The neighbor is nixed, p.11
The Neighbor is Nixed, page 11
Adam leaned against the counter and nodded. “Yes, it is. Thank you for realizing that.”
Darla smiled, seemingly encouraged by Adam's reaction. “We all know Bernie had nothing do with the murder across the street, regardless of what the sheriff thinks. I'm sorry I got so angry.”
“It's okay,” Adam said. “I understand. You wanted to help your friend and I appreciate that. But like you said, I'm just in a difficult position. We need to check all our boxes, cross our T's... we have to be very thorough in a murder investigation.”
“I get it and I shouldn't have reacted the way I did,” Darla said, taking Jack's hand.
Jack glanced from me to Adam. “Are we all good?”
Both Adam and I nodded.
“Excellent,” Jack said, beaming. “We have some news for both of you.”
I was practically brimming with excitement to share my own announcement of Adam and me moving in together, but as Darla's cheeks turned pink, I held my breath. She looked as if she may simply explode with happiness.
“Jack and I are getting married!” she shouted. I stared in disbelief as she thrust her hand in my direction to reveal a rose gold band with a small, round diamond perched on top. As I took her hand in mine, she squealed.
“That's fantastic news,” Adam said, shaking Jack's hand. “Congratulations!”
“I'm so happy for you,” I whispered, hugging my friend. My news seemed so inconsequential, I didn't bother to share it and ruin Darla's moment.
“Thank you!” she said. “I can't believe how happy I am!”
As always, a little thread of worry tugged at me. Were her medications working as they should? Was she in a manic state, or was she truly this excited? I found nothing but sheer joy as I studied her face.
“I was hoping you'd be my maid of honor,” she said.
The last wedding I’d attended—my cousin's—I'd been hit by lightning. Hopefully things would go much smoother this time. “I'd be delighted.”
“And I'd like you to be my best man,” Jack said, grinning at Adam.
“Wouldn't miss it, buddy.”
“Did I hear Mr. Dimples?” Ruby said, appearing in the kitchen archway. “Well, I most certainly did. How's it going, hot stuff?”
“He's getting married,” I said.
Ruby grimaced. “Dang it! I was hoping I'd wait around here long enough to snag him when he kicked the bucket!”
“What did she say?” Darla asked.
“She's very happy for you,” I replied.
“She's welcome to come to the ceremony as well,” Darla whispered. “If you want her there.”
“I heard that!” Ruby yelled. “I may be dead, but I'm not deaf, sweetheart!”
“Where are you thinking of having the ceremony?” I asked.
“We found this really cute town up north a ways,” Jack answered. He placed his arm over Darla's shoulder and pulled her close.
“It's like someone carved out a portion of the forest and set down this place. There's a river running through it, huge pine trees everywhere, little stores... it's gorgeous.”
“What's it called?” Adam asked.
“Heywood,” Jack said. “Prettiest place on Earth, I guarantee it.”“
So when's the big day?” Adam asked.
“This summer,” Darla said firmly.
“A couple of months away?” I asked. How in the world would she plan a wedding in such a short time period?
“Yes. We're keeping it small and simple. My parents, obviously our friends... we figure the guest list will be under thirty people.”
I noticed how she hadn't mentioned anyone from Jack's past. Had he shared with her that he used to be a professional burglar and done prison time? Hopefully, yes. Either that or it would come back to bite him at some point in the future.
“Will you go dress shopping with me?” Darla asked.
“Of course!”
“Oh, I love weddings!” Ruby sighed. “I can't wait!”
I didn't bother to mention I hadn't decided if she'd be attending. A getaway with Adam—alone—would be nice.
When his phone rang, the chatter immediately died and we all stared at him. After pulling out the device, he grimaced and swore under his breath. “I need to take this.”
He hurried into the living room and I strained to overhear what he said as well as listen to Darla's wedding plans. Something about a little church overlooking the river...
