by Tim Myers
She glanced at the report I ran midday and said, “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”
“It’s been steady. Eve, I hate to ask, but could you watch the place for me this afternoon? There are a few more things I need to take care of.”
“Harrison Black, are you sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong?”
“That’s a matter of opinion, I guess.”
Eve studied me a second, then said, ‘Try not to get arrested, would you? I don’t think the candleshop could take any more negative publicity.”
“I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises,” I said. - In all honesty, there was something besides looking into Becka’s murder that I needed to do at the moment. I wasn’t about to give up on my friend Cyrus, no matter what Morton had said There had to be a way around that guard, and I knew in my heart that if I could get Cyrus to talk to me, we could straighten this all out.
Either that or I might be spending the night in one of only two jail cells in all of Micah’s Ridge.
Despite my good intentions, I never even got close to Cyrus. The driveway was blocked off with sawhorses, and a different, tougher-looking man was standing patrol just inside the property. From my earlier confrontation, I knew that the perimeter was wired, so there was no getting in that way. I was going to have to rely on Sheriff Morton to find out what was happening with my friend.
My stomach grumbled and I realized I’d forgotten all about lunch. I didn’t want to head back to River’s Edge. Eve might see me there and expect me to work. Instead, I drove to A Slice of Heaven for some pizza and a Coke. April May was behind the counter, running a report on her cash register.
“Any chance I could get a slice?” I asked.
“Absolutely. I’m just checking my numbers. I’ve got a new girl on the register,” she said in a softer voice, “and since she started, the totals just don’t add up.”
“Do you think she’s stealing from you?” April shook her head. “No, it’s more likely she’s having trouble making change. I’m going to have a talk with her, but I wanted something to back it up, so she ran the register by herself for the lunch rush.” She studied the tape, then said, I already checked the till. It’s worse than I thought.”
“Is there a lot missing?”
She shook her head. “That I could live with if I had to, but I’ve got twenty-seven dollars and seventeen cents that don’t belong to me.” She shrugged, then said, “This isn’t going to be pretty. Let me get your slice started.”
After she slid one into the oven to reheat I said, “I’d ask you to join me, but it sounds like you’ve got a mess on your hands.”
“If she was anybody else I could just fire her, but she happens to be my best friend’s daughter. Fm not sure I what I’m going to do, but I know one thing. She’s worked her last shift at the register.”
I decided to hang out by the counter since the lunch crowd was gone. April grabbed my Coke, then said, “Shouldn’t you be selling candles or something?”
“Probably, but I’m working on something and I can’t stop.”
She nodded. “You’re looking for your friend Becka’s killer, aren’t you?”
“Now how in the world did you know that?” I knew Micah’s Ridge was small, but the grapevine could be eerie at times.
“I overheard something here last night. Folks are talking about you, how you found the body and took it upon yourself to investigate. Harrison, you’ve been asking questions around town. People are bound to talk.”
“Well, I wish I could deny it, but it’s all true. I don’t buy the theory that Becka overdosed for a second. She hated pills. I just wish I had something more to go on.”
April looked around her restaurant, though there was no one within twenty feet of us. “Have you looked around for a boyfriend?”
“I’ve tried I’ve come up with a couple of leads, but nothing I can be sure of.”
April wiped the counter down, or at least pretended to. “Two weeks ago she was in here with a man it shocked me to see her with.”
“Who was it?’
“Do you know Greg Runion?”
“I’ve had the misfortune to deal with him a time or two in the past. Did they come here on a date?”
“I don’t know if you could call it a date,” she said. They were arguing about something, and she left in a huff. Funny thing is, just outside she ran into Hank Klein, and they started arguing, too.” She added, “Hang on a second. Let me get that slice for you.”
A young woman with long red hair pulled back into a ponytail approached April and asked, “You wanted to see me?”
“Hang on a second; let me take care of this customer.”
“Would you like me to ring the sale up?” she asked eagerly.
“No, it’s already taken care of.”
April slid the pizza across to me, then nudged me away from the counter with a single look.
I took the pizza, grabbed my Coke and sat at one of the tables near the jukebox. I wasn’t in the mood for music with my meal, though. As I ate the slice, I kept thinking about what an odd combination Runion and Becka made. Markum was starting to believe that it could have been Runion’s voice we’d heard on Becka’s answering machine, but I was still positive it was Klein’s.
After I ate, I had some time to kill before I went back to the candleshop, so I decided to pay a visit to Runion and see if he’d deny what April had just told me. Markum was convinced that Runion could be Becka’s secret boyfriend, but even with what April had just told me, I couldn’t see it Still, I wanted to hear his voice again in person to see if I could compare it with the man on the answering machine. I’d deal with Markum later. The last thing he needed was to lose any more sleep over this.
Runion’s secretary Jeanie was behind her desk, and she greeted me with a smile when I walked in. “If it isn’t Harrison Black. How are you this fine day?” Her Tennessee accent melted as she spoke, her voice filled with different inflections from the ones found in my part of North Carolina.
‘I’m fine, Jeanie, how are you?”
“I’m so healthy I could crow.”
