by Cindy Bell
“I’m not sure,” Bekki shrugged.
“What kind of sick person would poison candy anyway?” Sammy said. She clucked her tongue lightly and then lowered her voice as a group of people had walked through the door. “Whoever did this had to be getting something out of it, Stella was loaded.”
“The only person that would probably benefit from Stella's death is her daughter,” Bekki pointed out.
“What did you think when you went to see her?” Sammy asked.
“Not much. She was drunk. She didn't make much sense, and by the time I left she had passed out,” she frowned. As Bekki recounted the story of the night before, she suddenly recalled the empty bag of candy in Jodie’s garbage.
“Well, I guess the one that would stand to benefit the most would be Jodie,” Sammy said. She finished her food and began sipping at her coffee.
“What did you say?” Bekki asked. She looked up at her and attempted to focus on Sammy's words. The memory of the empty candy bag had left her distracted.
“I'm sure that her daughter will inherit everything,” Sammy shrugged. “I mean, Stella had no other family to leave it to.”
Bekki bristled slightly. She recalled Hattie O’Neal gossiping about the difficult financial position that Jodie's husband had put them in.
“Maybe,” Bekki said quietly. She wondered if what she had seen the night before hadn't really been a drunken haze as a result of grief but was the result of her guilt. “But she would have stood to inherit that money no matter when her mother died. I'm sure that Stella would have helped her out if she really needed it.”
“That's not what I hear,” Sammy said. She took a sip of her drink, then put her mug back down on the table. “She was hard on Jodie. She sent her to boarding school when she was young.”
“How did you find out about that?” Bekki asked.
“It's all everyone is talking about,” Sammy said. “I don't think that there is an iota of Stella and Jodie's life that isn't being examined today.”
“I remember that she didn't go to school locally, but I just assumed she went to a private school. I can't imagine being separated from my mother so young.”
“Well, Stella was not like your mother,” Sammy pointed out.
“I guess,” Bekki said quietly.
“How are you doing with all of this, Bekki?” Sammy asked. “I can't believe that you were with her when she passed.”
“That's the thing, I wasn't,” Bekki frowned. “Maybe I would feel better if I had been there with her when it happened, but I had gone into the storage room to get her favorite shampoo. I wasn't there when she actually died. I hate to think of someone dying in the salon.”
“I know it's hard, Bekki, but the important thing is that she was in one of her favorite places. You know how much she looked forward to her visit with you,” Sammy said. “I'm sure she was the happiest she could be.”
“I hope so,” Bekki said.
“Try not to dwell on it too much,” Sammy warned. “If you get caught up in it, you won't be able to think clearly. I might have a lot of faith in Nick and Morris, but you and I both know that you've got a knack for solving mysteries, too.”
“Sometimes,” Bekki agreed. “But I'm not sure that I have a clue this time.”
“Do you two need anything else?” Angela asked. She paused beside their table.
“No, I think we're done,” Bekki said. She handed Angela money to cover the check.
“Thanks, I'll be right back with your change,” Angela said.
“Have you talked to Stella's lawyer?” Sammy suddenly asked.
“Should I have?” Bekki asked. “Do you know who he is?”
“Actually, I do,” Sammy replied. “Morris has worked with him on a few cases. He's from Lightbrough and handles a lot of the wealthy citizens of Harroway and the surrounding towns. He might have some insight.”
“That's a good idea, Sammy,” Bekki said. “He might be able to tell me if Stella had a problem with anyone lately, if they had maybe been threatening her.”
As they stood to walk towards the exit of the bakery the door swung open. Bekki's mother, Marie, stepped through the door.
“Mama, hi,” Bekki said. She hugged her. Sammy gave her a tight hug as well. “How are you?” Bekki asked.
“I’m fine,” Marie replied. “I was more concerned about you.”
