Chicken Club Murder (The Darling Deli Series Book 21)

by Patti Benning

  “He left it behind. I don’t think he did it on purpose. My guess is he just forgot. She asked me to find him and bring him home. I pointed out that if he didn’t want to come home I couldn’t make him, and she said if that was the case I should just follow him around and make sure he doesn’t get himself into trouble. She was willing to pay me, which was nice. I don’t have much money.”

  “How did you know Eric was coming to Maple Creek?”

  “I went through his room and found a collection of photos he had left behind. They were all cut out of newspapers and the like. All of her.” He nodded at Moira. “It didn’t take much of a leap to figure out he’d gotten obsessed with her. He’d do that sometimes, fixate on people and follow them around. It’s gotten him into trouble before, though his mother always said he didn’t mean any harm by it. Anyway, I decided that he’d probably gone to see her.”

  Moira had to press her lips together to keep from asking questions. It was hard to remain silent, but she wanted to hear this out until the end.

  “How did you find him?” Jefferson asked.

  “Well, first I figured out who she was. I started going to the deli—great food, by the way, I could eat there every day—and keeping an eye out. He showed up just like I expected. I followed him around the corner and told him that his mother had sent me, and that she missed him.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “He didn’t want to leave. I told him I’d stick around town for a few days until he was ready. Well, a few days turned into a few weeks. I had someone paying for my motel room and my expenses, so I wasn’t about to complain. I followed him around every once in a while, but he didn’t seem to be causing much harm. He’d snap a picture every once in a while, but mostly he just walked around and explored the town. I think he liked being able to do whatever he wanted without his mother always keeping an eye on him.”

  “How did he get the money to live those weeks?”

  “He saved it up himself, according to his mother. He worked odd jobs in the summer sometimes, he did snow removal and lawn mowing for the neighbors, and she gave him an allowance.”

  “Do you have any idea where he might have gotten a gun?”

  “I was just getting to that part,” Mikey said. His cheeks flushed pink. “The gun you found was a revolver, right? A .38?”

  Jefferson nodded.

  “It was mine,” the amateur private investigator admitted. “I found out he’d been snooping around the lady’s—sorry, Ms. Darling’s—property and confronted him about it. He got violent, which I wasn’t expecting at all, and knocked me down. He saw my gun and took it, then ran away, shouting back that I should stop following him and tell his mother he wasn’t coming back.”

  “Why didn’t you report this to the police?”

  “I thought I’d be able to find him again on my own and keep everybody out of trouble, but I didn’t. Then two days later I heard about the man that had been found dead at the deli. I was almost certain it was him, but I had to check.”

  “That’s why you came in and asked me about the dead person I had found,” Moira said. Jefferson shot her an annoyed look.

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Well, Mr. Bennington, you still haven’t answered my original question. Why were you at Ms. Darling’s house?”

  “I was looking for her,” Mikey said simply. “I figured by then she knew that Eric had a bunch of pictures of her, and she deserved to know why and that he didn’t mean any harm by it all, he just doesn’t understand that people need privacy. I felt bad letting him invade your life for so long, and it’s my fault that he got killed.”

  At this, Jefferson leaned forward. Mikey looked at him and his eyes widened.

  “Oh, no, I don’t mean that I had anything to do with it. But if I had gone to the police earlier, none of this would have happened, would it?”

  Detective Jefferson sighed and leaned back in his seat. “So, you don’t actually know anything about his death?”

  “No. I was hoping you would, in fact.”

  Moira traded a glance with the police detective. If Mikey was telling the truth, then they weren’t any closer to solving the case than they were before. At least she had some answers about the man who had stalked her, but that was small comfort when she knew a killer was roaming free.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  * * *

  When she and David returned to the farm, she filled in her daughter and Eli on what had been going on, and told all three of them about the interview with Mikey.

  David looked skeptical. “I doubt he didn’t know he had to be licensed. It’s a very well-known requirement. It’s more likely that he didn’t want to pay the money and take the test. If he’s even telling the truth. Did they run a background check?”

  “Jefferson said they’re going to hold him while they check out his story and contact Eric’s mother. I feel bad for her. I can’t even imagine getting a call like that.”

  Her gaze flicked to Candice. Losing a child was every mother’s worst nightmare, even if that child was a troublemaker. She found herself wishing that things had turned out differently.

  “All of this is just so crazy,” Candice said. “I mean, I feel kind of bad for the guy, but what he did was still super creepy.”

  “It’s definitely a lot to think about,” Moira said. “It’s hardly two in the afternoon, and it’s already been such a long day.”

  “Do you want to get going home?” David asked. “I left my laptop charger at the office, so I’ll need to stop back and pick it up before joining you. I can stop at the grocery store on the way home. Didn’t you mention we need milk?”

  “Yes, milk and a few other things. I’ll text you a list,” she offered. “Thank you so much.”

  She gave her daughter a hug goodbye, and Eli walked them to the door. She loved her family, but it would be nice to have some time at home to think about things in peace.

