Macramé Murder

by Mollie Cox Bryan

  “It was nothing like I had imagined. The swamps and the marshes. Lovely in their own right,” Cora said. She remembered the kudzu, the live oaks, and the unusual grasses—and she remembered what she thought must have been Rue’s place, with the gorgeous, glittering chimes. “You know, I met Josh’s mother, Rue. I liked her. She seemed formidable.”

  Jane quieted as she sipped more from her drink. “Maybe she didn’t like her new daughter-in-law.”

  “Possibly,” Cora said.

  “That’s more than possible. I’ve never known a mother who thought her son’s wife was good enough,” Jane said.

  “Okay,” Cora said. “But would she have hated her enough to kill her? And why would she have killed Zooey?”

  “That, my friend, is a good question. I suppose money was involved,” Jane said. “Or some kind of seedy affair.”

  Cora’s ears pricked at the words seedy affair. She thought of her Adrian being sucked in to this situation. Surely he hadn’t been involved with any of it. Yet, the police insisted he wear the tracking bracelet.

  “Don’t look now,” Jane said in a hushed voice. “Here comes Hank. Speaking of seedy affairs.” She wiggled her eyebrows comically in reference to his rumored involvement with his boss, Mathilde.

  Hank? What was he doing here? Cora wondered.

  “Hello, ladies,” he said. “May I join you?” He dragged a chair over and sat it on the other side of Cora.

  “Sure,” Cora said. “I thought you’d be busy helping Mathilde in her class,” she said.

  “I’ve been fired and I don’t feel like drinking alone,” he said, turning. “May I get a drink, please?” The server came close to him and he asked for a scotch on the rocks. A strong drink to be sipping on in the sun, Cora noted. “No pleasing that woman. I’ve had it. I stood up for myself and she fired me.”

  Jane’s mouth dropped open.

  “I’m so sorry, Hank,” Cora managed to say. “It’s been a trying weekend for everybody. I’m sure she’s stressed. Having all these murders happening when you’re trying to have a retreat . . .”

  “Well, that’s what we argued about, frankly,” he said. “I thought we should cancel the classes. She refused. The woman has more money than God and she refused to cancel for fear of losing money. It’s so, I don’t know, crass. Zooey’s body isn’t even cold yet, I’m sure. And here we are making seashell wreaths.”

  Well, there it was. He’d verbalized what Cora had been feeling under her skin this whole time.

  Hank took his drink from the server. “Thank you,” he said.

  Cora noted the slight trembling in his hand as he held his drink.

  “I shouldn’t be talking with you two,” he said after he sipped from his drink and leaned back into his chair. “You’re in the crafting community and I don’t want any rumors flying around about my departure. So, please.”

  “No worries,” Cora said. “Mum is the word.”

  She sipped from her long straw, enjoying the smooth heat of the liquor as it traveled, remembering Hank and Mathilde arguing in the hallway of the resort—and standing outside the first night she and Adrian were walking back after seeing the wedding. What was the argument about? That’s right—the tiara. She sunk more into the relaxation of the moment and wondered if it mattered.

  Chapter 29

  The rushing sound of the ocean lulled Jane into an almost-sleep state. She was not one for naps, like Cora, who insisted her power naps were part of the source of her amazing creativity. And amazing it was. Jane loved the gorgeous coasters Cora fashioned out of old CDs, just last week.

  Cora and Hank were in a conversation of sorts, about sea glass, shells, and something about a tiara. Jane was half listening. Thoughts of her morning pottery class rolled through her mind. She’d need to check on some of the pieces that had been fired that morning.

  “A tiara worth that much money?” Cora’s voice raised. Jane snapped awake.

  “How much?” Jane said, sitting up.

  “Well,” Hank said. “It was worth about half a million. But now, since Zooey has died, it will be worth more.”

  “Zooey designed it?” Jane said.

  “Yes, that’s what we were talking about,” Cora said. “Weren’t you listening?”

  “No. I think I was almost asleep,” Jane said.

  “In any case, Mathilde and Zooey designed it together,” Cora said. “It was part macramé and part wire.”

