As I passed Hammer and Nail Hardware, I decided to see if Jacob was working and check up on him. Hopefully, he was holding it together and the deposit I’d just made would help substantially. If not, there were more “bricks,” as Annabelle like to call them, in various hiding places in Sage Advice if he needed any. Once Gina got released, I planned on giving her all the cash and let her figure out what to do with it. Knowing her, she’d probably find some land and build a proper dog rescue organization.
I tried to recall the last time I’d entered a hardware store and came up blank. Annabelle always went when we had problems around Sage Advice. Glancing at the foreign objects, I felt crushingly stupid at my inability to identify even one thing in my sight. Tools, sure, but I had no idea what their specific names were. I walked along one aisle where I found toilet repair kits and sprinkler gadgets. Another had some things to do with horses. I was so far out of my league, I might as well have been on a different planet.
And, I hadn’t seen Jacob yet.
Just as I was about to leave, I thought I heard his voice a couple rows over.
“Jacob, I’m sorry about your dad, and your mom,” an unfamiliar voice said.
“Thanks. I appreciate it. I’m sure my mom will go free,” Jacob replied. “I don’t think she killed him.”
“Who do you think did?” the stranger asked.
Jacob chuckled. “I have no idea. Heck, for all I know, it was my uncle.”
I gasped and placed my hand over my mouth. If Jacob thought his uncle was capable of murder, maybe I should really consider it as well. And why hadn’t he said anything to me when I’d been at his house and asked him the same question?
“That’s Vic, right?”
“Yeah. He works out at the horse ranch as a hand.”
“Big guy?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Just making sure I was thinking of the right man. Again, I’m sorry about your dad, but learn something from it. You make your own bed in life. Be sure you keep it clean.”
I peeked around the shelving to find the man rounding the corner and coming right at me, so I picked up a bottle of spray and pretended to be studying it.
“Do you need any help?” he asked.
I smiled and turned to him. Brown hair, matching beard. Maybe in his thirties with a stocky build and a nametag that read Craig Pugh.
It didn’t take a moment of genius for me to realize I was speaking to Mrs. Pugh’s son. “I’m fine,” I said. “But I was wondering which of these you thought worked best?”
Glancing over at the shelves, I realized I was asking about weed killer, something I’d never use in a million years because of the toxicity. I’d make my own from natural ingredients.
“I prefer this one,” he said, reaching for the blue bottle. “It works a little faster.”
My attention was drawn to what looked like scratches on his wrist that definitely needed treatment. “You should put something on those before they get infected.”
He glanced down at his arm and pulled down his sleeve a little bit. “That’s what you get when your parents’ cows get loose and the fences need to be fixed.”
“Ah,” I said. “I was there when they blocked the road.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve been up there a couple of times this week already, but they’re like Houdini. Drives me crazy. I’m the manager here, then I’ve got my family. The last thing I need on my plate is fixing fences because the cows want greener pastures. That’s supposed to be my brother’s job, but he’s been… busy.”
Busy doing drugs and then on to rehab. “Well, I wish you luck,” I said, placing my bottle back on the shelf. “And thanks for your help.”
“Sure. Sorry you got caught up in my family’s drama up there.”
“No worries. It was a learning experience, that’s for sure.”
In fact, I’d discovered that the smell of cow waste settled into wool sweaters and didn’t come out.
Once I heard him speaking to someone else in another aisle, I hurried in the opposite direction, hoping to find Jacob. I smiled when I discovered him in the dirt section, moving huge bags around.
“Hey,” I said.
With a grin, he stood upright and brushed his hands on his jeans. “Hey, Sam. How’s it going?”
“Good,” I glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then lowered my voice. “Listen, I went ahead and made a deposit into your mom’s checking account today. If you need more, let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
“Wow. Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t go blowing it on stupid stuff, okay? Use it wisely.”
“I will. Thank you.” The sweet boy threw his arms around my neck and hugged me so tight, tears came to my eyes. “I couldn’t get through this without you.”
For a second, I wished I had my own children, but with my luck, they’d be more like Bobby Pugh and nothing like Jacob.
The next morning, I stood in my living room drinking coffee while the wind whipped the snow around outside, causing my old building to moan and groan. I’d also discovered it was quite drafty, which was to be expected since it had been decades since the windows had been replaced. Catnip sat on the back of the sofa watching the snow dance, his sharp gaze darting around as he tried to follow the pathway of the flakes. I assumed he’d soon grow bored and indulge in his morning nap.
