by Rose Pressey
“What help do you need?” I tried to sound as pleasant as possible.
“The woman who was murdered. I need to find who did this. I can’t wait around for the police to find the killer, so I’ve decided to check into it myself.”
Another amateur sleuth? I hadn’t expected that.
“Really?” I asked with a quirked eyebrow.
My attention moved in Danny’s direction. He was still working on that horrid painting.
“How did you know the woman?” I asked.
“She was my best friend,” the blonde said.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
I wouldn’t tell the woman that I had been the one to find her friend. It would only make her feel worse.
“Thank you,” she said in a lowered voice.
“I understand how difficult this is for you,” I said.
“Did you see or hear anything that day? Were you here the night when she was murdered?” she asked.
“I didn’t come until the next morning,” I said, glancing over at Danny.
This time she noticed that my attention was on him. Danny had peered up from his painting too. A darkness flashed in his eyes.
“Who is that man?” she snapped.
I released a deep breath. I hoped she didn’t confront him because doing so could be dangerous.
“He’s a vendor here. I believe he arrived that night,” I said.
“So he saw Erica? Is he the killer?” She had a frantic gaze in her eyes.
“I don’t know who the killer is. There’s no evidence that he is the killer.”
That was the truth and exactly what Caleb or Pierce would tell her if she asked. Maybe I should have kept quiet. Why had I opened my mouth? Oh well. It was already done now, and I’d have to make the best of it.
“I should go talk to him.” She walked away.
I rushed over and grabbed her arm. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She narrowed her eyes at me and yanked her arm away. “Why not?”
“He’s just a bit odd. The police are talking to him, so you should just let them deal with him.”
“I don’t think they’ll handle it to my satisfaction,” she snapped.
Again, me and my big mouth. There was nothing I could do to stop her if she really wanted to speak with him. I needed to calm her down before she did something she would regret.
“Why don’t you step over here with me and tell me more about Erica.” I gestured to the area outside my trailer.
She eyed me up and down. “All right.”
I knew she was still reluctant, but at least this was a step in the right direction. She directed her attention to Danny as she walked with me closer to my trailer.
“You were friends with Erica?” I asked when we stopped.
“Yes,” she said in an agitated tone. “I already told you that.”
“My name is Celeste Cabot,” I said, sticking out my hand for a shake.
She eyed me up and down as if she might suspect me of having had something to do with her friend’s fate. She didn’t shake my hand either. “April Beaumont.”
“Nice to meet you, April. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances,” I said. “I’m sure that the police will find who did this soon.”
She scoffed. “How can you be so sure? Do you know them or something?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
Nothing I said was making her feel better. “Well, tell them to hurry up. I have a lot of questions for the vendors here. I know someone here knows something. Did they see anything that night? It’s extremely important that I find this out.”
I knew she was upset, but her questions were a bit odd. She seemed panicked as if this was urgent. Of course, it was urgent, but she hadn’t given the police a chance to find the killer yet.
“When was the last time you saw Erica?” I asked.
She fidgeted when I asked that question. “Um, I saw her earlier in the day before she was killed.”
“Did you work together?” I asked.
She fidgeted her hands again. “I work at Cherokee Bakery. Erica worked at the elementary school. She was an art teacher there.”
I wasn’t sure what other questions to ask, but I wanted to find out more about their friendship.
“I need to go now. I can’t answer more questions.” She walked away.
She headed back down the path and away from the festival grounds. At least she wasn’t going to confront Danny. However, he had disappeared. Every time I didn’t have my eyes on him, he seemed to do this. I wondered where he’d gone.
That was certainly a strange encounter. I needed to find out more information about April. At least, I had her name and knew where she worked.
I went back to my painting, hoping that a customer would arrive. After a few minutes, I sensed someone watching me again. Over the top of his canvas, Danny peeked out at me. That was way too creepy for my liking. He creeped around, and I never knew when he would pop up. I should just walk up to him and tell him to knock it off. Instead, not budging, I placed my hands on my hips. He didn’t even bother to stop staring but just kept watching me for what seemed like an eternity. After a few seconds, his gaze moved back to his canvas.
I wasn’t sure how much more I could handle of him. Had Pierce or Caleb found any additional information that they would share with me? They’d probably be surprised that I had info for them.
Movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. Scanning my surroundings, I noticed Ama standing over by the side of the trailer. As she motioned for me to come over to her, she peeked around the corner of the trailer as if hiding from someone. I didn’t see anyone that she might be dodging. As far as I knew, I was the only one who could see her.
I walked over to her. “Ama, you’re back. I thought you weren’t coming back. Are you hiding from someone?”
“I didn’t want the others to see me,” she said.
“Do you think they can see you?” I asked.
I assumed I was the only one who could see her, but maybe I was wrong. That assumption was based purely on past experience.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“I don’t think they can see you,” I said.