  “Plus the sea glass was exquisite,” Hank chimed in.

  “Not to mention the diamonds,” Cora said.

  “Real diamonds?” Jane said.

  “Absolutely,” Hank said, as if it were an everyday thing. Real diamonds in a tiara to be worn only once in a woman’s life. “Nothing was too good for Marcy Grimm.”

  “Oh,” Jane said.

  “So you knew her?” Cora said.

  Sadness came over his face. “Yes, yes, I knew her. God rest her soul.”

  The three of them sat quietly for a few seconds.

  “Well, it turns out my boyfriend knew her as well,” Cora said.

  My boyfriend sounded odd coming out of Cora’s mouth. It had been more than a few years since Cora had a boyfriend. Jane liked the sound of it.

  “Speaking of boyfriend,” Cora said, glancing at Adrian as he walked toward them.

  “Here’s your hat,” he said, and handed it to her, eyeballing Hank.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I needed this.” She placed it on her head.

  Adrian kissed her cheek and placed his hand on her shoulder, as if to claim his woman. Jane smiled. Adrian wasn’t like that, but maybe he was jealous. If only he recognized how long it had been since Cora was interested in a man, let alone was able to trust anybody, especially a man, Adrian might have a little more confidence.

  Hank stood. “Please take my seat. I’m off. Suddenly I’m starving.”

  “Thanks,” Adrian said. “I’m Adrian, by the way,” he said, and extended his hand.

  “Oh, sorry. I thought you two had met,” Cora said.

  “I don’t think so,” Adrian said as they shook hands.

  “Well, lovely to meet you,” Hank said, oozing charm. “I must be off. I’ll catch you later.”

  A weird clenching feeling grabbed at Jane’s guts. Something about Hank niggled at her. Why? He seemed charming. Except that he and Mathilde argued and he was only too happy to tell them about it. She didn’t like that. These were private matters. It was unfair to Mathilde that her employee went around talking about her like that. Well, ex-employee.

  “Isn’t he Mathilde’s assistant?” Adrian said, wiggling his eyebrows. He plunked himself down in the chair.

  “Yes, he was until recently,” Cora said. “Though I doubt there was any of THAT going on.”

  “Why?” Adrian said.

  “He’s gay,” she said.

  “He is?” Jane said.

  “I’m sure of it. My gaydar was beeping,” Cora said.

  “I didn’t get that idea at all,” Adrian said. “Oh well,” he said. “I guess he’s not having a torrid affair with his boss.”

  “Now, that’s a bit disappointing,” Jane said with a laugh.

  “But he did seem devoted to her,” Cora said. “He’d been with her for years.”

  “But he’s no longer with her,” Jane said. “I found it tasteless, for him to tell us all that.”

  “What’s going on?” Adrian asked.

  Cora filled him in.

  “It’s interesting because I’d heard them arguing twice this weekend,” Cora said. “Both times it was about that bloody tiara.”

  “The tiara that London found?” Adrian said.

  “Yes,” Jane said. “It’s worth half a million apparently.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me,” Adrian said. “Nothing was too good for Marcy Grimm.”

  Jane’s and Cora’s heads twisted toward him.

  “What?”

  “That’s what Hank just said,” Cora said. The breeze was picking
up and Cora’s red hair was blowing around, even with the hat on.

  “She must have been one spoiled rich girl,” Jane said.

  The sky was starting to darken.

  “Yes, she kind of was,” Adrian said. “But she had high standards for everything, even her work. She was meticulous about it. But on another note, where the hell is my lawyer? I’d like to know what’s going on.”

  A grin spread across Jane’s face. She couldn’t help it. This was going to be delicious.

  “He’s drunk and in my room sleeping it off,” Cora said.

  “What?” Adrian sat up in his chair.

  “Yeah,” Cora said. “He came pounding on my door, drunk, fell into my bed, and there he remains.”

  “Why would he be drinking when he should be working?” Adrian said. “What kind of a lawyer is he?”

  “He’s a capable lawyer,” Cora said. “I don’t understand what happened.”

