Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [66]
“I lost a tenant at River’s Edge.”
He nodded. “That’s right, I read about that potter in the paper. Some freak accident, right?”
“I don’t think so. You don’t want to hear about it, do you?”
Wayne said, “Are you kidding? The most exciting thing that’s happened to me lately is that I worked on Sandra Bullock’s car. At least she looked like her until I got closer. Give.”
So I told him about Aaron’s death and the suspects in my mind. “The lawyer did it,” he said flatly.
“Why do you think that?”
“Why not? They’re always up to something no good.”
I shook my head. “As foolproof as your logic is, I don’t think so.”
He said, “Sounds like Aaron was a bit of a player.”
“That’s the way it’s turning out, but I never would have pegged him for one.”
Wayne took a drink of his water, then said, “So who’s the last woman in his life?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted.
“You might want to find out.”
“Why do you say that?”
He polished off his water, then said, “Think about it. He’s had an ex-wife for quite a while, and unless you think this Heather did it, you’ve got to look at his last love. Especially since you won’t agree with me about the lawyer. Follow his love life.”
“How do I find out who she was? He was keeping this one a secret, as far as I can tell.”
“Somebody had to have seen her visit him. Ask your other tenants.”
I laughed. “Have you been watching Murder, She Wrote again?”
“Hey, you asked.”
“No, you’re right. I’m going to see if I can figure this out.”
Wayne said, “When you do, let me know. This is frustrating. It’s like reading a book and finding out the last chapter is missing.”
“Books are neat; it’s life that’s messy,” I said.
“Get that out of a fortune cookie, did you?”
I slapped him on the back. “Do me a favor, buddy, don’t ever change.”
He held his hands out. “Why should I? I’m the perfect me.”
As I drove back to River’s Edge, I wondered if anyone had seen Aaron’s secret love. It wouldn’t hurt to ask around.
After a shower, and changing into clean clothes, I had just enough time to talk to Millie before she left for the day. Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen a soul. Nor had Tick, or Heather, or any of the other first-floor tenants, though Heather suggested I talk to Sanora.
I was going to do just that, but The Pot Shot was closed when I went by. So it was another dead end.
When I got up to my apartment, there was something taped to my door. For a second I thought Markum might be back in town. Then I saw the words. “Mind your own business or else.”
It appeared that someone wasn’t happy with me.
Most likely Heather or Sanora had decided I was being too nosy butting into their business, but I thought the note was over the top. I started to throw it away when I got inside, then thought better of it and put it on the table by the door. Tomorrow I’d have to ask them about it and see if I could mend fences. With all of us working so closely together at River’s Edge, I didn’t want something like this hanging over our heads.
I put the water on to boil, since tonight was going to be spaghetti night given the state of my finances, and then I set the table. The center of it looked bare, so I searched around for a candle to burn. It was a habit I’d started with Belle’s tribute soon after she’d died, and I’d found it soothing.
I spotted the braided candle Mrs. Jorgenson had given me and decided to light it for my companionship. The braided wicks, overdipped a few times to make them one piece, lit readily as the candle began to burn.
By the time the pasta was ready and the sauce heated, the three candles had burned enough to separate slightly before rejoining. What a wonderful gift from my star student. The pasta was good, though the sauce was a little sweet for my taste. I blew the braided candle out, then curled up on the couch to finish my book. For once, I was able to spend a quiet evening alone at River’s Edge.
I was in dire need of it, even if it did turn out to be the calm before the storm.
Chapter 17
I need to speak with you,” I said the next morning as I saw