“That’s good to hear. Is your boss in?”
Her smile dimmed. “Greg’s back there, but I should warn you, he’s been in a bear of a mood lately.”
I lowered my voice and asked, “Could I ask you something?”
“Anything,” Jeanie said.
“Is there a chance Runion’s had a secret girlfriend over the last few months?”
Jeanie frowned. “Do you mean just one? He fancies himself a lady’s man, and evidently there are some women attracted to the slick, greasy type.”
Runion came out of his office. “Jeanie, who are you talking to?” He spotted me and said, “Black, what are you doing here? I thought we were through talking.” It was obvious he wasn’t trying to sell me anything, or buy anything from me, either. I was getting the real Greg Runion, an ugly face he kept well hidden from the rest of the world. “If this is about buying Cyrus Walters’s land, you’re wasting your breath.”
“How do you know I didn’t come by to break Belle’s will like you asked me to?”
That got his attention. “Let’s talk, then. Come on into my office. Jeanie, hold my calls.” He paused at the door, then added, “Unless it’s Sam Ridgway.”
Runion thought a second, then added, “I’m waiting to hear from Dale James, too. You know what, I’ll take whoever calls.”
My number-one status was dropping precipitously as he walked in behind me.
He sat behind his expansive desk and said, “Now what’s it going to take to get you to break that agreement?”
“First you have to answer some of my questions, and I want the truth.”
He looked startled, but nodded. “Fire away.”
“Have you been dating Becka Lane recently?”
A cloud crossed his brow. “Harrison, I’m a single man. I date a lot of women in the course of a year.”
“I’m talking about a
few weeks ago. Your memory should be clear on that.” I added, “Don’t bother denying it, someone saw you two out a few weeks ago.”
Runion reluctantly admitted, “We might have had dinner a time or two, but we weren’t dating. In fact, she turned me down the last time I asked her out. Turns out she was seeing somebody new.”
“Why should I believe you?” I asked.
“Harrison, frankly I don’t give a rat’s tail if you do or not.” He studied me a moment, then said, “You have no intention of selling out, do you? You know what? I don’t need your land anymore. I’ve got another piece of property all but sewn up.”
“Did you have anything to do with the guards at Cyrus’s place? I can’t get in to see him.”
Runion didn’t look surprised by the news, but I wasn’t sure that meant anything. “The old man’s got guards now? Maybe he just wants his privacy.”
“And maybe he’s a prisoner in his own house.”
Runion laughed at the accusation. “Sure, that’s it I’ve got the old man sewn up tighter than a bug in his own place. Harrison, you’ve got a good imagination there, boy. Now kindly clear out of my office, I’ve got serious work to do. Go make a candle or something.” I got up, leaving his door open as I left.
He called to Jeanie, “After you see Mr. Black out, come in here and take a letter.”
I told Jeanie, “You don’t have to walk me out, I’m leaving.”
She got up anyway. “I need to stretch my legs.” Jeanie surprised me by walking out to the sidewalk with me. When we were outside, she said, “He’s doing something with Cyrus, and it’s shady, if you ask me. Be careful.”
“I will. Thanks for the warning.”
“You don’t understand. Harrison, I know Greg acts like a jerk, but he’s worse than you think. He’s gotten tied up with some folks who are nothing but trouble, and I’d hate to see you get hurt.”
I’m not backing down, Jeanie. Cyrus Walters is a friend of mine, and I don’t let my friends down.”
She touched my arm. “I know how you are, I’ve heard about your streak of nobility. I’m just saying you should watch your back.”
“I plan to.”
I started to walk off when Jeanie called out, “So, is it fun making candles?”
“You should come by At Wick’s End. I’ll give you a candlemaking lesson, on the house.”
She smiled. “I appreciate the offer, but I pay my own way, Harrison. I might really come by, though.”
“You’re always welcome there, you know that.”
The office door opened and Runion stuck his head out “I didn’t ask you to walk him to his car. Come on, we’ve got work to do.”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” she said.
Runion obviously considered arguing the point, then he saw the severe crease on her brow. After her boss was gone, Jeanie said, “I’ll keep my ears open. If I hear anything about Becka or Cyrus, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks, I do appreciate that. Jeanie, is it safe for you to cross Runion like this? I don’t want you to take any chances on my account.”
“It’s sweet of you to ask, but I’ll be fine. I had better get back in there, though. I’ve pushed him enough today. Bye, Harrison.”
“Good-bye.”
As I drove back to River’s Edge, I felt happier than I had since I’d found Becka’s body. With Jeanie spying for me on the inside, I didn’t have to confront Runion anymore.
Still, there had to be something I could do about Cyrus.
I was halfway back to River’s Edge when it hit me. I Suddenly I knew exactly what I had to do.
Chapter 11
As soon as I got back to River’s Edge, I raced upstairs to check the telephone book. There was one person I knew who would give me the information I was after. I just hoped she was working today.
Frannie Wilson answered on the third ring. “Registrar of Deeds,” she said efficiently.