  “I think we should go and check on him,” Jane said.

  “Damned straight,” Adrian said.

  Chapter 30

  A police officer walked up to Adrian when they reached the lobby of the hotel.

  “Adrian Brisbane?”

  “Yes,” Adrian said. Cora reached out and grabbed his hand.

  “A word, please,” he said, and led them into a long hallway.

  What was going on? Was Adrian going to be questioned about Zooey’s murder? Was he suspected for that, too? Oh, this was getting ridiculous! And his lawyer was sleeping it off in Cora’s room!

  The officer opened the door and turned to the group. “Only Mr. Brisbane, please.”

  Adrian’s brows knitted as he glanced at Cora and Jane.

  “We’ll wait right here,” Cora said.

  He nodded and went into the room.

  “Actually, I should go and fetch Cashel. You wait here,” Jane said.

  “Good idea,” Cora replied. “Here’s my key.”

  “How drunk is he?” Jane said as she grabbed the key.

  “He passed out on my bed,” Cora said. “What does that tell you?”

  “If you can rouse him, throw him in the shower,” Cora added.

  “With his clothes on?”

  “I doubt he’d have time to change . . . it wouldn’t work,” Cora said. “How else can we sober him up quickly?”

  “Coffee? Does that work?” Jane asked.

  “Yes, but you have to wake him up first,” Cora said.

  “Okay, Well, it’s been a little while, maybe he’s slept it off,” Jane said, with a note of hope in her voice.

  “Good luck,” Cora said.

  “Thanks,” Jane said as she turned to go.

  Cora leaned on the wall outside the room where Adrian was being questioned. Of course, since he was suspected for the first murder, they’d question him about the murder of Zooey. It was procedure, right? But he’d been in his room most of the time because he was so exhausted from all that had been happening, especially from getting roughed up on the beach. They couldn’t even try to pin Zooey’s murder on him, could they?

  The door opened.

  “Ms. Chevalier?” a voice came from inside. “You may enter.”

  “Oh,” she said, and stepped across the threshold.

  “Adrian says you can vouch for his locale between the hours of one and three this afternoon,” the officer said.

  “He was in his room,” she said.

  “How do you know?”

  “Well,” she said, and found herself blushing, even though she had nothing to blush about. “I saw him and then we texted a few times,” she said, and pulled out her phone.

  “Not necessary,” the officer said. “We have his phone. We needed some corroboration.”

  “Do I need my lawyer?” Adrian asked.

  “No, you are free to go. For now,” the officer said. “Just please don’t go off resort grounds.”

  Cora’s stomach tightened. He was still being watched. Still wearing his bracelet. At some point his rights as a person to move about freely would have to be considered.

  “Can he take that thing off?” Cora asked, pointing to the bracelet.

  Adrian held up his arm.

  “No, not yet,” the officer said. “Sorry.”

  “You know his every move,” Cora said. “Then why did you question him for Zooey’s murder?”

  Adrian bit his lip.

  “We don’t owe you any explanation,” the officer said. “But the murder did take place in the same resort as your boyfriend here is staying. He’s the number one suspect for a high profile murder case on Sea Glass Island. You’re dammed straight we needed to question him.”

  The room silenced.

  Cora’s chest tightened, again. Calm down, she told herself. It was procedure. And they were letting him go. Now all they had to do was clear him for Marcy’s murder. She inhaled air, felt the oxygen circulate in her body.

  He reached for her hand. “It’s okay,” he said. “I have faith this will work out.”

  She smiled at him. “Me too.”

  “Now, if you don’t mind taking all this sweetness out of the room, I have other things to do,” the officer said.

  “Oh, okay,” Cora said. He didn’t have to tell them twice. They exited the room right as Cora received a text message from Jane.

  He’s not here, it said. Cashel is not here. I’ve gone to his room. There’s no answer at the door.

  Adrian’s phone received a message next.

  “It’s from Cashel. Finally!” Adrian said. “He’s at the hospital. He said he thinks he was drugged and is getting blood tests.”

  “Drugged?” Cora’s heart lurched. His search must be leading him in the right direction. Someone was watching him. That same person could be watching them now.

