A Killer Tail

by Addison Moore

  “There were other suspicious people, though. Like Brooklynn Knight. An investor in the bookstore. She was recently disbarred for who knows what. The night Wyatt was killed, I distinctly remember her with blood on her arms. She thought to herself she didn’t know how she was going to get out of this one.”

  Fish shivers. Sounds ominous.

  “I thought so, too. And while she was looking at his body, she thought, There are some things we simply bring upon ourselves—and that it looked as if he suffered. She then added, He made so many other people suffer. It must be true what they say—what comes around goes around. She ended up implying that I should look into Thomas. Something about the creepy cult-like secret society he was a part of in college. She said they had a way of making people keep secrets and then inferred death had something to do with it.”

  Fish shivers. I don’t like this, Bizzy.

  “Me either.”

  Jasper and Leo head back this way.

  “What did you find?” I carefully make my way around the caution tape still lying on the floor as I head over to them.

  Jasper pulls me in. “Nothing. Leo was able to open it and we saw zilch. Not a nickel rolling around in it.”

  I glance in the direction they came from. “Maybe one of the investors came in and took the money? Maybe it was Brooklynn? I mean, they could all have a key, right? Maybe they got permission from someone else in the sheriff’s department?”

  Leo shakes his head. “If they did, they’d have to go through this guy.” He nods to Jasper.

  “Thomas was the manager,” I say. “Maybe we can find out if they took the deposit to the bank earlier that day? Or”—I wrap my arms around Fish—“maybe they were robbed.”

  Jasper rubs my back and warms it. “It looks as if more was happening that night than we thought. I’m having my crew come in and inspect the place one more time. And then I’m going to talk to each of the employees once again, too. Whoever did this had a key, or was there that night pulling it off. Either way, it was an inside job.”

  “Do you think it was the same person who killed Wyatt?”

  Jasper shakes his head. “I don’t know. This might have been a multi-man operation. There’s no way to know for sure what went on.”

  Fish looks up at me. Are there any other suspects?

  Leo chuckles. “Doing a suspect circle with one of your best friends, I see. Let’s hear it.”

  “There are just two left that we haven’t touched upon. Molly, the psychotic girlfriend. She’s an easy suspect. Maybe too easy.” I look to Jasper.

  His chest expands against me. “Sometimes the key to figuring out a homicide is pretty simple. The girlfriend, the boyfriend, the husband, the wife, it’s a common denominator in most cases.”

  “Hear that, Bizzy?” Leo widens a sarcastic smile. “Marrying this guy could be hazardous to your health.”

  I bite down on a smile as I look up at Jasper. “I’ll take my chances.”

  “Last suspect?” Jasper dots a kiss to my cheek.

  “Thomas.” I shake my head at the room as if he were in it. “Did you ever find anything out on the Order of the Skulls?” I look to Leo. “Brooklynn more or less claimed they were capable of silencing people forever.”

  His shoulders bounce. “Sounds like exactly what happened to Wyatt.”

  “It does, doesn’t it?”

  Jasper touches his hand to mine. “I did find out something. A contact I have down in New York, he did some local digging at Somerset University. It turns out, at around the same time Wyatt and Thomas were students there, another student went missing. A guy by the name of Channing Neville.”

  “Channing Neville,” I whisper. “I bet he was a part of that secret society, wasn’t he? What happened to him?”

  Jasper nods. “Walked out of a party one night and no one heard from him again.”

  “Someone heard from him,” Leo says. “Someone knows exactly what happened.”

  I nod. “Thomas just might be that someone.” I make my way around the caution tape lying limp on the floor as I head in the direction of that bookshelf in the back with the poster of a cat sitting next to it. “Thomas was the one who told me where to get the murder weapon. He was, in effect, the master of ceremonies.”

  Jasper steps up next to me. “And he didn’t have a drop of blood on him that night.”

  I shake my head, my eyes still pinned to that bookcase with bits of blood dried over its surface. Down on the floor, a faint triangular stain rests over the carpet.

  “Look at that,” I point it out to the two of them and Fish inches her head that way as well. “They’re in pairs,” I say.

