Murder And Salutations Part 16

"What have you been doing, chasing down criminals?" I asked.

"Something like that. What's up?"

"I'm at Sara Lynn's sc.r.a.pbooking shop, but she's not here. Bradford, I'm worried about her."

He paused a moment, then said, "Hang on a second, would you?"

"Okay," I said. As I waited for him to come back on, I let my gaze drift around the shop. Sara Lynn had a knack for display that I envied, and I promised myself I'd do a better job at the card shop once things settled down. If they ever did.

He came back on. "Sorry about that. Don't worry about Sara Lynn."

"I can't help it. I'm afraid she's with Bailey."

He laughed. "I doubt that, since I'm looking at her right now."

"What have you two been doing, racing each other around the town square?"

"How did you know? Listen, did you need to talk to her?"

I thought about it. Was there really anything I needed to share with my sister? She was with Bradford, so I knew Sara Lynn was all right.

"No, just tell her I'll talk to her later."

"Will do," he said, and before I could ask him what they were up to, he hung up on me. I'd been meaning to remind him to pick me up after work, but I'd have to call back later. I walked back to my card shop, and when I got to Greg's business I saw that the lights were back on. He was sitting at the counter, and on an impulse that was against my better judgment, I walked in.

When he looked up, it was pretty obvious he'd been hoping I was someone else. "Hi, Jennifer."

"I've had warmer welcomes in my life," I said. "Did you ever catch up with her?"

"No, she was too fast for me. Sorry I ran out on you like that."

"Greg, you have nothing to apologize for."

"Not even that kiss?" he said, giving me a sheepish grin.

"Kiss? What kiss?"

"If you don't remember it, I didn't do a good enough job."

I smiled. "Actually, you're even better at it than I remember. It's almost a shame we won't get to do it anymore."

There was silence for a few moments, then he said softly, "You're right. It's over, isn't it? I guess I knew it in my heart, but seeing Stephanie run off like that tore me apart. She's who I belong with, Jennifer, not you."

"I couldn't agree with you more," I said, "though it's not an easy thing to hear. I hope you can fix things with her."

"Me, too."

He didn't sound like he had much hope. "If there's anything I can do, let me know."

"I think we've both done enough, at least together," he said.

"As long as we're clear that whatever we had is gone," I said, needing the closure of that final admission.

"Agreed," he said. "But as corny as it sounds, I still want to be your friend."

"I don't think it's corny at all." I approached him and stuck out my hand. "Let's shake on it."

We did, and I started for the door. "Jennifer?"

I turned back. "Yes?"

"Thanks. For everything."

"Even this afternoon?"

He smiled. "Yes, even for that. Stephanie will come around, especially if I apologize enough."

"Then you'd better get to it," I said, "because here she comes."

Stephanie didn't even break stride as she walked into the pottery shop. Ignoring Greg for a moment, she faced me and said, "If you think I'm giving him up without a fight, you're nuts."

"Believe me, he's all yours," I said. "What you saw was a good-bye kiss, nothing more."

Stephanie frowned. "It looked more like h.e.l.lo to me.

I looked at her intently. "I promise you this. You don't know me, but I keep my word. Ask anybody. You have nothing to worry about from me."

She acted like she couldn't believe it.

Greg said, "It's true."

She iced him with a glare, then turned back to me. "Are you sure? I know about your history together."

"That's just what it is: history," I said. "But we're going to be friends, and I won't give that up without a fight, either."

Stephanie smiled slightly. "I think I can handle that."

"Good," I said as I stuck out my hand. She looked surprised by the gesture, then shook my hand. I was glad she hadn't wanted to arm wrestle for Greg. That girl had a grip on her.

Greg said, "I'm glad that's settled."

Stephanie stared at him a second. "You're kidding, right? Do you honestly think I'm letting you off the hook that easily?"

"I was kind of hoping you would," he said.

I laughed as I headed for the door. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Greg said.

"I wasn't talking to you."

