by Cindy Bell
“How could I? You were a cheerleader…”
“One year.”
“And you were popular,” Donovan continued.
“I wasn’t that popular. I had a few friends, that was all.”
“To me you were. I didn’t have any friends.”
“I’m sure that you had at least a couple,” Ally said.
“No, I was very shy.” He frowned. “Anyway, none of that matters now. I still don’t know why you would think you’re entitled to see any of the recordings.”
“Look, I don’t have to see them for myself. If you just watch the videos for me and tell me the information, then what will that be violating?”
He narrowed his eyes. Ally was sure that he wasn’t going to be swayed. After all, he had caught her committing a crime.
“All right. But only because I’m sure that you and your grandmother had nothing to do with this.”
“Thanks Donny.”
“It’s Donovan now,” he emphasized.
“Oops sorry. Thanks Donovan.” He nodded and turned to the bank of monitors. “Start from the day of the open house and work your way back. I mean, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure.” He glanced over his shoulder. As the first video began to play Ally’s eyes widened.
“Look! It’s right there.”
He turned back to look at the screen just as the delivery van from the shop pulled up. The driver parked the van and carried the small box of chocolates into the building.
“Can you tell what room he went to?”
“Unfortunately, not from the video. He would have signed the log book, though.” He walked over to a filing cabinet and opened one of the drawers. He pulled out a folder and began sorting through the papers inside. “That’s weird.” He looked puzzled.
“What is?”
“There’s no information entered for any delivery from your shop on that day.” He looked up at her.
“So, on the day of the open house there were chocolates delivered, but there’s no entry?”
“It seems so, maybe someone made a mistake?” Donovan said. “I’ll ask around and see if I can find out more information.”
“Okay, thank you, Donovan.”
“No problem, Ally. If there’s any other way I can help just let me know. All right?”
“Sure. Thank you.” She nodded as she walked out of the security office. She was surprised that his attitude towards her seemed to change so quickly. Her thoughts were heavy with frustration. When she reached the delivery van, she paused to make a phone call.
“Luke Elm.”
“Luke, it’s Ally.”
“Oh?”
She grimaced at his tone. “I need you to check the records from the shop for me, please.”
“Those are being searched at the moment,” Luke replied in a businesslike tone.
“Great, then it should be no trouble to look up a delivery that took place on the day of the open house, to Freely Lakes.”
“Ally.” Luke’s voice tightened. “You do realize that if I find that delivery it will only further implicate you.”
“I’m trying to figure out who sent the chocolates, Luke. At this point it’s pretty clear that every ounce of information is pointing towards our shop. So, I’d like to know who made the order, because they may just be the real killer.”
“You think that someone ordered the chocolates, had them delivered, and then swapped them for the poisoned ones?”
“I think it’s possible. It would have to be someone who had access to the chocolates. Someone at Freely Lakes.”
“What about your delivery driver?”
“Seriously?”
“Well, he would have had access to the chocolates before they were delivered.”
Ally sighed. “No, I don’t think he would do that.”
“We never think of the people around us as being capable of murder, Ally. But many times it is the people that we think we know the best that surprise us the most.”
“I agree, but I don’t think that’s the case this time. I just need the information, Luke. Can’t you get it for me?”
“I’ll see what I can do, Ally, but you have to understand that I have to be careful about this case. I can’t risk anyone thinking I tainted the evidence in any way. Especially with our…” he paused.
“Our?”
“Well you know, our friendship.”
“You’re saying you don’t want anyone to think that your connection with me hindered your ability to arrest me for murder?”
“Ally. I told you before, I’m not going to arrest you.”
“No, you’re just going to get someone else to do it.”
Luke took a sharp breath and cleared his throat. “You’ve got to give me a break here, Ally. You’re handing them a case against you by taking chances that you shouldn’t take, and somehow you expect me to be able to just ignore that? I do have a job to do. I was able to delay the arrest warrant, but it took quite a song and dance on my part, and I absolutely have to find a more viable suspect. You know, one that isn’t actively providing more evidence of guilt.”
Ally’s heartbeat quickened. She wasn’t sure if she was angry at Luke or angry at herself, but she was definitely angry.
“And I have a job to do, too, but I can’t do it, because you shut down the shop.”
“I didn’t shut it down, I was given the order to. Besides, how would you feel if someone else got poisoned and we hadn’t closed it? I wouldn’t have shut it unless I absolutely had to. You know that. Don’t you?” Luke asked.
“I do. I think. I’m just really stressed about all of this. See what you can do about finding out who the delivery was ordered by and who it was delivered to, please.”
“I will. Ally, just try to let me sort this out. I’m sure I can get to the bottom of it, but the more evidence you create against yourself, the harder my job becomes. I understand why you are so concerned, but I need you to let me handle this.”
“You do what you need to do, Luke. I appreciate that you’re looking out for me. But I have to do what I have to do, too.”
“Ally, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Ally frowned as she hung up the phone. One thing was for sure, she didn’t want Luke to be the one who put the handcuffs on her. As angry as she was, she did appreciate that he seemed to care. However, all of that caring was not going to erase the pile of evidence that was mounting against her.
