Forever Fudge

by Nancy CoCo

  I blew out a long breath. “He wants insights into solving cases. I think he imagines he could be an amateur sleuth. This television series was his idea. I think he may be footing some of the production costs.”

  “Ever since CSI started on television everyone thinks they are crime solvers,” he grumbled.

  “No, I think it goes back to Perry Mason, or maybe even further back. Grammy Alice used to love Perry Mason.”

  “You want to know how I got into law enforcement?” he asked.

  “Sure,” I said.

  “I was a Law & Order fan,” he said. “It seemed so cool.”

  I sent him a side eye. “Wow, I would have figured you for a Friends fan.”

  “Are you kidding me?” He looked affronted.

  I laughed hard. “Yes, I’m kidding you. Although I did wonder if you were going to say CSI. They made all the sleuthing look so cool and fast with their music montages and lab equipment right in the police headquarters.”

  “That was a real fantasy,” he said with a smile. “You are right. I am still a fan.”

  “You watch it on cable?”

  “I don’t get cable in my cabin,” he said. “I stream whatever I want when I get the chance. I rarely have time for TV.”

  “Me too,” I said with a sigh. “Especially with Frances out. I’ve been working my job and hers and a bit of Mr. Devaney’s as well.”

  “You should have hired a temp to cover for her,” he said.

  “Are you going to tell me how to run my business, too?”

  He winced. “Jessop trying to tell you how to run things?”

  “He seems to think he knows better,” I said, and felt the back of my jaw clench. I worked to relax it as we passed Doud’s. “I happen to be doing pretty well without anyone’s help.”

  “You have been doing amazing,” Rex said. “You should know that. Even with all the problems you’ve been having this season with the crimes.”

  “Thank you,” I said, and stopped by the front door of the McMurphy.

  “Listen, Allie,” he said, pushing his hat up to expose more of his handsome face. “I want to cook dinner for you. You might like it. I have been told I make a heck of a steak salad.”

  “Do you want to talk about the case?” I asked, and drew my eyebrows together.

  “Not particularly,” he said. He studied me. “I want to have a relaxing evening talking to a beautiful woman over a glass of wine and my world-famous steak salad.”

  “Oh, it’s world-famous now, is it?” I raised my right eyebrow.

  His grin widened. “Yes.”

  “Then perhaps I need to try it.”

  “Great,” he said. “How’s Tuesday?”

  “Tuesday works for me,” she said.

  “How about eight p.m.? I’ll text you my address.”

  “I’d like that,” I said.

  “Good night, Allie,” he said, and kissed my cheek. “I’ll watch that you get inside safe. Lock the door behind you.”

  “Right,” I said. I could still feel the heat and tingle of his kiss on my cheek. I went inside. The bells rang out as I entered and closed and locked the doors behind me. Rex tugged on the brim of his police cap and walked off into the darkness. My heart was racing and I felt warm and giddy with the hope of a new relationship. I turned off the lights as I walked toward the stairs, leaving only the night-lights. What would happen when I went to his cabin on Tuesday? I went up to my apartment knowing I couldn’t wait to find out.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, I finished the fudge and went upstairs to change out of my candymaking clothes. I couldn’t clean rooms dressed in the same clothes I cooked fudge in. I headed down to the lobby wearing jeans and a white polo.

  I stopped on the landing. There was a woman sitting in Frances’s chair at the reception desk. “Can I help you?” I asked as I bounded down the stairs.

  “No, thanks, I’m working,” she said. She was an older woman with black hair pulled back in a braid. Her wide face had high cheekbones and coppery skin. Her black eyes seemed uninterested in me.

  “Working?”

  “Yes,” she said. “My cousin Sandy said you needed a temporary reservation manager,” she said. “It’s clear you do.”

  “I see. Sandy Everheart?”

  “Yes.”

  “Huh, and your name is?”

  “Sharon Everheart,” she said, and went back to reading her magazine.

