Noel turns to me. “When did your grandma put the conservation easement on the land?”
“A few months ago. April, I think.”
Jack claps his hands in glee. “It’s a clue!”
Noel gives him a look. “Don’t get too excited Mr. Happy, it could be nothing.”
Jack points his finger at Noel. “You’re such a downer. Good thing you’re hot.” I giggle on Noel’s lap and he turns to me. “You think that’s funny?” He raises an eyebrow at me and then starts to tickle me. I’m extremely ticklish and in no time I’m nearly falling off his lap. Noel stops and pulls me closer so I’m steady on his lap and proceeds to kiss me.
Jack claps his hands. “You guys are sooo cute,” his sarcastic voice is nasally and not attractive. “Can we get back to the case now?” Noel snorts at the word case but keeps his mouth shut.
I turn to look at Jack. “You’re full of ideas today. What do you think we should do?”
He takes a minute to think before responding, “We need to find out if some mining company had been talking to Grandma.”
“Excellent,” Betty claps her hands in excitement. Shit. We’re in trouble now. “We’ll meet tomorrow morning at Anna’s house and conduct a search.” She actually used the words ‘conduct a search’. She must be OD’ing on detective novels.
I roll my eyes. “I can do this on my own. No need for everyone to go.” I say this, but I’m really thinking I don’t want the entire posse going through grandma’s things. It’s such an invasion of privacy. Unfortunately, Betty is not to be deterred.
“Many hands make light work,” she quips. I don’t even try to argue. There’s no way I can win anyway. Call me a coward if you will, but old ladies are tough as nails.
We make plans to meet the next morning at Grandma’s, and everyone gets up to leave. When I see Rose start to pack up the cheesecake, I give her a look. She smiles in understanding and puts the yumminess in the frig for me. If everyone is going to invade my house every chance they get, then the least they can do is leave the fracking cheesecake. Still no clue what fracking is.
Chapter 20
"I’ve been Searching” by Chicago
I don’t hold much stock with Jack’s idea that a mining company killed Grandma. Even though I doubt the ethics of a mining company, murder seems above and beyond a company’s normal unethical tactics. I can’t deny the timing of events though. Grandma was talking about fracking to her friends and soon after, she was having a conservation easement put on her land. Was she worried about the land, in general? Or was there a specific reason for her concern? Either way it looks like I’m going to have to research just what the heck this freaking fracking is all about.
Like Noel said, fracking is a method of recovering gas and oil from rock. It uses high-pressure water to force the rock to release the gas inside. Sounds dangerous to me, but then again, I’m a graphic designer. What the heck do I know about engineering? I couldn’t engineer my way out of a wormhole. Okay, so most people couldn’t, but you get my drift.
It’s clear why grandma was anti-fracking, if she was indeed anti-fracking. We’re just making assumptions about coincidences and coming up with a motive for murder. I can’t help wondering if we’re making a mountain out of molehill. Anyway, this fracking has lots of environmental groups up in arms. To be fair, most environmental groups are up in arms constantly anyway. Still, it seems they may actually have a point in this case. Fracking uses vast amounts of water, potentially puts carcinogens in the groundwater, and causes earth tremors. Causing earth tremors sounds like flirting with disaster to me.
But first things first, we need to find out if Grandma was actually being courted by a mining company. The Ben-Gay battalion is already at grandma’s house when I arrive. I admit I’m a bit late, but these ladies get up at the butt-crack of dawn. How am I supposed to compete with that? I’m not part vampire, I need my sleep.
Jack is waiting on the front porch with the women, but Noel backed out of the search. He has to play adult today and go to work. I push my way through the group to the front door as I’m the one with the key. After everyone is inside and gathered in the front room, I speak. “So, how are we going to do this? Divide and conquer?”
