By Saturday afternoon, my concern over my participation in what was basically a police sting operation had me so hyper that I decided to take a walk to the Beaufort docks.
Alicia encouraged me to go. Or rather, she basically told me to “get out of the kitchen.” I guess my constant pacing was fraying her last nerve.
I acquiesced without complaint. Everything was set up for the evening’s event, and Alicia already had to share the kitchen with Damian, so I knew I wouldn’t be missed. Besides, strolling along the waterfront always calmed me.
When I reached the Front Street end of the boardwalk, I walked a short distance before I paused to once again admire the Celestial. Todd Rowley was on the deck of the yacht, polishing some of her chrome fittings. He returned my wave with a broad smile.
“See you tonight,” he called out before I turned away.
Although I’d planned to continue my walk, the picture window of Bookwaves beckoned, and I climbed the few steps to the wooden porch of the building that housed Julie’s bookstore. I paused for a moment to study the window display, which was filled with what Julie always called “beach reads.”
When I pushed open the front door, a bright jangle of bells accompanied my entry. I hadn’t visited the bookstore in several weeks and was amused to see that the front table held a varied assortment of titles, all of which featured predominantly red, white, or blue covers. Get a bang out of your summer read, the banner draping the front of the table said, a theme emphasized by the sparkling, firecracker-style decorations.
“Getting ready for the Fourth already?” I asked Julie as her head popped up from behind a range of shoulder-height wooden shelves.
“It’s a huge tourist week.” She stepped around the shelves to greet me. “I mean, the Big Rock week is busy, but not as many of those people are looking to buy books. The Fourth and the few weeks leading up to it are when I see more visitors who want something to read. You know, on the beach or while enjoying waterfront views.”
“I guess that’s right. Hard to read when you’re managing a fishing line.” I was happy to see that Julie looked less stressed.
She swept her hair back and whipped it up into a ponytail she tied off with the scarf she’d draped around her neck. “Sorry, even with the air on, I always get hot moving books.”
“I’m sure. Having had to do that in Chapters’ library several times, I know it’s hard work.” As I gazed at my friend, I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I wanted to tell her about assisting the police with finding Lincoln’s killer but knew I couldn’t say anything. Although perhaps I could find a way to reassure her that her ordeal as a suspect would soon be over. “Speaking of Chapters, you’re coming to the Tey discussion tonight, I hope?”
“Yes. I told Scott I’d be there, so I guess I should come.”
I widened my eyes. “Ah, do I sense some interest? Not that it’s a bad thing. He’s definitely into you, from what I’ve seen.”
Julie glanced down at her hands, which she’d clasped tightly at her waist. “Now, don’t start any rumors.” Her tone was serious, but when she looked up at me, her eyes were sparkling. “He’s an interesting guy, and we share a love of books. That’s all there is to it.”
“For now,” I said. “Don’t worry, I approve.” My smile slipped as I considered one little wrinkle. “Unless the police prove he murdered Lincoln, of course.”
Julie waved off this idea. “I can’t imagine that. And anyway, you have me on your suspect list as well.”
“Not really. I know the police may still think of you that way, but I don’t.”
Julee grinned. “You’re allowing your emotions to cloud your logic, Charlotte. What if we were in on it together? Or maybe it was everyone at the party. Ever think of that?”
“No, that’s one thought that hadn’t crossed my mind. Besides,” I added, with an answering grin, “we’re in Beaufort, not on the Orient Express.”
Julie picked up one of the thrillers from the front table. “But it would make an interesting twist.” She flipped the book over and read aloud, “‘You’ll never see the final twist coming.’” She tapped one corner of the book against her other palm. “Bet I will, though. I’ve read too many popular titles recently, and they all have twists. At this point I can usually guess what’s coming.”
But you probably won’t guess that the police will be listening in to whatever is said at the party tonight, I thought, as Julie placed the book back on the table.
I grimaced. I didn’t like the idea of deceiving my guests, especially the ones I considered friends. But the truth needed to be revealed, one way or the other. It was the only way we could all move forward without the shadow of suspicion hanging over us.
Picking up another book from the table, I looked it over with surprise. “My Cousin Rachel in a brand-new edition? When did that happen?”
Julie shrugged. “Movie tie-in. You know how it is—people are suddenly interested in a classic again if it’s made into a film.”
“One of my favorites,” I said, my fingers caressing the glossy cover.
“Was she a murderer or an innocent victim—dun, dun, dun,” Julie said, her voice mimicking the sonorous tone of a movie trailer announcer.
“You have to admit it’s a brilliant use of an unreliable narrator. And long before they became so popular, too.”
“You love that sort of thing, don’t you?” Julie tipped her head and examined me, her eyes as bright and unblinking as a falcon. “Stuff where you have to puzzle it out and come to your own conclusions.”
“I do. I mean, you’re talking to someone who adores Henry James’s Turn of the Screw for that very reason. Are the ghosts real, or in the narrator’s mind, or …?” As I allowed my statement to dangle, the string of bells on the door jangled again.
“Oh, hi there,” Julie said, gazing at the door over my shoulder. “How are you today?”
I turned to face Kelly Rowley.
“I’m good,” she said, although I still thought she looked drained. “Hello, Charlotte,” she added, with a tight smile.
“Hi. I just saw Todd out on the boat.”
“Yes, he’s doing a bit of upkeep on her before we get ready for the party tonight.”
“Glad to hear you’re coming,” I said.
“We are, although we will be a little late. I hope that’s okay. Todd has a conference call with some business partners that he simply can’t avoid.” Kelly tugged up the strap of the turquoise swimsuit she was wearing under a gauzy white beach cover-up.