Chapter Ten
Ally started the van and drove back towards the shop, with the same judgmental stares following after her. As she parked outside the shop she remembered the smudges on her newly cleaned window. Had the killer been looking inside? Was it possible that the killer was watching her for quite some time? She shivered at the thought.
Ally looked at the shop and sighed. It was hard to think of a place so filled with love being linked to such a terrible crime. She looked at the closed sign on the shop door. It made her stomach ache to think that the doors might never reopen.
Ally was still in a funk when she got back to the cottage. Charlotte was nowhere to be seen when she stepped inside. Ally was a little relieved as she didn’t want to explain her bad attitude. When she noticed a light on inside her grandmother’s room she walked towards her door and knocked lightly.
“Come in!” Charlotte called out. Ally pushed the door open to find her grandmother surrounded by boxes.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m packing.” Charlotte turned and smiled at her. “I think I’ve made a lot of progress.”
“Mee-Maw, you’re not really thinking of going through with the move, are you?”
“Well, of course. I don’t see a reason not to.”
“How about the fact that we are still being focused on as suspects in this murder?” Ally asked.
“Oh, Ally don’t worry about that. You know that you didn’t do it, you know that I didn’t do it, so what is there to worry about?”
“According to Luke, quit
e a bit.”
“Those law enforcement types are always a little highly strung. You just have to let it roll off your back.” Charlotte smiled comfortingly.
“Mee-Maw, I don’t think you’re taking this seriously enough.”
“If I thought there was an issue, don’t you think I would be doing everything to fix it?” Charlotte dropped a pair of shoes into one of the boxes. “I don’t want to lose my opportunity to move into Freely Lakes and if I don’t start planning ahead I’m going to have a slew of packing to do. Besides, I find the best way to prevent getting down in the dumps about a problem is for me to keep busy. Normally, I would make chocolates, but well, you know.”
“Yes, I do.” Ally shook her head. “I wish I could be as calm as you, Mee-Maw.”
“I may look calm now, but if I find out that Luke’s coming after you, you’re going to see a whole other person.”
Ally laughed at the thought. She had seen that whole other person quite a few times in her lifetime, and she had to admit that Charlotte on a rampage was frightening, even to her.
“I’m going to go lay down for a bit.”
“Looking up the delivery information didn’t go well?”
“No, not well at all. I know that chocolates from our shop were delivered to Freely Lakes on the day of the open house, but not to whom, or who they were ordered by.”
“Wait a minute. On the day of the open house?”
“Yes. I saw the CCTV footage from Freely Lakes myself.”
“But we didn’t even open the shop that day.”
Ally blinked. “So, why would Brian be making a delivery?”
“I think that’s a very good question.”
“I’ll give Brian a call and check it out.”
“Ally, try not to worry too much. It’s all going to be just fine. I think there’s a lot more to worry about in life than the things that will work themselves out.”
“I wish I had your positive outlook, Mee-Maw.”
“It’s something that comes with age.” Charlotte laughed.
Ally left her grandmother’s room and returned to her own. When she stepped inside, Peaches pranced right over to her. She rubbed her cheek against Ally’s hand when she reached down to pet her.
“You can always tell when I need you, can’t you, Peaches?” She picked her up and cradled her in her arms. After petting the cat for a few minutes she called the delivery driver. He answered on the fourth ring.
“Ally? I already told Charlotte…”
“I know, I know. It’s okay. But I have a question for you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Did you make a delivery to Freely Lakes on the day of the open house?”
“No, I don’t think so,” he said.
“But the van was at Freely Lakes on that day. I saw the video footage and you got out of the van and took in some chocolates.”
“Oh, now I remember.”
“And?” Ally asked. She was starting to get a bit impatient.
“I was visiting my grandmother,” he said.
“The chocolates were for your grandmother?” Ally asked.
“I paid for the chocolates,” he said defensively.
“Oh, that’s okay I’m sure you did, that’s not the problem.”
“Grandma Ruth said she needed them for a gift.”
“Grandma Ruth,” Ally’s head spun at the realization. Ruth got chocolates delivered from the shop on the day that Myrtle was murdered. Could she have swapped them to kill Myrtle?
“Ally, are you there?” he asked.
“Yes, sorry,” Ally muttered. “Do you know who they were a gift for?”
“No, sorry Ally,” he said. “I was just using the van like Charlotte let me when she doesn’t need it. I was going to visit my grandmother anyway. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s okay, thanks.” Ally wanted to ask more questions, but she didn’t want to outright accuse his grandmother of murder.
Ally hung up and bit into her bottom lip. Peaches purred and nuzzled her elbow. She stroked the cat’s fur. “Well, Peaches I wonder if those chocolates were given to Myrtle. They certainly hated each other. Now I just need to see if I can find out?”