“I need to go,” Adam said. “That was the sheriff. He's got firm physical evidence on who killed Sylvia, and we're going to make an arrest.”
“Who is it?” I asked.
“They're coming for you!” Ruby wailed, throwing her hands up in the air. “You're going down for this one!”
“Sorry, even though I love you, I can't tell you that,” he said. With a wink, he waved goodbye and headed out the front door.
He wouldn't tell me he loved me if he was coming to arrest me... right?
Chapter 16
Two hours later, when they brought Pete out of his house in handcuffs, I stood in the street with Yolanda and Tina watching the red and blue police lights illuminate the neighborhood. Pete yelled he was innocent and fought the cops as they dragged him from his house. He continued screaming until they stuffed him in the back of the cruiser and slammed the door.
“I feel so much safer now,” Tina murmured, shaking her head. “What a horrible tragedy to take place on our quiet little street.”
Yolanda nodded. “I agree. Pete seems fairly harmless, but the worst of them often do.”
As I stared at the crescent moon, something didn't feel right. Yes, Pete had suggested Tina drop dead the evening before she was killed, and she'd relentlessly hassled him about his stupid tree. He'd had an affair with her. He had motive and opportunity, but what was the physical evidence Adam had mentioned?
And I still hadn't laid eyes on Luna. Where was Wilder? Why wasn't he outside watching his neighbor being hauled off to jail? More strange behavior from him.
“Has anyone seen Wilder and his new girlfriend?” I asked, still wondering if Luna was happily shacked up with him, or the cops had arrested the wrong man and he was planting rose bushes over her buried corpse.
Both shook their heads. “What new girlfriend?” Tina asked. “I hardly ever see any women over there.”
“Yes,” Yolanda said, pulling her sweater tighter around her thin frame. “Dish the dirt! What new girlfriend?”
I explained Luna staying with me and her and Wilder meeting, then her moving in with him. Probably best to omit the threat of a restraining order, though.
“How interesting,” Tina said. “To invite someone into your home after only just making their acquaintance.”
It wasn't much different than what I did, but I ran a business where strangers were supposed to stay in my house—and pay me well for it. And, I didn't have tattoos that strongly resembled symbols of what some may call devil worshipping, nor did I have an altar in my house featuring a picture of a murder victim.
Speaking of my non-existent business... despite the late hour, I had to attend to it, or I'd be out on my butt. Trying to imagine me, Ruby, Ned, and Adam living together in his small condo only reinforced the idea I needed to get my marketing machine rolling and also hire a lawyer for that stupid tax bill. I'd put it off long enough. Time to be an adult.
After leaving my neighbors, I grabbed my laptop from my bedroom and sat down at the kitchen island. Glancing over the events coming to Sedona in the coming weeks and months, I sent a few emails to organizers. Right around the corner, one of the local psychics was hosting a weekend crystal workshop. To my utter delight, she answered my email and agreed to send her clients my way for lodging, and I'd send her a kickback for each one. Same with the golf tournament next month. I also started some Facebook ads targeting Phoenix residents interested in Sedona, hoping to generate a few nightly stays.
An hour later, the phone dinged, announcing I had a reservation for the weekend, which I both appreciated and dreaded. Another chat with Ruby about her ability to move inanimate objects would be in order.
Now on to the lawyer. Google informed me there was a new attorney in town who also held an accounting degree and specialized in tax law.
Perfect. “Sounds like he'll know what he's talking about.”
I filled out the online appointment request as my phone notified me I had another reservation. Suddenly, I felt much better about everything. Adam and I were moving in together. My best friend was getting married. I was slowly recovering from the business bomb Sylvia's death had delivered, and I'd finally addressed the tax issue. All of my completed tasks had kept me from wondering about the physical evidence that had nailed Pete.
“Look at you being all grown up,” Ruby said from behind me. I jumped off my stool, not having realized she was there.
“You scared me,” I muttered.
