Path to Nowhere (A Shady Acres Mystery Book 2) Page 5

  “Maybe he found out she was seeing someone else and killed her.” I moved to the bathroom. Makeup and perfume bottles littered the counter. The makeup I tossed, any perfume at least half full could be sold. The yard sale would make a killing off Teresa’s things alone.

  I sat on the closed toilet lid and glanced at what was left of a vibrant young woman. Physical, material things that did her no good now.

  What would I leave behind when it was my time for God to call me home? A few family members, if I went first, a couple of friends. I needed more. Sure, a few might remember I’d solved Maybelle’s murder, and if I were as lucky, Teresa’s, but was that enough of a legacy?

  I wanted to get married and have children. I glanced through the door to where Heath packed. Did I want his children? They’d be pretty for sure, with wheat-colored hair and eyes as blue as the sky. Or maybe they’d have dark hair and hazel eyes like their mother. Either way, I wanted them.

  Which meant I needed to not get killed finding Teresa’s killer. I’d need to be discreet.

  “Are you all right?” Heath knelt in front of me and peered into my face.

  “Just thinking how sad it is that all that’s left of Teresa is a few expensive clothes and jewelry.” I blinked back tears. “No one should die a horrible death, much less die alone.”

  “You’ll never be alone, Shelby.” He squeezed my hands. “You have too many people who love you.”

  “Truly?”

  “Truly.” He planted a quick kiss on the tip of my nose. “It’s almost lunch time. Let’s finish up here.”

  “Thank you for your help. It would have taken me all day by myself.”

  He pulled me to my feet and smiled. “Any chance to spend time alone with you, even working, is worth the labor.”

  “Ha ha, it’s like that is it?” I gave him a playful punch in the arm.

  “Exactly like that.” He tweaked my nose.

  The lunch bell rang, reminding me I might have a response to my answer on the mirror. I plucked a tube of lipstick from the garbage, anxious to see Lauren’s reply to my taunt.

  8

  Waving at Grandma as I passed through the dining hall, I headed to the women’s restroom. Yep. In bright red lipstick were the words, “It’s on.”

  I replied, “Bring it.”

  Excitement bubbled through me as I grabbed a plate from the buffet line. I filled it with fruit and a chicken salad sandwich.

  “This little game you’re playing in the restroom, isn’t funny.” Mom stepped beside me. “How do you know you aren’t taunting a killer?”

  “I don’t.” In fact, I rather hoped Lauren was the murderer. How satisfying would it be to take her down?

  “I’ve raised a…well, I don’t know what I raised.” Mom plopped into a seat at our usual table. “You keep me up at nights, Shelby.”

  “I’m sorry.” I reached across the table and laid my hand across hers. “I don’t mean to worry you, but these things just pop up.”

  She sighed and nodded. “I’ve decided to live here permanently. Alice has given me Teresa’s cottage. Lord knows you need me here. So…I have a ton of stuff to sell in the yard sale. Do you think you and Heath could take some time today to help me box it all up?”

  “What are you going to do with the house?” She was selling my childhood home?

  “It’s too big for me. I’m going to rent it for a while, then decide. Maybe you could buy it.” Hope laced her words.

  I could, probably. In fact, it was a great idea. “I will. Someday, maybe, I’ll have a family and can move into it.”

  “That would make me very happy.”

  When Heath joined us, I explained how we needed his help.

  “Of course. Alice will let us have the time since it’s to raise money for Shady Acres. We can go right after lunch.”

  Since I planned on purchasing the house, and not sure that I wanted to rent it to strangers, I planned on leaving most of the furniture. Years of living within the four walls would provide a lot of things to sell without cleaning out the house.

  ~

  I was exhausted from working on Teresa’s cottage, but set to work with a vengeance anyway once we entered Mom’s home.

  She strolled through the rooms putting a red sticker on what she wanted moved to her cottage at the community, a blue for what stayed, and a yellow for what would go. Sadness clouded her features.

