by Molly Dox
“Never heard of the guy, besides I’m asleep by ten o’clock most nights. Is that all? If he has a complaint, he can do what he pleases. I have nothing to hide.” The man turned his key in the door.
“Nothing?” Reggie stepped in closer. “Nothing at all?”
“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but we’re through here.” Bill slammed the door, leaving Reggie standing alone.
Reggie turned to see Poppy watching. Heading back to join her, he whispered the big news. “His fingertip is messed up. I think that’s our man.”
Poppy ran her hand over the goose bumps that formed on her arm after hearing the news. She knew the proper answer was to call the police. Surely, he was a suspect they were watching, right? Or did he have an alibi? Poppy closed her eyes and slowly said what she was thinking. “I’m pretty sure he’s no fool. The cops have probably checked in with him after the drug bust near the shop. Why didn’t they take him in? Or is it lack of evidence? Wouldn’t they be able to check the fingertip against his hand? It’s too easy. What are we missing?”
“I’m not sure. Do you think he acted alone? Sal was a decent size. He would have had to out power him, knocked him out, put him in the car, and then drag him into the lake. Do you think he had help? Our guy here doesn’t seem all that big and intimidating.” Now that he thought about it, was it possible that more than one person was involved?
Poppy sighed. “There are too many questions…too many questions that we don’t have answers for.”
Reggie finally admitted it was time to step back. “Why don’t we pass the information onto the police? I shouldn’t even be involved in this as it is.”
She hated to agree, but maybe there was more to this case than they bargained for. “Okay, let’s head back to the resort for now. I need to check on my dad and feed Chopper.”
Chapter 11
“I got an offer on the house,” Reggie said, thoroughly confused. “It’s under my asking price by quite a bit, but I wasn’t expecting it to go this fast.”
“That’s great news. Are you going to negotiate with them?” Martin scratched his belly through his shirt and then stretched.
“Unless they come up to a realistic figure, I won’t be selling it. I just put it on the market. I’m impressed it’s had showings already and an offer.”
Poppy interjected. “It was a good idea to hire the college guys to help out. They made fast work of a big project.”
“Yeah, I was surprised how fast they moved. I don’t move like that anymore. If I did as much as they did, I’d be scrunched up in bed and complaining about my back.” Reggie flipped on his sunglasses before leaving the resort office. “Anyway, have a good one. I’m heading off to work.”
Poppy followed him outside. “Have you thought anymore on ‘you know who’ or what you’re going to do? I’m tempted to go talk to him, though I’ll be honest, if he’s killed once, he might not be afraid to do it again. Maybe I should see if I can get Charlie to talk.”
“I haven’t come to a decision on that yet. I’ll tell you what I have been thinking about…you and me.” He paused and took his sunglasses off. “Would you like to have dinner with me?”
“We have dinner all the time, silly.” She didn’t realize he’d just asked her on a date.
“Would you like to have a romantic dinner with me,” he asked again, making things more clear.
“A date?” Poppy bit her bottom lip. “You and me?”
Reggie nodded. He didn’t say another word; he simply waited for her answer.
Poppy fidgeted, twisting her fingers together. “I’d like that. Are you sure that you’re ready?”
“I think so. A year has passed. It’s time for me to live again, and I’d love the pleasure of your company. The picnic table is nice, but I was thinking something a little nicer.”
She blushed and smiled, surprising even herself. She hadn’t been asked out on a date in ages, and if anybody was doing the asking, she was glad it was Reggie. There was nobody she wanted to date more. “Okay, I’d like that.”
“We can hammer out details later. I need to head in for work. I’ll talk to you later.” He gave her a wink and headed to his car.
Poppy walked back into the office, dumbfounded. “Reggie just asked me on a date,” she told her father.
“It’s about time, the two of you have been pussyfooting around long enough,” he said with a laugh. “It’s as obvious as anything. He’s a good guy. You could do worse.”
“Yeah, he is.” She couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face if she tried.
Chapter 12
Charlie wasn’t talking. Poppy tried. He meant no disrespect, but had no interest in being dumped in a lake. She’d have to find another way.
