Body in the Books, page 5
Nora had learned early on in her career that you could learn a lot about a person by having lunch with them. Everything from how they handled wait times to how they treated the staff, to the eye contact they made throughout the meal told her something of their character. The guys in the office had teased her about her methods being as old-fashioned as her wardrobe, but she consistently outranked them in sales, and she credited that largely to her lunches.
Even though Ivy came highly recommended by both Raymond and Google, Nora still wanted to lay eyes on the woman before handing her the reins to ten million dollars.
The restaurant Ivy suggested was perched on the banks of the Tolomato River, amidst a grove of oak trees. They sat on a deck overlooking the river, shaded by trees with Spanish moss dripping off the branches. Nora found the whole thing utterly enchanting.
There was something about Ivy that was both intimidating and alluring at once. Her lithe frame was impeccably dressed, a cream-colored sleeveless blouse with a cowl neck standing in stark contrast to her deep mocha skin. She wore brown pinstripe slacks, strappy heels, and her long black hair was plaited into perfect microbraids. Perhaps most enviable of all was the confident poise she radiated. The whole package came together to create one of the most beautiful women Nora had ever seen.
The women exchanged pleasantries and talked about nothing of consequence as they ordered their drinks and meals. Nora had never had many friends. Most of her social circle had been centered on her fiancé, and those had drifted away after the accident, leaving her with work, coworkers she didn’t particularly care for, and family she saw only sparingly to fill her world.
Recently, she’d made a couple of friends while on vacation—but they were back in California. As she listened to Ivy’s musical laughter, she could see herself someday calling this woman a friend. Add to that the wild August and quirky Pru, and Nora considered herself quite the socialite these days.
They had discussed restaurants, the best shopping in town, and their favorite books by the time Nora brought the subject up they’d met for.
“So, I don’t know how much time you have for new clients, but my uncle seems to have had more than one business, which I’ve now inherited. The books are a bit of a jumble, and I know when I’m out of my depth. Raymond highly recommended you, so I was wondering if you could help me make sense of it all?”
“I knew about the bookshop,” Ivy commented. “What other businesses did he have?”
“That’s a very good question. He had some real estate holdings, but he refused to sell them—despite the fact that they seem to be worth quite a bit.”
Before Nora could go on, Ivy nodded. “I think I heard about that. There’s been an explosion of growth along the 207 corridor. One developer just paid one-point-five million for just six acres. I seem to recall Raymond mentioning that Walter was determined to preserve what he could of it. He was hesitant to see St. Augustine grow too much, said it would lose its charm.”
Nora decided to move chatting with Helen Lansdowne up on her to-do list. Depending on how much property Walter was sitting on, it could definitely be motive for murder.
“Good to know,” Nora mused. “But if he wasn’t making money off of his real estate and he was losing fistfuls of cash with the bookshop, he had to have revenue coming in from somewhere.”
Ivy studied her for a moment. “You’re worried he was into something shady.”
“Is that crazy?” Nora hadn’t admitted it out loud before now, but Ivy was right. How could she be sure Walter was just disorganized, and not intentionally hiding where his money came from?
“It’s not crazy.” Ivy shook her head. “It could be innocent, but if you’re having trouble tracing the source of his income, it’s not crazy to wonder why.”
“Could you help me?”
“Are you sure you want to know?”
“Absolutely.” Nora didn’t hesitate. “I need to know.”
Ivy regarded her for a moment. “All right. I’ll help you. Box up any receipts you can find, do your best to organize everything, I’ll swing by the shop to pick it up.”
“Wonderful.” Nora beamed at her. “Thank you.”
After that, the conversation shifted to their meals and what seasoning went into the shrimp. The women chatted easily, getting to know each other. Nora learned that Ivy’s parents had immigrated here from Jamaica, settling in Miami. Ivy had moved to St. Augustine after college. At first, she insisted it was for a job, but she eventually admitted she’d followed her heart. The relationship had failed, but the town grew on her, and she stayed. That was ten years ago.
After lunch, Nora and Margo headed back to the bookshop, where she was greeted by a rather impatient Detective Medero. Nora stifled the reflexive urge to apologize. She was allowed to eat lunch and they didn’t have an appointment. The man could have called instead of just showing up and acting put out when she wasn’t sitting here waiting on him.
Instead of telling him any of that, she ignored his irritation and greeted him politely. “Good afternoon detective. I wasn’t expecting you today. How can I help you?”
“Good afternoon, Ms. Jones.”
“Nora.”
“Nora,” he corrected. “I was hoping I could take a look at your uncle’s books.”
“Hmm, no, sorry.” Nora frowned. “Not unless you have a warrant. I’m still sorting those out myself.”
He scowled. “I thought you wanted me to find your uncle’s murderer.”
“I do. But I’m not sharing the books before I’ve even had a chance to go through them myself. Not unless I legally have to.”
“It’s come to my attention that Walter and a man with known ties to the mafia were on opposite sides of the debate over greyhound racing in Florida. I think it’s a solid lead.”
“Lucca?” Nora shook her head disapprovingly. “No. He and Walter respected each other.”
“And you know this how? I thought you’d never met Walter.”
