Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I arrived early that night at the university building where my class was held. My last class for the degree. Now I just had to finish my paper and turn it in by Friday of next week. With Deek's brilliant idea, I felt like the upheaval of my life was finally slowing down to at least a workable amount of stress. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I just hoped it wasn't a train.

I grabbed a coffee at the cart in the lobby as well as a premade cheese and potato burrito that wasn't horrible. Then I claimed one of the comfortable chairs and went through my bag to find something to read, or at worst, I'd grab my laptop and make some notes for next week's meeting with Aunt Jackie.

A book caught my eye first. It was the one I'd found in the stacks that Professor Wellborn must have accidentally left, thinking he was shelving a library book. The bookplate in the front of the cover confirmed that it was from the professor's own library. It was about the origins of this area, including the mission that was rumored to be on my property, as well as a full chapter on Gabriel Santiago.

I finished my on-the-go dinner, then curled up with the book, setting an alarm on my phone so I wouldn't miss class if I got engrossed in reading.

By the time my alarm had gone off, I'd read the chapter and Professor Wellborn's notes. From what this author had found, Santiago had been generous with both his time and his money in developing the area. He'd founded a school for kids that had been the start of this very university. And he'd died of old age, at his home just off the coast, which I thought had to be located just outside of South Cove. He hadn't died five years after he moved here. Or one of the records was wrong. The description of the old house built of stones he'd had brought down from the surrounding mountains reminded me of an abandoned house I'd seen every time I'd driven up to Bakerstown.

Could it be that simple? The former bank robber had turned into a community developer? Educating kids and building a home for himself and his family? Had the money that everyone had thought stayed hidden been used to develop the area?

I set the book down and texted Josh. I wanted to read the journal again. I'd skimmed it earlier when he'd shown it to me, but now, armed with this new knowledge, I wanted to compare what we thought were Santiago's own thoughts with this author's take on his life.

The treasure might already be gone. Which meant Professor Wellborn had died for nothing.

"Hey, Jill, are you coming to class? I'll wait for you, and we can walk up together." A girl who'd sat next to me for the semester, Sandra, stopped in the hall, her own cup of coffee in her hands. "I can't believe it's our last night. I'm so looking forward to having the summer off."

Chasing down a treasure would have to wait. I had responsibilities to check off my list. Including those I'd promised to myself. Like finishing my degree. This week. The important had moved into the urgent quadrant on my ever-growing list of things to complete.

I turned off my phone after checking to see that Josh hadn't returned my text yet. And then I tucked everything into my tote. "I know. It seems like it flew by."

"Well, for you. I've still got another year to complete. How's that cute little bookstore of yours doing? If I owned a store, I'd shelve this degree and just live my life." She turned, and we fell into step together, taking the open stairway near the building's windows.

"No, you should finish this before life gets in the way. Believe me, you won't regret it. Unless you don't finish. Then you will." I was glad the classroom was only on the second floor. Even though I ran with Emma often, stairs drained my energy. Especially at this time of night, when I'd been up since five and then gone right to work at the bookstore.

We headed into the classroom, and I put away all my problems and just enjoyed the here and now. Deek would have been proud of me.

When I got out of class, I turned down an offer to join the group for a celebratory drink at a local college bar down the street. The place would be noisy and rowdy, even on a Thursday night. Especially now, with classes starting to wind up for the semester. On campus, students would be having one more night out before packing up and heading home to their parents for the summer.

I didn't need that kind of energy in my night. I got into the Jeep and plugged my phone in so I could listen to a podcast for my drive home. I needed to wind down.

A message beeped on the Jeep's display. I pushed the button to let it play. "Jill, where are you? I went to find the journal so I could give it to you tomorrow morning, but it's gone. It was in my meeting room, where I was working on finding Mandy, and it's gone. Call me when you get this."

I called Josh. "The journal's gone?"

"Yes. Greg was here a few minutes ago, but I don't think he took me seriously. You've got to tell him, it's not just an old book. It might have the clue we need to find Mandy."

I didn't want to tell him that I thought the treasure was gone, and he wasn't focused on that anyway. "Josh, come over for coffee tomorrow about nine. My commuters will have been in for coffee and left by then, and we can talk."

"But you'll talk to Greg. Let him know that finding the journal's important too?" He paused. "Of course, not as important as finding Mandy. I just can't believe what a mess my life is right now."

Join the club.I told Josh not to worry and hung up to call Greg. My call went straight to voice mail. "Hey, on my way home from my last class. Hoped to have a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate with you when I get there, but I know, the investigation. Oh, and Josh wants you to know, the book…"

I got cut off. I'd have to tell him when I saw him, or I could call back and continue the message. I tried, but I was in a dead zone. The mountains blocked the signals on this stretch of road. Luckily, my podcast had already downloaded, so as I drove, I listened to an author talk about her inspirations for her book.

