A Treacherous Tasty Trail (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 4)

by Cindy Bell

  As Ally walked towards the barn her heart began to race. Was she taking too big of a chance by being alone with him? She walked as quietly as she could. She could see that the door to the barn was left open about two inches. When she reached it, she paused in front of the doors and peered through the crack into the barn. She watched as Zac began moving the bales of hay from one side of the barn to the other again. He wore the same thick gloves he had on the first time she saw him do this. It still didn’t make sense to her that he would move the bales of hay back and forth.

  When Zac moved the last bale of hay Ally saw him crouch down. He brushed some loose hay and dirt out of the way and found a handle underneath. He lifted the handle and looked down into a small storage area. Ally’s heart skipped a beat as she wondered what might be down there. She assumed it was the missing pesticide. In a slow, cautious movement Zac lifted out a medium sized white bag. She was sure it was the same pesticide that Tracy and her boss had fought about. With the bag in his hand he seemed much more threatening to her. She had no idea what it could do, but she guessed that it was rather dangerous if it needed to be monitored so closely. He set the bag down on the floor of the barn, then put his phone to his ear.

  “Are you here?” He paused. “Yes, I’m ready. When are you going to be here? It’s almost dark.” He paused again and looked up at the ceiling of the barn. “That’s fine but don’t take forever. We only have a small window.” He turned towards the doors of the barn. Ally ducked back fast. She hoped that she had moved fast enough to avoid being spotted by Zac, but she couldn’t be sure.

  Ally hurried back to her car. As soon as she got to it she saw a small black truck pull into the driveway. She ducked down beside her car as the headlights flashed past her. She watched as the truck disappeared behind the barn. Whoever it was she was sure they were there to meet with Zac. This might be her only opportunity to try to find out the truth about what was happening between the two farms and hopefully who the murderer was.

  Ally saw a man walk around to the entrance of the barn. It was too dark to make him out clearly. He went inside the barn. She thought about going back to the doors to listen in, but that might be too big of a risk. Instead she decided to watch for some time to see what the two men would do. Not long after, two figures stepped out of the barn. From a distance she recognized the taller figure as Zac, but she couldn’t make out who the other figure was. Zac carried something in his hands. It looked like the bag of poison.

  As Ally watched they walked towards the fields. Ally had to think fast. She wanted to follow them but she didn’t know the land. She was afraid that she would get lost. She needed some kind of trail that she could follow to find her way back to her car. She opened the trunk and quickly cut the bag of pig feed open with her key. She scooped a large amount of pig feed into her pockets. Then she began to follow them at a safe distance. She dropped a sprinkling of the pig feed behind her as she entered the fields. The two men were quiet, but she could hear the shuffle of their feet. They walked for quite some time before they stopped.

  “Here’s a good spot.” The voice was muffled, and belonged to the other man. She tried to work out who the voice belonged to, but she couldn't. Maybe she was mistaken but she thought she had heard it recently. “Make sure you lay it on thick, none of this should survive.”

  “Are you sure you want to do this? That’s a lot of crops to destroy,” Zac asked.

  “Do I pay you to ask me questions?” The man growled.

  “No, Sir. But, I think you’re taking this too far.”

  “I also don’t pay you to think. Do as I say or I will get someone else to do it. Understand?”

  “Yeah, I understand.” He paused. Ally heard the shuffle of feet and the subtle whoosh of something poured out of a bag. “There.”

  “Hey, watch it. You should have waited until I was further away,” the man complained.

  “I just did what you said.”

  “Do we have a problem here, Zac?” The tone of the man’s voice deepened. “If you’re ready to jump ship you need to tell me now.”

  “Where would I go?” Zac sighed. “It was harder than I thought, with Nigel. I thought he would be okay with everything. Thankful even. ” Ally froze. Did Zac just admit to killing Nigel?

  “You did the right thing.”

  “Maybe. But it doesn’t feel that way.”

  “You came to me, Zac, don’t forget that. You didn’t want to be a nobody for the rest of your life. Nigel proved he wasn’t really your friend when he was going to turn you in. Where was his loyalty?”

  “You’re right.” The sound of Zac’s cough shattered the hush of the field around them. “Let’s get this done.”

  “All right. Keep at it.”

  Ally heard the shuffle of feet again. As she started to back away to ensure that neither of them would see her, she stepped back on something slippery. She bit into her bottom lip to keep from crying out as she struggled to keep her balance. With a stumble forward she had to grab onto some of the stalks around her. She steadied herself, but knew she had made far too much noise in the process. She froze as everything became very silent. She couldn’t tell where the two men were. Her heart pounded so hard that she was sure they could hear it thumping. She closed her eyes in an attempt to calm her mind. As she listened she heard a subtle snap and crunch a few steps behind her. Ice flowed through her veins. She was too scared to even turn and look.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Charlotte paced back and forth through the empty parking spot that Ally’s car should have been parked in. Arnold paced back and forth right behind her. She had already called the customer who ordered the delivery to confirm that it had been received. Ally should have been back in ten or fifteen minutes. Instead nearly an hour had slipped by. It wasn’t like Ally not to give her an idea of when she intended to be back if she was going to be late.

