by Maci Grant
“Not at all. That would be nice.” Blu smiled back as he fell into step beside her.
She was tempted to tell him about the pictures she found on his website, but she didn’t want him to know that she had been searching for him. As they left the recreational center Blu looked for AJ. She didn’t see him, but assumed that he might already be down at the beach.
When they reached the water, Blu looked around for AJ again. Again, she saw no sign of him.
“Do you live around here, Harry?”
“I don’t. I live far away from all this. I came because I was invited to display my art. I guess a part of me wanted to see the ice cream shop that started it all again. Now I wish I hadn’t.”
“Because of the tragedy?”
“Yes—because of the tragedy. I used to think that life couldn’t get better than a little ice cream shop, but now I see life inside the ice cream shop wasn’t that great either.”
“I think someone framed Gill. I don’t think he killed Martha.”
“Hm.” He shrugged. “That’s quite a story.”
Blu looked out over the water. “Yes, it is.”
She smiled as Marley splashed a bit of water in her direction.
“Could I take your picture?”
Blu turned to face him and quirked an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because you look just perfect in that light. The way you smile when you’re looking at the children. It’s really beautiful, and I’d love to be able to capture it.”
Blu laughed a little. “Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt.”
“Good. But don’t pose. Just go back to what you were doing. It’s not the same unless you’re not expecting it.”
Chapter 25
Blu looked back at the children racing up and down along the sand. It wasn’t long before she was so wrapped up in their activity that she didn’t even notice Harry’s camera clicking away. It wasn’t until she heard heavy footsteps running up to her that she was rattled out of her peaceful state.
“What do you think you’re doing?” AJ scowled at Harry as he stepped between Blu and the camera.
Harry backed up so fast that he tripped over his own feet and landed hard in the sand. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Don’t hurt me.”
“AJ!” Blu grabbed him hard by the arm. “I told him it was okay. Why are you acting like this?”
AJ looked from Blu to the man in the sand. Then he looked back at Blu again. “I’m sorry. It looked like he was sneaking around. I didn’t know that you knew what he was doing.”
“Maybe ask a question first next time?” Blu frowned.
She reached out her hand to Harry, who got to his feet. He watched AJ warily as he brushed the sand from his pants.
“I didn’t mean any harm. Is this your boyfriend?”
“No.” Blu narrowed eyes. “We’re just friends.”
AJ’s lips drew into a thin stern line. He shook his head. “I’m really sorry. I misread the situation. I hope you aren’t hurt.”
“I’m fine, it’s okay.” Harry lowered his eyes.
Blu wrapped her arm around his. He was so soft-spoken and meek compared to AJ that she felt the need to shield him from the larger man’s wrath.
“Blu, I’m sorry.” AJ met her eyes, though his jaw rippled with tension at the sight of her arm wrapped around Harry’s. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”
“You’re sure you’re not hurt? Your camera?” Blu frowned.
“I promise, I’m okay. Mistakes happen.” He offered AJ a cordial smile.
“AJ, maybe you keeping an eye on the kids isn’t such a good idea.”
“It’s fine, Blu. I’m sorry. I just got overprotective.”
“Are you sure? I know I might be asking too much.”
“Does payment still stand?” AJ winked.
Blu smiled. “Yes.”
“Then I’m sure. I don’t want to miss my chance to bury these little scoundrels.”
“Thanks, AJ.” Blu turned back to Harry. “Harry, I have to get going.”
“I’ll walk you back up to your car.” Harry smiled.
Blu wondered how he knew that she’d driven there, but she didn’t question him. She walked back to the parking lot with Harry at her side. She glanced back once to see AJ playing with the kids.
A twinge of guilt caused her to flinch. AJ was only trying to protect her, but she didn’t appreciate how aggressive he was. Harry couldn’t be more harmless, and she hated to think that he might have been hurt by AJ causing a scene.
“Are you sure that you’re okay, Harry?”
“I’m fine, really. I just hope that the pictures aren’t ruined.” He smiled at her. “I guess I’m not the only one who can see how perfect you are.”
Blu’s cheeks burned at his words. She didn’t think that there was much perfect about her, but she did wonder what might have gotten under AJ’s skin.
“It was nice meeting you, Harry.”
“I hope that we’ll get the chance to see each other again.”
“Are you in town for long?”
“I’ve been here a week. I leave tomorrow.”
“Oh, so you’ve been here for some time?” Blu studied him.
“Yes, I wanted to spend some time on the beach.”
“I hope to see you again before you leave. I have an appointment I have to get to now.”
“I don’t want to hold you up.” He held her gaze. “I will see you again.”
“Okay.” Blu smiled again and climbed into her car.
She didn’t have much time to get to the boarding house, as she didn’t want to leave the kids with AJ for too long.
Blu tried yet again to call Chief Pitman. She wanted to know whether he had gone ahead and charged Gill or if he’d released him. When she heard his voicemail again she hung up with a jab of her finger. Either he was avoiding her or he forgot to charge his phone. She thought about swinging by the station, but her mind was too focused on Erica.
