“Yes,” Simon nodded, “he would have.”
Addie studied the board. “Maybe . . .” She picked up the pen and wrote, Patrick caught on to Marvin’s book theft, confronted him, they argued.
“Or vice versa,” Serena chirped in.
“Yeah, maybe, but I believe Marvin is likely the guilty one in this scenario.” Addie scanned the board.
Simon’s emergency alarm sounded on his phone. He glanced at the message and frowned. “I have to go. ER is getting slammed. A trauma was just brought in, too.” He kissed Addie’s cheek and ruffled Serena’s hair on his way out. “Let me know later what you two come up with.”
Serena tucked her legs up under her and read through clues on the board. “You know, there’s an awful lot of strange coincidences, but we still don’t know if Teresa’s death was accidental or not, or if the book was stolen, or if she put it somewhere else to store it. There’s no real proof so far of anything we’ve written down.”
Addie slunk onto a chair. “You’re right, but, like my dad used to say, ‘One is an incident. Two is a coincidence, and three is a pattern.’ This tells me there is more to it than an accidental fall and a misplaced book.”
“With Patrick’s disappearance, we definitely have the three now.”
“Yeah.” Addie rested her head in her hands. “And now, with the added information about Marvin, who I know is a scumbag, being in town and—”
“That makes four, and if your dad was right, there must be a pattern emerging.”
“We just need to follow the links and get the proof we need.” Addie stared out the window, chewing on her lip. “You know. I think this might even be bigger than we first thought.”
“You still have Jonathan on there?”
“So?” She glanced at Serena.
“Do you think with all this new information that he’s still involved?”
“More than ever.” Addie stretched out her shoulders and arms. “He works in the world of antiquities and rare books, too, just like David did. There’s no doubt that over the years he had dealings with Marvin at some point. Actually, it all makes me even more suspicious of him.”
“Why?”
“Because I could never figure out what side he was on.”
They jumped at a banging noise and looked at the front door. Addie snickered. “I wonder what Simon forgot?” She flung the door open. “Marc?”
“Hi.” He removed his police cap. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure, come in.”
“I see your other overnight guest has left?”
“What do you want, Marc?” Addie huffed out a breath in frustration.
His jaw tensed, and his gaze flicked to the living room, where Serena was busily writing on the board.
“What are you doing, sis?”
“Just making notes.” Serena’s hand never stilled.
He drilled Addie with a piercing gaze. “I see once again my warnings about you getting involved in investigations have been ignored.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I just had a call back from Carolyn,” he said, and strolled into the living room. “Do you want to talk about your connection to Marvin Gibson?” He settled into a chair by the window and pulled his notepad out.
“There’s not much to tell, other than what I already told Carolyn.” She sat on the arm of the sofa. “We weren’t friends or anything.”
“But you did know him?” He tapped his pen on the coil ring of his notebook. “Is that correct?”
She relayed the information she had shared earlier with Simon and Serena, leaving out the parts about them suspecting him of having links to the missing book and Teresa’s death. When she finished, she sat silently waiting for a response, but he continued writing without giving her any acknowledgment.
He picked up his hat from the table. “Thanks for the information. I’ll be on my way now.”
Addie leapt to her feet. “Wait, that’s it? You’re not going to tell us what you found out about his connection to Patrick, or even what’s happened to Patrick?”
His jaw tensed. “You know I can’t share information about an ongoing investigation.”
“That’s crap, Marc. Give it a rest.” Serena glared as she swept past him. “I need a cup of tea. You two get it together while I’m gone. I’m so tired of the quips and snipes.” She disappeared out into the foyer; then she reappeared around the doorframe. “Besides, you know full well that you couldn’t have solved the other murders without considering her theories.” She disappeared again.
“She’s right.” Addie crossed her arms and scowled at him. “Remember, too, that I was the one who found the body, and it’s my book that’s missing. I have a vested interest in all this.” He let out a deep breath, toying with his cap in his hands. “And frankly, your hostile treatment toward me lately is ridiculous. You’re acting like a spoiled child.” Her eyes bore into his. “Just remember, you walked out on me.”
He took one step closer. “Yes, I did”—he glanced into the hallway and lowered his voice—“and if you remember it was because there were one too many people in the room that night, and now every time I look there’s one more added to that mix.” His tightened jaw flinched. “It’s killing me, Addie. I know I messed up. I know I should have been more understanding about David and what the two of you had, and how much he meant to you, and the fact that he was murdered and taken away from you wasn’t the same as a breakup. But to hear you moan his name when I was kissing you, well, it hurt. Damn it, and this . . . this whole thing with Simon now . . .” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “It’s tearing me apart. So, yes, hostile, angry, hurt, distant, aloof, whatever you want to call it all, it’s the only way I know how to react because I know it’s all my fault, and I’ve practically shoved you into Simon’s arms.”
Addie whispered, “So where do we go from here?”
“I don’t know. I guess you have to make a decision.”
“I’ve told you that I’m not ready.” She placed her hand on his arm. “And I’ve told Simon that, too. But with the way you’ve been treating me lately, it’s making any decision I might make when I am ready easier.”
