by Misty Simon
“Well, she definitely wasn’t dead when the ambulance took her, so that’s good. I’ve about had my fill of dead bodies. I’m hoping she’ll be able to tell us who did what to her. I have no idea how anyone had time to hurt her or how they were so quiet about it. We should have heard something, yet I heard nothing at all.”
“Was Burton grilling you?”
It hit me that he hadn’t actually grilled me and had in fact handed me information that I didn’t strictly need to know. Plus, there had been no heavy sighing, which was much different from our usual encounters. “Strangely enough, no. He, of course, told me to stay out of it, but he wasn’t grilling me—I think because I had already given him everything I had, which was apparently more than he had in the first place.”
He kissed me again. “My Lady Detective.” Circling his arms around my waist, he pulled me in closer. “So I guess there’s no way you’d back off if I asked you now?”
“Gina’s still not in the clear.” I stepped out of his embrace because the chatter was getting louder out in the room, and I wanted to make sure everything was okay. Plus, I didn’t want to get caught with my boyfriend if anyone walked back. It shouldn’t have mattered, but it did in the town where most people knew me and everyone who did immediately reported to my father. Not to mention the fact that I was still technically working. My dad would have a fit if he found me in Max’s arms when I should be out making sure that everyone was comfortable and engaged.
And I needed to be out there trying to find out who could have hurt poor Brenna and if it was the same person who killed Craig. Did we have a serial maniac on the loose?
Two incidents so close together was not a good thing in any way. And while they had something in common, I didn’t know who was out to get Craig and now someone who had shouted that she was pregnant. Was it an acquaintance? Someone he’d dated? His widow?
Time to do some canvassing of the crowd. It would be easy enough to talk to everyone while they had coffee and hopefully reminisced about Craig. I was interested to hear some good things about him since I had only heard bad things so far. He couldn’t have been all bad or he wouldn’t have had all these women throwing themselves at him. But I hadn’t seen much to recommend him as of yet.
Grabbing a pot of coffee, I started making the rounds.
I stopped at the first table and poured while listening to chatter about the beautiful houses and buildings his firm had made, how he worked hard all the time to make sure people got what they wanted under budget and with as many extras as he could possibly give them.
The next table talked about the way he gave to charities and always came around at food drives to make sure everyone was taken care of.
Saint or sinner? I wasn’t sure, maybe a little bit of both.
The next table held Craig’s parents.
“My boy, my poor baby boy. He had so much life and love left in him and now it’s all snuffed out.”
I had tissues in my pocket from the memorial, so I handed a few over while I poured Craig’s mother some more coffee. Mr. Johnson held his wife’s hand and patted her back.
I knew none of these people. And that was going to be a problem when it came to trying to ferret out information. I was used to my town where everyone knew someone and someone could help. I might have to consider finding an insider. Then the trick would be in getting them to talk things up and see if I couldn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together myself with the extra information.
It was worth considering, and I did just that as I continued around the room with a pot of coffee.
I found one woman sitting by herself with a sad smile on her face. Perhaps she could be my first try at getting a mole.
“So sad to see him go,” I said, pouring the coffee and sidling up to her lone chair against the wall of the old case of apothecary items that Gina had inherited when she purchased the shop.
The woman gave me a weak smile. “Yes, it is. He was very generous with his time when he was alive. I don’t know what we’ll do without him at the club.”
“The club?”
“Oh yes. It’s a gentlemen’s club across the river. He was a frequent visitor to my girls. He spent money often and we’ll miss that.”
“Of course. Well, I hope you find another patron.” It wasn’t the smartest thing to say, but then what did you say to someone who ran the local nudey bar lamenting that her best customer was no longer alive to shove dollar bills down ladies’ G-strings?
Moving on, I went to the next grouping of people. There were enough bodies in here that seats were rotated out. As one person got up to get something else to eat or to talk with another group, someone else would take the vacant seat and strike up a conversation. They seemed to all know each other in some capacity.
If only I could find an in.
My next likely candidate had been in the middle of a group of men dressed in business suits. When she rose from the chair, she looked like a goddess. About my age, if not a little younger, with long, flowing black hair and china blue eyes. She was striking and I wondered if that was why all the men were around her.
Then one called out, “I expect a call next week for a meeting, Amanda. Don’t disappoint me. I want in on that construction deal as soon as possible.”
Businesswoman, perhaps a savvy one. I didn’t know if I’d get her to talk to me, but it might be worth a try as she walked over to the small line waiting for the restroom.
“Can I get you anything while you wait?” I asked, hoping she might say no but that we could still talk.
“Oh, no thanks, sweetie. The last thing I need is another drink with my bladder this full. Although if you could talk our lovely barista into getting me another one of those fabulous cinnamon rolls, I certainly wouldn’t object.”
The line moved up and she turned away to follow it. My chance at her was lost in the line and the conversation she struck up with the woman in front of her.
I was not batting a thousand here today. I had to find a way around the insider stuff.
Who did I know on the other side of the river who I could tap for information?
