“Were Catherine and Blain friends?” she asked, sipping her coffee.
“They knew each other. It’s a small town. Why? What are you thinking?”
“Just wondering, that’s all. I’m trying to see if there’s a connection. Remember, I told you the whole conversation with her felt weird.”
“I think you’re tired, and your mind is going overboard with all this. I’m sure Catherine wasn’t . . . isn’t involved with Blain or Andrew’s antiquity smuggling. If, in fact, that’s what they were doing.”
“Just think about it, will you? For me.” She smiled coyly in the dim light. He glanced at her, the headlights of a passing car revealing amusement etched onto his face. “Oh, and one more little thing . . .” she added, cringing.
He groaned and glanced sideways at her.
“Please, just indulge me for a minute?”
“All right,” he sighed. “What now?”
“Raymond has a list of all the estate holdings.”
“As he should, being the executor.”
“Right. And this is a small town and there are not that many lawyers.”
“Where are you going with this?”
“Well, it stands to reason—”
“Wait. You’re not suggesting Raymond James, the most ethical lawyer I’ve ever met, is behind this, are you?” He shot her a side glare and the car swerved.
She grabbed the dash. “No, no, but what if Blain or Andrew or even Catherine used his services, and one of them got ahold of the list or found it sitting around on his desk and saw something on it that they wanted to get their hands on?”
“You’re getting carried away now. I’m sure he’s not about to leave one client’s file out when there’s another sitting in his office.”
“Mistakes happen, don’t they?”
“Yes, but now you’re really stretching, don’t you think?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.” She tightened her lips and stared out the window as the flashing hotel sign came into focus.
* * *
Marc stood in the open doorway while she settled into her room. After placing her overnight bag, which he had insisted she pack when she left the house, in the closet and her makeup bag on the counter in the bathroom, she walked over to the door to thank him. His finger tilted her chin up, and he smiled down at her. She liked the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. A wave of tremors swept through her, and she steadied herself by leaning into his hand.
“Remember, no rock left unturned. That goes for your case, too,” he whispered. His warm breath swept across her cheek. She stared up into his soft, brown eyes, as he leaned in closer. Her heart raced. She arched upward. Her eyes closed, and his velvety lips brushed across hers.
Her eyes flew open. She pushed him away and gasped. Her head thudded back against the door. His eyes widened. Hurt and confusion crossed his face. She shook her head. Tears burned at her eyes as she darted behind the door, shutting it quickly, pressing her forehead against it. Her heart pounded, making it hard for her to catch her breath. “What did I just do?” Her palm slapped the door.
Chapter Fifteen
The morning alarm rang far too early for Addie. She’d tossed and turned half the night, thinking about Marc and what had passed between them. She vowed never to let it happen again. He was a friend and couldn’t be anything more. She still loved David and always would. The other half of the night was filled with distorted dreams of running from shadowy faces floating in and out of book covers. She pulled the comforter over her head, wishing it would all go away. How would she be able to face Marc again? She moaned.
Her eyes closed, and she snuggled in under the warm duvet until she remembered Serena was dropping in to the shop today. Addie didn’t know what to expect for business on a weekend, but as foot traffic into her shop had grown all week, she feared it could get busy fairly early. She hoped Serena would drop by ahead of time so they’d have a chance to talk before the Saturday-morning shoppers started their rounds. Only half seeing, she headed in the direction of the in-room coffee maker, started a pot, and then quickly showered.
The hot water refreshed her, and she ran over her mental to-do list, adding post the “Help Wanted” sign she had purchased a few days ago and had forgotten about in all the recent chaos. When she got out and dressed, the bedside clock said it was eight. Marc had told her he’d pick her up at eight-fifteen to give her a lift to the store. She wondered how he’d react seeing her today. “Darn it. I wish I had my own car; then I could avoid seeing him all together,” she muttered, pouring a cup of coffee, then crossing the room to stand at her third-floor window, which overlooked the main entrance and parking lot.
Her room provided an amazing view of the town, nestled at the bottom of the hill on the harbor. Dispersed throughout the scene was an array of foliage in various shades of fall colors. The sight tugged at her heart. It was no wonder the tourist business boomed this time of year. Growing up on the East Coast had spoiled her, and she couldn’t imagine having to go on a tour bus, like the people she was watching below boarding theirs, just so they could enjoy the same scenery that she was lucky enough to witness every day.
She studied the tourists—a mix of shapes, sizes, and ages. Some appeared excited as they embarked, ready for their day ahead. Others looked like she felt: half asleep and in need of another coffee. One tall woman stood apart from the group and paced along the sidewalk. Addie couldn’t make out her features, because she wore a large scarf draped over her head and shoulders. But there was something about her that didn’t fit with the rest of the tourist group. Addie had a gnawing feeling that she knew her and leaned forward to try to get a clearer look.
