Tandy lifted a shoulder. “Cross hired an investigator to look into it.”
With as many mysteries as Marissa and Tandy had solved, it was a little offensive that Cross hadn’t asked them to look into it. But they could now. Especially if the investigation involved someone hiring Cash Hudson.
“Really?’ Susan blinked back more tears. “Mr. Cross didn’t tell me.”
“I don’t think he wanted to tip Randon off.”
Susan slumped in her seat. “If Randon was responsible for the virus, do you think he could have used me to get to Cross? Do you think he took my password number to log into the system?”
Marissa leaned back to make a face at Tandy behind Susan’s back. That could very well be what happened. Because she’d never seen Randon be nice to anyone before Susan, it could have all been an act. In which case, if Susan had found out, she would also be a suspect. She could have been the one to try to smother Randon. But the security cameras would reveal such a scenario for sure.
Tandy scratched her head. “I don’t know, Susan. But let’s not worry about that right now. Griffin is looking at security footage, so that should give us some clues.”
Marissa nodded. Good answer. No need to jump to conclusions when there was evidence waiting to be reviewed.
Griffin’s dress shoes squeaked quicker and louder on his way back down the hall. That was fast. He must have found something.
He appeared in the doorway, arms wide like a gladiator stepping into the coliseum. He looked towards the entrance, chin lifted, then in Oscar-winning fashion, he turned his face slowly their way.
Marissa’s stomach roiled in anticipation. This was it. He was going to tell them the identity of the killer.
“The security footage…”
Yes? Who did it reveal? Marissa scooted to the edge of her seat.
“…Has been wiped clean.”
Marissa should have known. She shot to her feet and pointed. “It’s the creepy guy. You left him alone back there.”
“What creepy guy?” Susan held her arms wide. “How did this happen, Sheriff? You have a deputy back there watching out for Randon, don’t you?”
Tandy snorted. “Marissa thinks the deputy is the creepy guy.”
Griffin rubbed his temples. “It wasn’t the creepy guy. I mean, it wasn’t Romero.”
Marissa stomped her foot. Simply because Griffin was in law enforcement didn’t mean he should automatically trust other officers. “How do you know?”
“Because.” He stared her down though he wasn’t that scary. He should try growing a little stubble on his baby face to look more like a cop. “There is footage of Romero questioning employees in front of Randon’s room the whole time we’ve been here.”
Huh. There went that theory. Unless the deputy had snuck in earlier and erased the footage. Which was possible. At this point, anything was possible. “Did he find any leads from the nurses?”
“No.” Griffin shook his head. “They’d been in the middle of changing shifts and distracted at the time of the crime.”
“Or so your deputy says.”
The front door of the hospital whooshed open. Connor stood there, flanked by Cocoa in his bandana and Ranger on the other side in his sheriff’s costume. “What’s going on?”
He must have been watching through the window and seen Marissa leap up.
Griffin eyed him. “The security footage from the second attempt on Randon’s life has been deleted.”
Connor’s eyes bulged. “Meaning you have no suspects, and there’s a murderer running around free on our streets.”
“Or.” Marissa held up a finger. “The killer is in this hospital right now, pretending to be an officer of the law.”
Connor glanced past her then shot her his signature warning look. She hated that look. Because it was always right.
Marissa twisted to find Deputy Romero standing in the hallway. His beady eyes lasered in on her. Did he know she was accusing him of murder? And how did he get there without making a sound? Connor would have to admit it was pretty creepy.
“Who is pretending to be an officer of the law?” the deputy asked.
Marissa might as well share her concerns. She opened her mouth.
“Ranger,” Tandy blurted, drawing everyone’s attention. She pointed to the dog in the doorway. “Ranger is wearing a sheriff’s costume. He’s impersonating an officer.”
