The next morning, I called Colin Breckshire and told him I would take Bonnie’s offer and keep the store open. Then, I went for a jog. I found Doug passed out under his bridge, a needle at his side. After checking him for a pulse, I grabbed the dangerous object from the walkway and tucked it under the mat he laid upon, then covered him with one of his blankets while turning him so he didn’t choke if he were to vomit. Drug addiction was a nasty thing.
“Doug?” I said loudly as I nudged his shoulder with the toe of my shoe. “Are you okay?”
He didn’t move, but at least he was breathing. I stared at him for a long moment, wondering if he could’ve been out if his mind on something else besides heroin while killing Bonnie and not even have known he had. My interactions with drug addicts of Doug’s level had been zero up until I moved to Heywood. In Hollywood, I had my status and wealth protecting me from this side of life. How the mighty had fallen.
I continued on my run, past the place I’d found Bonnie, all the way down to the end of the Riverwalk where the geese liked to hang out. As I breathlessly climbed the pathway to the main drag, Comfort Road, I promised myself I’d go running more often. My plan had been to jog back to the store, but I simply couldn’t. Perhaps twenty years ago, or even ten years, but not today. Not at fifty-four. Instead, I’d take a nice stroll and call it good.
When I arrived at Locked and Loaded, I noted they were open and had customers inside. I guessed hunters were early risers, or something to that effect.
When I pushed on the door to enter, the smell of oil assaulted me. I glanced around at all the guns lining the walls, the hunting vests and tactical gear, and I pivoted to exit. I was way out of my element.
“What are you doing here, Sam Jones?”
I turned to find Deputy Jordan Branson smiling at me. Dressed as he was in jeans and white tee with a red flannel shirt over it, I assumed this was his day off. Probably the last person I wanted to see. Without his uniform, he reminded me a bit of George Clooney.
“Just leaving,” I said, waving. “Wrong store. Have a great day.”
“I’ve never seen anyone walk into a gun store by mistake.”
With a shrug and smile, I replied, “There’s a first time for everything.”
“Are you in the market for a gun?” he asked. I hesitated for a second, giving him the opportunity to continue the conversation. “Believe it or not, I’ve had some experience with them. I could help you out if you’d like.”
How strange. Coming from Los Angeles, it was odd to find someone who wasn’t horrified at gun ownership... and even willing to help me! But living in a small town in Arizona, I suppose I should’ve expected this, especially from the police.
“Have you ever handled a firearm before?” he asked.
I shook my head. Not a real one. Plenty of props on the set, though. I wouldn’t be sharing that detail.
“Come on. I’ll show you your options. For you, I’d recommend something smaller.”
Reluctantly, I followed him over to the counter. As he pointed to different weapons and gave me a running commentary on the pros and cons of each one, I simply stared at them. So, so many guns in one place!
“I’d also suggest a safety class for you,” he said. “It’s not mandatory in Arizona, but I think it’s a good idea. Safety is critical when handling firearms.”
As I perused the weapons, I found it odd he didn’t question why I felt I needed a gun. Perhaps everyone carried one and I was the exception?
“You’ll always want to treat every gun as if it was loaded,” he continued. “That’s rule number one of gun safety.”
This was a horrible idea. I didn’t want a gun, just something to carry that made me feel better when Catnip started acting like the boogeyman stood outside my apartment door.
Smiling, I turned to the deputy. “A gun isn’t for me. I was actually looking for some mace or something similar.”
“Well, then I’ll shut up and quit blathering on about gun safety,” he said, chuckling.
“So, I’ll just order some online. Thank you for your time.”
“They have mace here.” He pointed toward the far-right wall. I glanced behind me. Even mace came in many different sizes and shapes. “It’s always best to shop local instead of those big online retailers. I’ll show you the best kind.”
Another small-town belief that I found comforting—supporting our local businesses. I followed him over and he pulled off a tube in a neon pink casing. It would’ve matched some of Annabelle’s outfits.
