Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [22]
“You heard it yourself?” I asked.
“It happened right over there,” she said as she gestured to a table by the window. “I thought they were going to come to blows, Belle was so mad.”
I shook my head as I took another sip of coffee. “So now I’ve let her back in. I wondered why Cragg insisted we sign the papers last night.”
“It’s no secret Gary Cragg’s had a crush on Sanora Gaston since the day she came to River’s Edge, married or not. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the one who put the thought of coming back into her head.”
“So what am I going to do? Heather’s talking about leaving.”
“I’ll have a chat with her after she’s had a chance to cool down. I wouldn’t worry about her skipping out, though. She signed her new lease the day I did. We’re both going to be here for at least another year.”
“She can still break it, can’t she? You don’t know how upset she was when she woke me up.”
“I’ve got a good idea. She was building up a head of steam here before she came up to give you your wake-up call. There’s something else you’re forgetting. Aaron broke up with her to go back with Sanora, and once they were through for the second time, he didn’t want her anymore. It’s got to sting like the devil’s tail to have to see the other woman at River’s Edge. Stay out of Heather’s way for the next few days and things will be fine.”
“Thanks, Millie, I appreciate the advice, the information, and the tab. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Harrison. Sorry I was snippy with you.”
“You? Snippy? I don’t remember a thing.”
I started for At Wick’s End, but it was too early even for me. I noticed a pickup truck in front of The Pot Shot, quickly filling up with things from inside. Sanora was boxing up some of Aaron’s things, and from the look of it, she’d been at it awhile. I’d just assumed she’d use his equipment and materials, but evidently I’d been wrong.
“Need a hand?” I asked.
‘Thank goodness. I thought I was going to have to dismantle this thing before anyone offered to help. Grab an end, would you?”
I did as she asked, and was surprised to see we were removing the pottery wheel Aaron had been throwing at the night he’d died. It wasn’t taking her long to get rid of it.
“You should have told me,” I said as I grabbed the end with the motor mounted, surprised by how heavy the rig was.
“I don’t even have to ask what you’re talking about. Gertie Braun was senile if she thought I took that money, and Belle should never have believed her. I was innocent then, and I’m still innocent today.”
“Why would you want to come back, knowing how folks around here feel about you?” I asked as I lifted my end onto the back of the truck. There was a scattering of tools in the truck bed, and I had to nudge aside a pair of wire cutters as I put my part of the pottery wheel down.
“I thought they’d be over it by now. I know Belle was your family, but it was wrong of her to throw me out. I love River’s Edge. It’s the perfect spot, as far as I’m concerned, and I’m not going to let a few cold shoulders drive me out. You’re not going to try to break my lease, are you? Gary warned me you might.”
“The lease we signed was binding,” I stated simply.
“And after that, we’ll see, right? That’s all I ask, a chance to prove myself to you.”
“Fair enough.” I patted the old wheel. “What are you going to do with this?”
“It’s going straight to the dump. I couldn’t bear to have it around, knowing it was the cause of Aaron’s death.” She added, “Listen, thanks for the help, but I need to get back at it if I’m going to open in three days.”
“Three days? Are you sure you’ll be ready?”
“At the rate I’m going, I shouldn’t have any problems. Bye, Harrison.”
I watched her go back inside and started for At Wick’s End, but as I did, I kept wondering why she didn’t try to sell the electric wheel instead of getting rid of it at the dump. All it needed was