She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She wouldn’t be any use to Rudolph Rodney if she weren’t at the top of her game. She needed to contain her emotions so she could stay sharp. That was the way to save her friend.
While Ryan and Peters began flashing their badges in the hopes that Marvin Randall would look up, Heather decided to use the time to look around the workshop. The garage looked pretty straightforward. There didn’t seem to be space for any places to keep a hostage captive. There was one large cabinet, but it wouldn’t be a good hiding spot for a living person who would want to move around. It could hide a dead body though.
Heather remembered the dread she felt when Ryan suggested they search all the large trunks and wardrobes at the crime scene just to be certain that they weren’t used as a hiding place. Luckily, there was no evidence that they had been used for that grisly purpose.
She opened the door to Marvin Randall’s cabinet quickly before she could become too worried about what she would find inside. She breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t find a corpse. Instead, she found tools that you would expect a carpenter to have. Heavy power tools were on the shelves at the bottom, and smaller hand tools were on the higher shelves.
Amy joined her and peered inside. “Nice tools. They look like my palette when I get started.”
Heather nodded. Amy was an artist and had recently gotten back into painting. She liked to use a lot of colors in her pieces, and her palette was often covered with different hues.
Marvin Randall’s tools were just as colorful. Some looked as if they had been created with a colorful handle originally. Others appeared to be painted or covered with patterned duct tape. He had wrenches with turquoise handles and trowels with floral designs on them. He had hammers with orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet handles. He even had a fluorescent pink screwdriver.
“What are you doing here?” the carpenter asked, finally finishing with his saw and barreling over to the women. He closed the cabinet and glared at them. “This is private property.”
“We had been trying to attract your attention,” Heather said.
“That’s right,” Ryan said. “We’re detectives with the Key West Police Force, and we have some questions for you.”
Marvin pushed his goggles onto the top of his head and listened to their introductions.
“What do you want to ask me about?”
“Did you know Peter Mapleson?” Ryan asked.
“I do,” Marvin said, nodding. “He’s another carpenter in town.”
“Would you say he’s your rival?” asked Heather.
Marvin shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “I guess you might say that. We competed for people that wanted handcrafted wood pieces. He was doing a little better than I was. He had a store, while I work from home. But I don’t like that word. It made it sound like we were fighting all the time. And if he’s in any sort of trouble, I don’t want to be associated with it.”
“He’s not in trouble,” Peters said.
“Well, that depends on how you look at it,” said Amy. “It might be the worst sort of trouble there is.”
“He was murdered,” Peters finished.
“Is that so?” Marvin asked.
“And we heard that you yelled at the victim,” said Ryan.
“I might have been upset at the time. He was better at marketing than I was. Sometimes, it felt like he was stealing customers from me. But I wouldn’t kill him over it.”
“This is your livelihood, isn’t it?” Heather pressed.
“That’s right,” Marvin said, nodding. “And sometimes it’s difficult to get people to order finely crafted woodwork when they can get cheap furniture from a store. But again, I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Where were you yesterday morning?” asked Ryan.
Marvin gestured around the shop. “I was here. All day. I had a big project that I needed to work on. I started pretty early. I work and live alone, but I’m sure my neighbors would have heard me working here. My power tools can be loud at times. They don’t mind though. They’re used to it.”
“We will ask about that,” said Peters. “But they’d have to confirm the times.”
“If your power tools are running throughout the day, it might mask other sounds in here,” Heather said. She looked towards the house that was attached.
“Like what?” asked Marvin.
Heather looked at her husband he understood what she was thinking. Maybe Rudolph Rodney was being hidden inside the house.
“Do you mind if we have a look around your house?” Ryan asked.
“I’m afraid that’s asking for too much,” said Marvin, playing with his mustache. “I don’t mind answering your questions, but I don’t like people poking around my things. Especially if there is no reason for it. You’ll have to get a warrant if you want to do that.”
The investigators thanked him for his time and left. Heather stared back at the house as they left. She was so frustrated she could stamp her foot. Was Rudolph Rodney just beyond those walls?
Donuts and Deep Discussions
Heather sat at a table and Donut Delights with Amy. The mood of the whole store was more somber than usual. Usually, the employees were laughing and teasing one another. They talked about the donut flavors with customers and chatted about island happenings. Today, her assistants were quiet as they went about their tasks. Everyone was worried about Rudolph Rodney.
Luz came over to the table and placed a hand on Heather’s shoulder in a maternal manner.
“Don’t worry. You’ll figure this out. I know you will.”
Heather tried to smile at her assistant. It felt good to know that others believed in her, but she was so worried that she wasn’t feeling confident.
“Thanks, Luz. I just hope that it’s soon enough,” Heather said. “Usually, we’re trying to catch a killer because it’s the right thing to do, and there is a chance that he could strike again. This time he has a hostage, our investor, and friend, and the longer we take, the worse his chances are.”
