by Jenn Cowan
“That’s the one.” He pauses for a moment. “We found it in the janitors closet and there was still some liquid in it.”
“And you tested it?”
He nods.
“And?”
“Arsenic.”
My eyes grow wide with surprise. Why? I’m not sure because Josh and I already suspected this, but hearing it actually be confirmed is a whole different ball game. “So, Lindy was murdered?”
“We think so.”
I shake my head. Goosebumps forming on my arms and a chill running down my spine. “She was so young. Why would someone want to kill her?”
“I was hoping you’d have some theories or a list of suspects by now.” He glances down at his phone. “The only one I have on my list is Nikki.”
I stiffen at his words. “Ni-Nikki, why do you have her on your list?”
“Their fight tonight puts her at the top of the list. Everyone in town saw them fighting. It won’t take long before rumors start flying about Nikki killing Lindy. I thought you’d want to get in front of this before that happened. Maybe you could help lead me in a different direction.”
I chew on my lip because Nikki is the only one on my list too. This isn’t good. “I’m still working on a list. I think we should talk to Lindy’s assistant, Raphael. He’ll have a better idea of who could have possibly wanted Lindy dead.”
Travis makes a note in his phone. “That’s a good start, but if we don’t find another suspect soon, I’m going to have to take Nikki down to the station for questioning.”
I study him for a moment. “And why haven’t you already?”
“Because the cause of death hasn’t been officially confirmed until after the autopsy. I thought it would give us some time to figure out a suspect and interrogate them, maybe get a confession before I have to arrest Nikki for murder.”
“And you’d arrest her?”
He frowns. “What choice do I have? She’s my main suspect and has motive and opportunity. I bet if we test Lindy’s cup, Nikki’s fingerprints will be on it.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Just a hunch.” he shrugs a shoulder.
I narrow my eyes at him. “That’s quite a hunch. Aren’t detectives supposed to have facts not ‘hunches’?”
Travis scoffs. “Theories are part of the job. My guess is someone saw Nikki handle Lindy’s cup and after the fight, slipped something in Lindy’s drink without her realizing it and poisoned her. It’s the ‘perfect’ murder and ‘perfect’ way to frame Nikki.”
“So, you don’t think Nikki killed Lindy?”
“If I thought that I would have already arrested her. Come on, Autumn. You know me better than that.”
I sigh when my phone pings. I check it and see Nikki is at the studio, waiting on me. “I’ll work on a list, but I need to go.”
“Where are you going, Autumn?” Travis resumes his stance of ‘bouncer’.
“I forgot something at the spa.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “And you can’t wait until you open to get it?”
“I need it,” I reply, lamely. It’s too early to be thinking up excuses.
“Really, Autumn? You expect me to buy that?”
I shrug. “I don’t know if you do or not, but I’ve got to go.”
Travis steps to the side and waves his arm out as if showcasing a new car. “By all means.”
I roll my eyes and breeze past him toward the Jeep.
“You do realize I’m going to follow you, right?” He calls out to me as he makes his way to his SUV.
I scowl and shoot off a quick text to Nikki that there’s a change of plans and I need to meet her at the spa then I put the Jeep in reverse and head to the spa.
It doesn’t take more than a minute before I see headlights in my rearview mirror. Ugh. Travis is going to follow me. I was hoping maybe he would just go home or back to the station. It’s way too early to be dealing with a detective and a best friend, who seems on the verge of a breakdown.
I whip the Jeep into the spa parking lot then glance around expecting to see Nikki’s Volkswagen, but it’s not here. Maybe she decided to walk. The studio isn’t all that far from the spa. I check my phone again and don’t see a text. A knock on my window causes me to jump.
Travis waves from the driver’s window. “Everything alright?”
“Everything’s fine, Detective. You can run along now.”
He steps back and opens my door. “It’s late and there’s been a murder in town. What kind of law enforcement officer would I be if I let you go inside a dark building all alone?”
I shoot him a glare and he chuckles.
“Come on, Autumn. Tell me what’s really going on. I know you didn’t ‘forget’ something at the spa. If you had, Josh would be out getting it for you, am I right?”
He’s not wrong. Josh would be the one running to the spa, not me. I study Travis wondering if I should say anything when I see headlights pulling into the parking lot. Nikki’s Volkswagen parks next to me and she gets out.
“Why’s he here?” She points to Travis as she steps out of her car.
“He showed up at my house to work on…” Travis elbows me in the ribs, silently telling me to keep my mouth shut. I yelp and rub my ribcage then scowl at him. “It’s about a case we’re working on.”
“A case? I didn’t think there were any open investigations at this time. Unless…,” her voice trails off then her eyes grow wide. “Lindy was murdered, wasn’t she?”
Travis mutters something under his breath, but I can’t make it out.
“She was, wasn’t she?” Nikki latches onto Travis’s arm. Her eyes pleading for him to tell her the truth. “Am I suspect? The fight makes me a suspect, doesn’t it? I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill her,” Nikki sobs.
My heart breaks for my friend. Being accused of murder isn’t fun. I’ve been there and have no desire to ever be there again. I reach out and rub her back.
