A bare flower box ran the length of Courtney’s Gift Shop front window, but in a few weeks, it would spill over with colorful annuals. It was another reminder to Kelly that she needed to up the game at her storefront. A beautiful window merchandise display wasn’t enough. She needed to draw passersby close enough to stop and look at the window.
Peering into the gift shop, she didn’t see anyone except for Courtney. Good. They’d be able to have a private conversation.
Kelly opened the door and walked inside. She told herself she was satisfying her own curiosity. This had nothing to do with clearing Serena. Only a few steps in and her senses were on overload. The shop smelled like vanilla and cinnamon with a light note of salt air from the abundance of candles for sale.
“Hey, there, neighbor.” Courtney looked up from the display counter of decorative birdhouses. Surrounding her were stacks of unpacked boxes and discarded tissue paper.
“Those are beautiful.” Kelly weaved through the shop, passing shelves of pretty items and plush throws draped over chairs and wooden display ladders.
“They are, aren’t they? It’s taking all of my self-control not to keep them all for myself. Kind of like the chocolates.” She glanced to the sales counter where she sold gourmet chocolates from a local chocolatier.
“You have more willpower than I do.” Kelly lifted a birdhouse and admired it.
“They’re all handmade. Perfect gifts for Mother’s Day.” Courtney pulled out another birdhouse from a box and found a spot for it on the shelf.
Mother’s Day was right around the corner, and then it would be a quick blink-and-you’ll-miss-it slide into summer. Kelly had the urge to buy one for her mom and mail it to her as a surprise, but her mom wasn’t big on birds, their homes, or gardening. Actually, Kelly couldn’t recall if her mom had any hobbies. All she remembered was how much her mom loved working, much like her brother, Ralph.
“Has Opal spoken to you yet? The flower sale is coming up for Mother’s Day, and they’re looking for donations for the 50/50 raffle.” Courtney balled up a handful of tissue paper. She was a few years older than Kelly and several inches shorter. Her brown hair was kissed with golden highlights and cascaded below her shoulder. Enamel ladybug earrings added a pop of color to her round face.
“No. Thanks for the warning.” Kelly enjoyed being a part of the community and supporting the many charitable causes in town, but being hit up for donations was a financial burden for the boutique. Even still, she always came up with something to contribute. She didn’t want to be known as the Scrooge among her peers.
Maybe she’d offer a gift certificate because once she had the customer in the boutique, it was easy to upsell a few more items.
Courtney squatted and adjusted a few birdhouses on a lower shelf.
Kelly noticed her dark jeans—mom jeans, to be exact. How had they ever made a comeback? The white and black polka dot sweater tucked into the waist of the jeans was cute and a good choice for the unpredictable weather between seasons.
“What brings you by? Do you need another candle? We just got in a delivery of lemon lavender scented. They are heavenly.” Courtney straightened and stepped back from the display to give it a once over.
Kelly never needed another candle. They were an indulgence, and she justified them because the soothing scents helped calm her. These days, she needed a lot of calming.
“Tempting but maybe next week. I’m hoping you can help me with one of your customers. The other day, Tawny Fallow was in here.”
Courtney frowned. “So sad about what happened to her. I heard her husband’s ex-wife was arrested for the murder. Unbelievable.”
“It most certainly is. Anyway, the day Tawny was here, she argued with another customer who followed her out of the store. I saw them arguing on the street. Do you know who the woman was?”
“Talk about a scene. I was so thankful that Tawny left on her own because I had other customers in here.”
Kelly could relate. Last October, her big three-day sale was turned upside down when a psychic had a vision of a dead man in the middle of the boutique. The spectacle mesmerized all of her other customers, and they’d stopped shopping, preferring to gawk at the show that unfolded in front of them. Courtney was indeed lucky Tawny and the other woman had taken their disagreement outside. If only Kelly could have been so lucky last fall. No, instead, the police and an ambulance had arrived. Lucky her.