  The sun started to set, and despite multiple calls and texts Ally hadn’t responded. At the rumble of an engine Charlotte looked up expectantly. However, it was just a delivery truck that rumbled past. Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat, she knew that something wasn’t right. After many years of experience she learned not to ignore her instincts. Without hesitation she dialed Luke’s number. He would either know where Ally was or he would help to find her. He answered after one ring.

  “Charlotte, is everything okay?” He sounded anxious the moment that he answered the phone. Charlotte assumed that he knew if she was calling, there was probably a problem.

  “Luke, I’m sorry to bother you, I’m probably being silly, but have you heard from Ally?”

  “Not since this afternoon. Did something happen?”

  “Well, she’s late back from a delivery. She’s not at the shop. She’s not answering my texts or calls. I’m just a little worried.”

  “That’s not like Ally at all.” He paused. “I have an idea of where she might have gone.”

  “You do? Where?”

  “Oh no, I’m not falling for that one. You stay at the shop, I will come and get you.”

  “I have Arnold.”

  “That’s fine, there’s room in the car. Don’t you move a muscle. I don’t want to lose track of both of you in the same day.”

  “All right, but hurry, Luke. Now, I’m really worried.”

  After Luke hung up the phone Charlotte’s attention returned to the pig. He still ran around in circles. He snorted like wild. Charlotte crouched down and patted the top of his head.

  “It’s all right, Arnold, I know you’re worried, I am too. But we’re going to find Ally and she will be just fine.”

  Arnold snorted again. He nuzzled her hand, but didn’t seem convinced. Charlotte frowned. “Yes, I know. I’m worried, too,” she repeated.

  ***

  Ally started to turn to see who was behind her. She felt the pain in her head before she even recognized that anyone had struck her. As the pain burned through her head, her knees buckled then she hit the ground. The last thing she
was aware of, were hands wrapped tight around her ankles and the sensation of being pulled. When she woke what felt like only a second later, her head ached so much that she couldn’t open her eyes. After struggling for a few minutes she managed to force them apart.

  It took her a while to process where she was. There was still dirt under her, but there was also a roof above her. Her head ached bad enough that she could guess someone had hit her very hard. From what she could tell she was alone in what she assumed was the barn. As she tried to struggle to her feet she discovered that her hands and ankles were tied. Her heart dropped. There was no way she could escape. She couldn’t crawl. The ropes were tied too tight for her to work her way out. To make things even worse, she had left her cell phone in the car.

  After panic flooded her, she tried to bring herself back to a calm state. She knew for sure she wasn’t going to be able to get out of the situation if she didn’t have her wits about her. Instead, what she needed to do was find a solution. There had to be one. She did her best to look around the barn, though it was quite dark. A bit of evening light filtered in from the partially open barn doors. Was it Zac that had struck her? Or his partner? She had no idea, but she could hear voices from outside. The conversation was a tense one filled with hissed words and sharp retorts. One voice was Zac’s. She still couldn’t work out who the other man was.

  “I don’t know if I can do this.” Zac’s voice trembled.

  “Sure you can. I killed Nigel, now it’s your turn. You even dealt with your best friend’s body for me. Don’t wuss out on me now, all right?” Ally held her breath as she listened to the confession.

  “This is different, and you know it. I am not a murderer. There’s no way I can do this. Plus, people will find out. She’s practically dating that cop, remember?”

  “I don’t care who she is dating. There is only one option here. It has to be done.”

  “I can’t do it. Why can’t you do it?”

  “Why can’t I do it?” The other man’s voice raised. “Because I am not a criminal, Zac. That’s why I hired you. I had to kill Nigel because you lost your nerve. I had no choice but I’m not killing another person. If I was a criminal, I would have put Nigel’s body in the wheelbarrow and taken care of it myself. Then you would be out of all that cash you enjoy so much. I doubt you would enjoy that too much. Would you?”

  “No. I just think this is over the line. I mean, she’s a girl.”

  “Oh, is that it?” He laughed. “Fine, if you’re so worried about killing a girl, then just do it in an easier way.”

  “How?”

  “Just slip her some of the poison, it’ll be over fast, then get rid of the body.”

  “I can’t do that.” Zac’s voice raised. “That poison isn’t going to just kill her. It’s horrible stuff. She’ll be screaming.”

  “That’s what duct tape is for.”

  “I won’t do that. I can’t.”

  “Just what I need, a criminal who has grown a conscience. I don’t care how you kill her, just get it done.”

  “There has to be some other way.”

  “There sure is. If you don’t kill her, I will, and you along with her. I only work with people who are loyal to me. I don’t want to deal with some kid that’s decided to go soft on me. So either you prove your worth to me, or you’re just as much a liability.”

  “All right, I will. I will. But not like that. Not with poison.”

  “Fine, fine, if you’re so concerned about her suffering then find another way to do it. But stop fussing about it. Just do it quick and quiet.”

  “Why can’t we just let her go? We don’t even know if she knows anything.”

