16

I opened the door to the shop, but instead of rushing in to get ready for my first customer as I usually did, I hesitated. How dead the place seemed. The hair blowers, combs, and brushes on the vanity, the towels and burgundy capes stacked on the shelf above the shampoo bowl were useless without customers. But for Philip’s help, it might’ve stayed this way.

I twirled the chair at the middle hairstylist station to liven up the room. Then I sat at my desk and pulled my appointment book from the drawer. I ran my hand over the top of it, flipped it open, and punched Janet’s number in the phone.

“Hi, this is Eve Castleberry.”

“Why, hello, I hope you’re calling to reschedule my appointment. I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

How easy was that? “Yes. Is sometime tomorrow good?”

“Ten o’clock.”

I recorded the hour. “See you then.”

I hung up the receiver then contacted the rest. I’d have to work late on Friday and Saturday nights to accommodate them, but that was fine with me. I shut the book, patted it, and stood.

My hand trembled as I transferred shampoo and conditioner from the store-bought bottles into clear, unmarked containers above the shampoo bowl. Was I deceiving my customers? But they’d probably prefer store brands to wild, crazy hairdos. Monday morning I intended to call Just Right and get to the bottom of this chemical disaster.

If it weren’t for Philip, I’d have no customers. My heart overflowed with warmth for him. “He’s a fine man.” There, I said it out loud. What would Jordan think about Philip? I shivered. My mind knew Jordan was gone, but he lived in my heart. I’d never stop loving him. How could I even think of having a relationship with someone else? I was fine before Philip crashed into my shop, wasn’t I? Or had I been too numb to know I wasn’t? I gritted my teeth at the way my emotions were driving me nuts. Then I caught a glimpse of my frustration in the mirror.

I recalled the day Jordan and I centered it in the shop. He’d climbed to the top rung of a ladder and stretched his slender frame over the vanity to put my new looking glass in place. “All right, I’ll secure it now.”

I’d asked him to move it up then to the left and the right, and he’d obliged. I’d finally said it looked perfect, and he’d mumbled, “We wouldn’t want anything less.” I’d laughed.

He’d worked so hard so I could have the shop. He wouldn’t want me to give it up, but that’s exactly what I planned to do until Philip changed my mind.

Big trouble waited if we didn’t find that money, and I wanted to help Philip. For one thing, my sense of gratitude told me I owed him, but was there more? Pain started to throb around my temples for the upsetting circumstances in our lives.

I charged out of the shop to the house, hiked to the shower, and let the warm water soothe my nerves. Who would do such a thing? Names rolled through my head as water splashed around me. None of them were thieves. I stepped out and dressed in a pair of jeans with a dark green T-shirt then put on my sneakers. The only thing I knew to do was tell Robert Grimes, the Chief of Police. The doorbell rang, and I bounded down the hall to answer.

“Hi.” Sadness lined Philip’s voice. I couldn’t bear to see him so unhappy. He hugged me tight as if he needed someone to hold onto. Supporting him now, not letting him down mattered more to me than anything had since Jordan died. I squeezed him and he laid his head on my shoulder.

He released me and rubbed his forehead. “We have so many things to discuss. I want to hear all about Jordan, and I want to talk about us, but I have to find Mr. Jacobsen’s money.”

Hearing him say Jordan’s name made me go limp inside, but I cared about Philip, and he was right about finding the missing cash. “I understand. Do you have a plan?”

We went to the den, and he sat on the sofa.

“All of my dreams are wrapped up in Mr. Jacobsen’s account. If I’m successful servicing it, I’ll build from it and start an office.” His gaze met mine. “Grab a piece of paper. We’ll write down every move I made after Mr. Jacobsen handed me the investment. Then we need to get started. I can only delay telling George a day or two.”

I snatched a legal pad and pen and dropped down next to Philip.

“Begin with me carrying the duffle bags out of Mr. Jacobsen’s house. I hoisted them into the trunk of the car.”

I wrote that down.

“I drove you home then went straight to the motel, made my flight arrangements, and left for the airport. The bags stayed with me as my carry-on.”

I laid down the pen. “You must’ve put them in the overhead compartment. Could someone on the plane have switched them?”

“No. I would have seen anyone who reached above me.”

“OK. We need to back up. Could anyone have followed us to Mr. Jacobsen’s, and then tailed you to the motel and airport?”

“Are you kidding? On that goat path.”

