“Yeah, but it’s gotten bigger,” Bill said, lowering his voice. “Jess and David over at Lyon’s Imperial said they’re missing a buncha food. Not just a candy bar here or there, but steaks and stuff. Somebody took a radio and a coupla tarps from the hardware store, too. Nobody wants to talk about it, not after…” He dropped his voice further. “AfterShane. But we all gotta be careful about who comes into our stores and who's walkin’ around ouryards.”
God, I hated that people were becoming suspicious. And more than that, I hated that even after Shane, when Bill said,we gotta be careful, he meant careful of people he didn’t know. Outsiders. LikeDaniel.
“Is it likely that all the missing items were stolen by the same person?” I asked, walking around the bookshelf. “What do the police think? Has anyone asked Mitch Turner or Si Sloane who their suspectsare?”
Bill looked up in surprise, then frowned. “Well, now, I’m not sure, Doc Ross. I don’t know if anyone’s askedthem.”
Oh, for the love of DwayneJohnson.
“I’m sure we can take it easy until they let us know there’s something to worryabout.”
“I dunno,” Bill said, shaking his head slowly. “Si and Mitch didn’t see the truth about Shane Goode until after the fact. Got a lotta peoplewondering.”
Wondering,what? I wanted to demand, but I hated to be rude. Instead, I took a deep breath and smiledwider.
“I mean, they’re hardly psychic, Bill! But they figured it out pretty fast, didn’t they? Especially since lots of people in town were pointing fingers in the wrong direction?” I tilted my headknowingly.
Bill looked chagrined. “Guess you’re talking about your youngman?”
My young man. Didn’t I wish, Bill? Didn’t Iwish?
I shrugged. “People thought he was involved in the disappearance of those campers and now they know better. You’d think they’d learn that outsiders are no more dangerous than people who’ve lived here their wholelives.”
Bill nodded, still glancing out the window with a slight frown, and I turned my head to follow his gaze. Daniel was still standing on the sidewalk outside the bakery, only now he was talking to Si andEverett.
“T’be fair, your Daniel’s not the only one folks are thinking about,” Bill said, nodding at Daniel uncomfortably. “There’s other folks in this town who’retroubled.”
My mother and I shared a glance. “Who?” Iasked.
Bill shrugged. “It’s all speculation. But Jamie Burke hasn’t been too good the last month orso."
“Oh, but that’s not fair,” I said reproachfully. “Jamie just found out that the little sister he thought died in a tragic accident a dozen years ago was actuallymurdered, for God’s sake, and by Shane Goode, a guy Jamie considered a friend, no less. How wouldyoubedoing?”
“‘Bout like he is,” Bill admitted. “I hear what you’re saying, but you can’t be too careful. Not everyone’s as honest and laid back as you are, Doc. And Jamie was going off the rails even before anyone found out about Shane.” He pursed his lips. “Going into Parker’s bar, picking fights. Throwing furniture and causingtrouble.”
“There’s a story between those two,” my mother said, nodding her head. “Mark my words. That’s what’s got him all twistedup.”
Privately, I agreed with her.However…
“Jamie Burke is my friend,” I reminded her. “Whether he’s twisted up or not, he has no more interest in Janice Turner’s rain boots than I do in…in…”
“Romance novels?” Bill said, holding up one of the books on the counter, his mouth twisted to theside.
I opened my mouth, then shut itagain.
“No, I agree with you, Jules,” my mother interrupted, mercifully drawing Bill’s attention. “Jamie’s a good boy. For that matter, so is Parker.” After a moment, she added. “And so is… so is…Daniel.” She gave Bill a hard look, as though daring him todisagree.
“Well, that may be, and I hope it is. But Jess and David are fit to be tied. That’s hundreds of dollars of groceries they’re missing. They’re gonna press charges for sure, and the thief is gonna end up injail.”
“Wow. Happy Holidays,” I saidsoftly.
The shop phone rang and Bill excused himself to getit.
Meanwhile, my gaze was drawn back out the window like a magnet to true north. Daniel was still talking to Ev and Si, but he was hunched in on himself and watching them avidly, more like a spectator than an active participant in the conversation. I wished so badly that I could be standing next tohim.
“He’s handsome, I’ll give you that,” my mother said thoughtfully from beside me. “A tall drink ofwater.”
I laughed softly. “Heis.”
