A Crafter Knits a Clue

by Holly Quinn

The detective ignored her line of questioning and instead kept his answer vague.

  “Pandora’s box I’m afraid. The more I investigate, the more suspects are added to the list.” He wiped his hand across a weary face. The corners of his eyes showed a few wrinkles that Sammy had missed at their initial meeting, and scattered white strands randomly peppered his black hair. It only added a more mature allure to his looks. The stress of the job, though, must have taken its toll. She wondered what horrors the detective had seen over the course of his career.

  “I was afraid of that.” Sammy chewed her lip. “Did you collect the coffee cup for evidence?”

  The detective’s tired eyes narrowed. “Coffee cup? You remembered that on the scene? You didn’t mention it when I questioned you.” He leaned forward in the chair, resting an arm comfortably on the desk.

  The closeness of him, leaning in on the desk made her uneasy, and she wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the scent of his cologne. The musk stimulated something in her that she thought was dead: attraction. There really wasn’t a big pond left to fish in Heartsford. He was new fish. She wondered how quickly his shiny new scales would wear off.

  “I remembered when I was putting my groceries away. I think I was in shock when we spoke.… I still might be. In shock, that is.” Shock or desire at the current moment, Sammy wasn’t sure which was the stronger emotion. Was her face flushing? Oh God, please let her face not be flushing.

  He nodded.

  “So, did you?”

  “Did I what?”

  “Did you collect the coffee cup … for evidence?”

  “As a matter of fact, we did collect it.” Liam sat back in the chair casually and crossed one ankle over the other. “I don’t imagine we’ll find anything other than Ingrid’s fingerprints,” he added flippantly.

  “Well, I certainly doubt that,” Sammy said under her breath.

  “Sorry?” Liam cuffed a hand to one ear. “I missed it.”

  “Yes. It seems you miss a lot.” Sammy rolled her eyes. “Ingrid didn’t drink coffee.”

  “Is that so?” The detective shifted in his chair. “Seems to me you’re the one with all the answers. I guess I came to the right place to ask questions. You obviously don’t trust that I know how to do my job.” He pointed a finger at the desk.

  “It seems to me,” Sammy interjected, “that we’re getting off on the wrong foot. Should we try again?” The attraction was morphing to irritation. After all, how inappropriate would it be for her flirt with the new detective during a murder investigation? The timing felt wrong. Sammy knew intuitively she was trying to put out her own flame. She knew herself well. Arguing with him was her strategy for diffusion. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be working. The man was hot.

  The detective smiled wide, surprising her. “You are something.” He smirked. “The name’s Liam Nash, new to Heartsford.” He extended a hand for her to shake. “Won’t you give me the warm Heartsford welcome that I’ve heard the Community Craft store is known for?”

  Sammy rolled her eyes and shook his hand, his palm hard and calloused to the touch. She couldn’t help but think Mrs. Brown’s sugar scrub soaps would soften them up right quick. Would it be rude to suggest it?

  “I did hear that your store is the hot spot for the town. A real gathering place.” Liam looked around the office room and waved his hands dramatically. “You should be proud of what you’ve created here. I’ve heard nothing but really good things,” he added sincerely.

  “I can’t take the credit. A good friend of mine created it. I’m just furthering the legacy that her blood, sweat, and tears built.”

  “Ahh. I’d like to hear more about that sometime. Maybe over dinner?”

  Liam Nash continually surprised her. That was the last thing she thought would come out of his mouth. The detective was very unpredictable. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to see her for business or pleasure. He was a tough read. Something was drawing her to him though. Curiosity? Attraction? Or wanting to solve the murder of Ingrid Wilson? Either way, it didn’t matter. Sammy decided to take him up on the offer.

  “Sure.”

  “Let’s go then.” Liam lifted from the chair, causing a scraping sound on the floor. He then stretched his arms toward the ceiling to crack his back.

  “Oh. I can’t right now. I have to go home to let my dog out.”

  “Perfect. We’ll pick up takeout and eat at your place.” He picked up the phone and handed it to her. “Order up. I’ll buy. It’s my way of starting us on the right foot.” He winked and headed into the shop to browse the handmade products while she made the call.

