Murder Breaks the Bank

by Maddie Cochere

  “I heard he thinks Jo gunned for him,” Roger said. “The rumor going around is she put her hand out like superman and aimed right for him.”

  I tried to roll my eyes, but the pills must have relaxed them and they wouldn’t cooperate. “I wasn’t aiming for him. I had my eyes closed.”

  Tom had taken the brunt of my weight. I broke his collarbone and right arm.

  Other than multiple bruises along the left side of my body, and a bump to the back of my head from the window sash, my only injury was a broken left wrist. I felt like I had been beaten with a baseball bat, so the painkillers were helpful, but I disliked taking them and would give them up as soon as I could manage the pain on my own.

  “Did Benny get away?” Nancy asked.

  “Nope,” Glenn said. “He might have until Jackie heard him say there were ways out of the bank no one knew about. Through all of her research since moving here, she knew the furnace section of the basement had a tunnel to the old bank records storage facility. The tunnel was one of the fallout shelters for the town in the sixties.”

  “Is the storage facility still there?” Hank asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever noticed it.”

  Glenn smiled. “Oh, it’s still there. But the records have long since been moved, and the building is now …”

  He paused for dramatic effect, but Mama stole his thunder.

  “It’s the hardware store,” she said. “Jackie called old man Lehman and told him to get his butt down to the tunnel and stop Benny when he came through. He sat in a lawn chair with a shotgun across his knees and waited.”

  I hadn’t heard this bit of information yet. Mr. Lehman was every bit as old as Benny, but he was a tough old codger and would make good on his threat to shoot Benny if he didn’t wait for the police.

  “Why doesn’t someone use the tunnel to break into the bank and steal the money?” Kelly asked.

  “Both the bank and the hardware are locked at night, so it’s not easy access,” Glenn said. “And both have alarm systems, but even if someone did use the tunnel to get into the bank, what are they going to do then? The money is in a huge vault behind bars. It would be like trying to break into Fort Knox.”

  Pepper’s cell phone rang. She excused herself to the kitchen to take the call. This was the third time her phone had rung since we sat down to dinner.

  “What’s with all the phone calls?” I asked.

  “It’s your red phone,” Buck said. “Pepper had the calls transferred to her cell phone in case the answering machine couldn’t handle all of them.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” I asked.

  “Nope,” Buck said. “Before we left The Broken Nine Iron last Friday, Pepper passed out her new business cards to everyone in the place and told them you were the lead investigator. Phone calls started coming in on Tuesday, and after word spread about what happened yesterday, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”

  New business. And all for Two Sisters and a Journalist. The thought of working both businesses was overwhelming. Especially since I knew Arnie was going to retire and I would be responsible for the success of Baranski and Wheeler Investigations.

  “Hey,” Hank said looking over at Glenn. “Speaking of phone calls, what happened after your call yesterday? What did you have to go to the station for?”

  This was another bit of information I didn’t have yet. I had completely forgotten to ask Glenn why he had been called in for a meeting.

  Glenn only half smiled. “I haven’t had a chance to talk with Jo about it yet. Maybe it should wait.”

  I shook my head. “No. This is family. Go ahead and tell us. If you got transferred, we’ll figure out what to do.”

  He laughed. “Not transferred. Promoted.”

  Congratulations went up all around the table. Glenn held up his hand.

  “Promoted if I want the job. That’s what I wanted to talk with Jo about. Sergeant Rorski is retiring in January.”

  “Wow,” Keith said. “You’re being promoted to sergeant.”

  “Not exactly. My title would be Chief of Police.”

  “So, we’d call you Chief,” Roger said. “I like that.”

  “What’s to think about?” I asked. “Less patrol work. More paperwork. Delegating to all the men. More money I presume.”

  “Exactly,” Glenn said. “But that’s the problem. I like being out in the field. I like patrol work. I don’t like paperwork. I don’t want to listen to the guys complaining about partners and schedules. It seems like a job that provides constant heartburn along with the bigger paycheck. I don’t know if it’s worth it.”

  “Don’t do it,” Hank said. “It definitely won’t be worth it, and you’ll never get away to come to Hawaii for vacations. Just say no.”

  “I leave it ‘tirely up to you,” I said and stood from my chair. I was a little wobbly but managed to steady myself and head for the kitchen. I heard Roger ask who would get the job if he turned it down.

  “Officer Collins would be our new Chief of Police,” he said.

  I smiled. Good. Even though he saved my life, he deserved a good case of heartburn every now and then.

  Pepper was saying goodbye when I opened the cupboard to grab a small plate and sneak a sliver of blueberry pie.

  “Want one?” I asked, cutting a small wedge.

  “Not yet. That was someone who wants us to find out if her husband is hiding money from her. I can’t believe people are calling on a holiday.”

