Page 21 of Merry Murder Season
I was right. Darla did know more than I did about the death. “Is Matt home forthe holidays?”
“He was going to a New Year’s Eve party to play, but he canceled after what happened to Chip. He said he wanted to be home with me. We’re going to have a big bash at the winery for New Year’s Eve. I was planning on being open anyway, but now I’ll stay open until midnight. You and Greg should come.” Darla finishedoff her coffee.
“I’d love to. Greg is a maybe. And we might have a third, Beth, depending on how long she stays.” I glanced at my watch. Judith Dames would be here anytime to take over my shift. “Beth’s coming with me to Bakerstown and I’m dropping her off at the library. I love book nerds.”
“You girls are two of a kind.” Darla stood and hugged me. “I’m heading over to the station to try to track down that man of yours and get him on the record for at least something I can use in my column this week. Stay safe. Call me if you need a sidekick when you’re investigating. Or is that why Beth stayed?”
“Hey, you sound like I need babysitting. Besides, who said I was investigating?” I cleaned off our table as we were talking.
“Jill, you are always investigating. You can’t help yourself.” Darla held the door open for Judith as she came in for her shift. “It’sin your blood.”
Judith looked confused as she walked in to put her stuff behind the counter. After Darla left, she asked, “What’s in your blood? Don’t tell me you got food poisoning at Thanksgiving. People let food sitout too long.”
“No, she was talking about my perceived need to investigate all of Greg’s murder cases.” I finished cleaning the table and grabbed the money jar. “Evie’s in the back if you need help. I’m taking this to the nonprofit so they have time to use itfor Christmas.”
Judith was one of Deek’s friends from his writing group. She loved books as much as the rest of us, but I had the feeling she worked just to fund her travel habit. She’d been full-time for a while, but now that she was back from Europe, she was doing short-day and two-day trips around the area. But she fit into the group well and even my aunt, who’d been less than positiveabout her hiring, had admitted she sold more books during her shifts than any of our other employees. Now that my aunt was retired, I didn’t look at the details much. I looked more at the bottom line. Were we making money or not? If the answer was yes, I didn’t worry about it. If not, then I’d have to dig into the specifics. I didn’t want to do that.
Evie hurried out of the back room just before I left and shoved some cash into my hand. “Sorry, I forgot that Sasha and Olivia have been collecting for the kids too. She sent me home with this.”
I set the jar down and opened the lid. I counted out the addition. “There’s almost five hundreddollars here.”
“Olivia can be very persuasive.” Evie grinned. “That girl’s going to be in sales, I swear.”
“Or a politician,” I suggested as I tucked the money inside the jar. “Tell Sasha thanks the next time you see her.”
As I left the shop and headed to my house, I tucked the jar into my oversized tote. No need to announce I was carrying close to a few thousand dollars on me as I walked down the hill. South Cove was safe, but I wasn’t stupid. Besides, Greg would have a cow if he found out. My husband was all about safety and not making yourself a target of random crime. So I locked my doors and walked in well-lit areas, staying aware of things happening around me. And I carried a container of mace.
I’d also grabbed a bag filled with cookies for Doc Ames. A girl can’t go calling without a gift for the host, right?
Beth and Emma were sitting on the front porch waiting when I arrived. Beth was reading next week’s book club book and Emma was watching ants on the ground in front of the deck. She didn’t like bugs.
I unlocked the Jeep and put my bag in the back seat. “If you’re ready, all I have to do is put Emma inside and grab a bottle of water.”
“Sounds good. I wrote this morning and planned out my research for the afternoon. I may not get it all done today, but I have two weeks.” Beth tucked her phone into her pocket. “Let megrab my tote.”
We all went inside and got what we needed. Emma lay in her kitchen bed and stared alternately at me and her leash hanging by the door. “Sorry, I hope we’re home early enough towalk tonight.”
“We should be.” Beth came downstairs with her purse and messenger bag. “Like I said, I’m pacing myself. I’m going to write in the mornings here at the house while you’re working, then head into the library for the afternoon. You don’t have to come with me every day, but I’m glad you’recoming today.”
“We’ll set you up with a temporary pass so you can get in without any problem.” I gave Emma a chewy and locked the back door. “Want a bottle of water?”
“Please. I drink so much more here than back home.” Beth waited for me to hand her a bottle. “Thanks for coming today. I know you’re probably tired of visitors afterThanksgiving.”
“Beth, I love hanging out with you. Don’t ever question that.” I glanced around the kitchen and pulled out pork chops to put in the fridge. “I don’t know if Greg will be home, but we can grill onthe back deck.”
“I’ll make a pasta salad.” Beth grinned. “I know how to makemyself useful.”
We settled into the Jeep and I turned on the music as we drove to Bakerstown. Beth watched the ocean as we drove by, then the hills when we were more inland. She didn’t say much. I was lost in my own thoughts about who killed Chip and why. All signs pointed to either Dominic or someone in his gang, but I guess I was stereotyping him and the members. Just likeeveryone else.
The weird thing was the money was still there. And it wasn’t hidden all that well according to Carrie.
I wondered where the bar’s take for the night had been stashed and if that was gone. A question I could ask Greg casually. Or maybe someoneelse might know. I didn’t want Greg to know I was looking into this until it was really necessary. Maybe he’d think I was just hanging with Beth.
And maybepigs would fly.
“What did you say?” Beth looked over at me. She’d been staring out atthe dry hills.
I hadn’t thought I’d said anything aloud, but I was used to being alone, so I probably talked to myself all the time. “I was just thinking aloud, I guess. So have youtalked to Jim?”