“Sorry about that. You found an accountant?” She stared at me straight-faced, her voice so serious, I considered she was about to play some type of joke on me. Throw something at me? Show off a new ghostly skill she hadn’t shared with me yet?
“Yes. He specializes in tax stuff.”
“And from the sound of your phone, the reservations are coming in.”
“Yes. You and I need to talk about our guests and your new ability.”
Ruby grinned and crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a plan.”
Uh oh. That never boded well for me. “I have a plan as well,” I said. “And I promise you my plan is better.” For me, anyway.
“I doubt it,” Ruby said. “I'll go first.”
“Fine. What's your idea?”
“You take me to Mr. Dimples' wedding, and I won't throw anything at any guests.”
What a surprise. My grandmother wanted to behave? But her not tossing glasses at my guests wasn't enough. “You won't throw stuff? Can you do better than that?”
With a sigh, she rolled her eyes. “I won't move anything, either. I'll stay completely hidden while you have customers here. I'll even stay out of their rooms.”
I narrowed my gaze, trying to ascertain if she was lying.
“I promise,” she said, holding up her right hand as if she were about to swear on a Bible. “I really want to see Jack marry Darla. I'll be on my best behavior if you agree to take me.”
Biting on my lower lip, I tried to think of a downside. No time alone with Adam on the trip was definitely one, but the plusses outweighed the negative. “Okay, let me think about it.”
“Fair enough,” she said, glancing around. “Things are changing. I can feel it in the air.”
“What do you mean?” I hadn't shared that Adam would be moving in, and the fact that she hadn't mentioned it made me think she hadn't overheard our conversation.
“Darla marrying Jack is a big change. I feel like we've been moving down a one-way street and we haven't had any trouble with traffic. An intersection is right around the corner and we're going to splinter off.”
“What in the world are you talking about?” I asked.
She shrugged and shook her head. “Things can't stay the same forever. Time transforms us all.”
As she faded away, I tried to understand her riddle. Usually, she spoke so bluntly, there was no denying her meaning. A street? What street? And, she seemed so sad, which made my heart heavy, as well. With a sigh, I pulled out my paper bag containing the tea samples Wilder had given me and decided to go with the lavender. As I warmed the water in the microwave (my apologies to the British), my thoughts returned to Adam and the murder investigation. I was dying to know what the physical evidence was, and I hoped that he called so I could get some sleep. Otherwise, I'd be up guessing all night long.
With my tea ready, I went into the living room and turned on the television. After catching the end of the late-night news, I vowed never to watch it again. It left me with dread that the world would be ending at any moment. Absolutely depressing. At least my lavender tea helped to relax me a bit.
As I finished my cup, my phone rang. Adam.
“Hi,” I answered. “Everything going okay?”
“Yes. Pete is adamant he didn't kill Sylvia, though. He's like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar and chocolate all over his face, but swears he didn't eat any cookies.”
“What evidence did you find?” It must be pretty damning.
Adam lowered his voice. “The hammer. It had Tina's prints on it, just as you said it would, but Pete's were also all over that thing.”
Huh. “So, Pete grabbed his hammer that morning and went and bashed in Sylvia's head? Then Tina picked it up when she found the body?”
“Precisely.”
I recalled seeing Pete's hammer in his toolbox. “Why would he have two hammers? I saw one in his toolbox the other day.”
“He's in construction,” Adam replied. “I'm sure he's got dozens lying around.”
Perhaps—yet nothing was fitting as neatly as I'd expected it to. “But where's Tina's hammer?”
“I think he killed her with Tina's hammer. Either that, or Tina misplaced her own and Pete used one of his. Who owned the hammer isn't important.”
Not in my book. But he was the cop, not me.
Tina had been adamant the hammer found by Sylvia had been hers because of the condition of the grip. The hammer I'd seen in Pete's toolbox had also seen better days.
“And what about Wilder walking down the street that morning?” I asked. “It seems more likely he would've grabbed the hammer from Tina's yard and done in Sylvia.”
