Death At A Diner: A Culinary Cozy Mystery (A Murder In Milburn Book 1)

by Nancy McGovern

  When Nora didn’t say anything, Harvey laughed. “So that’s how it is. Sean poured a little honey into one ear, a little poison into another, and all the faith you had in me evaporated.”

  “It wasn’t Sean.” Nora pulled the car over and jerked up the hand brake, then turned to face Harvey. “It was Santino that made me wonder. He had no reason to lie, neither does Sean really, and they both are convinced that it was in your benefit for Raquel to die.”

  Harvey said nothing.

  “So did you do it?” Nora asked. “Did she have proof that your real estate empire is all built on dirty money? Was she threatening to tell the police? Why did your partner go missing in the first place?”

  “I don’t know,” Harvey said, his voice dangerously quiet.

  “What ties do you have to Santino? Why do you owe him money?”

  “I don’t,” Harvey said, his voice no louder than an indrawn breath.

  “Harvey, for the love of-”

  He turned to her, and she saw the look of a trapped animal in his eyes, the kind of animal with its paw caught in a trap, that snaps at anyone who tries to help. She reached out to touch him, and he pushed her away.

  “Don’t,” Nora said softly. “I need you to be honest with me, Harvey.”

  “I need you to believe me,” Harvey said. “But I guess we both just have to live disappointed lives, don’t we?”

  “You’re desperate for help, underneath that façade of calm,” Nora said. “I wish you’d trust me enough, just this once, to-”

  “I do trust you,” he said. “It’s just that I… I can’t…” He put his hands in his hair, and bent over, letting out a scream of anguish. “It’s eating me inside, Nora. Do you know what that feels like? When everything you’ve ever dreamed of, a dream that you’d just managed to clasp in your hands, is snatched away from you before you can taste it?”

  “Do I?” Nora laughed. “Harvey, my diner is gone. My best friend is gone.”

  “Your diner?” Harvey looked up, confused. “I thought you’d delay the opening a bit, but why is it gone?”

  Briefly, Nora told him about how she had given the down payment and how the bank loans were supposed to be paid using Raquel’s money, which was now in the hands of a cult that would never give it back.

  “If I can’t make those payments, I can’t open it,” Nora said. “My dream will be stillborn.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Harvey put a hand on hers and squeezed. She shut her eyes, leaned back her head and savored the warmth of his hand on hers. From behind her eyes, two tears trickled down her cheeks. “I feel horrible, really, that part of me even cares about the diner when all I should care about is Raquel.”

  Harvey nodded and squeezed her hands again. “It’s normal,” he said. “The dead leave us with all the bits of life that we shared with them. Your diner, well, Raquel would have wanted it to open. It’s a pity her parents gave that money away. It’s almost like giving her last wish away.”

  “I wish she was still here,” Nora said. “But now that she’s not, all I want is to find out who killed her, and the thought, even the suspicion that it could be you, the one person in this town that I…” She silenced herself, and rubbed at her cheeks. “Sorry,” she said, sniffing. “I guess the day’s events just caught up with me.”

  In response, he held her by the shoulders, leaned over, and delicately kissed the trail of tears on her cheeks. Finishing, he kissed her lips and then pressed his forehead against her.

  “It’s been rough on you,” he said.

  “I don’t care if it has,” Nora said fiercely. “Raquel told me when my parents died that grief can make you can run to a dream or to destruction. That time, I ran towards a dream. This time, I’m going to run towards destruction. The destruction of whoever killed her.”

  “Even if it were me?” Harvey asked.

  “Even if it were you,” she said.

  “It wasn’t,” Harvey said, “but I can see that unless I tell you more, you’ll never leave it alone. Do you want to know how I’m linked to Raquel and Santino?”

  “More than anything.”

  “Fine. When I first came into town, I came here with an idea that my biological father would recognize me, would treat me as his own son. Instead, the man threw me out of his house and threatened to throw me in jail.”

  Nora nodded.

