Plotting for Murder (Cozy Mystery Bookshop Series Book 1)

by Tamra Baumann

  I hadn’t considered that Wade might have turned down other work for this project. And what did I care if the trust paid Wade while I figured everything out? “You make a good point. How about we call it a paid vacation? Take the next two weeks. Then if all goes well, you can start right where you left off?”

  Wade grins, and he holds a fist out for a bump. “You’re the best, Sawyer.”

  “Thanks.” I return the bump. “Did you get Madge’s email about book club being moved to tomorrow?”

  He nods. “I’ll be there. That actually works better. Chad’s mom called me this morning and said they hope to have a small private service for him on Thursday. I’ll just grab my tools from upstairs and load up my truck if that’s okay? Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”

  “Sure.” I step aside and let Wade pass by. Just to be safe, Cooper and I wait for him to finish out on the front porch.

  When Wade’s done gathering his tools, he climbs into his truck and leaves with a wave. I lock up, and then Cooper and I hit the sidewalk and head toward the bank to get money for the till. A loud “gagooooga” horn sounds from behind and makes me smile.

  I stop walking and wait as my dad rolls down the window of his red 1970s convertible two-door Cadillac. How that thing is still running is a miracle no one can explain. Of course, my dad says it’s because of magic. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Morning, sweetheart.” He points to Cooper. “Cute pooch. Megan called me last night with an idea. Can I give you a ride?”

  “Okay.” I withhold a sigh as I scoop Cooper up and then open the long heavy door. Megan is such a worry wart. I suspect this idea will have to do with me moving in with her. “I’m going to the bank.”

  “The bank it is.” My dad puts the Magic Mobile—what my sister and I have always called it—into gear, and we head off. Dad pats Cooper as he says, “Megan is worried about you staying in Mom’s house all alone. Especially with that …thing that happened in the back room. She told me you could be in danger. Something you neglected to mention to me the other night.” He reaches under the seat and comes up with a long knife. “You should take this. For protection.”

  I laugh. “This is one of your collapsible knives. How will this protect me?”

  “It’s all about illusion. You don’t like blood any more than I do. This way, you won’t have to see any, and you can still chase a bad guy away.”

  My father and his logic. It’s not worth arguing about, so I tuck the blade into my purse. “Thanks.”

  “Megan wishes you’d let the corrupt blowhard mayor win and then move into a house she said she wants to buy and fix up in the city.”

  “Since when is Megan buying another house? I just saw her on Friday, and she didn’t mention that.”

  Dad shrugs. “She thinks between you and me, we could have it ready for resale in a year or so. We’d be doing her a big favor, and she’d be willing to cut us in on the profits along with giving us free room and board while we renovate. What do you think?”

  I think my very kind sister is trying to be sure both my father and I have a roof over our heads. She and my dad don’t think I can beat my uncle because my mom never could. That just makes me more determined to try.

  “You should take her up on the deal, Dad. I have other plans.” We arrive at the bank, so I open my car door and step out. “My restaurant will open very soon. You can take that to the…” I hold out my hand toward the bank.

  My dad chuckles. “I told Megan you’d never go for it. I’ll wait for you.”

  “That’s okay.” I shut the massive door. “I know you’re in a hurry to get to Iowa.”

  Frown lines crease my dad’s forehead. “I tried to get out of my gig after I talked to your sister, but I can’t. So, I did something to ensure your safety.”

  Oh boy. This should be interesting. “What have you done?”

  “You’ll see. If you reject my offering, it’ll break my heart. Love you, Sawyer. See you in a few weeks!” He waves as he takes off toward the highway.

  “Love you too.” He’s like my sister. They never wait for an “I love you back” before they both move on with whatever they’re so focused upon.

  But break his heart? Way to lay the guilt on thick.

  I glance down at my cute white-chinned dog who I swear is smiling while wagging his tail at me. “You think this is funny? You just better hope he hasn’t asked some of his weird circus pals to stay with us. Like Fred the fire-eating sultan, or Samantha the snake charmer.” The thought of reptiles in my house makes me shiver.

