A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery Box Set

by Kate Bell

  “Please, call me Terrence. And no, I had never heard him say he had any issues with anyone,” Terrence said with a shrug. He put on a smile and glanced at the living room door.

  “Did he ever discuss his job?” Alec asked.

  Terrence shook his head. “No, never. This is all so devastating, you know.”

  “I can imagine,” Alec said sympathetically. “Any death is difficult, and murder makes it more so.”

  Connie Sutter entered the room holding a silver tray with four cups of coffee and a creamer and sugar bowl. She set it down on the coffee table with a carafe of coffee. “Please, help yourselves,” she said, motioning toward the tray and giving us a strained smile. My heart went out to her. How terrible to lose a loved one during the holidays.

  “I’ll ask you the same things I asked your husband, Mrs. Sutter. Did Todd ever mention having any trouble with anyone, or perhaps problems at work?” Alec asked, reaching for a cup of coffee and a spoon.

  “No, he never discussed work and never had a bad thing to say about anyone,” Mrs. Sutter said. “He was always so thoughtful of others.” Her voice cracked, and she looked away.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Sutter,” Alec said. “I only have a few more questions and we’ll leave you alone.”

  I looked at the silver tray and reached for a cup of coffee, running my finger over the tray. It was plastic beneath a silver coating. I looked around the room. The walls were filled with paintings in gold trimmed frames. I got up while Alec asked his questions and wandered over to a beautiful landscape painting. There were snow covered mountaintops with an impossibly blue sky, a couple paintings with river scenes, and several more with ponds.

  The mountain painting reminded me of something you only saw in a foreign country. Perhaps Sweden or Switzerland. I took a closer look. At first glance, everything seemed expensive, but upon further inspection, a different story was revealed. The frames were plastic and in places, the gold paint was flaking off. The painting itself was under glass and I wondered if it was actually a print.

  It reminded me of a television show set. I wondered if Todd had merely been thrifty or if he had wanted to keep up appearances by making others think he had invested a lot of money in the paintings. Maybe all his charity work was to cover up for something.

  “That’s an original painting by a famous artist. The Swiss Alps,” Mrs. Sutter said, coming up behind me.

  I jumped a little. I hadn’t heard her get up. “Oh, it’s lovely,” I said.

  “Yes, Todd was quite the art aficionado,” she said, smiling at the painting.

  I looked at her curiously. It really didn’t take much to see that the painting was a cheap knock off, and it wasn’t just because the frames were inexpensive. The paintings were under glass, and authentic paintings usually weren’t displayed like that.

  “Todd was so involved in the community,” I said. “He will be missed.”

  The smile left her lips. “Yes, he certainly will. He’ll be missed by many people.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Sutter,” I said. I decided she must just be clueless about art.

  She sniffed. “Please, call me Connie.”

  “Connie, where do you and your husband live?” I asked.

  “Michigan. I wish we had taken the time to come visit more often, but you know how it is. Life gets in the way and you always think you have time. Until there is no more time,” she said, her voice cracking on the last part.

  “That’s the truth,” I said. “Will you be taking Mr. Spellman back to Michigan with you?”

  “Oh, of course. Daddy is going to have such a hard time with this. We want to do all we can to help him through it.”

  “I would imagine having him close will also help you through your grief. I write a blog on grief. I’ve written a large number of articles on working through the process. It’s called ‘Working Through Grief’,” I said. “I’ll get you a business card with the web address on it, if you want to take a look at it.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of you,” she said. “Yes, family is everything and I know having my father home with me will be a help to both of us.”

  “Can we see Mr. Spellman before we leave? So we can pay our respects?” I asked.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, but he’s still sleeping. He’s had such a hard time getting to sleep and the meds the doctor gave him make it a little hard for him to wake up,” she said, repeating what her husband had said.

  “Oh, of course,” I said, feeling a little disappointed. I had really wanted to check in on him.

  Alec finished up with his questions and I gave Connie my business card before we left.