  “And if she does? Are you ready to go to jail for the rest of your life, Zac? You will go down for not only poisoning the crops, but Nigel’s murder as well. I certainly won’t be going down for it. I’m not willing to risk letting her go in case she knows something. If you are willing to risk it, then that is a problem.”

  “I’m not. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Remember. Make it quick and quiet. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Zac, I’m trusting you on this. Don’t make me regret that.”

  Ally heard the creek of the barn door. Her heart pounded as she looked around again for an escape. There was a high window, but she didn’t think there was any way for her to get to that. There was a small door where hay could be shoveled in or out, but it was all the way on the other side of the barn and closed. With her hands and feet bound there was no way for her to even find a way to hide. As she watched the barn door open she opened her mouth to scream. As the sound poured out of her mouth Zac rushed forward with wide eyes.

  “Why are you awake?” He clamped a hand over her mouth and cringed. Ally tried to fight him but he easily held her still.

  “I said quiet!” The voice from outside the barn was filled with frustration. Ally knew the more she fought, the more she would speed up her death. Whoever was outside was pulling the strings and he didn’t want to hear a sound. She settled down and looked into Zac’s eyes. He relaxed a little when she stopped fighting.

  “Just be quiet, okay?”

  She nodded and widened her eyes. When he drew his hand away from her mouth she struggled to stay calm. He paced back and forth as if he was trying to decide what his next move would be. Ally watched him move. At one time she might have believed that he was a good person and that she had a chance. But now that she knew that he was involved in the murder and what he was capable of, she also knew just how much danger she was in.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Charlotte looked up and down the road again. She checked her watch.

  “Where are you, Luke?”

  As if to answer her question she saw his car turn a corner and drive towards the shop. Charlotte stepped back on the sidewalk and held tight onto Arnold’s leash. Luke’s car pulled up to the sidewalk in front of the shop. Charlotte opened the back door and Arnold hopped in. She closed the door and climbed into the front seat. Arnold snorted and rubbed his nose across the window.

  “So you know where she might be?” Charlotte snapped her seatbelt into place.

  “Oh, I have an idea. I hope I’m not right, but I certainly have an idea.” His eyes narrowed as he gripped the wheel tight. Charlotte frowned as she noticed how tense he was.

  “It’s all right, Luke. She’s going to be fine.”

  “I hope so,” he muttered and applied the brakes at a stop sign. He turned in the direction of the farms. “What I can’t understand is why she just won’t trust me and tell me what she’s up to.”

  “It’s easy for some people to trust, Luke. The ones who struggle with it, are the ones who have been hurt and still have some healing to do. Ally prides herself on being independent.” Charlotte looked over at him. “She acts before she thinks sometimes and she is very curious. That’s why she gets herself into some messes. But she always has good intentions.”

  “I get that. I just worry that her good intentions will land her in a situation she can’t escape.” He sped up as he approached the road that led to the farms.

  “That’s what we’re for, dear.” Charlotte patted his arm. “Just in case.”

  He smiled as he glanced over at her. The smile faded the moment that he pulled into the driveway that led to Tyler’s farm. He scanned all of the vehicles in the parking area and up near the house. None was Ally’s car. His heart dropped. When he turned around, his headlights trailed across the barn.

  There was no sign of anyone inside.

  “Maybe we should walk the property. Maybe she hid the car somewhere.” Luke put the car in park.

  “No.” Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “No, she isn’t here, Luke.”

  “Are you sure? She mentioned she might go to talk to Tyler again.”

  “My gut is telling me we’re not in the right place. Trust me, Luke.” She put the car back into drive. “Let’s go.”

  Luke took control of the car and
drove back down the road. He looked anxiously out the window as they drove past the fields between Tyler and Bob’s farms. It was easy to see when the property shifted because many of Bob’s crops were wilted. He turned the car up the driveway that led to Bob’s farm. As he approached he noticed that there were a few cars in the parking area.

  “There it is!” Charlotte gasped. “Ally’s car!”

  Luke aimed the headlights at the front of the car. There was no one in the driver’s seat. Charlotte hopped out of the car with the spare set of keys. Arnold climbed right into the front seat and jumped out behind her. She ignored his snorts as she fumbled with the keys. Her hand trembled as she opened the door.

  “I’m going to call her phone again.” Luke pulled out his cell phone.

  “Don’t bother.” Charlotte shook her head. “It’s here.” Charlotte picked up Ally’s cell phone out of the console between the seats.

  “Oh no.” Luke frowned and glanced around the property. “Where did she go?”

  “Arnold?” Charlotte glanced around. “Arnold, get back here!” Arnold headed for a nearby field. He snorted and snapped up something that was on the ground. “Arnold!”

  “Wait.” Luke stepped forward. He followed after the pig and shined his flashlight on what was on the ground. “That’s strange. What is this on the ground?” Charlotte followed the path of the flashlight beam.

  “That’s pig food.”

  “Why would that be here? Does Bob have pigs?”

  “No, he doesn’t. But Ally was supposed to pick up some pig food for Arnold.” She frowned and looked around again. Through the shadows of the evening light she could see a barn in the distance, but there didn’t seem to be any light on. “What if she left us a trail?”