Open for Murder, page 14
She and Max said good-bye, trading the packed bar for wide-open sky. Stars dotted the black night, like white paint splattered across a black canvas. Zo hoped tomorrow would be just as clear and lovely. The Zodiac Club was meeting at the campus observatory. She reminded Max of her invitation.
“If tomorrow is like tonight, it’s going to be perfect for stargazing,” said Zo. “We’re meeting at the campus observatory if you want to join us.”
“No one will mind?” asked Max.
“Not at all. It’s open to the public. Lots of people visit without joining.”
Staring into the inky darkness, he didn’t respond right away. “Do you think we’ll ever find the answer?”
“I think the stars hold lots of answers,” she replied. “They’ve been here longer than we have. They have to know more than we do.”
Max looked at her and smiled. “I meant the answer to Enid’s death.”
Of course he meant the answer to Enid’s death. What did she think he was talking about? She gave herself a mental kick. She could be an idiot sometimes.
Max briefly lifted her moon necklace. “That’s why you’re interested in astronomy, isn’t it? You think it holds the answers you haven’t been able to find yourself.”
His question hit close to home, and she wondered how much he knew of her past. Probably something. Spirit Canyon was small, and everyone knew something about someone. But he hadn’t grown up here. He probably moved here when he became a forest ranger. She didn’t meet him until opening Happy Camper.
With his eyes on her, she felt exposed, vulnerable. She longed to flee, but she forced herself to respond. “I like the stories. I like the sky. You don’t have to come to the meeting if you don’t want to. It’s totally up to you.”
“I want to come,” said Max. “I’ll be there.”
She turned toward the crosswalk. She couldn’t deny the urge to leave any longer.
“Hey, thank you,” said Max, following her.
She pushed the crosswalk button. “For what?”
“For the dance.”
“It was nothing,” she said and crossed the street for home. They were partners for one reason and one reason only: to solve Enid’s murder. Glancing back at Max standing under the streetlight, his face as honest as the night sky, she decided he made it easy to forget.
Chapter Sixteen
Traffic hadn’t subsided just because Memorial Day was over, which meant a busy Tuesday at Happy Camper. People extended their stays to enjoy the warm weather and fun events that signaled summer. Horseback excursions, helicopter rides, and kayaking tours were offering discounts for the weekend, and greening trails and calm lakes provided tourists with plenty of reasons to linger. Throughout the morning, Zo had waited on ten customers, and all had made purchases. They gushed over the new Happy Camper mugs as well as the scented candles (s’more was her favorite scent this month). One shopper considered the Remington typewriter Zo had purchased from an auction, but Zo was almost glad when she decided against it. With a cute piece of Happy Camper stationery tucked inside, it made a fun display.
When Beth rushed through the front door at eleven thirty, Zo didn’t notice right away. She was on the floor, unpacking a box. It wasn’t until Beth touched her shoulder that she realized it wasn’t another customer.
“What a surprise,” said Zo, unfolding an Enjoy the Ride flag. “You doing a little shopping this morning?”
Beth shook her head, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, and Zo noted her outfit. Normally a careful dresser, Beth wore a baggy sweatshirt, old jeans, and slip-on tennis shoes. No flowers in sight. She must have left in a hurry.
“Is something wrong?” Zo rose, brushing packing material from her pants.
Beth’s blue-gray eyes darted to the door and back at Zo. A customer was leaving, and Zo called good-bye. After the shopper was gone, Beth answered. “It’s Enid’s medicine. I think I’ve found it.”
“Where?”
Beth leaned in. “In Allison’s room.”
Zo was surprised, sort of. She and Max knew Allison’s work involved Serenity Falls. They also knew Allison was planning an event at the college. She might have discovered something at Serenity Falls. Plus she knew the medication, digoxin. She herself said it would take very little for a person to overdose.
“I wasn’t snooping,” continued Beth. “I was dusting. It was right there in the dresser. The drawer was ajar.”
The dresser that you own, thought Zo. She hated where her mind was taking her, but this was bad news.
“I was cleaning the rooms while they were having breakfast, and that’s when I found it. It had Enid’s name on the bottle,” said Beth.
“So, what did you do with it?” Zo asked as she hung a flag on a display rod.
“Nothing. I shut the drawer and came here. I didn’t know if I should go to the police or what.”
A new group of shoppers entered the store, heading for the colorful flag Zo had just hung. The display had not only flags but welcome mats and other décor that tourists liked to display outside their RVs. After showing a customer the location of the wrapped flags on the shelf below, Zo led Beth to the cash register, where they had a little more privacy. George was sprawled out on the counter.
“I thought he ran away.” Beth gave George a scratch under his chin. He didn’t bother opening his eyes.
“He did, he does,” said Zo. “He was hungry this morning. He’ll disappear by this afternoon.” She put her elbows on the counter. “Beth, was anything else in the drawer? Clothes? Books?”
Beth shook her head. “No. Nothing.”
“Doesn’t that seem strange?’ said Zo. “I mean, if Allison did poison Enid, why not put the medicine in her suitcase or hide it in a sock? There’s no reason to leave it in a drawer, where you or anyone could find it.”