  “Well, how did that go?” I asked him as he pulled away from the curb.

  He shrugged. “I didn’t really discover anything new or unusual. With them living so far away, it would be hard for them to know many details of Todd’s life.”

  I nodded, thinking about the fake paintings. I couldn’t imagine how Connie could have been fooled by it, but perhaps she was.

  Chapter Eight

  Sunday came far too soon, and it was time to say goodbye to Thad. Five days just weren’t enough.

  “Do you have everything packed?” I asked, hovering near him. His suitcase was still open on the bed.

  “I think I do,” he said, rummaging through his toiletry case.

  “You know, Thad, you could easily transfer to the University of Maine to finish your studies. It would be so nice to have you closer,” I said. I had tried not to meddle and coerce him into moving home, but I couldn’t help it. The few weeks a year that I got to see him just weren’t enough.

  He smiled without looking at me. “I know, Mom. I wish Wisconsin wasn’t so far away, too.”

  I sighed and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I know, you’re all grown up and you don’t need me anymore.” I couldn’t help the dramatics. I was feeling sorry for myself.

  “Now, Mom, you know that isn’t true,” he said and turned toward me and had me in a bear hug before I knew what happened. I let loose with the tears then. There wasn’t anything I could do to stop them. “Don’t do that, Mom,” he said softly.

  “I know, I’m sorry,” I whispered.

  “So what’s going on in here?” Sarah asked brightly, suddenly appearing in the doorway.

  I pulled away and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. “Nothing,” I said, and left the room, heading for the living room. I needed to pull myself together. He was all grown up now, and he had a life to live. That’s what his father and I had raised him to do.

  “What’s going on?” Jennifer asked, sliding her slipper clad feet across the hardwood floors in the living room.

  “Oh, nothing. Your brother’s getting ready to leave,” I said, and went to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee. I needed a good strong shot of caffeine to perk up my mood.

  “I can drive him to the airport, if you want,” she said, taking a mug from the cupboard.

  I thought to protest, because I wanted the last few minutes with Thad, but then I thought better of it. I could cry here in private, instead of at the airport where all the holiday travelers were milling about. I didn’t need an audience.

  “That sounds good. But you better get dressed or he’ll be late for his plane. They. They’ll be late for their plane,” I corrected myself. I couldn’t forget Sarah although I wanted to. I needed to get over this, and fast. Thad seemed to be serious about Sarah and I needed to make her feel welcome, in case this became a permanent thing. I shuddered at the thought.

  “Got it,” she said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “It won’t take but a few minutes for me to be ready.”

  I poured myself some coffee and went and sat on the sofa. I picked up the Bangor morning paper and read the headlines.

  MAN SHOT DEAD DURING ANNUAL SANDY HARBOR TURKEY TROT

  The article beneath it rehashed what I already knew. There wasn’t anything new to be told, and if there was, I was pretty sure Alec would have let me kn
ow about it. I sighed and wondered where the murderer was this morning. Probably gloating that they had gotten away with it.

  “Okay, I guess we’re ready,” Thad announced, carrying out his and Sarah’s suitcases. He was bundled up in a jacket and knit hat.

  I smiled at him. “I still can’t get over how much you look like your dad.”

  He gave me a big smile back. “But I have your winning personality.”

  I laughed and went to give him a final hug. “That, you do.” My eyes teared up again and Sarah came up from behind him. I didn’t care. I had almost lost my only son a few days earlier, and I was going to cry. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

  “I know, Mom, I am too. I’m even more glad that you’re safe,” he said, squeezing me tight.

  “All right, enough with the familial lovefest. We gotta get a move on,” Jennifer said, entering the room, now fully dressed and with proper shoes on her feet.

  I sighed, pushed away, and held Thad at arm’s length. “Call me when you get back to Wisconsin.”

  He nodded. “You know I will.”