  Jasper squints down at it. “You’ve got great eyes. Footprints. Forensics lit this place up like a Christmas tree. We found they track over from the office. We think that’s where Wyatt was stabbed.”

  “You think?” I inch back. “Jasper, you know.” My voice hikes a notch. “And you also know that those footprints belong to a woman.”

  Leo blinks my way. “Bizzy, do you own shoes like that?”

  “No.” Jasper answers for me, his eyes never leaving mine. “I checked the shoes you were wearing that night. They’re not a match.”

  My lips part. “So you were investigating me. I’m almost amused.” Almost being the operative word. “You’re not telling me everything.” A dull huff pumps though me.

  “Bizzy.” Jasper’s eyes fill with grief.

  “No, it’s okay. I get it. You have a job to do. I’ll leave you so you can call in your crew.”

  “I’ll walk you home.” Jasper takes up my hand. “Leo can stay until I get back.”

  “No.” I hook my gaze to his. “I’m fine, Jasper. You have a job to do and I’m not a part of it. You don’t owe me an explanation or evidence in this case or any other case that lands on your desk.” I just thought you’d give it to me.

  I sigh as I pull him in. “Goodnight.” I land a quick kiss to his lips, walk out of the bookstore, and don’t look back.

  Leo walks out on my heels as the dogs get riled up with excitement.

  “I’ll walk you home.” We head down the street in silence as the dogs dance between us. “Don’t take it personally, Bizzy. Jasper’s just trying to do his job.”

  “And?” We both know there’s another element to this.

  “And”—he bumps his shoulder to mine—“he wants to keep you safe. Dragging you into a homicide investigation isn’t the best way to do that.”

  “Shutting me out isn’t exactly making me feel so good either. But like I told him, I get it.” I don’t like it.

  Leo looks my way. “You don’t have to like it.”

  We hit my cottage, and as soon as I open the door, the dogs run a lap around my sofas.

  “Thanks for walking me back, Leo,” I say. “You know I think of you like family. And, of course, Emmie is like my sister.” I shrug. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that you have my blessing to see her. Not that you needed it, or were waiting for it, but you have it. I like you, Leo. I see the appeal. You’re a good guy. Emmie has every right to lose her mind over you. Just promise me you won’t break her heart.” My eyes swell with tears.

  Leo takes a breath and nods. “I won’t. And thank you for that—your blessing. It means a lot to me. And I know it will mean the world to her, too.”

  “Just do me a favor,” I say. “If you ever feel like you want to tell her about…our transmundane status,” I swallow hard, “I want to be there, too.” Hot tears streak down my cheeks. “I just hope I don’t lose her.”

  “You won’t lose her.” He pulls me in for a quick embrace. “And I wouldn’t dream of telling her without you. It’s not happening for a while, Bizzy. Don’t worry about it for now. Goodnight.” He takes off with a wave.

  I don’t want to lose Emmie.

  And I don’t want to lose Jasper either.

  Then why does it feel like they’ve both slipped out of my grasp?

  Fish is asleep, and I careful
ly land her onto the sofa before pulling out my laptop and curling up beside her.

  I look up Channing Neville, Somerset, and everything I can find out about the Order of the Skulls.

  Sorry, Jasper, but there’s nothing like a little homicide investigation to take my mind off my troubles.

  Wyatt Sanders had far more serious troubles than I’ll ever have.

  And I’d like nothing more than to solve them all.

  Chapter 16

  On this dark, clear night, Main Street is decorated with a canopy of twinkle lights that are strung from one side of the street to the other, giving off a magical appeal that makes my soul sing. It’s Friday evening, the very first of the Summer Nights Festival in which the entire state of Maine is welcome and highly encouraged to roam the streets of Cider Cove.

  Bodies line the sidewalks, the street itself is closed off to traffic, and it too is teeming with wall-to-wall people. Every business and vendor in Cider Cove is here displaying their wares. The barbeque restaurant down the street is grilling out in the open, and the air is scented with its undeniable deliciousness.

