by Leona Fox
Bells & The Bandit
Willow Crossing Mystery Series
Book 1
Leona Fox
Copyright © 2015 Leona Fox
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher
Chapter 1
Whitney and Michael Fisher’s wedding was beautiful, and nearly the entire town of Willow Crossing was in attendance. The bride and groom were admired by all, and Whitney’s sweet, kind and sensitive demeanor made her even more of a vision in white. Michael came from a well-liked, large family, and his strength of character was a perfect match for his new bride.
As the wedding party went with the photographer to take the traditional post-ceremony pictures, Ru and her husband Esteban rushed around the reception hall along with their three helpers -- Griffin, Julie and Lorena -- preparing to serve dinner. Ruby “Ru” Delgado is not only a high school biology teacher, but she also owns Del Mejor, the local catering company, with her husband. Her Italian-American heritage suits Esteban’s Mexican-American heritage well. Together, along with their small staff, they make an excellent team.
Ru is meticulous in her work, ensuring her customers are always more than happy with the catering she and Esteban provide. They provide a unique blend of Mexican-Italian food that makes their company a one-of-a-kind in the small town. Because of her strong attention to detail, it came as no surprise that she was constantly scanning the room, finding places for improvement.
It was during one of these room-scannings that she realized one table setting was missing and asked, “Griffin, will you please run into the back room and get one more place setting from the containers? Table #8 only has seven place settings.”
“You got it, Mrs. Delgado,” Griffin said and hurried off to do as asked.
Griffin Carlin is one of Ru’s students, and she recently hired him to help cater the wedding. Always thinking about the welfare of her “kids”, Ru felt sorry for him. His family didn’t have much money, and all he wanted was to be able to purchase a new cell phone. With his history of stealing, Ruby wanted to teach him about responsibility, so she hired him to help cater special events. She hoped that by working hard and earning money to buy the things that he wanted, he would turn his life around.
After a few minutes, Ru looked around and realized Griffin hadn’t returned from the back room with the place setting.
She gave it another couple of minutes, and when she couldn’t wait any longer she said, “Lorena, could you please go see what is taking Griffin so long? We are running out of time. People are already starting to sit down.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Lorena said and hurried off to see what was keeping Griffin.
When she rounded the corner and entered the food staging area she squealed loudly. There in front of her was Griffin, bent over the body of an older woman.
The other caterers heard Lorena’s cries and ran into the back room. When Ru realized the woman lying on the floor was Hannah Levitt, the groom’s great-aunt, she quickly ran to her side. Ru grabbed one of the small bottles of water and sprinkled some onto Hannah’s face. Slowly, the 73-year-old lady awoke.
“Are you okay, Ms. Levitt?” Ru asked.
“I think so,” Hannah whispered and looked around. “What happened?”
“We’re not sure. You were on the floor. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Oh, my goodness. Look at all this fuss over a silly old lady! I’m sure I’m just fine.”
Hanna looked into Ruby’s eyes and asked softly, “Would you be a dear and help me up?”
“Of course, but move slowly,” Ru answered and offered Hannah her arm.
Esteban grabbed a chair, and once seated, Hannah touched a spot on the back of her head and said, “That’s some bump I have there. I knew I should have just taken my seat!”
She looked around again and said, “You know how old ladies are, dear, nosey to a fault; I just had to see how the food looked before you served it.”
“I think we should call an ambulance,” Esteban said, concerned about the fact Hannah had lost consciousness.
“There will be none of that, young man. I am okay. A couple of glasses of wine, and I will be right back to normal. If one of you could please just bring me to my table, we can get started with this reception.”
“Are you sure, Ms. Levitt?” Esteban asked. “You were really knocked for a loop.”
“Please, Hannah is my name, and I am quite sure. I’m fine, and it’s not worth the fuss. We must hurry, I’m sure my nephew and his bride will be making their grand entrance at any moment.”
“As long as you are sure you are okay.”
Esteban didn’t feel right just bringing her to her table. She was an elderly woman who took a big knock to the head. He really felt he should call for help.
“Absolutely; I’m more embarrassed than hurt anyway.”
Esteban and Griffin helped Hannah to her table. They tried to be discreet, because the room already had filled with wedding-goers ready to begin the party. Just as they ducked into the back room, the DJ stepped up to the microphone and began introducing the wedding party. It was a long parade of flashing lights, pink chiffon, and black tuxedos, but once the bride and groom were introduced, all of the guests took their seats.
