The Rocky Road to Ruin

by Meri Allen

  “Where’s the flash drive?”

  * * *

  Twenty minutes later, Caroline and I walked down the lane toward home, with Darwin holding a surprisingly docile McGillicuddy. When we’d left Dandy with Detective Voelker, she was leading him across her yard to her garden shed.

  I suddenly became aware that Rocky was trailing us. I scooped him up.

  “You crazy cat,” I whispered.

  Darwin said a tired good night. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m…” his voice trailed off as he walked down the lane toward the warm lights of his farmhouse.

  Sprinkles stood at our door, yowling an injured greeting.

  Caroline picked her up and held her close. “Riley, do you think Nina would’ve killed Angelica too?”

  I stepped into the familiar warmth of the kitchen and let out a sigh. “One thing that was odd from the start was the note and the wine. I thought the wine was drugged to immobilize Mike, which, yes, it was. He was big and athletic and would be hard to overpower. But the note to go in the barn seemed a bit much.

  “Nina was a big fan of Angelica’s. I think she wanted to spare Angelica seeing Mike’s murdered body. Maybe she thought Angelica would fall asleep first and then Mike would go in the barn and fall asleep there.”

  Sprinkles yowled and squirmed out of Caroline’s arms.

  “She was desperate…” Caroline’s voice trailed off.

  Nina wanted to preserve the life she’d built with Kyle. “I’m sure of it.” A thought tugged at me, another thread to tie up but I was so tired, it was all I could do to flush for Sprinkles and trudge upstairs. Tomorrow I’d go to Aaron’s and tie up that loose end.

  Caroline gave me a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Chapter 47

  After only four hours of sleepless tossing and turning, “haggard” didn’t even begin to describe what I looked like. I put on coffee, fed the cats, and slumped into a chair at the kitchen table. A knock at the door made me wince and I pushed myself to my feet. Tillie, a vision in a scarlet jumpsuit, waved through the window. I opened it and she slid inside. “Since we’re working together,” she said, “I thought I’d let you know what happened at the station last night.”

  Her words acted like a jolt of caffeine. As she took a seat at the table, I poured her a cup of coffee. Rocky gave her the cold shoulder, but Sprinkles let Tillie pet her.

  Tillie filled me in on what had happened after we’d left Dandy’s house.

  Dandy and Nina had been taken to the police station for questioning. Tillie had heard the call on the police scanner and decided she had some filing to do in the observation room during Nina’s interview.

  “She was a queen,” Tillie said with grudging admiration. “She didn’t give them anything.”

  Tillie also managed to be present when the police viewed the security video from Aaron’s flash drive. Dandy had hidden it in her garden shed the night she set fire to Aaron’s house. “The footage wasn’t great, but you could tell who was who, and it was definitely Nina Aldridge going into the barn,” Tillie said. As Tillie recounted what she’d seen on the tape, the scene unspooled in my mind like a movie.

  Around nine-thirty the night of the murder, Mike and Angelica walked down the front steps of the Love Nest and went down Farm Lane to join us all at Buzzy’s house.

  As they disappeared from sight, a tall woman with a slim, athletic build crossed the lane to the Love Nest. She carried a large tote bag. She went into the house for a few moments, then exited, retracing her steps across the lane. She must’ve parked her car by the cemetery, where she’d have a clear view of the road and the Love Nest.

  Angelica returned, then a few minutes later, Mike. After almost an hour passed, Angelica burst from the house, stumbled down the steps and into her car, and roared off. Mike exited the Love Nest and went into the barn. Then, shortly after midnight, the same tall woman crossed the road again but bypassed the Love Nest and went into the barn. She crossed the road again minutes later, this time running, holding a pair of gardening gloves.

  “The rest of the footage corroborated Emily’s and Darwin’s stories,” Tillie said. She pointed at Rocky and chuckled. “He was there!”

  Rocky looked up from his food for a moment, blinked, then went back to his breakfast.

  “What happens to Nina now?” I said. “And Dandy?”

