by Carly Winter
“Yes,” I said. “Apparently so.”
“I'm sorry? Apparently what?” the salesperson asked, her brow pinched in confusion.
“Apparently... this is a wonderful ring for me,” I replied with a grin as the ring turned gold, which according to the chart, meant nervousness. No one can hear Ruby but you. Don't talk to her in public.
I paid for the ring and we were back out onto the sidewalk strolling toward the bowling alley. If there wasn't a murder hanging over our heads, it would have been easy to relax and enjoy the day with my ghost.
We stopped in front of As the Pins Drop, and I glanced at my ring, which had turned black. I pulled the chart from my pocket. Stress. How very accurate.
“Just go in and talk to him,” Ruby encouraged. “What's he going to do? Beat you with a bowling ball?”
“I hadn't thought of that,” I muttered. “But now that you bring it up, it's a possibility.”
“You'll be fine. Besides, I'll be there for moral support.”
That wouldn't do me much good, but I appreciated the thought.
Ruby went a few steps ahead of me and ghosted through the door. Seconds later, she was snapped back to my side.
“What was that all about?” I asked.
“It seems I can't go more than fifteen feet away from you outside the house,” she replied. “I love you, but it's really quite annoying. I feel like you've got me on some leash I can't see.”
“I'm sorry,” I muttered as I opened the door, although, I wasn't really sure what to be sorry for. I'd done nothing to put Ruby into her predicament.
The bowling alley smelled like oil and feet. Right by the door stood a glass case showcasing bowling trophies, as well as military accolades. A few of the lanes were taken and balls whizzed down them, crashing into the pins. I'd never been one for bowling. In fact, I'd only participated one time, and it hadn't gone well. In my early twenties, I was on a date, and he thought it would be funny to place a little oil on the bottom of my shoes before giving them to me. After I put them on and stood up, I immediately went crashing to the floor and broke my arm. Once he admitted what he'd done, I never saw him again. At thirty-five, I'd seriously dated exactly four men, and found I was happiest when I was single. Ruby would tell me I just hadn't found the right guy, but I was beginning to wonder if such a thing existed for me... and if I even wanted to bother to look.
I walked over to the counter and realized I had no idea who Stan was. Since I didn't bowl and he had never needed a Bed and Breakfast, our paths hadn't crossed that I knew of.
“I'm looking for Stan,” I said with a grin to the man in his forties behind the counter.
“Who wants to know?” he asked, his voice gruff and unfriendly.
“That's him,” Ruby said. “His dad used to run this place. This boy was a jerk growing up and hasn't changed a lick. He’s harmless, though. I used to buy my marijuana from him back in the good old days when I had a pulse.”
“My name's Bernadette Maxwell,” I said. “I own the bed and breakfast about a mile down the street. I was hoping I could talk to Stan for a moment.”
He ran a hand over his already slicked back hair, and I swear he sucked in his stomach. “What do you need from me, Bernadette?” I noted his tone had changed. Was he flirting with me?
“Well, I understand you had a confrontation with one of my customers, and I wanted to find out your side of the story.”
“Is your place really haunted?” he asked.
I glanced over at Ruby, who had perched herself on top of the counter. She rolled her eyes and shrugged, as if she didn't care how I answered.
“I believe it is,” I said. “And most of my guests do as well. Strange things happen that can't be explained.”
“That's what I've heard. I'd like to stay there sometime. Maybe we can trade. I'll give you a bowling session, and you let me stay the night.”
“Can you tell me about your altercation with Mr. Gonzalez?” I asked, smiling. I'd never take that deal.
“Sure. The guy can't drive worth a darn. Cut me off on the highway, sent me into the ditch and dinged my bumper. I could have been killed. When I realized he was going to Sedona, I decided to give him a piece of my mind and get his insurance information.”
“And that's when you followed him to my place?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied, puffing out his chest. “Parked right behind him and told him he better learn to watch where he was going.”