As Ru and her assistants went around filling all of the water glasses, the first dance between Whitney and Michael began. The song was soft and sweet, and Whitney looked like an angel as Michael led her around the dance floor. Halfway through the song, a shriek could be heard over the music, echoing across the room. It was a sound of desperation and fury.
“Hannah,” the guest next to her said worriedly. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
In a loud and angry voice Hannah responded, “Someone stole my bracelet!”
Chapter 2
Whitney stood in the middle of the dance floor, clinging to her new husband’s hand, with a look of shock and despair. The guests were all muttering under their breath, and whispering about what was going on.
Hannah stood and shouted, “Someone call the police; I’ve been robbed!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she sank back into her chair, almost fainting. Esteban wondered if her weakness was from the distress over her bracelet going missing, or if it was because of her injury. He called the police to report the incident, asking they also send an ambulance.
Within minutes, Chief Chester Putnam arrived along with a few other officers and the paramedics. Chief Putnam was somewhat the Grandfather of Willow Crossing. At the age of 70, he looked more like he was 50, mostly due to being so fit. He retired from the Marines, but isn’t the stereotypical straight-laced and rigid person some might assume a Marine to be. He is friendly and outgoing, having fun just talking to anyone who will listen.
In true Chief Putnam fashion, he grabbed the microphone and spoke to the room, “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. If I could please have all eyes up here,” he started, scanning the room to make sure all could hear him.
“It seems that Hannah Levitt’s bracelet has gone missing. I would appreciate it if everyone would remain seated. While my officers look around the room, it would be very helpful if each of you could slide your chairs back a bit and look around your table. The sooner we find the bracelet, the sooner you all can get back to enjoying this beautiful celebration.”
He didn’t mention the assault because he didn’t want to start a panic.
Whitney walked over to the wedding party’s table, head hanging low. Michael stroked her hair as she began to softly cry over the eve
nts that were taking over and ruining her reception.
“Don’t cry, Whit,” Michael said softly.
“Our wedding…it’s ruined.”
“Don’t be silly. The wedding was perfect. This is just a party…everything will be fine.”
Whitney tried to smile, but it was obvious she was horribly upset, “Still, why did this happen?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure it will all be over soon. The bracelet probably just fell off. I’m sure it will be found.”
Michael hugged Whitney and then they both went over to Hannah and tried to keep her calm while the rest of the party-goers looked for the jewelry.
The room was abuzz as people looked around their chairs and under their tables. Ru and Esteban, along with their small crew, walked the room looking for the bracelet. As she walked, Ru could hear people speculate about what could have happened to the prized piece of jewelry.
It was no secret Hanna Levitt loved jewelry. In fact, the gaudier the jewelry, the more she liked it. The only thing she loved more than jewelry was a good wedding, and that may be why she had four of them herself. She never had any children of her own, so she had looked forward to her favorite nephew Michael’s wedding for years; even before he was old enough to date.
“I don’t know what that woman expects. I mean, really, wearing something so expensive!” One guest was saying as Ru walked by.
The woman’s friend replied, “How can she even afford such jewelry?”
“Well, from what I understand, each of her divorces netted her a great deal of money. She’s the richest person in town!” the woman explained.
Then she stopped talking when she realized Ruby could hear her. Normally Ru wasn’t one for being so blatant in her eavesdropping, but she was hoping she would hear someone who may know where the bracelet was. She also couldn’t believe how easy it was for people to talk so badly about others.
While the guests continued looking for the missing jewelry, the paramedics checked out Hannah.
“Ma’am, I think it would be a good idea if you let us bring you to the hospital. You took a really good knock to the head.”
“My dear boy, I am fine. I have been through worse and came through just fine.”
“If you have a concussion or a skull fracture, you could wind up very sick. You need to have a doctor make sure you are really okay.”
“You aren’t going to let it go, are you?” Hannah said, looking at the young paramedic.
“No, Ma’am, I’m not.”
“You know you can’t force me to go.”
“I know, Ma’am, but I can sure try to convince you it’s the right thing to do.”
Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, Hannah replied, “Fine, do what you must.”
In the meantime, Chief Putnam interviewed a number of guests, including Griffin.
“Son, can you tell me what happened?”
Griffin looked around nervously, and then in a small voice answered, “I don’t know what happened. I went in back to get something, and on my way back out here I saw Ms. Levitt on the floor.”
“Did you call someone for help?”
