“And they are friends of hers?”
“Only recently; apparently Raymond introduced them to her.” She looked at Marc, her mind raging. “He told her they were collectors from Boston, and since she knew everyone in town, she might be able to set them up with some local antique sellers or dealers, and they told her they wanted to meet with me. They even knew my name.”
“Interesting.” Marc rubbed his chin. “Raymond seems more involved with all this than I first thought.”
“Yes, and he called Catherine the same day he died. She said he was really nervous about something and appeared to be afraid. That’s when he gave her the envelope for me and said he should have given it to me a long time ago but wanted to protect me.”
Marc looked out the window, appearing to be lost in thought. “Whatever is in that package is the key to what’s going on. First, your father was afraid and told Catherine about it, then—”
“That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking. Dad’s killed, then Raymond gives it to Catherine, and he dies, and then she gets attacked—maybe these two mysterious women are behind everything.”
Marc started the ignition and pulled onto the street. “I’m taking you home. You’ve had a rough day with lots of surprises.”
“No, I need to get back to the store. There’s something I have to do.”
“That’s why I’m not taking you there. I know exactly what you have in mind, and it’s too dangerous. Stay out of it. Let the police take it from here. Please?” He glanced at her.
“No. Take me to my shop. I just have to check a few things out before I can go home. You know, Paige is there on her own, and—”
He heaved a loud breath. “That’d better be all you’re checking out.”
“I promise.” She crossed her heart and smiled, glancing down at her other hand, where her fingers were crossed.
Chapter Thirty
Addie stood back from the blackboard, studying the names and links she and Marc had identified earlier. Deep in thought, she stroked her hand over her throat and squinted at the white squiggles, trying to get a mental picture of the story they were telling her.
She threw her hands up in the air and spun around on her heel, coming face-to-face with a red-faced Marc. “I knew you were up to something when I dropped you off. I’m so glad I decided to park and come in.”
“Well, you can stop worrying. I give up. I can’t see how these people are connected except by suspicion.”
“Good.” He glared. “Now maybe you’ll leave it alone and get back to running your bookshop and let me get on with my job.”
“But, but—”
“No buts. You broke a promise, and you even crossed your heart on it.” His eyes bored into hers.
“Yes, but . . . that’s not all that I crossed.” She winced and held up two crossed fingers.
His eyes widened.
“So . . . you see . . . it really doesn’t count as a broken promise, right?” A slight smile graced her lips.
Marc thudded down onto a box, raking his hair with his hands. “Darn it. You’re the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.” He shook his head, stared at the board, and let out a deep sigh. “Well, at first glance, it looks like these people are all connected by the envelope, but we have no idea what the motive is or how they all know each other.”
“Did your investigation into Andrew or Blain turn up anything—any connections to the two women?”
“Nothing so far, I’m afraid.” He blew out a loud breath and stood up. “I just don’t know right now,” he rubbed his eyes. “I think we’d better call it a day though and think on it.”
“I guess you’re right.” Addie frowned and looked back at the board. “Besides, I have to go meet Brian soon and then was planning on having dinner with Serena. Have you heard from her today?”
“No.” Marc shook his head. “It’s strange. Usually, I get at least one call from her in a day.”
“Maybe before I leave I’ll pop in and check on her.”
“I’ve got to get back to the station anyway, so I’ll look in on her now.” He picked up his hat. His brow rose. “Maybe we can talk about all this later. You know, after we give ourselves a break.”
“After dinner I was planning on a massive cleanup at my poor house, but you’re welcome to drop by and help.” She coyly smiled. “We can brainstorm while we work.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you there about eight.” He nodded and left.
Addie checked her cell for missed messages and sighed when there still wasn’t one from Brian to say the work was complete. She walked to the front of the store, surprised to see how busy it was and how adeptly Paige seemed to be handling the customers. Mentally she practiced her see-I-told-you-so dance for Serena before taking over the cash register duties while Paige worked her customer service magic on the floor. Addie’s gaze wandered to the window and the street beyond.
“Sheila?” She stared at the tall woman standing at the curbside across the road. “What the . . .” She raced out the door and waved, calling her former colleague’s name. A red SUV pulled up. Sheila looked coolly across the road at Addie, slipped on a pair of sunglasses, and got into the passenger side. Addie couldn’t make out the plate number, but she knew she’d seen that same car around town before.
“Are you okay?” Serena’s voice echoed through her muddled thoughts.
Addie spun around. “Did you see that?”
Serena scanned the street. “See what?”
“That woman. It was Sheila. She was standing right across the street. I waved and called to her, and she just took off.” Addie frowned, staring at the corner the SUV had disappeared around. “I can’t believe it.”
“Why wouldn’t she have come over and said hello?”
“Exactly,” cried Addie. “Unless she doesn’t want me to know she’s in town, which makes me think—”
Serena’s eyes lit up. “She has something to do with everything that’s been going on.”
“Bingo.” Addie rushed back into her shop.
“Where are you going?”
“To call Marc. I have to tell him about her and the red SUV.”
