A VENEER OF MURDER (Mrs. Fix It Mysteries Book 3)

by Belle Knudson

  “Oh, lots of things going on.”

  “I’m glad. You have a lot of business?”

  He stood, tall and lanky, with brown hair and brown eyes. He wasn’t a remarkable person to look at it, but Kate knew the man had the biggest heart in town. He probably got better looking as you fell in love with him.

  “I do. Have you met Kendall Stuart?”

  Maybe Larry would have something positive to say about her.

  He took off his John Deere hat then scratched the top of his head. They’d been good enough friends in the past for her to know that he was choosing his words carefully.

  “Well, I couldn’t say that I know her. I met her once. She isn’t really the type to need a hardware store, so I can’t say much about her.”

  “Okay.”

  “Is she a customer?”

  “Yes, and she has a lot of work for me.”

  “Maybe you need to concentrate on the fact that you’re getting paid.”

  Kate had to laugh. “I’ll remember that. Thanks, Larry.”

  Chapter Four

  Next stop was Carly’s Florist Shop. Today the coffee was cinnamon. One of Kate’s favorites. She stopped to fill up a mug while Carly helped a customer.

  The woman left. Carly turned her smile to Kate. “I hear you’ve got Kendall Stuart as a customer.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I just got off the phone with Larry. We were making lunch plans.”

  “He mentioned it?” Kate said.

  “Just in passing.”

  “Did he have an opinion?”

  Carly laughed. “You know Larry. He doesn’t want to say anything bad about anyone.”

  “Of course not. He was just as reticent when I asked for his opinion.”

  “She’s a pain. Just harmless.”

  “I’m hoping she’s harmless.”

  “She is.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Cold. Man, it’s been busy with the viewing tonight. I know you’re going. You want company?”

  “It’s a thought.”

  “Unless you have a male shoulder to offer you support?”

  Scott. “I have no plans to go to the viewing with Scott.”

  “Then let’s go together. I know it isn’t going to be easy for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  So much had happened the last few months. Carly was still her friend. It was one constant in her life.

  “Are you going to lunch with Larry today?”

  “No, tomorrow. I knew I was going to the viewing tonight. Tonight is the night he keeps the store open later so he won’t be attending.”

  Keeping the store open later on Monday was one of the changes that Larry had made at Grayson’s Hardware since he’d taken over for his father, who had been sent to prison for murder. Larry had been chief of the Rock Ridge Fire Department. He retired soon after the trial, focusing instead on running the store.

  He’d been slowly bringing the place up to date.

  “Let me get started on painting that wall.”

  “I have a ton of orders to get to by this evening,” Carly said.

  Kate had recently put up a wall to provide Carly with more storage space in her back room. She was now back to paint it the same cheery yellow that the rest of the area was coated with. Carly had picked out the color herself.

  She had already prepped the wall, so today she could just get down to painting. She thought the rest of the wall might need to be painted also, but she only did what Carly had wanted her to do. When you ran a business, you couldn’t do it all at once.

  Carly set up her flowers not far from where Kate was working. Should she share what Scott had shown her?

  “Scott showed me what he thought Meghan wanted me to see that night.”

  “Oh?”

  Kate poured paint into a pan with a liner. She straightened.

  “Apparently Greg took out a book from the library on doomsday preparations,” Kate said.

  “Greg? He didn’t even like to camp.”

  “I know. Odd, right?”

  “Does Scott think it will help him find Greg?”

  “He doesn’t know, but Scott doesn’t always tell me everything. I think he holds back because he doesn’t want me to worry.”

  “What is there to worry about? You don’t have your husband. If you could get closure that would be the best. I bet you don’t care what the outcome is at this point.”

  “Well, I don’t want him dead, but I’d live with it. I do just want closure.”

  “The chief of police wants it for you also,” Carly said.

  Yes, Scott would want that. It would open things up for him. She had no idea why he was so set on her. There were many eligible women, younger women, who were always throwing themselves at him. He didn’t even seem to notice.

  “For his own reasons.”

  “Those reasons are not bad. He is really smitten with you.”

  “Smitten? Are you eighty?”

  Carly laughed. “He is. He has such a crush on you. It’s so funny to see this big guy so sweet around you.”

  Kate stared at her for a moment. “Do people really talk about us?”

  “Yes, sorry. You’re a great topic.”

  “There isn’t a pool or anything like that.”

  Carly hesitated. “No, of course not. You’re well liked here, Kate. Other than the single women who want Scott for themselves, everyone wants to see you with him. They like him too.”

  “Guess it would be a win-win for the town.”

  Carly smiled. “It would be a win-win for you. He’s met your kids, right?”

  “Yes, he took them fishing when they were home before the fall semester.”

  “Wow. You let them spend time with him.”

  Kate shrugged. “I was working. He’d taken the day off. The boys like to fish. Sort of.”

  “Aren’t you tired of being the good wife? It’s been five years. Get a divorce already.”

  Kate had been thinking about it for the last few weeks. Spending time with Scott and seeing how easily her kids took to him made her wonder if she was doing the right thing by staying married.

