by Holly Quinn
The buzzer sounded, and Carter took his spot on the court as the team’s center. His height made him the perfect pick for the position. The game began, and it was like watching a wild game of ping-pong, each team equally matched. As the opposing team would score, a collective “Ohhh” would rise from the crowd, and when Heartsford had the ball, the crowd would leap to its feet and cheer. The fast-paced game seemed to have everyone’s hearts in their throats.
Even with the rush of the game, Sammy couldn’t help but think about Assistant Coach Dave and his son’s sudden promotion to be front and center in front of the Big Ten scouts. The advantage was glaring. She couldn’t help but wonder if there were other kids on the team who might benefit with the head coach in the hospital? As sad as it was, she could see how that could prove to be a motive for injury. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one with this opinion. Her eyes caught Detective Liam Nash just inside the door of the gym, standing with his back against the wall. Sammy studied him without being overly obvious. She wanted to know where his focus lay. He seemed to be happy just taking it all in. Although she did notice his eyes taking in the Big Ten scouts too. Without warning, his eyes locked on her and she quickly turned her head in the other direction. She hoped he hadn’t caught her staring at him.
Carter had the ball and was close to scoring a basket. After the swish through the hoop, the crowd went wild as the basket brought them back into the lead. Sammy leaped to her feet and clapped along with the others. She was happy Carter was playing well on his birthday. No doubt he’d be scouted as a draft pick, hopefully for Wisconsin. He had confided that it was his number one pick for college. Some of those college players even went on to play in the NBA. Granted, it was hard to imagine her adopted no-so-little brother ever living outside Heartsford.
The game was a nail-biter, but the home team pulled it out in the end. The roar of the crowd reached an almost uncontrollable level; the excitement palpable. Sammy knew she would have to hang around while Carter met with some of the coaches and his teammates and she didn’t want to steal his attention. As the crowd rushed the court, she noticed the detective slip out the door. If she weren’t so far away from the exit, she would have followed him to pick his brain. But there was no way she would fight her way through the crowd, it would have to wait.
Connie Allen caught her attention. “Thanks so much for coming, Sam,” she said warmly. Carter’s mother was a picture of her son. They had hair the exact same color and the same wide smile. “Mark’s already out warming the car for us. We’re in a bit of a rush, heading home to order pizzas and get the house ready for the team. Would you like to join us?” Kate’s mother exuded hospitality. Sammy always felt loved and welcomed in her presence.
“Not tonight. But thanks for the offer. I have to go relieve Ellie at the store for close.”
“Sometime soon then. Don’t be a stranger.” Connie’s gray eyes danced with pride as she took one last look at her son before exiting the gym.
When the crowd dispersed and Sammy found an opening, she made her way toward Carter. One glance and he sprinted over, picked her up, and spun her in his arms. When he finally dropped her back on her feet, Sammy laughed from the excitement of it all. “Happy Birthday! Great game!”
The teen’s flushed face was beaming ear to ear. “Thanks for coming, Sammy. I know how hard it is for you to break away from the store. It really means a lot.” He slapped her a high five.
“I’m glad to be here and share this moment with you.” She reached in her dark leather purse and pulled out an envelope. “Here.” Sammy handed him a card. “Just a little something for your birthday. It’s not every day you turn eighteen. I’m so incredibly proud of you.”
“Thanks!” he said quickly before the team all gathered around him and picked him up off the floor screaming his name: “Allen! Allen!”
Sammy watched with amusement as the team members carried Carter across the floor, his face radiating pure delight. If only Kate were there to take in this moment. Before heading out the door, something seized Sammy’s attention, causing her to adjust her vision. She observed the assistant coach, his arm slung loosely around his son’s shoulder, talking to one of the nicely dressed men. Yes, indeed. There was no question. He definitely had something to gain by the coach being hospitalized. A full scholarship to a Big Ten school for his son? Priceless. To ensure his son’s recruitment had he struck down the head coach? Were the crimes indeed connected? If so, how? Sammy wasn’t sure. Sometimes she hated how her mind worked.
