by Eve Fisher
Kate read the article with increasing dismay. When she was done, she searched through the online archives of the newspaper but found only one other article about the case, which simply said that charges had been brought by Jordan Harnett on behalf of her deceased grandfather. Jordan Harnett. Now there was a woman Kate would like to speak with.
She typed Jordan Harnett into the browser and waited. A number of hits came up, and she scrolled through them. As well as North Carolina, there were Jordan Harnetts in Florida, Tennessee, Washington, England, and California. She typed a new search, combining Jordan Harnett with Franklin Harnett and found the poor man’s obituary. Finally she decided to return to her earlier search and go with North Carolina as Jordan’s home. There were three separate addresses and phone numbers, and Kate wrote them all down. Then she sat and thought, biting the end of her pen.
The fact that charges had been dropped indicated that it might not have been all that serious. Perhaps a misunderstanding or an heir who had simply been mistaken in the value of the estate. And reporters were always going to go for the more dramatic story: fraud, embezzlement, forgery. Then again, restitution was mentioned. She sighed. No matter how you looked at it, it didn’t sound good.
Kate did another search for Lawson Investments and found nothing else. But it had closed, obviously, because Matt Lawson was here in Copper Mill.
One more search, Kate promised herself, and then she would join Livvy for a walk. This time she searched for investment services in Asheville, North Carolina. Thirty-five were listed, of which about twenty were branches of national firms. Kate doubted that any of them would have taken over the firm’s clientele, but then again . . .
In the end, she printed out the whole list. She would take these home and call them one by one until she found the firm that had bought out Lawson Investments or had at least taken over Matt’s clients.
The printer kicked in, and once the sheets printed out, Kate went back to the computer and cleared the cache again. She didn’t want to leave any traces of these searches either.
“You about ready to go?”
Kate jumped and saw Livvy standing at the end of the table. “You startled me,” Kate gasped.
“I can tell. Are you done? It’s two thirty.”
“Already?” Kate exclaimed. “That went fast.” She folded up the sheets of paper, gathered her rose-colored raincoat and umbrella, and said, “I’m ready. I need a break.”
Outside, the two turned right on Main Street and headed toward Copper Mill Creek. It was misting, and the grass, ferns, and leaves around them looked bright green in the warm June air.
“So, Miss Marple, what did you find out?”
Kate sighed. She’d known this question was coming. And it was a matter of public record.
“Well, I found out that there was a pending lawsuit against Lawson Investments in Asheville. An heir claiming that her grandfather had been defrauded of his money.”
“Mmm.”
Kate glanced at Livvy. “You don’t seem shocked or surprised,” she said. They passed by the big clock at the corner of the Town Green, and Kate waved at Abby Pippins across the park.
“Well, no, I’m not,” Livvy said. “Right after they moved up here, Junius told us that Matt had been practically hounded out of his business by some crazy woman who thought she should have inherited a lot more money than she did. He made it sound like it wasn’t that big a deal. Why, what did the newspaper say?”
“Well, that charges were dropped.”
“See?”
“But restitution had been made,” Kate said.
Livvy thought for a moment. “Yes, he said something about that too. That in the end, Matt had paid her something just to settle the matter out of court...Because the scandal of even going to court would have been so damaging. Junius said something about Matt worrying about his future employment prospects.” Livvy shrugged. “Probably the reason so many lawsuits are settled. It’s cheaper to settle them than try them, in terms of money and reputation.”
Kate nodded.
“You don’t look very convinced,” Livvy said.
“I don’t know,” Kate admitted. “I don’t really know Matt very well.” She looked into the front window of Betty’s Beauty Parlor and waved at Betty, who was working on Lucy Mae Briddle, the mayor’s wife. Betty waved her scissors in return.
“Who does?” Livvy exclaimed. “I mean, he goes to everything in town, but I think that’s mostly because Junius makes him go. And we all know what a social butterfly Junius is. The truth is, everyone pretty much agrees that Matt has all the personality of a mud fence.”
