Rob opened my back door. “I wish we could have brought your cake back. It was so good. I loved the peach layer, and you know that I’m a fan of cream frostings.”
“It’s better it stayed with them. I don’t need the calories.”
He rummaged in the pantry. “Any cookies?”
“Didn’t you get enough to eat?”
“I did. That chicken was amazing. I’m glad Diedra said she’d email me the recipe.” He grabbed the cookie jar. “Mind?”
I shook my head. “Have at it. Milk, coffee, or after-dinner drink?”
“Bailey’s and chocolate chip cookies sound like a match made in heaven.”
I retrieved the liqueur and cordial glasses and handed them to him. He poured two, picked them up, and wandered into the living room. I trailed him. “They seem like such a lovely couple.”
“They do. Too bad they sought revenge against Richard.” He sank onto the sofa and unscrewed the cookie jar lid.
“How do you know it was them?”
“Go through your list.”
I opened the end table drawer and pulled out my pad. I flipped it to the correct page. “Your mom.”
“Non-starter.”
I shrugged. “The Greens”
“Highly likely.”
“Alex.”
“Mysterious.”
I tucked my feet under me and leaned against Rob’s shoulder. “One more scenario.”
His left eyebrow lifted.
“Your new father-in-law Mac together with your mother. It’s convenient that he and your mother hooked up on vacation and then rekindled their romance when she and her husband came to visit you.”
Rob sipped his drink. “Three to four people. All with good motives. But who did it?”
“I think it’s time we chatted with the good Detective to see if he’s found out anything new.”
I tipped my face toward Rob’s. He gave me a lingering kiss. I withdrew and put my finger on his lips. “Tomorrow.” I kissed him. “Yum. You taste like Bailey’s.”
“Is Jenny home?”
“She’s out with Jacob. I lifted my eyes to the clock. Should be home any minute now.”
“Darn.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Sirens blared early the next morning. Still half asleep, I put the pillow over my ear. My room swam with flashing lights. I sat straight up in bed, and then I rushed to the bathroom window. The emergency squad was next door at Alex’s. I pulled on sweats and a t-shirt and ran downstairs. They wheeled Alex into the ambulance, her face covered by an oxygen mask. Ed stood nearby, and I ran to him. “What happened?”
He rubbed his eyes. “I’m not sure. I was up early and happened to glance out the window. Alex saw me and waved. She was painting. I was mesmerized by her sure brushstrokes. The next thing I knew, she fell over. I called 911 as I was running out the back door.”
We walked to where her easel stood. A partly eaten muffin lay in the grass. I picked it up and sniffed. “This smells like peanuts.”
The ambulance roared away. I stared after it. “Who would have given Alex something like that?”
Andy came running across the alley. “What happened?”
“Someone gave Alex peanuts. I’ll call Jay.”
I carried the remains of the muffin into my kitchen. Andy and Ed followed. I put it into a baggie and picked up my phone. Jay picked up on the first ring. “What?”
“Someone tried to kill my neighbor.”
He sighed. “I’ll be right over.”
I put the coffee on, and it was ready by the time Jay arrived. He walked in the back door and Andy, Ed, and I started talking over each other.
Jay held up his hand. “Coffee first. Then one at a time.”
I poured the coffee, and Ed told Jay what he had seen. Then I handed Jay the baggie. “We found this near where Alex collapsed.”
He took it from me. “Thanks. I have to stop at the station first, and then I’ll go to the hospital. Not a word to anyone until I get back. It could be that someone just made a mistake.” He left.
I put his mug in the dishwasher and then wiped the counter. Ed stood abruptly. “We should go to the hospital. She’s all alone. Merry, you get ready. I’ll bring the car around in ten minutes.”
I ran up the stairs, pulled a brush through my hair, and splashed my face with water. A quick toothbrush and mouthwash swish, and I walked out of my bedroom. Jenny’s door opened. “What’s all the commotion?”
Ed’s car pulled into the driveway. I ran down the stairs. “Can’t talk now. Something happened to Alex. I’ll text you from the hospital.” I grabbed my purse and slammed the door behind me. Andy waved for me to hurry up, and Ed barely waited for me to hop in the backseat before backing out. “Let’s get there in one piece, shall we?”
Ed’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. He mouthed. “Sorry,” as he sped to the hospital.
The nurse led us to Alex’s room. “The rules are only two visitors at a time.”
Andy flashed his dimples at her. “We won’t tell if you don’t.”
She opened the door. “Fifteen minutes max.”
Alex was sitting up in bed, and her color had returned. She was nibbling a saltine and drinking ginger ale.
I hurried to her side. “How are you feeling?”
She flinched. “Better than I should. If Ed hadn’t rushed over, I don’t know what would have happened.” She turned to me. “I only ate it because you baked it, and you’re aware of my allergy. I’m usually so careful.”
My eyes widened, and I stepped back. “What do you mean? I didn’t give you anything.”
“The muffins were on my back stoop this morning on one of your kitchen plates. And there was a note from you. I thought you baked them to apologize for doubting the story I told about Richard and me. They looked like the Morning Glory muffins you make. Only these had peanuts in them.” She sneezed. “If it hadn’t been for this stupid cold, I would have smelled it.”
