by Judi Lynn
Greg gave her a thoughtful look. “You meet a lot of people, don’t you? Your friend’s right. There’s a lot of money in working private parties, especially if you become known as a mixologist.”
She nodded. “And that’s what you want? Do you know any chefs you might hook up with? Seth worked with Annabelle Burton, so they had both food and drinks covered.”
“I’m looking into that. I know a chef who might be interested.” He turned to Peyton. “You worked with Meghan and never hit on her? She was pretty.”
Peyton rolled his eyes. “I hit on lots of women, but all Meghan talked about was you. Just like the woman sitting next to me. All she talks about is her Viking.”
Greg smiled. “Sometimes you strike out.”
“And it’s always with the ones you really want. A life lesson, right?”
Jazzi couldn’t remember whom she told what. “You both knew Meghan was pregnant when she died, right?”
Greg looked thoughtful. “That’s why she ordered pop the last few times she came in here. She’d always ordered beer before.”
Jazzi nodded. “She wasn’t very far along.”
When Greg went to get their orders and serve them, Peyton shook his head. “Meghan was so conservative, I just don’t see her sleeping around. That doesn’t make sense to me.”
Greg returned with their food. “Guys tried to pick her up all the time, and she never hooked up with anyone. At least, as far as I could tell.”
“She hooked up with someone.” Jazzi bet it was only one special person, but so far, no one knew who that was. She bit into her burger, and juice ran down her palm. She’d groan with pleasure, but both of the men she was with would take that the wrong way.
Peyton looked at Greg and shrugged. “Beats me. I gave it my best and didn’t get anywhere. She wasn’t into me. I even asked around at work, put out feelers to see if she was with someone, but no one knew anything.”
Greg shook his head in defeat. “I stayed a safe distance away. I’m not stupid enough to compete with my boss.”
They were spinning their wheels again. Jazzi wiped her hands on two napkins, then reached in her purse. “If either of you remember anything that might help, you should call Detective Gaff. He’s working the case.” She handed them Gaff’s card, then returned her concentration to her food.
A few more people entered the bar but settled in the booths, waiting for the waitresses to serve them.
Peyton picked up a wing to bite into. “You know, Meghan was so naïve, she might have thought if she got pregnant, a guy had to marry her. She didn’t understand guys at all.”
A cluster of girls who did not look innocent walked through the doors and headed to the bar. Chat time was over. Jazzi watched Greg switch into Super Bartender.
Peyton did, too. He shared a knowing smile with her. “The guy’s good. He can turn it on as fast as I can.”
“Fake gets you laid, that’s all,” she told him.
Peyton wrapped his arms around her, careful not to touch her with his fingers, covered with sauce. “You’re special, you know that? I don’t have a chance with you, but I’m still glad we met. I’m adopting you as my big sister. You give me plenty of advice.”
She snorted. “Like you listen.”
“Hey, that’s what family’s like, isn’t it? We listen but don’t pay much attention.”
He had a point. She was close to Olivia, but they each did their own thing. “Okay, I adopt you. You can be my horny little brother.”
He threw back his head and laughed. The girls at the bar turned to stare at him. He winked at them, and they smiled.
When Jazzi finished her burger and paid to leave, Peyton ordered another beer. Oh yeah, he was going to flirt. The boy was incorrigible.
Chapter 35
Jazzi took the back way home, down Hillegas Road, which turned into Huguenard. She wasn’t looking forward to walking into her house, alone, again tonight. She’d watched too many movies and finished the book she was reading. When she reached the turn to the Animal Control building, she found herself taking it. She’d always had a thing for cats. At least, she thought she did. Mom always preferred dogs, especially little ones that barked.
The parking lot was empty, so she pulled to the front door to read the hours. It closed at five-thirty. Probably a good thing. Doing things on the spur of the moment didn’t always work out well.
She got back on Huguenard to drive north again. She passed the orchard. Its parking lot was full, and she noticed people walking between the trees, picking their favorite kinds of apples. Two blocks later, she glanced at a sign in a front yard. free kittens. Too much of a coincidence. Maybe she was destined to get a kitten? She pushed on the brake and stopped at the house. A young boy, maybe ten or eleven, came to stand on the front stoop.
Jazzi walked toward him. “I saw the sign about kittens.”
His lips turned up in a huge smile. “Dad says we have to find homes for them or they’re going to the shelter. He says people don’t adopt black cats. They get spooked. I hope you like Inky. Marmalade’s not black, but she’s naughty.”
Were people still superstitious? And should the boy tell people that Marmalade was a troublemaker? “Can I see them?”
“Come on. They’re in here.” He walked toward the attached garage. He was opening the door when his father came out to greet her.
“She’s here to see Inky and Marmalade,” the boy said.
The dad looked relieved. “Good news. We didn’t get the mother cat spayed in time. She’s safe now, but we have to get rid of the last kittens.”
The garage held two cars and a riding lawn mower. A cardboard box with an old blanket in it sat near the mower. Jazzi leaned to see inside the box, and her heart melted. The black kitten stretched his paws up and mewed. He wanted to be held. His orange sister quit licking her paw to stare at Jazzi. She mewed, too.
