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

by Belle Knudson

  “I’m pretty sure it’s that group outside of town, but we can’t find actual evidence that would hold up in a court of law. Anarchist Freedom Network is what they call themselves.”

  “That’s sucks. I’m sure you will in time. Don’t you always tell me that criminals are not smart?”

  “They aren’t, but sometimes smart ones do appear. This group has a legitimate branch.”

  “What do you mean by legitimate?”

  “They have charitable status with the federal government, but when I talk to my FBI contact, he thinks that charitable branch funnels money to the more subversive branch. They just haven’t been able to pick up the trail of that money.”

  “Wow. So they aren’t just anarchists, they’re businessmen. Why target Founder’s Day?”

  “They are targeting events like this across the United States. The thought seems to be that each individual event won’t be disruptive on a large scale, but the sum of them will be. People won’t feel safe in small towns. Besides, small towns are easier to target.”

  “People are more trusting. They don’t think these things can happen in a small town.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But if people don’t feel safe, won’t they turn to the government for help? Wouldn’t that leave the door open for the government to put stricter controls on things? Wouldn’t that be the opposite of what an anarchist would want?”

  “They are going to target government officials—cops and firefighters, too.”

  “Yikes.”

  “Exactly. I’m supposed to keep a parade safe that has the mayor as grand marshal and a whole bevy of police and fire apparatus in it.”

  “Yikes again.”

  “Right.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “Thanks for listening.”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Did you come here to bring me something?”

  “I did.” She pulled the bill out of her pocket. “I was cleaning out Greg’s office last night.”

  “Cleaning out his office?”

  “Yes, I know. It’s a step.”

  Scott’s grin was huge.

  “A big step. Do you finally think he isn’t coming back?”

  “I’m getting there, yes.”

  Scott took the bill from her. “What’s this?”

  “It’s a bill for a credit card I knew nothing about.”

  He studied her, and then looked at the bill. “A MasterCard.”

  “Yes, not for work. There’s a charge on there I can’t figure out.”

  “From a glance, I don’t know; I’ll have to get back to you,” Scott said.

  “That’s fine. I know you have to worry about Founder’s Day. I have to figure out when I’m going to do those bleachers—not as life threatening as your job, but stressful for me.”

  “Your business has picked up that much?”

  “Yes and now people call me for emergency stuff also.”

  “I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well.”

  She rose then smiled. “Thanks, Scott.”

  “Next time, bring me coffee?”

  “Just in the morning, or anytime?”

  “Anytime. The coffee here is crud. I can barely choke it down.”

  “I don’t have a French press coffee maker.”

  He waved his hand, the smile making his eyes twinkle. “It’s still better than what is here.”

  She’d had the station’s coffee before. She couldn’t swallow it, either.

  “Kate?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m proud of you. Not just because I hope to benefit from your taking steps to get over Greg, but because I’m happy to see you moving on. For your sake. It’ll be better.”

  “I’m hoping it’ll be better. I don’t want to wander through life anymore. It’s no way to live. Meghan’s death showed me that life is too short.”

  “You want me to go to the funeral with you?”

  She thought about that for a moment. It would be okay to lean on someone. “Yes, I’d like that.”

  His smile widened. “Good.”

  “It isn’t a date, Scott. It’s a funeral.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You’re still beginning to let me in. I only need that door opened a little, Katydid.”

  She knew that. He would have her walls down and her doors opened in no time. For once that didn’t seem all that bad. She knew he would be good for her. He’d been pleasant and patient with her since he’d returned to Rock Ridge. She’d have to give him a chance, but not quite yet.

  He always made her day—always. She felt better after talking to him. “Have a good day, Scott.”

  “You too, Katydid.”

  She left the police station, her steps that much lighter. She’d finished her coffee in Scott’s office, but she wanted more, so the next stop would have to be the coffee shop.

  Chapter Eight

  Kate parked in front of Bean There. The day seemed just a little bit brighter than it had before she spoke to Scott. A little bit of weight had lifted off of her shoulders. She almost whistled as she entered the café. Almost. No one needed to hear her off-key version of anything. She hadn’t been blessed with musical talent.

  Kendall was there, but she didn’t seem to notice Kate as she entered the line behind her. Kate could look at her phone and pretend not to notice. Nope, not even Kendall was going to bring her down. The woman was muttering to herself.

  Kate decided to ignore her. No reason to invite trouble.

  Then Kendall’s phone rang. The ringtone was a rap song. Rap? Kate didn’t recognize it, but then again, she wouldn’t. Kendall fumbled in her big purse to find her phone. She finally came up with it.

  “Yes?”

  Kate could hear a male voice on the other end, but couldn’t make out the words. No reason to snoop. She didn’t really want to know what was going on in Kendall’s life. She had nothing to do with Meghan’s murder and less to do with Greg’s disappearance. Those were the two major items on Kate’s plate that morning.

  Oh, and some repair work. That thing she did for money. She had to look at the calendar page she’d printed out. She had no idea what her first repair was. She just knew she wasn’t due there for another half hour.

