by Essie Lang
“Why don’t you ask the fiancé what it was about? As you said, he’s still in town, isn’t he? He might not tell you, but wouldn’t that prove something in itself?”
“I’m sure he’ll have a well-planned answer just in case the police find out and confront him. But I won’t know until I ask, will I?” She looked around the store. It was slow just then.
As if Taylor had read her mind, she said, “Why don’t you leave early today and go have a talk with him? It’s kind of quiet around here.”
“Uh-uh. I’m not leaving you, in case … well, I’m just not.”
“Okay, thanks. I do feel more comfortable with someone else here.”
As if to prove how much two staffers were needed, it turned out to be a busy day. Taylor tired quickly, and Shelby sent her home on the early-afternoon boat. After closing the store a couple of minutes early, Shelby made it to the last shuttle with time to enjoy a slow walk, taking in the scenery. Once back in the Bay, she headed straight to the hotel.
A few minutes later she was knocking on Liam’s door. He opened it a crack and, when he saw who it was, opened it wider.
“Shelby, what can I do for you?” He sounded and looked surprised to see her. In fact, he looked like he hadn’t been expecting any company. His hair was tousled and his clothes needed the power of an iron or maybe just a laundering.
“I just hoped you’d have a few minutes to talk. Do you?”
He looked behind him and Shelby peeked around him, noticing the open suitcase on the bed. “Are you heading somewhere?”
He looked embarrassed. “Well, yeah. I’m driving home tomorrow. I’ve missed a lot of work. But okay, I’m good with talking. Let’s just go down to the lobby for that. It’s sort of messy here, as you can see.”
He ran his hand over his head, smoothing his hair flat, grabbed the key card from somewhere behind the door, and then pulled it shut behind them. They made their way downstairs, not saying anything until they were seated next to each other at a small grouping of chairs across from the reception desk.
“What’s on your mind?” he finally asked.
“I was wondering how you’re doing.” Shelby wanted to come across as sincere, especially if she wanted any information from him.
“Oh, I guess as good as can be expected.” He sighed. “I still can’t believe she’s gone, and hanging around here hasn’t helped any. The memories of our last few days are too fresh.”
“I understand. I hate to bring it all up again, but I do have a question for you. I was wondering what you and Savannah were arguing about on the wharf before she headed over to the castle on Saturday.”
He shifted in his seat. “Why do you think we were arguing?”
“Someone saw you.”
“Who?” His face had gone ashen and his hands gripped the arms of the chair.
“It doesn’t matter. Will you tell me what it was about?”
He turned away for several seconds, and Shelby wondered if he’d even bother answering her. It was a rather bold thing to ask, but she was as interested in how he would react to the question as she was in the answer.
“Well, if you must know, although it’s really no business of yours or anyone’s, I was upset that she wouldn’t let me stay the night with her. In no way had I thought she’d be in any danger, but I had thought it would be romantic.”
“And she was adamant that she do it alone.” Shelby didn’t bother to phrase this as a question, since she already knew it to be the truth.
He nodded. “Yeah. She said that I would be a distraction. She didn’t want romance that night, she wanted to work. As usually happened, she buried herself in her research. I’m afraid I just got a little tired of it and lashed out. I mean, it was such a great opportunity, staying in such a historic place. I truly and deeply regret what I said, especially since those were the last words we spoke.”
“No late-night makeup texting?”
He shook his head and took a deep breath. “This is upsetting to talk about. I really don’t have anything to add. You’ll have to excuse me.”
Shelby sat, watching him leave. He didn’t look back as he waited for the elevator, and once she saw it stop on his floor, she left the building.
Back home she debated about what to do with what she’d learned. Did Chief Stone know about the argument? Did she know Liam was leaving? She probably needed to know that much anyway, Shelby thought as she picked up the phone.
“I’m just heading out the door, Shelby,” Stone said upon answering. “My day is at long last over … unless it’s not?”
“I just … well, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
“Okay. Out with it. Or is this something that should be said in person?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
She heard Stone sigh. “I’ll take it that what you’re about to say is related to the murder, even after I’ve asked you, politely, I might point out, to stay out of it. So, what is it?”
Shelby needed to keep in mind that the chief was usually unfriendly and not take it personally. Why did the woman scare her so much? “I know it’s none of my business, but I just wondered if you knew that Liam Kennelly is planning on leaving town.”
“How do you know this?” Her voice had sharpened, and Shelby was suddenly very glad they weren’t in the same room.
“I was just talking to him, and he told me he’s leaving first thing in the morning.”
“Oh, is he now? No, I didn’t know that.” There was a pause, and Shelby wondered if she should be saying something. But the chief took care of that. “Just why were you talking to him?”
“I saw him and asked him a question.”
“Like you bumped into him, or you went to see him?”
“Does it matter? You said you didn’t know he’s leaving. That’s important, isn’t it?”
“So, what was the question you had for him? I know what my question will be.”
She paused, seeing no way out of it. The chief did need to know. “Uh, I had heard he was seen arguing with Savannah on the wharf just before she left for the castle. I wondered what it was about.”