“There's no physical evidence of it,” Adam said. “Wilder had nothing to do with it.” Except he had a devil-worshiping tattoo and an altar with Sylvia's picture. That certainly wasn't nothing.
“And what about Yolanda?” I questioned. “She probably had the easiest access to Sylvia because she lives next door.”
“Doesn't make sense,” Adam replied. “She goes across the street to grab the hammer, and confronts Sylvia in the garage?”
“Maybe. I'm just throwing out ideas.” I sighed and considered another cup of tea but decided against it. I didn't want to make multiple trips to the bathroom throughout the night. “Do you think Tina did it? She could've killed Sylvia and started screaming, as if she was mortified by what she found.”
“The timing doesn't work out. Sylvia was dead for a couple of hours before Tina found her. All the physical evidence points to Pete.”
“Which is why Wilder is the perfect suspect,” I said. “She was killed right around the time he was out walking.”
Adam chuckled. “You're making me feel like I'm not doing my job right.”
“Sorry. I'm sure you've got the right person.” But did I really believe it?
“Look, Bernie. Pete doesn't have an alibi. Says he was home alone. His prints are on the murder weapon.”
“But he lives alone. That's like me saying I don't have an alibi for the early morning hours, Adam.”
“I'm usually your alibi,” he said, snickering. “Or am I that forgettable?”
“Of course not!” I huffed. “I'm pointing out that just because someone lives alone doesn't mean that they killed someone!”
Voices in Adam's background drew closer—the sheriff and a female officer. “I need to go, Bernie,” Adam said. “We're about to have another meeting on the case.”
“Okay. Are you coming back here tonight?”
“No. After the meeting, I've got a couple more hours of paperwork, so I'll just crash at my place.”
Disappointment settled in. Now that we'd decided to move in together, I wanted him home. At our home. “Okay. I understand.”
“Goodnight. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I shook my head, confused. Tina had insisted the murder weapon was hers. So, Pete had walked down the street that morning, picked up Tina's hammer, then marched into Sylvia's garage and killed her. And left the hammer there? Surely, he understood they'd look for fingerprints. Or perhaps he'd departed hastily and forgotten it?
“It's not my problem,” I muttered as I stood and carried my empty cup into the kitchen. Elvira lay on the island, stretched out on her back, the tea bag of catnip torn to shreds. As she slowly turned her head toward me and stared at me through hooded lids, I realized she was completely high.
“Great. Now you're a junkie,” I said, silently cursing myself for leaving the bag out. I should've hidden it again, but my mind had been elsewhere.
Despite my zoned-out cat, the catnip all over my counter, and my ghost speaking in riddles, things were going well. The murderer had been caught. Adam and I were taking a huge step in our relationship. Darla and Jack were leaping into wedded bliss. Customers would begin checking in the day after tomorrow and hopefully, I'd have an appointment with my new lawyer very soon.
So, why did I feel like I stood under a ten-story, teetering building about to crash on top of me?
Chapter 17
After returning from my morning run, Ruby met me at the door.
“You should only run if someone’s chasing you,” she said as I huffed and puffed hard enough to blow the house down.
“I think I did something to my knee,” I moaned as I rubbed it.
“See? Now if someone does start chasing you, how are you going to get away with a bad knee?”
She had a point, but I chose to ignore her. Instead, I hobbled into the kitchen and motioned for her to follow me. After gulping down some ibuprofen with a glass of water, I sat down at the kitchen island. “I have something to tell you.”
“What’s up?” Ruby asked. She picked up my glass and set it down by the sink, then began giggling. “I’m so tickled I can move things around.”
“Adam and I are moving in together.”
Ruby arched an eyebrow. “Where? Here?”
“Yes.”
She nodded and pursed her lips. “What’s your mom going to say about that?”
My conservative parents would most likely have a hissy-fit, call me a sinner, and lecture me about giving myself away without the commitment of marriage. However, at thirty-five, I could make my own decisions. “They’ll get over it.”