  “Lawyered up, of course.” Tillie said as she gathered her things. “Gotta go. See you later.”

  I gave Rocky a nuzzle. “I need to go for a run.”

  * * *

  I jogged up Farm Lane, passing police vehicles parked on the road to the cemetery and in front of Dandy’s house. I played my role: I’d dressed in jogging clothes and pulled my hair into a ponytail that bounced with each step. I was just another runner and the investigators ignored me.

  Perfect.

  I darted into Aaron’s driveway. I had one more thread to tie. I knew I should wait for the police, but my curiosity got the better of me, as usual.

  Once in Aaron’s yard, I wished I was wearing work boots with steel toes. I bushwhacked through the weeds to a row of car bodies, hoping I didn’t step on any scraps of rusty, tetanus-inducing metal. I realized that I hadn’t understood what I’d seen in Aaron’s yard. Aaron didn’t have parts of cars in his yard. He had car parts, a chop shop.

  For many professional theft rings, stealing and stripping vehicles for parts has always been a lucrative business. Parts are often worth more than the intact vehicle and are easier to move and sell, especially parts for rare vintage vehicles.

  One rusted hulk drew me. On an earlier visit, my eyes had been drawn immediately to the body of a Mustang, a model that came out when I was in high school. I recalled the photo I’d seen in Mike’s bedroom, a photo of Kyle showing off his shiny new car. The rusted shell in front of me was the same model, but there was nothing left of the paint job and detailing that had been the envy of the school–the tires, seats, and engine had long since been scavenged. I edged through waist-high Queen Anne’s lace to the front of the car. The bumper was still there, but no buyer would want it. There was a significant dent in the right front corner.

  After seventeen years’ exposure to the elements, I didn’t think there’d be any evidence left behind, but I’d let the police make that determination.

  * * *

  That afternoon, Pru and I walked among the sunflowers. Dark circles ringed her eyes. A delivery the previous night had been successful, but difficult.

  I knew from Brooke’s diary that she had spoken to Kyle about the baby. She’d probably mentioned Martha Woodley. I remembered how proud Kyle’d been of his new Mustang, and then months later had a new one because he said he’d wrecked the first. No one had questioned it.

  I told Pru about the car I’d discovered in Aaron’s yard. “I don’t know if Kyle planned to kill Martha,” I said, but I thought to myself, How easy to turn the wheel.

  Pru shook her head. “It could’ve been an accident. He was young, probably scared.”

  Pru was right, there was no way to know for sure, without a confession from Kyle, and I knew that would never happen.

  “Do you think Kyle’s family knew?” Pru asked.

  That was one thing I was certain of. “I think the Aldridge family covered it up. That was a very expensive car. For it to end up in Aaron’s yard, sold for parts? I think the family turned to its black sheep to make the problem go away.”

  Chapter 48

  A few weeks later, Caroline and I took seats at a long mahogany conference table in her lawyer’s office. At Caroline’s insistence, Pru and Darwin were there, sitting across from us.

  Caroline’s lawyer gave her a reassuring smile. “No surprises in Mike’s will, everything to the family except for a very generous bequest to his fraternity.” He slid a paper to Caroline. “Here’s a list of his assets. Mike was very good about taking care of his personal affairs.”

  An unfortunate choice of words, I thought.

  He sli
d another paper in front of Caroline. “He left his sailboat to you, and his car—”

  “We’ll sell them,” Caroline cut in.

  The lawyer raised his eyebrows. “His condo?”

  I glanced at the paper in front of Caroline, taking in the numbers. Mike may not have been the best brother, but he was certainly financially successful.

  “Sell it,” Caroline said.

  Caroline’s lawyer tented his fingers. “Think about the tax consequen—.”

  “Sell it.”

  Pru caught my eye across the table and we shared a smile. Shy Caroline was coming out of her shell.

  “We’ll need some improvements to the farm. We’re tearing down the barn and the Love Nest and Darwin will plant a field of sunflowers there. Riley’s in charge of improvements to the ice cream shop.” Caroline nodded to her lawyer. He handed a check to Pru. When Pru looked at it, she gasped.