  Scott was a good man. She could probably make a life with him. Having spent enough time alone to know herself, she’d been thinking that she didn’t want to spend her time alone anymore.

  But did she have the right to divorce Greg?

  “You need to look into it Kate. You deserve to be happy.”

  “I’m not unhappy.”

  “But you have this shadow in your eyes. I think his name is Greg. Think about this latest development. What did he want the book for, and why didn’t he return it? Did you look for it at your house?”

  “I did, but I didn’t find anything.”

  “Have you cleaned out his office yet?”

  “I’m getting there.”

  This was why she was friends with Carly. The woman would push her out of her comfort zone. Carly sighed. “Fine, but I’m not giving up.”

  “Can we talk about something else?”

  “Founder’s Day,” Carly said, laughing.

  She knew that Kate wasn’t a fan of festivals or much that had to do with crowds. Kate groaned. “Jessica roped me into building stuff for her. At least it will be before the whole shindig. I can stay home for the rest of it.”

  “Why stay home? You have someone to take you.”

  “Stop. You know I’m not a fan of these things. Too many people. It’ll probably be hot.”

  “So what are you building?”

  “Some viewing stands for the parade. I’m not building them, just fixing them,” Kate said.

  Carly nodded. “I haven’t found out from her what she needs in terms of flowers, yet.”

  “Will you bring people in to help?”

  Kate couldn’t imagine one person doing all of that work.

  “Yes, I will. Guess I can’t rope you in?”

  “Been there, done that. You promised never to ask me again.”

  C
arly laughed.

  It had been a disaster when Kate had helped last time. Flowers were not her thing.

  “I bet Scott asked you to go.”

  “Then he’ll be disappointed because I won’t go?”

  “Not even for Scott?”

  “Especially not for Scott.”

  ***

  A large yellow ribbon was strung across the entrance to the Dudley Stuart Community Center. It was finally being dedicated. Thankfully the community center was in the middle of the municipal complex, so Kate didn’t have to look at the library and be reminded of the events that had taken place there.

  Meghan’s viewing had been the night before and the whole town had turned out. Today the town was out in full force also. Kate didn’t know if they were all looking forward to the center reopening or if they wanted to see Dean stumble over the new name of the place he had renovated.

  Kate didn’t stay away either, but she was there to support Dean. A disc jockey played music. Balloons were everywhere. It was a party. Not that Kate felt like partying, but she figured today she could eavesdrop on conversations and see if she could find out anything about Meghan that might help Kate solve her murder case.

  She missed her friend, and Scott had been pretty close-mouthed about what was going on in the investigation. She did know that they hadn’t arrested anyone since they’d released Celia. She’d bet that they had no leads.

  Scott said that many crimes went unsolved, but that wasn’t good enough for Kate. Meghan’s murderer had to be brought to justice. The woman was a pillar of the community and a good friend. She’d taught many kids to read and could find anyone a book that they would want to read. That was a talent.

  To be brutally murdered and not bring the person responsible to justice didn’t sit well with Kate. She looked around to see who was there.

  Jessica and Dean waited by the ribbon. He’d get to cut it along with Jessica since it was named after her dead husband. Dean didn’t look nervous, but she’d bet he wanted to get his bride out of town for some time away.

  Something caught Kate’s eyes. She turned to see Clem Tully. Did he think this ceremony was obscene so soon after his sister’s death? He had an odd look on his face, and it seemed as if Kendall Stuart were stepping away from him. How would she know Clem? She couldn’t imagine that they traveled in the same circles.

  Clem was blue collar and Kendall thought she was high class. Maybe they’d known each other in school. Or maybe Kendall was giving her condolences to Clem. Kate shouldn’t be so suspicious, but the look on Clem’s face intrigued her.

  “Hello, beautiful,” Scott said in her ear.

  She jumped, putting her hand over her heart. “You scared me.”

  “Were you doing something that you shouldn’t be?”

  “Yes.”

  He chuckled. “You don’t often admit that.”

  She shrugged. “Looks like they are about to begin.”

  They both turned to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dean was in a suit. Kate had never seen him dressed that well other than at his wedding. He looked good. He cleaned up well. Jessica was the epitome of taste with her conservative pink sheath dress. Seeing her with Dean, Kate wondered what she had ever seen in Dudley. He was frumpy and old compared to her new husband.

  “I’m surprised you are here,” Kate whispered.

  “I am the chief of police. I have to make these appearances once in a while.”

  “Have you made your peace with Dean?”

  “We’ve come to a détente. Seems ridiculous to hate him since he probably didn’t break up my marriage.”

  “Very mature of you.”

  Mayor Harvy Stuart stepped up to the podium next to the ribbon. Everyone quieted down.

  “I’d like to welcome everyone to the rededication of the Rock Ridge Community Center as the Dudley Stuart Community Center. I’d like to thank Dean Wentworth and his crew for doing a great job at renovating the place. Harvy and I spent a lot of time at the center when we were young adults. I have fond memories.”

