Deadly Holiday (Georgia Rae Winston Mysteries Book 2) Read online

  “Have you ever wanted more out of life?” she whispered.

  Begin sales pitch. Normally, that’d be an instance in which I’d actually run, but for the purpose of the investigation, I’d take the bait. “Don’t we all?”

  “What if there’s a way to have it?” She rested her hands on top of a letter.

  In spite of her peaceful-sounding words, something in her eyes unnerved me.

  “Tell me more.” I tried to sound casual as I straightened a tilting stack of letters.

  “I’ve been searching for a while. I grew up going to church, but when I got older, it wasn’t working for me.” She shook her head. “But I don’t dwell on it. I’d rather talk about how much True Mooring Life Center has helped me—and changed me.”

  Cue the inspirational music. “How?”

  She slipped a letter in an envelope. “I’ve learned that I possess everything I need to be my own mooring. So do you—we all do.”

  Yeah, that was the total opposite of Christianity. “The guy you’re dating helped you see this?”

  “Yes.” She beamed. “Tristan’s wonderful.”

  “Jim Phillips’s brother Tristan—who volunteers here?”

  “Yeah.” She lowered her voice again. “He’s like, twenty years older than me, but we connect, you know?”

  Don’t look grossed out. Don’t look grossed out. “Sometimes that happens. Is Tristan in charge of True Mooring?”

  “Yes. He’s my mentor. We met when I started volunteering here.”

  The video. I’d assumed, because of the anchor on the wall, that the group session with Tristan had taken place at Anchor Recovery Center. But it must have taken place at True Mooring Life Center instead. An anchor would fit with a mooring theme.

  She straightened a stack of envelopes and put them in a box. “He’s made such a difference in my life that I want to share it with everyone I meet.” She rolled her eyes. “I scared Rob away, though. He totally thinks I have a thing for him, so I’ve been having a blast messing with his head.” She picked a piece of lint off of her burgundy sweater. “But I shouldn’t. As you can see, I’m still evolving. But it would be great if I could bring Rob into the fold.”

  In my head, I heard the theme music from The Twilight Zone. “Do you have meetings?”

  “Tristan leads group sessions at the old church down the road, but he also meets with individuals.”

  “You meet in a church building, but you’re not a church.”

  “Right. Tristan wanted to send the message that people can experience meaningful community and fellowship apart from organized religion. He’s thumbing his nose at traditionalists by using that old building.” She took the box of filled envelopes over to Jim’s desk and then rejoined me.

  “How does your family feel about Tristan?”

  “You mean is my mom freaking out?” Carsyn shook her head. “Big time. She swears I’m in some kind of cult, but it isn’t like that. We’re a big family.” She sighed. “To convince her I haven’t gone off the deep end, I agreed to help with the Christmas program.”

  “So you’re not completely opposed to Christianity.”

  “No. The faith has moral teachings that benefit society. Besides, I like Christmas. It’s always been my favorite holiday.” She picked up the silver anchor pendant on her necklace.

  “That’s pretty. Did Tristan give it to you?”

  “I earned it after completing level two of the anchor system—the process we use to become our own mooring.”

  “How many levels?”

  “Six—arise, negate, consecrate, harmonize, obey, rejuvenate—ANCHOR for short.”

  My heart thudded. Anchor. Rejuvenate. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Final Rejuvenation LLC shared the name. “What do you have to do to get to the last level?”

  “I’m not sure. You learn what’s required as you advance to each level. Otherwise, it’d be too overwhelming.”

  That’s probably an understatement.

  She reached for her purse and removed a brochure. “Here you go. This will tell you about Arise, or level one. We’d love to have you join us at a session.”

  I forced a smile. “Thanks.”

  As soon as I left the mission, I got in my truck and skimmed through the brochure Carsyn had given me. The more I read, the more my stomach clenched. The focus of the brochure was Arise, but all six levels of ANCHOR were mentioned—though Carsyn was right in saying a person didn’t find out much about them ahead of time. Arise was mostly about learning to let go of fear, anger, and negativity in order to become a better person.