“I'm okay,” Bekki assured her. “Sammy and I just had brunch since they closed the salon for the investigation into Stella’s death. I wish I had known you were going to be out and about today,” Bekki said. “We could have all had brunch together.”
“Oh, it's okay, another time,” Marie said with a sad smile. “I'm just here to talk to Angela about making arrangements for a memorial for Stella tonight.”
“That's such a good idea,” Bekki said warmly. “It's nice of you to do that.”
“Stella deserves to be honored,” Marie said. “She had a rougher time than people know, and she's always tried to be fair even though she could be a little tough.”
“More than a little, so I hear,” Bekki said.
“Well, it couldn't have been easy for her,” Marie said. “Anyway, I was also going to stop over at Get and Go to check on Holly.”
“Holly Smith? Why?” Bekki asked.
“I stopped in there a few days ago and she was so upset. I tried to get her to talk to me, but she's so private. With Stella dying, I just thought it might be a good idea to stop in and see if she's doing okay,” Marie explained.
“That's nice of you,” Sammy said.
“Running a business is never easy,” Marie said.
“I can stop in and check on her if you'd like, Ma,” Bekki said. “I wanted to pick up some wine for dinner tonight anyway.”
“That would be great,” Marie smiled. “It would give me more time to plan the memorial with Angela.”
“Let me know if you need help with anything,” Bekki said. “The salon is closed while the police investigate.”
“So, it's true?” Marie asked with surprise. “I thought everything I was hearing about Stella being murdered was rumors and gossip.”
“It looks like she was poisoned,” Bekki said in a lowered voice. “I'll let you know if I find out anything more from Nick.”
“Please do,” Marie nodded. Her normally cheerful expression was troubled. “Stella didn't deserve that. She was a strong and determined woman. If someone killed her they must be brought to justice.”
“I agree,” Bekki nodded.
“I'll talk to you later, sweetheart,” Marie said as Bekki and Sammy walked to the door.
“Are you making Nick a special dinner?” Sammy asked as they stepped outside.
“It's just my way of saying thanks. He is always making an effort to make me feel special, so I figured it was time to return the favor,” Bekki smiled.
“Sounds good to me. Morris and I are spending the afternoon together in Springfield,” she said.
“Fun! Antiquing?” Bekki asked.
“Probably more like wondering and grazing the food carts,” Sammy admitted with a laugh.
“Either way I'm sure it will be great,” Bekki grinned. She hugged her friend goodbye and then began walking towards the Get and Go. The convenience store itself had been a fixture of the main street for decades. When Bekki's father had owned it, it was called Harroway Shop. When Hattie purchased it from him she had named it Hattie's Place. She had eventually sold it to Stella, who then rented it out to Holly. Bekki had to admit that she liked Holly's name choice the best. It described exactly what the shop was, a place to get what you needed and go on your way.
When she reached the store Bekki noticed that there was a for rent sign in the window. She was a little surprised by that. Bekki stepped inside the shop. She noticed that there was a customer at the register with Holly. As she waited for Holly to finish with the customer she began browsing the aisles. She lingered in the candy aisle as she noticed a display for the candy that Stella liked so much
. It was the only box on the rack that was empty. When she heard the tinkle of the bell over the door she turned back towards the register. Holly was straightening the small items beside the register.
“Hi Holly,” Bekki said as she walked up to the counter.
“Hi,” Holly replied with a tight smile. “Is there anything that I can help you with?”
“Are you moving out?” Bekki asked. “I noticed the for rent sign in the window.” Bekki peered behind the counter to see if there were any moving boxes lined up. She didn't see anything but extra stock behind the counter.
“No, I'm not moving,” Holly said. “That's just one of Stella's scare tactics.”
“Oh?” Bekki asked. She hesitated a moment. She wondered if it was possible that Holly hadn't heard about Stella's death.
“Nothing to take seriously,” Holly added. “So, was there something you were looking for in particular?”
“I just wanted to check in really,” Bekki said. “With everything that was happening.”
