by Неизвестный
Entering the room, Devin asked, “What do you have there?”
“It’s just a button.” Luna sat on the edge of the bed and explained her most recent vision as he readied for bed. When she finished, she handed the small, round fastener to him.
Rolling it around in his palm, Devin peered at the markings. With a shrug, he handed it to her and slid under the covers, waiting for her to join him. Luna placed the button on the nightstand before Devin wrapped his body into hers.
Entwined, they lay in the quiet peace of the night. His lips met hers. Sparks flew like the Fourth of July. Luna’s hunger increased with every touch as Devin explored her body.
Sometime later, the cat yowled from below. Luna slipped on her nightshirt and charged down the stairs to let him into the house with a lecture on the lateness of the hour. Outside, a loud thump and a crash accompanied some swearing. Luna heard the sounds as she climbed onto the loft landing.
She pushed the window frame wide open and hung out to peer toward the grounds. Awakened by the noise, Devin tiptoed over on bare feet while zipping his trousers. Luna placed her finger against her lips and shushed him when he opened his mouth.
In a soft whisper, she said, “We have a visitor.”
“For crying out loud, can’t we get a break?” Devin muttered under his breath.
Luna smirked and crept down the steps, Devin not far behind. Listening, she swung the door open on silent hinges. The sounds had come from the rear yard. Together, they peered into the moonlit night. Devin grasped Luna’s arm to hold her back before he stepped onto the porch.
Footsteps echoed in the distance. Luna flipped the light switch, illuminating the grounds.
For the two years Luna’s business existed, she’d taken security for granted. Little crime riddled the small town, which led to false feelings of safety. Having lived in a large city, Luna realized life could be unpredictable and often dangerous if care wasn’t taken. Now, life in Swanscott had become similar to that of the big city and it worried her. Thank goodness for Devin Radford.
Returning to the loft, the couple returned to bed, nestled under the light blanket. Warmth from Devin’s body enveloped Luna, easing her troubled thoughts.
Sunshine filtered through the loft windows and Luna stretched, yawning as she awoke. Devin lay sprawled next to her, his body a beautiful sight to wake up to. She smiled and ran a hand over his chest.
“Are you taking unfair advantage of me, lady?” Devin murmured in a sleepy voice, squinting at her from one eye.
“Yep, you betcha.” Filled with laughter, she rolled on top of him. Riddles scooted off the bed and hustled down the loft stairs. She heard him complain at the back door, but ignored his needs while fulfilling her own.
Satiated, Luna danced down the stairs to let Riddles out. He paced at the door, waiting impatiently to chase an unsuspecting quarry, real or imagined. Luna apologized for the wait and swung the door open wide for him to scoot out.
Dressed for the day, she scurried around the loft to straighten up the general disarray from the night before. A tune flitted through her mind and she hummed the few bars she remembered while she worked.
Luna peered out the window when she heard the sound of a car pulling into the lot. The sheriff had arrived. With Devin in the basement painting walls, she ran down the loft stairs and called to him.
“The sheriff has arrived. Would you like to join me in the tea room?” she called.
Devin climbed the steps and waited in the hallway while Luna unlocked the front door for Sheriff Tiddler.
“Luna.” He nodded before glancing at Devin with a dip of his hat covered head.
“Come in, Sheriff,” Luna invited. A sense of dread swept over her.
“We need to discuss Thomas Devere’s death.”
“O-okay,” Luna stammered and settled at the nearest table.
“As I told Devin last night, the man was struck on the head, which caused his death. The forensic team found the weapon in the basement at your so-called creation station.” He handed her a picture of the heavy pipe used to kill her ex-husband. “Does this belong to you?”
She shook her head saying she’d never set eyes on it before. She handed the photograph to Devin and awaited his response.
With a shrug, Devin handed the photo back to the sheriff and said, “Never seen it before. Looks like a serious piece of pipe, though.”
“It came from a construction site outside of town. The team traced its specifics from the number stamped on it. Have you worked on that site before, Devin?”
