Four

It wasn’t long after that the sheriff found me. He squatted down beside Marie and repeated the motion I had done only moments before. He removed his fingers from the pulse in her neck and stood. “I really didn’t expect this.” He heaved out a sigh.

“I don’t understand why someone would hurt her. Kill her.” Tears burned my eyes.

“Someone?” Frowning, the sheriff stood and hooked his fingers in his utility belt.

“Her gold locket is missing. Along with her cup. Her purse. She had those items this morning and they aren’t in her car.”

“Are you sure?”

“I spoke to her before she left this morning.”

“Can you describe these items?”

“Yes. The locket was round and gold on a thin chain. The tumbler was a twenty-ounce size, stainless steel with a decal on it. Drama It’s What I Do. I can’t remember much about the purse. Brown leather. Average size.”

He nodded, writing down the descriptions.

My phone pinged. With trembling hands, I glanced at the screen, fearing Paul was asking me how things were going. I wasn’t quite ready to tell him about Marie. We were at the stage of our friendship where we texted each other a couple times a day.

For a moment, relief flooded through me. I didn’t have to tell Paul yet. The message was from Anne. Guess what? Ebenezer is the new “cat” in the movie. I told the director you wouldn’t mind. We’re having difficulties getting him into his carrier. Already tried to bite Katrina and the casting director.

Bite them? Ebenezer was a little particular about people, but he’d never attacked anyone before. Then again, when he started whistling and acting the enraged diva, no one had ever tried picking him up.

The sheriff placed a hand on my wrist. “I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone what happened here.”

“She’s my friend’s cousin. I have to tell him.” My heart hurt. How was I going to tell him? The sheriff’s image blurred as tears rushed into my eyes.

“I think it’s best I call. I’m better suited to answer any questions. Do you have the number of her parents?”

I shook my head. “Only Paul’s. I don’t know how to reach them.”

“Give me his number and I’ll take care of it.”

Sirens drew closer. The ambulance was driving through the dried-out cornfield. My phone pinged again, and I couldn’t’ stop myself from gazing at the screen. Anne again. About Ebenezer.

Part of me wanted to leave and get to Ebenezer before he hurt someone, or someone hurt him, and avoid dealing with Marie’s death. The little guy must be terrified to react so badly to going into his carrier. The other part of me knew the proper thing to do was wait until after the sheriff spoke to me. And I should stay here with Marie—for Paul.

“Go ahead and head out. I know where to find you.”

“I have to be here. For his cousin.”

He centered a soft look on me and rested a hand on my shoulder. “There’s nothing you can do for her.”

I shuddered. Responsibilities warred against each other. I felt bad shifting some of focus from Marie to Ebenezer. But he was out of control and might hurt someone. What would happen if he bit someone? Would animal control be called? Would he be taken away?

“Whatever you need to do seems important. Go on. I’ll take care of things here.”

  

Pulling the borrowed car to a stop near my RV, I glanced over at my cell phone. Every minute that passed, I felt more and more like a horrible person and that I made a grave mistake. I should’ve called Paul myself instead of agreeing with the sheriff. The sheriff’s reasoning was logical, Paul would have questions I couldn’t answer, but I was the one who found her. More importantly, I was Paul’s friend. Friends shouldn’t take the easy way out of a situation.

I opened the car door and an exasperated screech flittered past the front door of my RV. I hurried up the steps, clunks and clatters floated past the door and all other thoughts rushed out of my head. I was glad for the distraction and focusing on a simple problem: getting Ebenezer into his carrier. More bangs erupted from the RV. Were they trying to contain Ebenezer or kill him? I yanked the door open and charged inside.

The small tabletop Christmas tree near my crafting zone was on the ground. Some of the plastic balls were rolling across the floor and the star was blinking on and off. The yellow, green, and red lights created a disco-tech effect on the floor. Ebenezer was gleefully chasing a piece of paper across the living room. The little guy was bouncing off anything, including a set of metal Santa Clauses that had been residing on the kitchen counter. He smacked the lilac paper ball and scampered after it.