  Cooper’s tail droops, and he blinks at me.

  “See? Not so funny when snakes are involved, right? Let’s go get some cash.”

  After we’re done in the bank, Cooper and I head toward the bookstore to beat Wilma before she shows up with the coffee I so desperately need this morning. I’ve already got a stress headache. And I need to talk to her about the Admiral’s allegations about her and Chad.

  Cooper and I arrive in the back alley just as my mother’s best pal loads up her rolling cart with coffee and croissants. “Good morning, Wilma.”

  She glances up and smiles. “Morning, Sawyer. How are you?”

  “Good.” I unlock the door and deal with the beeping alarm. “I have a question for you, though. It’s delicate.”

  Wilma laughs. “I’ve known you since you were born, Sawyer. You can ask me anything.”

  I follow behind as Wilma rolls her cart to the dining area. “It’s not about me delicate. It’s about you delicate.”

  Wilma glances over her shoulder, and her brows disappear under her bangs. “Well, now. This should be fun. What would you like to know?” She starts her routine of swapping out carafes and setting out the fresh, flaky, buttery croissants.

  “It’s something the Admiral said on Saturday.” I unhook Cooper, and he runs straight for his favorite love seat by the front window to soak in the sun. “That there are rumors. About you and Chad? That maybe you’ve been …intimate?”

  “Me and Chad?” Wilma’s whole body shakes with laughter. “I wish! I haven’t seen a hard body like that since my twenties.”

  My cheeks must be flaming red. This is so awkward. “The Admiral said he worried that you might have told Chad about the hidden things? Like pillow talk?”

  “Sawyer.” Wilma closes the gap between us and hugs me. “The Admiral is a nice man. A genius, really. He knows lots of things about a lot of things, but we both know he’s one book short of a boxed set. You can’t trust everything he says.”

  I lean back and stare into Wilma’s eyes. She didn’t deny it, and I need to see the truth for myself. Too much rides on her answer. “So, you never told Chad Mom’s secret?”

  “No. Nor have I ever been with Chad in a biblical sense. I’ve kept your mom’s secret strictly between the Admiral and myself because I loved your mom. And I want what’s best for you too, sweetheart.”

  The sincerity beaming back at me sends a fresh wave of relief through me. “Thank you, Wilma. I just had to be sure.”

  “I understand.” She runs a hand up and down my arm before she releases me. “Do I need to talk to Dylan about this too?”

  “Couldn’t hurt. I’m sure the Admiral told Dylan the same thing, but now I don’t know if I can trust that the Admiral kept the secret.”

  “You can trust him, honey, because he loved your mom too. They’d been quietly seeing each other since you left for college.”

  Say what?

  My mouth opens, but nothing comes out but a squeak.

  Wilma tucks her finger under my chin and closes my mouth for me. “You would’ve found out eventually. This town is way too small for that big a secret.”

  My mind is way too small for that big a secret. Everyone must know but me. “But… He’s so. Old. My mom was still young. In her fifties. Like you! And the Admiral is sort of …nuts!”

  Wilma chuckles as she packs up her things. “We can’t choose who we fall in love with. And people in this town thought
your mom was a little nuts too. Right?”

  “Well, yeah. I guess that’s true.” I still can’t wrap my head around this. “You said on Saturday that my mom was no saint when it came to men. I assumed she dated a lot but wasn’t ever serious.”

  “That was true for a time.” Wilma starts pushing her cart with the empties toward the back. “She dated a few different guys along with the Admiral. In the end, she finally realized he was the one for her. They were exclusive for the last five years or so.” She stops pushing, and says, “I promise, the Admiral has your best interests at heart. See you tomorrow?”

  “Yes.” I’m rooted in place, nodding like a bobblehead doll as Wilma slips out the back door.

  I need to call my sister. She’ll never believe this.

  I reach for my phone but stop when tapping on the front door interrupts me. It’s Gage, dressed as sharp as always in his Italian suit and loafers. The man could model for GQ.