“Yes, you take her roll top desk. It probably has the most private stuff, so you’ll want to handle that.” Betty has obviously been thinking about the search, and I appreciate her candor. “Jack, you can manage the kitchen.” Jack nods in response and heads off. “Rosemary and Martha, you check out the living room and the rest of the downstairs. Rose and I will do the bedrooms upstairs, and Ally will handle Anna’s bedroom.” She looks to me. “I assume you would feel better with Ally doing Anna’s bedroom.” I nod in agreement. Ally was Grandma’s closest confidante as well as neighbor.
Everyone disperses to begin their searches. I head to the roll top desk in the den. It’s locked, but I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I figured out how to jimmy it open ages ago. I never looked in though, too ashamed by my crime to go any further.
I slowly roll the top open and am nearly brought down by the amount of dust suddenly floating in the air. When was the last time Grandma was in here? And who knew she was such a slob? Her house was always immaculate, but it looks like the roll top desk is where she hid her inner slob. Ugh! I can’t work under these conditions. I head to the kitchen for some cleaning supplies.
Jack is meticulously going through every cupboard when I arrive. “Just getting some cleaning supplies,” I state in warning as I enter the room although I was tempted to pinch his ass, which is sticking out of the corner cupboard. What can I say? He’s got a nice ass.
He crawls out the cabinet he’s currently searching and turns to me. “Cleaning supplies? You know we’re not here to clean, right?” He stands and brushes off his jeans and hands, his face scrunched in displeasure as he stares at imaginary dust. The kitchen grandma did keep immaculate.
I start pulling stuff out of the pantry before I respond. “I know. It’s just so dusty. I’m going to be sneezing for weeks.”
Jack pulls me into him. “Are you sure that’s it? Is all this maybe a bit much?”
I sigh and lean into him. Of course, he’s right. He’s always right, which is super annoying. I’m avoiding going through Grandma’s things because it means that she’s really gone. The wound of grief is still fresh, and it feels like I’m pouring salt on it. Jack squeezes me in a hug.
“I know it’s hard, but you’re going to have to go through her things eventually anyway. Why not get it over with? Like ripping a bandage off.”
Jack stayed beside me through my grief and guilt over Ryan’s death. He knows how much I like to dwell. He’s probably right that I should just get it over with, but I want to wallow in my grief for a while longer. I still have a few pints of Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer, after all. Jack lets go of me and pushes me in the direction of the den. Guess he’s done being gentle. “Now go.”
I huff. “Fine! But I’m still cleaning the dust.”
I hear him chuckle as I walk in the den. I spend the morning cleaning out the desk and organizing Grandma’s files. I’m not reading anything yet, just sorting everything into piles. I guess I need to start paying the utilities for the house as well. I put those letters in a separate pile to take home with me. There’s a big pile of personal correspondence, and I’ll take those home as well. There may be friends that don’t live nearby who haven’t heard of Grandma’s passing. I guess I need to inform them as well. Something else to not look forward to.
It’s just past noon when I hear the front door slam closed. “Hello! Lunch is here.” I hear Noel shout. An unladylike stampede down the stairs is the response to his shout out.
I walk into the kitchen to find the table piled high with pizzas and the ladies scuttling around finding plates and cutlery. Noel sees me and walks over. He immediately pulls me in for a hug. “How are you holding up?” he whispers into my hair. Gotta love a man who does that!
I shrug. “Ok
ay, I guess.” I went on autopilot a while ago – not looking at anything in depth, merely sorting, sorting, and some more sorting.
Noel pulls back to look at my face and gauge my honesty. He nods before sitting and pulling me into his lap. He must have a thing for me sitting there, especially since I’m not the lightest gal around. I don’t imagine it’s comfortable for Noel and try to get up, but he pulls me back down. “I like you here,” he whispers into my ear.
“So,” Betty’s voice pulls me out of my Noel trance. “Has anyone found anything?” The ladies stop the distribution of pizza slices to look at Betty and shake their heads.
Betty locks her gaze on me. “What about you, Izzy?”
I shake my head as well. “Nothing yet.” I don’t add that I haven’t actually gone through any of Grandma’s papers yet.