Stan's story didn't add up. Darla had said Mr. Gonzalez had a smoothie when he checked in.
“And he didn't go anywhere before arriving at my house?” I asked.
Stan shook his head, but then slammed his hand on the counter. “No, I was wrong. He went to Sarah's Smoothies. I didn't want to confront him there in front of everyone and embarrass him, just make him aware he was a horrible driver and get my bumper repaired. So I waited when it could just be the two of us.”
“More like he didn't want to risk getting his butt kicked during the confrontation in front of the townspeople,” Ruby said, floating down to stand next to me. “He's just like his father. A lot of bark and no bite. Talks a tough game, but you could take him on.”
I nodded but kept my focus on Stan. “So he went to Sarah's and then to my place.”
“Yep.”
“Got it. Thank you for your time.”
As I turned to leave, Stan called, “How come I never see you around? You don't come in to bowl.”
Glancing at the lanes, I shook my head. “Bowling isn't my thing.”
“That's too bad. You should come in and try it. We've got a ladies’ league. I can also give you private lessons, free of charge.”
Eew.
“No, thanks,” I said with a wave. “I'll have to pass on that.”
“Why are you asking so many questions about that guy?” Stan yelled. “Did he do something?”
I turned around and walked back to the counter. “He died.”
Stan's face flickered from surprise to curiosity. “How? When?”
“At some point yesterday, and the police aren't sure how. They're thinking he was poisoned.”
The bluster he'd demonstrated earlier slowly leaked out of him. When he exhaled, I noted that he most certainly had been sucking in his gut. “Wow. Well... uh, that's too bad.”
“You can read about it in the paper,” I said.
“Okay. Thanks.”
Once again, I headed for the door with my ghost in tow.
“What do you think about him?” Ruby asked. “Do you think he offed the guy?”
I waited until we were outside before answering. “I don't see how. Sheriff Walker said he thought Mr. Gonzalez died from poisoning. Unless Stan put something in his drink during the argument...”
“Like I said, all bark and no bite. Perhaps even a bit of a bully, just like his father. Now tell me, why don't you like bowling, Bernie?”
I quietly relayed my story, which sent Ruby into fits of laughter.
“Oh, Bernie,” she said through her gasps, “I'm sorry to hear that, but dang it, I wish I could have seen it. Did you get back at him? Put saran wrap over his toilet? Sugar in his gas tank?”
“No, I never did anything about it.”
Ruby shook her head. “Rule number one of life: You can't allow people to get away with garbage like that.”
My mother had said the opposite—that I should let it go, which was the advice I had followed, but now regretted. I'd spent more than a few hours planning my retaliation for the oily shoes. “You're right,” I said, sighing. “I should have gotten revenge at the time.”
“Promise me you won't let something like that go again. I mean, it's a funny joke, but the fact you got hurt... there's no humor in that. He should have gotten his comeuppance.”
As always, Ruby was correct.
“Where to now?” I asked as we headed down the sidewalk.
“You promised me an ATV ride.”
“That's right. I did make that promise.
So, I guess the next stop is Jumping Jack's.”
“I can't wait!”
We took our time getting to Jack's, stopping to do a little more window shopping and enjoying the day. Yet, in the back of my mind, I wondered if Stan did have something to do with José Gonzalez's death. Had that been guilt I'd seen on Stan's face toward the end of the conversation, or sadness that the man had died? Was there really a difference? Maybe the fight had been worse than Darla had let on and Stan had somehow slipped something in Mr. Gonzalez's drink.
Or perhaps I was letting my imagination get the best of me.
I needed to find the murderer so the police wouldn't accuse me.
Chapter 9
“Oh, my goodness, Bernie,” Ruby said breathlessly, walking a slow circle around Jack, her eyes as bright as the sun. “He's gorgeous. Why aren't you dating him again?”
My cheeks heated as I tried to ignore her while my heart thundered.
“He's got to be the best-looking man in Sedona,” she continued. “Maybe even the state.”
