Killer Run (19 page)

“I don't know. He's just around a lot, and I haven't been able to find out why.” I glanced at the register. “Tell me he paid with a credit card.”

My aunt shook her head. “Cash. Have you thought that maybe he's a tourist? That's what we mainly have in town, tourists.”

Something niggled at the back of my mind. Had I seen him somewhere before? I started restocking the cups and supplies for the front. Sasha had turned the podium over to kids who wanted to talk about their favorite section of the book. And surprisingly, several of the readers were lined up to take their turn. She glanced over at me and gave me two thumbs up. She'd hooked them with these books. Now it was time to keep the momentum going. I made a note to do some research on possible topics for future meetings.

The bell rang over the door, and Sadie and Austin wandered into the shop. Sadie hesitated, looking at the bookstore side, but she smiled when she saw me at the register.

“What's going on?” she whispered when they got close.

“Teen book club day. Isn't it great?” I lowered my voice. “When Sasha said she wanted to start this, I assumed we'd have the five girls who almost run the school library now. But no, she got a crowd.”

“If you expect the best, you get it.” Sadie looked at Austin. “We've come in for a couple of large iced teas to go, then we're going to wander down to the beach and have a picnic lunch.”

“On a Saturday? Who's watching your bike rental place?” I looked over at Austin, who blushed.

“I hired someone to help me out on weekends. I'll be back at the shop in an hour.” He took Sadie's hand in his. “You have to wake up and smell the roses sometimes. No one said work was the only important thing in life.”

I swear my friend almost swooned to the floor. I was a bit more skeptical of Austin's reasons. The man had been known to shut down in the middle of tourist season so he could spend a week backpacking in Colorado. To say he was dedicated to his shop was a bit of an overstatement. I handed over the teas that Aunt Jackie had made while we talked. “Sounds like an excellent date. That will be four dollars and fifty cents.”

Austin handed me a five and then gave one of the cups to Sadie.

I tried to give him his change, but he waved it off. “Do you want sugar or sweetener?”

He shook his head. “I've got all the sugar I need right here.” He touched Sadie's face and she laughed. I fought the temptation to roll my eyes.

“Well, you two have fun.” But I was talking to myself, as they had already started walking toward the door, their gazes locked together. I dropped the quarters into the tip jar and turned toward my aunt. “Man, they've got it bad.”

Aunt Jackie watched them leave the shop and sighed before she spoke. “I remember when I first met your uncle. We were inseparable just like that.”

I shook my head. “You don't think it's a little too clingy?”

“Jill Gardner, when did you become a love scrooge?” My aunt swatted me with a bar towel. “There is nothing wrong with a little public display of emotion and young love. Well, young-to-them love.”

“If you say so. I just hope he's as devoted as he appears. If he hurts my friend, I'm going to have to kill him.” I nodded toward the meeting. “Get ready, it looks like Sasha's closing up. We might get another run on drinks.”

It was almost four before the shop died down enough for me to even consider returning to the house. Aunt Jackie stayed on to run her evening shift, and Sasha called in some favors to stay for a couple more hours. I'd come back to get my aunt at closing. Aunt Jackie made a call to have Josh come and be with her when Sasha left.

“This really isn't necessary,” Aunt Jackie fussed as I was leaving. “I know how to protect myself.”

“Humor me. Until Greg locates Adam and finds out what he's looking for from Sandra, I'd rather not have you staying alone.” I grabbed my keys and headed to the back parking lot.

My aunt's voice called after me, “What about you?”

“I've got Emma.” I didn't stop walking as I answered. No need to give her a reason to keep me at the shop longer. I would get that bed frame done today.

A
man grabbed my arm and pulled me into the walkway between Coffee, Books, and More and Antiques by Thomas. I squeaked out a protest but before I could go into full-blown scream, his hand covered my mouth. “Just be quiet. When I get what I need, I'll let you go.”

