by CeeCee James
When the dealership came into view, she felt a wave of relief to be able to the put the memories away. Picking up the pace, she sprinted the last few blocks.
She didn’t see Brad’s car as she jogged through the lot. She continued to the showroom’s cement steps and into the shadow made by the huge awning. After stretching a moment, she sat down and examined the time on her Fitbit. She was getting better.
“Hey, looking good.” Brad’s deep voice came from the top step where he was leaning against the pillar.
She jumped. “I didn’t see you there. Where’s your car?” He pointed to the rear of the building. She continued, “Who are we supposed to meet here?”
“The dispatcher said it was the new receptionist. A gal named Violet Wagner.”
“Oh, the one that replaced Sylvia.”
“Yep. And Eric.” He stood resting with his leg up on a step.
“Eric? Is his mom Crystal?”
“Yeah. You know him? He’s the car salesman and manager here.”
“You’d think there’d be more than just one salesman.”
“Yeah well, between Cameron and Eric, they had things covered.”
Just then, a middle-aged woman stepped out onto the terrace, the glass door closing slowly behind her. She wore a surly look and was staring hard at the cell phone in her hand. Her voice was terse as she spoke. “Apparently, Eric has decided not to show up. I honestly don’t know what to do now.”
Brad straightened. “Violet Wagner?” She nodded, and he held out a hand. “Brad Carter from the Angel Lake Police Department. This will just take a couple of minutes.”
Her face creased with worry. “I’m not sure I should let you in. I can’t get a hold of Eric or Mrs. McMahon.”
“All we’re looking for is movement outside the building around the time of the accident. Both Eric and Mrs. McMahon have alibis, so they aren’t at risk in any way. We just want to catch the person who did this. You might be preventing another murder.” Elise noticed he kept his voice reassuring with just a touch of warning at the end.
Violet rubbed her temple with her hand. Shaking her head, she stepped back and opened the door. “Fine. Eric should be here, and since he’s not, I’m making the decision. It’s right this way.”
The three of them walked to the far back office. The interior of the dealership was dark, and their steps echoed ominously. After leading them down a hall, Violet pushed open a door. “Right in there.” She pointed to a desk covered in papers. A computer sat amongst the chaos.
Brad dragged a chair over and motioned for Elise to sit. Violet punched some commands in the keyboard and then turned the monitor towards them.
“This is the pause, and here is rewind and fast forward.” She pointed at the symbols on the number pad.
Brad pushed play. The screen split into four shots from each of the different cameras. Nothing moved in any of the shots. He pressed fast forward and leaned close to study them carefully.
Nothing happened.
One hour later, Elise was pacing in boredom by the vending machine in the lobby. Violet came over shaking a handful of coins. “Here.” She offered them out.
“Oh, I can’t take your money.”
“Don’t worry. We keep a jar of coins specifically for customers who are on the hook. Get yourself something. I’m gathering he’s not having any luck?”
Elise plunked in the coins and pushed the option for iced tea. “Not so far.”
“Well, that’s good then, isn’t it?” Violet gave a hesitant smile before disappearing back into her office.
Elise carried the drink into the back room that now felt hot and stuffy.
Brad still stared just as intently at the screen.
She sank into a chair and spun it with her foot, then leaned forward to grab a letter opener and attempted to clean out under her nails.
“Put that knife down and come over here.”
Elise smirked at Brad’s dramatic tone. She tossed the opener on the desk and rolled the chair over. “What did you find?”
“Check this out.” He pushed play. After a minute, he clicked pause. “You see what I see?”
“Are you kidding me?” Elise reached over Brad’s shoulder and scrolled the mouse to rewind. They watched the scene again.
The resolution was fuzzy, but in the bottom left corner, the camera caught the figure of a man in a hat, dark overcoat and glasses. The man was there only an instant before disappearing around the corner of the car dealership building. The time stamp was 12:32.
“Jackpot, baby!” Brad leaned back in the chair with his hands twined behind his head.
