by Lynn Cahoon
She stepped toward Cat. Shauna’s foot had come loose from the ropes after the chair had fallen over. Cat saw Shauna kick her foot out to trip her and then Dee Dee was flat on the floor. Cat ran over and pulled her arms behind her back, then she sat on her butt. Dee Dee squirmed under her.
Shauna inched closer but Cat couldn’t use a hand to take off the gag since she had a death grip on Dee Dee’s arms. It was all she could do to hold on. The woman bucked like a bronco in the rodeo.
“Well, isn’t this a site?” Seth’s voice came from the open doorway.
Two police officers burst into the doorway and stood over Cat and Dee Dee, guns drawn.
She looked up at one of them and nodded to Dee Dee. “Do you want to help me with her? Or are you going to shoot her?”
They looked at each other and one officer holstered his weapon. “If you weren’t the chief’s niece, you’d be in cuffs too.”
“If I wasn’t the chief’s niece, I’d probably be home reading a book and this murderer would have gotten away with her crime and a few more before you guys caught her.” When the officer put cuffs on Dee Dee, Cat pushed herself up and off the woman.
“You witch. No one is going to believe you anyway. It’s all circumstantial,” Dee Dee screamed at Cat as the officer dragged her to her feet.
Cat ignored her and pulled the gag off Shauna’s mouth. “Are you okay?”
Seth helped her get Shauna and the chair upright, then using his pocket knife, he cut off the ropes that had bound her. Shauna stood and rubbed her wrists.
“I’m fine, just furious. And to think, I came to the shop to apologize for taking one of her recipes and making it better.” Shauna stared at Dee Dee, who was being led out of the back room of the bakery and toward the police car. “I told her I was going to credit her and the bakery for the idea and that might get her more customers. Then she went off on me about losing the store and Nate and the next thing I knew, I was sitting here, tied up.”
The other police officer came and handed Cat her phone. “Smart idea. Katie has the confession all recorded back at the station. This trial might be a slam dunk because of you.”
“I’m just glad you got here in time. What took you so long?” Cat took the phone and slipped it into her back pocket.
“We were on a lunch break and it took Katie a few minutes to reach us.” He looked out toward the squad car. “Your uncle is on his way back from Denver. I guess he didn’t need to reinterview Ms. Collins after all.”
He tipped his hat and headed out the door. He paused at the doorway. “Henry will be coming back after we get her into one of the cells. We’ll need to secure the scene, so if you wouldn’t mind leaving soon, we’d appreciate it. Your uncle says he’ll interview you all later.”
Seth put his arm around Cat and another around Shauna. “Let’s go get lunch. I’m pretty sure our order’s ready by now.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The second pitcher of margaritas had just arrived and Cat refilled her glass. She was still shaky about the events earlier in the day, but Shauna and Seth seemed to have put it all behind them. Shauna was talking to Colleen about all the sightseeing she wanted to complete while she was in New York the next week.
“Jake says he’s going to get me on the floor of the stock exchange.” Shauna grinned at Cat. “You want me to buy you a stock or two while I’m there?”
“It might be shortsighted, but I’d rather have a snow globe of Central Park.” Cat grinned at her friend. Warning bells were going off about her brother, but Shauna had promised not to make any financial decisions about the money that Kevin had left her during the week. Cat hoped that Jake’s newfound interest in his sister wasn’t based on the size of her bank account. She thought it might just break Shauna’s heart if it was. “Just remember what we talked about.”
Shauna held her glass up for Seth to refill. “Tell your girlfriend that she doesn’t have to worry about me like some mother hen.”
Cat wanted to remind Shauna that if she hadn’t gone looking for her today because she was worried, she might be spending the week dodging wild animals in the woods rather than avoiding the wolves of Wall Street. But a glance passed between them and Cat knew that Shauna was thinking the same thing.
“Cat, stop mothering Shauna. Shauna, be careful out in the big city. They like to eat country bumpkins like us.” Seth poured the icy golden liquid into her glass. “We like having you around.”
