* * *

  After his wife’s emotional outburst in the coffee shop, Jason waited another fifteen minutes and then went after her. He drove to Sheffield Bed and Breakfast and caught up with his wife at the bottom of the long driveway. Her eyes shifted downward when he pulled up alongside her and opened the window.

  “I don’t know what came over me, Jason. I shouldn’t have called so much attention to myself like that.” Eyes pleading, she continued. “I just thought you’d been acting so secretive all afternoon. I wondered what amazing finds you were keeping from me in that backpack of yours and wanted to get back here to our room so I could take a look. It drove me crazy that you wanted to keep stopping at every little storefront on the way home, and the coffee shop was the last straw. I’m sorry I made such a scene.”

  “Get in the car, Carolyn. I’ll take you up the drive and we can go to our room.” She nodded at his words and climbed in. Once the window was closed again, he said to her in a quiet, intense tone, “What did you find out from that Molly Lindsey?”

  Carolyn hesitated. “I felt guilty pretending I liked her but it’s the only way to get information about people in this backward town. She practically gushed telling me how wonderful everyone is. She did tell me the names of people she knew to be interested in Native American artifacts. There is a man named William Pendleton who is apparently very wealthy and influential in town. According to her, he knows just about everyone who is anyone along the Eastern Seaboard. She even told me where his mansion is and noted he has an impressive art collection. According to her, a whole wing of his home is set up like an art gallery.”

  “Pendleton?” Jason said. “Any relation to the head housekeeper at this bed and breakfast?”

  Carolyn laughed. “Phyllis? It’s her last name, too, but a wealthy art collector and a glorified hotel maid? It seems highly unlikely.”

  Jason put the car in park and looked at his wife. “We have our work cut out for us if we expect to take home items that have meaning as well as lucrative value. There’s a lot more out there to add to my collection. Now, if anyone asks about what happened in the café today…you were simply overtired, nothing more. A domestic spat.” She nodded at his words.

  The couple were all smiles when they greeted Allie at the entrance. They went upstairs to their room, Jason’s arm circled tightly around Carolyn’s waist as they climbed the stairs.

  * * *

  When Brenda left Mac at the police station and got into her car, she backed out of the parking lot just as Andrew Masterson in his car passed by. His head bent down occasionally as if concentrating on something of significance. She pulled into the road and followed his car hoping he paid attention to the road while contemplating.

  Brenda decided to use the front driveway and park at the far edge of guest parking. She caught up with Andrew when he alighted from his car. His eyes lit with friendly greeting when he saw her. He waited for Brenda and together they walked along the front sidewalk and entered the foyer.

  “Did you find anything interesting at the show,” Brenda asked him.

  “I found more than I expected. I didn’t realize this show would be so large. It was hard to choose. Tonight I’ll go back and bid on a signed treaty document I have my eye on.” Inside, he saw Allie and leaned on the counter. “The best find so far is you, my beauty,” he told her. Allie stepped back and attempted to ignore his advances. Brenda came to her rescue.

  “Allie, I’ll need to go over the books with you in a few minutes.”

  Andrew at first ignored the intrusion. He turned to Brenda. “Did you find that wampum bead in your attic, Brenda? I’m more than interested in it now that I’ve had a chance to view the ones at the show. I’d sure like to see how it compares.”

  “I haven’t looked up there again, but you’ll be the first to know when I do find it.”

  She asked Andrew if he needed anything before dinnertime and he reluctantly said no. He seemed to get the hint and moseyed down the hall toward the stairs. She and Allie went into the office where Brenda whispered that she only wanted to rescue her young reservationist and that she knew the books were in good order. They waited until their guest reached the top step and disappeared down the hallway.

  Brenda told Allie to let her know if their guest made any more rude overtures, and left her to her work. Brenda’s mind sped along with mixed messages regarding the person or persons who had ransacked her attic and stolen Randolph’s prized possession. Then, like a light bulb bursting on in a darkened room, she knew what she would do. Mac would not be home in time for dinner. He could find out later from her what her plan was.

