Cass tilted her face toward the sun, enjoying the warmth of the late afternoon. She’d already closed Mystical Musings and now sat with Bee in rocking chairs on the back deck, waiting for everyone to arrive for the volleyball tournament. She held her chair still so as not to rock on Beast’s tail, since he sat right beside her chair, enthusiastically gnawing a rope toy.
The scent of barbeque filled the air, and her mouth watered. “So, you promised you’d tell me your good news, and you still haven’t.”
The deck creaked beneath Bee’s chair as he used his foot against the railing to rock it slowly back and forth. “It’s been a busy couple of days.”
And he’d used that to avoid answering her question. “We’re not busy now.”
“Okay, fine.” He sighed and sat up straighter. “But you have to promise you won’t be upset with me.”
“Why would I be upset with you?” The curiosity was killing her. So was the fact he’d either deflected or completely ignored her every time she’d asked since he’d told her he expected to have something exciting to share.
He sipped his iced tea, contemplating the lighthouse standing watch over the island. “Aiden Hargrove reached out to me.”
“What?” When had that happened, and why would he not have told her?
Dark sunglasses covered Bee’s eyes, preventing her from reading anything. “During his attempt to ruin your career, Aiden called me, said he wanted to invest in a line of designer gowns.”
“You didn’t tell me that.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Why not?” It hurt that he hadn’t trusted her enough to tell her, that he might have thought she wouldn’t support him. “I’d never have asked you to say no to a chance like that, Bee, and I wouldn’t have been upset with you for jumping at it.”
He set his iced tea on the small table beside him. “Maybe not, but you’d have been upset that I told him no.”
“What? Why would you say no?” He’d wanted that so badly.
“I told him I couldn’t agree to any kind of partnership with him unless he dropped his vendetta against you.” Bee shrugged. “Considering everyone on Bay Island knows what good friends you and I are, going into business with him while he was actively trying to destroy you would have looked bad, like I maybe agreed with him or something, you know?”
She didn’t know what to say. “Thank you, Bee.”
“Yeah, well, don’t be too thankful. I wanted his funding badly, so once the situation was resolved I called him and asked if he’d still like to consider doing a line with me.” He stared out over the water, resting his head against the back of the chair.
She reached over and gripped his hand.
He squeezed her hand then smiled. “I told him what happened at the reading wasn’t your fault, pointed out that you’d actually been right about his feelings for Olivia.”
Cass laughed. Leave it to Bee to make something good out of her mistake. “So, you got the line with him, then?”
He nodded.
“Congratulations, Bee, I’m really happy for you.”
“Thank you. And that’s not all I got.” He pointed toward the beach, where a small group of people had started setting up the volleyball nets. They’d be starting soon. “I also got a promise from him to leave you alone.”
“How in the world did you manage that?”
“Seriously? The instant he found out you were instrumental in solving the case and that he was one of Jay’s targets, his whole attitude changed.” Bee laughed. “I’d be surprised if he’s not falling all over himself to apologize next time he sees you.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.” Unless Bee had anything to do with it. Then, all bets were off. But finding out his name was on Jay’s hit list had to have come as a shock. Cass still couldn’t wrap her head around the lengths Jay was willing to go to in order to hurt everyone on Bay Island who’d ever wronged him.
Ellie had told the police Jay had a grudge against Aiden because he’d asked her out after Jay had disappeared. Apparently Jay had kept better tabs on Ellie than anyone had realized. The thought sent a chill skittering up her spine.
“In the end, I think he truly loved Olivia, and he wanted to see Jay punished for killing her. Since you played a role in that, I think he was more willing to forgive and forget.”
That made sense. Though they couldn’t have known each other long, Aiden had obviously fallen hard for her, despite her insistence the relationship remain secret. Olivia had played on his feelings to manipulate him into attending Cass’s reading, just as Jay had appealed to Dirk’s hatred with the promise of a shot at Emmett if he showed up at the reading. Too bad Dirk’s loathing for Emmett had clouded his perception too much for him to figure out Jay was playing him.
And once Dirk and Emmett went after each other at the reading, Jay realized his plan had come off even better than expected. Dirk had played his role, and now Jay could kill him and implicate Emmett. His and Olivia's plan, after all, was to discredit Cass by ensuring that all the victims and suspects could be connected to her in some way. Jay admitted as much to the police when they’d questioned him afterward. “Do you think Aiden and Nanette will get back together?”
“Nah, I heard she left Bay Island the day after Olivia was killed. Who knows? Maybe she was afraid she’d be implicated in the crime.”
