by Tim Myers
“April, may we have a pizza?”
“Gee, I haven’t heard that one before,” she said with a slight groan. “What can I get for you?”
“We’ll take a garb—a Heaven Scent pizza, please. Better make it a medium, Heather said she isn’t hungry.”
April said, “You know what? I feel like making a large. Hope you don’t mind. What you don’t eat you can take home for breakfast. Refill, Heather?”
She glanced up at the restaurateur, then back at her soda. “Sure, why not?”
“How about you? What are you drinking?” April asked me.
“I’ll have what she’s having.”
“Two Dr Peppers and a large Heaven Scent. Back in a shake.”
“You can stop it now,” Heather said as soon as April was out of sight.
“Stop what?”
‘Trying to cheer me up. I’m in no mood for it.”
I said, “Listen, I’m sorry about what happened to Aaron.” The last thing Heather wanted to hear were my suspicions about Aaron’s demise.
“It wasn’t an accident,” Heather said, her gaze on her glass and not on me.
I remembered what Markum had told me and wondered what had brought Heather to the same conclusion. “Why do you say that?”
“Aaron never threw his work on an electric wheel,” she said. “Somebody should tell the sheriff.”
“He already knows,” I said, “And he doesn’t believe it was foul play for a second. According to Morton, Aaron was experimenting. That’s why he never noticed the frayed cord, he wasn’t used to working on that wheel.”
“That is complete and utter nonsense,” Heather said. “You didn’t know Aaron all that well, but I can tell you, he was a fanatic when it came to keeping the equipment in his shop in good working order. I’d like to see that cord myself. How badly was it frayed?”
I admitted, “It was pretty bad. But who would want to kill him?”
“Do you mean besides me?” she asked sullenly.
“Come on, you can’t believe anyone would think you were a suspect.”
Heather started to say something, then stopped when April came up with our drinks. She noticed the truncated conversation, and for a change April dropped off the sodas and scampered away without comment.
“You were getting ready to say something,” I nudged her.
“It’s not important. Listen, thanks for trying, but I can’t do this.”
Before I could stop her, Heather was gone.
I thought about going after her, but when she was finally ready to talk, Heather knew where to find me.
A few minutes later April slid the large pizza in front of me. She said, “Please tell me Heather went to the little girls’ room.”
“She walked out on me,” I said.
“And you didn’t stop her?” The cutting tone of her voice raked into me.
“It wasn’t up to me. I did what I could.”
April studied me a second, then said, “I know it’s not your fault. That girl’s taking this hard.”
“She knows we’ll both listen when she’s ready to talk,” I said. “There’s not much else we can do.”
“That’s the truth. Well, enjoy.”
I looked at the pizza, wondering how in the world I was going to make even a dent in it when Erin walked up.
She smiled broadly. “Harrison, are you stalking me?”
“I was just going to ask you the same thing. I was here first, remember? Care to join me?”
“I don’t want to intrude. I’ll just sit with you until your guest comes back.”
I said, “Then you’re in for a wait. She just walked out on me.”
Erin asked, “What in the world did you say to her?”
“I offered to listen,” I said as I took a piece of pizza. “Help yourself.”
She took what should have been Heather’s plate and served herself a slice. “Thanks, I’m starving.”
April came over with another soda and grabbed Heather’s glass. “I see you’ve made a new friend,” she said to me.
We both nodded, then I said, “I started kayaking today. April, this is Erin Talbot.”
April looked at Erin and said, “You let him get started on the Gunpowder? You should have had him try the French Broad first. Now that’s a kayak ride.”
“So you two know each other,” I said as I took another bite.
“We’re in Micah’s Ridge, Harrison, not Charlotte. It’s tough not knowing everyone around town.”
To my surprise, Erin and I managed to polish off the pizza without any help. When April slipped the bill beside my plate, Erin said, “Let’s split that.”
“Are you kidding? This is the first date I’ve been on in six months. Don’t spoil it for me.”
Erin smiled, took a ten-dollar bill from her purse and slid it across the table. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but this wasn’t one either.”
“So where would you like to go on our first official date then?”
Erin laughed. “Thanks for asking and all, but no thanks.”
“Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying,” I said.
She got up, then said, “I’ll see you later, Harrison.”
“My next day off,” I promised.
“So you are stalking me,” she said.
“No, but I’ve got a thing for your kayak.”
“Let’s make sure it just stays at that.”
I said, “I can take the hint, Erin. You’ve already turned me down. If you change your mind and decide you want to go out with me, you’re going to have to do the asking yourself.”
“Don’t sit waiting by the phone,” she said.
“What is life without hope?” I said, adding a gentle grin.
“Good-bye, Harrison.” She smiled for just a second before she turned to go.
“‘Bye, Erin.”
I wasn’t sure who had been more surprised by my date invitation, Erin or me. There was something about her, some spark that I liked, that had made me ask, though I hadn’t been actively dating since my last breakup. Heather and I had started off with the potential for more, but we were sliding into friendship instead. At least we had been before Aaron Gaston’s death. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure where we were headed in the long run, since it had been my pattern to date women who had started off as strictly friends.
