by Cindy Bell
“And you’re sure that he never mentioned having any problems with anyone?”
“Shane was the shy type. He didn’t talk much about himself, or his problems. Although I can’t say the same for his ex-girlfriend.”
“Shane had a girlfriend?” Charlotte asked remembering that Shane’s father had mentioned something about a girl he dated that didn’t end well.
“Briefly. She is in my class as well. They dated, and then something happened between them. I’m not sure what it was, but it upset her a lot. One day her brothers even showed up before class, looking for Shane. I texted him to warn him.”
“You’re sure they were her brothers?”
“Yes, two of them. Ken and Keith.”
“And his girlfriend’s name?”
“Karen, Karen Fonswell. I don’t know her very well, but she was very attached to Shane. I warned him that if he wasn’t careful she’d distract him from his future plans.”
“So you were the reason he broke up with her?”
“I don’t know for sure. He may have taken my advice. Or he may have just decided on his own. But I was glad when he said it was over.”
“Do you think Karen’s brothers might have gone after Shane?”
“I don’t know. They’re thugs, but murderers?” He shrugged. “That’s for the police to decide I suppose. Now, I really have to go.”
Ally noticed the way that he rushed right past her. Charlotte did as well.
“He seemed in a hurry.”
“Maybe he is running away because he is trying to hide something. Now at least we know where the filming took place. We can go check it out after we finish filling the orders this evening.”
“Good idea,” Charlotte said as she watched the professor hurry down the hall and out into the parking lot.
Chapter 11
As soon as Charlotte and Ally got back to the shop Ally looked up information on Shane’s ex and her family. Karen and her four siblings had a strong family resemblance. She took down the contact details that she could find for them. She did find that Keith and Ken had been arrested for a few minor crimes like shoplifting in their youth, but besides that there was nothing else of interest. She decided to look into them more later as they had a lot of work to do.
The rest of Charlotte and Ally’s afternoon was filled with filling chocolate orders and theorizing about who the murderer might be.
“Mario is still the best suspect. He even threatened Shane.” Charlotte took a set of chocolates out of the refrigerator and began to fill a small box with them.
“Yes, that’s true, but Mario is the type of man that could have anyone taken care of without him getting his hands dirty. Why would he choose to have Shane killed in such a public environment? I feel like whoever did this had a personal ax to grind,” Ally said.
“Don’t forget it was personal for Mario. It was his daughter’s wedding.”
“That’s true.” Ally sighed, then laughed. “You know how we often sing or dance while we make chocolates, this is a little bit different, isn’t it?”
“Quite different. Maybe we should change the subject.”
“No way, I’m ready to get to the bottom of this. I’m looking forward to checking out the spot where Shane filmed.”
“Me too.” Charlotte glanced at the clock. “Let’s just finish up this order then we can go.”
Ally nodded and pulled the last tray of chocolates out of the fridge. She filled another small box with them. When they were finished, and the shop was closed, they headed off in the direction of the coordinates that Professor Shumer gave them. They found a small driveway that led into the woods, then abruptly ended at a trail.
“I guess we hike from here. Are you up for it, Mee-Maw?”
“Always.” She pulled a can of bug spray from her purse. “Precautions first.”
“How do you always have exactly what you need?” Ally laughed.
“Always be prepared, it’s a grandmother’s motto.”
“I guess so.” Ally grinned.
They sprayed each other with the can, then walked down the trail. It was still early enough for sunlight to dapple the path ahead of them.
“You know, if we weren’t hunting a murderer, this would be a lovely walk,” Ally said.
“I agree.” Ally slid her arm through Charlotte’s. After some time Ally’s phone beeped to alert her that they had reached the coordinates she had entered. “This is the spot. But it looks like nothing but woods. What are we going to find here?”
“Ally look, there’s something behind those branches.” Charlotte pushed past some thick brush and pulled back the branches to reveal an elevated wooden structure. “What is it?”
“Maybe it’s a bird blind. If Shane and other students were trying to get pictures of birds in their natural environment they might have built it. Are there steps or a ladder?”
“A rope ladder.” Charlotte pointed it out.
“Let me see what I can find. You stay down here, and I’ll climb up.”
“No way, I want to see, too.” Charlotte started up the rope ladder before Ally could argue. Ally followed behind her grandmother. Despite her age she was still quite agile and proved that by making her way up to the small shelter without any trouble. Ally on the other hand got her foot tangled in the rope a few times before she made it to the top. Charlotte grabbed her hand and just as she was about to help pull Ally up, Ally’s foot slipped on the rope. She slid down a few feet and scratched her arm on the rope.
“Ally, are you okay?”
“Yes! I’m sorry, I guess I’m not used to climbing ropes.” She made her way back up the knotted ladder until she reached the top. Once she was safely inside Charlotte pointed out binoculars on the windowsill.
“It looks like someone must have left them behind. Maybe Shane.”
“Yes.” Ally picked them up and ran her fingers across the smooth black surface of the binoculars. She shivered as she thought of Shane with them pressed to his face as he searched for the perfect shot. “Maybe he left them here for future visits, or he forgot them.”