I couldn’t help but snicker. “You’re right. We made it with the Lord’s help, and only one car at a time can navigate the drive up his mountain.” The money seemed accounted for every second, but clearly it hadn’t been. “Maybe someone snooped around your motel room. Did you look inside the bags before leaving?”

Philip’s eyes widened.. “No, why would I?”

I shook my head. “You’re right. If you stayed right with them as you did on the way to the motel, no one could’ve bothered them. Did you leave them on the bed and go to the bathroom?”

The color drained from Philip’s cheeks. “Oh, no.” He slapped his forehead. ”I guess someone could have watched my room, but who, and why? How did they get a key?”

“I don’t know. Everybody in town realizes you’re here to land Mr. Jacobsen’s account.” I couldn’t believe anyone in Triville would stoop this low, but obviously someone had. “Try not to worry. Mr. Jacobsen rarely leaves his mountain to come to Triville. He had enough steak, burgers, and hot dogs in that freezer to last one person a year. We’ll observe people and listen closely. Somebody will give away a clue when we least expect it.”

“What people? Where?” Urgency lined Philip’s tone.

“Everybody we see. Two of the best places to hear gossip are Bob’s Diner and my beauty shop.”

Philip patted his hair. “It’s such a mess. It needs to be dyed and styled. I’ll probably have to stay at your shop all day tomorrow.”

I laughed, balled up my fist, and gave him a gentle tap on his biceps. “Oh, you. I’ll take care of questioning my customers, and they won’t even know I’m investigating a crime.”

“Can you fix hair and listen at the same time?”

He had no idea. “That should be a requirement for graduating from cosmetology school. I’m part hairstylist, part psychologist, and part teacher.” Attempting to lighten Philip’s spirits, I chuckled. “And now, I’ll be part detective.”

“I knew you’d help.” He hugged me and checked his watch. “Let’s go to Bob’s Diner tonight. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Sounds good.”

Philip left.

When he was here, I wanted to be with him. Now, the room seemed empty. This would be my life when he returned to New York. How could I ever love Philip if I still loved Jordan? I wanted to scream.

 

~*~

 

Philip and I sat in one of the booths up front at Bob’s as an old rock and roll song blared through the restaurant.

Bonnie Sue elbowed her way past a group of people waiting for the bus boy to clean a table. “How ya’ll doin’?” She looked at Philip.

“We’re fine, Bonnie Sue, but the music’s a little loud.” I wanted it lowered to facilitate my undercover surveillance. With the pressure of trying to solve this crime in only a few days hanging over us, the noise irritated my nerves like fingernails on a blackboard. I could hardly think.

“I guess I could turn it down a bit. You want to do a little sweet talkin,’ don’t cha’?” She eyed Philip. “I don’t blame you.”

“Just wanting to save my ears. We’ll have a couple chili cheeseburgers with French fries and salads.”

“Comin’ right up.” Bonnie Sue strutted off.

Philip put his elbows on the table and propped his chin in his hands. “There are so many people jammed in here. I don’t know which one to listen to.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

Lloyd moseyed over to us. “How’s it goin’? Are Pete and Charlie finished with your shop?”

“They’re through inside, and that’s a load off my mind.”

Philip reached out and shook Lloyd’s hand. “Nice to see you.”

“I should have that car part next week. I’ll have yer’ rental fixed in a day or two after it arrives. I guess you’ve about finished your business with Mr. Jacobsen.”

Philip stiffened in his seat. “Uh, I, uh...”

I waved my hand in the air. “He likes it here. He’ll be around.” Lloyd was blocking my view of people filing inside. My nerves danced.

“I see. I figured Philip was wondering about that part, but I guess he has other things on his mind.” He rubbed his hands on his pants. “I came in from work to pick up a to-go order. I wanted to say hello, but I better head out.”

I pulled a napkin out of the holder and laid it in front of Philip. “Thanks for coming over.”

“You bet. See ya’ later.” Lloyd meandered toward the take-out counter.

Philip knitted his brows. “Why does he think I’ve finished my business?”

“Probably just making conversation or worrying that he might be holding you up.”

Bonnie Sue set down our drinks. “Two sweet teas. Your food’s right behind ‘em.” She left and returned with two steaming plates. “Enjoy.”

“Thanks, Bonnie Sue,” Philip spoke in staccato rhythm.

“You’re welcome, handsome.” She held her head high and put a wiggle in her walk as she headed back to the kitchen.

Philip leaned over the table without bumping into his food. “Do you think Lloyd had anything to do with the theft?”