Erin hadn’t been all that pleased when I’d asked her out on a date. My ego wasn’t so huge that I couldn’t believe she wasn’t interested in me. I wasn’t sure, and I might have imagined it, but I thought I’d seen some interest in her eyes before I’d asked.
April collected my bill and said, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a man lose two women in thirty minutes over one pizza. You should write a book on what not to do with women, Harrison, you’d make a fortune.”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid what I know can’t be taught. It’s a gift you’re either born with or you’re not.”
April said, “Don’t beat yourself up over either one of them. Heather’s got a lot on her plate at the moment, and Erin’s trying to break free from a boatload of bad memories.”
“What do you know about her?” I asked, interested in her insight. April seemed to me to be a pretty good judge of character working behind that counter day in and day out.
“If she wants you to know, she’ll tell you herself. I wouldn’t give up on either one of them, Harrison, those are both jewels in the rough there.”
I smiled gently and asked, “Now I know how much the pizza is, but how much should I kick in for the advice?”
She snapped a dishtowel at me and said, “It’s a two-for-one special today. The advice is free, worth every penny it cost you.”
I nodded. “Thanks. I do appreciate it.”
“You’re most welcome, not that you’ll probably listen to a word of it.”
Outside, the sun had slipped away and the darkness was creeping in. The days were getting shorter, and when Daylight Savings Time kicked in soon enough, th
ere would be more night that daytime.
I’d had enough of people for the time being. All I wanted now was to slip quietly into my apartment and spend some time with Ms. MacLeod and my latest mystery.
It turned out that was one more wish I wouldn’t be getting that day.
Chapter 5
Gary Cragg was waiting at my door when I walked through the hall to my apartment.
“I didn’t stand you up, did I?” I asked, knowing full well we hadn’t scheduled a meeting, though getting together with the attorney had been on my list of things to do.
“No, but I need to speak with you.”
I unlocked my door. “Come on in.”
He hesitated outside my apartment, then said, “If you don’t mind, I’d rather do this in my office.”
It wasn’t much of a commute, since his office space was fifty steps from my apartment, but he’d come to see me. Then again, I wasn’t a huge fan of Cragg. Did I really want him inside my apartment? It was my refuge, after all.
“Your office it is,” I said as I stepped back out and locked my door.
I followed him down the hall and into his office. Cragg took his seat, and I noticed the client’s chair across from his desk was lower than a normal chair. It gave the attorney a perfect opportunity to loom over his visitors. The man was always looking for an angle.
“What’s so important that it interrupts my time off?” I asked, not even trying to be diplomatic. I knew running River’s Edge was a full-time job, but I didn’t have to like it.
“Sorry for the late hour, but this couldn’t wait.” Wow, an apology from a lawyer. I’d have to start keeping a diary just so I could write that one down. He continued, “I need to speak with you about Aaron Gaston’s estate.”
“He’s got an estate? His pottery shop must have done a lot better than my candlemaking business does.”
Cragg dismissed my sarcasm and said, “All his worldly goods go to his ex-wife, Sanora Gaston.”
“Sounds like he was a generous man. So what do you need me for? She’s welcome to come collect his stuff any time.”
“That’s just it. Ms. Gaston is a potter of no small ability herself. You may not be aware of it, but when River’s Edge first opened, she was the co-owner of the business.”
“This is all fascinating, but is there a reason you’re telling me all this?”
If Cragg was perturbed with my attitude, he was hiding it well. “Ms. Gaston has approached me about the possibility of taking over the shop, including the lease. Aaron’s agreement is good until nearly the end of the year, but she’s interested in negotiating occupancy for a longer period, say three years.”
I’d gone through some of Belle’s papers and I knew she never offered more than one year of guaranteed occupancy to any of her tenants, including At Wick’s End. “That’s out of the question,” I said. I wasn’t ready to change any of Belle’s policies unless I believed there was a sound reason for it. My late Great-Aunt was a savvy businesswoman, much better at running things than I was, so if I erred, I wanted it to be on the side of caution.
Cragg frowned, steepled his fingers in front of him, then said, “Am I to understand you are against her occupancy under any conditions?”
“She’s not getting a renewal like that,” I said. I’d always had a problem with authority figures, and the best way to get me to do something was to tell me I couldn’t.
“Very well. She will be satisfied, for the interim, to take on the remaining months of the lease.”
Suddenly I was feeling very stubborn. I knew how much I needed a paying tenant, but I felt like I was the unwilling guest on Cragg’s little railroad. “Not until I meet her first.”
“Harrison, are you trying to be difficult?” the attorney said, his temper breaking through a bit.
“It’s my building, and as far as I can tell, it’s my right.”
Cragg pursed his lips, then reached for the telephone. Before I knew what was happening, I heard him say, “Mr. Black would like to meet you. Now. As soon as you can get to my office.”
“You didn’t call her, did you?” I asked.
“Isn’t that what you just demanded, Harrison?”