Courtney folded her arms and tapped her check with her forefinger. “Let me think. Della. No. Delia…Wyland. Yes. She loves Camellia Blossom candles and those artisan soaps I sell. Anyway, as soon as she saw Tawny enter, she went ballistic. She started yelling at Tawny, who looked like a deer in the headlights. She never saw Delia’s wrath coming. Wait. You don’t think Delia killed Tawny?”
Kelly shrugged. “I have no idea. I was simply curious who the woman was. When she was yelling at Tawny, did she say why she was upset?”
“Something about scamming money out of people and preying on vulnerabilities. Tawny looked so shocked. She tried to calm Delia down, but Delia was having no part in it. I swear she was out for blood.”
Out for blood? Kelly’s mind quickly concocted the scene at Tawny’s cottage. Delia arrived, still enraged, to continue their argument. Tawny tried to get Delia to leave. One of them laid a hand on the other, and then a struggle ensued, leading to Delia pushing Tawny and her body falling through the coffee table.
“Kelly, are you okay?” Courtney asked.
Kelly snapped out of her fictional murder scene. Where had that come from? Probably one too many Law and Order episodes, and one too many dead bodies discovered since coming back to Lucky Cove.
“I’m…I’m good. Does Delia live in town?”
Courtney stacked the empty boxes into each other and lifted them. “Yes. She lives near Pepper.”
The bell over the door jingled, letting them know a customer entered, so it was time for Kelly to leave. She’d gotten the information she came for.
“Kelly.”
She turned around at the sound of Mark’s voice. He was the last person she thought she’d run into at Courtney’s store. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I need to pick up a gift for my mom. I’m heading over to her house for lunch.” He gave Kelly a kiss on the cheek. “I left you a voice mail earlier, didn’t you get it?”
Shoot. She’d been so involved with working out her problems with Marvin and then eavesdropping on the two women at Doug’s, she hadn’t noticed the message. How could she have missed it?
“I’m sorry. I had breakfast with Marvin this morning. But, if you give me a few minutes, I can change and be ready to go with you.” Even though things had been rocky between them, she still wanted to work things out. Being a couple was never easy, but it was impossible if both partners didn’t make an effort.
“Did you want a jar candle for your mom? Or, we have beautiful decorative globes. She collects them,” Courtney said.
“I think a candle. Something summery.” Mark flashed an appreciative smile while Courtney went to find a candle for him. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his khakis, and his smile slipped away. “Look about lunch. I’m going solo.”
Kelly blinked. “What? Why?”
“Well, my dad’s buddy and his wife are going to be there. I think it’s best if I go alone. Hey, you’re busy today. You have stuff to do.”
“You don’t want to introduce me to your dad’s friends? Are you serious?” Kelly’s insides twisted as she saw flashes of red.
Mark pulled his hand out of his pocket and guided Kelly out of Courtney’s earshot. “Kell, don’t make a big deal out of this. It’s not a social occasion. It’s business. My dad’s friend is a partner in a prominent law firm. I have to make a good impression.”
Kelly yanked free of his hold. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she could trust herself to speak. Had he heard what he’d said to her? Had he realized how insulting it was?
“So, you’re saying having me there won’t make a good impression?”
“You tell me. When Gerald asks what you’re doing, you’ll say what? You’re chasing down a killer, interfering with a police investigation, and neglecting your business. What part of that sounds like a good first impression?”
“Did you want to pay with a credit card?” Courtney asked from the sales counter.
Mark averted his gaze to her. “Yes. Be right there.” He turned his attention back to Kelly. “Don’t be like this. I’m doing this for us.”
“Excuse me? For us? You mean for yourself. I…I can’t have this conversation. Not now. Not here.”
Mark drew back, and his eyes darkened. “When do you want to have this conversation?”
“Never. How dare you say I’m neglecting my business.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “I work twenty-four seven to keep the boutique open. It’s my number one priority.”