She was right. Jack's wavy brown hair, deep green eyes, and megawatt smile definitely could earn him the title.
He was also one of the biggest womanizers this town had ever seen. With no qualms about dating as many women as he wanted at one time, he'd started more than one fight between the ladies in town. Frankly, I tended to avoid anything resembling a date with him. I didn't want some other woman coming at me because I had taken her man, or some nonsense like that. Why get emotionally caught up with someone who had no regard for others? Jack was nice and I did like him, but that was where the relationship began and ended.
“Bernie? What's up?” Jack asked for the second time, his eyes squinting against the sun. “Are you okay?” I hadn't been able to answer the first because my grandmother's chatter had distracted me.
I noticed his jeans had a red tint to them, which most likely came from the red dirt in our area. He must have been lying on the ground working on one of his ATVs or jeeps.
“Yes. I'm sorry. I wanted to rent an ATV for a couple of hours.”
Glancing around the parking lot, I noted there weren't any. Business had been good this afternoon for Jack. In reality, I didn’t mind the idea of taking a seat and staring at him for a period of time, but that would be awkward.
“Well, I'm out of stock today, but I've got some free ones tomorrow. Will that work?”
Ruby's shoulders sagged, but she nodded. “The dead can't be picky. Besides, it'll give me something to look forward to.”
“That'll work,” I replied. “Some time in the afternoon would be best.”
Mornings were for cleaning rooms, hopefully getting in a workout, and serving my customers' breakfast. More time opened up for me during the hour after lunch.
Jack's grin widened, and my knees weakened. Ruby was right. No one should be that good looking. “Let's go inside and get the paperwork filled out.”
I followed him with Ruby at my side. “He sure fills out those jeans nicely. If only I were alive, I'd—”
“Stop it,” I whispered, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment even though he couldn't hear her. “Please.”
“Did you say something?” Jack asked over his shoulder.
I shook my head. “No. Just clearing my throat.”
Jack's office included a desk and some pictures of the Sedona mountains along with the head of a deer, and I altered my stare. I hated hunting but understood some relied on it to feed their families. I just didn't understand the joy some found while killing.
The space couldn't be more than twenty-by-twenty. A hallway led to a space in back, but I'd never ventured down there.
“In all seriousness, Bernie, why don't you ask him out?” Ruby asked as I sat down in front of the desk.
Ignoring her, I smiled as Jack handed me a clipboard and pen. I scribbled down my information while making a mental note to tell her later I would never date him and he'd always remain in the friendship zone with me.
“Where you headed to tomorrow?” Jack asked. “It's not very often we get someone looking to ride by themselves. You burying a body or something up in the mountains?”
I laughed because my story was almost as absurd—my dead grandmother wanted a ride. “I haven't been in a number of years and I thought it would be fun.”
“Make sure you're careful up there,” Jack said. “Take your phone.”
“I think he wants to go with you, Bernie,” Ruby said as she stood behind him. “He seems concerned about you being out in the wild by yourself.”
Ruby didn't know Jack dated a lot of women in this town, just not me. He'd never asked me out, and that was okay. My life was busy and full without having a man around.
“I have an idea,” Jack said, folding his hands on top of the desk. “Why don't I go with you?”
“Yes!” Ruby shouted. “Bernie and Jack, sitting on an ATV, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes... “
Should I be flattered or horrified he wanted to join me? Maybe if I didn't have Ruby hanging around it wouldn't have been a big deal, but her constant chatter made it impossible to concentrate on anyone else.
But on the other hand, Jack and I had been friends for two years. We'd just never gone out. And riding ATVs together wouldn't exactly be considered a date.
“There are some new trails that are pretty fun, and I'd be happy to show them to you.”
“If you don't say yes, I'm denouncing you as my granddaughter,” Ruby said, resting her ghostly face on his shoulder.
Jack's nose crinkled and he glanced around. “That's weird. For a second, I thought I smelled marijuana.”
