Bound To Be Dead: Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 3

by Tamra Baumann

  My eyes move from person to person around the table. As my gaze lands on them, everyone stuffs their mouths full and shakes their heads. “Okay. Does anyone know how I can find Andrew? I need to ask if he knows where that money came from.” I focus my gaze on Brittany, assuming she has the best chance of knowing where her Uncle Andrew might be.

  Brittany says, “He made me teach him the scam I was running so he could do it on his own. Once he’d made enough money, he moved to San Francisco. I’ve never heard from him again.”

  Dylan sits up straighter. “Did your mom keep in touch with him?”

  “I have no idea.” Brittany plays with her fork for a bit and then, without looking up, says, “I have a grandmother too. She tried to take me away from my mother, so we came here.”

  I close my eyes and count to five. These are things I should have been told. What if the grandmother shows up wanting Brittany back too at some point? “Anyone else? A father, maybe?”

  Brittany shakes her head. “You don’t understand, Sawyer. I had to get out of that family. None of them are good people. Renee and Zoe helped me escape. That’s why we lied to my mother about me being away at boarding school. To keep them all away from me.”

  Meg finally pipes in. “Mom and I checked out the grandmother. Brittany’s right. They all saw how smart she is and wanted to take advantage of her. She was their meal ticket. We didn’t think we’d ever see any of them again. Especially when Dylan threatened to send the adults to jail if he caught Brittany committing online crimes again.”

  Dylan’s arm slips around my shoulder, and he pulls me close. “Stella was an unfit parent. The choice was to send Brittany to foster care, or to let your mom adopt her. So, it worked when your mom told Stella, Brittany was away at boarding school. Stella thought Brittany was forced to go to the school because of her online scam.”

  I drop my head into my hands. “Gage contacting Stella about the adoption payment opened this whole can of worms.” I tilt my face up. “Brittany, no offense, but why would you ever consider living with your mother again?”

  Brittany’s brows knit. “My mom wasn’t always bad like her mother. Mom tried to get a real job and support us, but I guess it was too hard. I don’t think in her heart she wants to be bad. And with her new boyfriend supporting her, she says she’s out of the con game.”

  While I grapple with what to say to that, Dylan pulls out his phone and says, “What’s the new boyfriend’s name?”

  Brittany says, “Mica Wilson. But I’m not one hundred percent that’s his given name. They just moved to Vegas. I’m running a check on him now.”

  Dylan taps some notes, then slips the phone away. “I’ll see if I can find your Uncle Andrew.” Dylan turns to me. “We tried to keep this quiet last year. Mainly because Brittany is a minor. But it’s possible Frank got wind that your mom planned to adopt Brittany. And he seized the opportunity to set your mom up for failure regarding the trust.”

  I slowly nod as my mind races with what I’ve just learned. “Gage says technically it wouldn’t have been illegal for my uncle to give Stella the money. But if he did, it would show my uncle knew what was happening, so he couldn’t accuse my mother of violating the trust’s disclosure rule. Or at least Gage hopes to convince the judge to see it that way.”

  Brittany slips out of the nook. “I’m not hungry anymore. And I’ve got homework.” She turns and heads for the door, with Cooper trotting behind.

  I open my mouth to tell Brittany she should eat, but my sister’s shoe connects with my shin, stopping me. “What?”

  Meg waits a moment to be sure Brittany is really gone, then says, “Let her go. She’s not doing homework. She probably wants to track down her uncle before Dylan can.”

  I tilt my head. “What makes you think that?”

  “Because I heard her tell Raphe she finished all her homework this afternoon. Trust her, Sawyer. She’s smart. She’ll do the right thing.”

  “I agree.” My dad clears his throat. “Both you girls know what it’s like to love imperfect parents. And despite that, you turned out to be fine people.”

  “Thank you.” I finish off my wine. “But that’s exactly why I should probably go talk to her. Because I do understand. And I want to make sure she knows I’m not angry with her.”

  My father shakes his head. “You prove how much you love her every day, Sawyer. Trust that she knows that while she finds her own proof about her mother.”

  I turn to Dylan. “What do you think?”

