The Tea Shoppe Mysteries

by Darlene Franklin

  He waved a dismissive hand. “Okay.”

  If I were to look up rude in the dictionary, I felt certain I’d see his picture. Biting my tongue to prevent from saying what I thought, I returned to my seat. “He’s impossible,” I whispered to Brad.

  “Only a few more weeks, and you’ll be in another class.” He reached over and patted my hand.

  I tried to concentrate on the rest of the class, I really did, but all I wanted to do was start working my way down the list of names I’d made last night. I could make some calls after work, but that seemed so far away.

  Instead, I forced myself to focus on today’s lesson of finding out a perpetrator by fingerprints, hair samples, and skin flakes. I doubted I could use any of that in solving Roy’s murder. I didn’t have the tools. All I had was a nosiness and a drive for justice. Hopefully that would be enough.

  After class I agreed to have Brad over again at six and rushed to work. The day filled with more than the usual deliveries, and I soon found myself running behind. I ducked into the corner drugstore to deliver pastries to the pharmacist then barged back outside, running smack into someone.

  “Careful.” Sue patted her teased-up hair. “You almost knocked me down.”

  “You’re just the person I wanted to see.” I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the side of the building. “Are you sure Roy was supposed to meet with Sea Side Construction? The owners left town yesterday afternoon.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Of course I’m sure. I told you, it’s in my book.” She pulled the gaudy-colored appointment book from her purse and opened it. “See? I even wrote it in ink. It isn’t like Roy announced his appointments on the street corner.”

  Sure enough. There it was. “Is that the only place you would have made note of it? Would Roy have jotted it down somewhere himself?”

  She gave a one-shoulder shrug. “His desk calendar maybe, but that’s taped off.” Her narrowed eyes disappeared under the thick lashes she wore. “Why are you questioning me?”

  “I told you, I want to find out who killed Roy. Have you spoken to the police again?”

  “I’m headed there now, in fact. It occurred to them that I might have an appointment book.” She slid it back into her purse. “They aren’t as stupid as you think.”

  If they wanted the book, they weren’t considering his death a suicide. That was good news.

  She smirked at me. “Don’t be surprised if they call you in for more questions, since you found him.”

  “You were the last to see him alive.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “You aren’t a very nice person, Ashley.” She lifted her nose in the air and marched off on four-inch heels the color of a pumpkin.

  My phone rang on my way back to the shop. “Hello?”

  “Ms. Lawrence, this is Officer Rogen. We’d like you to come to the precinct for more questions.”

  I closed my eyes. “When? Now? I’m working.”

  “As soon as possible.” Click.

  I sighed and went to tell Georgina I’d have to take the last hour of work off. Then I sent a text to Brad, telling him I might be late meeting him later and why.

  CHIN UP, he replied. YOU’VE DONE NOTHING WRONG. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED. I’LL BRING CHINESE.

  I looked forward to another evening spent with Brad as I headed for the police station.

  CHAPTER 4

  After waiting in the reception area for the police to finish interrogating Sue, I was finally ushered into Officer Rogen’s office. He motioned for me to take a seat, then steepled his fingers under his chin and narrowed his eyes.

  I refused to squirm under his watchful stare, and arched a brow. “Am I here to endure the silent treatment, or do you actually have questions for me?”

  He sneered. “Since the receptionist withheld information, I’m wondering if there’s something you haven’t told us.”

  Like digging through dumpsters? Wanting to solve the murder for justice and a good grade on an assignment? Taking photos of the crime scene? “No, not that I can think of.” I put on my most innocent face, which, judging by the suspicious look in Rogen’s eyes, wasn’t very innocent.

  He took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I do hope that your forensics class hasn’t given you any ideas about meddling in my investigation.”

  “I’m a college student, not a forensic scientist.” There. I could answer without lying. Not telling the truth to law enforcement could get me into a lot of trouble. Even a dreamer like me knew that.