“How many were there?” Jazzi asked.
“Five.” The boy picked up Inky and crushed him under his chin to rub the kitten’s head. “Two more orange ones and a calico.”
Marmalade tried to climb out of the box to be with her brother.
The boy looked sad. “The one left behind is going to be lonely.”
“Not for long,” the dad said. “She’ll make lots of new friends at the shelter.”
Jazzi didn’t like the sound of that. She looked back and forth at them and couldn’t decide. “I’ll take both of them.”
“Really?” The boy’s eyes lit up.
“We have a big yard and a pond. Plenty of space for two cats.”
The dad didn’t waste any time. “We’ll load the whole box into your pickup.”
Jazzi moved the passenger seat back to make room for it. “Thanks so much.”
“Thank you,” the father told her. “You look like the type of person who’ll give them a good home. Here.” He handed her a bag of dry food for kittens. “We don’t need it anymore.”
She nodded and spoke to the boy. “We love our pets. We’ll take good care of them.”
The kittens got nervous when she started driving. They didn’t like the feel of the tires moving under them. She parked by the kitchen door and carried the box into the house. She took it to the laundry room and slowly tipped it on its side. She’d seen shredded papers on the floor in the family’s garage, probably in place of litter right now, so she got a low wooden box and did the same. She went to the kitchen for a paper plate and filled it with dry cat food.
The kittens took off, exploring. Inky led the way, Marmalade close behind him. They went from the kitchen to the living room and then up the stairs. She followed after them. The stairs were a challenge. The kittens were small, and the steps were high for them. But Inky was determined. After they’d been in every room, she scooped them up, one on each shoulder, and closed all of the doors upstairs except the
door to the spare bedroom. Then she escorted them back downstairs, set them loose in the laundry room, and went to plop on the couch in front of the TV.
Before she started a show, she called Gaff and told him what she’d heard from Greg and Peyton.
“We should make another round and talk to all of them.”
“We?”
“People talk to you, Jazzi. They clam up when a cop knocks on their door.”
She’d sure like to find out who killed Meghan, Miles, and Leo. “Okay, call me when you’re ready.”
“Will do.”
Inky found her first. He kept attacking her foot while she watched Dancing with the Stars. Marmalade managed to climb the sofa and curl next to her head, at the top of the couch cushion. The show ended at ten, and Jazzi scooped them up again and got ready to carry them upstairs. She shredded more papers to put in the guest bathroom and closed the bedroom door to keep them in one place.
Ansel called. “Talk to me. Tell me interesting things. All I did was milk all morning and roof all day. I forgot that my family just eats at supper, no conversation. No one has anything to talk about except cows and farming. We work until dark and then we eat, and then people get ready for bed. I should have rejoiced when they sent me away.”
She laughed. “You’re going to be attacked when you get home.”
She heard the smile in his voice. “Do you miss me that much?”
She realized what he was thinking. “Yes, but I’m talking about our new kittens.”
There was a pause. “You got kittens?”
“I was lonely. There was a sign.”
He laughed. “We have plenty of farm cats. Need them to catch mice. I like cats. So does George. He still doesn’t like my family.”
“Smart dog.” Relief spread through her. “One’s black and one’s orange.”
“We’re ready for Halloween.”
She hadn’t thought of that. “They’re really little—six weeks old.”
“The mother had a late litter.”
She hadn’t thought of that either. It would never have occurred to her. “The black cat’s naughty. The boy warned me about Marmalade, but it’s Inky who’s going to get into everything.”
“Good, he’ll give George a run for his money.” He went on. “Before you ask, Jezebel came with chocolate cake today.”
“I’m not worried about Jezebel anymore.”
He sounded surprised. “You aren’t?”
“I whined about her at Sunday meal, and Olivia and Thane both told me that I should give you more credit and trust you more.”
“They’re officially my favorite in-laws now.”
“You’d never cheat. I knew that. I was just worried you might leave me, that you might want to stay and not come home.”
He was quiet for a long time, then said, “I thought I’d get a Dear John phone call, telling me you’d found someone else.”
“It’s not going to happen,” she told him. “I think we’re stuck with each other.”
“I vote for Super Glue so it stays.”
“Me, too. We might not have rings, but for me, it’s official.”
“You’re the best. You know that?”
“I’ll keep reminding you.”
He chuckled. “You don’t have to. I know quality when I see it.”
She yawned. Then he yawned, too. She chuckled. “I love you, Viking, but I’m going to sleep. You should, too.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“You’re going to be jumped at the door.”
“I can handle kittens.”
“I meant me.”
“I can handle that, too. ’Night, Jaz.” And he clicked off.
She dropped her clothes where she was and climbed under the covers. Little claws dug into the comforter, and soon two little kittens curled at the end of the bed. They all slept.
Chapter 36
Jazzi and Jerod were installing new shower tiles in the bathrooms when Gaff called.
“Want to go with me to see Seth?”
“Seth? Why him?”
