Chapter 35
Brynn had almost forgotten about her checkup today. She still didn’t have her phone or computer, which were what she’d been using for calendar reminders. So efficient, right? Except when your computer was taken over by ransom ware and your phone was confiscated by the police.
After her checkup, Brynn talked Becky into stopping by the sheriff’s office to check on her phone.
“The doctor said to go home and rest,” Becky pointed out.
“I will. I want to see if they have any news about my phone.”
“I’m sure they’d have informed you by now.”
“Not necessarily. I guess the fair has really stressed them. They don’t have enough people. I’d not be surprised if they’ve done nothing with it yet.”
Becky pulled the car into the parking lot of the sheriff’s station. “Okay. Have it your way.”
When the sisters walked into the office, they were surprised by the activity all around them. This was not a sleepy sheriff’s department. Most of it focused on one guy at the computer. A few people were gathered around and others were making phone calls. There didn’t seem to be anybody who was free to help them. A woman rounded the corner and almost ran into Brynn. “Oh, sorry!” she said. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Brynn MacAlister. The sheriff has my phone. I wondered if I can have it back.”
“Phone?” She looked surprised. “Hmm. I’m not sure. Let me check on that.” She disappeared into the back.
Brynn eyed the scene. Who were all these people? They weren’t locals, she didn’t think. What were they doing here? What was going on? She glanced at Becky, who lifted her eyebrows.
“This perp is good! Damn! I can’t get a bead on this credit card. He’s messing with us!”
Credit card? Were they talking about Wes’s case?
“I’m sorry. I think it’s a woman. Look, there’s jewelry and a ton of cosmetics.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean a woman is buying them.”
Brynn stood and soaked all of it in. She was certain they were talking about Wes’s credit card. Jewelry. Cosmetics. Considering those two things, her mind shifted to Chelsea. Was she conniving enough to pull this off?
Brynn and Becky stole glances at each other as they waited for the woman to return.
Brynn wanted to report back to Wes in detail. They figured the police were doing nothing, but they were wrong. They were on the case. And, from the looks of things, had brought in reinforcements.
“Brynn?” Sheriff Edge walked into the room. “Sandy said you were looking for your phone.”
“Yes, Sheriff, I am,” she replied. “I’ve been watching all of this stuff going on here.”
He nodded. “I hate these open offices. But we’re getting close.”
“Is this Wes’s case? The murder case? Are you close to finding the guy?”
“Don’t get your hopes up. I’ve seen this happen a lot. These computer criminals . . . let’s just say they’re smart and wily. We thought we’d gotten close a few times. A lot of stuff just doesn’t add up.”
“Please let me know if I can help.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You can help by going home and taking care of yourself. No more investigating on your part. We’ve talked about this before.”
Becky elbowed her.
“What about my phone? Where is it?” Brynn asked.
“I can’t release it yet. I’m sorry.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a piece of the cyberpuzzle we’re trying to put together. We need it.”
But I need my phone.
“Maybe you should get another phone, if you’re worried about missing calls. It might be a while before you get it back,” the sheriff said.
All of my contacts. All of my business information.
“We can go and see about a phone tomorrow,” Becky said. “For now, I think we better get you home.”
“Good idea,” he said, and took his leave.
They walked out of the station and into the car.
“I can’t believe I have to get a new phone.”
“It’s not a big deal. Everything will transfer over,” Becky said as she started the car and pulled out of the parking space. “I run my business from my phone. You’ll be okay. Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, that’s a relief. But nothing else is, really.”
Becky turned out of the lot. “I’m wondering if those guys were FBI?”
“What makes you say that?” Brynn asked.
“Did you see how they were dressed? Not in a uniform.”
“I hadn’t paid attention. I was focused on what they were saying.”
Becky and Brynn laughed. Nobody else would find it funny. But their observations were typical of the sisters. Becky focused on clothing, fashion, and hair. Brynn listened and tried to make sense of it all. Together, they were a good team.
As they drove along, through the village of Shenandoah Springs, Brynn’s head pounded and she closed her eyes. The words of the maybe FBI guys rolled around in her head. Can’t get a bead on this credit card. He’s messing with us! Jewelry. Cosmetics.
When Brynn awakened, they were pulling into the driveway and there was a strange car parked in it.
“Looks like we have company,” Becky said.
Normally, Brynn would love having company. But for some reason, dread rushed through her.
* * *
Brynn and Becky opened the door slowly and crept inside. Voices came from the room that served as an office in the old farmhouse. It used to be a formal dining room, which Brynn didn’t need.
The sisters stood in the hallway and listened. A stranger’s voice. Young man. Then Wes. “I can’t believe you’re seeing Chelsea after all this time, dude.”
