by Leona Fox
Although Emily was not a constant presence in East Pender the people of the town still had much respect for her because of her lineage so her words carried much weight. When she walked into The Chrome Cafe Ellen rushed out from behind the counter and embraced her warmly.
“It's so good to see you again! Kelly told me you were back in town. I'm just sorry it's under these circumstances.”
“Me too, and I'm glad they've finally let you out,” Emily said as she took a seat. Ellen brought her a drink and joined her at the table. Scampy was happy to see Emily too, and yapped at her feet. Emily smiled and petted him but Ellen saw worry in her eyes.
“How are things down at the mill?” she said innocuously, “are you coming to grips with the responsibilities of management?”
“Slowly, but surely,” Emily said with a smile. She took a long sip of her drink then adjusted her position in her seat and leaned forward.
“I'm convinced someone at the mill did it. I've been trying to talk to as many people as possible so I'm familiar with them while also asking them about Ray. Most of them, well, they all say he was a great guy but I'm not sure that any of them were actually happy with the way he ran things. According to them he was at the mill all day. So if someone had poisoned him then the mill was where they did it.”
Ellen murmured thoughtfully. “Do you have any specific ideas? Is there anyone who leaps out at you?”
“Not really. I'll keep asking around, though. I want to help you as much as I can, especially since I don't like the idea of a murderer being in the mill. I've been taking my own food in there because I'm afraid that whomever poisoned Ray is going to poison me.”
“I wouldn't worry about that. If you were poisoned it really would throw the spotlight onto the mill and I don't think the killer would want such attention. If they're smart, they will lay low and try to wait out the investigation.”
“I guess you're right. How are things here?” Emily asked, looking around at the empty seats.
“Oh, it's going great,” Ellen said sarcastically. “I guess a lot of people still think Ray got poisoned here so that's not too good for business, but they all have been swayed by Maggie.”
“They'll come back. It's just a new thing that's captured their attention. You're a part of this town and people respect that, they like tradition around here. Look at me, I'm nobody but people listen to me because East Pender runs through my veins.”
“I hope you're right,” Ellen said, and sighed.
“I've got so much to worry about. I want to give everything to this case and catch Ray's killer but I come in here this morning and I see how dead it is...I'm going to have to figure out a way to get more people to come in. I wanted this place to be a hub for people to come and enjoy themselves. If I can't get it back to the way it was then I'm going to have to surrender and just say that Maggie has won.”
“That's not the Ellen I know. I'm sure there are some events you can have but really I'm sure there are a lot of people who come in here because you are involved with the police and you do know about these crimes. You know as well as I do that people love to gossip and they definitely can't get that anywhere else but here. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You've done plenty already. It's good to see you again, Emily. Are you going to be sticking around here for a while?”
“I don't know. I guess it depends how this investigation goes. If it does turn out that someone at the mill killed Ray, then I'll have to deal with it. I don't feel confident leaving anyone in charge because, for all I know, they could be the murderer.”
Ellen pursed her lips and said, “Right now I think the best thing you can do is to observe the people of the mill. You're going to be there a lot and if someone is hiding something they're going to be acting guilty. Keep a close eye on everyone and if you do see any odd behavior come to me. Keep your ears open as well. People like this usually can't keep their crime a secret. Either their conscience will nag at them and they'll want to relieve themselves of their guilt, or they'll become arrogant and think they're not going to get caught, and that will lead them to brag. I'm going to come to the mill soon to ask around myself.”
“That is a good idea, and I'll try keeping my eyes and ears peeled. I'm glad you're back on the case, Ellen, and trust me, things will work out fine,” Emily said before she left.
But Ellen was not so sure. From the window she could see people pouring into Maggie's cafe and, while a few more guests did arrive later on, The Chrome Cafe was far less busy than its rival. Ellen also observed that the younger crowd seemed to be favoring the new sleek building, while everyone in her cafe was over fifty.
At one point she saw young Ryan Arnott walk out of Maggie's with his girlfriend in tow and Ellen decided to stop him for a chat. She rushed out the door and caught up with him on the street. Instantly, Ryan looked away from her and plunged his hands in his pockets; evident signs of a guilty conscience.
“I haven't seen you around for a while. How is your father doing?” Ellen asked.
“He's much better now, thank you,” Ryan said, “and, uh, yeah, I'm sorry, it's just that with your cafe closed, well, that place seemed like the way to go.”
“The Chrome Cafe is open for business again and, of course, you're always welcome to come in.”
“I know. It's just that, well, to be honest Ellen, that place has a good vibe to it. You know what I mean? I'm sorry but that's where all my friends want to be. I will come and see you, though,” he added hastily. “You know how grateful I am for everything you've done for me but your cafe is a little too quiet for us,” he said, and then walked away from Ellen.
She felt a little guilty herself for putting him on the spot like that but he was representative of the sharp divide between the community, and Ellen was left with much to think about. The mood in her cafe was sedate and peaceful, while Maggie's was lively, with music blaring out of the doorway in the evening. It could be said that the cafes were a reflection of their owners.