I felt good as I walked to the card shop. It was going to be an adjustment changing my att.i.tude toward Greg, but I had a feeling it would make my life a lot less complicated having him as a friend instead of a sometime love. Maybe I could even start being nicer to him again.

Stranger things had happened.

Chapter 11.

'What did you find out?" Lillian asked as I walked in the door.

"You're not going to believe this, but Polly and Kaye are acting as each other's alibis. I didn't even realize they were friends."

"I heard they couldn't stand each other," Lillian said.

"So it's unlikely that they conspired to kill Eliza together, isn't it?"

Lillian frowned. "That depends."

"On what?"

"Whether they hated Eliza more than they do each other."

"I don't know which is more likely," I said.

"Maybe we should do a little more digging." Lillian looked at her watch, then said, "But not now. I've got to go."

As she started out the door, I asked, "Are you sure you don't want to tell me where you're going?"

"Positive," she said, and then I was alone. The shop was quiet for most of the afternoon, so I decided to copy Sara Lynn's display techniques and show the steps to making a simple double-fold card with window cutouts. My wrist was sore, but I could still work through it. Besides, it was the best therapy, physical and emotional, for me. I had samples for each step and was ready to mount them onto cardboard backs when the phone rang.

"Custom Card Creations," I said "I never get tired of hearing you say that. You sound so professional," Gail said.

"It's all an illusion," I replied as I glued one of the cards to a bright orange piece of cardboard. "What's happening?"

"I was hoping we could hang out a little tonight, but I've got to go out of town for a few days," Gail said.

"Don't tell me Reggie's taking you to Cancun."

Gail sighed. "At this point, I'm not even sure he'd take me to a convenience store for a c.o.ke and a Zinger."

'Trouble in paradise?" I asked as I mounted another card sample. I was the queen of mult.i.tasking. Well, at least the princess.

"Honestly, he's been distracted lately, and I'm wondering if he's been seeing someone else."

"You're kidding. What man in his right mind would two-time you?"

"My point exactly," she said. "Anyway, I'm not sure if we're going to date anymore."

"I hope I didn't make it worse by moving over there," I said, "It's still not too late if you want me to back off," to back off,"

"No," Gail said, "That cottage sounds perfect for you. Don't worry about me. I'm sure someone else will come along,"

"There's no doubt in my mind," I said. She hadn't mentioned the shooting last night, and I wasn't sure I should bring it up myself, After all, there was nothing either one of us could do about it at the moment, and 1 didn't want to worry my friend unnecessarily.

I was just about hang up when she said, "I can't believe you weren't going to say anything about what happened last night."

"So you heard?"

"Jennifer, all of Rebel Forge knows. Why didn't you all me?"

"I didn't want you to worry," I said.

"Too late for that. Are you sure those shots weren't meant for you? I know how you like to snoop. Maybe you got too close to somebody."

"If I did, it was purely by accident," I said, laughing.

"Be careful, okay? I couldn't afford to lose my best friend."

"I wouldn't want you to lose her, either," I said.

"Well, I'd better go," Gail said. "I've been dreading this sales call. The guy's a real Neanderthal."

"I'm sure you can handle him."

"Oh, I can handle him, all right, but I'd like to make the sale, too."

"Just consider it a challenge," I said.

"Jennifer, they all are."

By the time I was ready to close the shop, I had the display finished and mounted to the wall by my card kits. It looked really nice, but I felt a little guilty stealing Sara Lynn's idea. I'd have to say something to her before someone else did. I just hoped she'd understand.

I waited outside for five minutes before my brother showed up. Since he was my ride, I hadn't had much choice, though my wrist was starting to bother me again. All I wanted was to go back to my place, grab an ice pack, take a few aspirin, and lip on an old movie on television. Okay, a pizza would be nice. And some c.o.ke. But that was it. Then again, I'd love a piece of chocolate cake for dessert. It was probably all a little self indulgent, but I figured I was due. I could really use some comfort food.

Bradford drove up wearing street clothes and driving his pickup. At least he had the courtesy to hold the door open for me as I got in.

"You're late," I said.