“What happened?” Nora asked.
Betty took a deep breath. “I didn’t come from a very good family. Where I came from, we were known as the ‘Trash-bag Tanners’. My folks weren’t bad people — they weren’t evil or anything — they loved me in their own way. But they were fond of the bottle, and there was never any money for anything else. Growing up like that, my only escape was the movies. I was obsessed with Julia Roberts — Pretty Woman. Finally, I ran away to LA when I was eighteen. I was a dumb kid, and I was very broke. Luckily, I was good looking, and I found some work, off-and-on, as a model. But then I decided I couldn’t keep living like that. So I started working in a thrift store and eventually became a manager at an antique store. Years later, I met Flint for the first time when he was visiting, searching for some antiques.”
“Ah, and this was when he and Michelle were still married, right?” Nora asked.
Flint flared up. “We were as good as over by then. There was no love left between us. I mean, maybe I could have done things differently, and maybe if I had a chance I’d do them differently, but Betty and I were just meant to be.”
“You broke your vows to Michelle,” Nora said.
“Are you just here to judge us or to listen?” Flint snapped.
“Flint, sweetheart,“ Betty put the tray down and sat next to him on the arm of the sofa. She put an arm around his neck. “Look, the point is, despite everything, despite a rough start, Flint and I managed to make things work. I moved back here with him, we got married and ran his art gallery together, I made friends here in town. Life was finally going my way. And then—“
“Jake Tipper,” Flint said, his voice a hiss.
“He called me one day, saying he had some photos I’d probably love to look at. I was an idiot. I really thought he meant art photography. For the gallery. As it turns out, he’d somehow found photos of me from my modeling days. Like I said, I was broke and desperate for money. I…let’s just say I—“
“I can guess what kind of photos.” Nora put a hand up. “You don’t need to say more.”
“He was asking me for $5,000,” Betty said. “I paid him. Then he said he’d need $10,000 more for the negatives. I paid him again. Then he said that he’d also put some of the photos on his laptop and there was a charge for deleting them. I knew he’d never stop blackmailing me.”
“That’s when she came to me,” Flint said. “She confessed everything. Poor Betty was so upset she was shaking.”
“I was terrified. I was convinced my life was over and that Flint would leave me,” Betty said. “But…the most wonderful thing happened. He just hugged me and told me not to worry. That he’d handle everything. Flint wanted to go to the sheriff, but I refused. I was terrified that people in town…they’d never accept me if they knew. I didn’t want a scandal.”
“So, I did the only thing I could. I decided to break into his house last night after the party,” Flint said. “I know Jake sleeps like the dead when he’s drunk, and he was definitely drunk yesterday. I didn’t tell Betty because I knew she’d try and stop me. So, I crept out in the middle of the night when she was fast asleep. She’s a deep sleeper, too. I really thought I’d be back before she even noticed I was gone.”
“And, on a normal day, I would have slept through it all,” Betty said. “Only, the fire happened, the sirens happened. And I woke up panicking. Everything went wrong.”
“I came back and she was missing. By the time I figured it all out, well, she was with the sheriff. You know the rest. I came to the station, I told Betty what to do, and we lied to Sheriff Ellerton to save our own skins.” Flint looked away. “I’m not proud of it, but there it is. That’s where I was last night. That’s why I lied to the sheriff. I promise I had nothing to do with the fire at Michelle’s.”
There was a long silence when Flint finished. Nora looked at them both. Flint had put one of his hands on Betty’s. He looked unhappy, while Betty looked scared. Both were looking at Nora almost eagerly, desperate for her to believe them. But did she? Maybe it was true. Then again, maybe it was just a story and they were desperate to feed it to her.
“I need to speak to Jake,” Nora said. “Did you take anything from his house last night? I’ll have him confirm if something’s missing.”
Flint shook his head. “I couldn’t find his laptop. I looked everywhere but the bedroom. The door was shut, but I wasn’t about to go in and check how deeply asleep Jake was, you know? So it was all for nothing in the end. I was very careful to leave everything else exactly the way it was.”
“Then there’s nothing for him to confirm or deny,” Nora said.
