Borrowing Death (24 page)

“I wonder what Caroline knew?” James asked as if reading her mind.

Also inside the box was the moleskin-covered notebook listing the pawned goods, the customers, and what Fiske paid. There were very few notations of items having been bought back by his customers and a number of notes on what was received as payment for items sold.

Pawning wasn't illegal, but Lyle wasn't licensed, and usury charges for the interest rates he forced on his customers would have seen him doing time in jail if he'd been caught.

James had plans to search Fiske's inventory statements and storerooms as well, at least what he could recover from the ruins of the building or from any records kept at home. Indications he was ordering beyond his store's needs, as Otto Kenner was doing, could help prove his role in the local black market. But it was likely any illegal goods were now well-hidden, and more likely any evidence of whom he'd dealt with in town through falsified inventory and order lists had gone up in flames. Brigit would be grateful for that.

“You know someone will take the loss of Lyle and Otto as an opportunity,” she said.

“I know.” He nodded thoughtfully. “But anyone else bringing in unusually large shipments is going to have to take extra care. The city just hired two more policemen. The marshal and I will have more time to poke about the docks now.”

“Should I write something up to let the smugglers know, or do you want it to be a surprise?”

“I think a surprise would be more fun, don't you?”

Charlotte laughed. Her throat stung.

Rebecca slipped in from the jail room. She cast a furtive glance at James as she walked to Charlotte. “Ben's gonna be all right, won't he?”

Charlotte held her arms open. Rebecca came to her. The two hugged, Rebecca's head on Charlotte's shoulder, facing away from James. Charlotte held his gaze as she spoke to the girl. “Deputy Eddington will make sure he's comfortable until they go to Valdez tomorrow. Then the courts will make sure he gets a fair trial.”

God, she hoped so.

James winced, but recovered quickly, lest Rebecca see his expression. Ben was being charged with robbery, murder, arson, and several lesser charges. His prospects for anything less than life in prison were grim.

She'd already agreed to be a witness at his trial, hoping her testimony might mitigate his sentence. There were no guarantees, of course, but she had to do what she could, for Rebecca's sake.

Rebecca straightened and eased out of Charlotte's arms. “He told me to remind you the money he got for the stuff he sold is all in the box.” She looked over at James. “He really tried hard to get things back to their rightful owners.”

James's furrowed brow smoothed. “I know. I made sure it was in the statement I took down.” He tapped the file labeled “Fiske, Lyle.” “His lawyer and the judge will know everything.”

Rebecca's smile was fleeting and uncertain, as if she wanted to believe it would all be well. Charlotte knew Rebecca understood that Ben would never see freedom again, but she still held on to a glimmer of hope.

Charlotte rose, and gathered Rebecca's hand in hers. “If you're ready, we can stop by your house and pack a few things for the next several days. We can see about having you stay with family. . . .” Rebecca made a face that said she wasn't keen on that particular idea. “Or you can stay with me.”

Rebecca's eyes widened in surprise. “With you?”

“If you want to,” Charlotte said, trying to sound welcoming but not so eager as to overwhelm her.

Worry crossed the girl's face. “Are you sure about this, Miss Brody? I mean, I like you, and we're friends and all, but I don't want to be trouble.”

She'd been trying not to be trouble all her life, Charlotte realized. Rebecca had worked hard in school, was the good girl her mother needed her to be, not a burden, like her brother. And she'd succeeded. But now, Rebecca needed to succeed for her own good, not to please anyone other than herself. Not even Charlotte.

Charlotte smiled at her and gently squeezed her hand. “We are friends, so it will never be troublesome to have you around. And I want you to call me Charlotte.” Rebecca stared at her as if Charlotte had suggested dancing down Main Street in her small clothes. Good lord, she hoped she hadn't traumatized the poor girl. “Unless you're more comfortable with Miss Brody. That's fine.”

After a moment, Rebecca gave her a tentative smile. “I've never called a grown-up by their first name. It might take some getting used to.”

The whole situation would take some getting used to for the both of them, but if it meant keeping Rebecca safe, healthy, and in school, then it was well worth it to Charlotte.

“I'm sure you'll catch on quick,” Charlotte said, winking at her. She met James's eyes, glad to see he was smiling too. Good. Now they could all get used to the idea. “If there's anything else you need, deputy, just let us know.”

“I'll do that.” He came around the desk and escorted them to the door. “Good evening, Miss Brody.” Then, turning to Rebecca, “Miss Derenov.”

Rebecca's cheeks pinkened. “Deputy.”

Out on the walkway, Charlotte fished the flashlight out of her pocket. A light snow was starting to fall. They walked in silence most of the way down Main Street, hearing only the sound of their boots on the frozen, icy walk.

“Ben wouldn't have killed Mr. Fiske if he didn't have to get the ring for me.” Rebecca's words were so soft Charlotte had almost missed them.

She stopped abruptly and turned Rebecca to face her. “No, don't think like that. Ben wanted to fulfill your mother's wishes, but how he went about it has nothing to do with you, honey. He told us that right off.”

Tears welled in the girl's eyes. “I know, but I can't help it.”

Charlotte wiped away the tear that ran down her cheek. “Guilt can be an insidious thing, Rebecca. You blame yourself because Ben did what he did out of love for you, but you can't be responsible for someone else's actions.”

Rebecca nodded, but Charlotte wasn't sure she was convinced. She might never completely believe it.

“Oh, Rebecca.” Charlotte drew her into a hug. “We humans are such fallible creatures, doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.”

Rebecca looked up at Charlotte. “That's kind of what I told Ben.”

Once again, she marveled at the girl's ability to see the deeper issue. “You were trying to make him feel better, but now it's time for you to believe it as well. This isn't your fault.”

Rebecca stared at her for another few moments, then nodded again. Maybe she would start believing it sooner than Charlotte feared, but Charlotte was well aware of how guilt could worm its way into your brain and stay there. So far, the best remedy for Charlotte had been time, and learning to trust others when you felt at your worst.

“You can talk to me whenever you need to, Rebecca.” Charlotte touched the girl's cheek. “It helps me to talk to friends when I'm feeling bad about things.”

Where would she be without Kit or Michael or Brigit? Talking to them hadn't alleviated all of her guilt, of course, but they'd certainly helped her come to terms with what she'd done.

“I will,” Rebecca said. “I promise.”

“Good.” Charlotte hooked her arm through Rebecca's and they continued down Main Street. “Now let's get back to the house. We'll have some tea, and I want to talk to you about that wonderful story you wrote.”

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Cathy Pegau's next Charlotte Brody mystery

 

 

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