Sinister Cinnamon Buns

by J Lee Mitchell

  Andy groaned. This mess just kept getting worse.

  Andy arrived at the Red Herring Inn and found Tom and Beecher Block waiting for him on the front porch. They waived as he pulled up, and it seemed genuinely friendly, which eased his tension a little, but not completely. He hated being here. He knew what a strain it was putting on his relationship with Q’Bita and, to a lesser extent, her family. There was no way he could see Liddy Lou Cormier as a killer, but he had a duty to follow the evidence even if it put him at odds with those he cared for. He just hoped Liddy Lou could provide a plausible explanation for all this before Red Dixon forced his hand and he had to take her in.

  “Afternoon, Andy,” Tom called from the porch as Andy approached the steps.

  “Tom. Beecher. How’re you fellas doing this afternoon?”

  Beecher remained quiet, but Tom let out a half-hearted laugh.

  “We’ve had better days, but then again I’m guessing you have, too.”

  Andy nodded in agreement as he reached the top of the steps and shook their hands.

  “I’m guessing Q’Bita or Rene already gave you a heads-up that I was coming.”

  This time it was Beecher who laughed.

  “Q’Bita told us to expect you. Rene was too busy trying to Google the number for the National Guard to let them know we’re under attack. He acted like you were coming with a full SWAT team and planning to burn Nana at the stake.”

  “Wow. I promise it’s nothing so extreme. Some things have come up, and I can’t put off asking Liddy Lou about them any longer. I hope you know I don’t want to be here, and I wouldn’t if there was any other way.”

  Tom patted Andy on the back and steered him towards the front door.

  “Of course, Andy. You’re just doing your job. Liddy Lou is innocent so there’s no reason for any of us to get all worked up. You and your guys will find the real killer, and this will all blow over in a few days.”

  As he entered the Red Herring Inn, Andy wished he shared Tom’s confidence.

  Tom led Andy to the library while Beecher went to fetch Liddy Lou. A few minutes later Andy heard the bell over the front door chime.

  “If you’ll excuse me for a minute, Andy, that’s probably Kent. I’ll let him know we’re in here.”

  At the mention of Kent Haskell’s name Andy felt his blood pressure start to climb. Kent was the only defense attorney in Castle Creek, and damn good at his job. He was a nice enough guy, but his job often put him and Andy at odds. Any hope of having a casual conversation with Liddy Lou had now vanished.

  As Tom and Kent entered the library, Andy saw Q’Bita walk past the door. She looked angry and didn’t even bother to acknowledge him. He hadn’t much time to dwell on it before Beecher and Liddy Lou arrived.

  Liddy Lou gave Kent a double cheek air kiss and thanked him for coming on such short notice, then turned to Andy. “Sheriff, I hope you don’t mind I asked Kent to join us.”

  Andy stood and waited for Liddy Lou to take her seat opposite him and next to Kent.

  “I don’t mind at all. Kent, always nice to see you.”

  Andy nodded in Kent’s direction and noticed Kent’s barely concealed look of doubt.

  Kent was the first so speak.

  “Sheriff, would you mind greatly if I had a few minutes with Liddy Lou and Tom before we start? As I’m sure you’re aware, Ms. Cormier has no criminal record so has little experience in dealing with an interrogation. I think it’s only fair that I make sure she’s aware of all her rights and has been given the proper legal counsel before answering any of your questions.”

  Several replies raced through Andy’s mind at once, none of which were polite or professional, but he reminded himself Kent was just doing his job. He also reminded himself he didn’t want to do anything to further upset Q’Bita.

  “No problem. I’ll be out on the porch. When you’re ready, just give me a holler.”

  Andy paced back and forth trying to decide if he should go try talking to Q’Bita before they got started. He was about to go around the back to the cooking school entrance when Tom appeared in the doorway and said they were ready for him.

  As Andy entered the library, he could feel the tension in the air. He took his original seat across from Liddy Lou and Kent.

  “If you’re ready, Liddy Lou, I guess we can get started.”

