by Ann S. Marie
“It sure looks that way, cuz. I wish all the pieces of the puzzle fitted together like the riddles on my blog but they just don’t add up.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” Dana said as she flipped open her MacBook that was laying on the side table, “it seems as if we have a few more possible suspects now.”
“Such as?”
“Such as, according to Darlene, any one of Lucy’s friends. I mean, Karla was the bridesmaid at her wedding and Darlene said something like she feels Karla had something to do with Lucy’s suspicious death. Because as soon as she was out of the way, she ended up marrying the groom herself before Lucy’s body was cold in the grave.”
“Yikes! That doesn’t sound good. Okay, who else do you have?” Katie asked while Dana typed the notes into her laptop.
Truffles purred gently beside her, his fluffy fur rubbing against her skin. “Well, I’m not sure what that means Truffs, but I’m going to add Lucy’s friends as a possibility though I’ll need to find out who they are.”
Truffles looked away. Dana wished she could read her little kitty’s mind sometimes.
“Okay,” Dana said, tapping on her keyboard. “So, there’s also Darlene. I mean, Darlene knew that Karla was messing around with Uncle Max’s finances and gambling.”
“It could be one of the casino boss’s.”
“Yes, that’s right, Darlene did mention that she saw the credit card bills and she racked up a lot of debt in gambling. She could have been bumped off. But then there’s Darlene, too. She doesn’t seem like an easy to get along with humble secretary. Was Karla trying to fire her? Did Darlene knock her off before Karla got a chance to get rid of her?”
“True. That is a possibility. But then again, Inga did say that Darlene’s not to be trusted, too.”
Dana took a deep sigh and closed her laptop. “I guess we really are further from the truth. The list of possible suspects could be endless.”
“But who had a motive and an opportunity?” Katie added.
“True. Darlene was close enough and then I thought it weird for some reason that she was on Heparin.”
Truffles hissed loudly.
“Thanks Truffs. I do hope you’re on to something. But for now, we have a long way to go because I have a feeling that whoever killed Karla is going to cover their tracks really carefully.”
Chapter 10
The following morning, Uncle Max was released on bail bright and early on the Monday. He was very tired but happy to be back at his own house and not the jailhouse.
They had gone over to Uncle Merv and Aunt Nia’s home to pick up Aunt Mary to bring her back to her home where Max would be able to look after her.
Not that Uncle Merv and Aunt Nia minded taking care of Aunt Mary, but it was a lot of work seeing that she was practically helpless and bedbound. Aunt Mary also was a strange lady that loved to order her favorite warm milk with honey and cherry biscuits around the clock. She also loved to lock her door a lot because she had fears of someone attacking her.
Uncle Max and Dana went into the kitchen of his Victorian, not far from where Dana lived and not far from Aunt Nia and Uncle Merv. Aunt Mary was currently resting upstairs in her room after receiving her medication from the day nurse before who had dropped by for a quick visit.
“I’m so glad you’re out now, Uncle Max. Trust me. We’ll make sure that the real murderer is caught.” Dana’s voice was confident. She grabbed two cups from the cupboard and proceeded to make some coffee. She put the coffee maker on and soon after, the fresh roasted coffee started to percolate.
Before long, she poured the coffee into the two mugs.
“Thank you, Dana. You’re a real sweetheart, do you know that?” Uncle Max hugged his cup of coffee while sitting in the kitchen of his home.
“You’ve always been there for me, Uncle Max and I really appreciate that. I’ll never forget the days after my mom and pops passed away.”
“Hey, that’s what family’s for, darling. No one wants to be alone.”
“What did you just say?” The hairs stood up on Dana’s neck. Something in his words resonated with her and she just didn’t know why.
“I said no one wants to be alone.” Uncle Max gave Dana a confused look. “Is something wrong?”
Just like the riddles on her blog. Something was beginning to make sense. The puzzles were beginning to fit together.
“Uncle Max, I was going to ask you about your late wives.”