If she’d already checked out, then there was a good chance Blu would never be able to find her, and she had no idea if Chief Pitman had followed up on the information she’d given him. She stepped into the lobby of what was actually a large house, rather than a motel. A skinny sleepy man sat behind the front desk.
“Room eight?”
He lifted a hand and pointed down a hallway without speaking a word.
Blu made her way down the hallway to the room with an eight on the door. She was about to knock when she noticed that the door was slightly open.
“I’m coming home today, Jarod. I can’t believe that you told some random person on the phone so much about us. Are you sure she asked about Gill?” There was a pause and then Erica continued. “Don’t worry about it, Jarod. It’s just a little complicated. Things didn’t exactly go as I’d planned. I’ll be home soon. Don’t answer the phone or the door for anyone. I’m serious.”
Blu lifted an eyebrow. To her, it sounded as if Erica was afraid of someone. Did she expect that the police would be looking for her?
Chapter 26
Blu lifted her hand again to knock on the door, but before she could, Erica jerked it open and nearly walked into her.
“Excuse me.” She narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”
“My name is Blu.”
“Are you the one that called my son?”
“I did.” Blu searched her eyes. “Are you the one who killed Martha Peddle?”
“How dare you!” Erica shoved past her. “I had nothing to do with that. I never should have come here. It was a mistake.”
“Well, you can’t leave.”
“I can and I am.”
“Wait! Erica, what are you going to tell your son? That you’re a murderer?”
“I didn’t murder anyone.” She spun around to face Blu. “I didn’t. Gill’s the one who killed someone, not me.”
“Gill wouldn’t do that to Martha.”
“Ha—then you don’t know Gill
very well. He’s a terrible man and they lied to me about him.”
“They who?” Blu blinked.
“Martha and Gill.”
“Wait, are you saying Gill lied to you about Gill?
“Oh, you’re wasting my time! I have to get home to Jarod to make sure that he’s safe.”
Erica was already out the door when Blu caught up with her. Blu reached for her arm to stop her, but Erica raised her hands into the air.
“Don’t move!”
Blu looked up to see Chief Pitman with his gun pointed at Erica. Blu lifted her hands into the air as well.
“Chief Pitman, what’s going on?”
“Erica Grimes, you’re under arrest for the murder of Martha Peddle.”
“What? No! You can’t do this! I didn’t do anything! It was him! It was Gill!”
“Let’s go.” Chief Pitman handed her off to a waiting officer. Once Erica was led away, he turned to look at Blu.
“That information you gave us checked out. We also had an eyewitness who said that Martha and Erica were seen walking together on the beach the morning of the murder. I had to decide whether to charge or release Gill, so I released him. I hope your instincts are right on this one, Blu.”
“I know they are.” Blu stared after Erica with confidence.
“It’s a strange turn of events. I guess Gill confessed in some attempt to protect his ex-lover.”
“So Jarod is his?”
“It’s not confirmed yet, but he does share his last name. I’m sure Erica will be willing to tell us the whole story. It’s over, Blu. At least now you can rest well knowing that you protected Gill from being put away for murder.”
“Yes.” Blu nodded. “I can’t wait to go speak with him.”
“I released him this morning. He should be home.”
“I tried calling you to let you know I was coming here.”
“I know—my phone was buzzing all day. I couldn’t find a minute to get back to you. I had to do a lot of paperwork and call in some favors to get Gill released and Erica in handcuffs.”
“You did a good job, Chief Pitman.”
“With your help, Nanny Blu.”
“It’s just Blu.”
“Sure.” He nodded.
As he walked away, Blu expected to feel calm. Instead, her heart pounded harder than ever. She was sure that once she saw Gill everything would be fine.
When she returned to the beach AJ was buried in the sand yet again.
“I thought things were supposed to happen the other way around this time?” Blu laughed.
“What can I say? They have a way with words.”
“I bet.” Blu grinned. “Let’s go, you two. I did promise you cupcakes, remember?”
“Cupcakes!” The kids jumped up out of the sand.
AJ managed to break free of the sand as well.
“Do you want to come with us?” Blu automatically reached up and helped him brush some sand from his skin. She froze when she realized what she’d done.
AJ caught her hand. “I’m not going to let you pass off a cupcake as dinner.”
“Would I do that?” Blu grinned.
“Absolutely.” He gave her hand a little squeeze and then released it.
“You should know that your uncle released Gill. He has another suspect in custody.”
“That’s great. I’m sure it was because of your detective work.”
“I like to think I might have helped.” She grinned, but the expression faded. “Although she doesn’t seem the type to be a murderer.”
“A murderer doesn’t wear some kind of sign that says, ‘Hey, look over here, I’m a murderer!’” AJ tilted his head to the side as he looked at her. “The best killers are also the best at disguising themselves as good people.”
“I guess you’re right about that. But I was right about Gill.”
“I’m glad it worked out. Now about that dinner?”
“Soon, AJ.” She smiled.
“Hm. Why does that sound like never?”
