Christmas, Criminals, and Campers

by Tonya Kappes

  “Yeah. I know about that.” He picked up Fifi, who was yapping at him. “Let’s take her for a walk before we eat so we can have some time to talk.”

  I wanted to run to the bathroom to get a look in the mirror but there was no sense in doing that. He’d already seen me and if I was going to put on all that snow garb, it wouldn’t make a difference anyways.

  “Fifi,” I called her name and held up her coat. She bounced over with a wagging tail and yipped until I got the coat on her.

  “Ty came to see Abby at the station. She was pretty upset,” Hank told me pretty much the same thing Dawn had said.

  It turned out to be a nice winter night for a stroll. The snow had stopped, and the stars were out. Along with the moon, they shined so bright they lit our way.

  “I know Ty and I aren’t the best of friends, but I do kinda feel for the guy.” Hank reached over. His gloved hand took my gloved hand as we walked through the campground with Fifi darting in and out of the snow piles in front of us. “I got you from him,” he teased.

  “Stop it. He’s more suited for Abby. I just don’t know what happened with Dawn and him.” It was so out of character for Ty. “It gives him and Dawn an alibi.”

  “And Abby too.” He pulled me to him. “I figured I’d tell you that and you’d wrap your arms around me, giving me another one of those kisses.”

  “You are ruthless.” I shoved him away. When our arms extended, our fingers locked together harder and I tugged him back. “Tell me how she’s got an alibi?”

  “Well, since you already bribed Colonel into telling you the stab was the secondary wound that happened after Nadine’s heart had already stopped, Abby has an alibi for up until she found Nadine. One being the time frame she was at the diner in shock. She then ran over to the library and that’s when she found Nadine. By then, Nadine had been dead an hour.”

  “That’s when Abby was at Queenie’s Jazzercise class.” I dropped his hands and clapped my hands together in delight. I turned to Hank. “You’re right! I could just kiss you, but. . .” I reached down and grabbed two handfuls of snow, making the biggest snow ball and throwing at him.

  He ran after me with Fifi yipping on our heels. He tackled me to the ground. Both of us were giggling like we were teenagers.

  “You sure are something else, Mae West.” Hank’s voice created an echo in the night sky as both of us fell on our backs into the fluffy snow.

  “This is great snow for snow angels.” I swiped my arms and legs open and closed in the deep snow to make one.

  Even if I’d not figured out who’d killed Nadine White, the weight of worrying about clearing Abby was lifted off of me.

  “Let’s go. I’m starving.” Hank and I stood up in front of our snow angels. “Aww. Cute.”

  “They are cute.” I smiled and made a mental picture in my head of the two snow angels that looked like they were holding hands, so I wouldn’t forget this time. It was adorable. And when Hank heard all my theories about Nadine’s killer, he might regret he’d asked me to keep my nose and ear to the ground.

  “Something on your mind?” He looked at me out of the corner of his eye as we were walking back to the RV. “Do I dare ask if it’s about Nadine White?”

  “Since you dare, I shall tell you,” I teased hoping to cut through the tension I was feeling about it. “I think Valerie Young has a strong motive since she was Nadine’s agent. It’s been no secret that everyone who had come in direct contact with Nadine said that she was going to fire Valerie.”

  He was so good at listening this time without interrupting me. Or he just tuned me out. I was going with the idea he was listening, so I continued to tell him my theory and how Dawn had told me about the fifteen percent for life.

  “It’s true.” I agreed one-hundred percent with the idea stars sometimes become more popular in death. “Michael Jackson. Prince,” I rattled off a couple of my all-time favorite stars. “Their album sales went through the roof. The same could be true for Nadine White. If Valerie knew Nadine was going to fire her, Valerie had to be thinking about her income. What better way to make it go up then rely on the fact that Nadine White’s work would go up in value, making her income continue. Or at least giving her a jolt of income that could sustain her until she landed another big client.”

