At Wick's End - Tim Myers [23]
Trying to put the best face on things, I promised myself I’d choke it down if I could and never accept another invitation without knowing what was on the menu first.
I unwrapped the sandwich with no great haste. “Hey, it’s ham on rye.”
Heather grinned impishly. “Dijon mustard too. You should have seen your face when I told you it was bean sprouts. What would you like to drink? I’ve got Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew.”
I took the Dr Pepper and twisted the top off the iced bottle. After taking a healthy swallow, I said, “Okay, I admit that I might have misread you.”
Heather smiled brightly. “Then I’ll confess to setting you up just then. I love bean sprouts, but I wasn’t about to force my tastes on you, especially not during our first shared meal. So what do you think of River’s Edge so far?”
I took a bite of my sandwich as I considered the question. “It’s quite a collection, isn’t it?”
“Of businesses or people?” she asked.
“To be honest with you, both.”
Heather nodded. “That’s why I love it so much. Not many nine-to-five types here, unless you count Gary Cragg, and he’s an oddity in his own way.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
She said, “My experience has been that most lawyers cluster together near the courthouse. I’ve often wondered what he’s doing out here by himself.” She took a bite from her sandwich, then added, “If I’m being honest about it, it could just be the suit I’ve got problems with. I’ve never been all that impressed with anybody who has to wear a tie to work. I doubt Gary has ever been on a picnic in his life.”
I smiled softly. “Maybe you should have invited him instead of me.”
Heather shook her head. “I don’t think so, Harrison. I made the right choice.”
I nodded my thanks. “I’m honored you asked.”
A pair of mallard ducks swam by us near the shore, pausing now and then to dive for something in the water. Heather tossed a piece of her bread to them, and they attacked it with zeal. I followed suit with the little that remained of my sandwich, popping the last of the meat in my mouth as I threw the bread. They waited around another minute after gobbling it down just as quickly, realized the lunch counter was closed, then went back to their fishing.
“It’s really peaceful here, isn’t it,” I said, mesmerized by the drifting currents of the water.
“It can be,” she replied. “Hey, did you ever get rid of those boxes for the Salvation Army?”
“Not yet. I’ve been so busy around the store, I haven’t had a chance.”
Heather put the last of the wrappings in her basket as she said, “The offer’s still open if you need me to drop them off for you.”
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” I said as I stood and stretched. The concrete had been a hard seat, but I hadn’t realized how hard until I stood up. I dusted off my hands and said, “I’ll have to return the favor sometime soon. Thanks again for lunch,” I said as I walked back to At Wick’s End.
“You’re most welcome,” she said. “I’m here every day at noon. Just let me know.”
After I was back inside the candle shop, I couldn’t help wondering if Heather’s lunch invitation had been just another way to get a crack at those boxes again, or if it was, as it appeared, a friendly gesture welcoming me to the building. I told myself, “Harrison, old boy, you’re going to have to stop seeing villainous motives behind every action, or you’ll drive yourself crazy.”
But how was I going to recognize something that really was a clue, if I didn’t examine every action and motive I ran across?
Detective work surely wasn’t as easy as they made it look in books.
I found Eve in the office having a sandwich of her own. “Sorry, I didn’t know you were eating,” I said as I started to back out of the room.
She patted the chair across from her. “Sit, keep me company. Belle and I always used to split our lunch breaks, but if no one was in the shop, we’d share a bite or two together.”
I sat where she directed. “You must really miss her.”
Eve nodded. “It’s amazing how large a hole somebody can leave in your life when they’re gone.” She stared at the remains of her sandwich,