Ellen returned my call around lunchtime, explaining that she’d been out buying groceries when I’d tried to phone her earlier.
“Gavin left this morning, saying he was going to be out on his boat most of the day, so I thought it was a good time to leave the house,” Ellen said.
“Boat, huh? Well, maybe that’s where he is now, but …” I took a deep breath before detailing my discovery of Gavin rummaging through the trunks and boxes in Chapters’s attic.
I didn’t have to see her face to know that Ellen was livid. Her voice shook with anger. “You would’ve been within your rights to call the police on him. Breaking and entering is still a crime, even for a government agent.”
“True, but I thought it might be better to hold off and offer you some leverage over him. Maybe if you threaten him with my taking legal action, he’ll actually tell you what he’s up to.” I drummed my fingers against the kitchen countertop. “One thing still confuses me—why do you have to allow him to stay at your house? I know he’s digging into past operations that might’ve involved you as well as Isabella, but now that you’re retired …”
“As I’ve mentioned before, no one really retires from my line of work. Not entirely.” Ellen’s sharp tone softened. “I was ordered to provide him with a base of operations. To refuse could’ve made things worse.”
“It would have made it look like you had something to hide?”
“Yes. And I thought my willingness to help might mitigate any … negative information he digs up.”
“Is there any?” I asked, before I could stop myself. “I mean, do you have any skeletons rattling around in closets I should know about?” I punctuated this question with a nervous laugh.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Ellen sighed. “Anyway, I appreciate you thinking of me, but I still say you have every right to confront Gavin about breaking into your house. If he needed to search your attic, I’m sure you would’ve allowed it, if I vouched for his actual identity. At any rate, he could’ve asked.”
“I don’t know what he might’ve found this morning. Maybe you should query him about that. Catch him off guard by letting him know you’re aware of his clandestine activities.”
“I might just do that.”
A fleeting shadow made me start and glance out one of the kitchen windows. It was just a bird flitting by, of course. Your nerves are frayed as an old rope, I thought, before deciding that I wanted to take a walk. Some fresh air would clear my head, and if I wandered down to Front Street, I knew the waterfront vista would calm me.
“Listen,” I told Ellen. “I wonder if you could do me a tremendous favor?”
“Certainly, if it’s within my power.”
“I’d like to take a walk, but I don’t want to leave the house locked up with no one here. Alicia’s off today, and I’m afraid some of my guests might return from their boat excursion before I get back. Do you think you could come over and stay here while I’m out? You’re welcome to bring Shandy along, if that’s an issue.”
“I’d be happy to do that, and Shandy will be fine in his crate for a few hours.” Ellen’s tone brightened. “I can spend some time in the library. I never get tired of perusing Isabella’s books.”
“Thanks so much. I really feel like I need a little break. Maybe I’ll go and visit Julie at the shop or something.”
“Excellent idea. Hold on, I’ll take Shandy out and then pop over.”
“You’re a lifesaver,” I said.
“It’s really no bother. I wouldn’t mind a little change of scenery myself,” Ellen said, before hanging up.
While I waited for Ellen to arrive, I changed into a gauzy white cotton blouse and aqua-blue linen slacks. I also switched out my sandals for a pair of sturdy tennis shoes. I wanted to make sure I had the appropriate footwear for a hike.
When Ellen was safely ensconced in the library, and after I gained her promise to attend Friday’s tea and cocktail parties as a secret interrogator, I headed out the front door, locking it behind me. She’d easily hear the doorbell if any guests returned before I did.
My feet carried me toward the water, which wasn’t unusual. I found the waterfront soothing and visited it whenever I felt anxious or upset. Reaching the midway point on the boardwalk, I decided to stop by Bookwaves to see if Julie was available for a chat. I knew she often ran the shop by herself during part of the afternoon so that Dayna, her only full-time employee, could take a class at the local community college.
But as soon as I stepped inside Bookwaves, I realized Julie wasn’t alone. Of course, I remembered, Amanda promised to sign books today.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I raised my voice over the jangling of the bell that hung from the top of the front door.