  “But I still have work left at the store to get ready for Spring Fling…” She stood and leaned forward over the desk so he would hear her.

  He returned and rested his hand on the doorjamb. “I thought you said you had to let your dog out? Never mind the spring thing; tomorrow’s another day. You’ll get it all done.”

  “Spring Fling, not spring thing,” Sammy corrected. “And yes, I was going to pick him up and bring him back with me to work after hours. Oh, forget it. Fine, I’ll call.” She dialed the number for the Corner Grill and ordered a pizza. “What type of toppings on your pie?” She cuffed the phone as she called out and waited for an answer.

  “I’m easy. You choose. I’ll eat the box, I’m starving,” Liam said over his shoulder. Sammy watched as he fingered a local author’s book about the farming industry surrounding Heartsford.

  “The cash register is still on if you want to purchase something?” Sammy moved out of the office and onto the shop floor after placing the order.

  He turned to her. “It will give me an excuse to come back.”

  Sammy tried to read his expression. He must have done a lot of interrogations in his line of work because all she could read was pure poker face. “Suit yourself.” She reached for her lined nylon jacket and, after he reshelved the book, they walked to the back door.

  “How about you give me your address? I’ll pick up the food and meet you back at your place. It will give you time to let your dog out.” He handed her a tiny old fashioned notebook to write her address in, which made her chuckle. Most people would just text it. Or find some other modern technology to use for taking notes.

  “Sounds good.” Sammy handed back the pen and the pad with her address and waved goodbye in the parking lot, just as Marilyn was bouncing toward her, waving a hand and balancing a pink box in the other.

  “Hey, darlin’! Are you leaving early? I thought you were working overtime to prepare for Spring Fling? I told you I had a sample for you. You’re my best critic.” Marilyn eyed Sammy cautiously. “Was that the new detective? What did he want?”

  The baker’s eyes moved to follow the back of the detective getting into his car. A silver Honda Civic. He already knows where I live. That’s the car that was on my block this morning. Sammy couldn’t believe her eyes. She did a double take.

  “Honey. Did you hear me?” Marilyn was shaking Sammy’s arm to get her attention.

  “I’m sorry. Thanks so much for the treat. I have to go.” She plucked the pink box from the baker who wanted more than gratitude. A stunned Marilyn looked like her face had been slapped, but Sammy kept pace, moving toward her car. “I’ll let you know if this recipe’s a keeper. But you already know I love all your baked goodies,” she said as she placed the cake on the front passenger seat and closed the door of her car. Sammy knew this wasn’t a gift; it was a bribe to get her to open her mouth for more than just dessert. Sammy gave a wave of one hand through the window and drove out of the parking lot as Marilyn stood and watched her leave.

  Chapter Eight

  The Wisconsin sun made its final appearance as the day sunk deep into the horizon. Brilliant magenta colored the skyline as if someone had taken a bucket and splashed it with vivid-colored paint. Sammy soaked in the beauty of her surroundings as she led Bara on a short trek down the street to stretch his legs. It had been a few days since they’d had a solid walk and
neither had gotten the workout they both needed. Hopefully the upcoming warmer weather would encourage a better exercise routine. Sammy saw Detective Liam Nash pull into her driveway, so she turned and started a light jog toward him with Bara in close pursuit. Liam retrieved the large pizza box, the smell emanating from his Honda Civic tantalizing Samantha’s appetite. He then leaned over and gave Bara a pat on the head. The dog wagged his tail and lolled his tongue in response.

  “He’s a doll. What’s his name?”

  “Bara.” She grinned and stroked her hand down the Golden’s back. “He’s my baby. How did you know he was male?”

  The detective jutted his hip revealing a badge attached to his dark blue jeans. “I’m into details.”

  Sammy smiled and nodded in response. She was into details too. She wanted to ask him why his Honda Civic had already been in her neighborhood and why he pretended to not know her address. It left her feeling slightly uncomfortable. She would have to get to the bottom of it. But to avoid getting back on the wrong foot, Sammy brushed it aside. For now.

