Elementary in Teaberry Read online

  “I guess I’m not surprised to see you.” Rhonda slipped a jacket off and hung it up on a coat rack.

  “We understand you recently witnessed an argument between Gregg Eastman and Kirk Moody.” Erica slid her sunglasses off. Her eyes immediately went to the photos on the wall. “You still support the team?”

  “Oh, sure. I’m looking forward to this season. The pitcher has a very promising arm.” Rhonda smiled as she watched Erica check out the photos. “I remember when you played.”

  “Those were good times,” Erica said.

  “They’re always looking for good coaches,” Rhonda said.

  “Maybe when the twins are a little older.” Erica turned back to Rhonda.

  Rhonda leaned against a desk and crossed her arms. “I really don’t want to say anything negative about other business owners in the area.”

  “I get that,” Erica said with a nod. “But this is a murder investigation.”

  “Yeah.” It came out softly. Rhonda looked resigned. “I can’t really tell you much anyway. The men were having an argument I’d heard them have before.” She shrugged. “I’m sure a lot of people have.”

  “It’s that common with them?” Erica asked. Based on what they’d been hearing, she wasn’t surprised when Rhonda agreed.

  “I assumed they both blew off steam and that was the end of it.” Rhonda looked from Erica to Jerry. “I’m not sure what would have happened if Caitlyn hadn’t intervened when she did.”

  “You think it would have escalated if Caitlyn wasn’t there?” Erica asked.

  “I prefer to think that wasn’t the case.” Rhonda glanced at the time then pushed herself away from her desk. “Sorry to rush, but I have to check on something here and then I have another meeting in town I’d like to get to.”

  Erica pulled her sunglasses from her pocket. “You’ve been running around a lot today.”

  “I won’t complain.” Rhonda opened a desk drawer. “It gets me out of the office.”

  ***

  Megan couldn’t find a parking space in front of Anderson Florist. She double parked and crossed her fingers. Caitlyn came through the front door and quickly moved around the SUV. Megan checked her rearview mirror as Caitlyn buckled her seatbelt then pulled back into traffic.

  “Good timing,” Caitlyn said. “My mom just got there.”

  “Good thing she was available to watch the shop for you.” Megan signaled a turn.

  “I love my business but it feels good to step away for short periods of time.” Caitlyn looked out the side window. “Right now I feel like I’m playing hooky.”

  “Hardly. You’re going to a business meeting,” Megan pointed out as the administration building came into view. “Do you want me to drop you off near the door.”

  “No.” Caitlyn pointed. “Looks like a spot over there.”

  Megan negotiated the SUV into the space. As she reached for her seatbelt, she eyed the flags on the flagpole. They were straight out. “You get out first. If we both try at the same time, it’ll be like a wind tunnel in here.”

  She waited until Caitlyn was out and had the passenger door closed before checking her mirrors. The wind pushed back against the door as she slid out. They were inside the administration building a moment later.

  Megan reached up to pull her hair back into a tail. “Wow, that was something.”

  They stopped at the first door and looked in at the town events coordinator.

  “Uh, oh. Is it that time?” Jessilyn stood and went out into the hallway to join them. “The mayor is waiting for us.”

  “We shouldn’t take up much of her time,” Caitlyn said. “I’m sure she’s busy.”

  “Swamped,” Jessilyn agreed as she stopped at an open door. “Have a seat. I’ll get her.”

  Megan and Caitlyn chose deep leather seats around a large wooden conference table. Jessilyn and Barbara Reynolds joined them a moment later.

  “I don’t want to keep you any longer than we have to,” Caitlyn said. “You know that I’ve brought up the idea of a consistent marketing message for the town whenever any business runs an ad.”

  “An interesting idea,” Barbara said as she took a seat. “How was it received?”

  Caitlyn grimaced. “Not well. One issue is the money, of course. They’re questioning why they’re paying for ad space to promote the town.”

  “Promoting the town brings in business to everyone,” Jessilyn said.

