I left work at 3:30 and decided to swing by the appliance store where I thought Jason Lewis worked. My elbow was still achy from my near run-in with death earlier. But I was happy to be alive.
I stepped inside the store and avoided the gazes of several salesmen who looked my way. I tried to find the man I’d seen in the fishing picture with Travis. Finally, I spotted someone who fit the bill. He just happened to be alone, not helping any customers. That was good news.
He smiled as I approached. “Welcome to Appliance Max, where you’ll get the maximum value for a minimum price.”
He was skinny—gawky almost—with dark hair and a goatee that needed to be trimmed. His dark hair only made his complexion look paler than it needed to be, and the ghastly lime-green polo shirt he wore didn’t do anything to help.
“How can I help you?”
I offered my most winning grin. “I’m looking for a fridge—”
Before I could finish my sentence, recognition spread across his face—not good recognition, but angry, fearful recognition. “I’ve seen you before.”
Well, that was a start.
“Have you?” I said, keeping my voice even.
He nodded and took a step back, his expression darkening and his gaze skittering. “What are you doing here?”
“Why do you look scared?” I asked.
He glanced around again, as if cops had surrounded the place. “Because I know who you are.”
“Who am I?” I was confused now. He wasn’t making any sense in word or deed.
His beady eyes met mine. “You’re the girl Travis picked.”
Okay, this was getting stranger by the moment.
“I’m glad you brought that up. I need to know why he picked me as an online date. He obviously wasn’t looking for his soulmate.”
“He found himself in a pickle.” He leaned against a stainless steel refrigerator and crossed his arms.
“Because he was stealing jewelry?”
His gaze clouded even more. “Well, it started as that.”
I needed more information, and I needed it faster. “Jason, I really need to know what you know. Someone is trying to kill me. Please.”
He glanced around before swallowing hard. “He started stealing jewelry to get some extra money around six months ago. I don’t know what happened, but about three weeks ago, Travis changed. Something had gotten under his skin in a bad way, and he thought he might die.”
Now we were getting somewhere. “He didn’t say why or what happened?”
“No, he wouldn’t tell me. But he read that article about you in the paper.”
“The one about the crime ring I helped to bust a few months ago?”
He nodded. “That’s the one. Anyway, Travis did a search for you online and found your profile on that winkable.com site. He decided to approach you there. It was like a God-given opportunity.”
“Approach me about what?”
Jason shrugged. “Whatever was bothering him. He said you could help.”
So those texts he’d sent right before he died weren’t intended for someone else. They were intended for me.
Interesting.
“Don’t get me wrong—he thought you were gorgeous,” Jason continued. “That’s why he sent those photos to his parents. They’d been wanting him to settle down with a nice girl, and you fit the bill. Bing bang boom.”
“Glad I could help with that,” I said with an edge of sarcasm.
I’d never even met Travis, and he’d gotten me into a world of trouble. Thanks a lot.
“He was anxious to meet with you Saturday. He was hoping to have a chance to tell you something.”
I was trying to follow this. I really was. But there was one thing that didn’t make sense. “Why not tell the police?”
“Because they would have arrested him on the spot when they heard about the jewelry theft. You might have been able to actually help him without getting him into more trouble.”
“Okay . . .” I wasn’t sure if I was buying this or not. “You’re certain you have no idea what else was going on?”
He glanced around again, that nervous look returning to his gaze. “He said he couldn’t tell me. That it could get me killed. He told me I should go out of town also.”
I shivered. “But now you’re back?”
“I am. But I’m keeping my eyes wide open.”
I let out a sigh and thought about what I should ask next. This was already a lot to comprehend. “Do you know anything about a key?”
“A key?” He looked clueless.
“Was there anywhere Travis liked to hang out where a mystery key might unlock something?”
“If Travis had a storage unit or cabin or anything else, he didn’t tell me, if that’s what you’re asking.”
That was exactly what I was asking.
“One more question and I’ll go. Do you know anything about an argument Travis had with someone named Raul Williams?”
“The name sounds familiar, but, no, I can’t say I do. I will tell you this: Travis was always getting caught in his lies. There’s no telling what kind of trouble he got himself into. I’m kind of glad I don’t know. And I plan on leaving town as soon as I can, just in case. Now, I need to get back to work. A possible commission just walked in.”
He started toward a young couple that screamed newlyweds with their dreamy expressions and joined-at-the-hip demeanor.
I left a few minutes later. As soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk, someone grabbed my arm.
“We need to talk,” he muttered.
I gasped when I recognized Raul Williams.
Chapter Twenty-One
Before I could react, Raul pulled me into the alcove of an old dress shop plastered with “For Lease” signs.
Panic raced through me. Everything happened at breakneck speed.
“What do you want with my brother?” he growled.
My eyes widened at his unexpected question. “What do you mean?”
