“You’re my kind of customers, coming back right before closing. Them folks think they can stay out on the water until they decide it’s time to come in, well, I don’t rent to them a second time. No siree. The annoyance ain’t worth havin’ their business.”
Bridgy preened as though we’d gotten a gold star on a spelling paper in second grade. But while Tony was congratulating our promptness, I was staring at a green canoe with black buoyancy bumpers.
So I may have sounded a bit distracted when I told him how glad we were that he was pleased, when all the while, I was trying to figure out how to bring the green canoe into the conversation. I needn’t have worried. Bridgy must have followed the direction of my pointed stare, because she screeched, sounding not unlike Jocelyn on the phone earlier.
“That canoe. Right there. Was it there all the time?”
Tony looked in the direction of Bridgy’s outstretched hand.
“Oh, Tom Smallwood left that here. You know him? Another great guy.”
I forced myself to speak in normal, measured tones. “We do know him. In fact we’ve been looking for him all day.”
“I get it. Need some man’s work done, huh? Tom’s the best. Him and me built that deck. Ever see better craftsmanship? Not likely.” And he stroked his mustache in a rough, very un-Poirot-like gesture.
Bridgy started, “Er, actually—”
But I jumped on top of her words. “Exactly! We need some work done and Skully came right to mind.”
Tony laughed, a jolly thunderous sound. “So you heard about that? Then you know he’s a mite peculiar for all that his work is near enough perfect.
“He come in right after you gals went out. I’m surprised you didn’t see him. Though to tell the truth, I think when he don’t want to be seen, he’s damn near invisible. Anyway, he left the boat for the overnight. Does that once in a while when he has places to go, people to see. Guess this is one of those times. He’ll be back tomorrow. Can I tell him where to find you?”
We gave Tony our information. As we walked back to the car, Bridgy was talking about our glorious time on the water while I was wondering how a man and a canoe could hide in plain sight.
Chapter Fifteen ||||||||||||||||||||
We drove back to Augusta’s house and saw Pastor John coming down the wooden steps from the porch. He kept walking toward his car until I hollered, “We have wonderful news.”
That brought him to an abrupt stop.
“Have to hurry. Jocelyn has called twice in the past half hour.” He tapped his wristwatch with his index finger. His face was flushed and he looked as harried as the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland who was “late for a very important date.” Proof positive that Jocelyn could instill panic in even the kindest of souls.
I hurried to his side and whispered, “Ryan found the locket. I want to show it to Augusta before we bring it to Fern. Delia will be wearing it at the viewing.”
“Viewing, oh my, no.”
“She can’t wear it? But Fern said . . .”
“Of course she can wear the locket.” Pastor John was close to losing patience, although I was sure that had nothing to do with me. “But there will be no viewing.”
Bridgy and I both looked at him blankly. No viewing?
“Augusta has decided.” His voice was as unyielding as if Augusta were speaking. “The funeral service is tomorrow morning at the church. Ten A.M. sharp. Now I really must go. Have to put the finishing touches on my sermon. And coordinate with the organist. And the choirmaster. And find out why Jocelyn requires me to be home this very minute.”