  “A fact that sounds good until it’s time to pay for it,” Barbara murmured.

  “Exactly,” Caitlyn agreed. “There’s also a lot of confusion about what that would look like.” She held up one finger. “But I had an idea about that. I have to give credit to a former business, however. Elementary in Teaberry.”

  Barbara’s face lit up. “I remember the toy company.” She turned to Jessilyn. “It was before your time. They made toys, right here in Teaberry.” Barbara’s brows pulled together as she turned back to Caitlyn. “Where was the toy shop?”

  “Where Anderson Florist is now. That’s what got me interested.” She motioned to Megan. “She actually has some of the toys from there.”

  “The family that made the toys used a consistent mark on each toy,” Megan said. “A sprig of Teaberry.”

  Understanding dawned in Barbara’s eyes as she turned back to Caitlyn. “A consistent branding message.”

  Caitlyn spread her hands out. “Right. We use a logo on every ad that promotes the whole town as a unified destination with a lot to offer.”

  “Can we use a similar logo?” Jessilyn asked. “Like a sprig of teaberry?”

  “Depends on the trademark issues,” Caitlyn explained. “We’d have to have a lawyer check.”

  “Jennifer Parker is our lawyer.” Jessilyn pointed across the table at Caitlyn. “And practically related.”

  “With our husbands in business together, she’s almost a sister-in-law,” Caitlyn agreed.

  “It’s a start on solving some of your problems,” Barbara said.

  Caitlyn leaned back in her chair. “But not all of them. There’s still the issue of individual businesses paying to advertise the whole town.”

  “I might have a partial solution,” Rhonda said from the doorway. “At least, it could be used as a hook. Mind if I join you?”

  “Rhonda, of course not. Have a seat.” Barbara motioned toward an empty chair.

  Rhonda took a check from her purse and slid it across the table toward the mayor. “After our last business council meeting, I kept thinking about Caitlyn’s idea and the pushback she was getting from the local businesses.”

  Barbara held the check up. “This is a donation to help solve the problem?”

  “I thought you might be able to establish a fund that businesses can draw on to help fund that portion of the ad.” Rhonda looked around the table. “It isn’t a huge donation, but it’s a start.”

  “It’s very generous,” Barbara said as the others agreed.

  “I won’t take over your meeting.” Rhonda moved toward the door. “I just wanted to help put a good idea into motion. I think marketing our town as a destination spot will be great for everyone.”

  Caitlyn shouted her thanks as Rhonda left then turned to the others. “Well, that was unexpected.”

  “But very nice,” Jessilyn added. “Now we just have to figure out the best way to spend it.”

  “I had another thought,” Megan said. “Maybe we could use the town web site more. What if we allowed local businesses to include ads on our site?”

  Barbara nodded. “It could be another incentive.”

  “I can meet with some of the businesses to start new online promotion ad space for them,” Megan offered. “If it helps, I can explain how they might use some of the money donated by Rhonda to get them on board with the new promotion idea at the same time.”

  Barbara stood. “I’m afraid I need to get to my next meeting.” She paused at the doorway. “Excellent ideas, everyone. Keep me in the loop.”

&nb
sp; Caitlyn turned to Megan. “Wow. That was a very brief, very productive meeting.”

  “Yeah.” Megan stood. “Now it’s time to get to work and put it all into action.”

  Chapter Twelve

  It was obvious she was the impatient type. Salina Moody led them into a sizable living room then immediately began to pace in front of a gas fireplace. She didn’t suggest they take a seat, not that Jerry could hold that against the woman. After all, she’d just learned that someone she knew had been murdered. That would be enough to shock anyone’s system.

  But Salina Moody was taking it harder than most. He noticed the red-rimmed eyes when she answered the door. Now that he had a chance to watch her for a few moments, he saw even more detail. Her eyes weren’t just watery. They were filled with a range of emotions. He thought he saw panic but that wasn’t uncommon when people found police officers on their doorstep. Her body was rigid. She wasn’t just pacing. She was stalking back and forth.

