Love Inspired Suspense July 2015 #2 (31 page)

Sadly, Ellie knew the feeling.

“No, you're not.” Ashley's skin fired red. “You're not happy unless everyone is as miserable as you are.”

Ellie took a step back and banged the heel of her shoe on the wall. “I...I...”

“I...I...” Ashley mocked her. “You know as well as I do that Tony would never be involved with dealing drugs.” She held her palm up to the wall separating their shop from the bakery next door. “He's a successful businessman.”

Ellie gripped the edges of the counter to steady herself. “That's not entirely true.”

Ashley angled her head, as if daring Ellie to press on. Ellie was not going to let her friend intimidate her.

“Tony told me that his father had hoped to expand into this—”

“They wouldn't expand the bakery if they were struggling!” Ashley must have believed a high-decibel argument was more convincing.

Ellie held her ground. “They couldn't get the loan.”

“Is that what that two-faced FBI boyfriend of yours told you? He's wrong. Just like he was wrong about your brother.”

Ellie resisted the instinct to lash out at her friend. Ashley seemed to be deflating with each word. How could Ellie tell her that Johnny was right about her brother? In a way, Ellie felt as though she would be telling a story that was only her brother's to tell. That she'd be betraying him.

“Some things are not as they seem.” Ellie swallowed hard, carefully crafting her words. “I would never intentionally hurt you. Or anyone.” How could her friend think the worst of her? A sinking feeling settled in her gut. Was she that bad at judging people's character? Ellie hiked up her chin. “We're going to have to let the legal system work it out.”

Ashley tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I'm not sure I can be in business with someone who doesn't trust my judgment. I'm telling you, Tony would never deal drugs.
Never.
” Her lip began to quiver and Ellie wanted to reach out and pull her friend into an embrace, but knew it wouldn't be well received.

“Please, Ashley,” Ellie said calmly, stepping out from behind the counter, “don't do anything rash.” She held out her hands, palms down. “Just let the dust settle.”

But hadn't Ellie known this was coming all along?

Ashley slowly shook her head. “You're not a very good friend.” She spun around, her golden locks flying as she marched to the front door. “And don't expect me to work any shifts. I'm going to meet with my lawyer to see how I can get this business relationship dissolved.”

Ellie watched the door long after her so-called friend stormed out in dramatic fashion. The slow burn of anger seared her gut. Ashley had a way of making everything about her. And now she had effectively told Ellie she wasn't going to be in business with her anymore.

Ellie pounded her fist on the counter, then immediately regretted it. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. Ellie needed Ashley's start-up money to make a go of the shop.

So much for independence.

Had she ever really had it?

“Having a rough day?” Johnny's words mingled with the clatter of the bells on the door. He had obviously seen Ashley storm out.

“I take it she's not happy about her boyfriend.”

Ellie shook her head. “You'd think I made him sell drugs.”

Johnny scratched his head. “I need to talk to Tony's father, but I wanted to check in on you first.”

“I'm fine. I'm hoping it's not another quiet day here.” She felt as if she was attempting to crawl up a down escalator. “I should bring in my paints and easel. At least then I could do something productive while I waited for customers.”

The compassion in Johnny's eyes made her heart melt.

“I wanted to tell you something...” His voice trailed off as something seemed to catch his attention. “Hold on, Mr. Vino's headed this way.”

A short man in a white baker's coat yanked open the front door and stepped into the shop. He seemed to come up short when he noticed Johnny standing there.

Ellie stepped forward, feeling a bit more confident with Johnny here. “Hello, Mr. Vino. I'm sorry about Tony. Are you doing okay?”

Mr. Vino pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and mopped his forehead. “I don't know if my Tony did all these things, but if he did, he did them for me.”

Ellie flinched, startled at his contrite tone. She had been bracing for another tongue-lashing.

“I've done nothing but worry about this shop. About money. About how we're going to close if business didn't turn around. If...” The husky man swallowed hard. “If Tony was selling drugs, he was doing it to help with the bakery. To get some creditors off my back.” The worry in his eyes broke Ellie's heart.

“Did you know about his activities?” Johnny asked.

Mr. Vino shook his head vigorously. “No. No.”

Johnny placed a hand on the man's shoulder. “Whatever Tony's reason, a high school student overdosed on drugs. It's not a game...or a get-rich-quick scheme.”

Mr. Vino's eyebrows pulled together, forming an exclamation over the point of his bulbous nose. “Do you have evidence he was selling the drugs?”

“Tony confessed this morning.” Johnny shifted to look at Ellie. Apparently a night in lockup did the trick. “That's what I wanted to tell you.”

Mr. Vino's forehead creased. “He confessed?”

