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Cassidy relieved Dee at the information booth so she could check out the vendors. Happy that they had a good turnout, her thoughts drifted to other types of events that would bring folks out like a spring 10K around the track and a craft show. When there was a lull in questions, she posted the pictures she’d taken on the track’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
A shadow loomed over the table. Cassidy looked up to see Uncle Henry lean forward. “How’re things? The crowd has been steady all day. And all the vendors I talked to have been really pleased with their sales.”
“That’s good news. Hopefully, they’ll help spread the word about our activities. What have you been up to? I haven’t seen much of you. Did you get one of the apple cider doughnuts?”
He nodded. “Rita saved me a couple. They went fast. Concessions and track souvenirs have been selling well, too. Good job, kiddo. I’ve been pounding the pavement and chatting. It’s amazing what you pick up when you listen. Ron Silver wasn’t too well thought of. People offer the typical condolences, but they’re quick to pile on with all his faults, how he cheated customers and how he tried to get out of paying his bills.”
“Any scuttlebutt on his wife? She seems nice, but she’s the grieving widow one minute, and then she’s trying to sell dining room furniture the next. I talked to the grandson a bit. He didn’t seem too broken up about the family’s loss either.”
“They’re an interesting bunch. They moved here when Ron retired. Pearl’s family is from here, so I guess they moved back to be near them. He bought an abandoned retail property on Rt. 360 and opened a ‘furniture emporium.’ ”
“Ever been in there?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No need to. Don’t need any furniture.”
“Any other juicy info?” Cassidy slid her phone in her pocket.
“Norma Raye’s cat had a litter of six kitties, and Tara Thompson is engaged to that Burroughs kid who works at the garage. In racing news, Dickie Ellis’s son Richie is expanding the race team. He’s sponsoring his cousin Otter. They’re going to come and talk to me next week about getting him qualified.”
Cassidy raised her eyebrows. It was about time the Ellis family had some good news. The murder last season had caused a lot of heartbreak in the county.
She shook off the melancholic feelings. “So, what’s next for you?”
“I’m going to do some more glad-handing and probably get me a cheeseburger. I saw you chatting with that young buck at the picnic tables.”
“You should have stopped by. Todd was filling me in on what he learned today.”
It was Uncle Henry’s turn to raise his eyebrows. He cracked a slight smile. “You seem to be spending a lot of time with law enforcement these days. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else good.”
Dee returned while Cassidy was checking what felt like hundreds of emails that appeared in her inbox. “All done shopping?” Cassidy asked.
“I found some cute Christmas decorations, a side table for my sun porch, and a bookshelf made from a recycled wooden ladder. I need to stop before I buy more stuff.” Dee plopped down in the plastic chair next to Cassidy.
“It was busy when you left, but it’s tapered off, so I’m going to check it out. Hope I can resist the urge to shop.”
“It may be hard,” Dee said. “A lot of the vendors are discounting stuff they don’t want to haul home. That’s why I’m staying put here. If I come home with too much, Steve will pitch a fit. He says we have too much clutter now.”
Cassidy rose. “I’m going to see how things are going. Holler if you need anything.”
She lapped the track again and slowed down as she approached Pearl Silver’s booth. Zac, focused on his phone, stood near a dresser and four-poster bed with a canopy while his grandmother showed furniture to an older couple. She prattled on and on about the quality of the wood and the craftsmanship. She mentioned some manufacturer and raved about how the product held its value. Many of the pieces were gone, including the china hutch and dining room set.
Cassidy moved over to Marti’s booth. The tall woman scrambled, almost knocking down a stool, to greet Cassidy. “Things seem to be winding down. Are you back to look at more jewelry?” Marti asked.
“Did you make all these?”
“They’re all my designs, and my mother makes the paper beads.”
“Lovely,” Cassidy looked at beaded necklaces made from old sheets of music. “I hope sales have been good today.”
“Marvelous. I stayed busy most of the day. Even you-know-who did well today. I can’t believe folks carted off that heavy furniture.” Marti nodded her head in Pearl’s direction. “It’s not my style, but obviously somebody likes early American or early country. Whatever it’s called. She played the merry widow who could turn on the tears. I think she got some sympathy sales. She really knows when to turn on the waterworks. At least I didn’t have to listen to her husband bloviate all day.”
Cassidy nodded and looked over at Pearl, who was wiping her eyes with a tissue as a man handed over his credit card.
Finishing her circuit around the track, she checked on the concessions. Rita reported that food sales were higher than their best race weekend. The volunteers in the souvenir booths reported great sales, too. Cassidy beamed. Her ideas, not always race-related, were paying off and bringing new faces to the track. Now, she had to turn them into repeat visitors.
Cassidy sat on one of the picnic tables and watched vendors pack up. The crowds streamed through the main gate to the parking lots.
Someone touched her shoulder, and she jumped.
Uncle Henry stood next to her and waved to someone heading toward the exit with a box. “Sorry, kiddo. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you. You did a great job today. You should be proud of yourself.”
“I wish it had been flawless, but I guess it went as smoothly as it could with what happened yesterday.”
“Stuff happens when you deal with the public. In the early years, we had a couple of racers die in crashes before all the protective gear was available. Each loss of life is tragic, but this and the one last summer weren’t our doing.” He patted her shoulder.
“Always the voice of reason. Thanks.”
“Jason and Brian are going to help me shoo everyone out of here. We’re a good team. I told them I’d buy them each a case of beer if we could clear the area in under an hour. We’ll see if they’ve got the juice to do it.” He winked and disappeared into the office.
Cassidy hurried home and leashed up Oliver. “Time for a walk, bud. It’s been a long, lazy day. Let’s go burn off some energy.”
Oliver wiggled his stubby tail and waited at the door.
Glad to be out and about, Oliver made a beeline for the track. He didn’t even dawdle the way he normally did, investigating every smell or bug he found along the way.
He pranced with his head held high looking for treats. Several folks on their way out stopped to greet him. He and Cassidy walked the perimeter of the track twice.
By the time, they reached the office, only a few stragglers remained. She unlocked the back door, and Oliver did several circles and found a comfortable spot on his bed. Cassidy busied herself with uploading her photos to her laptop.
Oliver and Cassidy jumped when the chatter started on the walkie talkie. “Hey, Henry. Ten minutes to go, and the back gate is closed and locked. You’re buying,” Jason said.
“And this is Brian at the front gate. There’s one more vendor on her way out, and I’ll lock the gate behind her. Old man, you’re definitely buying.”
“Good job, guys,” Henry boomed. “I think that’s a record. Swing by before you leave, and I’ve got beer money for both of you.”
Cassidy smiled. “Sounds like y’all have it down to a science. I’ve got the ROTC from the high school scheduled tomorrow to do the cleanup.”
“A win-win,” Uncle Henry said. “They earn some money for their group, and we get the track back in tip top shape.”
“Come on, Oliver. Let’s head home. It sounds like it’s all under control. Let’s go see what’s for dinner.”
At the magic “dinner” word, the dog’s ears perked up, and he zoomed to the door.