  Happy to see that every guest joined the others for dinner, Brenda waited for an opportune moment. That evening, Lisa Grantham did not interrupt the conversation flowing that least concerned her. Brenda noted that the aloof woman did not appear as chatty with her new-found shopping companion, Jane Higgerson. Jane chose to sit several seats away from Lisa. When Edward Grantham mentioned certain arrowheads and several wampum beads in particular, Brenda took her chance.

  “I wanted to let you all know that I haven’t had time to go back into the attic but I did recall that Randolph also collected prized Native American artworks that have been in storage for some time. I have seen those so I know they are up there for sure. Perhaps before everyone checks out at the end of the weekend I will retrieve a few and show them to you in the sitting room. That is, if any of you are interested.” Brenda laughed. “Or by that time, perhaps you will have had your fill of Native American arts.”

  Carolyn Pyles’ fork stopped in mid-air with the piece of smoked salmon dangling. “That is something I do happen to like when it comes to old stuff,” she said. She looked at Jason. “We could hang around a little while longer before we leave, couldn’t we?”

  “I’m just glad to see you can give attention to a piece of old artwork. We’ll delay our departure long enough to take a look.” His attention shifted to Brenda. “Are you thinking about selling any of the paintings, Brenda?”

  “I’m not so sure about that. I’ll ask Mac what he thinks but so far I’ve tried to hang on to my uncle’s possessions until I can get appraisals done and make any final decisions.” Brenda kept her fingers crossed beneath the napkin on her lap to ward off her white lies.

  She paid close attention to the faces around the table. Carolyn Pyles suddenly became more animated in the discussion. She sat next to her husband. Jason and his wife apparently had reconciled whatever differences were on display earlier in Morning Sun Coffee.

  “Is everyone planning to go back for the last auction tonight?” Edward asked.

  The answers told Brenda it would be a quiet night in the bed and breakfast. Everyone answered in the affirmative except Lisa. Even Jane agreed to accompany Andrew back down there. Lisa Grantham shrugged her shoulders.

  “Since all shops close by nightfall around here I suppose I’ll take a walk down by the ocean and then find a good book to read.” Clearly, the university president was not enjoying her stay at Sheffield Bed and Breakfast or the town of Sweetfern Harbor. Brenda wondered why she accompanied her husband on the trip rather than choose her own getaway.

  “I’ll walk with you if you’d like some company, Lisa,” Brenda said.

  Lisa decided that her hostess was intelligent and at least knew how to carry on a few topics of conversation that did not involve relics of the past. She smiled and told Brenda she was more than welcomed to accompany her.

  Phyllis and William had chosen to eat out in Sweetfern Harbor before heading for the last night of the Native American Market Show. William explained he should be there to thank all the sponsors and the vendors.

  “They’ll be packing up late morning tomorrow and I may not get a chance to see them all,” he said.

  “I understand,” Phyllis said. “I’ve found it all very captivating. The history behind everything is something else. Maybe we can go to one again sometime, William.”

  “That pleases me very much. I’m glad you can share this interest with me, Phyllis.” He bent and kissed her lightly on her cheek. “We continually find more in common with one another, don’t we?”

  Phyllis leaned closer to him in answer.

  Most guests dispersed to their rooms after having drinks in the sitting room, to get ready for the last evening of the show. Brenda was just about to climb the stairs to her apartment to do the same when Jason spoke from behind her.

  “I’m curious about your housekeeper, Brenda. I haven’t seen her around today to ask, but Carolyn told me she has the same last name as the influential William Pendleton.” Brenda waited for his question, confused. “I thought they can’t possibly be related, but now I hear that they are, in fact, married? It seems a mystery to me that she is married to someone as wealthy as William Pendleton, yet still working in housekeeping.”

  “There’s no mystery to it at all. Phyllis has worked here for years, decades in fact, long before she and William married. She loves her work and he has no objections. So perhaps you have an objection?”

