by Tina Kashian
“Did they recognize you?” Katie asked.
Lucy shook her head. “I don’t think so. It was dark, and I never fully turned around to face them. Plus, my hat covers my hair.”
“You still have those pics and camera card?” Katie asked.
Lucy reached into her messenger bag and pulled out the envelope. “Right here.”
“How are we going to get them to the police?” Katie asked. “You can’t just stroll into the police station and hand them over to Detective Clemmons. And I can’t just give them to Bill. He’s a great husband, but he’d flip his lid if he learned we stole a key, illegally searched the shop, then were shot at as we fled.”
“It does sound bad, doesn’t it?”
“It sounds worse than bad,” Katie said. “What are we going to do?”
Lucy pursed her lips in thought. “I’m going to deliver them anonymously to Clemmons.”
“Don’t you think the police will put two and two together and figure out whoever broke into the store tonight also stole these pictures?” Katie asked.
“If Neil does not know about the pictures, then he wouldn’t know to report them missing.”
“And if Neil knew about the blackmail pictures and discovers they’re missing?” Katie asked.
Lucy’s mind spun with the possibility. “If Neil knew his uncle was blackmailing Ben, he wouldn’t tell the police about the pictures. Either way, the police won’t know the pictures were stolen from Archie’s store.”
“If the police don’t know the photos came from Archie, then how will they connect them with a motive for murder?” Katie asked.
“I’ll include an anonymous note and tell Detective Clemmons that Archie was blackmailing Ben Hawkins. Clemmons will have to question Ben as a suspect.”
“You think that’s enough?” Katie asked.
It was a troubling thought. Lucy slid the pictures from the envelope, turned on her flashlight, and studied them more closely. Her eyes widened. “I think we’re worrying for no reason. Archie will tell Clemmons for us.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look here. Archie wrote on the back of each picture. He even initialed some with ‘AK.’ Lucy flipped over the lap dance picture and read out loud, “ A lap dance to doom. ” Next, she turned over the picture with the fuzzy pink handcuffs, and read, “‘You’re in a cash bind.’” Others showed Ben kissing Vanessa, and Ben and Vanessa making out in his car. Lucy read the hand-written notes, “This one is worth a couple grand. And so much for your political career. ”
Katie snatched the pictures from Lucy. “I don’t believe Archie had the gall to initial any of them. “The pictures, combined with your anonymous note, is enough to make even hardheaded Detective Clemmons question Ben.”
“Good.”
Katie shook her head. “We didn’t escape unscathed. Our plan of stealthily breaking into the shop and returning the spare key without anyone knowing we were there has been blown out of the water. Someone called the cops. Whether Neil called the police, or his neighbors who heard the gunshot, it doesn’t matter. The police will think there have been two burglaries at Seaside Gifts.” Katie’s gaze dropped to the envelope in Lucy’s hands. “At least you found the pictures. They’re proof Ben was being blackmailed and are his motive for murder.”
“True. But I think we’re overlooking something even more important.”
“More important than the pictures?”
“Yup.”
“What?”
“The gun. What if it’s the same one that shot Archie?”
* * *
“You two did what?” Bill asked as he looked at Lucy and Katie in what could only be described as a combination of horror and anger.
They were in Katie’s kitchen the following morning after their narrow escape the night before. Katie had waited until Bill had drunk a cup of coffee before they’d confessed everything.
“We know you’re upset, but we hadn’t planned on things happening as they did,” Katie said.
“You mean getting caught illegally breaking and entering, then dodging a bullet as you fled?” A muscle twitched at Bill’s jaw, and he set down his coffee mug with a thud on the laminate countertop.
“It’s not Katie’s fault,” Lucy piped up. “It was my idea.” She felt horrible; she had never intended to cause a rift between her best friend and her husband. Lucy couldn’t let Katie take the fall—not when last night had been her brainstorm.
Bill’s gaze turned on Lucy. “That’s nice of you to say, Lucy, but Katie’s a cop’s wife. She knows better.”
