Murder with Clotted Cream

by Karen Rose Smith

  “Are you sure that will be all right with your daughter?”

  “If she’s awake and taking care of Sammy, you and I can go down to the back of the garage. It’s not a problem.”

  “I’ll be there in fifteen.”

  Before he’d left, Jonas had brewed a pot of coffee. With one arm, Daisy removed two mugs from the mug tree and set them on the small counter. Before Jazzi had left for school this morning, she’d gone home to feed Marjoram and Pepper and take a shower. She’d also fetched a container of blueberry scones from Daisy’s freezer.

  Daisy had prepared them for an occasion just like this. After she’d set them on the table, along with two dessert plates, forks, and napkins, she heard the downstairs side door to the garage open.

  Zeke Willet called up the steps. “Mrs. Swanson?”

  He kept his voice to the bare minimum.

  At the head of the stairs, she motioned him to come up. When he reached her, he seemed taken aback by the baby in her arms. He appeared mesmerized by the tiny blue trucks running across the receiving blanket that swaddled Sammy.

  “What’s his name?” he asked hoarsely.

  “Samuel Ryan Cranshaw. Samuel for Foster’s grandfather and Ryan for my husband.”

  Zeke’s eyes met hers. She saw something there that was softer, gentler, and more caring than what usually manifested itself. But then he cleared his throat and became all business. “About those questions.”

  She motioned to the table, went there, and sat. Then she told him, “Why don’t you pour us mugs of coffee. Creamer’s in the refrigerator if you need it.”

  “I really didn’t come for—”

  “I know what you came for, Detective, but I’ve been up most of the night and coffee will help keep me awake. I thought you might enjoy some too.”

  His look was a tad sheepish as he went to the counter and poured the two mugs.

  “A teaspoon of sugar in mine, please.” She nodded to the sugar bowl next to the coffeepot.

  After he brought the mugs to the table, he kept his gaze away from the baby and began questioning her, particularly about the crime scene. But to her surprise, she couldn’t remember much. She had blanks where before there had been vivid pictures. Zeke, however, didn’t question her memory. He’d been taking his notes on an app on his phone.

  Now he slipped it back into his jacket pocket. “You told Rappaport more in your first interview.”

  “I guess it was fresh in my mind then.”

  She rocked Sammy as if the motion could soothe her too. What was wrong with her? She didn’t forget important things. “Detective, I’m not trying to keep anything from you. I promise.”

  He fleetingly touched her arm and then leaned back in his chair. “I know you’re not. You’re having a symptom of PTSD. Do you know about that?”

  “I’ve read articles. Veterans who return from war have flashbacks. They have startle responses all the time. Sometimes they overreact.”

  With a serious expression that aged him, he said, “It’s more complicated than that. One of the symptoms is blanks in memory. Let’s face it. You had a traumatic event and then you had another. Even though the birth of your grandson was joyous, you were up all night.”

  “Are you saying after I get some sleep that I’ll remember? That might not happen for a while.”

  “You’ll be helping your daughter?”

  “As much as she needs me. They grow up fast, Detective Willet. Way too fast.”

  Zeke looked so sad for a moment, she almost asked him what was wrong. But she didn’t know him well enough for that. His tension with Jonas affected his interactions with Daisy too.

  To her surprise he suggested, “I think you should talk with Jonas. He knows how to handle witnesses with PTSD. Besides, I think there’s an element between the two of you that you and I don’t have.”

  “And that is?”

  “Trust. You trust him. You don’t trust me.”

  She was quick to say, “It’s not that I don’t trust you. I don’t know you.”

  “No. No, you don’t.” He abruptly stood and then pushed the chair in. He held up his hand as if telling her to stay seated. “I can see myself out. If you do remember anything else, give me a call.”

  With that, the detective descended the stairs and left by the garage’s side door. His whole visit had been a bit . . . disconcerting, and she wasn’t even sure why.

