Ropes and Trees and Murder Read online

“Thing is,” Aiden said, “we both love nature.” Carmen nodded quickly, looking up at him as he smiled down at her. “Any chance we’re damaging an endangered habitat is totally against both our beliefs.”

  “Absolutely,” Carmen said. “As soon as we heard about the possible sighting we both went looking. But we didn’t find anything and red cockaded woodpeckers are all about family groups. They flock, rather than living as individuals. If there is a breeding line in the park, they’d be pretty easy to spot.”

  “If someone finds them,” Aiden said, firm this time, “we’ll shut down voluntarily.”

  “But no one has,” I said. Suspicious and all together frustrating. Still, if there was a chance…

  “Maybe you can ride it out?” Surely it couldn’t last forever, past the next thing this group of noisemakers decided was worthy of their attention. “This will blow over as soon as this bunch gets tired and goes home.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Carmen said, biting her lower lip. Movement caught my eye and I looked away as she finished, the line of cars gliding to a halt at the entrance heralding new visitors. “And I don’t know that we even want to find out.”

  I should have offered comfort, but instead I groaned inwardly at the sight of Olivia Walker climbing out of the back of the lead town car, her face a dark mask, knowing from the determination in her padded shoulders and the peaked pink on her high cheekbones she planned to proceed whether Jared and his friends liked it or not.

  ***

  Chapter Nine

  Olivia wasn’t alone, the other cars disgorging a collection of two suited men and three primly dressed women. I knew most of them by sight, of course, but I’d never really had much to do with the collected council before, at least not en masse like this. I’d refused to attend town meetings, mostly out of the need to avoid being pointed at and whispered about, though honestly I was really too busy to go. At least, that was my best excuse.

  Seeing them all gathered together like that gave me a flash of goosebumps, though I wasn’t sure why. Until it hit me—Crew had mentioned back in January how his job seemed to be under threat thanks to me, something I’d pondered only a few minutes ago. He’d added that he’d felt all along the council and Reading as a whole had my back and not his. While I’d never understood the reference, seeing the council coming toward me past the line of protestors felt like some kind of confrontation I wasn’t prepared for. I found myself turning, stepping away from Jared and taking a stand beside Crew. If he noticed the shift in my position he didn’t comment, as quietly watchful and grim as before while Olivia brushed past the entrance and stomped toward us, a forced smile on her angry face.

  “Where is everyone?” She didn’t look around. Clearly she understood this opening was devolving into a disaster, one she likely couldn’t afford if the judging and unhappy expressions worn by the bulk of her companions was any indication.

  “We need to shut down the Reading opening,” Jared said, firm but with regret. “I’m sorry, Olivia. It’s just not safe.”

  Like he had anything to be sorry for. Her jaw jumped, her dark bob shining in the sunlight as she shook her head in response, smile now a snarl that she seemed desperate to keep plastered on her face even if it killed her. Just what we needed, another dead body.

  “The opening,” she growled, “goes ahead,” she twitched faintly, “as planned.”

  Okay then.

  I glanced over her shoulder, met familiar dark eyes. Terri Jacobs, the owner of Jacobs Flowers, nodded to me, looking distinctly uncomfortable as she rubbed one slender upper arm with her opposite hand, glancing around as if expecting to take a bullet in the back from the protestors now shouting louder than before. I liked Terri, didn’t realize she’d joined the council after divorcing her gambling husband, Simon, their flower shop firmly in her possession. Her lack of enthusiasm when she was mostly a pretty happy person in general didn’t bode well for the remainder of the council’s attitudes about today’s debacle.

  “Just admit this was a terrible idea, Olivia.” Oliver Watters grunted at me, a small wave all the acknowledgement I got from him, though the gruff historian and antique dealer held no animosity toward me. I wondered how his grandson, Denver Hatch, and that young inventor’s psychic debunker girlfriend, Alice Moore, were getting along. I hadn’t seen either of them in a couple of months and really needed to invite them for dinner at Petunia’s.