What if…? Her eyes went wide. It was worth a shot, but really risky. No. She couldn’t very well break the law. Frustrated, Poppy played with other ideas, though none of them really seemed like a solution. It was time to let go. To search his car or house, she’d have to break in, and that was beyond what she was willing to do…unless he opened the door willingly.
Poppy suddenly had the urge to make a delivery. Flowers, cake, have him sign for a letter? How could she pull it off? She didn’t have an official delivery truck, though, a makeshift sign stuck to her black truck could make it seem like she was a contracted delivery driver. That might work.
When one of the camper unit’s had a problem with their sink, Poppy pushed the idea aside for the time being and went to fix it. If it was too big for her, she’d call her father in, though she’d grown pretty handy over time.
She’d finish the repair, run to the store and pick up some flowers, then make the delivery. Only the day didn’t allow it. After the sink call, another call came in about a door not closing and locking properly, then she had check-outs, and the day went on and on. She’d have to try again the following day.
The next day was a day of rain. Normally, the rain came in the late afternoon, fell for about twenty minutes and then the sun came back out. Not that day. It was a heavy, soaking rain, and left Poppy interested in going nowhere. She’d try again the following day. Or maybe she’d talk it over with Reggie on their date. She smiled. She was going on a date.
They’d decided on a nice dinner over at Nico’s, a steak house not too far from the central activity hub. Poppy didn’t go over that way too often, as it was filled with tourists, which meant people from all over the world driving in rental cars not knowing the roads well. It was always an adventure to drive in that part of town. She’d seen more near misses and accidents over that way.
When Reggie got home from work, he cleaned up and waited for his date to be ready. She was in the back of the office in the house portion, sorting through her closet. She didn’t have a lot of dressier clothes. It had never been more apparent than it was at that moment. She didn’t want to wear the black outfit she wore to the funeral. And the flowered sundress she used to love didn’t fit quite the way it used to. She’d added a few pounds to her frame, and never really upgraded her wardrobe. She didn’t expect to be this flustered, trying to make a decision. He saw her all the time, why was this choice so difficult?
She finally pulled out a pair of navy blue slacks and a soft blouse. She hoped it still fit properly. She hadn’t put it on in quite a while. Slipping the pants on, she tugged at the zipper. Nope. That won’t work. She finally settled on a cream dress she’d bought for the reunion she chose not to go to at the last minute. She hoped it wasn’t too much. It had lace and a fitted bodice. Slipping it on, she found a pair of sandals to match. It was crazy, being this nervous. They were friends. This was a natural transition for them, and yet…she hadn’t kissed anyone in ages.
Finally settling on her outfit and running a brush through her hair one more time, she went out to meet Reggie. He let out a long whistle on seeing her. She blushed at the attention.
“You look gorgeous,” he complimented.
“You don’t have to say that,” she answered ne
rvously.
Reggie laughed. “I don’t have to, but I want to. I’m a lucky man to have such a pretty date.”
“If you keep this up, I’m going to get a big ego,” she said with a smile.
The couple climbed into Reggie’s truck and headed into town.
“I’ve been thinking about this case,” he started. “I think it’s too big to dabble in. I’m sure the police are on it. I think it’s time for me to stop getting involved. It’s just too risky. This guy has already killed once. I mean, we’re pretty sure it was him, but what if it wasn’t? We’re making guesses, but we don’t have proof. Sure, his finger, but wouldn’t the police have pulled DNA on that by now, or even fingerprints?”
Poppy nodded in agreement. “I’ve come to the same conclusion. I actually thought about making a fake delivery there, and then stopped myself. I need to stop getting involved in these things. It just leads to trouble, and honestly, who has the time?”
“Then we let it go and let the police investigate?” He glanced over at Poppy.
Poppy drew a deep breath. “I suspect it’s the smart thing to do. Get it?” She laughed. “Suspect…play on words.”
