A Page Marked for Murder

by Lauren Elliott

  “Addie!” Kalea’s hand flew to her heaving chest. “You scared the bejesus out of me!”

  “What was that all about, Kalea?”

  “What?” Her cousin feigned innocence as she hung up her jacket.

  “That little scene, and what do you have to celebrate?”

  Kalea’s gaze averted Addie’s and dropped to Pippi locked in Addie’s arms. “I was going to tell you. I just didn’t want to until it was official, but . . . but I’m going to be the new owner of the dress shop on Main Street.”

  “What! Where did you get the money to buy it?”

  Kalea, still avoiding Addie’s dagger-filled eyes, toyed with the candelabra on the side table. “Jared has arranged financing for me.”

  “He has, has he? And you don’t need any money of your own to put in?”

  “Well, I will. He’s . . . it’s more of a loan just until . . .”

  “Until what, you kill me and steal mine?”

  “No!” Her eyes filled with horror. “How could you think such a thing?”

  “Because for some funny reason, he seems to be under the impression that all this and what I have is yours, isn’t that right?”

  “Perhaps he got that impression.”

  “Perhaps? I’ve heard the two of you talking. How do you plan on paying him back? This kind of money doesn’t come without strings or a personal guarantee. No one just hands over the amount of money it would take to buy a business!”

  “I’ m hoping we can work something out when the time comes.”

  “What time is that? When he’s going to kill you because he finds out everything you told him is a lie?”

  “Don’t be silly. Jared couldn’t kill anyone.” Addie’s thoughts went to Zach’s words about a hit man, and she shuddered. “By then he’ll be so in love with me, he won’t care about the money, and besides, the deposit was only a hundred thousand.”

  “Oh, chicken feed in your eyes, the woman who works part-time and lives in my house, eating all my food. What if he doesn’t fall in love with you, what then?”

  “I’ll worry about all that then.”

  “It’s a hundred thousand dollars, and you don’t have it. I checked him out online, and he appears to be a very successful financial broker. Do you really think he’s just going to hand over all that money without doing a background check on you first? Think about that one.”

  “Well, he did give me the money, so obviously he hasn’t checked me out, or he would have said something. Look, I’m tired. I need to go to bed.” She started for the wooden carved staircase.

  Addie grabbed her dress sleeve. “Where did you meet him?”

  “He came into the bookstore one day, why?”

  “Was he looking for anything in particular, or just browsing?”

  “Actually, he was interested in some first editions we had. I told him I kept my rare book collection at home. He asked if he could see it sometime, and that was it. So, you see, that little fib led to the rest of it.” Her gaze dropped. “We’ve been seeing each other since, and then one day I was mad because Paige was being so bossy and wanted me to sort through some dirty old boxes. I told him I was thinking of giving you the bookstore to run and starting a new business. I couldn’t help it if he thought I was serious, and before I knew it, he found the opportunity of the dress shop, and we went ahead with it.”

  “So just like that he gave you the money.”

  “Not exactly.” She played her foot over the carpet runner on the bottom step. “I told him my money was tied up for a while, and he said he’d take care of it until I could cash in on my investments. We signed some loan papers, and he made the deal with the sellers. We signed the purchase agreement tonight.”

  “Kalea, what you’ve done is fraud, and if Jared discovers you’re not good for the money he’s arranged interim financing for, then you could be arrested or worse.” Addie’s mind rushed to the look on Brett’s face when she discovered his body.

  “Trust me. I know what I’m doing. Jared adores me. He’d never press charges.”

  “Maybe not, but there are other ways he can make certain he gets what’s owed to him.”

  “Stop being so dramatic. You sound like Serena right now.”

  “Maybe so, but think about it. Men like Jared don’t just give their money away to every pretty face they come across.”

  “Relax, you heard what went on tonight. I’m pretty sure I have him exactly where I want him.”