The voice sounded familiar, but I wasn't taking any chances on exactly what it was this man needed from me. I stomped on his foot, then, as he released his grip, I spun around, digging in my tote for my pepper spray. I'd started carrying it when I worked in the city and had considered putting it in the kitchen drawer now that I lived in a small safe tourist town. Now I was glad my paranoia had prevailed. My fingers wrapped around the cylinder as I recognized my attacker. Adam Truman. He stepped toward me, and I pointed the canister at him.

“Stop right there.” My voice was calm. A lot calmer than I felt.

He stepped back, limping a bit on the foot I'd injured. “Look, all I need is the packet that Sandra gave you. Then I'll be out of this town and you'll never hear from me again.”

“Which you is leaving?” I dug into my tote for my phone, not moving the pepper spray or looking away from the crazed man. “The one who just started existing five years ago? Or the person your mother named when you were born?”

He seemed to crumple as I watched. I dug deeper for my phone.

“So you read the papers Sandra gave you.” He shook his head. “I should have known that even though I followed through on her instructions, she was never going to let me get away.”

“I'm not sure what you're talking about, Adam Truman.” I spoke loudly so anyone walking out on the street could hear the conversation. “I never got a packet of papers from Sandra Ashford.”

“Right. Then how did you know I changed my name?” He rubbed his hands through his hair. “Look, I did all three things on the list. Even after Sandra died. She said you'd be handing over the documents after I destroyed the window. I held up my end of the bargain, now it's your turn.”

“Are you crazy? Why would Sandra give me anything? I barely knew her.” I took a chance and glanced down at my purse. But then Adam's words sank in. “Wait, you're saying you were the one vandalizing The Train Station? Why?”

“Are you deaf or just not listening? Sandra said if I did what she asked, she'd stop blackmailing me. Now you're telling me you're not her partner?”

“No, I'm not.” I abandoned my search for the cell phone and started yelling, still holding the pepper spray focused on Adam's face. “Help, someone help me!”

I heard rocks crunch under running feet and looked up to see Greg and Toby flying through the opening between the buildings. How they got there so fast, I didn't know, but right then I didn't care. I'd never been so happy to see anyone in my life. I swallowed away tears as Greg stood in front of Adam.

“Put your hands behind your back and turn around, slowly.” He slapped on a pair of handcuffs and handed Adam off to Toby. “Jill, do me a favor and put the pepper spray down.”

I looked at my outstretched hand, now shaking violently, and then dropped my arm, putting the spray back into my tote. Then I sank into Greg's arms. “Thanks.”

“It's my job. Although your antics make it an ongoing task on my to-do list. Maybe you should just stay put sometimes when things are crazy.” He squeezed me, then looked at Adam. “Toby, read this guy his rights.”

As Toby walked Adam through the walkway and out to the street where I assumed a South Cove police car was waiting, I looked up at Greg. “So, what are you going to charge him with? Sandra's murder?”

“First, your attack. And don't tell me you're not going to press charges because he's such a wounded soul.” He stepped back and looked me over. “He didn't hurt you, did he?”

I rubbed my arm where he'd originally grabbed me, and shook my head. “Scared the crap out of me. When I stomped on his foot and he let me go, well, I didn't know what he wanted. All I knew was I wasn't going to let him take me.”

“Smart girl.” Greg put his arm around me and we walked to the street. Toby already had Adam in the cruiser. Aunt Jackie ran toward me as soon as we cleared the building.

“You're safe. I was so worried. I saw you disappear and so I ran in to call Greg. Good thing the station is so close.” She kissed me on the forehead. “I could have lost you.”

Gratitude overwhelmed me as I realized, not for the first time, I was truly not alone in the world. I had my over-the-top nosy aunt, and because of her watchful eye, I'd been saved by my equally as overbearing boyfriend. Well, overbearing at times. I hugged her back and then looked at Adam in the back of the car. “I don't know what he thought I had, but it had to do with his identity change five years ago. When I asked him about it, he lost his fight.”

