by Lilly York
Willow drove around to the back of the school, near to where the cafeteria was located. She parked by the back door and gave it a pull. She was surprised it was open. She opened the door then nodded to Embry, giving her the all clear signal. Which really looked like a “come on, hurry up, arm flying, child motivating move from their days as a mother and young daughter. Some things never change.
They both moved quietly through the dimly lit cafeteria and into the better lit kitchen. Thankfully, no one was around. Willow moved the trash can, looking for anything that might have been missed by the police chief. Nothing.
Embry started looking in nooks and crannies that might have been overlooked. She just knew the killer had to have hid some evidence to get rid of later. They needed a place that would have been easily accessed and that no one would have thought to look in. She fully expected to find some trace of peanuts, perhaps even a wrapper or a baggie. The killer had to have carried the peanuts in something. She moved into the pantry to search further.
Willow opened the coffee canister and was about to dig in when she heard a very profound harrumph behind her. She turned to see who had caught her in the act. Police Chief Grice was standing 10 feet behind her with his hands on his hips.
“What are you doing here?”
Willow looked from the coffee can to the chief. “Um, looking for clues?”
“In the coffee?”
“Well, we kind of figured…”
The chief interrupted. “We?”
Embry stuck her head around the pantry door and smiled. “Hi.”
He waved. “Okay, I got the we…go ahead.”
Willow continued. “As I was saying, we kind of figured the killer had to of stashed something contaminated here at the school. If they had peanuts on them, you would have found the evidence during the search and questioning. But, I’m guessing you didn’t. That means, it must be here. Something has to be. It just didn’t get up and walk away.”
“Yes, I was kind of thinking along those lines myself. We didn’t find any storage containers or bags with peanuts in it. And the tests aren’t back yet on whether or not the pots of chili had peanuts. The peanuts could have been added to the pots, although why the killer would incriminate himself like that, I have no idea. They could have also been added to the dishes the judges were served out of.”
Willow let out a gasp. “Cookie is the one who passed those dishes out. And she helps out here for lunch…you don’t think…?” She let her thought fall off. Cookie wasn’t a murderer. She was in her early 60’s. Old women didn’t murder people? Or did they?
The chief picked up where Willow left off. “If it was her, she would have had ample opportunity to get rid of the evidence.”
Just then Embry let out a yell. “I found something!”
Both the Police Chief and Willow moved quickly to the pantry door.
He spoke first. “Don’t touch anything.” Then looked over her shoulder to see what she had found. There, in the nestled pots, she found a baggie with what looked like crumbs in it.
Willow looked on as well. “I bet you a hundred bucks that’s ground peanuts.”
The chief put on a pair of gloves and removed the bag. He also took the pile of nesting pots. All three turned around to see Cookie standing in the open doorway, staring at them.
“What is going on in my kitchen?”
She had become somewhat possessive of the high school kitchen. Willow wondered why. “Hello, Cookie. I didn’t know you were still here.” She glanced at her watch. It was after four.
“Of course I’m still here. I work here. And I have some prep work to do for tomorrow’s lunch.”
She looked at the pots in the chief’s hands. “And where do you think you’re going with my pots?”
“I just need to dust these pots for fingerprints then you can have them back, I promise. We found some evidence here. Something to do with Ms. Posey’s murder.” He went on. “You know I have to do everything I can to find the killer.”
Willow was surprised to hear the chief talking the way he was to Cookie. Yes, she was the town’s matriarch, but he was the chief. And there was a murderer to find. Surely he wasn’t going to ignore the evidence—even if it did implicate the town’s best baker. Because doing so meant for every step forward Willow made in finding the killer, the chief took one step back. That wasn’t going to help her clear herself. Not in the least.
He gave her an “I’m sorry” shrug and loaded up the newly found evidence and carted it off to the police station.
Embry dropped Willow off at the ice cream shop and told her she would ask around at work to see if there was any information worthy of repeating. The restaurant business was a tight group and word usually got around. She would do her best to find out something.
After returning, Willow was about to send Janie out the door when her cell phone rang. She recognized the number. Molly.
“Hey, Molly. Would you have a few minutes to stop into the shop? I’d like to talk to you about an idea I’m having.”
Molly agreed and Willow asked Janie to mix the dough for her famous chocolate chip cookies while she sat down with Molly. Willow poured a couple of glasses of sweet tea and waited for Molly. The church she attended was only a few blocks away so she knew it wouldn’t be more than a couple of minutes. She quickly got up and put a few treats on a plate. Might as well butter her up. I really need this to work.
The bell on the door tinkled just as Willow was returning to her seat. She stood again. “Hi, Molly. Thanks for coming over. I figured you might need something to drink.” She offered her the glass and snacks before coming right to the point.
Molly seemed upset with Willow’s idea. “Don’t you think it’s a mite too soon? That we’re being disrespectful if we put on the chili cook-off now? I mean, the poor woman’s just passed.”
“No. I really don’t. Besides, from everything I have learned about Delonda she would want to be in the spot light, even in death.”
