Hospitality and Homicide

by Lynn Cahoon

  “Perfect. You’ll hear from him right after finals.” She peered at me. “Did you hear about the polls they have going on you and Greg breaking up?”

  “We’re not breaking up.”

  “I know. That one was started by his ex-wife. Not very many people are jumping on her bandwagon. They knew how she was back in the day.” Esmerelda considered me. “You’re good for him. You need to move in together. It will all work out.”

  I wanted to ask if she was sure, but I didn’t want to push my luck.

  “Anyway, I got to go. I’m coming to your little event tonight and I have to get ready.” She looked at my stained capris. “You are wearing something else, right? You look like crap.”

  She didn’t wait for an answer. She just jogged back across the street, sweeping up Maggie in her arms as the cat stepped out of the shadow of a bush to greet her.

  “If people would leave me alone, I’d be ready sooner.” I wondered if this was why Toby had said I took forever to get ready. I was always being interrupted.

  Excuses, excuses.

  I went back inside the house, locked the door, and headed upstairs to the shower. I didn’t want visitors of any kind. Typically, before events like this, I’d be on pins and needles. Tonight, I just wanted to get through the night.

  By the time I was ready, my hour was almost up. I had time to walk into town but that was about it. The shed where Toby lived was dark with a porch light left on. He’d already left. If I didn’t hurry, I’d be the last one. And with my aunt, I’d never live that minor sin down.

  Ian sat outside his shop on a folding camp chair. There was a small table sitting next to him where a half-finished glass of iced tea sat. He read a book on the theory of time by Stephen Hawking. I paused in front of him.

  “Appropriate choice of reading material,” I joked. “I’m sure I could recommend some fiction in the time travel genre that you might enjoy.”

  He looked at me over a pair of wire-rimmed reading glasses. “Excuse me?”

  Seriously? He’s already forgotten who I am? “I’m the bookstore owner, remember?”

  “I know who you are, but I didn’t understand the appropriate choice comment.” He sat the book on the table, focusing on the cover. Then he looked up at the window where his store name was stenciled in black ink. “Oh, the time reference. Very clever. Actually, I got this book from a friend. Typically, I’m more of a science fiction reader. Especially the old masters. I’d rather read an old Heinlein than most of the garbage that gets published these days.”

  “I carry several authors who have been favorably reviewed as being reminiscent of Heinlein. You should come in the store some morning. I’d be glad to show you what I have on stock, or order anything you need.” If I was late because I was talking up books, I would deal with my aunt’s wrath.

  “Well, maybe if I stay around.” He picked the book up, clearly dismissing me.

  I paused. “Wait, you’re moving out? You just opened? Are sales that bad? We’ll have our summer festival soon. I’m sure business will pick up as soon as people know you’re here.” I knew I should have introduced him to Mary and got him a gig fixing her clock.

  “Business is fine. I’m just not sure South Cove is my kind of place. I’ve been thinking about moving into the city for years. Maybe this was a bad decision.” He looked up the street. “Aren’t you on your way somewhere? I’d hate to keep you from your appointment.”

  “We’re doing a book club meeting with Nathan Pike. He’s the mystery author that is working here for the next month or so?” I waited for some sort of acknowledgement that Ian even recognized the name. When none came, I plowed on. “You should come. It’s at six. There will be many book people. Maybe you just need to make some connections here. I’m sure you’ll have friends soon.”

  He looked up from his book that he’d gone back to reading while I chatted. “I have friends, Miss Gardner.”

  “Of course, I didn’t mean to say you didn’t. I just don’t want you moving out of South Cove before we get to know more about you.” I glanced at my watch. Now I was late. I didn’t want it getting back to Mayor Baylor that I wasn’t being friendly to our new businesses. He’d see it that I was personally responsible for Ian closing up shop and leaving town. “Look, I’ve got to go, but think about coming down. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the talk and the company.”

  He nodded, but I could see his heart wasn’t in it. “I’ll see what I can do. I’ve been very busy with the shop lately.” Then he turned back to his reading.