Could be. She’d been rude to almost everyone before Cass’s group reading and had pretty much threatened the woman before storming out of Cass’s shop when she’d come in alone, so it made sense she’d run.
“Besides, after Friday night’s reading, I’d be surprised if anyone could do anything to harm your reputation.”
Warmth surged through her. The reading had been packed on Friday, and it had gone flawlessly. “I can’t believe how many people showed up.”
He shot her a grin “Once the news hit the rumor mill that you helped the police solve the art theft case as well as Dirk’s murder investigation, no one dared miss it.”
It felt good to be there with him, relaxing, enjoying the gentle breeze drifting across the bay, bringing with it the salty scent of the sea. The scent of home. This is what she remembered of summers on Bay Island. “And how did that rumor get started?”
“A little birdie passed the info to Emma Nicholls.”
“A little birdie, huh?”
“Yup.” He rocked back and forth.
Cass lay her head back and closed her eyes, content to just sit together in comfortable silence.
“Hey, there.” Stephanie’s footsteps vibrated against the deck. She sat down in the rocking chair on Cass’s other side and crossed her ankles on the deck railing.
“Hey.” Cass tilted her head to study her. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” The drugs Calvin Morris had used to knock her out had worn off, leaving her nauseated and groggy for a day or so, but her color had returned, and she had begun to look more like herself. “But Tank’s hovering is wearing thin. He hasn’t left my side since you found me.”
“You love it, and you know it,” Bee said.
“You’re right.” Stephanie laughed.
“Speak of the devil.” Bee slid his sunglasses onto the top of his head.
“What are you talking about?” Tank slid behind Stephanie and rubbed her shoulders.
Stephanie winked at Cass.
She laughed. Bee was right; Stephanie was loving every minute of the attention Tank was showering her with.
“Hey, there, beautiful.” Luke kissed Cass hello, then leaned against the railing facing her.
She smiled up at him, happy to see him so relaxed. “Have you learned anything new?”
He nodded toward Stephanie. “Looks like Stephanie was right about Calvin Morris. His books didn’t add up.”
Stephanie had already told them, as soon as she’d woken up in the hospital, that she’d confronted Morris about his numbers right before he’d knocked her out. She didn’t remember much after that.
Tank squeezed Stephanie’s shoulders tighter. “Apparently, he and Jay were working together, Jay stealing the artwork, Calvin selling it. Calvin was trying to hide the money from the illegal art sales.”
Ellie waved from the beach. With Jay behind bars on the mainland, and the promise he wouldn’t be getting out anytime soon, she’d begun to regain some of her confidence. She’d even highlighted her hair again, though it would surely take some time before she could get over the emotional toll Jay’s presence had taken on her. The fact he’d been watching her without her knowing it had nearly broken her. She’d apologized to Cass a million times for not telling her everything, but Cass couldn’t blame her. She’d been terrified of him. That Ellie had come to Cass and given her any warning at all showed a tremendous amount of courage. Cass had given her the name of a therapist she hoped would be able to help.
Cass waved back. “I still can’t believe Jay had the nerve to come back here, knowing there was a warrant out for his arrest.”
Luke shrugged. “He didn’t know anywhere else as well as he did Bay Island. He knew exactly where to find what he wanted and could sell. I’m sure he figured he could stay under the radar, and who knows? He probably would have if not for his need to seek revenge. And if he hadn’t been so afraid of you. If he’d have been content to rob the mansions before they closed up for the season, he’d probably have been sitting on a beach somewhere with Olivia come winter.”
“Did he say why he killed her?” Her death still weighed heavily.
“When she told him what she’d said to you, about his master plan, he lost his temper. He was afraid you’d figure out what was going on because of it.”
“I’d never have thought he’d fall for a woman like that.” Confident, independent. Jay’s tastes ran more toward women like Ellie, easily controlled, meek, subservient.
“I don’t think he did. He didn’t seem too upset over her death, seemed more upset she’d interfered with his plan to destroy you. And given his history of abuse, it’s not surprising he killed her in anger. He’d worked hard to put all the players in place, rile Dirk up to heckle you, have Olivia win Aiden over.”
Bee shivered. “I never figured Jay was smart enough to engineer something like that.”
“Ironically, we don’t think he did. Seems Olivia was the calculating one, the brains behind the scheme.”
That didn’t surprise Cass. Jay using Olivia made more sense than him loving her. She was pretty sure Jay Callahan held no capacity for love.
