“Kind of easing into retirement for him and his wife?”
“Oh, hardly. He’s only in his midfifties and certainly not ready to retire. I think the pace of the city and big hospitals got to him. Wanted to enjoy life a bit more before hitting the speed limit. Everyone loves him at the Clinic. You’ll meet him soon.” Elias held out the bowl of potatoes. “More?”
“Mmm.” Lucky shook her head. “You finish them.”
Elias ladled the last few potatoes onto his plate. “So now it’s just the two of us, one medical assistant, one RN, two receptionists and a records clerk. Oh, and we have an orthopedic specialist we can call in if need be, just in case we end up with casualties from the Resort.”
“Doesn’t the Resort have resident doctors?”
“Yes. Very good ones—two orthopedic surgeons, and a trauma specialist, which is mostly what’s needed at a ski resort, unfortunately.” Elias grimaced. “And I have some other duties as well. I’m the official…” Elias stopped himself in midsentence. His face flushed slightly and he popped a piece of potato into his mouth.
“You’re the official…what?” Lucky asked.
“Nothing. Tell you some other time. More salad?” He reached over to the serving bowl.
Lucky stopped with her fork in the air, suddenly understanding. Her face grew pale. “You’re the coroner for the County.”
Elias nodded in return. “I’m sorry. That was careless of me.”
Lucky sighed. “I don’t know what’s worse, knowing exactly what happened to my parents in the car that night, or imagining what might have happened.”
“Lucky, I am truly sorry. I wanted to cheer you up and get your mind off of that, not dredge it up.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s never far from my mind anyway.”
“If you ever decide you want to talk about this, you just let me know. I will tell you one thing—if it’s any help—it all happened very quickly. They did not suffer.”
Lucky felt her shoulders relax. She took a shaky breath. She realized she had been bracing herself in case she heard details she wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, that’s something. Thank you.”
Elias nodded in response. “I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to come down to the Spoonful in the past couple of days. My schedule’s been so tight. Have people been staying away?”
“You’ve heard about Sage, I’m sure.”
“Yes, but do you know why he’s been arrested?”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Nate yet. Not that he’d confide in me, but I can at least try. And I tried to talk to Sage at the station.”
“What did he have to say?”
“Nothing. He was completely closed down. Upset, really—that I went to see him. I just wish…” Lucky trailed off. “I just wish I knew more about this woman—this Patricia Honeywell. Somebody obviously had a motive to kill her, but I cannot believe it was Sage.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Lucky speared the last piece of salmon on her fork. She was quiet for a moment before speaking. “I saw him a few seconds after he discovered the body. He couldn’t even talk, he was so upset. And just before that, he had been his usual self, quiet, in good spirits.”
“I hate to say this, but how do you know he isn’t just a very good actor?”
Lucky shrugged. “I don’t. I guess I’m just trusting my instincts, and Jack’s opinion of him too. He’s known him well for the past few years while I’ve been gone. He has good insight when it comes to people.”
Lucky remembered the card for the Clinic that she had found in the murdered woman’s bedroom. “Elias—I have to ask you something. Do you happen to know if she was a patient at the Clinic?”
“Who? The victim?” Elias stared into space, lost in thought. “I was about to say ‘no,’ but it’s perhaps possible she was. I can check with our receptionists. To tell you the truth, I just assumed she was a tourist, but she might have come to the Clinic for some reason and I never knew about it.”
“How did she die?”
Elias put down his fork. “She was hit right here,” he said, pointing to the left side of his head just above the temple. “The blow caused a fracture and internal bleeding. Look, I don’t mean to cut you off, but I really shouldn’t be talking about this.”
“Come on, Elias.” Lucky persisted. “What was she hit with?”
Elias sighed. “This is between you and me, okay? I have no idea, but I’d guess a heavy object with maybe a rounded edge. What it was I can’t say for sure unless the object is found.”
“So—no chance this was an accident?”
“No.” He shook his head. “She was hit with a great deal of force.”
“I just want to know how and why she ended up behind the Spoonful. I’m thinking she wasn’t killed there, and worse yet maybe she was still alive and left there to freeze and die in the storm.” She shuddered involuntarily. “Nate was there with a technician, and I suspect they were looking for something to indicate one way or the other whether…if that was where it happened.”
“We’ll know eventually, and in her condition—” Elias stopped in midsentence.
Lucky looked up from her dinner. “What did you say? What condition?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry. Let’s change the subject—this is no conversation for dinner.”
“No, Elias. Really. I want to know. What did you mean?”
He sighed. “Can you keep this to yourself? It will come out eventually, but I’d rather not have it known it came from me. I’m the coroner, but I’m not a pathologist. We called in someone from Lincoln Falls and I attended. Please don’t mention this to anyone just yet.”
Lucky nodded. “Of course.”
“She was pregnant.”
“Oh,” Lucky breathed. “Oh,” she said again, thinking of the implications. “So who was the father?”
“We may never know. And that doesn’t necessarily mean it has anything to do with why she was killed.”
