The Glitter End, page 15
Delta grimaced. “Yes, but the tide is turning.” She told Hazel about what Mrs. Cassidy had reluctantly revealed to her and Jonas.
Hazel sighed. “I hope no one throws another rock through our store window.”
To cheer her up, Delta said, “Let’s make some plans for workshops we can do in January and February.”
The December ones were fully booked, offering ways to make exclusive glass markers and place cards for the Christmas dinner table, creating your own Christmas crackers and a special one with an out-of-town guest crafter teaching paper poinsettias.
“January is a sort of ‘meh’ month,” Hazel observed. “The festivities are over, the weather is usually kind of gray, you don’t have a lot of money to spend.”
“Hmm, maybe we should build on that. Teach people how to make a budgeting planner for the new year. We can use scrapbooking techniques and offer an outside budgeting expert as our guest. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, you know, how we can pull in more people. By combining the crafty aspect with something practical. I mean, something people are interested in, like tips to save money or to be more active.”
“Great idea.” Hazel sat up. “We can do a workshop where we make a household planner to hang on your kitchen wall and ask an expert to do a short item on quality time.”
“I’m getting a notepad to take down some ideas,” Delta said.
Soon they were writing down lots of ideas, some more wacky than others, laughing a lot as they were at it. Making all these plans gave the pair energy, and, as Delta maneuvered through the kitchen to make some coffee, she felt decidedly better. She had come to Tundish for the store, to be in business with her best friend and craft her way through life. She shouldn’t let herself be sidetracked by murder cases or complicated feelings for a man who might not see her as girlfriend material. Her phone beeped. A message popped up from Calamity Jane: “My husband put all the photographs and videos he took at the opening of the exhibition in an online album. You can see them by clicking this secure link. If you want any to share on your social media channels or website, let me know. Hope you like them.”
Delta clicked on the link and looked at the photos and videos of enthusiastic villagers looking at her display. It was a bit souring to realize that the people who had loved it then were now angry at her because of the murder.
Suddenly, in the last video she looked at, her gaze detected a familiar face. Tabitha Tay VanderHurst. She stood at the entrance of the shop, looking about her as if she searched for someone in the crowd inside. Then she talked to someone Delta couldn’t see on the footage, presumably outside in the street. Her expression changed from animated to annoyed and she suddenly stepped back and exited the shop in a hurry.
Why had she not come in to look at the display? Who had been with her?
Frowning hard, Delta replayed the video. From Tabitha’s behavior, she got the distinct impression that she had appeared at Wanted’s door merely to check if a specific person was present inside. Tilly? Busy with the exhibition? What had Tabitha been up to?
Earlier they had assumed Tilly had left the van at the campsite to protect it from Bob Weatherspoon’s intrusion, but what if she had tried to hide it from her own sister?
After all, Tilly had known Tabitha was in town; she had mentioned it to her lawyer emphasizing she didn’t want her family to intrude. And, at the sheriff’s station, Tabitha had said they had been trying for years to persuade Tilly to quit with the off-the-grid lifestyle. How?
And why?
Too bad Delta couldn’t see in that video who had been with Tabitha.
***
The next morning, while they were having a hurried breakfast, there was a knock at the back door. Delta went to open up and saw Gran standing there, all smiles. She was dressed in a smart three-quarter-length coat with a new hat on. “Come inside,” Delta invited. “There’s fresh coffee.”
“I can’t stay long. I wanted to say I’m going away for a few days.”
“Away?” Delta echoed.
“Yes. George asked me to accompany him.” Gran blushed like a schoolgirl. “He’s giving a lecture about gold rush history, and he wants to explore the surroundings. With me.” She smiled even wider. “I haven’t been so excited about something for a long time. I hope you don’t mind me leaving.”
“If it’s just for a few days…” Delta tried to look happy, but, inside, unrest, hesitation, and outright suspicion scrambled for the upper hand. Why would Buckmore want to take Gran away from Tundish? Did he have some sneaky plan for her?
What is he up to?
“Take care, darling,” Gran stood on tiptoe to kiss Delta on the cheek. “I do feel like I’m abandoning you with the trouble you’re in…”
“Nonsense. I’m not in trouble at all,” she lied. “Sheriff West is looking into the whereabouts of the pyramid scheme proceeds. No doubt he also knows which associates Weatherspoon may have worked with at the time who might have come after him at his release. Tilly Tay will soon be cleared of all suspicion, and everything will be fine, trust me. You have a good time.”
Delta hugged her grandmother. Her throat was tight with fear that the man she was leaving with had some evil plan and she might be hurt. But she couldn’t say that now.
It’s too late.
Gran stepped back. “I’ll call you.”
“You do that.” Delta watched her walk away, thinking this must be how a mother felt taking her toddler to kindergarten. Wanting to hold on tight and never let go.
“What’s up?” Hazel asked stepping up from behind.
“Gran is going out of town for a few days, with Major Buckmore.”
“What? How about my plan for the dinner where…” Hazel touched Delta’s arm. “The guy could have something sinister up his sleeve.”