  “I didn’t tell you how that ate at my soul. The one man whose approval I wanted more than anything told me that I was a worthless stain that would never amount to much,” Harvey said. “I was determined to prove him wrong. It’s like you said, in grief, you run to a dream or destruction. I ran towards what I thought was a dream, and I was wrong.”

  “What happened?”

  “Santino makes a lot of money,” Harvey said. “A lot of very illegal money that he needs to launder. He offered me some as a loan, to start my business off with. At the time, I thought he was genuinely impressed with how hard I worked, and that he was a legitimate businessman.”

  “So you took the money?”

  “I did. As did my partner, Donald. We worked very hard, we repaid the loan, and business was good. Then Santino came up to us with an offer. I won’t tell you the details because, well, if I get arrested, I don’t want you to be caught too. Suffice to say that it was illegal, but it would make us a lot of money.” Harvey laughed. “Santino actually made it sound like he was doing us a favor, can you believe it? I suppose in his eyes, he was. But me, I wanted my business to be clean.”

  “What then?”

  “Donald was eager to take the money. I refused,” Harvey said. “So Santino started trying to pressure me by claiming that I’d never paid back his original loan. I now owed him a lot of money.” Harvey shook his head. “Raquel knew that I’d repaid the loan since she was my accountant, and she had proof of it. Maybe that’s the reason Santino silenced her.”

  “You aren’t telling me everything,” Nora said. “Why would Donald disappear? Why would Santino make a bogus claim?”

  “I’m still trying to figure that out,” Harvey said. “Nora, believe me, I had nothing to do with Raquel’s death. I’m not a good man but I’m no murderer.”

  “I don’t know,” Nora said. “When you pointed that gun at Santino today, it was plain you had no qualms about killing him.”

  Harvey put a hand through her hair, gripped it tight. “He threatened you,” Harvey said. “I’ll see him dead or in jail for it.”

  A flutter went through Nora’s heart. “Even if it costs you?”

  “Even if it costs me my life,” Harvey said. “I’m a mild man, Nora. I don’t get angry easily. But if I’m pushed too far…”

  He let the sentence trail off as he stared into her eyes. For a moment, the two stayed like that, hearts beating in sync, breaths mingling together.

  “The town doesn’t like me much right now, you know,” Nora mused. “I just about angered everyone when I implied it wasn’t a hitch hiker who killed Raquel.”

  “It might still turn out to be,” Harvey said. “We’re just playing guesswork, and Sean isn’t going to tell us anything the police have uncovered.”

  “I wish there were a way to make him talk,” Nora said.

  “You might,” Harvey said, a tinge of jealousy creeping into his voice. “He likes you, you know.”

  Nora shook her head. “I don’t think so. Not after what I said to him today.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Just… that he shouldn’t start a witch hunt, not for his step brother,” Nora said.

  Harvey looked away from her, out at the river babbling beside the road. “I suppose someone in town told you?” he asked.

  “No. I just always wondered why Sean seemed to irrationally dislike you when everyone else in town loved you. When you told me the story about the rich rancher who refused to call you his son, I suppose my mind just put the two facts together.”

  “Did he…” There was a note of longing in Harvey’s voice. “What did he say?
”

  “That I shouldn’t start spreading rumors about his father unless I wanted to deal with him,” Nora said. “I’m sorry, Harvey.”

  Harvey shook his head, mute. “Never mind. That’s how it is, isn’t it? I wouldn’t expect anything less from that family.”

  But as they drove back into town, Nora remembered that note of longing, and the hurt look in his eyes, and her dislike of Sean increased.

  *****

  Chapter 20

  They had lunch in a small sandwich shop off Main Street. Famous for its fresh baked bread, Sam’s Sammies was a fairly new shop that had earned itself rave reviews, and always had a line that stretched to the street during lunch hour. The place itself was a tiny room, with a single counter dividing the cashier and sandwich makers from the hungry public. The menu had only five daily sandwiches, and the only option was take out. Not that people minded, what with the park right down the street, with its shady oak trees and its view of the Tetons.

  “Pastrami, olive bread, with extra lettuce,” Harvey said, putting a bottle of local beer on the counter. “Also, I’d like one of your mint cookies, please.”