  “I’ll apply for a loan first thing Monday, Mom.” I put an arm around her shoulders.

  “Oh, sweetie. I’ll just give it to you. I’ve enough money stashed away for the rent on the cottage. I don’t know why I mentioned selling. It would break my heart.”

  “Would you mind if I rented it to Cheryl for now?”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. She’ll take good care of our girl.”

  I smiled and placed a quick call to my friend.

  “You bet I will! I’m sick of this apartment.”

  “Mom will be very happy.”

  “Glad we can both be thrilled. Now, fill me in on the latest at Shady Acres horror academy.”

  I laughed. “It isn’t that bad. The place is really shaping up.”

  “I’m talking about the string of murders.”

  “I know.” I told her about Scott, the two new residents, and the messages back and forth on the mirror.

  “How deliciously evil. I want to play.”

  “I thought you couldn’t get off work.”

  “I can’t.” She groaned. “But a girl can dream. I’ll have to live vicariously through you.”

  “I’ll call you anytime I have something new. Bye.” I hung up and started boxing the things with yellow stickers. I missed investigating with my Amazon of a friend. Somehow, I felt safer with her by my side. At almost six feet tall, few people bothered her. Even in a burning building I hadn’t been completely freaked out with her next to me.

  We only took back what we were selling since Mom couldn’t move in permanently until the cottage was renovated. For now, she was stuck with Grandma, and neither one was happy with the living arrangements.

  We unloaded the boxes in the cottage that Mom would one day live in. I’d have to spend the next day pricing everything. At this rate, it would be too hot to play in the maze until autumn.

  “What are you grumbling under your breath about?” Heath handed me a bottle of water.

  “Too much work, too little time. I don’t want to do this kind of work, I want to be in the garden or the greenhouse.”

  “I totally understand. I want to be repairing things, not carting boxes.”

  We sat on the sofa and finished our water, both lost in our own thoughts. “Maybe we should rebel,” I said. “Tell Alice we aren’t her personal servants.”

  “You never did finish reading all your paperwork, did you? It says ‘and all other duties as assigned’. I don’t think rebelling would accomplish anything but us losing our jobs.”

  No, I’d never finished the three inch stack of employee paperwork. Who had the time?

  “This is a cozy picture.” Lauren entered the cottage. “Sorry to break things up, but I need Heath.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “For what?” He said, tossing his empty bottle in a nearby trash bag. “This needs to be finished and ready for the yard sale this weekend.”

  “I need some things moved from Mr. Barker’s cottage.” The hard glint in her eyes said she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

  “Fine. I’ll be back, Shelby.” He brushed past Lauren and left.

  She gave a coy smile. “I’ll keep him busy for the rest of the day. Don’t count on him coming back to help you any time soon.”

  I shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll manage. Not every woman needs a man around constantly.”

  Her face darkened. She opened her mouth to say something, but turned and marched away instead.

  I grinned. Score one for Shelby.

  Remembering a few more shoe boxes on the top shelf of the closet, I headed to finish off
inventorying Teresa’s things before beginning the arduous task of pricing everything. I made my way around things that weren’t here before. No doubt residents had been stashing their unwanted items here to be priced.

  I ran my hand over a gorgeous oak roll top desk. Who would want to get rid of such a beauty? I opened the top to find it empty, then searched the drawers. Awesome! In one, I found a false bottom. Stashed inside were several envelopes.

  I took them out and set them aside. I’d need to go through them to make sure no one had thrown away anything important.

  The boxes on the shelf in the closet held mostly tax papers and receipts. One had rose colored envelopes and stationary. I peered at the top sheet, noting indents of words. Locating a pencil, I rubbed it across the paper. Primitive, but effective.

  “I’m sorry, darling. You know you’re the only one for me. He’s nothing but a boy compared to the man you are.” I couldn’t read fast enough. In my hand, I held proof that Teresa had a boyfriend. Perhaps the very person who had killed her. “I’ll do anything to make it up to you. Meet me in our special place at nine o’clock.”