  “It’s for Willow to go to art school,” Caroline said.

  Pru’s eyes glistened as she passed the check to Darwin. “That’s so generous.”

  Caroline said, “I know in my heart that nothing would’ve made Buzzy happier.”

  Darwin shook his head. “I don’t know if we can accept—”

  Pru folded her arms. “Darwin Brightwood, when someone gives you a gift, you take it. Thank you, Caroline. Thank you.”

  * * *

  I pulled Sadie up to the kitchen porch. Distant rumbles were all that remained of an afternoon of thunderstorms that had caused temperatures to plunge and kept customers home.

  “It’s gotten chilly,” Caroline said.

  I remembered the sweater I found when I’d taken Sadie from the barn. “Buzzy’s sweater’s on the back seat.”

  She grabbed the sweater and scurried to the mailbox as I ran up the steps. Once inside, she handed me an envelope with a New York return address. I tore it open and took out two tickets to a tennis tournament. “Center court!” There was a short note. “Come see me play. I miss you guys. I miss Mike. No matter what, we’re friends, right? Angelica.”

  I showed the note to Caroline, knowing that her emotions regarding her brother were still tangled, wondering what she would say. Her lips turned up. “Let’s go see her.”

  I laughed. “I’m glad you said so, because otherwise I’d have to take Paulette. She’s a huge tennis fan.”

  Caroline put on Buzzy’s sweater. “Ah, this is cozy. Glad the meeting with the lawyer’s over with. I’m glad it’s all over with.”

  Not quite. I could still hear Nina’s shriek as she ran from the grave.

  Donna Danforth confessed to setting fire to Aaron’s house, but she wouldn’t talk about anything having to do with Nina, protecting her until the end. I wondered if that would change if she ever let herself believe that Nina had killed Brooke. I’d never think of her as Dandy again.

  Though the police examined the shell of Kyle’s Mustang, there wasn’t enough forensic evidence to prove he’d killed Martha Woodley in that hit-and-run so many years ago.

  The life Kyle had known was over now anyway. He was busy shuttering his political campaign. Nina was on house arrest, out of jail on several million dollars bond.

  After carefully choosing a few photos and yearbooks to keep, Caroline cleared out Mike’s room and had the walls painted my favorite emerald green. I went to Virginia for a few days to close up my apartment so I could return to become the full-time manager of the shop. I had a few flavors I wanted to add to the menu.

  On the same day Aaron the Hermit was released from the hospital, he picked up McGillicuddy and disappeared. A Penniman Preferred Properties For Sale sign now hung on a post in front of his burnt-out hulk of a house. I wondered what kind of plans Emily was making, what her next move would be. For now the Preserve at Fairweather Farms was on hold, but the land was too valuable. I knew it wasn’t the last we’d hear from her.

  Caroline stood at the sink, looking at the front of an envelope.

  “Tea?” I put the kettle on. Rocky jumped onto my chair. I picked him up, sat down, and draped him across my lap.

  Caroline didn’t answer.

  “Caroline?”

  “This was in the pocket of Buzzy’s sweater.” She turned the envelope so I could see the words written on it in Buzzy’s looping handwriting: My will.

  “Open it!” I jumped out of my seat, Rocky giving a cry of protest at the quick movement. She tore open the envelope and we bent over the paper.

  Though the words on the envelope were handwritten, the letter inside was typed.

  Loved Ones,

  I’m supposed to say something about being of sound mind and body. You bet I am! Is that legal enough for you?

  I’ve given this lots of thought.

  I was born and raised here on this farm. I know the world is changing. I don’t want Mike or Caroline feeling like they owe me something. Live your lives, kids. If you live it here on the farm, great. If you live it in Timbuktu, I hope you’re happy.

  This place is special. I don’t want it to change. If Mike or Caroline plan to sell the farm, then I don’t want them to have it.

  “That’s clear,” I said.

  If neither Mike nor Caroline want to keep the farm, then it is my wish that Fairweather Farms become part of the Penniman Land Trust. No hard feelings. I’d like Darwin and Prudence Brightwood to remain as managers of the farm. I know they love it as much as I do.