Greg kissed me. “Stop investigating. I'll take it from here.” He nodded to my aunt. “Thanks for giving me a call.”

My aunt took my arm and led me back into the coffee shop, where the rest of the teenagers who had still been at book club had surrounded the front door. “Move out of the way, nothing to see here. Go do something productive with your lives.”

By the time we got into the café, my legs were shaking. “I need to sit down.” I pointed to the couch. “Can someone bring me a glass of water or something?”

Sasha put a glass into my hand. “My goodness. That was quite a scare. Are you sure he didn't hurt you?”

I drank down the entire glass before I answered. “No. No, I'm not hurt.” I smiled at Sasha and Aunt Jackie, who were staring down at me like I'd been murdered or something. “Back off, guys, you're freaking me out here. I'm just glad Greg showed up when he did. I still don't understand how he got from the station to the shop that quick.”

My aunt sat next to me and patted my leg. “It's not a miracle. I called him earlier because I saw that awful man looking in the window during Sasha's book club.”

“You what?” I set the empty glass on the coffee table. “Why didn't you tell me you saw Adam?”

“Well, I meant to, but then we got busy and Greg said he and Toby would take care of it, so I kind of forgot about it.” My aunt smoothed the fabric on her pants. “I was going to call the station and see if they'd found him before you came back for me this evening.”

I leaned back against the couch, turning my face to heaven and closing my eyes. I wondered if this was how Greg felt sometimes talking to me. I took a deep breath and gazed at my aunt. “So, why didn't you tell me before I started for home? It might have helped.”

“You weren't walking home. How did I know he was lying in wait for you? The man's insane. How am I supposed to predict crazy?” The bell over the door rang and she stood. “I'll handle this. Apparently, that's all an old woman is good for around here. Serving drinks.”

“Aunt Jackie,” I called after her, but her back was metal-rod straight. I'd upset her. I started to stand, but Sasha put her hand on my arm.

“Let her be. You don't realize how scared she was. If something had happened to you, she would have blamed herself. No need for you to poke at her with that stick.” Sasha's cell rang in her pocket. She glanced at the caller ID and stood. “Got to take this. My granny has Olivia today and I'm sure she's tired of the girl tearing up her picture-perfect house.”

I waved her away and thought about the last fifteen minutes. Well, one good thing had come from Adam's attack. We knew who had vandalized The Train Station. And probably why. I needed to talk to Lille and see if she'd hired Sandra for the work. She'd seemed upset about what had happened to Harrold, but that could have all been an act. Honestly, I didn't know Lille all that well. Probably due to the fact that she hated me.

Sasha came back to the couch and flopped down next to me. “I guess I'd better head home. I'm glad you're safe.”

I gave her a hug. “Sorry to ruin your book club with all this. I thought you did an excellent job.”

“It went really nice. I was proud of the kids. They asked great questions and really opened up to each other. I told them to e-mail me with suggestions for next month's read and we'd put up an online poll. Most votes wins.” Sasha looked around the room. “Who knows what they're going to choose. I'm a little nervous.”

“It will be fine. And if it's totally inappropriate, you have veto power.” I grinned at Sasha's surprised face. “You're in charge. You can do whatever you want.”

“I hadn't thought of it that way.”

“Being the grown-up has to have some advantages.” I leaned forward and grabbed the glass. “Well, at least now Greg has a suspect for Sandra's murder, as well. I'm sure he'll have the case all tied up before Monday.”

Sasha glanced out the window where the police car had sat. “You mean, you think Adam killed Sandra? That's not possible.”

“I don't understand. The guy admitted vandalizing Harrold's business. Why do you think he can't be a murderer, too?” Standing I rested a knee on the couch, waiting for Sasha's answer.