  Not bad things, of course. Even though I didn’t agree with True Mooring’s belief system, it didn’t mean the group was doing anything criminal.

  Still, my gut told me something was off with this group at the higher levels, and whoever had made that video had thought so too. I thought about the footage of the office and Jody Chatfield’s name on the certificate. I considered the real estate listing and the picture of the tiny houses. What if Jody had sold her colonial and downsized to the tiny house compound to complete the ANCHOR system?

  I sent a quick text to Austin.

  Please send me the address of the property with the tiny houses.

  I dropped my phone in my purse and sighed. This whole thing was creepy. Though Ruby expressed her concerns with fifty times more flair than most mothers, she had every reason to be freaking out.

  Lord, please help Carsyn get out of this. Open her eyes to the truth.

  Since I had plenty of time before our final dress rehearsal, I really wanted to visit True Mooring Life Center, but I had to call Cal and update him. I tapped his name on my phone and drummed the steering wheel.

  “Hey, Georgia. What’s going on?” His voice filled the cab.

  “We need to meet—soon.”

  “I’m at the library in Wildcat Springs. Can you meet me in ten minutes or so?”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Cal was waiting for me inside the library door. “I reserved a meeting room for us.” He grasped my hand as we walked up the marble stairway to the second floor.

  I surveyed him—handsome as usual in his khakis and blue-checked shirt—but something was missing. “Couldn’t find a book?”

  “They’re in my car.”

  “What di—?”

  “How’s the Christmas program going?”

  Okay, then. I can take a hint. I smothered a sigh. “Dress rehearsal had some hiccups last night, but we’ll get them smoothed out tonight. If we don’t, Ruby will have a meltdown.”

  He chuckled. “I’m sure you’re a good influence.” He opened the conference-room door.

  “That’s debatable.” Walnut wainscoting lined the room, except for the wall with antique, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

  “There’s some nice craftsmanship in this room.” He slid out a chair for me at the oval table in the middle of the room. “They don’t make bookshelves like that anymore.”

  I sat, and he joined me. “Woodworking was one of my daddy’s hobbies,” I whispered. “He always loved the woodwork in this building.”

  He reached for my hand and squeezed it. “He had great taste.”

  “Yes.” I pulled my hand away. “So…I volunteered at Solid Rock Mission with Carsyn Daniels this morning and got some interesting info.” I told Cal what I’d learned from Carsyn about True Mooring and what Austin had shared about Jody Chatfield and Final Rejuvenation. “It can’t be a coincidence that that last stage of the ANCHOR system shares a name with Final Rejuvenation, LLC. I’m wondering if people who graduate to the rejuvenate level have to sell their property to that company and then move into a tiny house.”

  “I see you managed to get a look at the flash drive.” Cal steepled his fingers.

  “Sorry.” But was I?

  “You sure about that?”

  “I’m going to go with no.”

  “That’s what I thought.” His eyes twinkled as he leaned back. “But I can’t be too upset since y
ou uncovered a good lead. I’d never heard of True Mooring.”

  “Same here. I think it’s a fairly new group. My theory is Carsyn invited Olivia to a session, and she sensed something shady was going on, so she went back to make a secret recording of a meeting and snoop around. When Tristan caught her, he was afraid she was going to expose some kind of secret, so he decided to kill her. He knew Jimsonweed is poisonous because his niece’s boyfriend died after using it.”

  “I agree that Olivia was the killer’s target,” he said. “The morning he died, Zach sent her a text message thanking her for the tea.”

  I stared out the windows at Mohr Ice Cream and Candy across the street. “If Olivia didn’t trust Tristan to the point where she made a secret recording, why would she accept tea from him—or pass it on to someone she cared about?”

  “Tristan had to have an accomplice give her the tea—someone Olivia trusted.”