The ladies chatter away as they eat lunch, but I remain quiet, encased in Noel’s arms. When lunch is finished, I jump to help the ladies clean up, but they shoo me away. “Go say goodbye to your beau,” Martha says as she pushes me out of the kitchen.
I grab Noel’s hand and try to lead him to the front door, but he resists. “What’s wrong?”
“I have a few hours before I need to be somewhere. Why don’t I help?”
“Really?”
Noel grabs both my hands. “Of course.” He lifts my hands up and kisses them gently. What is this guy doing? Trying to make me fall in love with him? “Yes,” he responds with a smirk. Shit. I guess I said that out loud. I really need to work on engaging my brain before my mouth opens.
We spend the afternoon going through all of Grandma’s files. Noel reads the correspondence I can’t be bothered with, which is probably the majority of it. I read the private stuff. I’ve probably read one letter to Noel’s five, but I can’t help it. Each letter reminds me of Grandma and brings back memories.
An hour after lunch, Betty finds us. “We’ve finished our search. How are you two doing?”
I look around at the mass of papers on the floor. “Making progress.”
Betty grunts but doesn’t respond to my statement. “We’re heading out.”
I stand from my place on the floor and hug Betty. “Thanks for your help.”
She nods. “You’re welcome. We’ve gathered most of her clothes to take to charity. We left the fancy dresses for you to have a look at.”
“Wow, thanks.” I hadn’t even thought about that yet.
“Yeah, well, you’re going to need the closet space when you move in,” she responds. Move in? I haven’t thought about that either. There’s lots I need to think about, I guess.
Jack leaves with the ladies after making me promise to call him tonight, and Noel and I settle back down on the den floor.
“Huh,” I hear Noel grunt after a while has passed. Don’t ask me how long, I’ve been staring at the same letter since everyone left.
“What’s up?”
Noel hands me a letter. “It looks like there was a mining company interested in your grandma’s land.”
I quickly read the letter. It’s an offer for the mineral rights on Grandma’s land. I nearly choke when I see for how much. Damn! Grandma could have been super-duper rich!
“Do you see the date on the letter?” I look and see the letter was sent in April, which was about the same time Grandma talked to Mr. Smith about the conservation easement.
“Izzy, I have to say something,” Noel says it with such sincerity that I look up startled. “Just because this company wanted her land, and she didn’t agree with them, doesn’t mean she was murdered.” I nod and he continues. “The stuff you read in books or see in movies – that’s not how it usually works.”
I nod as if I agree, but I’m not paying any attention to his words. Instead, I’m thinking: Why didn’t she tell me? What other secrets was she keeping?
Chapter 21
"Ice Cream” by Sarah McClachlan
I call Jack the minute I get home. Noel is off on a stake-out and this is the perfect time to talk to Jack without Noel interrupting. Even though Jack, best BFF ever, agrees to come over right away, I’m nearly finished with the pint of Ben & Jerry’s when he arrives. He drops down on the sofa and pries the spoon from my hand. I growl at him, but he ignores me and grabs the pint from my other hand.
“What did you do?” I’m not looking at him, but nonetheless, I can feel his eye roll.
I shake my head. Yes, normally I’m the one who causes my own troubles, but this time it’s not me. Or is it me? Is it my untrustworthiness that caused Grandma to create the easement? I drop my head in my hands.
“Izzy,” Jack’s voice is gentle now. He pulls my chin up and forces me to look at him. “What’s going on?”
I try to speak, but nothing comes out. Instead, I choke, and the tears start to flow. “It’s Grandma,” I wail. “She didn’t trust me!”
Jack gathers me in his arms and lends me a shoulder to cry on. “There, there,” he says and pats my head. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
I wrench myself from his arms. “But it is true!” I shout. “She put that stupid easement on the land because she thought I would sell out!”
Jack crosses his arms and stares at me. “What are you talking about?”
I wipe furiously at the tears streaming from my eyes. Now I’m getting angry. The sweet Grandma I knew. The one I loved and mourned didn’t trust me. It’s the ultimate betrayal! I take deep breaths to calm myself before replying, “There was a mining company interested in the land. They offered her millions for the mineral rights. She didn’t think I could refuse the money. That’s why she put the easement on the land.”