“You mean you came in to gossip?” Holly asked. “I'm sorry I don't know anything about what happened to Stella.”
Bekki was somewhat taken aback by the woman's words. “I didn't come in to gossip. I was with Stella when she passed away. I just wanted to see how you were doing. My mother mentioned that you were quite upset the last time she stopped in.”
“Yes, well I've been quite upset for some time,” Holly admitted. “I am constantly having to deal with issues with this place.”
“I see,” Bekki said. “Was it hard working with Stella?”
“Did you need something, Bekki?” Holly asked again. She brushed her dark brown hair back from her shoulders. Her cheeks were slightly sunken as if she hadn't been eating well. She had dark bags under her eyes that Bekki found herself dying to use some concealer on.
“I’m not sure what they are called but I was looking for the little powdered candies,” Bekki described. She was startled that there were none on display. “I was going to get some from the shelf but it looks like you're all out.”
“Yes, those were Stella's favorite,” Holly said. “She grabbed a bag every time she came in here. She didn't pay for it of course.”
“That must have been frustrating,” Bekki said. “I've heard that she was very difficult to be in a business relationship with.”
“The police already came asking for them and as I told them I am out-of-stock, I don't have any more in the back,” Holly said. Once again she had completely avoided Bekki's question. “Can I get you something else?”
“Do you have any red wine, preferably Chares?” Bekki asked.
“Let me check,” Holly said. She disappeared into the back room. While Holly was gone Bekki tried to get a good look behind the counter. She wasn't sure what she was looking for but the way Holly was acting made her seem a little suspicious.
“Here you go,” Holly said and placed a bottle of wine on the counter. “Anything else?”
“No, that's it,” Bekki said. As she was pulling out her wallet to pay for the wine she glanced up at Holly.
“Stella stopped here yesterday morning, didn't she?” Bekki asked.
“Sure she did. She stops every morning if I am going to be late on the rent,” Holly rolled her eyes. “I wasn't even late yet.”
“Did she seem upset to you?” Bekki asked. “I know when she arrived at the salon she said she was having a hard morning.”
“I don't know what could have been hard about it for her,” Holly said. Her tone was dismissive. “I think she wasn't too happy with me because she showed up here expecting me to tell her that I had the rent, when she knew that I wouldn't have it until next week. I mean, I had called and left her a message, it's not as if I left her in the dark about it,” Holly took a breath. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get worked up. Look Bekki, I know it's a terrible thing that she is gone, but to be honest with you I'm not that upset. If you want to talk to someone about Stella, you should find someone other than me.”
“You do know that the police have opened a murder investigation, right?” Bekki asked. She watched Holly closely for her reaction.
“A murder investigation?” Holly asked. “No, I didn't realize. I thought they were just investigating for the life insurance. How strange,” she shook her head. “I really need to get back to work,” Holly said. She turned and walked away from the register. Bekki was a little startled by the abrupt way that she ended their conversation. She stood in front of the counter for a moment. Then she turned and walked out of the shop. As the door clanged closed behind her she decided to call Morris.
She was sure that if Stella had been getting any threats she would have spoken to her lawyer about it. She called Morris' number on her walk back to the salon parking lot.
“Hello?” Morris said.
“Morris, I'm sorry to interrupt your afternoon, I was just wondering if you could give me the name of Stella Black's lawyer,” Bekki asked.
“Why?” Morris questioned in return. “I already gave it to Nick and Dave. I'm sure they've been over to talk with him already.”
“I'm just curious about something,” Bekki explained.
“Curious about getting into the middle of a murder investigation?” Morris asked.
“She did die in my salon, Morris,” Bekki reminded him.
“All right, but don't tell Nick or Dave where you got the information from,” Morris said. “I thought Nick was a stickler, but Dave is a real pain to deal with.”
“It'll stay between you and me,” Bekki promised him. Morris rattled off the address of the lawyer's office. Bekki was familiar with the building. “And his name?”
