Twenty-Four

Ebenezer raced around the RV, chasing after a plastic, round Christmas bulb I gave up for his entertainment. It was the only thing that enticed him to leave me alone while I worked on piecing this mystery together. After speaking with the police for hours, I was escorted back to my RV with the order of remaining inside until the police and sheriff were satisfied all evidence had been collected. So far, it was a long, boring, and headache-inducing afternoon.

I drew diagram after diagram, list after list and I kept coming back to the one thing connecting Marie, Luna, and Katrina: Luna’s search for her daughter. Marie was looking into it and Katrina believed she was the one. Who wouldn’t want the truth coming out? The father of the child? From what Luna had said, she hadn’t been entirely sure where the baby had been left. Was the father the person who actually abandoned the child, and if so, where had he left the baby? Edward admitted he was one of the possibilities of the baby’s father—who was the other?

From what I knew about Luna, she wasn’t a woman who made random, spur of the moment decisions. She chose Carol Lake for a reason.

Sharon Zimmerman. Luna moved close but not too close to her. Sharon must’ve been the strongest choice and why Luna made Carol Lake her home base. The rest of us, Katrina, Olivia, and me, were gathered here. The only person Marie had no notes about was Desiree Young. Garrison had said Desiree Young wasn’t Luna’s stage name. Then who was she? Had Marie found out and this woman didn’t want to be known? But enough to kill? And two people at that. It didn’t make sense.

I tapped my nails on the keyboard. Or had Marie immediately discounted the woman? Maybe the woman didn’t want a relationship with Luna and hadn’t wanted her birth mother to know anything about her and Marie agreed to let it go.

Instead of pondering it all until dinnertime, which was fast approaching, I moved the cursor over and opened up Messenger. Bright would have some ideas. So far, she had tracked down pretty much everyone in her family tree. Hopefully, she had some spare time for tracking down Desiree Young. A quick search on Google resulted in a lot of options. It would take months to sort through them all.

Hate to bother you with non-crafting work but can use some more research help.

Two minutes passed by and I received a response from Bright. Does this have to do with Luna Carmichael’s death?

I froze for a moment. Death? Luna had died and the word was already out. I snagged my phone and called Paul. He had followed the ambulance in case Garrison needed someone. Paul hadn’t been in the house when Luna was poisoned and thought it was safe for him to leave.

“Did Luna die?” I blurted out the question the moment he answered.

“How did you find out?”

“From Bright.”

Paul sighed. “We shouldn’t be surprised. A movie star dying during the shooting of a film was news. Someone at the hospital must’ve leaked it.”

Messenger pinged. I glanced at it. A row of question marks from Bright. I pressed the phone between my cheek and shoulder and quickly typed, Yes. In a way. Trying to find information about the remaining possible daughter. She might like knowing who her mother was.

Are you sure? It’s not like she’d be able to have a relationship with her. Might be more painful.

I sighed.

“You okay?” Paul asked.

“Bright isn’t sure I should still look for the daughter now that Luna is gone. Might hurt her.”

“How would you feel? Would you want to know? At least the woman would know her mother had spent the last few weeks looking for her. That might matter.”

“You’re right. Regardless of Luna’s reasonings, she had wanted her daughter to know the truth.” Or at least the truth about who her mother was. The father would likely remain a mystery. Unless Edward Yale decided he was okay with being named the father regardless of the truth.

I’d want to know. I typed and hit send.

I’ll help. Name?

Desiree Young. Found notes on the candidates. Nothing about her except the name.

Anything that can help me narrow it down?

Birth date would be around Christmas. 1974. I tapped on the photo icon and enlarged the picture of the notes on Sharon, jotting down the key points then doing the same thing for Olivia and Katrina. The states we were found aren’t the same. I’m West Virginia. Olivia, Maryland. Katrina, Pennsylvania. Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Last names and cities.

I sent Bright the information and stared at the screen, waiting for her response. What would she find out? Would it answer our problems?

This might take a few hours, Bright responded. I’ll let you know as soon as I dig anything up.