“What about them?”
“Well, did they get along with…Aunt Mary?”
Now Uncle Max was looking more dazed than ever. “Of course they did. Why?”
“Hmm. Nothing.” Dana picked up her coffee cup and took a long sip while pondering.
No one wants to be alone.
She had an eery suspicion who the murderer could be. But then again, she had been wrong before.
“Did she have any enemies that you might have known about?”
Uncle Max drew in a deep breath. He placed his cup of coffee down on the table and shifted his eyes toward the window, his lips pinched. Was that guilt in his eyes?
“What’s wrong, Uncle Max?”
“Oh, nothing. I just…nothing.” He picked up his coffee again and took a sip but she could see the wheels turning in his head. What was he thinking? What was on his mind?
“Uncle, I know this is very difficult for you but right now things aren’t looking very well for you. This is really serious, you know?”
“I know.”
“Uncle, I’m not sure if you really do know. Just who are you protecting?”
“Dana, listen. I’ve got everything under control. I’ll be meeting with the lawyer later this afternoon.”
“But uncle, you’ve been charged.”
“They held me on suspicion of murder, Dana. Suspicion. They had to let me go on bail. They had nothing solid. It’s a technicality.”
Dana rolled her eyes and placed her cup down on the table.
“Uncle this is still very serious.” Dana knew all too well how frightening it could be to be suspected of murder. Just the thought alone caused her spine to tingle. Not that she’d been arrested, thank heavens for that.
“I know it is.”
“Uncle, is there something I should know. I really want to help you and Aunt Mary.”
Just then a loud bang and crashing sound came from upstairs and caused both Uncle Max and Dana to jolt.
“Oh, no!” Dana cried out. “What is it?”
“Ma!” Uncle Max jumped out of his seat and took off flying up the stairs.
Dana followed him climbing two steps at a time to keep up with him. Her heels making a clunking sound on the hardwood of the floor. The stair well was very narrow as was common in most Victorian homes.
By the time she reached up to the stairwell, she turned left to the landing and went into the room where Uncle Max had gone. He was kneeling down at the bedside. “Ma! Ma, are you all right?” He reached over and picked her up.
“Oh, no,” Dana said, assisting him. “Did she fall out of bed?”
“Oh, dear…” Aunt Mary moaned. “I think I broke something.”
“We’ll call Doc Cromwell.”
“No dear. I think I broke my favorite pair of reading glasses.”
“Oh is that all? I’ll get you another pair, Ma.”
“Doc Cromwell? I thought her doctor was Dr. Samson.”
“Not for a while.”
Dana and Uncle Max managed to get the very frail and lightweight Aunt Mary back into bed.
Dana observed the place.
It seemed as if the loud sound that crashed was the old Victorian side table on four wooden legs and all the glasses and tray of biscuits and pitcher of water that was on it. Thank goodness Aunt Mary was all right. She had apparently tried to reach over to grab something with her long stick that was beside her on the bed. Luckily, the floor had some cushions on the side. Uncle Merv and Aunt Nia said they often put cushions on
the side of the bed in case Aunt Mary fell out of bed at night. That was a good thinking and a good habit to have. The cushions seemed to have cushioned her fall. The Victorian side table, however, didn’t fear to well as it now had three little legs instead of four.
“Ma, what were you doing?” Uncle Max’s tone was anxious.
“Sorry, dear. I just wanted to reach over to get my funny book.”
“Your funny book?” Dana echoed.
“Oh, Ma. You should have told me.” Uncle Max went over to the dresser to retrieve Aunt Mary’s book of comics. “It’s her favorite book. The comics.” Uncle Max explained to Dana.
“I see,” said Dana.
“Next time, ring for me, Ma. Don’t try getting out of bed yourself.”
Dana noticed a brass antique hand bell at the bedside.
“I’m sorry dear. I just don’t like to be a bother.”
“Where is Suzie? She should be here by now.”
“Who’s Suzie, uncle?”
