by Cindy Bell
“Did you need something?”
She felt ridiculous for calling in the first place. What was she thinking? He had enough on his plate. He was probably working on a case.
“I just thought I’d check in on you.”
“I appreciate that. Though I suspect you might be psychic, as I was just thinking about calling you. I didn’t want to interrupt your evening though.”
“Luke, you could never interrupt my evening. I’m happy to hear from you. How was the rest of your day?”
“It was okay. Spent most of it meeting new colleagues. We have a couple of new recruits and a new homicide detective. Apparently one detective isn’t enough and nobody seems to stay put in Blue River.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I don’t know. I think a lot of people just want to be where the action is.”
“There’s plenty of action in Blue River.”
“It sure seems that way sometimes. Hey listen, I know it’s late. I don’t want to keep you up, but I just wanted to check if you want to meet for breakfast tomorrow after you check out?”
Ally’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected that. “Uh, sure. That would be nice.”
“Great. Say, Sandy’s at nine?”
“Perfect.” Ally swallowed hard.
“I’m looking forward to it. Sleep well.”
“I plan to.” She yawned. “Good night, Luke.”
“Good night, Ally.”
She hung up the phone with the intention of going right to sleep. However, a few minutes later she was faced with a daunting reality. Luke wanted to meet her for breakfast in the morning. She had said yes. Breakfast was breakfast, she could handle that, but where would it lead next. What if he wanted to talk about the two of them dating? He’d dropped plenty of hints about the fact that he was interested. What if tomorrow he intended to ask her to go on a date? To make their relationship officially more than just a friendship? The thought kept her awake for some time. After thinking it through she came to the conclusion that accepting his offer was a mistake. It was too late to call so she decided to send him a text.
Luke, thanks for the invitation but I forgot I am going to try to meet with the manager of the hotel in the morning. Raincheck?
She didn’t expect a reply. It was already late. Surely by now he was sound asleep. After some time Ally finally managed to drop off to sleep.
Chapter Two
When Ally woke the next morning she felt refreshed. She stretched and yawned. There was no cat parading around her pillow to get her attention. There was no pig squealing at the foot of her bed or the door to her room. She didn’t have to jump up and fill their bowls. It wasn’t that she didn’t miss them, but being able to snuggle back into her pillow for a little longer was very nice.
She wanted to lie there longer, but she wanted enough time to speak to the manager. She shook her head and climbed out of bed.
“This is a business trip, Ally, remember?” She smiled at herself in the bathroom mirror. Her hair was ruffled from sleep. She ruffled it even more and stuck out her tongue at her reflection. Then she changed out of her pajamas and had a shower. She used her own shampoo so she could take the one from the hotel back for her grandmother. After getting ready she gathered her things. As she turned to leave the room she took one last look around to make sure that she wasn’t forgetting anything. Then she snapped a picture of the room to show her grandmother. The warm colors and high windows really gave the room a glow.
Ally headed out of the room and down the hallway to check out at the front desk. As she walked she hoped that she would run into Denise again. She enjoyed the woman’s company. She wondered if Dustin liked his caramel mousse chocolates. When she reached the front desk there was only a young woman behind the counter. No sign of Denise, or Dustin.
“I’d like to check out, please.” Ally set her room key down on the counter.
“Thank you, I hope you enjoyed your stay.” The woman smiled cheerfully at her.
“Actually, I really did. This is a very nice hotel.”
“Thanks. The boss likes all of the staff to be involved and even allows some personal touches. He wants to make it feel more like a family atmosphere.”
“I didn’t get a chance to meet him. Is he here now?”
“No, Ben is out for the morning, but he did ask me to remind you that he wants to come out on Tuesday to look at the shop and see where the chocolates are made.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks again.”
The woman smiled and nodded to Ally as she headed for the exit. She was a little disappointed that she didn’t get to speak to the manager as she would have liked a definite yes or no on the deal, but she knew she would be seeing him at the shop. She stepped out onto the front sidewalk. The valet walked up to her.
“I need my car, please. It’s registered under Sweet.”
“Sure thing. Give me two minutes.” He jogged down the sidewalk. She still wished that she could have parked it herself as she hated to see him go to so much trouble. She made sure she had a good tip ready for him when he came back. As he drove her car around she noticed how dusty it was. Maybe it took being at a nice hotel to realize that it was far overdue for a car wash. He handed her the keys and she gave him his tip. Once she was settled in the car she took a moment to send a text to her grandmother.
On my way home. I’m going to stop at the carwash. Be there soon.
Ally laughed as she wondered if having to wake up with Peaches and Arnold again had been a rude awakening for her grandmother. She drove back towards Blue River. The carwash she wanted to use was just inside town limits. It had a drive-through and an added drying feature. As she pulled into the carwash she noticed red and blue lights flashing behind her. She groaned.
“What did I do? Not use my signal?” She frowned and pulled to a stop. The patrol car stopped right behind her and turned off its lights. Ally reached into her purse for her license as the officer walked up to the door. She rolled down her window and looked right up into huge, hazel eyes framed by thick, dark lashes. Her heart skipped a beat. He looked even more handsome in uniform.