“Yes, sir. I'm sorry.” Johnny touched the man's sleeve. All the color seemed to drain from Mr. Vino's face. “Is there someone I can call for you?”

The baker snatched the hat from his head. “No, no...” He looked up with hope in his glistening eyes. “I'm going to see that he has the best lawyer.” He shook his head. “I raised him better.”

Ellie's stomach hurt. She flashed back to her own parents' heartbroken expressions when her brother had been arrested. How they had insisted on—and believed in—the innocence of their Golden Boy.

Any words of comfort got lodged in Ellie's throat.

“Mr. Vino, what can I do for you?” Johnny asked again.

Mr. Vino raised his hand and dropped it in disgust. “Nothing.” He turned and slowly walked out of the shop.

Ellie planted her palms on the counter for support. “We gave you a lot of grief when my brother was arrested.”

Johnny stuffed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “It comes with the territory. Truth be told, we never arrest a guilty person.” He quirked an eyebrow and she detected a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Then I guess it's a good thing Tony confessed.”

Johnny grimaced slightly. “It seemed too easy.”

Ellie tilted her head, waiting for him to go on.

“He seemed afraid.” He ran the palm of his hand across his jaw. “Of what, I'm not sure. He confessed to everything, including shipping drugs to your address and the break-in. He claims he lost track of one package and thought you stole it.”

Knees weak, Ellie lowered herself onto the stool she kept behind the counter. “And he really thinks
I
stole it?”

Johnny nodded.

“I didn't.”

“I know. I'll have to track it down.”

“What if you never find it?” Ellie felt light-headed. “Will anyone else be looking for it? Usually there's a chain of drug dealers involved, right?”

“Yes, but Tony claims he never told anyone he suspected you had it. He claims he was trying to scare you into returning it. If he's telling me the truth, your harassment stops with Tony Vino's arrest.”

Ellie bit her lower lip. What if Tony was lying?

TWELVE

T
he wild wind tossed a dried leaf against the window at the end of the upstairs hallway of the old Victorian. Johnny pulled back the lacy curtain and squinted at the dark rain cloud in an otherwise blue sky. The late-afternoon sunlight accentuated the ominous silver quality of the cloud. The gold and red leaves against the steel-gray rain cloud made him think of Ellie. He could imagine her scrunching up her nose and touching her mouth with the back of a paintbrush, giving it careful consideration before she touched brush to canvas.

She had a keen eye and a talent that he sensed she didn't appreciate. No, a talent she didn't have faith in.

He hoped the rain held off for the church carnival later this afternoon. He had seen first-hand how hard the youth had worked on getting ready for the big fund-raiser. It would be a shame if rain kept people away.

Johnny checked the time on his cell phone, then shoved it into his back pocket.

No more stalling.

He swallowed hard and turned to the closed door at the end of the hall. His mother's childhood bedroom. He had promised his grandfather he'd pack up her things because his grandfather couldn't. Now that the case was mostly wrapped up, he had the time.

He reached out and clutched the glass doorknob. Inwardly, he chuckled. He had faced down the worst of the worst, people who'd sooner shoot you than say hello. But the thought of entering his mother's room made his lungs ache.

He turned the handle and the hinges groaned, protesting years of disuse. He wondered how long the room had been closed. Had his grandparents thought shutting the door could shut out the memories of their only daughter?

He stepped into the large bedroom. Dust motes danced in the thin slivers of sunlight slipping in around the drawn blinds. The musty smell reached his nose and he held back a sneeze.

Johnny stood in one spot and took in the room. The peach-colored bedspread covered the bed. A stuffed kitten sat among the pillows. Tingles bit the back of his nose. He had a hard time imagining his mother as a kid. A happy kid.

He bit the side of his cheek and walked over to her dresser. The floor creaked under his footsteps. Lying flat on the white dresser was a dust-covered photo. His vision narrowed. It was his mother...and him. With a shaky hand, he picked up the photo and ran his finger over her face and his.

“She really loved you.”

Johnny spun around. His grandfather stood in the doorway, bracing himself on the doorjamb.

He shuffled into the bedroom, his eyes roaming the space as if he had forgotten what it looked like.

“Your mom came back with you when you were about three years old.” His grandfather took the photo from Johnny's hands and stared at it. “She told me she was determined to get clean. To do right by you.”

Johnny lowered himself to sit on the edge of the bed. It creaked under his weight. “How long did she stay?”

“For about a year.”

Johnny ran his hand along the stitching on the bedspread. “I didn't know.”

Buddy set the photo on the dresser and patted it, as if he were patting the head of the small child in the photo. He slowly turned around. “Your grandmother was so excited to get you enrolled in the church preschool program.”

