by Lyndsey Cole
Jason tried to suppress a chuckle. “I did.”
“Maybe you needed a shock to bring you back to right now,” Jason said as he blew on his spoonful before attempting to eat it. He waved his hand in front of his mouth. “Still hot.” He stirred his chili some more and nibbled on the cornbread. “What else did Tess tell you? Anything to help find the murderer?”
“She was evasive about the bracelet, almost mad when I asked her about it a second time. And the other thing was about Lacy’s will. She said Brad definitely had a motive to kill Lacy for the inheritance.”
They dug into the chili which had cooled down enough to avoid any more burned mouths.
“Tess is in the will but she said all she cared about was the sapphire bracelet. Maybe that’s true, or maybe not.”
“And there’s still the person Thelma Dodd saw wearing a black parka when Lacy was murdered.” Jason said between bites.
“I did ask Tess where she was that night and she said she was in Lacy’s house. Alone. Just like she told Tyler. There’s no way to confirm it though. And I do believe what Thelma Dodd wrote in her journal. She’s old but not senile.”
Jason took another piece of cornbread. “I was hoping to avoid bringing this up, but why did Tess start talking about Hank McGuire and his will? And you being named the heir of an irrevocable trust?”
Annie took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “What is an irrevocable trust?”
“It’s when someone, in this case Hank McGuire, transferred assets into a trust and removed all of his rights of ownership to the assets. That type of trust can’t be modified without the permission of the beneficiary, which is you, if what Tess said is true. Which makes me wonder where she got this information.”
“She said she found Lacy’s notes for her kiss and tell book and there was a whole chapter about Leona and Hank.”
“Listen, Annie,” Jason said carefully. “Just because Lacy wrote something and Tess found it, doesn’t make it true. Let’s try to put that aside and worry about finding Lacy’s killer so Leona can get out of jail.”
“You’re right. Leona was about to tell me something before Tyler got here and I’m not even sure I want to hear it.”
Annie gathered up the dirty bowls and rinsed them at the sink.
Jason’s phone rang. After a quick conversation he said to Annie, “You can visit with Leona now. Are you up for that?”
She nodded.
“I’ll drive you to the police station and wait until you’re done.”
“You can drop me off at the café to get my car so you don’t have to wait at the police station.”
Jason put his arm around her shoulder. “I don’t mind waiting.”
Once they were in Jason’s car, Annie called Mia and filled her in on what happened and that she was heading to the police station to talk to Leona. After she hung up, she sat in silence.
He broke the silence. “I’ve known Leona a long time. She’s a good person and loves you to death. Try not to jump to any conclusions about what she may have done in the past until you have all the facts.”
“Why didn’t the two of you, ya know, have a romantic relationship?”
Jason choked he was laughing so hard. “I love Leona, but like a sister. A bossy, know it all, pain in the butt. We were never attracted to each other that way. Besides, she saw pretty quickly that I had my sights set on you.”
Annie saw that Jason was peeking at her from the corner of his eyes, waiting for a response. “Is that so?” She reached up and rubbed the silver strawberry pendent, wishing it contained some type of magic that could erase all the bad events pulling her down.
“That is so.” He reached his hand toward Annie and she met him halfway. She realized the soft warmth of his fingers was all the magic she needed.
Turning her head to Jason, she rewarded him with a contented smile.
They reached the police station parking lot sooner than Annie would have liked.
Chapter 18
Tyler was getting an earful from Brad when Annie walked inside. He gently steered Brad to another officer and motioned for Annie to follow him.
“What’s that all about?” Annie whispered, nodding her head toward Brad.
“He wants to make sure Leona doesn’t get out on bail, but that’s not my decision anyway. The guy is nuts, thanks for rescuing me.”
She followed him into his office and waited until the door was closed. “He may be nuts but he’s a wealthy nut with Lacy dead.”
“I’m aware of that, and wait until you hear what Leona has to say about what happened last night when she was kidnapped.”
