by Cindy Sample
“So when did Axel and Rosie…” I couldn’t use the term “hookup” in front of Nina, but she knew what I meant.
“From what he told me, I gather the two of them met after her school got out, at the library or a fast food restaurant. They’d spend a few hours together. Then one evening things progressed…” She threw up her hands. “Well, you get my drift.”
I certainly did. There would be no more Tony and Jenna after-school outings. I didn’t want any Romeos interfering with my Juliet’s college plans.
“Anyway, to make a long story even longer,” she said with a sigh, “Axel said Rosie stopped taking his calls. The next semester he transferred to Berkeley. Out of sight, out of mind. He met Dorie a few months later. They began dating and got married the following summer.” Nina spread her arms out wide. “Then Eric was born and that was that.”
Well, not quite.
“When did Tony learn Axel was his father?”
“Axel wanted to have a paternity test completed before he told his family. He implied Rosie might have had another lover, but I nipped that thought immediately. Still, I considered it a fair request and agreed to wait until we had scientific proof. I retrieved samples of Tony’s DNA from his hairbrush. Axel arranged a rush order to have the test completed by a private company.”
“It made sense to tread carefully. But what happened?”
“Eric’s been on Tony’s case ever since Tony started working here this fall. I don’t know why unless…,” Her gaze veered in the direction of the counter clerks, one pretty, auburn-haired teen in particular. “Anyway, he seemed intent on making Tony’s life miserable. Maybe Eric noticed the similarities between Axel and Tony as well. Tony became so frustrated he told me he was going to quit. I just up and told him that Friday night before Axel was killed that Axel might be his father.”
“What did Tony say?”
“He was stunned at first. Then kinda miffed Axel hadn’t stayed in touch with my daughter after he transferred to Berkeley. But after a long tearful conversation, Tony seemed pleased that his father was alive despite the peculiar circumstances. I told him not to say anything to anyone until Axel discussed it with Eric and Dorie. Tony understood the announcement would be a shock to the entire family.”
“Did Eric somehow find out Tony was his brother?” I wondered if that was the reason for their altercation that Saturday.
“Tony told me Eric accused him of being a bastard and a thief, but I don’t know if Eric discovered Tony was his half-brother, or if he was angry with him for other reasons. He laid into Tony, and they took their fight out to the parking lot.”
The fight I mediated with my face.
“After Axel sent Tony to his office, Tony let his temper get the better of him.”
“Can you imagine how Tony felt,” I asked her. “Learning that Axel was his father and then getting fired by him?”
Nina’s expression turned to stone. “Axel handled it all wrong. Especially when he believed Eric’s accusations that Tony was a thief.”
Poor kid. “You don’t think Tony came back with the intent to harm Axel?”
“It’s just not possible,” Nina murmured, more to herself than to me. I looked up when I heard footsteps approaching us.
Dorie drew out an empty chair at our small table. “I’m not cut out for this,” she complained as she fell into the chair and stretched her legs.
“Nina, I don’t know how you’ve managed to stand on your feet all these years.” Dorie slumped lower before she sprang up. “Oh, saints, listen to me blubbering about myself. How are you doing, and what on earth are you going to do about Tony?”
Nina and I exchanged looks. It didn’t sound like Axel had shared the discovery of his newfound son with his wife. And it wasn’t my position to inform Dorie. Or Reynolds. It was up to Nina to disclose the relationship to the widow and the detective. Unless the detective had already discovered the connection.
I sighed. I had a feeling that piece of information would NOT be helpful in proving Tony’s innocence.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Nina left to assist the bakery clerks while Dorie took a break. There wasn’t much I could do until Jenna’s shift ended so I decided to make the best of it.
“Dorie, did Axel ever mention any problems with Brent? Or any of the suppliers Brent worked with? Brent mentioned he and Axel had a minor disagreement, but they’d worked it out.”
She leaned over to remove one flour-caked black suede ballet flat then the other. She examined the shoes then tossed them onto the floor.