Marissa shifted her weight to one side and planted a hand on her hip. How far were her friends going to take this charade? And did they really think the creeper was innocent? Just because she had no proof…
“Though.” Connor nodded her way. “Until Griffin finds the killer, it would be good if you took Ranger home at night, Marissa. He may not be an actual sheriff, but he is a great watchdog. And I’d feel a lot better, knowing you aren’t alone.”
Chapter Six
Marissa sat on her sofa in golden light of early morning, sipped her buttery popcorn tea, and stared into Ranger’s solemn eyes. Either the deputy had been scared of making a move with a dog in her house, which most likely was Connor’s intention even though he said he didn’t think the guy seemed creepy, or the deputy wasn’t going to attack her at all.
She’d made it through the night unharmed. But now it was time to go to work, and she didn’t know what to do with Connor’s dog.
Did she take Ranger with her to Caffeine Conundrum? There was a puppy corner, so that was an option. But she had a wedding dress fitting at noon, which she couldn’t take a dog to. Would Tandy mind watching him at the shop?
She’d reschedule, except that would involve inconveniencing her mother…or being blamed for inconveniencing her mother. Not that Mom had any goals in life other than to dress up Marissa and show her off.
She scratched behind Ranger’s fuzzy ears. “I can leave you here, can’t I? Connor leaves you at home all the time.”
Ranger smacked his tail against the floor twice in response.
“You’re not going to chew up my shoes like a goat, are you?”
Thwack. Thwack.
She’d close her closet just in case.
“I know Connor is worried about another attempt on my life, but with Mom meeting me at the wedding planner’s, I’m more worried about my dress fitting.”
Her snow-white gown taunted her from the window rod where she’d hung it so she wouldn’t forget it on her way out the door. The beading on the bodice would make it difficult to take out seams if needed in the fitting. She’d probably do well to lay off the scones and creamer until her big day.
“I’ve gained a few pounds from all the baking I’ve been doing, and the dress has gotten a little tight.”
Ranger didn’t even flinch at her admission.
“Good dog.” She patted his head. If only her mom was as nonjudgmental.
She stood and took her teacup into the kitchen. She might have to follow up her cuppa with an espresso chaser once she got to the shop. She hadn’t even started work, and she was already tired. At least she could count on this day being less drama-filled than yesterday.
Her phone buzzed on the counter. Tandy’s name flashed across the screen. Maybe Marissa should knock on wood.
She swiped the smooth screen to connect the call. “Everything all right, Tandy?”
“Cross came in with his investigator. He wants to ask you some questions about what happened with Randon.”
Marissa grimaced. She didn’t want to relive the incident, but if it would help put the deputy behind bars, she would. “Okay.” Her mind spun with memories.
The harsh voice. The glint of light off the gun. Randon yelling for her to run.
Her belly did a dive roll. “I’m on my way.”
She wanted to get her part over with so Griffin could arrest whoever tried to kill Randon the second time. With a resigned exhale, she grabbed her keys and hurried out the door.
Tandy handed Trenton Dirkes a large white mug. For some reason she’d expected him to look more like Magnum P.I
., and she was trying not to be too critical of his bowtie and stocky build. Having a brainy side would benefit the puzzle-solving aspect of putting clues together. And though he was short, he walked with his arms held wide like a G.I. Joe action figure, so he was probably fit enough to chase down a perp when needed.
“Did you find any evidence it was Randon who had planted the virus at Cross Enterprises?” she asked him.
He sipped his beverage, nodded in approval at the drink, then peered up like he hadn’t even heard her. “Did you see Randon in here yesterday before you left for the parade?”
“Uh…yeah.” She’d already mentioned that to Cross right in front of Trenton. Why was he repeating his questions and ignoring hers? With the line of customers forming, she didn’t have time to explain a second time.
She nodded at the guy in line behind Trenton. The skinny, middle-aged guy who dressed in baggy clothes like a skater and owned a tutu-wearing dog named Sheila. She smiled. “Hi.”
This time his intent gaze at her lips made sense. “Hi.” The slightly elongated vowel sounds made sense too.
“What can I get you?”
“Can you make a Mexican Mocha?”