“I survived in LA for five years before I even met Cat, so I’m not such a country bumpkin.” Shauna elbowed Seth. “Not like you, who was born here in little Aspen Hills.”
“I did my traveling during the army years. I’m proud to be a native Coloradoan. There aren’t many of us left.” He held up his glass of Coke. “To the Warm Springs Writers’ Retreat. You’re never boring.”
“You sound like you’re surprised.” Anne held her glass up. “To those who write, and those who teach, and those who read. We all love stories.”
They all sipped their drinks. Then Rick stood up. He looked at Cat and nodded. “I’m going to do this in public so I can’t back out, so I’m asking all of you to keep me accountable.”
“You’re giving up drinking?” Molly asked.
“No, it’s donuts. He’s going sugar free,” Colleen supplied.
Anne shook her head. “We know it’s not coffee. He wouldn’t be able to survive.”
“Let the man talk.” Bren, who sat next to Rick, looked up at him and smiled. “Go ahead, Rick. How can we help you?”
He took a deep breath. “Bren, I know you’re still involved and you have some things to clear up when we get back to Chicago. But I want you to know I’ve been in love with you since the day you joined our critique group. I didn’t tell you then when you were single, and I should have. If you think you might feel something for me, I’d love to take you out on a date as soon as you feel ready.”
Bren stared at him and his cheeks reddened.
Rick slipped back into his chair. He didn’t look at her. “Or not. Either way, I want us to continue to be friends. You can forget all the things I just said and we can go back to being friends.”
Bren took his face in her hands. “Why would I do that?”
She smiled as she searched his face. Then she kissed him. Slow and sweet. When she finished, she picked up her glass and took a drink. “You better be expecting my call. Because as soon as I have my life back in order, I’m taking you up on that offer.”
The table cheered as a clearly shocked Rick stared at Bren. As the food was delivered, she nudged him with her elbow. “Stop staring or I’m going to change my mind.”
Rick picked up his fork. “I’ve had the best time here in Colorado. And I finished a first draft of a book this week. What more could a guy ask for?”
Molly sighed. “I’m going to miss all of you. I can’t believe I have to go back to class next week and just be a graduate student again.”
“You’re never just a graduate student. No matter what you do during the day to expand your education or work to put food on the table, you’re a writer. And you need to carve out the time to make sure you stay an author.” Cat dipped a chip into the salsa. “Face it, Molly, you’re one of us now.”
As the evening came to a close and they were back at the house, Cat found herself alone in the kitchen with Shauna. Feeling the courage that comes from a few drinks, she sat down at the table after making coffee. “Can we talk?”
Shauna sat a plate of cookies in front of Cat and filled her own cup. “I know what you’re going to say. You think maybe Jake is looking at me with new eyes because of my money. And believe me, the thought has crossed my mind too. But I’m not taking any account information and if he brings up the subject, I’m going to shut it down. I want to know my brother, not the broker he is during the day.”
“What if they are the same person?” Cat knew people who lived their job 24/7. She just hoped Shauna’s brother wasn’t one of them.
�
�Then I get a hotel and have a nice week visiting New York City. I’m not going in thinking that this will be a fix for our family dysfunction, but I’m willing to give him the chance.” Shauna smiled. “And I appreciate the fact that you’re concerned. I don’t think I ever thanked you for saving my life today.”
“I don’t think I saved your life.”
“Okay, but I do. I saw the look in Dee Dee’s eyes when she started to swing that paddle. She wanted me dead. Not because of Nate or the recipe. I think she found out she liked killing people. A lot.” Shauna shuddered. “It makes me cringe just talking about her.”
“Well then, let’s just not talk about it. Did Uncle Pete clear you for leaving tomorrow?” Cat yawned and sipped her coffee. Tomorrow morning was going to come faster than she wanted.
