by Shaw, J. D.
“I never said I didn’t believe you.” Joshua tied the laces of his boots. “I was just hoping that for once your intuition was wrong.”
Vivienne grabbed her winter coat off the wall rack and stepped into her polka dot Wellies. “We need to keep it together. Just focus on what is important and we’ll deal with the big picture later.”
Joshua grabbed the keys to his Jeep and opened the front door. A blast of cold air blasted them both with a few flakes of dry snow. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” Vivienne grabbed her keys and followed him out the door.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Vivienne parked her car next to the Cayuga Cove Sheriff vehicle that was pulled in front of Trade Winds Clothier. Kathy was standing inside by the front door with her arms folded across her chest. The police officer, a young man with a head of thick ginger red hair, stood next to her inspecting the lock. Vivienne walked up to the door and waved to get Kathy’s attention.
Kathy noticed her right away and opened the door. “Come in from the cold.”
Vivienne was glad to do so. She gave a quick glance at the police officer’s name badge. “Hello Officer Drexler.”
Officer Drexler gave her a little nod. “Ms. Finch.”
“So what happens now?” Kathy continued her conversation with the officer.
He pointed to the front door lock. “There is no sign of forced entry at any of the doors, so we should focus on who you know who has a key to the store.”
“No one has a key to the store but myself.” Kathy looked to Vivienne. “I certainly didn’t break and enter into my own boutique.”
“I didn’t say you did, ma’am.” Officer Drexler replied calmly. “If you were going to commit insurance fraud, you’d steal more than some display jewelry of low value.”
“Thank you.” Kathy grimaced. “I think.”
Officer Drexler’s face reddened slightly at his unintended dig. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Kathy waved him off. “So, nothing else seems to be missing except the demonstration jewelry.”
“Every piece was taken?” Drexler asked.
Kathy was about to answer when she ran her hands along her neck. “No, I’m still wearing this necklace that was part of the collection.”
“May I see that?” Officer Drexler asked.
Kathy removed the emerald necklace and handed it to the young officer. “Here you are.”
He held up toward the light and whistled. “This sure looks like the real thing to me.”
“That’s the entire point.” Kathy replied. “It’s supposed to look real without the anxiety of wearing something expensive.”
Drexler handed the necklace back to her. “I can see why someone might break in and steal them now.”
“Except you said there is no sign of someone breaking in to do that.” Kathy repeated. “So what now?”
“Have you ever loaned your key to anyone?” Vivienne asked.
Kathy paused for a moment. “I don’t think so.”
“Are you absolutely sure?” Officer Drexler asked again. “This could be important.”
Kathy suddenly slapped the side of her head and groaned. “I loaned a spare store key to Alexis Warner the day of the jewelry party. I had several more errands to run that morning and she offered to set up the store ahead of time for me to save time.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I forgot all about it until now.”
“Where does Alexis Warner live?” Officer Drexler asked.
“I have some paperwork in the safe that has her tax information.” Kathy hurried off to grab it. “Excuse me a moment.”
Officer Drexler waited patiently with his notepad in hand. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Vivienne asked.
“For prompting her about loaning the keys.” Officer Drexler spoke softly. “I’m still new at this and I get a little nervous.”
Vivienne smiled warmly. “Everyone does at a new job.”
“I just want to impress Deputy Arkins and Sheriff Rigsbee so much.” He continued.
“As long as you do your work with integrity, you’ll impress Deputy Arkins.” Vivienne whispered back as Kathy frantically dumped a folder of paperwork onto the register counter and started sorting it.
“I hope so.” He smiled.
Vivienne could tell he was fresh out of the academy. He had an innocence to his face, having yet to be jaded by the evil things people often did to each other. “Officer Drexler, can I ask you something in confidence?”
“I guess so.”
“Has there been any word on the death of Father William?”
Officer Drexler lowered his eyes. “Yes, but I don’t know if it’s my place to say anything.”
Vivienne nodded. “I understand. I’m not asking you to give me all the details of the investigation.”
“I’m sorry this is taking so long.” Kathy frantically tossed papers aside. “Thank God whoever did this wasn’t interested in the safe contents.”
“It’s okay.” Officer Drexler waved to her. “Take your time.”
“I wasn’t just a good friend of his. I happened to be the one who found his body in the baptismal pool.” Vivienne offered. “All I want to know is if the medical examiner’s office has completed their autopsy.”
Officer Drexler glanced around him, as if expecting Sheriff Rigsbee to be glowering over him. “I’m only telling you this because you and Deputy Arkins are so close.”
Vivienne put her right hand in the air. “I won’t say a word, I swear.”
“The medical examiner has called in some additional help due to some unusual findings. I overheard some of the guys at the station say that when this happens, it’s usually ruled a homicide. But it’s not official yet.”
“Thank you, Officer Drexler.” Vivienne nodded.
“I found it.” Kathy shouted with glee. She came running over to Vivienne and Officer Drexler. “Alexis Warner, 243 Lakewood Avenue.”
He wrote the address down in his notepad. “I will go over and ask Ms. Warner some questions.”
