I took several long, slow breaths. “Okay. I’m ready,” I said, and I felt Brody’s hand rest reassuringly on my shoulder.
The sheet was peeled back and I looked at Ellie’s face for as long as I could stand. It was her. There was no doubt about that, and there was no hope I’d ever see her alive again.
It was my fault. If I hadn’t brought her in on this case, she’d still be alive. I vowed right then and there to solve the mystery surrounding the Horowitz estate. If it was worth killing over, then it might have been the most important case of my life. I also resolved to stay in Ash Road until I saw my friend’s murderer brought to justice.
I needed somewhere a little more long-term to stay.
Chapter Ten
Lara
Back at the bed-and-breakfast, I spoke with Becca about the cat. She said it was okay for a couple of days as long as he didn’t damage anything, but it was evident he wouldn’t be welcome as a long-term guest.
The only two people I knew in town very well were Brody and Sylvie. Even if Brody offered to let me stay with him, I figured it wouldn’t be a good idea. Living with Sylvie seemed like a mistake too since she might be a criminal.
I couldn’t go into the records hall and work the next day. I’d decided the night before, while Jinx sat on my lap purring, that I’d go to the hospital and visit Officer Booth. It felt like I needed to do something to solve Ellie’s murder.
There was no way for me to know if Officer Booth could tell me anything about Ellie’s death. In fact, I didn’t even know if she was awake or still in a coma. It was a chance I was willing to take.
The next morning, I told Becca that I planned on finding a longer-term housing solution because I couldn’t bear to get rid of the cat. She understood and told me that I could still stop by for breakfast anytime, even after I moved. She also gave me Ellie’s luggage.
“The police tell me there is no next of kin, so can you take her things?” she asked sadly.
“Yes. Thank you for cleaning out her room.”
I took the luggage upstairs and found Ellie’s keys. I figured I’d try not to put too many miles on the Escalade just case there was someone who should inherit the vehicle, and I knew I’d compensate them for the use.
Breakfast that morning was freshly baked croissants with a spread of bacon, eggs, sausage, and cheese to make sandwiches. There were also crispy pan-roasted potatoes that tasted of rosemary and a hint of pepper. The food definitely lifted my mood. I made a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich—my favorite—and piled my plate high with the tasty home fries.
“I assume I’ll still be seeing you for breakfast,” Becca said when she wandered over to my table during a slow moment.
“Only if you let me pay you,” I said and took another bite of my food.
“That’s not really how we work around here. It’s good enough for me to have someone enjoy my food as much as you do, but I suppose I can let you kick a few dollars my way if it makes you feel better,” she said with a proud smile.
“Thank you so much for everything,” I said. “Can you point me toward a gas station? I’m going to make the drive to visit Officer Booth,” I said.
Becca gave me directions to the hospital where Officer Booth was admitted—I learned her name was Amelia—and then quickly put together a bouquet of fresh cut flowers for me to deliver to her hospital room. She also pointed me in the direction of Ash Road’s only gas station.
After filling up the tank in Ellie’s SUV and buying snacks for the road, I headed out. Once I was far enough out of town, I pulled over at a rest stop and sent Brody a text to let him know I wouldn’t be at work.
Visiting Amelia Booth at the hospital today. Won’t be at the office.
I waited a few moments for him to respond.
I would have come with you.
At least that time he hadn’t tried to tell me not to go. The truth was that I needed some distance from him. I’d begun to want Brody to be innocent. I spent too much time thinking about being in his arms again. I knew that if I didn’t get my head on straight, I’d subconsciously start looking for reasons why Brody wasn’t guilty. I couldn’t get to the truth if I let my bias get in the way.
The hospital where Officer Amelia Booth had been admitted was huge. It was lucky that Becca had given me her room number because I doubt I’d have been able to find her without it. Since she was the victim of attempted murder, none of the nurses would have helped me either. They couldn’t even have told me that she was in that hospital, let alone tell me where her room was located. In a small-town hospital I could have wandered around, but not in that place.
It was chilly in Amelia Booth’s room. She had several blankets pulled up to her shoulders but I could still see all of the tubes and wires running underneath them. I hadn’t met her before she’d been attacked so I had no idea if she looked surprisingly healthy given her condition or not.
Amelia was pale, but I was relieved to see that she wasn’t hooked up to a ventilator. I told myself that it was good that she was breathing on her own.
“She’s no longer in a deep coma.” A soft voice from the chair in the corner startled me. I jumped and whirled around on my toes to face whoever had spoken. “Sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I was face-to-face with an older woman sitting with her ankles crossed and a book on her lap. She had reading glasses pulled down to the tip of her nose. She pushed them up to the top of her head with one hand while putting the book on a side table with the other.
“Hello,” I said and pressed my palm to my chest as if that gesture could still my enthusiastically-beating heart. “I just thought the room was empty. I mean, other than Officer Booth. You caught me off guard, but I’m sure my heart will stop doing backflips any moment now,” I said with a relieved chuckle.