  “I’ll have the cream cheese and cucumber with French bread, thanks,” Nora said.

  She kept her voice low, conscious of the glares others were giving her. She heard a brief hiss behind her and wondered if she was only being paranoid, or if it really was directed at her.

  Harvey grabbed the paper bags, put a dollar in the tip jar, and put his sunglasses on. “Good weather to eat out.” He smiled. He stepped to the back of the line and handed the mint cookie to Ashley, who was frowning at the chalkboard menu.

  “Ashley,” he smiled. “Aren’t pregnant women supposed to skip the line?”

  “Oh, I’m still undecided between the barbeque chicken sandwich and the corn cutlet sandwich,” Ashley sighed.

  “Why not both?” Harvey smiled. “Now go quickly and don’t be on your feet too long. I got you the mint cookie because I’m always seeing you snack on these.”

  “They’re divine,” Ashley said. “I’m addicted to them. As for the sammies – I suppose I’ll just get both and give Jeremy whatever I can’t finish.”

  “Harvey, dear, we’ve all been so worried.” May Almand, who was standing next to Ashley, stepped out of the line to talk to them.

  “May.” Harvey looked surprised, then nodded pleasantly. “How’s the Mayor doing? Ready to campaign soon? Not that he needs to.”

  “George is good.” May’s smile broadened. “I heard Sheriff wanted to see you about a dead body that’s been found on the highway? He heard a rumor you’d skipped town, but I told him that’s just impossible. You love us all too much, don’t you?”

  “Some more than others.” Harvey smiled, his eyes twinkling.

  Good lord, he was smooth, Nora thought. May was blushing like a kindergartener getting an A+ from her favorite teacher. He had to be, of course, for a virtual stranger like him to be adopted and loved by the town. Nora wished she had a smidge of his charm as well, but her awkward, solitary nature and her last meeting with May in the pancake house were not easily overcome, she supposed.

  “Sheriff seems to be focusing his attention in all the wrong places anyway,” May said with a sniff. “It’s bound to be a hitchhiker who’s done it.”

  Harvey shrugged. “I’ll let the sheriff decide.”

  Ashley shuddered. “That’s horrible.”

  May nodded.

  “It is horrible. We’ve passed by that road and never imagined a body could be buried there!” She said. “A real spate of bad luck for the town.”

  Nora, irritated at the look May had given her when claiming it had to be a hitchhiker’s crime, chimed in. “Of course, two bodies, found in such a short span of time, that’s somewhat suspicious isn’t it? They’ve got to be linked. If it helps catch the murderer that’s good luck for the town.”

  “Oh, you’ve got a mind for conspiracy theories.” May smiled in a condescending way.

  “Sheriff said the man has been dead at least ten years,” Ashley said. “So I don’t think the crimes could be linked.”

  “Unless the murderer is someone in town,” Nora said. “Unless they’ve waited ten years to strike again.”

  Ashley paled again. “It scares me when you say things like that, Nora. It’s terrifying to think of. I’ve taken to locking my doors at night.”

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about,” May said, putting a protective hand around Ashley’s shoulders. “Stop it with your theories, Nora. This town is a safe space. We’re neighbors, we’ve known each other all our lives. It would be impossible for a murderer to live ten years among us.”

  “Would it?” Nora asked. “I loved my uncles. I thought I knew them, and when the time came, they sold my house and left me homeless without a second thought. The people we think we know can hide their inner natures surprisingly well, at times.”

  “I think I know you,” May said. “So tell me, Nora, what hidden nature are you keeping from me?”

  “Whoever killed Raquel had to have known her,” Nora said. “She wouldn’t have let them into the diner otherwise. There’s people who had motive too, people who benefited from her death.”

  “Oh, yes,” May said. “It’s the first rule of being a detective, isn’t it? Your strongest suspect must be the person who’d profit the most from a death. The husband, the kids, any love rival.” May gave Nora a pointed look. “The business partner.”

  Ashley swayed a little. “I–I think I-”

  Harvey was immediately by her side, leading her to a chair. “That’s it, you’re taking another week off work, Ashley,” he said.