  Liddy Lou nodded her head, gave Andy a forced smile, then turned to look at Kent Haskell.

  “If you don’t mind, Sheriff Hansen, before we begin I’d like to know if these questions are being asked because Ms. Cormier is considered a suspect or if they are just informational to your investigation.”

  “I’m still trying to determine that, Kent. That’s why I’m here.”

  “Very well, then, Sheriff. I’ll caution you to stick to the facts of the case and not to ask any leading questions. If you do, I’ll end this conversation immediately. Are we clear?”

  Andy wanted to punch Kent in the face but that would only further complicate things, so he refrained.

  “Liddy Lou, can you tell me where you where the night of Macie’s murder?”

  “I was here.”

  “The whole evening? You didn’t go out at all?”

  “Sheriff, I’ll caution you not to badger my client. If she says she was here, you should take her statement as fact unless you have evidence to the contrary.”

  Liddy Lou gave Kent an annoyed look and turned toward Andy to answer for herself.

  “Yes, I was here the whole evening.”

  Andy was shocked. Liddy Lou had just lied to him.

  “Just to clarify, we’re talking about this past Friday, the tenth. You’re certain you didn’t go out at all? Is there anyone who can confirm that for you?”

  Liddy Lou was no longer looking at him directly when she answered. Her eyes were focused on her lap where she had a string of beads in her hands that she kept rolling between her fingers as she spoke.

  “I’m certain I was here the whole evening of the tenth, but I was alone in my room which means no one can confirm my whereabouts for you.”

  Andy swore under his breath.

  “Okay, let me ask this another way. Is there any chance you may have left here, even for a short while, that evening and just don’t remember?”

  Liddy Lou’s eyes remained fixed on her lap and she was about to say something when Kent cut in.

  “Sheriff, why do you keep harping on this subject? My client said she was here. Now let’s move on to your next question, please.”

  “Okay, I’ll move on, but if you remember anything or you want to go back and add any detail to my first question, just let me know.

  “After your run-in with Macie at the Castle Creek Diner, did you have any verbal or written contact or communication of any type with Macie in the days leading up to her death?”

  “No, sir, I had no reason to do so.”

  “So you didn’t go see Macie or send her any messages or packages at home or at the studio, then?”

  “No, I most certainly did not.”

  “Who would have access to the welcome baskets you distribute to your guests here at the Inn?”

  This question seemed to rattle both Liddy Lou and Kent, who cut Liddy Lou off before she could say anything.

  “Sheriff, I’m not sure I understand where you’re going with this, so you had better have some type of evidentiary reason or I’m going to shut this whole interrogation down right now.”

  Andy had been working hard to stay civil, but Kent was working his last nerve, and Liddy Lou lying to him wasn’t helping. At this point he needed to take control of this conversation, even if it caused some hurt feelings with the Blocks.

  “Look, Kent, I am not interrogating your client yet. I’m asking her questions about her actions and whereabouts on the days leading up to Macie Dixon’s murder. I am well within the scope of the law in doing so, and if I don’t start getting some straight answers from her, and some cooperation from you, I’m going to be left wit
h no choice but to take her in as a suspect and proceed with an actual interrogation. The choice is up to you, so make your decision and let’s get on with this.”

  Liddy Lou’s eyes were as wide as saucers and filling with tears, and it broke Andy’s heart.

  Kent looked at her and patted her shoulder.

  “Sheriff, at this point I feel it’s in my client’s best interest if we answered no further questions. I strongly believe you have no evidence on which to charge my client, or you would have already done so. However, if you’d like to officially charge my client, then please feel free to arrest her, mirandize her, and continue this conversation at your station.”

  Liddy Lou was looking at Kent like he’d just grown a second head and started speaking in tongues.

  Andy was a damn fine poker player and he knew a bluff call when he heard one. Kent was trying to force him to admit he didn’t have enough evidence to charge Liddy Lou. This was one time Andy wished Kent was right.

  “You sure this is how you want to play this, Kent?”

  “Yes, Sheriff, I am.”