“Are you certain? I don’t want to cause any harm for you.”
“I don’t think anyone would be upset even if they saw you. They would think we were friends.”
“Friends? I like that,” she said around a giggle.
Maybe Ama needed a friend. I was still cautious, though, because I didn’t know much about her or why she was here. My family constantly reminded me to be suspicious of everyone. I knew they were just trying to help, but we were surely a guarded bunch.
“You should test it out. Walk up to someone else and talk to them. If they respond, you know they see you.”
She shook her head. “Oh no, I couldn’t do that.”
“Why not? You came up to me and talked.” I pointed at the booth across from me. “I think that woman is nice. Just act as if you are interested in her merchandise. There’s no harm in that.”
She stared across the way for several seconds and said, “I suppose there’s no harm in that. Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Would you like me to walk with you?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, I want to see if I alone will attract her attention.”
I watched as Ama walked across the path toward the booth. She approached the woman, and so far, the vendor hadn’t noticed Ama, though she was working on one of her silver and white beaded jewelry pieces. I’d spotted those earlier when I’d walked by her booth.
Just as Ama stepped up, the woman focused right on Ama. Wow, so maybe she could see Ama. The woman raised her arm and waved. She was staring in my direction. Oh no. She had noticed me watching. I waved back. The woman went back to her jewelry. So she hadn’t seen Ama after all. Maybe that would make Ama feel better.
After a few more seconds, Ama came back. “You were right
, Celeste. She didn’t notice me at all. I don’t know whether to be happy about that or sad.”
Now I felt bad for her.
“Well, I think if people open their minds to the possibility, they’ll be able to see you. Or if you have something important to tell them, they will be able to see and hear you.”
“Do you think I have something important to tell you?” She eyed me expectantly with her big brown eyes.
That was a question I was asking myself.
“I’m not sure, Ama. Maybe you’ll remember.”
Ama shook her head. “Maybe I will, or maybe I won’t. I think there is one place that will help me remember.”
“Where’s that?” I asked.
Please don’t let her say the river. I knew it was a mistake going back the last time. It’s true that I had met Ama that way, but would that turn out to be a bad thing too?
“I want you to go back to the river with me. It calls to me and tells me to bring you there,” she said.
As tempting as that sounded, I knew I would have to pass. The river calling to me made me uneasy. Had it called to Erica too? Ama could be luring me there so someone could murder me. I hated that the thought crossed my mind, but I could never be too careful. After all, I didn’t know her.
“I can’t do that,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Someone was murdered by the river. It isn’t safe.”
The scowl remained on her face. “But I met you there.”
“That was a mistake on my part. I don’t think I should go back.”
“You have to do more painting there. That will help you find answers.”
“How do you know this?” I asked.
“The spirits tell me this.”
What spirits? There were more spirits at the river? One was enough. She seemed sincere, though.
“I’ll think about it. I can’t go right now anyway. I have customers.”
She peered around, and of course, no one was approaching my booth.
“Well, I anticipate customers soon. It’s still early.”
Thank goodness, a customer actually approached. The woman had saved me and didn’t even realize it. Though, as soon as she was gone, I would have to answer Ama again. I’d told her I’d think about going back, and that was the truth. I was torn between how sincere she seemed and how guarded I felt I should be. After all, the painting I’d done at the river had brought her to me. Plus, it had the hidden image. Maybe I could paint another hidden image, though I didn’t see why I couldn’t attempt it from the safety of my little trailer.
I explained the inspiration for some of my paintings to the customers as Ama watched. She was probably waiting for her chance to ask me again.
After a couple of seconds, though, I checked for Ama. She had disappeared again. It was just as well because I felt I needed time to think. Maybe she was gone for good this time.
CHAPTER 5
Signs are important. Not only those that tell customers about your products and prices, but other kinds of signs. Watch out for warning signs, like that a killer is lurking.
Ultimately, the woman bought a landscape painting from me. I was pleased by this, and it motived me to pull out a new canvas and start another landscape. After buying a batch of lemon bars from a vendor a few booths down, I’d devoured one of the delicious treats and now sat in front of my booth. Van sat in his bed beside my feet, watching the people as they strolled around the festival. His one ear perked up, and I knew he was on alert.
“What’s wrong, Van?” I asked.
When he did this, it always made me wonder what was about to happen. Usually, it just meant a squirrel was nearby or someone wanted to step up and check out my art. He’d grown used to the strangers coming by, though, and now I felt he enjoyed them. When I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, I knew why he’d had his ear perked up so much. Caleb and Gum Shoe were headed our way.
A smile spread across Caleb’s face as soon as he realized I was watching him. Van barked in excitement at the prospect of playing with Gum Shoe. Mostly he just liked to cuddle up to the bigger dog, and the German shepherd tolerated it. I put my brush in the jar beside me and wiped my hands on an old rag. I picked up Van and stepped over to the edge of the trailer to meet Caleb and his dog.