“It's McAllister Dane,” Morris replied. “A big name for a small man.”
Bekki raised an eyebrow at the description, but she didn't ask any more questions. “Thanks Morris,” she said. “Make sure you and Sammy have a good time.”
“I'll do my best,” Morris replied.
Bekki had reached her car by the time she hung up the phone with Morris. She unlocked the doors and then glanced over at the salon. The front door was still blocked off with police tape, but it was dark inside. There were no police cars or other vehicles aside from her own in the parking lot. She assumed that everyone had left, which meant that Nick might just be waiting at home for her again.
Chapter Six
Bekki drove a little above the speed limit to the lawyer's office in Lightbrough which was the next town west of Harroway. She didn't want to be too late to make dinner. When she reached the office she hurried up to the door. Bekki knocked lightly. The door swung open from the pressure of her knock. She peered inside. The office was much more cluttered and dusty than she had expected. For a lawyer who catered to the rich he didn't have a very nice office.
“Hello?” she called out.
“Who's there?” a voice said from her left. Bekki turned to see a short statured man stepping out of what she assumed to be the bathroom.
“My name is Bekki,” she said and stepped further into the office. “I don't mean to bother you, I just have a few questions for you.”
“Oh, I guess somehow you already found out?” he asked as he studied her.
“Found out what?” Bekki asked. She was confused by the way he was staring at her.
“That you are mentioned in Stella Black's will,” he said. “You know it never ceases to amaze me. She's not even in the ground yet and you're already here trying to collect.”
“I think that you must be mistaken,” Bekki said. “I'm not related to Stella. I just came to ask you a few questions about whether she had received any threats lately.”
“I'm not mistaken, I know exactly who you are,” he said and paused in front of her. “You are Rebekah Malonie and you are mentioned in her will. I can tell you that she received threats all the time. But there was nothing that stood out. I already looked over all of my records and spoke with the police about it. I don't think any of the threats were serious.”
“
Someone killed her,” Bekki said, she wanted to ask more questions about Stella naming her in her will but she first wanted to get as much information about Stella’s murder as possible. “They had to have a reason.”
“I've seen it before,” he admitted. “When a woman of Stella's considerable wealth begins to age, old relatives and friends come out of the woodwork. They try to position themselves close so that when the time comes their name will be fresh on the mind of the victim. They do it all in hopes that they will inherit even a small amount of money.”
“That's so sad, and cruel,” Bekki shook her head. “I had no idea that Stella dealt with so much stress.”
“She wasn't the easiest woman to get along with, but she was careful with whom she associated with. She was convinced that everyone was out to take advantage of her,” he explained.
“That's no way to live,” Bekki frowned.
“Bekki, you were one of the few people in town that she felt was honest. That's why she had me add you to her will,” he said.
“What?” Bekki shook her head. “That doesn't make any sense, we barely knew each other.”
“She didn't make friends easily,” he said. “I suppose that was why she was so fond of you.”
“We talked a bit,” Bekki said. “But she was always very busy. Was anyone causing her more trouble than usual lately?”
“She was having a hard time collecting some rents. Also, she had just broken up with her latest boyfriend,” he said.
“She had a boyfriend?” Bekki asked. Her eyebrows raised with surprise. Stella was still quite a beautiful woman, that she would have a boyfriend is not what surprised her. What surprised her was the fact that she had never mentioned this boyfriend to Bekki. “Who was he?”
“Me,” he replied. His expression was passive as he shrugged.
“Oh,” Bekki's eyes widened. “I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Like I said, she dropped me like yesterday's trash,” he smiled. “That's just how she was.”
“So, you two weren't serious?” Bekki asked.
“I would have liked things to be a little more traditional, but after the death of her third husband she insisted on having only casual relationships,” he shook his head. “I guess she got used to having the freedom of being single. It doesn't matter now, does it?”
