craftfield 01 - secrets untold (8 page)

Clearing his throat, he placed his hand over hers. “I’m sorry, but they’re ruling this as a burglary, saying your mom surprised the thief shortly after he or she took the money.” His tone was sympathetic, but she pulled away.

Her gut wrenched. No, someone had done this. And the idea that it was a thief didn’t make sense. “My mom would’ve given the guy the money. She wouldn’t have fought him.”

“Are you sure?” He frowned. “What if the guy surprised her, or vice versa, and she stumbled, falling into the glass display?”

Maybe. Her gut squeezed. “I-I just can’t believe that. I don’t know why. What about Camie?” Surely that woman was guilty of more than just being a bitch.

“She was getting a manicure and pedicure at the time of the murder. The salon owner and workers confirmed her story.”

“Or she paid them to.” The woman had enough money, she guessed.

He shook his head. “No, we checked the security cameras in the area. It shows her walking into the building before her appointment and not leaving for over an hour afterward.”

“Is there a back alley? Maybe she ducked out, ran down the street, killed my mom and returned.”

“It’ll take time to process.”

“You’re just giving up?” Her fingernails dug into her palms.

“Listen,” his voice full of concern, “I know this is hard, but that’s what all the evidence points too.”

“What about your promise? You said you’d find who killed her.” She knew she was being dramatic, but she couldn’t stop herself.

He winced as if she slapped him. “I know. I’m still looking, but I’m trying to find an invisible straw in a haystack.”

“What about searching the traffic light cameras? Find everyone who drove by that day. Question them.”

“This is hard to accept. Maybe you could talk to your college counselor, or a private practice. Talk about your feelings. Grieve and heal.”

She swallowed against the lump in her throat, unease settling in her gut. She’d never be able to accept this. Ever. Her mom had been a good person. Caring, hard-working. It wasn’t fair, and Lily would find whoever did this and somehow get retribution.

***

So if Camie was innocent, which still didn’t mean that Lily would strike her name off her guilty list anytime soon, what about Mr. Griffin? He was right next door. It wouldn’t have taken him much time to sneak over, kill her mom, make it look like a robbery, and dash back. Right now, she pictured everyone as a suspect. Lily’s shoe scuffed a crack in the sidewalk as she weaved through the crowd.

Time to question Mr. Griffin herself. She bustled down the strip mall, passing the clothing store on the end and waving to Mrs. Beatrice, the lady who had owned her store for fifty years and had recently sold the spot. Boxes filled her shop as she packed and customers rushed in to buy the discounted merchandise.

A figure leaned against the outside of the ice cream shop, but with the sun shining in her eyes, it was hard to make out who it was. Michael stepped forward, blocking the blinding light.

“Hey, Lil.”

She skidded to a halt. “Michael?” What was he doing here?

“I heard what happened.” He stuffed his hands into the front of his jeans. “I’m so sorry, Lil.”

“Thanks.” She really needed to speak with Mr. Griffin. See for herself his expression when she asked him about her mom. “How long are you in town for?”

“A few days. Actually, my car broke down and Amanda spotted me walking to the gas station. She’s around the corner getting us coffee.”

Amanda had always had a crush on Michael. She’d tried to keep it hidden when he and Lily were dating, but she would give him forlorn looks whenever she didn’t think Lily was watching. “Come inside the shop. You can have an ice cream on the house if you want.”

“Lily!” Amanda shouted while walking over with two cups of coffee in her hands. “We wondered where you were.”

The three entered the shop and Lily flipped on the lights and open sign. Then she joined them at the table.

“Want to go to a movie after I get off work?” Lily asked them both.

“Sorry.” Amanda’s cheeks reddened. “I’m helping Michael with his haunted house tonight. You should stop by.”

“Okay.” She scooted her chair closer to the table. Without her mom and aunts here, it was too quiet. When she went to the store, she’d pick up a radio or something to play music during the shop’s slow times.

“Have you heard from your aunts?” Amanda asked.

