When she got home, she fed Misty and then started making dinner. She set the hot dogs on a griddle to grill up when Gramps arrived, as they’d only take a few minutes. The mac and cheese was the orange powdered stuff, but Jane kicked it up a notch by stirring in a little extra butter and a splash of cream. Once it was all mixed, she poured it into a casserole dish and sprinkled a little parmesan cheese and panko crumbs on top along with a few more dots of butter and set it in the oven to lightly brown the top.
This was her compromise with her grandfather. If it was up to her, she’d make ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese from scratch, and Gramps would eat that, but she knew he preferred the boxed stuff. So, she made it her way. The crunchy bits on top were non-negotiable for her, and he admitted he liked them, too.
While she waited for Gramps to arrive, she poured herself a tiny glass of white wine and walked around the condo, checking to make sure that all the doors were securely locked and that the long piece of wood was in the bottom of the slider, to prevent it from opening if someone broke the lock. They would have to break the glass to get in.
Jane felt safe in her condo, as there were people on both sides of her and Gramps was just a few doors down. But the visit with Drummond had made her uneasy. He hadn’t said as much, but it wouldn’t surprise her if he’d had someone checking up on her.
He’d done that before when she was investigating him and he seemed familiar with her daily routine of the shop, though she supposed he could have just surmised that from newspaper coverage of Samantha Sellers’ murder. She hoped that Nick would decide not to take his case, then she could forget all about Alex Drummond. That was the most likely outcome, based on what Nick had said earlier.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and Gramps walked in holding a small bouquet of wild flowers.
“Thank you, those are beautiful!”
She took them from him and went searching for a vase to put them in. The flowers looked familiar, somehow.
“Gramps, where did you get these?”
“I picked them on the way over here,” he said with a mischievous smile.
Jane chuckled. “Well, I hope no one saw you. I think it might be against the condo rules to pick the flowers from the landscaping.”
“Oh, there’s plenty more where those came from. They won’t be missed.”
Jane smiled as she slid the flowers into the vase and added water. “Thank you. They really are lovely. Have a seat. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”
She turned the griddle on to cook the hotdogs and while it was heating up, she made her grandfather a Kahlua sombrero, his favorite cocktail. She knew he liked it with as little of the alcohol as possible, just enough to flavor the cream. She shook it up with the ice until it was nice and foamy, and then poured it in a glass and slid it across the counter. He was sitting in one of the stools at her kitchen island, watching her cook.
“So, fill me in. What did that rascal want?” he asked.
Jane told him about her meeting with Drummond and he was quiet for a moment when she finished. Then he took a long sip of his drink and mulled it over a bit more.
“I don’t trust the guy. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a slim chance that he didn’t do the exact crime he was accused of, but I’d bet good money he did something that deserves jail time.”
“I would totally agree with you on that.” Jane took the casserole out of the oven and plated up their dinners, and then served Gramps and settled on the chair next to him. They were both quiet as they started to eat.
“This is outstanding, Janie. You’re a good cook!” Jane smiled. Gramps was so easy. Everything was ‘outstanding’ to him.
He looked thoughtful, though, as he polished off the last of his hot dog.
“You don’t suppose Nick will take him on as a client?”
“It’s possible, but doubtful. He’ll only take him on if he thinks he has a good chance of winning. He didn’t seem to think that was the case, though.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know everything yet.” Gramps said.
“Drummond did hint at that. I think he’s full of it, though.”
“Maybe so. None of your concern, though. We need to focus on this Samantha Sellers business.”
Jane sighed. “I haven’t the slightest idea who did this, and it sounds like Jake doesn’t, either.”
“He promised to get to the bottom of it,” Gramps reminded her. “But he could use our help. I think we should try and talk to Maxine tomorrow.”
“Samantha’s friend?” Jane was surprised.
“She just bought a fancy new car, a gold Mercedes. Doesn’t seem to be very sad about Samantha’s death. She was driving around town yesterday with the top down.”
That was interesting. “She bought a Mercedes convertible? I didn’t realize the real estate market had picked up that much.”
“Neither did I.” Gramps reached for another hotdog. Jane smiled to herself. She was glad she’d cooked a few extras. Gramps liked to say he had the appetite of a bird, but he always went back for seconds, and sometimes thirds. As he happily munched, she thought about her schedule the following day.
“I can probably duck out of the shop mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush.”
“I’ll swing by to get you around two, then,” Gramps confirmed.
Jane wondered how Maxine was able to afford such a nice car. She was fairly new to real estate. Her husband had divorced her just a few years before, and rumor was the only reason she got her real estate license and went to work was because she really needed the money.
“That sounds like a good plan. Now did you save room for dessert?” Jane cleared their plates and then pulled a carton of French vanilla ice cream out of the freezer. She knew Gramps would want to have a sundae with her. She’d inherited her sweet tooth from him.
“There’s always room for dessert,” he said with a smile.
* * *
A little after eight, Jane walked Gramps out and watched him stroll a few doors down to his unit. Her door was still open behind her and her body was tense, all her senses on alert. She was probably being a nervous Nellie, but she couldn’t shake the worry that someone might be out there, watching.
