Crumbling Up Crooks

by Emmie Lyn

  My hand covered my heart. “This is amazing. I wasn’t sure it would work in this space, but I love how each artist has a booth or two to display their amazing work.

  Pip barked. The attention-lover that she was, it was like she was telling everyone, hey, I’m here too.

  They all turned while Pip stood in the middle of the diner with her little tail keeping up with the Christmas melody. She turned her head from side to side and her eyes shined with a proud glint.

  “Bless your heart, Pippy,” Sue Ellen said. “You’re stylish in that sweater, and I’ll bet it keeps you nice and toasty warm, too.”

  “Isn’t it great?” I gushed. “Penny has a bag full of dog sweaters in all sizes. She used Pip as her model for her website and gave the Pipsqueak this one to keep.”

  “What about the kitties?” Maggie asked. “Did she knit any tiny ones for them?”

  “No. I don’t think she did, Mags. The kittens won’t want to go outside in this cold and besides, they have their own warm layer of fur.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but they’d look awfully cute in a tiny sweater. Right, AJ?” Maggie took my arm and headed me to the last booth where AJ sat with his head resting on his upturned hands. She whispered while we walked. “He’s been like this ever since we arrived.”

  I slid in next to AJ, letting my shoulder bump against him on purpose, hoping that might jar him from his misery. “Feeling sorry for yourself, AJ?”

  “I didn’t want to come but they,” he flicked his head toward the others in the diner, “were afraid to leave me alone at Sea Breeze, like they didn’t trust me not to hurt myself. That sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud, doesn’t it? I only want to be left by myself so I can figure out how to get Kelly and myself out of this mess.”

  Pip wiggled herself under the table and worked her way up onto AJ’s lap. She gave him a lick. I had to laugh because that finally got a bit of a twitch going at the edge of his lips.

  “Hey, Pip,” I said. “Leave AJ alone. We’ll let him sit here and feel sorry for himself. I’m sure he doesn’t want to hear the interesting information we heard at the Blue Moon Inn.”

  I started to slide away from him knowing he’d take the bait I’d dangled. Sure enough, his strong hand grabbed my arm, forcing me to stay right where I was.

  I grinned to myself at my clever word play. Of course, when I turned to look at AJ, I’d made sure I gave him an innocent and serious expression.

  “What have you been up to, Dani?” His eyes bore into me, but I wasn’t letting his best intimidation tactic daunt me.

  “Oh,” I waved my hand like it was nothing much. “Just a friendly visit to Penny Pratt to let her know that the venue for the open house had changed.”

  “I thought you were going to talk to Detective Winter,” AJ said with the smug satisfaction of thinking he’d caught me in a lie.

  “Oh, I talked to her, too. After Marion Glassman barged into Creative Designs and said she’d called Nick last night and would find him at the gallery, well,” I casually shrugged my shoulder, “one thing led to another. Pip and I decided to take a walk to the Blue Moon Inn to have a friendly chat with Penny.”

  “Did you take cookies along to accompany your friendly chat?” AJ asked with his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  “Just a few. I was raised to arrive with a small token for the person I’m visiting, AJ. Don’t you know that polite rule?” He knew my offerings were usually given as a bribe to get information. Heck, everyone at the diner knew my strategy. That got a few chuckles from around the diner.

  “Okay, so you and Pip visited Penny Pratt with cookies. Christmas cookies I can assume?”

  “Uh-huh. Reindeer and Christmas tree cookies to be exact. Not that it made any difference.” But the fact that AJ was teasing me meant he was coming out of his funky mood.

  Kelly slid into the booth across from AJ. Rose, Sue Ellen, Maggie, Luke, and Lily had all moved within hearing distance. I felt everyone’s eyes focused on me. Time to share.

  “What’s important is that both Marion Glassman and her father, Harry, arrived at the Blue Moon Inn last night. And,” I paused to be sure everyone was paying attention, “both of them left the inn this morning.”

  AJ sat up straight, shedding his woe-is-me posture. “Where did they go?”