“I didn’t. But I met Lucca.”
“So, you’re going to take the mob boss’s word on the subject?”
Nora rolled her eyes, irritated with his patronizing tone. “I’m not just taking Lucca’s word on it—Margo was nervous around him, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he reminded her of the track or if he scared her, so I did some digging. Everyone I talked to, everything I’ve read, backs up his story: They were on opposing sides but had a healthy respect for each other that bordered on friendship.”
She left out that she had mild concerns they were somehow business partners at some point. Dear goodness, she hoped that was a past thing. What if she was inadvertently in bed with the mafia? She’d be highly irritated with Uncle Walter if that turned out to be the case.
“Could you please just let me do my job?” His voice oozed exasperation.
“I would be thrilled if you’d do your job.”
Rafael closed his eyes briefly, making Nora wonder if he was trying to rein in his temper. “I mean, without you trying to do it for me.”
Nora twisted her mouth into her thinking pose. “I’m not very good at staying out of it when there’s a puzzle to solve.”
“Have a lot of experience solving mysteries, do you?”
“I have a knack,” she informed him, not at all pleased with the mocking tone to his voice. “Just last month I solved the mystery of the furniture fairies for a friend.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Furniture fairies?”
“Furniture had been mysteriously appearing on her doorstep.” She waved her hand as if to brush away the conversation. “Look, I’m not trying to get in your way. But I don’t see how I’m hurting you by asking a question here and there.”
“Asking questions here and there about the mob,” he amended.
Nora shrugged, as if it were of no consequence to her, amused by the small tic he got in his eye at the gesture. “I appreciate you stopping by to let me know where you’re at with the investigation.”
“That’s not why I stopped by—” he started to argue before shutting his mouth, a flash of bewildered irritation crossing his face. “Never mind. I’ll be back with a warrant. Have a good day, Ms. Jones.”
“Nora,” she reminded him.
“Nora,” he repeated before taking his leave.
Pru grinned, reminding Nora of her presence when she spoke. “I think he likes you.”
“Really?” Nora wasn’t so sure about that. “I think I frustrate him.”
“Men are suckers for women who frustrate them,” Pru informed her. “I’m pretty sure they’re all at least a little masochistic.”
“You might have a point there.”
“His voice is a very pretty shade of blue.”
“I thought I was blue.” Nora hoped she didn’t sound jealous over the color of her voice.
“You’re a brighter blue. Like the sea on a calm day. His is a deeper blue. Like the sky at night, but not deep night. Twilight kind of blue.”
Ever since meeting Pru, Nora found herself wondering what color random sounds were but resisted the urge to press her friend on the topic. “Fascinating.”
They spent the rest of the day working on marketing for the store. Pru was tasked with setting up social media for them while Nora divided her time between reading up on how to get them to show up on search engine maps and trying to get the receipts ready for Ivy. It wasn’t until they were closing up the shop that she realized she’d let another day slip by without reaching out to Helen to see if she could figure out why Walter thought she was the devil. Irritated with herself, she left a message with the woman, explaining who she was and that she’d come across Helen’s card in Walter’s house before asking if they could meet the next day.
Tired and more than a little overwhelmed, Nora trudged back to the house. At least Margo seemed content with their new routine.
A man materialized beside Nora’s car door as she opened it, causing her to jump. “Howdy, neighbor.”
“Hello,” she offered cautiously, wishing he’d respect her personal space. She’d always had a healthy personal bubble, but it had definitely grown over the last couple of years.
“I’m Tom Chapman—I live next door.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Tom.”
“I didn’t catch your name.”
Nora wanted to reply that’s because she didn’t give it but mentally scolded herself for being rude before answering. “Nora. I’m Walter’s niece.”
“Ah, well, I was hoping to talk to you about a matter Walter left unresolved.” Self-importance dripped from his voice.
Nora closed her door firmly, walking around the car to let Margo out. Every part of her just wanted to go inside and scrounge up some dinner. “What’s that?”
“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but those trees over there hang over the fence line. I can send my nephew over to top them for you. He’s got real reasonable rates.”
“No, thank you.” Nora did a quick glance around the neighborhood, noting that everyone’s trees were ignoring property lines. “I’ll get an arborist out to take a look, but I don’t think topping them is a good idea.”
His face turned red, and he dove headfirst into the litany of reasons she should pay his nephew to defile her trees, all of which she knew were wrong because once upon a time, she’d been engaged to a landscape architect who’d gotten his start as an arborist, and she’d spent many-an-hour listening to him talk trees. But none of that felt like something she wanted to share with this disagreeable man, so she simply smiled, nodded, and kept walking, promising to call someone to take a look at the trees on the property.
One encounter with her neighbors and Nora was beginning to wonder if maybe she’d be better off selling the house instead of staying in it.
“What do you think, Margo?” she asked the dog.
Margo cocked her head and swiveled her ears in response.
“I know, I know.” Nora sighed. “You want to stay here. Then you’re going to have to help me figure out what to do about the neighbor.”
Margo crossed her paws and lay her head on them, looking up at Nora.
“I’m on my own with the neighbor, aren’t I?”