Courtney approached the couple with her purse slung over her shoulder. “Mark, Angie will ring you up. I have to run out for a minute. Kelly be careful with Delia. If her outburst with Tawny is any indicator, you need to watch yourself if you talk to her.” She dashed out of the shop.
Kelly cringed. Why did Courtney have to mention Delia in front of Mark?
“What are you up to, Kell?”
“Nothing you need to be concerned about. Enjoy your luncheon.” She stormed past him and exited the store in a huff. Her walk back to the boutique was quick because she was moving so fast to put a lot of distance between herself and Mark. He had some nerve.
“Going solo. Yeah, well, get used to it, buddy,” she muttered to herself as she approached the boutique. Her ringing phone interrupted her private rant. Despite the urge to ignore the incoming call, she pulled the phone from her purse. “Hello,” she said after she raised the phone to her ear.
“Kelly, it’s Jason. Sorry to call on a Sunday.” His voice sounded shaky and profoundly sad.
“Hi, Jason. No worries. Is there something I can help you with?” She welcomed any distraction from thinking about Mark.
“I’d like you to come over and take Tawny’s clothing for consignment. I was talking to Liza after service, and the proceeds can go to the food pantry.”
Kelly stopped herself from saying, so soon. She reminded herself everyone grieved differently, and for Jason, he needed his wife’s clothes out of his home.
“I can do that for you. And I’m sure the food pantry will be grateful for your donation. When did you want me to come over?” Kelly arrived at the back door of the boutique.
“Tomorrow. Morning would be best.”
“Tomorrow?” Kelly’s mind raced through the items on her to-do list for the following day. Both Breena and Pepper would be in, so she could get away early for the clear out. That shouldn’t be a problem. What could be a problem was that she didn’t know how much clothing she’d have to remove from the house.
“I realize it’s short notice.” He paused. “I can’t keep this stuff here any longer.”
“I understand. It’s not a problem. See you first thing tomorrow.” She ended the call and then entered the staff room, closing the door behind her. Since she didn’t know how much stuff she’d have to go through, she planned to bring all the clothing back to the boutique and then inspect each item for the estimate. This way, she’d be in the boutique available to work. She doubted Jason would be too concerned with the number. Raising money wasn’t a priority for him.
She dropped her purse on the desk and pulled out the chair. There wasn’t a luncheon, but there was someone she wanted to speak with, and she needed an address.
After a flip-through of the phone book, Kelly found Delia Wyland’s address. To think, she’d almost tossed the brick of a book into recycling weeks ago. She grabbed a jacket and left to pay a visit to Delia.
Courtney was right. Delia did live near Pepper, but not too close. Kelly was grateful because there was a lesser chance she’d be spotted at the Wyland house.
Kelly arrived at the bungalow and knocked on the red door. Moments later, the door opened, and Delia appeared. She wore a bright tunic over black leggings and slippers. She also had a look that was a mix of curiosity and annoyance on her face.
“I’m not buying anything or changing my religion.” Delia went to close the door.
“Good, because that’s not why I’m here. I’m Kelly Quinn. I own the Lucky Cove Resale Boutique.”
“You’re going door to door to get clothes?”
“No. I’m here to talk to you about the day you were at Courtney’s Gift shop, and Tawny Fallow showed up. I saw both of you come out of the store.” Kelly wanted to be careful about what she said. Stating that she saw Delia chase Tawny while screaming at the top of her lungs didn’t seem to be the best way to get the woman to talk. She’d probably have the door slammed in her face.
“Not my finest hour, I admit.” Delia’s gaze cast down.
“We all have bad moments. You sounded furious with Tawny.”
Delia narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin. “I was. She ripped me off.”
“You enrolled in her PBF program?”
“I did.”
“It sounds like you didn’t have success with it.”