“Livvy!”
“Well, it’s true,” Livvy insisted. “But to give him his due, they also say he’s a whiz at finances.”
They passed Copper Mill Presbyterian across the street from them. The flowers next to the front steps were soaking in the mist.
“Do you know I went to talk to him the other day, and he never once looked me in the eyes?” Kate said.
“He never looks anybody in the eyes. Not even when he’s shaking hands,” Livvy added. “I remember the first time I met him, I was wondering what I’d done to offend him. After a while, I realized he was the same with everyone.” She looked down the street and said thoughtfully, “I’m starting to wonder if maybe it’s a personality disorder of some kind. He’s so different from Junius.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”
“I’ll say. Junius has just slipped right into Copper Mill, almost like he was born here. He’s made friends, he’s at every social function, he volunteers...He fits right in.”
“The dancing helps,” Kate said. “Any man who can dance like that is going to be popular.”
“And bridge and fishing, and all sorts of stuff. But Matt...As far as I can tell, the man hasn’t made one friend since he’s been here.”
“Not one?” Kate was shocked.
“Not one,” Livvy replied. “It’s sad, but I can certainly understand why. It’s like...It’s like he’s not really there. There’s something missing. How can you be friends with someone who has no conversational skills, and...I don’t know, it’s like he has no emotions.”
“He’s got to be interested in something,” Kate mused.
“Football,” Livvy said dryly. “He goes to all the high-school football games, and I know he watches every football game on TV. When there’s more than one, he tapes one while he watches the other, and then he watches the taped one later.”
“Even though he knows the final score?” Kate couldn’t help but giggle.
“Yes. He told Danny all about it at one of James’ games last year. I always thought Danny was one of the biggest football fanatics in the world, but Matt almost paralyzed him with boredom, talking football nonstop. Danny said he would have changed the subject, but he was afraid Matt would get started on finances, and that would have been worse. I’m afraid Danny finally just cut and ran.”
Both women laughed, but then Kate shook her head. “It’s just such a shame...I was thinking the other day how different father and son were.”
“You know,” she continued as they passed a row of large old homes, “I’ve heard of something called Asperger’s syndrome, sort of a high-functioning autism. Asperger’s patients have social problems but are extremely smart. People with Asperger’s can lead fairly normal lives, have jobs, the whole nine yards.”
“Hmm.”
“Maybe that’s why they moved here,” Kate said. “Because, you know, the other strange thing that occurred is Matt’s moving from Asheville to here.”
“Before that he lived in Atlanta.”
“He did?”
“Yep. Worked for some accounting firm down there for a few years after college.”
“And then he moved to Asheville,” Kate said thoughtfully.
“What are you thinking?”
“Well, it just occurred to me how unusual that is. Most young people move from a small town to a larger city. Not from a big city to a small town.
”
“You did,” Livvy pointed out.
“Yes, but, that’s different. Paul and I are getting older, and we’re downsizing.”
“You’re not old yet.”
“I know that. But still, it makes sense for us to come to a smaller town as we look toward retirement. But Matt’s on the upswing of his career. He should be going where he can make big money.”
“Well, that’s certainly not Copper Mill,” Livvy agreed.
“And maybe his condition is why he came here. Maybe he just couldn’t handle all the people in a big city,” Kate speculated.
“It’s possible. He can barely handle all the people here.”
The creek was in sight, and they walked on a few more yards in companionable silence. Kate stood on the bank and looked down at the water coursing over the rocks. The mist made an interesting pattern on the surface of the water. It felt nice to rest.
“Well,” Kate finally said, “I’ve told you what I’ve found out. Now it’s your turn. What have you heard?”
“Oh, everything under the sun,” Livvy said solemnly.
“But it’s only been two days.”
Livvy laughed at Kate’s astonishment. “Okay, not that much, but some. Let’s see. Mindy Corson lost a necklace, and Mabel Trout is worrying about a silver creamer—”
“I heard it was both the creamer and the sugar bowl,” Kate interrupted.