Lucky thought about the house on Bear Path Lane, the rumpled bed and silk robe and aroma of perfume. She thought of telling Elias about her search of the house and the attack, but held back. She had promised Eleanor not to breathe a word about being given the key, and she could imagine Elias’s reaction if she shared the information.
“I follow your logic, but it also could have everything to do with why she was killed.” Lucky scooped up the last piece of potato on her plate. It melted in her mouth. “This is so delicious, by the way. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I expect help loading the dishwasher.” Elias smiled. “Hey, let’s throw a log on the fire and keep it going. And I promised you a tour.”
Lucky waited at the foot of the stairs while Elias lifted another log onto the already blazing fire. He prodded the embers with a poker, wiping his hands on a small cloth, and turned to her, smiling. Her heart skipped a beat. She was enormously attracted to him, and embarrassed that her feelings might show. If only she could be the kind of woman who could appear reserved and aloof.
Elias led her into the dining room and turned a knob, illuminating a glittering crystal chandelier that sent sparkles of light dancing around the room. “I built this seat into the window area myself and had these seat cushions made.”
“I’m impressed. When and where do you find time to do all this?”
He laughed. “Every chance I get. I have a small carpentry workshop in one of the garages. It feels good to be actually building something by hand. The craftsmanship is what appeals to me.” He turned the knob, dimming the chandelier. “Let me take you upstairs.”
“This house needed a lot of TLC when I bought it. A lot of the plaster was old and cracked and had to be redone. It was a messy job, but it’s finally over. I started at the top with the roof and then had the bedrooms upstairs replastered and the floors refinished. Finally, after what seemed like years—maybe it was, after all—I managed to work my way down to the first flo
or. Whatever I could do myself, I did, but when it came to plumbing and electrical, I was lost and had to hire people.”
Lucky peeked in each bedroom; one was obviously Elias’s room, and another had been put to use as an office, with a small sofa, desk and file cabinets. The other two bedrooms were minimally furnished with beds and bureaus, obviously for guest rooms. “I love the colors you chose. They’re subtle, but warm.” She turned to him. “You must love this house very much.”
Elias grinned, proud of his handiwork. “I do. I grew up in the city and always dreamed of owning a home. All my living quarters have been cramped dorms or apartments. Believe me, I never planned on buying an antique that required so much work, but it has good bones. It’s built with wood and details you couldn’t even find or afford to buy today. And I’ve enjoyed restoring it. I guess it’s been my avocation for the last few years—an escape from work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my work, but everyone needs variety in life.”
They descended the stairs and returned to the parlor. “Have a seat. Would you like more wine?”
Lucky nodded. “A very small glass would be nice.”
Elias returned from the kitchen carrying two glasses and the bottle he had opened earlier. He poured a small glass for Lucky and sat on the sofa. This was the most heavenly evening she had enjoyed in a long time, she thought. After her initial nervousness, she had come to feel almost as if she and Elias were equals—compatriots, not an older man and a too young schoolgirl. She still didn’t know quite how to evaluate the evening that she was in the middle of. It had all the makings of a romantic tête-á-tête—a wonderful dinner, wine, a blazing fire. Yet Elias sat at the other end of the sofa and made no move to draw closer. Eventually they lapsed into a comfortable silence, both of them staring at the fire.
“Have you made any decisions about the Spoonful yet?”
She turned to him. “I haven’t had a chance to even think lately, what with Sage being arrested. I feel terrible that Jack’s had to shoulder the burden for so many weeks, and now, with business the way it is, how could I even think of selling? I just don’t know what I can do.”
“If your parents were still here, would you have considered coming back?”
She smiled. “If only. I honestly don’t know. Even before I got the news I was at a loss as to where my life was going. My major was theatre arts—without a graduate degree in something, I wasn’t really qualified for very much. I held jobs—some of which were interesting but paid very little. Madison’s a really nice town, with the University and all, but it wasn’t the same once I finished college. I was thinking of a teaching credential for lack of anything better, and then all this happened.”
Elias nodded. “I guess I was lucky. I always knew what I wanted to do, even when I was very young. I’ve never been in doubt about it. How I was going to get there was always the struggle. But I got through and here I am, and very happy in Snowflake.”
“You never get bored?”
“Never. Although rattling around this big place gets lonely sometimes, I still wouldn’t trade my life for anything.”
Lucky stifled a yawn.
“Sleepy?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. How rude of me. It’s been such a long day. I should be going.”
“I’ll walk you home.” Elias rose from the sofa.
“There’s no need. I’ll be fine.”
“Not a chance. I invite a lovely lady to dinner and allow her to walk home alone in the dark and cold? What kind of a cad would I be?”
He left the room and returned with her coat and his own. He held her coat while she slipped it on. A freezing blast of air hit their faces when he opened the outer door. Lucky followed the winding brick path, and when they reached the sidewalk, Elias tucked Lucky’s arm under his. Their boots crunched on ice crystals as they walked. For a moment she wondered what it would feel like to be enfolded in his embrace, to be held close. She had a quick vision of Elias drawing her near for a long, passionate kiss. She quickly pushed the thought away. His behavior was completely gentlemanly and friendly—nothing more. This was all her own fantasy.
