Riddle (8 page)

“Okay first we get the phone. Then you take me to Goodwill. Then we have dinner at the pizza place but I pay for my own.” She stuck out her hand. “Deal?”

Kort studied her for a few seconds before taking her hand and shaking it. “Why are we going to Goodwill?”

Grace laughed. “There are no linens or dishes and cooking utensils in that apartment. Now I could steal towels and sheets from the motel but I think they would catch me pretty quickly. I mean, I work right across the road.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“You are pretty much the only person I know in this town. And honestly I know more about you than anyone else I’ve met. It’s all out there. So I figure anyone who could help a strange woman get a job can’t be all bad, right?”

Shaking his head he started the truck and headed toward the shopping area on the other side of town. Grace watched with interest as they passed houses, apartment buildings, and a variety of businesses before entering the parking lot of a large shopping center. Apparently there was more to Riddle than she had seen or expected.

“A lot of this is new to me,” Kort told her as he navigated the crowded lot in search of a place to park.

“How long were you away?” Grace asked. Then she immediately apologized. “I’m sorry. That’s none of my business.”

He slipped the truck into an available space. “No that’s okay. I was in for over seven years.”

Shaking her head Grace told him she couldn’t imagine being confined for such a long time. “But then I’ve become something of a gypsy these days.”

Kort studied her closely. “I hope someday you’ll tell me about that. You don’t seem like the gypsy type.”

She smiled wryly. “I think I just became the gypsy type because it was easier than facing the failures in my life. Maybe we’ll talk about that some time but not right now if you don’t mind.”

“No problem.” Pointing across the parking lot he said “They have a sign that says they’re having a sale.”

“Well let’s check it out.” Grace got out of the truck and stretched her back, relieved that the rain had once again passed although the sky was still dark with threatening clouds.

Kort’s eyes flitted over her body noting she was in good shape. He wondered again if she was running from an ex-husband or boyfriend, or maybe even a girlfriend. He toyed with the notion she might have done something illegal but there was nothing about her to indicate that. Holding the door he allowed her to go inside the store first.

They had just begun to look at the variety of phones on display when a salesman cornered them and began to expound on the qualities of every phone and plan available. Occasionally Kort and Grace exchanged grins behind his back. Eventually Kort decided on a phone, a carrier, and a plan and almost an hour after entering the store they walked out financially lighter but technologically connected.

Reaching the truck they looked at one another and burst into laughter. “I owe you dinner after that!” Kort unlocked the passenger side of the truck.

“I may have to take you up on that. He certainly wanted to make a sale.” Climbing in, she reached back and took the bag with the purchases from his hand. “I think you got a good deal though.”

Starting the engine Kort glanced at the dashboard clock. “Let’s get to Goodwill so you can get moved in Thursday.”

Grace bit her lip uncertainly. “Are you sure I’m not imposing?”

Kort grinned broadly at her. “We made a deal and you more than lived up to your end.”

The sun had set leaving the sky a strange dark gray as the clouds pressed down on the nearly empty street. Most people were probably home eating dinner. It had rained while they were inside the store and drops still dotted the windshield reflecting the headlights of passing cars. Pulling into the strip mall where Goodwill was located Grace noted several small local restaurants there as well as a couple of local stores.

“Good, Little Nicky’s Pizza is still here. They have great food. Looks like you’ll get your pizza.”

Goodwill was empty except for a cashier and a young girl stocking shelves. Grace found some dishes and cookware but when it came to linens she had second thoughts. Kort sensed her reticence and said softly, “We can look somewhere else.”

“I don’t want to drag you all over town.”

Kort took the towel she was holding and folded it back on the shelf. “I don’t mind. We can grab a bite to eat. Let me ask around and I’ll pick you tomorrow after work. We’ll find someplace that isn’t too expensive,” he hesitated. “Someplace you can get something that isn’t used.”

“I hate to put you out. But I honestly don’t think I can do this.” Grace wrinkled her nose. “I guess I didn’t think it through.”

She paid for her purchases and Kort helped her carry the packages to the truck. As he placed the bags into the truck bed he said, “I’ll ask around and see if anyone can suggest a good place to shop.” Grinning he added, “I can’t have you stealing linens from the motel.”

Grace made a face at him and laughed. “Especially since the desk clerk referred me to her aunt the renting agent at the apartment complex.”

Coming around to the front of the truck he leaned against the hood. “That’s one of the good things about a small town. It’s also one of the bad things about a small town.”

Nodding her agreement Grace said, “I know. I come from a small town.” She hesitated. “I don’t know about Riddle but gossip was a form of entertainment where I come from.”

Kort looked around as if searching for words to say. “Unfortunately once you develop a reputation in a town like this it sticks.” His eyes were hooded when he looked back at her. “Memories are long when gossip is hot. And words travel fast when the story is good.”

Grace studied his face and although he tried to appear impassive she could see the pain and anger hidden behind his eyes. “I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be accused of killing someone; especially someone you loved. Didn’t they investigate?”

“Oh sure, they investigated. But they investigated me. From the moment Desiree went missing the fingers all pointed at me. I wasn’t a good kid, but I wasn’t a violent kid either. Sure I’d gotten into a few fights. Being adopted, being native, I was a ready-made target. It seemed I spent all my life trying to prove I was like everyone else even when I didn’t want to be like everyone else.”

“What about your parents? Didn’t they defend you?” Grace pressed.

Kort laughed harshly. “Grace my parents are white. Good white church going people who adopted a poor Indian boy and tried to make him civilized.”

“That’s crazy!” she exclaimed. “This is the twenty-first century.”

He leaned close to her. “You said you come from a small town. Wasn’t there someone who always got picked on, someone who didn’t fit in, someone different?”

