Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [39]
“Thanks for coming,” she said to the crowd as they settled down. “We’ve all seen some wonderful artisans at work over the past two days, and our giveaways are a testimony to their skills. I’d like us all to observe a moment of silence for Jefferson Lee before we announce the prizewinners.”
The crowd quieted, and Alex could hear the whispering of the wind through the trees near the lighthouse. After a few seconds, Shantara looked up and said, “Thank you. Now let’s get right to the prizes. First up is this wonderful handmade piece by Jenny Harris.” Shantara held up Jenny’s contribution, a shawl sparkling with velvet blues and purples.
Shantara reached down into a barrel holding all of the entry tickets and announced, “The winner of this lovely shawl is ... Mor Pendleton.”
There were wild hoots from the audience as Mor stepped forward to collect his prize. It looked to Alex like his friend regretted having entered the drawing as he collected the shawl and hastily made his way back into the crowd.
Next she held up a beautiful oak chair Rachel had created. It was the real reason Alex had even entered his ticket into the drawing. He could just barely afford one of Rachel’s pieces, but Alex couldn’t justify spending the money to buy one for himself, not with the costs of the new construction going higher and higher.
“And the winner is ... Travis Jenks.” Alex recognized one of the kids from Shantara’s cleanup crew go to the steps to collect his prize. He held the chair up over his head and shouted to his crowd of friends standing nearby.
The donated pottery tea set went to an older woman
Alex didn’t recognize, while Bill Yadkin’s iron napkin rings went to a woman from town named Ruby Garnet.
Alex thought the drawings were over when Shantara announced, “We have one last item to give away, contributed by Jefferson Lee.”
As the crowd quieted, Alex looked out over the people gathered there. Many of them had come to see the murder scene as well as the festival, and Alex could feel an undercurrent buzz in the air.
Shantara broke the silence by holding up a delicately formed leafy vine a foot long that Jefferson had created out of steel. No matter what the world had thought of the man, he truly had been an artist with iron and fire.
Shantara reached into the barrel and drew out a name. “I’m pleased to announce that the winner is none other than our host, Alex Winston.”
There were a few disappointed groans under the cheers as Alex stepped forward to receive his prize. The work was even lovelier up close. As he took the vine from Shantara, Alex could see the veins on the leaves etched into the iron.
He faded back as quickly as he could, clutching the prize in one hand.
Shantara said, “I want to thank you all for coming and making this fair a success. Feel free to stay for the Lighthouse Lighting, and be sure to have a safe drive home.”
As the visitors made their way back to their cars to retrieve blankets and picnic baskets for the ceremony, the craftspeople began breaking down their sites. In less than twenty minutes, all that was left was Jefferson Lee’s forge standing alone in one corner of the yard and the potters’ booth in another. Alex found Shantara packing up the pottery exhibit, wrapping everything carefully.
“Why don’t you let that wait,” Alex said. “It’s almost time for the lighting.” He grinned. “Besides, I’ll help you do this after everyone else is gone.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, Alex, you’ve done so much already.” She pointed to the kids working around her. “Besides, I can’t just bug out and leave them all here to finish without me.”
“They’re not going to take off without you, Shantara. You’re buying the pizza, remember?” Alex grabbed her hand. “Come on, you can climb the steps with me.”
“Can I throw the switch?”
“Don’t push it,” he said, laughing.
The interior of the lighthouse was dark as Alex and Shantara climbed the steps together, a single flashlight between them. By the time they got to the observation deck, the crowd had settled in, ready for the ceremony.
Alex called out to the people below,