“No.” In case she had, she checked her cell. Only one new message from an unknown number. She clicked it and scrolled down.

Lily, it’s Jarred Garza. I really enjoyed spending time with you and can’t stop thinking about you. I’m on a case right now, but would love to meet you for coffee again some time.

She brightened. So, the growing feelings were mutual.

“Anything?” Amanda sipped her coffee.

“No. Just the deputy.”

Amanda cocked her eyebrow. “Oh? I thought the case was closed. That they said it was a burglary and accident.”

Her gut told her that wasn’t true. “Yeah, but I-I have this feeling they missed something. I know it’s silly, but I want to do my own investigation.” Besides the dream had warned her, so it had to mean something, right?

Michael cleared his throat and he and Amanda exchanged a look.

“What?” she asked looking between them.

“You’re emotional right now, after all that’s happened.” Amanda squeezed her hand. “But we’ll do anything to help you find closure. Even if it’s slapping Camie Barnes, or whoever you want.”

Lily laughed and shook her head. “No, hopefully it won’t come to that. I was going to talk to Mr. Griffin next door. Find out if he heard anything unusual. Or saw something.” And to see if guilt flickered in his eyes when she mentioned her mom’s death.

“Well, come on.” Amanda stood and adjusted her purse strap. “Let’s go.”

As they left, Lily put up the
be-right-back
sign and turned it to fifteen minutes from now. Anxiety poured through her by the bucketful. She had to find whoever was guilty, and see justice. It was the only way to release the constant pressure that sat on her chest, like she couldn’t take a deep enough breath. But if Mr. Griffin had killed her mom and she confronted him, she was glad Michael and Amanda were with her as witnesses and also protection. Who knows what he would do to keep his secret safe.

She pushed open the glass door, and the scent of grease and metal permeated the air. Her friend gave her a thumbs up and Lily took a breath. She could do this.

“How can I help you?” Griffin called out from the back of the store.

“Hi, Mr. G.” Lily stepped toward his counter. “I was wondering if you heard anything… the other day… when my mom—”

“Already talked to the cops and those deputies.” His bushy eyebrows furrowed. “That young one twice.”

Warmth spread through her. Jarred had questioned him multiple times? Did that mean her instinct was right, and Griffin had been involved in her mom’s murder or responsible? “I was thinking, maybe you could tell me what you told them. Maybe talking about that day among neighbors might spark something that might help.”

“Only spark around here are spark plugs.” He pointed, his glare growing. “If you ain’t gonna buy anything, then get out. I don’t like wasting my time.”

Michael took something off a display and placed it on the counter. “Hey, Mr. G. Can I get these? You’ve got the best selection and pricing in town.”

The old man beamed. He actually smiled. Lily shook her head, disbelieving.

“Of course, I do. You think I try and cheat people?”

No, but maybe he gets angry and loses control and kills people. “Please, if you could just—”

He cleared his throat. “A damn shame what happened to your mother. She was a good, kind woman.” The sincerity in his voice struck her heart. Either he was an excellent liar or he wasn’t guilty. “But I can’t help you. You should do what I’m doing. Sell your place and retire.”

He was selling? Last she heard, he wanted to expand. Had the murder made him want to leave? “Why are you retiring now? You’re still young.” Maybe if she placated him, he’d answer her questions.

“Bah.” He waved a hand. “Flattery’s never worked on me.”

Michael took his purchase from Mr. Griffin. “So you didn’t see or hear anything when Lily’s mom died?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I was out back taking a delivery. The truck is loud and I couldn’t hear a blasted thing over it. I shouted for the guy to turn off his engine, but he wanted to unload and go.” Mr. Griffin blinked like he was coming out of a trance, then faced Lily, his voice softening. “Sorry, I didn’t know until the cops showed up that anything was amiss. If I’d heard anything, I’d have taken my sledgehammer over and dealt with the intruder.”

“Thank you,” Lily said. His conviction made her certain that he was telling the truth.

“Ready?” Amanda asked by her side.

“Yes. Goodbye, Mr. Griffin. Good luck with your retirement.” She left.

