At Wick's End - Tim Myers [70]
“I needed you to give up your claim to the property. Harrison, if I was going to be able to take over River’s Edge. I followed you to the library and couldn’t believe my good luck when you left the deposit on the front seat of the cab. It was a perfect opportunity to drive you away. But I underestimated you, didn’t I? Ann Marie told me about your special client who was going to save the day, so I had to discourage her from patronizing your shop. I thought the telephone call would be enough of a threat to keep her away, but she was more determined than I thought she’d be. After that, I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to scare you away from At Wick’s End, so it was time to take more drastic measures.”
“So you decided to mess with my brakes.”
Young smiled. “I purposely didn’t tell you about Belle’s truck, so you’d have to drive the Dodge. I knew you’d drive it again sooner or later. The condition it’s in, I doubted anyone would look twice at an accident.”
“Your accidents are getting to be a habit for you, aren’t they?”
Young shook his head. “Belle didn’t have to die. If she’d only minded her own business, I never would have had to take action. She was going to turn me in. Hiding that diamond in the candle was a stroke of brilliance, I have to credit her for that. She shouldn’t have confronted me first though. Can you imagine, she wanted me to have the opportunity to turn myself in before she did. That was her last mistake.”
I’d heard all I needed to hear. “And you’ve made yours,” I said as I threw the hot wax at him, hoping to burn his face with it for killing my great-aunt.
He threw his hands up automatically to defend himself and caught the sizzling wax square on. There was no way he could hold a gun with the burns, so I picked the weapon up and trained it on him as I dialed Sheriff Coburn’s number.
The next morning, after very little sleep, and troubled at that, we held an impromptu meeting at The Crocked Pot with most of the tenants at River’s Edge, including Markum.
“What I want to know is how he slipped back into my office without my keys,” Markum said.
Pearly said, “I hate to admit this, but I’ve come to the conclusion he made copies of mine. I keep a master set, it’s required by the fire marshal. Young must have absconded with my set, duplicated them, then returned them without me being aware of it. He hovered around here quite a bit, you know.”
Heather said, “Harrison, you should never have tackled him on your own. You could have been killed.”
I smiled at her, then at Eve. “I had the perfect defensive weapon with me. That wax is hot!”
Eve said, “I told you all along, you have to be careful with it.” She glanced at the clock. “I’m so happy it’s all turned out for the best, but it’s almost time to open our shop.”
I got up to follow, and Eve added, “Why don’t you come in later? You had an active night. Go up to your apartment and get some rest.”
“Maybe I’ll do that,” I said.
Markum said, “Well, I’ve got to head out too. I need to move my desk.” He looked at Pearly and asked, “Do you have time to give me a hand?”
“Absolutely,” Pearly said.
That left Millie, Cragg, Heather and me. Cragg glanced at his watch and said, “I’ve got to get over to the courthouse. I’m defending Lucas Young.”
I said, “No offense, but I hope you lose.”
He shrugged. “The accused is entitled to the best defense possible.”
“You mean that their money can buy,” Millie added, loud enough for Cragg to hear on his way out.
“Now what can I do for you two,” she asked. “More coffee? How about some pumpkin doughnuts? I just made a new batch.”
“If I drink any more coffee, I’ll never be able to take a nap.”
Heather said, “Who are you kidding? If At Wick’s End is open, you’re going to be there. That’s where you belong, Harrison.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
As I walked to the candle shop, I found myself wishing I’d had the chance to thank Belle for my new life. She’d given me a great trust, leaving River’s Edge, and At Wick’s End in particular, to