by J A Whiting
“Thanks, but I can do it.” Angie reached in her pocket for the car key. “I know there’s a lot to do for the B and B today.” She opened the car door. “It’s going to be a warm day. Want to go to the beach this afternoon for a little while? Maybe Jenna and Ellie can get away for a couple of hours.”
“I’d love that. I’ll see you when you get back.”
Angie sat down in the driver’s seat and backed the car into the street. She waved at Courtney as she drove away to her first stop.
Angie parked in front of The Pirate’s Den restaurant, checked her list, and removed two cakes and two pie boxes from the trunk. Bessie Lindquist, the owner, saw her coming and hurried to open the door of the restaurant for Angie. She took the two top boxes from Angie to lighten the load. Two waitresses came over and carried the desserts to the kitchen.
“Your treats are big favorites here.” Bessie pulled a silver pen from her apron pocket and handed it to Angie. “You want some tea or coffee?”
“No thanks. I have a bunch of deliveries to make.” Angie made a note on the receipt and handed it to Bessie to sign.
Bessie and her husband had owned the Pirate’s Den for over twenty years. She was petite and had small, pretty features. Her silvery blonde, short hair framed her face. Bessie glanced through the big front windows to the Finch Confectioners storefront across the street. “You found Finch? You found the body?”
“Courtney and I did, yes.”
Bessie shook her head. “Can’t say I’m sorry he’s gone.”
Angie’s eyes widened and Bessie added, “Oh you know what I mean. I feel bad he was killed of course, but he was a nasty old thing. Don’t think I ever heard a pleasant word from that man.”
“Do you know anything about him?”
Bessie made a face. “Really? I don’t think I do. I’ve had the restaurant here across from his store for more than twenty years and I can’t think of anything I know about the man. Isn’t that sad?”
“Maybe he didn’t want to be known,” Angie offered.
“That’s even sadder, then.” Bessie shook her head.
Lindsay, the assistant manager and waitress, was working at a table near the window putting the daily specials sheet into the menus. She was in her thirties and had shoulder-length auburn hair. Two years ago, Lindsay was about eighty pounds overweight when she decided she wanted to change her ways and live a healthier lifestyle. She took up running and biking with a vengeance. Now fit and strong, Lindsay was a competitive tri-athlete. “I agree with you, Bessie. Finch was a monster. I worked at the candy shop for a month about two years ago. It was the longest month of my life.”
“What did he do?” Angie had heard Courtney’s complaints about Finch and wondered what Lindsay’s experience was.
“I was heavy back then. He made nasty comments about my weight. He said the customers would worry that there wouldn’t be anything left for them because I must be eating all the candy. He didn’t want to hire me because I was heavy, but no one else applied for the job.” Her face clouded over thinking about working for Finch. “I wish I hadn’t applied. He accused me of stealing from him, money, supplies, candy. He often docked my pay. When I complained, he would point to the door. He even reported me to the police department, told them I was stealing from him. I needed the job so I put up with it until I found something else. I left there in a hurry as soon as I got another job.” Lindsay’s eyes flashed with anger. “He couldn’t keep workers. No one could stand him. He was really paranoid, too. Sometimes he kept the door to the back work room locked. He was always wary about people, like he thought someone was out to get him.” She stopped what she was doing, holding one of the menu inserts in mid-air. “Well, I guess someone was out to get him.” Lindsay returned to her task and continued, “I was out running the other day. I stopped in front of the candy shop to catch my breath after my run. The door to Finch’s store was open. I could hear a heated discussion in there.”
Angie perked up. “Could you hear what they were saying?”
Lindsay said, “Not really. It was the loud voices and the tone that caught my attention. I wasn’t really able to understand what they were saying to each other.”
“When was this?” Angie moved closer to the table where Lindsay was working.
“The day before he was killed.” Lindsay kept at her task without looking up.
“Did you see who Finch was arguing with?”