“And that’s your business because?”
“That’s more or less what he asked.”
Stone snorted. “And who is your source for this?”
“Felicity Foxworth may have mentioned it in passing.”
“Why does that woman not come to me with such information? Is she dense, or is she scared of me?”
“Uh, I don’t know the answer to that.” Not going to touch that.
Stone was silent for such a long time that Shelby wondered if she’d missed the sound of her hanging up. But surely there’d be a dial tone.
“Okay, tell me this,” Stone finally said, “did he explain what the argument was about?”
“Yes. He told me that he’d wanted to stay overnight in the castle with her. He thought it would be romantic, but she said she wanted to concentrate on her research. I thought it sounded totally believable and not at all suspicious.”
“I’ll decide that for myself. And there’s nothing I can do about you knowing, but will you now please gracefully bow out of my investigation? Again, I’m asking politely. It really is none of your business.”
“Well, Savannah did two signings for us. And, more importantly, I liked her.”
“Yes, that is true, but unless you or your aunt is the killer, I repeat, it’s no business of yours.” Shelby could picture Stone’s cold blue eyes and the tightly drawn lips. “Or maybe you’re trying to clear Matthew Kessler’s name. Again. He did have a motive, after all.”
“No, he didn’t.” She was pretty certain of that. “Uh, what was it?”
“Ms. Page was the competition. A best-selling true-crime writer and all. Maybe he had an insane fit of jealousy.”
“Matthew?”
“All right, maybe it’s not the best motive, but it is motive. He could at any time decide to start writing again. She was younger, probably a lot smarter,
and a hell of a lot prettier. That must make some difference on book tours and these signing events.”
“You think that’s what a reader is looking for when choosing a book? What the author looks like?” Shelby couldn’t keep the incredulity out of her voice. She might be relatively new to the bookselling business, but she did know rubbish when she heard it.
The chief was not to be deterred. “Look, I know he’s the darling of the Coast Guard right now, but that doesn’t hold water with me. I’ve got him in my sights. And the more you get involved, the more reason I have to check up on you and those around you.”
Now that sounded like a threat. Or a challenge.
Chapter Nineteen
Saturday morning came all too early, but Shelby couldn’t complain too much about the reason. Zack called just as she was wavering on the edge of opening her eyes. She’d been luxuriating in the comfort of her bed with J.T. curled up beside her, knowing the alarm would go off shortly but hoping it wouldn’t. When she saw Zack was calling, her mind snapped to attention.
“I’m sorry for calling so early. I was hoping you’d be awake and getting ready for work.”
“Close enough,” Shelby admitted. She liked the idea of his voice being the first one she heard in the morning.
“Good. I have to go out of town for the day so won’t be in touch, but I’m hoping you’re free for dinner tonight.”
She smiled at the tone of expectancy in his voice. “I am, and I’d be delighted.”
“Great. How about I pick you up around six. Is that enough time after work?”
“That’s plenty. You’ll pick me up? Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. Casual dress, though. Have a good day and stay out of trouble. See you later.”
“Uh-huh.”
She realized as she stepped aboard the shuttle an hour later that she’d been smiling since hanging up. What a great way to start the day. Which was a good thing, because several times during the next six hours, she teetered on the edge of frustration. Who knew that she should have put in a final order for copies of Loreena Swan’s book? Fortunately, she’d managed to interest that customer in another local book. She placed the order now to make sure she’d have enough copies when the store reopened in the spring, anyway. She couldn’t believe it was that late in the season. Well, part of her brain did know that, but she hadn’t mentally prepared herself for all that the end of the season would mean.
The last few weeks had flown by, but she didn’t really feel like she’d accomplished much. Maybe she’d have the chance over winter, when there was only one location to focus on, to come up with some creative new ideas to bring in more business to both locations. She’d already tasked Taylor with thinking along the same lines. Maybe between the two of them and Edie, something would occur to them.
Last spring, they’d toyed around with the idea of stocking a variety of magazines, but somehow the conversation had never reached the decision stage. Her initial enthusiasm for the project had waned in that time. Maybe the reason it hadn’t caught fire. She glanced around the bookstore, hoping to envision a solution. None came. With a small gift shop already run by the volunteers, the last thing needed in the island bookstore was gifts. What else could a bookstore offer? The book club run by Trudy, Bayside Book Babes Plus One, was happy with how it was going, so there was nothing to do there. Space for writing groups? Not possible at the castle, but what about at the main store? Something to think about.
* * *
She felt her dock moving later that day, after she’d gotten back home from work and was getting ready for her date. Someone was walking toward the houseboat. She scurried downstairs, hoping it was Zack, but when she looked out the window, Liam’s face appeared. Should she be worried? She had alerted the police that he was leaving, after all. This could be a payback visit.
She took a deep breath and pulled the door open a fraction. “Hi, Liam. What can I do for you?”
His smile looked tentative. “Look, I know you told the police chief that I was leaving, and although I’m a bit ticked off, I understand why you did it. And I’m not plotting my revenge or anything. But I think I owe you an explanation. Can I come in?”
