by Jan Washburn
Go on, said Diaz.
Leif hoped the detective was buying his theory. It took me a while to put the pieces together. The guy with the money had to be Timmons. He was trying to find the car, but he couldn’t ask the questions himself because Tracy would recognize him. Once Timmons found out that the car was in the repair shop, he took the next step. There was an attempted break-in at the shop, but the alarms scared the burglar away. When I put all the pieces together, I got Tracy’s consent to search her car.
Diaz snorted. Well, consent or not, you have grounds to get a warrant and take Miss Dixon into custody.
Hold on, Diaz, Leif argued. Think about it. You can’t announce to the world that the jewelry has been recovered. That will blow any chance we have to catch Timmons. As long as he doesn’t know we’ve already found it, he’s going to keep trying to retrieve it. If I arrest Tracy, he’ll know the party is over. He’ll drop quietly off the face of the earth. No one will see or hear from him again. Even if Tracy is involved, she’s small fry. We’ve got to nail the big fish.
But if you leave her on the loose, she can get word to Timmons—head him off. He’ll disappear and let her take the rap alone.
We’ve got to take that chance, Leif argued. It’s the only way to trap him.
All right, Ericson. You’re making sense. We’ll do it your way. I’ll send an officer for the jewelry, but we’ll keep it out of the news. But if your scheme doesn’t net the big fish, I’m coming after your lady friend.
****
Tracy stared at the sandwich on her plate, but her stomach protested. She couldn’t make herself swallow a bite. Leif was coming and she knew he didn’t believe her. She tried to imagine what it would be like to be locked in a cell.
Thor chased a ball around the kitchen, his big feet slipping and sliding on the tiles, but she couldn’t even smile at his antics. She hoped that Leif could see through Keith’s rumors about her dishonesty, but once again a man had let her down. The new life she was trying to build was crumbling around her.
Leif had to believe she was guilty with that incriminating evidence staring him in the face. She had no way to prove that she had never laid eyes on that jewelry.
She froze as she heard his knock. It took all her will power to get up and open the door to Leif. Come in, she managed.
His face was still set in that impassive expression—his mouth a grim straight line. It looked as though his features had been chiseled out of solid rock. Silently she waved him to a chair. Would he use handcuffs to arrest her or let her surrender peacefully?
He sat down in the living room as though this were a social call. Tracy, I’m going to need your help.
My help? His words were so unexpected, she could barely speak.
I believe that you did not know that jewelry was stashed in your car. That means Timmons hid it there and now he’s trying to get it back.
Tracy was torn between elation that Leif believed her and confusion about the situation. But why…why would he put it in my car?
Can you think of a better place?
She could see Leif’s logic. Her car had been parked in a convenient location for Timmons. If the police found the jewelry, she would be the goat.
But how? she puzzled. I mean, there’s an attendant at the parking lot gate all the time.
Any smart crook could have found a way in. Maybe there was a new attendant on duty. Maybe he followed another tenant through the gate, acting as though they were together. It doesn’t matter.
But the security cameras? She always thought the cameras were all the protection anyone needed.
Timmons was no dummy. He broke into your car on the side away from the cameras. With an old car like yours, he timed the sweep of the cameras and popped the locks in seconds.
So how did he find me here in Allerton?
Did you warn your roommate not to tell anyone where you were going?
Tracy bristled. No, of course not. I knew the police would call, and I wanted them to know I wasn’t trying to run away.
And Timmons knew your phone number?
Tracy hesitated. Did she give Rick her number? She nodded slowly. Yes, I gave it to him that night—the night of the party.
So when Timmons realized your car was gone, he made a quick phone call to your roommate and found out you were in Allerton. But when he arrived here, he discovered another problem. The Ford was still missing.
Instantly Tracy knew what Leif was thinking. So he broke into my house. And when he didn’t find the jewelry, he sent that weird man to find out where my car was.
Leif nodded solemnly. Right. And Timmons isn’t going to rest until he gets his hands on that jewelry.
She felt ice water trickle down her spine. You mean he’s going to keep trying to break into my car.
That’s what we’re dealing with, Leif said flatly. His voice contained no more emotion than if they were discussing the weather. It’s our best chance to catch him. He might lie low for a while after failing to get into Henry’s garage, or he might try again any time.
But what can we do? She wanted to fight back, but they were playing hide and seek with a phantom.
We’ll have to keep the car under surveillance. I’m going to have my men patrolling past your house as much as possible. And I’ll tip off the security guard at the Landing to be on alert when you’re at work. But most of the burden of keeping watch is going to fall on you.
Tracy tried to imagine how to live a normal life while she kept one eye on her car 24/7. I wish the Ford had an alarm system.