Sasha took off her apron. “Because the guy Toby put in the cruiser was drinking with Michael at the winery the night Sandra was run over. They closed down the place, and Darla had Matt drop them off at the bed-and-breakfast where they were staying.”

 

This time when I left the shop, I actually arrived at the Jeep parked behind the building. Instead of leaving through the front door, I took the back door that opened out right into the parking lot. My aunt stood behind me and watched until I got in the car and waved. Then she slammed the door and probably locked it behind her. I was going to have to do some fast talking to get out of the doghouse with her.

When I got home, I grabbed a bottle of beer and Emma and we went out to the garage to finish the bed frame. Having a sixty-pound dog lying on the cool cement floor in between me and any intruder eased my nerves a little. The beer helped a little more. And when I got focused on the project, I'd pushed aside my fear. The sun was just setting when I'd finished stripping the last of the paint off the frame. I leaned back on my workbench and appraised my almost-final project. All I needed to do tomorrow was apply a couple coats of paint and let the frame dry. Monday morning, I'd have the bed all assembled and ready for the mattress delivery.

If I could get the floor sealed tomorrow. I knew it was all up to me. No way would Greg be available to help. I pushed off the worry and put a happy thought in my head. Like the little engine that could, I would be ready for the delivery truck Monday morning. “I can do this, right, girl?” I squatted down and petted the sleeping Emma.

She turned and looked at me, barking a short “woof ” to answer my question. Or probably more likely to ask her own, like,
When are you going to feed me? I'm starving.

I cleaned up the garage, sealing the cans, and put my special work shirt on the bench. I think I agreed with Emma, it was way past dinnertime and I heard the siren call of frozen tater tots from my freezer.

 

I'd set my alarm for six even though it was Sunday. As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, I groaned. My shoulders were on fire. Jerking steps took me to the shower, where I stood under the hot water until it cooled. Seriously, I needed to start adding some weight training to my fitness routine. Running with Emma wasn't doing a thing to build up my arm strength.

As I dressed, Emma whined at the door. “Sorry, girl, I'm moving a little slow today.” I pulled on an old tank and cut-off shorts and followed Emma down to the kitchen, where I let her out. Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I spied the leftover cheesecake and cut myself a large slice. Breakfast of champions. Besides, I'd probably burned that many calories between yesterday's scare and stripping the bed frame. And today I had another calorie scorcher of a day planned. Heck, I might have a second piece of cheesecake for lunch.

I sat at the table and raised the fork to my lips. A knock sounded at the front door. Considering the fact I'd already done the hard part, I shoved the bite of cheesecake in my mouth, then went to answer. As I swung the door open, Greg stood in front of me, dressed in a ratty I Climbed Out of the Grand Canyon T-shirt and green cargo shorts. The man looked California beach fine. I swallowed the cheesecake, and quite possibly my tongue, and blurted, “What are you doing here?”

He laughed as he wiped the corner of my mouth with a finger. Looking at the crumb, he sighed. He kissed me on the cheek and looked toward the kitchen. “Please tell me you have some of this left? Sadie outdid herself with this recipe.”

“You're here to work?” I held my arm out to block his forward movement.

He pulled me into his arms and power-drove me to the couch, where he held my arms above my head and kissed me more thoroughly this time. He pulled away from me, stared into my eyes, and murmured, “I'm your willing slave.”

My stomach felt like I'd swallowed a bucket of butterflies. I bit my bottom lip so hard, I reached up to make sure it wasn't bleeding. And that was the moment Greg jumped over the couch and went into the kitchen. I stood up and followed. He had my plate of cheesecake in his hand as he looked in the fridge. Then he handed the plate back to me. “You're in luck. There's a slice or two left for me.”

I took the plate and went back to the table, where I took another bite. I watched him cut an extra-large slice and put it on a plate. Then he poured coffee and joined me at the table. I pointed my fork at his plate. “That was going to be my lunch.”

He didn't even pause. “You can take me for an early dinner in Bakerstown and we'll skip lunch.”