  “For how long though? You can’t really think you can continue this charade and—”

  “I’m going to bed. We can finish this discussion in the morning.” She started up the stairs. “Good night.”

  “Were you at the Grey Gull Inn tonight?”

  Kalea stopped mid-step and glanced back down at Addie. “Yes, that’s where the meeting was, why?”

  “Was Jared with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “All evening?”

  “Yes, well, except when he went out for a few minutes to get some fresh air. Why does any of that matter?”

  “It’s just that”—Serena’s words of warning about sharing too much with Kalea right now rushed back at her—“you don’t know anything about running a business.”

  “I can hire people, which are one of the perks of being the owner.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Come on, I’ve seen how you do it. It can’t be that hard.”

  “Kalea, stop!” Addie’s voice came off as shrill, but she didn’t care. “You’re going to have to find someplace else to live.”

  Kalea’s knuckles whitened around the banister. “What are you talking about?”

  “I can’t be a part of this ruse you’re pulling, and it’s time for you to leave.”

  “But we’re family.” Kalea’s tear-blurred gaze caught Addie’s fiery one.

  Addie shook her head adamantly. “No, this is the last straw. You’ve pushed me too far this time. You have until the end of the week to find something else, and tomorrow you can stop by and pick up your final paycheck.”

  “You’re firing me, too?”

  Addie crossed her arms and stared in disbelief at her cousin. “You have your own business to run now. With what you’ve done lately, I don’t want you to have any part of mine or my life.”

  “But Addie—”

  “It’s gone too far this time. I won’t be digging you out of this mess you’ve created. One week, and that’s it.” Addie spun on her heel and stomped into the living room.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Addie backed her Mini out of the garage. Serena’s Jeep was already gone from its sheltered spot inside, and so was Zach’s older Honda CR-V from the driveway. She glanced at the furry head poking out the top of the straw tote bag. “See what happens when you take your time playing in the snow? Now we’re going to be late opening the shop today.” With a chuckle, she ruffled Pippi’s head and cranked the wheel to turn down the driveway. A sharp rap on her passenger-side window made her jump. Kalea stood, peering in, a travel mug in one hand and a grin spread across her face. Addie rolled the window down. “What is it?”

  “You forgot me.”

  “I didn’t forget you. I fired you last night, remember?”

  Kalea’s grin withered. “I thought you were joking.”

  “No, I was completely serious, and as a reminder, you have one week to find someplace else to live.”

  “Come on, we’re family.”

  “Then you should have thought about that before you stole my identity and created a con with your new boyfriend as the mark.” Addie shifted into drive. “Now, if you’ll excuse, I have a business to run.”

  Kalea’s hand gripped the doorframe around the window. “But I don’t take possession of the dress shop for another month. If you let me go now, how will I live with no income?”

  “You’ll have to figure that one out on your own. You seem to think you have everything else figured out. Or . . . you can ask your new boyfriend for
it since you think you have him exactly where you want him. But it’s not my problem, and I won’t be part of whatever it is you’re doing, because aside from being legally wrong, it’s outright deceitful.”

  “But where will I go?”

  “Frankly, I can think of some place, and you won’t need your winter coat there.” Addie stepped on the gas, bumped over the tire ruts in the fresh-fallen snow, and turned left to head to town. One look in the rearview mirror at her openmouthed cousin standing rigid in the driveway told her that maybe Kalea’s new reality was starting to sink in. “Good riddance,” she muttered.

  Addie pulled up the alley and was relieved to see the crime scene barricade had been taken down. She grabbed Pippi’s carry bag and headed inside her shop. She hoped that also meant it was business as usual out front, too. However, with one look through the bay window at the yellow tape blowing in the wind, her heart fell.

  Paige was sitting on a stool at the front counter reading the paper and closed it as Addie approached. “Good morning.” A smile that missed her eyes pulled at the corners of her mouth. “I see our sometime employee isn’t with you. Is she a no-show again today?”

  “She won’t be an issue for either of us anymore. I fired her.”