“I was about to, but I remembered what I learned in health class, so I was checking her pulse. That’s when Lorena came back there and screamed. Then everything else happened so fast.”
“Did you notice her bracelet when you were checking her pulse?”
“No, but I only checked one wrist.”
“And you didn’t see a bracelet?”
“No. I wasn’t looking for one though; I was just looking for a pulse.” Griffin was starting to get aggravated.
“Okay, okay,” Chief Putnam said. “No need to get upset.”
“No need to get upset? I thought the lady was dead, and you’re grilling me about a stupid bracelet?”
“Son, calm down. I’m just trying to get all the facts.” Then, in a calmer voice, the chief asked, “Is that all you can remember?”
Griffin thought for a moment and then said, “Mr. Enders had just come out of the back room as I was heading in that direction. The room stunk like cigarettes, too. But like I said, I didn’t even know Ms. Levitt was back there, so maybe he just went back there to smoke.”
“Probably. I’ll talk to him next. Thanks, Griffin.”
Before he walked away, Chief Putnam said, “If you think of anything else, please let me know.”
Griffin felt like everyone was looking at him. He had been in trouble before, and he wasn’t surprised the police wanted to talk to him. He just hoped the bracelet going missing wouldn’t be pinned on him. If he got in trouble again, he knew he would be sent away, and this time it would be for a long time.
Chief Putnam went to the table closest to the back room, and found Kirk Enders sitting there, looking annoyed at what was going on.
“Mr. Enders, can I have a minute of your time?”
“Sure, why not. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. Your men won’t even let me have a cigarette.”
“Well, first of all, smoking in here is against the law,” Chief Putnam said.
Kirk rolled his eyes and said, “Well, I think you have bigger problems around here than someone sneaking a smoke. When do you think you’ll be wrapping up here?”
“We shouldn’t be much longer. I need to ask you some questions.”
“Of course you do.”
The chief didn’t appreciate Mr. Enders’ attitude and got right to it, “It was brought to my attention that you were in the back room shortly before Hannah was found knocked out on the floor.”
“I went back there to smoke, but there wasn’t anyone back there.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course I’m sure. Listen, I have better things to do with my time than steal some ratty piece of jewelry from an old lady.”
Even though he was trying to sound cool, Chief Putnam noticed a slight nervousness to Kirk.
“Well, you were seen coming from the back room just before Hannah was attacked. Would you be willing to go with my officer so he can search you?”
“Not without a lawyer.”
“Very well,” the chief said, knowing his hands were tied.
“Don’t leave town, we will want to talk to you again very soon.”
“You’re looking at the wrong guy.”
“What do you mean by that? Do you know something you haven’t told me yet?”
“Well, that kid over there,” he started, pointing at Griffin, “is a trouble maker. He went in the back right after I smoked. He could have done it. His father is a lazy S.O.B., and that kid is always up to no good.”
“Did you see him take the bracelet, Mr. Enders?”
“No, just like nobody saw me take it. This is just a wild goose chase. The old lady probably just thought she put it on. It’s probably back at her house, sitting in some old jewelry box.”
“I’m not liking your tone, Mr. Enders. As I already said, don’t leave town.”
The chief stood up and walked away. Kirk Enders had a tendency to get under everyone’s skin, and he knew if he talked to him any longer, he’d wind up doing something he regretted.
Chief Putnam made one last sweep of the room, making sure he looked around for himself, and then walked over to one of his officers and said, “I’m going to head over to the hospital and see if I can get a statement from Hannah. Let Roberts know to hang around to see to it that nothing else happens tonight to completely destroy the happy couple’s night.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The chief took the microphone from its stand one last time and said, “Excuse me folks. If I could have your attention again, please. We are going to get out of your way now. Like I told each of you, if you find the bracelet or have anything you remember that may help us to find out what happened here, please let me know.”
He then turned to look at Whitney and Michael and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, the party is all yours. Congratulations, and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
The entire time the Chief spoke, Ru kept looking over at Griffin, suspecting that he had something to do with the bracelet going missing. He had a history of stealing things from the middle school and the high school, and she knew from past experiences that his father was really to blame. Mr. Carlin taught him it was okay to steal whatever he could so the items could be sold and he could live off the money. Ruby had hoped the job she gave him would have stopped him from stealing, but after this, she just wasn’t convinced.
On his way out, Chief Putnam scanned the faces in the room and saw Ru near the door to the back area where Hannah was found. He realized he hadn’t spoken to her yet, so he made a quick detour.