“I stole the spare key, not Katie. I convinced her to tag along,” Lucy argued.
Katie opened her mouth to argue. “Lucy—”
“It’s no excuse,” Bill snapped.
At Bill’s uncharacteristic harsh tone, Lucy’s gaze flew to him. He shouldn’t be this hard on Katie. Not when he had initially come to Lucy and asked for her assistance. “You wanted me to help, remember? You were worried Clemmons was upset about your seeking a promotion and that he would take it out on you somehow.”
“It’s not the same,” Bill said.
“Yes, it is. As long as Katie remains on Detective Clemmons’s suspect list, I can’t stand by and do nothing. Especially since he still holds a grudge against my family, and he knows Katie is my best friend.”
Bill ran a hand through his brown hair. “I did ask for your help.” He held up a hand before Lucy or Katie could interrupt. “But I never meant for you to do anything illegal. I asked you to keep your eyes and ears open at Kebab Kitchen, and maybe ask a few questions. I didn’t ask you to pin a deputy star on your chest and immerse yourself in a full investigation. And I definitely never asked you to break into a store.”
“What about what we found?” The manila envelope with the camera card and pictures of Ben and Vanessa rested on the counter. “It’s motive for murder.”
“It is. Clemmons needs to see it.”
“You’re not suggesting I hand it over to him? He’d ask where we found them,” Lucy said.
“We may not have a choice,” Bill said.
“I already had an idea. What if I anonymously mail them to him? I’ll include a typewritten note saying the pictures came from Archie. Detective Clemmons can verify Archie’s handwriting on the back of the pictures if he needs to. Either way, he will have to question Ben and the truth will come out.”
Bill was silent for a moment, and Lucy knew he was thinking about it. “It’s a solid idea. Except I’m duty-bound to tell the truth.”
“You’re also duty-bound to protect me first,” Katie said.
Bill frowned at his wife. “All right. I’m not happy with either of you, but I don’t have much of a choice. It’s not like I’d turn my wife or her best friend in to be arrested.” He pointed a finger at them. “But no more stunts. You’re both lucky you weren’t shot.”
After last night’s scary episode, they were both quick to agree.
CHAPTER 20
“Guess what, Mokour Lucy?” Niari said. “We won our soccer game!”
Lucy smiled brightly as her niece stepped out of Emma’s parked car outside Kebab Kitchen. Mokour meant mother’s sister in Armenian, and Lucy loved hearing it as much as spending time with her niece.
Niari ran to Lucy and they hugged. Niari was a lovely mix of Emma and her father, Max. Niari’s olive complexion and dark hair were from her mother’s side, but her blue eyes were from her father’s Irish heritage. Today, she was wearing cleats, shin guards, and her soccer uniform. A red glitter headband read GO STRIKERS!
Gadoo peered from behind a bush, then padded forward to wind around Niari’s feet. She swept Gadoo into her arms and scratched behind his ears. The cat immediately began to purr. Gadoo loved Niari. Of course, he also knew treats were forthcoming whenever the girl visited.
“Who’d you play today?” Lucy asked.
“Cape May.”
“What was the score?” Lucy asked.
“Four to
two. I scored a goal.”
“That’s great! How about some cookies to celebrate?”
Niari eyed her with suspicion. “Not those date cookies?”
“You thought they were chocolate.”
“Yes, but now I know.”
Lucy grinned. “How about some sugar cookies from Cutie’s Cupcakes that I picked up?”
“Sure!” Niari darted for the door of the restaurant with the cat in her arms.
“Wait,” Lucy said. “Your grandmother will throw a fit if she sees Gadoo inside.”
Niari pouted. “I thought you were the manager now.”
“I am,” Lucy said. “But I know better than to challenge your grandmother.” Angela was a stickler for cleanliness in the restaurant and, as a rule, Gadoo wasn’t allowed inside.
“She’s not in there,” Emma said as she joined them.
“You sure?” Last time Lucy had checked, her mother was in the office in the storage room.
“I called her cell to let her know we were coming. She said she left ten minutes ago to wake up Dad,” Emma said.