“No,” Katrina squealed and dove for the ball, scattering the Santas around the living room.

Ebenezer perked up. Chase was one of his favorite games.

“What’s going on?” I snagged the carrier from the couch and placed it on the floor.

“Your guinea pig stole that paper from my purse.” Her voice was growing more frantic. “I need that.”

“Since he wants it, put it in the carrier and we can secure him inside.”

“He’ll eat it.” She reached for the ball of paper. Ebenezer hit it with his head away from her hand.

“I can get it out before he even tastes it.” I weaved around the boxes of supplies, following after the blur of red, white, and brown fur racing for the back of the RV with his new toy. I squatted down and walked toward Ebenezer, reaching toward the makeshift ball.

He wriggled his nose and zipped past me, carrying his prize with his teeth. I dove for him and missed him by centimeters. Ebenezer zigged while I zagged. A corner of the wadded paper dangled from his tiny teeth. Ebenezer scurried under the recliner, shimmying his backside until his whole body was underneath.

I flattened myself on the ground and tapped on the floor, giving him my best “mom” look. “Come out from under there right now.”

He squashed his face up and began to slowly chew on the ball.

“No,” I squealed. “Stop it. You’re going to choke.”

Ebenezer ignored my distress and continued chowing down.

“You’ll kill yourself.” My voice grew more panicked. “Stop. Now.”

I reached under the recliner. My arms weren’t long enough. What was I going to do now? Not only was Ebenezer ruining a prized possession of Katrina’s but was also likely going to choke on it. I was a terrible pet parent.

There was a knock on the door. I weighed my dilemma: answer the door or retrieve the paper.

The answer came to me as Katrina cried out in triumph. “I got it.”

I scrambled to my feet, righted the Christmas tree, and answered the door.

“About time.” An irritated Ike stood on the stairs. “Has the guinea pig been contained yet? Edward does not want the pet written out.”

Ebenezer zoomed out from under the couch and I scooped his flying body into my arms. “No, you don’t, you rascal.”

Ike slammed the door shut. The bulbs on the Christmas tree in my RV swayed. The glittered Merry bulb swayed back and forth and clicked against the Bright blub that was beside it.

“Why must you be so difficult?” I placed Ebenezer into the carrier and zipped it shut, tapping my finger on the mesh panel.

“I’ll come back and help with the craft projects.” Katrina tugged the strap of her bag onto her shoulder. “It’s best if I leave my stuff in my room.”

The critter wriggled his nose at her.

“Change of plans.” Ike pointed at Katrina. “I need you to head up to the main house. Marie hasn’t returned from her errands yet. You’ll assist Ms. Carmichael until she returns.”

My stomach plummeted. The sheriff didn’t want me to share what I knew, but how long could I keep it a secret?

“Really? You want me to assist Ms. Carmichael?” Katrina’s blue eyes lit up. “Should I head right over or drop off my bag first?”

Ike shooed at her. “Take it with you. Ms. Carmichael is in dire need. First order is going into town and getting her some coffee.”

Katrina nodded and raced out of the RV. I couldn’t blame her. Even though I loved crafting, I’d also prefer being Luna Carmichael’s assistant for a few hours. It wasn’t every day one was the right-hand woman for a Christmas icon. But how did Katrina move from being the possible crafter hired for the movie to Anne’s assistant? Unless she was local-ish, it seemed strange to have her come all this way for a potential job.

Ike squatted down and looked at Ebenezer. “So, the charming and handsome Ebenezer is finally cooperating.”

“He’s been forced into it,” I said.

“Why don’t you go ahead and take him over? The sooner Ms. Carmichael and the replacement pet make each other’s acquaintances the better.” Ike’s phone buzzed. He glanced down at the screen and groaned. “And the sooner the better. Apparently, the sheriff has arrived and is insisting on speaking to Ms. Carmichael. I must now go tell him about his missing cat and that the set is closed. No one but cast and crew are allowed. No matter who.”

“With all the pranks happening, maybe it’s a good idea law enforcement is hanging around,” I said.

