Moonshine and Malice

by J Lee Mitchell

  “The older I get the harder I find it to sleep through the night. I got to the kitchen just as you and Andy were going out the door and could tell by the look of you both that a good cup of tea might be in order.”

  “It’s been more of a whiskey night, but I’ll take the tea for now.”

  “What’s troubling you, child?”

  Q’Bita took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I still can’t believe what I’m about to say but someone killed Jock Hansen on his way home tonight.”

  Liddy Lou dropped the spoons she’d just pulled from the drawer and they clattered across the floor.

  “Heavens to hellhounds, Q’Bita, who would want to hurt that sweet man? I’ve known Jock Hansen for more than forty years and I can’t imagine anyone wishing him that kind of ill will. What happened?”

  “He was stabbed. That’s all we know so far.”

  “Poor Andy. How’s he holding up?”

  “He’s a mixture of devastated and agitated, which is a dangerous combination with that man. Mike Collins found Jock’s body and had the good sense to call in the state police. He begged Andy to stay clear of the investigation, but it was a waste of breath. I tried too, but once he sets his mind to something there’s no talking him down. I made the mistake of telling him that Lyle Chalford got upset when Jock won the cooking competition. Andy insisted we go find Lyle right away and then practically tore Lyle’s arm out of the socket yanking him off the barstool to question him.”

  Liddy Lou made a sucking noise through her teeth and shook her head.

  “I know that Lyle Chalford is an arrogant, infuriating little man, but do you really think he’d go so far as to kill over losing?”

  “Honestly, Nana, I wasn’t sure, but Claude swears Lyle was in the bar since the contest ended so that puts him in the clear.”

  “Well, hopefully Andy will go home and get some rest and let the state police work this out.”

  “I doubt that, Nana. When he pressed me for info, I also let it slip that I saw Jock arguing with Earl and Beanie. Andy left to go look for them. I just pray that it takes long enough to find them and Andy calms down. They may be a little intellectually challenged around the edges but they’re also country boys, which means they’ll be armed and not afraid to put up a fight.”

  Liddy Lou wrapped her house coat around herself and frowned at Q’Bita.

  “Lord knows that I shouldn’t be encouraging you after what happened with Cookie Dixon, but it sounds to me like you might need to keep close to Andy and see if you can help keep him out of trouble until the police get to the bottom of this.”

  “Don’t worry, Nana, one brush with death a year is plenty for me. I’ll see what I can do but I promise I won’t put myself in any unnecessary danger this time.”

  “Um-hum, we’ll see about that. While you’re avoiding trouble, make sure that you keep Jamie and Rene out of trouble as well, please.”

  Q’Bita flashed her nana a smile while making a mental note to text Jamie and Rene as soon as she got back to her suite.

  Chapter 12

  By 8 a.m. the next morning, Q’Bita, Jamie, and Rene were eating breakfast on the back porch and making plans for their own investigation.

  “God Lord, woman, you’re going to wear out that screen swiping at it every three seconds. Andy Hansen is a grown man with a badge and a gun. He’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself. Besides, he’s bound to call or show up sooner or later, when his pie cravings kick in.”

  “Rene’s right, Q’B-Doll. Save your battery and let’s get back to business.”

  Q’Bita knew they were both right, but it didn’t make her any less anxious about what trouble Andy might have gotten himself into.

  “Okay, so far we know Lyle Chalford isn’t the killer and that Earl and Beanie are possible suspects, but who or what haven’t we considered?” Jamie asked.

  Rene slurped his Bloody Mary and then plucked a blue cheese-stuffed olive off the swizzle stick protruding from his glass.

  “Is it possible that Lyle got someone else to do the deed?”

  “Do the deed? Really, Rene? We’re talking about murder, not high-school sex.”

  Q’Bita was about to referee their snipping match when her phone rang. She was relieved to see the number for the sheriff’s station.

  “Hi, gorgeous. I’m so glad you called. I’ve been worried about you since you left last night. Please tell me everything is okay.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line and then a voice said, “Hey, Miss Block. It’s Mike Collins.”

