Love Inspired Suspense July 2015 #2 (24 page)

Her friend shrugged, as if losing Gifts and More would be no big deal. Ellie's heart sank. Of course it would be no big deal for her friend. She could take her money and do something else. Whereas, this shop was all Ellie had. It was far more than simply a job to her.

The concern in Johnny's eyes made her pause. Nausea welled in Ellie's gut. Her dream was crumbling around her and someone wanted to hurt her.

Or worse.

* * *

Drinking coffee wasn't exactly the best way to calm his frazzled nerves. Johnny set his cup on a shelf in the gift shop and grabbed the broom from its resting spot against the wall.

Ellie shook her head. “I got it.” She took the broom from him rather abruptly, their fingers brushing in the exchange.

“How well do you know Tony?” Johnny asked Ashley, who didn't seem to be in much of a hurry to leave for someone who had just announced she wasn't going to work at the shop anymore, or at least until the perpetrator was caught.

Something about the baker had struck a nerve with Johnny. Had the young baker been solely concerned with the safety of his own shop? The well-being of the quiet community? Or was there something else going on there?

Ashley scrunched her nose. “I know him as well as anyone I've only dated a few weeks. I mean, I've known him since high school—this is a small town—but we've only been dating for a few weeks.” Then came her bland compliment. “He's nice enough. A little stressed about work, but who isn't? Tough economy, right?”

“Yeah.” Though Johnny hadn't said anything to Ellie yet, he'd had the FBI run a check on Tony. The bakery was in some serious debt. Not unheard of with business owners, but enough to make Tony take up dealing drugs as a side business? He'd have to talk to the man later without an audience. Tony Vino was obviously shaken up and maybe his nerves would make him crack.

If
he had something to crack about.

Ashley smiled demurely, as if having second thoughts. “I'll go home and change and come back to help clean up.”

Johnny held up his hand. “I'll stay and help Ellie.”

Ellie looked as if she was about to protest, but she didn't say a word.

“Well, okay.” Ashley stepped daintily around the broken glass. “I'm gonna scoot, then.”

Johnny wondered why Ashley had even invested her money in the shop when she obviously didn't care about it. Were she and Ellie such good friends that she just wanted to help her friend out financially? Something niggled at the base of his brain. Her ties with Tony also bothered him. He made a mental note as they watched Ashley leave.

Ellie turned to Johnny. “You realize this will be the end of my shop. The dream will die before it even gets off the ground.” She paused a second, as if afraid to reveal the tremble in her voice.

“It's not over. My priority is to make sure you're safe.” He glanced over at the two officers chatting by the register. “If you guys are done, you can file your report at Williamstown PD headquarters. Ellie Winters and I will wrap things up here.”

Coffee cups in hand, the two officers left. Two gentlemen from the hardware store were installing a new door.

Ellie placed the broom against the wall and sat slowly on the stool behind the register, the look in her eyes reminiscent of one he had seen a million years ago. Leaning on the counter, she planted her chin in the palm of her hand. “I don't know why I bothered.”

“With the shop?”

“Yeah. I knew it was a long shot to begin with. I had no idea I'd be asked to close down due to a drive-by shooting the first week I was open.” Her tone indicated she wasn't convinced she'd actually close the shop.

Johnny leaned a hip on the counter, his thigh brushing against Ellie's knee. “I'm sorry, Ellie. I'll do whatever I can to get your shop back open.” He scanned the space. The back half of the store was untouched as a result of last night's events. So were several unopened boxes in the back room. “Do you have boxes stored anywhere else but here?”

Ellie sat upright and bit her bottom lip. “I have some in my parents' basement, but nothing that was originally shipped to this address. Those boxes are pieces I've collected over the years. Antiques, photo frames, trinkets. Stuff I haven't had time, or room, to display.”

Johnny patted the counter next to him. “Okay, I don't think that's what we're looking for.”

Ellie wrapped her arms around her middle. “You say you believe me when I tell you I have nothing to do with this.”

Johnny's stomach bottomed out. He did believe her. But he doubted she'd be happy if she found out he had run checks on her brother and Roger since they had been previously arrested for dealing drugs. Both seemed to have kept their noses clean. Experience told him that those reports didn't always reveal the big picture.

“What happens if you find something on my property? What does that make me...guilty of possession of drugs?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Should I call a lawyer? Just to be safe?”

All the color drained from her face as if she was mentally reliving her family's experience when her brother had been arrested.

