Candy-Coated Secrets Page 3

  Ahead of me loomed a fun house. From its size, it was obviously a huge hit with the fair attendees. A giant clown head wobbled over the entrance. This would be one attraction I definitely wanted to miss.

  My slimy little friend leaned against the Ferris wheel talking to a voluptuous, platinum blonde. I took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Mr. Foreman.”

  “Eddy, please.” He turned toward me, a smile across his smooth-shaven face. “Miss me already?”

  “I’d like to request that you move my booth.”

  “Really? The ones along the midway get good traffic.” He swatted the other woman on the rear and turned back to me. “Where do you wanna go?”

  “The arts and crafts building.”

  “Sure. I’ll see what I can do. With my connections, I ought to be able to get anything a pretty little thing like you wants.”

  I swerved to avoid his touch.

  From the corner of my eye, I caught another glimpse of my fur-covered friend. “Do you have bears here?”

  “Yes. We have a bunch of circus animals, and one’s a black bear.”

  “Could he have escaped?” The shadow disappeared behind the Toboggan Ride.

  “Possible, but not probable. Besides, Samson’s very friendly. He likes to greet visitors with a kiss.”

  Wonderful. The last thing I wanted was a kiss from a bear. “Does he ever get loose?”

  “Scared?” He leered.

  “Maybe.” Yes. Definitely.

  As we passed the animal paddock, Ginger lumbered along the fence, keeping pace. Her trunk snaked out and nuzzled my hair. Ugh. I brushed her away. If she went for the water trough, I’d be out of there.

  “We’ll put you in the middle of the arts and crafts building. Next to the quilts.” Foreman opened the building’s door. “You’ll still have a lot of traffic, but you’ll be away from the hustle and bustle. You might regret this decision.”

  No way. The building had to be cleaner than the dirt-covered midway. “It’ll be fine. Can you get someone to move my refrigerator in here?”

  “Washington!”

  A reed-thin black man rose from where he knelt behind a partition. Foreman clapped a hand on the man’s shoulder. “This is Washington Bean. Washington, Summer Meadows.” He gave Washington the number of my booth and informed him I’d be moving. “I’m pretty sure there’s a vacant spot we can set up for her.”

  Washington’s teeth flashed in his ebony skin. “I’ll get right on it, Miss Meadows.”

  “Summer. Thank you, Washington.”

  I turned to see a red-faced Aunt Eunice rushing toward me. Her chin quivered with indignation.

  “Did you get your pickles entered?”

  “Ruby Colville entered her bread-and-butter pickles. That sneak.” Aunt Eunice crossed her arms. “She waited until today to register.”

  “Isn’t that the same thing you did?”

  “She ruined my plan.” She glanced over the cubicle they’d assigned to us. “This our spot?”

  “Yes.”

  “Better get to work then.” She strode toward the exit. “I can’t believe how devious some people can be.”

  Before exiting, I peered outside, fully expecting Samson to be waiting with puckered lips. Instead, someone in a gorilla suit stared at the building. When I stepped out, he or she darted behind the restrooms.

  Aunt Eunice took one look at me and clutched my arm. “What is it?”

  “Since we’ve been here, I’ve felt like I’ve been followed. I thought it looked like a black bear.”

  “A bear?”

  “Yeah. But it isn’t a bear. This time I saw someone wearing a gorilla costume.” I gazed at her face. “It’s clear someone is following me. I’d like to know why.”

  Her grip tightened. “Oh, no you don’t. You ain’t going chasing off after nobody in a costume.”

  “It does seem fishy, doesn’t it?”

  “This is a county fair with a carnival attached. There’re bound to be strange things.” She tugged at me. “Come on. We’ve got candy to make and only three more days to make it.”

  We marched to the truck, but I couldn’t help myself. I had to glance over my shoulder. My gorilla friend stood in the shadows.

  Watching.

  Chapter Four

  With a box full of chocolate tigers, lions, clowns, and hot air balloons on the seat beside me, I drove to the fair. The midway still resembled an anthill with workers striving to finish before opening night. I parked in front of the arts and crafts building and gathered my wares.

