Memories and Murder

by Lynn Cahoon

  “The guy is slime. That’s all I have to say. I told him he was banned from the coffee shop. It kind of felt good. I’ve never banned anyone before.”

  “Do you need me to come home? I’m working a lead on trying to track down this administrator from the Senior Project. More and more, I’m thinking he’s the one. Tim talked to his last employer, and I know you’re going to be shocked, but they had a data leak in the months before the guy left.”

  “All I can say is, I feel a lot better now that the locks have been changed.” I put my house key into the front door lock and turned it. “Look, I’m home and Emma’s going to go crazy in a minute, so I’ll talk to you later. Just don’t beat up the mayor, okay?”

  “I won’t. I don’t think.” He paused. “I love you, Jill.”

  “Are you coming home for dinner?”

  “Signs all point to the affirmative. Unless…”

  I finished his sentence. “Unless you find Earl Hess. I know the drill. I love you too.”

  As I had foretold, Emma went crazy as soon as I opened the door. What can I say? I was surrounded by love today. Well, except for the crazy at the shop. I pulled out food for lunch and decided to eat in front of the television to catch up on some of my shows.

  Emma nudged me a few episodes later, and I paused the show and went to let her out. Glancing at the clock, I realized I hadn’t called my aunt yet. Or planned anything for dinner. I took out a packet of frozen hamburger for tacos to defrost in the microwave, then dialed her number.

  “Hello?” Mary’s voice came through the speaker.

  “Hey, Mary. Is Jackie around? I needed to chat with her for a minute.” I bet she was in the bathroom. My aunt didn’t think it was polite to take the phone into the restroom, and when someone did at a public place, she made sure to point out that flaw.

  “She’s right here, but she’s driving. Tell me what you need to say and I’ll relay it.”

  “Or she could just wait five minutes and I’ll be at the apartment,” Jackie said. “Unless you change your mind about me taking you to the house. I can drive an extra couple of blocks, you know.”

  “You do so much already. I need to finish out my steps because we didn’t hit the museum today. I’m short about two thousand. And you know I don’t like to break a streak,” Mary responded.

  “Wait, you’re already in South Cove? I didn’t expect you here until late.” I sent up a silent prayer that Harrold and Kyle had finished and left. Jackie hated surprises, and she could be a little crabby when she first discovered a change.

  “Jackie wasn’t feeling it, so we came home after lunch,” Mary explained.

  “You said you were tired too. Don’t blame this all on me,” Aunt Jackie huffed. “Someone is in my parking spot. Wait, is that Harrold? What is he doing here, and why is he lifting that box? He knows better. He’s going to throw out his back again.”

  “I’ll be right there. Don’t let her go crazy.”

  “Why would she go crazy?” Mary asked.

  Instead of answering, I hung up and threw my phone into my tote. Because Harrold was still there and Jackie had come home, the only parking I would have was a possible street spot, but it was Saturday night, and with the bar across the street, I knew it was impossible. I let Emma back in and started running into town.

  Greg was driving down the road the opposite way, but when he saw me, he made a U-turn, then stopped in front of me, opening the passenger door. “Get in. Where are we going?”

  “Back to the shop. Aunt Jackie’s home and Harrold hasn’t left yet.” I climbed in and slammed the door. “You’ll probably have to park in the alley. I don’t think there’s going to be a spot out front.”

  “I can park anywhere I want; I’m the head of police here.” He took off, just a little above the speed limit. “So, do you want to tell me why I’m flying back into town? Harrold and your aunt have seen each other since the breakup, right?”

  “They have, but he landscaped her patio today. She’s going to be mad.” I leaned forward and pointed to the left turn that would take us to the alley that ran behind the shop. “Turn there.”

  “Yes Jill, I know where to turn.” He slowed his speed, and when we came up on the shop, a group was standing around the bottom of the stairs.

  I looked up and saw Jackie on the new patio. She sank onto the bench while I watched. Greg parked and I jumped out of the car and ran up to Mary and Harrold. Kyle was still there, watching Jackie’s reaction, and so was Deek. “How’s she taking it?”