“No, but the development is part of Rille Corporation, the same company Thomas Devere worked for,” Devin said, his interest aroused.
“You don’t say?” Sheriff Tiddler pressed his lips together and stared off into space. “I’ll send Deputy Minnow there to question the foreman.”
Luna straightened in her chair and leaned her elbows on the table. “Does Dilly know that Thomas is dead?”
He frowned at her. “What did he have to do with Dilly?”
“Um, uh, well, I think she took some investment advice from him, and I sure would hate to see her lose her savings,” Luna said.
“What makes you think she invested in anything that ne’er-do-well had to offer?” Sheriff Tiddler blinked in surprise.
“Just a conversation I overheard the other day. I think she may have been misguided, and I’m concerned for her financial safety.”
Pop-eyed, the sheriff gaped at her. Then he shook his head and muttered something about foolish women.
Bolting upright in her chair, Luna fumed. “We’re not foolish, but sometimes we’re taken advantage of by con men such as Thomas Devere.”
He snorted. “Well, you’d know all about that now, wouldn’t you?”
She began to rise, but Devin laid a hand on her shoulder. He settled into the vacant chair between her and the sheriff.
“Let’s not get into a snit, now. Instead, we should figure out who came here with Thomas and why he was killed,” Devin remarked.
Alarmed, Luna considered how they had learned two men entered the shop and only one had left. Her teeth clamped together, she prayed the sheriff wouldn’t ask that particular question. Her hopes were dashed within seconds as the sheriff turned a narrowed stare at Devin.
“How do you know he arrived with another person who then struck him? Maybe he was clubbed beforehand, dragged into the shop and left for Luna to find,” Sheriff Tiddler exclaimed.
With a tsk of his teeth, Devin’s exasperation with Henry Tiddler became apparent. He glanced at Luna and then glared at the sheriff in silence.
Sheriff Tiddler’s expression tightened, a pinched look puckering his eyes. His chest heaved as he took a deep breath.
“This isn’t your investigation, it’s mine. I do happen to think Devere was lured here and killed. Why? I don’t begin to know, but I’d guess it had something to do with shady dealings. He indulged in many of those, I’m certain of that.”
“What kind of shady deals, Sheriff?” asked Luna.
“The kind where you’re left holding the bag. The kind where a person isn’t guilty, but all the evidence points to them. Devere was a schemer. He planned to take over this shop, did you know that?” His puffy eyes regarded Luna.
“He kept insisting he was going to be my partner, but there was no basis for that assumption,” Luna acknowledged. If you’d listened to me in the first place, Thomas might still be alive.
“He planned to discredit you and take over. Now, I know you’ve probably safeguarded your inheritance and all, but there are many shrewd lawyers out there in the world, and I think Devere had found one with as few scruples as he owned.” Sheriff Tiddler shook his head as he looked at her.
“I know he always felt I was a bit strange and all, but he didn’t have any rights to my money or business interests.” Luna shook off the chill that swept over her and stood up from the table. “I can’t offer you any fresh cupcakes, but I do a few leftover in the refrigerator do
wnstairs if you’re interested in them with a cup of tea, Sheriff.”
His face beamed at the thought of cupcakes. The sheriff nodded. He turned to Devin and murmured something to the effect that Luna’s cupcakes were the best he’d ever eaten.
Luna smiled and walked away, relieved to be out from under his piercing eyes and barely disguised contempt for the worst mistake that she’d ever made, marrying Thomas Devere. The tea steeped while she hurried into the basement with a plate for treats.
Returning to the galley in time to load a tray with cups, saucers, a filled teapot and a slew of chilly cupcakes, Luna hefted the tray onto her shoulder and strode across the room with it.
While they ate and drank, Luna considered Thomas Devere’s business intentions. She knew it would be easy enough to contact William and get him to look into it. Her mind settled, she leaned back in the chair and picked her way through the last cake on the plate.
