Chapter 14

An air of excitement rippled through Vista Beach after dark that evening. Lights spilled out of every restaurant and store in the downtown area onto the street. Everyone in the city and then some seemed to have congregated downtown, shopping local businesses and enjoying the holiday menus dreamed up by the restaurants. The two blocks down to the pier were closed off to traffic, leaving plenty of room for people to move around.

Rory and Liz weaved their way through the crowd toward the pier, avoiding parents pushing strollers, skateboarders and couples walking arm in arm. Rory smiled when she passed a group of kids playing with candy cane light sabers they’d purchased at a booth set up in front of the toy store. Flakes of snow spewed from the awning of a store that sold cosmetics, skin care and bath products. She touched a wafer-thin flake that felt soapy and dissolved in her hand. When she lifted her hand to her nose, she smelled the pleasing scent of perfume. She nudged Liz and pointed at the sky. They paused in front of the store and let the flakes swirl around them.

“That was cool,” Liz said when they finally stepped onto the blocked off street. “Businesses are really pulling out all the stops this year.”

“There are supposed to be carolers from the church in front of my mom’s store. We should check them out after the pier lighting ceremony.”

“Is your mom going to be able to attend the ceremony?”

“She expects the store will be busy so she’s not sure. If she gets a chance, she’ll slip out.”

“And your dad?”

Rory’s lips tightened. “He’s skipping it this year. Going to help out at the store all night, instead.”

They stopped in the middle of the street, half a block from the pier.

Rory’s gaze swept the crowd. “This is where Martin said he’d meet us. I don’t see him.”

Liz stood on tiptoe and looked around. “I’m sure he’s here somewhere.”

Rory nudged Liz’s arm. “There’s that woman again. The one who asked about Z Family Clothing. I saw her at the paddle out ceremony too.”

Liz followed Rory’s gaze to the far side of the street where the woman they’d met the previous week was standing. “She did say she was interested in the history of the city. Maybe this is all part of her thesis work.” Liz directed her attention back to the stage. “Check out the pier. It really looks different in the dark.”

A giant light switch, currently in the off position, dominated the temporary stage set up in front of the entrance to the pier. Wooden barriers behind it indicated the area was currently off limits to the crowd that had gathered for the ceremony.

Rory peered into the darkness behind the stage. She could just make out a tree on the right side of the pier behind the cafe, but the area was too dark to see any of the other trees they’d helped decorate.

When the mayor stepped up to the podium, a group of teenagers in festive sweaters lined up in two rows behind her.

Rory felt a warm hand take hold of her right hand. She turned and smiled at Martin. “You made it.”

“Of course.”

The mayor tapped the microphone twice to get everyone’s attention. When the crowd had settled down enough she could be heard, she spoke into the microphone. “Welcome, everyone, to our annual pier lighting ceremony. Before we light it up, let’s have a few songs from the Vista Beach High choir.”

At a signal from their director, the teens’ voices swelled in song. They started with classic carols like “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” ending with a shortened version of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Applause broke out when they were done. The group filed off the stage and the mayor once again stepped up to the podium.

“That was wonderful, just wonderful. I’m very pleased to be presiding over the ceremony this year. It’s events like these that give our city its small-town feel.”

A smattering of applause and a few whoops broke out at the mayor’s words.

“Before we flip the switch, I’d like to thank Simon Zeppelin, owner of Simon’s Surfwear, for his generous donation of all of the trees this year in honor of his brother. Simon, would you like to say a few words?”

He stepped up to the podium. “Thank you, Madame Mayor. I won’t keep you long. I’d just like to say Ricky would have enjoyed tonight. I’d also like to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful my family and I are for your concern.” He stepped aside and the mayor said, “Are we ready to light it up?”

The crowd whooped.

“Let’s do a countdown. From ten.”

The crowd obediently counted down. The mayor and Simon placed their hands on the lever of the giant light switch. When the countdown reached zero, cries of “Light it up!” rippled through the crowd. Together, the mayor and Simon pushed the switch to the on position.

After a short delay, the light posts that lined both sides of the pier came on followed by the white lights on each of the trees. One by one, the trees lit up, those closest to the stage coming on first. When the final tree lit up the night, the crowd burst into applause. Shortly after the ceremony ended, the barriers were removed and the public allowed onto the pier.