  “She hasn’t said a word since I told her what I did.” Harrold looked down on me in concern. “Do you think she’s all right? Jackie is never this quiet. Maybe we should call for an ambulance?”

  I shook my head. “Let me go talk to her. She won’t hit me.”

  Everyone moved aside and I had a clear path up the stairs. When I got there, she was sitting with her eyes closed. “Aunt Jackie? Are you okay?”

  I heard the sniff first; then she took a tissue out of her purse and wiped her nose. “I’m fine. That stupid man, he is so stubborn.”

  “Harrold?”

  “Of course Harrold. Did you think I meant the crazy man who has been stalking me?” A tiny smile curved her lips. “Did you know we talked about this? About making this patio a place we could watch the sunset? It was one time. He mentioned it one time, and I’d told him a different time about how lovely Kyle’s hand-painting was on the woodwork.”

  I watched as she touched a row of flowers on the end table. Kyle had covered the top with flowers and then made pretty rows on the back of the shelves. The whole thing was covered with a heavy coating of shellac to keep it waterproof. “It’s lovely. Everything is so bright and pretty.”

  Jackie swallowed hard. “I know.” She looked at me and the tears flowed. “I’m so sorry I hurt him. How can I ever make it up to him?”

  “I think saying thank you would be a great start. He’s about to call an ambulance because he thinks you had a stroke or something.” I waved Harrold up the stairs as I handed her an envelope. “Here are your new keys. I had the locks changed while you were out.”

  “You were both busy today. And all I did was wander through art galleries.” She smiled as she took the envelope. “Thank you, Jill. I may not say it much, but I appreciate all you do for me.”

  Now I was speechless, but Harrold was already standing by the door, so I just reached over and kissed her on the cheek. As I passed Harrold, I patted his arm. “Good luck.”

  When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I nodded to the back door of the shop. “Let’s take this inside.”

  “I need to get home to Bill. I told him we were in town already, and now he’s probably thinking I’m lost.” Mary kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you for suggesting this outing. We had a lot of fun and we talked. I know she’s been under a lot of stress, but she knows now not to keep things like this from me. I mean, what are best friends for if we can’t talk about when our dead husbands start calling.”

  I laughed as I watched her walk between the buildings and to the street. Deek shrugged. “All I have to do is lock the back door and I’m out of here. I have a date tonight with Trina.”

  “Then lock up and go. I’ll ride home with Greg.” I looked around because he wasn’t standing with us. Then I saw him on his phone over by Harrold’s truck. “Or maybe walk home.”

  Deek paused. “I can drive you home. I’m going that way anyway.”

  “No worries. I’ll hang here until Greg’s done with his call. Go get ready for your date. And thanks for stepping in today. I appreciate how well you’ve melded with this job and our crazy crew.”

  “You all are fun. At my last summer job, I made milk bottles all by myself. Longest eight hours I’ve ever experienced. Four bottles, label, put in a bag. Four more bottles, label—well, you get my drift. This doesn’t even seem like work.” H
e waved and went through the back door. When I turned back around, Greg was walking toward me.

  “You’ve got to go.”

  He nodded. “I can drop you off, though. I’m heading to the highway.”

  “Is it about Ben’s murder?” I followed him to the truck and snuck a peek at Harrold and Jackie, who were now sitting together and watching the sky. Maybe she would let him back in. Especially after Mary had given her such a bad time.

  “They found Earl Hess tied up in an empty house. It was for sale, and the Realtor and his clients got quite a shock when they opened the garage.” He started the truck, but before he put it in gear, he glanced upward to the patio. “They look good together.”

  “I just hope she comes to her senses and tells him everything. She finally told Mary.” I shut my door and put on my seat belt. Even with such a short ride, you never knew what was in store for you around the corner. Besides, Greg drove fast. “Maybe I could come with you.”

  “Good try, but I’m thinking not. I’ll have Toby grab some burgers on the way out. Make sure you eat.”

  “I’m making tacos. I’ll eat.” As crazy as today had been, maybe it had ended with one good thing. My aunt and Harrold back together. All I could do was hope.