  The dogs greeted her at the door. They had been alone there since the morning, and were bursting at the seams with energy. She dropped her purse on an end table in the living room, then followed the dogs back outside. A walk along the trail that looped through the woods would do her some good, though she would have to keep a close eye on the dogs to make sure they didn’t get muddy in the creek.

  It was a clear, if somewhat chilly afternoon. The fresh, clean air and the peaceful afternoon forest made her feel more relaxed. The woods were a burst of color, with tiny flowers springing up out of the ground and bright new leaves adorning the trees.

  The dogs never seemed to mind the weather unless it was pouring out, but even they seemed unusually happy today. They played chase through the woods, stopping only to drink from the creek. With some urging from her, they took the little footbridge over it instead of swimming across.

  After what seemed like hardly any time at all, the trail had looped around and they were heading back towards the house. She considered taking another loop, but her ears were getting cold and the light jacket she was wearing didn’t have a hood. With any luck, David would be home soon and they could microwave some popcorn and watch some of their shows in front of the television. She could do with some warmth and cuddling just about now.

  She paused at the front door to wipe the dogs’ feet off on the mat before letting them go inside. She wiped her own shoes last, then stepped through and pulled the door shut behind her. On her way to the kitchen, she grabbed her phone out of her purse, meaning to plug it into the charger by the coffee maker. She checked it idly, and was surprised to see three text messages and five missed calls from Denise. Concerned, she dialed her friend back right away.

  “Oh, thank goodness. Do you know where he is?”

  “What?” Moira asked. “Sorry, I didn’t read your messages. What’s going on?”

  “Logan is missing. I went upstairs to tell him lunch was ready, and he was gone. He left a note and I don’t think he’s coming back.”

  To her shock, the strong, red-hair
ed restaurant owner began to cry. Moira soothed her friend.

  “I’ll be right over. Don’t worry, Logan is a smart kid, I’m sure he’s fine. We’ll find him, all right?”

  She hung up after hearing her friend mumbled something that sounded like consent. After a quick text message to David to let him know where she had gone, she hurried back out to her SUV. It looked like her quiet afternoon at home was not going to happen.

  Moira hopped out of her vehicle and hurried to her friend’s front door. The house was large, and was one of the nicer ones in town. She had only been there a handful of times before, but not much seemed to have changed. Denise’s eyes were still red rimmed when she answered the door.

  “Any news from him?” she asked. Denise shook her head.

  “Nothing. He won’t answer his phone, and I can’t find any clue to where he might have gone.”

  “You said he left a note. What did it say?”

  In response, Denise handed her a folded piece of lined paper. Moira opened it and saw barely legible handwriting. It took her a moment to decipher it.

  Aunt Denise,

  I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here anymore. I did something wrong, and I don’t want it to affect you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. After Mom died you took me in, and I will always be grateful for that. Don’t worry about me too much, okay?

  -L

  “That’s it?” Moira asked, looking on the back for more information.

  “That’s all.” Her friend sniffed. “How can he think that would be enough to make me not worry about him? Of course I’m going to worry. I know I’m not his mom, but he’s family and he’s my responsibility. What if he never comes back? What if I said something that made him want to leave?”

  “Of course you didn’t. It sounds like he’s going through something of his own right now.” She looked at the letter once more, than handed it back to Denise. “I’ll drive around town and give Candice a call to see if she’s heard from him. You should go to the police with this. Since he’s an adult, they won’t be able to do much, but you can give them his description. That way if there’s an… if he’s found, they’ll know to contact you.”

  She had almost said if there’s an accident, they’ll know who to contact, but had stopped herself short. She didn’t want her friend to worry about that right now.

  “Thank you. I’ll go to them. Please, let me know if you find anything out from your daughter. Logan’s a good kid. Whatever he’s worried about, we’ll work through it.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  * * *

  Moira called Candice as soon as she got back into her vehicle. She didn’t tell her daughter everything—Logan was technically an adult, after all—but mentioned that Denise didn’t know where he was and was worried about him.

  “No, I haven’t heard anything,” Candice said. “I thought he was working today. Have you checked at the candy shop?”

  “No. Is it all right if I head over there now to check?”

  “Go ahead. Feel free to let yourself in if it’s locked. If he’s not there, can you give me a call so I know to come in?”

  “Of course. I’ll let you know either way.”

  Moira hung up with a sigh. It looked like she was going to have to drive around Lake Marion in search of Logan. She hoped he was at the candy shop, but she doubted she would find him there. If he was serious about leaving, he would already be far away. She couldn’t let her friend down, however, and felt like she had to at the very least try to search for him.

  Candice’s Candies was on Main Street, right in the center of Lake Marion. It was kitty-corner to the office where David hosted his private investigating business, and only a couple of blocks from the lake itself.

  The storefront looked dark as she drove by, but when she pulled around back, Logan’s car was in the parking lot. She smiled. It looked like he hadn’t gone far after all.

  She was about to text Denise that she had found him, when she thought better of it. If he had left his car here for some reason, and had gone on without it, she didn’t want her friend to be disappointed. It would be better to see the young man with her own eyes before telling anyone.