“This is good because you can comfortably keep the mace in a pocket. The release is easy and quick and it sprays up to fifteen feet.”
I liked that I didn’t have to be really close to someone for it to be effective. And, I wouldn’t kill anyone. Bonus points for the mace.
“Once you spray, you run like heck,” he continued. “The chemicals incapacitate them for a short amount of time, but enough for you to escape.”
“That sounds like what I need. Thank you, Deputy.”
With a wide smile, he said, “You can call me Jordan.”
Yeah, not going to happen. “Thank you.”
I stepped over to wait in line to pay.
“Can I take you to get a cup of coffee?” he asked.
My head snapped to the side so quickly, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if I needed some ibuprofen later. “Excuse me?”
“Coffee. There’s a coffee shop next door. Do you want to grab a cup?”
My first reaction was a hard pass, but something held me back from shutting down the idea.
He leaned in and whispered, “It’s not a date.”
I gasped and stepped away. “I-I never thought it was!” My word, this man was flustering me.
“So, will you go?”
While paying for my mace, I tried to think of the last time I’d sat down with someone for a cup of coffee. Even in Hollywood I’d had trouble nailing down my so-called friends. Everyone had been so busy, and most didn’t want the extra calories a latte offered.
Cup of Go had the most beautiful views of the river. But, I’d yet to sit down in one of Heywood’s restaurants and enjoy my surroundings simply because I’d never dined alone in public. The idea had always seemed so pathetic to me, so lonely. I wanted to join Deputy Branson, but I didn’t know if it was the smartest, safest move. On the other hand, maybe I could squeeze a little information out of him.
“Sure,” I said before I could overthink my decision. “As long as it’s not a date.”
The huge smile he gave me indicated he was pleased with my answer.
We strolled next door to the bustling shop and waited in line. I noted very few tables available, and none of them by the window overlooking the river, which was where I wanted to sit. When one couple stood, leaving one of those precious tables empty, I turned to Jordan. “Could you please order me an Americano with heavy cream? I’m going to grab that table over there.”
His gaze followed me. “Good idea. Want a muffin or a scone?”
“Blueberry muffin,” I called over my shoulder as I hurried to claim our chairs.
The view took my breath away. The Riverwalk, the river and the thick, dense forest on the other side made me feel as if I were sitting on the set of a Hallmark movie. Probably a Christmas film. All the elements were there: the wronged woman with the secret past who left the big city to start over in the small town... the dashing, good-natured cop… the beautiful setting. All that was needed was a whirlwind romance and the film would be complete. Except for the murder. I couldn’t recall a Hallmark Christmas movie theme revolving around a killing. And there wouldn’t be any romance. Instead, it would be a boring film with no plot, just a pretty setting.
“Here you go,” Jordan said, setting down my cup and muffin in front of me. I took a sip as he settled in the chair across from me. “So, what brought you to Locked and Loaded that early in the morning?”
Choosing my words carefully, I answered, “I was out for a run and saw they were open. Now that I’m living alone in the building and we’ve had one break-in, I’m finding myself a little nervous.”
He furrowed his brow in worry. “Have you had any other problems?”
I wasn’t quite sure how to answer. Yes, Catnip had been acting strange the prior evening, and I’d found that fingernail in Bonnie’s place, but nothing indicated there had been a break-in. All the doors had been locked. If there was someone in the building, it had to be Annabelle. She was the only one I knew who had a key. Unless someone else did and I wasn’t aware of it.
“Not exactly,” I hedged. “It’s just a big place and I’m a little squirrely living there alone.”
He laughed as he ripped apart his chocolate muffin. “Have you lived alone before?”
I shook my head. “Not recently.” The direction of this conversation had to change. We were dancing dangerously close to him questioning who I was living with and where. “How is the investigation going, by the way?”
“Which one? The murder investigation or the breaking and entering into Sage Advice?”
I shrugged. “Either? Both?”
“Well, the official response is I’m not allowed to comment on ongoing investigations.”
“And the unofficial response?”
“We’re still looking at suspects.”