  “You shouldn’t be answering your phone. Let it all go to voice mail.”

  “It’s not that big of a deal, and it’ll save me time later. I’m turning down some of the jobs, but I’m referring the rest to Barnaski and Wheeler.”

  I was puzzled. “Why would you do that? I thought you were excited to have some cases of your own to work.”

  She looked almost afraid of me when she said, “I was, but there’s so much work with you and Arnie, and I just don’t see how we’ll have time to work one or two cases of our own let alone ten or twenty, so … Jo … please don’t hate me … but I think we need to shut down Two Sisters and a Journalist.”

  The bite of blueberry pie I was aiming at my mouth fell off my fork and down the front of my white holiday sweater to plop on the floor. Pepper was quick to grab a paper towel and attempt to clean the blueberry from my sweater. Of course, and as usual, she only made it worse and most likely permanently embedded the stain.

  I grasped her by the shoulders – more to steady myself than to stop her. “Pepper, it’s ok. I think it’s a great idea to run everything through one business. We’ll still be two sisters working together, and the journalist will still help us when we need her.”

  “That’s true,” she said, “but it’s hard to turn down the money. All those jobs would have helped with Kelly and Keith’s college fund.”

  “I’m sure Arnie will give you a referral fee, and maybe I can talk him into giving you a small percentage of the business. You’re a good marketer, and I know you’ll keep business coming in, so I think he’ll work out something.’

  “Maybe even a commission on new business I find?” she asked hopefully.

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to him after the holidays.”

  Pepper gave me a hug. “Thanks, Jo. You’re the best.” She pulled back and looked me in the eye. “You really are the best. You did a good job sticking with Oscar’s murder until you found the truth. You almost died twice, but you didn’t give up. I want to be just like you when I grow up.”

  I did a few seconds of my silly jig from when we were kids. I nearly fell over from dizziness, and my wrist throbbed like crazy, but I managed to stay upright and laughed. “I hope we never grow up.”

  We linked arms and walked back into the dining room.

  “You didn’t eat your mashed tahs, but you sneaked into the pie,” Mama said.

  “They’re cold now. I don’t wannem. Wannem.” I tried again. “I don’t want them.”

  “Grandmama’s going back to
The Broken Nine Iron in two weeks,” Keith said. “Her entire routine is going to be about farts, and I’m going to help her write fart jokes.”

  “Flatulence,” Mama said, correcting him. “Flatulence is funnier than farts, and I need true stories. True farts are funnier than fake farts.”

  I looked at Pepper and Buck. Neither seemed to be bothered their son was helping his grandmother with fart jokes.

  I shrugged my shoulders. I had to admit, in a bit of a sick way, I couldn’t wait to see her flatulence act. She was a hit last Friday night, and her delivery was spot on. She seemed to have perfect comedic timing. If anyone could pull off an entire set of fart jokes, Mama could.

  I scooted my chair closer to Glenn. He put his arm around my shoulder, and I leaned my head against him.

  “Don’t take the job,” I said. “Let’s go to Hawaii in January.”

  He gave me a squeeze. “I think both of those are great ideas. Hank, are you and Nancy up for some company in January?”

  Nancy squealed with delight. I couldn’t see her smile, because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

  Sounds of laughter, plans for Hawaii, Pepper’s excitement over all the new business for Baranski and Wheeler, and even Buck’s upcoming long haul to Oregon drifted in and out of my consciousness. A loud burp from Roger caused my eyes to open for just a second. I didn’t try to roll them, and I may have even smiled.

  A wave of love for my family rushed over me. There was never a dull moment with this bunch. I couldn’t wait to see what was coming next.

  ###

  Glenn Wheeler’s Fruitcake Cookies

  16 ounces pitted dates, coarsely chopped

  4 ounces colored candied pineapple slices, cut n thick wedges

  4 ounces candied red cherries, quartered

  4 ounces toasted slivered almonds

  ½ cup whole Brazil nuts, thinly sliced

  2 Tbls. Sherry

  1 ¼ cups unsifted flour

  ½ tsp. baking soda

  ½ tsp. salt

  ½ cup butter, softened

  ¾ cup sugar

  1 egg

  In medium bowl, combine dates, pineapple, cherries, almonds, Brazil nuts, and sherry; mix well. Let stand at room temperature for one hour.

  Sift flour with baking soda and salt; set aside.

  In large bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter, sugar, and egg until light and fluffy. Using a spoon, stir in flour mixture until well combined. Stir in fruit mixture.

  Refrigerate, covered, a minimum of six hours or overnight.

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets.

  Drop dough by level tablespoons, two inches apart, onto prepared cookie sheets. If desired, decorate with bits of candied peel.