  “You make a very good point and I agree.” Those words coming out of his mouth made my heart soar. We were connecting on so many levels that I truly believed my stars had aligned and my soul mate was actually right here in front of me. In Normal, Kentucky of all places. “If we could only find her.”

  “What?” I took my coat off once we were inside and took his from him, hanging them on the hook to dry.

  He took off Fifi’s leash and handed her a treat. She grabbed it and ran to her little bed near the front of the RV and began gnawing on it.

  It was like Hank and I had a rhythm. He opened the Chinese bags and took out the containers while I grabbed a couple of plates.

  “She came to the station to talk to me after she heard about Nadine.” He put air quotes around heard as if he didn’t believe her. He took a bottle of wine out of one of the bags and grabbed two coffee mugs since I didn’t have wine glasses. He poured some in each and set them down on the table. “She said she was going to go back to the camper after we cleared it. I’ve called the phone number she gave me, and the phone has been disconnected. We’ve had a ranger camped out in the park behind the camper to watch for any movement.”

  “And?” I asked. We passed the containers between us, sharing them and putting some on our plates.

  “She’s not been back. Have you noticed anything?”

  “No. I was waiting to go over and give my condolences while figuring out how long she’d be staying, not to mention snoop a little.” Now I wasn’t going to wait to just let myself in and look around. “But I’m sure y’all combed the place.”

  “We took some fingerprints. That’s about it. We found a few prints that weren’t Abby’s at the scene and I’m hoping to see if any of them match. We sent them off and should have those back in a day or so.” He picked at the beef and broccoli with his fork until he found a bite.

  “What about Reed Fowler?” I asked.

  “What about him? We had him arrested.” Hank didn’t see it as big of a deal as me.

  “When?” I asked.

  “The day you saw me and Nadine at the diner. That was him taking photos of her.” The images of his and Nadine’s fingers touching played in my head as she handed him that paper, which I knew was now the restraining order. “That’s when she told me about the restraining order she had against him. Apparently, if anyone got wind about what she was working on while she was here, there was a huge reward from one of those slimy magazines.”

  “Yeah. I knew that. But I think he might be a good suspect to look at too. Because he has the monetary motive like Valerie. Plus,” I put my finger up when Hank went to say something, so I could finish my thought, “he had to be mad that she took out a restraining order against him and had him thrown in jail.”

  “I’d say he would be a good suspect, but he’s still in jail. His hearing to post bond was postponed due to the judge not being able to get to the courthouse in this weather.” Hank’s words deflated me.

  I sure thought my sleuthing skills were getting better and better.

  “Okay, then. . .” I sighed deeply and reached over to the kitchen counter from my chair to grab the notebook. “I’ve got to cross him off my list.”

  That only left me with one person. Valerie Young.

  Not only did she have the perfect motive, she’d disappeared. Looked guilty to me.

  Sixteen

  The next morning, I woke up with the early alarm to get ready for the early shift at the office since it was my turn to open. There was a text on my cell phone from Ava Grady.

  Ava: All taken care of you. Got Abby in the right frame of mind. She remembered where and what happened. Obviously, didn’t kill the author. You owe me $
400. I dropped her off at your friend Queenie’s house. You can find her there.

  I gulped back the amount. It was worth it since she got Abby off. Instead of thinking anymore about paying Ava, I went ahead and Venmo’d the amount to her. It was a form of payment sort of like PayPal. I put the phone back on the nightside table.

  “Are you ready to get up?” I put my hand on Fifi, who was sleeping on the pillow next to me. She was all curled up in a tight ball with her little eyes open. “I feel the same way.” I pulled the quilt up to my chin. “Just a few more minutes.”

  A knock at the door ruined that thought. It made Fifi jump up with a yip or two.

  “Do you think it’s Hank?” The excitement of the possibility it was him made me jump out of bed and dart to the door. I picked up Fifi first. If I didn’t do that, she’d dart out the door and that wasn’t going to happen, especially since I didn’t have on the right clothes to chase her in the snow.