She turns toward me and throws her arms around my neck.
A strong breeze blows in and a few drops of rain begin to fall.
Travis hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “Can we go inside the spa and talk?”
I hand him my keys so I can keep an arm around my inconsolable BFF and we all make a run for the spa before the sky opens up and begins to pour.
Travis switches on the lights while I escort Nikki back to the break room.
“I’ll be right back,” she whispers then heads to the bathroom.
Travis plops down on the couch and scrubs his face with his hands.
“Want some tea?” I offer, already opening cabinets and grabbing out the supplies to make some for myself and Nikki.
“Please.” He props his elbow on his knees and glances toward the bathroom. “She seems awfully upset about all of this. Didn’t she hate Lindy?”
“Ah, there’s a story there. You don’t remember middle school?”
Travis frowns and shakes his head. “I was too busy staring at you to pay attention to any of the other girls.” He smiles and his dimple shows on his cheek when he does.
I feel my cheeks heat at his words and shake my head to brush off his words then busy myself with heating the water on the stove.
“Lindy used to be my best friend,” Nikki says, her voice cracking as she enters the room. Her eyes are bloodshot and puffy as she wipes her nose on a tissue.
“She did?” Travis cocks his head as if this news surprises him.
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Nikki sighs and plops down in a chair at the table. “Boys.”
Travis smirks. “Boys? That’s it?”
“It’s true. We liked the same boy and it led to the end of our friendship.”
“Who was the guy?”
Nikki blushes and smiles up at me then looks at Travis. “You.”
Travis’s jaw drops and his green eyes grow wide in shock. “M-me?”
Nikki nods.
“How did I not kno
w this?”
“Oh, you were hung up on a pretty red-head. Couldn’t see much of anyone besides her.” Nikki winks at me.
I laugh. She told me this story years ago and I laughed then too.
Travis’s face flushes as red as a tomato. “I-I had no idea.”
“We know, which only made us want to get your attention that much more, but you never gave us the time of day.”
“Is that why you and Lindy kept bringing me cookies, brownies and cupcakes?”
“Well duh. These hands don’t bake for just anyone,” Nikki jests, holding up her slender hands.
I giggle and hand her a mug of tea.
“Why are you laughing?” Travis narrows his eyes at me. “You knew about this, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
I sit down next to Nikki at the table and take a sip of tea before answering him. “And what would it have accomplished? Would you have dumped me to date one of them?”
Travis frowns. “No.”
“You would have felt guilty about it and tried to make it up to them, which only would have led Lindy on. Nikki moved on and started dating Bobby so there was no point.”
He contemplates my words before saying, “I guess you’re right. I’m glad I didn’t know.”
Nikki blows on her tea then sets it down without taking a sip. “You were always Autumn’s man and nothing was going to change that. I wish me and Lindy would have figured that out sooner rather than later to save our friendship, but that’s not how it worked out.” She sighs. “After we had our falling out over you, Lindy made it her mission to outdo me in everything. Cheerleading, basketball, dance, school, plays, business and even when it came to boys.” Nikki clenches her jaw as if it’s all coming back to her. “We’ve been fighting for so long, it’s become our norm. It’s just how we interacted with each other. It was silly and unnecessary, but I think we just didn’t know how to stop the cycle.”
I reach over and squeeze her hand.
She smiles and covers my hand with her other one. “She kissed Bobby.”
I jerk back as if she smacked me. “Wh-what? When? Where?”
“Last night. She asked him to come over to the town hall early to help her set up. He told me he would meet me there.” She pauses. “We’ve been having problems lately. Fighting. Mainly it’s me. I’ve just been so emotional and every little thing sets me off… I took a test.”
“A test? Like at the doctor? What’s wrong?” I squeeze her hand tighter, thinking of all the bad things that could be wrong with my best friend, but I wasn’t prepared for her next words.
5
“I’m pregnant.”
My jaw drops. That’s not what I was expecting her to say at all. “Pr-pregnant? With a baby?”
She huffs out a laugh. “I hope so.”
“Does Bobby know?”
She shakes her head. “You’re the first person I’ve told.” Her gaze slides to Travis. “And you.”
He gives her a smile. “Congratulations?”
“Thanks. I’m happy about it.” She rubs her belly then says, “It wasn’t what I had in mind for a timeline, but I’m excited. I’m definitely not getting any younger.”
“Why haven’t you told Bobby?”
“I took the test and was so excited and relieved. It explained why I was so moody and emotional lately. I wrapped the test in wrapping paper and practically ran to the town hall. When I got there, Lindy was on a ladder hanging up a banner and Bobby was holding onto the ladder. She saw me walk in so she pretended to fall and Bobby caught her then she kissed him.”
“Did he kiss her back?”
She shakes her head. “He set her down and backed away then he saw me and immediately went into fixer mode. The hormones must be messing with me because I went a little crazy. I yelled at her then at him even though he didn’t do anything then stomped off to go cry at the yoga studio.”
“Did Bobby come after you?”