“An irritated Ms. Carmichael is not a good Ms. Carmichael to work with. Right now, it’s Edward’s time for Ms. Carmichael’s attention. Sheriff Rhodes can have her attention back once filming is done. Though, not apparent to him, Ms. Carmichael has moved on from Sheriff Rhodes.”

“What do you mean?”

He rolled his eyes. “I have worked with Ms. Carmichael long enough that I know when she wants to move on from a man, she finds another to speed it along. Now that Vernon O’Neal has been shooed off, Ms. Carmichael no longer has a need for the sheriff’s attention.”

“But his cat—”

A devious smiled flittered across his face. “Well, we longer have the cat, now do we.”

No, we didn’t. I pressed back a frown. Was the man insinuating Luna, or someone on the crew, deliberately lost the cat? I wasn’t sure about loaning them Ebenezer. I fiddled with the strap of the carrier. Ebenezer gazed at me with trusting eyes. I was his person. The person responsible for his well-being. Was I doing the right thing letting him become a Christmas movie star?

“Filming starts soon.” Ike opened the door and motioned for me to leave.

“I’m not sure…” I trailed off. Sometimes the truth wasn’t the best policy. I doubted he’d take it well that I didn’t trust handing over my pet to Luna Carmichael.

He heaved out a sign and glanced at his clipboard. “There’s no time for hesitation. Just take the guinea pig there. I’m sure he’ll behave on the set. All he needs to do is stay still and nibble on snacks.”

The nibbling was no problem. It was Ebenezer’s favorite pastime. The staying still was a whole different story. “It’s not really that.”

“He’ll be fine. I don’t really have another option for the pet, and you do have props to make.”

The list. I tugged the list of crafters I took from the car from my back pocket and held it out. “Marie gave me a list of crafters who could possible help. Do you have the contact information for any of them?” I changed the details a bit to protect the information I had to keep secret.

Without even looking at it, Ike responded. “No. Ms. Carmichael and Marie were responsible for hiring the crafter.”

“Isn’t that unusual for one of the stars to hire the people making the props?”

“Not when it comes to Luna. She wanted control over that aspect since the crafters played a subtle role in the movie. Since she wrote the script, and was helping finance the movie, Edward allowed it.” Ike headed for the door, froze, brows drawing down as he frowned. He snapped his fingers. “I do remember Marie and Luna exchanged words about one of the crafters. Something about Luna ghosting the woman. It wasn’t the way to treat someone especially when the woman lived close enough to stop and start asking questions. It was right after that Luna hired security guards.”

  

The slight breeze drifted over my skin as I puttered down the road in a four-seater golf cart. I hadn’t realized summer was so hot in Indiana. It was already approaching eight-two degrees and the day was just starting. The radio had predicted the weather would be unseasonably warm this week. Not the best time to film a Christmas movie where the cast had to parade around outside in winter coats and boots.

This wasn’t the relaxing time I had envisioned. Keeping secrets, avoiding mentioning anything unpleasant to Luna, and coming up with additional crafts for the production, and the worst was waiting to receive a phone call from Paul.

I shook my head and centered my attention back on what I was doing: driving and finding a dirt road. At the speed I was driving, I could’ve walked faster. The dirt path was bumpy, and I didn’t want to risk jostling the box of glass Christmas ornaments on the floorboard of the back seat or Ebenezer, who was safely tucked into his fabric carrier. The small storage area at the back of the cart had a box filled with wooden signs. A bungee cord was keeping that box secured to the cart.

Coming to a complete stop, I checked the written directions Ike scribbled down for me. Go to the end of the row of trailers, after half a mile, make a hard right onto a dirt path and then at the end was the house where today’s shooting would take place.

“Well, at least we’ll be in shade.” I headed down the long gravel path. Every few feet, “Private Property” or “No Trespassing” signs were nailed onto a tree. Whoever had bought the area sure wanted it known they wanted no one venturing into the woods. Kind of surprised they’d allow the old farmland to house the RVs and trailers housing the equipment, crew, and cast on the property.