  He lifts his hands. “I’ll defer to the people with parenting experience. Thanks for dinner. I have to get back to the station.” He lays his napkin on the table and tilts his eyes toward the door for me to follow.

  “Be right back, guys,” I say to my dad and sister and then hop out of the nook.

  Once Dylan and I are in the backyard, he says, “Want to go to The Blue Hippo for lunch tomorrow? Ask around and see if anyone can describe Pattie’s alleged married man?”

  “I’d love to, but Pattie is cutting my hair tomorrow at twelve thirty. I plan to see what I can learn about her boyfriend through girl talk.”

  His brows knit. “Guess I’ll have to ask Beth to go with me, then.”

  “Very funny.”

  He smiles. “I’ll make up for our missed lunch today soon. Let me know what you find out at Pattie’s.” Dylan gives me a quick kiss. “For the record, I like your hair just the way it is.”

  He truly does accept me. Bad hair and all. “Thanks, but it can look better. See you tomorrow.”

  “You will.” He sends me another grin as he disappears into the night.

  My relationship with Dylan is another thing I need to figure out. He’s agreed to give me some space to work through our past, and I’ll do that. Once I have a moment to think. For now, I’m more concerned with figuring out what happened to Tina, how to defeat my uncle in court, and to figure out what the right thing is to do for Brittany.

  Late Tuesday morning, Nan and I are filling online orders from some of the ancient books my mother had stored in the attic when the bell above the front door rings. It’s an actual customer. Hooray! I don’t know how much longer the online orders are going to last. We’re running through the attic stock at a good pace.

  Nan says, “I’ve got this. You’ve got your hair appointment.”

  That’s true. And Nan, being a former librarian, is actually ten times more qualified to help the pretty lady with a designer bag than I am. “Thanks. Want me to bring you back something to eat?”

  “I’m good with my sack lunch. Enjoy your haircut.” Nan plasters on a big smile and approaches our customer.

  Typically, I might enjoy getting my hair cut, but today I’m on a mission. To find out who Pattie is seeing and if he’s married.

  I grab my purse, pat Cooper goodbye, and then head up the sidewalk to Bang Bangs. Just because Pattie lives for gossip, doesn’t mean she can’t keep her own secrets. I’ll have to be careful to keep my tone casual as I fish for information. And possibly give up a little gossip in return.

  Mary is standing behind the front desk when I arrive. She smiles and says, “Hi, Sawyer. We’re almost ready for you. Pattie just has to finish up with Mrs. Greer.”

  “Great.” I follow Mary to a chair in front of the mirror and sit. “How’s the measurement guide going?”

  Mary wraps my shoulders with a cape. “Good. I’ll be ready for that quiz in a day or two. Thanks again for helping me.”

  “No worries.” I lift a hand to greet Mrs. Greer, who used to be our postmistress before she retired. Flipping through all the hairstyle magazines, I find one that’ll have to do to pass the time. Luckily, my phone rings, so I have an excuse to toss the magazine I have zero interest in aside. It’s Brittany, who’s home from school again today. “Hi. What’s up?”

  “I found my Uncle Andrew.”

  This makes me sit up straighter in the chair. “Is he in San Francisco?”

  “Nope.” Brittany sighs. “He moved to
Vegas. To be near my mother, apparently. But they really don’t like each other.”

  That makes a quick visit more complicated because it’s an eight-hour drive. But a quick flight is within the realm of possibilities. “Do you think he’d talk to me or Gage if we showed up on his doorstep?”

  “Not necessary. I called him and asked where the money came from for my adoption. He said mom’s boyfriend, Mica, gave it to her.”

  The news is a direct punch to my gut. “He’s certain?” I was banking on my uncle being the one who gave Stella the money. Gage says we might not have much of a leg to stand on otherwise.

  “I didn’t tell him why I was asking, so I don’t think he’d lie about it. Want me to hack into Mica’s bank information to be sure?”

  Man, do I ever. “No. That’s illegal. Let’s ask for some proof when he and your mom get here tomorrow. Did they say what time that’d be?”