“I didn’t leave you muffins.”
“Who else would have? And who would have known I was mad at you?”
Detective Ziebold walked through the door. He stopped just inside the door. “You’ll have to leave; I need to question Ms. Danford.”
No one moved.
“What’s wrong?”
“Alex said that I left her the muffins. But I…I didn’t.”
“Wait for me outside.”
We shuffled past him. I stopped. “I didn’t do it.”
“Outside.” He shut the door after me.
I paced the corridor. “How could Alex think I would give her peanuts? I would never do something like that. I’m so careful. I knew she was allergic.”
Andy guided me to a chair. “You’re making me nervous. Ed, could you see if they have any tea here?” Ed walked toward the cafeteria.
I sat. “Did you see a note? Or a plate?”
“All I saw was you putting the muffin in a baggy.”
“We should get back there. I want to check out her backyard.” I got to my feet.
Andy pulled me back down. “We’re not going anywhere. Detective Ziebold told us to wait here.”
I groaned and put my head in my hands.
A few minutes later, Ed returned with the tea. He handed me a cup.
I took a sip and almost spat it out. “How much sugar did you put in this?”
“Two packets. I figured you had a shock and needed the lift.”
“I only use a little. Thanks for the tea, but I’ll pass.”
He handed me his. “Here. Drink this. It’s black.”
I sipped. “Much better. Thanks. Anyway, I was trying to convince Andy to drive me home. I want to check out Alex’s backyard.”
Andy rolled his eyes. “I told her we were waiting for the Detective.”
Ed sank onto the chair on the other side of me. “And that’s what we are going to do.”
A few minutes later, Jay walked out of Alex’s room. He motioned for Ed to slide over. Ed move
d to the next chair and Jay took his place. “Merry, did you make those muffins?”
“No. I didn’t.”
“She said there was a note from you and the muffins were on your plate.”
I frowned. “I don’t know how they got on my plate. Maybe it wasn’t my plate. Maybe it only looked like the plates I have.”
Jay stood. “Merry, come with me. I want to go back to Alex’s house. Depending on what we find, I may have questions for you.”
I stood and walked behind him out the door.
Andy ran after me. “We’re going to find out when Alex will be released. I’ll call you later.”
Jay waved me forward. I nodded at Andy and joined Jay in his car. “Do you want me in the back seat?”
He held the front door for me. “I haven’t arrested you. Yet.”
I slid in.
He circled the car and got into the driver’s seat. “Explain to me exactly what happened this morning. Don’t leave anything out.”
I detailed the morning from my perspective. He turned into my driveway. I jumped out and ran to the back of Alex’s house. Jay yelled after me, “Don’t touch anything.” I slowed my pace, allowing him to catch up. We approached her back steps. A white plate etched with green ivy sat on the top one. It held three muffins.
I leaned over, being careful not to touch it. “It does look like one of my plates.”
He bagged the plate and its contents. “I’d like one of yours for comparison.”
“Fine.” I grimaced.
“She said there was a note from you.”
“I didn’t write it or bring over the muffins.”
He sighed. “Let’s look for the note.”
We scanned near the back steps and then spread out to the backyard. No note. I turned toward the house. “Maybe she took it inside?”
He put out his hand to stop me. “I’ll look.”
I scanned my driveway to see if it had blown there. Nothing. Then I walked back to the alleyway; it was clear. The door shut. I hurried back to Jay. “Anything?”
“No. I’ll talk to her later and see if she put it somewhere.”
“I’ll get you one of my plates.” I led the way back to my house. When I opened the back door, Jenny was sitting at the counter.
“What happened? You said you text me, but you didn’t.”
“Not now.”
Jay walked in behind me. I felt Jenny’s eyes follow me as I retrieved one of the plates and handed it to him. He examined it. “Looks the same.”
I did a quick count. “I’m missing a few.”
“Let’s go down to the station, and you can make a formal statement.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. “What happened? Why do you have to go to the station?”
Jay held the door for me. I walked out. “Call Rob. Tell him I need a lawyer.”
Chapter 19
They questioned me for two hours. I couldn’t believe it took so long to go over such a simple story. I had been at the Greens’ for dinner the night before, Rob had been at my house until midnight, and the sirens had woken me in time to see Alex being loaded into the ambulance. How on earth did they think I had time to bake muffins! If only they could find the note. Then I could prove it wasn’t me. Finally, my lawyer and I were able to leave.
Rob waited for us by the front desk. “Jay can’t think you did this.”
I collapsed into his arms. “It was my plate. Or at least I think it was. How could someone have gotten my plate?”
Rob rubbed my back. “Merry, you’re always baking things for people. Someone might not have returned it, and you didn’t notice.”
I backed away. “I always put masking tape on the bottom with my name on it so people can return it!” I walked back to the interview room and knocked.
Jay answered the door. “What?”
“Was there masking tape on the bottom of the plate?”
“I didn’t see any.” He walked past me to his office. He returned. “No tape.”
My lawyer held up her hand. “The person could have washed it, and the tape came off. Or the person could have taken the tape from the plate.”
