Mrs. Fix It Mysteries (5 Cozy Mystery Books Collection)

by Belle Knudson

  “Sounds exciting.”

  Caitlyn brought their meals and drinks.

  “These are macaroni and cheese bites?” He eyed them as if they would nip at him.

  “Yes, try one. It won’t kill you.”

  “No, but a steady diet wouldn’t either.”

  “Probably.”

  He tried one and his eyes fell closed. She remembered that look. It was one of ecstasy. “Wow. You were right. They are good.”

  “Hence this place is packed when the cook makes them. Word spreads around the town.”

  “Yes, I’m getting acquainted with the local grapevine.”

  “Better than social media. The vine will be abuzz after our lunch. We will be the topic, I’m sure.”

  “I’ve had no less than ten people ask me if you and I are going to date,” Scott said. “As if high school were only a few years ago.”

  “Long memories in small towns.”

  “So what should I tell them next time they ask? Should I say we are dating?”

  She almost choked on her meatloaf. “I’ve taken the tack that I’m still married. No one would believe that I’m suddenly going against that.”

  He smiled. “But you just couldn’t resist my charm, so you agreed to date me.”

  “You think people will believe that?”

  “Why not? My charm is still legendary in this town. I’ve had no less than four pies on my desk from eligible women. Might be your last chance to get me. I’m pretty hot property,” Scott said.

  “Modest, too.”

  Celia Johnson chose that moment to stop at their table. “Eating the special, I see. Nice to have you back, Scott. You plan on sticking around?”

  “Yes, I do, Mrs. Johnson.”

  She glanced at Kate then back at Scott. She left shaking her head.

  “I always got the impression that she didn’t like me,” Scott said.

  “You chose me over Carly. That never sat well with her.”

  “These people need to get a life and better things to talk about.”

  “Get used to it if you intend to stick around. There isn’t the anonymity of a big city. They’ll know your shoe size, what ailments you have and who you’ve taken to bed.”

  “Would you be surprised that I haven’t taken anyone to bed since I’ve been here?”

  She put a hand up. “None of my business.”

  ***

  At the end of lunch, Kate received a text from a neighbor of her last customer asking if she could come and power wash their house. She sends a text to Clark, asking him if she can keep the washer until tomorrow since he is closing early.

  He agrees.

  “Where to now?” Scott said. He’d paid the bill and met her outside.

  “I have another power-washing customer. That’s good. I didn’t have any jobs this afternoon,” she said.

  He kissed her on the cheek. “Where?”

  She gave him the address. “Out in the open again.”

  “If you see that guy again, text me. Also, call me before you go home. I’ll have a patrol car meet you out there.”

  “Isn’t that an unofficial use of municipal property?”

  “No. We’re merely serving and protecting.”

  She laughed as he walked away. She watched him go for a moment. He walked as if he owned the place. Long strides with his head high and his eyes forward. He did cut an attractive figure. He was so striking with his white hair that even some of the younger women looked his way.

  The next house she cleaned was bigger than the last and had more windows she had to avoid. She hadn’t broken any in her short career, but she had to admit she was more distracted today than usual.

  The day was hot and she appreciated the moisture from the washer. Sure, she got a little wet but that cooled her down. She was packing up the washer when she saw the man again. She immediately sent a text to Scott.

  Dean, if that was who he was, started to walk away. She loaded the power washer into her truck, and then climbed in to follow him. He walked straight down Main Street. Kate parked her truck and watched him go in between Grayson’s and the consignment shop next to it. That led to the alley. She parked her truck in front of Grayson’s and followed him on foot into the alley.

  Maybe not the smartest thing to do, but she wasn’t going to lose sight of him. If Scott wanted to question him, she needed to stick with him.

  She heard voices as she arrived at the end of the walkway. She stopped, and then peeked around the corner. The man, Dean, was talking with Clark.

  She could hear them clearly, so there was no need to step out of the walkway. She pulled out her phone so that if anyone walked past, they would think she was checking her e-mails. She sent another text to Scott updating him on her position.

  “I want to know why you wanted to talk to Jackie,” Dean said.

  “That’s none of your business. You should just go back to Philly and stay there. Someone might think you killed her.”

  “I didn’t kill her. I loved her. I was going to marry her.”

  “You think she was going to marry you?”

  “We were happy together for years. You know what I do think? I think you killed her. She said you were unhappy with what happened in Philly.”

  Kate’s ears perked up. This guy knew about the deal.

  “That’s the past,” Clark said.

  “You threatened her. I know you did. She told me.”

  His voice was heart wrenching. This man had really loved Jackie. This was the first person who had anything positive to say about her. Every villain is a hero in his own story. It’s all about perspective.

  She leaned against the wall, holding her phone to her chest. Where was Scott? She was surprised he wasn’t there yet since he wanted to speak to this guy. Nor did she see a patrol car. She didn’t want to confront him herself, since he might be dangerous.

  “I loved her and I think you killed her. I’m going to the cops,” the man said. “I’m sure they’ll be interested in hearing what I have to say.”

  “Then I’ll tell them what you’ve been doing for me. You aren’t clean in all of this,” Clark said.