  Erica removed her sunglasses. “Mrs. Moody, can you tell us what your relationship with Gregg Eastman was?”

  Erica’s question sounded almost casual. As though they’d just happened upon her and were taking some sort of survey. Salina Moody’s response was anything but casual. She crossed thin arms and anger flared in her eyes.

  “I’ve seen him around. It’s not like we live in the largest city in the world. I know some of the other electricians in Teaberry.” Salina’s eyes shifted from Erica to Jerry when he began writing.

  “And what did you know about this electrician in particular?” Erica asked.

  Salina returned her focus to Erica. “He was a better businessman than my husband.”

  Erica’s brows went up. “Not much of a compliment to your husband.”

  Salina threw her thin shoulders back. “It isn’t my fault Kirk isn’t as good a businessman as Gregg was.”

  “Care to explain that?” Erica’s gaze shifted around the room.

  Salina’s hands went up in the air briefly as she finally stopped pacing. “He’s stingy with everything. Me, his materials. It shows in his work. It shows in this house.”

  “I wouldn’t think this house would cause any embarrassment.” Erica finished examining the room. When she returned her focus to Salina, she lifted one brow. “It’s about the same size as the other houses in the neighborhood.”

  “Exactly!” Salina appeared vindicated.

  Jerry held his pen above his notepad. “Do you work, Mrs. Moody?”

  Salina dropped her eyes before looking away toward the window facing the street. “I am involved in the business. Some of the calls are routed here during the day when Kirk is out on a job. Not that it happens as often as it should. Kirk’s business isn’t as competitive as some others.”

  Erica shared a look with Jerry before continuing. “How long were you having an affair with the victim?”

  “What?” Salina’s head quickly swiveled back toward Erica.

  Jerry saw her eyes widen in surprise just before Salina Moody willed her face into stone.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Salina crossed over to a side table near a couch. She absently moved an ebook reader about an inch to the right.

  “We can put you under oath,” Erica said calmly.

  Salina’s eyes shot to Erica’s. “Go ahead. You can’t prove anything.”

  Erica smiled. “Was that a challenge?”

  Salina’s face lost some of its color. “Why are you here?”

  “We’re conducting a murder investigation.” Erica reached for her sunglasses in her pocket. “We’ll be back as often as we’d like to ask you more questions.”

  Jerry closed his notepad and followed Erica outside.

  Erica paused just before they reached the patrol car. “Did you notice there weren’t any photos anywhere in the house? No wedding pictures, no photos of the two of them. Nothing.”

  “She had only good words to say about the victim. Only bad words to say about her husband.” Jerry checked the front window. He watched the curtain shift. “She’s hiding something. And she believes we can’t find it. My guess is you were right about the affair.”

  “You think the husband found out? Killed the lover?”

  “I think we have more than enough to bring Kirk Moody in for questioning.” Jerry scanned the other houses in the neighborhood. He saw more than one curtain move.

  ***

  LeAnn reached across the desk in Gabe’s office and gently ran her fingers over the frame of the photo he kept there. It was a picture of the two of them. She remembered that day. It was a rare day in their marriage when they spent the whole day together. They were happy that day. She could see it in their smiles. She didn’t remember the picture though. She wondered about him keeping it all these years even with his nomadic life following the racing circuit.

  She left his office and went back into the main part of the garage. His pneumatic tool finally shut off, leaving the garage in silence. She watched him disentangle himself from beneath the frame of an oversized truck.

  “Did you get through to work?” He set his tool down and pushed his safety glasses up on his head.

  “Yeah, thanks. They said I don’t need to come in.”

  He crossed over to her and took a bottle of water from her hand.

  “Thanks.” After taking a drink, he handed it back to her. “What do you want to do now?”

  She blew out a breath. “We still need to find a place to live. Something that has room to grow.”