A black Honda sedan pulled up behind the bus. The woman hurried over, tossed a suitcase into the back, then hopped into the passenger seat, and the car pulled away. A cold chill rushed across Addie’s shoulders. She grabbed her purse and bolted from her room slamming the door behind her. She pressed the elevator button repeatedly, but the lighted floor indicator above the door didn’t move from the third floor. Spotting the stairwell exit, she dashed to it, burst through the door, and bounded down the steps. Breathless, she shot out into the lobby and ran directly into Marc.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” He steadied them both by gripping her shoulders. “What’s got you in such a rush this morning?”
“Did you just drive up?” she cried.
“Yes. Why? Am I late?”
“Did, did you see it?”
His forehead furrowed. “See what?”
“The, the car, the black car?” She pulled away and stepped toward the door.
“Hey there. Slow down a minute and tell me what’s going on?” He clutched her jacket sleeve. “Look at me.” He spun her toward him.
“A black Honda sedan. Did you see it when you pulled into the parking lot?”
“Yes, well . . . I think so, but I wasn’t—”
“We have to go find it. It can’t have gotten far.”
“Do you think it’s the car?” He trotted to match her pace.
“I’m sure of it.” She stood beside his cruiser and tapped her foot, waiting for him to unlock the doors. When she heard them click, she jerked the door open, plopped into the seat and fastened her seat belt. “Let’s go—hurry.”
“Let me get in first.” He adjusted his seat belt. “Did you see which way it headed?”
“No, the bus was blocking the driveway, but I’m guessing into downtown. The other way leads to the riding stables, and the woman who got in didn’t look like she was dressed for horseback riding.”
“What woman?”
“The woman I saw on the walk out front who got in it. I know I’ve seen her before. There’s something really familiar about her. The way she walked and held herself. I just can’t place her though. Maybe it was the tall woman from my store who was also in Serena’s? Oh, I don’t know, but hurry.”
“Did you get a look at her face?”
“No, she was wearing a
scarf, but there’s something. I know it. I can feel it.”
Addie closed her eyes and concentrated on the hazy image of the woman’s features. Her eyes shot open. “She was at the store the night it got broken into.”
“You saw her? In the store? Why didn—”
“No, she was at the back of the crowd watching. She was with a tall man . . . oh God. It was Andrew.”
“That doesn’t mean they were guilty of anything.”
“No, but it proves they know each other, and she could be part of everything that’s happening. Does Andrew drive a black Honda?” Her eyes scanned down every side street they passed.
“I don’t know. I’ll check it out though.” He pulled up in front of her store.
“Can we drive around just a bit longer, please?” she asked, her eyes pleading with him.
“It’s almost nine, and judging by the traffic down here already, you’re in store for a busy day.” He winked. “I’ll drive around a bit and see if I can locate it. You go to work. This is police business, after all.”
“You can be so, so, so”—she clenched her fists and shook—“frustrating.” She got out and slammed the door.
He rolled down the passenger window. “Addie.”
“What?” She spun around.
“Have a good day.” He smiled and pulled out into traffic.
“Argh.” She stamped her foot. Taking a deep breath, Addie straightened her shoulders, smoothed out the upturned hem on her slacks, looked up, and came face-to-face with Martha.
Her brow cocked. “Humph, first y’er friends with a murderer, then you show up first thing in the morning with him—chief of police, no less. What’re you up to, girlie?” Her lip curled.
“Good morning.” Addie nodded, held her head high, and strode to her door.
“I got my eye on you,” Martha called out.
The fine hairs on Addie’s neck bristled, and she could feel Martha’s eyes boring into her back. Heat swept across her cheeks. She didn’t dare turn around to acknowledge her any further.
Addie fumbled with her door latch, cringing at the thought of how the whole town, through the gossip grapevine, would soon hear about the police chief driving her to the shop this morning, and she dropped the keys. She scrambled for them, aware that Martha was still drilling holes into her back. Then an equally sickening thought struck her: it wouldn’t take long for someone from the hotel to add their tidbit in, mentioning the fact that Marc had also checked her in to the hotel last night. She mentally put on her big-girl pants, puffed her cheeks, blew out a deep breath, and finally fit the key into the lock, pushing the door open and sliding inside without so much as a single look back at Martha.
She took a deep breath, then steadied herself by pacing up and down the rows between the bookshelves. When panic over the possibility of further gossip about her subsided, she felt ready to start the day. The first thing she checked off her to-do list was placing the “Help Wanted” sign in the bookshop window. Then she sat down at the counter and called Brian on the store phone, flipped on the speaker, and began readying the cash counter for the morning start.
“Look,” he said. “I’ve just hung up with Marc and already told him I’d call the company in Boston again today and upgrade the work order to urgent. Aside from that, there’s nothing else I can tell you.”
“That’s great—”
“Yeah, whatever, talk to the chief. I’ve already told him it’s out of my hands now.”
“Oh, okay, I didn’t’ realize, I—”
“Tell me something.”
“Sure, what?”
“Tell me, why’s Marc taking such a special interest in your personal affairs?”
Addie’s elbow slipped off the counter and slammed onto her thigh.
“It’s out of character for him. Usually, he’s detached and impartial to a case. So what’s up with you two?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, either he thinks you’re a complete ditz who can’t look after herself, or—”
“Or what?”