“These Pradas are goners,” she said, her lips curling in displeasure. “I guess I better wear something more practical if I need to keep helping at the bakery. Are you looking for weekend work, Laurel?”
Uh, that would be a negative. Chauffeuring Jenna back and forth was proving to be way more work than I’d envisioned when she applied for this job. I shook my head and repeated my previous question before Dorie got distracted once again.
She stared at her shoes before responding. “I’m afraid I’ve spent so much time in the past six months decorating our new house that I didn’t really pay any attention to the farm. I certainly didn’t need to before Axel died.”
I hated to pry, but I was positive Dorie wanted the right person behind bars as much as Nina wanted her grandson released from jail.
“Why don’t you think about it and let me know,” I said. “It could be important.”
She squeezed her eyes shut then opened them wide. “I do remember Axel got all bent out of shape a few weeks ago. He was working on his inventory, making sure they had all the supplies they needed before the October burst of customers. The quantities on hand didn’t add up. That’s one of the reasons he was working so late that night.” Her voice and gaze drifted off, and she looked like she was a million miles away. Or perhaps only wished she was.
I hated to keep hammering at her, but I needed to learn more about the missing inventory. “Do you remember anything specific?”
She shrugged. “Not really. You should ask Brooke Martin. She’s the accountant for the farm. Axel said he was going to run some numbers by her.” Dorie’s eyes widened in horror. “Unless someone stopped him before he could do it.”
I would ask Brooke. Just because the CPA was dating my ex didn’t mean I couldn’t be objective about her input.
I glanced at my watch. Nearly closing time. Dorie stood and stretched, then left to assist at the bakery counter. I walked over to the open area where a few customers loitered, arms full of produce, jellies and homemade syrups. I snatched a bottle of cinnamon-apple pancake syrup and a jar of pear-apple butter. A grim-faced Brent helped at one of the registers. He seemed more intent on getting rid of the customers than luring them into buying additional items.
I switched to his line. He grunted when he saw me, totaled the items and stuck out his hand. I reached into my wallet for my credit card and handed it over.
“Say, Brent, I still need to find my friend’s Beauty Image products. Can I go through the warehouse some time?”
“Nope. Too dangerous. I’ll take a look once I’m done here. Give me your phone number, and I’ll let you know when I find them.”
Well, that was better than nothing. I wrote my number on the back of the receipt and handed it to him. He waved me on and began checking out the customer behind me. I strolled over to my car, dumped my purchases then went back to see if Jenna was done for the day.
Jenna waved at me from behind the counter and indicated I should wait for her. I plopped into a plastic chair, willing myself to sit quietly and meditate. As usual, my overactive brain had its own ideas.
Why would Brent say it was too dangerous for me to look through the warehouse? Did he fear I’d spot something he’d concealed? One thing was certain, it had definitely been dangerous for Axel to be in the warehouse the night of his murder.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
During the drive back to Gran’s house to pick up Ben, the conversatio
n between my daughter and myself was punctuated with yawns. Despite her fatigue, Jenna wanted to know how I planned to get Tony released from jail. I could tell from her comments that Tony had not disclosed anything to her about his paternity. I told her the entire agency, that is, Gran and I, were devoted to getting him released. Therefore she need not get involved. Jenna’s priorities were school and her SATs the following weekend.
We arrived at Gran’s, and I pulled up behind Hank’s black truck. Surprise, surprise, Brooke’s Miata was parked at the curb. I flicked away any jealous thoughts that might be circling. Hank had just as much right to a fulfilling relationship as I had.
I just wished Tom and I were together fulfilling each other right now!
Jenna and I eased out of the car and strolled down the sidewalk. We let ourselves into the house. Laughter echoed from the kitchen, and we headed in that direction.
Hank, Ben, Brooke, and Gran were seated around her maple table. Brooke’s dark hair brushed Ben’s cheek as he demonstrated something to her. My heart plummeted before it stabilized back into neutral.
Hank looked up at my approach. “Hi, honey,” he said.
