Perfect Night

by Laine, Terri E.

  “Jack found him. I was first on the scene.”

  “Jack?” I asked.

  “Jack Riddle, he’s the manager of the bar.”

  “I thought Doug, Emma’s dad ran the place himself.”

  “True enough. But if Doug wasn’t around, Jack was in charge.”

  “What happened?” I asked. I wanted his unvarnished opinion, so I kept Emma’s request for my help to myself.

  “It appears he had a heart attack and when he fell over, he hit his head on the ground.”

  “No signs of struggle? Nothing taken?” I asked.

  “No sign of struggle. Nothing of value was taken, including a small amount of cash in the registers and the money in the office safe. But… Emma believes the security disk was missing.”

  “Believes?”

  “Jack said Doug often changed them. It’s possible he removed it and didn’t put in another for whatever reason.”

  “If he did, wouldn’t you find the disk in the office somewhere?”

  “We found a set.”

  “And?” I prodded.

  “And where are you going with this? The man had a heart attack. We buried him yesterday. Let sleeping dogs lie, Aiden.”

  “Okay,” I agreed only because I didn’t think he was going to give me much more. “Did you check the other disk?”

  “We did.”

  “Was the day in question on one of them?”

  “No. But who would want to harm Doug? We don’t have murders here every day. Not even every week or month. We may see a manslaughter from a car accident every blue moon. There was just no reason for someone to kill him.”

  The sheriff had made up his mind and I wasn’t going to change it. But a missing security disk was reason enough to call Emma’s father’s death suspicious. I would need to tread lightly. The sheriff was well liked. Most people in town would know me or my parents, but I hadn’t been around for several years. They knew the kid version of me.

  I tipped my hat. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  “Eight o’clock.”

  I couldn’t remember the last time I started work at eight. “Sure.” Bright and early was my routine when I joined the detective division, sometimes as late as seven, but usually a lot earlier unless we caught a late case.

  After checking my watch, it was too early on a Sunday to do anything but go home. I wasn’t ready for that. Soon, the town churchgoers would be heading for services. As for now, the streets were silent. I strolled around the town square and familiarized myself with the businesses. Some were old and some were new. There were a couple of places I could grab lunch or dinner outside of the diner.

  I’d rounded the corner and had passed in front of Town Hall when in the distance a tiny figure emerged from the covered bridge. The bouncing blond ponytail gave me pause. I leaned on the stone foundation that flanked the stairs up to the only public offices in town and waited.

  My instincts were good. It was Emma and she jogged up to me.

  “Hey, stranger,” I teased. “Didn’t know you were a jogger.”

  “I’m not actually. I spend too much time in front of a computer and need to get outside from time to time. I would walk, but walking means talking. Someone will want to chat if they see me. When I jog, most people leave me alone.”

  “Oh, sorry. Get back to jogging.”

  She laughed. “No, it’s fine. You don’t bother me.”

  “Glad to hear it. Do you have a second?”

  “Yeah, what’s up? You look all official.” She touched the brim of my cowboy hat.

  I grinned, hating the idea of bringing up her father’s passing. “I spoke to Sheriff Moon this morning.” When her face registered alarm, I added, “I didn’t tell him you asked for my help.” Her relief was obvious as she sagged some. “It came up and there’s one thing he told me that you didn’t.”

  “What’s that?” She looked weary.

  “He said you thought the security disk from that day was missing.”

  “Oh, yeah. Dad was religious about changing them. I wanted him to change it to a cloud-based system, but he didn’t want to spend the money.” She stopped, and I hated the sadness that crept into her expression. “Anyway, he had seven. He didn’t think he would need to keep more than a week’s worth at any given time. The one labeled for that Sunday was missing.”

  “Okay. I’ll probably come in to the bar sometime this week and see how much I can get out of Jack without him knowing what I’m up to.” Without an official case, I couldn’t interview Jack.

  “Thanks again. I know this might put you in an awkward position.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. It’s my job.”

  “It’s the sheriff’s job too.”

  “It is. And I’d like to think he thought he was doing you a kindness and not being derelict in his duty. Anyway, I don’t want to hold you up. Evan is probably waiting.” I smiled, though I silently prayed she’d say they’d broken up.

  “Yeah. He’s likely up, wondering where I am. And whether you like it or not, I owe you dinner, probably multiple ones.”

  I tipped my head. “I’ll hold you to it.”

  Then she was jogging off and I took a minute to appreciate the view before continuing my walk around the square. As I made my way back to the police station, I was almost certain I saw the mayor leaving the only apartment building in town near the covered bridge. My view was from a little too far to be sure if Darcy was telling the truth. But if that was him, it made sense.

  Chapter 5

  Emma

  For the first time in days, I felt relieved. Aiden had taken me seriously. It had been worth sneaking out of the gathering at my house after the funeral to see him. It had felt like I couldn’t breathe with everyone around. Even Evan. When I’d returned, there had been the making of a search party ready to look for me. I told them I just needed air, and they accepted my excuse.

