A Flicker of Doubt (Book 4 in the Candlemaking Mysteries)

by Tim Myers

  “Then I suggest you find it and fast”

  He started the dozer up, and I could feel the ground rumble under us as it approached. The blade looked huge at it came closer and closer, and I could see chunks of caked dirt clinging to its steel teeth. At ten feet away, I kept thinking he was bluffing, but by the time he was within five feet of us, I knew we were all going to die. The man had a crazed look in his eyes, as if he’d been waiting his entire career to run somebody over with a bulldozer. He was less than twenty-four inches torn us when the dozer stopped and the engine died. I was between Heather and Sanora, and we’d held hands automatically as the bulldozer had approached. They’d each squeezed so hard, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the feeling back in my hands, even if we somehow managed to live through the dozer assault.

  Kirk jumped down from the tractor. “You people disgust me.” He spat on the ground in front of me, barely missing my shoe.

  “Runion doesn’t own this land,” I said.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He doped up the owner so he could trick him into selling. That’s a crime, and if you do anything under his orders, you’re just as guilty as he is.” I didn’t know where I stood on legal grounds, but the morality of what I said was real enough.

  “I don’t know anything about that,” he said grudgingly. “All I know is that we’re being paid to clear this land and haul off whatever we find.”

  He turned to one of his men and said, “Bring me the bolt cutters. They’re in the back of my truck.” Then he said to us, “I’ve got a job to do, and until Mr. Runion comes and cancels it himself, these trees are coming down. If you won’t unlock that thing, I’ll do it for you.”

  “Mr. Kirk? I can’t find them,” one of his men called out.

  “Blast it all to Baal, do I have to do everything myself?” He stormed back to his truck, and I noticed the roughnecks giving him plenty of room, though he was a good fifty pounds lighter than most of them.

  I asked Heather, “What do we do now?”

  “We resist,” she said “Once he cuts the chain, we go limp on the ground. We have to make them carry off.”

  “So we’re beaten,” Sanora said.

  There’s only so much we can do,” Heather said. They dragged us away from the theater, too, but at least we tried.”

  I felt both women tighten their grips on my hands gain as Kirk approached with a pair of huge red bolt cutters. He was just about to shear the lock when I heard a police siren in the background. I said, “Here comes the cavalry. I wouldn’t do that if I were you, you’re in enough trouble as it is.”

  “I didn’t lay a finger on you,” Kirk said.

  Sheriff Morton himself drove up, and Cragg got out of the front seat of the squad car before it even came to complete stop. The attorney said, “Who’s in charge here?”

  Kirk looked as though he wanted to deny it, but he finally said, “I am.”

  “This order states that you must cease and desist all operations until the sale of this land can be properly investigated.”

  The foreman didn’t even look at the document. Kirk turned to his men and said, “Load them up, boys; we’re going back to the shop.”

  There were several groans from his people, but they did as they were told. Kirk himself climbed up onto the bulldozer in front of us, and I didn’t breathe again until it was heading safely back to its mates.

  “It’s okay now, you can unlock the padlock,” Morton said.

  Heather said, “I lost the key ages ago.”

  “Then how do we get out of this? Morton, go borrow Kirk’s bolt cutters, would you?”

  “No need,” the sheriff said. “I’ve got a set of cutters myself. When Cragg came to get me, I grabbed them, just in case.” He cut a single link from the chain and we were soon free again.

  “That was closer than I liked,” I said as I stood inside one of the track marks the dozer had made. If it did that to the ground, I shuddered to think about what it could have done to us. “Thanks for bailing us out.”

  Morton nodded to Cragg. “Thank your attorney. I just helped him execute the order.”

  I saw Sanora go over to Cragg and watched as had a whispered conversation that ended with her kissing him on the cheek. I swear I thought the attorney was going to faint from the attention.

  Heather followed Sanora’s example, and though she and the sheriff had had more than their share of clashes in the past, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek as well. He stepped back and said, “I told you, I was just doing my job.”