The dirt road snuck up on me, and I made a quick, hard right, pushing down on the gas to get over the slight incline appearing the moment I turned. The passenger side front wheel bumped over an object, tipping the side up for a moment. A nightmare of Ebenezer, me, and all my hard work splattering onto the ground filled my head. Fortunately, the cart righted itself. I eased off the gas and the cart stopped, taking in a deep breath to settle my racing heart.

“You all right?” I leaned over and looked through the mesh panel of the carrier. Ebenezer was dozing. Nice to know one of us wasn’t affected by our near disaster. I slid out and walked to the passenger side, wanting to remove whatever had almost caused us to flip. I’d hate for anyone else to run over it.

Near the tire was a stainless steel tumbler with a Drama, It’s What I Do decal on it. Marie’s cup. Prickles raced up and down my arms. How did it get here? Why would Marie have driven back to the house before she went into town? Maybe Marie forgot something and went back for it. But how would the cup have ended up here? No one threw an empty Yeti out the window. Had she stopped and it fell out?

Using two fingers, I picked it up, carefully not to plaster my prints all over it. I twisted the cup, examining it. It was scuffed up and some dirt pressed into it, likely from having run over it. Maybe I was wrong, and it wasn’t Marie’s. The design wasn’t that unusual. Might be something everyone who was part of the cast and crew was given. I put it in one of the boxes. No harm in asking. If someone else had dropped it, I was sure they’d want it back. Those cups weren’t cheap.

I returned to the driver’s seat and headed toward the house where today’s filming was taking place. The shade from the trees kept me cool. Unease drifted through me the longer I drove. Where was the end of it? Had I missed a turn-off? Ike’s directions didn’t say how long I was to continue before I missed the house. You’d think he’d have us closer. Then again, I was driving in a golf cart, distances likely seemed a little farther away than in a car.

After driving a few more yards, there was the large, two-story farmhouse with a gleaming pond a hundred yards from the front door. Toward the left-hand side, almost one hundred and fifty yards away was a barn. Last night, the golf cart I rode in had come from the back of the house, I hadn’t seen the front. It was a beautiful house but there wasn’t one indication of Christmas. I had a bad feeling about this. There were a lot of items I made, but outdoor lighted decorations weren’t on my list.

On the long, circular driveway there was a line of parked cars and trucks. Cameras and lights were being removed from rental moving vans. I hoped some of the outdoor Christmas decorations were in the vans being unloaded and not in the shed. I had no idea how the director would replace all those items. Stores didn’t have much in the way of Christmas yard decorations this time of the year. The gazebo, while beautiful, said “enjoy the lovely summertime,” not “gear up for a spectacular Christmas.” How could they film anything Christmas in such a non-Christmassy place?

If the items couldn’t be replaced, would the movie be cancelled or delayed? With my mom’s health issues, I couldn’t stay here for an extended period of time. I was already a little concerned about my two weeks away from home, though it was a needed break. And I was excited about Ebenezer’s role in the movie and also having some of my crafts appear on the small screen.

I drove past the line-up of cars waiting to unload, looking for a spot big enough for a golf cart. I didn’t have that much to unload and had a long list of crafts to make. There was a golf-cart-sized spot between two of the vans. As I parked, a man in an orange vest ran over to me.

“You can’t park that here. Crew parking is at the old pond. Near the shed that caught on fire. It’s a short walk.”

“Nothing’s a short walk carrying a guinea pig and boxes of decorations. Once I unload, I’ll move the golf cart.”

“No animals on the set. And I still can’t let you park here. Another truck is rolling in soon and I need to tighten everyone up so it’ll fit.”

“Ebenezer is replacing the cat someone accidentally freed.”

“Well, make sure it doesn’t get loose. I don’t have time for chasing another animal through the woods. I’ll have some of my guys take the boxes right now.”

“Did you drop a Yeti cup? I found one a few yards back on the dirt path. Looks like something that was made for the cast and crew.” I pointed at it.

He snorted. “I wouldn’t carry that around.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not a drama guy and we wouldn’t have gotten one anyway. Security isn’t considered part of the cast and crew. We’re allowed access to areas that everyone else isn’t.”

