“She gave me this yesterday when she told me she knew who killed Kacey.” I handed him the piece of paper.
“And this is?” Toby’s confusion filled his face.
I handed over my GPS handheld device. “The directions to the clue that proves who killed Kacey.”
He handed me back the paper and the device. “Sorry Jill, it just seems a little cloak-and-dagger for me. Who would do that kind of thing?”
From what I knew about Ginny, she would. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just grasping at straws. I’m beat. I’m going to go upstairs and take a shower.”
Toby nodded. “Can I look at this again? I’ll be long gone by the time you’re out of the shower.”
I nodded. “Knock yourself out.” I left my cell on the table, figuring if anyone called it would be Greg and he could just wait a few minutes before I called him back.
The hot water in the shower was glorious, and I took my time shaving my legs and just standing in the warm spray. When I got out, I listened for footsteps downstairs, but apparently Toby had let himself out. I knew he’d be off doing his own laundry while I played lady of leisure.
I waited for Toby’s truck to pull out of the driveway, then I picked up my phone. There was only one person I knew who would be up for this.
When the call was answered, I jumped into my story. Finally, I asked the important question: “So, do you want to go see if she really planted a clue at this spot?”
CHAPTER 20
Sadie set a basket filled with treats on the backseat before she climbed into my Jeep. “This is so exciting. I never get to go sleuthing with you.”
“You may not think that if we come up short. Greg’s going to be a little testy about me taking off today.” I pulled up one corner of the plaid fabric that covered the basket and dug out a blueberry muffin. “Thanks for bringing these, but we shouldn’t be out that long. And I was planning on buying you lunch at that Mexican spot in Bakerstown.”
“You can still do that. It’s a great excuse for Greg, right?” Sadie grinned. “I’m not an idiot. I know how to cover my tracks.”
I thought that was probably as close to Sadie got to lying, but it wasn’t her fault since she didn’t realize she didn’t have a clue. “I’m sure he’s right and we’re on a wild goose chase, but it just feels like we need to try to find this before someone else finds it and the evidence disappears.”
“You are pretty certain that Ginny knew who the killer was, aren’t you?” Sadie set her travel mug into the cup holder and strapped on her seat belt. “Well, let’s go find this cache. I’ve got Bible study tonight, and I want to bake some cookies before I go.”
I took a bite of the muffin and pulled the Jeep out onto the road. If things went right, Sadie would be home about one and have plenty of time to bake before her group met. At worst, someone would know we were missing at seven when Sadie and the cookies didn’t show. If I’ve learned anything from my sleuthing adventures it’s that having a backup plan wasn’t a bad idea.
I glanced up at the gathering clouds as we drove to the hiking trailhead. “Looks like rain. Of course, it’s probably wishful thinking.”
“I got a letter from the water conservation committee with a refrigerator magnet on how to save water. It seemed very in-depth. Make sure you tell your aunt what a great job the committee’s doing.” Sadie pulled out a notebook along with a bunch of thank-you cards. “The church just had a fasting day of prayer, and I need to get these ready for Pastor Bill to send out this week. You wouldn’t believe the amount of money we raised for the child care center just by the members skipping meals for a day and donating that money.”
“I could not not eat for a day. I’d pass out.” I slowed, looking for the turnoff that would take us north to the forest.
“You’d be surprised at how long your body can really go without food. Water, now, that’s another subject. You have to stay hydrated.” She pulled two oversized water containers with straps on the edges. “I brought these for us to take on our adventure. We should be good.”
“You think of everything.” We settled in for the ride, me listening to the country music station and Sadie writing Pastor Bill’s thank-you cards. Sadie did a lot for the man, probably because he was a widower. If he’d had a wife, she would probably take care of many of these tasks.
The thought of Pastor Bill being single and needing someone like Sadie in his life started turning over in my head. The man wasn’t half bad-looking. He was a little nice for my tastes, but for Sadie, he’d be perfect. I wonder if Greg would object to a small dinner party at the house. We could invite Sadie and Pastor Bill, Harrold and Jackie, Justin and Amy—my party planning stopped short. Amy wasn’t even talking to me. No way she would come to a dinner party if I was hosting.
I sighed and turned down the stereo.