Keep the car locked at all times. It won’t stop Timmons from getting in, but it may slow him down enough to give us a chance to get him.
She nodded.
Now this is important. I don’t want you to put yourself in any danger. Don’t try to confront him. If you see someone hanging around your car, call me. Day or night. I don’t care if it turns out to be a false alarm. I want to nail this guy.
Oh, Leif, so do I. Timmons had caused her enough grief to last a lifetime. I’ll do everything I can.
I’ve put several pieces of tape against the seat cushion so we can tell if it has been moved. Leif stood up, his expression still stern and solemn. There’s just one last thing. If Timmons manages to get into your car without being seen and finds out his loot is gone, I will have to take you into custody for your own protection. He’ll assume you have found the jewelry, and then he’ll come after you.
Long after Leif left, she stood staring out the window. She felt trapped in a never-ending nightmare.
****
The handbell rehearsal was going beautifully. Tracy found joy in focusing on something besides her car. She had parked in the most visible space in the church parking lot. A church member would be bound to notice if someone tampered with the old Ford.
Her ringers now played Amazing Grace like pros. Of course, it was an easy arrangement, but they were also making progress on another easy song, Rock of Ages. Maybe they were ready to try something more difficult. The arrangement of In My Heart There Rings A Melody called for the use of mallets. Maybe her ringers were ready to juggle mallets along with their bells.
She gazed around at her faithful crew. They all loved music, and she felt that they loved her too, with a couple of notable exceptions. Sheila Dunn despised her, but at least she attended practices faithfully and did her best to learn.
But Tracy’s spirits sank as she glanced at Leif. This wasn’t the man who held her while she cried outside her brother’s hospital room. This wasn’t the man who gave her that melting kiss on her birthday. He said he believed in her innocence, but his actions out-shouted his words. Ever since the night he pulled Ronda Starr’s jewelry out of her car, he wore a mask, concealing his emotions. Like Sheila, he never missed a rehearsal, but he concentrated on his bells, rarely speaking, avoiding meeting her eyes. An unbiased observer would think they were total strangers.
She blinked away a tear and lifted her chin. Let him disguise himself as a stone w
all. She would not let another man hurt her. She would carry on as though Leif Ericson was the least important thing in her life.
There’s no worship choir rehearsal tonight, she reminded her ringers, so we can take a few extra minutes. Let’s run through ‘Amazing Grace’ one more time.
As they rang the last chord, she heard a round of applause coming from the hall outside the bell room. Rev. Jim strolled in, his face beaming. That sounded great, he enthused. I love it. Are you ready to play for the congregation?
Tracy turned to the group. Most of them nodded enthusiastically, but several of them looked a little panicky. Give us one more week, Tracy decided.
Good enough. You’re on the program for a week from Sunday.
Can everyone be here then? Tracy asked. If someone is missing, we’ve got a problem.
They all assured her they would be there for the service. It cheered her to hear them chatting and laughing as they polished their bells and put them away in the proper cases.
Tracy caught sight of Mark and Luke in the hall waiting for Leif. She waved to the boys and they rewarded her with their shy smiles. We’re just about finished, she called.
And then the babble was interrupted by a scream. The room fell silent as everyone stared at Sheila. My ring, she gasped. My opal ring is gone.
Gone! Tracy echoed. It must be right here somewhere. Did you accidentally pull it off when you took off your gloves?
Sheila checked the area around her while the others began a search of the tables and the floor.
Are you sure you had it on when you came in? Maggie spoke up. When do you remember seeing it last?
Sheila teetered on the verge of tears. I took it off in the restroom when I washed my hands. And then she turned an accusing eye on Tracy. You were the only other person there. And you were still in the restroom when I left.
Tracy’s cheeks burst into flame. Not again. Round up the usual suspects.
Sheila, she said firmly. I did not see your ring. I did not touch your ring. It’s probably right where you left it.
Maggie leaped to her defense. A couple of you come with me. We’ll check the restroom. Three ringers joined Maggie as she stormed out the door.
While the others kept searching on their hands and knees, Sheila stood, arms folded, glaring at Tracy. Tracy glanced at Leif. Like the others he was hunting for the ring, probing through the bell cases, his face impassive. If he really believed she was innocent of the jewelry theft, this would change his opinion in a hurry.
Maggie looked dejected when the search party returned. No luck. We went through the whole place. We even emptied the waste paper basket.
Tracy’s hopes went into a downward spiral. She was sure Maggie would return in triumph.
But Maggie still pleaded her case. No one here is a thief, Sheila. I’m sure you’ll find it.
I wouldn’t count on it, Sheila snapped. Leif, aren’t you going to do something?
Tracy held her breath, waiting for his answer.
I am doing something, he said quietly. I’m looking for it.