  “I don’t know for sure, but Marion said she went to her car to get something and her father told us that he took his two-mile walk like he does every morning.”

  I let that sink in.

  “Penny confirmed that she heard the front door open and close while she was in the kitchen. So, someone went somewhere from the Blue Moon Inn this morning.”

  Kelly was practically jumping up and down on the seat of the booth. “Well, it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump from the inn to the back door of Creative Designs,” she said. “It gave both of them the opportunity to slip inside, kill Nick, and be back at the inn for a hot cup of coffee before anyone was any wiser.”

  Rose put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “But what about motive,” she asked.

  “No shortage of motive,” Kelly said, her voice rising with excitement. “Harry accused Nick of stealing his work. That’s what I argued with him about this morning.”

  “And Marion?” Rose asked.

  “From what Penny told me,” I said. “It sounded like there might have been some kind of relationship, possibly romantic in nature, between Marion and Nick, which Harry didn’t like. Poor Marion was stuck between those two men.”

  I saw a cloud pass over AJ’s eyes when he glanced at his sister. What was that about? Maggie had hinted that AJ didn’t like how Nick treated Kelly. Was she caught between Nick and AJ?

  Oh boy. This soap opera was never-ending.

  16

  Pip, decked out in her red and green Christmas sweater, plus the antlers that Sue Ellen added, pranced around the diner like a miniature reindeer, ready for the start of the open house.

  With a shake of her head, Pip’s accessory flew off, but they’d lasted long enough for Kelly to have a good laugh. Apparently, sweaters and bandanas were okay with the Pipster, but antlers pushed dress-up over the edge.

  I picked up the antlers and put them on Luke’s head instead. He grinned and trotted across the diner straight to Lily’s trays mounded with every imaginable cookie. His sweet tooth was almost as big as his generous heart.

  “What do you think?” Sue Ellen, ever the hostess no matter whose event it was, held her hands clasped at her chest. “Did I forget anything?”

  “Sue Ellen? There isn’t room in here for even one more icicle or snowflake so if you forgot something, it’s a good thing.”

  She twirled around, arms out and her red skirt flying around her legs. “I just love a party.”

  Luke put a glass of champagne in my hand and raised his in a toast. “To Kelly’s open house.” He whispered so only I could hear the rest of his comment. “Not even murder could derail it.”

  “Not appropriate, Luke,” I whispered back even though his observation was accurate. And I was glad the open house wasn’t canceled. It was an antidote to the tragedy that everyone could enjoy.

  Kelly tipped her glass toward me and then toward Rose. “Thank you, Dani and Rose for letting me use the Little Dog Diner and thank you Sue Ellen for your idea to get this ball rolling in the first place. All your hard work transformed the Little Dog Diner into a magical wonderland for these beautiful crafts.”

  We clinked our glasses together, and as we finished, I unlocked the front door.

  The first person to head up the path to the open house was Detective Winter, burrowed into her coat out of the wind. She smiled at me as she treaded carefully up the step.

  “Ms. Mackenzie,” she said with a small nod of her head.

  “You look great, Detective.” And she did. I’d never seen her without her standard work clothes of khaki pants and button-down shirt under a black vest and parka. When she shrugged out of her coat, a tight dark green dress hugg
ed her slim frame. She looked like a model stepping out of the pages of a glamour magazine, ready to enjoy the evening.

  “Jane will do. I’m not on duty for the next couple of hours, and I’d like to blend in.”

  She might want to blend in but in my opinion, she stood out like a beautiful Christmas ornament. “Champagne’s on the counter by Nick’s reindeer display, and Christmas desserts are on the other side. Help yourself.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Could I talk to you for a minute even though you aren’t actually working?” I asked and moved out of the way of other people coming into the diner.

  Jane followed me out of the crush of people.

  “Actually, even though I’m not on duty, I’m always working. Sure, say whatever you want to.”

  I angled myself so I could keep an eye on any heads tilted in our direction to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “Do you know Penny Pratt?”

