Hospitality and Homicide

by Lynn Cahoon

  “He’s sad. Sasha broke up with him because she’s moving to the city for this internship and her senior year. I guess they have employee housing for their new hires, since rent costs are so extreme in the city.”

  “That’s nice of them. I can see why they’d want their new employees indoctrinated into the hive and covering all their basic needs.”

  “Aunt Jackie, isn’t that kind of big brotherish? I mean, shouldn’t people have a choice in where they live?” I knew I didn’t like the corporate attitudes from the law office where I’d worked. This was just the kind of thing that they would have done for interns, just to lure them into the firm. It felt like the company store mentality coal miners had dealt with years ago.

  “I didn’t say it wasn’t, but it is good business. If an employee can’t afford to live where they are going to work, what good does hiring them do? Sasha has a good head on her shoulders and is thinking a few steps ahead. This won’t be the last job she accepts.” Aunt Jackie called out a greeting to someone. “Harrold’s here with an early dinner. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  And with that she clicked off.

  I loved Harrold and my aunt together. She hadn’t been this happy since Uncle Ted passed away years ago. I wrote my other e-mails, sending one to each so seeing Sasha’s name didn’t make Toby sad. And I had to tell Nick about his new summer duties. I offered a small gratuity with every referral and if they worked out, I offered a small cash bonus payable a few months after hiring.

  I knew my people. They were all hungry for extra cash. If they knew someone they thought might work, I’d get referrals. And they wouldn’t send me bad referrals because they knew they’d have to work with the guy if he got hired. It was totally a win-win. I was going to have to write a paper on how this experiment turned out for one of my classes.

  About five, a knock came to the door. I put aside the text books and note pad I’d been writing on, and climbed off my couch. The television was showing reruns of my favorite cooking shows. Having the television while studying was a time honored tradition. Even back in undergrad I’d have it on for white noise.

  Greg stood on the porch, with two bags from Diamond Lille’s. I could smell the fried chicken as soon as I opened the door. Even Emma did a doggie version of a sigh and sat, waiting for Greg to acknowledge her.

  “I come bearing gifts.” He stepped through the opening as I held the screen door for him.

  Closing the door behind him, I followed him into the kitchen. “I can see that. What’s the occasion?”

  “Nothing special. I knew you’d be studying for finals and wouldn’t cook yourself dinner.” He started unpacking the sacks.

  “I can feed myself, you know.” I grabbed plates and silverware from the cabinets.

  Greg folded the paper sacks and sat them on the counter. “So what were your dinner plans tonight, Martha Stewart?”

  I had a pint of ice cream in the freezer I’d been saving for a study night, but I couldn’t tell him that without proving his point. “I guess I was just going to sit around and wait for some man to provide me with sustenance.”

  “Fine, point taken. Do you want fried chicken or not? I’m sure the guys at the station will scarf the leftovers down in record time. We don’t have any of the desserts you sent over earlier left.” He started filling his plate with mashed potatoes and Lille’s special gravy. I guess he was eating here with or without me.

  “I’m grateful for the food and the company.” I filled my own plate and for a few minutes, we were both silent, focusing on the yummy goodness of the meal. I stood and went to the fridge. “Iced tea?”

  “Perfect. I’m heading back to the station to work on this Knicely case after this. I’ll need the caffeine.” He took a bite of a chicken leg. “Man, Lille’s chicken is out of this world. I’ve tried to copy it at home, but even with the recipe Tiny gave me, I can’t get it this tender.”

  “Probably something to do with their industrial fryers.” He was right. Lille’s chicken beat out anyone’s I’d ever had, including the national chicken places. “All of the desserts are gone? Nathan bought one of everything. I had to call Sadie and get a second order in for this week.”

  “What can I say, my guys like free food.” He dished up more coleslaw and offered me the last serving. When I declined, he took the rest and put the empty container on the counter. “Of course, the fact we have a case with absolutely no clues except for Pike’s pre-written instructions isn’t helping with the nervous energy.”