“While you were busy, the sheriff mentioned his surprise at seeing William Kinney arm in arm with Ida last night. Were you aware of their acquaintance?” Devin asked. He swallowed the last of his cupcake and licked his lips.
Her attention caught by his tempting lip-licking action, Luna hesitated. With a mental head slap, she returned to reality and left her fantasy behind.
“Uh, no, no, I was just as surprised as you.” She turned her face toward the sheriff, who hadn’t missed her brief attention lapse.
Sheriff Tiddler cleared his throat and smirked. He glanced back and forth between the couple and then stood up. “If you think of anything you’d like to share, just call the station and they’ll find me,” he said with a dip of his hat.
“Oh, wait, before you go, Devin and I heard a prowler late in the evening after the forensic team left. A man fell over some water buckets out back and swore a few times before he disappeared.”
The sheriff stared at Luna, drawing his shaggy brows together, his face an ominous mix of anger and dismay. “Why didn’t you call and report it?” Sheriff Tiddler’s voice sounded gritty and laden with emotion.
Luna groaned and rolled her eyes. “He got away. There was nothing to be done about it, was there?”
A hefty sigh left his barrel chest as the sheriff focused on her. “I guess not, but report it if there’s a next time.” He shook his head and remarked, “You’ve had a busy summer here with intruders, a corpse, a drugged woman and now a murder. Aren’t you just a little overwhelmed by all of it?”
A snort issued from Devin as he glanced at Luna and then at the sheriff.
“Overwhelmed is putting it nicely. This poor woman has been beside herself since Comen Pensker’s dead body showed up. Give her a break.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Sheriff Tiddler turned and trudged down the stairs.
Chapter 21
The following day, business resumed. Customers flocked from far and wide. Some wanted to see where the murder had taken place and others imbibed their usual cupcakes and tea. Either way, Luna reaped the rewards of selling to all who came through the door.
When she closed for the day, Dilly and Annie lagged behind. They found nonexistent chores to do, waiting until Luna locked up before they left the galley kitchen to face her. Annie stepped up and asked Luna if they could talk about what had happened.
“We realize the shop became extraordinarily busy today and that the murder had something to do with the increased number of customers, but we’re worried about you, Luna,” Annie observed.
For a moment Luna stared at her employees. She said, “Sit down, I want to explain.”
The two women sat facing Luna as she tried to sort out a way to settle their fears. Twice she opened her mouth, and twice she closed it without a word. After a few minutes her hands fluttered, and she burst out her feelings.
“I appreciate that you’re concerned, but there’s nothing I can say to make you feel better. Thomas Devere was killed in this room by a blow to the head, and though he wasn’t a decent man and he didn’t feel kindness toward anyone, he shouldn’t have died. He just deserved to go to jail for his con-artist lifestyle. He stole money from unsuspecting people, women mostly. He could charm and cajole them into offering him their life savings.” Luna glanced at Dilly, whose gaze dipped toward the table.
Luna continued, “I can only hope he was stopped before that happened to anyone I know or care about.”
Her chin lifted and Dilly nodded. “Luna, he may have had a rotten soul, but I don’t think he managed to steal from anyone here in town.”
Nodding in relief, Luna smiled. “I’m happy to hear that,” she said as she glanced at each woman. “What would you like to know?”
“When are you getting married, and will we still have jobs?” Annie asked.
“We haven’t set a date, but you won’t lose your employment. I plan to keep this place open even after Devin and I get married.”
Dilly’s eyes opened wide. “You mean the engagement wasn’t a farce, after all?”
Luna eyed her skeptically. “What made you think it was?”
A sheepish look stole over Dilly’s face as she regarded Luna. “Uh, well, Mr. Devere might have mentioned it once. Uh, maybe when he came to the shop. I always waited on him, ya know.”
Annie turned a look of suspicion toward Dilly and made a tsk sound. “Let’s stop this foolishness right now. We both know you thought the sun rose and set with that devil, and you believed every word he said. It’s a good thing he’s no longer around to take advantage of people like you, Dilly Perkins.” Annie harrumphed and folded her boney arms over her chest.