Something about the woman’s kind hazel eyes and welcoming smile put me at ease immediately. “Again, I apologize. I wasn’t expecting any other visitors today, and I assure you that I wasn’t sitting here like a troll under a bridge waiting to scare people,” the woman said, and it made me laugh.
“I’m Lara Tyler,” I said and extended my hand to her.
Sadness filled her eyes with the realization, and that’s when it hit me that this woman must be from Ash Road. She already knew who I was. “I’m Nora White. I’m so sorry about your friend, and I’m sorry that our introduction has been so full of apologies.” Nora took my hand and shook it for a moment before pulling me into a hug.
I didn’t normally like it when strangers hugged me, but Nora’s embrace was a welcome respite from the stress I’d felt as of late.
“Are you related to Amelia?” I asked when we’d parted.
“Not by blood,” Nora said wistfully. “She was my daughter’s best friend for as long as I can remember. Amelia was at my house all of the time, and even after the girls went to college, she still spent a lot of holidays and vacations with us.”
“Is your daughter going to visit today? I don’t want to intrude,” I said.
“My Debbie passed a few years ago. Amelia is practically the only family I have left,” Nora said and took a step closer to the bed.
“Now I’m sorry,” I said.
“I just hope that Amelia pulls through.”
“You said that she’s not in a deep coma anymore?” I asked. “Do you know what that means?”
“I’m Amelia’s power of attorney when she is not mentally able to make decisions. So the doctors have been keeping me updated on her condition. She was in a lot of trouble when she came in. They thought they’d have to put her on a ventilator, but she’s breathing better on her own. Instead of being in a deep coma, it’s like she’s right there under the surface. The doctor told me it’s so her brain can heal. It’s a good sign.”
After that, Nora went to the nurse’s station and had them bring another chair into the room. We sat quietly for a while. When lunchtime rolled around, my stomach growled audibly.
“I feel the
same way,” Nora said gleefully in response. “The cafeteria here is pretty good. We should go get some lunch.”
I agreed and we took the elevator down to the first floor. I was stunned when I walked into the hospital cafeteria. It was huge, bright, and reminded me more of a mall food court than something you’d find in a hospital.
There were several chain restaurants with counters selling their food in addition to a generic grill that served up burgers, sandwiches, and fries. Before you got to the cash registers, there were also several coolers full of cold sandwiches, salads, and desserts. My attention was drawn to a Chinese restaurant and a fried chicken place. It was hard to decide, but I went with the Chinese because I knew I could get fresh fried chicken at the diner in Ash Road. I had no idea when I’d have the chance to have Chinese food again.
“I’m going to the grill,” Nora said. “I could use a Rueben and some Cajun fries.”
“Okay, I’m going to get some Mongolian beef,” I said. “I’ll meet you in the seating area?”
“It’s a date,” Nora said with a wink. “It will be so nice to have a lunch buddy.”
There were only three people ahead of me in line so I was done collecting my food before Nora made it to the counter to order. “I’m going to go find us a prime spot,” I said, and I hoped that there’d be a table near the floor to ceiling windows I’d seen when we came in.
“Sounds good,” she said and then it was her turn.
I lucked out, and there was one table left in front of the windows. It was perfect because there was a view of the lawn and pond outside, but there wasn’t too much sun.
Nora joined me a few minutes later. I was hungrier than I’d thought and I wolfed down my food. I barely took a breath between bites, so that limited our conversation. Nora did glance at me occasionally, and I couldn’t tell if she was horrified or impressed.
“I’m not sure how long I can stay after lunch,” I said after looking at the time on my phone. “In addition to work and Ellie and Amelia’s attack, I’ve found myself in possession of an orphan cat. I’ve been staying at the Magnolia and Willow Inn, but I need to find somewhere else. Becca said I could keep the cat there for a short time, but I’m nervous about securing longer-term housing.”
“You know, I’ve got a big old house that’s gotten awfully lonely lately. I actually only use the downstairs. You could come stay with me, and I love cats. You’d have the entire upstairs to yourself. Although I imagine you’d probably only use the biggest bedroom and the bathroom,” Nora said thoughtfully.
“I couldn’t impose,” I said quickly and without thought. “I’m sorry. I know it’s rude to turn down hospitality around here, but I couldn’t just move into your house. I’d feel like a freeloader.”
“Well, you could pay a small rent and help me keep the place tidy. Would that ease your conscience?” Nora seemed hopeful, and I had to admit that her offer was appealing.
“I can do better than that. The agency I work for is paying for my room at the inn. I can just have them pay you for my room and board instead. You could collect a pretty good chunk of change, all courtesy of Mayor O’Malley,” I said impishly. “He’s footing the bill for my services.”
“Outstanding,” Nora said with a hearty laugh. “I wouldn’t feel right taking money from you, but from that guy? I wouldn’t feel a tiny bit bad.”
Chapter Eleven
Lara
After lunch, Nora and I went back upstairs to check on Officer Booth one more time before we left. Nora had taken a bus to get to the hospital, and I was more than happy to give her a ride back to Ash Road.
