Riddle (16 page)

Chapter 27

Perhaps it was because it was cold and rainy or maybe it was just because it was the day before most folks got paid, but the diner was slow. Grace found a few free minutes around eight o’clock to call Kort and fill him in on what happened during her conversation with Tony and Sandy.

Kort lay on his bed and listened carefully as she told him what Sandy had said. “I wonder how old he was when Desiree was killed.”

Grace was silent for a moment. “You don’t think he could have done it, do you?” She tried to picture the strangely shy young man as a killer.

“I honestly don’t know what to think. It seems he would be too young. Maybe his father did it and he found out. Hell, maybe his mother did it. Something sounds off. What do you think?”

“I just can’t see him doing it Kort. I think he has some issues but I would too if my father committed suicide for any reason. I’ll admit the thing about the note that said he was doing it for Desiree sounds very suspicious. I just don’t know Kort. Maybe when we all go out together you’ll pick up on something. It’s worth a try.”

Listening to her voice Kort found himself remembering how close he had come to kissing her. Finding himself growing aroused he got up and began walking around his room. “If he calls you tonight let me know, okay?”

“Oh I doubt he’ll call me tonight. But if he does you can bet I’ll call you. I’d better get back to work although it’s pretty dead here.”

He didn’t want her to get off the phone. He tried to think of something to say to keep her talking, then feeling guilty he agreed with her. “I’ll see you tomorrow I guess?” It came out as more of a question than a statement and he felt foolish.

Hearing the change in his voice Grace assumed he was tired and said good night. After hanging up, Kort sat with the phone in his hand for a few minutes thinking about Grace. When the phone buzzed he jumped, startled by the sound. Looking down he saw that it was Norma. He stared at the glowing face of the phone, Norma’s name flashing demandingly. He considered flinging the phone across the room but instead, for the first time, he pressed the ignore button knowing she would see it.

The evening passed slowly for Grace and she found every time she looked at the clock only a few minutes had ticked by. She spent much of her shift sitting and talking with Mandy and Ashlee. By nine o’clock Jack sat with them. “Moe is closing down some of the kitchen and cleaning up. Ashlee you might as well go on home.”

He didn’t have to say it twice. She was on her feet and hurrying to get her coat. They all laughed as she dashed out the door waving back over her shoulder.

By eleven there was almost no traffic on the road. Jack told Mandy and Grace to go on home and he would close up. Mandy had not offered to give Grace a ride and she was debating if she should call Kort when Mandy finally spoke up.

“Is your boyfriend picking you up or do you need a ride?” Mandy teased.

Shooting her a look and shoving her gently Grace said, “He is not my boyfriend and I would appreciate a ride.”

As they got into Mandy’s car she told Grace everyone thought they were dating.

Blushing slightly Grace asked in incredulously, “People are talking about us? I haven’t even been here that long.”

Mandy shrugged as she flipped on her windshield wipers. “It’s a small town Grace. We have to have something to talk about besides ourselves.” Squinting against the rain she grumbled, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. We’re supposed to go to the fair.”

Grace’s head snapped around. “That’s funny. Tony from the Inn invited me to join a group that’s going but he hasn’t said what day yet.”

Frowning slightly Mandy glanced at her. “Tony? That’s weird.”

Grace shrugged. “I guess. But I haven’t seen much of Riddle and it will be nice to get out of the apartment.” She looked at Mandy. “Maybe we can all go together if it wouldn’t be intruding.”

Mandy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t mind if you come but Tony is, well, I told you about him. He’s kind of creepy.” Feeling badly that she said it she added, “I guess he needs friends.”

“Sandy said she might come as well if that makes a difference. I understand if you aren’t comfortable with it though. He probably has other friends he wants to go with anyway.” She held her breath waiting for Mandy’s response.

“As far as I know Tony doesn’t have friends. He used to have a girlfriend but they broke up. Since then he seems to just be alone, unless he has a secret girlfriend stashed away somewhere.” As Mandy turned the car into the Timbers it skidded slightly on the wet road. “I really need to put air in these tires before I end up sliding off the road.”

When they reached her building Grace turned to Mandy. “Do you want to come up for a while?”             