I flipped back and forth through the photos of Marie’s notes. There was something I was missing. Why was Sharon the strongest choice of being her daughter? Luna brought us all here. The key was the location. Carol Lake. There was a reason Luna wanted everyone here. Which meant Desiree was here in Carol Lake. Either she was working on the film or lived in Carol Lake. Ike and his list. If Desiree worked on the film, I’d find her on it.

  

After securing Ebenezer in the bedroom with enough food and entertainment, I went in search of Ike. A few golf carts with cast and crew members drove by heading for town. I waved, seeking out their attention. Why was everyone leaving?

Finally, a young woman stopped. “Can I help you?”

“Where’s everyone going?”

“Into town to finish wrapping up the movie. The Christmas bazaar scene is tonight.”

“Even after…” I stopped talking. Maybe everyone else hadn’t heard that Luna died.

“Yes, even after this morning’s incident as Director Yale refers to it. He said even if Luna died, she’d want the film finished. It was important to her.”

Was it the movie that was important or what she was revealing through it? Had Luna feared for her life and the film was a backup plan, so the truth got out if something happened to her? Or did Luna just love toying with people?

From what I knew about Luna, she was a love them, marry them, and divorce them type. Chief Quinn had mentioned the break-up between her cousin and Luna seemed to happen overnight. One moment, they were happily married and the next split up. Luna had said she hadn’t known the baby was thrown away. She handed the baby to her traveling companion. Not the baby’s father. Why use the word “companion” if she meant the father?

Was Vernon the companion and because of the letter, Luna had found out the baby had been thrown away and that caused the sudden end of the marriage? She kept him around in case she discovered the baby had died, so the person responsible was nearby to take the fall. But why would Vernon stay? Had he planned on making sure the truth remained quiet? Were the pranks ways for him to divert the truth or get rid of something?

The boxes. I froze. The answer might be in one of the trash boxes. Had the garbage been taken yet? Should I head for Luna’s house or look for Ike? The chances were the police were at Luna’s and searching through everything and had taken anything that was possible evidence. The best thing for me was finding out if Desiree Young lived in Carol Lake or was part of the crew or cast.

Unfortunately, Ike took the golf cart back this morning, so it was a long walk into town for me. On a very hot summer day. I wiped the sweat trickling from my brow. Only one more mile left until I reached the town limits of Carol Lake and then about a half-mile until the town square where the scene was taking place. The hum of an engine grew closer. I stepped off to the side. The golf cart stopped in the middle of the road.

“I’m needed in town for a scene.” Garrison patted the seat beside him, a forced smile on his face. “Why don’t you come along? You can see all your hard work being staged in the little shops.”

“You sure you want to give me a ride? I was given the impression the power-that-be firmly believed I tried ruining your life.”

“My dad gets overprotective at times. Hop in.”

Overprotective enough to kill? I pushed the thought away. “You couldn’t get today off?”

“Why should…” He trailed off and the smile fell. Grief flashed in his eyes and his shoulder slumped forward. “This is the last movie my mother will ever be in. I want it finished. There’s just one more scene.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” I slipped into the seat. “I’d think they’d give everyone some mourning time. Or haven’t they told the cast and crew yet?”

“It won’t affect them. Fans will miss Luna Carmichael, the queen of Christmas. Cara Michael, the real person, people won’t miss. She was a very self-centered woman. She only had people in her life for her benefit.”

“But she was still your mom. It’s okay for you to miss and grieve her.”

The engine hummed and we putted down the road. The slight breeze from the movement of the cart cooled me down. I twisted my hair off my neck and fanned the back of my neck with my hand.

I eyed his attire. The poor guy was wearing a sweater and blue jeans. “Aren’t you roasting?”

“Just wait until I have to put on the scarf, gloves, hat, and coat.” He briefly glanced back at the pile of winter wear in the area usually reserved for golf clubs.

“Has to be miserable.”

“It’s one of the drawbacks of starring in a Christmas movie. But I’d rather roast for a while than not be in it.”

“What is it about this movie that made you want to star in it? I know my Christmas movies and you’ve never been in one before.”