I stood up. “Not tonight. It’s too late for a meeting, and I’m tired.”
“But I’ve already called her.”
“Then you can call her back and tell her to come by At Wick’s End in the morning.”
I started for Cragg’s door when it opened. A pretty, young blonde came in wearing faded jeans and a red top.
I started to go past her when she stuck out a hand. “Hi, I’m Sanora.”
“That was quick,” I said.
“I was outside on the steps enjoying the night. I always loved being here when everyone else was gone. I used to sit on the steps outside and watch the river go by.”
Cragg said, “I’m sorry to have bothered you, but it seems Mr. Black wants to postpone your meeting until tomorrow.”
I started to protest when Sanora said, “That’s fine. I know we kind of surprised you with all this. The more I thought about coming back to River’s Edge, the more sense it made. Gary was nice enough to agree to talk to you about it, but I should have come to you myself. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait a second,” I said. “Since you’re already here, I don’t suppose it will hurt to talk about it.”
She considered it for a moment, then said, “Only if you’re certain. I don’t want to take up your free evening. I know how valuable those can be.”
“It’s not a problem.” I looked over at Cragg and saw he was hanging on every word she spoke. Did he have a thing for Sanora? He was definitely showing more than an expected interest in her coming back to River’s Edge. In all the time I’d owned the place, it was only the second time I’d ever seen the attorney hanging around after his regular business hours.
For spite, I added, “Why don’t we go down to the pottery shop? We can talk about it there. Thanks, Gary,” I said, stressing his first name as Sanora had.
“Glad to help. Why don’t I join you? I’m finished here.”
Sanora said, “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Thanks again.”
Out in the hallway, I said, “Just let me grab the key for The Pot Shot first.”
She started to say something, but then thought better of it. I found the key Pearly had given me, then followed Sanora downstairs.
I was afraid going back into the pottery store might be a little traumatic for her, and she was indeed quiet as I unlocked the door. I asked, “Would you rather do this tomorrow morning? I know this can’t be easy on you.”
She shook her head. “Aaron and I made our peace before he passed away. We were friends at last. You can’t believe how much comfort I’ve taken from that.” She put a hand on my arm as she added, “In all honesty, we were actually better friends than we were a couple.”
“Won’t it be hard for you working here, knowing what happened to him?”
She frowned gently. “I thought about that, believe me, but we built this place together. What more fitting tribute could there be than continue it? I’m sure Aaron would have wanted it that way. I do hope you’ll give me that lease. Three years will make this place feel like home.”
I started to agree, then realized what I’d told Cragg. I’d already committed myself. “I’m afraid that’s not going to happen, at least not for now. Why don’t you finish out Aaron’s lease, it runs through November. We can talk about extensions then.”
“If that’s what you want,” she said. “Was it...here that it happened?”
She gently touched the wheel Aaron had been working at, as if afraid it would bite her.
“Yes. Some of the folks around here think it was odd that he was throwing on an electric wheel.”
“Aaron was always trying something new. It wouldn’t surprise me at all that he was throwing on it, goodness knows I nagged him enough to try it. I prefer electric, myself. When I used a kick wheel, my legs ached at the end of the d
ay.” She dusted her hands off, as if removing the last remnant of the wheel’s touch, then said, “So I can move in?”
I nodded. “I hate to bring this up, but the rent is due for the business. Actually, it’s a few days late.”
She nodded. “Then let’s take care of that right now. I’m sure Gary is still upstairs, and I’ve got my checkbook.”
I agreed. It would be best to just go ahead and get it all out of the way. I looked at it as one less thing to worry about. Then perhaps Eve and Ann Marie would stop nagging me.
We signed the papers creating a new lease for Sanora, covering just the short term until Aaron’s year was up. Even if she didn’t work out as a tenant, I’d bought myself two more months of rent, and a little breathing room.
What an adventurous afternoon off I’d had. My shoulders were stiffening up from my kayaking experience and the slight sunburn I’d gotten was getting redder by the moment. A hot shower took most of the ache out of the burn, but by the time I was finished, I barely had enough energy to keep my eyes open. I’d read just two pages of my book when it dropped to my chest, and I fell fast asleep.
From the beating my front door was taking, someone was trying to break into my apartment. At least that’s what it sounded like when I woke up the next morning. I stared at the alarm clock through bleary eyes and saw that it was just a little past six a.m.
Grabbing a robe on my way out of the bedroom, I opened the door to find Heather Bane glaring at me, madder than a wet cat.
She started in on me before I could open my mouth. “Harrison Black, of all the no-brain, thickheaded, idiotic things to do, I can’t believe you did it.”
“What was I supposed to have done?” I asked, trying my best to wake up. I was no match for Heather, certainly not still half-asleep, though I was coming around pretty quickly under the tirade.
“You let that woman back into our lives.”
“What woman? Erin?” Now what was she talking about?
“Sanora, you nit! I can’t believe she’s here. You’ve got to throw her out, Harrison. Tear up the check, give her a refund, I don’t care what it takes, but she’s got to go.”