Dead Women Tell No Lies (22 page)

Chapter 16

“Rose, it’s me.”

“Cassie?” Rose blinked and took in her friend’s familiar light blonde hair. Her coral lips were drawn back in fright. Her eyelashes thick with mascara shot up and touched her fine, light brows.

“Hands now,” Lennox raised his badge and reached behind his back.

Cassie put her palms in the air as people gathered a few feet away, hugging the safety of the store fronts. “Am I under arrest for stopping in a no parking zone? Really, it was an impulse. I saw my friend, Rose, and was totally into my surprise aspect. I forgot to pay attention to the parking signs.”

Rose jumped forward and embraced Cassie before facing Lennox. “I know her. She’s my friend, Cassie Raymond, from Vermont.”

“What are you doing here?” he demanded of the visitor.

“Lennox, stop interrogating her. Cassie, what are you doing here?”

“Apparently, I’m going to jail. I thought I’d surprised you. You’ve had a tough time and I wanted to take you to lunch.” She held out her fists to Lennox. “I’m ready for the cuffs.”

He stuffed his badge inside his pocket and did a quick take on the area around them.

“Am I under arrest?” she asked.

“Both of you take a break.” Rose wedged between them like a referee separating boxing contenders. “He’s not arresting you. Lennox, Cassie’s the person who’s been in charge of my store while I’m here in Ledgeview. Remember?”

“Got it.”

“Good, I didn’t recognize her car because I never expected her to be in New Hampshire.” She pivoted around to her friend. “Is the Blues Sisters closed today?”

“Do you want me to drive home and open up?”

“Yup, she’s my friend. Why are you here, Lennox? I thought you went back to your office.”

“I’m a detective. I’m not always seen when I’m near.”

“Is he your
private
bodyguard?” Cassie wiggled her brows and widened her eyes.

“This is Detective Luke Lennox in charge of Dahlia’s case.”

“I’m happy to meet you.” Cassie stepped forward and gave him a dimpled smile. “I bet you’ll catch the person who took away Dahlia and send our Rose home soon. I miss her.”

“You’d better move your car,” he said to Cassie. “You’ll get a ticket for traffic obstruction.”

Rose caught the curious glances and covert stares from the small throng collected around them. “A police detective shouting and running down the street was big news on a slow day.”

Lennox seemed suddenly aware of the sightseers too. “Okay, the excitement is over. Move on.” He made a sweeping gesture with his hands for people to disperse.

“There’s a lot around the corner, Cass.” Rose hooked her thumb in the air. “You can park there, and I’ll meet you.”

“Does this mean I’m forgiven for closing the store and can take you to lunch?”

“You are, unless Lennox detains you. How about it? Is she released into my custody?”

“Move the vehicle, and we’re good.”

“I’m on it.” Cassie jumped forward and hugged Rose before driving toward the lot.

“I guess I’ll skip the library for a while,” Rose announced. Research could wait.

“The deli across from the library offers specials,” Lennox told her.

“I get the hint. We’ll stay close by and eat at the Black Cat Deli.”

“Glad you liked my culinary tip.”

What could she say to make him stay and continue looking at her with that concerned expression? Nothing popped into her mind. She trotted off to meet Cassie, but she sensed Lennox shadowing behind until they entered the eatery. A waitress immediately seated them.

Within minutes they’d ordered. As Rose waited for her veggie sandwich, she cleared her mind and listened to Cassie chatter about home. The stories revolved around a place where people were happy, without worries. All the stories felt like they came from another lifetime.

Her mind wandered as she took in the other customers. Most of the lunch patrons were dressed for the work day with mixed groups of seniors and young mothers and toddlers.

“Rose, are you listening to me?”

“Sure, you asked how I’m doing.”

“Mom and I worry about you.” Cassie bit her lip for a second. “Dad does too. He misses you and Dahlia asking for advice on frozen pipes or stuck doors.”