  “All I did was put a note on a car.”

  Note? Had he been the one to threaten her? Or had Clark? Why would Clark threaten her?

  Jackie had ruined him. He now owned a hardware store in a small town. He lived with his bachelor son. That’s a mighty fall for someone who had probably rubbed elbows with the elite in the best restaurants in Philadelphia.

  He’d be bitter.

  On the other hand, Jackie had cheated on Scott with Dean and they had still been together when she’d been killed. Maybe she had cheated on Dean. Had he killed her out of fury?

  Kate was more confused now than ever.

  “I’m leaving, but I’ll be back,” the man said.

  “Don’t come back. I’m done with you.”

  “I’ll be back, but no more dirty work. I’m not doing it. They’ll read Jackie’s will and I’ll be rich.”

  “Not if you’re in jail for killing her,” Clark said.

  So Clark thinks this guy killed Jackie. The more they talked, the more complicated this case was becoming. Where is Scott?

  Then she saw his car in the alley. He stepped out, not acknowledging her in the walkway.

  “Dean,” Scott said.

  “Scott, long time, no see. Chief of police, huh?”

  “Better than a dirty cop like you.”

  Kate gasped. This guy was a cop? Had they worked together in Philly?

  “I wasn’t dirty.”

  “Close enough.”

  This was beginning to get personal, so Kate slinked away. She didn’t want to know anymore. She had to return the power washer and hope that Clark hadn’t seen her truck parked out front the last few minutes.

  Chapter Eleven

  When Kate wheeled the power washer into the hardware store, Clark was back at the register. He was waiting on a customer. Kate wheeled the equipment to th
e back of the store. She didn’t know where it belonged, so she left it there.

  When she returned with the ramps, Clark was by himself.

  “Glad you made it back. I was about to close up. Sadly, not for fishing. I need to do inventory.”

  “Then let’s get this transaction over with, though I bet you are in no hurry to get to that task,” Kate said.

  His mood was light as if he hadn’t just had the conversation she knew about. She leaned on the counter as he figured out her discount and credited her card.

  “So, who was that guy that was out back?” She couldn’t find a subtler way to do it. “It looked like you were arguing with him.”

  Clark shrugged. “Someone who wasn’t happy with my service. How did you see him?”

  “He was watching me as I power washed the Wilsons’ house. Unnerving, for sure.”

  “He’s probably harmless,” Clark said.

  “Didn’t sound it. Didn’t he threaten you?”

  “You misheard. He was just unhappy about his service.”

  “Haven’t seen him around.”

  Clark eyed her. “You don’t know everyone in town.”

  The bell over the front door jangled and they both turned. Larry sauntered in through the door.

  “Hey, Kate. Saw your truck. You up for a drink?”

  She could use one, but not with Larry. Unfortunately, they had been friends for long enough that she couldn’t turn him down.

  “Sure thing, but nothing fancy.” She indicated her clothes. “Unless you need me to change.”

  “Nah. We’ll go to The Rail. No one cares what you look like there.”

  “Good.”

  The Rail was a blue-collar bar and sat three doors away from the hardware store. Greg wouldn’t have ever had a drink there, but Kate liked the lack of pretension.

  “Let me send a text and then we can go.”

  She sent one to Scott. Having drink with Larry at The Rail.

  He immediately replied: Should I be jealous?

  You have no right to be jealous.

  She tucked the phone in her pocket then smiled at Larry.

  He motioned her out the front door, waving at his father. “You’ve been busy.”

  “Yes, it’s been nice to have jobs. Things are picking up.”

  They found a spot in a booth then ordered beers.

  Larry wasn’t in uniform, so he must have had the day off.

  “How has your day been?” Larry asked.

  He’d been a good guy and a good friend after Greg disappeared. He’d only been making romantic overtures in the last year. She wanted to feel that way about him, but he just didn’t give her the zings like Scott could.

  “My day was busy, like you said. What about yours?”

  “Other than a trash can fire, nothing exciting. I knocked off early, then I saw your truck and figured it was fate. We haven’t just sat and talked for a long time.”

  “I know, Larry. I’m glad you walked in. I would have just gone home.”

  “That would have been a shame.”

  The waitress brought their beers. Kate poured some of the amber liquid down her throat.

  “So, Scott ended up having an alibi for his wife’s murder.”

  She bit her tongue before she corrected him and said ex. “Yes. Have you heard anything?”

  “No, no one’s talking.”

  “By the way, you were in that neighborhood around that time. You didn’t see anything?”

  “I don’t remember being there that morning.”

  “Several people saw your truck.”

  “Then I guess I’m remembering the wrong day.”

  “There are no houses for sale on that block. I know you do inspections when there are. I was wondering what you were doing there.”

  “I guess if I was there, I might have been checking someone’s fireplace. I really don’t remember what day I was there.”

  He seemed adamant, but Carly and Celia had seen his truck. But it wasn’t like Larry to lie. The hair on the back of Kate’s neck went up.

  He’d raised his voice a little, so she dropped the subject. Clearly, it was a sore subject for him. Her phone buzzed. She slipped it out of her pocket.