  A faint tint of pink spread upward to his forehead. “There is no objection at all. I was simply curious.”

  Brenda smiled at him. Youth, she thought.

  When Jason realized she was amused rather than annoyed, he asked again if she really thought the wampum was in her attic.

  “Maybe you haven’t found it because it isn’t really up there,” he said.

  “Like I said,” Brenda replied, “I only recently heard about it and this weekend has been a busy one. I’ll look again in a few days but I don’t expect to spend a lot of time on the search right now. Besides, if that’s where my uncle stored it, there is no harm in allowing it to remain where it is a little longer.”

  After she turned to continue up the stairs, Jason moved to walk alongside her. He told her to enjoy her stroll with Lisa Grantham and then he joined his wife in their room.

  Brenda grabbed her sweater from her room after brushing her hair. When she came back along the hallway, she heard voices coming from Andrew and Jane’s room. The door was slightly ajar and their voices were clear.

  “I met him once, Andrew, I told you. I had no idea he collected old artifacts. He might not have, back then…it was a long time ago, after all. I was just a lowly understudy. I’ve told you this a hundred times.” Her voice pleaded for understanding.

  “I guess you had no idea of the importance of a purple wampum then.” Andrew’s voice bordered with sarcasm.

  “That’s right, Andrew, I had no idea or interest whatsoever and still don’t.”

  Andrew remained persistent, almost accusatory. “Then you can’t appreciate the rarity of it. You’re just like his niece. Brenda doesn’t appear to know how rare it is either.”

  “She’s a smart woman, Andrew. There is more in this world than stupid relics.”

  Brenda flushed and hurried to meet Lisa in the foyer. A few remaining rays of light in the sky were enough to make the automatic lights in the yard and walkways hesitant to turn on.

  “This is a beautiful evening for a walk, Lisa,” Brenda said, trying to ignore the fight she had overheard.

  Lisa agreed. They walked across the lawn, taking in the fresh sea air.

  “It sounds as if you have a busy life, Lisa. I’d like to hear more of what you do.”

  “I definitely have a full load. I’m sorry if I’ve come across as bored in this beautiful bed and breakfast and its quaint little village setting, Brenda. I realized too late I should have taken a vacation separate from Edward. I needed a break and at the time he asked if I wanted to come with him, I was ready to go anywhere to get out of that office.”

  “I understand. I hope it hasn’t all been a disappointment for you. How did you find our shops downtown?”’

  “The shops are wonderful. Jenny Jones told me she is your step-daughter. She explained the relationship and I think that’s wonderful that you and Mac found each other as you did. Jenny’s flower shop is beautiful. She is very artistic with decorating that window, too.”

  They discussed the other shops and Lisa seemed to relax a little. When they reached the sea wall, Brenda suggested they take the pathway down to the narrow beach area.

  “It’s a little rocky but once we’re down there the sounds and smells are wonderful.”

  They found a few people enjoying the scene but it was not crowded. Several benches were anchored in the rocks at the edge of the waves. They removed their sandals and felt the water wash over their bare feet.

  “I don’t know how you keep away from down here, Brenda. It’s wonderful.”

  Brenda laughed. “I come down when I get a few minutes but weekends prove it impossible for the most part. I’m glad you gave me the excuse tonight.”

  An hour later, they returned to the bed and breakfast. Pathways and lawns glowed in the soft lights. Brenda looked at the Queen Anne structure.

  “I never get tired of this view,” she told Lisa.

  “I get that,” she said. “It is truly beautiful.”

  Allie met them at the door. “I was just leaving, Brenda. Do you need anything else tonight?”

  Brenda told her to go on home and she would see her the next day. After Allie left, Lisa commented on her youth.

  “She is very young but very capable. She has a great future ahead of her no matter what path she chooses.” Brenda pointed out a few pieces of artwork hung on the wall behind the front desk. “Those are watercolors that Allie painted.”