  Not being buff, and having ditched my resolution of working out, I could only handle one bulky cardboard box at a time. The chocolate weighed about thirty pounds. To have enough to sell, I figured I’d be making a couple of trips a day from the candy store to my temporary new home—at least for this week.

  The carnival looked different as the hues of a summer sunset cast the first shadows over the grounds. Like a fairyland with the rides outlined in colored lights.

  The drone of the generators vibrated around me. A lion roared. Must be feeding time. The box slipped and I had to stop to get a better grip. My gaze roamed over the gaily lit fairgrounds searching for my gorilla shadow. The tightness in my shoulders relaxed when I couldn’t find it.

  Someone had propped open the door to the arts and crafts building, and I sent another thanks to heaven. The dusk cast the cavernous room into a gloom of shadows and gray-tinted light. A quick glance didn’t readily show a light switch, and with the box growing heavier, I decided the light was good enough to see by. At least until I deposited my load. To not run into anything, I slid my feet inch by inch along the concrete floor until I arrived at my cubicle.

  My arms ached with relief as I set my box on a folding table. The hum of the refrigerator assured me it worked. As I withdrew my chocolate treasures, I thought of how much I missed Ethan, and again asked for forgiveness for my selfishness. God sent him to build houses for the homeless. Who was I to complain of my need to have the man I love close to me?

  Yet my stomach churned with longing for his company. Desire to speak with Ethan spurred me to move faster so I could call him. Thank God for the modern miracle of cell phones.

  I yanked open the refrigerator door—and screamed.

  The beady eyes of a dead armadillo stared up at me. A scrap of paper hung from a tooth. With trembling fingers, I reached for the paper, held my breath against the rotting odor, and read, This is what will happen to you if you stick your nose where it don’t belong. I released my grip on the handle. The door slammed with a muffled thud.

  The beat of pounding feet rushed toward me, echoing through the building. Harsh fluorescent lights blinked on, blinding me. I’d seen dead animals before. Living in the country guaranteed that, and I didn’t usually shriek. But having one in my refrigerator had to be a first. I wasn’t involved in anything, yet everyone warned me to stay away.

  “Miss Meadows?” Washington Bean sprinted to my side. The whites of his eyes and teeth shone against his ebony skin.

  I pointed, and thought of Joe. “Don’t touch anything.” My fingerprints were already on the refrigerator. My cousin would be livid.

  Washington used his shirttail to open the door and whistled through his teeth. “That critter’s been dead awhile. You’re going to need a new refrigerator, Miss Summer. No amount of cleaning will take that smell out. Let me take care of that for you.” He melted into the shadows and disappeared.

  “Summer!” Eddy Foreman appeared by my side and placed one sweaty hand around my upper arm. He glanced in the open refrigerator. “I’m beginning to think you’re a magnet for dead things. Are you all right?”

  I pulled free. “Didn’t anyone check the refrigerator before placing it here?”

  “Of course, my dear. We had it cleaned and ready for you.” Foreman urged me away from the space. “That was not in the refrigerator when we plugged it in.”

  Then why is it here now? My knees weakened, and I slumped into a
nearby chair. After finding Millie hanging in her shower, I’d done nothing as far as investigating her death. I’d been willing to leave things as a suicide. On one hand, my family warned me to stay out of things, yet someone seemed to be trying to draw me in. Why? Fear pricked the nape of my neck.

  The crunch of gravel outside pulled me to my feet, and with heavy steps I headed out of the building. As I suspected, Joe stood with crossed arms next to his squad car.

  With a deep breath, I squared my shoulders. “Who called you?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I was already here asking questions. Why didn’t you call?” He motioned toward his cell phone.

  “I would have. As soon as the shock wore off. Give me a minute, Joe. I just found the thing.” I crossed my arms. We resembled two roosters squaring off. “I haven’t done anything to warrant someone putting a dead animal in my fridge.”

  “Uh-huh.” He pushed away from the car and marched into the building.