  Chapter Five

  Rose stopped in that evening to see Vi and the baby. Daisy had made a light supper of roasted chicken pieces, fresh vegetables, and smashed potatoes. Vi had always liked them. But Vi, dressed in her robe and pajamas, hardly ate anything.

  While Daisy’s mom cooed over Sammy, Vi said, “Since you’re holding and watching him, Gram, I’m going to lie down for a little.”

  Daisy let Vi go to the bedroom without a word. She didn’t know what to say. Vi’s attitude wasn’t that of a joyous new mother.

  Foster looked after his wife, leaned back at the small table for four, then let out a sigh. “It’s normal that she’s tired and needs rest, right?” Foster seemed to be looking for answers of his own.

  “Of course,” Daisy said. “Willa was here this afternoon to examine Vi and the baby and check everything out. She insists everything’s as expected. Even the breastfeeding is going well.”

  Foster looked a little embarrassed that they were talking about that in front of him. Changing the subject, he said, “You’ll have to show me what you put on that chicken. Then maybe I can make it for us.”

  “I’ll write down the instructions for you.” She paused a few moments. “Having a baby is a trauma to a woman’s whole body. Besides the actual physicality of it, there are all the hormone changes. You might have heard stories about women working in the fields, having a baby, and going back to working in the fields. But I think those legends are highly exaggerated,” she said with a smile.

  Foster smiled back. “I don’t expect her to go back to work, not unless she wants to, not unless she feels ready. But I thought she’d be . . . happier.”

  Just then Sammy started fussing. Rose made a shushing sound and rocked him in her arms. He soon stopped. She said, “Vi has to learn the tricks of motherhood.”

  “Tricks?” Foster asked.

  “Once a woman has a baby,” Daisy explained, “there’s no separation between her and her child. I know you and Vi decided to have the crib in your bedroom. But what that means is, every time Sammy burps, sighs, cries, or maybe even turns over, Vi’s going to be awake. She’ll have a sixth sense that connects her to him. That’s just the way motherhood is.”

  Rose studied Daisy for a few more moments, and Daisy couldn’t understand the expression on her mom’s face. Finally, Rose spoke. “Those tricks I mentioned have to do with learning her child’s habits and sounds and communication efforts. Some mothers tune in right away, but with others it takes time. Once Vi does, she won’t be so anxious. She’ll have more confidence. She won’t be afraid so much of the time.”

  “Afraid of what?” Foster asked, not understanding at all.

  “Afraid she’s not doing everything right,” Daisy explained. “Moms beat themselves up constantly because they feel they can be doing better. Make sure you give Vi plenty of sincere compliments, not fake ones. Don’t tell her that her hair looks good when it’s a mess. But if you see her do something particularly sweet with Sammy, say so.”

  “This is a lot to take in,” Foster murmured, staring at his son. Then he reached out a hand and touched the little boy’s cheek with one long finger. “Thank you for the casseroles, Mrs. Gallagher. They should hold us over for a week.”

  Rose studied him for a few seconds, then suggested, “Why don’t you call me Gram like Vi does. After all, you’re now my grandson-in-law.”

  “I’d be happy to,” Foster said.

  “Don’t hesitate to call me if you and Vi need some relief. You’re going to continue with your classes, yes?” Rose asked.

  “I’ll b
e finished with this semester in December. Actually, I was thinking about taking off the next semester. I could work more and give Vi more help.”

  Daisy didn’t jump into the void of that announcement, but her mother did. “Foster, you need a degree to get anywhere. You take those classes. If anything, cut back on your work schedule.”

  “But I can’t, not if we really want to make a life on our own.”

  “Being on your own could cause you more problems,” Rose advised. “Take this help while it’s offered.”

  Daisy jumped in with different advice. “I think you should make your decisions when the time comes to make them. Don’t try to plan out the next year. It could be that by January or February, Vi might want to get back into the workforce. With a baby, there’s no knowing what will come up. For now, just do the best you can with your classes, and fill your holiday break with lots of family time as well as work.”