“Come on, let’s take our pictures in front of one of the trees.” Liz followed the stream of people heading toward the pier. Rory and Martin walked hand in hand at a more leisurely pace behind her.

They made their way down the pier until they found a tree no one was standing in front of.

“Get over here, you two.” Liz ushered Rory and Martin to a position in front of the tree and took several pictures with her smart phone. “Now it’s my turn. Here.” She handed her phone to Martin. “Take one of me and Rory.”

After the photos were taken, the three headed back to town. They’d almost reached the pier entrance when they came upon Simon and his family taking their own photos in front of a tree. Standing beside his wife and teenage daughter were Loretta and Crystal. As Rory watched them she couldn’t help thinking how easily Crystal fit into the family. She wondered if Ricky had lived if they’d have continued dating and eventually gotten married.

Martin looked at Rory. “What is it?”

Rory smiled and shook her head. “Nothing.”

He followed her gaze to the tree where the family stood. “I don’t think Simon believes your dad had anything to do with Ricky’s death. He doesn’t seem to blame him, anyway.”

“I know. He told me.”

Liz glanced at her watch. “Ooh, I’ve got to go. I promised your mom that I’d help out at the store. Several of us are teaching mini classes on painting simple ornaments. I’m up soon.”

The three headed up the hill and walked down Main Street until they reached Arika’s Scrap ’n Paint. On the sidewalk outside the store, a half dozen carolers from Good Samaritan church were singing the last verse of “Away in the Manger.” Liz headed inside the store while Rory and Martin stopped to listen.

Before they started on their next song, the carolers handed out flyers to the small crowd that had gathered.

“Come join us. We’re caroling all over town.” A man Rory knew from church handed her a flyer. “No rehearsals are necessary. We’re doing songs everyone knows. You don’t have to attend every event. Come whenever you can. And you don’t have to be a professional singer. All voices are welcome.”

Rory glanced at the flyer, briefly noting the dates listed, including the next evening. “I just might do that.” She folded the handout and tucked it into the pocket of her jeans.

“Listen, I’ve got some shopping to do. Why don’t you go in and help your mother. Looks like she could use it.” Martin nodded toward the store.

Through the glass, Rory could see people milling around, looking through the displays of painting and scrapbook supplies. A line had formed at the cash register. After saying goodbye, Rory stepped inside and began helping to ring up purchases. When the line dwindled, she turned to her mother and said, “Where’s Dad? I thought he was going to be here.”

“He’s in the back room making some phone calls for me. Why don’t you see if Liz needs anything.”

Rory headed into the neighboring classroom where Liz was teaching a group of teenagers how to paint a snowman face on a round wooden ornament. The teens bent over their pieces, concentrating on shading around the edges.

“Anything I can do?” Rory asked.

“Can you get some more of these ornaments? There’s a box of them your mother base coated somewhere in the back room. I’m not sure where.”

Rory quietly slid open the pocket door between the classroom and the back room, not wanting to disturb her father. But when she stepped over the threshold, she found the combination storage room/office empty. She shrugged her shoulders and a few minutes later had a small box of base-coated ornaments in her hand. She was about to go back into the classroom when she noticed the back door was slightly ajar. When she went over to close it, she heard voices in the alley beyond. She stopped with her hand on the doorknob and quietly listened.

Before long, she realized a man and a woman were having a conversation. Moments later, her ears adjusted and she recognized the two voices.

“...can’t tell you what we discussed,” her father said in a calm voice.

“I just want to know about the money and property she inherited. She said she was going to speak to you about it,” Tammy said.

“Like I said, I can’t tell you what we discussed. You’ll have to talk to whoever drew up her will. They’ll know about any property or money Mindy had.”

“Can you at least tell me what generally happens when someone inherits something? Will it be mine now that Mindy’s gone?”

“I can’t speak to a specific situation. It depends on a number of factors including how the property is held and if it’s covered in her will.”

“What if she didn’t have a will? I’m not sure she had one.”

“There are rules that apply under those situations. Look around your house. She might have a copy of a will in her papers. In any case, you should contact a lawyer that specializes in family and estate law. They’ll guide you through the process.”