“No. It was a man though, I could tell that.”
Angie wanted more information. “What age would you say the man was? Did he sound old? Young?”
Lindsay yawned. “Hmm…maybe he was older…definitely not a young guy.”
“Did you notice any cars parked in front of the candy shop that day?” Angie hoped this would lead to something.
“Maybe? I think there was a car.”
“Can you remember anything about it? The color? The make?”
Lindsay shook her head. “I couldn’t say for sure. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Angie wanted to sigh, but held it in. “What about what they were arguing about? Are you sure you couldn’t hear any part of what they said? Anything at all? Did some words stand out?”
Lindsay’s face scrunched up as she thought about it. “I don’t know…maybe someone said something about a picture? But that can’t be right.” Lindsay shrugged.
“What time was it when you were near the candy store?” Angie thought this would be a question that Lindsay could answer.
Lindsay looked up. “I finished my run around 7:30.”
“Did you tell the police what you heard?”
“The police came in to talk to us about the murder. I told them what I heard.”
Angie nodded. “Good. Maybe it will help. Well, if you think of anything else, will you let me know? I’ll be back on Wednesday to drop off some more desserts.” Angie said goodbye and left to go to her car. She didn’t want to be late for her other deliveries.
Just as she was getting in, a man’s voice called her name. She turned to see Josh Williams walking briskly across the street to her.
Josh had a broad smile on his face. Angie felt her muscles melting at the sight of him.
“Hey. How are you?”
His blue eyes warmed Angie. “I’m good. Doing deliveries.”
“I’m back from Maine for a while.” Josh leaned against Angie’s car. “I managed to extract myself from my brother’s tentacles.”
Angie smiled. “How’s the project going?”
“Slow. Davis drives a hard bargain. I think the deal is fine, but he always wants better terms so negotiations drag on.” Josh shrugged. “I came back to check on the resort. The new manager seems to be having problems.” Josh and his brother Davis were property developers and they owned a high-end resort located on Robin’s Point at the southern end of Sweet Cove. They had recently replaced the resort’s previous manager with someone new.
“Is the new manager having a hard time settling into the job?”
“I’m not sure what the problem is, really. There have been some complaints.” Josh brushed aside his concerns about the manager. “I’ll be around town for a week or so, maybe two weeks. If you have some time, would you like to try that bike ride again someday?”
“I would.” Angie smiled. “Hopefully this time there won’t be a typhoon or other natural disaster.” Josh had invited Angie to go for a bike ride on the day after she closed her bake shop, but the day dawned with a deluge of rain and wind which didn’t let up until nightfall. They had to cancel the ride and the next day Josh had to go to Maine with his brother to pursue a land development deal.
Josh gave a hearty laugh. “I certainly hope not. We deserve a sunny day after last time.”
They exchanged numbers and Josh told Angie he would be in touch as soon as he had a chance to see what needed to be done about the resort. They parted ways, and Angie got into her car to make her next delivery. She wondered if Josh had heard about Mr. Finch.
; Yellow police tape was tied across the door to Finch Confectioner’s and as Angie attached her seat belt, she thought she noticed a light on in the back room of the store. She was just about to insert her key into the ignition, when Chief Martin emerged from the candy store. He waved to Angie with his index finger in the air to indicate that he wanted her to wait. Angie rolled her window down as the chief crossed the street and greeted her.
“I understand Mr. Finch is staying at the B and B.” The chief leaned down so he could speak to Angie in the car.
“He is. He checked in yesterday.” Angie’s hands rested on the steering wheel.
“Did you talk to him?” the chief asked.
“Not much. We had tea with him, but he said he was tired and went up to his room to rest. I don’t know if he went out for dinner or not. I didn’t see him this morning.” Angie moved her hands to her lap. “Poor man. He just missed reuniting with his brother.”
The chief said, “He mentioned that to me when I spoke with him the day of the murder.”