But when they reached the doorway to her apartment building, Elias leaned toward her. She caught her breath. She felt it. It was unmistakable—he was attracted to her; she was sure now. It was only for a moment. Warmth suffused her body. She was grateful for the darkened street, sure that her complexion would betray her feelings. Elias kissed her gently on the forehead. “I hope you weren’t bored.”
“Not at all—I’m embarrassed I was so sleepy, but I was so comfortable.”
“Just think of me as your doddering maiden aunt.”
“Stop!” Lucky laughed.
“Maybe we could do this again?” he suggested.
Lucky smiled in response. “I’d like that.” Elias turned away, waving as he walked down the street. Lucky stood at the foot of her stairs, watching him as he shoved his hands in his pockets and finally turned the corner. She climbed the stairs and pushed open the door to the vestibule. Part of her was relieved Elias’s outward behavior was friendly and noncommittal and that she hadn’t made a fool of herself by expecting more, but part of her was sure there was more behind that chaste kiss. She had to admit, a big part of her yearned for more—she had been lonely for far too long.
Lucky used her key to open the front door of the apartment building. The hallway was dimly lit by a small wall sconce. She shut the door behind her, making sure the lock had caught, and turned to head up the stairs. A shadow moved. Strong fingers gripped her arm. A scream came to her lips as adrenaline coursed through her veins.
Chapter 17
“WHERE HAVE YOU been?” a voice hissed from the dark.
Lucky’s heart pounded a fast rhythm. “Sophie? You scared me half to death! What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you. One of your neighbors let me in. I want a word with you.”
“Keep your voice down. I don’t want to wake the whole building. My apartment’s on the second floor. Let’s go upstairs.”
“I don’t want to come up. I just want to know what you told the police that made them arrest Sage,” she spat out in an accusatory tone.
Lucky stared at her blankly. “What are you talking about? We didn’t tell the police anything. Nate walked in, said he was sorry, and arrested Sage. We had no warning that was about to happen. And I have no idea why. Do you?”
Sophie’s shoulders sagged. She shook her head. “No. I don’t. And Nate wouldn’t let me see him today.”
Lucky remembered the conversation she had overheard between Sage and Sophie the night she returned to the Spoonful for the cash bag. Their voices had carried clearly in the cold night air. “Sophie, tell me something. What were you and Sage arguing about the other night? Was it about this Honeywell woman?”
Sophie curled her lip. “She tried to play head games with me. She said she knew Sage a few years ago—and there was a lot about him she’d bet I didn’t know. Then she made it sound like they were still in touch—implying that something was going on between them. She made me so furious. I confronted Sage about it, but he denied it up and down. But still…” She hesitated. The dim lighting was playing tricks. It kept Sophie’s face in shadow, her eyes the only visible feature. “There was something…I couldn’t put my finger on it—I just felt there was more he wasn’t telling me.”
Lucky heard a door open and close upstairs. She whispered, “Look, if you don’t want to come up, you’ve got to keep your voice down.”
“Okay, okay. I will.”
“I think you’re right. I think he did know her from somewhere. She came into the Spoonful one day. Sage had just come out of the kitchen, and when he saw her, he ducked back very quickly. He did recognize her. But that’s all I know, believe me.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying you think there was something going on between them?”
“No. I don’t think that at all. It was more that…he was afraid of her.”
“You
haven’t answered my question. What were you doing at the jail? I saw you coming out of the station.”
“I went to see him. I wanted to know if there was anyone I could contact for him or anything he needed.”
“Why did you do that?”
“Sophie…you can’t possibly think…” Lucky was taken aback by Sophie’s tone, realizing the depth of her jealousy. “He works for us. He keeps the Spoonful running. You surely don’t think I could replace him very easily, if at all. And now, with the murder, we’ve had no customers—no one wants to come in. It’s awful for us.”
“And that’s your only reason? You’re concerned about the Spoonful?” she replied sarcastically.
“No, it’s not. Just get off it, Sophie. We care what happens to Sage. Granted I don’t know him very well, but my parents thought the world of him. They really cared about you too. You know, my Mom always wrote to me every time she ran into you or heard news about you.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Oh.” She took a shaky breath. “I meant what I said at the restaurant, you know. I was really torn up when I heard what happened to them.”
Lucky was silent, too afraid if she opened that door she’d dissolve in tears. “Do you know if Sage has any family that should be contacted—other than Remy?”
Sophie shook her head. “Not that he’s ever mentioned. I’ve tried to get him to talk about that stuff, but he just brushes it off.”
“Jack and I have been bringing food to the station for him, and will be at least until the arraignment. If you like, I’ll keep you posted and I’ll tell him you’re worried about him. I’m sure Nate will let you see him.”
Sophie almost managed a smile. “Thanks, Lucky. I appreciate that.”
“But, Sophie, listen. This Honeywell woman seems to have had quite a reputation. Can you sniff around the Resort and see what you can find out? Somebody had a motive to murder her, and if I can gather some information, maybe I can talk to Nate and keep him interested in looking further than Sage.”
A Spoonful of Murder Page 10