“Please don’t go to him, Nora,” Betty begged. “He’ll release my photos if he finds out what Flint did.”
“I’m going to have to go to him,” Nora said, “because if he is a blackmailer, I doubt that you’re his only victims. I promise I won’t name you, though. That’s all I can promise.”
“Can you promise to keep this from the sheriff?” Flint asked. “Please. I don’t want to go to jail. I didn’t steal anything. I was just trying to rescue my wife from a sticky situation. Wouldn’t you have done the same for Harvey?”
Would she? Nora knew without a doubt that she would. She couldn’t really fault Flint if he was telling the truth.
“So you know nothing about the arson at Michelle’s?” Nora asked, leaning forward to pick up an oatmeal cookie and biting into it.
“Nothing.”
“No idea who the dead man could be?” Nora asked.
“Well…” Flint hesitated. “I do have a theory.”
“What’s that?”
“Kenny Muir,” Flint said. “Look into him. He was obsessed with Michelle. It always bugged me when we were married. Maybe he took his obsession too far this time. Ask her about him, if you like. I’d bet my hat he’s the arsonist.”
*****
Chapter 8
A Moment’s Rest
Her head full of thoughts after speaking to Flint and Betty, Nora headed home. She spoke to Tina on the way, asking her to come over, too, but Tina had to work down at the diner.
“Why don’t you come over here?” Tina asked. “Lunch special today is a ham and cheese crepe — your favorite.”
“Thanks, but I can’t leave Bubbles alone,” Nora said. “The poor cat must be terrified. He’s in a strange, new place, his owner’s disappeared—”
“And he’s stuck with a weird lady who talks to him while she bakes.” Tina laughed. “Don’t exhaust poor Bubbles with your conversation, Nora.”
“Oh, shut up!” Nora’s cheeks reddened slightly.
“Got to run. But we have to meet for coffee as soon as possible, and you’re going to tell me every single thing Flint told you. No mysterious secrets between best friends, right?”
“Uhh…I don’t know,” Nora said. She loved Tina, but Tina had a tendency to gossip. If Flint and Betty were telling the truth, she didn’t want to spill their secret.
“I’ll beat it out of you one way or another,” Tina said cheerfully. “Byeee!”
Sighing, Nora fiddled with the key to her house and walked in. Her eyes lit up with happiness. The living room was exactly the way she’d left it except for a vase that had been moved slightly and the scent of lavender in the air.
Nora’s older daughter, Grace, had a tough schedule. She’d married recently and adopted young Kaylee, too. Between work and settling into a new house, Grace had barely any time to visit Nora anymore, which made surprise visits like this all the more fun.
Nora knew what was next. Suppressing her smile and trying to keep a poker face, she walked into the kitchen.
“Surpriiiiise!” a young voice shouted and a little ten-year-old with bright eyes and buckteeth leaped into Nora’s arms. “Hi Grandma Noraaaaa!”
“Oh, Kaylee! Hi, sweetheart!” Nora kissed her noisily on both cheeks and squeezed her tightly. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Were you surprised? Were you? Were you?” Kayle
e jumped around the room, waving her limbs in a crazy dance. “I got an A in Math, Grandma. I finally did it! You know I used to keep getting C’s and then Uncle J…I mean Dad…said he’d help? And do you know he used to fail math all the time, too? And I beat Maxie in the talent competition! Everyone said she’d win but I danced like—“
Nora smiled. Despite wanting to, poor Kaylee still wasn’t quite used to calling Grace and her husband “Mom & Dad” after being adopted. Still, she’d taken all the circumstances of her life like an absolute champion, and Nora adored her for it.
“Take a breath, Kaylee. Take a breath.” Grace smiled from the dining table. “Let your Grandma take one, too.”
“Ok.” Kaylee took an exaggeratedly deep breath and rolled her eyes at Nora.
“Kids these days.” Grace smiled. “Hi, Mom.” She gave Nora a tight hug. “Jacob’s out of town for work and I heard Dad is, too, so we’re here for the weekend.”
“That’s wonderful. Absolutely wonderful!” Nora said. “When did you arrive?”
“Just ten minutes ago. We were hiding to surprise you, but you knew we were here, didn’t you?” Grace grinned.