“The care worker. She comes in once in a while to help out and to get Ma ready for bed and personal care.”
“I see. Aunt Mary, is there anything I can get you?” Dana went over to the bed and hugged her dear old auntie.
“I’m all right dear. I would like some warm milk with honey and a few cherry biscuits if that’s all right?”
“I’ll get it, Ma.”
“Are you sure, Uncle Max. You’ve had a very stressful morning.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
Uncle Max left the room after picking up the tray from the floor and putting the contents back on the tray.
Dana sat on the side of the bed with Aunt Mary. “It’ll be all right, Aunt Mary. Don’t you worry about a thing.” Her voice was soothing and soft.
Aunt Mary sighed deeply. “I wish, I could stop worrying, dear Dana. But it isn’t easy you know. Everyone sees me as helpless, but I wasn’t always that way.” She looked out the window. “You know I used to work for the military back in the day. After the war.”
“My goodness, Aunt Mary. That’s fantastic. I know they needed a lot of women back then when all the men went off to fight. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, dear. I only wish I could help poor Max out.”
“But you can. You can just be supportive as you always are, Aunt Mary. You’ve helped me out back when my parents died, too. I’ll never forget that.”
“IT was no trouble, dear. You’re family and like my own child.”
Dana smiled.
Aunt Mary’s eyes seem to have a shadow of sadness slide across them.
“What’s is it?” Dana asked softly.
“Oh, it’s just that…well, I’m worried about Max.”
“I know you are. But he has one of the best lawyers around.”
“It’s not that. He’s loyal to a fault, that one.”
“What do you mean by that?” Dana was puzzled.
“His late wife. God rest her soul.” Aunt Mary sighed again.
“His late wife?”
“Yes. You see,” Aunt Mary leaned in closer. “She was unfaithful to him, Dana. Even though we got along, she wasn’t good to him. I bet it was one of those misters she was dating.”
“You do? Well, that’s something,” Dana said, taking mental notes.
“Many times when she thought I was asleep upstairs and when Max was out on a business trip, she would sneak around with her…her men.” Aunt Mary’s lips were pinched.
“Her men? Plural?”
“I’m sorry to have to be so blunt, child. But he should have told the police this information. One of her lovers even threatened her.”
“Well, why didn’t Uncle Max say anything?”
“Because that would have given me a motive for murder, don’t you think?” Uncle Max’s voice caused Dana and Aunt Mary to jump.
“Oh, Uncle Max, you’re back.”
Uncle Max stood at the bedroom door with a tray of refreshments for Aunt Mary. A cup of warm milk and honey, some biscuits and a scone and a pitcher of water. He calmly walked over to the side table and placed the tray down beside his mother.
“Son, you must understand I think you’re making a big mistake by not telling them about her other men. They could have a motive, too.”
“I thought about that. But it’s best we don’t say anything, mother.”
“But Uncle Max, Aunt Mary’s right. It could be any of them.”
“And how do you think it would look if I found out she had other men? It would make me look like a jealous husband.”
“Which you’re not, son. You’re a forgiving husband. I’m surprised you stayed with her after all the heartache she’d caused you, son.”
“Mother!”
“Sorry son, I don’t know what got into me.” Aunt Mary picked up her warm milk and honey and took a long sip. “The milk is wonderful, son. Thank you. It’s just the way I like it.”
Dana couldn’t help but wondering how terrible it must have been for Uncle Max to have found out that he wife was cheating on him with not one but many lovers.
Could it be?
Could Dana have gotten this whole situation wrong? Did Uncle Max have a crime of passion? Could he have really killed his wife in a fit of jealous rage?
Chapter 11
“How is your dear uncle?” Gerdie-Sue, the well-known town gossip and a regular customer of the café asked Dana later that morning.
Dana’s mind was in a tailspin of confusion right now. She didn’t even know if she was coming or going, especially after her meeting with her uncle.