Once Gramps was inside, she stepped back into her condo and locked the door tightly behind her and then engaged the deadlock. Once again, she checked every door and window, to make sure they were securely shut and locked, before pouring herself a glass of water and heading upstairs, Misty padding along behind her.
It was early, but she was ready to curl up in bed with a book. Misty jumped up on her bed and once she was settled, Jane did something she hadn’t done in months. She got up and closed her bedroom door and locked it behind her. Then, she finally felt herself start to relax.
14
Jane woke to an impatient cat walking around on the pillow behind her head, stopping every minute or so to touch a soft paw to her cheek. After a few more taps, Jane felt a bit of claw. Misty was tired of being ignored. Meanwhile, the alarm on Jane’s cell phone was ringing loudly. She’d managed to hit the snooze alarm twice and now, regretfully, it was time to get up and go make the donuts.
She dragged herself out of bed, fed Misty and then jumped in the shower to get ready for work. Thirty minutes later, she was on her way. She felt exhausted. She’d tossed and turned all night and got very little quality sleep. Unless she got a second wind, it was going to be a very long day.
The shop was quiet when she pulled into the back parking lot and then let herself into the kitchen. She turned on the radio, made a small pot of coffee for herself and then started to make the dough for donuts, and while that was rising, she began mixing the batter for the muffins.
An hour later, with the first batch of muffins baked and donuts ready to go into the fryer, she began to feel semi-human again. A half-pot of coffee definitely had helped.
Melissa walked in as she was pouring her third cup of rich black coffee. Melissa said hello, poured herself a cup of coffee
and then got to work immediately, making pie crust. Today was chicken pot pie day.
“I think we may want to make double the amount we had last week,” Melissa suggested. “Those pies are getting popular.”
Jane had just been about to suggest that. Instead, she said, “That’s a great idea.”
They worked together, chatting every now and again. Just as Jane was getting ready to unlock the front door and let in their first customers, Melissa said, “Oh, I heard something about Jake that you might find interesting.”
“Oh? What’s that?” Jane stopped mid-step and turned her full attention to Melissa.
“I was in line behind him at the grocery store last night and overheard him talking on his cell phone. Said he wants to talk to you and might stop in this morning.” Melissa smiled and added, “He also said he heard a rumor that your muffins are good.”
Jane chuckled. “They are good! He probably heard that from Gramps.” She was quiet for a moment and realized that Jake probably just wanted to ask her some follow-up questions. He didn’t really want to just talk to her. Though that might be nice.
“He probably has more questions about the Samantha Sellers case,” she said.
“Maybe. Or maybe he just wants an excuse to talk to you.”
Jane raised her eyebrows. “I highly doubt that.”
Melissa said nothing, just turned around and went back to rolling out pie dough.
* * *
“I’ll be back to get you at two,” Gramps said as he and his buddies headed toward the door. As usual, they’d been among her first customers. Jane went out back to grab some more blueberry muffins and after she finished re-stocking the muffin tray, she sensed that someone was at the register and stood up. She’d been crouching down as the blueberry muffins were on the bottom shelf. Jake was standing there.
“Hi, Jane. I decided it was time to try one of those blueberry muffins.”
“Oh, good. This batch just came out of the oven.” She popped one in a small paper bag and put it on the counter. “Anything else?”
“Sure, better add a medium black coffee. It’s a two coffee kind of day.”
Jane smiled at that. It was, indeed. She rang up his coffee and muffin, and then gave him his change. She expected Jake to immediately be on his way, but instead he lingered. There was no one behind him, so he didn’t rush. Finally, he spoke.
“We’re still not having much luck. I don’t suppose you’ve heard anything from anyone?”
“Not yet, but Gramps and I are going to talk to Maxine at two.”
“Maxine? Really?”
“Have you already talked to her?” she asked.
“Briefly. She didn’t strike me as being particularly relevant.”
“I wouldn’t have thought so, either. It was Gramps idea, actually. He said she’s been driving around town in a new Mercedes convertible.”
“No kidding? I haven’t seen that.”
“He seemed surprised that she would have that kind of money.”
“I wouldn’t have expected it, either.” Jake hesitated and then spoke quickly, “It’s trivia tonight at the pub and buy-one-get-one pizza. Want to meet me there after work? We can share a bite to eat and you can tell me what you learned from Maxine.”
Jane hesitated. What he was proposing sounded suspiciously like a date. She must have been silent a moment too long, because he quickly added, “It’s no big deal. I just thought since we both have to eat, it might be good to compare notes and have some dinner. Maybe play a little trivia?” He smiled then and she noticed a dimple appear on one of his cheeks.
“I do like trivia. And pizza,” she admitted. “What time should I meet you there?”
“Six is good. I’ll get us a table.”
Jake left and Jane found herself in a great mood the rest of the day. Even Gramps noticed when he stopped by at two to pick her up.
“Are you ready to go?”
“I’m ready!” Jane pulled off her apron and set in on the kitchen counter, then grabbed her purse and told Melissa she’d be back in about a half-hour.
“You seem a lot perkier than you did this morning,” Gramps commented. “You kind of looked like something the cat dragged in, though of course you’re still beautiful to me.”