“I know you’re worried,” Luz said. “But I have faith that you’ll figure it out in time. Mr. Rudolph Rodney is a strong man. He can survive. And you can find him. You’ve solved so many cases. Remember how you helped clear my son’s name? Remember how you caught the killer at the bookshop down the street?”
“We saved Santa Claus too,” Amy added.
“You will solve this,” Luz said. “Now, I’ll leave you both to think about the case. I just wanted to remind you that we all believe in you.”
“Thank you, Luz.”
After Luz left them, Heather sighed. Amy sighed in response.
“This case is too close to home,” Amy said. “Or too close to the business. But a business that feels like a second home. And always provides yummy food.”
“I feel like I’m missing something,” Heather said. “Do you think I’m too close to this case and it’s hindering my judgment?”
“I think we need everyone we can get on this case to find Rudolph Rodney, and you’re one of the best,” Amy said. “Let’s see if we can talk this out.”
Heather nodded. “It’s most likely that Rudolph Rodney was in the carpenter’s shop when Peter Mapleson was murdered, and that the killer took him as a hostage.”
“I wish he’d just leave a note for a ransom, like most kidnappers do,” Amy said.
“Me too,” said Heather. “But this killer might be trying to determine if Rudolph Rodney can recognize him and turn him in as a murderer before he decides to let him go.”
Amy shuddered. “So, that means if Rudolph Rodney can’t convince him that he couldn’t incriminate him, then the killer won’t ever let him free?”
“That’s why I want to figure this out quickly,” Heather said. “Before the killer makes another murderous decision.”
“Okay. So, who are our suspects?” asked Amy.
“There are the two unhappy customers,” Heather said. “Neither has an iron
clad alibi and were a bit too upset about the tables that they ordered.”
“The competitor, Marvin Randall, seemed suspicious too. And he wouldn’t let us search his house.”
“I know that we shouldn’t hold that against him,” Heather said. “There’s a reason that police need warrants to search homes. However, the loud power tools make me think it would be a great cover for hiding a kidnap victim inside. His neighbors wouldn’t be able to hear Rudolph Rodney calling for help over the saw grinding.”
“That’s creepy.”
“And the apprentice Tim might also be a suspect,” said Heather. “We’re not able to corroborate his alibi about being on the beach. And he would know that Peter Mapleson was there that early in the morning.”
“That’s right,” Amy said. “Lilith Van-Van-Van-Vanders.”
“There’s only one Van,” Heather said. “Well, two if you include it as part of the longer.”
“You see how silly it is?” said Amy. “Anyway, she said that she thought Mr. Mapleson was closed at that time.”
“The shop was closed,” Heather agreed. “So, who would know he was there at that time?”
“If he was normally building things at that time, a lot of people could know it,” said Amy. “Maybe not all customers, but other people who dealt with him could know.”
“Lilith could also be lying about knowing he was there,” said Heather. “Or someone made an appointment with Peter Mapleson that morning, like Rudolph Rodney did, to make sure that he would be there and be also relatively alone.”
“And the weapon was something that was found at the shop, right?” asked Amy. “So, it could have been any of them who picked it up.”
Heather nodded. “I can’t believe it was just the day before last that Rudolph Rodney was here sitting with us and talking about his nephew and donuts.”
“And tarantulas,” Amy said, frowning at that part of the memory.
Heather sat up suddenly. “That wasn’t the only thing he was talking about.”
“Toys for the spiders,” Amy added.
“He mentioned that he asked for advice on which carpenter to go to,” Heather said, trying to remember. “His rival. Another investor. What was his name? Sidney something.”
“Walton?”
“Wallace!” Heather said. “And I think we just remembered a new suspect.”
Investing
Heather and Amy were shown into Sidney Wallace’s office by a pretty assistant wearing an outfit that was color coordinated with her boss’s.
“Welcome,” Sidney Wallace said, as he ushered them into seats. “Welcome, welcome.”
Heather couldn’t help but make comparisons between this man and her investor. While Rudolph Rodney could be a tad eccentric, he was always a gentleman and came off as sincere. Sidney Wallace came off as someone who was only interested in money, but who wanted to be thought of as a gentleman and pretended to be eccentric.
There were antique bubblegum machines in a line against the wall. However, instead of coming off as quirky, it looked staged. They also each contained a block of gold, so their real purpose was to display wealth.
“It’s so nice to see you here, Mrs. Shepherd,” Sidney Wallace said. “Are you here because you plan to expand your donut business and you haven’t been happy with your current investor?”
“Not exactly,” Heather said.
“You’re thinking about expanding, but aren’t quite sure?” he suggested.
“Actually, that is true. I have been thinking about opening a third Donut Delights somewhere, and different locations have been flitting through my mind. But that’s not why we’re here.”
“Oh?” Sidney Wallace said. He began playing with a pen as she listened.
“It is about Rudolph Rodney though,” Heather said.
“And what is that old dog up to now?” Sidney asked. “Still sporting those ridiculous hats and investing in dubious endeavors?”
“Like what?” asked Amy.
