A Sticky Situation

by Jessie Crockett

  “Do you want me to call your grandmother and smooth things over a bit for you before you head home?”

  “Thanks, but I think standing on my own two feet includes taking care of things like this, too.”

  “So asking for backup is not why you dropped in to see me?”

  “Not at all. I will admit I was procrastinating delivering the news a bit but really, I wanted to fill you in on what I’ve been finding out about Spooner and the money.”

  “I hope it’s more than I have.” The deep lines between Lowell’s eyebrows etched even deeper into his forehead. I wished my news were more illuminating.

  “I’m not sure that you’re going to want to hear what I found.”

  “Not liking to hear things is a policeman’s lot. What have you got?” Lowell dragged a pad toward himself and grabbed a pencil.

  “I’m sure it’s not news that Spooner was a bit of a ladies’ man.” I paused while he nodded. “Did you know he was having an affair with Karen Brewer?”

  “I knew the chief’s marriage broke up fairly soon after the investigation into the missing money took place. I always thought it had more to do with Karen being offended at the questions Preston had to ask her about the theft.”

  “Jim Parnell spotted them locked together in a telling embrace at the town hall and when I talked to Karen myself she said the affair was what caused the divorce.”

  “And you think Preston might have been involved in what happened to Spooner?”

  “I don’t think anything about what happened to Spooner. I’m only interested in whether or not Spooner took the money, remember?”

  “Good. Is there anyone else you aren’t asking yourself about whether or not they were involved in Spooner’s death?”

  “I’m not asking myself if Mitch’s father or mother could have done it.” As much as I didn’t want to I relayed what I had heard from Sarah in the church nursery about the note and Gary Reynolds’s response to it. Lowell stopped writing and gave me his complete attention.

  “This is really going to make Mitch uncomfortable.”

  “I know.” Mitch and I had spent a lot of time making each other uncomfortable over the better part of a year. You know how teachers often live in towns outside of the school district where they teach? I think police officers should have a similar rule about dating. They ought not do it in the town where they are authorized to issue tickets and arrest citizens.

  “You didn’t bring this to me to get back at Mitch for all the citations, did you?”

  “Of course not. Do you think I want to interact with Mitch any more than is unavoidable in a town this size?” Mitch and I had reached an uneasy truce and I hated to think about doing anything to reignite any bad feelings between us.

  “I hope not. I hope part of your interest in getting an apartment is your relationship with Graham. If that’s the case, keeping Mitch as far out of your life as possible would be wise.”

  “Are you going to repeat any of this conversation to my mother?”

  “No, you have my word whatever you say will remain between us.”

  “Okay then. You yourself know what it’s like trying to conduct a relationship with all the family watching. And now with Hazel doing her best to make Graham another notch in her cane it has become impossible.” Lowell and my mother had been romantically involved for some time and it had not been easy for them, either, to carve out the privacy necessary for a relationship to flourish.

  “If I didn’t have a place of my own for your mother and me to go to for some alone time our relationship wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  “Exactly. It’s time to act like any other normal adult woman and be able to have guests and visits with those guests as I see fit without so much oversight.”

  “Enough said. Anyone else you think may be worth hearing about?”

  “Karen Brewer had some worrisome things to say about her ex, Preston.”

  “She mentioned as much to me when I had some questions about Spooner’s death.”

  “You talked to Karen, too?”

  “Of course I did. I’m investigating a suspicious death. Letting you poke around about the missing money was not my way of shirking my duties.” Lowell raised his voice a bit, which surprised me. We’ve always had a great relationship and I had to assume he was feeling stressed if he felt inclined to yell.

  “I shouldn’t have sounded surprised. And I shouldn’t have made it sound like you weren’t doing your job. I just got caught up in my own importance.”

  “It’s okay. And I suppose speaking to Karen could have left you wondering about how much the Sugar Grove Police Department actually wanted this case solved.”

  “I did think Preston was less vigilant than he should have been but he couldn’t have known that Spooner was dead, could he?” I kept my eyes fixed on Lowell’s face. He took his time answering, which I understood to be a sign of inner turmoil.

  “You stick to the money angle. If Preston had anything to do with Spooner’s death I don’t want you involved in the investigation in any way. It would possibly weaken any case I could build and it will probably put you in harm’s way. So is that all of it?”

  “Well, I was kind of wondering if Tansey reacted so badly to the news about Spooner’s body being found because she was the one who hid it.”

  “I hate to say it but I thought of that, too. I can’t think of a thing Tansey wouldn’t do if she thought it was best for Knowlton and that would include murder.”

  Nineteen

  My stop at the police station hadn’t made me feel any less like dragging my feet about heading back to Greener Pastures. Now that I knew Grandma was upset I needed the sort of help only pie could provide. In my experience, pie cures just about everything. It fills up any wrinkles in the belly and fuels the brain.