  “Like Carsyn Daniels,” I said. “Except I’m having trouble seeing her willingly going along with an attempted murder plot—especially since she just gave me a lot of details about True Mooring.”

  “I agree.”

  I drummed my fingers against the table. “What if Tristan knew Carsyn was going to give Olivia the tea and poisoned it without her knowing?”

  “That’s possible,” Cal said.

  “And when that plan didn’t work, he ran Olivia off the road.”

  He shook his head. “One problem.”

  “What?”

  “Tristan has a solid alibi for the day Olivia disappeared.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  I groaned. “That figures.” I longed to bang my head against the conference room table.

  Cal ran his fingers through his hair. “Olivia was last seen working out at Fitness Universe, and according to the gym’s security cameras, she left around eight. Tristan and Carsyn were serving at Solid Rock from seven in the morning until early evening.”

  I nodded. “J.T. and I talked to Tristan that afternoon. He could’ve hired someone to take Olivia out—or there’s an accomplice.”

  “Right.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going over to True Mooring to talk to Tristan Phillips. Want to come?”

  “Right now?” I met his eyes. This was a better outcome than I’d imagined.

  He shrugged. “Why not? If you promise to let me do the talking, it won’t hurt if you observe.”

  “I promise.” I clasped my hands, thrilled that he was willing to trust me. “You’re the best.”

  True Mooring Life Center was located half a mile off the highway, down a county road, in an old limestone church building. Cal turned into the gravel parking lot next to a black Camaro that appeared to be one of the newest models. “Remember to let me do the talking.”

  “Okay.” That wouldn’t be easy.

  He got out of the car, and I followed him toward the building. A sign labeled office pointed to a side entrance, so we stopped next to a glass door. Cal tugged on it, and it was locked. He knocked, and a few seconds later Tristan appeared.

  “Welcome to True Mooring Life Center. I’m Tristan.” He smiled. “How may I help you?”

  Cal flashed his badge. “Detective Cal Perkins, and this is my associate, Georgia Winston.”

  Associate. I liked that. But I liked pretty much anything he said in his sexy voice.

  Tristan stroked his beard as he studied me. “Weren’t you the one who came to Solid Rock asking questions about the pastor who was killed?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “That’s a nice Camaro out there,” Cal said. “I used to have one like that—older model.”

  Interesting. He’d never told me that.

  “Thanks.” Tristan stepped aside and beckoned us in. “Got it this summer, and I need to put it up for the winter, but I’m waiting until the weather takes a turn.”

  “That’s the main reason I traded mine. Not a winter car—especially in Cleveland.” He shifted. “I’d like to ask you a few questions about Zach Mishler and Olivia Scott. As you know, Zach was murdered. Now Olivia’s missing.”

  “Yes. I’m happy to help. I had the pleasure of volunteering with them at Solid Rock Mission. Follow me to the Discovery Room.”

  We tromped up the red, carpeted steps into what had once been the sanctuary. Tristan had removed the cross, pews, pulpit, and altar and arranged folding chairs in a large circle in the middle of the room. A table next to the wall held stacks of brochures. I searched for anchor-like wall decorations similar to the one in the video, but I didn’t see anything.

  “Please, sit,” Tristan said.

  “Yes, sir.” We settled onto the metal chairs.

  He nodded slowly, and I couldn’t read his expression. “I don’t know that I’ll be able to tell you much more than I already have.” He surveyed Cal.

  “I won’t keep you long, because I’m sure you’re busy,” Cal said. “A witness told us one of Zach’s last words was anchor, so we’ve been looking at all possible connections. The literature from your group talks about the ANCHOR method. Did Zach ever visit your center?”

  Tristan shook his head. “No. Definitely not.”

  “What about Oliva Scott?”

  “She visited once or twice with Carsyn Daniels, but she never committed to going through the ANCHOR system.”

  Assuming Tristan was telling the truth, and Zach hadn’t come here, then Olivia could’ve been the one who shot the video and passed the flash drive on to Zach.