  Twilight fell with crimson beauty, increasing the vibrancy of the amusement ride lights. Fewer workers scurried between buildings, choosing instead to join in the fun of carnival life without fair attendees. Laughter floated across the midway.

  “You all right?” Big Sally startled me, coming up behind me in amazing silence despite her bulk.

  “I’m getting used to surprises.”

  Washington wheeled a dolly carrying my new—and hopefully unoccupied—refrigerator. He gave a jaunty wave, called out a greeting to Big Sally, and vanished from view.

  “A good man, that one. Been a carny most of his life.” Big Sally moved to a nearby bench and patted the small amount of space remaining beside her. “Come. Sit.”

  With a glance toward the building, I joined her. Holding on to the edge of the tilted seat prevented me from sliding into her. A sour odor wafted from the folds of her skin. Would her feelings be hurt if I gave her a gift of scented body powder? Diverting my attention, I hoped things would move quickly before I had a melted lump of chocolate in a cardboard box.

  Sally put a plump hand on my leg. “Eddy Foreman said you were thinking about taking over for Millie. That’s mighty nice of you, but I hadn’t figured you for the type. A nice girl like you, I can’t imagine your parents allowing it. I had a son once. He was murdered. The last thing I’d want was for him to have this kind of life.”

  No, my parents would’ve been shocked. “I’m sorry about your son.”

  She clapped a hand on my shoulder, almost knocking me off the bench. “Don’t worry about little Richie. Justice will be done.”

  “My mom and dad are. . .dead.” I blamed myself for their accident, and the last thing I wanted was to talk about it. “I don’t understand where Eddy got the idea I want to work here. I have no desire for carnival life. Or operating a game booth. Foreman assumed, since he found me in Millie’s trailer, that I wanted her job.”

  Sally’s laughter escaped in a wheeze. She clapped me on the back, almost knocking me from the bench. “Sally did more than run the ringtoss, girlie. She was employed in the oldest profession in the book.” She giggled. “You are priceless. Why else do you think that weasel Eddy Foreman is all over you?”

  I would like to think it was because of my attractiveness. Now, I felt dirty. Mortified. Astounded. Angry. Ethan’s stunned silence on the phone made sense. Obviously, he and Joe had had a good laugh at my expense, and they both had a lot of explaining to do. I bolted to my feet and stalked into the building, Sally’s gasps of laughter following.

  Washington had already unloaded the fresh appliance and strapped the armadillo’s General Electric coffin to the dolly. Joe stood next to Eddy Foreman, laughing at something the greasy little pervert said. I glared at Foreman then grabbed Joe’s arm and pulled him to a vacant corner of the building.

  “Had a good laugh at my expense, didn’t you?”

  “What?”

  “You, Ethan, and Foreman.” I spit Eddie’s last name. “I just found out what Millie’s ‘unofficial’ job was. You’re the sheriff. How could you let this sort of thing go on?”

  “Summer, that’s why I was headed out here the day you babysat that elephant. I’d heard rumors the carnival ran a side business of prostitution and came here to shut it down. Turns out, someone else did.”

  My antennae shot up. “So you don’t think it was suicide!”

  “Shhh.” He shoved me out of the building. “Stop putting your nose where it doesn’t belong. Ethan will be home Saturday. I’d like you to still be breathing. Then you’ll be his problem.”

  “I haven’t done anything. I promise. Someone in a gorilla suit followed me yesterday. I mentioned it to Foreman. I thought maybe a bear, but Foreman said it wasn’t likely Samson, who’s a bear, could get loose. I am fairly certain it wasn’t a bear.” Please, God, don’t let it be. I’d watched the Discovery Channel. I knew what bears were capable of.

  Joe rubbed his chin. “Now a dead armadillo.”

  “Want to know what I think?”

  “Not really.”

  I leaned closer. “I think something is going on here, and someone is afraid I’ll find out. The newspaper had a huge write-up on my involvement with the diamond theft and murder last summer. My face is recognizable.”

  “You aren’t famous, my dear cousin. And if you think a quarter of a page in the middle of the Gazette is a huge write-up, then you go ahead and suffer your delusions.” Joe chucked me under the chin. “Take care of your candy. I’ll follow you home.”