“Is that Frank?”
Brad shook his head. “Too short to be Frank.”
“Sylvia?”
“Looks a mite thin to be Sylvia.”
The two looked at each other. Between them, Brad’s cell phone began angry vibrations.
“Hello?” He frowned at whatever was being said. “Great. I’ll be right down.”
His fingers flew over the keyboard, and then he turned to Elise. “Just sent that loop to myself, and I’ll get the surveillance company to send the rest. Next, I’ll go to the convenience store and check out their video footage too. It’s from the wrong angle, but you never know. There’s got to be more footage of this guy somewhere.”
Brad touched her arm. “Listen, you need to be safe. Don’t tell anyone what you saw here today. It could get back to the wrong person. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Don’t worry about me. I always follow the number one rule in investigating, Detective Carter. Don’t get hurt.” But she knew right away who she was going to tell.
CHAPTER 15
After they had separated from the car dealership, Elise texted Lavina asking her to come over that afternoon. In the meantime, she’d gathered Frodo, Horace, and Winnie and finished out her run.
When she arrived home, Lavina was already parked in her driveway waiting for her. As Elise unlocked the front door, words flew out of Lavina’s mouth like she was trying out to be an auctioneer. “I’m so glad you called. I’ve been dying to talk to you. I’ve really made a mess of things now. I really did. Oh, hello cat. New?”
“That’s Max. Down, Max. Down. He’s worse than a dog.”
Lavina ran the tips of her nails along his back with the barest touch. The cat stared at her with adoration. “Well, he seems to like me.” She looked at her black pants with a frown.
“I’ll keep him off of you. Max come here, already.” Elise scooped the orange up and sat with him on her lap. He sprang from her and stalked off unhappily. “So, what’s going on?”
“You first. No, never mind, me first. I can hardly stand it. Oh! The mess I’m in! So, I ran into a young lady we both know.”
Elise waited, not even able to hazard a guess.
“Sylvia. Oh, Elise! I think she might be working with me at Sweet Sandwiches. And, she may be moving in!”
Elise’s jaw dropped. Lavina, despite some hardships growing up, was never known to share. There was a good reason why Elise had her own place now instead of bunking in with her best friend. “How on earth did you let that happen?”
“I couldn’t help it. My mouth just went and said it before I could stop it.”
“For crying out loud, Lavina. Don’t say things like, “my mouth” like it’s some crazed preschooler at its first Easter egg hunt who just found the stash of eggs. You’re the one who controls it.”
“Well, there it is. Apparently, I’m going to have a new roommate.” She looked imploringly at Elise. “Help.”
“What exactly did you say?”
“I said that she wasn’t alone, and if I could help in any way with a job or a place to stay to let me know.”
“And what did she say back?”
Lavina fiddled with the cuff on her blouse. “She said she’d let me know if she needed anything.”
“Well, that hardly sounds like she’s ready to move in. You supported her. I wouldn’t worry yet
. But next time, pause before you blurt.” Elise relaxed back in the couch.
“That’s a good word.” Lavina grabbed her phone. “I’m tweeting that.”
“So, now I have a secret. Today, I saw a suspect on the surveillance tape at the car dealership.” Thrill shot through her at the memory. She grabbed the dog brush from the side table and began running it through Frodo’s fur.
Lavina made a face. “You have to do that here?”
Elise eyed the hair floating in the air that Lavina made a show of fanning away. “You’re right. Let’s go outside.” She called the dogs who followed her obediently.
Although small, the backyard was filled with bright sprays of color. Orange lilies bobbed in clusters. A spindly plum tree had lost its flowers and was now decorated with hard green fruits. Purple irises lined the back fence.
Lavina stared hard at the weathered picnic bench before she gingerly settled herself upon it. She slid her sunglasses onto her face. “You viewed surveillance tape? Oh, you and Brad—”
Elise patted Frodo’s back end to get him to sit. The dog smiled at her with tongue lolling. “You like this don’t you,” she murmured, before addressing her friend by holding out her ring finger. “Quit trying to ship me off. It didn’t work in high school, and it sure as heck isn’t going to be something now.”