“I know it hasn’t helped.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, his gaze searching hers. “I can’t blame you. I’ve been a real jerk.” He dropped his hands and fumbled with the rim of his hat. “I’ll try harder.” A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“I’d like that.” She attempted a smile.
His eyes softened. “After all, why would you choose an ass, anyway?”
“You said it, I didn’t.”
His hand reached for hers and caressed the back of it with his thumb. “Yeah, I guess I’ve made it pretty easy lately for you to want to spend time with Simon.”
“That you have.” Her hand responded to the touch of his fingers laced with hers.
“But I’ll tell you right now”—he tugged gently on her hand—“I’ll only be civil to him regarding work. I won’t be friends with him. That would be just too weird.”
“Deal.”
“Deal.” His eyes crinkled with a smile. “So, now back to your original question.”
“Ah yes, Patrick. Have you found any leads as to where he is or what happened?”
“He was found this morning, bound and unconscious, locked in a housekeeping closet in the hospital.”
Addie’s hand flew up to her mouth. “Jeez, is he okay?”
“We don’t know yet. Last I heard he was still unconscious. Your boyfrien—” Addie’s brows shot up. “Um—” Marc coughed. “Simon just went in to treat him.”
Marc’s text alert pinged. “It looks like he’s just woken up. I have to go.” He slipped his phone back into his pocket. “But in looking at your board, you can add one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Leave police work to the police.” Her jaw tensed. “We think it’s best to investigate the trail of evidence and not go chasing our tails
based on nothing but some half-cocked theories. It’s a distraction. We operate on proof.” Before she could think of a snappy retort, he pulled her to him and brought his lips centimeters from hers. “And remember, I have first dibs when you’ve made your decision.” His whisper was the only thing to touch her lips before he released her and walked out.
Serena popped her head in the living room. “Sometimes I think my brother is the biggest idiot on the eastern seaboard. The fool didn’t kiss you?” She shook her head. “Moron.”
The warmth of his breath still on her lips, Addie avoided answering her friend and focused her eyes on Marvin’s name. “Want to go on a little adventure?”
Serena eyed her. “What are you thinking?”
“These aren’t ‘half-cocked’ theories. They’re actual clues.” She surveyed the board, studying the names and links they’d come up with. “If your brother can’t see that and take them seriously, then we need to put some of these pieces together for him and find the proof he keeps going on about.”
“That’d shut him up, wouldn’t it?”
“I certainly hope so. Grab your coat. We’re going on a road trip.”
Chapter 14
“Okay, Grey Gull Inn, last stop. Marvin’s apparently not staying at the hotel or any of the bed and breakfasts on this list. There are no other options in town.” Addie lightly nudged Serena. “I think you’d better take this one since the manager knows you. Maybe we can get more than a head shake out of him.”
Before Serena could reply, they reached the front desk.
“Serena, how nice to see you, but your boyfriend isn’t working today, if that’s who you’re looking for?”
“Hi, Bruce, no, I’m not. I know Zach’s at the clinic today. That is, if they’re open. But I see your power’s back on?”
“Yup, just a few minutes ago. I couldn’t open for lunch, but now the Grey Gull Inn will be back to normal by dinner service. I hope Zach is planning on working his shift.”
“As far as I know, he is.”
“Good, he’s my most dependable employee, and I hope he plans on sticking around even after he graduates from that naturopathic doctor course he’s studying. He’s definitely got more brains than some of the others around here.” He shuffled a stack of papers in his hand. “What can I do for you today?”
“I’m hoping you can do us a favor,” said Serena.
“Sure, if I can.”
“You remember my friend, Addie Greyborne?”
“Of course.” He smiled at Addie.
“It seems that an old acquaintance of hers is rumored to be in town, and we were wondering if he was staying here.” Serena pasted her most award-winning smile across her face.
“I’d love to help, Serena, but you know I shouldn’t really give out the names of my guests.”
“I’m not asking for his name. I was just wondering if he’s staying here.”
“Maybe, if you tell me his name and describe the gentleman in question to me, I could tell you if I’d seen him around.” Bruce grinned conspiratorially.
Addie stepped forward. “His name is Marvin Gibson, and he’s about mid-height, maybe five-ten or -eleven. Dark hair, slight graying around the temples, stocky build, a really sharp dresser. You couldn’t miss him. He looks like he just stepped out of GQ magazine.” She gave a shaky smile. “Does that ring a bell?”
“As a matter of fact, a man matching that description was here. I remember seeing him the day the storm hit.” He looked down at the papers in his hands.
“Do you remember seeing him after that?” Serena leaned across the counter.
“Might have?” He looked steadily at her. “Yes, I think I did. Maybe it was just this morning that I saw that same fellow going upstairs, carrying a takeout cup of coffee. As I said, our power’s been out, so he must have been up by the highway there to buy that coffee. It looked like he was going to visit someone. Maybe a guest in room . . . 222.” He winked at Serena.
Serena slapped her hand on the desk. “Thanks, Bruce, that’s all we need to know.” She headed for the door, Addie close behind her.
