Catered Catastrophe (A Willow Crossing Mystery Book 3)

by Leona Fox

  “Yes, thank you for seeing me, Mr. Cranston.”

  “Please, call me Moe.”

  “Okay, Moe it is.”

  “Come on in,” Moe said, waving his arm as if it were a grand gesture, and standing in the doorway as Ru walked into his office.

  The space was beautiful. It was a large office with an impressive antique, intricately hand-carved desk. Behind the desk was a large window, and the walls on either side of the desk were floor to ceiling book shelves. Moe motioned for Ru to have a seat in one of the two wing-backed chairs in front of his desk and then he, too, sat down.

  “What can I do for you, Ruby, was it?”

  “Yes, Ruby.”

  Looking at the man, she could see why Beck liked him. He was tall, athletic, rugged, and much younger than she had expected.

  “It recently came to my attention that you were here in town looking for business opportunities in Willow Crossing.”

  “Yes, I am. I think it’s very important for there to be a balance of large and small business in any town.”

  “Well, I have a friend who may be interested in working with you.”

  Moe’s eyes lit up, “Go on.”

  “Have you met Kirk Enders?”

  “No, I can’t say that I have, but I have only been in town for about a month, and have not yet met all of the people of this fine town.”

  Ru thought he sounded a little pretentious, but continued, “He is an antique dealer down the street at the antique mall. He actually owns the mall and has two booths of his own. The rest of the mall consists of booths rented out by other dealers. His business is really suffering, and could use someone to come in and take charge.”

  “Well, thank you for letting me know. I haven’t quite made my way to that half of town yet, but I will definitely look into it. You said his name was Kirk?”

  “Yes, Kirk Enders. I should warn you, though. He is not the most personable man in town. Not many people can get along with him.”

  Moe wrote his name down on a piece of paper, jotted down a few other notes that Ru couldn’t make out and then looked up, “How did you hear about me again?”

  Knowing she hadn’t yet told him how she had heard of him, Ru replied, “One of my students, Beck Halburton, referred to you as his future stepfather.”

  She knew Beck wasn’t really one of her students, but she said she was anyway. She figured by the embarrassed look on his face, he would be mentioning to Beck that he talked to someone who mentioned him. Ru thought it would be better to say she was one of Beck’s teachers so Beck wouldn’t instantly think it was her.

  “He’s a great kid. He’s got a lot of promise in the business world,” Moe added.

  “He is a good kid.” Ru stood and then said, “Well, I’d better be going.”

  “Please, stay and tell me more about this antique mall.”

  Thinking quickly, she slyly said, “I’d love to, but I really need to get to the grocery store to pick up my husband from work.”

  Instantly, Moe’s expression turned worried. “Oh, okay. Well, thank you for stopping in. It was a pleasure talking to you.” He stood and held out his hand for Ru to shake.

  After shaking his now sweaty hand, Ru said, “Thank you for seeing me. You have a great evening.”

  Almost in a stutter, Moe said, “You too, Ruby.”