“You don’t think I put it there, do you?”
Beth was so taken aback that Zo felt bad for ever even considering the idea. Maybe Cunningham was right about trust issues. She reached for Beth and gave her a big hug. “Of course not. I know you had nothing to do with Enid’s death.”
When they separated, Beth was smiling. “Thank goodness. If you thought I killed her, I couldn’t bear it. You meant someone else is setting her up.”
“I think they might be,” said Zo. Their conversation was interrupting George’s nap, and he jumped off the counter, a fluff of fur floating behind him. He stood next to the door, waiting for the next customer to open it.
“But who would do that?” asked Beth. “One of her friends?”
“Who else?” said Zo. “No one else is staying at the lodge. They must have decided they had to unload it somewhere. Maybe Allison was the safest bet since she’s smart. They figured she’d be able to defend herself against the accusation.”
“You know, I really need to install cameras,” Beth mused. “At least in the main areas.”
The mention of cameras reminded Zo that A.J. was stopping by the store today. He said he would drop off some footage of the lodge. She told Beth.
“You are a lifesaver,” said Beth. “Thank you.” She redid her bun, which was coming loose. “What am I going to do about the pills? Go to the police?”
Zo reached for Max’s card in her backpack beneath the cabinet. “Maybe the police can come to us.” She dialed his number and waited. When Max answered, she explained Beth’s discovery.
“Has she given her statement to Brady at the station?” Max asked.
“No,” said Zo. “She came straight here.”
“Meet me at the station,” said Max. “I can be there in ten minutes.”
“I’m working,” said Zo. “But I’ll tell Beth to meet you there. Stop by when you’re finished.”
He promised he would and clicked off the phone. Zo relayed his message to her friend. Beth didn’t want to go by herself, but Zo reassured her that she would be just down the street. “The station is less than a mile away. It won’t take long, and by that time, Harley will be here, and we can go to lunch.”
Beth still looked worried, but her step was lighter when she left. At least Beth knew Max and liked him. Zo was confident he wouldn’t let Brady railroad her; Max cared about doing the right thing. Brady, on the other hand, wanted this case closed and his town’s reputation restored. If he had to pressure Beth, he would. Since she was the owner of the lodge, he would try to hold her responsible even though the medicine was found in Allison’s drawer.
Zo was relieved when Harley punched in early. One, she wouldn’t have to worry about leaving the store, and two, a customer wished to purchase the large buffalo print hanging near the door. It took both of their strength to take it down and wrap it for travel. Without the print, the wall looked bare, and Zo shot off an email to the photographer requesting another, as well as some miniature postcard prints. She was pressing the Send button when Max and Beth returned from the police station. Max wore a short-sleeved green shirt and green uniform pants. This was the Max she knew.
“So now I can tell my kids I’ve seen the inside of a police station,” said Beth. “Who would’ve thought that it’d be in Spirit Canyon, not Chicago? Wonders.”
“Sorry I couldn’t go with you,” Zo said. “Harley just got here.”
“Max was great,” said Beth.
“Brady not so much.” Max glanced at Zo. “He thinks it’s ‘interesting’ Beth found Enid’s medicine in Allison’s room.” He air-quoted.
“Interesting?” said Zo. “You’d think he’d be excited to find another clue to Enid’s death.”
Max shook his head. “I don’t think he thinks of it that way. He’s convinced Beth had something to do with it.”
“I’m just glad you’re not convinced,” said Beth. “Without you, I don’t know where I’d be—probably jail.”
Though Zo hated to admit it, they needed Max’s help. They needed him on their team. “We’re going to go to lunch. Do you want to join us?”
“I’d love to, but I told Brady I wanted to run out to the lodge with him,” he said. “I don’t want him gathering evidence alone. I’ll see you at the Zodiac Club, though, if you’re still meeting?”
“Sure. Unless it clouds over, we’ll be at the observatory at Black Mountain.”
“I’ll see you at dusk, then,” said Max.
Zo nodded, and they watched him walk out the door.
“Max is sweet.” Beth smiled. “I’m glad about your date.”
“It’s not a date,” Zo said quickly. “The astronomy club is meeting at the college. He wants to see what it’s all about.”
“Right.” Beth gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Because he seems like the stargazing kind of guy.”
“He’s a forest ranger. He’s into nature.”
Beth chuckled. “You don’t think his interest has anything to do with you?”
“Honestly,” said Zo, “it probably has something to do with you—or Brady. I’m starting to think he wants to prove Brady wrong. Show him he’s a real cop, you know?”
Just then, A.J. entered Happy Camper. Zo gave him a wave, and he approached the register, but not before bumping into a customer. He apologized to the woman, moving his camera strap from his arm to his neck.
“Hey A.J.,” said Zo. “Thanks for coming. Beth is excited about getting some pictures.”
“You’re the best,” said Beth. “I need all the advertising I can afford right now.”
“I bet Enid’s death wasn’t the coverage you were looking for this weekend,” A.J. said. “Is that why Max was here? Did he have new information?”
Considering A.J.’s interest in Allison, Zo didn’t think it was wise to tell him that Enid’s medication had been found in her room. She’d had her fair share of dating disappointments, but no one wanted to start a relationship with a murder suspect. “No, he was just in the area.”