  “No, this isn’t a good time.”

  Kendall’s breathing stepped up. Kate could hear it. “No, we shouldn’t meet.”

  Kendall listened as the caller replied.

  “No, he isn’t my problem. He’s yours. If he talks you’ll be sorry… Are you threatening me?”

  Kate’s ears perked up, but she still couldn’t hear the person on the other end. Kendall tucked her phone into the back pocket of her skinny jeans and ordered her coffee. She’d never said good-bye. She just disconnected the phone call. Her phone rang again, but she turned it off.

  It was interesting, but still not enough for Kate to want to get involved.

  Clara brought the coffee. Kendall still hadn’t noticed Kate. She walked out without acknowledging her. It was sort of a relief. Kendall could bring so much drama to a conversation. She tired Kate out.

  Kate got her coffee then stepped outside into the sunshine. Kendall was still shaking her head as she walked down Main Street. Kate glanced at her phone, realized she had a few minutes, and then followed Kendall. She didn’t really like the woman, but she didn’t wish her harm.

  Kendall ducked into an alley between two buildings. Kate looked around the corner when she reached it. Kendall was just disappearing to the right. Kate strode down the alley and poked her head out. Kendall was behind the liquor store. No one else was in the alley other than the man she must have been talking to on the phone.

  He was a rough-looking man. Kate thought she knew him, but couldn’t remember from where. Then it hit her. He was the man who had been staring at her while she was walking to meet Meghan. She considered calling Scott, but decided to try and understand what the meeting was about first.

  Maybe this man was Meghan’s murderer. Kendall’s voice rose an octav
e.

  “He isn’t my problem. You let him loose. I’m not being held responsible for him.”

  Kate couldn’t hear the man’s voice. He leaned in close to Kendall, who tried to move away. He grabbed her arm.

  “You’re hurting me,” she said.

  Kate stepped out of the alley. “Do you need help, Kendall?”

  Kate’s heart raced. She had Scott on speed dial. She only had to punch one number and he’d answer. He always answered her call.

  Kendall smiled at Kate, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. “No, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine. Is he hurting you? I can call the police,” Kate said.

  She stepped a little closer, but the pair was still ten feet away. Kendall didn’t look that nervous.

  Kendall shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”

  The man grunted, turned and walked away. Kate watched him walk away in his ripped jeans. Kendall brushed her clothing off as if she’d spilled some crumbs rather than being threatened by a dangerous-looking man.

  No one else was in the alley. There would have been no one else around to save Kendall had something happened to her. It was a good thing Kate chose to be nosy.

  “Who was that?”

  Kate looked Kendall over to make sure she wasn’t hurt. Today she wore red skinny jeans and a purple halter top. Once again, her breasts were front and center.

  Kendall glanced in the direction that the man had gone. He’d turned a corner so Kate couldn’t see him anymore. “He’s my brother.”

  “What did he want?”

  She cleared her throat and crossed her arms. “It’s a family matter.”

  “Who aren’t you responsible for?”

  She’d heard Kendall say that to her brother. They must have been arguing about a family member that was in trouble.

  Kendall frowned. “This is a family matter, Kate. It’s none of your business.”

  “Then why was he threatening you?” Kate said.

  She couldn’t get past that. Why would her brother manhandle her? Families shouldn’t treat each other that way. Not that Kate had siblings to understand the dynamic. Carly was an only child also. Didn’t families do their best to get along?

  Kendall pressed her lips together. “Just mind your own business.”

  She couldn’t do that. The man was very scary looking and he had been holding on to Kendall. Kate was not one to walk away. No way. She wished she had a weapon. “I was afraid for you, Kendall.”

  “Bubba wouldn’t hurt me.”

  In that instant, Kate knew that Kendall wasn’t as blue blooded as she talked. She was closer to how she dressed. Kate’s heart went out to her. Maybe she was in a situation that was over her head. Maybe she tried to be something she wasn’t.

  Kate wasn’t going to apologize for following Kendall and trying to defend her, even if that man had been her brother. “He looked like he wanted to hurt you.”

  She waved her hand, dismissing Kate’s statement. “He was angry. We fight. Brothers and sisters do that.”

  Kate took a step back. She knew that from Jason and Jared. They could fight over anything. “I get that, but he looked really angry.”

  “Kate, please let it go. I’m fine.”

  She sipped her coffee then brushed past Kate on her stilettos. Kate watched her walk down the alley. The man hadn’t looked anything like Kendall. Was she lying?

  Kate couldn’t figure it out.

  ***

  Kate dressed in her only black dress. Meghan would be buried today. The finality of it all took Kate’s breath away. At least she’d have Scott there to support her. She was still hesitant about depending on him. She’d been going it alone for a few years now, but she found it refreshing to have someone there. To have someone who cared.

  She applied some mascara to her lashes, and then a bit of dark lipstick to her lips. That was the best that was going to happen. Meghan would understand. She wouldn’t have primped any more for Kate’s funeral.

  With one last look in the mirror, Kate left the house. She sat on her porch, waiting for Scott. Her cell phone was on vibrate; she didn’t want to be interrupted by a client during this solemn occasion.