“Brad?”
“I’ll let her tell you so I don’t get any details mixed up. Come on. She’s been pacing like a caged animal the whole time waiting for you to get here.”
Tyler brought Annie to a small room guarded by an unsmiling policeman. Leona was already inside, pacing, just as Tyler had described.
“Annie, I have to explain, it’s not what you think.”
Annie held up her hand. “I’m here to figure out who murdered Lacy and get you out of this place, anything else will have to wait. I don’t have room in my head or my heart for more than that at the moment. Okay?”
Leona nodded and sat down, studying Annie. “Your hair’s different. I like it.”
Annie absentmindedly ran her fingers through her shorter, styled hair. “Tess cut it this morning. It’s a big improvement from my chopping it here and there, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. A big improvement. So, where should we start?”
Annie sat across the table from Leona. “Tell me exactly what happened when you walked out of Jake’s house last night. We heard a gunshot, a scream, and then silence. It was like you disappeared into thin air.”
“Someone was waiting for me. If I hadn’t gone out first, the kidnapper’s whole plan would have fallen apart.”
“Who was waiting for you?”
Leona shook her head. “I still don’t know. I can’t figure it out. Whoever it was took a shot, then grabbed my arm and stuck the gun in my back. He pushed me to his car, to the driver side, and jabbed with the gun until I got in and moved to the passenger side. I tried to get out but that door was locked.”
“He?”
“He, she, I’m not positive about anything. There was no talking. He had one of those full face masks on, a bulky parka, gloves and black boots. It could have been anyone. I assumed it was a man, but under all those clothes it might have been a woman.”
“Tall? Skinny?”
“A little taller than me, maybe five-eight, but the boots could have made the person taller. Medium build, but that’s with the bulky parka on.”
“What kind of car?”
“A dark SUV, nothing I’ve seen before. The car had nothing inside that I could see for some kind of identification. I thought Tyler would have been able to catch up to us but I never saw any headlights following as we drove down the dirt road.”
“Your kidnapper thought of everything. Tyler’s tire was flat so it took more time to maneuver Mom’s car out, and by then your kidnapper had a big head start.” Annie surveyed the bleak room. “Where did this person take you?”
Leona raked her fingers through her hair. “I’d give anything for a shower.” She sipped some water from the cup on the table. “He drove around and pulled into a rest area, drank some coffee he had in a thermos and kept that gun pointed at me. The only other thing was the constant gum chewing. Chomp, chomp, chomp, like a cow chewing her cud. Cinnamon gum. Of all the things going on, that really got under my skin.” She laughed. “Not the gun, not the fact that I had to pee like a racehorse, it was that constant gum snapping.”
“Your charm didn’t work to soften him up?”
Leona raised an eyebrow. “I know. It’s never failed me before.”
“How did you get to my apartment?”
Leona’s hands were flat on the metal table as she leaned forward. “I guess I dozed in the car for a while.
Once he started to drive again, I woke up and he gave me a note.”
“Do you have it?” Annie folded her hands but her right leg kept jiggling up and down.
“No, I gave it to Tyler. It said, Get out and walk to Annie’s apartment. Confess to the murder or your secret will be revealed and someone else will get hurt.”
Annie looked away. “I don’t want to hear about that secret now.”
“Listen Annie. I’m tired of being blackmailed. I don’t care about the secret anymore so I didn’t confess to the murder like the note said.”
Annie smiled. “I didn’t think you would. You’re innocent. Do you think it was Brad that kidnapped you?”
“That would be my first guess, but I really don’t have enough to go on to be absolutely positive.”
Annie tapped her fingers on the table, noticing the scratches and dents that must have accumulated over many years. “What about Johnny? He lied to Tyler about hearing your voice. Maybe he followed Lacy inside and hid when you got there.”
“It wasn’t Johnny who kidnapped me. He’s too fat, and he always smells like alcohol.”