“Or . . . nothing, never mind.”
Words failed her. She mumbled something incoherent, clicked off the call, and blew out a sharp breath. Although she had to admit to herself that earlier in the week, she’d been irritated with Marc, too, when he’d called Brian on her behalf, except since then she’d put it down to her being friends with Serena or to it being a part of the small-town lifestyle she didn’t understand—but now? A virtual stranger telling her that this wasn’t the case made her think twice. She drummed her fingers on the countertop. Did Marc actually think her incompetent and not able to look after herself?
She chewed on her bottom lip and stared out the window, recalling the day that she’d decided to set up her own business and had started scouting available locations near the town center. Her first choice had been Main Street, but when she saw this double bay window space for rent, and only half a block off Main, she couldn’t resist. She knew it was still a good location for foot traffic because of the way the Town Square shopping district was designed. It was an actual square of streets around the municipal buildings, with parkland behind them. Main Street, from what she could tell, was only called that because it faced the front entrances to the civic buildings. But here, she had the full view over the park, and she was happy with her decision, but now? Between Marc’s apparent doubts about her competency and the fallout from any damage Martha might invoke, she wasn’t certain that she’d even be here in another month to enjoy it. The door chimes jingled, and she jumped. The clinking jerked her from her thoughts and announced the beginning of another workday.
Chapter Sixteen
The store filled up early, and there was no sign of things slowing down as lunchtime approached. Addie’s feet ached, and her stomach rumbled. She’d gone nonstop. It seemed the flames of Martha’s rumor mill hadn’t been lit yet, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Marc she would take care of when she had time to think, but now she could kill for a five-minute coffee break.
She’d just finished wrapping an early edition of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind and explaining to the woman how her book consignment system worked: 30 percent to Addie and 70 percent to the customer. The woman appeared happy with the pay division and left promising to return soon with her books. A meek woman with curly blond hair slid a sheet of paper across the counter toward her. Addie tried to focus. It was a résumé. She looked up, smiling at the young woman in delight. Addie was ready to hug her and hand her the keys to the store right then and there. However, she did manage to control the urge and quickly read through the woman’s short work history.
“Well, Paige, this looks good. A degree in comparative literature from Brown—excellent; and some previous retail experience—perfect.” She smiled over the paper at the pasty-faced girl, who appeared to be growing paler by the minute. “Are you okay? Would you like to sit down?” Addie pointed to a counter stool.
“No,” she whispered. “I’m fine.”
Addie shrugged, but kept one eye on the girl as she continued to scan her résumé.
“It says you graduated two years ago, but then there’s no work history after that? Did you take some time off?”
“Yes.” Paige’s head drooped, and she clutched at her purse with both hands. She looked up, tears filled her dull blue eyes, and she sniffled loudly.
“What’s wrong?”
Paige shook her head.
“Okay. It’s none of my business anyway, and I don’t have a right to ask, but I am concerned. The store can get fairly busy, and I can’t be here all the time. So I really need someone who can step up and take over some of the workload. Do you think you’re up to that?”
Paige nodded quickly. “Oh yes, yes, I can do that.” A timid smile crossed her lips. “Just give me a chance, I’ll show you.”
Addie rubbed her chin and glanced back at the résumé in her hand. “I also see there isn’t a local address or phone number. It says at the top here—
Boston?”
Paige bit her lip and shuffled her feet. “I’ve just moved and haven’t found a place to live yet,” she mumbled. “But I will soon.”
Addie studied the distressed young woman standing in front of her. She sucked in a deep breath. “Okay. When can you start?”
“Really, I got the job?” Paige squealed. “Oh, thank you, you have no idea what this means to me. I promise I won’t let you down.”
Color returned to Paige’s ashen face, and Addie decided she must just be the nervous type and might take some work yet, but she was desperate and willing to take a chance on the girl.
“You’re welcome. I’m happy you walked in here today; you have no idea how much I need help.”
Paige scanned the shop. “It looks like business is booming.”
“Yes, it is. What’s a good day for you to start?”
“Umm, well.” She fidgeted with her handbag. “Monday?”
“Do you think you’ll be able to find a place to live by then?”
“If I have a job to go to, then it’s easier to rent a place. I’m sure something will come up today.”
“Where are you staying now?”
Her cheeks flushed. “I’m okay. I have a place to sleep.”
Addie eyed her closely, but Paige offered no further clues. “All right, as long as you’re not stuck living on the street, it’s none of my business.”
Paige’s shoulders relaxed, and her face softened.
“Monday sounds perfect.” Addie shook her hand.
After Paige left, Serena poked her head over the top of a bookcase, her eyes wide. “Don’t tell me you just hired Paige Stringer?”
“I did, why? Do you know her?”
“She didn’t tell you, then, did she?” Serena walked around to the counter.
“Tell me what?”
She scowled. “I just knew it. Those two are up to something.”
“Hey, slow down. Two who?”
“Them.” She motioned her head backward.
“You’re not making any sense.”
Murder by the Book Page 10