  “Right, is Sandy in yet?”

  “She’s setting a sculpture up at the yacht club. She’ll be back in a half an hour. Oh, and you had a visit by a Jeffery Jenas.”

  “Sharon,” I said, waiting for her to look up.

  “Yeah?”

  “What am I paying you?”

  “Going rate,” she said. “I already checked out the Goers in room 201.”

  That gave me pause. “How?”

  “I’ve used the software before,” she said. “I’ve substituted for Frances.”

  “Oh,” I said. “Thanks.”

  “The room is ready to be cleaned,” she said, and turned the page on her magazine. “You have two new guests coming in today.”

  “Right.” I turned on my heel and went upstairs, pausing at the landing. “Could you tell Sandy I want to talk with her when she gets back?”

  “Okay.”

  I watched Sharon for a moment, then went upstairs to clean the room. I pulled my phone out and texted Jenn. What is on your schedule today?

  I’ve got a meeting with a young couple who are planning a wedding in May, Jenn texted back. Why?

  Did you know that Sandy’s cousin Sharon is working the reception desk?

  Oh, yes, she texted back. I forgot to let you know. Sandy has seen how busy you are and suggested Sharon. So I hired her.

  How are we paying her?

  I used funds in petty cash. You have quite a bit left over.

  Thanks.

  I stopped short in the hallway. Room 201’s door was open and Mella came strolling out. “Well, there you are,” I said to the cat, and leaned down to stroke her back. “Find anything interesting in there?” I went over and opened the door wide. Why did the Goers leave the door open?

  The interior of the room looked used but nothing scary. I stuck my nose in the bathroom. It was empty. There were towels on the floor. I shrugged and went to the utility closet for cleaning supplies. I turned on the light and was startled by something hanging from the ceiling. I might have said something profane. My heart rate was through the roof and I put my hand on my chest. I pulled out my phone and started taking pictures. Someone had been in my utility closet.

  On closer inspection, it was a giant stuffed bear swinging from a noose. The noose was tied onto a hook where I hung mops. The bear was hung by the neck. It looked like it was bleeding. I stepped in for a closer look. A sniff test suggested ketchup. Frowning, I dialed Rex’s number.

  “Manning,” he said.

  “Hi, Rex,” I said as I studied the bear’s button eyes. “Do you have a minute to come over?”

  “What’s up?”

  I texted him a picture. “I sent you a picture of what I found in my second-floor utility closet.”

  He muttered something dark. I could hear the scraping of his chair as he jumped up. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes,” I said. “No one else is inside here. Although I may have guests still on this floor.”

  “Don’t touch anything.”

  “Okay.”

  “Are you inside the closet?”

  “Yes.” It was a large walk-in closet with shelves. It held everything you needed for housekeeping in a hotel.

  “Go out in the hall,” he ordered. “Shut the door.”

  “Right.” I did what he said. There were six rooms on the second floor and the utility closet was in the middle of the floor. There were two rooms filled with current guests. The other four were empty. Mella stalked over and rubbed against my legs. I reached down and picked her up to get a cuddle.

/>   “Are you still on the phone?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “I’m in the hall outside the closet. Mella is keeping me company.”

  “I’m nearly to the McMurphy,” he said.

  “You know, I don’t think there was a note or anything,” I said, frowning. “Do you think this is the killer? Or is this whoever pranked my guests before?”

  “It could be either,” he said. “I don’t like that they are now inside the McMurphy.”

  “Me neither,” I said with a sigh. “I may need to close this floor altogether.”

  “Are you working with a security company?”

  “I can’t lock people out of the McMurphy,” I said in a low tone in case my guests were in their rooms. “It’s a hotel, for goodness’ sake.”

  “Is there anyone who might want you to close down?” he asked.

  “No,” I said, disturbed by the thought. “Do you think that’s what this is about? Closing the McMurphy?”

  “I’m not sure,” he said. “If they really wanted to hurt you they would have done this during the season. Maybe they’re simply trying to scare you off.”

