A Heap of Truffles

by Wendy Meadows

  “Did you see anything?” Margaret asked Stacy after she explained what happened.

  “No, I didn’t. I just got here a little while ago, and I came in the back. I didn’t know anything was going on with your shop,” said Stacy.

  Margaret looked out the window. “David’s here. I’m going to talk to him.”

  Margaret left the café and walked over to David.

  “Well, there are no prints in your house. I brought along a member of the forensics team to dust for prints here too, but I doubt if he’ll find anything. He’s working quickly so you can reopen as soon as possible.”

  “Who do you think did this?” asked Margaret.

  “Did the women last night know you were investigating José’s death?” David asked.

  “Yes, Patty told them.”

  “Well, by the looks of the notes, I would say at least one of them had something to do with this,” said David.

  “Really?” asked Margaret. “I don’t think so. They are just gossipy women who like to drink wine. They like to talk about trouble, not cause it. At least not to this extent. I can’t see any of them breaking into the store, let alone my house.”

  “Well, we’re going to need a list of names, nonetheless. Could you text them to me later?” asked David.

  “Of course,” said Margaret. A man walked up to them and David asked how things were going.

  “I dusted for prints but there was nothing on the notes. Would you like me to do a full work-up?” the forensics officer asked David.

  “No, not here. I think if we work the house we may have a better chance of turning up some clues,” said David. “Margaret, would you like us to help you take down the notes here?”

  “No thanks,” said Margaret. “Zach and Patty can help me. We’ll take care of that. I’ll call a locksmith and have them fix the door as well. Hopefully we can open a little later today.”

  “There didn’t seem to be any internal damage,” said the forensics officer.

  “Thank goodness for that,” said Margaret.

  “I’m just glad no one was hurt,” said David. Margaret wanted to hug him but she had to keep up appearances.

  “If you need me for anything else please let me know,” David said to Margaret. Margaret could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted to hug her too.

  “I will,” she promised. David and the forensics officer got back into David’s car. Margaret went back into the café to let Patty and Zach know what they would be doing all morning. She ran into Mr. Stewart.

  “Are you okay?” Mr. Stewart asked.

  “Yes, just a bit shaken,” said Margaret.

  “I understand. Do the police have any leads?” Mr. Stewart asked.

  “Well, David said the police are interested in the local coven,” said Margaret, waiting for Mr. Stewart’s response.

  “You mean Patty’s friends?” Mr. Stewart asked. Margaret was shocked.

  “You know about Patty and her friends?” asked Margaret.

  “Yes. I think a few locals know about their get-togethers,” said Mr. Stewart. “Remember, I’ve known Patty a lot longer than you have.” Margaret remembered that it was Patty who had introduced her to Mr. Stewart.

  “So do you think they could have done this?” asked Margaret.

  “Could have? Maybe. I wouldn’t think they would want to get their hands dirty, though,” said Mr. Stewart.

  “I agree,” said Margaret. “Right now they are the ones the police are looking at. I hope they find whoever did this soon.”

  “Me too,” said Mr. Stewart. Margaret went to the table where Zach and Patty were sitting.

  “Who’s ready to start taking down the notes?” Margaret asked.

  “I am,” said Zach, getting up. Patty followed him. Margaret went to pay for the coffee but was told the drinks were on the house.

  “After all you’ve been through this morning, it’s the least I can do,” said Stacy. Margaret thanked her and left to clean up her shop.

  10

  The next day, Margaret was in the store when Mr. Stewart stopped by.

  “How are you today?” asked Margaret.

  “Not too well,” said Mr. Stewart.

  “What’s wrong?” Margaret asked.

  “Well, I was trimming Mrs. Blackwell’s dog when my clippers slipped a bit. My clippers never slip, but they did this morning. It must have startled Mr. Bigums, because he bit me,” said Mr. Stewart, holding up a bandaged hand.

  “Oh no,” said Margaret. “You should get that looked at.”