  I cross the showroom and unlock the front door. “Good morning. Thanks for taking care of Wade for me earlier.”

  “Yep.” He smiles, and that dimple on one side shows up as usual. “I need to talk to you about something. Your dad stopped by to see me this morning.”

  My stomach drops to my toes at the mention of my father. “What about?”

  “Protection.” Gage’s grin fades, and he blinks nervously at me. “Your dad asked if I’d stay at the house with you. Until the murderer is caught.”

  So, this was my dad’s clever plan.

  I close my eyes and picture Samantha and her snakes. It could be worse. “I’m fine, Gage. Thanks for offering.”

  He clears his throat. “Your dad said he would’ve asked Dylan, but he thinks the guy is unreliable. His words, not mine. And if I didn’t agree to do it, he’d tie me up in court for months asking for his common-law marriage rights to your mother’s estate. I don’t have time for that nonsense.”

  “You’d rather fall for his blackmail?”

  He lifts his palms. “I’m the only lawyer in town. And I only have two hands, Sawyer. It could put a freeze on the trust and slow down the opening of your restaurant.”

  Can’t have that. I’m on thin ice financially as it is.

  My mind races for a way out of this mess while battling the guilt of breaking my dad’s heart.

  Before I find a solution, Gage says, “Knowing your past and all, I cleared it with Dylan. He said he thought it’d be a great idea if I slept on your couch until he finds the murderer.”

  “He did?” I’m offended by that. Dylan has been flirting with me nonstop since I’ve been back. “Then fine. I’ll be home a little after six. And you don’t have to sleep on the couch just because Dylan says so.”

  Gage’s lips tilt into a nervous smile. “Where exactly will I be sleeping?”

  “In the guest room. I’ll even cook for you during your stay as a thank-you.”

  “Great!” He quickly dims his smile. “I mean, thanks. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time. I’ll pick up the groceries if you text me a list.”

  “Will do. See you later.”

  Gage waves and then turns and walks away as I lock up again. I lay my forehead against the cool glass and close my eyes.

  Moving here was supposed to uncomplicate my life. Not make it worse.

  Hopefully, Dylan will find the murderer soon, and my life will get back to normal. I have to tell myself that three more times before finding the strength to open my eyes again. When I do, Cooper is at my feet, furry face between his paws and eyebrows arched in a “May I please help you” kind of way. It melts my heart.

  I drop to the floor, and Cooper crawls into my lap. A cuddle from my adorable, soft dog is just what I need right now.

  After I’ve had my fill of doggy love, I slide my hands on either side of Cooper’s teddy bear face and say, “We can do this, right, Coop? You and me?”

  “I’m here to help too!” says a male voice behind me that makes me jump.

  I whip my chin over my shoulder. Ed, who’s round, bald, and in his sixties, is standing behind me with his hands full of equipment. “The back door was unlocked. Ready to get wired up? Or in this case, wireless?”

  Wilma must’ve forgotten to lock it behind her.

  Ed has no idea how badly I want to catch the murderer and get my life back. “Yep. Let’s get started.” And I’ll have Ed make the back door lock automatically from now on too.

  Ed grins. “We’ll do your house after we finish here. Dylan said to keep your house cameras on the down low, though. You’ll be able to sleep like a baby at night when I’m finished.”

  “Thanks.” I think. Dylan never mentioned keeping my home cameras a secret, but I hope Ed is right. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since last Thursday. Maybe having Gage around at night will be a good thing after all so I can relax a little. Old Victorian houses make strange creepy noises at night. And I’ll avoid breaking my father’s heart.

  I’ll just ignore that dimple and how darn handsome Gage is.

  Chapter 10

  Ed is busy installing my new cameras at the bookstore, while I’m trying to help a customer who’s looking for a book for her mystery-loving mother. I lead the woman to the bestseller table in the front when Brittany appears by my side.

  My black-clad employee says, “I know just what your mom likes, Claudia. Follow me.”

