Hanged by a thread, p.15
Hanged by a Thread, page 15
His voice grew soft on the line. “I’m sorry, Paisley. We didn’t realize how painful it would be to even think that way. I guess that’s why we needed to ask you to do it.”
“It’s okay,” I said, my voice thick with tears. “I want to help, and I’ll go upstairs in a bit and hug him close. It’s alright. Keep going.”
“You sure?”
I cleared my throat. “Yes, go on.”
“Why did you say you’d do anything especially if he was dead?” I could hear the strain as he said the words, too.
“Because I take very seriously my role as Sawyer’s guide, and I am very conscientious about doing anything he might then do after he saw me do it. But if he was already gone, well, then I’d have far fewer reasons to hold back than I would if he was alive.” I swallowed hard and thought about Mrs. Davenport again. “Are you thinking she’s trying to protect Celeste?” I didn’t want to believe that given how awful she’d been to her own daughter, but I could see it, in a sick, hateful kind of way.
“Yeah, we’re wondering if she might have built that shrine in the last place her child lay to pay some sort of last respects to her.” He paused. “But that just doesn’t fit, does it? She wouldn’t have used that picture of Celeste.”
“No, she wouldn’t have,” I said. “That wasn’t her doing, and I don’t think she put her body there either. If she had, she would have dressed her as a man, don’t you think?”
Santiago moaned. “Yes, well, there goes that theory. She’s clearly just threatening people to get her own way,” he said.
“Well, I don’t know about that.” His original theory had merit, but it just didn’t get us closer to answers about her death. “She may still be threatening people she thinks are doing her daughter harm. Maybe she knows something you need to know?” I knew he wasn’t going to like that idea, but now that we were talking about this, I thought it might be worthwhile to ask her.
“I’m going to have to talk to her again, aren’t I?” A rustling on his end of the line made me think he had just dropped onto a couch or bed.
“I’m sorry.” I sighed. “Want me to go with you?”
“No, this is my burden to bear, but thanks. Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Definitely,” I said before saying goodbye and hanging up. I didn’t envy him at all as I climbed the stairs and got into bed next to my sleeping toddler. I fell asleep with my cheek against his.
13
I woke up the next morning with not only my drool but Sawyer’s on my cheek, but it was worth it because we had both slept soundly all night long. I couldn’t remember the last time that had happened, and it was glorious.
Even Saw must have been feeling good because he ate and dressed without complaint He was excited to go spend the day with his Baba and Boppy. I had decided, despite Saul assuring me I didn’t need to be on-site for this demo, that I wanted to be there, mostly to honor Celeste’s memory but also because I wanted to learn how to do this part of my job better. Saul was always happy to help, and I was grateful. This business was mine, though, and I was determined to learn how to do all of it, well, except for running the equipment. I’d let Saul’s crew do that until Sawyer could.
I didn’t even get out of the car at Dad’s house because Lucille met us at the curb and scooped Sawyer up with a hug and a promise of trampoline time with her. She was a far better person than I was because I never agreed to get on that bone-jarring thing. I waved and pulled out, thankful for a bit of quiet time to myself.
I kept thinking about what Santiago had suggested about Mrs. Davenport wanting to protect Celeste, and the more I thought, the more I realized that this was exactly what she was doing. Of course, it wasn’t a disinterested protection. Mrs. Davenport clearly thought she had something to gain, too. But the irony was that she was only hurting her daughter and herself by this hateful behavior.
Sadly, life had taught me too well that you can’t make someone do better or learn. They have to choose that for themselves. But if I thought I could get her to stop, I would have tried. I just knew it would be futile.
When I got to the warehouse, I checked my emails and saw one from Trevor. He wanted to know if I’d like to come to a small graveside ceremony for Celeste tomorrow. “Just for friends and family, but we’d like to have you there. Sawyer, too,” he said.
I replied immediately that I’d be honored. I wanted to ask him how he was, but I figured that was none of my business and something he’d share with me if and when he wanted, but probably not via text.
As I put my phone back in my pocket, I reminded myself to ask Santiago how Trevor had pulled off being able to bury Celeste after all. That was such a great bit of news to start the day. Then, I started thinking about whether Sawyer should come and if so, how I would talk with him about a funeral. I didn’t get far down that train of thought though because a huge forklift just barely avoided taking off the door of my car. I jumped out and was ready to shout when I saw Saul’s grinning face in the cab. “Gotcha,” he said before climbing down. “Those smartphones will be the end of all of us.”
I rolled my eyes and walked over, sliding my hardhat on as I went. “I just got a message from Trevor. They’re holding a small graveside service for Celeste on Thursday.”
He nodded. “They are.”
“You were invited, too?”
“Something like that.” He turned toward the building. “As always we’ll start with the roof.” His switch to demo talk told me this conversation was over, and he was ready to get to work. The crew gathered around, and Saul gave them their marching orders. Soon, they were off and so was the roof. Next, they took down the rafters and then pulled down the upper story walls. Nothing much to salvage there – too much water damage.
But the floorboards and beams under that second story were in good shape, and they made quick work of stacking the beams on the back of the tractor-trailer and setting the boards aside to be loaded later.