  “I’m on my way to the doctor’s office now,” said Mr. Stewart. “I just wanted to stop by and get some candy on the way.”

  Margaret bent down and gave him some of the crab and shell candies.

  “How much do I owe you?” asked Mr. Stewart.

  “It’s on the house,” said Margaret. “I hope you’re feeling better.”

  “Thank you, Margaret. This certainly helps,” said Mr. Stewart, popping a crab in his mouth. Margaret smiled as Mr. Stewart left, then turned to Zach.

  “Are you going to the beach today?” Margaret asked Zach.

  “I was planning to,” said Zach. “Why, do you need me for anything else?”

  “No,” said Margaret. “Lord knows you’ve done enough.” Zach had been a big help. After cleaning the store he had gone back home, and he and David had cleaned the house and car for Margaret. “Go ahead and have fun with your friends. I’ll see you later tonight.”

  “Cool,” said Zach. He grabbed his keys and went out the front door. Margaret watched him leave and noticed a man across the street. It was Rob Myers. He was looking at the building across from Margaret’s store. She decided to confront him about his alibi.

  “Patty, could you watch the shop?” Margaret asked.

  “Yes, dear, I would be happy to,” said Patty. Margaret went out the front door and walked across the street.

  “Mr. Myers,” she said, as she got closer. Rob turned around. He smiled.

  “Margaret, the private investigator. What can I do for you?” he asked.

  “Well, for starters, you could tell me the truth about the night that José died,” Margaret said.

  Rob turned a bit pale, then unlocked the door to the vacant building.

  “Come inside,” Rob said. Margaret hesitated.

  “If you want to know the truth, follow me,” said Rob. Margaret followed him inside. The building was dark and Rob turned on the lights. “I’m going to be showing this to a client tomorrow. I wanted to make sure it looked nice for them.”

  “So, what were you doing that night?” asked Margaret.

  “Is this off the record?” asked Rob.

  “I’m not a police officer,” Margaret reminded Rob.

  “Okay. I suppose I should tell you since you’ll probably find out anyway. It wouldn’t take too much digging to uncover what I’ve done,” said Rob.

  Margaret waited. She was nervous, but tried not to show it.

  “I wasn’t at the bar that night. I was with someone,” said Rob.

  “Who?” asked Margaret.

  “I would rather not say,” said Rob.

  “Was it José?” asked Margaret.

  “No,” Rob insisted. “It was not José. If I tell you I need you to promise me this will not go any further.”

  “I can’t make that promise,” said Margaret. Rob looked angry and worried.

  “I don’t have to tell you anything,” Rob said.

  “True, but then I would just have to go to the police,” said Margaret. “Your alibi didn’t check out and that makes you a suspect. They’ll probably be questioning you soon anyway.”

  Rob blew out a breath. “Fine. I’ll tell you.” He turned away from Margaret. “I was not at the bar because I was with a woman.”

  “Not your wife?” Margaret asked.

  “No. Not my wife,” said Rob. “I’ve been having an affair.”

  “With who?” asked Margaret.

  “With Suzie from
the office,” said Rob. He turned around, angrily, “If you tell anyone, I swear—”

  Just then the door opened.

  A voice came from behind Rob, “There you are, Margaret.” Rob stepped back from her and turned around. Margaret saw David walking in and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Patty told me you were over here,” said David. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” He looked pointedly at Rob.

  “No, David, we’re fine,” said Margaret. “Rob here was explaining why he lied to me about his alibi.”

  “Who is this?” asked Rob.

  “I’m Detective Graham, the lead detective on the José Santiago murder case,” David said. “Why did you lie to Margaret?”

  Rob sighed. “Like I told her, I’m having an affair with Suzie from my office. Please don’t tell my wife,”

  “Will Suzie confirm this if I asked?” asked David.

  “If she was under oath, yes,” said Rob.

  “Okay. I’ll have someone swing by the office in a few minutes and ask her,” said David.