“Thanks for your time. Sorry to have bothered you.”

From what she’d just heard, it sounded like Mindy had wanted everything she’d inherited out of her wife’s hands. Rory couldn’t help wondering why.

The sound of steps coming closer brought her out of her reverie. The box of unpainted ornaments in her hands, she hurried back into the classroom and slid the pocket door closed behind her.

  

At lunchtime the next day, Rory and Liz sat in Rory’s kitchen, eating leftover lasagna and talking about the previous evening.

“Are you sure you heard correctly?” Liz asked between bites. “The bit about Mindy keeping her inheritance from Tammy?”

Rory wiped her hands on a napkin, then wadded it up and placed it on her empty plate. “It sounded to me like Tammy was afraid Mindy had done just that.”

“But her own wife! Why would Mindy do that?”

Rory shrugged. “Some people like to keep inheritances separate. Maybe she felt it should be passed down to blood relatives or something.”

“Is it a lot of money?”

“Don’t know. There was property too.”

“Maybe the property is here in town. I’ll ask around and see what I can find out.” Liz neatly folded her napkin and placed it on the table. “That was so good. Even better the second time around.” She sat back in her chair. “Simon didn’t give us much help yesterday. We didn’t learn much about the party or Ottomar Lendl at all.”

Rory put the empty plates in the sink and returned to her place at the table. “We need to find out more about him for sure. He had motive to kill Ricky since he blamed him for his son’s death.”

“I’ll see if I can find out where he lives.” Liz pulled out her phone. After a minute or two, her face crinkled in puzzlement. “That’s odd. I’m not seeing him anywhere.”

“Are you sure you’re spelling his name correctly?”

“Positive. I don’t see anyone by that name in Vista Beach.”

“You can’t even find a phone number?”

“Nothing. It must be unlisted.”

“Hold on. I have an idea.” Rory walked into the front room and returned with a phone book.

Liz raised an eyebrow. “Going old school?”

“I keep it around just in case. Sometimes it’s useful. This one’s a couple years old, but it should do the trick.” Rory flipped through the white pages, running her finger down the page until she found what she was looking for. “Here’s an O Lendl. That must be him. Huh.”

“What is it?”

“Does this address seem familiar to you?” She read aloud the address listed in the book.

“That’s where Loretta lives, isn’t it?”

“That’s interesting.” Rory closed the phone book and placed it on the nearby counter. “I wonder if there are any problems with them living in the same building.”

“We should go over there and find out. We could go and visit Loretta. That way it wouldn’t seem weird that we’re hanging around.” Liz tucked her phone in her purse and stood up. “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

“Loretta might find it odd our going to visit her. We haven’t spent much time with her in the past. I’ve got a better idea.” Rory grabbed a flyer she’d affixed to the front of the refrigerator with a magnet. “How would you like to do some caroling? A group from my church is looking for volunteers to sing at various places around town. One of them is the assisted living place where Ottomar and Loretta live.” She handed the flyer to Liz who looked it over.

“What a great idea. We can infiltrate the caroling group. That way no one thinks anything about our being in the building.”

“I wouldn’t call it infiltrating. They are looking for volunteers.”

Liz waved her hand. “Potato, potahto. This is tonight. Do you think we can get in at such a late date?”

“I think it’s a more-the-merrier situation. I’ll call Victoria and find out.” Rory dialed the number on the flyer. After a short conversation, she hung up and turned to Liz. “We’re in. We’re meeting this afternoon at four thirty at the church. We’ll be heading out from there.”

“Great. Now, what are we going to wear?”

  

Later that day, Rory and Liz walked into the fellowship hall of Good Samaritan, eager to meet their fellow carolers. A dozen people milled around waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. Everyone had gotten into the spirit of the event, wearing holiday-themed T-shirts, sweatshirts and sweaters. A middle-school-age girl moved around the room, snapping photos of everyone with her cell phone.

The two felt right at home in the jeans and red Christmas tops they’d chosen to wear. Liz’s sweater had tiny green Christmas trees all over it while Rory’s sweatshirt sported a cat wearing a Santa hat in the center with the words “Meowy Christmas” surrounding it.