  I said my goodbyes to Sarah and in a moment they were gone. I watched through the living room window until Jennifer’s car was out of sight. The phone in the kitchen rang, and I hurried to get it before the caller hung up.

  I grabbed the receiver on the third ring and had just a moment to glance at Caller ID. Todd Spellman. My heart leapt in my chest.

  “Hello?” I said.

  There was silence on the other end.

  “Hello?” I repeated. There was still no answer, and I glanced at the Caller ID again. Todd Spellman. “Hello? Who is this?” There was only silence on the other end of the line.

  I waited for what seemed like forever before hanging up and watched the name Todd Spellman disappear from the display. I took three steps back, still staring at the phone. What was that all about?

  The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I remembered the last phone call I had gotten on this phone. It was last month and was from a soon-to-be-deceased Diana Bowen. Of course, she didn’t know she was about to be deceased when she made the phone call, but still. By the time I had listened to the voicemail, Diana was already dead and it was creepy. And this was creepy too, since I had never called Todd while he was alive and I certainly wasn’t going to call him now that he was dead.

  I took another step back. I needed to have that phone removed. I didn’t like dead people calling me. I went in search of my cell phone. I had wanted to call Alec anyway, and now I needed to hear the voice of a real, live person.

  I found my phone on my nightstand and saw that I had missed a call from Alec. I hit redial and let my breath out when he answered.

  “Alec, I just got a phone call from Todd Spellman and there wasn’t anyone on the other end of the line!” I spat out before he could say anything more than hello.

  “Really?” he said. “I didn’t know there was a phone down at the morgue for him to use.”

  “Really?” I almost exploded. “That’s all you have to say about it?”

  “Whoa, hold on, Allie. I’m sorry. I was only teasing. Maybe one of the Spellman’s wanted to speak to you since you accompanied me to talk to them yesterday. I didn’t mean to make fun of you, I promise.”

  I caught my breath. I may have been overreacting. “Okay, sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset. It’s weird though. Don’t you think?”

  “It is. Maybe we’ll pay them another visit soon,” he said.

  “Why wouldn’t they speak when I said hello over and over?” I asked, trying to keep the whine out of my voice.

  “Maybe it was a bad connection? No one really uses house phones much anymore. Maybe with the snow, it was just a bad connection?” he suggested.

  I hated it that he was being so pragmatic. Why couldn’t he panic with me? “Yes, I suppose that could happen,” I finally said.

  “And in case you didn’t notice, I called you earlier to invite you to dinner. How do you feel about Mexican food?”

  “I love Mexican food. The cheesier, the better,” I said, brightening.

  “Great, I’ll pick you up at six, if that’s okay?” he asked.

  I agreed and hung up. He didn’t seem bothered by the phone call, but I was. I couldn’t imagine who would call me.

  My cell phone rang, and I looked down at it. Lucy.

  “Hi, Lucy,” I said.

  “Hi, Allie, did the kids leave to go back to college?” she asked.

  “Yes. Jennifer will be back to stay the night and will leave in the morning.”

  “So what have you found out about Todd Spellman’s murder?” she asked, sounding a little greedy for information.

  “Not much. They are still waiting on the autopsy, not that we don’t already know what he died of. Alec questioned the family, but there wasn’t much there. I’m not sure there’s much anyone knows at this point,” I said.

  “Why don’t I get to go with you on these interrogations?” she asked. There was a slight whine in her voice.

  “Because Alec barely lets me go with him. If I suggested we take you, he’d put his foot down and I wouldn’t be allowed to go, either,” I pointed out.

  She sighed. “I feel so left out.”

  “Hey, there was something weird that happened a few minutes ago. Someone from Todd Spellman’s house called my house phone. His name came up on my caller ID and when I answered, there was no one on the other end. I can’t imagine why anyone in that house would want to call me,” I told her.

  “What? That’s creepy!” she exclaimed. Now that was the reaction I wanted. Why did Alec have to be so sensible?

  “I know, right? I mean, why would they call me?”