  Of course, Jessie and Alana had warned people off. Evan, however, had been suspicious. We’d fought about it, and I’d shut the door to my room in his face. I’d left this morning before he was up. Was I avoiding him?

  The old Victorian house my mother dreamed of owning and eventually did was quiet. Legend had it that the man who built the charming romantic bridge out in the woods had a hand in designing the home. My father bought it for a song, as no one had lived in it for years. Until he died, he’d been renovating for my mother long after her death, knowing what the house meant to her.

  Could I really sell it? I asked myself as I jogged up the stairs straight to the bathroom and removed my clothes before getting in the shower.

  I’d done a good job at holding in my emotions while talking to Aiden, but it was still too fresh. How could my father be gone? Tears streamed down my face when the curtain was shoved aside. I shrieked before realizing it was Evan.

  He had a smirk and was starting to disrobe.

  “What are you doing?” I asked. My question came out sharper than I meant it to.

  He frowned. “I wanted to spend a little alone time with my fiancée.”

  “I’m not in the mood for sex.”

  “Jesus, Emma. I’ve been here for over a week and you’ve barely let me touch you.”

  Warm water was wasted as I continued our standoff. “I don’t know Evan. You came here to meet my father and I warned you about his rules. He dies and all you can think about is screwing me. I think you should go home.”

  “He’s dead. Nothing can change that.”

  Rage heated my cheeks. “Now I’m not asking, I’m telling you to get the hell out of my house.”

  He snapped back, “Call me when you’re ready to talk like an adult. I won’t wait forever.” He spun on his heels and slammed the bathroom door before stomping down the stairs.

  I covered my face in my hands and cried as a mixture of sadness and anger engulfed me. This shouldn’t be happening. I couldn’t imagine getting married now. Who would walk me down the aisle? I stayed in the shower until the water
went completely cold. Then I towel-dried my hair and wrapped a fluffy robe around myself. I padded down the stairs and checked the room Evan had been using. His things were gone and for the second time today, I felt relieved. I checked for his car, and it was gone too.

  I grabbed my phone and dialed Jessie.

  She picked up, sounding groggy.

  “Did I wake you?” I asked.

  “Yes, but it’s fine. What’s going on?”

  “Did I wake the Doc too?” From what I knew, they were shacking up.

  “No, he’s already up. I smell coffee.”

  “Does the smell make you sick?” I asked, knowing she was pregnant.

  “Not so far.”

  “What has you up so early?”

  “I can’t sleep these days. Though I might sleep better now that I kicked Evan out.”

  “You didn’t,” she said, sounding more awake.

  “I don’t know. The idea of having sex with him makes my skin crawl.”

  “He wants to bump uglies?”

  “Exactly, and all I can think about is the last conversation I had with my father was because Evan didn’t want to follow Dad’s ‘no sex in his house until we get married’ rule. And I…” I stopped because my voice cracked, and I knew my friends were tired of hearing me cry.

  “You know it’s okay, right?”

  “What’s okay?”

  “To be sad. No one expects you to be happy now, tomorrow, or months from now. You can cry on my shoulder whenever you need. I’ll likely cry with you. My hormones are insane. Plus, I loved your dad. He was one of the good ones.”

  “He was.”

  “No one expects you to be okay. Do you want me to come over?”

  “No. I’ll be fine. I think I’m going to take a drive to Home Depot.”

  “Home Depot?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Something to do, and I’m going to make some changes at the bar.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “Nah. Stay with your handsome doctor. I’ll be fine.”

  I’ll be fine, I kept repeating it to myself, hoping to make it true. I’d lost one parent before. Shouldn’t it be easier the second time around?

  Drowning in misery wasn’t my idea of fun. I had to fill those spaces with action to redirect my thoughts. Though I had reading to do for a business ethics class I was taking, instead I hunted through Home Depot, angry at Dad for saying no to all the changes I’d wanted to make at the bar. Then I was mad at myself for being angry with a man who couldn’t defend himself.

  “Miss.” I blinked several times until the cashier came into view. “How do you want to pay?”

  I handed him my credit card realizing I didn’t know the state of my finances. I transferred dad’s written accounting into bookkeeping software, but I didn’t know everything. For another day, I told myself. I took my purchases to the car and got in. I hit a random playlist and drove to the bar instead of home.

  On Sundays, the bar didn’t open until three to keep the good church going folks happy. The place should have been empty but when I walked into my father’s office, it was anything but that.

  “Jack,” I said.

  He stopped counting the cash and looked as surprised as I felt to see him there. “Emma.”

  “What are you doing?” It might have sounded like a dumb question, but what I was really asking was why was he doing it?

  “I just thought with your dad…”

  “It’s fine. I can do that. I did it for Dad every day.”

  He nodded and put the stack of bills down on the desk.

  “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d hoped to have some time alone.”

  “Yeah, sure.” He got to his feet but didn’t go. “I know now isn’t the right time, but I thought you should know…”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Your father always said when he was ready to retire, he’d sell me the bar. I know you’re not thinking about that right now, but when you do, I’m willing to buy it from you.”