  Bake on middle rack of oven for 14 minutes, or just until golden brown. Remove cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

  Acknowledgements

  As always, I want to give a huge thank you to my family for their patience, love, and assistance. A very special thank you to my husband for writing Mama’s bacon limerick.

  My niece, Gillian Soltis, is a graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design and has been my cover artist from the beginning. I love her work and am grateful she has worked tirelessly to make every cover exactly as I envision.

  Finally, a nod of appreciation to Guy Fleming and his short story, Crime’s Client, for inspiration when writing of the explosion at the bank.

  Easy-breezy reading from Breezy Books!

  Books in the Two Sisters and a Journalist Series:

  Murder Under Construction, Two Sisters and a Journalist #1

  Murder Is Where the Heart Is, Two Sisters and a Journalist #2

  Murder Welcomes You to Buxley, Two Sisters and a Journalist #3

  Murder Wins the Game - Two Sisters and a Journalist #4

  Murder Between the Covers – Two Sisters and a Journalist #5

  Murder – A Chummy Affair - Two Sisters and a Journalist #6

  Murder Wears a Veil – Two Sisters and a Journalist #7

  ~ ~ ~

  Be sure to check out the Susan Hunter series from Maddie Cochere:

  The Susan Hunter books are not your typical mysteries, and Susan is not your typical sleuth. Often, she is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and things go downhill quickly. All of the books cross genres of chick lit, mystery, romance, humor, and action, bringing you a fast-paced, easy-breezy read.

  Sunshine Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #1 – Working in a weight-loss center by day and a racquetball club by night, Susan Hunter enjoys her life, the sport, and her friends. … When she finds out her new boyfriend of three months is married, she bolts with her best friend to Florida for a week. But someone has followed them, and they are now being stalked. To make matters worse, a murder has been committed back home in Carbide City, and Susan is wanted for questioning. … Humorous, sometimes ominous, Sunshine Hunter is entertaining and perfect for easy, breezy reading!

  Big Apple Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #2 – Susan has life-changing decisions to make. Should she accept the new position with Slimmers Weight Loss? Should she give in and move the relationship with Mick to the next level? . . . When Darby has business in New York City, Susan jumps at the chance to tag along intending to indulge in a weekend of shopping. It doesn’t take her long to realize she’s being hunted in The Big Apple. And what does the stalker have to do with Darby’s new client? It becomes a matter of life-and-death when the stalker shows up in Carbide City demanding something that Susan lost in New York.

  Sin City Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #3 – Susan is in Las Vegas for ten days of work and play. Her parents come in from Dallas to spend some time with her and have their own fun. But fun turns to terror for Susan when a magic act goes wrong. … When a man is murdered, Susan knows who did it. Unfortunately for her, the killer knows that she knows. Her actions in Sin City ultimately put not only her own life on the line but that of Mick’s as well.

  Big Easy Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #4 – When Susan is accused of being a cat burglar, and a serial rapist is on the loose over by the mall, she takes off for New Orleans to attend a wedding and finds even more trouble in The Big Easy. … Humorous, sometimes ominous, Big Easy Hunter is entertaining and perfect for easy, breezy reading.

  Windy City Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #5 - It’s two weeks before Christmas. Susan and her best friend, Darby, travel to Chicago to compete in a national cooking competition. They aren’t even in Chicago an hour when they stumble upon a murder crime scene. The lead detective on the case is egged on by an eager insurance investigator, and Susan and Darby quickly become suspects. To make the weekend even more complicated, one of Darby’s cooking ingredients is sabotaged during the contest, and unbeknownst to them, they befriend a local art forger. With Mick away in England, things become desperate for them in The Windy City.

  Maple Leaf Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #6 - Susan and Mick have a romantic weekend planned in Niagara Falls and Toronto before her big meeting with a children’s book publisher. When they decide to spend the following week at a fishing lodge on the Ottawa River, Darby, Nate, and Alex decide to come along, too. A Sasquatch, gold hunters, a kidnapping, and dangerous men all make for another unforgettable vacation for Susan.

  Buckeye Hunter, A Susan Hunter Mystery #7 - Susan travels to Southeast Ohio to assist in the grand opening of a Slimmers Weight Loss center. There she meets Jo, Pepper, and Jackie - local sleuths from Two Sisters and a Journalist. When a murder is committed on Susan’s doorstep, Jo is there to find the body. Susan can’t believe the trouble swirling around her even though she is only two hours from home. She makes a life-changing decision in this final book of the Susan Hunter series.

  Visit the official website of Maddie Cochere at Breezy Books:

  http://www.breezybooks.com/

  Follow Maddie at BookBub to receive notices of new releases.

 

  Maddie Cochere, Murder Breaks the Bank