  “Hi. I’m Laura.” The young woman I’d invited to come to the library to meet Nadine White was standing at my door. “I heard the news about Nadine White and I just had to come here. I went to the office, but the note said to come here.” She shivered as she stood on the bottom step.

  “Come in.” I opened the door for her. Fifi shivered after she stuck her little black nose out the door. She ran back into the bedroom where I’m sure she was snuggled up again on the pillow. “I just got up, but I’ll make us some coffee.”

  If I remembered correctly in my morning brain fog, Laura was drinking coffee at the diner when I’d met her.

  “Thank you,” she gratefully sighed. “I’ve not slept all night.”

  “I heard Nadine was going to mentor you.” Valerie had mentioned that in hopes it’d make Nadine look a little nicer. I worked around the kitchen getting the coffee grounds in the maker and turning the button on for the coffee maker to brew. Within seconds, the RV smelled like the yummy aroma that started to wake up my senses.

  “Yeah. I even dropped off my manuscript to her and I’ve been trying to get in touch with Valerie Young about it, but she won’t call me back.” Laura fumbled with the buttons on her wool coat. “I just went by the camper to stay there until she came out, but the car isn’t there and she’s not there either.”

  “Valerie hasn’t been back in a day or so.” I was really starting to think she was the one who did kill Nadine. “Did you hear Valerie and Nadine argue or fight when you dropped off your book?”

  “No, but Nadine did tell me that she and Valerie were parting ways. She said that Valerie was so mad at her for it. They were going to meet for supper at that The Red Barn and discuss it before Nadine took some sort of I’m sorry package to Abby, which by the way,” Laura lifted her hands to her chest, “I’m so happy to hear she’s no longer a suspect. Abby is one of the reasons I love going to the library. I can sit in there for hours and she’s so kind. She’s always bringing me coffee.”

  “Speaking of coffee.” I grabbed two mugs from the hooks off the wall where they hung and poured me and Laura a nice big cup. “Cheers.”

  “Here’s to finding out who killed Nadine.” Her voice trailed off with deep sadness. “Or at least finding Valerie so I can get my book back.”

  “No doubt. Is it the only copy you have?” I asked.

  “Yes. I’m very old school. I even use a typewriter.” She laughed with the mug up to her mouth. The steam of the hot coffee parted down the middle as her breath hit it. “I knew better than to give her the only copy, but it’s Nadine White. She offered, and I jumped at it.”

  “At least you know she was interested.” I shrugged thinking how awful Laura must’ve felt to get so close to a famous author looking at her work. “Plus, I’m sure it’s hard to put all your heart into it and have someone critique it.”

  “Yes. That’s the hardest part of trying to fulfill my passion to write. Getting thick enough skin to let someone tear it apart.” She took a sip. “But, then it only makes you a better writer. If you’re open to the criticism.”

  “That would be hard,” I said and sipped more coffee.

  We talked about her dreams and how she’d decided to become a writer. It was fascinating watching her talk. The passion she had for it poured out of her. She spoke about the written word and all the books that’d changed her life. It was nice to reassured there were still passionate people in the world.

  “You’re going to make it. You are very determined.” I couldn’t help but notice her focus and drive.

  “Thank you for the coffee.” She pointed to my notebook on the counter. “Can I write my phone number in case Valerie comes back or you find my manuscript in the camper?”

  “Yes. No problem.” I opened the notebook to the back and ripped out a page for her to write down her number. “I’ll talk to Detective Sharp to see if it’s okay that I go in there, even though they’ve cleared it.”

  I referred to Hank as the detective because it felt funny to even think along the lines of a boyfriend. Even at my age, was he a boyfriend? A companion? After last night and the few kisses, I’d like to think it was more than companionship. It was something that I needed to let unfold naturally and not push it. He was someone I really wanted to date and see where this thing would go, not run him off.

  “That’d be great.” She scribbled down her number and grabbed her coat.

  Fifi ran down the hallway back into the room. She scratched on the door.