  Scott pulled into her driveway in his truck. For a city guy, he’d quickly readjusted to the country lifestyle. He’d traded in his luxury car for a pickup truck. But his wasn’t a beat-up one, it was top of the line.

  Scott liked the best. She should probably consider that as a compliment since he liked her. He climbed out of his truck, stopping to look at her.

  “I know this is a funeral, and that she was a friend of yours, but you look beautiful, Katydid.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t want to, but he looked handsome in his dark suit. “You didn’t wear your dress uniform?”

  “I’ve always hated wearing a uniform. I only do it if someone holds a gun to my head.”

  “Which is likely to happen in your line of work.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  He held the car door for her, and then closed it when she was comfortable. She put on her seat belt as Scott slid into the vehicle.

  “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I’m with you all the way.”

  “Thanks.”

  The funeral was being held at the cemetery. Meghan would have appreciated what a nice day it was. A lump formed in Kate’s throat as she tried not to cry. She didn’t want to in front of anyone. She had shed her tears for Meghan on the day she’d died.

  Today should be a tribute to her life. Not a reminder of her death.

  Scott held her hand in his and she let him as they walked to the gravesite. “I’m thinking about getting a divorce.”

  She wasn’t sure why she had to share that now, but she did. Scott’s steps faltered, but he kept going. “I see.”

  “I don’t know why I blurted that out.”

  “Let’s talk after the funeral,” he said.

  She’d like that.

  The whole town had turned out for Meghan’s funeral. Her casket sat by the big hole in the ground, flowers on top of it. Carly had been busy the last few days. What a good friend to take time out and help her with Greg’s office, which still wasn’t done.

  She’d get it done eventually. It was her first step. The divorce, if it happened soon, would be the next one. She’d have to talk to her kids before she did that.

  Carly stepped away from Larry and hugged Kate. “You okay?”

  “I’ll be okay. You know I’m not a fan of these things.”

  “Nope.” She looked up at Scott. “Are you taking good care of her?”

  “As much as she’ll let me,” he said.

  Carly returned to Larry’s side. He took her hand and it warmed Kate’s heart. Carly was a great person. She deserved to be happy.

  Clem was up front by the coffin, dressed in a suit. He’d cleaned up well from what Kate could see. Celia was alone in the second row.

  “You want to find a seat?”

  “I’m not ready to sit yet.”

  “I think it’s starting,” Scott said.

  She let herself be led to a seat in the back. Kendall was there. She ignored Kate, and Kate hoped that it wasn’t the end of the woman’s business. She glanced over her shoulder toward the road. Two police cars were stationed there.

  “Are you thinking there will be a problem?” Kate said.

  “Shh.”

  The minister began to speak. How can one’s life be boiled down to a fifteen-minute speech? Kate wondered what people would say about her when she died. She had no idea. As much as she thought about what people would think of her and Scott, for the rest of the service, she didn’t worry about what other people thought.

  The minister talked about Meghan’s service to the community as the librarian. He talked about how much she added to Rock Ridge and how many kids she’d taught to read. Kate’s mind wandered. She preferred to remember Meghan as the sweet friend she
’d become. The late night teapots they’d shared in the library, the wicked sense of humor that Meghan had. She could turn anything into a double entendre.

  She’d miss the woman. The minister finished his eulogy. Clem stood. “Thank you all for coming and paying tribute to Meghan’s life. She has touched all of you, I know. There will be coffee and light refreshments at the community center in about a half an hour.”

  Kate rose. She wanted to say one last goodbye. “I’ll be right back.”

  She stood by Meghan’s coffin. “Good-bye, my friend. I promise I’ll find out who killed you.”

  She patted the coffin and then went back to where Scott was standing. She went into his arms for a hug. After a moment’s hesitation, probably because he was surprised, he hugged her back. When she let him go, she glanced back at Clem. Kendall had a hand on his shoulder. They were talking quietly. Clearly they knew each other. The question Kate had was: why had Kendall denied it?

  “Come on. Let’s go get some coffee. I’ve been with you for almost an hour and you haven’t had any. You must be jonesing for it.”

  “Chief York, are you contributing to my addiction?”

  “Yes, I am. I’m hoping that it’ll score points with you.”

  She smiled up at him. “I am jonesing for it.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  They’d reached his truck. She stopped to look at it. “You aren’t here on official business?”

  “No. I’m here for you. I didn’t really know Meghan, and I had to make an appearance, but it was more important that I was here for you.”

  The idea warmed her. “Thanks.”

  The cops were on the move now, so Kate watched them. They walked up to Clem and put handcuffs on him. He didn’t resist.

  “What’s going on, Scott?”

  “Let’s move along and I’ll tell you.”

  She climbed into his truck. He closed the door. She stared at him as he walked around the truck and climbed in the driver’s side.

  “He’s been linked to that group out of town. They’ve made terroristic threats. We’ve traced them to him.”

  Kate gasped. “So you arrest him on the day he’s burying his sister?”