by C A Phipps
Just as they sat down to eat there was knock at the front door and the group froze.
Chapter Seven
Maddie stood and walked warily down the hallway, although the likelihood that a murderer would knock seemed unrealistic.
Big Red raced ahead of her, not looking too bothered by the arrival, so she wasn’t surprised to see Ethan outside. Still in his uniform, he looked bone weary. She reached out and hugged him tightly. His hat scraped her forehead a little, and he removed it to get closer.
“What a day.” He muttered into her hair. Then he sniffed appreciatively. “Something smells good.”
She smiled, the first one she could say was genuine since the drama of the morning. She could have assumed he was talking about her, but she knew him too well. “Your timing couldn’t be more perfect. Gran’s cooking up a storm, and she’ll no doubt appreciate a healthy appetite.”
He gave a small laugh, and they walked down the hall hand in hand, pausing as he placed his hat on the old wooden coat rack that had been there as long as Maddie could remember. “Thanks for sending the message about arriving safely home. I had the idea you mightn’t leave the cabin until you’d poked around some, so it put my mind at ease.”
“As if I would after you’d told me to go home.” She batted her eyelids at him. “Gran was also happy to have us back. Thanks for giving her the heads up.”
He grinned. “Sure. She would have been plenty annoyed if I hadn’t.”
“Darn right, I would have. Go wash up, dinner’s ready.” Gran called to him as he entered the room.
He actually licked his lips at the groaning table, and the Girlz laughed. The sound was a welcome change to the somberness of the previous few hours.
“You come sit here.”
Gran directed him to the end chair where he usually sat when he stopped by. It had been Grandad’s when he was alive; therefore, it was an honor to be given it. It also meant he would sit beside Maddie, and she was pleased to have him close. She wanted to reach out and rub the worry lines from his forehead, but that would have to wait until they were alone.
Ethan waited until they had taken their seats, with Gran sitting directly opposite. When he was settled, they all helped to heap his plate. Perhaps it made them feel useful, or it was a way to disguise the fact that none of them were particularly hungry. Even Angel picked at the delicious food, which had turned to paper in Maddie’s mouth.
Gran studied them and sighed heavily, but let them be. Ethan wasn’t oblivious to their distress, but he’d never been able to resist Gran’s food, and Maddie admired the way he systematically ate every morsel, which pleased Gran and gave the Girlz something to focus on other than the elephant in the room.
Eventually, he put his knife and fork together and gave a small groan. “That was far too good. I’ve over-eaten, but it’s been a while since I’ve had a decent meal.”
“No need to apologize for having a healthy appetite, son. People around here could learn a lesson.” Gran gently chastised the women.
He smiled. “We all need fuel, ladies, but I can see that you don’t agree just now. Since we’re all here and just about done in for the day, how about I take your statements now, to save you the trouble of coming down to the station?”
Maddie nodded. “Good plan. Do you want to hear from the other’s first?”
Ethan pulled a pad from his breast pocket. “That makes sense since you saw more than they did. Laura, how about we start with you?”
Laura’s skin was creamy white, to go with her red hair, yet when she was upset, it was always a shock that she managed to go even paler.
Maddie patted her arm. “You’ve done this before. Just tell him what you saw. We’ll be right outside on the porch if you need us.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, and she almost laughed. He was hardly scary or intimidating to her or her other friends, but Laura was still nervous around any kind of confrontation.
Suzy and Angel took the swing, making room in the middle for Maddie while Gran sat in her large wing back after handing out the blankets kept handy for this time of year in the storage chest in the front bedroom.
“Here we go again,” Gran said to the horizon.
“Seems that way,” Suzy agreed.
Angel twisted her hands together. “I am truly sorry to have landed you in this mess.”
“No one blames you for this, so don’t even think it. You were having a well-deserved break, and a murder happened. Who could have foreseen that?” Gran queried.
They sat like that, and Maddie imagined they were all contemplating what this meant and how they would solve the mystery. Unless she was the odd one out? It was possible, but glancing at each of them, she didn’t think so.
When Laura finished her interview, Suzy swapped places, and so on until it was Maddie’s turn. Angel had spent quite some time with Ethan and daylight was long gone by the time Maddie sat opposite him. It was now too cold to be outside, even with the blankets, so he let them into the sitting room.
“I don’t mind you hearing what Maddie has to say, now that you’ve all told me your versions of the events, but please, no comments until we’re done. Okay?”
The others nodded, and he began. Maddie tried to be a good witness and answered his questions to the best of her ability, but she wished she had more information that would help him and the case.
“And you definitely didn’t see anyone?” he asked.
“No. I only heard yelling, then the footsteps of someone running.”
Ethan regarded his notes, then closed the book. “Okay, I think we’re done. I’ll get these typed up, and you can come in tomorrow to the station when it’s convenient to sign them.”
Relieved she got up and stretched as he put the notebook away. “Coffee?” she asked.
“Desperately.”
He looked so tired that she gave his cheek a quick peck as she headed to offer the others a hot drink, and he was still smiling when she passed by him to make them while the Girlz and Gran made their way back to the table.