  I walked away fuming. When I judged I was far enough away to not be overheard, I muttered under my breath. “Yep, so busy with the shop that he’s sitting outside reading the afternoon away.” I didn’t understand people. Why sink so much money into a site and close up shop before even turning a profit on the investment? Maybe he came from money. I was going to go dig up dirt on the new store owner and see if there was anything I could use to gently blackmail him into staying. In a totally legal and caring way, that is. Mayor Baylor’s politician charm had nothing on me and my ability to get the dirt on people.

  I grinned as I thought about Greg reading me the riot act when he found out about my pretend future blackmail project. As I walked into the shop, my mood was lighter and I felt good about my plan to help Ian see his way to staying around. And Mary, I’d talk to her about fixing her clock.

  “You’re late,” Aunt Jackie huffed as I met her at the counter.

  I held up my tote. “Let me put this away and I’ll get busy.”

  “Where were you?”

  I paused at the door. “If you need to know, I had someone stop and invite me to tomorrow’s hunt for the missing kid, then I talked with Esmeralda and finally, I stopped to invite Ian to tonight’s event.”

  “Greg’s not very happy about the new search. He believes Esmeralda’s making a bad situation worse by doling out false hope for a few bucks.” Toby turned away from stacking cups. “I feel bad for the family. They just keep getting their hearts broken.”

  “I don’t think that’s what she’s doing. She seems genuinely concerned about the kid.” I didn’t like Toby speaking bad about her. We weren’t friends, but at least he could be respectful.

  A door closed and Harrold stood there with a box of Nathan’s books. “It wouldn’t be the first time she’s used her so-called talents to take advantage of some poor family.”

  “Now, Harrold, you’re the one being negative.” My aunt pointed him toward the front table. “Stack those extra books over there under his signing table. I’m hoping we’ll sell out tonight, but you never know.”

  Harrold followed Aunt Jackie’s directions, but after he tucked the box in its place, he shook his head. “You all weren’t here the last time. She almost went to jail for her shenanigans. She told a family that their daughter was alive and then when the body was found, the girl had been dead for weeks. All during the time that witch told them she was getting messages.”

  “I didn’t know.” I looked at Toby who shook his head.

  “The only reason she’s answering phones and not inside one of those jail cells is the prior mayor didn’t want to make a scene. And the family refused to press charges or return the money she swindled out of them.” He paused at the door to the back office. “There is one thing I know for sure. She’s a complete and utter fraud.”

  CHAPTER 14

  Nathan Pike stood in front of a full house, answering questions about his recent release. The man had charm that filled the room. Everyone had laughed almost non-stop during the last hour. Now that he was winding down, I could feel Sasha’s energy as she waited to set up the signing for the author. I leaned closer and whispered. “You’re going to miss this, aren’t you?”

  “More than you know.” Sasha squeezed my hand. “Thank you for opportunity to grow here. I wouldn’t have done so well in the intern interview process. You and Jackie taught me my worth.”

  “No, we just pointed you to what was already there. We’re
going to miss you, too.” A burst of applause cut off my words and I looked toward the front. Nathan was searching the audience for one of us. When his gaze matched mine, he raised an eyebrow. It was time to get the show started. I pushed Sasha out of her chair. “You’re up. Do us proud.”

  Sasha gave me two thumbs-up. “One last time.”

  Her words haunted me and I stayed in my seat while people milled around, getting refreshments and coffee. The line to buy Nathan’s book was just as long as the line for the cookies. I decided that made it a good night. A smile curled my lips.

  “You look happy. Let me guess, you’re happy this is over?” Mary Sullivan patted my knee. “Jackie’s been stressed about this ever since he sent the e-mail saying he was coming.”

  My smile deepened. “And then when he changed the date three times, she wanted to kill him.”