  “Don’t you have to call April or something?” I marched ahead of him. Upon reaching my table, I opened the box and discovered unmelted chocolate. At least my work, if not my time, hadn’t been a waste.

  I paused as I reached to open the refrigerator, then I smiled over my shoulder at Joe and opened it. Blessedly empty. To keep it that way, I’d have Washington install a lock.

  Fifteen minutes later, lock installed, I drove down the highway toward home. Joe followed. He wouldn’t be able to convince me someone wasn’t afraid of my digging up information. My gut feeling told me I was onto something. I just needed to find out what that something was.

  Joe honked as I pulled into my driveway, and then sped past the house. The welcome glow of lights through the windows greeted me. Truly’s head poked above the windowsill, her triangular ears perked. Coming home always sent a warm rush through me. What would it feel like when Ethan and I were married and we came home to each other?

  Aunt Eunice exited the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. “You’ve been gone quite a while. Did you decide to stop by the store?”

  “Let me get a soda, and I’ll fill you in.” I brushed past her. “How’d you get home?”

  “Caught a ride with Ruby.” She pursed her lips. “You were right. I shouldn’t let a thing like pickles come between friends.”

  The ice clinked into my glass, and I prepared for the lecture sure to come. The soda’s carbonation tickled my throat. I placed the drink on the table and pulled up a chair.

  Aunt Eunice frowned, tossed the towel on the counter, and joined me. “What did you do now?”

  Why did everyone always think the worst? “Nothing.” After filling my aunt in on everything that had transpired within the last hour, I lifted my glass to my lips and watched her face as she digested the information.

  She remained impassive. Only the slight frown line between her eyes indicated she was mulling things over. “Somebody thinks you’re onto something.”

  I leaned forward. “That’s what I told Joe. Either he doesn’t think I’m right, or he doesn’t want me to think he believes me.”

  “Probably the last.” Aunt Eunice got up and paced the kitchen. “It’s the gorilla that bothers me. Dead things can’t hurt people.”

  Truly barked from the front room. I rose and headed out of the kitchen. “That’s probably Joe coming to rib me some more about hanging out with the carnies.”

  When I reached the living room, Truly scratched at the front door. Her barks had turned into whin
es. I peeked out the curtains. “Aunt Eunice?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Take a look out the window.” Although our visitor stood in the shadows, it was clear the hairy creature that stalked me now watched our house.

  She joined me. “The gorilla you’ve been talking about? He ain’t very big, is he?”

  “Big enough to scare me.” Our visitor melted into the trees in back of our house. I reached for the phone.

  Chapter Five

  My mind’s focus on making a mental list of who might fit the “small” gorilla description woke me the next morning at six thirty. Eddy Foreman looked small enough. So did Big Sally’s love squeeze. On my next visit to Foreman’s carnival, I’d have to keep my eyes peeled for other carnies of the right size and build. Nothing said the gorilla had to be a male.

  I smiled remembering Aunt Eunice’s demands during my previous case-solving. She’d told me to ask God who should go on my suspect list. I’d do that much sooner this time. No waiting on consequences to become life-threatening before calling on His help.

  My gaze fell on the Dolt’s Guide to Private Investigating lying on my nightstand. First piece of advice I’d taken was to establish a suspect list.

  My nose for crime-solving had gotten me into trouble once before when I’d placed Mabel Coffman and Ruby Colville, Aunt Eunice’s best friends, at the top of my list. Their unexpected downpour of riches had come to them honestly. The widower they’d both been chasing had died, leaving Mabel his Cadillac, and Ruby his deceased wife’s jewels. Their shrewlike attitudes had made them suspect enough in my book.

  Chuckling, I tossed aside the blankets, covering Truly, who slept at my feet. The fair would start tomorrow night, and I still had a lot of chocolate figures to make.

  My cell phone rang, playing the “Candy Man” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Clever, I thought, considering my profession. Caller ID showed Ethan. “Hello, sweetheart.”