  Jasper said he would stop by as soon as he could. After he had Killer Books dusted for fingerprints once again, he’s been working nonstop. He said he spoke to Thomas about the money missing in both the register and the ground safe and Thomas confirmed it should have been there.

  Killer Books was definitely robbed the night of the murder. Jasper said he couldn’t be sure if the people or person who stole from the place were the same people or person who took the first run Agatha Christie, or if any of the above killed Wyatt.

  Three mysteries. With perhaps three different crimes and suspects.

  It’s all a bit overwhelming. And to be truthful, Jasper and I are feeling that strain personally. I’ll admit, I’m a little hurt there might be details Jasper is holding out on me. Of course, he’s doing it to protect me. But then why does it hurt so much?

  Macy groans, “Is it wrong that I’m craving beef ribs while eating all the lemon tarts I can cram into my mouth?”

  “Nope. It’s just an occupational hazard when you work in such a yummy environment.”

  The Country Cottage Café has a booth right here in front of Lather and Light. Macy has her own table set up next to me, so we’ve been elbow-to-elbow for the last hour while indulging in the lemon tarts Emmie has supplied us with. In fact, Emmie and Leo just went back to the inn to retrieve a few more boxes.

  I glance back through the window of Lather and Light to find Fish curled up on the counter.

  “Fish is loving all the attention she gets from both your customers and employees alike,” I tell my sister. “She’s already requested a regular outing to Auntie Macy’s shop.”

  Macy gives a curt nod. “Are you kidding? She’s my best salesperson. Not only is she hired, but you may not get her back.”

  Sherlock lets out a quick bark. I’d better get in there and try to drum up some business myself. I want Auntie Macy to hire me, too. She likes to give me the bread off her sandwiches. She says she hates carbs and men.

  He takes off and I chuckle.

  “I think you just gained another employee.”

  Macy watches as he strides right up to the counter and begins blinking those big brown eyes at the customers.

  “A competitive pooch,” she muses. “I like that. He’s a carb vacuum and a moneymaker. Do you think Jasper will notice he’s gone once I dognap him?”

  Gatsby touches his paw to my thigh before I can answer, and I give him a gentle scratch on the head. Both Fish and Sherlock Bones are busy at work, but Gatsby has opted to stay close to me.

  “You’re pretty amazing yourself, Mr. Gatsby. Ignore my sister. She’s not dognapping anyone.”

  Thank you, Bizzy. Speaking of amazing, how did Thomas and Brooklynn end up in front of Killer Books with boxes of Wyatt’s things?

  I glance in their direction before elbowing my sister.

  “Would you look at that,” I whisper. “Jasper said Thomas and Brooklynn asked permission to sell the surplus at a discount to the public. I guess the bookstore will most likely be closing.”

  Macy shivers as we watch them rake in money hand over fist.

  “I can’t believe they’re selling the inventory. A man was stabbed to death in there. There was blood everywhere. There’s probably blood on those books.”

  I shake my head. “Nope. Jasper said these books were in a storage facility nearby. Mostly used paperbacks Wyatt had collected for a used book section he was thinking of opening in the back of the store. Jasper said they mentioned something about ending their lease at the storage facility.”

  “They?” Macy cocks her head to the side. “It almost sounds like they’re a couple.”

  “Huh.” I startle at the thought. “It sort of does, doesn’t it?” Brooklynn said she sold her shares as a silent partner over a year ago. Maybe her attachment to the place is her interest in Thomas?

  A group of customers swarms Macy’s table and her attention is quickly diverted, as is mine.

  Last night while doing my research on Channing Neville, I spotted a picture of him holding a German shepherd in his arms. Channing had a warm smile, his sandy hair was full of golden highlights, and his face sun-kissed.

  The puppy was adorable, but neither of those things held my attention once I spotted that familiar ring on his finger. It turns out, Channing was indeed a member of that secret, and perhaps deadly, society known as the Order of the Skulls.

  If Wyatt and Thomas had a long-standing secret, and if the tension that was building between the two of them had to do with their past as Skulls men, all arrows just might point to Channing.