  “I never understood why he didn’t just come in January like he’d planned.” Mary took a bite of one of the cookies. “This is good. One of Sadie’s?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t consider giving a party without hiring her as the caterer.” I looked over at my aunt who was hovering over Nathan, keeping the line in order. Toby handled the sales, and Sasha was writing names on stickers so the author wouldn’t have to guess at the spelling when he personalized the signature. “I guess I should get up and do something.”

  Mary patted my arm. “Sit with me a bit longer. I’ve been meaning to ask you how you are.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She shifted in her chair, clearly uncomfortable. She picked a piece of imaginary lint off her black pants. “With this whole you and Greg moving in together. You know it’s a big step, right?”

  “Of course I do. Believe me, I’ve been thinking a lot about what changes this will make in my life.” I paused. “I mean in our lives. Even if everything’s great, our lives are going to change.”

  “Exactly. Living together is no different than getting married in that way. It changes the relationship. So don’t go into it lightly.”

  I took in a deep breath. Greg had texted me and told me that he wasn’t going to be here for a while. He had a situation at the station. I figured it was Josh’s confession that he’d seen the driver’s license in Mandy’s car. “Believe me, I’m not.”

  “Good because I was concerned, especially, with this whole pool thing going on.” She put her hands on the chair and went to lift herself to a standing position.

  “Wait a second.” I thought about Ian. He may be leaving, but Mary should have the opportunity to get her clock fixed before the guy closed up shop and left town. “I was wondering if you realized that Killing Time actually fixes clocks too. Not just sells them.”

  “Of course I did.” She peered at me, confusion showing on her face. “Ian’s already been out to the house a few days ago and gave me an estimate. I asked him to pick up the clock on Monday. Most of my guests will be gone by then and it won’t be missed.”

  “I didn’t realize you’d already talked to him.” Man, Ian was tightlipped. He didn’t owe me a running list of his clients but the guy didn’t understand small talk at all. Getting gossip was one of the reasons I stopped to talk to other shopkeepers.

  Bill was waving at Mary from across the room. He was talking to Nathan.

  “Looks like I’m being called to the front. Thanks for humoring an old lady with her concerns.” She studied me a minute longer. “You and Greg remind me so much of when Bill and I first started dating. I’ll have to tell you that story someday.”

  As she left the chair, Greg fell into it and kissed me on the cheek. “Sorry I’m late. The mayor wanted me to look at the search plan for the Coltrane kid tomorrow.”

  “So you know about it.”

  “I don’t really approve, but that’s not my job. I just have to look at the safety of the issue. They seem to be well organized and have a good plan. I wish they’d been here days ago when it could have made a difference. I hate to say it, but I’m not sure what they expect to find. My bet is very little.”

  I thought about telling him about the wallet, but Toby had said he would bite that bullet if Josh wimped out, which apparently, he had. “Do you want some coffee or a piece of cheesecake?”

  “No coffee, but I’ll take something to eat. Do you want to head over to Buster’s Bar and Grill down the highway after this? I could do with a burger and I have a feeling Diamond Lille’s is going to be packed.” He laid his arm lightly around the back of my chair.

  “Let me get through this and as soon as things clear out, we’ll take off. I can reset the dining room tomorrow morning when I arrive.”

  Greg rubbed his thumb across my forearm.

  I shivered; I couldn’t help myself. Maybe I’d get lucky with more than just dinner tonight. “I have to open. I called the volunteer line last night and told them I’d provide the search party with coffee. They’ll need the caffeine.”

  “That’s my girl, always looking out for others. I hope I’m proven wrong about this being a waste of time.” He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. “You can’t believe how fortunate I feel to have missed Nathan’s talk. I’ve been listening to him for days now. I even hear his stories when I close my eyes to go to sleep.”

  “He was very entertaining. He even got a standing ovation at the end of the talk.” She brushed his hair off his forehead. “You need a haircut.”

  “I know. Maybe once I get this murder solved and off my desk, I can take the time to do that. And clean my apartment. I swear, the newscasters on ESPN are starting to look around to see where the smell is coming from.”