“Sure.” She turned to grind beans into the portafilter basket. “Congratulations,” she said before remembering she needed to face him when she spoke. She tamped the grinds down, hooked them into the espresso machine, and turned on the water before looking over her shoulder. “Congratulations on winning the trophy yesterday.”
His serious expression cracked into a smile. “Thank you. Sheila loves putting on a show.” He nodded toward Puppy Corner where his cocker spaniel and Cocoa took turns sniffing each other.
Trenton set his mug down on the counter. “Did Randon seem upset at all before he was attacked?”
“No.” Tandy glanced back at the P.I. This obviously wasn’t the best time for her to be questioned, but at least she could respond to him while turned away to make coffee. She grabbed chocolate milk out of the mini fridge and poured it into the metal pitcher to steam as she thought back to her last interactions with Randon. “He’d been too busy to brag about himself, which was weird.”
She mixed all the ingredients in a mug for her customer and turned to find him watching Trenton.
He looked to her. “Randon? Is that who is in the hospital? I thought your friend said ‘random’ yesterday, not ‘Randon.’”
“Randon.” She pronounced clearly. “He was attacked here during the parade, and police are investigating.” She set the mug in front of him. “That’s five bucks.”
He unfolded his leather wallet and pulled out a five-dollar bill.
She plucked it from his hand so she could move to the next customer. “Thanks.”
“Thank you.” He sipped. “Could I get more syrup and some actual cinnamon to sprinkle on top?”
Tandy arched her eyebrows. Nobody had ever complained about her coffee before. Maybe he just liked things sweet. “Okay…”
She pivoted to grab the bottle and spice jar. She’d barely placed the syrup on the counter before he swiped it up and flipped it in the air. Oh no. He was a male version of Marissa, and Tandy was going to have another big mess to clean up.
Except he caught the bottle. Then he slipped it behind his neck to catch with the other hand, grabbed the cinnamon, and juggled the two for a moment. This all lead to him pouring another splash of syrup and topping the foam with cinnamon sprinkles.
Tandy’s lips parted as she watched the show.
Trenton ignored the act like he was used to jugglers entertaining during investigations. “Does Randon usually brag about himself?”
The guy swirled the bottle around his head then rolled it down his arm. Apparently, his dog wasn’t the only one who put on a show.
Tandy laughed and clapped. The customers in line behind the guy joined her applause.
Trenton continued straight-faced. “What do you think of Randon’s girlfriend?”
The guy flipped the syrup bottle behind his back and spun around to catch it.
The bell over the door jingled. Marissa bustled in, eyes roving the crowd then landing on the performance taking place.
The guy repeatedly tossed the cinnamon in the air, circling the syrup bottle over and under it like a jump rope.
Marissa dodged tables and patrons. “What’s going on?”
Tandy motioned to the juggler since that was the best explanation she could come up with.
Trenton folded his hands on the bar. “Do you think Randon might have used his girlfriend to get to Cross?”
Tandy would have enjoyed the act more if Trenton wasn’t dripping with questions like Chinese water torture. At least Marissa was here now to help Tandy catch up.
Marissa stepped closer to the counter. Then with a “whoop” she was gone. Had she slipped?
The juggler wobbled. The jar landed securely in his hand. But despite his impressive balancing skills, he disappeared too.
The line of customers stared at a spot on the floor on the other side of the counter.
Trenton straightened his tie. “Does Randon have any enemies?”
Tandy shook her head in frustration then circled the bar to make sure she wouldn’t be dealing with a second day of ambulance rides to the hospital.
Both Marissa and their customer sat on the floor, rubbing their heads.
Tandy cringed. “You two okay?”
Marissa picked up her purse off the floor and adjusted the sheer gold pleats of her skirt. “I think I slipped on cinnamon.”
Tandy pointed at her high-heeled strappy sandals. “You’re also wearing those.”