A few minutes later, after placing the tea tray in front of Gran so she could pour, Maddie handed him his coffee.
“I guess we all said the same thing?”
He nodded. “Basically. You all heard the shot and saw the body.”
“It’s not much to go on, is it?” she noted.
“Let me deal with this for now,” he told her, a hint of warning in his voice.
She sipped her tea, wishing she could be a better girlfriend and leave him be, but there was so much here that didn’t make sense. Her fingers were already tapping her thigh in a bid to keep all the questions she had from spilling out, feeling his eyes on her.
The others murmured about mundane things, but she noticed that Gran was keeping a keen eye on Ethan as if he would impart some evidence that might string this day together. Although, Maddie had to admit, she could be projecting her own ideas onto both of them and they were thinking about something else. Possible, but not likely.
Finishing the last of his coffee, Ethan stood. “Thanks, Gran, for a wonderful meal. The rest of you, don’t forget to come and sign your statements tomorrow, and I’ll be waiting to hear about this meeting with Brad. If you have contact with him before we do, please let me or the department know, Angel.”
Angel nodded. “I will. Thanks, Ethan.”
Walking down the hall to collect his hat, Maddie followed him to the door where they stood for an awkward moment, knowing the others would be listening.
He ran a finger down her cheek. She shivered, although it wasn’t cold inside the house.
“I’m sorry your weekend away was spoilt. I know how much you were probably looking forward to having your posse together again.”
She smiled at his teasing, as she held his hand and studied the small calluses on his palm. “Me too, but we’re safe, and that’s what counts.”
“Very true.” Then he held her close. “Maddie, in case I don’t see you before we find Brad or r
esolve the murder, please be careful.”
“I will.”
He frowned. “You’d better.” Then he took her outside and pushed the door shut.
He pulled her close. Even though he bent a little, she stood on tiptoes to kiss his closed lips. He growled then kissed her passionately. It seemed as though he’d missed her as much as she had missed him, and she reveled in being in his arms.
A noise drew them apart, and they found Big Red sitting on Gran’s chair. He glared at Ethan as if to point out that his time was up, and they both laughed.
“Guess I’d better go and let you get home.” Ethan kissed her nose. “Just don’t think that a bit of kissing will make me worry less.”
“I never thought it would,” she teased. “See you tomorrow.”
“If I’m not there, Deputy Jacobs can help with the signing of the statements. I have to head over to Destiny again, but I should be back by evening.”
Maddie frowned. “You’ve been there a lot lately.”
“I have, but don’t ask me about it. One drama is enough for tonight.”
He yawned, which set her off too.
“That’s true. Come by if you get back early enough tomorrow night. I’m sure I can rustle you up a meal.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice. You’re as good a cook as Gran, and you just witnessed how much I love her food.”
“It certainly wasn’t the first time.”
“Let me finish. Although the food will be exceptional, it will be great to spend some time with you.” He kissed her gently, donned his hat, and with a bow to Big Red, left the porch. She watched him all the way to his car. Sweetness from a man like Ethan were to be savored.
Back in the cottage, Maddie helped the Girlz and Gran finish cleaning up, and then they really were shattered from the drama of the day. With hugs for Gran and thanks for the quiet afternoon and dinner, the Girlz and Big Red went down the walk to Honey.
Suzy dropped her backpack onto the passenger seat of her small red Prius then got behind the wheel and wound down the window.
“You take care and make sure someone calls me if anything happens. I’m not going to sleep right until someone gets taken into custody for that shooting.”
“I know what you mean,” Laura said as she got into the back seat of Honey with a bag she’d packed earlier.
“I promise, Suzy. As soon as we know, you will too. Now drive carefully, and lock-up when you get home.” Maddie told her.
Big Red jumped in beside Laura while Angel sat up front next to Maddie who drove them down Plum Place to the bakery. She parking in her garage, which was accessed off the side street since her shop and apartment were on a corner site.
More hugs ensued, then, bags in hand, Laura followed Angel to her salon and apartment two doors away.
When Maddie and Big Red entered the kitchen of the bakery, Maddie looked down at her enormous cat, who had wound himself around her legs, as happy to be home as she was.
“As Ethan said, ‘What a day.’ I’m sorry you couldn’t come on the trip, but I wasn’t gone long, after all, was I?”
He meowed loudly. Apparently, Maddie was forgiven, or he just might be hungry. Either way, she was glad to have his company tonight. If only Angel weren’t involved, she’d rest a lot easier.
She had the awful feeling that almost everyone in town who knew Brad would think him guilty of the murder, and not only because he knew Magnus so well, but his treatment of Angel, and his temper had been well known and disapproved of. But it really was early days in the case, and she knew from past experience that there was always more than one person with motive.
Chapter Eight
Gran called Sunday morning to remind Maddie that it was dinner as usual that night. Sunday dinner was a regular event, and a home cooked meal meant a great deal.