After leaving the gym, Sammy realized it was getting late. She called Ellie from her cell phone to apologize. “I am soo sorry. Please don’t be mad. The game went a bit over and by the time I wanted to give Carter his card…”
Ellie interrupted. “It’s absolutely no problem. Don’t worry about it. I’ve closed the store for you before. I think I remember the routine.”
“Do you want me to stop by? Or do you have it handled?”
“Totally have it handled. It was quiet in here tonight. I think the whole town must have been at the game! How was it? Did Carter score a lot of points?”
Sammy was unlocking her car with the key fob and accidentally hit the alarm button sending shrieks of alarm bells into the parking lot. “Oh crap. Hold on a second. Can I call you back?”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Don’t worry about close, I’ve got it.” Ellie clicked the phone off ending the call between them.
As she was deactivating the car alarm, Detective Liam Nash pulled up alongside her in his silver Honda Civic and rolled the window. “Everything all right over here?”
Sammy’s face flushed red. “Yes. Just a minor issue unlocking my car. Nothing to see here.” She waved her hands as if to shoo away an annoying insect. “You can move along.”
“Feisty tonight I see.” He leaned his arm out the window. “I was hoping to talk with you for a moment. I didn’t think I would get the chance but since you sounded the alarm for me to find you…” He grinned.
“I did not sound the alarm on purpose, I assure you.” Sammy rolled her eyes and threw a hand to one hip. “What did you want to talk about?” She was a wee bit upset that she hadn’t heard from the detective since the night they’d shared a pizza, although she had no clue why this bothered her. But it did. Clearly, her defensive walls were going up brick by brick.
“Do you have time to grab a cup of coffee?” Liam turned his head to check the clock on his dash and then asked, “Better yet, is Sweet Tooth still open? I’m still dreaming about that darn cake. I think I’m hooked.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as if to say hurry up and decide.
He missed the cake … not her. Sammy took in a slow breath, still confused at the offer. “Sure. Ellie’s closing the shop for me. But Sweet Tooth is only open until seven o’clock, so we don’t have much time.” She opened the driver’s side door. “Although sometimes Marilyn keeps the store open on game nights because the excitement draws a crowd.”
“I’ll meet you there.” He didn’t wait for her to change her mind and quickly drove away.
“Men.” Sammy huffed. “All he wants is cake.”
She couldn’t understand her sudden agitation. He certainly hadn’t done anything wrong. She was just pissed she hadn’t heard from him sooner. He was using her for information. Nothing more. Sammy decided she’d better change her attitude before reaching the bakery. She flipped on the ignition switch and turned the steering wheel in the direction of the lengthy line of headlights leaving the parking lot. After two nineties songs played on the radio and transported her back to another era—and singing inside the empty car at the top of her lungs—she felt much better.
Sammy pulled up in front of the bakery, snagging the last available space on Main Street. She glanced down the road before exiting the car and noticed the darkened Community Craft windows. She was glad Ellie had everything closed tight and had returned home to Randy and Tyler. The Sweet Tooth, as expected, was overflowing with teens in basketbal
l uniforms, and parents, and friends celebrating the big win. The detective was exiting his car and swiftly joined her as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. He rubbed his hands together in excitement. “I’m so glad they’re still open. My mouth is watering.”
“I guess I should have sent you home with leftovers. I ended up putting the rest of the cake in the freezer.”
“Yeah, mine wouldn’t have made it to the freezer. I would have eaten it long before I would let that happen.”
“That’s why men are so lucky. They never have to worry about their weight or what they look like.”
“Sometimes you say the strangest things,” he shook his head in disagreement. “Guys still have to watch their weight. But it’s okay to splurge now and then,” he added as he looked down at his trim waistline.