“Frannie, this is Harrison Black. I need a favor.” Frannie laughed. “That’s the only reason you ever call, isn’t it? The last time you needed a favor, you at least dragged your hind-end down to my office.”
“I would have visited you, but this is kind of urgent. Do you know how I can get hold of Ruth Nash?”
Frannie thought a moment then said, “Harrison, why are you looking for Cyrus’s sister? I heard he was giving you the brush-off, and I’m not all that eager to make that family mad at me. Is Cyrus really trying to keep you from visiting him?”
“Me and everyone else in Micah’s Ridge. Frannie, something’s wrong, I just don’t know what it is. Cyrus has two guards out in front of his house to keep folks away. Does that sound like the man you know?”
“No,” she admitted. “That’s odd, even for Cyrus. So, you’re going to bring in the big gun, huh? Yes, I suppose I it’s merited. One thing though, Harrison. If Cyrus is through with you, I want you to promise me you’ll drop this.”
“I give you my word. I just want to make sure he’s all right.”
“Then I’ll give you Ruth’s number.”
After she read it off to me, I said, “Thanks, Frannie. Did you know it by heart?”
“Dear me, no, I’ve got enough useless information clouding my thoughts as it is. I looked Ruth’s number; up in my little book when you mentioned her name. I’d say to pass my regards on to her, but I’ve got a feeling Ruth isn’t going to be all that happy to hear from you.”
“I swear, I won’t tell her how I got her number.” Frannie laughed. “You won’t have to, she probably already knows.”
“What do you mean? How could she?” “Ruth has always believed she’s psychic. If you can make that play to your advantage, it might help your cause. But you need to tiptoe around it. She’s sensitive about the subject”
“Thanks, I’ll remember that.”
After I hung up with Frannie, I took a few deep breaths, then dialed the number she’d given me. The telephone was answered crisply before it had the chance to complete its first ring.
“Hello?”
“Wow, that was fast,” I said.
“I was standing by the phone when it rang,” an older woman’s voice said. “Would you prefer it if I hung up so you could call me back? I’ll let it ring a dozen times before I answer the next time, if you’d like.”
“That won’t be necessary,” I said. She didn’t sound all that thrilled with my call in the first place, and I had a hunch if I did as she suggested, she’d never pick up the second time.
“Then I’m glad we’ve dispensed with that. Now, how may I help you?”
I thought, You’re psychic, don’t you already know? I kept that to myself, though. “My name is Harrison Black. I’m calling about your brother.”
“How odd. I’ve been thinking about him a great deal lately.”
“It’s imperative that you visit Cyrus as soon as possible. He’s living behind two armed guards, and he won’t let anyone see him.”
“And what is that to you, Mr. Black?”
“Please, call me Harrison. I’m a friend of your brother’s, and I’m worried about him.”
“He’s a grown man, Mr. Black,” she said, ignoring my request for informality. I was losing her; I could hear it in her voice. It was time for desperate measures.
“Mrs. Nash, can’t you feel his aura from there? I’m afraid your brother is in some kind of trouble. Surely his spirit is calling put to you, his closest relative?”
She paused, then said, “It’s obvious you’ve been talking to Frannie. Don’t bother denying it There was one incident in our childhood, and she’s branded me a lunatic ever since. You don’t believe in special gifts, do yon?”
She had me there, and I couldn’t bring myself to lie.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what I think. If you believed in aliens, and for all I know you do, I’d tell you little green men were here if it would help get you to Micah’s Ridge to check on your brother.”
“What I believe or choose not to believe is none
of your business, and I’d appreciate it if you’d drop your references to the psychic world when you speak to me. What exactly is it that you suggest I do, Mr. Black?”
“Visit him,” I said. “I’ll go with you if you’d like.”
“I can’t leave here. I have responsibilities to my daughter and her children.”
“What about to your brother?” I asked. After the words escaped my mouth, I realized I had probably pushed her too far.
I was nearly ready to apologize when she said, “You’re right; of course I’ll come. It’s going to take me a few days here to arrange for someone to watch the children, but I’ll be there as soon as possible, I promise. How do I find you once I’m in town?”
“I’m at the River’s Edge complex,” I said. “It’s next to your land on the Gunpowder River.”
“So that’s why you’re interested in my brother.”
“The land development was what made me go see him in the first place, I freely admit that. But I’m worried about Cyrus right now, and it’s got nothing to do with what’s happening next door to me.”
“We’ll see if that’s true when I get there,” she said. “Until then, Mr. Black.”
“Good-bye,” I said, but she’d already hung up. I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle Ruth Nash when she came to town, but the important thing was, if anybody could get through to Cyrus, it would be her. For the moment I was going to have to forget about my friend and hope things were okay until his sister could get there.
I glanced at the clock and realized I’d left Eve alone long enough. It was time to sell candles again.
Markum was outside the candleshop waiting for me when I showed up.
“Have you been waiting long?” I asked. “I didn’t realize we were going to meet this afternoon.”
“I had some time to kill, so I thought I’d come by. Do you have a minute?”
I looked through the bay window in front of At Wick’s End saw Eve watching us. “I’d really better get inside, but you’re welcome to come in.”