  I folded my arms. “You’re right. It isn’t the right time for this. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  He tipped his head and left the office. I waited to hear the back door close behind him before I blew out a breath and got busy with a power screwdriver after I put on Dad’s favorite songs to play through the sound system. Hours later, I stood admiring my handiwork. To the ceiling, I said. “I couldn’t have done this without you, Daddy.”

  He’d taught me to be independent and not need anyone for anything including changing a lock or a flat tire. But he was wrong. I did need someone. I needed him. “I miss you.”

  My next task was to go through the books with a fine-toothed comb before doing my business ethics reading for class while I waited for the staff to come in.

  The bell was music to my ears. I checked my new app and prepared myself when I opened the door.

  “My key doesn’t work,” Jack said.

  I’d known he’d be the first one in. He was curious about what I’d been up to.

  “Yeah. I’ve updated the security system. From now on, everyone will key in a code to enter through the back door. There are also electronic locks on the storeroom, break room, and Dad’s office. Why don’t you come in? Since Dad valued you as someone he could trust, I’ll share with you the changes before my meeting tomorrow with the rest of the staff.” By then the other new equipment I’d ordered online should have arrived, thanks to overnight shipping.

  We sat at the bar and I explained that I’d added more cameras and that the security was now cloud based and didn’t need a disk that had to be changed every day. As I spoke, I watched him. Something just felt off.

  “Also, I’m going to push customers to not pay cash. We are going to have less cash in the registers. Then there is the new inventory software that will come with the new registers I’ve ordered. We will be able to monitor how much liquor we should have on hand including what’s in open bottles. The system will know how much liquid each bottle contains and the size of our glassware. No more comped drinks without it being recorded. It will be easier to know when to reorder stock.”

  “Wow,” he said and shook his head. “Little Emma.”

  “I’m not so little anymore. Time to move this bar into the twenty-first century.” Until now, the only change Dad had agreed to while he was alive was my suggestion to get new bar stools.

  “Your dad would be proud.”

  That was enough to choke me up again. “I hope so.”

  I spent the next hour setting up each employee’s security code to open the doors. They would only get access to the doors they needed. Dad’s office was only available to me.

  The bar was starting to fill up when I went up front to let Jack know I was leaving for a few hours. Jack wasn’t alone. He handed Aiden a beer, and Aiden’s eyes locked on mine. Damn him for being so handsome; and he wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat. There on his head was a baseball cap sporting the name of our high school across it.

  Instantly, I was transported to that first time I saw him, and my teenage girl parts had gone all tingly. I sidled over and said, “Hi, stranger.”

  Chapter 6

  Aiden

  There weren’t many places for people to congregate in town. I went to the bar, telling myself I wasn’t going to see her. She wasn’t around when I entered. Jack was there, whom I’d come to see. I took a seat on one of the bar stools. As much as I wanted a beer, I had my first Sunday dinner with my parents in years. Mom would smell any hint of alcohol on me like a bloodhound.

  “Beer,” Jack said, like it was a foregone conclusion.

  “Not today. Coke? In a bottle?”

  Small towns made for judgmental people. I couldn’t have people’s first view of me thinking I was a drunk.

  “In luck, I have a few in the back from the last festival. We get them for the kids. They get a kick out of them.”

  I vaguely remembered the bar had a booth at the festival every year. When he disappeared into the back, a
few people I’d known growing up came over and congratulated me for being named chief deputy sheriff. None of them had been good friends of mine, so the conversations were short.

  “Here you go,” Jack said, handing me the bottle after popping the cap off.

  “Chief deputy sheriff, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  “Things are changing.”

  “How so?” I asked and took a sip of my Coke.

  “Doug’s gone. Stanley left for Florida,” he shook his head.

  He’d given me an opening. “I heard you were the one to find Doug.”

  His head drifted side to side like he could picture it. “I’ll never forget that day. I didn’t see him at first. I came around the corner and he was just lying there. Not moving.”

  I had to tread lightly. “That must have been a shock.”

  “Yeah.” He ran a hand over his head. “I went to help him, but he was cold. So cold.”

  A couple of people came through the door, and Jack shifted to get their orders. I didn’t want to spook him. So I finished my Coke, ready to pay my tab and leave if he didn’t bring up the topic again, when Emma came over.

  She smiled and came over. “Hi, stranger.”

  “Hey, yourself. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Dad would want me to keep living. Anyway, I was just leaving.”

  “Me too. I’m heading over to my parents’ for dinner.”

  “Sounds better than my plan. Peanut butter and jelly for me if I’m lucky.”

  I grinned. “Come with me,” I offered.

  “I couldn’t.”

  “You can and you will if you don’t want Mom to kill me. Once I tell her I saw you, the first thing she’ll ask is if I offered for you to come over.”

  “Will Alana be there?”

  I chuckled. “I’ve been warned to stay far away from her business. So that I don’t know.”