  The mayor twitched again, faint but enough to shiver her glossy bob. “We’re going ahead,” she snapped. “This is a worthy project that will mean more revenue and tourism—”

  “Save the rhetoric for town meetings.” I didn’t know the tall, attractive man who lingered at the periphery of the council, his expensive suit and shiny leather shoes making me wonder who he might be. I thought I knew everyone in town. A newcomer to Reading looking to make a mark here, perhaps? “Just admit your little initiative is a waste of our time and effort, Olivia. Much as the disaster that was your Captain Reading embarrassment.” Yikes, not something I’d be brave enough to bring up. With the debunking of the Reading hoard and the continuing ridicule aimed at the giant statue of the said captain dominating the square in our town center, that whole attempt to stir tourist interest still made me cringe. So I could only imagine what kind of internal fireworks Olivia hid from the rest of us at his prodding her acutely visible failure to deliver on that project.

  Her temper showed, though, as she spun on him, though she didn’t get to argue. Instead, the slender, elderly woman beside him reached out with one tiny hand and smacked him firmly on the arm, her wrinkled apple face pursed in irritation.

  “Oh, do hush, Geoffrey,” Mary Claire Ambrose said, piping voice crisp despite her age. “I’m getting very tired of hearing you talk. Hello, Fiona dear.” The owner of Ambrosia’s Tea Room wiggled her fingers at me. “Delightful to see someone in Reading supporting this handsome young man.” She winked at Jared who grinned back.

  The suit she’d named Geoffrey scowled but held his tongue, though when his pale blue gaze swept over me I had the sensation of being in the sights of a shark smelling chum in the water. Charming.

  “We all want to support Jared in his efforts.” The slightly plump and usually enthusiastic Sophia Bell, owner of The Bride Boudoir, looked about as happy to be at the park as Terri, though whether out of concern for her expensive heels—she kept mincing on her toes to keep the stilettos from driving into the dirt—or the audio assault from the crowd I didn’t know and didn’t care. “But until this matter is settled, we’re only asking for trouble.”

  “Precisely my point,” Geoffrey said, voice far too reasonable. “Perhaps after a week or so we can revisit the opening, once a new assessment is done.”

  “I think the damage is now irreparable,” Sophia said, sniffing at the dirt on the toes of her shoes, touching delicately at her carefully sprayed updo of dark hair, speaking as if the two owners weren’t standing there listening to what she said. “Regardless of the truth, this place is tainted.” Her nose wrinkled faintly in disgust. “I want it noted I voted against this initiative, Olivia. I’m here under protest.”

  I wondered in a flash of angry impulse how much she’d protest landing on her designer ass in a mud puddle.

  She turned toward Geoffrey and simpered, the direct sunlight reflecting from the powder heavily applied to her cheeks. “From an accountant’s perspective,” she said, “what do you think, Geoff, dear? Should we write off this mess as a failure and move on?” Clearly she was looking for support, but would she gain enough? I opened my mouth to argue only to have Crew’s hand grasp mine and squeeze.

  Right. Stay out of it. Like hell.

  Except, to my surprise, Geoffrey’s smile returned, as greasy looking as the fresh blacktop in the parking lot.

  “And ruin the hard work of these enterprising young people?” He beamed a grin at them, holding out one hand, striding forward to shake first Carmen’s then Aiden’s as if he hadn’t just been dissing them and the park. “Ge
offrey Jenkins, accountant at large for the Patterson family. Perhaps, when this has all blown over, we can talk.”

  Carmen looked uncomfortable while Aiden seemed to shrink in on himself even while the name Patterson made my blood freeze over. The founding family of Reading always seemed to cling to the periphery, minding their own business from the giant manor house that loomed over Cutter Lake. I’d only really ever met Aundrea and Jared from that particular blood line, though the demise of Mason Patterson at White Valley Ski Lodge a year and a half ago left me with a bad taste in my mouth for that particular family. The fact they were taking a distinct and visible place on town council all of a sudden?