  “Tell me more about the ANCHOR system,” Cal said.

  “I teach a philosophy geared toward making the world a better place.”

  “How’d you get started?” Cal took out his phone.

  He seemed so casual—and friendly.

  “Two years ago, I was working as a real estate attorney, but I couldn’t find meaning and purpose in my life.”

  A real estate attorney? Come on, Cal. Ask about Final Rejuvenation.

  “I’d tried church, and it didn’t work for me, so I started researching how to help people overcome their struggles without religion. I used the best of modern self-help principles to hone the ANCHOR method.”

  “Which is?” Cal typed something on his phone.

  “The understanding that each of us must find truth within ourselves.”

  “How many members do you have?” Cal asked.

  “Fifty-one.” Tristan jiggled his leg up and down. “But we’re growing.” He walked over to the brochure table and picked up two, which he handed to each of us. “I hope this can help you better understand our philosophy.”

  “Thank you.” I opened the first pamphlet, and it was a duplicate of the one Carsyn had given me.

  Cal stood. “Thanks for your time.”

  Why wasn’t Cal asking about Final Rejuvenation? Should I? No. I couldn’t disrespect him like that. I bit my tongue. He surely had a good reason. I held up the brochure. “How many people have made it to the final level?”

  “Only seven, so far. The program is quite rigorous.”

  “Thanks for the information,” I said.

  “We have Discovery Sessions for all levels on Wednesday nights and Sunday nights if you wish to join us.” Tristan held the door open for us.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  Once we were back in the car and on the road, Cal began whistling, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

  I sang along in my head and said a silent prayer for the souls of everyone who frequented True Mooring Life Center. “Sorry about earlier. That question just popped out.”

  He chuckled and turned onto the highway. “It was a good one. I can’t be too mad at you since you managed to stay quiet the rest of the time.”

  “I’m not sure you understand how big of an accomplishment that is.”

  “I have a pretty good idea.” He winked.

  My face burned. “Why didn’t you ask about Final Rejuvenation?”

  “I wanted to keep him talking, and I can look into that company without asking Tristan.”

&n
bsp; “He’s not hurting for money, since he has a new car.”

  “It looks that way.”

  I glanced out the window at the assortment of used vehicles in the lot at Hometown Motors before looking back at Cal. “Speaking of money, Tristan’s brother, Jim, gave Mona a huge rock when they got engaged. Maybe he’s an accomplice. Or what if Mona’s involved too? She told me Olivia was thinking about selling makeup with her company. She’d fit the description of someone Olivia would trust. Mona might’ve known Olivia liked tea if Zach talked about it. Plus, she’s already lied to me about the teenager who died from Jimsonweed poisoning.”

  “I’ll definitely be looking at Tristan and Jim Phillips more closely. I’ll do a little digging into Mona Pletcher’s life too.”

  “Good.” I made up my mind to talk to Mona as soon as possible.

  A few minutes later, we arrived back at the public lot beside the library, and he parked his car next to my truck. He gazed at me. “I’d better get going.”

  My face flamed as the tension grew between us. Would he finally kiss me?

  Cal ran his thumb over his shoulder harness. “So’d you ever find a book for Ashley the other day?”

  Whoa. A man after my own heart. That distraction move was straight out of the Georgia Rae Winston Awkwardness Avoidance Handbook.

  “Nope. Did you ever find what you were looking for?” Please take the hint.

  “Considering I ran into a beautiful woman? I’d have to say yes.”

  Are you kidding me right now? “That’s sweet.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll find the right book.” He leaned over and gave me a peck on the cheek.

  “I don’t know.” I stifled a giggle as I opened the car door and leaped out. “It’s not easy finding the perfect gift.”

  “Babe! It’s Preston—your favorite twin.”

  Switching the phone to speaker, I glanced at my watch and dumped a scoopful of food into Gus’s dish in my utility room. “You have some answers for me?” I had about twenty minutes to get to rehearsal.