  Jane crunched her mouth to one side. “The name is familiar.”

  “She owns the Blue Moon Inn.”

  “Oh, of course. She has a feud going with her neighbor. Ms. Pratt complains about Sadie’s dogs barking too much. They disturb the guests at the inn and, of course, Sadie complains that Penny’s guests come and go at all hours, which disturbs her dogs and gets them barking.”

  Jane rolled her eyes and shook her head. “If she only knew what real problems most people come in with. What’s Penny complaining about now?”

  “Not exactly a problem for her. It’s what her guests have been up to.”

  “Go on.” While she listened, Jane’s eyes darted around the room, pausing on one person but I couldn’t see who it was.

  “I know you’re aware of the allegation that Harry Glassman made against Nick North.”

  Jane nodded and moved closer to me. Now, her eyes stayed focused on my face with an intensity that made me realize that she was not someone to mess with.

  “Harry and his daughter, Marion—”

  “I met Marion. She wasn’t the friendliest person I’ve talked to today.”

  That was good to hear, I thought. It felt like Jane and I were developing some kind of rapport. Our meeting at Creative Designs hadn’t been particularly friendly, but now in hindsight I had to acknowledge that she’d walked into a scene and had to make an immediate analysis of what had happened.

  Cozying up to Jane might not sit well with Maggie or AJ, but it was all in the name of getting AJ and his sister off the suspect list.

  “Anyway,” I continued. “Marion and her father are staying at the Blue Moon Inn.”

  “Yeah, I knew that. Do you have something more interesting to share? If not, that champagne is making me a bit thirsty.”

  I heard annoyance creep into Jane’s voice, so I got to the important detail. “They both were out and about town early this morning. Don’t you think that’s suspicious? Especially considering the complaint Harry Glassman had against Nick North?”

  “It’s something to look into further.” She pulled out a small notebook from a hidden pocket in her dress and jotted something down. “Where did they go?”

  “I don’t know, but maybe Penny’s neighbor with the barking dogs noticed something.”

  “Thank you, Danielle. Now, where’d you say the champagne was located?”

  As soon as I pointed to the end of the counter, I saw that AJ was pouring the champagne. This would be awkward. Especially with Maggie leaning against the counter with her back to the approaching detective.

  With lots of people milling around, I hoped for the best. Maybe they’d work something out and get on the same page with this investigation. With a couple of new suspects, maybe Jane would even let AJ get back to work. I knew that was wishful thinking, but you never knew what someone else might do.

  I knew what I’d do: get everyone on board to solve this murder so Luke and I could enjoy our wedding without a black cloud hanging over us.

  17

  Rose stepped in front of me, stopping my progress dead in its tracks. I’d been heading toward the counter where Maggie’s glare shot sparks at Jane who was approaching in her slinky dark green dress.

  The sparks, of course, were in my imagination, but I knew Maggie. She was seething with something. I wasn’t sure if it was jealousy or anger at Jane for keeping AJ off the case. I suspected both.

  Rose, in her graceful way, said, “They’re all grown-ups. You don’t need to interfere.”

  She guided me back to the quiet corner of the diner that I’d just left. I say guided in the loosest of terms. Rose’s iron grip on my arm tugged me off my original course, and I had no choice but to go along.

  I smiled at the guests through the pain in my bicep as Rose interrogated me, her mission for dragging me away from Maggie. “I couldn’t help notice that you and Detective Winter were having a friendly chat over here, Danielle. Is there anything new the good detective shared with you?” Rose asked.

  “Nothing earth-shattering,” I said as I shook my arm in an attempt to get some circulation going. “She mentioned that Penny Pratt has a long-standing feud going with her neighbor, Sadie Hicks. Do you know anything about that relationship?”

  “Sadie’s Chihuahuas.” Rose rolled her eyes as if she thought this was as ridiculous of a problem as Jane had indicated.