“I know, but I could hardly ask her if he’s a con man. She adores him.” She might be in love with him. Hadn’t Mrs. Cassidy said the other day that people fell in love at first sight? And this man was so charming, with his flowers and his fun ideas.
Delta felt lightheaded and went back into the kitchen to sit down. She clenched her hands together. “I’ll call Jonas and discuss it with him. Where is my phone?”
Hazel looked about her. “It must still be upstairs. I’ll get it.” She ran from the room.
Delta sat breathing deeply. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but she couldn’t control the panic swirling inside. Gran was the dearest relative she had in the world. She was closer with her than with her own parents. If something happened to her…
Buckmore isn’t taking her to the south pole, she admonished herself. It’s just a small trip, and they will be back soon. You can call her. You can check whether they arrived safely at the location.
Wait a minute.
Gran hadn’t said where they were going. And Delta hadn’t asked.
The cold feeling inside intensified. Why hadn’t she asked for the address of the hotel or wherever they’d be staying?
Hazel burst back in. “Here’s your phone. Call Jonas. He’ll know what to do.”
Delta pressed the buttons with trembling fingers. She felt as if her gran had been kidnapped and she might never see her again.
When Jonas answered the call, Delta said in a shivery voice, “Hello, it’s me. Gran was here a minute ago…”
“Is something wrong?” he cut in. “You sound upset.”
“She’s fine, but she told me she’s going away for a few days with a new friend she made. The guy I told you about, the one whom the woman in the stationery shop warned us about.”
Jonas was silent for a moment. “You think he has some plan for this trip?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Did you tell your grandmother about… No, of course you didn’t. You wouldn’t have wanted to hurt her feelings if you weren’t sure the allegations were true.”
“I wanted to check him out better,” Delta said, her voice strangled with tears. “I didn’t know I wouldn’t have the time to do so.”
“Calm down,” Jonas sounded softer, as if he was moving closer to her. She could feel his arm around her shoulders again. “We can still make sure he doesn’t mean her harm. Where are they going?”
“I don’t know. That’s the stupid…” Delta swallowed hard. A tear ran down her cheek. “I didn’t ask. I was so taken off guard by her appearance and news that…”
“No problem. We can find them.”
Delta rubbed away the tear with an impatient gesture. “I do know something. He is giving a lecture about the gold rush. Maybe you can find out online where that is?”
“Perfect. I’ll call you back as soon as I know more and made a plan to ensure she’s safe. Take care.” Jonas disconnected.
Delta took a deep breath. “I feel so silly.”
“Because you cried?” Hazel asked. “Maybe Jonas won’t mind seeing a softer side to you.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, you’re always so self-assured and independent. Maybe he thinks you don’t need him at all.”
What? Delta’s jaw sagged. She always viewed Jonas as the independent one who didn’t need her. Did he feel the same way? Was that why he had been keeping his distance? While he did want to…kiss her?
This really isn’t the time to think about that, she admonished herself. I must focus on Gran.
As she thought it, her phone rang. She almost dropped it and accepted the call with a pounding heart. A male voice said, “Is this Delta Douglas? Are you arranging for the defense of Tilly Tay?”
“Yes, umm, well, more or less.” Delta hesitated. Mrs. Cassidy had hired the lawyer, and she really didn’t know whether… But the man gave her no time to explain anything. He spoke urgently, “We must meet. I have important information for you that can clear her. But I don’t want to come to your house or your store. We must meet at some neutral place.”
“Why?” Delta asked, determined not to be overwhelmed again. Two shocks in one morning were too much. “Besides, if you know something relevant about the murder, you should go to the police and tell them.”
“I don’t want anything to do with the police. I will tell you, only you.” He sounded ready to hang up on her.
“Okay,” Delta said quickly. Her curiosity was stronger than her reluctance, since it may help Tilly’s case.
And, consequently, also restore Wanted’s damaged reputation with the shopkeepers who were upset about the scandal. “Where do you want to meet?”
“I’ll message you instructions. I don’t want to take any risk of the police showing up. Get into your car, and I’ll send the first directions.” He disconnected.
Lowering the phone, Delta felt goose bumps on her arms. This was kind of creepy. And dangerous. She had no idea who this guy was. He claimed to want to clear Tilly, but he could have something far different in mind. She could be meeting…the killer?
She turned to Hazel and explained quickly what was up. Hazel said, “How does he know you’re involved in Tilly’s defense? And where did he get your number?”
Delta shrugged. “There’s plenty of talk in town. My number is on our business cards.”
“Maybe he took a business card from the shop when he planted the clue in the display to incriminate Tilly,” Hazel suggested. She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re not going alone. I’m coming with you. Or, better still, Jonas should come with you.”
Delta pursed her lips. “Is there time to arrange that? The caller said he’d text me the first direction right away.”
Her phone beeped. She almost dropped it. “That must be him now.”
“Call in Jonas fast.” Hazel squeezed her shoulder. “Good luck.”
Delta sighed and called while she walked to her car. Jonas said, “I can’t find information that quickly, Delta,” The half smile in his voice warmed her insides.