“There’s Victoria,” Rory said. “Let’s check in.”

They talked with the coordinator of the group and received sheet music for the pieces they’d be singing throughout the night. While they waited, they went over the songs and chatted with the other carolers.

Right before they were scheduled to leave, Victoria clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. They all quieted down and turned to face her.

“All right, we’re just about ready to head out. Before we do, I wanted to thank you all for volunteering your time tonight. You’ll all be spreading Christmas cheer and that’s what we’re all about this time of year, isn’t it?”

A few people clapped. She waited for the noise to die down before continuing. “You should all have your music. Is there anyone who doesn’t?” Three people raised their hands and another volunteer handed them the sheet music.

“Okay, we’ll be visiting three places tonight, all within walking distance. First, we’ll be in the lobby of the Akaw hotel followed by a medical office. After our final stop at the assisted living apartment building, you’re free to stay and visit with the residents or return here where we’ll have some coffee and cookies for everyone. One last thing: My daughter, Chellaigne, will be taking pictures of us for a school project. Smile pretty. Wave your hand, Chellaigne, so everyone knows who you are.”

The girl they’d seen taking pictures earlier waved her arm in the air, her cell phone clutched in her hand.

“Will we be able to see the photos?” someone shouted.

“They’ll be on display next week at the community center along with all of her fellow students’ projects. Now, any questions about anything before we leave?”

After everyone shook their heads, Victoria waved her arm in a come-with-me gesture. “Let’s head out then. Follow me, everyone.”

Victoria held a closed umbrella up high so they could all see it and led the way out of the fellowship hall onto the street. Everyone chatted good naturedly, Rory and Liz bringing up the rear.

When they reached the Akaw hotel on a hill overlooking the beach, they stepped into a lobby lit by a combination of strategically placed skylights and overhead lighting and decorated with surfboards and other items reminiscent of a tropical paradise. They grouped themselves into three rows, taller ones in the back. Victoria called out the song choices, starting with “Mele Kalikimaka.” Guests gathered around as they moved on to more traditional fare, ending with a spirited rendition of “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”

After a few words of thanks from the hotel management and guests, they moved onto the next location. They were equally well received there. By six p.m. they were trooping into the assisted living facility where Loretta and Ottomar both lived. A dozen residents waited for them in the spacious lobby. After their concert, most of the carolers stayed to chat with their audience.

“I don’t see Ottomar, do you?” Liz stood on tiptoe, her gaze sweeping over the people gathered around them.

“There he is, over by the fireplace.” Rory nodded toward the far side of the room.

Ottomar’s gaze darted around the lobby as if searching for something or someone. When it finally rested on one spot, Rory turned to see who or what he was looking at. She followed his line of sight to a seating area where Loretta was chatting with a group of residents and carolers.

Rory nudged her friend. “Looks like he’s interested in Loretta,” she whispered so only Liz could hear.

“I wonder what’s going on there.” As surreptitiously as possible, Liz gazed from one to the other. “He’s on the move.”

Sending furtive glances in all directions, Ottomar walked out of the lobby and was soon lost in the bustle of activity.

“Let’s go.” Rory led the way through the crowded room. When they turned a corner, they spotted Ottomar entering a door halfway down the hallway.

“Isn’t that the door to the stairs? Why isn’t he using the elevator?” Liz said.

“Let’s find out.”

After making sure no one was watching them, Rory and Liz walked nonchalantly down the hallway, following the same path Ottomar had taken. When they entered the stairwell, they spotted him at the top of the first flight of stairs, just about to turn to the next one. He paused to catch his breath. They hid underneath the stairs until he’d moved on, then crept up the steps after him. At the landing where the stairs turned, Rory craned her neck to look around the corner. He paused to catch his breath once again, then opened the door to the second floor.

As soon as he’d stepped into the hallway and the door had closed behind him, Rory and Liz sprinted up the rest of the steps as quietly as they could. They opened the door and peeked around it in time to see him push something under an apartment door halfway down. When he turned his face toward them, they ducked back into the stairwell. Leaning their backs against the door to keep it closed, they both held their breath, hoping he wouldn’t choose to go down the stairs, but would use the elevator instead. They breathed sighs of relief when they heard footsteps pass by, then waited a few minutes before opening the door again to find an empty hallway.