In the evening Ellen ended up closing early, around nine o'clock, and was disheartened to see that Maggie's cafe still was going strong. She wanted to focus on the case and find Ray's killer but the cafe was pressing and she didn't know how she was going to keep up with Maggie, let alone compete with her.
When she returned to the warmth and security of Andy's arms she lamented about these issues. “I feel like I should be doing more with the cafe, that I should try to match Maggie, but anything I do now will just seem like I'm copying her,” she said.
“Ellen, it is your cafe. You've put so much work and time into it that changing it isn't an easy thing. You can't change it unless you want to change yourself, and I don't think any of us want that. I know it's difficult right now but eventually people will remember what you have to offer. They'll get headaches and they'll want to come to a nice relaxing place. But if you want to take some time off this case and focus on the cafe I'll understand. Kelly and Iris can help me with the investigation until this thing with you and Maggie gets sorted out.” He spoke with such understanding that Ellen almost fell in love with him all over again.
“Thank you, but I don't think it's ever going to be over between us and the best thing I can do right now is help Ray. Otherwise, I'm just going to feel utterly useless.
Chapter 8
After her visit with Ellen, Emily went back to the mill with a heavy heart. Although she enjoyed visiting East Pender she realized she was going to have to stay there for longer than she had intended. So she sent a message back home notifying them her absence would be extended. Thankfully the people in East Pender were glad to have her, especially those who ran the bed and breakfast in which she was staying. They stared at her in awe, almost as though she were a celebrity. Although this unsettled her at first she became used to it.
“I'm going to have to ask you to keep the room for me for a little while longer, if that's alright?” Emily asked the elderly couple. They nodded and said enthusiastically she could sta
y for as long as she wanted.
“We do love having you here, Miss Bright. I remember when I was younger, in school, we used to learn about Mr. van De Lay, and to have his great-great-great-great granddaughter here--” Joan said.
“I think it's great-great-great,” her husband interrupted.
“That's what I said,” Joan barked in response. Emily and the husband shared an amused look. “Anyway,” Joan continued, “it's an honor to have you here and if there is anything you need at all do not hesitate to ask.”
“I won't, I can promise you that.” Emily had been about to walk away when Joan continued talking, and Emily felt it rude to leave.
“I thought it was wonderful what you said about Ellen. I couldn't believe it when I heard that people actually thought she killed a man! Never could I believe that. She's always been so sweet to this town and she's done so much for it. I just wish more people would think like you, but that's the problem with people, they're always quick to turn against those closest to them. I don't trust that new girl one bit. If you ask me she's behind it all. You should have heard when she and Ellen went at it. She was cursing and I swear I saw the devil in her eyes. But who does she think she is, expecting to come in here, set up shop, and take business away from a decent hard-working sort like Ellen? It's not right, it's just not right,” she muttered. Emily nodded along and then made her way outside, returning to the mill.
Outside of the mill she was her usual demure self but at the mill she had to be stronger and more hard-headed. Quickly, she had realized the mill was a 'good ole boys club.’ There were few female workers, and most of those were on deliveries. The actual physical labor of the mill was done exclusively by men and the testosterone was prevalent in the atmosphere. Although she was the owner it was clear they didn't give her any real obedience. Instead, they would wait for Billy's approval, and Emily did not like this one bit. She often overheard snippets of conversation that were entirely inappropriate, laden with innuendo. It was a systemic failing and hard to combat because it was so entrenched in their culture. While she had spoken to Billy about it, as he was the representative, he had not been able to implement any changes, and she got the sense that he didn't intend to do so.
On this occasion she called him into the office. He was joking with a few of the other men and took longer than Emily would have liked to join her. He still was laughing as he closed the door behind him.
“Mister Noon, I believe I asked you to try cutting down on the inappropriate comments,” Emily said.
“C'mon boss, you can't expect the boys to change overnight. They've been this way their whole lives. It's just a bit of fun. Are we not allowed to have a bit of fun at work? I didn't think you'd be a killjoy.”
“I'm not a killjoy. I am the owner of this mill and what I say goes. If you cannot carry through on my orders, then we will have to re-evaluate your position.”
“We don't need to get that drastic! Look, with all due respect, ma'am, your place is in the city. The mill runs fine without you and that's great. We can just go back to the way things were, with you there and us here. We don't need to bother each other.”
“I can't leave now, not when Ray's death still hasn't been cleared up.”
“Oh, for all we know he poisoned himself,” Billy said, throwing up his hands.
“Are you saying Ray was suicidal?”
“What? No, I was just saying we're probably not going to find out who did it. You don't really think it was somebody here, do you? Look, just because you don't like the way we act doesn't make us murderers. I don't see why you care anyway. As long as the mill makes money you should be satisfied.”
“I care about the conduct of my workers as well as the bottom line. It seems there is a lot you need to know about me, Mister Noon, and I expect to see some changes around here sooner rather than later,” she said, and stormed out of the office. She headed back to Ellen where she sought some more guidance, concerned the people at the mill were not giving her enough respect.
