A Flair for Truffles (The Sadie Kramer Flair Mysteries Book 4)

by Deborah Garner

“The food bank…,” Matteo prompted.

  “Right,” Sadie said. She made herself focus. It was so easy to be distracted when in the presence of chocolate, not to mention chocolate and coffee combined. “The food bank. I’m planning to volunteer for their Valentine’s Day breakfast.”

  A sly smile crossed Matteo’s face. “Have they been warned?”

  “Funny guy,” Sadie said.

  Matteo laughed. “You know I’m kidding. I’ve known you to be involved in community activities a few times without getting into trouble. Although there was that auction incident…”

  “That wasn’t my fault,” Sadie protested. “I was just stretching!”

  “And the thrift shop’s sidewalk sale…”

  Sadie sighed. “Again, not my fault. I forgot my reading glasses that day and misread the decimal point.”

  “What were those again? Oh, I remember now,” Matteo said, much to Sadie’s dismay. “Designer bracelets that were supposed to be five dollars each.”

  “In my defense, I contributed the extra four dollars and ninety-five cents for each one at the end of the day,” Sadie said. He did have a point though. She should have thought over the price of those bracelets more carefully even though she thought she’d read the sign correctly. Five cents seemed too good to be true. She’d even bought a few for herself.

  “Back to the truffles,” Matteo said.

  “Yes.” Sadie cheered up, glad to see the subject switch back to the matter at hand.

  “I’ll have a box ready for you at the end of business today. I just need to make sure I fill all my customer orders first. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds wonderful,” Sadie said. “Thank you. And the food bank thanks you.” She grabbed one more truffle from the sample tray and headed to the door.

  “That remains to be seen,” Matteo said.

  “I heard that!” Sadie called back as she slipped out the door.

  * * *

  Amber, in between customers at the time Sadie walked into Flair, stood in front of the shop’s long mirror, holding two hangers, one against her chest, the other held away.

  “Can’t decide?” Sadie took a stance next to her, tilting her head as she pondered the ivory blouse Amber currently debated. “Maybe too sophisticated for a lunch date,” Sadie said. “Try the one in your other hand.”

  Switching arms, Amber held up a soft pink turtleneck. She scrunched up her shoulders and waited for Sadie’s opinion.

  “Appropriate for the holiday,” Sadie admitted. “That’s a definite maybe. Set it aside and think about it during the day.”

  “Good idea,” Amber said. She hung the turtleneck on the hold rack near the sales counter as the front door chimed. As she greeted a single incoming customer, Sadie retreated to her back office to catch up on boutique paperwork.

  “What do you think, Coco?” Sadie asked as she took Coco from her tote bag and let the Yorkie curl up on her lap. “Should we pay bills or order some scarves from Italy?”

  Always one to voice an opinion in line with Sadie’s, Coco propped her head on the edge of the desk and yipped.

  “Good choice,” Sadie said. “Scarves from Italy it is.” She pulled a sales catalog from a corner stack and opened it to a bookmarked section. As she began to look over color and pattern choices, Amber poked her head in.

  “Someone here to see you.”

  Sadie frowned. “Don’t tell me it’s someone who hopped on in unexpectedly.”

  “One and the same,” Amber said, well aware of Sadie’s nickname for the SFPD detective. “Should I send him back?”

  “Better off here than out in the store.” Sadie tapped her fingers on the scarf catalog as she waited for the detective to appear. Not even a minute later, he appeared in her office doorway. Sadie sighed. He could have at least browsed along the way, maybe found something for his wife. No stopping a man on a mission.

  “Good morning, Ms. Kramer.” Detective Frogert greeted Sadie and, without invitation, took a seat across the desk from her.

  Sadie retaliated by lifting Coco up and placing her on the desktop to wander around as she pleased. Noting the detective shrink back in the chair, Sadie felt a sense of satisfaction, as if she’d pulled off an unexpected move on a chess player.

  “I’m not fond of dogs, especially small ones,” Frogert said.

  Sadie nodded as if considering that as a serious statement. “Then I don’t recommend getting one for your police station. Or at least I wouldn’t put a Yorkie in your K-9 unit.”

