Meringue and Murder

by Wendy Meadows

  “Are you sure? I would not want to impose,” said Patty.

  “Nonsense,” said Margaret. “You are like family to me. I’ll invite David over too.”

  “And me?” asked Ariel

  “Of course. You, too,” said Margaret, smiling.

  “Well, okay. What can I bring?” asked Patty.

  “Just bring a dessert,” said Margaret.

  “Okay,” said Patty. “This will be fun.”

  “Yes, it will,” Margaret agreed. She thought about her stress with planning the holiday, solving the case, and running the fundraiser. Fortunately, the fundraiser seemed to be taking on a life of its own. They had a solid lead in the case and Thanksgiving dinner would be fun. Margaret’s cell rang. It was David.

  “I am done here if you want to swing over,” he said.

  “Sure,” said Margaret. Ariel waved to her. “Ariel wants to talk to you.”

  “Put her on,” said David.

  “Daddy, guess what?” said Ariel. “We are going to Margaret’s house for Thanksgiving.” Ariel smiled. “Daddy said to say thank you,” she said to Margaret.

  Margaret smiled. She let Ariel talk to David while she and Patty closed the shop. Ariel came into the front of the store and handed Margaret’s phone back to her.

  “Are you ready for some dinner?” Patty asked Ariel.

  “Yes! I’m starving,” Ariel said.

  Patty and Margaret laughed. Patty left with Ariel and Margaret went to her car. As she was getting in, she caught sight of Zach. He was walking toward the car with a girl. Margaret realized he was holding the girl’s hand. The girl was cute. She was Asian with an athletic build. Her dark hair was cut in a cute bob. As they got closer, Zach saw Margaret and grinned. The girl looked up and hesitated. Zach said something, and they walked over to Margaret.

  “Hello,” said Margaret.

  “Hi, Mom,” said Zach. “I would like you to meet the friend I have been seeing. Mom, this is Gilly Hawthorn, my girlfriend. Gilly, this is my mom.”

  “It is nice to meet you,” said Gilly. She had on jeans and a black t-shirt with the name of a punk band emblazoned on the front.

  “It is nice to meet you too,” said Margaret, feeling all kinds of relief. Of course it wasn’t drugs, it was a girl, Margaret thought. She shook Gilly’s hand and told her to call her Margaret.

  “We were just headed to dinner. Would you like to join us?” asked Zach.

  “I would love to, but I am meeting David at his office,” said Margaret. “Also, you should know that you are cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Gilly, you are welcome to join us.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. um…Margaret,” said Gilly.

  “How many people will be there?” asked Zach.

  “Well, you, me, Gilly, David, Ariel, Patty, her husband, and I would like to see if we can get your grandparents out to the house,” said Margaret.

  “Fun!” said Zach. “We can do some shopping after dinner.”

  “Don’t worry about dessert,” said Margaret. “I told Patty to bring a pie.”

  “Okay,” said Zach. “Well, we will see you later.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Margaret replied. “It was nice meeting you, Gilly.”

  Gilly and Zach left, and Margaret got into her car smiling. She thought about how happy Zach looked. She chided herself and laughed. How could she even think he was doing drugs? The boy was attentive and loving. Margaret was glad he found someone who loved him like Gilly seemed to.

  Margaret was about to get into her car when she had an idea. She walked over to the deli and ordered some sandwiches. She grabbed some drinks and put them in a basket she kept in the back of her car. Margaret enjoyed picnics on the beach, so she kept a basket in her car in case of spontaneous picnics. That happened when you lived by the beach. Margaret smiled and got into her car.

  Margaret started her car. She was looking forward to being on the stakeout with David. It had been a while since they had spent time together. Margaret drove to his office and went inside.

  “Hello, Margaret,” said David’s receptionist. “He is in his office.”

  “Thank you,” said Margaret, walking down the hall. Before she got to his office, David appeared.

  “Oh good, you’re here. Are you ready to go?” he asked.

  “You bet,” said Margaret. “Should we take two cars or one?”

  “We can take my car,” said David. “That way there is less of a chance of Rocky spotting us.”

  “Makes sense,” Margaret agreed. Margaret told David to wait a minute. She grabbed the basket out of her car.

  “What is that?” asked David.

  “Have you eaten?” asked Margaret.

  “No,” David replied, grinning.

  “I didn’t think so,” said Margaret. “That’s why I brought this. Stakeout supplies.”

  David laughed and rolled his eyes.

  “You are going to make the other detectives jealous,” he said and started the car.

  Rocky’s last address was away from the beach. David started driving and Margaret watched the trees as the car rolled along. The leaves were turning red and gold and the countryside was blanketed with a fall quilt. Margaret stopped seeing seagulls after a few minutes and started seeing more farmland. Rocky lived out in the countryside. At least it’s a pretty drive, thought Margaret, watching the farmhouses rolling by.

  Chapter 10

  Margaret and David got to Rocky’s house about half an hour later. It was not a farmhouse but a small house in a development. Margaret was glad for the other houses. It would make watching Rocky that much easier. There was a car parked in the driveway. David parked his car around the corner from the house. That way they could monitor Rocky’s comings and goings without being seen. Margaret pulled the picnic basket into the front seat. She pulled out a Reuben sandwich for David and a ham and cheese for herself. She took out the sweet teas and put the basket away in the back seat. She and David ate and talked while they waited to see if anything would happen.