Darla smiled, seemingly encouraged by Adam's reaction. “We all know Bernie had nothing do with the murder across the street, regardless of what the sheriff thinks. I'm sorry I got so angry.”
“It's okay,” Adam said. “I understand. You wanted to help your friend and I appreciate that. But like you said, I'm just in a difficult position. We need to check all our boxes, cross our T's... we have to be very thorough in a murder investigation.”
“I get it and I shouldn't have reacted the way I did,” Darla said, taking Jack's hand.
Jack glanced from me to Adam. “Are we all good?”
Both Adam and I nodded.
“Excellent,” Jack said, beaming. “We have some news for both of you.”
I was practically brimming with excitement to share my own announcement of Adam and me moving in together, but as Darla's cheeks turned pink, I held my breath. She looked as if she may simply explode with happiness.
“Jack and I are getting married!” she shouted. I stared in disbelief as she thrust her hand in my direction to reveal a rose gold band with a small, round diamond perched on top. As I took her hand in mine, she squealed.
“That's fantastic news,” Adam said, shaking Jack's hand. “Congratulations!”
“I'm so happy for you,” I whispered, hugging my friend. My news seemed so inconsequential, I didn't bother to share it and ruin Darla's moment.
“Thank you!” she said. “I can't believe how happy I am!”
As always, a little thread of worry tugged at me. Were her medications working as they should? Was she in a manic state, or was she truly this excited? I found nothing but sheer joy as I studied her face.
“I was hoping you'd be my maid of honor,” she said.
The last wedding I’d attended—my cousin's—I'd been hit by lightning. Hopefully things would go much smoother this time. “I'd be delighted.”
“And I'd like you to be my best man,” Jack said, grinning at Adam.
“Wouldn't miss it, buddy.”
“Did I hear Mr. Dimples?” Ruby said, appearing in the kitchen archway. “Well, I most certainly did. How's it going, hot stuff?”
“He's getting married,” I said.
Ruby grimaced. “Dang it! I was hoping I'd wait around here long enough to snag him when he kicked the bucket!”
“What did she say?” Darla asked.
“She's very happy for you,” I replied.
“She's welcome to come to the ceremony as well,” Darla whispered. “If you want her there.”
“I heard that!” Ruby yelled. “I may be dead, but I'm not deaf, sweetheart!”
“Where are you thinking of having the ceremony?” I asked.
“We found this really cute town up north a ways,” Jack answered. He placed his arm over Darla's shoulder and pulled her close.
“It's like someone carved out a portion of the forest and set down this place. There's a river running through it, huge pine trees everywhere, little stores... it's gorgeous.”
“What's it called?” Adam asked.
“Heywood,” Jack said. “Prettiest place on Earth, I guarantee it.”“
So when's the big day?” Adam asked.
“This summer,” Darla said firmly.
“A couple of months away?” I asked. How in the world would she plan a wedding in such a short time period?
“Yes. We're keeping it small and simple. My parents, obviously our friends... we figure the guest list will be under thirty people.”
I noticed how she hadn't mentioned anyone from Jack's past. Had he shared with her that he used to be a professional burglar and done prison time? Hopefully, yes. Either that or it would come back to bite him at some point in the future.
“Will you go dress shopping with me?” Darla asked.
“Of course!”
“Oh, I love weddings!” Ruby sighed. “I can't wait!”
I didn't bother to mention I hadn't decided if she'd be attending. A getaway with Adam—alone—would be nice.
When his phone rang, the chatter immediately died and we all stared at him. After pulling out the device, he grimaced and swore under his breath. “I need to take this.”
He hurried into the living room and I strained to overhear what he said as well as listen to Darla's wedding plans. Something about a little church overlooking the river...
“I need to go,” Adam said. “That was the sheriff. He's got firm physical evidence on who killed Sylvia, and we're going to make an arrest.”