  Straight-faced, Frogert ignored Sadie’s sarcasm and got right to the point. “I could use your help.”

  Sadie, taken off guard, simply said, “You could.” This came across as a vague statement, similar to the way one might say Huh.

  Frogert waited for more of a response. He ran his hand across his forehead and set it on the edge of the desk. Sadie fought back the urge to applaud when Coco scooted right over and licked his hand. He removed his hand just as quickly as he’d placed it there. He shook it in the air as if trying to flick off an insect. Resigned, he placed it on the arm of his chair. Coco, appearing insulted, trotted back across the desk and jumped into Sadie’s lap.

  “And just how could I help you?” Sadie said as she stroked Coco’s head with pride. A smile started to grow at the thought she was finally in the driver’s seat. It faded quickly when she realized she didn’t know what the vehicle was.

  “We’ve narrowed our investigation,” Frogert said. “We’re focusing on one individual now. I believe we met at his office.”

  “Luke Manning?” Well, obviously Luke Manning, Sadie thought as soon as the name crossed her lips. Zany Z’s is hardly an office. That hit Sadie from out of the blue. The police were focusing on one of the men? Not the women? Either she was way off track or they were clueless. Maybe some of each.

  “Yes,” Frogert said. “But this is confidential, you understand.”

  “Of course,” Sadie said, not understanding in the least. “How is it you think I could help? I don’t know him. I just stopped by his office that one time.”

  “But you mentioned your accountant recommended him,” Frogert said.

  “I did?” Now Sadie was truly baffled. She replayed discussions she’d had with the detective, trying to recall a conversation along those lines.

  “Not to me,” Frogert said, catching on to Sadie’s confusion. “To Manning’s receptionist, when you tried to see him.”

  “Oh, right,” Sadie said, recalling the excuse she’d given for being there. “But how did you... Oh, never mind. Silly question.” He was a detective, that’s how he knew. He would have gone to the office to question why she had gone there. The receptionist would have relayed the short conversation she and Sadie had exchanged during that visit.

  “I’ve made an appointment for you to see him,” Frogert continued.

  Sadie raised her eyebrows. “Isn’t he out of town?”

  “He was,” Frogert said. “Now he’s back from his fishing trip, and he’s in the office today. I was able to get you in at four thirty.”

  “Today?” Sadie questioned whether or not she’d heard correctly.

  Frogert nodded. “Yes, today. This is a murder investigation, as you know. Time is of the essence.” He reached forward to place his hand on her desk for emphasis but thought better of it and pulled it back.

  Time is of the essence? Who says that? Sadie gathered her thoughts. It was certainly short notice, and she didn’t feel like she owed Froggy any favors, but the appointment could work to her advantage. She might find out more about the mysterious woman from his office. Or at least get some advice about a money market account she’d been considering.

  “So are we set?” The detective leaned forward slightly, preparing to stand.

  Sadie nodded. “Why not? Is there anything in particular you want me to ask him?”

  This time Frogert stood. “I’ll brief you outside when you get there.”

  “Why not brief me now?” Sadie frown
ed, uncomfortable about not having all the information up front.

  “Because I want to be there anyway, for your protection,” Frogert said. “Right now I need to go buy my wife some of Matteo’s chocolate. Thank you for that reminder the other day.”

  Sadie stood after Frogert left. She placed Coco in the tote bag and grabbed her jacket. At least she could swing home and change into something worthy of a visit to the financial district before heading down there.

  “I have an unexpected appointment,” Sadie said as she stopped to see Amber on the way out. “Do you think you’ll be fine for the afternoon?”

  Amber nodded. “Definitely. Business is good, but not rushed.”

  Sadie looked around, noting only a couple of customers browsing. “Okay. Text me if you need anything.”

  “You look nervous,” Amber said. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

  “Absolutely. Nothing to worry about,” Sadie said. “It’s just a little financial consultation, and Froggy will be there.” She thanked Amber for covering and stepped outside.