“Luke?” She grinned. “Are you going to write me a ticket?”
“Should I?” He quirked a brow and folded his arms. “I thought we were meeting for breakfast this morning?”
“Didn’t you get my text?”
“No.” He rested a hand on the door and met her eyes. “Did you cancel?”
“Yes. I thought I would have a bit too much to do today.”
“Ah.” He crouched down some. “Like going to the carwash?”
“Yes.” She bit into her bottom lip.
“Good, because this thing is filthy.” He laughed. Ally relaxed. She expected him to be frustrated, but he was just as easygoing as always. “I’m sorry if I scared you pulling up behind you like that. The chief wants to mix things up a bit so I’m on patrol today and I spotted you. You’re not mad are you?”
“Well, I guess that depends on whether you’re going to write me a ticket or not.” She winked at him.
“I guess I could let it slide just this once. The boss frowns upon me writing tickets for women not showing up to breakfast.”
“Oh? Are there many that stand you up?” Ally tilted her head to the side and smiled mischievously. Luke’s smile faded and he met her eyes.
“Only one.” He rapped the top of her door. “Enjoy your day.”
“You too. Sorry about breakfast.”
“It’s all right, Ally. We’ll figure it out one of these days.” As he walked back to the patrol car she watched him in the rearview mirror.
Ally eased her car into the carwash and once it was on the tracks she relaxed. The whir and buzz of the machinery around her accompanied by the rush of water made her feel as if she had been transported to a different place, just like it had when she was a kid. Some of the things about moving back home to Blue River were very comforting to her, the carwash was one of them.
> After Ally passed through the remainder of the carwash she headed for the cottage. She had promised her grandmother that she would help move a few more of her things from the cottage to Freely Lakes. She pulled into the driveway and the front door of the cottage flung open. Out came Arnold and Peaches, with Charlotte chasing after them. Ally laughed as she jumped out of the car and scooped up Peaches. Arnold nuzzled her shins and squealed. She reached down and patted his head.
“I guess I was missed.”
“More than you could ever know. Do you realize that cat actually walked on my face this morning?”
“Oh Peaches, naughty.” Ally clucked her tongue. “I’m sorry, Mee-Maw, they have been a little out of control since you’ve been gone.”
“I see that. But it’s okay, I enjoyed my time with them. Since she got me up early I was able to pack up the last of my things that I want to take over. If you’re not too tired, can we get started?”
“Sure. Let me just put my overnight bag inside. I cleaned out the trunk before I left so there should be plenty of room in there for whatever we need to take.” Ally wrapped her grandmother in a tight hug. “I still wish I was moving you back in.”
“I know dear, I know.”
Ally stepped into the cottage and walked through the living room to the small hall that led to the two bedrooms. She walked past the bedroom that she still considered to be her grandmother’s then stepped into her own. It was the same bedroom she had grown up in. After she had moved out, her grandmother suggested that Ally take the larger room, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She loved her own room and it wouldn’t feel right.
Ally dropped her overnight bag on her bed. She tucked her phone into her pocket and left her purse behind. Then she gathered up a stack of boxes from her grandmother’s room to carry out to the car. They were fairly light, but she had a hard time seeing around them. She managed to make her way out the door.
“Wow, Ally let me take one of those.” Charlotte reached for one of the boxes when Ally stepped outside.
“No, no. They’re perfectly balanced. Could you pop the trunk, please?”
“Absolutely.”
Ally walked around to the back of the car. She heard the subtle click of the release of the trunk and the whir of it rising. Only then did she set down the boxes on the ground. As she finished, she heard her grandmother scream.
“Mee-Maw? What is it?” Ally gasped. Charlotte pointed to the trunk of the car. Her hand trembled and another scream escaped her. Ally was filled with dread as she looked into the trunk. She stumbled back as she saw a man’s body inside.
Chapter Three
Ally stared at the body in her trunk.
“Is he dead? He can’t be dead. This has to be some kind of prank.” She took a deep breath and tried to convince herself that the man might be sleeping or passed out. Ally’s hand shook as she reached into the trunk. One touch of the man’s wrist told her that he was dead, and had been for some time. His skin was cold. “I think he is dead.” From the lump on his head and the telephone cord wrapped around his neck it was clear he had been murdered.
As Ally peered more closely at his face her heart dropped. “I know him. It’s Dustin, the head of security at the hotel. How can he be dead in the trunk of my car? Why?” Ally noticed that the man was wrapped in a familiar jacket. It was the same jacket that Denise wore the day before. “I must be confused.” She shook her head.
“Do you have any idea how he ended up in your trunk?” Charlotte stared at the man. “How did he get there, Ally?”
“I have no clue. I gave the keys to the valet when I arrived and I got the car back from the valet when I left. This is the first time I’ve opened the trunk.” Ally reached for her phone. “I have to call Luke.”
“Ally, listen to me.” Charlotte grabbed the wrist of the hand that held the cell phone. “When you make that call you can’t take it back.”
“What do you mean?” Ally’s eyes widened.
“Ally, honey, you have a dead man in the trunk of your car. The police are going to want some kind of explanation.”
