Murder on the Menu

by Jerri George

  “What do you mean?” Tripp sat next to her in the visitor’s seating area.

  Candace filled him in on the discussion she had with Uncle in the wee hours after his waking and the news that Dawn had been at the ranch at the time of the attack and had never let on. The two agreed it was more than just a little incriminating.

  Tripp volunteered to speak to the Sheriff’s office and get to the bottom of the whole story. “I spoke with the Sheriff yesterday afternoon after you left my office. What do you know about your partner’s whereabouts around the time of the attack?” Tripp was frowning with concern now.

  “My partner? You mean Anton?”

  “Do you have another?” He winked, ever the attorney at heart. “Sam was zeroing in on the fact your partner might have had a financial reason for hurting your uncle.”

  “That’s absurd. I told him Anton would never hurt Uncle in a million years. You called Sam?” She never expected him to react that quickly.

  Tripp rubbed her arm reassuringly. “Yes, I did. You may be right, but he had information, and he confirmed they were looking at you too. I’m relieved that spotlight has been aimed in a different direction now because it could get messy.”

  “That’s crazy. First of all, Anton was with me the entire day and evening catering a wedding in Evergreen. We were both there when Uncle called.”

  “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. I wasn’t accusing you or anyone else. Just wanted you to know what he said.” He reached out and took her hand. “What time did you and Anton get to the reception?”

  She enjoyed the security she felt with her hand in his grasp. “I’m not sure. I took my car, and he took the van. It would have been sometime before six, why?”

  “No reason in particular. Just creating a timeline.”

  “Anyway, Uncle was hurt before midnight. I was on the phone with him when it happened, and Anton was right there with me.” She was firm.

  After going over the points they both wanted covered with Dawn and questions they had for the authorities, they walked shoulder to shoulder back to the room. Tripp advised that Dawn should probably get an attorney fast and promised Candace he would move toward getting Pedro released as soon as possible.

  Tripp quietly filled his father in about Dawn’s possible complicity in the attack and went on to question Dan about it. Candace couldn’t help but be impressed by how precise and thorough he was. Serious but kind, he coaxed answers about specifics from Dan that she would never even think of asking. Harry spoke up now and again, adding his two cents. They seemed to take a good cop, bad cop stance on the entire subject with Tripp being more suspicious and Harry willing to let things slide only to come back with some very direct questions.

  Harry squinted as if to zero in on the topic. “What exactly was your relationship with Marjorie?”

  Dan said matter-of-factly, “We were never more than friends.”

  “But the letters seemed to indicate more. She said you were her rock.” Candace spoke up. “She mentioned giving in to the Kane magic.”

  “Well, I suppose I was her rock.” Uncle drew in one of his customary long breaths. “But that was all I was. Candace, your aunt Marjorie was in love with your father and had been since before you were born.”

  “What? Daddy would never,” she spoke from a panicky little girl place.

  “No, no, my dear,” he commanded calm with his tone. “Your father wasn’t even aware. In fact, he was so in love with your mother, and so busy with work, I don’t think he ever would have noticed.”

  Tripp and Harry watched and listened as the story unfolded.

  “Marjorie was a lonely, unhappy woman, and over time she became very attached to Brad. He was around when Eric never was, and she began to imagine a life with him.”

  “Did Mom know?” She winced.

  “No, Marj confessed her feelings for him to me and only me. I tried to make her see they would never be reciprocated, but she was and is a very determined woman. Just before your parents were killed, she made the decision to tell your father. But I don’t think she ever had the chance.”

  Candace wondered if Dawn had any idea. Dawn had read all the letters way back then and hid them. Did she keep them secret because of her mom’s feelings or because she thought her mom and Uncle Dan were having an affair? This whole thing was beginning to unravel, and not in Dawn’s favor.