Outside, Amanda gave her a hug. “Hey, are you all right? Maybe it’s not good to be pursuing suspects like this.”

“You’re probably right.” But deep down, Lily knew that she wouldn’t be able to stop. She had to find the killer.

“Call me later. I’ve got to run some urgent errands.”

“See ya later.” Lily gave Amanda a hug.

Michael gave Amanda an awkward hug, then followed Lily into the ice cream shop.

“Listen, thanks for your help, but I really need time alone.” Like to figure out what to do next. And she needed to call and make funeral arrangements.

“Hey,” he said clapping her hand in his, sincerity etched in his face, “I'm here if you need anything. I know we made better buddies than dating, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you.”

“Thanks. So, how's things on the east coast?”

He blushed, and she remembered how he used to do that with her. “They're good.”

“Your girlfriend must be someone special.”

“How did...? Yes, she is. Susan kept me sane this year, between working and college. She's the one who recommended I drop by here and see my folks. Take a few days off.”

“I'm happy for you. For both of you.” Truly she was. At first, she’d worried that meeting Michael while he was in town, would make the old feelings come flooding back. Now she thought of him as a good friend. The past and their relationship seemed more like a distant memory. Pleasant, but not the driving desire it had been at first. But with Jarred... Just thinking about him made her body heat and she wondered when she'd see him again. What did cops like to do for fun? Good thing she didn't have any secrets, or she was sure the handsome deputy would tell if she lied.

“Mind if I take one of your famous ice cream cakes home? My mom will never forgive me if she knew I was here and returned empty handed.”

“Sure. Take two.” Since Camie never received her order, there were too many cakes in stock. And while they could keep in the freezer for a while, she’d rather get them off the shelves and make new ones. These only reminded her of her mom’s passing. “Tell everyone the cakes are half off while supplies last.”

As soon as Michael left, Lily went to the office that she and her mom had shared in the back of the store. On the back of the desk chair was her mom’s wool sweater. She brushed her fingertips across it, and her mom’s perfume of geraniums wafted.
I miss you Mom, and I’m gonna make this right.
She scrubbed a hand down her face, then turned on the computer.

She created flyers of the ice cream cake sale, grabbed a roll of tape, then strolled across town, tacking them up on streetlights, bulletin boards, wherever she found. That should not only bring in more business but keep her occupied until she could get through this week and the next. Digging her phone out of her back pocket, she checked it once again for any word from her aunts. Nothing. Not even a picture… like usual.

No way could she delay the funeral for months. She’d give them a few more days, then make the arrangements. What else could she do? She’d no idea where they were staying in the Bahamas. Wait. Deputy Jarred had said he’d send word to the authorities there. Maybe they found out at least the hotel name or something by now.

The evening sun dipped down as she punched in Jarred’s number.

“Hello?”

“Hi.” A quiver started in her belly and soon spread throughout her body. “It’s Lily. I was wondering if you’d like to meet for dinner.”

“Tonight?”

Damn did she sound needy? “Only if you’re free. Or we could do another night. Or coffee sometime, like you said.” Had she misread him? She’d never felt sparks like that before just being around someone and holding her hand. Had he suggested the coffee to be polite and an easy way to get out of an awkward situation?

“Let me finish up some things first. I can meet you in an hour. You pick the place.”

“Okay. Marcelino’s Steakhouse.” An hour would give her time to run back to the shop and clean up before heading over to the restaurant. Her feelings twisted themselves up inside her. She was torn between letting herself get excited about the date with Jarred and feeling tortured inside for wanting to have fun while her mom’s murderer ran free.

Chapter Eleven

Lily sat in the crowded restaurant waiting for Jarred. Her hands twisted the napkin in her lap. Thankfully, it was cloth and not paper, or it would be in shreds. Jarred was fifteen minutes late and hadn’t shown or called.

“Sorry I’m late,” he whispered beside her, his breath heating her ear as he bent down so she’d hear him.

She jumped. “I didn’t see you come in!”

“How are you?” He sat across from her.