“Can you see anything with them?” Charlotte rested her hand soothingly on Ally’s shoulder. Ally peered through the binoculars.
“Yes, there’s two men. Here, take a look.” Ally handed over the binoculars. Charlotte pressed them to her eyes and stared through the tree branches. It took her a moment but she soon spotted the two figures.
“One of them looks like the same man from the clip on the flash drive.”
“Yes, he does. I can’t quite hear what they are saying, but they are definitely arguing.”
“Maybe if we get a little closer, we could hear a little better.”
“How do you think we can get closer without them spotting us?”
Charlotte leaned out through an opening in the wall. She used a branch just beyond it to steady herself.
“Get down, Mee-Maw, they might be able to see us.” Ally pulled her grandmother down beside her.
“I don’t think they can see us from that far away.” Charlotte frowned and peered through the slats in the wooden shelter.
“Maybe not, but we shouldn’t take a chance. I guess we can’t get any closer.”
“Maybe we don’t need to. I can hear them much better now.” She leaned closer to the wall. “They’re walking towards their cars. They’re only a few feet away from us.”
“Sh.” Ally grabbed her grandmother’s hand and held it tight. As they sat in silence they could hear the conversation below them.
“I don’t know what you think I promised, but none of it is going to matter if word gets out about our deal. If there is any chance of anyone finding out, it’s off, you understand?”
“Sure I do. I’m at risk here, too. I’m not going to let anything stop this deal or put either of us at risk. Just be patient. Give it a few days, and everything will be set.”
“That’s what you said a few days ago. Now I’m supposed to believe you?”
“The
re were some unforeseen circumstances. You know how that goes, I’m sure.”
“No, I don’t. Because I take care of my business and I don’t ever have any loose ends. I hope that one day I can say the same about you.”
“You can say it now. Just trust me, my boss is taking care of it.”
“I don’t trust criminals.”
“Well, that makes two of us. But the point is that you’ll get what you want, and I’ll get what I want. You just have to be patient. Just a little more patient.”
“My patience is running thin. Take care of the problem and get me the product.”
Charlotte jumped at the sound of a car door. Ally held her hand close to her chest and put her finger to her lips. Charlotte nodded. They both listened as the engines of two different cars started up.
“I think they’re gone.” Ally peeked through the wooden slats. “I see two cars driving away.”
“Just because they’re gone that doesn’t mean that there aren’t more hiding out somewhere. We need to be careful and get out of here quickly.”
“You climb down first. I’ll keep watch and let you know if anyone is coming. Then once you’re at the bottom you can keep watch for me,” Ally said.
“Okay, but make it quick.”
“Just be careful, Mee-Maw, going down isn’t always as easy as going up.”
“Yes, you too.” She eased herself down on the rope ladder. Ally split her time between monitoring her grandmother’s descent and watching out for anyone patrolling the area.
“All clear down here, Ally.” Her grandmother gave the rope ladder a tug. Ally set her foot on the first rung and took a deep breath. As she made her way down the ladder she prepared herself for the moment when someone would discover them. Would they even ask questions, or would they just shoot? If she were to believe the Hollywood version of drug dealers, she guessed they would shoot first without bothering to ask any questions. As they hurried back down the trail to the car, Ally continued to glance over her shoulder.
“Relax Ally, I don’t think there is anyone following us.”
“If we’re right about what they do for a living, then we need to be quite careful. Shane could be dead because he saw too much. We don’t want to be next on their list.”
“You’re absolutely right, from now on we need to be careful about who and what we’re looking into.”
That night after Ally finished walking Arnold and feeding both animals, she collapsed on the couch. A moment later her phone buzzed with a text from Luke. He asked if he could stop by. She sent an enthusiastic reply then rushed around cleaning up the living room a little. When he knocked on the door she opened it with a smile.
“I’m glad you had a few minutes to stop by.”
“Me, too.” He stepped inside. “How did your day go?”
“Interesting. Yours?”
“Not very eventful.” He sat down on the couch and she sat down beside him.
“I’m glad to hear that.” She wrapped her hand around his. “Boring is good sometimes.”
“Where did you get this scrape on your arm?” He ran his finger lightly along the jagged red mark on her forearm.
“Uh.”
“Uh?” He laughed. “That’s quite an answer.”
“I was climbing a tree.”
“A tree?” He sat back on the couch and put one foot up on the coffee table. “Why were you climbing a tree? Did Peaches get out again?”
“Maybe.” She bit into her bottom lip. She didn’t want to keep things from him, but if she told him everything he would know far too much about their dangerous excursion. That would result in either an around the clock police escort, or a stern lecture and visit to the Geraltin PD to tell them what she knew.
“That cat is one of the most daring animals I have ever encountered. She really doesn’t care about her own safety at all, does she?”
“Maybe she’s just brave?” Ally smiled at him.
“Sure, she could be brave. But I don’t see anything brave about putting yourself at risk.”
“You do it every day, don’t you?” She stroked the curve of his cheek.
“Yes, but that’s to protect our town, not to get to the top of some tree.”