  Andy stood and looked down at Liddy Lou, who was now squirming in her seat.

  “Liddy Lou, look at me, please. I don’t doubt Kent is doing what he thinks is best for you but I’m going to ask you to think this through and do what your heart tells you is right here. If there’s something you aren’t telling me, you need to speak up now or I’m going to be forced to do something I really don’t want to do. We both know what you’ve told me isn’t true, and I can’t for the life of me understand why you’re not being straight with me. If you’re afraid of someone, or you’re protecting someone, I can help you.”

  Kent stood up and stepped between Liddy Lou and Andy.

  “Okay, Sheriff, that’s enough. I will not allow you to berate my client in her own home.”

  “Kent, sit down and shut up. Your guard-dogging isn’t helping Liddy Lou one bit. I know you think I’m bluffing but I’m not, and if Liddy Lou insists on sticking with her current story, I’m going to have to take her in.”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” said a familiar voice from the doorway.

  Andy turned to see Q’Bita in the doorway, her face a mixture of shock and outrage.

  “Q’Bita, she’s not giving me much choice.”

  “Just because Macie was killed with strychnine doesn’t mean Nana is guilty. Half the farms in the county still use it for pest control. It could have come from any number of places.”

  “That’s not the only thing I’m basing this on, Q’Bita.”

  Finally, Liddy Lou rose from her chair and clapped her hands together so loudly it got everyone’s attention.

  “Enough. I’ll have no more bickering over this. Sheriff, I’ve said all I intend to say without discussing this further with my family and my attorney. If that’s an issue, then you do what you have to do.”

  “Ah, damn it, Liddy Lou, please don’t make me do this,” Andy pleaded, but Liddy Lou stood still as a statue.

  “Liddy Lou Cormier, you are under arrest for the murder of Macie Dixon. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you by the court.”

  Andy continued reading Liddy Lou her rights until Liddy Lou confirmed her understanding. She extended her wrists towards him as if she expected him to slap cuffs on her.

  Andy heard Q’Bita gasp and knew he’d just pushed what was left of their relationship over the edge. It was only a matter of time until it reached the bottom and shattered into a million pieces.

  “No, Liddy Lou, that isn’t necessary. You’re not a hardened felon. Let’s just take a ride downtown and try to sort this all out, okay? Kent and your family can meet us there.”

  “I want to go with you.”

  “Q’Bita, please understand, if there was any way I could let you ride along, I would, but we have a relationship, and because of that I have to play this one by the rules. I can’t get to the bottom of this if I’m tied up defending my decisions to every gossip in town who thinks I let my feelings for you taint this investigation.”

  “He’s right, Q’Bita,” Kent said.

  “Q’Bita, darling, can you please bring my purse and my blood pressure medicine with you to the station? Oh, and my bible, as well? I’m sure the good Lord and I will be having a serious chat at some point soon.”

  Liddy Lou gave Q’Bita a big hug and turned to face Andy.

  “Ready when you are, Sheriff.”

  The walk to his cruiser was the longest walk of Andy’s life. He’d done damage today he wasn’t sure he’d be able to ever undo. Most days he loved his job but today wasn’t one of those days.

  Chapter 26

  Liddy Lou had only been arrested two days ago and already the Castle Creek gossip mill was churning at full speed. Nosiness and morbid curiosity resulted in sold-out classes for the next month. Tonight’s class was completely full, and there was a waiting list as long as Q’Bita’s arm. She had considered canceling this week’s classes until she realized it would be to her advantage to keep these people close.

  She scanned the room as the last of the participants shuffled in. As usual, some went right to their seats while others helped themselves to snacks, drinks, and the latest tidbits of dirty laundry.

  Q’Bita was not surprised to see the queen mother of gossip, Hilde Sanders, working the crowd like a grapevine and stirring up a stew of gossip. Hilde annoyed Q’Bita’s nana to no end, but Q’Bita found Hilde’s overwhelming need to gossip kind of amusing. Except for tonight. Tonight it was annoying, because her nana was the main topic of conversation.