Both Brooke and I glared at him. “Whoops, force of habit.” Hank turned to Brooke. “Sorry, honey.”
I groaned inwardly and chose to ignore my ex, usually the safest option. I circled the table, stopped behind Ben’s chair and ruffled his already tousled cowlicks. “How was the fishing, sweetie?”
Ben flung his slightly sunburnt arms out, practically whacking Brooke’s perfectly shaped nose. “I caught two fish,” he exclaimed, “and Brooke caught four. Dad didn’t get none.”
“Dad didn’t get any,” I corrected Ben.
“That’s what I said.” Ben turned a puzzled look at me. I decided the grammar police could take the day off. I walked to the cupboard and grabbed a glass. While I filled it with tap water, I casually addressed Brooke. “I didn’t realize you would be joining the boys today.”
She glanced at Hank then back at me. “It was sort of a last minute decision. Hank mentioned they were going to Ice House Lake, and I decided I could use a few hours break from work. I hope you don’t mind?”
“Oh, no, of course not.” How could I possibly be upset when she was being so darn nice? Plus she was keeping Hank out of my hair. She deserved brownie points for that alone.
I slid into the empty chair next to Gran and tried to think of a subtle way to discuss Axel Thorson’s financial situation with his accountant. Gran leaned over and whispered into my ear, “Got some goods on the Thorson family.” Since Gran’s whisper is a shade softer than maximum volume on my TV, everyone at the table heard her comment.
“What do you mean?” asked Jenna. She stood behind her father, her palms resting on his shoulders.
Gran leaned forward, her grin as wide and mischievous as a tipsy Cheshire cat.
“I drove over to Axel’s mother’s house,” she explained. “Wanted to share my condolences with Carolyn.”
“Granny G, you’re even sneakier than Mom.” Jenna grinned, and her brother hooted.
Gran elbowed me. “I’ve got a few decades on your Ma. But she’s not doing too bad herself.”
Gee, thanks for the compliment. If Gran wasn’t careful, I’d resign and she’d have to rename the firm ONE OLD GAL DETECTIVE AGENCY.
“I learned some stuff, although…” She looked at me and then over at Brooke. “We can talk later.”
Brooke smiled uncertainly, possibly sensing she was now the elephant in the room. My hope was that she was a CPA with an elephantine memory of facts and figures, some of which she’d offer to share with me. She shoved her chair back and stood. “I should probably go.”
“No, that’s okay, you’re part of the…” My voice tapered off. Brooke wasn’t part of our dysfunctional family yet. And I wasn’t privy to Hank’s thoughts and desires. She was, however, part of my investigation.
“Dorie Thorson told me to contact you,” I said to Brooke. “Nina told me she’d overheard Axel threatening to fire Brent, but she didn’t know why. I questioned Brent today and he claimed they merely had a difference of opinion over which suppliers to use. Dorie thought it was a more serious disagreement. That her husband suspected Brent of stealing some of the farm’s inventory. Maybe selling it himself. Did Axel ever discuss this with you?”
Brooke steepled her fingers under her chin and looked around the room, probably trying to decide how much information she could share.
“I’m not completely clear how you’re involved with Apple Tree Farm,” she said. “Did Dorie hire you to help her manage the operation?”
Not exactly, although she did offer to let me work in the bakery. I wasn’t certain if donut selling equated with a management position.
“We’re working on solving Axel’s murder,” Gran chimed in. “We know that young kid didn’t off him. So Laurel and me is helping poor Dorie out.”
“You can call Dorie and ask her,” I assured Brooke. “But the sooner we all get some answers, the sooner we determine who Axel’s killer is.”
“And can get Tony out of jail,” Jenna said. “Please help.”
Three generations of McKay females surrounded the CPA, our identical baby blues solidly fixed on her. I wasn’t certain she would budge. Then Hank whispered in her ear.
She giggled and slapped at his hand. “Fine. I can see I’m outnumbered here. But please do not share this information with anyone.”