  He droned on for ten more minutes. Kate was impatient to get to Jessica’s house to finish staging it for sale. She shifted her weight from one leg to the other. Scott’s gaze went around the crowd.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “I’m a cop. I can’t stop observing.”

  “Find anything?”

  “No.”

  Jessica and Dean were handed a large pair scissors then cut the ribbon. A cheer went up in the crowd. Kate glanced back at where Clem had been standing, but he was gone. She wanted to talk to him so she looked around. She saw him again with Kendall. They seemed to be having an argument.

  Kate wanted to get closer to hear, but she couldn’t leave Scott without an explanation. Kate might be able to ask Kendall at some point how she knew Clem.

  “You have that look in your eye,” Scott said.

  “What look?”

  “You are pondering something. You better not be investigating.”

  “I don’t see the cops with any suspects.”

  “We are working on several leads. Your Meghan had led a bit of a wild life in college. We’re looking into that.”

  “Wild life?”

  Meghan? She didn’t even have a boyfriend.

  “Yes.”

  “Sounds like you are grasping at straws.”

  Scott shrugged. “We have to track down anything. Did she talk about anyone bothering her?”

  “You have my statement, Scott. I have nothing to add.”

  She didn’t want to talk about it again with him. They had no leads as far as she knew. She felt like she had to do something to shake up the investigation. Meghan had been her friend. She owed her at least that much of her time and effort. She had to find the killer.

  She didn’t enjoy interfering, but if they weren’t making any progress, maybe she could. People talked to her. She was all over town. Even if people thought she was dating Scott they still trusted her.

  Scott eyed her with a frown on his face. “What’s on for the rest of your day?”

  Her head spun with the rapid change in subject. Was he giving her tacit permission to follow her own investigation? He seemed frustrated with it all, which was odd. He was one of the most patient men she’d ever known.

  “I have to finish staging Jessica’s house for sale.”

  “Staging?”

  “Make the house look its best to get the right price, though I have a feeling I know who is going to buy it.”

  He looked down at her with eyes the color of steel. “Who?”

  “Kendall Stuart wants it because it is the biggest house in Rock Ridge.”

  “Figures.”

  Kate laughed. “I guess you’ve dealt with her then?”

  “She has a reputation already. Celia mentioned her once when we were at lunch.”

  “You had lunch with Celia?”

  “Jealous?”

  “No.”

  “It was a lunch that a local business provided for the police department. We invited some of the staff of the other departments because there was so much food.”

  “Makes sense, and yes I talked to Celia about Kendall. She isn’t making any friends, but she’d offered me a lot of work on her house.”

  “You taking the jobs?”

  “I have to, Scott. It’s money coming in the door.”

  Chapter Five

  Kate arrived at Jessica’s house after the dedication. She knew that Jessica was fully moved out and probably on her way out of town for a few days with Dean. How sweet they had looked at the ceremony.

  Kate dug into her purse for the key to the front door. She knew she’d put it in there for safekeeping. She hadn’t taken it out. Now she couldn’t find it.

  “Darn.”

  Carly’s van was parked across the street. The fire chief’s truck was farther down the road. Kids laughed at the house next door. It was a pleasant valley Sunday like The Monkees had sung about, except this was Rock Ridge and
it wasn’t Sunday.

  Jessica had given her the code to the garage just in case. Kate used it. The garage door opened. Jessica had left the alarm system off, thankfully. Kate didn’t need to explain to the cops why she was here. She had Jessica’s permission. The real estate agent knew it also.

  Kate entered the house and heard what she thought was the front door closing. She raced around to see if someone was there. She probably shouldn’t have. What if the person had a weapon? Scott would have been pissed at her.

  No one was at the front door. When Kate opened it she didn’t see anyone around. Then she was spooked. She’d heard a door slam. No windows were open, so it wasn’t the breeze.

  Kate hurried out the front door. Standing by her truck, she called 911. A patrol car arrived minutes later. Scott was only a few minutes behind it.

  “You didn’t have to come. You have officers to do this routine stuff,” she said.

  He looked her over, concern etched into his face. “It isn’t routine when it’s you.”

  The officer returned a few minutes later. “I don’t see any sign of forced entry.”

  “They must have been in the house when I arrived,” Kate said.

  “Let’s go in and look. Maybe you can tell if something’s been disturbed,” Scott said.

  Scott led her back into Jessica’s house. Right now she wanted to be anywhere but here. Hearing that door slam had spooked her, but she had a job to do. She could keep the front door open.

  They walked around with her. When she entered what had been Dudley’s office, things had clearly been disturbed. “Someone’s been in here.”

  “You sure?” Scott said.

  “Yes. I had things in order, but the knickknacks are knocked over and the drawers to the empty filing cabinet are opened a little.”

  “How do you notice that?” Scott said.

  “It’s those little touches that make the house sell, but they are subtle. It’s part of my job to notice these things.”

  Scott shrugged. He turned to the cop. “Ask the neighbors if they noticed anything.” The cop left. “I’m not optimistic, but I’ll file a report.”

  “Thanks, Scott.”

  “You going to be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine,” she lied.

  At least she didn’t have that much to do. Other than clean the office.