  Ru hurried to her car, and once inside and on the road again, she couldn’t help but giggle at the reaction she got from Moe. He certainly looked as though he would faint when she said she was picking her husband up at the grocery store. She hadn’t picked Esteban up from the store since his own car broke down two years ago, and this day was no different. She headed home and began preparing dinner.

  ~~~

  That evening, after a light dinner of seared chicken breasts and a salad, Esteban went into the family room to watch the football game, while Ru went upstairs to their office/study under the guise of grading homework. She actually was planning on calling Rosa, and knew that if her husband was aware of her plan, he would try talking her out of it. She was determined to make that call.

  After dialing and waiting three rings, “Hello?”

  “Is this Rosa?”

  “Yes, this is Rosa.”

  “I need you to stay away from my husband. Esteban didn’t want you then and he doesn’t want you now, so get over it and move on.”

  Expecting a reaction to her words, Ru was surprised that Rosa simply hung up on her. Ru sat there for a moment and then realized that she just sounded like some of the people she has spoken to in the past while she was poking her nose in other people’s business trying to sniff out a case. Knowing she would have to make things right, and soon, she decided to go see Rosa the following day to apologize, hoping Rosa wouldn’t say anything to Esteban.

  Ru went downstairs and lay on the couch, placing her head in her husband’s lap. She watched the game with him until she fell asleep. She never was much of a sports fan, though she did occasionally go to the high school’s sporting events to support the students. When the game was over, Esteban gently woke Ru and they went up to bed together.

  Chapter 6

  The following day at school was pretty uneventful. Ru wondered if Beck would say anything to her about her seeing Moe the day before, but all Beck did was smile and wave at her in the hallway. At the end of the school day, Ru decided to pick up some flowers and take them to Rosa’s house. It probably was pushing it, but if she had any hope of getting what could be incriminating information from the woman, Ru knew she would need to apologize for her behavior the night before.

  Before knocking on Rosa’s door, Ru smoothed her shirt over her waistline and tucked her hair behind her left ear. Only seconds after knocking on the door, Rosa swung the door open. When she saw Ru standing there, her first instinct was to slam it in the woman’s face, but then she saw the flowers and decided to hear Ru out.

  “Hello, Ruby.”

  “Rosa. I’d like to apologize.”

  Standing to the side, Rosa invited Ru in and said, “Apologize for what?”

  She almost sounded like a mother talking to a child who had just done something wrong.

  “The way I behaved last night when I called you was inappropriate and I’m sorry. I acted like one of my students and not like an adult. I’ve just been worried about Esteban lately.”

  The expression on Rosa’s face softened and she said, “No, it’s me who should apologize. I behaved like a lunatic at the store. I shouldn’t have knocked over the display and I definitely should have paid for the damage. It’s just been hard for me to come to terms with the fact that Esteban will never love me.”

  “Did you do something to our equipment at the alumni event?”

  “I can’t believe you would think that. No, I most definitely did not.”

  “I’m sorry I asked, I just don’t know who could have done that, and since you did what you did at the store, I thought maybe it was possible you sabotaged the equipment out of jealousy or hurt.”

  “Well, I’m sorry you think that, but I did not touch your equipment. Besides, even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea of how to do it. Look around; there is nothing in this house that has more than an on/off switch…aside from the TV. I hate technology, and I definitely am not mechanically inclined.”

  Ru could tell Rosa was telling the truth and felt badly. “I’m sorry for thinking you could do something like that.”

  Ru thought for a moment and then said, “You know, your family and Esteban’s have been close for years. I guess there’s no harm in you and I getting to know each other. Who knows, maybe there is a way for all of us to move on and forget the past.”

  Rosa smiled softly and said, “It would be nice to have a friend. It seems like lately all I do is work and come home to an empty house.”

  The ladies sat and talked for a while, mostly about different people in town, but then Ru asked, “What do you know about Moe Cranston?”

  “Well, I know he’
s new to town. I heard someone say he was thinking about opening up some big grocery store or something.”

  “Yeah, and not just a big grocery store, but one that also offers catering.”

  “Wow, which will mean stiff competition with Esteban’s store and your catering business. That really stinks.”

  “I know. The weird thing is he was seen lurking around the alumni event. He never came inside, but was out in the parking lot.”

  “That is weird.”

  “What about Beck Halburton? Do you know anything about him?”

  “No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard that name before,” Rosa answered.

  “He’s a student at the high school, and he also works for us setting up for our catering events. He always seems nice, but another one of our employees said Beck had a tendency to be a bully with the other kids. He thought that maybe Beck was the one who sabotaged the equipment. He was alone out at the van a couple of times.”

  “Did you ask him if he did it?”

  “Yes, and, of course, he said he had nothing to do with it. The one thing that bothers me is that Moe Cranston is dating Beck’s mother. Beck is in awe of Moe. He thinks Moe is the best thing ever and wants to be just like him. He even changed his major for college next year so he can come back after graduation and work for the man.”

  “Wow,” Rosa said. “It kind of sounds like maybe Beck sabotaged the equipment for Moe. That could be why he was lurking around at the event. You know, to make sure the kid did what he was told?”

  “That would make sense, if any of it made sense. I just don’t see what sabotaging our equipment would accomplish.”

  “Think about it. If your company is made to look bad, then it would be easier for him to get people to use his catering service inside his grocery store. Once they are in his shiny new store, he probably will gain customers for life, taking away business from Esteban’s store.”

  Ru could tell Rosa was getting upset at the prospect. “I think you’re right. Man!”

  “We need to do something about this.”

  “We?” Ru asked curiously.

  “Yes, we. I want to help.”

  “That would be great. Thank you.”

  Rosa smiled and then said, “You might not want to tell Esteban that you and I are working together. I don’t know if he’d like that too much.”

  “I’ll tell him when the time is right. Besides, he’d probably appreciate someone helping me. He doesn’t think I should be doing anything while I’m pregnant.”

  “You’re pregnant?” Rosa asked, not sure if she was happy or sad to hear the news.

  “Yes, oh, I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have dropped that on you like that.”

  “No, really, it’s fine. It’s time for me to move forward in my life. I loved Esteban once, but that was a long time ago. I’m happy for the two of you. Congratulations,” she said with a genuine smile on her face.

  The two ladies hugged and made plans to go see Joanna Murphy the following day. Ru excused herself and drove home almost positive they had come to a conclusion about the equipment tampering that simply made sense. She had a doctor’s appointment that evening and was meeting Esteban back at the house.