“Let me lock up, and I’ll be right over.” Serena headed to her store. “Wow, this is getting weirder.”
“You said it.” Addie swung her door open and raced inside toward the back room.
She fumbled to pull her cell phone and noticed a text from Brian. She pressed reply and said she’d be there shortly. Then she called Marc. To her amazement, he answered on the first ring. Still breathless, she managed to tell him what had just happened. He said he knew a couple of people in town who drove red SUVs, but that he would check the vehicle registration database to make sure and call her back.
Paige popped her head around the corner.
“Hi, what can I do for you?” Addie tucked unmanageable strands of her hair behind her ears and glanced at the clock. “Oh my, it’s closing time.”
“Yes, and everyone’s gone. Is it all right if I leave, too?”
“Yes, yes of course. I’ll come upfront and lock the door behind you, then I’ll be off soon, too.”
“Are you sure? You look a little shaken. Do you need me to stay?”
“No. I’m fine.” Addie said walking her to the door. “Serena’s coming over, and I have to meet Brian. All’s good, don’t worry.” Addie flashed her a reassuring smile and locked the front door behind her young shop assistant.
She returned to the blackboard, wrote Sheila, red SUV, then stood back and studied the other names. “I know the answer is here. But where?” Her fingers traced the white lines and then stopped at Catherine. “God, I’ve got to get my hands on that envelope. It has to be what’s behind all this.” She flipped the drop cloth over the blackboard, grabbed her coat and purse, punched in the alarm code, and dashed into the alley to her car.
Serena’s head appeared out her back door, and she looked frantic. Addie turned off the ignition and rolled down her window. “What’s wr
ong?”
“A customer just came in, so I can’t leave yet. I’ll meet you at the Grey Gull at six.”
“No problem. I have to meet Brian first anyway. See you then.” Addie waved.
Brian wasn’t his usual flirty self when she arrived at her house, which was a relief. Dark circles stood out under his eyes, and he kept muttering about slow contractors. She welcomed the reprieve from his constant gaming with her and actually enjoyed his company while he showed her what they had done and explained the features of the new alarm system.
As his car pulled away, she stood at the open door and took a deep breath of the crisp evening air, remembering why she loved fall in New England so much. She leaned her head against the edge of the door and smiled. At the top of her driveway, headlights flashed on. She shivered as the car made a quick U-turn and sped off down the hill. She closed and bolted the door. Someone had been watching her. Even having the new alarm system didn’t take the dread away. Her first instinct was to run. She pressed her back against the heavy mahogany door and breathed in and out, slowly focusing on the fact that she was safe. When the initial fight-or-flight instinct had passed, she looked at the alarm box on the wall and reassured herself that this was now a fortress. She noted the time. As per usual, she was running late. She activated the alarm and dashed off to meet Serena.
When she arrived at the Grey Gull, Serena was waiting at a table downstairs by the window. “I’m so sorry I’m late.” Addie collapsed into the chair across from her.
“No worries.” Serena took a sip of her water. “I was running a few minutes late, too, and was going to call you when I got here, but realized I must have left my cell phone at the store.”
“Let’s eat. I’m starving.” Addie picked up her menu. “God, what a day I’ve had.”
“Tell me about it. I don’t think I’ve ever been so busy since I opened.” Serena glanced over her menu and closed it.
“You’ve decided already? I haven’t even had time to focus.” Addie laughed and glanced back at the menu. “But it’s good that you were busy and the whole murder suspect thing hasn’t kept customers away.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s exactly why I was so swamped.” Serena waved the server over. “People are curious and nosy. Say, you said you saw that woman Sheila on the street?”
“Yes.” Addie peered over the top of her menu. “What are you thinking?”
“Is she tall? Auburn hair, swept up kind of?”
“Yes.” Addie laid down her menu. “She does wear it like that sometimes. Why?”
“English accent?”
Addie nodded.
“She was in my store today.” She cracked her knuckles and smiled.
“No way? Really?”
Serena grinned.
“You are the Watson to my Sherlock. What did she want?” Addie leaned across the table.
“She was very friendly, asked about my tea blends and how I came up with them. But when she was leaving—”
The server approached their table and cleared his throat. “Are we ready to order, ladies?”
“Yes, we are.” Serena ogled him and only slightly flinched when Addie kicked her under the table.
Serena eyed him as he walked away. “Hate to say good-bye, but love to watch him leave.”
Addie slapped her playfully with her napkin. “You’re too much.”
Serena laughed. “Well, he’s cute. Don’t you think?”
“Come on, focus, don’t leave me hanging. What did Sheila say?”
Serena leaned forward, and her voice fell to a hushed whisper. “She asked me about the bookstore next to mine and wanted to know if it was a new shop and if it carried rare books or just used books?”
“And? What did you say?” Addie sat back and gripped the edge of the table.
“Of course, I didn’t know who she was and told her, you know, thinking hey, a new customer for you? I said that you didn’t keep any of the rarer books in the store but had a personal supply.”
Without taking her eyes off Serena’s, Addie took a drink of her water.
