A Caffeine Conundrum

by Angela Ruth Strong

  “No, she didn’t try to kill me,” Connor hissed, wrapping his fingers around her wrist and tugging her away from the few passengers continuing to linger on the deck. “She pointed out the mistletoe at Grandma’s Attic. That was an obvious attempt to get you to reject me so I would leave.”

  “Oh my.” Marissa pulled her arm away from him. “She wasn’t trying to get rid of you. She admires you. If anything, she was trying to get me to reject you so she could step in and be your comforter.”

  Connor tilted his head, his gaze lifting as if to find Tandy and gauge for himself.

  That wasn’t the result Marissa was going for. “Not that you need comforting. You’re dating Miss Ohio now.” Where was his date anyway? It wasn’t likely she’d pick Randon over Connor.

  “Hardly.” Connor grunted. “My mom ran into Lavella at Mama’s Kitchen today, and the two planned this date for me. Lavella wanted me here to make you look bad while my mom wanted me here to look after you.”

  Marissa wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or offended. But that wasn’t the issue. She needed to finish warning Connor. “Your mom wouldn’t have set you up if she’d known Lavella is a murderer.”

  Connor looked around again then tilted his head toward the swinging stage, also known as the gang plank. Steamboats used them so they could pretty much let passengers off anywhere rather than have to find a dock. “Come out here away from people if we’re going to talk about this.”

  Marissa eyed the walkway with trepidation, grasping the railing and shaking to make sure it was sturdy. She had, after all, fallen out of a fireman’s bucket the night before.

  “I won’t let you fall.”

  Like he didn’t let her fall on the ice? He was going to use the excuse of a dangerous situation to hold her close. Well, okay. But only because Lavella would be watching. She was probably inside the dining room waiting for Connor to join her. Probably pulling out a vial of cyanide that very moment. Because Connor would be harder to kill than Virginia.

  Marissa was more worried about Connor’s safety than her own. She gripped the rail and made her way steadily toward the end of the plank before turning to face him. It really wasn’t any different than standing on a pier, and she did that all the time. They both leaned against opposite sides, only a few feet apart.

  Looking at him in the golden glow of twinkle lights and the breeze rustling his hair reminded her of the last time they’d been on this Christmas Cruise. When he’d proposed. When other people had cried at the beauty of it all, but she’d been too happy to cry. When she’d wished he didn’t have so many romantic things to say because she couldn’t wait to answer yes. It seemed like ages ago. It seemed like yesterday.

  “I looked her up online.”

  Marissa’s memories faded slower than the blink of an eye. She had to blink a few times to get rid of them. “Who?”

  “Tandy Brandt.”

  “Okay.” Marissa waited for the meaning to sink in. It didn’t.

  “She was fired from her newspaper for ripping on coffee shops that sold beans that aren’t shade-grown. Apparently, she’s a bit of a nut about her coffee, and without a job, she could be desperate. Desperate enough to kill.”

  “Okay,” Marissa said again. Should she be afraid? No fear came. Only loneliness at the realization that while she’d been remembering the moment Connor proposed, he’d been thinking about the woman he’d gone on a fake date with.

  Was he really here for her because he was worried about Tandy being a killer, or was he making up excuses to keep from starting a new relationship? Afraid of getting rejected again?

  He shouldn’t be. He’d been the one to hurt her. Or had they both hurt each other?

  She didn’t want to consider the possibility that she’d made a mistake in letting him go. If she had, then she didn’t deserve him. Just like she hadn’t deserved the crown. She had yet to live up to her family’s expectations.

  “I’m not afraid of Tandy,” she said quietly. Evenly.

  Connor studied her for a moment. “I’m not afraid of Lavella.”

  Here they were trying to protect each other from someone else, when they couldn’t protect each other from themselves. “Who should we be afraid of?”

  Maybe there was no one to be afraid of. Maybe Virginia’s death had been her own fault. Maybe the car accident had been caused by kids. Maybe Tandy had simply looked in the wrong place for Grandmother’s diary. Maybe Joseph Cross really did sell his boats then buy them again. Could it be that the robbery at the museum had them all paranoid?