After wracking my brain, I couldn’t think of anyone, but then the front door opened with a tinkle and my cousin Deandra was standing in the doorway like a light. She moved in this circle. She was an interior decorator and would probably know everything I could ask for. I tried to make my way over to her, but was pulled up short by a woman who looked like she should still be in high school except for the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
“Do you mind finding out when this is all supposed to be over? I don’t want to overstay my welcome, but it’s so comfortable and cozy in here that I don’t want to leave sooner than I absolutely have to either.”
Her smile carried right up to her eyes. The red hair piled on top of her head made me think of a doll, and the perfect porcelain skin made me want to check to see if she had troweled makeup on or if she really was that flawless.
“I’m glad you like the atmosphere. Gina works hard to make sure everyone feels welcome here and doesn’t want to leave until they have to.”
“Well, you tell Gina she is doing a marvelous job.” She smiled at me, crinkling those eyes, and then stuck her hand out. “Lily Kellerton.”
“Tallie Graver.” We shook, her hand dry and firm. A good handshake, not overpowering. Also, not one of those where I felt like I might break her, or that maybe I should lean over and buss the back of her knuckles like visiting royalty.
“Is that her?” Lily pointed over my shoulder.
I turned my head and found Gina coming out of the back with a grin on her face. That smile fell, and so did mine, when I also saw Michelle heading her way.
Now, Michelle could have been looking for Gina to thank her for opening up the coffeehouse to hold the wake since the parlor was currently under investigation. But I didn’t feel that vibe coming off her, especially with the sickly sweet and completely smarmy smile she was aiming at my best friend.
; “I should go and make sure everything’s okay,” I said to Lily. Without waiting for a reply, I hightailed it over to Gina’s side just in time.
“I don’t understand why you won’t let me buy it, Gina. It’s a perfectly good deal and even gives you a little something extra so that you can find your true calling.”
“This is not the time, and it’s certainly not the place.” Gina’s voice was low in contrast to the high, happy voice Michelle was using. The exchange gained attention, and I braced myself. I waved to Max to turn the low music up a little bit and circle with food to distract. Not that it would probably work, but at least I would have tried.
“I think it’s a perfectly good time, and this is the perfect place. I want your coffee shop. As far as my lawyer and my accountant are concerned, I have the money to not only buy it, but also to turn it into what it should be instead of what you’ve made it.”
That was not going to go over well. I admired Gina for keeping her voice down even though her hand was fisted.
“I don’t need or want your money, and the place is not for sale. If you want to buy something else and set up a competing shop, then I say go for it. You can get all the equipment you need, and the customers, and the food, and coffee presses you want, and you can make a go of it. Some. Where. Else.”
“Hi, ladies.” I inserted myself between the smiling buffoon and the angry best friend.
“Tallie, let it go.” Gina kept her gaze on Michelle. “I can take care of myself. I believe Michelle was just leaving.”
“Well, you believe wrong,” Michelle answered, taking her bravado and riding it like a dying horse. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going to kick me out of my own husband’s wake, are you? That would be ludicrous, and you might not be smart, but I don’t believe you’re ludicrous.”
My new acquaintance, Lily, came up to stand next to us. I tried to tell her not to get involved since there were already too many people paying attention, but that wasn’t to be.
Lily, with her young-girl looks and her perky smile, walked right up to Michelle and smacked her across the face. We all stood there stunned, the crack was that loud.
“I’d like everyone’s attention please,” Lily said to the room at large. Since no one was talking after that slap, there wasn’t much quieting to do. “Thank you,” she continued. “I know that I’m a stranger here, but I’d just like to introduce myself.” She turned to face Michelle, who held her hand against her cheek and was shocked enough from the slap to not have moved yet. “Twenty years ago, Craig Johnson and I were married. He never divorced me, which means that you, my dear, have been living a lie. You’re not the widow, because I am.”
Not a peep could be heard. I didn’t even dare to breathe and neither did most of the rest of the room.
“If you think you have the money, or especially the taste, to remake this beautiful café, you are sadly mistaken,” Lily continued. “In fact, I believe you probably have no money at all. You might want to take that into consideration before you start trying to bully people with your checkbook.”
Chapter Eight
Silence reigned supreme. It was like someone had hit the mute button. And then Michelle ran from Lily as if she had set the whole place on fire. Chaos erupted in every corner. People talking and muttering, a few women yelling and swearing. Gina leaned back against the counter with her arms crossed and a small smile on her face.
“Gina,” I whispered, hoping no one else would hear and that the wailing of Michelle would be enough to cover up our conversation.
“Yes, Tallie.”
“Do you think it’s true?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t doubt it at all. Just think what that does to Michelle and her precious plans. I don’t think she’s going to have a pot to piss in when this woman is done with her. Have at it, Lily. Go get her.”
Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Michelle had been a thorn in my side this whole time with her accusations against Gina and her bitchy, mightier-than-thou attitude. This would certainly bring her down a notch. Especially for her to think she was superior to all the “other” women only to find out that she herself was now one, too. That had to be brutal.
She deserved every second.