“The sugar bowl has been found.” Livvy smiled. “It was sitting on the top shelf of the back kitchen cupboard, and Mabel swears she has no idea how it got there. I figure the creamer’s probably in the bathroom cabinet. Or out in the garden. Same with Mindy Corson’s necklace. They’re both pack rats, Kate. Mindy’s the worst.” Livvy sighed. “I went over to her place one time, and I had to thread my way between stacks of boxes, magazines, books—you name it. It’s a fire hazard, but it’s her house, and she won’t let anyone throw anything away. Thank heavens she doesn’t have pets. Mabel does.”
“Cats?” Kate guessed, amused.
“Twelve and counting. Personally, I’m willing to bet that the creamer’s being used as a cat dish even as we speak. The smell of her place is unbelievable. I had to go inside once, and I’ve never forgotten it. Her daughter does go in and tries to clean up every once in a while, but twelve cats are twelve cats.”
Kate nodded.
“Lawton Briddle once proposed a city ordinance limiting the number of pets a person could have, and I think he was thinking of Mabel when he did, but it got shot down.” Livvy shook her head. “Old Man Parsons saw it as ‘an unconstitutional infringement on people’s liberties,’ and I’m quoting him directly. He hates cats, but he hates governmental interference even more.”
“I wish I could have heard him,” Kate said, laughing.
“It was pure Parsons, I can assure you. Oh, but the most interesting thing I heard a while back wasn’t about things disappearing; it was about things appearing.”
“What on earth do you mean?” Kate asked.
“Well, I don’t know if Emma mentioned this to you, but I remember back in January, she was all aflutter because Ada was wearing a scarf Emma had never seen before.”
Kate instantly thought of her missing silk scarf.
“She’d asked her mom where she’d gotten it, and Ada told her she’d always had it and that Emma had just never noticed it before. That’s what bothered Emma the most, I think. That she didn’t know what her mother had or didn’t have. She hasn’t mentioned it since, but I remembered that yesterday.”
“I think I’ll ask her about it,” Kate said. “You never know. It might have been a present from Ada’s secret investment adviser.”
Livvy nodded. “Could be. I’ll see if I can find out if anyone else has been wearing something new and unaccounted for.”
Kate shook her head. “I don’t know. It all seems so tangled up—thefts, missing stuff, appearing stuff . . . And I don’t know what, if any of it, is connected.”
“Isn’t that always the problem?” Livvy glanced at her watch and said, “Well, I guess we’d better head back if I’m going to be ready for the after-school crowd at the library.”
“By the way,” Kate said as they began the long trek back down Main Street again. “What do you know about LuAnne’s husband?”
“He’s a nice enough guy. Don’t see him much. If he gets in on a Monday night, he goes down to the diner for all-you-can-eat spaghetti. You might spot him then. Or you could always place an order for supplements with LuAnne. He might drop them off. They are pretty good.”
“I heard that he was looking for investment partners once upon a time,” Kate mentioned.
Livvy nodded. “Yeah, I know he talked to Danny, but Danny’s not about to get into anything involving herbs or acupuncture.”
“Tom does acupuncture?” Kate exclaimed.
“No.” Livvy laughed. “I’m using that as an example. It’s all part of what Danny calls that ‘New Age mumbo jumbo.’ I was just trying to remember...I think somebody did go in with him for a while.” Livvy shook her head. “I can’t remember. I’ll put it in my computer”—she tapped her head—“and get back to you.”
“That was a lovely walk,” Kate said as they arrived back at the library.
“I agree.” Livvy sighed contentedly. “Now maybe I can have a piece of rhubarb pie for dessert tonight.” She glanced at Kate and said, “I must confess that I hope there’s an unlimited dessert plan in heaven.”
“All flavor and no calories,” Kate agreed.
“Oh. Warning. James’ band practiced last night in the garage. It’s even more earsplitting than I expected.”
“I’ll remember.” Kate laughed. “See you later.”