The young man laughed. “She is amazing, if you know what I mean.”
Brynn walked in. She wasn’t going to stand there and listen to that. “Hello?” Becky was close on her heels.
“Brynn!” Wes stood. “Have you met Roy?”
“A few times, I think,” she said, extending her hand. “But not officially. Nice to meet you.” Had she met him at the fair? Yes, he’d visited the booth and chatted with Wes.
He sat in front of the computer but turned and shook her hand.
“I called him because Charlie is so backed up. He’s a computer whiz, man,” Wes said.
Brynn was usually thrilled by Wes’s decisions. But this time she wasn’t so sure. Roy was dating Chelsea. And, like it or not, Wes was still under suspicion of murder—a murder that had something to do with Chelsea. Brynn needed to figure this out. Her head hurt.
“I think we’ve got your computer cleaned,” Roy said, looking at her and smiling. “We changed your passwords, and I ran an antivirus program. Usually these viruses take hold and most antivirus programs do nothing. But I have a kick-ass one.”
Relief washed over Brynn. “Well, that’s good.” Maybe he was an okay guy. Perhaps it was fine that Wes had called on him.
Wes sat forward. “Yeah, poor Charlie. He’s a one-guy shop and things have gotten too busy for him.”
“Yet he won’t hire anybody. What’s with that?” Roy’s eyebrows knit. Brynn sensed a story there. Roy must have sought employment with Charlie. Why wouldn’t Charlie hire him?
Thoughts pricked at her—right—he was also the guy who had left for Richmond, a gaming job that didn’t work out, so he came back to Shenandoah Springs to continue to work on farms. Wes had mentioned him more than a few times.
“I have no idea. Maybe he likes to do it himself.”
“He’s an odd dude. Gives me the creeps,” Roy said.
There was nothing creepy about Charlie. At least Brynn didn’t think so. “I like him. He saved my butt last week. I wish he could do something to stop it from happening again.”
The room quieted.
Brynn wanted to get Roy out of her house. Her head was pounding now, and she needed to take a nap. “How much do we owe you?” He slid the chair back and stood.
“You don’t owe me anything. Wes is a friend. I never charge my friends.”
She was going to offer him cheese but remembered this was the guy who had said he didn’t like cheese at the fair. “Well, that’s nice of you. Thank you.” What was wrong with her? He was helping them out. Okay. So he was a little strange. But most IT guys were a little odd.
“You’re welcome. Well, I need to get out of here. I’ve a date tonight with my girl,” he said, which was an odd thing to say to Brynn. Why would she care about his date with Chelsea? Weird IT guys.
“I’ll walk you out,” Wes said.
Becky, who had been standing there quietly, whispered, “Thank God,” when they left the room. “That kid is strange.”
“I thought it was just me,” Brynn said.
“Did you notice his necklace?”
“No.” Once again, her sister noticed something she hadn’t.
“It’s one of those half heart necklaces like we used to wear in high school.”
“Do you mean those things you wore when you were going steady?” Brynn asked.
“Precisely. How old is he? I can’t imagine a college kid wearing one of those.”
“Well, he’s into this relationship, evidently.”
“Stupid boy,” Becky said.
They walked out of the office and into the kitchen. “It’s time for your medicine.”
After Brynn downed the pills, she retreated to her bedroom. A nap was exactly what she needed. Even images of Roy’s pimple face couldn’t stop her from sleeping.
* * *
Brynn awoke about an hour later with Romeo on her chest, purring, watching her as if she were doing the most interesting thing ever. “Hello there.” Romeo blinked and turned her head. She stroked the purring cat, still frustrated by Wes’s case. What could she do to help the police without them knowing? Becky had already given information on the carnie who was an ex-con. Nathaniel gave the police the credit card lead. She invented a story about her business needing a spokesperson and got involved with Chelsea. Then she received the creepy text message. How did this all fit together? If at all?
Becky knocked at her door and walked in. “How are you doing?”
“A nap was just what I needed.”
“Good. You have company.”
“I do?”
“Chelsea is here to see you.”
Brynn sat up and the cat jumped down with a disgruntled meow.
“Take your time. Wes is down there now with her, he’s made a plate of cheese straws, and they’re visiting.”
“Interesting. I didn’t think Wes liked her at all. He warned me from her.”
“He’s too polite to turn her away, I guess.”
“Cheese straws? They’re worth getting up for.” Brynn glanced at herself in the mirror. Okay, she’d just woken up. But a little makeup would help. “I’ll be right down,” she said.
Why was Chelsea there? Brynn was not thrilled the person she was warned against was sitting in her living room. But then again, she’d not accept orders from anybody on who she could or could not have in her home.