Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [56]
“I guess I’d better unpack this stuff before Armstrong comes along and gets the wrong idea.”
“I’ll be inside in a second,” Rachel said as Bill Yadkin headed back into his modest house.
“Alex, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along when you did.”
“I’m glad I could help.” He looked back toward the house. “Is he going to be all right?”
“I think so. I’ve been trying to get him to think straight since all this mess started, but that’s the first time I’ve seen the man I care about since Jefferson Lee’s murder. Alex, do you really believe him? It’s important that I know you’re not just saying it to keep him in town.”
“I’ll be honest with you, Rachel, I couldn’t give you a reason that would stand up in a court of law, but I do think he’s telling the truth. I’m worried, though. If he doesn’t get that temper under control, it could be bad news for him. I’m not trying to scare you, but you know it’s the truth.”
“I’m working on it, Alex. That’s all I can do.” She squeezed his hand lightly as she added, “Honestly, you men are so hard to train.”
“Yes, but we’re worth the effort, aren’t we?” Alex said with a smile.
“Sometimes,” Rachel admitted as she headed for the house.
Alex had gone around town searching for answers, but he hadn’t learned anything new. Something was niggling at the back of his mind; the only problem was, he couldn’t put his finger on what it was.
Alex wanted to talk to Shantara again.
Maybe chewing things over with his old friend would jar something loose.
At that point, it was the best he could hope for.
As Alex walked toward Shantara’s store, he had the distinct feeling that someone was watching him. Trying to be cool, he looked over his shoulder, but he couldn’t see a soul paying him any attention at all.
Chiding himself for his overactive imagination, Alex hurried his pace nevertheless.
Chapter 21
“Hey, anybody here?” Alex called out as he walked into Shantara’s store.
“I’m over here,” she said, and Alex followed her voice to the craft corner. Shantara was trying to hang a large, woven shawl on a hanger from a high nail. The handwork was obviously one of Jenny’s latest bright creations.
Alex said, “Let me help you with that.”
She said haughtily, “Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you can do something I can’t, Alex Winston.”
He plucked the hanger from Shantara’s hands and eased it over the nail. “It’s not because I’m a man; it’s because I’m taller than you are.”
She wrinkled her nose at him, then said with a smile, “Okay, maybe I overreacted. I’m still walking on eggshells around here, hoping nobody finds out my connection with Jefferson Lee.” For once the store was empty, so Shantara had no reason to lower her voice.
Even Marcie was gone, no doubt enjoying some well-earned vacation time.
Alex asked, “Is that shawl new? I don’t think I’ve seen it here before.”
Shantara said, “Rachel had it on approval, but she didn’t want it. Why, I’ll never know, especially at the discount she gets.”
“Why does she rate a discount on Jenny Harris’s handwork?”
Shantara explained, “All of the crafters at the fair formed a little friendly circle long ago, even Jefferson Lee. They can buy each other’s wares at half the retail price. I guess it’s a way for them to support each other’s work. Jenny told me last week she spent too much money this month at Bill Yadkin’s shop, even with her discount. She’s been hanging curtains in her house, and you should see the ironwork that girl has on display.”
Shantara looked longingly at the shawl and said, “You know, it’s ironic. I sell these things, but I can’t afford them.”
Alex said, “Why don’t you treat yourself? You told me you made enough from the fair to more than get you out of the hole.”
Shantara looked at the shawl and said, “Would you mind getting it back down?”
Alex retrieved the shawl and ceremoniously wrapped it around