  Right. Froggy will be there. For my protection. Great, just great.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Detective Frogert was already at the Stannon-Fielder building when Sadie arrived. His eyes widened slightly, and he nodded with approval as she walked up. This told her that wearing the conservative dress and jacket she usually reserved for bank meetings and funerals had been the right choice. The string of pearls had obviously been a good choice as well, as tempted as she’d been to wear her seasonal reindeer necklace with flashing red noses.

  “Good afternoon,” Frogert said formally as if he hadn’t just seen her hours before. “I’ll get right to the point.”

  “An excellent plan,” Sadie quipped. The sooner the charade was over, the better. Coco, either in agreement or disturbed by the recognizable voice, yipped twice, causing Frogert to stare at Sadie’s tote bag and frown. She smiled. “You were saying?”

  Frogert cleared his throat. “Yes. We know your late husband was a well-known real estate developer and investor, so it won’t seem odd that you’re paying a visit to Manning Property Holdings.”

  “I see,” Sadie said. Of course she saw. He’d done his homework. She’d started off as a person of interest, thanks to Gladys—er, Mags—the victim’s nosy neighbor. “So what is it I’m meeting with him about?”

  “It’s very simple,” Frogert said.

  I doubt it, Sadie thought.

  “You simply need to ask about possible investment opportunities,” Frogert continued.

  “That’s it?” Piece of cake. Chocolate, preferably.

  “Yes, that and one more thing.”

  Sadie resisted the urge to sigh. She knew it had sounded too easy.

  “Somewhere in the conversation, we need you to ask about his fishing trip.”

  Right. That’ll fit right into a financial discussion with an advisor I’ve never met before.

  “His fishing trip,” Sadie repeated. “You want me to ask about his fishing trip? How do you suggest I work that little tidbit in? And do I get some sort of junior deputy badge for doing this? You know, like the national parks give out?”

  “No,” Frogert said flatly. “You can say your late husband was fond of fishing.”

  Sadie laughed. “Morris hated fishing.”

  Frogert’s tone became impatient. “Mr. Manning won’t know that. And you’re being asked to help the SFPD here, which I’d consider an honor. So I wouldn’t be so flippant.”

  Sadie straightened up quickly but only out of indignation, not because of the detective’s insulting remark. She hardly considered being sent in to interrogate a murder suspect an honor.

  “Just what do you want me to ask?”

  “Mention something about Morris liking to try different fishing techniques, including those using nets of some sort.”

  Sadie’s eyes lit up. “The murder weapon was a fishing net? The victim was strangled?” She practically beamed with excitement. Great news! Okay, not exactly great news for the victim, obviously, but a great clue.

  Frogert stepped forward abruptly. “Ms. Kramer, please lower your voice. You know I can’t divulge details about an ongoing investigation. I’m simply asking you to mention something in order to see how he reacts to the phrase.”

  “I understand,” Sadie said. Froggy was really starting to get on her nerves. Now she just wanted to get the whole thing over with. “What time do you have, Detective?”

  Frogert twisted his wrist and looked down at a basic but functional watch. “Four twenty-three. No, make that four twenty-four.”

  “Well, it’s not polite to be late to an appointment.” Sadie walked to the elevator and pushed the Up button. Frogert followed her.

  “You feel comfortable with the assignment?”

  Sadie watched the panel above the elevator door. The descending numerals were lighting up one by one, indicating the elevator was on its way down. She wasn’t keen on the idea of the meeting itself, but leaving Froggy behind was appealing. “I wouldn’t say comfortable is the right word, Detective,” she said. “Informed, yes.”

  Much to Sadie’s relief, the elevator bell chimed, the doors opened, and she stepped inside. Turning to face outward, she pushed the button for the seventeenth floor and was delighted to see the detective’s face disappear as the sliding metal doors came together.

  The ride to Manning Property Holdings passed quickly, thanks to the absence of other passengers. Stepping into the lobby, Sadie was struck with the feeling that the marble tiling seemed colder than on her first visit and the sparse décor even plainer. The ambiance of the place wasn’t her style at all. If she really were interested in investing at the time, this wouldn’t be a company she’d pick. She’d simply look around and walk out. In fact, that very idea seemed suddenly appealing. If not for Froggy waiting below, she would have done exactly that. Still, on the upside, he’d given her a perfect excuse to fish—she chuckled out loud at the play on words—for information. She wasn’t about to pass that up.

