Silent Knife (A Celebration Bay Mystery) (18 page)

“So what happened?”

Ted shrugged. “He came back to run the paper.”

Liv was sure there was more to the story than that. At least she hoped there was.

“He refuses to use his experience and skills to help Bill, and yet he keeps hanging around.”

Ted grinned, shook his head. “I think he’s more concerned for your safety than helping Bill catch a murderer.”

“Mine? Oh please, he doesn’t strike me as the Sir Galahad type.”

“Oh God, no. I was thinking of the courting ritual of the—” He broke off, smiling.

“Of what?”

“Nothing. I’m glad you went on the house tour yesterday. Not just for the info but to show your support and be a presence.” He picked up the tray. “And, that means I don’t have to go.

“But one of us does need to drive out to Dexter’s Nursery to meet the SPCA guy who’s coming to check on the reindeer and make sure everything is to code, though I’m sure it will be. Dexter’s has housed these reindeer for the last four years. He knows what he’s doing, but all we need is some PETA person picketing because we didn’t do enough inspections. I’ve got my car, so I can do that if you want to go over to Santa Village when Hank goes on duty, just to keep tabs.”

“Works for me. I have to pick up a book for Miss Edna at the library, then I’ll go check on Hank. I’m holding my breath that nothing happens to him or his Santa suit. I’m still planning to buy an extra suit. Now, if I just had a backup Santa.”

“That’s my girl, plan for every contingency. I’ll take Whiskey with me, if that’s okay.”

“So you can get more practicing in? Fine, but don’t feed him.”

“Call me if you need anything. Come along partner.” He picked up the tray. Whiskey looked at Liv.

“Go ahead.”

Ted left the office chuckling; Whiskey trotted after him.

*

The Celebration Bay Public Library was a one-story brick building dating from the fifties. Its windows and eaves were framed with white wood in need of a coat of paint. Liv knew from the sisters the budget had been stripped to the bare bones like at so many libraries, and it stayed open only three days a week, with shorter hours.

Liv walked into a large room with stacks and stacks of books. There were already a number of people reading in the easy chairs or sitting at one of the four computers.

A woman about the same age as the Zimmerman sisters sat behind the circulation desk, a shawl draped over her cardigan sweater. Tortoiseshell glasses attached by a black cord magnified her blue eyes. It had to be Lola Bangs, the head, and Liv was guessing only, librarian.

Liv introduced herself, and Lola got the book from under the counter. “It’s already checked out,” she said. “It’s such a shame about that poor Mr. Cosgrove.”

“Yes, it is.”

“It’s hard to believe. He came in several times just last week. Nice man.”

Liv, who was reaching for the book, stopped.

“He was here?”

“Oh yes. Sat at that computer right over there. Number four.” Lola Bangs looked sadly at the one unused computer. “You know I’m seventy-six years old and I knew more about the Internet than he did. Had to have help accessing it. Can you imagine?”

Liv shook her head. Phil Cosgrove here at the library. On the Internet. It could be totally unrelated. “And you had to help him?”

“Oh, I didn’t mind. I like to be able to help people who come here.”

“I’m sure he was appreciative.”

“Oh yes, he was trying to access the
Chicago Tribune
archives from years ago, but the poor man didn’t have a clue.”

“Sounds interesting.”

“He certainly thought so. Three days in a row he read that paper, took notes, and made some copies. I asked him if he was writing a book. Thought he might be a history buff.

“He said he might one day. And I said if he did, we’d have a book signing right here because this is where it all started.”

“That would be exciting,” Liv said, thinking fast. Was Phil Cosgrove just passing the time between Santa shifts, was he a history buff? “What was his . . . topic?”

“He didn’t say, but he was looking at articles from nineteen sixty-nine when we had all that unrest in the country over the Vietnam War. And that terrible man who killed the president. And we landed on the moon. So much happened that year. But I remember he was looking at April, because it was around Arbor Day and the library always does a special Arbor Day presentation.

“All those terrible riots, such a depressing topic. But men like those kinds of things, history and war and such.”

“I guess,” said Liv. “When was he last in?”

“Last Friday morning.” The librarian sighed. “He seemed awfully pleased with whatever he’d been reading. I told him that we were closed on the weekends, but he said that didn’t matter, he’d found what he wanted. I guess it was a good thing he left happy. Didn’t know it was going to be his last day on earth, poor soul.”

“Did you tell Bill Gunnison about this?”

“No, do you think he would be interested? I heard that Mr. Cosgrove was killed in an attempted robbery.”

“Well, it might not hurt. At least that would give the sheriff an idea of what he did that day.”