“I heard he just got out on bail, child,” Gerdie-Sue continued, despite Dana’s dazed expression. “Poor thing. Being cooped up in a small cell like that.” She tsked.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Gerdie-Sue. My mind’s somewhere else right now. What were you saying?” Dana packed a box of delicious blueberry cupcakes and fresh pastries for Gerdie-Sue’s order. She couldn’t help but notice the woman’s long manicured nails that matched her bright red outfit.
“You’re uncle’s out on bail, right?”
“Oh, yes. Yes, he’s out on bail, Gerdie-Sue. It’s in the hands of the justice system now. But I know he’s innocent.” She swallowed a hard lump at those words. Did she really know if he was innocent?
Of course, he is. You know that deep down, Dana. Just because things look suspicious, doesn’t mean that’s all to the story. You were a mistaken suspect, too, remember? A little voice echoed in her mind. Was it the voice of reason and wisdom or something else?
Gerdie-Sue took the white box of pastries with a blue ribbon on it and handed Dana her credit card.
“Well, of course he is. Why would he do a thing like that to his poor wife?” Gerdie-Sue’s tone sounded a bit patronizing for Dana’s liking but she just shrugged it off.
Dana swiped the card through the machine for Gerdie-Sue before handing the card back to her. “You’re looking very bright today.”
“Oh, thank you. I just got back from Bea’s Salon, you know. She’s running a special today. You know, for her anniversary? It was packed, girl. Had to wait an hour for my pedi. Everybody goes to Bea’s salon.”
“Bea’s Salon!” Dana smacked her forehead. “Oh, right. Bea had asked if we could do a special delivery for her today. I almost forgot. Thanks for reminding me.”
“No problem, child. I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your mind with all this upset and all. How is dear Mary taking all of this? It’s gonna send her right to the grave it is.”
“Hopefully not anytime soon. She’s handling it all as best as can be.”
“Well, I’ll be off now.” Gerdie-Sue left with her baked goods. Her strong floral perfume scent lingered at the counter after she walked away. That’s Gerdie-Sue for you.
Dana immediately rushed to the back of the kitchen.
“Whoa! What is it, cuz?” Katie said, gathering a tray of cupcakes to refill the front.
“Oh, nothing. I almost forgot, Bea called me up the oth
er day and asked if I could bring a dozen cupcakes to the salon for her anniversary special today. I’d forgotten about it when I heard about Uncle Max. I normally mark these on my calendar.”
“Oh, no. What time does she need the cupcakes? Is it this week’s special. The Blueberry Cream?”
“Yes, it is.”
“We’re out of fresh ones. I’ll need to bake some more.” Inga’s voice was curt.
“Fine, thank you, Inga. I’ll go and call Bea now to let her know I’ll be a little late.”
Dana went to the back of the office and slumped down in the chair trying to catch her breath and get her bearings together. Why was something nudging at her? Something just didn’t make sense. She immediately got on the phone and dialed Bea’s salon.
Just then, a though struck Dana and almost knocked her over.
It was something Gerdie-Sue said. “Everybody goes to Bea’s salon.”
Did that mean…? Could it mean…? That’s it. She couldn’t wait for the cupcakes to be done.
“Everybody goes to Bea’s salon. That must mean that Uncle Max’s late wife must have been a frequent customer, right? Nobody does nails like Bea and from what she heard about Karla, she always looked good from top to bottom and everything else in between.
Let’s hope I’m not wrong about this.
Chapter 12
Dana pulled up at Bea’s Salon on Rose Valley Boulevard feeling slightly hopeful. Her heart sped up in her chest. Luckily, Bea’s was just ten minutes from the Town Square. The salon was housed within a row of brick Victorian town houses and had a distinctive red brick exterior. A few small pots of flowers adorned the entry walkway.
Dana shut off the engine and took her keys out of the ignition. She then got out of her car and opened the back door to take out the large box of Blueberry Cream Cupcakes. The scent of vanilla and blueberry whipped cream wafted to her nostrils.
