by Tim Myers
“Up you go,” I said as I dislodged an indignant cat.
I added, “I’ll be back before you know I’m gone. Why don’t you play with your new friend Mr. Packing while I’m out?” Why was I explaining all this to a cat?
Esmeralda told me exactly what she thought of my suggestion by turning and showing me her tail as she vanished into the bedroom.
Maybe she’d understood me after all.
Wonder of Wonders, Markum was in his office when I knocked on the door.
“Harrison, it looks like you’re keeping my hours now,” he said in his booming voice.
I glanced at my watch and saw that it was nearly ten o’clock. “Being a landlord is turning out to be a full-time job. I hope you didn’t lose anything in the lockers when they were vandalized.”
He shook his head as he led me back to his office. “No sir, I keep everything I need locked up in here.” The walls of the small room were covered with travel posters of exotic beaches, snowcapped mountain ranges and lush dense forests, and I realized that whichever way he swiveled in his chair, Markum would have a perfect view of the great outdoors.
He noticed my wandering gaze. “What can I say, I’m a pushover for exotic spots. Do you like to travel, Harrison?”
“I’ve never really been able to afford it,” I admitted. “At least not on the scale we’re talking about here.”
“Well, you’re a man of money now. This building’s got to be worth a mint, sitting on the river like it is. Belle must have been slipping to rent a spot to me.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
“I’m not exactly what you’d call a typical tenant, don’t you think I know that? My hours are odd, to say the least, and I’ve got my fingers in a dozen different pies at any one time. What I do isn’t exactly something that I could put in a brochure, either.”
“You’re in salvaging and recovery, you said. That must be exciting, but what exactly does it mean? Do you spend a lot of time diving?”
“There are more things in this world to be salvaged than shipwrecks, though I’ve gone after more than a couple of those in my day.”
I glanced toward the room’s only closet and saw a safe partially through the open door.
Markum followed my glance and nudged the door closed with his foot. “You can’t be too careful, this day and age.”
The ringing of the telephone interrupted him, and he said, “Excuse me, I’ve got to take this call. I’ve been waiting for it all day and half the night.”
He took the portable phone out of his office into the hallway, pacing as he spoke. Markum’s voice was animated; there was no doubt about that. I could well imagine it echoing off the empty hallways if his door happened to be open.
While he was gone, I stood and flipped around an open notebook on his desktop.
I don’t know what I was hoping to find; a full confession maybe, or better yet, plans to knock off another jewelry store.
Instead, I found numbers in no apparent sequence scrawled on the pad, surrounded by doodles of girls in hula attire. If Markum ever decided to give up his salvage business, he might be able to freelance as a cartoonist.
I heard his voice grow louder and spun the notebook back to facing the chair again. The only problem was that in my nervousness, I’d spun it a little too hard and it was pointed right back at me again like an accusing finger. His voice was nearly at the door when I nudged it again, this time much gentler, and it slowly slid back into place as I heard Markum say behind me, “Just do it and stop bellyaching.”
“Sorry,” he said as he took his position back behind the desk again. “I’ve got a sub that’s getting cold feet.”
“A sub?”
“Subcontractor. I can’t do everything, not and do a thorough job of it, so I hire a little extra help when I need it. That particular fellow found he doesn’t have what it takes a little too late after promising me he did.”
“So what’s going to happen to him?”
Markum smiled, reading the seriousness in my voice. “If he doesn’t play ball, I’ll deal with him in my own way. So Harrison, is this a social visit, or did you have something on your mind?”
“It’s about Belle,” I said. “I understand the two of you had a fight a few weeks ago.”
“Who’s been feeding you that crock of nonsense?”
I said, “I’d rather not say, but it did concern me.” I wasn’t about to admit that Millie had told me about it.
Markum leaned back in his chair, his head nearly touching the back wall. “Harrison, I’m an animated fellow. I like to bellow, it’s a part of my nature. The only thing I can figure is someone overheard your great-aunt and me having a lively discussion, and they mistook it for an argument. She was a fine lady, one the world will miss. I know I certainly will. We never had anything close to what I’d call an argument during the short time we knew each other.”
“Can I ask you something?” I said.
“You can ask, but I won’t promise you an answer, especially if it concerns my business. There’s something you need to understand, and pass on to your little informant.
My business is just that, my business. Tell that tattletale of yours if they have a problem with me, they need to face me directly. Now what was your question?”
I took a deep breath, then said, “I was wondering if you could tell me where you were and what you were doing the night Belle died.”
Markum said steadily, “What are you up to?”
“Tell me or don’t, it’s your business. If you liked her as much as you said you did, why wouldn’t you then?”
“Easy, I didn’t mean to offend you. It just sounds like you’re looking for alibis. I happened to be out of town when it happened, working the Outer Banks studying something that didn’t pan out. Harrison, as much as I’d love to hang around here and chat, I’m having second thoughts about that sub of mine. Maybe I’d better pay him a visit in person. I can be quite persuasive when I need to be.”
