Winter's End--A Mystery by Paige Shelton

Author:Paige Shelton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Fifteen

I called Gril and told him what had happened at Elijah’s. I told him about the man at the library and about the stack of books. I even told him about the shadow of a phone number I’d found on the piece of paper from Orin’s desk. I told him I talked to Orin. He wasn’t overly moved by anything but the fact that someone had been staying in Elijah’s house—and he didn’t know who it was. He hadn’t found Warren, and I thought that’s who he pegged as being the trespasser. He said he was heading over to Elijah’s right before he ended the call.

And then I went home and crawled into bed. Gus lay on the floor next to me, and I pulled my quilt over my head. I was exhausted. Finn was with Viola, seeming to have taken a quick liking to her and her to him.

When I woke the next morning with a start, Gus was sitting up, looking at me expectantly, but not with any sort of urgency.

“Oh, I’m okay, boy. Did I worry you? I was just tired.”

He moved next to the bed and I scratched his neck.

A knock sounded on the door.

“I’m awake. Viola?” I said as I sat up and Gus turned to the door. There was no hat nearby, so I tried to smooth my hair with my hand.

Viola opened the door, and Chaz peeked in behind her, Finn next to her. She said, “We heard a scream.”

“You did?” I looked at Gus, who I now realized had most definitely been looking at me with question and concern, not just question. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I screamed. I guess I was just dreaming … but I’m fine.” I smiled. “I had a very full day yesterday. I think my head was just processing everything. Again, sorry.”

“Okay.” Viola stood there a long moment, Chaz behind her, both of them with concerned eyes. Gus whined once, Finn panted.

I tried to remember the dream, the scream, something. Maybe it was a good thing I didn’t remember it. I felt great this morning.

“Hungry?” Chaz finally asked.

“So very hungry.”

“Okay,” Viola said. “Meet us in the dining room.”

I got ready quickly and then took Gus and Finn outside. I stood next to the Benedict House’s parking lot with my hands in my pocket and my face aimed at the sky. The sun was shining and warm on my face, even if the air was still chilly.

“Beth,” a voice called.

I opened my eyes and then shaded them with my hand. Gril was walking toward me.

“Good morning,” I said.

“Morning.”

“Did you find anyone at Elijah’s?” I asked, resuming the conversation from the previous day’s call.

“No, but I’d like to talk a bit. You have time?”

“I do. What some breakfast? Viola’s latest client is a great cook.”

“Sounds good.”

Viola and Chaz greeted us as we made our way back inside with the dogs. I watched as Gril looked at Chaz with the extra scrutiny he always had for one of the clients.

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