“Who is it?” I asked.
“They're coming for you!” Ruby wailed, throwing her hands up in the air. “You're going down for this one!”
“Sorry, even though I love you, I can't tell you that,” he said. With a wink, he waved goodbye and headed out the front door.
He wouldn't tell me he loved me if he was coming to arrest me... right?
Chapter 16
Two hours later, when they brought Pete out of his house in handcuffs, I stood in the street with Yolanda and Tina watching the red and blue police lights illuminate the neighborhood. Pete yelled he was innocent and fought the cops as they dragged him from his house. He continued screaming until they stuffed him in the back of the cruiser and slammed the door.
“I feel so much safer now,” Tina murmured, shaking her head. “What a horrible tragedy to take place on our quiet little street.”
Yolanda nodded. “I agree. Pete seems fairly harmless, but the worst of them often do.”
As I stared at the crescent moon, something didn't feel right. Yes, Pete had suggested Tina drop dead the evening before she was killed, and she'd relentlessly hassled him about his stupid tree. He'd had an affair with her. He had motive and opportunity, but what was the physical evidence Adam had mentioned?
And I still hadn't laid eyes on Luna. Where was Wilder? Why wasn't he outside watching his neighbor being hauled off to jail? More strange behavior from him.
“Has anyone seen Wilder and his new girlfriend?” I asked, still wondering if Luna was happily shacked up with him, or the cops had arrested the wrong man and he was planting rose bushes over her buried corpse.
Both shook their heads. “What new girlfriend?” Tina asked. “I hardly ever see any women over there.”
“Yes,” Yolanda said, pulling her sweater tighter around her thin frame. “Dish the dirt! What new girlfriend?”
I explained Luna staying with me and her and Wilder meeting, then her moving in with him. Probably best to omit the threat of a restraining order, though.
“How interesting,” Tina said. “To invite someone into your home after only just making their acquaintance.”
It wasn't much different than what I did, but I ran a business where strangers were supposed to stay in my house—and pay me well for it. And, I didn't have tattoos that strongly resembled symbols of what some may call devil worshipping, nor did I have an altar in my house featuring a picture of a murder victim.
Speaking of my non-existent business... despite the late hour, I had to attend to it, or I'd be out on my butt. Trying to imagine me, Ruby, Ned, and Adam living together in his small condo only reinforced the idea I needed to get my marketing machine rolling and also hire a lawyer for that stupid tax bill. I'd put it off long enough. Time to be an adult.
After leaving my neighbors, I grabbed my laptop from my bedroom and sat down at the kitchen island. Glancing over the events coming to Sedona in the coming weeks and months, I sent a few emails to organizers. Right around the corner, one of the local psychics was hosting a weekend crystal workshop. To my utter delight, she answered my email and agreed to send her clients my way for lodging, and I'd send her a kickback for each one. Same with the golf tournament next month. I also started some Facebook ads targeting Phoenix residents interested in Sedona, hoping to generate a few nightly stays.
An hour later, the phone dinged, announcing I had a reservation for the weekend, which I both appreciated and dreaded. Another chat with Ruby about her ability to move inanimate objects would be in order.
Now on to the lawyer. Google informed me there was a new attorney in town who also held an accounting degree and specialized in tax law.
Perfect. “Sounds like he'll know what he's talking about.”
I filled out the online appointment request as my phone notified me I had another reservation. Suddenly, I felt much better about everything. Adam and I were moving in together. My best friend was getting married. I was slowly recovering from the business bomb Sylvia's death had delivered, and I'd finally addressed the tax issue. All of my completed tasks had kept me from wondering about the physical evidence that had nailed Pete.
“Look at you being all grown up,” Ruby said from behind me. I jumped off my stool, not having realized she was there.
“You scared me,” I muttered.
“Sorry about that. You found an accountant?” She stared at me straight-faced, her voice so serious, I considered she was about to play some type of joke on me. Throw something at me? Show off a new ghostly skill she hadn’t shared with me yet?