As he spoke, two helpers removed the box of ornaments and signs from the golf cart. It was like watching a NASCAR pit crew. They reached in, removed the bungee cords, picked up the boxes, then scuttled into the house in what seemed like one smooth motion.

“Like where?”

His eyes narrowed on me and he crossed his massive arms across his chest. “Why are you asking?”

“No one told me. I’d hate to be somewhere I wasn’t allowed,” I said.

The suspicion in his face softened. “The house, unless it’s being used for filming, is off limits, and anything on the property surrounding the house. Also, the director’s office and inside of any of the personal trailers.”

And yet, someone had found it reasonable to allow Luna and others into my RV.

The man in the orange vest tapped the top of the cart. “Park this on the side of the house. Now.”

A security guard in black pants and a navy polo directed me toward the parking area, keeping a close eye on me as if he thought I’d park in the middle of the flower garden.

There was a grouping of trees, long branches with leaves draping down creating a small alcove of shade. The perfect spot for my golf cart. The safest way to get me and Ebenezer out of the golf cart, and not damage the tree, was backing in so we could slip out the driver’s side. Since driving the RV, my skills at backing up had improved immensely. It took a lot of practice, but I was finally confident in pulling the RV into spaces, and with my newfound confidence in driving it, it made all other vehicles easy to control. Except for motorcycles. That was one mode of transportation off my list.

“Let’s go find out where they want you.” I snagged the handle of Ebenezer’s carrier and debated about heading to the back door, but decided against hopscotching over the patches of snow that were on the ground.

I walked up the front steps, carefully avoiding the men and women hanging up lights, wreaths, and of course a sprig of mistletoe over the door.

A crew member stared at me and Ebenezer, who was pressing against the mesh part of his cage.

I held up the carrier. “Ebenezer the guinea pig is the new cat.”

The woman smiled. “You can take the new cat upstairs. His scene will be in the study, but first take him to the second bedroom on the right and introduce him to Ms. Carmichael. It’s her private dressing room.”

I walked up the stairs. Keep calm. Don’t reveal anything, I ordered myself. Instead of an excited anxiousness tripping through me, it was straight up anxiety. I was finally going to meet Luna Carmichael, my Christmas idol, and I was keeping a secret from her: her assistant had died.

A decade ago, Luna had been the heroine in Christmas romance movies. Heck, she had practically been Christmas. There wasn’t a week she wasn’t appearing in something Christmassy. Over the years, the number of movies she starred in tapered off and she went from being the lead heroine, to the friend of the lead heroine, then the mother of the heroine. The last few years, I hadn’t seen Luna Carmichael in a Christmas movie.

Ebenezer whistled from his carrier. Pausing at the door, I lifted the cage to my face and smiled at him. “This will be fun. You get to be in a Christmas movie.”

I opened the door to the bedroom and walked right into a rack of clothing.

“Last minute changes,” a cool, refined voice said. “Who does he think he’s dealing with? I request changes not him. Testing me won’t work out well for him.”

“It’s probably a mistake,” A woman said. “Or the work of the prankster. Heard Ike’s golf cart had a flat tire this morning. He actually had to walk to get coffee.”

“Coffee that didn’t exist.” There was a delightful laugh. “Couldn’t have happened to a worthier foe.”

I knew that laugh. I heard it on many Christmas movies past. Luna Carmichael. I fought with a long coat and scarf, doing my best to keep the knitted scarf away from Ebenezer’s teeth. Fortunately, he was still confined in the carrier and the mesh didn’t allow him to snag an end of the accessory.

“I believe we have a visitor,” Luna said.

Hangers screeched as the outfits parted and a young woman stared at me. “Are you lost?”

Behind her, Luna sat in a plush office style chair in front of a mirror, eyes closed. Her face was heavily lined from age. Wisps of gray broke through the deep burnished brunette color of her just-past-the-shoulder-length hair. It was Luna Carmichael. My breath caught in my throat. She was two arm’s length away from me.