“Thanks. I didn’t sleep great last night, but I seem to have found a second wind. I’ll drive.”
* * *
“So, what’s our strategy?” Gramps asked as Jane pulled into the parking lot at Marksman’s Realty where Maxine worked.
“I’ve been thinking about that. We can’t just walk in and start asking her questions. I thought maybe we could ask her about that new retirement community that’s opening soon.”
“You mean where the old people live?” Gramps scoffed. Even at his age, he still considered himself too young to hang out with people in places like that. Jane had suggested more than once that he visit the senior center in town after her grandmother died, but he wanted no part of it.
“It’s a fifty-five and over development. Hardly old,” Jane said. “Besides, I know you don’t ever want to go there, but we can just say we’re gathering information. In case you ever decide to explore it.”
“I won’t.” Gramps was firm about that.
“I hope you won’t, either. But, it does give us a reason to talk to her.”
“I suppose. Feels a bit dishonest, though.”
“Well, truthfully we are just gathering information.” Jane smiled. “Just in case you change your mind. And you can charm her at the same time. Tell her how much you admire her new car, get her to open up.”
“Now I can see how you were so effective at investigating. You’re creative and resourceful,” Gramps said with admiration.
“Thank you. Hopefully, we’ll learn something.” Jane parked and they walked into the main reception area. There were several people on the phones, and one woman in her mid-forties with long, strawberry blonde hair, big, gold earrings and sunglasses that pushed her hair back got up when she saw them and walked over.
“Hi, I’m Maxine. Are you looking to buy a house?”
Gramps smiled and introduced the two of them and then added, “I’m not quite ready to buy yet, but if you have a minute, we wanted to get some information on that new development going in by the golf course.”
“Riverhaven? The fifty-five plus community?”
“Yes, that’s the one,” Gramps confirmed.
“Well, come right this way. We can sit down and go over some information.” Maxine led them to her office, which was a glassed-in room with two chairs facing her desk. They both sat and then Maxine led them through a series of basic questions about where Gramps was living now, what size unit he’d be interested in and, of course, his budget.
“I’m open on that. I have some flexibility if I do decide to move as long as it’s the right place.”
Maxine’s eyes lit up at that and Jane felt a pang of guilt. She didn’t want to keep her too long from other potentially real clients. She gave Gramps a little nudge with her shoe, and caught his eye and silently signaled him to get to the point and wrap it up.
“So, Maxine, I saw you zipping around town the other day. That’s quite the car you have. I must say I’m tempted to get a convertible myself.” Gramps was laying it on thick and Maxine ate it up.
“Isn’t it great? I love it. That was a well-deserved present to myself.”
“That’s quite a present,” Jane said in an awestruck tone full of reverence.
Maxine smiled. “I know. Though there’s a little sadness attached. I was a beneficiary on Samantha’s life insurance policy. She’d told me once she was changing that when she was going through the divorce, but I never really thought much of it—until I got a call from her lawyer. It’s just awful, what happened to Samantha, truly terrible. But for me, it was like a Christmas bonus, unexpected and very much appreciated.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Gramps said.
“Odd that her husband wasn’t the benefi
ciary,” Jane said.
“Yes, ordinarily he would have been. Maxine changed that as soon as she started the divorce proceedings. It was an individual policy that she paid for herself.”
“You must have been very close to her. I am sorry for your loss.” Gramps said.
Maxine frowned. “We used to be close, years ago. Not so much in recent years. Like I said, I was surprised to get that call. I really didn’t think she meant it when she said she was going to change it.”
“Was it a while ago that she made the change? Maybe that’s why you didn’t think of it.”
“Not that long ago—six months, maybe? She was kind of joking around, said she owed me.” Maxine’s face clouded over then and she glanced at the clock on the wall.
“I’m sorry, I just realized the time. I’m afraid I have to run to a showing. Let me know when you are ready to take a look at one of the model units at Riverhaven. I’d be happy to show it to you. In the meantime, here’s a brochure with all the details.” She handed Gramps a colorful brochure and stood up, which was their signal to go.
“I’ll do that. Thank you.” Gramps shook her hand, and then he and Jane headed off to the car.
* * *
“What did you make of that?” Jane asked as they buckled up and she started the engine.
“Well, it’s clear they had a bumpy relationship. She did seem surprised, though. Unless she’s a good actress, I don’t think she’s involved.”
Jane wasn’t so sure. “It seemed to me like she realized she said too much and regretted it.”
“Maybe so. Maybe Jake can dig a little deeper,” Gramps suggested.
“I’ll let him know. I’m seeing him tonight after work.”
“Oh, really? That’s interesting.” Gramps had a twinkle in his eye.
“It’s nothing like that,” Jane protested.
“Okay. Well, keep me posted.”
“I will.”
15
The pub was crowded when Jane arrived a few minutes past six. Normally, a Tuesday night wouldn’t be overly busy anywhere in town, but the pub’s buy-one-get-one pizza deal brought people out in droves. It was really good pizza. Jane made her way through the bar traffic to the restaurant section just beyond and saw Jake already seated at a booth.
Motive Page 5