“He’s always been the best stand-in father a friend can have.”

“I don’t mean to pry or be too personal, but you didn’t even cry at Dahlia’s funeral. Are you okay? It’s normal to be upset or mad after all you’ve gone through.”

“Everything is personal when someone kills a family member. Your life changes forever.” She clasped her hands together in her lap, praying Cassie understood and wouldn’t press her. The constant talk about Dahlia’s death brought a crushing pain to her chest as though someone was stamping on her heart.

She couldn’t blame Cassie for asking. The three of them, Cassie, Dahlia and Rose had become best friends when they met in kindergarten. The trio had shared everything from sleepovers, make-up to stories about first kisses and boyfriends.

“My mom worries about you. Do you get lonely?”

Without Dahlia she’d always be alone.

Cassie touched Rose’s fisted hand on the table. “Talk to me. Are you a little scared living by yourself in a strange city?”

Rose seized the glass of water to quench her dry mouth and gulped the contents before replying. “I can’t sit around and do nothing. How can I face myself in the mirror if I don’t do this for my sister?”

“Remember you can call me whenever you’re down.” A slow grin crossed Cassie’s face. “You’re not totally on your own. I noticed Detective Lennox ran to your rescue.”

Heat flushed Rose’s skin. “The detective is interested in me for whatever leads I can give him about my sister. I’m part of his job.”

“I’m not sure I believe you.” Cassie winked. “I wish some hunk would rush down the street when a car stopped in front of me. By the way, the Downtown Merchants Organization is cooking up great plans for Bargain Days. I know the group means a lot to you.”

“I haven’t given them a thought for weeks.” The merchants group used to occupy a great deal of her after work hours and energy. She wasn’t the same person who’d opened her store last fall with enthusiasm and excitement for the future. That person cared mainly about her committee, her boutique and focused on her margin of profits. She continued to listen to Cassie but refrained from commenting.

Cassie bit her lip and seemed to be searching for a topic. “Did I mention Sue Markey has a new boyfriend?”

Rose shook her head and glanced around the restaurant while her friend continued to fill her in on more home happenings. As Cassie talked, images of Brattleboro floated through Rose’s mind: shoppers at the food co-op picking up their supplies, members of the church discussing the next fundraiser, friends and customers at the boutique browsing and chatting at the store.

She wasn’t a part of their world any longer. Food and chats seemed trivial. No one understood that Dahlia’s murder separated and marked Rose as different from others.

“I brought your mail from the store,” Cassie said, finished with her last topic. She dug in her purse and produced a pile of envelopes.

Rose picked up the top one and read the personal note at the bottom of the card.
Your sister was a special person. She always greeted me and asked about my husband who was ill. Her concern for a stranger touched my life.

“I’ve something to tell you,” Cassie announced. “It’s why I came today.”

“Okay.” Rose’s throat ached with tears. Her gaze fell on the next envelope addressed to her at the Blues Sisters. She ripped open the flap. A picture of a rose bouquet decorated the card’s cover. Inside she read the typed message:
I know your beautiful hazel eyes, your soft blonde hair. You can close this card, and I’ll be gone. Or will I? Maybe I’m nearby, watching you at your shop or following you over the river to your Ledgeview apartment. I’m everywhere.

Below the sender wrote a link instead of a name. What the heck was this? Her pulse leaped into high gear. She snapped the card shut and shot glimpses around the restaurant.

“What is it?” Cassie asked. Are you okay?”

She would stay calm. Some whacko wouldn’t get to her. She held up the envelope. “This doesn’t have a postmark.”

“I found it under the boutique door a couple of days ago. What did it say?” Cassie bit her lip. “It must be bad. You look awful.”

Rose tapped the card against the table. “This is one of those disgusting, unsigned, I’m watching you messages. I was shocked for a second, but I’m okay now.”

“No wonder you’re upset,” Cassie’s voice wobbled. “I should have read the greetings. A lot of mean people live in the world.”