“That’s perfectly all right.” I tried to catch Kelly’s eye to offer her a smile, but her gaze was darting about the shop, looking at everything except Julie and me.
“Thought I might pick up a beach read. We’ll be heading out on Sunday, and I particularly enjoy reading when we’re sailing. Something about being on the water, you know.” Kelly’s gaze settled on Julie.
“You’ve been given permission to leave the area, then?” I asked, fighting to keep my tone casual.
“Yes, the authorities said we were free to go. As long as we leave contact info so they can stay in touch if they need to ask more questions, of course.” Kelly finally cast me a glance. “What is that you have there? Something you’d recommend?”
I realized she was referencing the book I was holding. “This? It’s a novel by Daphne Du Maurier. My Cousin Rachel. Have you read it?”
Kelly shook her head. “No. I’ve read Rebecca, which I liked, but not that one. Is it good?”
“Very,” Julie said. “Although it’s one of those dark and twisty stories where it’s hard to tell who’s good or bad.”
“Sort of like life,” I said without thinking.
Kelly cast me a sharp glance before turning back to Julie. “I do enjoy mysteries,” she told Julie, “but maybe that’s too heavy for me right now.”
“I understand. We’ve all been through a lot of stress this week,” Julie said, sharing a look with me. “Here’s something that’s popular right now.” She plucked another book off the table and handed it to Kelly.
Flipping it over, Kelly held the book close to study the back-cover blurb, making me wonder if she typically used reading glasses. “Oh no,” she said, thrusting it back toward Julie. “It has a missing-child theme. I can’t read anything with that story line.”
Julie, looking concerned, took the book and pressed it to her chest. “So sorry.”
“It’s okay, you couldn’t know. It’s just that my older brother went missing when I was a child. He was fifteen. There was ten years between us, so I don’t remember much, only that it was traumatic. It cast such a dark shadow over our family …” Kelly used one hand to fan her face, even though she appeared pale, not flushed. “Anyway, I try to avoid anything with that theme.”
“I can understand that,” Julie said, her tone sympathetic. “He was never found?”
Kelly shook her head. “No. My poor parents, who were killed in a car accident about six years later, never got over it.”
“I imagine not,” I said, thinking of the magazine story I’d read about the Rowleys. According to that article, Kelly’s older brother had inherited his parents’ estate. Which was odd, if he’d gone missing at fifteen. Although I supposed that even if he’d returned years later, the trauma of his disappearance would linger in Kelly’s mind. “That’s terrible. You didn’t have any other family?”
Kelly ducked her head until her long hair veiled my view of her profile. “Just my grandparents. They raised me after my parents died. But they passed away many years ago. Not long after …” She tightened her lips and snapped her head up, tossing her blonde hair out of her face. “Anyway, everyone deals with some sort of tragedy in their life, don’t they?”
Her smile was as brittle as a sand dollar. Thinking of my own loss, I nodded and offered her a sympathetic smile in return. “I suppose they do.”
Kelly glanced at her watch. “Look at the time! I should get back; Todd might need my help.” She flashed Julie an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to buy any books right now, but if you come across a few light and fun reads, bring them to Chapters tonight, okay? I can pay you with a check. Will that work?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Julie said. “I’ll see what I can find that I think you might like.”
“Thanks so much. See you later!” Kelly gave a quick wave before turning on her heel and heading out the shop door.
As the bells fell silent, Julie placed the book she’d been clutching back onto the display table. “That was a little weird.”
“Yes,” I said, but didn’t tell her the strangest part—the discrepancy between Kelly’s story and the magazine article’s depiction of her past.
Julie walked over to a white-beadboard-paneled counter. Circling behind the counter, she stared down at the desktop computer that functioned as her register. “I’ll try to find her something, even though it’s difficult to choose books for someone you don’t know well.”
“That is tricky,” I agreed.
“But I’ll see what I can do. Poor thing.” Julie shook her head. “Losing her entire family like that.” She looked over at me. “I guess I’m lucky, really. I’ve never lost anyone significant. Not yet, anyway.”
“I’d say that was fortunate.”
“It’s strange. You never really know about people, do you?” Julie straightened a stack of bookmarks stuck into a clear plastic brochure holder. “Lincoln lost his parents when he was fairly young, too. I kind of wondered if that was one reason he was so …”
“Selfish and arrogant?” I said, before I could check myself. “Sorry, I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. But honestly, I don’t think any loss, no matter how tragic, is an excuse to behave the way he did.”
“No, no, you’re right.” Julie pursed her lips and looked me over. “You must think I’m a fool, falling for a guy like that.”
“We’ve all been fools at some time or another. Especially where love is concerned. Now, I guess I’d better be getting along as well. It’s probably time to check on Alicia and Damian and finish any other prep for tonight’s event.”
“Okay, I’ll see you there,” Julie said, before wishing me a good day.
Outside, I walked to the end of the boardwalk before turning around and heading back toward Chapters. Pausing where I could see the gleaming Celestial, I watched as Kelly climbed onto the yacht.
She had money, good looks, health, and what seemed to be a perfect marriage. A lot of people would say she’d been blessed by life. But she’d also endured tragedies that few knew about. Like so many of us, Kelly Rowley had her own pain to overcome. After one last glance at the Rowleys’ gorgeous yacht, I set off at a brisk pace, anxious to reach Chapters. I had a part to play tonight, an important task that could expose a murderer while clearing my friend and any other innocent parties.
I hoped I was up to the challenge.