  I was feeling left out when both women approached me and planted a kiss on each cheek at the same time.

  “Thanks for standing up with us,” Sanora said.

  Heather added, “We knew we could count on you.”

  They wrapped their arms around me briefly, then the three of us walked back to River’s Edge. The woods around us were safe, at least for that day.

  Eve was dying to know what had happened when I walked back into the candleshop, but all I said was, “We stopped them.”

  She was too proud to ask for more details, though the strain of not knowing was obvious on her face. I about to give in and bring her up-to-date when Pearly walked in.

  “I understand I’ve missed the excitement,” he said.

  “If you call almost getting run over by a bulldozer while being chained to a tree, yes, I’m sorry you missed it, too. You could have taken my place.”

  Pearly laughed. “Come now, Harrison. Our country has a long history of civil disobedience. You’ve just added a paragraph to history.”

  “If it’s all the same to you, I’m perfectly happy being a candlemaker. It’s what I was meant to do.”

  Pearly slapped my shoulder. “One never knows what one can do until called upon in the face of an emergency. I’m proud of you for standing your ground, Harrison.”

  I was uncomfortable with the praise. “Heather and Sanora should be the ones you congratulate. I never would have done it without them.”

  “An amazing thing, that,” Pearly said. “The two of them are huddled at a table in Millie’s caf6, regaling each other with their past deeds of activism. It appears the women have a common bond undiscovered until today.”

  Then at least something good has come of this mess,” I said.

  “Perhaps few them, but I’m not so sure about you. As I was leaving, I heard them plotting an attack to protest the overdevelopment of Micah’s Ridge, and unless I’m mistaken, you’ll be playing a key role in the movement.”

  I laughed “I’m glad they’re getting along, but they’re going to have to save the town without me. My protesting days are over.”

  Eve, who’d dusted the same shelf three times during my talk with Pearly, finally spoke up. “That’s the only firing I wanted to hear.”

  “Don’t give me a reason to change my mind,” I said, and surprisingly, Eve went back to her dusting.

  “Well, I won’t keep you,” Pearly said. “I just wanted to share in the joy of your achievement.”

  “I didn’t do all that much,” I repeated.

  “Don’t disparage what you’ve done, my friend. It was a brave act.”

  “If you say so. To tell the truth, I was scared to death when that bulldozer got close.”

  “Don’t you know that’s the true definition of bravery? It’s courage in the face of fear, Harrison.”

  It was good to know I could do something like that if I had to, but I never wanted to be in a position where I felt the need to chain myself to anything ever again.

  Chapter 19

  Ruth Nash came by the candleshop ten minutes before closing time. I hugged her, and despite a bout of initial reluctance, she ended up returning it.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “You saved the day,” I said. “They were ready to cut the chain holding us to the tree, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen after that”

  “Harrison, I still can’t believe you committed such an
overt act of civil disobedience.”

  To tell you the truth, it kind of surprised me, too. How’s Cyrus doing?”

  Ruth smiled bravely. “He’s much better now. The last of the drugs are fading from his system. I pity Greg Runion; I’ve never seen my brother so angry. If he were in any condition to get up, I’m afraid he’d go after the man himself.”

  “Have they had any luck finding Runion yet?”

  “No, but the sheriff assures me it’s just a matter of time. Just in case, though, I’m bringing in some friends of my father who know how to handle such things. They are quite skilled at finding people on the run from the law.”

  “Your dad knew bounty hunters?” I asked.

  “He had quite an eclectic collection of friends,” she admitted. “I’ve found it helpful to call upon them from time to time in the past.”

  I wouldn’t wish myself in Runion’s shoes for a million dollars, but he deserved whatever he got, and if Ruth’s friends could bring him back to stand trial for what he did, so be it.

  “I’m just glad Cyrus is better,” I said.

  “And we have you to thank for that.”

  “Anybody else would have done the same thing.”

