A Cuppa Trouble

by Angela Ruth Strong

  “Police lock criminals in the back of their cars. I was doing the same.” Vic lifted a shoulder, as if no responsibility rested there. “As soon as I let her out, you’ll see that she wasn’t using a coat hanger to get into her own vehicle. She has what’s known as a Relay Attack Unit designed to unlock cars without a key. Only a car thief would own such a thing.”

  Now he was overtly lying. And Tandy would be able to prove it. Good thing he’d broken up with her last year. Otherwise she’d be dating a liar.

  Sheriff Griffin sauntered from the police department. “What’s going on here, Tandy? Why did you have Greg call me?”

  Marissa banged against the inside of the trunk in response. “Griffin, get me out of here!”

  Griffin’s hand rose to his holster.

  Vic sidestepped farther behind his car as if he might need to duck from bullets.

  Griffin pointed with his free hand at Marissa’s face in the hole. “Is someone in your trunk, sir?”

  “It’s me. Marissa.”

  Griffin’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Let her out right now.”

  The trunk opened, and fresh air stung Marissa’s skin like the glorious first dip of one’s toes into Lake Erie. She gasped for breath, struggled ungracefully over the edge of the trunk and landed firmly on solid ground.

  Standing tall, she faced her captor. A bald, black man with a goatee around his blinding white smile. Why was he smiling?

  Tandy’s gaze remained on her, as well. “Marissa? Why are you dressed like that?”

  Marissa threw her hands in the air. Why did it matter what she was wearing? This wasn’t a beauty pageant or anything. “I like to dress for the occasion, and wearing a jumpsuit is a lot more comfortable than a lace dress when you’re crammed in a trunk.” She jabbed a finger the direction they should all be looking—at her kidnapper. “Arrest him.”

  Tandy blew out her breath but then stepped closer as if joining her side. “Vic claims he was making a citizen’s arrest because you were stealing cars. Show him you don’t have a device for stealing cars with you.”

  “That’s preposterous. I…” Oh, wait. She’d been trying out the contraption when she’d been abducted. But that wasn’t the issue. The issue was that she’d been abducted.

  Her abductor leaned forward and pointed inside the trunk. “It’s right there.”

  Not cool.

  Tandy blinked in surprise. “How do we know that’s not yours, Vic?”

  Vic guffawed. “It will have her fingerprints on it, Tandy.”

  Ugh. It would.

  Griffin waved them all away from the vehicle and pressed the button on the radio transmitter attached to his collar. “Griffin to Kristin. I need an evidence bag out front. Over.”

  Evidence against her?

  Marissa huffed. “Okay. It’s going to have my fingerprints on it. I found the thing in the pocket of this jumpsuit George gave me. I was trying it out on my car to see if it really was what I thought it was. Then I was kidnapped. Kidnapped. Have we forgotten that part, people?”

  Griffin released the tentative grip on his weapon and stroked his chin. “You’re confirming this gentleman’s claims that he saw you breaking into a vehicle?”

  “No. Well, yes.” Marissa jutted her chin. “But he’s a kidnapper, and I don’t think this is his first kidnapping. The safety release lever in his trunk had been removed. Otherwise I could have escaped without kicking out the taillight.”

  “You didn’t have to kick out the light. I’d already stopped.”

  Marissa glared.

  The sheriff’s face swiveled the kidnapper’s way.

  The man’s dimples flashed a couple times as if he was fighting a smile. Marissa had never hated dimples so much.

  Even Tandy narrowed her eyes. Poor girl. From the conversation Marissa could make out through the trunk, she’d barely escaped a toxic relationship with this criminal.

  The perp held up his right hand. “Confession: I kidnapped my buddy for a bachelor party last weekend. That’s why I disconnected the trunk release—so he couldn’t escape. But also why I thought the trunk would be the safest way to get this car thief to the police station.”

  Tandy tilted her head. “Which buddy is getting married?”

  “DeShawn.”

  “He finally proposed, huh? I’m happy for Shanice.”

  Marissa stomped her foot. “Excuse me. We should be talking about handcuffs, not wedding rings.”