  “Mike? Where’s Andy? What’s wrong? Is he hurt?”

  “He’s fine, Miss Block. He just needs a little time to calm down, is all.”

  “Calm down? Mike, tell me what happened.”

  “Well, from what I can gather he hauled Earl and Beanie in for questioning and things got a little out of hand. By the time I got back here with the staties, Andy had worked those two boys over pretty good. Unfortunately, Earl’s one phone call was to his Uncle Carl, who sits on the town council and is tight with Red Dixon. The two of them wound up the rest of the council and the mayor. It looks like Andy might be getting suspended. I think it would be best if you came down here and took him home before he gets in any worse trouble.”

  Q’Bita thanked Mike and hung up. Before she could say a word, Rene and Jamie were both shooting questions at her so fast she couldn’t understand what either of them was saying.

  “Okay, I know you both want to know what happened, and I promise I’ll fill you in just as soon as I get back, but right now, I need to get into town and pick up Andy.”

  ***

  Q’Bita rushed inside the cooking school and grabbed her purse and keys. She almost knocked Evie over as she pushed open the side door to the parking lot.

  “Whoa, where are you off to in such a hurry, Q’Bita?”

  “I’m sorry, Evie, no time to talk. I gotta run. Jamie and Rene can fill you in. They’re on the back porch.”

  Q’Bita slipped past Evie and jumped in her car. The twenty-minute ride into town felt like it had taken two hours by the time she finally pulled into the station. She tried the back door to Andy’s office, but it was locked. As she made her way to the front entrance, she noticed several cars in the parking lot, including a Dixon Security Services SUV. She hoped that didn’t mean Andy’s former deputy, Chance Holleran, was here. She couldn’t imagine anything that would make Andy’s life more complicated right now than having to deal with Chance.

  As soon as she opened the door, she heard raised voices coming from the bull pen. One was Andy, and the other was Red Dixon.

  “Oh, Q’Bita, thank goodness you’re here.”

  Andy’s Aunt Maggie rose from her desk and gave Q’Bita a big hug.

  “Maggie, what’s going on back there? It sounds tense.”

  Maggie had tears in her eyes, and her voice caught as she tried to speak.

  “They’ve suspended him, Q’Bita, and Red somehow convinced the mayor to reinstate Chance as acting sheriff. If you don’t get Andy out of here soon, I’m worried he’s going to say or do something that will get him fired permanently.”

  “What the hell? Is that even legal? Does the mayor even have that authority?”

  “Apparently so. I’m just heartsick about this, Q’Bita. Chance Holleran couldn’t find a set of lost car keys, let alone figure out who killed my father…”

  Maggie burst into tears without finishing her sentence and Q’Bita suddenly realized that she’d been so worried about Andy she hadn’t even considered how Jock’s death would affect Maggie.

  “Oh Maggie, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now.”

  Maggie wiped away her tears and pulled herself together.

  “Thanks, honey. It’s going to be tough, but we’ll all get through this together. We don’t have any other choice. Now let’s go back there and break this up before it gets any worse.”

  Andy’s parents had been
killed in a tornado when he was fourteen. Afterwards, he went to live with Maggie. As she watched Maggie marching her way towards the bull pen, Q’Bita understood where Andy got his strength from.

  When they reached the bull pen, Q’Bita saw Andy planted in the doorway of his office. Chance was leaning on his old desk, and Red Dixon, Mike Collins, and the mayor were all in between Andy and Chance.

  “Oh, look, Andy, Nancy Drew is here. Maybe she can talk some sense into you.”

  “Shut up, Chance,” Andy snapped.

  Red started to say something too, but Maggie placed her pinky fingers in the corners of her mouth and let out an ear-splitting whistle.

  “Listen up, boys, because I’m only going to say this once. This whole thing stinks like a pile of shit, and I don’t like it one bit but what’s done is done. Andy, we have a funeral to plan, so please get out of that doorway and let this horse’s ass get to playing sheriff.”