“I’ll bet,” I said as I followed him out of his office. I noticed he had three shiny new locks on his door as he secured each one in turn.
He smiled. “Like I said, you can’t be too careful these days. I had these installed right after you had your locks changed. See you around, Harrison.”
“I’ll be here,” I said.
“And where else could you possibly go, with this new mistress of yours?” Before I could say anything, his arm swept around me. “I imagine River’s Edge is quite a demanding lady.”
The second I got back to the apartment, it was obvious Esmeralda hadn’t been pleased with my departure. Somehow she’d managed to unroll every paper towel from the dispenser in the kitchen. There was a trail of it throughout the apartment. Not only that, but she’d discovered the toilet paper holder as well. She had saved that for the bedroom. I found the cat perched on my pillow, partially wrapped in the paper herself. There was a stern look on her face, as if she were daring me to say a word.
I wanted to laugh, but Janie had taught me early on that cats didn’t have much of a sense of humor, especially about themselves, so I cleaned up the mess and figured we were even for my deserting her. By the time I had the kitchen cleaned up, she’d managed to extricate herself from her swathing.
As I collected the fallen rolls, my mind kept drifting back to my conversation with the salvage man. Markum was someone so different from what I was used to, it was difficult to gauge the man and his reactions. It was almost as if he was shielded by his nature, giving a shining smile to the world while calculating the odds and angles just beneath it.
After some order was restored to the apartment, I said loudly, “Okay, you made your point. You don’t like being left alone. I’m going to read in the other room now, and you’re welcome to join me.” Blast it all if that cat didn’t hop up from the bed and follow me into the living room.
A part of me was going to be happy when Heather returned, but another part realized that Esmeralda was growing on me, that I
might actually miss her when she was gone.
Not that I would ever have admitted it to anyone else.
Especially to the cat.
I woke up to the sounds of mewing the next morning. It appeared that my roommate was hungry, and wasn’t the least bit reluctant to share that news with me. Heather hadn’t told me anything about the frequency of Esmeralda’s diet, but I couldn’t take that pitiful sound, so I opened another can for her.
“It looks like this is going to be our last day together, Esme,” I said as we both ate our breakfasts.
The cat studied me a moment before going back to her food.
“I just wanted to say you’re welcome any time. As long as you can resist the rolls of paper around here.”
There was a knock at the door, and I was surprised to find Heather there.
“You’re back early,” I said as I led her into the apartment.
“Mom’s much better. I went home with her last night, but she was ready to be on her own, so I was told in no uncertain terms that it was time for me to leave.”
“Ouch,” I said. “That had to hurt.”
“Not really, it just meant that she was feeling better. Hey, sweetheart, did you forget all about me?” Heather said to her cat.
Esme looked at her, seemed to think about it a moment, then walked casually toward her owner.
Heather scooped her up, laughing. “I missed you too, you rascal. I see you’ve duped Harrison into overfeeding you.”
“Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t know her schedule.”
Heather laughed. “Don’t worry, she’s a great con artist. I’ll be back a little later for her things, if that’s all right with you. I want to open early and check on the store.”
“Tell you what. I’ll bring everything to At Wick’s End and you can get it there.” I considered stroking Esme’s head, then thought better of it. In a formal tone, I said, “It was a pleasure rooming with you, Dame Esmeralda.”
Heather smiled. “I’m glad you two got along.”
“We had our moments, but I believe we ultimately managed to forge a bond of trust.”
“Harrison, you are too funny. Thanks again.”
As Heather carried her cat away, I could swear that rascal swished her tail at me before the door closed.
I got ready to go downstairs, amazed by how empty the apartment felt without Esmeralda’s presence.
I opened At Wick’s End with no sign of Eve in sight. As the minutes ticked down to the opening hour, my sense of panic grew stronger and stronger. Had something driven her off again? The least she could have done was call me. I got everything ready for opening, half-expecting her to show up at any time, but when I finally unlocked the door to officially start the business day, I was completely alone.
“Deep breaths, Harrison, you can handle this,” I told myself as I waited for my first customer.
A young woman with the wildest tangled hair I’d ever seen in my life came in two minutes after I opened.
“Where’s Eve?” she said before I could offer a “good morning” to her.
“She’s running late,” I said, hoping that was true. “Can I help you?”
“You’re new here, aren’t you? If Eve’s not available, Belle will do.”
I pursed my lips, then said solemnly, “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Belle’s gone.”
“Where did she go?” the woman asked, a slight annoyance in her voice. “She didn’t quit her own store, did she?”
There really wasn’t any delicate way to put it. “Belle died a few days ago.”
The words hung between us for what felt like days before she said somberly, “I’m so sorry to hear that.” She paused, then added, “Well, how about you? Do you know anything about molds?”
“A bit,” I admitted.
“My candles keep sticking, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what I’m doing wrong. I just started this crazy hobby and it’s already driving me insane.”
I led her to the section with waxes and releases. “You have a couple of options,” I said. “You can add stearin, it causes the wax to shrink some as it hardens. Then there’s mold release. You coat your mold with it before you make your pour.”