  Griffin cleared his throat. “I won’t arrest you for tampering with evidence, Marissa, but I’m going to need the jumpsuit you’re wearing along with this mystery device. You should have turned it in when you were giving your statement about George’s murder.”

  Marissa had trouble focusing on anything Griffin had said after the part about claiming she tampered with evidence. She was the victim here. “You could arrest me?” her voice squeaked.

  Tandy’s ex nodded. “He could. If you’d been forthcoming with the evidence, I never would have mistaken you for a thief.”

  Marissa held out her hands in disbelief. “It’s not my fault you turned to a life of crime.”

  A corner of Tandy’s lips curved up. “Vic works as an automotive engineer. Car theft prevention is his specialty. He’s kind of passionate about it.”

  Marissa wanted to show him how passionate she was against kidnapping. And murder. Because if this guy had such knowledge about car theft, he could have been the one to steal Randon’s Corvette and kill George.

  Wait. “Did you say his name is Vic? As in Vic Whitaker, the auto collector who was also interested in buying the Corvette?”

  Tandy’s smile slipped. She nodded.

  Vic’s gaze ricocheted between them. “What ‘Vette?”

  Like he didn’t know. Marissa pressed her lips together to gain composure before exploding. So this was why Tandy was set on pinning the crime on Derrick Snodgrass. Either she still had a thing for her ex and didn’t believe he was guilty, or she couldn’t stand him and didn’t want him around for the investigation. “Isn’t that convenient? A guy who wanted Randon’s car and knows all about car theft turns up at the exact same time as an FBI investigation.”

  All eyes focused on the criminal. Finally.

  Griffin’s hand returned to his weapon. “Sir, what exactly are you doing in town today?”

  The guy lifted his palms. The perfect position for handcuffing. “I did want the ‘Vette. When I lost it to Randon Evans, I looked him up on the internet to find out more about what kinds of cars he collects, and that’s when I saw that article about Tandy solving a murder case here in Grace Springs. I came here to see her.”

  Tandy’s eyebrows arched. “Why?”

  His hands dropped to his sides. “I miss you more than that ‘Vette.”

  Tandy’s mind buzzed with static. She’d once longed for this day. But Vic’s timing couldn’t be worse.

  Marissa stuck her hands on her hips. “You’re too late. She’s dating an attorney now. And as part of his job defending his client, he’s going to prove you guilty, dude.”

  Vic’s eyes softened in a way that told Tandy he was more worried about losing her than going to jail. Or about Marissa calling him dude.

  Tandy’s thoughts whirled as Kristin brought out the evidence bag and Griffin pulled out his phone to take pictures of the trunk before retrieving the troublesome electronic device. “I’m going to need you all to come in and give your statements. Kristin, get Agent McNeil on the phone and tell him the car theft ring is more advanced than we thought.”

  Tandy didn’t move, didn’t take her eyes off Vic. “You live in Toledo now. I live here. I don’t see how a relationship would ever work.”

  Vic shoved his hands in his pockets. “The company is letting me go remote. I could work from Grace Springs.”

  Tandy’s cheeks burned. Was she going to get to have her coffee and drink it too? Ironic that lately she’d preferred tea.

  “No.” Marissa pointed a condemning finger. “No. Abso
lutely not.”

  Vic rubbed a hand over his mouth to try smothering a chuckle at her theatrics and their absurd situation. He’d always had a great sense of humor. And a magnetic smile.

  “Stop smiling.” Marissa must have felt it too. “Don’t look at his smile, Tandy. Look away. Do not look directly at him.”

  Tandy smiled back. She couldn’t help it. “Even if you move here and prove yourself innocent of theft, Vic, there’s still the problem that you kidnapped my best friend.”

  Marissa dropped her hand. Her wrath melted into awe as she turned toward Tandy. “I’m your best friend?”

  “Of course you’re my best friend. I chased down this car on foot to rescue you.”

  “You did, didn’t you?” Marissa sighed and stepped forward into an embrace.