Within two hours, they had moved on to the window wall at the back of the building. Once I saw that was well in hand, I decided to take a walk. I had been trying to look nonchalant and casual because I hated when other people watched me work and thought the crew might feel the same. But I was tired of scrolling Facebook, and I could not beat my level on my current game obsession.
The daffodils were beginning to fade, but the forest was just starting to green up. I headed behind the building down into the wash and admired the ruby-pink blossoms on the maples as I studied the shrubs with their tiny green leaves that were just starting to unfurl. Below, the sycamores by the stream had just put on enough green to look tinted, and the honeysuckle vines were fully leafed out and ready to steal away any light and food they could on the trees and fence posts they climbed.
My stroll took me past an old farmstead that had been reclaimed by woods, and after I’d walked around the ruins of all the outbuildings, I decided it was time to go back and see how the crew was progressing. I made my way back down to the stream and was just beginning to scrabble back up the other side when I caught sight of a figure at the back of the warehouse. At first, I thought it was just a member of the crew, but then I noticed they were trying to look into the back door of the basement.
“Hey,” I shouted. “They’re about to take that wall down.” I could hear the forklift at the side of the building to the left, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.
The figure spun toward me and then took off at a run. I tried to get up the hill quickly to chase after them, but the leaves were slick under my feet. By the time I crested the hill, they were gone back into the woods.
I jogged around the building and almost ran right into Saul. “There was someone watching,” I huffed. “He was headed for the old road.”
Saul didn’t hesitate. He jumped into his truck and sped off through a narrow opening to the logging road. I stood waiting for a few minutes, but as my adrenaline started to wear off, I leaned against the hood of my car. Finally, I couldn’t wait any longer and called Santiago.
“I should have called you sooner,” I said when he answered. “I was hoping Saul would catch him.”
“Would catch who, Paisley?”
“The man who was looking into the basement of the warehouse.” I sagged down to the bumper. “I was worried he’d get hurt, and—”
“Where are you now?” His voice was alarmed.
“At the warehouse. Saul’s crew is here. I’m fine. But Saul went after the guy on the logging road.” Hearing the worry in Santiago’s voice made me worried for Saul.
In the background on Santiago’s end, I heard a car door slam. “We’re on our way. Stay put. If Saul comes back, tell him to do the same.” The engine started, and he said, “I’m sending Winslow to you. I’m going after Saul.”
“Okay,” I said, and I knew I would do what he said. But every part of me wanted to get in my car and go after Saul myself. I stayed put, though, and suggested to the guys that they halt work for a bit. I explained what had just happened, and they immediately parked their trucks and stood around near me. One man even handed me a bottle of water. I was a little uneasy for the moment, but I was glad they were there. When I heard a siren flying down the road, I let out a breath I didn’t know I hadn’t released. Help was here.
Savannah spun into the parking lot like she was taking a turn in a NASCAR race, and before her car even slid to a stop beside me, she was out and running my way. “Show me where you saw him,” she ordered.
I charged around the building, not sure what good it would do to show her but knowing that I just needed to do as I was told. We stopped short by the door, and when I looked down, I saw a small photo of Celeste laying on the ground. Just inside the door, Savannah picked up a white candle. That creep was going to light another candle for her, even as the building came down around him.
A few of the crew members came around the building, and when I pointed to the photo and the candle, they huddled up. Before I knew it, they had stationed themselves at each door and side of the building so that they could keep an eye out for the man who did this if he came back.
“Okay, tell me what you saw,” Savannah said as she took out her notebook.
I described the person’s height and build, described how they’d been looking in, and then told her that there was something about their gait that made me think they were a man. “I could be wrong about that, though.”
“That’s good, Paisley. Thanks.” She looked at the two guys standing nearby and said, “One of you come with me and one of you stay with Paisley.”
“I’m okay. I’ll just go sit in my car.” I didn’t feel unsafe, and I felt awkward with a bodyguard.
“I know you are, and so am I. But none of us should be alone right now.” She and the forklift operator began walking in Saul’s tire tracks.
The man guarding me smiled, shrugged, and said, “I have soda in my truck. Want one?”
“Bless you,” I said as I followed him around front, leaving two crew members to watch the back of the building and each other. We found the remaining three guys out front, all together but facing different directions. No one was sneaking up here again, not if they wanted to remain free to move their limbs.
When my guard opened the cooler in his cab and handed me a cold Cheerwine, I had to resist the urge to hug him. Given his griminess and my shaky emotional equilibrium at the moment, I thought it best to simply sit down in the passenger seat of my car with the door open and flip through my phone some more. My guard obviously felt the same, and so we passed a companionable fifteen minutes of scrolling while we waited.
Finally, Santiago and Saul pulled back around the building, and I relaxed against my seat with relief. But the two men looked anything but relieved. They looked downright angry.
I stood up and walked over. “Didn’t catch him.”
“Nope, not even close,” Saul said. “That car was fast.”
“You started a car chase?” I said as I looked at Santiago.
