“It’s beautiful!” I said. And I meant it, too. The color was almost a perfect match for her mysterious fern green eyes.
Jokingly, she began sashaying back and forth, flaunting her stuff. “Watch out, Jay. Here I come!” Just then, the door jingled open and in came an older gentleman. He immediately lifted his eyes and hand to greet Makayla before stopping short with a jaw-popping expression. His face reddened instantly, and he turned and fled, the door slamming behind him with a chorus of jostling bells.
I burst out laughing when I saw the mortified look on Makayla’s face. “Oh my Lawd!” she cried. “That was Mr. Goldman. He’s one of my best customers.”
I placed a bill on the counter and tipped my cup her way. “Don’t worry. Once he gets over the shock, he’ll be back.” I gave her a wink. “I guarantee it.”
*
I WAS STILL laughing as I made my way into the office and found Vicky sitting at her desk. “I didn’t expect to see you in so early today,” I said. It was Saturday, and no one was technically required to be at work until the ten o’clock status meeting, which was still almost two hours from now.
“Just trying to get caught up on some work. I’ve already placed several queries on your desk.”
“Thank you.” I walked over to the waiting room chair, where Eliot was contently curled up, and stroked his spine, eliciting a soft purr. “Bentley and I spoke yesterday about Olive. I told her that I support your position. We both agreed that it would be horrible to lose you.”
She looked up from her computer screen. “Thank you, Lila. But when I spoke to Ms. Duke yesterday, she seemed intent on bringing Olive into the office. I even went as far as finding a suitable doggie day care nearby, but Ms. Duke said she prefers to keep Olive with her during the day. I’ve already given her my notice. I’ll inform the other agents of my decision at the status meeting.”
My heart fell, but what could I do? I’d already spoken to Bentley, and that didn’t get me anywhere. But perhaps once the other agents were aware of the situation, we could team up and persuade Vicky to stay. Or persuade Bentley to come up with a compromise. Like the dog care service Vicky suggested for daytime hours. Anything besides burdening Vicky with Olive’s care.
Vicky had turned back to her computer screen, her chin elevated as she peered through the blue-rimmed reading glasses perched on the end of her nose. I hovered for a while, not knowing what else to say, before heading back to my own office.
The queries she’d mentioned were in the middle of my desk, but I pushed them aside for a second, fired up my computer, and opened up a browser window, anxious to find out if Rufus had been able to look at his records yet. I typed in Rufus Manning Photography and called the phone number listed on their website. My call was sent directly to an answering service. I glanced at my watch. It was early yet; I’d try back later. Next, I went back to the browser and typed in Chuck’s name with several key words that might link to some sort of engagement announcement, but nothing popped up. Then I went directly to the online edition of our local paper and searched engagement announcements, still not finding any mention of the name Chuck Richards.
My mind wandered back to that very first day I’d met Chuck at the Magnolia Bed and Breakfast. I remembered him saying he couldn’t reschedule the work on Cora’s kitchen because he had a trip planned. To see his fiancée, perhaps? But why would the ring be in his pocket? Obviously, she’d already worn the ring for the photograph. I shrugged to myself. Probably something as simple as needing repair work, especially since it looked like an older ring. But if he needed to travel to see her, that would mean she wasn’t a local gal. She could live anywhere.
I sighed and sank back into my chair. How frustrating. It felt as if I were grasping for something just out of my reach. Something big, something key to this whole mystery and, more importantly, something that would exonerate Jodi and prove without a doubt that my client Lynn had nothing to do with Chuck’s murder.