  I had to stop burying my head in dirty sheets and emails and find out what was going on. Because if they wanted Olivia out or had an agenda of their own that could lead to my detriment? I needed to know about it. Not to mention the fact if Geoffrey didn’t stop staring at my chest like that I was going to make sure he couldn’t add two and two ever again.

  When his gaze lifted to my eyes he tried that same smile. “Miss Fleming,” he said, “the offer is open to you, too.” Like I’d ever use him as an accountant. Not only did he give me the creeps, no way was I using anyone local to do my books. Best to keep my business in Reading my business, thanks.

  Funny how Crew dropped my hand and took a half step forward, mostly blocking my view of the smarmy piece of work. He better not have been pulling a knight in shining armor or he’d be falling off his particular high horse in about a heartbeat. When he spoke, his normally deep and velvety voice had the kind of gravel to it more familiar from Dad and I wondered if he’d been taking John Fleming lessons in an attempt to get through to the hard heads standing before us.

  “The protestors aren’t going away,” he said, “and a decision has to be made. My staff can handle it for now, but if this gets bigger I’ll have to call in state police.”

  It was clear from the instant reaction of all of the council members he’d brought this up before enough times they were tired of hearing it. Their instant rejection made my teeth ache.

  “No state interference,” Olivia snapped. “If you can’t do the job you’re hired for, Sheriff Turner—”

  She did not just say that out loud. “Excuse me,” I cut her off, stepping around him this time, knowing it might look like I was defending him (okay, I was) and that he might not appreciate me doing so (likely would yell at me later) but I didn’t care in that moment because this was ridiculous and the answer about as obvious as the faint smirk on Geoffrey’s face. He actually seemed to be enjoying himself. Why was that, I wondered? Didn’t matter as I pushed on, Olivia glaring at me while I turned to Carmen and Aiden. “The protestors are here because of a sighting of the woodpecker, right?” They nodded. “But no one has any proof outside some rumor there are even any here, correct?” More nodding. “Then there’s one way to solve this.” I gestured at the front gate. “Let them in.”

  Jared hissed softly, glanced at his friends, while Geoffrey’s smile disappeared and Olivia looked startled, then smiled.

  “An excellent idea,” the mayor said, her grand and officious attitude returned in a heartbeat as she beamed at me. “Welcome the protestors inside. Show them there are no woodpeckers here. And while we’re at it,” she spun and waved at the gathered cameras, “we bring the media in, too. The whole world will see that Zip It! is home to fun and relaxation and in no way threatens the endangered species we all value and treasure.”

  I had no idea what the silly bird actually even looked like, but if the feathered creature was anywhere in this park, I’d eat Petunia’s kibble.

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  Jared hesitated a moment longer before Crew’s voice, much softer and without the harshness of before, agreed.

  “It’s an option,” he said. “Though, again, we’re thin on staff.” I turned to find him squinting at the crowd, shaking his head a little. “I can’t promise protection from vandalism.”

  “It’s fine,” Carmen said, lips a narrow line, “don’t worry about that.” She looked up at Aiden who nodded, smiling faintly. Her face brightened and she grinned at me. “Thank you, Fee. The voice of reason. It’s a great idea.” She turned then and strode for the protestors, Aiden scrambling to keep up, Jared joining them while I followed, Crew at my side, the council drifting after us. I caught Olivia’s flash of relief, the way she wiped at her upper lip, fingertips trembling slightly and welcomed empathy for her. I even smiled when she looked up, nodded to her in solidarity and accepted the tight grin she shared in return.

  Sure, Olivia Walker and I had our run-ins in the past. But there was no way I’d let her down when this park and the initiative behind it really was a great idea.

  Carmen came to a halt at the gate, animosity firmly in check, her open, willing smile silencing the protest until Lewis lowered his bullhorn and waited.

  “We’d like to welcome you into Zip It! on our opening day,” she said, voice level and genuine, “to see for yourselves exactly what we’ve built here.” She gestured at the gate, still closed, which Jared hurried toward with Aiden beside him, the two pulling the entry wide and standing back. Jill and Robert held their place, eyes on Crew, as Carmen went on. “We have nothing to hide and everything to gain in your exploration of our park.”