Marissa rolled over to her knees to try to push herself up on wobbly legs like a baby giraffe. “I have my dress fitting today, and I wanted to see how the sandals looked with my wedding gown.”
The guy on the floor looked back and forth between them, probably trying to keep up with their conversation. “I’m sorry.”
Tandy reached an arm down to help him up. “It’s not your fault. My business partner likes to make an entrance. That’s Marissa, and I’m Tandy.”
The man pushed off the ground with his other hand so Tandy barely had to pull. He let go to scoop the jar and bottle off the floor. “I’m Zam. It’s short for my last name, Zamorano.”
“Nice to meet you, Zam. That was quite the show you put on. I’d love to keep chatting, but I’ve got more drinks to serve.”
Marissa held her hands out for balance then brushed herself off. “I’ll help. Though at noon I have to go…” She looked around. “Oh crud. I forgot my dress.”
Trenton had turned to lean against the bar as he sipped his coffee. “You’re Marissa? You witnessed the attack on Randon?”
Tandy rubbed her face. Marissa wasn’t going to be much help with making drinks when the private eye was playing twenty questions. “Marissa, why don’t you take Mr. Dirkes upstairs to the tea loft?”
Marissa looked from Trenton to the growing line of customers. “But you’ve got—”
“Please.”
Marissa ushered the guy away, and Tandy was finally able to think.
Mayor Kensington stepped up to the counter and rubbed his bald spot. “I have a meeting in ten minutes. Think you can make me a LiberTea in time?”
Tandy took a deep breath. It was good to have customers, but she preferred how much more smoothly her service went when they weren’t asking a million questions about a recent attempted murder or rolling on the floor in cinnamon. “I’ll do my best.”
Zam stood at the end of the bar, watching in his attentive way. “What’s in a LiberTea?”
Tandy jabbed at the iPad to ring up her sale. “It’s half black tea, half lemonade, a drop of honey and a sprinkle of basil.”
“I got it,” he said.
Tandy took the mayor’s debit card to swipe in the card reader. “It’s okay. I’ll…”
Zam flipped open the lid on the ice machine then ice cubes flew in the air over Tandy’s head to land in the plasti
c cup he held. Tea trickled. Honey plunked. Zam spun away with the pitcher of lemonade and returned with a basil sprig to the sound of applause before Tandy even finished her transaction.
The mayor took his cup and lifted it like he was going to make a toast. “Best service I’ve ever gotten. Thanks, Tandy.”
Tandy shrugged since the service had nothing to do with her. When the mayor turned to leave, she mouthed “thank you” to Zam.
They continued like that through the rest of the early morning rush. The guy didn’t know his drinks, so she had to tell him how to prepare each one, but he did so with panache. Once the line died down, she settled back with her own smooth cup o’ Joe to watch him clean the same way he’d poured.
When he looked up from snapping the dishrag into place, she asked, “Where’d you learn to do that?”
He pointed out the window. “I used to own the bar down the street.”
“Oh…” That made sense. “You don’t own it anymore?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I became a Christian and felt like God has something different for me.”
Tandy had also come to Grace Springs because God had something different for her. “I’m a Christian too.”
The uncertainty in Zam’s eyes cleared. Perhaps peace at knowing she could relate. “It’s nice to find a place where I fit in again.”
Tandy nodded. “You didn’t only fit in, you are very much appreciated. My partner…” Tandy glanced up toward the loft then waved away the rest of her sentence. Zam had just started to feel like he fit in. She didn’t want to scare him off.
His eyebrows drew together. “She dresses for a fashion show, knocks people over, then abandons you to do all the work?”
“Sometimes.” Tandy grinned so he knew she was joking. “Actually, she does all the baking. But what I was going to say is that she witnessed an attempted murder here yesterday. So she’s part of an investigation.”
Zam crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes in speculation. “Randon Evans?”
Marissa dropped her head backwards. “For the last time, I have no idea if Randon Evans used Susan to get access to Mr. Cross’s computer system.”
A Latte Difficulty Page 5