Mandy shook her head, “No thanks, maybe some other time.”

“Listen I’m sorry of I seemed pushy about the fair.”

Mandy cut her off. “No I’m sorry. I think it would be a good idea if we all go together. You should see if Kort wants to come. That way we won’t have to defend you against Tony’s advances.” She laughed at Grace’s shocked expression.

“Oh shut up!” She smacked Mandy on the arm. “I would like all of us to go. I’ll suggest it to Tony and Sandy. Maybe I can hook the two of you up.” Before Mandy could respond Grace said good-night and hopped out of the car. Mandy beeped her car horn and waved as Grace dashed through the rain to the stairs and up to her apartment.

As Mandy pulled out of the parking lot she wondered why a Sheriff’s car was parked with its lights off. Her attention was drawn away by the slickness of the wet road and she soon forgot about the dark car.

Chapter 28

Grace was getting ready for work the next morning when her phone rang. Frowning when she didn’t recognize the number she debated not answering. Her curiosity outweighed her discomfort and she answered hesitantly.

“Grace Donahue?” A barely audible male voice asked.

Grace’s heart began to pound as she responded, yes.

“Hi, it’s Tony from the Inn. I hope I didn’t wake you.” His voice was louder now and more certain.

Releasing the breath she’d been holding Grace assured him he not awakened her. “I’m just getting ready for work.”

“Well, I wondered if you’d be able to go to the fair this evening. I know it’s very short notice but Sandy said it would be good for her.”

“That would be perfect. One of my co-workers is going tonight too. We get off at six and I’m off tomorrow so I can sleep in if we stay very late.” Grace was almost jumping up and down, eager to call Kort.

Tony was silent for a moment before agreeing that six o’clock was fine. “Do you want to ride with me or will you be riding with your friend?”

Grace was pretty sure she’d be going with Kort but certainly wasn’t going to reveal that to Tony. “Um, I guess so. Can I get back to you if I need a ride?”

His tone brightening, Tony agreed to check back with her later in the day. By the time they said good-bye Tony was in a better mood. As soon as he disconnected Grace looked quickly at the clock, then punched in Kort’s number. He answered halfway through the second ring.

“I’m on my way.” The day had dawned clear and sunny and for the first time in a long time Kort was feeling optimistic about this future. Sunlight glistened on streets and trees and the sky was a beautiful cloudless blue.

“Tony just called,” Grace told him excitedly. “We’re going to the fair tonight. Please tell me you can make it.”

Kort’s heart rate picked up. “I can make it. What did he say?”

“It was short and sweet. He asked if I could go tonight and if I needed a ride. I told him I would probably ride with a friend from work. Do you think I should ride with him? Maybe he’ll say something more revealing.”

“Absolutely not,” Kort told her. “I doubt he killed Desiree but I wouldn’t risk your life on it.” An image of Grace beaten in the woods where Desiree had been found crossed his mind and he shuddered. “This may not mean anything. It may all be exactly what it appears to be; a kid whose father committed suicide and he acts a little weird.”

“And stalks a girl until the police get involved?” Grace added.

“What? Who did he stalk?”

“Apparently he had a girlfriend and when she broke up with him he didn’t take it very well. Sandy told me about it.”

“I’m almost there. Have you had breakfast yet?”Kort asked as he absorbed this new information. He turned onto the road that led to The Timbers. Grace told him she hadn’t eaten as she hurriedly continued dressing. He was a lot earlier than he needed to be. “Let’s have breakfast at the diner before you start work.”

Rushing into the bathroom to brush her hair Grace readily agreed. As she applied a little make-up she had to laugh. No wonder people thought they were dating. She spent more time with him than anyone else in town. “Of course he’s practically the only person I know in Riddle,” she rationalized.

She had just grabbed her purse and opened the door to head down the stairs to wait for him as he raised his hand to knock at the door. Opening the door to find him standing there caused her to jump back, startled. They both burst into laughter at her reaction.

“We’re jumpy,” Kort observed, stepping aside to let her lock her door. The scent of raspberries and vanilla wafted from her hair and Kort inhaled deeply. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.

