Secrets in a Small Town

by Nicole Stiling

  “Not me. I want the chive cream cheese to go with it. Delish.”

  Savannah leaned forward. “Joe?”

  “Yes, ma’am, just finishing up your cappuccino.”

  “Thank you. Do you have any more cheddar bagels out back?”

  “Sorry, Ms. Castillo, that’s the last one.”

  “Okay, I’ll take it to go, please.”

  Joe wrapped up the last cheddar bagel in a wax paper bag and handed it to Savannah. She smiled brightly at a dumbstruck Micki on her way out of the shop.

  “Did she really?” Savannah heard Micki ask Rebecca.

  Rebecca couldn’t stifle her laugh. “She really did. Maybe it was a coincidence.”

  “Oh, please. She just didn’t want me to have it. No surprise. Maybe they still have onion bagels or something. I was just really in the mood.”

  Savannah’s satisfaction faded. When had she become so petty? She wouldn’t stand for her daughter to behave this way; why should she? With her hand on the door handle, the bell chimed weakly at her hesitance. She turned around and walked toward Micki with purpose.

  “I just remembered that I have still have leftover coffee cake from yesterday’s meeting in my office. Here,” she offered, holding out the bag.

  “Oh,” Micki said, taking the bag gingerly. “Thank you. Let me pay you for it.”

  She started digging in her pocket for cash, but Savannah was already walking away. She hurried out the door, not wanting to overhear any more of their conversation. They’d probably ask if the Grinch’s heart had grown three sizes that day, or maybe they’d laugh because she had backed down from her spitefulness in a show of fragility. Either way, she didn’t want to hear it. Maybe she’d start asking Chloe to pick up her breakfast.

  Chapter Seven

  “There’s been another one, Mick,” Chloe whispered into the phone. “I found it sitting on the coffee table in the lobby. I don’t know how this person keeps coming in here without anyone noticing. I asked Bobby in permits and Jane in zoning, and neither one of them saw anything out of the ordinary.”

  “And of course, she denied our bid for surveillance technology in the municipal buildings last quarter,” Micki muttered. “Okay, so what is it?”

  “A snow globe. It’s a sun setting on a mountain, and it says ‘The Sunshine of Pikes Peak’ on the front.”

  Micki frowned. “Pikes Peak? Where’s that? Does it mean anything to her?”

  “Yep. She was visibly freaked out when I brought it in to her. She wouldn’t admit it, of course, but I could tell. She said Pikes Peak was the last place she went on vacation with her parents before her father died. She’s been wanting to take Eliana there for a while now. How freaking creepy is that?”

  “Very.” Micki sighed. “Does she know that you told me yet?”

  “No! I brought it up again today, and she was like, ‘We’re not doing that.’ And then she asked me to get the parks department on the phone. I think it was just her way of getting me out of her office.”

  “This is stupid, Chloe! Then tell her to call Jack or Billy! They’re police officers, too!” Was Savannah really so stubborn she’d put her safety at risk? Did she really dislike Micki so much she’d rather be a victim?

  “Yeah, right. I’ll try, but you know she won’t go for it. Maybe I can talk her into hiring a PI. We have to do something, though.”

  “This isn’t stopping or just going away like you’d hoped. I’ll see what I can find out, but this is making my job much harder than it needs to be when I could just ask her the questions.” Micki threw her pen down on her desk and watched in horror as it exploded blue ink all over the scattered documents.

  “I know. Just a little longer. Maybe that was their final ‘gift.’ Something sweet and insane all at the same time.”

  “Maybe. But I doubt it.”

  Micki hung up and stood. She’d decided to let Savannah deal with it on her own, not wanting to insert herself where she wasn’t wanted. But she was beginning to feel as if she had to do something. Sitting around waiting for someone to make a move, a potentially dangerous one, wasn’t in Micki’s blood. If Savannah was too obstinate to realize she needed help, then that wasn’t Micki’s problem. If something happened to her or her daughter, then that certainly was Micki’s problem. And it wasn’t something she was about to let happen.