Jack puts up his hands. “Hold on. How do you know that’s why she put the easement on the land? Did she say anything? Write anything? Tell someone anything?”
“Why else would she do it?” I scream – yes scream – at him.
“Okay, you’re going to need to calm down if you want to figure this out.”
“Calm down! Don’t tell me to fucking calm down! Grandma didn’t trust me!” I’m surprised the glass isn’t shattering with the shrillness of my screaming now.
Jack leans back and crosses his arms. He knows better than to say anything else to me at the moment. He’ll wait me out. Bastard knows I need to let off some steam. I pace around the house for a good fifteen minutes before I finally settle.
Jack smiles at me. “Now,” he says and pats the seat next to him on the sofa. He waits until I’m seated before continuing. “What’s going on?”
“Noel found a letter from some mining company. They offered Grandma several million dollars for the mineral rights on her land. It was written about the same time she contacted her lawyer about putting the easement on the land.”
Noel nods. “Is that all?”
I glare at him, but nod in response.
“And now you think grandma thought you were unreliable and not to be trusted?” I nod again. “Exaggerate much?” My glare intensifies, and I may growl a bit. Jack grabs my hands. “That woman loved you more than her own flesh and blood. She left you millions. How does that translate to untrusting?”
“Maybe you’re right.” But I’m not willing to give up completely.
“Come on, you know I’m right,” Jack says and pushes me.
“Fine.” I throw my hands in the air. “You’re right.” I stick my tongue out at him.
He squeezes my shoulders. “I understand you miss her. Sometimes, you just need to have a meltdown.” And now he’s done being the supportive friend. “Back to the case. Were there any other letters, threats?”
“You still think it’s murder?”
Jack nods. “You have to admit the letter is a fabulous clue.”
I shake my head. “Noel disagrees. He says it doesn’t prove anything.”
Jack grunts. “Sometimes Noel is such a fuddy duddy.” I agree, but don’t say anything. “I say it’s a clue. Now,” he claps his hands in excitement, “how should we proceed?”
I shake my hea
d. “I have no idea.” I wonder if there is a solving murders for dummies book. Lord knows Google was no help.
“I know,” Jack leaps from the sofa in excitement. “You need to go snoop around at the mining company.”
“What?” I jump up and stare him down. He’s obviously gone loco. “Are you out of your flipping mind? Did you forget that I ended up in the back of cop car for going through my grandma’s house? How the heck am I going to snoop around a mining company’s offices?” I really don’t fancy the idea of going to prison. Who does, for that matter?
Jack deflates. “Huh, you may have a point there.” I raise my eyebrows at him. “Okay, okay, you do have a point.”
We both collapse back onto the sofa. “Maybe we should call Betty,” Jack suggests. I just look at him, but don’t deem to respond. “Yeah, you’re probably right. There’s got to be another angle here. Something we’re forgetting.”
I close my eyes and lean back into the sofa. I’m physically exhausted from my temper tantrum and mentally drained from going through grandma’s house. I don’t really want to think about anything anymore, except maybe how I can wrestle the ice cream back from Jack. Unfortunately, Jack’s undeterred.
“Let’s go over this one more time, and then you can have your precious ice cream back.” Jack’s a mind reader. I nod. “Okay, first the mining company contacted Grandma and offered her lots of money for the mineral rights to her land.”
“Yep,” I say, my eyes still closed.
“Then, Grandma contacts the lawyer to protect the land. He suggests putting an easement on the land.” Jack pauses for a moment. “How does this easement work again?”
I shrug. “From what I understand, Grandma gave specific mineral rights – probably those the mining company were after – to a conservation group.”
Jack jumps up and claps. “That’s it! That’s the missing piece. The conservation group.”
I open my eyes now. He may be on to something.
The Gray-Haired Knitting Detective Series: (Books 1 - 3) Page 9