  When Channing disappeared, it was a very big deal at the time. School officials and police suspected foul play. Channing’s car was left sitting in front of the frat house from which he disappeared. His bank account went untouched. His family believes he was killed and the body hidden. Years later, they announced they had abandoned all hope of finding him alive. They were tightknit, a mother and father, a younger sister. It was heartbreaking to read. Stormy said it was almost as if Wyatt had something on Thomas, as if he were controlling him with it, and now I’m wondering if this was it.

  A crowd migrates to the table and I let them have at the lemon tarts just as a couple of familiar mischievous-looking older women migrate this way.

  Georgie holds a hand to her mouth as she leans toward the crowd.

  “The Country Cottage Inn has the best desserts in town,” she shouts and a few of the people snatching up a second helping of lemon tarts begin to nod in agreement.

  Never underestimate the power of word of mouth.

  Juni belts out a loud whoop. “They don’t call it the Killer Inn for nothing.”

  A moan works its way up my throat because about a dozen people just turned her way and half the crowd is whispering that the murderous rumors must be true. And then in typical self-preserving fashion, every last one of those people up and disappear.

  So much for word of mouth.

  Juni inches back stunned. “Did my deodorant fail me?”

  Georgie snatches up a lemon tart. “No, your mouth did. Come on”—Georgie pulls her daughter along—“let’s check out the discounted books and the hot man shucking them.” And they head off toward Thomas and Brooklynn.

  I’m about to join them just as Hux steps up, looking dapper in a dress shirt and dark pants, and I’m about to ask if he just got off work when Mackenzie crops up right next to him and my eyes trace down to their conjoined hands.

  Mackenzie snarls my way. Just the look on her face is worth the price of admission. I suppose she thinks this is the worst-case scenario. Little does she know, I’ve had a mean crush on Huxley ever since we were kids. My dream come true is Bizzy Baker’s nightmare. Now there’s something I can live with. But I’m guessing her ego is too fractured to say a kind word.

  “Hux”—I force a tight smile—“Mayor Woods.” I nod her way. “The turnout for the ev
ent is better than I imagined. Congratulations on a job well done.” Shove that in your ego and smoke it.

  Hux sheds a wide smile of his own. “It’s fantastic. Let’s hope the momentum keeps up until fall.”

  Macy hobbles over as if she were wounded. “Fall? Trying to be polite is killing me, and it’s only been one hour. This summer night catastrophe might just be the end of your poor sister.”

  “Have another lemon tart.” I slide an entire box her way and she takes it.

  Macy nods to Hux. “So what’s this?” She hitches her head toward Mackenzie. “Are you auditioning for the part of Ms. Mayor?”

  “Funny.” Hux loses the smile on his face. “Mack and I are having a good time. Get used to it. We plan on enjoying ourselves more often.”

  Mackenzie smirks at both my sister and me. “Don’t worry, girls. I don’t bite, unless I’m directly ordered to do so. If you’ll all excuse me, I need to make an appearance at the rest of the booths.” She slinks away in her hip-hugging catsuit and large rhinestone hoop earrings that look a lot less mayoral and more lady of the night. But Makenzie is a beautiful woman. I can see the physical appeal as far as Hux is concerned. The emotional? Not so much.

  Macy grunts, “Now this is one fling I didn’t see coming. I give it until the Fourth of July.”

  Hux makes a face. “That’s less than two weeks away.”

  Macy wrinkles her nose. “You’re right. I give it one week, but if you have an exit strategy to get out sooner, Godspeed.” She takes off to tend to her table and I step around to give Hux a quick hug.

  “Don’t listen to her.” I’m about to eat crow and it doesn’t feel good. “If Mackenzie makes you happy, we’ll learn to stuff our feelings and channel them into biting sarcasm spouted off at will.”

  His chest thumps with a laugh. “I knew I could count on you to make me feel bitter.”

  “Ha-ha,” I say as I tick my head toward Killer Books. “See that woman with the ponytail and the green vest? That’s Brooklynn Knight. The woman I had you look into.”

  His brows hike as he gives an approving nod.