  ~~~

  “Well, Ruby, it looks like you are about three and a half months along. Baby seems to be growing fine. How do you feel?”

  “I feel great, Doc. I’m a little tired, but other than that I’m okay.”

  “Any morning sickness?”

  “I have been a little queasy at times, but nothing major.”

  “Well, then, I’d like to see you back in a month.”

  “You got it, Doc.”

  The doctor left the room and Esteban said, “I can’t believe we got to hear the heartbeat! I thought for sure it would be too soon.”

  “It was exciting, wasn’t it?” Ru replied.

  “It was amazing. Come on, let’s go celebrate.”

  “How?”

  “Let’s go out to eat. Maybe the diner? I know it’s not fancy, but I know you love their soup!”

  “Can we get ice cream afterwards?”

  “As long as you promise not to eat it with pickles,” Esteban joked.

  “Gross. You can rest easy; I never will put pickles with ice cream.”

  The couple laughed, made an appointment for the following month and then went to the diner. While they waited for their food, Esteban looked at his wife. He couldn’t help but feel that something else was on her mind.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is perfect,” Ru smiled as she spoke. “I couldn’t be happier.”

  “It just seems like there is something on your mind.”

  “Nope, just hungry!”

  Ru decided she would wait to tell Esteban about her new budding friendship. She knew he would think it odd and perhaps even discourage it. She wouldn’t really blame him, though, Rosa was his ex-fiancé, after all. Ru enjoyed her BLT club sandwich and cream of chicken soup with rice, while Esteban opted for the more filling steak and eggs. When they were done with their meal, they walked hand in hand over to the ice cream shop.

  “Ru! I’m so glad you decided to come in so soon after we talked!” Samantha chimed.

  Esteban looked at Ru in confusion, “So soon?”

  “Oh, did I forget to tell you I talked to Samantha the other day?”

  “You said you talked to some people in town, but didn’t say who.”

  “Yes, your beautiful wife came by here to fill me in on Moe Cranston. Don’t you worry, though; I won’t be buying the crap he’s selling.”

  Esteban chuckled and Ru said, “That’s good. So, what are the new flavors you were talking about?”

  “We have strawberry shortcake, cake batter, brownie batter and cherry Bordeaux.”

  “Yum! I’ll take the cherry!” Ru exclaimed.

  “I think I’ll try the brownie batter, Samantha. Thanks.”

  While they ate their delicious ice cream and walked down the street through town, they both took in the ambiance that Willow Crossing had to offer. It was a small town much like those in the movies. There were people here and there going about their business, but stopping to say hello to those who passed them on the street. There was a short line outside of the one-screen movie theater, and a small group of elderly men gathered at a table in the center of town playing a game of chess by the light of the old-fashioned street lamps. Esteban’s hand holding hers, she rubbed her other hand across her belly and smiled. This was the perfect place to raise a child and she was so happy they lived here.

  Chapter 7

  The following day the school was closed due to a power outage. Ru called Rosa and asked her if she’d like to come with her to visit Joanna Murphy.

  “I thought maybe we could take Opal for a walk and see what Joanna had to say.”

  Rosa said, “That sounds like fun.”

  “Fun?”

  “Sure. I think it will be fun to do something out of the ordinary. Besides, if it means we get closer to knowing who sabotaged your equipment that will be great!”

  “Want to meet me back at my house?”

  “Esteban isn’t there, is he?”

  “No, with the power outage, he has to stay at the store and make sure the generators keep doing their jobs.”

  “Okay, then sure. I can be there in twenty minutes. Will that work for you?”

  Ru replied, “That’s perfect. That gives me just enough time to get home, change and get Opal ready.”

  “Okay, then, see you in twenty.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  Ru hurried home and changed. It was colder than normal, and the sky was dark and dreary. She hoped it wouldn’t rain until after their walk. She put Opal in one of her cute fleece outfits that included a hood. She looked adorable, and it made her think about the fact that in just over five months she’d be dressing her own child. A warmth spread through Ru as she waited for Rosa to arrive.

  Ru was surprised when Rosa arrived on t
ime. As they walked down the street, Opal in tow, the sky grew darker.

  “Maybe we should have driven,” Ru commented.

  “We can always go back and get a car.”

  “We’re almost there. We’ll be fine.”

  The two walked a few more minutes and found the house Joanna Murphy had just recently purchased. It was toward the edge of town, approximately one mile from Ru’s house. The house was old but well taken care of, and it was obvious a considerable amount of work recently had been done both to the house and the yard. It looked more lived in than the other houses on the block. The women stepped up to the door and Ru rang the doorbell. Thunder crashed and Opal jumped out of her wagon and sat at Ru’s feet. She picked up her dog and held her close.