“Oh dear, I suppose I should call over to the station.” She handed Liv the book. “Merry Christmas, dear.”

“Merry Christmas, Ms. Bangs.”

Liv didn’t stop by the office. Since Ted’s parking slot was vacant, she headed to the square. She needed to mull over the new information about Phil Cosgrove. It was out of her hands as long as Ms. Bangs actually called the sheriff. Maybe she should just mention it. But she just couldn’t figure how something that happened in 1969 could be linked to Cosgrove’s murder. Maybe he
was
just a history buff. She’d have to look it up later. She was kind of vague on American history, and she didn’t like reading about war any more than Lola Bangs.

There was a line waiting to see Santa. But there was no Santa. The sign said he’d gone to feed his reindeer.

“What’s going on?” she asked Joss Waterbury. “Where’s Hank? He should have been here twenty minutes ago.”

“He was,” Joss said from behind the cider counter, where a toasty heat emanated from a space heater. Liv made a mental note to have Fred get someone to check all the wiring in Santa Village.

“Please tell me he isn’t sick.” Please don’t let her have to start looking for a replacement Santa now. Though she would first thing tomorrow, just in case.

“He got a phone call from Jason Tully.”

“Jason Tully?”

“The young man who’s seeing Penny Newland.”

“Right. Why did he call Hank?”

“He’s staying out at Hank’s, saving money so he and Penny can get married. Which everyone is hoping will happen soon.” Joss gave her meaningful look. “Anyway, he said there was some flak over at that darn Trim a Tree place. Jason’s dad and Hank were in ’Nam together. Hank’s always kept an eye out for the boy. He got the call and off he went.”

Liv blinked. That was the second time today someone had mentioned Vietnam. “Do you know what the flak was about?”

“I didn’t hear. That’s all I got from Hank before he told me to put up the sign and he marched over to the store. I called Bill Gunnison. I didn’t like the look on Hank’s face.”

Joss’s brows dipped into a frown. “That place has been nothing but trouble since it opened. We should’ve found a way to save the Newlands.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that. They couldn’t afford to let businesses keep failing. Liv had already begun formulating a merchant’s assist plan. She just had to find funds to support it and someone to run it.

“Thanks. Hold down the fort.”

Liv cut through the park toward TAT. She might be poking her nose into police business, not leaving it to the experts, and she might be putting herself in harm’s way, but this situation was wrecking her event. And Liv had had just about enough.

She opened the door to TAT, marched inside. And stopped.

Oh Lord. Déjà vu.

Bobby Newland was howling, face red, nose running. He was clinging to the leg of a lanky young man whom Liv recognized as Jason Tully, who had an arm protectively around Penny’s shoulders. Penny’s face was as colorless as her son’s was red. She leaned into Jason as if he could hold her on her feet.

“You leave her alone,” Jason said between clenched teeth. His cheeks were slashed with heat.

“She’s a thief,” Grace yelled back, gesticulating with both hands. The glass in her heavy bracelet flashed like Christmas, and Liv had to fight the urge to duck when Grace’s arm flailed in her direction.

“I’m not. I didn’t,” Penny wailed, and covered her face with both hands and sobbed.

Jason squeezed her tighter.

“You’re a nasty old . . . witch,” Hank roared. “The way you traipse around town doing God knows what instead of watching the store, anyone could have come in and helped himself to the cash register. Hell, he could have helped himself to everything.” He snatched a golf-club-wielding nutcracker from the counter. “And he would be doing us a favor!”

Grace grabbed for the nutcracker. “Put that down. You were probably in on it with them. I’ll see the three of you in jail.”

“Wait just a minute,” Jason cried. He pushed Penny toward Liv and stepped toward Grace, knocking Bobby on his little butt. The child let out a fresh round of wails, and Penny scooped him up.

Grace stepped back. “Don’t you threaten me, you piece of white trash. You neither, Hank Ousterhout. You big bag of air.”

“What did you call me?” Hank lunged at her, knocking Jason aside. “I oughta ring your neck.” Hank reached for her.

“Stop it!” Liv yelled in her shrillest voice.

Four faces turned toward her. Even little Bobby stopped crying and sniffed.

No one had even noticed Liv entering the store.

“Stay out of this, Ms. Montgomery.”

“I have no intention of getting involved, Hank. This is a peaceful town with a lot of tourists, and you will not, any of you, disrupt this holiday season. Is that understood? Now, will you all calm down, or do I have to call the sheriff?”

“I already called him,” Grace said. “Taking his sweet time about getting here, too.”

“You can’t prove Penny stole anything,” Jason said defiantly.

“Why? Because you did it for her? I’ll see both of you in jail.”