It took some convincing but Molly was on board. Especially since Willow would provide the place. Molly was already out the money for renting the high school cafeteria. The money from community sales would have helped cover those costs—and normally did, but not with these circumstances. Everyone had gone home and took their money with them.
Willow convinced her that at least by rescheduling she would be saving face with the entrants. Someone would take a trophy home and everyone would be more apt to enter the next cook-off. She hoped. It was the deciding factor. Molly promised to get a list together of everyone who entered and volunteered for the cook-off. She said she would even make phone calls and invite them all to the makeup date.
Willow thanked Molly and called Chief Grice as soon as she was out the door. “Hi, Chief. Do you have time to meet with me this afternoon or evening? I have an idea I want to discuss with you.”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I have some time when I get off, say around six? Do you want to grab a bite to eat? We could talk then. I have some news myself.”
Willow swallowed hard. Was he asking her on a date? She jumped on that. “Oh, well, sure. I’ll be home by then but I could meet you back in town at the shop if that would be easier?”
“It’s no problem. I’ll pick you up at your place.”
“Okay. See you tonight.” Only after she hung up did she remember he had news to share as well. She was a basket of nerves all day while baking and restocking the shops shelves. She made a couple of milk shakes for the after school crowd and served up some sundaes and a few cones. It appeared the kids didn’t mind she was a murder suspect. As long as she was still serving treats, they would be there to eat them up.
Chapter 7
Willow rushed home to get ready for her date. Well, it wasn’t really a date. Just because the chief was hungry after work, and just because he did ask her to get a bite, didn’t make it a date. In fact, he was probably just killing two birds with one stone by eating and hearing what she had to say. She gu
essed the chief would pick a casual dining setting so she chose a pair of jeans and light blue sweater. The sweater really popped with her dark hair hanging down. She touched up the little make-up she wore, even though Annabelle insisted she didn’t know how to apply it, and put on some lip gloss. She had always liked the more natural look. The men she dated didn’t seem to mind. Ah well, to each her own.
Willow walked around her house. It was fairly large. Three big bedrooms, one of which she used as an office. The master had its own bath with a soaking tub which she absolutely took advantage of on cooler evenings. Although the kitchen needed updating, it had good bones. Her grandfather had envisioned an open concept before they were popular so the kitchen opened up to the living and dining rooms. She loved that about the house. She could have people over and cook while still taking part in the conversation and activities. It would make hosting the chili cook-off that much more appealing.
Her house was brick, like most of the houses around. Kept the place cooler in the summer. Or so they say. Summer was coming so she’d find out. The best part of her place was the land. She had 25 acres. The dirt was orange. The trees were sparse. Water was a foreign commodity. But it was land. And it was hers. Something she could pass down to her daughter. And someday her grandchildren would get it. She loved the idea of that. She heard a vehicle coming down her driveway and stepped out on her big front porch and waved.
Willow locked her front door and walked toward the passenger side of Steve’s truck. He jumped out before she reached the door and opened it for her. “Chivalry isn’t dead in the south, is it?” She smiled and thanked him.
He climbed in next to her. “Not if I can help it. And most the men who live here. Our mamas have taught us well.”
She smiled and got a dimple as a reward. She could look at that face all day long. She prayed he couldn’t read her thoughts.
“Nice place you got here. Does your daughter live with you?”
“Nope, she’s got a place in the city. I’m the country girl in the family.”
His face clouded over and his dimple disappeared. “I’m not sure I like you being out here all by yourself. Now with a killer on the loose. Do you have a dog?”
“Nope again. I’ve been wanting to get to the shelter but their hours coincide with my shop’s hours. I haven’t been able to make it in.” She grinned. “But you don’t have to worry. I fully believe in the second amendment. I have a shot gun, a stun gun, and pepper spray. I just got my concealed carry permit and I’ll be packing before long.” She smiled, obviously proud of herself.
“Think of a dog as a warning siren. He will let you know if anything or anyone who shouldn’t be on your property is approaching.” He made a face. “Huh. Change of plans. Do you like hot dogs?”
“Give me a Chicago style hot dog any day of the week and I’ll be a happy camper.”
“Well, I’m not sure if they have Chicago style dogs, but their dogs are pretty darn good. You’ll see.” He made a U-turn in the middle of the road and took off in the opposite direction. 15 minutes later he pulled up in front of a little road side shack and ordered a couple of dogs, with everything, and two cans of coke.
Willow watched her romantic dinner go down the drain. Even so, she smiled and took a bite of her hot dog. He just watched her.
After she swallowed her first bite, and he still hadn’t touched his, she paused. “I should have waited. I’m sorry.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I will say this is pretty darn good.”
He smiled. “It’s okay. Do you mind if I say a quick prayer before I eat?”
She shook her head no.
He prayed silently then took a bite of his own hot dog. “What did I tell ya? They are some kind of good.” He finished his dog then took off heading in the same direction. A few miles down the road he turned into a driveway. A really nice driveway. He helped her from the truck then led the way to a lovely country home.
Willow wondered who lived here. She didn’t have to wait long to find out.
A tall, thin, well dressed woman came out the front door to greet Steve. “Steve, what are you doing here?”