“Pfft.” Lavina was not impressed. “I don’t see a ring on it.”
“Yeah, but it’s going to be a long, long while before I’m even ready to think about it again.”
Lavina smirked behind her sunglasses. “Oh, you’re thinking.” She leaned forward and gave Elise a hard look. “Speaking of thinking, have you thought about Botox?”
“Botox? I’m talking about a guy I saw on video the same day Cameron was killed!”
“Never too early to do preventive care,” Lavina chided. She appraised her friend with a critical eye. “Something you should really be thinking about.”
“Oh my gosh, Lavina. Only you could turn a murder suspect discussion into a beauty tip session.”
“I’m just saying you’re not getting any younger,” Lavina said drolly. She looked at her nails. “So, tell me what you saw.”
Elise frowned. “Admittedly, it’s not very impressive. A tall man with a wide-brimmed hat pulled low. Long jacket. Glasses.”
“Any suspects?”
Winnie nosed up under Elise’s legs. She gave her a friendly scratch then turned back to grooming Frodo. “Maybe. Nothing really solid.”
“Well, I have a thought. Have you considered Mr. Davis? He wears glasses and long coats.”
“He’s paralyzed.”
“No, I don’t think he is. We’d never heard a diagnosis, just that he’d been badly hurt in the accident. I always thought that he was playing possum.”
“He does have the motive.”
“Because, if he can really walk, that’s quite deceitful.”
Elise shrugged. “It’s not against the law to be able to walk. But one thing has been running through my mind.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m worried it could be Sylvia. The person was tall, but she could have accomplished that with heels. And she has the most to gain. ” Elise ran the brush through the dog’s thick fur a few more times. Still deep in thought, she cleaned the brush.
Lavina straightened on the bench. “I hardly think that’s the case. I can’t imagine how a woman could make herself look like a man. And why would she want to implicate Mr. Davis anyway? He’s the one known to wear glasses. No. It had to be him. Either that or some other man.”
“Well, I don’t know. You couldn’t really make out any facial features. It really could have been anyone.”
“If he could have been anyone, then he might as well be no one, and you should just throw that clue out. Honestly, it had to be him because it’s too coincidental. Has it ever been ascertained that he was at the therapy place on the day of Cameron’s death?”
Elise shook her head.
“Exactly. And, why was he at the funeral? Probably to gloat. My, oh my. It’s so hot out here, it feels like there’s nothing but a screen door between here and hell.” Lavina fumbled through her purse, pulled out a pamphlet and waved it in front of her face. “Are you almost done, sweet pea? I really can’t take a second more of this.”
“How can you be so hot when you’re always taking vacations to Tahiti with Mr. G?”
“Why, Elise.” Lavina’s bottom lip curved ever so slightly into a smile. “Those vacations are fueled by many martinis, king size beds, and air conditioning. All of which could be yours if you would just take proper care of yourself.” She snapped the paper shut and returned it to her purse. “Now let’s go inside. I’m tired of the sun and haven’t brought my sunhat.” She inspected a freckle on her arm. “I do need to brush up on my tan, though. Speaking of Tahiti, don’t forget about our cruise in a couple of months.”
“We can’t go. You might miss the reading of the will.”
Lavina sighed. “That man has caused me nothing but trouble. Even in death! I don’t care about the will. In fact, I hope he leaves me nothing.”
“It doesn’t work that way. No matter what, the kids and the wife split it 50/50 according to state law.”
“Well, la-di-da. I guess I’ll let my tax consultant deal with it.”
“You’re pretty relaxed about the possibility of inheriting a million dollars. If you need help spending it, let me know. In fact, I think you better consider me as one of your charity cases.”
Lavina stood up, hands scrunched together. Elise had thought her last comment would’ve made her laugh, but instead Lavina looked as if she might cry. “Honestly, I just want to be left alone about it. I can’t wait until this whole thing is over.” She walked into the house.