His scowl deepened. “I went to Travis Hooker’s memorial luncheon, and there were pictures of the two of you everywhere. Then my brother starts dating you a day later. What’s going on?”
“It’s a long story.” I tried to take a step back, but I couldn’t. The building was right behind me, and anyone walking past would probably think we were two lovers having a moment. Raul’s broad shoulders blocked me from the crowd.
“I have time.”
“Why don’t you ask Drew?”
“I’m asking you.” His teeth barely moved, only his lips. He was one scary guy.
“I never even met Travis,” I blurted. “He made up the story that we were dating. Okay? Are you happy now?”
He studied my face. “I don’t trust you.”
I stared back, a burst of courage coming to life inside me. “I don’t trust you either. I know you were seen arguing with Travis last week. Maybe you’re the one who should explain himself.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t owe anyone an explanation.”
“Nor do I, then. And I don’t appreciate you tracking me down here and threatening me.”
“I’m not threatening.”
I raised my chin. “Then what are you doing?”
“I’m questioning.”
“By cornering me? By trapping me?”
“You’re free to go whenever you want.” He scooted back, but only by a half a step.
So I stepped toward him half a step. “What are you hiding, Raul? Are you somehow trying to ruin your brother’s business because you’re bitter he took over instead of you?”
He sucked in a quick breath and released it just as quickly. “I would never do that.”
“Well, you’re obviously hiding something. In fact, maybe you’re the one who’s been following me. Who tried to run me down earlier. Who keeps sending me threatening texts, and who broke into my home.”
He ran a hand over his face and his shoulders slumped. “Someone did that to you?”
“Yeah,
someone did all that to me.” I’d finally gotten through to him. Thank goodness.
“It wasn’t me. And I didn’t kill Travis. I discovered what he was doing with the jewelry, and I told him he needed to come clean or I was going to take everything I knew to the police.”
Maybe I was making some progress here. Finally. “How did he react to that?”
“Not well. He begged me to give him some time. He said he had some things he needed to clear up and then he’d fess up.”
“And you agreed?”
Raul shrugged. “I gave him a week. He died five days later.”
I climbed into my car to collect myself. Though the conversation with Raul had ended without drama, I was still reeling from his confrontation.
He’d claimed he’d come to see me at the office, but I’d left just as he was arriving. Instead, he’d followed me to Appliance Max and waited for me outside.
I still didn’t have a good feel for the man. While I’d never felt my life had been directly in danger, his actions had been aggressive.
Was he somehow involved in this? Was he feeling me out to see what I knew?
I had no idea.
As Ella Fitzgerald crooned through my speakers, my phone rang. It was Ralph, and I assumed he was calling about work.
“I just ran into Chase,” he said instead.
Something about the way he said the words made tension stretch across my shoulders. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to have permanently knotted muscles from all the stress I’d been under lately.
Ralph wasn’t mentioning this casually. Not by a long shot.
“Did you? Where?”
“We both like the same bagel shop in Clifton,” Ralph said. “But that’s not why I’m calling. Chase mentioned something about a new roommate you had.”
I closed my eyes and rubbed my neck. I knew where this conversation was going—a place I didn’t wanted to venture into. Not right now. “Did he?”
“Stop responding with questions, Holly. He said she was your cousin. It took me a minute to realize what—or should I say who—he was talking about. You’re letting Blake stay with you, aren’t you?”
I didn’t say anything, which was an answer within itself.
“Have you lost your mind?” His voice rose with exasperation.
Quite possibly. I didn’t say that either. Instead, I said, “I was just trying to help her out.”
“Letting a stranger stay with you isn’t a good idea.”
“It’s no different than having a roommate. You and Alex already had all the background checks done on her, just like I would a roommate. It’s all good.”
He didn’t say anything, but I knew he was fuming and trying to choose his words. “I don’t like this, Holly. Having this woman stay with you is different. She’s someone who’s claiming to be related. If she’s not telling the truth, then she’s probably only come into our lives because she wants something, and who knows what that is.”
Was my brother always so suspicious? I didn’t think so. But he sounded awfully paranoid now. “I appreciate your concern, but I can assure you I’m being cautious.”
Another moment of silence stretched as Ralph unleashed his big brother protectiveness. “Chase also said someone broke into your house the other night.”
I leaned my head back against the seat. “Well, isn’t he just a little tattletale.”
My words were supposed to be humorous, but Ralph obviously didn’t take them that way.
“He assumed I knew.” It sounded like Ralph had said the words through gritted teeth.
It took a lot to get my diplomatic, even-keeled brother this fired up. I’d somehow achieved that. As a little sister, I had a knack for doing that.
“He assumed wrong,” I said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’ve got the situation under control.” Even as I said the words, I realized the fallacy of them. Did I ever have things totally under control? No.
“You obviously don’t,” Ralph pointed out.
Okay, so even though I knew that, he didn’t have to remind me. I was quickly growing weary of this conversation. “Ralph, what’s your point? Why are you calling?”