  I was frying up the now-defrosted hamburger when a knock came at the front door. I turned off the pan and Emma and I went to answer it. Emma barked once, then sat. A response she usually had for my aunt. I didn’t look out the window, just opened the door. It wasn’t my aunt.

  Sadie and Pastor Bill stood on my porch. I noticed he had his hand on my friend’s back in a very personal way. “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you two today.”

  Sadie opened the screen and they walked in. She handed me a box. “We brought you cookies.”

  Now Emma’s reaction made sense. She had smelled the cookies and figured whoever was at the door needed to be let inside. “I was just starting dinner. Can you stay?”

  She shook her head. “Actually, Bill is taking me out tonight. We just came from seeing Paula, and I wanted you and Greg to hear what she had to say.”

  “He’s not here. Come into the kitchen. I can at least get you something to drink while we talk.”

  Sadie looked up at Pastor Bill, and the smile he gave her melted my heart. Cupid must be taking up residence in South Cove, because love was definitely in the air today. “We have time for one cup.”

  “Great; follow me.” I turned to Pastor Bill as we walked to the kitchen. “I don’t think I’ve had you over to the house before.”

  “No, but I came here many times to visit with its previous owner, Emily. You’ve made the place shine with youth and life. She would be proud.” He pulled out a chair for Sadie. “Now you just need to add some little feet to the mix.”

  “Oh, we don’t need another dog. Emma’s quite enough.” I turned away to grab cups and wipe away the tears that the mention of my friend Emily had brought.

  Sadie’s laugh tinkled through the room. “Jill, he wasn’t talking about another dog. He was hinting, poorly, that you and Greg needed to get married and start having kids.”

  I almost dropped the cup I was setting in front of Pastor Bill. “Oh, well, I don’t think we’re ready yet…”

  “Don’t let him mess with you. That decision is between you and Greg, not anyone else.” Sadie stood and grabbed the coffeepot. She filled the cups and set napkins in front of each person. Then she opened the box of cookies. “Sit down and let me tell you what Paula said.”

  Sugar, flour, butter, and a bit of almond filled the room. I took one and bit into it before I set the other half on the napkin. “These are heavenly.”

  Sadie blushed. “Thanks. So, we went to see Paula today. She got the other half of this cookie batch. Anyway, she broke down crying and told me that she’d snooped on Ben’s computer and found love letters to another woman. I guess they were pretty graphic about what he wanted to do to her, so Paula felt like she couldn’t tell us. Like we’d think differently of her just because the guy was a big, fat cheater.”

  “Men like him break down a woman’s confidence and they feel like it’s their fault.” Pastor Bill squeezed Sadie’s shoulder. “I hate to admit it, but sometimes men aren’t the partners and companions God created them for. I mean, this guy lived off Paula for a full year. She paid all the bills. He kept saying he’d have a big paycheck soon. That they’d be in fat city then.”

  “From his self-employment?”

  Sadie shook her head. “Paula said he only put up the web page. He never took on a job, from what she could find. Why would you even spend the money on designing a web page if you weren’t going to do the work?”

  “Good question.” I finished my cookie and grabbed another.

  Pastor Bill looked at his watch. “If we’re going to make our reservation, we’d better get going.”

  As they stood, I thought of another question. “Did Paula get this girl’s name?”

  “She did. She said it was Dee.” Sadie hugged me, and I watched them climb into Pastor Bill’s older sedan. He held the door open for her, then waved at me before getting in himself. And then they were gone.

  I wrote down everything they’d said in my notebook. As soon as I saw Greg, or he called, I’d tell him about the mystery woman. With Earl Hess found, maybe this Dee would be another lead.

  I was just finishing the hamburger when a thought hit me. Dee. Denyse. Could it be the same person? Could that be why Ben was hanging out at the Senior Project, because he was sleeping with Denyse too? I picked up the phone and called Jackie’s burner phone. No answer.

