Bones, Booze & Bouquets

by Marianne Spitzer

  Geez Annie, when are you going to learn to keep quiet and answer questions without adding too much information? I bet this guy thinks I have something to do with the body.

  “No, I don’t.” I crossed my arms and stared at him. Yummy snuggled in my crossed arms and growled again.

  “I have your statement about finding the body in the Kelleher basement. I doubt you knew the victim.”

  I shook my head back and forth. “I understand he was dead before I was born. How could I know him?”

  He snorted. “Did you know William Wiley?”

  I shook my head again. “Not really. Only enough to say hello if I saw him at church.”

  “All right, I think I have what I need,” he smiled and snapped his notebook closed and headed toward the door. He stopped just after he opened the door and glanced over his shoulder. “Oh, one last thing. Don’t leave town.”

  Goodness gracious, what did I do now? Why can’t I leave town? Am I a suspect or person of interest again? All I did was find the body. I should have left it in the cellar and ignored it. No, that wouldn’t be right. He deserved a proper burial. Oh, my. Get a grip, Annie. You didn’t do anything wrong.

  I reached for my phone and called Clark. As soon as I heard his voice, I began to tell him about the Grim Reaper detective and that I was afraid he’d arrest me. I’m not sure what else I said because I think I heard him tell me to calm down at least three times. I finally did, and he assured me it was all part of the investigation. The new guy just didn’t know me. I’m not sure if I believe him, but for now, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, he loves me so I’m pretty sure he’ll watch out for me. I sighed and hung up.

  It was nearly lunchtime, and all the stress made me hungry. Today is a good day to have a nice meal at the diner.

  ~ * ~

  It was close to closing time when Lizzy rushed through the front door.

  “Oh, Annie, I’ve had an incredible day. Just wait until you hear and thank you so much.”

  “Thank me for what?”

  “You suggested I call Lucas. I did first thing this morning, and he already knew about the shop. When I told him how it’s affecting my mom, he told me to sit tight until he called me back.” Lizzy took a deep breath and sat on the chair I keep near the door. “He called about an hour later.”

  “Okay, what did he say?” Her excitement was rubbing off on me, and I could hardly wait to hear what she had to say.

  “Lucas went to see Judge Reynolds in his office. The judge agreed if the police have all the evidence they need, I should have my shop back. The mayor can’t order it closed. If it’s proven at a later date the shop was obtained with ill-gotten gains, then I can go to court to fight it. Until then, the shop stays open.”

  “I’m so happy for you,” I said throwing my arms around her. “Your mom can stop crying and worrying, and we can plan my wedding the way you want.”

  “Yes, it’s excellent news. The only stipulation was that Chief Clifford wanted me to stop by the police station to discuss the evidence. Lucas went with me. He told me the evidence is thin and not to worry. I’m still worried.” Lizzy stood and began to pace.

  “What evidence do they have?”

  “It’s weird, and I hope you can help me figure it out. Do you have some paper?”

  “Sure,” I answered handing her a pad of lined paper from under the front counter.

  “What they found in the shop’s basement were four old, black leather journals filled with numbers and initials. The chief opened one and laid it on the table. He asked me if I’d ever seen it before or knew what it was. I honestly told him no. I have no idea what it was. Here, let me show you.”

  I watched Lizzy jot a few initials across the left side of the paper with numbers beside them. She underlined the last number and then wrote a few more initials at the bottom of the page.

  “Look,” Lizzy said. “I know enough about keeping books and numbers, so I think it’s some sort of bookkeeping journal. These letters might be initials, and the numbers could be amounts of products or money. I didn’t get the chance to total any column, but it appears the larger number at the bottom of the column was a total of something.”

  I bent over and studied the paper. “I think you’re right. It looks like an accounting, but what about the three sets of initials on the bottom of the page?”

  “I tried to work it out in my head,” Lizzy explained, “but I’m not sure if I’m right. It appeared to me that the total was divided into three amounts. I did notice the amounts beside the initials were exact.”

  “Do you remember the initials?”

  Lizzy nodded and wrote ‘RW, FS, and AQ’ on the paper.