Jay walked back into the interview room and closed the door.
Rob asked my lawyer, “What’s next?”
“They haven’t charged her with anything. Hopefully, this whole mess will be straightened out soon, and nothing else will happen.” Her finger rose. “Merry, listen to me very carefully. Stay away from Alex.”
“But she was in the hospital. She’s probably still weak. I should bring her chicken soup.”
Rob’s mouth dropped. “Listen to what you’re saying.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Okay. No contact. And definitely no food.”
Rob put his arm around me, and we left the police station. My phone dinged with a text from Patty: “Heard you were in the slammer.”
I groaned. Monday was going to be fun.
✽ ✽ ✽
Cheryl was waiting for me by the door Monday morning. “Going to be busy, boss. Half the town wants to know why you tried to kill Alex.”
“I didn’t try to kill her.”
“I know. I can’t imagine you poisoning anyone.”
I led the way to my office. “How many calls have we gotten?”
“A few. We’re handling them.”
“What a nightmare.”
“Andy wanted to know if you could stop by the shop at one for lunch.
“Let him know I’ll be there.”
✽ ✽ ✽
I strode up the street to Andy and Ed’s antique shop and café, Tempting Treasures and Tasty Treats. Andy wasn’t quite ready, so I wandered through his shop. He had a new mahogany Chippendale dresser that I couldn’t help but drool over. I checked the price. Nope.
“Ready?” Andy touched my shoulder.
“Starving.”
“You’re going to want to have today’s special. Swedish meatballs on toast points. It comes with a side salad.”
“Sold.”
He told the waiter, and we headed outside. The intimate patio held eight tables, which were shaded by the building. Overflowing planters stuffed with scarlet petunia wave hung from the wrought-iron fencing. “It’s so nice that you decided to be open on Mondays in the spring and summer.”
He sat back. “It’s more work, but we have better staff now. We feel like we can take time off, or have lunch with a friend.”
“I can’t help but think you had a reason for this one.”
“I’m crushed that you’d think I had an ulterior motive.”
I sipped my iced tea and waited.
“Okay. Yes, I did. I wanted to talk about what happened yesterday. Detective Ziebold was pretty quick to take you back to Alex’s house. And then I heard you went to the station.”
I groaned. “First you need to tell me about Alex. Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. They released her in the early afternoon, and she was out painting again this morning, so I guess no harm done.”
I frowned. “They think I tried to hurt her. What did she say about the note?”
“She doesn’t know where it went. She said it was on the top of the saran wrapped dish and that it must have blown away when she took one of the muffins out.”
“How was the note attached?”
“I don’t know. Tape?”
“Didn’t you ask her?”
“I’m sure the police did.”
Our lunches arrived. The meatballs, mushrooms, and luscious sauce were what I needed. “This is so good.”
Andy winked. “I’ll be sure to let the chef know you liked it. Now spill. What happened to you?”
I told him about the plate.
“You’re always baking stuff. Ed and I have two of your plates in our house right now.”
“I guess that’s why I’m missing a few.”
“I’ll bring them by this week.”
“No rush.” The salad was lovely too. Ed had laced butter lettuce with radicchio, and i
ts bitter taste was the perfect foil for the creamy sauce of the meatballs. “Are you going to the C’est Magnifique grand opening Wednesday?”
“Yes. Ed is catering, and we’re letting them borrow our patio. Plus Ed’s mother’s birthday is coming up, and I still need to get her a gift.”
“They have lovely things. Wanda bought me the nicest blouse.”
He laughed.
“What?”
“It’s not funny, but you and Wanda are both suspects. Maybe you have more in common than you thought.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Wednesday morning, I bent over the freezer to see what Jenny could have for supper. There was leftover chicken and rice. I pulled out the packet and left it in the fridge. Half-way through writing a note, Jenny appeared. She kissed me on the cheek. I stepped backward, jaw-dropping. “That’s a surprise.”
“I decided you were right. We can go to London next year.”
My eyebrow rose. “That’s very grown-up of you.”
She smiled. “I know. Are you going to the grand opening tonight?”
“Yes. There are leftovers in the fridge.”
“Thanks. What time will you be home?”
“Rob and I will probably go out afterward, but I should be home by ten.”
“Have fun.” She disappeared up the stairs.
That was weird. As much as I loved my daughter, she definitely took longer than that to get over one of her snits. She didn’t talk to me for a month after I wouldn’t let her go hang gliding. Maybe she was getting older. I shrugged and walked out the door.
Late that day, I picked up Diedra and chauffeured her to the grand opening. Balloons hung from the sign, and the store window was a delight. Mannequins were artfully arrayed in spring clothes and what looked like real flowers punctuated the display. Diedra grinned. “This is going to be fun.”
The store was packed with people, and I lost sight of Diedra for a minute. She was examining the multi-colored scarves. I caught her eye and motioned toward the back door. “Let’s get champagne and then we can come back to the shop.” I strode down the two back steps and up one to Ed’s patio. A makeshift bar had been set up, and waiters wove through the crowd with glasses of champagne. I snagged two and handed one to Diedra.
“Thanks. It’s crowded here, isn’t it?”
Murder So Deadly Page 18