He reached out and stopped her hand midway to shoving her hair out of her eyes again. “You have to do what's best for you.” That was the logical advice. His professional advice. “But I'd hate for you to have to spend the money on legal fees. I know it's tight with the shop.”

Ellie's lower lip quivered, as if she were on the verge of crying.

“I know you're not involved and I'm doing everything I can to find out who is. Can you trust me on this?”

She lifted her eyes to him with an unspoken “Why?”

“More than once I saw the look in your eyes after the arrest and trial of your brother. That experience devastated you. You'd never do that to your family. Not on purpose.”

“You seem quite sure of yourself.”

“Am I wrong?”

She shook her head slowly. “But look at my brother. He got wrapped up in something that wasn't even his fault.”

Johnny studied the gray slate floor tiles. Her brother Greg had always been the Golden Boy. Still was. Could Johnny ever convince her otherwise? What point would it serve, especially when she was already so hurt? Johnny didn't want to be responsible for putting any more hurt in that sweet woman's eyes.

SIX

“G
o on ahead.”

Later that afternoon Johnny gestured with his free hand to Ellie to walk ahead of him. Greg Winters's front walkway and porch were adorned with hay bales and pumpkins, all ready for fall.

Ellie smiled and brushed past him, her hands occupied with a white casserole dish. He wondered when she'd had time to bake considering how busy they had been cleaning up the shop.

Johnny stepped up next to Ellie on the small stoop. “Does your mother know about the incident at the gift shop?”

“Yes,” Ellie hissed abruptly as she glanced at the door. “I promised her I'd be careful. And just so you know, I am not convinced I'm going to close the shop.”

“Can we discuss it further?”

“Perhaps we can discuss ways to keep me safe while I'm working.”

“Good point.” Ellie was one stubborn woman. “Maybe I'll win points with your mother for protecting you?” He couldn't help but smile.

Ellie laughed; a genuine laugh that warmed his heart. “I fear she might have wished
you
had been shot.” She tipped her head and her hair fell in a mask, hiding her face, as if she couldn't believe she had just said that. “I'm just kidding. She's a good Christian woman.”

“Who happens to hold a grudge against me.”

Ellie laughed again, as if she didn't truly know what her mother would do when it came down to getting him out of their lives. “All things considered, I can't say I blame her.”

“Do you?”

“Do I...?” Ellie angled her head.

Johnny suspected she knew full well what he was talking about, but she was stalling. “Do you still blame me for ruining your brother's life?”

Ellie glanced at the screen door. “You picked a fine time to bring this up.” She shook her head curtly, as if to dismiss his question, and leaned on the doorbell with her elbow. A soft chime sounded inside the house followed by running feet.

A little girl with long brown hair in two braids answered, smiling up at them. “Aunt Ellie.”

The little girl pushed open the door and Ellie shouldered it to keep it from closing. She kissed the crown of her niece's head. Ellie gestured to Johnny with her chin. “Grace, this is my friend Mr. Rock.”

“Hello,” the little girl said, tipping her head to look up at him.

“Nice to meet you, Grace.”

“Is everyone in the backyard?” Ellie asked as she walked through the small family room littered with dolls toward a neat kitchen in the back of the house.

“Yes! We're having a party!” Grace ran ahead and opened the sliding screen to the back porch. Ellie set the casserole dish on the stove and Johnny put the refreshments he had purchased on the counter.

Laughter floated in from outside. Johnny silently communicated a quick, “Here goes nothing,” before she stepped out onto the back patio.

He followed, not fully understanding why his nerves were wound tighter than when he'd squared off with a gun-toting criminal in a dark alley.

Apparently sensing his unease, Ellie tossed a smile at him. “They don't bite.”

His eyes flared wide in feigned distress.

“Come on.”

About fifteen adults and a smattering of children were hanging out in the yard. Some were seated around tables, others were playing a game that involved slamming a Frisbee into a black barrel.

“Ah, you made it.” A pretty woman, a little older than Ellie, was the first to greet them. Holding a glass of lemonade in one hand, she hugged Ellie with the other and then turned to Johnny. “Hi. I'm Beth Winters, Greg's wife.”

“Johnny Rock. I'm—”

Ellie jumped in before he could say anything. “A friend of mine.”

“Well, nice to meet you. Grab a drink and some refreshments. We're very casual around here.” She smiled and lifted her glass. “We're happy Ellie could bring a friend.” Beth smiled warmly at her sister-in-law.

