Page 24 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

I told him everything then showed him the torn page I’d found.

“Fingerprints, Pepper,” he scolded.

“Probably dozens of people have skimmed that book and did not buy it. Besides, pages with pictures are viewed more than pages with words. Also, you might want to talk with Kate over at Yesterday’s Treasures. The other day, two suspicious looking guys bought the history of Willow Lake not long after each other. Whatever you do, don’t send Josh. He’ll get lost talking with Kate and he’ll probably forget half of what she tells him.”

“Your brother really does seem interested in her,” my dad said to my surprise.

“Seriously interested in her,” I said, my youngest brother, at thirty, insisting he had no intention of settling down anytime soon.

“Your mom believes so and?—”

“If Mom believes it, it must be true since she has the uncanny ability to know when one of her children has fallen in love,” I finished for my dad with glee at the prospect of Josh, the not-interested-in-love brother falling in love.

“Your mom knew you loved me before you did?” Ian asked.

“Her mom knew immediately when she saw the two of you together that that was it for Pepper,” my dad said and saluted me with his coffee mug and a smile. “Of course, she also knew Pepper would be stubborn about it, but she had faith in you, Ian. But enough talk about love. Give me your take on this vanishing guy, Pepper.”

“Ian and I discussed it last night,” I looked at Ian to continue so my dad knew we were working on this strange mystery together.

“We thought that he might have suffered more than known from the hit to his jaw and it could possibly have caused him to lose consciousness since there was no sign of foul play at the garden center.”

“That is a possibility,” my dad agreed.

“As far as what he might be looking for, I did read that it is rumored that a necklace of a large diamond and pearls, a gift from Verbena’s dad, was buried with her,” I said. “So, maybe that’s what was written on the note—not there—refers to. Though how he could know that without seeing inside the tomb is anyone’s guess.”

“There are endless tales about the Willow family and that mausoleum which no doubt has multiplied over the years. People claim to have seen both Ignatius and Verbena’s ghosts. Some insist they have heard tears being shed near the mausoleum. An old, heartbreaking story always makes for good rumors and tall tales,” my dad said.

“How does the police handle a situation like this?” Ian asked curiously.

“Investigate the looting and hope we find a lead. However, it could be as easy as finding it was would-be treasure hunters who broke into the mausoleum in hopes of finding the fabled necklace. But I am concerned about the guy showing up at the garden center in an employee’s only area. The only plausible reason for him to be there was to speak with someone and that could mean that he might have a partner that works there. That’s what disturbs me,” my dad said. “I can’t spare any of my limited officers to spend endless time investigating a simple break-in. Now if we had found a body that would be different.”

“So, you want me and Ian to do it,” I said with a happy grin on my face. “Amy as well and Beau since Amy has been telling him all about it.”

“You have Kelly curious as well since she found out about it,” my dad eyes widened as if he had just thought of something relevant. “You know you should look through your Aunt Effie’s journals and papers. She’s the founder of the Willow Lake Historical Society. She saved the Willow Mansion from being demolished and saw to its restoration.”

“I don’t recall that,” I said.

“You weren’t born yet, and Danny was barely two when the project got started. Effie even made a trip to Ireland to research the Willow family and provide more background on them and what brought them here.”

The sounds of power tools had my dad going to have a look out the French doors. “That’s one large deck, Pepper.”

I joined him at the door. “Wait until you see the outside kitchen I’m having built and, head’s up. When it’s done, Ian and I are having a party, and you are going to be the grill master of the event.” My dad loved grilling and was the best at it.

“I’ll start planning now,” my dad said with glee. His phone dinged and he gave it a quick glance. “I’ve got to go.” He handed me his coffee mug. “Let me know what you find out.” He headed to the door after a nod to Ian, then stopped and turned. “I almost forgot. Can you and Ian come to the police station sometime today? Between the two of you, I figured we might just get a good sketch of the guy. Then I can see if Kate recognizes either of them.”

“One of your officers know how to work the computer sketching program?” I asked.

“No, I’m doing it the old-fashion way and using a sketch artist since this isn’t an official case, so technically I shouldn’t use the program.”

I grinned, knowing immediately who he asked. “You asked, Mom.”

“She’s more talented than any computer program. She’s a natural.”

“How easy is that going to be for you, Dad, with your new boss and your very own sketch artist in the same building when Mom wins the mayor’s race.”

My dad tugged at his hair. “You can’t make it any whiter, Pepper.”

I laughed. “No, but you might look good bald.”

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