With a snort, Sheila stamped out of the room. One by one the other ringers gave up the search. They murmured words of sympathy and patted Tracy’s shoulder as they left. Maggie gave her a fervent hug. The ring will turn up, she insisted.
Leif was the last to leave. He paused and for a long moment, gazed into her eyes. His face was unreadable.
Had he reached his verdict—guilty as charged?
He put his hand on her shoulder and let it rest there a moment.
Don’t let Sheila get you down. She has her own agenda.
Did she hear sympathy in his voice? But she stood there feeling helpless as he too left the room. How could you regain your good name when everything and everyone seemed to be conspiring against you?
She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer. Dear Lord, you know my heart. That should be enough for me. I shouldn’t care what others think, but it hurts to know people believe I am a thief. Your word says, ‘A good name is more desirable than great riches.’ Please help me find a way to prove to the world that I am innocent.
More than Great Riches
CHAPTER XIII
Leif forced himself to walk out the door. Mark and Luke stood waiting for him in the hall, passing the time with a game of scissors, rock, paper. Let’s go, guys. He rounded up the boys and herded them out to the SUV. But instead of starting the engine, he sat motionless, watching Tracy’s car.
If Timmons was following her, learning her schedule, he would know that on most Wednesday evenings she was tied up for almost three hours with handbell and worship choir rehearsals. That timetable would give Timmons plenty of time to schedule a treasure hunt in Tracy’s car.
But she had been smart enough to park in a prominent spot. Anyone coming or going from the church passed her old Ford, and it was clearly visible to anyone driving around the village green.
It was getting more and more difficult to pretend that he and Tracy were mere acquaintances. Tonight Sheila deliberately plunged a knife into Tracy’s heart. Leaving Tracy alone in the bell room was the hardest thing he’d done all day. When he saw that wounded look in her eyes, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss away the hurt.
It had been a serious mistake to kiss her on her birthday. He relived that moment too many times, waiting for a chance to hold her in his arms again.
But he needed to keep up the act. No one would believe in her innocence if they thought he was personally involved with her. Diaz already hinted that he was too soft on Tracy. And too many people were quick to swallow the rumors about her. They would immediately assume the worst—that she played up to him so that he would cover up for her crimes.
As though it wasn’t enough for Tracy to be implicated in the theft of Ronda Starr’s jewelry, Sheila heaped more coals on her head. Apparently Sheila would do anything and everything to drive Tracy out of the church, or better yet, out of Allerton.
He spotted Tracy coming out of the building. Her face was tense with worry as she surveyed the parking lot. When she caught sight of his SUV, she gave him a hesitant wave. He knew his strange behavior had her confused. He returned a salute and then waited until she drove out onto the street.
He turned to the boys in the back seat. OK, guys, buckle up. We’re off. He followed Tracy out of the parking lot. What he really wanted to do was to follow her all the way home, but he fought the temptation.
He forced his attention back to Mark and Luke. How did your choir rehearsal go tonight?
I got to sing a solo, Luke announced proudly.
All right! Leif cheered. A star is born.
Uncle Leif, Mark called, did Miss Dunn say her ring was lost?
Leif swallowed a groan. Yes, she misplaced it. We all looked for it, but no luck.
Mark hesitated. I think I saw her put it in her musicfolder. Leif slammed on the brakes. You what?
When Luke and me were looking in the door, she was taking off her gloves. I could tell by the way she twisted and pulled on her finger that she was taking a ring off too inside her glove. And then she put the gloves in her folder.
Mark wouldn’t deliberately lie, but he could be mistaken. Are you sure of that, Mark? You’re not just saying that because you like Miss Dixon?
No, sir, Mark insisted. I watched Miss Dunn because she was acting so funny.
Leif swung a fast U-turn and raced back toward the church. If Rev. Jim was still there, the doors would be unlocked.
The tires squealed as he brought the SUV to a halt by the back door. The pastor’s car was still in the parking lot. Boys, don’t move. I’ll be right back.
Leif dived out of the car. He almost broke into a run as he raced through the door and down the hall to the handbell room. The ringers’ folders were all neatly arranged in order on the shelf. Tracy had put a label on the inside cover of each folder with the ringer’s name. Fumbling in his haste, Leif finally located Sheila’s folder.
Each folder contained a plastic p
ocket where the ringers stored their gloves and their pencils. Carefully Leif groped inside the pocket. As his fingers closed around Sheila’s gloves, he felt the hard lump inside. He pulled the gloves out and shook the contents onto the bell table. There it was—Sheila’s opal, glowing with iridescence.
Furious, he snatched up the ring and shoved it in his pocket. If Allerton were old Salem, the townspeople would have burned Tracy at the stake by now. He should report the incident to the pastor, but first he was going to set things right.