Sammy shrugged before opening wide the bakery door. “After you,” she held the door, and to her surprise, the detective walked directly inside. Most men would have said, “After you,” and insisted on holding the door. But not Liam Nash. She thought about this as they fought their way through the crowd to stand in line. Sammy’s eyes adjusted to the pale pink walls of the bakery. They had been repainted but remained the same color as they’d been when she was a child and would come with her mother and sister to have those dreaded you’ll soon be a woman talks. The thought made her chuckle.
Liam was right, maybe she did say some strange things. Her filter must be broken. The things that crossed her mind usually tumbled right out her mouth. She’d have to pay more attention to that. Now that was a good thought. She chuckled to herself.
Sammy looked at the length of the line and the remaining seats filling up and made an executive decision. She called Liam closer and cuffed a hand to his ear. “What do you want? How about I wait in line and you go save us a seat? Otherwise, it’ll be standing room only.”
Liam reached into his pocket and handed her a twenty-dollar bill. “Something sweet and delicious. You pick. I trust you have good taste.” He winked and then left the line to sit in the last corner booth.
When she reached the counter, Marilyn’s face was flushed from the rush of juicy gossip, and she couldn’t keep herself from smiling. “Did I see you come in with the new detective? Care to share, darlin’?” The baker’s eyes danced from Sammy back toward where Liam was sitting casually looking down at his cell phone.
“Oh. No.” Sammy laughed. “We just ran into each other at the game, and he wanted to ask me something. I’m sure it has to do with the investigation.” She waved a hand airily like it was nothing. And it was nothing. But she secretly wished it was something.
Marilyn’s eyes narrowed. “I heard they’re getting close to making an arrest. You’ll have to let me know what he tells you.”
This took Sammy completely off guard. “You’re kidding?”
“No, that’s what I’m hearing.” Marilyn lowered her voice.
The line backed up because the baker wanted every bit of juicy gossip from every person who stood to wait in line. Before anyone could get any more agitated, Sammy said, “I’ll have two chocolate cupcakes with that new strawberry frosting and two milks please.” She pointed to the glass case that held every amazing and hip-extending piece of pastry imaginable.
Marilyn placed two cupcakes on a tray along with the glasses of milk and rested it on the counter until Sammy gave her the detective’s twenty-dollar bill.
While making change, Marilyn said. “You have a good night, darlin’.” She raised her eyebrows in delight. “And keep me posted, you hear?” she mouthed.
Sammy picked up the tray and carefully made her way to the booth where the detective was sitting, being ever so cautious not to drip the milk on the tray. She placed it on the table of the booth and, without removing her coat slid into the red leather seat.
The detective frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t drink milk. I’m lactose intolerant.” He moved the milk to her side of the table.
“Oh, gosh. Do you want something else?” Why didn’t he tell her that before she ordered? Did he not say he’d eat anything she chose?
“Nah,” he waved her away and instantly took a bite of the cupcake, closing his eyes in a dream state of euphoria.
“You realize there’s probably lactose in that cupcake you’re eating,” she warned as she pointed to the deep dark chocolate with whipped strawberry frosting, perfectly piped.
His eyes popped open, and he frowned. After slowly swallowing the lump of chocolate in his mouth he said, “I didn’t have trouble the other day.”
“I’m just warning you. Don’t blame me if you have to make a run for it.”
Liam began to laugh, and he didn’t stop laughing until his eyes watered.
“What?” For the life of her, Sammy couldn’t understand what was so funny.
“I’m not lactose intolerant. I’ll drink the milk,” Nash waved his hand toward himself. “Give it here. I’ll take it.”
“And you think I’m the strange one?” She rolled her eyes. “Choke on your chocolate.”
“I’m just trying to get you to relax. You seem a bit, what’s the word … aggravated?”
Sammy breathed deep. She never liked when someone pointed out her attitude—even when they were dead-on. It was sending her mood deeper in the wrong direction. “I apologize. I have a lot on my plate, and all this chaos happening…” She took a bite of the cupcake before divulging anything more.
