A Case of Cat and Mouse

by Sofie Kelly

  “First of all, Elias is a very smart man,” I said, “with an accomplished team of lawyers. They will have him out on bail in no time. Second, you know Marcus is a good detective and more importantly a good man.” I kept my eyes locked on hers until I saw an almost imperceptible nod. “Just because Elias—or anyone for that matter—has been arrested doesn’t mean he’s going to stop digging until he has incontrovertible proof of who killed Kassie.” What I didn’t say was that Marcus wouldn’t have arrested Elias in the first place if he didn’t have evidence that implicated the man.

  “Find out who did it,” Ruby said.

  “Elias’s lawyers have investigators who are probably already looking into the case.”

  “I trust you.”

  I pulled a hand over my neck. It was clammy with sweat. “I can’t do anything they won’t be doing, that the police won’t be doing,” I said.

  Ruby’s eyes stayed locked on mine. “Please, Kathleen,” she said.

  I thought about what a good friend she’d always been. I thought about how when it came to families I had won the life lottery no matter how crazy mine made me sometimes, and how Ruby hadn’t. Elias was Ruby’s family. Ruby was my friend. If the enemy of my enemy is my friend, what did that make the friend of my friend?

  I took a breath and let it out slowly. “All right,” I said.

  Ruby pressed her lips together and nodded. It was the closest I had ever seen her come to crying. She took a couple more deep breaths. “I have to go,” she said. “Thank you.”

  Maggie gave her a quick hug and she was gone. We walked over to the tea table together.

  “What did I just do?” I said.

  She smiled. “You said you’d help a friend.”

  I hoped it wasn’t a bad idea.

  “He knew, didn’t he?” Maggie said as she leaned over to plug in the kettle for tea. “That’s why Elias seemed so off this afternoon.”

  “Probably,” I said. I pulled the elastic off my ponytail and shook out my hair.

  “Do you think he killed Kassie?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “No, I don’t. Elias Braeden is too shrewd a businessman to have killed Kassie by suffocating her in a bowl of whipped cream. That makes no sense to me.” On the other hand, why had Marcus arrested him? “I need to check my phone and I need to go home and have a shower,” I said.

  Maggie gave me a hug. “Call me if I can help. I’ll hold a good thought that the universe will work things out.”

  I changed my shoes, grabbed my hoodie and headed down the stairs. I waited until I was in the truck before I checked my voice mail. As I’d expected, there was a message from Marcus.

  “Hi, it’s me,” he said. “I wanted to be the first to tell you that we arrested Elias Braeden. I know Ruby is going to be upset but there’s evidence that he’s our killer and the prosecutor doesn’t want to wait.” I heard him turn away from the phone and speak to someone. Then he was back. “I have to go. I’ll try to call you when you’re done with class.”

  I put the phone back in my bag and drove home. There was a welcoming party of two in the kitchen. I put my phone on the table, hung up my tai chi bag and went to the refrigerator for the milk. I filled a mug and put it in the microwave. Then I stuck a slice of Rebecca’s bread in the toaster and got the peanut butter, hot chocolate mix and marshmallows from the cupboard. Hot chocolate and peanut butter toast were my version of comfort food.

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw Owen and Hercules exchange a look. “Marcus arrested Elias Braeden,” I said. “Ruby is upset.”

  “Merow,” Hercules said. His right ear twitched. He liked Ruby. So did Owen.

  The microwave beeped. I made my hot chocolate, added three marshmallows and took a drink. I set the cup on the table and got two stinky crackers for Hercules and two for Owen—their version of comfort food.

  Once the toast was made I sat at the table. Hercules lifted his head and eyed my messenger bag, which was hanging from the back of one of the chairs. Then he looked at me. “Yes, we’re going to help her,” I said, pulling my toast into two pieces. “But first I have to talk to Marcus.” Would he even tell me what evidence he had?

  My cell phone warbled. Owen raised his head then, looked at me and meowed loudly. “Yes, I know it’s the phone,” I said, reaching across the table to grab it.

  Owen dropped his head again, muttering almost under his breath as though he was saying, “I was only trying to help.”

  It was Marcus. “I’m sorry I missed you earlier. I wanted to talk to you before you left for tai chi but the time got away from me.”

  “It’s okay,” I said.

  “I’m guessing you saw Ruby at class.” It wasn’t really a question.

  I pulled one foot up onto my chair so I could prop my chin on my knee. “I did. She’s very upset.”

  I heard him exhale. “Believe me, I get that,” he said. “I didn’t want to arrest Braeden. But I have to go where the evidence points. The prosecutor was ready to charge him.”

  “It’s your job,” I said. “And I know you wouldn’t have done it if there wasn’t some kind of proof.”

  Marcus lowered his voice. “His fingerprints were on the table.”

  “Everyone’s fingerprints are probably on that table,” I said. “Including mine.”

  “His were the only fingerprints on it other than Kassie Tremayne’s.”

  I pushed my bangs off my forehead. “That doesn’t make sense. Everyone has been in that kitchen touching things.”

