Scent of Murder

Besides, what was that policeman doing at the candle factory? Chase hadn’t seemed at all surprised to see him. In fact, Caitlin had the definite impression that he’d expected the visit. Maybe there was a perfectly good explanation, but coming so soon after Mrs. Hollister’s mention of a body, the sight of that police car raised a few red flags in Caitlin’s mind. If she was going to be tempted to bend in her resolve, it wouldn’t be because of someone who was even remotely involved with dead bodies and police officials. Even if her skin did tingle at his touch.

Her determination firm, she continued down the sidewalk. Up ahead she spied a shop sign that sounded familiar. The Candle Corner. That was the place that sold those horrible-smelling candles Chase’s company made. Since she was right here, she might as well check it out.

A bell at the top of the door chimed as she pushed her way in. This place was far more crowded than the shop at Good Things In Wax. More than just candles filled these shelves. Shiny brass stands, colorful ceramic shades and trays, decorative metal holders, even lanterns—this shop sold anything remotely associated with candles, it seemed. There was a wide selection of candles from Good Things In Wax, and not just Forbidden Fantasy, she was glad to note.

Caitlin wandered down the first narrow aisle, holding her bags carefully so they didn’t knock into anything. Behind her, the bell chimed again as another customer came inside.

The young woman behind the sales counter, who had not spoken to Caitlin, perked up when she caught sight of the new customer. “Oh, hello, Mrs. Graham. Mr. Graham’s in the back receiving a delivery from one of the suppliers. Do you want me to tell him you’re here?”

“That’s okay, Laura. We’re not in a hurry.”

Caitlin glanced toward the dark-haired woman. She must be the boss’s wife. And the girl beside her was probably their daughter.

“Mom, I’ve got to get home.” The girl’s tone was anxious, her brow furrowed with worry. “The concert’s tomorrow night. I’ve got to practice.”

Caitlin’s ears perked up. She understood all about preperformance jitters and wanting to get in as much practice time as possible.

She picked up a ceramic candle shade and looked at the sticker. Then she quickly put it back down. This store was a little too pricey for her tastes. She headed toward the rack of candles from Chase’s company.

“Don’t worry, Nicky. You’ve got all night to practice.” The woman’s voice drew nearer as she made her way down the aisle next to Caitlin. “Look at these tea lights. They must be new.”

“They are,” said the sales clerk. “They just arrived last week.”

“Nicky, wouldn’t they look adorable in your room?”

“I guess.” Judging from Nicky’s sulky voice, she wasn’t in the mood for decorating.

Caitlin half listened as she scanned the shelves. There. Forbidden Fantasy was easy to pick out. It was by far the darkest candle here. She picked it up. This jar was smaller than the one Chase had given her. On impulse, she twisted off the lid. Surely it wasn’t as bad as she remembered.

One whiff set her coughing and sputtering. As she clamped the lid back down on the jar, a low laugh sounded beside her.

“Not fond of that one?”

Caitlin tried to put on an apologetic expression as she faced the store owner’s wife. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a special fragrance for this store.”

The woman raised her hands, palms toward Caitlin. “Hey, don’t apologize to me. I think it’s awful myself.”

Caitlin nodded her agreement. “I’m afraid I agree. Do people really buy it?”

The woman gave a short laugh. “A lot of them, apparently. My husband says he thinks it’s mostly people who smoke or have a bunch of animals in their houses. Apparently it kills other strong smells.”

“I believe it.”

The girl hovered behind her mother, an anxious frown tugging at her mouth. She looked about twelve or so, long-legged and rail thin with straight dark hair tucked behind her ears.

Caitlin smiled at her. “I couldn’t help overhearing earlier. You’re playing in a concert tomorrow?”

A quick, dark-eyed glance in Caitlin’s direction, and then the girl gave a shy nod and half turned away.

Her mother’s face lit with pride. “It’s the school band’s last concert of the year, and the first chair has come down with the flu. Nicole just got a big solo, her first.”

“That’s wonderful.” Caitlin addressed the girl. “What instrument do you play?”

“Flute,” came the mumbled reply.

“Really?” Caitlin didn’t bother to filter the delight out of her tone. “I play the flute, too.”

That brought the girl’s gaze back to her. “You do?”

Caitlin nodded. “I’m in town because I’m playing in a wedding this weekend. I’m a flute teacher. I teach flute and piccolo back home in Kentucky.”

Nicky’s eyes widened to twice their normal size. “Do you think you could give me a lesson?”

“Nicky! Don’t be rude.” The girl’s mother scolded her with a stern look. “I’m sure she doesn’t have time to give you a lesson.”

“But it would only take a few minutes.” Nicky turned a pleading glance toward Caitlin. “I’m not very good, and I just know I’m going to blow the whole thing.”

In the face of Nicky’s worried expression, Caitlin hated to turn her down. Many of her students were that age, so full of middle-school angst that a solo they weren’t prepared for could feel like the end of the world. And now that she thought about it, giving a lesson to an anxious girl might be the perfect excuse to cancel with Chase.

No, she’d feel like a heel. Mrs. Hollister would be beside herself. Caitlin had said she’d go, and she would. Besides, she really was looking forward to an evening of gospel music.

Caitlin was saved from answering Nicky’s plea by the appearance of a man through a doorway in the corner. Irritation clipped his words short as he spoke to the clerk. “Laura, do you have any idea where I left my glasses?” His irritated expression deepened when he caught sight of Nicky’s mom. “Janie, what are you doing here? I’m working.”

Now it was Janie’s turn to look worried. She flashed a quick, almost embarrassed smile in Caitlin’s direction and then placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “We came to tell you some good news, Ed. Nicky has a solo in tomorrow night’s concert. Isn’t that great?”

Ed’s gaze flickered toward his daughter for an instant before he asked impatiently, “What concert?”

“The band concert at school.” Janie’s voice lowered. “You remember. It’s the last one of the year.”

“Oh, yeah. Right.” He put a hand on top of Nicky’s head and gave it a quick rub. “That’s great, sweetheart. Congratulations.” He glanced toward the door he’d just come through, then spoke to his wife. “I might not be able to make it, though. Be sure to take the camcorder, okay?”

Nicky looked at the floor, the corners of her lips twitching downward. Caitlin’s heart twisted in sympathy. Her arms itched to comfort the girl with a hug. Or her mother, who looked just as stricken as Nicky.

“You’ll try though, won’t you, Ed?”

“Yeah, sure. Of course I will.” He seemed to register Caitlin’s presence at that moment. A wide smile transformed his features as he gestured toward the candle in her hands. “Are you finding everything okay?”

It was all Caitlin could do to reply pleasantly, when she’d much rather march him into the back room and give him a good talking to about paying an appropriate amount of attention to his sensitive preteen daughter. “I am. Thank you.”

“Good, good. If you need anything, Laura will be happy to help you.”

As though on command, the sales clerk appeared at his side holding a pair of reading glasses. “You left them up front.”

“Thanks.” He took them and gave Nicky’s head a final rub. “I gotta get back to work. I’m having an inventory problem with one of the suppliers.”

As he disappeared through the doorway into the back, Caitlin made a snap decision. She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got about half an hour. Just enough time for a lesson.”

The girl lifted her head, hope flooding her face. “Really?”