“That doesn’t sound much different from the official response,” I said, smiling. “In fact, they’re quite similar.”
“Hey, at least I commented,” he said, chuckling. “But to answer your question, we’re nowhere near figuring out either case.”
“I guess you don’t consider me a suspect if you’re sitting here having coffee with me,” I ventured.
“Officially, no comment.” His voice lowered. “Unofficially, I personally don’t think you had anything to do with Bonnie’s murder.”
I nodded, relief flooding through me.
“But I do think you’re hiding something. What that is, I’m not quite sure of.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You’re one of the most closed off people I’ve ever met. You smile when you’re supposed to, but I feel like you’re acting. Like I’m not seeing the real Sam Jones.”
I fought to keep my features as neutral as possible. Was I that transparent? Or was he that good of a cop? And really, had I figured out who the real Sam Jones was?
“So, why don’t you tell me one of your well-kept secrets?”
Suddenly, the store seemed quite warm, and it wasn’t a hot flash. The conversation was making me quite uncomfortable.
But at the same time, something inside me did want to confide in him. I didn’t have to tell him my past, but I could share my other secret. He’d already agreed I had nothing to do with Bonnie’s murder, and it seemed better if he found out about the will directly from me. Otherwise, I looked like I had something to hide.
“A lawyer visited me yesterday,” I said. “Bonnie’s lawyer.”
“Oh? And what did he have to say?”
“Bonnie left Sage Advice to me.”
He didn’t bother to hide his shock. “What?!”
I glanced around to see if he’d drawn attention. A couple people turned toward us, but most kept their attention on their own tables. “She also left me a letter,” I said, my voice quiet. Hopefully, he’d take the hint and lower his.
He leaned forward, his tone quieter. “Do you have it with you? What does it say?”
“No, it’s at home. The letter says she and her daughter, Catherine, are estranged, and she doesn’t want her to have the store.”
Jordan let out a low whistle and sat back in his chair. “Catherine isn’t going to like that.”
“I’m sure she won’t.” After finishing off the rest of my blueberry muffin, I asked, “Is she still in town?”
“From what I understand, yes. She’s trying to track down her mother’s will. It sounds like you’re way ahead of her on that one, though.”
Perhaps that’s what had happened last night—Catherine had been searching Bonnie’s apartment for the will.
“I have the lawyer’s number at home. Should I pass it on to you so you can give it to her?”
“Sure. If you could text it to me, that would be great.” He pulled out his phone, and seconds later, mine shrilled. “I kept your number for investigation purposes.”
I picked up the device and assigned a name to the number, unsure how I felt about him having my contact details in his phone. Perhaps it was normal for an investigator to keep them on his personal device? Or perhaps he carried a department issued phone? “Do you still think I’m innocent?”
He nodded. “I do, even if this piece of news gives you motive.”
“That’s why I was afraid to tell you about it.” I took a long sip of my coffee. “I came to Heywood to have a quiet life. I don’t want any trouble.”
“I get it,” he replied. “That’s why I’m here as well.”
Once again, I wondered what circumstances had led him to Heywood, but that would open up a conversation I didn’t want to have.
For the next hour, we chatted about restaurants and hiking trails in the area, none of which I’d experienced.
“Maybe someday I’ll take you on a hike and we’ll go out to dinner,” Jordan said, grinning. “But of course, it won’t be a date.”
I smiled, having thoroughly enjoyed my time with him, when my bitterness subsided for a short while. “I should get going. And yes, I’d like that… as long as it isn’t a date.”
After I walked out of Cup of Go and turned down the street to head towards Sage Advice, I studied my unread messages. Annabelle had texted me to let me know she’d be a little late, but that was it. I glanced up then to see Bonnie’s daughter, Catherine, up ahead, entering a store, so I hurried to catch up to her, unsure what I was going to say.
I stopped dead in my tracks as she entered one of the buildings. Last night I’d found a red nail in Bonnie’s apartment. And now, her daughter was at a nail salon.