  Lisa admired her talent. Brenda asked her if she had noticed the paintings of sailboats in the dining room and the sitting room. Lisa’s interest was piqued. She told Brenda they looked very realistic and dramatic. Brenda explained they were of the sailboats of three captains who once were well-known competitors in the annual boat races. The competition occurred every July in Sweetfern Harbor.

  By the time their chat ended, Lisa thanked Brenda for the enjoyable evening.

  “I’m ready to find a good read now,” Lisa said. Brenda pointed her to the study that held a wide assortment of books on the carved wooden bookshelves.

  Mac had entered through the back entrance. He followed their voices to the room and greeted the women.

  “We’ve had a wonderful walk down at the ocean,” Lisa said. “I’m ready for a good book.”

  They told her goodnight and went to the kitchen where Brenda retrieved dinner for Mac and reheated the food. She made a small pot of coffee and together they sat down to exchange happenings of the day.

  Mac discussed the case at hand. “It’s been determined there were more security personnel around that night than accounted for during the thefts. Whoever did it impersonated security. They apparently used nitrile gloves, something all security carry in case there is a medical injury they need to assist with. At any rate, we found powder from the nitrile gloves, but no fingerprints on the glass case locks other than the owners’ prints.”

  “How did they get them open without damage?”

  “They were picked and secured again as if it never happened. They are pros.”

  Chapter 6

  Possible Suspects

  “I set up our guests this evening, hoping to flush out the thief of Uncle Randolph’s wampum bead,” Brenda told Mac. “I told a story…okay, a fib, during dinner.”

  Mac raised his eyebrows and then smiled. “Tell me.”

  Brenda related her false story about several valuable paintings in the attic that depicted Native American history. “It drew attention right away. Even Carolyn Pyles became curious about the artwork. The rest expressed interest and had questions that I frankly couldn’t answer. I told them I hadn’t gone through everything up there yet to know what I really had. I made it clear that I had not been back upstairs, so presumably had not seen the ransacked state of things. Perhaps the thief will return.”

  “Maybe you’ve set a good trap. I have no doubt that whoever stole from the show is the same perpetrator that went through the attic. The vendors were robbed by a pro and your attic may have been ransacked, but I think that just indicates frustration and lack of time. And I don’t doubt at all that they found the rare wampum.”

  “If anyone plans to go back up there tonight they’ll be in for a big surprise,” Brenda grinned. “Do you have anyone in particular in mind?”

  Mac shook his head no. “You probably have picked up more from the guests than I have. Bryce has been quite thorough in his follow-up questions once you asked them of their whereabouts. He didn’t let on that it had to do with the missing wampum bead – just the investigation down at the Market Show – so that kept them in the dark. At least, it keeps everyone in the dark except the one who stole it.”

  Brenda rinsed the dishes and left them in the sink. They climbed the back stairs to their apartment. When asked, Brenda told Mac that everyone went back down to the auction except Lisa Grantham.

  “I felt a little sorry for her,” Brenda said. “I think she regrets she didn’t spend her time getting away someplace else.” She told Mac about the conversation between them.

  Mac inserted the key and opened their apartment door. Once inside, he said, “Is there any reason to suspect Lisa Grantham?” At her shocked expression, Mac continued. “She is married to someone who is an avid collector. She could be feigning disinterest in the whole subject to divert attention away from her.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it that way, Mac. I have the feeling she is not faking anything, but I could be wrong. She may or may not be reading a good book. Do you think she is waiting for us to turn in for the night so she can go up there to look for these imaginary paintings?” Brenda looked out the window and swerved back to face Mac, her brow furrowed. “I really don’t believe it’s her. She showed only mild interest when I casually mentioned what was in the attic. But on the other hand, she was very intrigued by the boat race paintings downstairs. I just don’t know.”

  “Then there’s the impersonation of a security guard or two. I have the descriptions of two individuals that several guards hadn’t seen before. None mentioned that they resembled a woman.”

 

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