“Mr. Finch told us that he and his brother were estranged. He hadn’t seen him for years.”
The chief reached up and adjusted his cap. “Did he say if there are other relatives?”
“We didn’t ask him about that.”
“I need to talk to him.” The chief glanced at his watch then looked at Angie. “It’s too early to barge in on him now. Are you going somewhere?”
Angie looked surprised at the question. “I’m making my deliveries.”
A blank expression was on the chief’s face.
“I’ve contracted to do bakery items and desserts for some of the restaurants and hotels in town,” Angie clarified.
“Oh.” The chief understood. “Excellent. That’s a good idea until you open your bake shop in the Victorian.” The chief let out a sigh. “I’ll be glad when you’re open again. I miss the shop.”
“It won’t be until September I’m afraid.” Angie got the feeling the chief wanted to say something more. She thought he seemed distracted. She waited for a few moments, but the chief didn’t say anything else. “I should get going. I have more deliveries to make.”
“When will you finish the deliveries? What time will you be home?”
“In about an hour. Maybe a little longer.” Angie adjusted herself in the driver’s seat so she could better face the chief. “Do you need something?”
The chief scratched his chin. “I’d like it if you were around when I talk to Mr. Finch.”
“Me?”
The chief nodded. “And Courtney, too. I need to go over to Finch’s house and look around. The dead Mr. Finch’s house.” He shifted his feet.
Angie thought the chief was acting a bit odd. “Is something wrong?”
“Huh? No. Could you come along to the inspection of Finch’s house?”
“Me?” Angie’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Why?”
“I’d like Courtney to come too. Extra pairs of eyes, that’s all.”
Angie narrowed her blue eyes at the chief. “Wouldn’t other police officers be more helpful?” She was puzzled by why Chief Martin would want her and Courtney to be around when he inspected Mr. Finch’s property.
“Maybe.” Chief Martin shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe not.”
Angie eyed him. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
The chief checked his watch again. “Can we talk later? Can I meet you at the Victorian in about two hours? That’ll give you time to do your deliveries.” He started to walk away. “I’ll see you then.”
As Angie watched him cross the street, she realized her mouth was hanging open and she shut it. She couldn’t imagine what was going on. Why had the chief asked her and Courtney to be present when he spoke with Finch? And why did he ask them to join him when he visited the home of the late Mr. Finch. Shaking her head, Angie started the car and headed to her next stop.
Chapter 6
Angie pulled into the Victorian’s driveway and saw Courtney and Euclid on the front porch. Euclid sat supervising Courtney as she was taking freshly washed linens from one laundry basket, folding them, and placing them in another basket.
Angie parked and walked over to the porch.
Courtney waved. “Hey, Sis. What’s cookin’?” Courtney reached for another sheet. “It’s like a summer day. Are you still planning on going to the beach later?”
Angie gave Euclid a pat on the head and he leaned into her hand for more scratching. “I’d like to.” She sat in one of the porch rockers.
“But?” Courtney placed the last folded sheet into the basket and sat down in the rocker next to Angie.
Euclid jumped onto Angie’s lap. “After I made my morning delivery to the Pirate’s Den, I was sitting in my car and Chief Martin saw me and came over to talk.” She told Courtney that the chief wanted both of them to be present when he came to speak to Mr. Finch and when he went to make a visit to the late Mr. Finch’s house.
“Us? Why?” Courtney’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “How could we be of any use?”
“I have no idea.” Angie sighed. She didn’t want to be involved in another murder case.
“Well, I think it’s kind of cool.” Courtney sat up in her chair and chuckled. “Will we get a police badge?” She turned to Euclid. “What do you think of that, Euclid? We’re being brought in to help solve the case.”
Euclid purred.
Angie patted the big orange cat’s back. “I don’t think we’re being brought in as detectives.”
“Well,” Courtney said, “consultants then.” She looked at Angie. “But, why?”
“Do you think it’s because you worked for Finch?”
