Death Waxed Over - Tim Myers [15]
The new candleshop was lit up when I got there, though there was no sign that the police were anywhere around. Morton must have finished his search and moved on. I tried the door anyway and was surprised when it opened. As I walked inside the franchise store, I saw that Gretel didn’t shy away from carrying the most expensive candlemaking kits available, and the prices on her display pieces were nearly double mine. I didn’t know if she’d be able to sell much of her wares, but with the mark-up she’d built in, it wouldn’t take much for her to show a profit.
Two steps inside, I spotted an older gentleman behind the counter, nervously rubbing the bridge of his nose with one finger. He looked up and said, “I’m sorry, but we’re not really open. I shouldn’t even be here, but I don’t know what else to do. The police just left.”
He wasn’t going to get rid of me that easily. “My name’s Harrison Black. I wanted to come by and tell you I’m sorry for your loss.”
He nodded. “I’m Jubal Grant. Of course I know you; you’re the owner of At Wick’s End. It’s a delightful shop; I’ve been there a time or two myself. Pearly speaks quite highly of you.”
“You know Pearly?” What did my handyman have to do with any of this?
“Of course I do. I thought you knew. He and Gretel were quite an item; they had been for some time. In fact, he helped us set up here. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have said anything. I didn’t realize it was a secret.”
“No, that’s fine. Pearly’s free to do whatever he wants in his free time. I’m just surprised he didn’t say anything to me about it before.”
“He’s the one who called and told me about Gretel. I understand you were there when it happened.”
Great. “I don’t know what he said, but—”
“Please, I’ve already heard the rumors, but I don’t believe you had anything to do with Gretel’s death, Mr. Black. Pearly agreed with me that it was a preposterous notion. She was feeling the pressure of your presence in Micah’s Ridge, but I’m sure it wasn’t personal. I can’t imagine anyone seriously thinking you had anything to do with what happened to her today.”
“Excuse my asking, but how well did you know her?”
He sighed. “Too well. I’m not just an errant employee, if that’s what you’re asking. Gretel was my second cousin. I suppose I’ll have to deal with the funeral arrangements since her brother Hans isn’t here, but I don’t want to have to think about that now. I came back to the candleshop when the police called me. What a nightmare. The sheriff was most intrusive, asking all sorts of questions. I’m afraid I wasn’t much help. Gretel and I had been drifting apart over the years. She called me last month to come help her with the candleshop, and I thought it would give us a chance to get reacquainted. I’m retired myself, but Micah’s Ridge sounded delightful, so I agreed to help out. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”
“Do you have any idea who might have killed her?”
Jubal said, “Sheriff Morton asked me that same question. I haven’t a clue who would want her dead. Gretel was so alive, do you know what I mean? And now her life’s been snuffed out like an errant candlewick.” He dabbed at a tear, then said, “She always said I was too dramatic. I’ll miss so much about her.”
“So what happens to the shop now?” I asked.
“I don’t have a clue. I suspect all of her worldly goods were tied up in it. I suppose it will all go to her brother. She and Hans were estranged, but as twins, there was a real bond between them.”
“Their parents named them Hans and Gretel?” The cruelty of some people when they named their children astounded me.
“I admit, it was a difficult time for them growing up. As if their being fraternal twins wasn’t enough reason for them to stand out. Honestly, I don’t even know how to find Hans. He dropped out of sight a dozen years ago, and no one in the family has seen him since. It’s been thirty years since I’ve laid eyes on the man myself.”
“There’s no one else?”
He shook his head. “Our line is a dying branch of the family tree. Besides Hans, I’m all that