His words charged through me like an electrical current. People didn’t come any better than Lloyd, but then Philip hadn’t lived his whole life in Triville. “No. Lloyd’s a good ole’ boy.” I lowered my voice. “It’s getting crowded. Customers waiting for a seat will jam in here. Eat slowly and eavesdrop.”

Philip nodded then bit into his burger. “This is so good.”

“Uh-huh.”

Two guys I’d never seen wandered in. One was redheaded; the other, a blond. They wore jeans, black T-shirts, and motorcycle boots. Could’ve been passing through.

Philip stopped eating and peered at the men.

I tapped the table.

“What is it?”

“Don’t stare at them.”

“I’m not very good at this.” He poured ketchup over his French fries.

“It’s OK. Keep listening.”

We sat silent as we nibbled dinner, first gazing at our plates then glancing around.

The redheaded man moved closer to the blond. “So, you’re going to acquire what’s left of the fortune, huh. How much is it?” He spoke under his breath out the side of his mouth.

The blond shrugged. “I’m not sure after the lawyer invests some of the money with a fancy firm in New York, but there’s plenty to go around.”

Philip’s eyes snapped wide.

“How are you going to convince him to give it to you?” The redheaded man touched the blond guy’s shoulder.

“I’ll pay him a visit and ask him to turn over my share. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take other measures.”

The redhead curled his lips into a crooked grin. “What are you thinking? Legal or illegal?”

Bonnie Sue brushed by carrying a plate of fried chicken. “Hey guys, there’s a seat in the back if you want it.”

The suspicious-sounding men headed for the table Bonnie Sue pointed out.

Philip gulped. “They were talking about Mr. Jacobsen. I’m sitting right here until they leave and then we’ll follow them.”

“It sounded as though one of them thinks he’s entitled to money from an estate, and he’s determined to get it legally or illegally. He might steal cash given the opportunity.”

“Those creeps don’t even live here do they?” Disgust rang in Philip’s tone.

“You’re better at this than you think. You’ve stayed in Triville less than a month, and you picked out two strangers.”

“I met you two weeks ago tomorrow.” He ran his hand lightly over my fingers. “I feel as though I’ve known you forever.”

I probably should have told Philip it seemed that way for me too, but I couldn’t commit my doubting, fearful heart to someone passing through town. Frustration at my complicated life irritated my skin like alcohol on a scrape. “I guess I’m growing on you just as Reverend Binder said.”

Philip held his burger in midair. “To say the least. But back to eavesdropping. I’m almost finished with dinner, but I’d like to stay and observe those two if it’s all right with you.”

“Oh, sure.”

Bonnie Sue pranced by the table and peered at our empty plates. Then she returned and picked them up. “Ya’ll want anything else?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind, we’d like two cups of coffee and…” Philip glanced at me.

“Can’t beat Bob’s apple cobbler.”

“Apple cobbler, it is.”

Bonnie Sue winked at Philip. “Comin’ right up.” In moments Bonnie Sue served the dessert.

Philip tasted his. “Yum.”

The contented look that flickered in his eyes told me how much he liked it, but in moments he focused a hard stare toward the back of the restaurant.

I shoved in the last of my cobbler and hoped those strangers would accommodate us. Sure enough, the dudes clomped past our table.

Philip snatched up the bill and flew out of his seat.

I sprang up and followed.

“Do you have a quarter?” Philip peered at me.

I grabbed one from my coin purse and handed it to him.

“This is the right amount.” He laid it on the counter beside the register and charged out the door.

The two men trudged toward a white pick-up.

Philip practically ran to the old car. He helped me into the passenger’s seat, scooted in the driver’s side, and started the engine.

In moments, the truck motor roared, and they backed out.

Philip wheeled in behind them.

The guys drove through town and pulled onto the expressway. The light on the surface street right before the freeway exit turned red, but Philip kept his speed.

“Stop, there’s a policeman.”

He beat the steering wheel. “I can’t.”

“Either you’ll stop now, or he’ll pull you over. Those creeps will be back. We’ll see them again.”

Philip gritted his teeth and put on his brakes until the old vehicle halted. “I can’t believe there’s a cop out here. What makes you think they’ll return?”

“They’re hanging around here for a reason.”

“What could it be?”

“I don’t know, but they’ll be back.”

“I’ll be ready. If only I could have tailed them tonight and gotten the cash.” Philip hit the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. “I don’t have forever.”

“I know, but look on the positive side. We’ve made great strides, and we have tomorrow.”