“On another note, Chief Rawlins has officially given permission to consult you on cases.” Luke folded his arms across his chest, crossed one leg over the other, and shook his head.
She wasn’t quite sure what to make of that. He didn’t seem particularly disturbed by the idea, nor did he seem happy.
Tank massaged the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, probably concerned about what kind of trouble Stephanie would get into with her next. Cass couldn’t blame him.
“Just wait until that one hits the gossip mill,” Bee said. “You’ll be swamped with customers.”
Luke gave him a hard stare. “Why don’t we just keep that one under wraps for now, Bee?”
As much as she wanted the increased business, she could definitely understand Luke’s concern.
Bee sulked. Nothing irked him more than having good dirt he couldn’t share.
“By the way, Bee,” Luke added, “I did check into Bruce Brinkman, as you suggested.”
He perked back up. “You did?”
“Yeah, and you were right, he did come in on the ferry the night before Dirk was killed. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to see his father. A group of his old friends were getting together for the week, and he agreed to come.”
“So, he never saw Dirk before he was killed?”
Luke shook his head.
Bee rubbed his chest as if it ached. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Hey,” Sara yelled as she and Emmett waved from the beach. “You guys playing?”
“Yup, and guess who’s going to be treating us to barbeque after?” Bee yelled back.
Because his garage was closer to Main Street, Emmett played on the opposing team. “Don’t be too sure about that, buddy.”
“Oh, I’m quite confident we’ll win. We have a secret weapon this year.” Bee nudged Cass’s arm with his elbow. “Show him, Cass.”
She held up the two stones she’d found in the register, the only occurrence throughout the entire ordeal still unexplained. No one had taken credit yet for leaving the stones in her register drawer. Who knew? Maybe she’d never know how they’d gotten there. Either way, Cass was glad they had. Without the fire agate, she might never have gained enough focus to find Stephanie. Maybe Tanya had helped more than anyone realized.
Emmett started up the deck steps, then stopped and leaned against the rail. He looked around at the assembled group, then took off his hat and smoothed his hair back. “I just wanted to say thank you to all of you.”
Tank clapped him on the back. “No need to thank us, Emmett. You were innocent; everyone knew that.”
“Well, I still appreciate everything you guys did, so I just wanted you to know.” Emmett nodded and put his hat back on. “It’s been nice to be able to go back home and open the garage without reporters camping out on my doorstep. I was getting tired of having to sneak in the back door of the hotel to avoid them. Grateful, mind you, that Henry let me stay and didn’t even charge me, but I wanted to go home, ya know?”
“Yeah, I do.” Cass stood and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Not one for public displays of affection, he gave her a quick hug. “Could I speak to you alone for a second?”
“Of course.” Cass led him around the side of the building. “What’s up, Emmett? Is something wrong?”
“No, I just . . .” He smoothed a hand over his goatee, then rested his hands on the railing and looked out over the bay. “Did you really see her? My Tanya?”
“I did, Emmett.”
He turned his gaze on her, his chin quivering. “And she was okay.”
“Yes, she was, and she is clearly still watching over you and Joey.”
A sense of pride surged through Cass, and she had no doubt it was not her own. She lay a hand on Emmett’s arm. “She’s proud of you, Emmett. Of how you’ve raised Joey. She’s happy.”
Emmett lowered his gaze and nodded. Tears tipped over and slid down his cheeks, and he spoke in a harsh whisper. “Thank you for that, Cass.”
Joey jogged up beside him. “You ready, Dad?”
Emmett swiped the tears away quickly and turned to his son. “Sure thing, Joey.”
Cass squeezed his arm on her way past and returned to their friends, who were getting ready to head down to the beach. This promised to be one of the best tournaments ever.
Beast danced in circles in their midst, wound up by all the excitement.
“You’re playing, Joey?” Bee asked.
“I’m gonna give it my best shot.” A younger, lankier version of Emmett showed in Joey’s appearance, posture, and mannerisms.
“Good for you.” Bee gave him a high five and grinned. “But, no matter how much I like you, don’t expect me to go easy.”
“Come on, Beast.” Cass clipped the leash to Beast’s collar as they all started down the steps to the beach.
Beast trotted on one side of her, while Luke fell into step on her other side.
“Looks like they’re getting ready to start.” Bee rubbed his hands together. “Who’s ready to whoop some bootie?”
“You wish!” Emmett nudged his shoulder.
Laughter filled the air.
Luke slung an arm around Cass’s shoulders.
She leaned into him. “Now, this is what summer on Bay Island is supposed to be.”