But she shouldn’t be doing it in the middle of Gina’s coffeehouse. Plus, maybe she was so rattled that she’d talk in hopes of finding a sympathetic ear. I wouldn’t be sympathetic, but I certainly could listen to any story she wanted to tell. “Don’t you think maybe we should give the grieving former widow a place to collect herself outside the public eye?”
Gina snorted but then she sighed. “Yes, we should. Go get her and I’ll open up the office.”
I threaded my way through the crowd, only to see Michelle facing off with Lily in the middle of the room. I was waiting for someone to throw the second punch of the day.
Before that could happen, I grabbed Michelle by the arm, escorting her away a few feet. Lily looked overjoyed to have put Michelle in her place, but still perfect in every way. Michelle, however, looked like she and her perfect hair had been through a wringer set on tornado speed.
Michelle took three steps with me before she realized where I was taking her.
“I do not want to go any further into the bowels of this hellhole. Someone needs to take me home right now. I don’t feel well. I need to lie down.”
Jeremy was there, Michelle’s keys in hand, and with Max right beside him.
“I’ll drive you, Mrs. Johnson, and then Max can drive me back.”
Salvation in a charcoal suit. Her whole body language went from angry and combative to relieved and thankful. “If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. It’s part of the service at Graver’s. We’ll get you home safely.”
I waved to Max’s and Michelle’s retreating backs as they headed out. Lily looked like she wanted to follow them, but Gina had a firm grip on her arm. I wanted to follow them, too, as I watched my chance to grill the woman slip through my fingers.
With the spectacle, and the woman who we all thought was the widow, gone, the party broke up pretty soon afterward, with most people walking out in clumps talking among themselves. The talk was all about this turn of events and how it might affect things in general. And now they had the whole day to gab since it was only eleven-thirty.
I had seen Drake across the room a few times, but had stayed away from him just so he wouldn’t level any more charges at me. I was in enough trouble with Burton all on my own.
I avoided him again by ducking behind another gentleman when he tried to come my way. The man grabbed Drake’s arm and gave him a quick shake. “You’d better fix this. I’m counting on you to get that inheritance through Michelle.”
“Not here and not now.” Drake narrowed his eyes at me. “There are little intrusive ears everywhere; be careful what you say.”
The other man zeroed in on me. He looked vaguely familiar.
“If you’re talking about this trash back here, my sister already knew how to handle her, and when Michelle told you she could handle it, she could.”
I did not take kindly to being called trash no matter what the circumstances, but these were even worse. And who knew someone could spawn two nasty people from the same family. One viler than the next.
“I think the two of you need to leave now.” I said it very calmly and coolly while underneath I was steaming. I wanted Drake and Michelle’s brother out of here now. “We’re closing things down. You can finish your discussion elsewhere in the town or in even your cars. Not here.”
Michelle’s brother looked like he was ready to burst. That, fortunately, was not my problem. Drake, on the other hand, gave me the same smile he’d laid on me before handing me that fancy note on his letterhead telling me to back off.
Two could play at that game, and the first chance I got, I was giving that letter to Burton.
While I didn’t want the whole world to fall apart, I found myself okay with maybe just Drake’s world falling apart. My only hope bei
ng that he didn’t take everyone else with him.
“You might want to watch out for that Lily.” I used my nice voice, giving the illusion that I cared. “She looks sweet enough, but I feel like there might be a core of steel under that girlish exterior. Hopefully she doesn’t take Craig’s part of your business and dissolve it. I’m sure that would be a shame for you, especially if it’s true that you’re not making the kind of money you needed to in order to support your expansion. Maybe instead of flirting with the not-real Mrs. Johnson, you should take your charms to the new Mrs. Johnson.”
I left Drake with his jaw clenched and his temper rising in his eyes. I turned my back on him and retreated before he could say anything to me, and I called that a win all the way around.
* * *
With everyone out of the Bean, I cleaned as best I could while listening to Jeremy talk to Gina. I was eavesdropping again, but it was for a good reason. I wanted to know where they were going to dinner, and if I might be invited, too. I highly doubted that last one, although if I knew the destination maybe I could just talk Max into taking me to the same restaurant.
Either way I wanted to know what was going on. That seemed to be a theme in my life right now, and a parallel theme seemed to be that everyone was keeping me out. How was I supposed to get anything done if no one would tell me what the heck was going down?
Jeremy shot me a look and waved his hand at me to tell me to leave. Fat chance of that.
“So where are you guys going to dinner tomorrow?” Since no one was going to tell me voluntarily, I had no other recourse.
“You’re not coming, so don’t expect an answer. This is between me and Gina. It does not need your interference at all.”
I huffed because of course I wasn’t going to interfere. I was a noninterfering kind of woman. I just wanted to know what was going on so I could be prepared for any contingency.
I was also lying to myself. I wanted to know because ultimately, I was just that nosy.
I did have other things to do, though, with this new twist of a real first wife, which left the current wife a mistress instead of a wife. Michelle was probably having a conniption fit at her house. If it was even still her house. I saw a lot of research in my future.