Staring at the television, the number of drug advertisements on the morning news astounded me. Erectile dysfunction. Arthritis. Bone loss. Anti-depressants. My goodness, we were a sick nation.
I waited for the weatherman to make his appearance. Annabelle swore he resembled Ryan Reynolds. If she’d ever met the star, she’d realized it simply wasn’t the case. Perhaps the weatherman had a hint of Chris Pine in his features. Maybe a little Chris Pratt. But Ryan Reynolds was nowhere to be found on that face.
Because I’d put off buying a parka and boots, I was woefully unprepared for the storm. I picked up my phone and scrolled through an online coat store, eventually finding a pair of navy-blue boots that weren’t too ugly, as well as a matching parka. I hit the buy button and tossed my phone on the couch, hoping I wouldn’t need to venture out over the next day or so. I’d freeze to death. Of course, I’d been in snowstorms before. My escapades of the rich and famous had taken me to mansions in Lake Tahoe, incredible villas in the Swiss Alps, and I’d missed very few Vale winters. However, I’d always been prepared with the proper clothing. Not to mention the plethora of lovely fireplaces, servants on hand to grab me a hot toddy on a whim, and the warm hot tubs to soak my cold bones at the end of the day. As a draft blasted through the old windows, I realized I was failing at normal life.
After yet another drug commercial—this one for diabetes—claiming that life would be so much better if every diabetic took the pills, they listed all the possible side effects. Scary stuff. If I ever became diabetic, I’d make sure to stay away from that drug.
Finally, Jonah Smalls’, a.k.a. the weatherman’s, smiling face filled the screen.
“You’re the most popular person here today,” the pretty blonde news anchor said. “Everyone’s tuned in to watch you, Jonah!”
He chuckled, replying with, “Well, that storm we’ve been discussing for the past week has arrived and it’s brought some trouble with it!” Turning to the camera he said, “Let’s start with the road closures.”
He listed the highways in my area and they appeared on the screen, at which point I realized I probably wouldn’t be getting my boots and coat anytime soon.
When he reappeared, he stood in front of a map of Arizona. “In the high country, we’ve received reports of up to six inches of snow so far, with no hope of it ending anytime today.” I glanced out my window and decided six inches was about right.
“If you live in the mountains around Sedona and Heywood, you can expect snow throughout the day and into the night. Tomorrow will bring a break for you to get out your shovels and clear those walkways, but at the end of the week, we have another front rolling through!”
I plunked down onto the sofa, groaning. Based on his grin, Jonah seemed to enjoy bringing this news.
“Gosh! We haven’t even reached the first day of winter!” the blonde said.
Jonah nodded and returned to his seat. Looking into the camera, he replied, “And remember, when we get such a big storm before the actual start of winter, it historically means lots of snow! Get ready, high country! Make those chiropractic appointments now to help you recuperate from all the shoveling!”
“Break out your boots and parka!” the blonde chimed in.
“I don’t have any!” I shouted at the screen. Catnip gazed at me from under hooded lids, then jumped from the couch, strutted down the hall, and turned into the bathroom. Did any other cats in Heywood use the toilet? Or did I have the only weirdo? Or was he amazing?
After finishing my coffee and putting my cup into the sink, I headed downstairs and turned up the heat. A low whistle sounded from the back room and I walked slowly through it, trying to find the origin. Finally, I discovered it. The window, of course. Nothing that I could fix.
Annabelle texted me, saying she’d be late. We won’t get many customers today. When it gets like this, lots of businesses close until the snow stops.
Glancing out the window, I noted Knit Wit didn’t have their lights on, nor was there anyone walking around town. Heywood had come to a stop.
I texted Annabelle, Why don’t you just take the day off?
A moment later I received a reply. I need to come in and finish a few tinctures. It’s not a problem! I’ll see you soon.
I let out a sigh and turned the sign to open. It wouldn’t kill me to sit at the register for a few hours. Maybe someone who needed a muscle relaxant rub from all the shoveling would find their way inside.
An hour went past as I stared out the window and drank more coffee. At times, the snow came down in sheets so heavy, I couldn’t see across the street. Other times, it fell in soft, beautiful flakes and I marveled at their perfect designs. After a while, Catnip came down to join me. At first, he sat on the sill of the drafty window in the back room, but he quickly moved and perched right on top of the counter in front of me, staring at me defiantly, as if daring me to move him.
“As soon as that door opens, I know you’ll scramble to the back room and up the stairs,” I said. “Your tolerance of people hovers right around zero.” The older I got, the more that statement rang true for me as well.