  “It makes sense when you know that your friend Russell is a bit of a clean freak. After he made his little bowl of whipped cream he cleaned up after himself. I’m serious, Kathleen. The guy has some sort of obsession with clean kitchens. I think he scrubbed down every flat surface in there.”

  “Okay, just because Elias’s fingerprints were on the table doesn’t mean he killed Kassie. He could have just gone into the kitchen looking for someone or to get a cup of coffee.” I felt compelled to be the counterpoint to Marcus’s evidence.

  “His were the only other fingerprints. And it’s not like we had a long list of suspects. We eliminated the crew pretty quickly aside from one guy who couldn’t tell us where he was because he was so drunk he has no idea. Rebecca has an alibi as well, not that she was ever really a suspect.”

  “Oh,” I said. I wasn’t sure what counterargument to make against all of that. “But you didn’t arrest him just because of those fingerprints.”

  I guessed that he was rubbing the space between his eyebrows or swiping a hand over his stubbled chin right about now. “Elias was in the building.”

  “But I don’t remember seeing his name in the book when I signed in. And why didn’t he come when I was yelling for help?” Both Hercules and Owen seemed to be listening to my side of the conversation.

  “That’s because Braeden let himself into the building via another door, which was supposed to be locked.”

  “Okay, that’s not good,” I said.

  “No, it isn’t, and then add in the fact that Braeden told more than one person how much he regretted hiring Kassie Tremayne but that he was stuck with her now . . .” He let the end of the sentence trail off.

  I could see why the prosecutor had pushed for an arrest. There was more than enough evidence to take to court.

  “Look, I’m still asking questions. The investigation isn’t over yet. There are things we’ve discovered that I don’t even know whether they’re important.”

  “Like,” I said. I wasn’t sure he’d tell me.

  “Like she changed her name,” Marcus said. “Kassie Tremayne was Kelly-Anne Sullivan, daughter of Sean Sullivan, a politician and businessman with some dubious connections. He’s a boxing promoter and he owns a gym in Chicago among other things. His nickname for his daughter was Kassie from her initials, K, A, S. She wanted to distance hers
elf from her father, but not too far, it seems.”

  Marcus had said he had to go where the evidence points. And that the investigation was continuing. He hadn’t said he thought Elias Braeden was guilty.

  “Do you think the name change is important?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Probably not. I do know that Sean Sullivan and Elias Braeden are acquainted with each other.”

  “So maybe Elias was doing Kassie’s father a favor by hiring her.”

  “Maybe.”

  I heard a squeak, which told me Marcus was sitting at his desk. No matter what he’d tried he couldn’t seem to get his desk chair to stop squeaking.

  “I am sorry Ruby is caught up in all of this.”

  He couldn’t see me, but I nodded just the same. “Me too.”

  “Before I forget, have you seen that key-chain knife I have?” Marcus asked. “I kept it in the car and now I can’t find it anywhere.”

  He’d found the key-chain knife at a flea market in Red Wing. The tiny folding knife, shaped like a house key, had a very sharp blade and had been useful on occasion.

  “I haven’t seen it,” I said, “but I’ll look around here.”

  “I probably stuck it in a drawer somewhere at home. I’m getting forgetful in my old age.” Again, he turned away from the phone to speak to someone. “I have to go,” he said when he came back. “Be careful, and if you find out anything, promise you’ll let me know.”

  Marcus knew I was going to try to figure out whether Elias was guilty or if someone else had killed Kassie, I realized. “Promise,” I said. “I love you.”

  “You too,” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice.

  I ended the call and set the phone back on the table.

  I looked down at my two furry cohorts. It was time to get started.

  chapter 8

  Friday morning Elias called a meeting in the community center’s gym for everyone involved with the show. A judge had granted bail and he had only spent a few hours in custody. He stood in the middle of the room and we all gathered around him, most people with a travel mug or a take-out cup of coffee.

  Elias looked around. “Is everyone here?” he asked. We all looked at one another. I was standing with Eugenie and Russell. Maggie and Peggy were across the circle from us. Rebecca and Harry were next to them, talking earnestly about something. I saw the rest of the bakers standing around—Caroline, Kate, Ray, Charles and Stacey. If some of the crew was missing, I couldn’t tell.

  Thorsten was on the far side of the room by the main doors to the gym, which had been propped open when we arrived. Elias nodded. Thorsten flipped up the metal kickstands at the bottom of each door. They swung closed and he stood in front of them.

  Elias raised a hand but the buzz of conversation continued around us. Suddenly a piercing whistle cut through the chatter. Everyone stopped what they were doing; stopped talking, stopped drinking coffee, stopped swiping through their phones. Eugenie dropped her thumb and forefinger from her mouth and smiled at Elias.

  “Thank you, Eugenie,” Elias said with a smile. He looked around the ragged circle of people. “Thank you for coming in so early. I’ll get right to the point. Yesterday I was arrested for killing Kassie Tremayne.” He didn’t need a microphone. His voice carried throughout the space.

  I didn’t think there was anyone who hadn’t heard about his arrest but hearing Elias say the words so plainly out loud obviously made us all feel a little uncomfortable. Around me people shuffled their feet, ducked their heads, studied their shoes.