  Tandy smiled over her friend’s shoulder at Vic. What did he think of her having a close female friend? She hadn’t had one when she was with him. In fact, she hadn’t had one since Mom had left. It felt good. It felt like family.

  Marissa didn’t hang on for long. She whirled to face Vic once again. “Friends don’t let friends date kidnappers.”

  Vic leaned a hand on the hood of his car and crossed one ankle over the other, obviously not perturbed in the least. “You can pick your friends and you can pick your boyfriend, but you can’t pick your friend’s boyfriend.”

  Okay, Tandy’s heart trilled just a little at that. He wanted to be her boyfriend again. He’d once been everything she’d thought she wanted. Was she stupid for being intrigued at the idea? Would getting back together with someone who’d once left her only be setting herself up for another heartbreak?

  Marissa stepped in front of Tandy, blocking Tandy’s view, and allowing Vic’s image to be replaced with Greg’s. Tandy’s current boyfriend may not have kissed her yet, but he was her other best friend. He was the boyfriend who’d never abandoned her. What kind of person would she be if she abandoned him?

  Chapter Eight

  Tandy had once thought only flirts like Marissa got themselves into love triangles. She’d always had long dry spells between boyfriends, and she’d kind of prided herself on it. She was an independent woman. Or she had been. But now she was so distracted with men that she couldn’t even focus on the idea of a car heist ring or Vic being a suspect in a murder investigation.

  She was trying though. And for that reason, she picked a seat on the opposite side of the tiny police station from Vic to wait to give her statement. The only problem was that with Vic across from her, she couldn’t avoid his searching eye contact. Or contagious grin.

  Shoot, she was grinning at him again. The front door opened. Greg was going to catch her grinning at Vic.

  Tandy straightened and wiped the smile off her face before turning to face her boyfriend.

  But instead of Superman in a 3-piece-suit, she found a rugged looking mountain man in a toolbelt.

  She sank deeper in her seat with relief. “Oh, Connor. Hi.”

  Connor scanned the room, noticed Marissa through the window of the back office and lowered himself into the seat next to Tandy. “Is she all right?”

  Tandy turned sideways and lifted a hand to hide her mouth from Vic as she spoke. “Marissa’s fine, but I’m struggling with this whole love triangle thing.”

  Connor stiffened. His brows drew together. “Tandy, I thought you agreed that there was nothing between us.”

  Between the two of them? Oh yeah, they’d kissed the day before. That morning she’d felt guilty for kissing Connor, but the experience was nothing compared to eye contact with Vic. She was a horrible girlfriend, wasn’t she? “Of course not,” she agreed.

  Connor peered closer. “Are you worried because I haven’t told Marissa about the kiss yet? I was going to do it tonight, but then she got kidnapped, so I’m thinking she might not be in the best place for that conversation, emotionally speaking.”

  Was Marissa ever in a good place, emotionally speaking? “Probably wise.” Tandy tilted her head slightly toward Vic. “The bigger problem is that her kidnapper is my ex-boyfriend. He’s here because he says he wants to get back together with me.”

  Connor’s head jerked up and he glared at her ex.

  Good night, she hadn’t realized he cared so much about who she dated. She hadn’t even mentioned that he was the car collector interested in Randon’s Corvette.

  “Did he kidnap the wrong woman?” Connor spoke quietly to her though he continued to glare at Vic. “Why isn’t he behind bars?”

  Right. Connor wasn’t worried about Tandy’s love triangle. He was worried about Marissa’s alleged abduction.

  “He isn’t really a kidnapper,” she explained.

  A tapping sound came from the office window. Marissa peered at them from the other side then motioned like a maniac for Connor to join her.

  Connor rose. “What in the world is she wearing?”

  “George’s jumpsuit.”

  “Your answers to my questions get weirder and weirder.” Connor strode toward the office. “Maybe Marissa will make more sense.”

  “I doubt it,” Tandy called after him.

  The door closed, leaving her alone with Vic again.

  He caught her eye. “Is that your attorney boyfriend?”

  Tandy couldn’t help laughing at the idea. “No. Connor is Marissa’s boyfriend.”