  Taking a deep breath, Marissa released the railing and stood tall to return to the deck. But before she could take a step, an explosion ripped metal, a wall of heat slammed through the air, and the gangplank jolted Marissa like a shot of matcha green tea.

  Then there was no ground beneath her. Though she heard her name called and felt fingers scratch her coat, nothing stopped gravity from sucking her overboard into the icy water below.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Marissa clawed at the frigid abyss. The ache that usually came with an ice cream headache raked over her entire body. She couldn’t breathe in the silent, black, underwater world, but she was pretty sure her lungs had turned to ice anyway.

  This was worse than falling into a Christmas tree. Worse than falling off a stage. Worse than slipping in front of Lavella.

  She’d joked that Lavella had the power to freeze things, but she hadn’t realized she’d be the one frozen. Had anybody else landed in the water? Did the boat break in half like the Titanic? Were there rescue boats? Would they rescue her?

  Her limbs slowed, feeling heavy. Or maybe they were only tangled in her skirt. It threatened to pull her deeper. She forced her legs to kick, to resist. Though if she didn’t dive deep, could she get sucked into the boat’s paddle wheel?

  Her head broke the surface. She knew from the sound of splashing and shouting and stomping of feet. She knew from the pressure leaving her ears, the hair plastered to her face, and the gentle breeze that greeted her like a snowstorm. And, finally, she knew from the burning of oxygen as it tornadoed its way into her chest.

  She listened to herself gasp air. Her shiver turned into a shake. Her eyes devoured the dark night, looking for the lights that would signal the direction she needed to swim.

  Lights reflected off the water. Other lights called to her from land. How did she get so disoriented? She had to figure out where she was.

  If the boat had already passed, she’d head for shore. If it was right on top of her, she’d plunge back under. If it was close enough to rescue her, she’d call for help.

  Something brushed her arm. She yanked away while trying to spin. She gulped the glacial air, preparing to dive out of danger.

  “Marissa.” Connor’s voice warmed her. In her position, it was the only thing that could. “She’s here. She’s right here.”

  She spotted a glint of light off his hair then the whites of his eyes. She reached, teeth chattering. He was in an inflatable boat. With Lukey Griffin.

  “Thank you, Lord,” Connor said. Evidence his mom wasn’t the only one to pray for her? She’d be grateful rather than offended. She’d take all the help she could get.

  Both men grabbed one of her arms and drug her over the side. Her skirt scooped water in with her. They’d gotten to her quickly, but she needed them to go faster. Before the cold suffocated her completely.

  Connor ripped off his suit jacket and wrapped it over her shoulders then wiped a strand of hair from her eyes as Lukey motored them toward the sternwheeler. “Are you okay?”

  She did her best to nod. He’d told her he’d catch her, and here he was. She needed to thank his mom for sending him to look after her. But would she have fallen in the water if he hadn’t ushered her up the gangplank in the first place? He should have known she’d lose her balance. Though this had been something more than her normal slip, hadn’t it? “Wh-what happened?”

  Lukey grunted as he steered them adjacent to the de
ck. “There was a small explosion similar to what Joseph talked about on his tour.”

  A steamboat explosion? Like from the 1800s? “Did anyone get hurt?”

  “Only you.” Lukey grabbed onto the railing to hold the rescue boat in place. “Marissa, I don’t think it was an accident the explosion happened when you were standing on the swing stage. I’m starting to suspect someone is out to get you.”

  Tandy raced from the bathroom, still feeling off balance from the way the floor had shuddered underneath her feet. She didn’t know what she’d find when she opened the door. From the sound of a nearby blast and the scent of smoke, she couldn’t help thinking Joseph Cross was in one of those old-fashioned boat races that caused boilers to explode.

  She scanned her surroundings while running to the railing. People poured out of the floor below to crowd the deck, but the boat looked intact. No holes in the ship. No flames. The paddle in the back continued its rotation like nothing had happened.