  Foster’s voice was thick with emotion when he said, “You’re all being so great about this. Even my dad has seemed to come around! And when he stopped in this morning, I actually thought he was going to cry. My father.”

  “He might pretend to have a suit of armor,” Daisy said, “but I think he’s got some marshmallow in his heart.”

  “I will not tell my dad you said that. He would be mortified.”

  They all laughed.

  “If you two don’t mind staying with Vi and the baby, I’d like to drive to the convenience store and pick up strawberry ice cream. It’s Vi’s favorite. We need a couple of odds and ends too. Would that be okay?”

  “I can stay as long as Vi and the baby need me,” Rose said. She turned to Daisy. “Especially if you want to get home to Jazzi.”

  “We’d really like to handle the baby on our own tonight,” Foster said.

  Daisy agreed that was probably best. “I’ll stop over in the morning to see how everything went.”

  Foster took his jacket from a hook on the wall and grabbed his keys from a dish on the counter. With a wave, he went down the stairs.

  After Foster left, Rose turned to Daisy. “I know these young folks want to do everything on their own, but if I can’t convince them to take help, you have to.”

  In her mother’s voice was a vehemence Daisy didn’t often hear.

  “Right now,” Rose went on, “Foster’s still in wonder that he’s a dad. Vi is tired from pregnancy and the birth. If Sammy is at all demanding, they both could have rough times.”

  Daisy had never heard her mom talk this way before, and she wasn’t sure what was behind it. “Up until now they’ve accepted help. I think they’ll realize they can’t do it all on their own.”

  Rose let the subject drop after that. As Daisy held Sammy for a while, her mother cleaned up the dishes. Daisy couldn’t help but think about what her mom had said. She’d blocked off time from work over the next two weeks to help Vi and Foster if they needed it with babysitting, cooking, and running errands. But after that, they’d all just have to see what came next.

  * * *

  Around nine p.m. that night, Jonas texted Daisy. Would you like a visitor?

  She texted back, If it’s you. I’m at home. Foster and Vi wanted to take care of Sammy themselves tonight.

  Be there in ten, Jonas texted back.

  Daisy automatically went to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea for the two of them. Jonas wasn’t particular and she knew he liked White Symphony tea, so that’s what she chose. The tea was ready, and she’d cut apple gingerbread slices and placed them on two dessert plates by the time Jonas rang the bell. She couldn’t seem to break him of that habit.

  Yet being careful as he’d taught her to be, she checked the camera app on her phone. Yep, it was Jonas. Instead of using the door intercom to talk to him, she ran to the door and opened it.

  He took her into his arms and gave her a huge hug and then a kiss. That kiss was better than all the desserts in her tearoom.

  “Rough day?” he asked.

  Tonight Jonas wore a black T-shirt, blue jeans, and a black leather bomber jacket. She didn’t know any other man who could look so protective, dangerous, yet safe at the same time. Raising herself up on her tiptoes, she kissed him again.

  He looked surprised but pleased. “It must have been a really rough day.”

  “Take off your jacket and I’ll tell you about it over a cup of tea. Jazzi’s already ensconced in her bedroom for the night.”

  After he shrugged out of his jacket and slung it over a chair, he asked, “Where’s my feline welcoming committee?”

  His smile made Daisy feel all warm and cozy inside. “They’re cuddled up with Jazzi. They miss Vi and I just got home a little while ago. My mom was still with Foster and Sammy when I left.”

  They both took seats on chairs at the island. “Did you and your mom have a heart-to-heart?”

  “Not exactly. But I saw a side of her I don’t know if I’ve ever seen before.”

  Jonas appeared to note the cat-decorated teapot on the island, as well as the slices of apple gingerbread. “You mean the way she handled Sammy?”

  “Yes, that. And her concern for Violet as a new mom.”

  “That seems only natural.”

  “I suppose. The good thing is, we didn’t argue. That tension that’s been there ever since Vi’s wedding reception seems to have lessened a little bit.”

  “Good.”

  After Jonas poured tea into mugs, Daisy added a spoonful of honey to hers and stirred. “I think Mom’s concerned about Vi, and maybe I am too.”