  I could only assume this was the time of her death. My hands shook. This needed to go to Officer Ted immediately.

  The front door slammed. I shoved the top sheet of stationary into my bra, pulled the closet door closed, and then hid behind the long dresses hanging there. I couldn’t pinpoint why I felt the need to hide, only that my gut told me the person who had entered wasn’t my friend.

  Heavy footsteps passed through the house and into the bedroom, pausing in front of the closet.

  I held my breath and scooted as far against the wall as I could. If they saw my feet, I was done for. Teresa hadn’t worn a pair of rainboots in the entire time I’d known her, much less bright yellow ones with blue ducks on them.

  The closet door opened.

  I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a squeak.

  The visitor rummaged through the few boxes left on the top shelf, then moved a few suit jackets as he, or she, picked through the pockets.

  Please, don’t see me.

  Black loafers stopped in front of my hiding place, then turned and left.

  I exhaled slowly. When I heard the front door open, I stepped out and peered into the bedroom. The stationary was gone from where I’d dropped it on the bed.

  Whoever had been here had found what they wanted. What else had that person been searching for? The jewelry box was open, as were the dresser drawers. A quick glance showed that a pair of diamond earrings that matched the necklace I was using as a prize were gone. I’d meant to add them to the necklace.

  “Shelby, you aren’t going to get any work done standing around.” Alice glared from the doorway.

  “We’ve had a theft.”

  “What?” Her brow furrowed.

  “Someone stole a pair of diamond earrings not five minutes ago. Did you see anyone as you entered the cottage?”

  She shook her head. “Weren’t you in here?”

  “I hid in the closet.”

  She tilted her head and gave me a patronizing look. “How can you stop a burglary if you’re hiding?”

  “I’m not ready to die today, Alice! My friends call out to me when they enter.”

  “Fine. I’ll call Officer Ted. He’s becoming a regular sight around here.” She unhooked her cellphone from a clip at her waist and placed the call. “Yes, Shelby is at it again.”

  Seriously? Did these people actually think I did this on purpose? “At least it isn’t another body,” I mumbled.

  “Now, she’s talking to herself. I really think you need to get over here pronto.” Alice pressed the hangup button and surveyed the room. “You are making very fast progress here.”

  “Can I borrow my mother to help price these things? That’s going to be time consuming.”

  “Sure. We can forward calls to her cell phone.”

  “She doesn’t have one.”

  “Then get her one, Shelby.” Alice shook her head and left me to wait for Officer Ted.

  He arrived within half an hour and stared at me from the front door. “You’re giving me grey hair.”

  “You have a head of grey hair.”

  “Because of you.”

  “You had it the first time I met you.” I crossed my arms and told him everything that had happened from the time I found the stationary.

  He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Good job.”

  Had he really complimented me? “I can’t believe those words came from your mouth.”

  “I don’t mind you stumbling across helpful information, I just don’t want you going out to look for it.”

  I couldn’t promise him, but I could promise I would tell him everything I “stumbled” across. “Glad we’re working together now.”

  “We. Are. Not. Working together. Let me know if you hear anything about the earrings.” He shook his head and left, taking the stationary with him. He stopped at the door. “Oh, I’ve assigned Heath the frustrating job of keeping an eye on you.” He grinned and ducked out.

  Frustrating? And why Heath? All that did was put him in harm’s way. What I needed was an armed security detail.

  9

  Five a.m. and I was dragging things to the Shady Acres parking lot in anticipation of Booneville’s largest yard sale. Already prospective buyers were lining up to view the items.

  With the amount of people and items, we were sure to make enough money to repair the maze and have some left over. I put Mom in charge of taking payment so I could mingle and ask questions. I’d hoped for Heath’s help, but Lauren had already snagged him for some trivial job she needed done.

  He was supposed to take Teresa’s expensive jewelry to the buyer. Instead, the jewels hung around my neck in a pouch, making me feel extremely vulnerable. There had to be several thousand dollars around my neck.