  Ruth replied, “But you’re the only one who did. Harrison, we’ve been discussing the matter, and Cyrus and I would like to do something to repay you for what you’ve done.”

  “Ruth, I appreciate the gesture, but I told you, I had no ulterior motives here, and I don’t expect a reward for it”

  “Nevertheless, we’ve decided to deed the land beside River’s Edge to the town of Micah’s Ridge, so that it will be held in perpetuity by the community. Tomorrow’ morning, a surveying team and a landscape architect will design new footpaths through the land so everyone can enjoy it. I hope you’re pleased.”

  I said honestly, “I couldn’t be happier if you’d given the land to me outright.”

  “We considered it, but Cyrus warned me of your stubborn streak of pride.”

  It’s my family’s curse,” I admitted.

  She paused, then asked, “Harrison, isn’t there anything we can do to show our appreciation?”

  “You could find out why my ex-girlfriend died,” I said. “But if that’s too much to ask, I’d settle for getting my ban from Graver’s barbecue lifted.”

  “Pardon me?” she asked.

  “I was just joking,” I said. “You’ve done enough. Having that woodland beside me undeveloped is all the thanks I need. Will you be heading back to West Virginia soon?”

  “As much as my grandchildren miss me, I’ll be staying on a few more days until Cyrus is ready to travel. He’s coining back with me for a visit to take the opportunity to recuperate.”

  “Just don’t keep him there permanently, that’s all I ask.”

  Ruth smiled gently. “I imagine time with my grandchildren will bring him back to Micah’s Ridge soon enough.”

  After I closed the candleshop, I headed upstairs for a shower and bed. It was amazing how much the earlier rush of adrenaline had taken out of me. I went to sleep, and for the first time since Becka’s death, I slept without dreaming. It was a precious gift to be unencumbered by the night terrors I’d been experiencing too often lately.

  Ruth returned late the next morning just as I was selling several more packs of sheet wax to the man who’d been in the candleshop buying supplies for his mother. The man raved, “Harrison, you were right. My mother absolutely loves making candles this way! The cookie-cutter shapes are a huge hit with her, and now she’s got my kids making than, too. I don’t know how we’re ever going to burn all those candles.”

  After he was gone, Ruth said, “I never realized there were candlemaking kits suitable for children. Could you show me something?”

  I led her to the section of shelves where our gel candle kits were stocked. After she read the back of one of the kits, she said, “No, that’s too messy. What about the selection that gentleman chose for his mother?”

  We moved to the aisle where the sheet-wax kits; were kept, and I showed her the vast array of cookie-cutters we stocked, along with the various colors of honeycombed wax sheets. After giving her a quick lesson, Ruth said, “How delightful. I’ll take one of everything.”

  I had to look at her to see if she was kidding or not. “That’s a great deal of supplies,” I said. “I hope you aren’t doing it as a favor to me.”

  “Harrison, I’m doing it as a favor to my grandchildren. They love to do anything crafty. Let me jot down the address for you. It will save me a great deal of trouble if you ship the packages there for me.”

  I looked at Eve, who’d been watching us, and said, “One of each color sheet wax kit and one of each cookie cutter.”

  “No, that won’t do at all,” Ruth said.

  “Is it too much?” I asked. “We can scale the order back.”

  “Actually, it’s too little. Each of my three grandchildren needs a complete set of everything. I’m afraid I’ve spoiled them in that way.” She studied me a moment, then added, “And no price breaks for me, young man. I expect to pay full retail”

  “Actually, I was thinking about charging you extra,” I said.

  She started to reply when she saw my grin. “Harrison, you mustn’t tease me like that. I came out to see if the surveyors have made any progress. In the meantime, allow me to take you to lunch.”

  That sounds great Eve, we’ll be back soon.”

  “So where should we go?” Ruth asked. “My driver can take us anywhere.”

  “No need, we can walk from here. I’m kind of partial to Millie’s place.”

  Ruth studied the sign. “The Crocked Pot, eh? Well, I’m game if you are.”

