Weaving The Web: A Cold Hollow Mystery (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 2) (4 page)

CHAPTER 6

Monday morning arrived with a jolt. Cold Hollow came to life, and people went to work. Warren Measly showed up at the pharmacy right on time, met his new boss, who insisted on being called just “Jack,” and they were off to a fabulous start as Warren caught on to the pharmacy’s routine. He even attempted to make some suggestions to Jack on how to correlate sales and fill prescriptions. He was surprised to find Jack open to any of his suggestions. At lunchtime, Warren sat in the small break room with Jack to find he also worked part time at the small local hospital. Warren would have contemplated a second job, but with spring and summer on the way, he opted against it. Besides, he didn’t need the money.

As Warren raised a forkful of his lunch to his mouth, Jack commented, “Your meal smells scrumptious. What is it?”

Warren blushed and said, “It’s a new rigatoni recipe I decided to make last night.”

“Are you also a chef?”

Warren shrugged. “I dabbled in it but never took it seriously. I cook strictly for enjoyment. I find it calming.” He saw what Jack was eating and knew it was a typical meat-and-cheese sandwich. The man probably couldn’t boil water.

“I hear we’re having a huge Fourth of July celebration at the town beach this summer. I think I heard something about a cooking competition. You should enter it.”

Warren finished off his rigatoni and frowned. “I can’t go up against the likes of some of the townsfolk. I know another man who cooks, and he would plow me under. He’s as close to an Iron Chef as you can get.”

He watched Jack raise his eyebrows and ask, “Who is it? Have I met him yet?”

Warren shook his head. “He hasn’t been in yet, but he’ll be in soon. If I remember correctly, he suffers from seasonal allergies and will need to purchase something for them.”

Jack chuckled. “You studied the people in prison with you, didn’t you?”

Warren blinked and glimpsed at him. “I surmised it was the intelligent thing to do.”

Jack stood, straightened his lab coat, and washed his hands. “It
is
the intelligent thing to do. You’ll get no arguments here.”

Warren followed suit and the two men returned to their work.

***

Sylvia Rossini arrived at the seamstress’s shop bright and early. She got along famously with the owner, Ann, and found her new boyfriend was right: the woman was a peach. She showed Sylvia around the small shop and then the sewing machine she would be using. It was top of the line, and Sylvia swooned over it.

Ann handed her an order slip and said, “This is an order for the mayor. She’s redecorating her son’s bedroom and also her new bedroom.” She plopped two bolts of fabric down on a long measuring table and said, “She already picked out the fabric.”

Sylvia inspected the fabric, knew which thread to use, and smiled. The mayor’s son was one lucky kid. The fabric was a playful print filled with varying wildlife characters. The fabric for the mayor’s personal bedroom was a rustic plaid. She assumed the mayor lived in one of the log cabins of Cold Hollow. Sylvia turned to Ann and asked, “Does she want a matching twin duvet for her son’s room? I think we have enough fabric here.”

Ann smiled. “I’ll call her and ask. I’ll bet she says yes. You’re already bringing more money in and it’s your first day!”

Sylvia smiled and got to work.

***

Robert Collins arrived at the nursery at eight o’clock sharp. He left his lunch in a small cooler on the front seat of the truck. When he got out of the driver’s side, he was facing a woman a little younger than him. She had long, blond hair and stood with one hand on her hip and the other arm pointing at the machine shed.

She snarled, “There is something in there! Your first job is to get rid of it. If it’s a rat, then kill it.”

He chuckled deep in his gut and made his way to the large machine shed. He picked up a random shovel leaning up against the outside of the building. Sliding back the large doors, he stood staring around in the dark. When he flipped the light switch on, a fur ball with a long tail raced past him and out the door. He watched it, and turned to the woman, who was creeping up behind him. “It was a cat! They’re actually good to have around here. They’ll take care of any mice.”

“Well, I’m not feeding it, and neither are my girls.”

He glanced around the big shed. “You won’t have to. With spring coming, there are plenty of mice and chipmunks to keep it fat and happy.” He glanced at her. “Is this where you want me to start?”

She stuck out her hand and said, “I’m Carla Macy.”

He shook her hand and said, “I’m Robert Collins, pleased to meet you.” He stared at her and noticed she had a nice smile and beautiful hair.

She stared at him and could not place him, but he felt familiar. He was not a bad-looking man, but a bit older than she was. She cleared her throat, “Yes, I think you should grease, oil, and get all of our equipment in working order. We’re going to get busy, fast. This should take you a week or longer, but afterward, we’ll need your help in the greenhouses.”

He got right to work. He noticed the keys to the bigger equipment were labeled and hanging from a key rack on the wall.

When she was sure he was all set and his questions were answered, she returned to the greenhouses where Becky was working. Sarah was at school and would not return until afternoon.

***

Myrna had the next two days off from the bakery, so she dropped Liam off at school with a big hug and kiss. She handed him his lunch box and watched him until he walked inside the front door. She drove to the town hall to catch up on some paperwork. Four hours later, she walked to the pharmacy, which was only one block away. She liked to check on all of the new inhabitants on their first day of work, just to make sure there weren’t any issues. She knew Chief Hanover would be doing the same thing later on.

She stood in front of the pharmacy and saw Jack staring out the front window, waving to her. She waved back and went inside. Jack was short and stout. He was always seen around town in his crisp white lab coat with the pharmacy name embroidered on it.

She noticed Warren Measly at the back counter, filling a prescription and counting pills. Jack walked her to the back of the pharmacy where the checkout counter was. She noticed he grabbed a bottle of the lotion she used to smoothen out the scars she had. She stopped at the makeup aisle and grabbed some eye shadow and mascara. She tried to remember what Tom had asked her to pick up and remembered deodorant and shaving cream. He used particular kinds because of his sensitive skin. She scooted over to the next aisle and grabbed the items for him.