  Huh. I’m impressed. Not only is Brittany only fifteen minutes late this morning, but she’s been paying attention to what the customers want. Maybe I’ve underestimated her.

  I go back to sipping coffee and looking up older books that have sold well online when Madge barrels through the front door. Does she ever walk normally?

  Today her red sweater has little white blobs of something all over it, like she tossed whipped cream at it, but maybe they’re supposed to be stars? “Hey, Madge.”

  “Hi, Sawyer.” Madge joins me at the front counter and then glances over her shoulder to be sure no one can hear us. “Have you heard the latest?”

  “About you finding the energy drink can?”

  “No. That came up a big zero. It’s about Crystal. She’s missing. No one knows where she’s been for two days now.”

  Brittany and the woman customer join us by the register to pay for the book Brittany recommended, so I tilt my head toward the dining area, and Madge follows along. I whisper, “Who reported her missing?”

  “No one.” Madge pours herself a cup of mocha roast and grabs a croissant. “One of the deputies has been trying to contact her for some follow-up questions. I heard him call the office where she works, and they said she called in sick today. Dylan went to her apartment this morning, but no one answered. And her car wasn’t in the parking lot. Oh, and get this. I got a glimpse of the murder board in Dylan’s office.”

  “He left it uncovered?” I find this hard to believe.

  “Not exactly.” Madge waggles her brows as she takes a long drink from her china cup. “I was dropping off some paperwork in Dylan’s office while he was out looking for Crystal and couldn’t resist just a little peek. The four key suspects are who we thought they were, but they all had something written by their names. I’ll tell you if you promise not to tattle on me to Dylan.”

  Okay, this is so not fair. I really should tell Dylan that he can’t trust Madge, but then, my best source of information will dry up. If curiosity killed the cat, I’m probably about to get run over by a bus. “I promise.”

  Madge pulls out a chair in the dining area and sits, so I settle in across from her. She says in a low voice, “The mystery customer has two names by it. They used facial recognition software, so I’m guessing that it came up with two choices. Or maybe someone thought they recognized the guy? I’m not sure, but I heard them say the video wasn’t as sharp as they’d like.”

  “What are the names?” I pull out my phone and tap the notes app to open it.

  Madge pulls out a sheet of paper from her pants pocket. “John Walker and Michael Jones.”


  “Have you googled them?” I ask as I type the names in my phone.

  “Yes. Multiple names came up, so we need to do some more research. I can’t do it at the station because someone might notice.”

  “I’ll get on that.”

  “Sounds good.” Madge swipes the crumbs from her fingers. “Crystal disappearing might be because she’s involved, but she, Julie, and Wade each had a dollar sign by their names too.”

  “I assume that means they have money motives?”

  Madge nods as she sips her coffee. “Chad has a dollar sign by his name too.”

  So maybe they owed Chad money? Or vice versa?

  Wade had asked me for his check early, but that was to buy a new suit. Julie works in the grocery store and stated she was looking for a new job. They could both need money. “Where does Crystal work?”

  Madge sets her cup down in the saucer. “She works in the IT department in town hall.”

  Brittany slips beside me along with Cooper and says, “Crystal is the big-chested redhead who was fighting with Chad, right?”

  Madge nods. “There’s an old saying about redheads having fiery tempers, and Crystal fits the mold to a tee. She and Julie are at the top of my list.”

  “Maybe.” Brittany smacks her gum. “I saw Wade making some big moves on Julie at the softball game on Saturday night, though. Maybe he killed Chad so he could have Julie all to himself.”

  “Scorned women.” Madge shakes her head as she rises from her chair. “They are not to be messed with. I have to get back. My break is up. Let me know if you find anything interesting about our mystery customer. And have fun spending the night with Gage tonight.” Madge winks before she heads for the front door.

  “Wait. What?” Brittany’s face whips toward me. “I thought you and the sheriff were having pajama parties.”

  “Nope. My father asked Gage to sleep at my house until the murderer is caught. As friends. Like Dylan and I are.”