Her mother had never mentioned to Lucy she was leaving. Angela must have gone out the back door. Lucy eyed her niece and the cat. “In that case, I keep Gadoo’s special treats in the storage room. Want to feed him some?”
“Yes!”
Niari traipsed into the restaurant carrying Gadoo, and they walked through the swinging kitchen doors. The heat of the kitchen engulfed them as they passed through, and Butch and Azad looked up from simmering pots and waved. “Hi, Niari.”
She waved back. “Gadoo wants treats.”
Gadoo purred in her arms as Niari continued to stroke his soft fur. Once they were in the storage room, Lucy reached for a bag of cat treats on one of the shelves. “Only Holloway’s carries the organic treats that he loves.”
Niari set the cat down and Lucy poured some treats into her niece’s hand. “Go ahead and feed him.”
Gadoo’s yellow eyes looked up as if to say, “Thanks,” then his tail swished as he devoured the treats.
“Can I take him home with me?” Niari asked.
“I think your grandmother would get upset.” So would Lucy. She’d gotten quite attached to the cat and looked forward to his welcoming meow when she arrived at work each morning. Lucy also wanted to take Gadoo with her when she moved out of Katie’s home and into her own apartment. Her plans always seemed put off by Katie’s protests and her own lack of time to look for an apartment. She’d have to talk to Max about finding a place. After all, he was the king of real estate in Ocean Crest.
“There you are,” a male voice said.
Lucy and Niari turned to see Max enter the storage room. Handsome, with light brown hair and blue eyes, he was quick to smile. His charming personality helped him sell houses and occupy shore rentals.
“Hi, Dad,” Niari said. “Mokour Lucy said I could feed Gadoo.”
Max planted his hands on his hips. “I think he needs to go outside. No cats inside a restaurant, remember?”
“He’s right. Gadoo can’t stay,” Lucy said.
Disappointment flashed across Niari’s features. “Oh, okay.”
Lucy opened the back door a few inches and Gadoo, who realized there would be no more treats, headed out.
Niari waved. “Bye, Gadoo!”
Max chuckled. “That cat has your entire family wrapped around his paw.” He ruffled Niari’s hair. “My daughter’s, too.”
“He’s a good cat,” Niari said. “I want to adopt him, but Lucy said Grandma would be upset.”
“She’s right. Heaven forbid we upset Angela,” Max drawled.
Niari didn’t look convinced, but Lucy wholeheartedly agreed. “Niari, your mom’s waiting for you with cookies in the dining room.”
“Thanks!” Niari traipsed out.
“Hey, Max. Did you ever look into finding me an apartment?” Lucy asked.
“I did. But your price range is difficult to find in Ocean Crest. Most people don’t want to rent out all year. They live in their homes during the winter and rent out for the summer. It’s more lucrative that way.”
“Oh, so I guess there’s nothing—”
“I did find something. Mrs. Lubinski is an elderly widow, and she is looking to rent out the second floor of her home. It fits your price range, and the second floor has its own entrance and privacy.”
“Let me think about it.” It wasn’t what she’d hoped for, but she was on a tight budget and knew property rentals in the shore town could be sky-high, especially during the summer.
They joined Emma and Niari in the dining room where Niari was enjoying a plate of sugar cookies and a glass of milk.
Lucy turned to Max. “I forgot to ask. How’s work?”
“Slow.”
“Slow? Isn’t it your busy season?” Lucy asked.
“It should be,” Emma said before Max could answer.
Max leaned back in his chair. “Tenants have backed out of late-summer rentals, some even willing to lose their deposits. As for sales, it’s very slow, and I’ve only had one potential buyer all week. The you-know-what”—he glanced at Niari, who was busy stuffing her face with a cookie—“has definitely affected sales.”
Niari looked up from her plate. “You mean the murder, Daddy?”
Emma looked upset. “Niari, honey. What do you know about the murder?”
Niari rolled her eyes. “All the kids are talking about it, Dad. Madeline Newton started a text group about who did it.”