  “I think this calls for an investigation,” she exclaimed excitedly.

  “Me too! Alec thought it was nothing, but Todd Spellman never called me when he was alive, so why would I get a call from his house now that he’s dead?” I asked her.

  “Yeah! You don’t think it’s a ghost, do you?” she asked sheepishly.

  “No!” I said. At least I didn’t think it was possible. I didn’t believe in ghosts, did I? I thought about it for a second and creeped myself out. No, I did not believe in that sort of thing and I was not going to start now. “I just have to wonder if something’s going on at that house, is all.”

  “All right, when do we go interview them?” she asked.

  “Tomorrow. I’ll bake a pie and we can take it over. I have a date with Alec tonight, and I don’t want to have to rush anything to get back in time, so we won’t go today,” I said. I had somehow managed to get out of my daily pie baking habit, so it would be good for me to bake something tomorrow. Even with all the holiday baking, I wasn’t baking nearly enough.

  Chapter Nine

  My stomach growled when the waiter set down the bowl of chips and salsa on the table. Would it be rude to slurp down the bowl of salsa, then over turn the chip bowl into my mouth? Probably so. Instead, I opted to take one chip and delicately dip it into the salsa and bring it to my mouth.

  “So, anything new on the Todd Spellman case?” I asked after I had chewed and swallowed enough of the chip to not appear rude.

  “Just that he was shot with a dear hunting rifle. But we had guessed that would be the case,” he said, looking over his menu.

  “Have you talked to any more suspects?” I asked, leaving off, without me. He had been gracious to allow me to go with him to the Spellman’s house and I didn’t want to push him.

  “No, but I’m going to go to the bank tomorrow to interview some of Todd’s employees. Maybe someone knows something there,” he said. “How are the cheese enchiladas here?”

  “Fabulous. But everything here is fabulous,” I said. “What time were you going to go down there?”

  Lucy and I were going to drop by the Spellman’s with a pie in the morning, but I didn’t want to miss sitting in on the interviews at the bank. Someone there had to know something.

  He gave me a lopsided grin a
nd reached for a chip. “Well, what time would work for you?”

  “You know, I’m thinking early afternoon would be good,” I answered, and then realized he was teasing me. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Can I please go with you?”

  “I don’t know. You’re a civilian. What business do you have being there?”

  What business? “Well, in case you forgot, someone shot at me! And my son was in danger while he was out there running a race that he had no idea had been cancelled on account of a murder!”

  He chuckled and reached for his glass of water. “Oh, see, now you’re taking things personally. I’m sure if the killer really wanted to shoot you, he would have.”

  I sat back in my chair and gave him a look that would melt steel. “Mr. Blanchard, I’ve got a mind to tell you off.”

  “That’s Detective Blanchard to you, and I was already planning on late afternoon. Sound good?”

  I smiled. “Perfect!”

  “Good. What are you ordering?” he asked, still looking at his menu.

  “Fajitas. I like the sizzle.”

  He chuckled again. “I think I’m going to have the carne asada tacos.”

  “Awesome choice,” I said. “And just in time. Here comes the waiter.”

  The waiter came up and asked for our order just as a Mariachi band entered the dining room. I looked at the waiter and opened my mouth to order fajitas and the band started up. I glanced at Alec, and then loudly said, “Fajitas.”

  The waiter leaned in toward me, motioning to his ear. I repeated myself, trying to say it louder, and he pointed to his ear again. I looked at Alec, who was all smiles, obviously enjoying himself at my expense. I held my hand out for the waiter’s order pad and when he handed it over, I wrote both of our orders down and handed the pad back. He smiled and nodded, then left.

  Alec and I ate chips and giggled until the band had passed us and moved into the adjoining dining room.

  “Now you have something to tell your grandchildren,” he said. “The day a Mariachi band got the best of Grandma.”

  “Oh don’t say that,” I said. “I don’t want anyone calling me grandma any time soon.”