She studied me, then said, “I’d say you know more than a little bit about all this.”
“What can I say, I’m a quick study. So which will it be?”
“Tell you what, give me some of each. And I’ll take another ten pounds of wax and a packet of wicks while you’re at it. I don’t get into town all that much.”
After I rang up her order and bagged the supplies, the woman shot a hand across the register to me. “I’m Emmaline Hannah. Listen, I’m really sorry about Belle. I only met her once, but I thought she had a sweet spirit. So you’re running things now.”
“I am. My name’s Harrison Black.”
She gave me a bright smile, then said, “Well Harrison Black, it’s good to meet you. I’d love to stand around and chat half the morning away, but there are things to do, places to go, and folks to pester.”
After she was gone, I had to smile myself. At Wick’s End certainly had its share of eccentric customers. Somehow it made me feel right at home.
Chapter 13
Just as I began to give up all hope of ever seeing Eve again, she walked in the door a little after 1 pm.
“You could have called,” I said as she hung up her coat.
“Why on earth would I want to do that?” she said.
“We open at 9:00 am,” I replied a little frostily.
“But I don’t come in until one today. I thought that was what you wanted. Didn’t you look at the schedule, Harrison?”
“I didn’t know we had one,” I said as I put a few extra bags under the counter. I’d had a busy morning, selling quite a bit of small-priced stock, a dollar here and there that still managed to add up to a respectable total.
She said, “I suppose I understand your pique. The schedule’s on the back of the office door.”
I walked back, with Eve on my heels. Once we were inside, I closed the door, and sure enough, there was a schedule in Belle’s crisp handwriting.
“I’m sorry, you’re right, but I thought you weren’t coming in at all today.” I added softly, “You promised me you’d work full-time this week.”
“I didn’t assume that meant I had to be here whenever you were. On the evenings I teach classes here, I never come in until one. I’m going to have quite a bit of overtime as it is.” Eve shook her head. “Harrison, given my action Sunday I can’t hold it against you, but you should know that I would never miss a shift, at least not without calling you first.”
“I should have figured it out on my own. So what’s the class about this evening?”
“Actually, you might consider sitting in. I’m teaching four students how to pour candles. It should help you get a feel for what we do in our general classes.”
“It sounds great. Do you mind covering for me while I go get something to eat? I’m starving.”
“That’s why I’m here. Take your time at lunch. I’ve got the store under control.”
I walked outside and thought about getting a slice of pizza and a Coke at A Slice of Heaven, but I decided to make a sandwich upstairs and eat it on the steps of River’s Edge. I loved the convenience of having Millie right there and the pizza parlor not much farther away, but if I bought my breakfast and lunch from other people every day, I’d end up losing money every week, certainly spending more than I could afford.
I slapped a sandwich together, walked downstairs and back out into the lovely weather. A breeze had kicked up in the short time I’d been upstairs, and I found myself wishing for a light jacket.
My friends the ducks were back when I returned to the spot where Heather and I had picnicked, and I was ready for them. I’d packed an extra piece of bread just for them, and they gobbled it down with great delight. The simple meal was enhanced by the day, as I found myself sliding happily into the new lif
e Belle had chosen for me. I felt guilty not pursuing my suspicions surrounding her death more vigorously, but if anyone in the world would understand how much work it was to run At Wick’s End, it would have been Belle. Still, I promised myself as soon as I got a little breathing room, I’d do a little more digging and find out what had really happened to her.
The rest of the afternoon raced past, and after another quick bite upstairs during the half hour we were closed between regular hours and the scheduled evening class, it was time to get started. I helped Eve lay out the supplies we’d need, adding an extra of each at another bench so I could follow along myself. We had hot plate burners at each station, double-boilers, chunks of wax, wicks, and an array of dye blocks and bottled concentrated scents.
Eve surveyed my work, then said, “We need some ice from the freezer, but wait a while before you get that.” She also grabbed some odd chunks of colored wax, along with baskets filled with seashells and pretty rocks.
“What are these for,” I asked as I ran my hand through the basket at my table.
“You’ll see.”
There was a knock on the front door, and Eve glanced at the clock. “Right on time. Would you let them in, Harrison?”
I nodded and headed to the front of the store. A group of four women spanning the generations were waiting for me, from eight years old to eighty. They appeared to run the gamut from great-granddaughter to the grand matriarch herself.
The grandmother asked, “Are we early? We couldn’t wait to get started.”
I bent just short of a royal bow. “Come in, ladies. I’m Harrison Black.”
The eldest in the group said, “I was under the impression a woman named Eve would be our instructor this evening.”
“I’m observing tonight, if you don’t mind,” I said as I locked up behind them. The last thing we wanted were customers wandering in during the class. Besides, I’d been on my feet all day. The idea of sitting at one of the benches instead of waiting on other folks was pretty appealing.
“We’d be delighted to have you,” another of the women said, no doubt the youngest girl’s mother. “Isn’t that right, Grandma?”