  “Nothing? Walter didn’t have any enemies?” Greg didn’t like talking investigations with me, but he’d opened the subject.

  He laughed. “What? You think the world of bed and breakfast places is filled with secrets? I guess Bill and Mary should be on my suspect list, but I think they were babysitting the grandson when Walter was killed. At least with the time of death set by the preliminary report from Doc Ames. He says hi by the way.”

  I took the last bite of my mashed potatoes. South Cove Bed and Breakfast and Beal Street Bed and Breakfast were competitors for the lucrative tourist trade, but most of the time, both places were completely booked months in advance. At least that had been the report at the business-to-business meeting a few months ago. They’d even told the group if a third place would open, it could be fully booked with the number of people they had to turn down.

  I realized Greg was watching me. “What?”

  “You’re already thinking about this case, aren’t you?” He gave a piece of chicken to Emma. “I’ve created a monster.”

  “You didn’t create this obsession. I always loved solving puzzles.” I sipped my tea. “But you’re right about the relationship between Walter and the Sullivans. They were both doing well in the hospitality business. I think Bill charges more, since his rooms are more upscale, but they both report full houses at the council meetings. In fact, there’s been some talk of looking for a small upscale hotel to either renovate an old building or build new out by the winery.” Now Greg was staring at me.

  “You’ve been paying attention to the council discussions?” He took his plate to the sink and rinsed it off before putting it into the dishwasher. Between the two of us, Greg was the better housekeeper. Probably from living the bachelor life so long. This point was another double-edged sword for us living together. What if he thought I was a slob?

  I squirmed in my chair. He was right. I used to either avoid the council meetings or zone out when I attended. “I had a project for a class that meant I had to attend and then, well, I got hooked by the possibilities.”

  He finished his iced tea. “Look at you. Next thing you know, you’ll be running for mayor.”

  I faked a shudder. “Not on your life. Are you heading back now?”

  “I need to.” He studied the leftovers in the chicken box. “You want these?”

  “Take them and the rest of the sides. I have a box of cookies I brought home from the shop you can have too.” I stood and got the cookies off the counter,

  “Are you going to be okay?” Greg knew I had a sweet tooth when studying, he just didn’t know about the pint of vanilla almond sliver in my freezer.

  “I’ll be fine.” We repacked the food into one of the sacks and Greg kissed me. “Thanks for the impromptu dinner.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to keep our date tomorrow night. You know how my time gets swallowed up during an investigation.”

  “You have a job to do, so go do it.” I kissed him again, this time adding some heat so he’d know what he was missing.

  He squeezed me tight and whispered in my ear. “You’re amazing. Now go study.”

  I stood on the porch and watched him drive off. Across the road, a movement caught my eye. Esmeralda sat in her rocker on her porch, staring down toward the ocean. I’d meant to talk to Greg about her but I guess I’d have to wait for a better time. He didn’t need to deal with an employee issue while he was trying to solve a murder. Besides, maybe I was overreacting. I waved but my neighbor
didn’t see me.

  I wondered what she was seeing.

  The next morning, a knock sounded at the kitchen door while I was getting coffee. Toby cracked the door open, seeing me in the window. “Okay if I grab some coffee?”

  “Of course, but don’t you need to get some sleep? You think coffee’s the best bet right now?” I grabbed a second cup from the cabinet. I’d already showed and dressed for the day, so I had a few minutes that I could spend.

  “I’m so tired. I don’t think it will matter.” He sank into a chair at the table. I sat the coffee in front of him and joined him.

  “You doing okay?” I knew his bravado about breaking up with Sasha yesterday had been just that. Male machismo. And I’d let him have it if he insisted, but I wanted him to know he could talk to me.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Honestly, this has thrown me for a loop. I really thought we were working together on a future. Then she gets this internship and it’s bye-bye Toby and South Cove.”