“Cas, have you seen A.J.? Is he still in Vermont?”

“A.J.?” She blinked several times and shook her head. “He’s not around and doesn’t have his old job or apartment any longer. Did you think he was back in Vermont and left the card? Why would he scare you? He didn’t have anything against you, did he?”

Rose shrugged. “He just came to mind. I guess it could be from anyone.”

“Give me the card, and I’ll burn it. I feel responsible.” Cassie held out her open palm.

“I’ll destroy it.” Rose’s stomach churned. Cassie was right. Mean people lived everywhere. She stuffed the cards in her purse.

“I’ve one more thing.” Cassie grimaced and drew in a deep breath.

“Before you bring up a new topic, I need to ask you something.” Rose crushed the paper napkin in her lap. “I didn’t mention this before because I didn’t want to admit it, but, Dahlia helped herself to money from the boutique. Do you know why or what she did with the cash?”

“Wow, she stole from her own shop?” Cassie shook her head. “Do you think she took the funds for A.J.?”

“Why would she give money to her ex?”

Cassie’s face whitened, and she shrugged. “I remember he talked about starting his own business, but I only heard him bring it up once. Maybe Dahlia wanted to get back together and thought the money would soften him up.”

“She contacted A.J. after they broke up?”

“I guessed. I don’t know why your sister took the money or if she ever saw A.J. again. Here.” She pressed the glass of water into Rose’s hand. “How about I order something stronger like wine?”

“Water’s good.” She gulped a mouthful before she spoke again. “It’s so Dahlia. Help someone else at the expense of her family. Never consider the consequences of her actions.”

Cassie wet her lips several times. “Don’t listen to me. I’ve no idea what she did with the money.”

Under the table, Rose tapped her foot.

Cassie shoved at the hair near her face. “I’ve ruined our afternoon.”

“No, I asked and you told me what you thought. Don’t worry about me. You drove a long way. What did you want to tell me before I asked about A.J.?”

Cassie played with the handle of her fork. “It’s not important.”

“Come on. What was your news?”

She chewed on her lip for a second.

Bad news. Rose tensed. “Whatever it is, I know you’re a good person.”

“It’s…Mom caved and enrolled in cooking classes at the Woodstock Inn for ten days.”

Rose unclenched her hands and relaxed in her chair. “I’m glad to hear a story with a happy ending. Was that your big news?”

Cassie nodded. “Dad paid for the lessons as a thirtieth anniversary present, and they’re staying at the inn for a few days. Sorry, it seems trite talking about cooking.”

“Your story beats talk of death.”

“I’ll have to close the Blues Sisters a couple hours early on Wednesday until Mom returns to fill in for me. I’m taking an art class and have a big project due that will take hours of work. I’m sorry. I need to catch up.”

“No problem, Cass, I owe you. The lessons and your project are a big deal.”

The lines around her friend’s mouth eased. “It’s nothing compared to what’s happening in your life.”

“What’s the class?” Rose shoved her sister’s theft into the back of her mind and listened to details about Cassie’s life. The rest of the hour zipped past as they splurged and ate cookies for dessert and drank iced teas. Soon they were paying the bill, and Rose struggled to shake off the touch of sadness when she walked with her friend to the parking lot. At her car, Rose hugged Cassie goodbye.

Her vehicle merged into the traffic with the toot of the horn and disappeared at the corner. Rose pulled out her phone. The URL written on the card burned in her mind. In seconds, she’d typed in the link. Her thumb hovered over the button.

Don’t do it. He’s playing a mind game.

She pressed it.

Her apartment building popped up on the screen. The bastard was spying on her and boasting about it. She wished he was in front of her so she could kick him in every part of his good-for-nothing body.

In the video, Bike Boy rode into view and chained his bike to the meter. He removed the Boom Box attached to the handle bars. Then he loped his way across the sidewalk and disappeared through the front door.