  It was nearly four in the afternoon when Candace walked Harry and Tripp to the elevator. Jesse had arrived around two and had spent time fussing over her boss and profusely apologizing for her absence the night he was injured. Like a well-worn glove, their conversation was smooth and an easy fit. A little alone time with Jesse would bring Uncle a sense of normalcy.

  Swimming in a plethora of facts and suspicions when Sheriff Sam descended on the waiting room to discuss what his investigation had revealed to date, her head was beginning to pound. The good news was that Pedro was no longer considered a suspect and Candace couldn’t wait to tell Jesse. The bad news was that Dawn was turning out to be enemy number one and was still among the missing. Candace admitted she hadn’t heard from Dawn since last night, and that was highly unusual. They hadn’t spoken since the fundraiser. She called Anton, but he hadn’t heard from her either.

  Harry gave Candace a reassuring bear hug as he entered the elevator. There was an unspoken father-son exchange that passed between he and Tripp just before Harry released the door. Tripp and Candace stood in silence, watching it close.

  Tripp broke the quiet with his voice. “I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner tonight. I know it’s been quite a day. I thought you might need a little break.” Tripp was as cool, crisp and pressed as when he arrived hours ago. She felt like one of the dozens of withering plants just outside her uncle’s room. Not even a shower could resurrect her.

  “That’s such a nice thought, but I’m really beat, Tripp. How ‘bout a rain check?”

  He grinned at her. “A rain check is fine, but I hate to just leave you all alone with so many unanswered questions.”

  She felt small. Like the innocent school girl he first met. But she wasn’t. She was much stronger than that girl who ran from the best relationship she would ever have. Life was strange.

  “I appreciate that, but honestly I’ll just grab a bite to eat with Uncle, spend a little time with Jesse, go back to the ranch and go to bed.”

  “Okay.” He hit the call button for the elevator then turned and enfolded her in his arms, swaying as if they were dancing. She felt as she had in his office, off balance, uncertain. He held onto her as he drew back and tentatively planted a soft kiss on her cheek. She sensed people watching but was not willing to pull away. Memories came flooding in. Good memories. Did he feel them too? A moment later he disappeared through the doors.

  When the doctor made her final rounds, Uncle Dan was in a great mood. Candace was too. It might have been a residual feeling from the hug at the elevator or the general feeling of levity in the room, but Candace could have sworn Uncle Dan and the doctor were flirting through most of her consultation.

  The same woman who watched over him in his coma and at his bedside when he woke, was about ten years his junior. Without the green surgical cap, her shoulder-length auburn hair was secured with a single elastic band. She wore a conservative amount of makeup, save her pink lip gloss. They framed an uneven but toothy smile. She wore a skirt under her white coat, and to Candace’s surprise, when she sat down next to his bed, she thought she caught Uncle checking out the doctor’s shapely legs.

  In conversation, she admitted to being single and a native to Gallegos. She lived about 30 minutes from the hospital in the direction of the ranch. The doctor shared she had attended more than one Double K event in the past and had some wonderful memories there. As she talked and laughed, her long, narrow nose wrinkled and sharpened to a point. Her umber complexion was highlighted by plum blush-dusted cheek bones, which accented her deep-set dark eyes hidden behind thin metal-rimmed glasses. Candace could
see what Dan saw in her.

  Could Uncle Dan really be interested? Candace had always envisioned Jesse and Uncle together someday, but stranger things happen. She watched as Jesse looked on. It was funny thinking of him with another woman, but funnier still, thinking of him with the likes of Genevieve. Thank god that relationship never got off the ground.

  Candace took off for the ranch, leaving Jesse with her uncle. Windows open and music blaring to stay awake, it turned into quite a busy drive. Phone calls were placed to at least a dozen interested parties. Friends and former business associates were anxious to know his condition. She even tried to reach Dawn, although she didn’t know what to say. Catching Anton at the office, she wondered how she could ever doubt him. He was the hardest working, most diligent and trustworthy man she knew aside from her uncle, and well, Tripp.