  “Could you be discreet?” asked Rob. “Our boss doesn’t know. Suzie is worried that he’ll fire her if he finds out.” David said he would see what he could do.

  “No promises though,” David said. Rob said he understood, and David and Margaret left the shop.

  “I’m glad you arrived when you did,” said Margaret.

  “I am too,” said David. They went back to the candy shop. Patty was just ringing up a customer.

  “I see you found her,” Patty said to David.

  “Yep, sure did,” David replied.

  “So, what’s up? Why were you looking for me?” asked Margaret.

  “I came by to let you know we weren’t able to lift any prints or fine anything that would help determine who broke into your house and store,” said David.

  “Darn it,” said Margaret. “It sure is frustrating to have no idea who did this.”

  “Well, if I hear anything else I’ll let you know,” David said. “I’m going to stop by Rob’s office and have a talk with Suzie. I’ll let you know what comes of that later. Please be careful today. Be on the alert and let me know if you see anyone or anything suspicious.”

  “I certainly will,” said Margaret. David left and Margaret helped a customer who was looking at the jars of candy.

  “There is just too much to choose from,” the customer said.

  “I could give you a few of each,” said Margaret.

  “That would be wonderful,” the customer said. Margaret got a sampling of her candies and placed them in a box for her customer.

  “Will that be all today?” Margaret asked.

  “Yes, thank you,” she replied. Margaret rang her up and the customer left. Margaret went to the back of the store and started another batch of shell candies. Her crabs and shells were selling well. Margaret thought about how she could expand the nautical motif. The bell on the door jangled again and Margaret looked out front to see a young woman with a little boy.

  “Can I help you?” she asked, with a smile.

  “Yes, please,” said the little boy. “May I please have some candy?”

  “What lovely manners,” said Margaret. “Of course you may have some candy.”

  The boy’s mother smiled and lifted him up so he could see the selection. His eyes grew wide and his mouth fell open.

  “Wow, you have a lot of candy,” he said.

  “Yes, I do,” said Margaret, laughing.

  “Did you make all this?” the little boy asked.

  “No, but I did make some that are in the case here.” Margaret pointed at the crabs and shells. The little boy’s eyes grew wide.

  “Candy crabs?” he asked excitedly.

  “Yes.” Margaret smiled.

  “Can we get some candy crabs, Mom?” the little boy asked.

  “Sure we can, if that’s what you choose. Can we have a half pound of crabs and shells?” asked the young mother.

  “Of course,” said Margaret, pulling the tray out. She measured the candy and put it in a box. “Would you like this wrapped?”

  “No thanks. I bet Ben will be eating it by the time we walk out of here,” laughed the young mother.

  “Enjoy,” said Margaret, handing the woman the candy and her change.

  “Thank you,” said the woman. She and her son left and Margaret asked Patty to keep an eye on the front of the store, while she worked in the kitchen. Her chocolates were done, so Margaret heated up some white chocolate for the filling. When it was cooled she piped the filling into the chocolate crabs and put them out on the display.

  The next day Margaret was in her shop alone. Zach was with his friends and Patty had left for a short break. Margaret walked around the shop and took an inventory, then worked up an order and called it in to her supplier. After that she got herself a cup of coffee and looked out the window to see Simone walking up the sidewalk. She waved and Simone stopped in and said hello.

  “Hello, Simone. How is business going for you today?” asked Margaret.

  “Well, it would be better, but a customer spilled some coffee on one of my antique rugs. I’ll have to have it professionally cleaned by a restoration specialist, so there is no way I’ll be able to make a profit on it now.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” said Margaret.

  “Did you hear about Mr. Stewart’s hand?” asked Simone.

  “I did. He stopped in on the way to the doctor yesterday,” said Margaret.

  “I saw him this morning. He says it didn’t hit any nerves, but his hand was still really sore,” said Simone.

  “That is terrible,” said Margaret, “but I’m glad it wasn’t worse.”