“Yes. He specializes in tax stuff.”
“And from the sound of your phone, the reservations are coming in.”
“Yes. You and I need to talk about our guests and your new ability.”
Ruby grinned and crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a plan.”
Uh oh. That never boded well for me. “I have a plan as well,” I said. “And I promise you my plan is better.” For me, anyway.
“I doubt it,” Ruby said. “I'll go first.”
“Fine. What's your idea?”
“You take me to Mr. Dimples' wedding, and I won't throw anything at any guests.”
What a surprise. My grandmother wanted to behave? But her not tossing glasses at my guests wasn't enough. “You won't throw stuff? Can you do better than that?”
With a sigh, she rolled her eyes. “I won't move anything, either. I'll stay completely hidden while you have customers here. I'll even stay out of their rooms.”
I narrowed my gaze, trying to ascertain if she was lying.
“I promise,” she said, holding up her right hand as if she were about to swear on a Bible. “I really want to see Jack marry Darla. I'll be on my best behavior if you agree to take me.”
Biting on my lower lip, I tried to think of a downside. No time alone with Adam on the trip was definitely one, but the plusses outweighed the negative. “Okay, let me think about it.”
“Fair enough,” she said, glancing around. “Things are changing. I can feel it in the air.”
“What do you mean?” I hadn't shared that Adam would be moving in, and the fact that she hadn't mentioned it made me think she hadn't overheard our conversation.
“Darla marrying Jack is a big change. I feel like we've been moving down a one-way street and we haven't had any trouble with traffic. An intersection is right around the corner and we're going to splinter off.”
“What in the world are you talking about?” I asked.
She shrugged and shook her head. “Things can't stay the same forever. Time transforms us all.”
As she faded away, I tried to understand her riddle. Usually, she spoke so bluntly, there was no denying her meaning. A street? What street? And, she seemed so sad, which made my heart heavy, as well. With a sigh, I pulled out my paper bag containing the tea samples Wilder had given me and decided to go with the lavender. As I warmed the water in the microwave (my apologies to the British), my thoughts returned to Adam and the murder investigation. I was dying to know what the physical evidence was, and I hoped that he called so I could get some sleep. Otherwise, I'd be up guessing all night long.
With my tea ready, I went into the living room and turned on the television. After catching the end of the late-night news, I vowed never to watch it again. It left me with dread that the world would be ending at any moment. Absolutely depressing. At least my lavender tea helped to relax me a bit.
As I finished my cup, my phone rang. Adam.
“Hi,” I answered. “Everything going okay?”
“Yes. Pete is adamant he didn't kill Sylvia, though. He's like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar and chocolate all over his face, but swears he didn't eat any cookies.”
“What evidence did you find?” It must be pretty damning.
Adam lowered his voice. “The hammer. It had Tina's prints on it, just as you said it would, but Pete's were also all over that thing.”
Huh. “So, Pete grabbed his hammer that morning and went and bashed in Sylvia's head? Then Tina picked it up when she found the body?”
“Precisely.”
I recalled seeing Pete's hammer in his toolbox. “Why would he have two hammers? I saw one in his toolbox the other day.”
“He's in construction,” Adam replied. “I'm sure he's got dozens lying around.”
Perhaps—yet nothing was fitting as neatly as I'd expected it to. “But where's Tina's hammer?”
“I think he killed her with Tina's hammer. Either that, or Tina misplaced her own and Pete used one of his. Who owned the hammer isn't important.”
Not in my book. But he was the cop, not me.
Tina had been adamant the hammer found by Sylvia had been hers because of the condition of the grip. The hammer I'd seen in Pete's toolbox had also seen better days.
“And what about Wilder walking down the street that morning?” I asked. “It seems more likely he would've grabbed the hammer from Tina's yard and done in Sylvia.”