When a green jacket came into view outside with Police emboldened on the sleeves and back, my breath caught for a moment. Jordan had come to visit. But then I realized that the person wearing the jacket also had on a hat, some sort of facemask, stood about a foot shorter than Jordan, and weighed around a hundred pounds less. Her short, muscular legs carried her in small, sure steps, reminding me a bit of a penguin.
As Sheriff Mallory Richards entered my store, I hid a smile. I’d have liked to send her down the snowy sidewalk on her belly. After pulling down her facemask and removing her hat, she ran her hands through her short black hair and grinned.
“Ms. Jones,” she said, approaching the counter.
“Sheriff. What can I do for you?” Based on my past interactions with the woman, I had a sincere dislike for her. Small in size but bullyish in nature, I found her unworthy of her prestigious role. I kept my smile in place and attempted to keep my real emotions from showing.
“I came to speak to you about my deputy, Jordan.”
Her deputy? Had she had him spayed and microchipped? “What about him?”
“Let this serve as a reminder that he works for me, not for you.”
I sighed and stared at her. “I have no idea what that even means.”
“Well, let me lay it out for you.”
“Please do.”
“I’ve heard all your crazy theories about Ralph’s murder and Gina’s innocence.”
So my words hadn’t been totally lost on Jordan, but he’d also shared them with the little tyrant, which did nothing to endear him to me because as far as I was concerned, it had been a private conversation.
“I took it upon myself to investigate each and every one of the people you accused of murdering Ralph, and—”
“I didn’t accuse anybody of anything,” I interrupted. “I told Jordan that certain people had issues with Ralph and probably wouldn’t have minded seeing him dead. I felt those people needed to be looked at.”
She smiled condescendingly. “Please don’t interrupt me.”
Oh, how I wanted to smack that grin right off her face. “My apologies. Go ahead.”
“First, you brought up Gary. He was in jail in Sedona sleeping off a drunk bar fight the night Ralph was murdered.”
Dang it. Don’t let her see your disappointment.
“And Kathy… well, she was at a party. I have multiple eyewitnesses who say she was at her friend’s house until the early morning hours. Her neighbor saw her come home as he was getting ready for work about four. Her other neighbor said she didn’t leave again until the afternoon.”
Okay, so maybe my theories weren’t as strong as they had seemed.
“Gina killed her ex-husband because he was a deadbeat and he owed her tens of thousands of dollars,” the sheriff continued. “She’s guilty. We’ve got the right person.”
I shook my head. “If she did kill him, why leave the body in her store? Why be the one to call the cops?”
“Why not?” she replied, shrugging. “Murderers oftentimes visit the scene of the crime, inserting themselves into the investigation. No one else had a key to the place, Ms. Jones. Gina did it.”
I bit my tongue from arguing further.
She narrowed her gaze and pointed at me. “Now, let me make this clear again. Jordan takes orders from me, not you. He investigates what I tell him to, not what you say is important. He works for me. I am the brains, and he’s the brawn. He does what I tell him to, when I tell him to do it. Do you understand?”
I nodded while grinding my jaw, wanting her to exit my store. The disrespect for Jordan boiled my blood and I fisted my hands at my sides.
After pulling on her facemask and hat again, she waved. “Have a nice day, Ms. Jones. And remember to mind your own business and let the professionals do their jobs.”
After she exited, I hoped she’d get run over by a snowplow. Okay, maybe nothing that violent. But at least a face full of dirty snow spit up by the snowplow.
An uneasy feeling settled in my gut as I poured more coffee.
Had Gina played me? Was her cry for help the day Ralph was found really a fishing line used to reel me into her nightmare? Did she somehow think I’d be able to prove her innocence?
She knew I’d had a history of fighting for people who couldn’t fight for themselves, that I’d gone to great lengths to uncover Bonnie’s real killer. Had she been hoping I’d be able to put together a bunch of evidence to finger someone else?
At the moment, her family was reminding me a lot of the Corleones from The Godfather. The Dunners from Heywood didn’t have the same menacing ring, but if they’d killed Ralph, they may be the most sinister family this town had ever seen.
They had motive.
They had access to horse tranquilizers.
They had Vic, who could manhandle Ralph with ease.
And they had keys to Gina’s place.
With a sigh, I acquiesced that perhaps the sheriff was right. Maybe my friend had murdered her ex-husband. And if that was the case, she was where she belonged.
Hours passed, and no matter how much I tried to accept it, I couldn’t. Either Gina had done an amazing snow-job on me, or I was right. She hadn’t killed Ralph.
But who had?
I was back at square one.