  “You’re going to love it,” I said as we walked inside. After studying the menu, we ordered, then took a table by the windows up front. We could see the Gunpowder River from our vantage point

  “It is quite lovely here,” Ruth said. “I’d forgotten that.”

  “Do you miss it?” I asked.

  “I suppose so, but really, wherever my grandchildren are is home to me now.”

  We ate our lunch, then I walked Ruth to her car. After she was gone, I headed back to At Wick’s End, sorry that my new friend would be leaving soon, and taking Cyrus with her. People seemed to drift in and out of my life with an alarming speed. I was just glad Sanora and Heather had found a way to stay.

  I walked in the door of the candleshop and nearly stumbled over the threshold when I saw who was waiting for me, the last person on earth I expected to find paying me a visit. It was Grover Blake.

  “Grover, how are you?”

  He looked me in the eye and said, “I’m not doing well, but I hope to make it better soon.”

  “Anything I can help with?” I asked.

  “You can accept my apology for acting like an old fool, and be my guest for barbecue tomorrow.”

  I leaned against the counter, trying not to fall down. “Like I said before, I’m the one who’s sorry for the way I acted. I don’t blame you a bit for banishing me. I shouldn’t have pushed you like I did.”

  Grover looked at his hands, then said, “Let’s just say we both have a reason to be sorry for the way we’ve been behaving and leave it at that.” With that he stuck a hand out. “Can we shake on it?”

  “Absolutely,” I said, taking his hand. He had a blacksmith’s grip, and I was glad I could return it. “Is it all right if I bring Markum with me?” I asked.

  “I’ve already invited him. You’ve got yourself a powerful ally there, Harrison.”

  “Mrs. Jorgenson is something, isn’t she?” I agreed.

  “I was speaking of Ruth.”

  “You know Ruth Nash?” I’d only mentioned my problem with Grover in passing, and somehow she’d managed to fix the mess I’d made.

  “Ruth and I go way back. She’s quite a woman.”

  “She is at that. Maybe we can get her to come, too.”

  Grover nodded. “I’d be honored to have her at
my table.”

  After he was gone, Eve said, “You certainly manage to collect the oddest assortment of friends, Harrison.”

  “Eve, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  She looked surprised by my response, but it was true. Sometimes I felt as though my collection of friends was f the best thing I had going for me.

  Mrs. Jorgenson came by late in the day. I was surprised to see her, since we had a class scheduled for the next morning. I said, “Either you’re early or I mixed up my days. Isn’t our class tomorrow?”

  “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that, Harrison. I’m here to buy more supplies for myself, but I believe I’m ready to carry on my candlemaking alone now.”

  “I understand,” I said, stunned by the unexpected nature of her declaration.

  “Don’t look so hangdog, Harrison, I’m not moving on to another craft; I’ve got candlemaking in my blood. I just want to experiment on my own for a while. You’ll be able to live off the order I’m about to place for months.”

  I looked straight at her and said, “Do you want to know the truth? I’ll miss your company a lot more than I’ll miss the income from our lessons.”

  Was that a tear in the comer of her eye? “Harrison, I’ll be around, don’t you worry about that.”

  “Then let me grab a cart and I’ll help you.”

  We filled two of them by the time she was finished, and the total was my largest sale to date, a dozen times more than what I’d charged Ruth earlier. For a banner day in sales, it was one filled with sadness, too.

  I knew better than to offer her any discounts, but I did manage to slip one of my own candles into her bags as a present What I’d said was true. I’d become a candlemaker preparing for our lessons, and I’d miss her greatly.

  I expected Eve to be despondent when I came back from loading Mrs. Jorgenson’s supplies in her car. Instead, she had a wistful look on her face.

  “I expected you to be falling apart about now,” I said.

  “Harrison, we both knew this run would end sooner or later. Frankly, I’m amazed she stuck with candlemaking as long as she did. From what I’ve heard in the crafting circles, her time with us was a record.”