  “I don’t want you discussing this with Sue Wilson either.”

  “We don’t exactly run in the same social circles, Officer.” Was he going to ask me any questions, or just tell me what to do?

  “Tell me again every detail starting from when you entered Mr. Miller’s office.”

  Ah, the change tactic routine. I told him everything except about taking photographs and noticing the chair turned around to face the wall. “Are you convinced now that it wasn’t a suicide?”

  “I cannot divulge that.” He sat back in his chair. “You have a very observant eye, Ms. Lawrence. Are you sure you didn’t see more?”

  What was it he wanted or hadn’t wanted me to see? “Finding my old boss and friend dead was traumatic. That’s all I remember. Maybe when his death isn’t as fresh, some facts may become clearer. It happens sometimes on TV.”

  “TV isn’t real.”

  “I watch true crime shows on a regular basis.” I had ever since high school.

  “Spare me from wannabe law enforcement.” He rolled his eyes. “We’re done here. Remember … do not interfere.”

  Dismissed, I smiled and left the room, texting Brad that I was on my way home. I’d survived another encounter with the sour-faced Officer Rogen and not told a single lie. Was omitting what I knew a lie? Maybe. I felt a twinge of regret, but I really, really wanted justice and to put my snide professor in his place at the same time. Add in the fact that Rogen seemed overly suspicious of me, and I felt I had plenty of reasons to get involved.

  Once outside, I glanced around for Sue, wanting to know what questions she’d been grilled with. Not seeing her, I got in my car and drove home. I needed to study the photographs with a magnifying glass. There was definitely something in Roy’s office I’d missed.

  I sent Brad another text that the door was open and to come on in when he arrived. I poured two glasses of tea and settled down at the table with a magnifying glass I’d picked up at the drugstore on my way home.

  “What are you doing?”

  I jumped and screamed. “Sneaking up on me is not funny, Brad.”

  He laughed then sobered. “You shouldn’t leave your door unlocked if you’re this easy to sneak up on.”

  “Sea Side is a safe town, for the most part. Why should I be worried?”

  “Because you’re investigating a murder?” He raised his brows and set a bag of Chinese takeout on the table.

  “No one but you knows that.” My stomach rumbled at the delicious aroma of chow mein and kung pao chicken. “Officer Rogen seems to think I saw something in Roy’s office that I’m either not saying or don’t remember. I’m studying the photographs in more detail. He also told Sue to bring in the appointment book.”

  “Why should he care what you saw?” Brad handed me the box of kung pao chicken. “He’s the police officer. He would have seen the same thing.”

  “Unless I saw something I shouldn’t have seen.” The thought sent a cold stab through my heart. “One, he’s worried about my safety, or two, he’s hoping I didn’t see something he wants to keep hidden.” I dropped the magnifying glass. “Do you think he could be a dirty cop?”

  Brad shook his head. “You watch too much television.”

  Second time someone told me that today. “What if someone in the car we saw in the alley last night was actually watching us and not just passing by?” I unwrapped a set of chopsticks. “What if the person was there to do some searching of their own?” I tilted my
head. “That same person could have said something to the authorities, and that’s what has Rogen asking these questions.”

  Brad paused, an egg roll halfway to his mouth. “These types of what-ifs scare me.”

  “I could be onto something.”

  “Yes, you could.” His brow furrowed. “That would mean the danger for us has already increased.” He got up and locked the door. “Have you noticed anyone following you?” Moving to the front window, he peered through the curtains.

  “No, but I haven’t paid any attention.” I dug into my food, refusing to be fazed about a possible follower without proof. Other than the possibility of the occupants of the car spying on us, no one could possibly know what we were up to except … “I think Sue might have said something to Rogen. I did mention to her that I wanted to find Roy’s killer.”

  “What?” He stared at me, shock flickering across his face. “Why would you do that?”

  “It’s the only way I could get her to talk to me. She thought I killed Roy.” I wonder what motive she and the police thought I could possibly have to commit murder?