“I guess we are,” Grace agreed. “Was Sandy at the desk when you came in?

“I didn’t really notice,” he admitted. As they rode down in the elevator there was a momentary awkward silence. They both glanced at the front desk as they stepped off the elevator but no one was there. Looking at one another they shrugged simultaneously.

Following Kort to his truck she giggled. “You know people think we’re dating. They should only know what’s really going on.” He held the door for her as she got into the truck. Part of him wanted to ask what she thought was going on. He’d come to grips with the fact that he was attracted to her. He also realized she was just passing through Riddle and there was no point in starting something that would be over quickly.

As he got into the driver’s seat he echoed what Mandy had said the night before. “Riddle is a small town. It thrives on gossip.” Squinting against the bright sunlight, he slipped a pair of sunglasses over his eyes.  “It’s almost like a poison that got into the town’s bloodstream and it circulates around infecting everyone. Before you know it the entire town is disease ridden.”

Surprised at the bitterness in his voice Grace realized he was talking about Desiree’s murder and what had happened to him. Not for the first time she felt slightly uneasy. Studying his profile she considered the possibility he was a killer and was using her to implicate someone else. Worse yet, was he making her feel comfortable and then she would be his next victim. “Ridiculous,” she thought shaking her head.

Kort looked at her, his eyes hidden behind the dark lenses. “What’s wrong?”

Embarrassed she just shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just hard to believe people can be so gossipy.” Remembering her own life growing up she knew that it was silly to think Kort was anything other than what he appeared to be. “I guess being on my own for a while has made me forget how foolish people can be. It wasn’t really all that different when I was growing up. I’ll bet my neighbors tongues are clucking away now that I’ve left…” She stopped as she realized she was about to reveal more than she wanted to.

Kort turned onto the main road. “I guess you still don’t want to talk about it. I can see where it would have been painful for you. Do you ever consider going back and giving him another chance; maybe letting him explain?”

“How the hell do you explain something like that?” she asked sharply. “Oh I screwed your best friend just before our wedding but there’s a perfectly good reason.” She shook her head. “There is no good reason for that.”

Kort grew very quiet. He had touched a nerve. He’d known it was a sensitive subject but he hadn’t expected her reaction. “I’m sorry. I have no right to pry.”

Sighing heavily Grace looked out the window at the passing traffic. “That’s a part of my life I prefer to forget. It’s the past. It needs to stay in the past.”

Pulling into the diner parking lot Kort questioned if he had the right to involve her in something that could be dangerous. They turned to one another at the same time and started to speak. As the words died on their lips they stared at one another before bursting into laughter. “If we had to decide which of us was in worse shape, who do you think would win?” she asked.

Kort removed his sunglasses and shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to guess. Are you sure you want to get tangled up in this?”

“I’m sure. It’s not like I’ll be here for the rest of my life. If I can help you out at least one of us may get some resolution. Besides I owe you. You got me a job and helped me move into my lavish digs.”

All he heard was that she wouldn’t be there for the rest of her life.  He had known that, he shouldn’t have been surprised. “Let’s go have breakfast.” With that he got out of the truck and went to open Grace’s door. She could tell he was upset but couldn’t figure out what she had said that might have bothered him. As she stood beside the truck looking up at him she noted again how attractive he was. Even with his jaw set tensely, when he looked down at her she felt as though she’d been hit with an electric prod.

“Did I say something to upset you?” she kept her voice steady, staring into his eyes.

Kort thought about telling her what he felt. But he wasn’t entirely sure what he was feeling.  After over seven years in prison without female company he had responded to Norma’s flirtation without any resistance. This could be nothing more than a release of hormones. Taking her elbow he led her to the door of the diner. “I don’t want to get you involved in something risky. I guess I just feel a little guilty.”

Grace looked back over her shoulder at him. “Don’t feel guilty.” When she turned back Mandy was standing in front of her with her eyebrows raised inquisitively. Grace made a face at her.

“You’re early,” she smiled at Kort. “Good morning Kort. Breakfast for one or two?”

“Breakfast for two,” Grace answered before Kort could. “Are we still on for the fair tonight?”