She hugged him and kissed his cheek. Willow felt her face flush so she turned the other way. She had no right to be jealous, but she couldn’t help it. In a few, short days’ time she had become somewhat possessive of her police chief. She heard her name.
“Willow, this is my sister, Beth. Beth, this is Willow. She is Old man Peter’s granddaughter and she took over the ice cream shop. She’s living at his ranch on the other side of town.” He smiled. “All alone.”
Beth nodded. “Of course she is. I could have guessed.” She stuck her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Willow. Any friend of Steve’s is a friend of ours. Come on in. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the family.”
Willow entered the grand home and was instantly greeted by the “family.” There must have been at least six dogs gathered at her feet, wanting attention. All different shapes and sizes, and by the looks of them, mostly mixed breeds.
Beth bent down. “I operate a re-homing shelter out of my house. We have placed quite a few dogs this way. I have friends in the city who keep me in constant supply. The shelters are so full and are having a hard time placing their dogs so this is how I help. Instead of leaving these little guys wandering the streets, they get to come live with me. My brother helps me place them. He has a soft heart.” She gave him a side hug. “And if they never find a home, then this becomes their permanent home. My husband knew when he married me that I was a sucker for these guys. He has accepted his fate. And don’t let him fool you. He may seem tough with them but he loves them as much as I do.”
She led them into the kitchen where she was putting the finishing touches on a salad. “Don’t tell me he took you to that hot dog stand for supper.” She rolled her eyes when Willow confirmed. “Well, you’ll eat a proper supper with us.”
Willow watched Steve’s face light up. He had been counting on this, she could tell. Without taking her eyes off of Steve’s face, she asked. “Does he do this sort of thing often?”
Beth smiled. “Show up for supper or bring ladies in need of protecting?”
Willow cocked her head. “Both?”
Beth laughed. “More often than not for supper and only when the situation warrants it for the latter. I told you he has a heart for these little guys, right?”
Even with the hot dog, Willow could still manage to eat. Especially with food that smelled out of this world. Besides, she never pretended she wasn’t hungry. She could put away food with the best of the men. “Can I help with anything?”
“You can grab a couple more plates out of the cupboard to the left of the sink. Silverware is in the drawer underneath. Steve, would you get two glasses out and fill them with ice.”
Both Willow and Steve moved quickly. Beth was putting dinner on the table and both were anticipating a better offering than a roadside hotdog.
Willow breathed the enticing smells in deeply as Garrett, Beth’s husband, took his place at the head of the table.
“I see we have guests for dinner. Steve, did you smell lasagna from the other side of town? I don’t think you’ve ever missed a lasagna dinner.” He laughed a hearty, belly laugh.
Willow instantly liked him. And if she had the option, she wouldn’t miss one either. She had learned her lesson with the hotdog and didn’t put a morsel of food in her mouth until those providing the food started eating. Just like Steve, they prayed before they ate. She was learning this was a regular occurrence of people who lived in Oklahoma. She didn’t mind. She wasn’t raised in the church but she was raised to respect God and prayer was a part of that. She closed her eyes and joined them. The prayer was short. Apparently Garrett was hungry.
She took a bite of the piping hot lasagna just as Garrett asked her a question. “So, my wife tells me you are in need of a guard dog.”
She was trying to move the food around and not burn her tongue. She swallowed too quickly and thou
ght steam must have come out of her ears. She guzzled some tea before answering.
Steve was still blowing on his first fork full. “Be careful, it’s hot.”
Willow gave him a dirty look then answered Garrett. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I wouldn’t mind having a companion. I wouldn’t say I need a guard dog though. I think Steve is worried for nothing.” She started blowing on another fork full of food. “Besides, I told him I have all sorts of protective devices. An intruder will see the end of my shotgun if he tries to get in my house.”
Garrett laughed. “I like you. Aren’t you supposed to be a Yankee? I didn’t think Yankee’s liked guns.”
“You’ve got me mixed up with a liberal Yank. We’re two different breeds.”
He laughed again. “I really like you. Where’d you find this girl, Steve? You’ve got to keep her.” He took a drink of his tea and continued. “Think of it this way. A dog tells you when to load your gun. How does that sound?”
“I like it. Good point.” She could tell Steve and Garrett were related, even if only by marriage.
She looked around for the dogs and all six of them were lined up at the living room door with their noses directly on the line separating the two rooms. “Wow, they are well behaved.”
Garrett responded, “They know they won’t have a home for long if they don’t obey the rules. No dogs at the table.”
Willow, remembering what was said before dinner, looked at Beth who only responded with a raise of her eyebrows and a sly grin. He was certainly all talk. Even so, the dogs were well behaved.
The four of them finished supper and Steve and Willow helped clear the table. Working together things were cleared quickly and Willow found herself on the living room floor playing with the dogs. One in particular captured her heart. She looked to be a mix breed of lab, rot, and possibly shepherd. She took to Willow as well and didn’t leave her side for the remainder of her visit.
“I guess we know which dog I’m taking.” She hugged the puppy on her lap.
Steve asked to talk to Beth privately and left Willow to fend for herself for a few minutes. When they returned, Beth had a leash in her hand and Steve carried some food and a couple of dog dishes.
