Part 7 (1/2)
CHAPTER 16.
Maggie finds herself alone with Drew back on the street in front of the Silver Times once Winona and Erline go their separate ways. Winona has two dogs she has to take out and Erline has errands to run so Maggie walks with Drew to the brewery on Main Street.
”What do you have going on today?” he asks, his big hand enveloping her smaller one.
”I guess I should go over to Two Sisters and make sure Clem is okay alone today. She always works Sundays so I close during the week. But with so much going on, I dont know how much time Ill spend there.”
”What can I do to help?”
Maggie shakes her head. ”Dont worry about me. I know Ginger Rae asked you to keep an eye on me in the past, but you have your own job and responsibilities. Ill work with the police and make sure I stay safe.”
Drew doesnt look convinced. ”At least keep me in the loop if Im not going on stakeouts with you.”
Maggie smiles at the memory of a month ago when they got to know each other in the seclusion of Drews car. They watched a couple houses for clues about a murder and Maggie knew by the conclusion of the case that he was someone she wanted to know better.
”Ill send you texts with my whereabouts so you can always come rescue me.” Maggie laughs, mostly joking, but Drews face is nothing but serious. She has never been a damsel in distress, but she has to admit that she enjoys having someone always worried about her safety. She knows he cares about her.
Drew kisses her cheek and says, ”Great. Ive gotta get to work. See you tonight?”
Maggie nods. ”Come over after work. I think Denis is coming for dinner too.”
”And youre cooking for everyone?”
”I dont know who else would.” Maggie laughs again. Clem is useless in the kitchen, but shes great at ordering in.
Maggie is alone on the sidewalk and heads west toward Two Sisters. Its not yet noon, but shed normally be there to help Clem by now. When she walks inside, shes surprised at the number of customers and immediately sets her bag behind the counter so she can make sure everyone is taken care of.
Clem is busy with a customer near Maggies favorite permanent piece, a 1920s airplane propeller that brings back fun memories of childhood. Maggie makes a quick tour of the store, asking if anyone needs help.
One woman holds up a quilt, handmade by Winona. ”Could you tell me the history of this?” she asks Maggie. ”Its in such good condition.”
Maggie smiles. While Two Sisters is an antique shop, theyve expanded over the years to include imports, and now Winonas local and handmade quilts. ”All of our quilts are made by Winona Landis, a resident of Silver Springs.”
”Wow,” the woman says, running her fingers along the st.i.tching. ”When did she live here?”
”She lives here now. This is her latest quilt. I think its only been in the shop for a couple days.”
The woman furrows her brow. ”So . . . its not an antique?”
Maggie shakes her head. ”Nope. Its the newest item we have, actually.”
”Hmm.” The woman folds it back up and places it where she found it. ”Im not sure its the right thing for me, then.”
Maggie nods. ”Okay. Let me know if you have any other questions.”
”Thank you.” The woman walks away, finds who Maggie decides must be her husband, and they promptly leave the store.
At the sound of the bell on the door ringing, Clem looks up and catches Maggies eye. They exchange unspoken questions about the sudden departure of customers. As soon as Clem can pull herself away from her own customer-who buys three scarves from India-the sisters meet at the register.
”What was that about? That couple had been here for half an hour and then disappeared as soon as you talked to them?” Clem asks. Her tone is not accusatory, only concerned that Maggies mind might be preoccupied.
More customers pay for their purchases and leave. Maggie waits until shes alone with Clem again. ”I told the woman about Winonas quilt and she didnt seem to like my answer. She was looking for something antique I guess and didnt want something new. What other feedback have you had on Winonas quilts?”
”Only positive.” Clem rings up the final customer and the sisters are the only people left in the store. Business always slows during lunch.
Before either of them can sit down, the phone in the phone booth rings and Maggie walks quickly to answer it, never even looking at Clem to see if shes surprised. Maggie isnt. Shes been expecting a call from Clara and knew it would come as soon as the customers were gone.
”Hi Maggie,” Claras impatient voice says when Maggie picks up.
”Clara.”
”What news do you have?”
Maggie gets right to the point with the new details she knows. ”Jessie isnt guilty, I know that much. Blood was left on the window in your bedroom but theres no match in the system. Stewart was spotted in Silver Springs this morning. Any ideas why he might be here?”
”No new suspects?” Clara asks, ignoring Maggies question.
Maggie wishes she was the one asking the questions. ”Not with names. But Ginger Raes neighbor claimed publicly in the newspaper to have seen someone fleeing your aunts house after she heard the scream.”
”Well what are you waiting for? Talk to her. Find out who it was. It had to be the killer.”
”Im hoping to talk to her this afternoon. Ginger Rae doesnt know her. The woman is a recluse so Im taking my time approaching her.” Maggie considers mentioning Karl Jacobs and the article he published on Sunday but thinks better of it. Clara is already worked up and Maggie doesnt need to make her even more anxious.
”How are my parents?” Theres a tenderness to Claras voice that surprises Maggie.
”David and Marla? Upset. Theyre in Silver Springs. I havent seen them yet but Ginger Rae has. Im also hoping to talk to them this afternoon.”
”They wont know anything about me. I didnt tell them things.”
Maggie nods. Shes still thinking they are possible suspects. Unlikely suspects, but possible.
Maggie asks her next question carefully. ”Did you ever meet a Mitch Cable or Josh McMann?”
Without missing a beat Clara says, ”No, why?”
”No reason.” Maggie doesnt have to go into their past crimes in Silver Springs. She can tell Clara isnt lying. ”What about a Karl Jacobs?” she asks, going out on a limb, asking only because she wants a reason to talk to Karl. If only to give him a piece of her mind for yesterdays article.
”Yeah. I knew him. I met him in rehab.”