  The line of people had halted, and a crowd formed around Ashley. May, however, stayed on the edge of the crowd, and harshly said to Nora, “You did profit, didn’t you? With Raquel gone, you’re sole owner of the diner.”

  “I’m sole owner of the loan,” Nora said.

  “Oh yes, the loan. The loan you went to ask her parents to pay for,” May said scornfully.

  “How did-”

  “There’s not much I don’t know,” May said, her words biting. “I know you went to the cult’s ranch. I know you went to see Santino, and, my dear, so does the sheriff.”

  Nora looked up, and Sean stepped into the restaurant, hands tucked into his pockets, badge flashing on his chest. “A word, Nora?”

  *****

  Chapter 21

  “Sean.” Nora stepped outside with him, a little confused. “What is it?”

  “I got a call from the cult of the supreme truth,” Sean said. “They wanted me to arrest you for trespassing and threatening their lives.”

  “That’s a total lie!” Nora said.

  “Oh, I know it is, believe me,” Sean said. “I’m just annoyed you went there without asking me.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know I needed official permission,” Nora said angrily.

  “Nora, don’t do this. You could have been in danger. You sure enough were afterward, when you went to Santino’s. I’ve told you not to mess around with the likes of Harvey or the cult. Is it so hard to understand?” Sean’s voice, always so controlled, was rising like an eagle’s cry.

  “Sheriff.” Harvey stepped out too, the paper bags with the sandwiches still in his hands. “Working hard at solving your cases, I see.”

  “Butt out, Harvey,” Sean snapped. “I’m talking to Nora.”

  “Is she being detained?” Harvey asked.

  “Of course not. I--”

  “Great,” Harvey hooked his arm over Nora’s shoulders. “You want to go, sweetheart?” Deliberately, he bent down and grazed his lips over hers.

  Sean’s nostrils flared, his eyes flaming with anger. Once more, Nora felt that flash of fear. If Sean was provoked, and he felt he was justified, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do to hurt Harvey.

  “Harvey, I’m really sorry but can I please talk to Sean for just a second?” she said.

  Harvey stiffened, and his arm
dropped from her shoulders. “No problem.” He looked a little hurt. “I guess I’ll just wait for you in the park then.”

  “Harvey…” Nora held on to his hand when he stepped away. He looked back, and she saw the same hurt in his eyes that she’d seen in the car.

  “It’s all right,” Harvey said. “You need to talk, to clear your mind of suspicions. I understand, I really do. Take your time. I’ll wait.”

  “Harvey, no--”

  But Harvey only dropped his sunglasses over his eyes again and gave Sean a nod. Sean watched him walk away, then took Nora’s hand and led her away from the gawking crowd that was hanging around Sam’s.

  “Nora, I thought we were friends,” he said, sounding disappointed.

  “I thought so too,” Nora said. “Sean, I only went to the cult because I wanted to give my condolences to Raquel’s parents. But what I saw there… Stanley’s a dangerous man, Sean, and he’s got a very strong motive to do what he did. You told me once that I should give you my observations? Well, here they are: I think Raquel’s father was forced to hand that money over to Stanley. I think he’s being kept against his will in that compound. You have to save him, Sean, and you have to investigate if Stanley could have--”

  “You think I haven’t?” Sean asked. “It was one of the first things I looked into very seriously, Nora. But it’s a dead end. Raquel’s father, David, testified that he’s there willingly, and he seemed to be of sound mind. There’s nothing I could do. I’m not saying Stanley didn’t do it – he certainly has a strong motive – but he has a stronger alibi. All my suspects, in this case, seem to.”

  “If you’re talking about Harvey, you’re wrong,” Nora said. “He had nothing to gain from Raquel dying.”

  “Oh, didn’t he?” Sean asked. “Why did you go to Santino’s then, Nora? What could you possibly have wanted?”

  “How did you know about that?” she asked.

  “I knew the second you walked into the reception of his dude ranch. You think I don’t have eyes watching the most corrupt man in the county?” Sean asked. “Though god knows Harvey will probably outrun him for that title soon enough.”