“I only worked there for ten days. What could I know?” Courtney looked out over the front lawn. “I guess we’ll find out soon why Chief Martin wants us around … because here he comes.”
The chief pulled his police vehicle to a stop in front of the Victorian and strode across the grass to the porch where he greeted the girls. He climbed the steps.
Angie was still patting Euclid. “I just got home a few minutes ago. I haven’t been inside yet. I don’t know where Mr. Finch is, but Ellie will know. Shall we go in?”
“Ah, in a minute. I’d like a chance to talk to you both.”
Angie couldn’t remember ever seeing Chief Martin looking so uncomfortable. He shifted his feet and didn’t make eye contact with either one of them. He leaned against the porch railing. Euclid lifted his head to stare at the chief.
“What’s wrong?” Courtney asked. The chief’s behavior made her nervous. “You aren’t suspecting me of killing Mr. Finch are you?”
The chief’s eyes went wide. “No. That’s not it.” He shook his head vigorously and took a deep breath. “I….” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I … knew your grandmother.”
Angie wondered what on earth this was going to be about. When Chief Martin mentioned Nana, a chill skittered over her skin.
Euclid sat up.
The chief said, “We were friends.” A tiny stick lay on the porch floor and he poked at it with the toe of his boot. “She was, um, helpful to me.”
“You mean with her powers?” Courtney blurted. Angie shot her sister a look of horror for mentioning such a private, and what many would consider crazy, matter.
Relief washed over the chief’s face.
“Did she help you with cases?” Courtney sat up eager to hear what the chief had to say.
“Sometimes.” Chief Martin glanced at Angie. “Am I saying anything that you don’t know?”
Angie let out a tiny breath. “I just recently learned that my grandmother had some sort of … gift. Courtney knew a little about it when she was just a kid. But we don’t know much.”
The chief visibly relaxed. “Do you…?” The chief didn’t finish his sentence.
“You mean do we have it?” Courtney asked. “The gift?”
The chief nodded.
Courtney pulled her legs up under her. “Angie’s pow
ers are getting stronger, but they’re still new and she doesn’t know anything about what she might be able to do. Jenna and Ellie don’t show anything. I don’t have anything either. Yet.”
Angie looked over at her sister with a serious expression. “You felt something was wrong when we approached the candy store.”
Courtney thought back on the morning. “Yeah, I did. Maybe I sensed it?” She smiled at the chief. “Is this why you want us to be around when you talk to Mr. Finch?”
“I thought it might be helpful.” He seemed sheepish about it.
“What did Nana do?” Angie asked as Euclid stretched on her lap. “How did she help you?”
“She helped with cases that were going nowhere. She’d talk things over with me. Sometimes she’d go with me to a crime scene or stand behind the one-way window when we questioned a suspect.” The chief adjusted his cap. “She was respected. She worked with detectives from a number of towns. In Boston, too.”
“Boston?” Angie couldn’t believe that detectives would believe in this stuff. “Did she really help?”
The chief nodded. “Your grandmother once told me that she sensed all of you girls would develop some, ah, skills. She was sure of it.”
“Really?” Courtney was excited. “That’s great.”
Angie said, “I’m not sure Ellie would agree with you about that.” She made eye contact with the chief. “Who else knows this about Nana?”
“Only some law enforcement agents. They keep it to themselves. It isn’t widely known. I know the most.”
“Can we keep it that way?” Angie didn’t care to have unwanted attention from people knowing what her grandmother could do. She still didn’t understand any of it herself.
“Absolutely.” Chief Martin nodded.
Angie cleared her throat. “And if we can help you in some strange way, will you keep that to yourself?”
The chief said, “You have my word.”
“Okay.” Angie turned to Courtney. “I think we better not broadcast this stuff to people. We don’t even know what we’re dealing with yet. Later today, we should tell Jenna and Ellie what Chief Martin just told us about Nana.”