“There's no physical evidence of it,” Adam said. “Wilder had nothing to do with it.” Except he had a devil-worshiping tattoo and an altar with Sylvia's picture. That certainly wasn't nothing.
“And what about Yolanda?” I questioned. “She probably had the easiest access to Sylvia because she lives next door.”
“Doesn't make sense,” Adam replied. “She goes across the street to grab the hammer, and confronts Sylvia in the garage?”
“Maybe. I'm just throwing out ideas.” I sighed and considered another cup of tea but decided against it. I didn't want to make multiple trips to the bathroom throughout the night. “Do you think Tina did it? She could've killed Sylvia and started screaming, as if she was mortified by what she found.”
“The timing doesn't work out. Sylvia was dead for a couple of hours before Tina found her. All the physical evidence points to Pete.”
“Which is why Wilder is the perfect suspect,” I said. “She was killed right around the time he was out walking.”
Adam chuckled. “You're making me feel like I'm not doing my job right.”
“Sorry. I'm sure you've got the right person.” But did I really believe it?
“Look, Bernie. Pete doesn't have an alibi. Says he was home alone. His prints are on the murder weapon.”
“But he lives alone. That's like me saying I don't have an alibi for the early morning hours, Adam.”
“I'm usually your alibi,” he said, snickering. “Or am I that forgettable?”
“Of course not!” I huffed. “I'm pointing out that just because someone lives alone doesn't mean that they killed someone!”
Voices in Adam's background drew closer—the sheriff and a female officer. “I need to go, Bernie,” Adam said. “We're about to have another meeting on the case.”
“Okay. Are you coming back here tonight?”
“No. After the meeting, I've got a couple more hours of paperwork, so I'll just crash at my place.”
Disappointment settled in. Now that we'd decided to move in together, I wanted him home. At our home. “Okay. I understand.”
“Goodnight. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I shook my head, confused. Tina had insisted the murder weapon was hers. So, Pete had walked down the street that morning, picked up Tina's hammer, then marched into Sylvia's garage and killed her. And left the hammer there? Surely, he understood they'd look for fingerprints. Or perhaps he'd departed hastily and forgotten it?
“It's not my problem,” I muttered as I stood and carried my empty cup into the kitchen. Elvira lay on the island, stretched out on her back, the tea bag of catnip torn to shreds. As she slowly turned her head toward me and stared at me through hooded lids, I realized she was completely high.
“Great. Now you're a junkie,” I said, silently cursing myself for leaving the bag out. I should've hidden it again, but my mind had been elsewhere.
Despite my zoned-out cat, the catnip all over my counter, and my ghost speaking in riddles, things were going well. The murderer had been caught. Adam and I were taking a huge step in our relationship. Darla and Jack were leaping into wedded bliss. Customers would begin checking in the day after tomorrow and hopefully, I'd have an appointment with my new lawyer very soon.
So, why did I feel like I stood under a ten-story, teetering building about to crash on top of me?
Chapter 17
After returning from my morning run, Ruby met me at the door.
“You should only run if someone’s chasing you,” she said as I huffed and puffed hard enough to blow the house down.
“I think I did something to my knee,” I moaned as I rubbed it.
“See? Now if someone does start chasing you, how are you going to get away with a bad knee?”
She had a point, but I chose to ignore her. Instead, I hobbled into the kitchen and motioned for her to follow me. After gulping down some ibuprofen with a glass of water, I sat down at the kitchen island. “I have something to tell you.”
“What’s up?” Ruby asked. She picked up my glass and set it down by the sink, then began giggling. “I’m so tickled I can move things around.”
“Adam and I are moving in together.”
Ruby arched an eyebrow. “Where? Here?”
“Yes.”
She nodded and pursed her lips. “What’s your mom going to say about that?”
My conservative parents would most likely have a hissy-fit, call me a sinner, and lecture me about giving myself away without the commitment of marriage. However, at thirty-five, I could make my own decisions. “They’ll get over it.”