“Do you think she was behind this?” Kathy asked him.
“That’s what I would like to talk to her about.” Officer Drexler smiled. “At the very least, it could lead to more information.”
Kathy snapped her fingers. “She’s been seeing this little punk socially.” Kathy fumbled for his name. “Johnny…”
“Guido.” Vivienne helped her out. “Johnny Guido from Florida.”
“That’s him.” Kathy continued. “He was here in my shop with her the night she was working the jewelry party.”
“Is that his real name?” Officer Drexler raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know.” Kathy cut him off. “Anyways, he and his entourage tried to bring alcohol into the store that night and they ended up causing quite a scene.”
Officer Drexler furiously wrote down more notes. “Were the police called?”
“No.” Kathy looked at Vivienne. “Joshua’s brother came to the rescue, actually. He sort of took control and escorted them out the front door.”
Officer Drexler Vivienne. “Deputy Arkins has a brother? I wasn’t aware of that.”
“We were as shocked as you.” Vivienne added. “His name is Hunter and he’s from Indian Lake, New York.”
“Do you think he knows more about this Johnny Guido guy?” Officer Drexler asked her.
“I didn’t see anything that would suggest they knew each other before their confrontation.” Vivienne offered. “However, I happen to know that Deputy Arkins’ brother is a bounty hunter for hire. He might have some information that we don’t.”
“Well, I think I better start with Alexis Warner and go from there.” He put the notepad away. “I will keep you informed during the investigation. But for now, I’d be sure to change the locks just to be on the safe side.”
“Of course.” Kathy nodded. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
Officer Drexler tipped his hat to both of them
. “I’ll be in touch.” He left the store and climbed into his patrol car.
“I still can’t believe this happened.” Kathy walked over to a pair of low back wooden chairs near the front display window and sat down. “So much for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.”
Vivienne plopped down in the chair opposite Kathy. “This entire weekend has been an exercise in exhaustion.”
“Speaking of that,” Kathy added, “what’s going on with the Luck of the Irish carnival planning board?”
“Nothing at the moment.” Vivienne couldn’t help but think about Father William floating lifelessly in the baptismal pool. “Unless someone takes charge, I think it’s going to end up being cancelled.”
“That’s terrible.” Kathy exhaled. “That was the one event he loved so much. You’d think everyone would want it to go forward as a tribute.”
Vivienne thought about her words for a moment and smiled. “You’re right. Father William would absolutely want us to go through with the carnival.”
“But what can we do?” Kathy asked.
“Well, I know most of the people on the planning board. I think it’s time that someone let them know that it’s not inappropriate to go forward with the celebration. Father William was never one to let anyone down. It would be a fitting tribute to his legacy in the community if we kept the Irish carnival alive.”
Vivienne got up from the chair and walked over to the register area. She looked around puzzled. “Nothing was taken except for the demonstration jewelry?”
“As far as I know.” Kathy pulled herself out of the comfy chair and joined Vivienne at the counter.
Vivienne pointed to the small safe under the counter. “Isn’t it strange that they didn’t even bother to try to force open the safe?”
“They didn’t screw with the cash register either, but I don’t leave anything but coins in the tray anyway.” Kathy leaned back against the counter.
“Alexis knew that the jewelry was fake, didn’t she?”
“Yes.” Kathy nodded.
“So why would she come into the store and steal it?” Vivienne asked.
“Well, it looks real enough. Maybe that Johnny Guido wanted to try to pawn it off on some unsuspecting fool and make some quick cash?”
“I don’t know. Stephanie told me that this guy comes from money. Why would he resort to petty theft?” Vivienne asked.
“I’m hoping the police are going to ask her these questions. Maybe you should go over and help Officer Drexler out?” Kathy’s eyes brightened.
“Oh no.” Vivienne folded her arms defensively. “I am under orders not to interfere with the police in any way, shape, or form.”
“Oh, poo.” Kathy dismissed her remark with a wave of her hands. “You’re better at this than they are and Sheriff Rigsbee knows it.”
“I’m not carrying a badge or a gun.” Vivienne countered. “I’m perfectly fine with leaving this to the police to follow up on.”
“I suppose I’ll have to call the main office in Florida tomorrow and report what happened.”
“It’s just fake jewelry.” Vivienne tried to ease her mind. “I mean, what could that cost?”
“Hopefully very little.” Kathy’s voice wavered. “I’m more worried about what they will think about the security of my store and the merchandise inside it.”
Vivienne reached over and gave her a hug. “Don’t beat yourself up over something that you have no control over.”
Kathy embraced her friend. “Thanks for coming over today, Vivienne. Just having you here has made me feel so much better.”
“You’d do the same for me.” Vivienne smiled back. “Now, I have to find Joshua and follow up with him.”
“How’s Hunter doing?” Kathy asked.
“He’s his usual self, from what Joshua told me.” Vivienne avoided the question.
“Well, tell him I expect him to stop by the store so I can thank him in person for his help at the party.”