  Chance stood up straight and took a step towards Maggie.

  “Maggie, I know Jock’s death has probably hit you hard so I’m going to let your insult go this time, but it would do you well to remember that I’m your boss now and you need to get that mouth of yours under control.”

  Andy shot out of the doorway and closed the distance between him and Chance so fast that Mike had to elbow his way between them.

  “Mikey, get out of the way. I’ve had enough of his mouth.”

  Maggie grabbed Andy by the arm and tugged him sideways.

  “I love you, Andy, but I can handle this one all by myself. Chance Holleran, you can take my job and shove it. If you think for one second that I plan to work for you, you’re delusional. My loyalty is with my family, and I won’t be coming back until Andy’s been reinstated.”

  Chance snorted and leaned back against the desk again.

  “At the rate he’s going that might not happen, Maggie. You all seem to forget there’s an election coming up, and from where I’m standing things are looking pretty good for me.”

  Q’Bita watched as Andy’s expression changed from rage to regret.

  “Aunt Maggie, I appreciate the support, but you don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do. Now get your things and let Q’Bita take you home. I’ll call you later this evening and see how you’re doing.”

  A shiver traveled down Q’Bita back as she watched Andy glare at Chance. She had a bad feeling that this disagreement was far from over.

  ***

  The ride back to the Red Herring was uncomfortably quiet. As she pulled into the driveway Andy turned to her and grabbed her hand.

  “I’m sorry about all this, Q’Bita. I should have listened to you and let Mikey and the state police handle the investigating. I’ve made a mess of everything, and I’m not any closer to finding out who killed my pap.”

  Q’Bita held up a hand to stop him.

  “Andy, it’s okay. You’ve been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. Right now, I think the best thing for you would be a shower and some sleep, so let’s get you inside. Later, when you’re ready, you can tell me everything.”

  Andy smiled and kissed her hand.

  “You forgot the pie. I definitely need pie.”

  Chapter 13

  After three slices of pie Andy started yawning and looked like he might pass out in his plate. Q’Bita knew it wouldn’t take much convincing to get him to take a nap.

  “I have a great idea. Why don’t I take you upstairs and tuck you in? You can take a nap while I head into town for a few things.”

  “I’d like it better if you were taking the nap with me.”

  “No can do, mister. I have a class tonight and I need to get everything ready.”

  Andy reluctantly agreed and was sound asleep five seconds after his head hit the pillow.

  It was a nice day for a drive, and Q’Bita was glad for the peace and quiet, but as she pulled into Mac’s Butcher Shop, she noticed Hilde Sanders waving her down from across the parking lot.

  “So much for peace and quiet,” she muttered to herself.

  “Yoo hoo, Q’Bita, over here.”

  Hilde was wobbling towards her so fast it looked like she might strain something. Q’Bita couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Hello, Hilde. Nice to see you. I’d love to chat, but I’m pressed for time today.”

  “Oh, I’m sure you are, considering everything that’s happened. I just can’t believe someone murdered Jock Hansen. I’m sure Maggie and Andy must be heartbroken. And Andy losing his temper, and his job, just tragic. I also heard the state police found the murder weapon. Is that true?”

  “Hilde, slow down. Yes, Andy and his whole family are very upset. What they need right now is for all of us to give them prayers and privacy. The state police are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it, and I have no doubt they’ll solve this soon but, in the meantime, you know that I can’t comment on an active investigation.”

  “Active investigation? So you do know more than you’re saying, then?”

  Hilde was practically salivating as she pumped Q’Bita for details.

  Q’Bita took a deep breath, searching for something to say that would allow her to make a quick exit out of this conversation and away from Hilde. While she waited for Q’Bita’s reply, Hilde shifted her weight from one hip to the other, giving Q’Bita clear view of the sheriff’s station across the street. Q’Bita felt her stomach churn as she noticed Spenser Penn shoving a microphone towards Chance Holleran as a camera man from WCMP News 8 hovered just over Spenser's shoulder.

  “What the hell?”

  Hilde turned to see what Q’Bita was looking at.