  I put the hamburger in the oven on low, then grabbed Emma’s leash. I needed to make sure Jackie hadn’t talked to a Dee at the Project and to warn her to stay away from Denyse until Greg could clear her. And I didn’t like that she wasn’t picking up her phone. “Want to go for a ride with me?”

  Chapter 22

  Pulling in next to Jackie’s car, I rolled down the windows for Emma. I pointed to the patio. “You stay here and I’ll be right up there.”

  Emma made three circles and then lay down on the passenger seat. She was used to waiting for me. I never took her out when it was too hot, but we got a lot of cool days where she could go with me. I rubbed her head before I left. “Don’t be sad; after dinner we’ll go to the beach for a walk.”

  Her ears perked up, but she didn’t lift her head. I was being punished.

  Laughing, I locked the doors of the Jeep and ran up to Jackie’s. A quick stop and I’d be back making tacos in less than ten minutes. My stomach growled in protest. It was almost seven now and I hadn’t eaten any lunch. The almond cookies were letting me down.

  I knocked on the door. No answer. I called out, “Aunt Jackie, I need to talk to you.”

  I waited; still no answer. Maybe she’d gone to dinner with Harrold. I could only hope. I called her phone again and heard the ring inside the apartment. And she’d left her phone behind. Great. My aunt seriously didn’t understand the concept of keeping a phone on you at all times. When the voice mail answered, I left a quick message. “Call me as soon as you get home. I need to talk something out with you.”

  As I ended the call, I turned to go down the stairs, but I heard a crash. Fear exploded in me. She was inside but unable to get to the door. Was it a heart attack? Or a stroke? I dug for my keys and dialed 911 at the same time. If she was just asleep, I could call back. The operator answered on the first ring.

  “Send someone to the apartment above 123 Main Street, the coffee shop in South Cove. I heard a crash, and my aunt’s elderly.”

  “Is she hurt?” the operator asked.

  I dug for my keys one-handed. “I don’t know, I’m not in the apartment yet.”

  “Well, before we send out an ambulance, let’s see what’s going on with your aunt. Let me know when you’re in the apartment. I’ll stay on the line.” The
operator’s calm voice wasn’t helping the situation.

  “Just send an ambulance.”

  “I’m not going to do that. Now, are you in the apartment yet?”

  I tried to put the key in the lock, and my aunt answered the door. “What’s going on out here?”

  “Are you all right?” I scanned her, looking for signs of pain or a stroke.

  My aunt sighed. “Jill, I’m fine. I just dropped my teapot.”

  “From what I’m hearing of the conversation, you don’t need an ambulance?” the operator interrupted.

  “I guess not. Sorry for the bother.”

  “I’m glad it turned out okay,” the operator replied and then hung up on me.

  “I need to get ready for dinner. Harrold’s coming by in a while and taking me for steak.” Jackie started to close the door.

  “Wait. All I needed to say was, I think there’s something wrong with Denyse and the Senior Project. So stay away from that place, okay?”

  My aunt nodded and tried to close the door again. “I understand, Jill.”

  I turned to leave when the door flew open again.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked my aunt.

  As I watched, she was pulled back into the apartment. “I was going to let you go, but now I need to know what you think you know about me.” Denyse appeared at the door with a handgun. “Come on in and let’s have a little chat.”

  I resisted the urge to glance back down at my Jeep and my dog. Hopefully, someone would find her before she got tired of waiting and jumped out the window, or worse, chewed up my seats. I walked inside the apartment and heard the door slam behind me. All thoughts of Emma flew out of my head. This must be what prisoners felt when the cage doors closed. I took my aunt’s hand. “Are you really all right?”

  “She’s fine, or will be if you follow my instructions,” Denyse said. “Go over to the couch and sit down. I need to be able to see your hands at all times.”

  I walked my aunt over to the couch and we sat, but not before I felt her hand tremble in mine. Aunt Jackie was scared, not something I’d seen often. “So I’m in here. What do you want? Money? We don’t keep much on-site on the weekends. Deek did a drop at the bank after he closed the shop. It’s protocol. We don’t want to be robbed or seen as an easy place to rob.”