Pulling into the parking lot, the couple headed inside. The restaurant was an upscale steak house, a step up from the franchise places. After being shown to their table, the couple settled in and ordered something to drink. Poppy looked around, taking in the environment. As she scanned the room, her blood ran cold. He was there, sitting not too far away. Sal’s partner was dining with his wife, or who she presumed was his wife.
Reggie saw the change in Poppy’s expression. “What is it?”
“He’s over there,” she whispered.
Reggie started to turn his head.
“Don’t look, he might recognize you. I don’t think he’d remember me from the funeral, and I won’t pose a threat.” She spoke in hushed tones.
“I thought we decided to let it go…figures he’d turn up here.”
“Right, but look, no wait, don’t look…okay, I’m going to be honest here. I don’t think I can just let go that way. I need to do something, say something. I have no idea what, and I must be crazy.” She tried to reel it back in, but once her adrenalin started to rise, she knew there was no turning back. “I’m sorry.”
“Wait…” It was too late. She’d already stood up and started to walk over.
Poppy’s pulse was racing like a thoroughbred. The closer she got, the slower her feet wanted to move. It was as if her insides were burning up, but she couldn’t stop herself. Stepping in front of the table, Poppy drew a deep breath. “Excuse me, but haven’t we met?”
The man looked up, blinked twice and then said something about the funeral. “Can I help you with something?” He was annoyed at being disturbed during his meal.
“Actually, now that you mention it, you can.” It took all of her courage to keep going. “I was wondering how you’re sleeping lately?”
The woman at the table looked at Poppy. “What is this about?”
“Well, I was concerned. He’s been through a lot. You know with the seafood shop closing and the drugs, and well, and then there was Sal. He struggled didn’t he? I saw the mess you made at the shop. I know what you did…”
“Lady, you’re crazy. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He was antsy, trying to take attention off of himself. He turned to his wife. “I have no idea what she’s talking about.”
The woman looked at Poppy and then her husband. “Are you accusing him of something? Why don’t you just come out and say it?”
“No!” The man jumped up. “I’ve heard enough of this nonsense.”
“You killed Sal, didn’t you? And then you tried to hide the body, only they found it. He didn’t want to stay in the drug business, did he?” Poppy couldn’t stop.
“You better watch it lady, or you’ll be next.” He froze on the words slipping out.
By this point other diners were paying attention. The scene was unavoidable. The man started to turn away and run, but Reggie was on him in no time, knocking him down to the ground. “You’re under arrest…you have the right to remain silent…” He pulled zip ties out of his suit jacket’s inner pocket and looped them around the killer’s wrists.
The manager yelled out that he’d called the police and help was on the way. The man’s wife stood, stunned by everything she was hearing. “You did it?” She wanted to walk out but was too weak and fell into a chair again, trying to come to terms with the news. She sobbed, disgusted with her husband.
On his stomach, Reggie was about ready to pull him up, but Poppy stopped him. “Wait!” Bending down, she looked closer at his shoe. In the treads, tiny bits of breadcrumbs were stuck in the crevice. She pulled his shoe off. “The police will want this for evidence.”
“Well, look what we have here,” Reggie said, looking at the bottom of the shoe Poppy was showing him. Lifting the man to his feet, he guided him to the lobby of the restaurant to wait on the police. His job was done here. It was time to get back to his date, only it wasn’t that easy. There were statements to make, details to take care of, and after too much time, they decided to push their date back. They’d try again another time.
The police later confirmed that there were microscopic pieces of breadcrumbs on the floor mat of his car and trace elements of flour. Eventually a full confession came out. He claimed there was pressure from higher up, and when Sal wanted to stop moving the drugs, he pushed all he could. His own life was threatened, so he had a choice. Take out Sal and replace him, or be the victim himself. Bill Hopkins was booked in the murder of Sal Tessiterrio.
THE END
Thank you for choosing “Something Fishy,” the second book in the Poppy Pepper’s Paradise Cove and Mini Golf series. If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review so others can decide if this is a book they would like. Thank you for your time.
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Be sure to keep an eye out for book three – “Mice in Paradise” coming soon to your favorite ebook retailer.