  She parked next to his car. She had a spare key to Candice’s shop on her keychain, but she didn’t need it; Logan had left the employee entrance unlocked. She pushed the door open and stepped into a dimly lit hallway that smelled of chocolate.

  “Logan?” she rapped gently on the kitchen door before poking her head through. There was a clattering sound.

  “Holy—Ms. Darling, you scared the… you scared me.”

  Relief washed through her at the sight of the young man picking up the metal pan that had fallen. He really was here. Denise would be so relieved.

  “I’m sorry. Your aunt is worried about you, and asked me to help her look for you.”

  “Oh, she called you? I was hoping I had longer before she found the note.”

  “Why?” Moira frowned and stepped into the kitchen. “You’re not really going to leave, are you?”

  “I have to,” he said. “I can’t tell you why.”

  “What are you doing here?” she asked. Her eyes went from the dish in his hands to a pot of something that was simmering away on the stove. He followed her gaze and jumped forward, grabbing a spoon and beginning to stir like a maniac.

  “I hope it isn’t burnt on the bottom,” he muttered.

  “Logan, what’s going on?”

  “I’m trying to finish up the orders that I told Candice I’d do before I go. It’s not fair to leave her with all of this work. I feel bad enough leaving the candy shop without telling anyone. Well, I guess I’m telling you now.”

  “But where are you going?”

  “Away.” He wouldn’t meet her eyes. He focused instead on what he was stirring.

  “Sorry, Logan, but I’ve got to tell your aunt where you are. It’s not fair to her to leave her wondering. You can at least let her know you’re safe.”

  “No, please don’t. I don’t want her to know anything.”

  “Why not? She cares about you. If you’re in trouble, she can help you—”

  “No, just leave her out of this, okay?”

  She was surprised. She hadn’t ever heard Logan snap at anyone before. Still, it didn’t change what she was going to do.

  “Unless you can give me a very good reason not to say anything to her, I’m going to call her. Sorry, but she’s my friend, and if our positions were reversed I’d want her to tell me about Candice.”

  “No, don’t tell her where I am! Look, I— I killed someone, okay? And I found out that she could get in trouble if the police learn that she was hiding me. I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone else. I’m going to go find my dad and join the military with him and hopefully be far away from here before anyone figures out what I did.”

  The candy shop fell silent after he stopped talking. It took Moira second to wrap her head around what he had said. Logan? Killed someone? But who—

  Realization hit her like a ton of bricks. “You killed Eric?” At his blank look, she added, “The man I found in the deli?”

  He nodded reluctantly. He had stopped stirring whatever was in the pot, and it started to bubble loudly.

  After the silence stretched on, Moira finally asked, “But why?”

  “I didn’t mean to,” he said. “I didn’t plan it or anything. I was there because Candice wanted me to leave some chocolates and a card for you for Mother’s Day. She wanted to surprise you when you walked in the door, then when she and Mr. Morris showed up, it would be another surprise. Anyway, I woke up early and drank a bunch of coffee, so by the time I had gotten to the deli, I had to use the toilet. I went straight into the restroom, and when I got done, I heard someone moving around in the other room. I had seen someone walking around by the alley, and thought that person might have followed me in since I left the door unlocked.”

  “So, you grabbed one of the kitchen knives?” she asked, some of the
pieces beginning to come together.

  He nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t plan to hurt anyone with it, but if the person was like on drugs or something I wanted to be able to defend myself. I snuck up to the door between the kitchen and the dining area and pushed it open. I saw a guy, but he wasn’t facing me and I couldn’t see what he was doing. It definitely wasn’t anyone who worked there though. I decided to call the police, so I let the door shut, but he must have heard me because before I had taken more than two steps it opened again and he grabbed my hoodie from behind.”

  “Did he have the gun in his hand?” Moira asked.

  “Um, I’m not sure. I didn’t really think at all, I just twisted around and tried to hit him, but I used the hand that was holding the knife and ended up stabbing him. He just looked really surprised for a second, then I pushed him away and ran out the door. Something heavy sounding fell to the ground. That must have been his gun. I hadn’t noticed it before.”

  “Did you realize that you had killed him?”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t stop to look. I was freaking out. I went back home and pretended that I hadn’t gone anywhere. He didn’t get a very good look at my face, and I was wearing gloves, so I didn’t think the police would be able to find out it was me. I thought he might be hurt, but I didn’t know he was dead. I swear. The deli’s phone was right there, I thought he’d call an ambulance if he needed one.”

  “Then you told Candice that you had overslept,” Moira said.

  He nodded. “I waited for a couple of hours and then texted her. I expected her to be upset, but she wasn’t. I had put the chocolates and the card I was supposed to leave for you in my hoodie pocket, since it was raining and I didn’t want them to get out. I didn’t have time to take them out before that person came in, which turned out to be lucky since that means I didn’t leave them there. I gave them to her later that day, and she never seemed to think that I was lying. It made me feel bad to think that she trusted me so much.”

  “You texted her right after she found out that someone had died in the deli,” she explained. The words came automatically. Her mind was still reeling. “She thought you might have been the one killed.”