“How are you doing?” Caleb asked with concern in his voice.
“I’m okay. Any news?” I asked with anticipation.
“Nothing new,” he said.
A deep breath slipped out when I’d meant to hold in any signs of my disappointment. “That’s discouraging.”
“Unfortunately, it comes with the business.” Caleb’s attention focused on Danny’s booth. “Is he still acting weird?”
“Yes, but I don’t think it’s an act. He definitely is weird.”
“We’re keeping an eye on him,” Caleb said.
“So he’s your number-one suspect?” I asked.
“As of right now, yes, he is a suspect. There certainly isn’t much to go on, though,” he said. “I came by earlier, and I thought you were talking with someone. It was odd, though, that I didn’t see anyone around. Gum Shoe wanted to go in the opposite direction, so I didn’t come over to talk.”
Oh no. He must have seen me speaking with Ama. I had hoped to keep that a secret. Caleb knew I’d seen another ghost, but now I had to tell him there was a new one? I wasn’t sure that was a great idea.
“I was probably talking to Van,” I said.
“That’s what I figured,” he said.
Though I wasn’t sure I believed him.
“How’s the painting going?” Caleb asked. “Any new mysterious things showing up?”
My hesitation probably told him the answer. I debated whether I should confess the current situation. Caleb had been more understanding than I’d imagined he’d be, so I decided to tell him exactly what was happening.
“Yes, there has been a development,” I said.
“Another ghost?”
I nodded. “Yes, another ghost.”
It felt good to get that out there.
“Is the ghost here now?” Caleb scanned the surroundings.
“Currently, no. She tends to pop in and out.”
“Apparently ghosts like to do that,” he said.
“There must be some kind of supernatural portal,” I said.
“Who is she?” he asked.
I surveyed the area to see if she had shown up again. There was no sign of her. “Her name is Ama. I was painting down by the river, and she just appeared.”
“You were painting by the river? When?”
Oh no. Now I had to tell him about that mistake.
“Yes, I went back to the river. It was not at the same spot where the body was found. That would have been creepy. In my defense, it was as if the river was calling to me. I realize that it was a mistake,” I said.
“Celeste, that is too dangerous. The killer is still out there. He could be waiting for his next victim.”
Movement caught my attention. I spotted April Beaumont again. Why had she returned? She had been watching us from a distance.
“Or she,” I said.
Caleb followed my focus and glanced in April’s direction.
“Do you know her?” I asked. “She came by to talk with me.”
“That’s the best friend, right?” Caleb asked.
“That’s what she said when she came by here not long ago. She was asking questions. I guess she doesn’t feel the police are doing enough to find the killer.”
“She hasn’t been ruled out as a suspect,” Caleb said.
My eyes widened. “Really? Why do you say that?”
“I can’t tell you any of that just yet,” he said.
Now I’d have to find out on my own. They should just tell me these things and save me time.
April moved around the side of a trailer and disappeared from view. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last that I saw of her.
“There’s a great café in town,
and I wondered if you’d like to go there for dinner later? They have the best burgers in the world.” Caleb flashed his gorgeous white teeth.
I knew instantly that he was referring to my aunt’s café. Ever since I’d taken him there, he’d been obsessed with her hamburgers. I had to admit they were the best I’d ever had, and I wasn’t biased. Well, maybe a little.
“Sure, I’d love that,” I said.
“Great. So I’ll meet you here at eight?”
Van barked.
“He says eight is fine.”
Gum Shoe chimed in with his bark too.
“I guess we’re all set,” Caleb said. “I’ll see you later.”
I watched as Caleb walked back down the path toward his booth. Now I had to find a way to speak with April again. Why would she be considered a suspect in the death of her best friend? Especially since she’d been here and asked about possible killers. She was trying to find her friend’s murderer. That seemed like what a best friend would do. Though I supposed the police had their reasons.
Things had died down, and the festival was over for the day. I still had an hour before my dinner date with Caleb. That still gave me time to do some snooping around. Since seeing April and then Caleb saying that she was a suspect, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I wanted to go by her work and speak with her again. I had no idea if she’d be there, but I had to check it out nonetheless.
Van and I climbed into my pink pickup and headed toward the bakery. I’d been there before, but I tried to avoid the temptation of their decadent cupcakes. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to visit today without a purchase. Luckily, they stayed open late. That was because not only did they sell baked goods, but they had sandwiches and such too.
I rolled up to the bakery and found a parking spot along the street. It hit me. They wouldn’t allow Van inside. I’d already arrived now, and there wasn’t time to take him back to the trailer. There was no way I was leaving him in the truck.
Movement caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my grandmother waving her arms at me.
“Well, what do you know? Grammy’s here, Van,” I said as I scooped him up.
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