  Vic smirked. “That’s gotta be a record. My first day in town and I’ve already given two men a reason to hate me.”

  Tandy quirked her lips. “It could be worse. My first day in town, a woman died right in front of me.” The cold breeze blowing from the front door distracted her with the realization that her boyfriend might really have arrived this time. “Imagine being new to town and a murder suspect…” Her voice trailed off at the sight of Greg.

  He even had his Clark Kent glasses on today. Could he use his x-ray vision and see how fast her heart was beating?

  Greg wasn’t looking at her though. His eyes narrowed as he studied Vic even though he didn’t know their connection yet. “You’re Vic Whitaker, a suspect in the murder of George Knibbs?”

  Vic remained in his relaxed posture with forearms resting on thighs. “I don’t know anything about a George Knibbs. I came to Grace Springs because I made the mistake of breaking up with Tandy a few months ago, and I want to see if she’ll give me another chance.”

  Greg rocked back on his heels then turned to face her slowly. “You dated him?”

  “Yeah, I probably should have mentioned that.” Tandy stood to make her case. “In my defense, I told Vic I’m dating you.”

  “Actually.” Vic tilted his head in that puppy dog way of his. “Your friend is the one who said you were dating someone else. You only said you couldn’t date me because I kidnapped her.”

  Tandy bugged her eyes at Vic. He obviously wanted to put her in a difficult situation, never mind that his words were true.

  Greg crossed his arms. “Tandy and I will talk about who she wants to date later. What I want to know from you now is where you were on February 11th at six in the morning.”

  Tandy arched her eyebrows. If Vic was guilty of murder, that could potentially solve all their problems. Greg would win his case, and she’d get more time with him without having to worry about this stupid love triangle anymore. Although the reason she’d defended him earlier was that she knew the only thing Vic was guilty of involved a killer smile.

  Marissa tossed her hair triumphantly as she marched out of Griffin’s office. Tandy’s ex may get off without a kidnapping charge, but Marissa had made quite a case to Griffin about why Vic Whitaker had to be involved in the theft of Randon’s car and the murder of George Knibbs.

  Connor had been no help at all after he’d found out she tried to use the mystery device on her own car rather than contact authorities. Couldn’t he cool it with the safety tips? She was, after all, wearing the snow boots he’d given her. He followed her into the main lobby, freeing the interrogation room for another statement.

&nb
sp; “Tandy, you’re up,” she announced.

  Tandy’s eyes widened as if trying to send her a message. Marissa couldn’t read the message, but she could read the rest of the room. Greg and Tandy’s ex were in some kind of standoff where Greg was the only one standing. The Vic dude chilled in a row of chairs facing them from the far wall.

  Tandy rubbed Greg’s arm before heading into the office. “I’ll be back.”

  Was Tandy worried her boyfriend would leave without her? She should know better. Greg was like a Golden Retriever—loyal despite being easily distracted.

  Marissa would make sure Vic knew this, as well. He did not deserve a second chance with Tandy.

  The door clicked shut.

  Marissa led Connor toward the seats next to Greg, though she didn’t sit. Three against one. “Hi, Greg.”

  “Hi.” Greg sent her a perfunctory glance then scanned her up and down with a frown. “What are you wearing?”

  Connor plopped onto a chair. “She’s wearing the snow boots I bought her. About time, too.”

  Marissa nudged Connor’s boot with hers. They had bigger issues to deal with than the chance she might slip on ice.

  Greg’s gaze travelled to her feet. “Nice. They even have pockets. Very practical.”

  “Yep.” She actually hadn’t noticed the pockets because they were so hideous that she tried to avoid looking at them. But their ugly practicality completed her ensemble perfectly. She sashayed past him and performed a little turn as if on a catwalk. “And in case you didn’t notice, I’m also wearing the jumpsuit George gave me right before he died.”

  Vic nodded even though she hadn’t been talking to him. “Would this be George Knibbs?”

  Marissa spun to face him. “What do you know about George Knibbs?”

  Greg stepped next to her as if preparing to play a game of Red Rover. “I was asking him the same thing.”