Blu leaned in close to him. For some ridiculous reason she couldn’t resist. Her lips met his cheek in a soft lingering kiss. A sweet soft sigh emerged from between AJ’s lips. “That’s nice. But I still want dinner.”
“Soon.” Blu laughed as she chased the kids up the walkway to the parking lot.
They drove a few minutes down the road to a bakery. Blu parked and paraded the kids straight to the bathrooms to wash up before they had their treats. While she and Marley waited for Joey to emerge from the men’s room, Blu surveyed the cupcake choices. The jingle of the bell over the door drew her attention. She turned to see Harry walking through the door.
“Harry.” She smiled. “I guess you were right. You did see me again.”
“Great timing. Any chance I can buy the cupcakes?” He waved to Joey as he stepped out of the restroom to join them.
“Sure.” Blu nodded.
Chapter 27
As they ordered their cupcakes Blu studied Harry with increased interest. She still found it quite interesting that he’d been the one to take all the pictures of the ice cream shops.
“You’ll be happy to know that they released Gill today.”
“What?” Harry looked up at her sharply. “According to whom?”
“Oh. Well, the police chief told me. I’m going to see him in the morning. I know he’s been thinking about selling the shop. I bet he would be very touched by the photographs you took, and the memory you shared with me.”
“I bet.” Harry smiled at the clerk and paid for the cupcakes. “Maybe I could go with you?”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” They sat together at a small table. “Do you think you could talk to him about maybe not selling the shop?”
“I could. If you want me to.”
“Why is it so important what I want?” Blu asked.
“Why was it so important to you that Gill got out of jail?” Harry asked.
“Excuse me?”
“You were so certain. What about him made you so certain that he didn’t deserve to be behind bars?”
“I guess because I feel that it’s not his character to do something like that and definitely not to his wife.”
“What do you know about his character?”
Blu frowned. “Did I say something to upset you?”
“No, I’m sorry. I have a bit of a mind for mystery. Sometimes I ask too many questions.”
“Finish your cupcakes, kids.”
Joey and Marley polished off their last few bites.
“I appreciate you spending some time with me, Blu. Here’s my number. Please call me in the morning. I’d love to meet the man face-to-face.”
“I’ll call.” Blu smiled at him.
That night when Blu tucked the kids into bed, she noticed that she was still waiting to feel calm. Everything in her mind told her that the crime was solved—that the right person was behind bars and everything would be fine. But something still left her feeling uneasy. As she fell asleep that night, her thoughts fixated on the small details of the crime. Although she couldn’t place what it was, something didn’t fit.
She woke the next morning to her cell phone ringing.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Maddie. Sorry it’s so early. I just wanted to see if you heard about Erica being arrested.”
“Yes, I did. I was there. I’m sorry. I meant to call you about it.”
“That’s okay. It’s been crazy. I’m just glad the police got the right person.”
“I’m going to visit Gill this morning. Would you want to come along?”
“Sure.”
“Oh, I have a friend that wants to join us too. The photographer—the one that took all the pictures of the ice cream shops.”
“I still think that’s a strange coincidence.”
“Or maybe it’s fate.” Blu sat up in bed. “Either way, I hope that his pictures will sway Gill into keeping the shop open.”
“Me too. I’m dying for some
ice cream.” Maddie gasped. “Oops—I’m sorry, that didn’t come out the way I meant it.”
“It’s okay. Do you want to meet me at Gill’s?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“I’ll text you the address. I’m going to pick Harry up first.”
“Sounds good.”
Blu was relieved that she didn’t have to rush into the kitchen. Rachel liked to make breakfast for the kids and watch cartoons with them on Saturday mornings. Blu usually had until about two to herself.
As she slipped out the side door to avoid a conversation, she nearly tripped over Joey’s sneakers. That was when it struck her. The shoes. Why would Erica wear Gill’s shoes? Was it just to frame the man? It seemed like an odd thing for the woman to choose to use to frame him.
It remained in her mind as she called Harry. He picked up on the first ring.
“Hi, Harry. I’m going over to Gill’s. I wasn’t sure if you had a car here, so I can pick you up if you’d like.”
“Sure. I’m at Beachside Rooms. Do you know where it is?”
Blu’s eyes widened. “Yes, I know exactly where it is.”
“Great, see you in a few minutes.”
Blu sat behind the wheel for a moment before she started the engine.
As she drove to Beachside Rooms she wondered if it could really be a coincidence that Harry and Erica were staying at the same place. Maybe the boarding house was running a special?
Harry waited for her outside. When she pulled up he opened the passenger side door.
“Good morning, Blu.”
“Good morning.”
He settled into the seat and looked over at her. “I brought my portfolio to show him.”
“Great.”
Blu drove toward Gill’s house. When they arrived she saw that Maddie’s car was already there.
“Are we meeting someone else?” Harry frowned.
“Just my friend. She helped me prove Gill’s innocence.”
“Oh.” He nodded. “Then she should be here too.”
“Morning, Blu.” Maddie gave her a quick hug, then the three of them walked up to the door.