  Next question: Where was Marissa?

  Tandy’s eyes picked out the red dresses from the crowd. None accentuated with her tiny waist and golden waves.

  She’d look for Connor. He’d know where Marissa was.

  Tandy grabbed the handrail to charge down the stairs, but movement beyond the edge of the boat’s railing caught her attention. In fact, everyone in the crowd seemed to be focused there. What were they looking at?

  Her heart dropped. Because if there was one person most likely to fall overboard, it was Marissa.

  “Connor?” Miss Ohio pushed her way through the crowd, giving Tandy a better view of a raft floating toward the side of the ship.

  A gate in the railing swung open, and Connor stepped aboard to assist the woman in red behind him. Marissa’s hair wasn’t bouncy and shiny anymore. It clung to her neck and shoulders. And Tandy had thought the other woman would be upset about Tandy’s hair getting messed up.

  Tandy didn’t know what had happened, but relief flooded her at the realization it could have been a lot worse. “Marissa,” she called to let her know she cared.

  Marissa didn’t look up, but Deputy Griffin did. His eyes narrowed, sending chills down Tandy’s spine. Was the man really there to help, or had he caused Marissa to fall overboard? He could be using his power to control the situation, both making himself look good and awaiting his next chance to get rid of them.

  She’d worry about it later. What mattered now was that Marissa was safe.

  Cascading down the spiral staircase, she called to Marissa again. Cross and Billie joined her on the lower level.

  “What happened?” She shot her question toward Cross and pushed a path through the crowd.

  Cross grimaced. “It looks like someone closed the safety valve I showed you.”

  Tandy’s exhale whooshed out. The explosion had been caused on purpose. But why? Did someone know it would knock Marissa overboard? Or were they after something else? Something like sabotaging Cross?

  Marissa stepped onto the deck, her dress raining down a puddle of water. Tandy reached for a hug anyway. Marissa trembled in her arms, and it was no wonder with the way her skin felt like ice. “We have to get you out of these clothes.” She twisted to look over her shoulder. “Cross, do you have blankets onboard?”

  Cross scowled. “Yes, but I’m not letting you take off with her alone. How do I know you aren’t the one who caused the explosion by closing the emergency valve?”

  “What?” Tandy stepped away from Marissa to hold her arms wide. “You suspect me because you gave me a tour? How do I know you didn’t give me the tour and wait for me to go to the bathroom so you could blame me?”

  Deputy Griffin climbed onto the deck. “You were in the bathroom?” he repeated.

  Tandy gritted her teeth. If only she hadn’t drank so much coffee. “Yes.”

  Marissa took barefoot baby steps as if ready to leave them behind to argue while she warmed up elsewhere. “Tandy didn’t do it,” she offered weakly.

  Tandy turned to follow. “Thank you.”

  “Marissa.” Connor jogged to catch up, eying Tandy. “Remember what I told you.”

  Tandy frowned at the man. She’d thought they were on the same side. They certainly seemed to be the night before when she’d encouraged him in his relationship with Marissa. “What did you tell her?”

  He glanced at her then looked down as he spoke. “I found out you got fired from your last position. I was simply warning Marissa that it could make you desperate.”

  Did he really? She pressed fingers to her temple where it pounded like the Little Drummer Boy. “You think I’m desperate enough to blow up a boat? How would this help me at all?”

  “You want me to take the fall for Virginia’s death,” Cross called, and when she looked toward the railing, she found him standing there with his finger pointed at her.

  Jenn Pierce gasped. The rest of the community stared. Tandy was going to get shunned like the Grinch from Whoville.

  She had to defend herself. She wasn’t the bad guy here. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Once again. “Marissa is the only one who has taken any falls today, and I’m going to make sure someone owns up to it.”

  Marissa continued toward the warmth of the dining room. “Thanks, Tandy,” she whispered before letting Connor hold the door open for her to enter.

  Tandy turned back to glare at Cross. “You said you gave tours of the boat earlier today. Surely I’m not the only one to know about the safety valve.”