  “This is a trick.” Grace glanced up at Lewis who was frowning now, his gaze never leaving the steady calm one Carmen offered. I’d never been so proud of someone in my whole life as I was of her in that moment, nor of Jared and Aiden who held their ground while the protestors looked at each other in faint shock.

  Lewis finally smiled, though there was enough vitriol remaining in it I didn’t doubt he’d go to great—and even fake—lengths to ensure Carmen’s ruin. Surely such a confrontation out in the open like this, one that cut the legs out from under him, wasn’t endearing her in any way to the blowhard. But he had two alternatives and the media were watching. Refusing her offer meant he knew she had nothing to hide. Coming into the park would prove it. Unless he had a woodpecker family up his sleeve. I wouldn’t put it past him.

  “We’d be delighted,” he said.

  “Under escort,” Crew cut in, nodding to Jill and Robert who backed off, Matt appearing around the other side of the group where he’d been monitoring the side entrance to the park.

  But Carmen just smiled at him. “No, Sheriff,” she said, “thank you. I’m sure these fine people who love animals and nature as much as we do would never attempt to vandalize our property. They only want to know that the woodpeckers are safe.” Nods and grumbling agreement and a few smiles answered her. She was winning them over, and I had to hide my own grin behind my hand. “Please, if anyone finds a nesting family, alert the authorities at once. But, if not, this park is open for business and your approval.”

  I’d never seen things turn around as quickly as they did then. The fifty or so protestors flooded the entrance, spreading out into the park, snapping pictures but without the kind of angry underboiling they’d been stewing in since before I arrived. I had no doubt some mischief would be sprinkled around during the day, but for now it seemed their drive to destroy had been turned into a desire to uncover the truth.

  Lewis and Grace were the last through the gate, arguing quietly between them. I dodged out of the way as she bumped into me, scowling at me while one of her heavy shoes tromped on my sneakered toes. I almost pushed back, Crew her only defense while I glared after the pair, hoping there was an angry wasp nest in their future. There was little time to think past such a happy fantasy, though, not when the gathered reporters rushed the gate and tackled Carmen and Aiden. Jared himself was unable to avoid being interviewed, though I was happy at that point to have the sheriff at my side to steer me away from Olivia and the council and her politicospeach to the world, the two of us heading further into the park.

  He stopped me at the edge of the main building, hand on my elbow, staring back at the reporters, the council, the young and now ea
ger faces of the owners and spoke without looking at me, voice pitched low.

  “You might have saved Olivia’s job and this park with that suggestion,” he said. His blue eyes met mine, but there wasn’t much happiness in them. “At least, for now.” He sighed, hands on his hips, head down. “Hell of an opening day.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. “I suppose you’re going to tell me to go home now,” I said.

  He chuckled, a warm and delicious sound while his shoulders rounded back, a real and (oh my god) sexy smile pulling at his full mouth. The temptation to just grab him and kiss him hit me like a freight train, taking me by breathless surprise while he spoke.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it, Miss Fleming,” he said. “Figure you’re planning to follow around a few protestors and make sure they stay honest?”

  He really did know me better than he should for someone who hadn’t had a date with me yet. “That transparent, huh?” I was itching to find out what Lewis and Grace were up to. Because they were up to something. My Fleming sense of suspicious behavior tingled so much across the back of my neck I would shiver from it any second now.

  He laughed then, shook his head, tipped his white hat. “Just be careful, please?” Crew hesitated like he wanted to say more but stiffened and straightened, humor vanishing as his face went tight. I turned to find Olivia approaching at a clip and when I glanced back to tell Crew I would watch my step he was striding away, joining Jill and Robert, Matt waiting with them.

  When I spun to face Olivia again, she didn’t seem to notice her own sheriff didn’t want to talk to her and my compassion for her position died the fastest death any emotion ever suffered in the history of feelings. My temper snap-crackled but didn’t get to emerge, not when the mayor grasped my elbow much as Crew had, her expression forced smiling again but her dark eyes full of anger.