  “Come on in.”

  She held open the door of the house as he squeezed past her. The dog and the large pizza box forced them to bump arms. He tried to remove his shoe using the back of his heel for leverage while balancing the pizza at the same time. Sammy noticed his predicament and removed the large box from his grasp, hurried into the kitchen, and set it on the counter. “What would you like to drink?” she hollered from the adjacent room.

  “I’ll have whatever you’re having.” He stayed close to the door as he seemed enamored with her dog and sank to his knees petting the animal.

  Sammy leaned into the refrigerator and came out embarrassed. She needed to visit the store again, the minimal amount she had picked up yesterday barely filled the top shelf. “Water? With a squeeze of lemon?”

  “Perfect.”

  Sammy glanced around the small kitchen. She loved the sophistication of the space. The tall white cabinets reached the dark bead-boarded ceiling, giving a cozy feeling of height. The country-style nickel knobs added a muted sparkle. Ralph took pride in his rentals, and it showed in the design. The kitchen’s major downfall was that the center island left only a few feet of space in which to maneuver. There was only room for a small table and two ladder back chairs in a corner nook. Sammy wasn’t sure she wanted to sit so close to the detective again. She quickly removed the pizza box from the counter and set it on the coffee table in front of the fireplace. “If it’s okay, let’s eat here … in the living room?”

  “What can I do to help?” he asked as his attention left the dog and he stood to help her.

  “Flip that switch. Please. Let’s get a fire going. It’s a little chilly in here.” She pointed to the switch and then shrugged off her coat. “Can you hang our coats on the peg over there?” Sammy handed him her coat and then quickly moved back into the kitchen. She returned with two glasses of water and a roll of paper towels under her arm.

  Liam was sitting comfortably on the couch, with Bara at his feet. Sammy could see that her dog had already taken a liking to the man. That was encouraging. Her dog was a pretty good judge of character.

  “Sorry it’s so casual.” She set the glasses on the coffee table and then handed him the roll of paper towels. “I wasn’t expecting company tonight.”

  “Not a problem. As I told you before, I’m easy to please.” He leaned forward and ripped them each a towel, setting his on his lap and placing one on the coffee table for her.

  Sammy’s face flushed. Did she want to please him? She wasn’t sure. Or was he only here to soften her up for an upcoming interrogation? She pushed the thoughts down deep and instead flipped the pizza box open. “Dig in.”

  Liam pulled at the melted cheese to release a slice from the pie. “This looks amazing.” He took a large bite and closed his eyes as if in a dream state.

  “Yeah, they make a pretty good pie.”

  “Pie?” he said between bites. “Are you from Chicago? I thought you were most likely born here in Heartsford? Isn’t that an Illinois term?”

  “My dad is from Chicago. I guess he called it pie growing up and it stuck with our family. Yes, I’m from Heartsford. Born and raised.” Sammy smiled before taking a bite of pizza. The cheese melted in her mouth. The pepperoni a perfect combination of salt and spice. He was right. It was delicious.

  “Tell me more about Community Craft. I’ve heard so much good comes out of that store, and I don’t just mean merchandise. You mentioned a friend started it? To be exact, I believe you said it began with blood, sweat, and tears?”

  Sammy took a deep breath and rested her half-eaten slice of pizza inside the box. “Have you met Mayor Allen yet? Carter’s dad?”

  “Yes, I’ve briefly met the mayor? Why?”

  “Well, Carter was their oopsy-daisy baby. There are many years between him and his elder sister. Now, I don’t think he’s so much of an oopsy, but more of a miracle … As God knew what was in store for the Allen family.” Sammy paused a few moments before continuing.

  “Anyhow, the mayor’s daughter, Kate, was my best friend in high school. She and I were seriously tight. Wherever you saw Kate, you saw me, and vice versa. My sister and cousin are a few years older, and when they graduated from our school, I was completely lost without them. Kate stepped in … sort of replacing them, to be honest … and she and I became inseparable.” Sammy smiled at the memory. “She was always small-town. Never wanted to leave Heartsford. And she didn’t. What she created at Community Craft is so much bigger than retail.” Her eyes filled when she glanced at Liam. “It’s her work. It’s the way she so freely loved. That’s what created it. I’m just trying to fill very big shoes.” She picked up the slice of pizza and took a bite to keep her from crying in front of the detective.