  He nodded his agreement as he crossed over to the large bay door. “What about your job?”

  She watched him push a button. The door began to open. The sun was shining. It was still breezy outside, but the wind wasn’t coming into the garage. He remained in the opening so she crossed over to join him.

  “I would like to find a job that doesn’t have me working nights and weekends.” She pulled the sides of her sweater together and crossed her arms.

  He rubbed the back of his neck as he watched a Waters Food delivery truck drive past the garage. “I wish I had as much business as they did.”

  She smiled at his wish. “They make good money.”

  “Husband and wife get to work together. That’s the important part. I just don’t have that much business. Not enough to keep you busy here full-time with paperwork.” He glanced back into his garage then looked down at her with a wry smile. “And you don’t know anything about wrenching.”

  Her smile was wistful. “That would be nice.”

  “Maybe you should take classes?”

  “What?” It wasn’t a question she was expecting.

  “Yeah. Transition to some new field. Something that has better job options for you. Better hours. You used to talk about going to college when we were young. Back when we were still in high school. I never understood why you didn’t do it.”

  She thought back to her younger self. The smile on her face was gone. “My family never wanted me to do that. My parents said they didn’t have the money, for one thing.”

  “You could have gone part-time. Worked to help pay for it.”

  “I guess when you hear only negative things about something your whole life, you begin to believe them too.” She shook her head to clear the memories. “My family was never supportive of anything when it came to me. That was why I never expected anything from your family.”

  She saw the pain in his eyes. It made her look away.

  It was a long moment before he spoke again. “What would you like to do? If it could be anything. Anything you wanted.”

  It was a good question. She spoke without thinking. “I like kids.”

  His eyes shot to hers. “Good thing.”

  ***

  She knew the chair he sat on was uncomfortable. She also knew it wasn’t the reason he was squirming in the seat across the table from her. It was the closeness of the small room. Having Jerry standing next to them helped with the effect. His broad shoulders seemed to fill the space eve
n more.

  Kirk Moody shifted in his seat. “I don’t care what you think. I didn’t do it.”

  “We haven’t accused you of killing anyone,” Erica pointed out.

  Kirk’s voice grew louder. “Then why am I here?”

  “You have been seen all over town arguing with the victim multiple times over an extended period.” Her words were casual. “It would be remiss of us not to ask you questions. Don’t you think?”

  He rubbed one hand across his face then leaned forward. Using one hand to emphasize his words, he tried again. “I didn’t do it.”

  “Then who did?” Erica sounded mildly curious.

  The frustration in his face was obvious. “I have no idea. I just know it wasn’t me.”

  Erica tilted her head. “Can you prove that?”

  Kirk began shaking his head in exasperation. “How would I know when the guy died?”

  Jerry flipped to a page in his notepad and read the date and approximate time.

  Kirk straightened in his seat. A smile worked its way across his lips. He began nodding.

  Erica shared a look with Jerry but waited Kirk out.

  “Yeah, I can prove it.” Kirk started pointing at Erica. “Check the video.”

  Erica’s eyes narrowed. “What video?”

  “I was with the town administration.” He shifted his eyes from Erica to Jerry and back again. His smile broadened. “I was putting in a bid for an electrical project they posted. Ask anyone.” He lifted his hands in the air to motion toward the camera in the corner. “I’m sure there are cameras everywhere in and around that building.”

  Erica followed Jerry out into the hallway a few minutes later. “What do you think?”

  Jerry tucked his notepad away. “He’s right. There are a lot of cameras there. My guess is, he isn’t the killer. He must know we’ll check the video. I’ll bet we find him, right where he says he was.”

  “Yeah.” She pressed her fingers into her eyes. “Not taking that bet.”

  “I’ll start pulling the video.” He used his chin to point toward the room they just left. “What do you want to do with him?”

  She glanced at the door as she thought it through. “Let him sit there while you check the video. If we have any more questions after we watch it, I want him around to ask.”