Amanda looked up at me over a stack of hardback books. “Don’t worry. I’m just signing stock for Julie to sell later.”
Julie waved a sheet of stickers that read autographed copy. “Which is entirely too kind, especially when you’re supposed to be on vacation.”
“An author’s work is never done,” Amanda replied as she flexed the fingers holding her pen. “Besides when you sell books, I make money too. I’m happy to aid that process.”
“As if anything extra is required. Your books will fly off the shelves regardless,” Julie said, before turning to me. “Is there something you needed, Charlotte?”
“Just passing by.” I pointed to my walking shoes. “Thought I’d get out of the house for some fresh air and exercise while my guests enjoyed a boat trip. Although I suppose they’re already back in port, if Amanda is here.”
Amanda completed her signature with a flourish and closed the book she was signing. “I think that’s all of them. But perhaps you’d better check behind me, Julie. I sometimes miss one or two if there’s a big stack.”
“I’ll do that. Meanwhile, please feel free to scope out the store. If there’s anything you’d like, I’m happy to gift you a copy.”
“I do want to peruse the shelves, but of course I’ll happily pay.” Amanda stood and stretched her arms above her head.
“I should move along,” I told Julie, who was checking through the signed copies of Amanda’s books. “I’m not really getting any exercise standing here, and besides, I need to head back to Chapters before too long.” I met Amanda’s curiously intent gaze with a smile. “Alicia has the day off, so my neighbor, Ellen, who you met last night, is holding down the fort. But I don’t want to force her to cover for me for hours.” I shrugged. “If you’re here, the other guests might start showing up at Chapters soon, and someone needs to let them in.”
“I doubt that,” Amanda said as she examined some shelves. “Harper and Molly trotted off to explore the shops, and Tony claimed he was going to visit the Maritime Museum.” She cast an amused glance over her shoulder. “Honestly, I suspect he’s grabbing a drink at the tavern down the street. And making business calls. That’s more his speed.”
“I should still head home sooner rather than later. But definitely enjoy your chance to wander through a bookstore without being accosted by fans,” I said to Amanda. “Talk to you soon,” I told Julie before wishing them both a good afternoon.
I exited the store to the merry jingling of the bell. Staring at a boat pulling into a slip, I decided I wasn’t quite ready to return to Chapters. I’d walk to the end of the boardwalk first.
Reaching the end of the wooden plank walkway, I walked a little farther, to a small park that featured a wooden gazebo overlooking the water. The open-sided, covered structure had brick flooring and bench seating along five of its six sides. It offered a lovely vantage spot, where one could gaze across Taylor’s Creek to the nature preserves of Carrot Island and Bird Shoal.
My reverie was broken by a voice calling out my name.
“Charlotte, so glad I could catch up with you,” Amanda said breathlessly. She motioned toward the gazebo. “Could we sit and talk for a moment?”
“I do need to get back to Chapters,” I said, but something in Amanda’s eyes made me add, “but sure, we can chat for a bit.” Taking a seat that allowed me a view of the water, I waited until Amanda sat down on the bench beside me before asking her what was on her mind.
“You overheard Tony and me arguing the other night, didn’t you?” She held up her hand to stop me when I opened my mouth to explain my presence in the hallway. “It’s all right, I don’t mind. I know you were just making sure the house was secured against any intruders.”
I flashed her an apologetic smile. “I shouldn’t have lingered, though.”
Amanda waved off this comment as if it were one of the gnats buzzing around our heads. “Don’t worry about that. We were loud enough to catch your attention. And that’s not the reason I wanted to speak with you in private. The thing is”—she glanced around the gazebo and surrounding area—“I’m truly concerned that Tony had something to do with Lisette’s death.”
“He was accusing you.” As I studied her elegant profile, I reminded myself that I didn’t know Amanda well. As nice as she seemed, I had no way of proving her trustworthiness. She could be a practiced liar, for all I knew.
“As a deflection, I think.” Amanda frowned. “A way to focus a spotlight of suspicion on me so he could remain in the shadows.”