Jack was waiting at the cash register and watched as Myrna waved to Warren. “How is the first day going?”

He placed the cap on the prescription and smiled. “It could not have gone better. You were right. I think this job suits me.”

“Good to hear.” She handed Jack the money for her goods.

He handed her the change and said, “He’s a great asset to have here. He already gave me some advice for dispensing and accounting. He’s a gold mine. I’m not parting with him.”

Myrna said good-bye and made her way out of the pharmacy with her purchases. She would go to the seamstress’s shop next, because it was only one more block down and she felt like walking a little more.

When she entered, she smiled at Sylvia. “How is your new job coming along?”

“Great! As it turns out, I’m working on your son’s curtains, and Ann wanted to ask if you wanted a matching twin duvet cover. I checked and found out we have enough fabric for one.”

Myrna sat on the opposite side of Sylvia’s sewing station and examined her stitch work on the curtains. She found it superb. If the rehabilitation institute taught anyone anything, it was how to master your craft. She would have made the curtains and duvet herself, but her time was limited as of late. “I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I would love it. Do you have enough to do the same for my bedroom?”

Sylvia ran the bolt of fabric over to the large measuring table and ran the numbers through her head for the drapes. When she was done, she measured out for what she assumed would be a queen-sized duvet. “It will be close, but I think we can do a queen size. King size is out of the question.”

Myrna turned to her. “We have a queen-sized bed, so it will work out perfectly.”

Ann entered the room from the back and smiled as she hooked a thumb at Sylvia. She was a slender, matronly woman who was well loved. “This one is already making me more money.”

Myrna stood and asked, “So there are no problems? Everyone here is happy?”

Ann tilted her head in Sylvia’s direction. “I’m happy and grateful for the help.”

Sylvia concentrated on what she was doing and said, “I’m just grateful for a good job with a good boss.”

Myrna said her good-byes and made her way back to her vehicle at the town hall. She put her purchases on the passenger’s seat, slid into the driver’s seat, and started the engine. She had one more stop before returning home. She had to check on Robert Collins.

The nursery was located at the beginning of town, near the farms and orchards. She took a left, drove a while down a dirt road, and came upon the house. Carla Macy was standing outside on the front porch when she arrived. She wore a lightweight jacket, muck boots, and jeans. Myrna pulled in and got out of her vehicle. She approached Carla as she descended the stairs to meet up with her. Carla said, “I didn’t expect you so soon. Our greenhouses are not operational yet.”

Myrna shook her head. “I just came to find out how your new staff member is working out.”

Carla giggled. “Well, first off, he had to calm me down this morning and get a stray cat out of the machine shed. Since then, he’s been working hard. I can hear the roar of the machines’ engines from inside the house, and it’s like music to my ears.”

Myrna smiled. “The cat will be good to have around here. I’m glad to hear Robert’s working hard, which reminds me. You’ll be in need of mulch for the landscaping aspect of your business. I’ll have to get a hold of our forest ranger. If I’m not mistaken, he’s already toppling trees and shredding them for you.”

“What’s his name? I would appreciate it, because I didn’t know how to get any delivered all the way here. I’m so used to things being easily accessible, but living here is proving to be a challenge.”

Myrna patted her arm. “His name is Hugo Morrissey. You’ll get to meet him soon, and don’t be too put off by his gruff nature. He grunts his replies a lot, but deep down, he’s a teddy bear if he likes you. You’ll get used to this town. Just give it a chance. We’re pretty self-sufficient.”

Carla’s eyes went wide. “I’m starting to see that.”

They walked to the machine shed together and went inside. They noticed Robert had grease and oil stains all over his face and clothes. Myrna chuckled. “I forgot to warn you, Robert. It’s a filthy job.”

He approached them and wiped his face down with a rag. “Now you tell me. Is there anywhere I can buy a mechanic’s outfit or something? I don’t want to keep ruining my clothes.”

Myrna explained, “Yep. They sell them in the back of the men’s clothing store.”

He extended his arm out over the shed. “I know you’re checking up on me, but so far, so good. I have half of the machines in good running condition, and after a bite to eat, I’ll finish the rest before three o’clock.” He glanced at Carla. “I should be able to help in the greenhouses a lot sooner than next week. I wanted to ask you if you grew herbs for cooking.”

Carla smiled. “Of course I do! They are essential when growing vegetables. Do you cook?”

Robert stepped back. “Do I cook? I could be the top chef in America if I set my mind to it.”

Myrna moaned, “Perhaps I should have given you a job in a restaurant instead?”

He shook his head. “I’ve seen your restaurants. I wouldn’t want to work in them. I plan on opening one of my own someday.”

Myrna’s eyebrows arched. This guy was confident and sure of himself. She suspected as soon as his parole was over, he would buy a building and open his own restaurant. The question was, was his cooking any good? She decided to put him to the test.

“I’ll tell you what, Robert. We’re having a big Fourth of July celebration at the town beach this year. Why don’t you set up a food stand, keep your prices low, and prove to the town you can cook. I’m sorry, but sometimes women find it hard to believe.”

He pointed at her. “It’s a deal. I will admit, I’m lousy at baking, but cook? Oh, I’ll have people drooling just from the smell.”

Carla peeked at Myrna and smirked. The bet was on, and the women looked forward to it. She bid them good-bye and promised Carla she would return in a few weeks. She asked if she could bring her son and Carla insisted upon it.

When Myrna returned to the town hall later, she put Robert Collins’s name down on the Fourth of July roster. She sat back in her office chair and relaxed knowing the newcomers, so far, were behaving. Perhaps she had been wrong about being wary of Robert Collins. The chief would eventually tell her whether it was safe to let her guard down or not.