“Niari!” Emma admonished. She looked at her husband. “Max, I told you to check her cell phone.”
“I do, but not every day,” Max countered.
Emma glowered at her daughter. “When did this text group start?”
“A while ago, right after Mr. Kincaid was shot,” Niari said.
“You shouldn’t talk about a man’s death like it’s entertainment.”
“We’re not. Madeline is upset that the beach festival is cancelled. Her mom is the balloon artist and she needed the money from the festival,” Niari said.
“Archie’s death has affected the entire town. Business at Kebab Kitchen is slow, real estate sales too, and the canceled beach festival has upset the kids and chased away tourists,” Lucy said.
Max shook his head. “It couldn’t have happened at a worse time.”
“What about the second break-in at Seaside Gifts?” Emma clucked her tongue. “Crime is on the rise. Whatever happened to our safe, small town?”
Lucy struggled to keep an impartial expression. Had she unwittingly made things worse? A murder and two burglaries. She felt guilty for not confessing the truth to her sister and brother-in-law, but the less people that were involved, the better.
Niari set down a half-eaten cookie and looked at Lucy. “You solved a crime before. Can’t you do it again?”
CHAPTER 21
Angela Berberian often preached that food was the best way to show all types of human emotion. A shish kebab platter loaded with rice pilaf, grilled vegetables, hummus, and pita was perfect for congratulating someone on an accomplishment, offering condolences, or apologizing for a wrongful act. Lucy was taking her mother’s advice today, and she planned to apologize to Bill by offering a platter.
Lucy parked her Toyota in front of the Ocean Crest police station. Across from the library, the station was located in the center of town in a redbrick building that also housed the town hall and municipal court.
The station was a hubbub of activity. It was three days after Lucy’s and Katie’s harrowing escape from Archie’s shop. During that time, Bill had been busy at work, and when he’d been home, he’d ignored them. It was obvious he was still angry, and Lucy felt horrible. She’d never meant to cause trouble between husband and wife. She’d botched everything.
Meanwhile, Lucy had anonymously mailed the photographs to Detective Clemmons. She’d typed his name and address on a computer label, adhered it to the manila envelope with the proper postage, then dropped the package
in the mail. She’d also typed and included a one-line note, that said:
These pictures belonged to Archie Kincaid. Looks like blackmail to me.
From a concerned citizen.
Lucy knew town mail was delivered quickly, and Clemmons would have received the pictures by now.
A young, brown-haired officer, whom Lucy didn’t recognize, buzzed her inside the station doors and sat behind the front desk. His name tag read ZIMECKI. She suspected he was one of the summer season’s rent-a-cops.
Lucy carefully placed two stacked take-out containers on the counter. “Hello. I’m here to see Officer Bill Watson. I’m a friend, and I have lunch for him.”
Officer Zimecki licked his lips. “It smells good.”
“It’s shish kebab and baklava straight from the oven. There’s extra. I’m sure he’ll share.”
“I hope so. Watson sits at the fourth desk on the right.”
“Thanks.” Lucy knew which desk was Bill’s. She also knew which office belonged to Detective Clemmons. She’d been summoned here by Clemmons on more than one occasion.
Don’t think of those unpleasant visits now.
Two rows of metal desks lined the room. Officers sat behind their desks, typing reports on their computers, answering phone calls, or chatting at the water cooler. Bill was busy sifting through paperwork on his desk. He looked up when she approached.
“Hi, Bill. I thought you could use some lunch.” She placed the containers on his desk. “Shish kebab and baklava for dessert. Katie said lamb is your favorite.”
He eyed her suspiciously, but then his gaze slid to the take-out containers. “It is. Thanks. You want to sit?”
She occupied the chair beside his desk and lowered her voice. “It’s a peace offering. I feel guilty, and I know Katie does, too. I’m sorry about our escapade.”
He opened the top container and glimpsed inside. “As far as bribes go, I rate this pretty high.”
“Does that mean you forgive us?”
“I do. I know you meant to help and”—he leaned forward in his chair and lowered his voice—“you did.”