“Over my dead body,” Hank roared.

Liv slipped her computer case off her shoulder and put it out of harm’s way. Then she fished her cell phone out of her purse. It wouldn’t hurt to give Bill Gunnison a follow-up call. She left a voice mail; then she called Ted.

“Just got back, I’m on my way,” he said.

Good. Between Bill, Ted, and her, they should at least be able to restore the peace. She didn’t want to believe Grace’s accusations. The Newlands had enough problems without their daughter being arrested for theft. Was she so desperate for money that she’d resorted to that?

“Now, nobody talk, just stay where you are until Bill gets here.”

As Liv returned her phone to her coat pocket, the front door opened and Bill Gunnison walked in. He stopped just inside the room and gave the group an appraising look.

No one but Liv even acknowledged his entrance, just continued to stare daggers at each other.

Bill came to stand next to Liv. “What’s all this about?” he asked.

The question galvanized Grace into renewed fury. “Those two pieces of white trash stole money from me.”

“We did not.”

“She’s just causing trouble like she always does,” Hank said.

Bobby began to cry again.

Bill rolled his eyes and pulled Liv aside. “Do
you
know what’s going on?”

“Grace is missing some money. She’s accusing Penny and Jason of stealing it. That’s all I know.”

“Hell, then I’m waiting for backup, because I’m not even going to attempt to question these people in the state they’re in.”

“I called Ted. He’s on his way.”

“He’ll do. Actually, he’ll probably fare better than my young officers will. But I have a feeling I’m going to need another squad car. That woman. I wish she’d just leave well enough alone.”

Liv wished Grace would just leave. Period.

“She did it,” Grace said, waving that tacky bracelet at Penny. “I told Clarence we couldn’t trust her. And after all we’ve done for her and her family.”

“What?” demanded Hank. “You cheated them out of their business, and you’re paying their daughter slave wages as if that will make up for it. What’s wrong with you? What did they ever do to you?”

“We were doing our Christian duty toward the family by helping them out financially.”

“By
pretending
to help them while you were finishing them off. Thank God I don’t have family like you and Clarence.”

“Why is everyone blaming me?” Penny sobbed. “I didn’t hurt Phil and I didn’t steal anything. I didn’t do any of it.”

“Hush,” Bill said. “No one’s accusing you of killing Phil Cosgrove.”

“Maybe not,” said Grace, “but I’m missing a lot of money. Maybe she tried to steal it when everyone was at the tree lighting and Phil caught her at it.”

“You shut your mouth, you vindictive witch.” Hank took a menacing step toward her. Grace cowered back, but Liv was pretty sure it was an act. Pretty sure. Hoped it was.

At that moment the front door opened.
Thank God
, thought Liv. Ted must have run the whole way. She turned to bring him up to speed. But it wasn’t Ted. Two middle-aged women stopped on the threshold, their conversation arrested as they took in the group.

Liv sprang into action. “I’m so sorry,” she said, easing them backward. “They’re not quite open. If you could come back this afternoon? Thank you.” She managed to back them out of the door and saw Ted striding down the sidewalk.

Liv smiled at the ladies. Nodded. “Come back after twelve. Happy holidays.”

Ted slipped past them into the store.

The ladies exchanged looks and scurried into the next store, no doubt to spread the word that all hell had broken loose at Trim a Tree.

Liv shut the door and turned the Open sign over to “Closed.” If she could find the wrapping paper, she would tape it over the windows and start eviction proceedings. And worry about the consequences later.

“Thank God you’re here.”

“World War Three?” Ted asked, slightly out of breath, and surveying the scene.

“More like the revenge of the Harridan.”

“Ooooh, that bad, huh?”

“Possibly. She’s accusing Penny of stealing money.”

“Oh dear.”

Liv hesitated. “You are the only person besides Bill who isn’t quick to defend her.”

“Well, I hope she didn’t do it. But you don’t know when a perfectly nice, peaceful person will break and do something desperate.”

Liv thought about it. Is that what had happened to the person who killed Phil Cosgrove? Had they panicked and lashed out? Or had the murder been premeditated, the killer waiting until everyone would be in the square before slitting the man’s throat.

Liv looked at the floor where Grace was standing. The exact spot where they’d found Phil Cosgrove’s body. Liv imagined she could still see bloodstains in the wood.

Liv shivered.

“You okay?”

She nodded. “Just not happy.”

Grace turned on the sheriff. “I demand you arrest them.”

“I’m not a thief. I didn’t take anything,” Penny sobbed.