  “Hmm,” I mused. “The RW could be Ralph Wiley since they found him dead in the cellar.”

  Lizzy nodded. “They think the FS is Fred Smalls, but it can’t be my dad because he wasn’t alive at the time of prohibition. My grandfather’s name was Floyd, and the police think my dad heard stories that he was involved and hid these books.” She frowned and bit her lip.

  “Well,” I insisted. “It doesn’t prove anything. It’s only conjecture. They can’t even prove the numbers were bottles or money. What about ‘AQ’?”

  “Lucas told me it could be Amos Quigley.”

  “Old man Quigley? The stories about him are as wild as they get. Didn’t he supposedly live with wolves in the hills and forest west of the lake? He lived on rabbits and squirrels and rarely came to town. I also heard he made his living making…”

  “Moonshine,” Lizzy and I said at the same time.

  Lizzy nodded. “They must believe that Ralph and Amos were together in the moonshine business along with my grandpa. It’s insane. My mom said he was a nice man.”

  “Lizzy,” I asked. “When did your dad start the florist shop?”

  “Hmm, shortly after he and mom married. I think it was before my oldest brother was born.”

  “That was well after prohibition. Did your family own the building before he started the shop?”

  Lizzy shook her head. “No, mom told me he bought it because it had been vacant for a while and was in an ideal location.”

  “That it is,” I agreed. “I wonder if your mom has the paperwork handy.”

  “I don’t want to ask her. It has upset her terribly. I’d like to let her think all is well. I’m worried about her health.”

  “I understand. Someone must know who owned this place. We can’t ask at the Clerk of Courts office because whoever knows who FS is might find out. Let’s face it; this must be important if someone killed Willy over it.”

  “Then what do we do,” Lizzy asked me and reached down to pick up Yummy. He cuddled up to her while I walked around in a small circle. It seems to help me think.

  I rubbed my face trying to calm my mind. I had too many thoughts running through it at once. “Hey,” I finally said. “Some of the older citizens in town might remember. I don’t want to visit them all, or it could also bring attention to what we’re doing. What if Georgie and I drop into Corners Bar next Wednesday evening after the lodge meeting? I think every senior male in town belongs. We could ask a few discreet questions. Maybe we’ll find FS.”

  “Do you think so?” Lizzy asked her eyes filled with hope.

  “We can try,” I smiled at her. “I need to find out who’s responsible, too. After all, there was a body in my mansion. I’d like to feel safe. Now that I discovered the body, anyone could come after me. Willy’s dead. Who might be next?”

  Lizzy shivered.

  ~ * ~

  The lodge meeting was over a week away since they meet every other Wednesday. Now, I needed to figure out something to do to occupy my mind and to keep me out of trouble while I try and solve this mystery. It was time to close the bookstore. I should call Betsy at the bakery. I need to set up an appointment for Clark and me to choose our wedding cake.

  A quick call to Betsy’s turned into an invite to stop by after I close the store. Her bakery is
closed, and she said we should have coffee and catch up. She also has some ideas about the wedding. I think this will be fun.

  Yummy and I closed up and headed over to Betsy’s. Her bakery is a short two blocks from my bookstore, but I decided to drive. Most of the shops that front Main Street have parking behind their stores. It’s an easy traffic-free ride through parking lots to get there. She also doesn’t mind Yummy visiting after the bakery closes since I leave him in his carrier.

  Betsy opened the back door of her store before I had a chance to knock.

  “Hi, come on in. I have some cake for us to eat and a few wedding ideas.”

  “Wonderful,” I replied. “I’m excited. It’s only a little over a month away, and I have so much to do. I need to order invitations tomorrow. Clark is busy at work and told me to get whatever I like. I’m just glad we’re keeping the wedding small. I don’t feel like addressing a hundred invitations.”

  Betsy’s face twisted, and I thought she was in pain. “Writing all of those addresses would give me a headache. I’d rather bake.”

  “And I’d rather work on my book, but I have to do it,” I smiled.

  “How’s that book coming,” she asked.

  “Slow,” I replied.