“He said you were jealous.” I stared at a white skiff sailing like a feather over the water. “I think I know what that might be about.” Turning back to Amanda, I pressed my palms against the weathered boards of the bench seat. “I recently heard a rumor that Lisette Bradford had ghostwritten your upcoming book.”
“It’s true.” Amanda shifted, leaning her shoulder against one of the posts supporting the gazebo’s roof. “She did write book thirteen.”
“And you approved that?”
“Yes, because I just couldn’t bring myself …” Amanda dug her fingernails into the wood of the post. “You have to understand my state of mind. I was so tired of writing the series when I would’ve needed to start that book. Perhaps if my publisher had allowed me to take a year or two off”—she tossed back her golden mane of hair—“but they didn’t. I mean, it isn’t their fault, really. There’s a lot of pressure to pump out books on a regular basis. The fear is that if too much time elapses between releases, readers may become disillusioned with the author, or even abandon them and move on to the next bestseller.” She met my gaze with a sad smile. “It’s a tough business for publishers too. Not just authors.”
“But why couldn’t you write the book? Did you develop writer’s block or something?” I asked.
“Not really. My problem wasn’t with writing in general. It was with writing another one of those books.” Amanda released her grip on the post and dropped her hands into her lap. “Please understand that I’m very grateful to my agent and editor and publisher. They’ve always been good to me. Their promotion and support are why my books are bestsellers and why there are extras like a TV show. I’ve made a lot of money off the Tides series, and I couldn’t have done that without them. So when they asked for another book in the series, I didn’t want to say no. I wanted them to have their share of the profit from a new book, sooner rather than later. I just knew I couldn’t write it.”
“Which is why you agreed to allow someone else to write it for you. Understandable.” I brushed a dusting of sand from the hems of my slacks. “Did you know it would be Lisette Bradford?”
“No, definitely not, and I wouldn’t have agreed if I had known. Anyway, I didn’t get involved in that discussion. I was required to create a general outline and jot down a few notes to guide whoever was writing the manuscript. After that, except for a final read-through of the draft, my work was done. Of course, I thought they’d hire an experienced ghostwriter; someone who’d done it many times before. A professional.” Amanda grimaced. “Not someone like Lisette.”
“Who chose her then?”
“The editorial team, of course. But I did hear a rumor that Tony suggested her. Which really wasn’t any of his business, since he’s in publicity, but I suppose he did have enough clout with the publisher to put forward her name for the applicant pool.”
“Because of the fan fiction she’d written based on your books?”
“I see you know about that too.” Amanda shot me a side-eyed glance. “You’re quite the little amateur investigator, aren’t you?”
“I have my sources,” I said, keeping my tone light. “What I don’t really understand is why Tony would choose Lisette, especially if she didn’t have a professional writing résumé.”
“I didn’t understand it at first either, until I found out that he and Lisette had engaged in a brief affair. One that ended badly, I’m afraid.” Amanda shook her head. “I heard she totally humiliated him, in public too. But apparently it was still going on when he suggested her name to the publisher. He shared some of her fan fiction with them as well, according to one of my sources at the publishing house. I hear they were particularly swayed by her most popular story.” Amanda exhaled a gusty sigh. “I understand it was quite good. Not that I’ve read any of her fan fiction. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t read anything based on my own books. Too weird.”
“But if Tony championed Lisette as the ghostwriter, why would he kill her? Surely that would be counterproductive.”
Amanda pursed her lips. “My guess is that he only did that because they were involved in a relationship and he wanted to please her. Once she broke it off with him—after securing the ghostwriting deal—I imagine he felt used. Don’t you?”
“I’m sure I would, especially since she did it in such an ugly fashion,” I said, processing this new theory. If Tony had felt truly humiliated by Lisette, it was possible he’d planned to kill her as revenge. He had said something that suggested he was responsible for her being one of the contest winners. Or perhaps he’d simply confronted her after dinner and an argument had escalated. I tugged my fingers through a knot in my windblown hair. “Detective Johnson told me some restaurant patrons heard your group arguing on Saturday evening. Was Lisette antagonizing Tony or vice versa?”