  “Well, I’m not scared,” I said stubbornly.

  “I’m here,” he said, and hung up.

  I texted Jenn. Are you out of your meeting?

  Be back at the McMurphy in fifteen, she texted.

  Come to the second floor, I texted. We have another prank.

  Oh, man, she texted back with an emoji of a scared face.

  I heard Rex come up the stairs. “Allie?”

  “Here,” I said, and put Mella down.

  “This has a familiar ring to it,” he said.

  “Yes, this is where we started, isn’t it?” I said.

  “I don’t like it,” he said. “Did you touch the doorknob?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I opened the door and then hit the light switch. That’s all I touched. I was going in to get cleaning supplies to work on room 201. The couple who stayed there checked out and left the door open.” I wrapped my hands around my waist as he opened the door and stepped inside.

  “Is that odd?”

  “What?”

  “Leaving the room door open? Aren’t they weighted to close on their own?”

  “No, they aren’t weighted,” I said. “Usually people close them when they leave. It’s sort of a habit. But when I came up to the second floor I caught Mella slipping out of the room. The door was open so I went in, but there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I came over here to get the stuff to start cleaning the room. I have two guests coming in today.”

  “You may want to put them on the third floor,” he said. “Do you have the rooms?”

  “Yes,” I said. “I can empty the floor if you think that’s necessary.”

  He studied the hanging bear. “This is odd.”

  “Yes, it is,” I said.

  “Did you see anyone bring the bear into the McMurphy? It’s big enough to be noticed.”

  “I didn’t,” I said. “I’ll ask Jenn and Sharon if they saw anything.”

  He glanced at me. “When did you hire Sharon Everheart?”

  “I didn’t, Sandy and Jenn did,” I said. “It’s fine. I can use the help and I understand she has covered for Frances before.”

  “Hmm,” he said, and turned back to the bear. “I’ll get Shane in here to dust for prints.” He studied the red goo on the bear’s neck. “Is that ketchup?”

  “I thought maybe,” I said. “But I didn’t want to taste it.”

  “No, don’t do that. You don’t know what might be in it.” He looked at the back of the bear. “No message?”

  “It’s weird, right? I mean, even the chicken came with the note on my door.”

  “When was the last time you were in your apartment?”

  “I put Mal in there when I went and changed from my fudge making clothes to my housekeeper clothes.”

  “You put Mal in there?”

  “Yes, she sleeps on the couch. It keeps her out of the way while I clean. If Frances was here, Mal would be allowed out. But when it’s just me, I’d rather she was safe in the apartment.”

  “Why don’t you go up and check your space,” he suggested. “I’m going to call in some help. Don’t forget to check your apartment door for any messages.”

  “Why would they put it outside my door if they were inside? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “And hanging a bear in a utility closet makes sense?” he asked.

  “I get your drift,” I said.

  “Hey, what’s up, boss?” Shane asked.

  “That was fast,” I said as he walked to the closet. “You must have been on Mackinac?”

  Jenn rounded the top of the stairs behind him. She looked flushed and her eyes sparkled. “What’s going on?”

  “That is a good question,” I said with a teasing tone.

  She straightened the silky blue top she wore. “I meant here. Why call Shane?”

  “Come see for yourself,” I said, and waved toward the closet.

  “Oh boy, that’s sick,” Jenn said. “Was there a note?”

  “I haven’t found one. I’m on my way upstairs to check the apartment.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Jenn said, and put her arm through mine as we left the men in the hall.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you hired Sharon Everheart?” I asked. “It was weird to come downstairs to find her at Frances’s station.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jenn said as we climbed the stairs. “I meant to tell you but then you came home late last night and were making fudge when I left this morning.”

  “What else have you done without telling me?” I asked. I know I sounded a bit petulant but the McMurphy was my business. Jenn hadn’t made any decisions without me before.