“True, but having a badge doesn’t always protect you.”
“You’re right, it is a risk I take. But I am glad to do it, if it means you, and the rest of Blue River are just a little bit safer. Now, tell me what’s on your mind? You seem far too serious tonight.”
“I’m still thinking about Shane. I wish we knew more about what happened to him.”
“Me too. Geraltin hasn’t bothered to send me an update on the situation, but I’m guessing that’s because they don’t have much to go on.”
“I keep thinking about the applause that went up at the end of the first section of the movie. Was that when Shane was being killed?”
“Try not to focus on it too much. No matter what there was nothing anyone could do. It’s tragic that Shane died, but trying to determine the exact moment of his death won’t fix anything.”
“I talked to his film professor today. I just had a casual conversation with him so I could see if he knew anything that might be relevant.”
“Oh? Did he have anything interesting to say?”
“Just that Shane had recently gone through a bad breakup, and that he was very focused on his career. Apparently, his ex-girlfriend’s brothers threatened him.”
“Hmm. A lover’s dispute. It’s possible that could be a lead.”
“I guess.” She stared at her hands and tried to decide whether or not she should tell him about what happened in the woods. “Do you know anything else about drug dealing in Geraltin?”
“It’s a problem, that much I know. Why do you ask?”
“What if Shane was caught up in it, without meaning to be? Maybe he filmed the wrong thing?”
“Are you talking about the clip on the flash drive?”
“Yes, maybe he wasn’t involved in the drug dealing, but caught on to some drug running activity and paid the price for it.”
“It’s possible. Tomorrow morning I’ll make a call to Geraltin PD and see if they are checking into that. Drugs are a highly dangerous business, if Shane saw the wrong thing it’s possible that he was killed for it.”
“Maybe he planned to turn the film into the police.”
“Maybe. He probably would have needed more proof than that one clip to get the police to do anything about it though.”
Ally sat back against the couch. “More proof.” She nodded.
“You look exhausted. I guess from climbing trees.” He smiled. “I’ll let you rest. I’ll call you in the morning if I find out anything from Geraltin.”
“Thanks Luke.”
Chapter 12
Early the next morning Ally arrived at the shop only to find that her grandmother was already there.
“Couldn’t sleep either?” Ally set her purse on the counter.
“Not a wink. I kept thinking about those men in the woods. It makes me so angry to think that they can just roam in the woods doing something illegal, with no one to stop them.”
“Maybe we can. But we need some kind of proof. Let’s go back and see if we can get some video of our own. If we can, then we can prove that these men aren’t actors in a film, they’re drug dealers who had good reason to attack Shane.”
“I agree, but Ally, it’s a bit dangerous to go back there don’t you think?”
“Maybe I should ask Luke to come with us.”
“It might not be a bad idea.”
“I hate to put him in that position though. He’s not supposed to be involved in the investigation.”
“All right, then we need to take some precautions. Let’s make sure that we have our phones charged, plenty of bug spray, and a Watch Pig.”
“A Watch Pig?” Ally grinned.
“I’m serious. Arnold is very good at sensing when someone is approaching. Plus, if those criminals hear snorting in th
e trees they are less likely to think that there are people hiding there. It will be a good cover in case we make too much noise.”
“That’s a good point. Let’s plan to go this afternoon. Hopefully they will be out there again.” Ally spent the rest of the morning between customers, making chocolates and researching articles about drug activity in Geraltin. She found there wasn’t much reported about the activity other than a couple of drug-related arrests.
At lunch time Ally and her grandmother set out an assortment of samples meant to draw the after-lunch traffic. As expected several people ventured into the shop. One of those people, Ally recognized right away. The moment she did, her eyes widened and she shooed her grandmother away from the counter. Mario Mazzalli walked right up to the counter and picked up a handful of chocolates. He popped one into his mouth and met Ally’s eyes as he sucked on it.
“Mm, as good as I was told. I’ve been meaning to check this place out, but I’m not often in Blue River. Do you mind if I have a few more?”
“They’re free samples.” Ally tried to present a friendly tone, but it was hard to after everything she’d read about him, and knowing that he might be the reason that Shane was dead. “What are you in Blue River for today?”
“To see you.” He popped another chocolate in his mouth.
“Me? Why?” Ally’s throat tightened as potential reasons paraded through her mind.
“I heard that you were the one who made those delicious chocolate caramel popcorn cupcakes at the screening.”
“You were there?” Ally’s voice trembled just a little.
“Yes, of course. I had exclusive seating.” He smiled. “I just had to meet the person who could bake such a delicious treat. I’d like to order a few dozen.”
“Oh.” Ally glanced over her shoulder as her grandmother stepped out from the back room. “We’re a bit busy today to fill an order like that.”
“No problem. Anytime you’re available.”
Ally gritted her teeth. She wanted to tell him that he wouldn’t be able to order anything from the shop, but she knew better. Her grandmother didn’t believe in refusing service, and neither did she. Although from what she had seen she didn’t think that Mario was a good person, she couldn’t prove that he killed Shane, he might not have.