“Yes, Terrance. Oh, Charlotte, this is Terrance Murdoch, one of the local council members, and Jonas Carmichael, another. Please meet Charlotte, my assistant.”
They both nodded at her. Sid’s eyes had not left her since he walked in. She gave him a bright smile.
Terrance continued. “Most of council are away on their annual holidays, so we’ve been left with the decision of purchasing a replacement tree. What would the town be without one?”
“Indeed.”
“But council’s budget is already spent, so we…well—”
“We need each trader to contribute to a new tree.” Jonas took over. “We’re trying to source one large enough and negotiate a low price, but everyone will receive a bill to pay this week. Council won’t go ahead without every trader agreeing.”
“I see.” Rosie’s hands were balled up. “Not all traders will be in a position to do so.”
“Then they’ll be responsible for the lack of a tree in our town.” Jonas pursed his lips.
“Whoever stole the tree is responsible.” Charlotte mentioned. “This is the second one.”
“Actually, it is the third.” Terrance nodded. “My neighbour came home from work last night to a broken back door and no tree.”
“Was it artificial?”
Everyone looked at Charlotte.
“I’m curious why anyone wants to collect artificial Christmas trees.”
There was a glint in Sid’s eyes that turned Charlotte’s stomach. What was he thinking?
Rosie crossed her arms. “Terrance, Jonas, this is grossly unfair. Council does nothing to attract buyers into the trading area. Now you expect us to foot the bill for something not of our making.”
Terrance and Jonas exchanged a glance.
“Nobody wants to contribute, do they?” Rosie asked.
“A few have agreed.” Terrance admitted. “Most say they can’t afford it. Not sure what we can do, unless Darcy donates one.”
“I think you’ll get more local support, Terrance, if you ask him for the best price he can do, and then let us all know. And council has to offer some money as well to the pool. Nobody should be out of pocket at Christmas.”
“Knew you’d take the side of those people, Rosie.” Sid spoke up. “For all we know they are behind this.”
Ah, that’s what the look was about. You’ve twisted my words.
“Does Darcy have a dark ute?” Charlotte asked, staring directly at Sid.
“On about that again? How do we know you’re not in with them?”
Charlotte couldn’t help herself. She burst into laughter. Even Terrance smiled, but Sid glowered, and Jonas frowned. “Would you like to search the garage and my apartment upstairs? Happy to show you around. Where would I hide a giant tree, even in pieces?”
“How do you know it’s in pieces, missy?” Sid pushed to the front, hands on the counter. “What did you see last night?”
“You are welcome to call me Charlotte, or Charlie. My name is not missy. Do you really want me to say what I saw last night?”
Go on, just goad me a bit more and I’ll tell them you were watching me.
He pulled back. “We’ll talk.” Then he stalked out. Terrance and Jonas hurried after him, and Charlotte followed them, closing the door in their wake and locking it with a loud click.
“Charlie? What was that about?” Rosie wheeled over to her and took her hand. “You’re trembling. Come and sit down.”
“I’m angry. Sorry, he just really gets me riled up. He was watching the balcony from the alley. Made me feel creeped out, that’s all.”
Rosie released her hand, her mouth open.
“Rosie, I’m making things hard for you.”
“My goodness, darling you are not! We should phone Trev.”
“Trev? No! No, he’d drive up here and—”
“Exactly.” Rosie sighed. “Alright. We’re going to go back to my house and have a drink and we’ll work out what to do next.”
Rosie left first and Charlotte counted the money and closed the registers. She turned off all the lights before locking the money bag in the safe out the back. Still rattled, she double checked the front door was locked before doing the same with the back door on her way out.
She took a few minutes upstairs to freshen up. Rosie had texted her the details of where she lived, so Charlotte walked there. Past the roundabout—where several people had gathered—then on straight for two blocks before a right.
The street was narrow but pretty, with old deciduous trees forming an arch over the road. Rosie’s house was the seventh on the left. It was white weatherboard with a colourful cottage style garden. A wide path took her to the front door, where a black and white cat sat in the late afternoon sun. A Christmas wreath was on the glass and timber door. She knocked.
“It’s unlocked, Charlie. Come on in.” Rosie called from inside.
As soon as she opened the door, the cat ran in, tail straight up. “Oh, um, a cat just came in with me.” Charlotte closed the door, locking it behind herself. She followed the cat along a hallway with polished floorboards. Rooms were on either side. Dining room and bedrooms, all with their doors ajar. At the end of the hallway, a lovely living area opened up, with sliding doors to an outdoor area. The kitchen was to one side. The whole house was decorated, and a row of Christmas cards sat above a fireplace.
“This kitty cat is one of mine.” Rosie was in the kitchen, the cat now on her lap. “Say hi to Mellow.”
“Mellow?” Charlotte grinned and reached out a hand. The cat rubbed its face against it, purring. “Nice cat.”
“Mellow and Mayhem. Siblings I saved from a fate we won’t discuss. This one is a delight. Friendly, sweet, undemanding. Unlike her brother. Where are you, Mister Mayhem?”
With more a growl than meow, a second black and white cat appeared. He stalked into the kitchen and sat, staring at Charlotte with big golden eyes.
“I wouldn’t offer your hand. Not if you value your fingers.” Rosie carefully navigated around Mayhem, who merely watched her without bothering to move. “What would you like