“There’s one other thing,” Bruce called after them. “I don’t know if it’s important, but I remember seeing another man, snappy dresser, too, heading up to see that same guest this morning.”
“What did he look like?” Addie’s tummy started to perk up.
“From what I could see, he was tall, had on a black—”
“Did he have silver hair?”
Bruce nodded. “From what I could tell under his black hat.”
“Thank you, thank you.” Addie pressed her hands together in gratitude. “You’ve really been a huge help.”
“I told you nothing.” He gave a small salute.
They all but ran to the stairs, but Addie hesitated on the bottom step. Serena slammed into her. “You’ve got to get those brake lights installed.” She pushed herself off of Addie. “What’s wrong? Don’t you want to find out if it’s him?”
“What if it is him? He’s dangerous. Maybe we should call Marc and tell him we think we found him and let him handle it.”
“And get another lecture again? No way. Look, you can just tell Marvin that you heard he was in town, and you’ve been thinking over the offer he made you about doing some private book appraisals, and you want to talk to him about it.”
Addie swallowed the nausea threatening to overwhelm her. “Yeah, that way I might get some information about what he’s up to. We might get some proof.”
“That’s my girl.” Serena grinned. “Now, let’s go see what he has to say.”
Addie marched up the steps and down the open-air hallway to room 222. She knocked before her courage skittered away. No answer, she knocked again.
“Maybe he’s in the bathroom?” whispered Serena over her shoulder.
Addie raised her hand to knock again and was thrown to the ground. “Ooffda!” Her breath whooshed out of her lungs.
“Get back,” hissed Marc, pushing off of her. “I told you to stay out of this.” He yanked her to her feet and firmly put her and Serena several feet from the door. Motioning to Bruce to unlock it, he crouched and slid inside as the door creaked open. Jerry, gun drawn, followed close behind him.
“Clear, Clear, Clear,” rang out from the room.
Addie poked her head inside as Marc clipped his revolver back in its holster. “Jerry, get your kit up here. There has to be something.”
“Right, Chief.” Jerry hustled down the hallway.
Addie hovered in the doorway, studying Marc’s body language. Something told her to keep her mouth shut.
Serena, oblivious to Marc’s pensive posture, popped her head around Addie’s shoulder and waved. “Hi,” she chirped.
“You two, get in here now,” he barked, the dark blue veins in his neck protruding. “I don’t even know where to begin.” His glare had Addie snapping her mouth shut. “Don’t even start. I don’t want to hear your excuses.” His jaw clenched so hard, Addie heard his teeth crunch. “I can’t even . . . what’s the use with you two. Damn it! Do you have any idea how dangerous walking into a situation with Marvin Gibson could have been? You both could have been killed.” He spared them a glance and marched into the suite’s bedroom.
Serena cleared her throat. “This sure didn’t go as planned.”
“Nope.” Addie let out a deep breath. “It sure didn’t. On the other hand, we know now we were on the right track.”
Serena chuckled but quickly stifled it when Marc stalked from the bedroom.
“Did you need me for anything else, Chief?” Bruce stepped into the room. “I really should get back downstairs.”
“Of course, Bruce. I’ll let you know if I have any more questions.”
He whispered to Addie, “Sorry if I got you into trouble by what I said.”
“Not your fault,” Addie whispered back.
“One more thing before you go, Bruce.”
“Sure, Chief, what is it?”
“Di
d Marvin Gibson say anything to you when he checked out, like where he might be going, anything?”
Bruce shook his head. “He didn’t check out, but if all my guests left their rooms this spotless, I might not get as upset about being stiffed on the odd bill. It saves on my housekeeping salaries.”
“Okay, thanks, that’s all.”
“He’s right. It is spotless.” Addie stepped forward and surveyed the room. “It doesn’t even look like anyone’s been staying in it.”
“Too spotless.” His gaze flicked to Jerry, who entered with the crime-scene kit. “Jerry, get what you can. Hair, fibers, prints. There must be something left behind. Even professional cleaners can make mistakes.”
“Professional cleaners? But Bruce just said that he used his own housekeeping staff.” Serena peeked into the suite’s bathroom, where Marc was studying the sink. “Maybe I could have them clean my place.”
Addie’s voice dropped. “Not that kind of cleaner.”
“What other kind is there?”
“Criminal organizations,” Addie whispered, “and some secret-type government agencies use specialists in making evidence disappear. They send a person or a small team in to scrub a crime scene before the police arrive so there’s no evidence left.”
Serena’s mouth dropped, her voice rising on a squeak. “Do you think that’s why Jonathan was here?”
Marc poked his head out of the bathroom. “What do you mean Jonathan was here?”
“Nothing.” Serena looked at everything but her brother.
“Addie, what’s she talking about?”
“It’s just that . . .” She hated narcing somebody out, especially Bruce, but she had no choice. “It’s just that Bruce told us Marvin might have had a visitor this morning.”
“And he said it was Jonathan? Does he know him?”
“No, but the man he described sounded a lot like Jonathan.”
“Jerry,” he called.
“Yes, Chief.” He popped his head out of the bedroom.
“Find anything so far?” he asked, his eyes never wavering from Addie’s.
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