Vivienne nodded back. “I’ll do that.” She dashed out the door, taking a moment to look up at the sky. The sky was the pale blue of winter still, but wisps of thin-white clouds could not lessen the warm feel of the sun upon her face. She paused, imagining herself sitting out on her lawn on a tranquil summer afternoon. Oh, how she missed summer.
Her moment of peace was interrupted when Joshua’s Jeep came to a sudden stop near her car. She jumped back in surprise. “I was just going to look for you.” She shouted through the glass.
Joshua lowered the passenger window. “He ditched me.”
Vivienne shook her head. “Oh, no.”
“I have a plan, but you need to come with me right now.” Joshua reached over and opened the passenger door.
Vivienne did as he asked, barely having time to fasten her seat belt before they took off onto Main Street. “What’s the hurry?”
Joshua seemed agitated and gripped the wheel tightly as he sped a good ten miles above the posted twenty-five mile per hour speed limit. “I should have known he’d pull a stunt like this. He always refused to listen to anyone.”
“So what now?” Vivienne held onto the small handgrip above her window as they turned a corner quite fast.
“I’m going to shift into wolf form and track him by scent.” Joshua replied.
“Isn’t that like searching for a needle in a haystack?” Vivienne asked.
“It’s a werewolf thing. Everyone has a very particular scent.” Joshua added. “I can’t explain it any better than that.”
“Couldn’t you go down to the Sheriff’s office and track his cell phone?”
“He’s probably left it somewhere as a ruse.” Joshua replied gruffly. “He’s far too smart to get caught like that.”
“You’re certain this scent tracking will work?” Vivienne asked but he didn’t answer. She knew better than to try to break his stubborn streak. “Can you at least tell me where you’re driving me to?”
“The woodlands.” He turned another corner and headed for the community park that was at the southern-most edge of town along the shore of Cayuga Lake.
“Do you sense that he is in trouble?” Vivienne asked.
Joshua let out a deep breath. “That’s what I’m going to find out.”
Vivienne held tight to the hand grip above the window. “Okay.”
“You’re out of questions?” Joshua spoke up as the entrance to the park appeared at the end of the road they were speeding down.
“It’s a werewolf thing.” She smiled back. “I get it.”
He gave her a little wink and pulled into a spot at the far corner of the parking lot. As it was still too cold for any activities, the parking lot and the adjoining grounds itself were empty. He jumped out of the Jeep and grabbed a duffel bag from under the driver seat. “Follow me.”
“Am I coming into the woods with you?” She asked excitedly.
“Only far enough so we can’t be seen.” He answered back as he slammed the door closed.
Vivienne followed him as they walked along the empty parking lot. The wind off the lake was cold and damp. It seemed to pass through her coat with no effort at all.
Joshua walked briskly past the edge of the parking lot and held some branches back so they wouldn’t whip back and hit Vivienne as she followed him into the still barren woods. “Smells like we’re going to get some snow tonight.”
Vivienne looked around at the trees, still leafless and plain. “So why would Hunter come all the way out here?”
“Because I think he’s hunting them in wolf form.” Joshua stopped for a moment to sniff the air. “That’s what I would do.”
“Oddly enough, that does make sense.” Vivienne agreed and walked with him another five minutes into the woods until they couldn’t see the Jeep or community park anymore.
Joshua stopped and gave her a kiss on the lips. “I just want you to know that I wasn’t keeping you a secret from my family.”
“I understand.” Vivienne gave him another kiss back. “Your family is very
protective of their privacy.”
Joshua unlaced his boots and kicked them off his feet. He pulled of his shirt, jeans, and boxers and stuffed them into a camouflage duffel bag along with his cell phone. He hid it under a pile of leaves “As soon as I change form, I need you to go back to the Jeep and drive it back home. Don’t hang out at the park because it could draw attention.”
“I understand.” Vivienne admired his nude form in the woodland setting. At first, seeing him in his natural state took some getting used to. But, as the months went on, she found herself quite at ease with the nudity. The graceful lines of the musculature of his body almost made it seem a crime against nature to cover it up with clothing. “Call me and I’ll be here as fast as I can.”
He stretched his arms upward and took a deep breath. In a matter of seconds, his six foot-five human form lowered to the ground into a much more sleek and compact state. Soft gray fur raced all over his body as his hands and feet morphed into paws. The wolf, with steel-blue eyes that seemed to glow from within with an ethereal light, gave her a quick glance and then dashed away with unnaturally fast speed into the deep woods.
Vivienne watched him disappear into some thick brush and then started the lonely march back to the Jeep. She wondered what it would be like to change form into an animal. If she were allowed to experience it, she decided that she would most likely choose a bird. The thought of spreading her wings and flying high above the trees appealed to her. Oh, she had flown with Nana Mary to the great coven gathering on Halloween. But flight upon their magically charged brooms was so fast it was merely a blink of an eye before they reached their destination. To be able to savor the feel of the wind, soaring with the currents, darting around trees and buildings with skilled precision. That was something she would probably never know.
As she emerged from the woods, she tapped her jacket pocket to feel for her own cell phone. It wasn’t there, but the keys to the vehicle were. She felt a momentary wave of panic hit here before she recalled leaving it in her purse that was still locked in the Jeep.