  * * *

  From below her balcony, Savannah heard the crunching of gravel. She immediately went to her bedroom window, separating the blinds with her index finger just enough to see through the sliver of darkness. She squinted for a better view and could just make out something outside. There was a car parked underneath a tree across the street, obscured by the neighbor’s stockade fence. Savannah saw the light of a phone turn on for the briefest of seconds, and then the car was again in blackness.

  She checked on Eliana for the fourth or fifth time, and thankfully, nothing had changed. She was sound asleep in her bed, the steady hum of the ceiling fan providing the only background noise. The snow globe weighed heavily on Savannah’s mind. She racked her brain to remember who in her past knew that story. She supposed she’d shared it with those she had grown close to over the years, but she could remember no specifics. That’s what you get for opening up to people.

  She went back to her bedroom window and saw that the car was still parked in the same spot. She couldn’t make out any details such as make or model, but she strained her eyes just the same. Her eyes widened as the motion light at the neighbor’s house went on and off in brief succession as someone inside let their cat in. The quick illumination didn’t show much, but it did show the outline of a 90s-era Crown Victoria.

  Savannah gasped. Fire filled her as she bounded down the stairs and threw her front door open. As she stormed across the street, her bare feet didn’t even register the cold of the asphalt or the pebbles that pierced her skin. She could almost hear the Wicked Witch’s theme song accompanying her fervor. She made her to way to the window of the car and banged on it furiously.

  Micki’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped as she opened the car door. She stepped out furtively, holding both of her hands up in an act of submission.

  “Savannah, I—”

  She was interrupted by the crack of Savannah’s palm slamming into the side of her face, causing her to stumble backward. Her hand went to her lip, which was now coated with red.

  “You think this is funny?” Savannah screamed at her, hysterical with rage. “How could you do this? I’ll have you removed from the force before the blood on your mouth dries! Why are you doing this to me?” she yelled, bringing her hand up again for a second blow.

  Micki regained herself quickly, stilling Savannah’s hand with a firm grip. “Hey, whoa! It’s not me, Savannah! I’m only trying to—”

  “Okay, you win, you fucking psychopath! You scared the hell out of me! You reduced me to—”

  “Savannah!” Micki yelled and looked around as if she was wondering if the neighbors were going to start streaming out of their houses to investigate the commotion. “Chloe told me.”

  Savannah stopped short. She stared at Micki for a moment. She closed her eyes, trying to regain control.

  Micki spoke fast. “I was watching the house. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I figured if someone was going to do something or leave something at your house, it would be in the middle of the night. She told me that you didn’t want to involve the police—”

  “I didn’t want to involve you.”

  Micki ignored her. “So, I took it upon myself to see if I could figure this out. I don’t want you or Eliana to feel threatened. I was trying to catch whoever is doing this in the act. Please, Savannah, I really am sorry. I’m only trying to help, I promise.”

  The anger began to filter away slowly as Savannah let out a long-held breath. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her.”

  “Don’t be mad at Chloe. She was just worried about you. Really worried.” Micki swiped at her lip again, smearing th
e fresh droplets of blood. “And I think she’s right to be. This could be serious.”

  Micki placed a hand on Savannah’s arm until Savannah looked pointedly at it. Micki snatched it away. “Has there been anything else? I know about the little gifts and the jack-in-the-box and about the snow globe that was left today.”

  Savannah hesitated, but the cat was out of the bag, so to speak. There wasn’t much point in staying quiet now. “Yes. A letter was left at my front door.”

  “When?” Micki asked.

  “Last night. I don’t know, maybe seven.”

  “Okay, now that you know I am involved, I really need to talk to you. I know it’s the middle of the night, but I’d like to see the note, and I’d like to ask you some questions while the answers are still fresh in your mind.” Micki shifted her weight at Savannah’s non-response. “Um, please?”