  Paige’s eyes lit up.

  “I see the bakery is still sealed off. Does that mean the judge denied your mother bail, and she remains in police custody?”

  “Actually, she’s out and next door if you can believe it.”

  “What, after spending all this time in a cell, she didn’t go home?”

  “Oh, she went home and had a shower, then came right in to see what was left of the bakery.”

  “The police have cleared her to be in there?”

  “Carolyn’s with her to make sure she doesn’t touch anything.”

  “Carolyn? My goodness, she’s ready to pop any minute. I hope it doesn’t happen while she’s there alone with your mom.”

  “If she does, remember my mom has given birth to five babies herself, so she’s probably in good hands.”

  “True, she’d know what to do.” Addie set Pippi on the floor, who immediately raced over to get her morning cuddle from Paige. “How’s your mom doing? You know, mentally through all this.”

  Paige peered at her over the top of Pippi’s head. “Not good. I tried to convince her to stay home and sleep today and not to worry about the bakery until all that”—she waved her free hand toward the window—“was gone, but . . .”

  “But what? She wouldn’t hear of it, and for you, it was like looking into a mirror, and you saw where you get your stubborn streak from?” Addie said with a chuckle.

  “No.” Paige’s eyes flew wide open, and then she bit back a laugh as her cheeks reddened. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess I’m more like her than I want to admit.”

  Addie’s gaze scanned the bookshop, and from where she stood, it appeared the intrusion of the barricade was going to mean another all too quiet day for them. “Would you mind if I left you alone for a while to check in on Carolyn and see how your mom is holding up?”

  “Nope, go ahead. I have my guard dog,” she said with a giggle as she set Pippi on the floor.

  Addie looked at Pippi’s wiggling back end and tail. “Ankle biter is more like it. Aren’t you, girl?” Addie crouched and gave her furry roommate a scratch. “Okay, I won’t be long.” She grabbed her bag, headed outside, and ducked under the police tape.

  Addie pulled the bakery door open and poked her head inside. One never knew what kind of greeting they’d receive from Martha. Given the circumstances, she expected the worst this morning. She glanced across the empty storefront to the high glass-shelved countertop. Paige had tried to convince her mother to set up four to five tables so customers could relax and have a coffee or tea with their pastries, using Serena and her tea shop as an example. Martha—in her usual Martha style—had harrumphed the idea, saying she didn’t like people hanging around all day and wouldn’t hear of it. However, when an elderly customer collapsed one hot day due to standing too long in the lineup on cinnamon roll day, Martha relented and placed a wooden bench in front of the window. A very tired-appearing Carolyn now greeted Addie from that utilitarian seating.

  “Addie? Hi, you are aware this area isn’t open to the public.” She made a strained effort to rise to her feet.

  “Sit, please. I’m only here to check on Martha.” She dropped her voice. “Paige is concerned.”

  “I bet she is. I don’t think the woman slept more than two hours since she was taken in Sunday afternoon.”

  “Where is she?”

  “In the back.”

  “Shouldn’t you be—?”

  “Don’t tell Marc, but I think I’m . . .” She winced.

  “Are you okay?” Addie dropped down beside her on the bench. “Should I call someone?”

  Carolyn shook her head. “No, pretty sure it’s Braxton Hicks”—Addie’s brow rose in question—“training labor pains. They’re normal,” Carolyn said with a chuckle. “I’m fine, really. I just need to sit for a minute. Could you go back and make sure my charge is behaving herself, though?”

  “Sure, call out if you need me.”

  “Oh, I will. Don’t worry.”

  Addie peered around the doorway into the kitchen area, and her heart lurched in her chest. Martha sat on a shipping box marked FLOUR, her head in her hands, her shoulders heaving with sobs. Addie stood motionless. She knew the woman needed consoling, and if Catherine Lewis were here, that’s exactly what her dear friend would do. Oh, how Addie missed her at times like this.