  Betsy laughed. “You sound like you need some cake. I have fresh Applesauce Cake or Vanilla Coconut.”

  “Applesauce please.”

  “Okay, I’ll dish it up. Do you want to pour us each a cup of coffee? It’s fresh.”

  A few minutes later we sat at the small table in her kitchen and enjoyed cake and coffee. Betsy began to explain her ideas for the wedding.

  “You said you didn’t want a huge cake and were leaning toward large cupcakes. Have you changed your mind?”

  “Not at all. I just want them to be special.”

  “I specialize in special,” she laughed.

  I leaned my elbow on the counter and asked, “What do you have in mind?”

  “You need to bring Clark in to choose cake flavors, but I suggest having two different flavors and two different colors of frosting. You said you were doing pink and purple. I can do pink easily, but purple might be a bit too much unless you prefer lavender”.

  I shook my head. “Not lavender.”

  Okay, then I thought a white cream frosting with bright purple sugar crystals.”

  “Sugar crystals? I like that idea.”

  Betsy popped off her chair and hurried to a cabinet next to her decorating counter. She pulled out several glass containers and brought them back to the table where I waited. She placed them on the counter, and I saw they contained different shades of large, colored sugar crystals.

  “These are so pretty. They’re larger than table sugar. I can imagine they’ll look fantastic on the cupcakes. How do I choose?”

  “You don’t have to. I made all of these. I can make the sugar lighter or darker to match your colors. Then you decide which color goes on which flavor and viola you have a lovely cake. I can show you and Clark different display stands, so your cupcakes stand out as beautiful as a five-layer wedding cake.

  I took another bite of cake and looked at the sugar crystals. “I’m not sure how to choose.”

  “Let me show you.” Betsy walked over to her freezer and pulled out a cupcake in a plastic bag. Then she pulled out frosting from the fridge and decorated it in a beautiful swirl and sprinkled the hot pink sugar crystals on it. When she placed it in front of me, I couldn’t believe how pretty it was.

  She smiled and said, “When you and Clark come in I’ll have several different flavors and colored crystals. You’ll get an idea of light and dark frostings along with light and dark cake flavors. I can think of at least a dozen wonderful combinations. Tell Clark to bring his appetite.” She sipped her coffee, but I saw her eyes sparkle with happiness.

  “Oh,” she continued, “I have news.”

  “What? Is it good news?”

  “I hope so. I know you’re having my sister Carlotta cater your wedding, and she’s always wanted me to go into business with her. The store next to her catering office and kitchen is for rent. She wants me to open another bakery there specializing in special occasion and wedding cakes. You know wedding cakes are my specialty. I love baking them.”

  Betsy’s excitement was palpable, and I joined in her excitement. I hugged her, and she practically jumped up and down.

  “I’m so excited.”

  “Will you close the shop here?” I asked. “I’ll miss your cakes and sweets.

  “No, I’ll hire someone to fill in here the days I’m not here and I still plan to keep my house here. The building has a small apartment upstairs so I’ll have a place to sleep if I need to stay over. You know I love my sister, but we do drive each other crazy. It’s only ten miles away so it won’t be a problem. Many of her clients come here for their cakes. This way they can just pop next door. I’ll have a lot more business.”

  “That’s great. Well, I better run. Laci may be home and hungry. I’ll call you soon with a time that Clark’s available to eat cake.” I walked over and picked Yummy and his carrier up off the chair where he patiently waited and headed toward the door.

  Betsy placed the cupcake in a box and handed it to me. “Maybe Laci would enjoy this.”

  I thanked her and headed home.

  Chapter Eight

  When I pulled into my drive, I noticed Uncle Lyle’s car wasn’t parked in front of the house in its usual spot. I unlocked the back door wondering what mood Laci would be in today. I walked into the house and tossed my purse on a chair and placed the bakery box on a side table. The aroma of tomatoes and spices met me, and I wondered if I was in the right house.

  “Hi, Mom,” Laci called from the kitchen. “How was your day?”

  “Fine,” I answered wondering if my child had been replaced by a clone. “How was yours?” I was afraid to find out. Something had changed her mood from this morning.