  “I didn’t kill Kassie. And I don’t know who did. But it is my intention to find out, not just to clear my name, which yes, is my priority, but also to bring the real killer to justice. Since I did nothing wrong, and I have nothing to hide, I will be continuing in my role as executive producer of The Great Northern Baking Showdown.” The words had probably been written by his lawyer.

  I realized that Elias was looking directly at me now. I met his steady gaze with my own, wondering if Ruby had told him about her conversation with me last night. I wasn’t surprised that he was continuing to work on the show. The man had a level of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

  “If you remember anything,” Elias said. “If you saw anything the night Kassie was killed, if you overheard a conversation, if you saw her arguing with someone, please talk to the police. Don’t let some misguided loyalty to the show or to me keep you from speaking up. If the police want to talk to you, please cooperate and answer all of their questions.” His eyes finally flicked away from mine. “As far as The Great Northern Baking Showdown is concerned, it’s business as usual. Thank you for your time, everyone. Let’s get back to work.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, people began to move toward the doors, which Thorsten was propping open once again. Elias closed the distance between us. “Kathleen, do you have a minute?” he asked. Since it was Friday and I didn’t go into the library until lunchtime, Eugenie and I were planning to work a little more with Peggy since they would be filming her first episode on Saturday.

  Eugenie touched my arm. “We’ll be in my office,” she said.

  I nodded.

  Russell winked at me and the two of them left together. Elias waited until the room was empty before he spoke. “I know what Ruby asked of you last night.”

  I didn’t say anything. It wasn’t as though he’d asked me a question. I waited for him to tell me that he didn’t need my help.

  “I’ll pay you whatever fee you want to set,” was what he said instead.

  I looked at him, dumbfounded. “I’m not an investigator, Elias,” I said. “And I know you probably don’t think so right now, but the police are very good at what they do. They will find out who really killed Kassie.”

  He smiled but there was no real warmth in it. “So you don’t think I killed her?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know. Shoving someone’s head in a bowl of whipped cream doesn’t strike me as your . . . style.”

  Elias laughed. “Don’t believe everything you hear about me, Kathleen.” He adjusted the cuff of his suit jacket. “I saw what you did in the case of Simon Janes’s father. And I know you were also involved in catching the person who murdered Agatha Shepherd. I’m serious. I’ll pay whatever dollar amount you name to find the person who killed Kassie.”

  I wondered what it was like to go through life having your influence and your money get you so many of the things you wanted.

  I smiled back at him. “I told Ruby I would do what I could because she’s my friend. I’m not a private detective and if you need one, you should hire one.”

  “You don’t like me,” he said.

  I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know you well enough yet to decide.”

  That made him laugh again. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, glanced at the screen and then put it away again. “What would you like to know?” he asked. “Ask me anything. I’m an open book.”

  Somehow I doubted that was true. “Did you know who Kassie really was?” I asked. “That she was Sean Sullivan’s daughter?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  “You hired her as a favor to her father.” It was a guess, but a pretty easy one to make. I slipped the strap of my messenger bag off my shoulder and set the bag between my feet.

  “I did.”

  “Were you in the kitchen the night Kassie was killed?”

  “You know that I was. I’m guessing you know they found my fingerprints on an otherwise clean table. I went to get a cup of coffee.” He adjusted his cuff again.

  I wondered if Elias had already practiced the answers to these kinds of questions with his attorney.

  “Kassie was there.” Another guess, but from the way his mouth tightened for a moment, a good one.

  “Yes she was,” he said. “She was upset over an argument she�
��d had with someone. She wouldn’t say who it was.”

  It was probably the conversation I had overheard between Kassie and Richard earlier in the day. I shifted the strap of my bag from one hand to the other.

  “There’s something I don’t understand,” I said. “Why didn’t you sign in at the back door?”

  Elias waved a hand dismissively. “It’s a pain in the ass. This is my project. I got a master key from Thorsten—we go way back—so I could come and go as I please.”

  I studied the way he was standing, the expression on his face. There were no little tics to suggest he was being evasive.

  “I’ve been using a space up on the second floor as an office so I can get away from the chaos down here—another perk of knowing Thorsten.”

  I’d guessed that, since the second floor was supposed to be off-limits to the show.

  “So you didn’t hear me when I was yelling for help.”

  “I have a desk in the production office but it’s a busy spot. I didn’t see or hear anything that night because I was a floor away. I’m sorry. And I didn’t say anything to the police about being in the building because I knew it looked bad.”

  The expression on his face told me he knew how ill advised that had been.

  I picked up my bag. “I don’t have any more questions and Eugenie is waiting for me,” I said. “Like I said, I’ll help Ruby any way that I can.”

  He smiled. “Helping her will probably help me,” he said.

  I nodded. “I know that.”

  “Which means I’ll be in your debt.”

  This time I was the one smiling. “I know that, too.”

  * * *

  Eugenie and I ran Peggy through the details of what would happen on Saturday on the set. Peggy was ready. She was familiar with all the bakers and their backstories, and there was already an easy camaraderie between her and Richard. Russell put a hand on her shoulder and pulled a tiny foil-wrapped bee from behind Peggy’s ear. “It’s a new bee,” he said solemnly as he handed it to her.