“Luna asked. She never wanted us working on a movie together. Afraid someone would notice our resemblance.” His voice broke and he drew in a deep breath. “Christmas crafter. That’s an unusual career choice.”

“It wasn’t my only job. While my children were growing up, I also worked as a golf shop pro and a tax preparer. It’s hard raising a family on crafting income.”

“The father didn’t help you out.” He sent a sympathetic gaze in my direction.

My face heated. “No. I was fortunate that my ex-husband always supported his children. If there was something his children needed, he’d provide it even if it wasn’t written in the decree. He’s a good guy.”

“What made you divorce him? If I’m being too nosy just tell me.”

“I don’t mind. We both just felt like we couldn’t truly be who we were with each other. We saw the world in different ways, and it caused some turmoil. I grew up in a happy home and wanted that for my children, and unfortunately that meant my children having one home with their mom and one with their dad. We did the best thing for us and our children though some people would argue we didn’t because we divorced. Relationships are complicated.”

“That they are.” There was a deep sadness in his tone.

“What got you interested in acting?” I asked, hoping a change of topic brought some cheer back into our conversation. It was hard prying when a person was guarded.

“As you know both my parents are in the business, so I grew up around it. I spent a lot of time on sets, it was the only time I really spent with Luna. My father thought it was best we were at least acquaintances.”

My heart ached for him.

“Though,” Garrison continued, “I always leaned more toward directing. Being in front of the camera isn’t comfortable for me, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to act with my mother. It was important to her.”

“Luna wanted you to have a role in the movie?”

“She wanted me in the leading male role. Said it was her way of giving my career the boost it needed. I knew there was something else going on.”

Luna was trying to make up for not being a mother to him. She knew her relationship with her son, or lack of one, would also come out and would let everyone know the way she treated her daughter wasn’t a one-time mistake by a scared teenager, but part of who she was. “She wanted you here if her daughter was found.”

“Yep. She wanted the whole family together.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Edward had told me he was one of the possibilities. “The baby she gave up was Edward’s daughter. She had two children with your dad.” And, in a way, abandoned both.

“He thinks so. Luna told me it wasn’t him. There was never a second possibility. She wants a father for the daughter and knows my father is the kind of man who’ll step up and be there for this woman.”

“Does the man know Luna is looking for the child?”

“Yes. She contacted him.”

“Who is he?”

“She wouldn’t say. Said she and the man came to an understanding then, and now, that benefits them both.”

“Do you think this man, the baby’s father, killed Luna?”

Garrison nodded. “But the sheriff and the chief have closed the case.”

“Why?”

“Because they have found the murderer.”

“Who? Why don’t you believe them?”

“Because they say the murderer is Katrina. Apparently, a note was found in her old room that ties her into this and an EpiPen was hidden in a shoe.”

“Who found the note?”

“A security guard along with the Chief Quinn and Sheriff Rhodes. Rhodes didn’t trust Quinn, and Quinn didn’t trust him, so the security guard went with them.”

“That does seem rather convenient,” I said. “Did they say what was in the note?”

“They wouldn’t give me many details just that it appears she’d been researching Luna a lot. Luna wasn’t the first celebrity Katrina had tried claiming was her mother.”

“Why hadn’t anyone discovered this beforehand?” At least Marie. Why hadn’t she made sure that Luna was protected from Katrina…unless that was what the argument between Marie and Katrina was about the first night I was here.

“Because Luna wanted her here anyway. Luna convinced Anne to let Katrina be her assistant, even though the woman didn’t have any experience.”

“Your mother wanted Katrina here in case she was her daughter and once Marie knew it wasn’t true, she wanted Katrina gone.” And Luna sent Marie to d0 the dirty work.

Something was troubling me about this conversation. Edward hadn’t said he shared the letter with Garrison, so how did he know about it? I squirmed in the seat. Why hadn’t I picked up anything from Katrina. You’d think I’d be better at reading people—especially killers by now.

“How did you find out?” I scooted over to the end of the seat and gripped the bar on the passenger side, preparing to bail if necessary.

“Luna. She told me she was being blackmailed about her past and I’d soon hear she had a daughter. She was getting all the key players together. I asked her who was the dad and she said it wasn’t an important detail.”