“Scout’s honor,” Ben piped up, reminding me that little ears are sometimes connected to big mouths. We sent Ben into Gran’s den to watch TV behind closed doors.
I figured I’d get the investigative ball rolling. “Did Axel mention any issues with Brent such as theft or anything of that nature?”
She nodded. “This will probably all come out eventually, but Axel had huge fiscal issues. Last year’s tourism drop coupled with that money pit of a house practically bankrupted him. He took out a short-term loan on the farm last year that matured a few months ago. The lender threatened to begin foreclosure proceedings, so Axel was desperate to pay it off before he lost Apple Tree.”
“That would be such a blow to his mother,” Gran muttered. “Losing the family farm because he got too big for his britches building that McMansion of his.”
“Do you think Dorie realized what was going on?” I asked Brooke.
“I don’t know her that well. Axel was kind of old-fashioned about the business. He didn’t want to worry Dorie’s ‘pretty little blond head,’ as he put it. But he let her have her way about most of the decisions for the new house. She claimed she had better taste, and he didn’t have time to choose home decor.”
“Great taste doesn’t always equate to smart decisions,” Hank said. “I see this stuff happening all the time. People spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over their original budget. All of those upgrades and extras add up.” Hank clasped Brooke’s hand and winked at her. “That’s why I like to date smart women.” Then he winked at me.
Gack! Although Hank’s comment about overspending homeowners made sense.
“Poor Dorie,” I said. “First she lost her husband. Now she might lose the farm and possibly her new house.”
A newcomer entered the discussion. “Did Axel have life insurance?” asked Mother as she entered the kitchen.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said. “Everything okay with your hubby?”
“Men.” She looked exasperated. “I sent him off to play cops and robbers.”
“Barbara, it’s nice to see you again,” Brooke said to Mother. “And that is an excellent question for Dorie.”
I mentally added following up on Axel’s life insurance bequest to my “to do” list.
“Back to Brent’s possible thievery,” I said.
“Sorry, I got distracted,” Brooke said. “Axel’s situation is complicated. He didn’t mind when Brent initially changed suppliers. Brent’s been helping manage the farm for ten years, so Axel left that area under Brent’s control. B
ut when he became desperate for every possible cent to pay down the loan, Axel analyzed the numbers more closely. He counted the inventory himself and told me the numbers weren’t adding up.”
“Was Axel going to fire that thief?” Gran asked.
“He was ready to although he didn’t think he could run the place all by himself. He’d even asked his brother to help out, but Paul said he was too busy with his new, um, business.”
She snorted unbecomingly, and I found myself liking her despite my initial reluctance.
“I’m not sure a life coach is the best choice to run a huge business operation,” I said tactfully.
Gran stood and patted her flat rump with both hands. “Carolyn told me her younger son couldn’t find his…” Noticing Jenna’s rapt attention, she stopped in the middle of what I imagined would have been a highly colorful description. As a senior in high school, Jenna had certainly heard far worse from her classmates.
And, to be honest, from her great-grandmother.
“What else did you learn from Carolyn?” asked Mother.
“Well, I gather Paul is not averse to asking his mother to lend him money,” Gran replied. “The only problem is that repayment doesn’t occur as frequently as the borrowing does. Paul was positive his new center, his coaching combined with their classes and Serenity’s bakery, would be a huge success. Carolyn said her son truly is a great salesman. Could sell a herd of cows to a vegan. He just can’t manage a business to save his life.”
“Did Carolyn help fund Paul’s center?” I asked.
“Nope. She decided she’d been the Bank of Mom for far too long. She suggested he go to Axel for a loan.”
“Do you know if Axel loaned Paul any money?” I asked Brooke.
She shrugged. “I only handle the books for Axel’s business operation. None of his personal stuff. I guess you’d have to ask Paul that question.”
That I would. It occurred to me that if Axel refused to lend his brother the money to fund the Lifestyle Center, Paul’s only remaining option might be to force a sale of Apple Tree Farm. A solution that would be far easier with Axel out of the picture.