  “I’ve heard nothing but good things. People talk very highly of Community Craft … and you.”

  But Sammy quickly waved away the compliment. “It’s all Kate. It’s also why I was so protective of Carter the other day, regarding questioning him. He’s my adopted little brother now.”

  “What happened to Kate?”

  “Terrible. Kate was in a freak accident. There was a big event planned at a farm just outside town. A fundraiser of course, for something she was involved in. They were going to have tractor races at the event, and she was practicing with some friends and townspeople. Anyhow, she was on a tractor … it backfired. When she stepped off to see what was wrong, the tractor rolled on top of her … gruesome.” Sammy took in a breath and stopped.

  “You don’t have to say any more. I can see this is upsetting to talk about.”

  Sammy quickly wiped a tear that had slipped out and then smiled out of embarrassment. After a moment, she took another bite of pizza and didn’t stop eating until she hit crust.

  Her mind wandered as she chewed. It flipped back and forth like a seesaw until she couldn’t take it anymore. After finishing her slice of pizza, the curiosity won out. “Okay. I know you’ve been in this neighborhood before. I recognized your car when you left the parking lot in town. Care to explain?” Sammy knew her words were coming out sharp. She tried to gentle them, but her attempt was weak at best.

  The detective set his pizza slice down in the box to respond before taking another bite. “You are attentive. I’ll give you that.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand instead of removing the napkin from his lap. “What makes you so sure it was my car?”

  “Because it was a silver Honda Civic, and there’s a bit of rust on the front bumper.”

  “Nice. You are certainly paying attention.”

  “Well, I’m sorry. I still feel horrible I couldn’t give a better description of the dark blue car that rushed out of the lot yesterday when Ingrid died.” Sammy slumped her shoulders. “I’m trying to be more alert to my surroundings.” He didn’t have to know that, on a good day, she usually was alert to her surroundings. Just not the day Ingrid died. Unfortunately, that particular day she was in
a lack-of-sunshine funk and too caught up in her own head.

  “That’s good. You should pay attention,” Liam encouraged. “Especially now.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “The reason I’ve been following you is not what you think.”

  “You’ve been tailing me?” Sammy rose from the couch and brushed the crust and crumbs off her lap to the floor. She was too irate to care about cleanliness. Immediately Bara came and licked them up and put the remains between his paws and started chewing at the long crust.

  The detective reached for her wrist and encouraged her to sit back down. Sammy shook her wrist loose and stood defiantly with her hands on her hips, waiting for an apology. He had lied to her, and it was not sitting well.

  “Typically, after a victim is found, the perpetrator will follow those closest to the victim … to see how much information they know. You could be in danger, Samantha.” The alarm in his voice caused her to soften, and she slumped onto the couch.

  “You think someone’s following me?” Sammy wasn’t sure if she was ready to tell him he might be spot on. Had it been it her imagination the other night? Or was that also Liam in his Honda Civic? She couldn’t be sure as it was dark at night when she thought she was being tailed.

  “Let’s just say I’ve been doing my job. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I already knew where you lived. I didn’t want to spread unnecessary alarm, and now I’m afraid I might have.” His eyes were soft and concerned.

  Sammy wasn’t sure what to say, but she didn’t have time to respond as they both were suddenly interrupted by a knock at her front door.

  “Were you expecting company?”

  “No.” Sammy rose from the couch and when she reached the door peeked through the peephole. “It’s my sister. Can you excuse me for a moment? Go ahead and keep eating without me. I don’t want your pizza getting cold.”

  Sammy opened the door, and her sister almost barged past, but Sammy lifted a strong arm to stop her.

  “You’re not letting me in? It’s getting dark, and it’s cold out here.” Ellie brushed her wind-blown russet hair away from her eyes. She leaned over Sammy’s shoulder to get a better look at who was inside.