Margo thumped her tail, leaving Nora to assume that was a yes.
Chapter Five
August showed up for her first day of work wearing a boho skirt and a gray t-shirt that rated adulting one-star with the words “would not recommend” scrawled underneath. Nora smiled to herself, thinking it was an incredibly appropriate choice of attire.
Nora was happy that Pru and August seemed to hit it off right away. When she went to finish boxing paperwork, Prudence was teaching August how to work the cash register while Charlotte made a beeline for the children’s corner with Margo glued to her side.
It was nearly lunchtime when Pru joined her in the office.
Nora glanced up from the box she was labeling. “So? What do you think?”
“She’s delightful.” Pru curled into the chair and closed her eyes, massaging her temples. “But I think I need a little bit of a break from all the yellow.”
“Fair enough.” Nora tried to be quiet as she moved the banker’s box to the top of the stack waiting in the corner. “Want to take a lunch?”
“Is it okay if I just hide in here for a while?”
“Absolutely. I’ll order something in for everyone and you can hide in here the rest of the day if you want.”
“I’ll be out to show her how to close up,” Pru promised. “And thank you.”
“No problem.” Nora let herself out of the office, snagging her laptop on the way out. Eager for some sunshine, August and Charlotte walked Margo while Nora ordered their food. They’d just gotten back when Leo arrived, his arms loaded down with bags.
“Oh, hey!” It only took Nora a second to place him. “How are you?”
“Good. And you? It looks like the dog is being more cooperative.” He spoke to Nora, but his eyes kept cutting over to August.
“We’re good. Getting settled in.”
He lifted the bags marginally. “I have your lunch. Where do you want me to set it?”
“The counter’s fine.”
“Sometimes I supplement the ghost hunting income with delivery gigs,” he sheepishly answered the question she hadn’t asked.
“I’m glad for it—it’s good to see you again.” August flashed a dimple at him before diving into the bags to divvy up food. “Want to stay and have lunch? Nora ordered enough for a small army.”
“Are you sure?” Leo looked from August to Nora.
“Positive. Grab a stool and join us.” Nora gestured before heading to the office to let Pru know the food was there.
Pru stopped short at the office door. “What’s he doing here?” she asked, her voice low.
“Delivering our food, why?” Nora frowned, not sure what she’d missed.
“He wanted to set up a bunch of equipment a while back—said the place was haunted—Walter chased him off.”
“Huh. He hadn’t mentioned it.” Nora mentally chided herself for instantly placing him in the suspect column. If being told no was suddenly grounds for murder, she must be getting desperate for a viable suspect.
“So, don’t be mad, Nora—” August began, pausing just long enough to hand Charlotte a plate and hop up on a stool in front of her own plate. “But Charlotte and I started house hunting yesterday.”
“Why would Nora be mad about that?” Leo’s brow crinkled in confusion.
“Because she wasn’t house hunting.” Nora was torn between being irritated and immensely curious. “She was questioning a murder suspect.”
“You went and saw Helen, didn’t you?” Pru asked with a knowing grin.
August looked to Pru with wide eyes. “How’d you know?”
“She’s the first person I suspected, too.”
“Why did Walter hate her so much?” Nora asked.
“She was a bulldog,” Pru explained. “Wouldn’t leave him alone about that property over off the 207.”
“Isn’t she a residential realtor, though?” Leo asked.
Nora’s looked over at Leo as she took a drink of sparkling water. “How do you know Helen?”
“Her billboard is everywhere.” His tone of voice said the answer should have been obvious. Nora wasn’t so sure, though. She never paid attention to them.
“He’s right,” August interjected. “Helen is a residential realtor. I would think that’s a whole different ballgame from brokering a commercial deal that large.”
“Maybe she’s looking to break into the big leagues?” Pru wondered aloud.
“Very nice, sticking with the baseball theme,” Nora commented before turning back to August. “I hate to encourage you by asking, but what did you find out?”
“Only that I don’t think she’s given up on the property.”
“How do you know that?”
“There was a sticky note with your phone number on her desk. I think she’s going to reach out to you soon.”
“Well, I did leave her a message asking to meet. Still, wouldn’t it be problematic if she stopped by the shop and saw you here?”
“Maybe. Or maybe she’ll think it’s a coincidence and she can use it to her advantage.”
“But if we’re right, you’re dealing with a murderer.” Nora circled back to her original protest on the topic.
“Wait, what?” Leo dropped his fork. “Walter was murdered?”
“We literally just said that.” Nora belatedly wondered if her tone was too harsh.
“Poisoned,” August told him.
“I still don’t like thinking about it.” Pru frowned. “He was such a good man. He didn’t deserve that.”
“Wow.” Leo sat back, somber. “He was a good man. He didn’t deserve that at all.”
“I heard he chased you out of here.” Nora couldn’t help bringing it up.
“He did.” Still serious, Leo turned his attention to Nora. “And I respected him for it.”
“I’m not sure I follow.”
“He believed me, that the place is haunted. It’s built right over the top of one of the buildings that was sacked when pirates raided back in 1688. There are still remnants of the original building down in the cellar.” Leo’s face had brightened as he explained.