Sure, Maddie could cook, but baking was her passion. The cottage was the only home she could remember prior to her apartment and it still filled her with a warmness she had found nowhere else. Being with the Girlz and Gran for a weekly meal cemented the family ties that bound them. Even Laura, who was a relative newcomer. They all needed this. It was as simple as that.
Maddie called the others, who were happy that they would catch up again today and then she called Ethan who said that Rob Jacobs would stop by with the statements after they’d been typed up and that he was willing to put up with Gran’s cooking for two nights.
She’d laughed as she finished the call, pleased that Ethan sounded rested. But it looked like several in his department weren’t getting any days off this weekend, and she hoped things would change for the better very soon with the resolution of this case and the other one Ethan was working on.
What it also meant, however, was that there would be no time for the two of them, something she had been looking forward to.
Then Ethan called to say that he and Detective Jones were headed back to Destiny. It seemed like a break in the case was imminent. Although disappointed that she’d not see him at all, she knew it was good news for the department.
Curiosity got the better of her and she couldn’t resist looking at the latest news online to see if she could figure out what was keeping Ethan out of town. The only thing that seemed to fit was a murder last week near Destiny. She would ask Ethan, but somehow she knew this had to be the reason.
Naturally, the conversation over dinner was peppered with theories about Brad’s involvement, where he might be, and what Caleb would do, but they did their best to talk about other things as well and enjoy a respite from the dramas of the case.
Maddie, however, couldn’t help wondering exactly what else was happening between Maple Falls and Destiny that warranted all these man-hours. It couldn’t only be about the murder near Destiny, could it? When Ethan came back, they really needed to have a long chat.
~~~
So, after a full weekend of drama, Sunday evening was the first public cooking class Maddie was teaching, and she was a little nervous. The classes she’d previously held had been for her friends and had been an experiment and then practice for how to make it work, knowing that it wouldn’t be quite the same without the already-established rapport with the members.
She needed to be more professional, and not spend time before, after, and during the class gossiping. As she went downstairs to check that all was in order, Maddie pondered how that was going to work, when, although they weren’t close friends, she knew everyone who was coming.
With everything looking as she wanted it to, she put on her white chef jacket and smoothed down the crisp front where her Maple Lane Bakery Logo proudly stood out.
From across the kitchen, Laura placed recipes on each setting. There would be six in the class, which meant they could work with three each. That should help.
“Feeling nervous?” she asked her friend and intern.
“Petrified. What if they ask me something I don’t know the answer to?”
Maddie snorted. “That’s crazy talk. You have made this too many times to count, and yours have often turned out better than mine.”
“Really?” Laura asked for reassurance.
“Haven’t I told you as much?”
“I guess so.”
Maddie sighed and placed an arm around Laura’s shoulder. “You have got to learn to take a compliment.”
“I’m trying.”
Maddie gave her a hug. “We will be just fine.” Saying the words aloud made her feel more positive too. They celebrated with a cup of tea.
At five minutes to seven the first person arrived. Ethan’s sister, Layla Dixon, hadn’t judged Maddie when her relationship with Ethan had floundered and, although they hadn’t kept in touch, the moment Maddie came home Layla treated her as she always had.
She took off her coat and hung it on the rack, wrinkling her nose. “I’m so nervous.”
Maddie grinned. It seemed that everyone had nerves about tonight.
“Don’t be. Everyone’s in the same boat.”
“I hope so. I’m already being judged for being a single, working mother. One who can’t cook is even worse.”
Maddie laughed. “And when has what people thought ever bothered you?”
Layla shrugged and pushed her shoulder-length hair, the same color as Ethan’s, back from her face. “Maybe since the boys got older and began to question things.”
Intrigued, Maddie led her to the counter and placed her next to where she would be sitting so she could help her. “Things?”
“Like why uncle Ethan does most of the cooking? Why I have to work so many hours? Where’s their father? You know, easy things like that.” She sighed.
Maddie grimaced. “Ouch! I guess it was just a matter of time, and they are ten. Kids are curious at any age, but most likely they have friends asking the same questions of them. Maybe you should try to have the attitude that you were lucky that it took so long?”
Layla nodded. “That’s what Ethan said. He also said they’ve been asking him questions like that since they were little. I guess he fills the void of a father, but it feels like another strike against being the perfect mom.”
“Oh stop that. You’re an awesome mother. Jesse and James are a credit to you.” Maddie stopped abruptly.
“What’s up? What did they do?”
Maddie laughed as she heard footsteps coming up the walk. “Absolutely nothing I know of. Can I talk to you after the class?”
Layla’s eyebrows knitted together as though she didn’t believe her about her boys not being in trouble. “I can’t stay long. My babysitter has to get home.”
“Beth?”
Layla nodded. “Yes. Turns out the boys love her. And Luke. Lucky for Ethan. And you.”
She gave a wink as Noah Jackson and Chris Jamieson peered through the door.
“Come in, and find your seat,” Maddie called, still grinning.
Laura took their coats and scarves and hung them on the rack just as Mavis Anderson and Nora Beatty arrived. She greeted Gran’s friends and assigned their seats at the counter. The men, both a little older than Maddie, were joking in a way that showed they too were nervous.