“Maybe Tess?” Annie asked, remembering the uneasy feelings she had when Tess was cutting her hair.
“Unlikely, unless she managed to bulk up a lot under the parka and make herself several inches taller.”
“Think about it carefully. I found a sapphire stone in the snow next to the car you were shoved into. Tess was after Lacy for a sapphire bracelet. I think it got knocked loose from that bracelet when the kidnapper was shoving you into the car.”
“It was odd that the kidnapper never said a word to me. If it was Tess and she wanted me to think she was a man, maybe Brad, she wouldn’t talk, would she?”
“Good point. I still want to find out more about Brad. I’m going to talk to Sherry and see if she can give him an alibi.”
“What about Sherry? Could she have murdered Lacy?”
“Sherry and Lacy were best friends, and besides she has an alibi. She was at Thelma Dodd’s house. It has to be Brad or Tess. Neither have an alibi. They’re both in Lacy’s will which means a lot of money coming their way. A huge motive.”
Leona reached across the table and covered Annie’s hands with hers. “Why don’t you let Tyler do this? I’m worried that someone else will be hurt. Or killed. I don’t want to be trapped in here worrying about you.”
“I’ll be careful. If Tyler shows up to talk to Sherry, she’ll suspect something. I’ll tell her I have some information about Tess. When Tess was cutting my hair, Sherry came in and told her Brad said Tess had to get her stuff out of the house. I got the unmistakable impression that Brad and Sherry can’t stand Tess.”
Chapter 19
Annie blew a kiss to Leona. She much preferred to wrap her arms around her aunt and give her a bone crunching hug, but Tyler warned her about staying on opposite sides of the table.
Her phone beeped when the guard handed it back to her outside the small room. Jason texted that he had an emergency conference call to make at his house and could she find a ride back to the café to get her car.
That was annoying, she thought. She should have driven herself. Zipping up her coat, she decided to walk to the café. It wasn’t too far and the cold air was a refreshing tonic for her to clear her brain and focus on a plan. And, she smiled to herself, now she wouldn’t have to make any excuse to Jason about where she was going.
The mile went by quickly at her brisk walking pace and her car was a welcome sight, sitting in the Cove’s Corner parking lot. Not even bothering to check in with her mother at the café, she slid into the driver’s seat, crossed her fingers and turned the key. Yes, she pumped her fist in the air as her mostly unreliable car actually purred to life.
Driving past Cobblestones Cottage and her apartment, she continued to Lacy’s house. It would be a lucky break if Sherry was there, but it was as good a place as any to start. Coming unannounced with the added element of surprise seemed like a smart idea.
Lacy’s red Camaro was parked at the side of the garage. Annie wondered who, if anyone, would be the lucky person to get Lacy’s car. It was way too flashy for Annie but she could imagine Brad soaking up the envy of those in Catfish Cove who were obsessed with sports cars.
She parked her old Saab facing out just in case she needed to jump start it. As much as she loved her car, she admitted to herself that it might be time to start thinking about something a bit newer.
Sliding her phone into her pocket, Annie squared her shoulders and knocked on the massive front door. As she waited, she turned around to enjoy the view of the lake. The setting for this house was probably the best on all of Heron Lake. It was set back with enough trees between the house and the water to provide some privacy, but also with views of the lake from the windows that lined the side of the house where she stood. A long screened-in porch wrapped around half the front and one side of the house.
The sun warmed her face and silence filled her ears until the door opened, startling her. Annie laughed. “I was enjoying the view and giving up hope that anyone was home.”
Sherry invited her in. “Not working today?”
“Yes and no. I’m taking a break, hoping you can help with something.”
“I’ll try.” Annie closed the door behind her and followed Sherry into a large, rustic living room. “Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything? Tea or coffee?”
“Sure, but only if you’re having some too.” Annie chose a chair that faced toward the window and the view. She always preferred to face a window for some reason.
“I have a fresh pot of coffee. Be right back.”