  “Nothing,” Jenn said. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I was telling Sandy how busy you have been and she told me that your Papa Liam had used Sharon as temporary help in the past. I thought it would ease some of your burden.”

  “The thought is appreciated, but please don’t hire anyone else without talking to me first. Okay?”

  “Sure,” she said. “No problem. I’m leaving soon anyway.”

  “Rex seems to think we should move all the guests to the third floor.”

  “Why?”

  “Because this is the second prank on the second floor. He’s worried about their safety.”

  “That makes sense,” she said. “We have enough rooms free to do that.”

  I sighed as we approached the apartment. “I’ll do it. I’ll tell them that we are going to start renovations on the second floor and the third will be quieter.”

  “Good idea,” Jenn said as I unlocked my apartment door. There wasn’t any sign of a note on the front of my front door. “Where’s Mal?”

  “What?” I searched the apartment living area. “I left her in the apartment. Mal? Come here.”

  The apartment was silent.

  “Oh no,” Jenn said, and raced to the back bedrooms. “Mal?”

  “Here, Marshmallow,” I called. No answer.

  “She’s not here,” Jenn said with panic in her voice.

  The back door that led to the alley was locked. “It’s locked,” I said. “Both doors were locked. There isn’t any way for her to get out.”

  “Mal? Here, girl,” I called, and checked the living room and under the couch. “She’s not here. I swear I brought her up when I changed my clothes.”

  “Did someone take her?”

  “How? The room was locked.”

  “Maybe she squeezed out when I left and I missed it,” I said. “She can be sneaky like that.”

  “True,” Jenn said, but her expression told me that I was reaching. We both went out into the hall. “Mal!”

  “Here, Mal, come on, girl. I have a cookie,” I said as we checked the office, but the door was closed and I opened the room to find it empty and silent. By this time Jenn had run down to the second floor to ask the guys if they had seen
my pup. I felt my stomach twist as I checked the third floor. Mal usually followed me or Jenn or Frances around all day. Once she met the guests at the front desk, she usually kept her distance, preferring to be with one of us. “Mal?” I called down the empty third-floor hallway. “Here, Mal.”

  A woman from 310 opened her door and stuck her head out into the hall. “Is everything all right?”

  “Have you seen Mal?” I asked. “I thought she was in my apartment but I can’t seem to find her.

  “The little white dog?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “I’m sorry,” the woman said. “I haven’t seen her since I checked in. But then again, I haven’t really been out. I’m a writer on deadline. I’m only here to get my work done.”

  “You’re a writer?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  “You wouldn’t happen to be writing for the television show that is shooting this week, wouldn’t you?”

  “Oh no, I’m not a screenwriter. I write romances. Is there a television show filming on Mackinac?”

  “Yes,” I said. “It’s a mystery series.”

  “Fun,” she said. “Listen, I need a break. Can I help you find your dog?”

  “Would you?” I asked. “Her name is Marshmallow, Mal for short. She’s quite clever and loves people.”

  “Sure, let me lock up here.” She came out of the room. She was about five foot four and older with dark blond hair that curled around her head. She wore jeans and a T-shirt that said WARNING, WRITER. WHATEVER YOU SAY MAY END UP IN MY NEXT BOOK.

  “Mal,” I called, and walked the entire hallway. She wasn’t on the third floor. My heart raced and I wrung my hands.

  “Would she go outside without you?” the woman asked.

  “I doubt it,” I said. “She never has before. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. I’m Allie McMurphy.”

  “Ah, the owner,” she surmised. “I’m Terry Dubbs. Do you like science fiction?”

  “Why?”

  “Mal, it’s the name of the captain of the Serenity. You know, Firefly? Nathan Fillion?”

  “Oh, no, I don’t know that. Sorry.”

  We headed down the stairs and ran into Jenn and Rex. “Have you found her?” I asked.

  “No,” Jenn said.

  “And you are sure you locked her in the apartment?” Rex asked. “She could be in the lobby.”