“Greg told you Seth picked up every tab for Meghan. I’d like to know why.”
Good point. She’d meant to ask Seth about that, too. She looked at Jerod. He still looked a little green around the gills. “Care if I take off with Gaff for a while?”
“Perfect. I’ll put down the paint cloths, make them comfy, and take a nap.”
“On the floor?”
He layered every paint cloth they had in a corner.
Yup, her cousin wasn’t up to par. “Go for it. Sleep as long as you can.” She asked Gaff, “When are you coming for me?”
“Does now work?”
“Yup, but I’m messy.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” And he was.
Jerod was asleep before she walked out the door. Gaff drove across town to Seth’s house. It made sense that it was on the south side of River Bluffs since his bar was southwest, but Jazzi stared in surprise when Gaff turned onto Old Mill Road. Prestigious, grand houses of yesteryear lined the street. The man must be swimming in money. She’d always admired the houses close to Foster Park. They were big and old and classy. Seth’s was a Tudor a block from the golf course.
“Will he be home?” she asked as they went up the walk. “He’s usually either at the bar or Louisa’s by now.”
“I called him,” Gaff said, and at the same time, the door opened.
Seth motioned them inside. He smiled at Jazzi. “Hey, there.”
Cocoa ran to greet her. Laughing, she ruffled the Lab’s fur. “She lives with you now?”
“She loves the walking trail around the golf course.”
Amy came down the staircase to greet them, too, and Jazzi tried to hide her surprise. Seth reached for Amy’s hand, looking happy. “Amy moved in with me. We’re at the age where we don’t need to date forever to see if things work. I think we’re a good fit.”
“I’m happy for you.” They looked good together, comfortable and easy. Seth had been alone since Annabelle moved to Florida. Amy lived alone after the father she’d cared for died three years ago. It was nice they’d found each other.
Seth motioned to Cocoa. “One of us takes Cocoa to Aunt Louisa’s house when we have to work. Cocoa’s not used to being alone.”
“Sounds like a great plan to me.” It was nice to have some happy outcomes.
Gaff reached for his notepad. “I came to ask you a few questions about Meghan.”
Amy went to the foyer table and lifted Cocoa’s leash. “I’ll take her for her morning walk.” She left them to give Seth some privacy.
Seth motioned for them to follow him to the kitchen. It had black cupboards and granite counter tops. “Coffee?”
They both nodded, and Jazzi went to help him carry mugs to the kitchen island. Once they got settled, Gaff clicked his pen, ready to work.
“Greg told us that you never made Meghan pay for any food or drinks at your bar. Is there a reason?”
His question caught Jazzi off guard. Gaff rarely mentioned who told him what when he interviewed a suspect. He must want to verify Greg’s statement and let Seth know who’d said it.
Seth didn’t seem upset, though. He shrugged. “The first time Meghan ever came to the bar, it was before the heavy rush of the lunch crowd. She was wearing her nursing scrubs, just wanted a quick order of chicken tenders to take to work. I asked her for advice. My head cook was totally out of it, completely confused. He didn’t want me to take him to the emergency room, but I was getting worried. He loves his pot, but he doesn’t smoke in the morning. Meghan came to the kitchen and talked to him. Told me to give him a glass of orange juice and a few crackers to see if that helped. It snapped him right out of it. He has low blood sugar and doesn’t take care of it. I told her I owed he
r, and I meant it. From that day on, she had a free tab.”
Gaff stared. “So you never charged her after that?”
“Feliz told me he’d quit if I dragged him to the hospital. I’ve never had a better cook than him. Meghan’s tab would never add up to the cost of an emergency room visit.”
Gaff nodded, satisfied, and looked at Jazzi.
She smiled, happy that Seth had a good answer. She didn’t want him to be involved in the murders. “It was too easy, huh?”
Gaff grinned. “It only took one question. It’s never that simple.”
Seth understood. “Ask Feliz about it if you want to. He drinks a glass of juice when he comes to work now. I was never interested in Meghan, but she did me a favor, and I appreciated it.”
Gaff finished his coffee. “Thanks, that’s something I can cross off my list. I think we’re done here.”
He and Jazzi headed to his car. Gaff looked at her. “It’s time to talk to your friend Peyton.”
“No! It can’t be him. He’s too nice. Did you call him? He’s young. He’s always on the run. He’s probably not home.”
“I’d stay on the run, too, if I slept with so many men’s wives. We’re going to meet him at a coffee shop on North Anthony, close to the college.”
Jazzi knew where that was. It was down the street from the house they were working on.
Peyton was sipping a latte in a booth, waiting for them, when they walked in.
He grinned when he saw Jazzi. “Hey, big sis!”
Gaff turned to her, raised his eyebrows.
“Long story,” she explained under her breath. She went to the counter to order an iced coffee. “Want something?” she asked Gaff as he slid onto a seat across from Peyton.
“The same.”
The girl nodded and went to make their drinks.
Gaff started. “We’ve hit a dead end, so we’re questioning everybody again who knew Meghan, hoping to find a new starting point.”