Annie noticed several photographs of Lacy and Hank on the mantel along with photos of Hank with, what Annie assumed were, political friends of his. The room was comfortable and warm with a small fire in the fireplace.
Sherry set a silver tray on the coffee table. “So, what can I help you with?” She handed a cup to Annie.
“I know you and Lacy were best friends for a long time and, well, I’m hoping you want to find whoever killed her as much as anyone,” Annie started.
Sherry’s eyebrow twitched up. “From what I’ve heard, it sounds like your aunt is the killer. Do you know something the police aren’t aware of?” She asked with a sarcastic tone.
Annie looked away from Sherry. “Not exactly. It’s more like a suspicion I have and I was hoping you could shed more light on my thoughts.”
Sherry crunched her lips in thought. “I know you’re close to Leona and would love to find some evidence to point in another direction, but don’t you think you’re wasting your time?”
Annie sighed and put her coffee cup down. “Thanks for your time, I guess this was a mistake to come here.” She started to stand up.
Sherry waved her hand, motioning for Annie to sit back down. “Slow down, Annie. I didn’t say I wouldn’t listen to you. I only want to be sure you don’t have your hopes up too high.”
“I probably do, but I have to keep looking at this from every angle.” She slowly sat down again.
“Tell me what your angle is.” Sherry leaned back into her chair and sipped her coffee, keeping her eyes on Annie.
“It’s about Tess.”
“And?” Sherry set her cup down and leaned forward.
“You don’t like her, do you?”
“Not really. I don’t trust her. She came back here and badgered Lacy about some promise Lacy supposedly made to Tess’s mother. Lacy felt sorry for Tess but she was getting annoyed with the constant greed of the girl.”
“Was the promise about a sapphire bracelet?”
“Yes, I think it was. How did you find out about it?”
“Tess told me.” Annie crossed her legs. “What I really want to know about is whether Tess was here the night Lacy was murdered, like she told me she was.”
“I don’t know. I was at Thelma Dodd’s house, but Brad was home. I thought he was here alone, waiting for Lacy to get home.”
; “Well, when I talked to Thelma the other day, she told me she saw someone wearing a black parka walking on the Lake Trail around the time Lacy was murdered.”
Sherry stood up. “Yes, I saw that person too when I was sitting with Thelma in her living room. Tess has a black parka.” Sherry’s eyes popped wide. “Do you think it was Tess?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Perhaps I should talk to Brad.”
Sherry glanced at her watch. “He’s at a meeting with Lacy’s lawyer now and I have no idea when he’ll be back. I’ll let him know what you said and maybe you could stop by in the morning. Early, before he leaves for work. Around seven?”
Annie stood up, getting the impression that Sherry wanted to end the discussion. “Yeah, I’ll swing by then.”
“Perfect,” Sherry answered and started to walk toward the door. “Even if it was Tess in that black parka, it doesn’t prove she killed Lacy.”
“That’s true, but Johnny Robbins heard someone in the house with Lacy before Leona even arrived, so I want to find out who that person was,” Annie said as she walked behind Sherry.
Chapter 20
Mia was finishing up at the café when Annie finally returned.
“There you are. I was getting worried when you were gone for so long. Have you been with Leona this whole time?”
“No, I had some other things to do.” Annie decided to keep her visit with Sherry to herself for now.
The pastry case was thinned out and the granola was gone so Annie mixed up another batch that could be cooked in the morning. “Was it busy today?”
“No, not too busy. Tess came in asking where you were.”
Annie paused her mixing. “Did she say what she wanted?”
“She said she had time this afternoon to finish your hair highlights if you still want them.” Mia had a half grin starting.
“I know what you’re thinking. I’ve never done anything with my hair before but I wanted to keep her talking so I agreed to the highlights.” Annie fluffed up her hair. “What do you think? Should I go back and have her do it?”
Mia put her finger to her cheek and tilted her head. “Sure. Why not. It never hurts to try something different.”