Johnny stared at his grandfather, his words ping-ponging around his brain. He had lived here? For a year in his young life? No wonder so many things seemed vaguely familiar; he'd thought maybe his mother's description had gotten into his head. His mother had only said horrible things about her parents...this place. But he had realized his mother's description had been skewed when he'd finally gotten to know his grandfather.

“Your grandmother's heart was broken when Mary Claire packed you up and left.”

Johnny's chest grew heavy. “Why did she leave? I can't imagine she could afford a roof over her head and food. Not as nice as this.”

“That's what her mother and I thought.” He wrapped his fingers into a fist and tapped on the footboard. “We couldn't convince her otherwise.”

Johnny ran a hand across his chin. “She had a new boyfriend.”

His grandfather didn't answer, but his expression said it all.
How did you know?

“All my mother's big decisions revolved around men. Men and drugs.”

“I never understood what her mother and I did wrong.”

A realization crept into Johnny's soul and filled his heart. “God gave us all free will.” He let out a heavy sigh. “My mother made her own choices.” Even Johnny couldn't sway his mother's heart. A new love—or what she thought was love—and drugs were far more powerful than a little kid.

And it wasn't his fault.

Buddy's strong hand cupped Johnny's shoulder. “Don't let your mom's mistakes ruin your life.”

Johnny looked up and tilted his head, confused.

“You got the guy who was dealing drugs. You did a good thing. But there has to be more to life than chasing bad guys.”

“Tony Vino is still adamant he was working alone. But something about this case bugs me.”

“Are you sure you're not focusing on the case to avoid your personal life?”

Johnny studied the pink, purple and yellow flowered area rug. “I like chasing bad guys.”

“It's something you can control.”

“To a degree.”

“There's more to life than work.”

Johnny scratched his head, waiting for his grandfather to continue.

“Your mother left you. Then your grandmother and I let you down when you needed us. We were blinded by our own hurt.”

Johnny patted the bed and stood. He turned to face his grandfather. “You were hurting. I understand.”

Buddy shook his head, the lines around his mouth growing deeper. “You've surrounded yourself with work because you don't want to get hurt again.”

Johnny bit back a smirk. “I'm not into this touchy-feely stuff, Gramps. I work hard because we arrest one drug dealer and there's another one right behind him.”

“You can still catch the bad guys, but why not take time to enjoy your life? That Ellie girl is very sweet.”

Johnny laughed, but the memory of her soft lips sobered him. “Ellie's not much into relationships, either.” How many times had she let him know she wanted to be independent? That she'd been burned before by a longtime boyfriend.

“The two of you are so caught up in your past hurts, you can't enjoy the moment.” Buddy shrugged. “You're the smart FBI guy. I suppose you know best.” A twinkle lit his grandfather's eyes. He lifted his hand. “Will you get me some of that apple cider they sell at the church carnival?”

Johnny smiled, knowing exactly what his grandfather had up his sleeve. “You want me to drive you down to the carnival?”

His grandfather jutted out his lower lip. “Nah, I'm tired. But if you're not going, I understand.”

They both knew he'd run the errand for his grandfather. “I'd be happy to run down to the carnival. How about a candied apple while I'm there?”

His grandfather waved him away. “Not good for my teeth. But, oh...I can already taste the cider.”

* * *

A stiff breeze whipped across the church parking lot. Ellie zipped up her fleece jacket and tucked her chin into the warm collar. She had been manning the cider booth for the church's youth group so they could enjoy the carnival for a while. She was happy for the distraction.

A distraction from Tony's drug arrest.

A distraction from the lack of sales at Gifts and More.

A distraction from the big question: Where was she headed in life?

If things continued, she'd have to close the shop. For good.

Stop.

Tonight was a night to relax and enjoy the moment. She loved this time of year. She closed her eyes briefly and smelled the crisp night air mixed with fried dough and apple pie. The musical notes from the main stage competed with the laughter of the families enjoying a night out.

She leaned her hip on the edge of the booth. The placard mounted at the corner of the booth read: All Proceeds For Kids Escaping Drugs.

That decision had been entirely the youths'. In past years, the funds had gone to cover social events for the kids but this year they had unanimously voted to raise money for a program to help kids who suffered from alcohol or drug dependence.

“I'll have two jugs of cider.”

Ellie spun around at Johnny's voice and tried to ignore the warmth that flooded her heart. “I didn't know you were going to come tonight. I thought you'd be helping your grandfather before getting ready to return to Buffalo.” Ellie crossed her arms and rolled up on the balls of her feet. For some reason she felt uncomfortable; perhaps it was the way his warm brown eyes seemed to look right into her soul.

“My grandfather told me I had to come. Told me I had to pick up some apple cider.” He wrapped his hands around the handles of two jugs.