  Picking up his mug, Jonas took a cautious sip. He set it down. “The midwife was there and checked out Vi today. Did she raise any concerns?”

  “No, but Vi doesn’t seem to have the joy a new mom should have.”

  Jonas shifted on his stool. “Can you explain that to someone who hasn’t been a parent?”

  Relieved Jonas could talk about what had happened to his significant other now—she’d been pregnant against his wishes when she’d been killed in action—Daisy saw he wanted an honest answer to his question. “I can try.”

  She moved her dish of gingerbread in front of her but didn’t touch it. “Where to begin. The birth of a child, even one as uncomplicated as Vi’s was, takes every ounce of energy and every speck of emotion that a woman can possibly feel . . . and give. After I had to give that last push when I had Vi, I actually felt like I was going to die. Maybe it’s a little too poetic to say, but my old self died. The whole experience was physically taxing and I felt like a wreck. The thing was, though, as soon as Vi was laid in my arms, all I thought about was her. It was like an adrenaline rush—better than riding on a roller coaster, eating whipped cream, or even having sex.”

  Jonas laughed. “That explains it pretty well.”

  “It all summed up to be the most joy a woman can feel. I haven’t seen that with Vi. Oh, she followed everything Willa told her in order to urge Sammy to breastfeed. And even that went pretty well. Every two or three hours, she rouses herself, takes him in her arms, and feeds him again. It will be that way around the clock unless or until she and Foster decide she can pump breast milk and feed the baby a bottle. If they make that decision, then Foster or a babysitter could take over the feedings.” Daisy snuck a peek at Jonas and asked, “Is that too much information?”

  He just grinned at her. “Not really.” He sobered. “Do you think the whole experience is overwhelming Vi?”

  “That could be some of it. She’s as young as I was when I had her. But I didn’t have to get married. Ryan and I didn’t have to be careful because we wanted to have a baby. I put my degree aside to marry Ryan and have Vi, knowing I would finish it later. But Vi’s in a place where she has no idea what’s going to happen in her future. Sure, she can finish her education eventually, but she might not have the confidence, willpower, and motivation to do it. The problem is—I don’t know how to help her.”

  “Vi is a determined young woman like you were. The difference? You knew exactly what you wan
ted and Vi’s still figuring it out. All you can do is watch and listen and do what you think is best. Maybe even in consultation with your mom.”

  Automatically Daisy frowned. After forking a piece of the apple gingerbread into her mouth, she shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “So you’re worried about Vi, but your visit with your mom wasn’t too bad.”

  “It wasn’t. But I had a visit from someone else today. Zeke.”

  “You knew that would be coming.” Jonas began eating his gingerbread.

  “I did. Maybe not so soon. Anyway, he wanted me to come down to the station and I told him I couldn’t. So he came to Vi’s and Foster’s apartment.”

  “Was that okay with you?”

  “Yes, it was fine. Actually, both Vi and Foster were sleeping at that point, and Sammy slept in my arms the whole time.”

  “So what upset you?”

  “I didn’t say anything upset me.”

  “Daisy.”

  When he drawled her name, she knew she couldn’t hide much from him. “He wanted me to remember what happened.”

  “And?” Jonas pressed.

  “And I couldn’t.”

  After Jonas finished his gingerbread, he laid down his fork and reached out his hand to clasp her arm. “What do you mean you couldn’t? You told me what happened.”

  “I told you what happened before I found the body. But I went blank when Zeke asked me what I had seen.”

  Jonas slid his hand down her arm to her hand. “Now I understand. That can happen. Seeing Margaret’s body was a shock. In a way, it froze your brain. But memories are in there if you want to retrieve them.”

  “You mean like with hypnosis?”

  “Oh, I don’t think you have to go that far. I don’t think they’re buried. I just don’t think you want to remember that sight, do you?”

  “Of course I don’t. On the other hand, if I can help the detectives solve this, I’ll do anything I can. Zeke made a suggestion.”