  “Oh, didn’t you hear? WCMP was so intrigued by the fact that tiny Castle Creek has had three murders in less than a year that they asked Spenser to cover Jock’s murder for them. Rumor has it that Chance agreed to give Spenser exclusive rights to the story. If you ask me, Red Dixon is behind this, and it’s all about getting free publicity for Chance’s campaign.”

  “You have got to be kidding me!”

  “I’m sorry, I guess that’s probably a touchy subject for you. I can’t imagine that any of this is helpful to Andy’s campaign. I mean, police brutality is a serious charge, and a misconduct suspension can’t make for great press right before an election.”

  Q’Bita bit down hard on her lower lip and tried not to snap at Hilde. Unlike her nana, she tried hard to tolerate Hilde but today she wasn’t sure she’d be able to do it for long.

  “I’m sorry, Hilde. I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t have the time for this right now.”

  “Of course. You said you were in a hurry. Not to worry, we can finish our conversation tonight. I’ll be at your class this evening.”

  “Lovely. I can’t wait.”

  Q’Bita hoped her reply hadn’t come out as sarcastic as she’d intended it. She gave Hilde a forced smile and started off towards the sheriff’s station.

  “Q’Bita, where are you going? I thought you were headed to the butcher shop.”

  She ignored Hilde and kept walking, but she could hear Hilde’s hurried footsteps following behind her. As she approached the front steps, she saw Chance looking in her direction. Spenser must have noticed her presence as well, because he suddenly lunged towards her, stuffing the microphone in her face, and motioned for his camera man to follow him.

  “I’m here with Q’Bita Block, girlfriend of suspended Castle Creek Sheriff Andy Hansen. Miss Block, can you tell us where Hansen has been hiding since his suspension?”

  His directness shouldn’t have surprised her—after the hack job he’d done during the Macie Dixon murder she knew he was an ass—but he’d caught her off guard and took the opportunity to pounce on her.

  “Can you also tell us if there is any truth to the rumor that one of your guests is missing a knife that matches the murder weapon?”

  Q’Bita felt her checks start to burn as she paused to consider her reply. She was just about to give Spenser Penn a piece of her m
ind when she felt her cell phone buzz in her back pocket. She pulled it out and saw that she had two missed calls and an incoming text from Jamie. The text read, “911 pick up your phone.”

  She excused herself and turned to walk away when she heard Chance laughing.

  “I guess you can put Q’Bita down as no comment, Spenser.”

  Q’Bita ignored him and kept walking. She’d only gone a few steps when she heard Chance say, “Hey, if that’s Andy blowing up your phone, let him know he doesn’t have to worry, Castle Creek’s new sheriff has this all under control.”

  “Acting sheriff, you ass.”

  Q’Bita regretted the words, and the harsh tone behind them, the second they left her mouth.

  “Once Earl Dunn’s lawyer files suit against Andy, I imagine that the mayor, and the town council, will most likely be tripping all over themselves to rectify the acting portion of my current title. You can share that with Andy, too, when you see him.”

  Q’Bita knew Chance was just trying to get under her skin, and while every fiber of her being didn’t want to let him get the last word in, she knew it was best to just walk away.

  As she crossed the street back towards her car, she dialed Jamie. Halfway through the first ring, Rene answered and launched into his usual drama.

  “Jeepers' cats, Q’Bita, do you have any idea what 911 means? We have a crisis here and you’re out shopping. You need to get your size zero keister back here pronto, but not before you pick me up some smoked salmon from the deli, and make sure you don’t forget the capers. I can’t find any in the pantry…”

  “Rene, put Jamie, or anyone else less dramatic, on the phone, please.”

  She heard an incensed huff and the sound of Rene’s kitten-heeled slippers clomping away. A few seconds later Jamie picked up the phone.

  “Q’B-Doll, what’s taking you so long? We've got serious issues here, and I need you.”

  “Does it have anything to do with Lyle Chalford and a missing knife?”

  “Um… ya. How the hell did you know that?”