Luna swiveled her chair, peered at Ebenezer and screeched. “Why is that woman carrying around a rat?”

I refrained from rolling my eyes at the woman who had once been my Christmas hero. “This is Ebenezer. He’s a guinea pig and your character’s beloved pet. The casting director asked I bring him over for you to meet.”

Luna spun back around. “I guess that creature is better than the demonic cat.”

“You were the one who arranged for the demonic cat.” The young woman returned to Luna’s side and began arranging her hair in an updo.

“I hadn’t realized its temperament was so horrible. The thing hisses and growls at me constantly. Never imagined such a sweet-looking thing was so evil.” Luna flicked her hand, poinsettia berry red nails glimmered in the lights and a big, diamond ring sparkled on her hand. “Have someone set the demon feline free. I have no more use for it.”

“I don’t think we should do that.” The stylist turned her head toward me, rolling her eyes. “It’s never a good idea to anger law enforcement.”

Luna laughed. “I can handle that man.”

No one had told Luna the cat escaped. Ike acted like she was pleased about the situation. Maybe he knew her well enough to know, or her hating the cat might not have been a secret. Would someone let the cat out of the house to please Luna? My thoughts briefly flickered to Katrina. She was thrilled about her “promotion.” But she hadn’t known Marie wasn’t returning from her errand. Though, I’d think she’d have told Luna by now. Then again, Katrina wasn’t in the room when Ike told me. She might not know yet or hadn’t wanted to start off the new working relationship with “your cat’s gone.”

“Actually, the cat is gone. That’s why Ebenezer was hired,” I said. No one told me I couldn’t say that. It was also a good secret to test out Luna’s reaction. Since she didn’t like the cat, it was the easiest “bad” news to give her.

Luna’s meticulously plucked eyebrows arched up. There was a hopeful look on her face. “Gone as in…”

“Ran out the door.”

Luna laughed, a childlike delighted sound. “How utterly fabulous. The universe must be pleased with me. Make sure security knows that Randolph is not to step one foot inside this house anymore. My need for him has vanished. What a wonderful day this is turning out to be. Be a dear and hand me my script. I can have those changes memorized in ten minutes.”

“That’ll be hard,” the stylist said. “The sheriff trumps the security team.”

“Not in my world, and this is my world.” Luna snapped her fingers and pointed at me then the script pages.

I picked up the stack of papers Luna jabbed her bright red nail at and handed them to her.

“You’re dismissed,” she said.

The door opened and the scent of coffee wrapped around me. It was heavenly. I took in a deep breath, trying to identify the other scent mixed in with the familiar smell of coffee. Gingerbread? No. It was a little nuttier. Hazelnut?

Katrina waded through the clothes.

“Took you long enough.” Luna snapped. “Thought I had another disappearing assistant. Have you reached Marie yet?”

My heart pounded. I pressed my hand to my chest like I wanted to muffle the sound.

Katrina shook her head. “I’ve called her personal cell phone and her work phone.”

Work phone? Marie had two phones. I only saw one in the car.

“Where is that woman?” Luna studied her reflection in the mirror dabbing at the corner of her mouth with a tissue. “She knows I can’t handle her being gone for too long.”

“I promise I can do a good job for you Ms. Carmichael.” Katrina smiled. “Ike has told me exactly how you like everything.”

“Considering Ike doesn’t know I don’t drink coffee with a nut flavor, he doesn’t know anything. Take that out of here.”

“I’ll talk with everyone here.” Katrina covered up the spout of the coffee lid. “I’ll make sure I know everything about you.”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” Luna snapped at the eager woman. Katrina’s lips trembled. “Just go.”

The door opened. Before I looked over my shoulder, the stylist gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth as her eyes widened in delight. Luna swiveled toward the door and her eyes narrowed to a slit. I knew who it was without having to look—Sheriff Randolph Rhodes. His sheriff hat was tucked under one arm.

“Did I not say he was banned from this house.” Luna’s hands knotted into fists and she glared at the sheriff. Why was she so hostile toward him? Was it because of the rumors of the affair? Did she think he started them?