“But I don’t have one. I don’t know what happened.” Ally gripped her phone tighter.
“I know that.” Charlotte grimaced. “We have to call the police, but if you could remember anything that would indicate who did this it would be helpful. Did you see him fight with anyone? Was anyone following him?”
“No, not at all. He just seemed like a nice man. Mee-Maw, don’t worry. Luke will make sure that I am okay.” Ally dialed Luke’s phone number. As it rang Charlotte herded the animals back into the house.
“Did you miss me already?”
“Luke.” Her voice cracked.
“Ally, what is it? Where are you? What’s wrong?”
“I’m in some trouble I think. I’ve got a big problem. I’m at the cottage.”
“Are you hurt? What’s going on?”
“I’m not hurt. But there’s a body in the trunk of my car.”
“A what? Did you say a body?”
“Luke please.” Ally’s eyes filled with tears as the full impact hit her.
“I’m sending help, I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Luke wait, what do you mean you’re sending help?”
“I’m going to call it in. I’m sure there’s someone closer who will get there faster.”
“Luke, I don’t know. I don’t know.”
“It’s going to be okay I’ll be there in a few minutes. Just try to breathe.”
Ally hung up the phone and looked back towards the trunk. Her mind shifted into investigative mode. She checked over everything in the trunk. The only thing she noticed was a blue circular pin. It was the same pin she had seen on a few different jackets at the hotel. Obviously, whatever happened to Dustin happened at the hotel. But how could she prove that? What was she going to say to the officer that showed up? How could she explain something that she didn’t understand herself?
Charlotte stepped back out of the house and hurried towards Ally. “What did Luke say?”
“He said he’s sending help.” A siren blared. Ally turned in the direction of it.
“Here it comes.” Charlotte tightened her hands into fists. “Ally, all of this is going to happen fast. Be careful what you say, please?”
“Mee-Maw, don’t worry, it’s going to be fine,” Ally said with more confidence than she felt.
A patrol car skidded to a stop at the end of the driveway. Ally grabbed her grandmother’s hand as two officers walked up the driveway. Neither was Luke.
“You reported a body?” A tall, thin man she’d never seen before walked up to her.
“He’s in the trunk.” She took a step back from it.
“The trunk?” The officer tipped his head down as he looked inside. He checked for signs of life and then straightened up. When he looked at Ally his expression was stern. “Who owns this car?”
“I do.” Ally cleared her throat.
“Do you know this man?”
“He’s head of security at Bella Hotel in Mainbry. His name is Dustin Keeris.” Charlotte placed a hand on her shoulder to remind her to be careful of what she said.
“Would you like to tell me how he ended up in the trunk of your car?” The officer shifted closer to her.
“I’d rather wait until Detective Luke Elm gets here.”
“Oh?” He studied her. “Why do you want to wait for him?”
“I just think it would be better.”
“So, you’re withholding information from me about this dead man in your trunk?” He rested his hand on his hip where handcuffs hung. Ally’s chest tightened. She hadn’t really considered what would happen after the police arrived. She heard the squeal of tires and glanced over. Luke leaped out of the car and rushed up the driveway.
“What’s going on, Miller?” He placed a hand on Ally’s shoulder. It tightened when he looked past her into the trunk and saw Dustin’s body.
“You know this woman?”
Miller asked.
“Yes, I do,” Luke said.
“Well, maybe you can get her to tell you why she has a dead man who has obviously been murdered, in her trunk.”
“Dustin. His name is Dustin.” Her voice softened.
“Ally?” Luke stepped in front of her and looked into her eyes. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. I opened the trunk to put these boxes in, and he was there.”
“Where has the car been?” Luke looked back at the car.
“Just at the hotel. And the carwash when we ran into each other. Remember?” Ally frowned.
“Wait, you took the car through a carwash with a body in the trunk?” Miller growled. “Do you realize that you washed away any evidence that might have been on the car?”
Ally stared at him. “I didn’t know there was evidence then. I didn’t know there was a body then.”
“And you were with her?” Miller clenched his jaw. “You know how this is going to look don’t you, Elm?”
Luke raised an eyebrow but didn’t answer. His hand remained on Ally’s shoulder, so tight that it seemed to her that he was trying to hold onto her.
“Look, I was with her, I know she didn’t know about the body.”
“You do?” Miller narrowed his eyes. “Or maybe, she let you know about the body and you suggested a carwash to help her out?”
“Watch it,” Luke warned. “You better think about those accusations before you start throwing them around.”
“Hey, hate me for saying what every other investigator on this case is going to say. I don’t care. I can tell you right now, that you’re going to have to come up with a better explanation than ‘I don’t know’.”
“Luke?” Ally looked into his eyes. “Is he right? Are they going to arrest me?”
“No. Just let me handle this.” His jaw rippled as he looked away from her.
“Sounds a little fishy to me.” Miller spat on the driveway. Ally scrunched up her nose at the sight. A few more patrol cars pulled up followed by an unmarked car. As the officers assessed the scene, Ally’s heart beat faster. Charlotte stood off to the side, but Ally felt her eyes on her.