Ellie blushed.

Apparently, Ellie didn't bring male friends around. For some reason, the idea pleased him.

“We're blessed to have perfect weather for one last outdoor party. So make yourself comfortable.” Beth's eyes flared wide and she scooted off after a small boy wandering dangerously close to a bigger child determined to test the laws of physics on the swing.

The invisible but very real feeling of awkwardness pushed down on him. Half the people here—the half who didn't know him—would assume he was Ellie's boyfriend. The other half—the half that knew the truth—were shooting him die-man-die daggers with their eyes.

Speaking of which, Ellie's mother called to her from her lawn chair under the shade of a wide umbrella. “I see you brought a date?” Her voice hitched up on the last word.

“Johnny was helping me clean up at the store,” he heard Ellie say as he stepped up beside her. “I thought it polite to invite him for dinner.”

Nancy Winters's gaze swept over him, as if she couldn't decide whether to keep up the fight or let it go. She ran her hand along the sun-faded faux wood on the arm of the outdoor chair. “Thank you for keeping my Ellie safe.” She shook her head. “Can't believe the crazy goings-on in this world.”

Mrs. Winters pushed to a standing position and lurched forward, touching his arm when she lost her footing on an uneven paver. She lowered her voice. “I really do appreciate it, but please don't cause any more trouble for our family.”

“No, ma'am.” Johnny shook his head for emphasis.

“Mom,” Greg said in a voice that seemed louder than necessary, “isn't it great to see Johnny again?” The smile on Greg's sun-tanned and freckled face seemed strained. “I think we can let bygones be bygones. Enjoy a nice meal together.” Johnny figured Greg's cordial greeting was strictly for his mother's benefit.

Nancy Winters lifted a shoulder then lowered herself into the chair again. Johnny lunged forward and steadied the arm, the old fold-up chair nearly collapsing with Mrs. Winters inside.

Next to him, Ellie laughed. “Careful, Mom.”

Her mother waved her hand in dismissal, but her cheeks flared red.

Maybe I've
scored a few points for saving her from the embarrassing fate of ending up head over heels in the folded lawn chair.

Greg smiled at Johnny, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “It's been a long time.”

“Yes, it has.” The conversation seemed strained. “Nice home. Beautiful family. You've done well for yourself.”

“Thank you. It wasn't without a few bumps along the way.” Had Johnny detected an accusation in Greg's tone?

“I had a job to do.”

Greg smiled at an older woman who brushed past, then turned his attention back to Johnny. “I had thought we were friends back in high school. I was surprised how well you played us all.” His neutral affect was hard to read.

Johnny thought back to the days when Greg had met him in senior homeroom and invited him to the house for dinner. Johnny had never been around a normal house where everyone sat together for dinner. Sometimes he'd miss dinner altogether because his mother had spent her entire paycheck on drugs and cigarettes.

Johnny looked down and saw Ellie was staring up at him. He had obviously missed whatever she had been saying. “I'm sorry, what?”

“What would you like to drink?”

“I'm good for now.”

“I wanted to tell you,” Greg said, “Roger Petersen and his wife are coming over.”

Johnny ran a hand through his hair.

“Roger has turned his life around since getting out of prison. He doesn't live far from here.”

Johnny already knew that. He had run checks on all the players from ten years ago.

“So be nice.” Greg smiled stiffly. “I didn't know you were coming or I would have warned him.”

Johnny held his hand up. “I'll play nice.” And maybe he could get a read on what these two men had been up to lately. It would crush Ellie if her brother was in any way involved. But it seemed unlikely Greg would put his sister in harm's way.

As if on cue, Roger appeared in the doorway. He pushed open the screen and it hit the edge of the frame with a clack. A dark-haired woman in capris and a pink top came up behind him. “Don't stop in the doorway, Roger.”

Roger glared at Johnny. If Johnny hadn't been so focused, he might have missed the subtle quirk of a smile on Roger's face.

What is that all about?

Roger strolled onto the patio and held out his hand. “Johnny Rock. Imagine you here.”

“Roger Petersen. In the flesh.” Johnny mimicked him, accepting his hand.

Greg stepped between the two men. “I imagine we can all be cordial.” He cast a warning toward Roger, then to Johnny.

Roger blinked slowly. “Of course.”

Roger's wife came up behind him and rested her chin on her husband's shoulder. Her perfectly straight teeth were visible through her parted lips, tilted into a beaming smile. “Hello.”