Grace’s face grew hot. In many ways she had been that someone. She remembered going to school and somehow everyone knew she was poor, lived on the charity of the church and their neighbors. In high school she never had the designer clothes the other kids had.

Kort watched her cheeks grow red and he stepped back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think…”

“What?” her tone was sharp. “You didn’t think I got picked on and laughed at? Surprise.” Grace felt a lump forming in her throat. All the hurt was bubbling up. Why had she ever thought she could marry someone like David; a boy who came not only from the right side of the tracks but from one of the wealthiest families in town? How did she ever expect to compete with Emily?

Watching Grace blink back tears Kort felt terrible. “I really am sorry. I had no right to assume. Honestly I think I’ve forgotten how to act around people. That’s no excuse I know but it’s so different inside.”

Grace swiped at her eyes. “It’s okay. But I do understand. My mother and I were poor. Not dirt poor you understand. My father left and my mother had to take care of us. I’d always been sheltered and all of sudden things were different. I didn’t really understand until I was older. And teenagers can be so cruel.”

Kort nodded. “I know.”

“I didn’t fit in anywhere. I was a good girl. I’d gone to Catholic school until high school. Then all of a sudden I was thrown in with kids whose lives were so different. They had all grown up together. I didn’t fit in with the poor kids, I didn’t fit in with the well to do kids. Then I made a friend. And she was my best friend up until…” she stopped as she realized she was about to tell Kort what had happened.

His eyes were wide and he had leaned forward again, waiting for her to continue.

Grace’s eyes danced over his face as she tried to decide if she should tell this stranger the most personal details of her life. Then she blurted it out. “I was engaged. She was going to be my maid of honor. The three of us had been friends since high school. I came home to find them in bed together. Do you know what that feels like? Can you imagine having your best friend betray you with the person you expect to spend the rest of your life with?” As she realized what she had just said she took a step back. “Can you please take me to the motel now?”

Kort grabbed her arm as she started to open the truck door. “No wait. Please wait.”

Grace tried to shrug him off, embarrassment overwhelming her. “Please!”

“It’s okay. I understand.” Kort’s voice was low. “Let me buy you dinner. Don’t walk off.”

Avoiding his face Grace protested softly. “This is so embarrassing.”

“Grace. I’m a convicted murderer. It doesn’t matter that I’m not guilty. In the eyes of the law and this town I am a murderer.”

She allowed herself to look up at him. His eyes were no longer shaded. He stared at her openly. “I don’t know why I told you all that.”

“Maybe you just needed to get it off your chest. Maybe because you know I understand what it’s like to be hurt by people who are supposed to care about you.” He released his hold on her arm. “Please have dinner with me. We don’t have to discuss any of this. I don’t think either of us should be alone right now. I know I could use some company.”

Part of her wanted to run just as she had run from David. She had no doubt if she insisted Kort would take her to the motel. Perhaps he was right. Maybe it would be better to be with someone, maybe even talk about what had driven her to this town in the middle of nowhere. She nodded. “I do want pizza.”

Kort laughed softly. “Then let’s have pizza; my treat.”

They walked to the pizza place silently. As Kort opened the door the scent of fresh baked pizza filled Grace’s head and she inhaled deeply. Except for a couple eating at a table at the rear of the restaurant the shop was empty. A middle aged man behind the counter was pulling a freshly baked pizza from the huge oven.

They leaned against the counter looking over the menu. “Plain cheese or toppings?” Kort asked.

“Hmm I don’t know. I’m leaning toward plain.”

“I think I agree.” They looked up to see the baker staring at them. It took Grace a moment to realize he was staring at Kort. She looked over at Kort and knew at once something was wrong.

“Do we need to leave?” She asked softly.

He merely shook his head standing straighter. “Can we get two slices please?” Still looking at the man he asked Grace what she would like to drink. Feeling extremely uncomfortable she asked for a Dr. Pepper. “And a Dr. Pepper and a Coke please.”

Although Kort’s voice was steady Grace could feel how tense his body was.

Shaking his head the man placed two slices of fresh, hot pizza on paper plates and set them on the counter along with two large cups. “Coke machine is in the back.

Kort reached back to get his wallet from his pants pocket and the man’s eyes widened nervously. “How much?” After paying for their food they went to a table behind the couple that was already seated. “I’ll get your drink. You said Dr. Pepper, right?”

Grace nodded and while Kort went to fill their cups she took a quick look at the pizza maker. The man was staring at her now. When their eyes met he shook his head again and turned away. As Kort came back to the table the couple suddenly got up and stood in front of him.

Grace had the feeling she was in the middle of some kind of showdown. The man stood slightly in front of the woman and Grace heard the low murmur of his voice but couldn’t make out the words. The woman looked from Kort to Grace, her expression cold. Grace couldn’t see Kort’s face but his back stiffened. Whatever the man was saying it was obviously confrontational.

“Hey!” The pizza man called out. “Not in here. If you have a problem, take it outside.”

The man muttered something else before pushing past Kort, the woman close behind him. She shot one more angry look at Grace before they both disappeared out the door.

Kort set their drinks on the table and sat down across from her. Grace noticed his hands shaking slightly. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“I’m sorry about that,” he responded, not answering her question.

Grace leaned forward, grabbing his hand on the table. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I don’t know what he said to you and I don’t care. That was rude and uncalled for.”

Kort looked at her hand covering his then back at her face.  “I knew there would be problems when I came back. I didn’t think I would face it every day.” He slid his hand away from Grace’s. “They went to school with us; with me and Desiree. She was very popular.” He smiled bitterly. “I was not popular. Most people couldn’t understand why she would date me. Her parents forbade her from seeing me, but Desiree had a mind of her own.”