She watched Livvy walk up the steps to the front door. She was such a dear friend—caring, interesting, helpful, and always full of ideas.
Kate looked at her watch. Three fifteen. If she went back home now, she could still get some more work done in her studio. She was working on some sun-catcher orders, and she could easily get the rest of the cutting done before dinner. She started walking to her car, then stopped when she heard someone calling her name. The shrill tone of voice told her it was Renee.
“Well, I was wondering where you were!” Renee said.
“I was taking a walk with Livvy Jenner,” Kate said, wondering at the same time why on earth she was explaining herself. “Was there something special you needed to talk to me about, Renee?”
“I was wondering what progress you’ve made in the investigation. Half the women in town have lost stuff, Mabel Trout is crying her eyes out over her silver sugar bowl and creamer, and—”
“I just found out that Mrs. Trout’s sugar bowl has been found,” Kate interrupted.
“It has?”
Kate nodded. “In a cupboard in her house.”
“Oh.” Renee looked disappointed. She hitched her bag up higher on her shoulder, jolting Kisses, who gave a loud yip. “But then there’s Ada’s brooch and Betty’s ring. What about those?”
“No word on those yet,” Kate admitted.
“Well?”
“I’m working on it,” Kate said.
“Not by taking a walk in the pouring rain.” Renee looked up at the sky expectantly.
“You’re right,” Kate said meekly. “And now I really should be going home.”
“Well, it’s good to know that at least one of you is going to be where you should be,” Renee said.
“What do you mean?” Kate turned to look at Renee.
“I mean, Kate, that I don’t know what Faith Briar’s going to do if there’s an emergency, what with our pastor down at the Dew Drop Inn all the time.”
Kate stared at Renee, speechless.
“Didn’t you know?” Renee asked. “Everybody’s talking about it. And I for one don’t think it’s an appropriate place for a minister to be lounging around all day.”
With that Renee scuttled off, leaving Kate choking on the thick scent of Youth-Dew.
&nb
sp; The Dew Drop Inn! Kate sat in her car, totally perplexed. What can Paul be doing out at that dive? If it’s true...She hoped for a minute that it was all a figment of Renee’s vivid imagination. But knowing Renee, Kate realized that even if Paul wasn’t down there all the time, he must have been down there at least once. But what on earth for? And why hadn’t he mentioned it to her? Could it have something to do with the silence between them lately?
It looked as if Paul had a secret too. And what kind of secret could it be if it had something to do with that old roadhouse? Everybody knew it was a wild place, with drinking and gambling and who knows what else going on.
Kate started the car and drove carefully down the street, turning left onto Smoky Mountain Road. She wasn’t going to let this get out of hand. Her imagination was working overtime. She tried to convince herself that Paul was probably meeting somebody there, something to do with his pastoral duties. She couldn’t help glancing at the church parking lot as she drove by. Millie Lovelace’s car wasn’t there, but then Millie only worked mornings. Paul’s blue Chevy pickup, however, was sitting there.
Kate instantly decided that the time for secrets was over. She pulled into the parking lot and got out of her car. She would tell Paul all about Ada Blount, the thefts, and her speculations about Tom Matthews and Matthew Lawson. And in return, she was going to get some answers about the Dew Drop Inn so that the next time she saw Renee, she would have a courteous, definitive response.
Kate entered the church and walked into the cool dimness of the sanctuary. Behind the altar was the stained-glass window she’d made of an oak tree, representing Faith Briar’s new life after the church had been rebuilt following the fire. The stained-glass glowed softly in the afternoon light. The oak pews, maple floors, and white walls gave her a sense of peace, even now when her mind was whirling. She walked back through the double doors leading into the foyer, then through the side door into the office area.
“Paul?” she called out.
Millie’s typewriter was covered, her desk neat as a pin.
“Paul?” Kate went into Paul’s office. He wasn’t there. She looked around the office and the church, even knocked on the men’s-room door. Nobody was there but her.