Bobby let out a wail and wiped his nose on Jason’s pants leg. Jason lifted the child and bounced him on his hip. “You leave her alone, you old—”

Bill stepped into the middle of the combatants. “Calm down, everyone. It’s Monday morning. People don’t want to start their workweek with a bunch of hollering.”

Hank roared. “Bill, you’re not going to take the word of that—”

Bill held up both hands, almost as if he were fending off a physical attack, which was definitely a possibility, judging from the red face of the town Santa and the savage expression of his ex-wife.

“One person at a time. Grace, tell me what happened.”

“She’s a thief and she probably killed Phil Cosgrove.” Grace pointed a finger like the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come at Penny.

Penny shook her head. “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me!”

“You leave her alone,” Jason repeated. Bobby wailed.

“She’s innocent,” Hank yelled over the child’s crying.

“Egad,” said Ted. “It’s mass hysteria.”

Bill held up his hand again, trying to restore order. “I think we best continue this down at the station.” Everyone moved at once. “Grace and Penny will be sufficient. I’ll call the rest of you as I need information.”

“Dang it, Bill. . . .”

“Hank, let’s all stay calm. I’ll talk to the two ladies and see where we go from there. Grace, can I trust you to drive to the station? Now?”

“Of all the—I can’t leave the store. I have a business to run.”

“Or you can ride in a squad car. Your choice.”

“You can’t—”

Bill reached for his radio.

“Oh all right, but I should send the town a bill for the inconvenience and business lost.”

“Penny, you come with me.”

She nodded, a disjointed movement that was heartrending. “Jason?”

“I’ll come, too.”

“Can you take Bobby home first?”

“Sure, honey.”

“I’ll drive them,” Hank began, then looked down at his Santa suit.

“I can give them a lift,” Ted said.

“Thanks, but I have my car,” Jason said.

Hank looked surprised. “Fixed?”

Bill looked back and forth between the two. “What was wrong with it?”

“Brakes, back and front. But I had to get it done.” Jason squeezed Penny and jostled Bobby. “I got some precious cargo.”

“Musta cost a bit.”

“Yeah, it did. That’s why I haven’t had wheels.”

Liv shut her eyes. The boy seemed to have no idea where Bill was leading him.

Bill gave him a considering look. “I have to ask you, and don’t take this the wrong way, but where did you get the money to pay for it?”

Jason’s face flooded with color.

“Dang it, Bill.”

“Sorry, Hank, but I have to ask. Where did you get the money, son?”

Jason shrugged. “I didn’t want to take it. But—”

“There, you see, he’s confessing,” Grace said triumphantly. “It was the pair of them, together. And I insist you arrest them.”

“Shut up, Grace.” This from Bill and not Hank. “What do you mean, son?”

“Someone left an envelope with the money in Hank’s mailbox. It had my name on it. It was just enough to pay off the garage and get my car back.”

“Ha. A likely story,” Grace said. “You can see he’s lying.”

Beside her, Ted stiffened. “That’s enough, Grace.”

Liv started. She’d seen her even-tempered assistant angry only once before, and that hadn’t ended well.

Bill looked at Hank; Hank averted his eyes. Liv was sure this was the first he’d heard of the envelope or the money.

“Do you still have the envelope?”

Jason stuck his hands in his pants pockets.

Grace shrieked. “He’s got a gun.”

Liv was ready to smack the woman herself.

Jason’s hands came up empty. “No sir, I guess I tossed it at the garage. Yeah, I chucked it in the trash can at the garage.”

Bill pulled out his radio, talked quietly into it, sending a man to check Jason’s story.

“What about the rest of the money?” Grace demanded. “There was over four thousand dollars.”

“There wasn’t that much. Just enough to get my car. I swear. I thought maybe it was from Hank, and he didn’t want to let on he was helping.”

Hank shook his head. “Musta been the Good Samaritans.”

Liv glanced at Ted.

“A group of folks from the local churches who like to help out their neighbors. Anonymously.”

“I didn’t want to take it. I don’t like being beholden, but at that point I would have taken any handout if it would help Penny and the Newlands out.” Jason let go of Penny and hung his head. “I just can’t seem to get anything right.”

“That’s not true,” Penny said. “You’re a good man, it’s not your fault.”

Hank stepped in front of the two. “They’re not saying anything more without a lawyer present.”

Grace sneered. It destroyed whatever residual beauty might have been hiding beneath her hard features and mean disposition. “That’s practically a confession. I demand you arrest them both.”

Bill let out a long suffering sigh. “No, it isn’t Grace. You’ve done nothing but cause trouble since you returned to town. I suggest you go over the facts—and only the facts—before you make your statement.”

“Huh. I suppose you’re going to let those two off scot-free.”