Ruby jumped up onto the small desk between us and began to dance. “Say yes, say yes,” she chanted. I tried not to stare at her, and realized the only way she'd stop her shenanigans was if I did agree to have Jack come with me.
“That sounds like fun,” I said loudly, hoping she'd quiet down.
“The marijuana or the ride?” Jack asked with a chuckle.
I grinned at his cute dimples and wondered how many women in town had given them a quick squeeze. Jack was charming, and he knew it. “The ride.”
Ruby floated off the desk and stood next to me, also smiling. It seemed she'd figured out the more obnoxious she became, the more it pressed me to do exactly what she wanted, and that didn't bode well for me.
Jack and I discussed the time, and then I stood to leave. “Thanks again. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Looking forward to it, Bernie!” he called as I closed the door.
“You have to stop being so loud,” I muttered, once we were back on the street.
“Why? You're the only one who can hear me.”
“Because you make it so I can't think straight.”
“I'm so excited he's coming with us tomorrow!”
“Listen to me,” I said, glancing around before coming to a halt. “I am not dating Jack, nor will I ever. The guy is the local heartbreaking Romeo and I don't want any part of it. Do you understand?”
Ruby's face fell. “Is he really?”
“Yes.”
“I should have seen that, Bernie. Those dimples were a dead giveaway. Rule number two-hundred-seventy-eight of life: don't date womanizers with dimples.”
With a sigh, I continued on my way, Ruby at my side. She was so interested in finding me a date and riding ATVs, it was like she'd completely forgotten a body had been found in my house and that I'd lied to the police. I had to stay on task and find the murderer.
Sarah's Sensational Smoothies sat just down the street from Jack's. As usual, the line was out the door. As we waited, I debated whether to get a lemongrass and blueberry one for myself. The stress of Mr. Gonzalez's demise ate at my stomach, so a shot of probiotics would probably be an excellent idea.
Thankfully, Sarah and her two employees were fast and efficient and the line moved quickly. She smiled when we arrived at the counter. In her fifties, she had curly blonde hair she wore in a cute bob and big blue e
yes. Her tanned face indicated she spent a lot of time outdoors when not working.
“What can I get for you, Bernie?” she asked. “The usual?”
“Get the peanut butter and chocolate with extra whipped cream,” Ruby said. “That sounds amazing.”
“Yes. My usual please,” I said.
“Lemongrass and blueberry coming right up!” Sarah said. “Do you want a shot of probiotics as well?”
“Please. Thank you.”
“Oh, my word,” Ruby whispered. “I thought you were allowing me to live vicariously through you. I'd never drink that garbage.”
“It's good,” I murmured. “And buying a ring is one thing, but taking care of my nutritional needs is something quite different. This is a wholesome choice for me while your preference is garbage.”
“My choice is living in the moment and enjoying every second to the fullest, Bernie. That's rule number two. You will die, so you might as well appreciate life a little bit each day.”
While chewing on my lip, I considered her words. The chocolate and peanut butter did sound delicious, but the blueberry and lemongrass one was so much better for me. Did I really enjoy it though? Not as much as I would the other, that's for certain. Perhaps next time I'd venture into the sugar-filled, fat-laden treat.
“I heard about that guy they found at your place,” Sarah said, lowering her voice to almost a whisper. “I'm sorry to hear about it. I hope it doesn't affect your business. What happened to him?”
“They think he was poisoned. Listen, did you know he came here before he checked in at my place?”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “No! I had no idea!”
“Yes. Apparently, he checked in carrying one of your smoothies. Did anything strike you as weird about him? Do you even remember him? Middle-aged guy with black hair, a little overweight?”
“Oh, my gosh. We were so busy yesterday. I wouldn't remember if I waited on my own mother.”
Frustration welled within me and I sighed. How was I going to find out anything about Mr. Gonzalez if she didn't even remember him? “Have the cops been here? Have they told you anything?”