  “Me too. And after what happened to your store I’m starting to wonder if that coven isn’t doing something to hurt our businesses.”

  “What are you talking about?” asked Margaret.

  “Well, I heard a police officer talking at the café and he seems to think the coven plastered your business with those notes,” said Simone.

  “I heard they were wondering if it was the coven, but I don’t think it is. I’ve met those women. Besides, Patty is one of them. You know Patty. As far as Mr. Stewart’s hand and your carpet, that is just some bad luck,” said Margaret.

  “Or is it bad magic?” asked Simone. Margaret just shook her head. She offered Simone some of her candy crabs.

  “Thank you. I heard these were delicious and they are,” Simone said. “If you boxed them up, I might be able to sell some at my store.”

  “Hey, that’s not a bad idea,” said Margaret. “I’ll think about it.”

  “I also heard that the coven was responsible for José’s death. There were weird candles and a devil’s mark in his house,” said Simone.

  “I heard that too,” said Margaret. “About the candles at least. David is the lead detective on the case and I’ve been helping him out.”

  “Well, no wonder your store was plastered then,” said Simone. “Just make sure you don’t get a spell cast on you.”

  “Okay, Simone, I’ll be careful,” said Margaret. Simone left and Margaret went to the back of the store. She made sure she had the ingredients for another round of chocolate shells and then went back out front. Patty returned shortly and told Margaret to get some lunch.

  “I can watch the store,” said Patty.

  “Thank you,” said Margaret, and she walked out the door toward the café. Margaret saw Allie walking down the street.

  “Hi, Allie, how are things at the bakery?” Margaret asked.

  “Well, it’s odd. I was making a sponge cake and it fell. I had to start over again and the second one fell, too. I had to get out of the bakery before I screamed,” she said. “That’s never happened before.”

  Yet more bad luck on this street, Margaret thought. “Where are you headed?”

  “I’m going to Mr. Stewart’s. He’s putting the finishing touches on Fifi, my terrier,” said Allie.

  “I’m sure she’ll look divine,�
�� said Margaret.

  “I hope so. After the week we’ve had I’m not sure what to expect,” said Allie.

  Margaret said goodbye and went into the café. Stacy pointed towards a booth in the back. Margaret walked over and was surprised to see David.

  “Well, you just brightened my day,” David said with a smile.

  “Mine too,” said Margaret, joining him in the booth.

  “How is your investigation going?” asked Margaret.

  “Slowly,” said David. “I might have to do another round of questioning if I don’t get a break soon.”

  “I’m sure something will come up,” said Margaret. She looked out the window and saw Allie and Mr. Stewart walking down the street together. Allie was holding Fifi, who had a cute bow on her head. They stopped by Simone’s place and the three of them left in Simone’s car. That’s odd, thought Margaret. A waitress stopped at the table and took their order. She left and came back to refill their coffees. Margaret thanked her.

  After lunch Margaret started back to the candy store. David was walking with her when his phone rang.

  “It’s Cindy,” he said, and answered the phone. After he hung up he turned to Margaret.

  “Is Zach in the store with Patty?”

  “No,” said Margaret. “Why?”

  “You need to get him to the store and come over to the police department. Meet me there as soon as you can,” David instructed, as he ran toward his car. Margaret didn’t have time to ask him any questions. She called Zach and told him to get to the store. He was there in ten minutes.

  “Stay here with Patty while I go to the station,” said Margaret. “I don’t know what’s happening, but as soon as I do I’ll let you know.”

  “Okay,” said Zach and Patty. Margaret rushed to the station. When she got there she went inside. There were three police officers talking to a group of people. Margaret saw David and hurried over to him.

  “Ask Margaret, she’ll tell you,” a familiar voice rang out. Others in the crowd agreed with the speaker. Margaret was confused. She turned and saw Simone, Allie, and Mr. Stewart in the group.

  “What’s going on?” Margaret asked David.

  “This group of townspeople is here complaining about the coven,” David explained.