  Savannah gave a half-hearted shrug and started back to her house. Her large gray colonial was bathed in darkness except for a soft light coming from her bedroom window. At least Eliana had slept through the drama.

  A reluctant wave of relief swept through Savannah. She hadn’t asked for help because she hadn’t wanted it. Or so she had told herself. But now, with Micki following behind her, maybe there was a small part of her that didn’t want to go through this alone. For the first time since all of this had started, Savannah felt a shred of that suffocating isolation begin to dissipate.

  She opened the door slowly, mindful of Eliana sleeping upstairs. It had been a while since they’d had company other than one of Eliana’s school friends over for a playdate. She breathed deeply while Micki closed the door behind them.

  Chapter Eight

  “Wipe your feet,” Savannah commanded, not even bothering to look back.

  Rolling her eyes, Micki sheepishly scuffed her boots on the rubber mat, kicking off nonexistent dirt. She followed Savannah into her study where she took a seat on the plush leather love seat. Micki tried not to marvel at the perfected interior design and cleanliness of a house inhabited by a seven-year-old. It was pretty much exactly as she’d imagined Savannah’s house would look. Micki wondered if there was a playroom somewhere that had crayon-covered walls and puzzle pieces littering the floor. Doubtful. She felt a quick dose of shame for the state of her own bedroom. She sank right into the sofa and leaned back.

  Savannah cocked an eyebrow. Micki sensed Savannah’s surprise at her apparent comfort level, which was, in reality, zero. She crossed and uncrossed her legs. She cleared her throat.

  “So, when did this start, exactly?” she asked, taking her pad and pen out of her back pocket.

  Savannah sighed audibly and went over to her mahogany bar. She poured two glasses of gin and handed one to Micki. “Before I answer any of your questions, what qualifies you to investigate this?” she asked, air-quoting the word “investigate.”

  Micki couldn’t help her amusement. “I am the deputy chief of the Winter Valley Police Department.” Duh.

  Savannah scoffed. “Oh, you mean over the two patrolmen that you consider to be your employees? One of whom must be nearing ninety and the other who recently graduated high school? Have the three of you been setting Havahart traps for squirrels outside Cuppa Joe’s?”

  Micki’s cheeks flushed with anger. “You know what? If you don’t think I’m qualified, then fine. I’ll step aside, and you can find someone else to deal with your bullshit.” She stood up and put the untouched glass of gin on the coffee table.

  “Two weeks ago.”

  “What?” She stopped and turned before she was out of the room.

  “It started two weeks ago.”

  Micki watched as Savannah picked at a tiny thread on the side of her ottoman. She sighed and sat back down. “And what items were left for you?”

  Savannah downed a good amount of gin. “Please, Chief Blake, my assistant must have filled you in on the gory details. No need to make me repeat them.”

  “Again, Savannah, she was just looking out for you. And I’d still like your perception of the things left for you. Can I see the letter?”

  Huffing again, Savannah retrieved the letter from her desk and thrust it at Micki.

  Annoyed by her frustration, Micki snapped at her. “Look, I’m sorry you’re so put out by me asking questions, but your cooperation would really be appreciated. I’m just trying to do my job.”

  “Thank you so much for actually earning your salary,” Savannah spat, her eyes flashing. She paused, seeming to have realized that she’d crossed a line. She put up a hand in surrender. “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated.”

  Micki opened her mouth to reply and promptly closed it. She rubbed the back of her neck and opened the envelope. She sat quietly for a moment before changing her tone completely.

  “This is serious, Savannah.”

  “I’m aware of that, Chief Blake.”

  “I’ve never seen someone escalate this quickly. First it was a few trinkets, then flowers, then that fucked-up jack-in-the-box, to now…spying on you in your home? That usually takes a few months, not days.”

  “I’ve always been an overachiever,” Savannah said, downing the rest of her drink.

  “Who might have a problem with you?”

  Savannah laughed, running a hand through her hair. “I’m not sure there’s enough time left before breakfast.”