  “Those two need to grow up,” Rose said with disgust. “Penny’s neighbor, Sadie, I’m sure you know her. Anyway. Sadie has lived in her house next to the Blue Moon Inn for as long as I can remember, and she’s always had dogs. They’re friendly. They do what dogs do—they bark when someone walks by. I don’t know what Penny’s problem is except she has complained about Sadie for years. No one pays any attention to her anymore. Especially Sadie.”

  I turned my back to the window and scanned the incoming guests as we chatted. “I guess Penny found a new ear for her gripes with Jane being the new kid on the block. But I don’t think it went over well.” My eyes drifted over to the trio by the champagne and wished I could hear their conversation.

  “Jane? My, my, my. You two are getting cozy.” Rose had a twinkle in her eyes to match her teasing tone.

  I scoffed at her insinuation. “For your information, she asked me to call her Jane instead of detective since she’s,” I leaned close to Rose and whispered, “trying to blend in tonight.”

  Rose drew her head back and her eyes widened as she stared at me.

  Then we both cracked up.

  “Right. She’s blending in about as well as Maggie’s keeping her feelings about Jane to herself.” Rose said, still snickering. “I saw Jane scribble something in a notebook. What was that about?”

  “I told her about Marion and Harry leaving the Blue Moon Inn this morning. She wanted to know where they went, but that’s something she’ll have to figure out.”

  “What’s your feeling about the Glassmans?” Rose asked, back to business.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Isn’t everything.”

  “Well, yes, I suppose you’re right about that, but this is complicated in an interesting way when you try to fit it in with Nick’s murder.”

  “Okay. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  I looked around the diner, happy for Kelly that so many people had shown up. The cash register dinged constantly indicating sales were racking up well. “Let’s wait until there aren’t so many people around to discuss that,” I said to Rose. The diner door opened, and I jabbed her in the side. “Plus, look who just walked in.”

  Penny, all smiles, led Marion inside with Harry a few steps behind. His dour expression left no doubt that he’d rather be anywhere else but the open house. I wondered why.

  “Put your sleuthing hat on, Danielle. You never know what tidbits you’ll pick up in this crowd.”

  “I’ll make an educated guess that we won’t have to wait long.”

  Harry zeroed in on Kelly, making a beeline straight to the cash register.

  He thrust his face across the counter forcing Kelly to take a ste
p back in surprise. “Those glass reindeer and Christmas trees belong to me,” he snapped. “How dare you sell them without my permission?”

  “Dad!” Marion tugged at his arm but just like I’d seen him do earlier, he shrugged her off and ignored her protests.

  Jane stepped in front of Harry in a blur of dark green. AJ followed right behind her.

  “Mr. Glassman? If you aren’t here to enjoy the open house, I’ll have to ask you to leave. Or, I’ll be happy to escort you out. It’s your choice.”

  Jane stood with her feet hip-width apart, hands clenched at her sides, and I wondered if she had a weapon hidden somewhere on her body. She didn’t have many options to conceal one in that dress.

  “Wow,” I said to Rose. “She’s not taking any prisoners. I love it.”

  Harry turned his head and glared at Jane. “I’m not leaving without everything that belongs to me.”

  Jane took him by the elbow, but just as he’d done to Marion, he pulled away, practically striking her in the face in the process.

  AJ, without a moment’s hesitation, had Harry Glassman pushed against the counter with his arm twisted behind his back. It all happened in a fraction of a second, and to AJ’s credit, not one Christmas dessert or glass reindeer ended up smashed on the floor.

  “You need to listen to Detective Winter.” AJ said in a low growl that left no mistake about its warning.

  “Dad. I told you that I gave permission for Kelly to sell the reindeer and trees. The police will keep the money until everything is sorted out. Now, control yourself.”

  “If looks could kill, Marion would be flat on her back,” I whispered to Rose.

  “Maybe that’s what happened to Nick North—Harry Glassman hit him with that death glare,” she whispered back. “It’s scary.”

  “But that doesn’t explain the reindeer stuck in Nick’s chest.”

  “How about this scenario? Harry sent his death glare and Nick fell on the reindeer while he was unpacking.”