“You need to get this woman to move out before it turns ugly. There have been some weird legal cases where tenants claim ownership of property, and the court has ruled in their favor. They’re nearly impossible to evict and can make the owners’ lives miserable.”
“I think you’re overreacting.” Which was so unlike him. Which made me think that I should possibly consider his words.
“Holly . . . please. For once in your life, listen to your older brother.”
A new heaviness settled on my chest. “I’m not making any promises. But I’ll think about it.”
“Please do that. And quickly.”
I got back to work and, out of curiosity, hopped on my computer. I searched for any news articles concerning Travis’s death. There were several, but none shed any light on the investigation.
Finally, I found some photos that had been posted by bystanders who were there that evening. I began scrolling through them, examining the people there.
I stopped at one and squinted.
That couldn’t be right . . . could it?
I enlarged the photo so I could see it better.
Sure enough, there was Jason Lewis in the crowd.
He hadn’t been in Wisconsin after all.
I bit down, chewing on that thought. The only reason he’d lie would be if he was hiding something.
Before I could call Chase about it, my phone rang.
It was my mom. She must be back from Florida finally. I knew I had to take the call because we had a lot to talk about.
I pushed the thoughts of Jason aside as I answered, “Hey, Mom. Welcome home.”
We chitchatted a few minutes. Inevitably, the subject of Blake came up.
“What do you think of this young lady?” Mom asked. “Did you like her? What sense about her did you get?”
I chose my words wisely. I tried to, at least. “She seems to be a bit of a partier. She said she has a good family life. Her dad’s a farmer.”
“That’s good to know.”
“But, Mom, I’m still trying to figure out how she found us. Did you post an ad on an online forum on adoption?”
Silence stretched for a minute. “I did. I posted a message on this online group with details of your father’s birth. I was hoping to connect with his birth family.”
“I’m not going to lie—I’m surprised. Why would you do that? It seems unlike you.”
“I don’t know.” Her voice cracked. “I just thought it could be one last gift to give your father.”
I wasn’t sure, but it almost sounded like she was crying.
I knew she was trying to move on. She’d even started dating someone. But maybe she missed Dad more than she’d let on.
Wasn’t that what we were all doing? Trying to move on while still honoring the memories of those who’d passed away? The balancing act could be difficult.
“Did you get any responses?” I asked.
“No, I didn’t. I was just going to let it go.” She paused. “I would like to meet her.”
“I’ll see what I can arrange,” I said.
As I hung up, my thoughts continued to churn. I couldn’t just sit here, not when the answers were out there.
I wanted to go back to that pawnshop again. The man behind the counter had seen the people selling this jewelry. I felt certain he had more information than he’d let on.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jamie and I headed back to the pawnshop. The same man was working behind the counter. I could only assume he owned the place.
He sneered when he saw us. “You two again?”
“We really need information,” I started. “I need to know whom you bought that jewelry from. It’s important. My life is in danger,” I said, trying to appeal to the masculine, protective side that every man had
buried deep down inside . . . right?
“Don’t know. Gave me a fake driver’s license.”
I flinched. “Really?”
“That’s what I hear.” He scowled. “You happy now? One got by me. You know I lose money for stuff like this. The police come and confiscate it, and I’m the one who loses out.”
“Can I see that driver’s license?” I asked.
“The police took the copy of it,” he said.
“Can you describe this person then?” Jamie said.
“Not really.”
“Do you have security cameras?” I nodded toward the ones above me.
“They’re just there for show. They don’t work.”
Someone bustled from the office. My eyes widened when I recognized the woman with the beehive hairdo.
Gladys from the choir at Community Church.
“Holly?” Her mouth formed an O. “I never expected to see you here. You don’t strike me as the pawnshop type.”
“Nor do you,” I said.
She placed her hand on the man’s arm. “This is Frankie. He’s my son.”
She beamed up at her offspring, like he was her proudest accomplishment, even with his stained T-shirt and dirty teeth. A mother’s love knew no bounds.
“Frankie, are you giving these ladies a hard time?”
His shoulders sank, like that which could only happen under a mother’s scrutiny. “Of course not, Mom.”
“What brings the two of you in here?” she asked.
“We’re trying to figure out who brought some stolen jewelry here.”
“I hate to say it, but that happens all the time. We try to go through everything first and make sure things are on the up and up. But it’s easy for things to slip past.”
“This is really important, though,” I said. “You see, someone is trying to kill me, and I need to identify who it is before this person succeeds.”
She gasped and took a step back. “Oh, you poor dear. Why would anyone want to kill someone with a voice as angelic as yours?”
“That’s a great question. Apparently, I’ve made them mad.”
“Frankie, you can’t let someone try to kill her. Go get that video footage.”
His shoulders sank even further, as if he knew he was buried.
Random Acts of Fraud (Holly Anna Paladin Mysteries Book 5) Page 16