  “She said it’d be after three. She’ll let me know when their flight lands in San Francisco.”

  Great. Now I might lose the trust, my bookstore, my house, my future restaurant, and Brittany all in the next twenty-four hours. Thinking about that makes my heart hurt. “What else have you found about Mica? Can you tell what he does for a living?”

  Brittany is quiet for a few moments before she says, “I’m not sure. Either he’s hired someone really good to protect his data, or it’s been wiped.”

  “That seems weird.”

  Brittany says, “Not necessarily. He could’ve hired people to protect his online identity. Rich people do that all the time.”

  It still seems shady to me. “Keep at it. I’m sure you’re better than anyone Mica could’ve hired. But keep it legal.”

  Brittany laughs. “I’ll keep it in the gray areas. But if I find something—”

  “You’ll tell Dylan, and he’ll use the proper channels. Deal?”

  “Fine.” She huffs out a breath. “But my way’s much faster.”

  “I know.” And time is something we don’t have much of in this case. But right is right. “That’s why you need to figure out how to put all that hacking skill to use for the good guys one day.”

  “That’s the plan.” Brittany lets out a loud yawn. “By the way, Max and Meg both said they’d like your infamous fajitas for dinner. Want me to start marinating the chicken? I know you have the book club meeting tonight.”

  Brittany has taken to learning how to cook like an artist to her first box of watercolors. It makes my chef’s heart proud. “I’d appreciate that. Want saffron rice too? Or Spanish?”

  “I like Spanish rice better. I’ll make it all if you’d like. I’ve watched you do it enough times.”

  “That’d be fun. Dad and Meg will be so impressed when they figure out you’re the chef.” A lump is forming in my throat. What if this is the last dinner we’ll have together? “Hey, Brit? You know I love you, right?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Right back atcha. See you later.” She quickly disconnects.

  Heavy despair washes over me as I toss my phone back into my purse. I’ve gotten used to having the kid in my life. I don’t want to lose her.

  “So how short are we going today?” Pattie’s shrill voice vibrates in my eardrums.

  I throw back my slumping shoulders. I’m not going down without a fight. But for now, I need to buck it up and get back to my task at hand: figuring out if Pattie and her mystery boyfriend have anything to do with Tina’s death. “Just an inch or so, please.”

  Pattie picks up a handful of my hair and frowns. “Give me two, at least. These split ends need to go.”

  “Fine. But no more. And not too heavy on the highlights. Subtle is better.”

  Pattie nods and starts mixing some pungent concoction she dips a brush into. “It’s nice how you and Brittany get along. Couldn’t help but overhear part of your conversation.”

  “She’s a great kid. How are yours doing?” Maybe if I get her talking about personal things, it’ll make it easier to segue to her dating life.

  “They’re fine.”

  “Both still in LA?” I ask while my eyes water from the strong chemicals.

  “Yep. Their father keeps them close by paying all their bills. He’s a better ATM machine than I am. I have to actually work for a living.”

  “I hear you.” Still some bitterness there. But it might be just the opening I need. “But now that your ex is behind you and you’ve moved on, seeing anyone special?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell.” Pattie’s lips tilt ever so slightly.

  Yes, she does. All the time. This is so frustrating. I’ll have to change tactics. Be more direct. “Well, rumor has it that you’re secretly seeing someone.”

  Pattie’s brush tumbles to the floor. “Who told you that?”

  “Can’t reveal my sources. But I hear there might be an eyewitness.” I’m pushing it here, but I did say there might be witnesses. It’s possible the mayor and Tina could have seen Pattie meeting her mystery man at the Blue Hippo.

  Pattie’s frown deepens as she digs a new brush out of her cart. “You can’t believe everything you hear in this town. I don’t believe ninety-eight percent of it.”

  Darn it. Pattie’s not budging. I’ll have to move to plan B. “Well, my source said there’s a good reason you guys don’t want your relationship out in the open.”

  Pattie’s left eyelid has developed a twitch. “Really? And why’s that?” She parts my hair with the sharp point of a rat tail comb much harder than necessary, all while avoiding my eye contact.