Mandy’s eyes darted from Grace to Kort and back again. “Are we? Who are
we
anyway?” Following Mandy to a table at the front of the diner Grace explained that Tony was going in his car and she would ride with Kort.   

Grinning, Mandy said, “That should be exciting.” As they sat down Mandy placed menus on the table. “Coffee?”

Kort chuckled. “It could be interesting. And two coffee’s please.”

Mandy looked from his face to Grace, “You know, I think I like this guy. We might have to treat him to breakfast.” With that she went to get their coffee.

“Let me guess, she’s one of the people who thinks we’re dating.”

Grace nodded, “Apparently one of many who think so.”

“Everyone is probably waiting to see if your body turns up somewhere…”

“Stop that! It isn’t funny.” She leaned toward him. “If you start acting that way, then people will look at you that way.”

“Grace, people have been looking at me that way before there was any reason to even consider it. You don’t know what it was like when I was a kid. If a group of boys got into trouble it was because of me. I was the bad kid. Do you know why? Because I’m not white. I’m not black either.”

“I can’t believe people in this town are that ignorant. Mandy isn’t. Jack isn’t.”

“Where were they when I was being convicted of a crime I didn’t commit? Where were they for the seven years I was locked up with killers, drug dealers, sexual predators, and grown men who would kill me as soon as look at me? They were out here living their lives, starting businesses, getting married, going to college. I went to college behind bars and made something of myself in spite of the people who turned their backs on me. You’re a smart woman Grace but you have no idea what my life has been like.” Suddenly he stood up. “I’ve gotta go.”

Grace stared after him open-mouthed. Glancing around she realized several people were gawking in her direction. Mandy returned to the table staring at Kort’s disappearing back. “Whoa.  What was that about?”

“Apparently I pissed him off.” Grace stood up, embarrassed by the attention his outburst had drawn. “I’m going to the rest room to freshen up then I’m going to start work.”

She strode away purposefully but when she neared the front door she went outside. Kort was sitting in his truck. Taking a deep breath and gritting her teeth she walked to the driver’s door. “Okay I get it. You had a fucked up life. This town treated you like shit. The people here live in some kind of time warp. Just because I find that unbelievable doesn’t mean I’m like them. I’m trying to help you. I think you’re innocent.”

Kort looked at her through narrowed eyes. “Exactly why are you doing that Grace? What damned difference does it make to you? You’ll be gone in two or three weeks. Are you just getting a rush out of playing girl detective?”

His words angered Grace even more. “How dare you! You humiliate me at my job, you chew me out in public, you make unfair and untrue judgments about my motives…” She stopped. “Go to hell.” Turning she stomped back to the diner.

Furious, Kort started the truck and drove away, swearing under his breath.

Grace could barely control herself as hot tears burned her eyes. Ignoring Mandy who stood at the hostess station she marched back to the ladies room, entered a stall, and began to cry. She heard the outer door open and close and stifled her sobs wiping the tears from her face. She heard a soft knock at the stall door and Mandy whispered, “Come on out here and talk to me.”

Opening the door slowly she stepped outside. “I feel like such an idiot.”

Mandy hugged her. “Are you sure you two aren’t dating? That sounded like a boyfriend-girlfriend argument to me.”

Grace pushed her away gently. “I hate him. He’s such an ass.”

“Uh huh. I can see that.” Mandy controlled the smile that threatened to erupt on her face.

Grace didn’t realize she was being sarcastic. “He’s got such an ‘oh poor me attitude’. You’d think he was the only person in history who had been unjustly convicted of a crime. How dare he judge me!” She splashed cold water on her face. Looking into the mirror she caught Mandy’s reflection behind her, the grin finally escaping. For a moment Grace felt angry. Then she realized how absurd the whole thing was and she started to laugh. “It does sound like we’re romantically involved but I promise you, we are not.”

“Oh I believe you,” Mandy assured her. “But you need to look at your reaction and his reaction. Maybe you’re both in denial.”

Grace turned to face Mandy, crossing her arms over her chest. “Trust me that will never happen. I’m leaving Riddle as soon as Jerry drops that transmission in my car. And I won’t be looking in my rearview mirror to see if Kort Eriksen is still standing.”