  “It’s a really good opportunity for her. I’m sure she just wants to make sure you aren’t waiting around for her while she’s building a career.” I sipped my coffee. “Relationships are hard. Look at me and Greg.”

  “Greg’s a saint.” The corners of Toby’s mouth curled. “And that’s the thing, I would have waited for her. She just didn’t give me the opportunity. I could have been that guy.”

  My phone alarm rang. “Crap, I’ve got to finish getting ready. Don’t leave, I’ll be right back down. Can you let Emma outside?”

  “Sure. I need to talk to you about something, anyway.” Toby’s flat tone wasn’t just because he’d come off a night shift. The guy was depressed.

  I ran upstairs, put on foundation and mascara, and changed into a clean shirt. Then I went back downstairs. I had ten minutes before I needed to leave. Plenty of time for a heart-to-heart with my barista.

  Toby was reading my notes about the murder. I’d added a few ideas last night before bed. When he saw me, he tapped the notebook. “You’re addicted to this stuff. It’s a problem.”

  I closed the notebook and put it away in a drawer. “And you are a snoop.”

  “Police habit. We’re taught to focus on the details. Greg is not going to like hearing about this.” He looked at me.

  “So don’t tell him. Anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?” I sat my phone on the table and refilled my coffee cup. “I have ten minutes.”

  “I’ll need two. I’d like to keep renting the shed for a few months, maybe as long as a year?” He held a hand up. “Before you answer, let me explain. I still want to buy a house. I plan to have a family someday. Just because it’s not going to be me and Sasha and Olivia, that doesn’t change what I want. It just changes the timeline.”

  “So you’re still going to save for a down payment? I think that’s an excellent idea.” I didn’t realize Toby had plans to settle down. Why was it so easy for some people, yet I felt like I was being forced into a role I wasn’t ready for? I really was impressed with Toby’s coping skills. I would have thought he’d go off the deep end when Sasha told him the news.

  “I can act like an adult you know. Maybe you just haven’t seen it yet.” Toby finished his coffee and rinsed out the cup. He also put the dirty cup in my dishwasher. I had two men in my life who knew how to clean up after themselves. I’d been married to my ex for five years and he never even picked up his dirty socks and put them in a hamper. “I’m crashing, see you at work.”

  “Make sure to check your e-mail. I’ve got a referral bonus running to help fill Sasha’s spot.” I saw the wince of pain on his face and realized that maybe I’d overstepped. He was still hurting.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” He let Emma inside and disappeared out the kitchen door.

  I watched him make his way out to the shed/apartment. “Great Jill, kick a man while he’s down.”

  Emma nudged me with her nose. I leaned down to pet her.

  “Okay, I’m going to work. I’ll see you this afternoon and we’ll run.” After locking the front door, I dropped my keys into my tote and started walking to the road. I glanced at Esmeralda’s house, but the black rocker was empty except for Maggie the cat. She yawned and stretched a paw out to wave at me. Esmeralda must be inside or already at the station.

  As I turned right to walk into town, I heard the blare of horns out on the highway and I knew where my neighbor was. I turned around and ran toward the sound.

  CHAPTER 9

  Greg paced in the police station conference room. Esmeralda sat at the table in front of him. The truck driver who’d almost hit her was gone, back on the road to make his deliveries. I stood near the door, not wanting to leave until I knew everything was all right.

  “You need to stop this obsession. It’s affecting your work and now, you almost got killed.” Greg didn’t look at her as he continued to pace. “This is getting out of hand.”

  Esmeralda looked at me realizing that I hadn’t told Greg about the night I’d almost hit her too. Her look was one of surprise, then gratitude. I wasn’t sure I deserved the emotion, since I was still planning to tell him. Then she turned and stared Greg down.

  “He’s out there. They tell me he hasn’t crossed over yet, but he’s close. What would you do if you could save a lost and scared child?” She wrapped her shawl closer to her body, shivering in the too warm room. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t try Greg King. I know better. You’d move heaven and earth to save anyone, especially a child.”