  By six a.m. no more cars would fit in the parking lot. Mom rang a bell and the stampede was on. Alice guarded the space between the sale and the lot like an English guard. We’d roped off what we could in hopes of keeping people from taking a five-fingered discount.

  “Are you Shelby Jenkins?” A portly man with balding gray hair approached me. “I’m Luke Larson and I’m here to buy some jewelry.”

  “Jewelry?” Damon Markson and Alan Barker approached at a fast clip. “Is it real?”

  “I have yet to determine.”

  “Yes, I’m Shelby.” I untied the pouch from around my neck, glad to be free of its weight and led the buyer to a small table set off to the side.

  Damon and Alan followed like children after candy.

  I watched as Mr. Markson dumped the contents onto the table and rifled through the pieces. His face remained impassive, even as he held up an impressive ruby necklace.

  Damon gasped.

  Alan paled.

  What was with these two?

  “I’ll give you ten thousand for the lot,” Mr. Markson said.

  That much? My knees buckled. “I’ll take it.”

  “Wonderful.” Alice clapped her hands. “That’s a great start to our fitness gym.”

  “What gym?” I frowned, seeing more work that wasn’t gardening in my future.

  “The one I’m going to put in that vacant building. The one with the glass walls.”

  Oh, she meant the one hidden by overgrown juniper bushes. I sighed. No matter. The sale of the other items would help with hiring help to ready the maze.

  Mr. Markson put everything back in the pouch, handed Alice a check, and then marched back to his vehicle. Damon and Alan followed. Soon the three were in a heated discussion.

  I would have given my right pinky to know what they were talking about. Instead, I hurried to where Mom was waving frantically to get my attention.

  “This woman is arguing about the price on this dress.” Mom pointed at an elegantly dressed lady. “I told her those were real pearls on the neckline and the tag is still on the gown. It originally cost five hundred dollars.�
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  “We won’t take less than two hundred,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll agree that’s a steal.”

  “Yard sales are supposed to be virtually free.” The woman crossed her arms.

  “I’m sorry, but we’re trying to raise money for renovations. I’m sure I can find someone willing to pay the asking price.”

  “I will!” Another woman shouldered her way in.

  Ms. Cheap shook her head. “Fine, I’ll pay the two hundred.”

  “Two fifty!” the other lady said.

  “Three hundred!” Ms. Cheap glared.

  “Three fifty.”

  I pressed my lips together to keep from grinning. If they kept this up, we’d get the original ticket price. The dress ended up going to Ms. Cheap for four hundred. She took the gown and raced to the parking lot.

  “Just as well,” the other woman said grinning. “It wouldn’t have fit me. I just like sticking it to rude people.”

  “And we thank you for that.” I smiled and headed to where a young couple were rifling through less expensive clothes on another table. “May I help you?”

  The young woman turned. “We just got married and are going on a cruise. I’m looking for a few nice things to wear.”

  “You look about the right size. Let me help you.” Not that I’d ever been on a cruise, but I couldn’t imagine any of the items not be suitable. Soon, the young couple had their arms loaded with sundresses, capri shorts and stylish tank tops.

  “Stop that woman, Shelby!” Alice pointed to an elderly woman toddling toward a rusty car. “She stole a figurine.”

  I caught up to the woman. “Ma’am, did you forget to pay for the Hummel?”

  “It’s too expensive.” She glowered. “My daughter collects these and doesn’t have this one. Today is her birthday.”

  I glanced at the sticker price of thirty dollars. “Can you give me twenty?”

  “Fifteen.”

  “Sold.”

  She slapped the money into my hand and hurried away. She’d gotten a rocking deal on something we should have sold for over a hundred dollars. Mom priced some things too cheap. A secret best kept from Alice.

  By lunchtime, we were down to odds and ends. My feet ached, my back hurt, and my stomach rumbled. “Time to close up.”