“Best cider in town.” Ellie found herself smiling.

“Is there a lot of cider competition in town?” His teasing tone elicited an even bigger smile out of her.

“So...are you just grabbing the cider and leaving?”

Kaylee jogged up, a big smile on her face. “Agent Rock, you and Miss Ellie should do the maze. It's awesome. I went through it with Amy and Kendal.” The two young women Ellie had met earlier trailed Kaylee.

Ellie smiled at Kaylee. She was hanging out with her friends and taking a break from the drama of boys, especially boys who had made some very bad choices lately. Last Ellie had heard, Collin Parker was out on bail awaiting arraignment.

Stupid decisions. Lifelong consequences.

“Oh, I don't know. Agent Rock has to take the cider home to his grandfather.”

Kaylee dragged the cider by the lids toward her. “I can hold on to the cider until you guys get back.” She checked the time on her cell phone. “It's our turn to work the booth, anyway.” She flicked her fingers playfully. “Go, go, go...”

Ellie angled her head. “Really, Kaylee. You can't tell us to run along like one of your friends.” She laughed as she removed her money bib and helped Kaylee tie it around her waist.

Ellie stepped outside the booth and zipped her jacket up higher. “Maybe it's time I called it a night.”

Johnny gently took Ellie's elbow. “I think Miss Kaylee has a great idea.” His warm breath whispered across her ear.

Ellie looked up at him with wide eyes, not sure what to think about how she felt. She had been mentally preparing herself to say goodbye to Johnny now that the investigation was wrapping up.

“I...um...” Ellie sputtered as the young woman watched her carefully. “Sure, I suppose a quick tour of the maze can't hurt.”

“I'll be back shortly to get my cider,” Johnny said to Kaylee.

“No problem, Agent Rock.” Kaylee set the cider down behind the counter, a mischievous grin on her face.

Ah, to be young,
Ellie mused
.

Johnny squeezed Ellie's hand. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I was just thinking about how these young kids don't realize how many opportunities they have in front of them. What's the expression? The world is their oyster?”

Johnny winced.

“Not a fan of oysters, huh? How about, ‘Youth is wasted on the young'?”

“I know what you mean. I see so many young people making bad choices. It kills me.”

“Then why do you do it?” She kicked at the loose hay on the blacktop. “It must wear on you.”

“It does. But someone has to do it.” There was a rapt quality to his voice.

A couple smiled and waved at Johnny. Then an older man from the church came up and shook his hand. “You did a good thing, Agent Rock. Thank you.”

“Does that always happen after you make an arrest?” She smiled up at him.

“No. I think it's the small-town thing going on.”

“The news is touting you as hometown hero.”

Johnny ran a hand through his hair. “I prefer to work under the radar.”

Ellie playfully rested her cheek against his shoulder and kept walking. “When do you head back to Buffalo?”

“I took a week's vacation so I can spend more time with my grandfather. He's not quite ready to move, but we have to make a plan to assure he can continue living at the house. There's a few projects...” He shrugged. “You know how it is.”

“Yeah.” She tried to hide the disappointment from her voice. The wind kicked up and Ellie struggled to stifle a shudder.

Johnny let go of her hand and wrapped a hand around her shoulder. “Cold?”

Not exactly at this moment.

The clean scent of him filled her senses. This man, without saying a word, destroyed every argument she had made for herself to avoid reentering the dating world.

If only he lived in Williamstown.

Johnny stepped away from her toward another refreshment booth. “Want some hot chocolate?”

“Sure.” Ellie stuffed her hands into her pockets, missing the warmth of his presence.

He paid for two hot chocolates and handed her one. “Ready for the maze?”

“I have no sense of direction.”

“It's okay, I'll stay with you.”

Ellie smiled, feeling like one of those young girls she envied. Feeling as if a world of opportunities stretched at her feet.

* * *

The smell of dried hay reached her nose as Johnny handed the attendant their tickets and they entered the maze made of hay bales stacked seven feet high.

A young girl ran past them at a cross section, giggling. She was obviously lost.

Johnny walked slowly, kicking at the hay. “Can't say I've ever been in a maze made of hay bales.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Ellie didn't press. From what Johnny had told her, he hadn't had an idyllic childhood filled with church carnivals, hot chocolate and mazes.

“I'm not one for confined spaces,” Ellie said, “but I figure I can bust out of here by knocking over the bales if necessary.” She dragged her hand along the wall and pulled it back when she snagged a piece of prickly hay. The light of a passing vehicle flashed in the cracks between the bales. “See, this is the outside wall.” She lifted her foot, pretending to push on the bottom bale. “One swift kick and I'm free.”