  “Fantastic,” she called out. She hurried toward me from the kitchen and continued, “Beth Ann and I stopped by the diner for lunch. I told Mr. Lou that I’m looking for a job. He told me he needed help since his wife injured her knee. She limps because she isn’t supposed to be walking around, but she insists on helping Mr. Lou. I’m working the evening shift to wait tables and then help him clean and close each night. He said I could work five nights each week. It’s perfect, Mom. I have a job. I’m excited, and I made homemade lasagna for us.” She rushed back to the kitchen.

  I stared at her and then headed for the bathroom to wash up for dinner. Something’s up. I need to figure out why her mood changed. Maybe it’s just having a job. She might have been worried about not having any spending money. Of course, I would give her some if her attitude changed. Maybe that’s it. She’ll have her own money and keep her poor attitude, but for now, it seems to be gone, and I’ll take it. I removed Yummy from his carrier, and he tore down the hall toward the living room barking his little head off.

  “Yummy, no be nice,” I heard Laci call out from the kitchen.

  Be nice? Now I know something’s going on.

  I walked into the living room to find Laci holding a small ball of pure white fur. “A kitten, you brought a kitten home. What’s its name?” I walked over to pet the small purring fur ball.

  “I haven’t decided yet. Isn’t she sweet? She’s only twelve weeks old and litter box trained. She even has her first set of shots. My friend, Alicia, brought her home last week, but it turns out her little brother is terribly allergic. Even his allergy medicine didn’t help, so she needed to find her a new home. Don’t you just love her?”

  “Yes, I love cats, but the one we need to consider is Yummy. He lives here, too and if they’re going to fight, we’ll have a problem. Let’s see.”

  Laci sat on the sofa. I picked Yummy up and sat a foot away from Laci. Yummy barked, and the kitten mewed.

  I looked at Laci and said, “I’ll hold onto his collar, but I’ll let him walk over to you. Maybe they’ll like each other.”<
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  Laci nodded and held the kitten a little tighter. Yummy walked closer to Laci and sniffed at the kitten. The kitten tried to pull out of Laci’s arms to get closer to Yummy. I saw Laci twist her lip and then set the kitten on the sofa cushion next to Yummy. They lay nose to nose and sniffed each other. Yummy rolled onto his side, and the kitten walked over and curled up next to him.

  Laci shrugged. “I think we have our answer.”

  We went to the kitchen to enjoy Laci’s lasagna and garlic toast while Yummy and the kitten slept.

  “This was a very nice meal. Thanks for making it. You’re in a very good mood. Care to share the reason?” I sipped my ice tea and looked directly in her eyes hoping she’d be truthful.

  “I’m not sure, Mom. It seemed as if my entire world turned upside down. You’re getting married, I didn’t have a job, I can’t see Aunt Claudine, I have a new uncle, and I planned not to live here, but you rented out the apartment above the store. All my plans were trashed and then I thought I’d try and meet you half way. I was going to meet Clark, but he didn’t show up yesterday.” She wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Oh, honey, he was out on a murder case. He didn’t stay away intentionally.” I took her hand in mine since she looked so sad.

  “I know. I thought about it last night. Then today Lou gave me a job, and I got a kitten. I spoke to Grandma Ryan, too and she thought before summer was over I might be able to have dinner with them and you might let Aunt Claudine come to dinner, too.”

  I took in a deep breath. Part of me never wanted to see Claudine again, but she never hurt Laci and Claudine loves Laci. Also, I miss seeing my nephews. Maybe a dinner at Mom and Dad Ryan’s might work.

  I nodded, “I think we could do that. I know you love her and she loves you.”

  A broad smile crossed her face. She stood to start clearing the table and looked at me over her shoulder. “Oh, I decided you don’t need to buy me a car. I know you said you’d pay for it, but then there’s insurance and gas. Plus, I can only use it during the summer. It’ll sit in the garage while I’m at school. Now that I can work at the diner, I can ride my bike.” She stopped and grinned at me. “Maybe you can buy me a really nice one when I graduate.”