Roger stepped to the side and wrapped his arm around the slender woman's waist. “This is my wife, Ginger.”

Ellie smiled her greeting and nodded in acknowledgment.

Roger squeezed his wife closer to him. “Ginger and I have been house shopping.” He lifted his chin and scanned the yard. “We have an appointment to see a house in this very neighborhood. Wouldn't that be great if we became neighbors?”

“Fantastic.” Greg smiled but something cool settled in his eyes. “Excuse me for a minute. I have to do some hosting duties.”

“Glad things are going well,” Johnny said, studying Roger.

Roger smiled coyly. “I've had some tough breaks, but now I've got a good business. Ever been to the sub shop on Main Street?”

“Can't say I have. I'll have to stop by,” Johnny said.

“Do that.” The corners of Roger's mouth tugged down as if he were giving something considerable thought. He reached for his wife's hand. “It's nice seeing you, Ellie. Johnny.” He nodded. “I think we'll wander over and say hello to Mrs. Winters.”

Johnny stepped away from the crowd and whispered to Ellie, “Your brother and Roger hang out a lot?”

Ellie's eyes grew worried. “Greg's a very loyal person. They've been friends since kindergarten. What kind of person would he be if he turned his back on his friend in difficult times?”

Greg wandered over. “Everything okay?”

Ellie's hand went to the hollow of her neck. “Johnny was asking about Roger.”

“What about him?” An edge of defensiveness crept into Greg's voice.

“It's okay,” Ellie said. “I was trying to explain to Johnny how you've forgiven Roger for getting you caught up in that mess.”

Greg slowly blinked. “It's more than that.”

A look of confusion swept across Ellie's face.

“We need to talk.” Greg glanced over at his wife pushing their daughter on the swing. “Out front.”

* * *

“All three of us?” Ellie asked, confusion crowding in on her.

A very somber Greg nodded. She rarely saw this side of her brother. He was always the clichéd calm, cool, collected.

The proverbial Golden Boy.

Ellie's heart raced, just as it had when she'd seen her mother's face after her father died. Ellie referred to those moments as defining. In one moment, life changed. How you handled it defined you.

“Are you going to get the hot dogs on the grill?” an alarmed Beth called out from the far corner of the yard where she seemed stuck supervising the kids climbing all over the wooden play set. The play set her brother had taken three solid weekends to build from a blueprint purchased online. He really was a good dad.

“Be right back, honey.” Greg plastered on a smile and waved. “I promise.”

Her brother led them around the side of the house and toward the minivan parked in the driveway, perhaps where he felt he was far enough from his guests. He leaned against the side of the maroon vehicle and studied his feet.

“What is it? Is everything okay?” Ellie's nerve endings buzzed. Was someone sick? Had something happened?

Johnny momentarily placed his hand on Ellie's arm.

Greg took a deep breath and released it. His eyes flicked up over Ellie's head, undoubtedly to meet Johnny's gaze.

The vulnerable look on her brother's face was a strange juxtaposition to the sunny fall day and the yellow mums planted around the tree near the street. The perfect fall afternoon.

“I wasn't as innocent as you think.” Greg spit out the words in a burst of confidence that belied his trembling hands.

Ellie's stomach bottomed out. “What are you talking about?”

Greg closed his eyes for a long minute then opened them again. “I
was
guilty of dealing drugs in high school.”

Ellie gasped and leaned back, bumping into Johnny. Nausea clawed at her throat but spewing her guts on the driveway wasn't high on her list right now. Johnny's solid hands steadied her at the waist. She swallowed hard and focused all her energy on staying calm. As she had when she'd approached her boyfriend about the inappropriate photos on his cell phone.

“What?”

“I stupidly got involved with selling drugs.” His shoulders slouched. “The only reason I got off was because Dad and Mom got the best lawyer.”

The world seemed to close in around Ellie. The birds chirping got more distant. The blades of grass grew more defined. She blinked away her disorientation. She sensed, rather than heard, Johnny saying something to her. She couldn't make out the words. She raised her hand, needing silence.

“Does Mom know?” Tiny stars danced in her eyes. She feared a migraine coming on. A niggle of doubt slithered into her brain. Their mother had been their brother's staunchest supporter. She hadn't been putting on an act, too. Had she?

No, no, no
...

Her mother couldn't have known.

Greg shook his head. “Dad never knew, either.”