  Brad sat back down and continued eating. “That’s it, then. Sue mentioned it to the police, and that prompted all the questions from Rogen.” Some of the tension seemed to have left his shoulders. “I bet the car we saw last night was an officer patrolling the crime scene on his regular beat.”

  That would explain Rogen’s suspicions that I withheld information. I’d have to be more careful with my snooping and what I mentioned to people.

  “Do you want to study the photographs while I do some online searching of the names on my list?” I wiped my mouth with a paper napkin.

  “I’ll look at the photos then join you in looking up the names. Rogen wouldn’t have mentioned you seeing something if there wasn’t something to see. Since I wasn’t at the crime scene, I might notice something you’d skim over.” He smiled. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked if I found out anything at work.”

  “Did you? I didn’t think you’d have had time. Are your bosses back?”

  “No, but our receptionist confirmed they were supposed to meet with Roy and had to cancel because something bigger came up.” Satisfied with himself, he sat back. “They supposedly went to Portland.”

  “Oregon?”

  “No.” He laughed. “Maine.”

  “Did you confirm?”

  “I couldn’t, not without seeing an itinerary. I’ll try to snoop during her lunch break tomorrow. If I can find out who they were to meet with, I can call and ask if they showed.”

  “If they didn’t, that would mean they could have something to do with Roy’s murder.”

  He frowned. “I don’t see why they would kill him, but if we could eliminate them, we could focus our efforts somewhere else.” He stood, gathered our garbage, and threw it in the trash before taking over studying the photographs.

  I booted up my laptop and started googling names from my list. All were men from local and surrounding businesses. Not strange since Miller Inc. provided insurance for said businesses. Nothing fishy there. I appeared to be doing nothing more than finding dead ends.

  “Do you have a Connor Shipping on your list of names?” Brad glanced up from the picture he studied.

  “No, why?”

  “Take a look at this.” He handed me the magnifying glass. “Look at the desk calendar. Part of the word has been erased. Maybe you can tell what it said.”

  Hmm. It did look like Connor, but it could be something closer to Donley? I grabbed my list and set it next to the photograph.

  “It could be Henry Shipping. Maybe.”

  “Never heard of them. Let me see your list.” He circled a few names that could, at a stretch, be the erased company name. “You could try calling these tomorrow and see if they had a meeting with Roy. Figure out something you could ask them to follow up on.”

  I nodded and typed in corporations in Sea Side, Maine, in my search engine, adding a couple more names to my list. I compared my new list to my old list and wrote down the names of CEOs and managers next to each company. It gave me a very good starting point.

  School and work didn’t leave me with a lot of daytime hours to make calls, but I could do so in between deliveries. I really wanted to get back into Roy’s office. “How much trouble does a person get into if they’re caught entering a taped-off crime scene?”

  “Arrest.”

  I could risk that, maybe, if it meant clearing my name. Sue would have a key to the building. I figured convincing her to help me would be harder than not getting caught.

  “Don’t do it, Ashley.” Brad sighed.

  “I’ll be careful. I want to see what the desk calendar says before wasting a lot of time on calls. If I go in broad daylight, it won’t look suspicious.” I hoped the desk calendar hadn’t been taken as evidence.

  “What time?” Brad heaved another sigh. “You’ll need a lookout.”

  “Let me get ahold of Sue.” I sent her a text, asking for her help in retrieving something left behind in Roy’s office. She agreed to meet me at noon.

  “Right after class lets out,” I said, grinning. “This is my chance to find out what Rogen thinks I saw.”

  “Great,” Brad muttered. “I’m going to be late for work tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Having a substitute teach Professor Lyons’s class the next day made the time pass faster and more pleasantly without his constant harassing of me. The former police detective told us to work on our semifinal projects and then basically ignored us the rest of the period.