  As I wince in pain, my mind races. Besides her boyfriend being married, why else would someone single want to keep the details of her relationship secret? The only other thing I can think of it is that the guy is famous in some way. Knowing Pattie, there’s no way she’d be able to keep quiet if she was seeing a celebrity. I’m going to go with my fifty-fifty odds and call it.

  I look into Pattie’s reflection in the mirror and whisper, “Because you’re seeing a married man.”

  Pattie’s jaw clenches. “Whoever your source is should mind their own damn business, Sawyer. Or someone else is going to get hurt too! Hopefully not like Tina!” Pattie tosses her comb aside and marches toward the back. “I’ll be right back.”

  Holy. Moly.

  What rock have I just overturned?

  Chapter 8

  With my hair half painted with blonde streaks, I reach for my phone to text Dylan. I need to tell him about Pattie’s extreme reaction. Before I can hit Send, Pattie reappears, so I discreetly drop the phone into my purse. I force a smile and say, “Sorry if I hit a nerve. I didn’t mean anything by that.”

  “No worries. I don’t care about gossip. And I needed a new comb.” Pattie gathers up my hair in the back and gives it a tug. My chin lifts with the force.

  Pattie whispers in my ear, “You asked me to keep what I know about your uncle and Tina from your aunt. And in return, I need you to tell your source they’re mistaken. That the man they think they saw me with is just a friend and that there’s nothing else going on. Understood?”

  I stammer, “Sure. No problem.” My heart is pounding so hard, it’s difficult to breathe.

  “Great.” Pattie lets go of my hair to paint the top. “Tit for tat, Sawyer. That’s what makes the world go round. And keeps the peace in a small town.”

  “Right.” I reach for the tattered magazine I tossed aside earlier and pretend to peruse it as my mind churns. She said I needed to keep my yap shut about her mystery man so no one else got hurt. Did Tina get hurt because she was seeing a married man too? Are my uncle and the man Pattie’s seeing in cahoots somehow? Or does Pattie simply mean that seeing my uncle, another married man, got Tina killed?

  I don’t dare ask. I’m in enough hot water as it is. I’m going to pretend to enjoy this magazine until Pattie is finished with my hair. But my mind can’t stop reeling with possibilities.

  Pattie practically admitted she’s seeing someone, and that person might be part of the puzzle of what happ
ened to Tina. Could Pattie have been seeing my uncle Frank too? And become jealous when she stumbled upon Uncle Frank and Tina at the Blue Hippo? Or maybe she’d followed them? Did a scorned Pattie kill Tina in a fit of jealousy?

  Could a murderer be doing my hair?

  A shard of fear rips up my spine.

  Best to keep quiet and get this over with as quickly as possible.

  While my color sets, I flip through the magazine again. I want to text Dylan, but Pattie is still hovering nearby. A quick glance around the shop shows the other gals have finished with their customers and have left for lunch. I was so involved in my musings that I didn’t hear them go. Yikes. That just leaves a potential killer and me alone in the shop.

  A bell rings, and Pattie says, “Time to rinse. Follow me.”

  Great. Is this where she decides to drown me in the washing station?

  Pattie is silent as she runs warm water through my hair. So far, so good. Maybe I’ll get out of this haircut alive after all.

  We finally finish and return to the cutting station, all still in complete silence. I didn’t even know Pattie could go this long without speaking. I must’ve really shaken her up.

  Locks of wet, flowery-scented hair are falling all around me when my phone rings. The sharp twang breaking the stillness in the air makes us both jump. I quickly grab my cell, determined to keep whoever is calling on the line as long as possible.

  The screen shows it’s Madge, so I say, “Hey. How’s it going?”

  “Good. Just wondering if I should bring anything to book club tonight. I was thinking chocolate chip cookies will go well with all that lovely coffee and wine you serve.”

  “Sure. That’d be great. Anything else going on?” I don’t want to mention Tina’s name to alert Pattie.

  “I’ve been a little worried about the Admiral. I think he’s still blaming himself for not getting to Tina sooner before she hit her head. So I’m making a murder board for tonight. That ought to cheer him up.”