I had a review due tomorrow. I just realized I'd told Josh to come at nine. Maybe I should call him back and tell him to show up at the end of my shift instead.

Or I could write the review tonight, since it looked like the celebration was going to be just me and Emma. And Emma didn't hold her liquor very well. Okay, fine, she didn't drink at all. I wasn't a horrible dog mom.

When I got home, the house was dark. Emma was waiting for me at the door. The dog knew the sound of my Jeep and Greg's and Toby's trucks. I'd watched her as she'd hear the vehicle pull in, and she'd move from where she was sleeping to the front door, where she'd be ready to greet whoever arrived. It made me feel better that she wasn't just hanging out at the front door the whole time we were gone.

"Hey, girl, I finished my class tonight. So I won't be leaving you alone as much." I leaned down to kiss her on the top of the head.

Emma wiggled and let out a little bark that meant, I'm so glad. Can you get me outside, please?

I laughed and set my tote on the coffee table after locking the front door. Both Emma and Greg had me well trained.

We were back in the house, curled up on the couch with a bowl of vanilla ice cream, when a knock came at the front door. It was after ten. Emma ran to the door and sat, patiently waiting for me.

"So not a stranger, huh?" I set my ice cream on the table by the door and glanced out the side window. A woman in a cloak stood on my stoop. I opened the door to find Esmeralda. She was in her fortune-telling uniform with a Little Red Riding Hood cloak over the top. "Esmeralda, come in."

She handed me a box. "Sorry, I've got one last client coming any minute. I just wanted to give you this to celebrate finishing your degree."

"Not quite finished yet, as I've got to turn in my paper next week, but I'm close." I opened the box, and the smell of chocolate cake hit my senses. "That looks amazing."

"It's one of my favorites. Kind of chocolate-on-chocolate type of cake." Esmeralda smiled at me. "I'm sorry we've been at odds this week."

"I'm sorry I put you in a bad position. I know it was Greg." I closed the lid on the box. The intense chocolate smell was making me a little woozy. Maybe I should have eaten something more substantial since I hadn't eaten lunch. Or breakfast, for that matter.

"No, I should have told him no. Right up front. I know he worries about you, but that shouldn't come in between our friendship. For a long time, I've only had my friend, Rory. So having more friends, I didn't understand the rules. I do now. You can trust me."

A car turned off the highway and into Esmeralda's driveway. The black BMW looked expensive even with the dim light and at this distance. "I do trust you."

She sighed deeply. "Thank you. That's been weighing on me all week. I need to go."

"I know. Are you coming to brunch Sunday?"

Esmeralda put her hood back up as she turned to walk home. "I wouldn't miss it."

I closed the door and took the cake into the kitchen along with my bowl of ice cream. It might not be the healthiest of dinners, but it was a celebration. Even if it was just me and Emma.

The relationships in South Cove were intertwined. Deek was Rory's son and Esmeralda's godson as well as my barista. Esmeralda was our neighbor as well as working for Greg. Toby, well, the connections went on and on. So when one person was out of sorts, the rest felt the disconnect.

Who had Mandy been attached to besides Josh and Tank? What ripples was her being missing causing? The questions kept me from enjoying my ice cream.

* * * *

The next morning, the smell of bacon frying pulled me out of a really nice dream about Greg and me sitting at a table, drinking mai tais, reading books, and eating bacon. Emma rested at my feet, with a large-brimmed flowered hat tied to her head. The beach was steps away. Even in my dreams, I envision vacationing at tropical beaches surrounded by books, Greg, and Emma. Maybe not in that order.

I quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. A plate of bacon, eggs, and a buttered English muffin sat at my place at the table. The box with the cake was gone. "Don't tell me you ate all the cake last night. Or worse, Emma got into it."

"She's fine. And the cake's fine. I had a slice when I got home. Sorry I couldn't be there to help you celebrate, but I had another lead on Mandy's location. I'm getting worried about that girl." Greg nodded to the plate. "Now eat something healthy before you fall into a sugar coma."

"Esmeralda brought the cake last night." I sat down and picked up a strip of bacon with my fingers. Just crunchy enough. I ate it, then ate half of the English muffin. Finally, I made an open top sandwich out of the leftovers. "We talked, and everything's fine."

"Glad to hear it. You both were miserable being mad at the other." Greg stepped over to the stove and filled a plate for himself.

"I don't know why she would have been mad at me," I grumbled, then I saw Greg's face. "Sorry, I don't even want to go there. I hear you know about the journal disappearing. Josh thinks you're not as concerned as you should be."

"He also thinks that since I haven't called in the National Guard, I don't believe Mandy is missing." He sat down and took a bite of eggs. "I feel for the guy. I'd be a mess if you disappeared without a trace. Which is one of the reasons I try to keep you out of the fray with these investigations."

"I know." I ate the last of my eggs, then smeared strawberry jam on what was left of my English muffin. From the emptiness of my plate, I'd been hungry. "I try really hard not to get in harm's way."