Having to display this new side of herself was taking its toll on Emily. Never before had she been so headstrong and determined. All through her life she had been the quiet one, the demure one, the one never to make waves. Now that it was required she was discovering a new side of herself and she wasn't sure she liked it. She knew she had to be this way for the sake of the mill but she wondered how it would change her personal life. Her friends were used to her being a certain way, and she was used to it, too. Now that she had expressed these feelings and felt the sensation of power course through her, she felt it take a hold of her. It was as though a seed had been planted and now it was sprouting, the vines winding their way through her soul, spreading throughout her. She wasn't sure if it could be stopped...or even if she wanted it to be stopped.
Chewing her bottom lip furiously, she drove through East Pender and made her way to Ellen's. On the way she passed Maggie's cafe and a deep resentment burned inside her. It wasn't fair that Maggie should be prospering while Ellen had to deal with the town’s suspicions. Ellen had been here first. She had earned the loyalty of the community ten times over and who was Maggie to think she just could come into town and steal everything that Ellen had? It wasn't just murder that was going on...To Emily this was familiar as she saw it all the time in the city. Someone new would come in and set up shop and just because they offered lower prices or something different people would flock to them, abandoning their old haunts. It was a cutthroat world but she always had held East Pender to a higher standard and was sorry to admit that it wasn't that different from the city after all. The stark truth that Emily just was beginning to realize, is that people were people no matter where they were.
When she reached The Chrome Cafe she found Ellen looking over some forms. Scampy greeted her joyfully and she petted the young dog. She also was glad to see more than a few customers sitting around, but it was not as busy as Maggie's cafe, unfortunately.
“I know you were going to come to the mill anyway, but I really needed to get out of there. It's horrible. They won't listen to me and I've tried telling them I need a certain level of conduct but they're so used to acting a certain way that I can't seem to get through to them. They just think I'm going to go back to the city and they can do whatever they like,” Emily said, her voice trembling with worry. Ellen came from behind the counter and stood beside her friend.
“Let's sit down. Why don't you tell me all about it? In what way are they acting?” she asked.
Emily proceeded to tell her all about the conversations she had had with Billy and the others, and how nothing had resulted from them. Ellen looked thoughtful.
“You do have to be strong because it is your business, after all, and you are in charge. I suppose, as forward-thinking as we like to think we are, it is still hard to shake off some prejudices. This Billy fellow, is he going to take over the mill?”
“Probably, I don't know. I was thinking of advertising it so anyone could apply but right now I think it'll be easier to leave him in charge. He's basically been doing that ever since Ray died. The workers all look up to him and he knows how to lead them. They always look to him for confirmation whenever I tell them to do something.”
“And what's your opinion of him?” Ellen asked pointedly. Emily squirmed in her seat.
“My mom always said that if you didn't have anything nice to say then you shouldn't say anything at all...” she replied with a cheeky smile.
“I'm sure your mother wouldn't mind on this occasion, and I promise not to tell anybody,” Ellen said in a light tone.
“I don't like him,” Emily said bluntly, so much so that it almost made Ellen burst out in laughter. “When I first saw him he was acting as though he owned the place. He had his feet up on the desk and was so laid back about everything. He didn't even seem shocked that Ray had died...although I suppose by that point he'd had a few days to come to terms with it. But since then, I don't know, there's something off about him. You know when you meet someone and
they just rub you the wrong way? That's the feeling I get from him, like he's always hiding something from me. And in every conversation we’ve had he's asked me when I'm going back to the city like he can't wait to get rid of me. He's unreliable as well. I'll ask him to relay something to the other workers and I'll find he hasn't done it. To be honest, I get the feeling he thinks he's already in charge and I'm just there to get in his way.”
“And this is the man you want to leave in charge of the mill?”
Emily shrugged helplessly. Ellen looked at her and sighed, then glanced around the cafe. She was going to go to the mill anyway a little later, but she thought it would be a good thing to talk to this Billy Noon. If there was one man at the mill who could have killed Ray, it seemed like it would be him since he was the one who had taken control. It was possible, of course, that he just was making the most of this opportunity but Ellen had a feeling about him, and her feelings were usually right. Every urge in her body wanted to go and question him but she was torn between going and staying at the cafe, being a warm host to her customers and making them feel welcome. For what seemed like an eternity Ellen's mind danced between the two possibilities, fighting her natural instincts. Then she remembered the point Andy had been making, that she shouldn't have to change herself. This is who she was and to stay at the cafe instead of trying to find a murderer wasn't in her character.
“Let's go,” Ellen said abruptly, rising from her seat.
She was almost out the door by the time Emily had reacted, but soon enough they were driving off to the mill and Ellen had an excited smile on her face. It had been a while since she had been out in the field. It felt like this was where she belonged, as though this was her existential purpose in life and anything else was a waste of resources. They left the heart of East Pender in a blitz and the mill soon loomed before them. Ellen slammed the door behind her and clipped the leash onto Scampy's collar. This time the men snapped to attention when they saw Emily arrive, and quickly resumed work. The two women walked into the mill and up the stairs to the office, where they heard laughter emanating from the room. Emily and Ellen glanced worriedly at each other, for they had the feeling they were interrupting a private club. Indeed, when they stepped in they saw Billy was standing with a number of other men, all doubled over in laughter.