“Honey, look at me. You can see I didn’t have any success with it.” She glanced down at herself. Kelly guessed Delia chose a tunic to hide the extra pounds on her small frame. She’d seen it too often. Women trying their best to hide their bodies rather than love what they had now. Pounds came and went. It was a part of life. Dressing like a potato sack wasn’t the answer, and it wasn’t the way to feel self-confident. “Why are you asking about PBF?”
“My friend signed up recently…”
“Good Lord, not another one. How many women had Tawny scammed? I don’t have a lot of time. I’m working, but I can spare a few minutes. Come on in.”
“You work from home?” Kelly entered the home.
“I’m a virtual assistant.” Delia closed the door.
“Sounds interesting.”
“It can be. It’s also one reason I’ve packed on the pounds. Well, along with perimenopause. I’m home all day by myself. There’s no commuting, and there’s no other walking than from my bedroom to my desk over there.” She pointed toward the living room.
Kelly looked into the tidy room. Tucked into a corner were a desk and laptop among the tasteful furnishings.
“You signed up with PBF to lose the weight.”
“Sure did. I believed Tawny’s pitch. I had done a few of her free workouts and then signed up for the fitness program. I thought, since she lived in town, she was honest. Who would cheat a neighbor? Turns out, I was wrong.”
“Why do you say that? Doesn’t everyone have different results with fitness?”
“Of course, we do. I’m not an idiot,” Delia snapped, “I followed her plan faithfully for eight weeks, and I expected to see a change. Either on the scale or in how my clothes fit. I didn’t expect to lose all the weight I’ve gained in such a short period of time. But something should have changed. Well, nothing did. I even went to the doctor to check my hormones. She found nothing that would prevent me from losing weight.”
“Did you contact Tawny?”
“Certainly, I did. All I got from day one was generic replies to my messages. Keep up the good work. Way to work it, girl. Sweating is the way to reshape your body. You’ll see a change. Keep working. Blah, blah, blah.”
“Those were through her app?”
“Yes. A complete waste of time. I finally emailed her several times and got no replies. Then I started seeing online other women were experiencing the same thing, and it turns out, we had the same fitness plan. It was supposed to be customized to us. Tell me, why was I doing the same workout and eating the same foods as a twenty-something? I’m fifty years old.” Delia threw her arms up in the air, startling Kelly with the quick motion.
Kelly didn’t have an answer for Delia. Instead, she stepped back. “When you saw her at the gift shop, you confronted her about all of this?”
“Darn straight, I did. It was the first time I’d seen her in town. Trust me, I’d been tempted to go to her house, but doing something like that would be crossing the line. Then I finally saw her, and I couldn’t stop myself. I’m sorry your friend also fell for the scam.”
“Oh, I don’t think she did. Well, I mean, it seems to work for her.”
“Then, why are you here?”
“When you chased after Tawny…”
“I didn’t exactly chase after her. We left the shop together.”
Nice spin. “You threatened her before you walked away. I heard you.”
Delia stiffened. “You think I had something to do with Tawny’s murder? Sure, I’m angry and out several hundred dollars, but I wouldn’t kill someone over that. How dare you come into my home under false pretenses. You should go.” Delia opened the door.
Kelly was barely over the threshold before the door slammed shut. It seemed someone needed to work on her anger management. Maybe some yoga.
She dashed to her Jeep, flipping up the hood of her jacket to keep the light rain that started while she was inside, off her hair. In the vehicle, she debated whether to call Wolman. Kelly should tell her about the visit to make sure Delia was on the detective’s radar as a potential person of interest. But after what went down between her and Mark in the gift shop, she really didn’t want to talk to anyone connected to him at the moment. In fact, what she wanted to was erase the guy from her brain so she’d have no memory of him or his stupid “going solo” comment. Jerk.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement in a window by the front door. Delia was staring at her with a phone in her hand. It was time to go before Delia called the police and reported Kelly for something like trespassing.