“Will you make me cake?” Kaylee asked, tugging at Nora’s hand.
“What’s your favorite?”
“It changes every month.” Grace sighed, smiling.
“Toffee cake!” Kaylee said. “Maxie had it at her birthday party and it was so tasty, Grandma. I loved it. It had walnuts on top, and I even hate walnuts, but it was really yummy. You know Karen was at the party, too, and she wore an Elsa costume? She’s so extra. She tries to steal the—”
Bubbles walked into the room, his tail high and his eyes narrow.
“Ahhh! Grandma! You got a new cat!” Kaylee screeched. “He’s so fluffy!!” She advanced on Bubbles and he bolted.
“That’s not my…wait, Kaylee. Don’t chase after him!”
“Kaylee, come on, buddy. Quiet time, ok? Don’t scare the poor cat.”
“But he’s so flufffyyy,” Kaylee whined. Then she tossed her head. “Don’t worry, Grandma. I watched a film in school on how to approach animals you don’t know.”
“Must have been a short film,” Grace said. “Hopefully with one single word: DON’T!”
“No, Mom.” Kaylee rolled her eyes. “We watch them, we study body language, we wait for them to make the first move and we don’t do anything aggressive. That’s how you get a cat to like you.”
“Sounds good, after you get the owner’s permission and confirm that the pet is friendly,” Nora said. “Just be careful with Bubbles and go slow. He’s a bit nervous.”
To Nora’s surprise, ten minutes later, Kaylee walked back in with Bubbles in her arms. The cat had a blissful expression on his face as she scratched him behind his ears.
“Wow, he really took to her,” Nora said. “He was so standoffish with me.”
“So, who’s this you’re pet-sitting for?” Grace asked. “A new friend?”
“Well, as a matter of fact—“ Nora looked around as the doorbell rang.
“Probably your friend, back for the cat,” Grace joked. “Shall I make some coffee?”
“Please, and there’s some cookies in a tin on the—“
“Mom, I know where you keep them. You’ve been hiding them in the same place for thirty years, and Hazel and I have been stealing them for almost as long.” Grace grinned.
Nora laughed. “I know, sweetheart. I used to mix spinach or zucchini in them sometimes, just so you little sneaks would get a few vegetables in you!”
“And here I thought I was pulling one over you.” Grace laughed.
Nora winked and headed off to open the door. Michelle stood at the door, wringing her hands. To Nora’s surprise, Garth Green stood next to her. Nora invited them in, but Garth refused.
“I live right next door to Michelle. The sheriff had called me in for questioning, too. Not that I was much help,” Garth explained. “So after, I offered to drop Michelle off. And, while we’re at it, could you give this to Harvey? I borrowed his tennis racket last month and I keep forgetting to give it back. It’s been in the trunk of my car for ages.”
“Oh, thanks,” Nora said, surprised, taking the racket from him.
“Garth’s been a lifesaver.” Michelle’s smile was wide and Nora suddenly remembered how Garth had defended her yesterday, too. A romance seemed to be brewing.
“It’s the least I could do. We are neighbors, after all,” Garth said, smiling. “I’ll see you around, Michelle. Call me if there’s anything you need. Anything at all.”
“Bye.” Michelle lingered at the door as Garth left.
Nora invited Michelle in and helped her take her coat off.
“Are you feeling any better?” Nora asked. “You looked pretty miserable in the sheriff’s office.”
“Thanks. I’m alright now. The firemen gave the bookstore the ‘all clear’ I was waiting for, so I can sleep in my own bed tonight. The sheriff said he’d call me if he needed more questions answered.”
“Come on in, have some coffee.” Nora checked her wristwatch. “11am. Would you like some brunch? Maybe a sandwich?”
Michelle looked pathetically grateful. “Would it be a bother?”
“Of course not. You must be starving,” Nora said.
There was a loud purr. Bubbles came out of the kitchen and wound himself around Michelle’s legs.
“Awww. Did you miss me?” Michelle had tears in her eyes as she lifted him up. Kaylee and Grace peeked out from the kitchen, too, curious about this stranger.