  It was from Scott. He’d sent a text that he was waiting at her house. He sent a picture of himself on her front porch. She smiled.

  “Funny text?” Larry said.

  “Yes, but it’s an inside joke or I’d show it to you,” she said.

  Scott would just have to wait, but the idea that Larry was hiding something couldn’t be shaken. She didn’t want to tip him off and ask more questions, but she had many.

  What did it matter that he was in the neighborhood at that time unless he was the killer? But she doubted that Larry would advertise his presence if he was planning on offing Jackie.

  “I saw your dad talking to a guy from Philadelphia. They seemed to be arguing.”

  Larry frowned. “Dad knows a lot of people from there. Some he never wants to see again.”

  “Maybe you saw him around. Goth-looking, in his thirties.”

  Larry shook his head. “No, doesn’t sound familiar, but I’ve been in my office most of the day. Paperwork.”

  “The bane of everyone. I have to write up invoices for two customers who weren’t home when I came by today.”

  “I would imagine that you have plenty of paperwork, too. I just got backed up because we’ve been running to field fires this week.”

  “The dry weather and all, I bet.”

  She wondered what would make a man want to run into burning buildings. She’d never understand it, but she admired his commitment. During Fire Prevention Week he talked in the school. He held an open house each year so the residents of Rock Ridge could see what their tax dollars bought for the fire company.

  She should like him. She should fall in love with him. He’d be safe and secure. Of course, her heart wanted her husband back, and if not, it wanted Scott.

  Her phone buzzed again. She wished Scott would just leave her alone for a while.

  But it wasn’t Scott. It was Clark.

  There’s something wrong with the power washer. Can you meet me back at the hardware store?

  Okay, she texted back.

  What could be wrong? Nothing had been broken. Not when she left it there. She would have said something.

  “Problem?” Larry asked.

  “A little, but I can clear it up.”

  She finished her beer in another gulp.

  “You going?”

  “I better. I’m tired and I have a stop to make on the way home.”

  “I’m going to hang out and have dinner,” Larry said.

  She stood, kissed him on the cheek, and then left him in the bar.

  ***

  Kate called Scott when she reached the sidewalk.

  “Hey,” he said as if she called him all the time. “You should put your security system on when you’re gone. Anybody could’ve been sitting on your porch when you arrived home.”

  Kate chuckled. “I’m going to be a few minutes more. I have to check on something with Clark at the hardware store.”

  “Is he giving you a hard time?”

  “Never. He’s been great about supporting me in my new business. No, he says there’s something wrong with the power washer I borrowed from him. I’m sure this won’t take long. I’ll let you know when I’m on my way home.”

  “I have dinner. It’s smelling really good.”

  “What did you get?”

  Her stomach rumbled.

  “Potpies from the Amish Market,” he said.

  “Yum. We can reheat them in the oven. They are almost better that way.”

  “If you say so. I have to say, I’ve missed them since I’ve been gone, and I had a hankering for them,” Scott said. “I may have to eat one while I wait for you.”

  “How many did you get?”

  “Five.”

  Kate shook her head. “I only need one, so go ahead if y
ou’re starving.”

  She disconnected and walked the half a block to the hardware store. It was dark inside and the front door was locked. She tapped on it, but no one answered.

  Guess I better go around back.

  She traipsed down the walkway and into the alley. The back door to Grayson’s Hardware Store was unlocked. When she opened it, everything was dark. Her instincts screamed not to go inside, but what if something was wrong with Clark?

  “Clark?”

  She stuck her head in. “Clark?”

  She didn’t hear anything at first. No moaning. Nothing. She should call the cops and not be inside here. Someone could be lurking. Before she could do anything, someone grabbed her from the side. She couldn’t see, and the person put a hand over her mouth.

  She jammed her foot down on his instep, but the person had steel-toed work boots on, so her foot barely grazed him. She assumed it was a male from the strength.

  She bit down on the hand that was over her mouth. He knocked her in the back of her head with his other hand. The dark room spun a little. She tried to clear her head, but she couldn’t shake it with his hand on it.

  She wiggled and made noises, but not enough for anyone to hear. He kicked the door closed, so now no one could hear her.

  The shops on either side of the hardware store were closed. Damn. Her thoughts went to her kids. Would she ever see them again?

  She couldn’t imagine them spending the rest of their lives without her. Her father would have to come back from Florida. They’d need someone familiar to come home to when the semester was over.

  She kept squirming, but the person had a good grip on her. He knocked into her head again. This time her world went a little fuzzy. She couldn’t clear it, and the person hoisted her over his shoulder.

  She wanted to throw up from the change in latitude. She recognized the boots. Clark? This didn’t make sense. She tried to kick, but he had a good hold of her legs.

  He dropped her on a chair. The dizziness became worse, and Kate fought to remain conscious. She couldn’t fight back if she passed out. She gritted her teeth and tried to move her limbs—she couldn’t get control of them.

  The person tied her hands behind her and to the chair. When she finally had her senses back, she tugged at the ropes.

  “Don’t bother, Kate. You’ll never get them loose.”