  Anton was using a computer program that hacked into Dan’s cell phone. He told her nothing had come up except the letters PLE, corresponded with the numbers Dan had last dialed on his phone. They discussed the possibility that he might have been trying to type ‘please help’ to text to Candace.

  “I wish he could remember something, anything about that night,” she told him. “Now it makes total sense why Dawn was able to show up at the hospital at 4:00 a.m. She had been just up the road at the ranch. I wonder where she was when I was sitting there alone, freaking out.”

  They agreed to keep focused on Dawn.

  The front gates of the Double K were a welcome sight. As Candace drove onto the property, she sensed something different about it. She discovered the reason in just a few feet. Either Jesse or Riley must have been there, because the courtyard was alive with color and activity. The sun would set in about an hour but she could see that the fountain had been filled and set in motion.

  She walked past the trees and bushes with birds dive bombing the full feeders on the edge of the front porch. The planter boxes had been emptied and refilled with perennial flowers and blooming cactus. It was like a scene from a Disney movie. The entire garden had come to life with Uncle waking up.

  “What do you think, Miss Candace?” Riley, hatless, red faced and dirty walked toward her.

  “I love it!”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “I thought we’d get ready for Mr. Dan’s return home.”

  “Riley, what would we…he…do without you?”

  “I hope you’ll never find out.”

  “Me too. Never ever.” She gave the man a quick hug, careful not to share too much flora and fauna from the garden, then returned to the house. She stopped just shy of the door and asked, “Did Jesse call?”

  “Yes. She’s on her way to El Paso. It seems her son is off the hook about Mr. Dan’s attack and was given permission to leave town, so she and her husband are taking him out to celebrate.”

  “Awesome. This has been one great day, hasn’t it? Why don’t you go on home? I’ll be fine here tonight.”

  “Yes ma’am. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Chapter 26

  Lance was barking when Candace exited her much desired shower. She wrapped herself in the awaiting robe and sprinted to look out the window. She had been drenched in the hot, steamy water for so long t night had fallen. A quick glance showed nothing because the lights in the courtyard weren’t on, not even the spotlights on the trees. Maybe Riley forgot to set the timer.

  “It’s okay, boy,” she said scratching the top of his head. Lance was very convincing. He sensed something.

  “What is it boy? Is someone out there, or do you want to chase prairie dogs?”

  Lance barked with renewed fervor, almost threatening.

  Candace flipped on the porch light and went into the kitchen to check the side patio. The great bay windows revealed nothing. She shivered. The desert nights were always chilly. The sun setting caused a good twenty to thirty drop in temperature overnight, and she was still dripping underneath her robe.

  “I can’t let you out, buddy.” She didn’t dare since she was alone, and she wasn’t as good at delivering proper commands like Uncle. Distracted, Lance might not come back inside. He began to pace back and forth, running from room to room and jumping at the front door. Candace froze. She had never seen him like this.

  She peeked out the front window again and stood on her tiptoes at the door to see through the peephole. Nothing. This was not funny.

  “Quiet down!” she snapped at Lance, overwhelmed by his frantic reaction to nothing she could see.

  Lance, honoring her command jumped, gnawed at the front door knob growling and shaking his head in a tearing fashion. She watched, terrified at what his teeth and that level of vehemence could do to a person. At the same time, she was relieved she had him as her guardian and not-so-secret weapon.

  Weapon!

  She darted to Uncle’s office where his special cabinet was loaded with guns and ammunition. The hollow sound of loud thumps stopped her dead in her tracks.

  “Who’s there?” she yelled but wanted to cry. She held her ground and her breath. Was someone knocking or was it just the shutters in the wind?

  She grabbed the first handgun she found and thrashed through the ammunition. Her hand shook as she loaded the heavy pistol. One…two…three bullets. The pounding stopped her again. It was coming from the direction of the front door.

  She slowly approached. “Hello? Who is it?”

  She held the revolver with both hands, her arms the consistency of aspic.

  A voice called out, “It’s me, Tripp.”