Soon, everyone was seated around the kitchen table and Nora was grilling cheese sandwiches at the stove. Bubbles was finally persuaded to leave Michelle’s side by a bowl of cat food and some fresh water, but he made sure to stay where he could see her. Kaylee was busy listening to music on her headphones and Grace moved around the table pouring coffee into mugs.
“Sheriff Ellerton said that they’re working with the theory that two burglars broke into the basement last night,” Michelle explained, eager to tell Nora everything. “One of the burglars murdered the other, panicked and set fire to the basement. So now they’re running what fingerprints they can salvage from the body through the database and, hopefully, if the men had criminal histories, they’ll soon have a match.”
Nora plated the sandwiches, quickly cut up some lettuce and tomatoes to make a side salad and came to the table.
“Do you buy that theory?” Nora asked Michelle. “Two burglars?”
“I mean, I don’t know what they could possibly want to burgle but, yes, I do believe the theory,” Michelle said. “What’s not to believe? If Sheriff Ellerton says so, it’s good enough for me. I’ve talked to someone and I’m having a burglar alarm installed.” Michelle gave a little shudder. “It still gives me the heebie-jeebies imagining it all. But, honestly, I’m just so grateful it’s getting wrapped up so quickly.”
Nora bit her lip. It sounded wrong to her. Really wrong. But what could she say?
“Do you know a Kenny Muir?” Nora asked.
Michelle, with a start, nearly dropped her sandwich back on the plate. She recovered quickly and said, “Where did you hear that name?”
“Flint said I should ask you about him,” Nora said.
“Flint? You talked to Flint?” Michelle frowned. “I don’t buy his story at all, by the way. There’s no way Betty wouldn’t have noticed if he was still in the house.”
“Well, he gave me a reasonable explanation,” Nora said. “So what about Kenny Muir? Who is he?”
“Listen, I’m really sorry but I’ve been fielding questions from the sheriff for hours. Could we please talk about something pleasant for now? Anything?”
“How about Bubbles?” Grace asked. “There’s a beautiful cat if I’ve ever seen one.”
“He is, isn’t he?” Michelle’s face lit up. “I’ve often said that all I need in life is a cat, a good book and maybe a cup of cocoa. I’d shut myself in my room and live the rest of my life qui
te happily.”
“You’d get hungry after a while,” Nora said. “Want another sandwich? You wolfed that one down.”
“Because it was delicious,” Michelle said, smacking her lips. “I’m going to sound greedy but, yes, I’d love another sandwich. I feel halfway human now. I was starving when I got here.”
“You’re welcome to stay the weekend, you know,” Nora said. “If you’re not keen on going back to the bookstore just yet.”
“Could I really?” Michelle brightened, then shook her head. “No. Thank you for your generosity, but I’ve been enough of a pain already. I’m sure you want to spend some time with your family.”
“It’s no bother at all,” Nora said. “Grace and Kaylee would love it if you stayed, too.”
“Of course,” Grace chimed in.
“And then you could tell me all about Kenny Muir at your leisure,” Nora added.
Michelle’s eyes darkened for just a second before she caught herself and laughed. “That was a joke, right?”
“Half of a joke, at least,” Nora said.
The doorbell rang again and Grace got up. “My turn to get it. Who do you think that is, Mom?”
“I’m guessing it’s Tina,” Nora said. “She’s probably taking a break from the diner. Let her in, would you?”
But it wasn’t Tina who stalked in through the door. It was Sheriff Ellerton, looking grim, and Deputy Jamie, equally serious. They both glanced around the room and then Sheriff Ellerton extended a hand to Michelle.
“Sheriff? What…is everything okay?” Michelle glanced uneasily from the sheriff to the deputy and back to Nora.
“We’ve identified the body,” Sheriff Ellerton said. “A ring he wore tipped me off. I knew I’d seen it before. I asked around, gathered dental records and here we are.”
“What? Who was it?” Michelle asked.
“Michelle Reed, you’re under arrest for the murder of Jake Tipper,” Sheriff Ellerton said. “You have the right to remain silent—“
“Jake Tipper?” Michelle looked totally blank. “There’s some mistake, Sheriff. I don’t even know him.”
The Milburn Big Box Set Page 157