  Evie Newsome was manning the check-in table and gave the signal that all the participants had arrived, and class could start. Q’Bita took a deep breath, flipped on her mic, and jumped in with both feet.

  “Hello, folks. Can I have your attention for a few minutes while I do some introductions and cover our safety reminders?”

  Most of the group moved towards their seats while a few finished getting refreshments, but there was one small knot of ladies still clustered around Hilde Sanders at the coffee and tea station. Q’Bita was about to break it up when she saw Evie waddle towards them like a mad goose. Hilde must has noticed it, too, because she stepped forward just as Evie reached them and wrapped Evie in a huge hug.

  “Oh, Evie, this whole mess with Liddy Lou and Macie is just terrible, isn’t it?”

  Q’Bita watched in amusement as Evie tried to wriggle free of Hilde’s embrace. Evie was barely five feet and weighed less than a hundred pounds. Hilde had at least eight inches and one hundred and fifty pounds on Evie. It looked like a wrestling match between a kitten and a Kodiak bear.

  “Put me down, you—”

  Evie had been prickly as a hedgehog since Liddy Lou’s arrest, and Q’Bita was afraid the kitten might eat the bear if she didn’t break this up.

  “Okay, ladies, it’s time to get started. Who’s ready? We’ll take a break once everything is in the oven, and we can chat and catch up then.”

  Hilde let go, and Evie forced her scowl into a smile as she made her way to the front of the room.

  Q’Bita went through the usual—introductions, announcements, safety precautions—and was just about to go over the menu when Hilde spoke up.

  “Where’s Liddy Lou? We can’t start without her. We all love her stories about your family’s wedding books, and I was hoping she had an update on when her cookbook would be released.”

  Q’Bita glanced down and saw Evie’s hands where balled into fists. She could sense Evie was close to her boiling point again.

  “Thank you for asking, Hilde. Liddy Lou sends her regards to all of you but unfortunately she will not be able to join us this evening.”

  A murmur rippled through the participants and Q’Bita was glad she couldn’t make out what they were saying, and extremely glad Evie couldn’t, either. She needed Evie to pu
t a cork in her temper long enough to stick to the plan. Q’Bita hadn’t spoken to Andy since he’d arrested her nana, and the only way she was going to find the real killer was to find out what Andy knew. Working the gossip mill was the best option she had right now.

  Most of these ladies had known Evie Newsome their whole lives and would tell her things they would never tell Q’Bita, whom they still viewed as an outsider.

  To Q’Bita’s relief, the cooking part of the class went smoothly. As they started break, Q’Bita switched off her mic and pulled Evie aside.

  “Are you sure you’re up to this, Evie?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I just need to focus and stop letting Hilde get under my skin. That woman sure can bristle my brisket, though. You know she doesn’t give a baboon’s bunghole about those wedding book stories, and she knows exactly where your nana is. She just wanted to draw attention to Liddy Lou’s absence, so she could have something to cackle about with the rest of her brood.”

  “Yes, I know, and for once that’s exactly what we want them to do. Until Judge Tanner gets back from his fishing trip and sets bail, Nana is stuck in jail and can’t tell us anything.

  Kent says Andy’s been keeping everything to himself for now because it’s an ongoing investigation, which means we need to figure this out for ourselves. These ladies know everything that goes on in this town, and I need to know what this supposed evidence is so I can get to the bottom of this whole mess and find out who really killed Macie Dixon.”

  “Well, then, I guess we’d better go work the crowd and see what they know. You take Hilde, though. I just can’t.”

  Evie walked away before Q’Bita could argue.

  Q’Bita spotted Hilde holding court with some of her hens near the snacks, and quickly made her way around the other side of the room without being noticed. She snuck in behind them and pretended to organize and restock the snacks while she eavesdropped.

  “Well, I’m not sure, either, but I was at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night and overheard Sammie Hake telling Herschel Vance that Sheriff Hansen and his deputies questioned her. Something about a basket. I got the impression Herschel must also have been questioned.”