Serena looked down. “I told her”—she took a deep breath—“I told her, if that’s what she was interested in buying, she should go in and talk to you, that you might have something she wanted in your private collection.”
Addie sat back in her chair and stared unseeing at Serena.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” Her face became pinched and drawn. “I thought I was doing you a favor.”
“I know you thought you were helping out my business.” Addie’s mind whirled with thoughts of Sheila and what she really knew about her, which wasn’t much, it seemed. She shook her head. “You didn’t know. How could you?”
“I just feel so bad.”
“No, don’t.” Addie sat forward. “I don’t think Sheila being here is a coincidence. She didn’t want me to know she’s here, and knew she’d been found out when I saw her.”
“But why keep it a secret?” Serena’s eyes widened. “Are you thinking what I am? That she has something to do with the break-ins?”
“Yes. The question is, what is she looking for? And why was she in your store asking questions when she probably already knew the answers?” Addie shook her head and chewed on the inside of her cheek.
Serena sat forward, glancing over her shoulder at the table behind them. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I think it was that she hoped I’d slip up and tell her something. She did spend a lot of time at the counter with me.”
“May be. . . . If she’s the one who has ransacked my house twice, plus the store, she obviously didn’t find what she was looking for, so . . . so she was hoping you’d tell her about another place I might have whatever it is she’s after.” Addie pounded the table in victory and then looked apoplectically at the couple sitting behind Serena.
“That must be it.”
“If it is her, then she hasn’t been working alone either.” Addie leaned forward and whispered, “I’ve seen her in the black Honda, and today, a red SUV.” She sat back and drummed her fingers on the table. “She has a partner or two.”
“Wait, she left in a red SUV? I assumed it was the black car.”
“Nope.” Addie shook her head. “It was definitely a red SUV; something fancy and expensive looking.”
Serena’s eyes widened. “What make?”
“I don’t know. It sped away so fast I couldn’t tell. Why?”
“The only person in town who drives a fancy, expensive red SUV”—Serena blew out a deep breath—“is Andrew Fielding. He drives a Porsche Cayenne.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Addie pulled up behind Marc’s Jeep in her driveway. He waved from the porch as she got out and raced up the front steps. “Sorry,” she panted, “dinner with Serena ran a bit late.”
“No problem.” He stood aside while she opened the door. “I just got here myself.”
“Not working tonight?” Her eyes skimmed over him, admiring how nicely his jeans hugged his muscular thighs.
“No, finally took an evening off.” He chuckled and walked into the foyer. “Did Brian show you the features of the new security system? And you understand how it works?” He took off his jacket and hung it on the coatrack behind the door.
“Yes, sir.” She saluted and headed toward the kitchen. “I don’t know about you, but I need coffee. Want any?”
“Yes. I’d love some.”
“Did you eat? I can make you a sandwich, if you want.”
“No, I’m good, just coffee’s fine.” He sat on a stool at the kitchen island. He looked over at her. His eyes glimmered with a hint of self-satisfaction. “I have some news for you.”
She leaned across the counter. “Me, too.”
“Okay.” His jaw tensed. “You first, but you better not be going to tell me that you and Serena ran late because you were out conducting some amateur investigation.”
“No. As you keep reminding me, you’re the cop and I’m not. So you tell me your news first.” S
he dropped a pod in the coffee maker.
“Well, on my way home to change, I drove by Andrew’s.”
“Don’t tell me.” She smirked. “He drives a red Cayenne.”
“What? You knew?” His eyes narrowed as he studied her. “How?”
“Serena told me he drove one.” She handed him a cup of coffee.
“Serena—of course, should have known.” He added a teaspoon of sugar and stirred his coffee. “I have more.” He took a sip and looked at her over the rim of his cup.
She leaned her elbows on the counter and rested her chin in her hand. “Go on, I’m listening.”
“I drove by because I thought I saw him driving one the other day, and sure enough, in the driveway was a red SUV. I needed an excuse to stop, so I decided to drop in to inquire about Blain’s funeral arrangements, telling him lots of people at the station were asking and no one had seen anything about it in the papers.”
“Did he buy it?”
“Yes, but the interesting thing was that when I walked past his SUV, I put my hand on the hood. It was warm. But when I told him I thought I’d just seen him downtown, he denied having driven it at all, saying he’d been home all afternoon making the funeral preparations.”
“Really?”
“The best part is, either he has a new potpourri thingy in his foyer or a woman who drenches herself in expensive perfume was there for a visit. His foyer was filled with the scent of a woman’s perfume.”
“Well, Sheila wears some pricey perfume she picked up in Paris just before I left London, and I saw her get into that car, so there’s no question she knows him somehow.”
“I thought that, too. So when I left there, I went to have a chat with Elaine, Blain’s assistant.”
“Good thinking.”
“Yes, well, the police are known to have one or two good ideas once in a while.” He choked on his sip of coffee.
She handed him a napkin. “A blind squirrel is bound to find a nut at some point.” She slapped his back when he started choking again. “Is it something I said?”
“If you don’t behave, I won’t tell you the next tidbit of information.”
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