  He’s at the hospital. Just got word, she texted Jane back.

  “We need to check on him,” Cora said.

  “I can’t go,” Adrian said. “I don’t think you should go either.” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “It might be dangerous.”

  “Poor Cashel,” Cora said, remembering Mathilde asked that they stay on the resort grounds. “You’re right. I told Mathilde we wouldn’t leave.”

  Where’s Ruby? With him? Jane texted.

  I don’t know, Cora replied.

  I’ll find out and meet you at the mermaid fountain, came Jane’s response.

  “Let’s head over to meet Jane,” Cora said, slipping her arm through Adrian’s.

  “I’m going to need a drink—soon,” he said. “Something sweet.”

  “Okay, once we hook up with Jane, we’ll bring you some juice,” Cora said.

  “Sounds good,” he said. “With a splash or two of vodka would be better.”

  Cora saw the strain in his eyes. Such a sweet guy being hounded for murder. Two murders, that is.

  As they walked toward the mermaid fountain, Cora noted knitters and crocheters scattered about the area. They were working out their stress via their craftwork, which was exactly what they were meant to be doing here. Relaxing. But this weekend had gone terribly, terribly wrong.

  Chapter 31

  Cora saw Ruby marching out of her classroom to where the rest of them stood at the mermaid fountain, with Mathilde close behind.

  “I’m going to have to ask you to stay. I’m sorry. It’s best for all us if you stay,” Mathilde said.

  Ruby spun around, as if she might take a swing at Mathilde. Cora’s muscles tightened. Was there going to be a fight?

  “Just try to stop me, lady,” Ruby said. “That’s my son lying in the hospital room.” Ruby’s face was red, eyes bulging.

  Cora touched her shoulder. Ruby’s panic was almost palpable.

  “Cashel is in the hospital. I’m going to see him. Are you coming with me?” Ruby said.

  “Absolutely,” Cora said, then sneezed.

  “Me too,” Jane said. “Bless you.”

  “Um, well, I can’t,” Adrian said, holding up his arm, revealing his bracel
et. “But I’m going to do some research from here.”

  “Research?” Mathilde said. “For what?”

  “Never mind. It’s a personal project,” Adrian said, leaning down and kissing Cora on the cheek. “Stay in touch,” he said.

  “There she is!” a voice rang out. It was Katy and her group. “Hi, Cora,” she said. “We have a question for you about WordPress. Do you have a minute?”

  Mathilde crossed her arms, as if to say what are you going to do now?

  “Yes, I can take a quick question,” Cora said. “But I’m on my way out. How complicated is it?”

  “Well, it’s about monetization. How do you find your sponsors?” Katy asked.

  “Actually, I have a handout I’ll be giving you tomorrow with all that information in it,” Cora said.

  “Good, let’s go,” Ruby said, and pulled Cora by the arm.

  “Well, that’s good to know,” said Linda, Katy’s friend. “We’ll see you then.”

  Cora, Jane, and Ruby headed out to find a cab.

  The three women rode in silence all the way to the other side of the island.

  * * *

  The hospital turned out to be not much of a hospital; it was more like a medical outpost or emergency center. But Cashel was well tended. Cora was surprised to find him in much better condition than he had been the last time she had seen him. They had bags of fluid hooked up to him and a blue hospital gown covered him. When he glanced up at Cora, his eyes looked bluer than ever. Her stomach knotted. She had been more worried about him than she realized. He was becoming a good friend.

  “Cashel,” Ruby said, and kissed him. “What the hell happened?”

  “I wish I knew,” he said. His chin tilted toward Cora. “I had one drink.”

  Cora’s heartbeat quickened. “You were drunk,” she said.

  “I wasn’t drunk,” he said with a note of defensiveness in his voice.

  “When you came into my room, you could barely walk and you smelled of booze,” she said.

  “One drink,” he said again. “I think I was drugged.”

  “But why would someone do that?” Ruby said.

  A nurse walked into the room and checked his vitals.

  The rest of them stood hushed as she took his blood pressure.