It didn’t take long to move into Nora’s house because I didn’t have much with me. Jinx loved it right away. He had a whole house to explore, and Nora even left the cellar door open so he could root around down in the dark depths for critters.
I sent Brody a message about my move to Nora White’s house, but the entire time I’d been driving home, I couldn’t stop obsessing over the fact that Gordon O’Malley was his father.
The next morning at work, I made the decision to get more information out of Brody. One way or another, he would talk.
I got into the office before him and started a pot of coffee. Usually, whoever showed up first got to pick what roast was brewed, but I made Brody’s favorite.
I’d also made breakfast for Nora and me that morning. I know that I’d promised Becca to keep eating at the inn but I didn’t want to ditch Nora on our first morning.
The bacon cheddar casserole I’d whipped up had been a hit with Nora. She told me that her standard breakfast was oatmeal and the delicious dish had been a nice change of pace.
There was a bag in my office with a container filled with the casserole for Brody. That was another reason I hadn’t wanted to eat at the inn. I figured Becca wouldn’t be too pleased if I took food with me for someone else.
I tried to think of anything else I could do to butter Brody up and loosen his lips. I needed him to feel comfortable and let his guard down.
My next thought made me feel terrible, but it was probably a better idea than coffee and breakfast. I looked down at my blouse and undid two buttons. It wasn’t really showing anything, but it did give the illusion that I’d bared some skin. That was what I was going for with my intentional wardrobe malfunction.
Doubt began to fill my mind. Was I showing off for Brody just to get him to talk? I tried to deny that I also wanted him to find me attractive. I was lying to myself.
“Is that my coffee I smell brewing,” Brody asked as he walked through the door.
“It is. I figured I’d be nice to you for a change,” I teased. Good. If I could banter with him, I could get Brody to let his guard down even more. It was just too bad I couldn’t get him drunk in the middle of the day. I made a note to myself to invite him to the tavern again soon.
“Well that will be a nice change of pace. Or are you waiting in my office to kill me?” he joked. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. That was terrible taste.” I could hear sincerity in his voice, and I figured the guilt would make him more likely to talk to me.
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean anything by it,” I said and met him in the hallway. “I brought you breakfast too. Although I’m not sure you deserve it now,” I joked.
“Hey, I’m really sorry,” he said and reached out to take my hand. “Please forgive me.”
“You’re forgiven. Well, that’s if you’ll have a real conversation with me while you eat your breakfast.”
“I guess I owe you that much,” Brody said and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“Great, I’ll warm it up,” I said as cheerfully as I could manage.
Brody and I sat at the small table in the break room. I’d used the microwave to heat up the casserole. He scooped up a bite, blew on it until the steam disappeared, and ate the mouthful.
“This is really good,” he said with a sincere smile. “You could have your own bed-and-breakfast or restaurant.”
“You can’t possibly know that after one bite of one dish.”
“Hey, lady,” Brody said playfully. “I know good food.”
I couldn’t help but laugh a little. It felt good to relax and have a light conversation with Brody. It was easy being with him. But it was too easy. I was supposed to be subtly interrogating him.
“I need you to level with me about the Horowitz estate,” I began. That was not subtle at all. “I know you know more than you’re letting on. Whatever you’re involved in, please just tell me.” That was even less subtle.
“There’s nothing I can tell you about that,” Brody said after he swallowed hard.
I crossed my arms and sighed.
“Look, Lara, if I could tell you more, I would,” he said, and he looked almost frightened.
“What are you afraid of?” I asked.
“I’m fine. I wish I could help,” he whispered. “Let’s talk about something else.”
I got up and left him sitting at the table. I want
ed to hit something. I hadn’t known Brody for very long but it felt like I was tuned into him. He was withholding from me, but I needed to know if it was because he was guilty or because...
Was he in danger?
That would mean he didn’t trust me, though. Ash Road was as small town as they came, so that meant there was another way to get information. I just needed to find the right person. Somebody knew something, and they couldn’t wait to gossip.
Maybe Nora could help. I decided to call her and see if we could talk over dinner.
“I’ll make tacos,” I promised.
“Sure dear, we can talk over dinner. But I don’t have the things you need to make tacos. I need some other items at the store. Will you pick me up after work and take me grocery shopping?”
“Sure, I can do that. Do you think they’ll have what I need for tacos at the store? I like to use corn tortillas.”
“Probably not, but I like going to the Hyvee in Spark’s Hollow. It’s not a terribly long drive.”
“It’s a date.”
Ten minutes later, Brody stormed into my office red-faced and flustered. He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it, turned around, and started to leave.
“Hey wait, what’s up?” I asked as I stood up.
He came around the desk, wrapped his arm around my waist, kissed me hard, and then left without a word.
What the heck was that all about?
Chapter Twelve
Lara
I didn’t see Brody again that day. I heard him moving around in the hallway a few times but by the time I left work to pick up Nora, he was gone.
After briefly wondering where he might have gone, I pushed the thoughts down before I could begin to internally whine about why he hadn’t said goodbye to me. Yuck. I didn’t want to be that chick.
Magic & Mystery: A Cozy Mystery Sampler Page 33