  Greg sank into one of the chairs. He put his head in his hands and ran his fingers through his hair. A move I’d seen a lot, especially when he was frustrated with me and my logic. A smile threatened to curve my lips, so I rubbed it away. “Look, I’m just worried about you. Being out on the road when you go into these trances, well, it’s not safe. Can we just make sure you’re safe while you’re out there looking?”

  “You are a lovely man. So kind and caring of everyone. It can get you in trouble, though. But not with Jill, you and she are written in the cards.” Esmeralda stood and made a dramatic flair with her right hand. Then she saw the clock. “I need to get on the phones, my shift started five minutes ago.”

  Greg leaned back in his chair and waved her out of the room. I slipped inside and closed the door.

  “Are you all right?” I sat in the chair Esmeralda had just vacated.

  He looked at the closed door, then at me. “She’s frustrating. A great dispatcher, she always knows just what to say or who to send. But when she gets her mind set on something, like this kid being alive, you can’t talk her out of it.”

  “So you still think the kid is dead?” I was beginning to think that maybe Esmeralda was right.

  “Facts, Jill. I work in facts. Not hopes or messages from the other side.” He lifted his gaze to the clock. “Speaking of, don’t you have a shop to open?”

  I bolted upright. “Crap, I was going to call Aunt Jackie when we got down here and forgot all about it.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Better get going before all my customers disappear.”

  “Thanks for staying with her.” Greg followed me out of the conference room and grabbed my arm before I went through the exit door. He gave me a quick kiss. “You’re the best.”

  “I actually was the closest. Besides, if something happens to Esmeralda, I’m sure I’m in the will to take care of Maggie. And that cat has a mind of its own.” I glanced over at her desk, my brave front faltering. “Let’s just say, I’m glad she’s okay.”

  “I’ll see you soon. Or I’ll call.” He turned and walked into his office, ready to slay the next dragon that landed on his desk. As I power walked to the shop, I amended that statement. The next dragon was already in his office. He had to find out who killed poor Walter.

  I had a few commuters waiting at the door when I stepped up. “Sorry guys, there was a problem down on the highway.”

  I turned on lights and started up machines. My premium coffee was already brewed and hot, since I set it o
n a timer to go off ten minutes before I opened the shop. Mostly because I knew I’d want a cup to get me going in the morning. I called out the coffee orders for the four regulars that were there, and then I saw Nathan walk in the door with his backpack.

  I just hoped he was stopping by for treats on his way to the police station. Since I’d opened the bookstore, I hadn’t gotten the rush of would-be writers coming and just sitting at the shop. Or at least not for my shift. Toby and Aunt Jackie had a few regulars, but according to them, they always bought a treat and coffee to “pay” for their use of the area. I didn’t discourage the clientele, at least it made the place look busy, but for my shift, I liked an empty shop.

  Aunt Jackie would shoot me for even saying that. I smiled as I handed the last drink to the woman standing in front of me. “Can I add something from the dessert case?”

  “No, this is my calorie treat.” Angie paid for her drink. “And by the way, Sasha called me right after we talked. You’re a godsend.”

  Actually, I’d forgotten to even give her Angie’s message. Now I felt like a heel. “She’s so busy right now. I’m glad she reached out.”

  Angie picked up a flyer on the counter. “You’re looking for more help? Just summer stuff?”

  I took one and read the little flyer Aunt Jackie must have made up last night. It was a smart idea. “No, unfortunately, Sasha’s taking on another position, more specific to her career. So we have to find a superwoman, or man, to replace her.”

  She tucked the flyer away with her receipt. “I’ll let my woman’s group know. I think there are some gals in there that are looking for part-time work. Tell Sasha I’ll miss her.”

  As Angie walked away, Nathan stepped up to the counter. “Just one large coffee for me. And do you mind if I use one of your tables for a while? I need to change up the scenery for my writing time. I love the bed and breakfast, but you can’t believe how many people come through that porch area. And all of them ask the obvious question.”