“I wanted to talk to you because I think this might help you feel better, and I wanted you to be the first to know so you don’t have to worry another night.” The detective sucked in a breath. “You do have some bags under your eyes. Have you been sleeping?” he said, pointing to her eyes.
Who is this guy? Sammy continued to eat her cupcake. The thought of throwing it at him fleetingly crossed her mind. She stayed silent.
“I take that as a no?” his eyebrows rose. “Anyhow … We’re getting close to making an arrest and normally I don’t share this kind of information but…”
“Lower your voice,” Sammy hissed as she looked over her shoulder. “You’ve never lived in a small town, have you? Marilyn just told me you were making an arrest which means half of Heartsford probably already knows!”
Liam sat back in the booth as if his face had just been slapped. He was obviously shocked. She really needed to work on her approach as he seemed taken aback yet again. It was an interesting self-reflection. Maybe because he was new in town? Was that the reason he was consistently surprised by her words? In a small town like Heartsford, most people tended to look past your personality because they’d known you for years. Was she this pointedly candid with everyone … or just him? She was enjoying his company if for no other reason than to psychoanalyze herself.
After a long pause, Sammy addressed him again. “Who?” Sammy softened her tone. “Who are you arresting? I’m assuming you’re talking about the murder of Ingrid Wilson? Or did you mean Coach’s rundown on the road? Or are you arresting someone for both crimes?”
The detective regained his composure and leaned in across the table so only Sammy could hear.
“Miles Danbury.”
Sammy had no other choice than to sit in stunned silence.
Chapter Fourteen
Sammy hesitated before calling Heidi, knowing full well that her cousin’s preferred method of communication was text. But she needed information desperately. She finally settled on a text:
Any chance you can stop in store today? Need to see you.
Everything okay? What’s wrong? Is this a 911?
Sammy knew this would happen.
Everything fine. Just need to talk.
Sammy hoped this would stop the back and forth and Heidi would make the time to come in. A phone call would only rile Heidi up, and Sammy wouldn’t get the information she needed without a face-to-face visit.
Be right over.
Sammy smiled. “Good,” she said aloud.
While she was wait
ing for Heidi to stop in Community Craft, she went straight to work, unloading new spring merchandise. A fresh box of Lilian Brown’s handmade soaps had been dropped off during Ellie’s watch. Sammy heaved the large box over to the soap display and made room on the shelves to restock. After she opened the box, the air filled with a welcome scent. As she unwrapped each bar of the new lavender-scented soap, she breathed in deeply; her anxious mind soon relaxed. She hadn’t even emptied a third of the box when Heidi came rushing into the store and came over to stand directly at Sammy’s side.
“Holy cow. That was fast.” Sammy turned and greeted her cousin. She swiped at her hair that had fallen in front of her eyes and tucked it behind one ear.
Heidi jutted a thumb toward the door. “I was across the street having coffee with Tim. He’s starting his shift soon … so here I am.” She displayed jazz hands as if she was about to start a Broadway production.
“Looks like you’re just getting off your shift.” Sammy pointed to her cousin’s scrubs. It was Sammy’s absolute pet peeve. Couldn’t she change at the hospital or clean up at home first before sitting at a public establishment like Liquid Joy? But today, she bit her lip. She had more important things to discuss.
“Yeah. Long night … I’m about ready for bed. How was the game?”
“How did you know I went to the game?” Sammy placed a bar of soap on top of a pyramid that she had created on the shelf.
“Mayor Allen and Carter stopped in the hospital after his birthday party. It was late, but Carter insisted he had to see Coach to talk about the game or he wouldn’t feel right. He’s such a great kid, that Carter.” Heidi leaned a hand on the display to suddenly hold up her weary body. “So, why did you want to see me? Ideas for Spring Fling? How about we consider a fashion show this year? I think that would be right up my alley. I’d be happy to model if you’d like.” Heidi puckered her lips and batted her long mascara-dipped eyelashes.
“Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a fundraiser for Coach to help with some of the medical bills. How is he?”