Elise watched her leave with concern. Frodo bumped her hand as his tail thumped against the flagstones. “You ready to go in, too? Just look at all this hair. I think there’s enough for another dog, you funny boy.” Frodo pranced excitedly. Winnie and Horace joined the bouncing. All three knew a treat was in store since the grooming was over. “All right, let’s go in check on Lavina. Maybe, I’ll suggest we go shopping for a new bathing suit. That should cheer her up.”
The dogs scampered ahead of her up the stairs and pressed themselves against the screen door. Elise hurried, afraid the dogs might push the screen in.
But deep inside she was worried, very worried. What other secrets was her friend keeping?
CHAPTER 16
Elise sat straight up in bed gasping. She had that dream again. The dream where the train smashed into the car.
Loud, screaming, tearing metal. And the side of the road was lined with vases of flowers.
But, finally, she knew what she’d been reminded of at the nail salon.
Sitting on the desk had been one of those vases filled with the same flowers.
She leaned over to the end table and reached for a pad of paper, quickly scribbling…. “Call nail salon tomorrow and check where they came from.” She looked at the words for a moment. Was the sender the same one who sent them to the funeral? She thought about the stalks of bell-shaped flowers. They’d also been the same ones she’d seen at Mrs. Campbell’s house. Why choose those flowers?
Puzzled, she set the pad down and lay back in bed. It might be a long night.
* * *
The next morning, Elise woke up like a live wire and nearly sprang out of bed. The urgency to call the salon energized her more than any cup of coffee ever had. She glanced at the Fitbit and groaned. Seven thirty. Way too early for the salon to be open.
She padded out into the kitchen and added water to her coffeemaker. Max had followed her from her room and now meowed by her feet. He arched his back to stretch. Elise quickly stepped away from him. She knew what his next move was—to stand up against her hip and poke his claws in. “For a vagabond, you sure aren’t very patient for your food.”
She found his canned cat food and pulled off the lid. “La
st can, hmmm.”
He looked away from it when she set it down, seemingly disinterested. “Yeah, whatever.” Elise ignored him and poured herself some coffee. As soon as her back was turned, the cat sauntered over to the can. Elise watched him from the corner of her eye. He sniffed the food. Elise smiled. “Caught you!” He immediately blinked huge green eyes at her and began grooming his tail.
Elise laughed and took her mug to the window seat. This was her favorite part of the old house. A bed of bookshelves topped with a thickly padded white cushion made the base of the seat. Directly outside the window grew a cherry plum tree. She curled up on the cushion and balanced her mug on top of her leg.
Who was the figure in the video just before Cameron died? The thing most apparent to her was that the man hadn’t been headed in the direction Cameron’s Mercedes had been found, or from it either. Instead, the figure looked as though he were headed for the side door by the financing office.
And, if not Mr. Davis, then who? Frank had a similar body type to the figure, but he had produced a movie ticket stub for that exact time. And someone in the theater had vouched that they had seen him. But why was he gone for those twenty minutes? Was that really enough time to get to the dealership and back?
Tall, thin, and a hat. Lavina was right. It could have been anyone.
Elise checked her Fitbit for the time again and decided to get her run in. The morning was cool, and she had nothing better to do. She quickly dressed in her yoga pants and tank, then slid on the armband to hold her phone. “I feel like I should be in a James Bond movie with all this gear on,” she told Max, who britted back at her. “All right, I won’t forget. Cat food.” After swooping her hair into a ponytail, she locked up and was off.
* * *
This morning, her run took her up the Old Farm Road, an older part of town. This was where Sylvia had once lived with Frank. She jogged past house after house, all built the same economical way—tiny two stories with four concrete steps leading to the same front door. Some were fenced in with chain link. Tall grass wove in between the links where they were in no danger of getting mowed. In one spot, a stalk of blue flowers braided itself in amongst the grass. Elise slowed her steps to look.