  “Ha, ha. You’re not talking me into cleaning your apartment on my day off. Amy and I have brunch plans on Sunday.” I stood and stretched. “But I will go get you some cheesecake if there’s any left.”

  “I bet you know where they hide the good stuff here.” Greg didn’t open his eyes.

  I walked to the dessert table where Sadie was looking at the leftovers. “You know exactly how much to order. I can’t believe you never have leftovers at events like this.”

  I snatched the last plate of cheesecake before anyone else came by. “The reason I never have leftovers is whatever I buy, they eat. I’ve bought less and had no problems, I’ve bought more and had no leftovers. People eat whatever you put in front of them. Especially when you’re the supplier of the baked goods. What kind of crack are you baking in your garage, Sadie?”

  She blushed and slapped my arm. “You know I’d never add bad ingredients. All natural for me and my customers.”

  “Natural doesn’t mean drug free,” I teased. “Maybe I shouldn’t give this to Greg. I’d hate for him to get in trouble.”

  “Unless they’re testing for sugar, I think he’s fine.” She took one of the last cookies and broke it in half before handing the bigger half to me. “So how is school going? Nick tells me that the homework in his sophomore classes is ten times as hard as last year. He’s actually having to spend time studying. He never had to do that in high school. He was always the smartest kid.”

  “I was like that.” I popped the cookie into my mouth and devoured it. “Actually, I’m glad I didn’t take a summer session class. I’m burned out and I’ve only completed a year.”

  “A year of classes combined with running your own business. It’s harder when you have a real life you have to deal with as well as your classes. Nick doesn’t realize that. He’s so looking forward to coming home this weekend and sleeping. I told him to expect to work more hours, since you lost Sasha.” She looked across the room. “She and Toby seem to be at peace with the breakup.”

  “I’d say it was an uneasy truce.” I felt bad for both of them. “This is an amazing opportunity for Sasha. She needs to embrace it and not look back.”

  “That’s hard when you have feelings for the people you’re leaving behind.” Sadie squealed and I saw Greg had snuck up behind her and lightly tapped her on each side of her waist. She turned and slapped his hands. “You stop that
. I almost decked you.”

  “I doubt that. I came to get my cheesecake. I’m starving.” He took the plate from my hands and put one arm around me. “You talk too much.”

  “And you’re spoiled.” I leaned into his frame, happy that he was able to take some time away from the case, even if it was just for a quick dinner.

  “You two are crazy cute together. I don’t know why you aren’t married already.” Sadie grinned as she saw my face. “Oops, I said a bad word, at least in Jill’s mind. I have to get home. I’m baking tomorrow so I can rest on Sunday.”

  As we said our good-byes, Greg wandered to a chair and ate his dessert. When I joined him, the cheesecake was gone and he wiped his face with the napkin. He pointed his empty plate toward Sadie. “You know her form of rest is teaching Sunday School, running the after church coffee klatch, then going to the mission to serve lunch to the homeless.”

  “But she’s not getting up at four to start baking.” I looked around the room. Toby had left Sasha at the buying table for any last minute purchases and had started putting the chairs away on the storage rack. Aunt Jackie was talking to Nathan and only a few people were still in the shop. One of them was Esmeralda who was chatting with Aunt Jackie and Nathan as he signed a book for her. “I’ll tell Aunt Jackie I’m leaving. Then we can go.”

  By the time I got across the room after being stopped by what seemed like everyone who hadn’t left, Esmeralda was gone. It took more like a half hour to get out of the shop. Greg had left his truck parked at the station, so we walked the few blocks in the mild summer evening. The street lamps had come on and in their glow, Main Street looked like it was magical. A few people wandered the streets, looking for the few shops still open on a Friday night, but most of the walk, we were alone in the fantasy world.

  “This place always smells like honeysuckle on nights like this. I’ve asked George over in the city landscaping department if they plant it here, but he claims it’s a weed and it takes over everything.” Greg paused at one of the planters and pointed. “So what plant in there would smell like a honeysuckle vine?”