  Brad pulled our table and chairs to a far corner of the room. “We definitely don’t want anyone to overhear what we’re talking about.” He reached over and closed the blinds against the bright summer sun. “Let’s make a plan for getting in and out of Miller’s office without getting caught.”

  I tapped my pencil against the tabletop until Brad put his hand over mine. “Sorry. I fidget when I’m thinking.” His calloused hand cupped mine as if it were made to be there. “Sue has a key. I intend to go in, snap some more photos, and get out. Five minutes tops.” Which, considering I had to be at work, was still pushing me getting to the tea shoppe on time.

  “That sounds like a very good plan.” He grinned and removed his hand. “I’ll stand outside and make a bobwhite whistle if I see anyone. That means you hide.”

  “Where will you go if someone comes?”

  “I’ll shove my hands in my pockets and nonchalantly stroll away. No one knows we’re working together, so they won’t think anything if they see me.”

  Right. Good point. The police didn’t seem to be looking at anyone but me. At least, if they did have another suspect, Rogen wasn’t saying anything to me. Of course he didn’t have to, but it definitely spurred me on to investigate in order to clear my name.

  Brad and I were the first out the door when class dismissed. Since we both had separate places to go after I snuck into Millers, Inc., we drove separately. I parked in front of Tea by the Sea and walked to Millers after letting Georgina know I had an errand to run.

  The sun hung high overhead. It was hot for a Maine summer and left me hoping the air conditioner was on in Miller’s building. If cleaners hadn’t been there yet, I’d be in for a nasty surprise as soon as I stepped into the office.

  “I’m not going in,” Sue said as she unlocked the door. No crime scene tape fluttered in front of the building. “I’m not taking the chance of encountering any ghosts.”

  I met Brad’s amused glance over her head. “I’ll be quick.” Having Sue outside in plain sight wasn’t ideal. If Rogen drove by, he’d definitely know something was up. I’m pretty sure he’d ordered her to stay away the same as he had me.

  Ugh. No air-conditioning. The odor of death slapped me in the face.

  Doing my best not to gag, I breathed through my mouth and entered Miller’s dark office. I turned on the light, relieved to see his desk calendar in place. I snapped a photo of the current top page. Def
initely looked like the name Connor had been partially erased.

  I stepped back and studied the rest of the room. Could there be something else I missed?

  I dropped to my knees, hoping a different perspective would reveal something. A wadded candy bar wrapper under the desk, a penny showing tails, and little else. The trash can had been emptied.

  I stood behind the desk and stared at the door. Whose face had Roy seen last, friend or foe? From that vantage point, I snapped more photos. A red and green plaid throw pillow sat on the leather sofa against the far wall. I knew at one time there had been a matching set of pillows. Where was the other one, and was its absence a clue?

  The picture above the sofa hung crooked. I pulled a tissue from a box on the desk and moved the landscape, revealing an unlocked safe. Had Roy been retrieving something when his killer arrived? I opened the safe the rest of the way and frowned. Empty.

  I stepped back and continued my study. Come on, Roy. What was I supposed to see?

  A bobwhite sounded from outside. Time was up.

  A shadow moved past the office door. I ducked behind the sofa, my heart in my throat. A door toward the back of the building slammed. Whoever was in the building with me wasn’t concerned about silence.

  I moved slowly toward the door and peered out the large front window. No sign of Brad or Sue, but a squad car cruised slowly past. I’d have to go out the back. I stepped out of Roy’s office and pulled the door closed as quietly as possible.

  Staying low and close to the walls, I skirted past the storage room. The door hung open, light off, no sign of anyone inside. Same with the restrooms. Freedom loomed just past that.

  The back door opened. I jumped into the women’s room and hid behind the door, peering through the crack. Two people in white jumpsuits and masks and carrying cleaning supplies moved past me. I’d revisited the scene just in time. When they headed past the storage room, I darted out the back door. I stopped so suddenly my feet slid on loose gravel. Poking out from under the dumpster was the missing pillow.