"Darling, you are always at the wrong place at the wrong time. You could stay totally out of the investigation, and it would find you. I've almost given up on keeping you out." He set his fork down. "I'm sorry if I got between Esmeralda's and your friendship. That wasn't my intention."

I wanted to say it was okay, but it wasn't. And I didn't want to just acknowledge his part. So instead, I picked up my plate and took it to the sink to wash it. "Thanks for breakfast."

He stood and put his arms around me. He kissed my neck. "I love you, Jill Gardner."

I leaned into him, smelling his cologne and just his Greg smell. "I love you too. Now if we could only figure out where we're getting married."

He groaned and stepped away. "Sorry, I've got a meeting this morning in Bakerstown. I can't talk about this now."

I turned back and picked up his empty plate. "I know, but we do need some time to weigh the options. I don't want to make this decision, again, by myself."

"I know, and I agree with you." He glanced at his watch. "I'll get the dishes when I get home."

"No worries, I've got some time. I'll do them now." I kissed him goodbye. "And remember I told you that the journal is important. Especially if Josh asks. Or when Josh runs you down to ask."

He laughed. "So noted. I'll see you tonight. I'm coming home early even if the town blows up between now and seven tonight."

"That's specific." I rinsed the plates and put them into the dishwasher, followed by the glasses and Greg's cup. I was still drinking coffee. I washed the pans by hand and set them into the dish holder to dry. I sat down at the table and opened my laptop. Mandy, where could she be? I wondered what people at the farm were saying and if her friends would talk to me.

It was Friday, so I had the full afternoon free. Especially since I'd finished the review and sent it off at eleven last night, just before I went to bed. Deek would edit it and make it look cohesive, if I'd been rambling due to lack of sleep. Josh would be at the shop at nine, and I had commuters showing up any time. I tucked my laptop into my tote and put my cup into the dishwasher and started it. With Greg saying he would be home, I wanted to have dinner at least ready to be made, just in case he actually showed.

And the town didn't blow up.

I told Emma goodbye and told her I'd come home and run with her after work. Maybe I could send Josh to the farm to chat with Mandy's family and coworkers. Or maybe not. Josh didn't have the best social skills when he was in a good mood. Now, he was slowly deteriorating into the grump I'd met years ago.

My commuters were happy and in a buying mood. Not only did I have to refill the treat case in the middle of the rush, I'd sold more books this morning than I had all week. As the rush started to calm down, I totaled up the number of books I'd sold and thought Aunt Jackie would be happy. But then I stopped. No, she wouldn't. Because after a few months, she wouldn't be here to be happy with or disappointed in my performance. Was that what I was grieving? A chance to prove to my aunt, who'd taken in a teenager so devastated by her mother's leaving that she could barely function, that I was a real adult now?

I pushed the less-than-positive version of me out of my head. I had to admit, I was an overachiever at times. But buying the bookstore had slowed down that need to be first, to be the best. Now, I enjoyed my life and the people in it. I was just going to miss having my aunt in my life on a day-to-day basis.

Although, as I thought about it, Aunt Jackie hadn't been in the store during my shift for months. The only time she worked a shift was during festivals. Then she took on keeping the shop open if there were people in town as well as on the beach for the festivities. Like the Memorial Day weekend. We'd already set up the schedule for the food truck and the shop, and Aunt Jackie was part of that.

Now I was wondering when she wanted to implement this new "retirement" plan. I was just about to go into the back to grab the letter and her plan out of my desk when the bell over the door rang, and Josh came into the shop.

He looked horrible. Ragged, like he hadn't slept in days. His polo looked like it had been worn for several days. And his hair stuck up all over his head. Tank followed him into the shop.

"Can I get you coffee?" I asked, already pouring a large black to-go for Josh.

Tank nodded and pointed Josh to a table. He came up to the counter and gave me his coffee order. Which was surprisingly complex for a man who'd been living in the jungle. I gave him Josh's coffee and started Tank's while he walked it over to the table where Josh sat, his shoulders sagging.

Tank came back and watched me finish up his large mocha with salted caramel syrup and whipped cream. He smiled as I handed it to him. "I know, it's a froufrou drink, but when in Rome, right? Besides, when I get to the Peru dig, I'll be stuck with black and sometimes sugar."

"I don't judge coffee orders. I just serve them." Even though I totally had judged it. I nodded toward Josh. "I'm worried about him."

Tank blew out a breath. "Me too. I wish I could just get him to sleep for a few hours. The brain can't function without sleep."

I refilled my coffee cup and walked over to the table. "So what's the word on the journal? Did you find it?"

Josh looked at me, his eyes bloodshot. His voice got louder with each word. "Miss Gardner, I did not lose the journal. It was stolen from the shop."

The coffee shop was empty, so his voice reverberated.

Tank held up his hand. "Josh, that's not true."