was going on between them was none of her business. Still, apparently Tripp wasn’t the only reason Valerie had shown up at the auction.

  Not that she was going to tell Tripp what she’d just seen, not when he clearly had mixed feelings about the woman. What she would do was stay close by and wait for Bryce to return so she could finally get rid of the stupid check she’d been carrying around all evening. Afterward, she’d head home and get off her feet for a while.

  A few minutes later, Valerie reappeared alone, her face flushed. She glanced around the room, her gaze sliding by Abby as if she were invisible. It was painfully obvious the second she locked on Tripp’s position and cut through the crowd, headed right for him. Abby turned her back on the situation and continued to wait for Bryce to come back in. To pass the time, she stopped to chat with Connie Pohler and Jack Haliday.

  Growing increasingly frustrated with the situation, she checked the time. He’d been outside for almost twenty minutes. If he didn’t show up soon, she’d give up and just mail his check. If he didn’t like the delay, tough. She had made a good faith effort to find him. On the other hand, there was always an outside chance he’d stopped to talk to someone else on their way out. If she hurried, she might just catch him.

  As soon as she reached the parking lot, she realized chasing after him was a stupid idea. She had no idea what kind of car he drove, so there was no way to know whether or not he’d already left. Just in case, she walked the length of the lot to look down all the rows of cars and didn’t see him standing anywhere.

  It was time to go back inside and check in with Clarence Reed. The owner of the local hardware store was in charge of the cleanup tonight. Once she made sure he didn’t need her for anything, she was going home. As she made her way back to the door, she heard a faint beeping noise, the kind a car made when the door was left open. If that was the problem, she’d just close it so the battery didn’t die. If there was somethin
g else wrong, she would memorize the license plate number and make an announcement once she got back inside.

  Naturally, the car was parked all the way at the distant end of the lot. As she drew closer, it was clear that the driver’s door was still open even though the beeping noise had finally stopped. Odd that someone would’ve walked away and left it like that, but there was no one in sight. But as she rounded the end of the car, she realized it wasn’t only the battery that was dead.

  The owner was, too.

  Chapter Three

  Bryce Cadigan had slumped over and fallen partway out of the door with only his seat belt holding him in place. His head hung down with his mouth open and his eyes looking a bit bewildered as they stared sightlessly down at the pavement. She forced herself to go closer, to make sure she was right about his condition. His unblinking gaze pretty much answered that question, but she forced herself to rest her fingertips against the side of his throat. His skin was warm to the touch, but she couldn’t feel a pulse. The only question now was should she call 911 or Gage’s number instead? After all, he was right inside the building. She hated to spoil his evening, but he’d get called to the scene, anyway. Might as well let him take charge from the beginning.

  He answered on the second ring. “What’s up, Abby?”

  “Can you come out to the parking lot? Just you. No one else if you can avoid it. I’m in the far back corner.”

  It said something about their relationship that he didn’t hesitate. “I’ll be right there.”

  Good to his word, he stepped out of the building in a matter of seconds. She waved her hand until he spotted her. If it wouldn’t have attracted more attention, she might have asked him to bring Tripp along for moral support. On the other hand, it was unlikely he could’ve been able to escape the barnacle’s clutches, especially if Valerie figured out it was Abby who needed him right now.

  Besides, it wasn’t fair to expect him to come running every time she stumbled over another dead body. This was the third time in the short time she’d been living in Snowberry Creek. If people weren’t already talking about her unfortunate talent for getting sucked into murder investigations, they would be soon.