Peaches meowed and bumped the top of her head against Ally’s palm. “I know, I know, I’m not supposed to worry, but how can I not worry?” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “I can’t imagine how someone could despise us enough to try to frame us for murder.” She pulled Peaches closer. “You always help me calm down, but I’m not sure if it’s going to work this time.” Peaches curled up in her lap and nestled her chin in her paws. Ally pet her. Slowly she did begin to relax. “Honestly Peaches, I can’t imagine that after all of this Luke is going to want anything to do with me. I guess that’s for the best. My relationships haven’t been very successful.”
Peaches flicked her with her tail. “Okay, our relationship has been very successful.” She smiled and scratched the cat’s chin. She just hoped they would be able to clear their names so Peaches wouldn’t have to visit her in jail.
Chapter Eleven
Ally was still thinking about the conversation she had with the delivery driver when there was a knock on her bedroom door.
“Ally?”
“Come in, Mee-Maw.” She felt a pang of disappointment that soon they would not be able to just knock on each other’s door. Charlotte opened the door and peeked in at her.
“I was afraid you might be sleeping.”
“No. I think I just found our murderer.”
“Really?”
“I just found out that Brian delivered the chocolates to Freely Lakes on the day of the murder to his grandmother, Ruth, so she could give them as a gift.”
“What?” Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Oh, of course. No, Brian’s grandmother is not the Ruth we suspect. It is a different Ruth.”
“Oh, Mee-Maw. What a coincidence. I didn’t want to suspect that Brian or his family could somehow be involved. That’s a relief, but it’s another dead end. This is all such a mess, I’m not sure how we’re going to pull out of it.”
“Take a breath, Ally. It’s going to be okay.”
“But what if it’s not?”
Charlotte sat down on the bed beside her. She took Ally’s hand in her own. “We will always be okay, sweetheart. You have to stop looking at everything that is wrong, and start looking at everything that is right.”
“What’s right?”
“Luke’s on our side.”
“So far.”
“I’m sure he will continue to be. Now come on, we can go for a walk, and you can fill me in on the delivery.”
“A walk?” Ally shook her head. “The last thing I want is to see people in town. They will all be staring at us.”
“So, let them stare. We have never been a family that shies away from that. Right?” Charlotte looked into her eyes. “Now is the time we have to be brave. If we hide away, then we’ll be proving their suspicions right, that we have something to feel guilty about. Don’t you think?”
“I guess.”
“Let’s just take a walk. Hmm? Fresh air can make everything better.” Charlotte linked her arm through Ally’s. Ally sighed. She still didn’t think it was a good idea. But her grandmother was right. If she stayed inside all she would do was wallow. That was something that Charlotte never allowed. No matter what difficulty she faced, Ally was always pulled to her feet and forced to deal with it head on. Even as an adult, things were no different.
“Let’s go, let’s go.” Charlotte patted her arm. “Arnold needs a walk you know.”
“I know, I know.” When they walked into the kitchen Arnold snorted impatiently. “Don’t worry we didn’t forget about you, Piggie.” Ally patted his head and then clipped the leash onto Arnold’s collar. As they stepped outside it was just dusk.
“Maybe a walk really isn’t a good idea,” Ally said, still trying to get out of it.
“Nonsense. We have to keep our health, and that means e
xercise.”
Ally nodded and started walking. The further along the sidewalk that they traveled the happier Arnold became. When they neared the shops Arnold really snorted.
“He must like all the smells in the air.” Charlotte smiled fondly at him. Arnold pulled hard on his leash. Ally tried to pull back, but the pig was determined. One thing Ally learned real fast about Arnold was that when he wanted something, it was best just to let him have it. In the long run the fight was not worth the stress. She let him lead her along to the back of the convenience store. She sighed impatiently when he shoved his snout into a trashcan that had been tipped over, perhaps by other larger animals. He snorted and grunted as he dug deeper into the trash.
“Arnold, cut it out.” Ally frowned. She still wasn’t in the best mood and Arnold certainly wasn’t making it any better for her. She tried to tug him back, but he refused and snorted louder. Ally dropped down to one knee and tried to guide Arnold away from the trash. As she pushed his kicking and squealing body away from the trash she noticed that something strange clung to his snout. It was an empty package of walnuts. Ally stared at the wrapper.
“Look at this, Mee-Maw.” She held it out for her grandmother to see.
“Interesting. They could have been used in the chocolates.”
“This is it! Stephanie must be the killer.”
“Slow down, sh.” Charlotte looked around to see if anyone was close enough to hear Ally. “We don’t know that for sure. This is a convenience store maybe she just sells them.”
“Well, if she does maybe we can find out if she remembers who bought them recently.”
“It couldn’t hurt to ask.” Charlotte tucked the wrapper into her purse. Ally led Arnold around the corner to the front of the store. Stephanie opened the door with her keys in hand.
“Sorry ladies, just closing up.”
“Oh, I just need one thing for a recipe, Stephanie, could I just duck in and get it?” Charlotte said sweetly.
“What is it?” Stephanie raised an eyebrow.
Charlotte reached into her purse and pulled out the packaging. “This kind of walnuts.”
To Ally it seemed that Stephanie’s face paled when she saw the wrapper, but maybe she was just imagining it. “Where did you get that?”