  “What? Oh my God!”

  Lance ceased barking and cocked his head toward Candace to confirm she knew the caller’s identity. She dropped the gun to her side and staggered toward the door, straightening the fit of her robe.

  She opened the door prepared to decapitate him with words, but there he stood, pizza and a bottle of red wine in hand. “What are you doing here?”

  “I parked out near the gate and couldn’t see my way in the dark, and then I thought your horse here was going to eat me.”

  She stepped back to allow him entrance, but he hesitated, clearly convinced canine dissection was imminent. Candace burst out laughing. Not a normal guffaw but uncontrollable laughter nearing hysteria. It took a moment, but Tripp joined her and they both collapsed against the door. Lance stood on guard but perplexed.

  “I was about to shoot whoever it was until you answered me.” She spat out holding her sides.

  “I wasn’t sure what to do. I really thought that dog was going to come through the door.”

  She scratched the animal’s head. “That dog is Lance. Sir Lancelot, Uncle’s dog. Lance, meet Tripp.”

  “Hi Lance. I’d shake your paw, but my hands are a little full right now.” He lifted the pizza box.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Come in and put all that stuff down.”

  Tripp made his way to the coffee table in the family room. “So, this is the mate to the dog that was killed?”

  “Actually, they were brothers from the same litter.”

  “Hey, boy. Thanks for guarding our girl. I’m okay. I promise not to bite you if you don’t bite me.”

  “I didn’t know you were coming out here and it’s pretty desolate. You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you.” They both looked down at the gun still in her hand.

  “I’d say we’re both lucky. Ahhh, let me take that off your hands. I think I’d feel safer.” He grinned and liberated it from her grasp. “I’m so sorry. I tried to call your cell, but you didn’t answer. I wanted to bring you something to eat and check in on you after all. I guess I really screwed that one up.”

  “I was in the shower. A really long shower and didn’t hear the phone. If that pizza has anchovies or black olives then you’re forgiven.”

  “It has both, black olives and anchovies with extra cheese.” He dropped it on the side table.

  She was touched. “You remembered.”

  “How could anyone forget a pizza like that?”

  She saw his eyes assessing her r
obe. Was he really checking her out?

  “Wow. This place is great.” He scanned the room, nodding.

  “I love how it feels here.”

  “Me too. Ready to eat?” he asked.

  “Umm, I guess so. Maybe I should change first.”

  “Don’t bother,” he said, raising both palms up beside his ears. “I promise to mind my manners. Just stay comfortable.”

  “Thanks.” She went into the kitchen and popped right back with a couple of plates, two wine glasses and a wine opener with her pinkie.

  “I wasn’t sure if you were still a wine girl. I could have brought beer.”

  She smiled. “Once a wine girl, always a wine girl. But you could have had beer.”

  He sat on the couch. His legs relaxed as she curled hers underneath her body to sit at his level. Her manicured toes peeked out from underneath her robe. She dished up the pizza from the coffee table while he opened the wine with flourish and poured a sip to sample.

  “Adequate, considering the liquor store inventory.” He winked. “You probably have something much better here.”

  “It’s fine.” She felt as if his eyes were devouring her instead of the pizza when he sat back and proposed a simple toast. “To Dan and the circumstances that brought us into each other’s lives again.”

  She smiled, uncertain but clinked his glass politely.

  Candace couldn’t wait to take a great big bite of the pizza. She never knew anyone else who liked this exact combination of toppings, except her Dad.

  Tripp wolfed down one piece in three bites leaving some of the greasy marinara sauce dribbled down his chin. She grinned.

  “What?”

  “You’ve got sauce on your chin. I think you forgot to get napkins.”

  “I’ll go get some or you could kiss it off.” He leaned in and produced his lower lip.

  She tried not to laugh as he pursed them. She kissed carefully at the spot then proceeded to “clean” his chin, talking between kisses, “Feel...free...to object, counselor.” She was feeling bold, more confident than she did years ago.