  Billie shook her head. “You’re not. Even I knew about that.”

  Tandy nodded her appreciation. Though could she be sure Billie wasn’t the one to cause the explosion? Someone here was guilty.

  White fur caught her attention. She pointed at Lavella. “Marissa thinks Miss Ohio is after her.”

  Lavella froze. Spun. Widened her eyes in the art of innocence. “Me?”

  “Well, you did trip her off the stage at the pageant.”

  All faces turned toward the beauty queen.

  “I would never—”

  “How about Randon?” Tandy motioned to the scrawny guy who had certainly dressed like a killer from a 20s gangster movie. “He might be getting Marissa back for ruining his moment last night.”

  The crowd backed away from the millionaire millennial.

  Randon jerked upright from where he’d been leaning casually against a column. “Hey, you already accused me once, and I was found not guilty. Nine out of ten jurors--”

  Tandy lifted a shoulder. “Nine out of ten jurors would find it easier to believe you’re ‘not guilty’ if you weren’t at the scene of another crime.”

  Randon opened his mouth to argue then turned toward Griffin as if not to waste any breath on Tandy. “Deputy, you don’t suspect me, do you?”

  Tandy crossed her arms and dared Griffin to answer honestly. “If he suspects you, Randon, he might actually be framing you. Because there’s also the possibility Deputy Griffin killed Virginia himself for a chance to comfort Jenn Pierce, his ex, in her time of need.”

  Jenn’s hands gripped her heart. Her face crumpled as her gaze rose to meet Griffin’s.

  He reached for her, shaking his head.

  She stepped backward.

  Griffin turned on Tandy. “In the dining room. Now. The rest of you too. Moon, Evans, Cross. We are getting this figured out tonight because I will not have my town, let alone my old girlfriend who is mourning her mother’s death, suspecting me of being a dirty cop.”

  Marissa couldn’t stop trembling despite shedding her dress in favor of Billie’s full-length wool coat and hugging a mug of oolong tea. She wanted her bathtub. And her fireplace. And her down comforter.

  Thankfully the captain was turning the boat around, though she was probably the only one thankful for that. Everyone else had their night out cut short, and by the smells coming from the kitchen, there would be a lot of prime rib wasted.

  Right as she was starting to warm up, the door swung open again. Tandy led
a parade of suspects through it. Was one of them seriously trying to hurt her? Couldn’t it be likely that whoever caused the blast simply wanted to make the boat go faster, and her little swim was an accident? Connor had her wanting to believe that before the eruption in the engine room.

  Lukey motioned to the table next to hers. “Sit.”

  She eyed the other guests. “What’s going on?”

  Lavella eyed her back, and a cynical eyebrow found her lacking. “Tandy said you think I’m after you.”

  Thanks, Tandy. Exactly what she needed when on the brink of hypothermia. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”

  Lavella tossed her hair and picked a chair facing away from Marissa’s so she could turn her back on their conversation. But not before one last parting shot. “That would be a waste of time. I already beat you, remember?”

  “By cheating,” Marissa blurted before remembering Cross’s fraud. Please don’t know about Grandmother, she prayed, even while wanting Lavella to be the criminal. But what would she have killed Virginia over if not the diary?

  Lavella’s chin lifted like she was so bored she had to stare off into space. “You should thank me since you were bound to fall eventually. Aren’t you glad you were able to do it here in Ohio rather than on national television?”

  The boiling of Marissa’s blood warmed her body faster than the heater or even Billie’s coat. This woman practically admitted to tripping her. Marissa sat up straight and looked around to share the shock with others in the room.

  Connor shook his head as if to say, This isn’t the time.

  Of course it was. If Lavella could trip her off stage to get what she wanted, then she was just as capable of making her fall overboard.

  “Tandy?” If Tandy had openly accused Lavella in public, then they must be on the same wavelength.

  Tandy had set her jaw, but her glittering emerald gaze rested on Lukey rather than Lavella.

  Connor leaned closer to explain. “Tandy didn’t only accuse Lavella out there. She basically accused everyone in this room.”