“Silly things like mobile dog grooming businesses and things like that,” he said dismissively.
“You think that’s silly?” Amy asked, angrily.
“Don’t you?”
“No, I don’t. My boyfriend runs that business and I think it’s great. Dogs and their owners both love it.”
Sidney Wallace shrugged. “What is it that you two want?”
“Rudolph Rodney contacted you about finding a carpenter, didn’t he?” Heather asked.
“That’s right,” Sidney said, gesturing to his large desk. “Rudolph Rodney knew about my fine taste in woodworks. This desk was custom-made for me by a local carpenter. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? Large and impressive, but also functional.”
“And you suggested Peter Mapleson?”
“That’s right. He was the one who made this desk.”
“And you’ve been to Mr. Mapleson’s shop before?” asked Heather.
“Well, yes, I have,” Sidney Wallace said. “But, really, what is this all about?”
“You and Rudolph Rodney are rivals, aren’t you?” Heather asked.
He laughed. “Some might say that. I don’t know if I would. Yes, we are both investors. Yes, we both make our homes in Key West. Yes, we are both successful with the businesses we choose to work with. Sometimes one of us is more successful than the other. Sometimes it is the reverse.”
“Who is the most successful right now?” Amy asked.
The smile disappeared from Sidney’s face. “I suppose he is a tad ahead at the moment. But if you were interested in working we me, I know that I could take your donut business much further than he ever could. Name the place you’d like to set up your next shop, and I’ll make it happen.”
“The moon,” Amy said as a challenge.
“We’re not here to discuss that,” Heather said.
“Really?” Amy said. “You don’t even want to listen to his response to setting up a shop on the moon? You could make Moon Cheese Donuts.”
“That would be fun,” Heather admitted. “But we are here on serious business. Rudolph Rodney is missing, and a man has been murdered.”
“Murdered?” Sidney Wallace asked. “Who?”
“Peter Mapleson.”
“My carpenter,” Sidney gasped. “But then who will finish my new bedroom set?”
“We’re trying to find his killer,” Heather said.
“Rudolph Rodney did mention that his investment also did take part in investigating little crimes,” Sidney said. “But what does this have to do with me?”
“He’s missing,” said Heather. “And you were his rival.”
“Are you implying that I had something to do with Rudolph Rodney’s disappearance?” he asked.
“You knew what he was ordering, and it would be easy for you to find out when he would be at the shop. Maybe you wanted to kidnap him in exchange for a ransom? You seem to be interested in money. Maybe Peter Mapleson was just an innocent bystander in your scheme.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard, and I once heard someone pitch the idea of a shop where children would pickle their own herring,” he replied. “I prefer to defeat my rivals in business. I would never engage in these sort of activities that you’re accusing me of. And quite frankly, I’m offended that you would accuse me of this. I wouldn’t help your donut business now if you begged me. No matter what profits we might have split.”
“Where were you yesterday morning?” Heather asked.
“Is that when this is to have taken place?” he asked.
“Yes. But maybe you already knew that.”
“It just so happens, I do have an alibi for that time. I was on an overnight flight to Colorado and arrived that morning. I was investigating a new business venture, but it turned out to be a dud. Pet rocks are no longer a fad. Even if they were once part of a mountain. So, I flew back today.”
“That’s something can be checked,” Heather warned.
“My assistant should have a copy of my itin
erary for you on your way out,” he said. “Which I hope is soon.”
Heather and Amy began to leave.
“Wait,” Sidney Wallace added. “If you need any funds to find Rudolph Rodney, I will be happy to help. As offended as I am by your accusations, I do want to see that man found.”
Heather thanked him with more enthusiasm. Unfortunately, she didn’t know what she needed money for in order to find Rudolph Rodney. She didn’t think she could buy clues at the store.
Hope
Heather and Amy returned to Donut Delights, feeling disappointed. They dropped into seats at a table and stewed on their problem.
“On the plus side, we have another investor willing to offer us money,” said Amy.
“On the downside, we’re not any closer to finding Rudolph Rodney,” Heather said.
Her assistants seemed to sense that they shouldn’t inquire as to how the latest lead had panned out, but there was one person in the shop who was willing to speak her mind. Hope charged inside and marched up to their table. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
“What are you waiting for?” Amy asked. “You order donuts at the front counter.”
“I’m waiting for an explanation,” said Hope.
“About where Rudolph Rodney is?” asked Heather, glumly. “I’m afraid we don’t have an answer.”
“But you admit that he’s missing?” Hope said.
Heather and Amy stared at her blankly.
“This is a story,” Hope said, stamping her foot. “You promised me that if you came across a story, you would give me the scoop.”
“We did say that,” Heather agreed. “And I’m sorry. This isn’t like our usual cases. Not only has a man died, but our friend has been kidnapped. We’ve been so worried about him that we haven’t been able to think of much else.”
Hope looked down at the floor. “I guess I can understand that. You weren’t trying to keep the story away from me. You were too much distracted by it.”
Nutella Crunch & Murder Page 4