Amanda shifted her gaze, staring out over the water rather than looking at me. “Yes, but only obliquely. I imagine she didn’t want Harper and Molly to know what was going on.”
“You don’t think Molly and Harper were aware of the rumors?”
Amanda shook her head. “I don’t believe so, although they may have become suspicious after the conversation Saturday night. But Tony had no doubts as to Lisette’s intentions, and he was furious. He kept warning her to keep quiet or else. Which is why I think he’s the one who killed her.”
“Have you told the police anything about your suspicions?”
“Not yet.” Amanda touched my shoulder. “It’s really all secondhand information. I believe Tony did put forward Lisette’s name as a possible ghostwriter because of their affair, and then was furious when he was publicly humiliated. But honestly, as much as I dislike Tony, I can also see how Lisette Bradford could drive someone to murder.” Amanda clenched her fingers. “She was so manipulative and conniving …”
Curious about this comment, I shifted on the bench so I could see her face. “Oh? In what way?”
“I can’t say too much. But early on, right after she started the fan club, I’m afraid I shared some confidences with her over email. Things I shouldn’t have told anyone, especially not Lisette. But never mind that; I refuse to speak ill of the dead.” Amanda once again averted her gaze, making me question whether she was telling me the whole story.
Tony had accused Amanda of being jealous, which didn’t make much sense to me. But I had the strong sense that something else was going on. Like Tony, Amanda had tried to avoid Lisette at the meet-and-greet reception. There had to be a reason for her obvious dislike, even if it wasn’t jealousy. Perhaps Lisette had stabbed her in the back in some way, like she had with Tony?
Although I liked Amanda, I had to remind myself that she could simply be trying to offload her own guilt onto Tony Lott. While she appeared sincere, I knew that was no guarantee of innocence. Anyone can be bamboozled if the person doing the lying is good enough, I thought, recalling a few instances where I’d been totally conned by a sweet demeanor or charming words from students or their parents.
“I think you’ll feel better once you share your concerns with Detective Johnson or someone on her team,” I said. “I appreciate you telling me, if your intent was to warn me to be careful around Tony …”
“It was,” Amanda said in a rush.
“But I can’t really do anything. I mean, I can talk to Detective Johnson, but my information will still be secondhand. Or even thirdhand, I guess. You’re a much better source, so you should talk to the police, as soon as you can. That’s my best advice.”
Amanda slid a little farther away from me. “I will.”
“Good. Now, tell me—what’s this new book that Tony doesn’t want you to talk about? I noticed how swiftly he cut you off, and that made me curious.”
This change of topic seemed to relieve Amanda, who dropped her hunched shoulders and smiled. “Oh, that. It’s just something I’m working on. Very different than the Tides series, which means it may never be published. But I don’t really care about that at this point.”
“A passion project?”
Joy illuminated Amanda’s face. “Definitely. It’s the book of my heart. Something that actually speaks to the truth of my own life.”
“Swashbuckling, time-traveling pirates don’t do that?” I asked with a little grin.
“No.” Amanda stood to face me. “I really can’t say any more about the new book. It’s not that I’m under the control of Tony Lott or my publisher or anyone else, I just don’t want to jinx it.”
I studied her serious expression. “I’ve heard other authors mention that. They don’t like discussing much about a new project before writing it. It’s like too much talk can turn it stale.”
“It’s true. I mentioned it the other night because I’m so excited about the idea, but I really shouldn’t do that in the future, with or without Tony present. It’s better to do some of the exploration and discovery before sharing all the details.” Amanda offered me a bright smile. “At least, for me.”
“I won’t press you on that, then.” I motioned toward the boardwalk, and its row of restaurants and shops. “Do you want to walk back with me?”
“I think I’ll stay here for a while,” Amanda said, shading her eyes as she looked out over the water. “It’s a good spot for contemplation.”
“It’s definitely that. Well, goodbye for now, then.” As I turned away, I heard a noise, almost like a little sob, but when I glanced back, Amanda was standing by the edge of the gazebo, looking perfectly composed.