Before things got out of control, Luna said, “I have a question for both of you. Did Arvi Gribblederd offer you a business opportunity?”
She stared at Dilly, whose face turned beet-red while sweat broke out on her forehead.
With an elbow to Dilly’s ribs, Annie exploded. “You did not listen to that man’s rubbish, did you? Oh, honestly, woman,” Annie blustered, “you are so gullible, I could just spit.”
Her guilt-ridden face blanched as her eyes welled with tears. Dilly sniffed and dashed them away, saying, “He approached me right after Thomas did. Said he had a contract that I should sign to become a stockholder in your business, Luna.”
Luna sat up and reached for Dilly’s trembling hand. “You didn’t sign it or pay him, did you?”
“No, I put him off ’cause I wasn’t sure about your and Devin’s engagement.”
Annie stared at Dilly. She shook her head sadly and then sloped her arm around Dilly’s shoulders.
“You did the right thing by not signing it, Dill,” Annie said. “Luna and I will sort this out for you, but you have to promise to keep it to yourself. Not even Henry can know, okay?”
With a nod of her head, Dilly swiped the remaining tear from her cheek. “He’s unaware of any of this. Please don’t tell him. He’ll be right disgusted with me,” Dilly beseeched the two women.
Luna squeezed the plump hand belonging to the gossipy woman before her.
“Fear not, he’ll never hear it from my lips,” Annie promised as Luna nodded in hope the sheriff hadn’t taken her words seriously about Dilly being duped by Thomas.
“What can we do to help find the person who murdered Thomas?” Annie wondered aloud.
Luna sagged against the chair, mulling over how to explain what the pixies told her. She realized Annie could be trusted to keep it to herself, but Dilly might think it prudent to share the knowledge with her dear Henry. She sat up and smiled faintly.
“I heard some gossip about a man who lives in the wood by the sea, having been around here the night Thomas was whacked on the head.”
Dilly’s eyes brightened as color returned to her cheeks. She leaned forward in the chair, her dimpled elbows atop the table.
“You don’t say?” she asked.
“I do say. I can’t remember who told me, but that’s what I heard. Any ideas on who lives by the sea near the woods?”
“I’ll give it some thought,” Dil
ly ventured. Drawing her handbag onto her lap, she gathered her sweater around her shoulders. With a glance at the tightly strapped watch indenting into her chubby wrist, she cast a quick glance at the two women.
“I must get home. Henry is coming by for a late sup.”
“By all means,” Luna said with a grin. We wouldn’t want Sheriff Tiddler to miss a meal, now would we? She added, “Rest assured that you won’t have to find new employment. Faerie Cake Junction will be in business for a long time.”
The two women watched Dilly scurry from the room. Annie turned a frank stare to Luna and said, “I’m not one to believe in this sort of thing, but you do and I have to ask. It was the pixies, wasn’t it? I heard there were faeries and pixies around here. That’s how you found out about the man who lives in the wood by the sea?”
“It was. They couldn’t identify him since they’d never seen him here before. They said that he lived in that locale.”
“You believe those tricksters?”
Luna inclined her head. “I have faith in them. The faeries told me to ask for their help, so how could I doubt their sincerity?”
A sigh left Annie.
“If you believe them, then that’s all that matters.” Annie checked her watch. “I better get going or I won’t have supper until late myself. See you tomorrow morning, Luna. Be safe.” The woman wrenched her bony body from the chair and lurched out the door.
Luna watched her from the window as Annie climbed in the decrepit car and drove out of the lot. With a sigh, Luna raced up the stairs to set Riddles loose before she started to clean the shop.
She’d gotten the tearoom finished and half of the gift shop restocked when Devin arrived. Gone most of the day, she wondered where he’d been.
Hiking up the steps to the front door, he waited until Luna opened them. His arms laden with bags, boxes and various sized packages, he could hardly see over the top.
“Did you buy out the store?” Luna laughed, taking packages from the top of the pile.