“It’s not about Gran. I had a call from an unknown man, he wants to meet me with information that can clear Tilly. He’s texting me directions to a meeting point.”
“And you’re going there? Not even knowing who he is or what he wants? Are you crazy? How can you agree with something like that?”
“We can discuss that later. Are you coming?”
“You bet I am. Where to?”
***
Delta followed the caller’s instructions. She switched her phone so incoming messages were read aloud, and, with Jonas listening on speaker, they were both headed out of Tundish. “Did you hear that?” she asked after another curt direction.
“Yes, and I’m close to you. You should see me after ten, five… Now.”
Delta saw the Jeep appear from a side road to her left and turn onto the road she was driving on. It came to follow right behind her vehicle. A sense of intense relief rushed through her, leaving her knees jittery. Jonas was there; it would be all right now. Whatever the unknown man wanted, they’d face it together.
“I’m still not a fan of this,” Jonas said.
“I know. But I can’t let this chance pass. Tilly needs the break. West is focusing solely on her.”
“I doubt he is. He did ask questions at the motel and is trying to find people who were in contact with the victim. He’s also checking whether any victims of the pyramid scheme lived in this area, to find out if the murder was a revenge killing for damages done through that con. Weatherspoon was released, and he came here right away. To ask his ex for some petty cash? Not likely.”
Delta sucked in air. “If we can prove he was in touch with someone local before he died…maybe via his phone records?”
“No doubt West is on that. But it takes time. He doesn’t get calls offering him information on a silver platter.”
“Don’t be so cynical.”
“Think about it. Why would this guy offer it to you? Who is he? What can he know?”
“Maybe it’s the son of the woman Grace, the waitress at Mine Forever, knew. Remember? The one who worked at the motel the night of the murder? He saw the victim arguing with another man. Grace said that a young man like him might not want to turn to the police. If he can tell us what he knows, at least we can determine if it’s important or not.”
“But we’d still need an official statement to get anywhere in the investigation.”
“We can see about that later.” Another direction came in, making them turn left and follow the dirt road.
“This guy knows these surroundings pretty well,” Jonas observed. He didn’t sound happy with that.
“Logically,” Delta tried to reason, “if he’s a local kid.” The idea that they were meeting a teenager who didn’t want to go to the police with what he knew was a lot more reassuring than the possibility it was the murderer. They had wondered before if Bob Weatherspoon had met anyone at the hotel. Another lone traveler. Another criminal?
Finally the caller demanded her to turn into a half-gravel parking lot in the forest where several walking routes began. A large sign gave a map of the area and the routes while a picnic bench offered a place to eat a bite. A mountain bike stood leaning against it. There was no one in sight.
Delta got out and stretched her tight shoulder muscles, taking in the surroundings quickly. It was a beautiful place if you came here for some downtime, but, when meeting with someone about a murder case, the remote location and the sound of the last leaves rustling on the trees carried a sinister edge.
Jonas came over and stood beside her. “I don’t think he’s here. He’s probably observing from another spot.”
Delta’s phone rang. It was still in the car, and she rushed to get it. The caller said, “You are not alone.” It sounded on edge, but not vicious.
She swallowed before answering, “I was worried about the remote location.”
“You didn’t know it would be a remote location.”
“I could guess. Else you’d come to the store to talk to me.”
“Who is the guy?”
Her mind racing, Delta took a deep breath. She could tell him Jonas was a wildlife guide, but the association with official rangers might spook him. She said, “He’s my boyfriend.” She didn’t dare look in Jonas’s direction to see if he was close enough to overhear and, if he was, what his reaction was.
“I see. Did you tell him secrecy is key?”
“Of course, and he agrees. He just wants to make sure I’m safe.”
“All right. Walk down the path marked with the red picket fence poles. I’ll text the rest.”
Chapter Fourteen
Delta lowered the phone and tried to look innocent as she turned to Jonas. “The path with the red poles.”
Jonas said, “He must be able to see us.” He turned his head slowly, scanning the area. “It’s higher there.”
“Don’t point or nod.” Delta tried to maintain a neutral expression as she started to walk. “He wasn’t happy I’m not alone.” She refused to look at him as she added, “I had to call you my boyfriend to explain. It was the first logical thing to come to mind. I don’t want to spook him.”
“All in the interest of the case?” There was tension in his voice she couldn’t quite place. Was it about the situation they were in or her impromptu lie?
“It’s more than the case. I mean, you are a very good friend, and I totally rely on you in this situation so…” This isn’t exactly making it better. But what could she say? That she wanted him to be her boyfriend? If he didn’t share her feelings, she’d ruin their friendship and she couldn’t bear to think of that.
Jonas’s voice broke through her contemplation. “There’s a wildlife observation point up ahead,” he said. “Maybe he’s there?”
Delta’s legs felt rubbery, and her hands were trembling. She held them beside her, turned to fists to hide the shaking. She had been to an observation point before with Jonas, but that had been a real hut. This one was just a simple woven screen to hide the human presence. In the dense natural material were holes to see through. Scanning the construction, Delta suddenly saw a pair of eyes watching them through the hole. She sucked in air.