“He must have taken the elevator,” Liz said.

Rory nodded and led the way toward the door he had stood in front of moments before. She noted the number on it. “Isn’t this Loretta’s apartment?”

“Sure is. I wonder why he came up here. Loretta’s downstairs.”

“Maybe that was the point. He did slide something under the door. Let’s go down and talk to her.”

Using the elevator this time, they headed back to the lobby where they found Loretta standing by herself next to the fireplace. Ottomar was nowhere to be seen.

As soon as Loretta saw them, she gave them both big hugs. “Thanks so much for coming to carol. You really brightened my day. Especially after everything that’s happened this year. I wasn’t sure how this Christmas was going to be. This is the first one since Neil passed. And now this thing with Ricky...”

“We’re glad we could bring some Christmas cheer to everyone,” Rory said, and Liz nodded her agreement.

Loretta lowered her voice. “Did you know the police confirmed that Ricky died before he left town?”

Rory and Liz both shook their heads.

“How did they figure that out?” Rory said.

“There was a plane ticket in the pocket of his shorts. It was in bad shape, but they were able to figure out that it was for a flight taking off from LAX on the day he was supposed to leave on his trip. Makes me sad, how he didn’t get to go. And how many things he didn’t get to experience in life. College, marriage, kids.”

“He was planning on going to college?” Rory asked.

“After he got back from his trip. A lot of people just saw him as a surfer, but he wanted to do something important with his life. It’s sad he never got to figure out what that was.”

The moment of silence that followed was broken by Loretta saying in a more cheerful voice, “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to be such a downer. Did you get any of the hot chocolate and cookies? Some of the residents and their families spent a lot of time baking.” She gestured toward a nearby table where food was laid out for residents and guests alike.

Rory’s mouth watered at the sight of the half full plates of various kinds of cookies and silver urns filled with hot beverages. “Did you bake anything?”

Loretta shook her head. “My baking days are behind me. I prefer having others cook for me. I was never that good at it, anyway.” She gestured with her hand to have them join her at the table. “Tell you what. Let’s grab some cookies and hot chocolate and head up to my apartment. It’s too noisy down here for a proper visit.”

After putting cookies and cups of hot chocolate on a tray, the three of them headed up to the second floor. When Loretta led them inside the apartment, she looked down at the floor and frowned at a folded piece of paper just inside the door. “What’s this?”

“Let me get it for you.” Rory picked it up and handed it to the woman, suppressing the urge to open it and read it for herself. “Your name’s on the front.”

Loretta cleared a spot on the table for the tray of goodies. Rory and Liz sat down and munched on cookies while they waited for the woman to read the note. A mixture of puzzlement and anger flitted across her face. Finally, she tossed it on the table. “What do you make of this?”

Rory picked up the note which simply read “I’m sorry. I know it’s no excuse, but I’d had too much to drink, Ottomar” and passed it on to Liz.

“Has he ever left a note like this before?” Rory asked.

“Never. He barely even talks to me. Especially since I moved in here.”

“It’s curious that he gave you this after the news about Ricky came out,” Rory said.

Loretta’s face cleared. “That must be it. He’s apologizing for his behavior at the paddle out ceremony. Probably part of some twelve-step program. You know, making amends. I hear he’s back on the wagon again. I hope it sticks this time.”

Rory and Liz exchanged questioning glances.

“Could he be talking about...something else?” Rory finally asked.

“What do you mean?”

Rory groped for the words to, as delicately as possible, bring up the possibility the man might have been involved in Ricky’s death. She’d barely started with “About Ricky” when Loretta interrupted her.

“You think he might have had something to do with my son’s death, don’t you? Simon told me what you asked him. If there’s one thing I’m sure of: Ottomar had nothing to do with Ricky’s death. He’s all bluster. He wouldn’t have the gumption to do something like that.” She gestured toward the note lying on the table. “He didn’t even have the nerve to apologize to me in person.” She shook her head vehemently. “No, I don’t believe it. Let’s talk about something more pleasant. Tell me the latest on the craft fair.”

While they brought her up to date on the fair, Rory wondered if Ottomar was as innocent as everyone seemed to think.