He shook his head. “He did, and I joined in because apparently, I think rural Virginia is Los Angeles.” He threw his head back and sighed. “And still we didn’t catch him.”
I kicked my feet in the gravel. “You tried, though.” I wanted to sound encouraging, but my disappointment rang through my words. “It was a man, though?” I asked.
Savannah walked up to join us. “Men’s shoes, size nine. So at least a person wearing men’s shoes.”
Santiago nodded. “Saul, did you see the person at all?”
“Nope, just a form as he jumped in the car. My impression was of a man, though.” He shook his head, “But I wouldn’t swear to that.”
We stood around in silence for a few moments. I think everyone was just exhausted and sad, at least I was. Eventually, though, Saul said, “Any reason we can’t finish the job? I’d like to get it done, and I know Robard will be especially eager to have us take that basement out of here.”
Santiago looked at Savannah, who said, “I didn’t see anything down there but these two things.” She held up the photo and candle she’d placed in an evidence bag. “There could be fingerprints, but I doubt it. Maybe we can take one more look and then . . .”
“Sounds good. Paisley, can you wait for me one more minute?” Santiago studied my face, and I nodded. I really wanted to just go sit somewhere quiet and rest, but I could wait a bit for that. Besides, if Saul’s crew was going to keep working, the least I could do was thank them.
I walked over to where they were still milling as Saul scouted out their remaining work for the day. “Thank you, guys,” I said. “I know you didn’t sign up for this kind of stuff. I appreciate everything you’ve done, so will you come over to my house tomorrow night, let me grill some burgers and hot dogs for you. Just casual to say thanks.” I felt really awkward because I couldn’t offer these guys much on my budget. I couldn’t even afford to invite their families. But I wanted to do something.
“That sounds great, Ms. Sutton,” my guard said. “We get off at five. Okay if we come over right after?”
“Perfect. I’ll have the grill going so you can eat and get on home. Looking forward to it,” I said as I headed back to the car. I passed Saul on the way, and he gave me a wave before pointing his crew to the next areas of work.
I climbed into the driver’s seat of my car to wait for Santiago, and, fortunately, the wait wasn’t long because I was really done with this place. Really, really done.
He sat down in the passenger’s seat and took my hand. “If I knew how to do a spell or something to keep you from coming across this stuff, I would,” he said gently. “Are you okay?”
I smiled thinly and said, “I would take that spell because I’m tired of you having to ask that question, even though I appreciate you asking. Yes, I’m okay. Just exhausted.”
He sighed. “I bet. Let me cook us dinner tonight at your place. I can make something for Sawyer and then something comforting for us. How does that sound?”
“Now, I’ve got you saying that, too?” I asked, thinking about how Sawyer always asked me “How does that sound?” when he proposed a plan for the day. “That sounds great,” I said.
“So noodles and nuggets . . . and maybe some Pad Thai for us?” He raised his eyebrows and waited for my reply.
“That sounds beyond perfect. Just remember, I like the spice and the lime,” I said and took a deep breath. “Thanks.
“Don’t mention it. And Paisley, we got a description of the car and a partial plate. So it’s not all bad news.” He leaned over, kissed my cheek, and stepped out of the car.
Not all bad news at all, I thought.
* * *
A quick call to Lucille confirmed that Sawyer was napping on a ride with his Boppy, and so I decided to stop at Mika’s shop before heading over to pick him up. When I came in, she took one look at me and grabbed my arm to get me to a chair. “Hard morning?” she asked as she handed me a bottle of water. Clearly, I looked like I needed hydration given how many people were giving me drinks today.
I told her about the events of the morning, and she dropped into the chair next to me. “This guy just doesn’t know when to quit?”
“I know. You’d think that big equipment might deter him, but apparently not.” I took a long pull from the water bottle. “But they did get a description of the car and some of the license plate number.”
Mika brightened. “Well, that’s good. Octonia’s not that big a place, so hopefully, they can find the guy.” Suddenly, she stood up and moved in front of me. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Davenport. Is there something you need before I ask you to leave again?”
I stifled a snicker from behind Mika’s legs and looked up to see Mrs. Davenport stepping around my friend like she was a lamppost. “Ms. Sutton, I’m actually here to see you. Stop what you’re doing. Stop nosing around. Stop inciting all this nonsense. Just stop.”
I stared at Creedence Davenport and suddenly realized who she reminded me of: Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. If she’d had on a red dress with a white collar, she’d have looked just like the little girl from the movie, all stomping feet and pouting. Mrs. Davenport was just a more cosmopolitan and polished version of that spoiled little girl. The comparison made me smile, and then I was laughing so hard I couldn’t stop. I tried to contain myself, to come back with a witty retort, but I could only laugh, especially when it was clear that my laughter was making Mrs. Davenport more and more angry.
“The nerve,” she said, which sent me into another fit of giggles. “You’ll stop all this foolish troublemaking, Ms. Sutton, if you know what’s good for you.” She stormed out of the shop, slamming the door against the frame.
Mika looked after her and said, “At least she saved me the trouble of kicking her out again.” She checked her door’s glass and then shut it quietly. “So what got you laughing?”