The barn-like building loomed in front of us. The diner was packed. The parking lot was filled with motorcycles, trucks, cars and a section of the lot was portioned off with ropes on the ground with a sign stating it was for golf carts only.

The cart rolled over the rope and Garrison pulled to a stop at the end of a row of carts. Each one had winter gear stored in the back. Everyone was waiting until the last moment to don their gear for the scene. Couldn’t say I blamed them.

“Do you know everyone who’s on the cast and crew?” I asked.

“Pretty much. Why?” Garrison turned off the engine and pocketed the key.

“Did your mom tell you all the names of the women she thought were her daughter?”

“You. Katrina. Olivia.”

“There were two more. One of the women Marie had no information on. Everyone has been tied to the movie in some way, either hired or considered to work on the film. I think she either lives in town or is working on the movie.”

“What’s her name?”

“Desiree Young.”

There was a flash in his eyes, like a moment of recognition before he blinked, and the expression faded from his gaze. His shoulders slumped forward. “Marie was at the end of her list and died before confirming for Luna that this woman was her daughter. That’s a shame.”

Was that what Marie was doing? Eliminating the candidates first before moving on to the next. In a way it made sense, why give a woman false hope about their birth mother looking for them, but it also seemed to draw out the process longer. Paul would know his cousin’s work process best.

Maybe the only tie to Carol Lake was it was a small town, not too far and not too close to Harmony, and perfect for the movie’s home base. The large town might have more people asking questions, diving into Luna’s past while the small-town people were less trusting of the movie folk and kept their distance.

“I’m going inside for a drink and a sandwich. You can join me.”

“I wanted to check out the bazaar booths in the town square and make sure they have everything.” And chat with Ike.

I headed toward the center of town. Birds chirped and flew around. How was the crew dealing with that? Maybe that was why a lot of the scenes, especially the outdoor ones, were filmed at night. No birds or other wildlife running around.

Twenty booths created a circle in the town square. There were food booths and craft booths. The stuffed creatures and critters I bought from Sharon were split into two booths. The Christmas themed ones filled up one while the magical and other animals were in another. The ornaments I created were hung on small artificial trees that filled up a booth near a movie camera. I couldn’t help the excitement racing through me knowing it was a featured spot in the film.

I spotted Ike in the middle of the circle, checking off his list. The man was as enamored with his list as Santa Claus. Hopefully, he had Desiree on it. I wasn’t looking forward to going shop-to-shop and asking if anyone knew a Desiree Young.

“Is a Desiree Young a part of the cast or crew?” I asked.

“Why should I tell you?” Ike held the list protectively to his chest.

“Because she might be important to what’s been happening around here.” It was the best answer I could give him without revealing too much.

“She’s responsible for the pranks?”

I stared at him, debating with myself on running with that theory or remaining vague. I waited too long and Ike’s eyes widened.

“You think she’s involved in Luna’s death. Why isn’t the chief or the sheriff asking me about her instead of you?”

It was a good question. “Because they think they have the murderer. If they’re wrong someone else could be in danger.”

“Like who?” His eyes narrowed.

“Anne. She was thrown into the lake. Katrina was likely already dead when that happened.” Something the police and sheriff were overlooking. “Please can I look at your list, or can you tell me if Desiree Young is on it?”

“Fine, I’ll look, but I’m telling the chief about this conversation.” Ike flipped through his list, running a finger over everyone’s name. “You’d think I’d have them memorized by now.”

I shifted my weight, doing my best not to lean against Ike and read the list myself. After ten minutes, I caved to temptation and crowded into Ike’s personal space. “Do you have the cast members listed by their real name or stage name?”

Ike tugged the clipboard away from me. “I only need the names used on set. There’s enough here to keep track of without remembering birth names.”

“Does anyone know?”

“Yes, Edward and Vernon.”

“Vernon?”

“Yes, he’s a financial attorney and since he already knew some of Luna’s financial business from having been her husband, and he was a hometown boy, he was hired for the film. We had to make sure we were following all the tax laws and rules for Indiana.”

Vernon knew everyone’s name.