He glanced around the shop. “I’ve never been in here. I like it.” He pointed to a shelf. “Love the books.”
“I do, too.” Zo had enjoyed reading since she was little, which was probably why she majored in journalism. But now she read just for pleasure, not assignment, unless she brought in a local author. She always prepared for a book event by reading the author’s work.
A.J. took a jump drive out of his pocket. “Do you have somewhere we could look at this? I just made a copy of what I had, so it might not be what you want.”
“Anything will be great, I promise.” Beth pulled out a checkbook from her wrist wallet. “With everything else going on, I haven’t had time to think about advertising. This will make it so much easier. Is a hundred dollars enough?”
“Sure,” said A.J. “Thanks.”
While Beth wrote the check, Zo and A.J. chitchatted. “So, what do you like to read?” asked Zo.
“Science fiction,” he said. “I’m actually working on writing a novel.”
“Oh, yeah?” said Zo. “What’s it about?”
A.J.’s voice grew more confident as he described the plot. For the first time, he was separate from his camera equipment, not just a journalist on assignment, but a writer with his own ideas. At the television station, he got lost behind the scenes. But here, talking about his novel, he seemed more passionate. No wonder Allison found him intriguing.
“Have you told Allison about the book?” Zo asked. “It sounds like something she would be interested in.”
“It’s how we started talking,” said A.J. “She was reading a sci-fi book at the lodge, and I mentioned I was writing one.”
That made sense. Allison was interested in anything to do with science, fiction or otherwise.
“She’s really smart,” continued A.J. “I’ve been asking her a lot of questions about planets.”
Beth handed A.J. the check. “Thank you so much.”
A.J. folded the check and put it in his jeans. “Thank you. I’m going to put it toward a sci-fi conference I want to go to. It’s insane how much those things cost.”
Zo had an idea. “My neighbor is an English professor. Russell Cunningham? If you’d like, I’m sure he’d take a look at your book for you. I don’t know if he reads science fiction, but he has to know something about novels, right?”
“When I’m finished, I’ll do that.” He set the jump drive on the counter. “Thanks again.”
Now that A.J. was gone, she could introduce Beth to Harley. She led Beth to a store shelf where Harley was working. “Harley, this is Beth, my friend from Spirit Canyon Lodge. This is Harley, my awesome employee. She’s an accounting student at Black Mountain College.”
Dressed in a short skirt and army boots, Harley gave Beth a wave. It was as close as she would get to a handshake. Though Harley wasn’t as good with people as she was with numbers, she was a hard worker and a whiz at math. With her eclectic style and impressive accounting skills, she was the perfect employee for Zo.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” said Harley. “It’s nice to finally meet.”
Beth couldn’t help herself. She leaned over the shelf and squeezed her hand. “I love your hair.”
Harley smoothed her black and purple pixie cut and went back to unpacking a box. “Thanks.”
“Beth and I are going to lunch, but I wanted you to look over the draft of the schedule,” said Zo. “I left it by the counter.”
“No problem,” said Harley. “I’ll take a look when I finish with these bird houses.” Shaped like little campers, they were a perfect complement to the store.
“If you need any days off, just leave a note,” said Zo.
“I don’t,” Harley replied. “I need as many hours as I can get before school starts. I plan on staying here from now until September. You might as well throw a cot in the back room.”
“That can be arranged,” Zo said with a laugh. She knew Black Mountain College was spendy, and Harley’s parents weren’t paying her way. She’d moved from California—and free tuition—to be close to the Black Hills. Her mom and dad thought she was crazy. Zo thought she was a perfect fit for Happy Camper. She hoped she stayed long after she graduated from college.
Chapter Seventeen
For lunch, Zo led Beth down the street to Lotsa Pasta, an Italian restaurant. Jack had insisted he could handle Brady Merrigan collecting evidence. He said Beth had already done the hard work by giving the statement, and their lawyer had just arrived. Jack wanted her to spend a few hours away from the lodge, which would be easy to do at Lotsa Pasta. Cozy and comforting, the restaurant had an authentic menu with reasonable prices. It also had an Italian wine list and outdoor seating area that Zo enjoyed at least one night a week. The smells of garlic and bread greeted her this afternoon as she opened the door. She inhaled deeply. Fresh bread was the best thing on earth.
“This place is adorable,” Beth said. “How is it that I haven’t been here?”
Decorated in colors of red, green, and white, the eatery had wooden tables and stucco walls that gave it a rustic and informal feeling. Waitresses handed out hunks of dough to kids, who needed a way to pass the time waiting for their pizzas, and traditional Italian music tinkled over the speakers. Today a mandolin filled the air.
Before Zo responded, the hostess led them to a two-person table by the window. “You’ve been a little busy opening a new lodge and dealing with Enid’s murder.”
Beth leaned forward, crossing her arms on the table. “It feels like I never left Spirit Canyon. Isn’t that weird?”
“It is,” said Zo. “But I feel the same way. It’s like we’ve picked up right where we left off. I wondered if it would be different after all this time. I can’t believe it’s not.”