“He’s coming by before breakfast to do my interview. I told him he could talk to you then too.” Shauna’s smile looked evil to Cat.
“What time is he going to be here?” Cat took a cookie and broke it in half, nibbling at the sweet treat.
“Five. But you don’t have to be downstairs until six. After he interviews you and Seth, we’ll have breakfast and the guests will have their brunch ready. You’re going to have to put away the leftovers if they don’t finish before I leave.”
Cat stood and went to the sink to rinse her cup. “I better head to bed then. And I do know how to put away food.”
“I’ll call you before I get on the plane to remind you,” Shauna called after her.
Cat waved as she left the room. “Go to bed.”
She knew Shauna would set up the kitchen and the dining room before she went to bed. The girl only needed half the amount of sleep that Cat did. And she worked out every day. There was something seriously wrong with anyone who didn’t sleep seven to eight hours a night. Seriously.
* * *
Sunday morning came faster than Cat had hoped. A knock on her door woke her up. She sat up, bleary eyed. “Yes?”
“Your uncle’s here and you are supposed to be downstairs in twenty minutes.” Seth stood at the doorway. He looked showered, dressed, and kind of hot in a too clean and awake way. “I was sent back upstairs to get you moving.”
“You could just tell them I’m awake.” Cat put a pillow over her head to block the overhead light that Seth had turned on when he entered the room.
“I could send your uncle up with a pail of ice water.”
Cat threw the pillow off the bed and crawled out. She made her way into the bathroom. “Go away. I’m up now.”
“Didn’t you used to be a morning person?” Seth asked as she entered the bathroom.
She stuck her head out the doorway. “Not before my coffee.”
Shutting the door, she still heard his laughter coming through the walls. She turned on the water to the shower and sank into its warmth.
When she got downstairs, Seth was the only one in the kitchen. He looked up and smiled. “There’s my lark. How are you this morning?”
“Tired. I’m not used to going out on Saturday evenings and closing down the place.” Cat crossed the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Those writers of yours know how to party. I didn’t think we were going to get them into the car before one.” Seth folded the paper back. “Maybe we should make a one pitcher rule at dinner.”
“They were helping Rick and Bren celebrate. I guess their acknowledging their feelings for each other was a long time coming.” Cat put a croissant on a plate and grabbed the jar of strawberry jam. She held one out to Seth. When he nodded, she sat a second one on the plate and went to sit next to him. “True love overcomes all barriers.”
Seth watched her smear jam on one of the croissants and then took it from her. “Do you truly believe in that?”
“True love? Of course. I’m a romantic at heart. You should know that by now.” She licked the jam off her finger and then repeated the process for her own croissant. “Don’t you? How could you look at those two last night and not believe in true love?”
“I wasn’t talking about them.”
The sentence hung in the air, but before Cat could respond, Uncle Pete and Shauna came into the kitchen.
“Good, I didn’t want to use the ice water this morning.” He refilled his coffee. “Come into the study and let’s get this thing over with.”
With a quick glance at Seth, Cat took her coffee but left her plate on the table. She moved it out of Seth’s reach. “Don’t touch that.”
Listening to his laugh, Cat resigned herself to the fact she was going to have to make another one when she got back into the kitchen. Men were so predictable.
As she went into the study, she realized her uncle was sitting behind Michael’s desk. So this was an official interview, she thought. Power play and all. She sat in her reading chair and curled her legs up underneath her. “What do you want to know?”
“Tell me everything from the time you realized Shauna was missing.” He pulled out a pen and started writing in his notebook.
Cat recounted yesterday’s activities, trying to keep the fear she’d felt throughout the ordeal under control. She wasn’t reliving the experience, just telling her side of things. It was important to Dee Dee’s trial to have all the facts. Still, she felt a little shaky when she finished. She went to take a sip of coffee and realized it was empty.
Her uncle saw the action and nodded to the carafe on the desk. “There’s more in there.”