  Mike and Caroline get everything in the house, whether they want it or not.

  One thing: Udderly Delightful is my baby. Please find a way to keep it open. If you have to hand it over to someone, please make sure it’s someone who will love it as much as I do.

  That’s it. Oh, please take care of Princess Hortense Ophelia Tater Tot, aka Sprinkles, in the manner to which she has become accustomed. In other words, spoil her rotten! I’ve stashed some money for her care in my mattress.

  Caroline, sell whatever you want. If you want to change the house, go ahead. I won’t mind. Much. LOL.

  Love you all,

  Mom/Buzzy Elizabeth A. Spooner

  “Is it legal?” Caroline spoke as if dazed.

  I laughed. “Who knows? As legal as Buzzy could be. Call your lawyer. He’ll get a kick out of this.”

  A rap on the door made us look up. Sprinkles cast a bored look toward the door then stalked away. Caroline hurried to answer it. “Detective Voelker!”

  For heaven’s sake, his name is Jack. How long is it going to take these two to see the inevitable? I rolled my eyes, but my heart warmed for my friend.

  Rocky groomed his paws, unconcerned, bored even. You actor!

  Caroline led Voelker into the kitchen. He carried the tip jar and set it on the table. “My apologies. One of our officers left this off the list of your brother’s effects and I forgot to bring it over. You’ll have to sign for it.”

  I looked closely at the money in the jar. Most of it was bills, probably enough to cover the repair of the ice cream chiller.

  “Good timing, Buzzy,” I whispered.

  Rocky leapt onto the table and nosed the jar. We all laughed, but I swept him up in my arms. “Why don’t you make some coffee, Caroline? I left something in the car. Come on, Rocky, come with me.”

  “Coffee?” Caroline said.

  “Thanks, that would be nice,” Voelker replied.

  My work here is done, I thought as I stepped outside onto the front porch. I settled on a step, drinking in the view across the sunflowers. Rocky purred in my lap. For the first time in a very long while, I had no travel plans, and that was fine with me.

  THE END

  Recipe

  Buzzy’s Ultimate Frozen Margarita

  2 cups water

  1 cup sugar

  2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

  3–4 Tbsp triple sec

  3–4 Tbsp tequila

  1 tsp grated lime peel (zest)

  1. Stir water and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and
bring to boil. Pour into bowl.

  2. Mix together lime juice, triple sec, tequila, and lime zest. Add to sugar base. Refrigerate until cold—about two hours.

  3. Pour mixture into ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer sorbet to container, cover and freeze until firm—about two hours.

  To serve, put glasses in the freezer for one hour to chill, then scoop the sorbet into them.

  Have straws ready because it’s very good as a slushy too.

  Makes approximately 4 servings.

  Enjoy responsibly!

  Recipe

  Sunflower Ice Cream

  1½ cups whole milk

  1 cup granulated sugar

  Pinch of kosher or sea salt

  2½ cups heavy cream

  ½-1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

  Caramel sauce

  Honey

  Roasted, shelled sunflower seeds

  1. In a medium bowl, combine milk, sugar, and salt until sugar is dissolved (use a hand mixer on low or a whisk). Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate a minimum of two hours (best overnight).

  2. Whisk the mixture before adding to an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s directions. When the mixture is thickened, remove from machine.

  3. Make at least three layers of ice cream. Smooth ice cream in bottom of an airtight container. The size of your container will determine the number of layers and the amount of caramel, honey, and sunflower seeds in each layer. My taste-testers liked a ratio of 2 parts caramel to 1 part honey and 1 part sunflower seeds. For example: Drizzle ½ cup caramel, ¼ cup honey, and ¼ cup shelled, roasted sunflower seeds on each layer. Add more or less to taste. Repeat until your container is full, leaving room for a decorative swirl of caramel and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds on top. Freeze until hardened, 3-4 hours.

  Makes approximately 5 cups.

  Enjoy!

  About the Author