  “May I help you?” The same receptionist she’d encountered before looked up from the desk, an expression on her face that Sadie took as disapproval. Apparently, chuckling out loud was frowned upon at Manning Property Holdings, yet another reason to not give them her business.

  “Yes, thank you,” Sadie said. “I’m here to see Luke Manning.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  In spite of herself, Sadie smirked. “Yes, I do.” Coco yipped to back up her claim. Conveniently, the reception desk’s intercom buzzed at the same time, muffling the tiny bark.

  “Yes, Mr. Manning.” After a brief pause, the receptionist continued. “Yes, I believe Ms. Kramer has just arrived.” Another pause. “Yes, I’ll tell her.” She looked at Sadie with a forced smile. “He’ll be right out.”

  “Thank you!” Sadie chirped cheerfully, simply to annoy the woman. She strolled over to an arrangement of photographs on the lobby wall, all boasting impressive structures with stunning backdrops of bay views and sunsets. She turned back toward the reception desk at the sound of footsteps approaching.

  “Ms. Kramer?”

  Sadie recognized Luke Manning immediately. At least the receptionist hadn’t been lying before about him not being in. This was definitely the attractive man she’d seen leaving the building on her first visit. And he was just as attractive this time, right down to his firm, no-nonsense handshake and welcoming smile. Maybe she would give him some business after all. Unless he was the killer, of course. Then it would be out of the question.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Manning,” Sadie said in her most business-worthy voice.

  “Please call me Luke. Let’s go to my office.” Luke ushered Sadie down a hallway and into a spacious corner room. In contrast to the austere lobby, the office featured warm, rich colors, overstuffed chairs, and a spectacular view. Sadie felt immediately at home and even more certain he wasn’t the killer. Whatever had caused Froggy to narrow the se
arch in this direction was beyond her.

  “I knew your late husband, Morris,” Luke said. “I was sorry to hear he’d passed away.”

  That took Sadie by surprise, though she wasn’t sure why. She didn’t recall Morris mentioning Manning Property Holdings, but Morris had worked with dozens of companies. They’d rarely discussed his business dealings; they’d always made a point of keeping business and personal life separate. However, the unexpected remark on Luke’s part gave Sadie the perfect opening right off the bat.

  “Thank you,” Sadie said, politely accepting the condolences. “Did you know him from business or fishing?”

  Luke looked surprised but not uncomfortable in any way as she would expect a guilty person to be. Froggy would be disappointed. “I knew him from a deal over in the East Bay,” he said. “I didn’t know Morris liked to fish.”

  He didn’t, Sadie thought to herself. “He just dabbled in it,” she said aloud.

  “Well, if I’d known that, I would have invited him along on the boat with us. We go out at least twice a month during the season.”

  “During the season?” Sadie repeated.

  “Crab season,” Luke said. “There’s a group of us guys who get together.”

  “Ah,” Sadie said. “Like a club for men, but with fishing poles?” It was a ridiculous comment, but it might lead to some detail that could come in handy.

  Luke laughed. “Crab nets, not fishing poles. And some women go out on the trips too. Not many, but a few.” He offered Sadie coffee or tea, which she politely declined, and then got down to business. “So tell me what I can do for you. The message I was given said you’re looking into some type of investment.”

  “Yes,” Sadie said. “But I don’t know what exactly.” True statement indeed. “Morris always handled those types of things. I just thought I’d touch base with you in case you know of anything coming up.”

  Luke ran through a variety of possibilities. Sadie nodded in what she hoped was a knowledgeable manner, repeating his phrases now and then for effect.

  “Why don’t I put together a proposal for you,” Luke said. “I’ll include a variety of options. We have another project forming in the East Bay, as well as several in Marin and Alameda counties. Give me about a week to prepare it, and then we can discuss whatever looks interesting to you.”