  It also makes sure you aren’t talking since your mouth is full. Not talking can be a pretty good way to stay out of a lot of trouble. I wasn’t fooling Piper though. She brought the slice of pie I had asked for on my way past the counter to my favorite booth at the back of the restaurant. She put the plate in front of me and held a can of whipped cream poised above the slice.

  “Spill or there’ll be no whipped cream for you.” I made a grab for it but she was too quick.

  “What makes you think there’s something to share?” I asked, trying to keep my face cheery.

  “You only order salted maple cream pie in the case of extreme emotional distress.” That’s the thing about lifelong friends, they know all your foibles. If they work in the restaurant business, that extends to your emotional connection to food.

  “I’ve rented Frances Doucette’s apartment and am moving out,” I said, extending my plate toward the cream can. “Today.”

  “Not what I was expecting.” Piper squirted down on the nozzle and unloaded so much whipped cream the pie looked like it had been in an encounter with the town plow. That’s the upside to a lifelong friend in the food industry. They know when not to skimp on the good stuff. “Did Graham pressure you into getting your own place?”

  “Nope. I did it to myself.” I went on to explain how I had been thinking more and more often about getting my own place and the visit from Hazel and Jade had given me just the push I needed to take action. From the smile on her face I knew she was happy to hear that I was about to break my grandmother’s heart.

  “This is great news. There’s no way you could invite Graham for a sleepover at Greener Pastures.” She gave me one of her exaggerated winks that make men drive out of their way to stop for coffee at the Stack. It just made me squirm.

  “I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience when I told Priscilla I would take the apartment. I don’t know what came over me. And right now is about the worst time of year to not be on the spot with the sugaring.”

  “The universe is kicking your butt. You’ve barely ma
naged to get out of your own tracks since you moved back home after college. I think it’s great.”

  “I hope it was the right decision because it’s too late to change my mind now. You should have seen the way my hand shook when I handed Priscilla the check for the deposit.” I took a bite of pie and savored the rich, sweet flavor and flaky crust as it shattered in my mouth.

  “You’ve been home five years. You know I don’t like to nag but it’s time for a little acceleration in the growth department.” Piper squirted a bit more whipped cream on my plate like she was trying to soften the blow of her words.

  “I’ve been growing all over the place. Look at the sugaring business. Look at the maple cooperative.”

  “Those are all well and good but I’m talking about personal growth. Graham’s a great guy and you could really use the opportunity to behave like a normal adult woman without worrying about the eyes of your grandparents landing on you like you were still fifteen years old.”

  “It isn’t that bad.”

  “Of course it isn’t bad but it is stagnant.”

  “So you really think this is a good thing?”

  “I do. You just wait and see. You are going to absolutely love having your own place. Do you need any help moving, because I can have someone fill in for me?”

  “Thanks but I already talked to Graham and he said he’d help me take over my clothes and personal items this evening.”

  “So you told Graham about the move before you told me?” Piper put her hand on her hip and faked a pout. “I’d say that tells you your relationship with him is becoming a really important part of your life. Yup, the universe is doing a bang-up job of getting you where you need to be whether you like it or not.”

  “You might be right.”

  “I’m always right. I’ll come by later this week instead and you can give me the tour. I’ve always wondered what Priscilla had tucked away up there on the second floor.”

  “It’s a date.” I took another bite of pie as I watched Piper glide away to a table filled with men wearing power company uniforms.

  Perhaps she was right. Maybe all of this was for the best and I would love living on my own. I just needed to work up the courage to tell the family. I thought about ordering another slice of pie to delay breaking the news but decided to show some personal growth and to head to Greener Pastures instead.

  * * *

  By the time I rolled into the driveway at Greener Pastures my nerves were raw. My emotions about having my own place swung wildly from exhilaration to sheer panic from moment to moment. Especially when I entered the kitchen and saw Grandma sitting in the old rocker with her eyes closed. For a second I thought the worst but her eyes fluttered open and she gave me an uncharacteristic scowl.

  “It seems you’ve had quite the day, young lady.”

  “Are you angry at me?” I pulled up a chair from the table next to her and took her hand.

  “Of course not. But I do wish you’d told us yourself that you’d been thinking of getting your own place. And for you to move out so suddenly feels even worse.”

  “It wasn’t on purpose. I just fell in love with the apartment and after what happened with Hazel taking my car and Jade being here permanently I just heard myself offering to rent the place before I even thought it through. I didn’t do it to hurt anyone. And I really think it is for the best. At least for now.”

  “What will we do without you?”

  “I’ll be here every day anyway. It’s not like I’m moving out of state and I’m not going to start a sugarhouse at Stems and Hems.”

  “Hazel said you were moving in tonight. That doesn’t even leave time for me to make a send-off dinner for you. Not that anyone else is home to eat it anyway.”

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Your mother said something about spending the evening with Lowell. Celadon and her family went out to a movie. Your grandfather and Loden are at a poker game. Jade is planning to work late and Hazel left without a word after she dropped the bomb about your apartment.”