  “I’ll follow you out.” I put my feet into my snow boots before wrapping up in my coat and snapping Fifi’s leash on her collar. “Fifi needs to go out.”

  I couldn’t help but look across the lake at the camper Nadine had rented. The outside Christmas lights were on, but the car wasn’t there and the camper was completely dark. I found that most campers who rented from me always kept a light on. They felt safer, at least that’s what they’d said.

  Fifi didn’t take long to do her business. Within a half hour of Laura leaving, I’d gotten my shower and was dressed for the day. It was going to be cold and I knew I wanted to check out Reed on Facebook and see how I could find him. He and Valerie were two people I still believed had great motive to kill Nadine.

  Nadine had a restraining order against Reed. She was a big pay day to anyone who could reveal what she was working on. If they only knew it was a cookbook. Then there was Valerie. She had the biggest motive between the two. Her entire income was based on her being Nadine’s agent. If Nadine didn’t keep her as her agent, Valerie’s income would drop, though she’d still have a steady flow from the past book deals she’d made for Nadine. Plus the assumption of Nadine’s worth going up after death, like Dawn had suggested, was a real thing. At least, real enough to have killed her for it.

  I flipped open the notebook where I’d written all of it down. Everything Laura had told me about Nadine’s thoughts on Valerie were spot on with why now I knew it was more important than ever to find Valerie Young.

  Seventeen

  I was happy to see the snow had really stopped. Not that I didn’t love it, but I was looking forward to spending the time with old and new friends at the monthly themed party Christmas Dinner at the Campground on Christmas Day, which was just a few days away.

  It would be a much-needed break from all the hullabaloo of the murder. Hopefully, Hank would get the word out nationally that they were on the lookout for Valerie Young. Last night before he left, he did say they’d called in the FBI to get her on the most wanted list, which meant that any sleuthing from this point on was just merely for my curious side.

  Which was in full bloom, since I found myself going over to the camper Nadine had rented after I’d gone to the office, checked the voicemails, and answered a few emails while I waited for more coffee to brew to keep me warm on my walk down there.

  The camper was one of the cutest little things I’d ever seen, and I hoped Nadine had found some joy in staying there while she was here. She certainly wasn’t messy. Her suitcase was still open on the bed. I looked through
it and noticed she’d brought items that were comfy like leggings, a few big sweaters, and some fuzzy socks. It looked like a writer ready to hunker down outfit to me. If there were such a thing.

  The items in the bathroom were what I’d expected to see from a famous person. Only the best haircare products and perfumes that I’d gotten accustomed to when I was married to Paul West. Those items were long in my past and the Dollar Tree was my cosmetics counter since I had a limited income. Even seeing Nadine’s things didn’t tug at my heartstrings or make me long for those items. It was just stuff. What I felt inside and had gained from Normal was a true family, friends, community, and a sense of belonging.

  All of this nostalgia made me think of Mary Elizabeth. At some point, I was going to have to be true to my promise and sit down with her to discuss whatever it was she wanted to discuss about our relationship.

  After going through the camper one more time, I figured no one was going to come back. As I began to pick up the items to take up to the office, I looked under things to try to find Laura’s manuscript. Wouldn’t that be a great Christmas gift I could give her.

  “Yoo-hoo!” Mary Elizabeth’s voice called out from the front of the camper. “I seen you come in here, May-bell-ine.”

  I truly wished she’d just call me Mae.

  “Back here,” I called back and swallowed my emotions. “Why don’t you come back here and help me get Nadine’s things together for Dawn.”

  I didn’t have to repeat myself. She was back there before I could pick up anything else to put in the suitcase.

  “How did the date go?” She smiled with a twinkle in her eye. “Darlin’, he’s cuter than a litter of puppies,” she gushed.

  I couldn’t help but smile. Mary Elizabeth always had a way with words and with how she saw the world. When I was living with her, it just got on my nerves. Now I actually liked hearing them again. That’s why I decided to tell her about the date and how we’d made snow angels.