“I’m your hair stylist, not your assistant. No one told security not to let him in. And he is the sheriff.” The stylist took the coffee cup and walked out of the room, leaving us to deal with the fall out.

Luna fixed a steely gaze on her replacement assistant. “Why didn’t you?”

Katrina swallowed and stepped back. “I didn’t know.”

Sheriff Rhodes stepped in front of the scared assistant, gaze meeting mine for a moment before he focused on Luna. “I’m here on official business, Luna.” His voice was soft, tender.

Luna tilted her head to the side. Everything in her gaze said she had no trust for him. “Trying to shut down the production again?”

“I’m sorry, Luna. Marie died in a car accident. She skidded off the road and crashed into a baler.” He glanced over at me. “She wandered away from the accident and succumbed to her injury and the heat. We found her a few miles from the accident.”

There weren’t any skid marks. I held back my frown. Why was he lying to her? My mind replayed the scene. The phone was on the ground. Cracked. Had Marie been texting and driving? Was the sheriff trying to save Marie’s reputation and not let anyone know?

Katrina gasped and covered her mouth.

Luna swayed for a brief moment before she stood ramrod straight. “Was she coming here or leaving?”

Randolph eyed her suspiciously. “What?”

“Marie. Was she leaving town or returning when she crashed?”

“Is that important?” His eyes narrowed.

“I want to see the car,” Luna said. “Arrange for that to happen by the end of the day.”

“It was totaled Luna,” Randolph said. “There’s nothing to see.”

I drew in a sharp breath. Another lie. The sheriff fixed a hard stare on me. I eased back into the clothing. He knew someone else had seen the truth. Did he expect me to keep all the details quiet?

Katrina stepped closer to me, crowding into my personal space. With the reddening of Luna and Randolph’s face, and the clenched fists, the two looked ready to come to blows.

“Unless the car was blown to smithereens, it still exists. It’s my car. I need to get pictures for insurance purposes.” Luna opened the vanity drawer and slammed it. Items rolled off the top and fell onto the floor.

“The deputies can send you some.” The sheriff nodded at the vanity. “You should be careful. You’ll break something.”

Eyeing him for a long moment, Luna opened the drawer and banged it closed. The mirror rattled and hit into the wall. More bottles tumbled to the ground. Two knocked into each other and a strong rose scent enveloped the room.

Luna tipped her chin up, doing her best to look down on the man who was a few inches taller than her. “Not good enough. I want pictures of the inside and outside. Today.”

“Do you think I’m lying to you about Marie dying?” The sheriff squatted for a moment and scooped an item from the floor, fisting his hand around it. The muscles in his neck twitched as if he was fighting the urge to shoot another look over at me.

Katrina and I knelt down and picked up small bottles and tubes from the floor. He was fibbing about the condition of the car. Though, it was possible the damage to the front end and engine qualified the car as being totaled for insurance purposes.

She narrowed her eyes. “And if I do, whose fault is that?”

“Marie’s body is at the morgue. You can stop by. I’m sure the coroner will make time for you and show you her body.” The bitterness from the man was undisguised. He placed his hands, still fisted, at his side.

Maybe there had been something going on between them that ended abruptly and without both parties wanting the end. My gaze volleyed back and forth between the two. In the heat of their anger, they forgot there was a witness present during this conversation. Two witnesses. There was no way these two were in a relationship. The rumors were totally off base. Heck, my ex-husband Samuel and I got along better during our breakup and subsequent divorce, and Samuel had dragged it out for months to torment me. A woman had just died, and they couldn’t pull back their anger enough to grieve or for the sheriff to show some decorum to a friend of the deceased.

“I just find it odd, you’re the one to tell me. Why not Carol Lake’s police chief?” Luna asked.

“It happened outside the town’s jurisdiction.”

“How convenient.” Luna stretched out the last word. Animosity oozing out of every prolonged syllable.

Randolph stared at her, tossing the item he held onto the vanity top. Gaze unreadable. “Why do you want to see the car, Luna?”

“Better question is why don’t you want me to?”