  “Graham’s meeting me here to help me move. I’m sure he could be persuaded to put off the work until he’s enjoyed one of your meals.”

  “That would be nice. But it won’t be anything fancy.” Grandma hopped up out of the rocker like she’d gotten her spirits back.

  “Your ‘not fancy’ is my favorite kind of a meal.” I gave her a smile. “And if no one else is here there’s sure to be some leftovers. I wouldn’t say no to a doggy bag as I head out the door.” As soon as I said it I remembered what my mother said about me slipping out of the house through a doggy door and wondered if my leaving was what that image meant.

  “Of course, my dear, I’ll send you with a whole cooler full of leftovers. I expect there isn’t any food in the fridge at the apartment and you know how worried I am about you starving to death.”

  * * *

  “Are you sure this was everything?” Graham looked at the small stack of boxes and luggage on the floor of the apartment. “No more clothes or shoes or books or anything?”

  “Clothes aren’t really my thing.” I had always hated shopping. At just barely four foot ten everything was always too long. Most of my clothing ended up coming from the children’s department, which didn’t really make for the best shopping experience. I stuck to the basics like jeans and plain T-shirts. With so few glamorous choices it was easier just to not bother with my personal style any more than I had to.

  The entire contents of my wardrobe fit into two suitcases and that included my outdoor gear. I had an even worse relationship with shoes. When most of the dress shoes in my size were Mary Janes, shoe shopping was just depressing. I felt Graham staring at me and turned to face him. “What? What is it?”

  “Are you saying no clothes is your thing?” I felt the hot rush of blood crawling up my throat and over my face.

  “I’m saying I’m not a clothing enthusiast.” That wasn’t any better. Graham took a big step in my direction and pulled me toward him. “I mean, I don’t like to shop.”

  “What do you like to do?” Graham bent low and whispered in my ear. It was late enough in the evening that his five o’clock shadow had grown in and scratched at my cheek.

  “I’d like to give you the tour of the place.” I pulled away from his embrace and took his hand. “Come, let me show it to you.” I showed him the tiny kitchen and the even smaller bathroom.

  “It suits you well. It’s almost like it was built just for you.” Graham took my hand and we headed back to the living room. “You look run off your feet. Shall we sit for a while?” I led him to the love seat and we sat, the quiet wrapping around us like an embrace.

  “You know what’s the only thing I can think of that would make this better?” Graham asked.

  “No, what?” I braced myself for his response. We had all the privacy I could have wished for and I had even miraculously decided to shave my legs the night before.

  “A scruffy little dog sitting here on the couch with us.” I wasn’t sure if I felt more relieved or disappointed. But I was pleased to think Graham and I were on the same page about dogs. That’s one of those issues that can be a deal breaker in a relationship.

  “It’s funny you should say that. I asked Priscilla about dogs before I took the apartment. She said it would be fine to have one. I’ve always wanted one but since Celadon is allergic to them we never had one growing up.”

  “How about once you get settled in a bit more we make a date to go to the local animal shelters and see if we can find a dog for you.”

  “That sounds like fun but are you sure you’ll have time to go with me? You’ve been just as busy at work lately as I have.”

  “No matter how busy work gets I’ll find the time. I have an ulterior motive.” I felt my stomach flutter as Graham pulled me a little closer to him.

  “Dare I ask what that i
s?”

  “The way I see it, in order for me to reach my happily ever after you’ll need to find a dog that likes us both.” With that, he gave me the sort of kiss that makes your eyeballs go into a tilt, and then let himself out the door without another word. Living on my own clearly had its advantages.

  Twenty

  Grampa stood under the bird feeders filling a long tube-style one with thistle seed. Chickadees paid no attention to his presence as they landed on the mixed-seed feeder and filled their beaks. From their frenzied eating it looked like the weather report’s prediction of a storm was liable to be accurate. The birds always knew when something was brewing and from the way the jays and other birds were hovering in the bushes waiting for us to leave I was pretty sure we were in for quite a blow.

  “Need a hand, Grampa?” I asked. Grampa and I have filled feeders together in preparation for storms since I was big enough to pull on my own snow boots. I felt a lump in my throat as I thought about being in my apartment and not having any birds to look at as I sipped my morning coffee. Grampa must have been thinking the same thing.

  “I’ve just finished. Besides, you’re the one who needs the help, kiddo. Come into the barn and see what I picked up for you at the hardware store.”

  Grampa led the way along the path he had carved out with the snowblower between the house and the feeder and the feeder and the barn. He stopped to tuck the bag of thistle seed back in its bin and then made his way to a bench at the back of the barn.

  “I thought you might need an apartment-warming present and I couldn’t think of anything better than this.” He handed me a paper bag full of something ridged and squared off. I stuck my hand in and pulled out a wooden and clear plastic contraption.

  “Is this a feeder?”

  “Yup. It attaches to a window and you can feed the birds from inside the house. I wanted to get something that you could see well up on the second floor. I thought without the birds you might be lonesome at your breakfast table.”