  Addie silently cursed Jonathan Hemingway, her late fiancé’s father—a man, who had David not been killed, would have been her father-in-law—for taking her old friend on a whirlwind tour of Europe, or wherever they were. Catherine wasn’t even allowed, by the confidentiality of Jonathan’s work, to reveal where she was meeting him on Christmas Day. She hadn’t even been able to tell Addie what day she’d return or from where. It was all so hush-hush, and Addie hated it, especially at times like this. Catherine was like a mother to her, and right now she needed her guidance. Catherine knew how to deal with the cactus lady, something Addie was still learning.

  Addie drew in a deep breath, held her head high, and took a step forward. Martha’s head snapped up, and her tear-blurred eyes focused on Addie’s. Addie skidded to an abrupt halt.

  “Have you come to gloat?” Martha barked, her voice sounding stronger than she appeared.

  “Not in the least, I was . . . Paige was worried, and I only came to see how you were holding up.”

  “Just peachy.” She swiped at her eyes. “Darn right peachy.”

  Addie flopped down on a box, wrapped her arm around Martha’s round shoulders, and squeezed. “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, but I do feel your pain and confusion right now.” She stroked her back.

  Martha glanced sideways at her. “I seem to remember you spending time in that very jail cell, so I’m pretty sure you do know how I’m feeling.”

  “True, but my situation was a little different.”

  “Was it? All the evidence pointed to you, too, if I remember.”

  “It did, and I worked hard to find new evidence to prove my innocence, which is exactly what we’re going to do for you.”

  “Well, good luck with that, because as far as Chief Chandler and his ex-FBI watchdog figure, it’s an open-and-shut case against me.”

  “I don’t believe that. Marc’s known you his whole life. He doesn’t really believe, deep down, that you could have killed Brett. We just have to be able to find enough evidence to prove who did to change the DA’s mind.”

  “How are we going to do that, Miss Smarty-Pants?” Martha folded her arms across her massive chest.

  “First off, it appears that Brett’s murder may have had something to do with Paige’s book, The Secret Garden. I suspect he took Gloria’s keys when he was pretending to help her after she fell. What I can’t figure out is how he knew she had th
e book.”

  “What?” She wrung her hands in her lap. “Oh no, then it is all my fault.”

  “How? What did you do?”

  “It was me who told Brett about the book, well sort of. He asked about it, and I told him Paige had lent it to Gloria. Then she ends up in the hospital and him dead. Oh, what have I done?”

  “Wait a minute. When did you tell Brett about the book?”

  “The evening he arrived in town, he came to the house to see Emma. Paige was out with the young fireman she’s been seeing, and there was only Emma and me there. I wasn’t going to let him in at first but figured it wouldn’t hurt. After all, scumbag or not, he was still the child’s father.”

  “This was before I told you how much the book was worth?”

  Martha nodded. “He asked about it right off. I figured Paige had told him about the book her father had given her when Brett and she lived together for a short time when Emma was a baby. He said he only asked about it because Emma wanted him to read it to her before she went to bed. So, I blurted out that he’d have to find another storybook because Paige lent it to Gloria.”

  “Did you tell him who Gloria was or where she worked or about her being in the park with the decorating committee at any time?”

  “I’m afraid so. As he was reading another book to Emma, he said Gloria was a very lucky woman to have friends who loaned out their books. He said he treasured all his so much they were like his babies, and he never trusted anyone with them. I thought he was being a jerk and trying to get a dig in at Paige, so I stuck up for her and in no uncertain terms told him what an upstanding member of the community Gloria was and how she was even the volunteer coordinator for the park decorating committee, and she’d make certain no harm came to Paige’s old book.”

  “And from there, it wouldn’t have been difficult for someone else in the park to point Gloria out to him and maybe offer a little more information like where she lived and all that.”

  “Probably. Everyone loves Gloria and is proud to serve her. No one would have thought harm might come to her by bragging about what they knew of her. Like me.” Martha’s sobs began anew.