  “Come on, I’m serious. Let’s talk about David.”

  Savannah bristled. “It’s not David.”

  “Okay,” Micki said, smiling tight-lipped. It was like pulling teeth. “I still need to ask about him. How did your relationship end? Amicably? Was it one-sided?”

  “Yes, it was amicable enough. I told him that I didn’t see any real future for us, so it would be better if we went our separate ways. He disagreed, but I was firm in my decision.”

  “Was he upset?”

  “I suppose he was.”

  “Did he ever lash out?”

  Savannah flung herself backward dramatically into her high-backed chair. “No, Micki, he didn’t. He called a few times, and that was that.”

  “Why are you so sure it isn’t him?”

  “He isn’t the type. He’s mellow. Placid.”

  Micki scribbled furiously. She wasn’t certain that David should be ruled out just yet.

  “Did he ever do anything that made you feel like he was dangerous? Or to suggest that he was having a hard time letting go?”

  “Not particularly, no.”

  Savannah stood up to refill her glass. Micki couldn’t help but notice her bare legs beneath the short robe she was wearing. She shook her head to clear away feeling like a creepy lecher. This was business, and her focus needed to remain on that.

  “Who else?”

  “Your dear friend Rebecca has always disliked me. I’m sure she wasn’t pleased with the professional nutrition guidelines that were sent over to the elementary school.”

  “What? She watches Eliana for you every day after school!”

  “I didn’t say she disliked Eliana. She dislikes me. I can put aside my differences for the good of my child. Rebecca is a very competent provider, and she treats Eliana well. That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want to rattle me.”

  “Come on, Savannah, it’s not Rebecca.”

  “Oh? How can you be so certain?” Savannah asked innocently, raising her eyebrows.

  Micki smiled. “You know what? You’re right. I’ll look into Rebecca. In fact, I’ll move her to the top of my list.”

  “Um…” Savannah tapped her finger to her chin repeatedly. “There’s also…you.”

  Micki looked up quickly from her notebook, a mix of shock and hurt colliding in her chest. “Me? Savannah, I don’t dislike you. I mean, you’re a bitch to me more often than not, and you’ve tried to run me out of town and take my position away from me and poison the entire town against me, but dislike is a strong word.”

  Savannah smirked. “I think you’ve just uncovered motive.”

  Micki shook her head. “I
don’t like some of the things you’ve done, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like you. From what I’ve heard, you’re an excellent mother, I know you run the town like a well-oiled machine, and when you’re not actively being mean to me, you’re sort of tolerable,” Micki said, reflecting on the few times they’d interacted like actual human beings. They were far and few between, but there had been a couple of occasions. Maybe. “I think we need to focus mostly on romantic entanglements, based on the nature of the gifts. That includes people who have taken an interest in you or asked you out, and you declined. And obviously past and present relationships.”

  Savannah softened, though Micki could almost see her chastising herself for doing so. She cleared her throat. She didn’t bother to thank Micki for damning her with faint praise. “There are no present relationships. My former assistant Jamie didn’t leave on the best of terms. I had to fire him. He was becoming…inappropriate with me. But as far as I know, he moved out of state.”

  “Okay, that’s a good lead. What happened?”

  “He was an excellent assistant, really. Right on top of things. He bought me a gift under the pretense of office décor, which I absolutely loved. It’s the mirror you see hanging in my lobby. In hindsight, I never should have accepted it. He’d make comments here and there that could have been misconstrued, but I chose to overlook them in favor of his skill. That was my mistake and one I won’t make again. I should have cut the cord immediately.”

  “Has he reached out to you at all since his termination?”

  “He’s emailed a few times. A few of them were apologies; a few of them were looking for employer recommendations. I ignored them all.”

  “This is good. I want to look into him. Any other relationships to speak of?”

  Savannah looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. “Only one, really. But I can’t imagine her mustering up the motivation or having the patience for any kind of long game. Patience was never her strong suit.”

  Micki’s head snapped up. “Her?”