She nods. “I sent him away. I didn’t want to tell him about the baby right after another woman kissed him. It’s supposed to be a happy moment. Not one filled with anger and resentment. I needed space so I could get my emotions in check. I swear these hormones are a roller coaster ride. One minute I’m happy and the next I’m crying then I’m yelling. It’s all so overwhelming.” Her eyes well up with tears and she blinks them away.
“Bobby is going to be so excited. You need to tell him.” I squeeze her hand in encouragement.
“Will he?”
I furrow my brows. “What do you mean? Of course, he will.”
“It’s just April roped him into marrying her and I don’t want him to feel obligated to marry me.”
My gaze slides over to Travis to gage his reaction. He knows all too well about April and her antics when it came to Cat and all the drama surrounding paternity.
Travis meets my eyes and he smiles before fixing his eyes on Nikki. “Bobby’s going to be thrilled. I know he and April were trying for a long time to have a baby. Guess it wasn’t in the cards for them, but it is for you two. I wouldn’t wait. I’d tell him asap.” His eyes slide back to me briefly before dropping to his lap and murmuring, “I know I’d want to know if I were going to be a dad again before anyone else.”
Nikki wipes her eyes. “You’re right. I guess I’m just scared and hormonal.”
“Where is Bobby? Is he at your house?” I inquire, getting up to get Nikki some tissues.
“No. He came over after the murder to tell me what happened, but then said he needed to get back to the hall to ensure everything got shut down and locked up. I thought he’d be back after that, but he never showed back up. He’s probably still mad about earlier. You know how Bobby gets.” She shoots me a knowing look.
I pat her hand in reassurance. “I bet he was just tired after the long evening and figured you were asleep so he’d catch up with you tomorrow. Besides once you tell him about the baby he’s going to wrap you in bubble wrap and never leave your side.”
Nikki snorts out a laugh. “That does sound like him.” Then she lets out a loud yawn. “Sorry, I’ve been really tired lately.”
“I’ll drive you home,” Travis offers, rising from his spot.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” Nikki gets up and takes her cup to the sink.
I unlock the backdoor and hold it open for her. “Text me when you get home. Okay?”
“I will.” She gives me a hug before Travis walks her to her car.
I prop open the door, knowing he’ll be back. Everything Nikki just told us puts her at the top of the suspect list. Everything she just told us gives Travis more ammunition to use against her when the time comes the captain is demanding an arrest. The rivalry history, kissing Bobby, their public fight and add in the pregnancy hormones, Nikki’s the prime suspect. They could easily lock her up and throw away the key with as much evidence as there is right now.
“Well, this isn’t good,” Travis mutters, plopping back down on the couch.
I jump at his words, not realizing he’d come back inside.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. You left the door open so I thought you’d be expecting me.”
I wave him off. “I was just in my own world. Thinking about everything.”
He nods and studies me for a moment. “You okay?”
I blink in confusion. “Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”
He shrugs. “Word around town is you and Josh have been trying for a baby.”
I swallow the lump beginning to form in my throat. How does Daysville know things that are just between couples? Well couples and my BFF, since I told Nikki we were trying. I wonder if the Crafty Crew is going around planting bugs in people’s houses to get the latest gossip. “Yes, Josh and I have been trying since our wedding. It’s only been a few months. We were going to wait, but I’m not getting any younger and we want at least three so we figured why put it off?” I chew on my lip because talking to Travis about having babies with someone else feels weird. Travis and I used to talk a
lot about having kids and what we’d name them. This conversation is making us both uncomfortable from the way Travis is shifting nervously in his seat. “I’m fine. We’re fine. It’s all fine.” I turn back to the dishes, tears welling up in my eyes. I scrub a non-existent tea stain from the cup when I feel warm hands wrap around mine and take the cup from me.
“Autumn, it’s me. You don’t have to pretend it’s all ok when it’s not. I know you. You’re upset.”
“It’s just… I didn’t think it would be this hard.”
“Your mom had trouble getting pregnant with you. It just takes time sometimes.”
I let out an exasperated breath. “I know. I just really want a baby.” My eyes fill up with tears.
Travis looks like he wants to hug me, but isn’t sure he should. This is new territory for us, finding our way back to friends from being lovers to enemies to status unknown, but we’re getting there.
“I should probably get home to Josh. It’s late and he’s probably worried.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and grab my keys off the counter.
“Right. Yeah. I need to get back to the office,” Travis says, drying the cup and putting it back away in the cabinet. He takes a few steps back from me then says, “I’m here for you, Autumn. If you ever need someone to talk to. I know you have Nikki and Josh, but I want you to know you can talk to me too. It may hurt and it does thinking of you having babies with someone who isn’t me, but I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t talk to me.”
“Thanks, Travis,” I choke out then clear my throat and change the subject. “What are your thoughts about the case now that Nikki told you all of that?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “I can’t say it’s changed my mind all that much. It puts her at the very top of the suspect list. Even if I believe she didn’t kill her, she has a whole lot of motive that Eddie could use to prosecute her.”
A sinking feeling forms in my gut. “You don’t think he will, do you? I mean she’s pregnant. She can’t go to jail or god forbid have that baby in prison.” I begin to have a panic attack thinking about Nikki going into labor in a jail cell.