How foolish did he think she was?
“Why don’t we go up on the top deck and talk? I’ll get us some coffee.”
“Okay.” He glanced to each side.
“The stairs are at the back, although that ladder to your right works also.” She pulled the door closed and listened to his footsteps until she heard him settling into a chair. So it wasn’t the warmest of nights, but she didn’t intend to be alone with him, out of view inside, until she knew what was up. And besides, if Zack arrived early, he’d be sure to see them. She grabbed a heavy jacket as she waited for the Keurig to work its magic. Then she joined him, kicking the door shut behind her.
“So, what’s on your mind?” she asked after they’d both had a sip.
He shifted in his chair so that he more or less faced her. “There was actually more to the argument than I’d originally told you. I acted like a kid, getting jealous about Bryce, when she stood firm about my not joining her. I accused her of not wanting me on the island because he was meeting her there.”
“That must have gone over well,” Shelby couldn’t help saying.
“Tell me about it. She was mad, but I know now she was probably mostly hurt that I basically said I didn’t trust her.”
“Why didn’t you? You seemed all right about the castle arrangement earlier.”
“That was before I spotted Bryce in town. Savannah had said he was coming up on Sunday for a brief meeting in the afternoon. But there he was, in the hotel lobby, as we were leaving for the shuttle.”
“Did you talk to him?”
“No, I was surprised. And I didn’t point him out to Savannah, either. I really wish I’d done it all then. Or not said anything at all. I can’t get over the fact that my last words to her were so cruel.”
He looked so despondent that Shelby almost reached over to hug him. Almost. She needed to keep her objectivity. What he said made sense, but it was possible that, once again, he was lying.
“I’m sorry for you, Liam. And I do understand why you didn’t want to say anything about this. So, why are you telling me all this now?”
“Because I thought you might hear about it from the chief, and I didn’t want you thinking I had lied. I’ve heard that you have a reputation for finding killers, and I want you to know I didn’t do it.” He finished his coffee in a couple of gulps and stood. “I still can’t believe all this happened. I don’t know what I’ll do without her.”
Shelby also stood and patted his arm. “I can’t begin to imagine how you feel. It will take a while, but at some point, you’ll figure it out. Thanks for telling me, Liam.”
He nodded and left the way he’d come, while Shelby stood on deck watching him and wondering what this meant for Bryce.
Her thoughts were interrupted several minutes later by the sight of Tekla Stone sauntering along the dock. She didn’t look to be in a hurry, but Shelby sensed the chief was uptight about something. She really hoped it wasn’t something she’d done.
“Good late afternoon, Chief Stone,” Shelby called over the edge of the deck. “I’ll be right down.”
“Shelby.”
Stone had removed her hat by the time Shelby joined her at the door. She walked in when Shelby held the door wide open.
“I see you’ve had another visitor. What did he want? He wasn’t giving you a hard time, I hope?”
“No, no, actually he was apologizing for his earlier abruptness. And he explained some more about the argument he had with Savannah. I presume he told you the same thing.”
“That depends on what he told you.”
This wasn’t going to be easy. Since the chief was obviously waiting for Shelby to go first, she obliged. “He said he was jealous of Bryce … and thought he might be staying over at the castle with Savannah. Especially since he’d
suggested he stay the night with her and she’d refused.”
Stone nodded. “That’s the same story he told me.”
“You sound like maybe you don’t believe him.”
“It sounds plausible and I have nothing to contradict it, so I’m going with that, until proven otherwise. What I want to know is why you didn’t tell me that Bryce O’Connell was spotted in town on Saturday.” She stood with her legs planted slightly apart and was fingering the brim of her hat.
“It wasn’t my story to tell. I hadn’t seen him. Why do you think I already knew?”
Stone snorted. “What is it you don’t know?”
“Well, a lot, when you get right down to it.” She decided she’d better not sound flippant. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Yes, but I may have mentioned it already: stay out of this.” She plopped her hat back on her head and pulled it down snuggly.
Shelby felt the boat rock before she heard the knock. Stone, who stood closest to the door, pulled it open. She looked from Zack standing in the doorway back to Shelby. “You are a busy gal. Enjoy your evening.”
Stone winked and then nodded at Zack as she passed in front of him.
“Wow, wish I’d come earlier,” he said as he filled the space Stone had just vacated. He looked at Shelby. “Is everything okay?”
“Uh, sure. She just wanted to ask a few more questions.”
“Well, I have a question for you. Are you ready to go?” He nodded at her jacket she hadn’t yet removed, a quizzical smile on his face.
“Oh, uh, not quite … just give me a minute, okay?”
“Are you sure everything is okay? You seem sort of distracted, although I know the chief can have that effect on people.”
“It’s not only her. Liam Kennelly—you know, Savannah Page’s fiancé—came by just before. I guess I’m getting a lot of information at one time and just need to process it.”
“This doesn’t sound good.” He put a hand on each of her shoulders. “Why would he be talking to you about this?”
Shelby saw the concern on his face. “I’ll tell you all about it after. I just need a couple of minutes to freshen up.”