Cat got up and poured herself more coffee. “I know it’s crazy to be upset now. Especially since it’s over, but all I want to do is hide under my covers until I forget it ever happened.”
“You were lucky.”
Cat nodded her head. “I know. If I’d been any later, Shauna would have already been dead.”
“No, Cat, that’s not what I meant.” Uncle Pete’s voice was warm and comforting. “You were lucky you didn’t get yourself killed. You need to keep yourself out of these investigations. One day, your luck is going to run out.”
“I didn’t go to investigate. I went to find my friend. I called the police station when I realized she was missing.” Cat returned to her chair, setting the coffee down on the end table.
“No, you had Roger from the grocery store and Tammy from the bookstore call. You didn’t call until you wanted Katie to record the conversation. And how that even worked, I don’t know. Again, I repeat, you were lucky.”
“No one thought Dee Dee was the killer. She was just a royal pain in my butt. And when I realized that Shauna was probably trying to be the nice guy and patch up their differences, that’s when I knew Dee Dee had her. I never thought she would confess to Greyson’s murder.” Cat picked up the coffee and drank, but instead of making her relax, the coffee tasted bitter.
“You suspected her. You even asked me about it. I guess I’m going to have to give your hunches a little more weight. You have some natural talent at this investigating stuff.” He nodded to the door. “That’s all I need. Go get your boyfriend so I can yell at him for not calling me too. Then I think I’ll stay for breakfast. Shauna says we’re having waffles.”
Blueberry waffles to be specific. Cat sent Seth into the study and made herself another croissant because as she predicted, hers was gone.
“He said he didn’t want it to dry out on you.” Shauna laughed. “I’ll have waffles ready in about five minutes.”
“I want a croissant too.” Cat finished spreading the jam, then without sitting, took a big bite out of the treat. After swallowing, she glanced at Shauna, who was watching her. “You ready for your trip?”
“Yes. I had to go into the library in the study and pull out a book to take with me since I never got to the bookstore yesterday.” Shauna slapped her forehead. “And I didn’t get to the market.”
“Like I told you, I know where the store is if we need food. But books, we have plenty; so tell me, what did you choose?” Cat finished her croissant and refilled her coffee cup. Then she sat at the table, folding Seth’s
newspaper.
“An Amish mystery. It looks like we have the whole set, so I took the first two books. If I don’t like it, I’ll buy something in the airport. I have about an hour before my flight takes off.” Shauna poured waffle batter into the baker, then sprinkled blueberries over the top, and closed the lid. “What are you doing next week?”
“As little as possible.” Cat smiled. “So if you want to talk, call me.”
Shauna poured two glasses of orange juice and set them on the table. “I will, I promise.”
Cat knew there was more to that promise than just calling if she was lonely, but she let it be.
After breakfast, the writers gathered in the foyer. Everyone was there and packed, except Shauna. Cat had sent her upstairs when she tried to finish up the dishes. Now, she came down the steps, her suitcase in hand. Seth stood by Cat’s side watching.
“She’ll be just fine.” His words were soft but she nodded so he would know she had heard him.
“Miss Baker, a word if you don’t mind?” Uncle Pete called Bren over to the side of the foyer. Cat moved with her. He looked up and frowned at Cat but didn’t tell her to leave.
“What can I do for you?” Bren looked confused at being singled out.
He handed her a card. “I’ve talked to a friend in the Chicago police force and he gave me this number. When you’re ready to move your stuff out of the apartment, call him and he’ll come with you.”
Bren’s eyes widened. “But I didn’t think . . . I mean, they must be busy. I don’t want to take up their time.”
“And we don’t want you getting hurt. From what I’ve seen, you need some backup when you go to move out. And while friends are nice, having a police officer by your side will keep your ex-boyfriend from acting on any bad behavior he might be considering.”
Bren threw her arms around Uncle Pete and hugged him. Cat smiled as his eyes widened. She mimed patting her on the back and her uncle mimicked the action.