  About an hour later a man—Rocky?—came out of his house. He got into his truck and took off. David followed him at a discreet distance. Rocky drove to a local bar. He parked and went inside. David parked his car and he and Margaret followed Rocky into the bar. Rocky was sitting at the bar, so David and Margaret sat down at a nearby booth. A waitress stopped by and David ordered two coffees. She looked at David for a second but then shrugged. One of the bartenders called Rocky by name so they knew they had the right person. Rocky was a big muscular man with tattoos on his arms. He was loud. He was boasting about a fish he had caught the other day.

  “You were fishing, Rocky?” asked a man beside him.

  “Yeah, I went out on Rick’s boat,” said Rocky.

  “Oh? What did you catch?” asked the man.

  “Bunch of flounders, some blues,” said Rocky.

  “I don’t believe you,” said the man. “This is not the time to be catching those fish.”

  “Are you calling me a liar?” asked Rocky, his voice rising. Rocky’s nostrils flared, and he clenched his fists as he rose from his bar stool. Margaret shivered. The other man held up his hands.

  “No, no. Of course not,” he said.

  “Good,” said Rocky, sitting back down.

  Margaret let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. David had moved in the booth when Rocky stood up, but Margaret put her hand on his leg. David sat still, and they watched Rocky at the bar. They sipped their coffees and talked about Ariel, discreetly keeping their eyes on Rocky. To someone at the next table they were just a couple talking about a child.

  Rocky had settled on his stool and was talking with another man about his truck. After downing a couple of beers, Rocky got up to leave. After he walked out the door, David and Margaret left the bar. Rocky was just turning out of the driveway. David and Margaret hurried into David’s car and followed Rocky again. Rocky drove to the supermarket, parked, and got out of his truck.

  “Oh, that reminds m
e,” said Margaret. “I need popcorn.”

  “Right now?” David asked.

  “Well, we are at the grocery store. It would be less suspicious if we bought some groceries, right?”

  David shrugged and followed Margaret out of the car. The store was on the small side, and they were easily able to keep an eye on Rocky. Margaret picked up her popcorn and some candies. David kept watching Rocky and told Margaret when Rocky was checking out. Margaret and David went to the front of the store. The store was busy so Rocky didn’t notice them.

  Rocky said hello to the cashier. He thanked the clerk for bagging his items and then went to his truck. Margaret paid for her groceries and she and David followed Rocky back home. David and Margaret sat in David’s car and waited to see what would happen next.

  “Well, he is a big man,” said David. “And he seems to anger easily. I think he is our guy.”

  “I’m not sure,” said Margaret.

  “Why not?” asked David.

  “Just a feeling,” said Margaret. “He never hit the guy at the bar. He just got angry. There is a difference.”

  “I know, but it would not surprise me if Rocky did hit someone,” said David. “And remember, he did threaten his ex-wife.”

  “That’s true,” said Margaret. But she continued to have her doubts. Her experiences with her ex started to cloud her mind. Margaret shook her head.

  “Oh, thank you for the invite for Thanksgiving,” said David, smiling.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t clear it with you first. It was a bit of an impulsive act,” said Margaret, glad for the distraction.

  “It is fine. Ariel seems excited, so that makes me happy,” said David.

  “Spoken like a true father,” said Margaret.

  “What would you like me to bring?” asked David.

  “Well, you can bring dinner rolls,” said Margaret.

  “Will do,” said David.

  “I did have another favor to ask you,” said Margaret.

  “What do you need?” asked David. He was looking at Rocky’s house, watching him sit in his living room.

  “I was thinking about bringing my parents to Thanksgiving dinner. They rarely get out of the nursing home and I thought it would be a special treat for them,” said Margaret.

  “Well, I would be happy to help you,” said David. “What do you need me to do?”

  “I thought you and Zach could help my parents into my car. I can drive them to my place and afterwards I will take them back,” said Margaret. “One word of warning, though, my father is a staunch conservative and my mother is a full-blown hippie. Dinners get interesting at my house. I have to confess that is why I was originally going to just get takeout and eat it at their place. That way I could make my escape if need be.”

  “What made you change your mind?” asked David.

  “Well, Patty and her husband would be alone, and you wanted a big dinner,” said Margaret. “I figure if I have some friends and a youngster around, the dinner conversation may be tolerable.”

  David chuckled. “I would be happy to help with your parents; both bringing them over and providing a buffer,” he said.

  Margaret laughed.

  “Oh, guess what?” said Margaret.

  “What?” asked David.

  “Zach has a girlfriend,” said Margaret.

  “Whoa. That’s cool,” said David.

  “Her name is Gilly. She seems a bit shy but very nice,” said Margaret. “She has an unusual taste in clothes.”

  “Good for Zach,” said David.

  “Yeah, I’m happy for him,” said Margaret.

  “Me too,” said David. He smiled, and Margaret’s stomach dropped. She and David had not been this close for this long since Ariel had appeared. Margaret was enjoying this time with David even though they were technically working. Margaret looked at Rocky’s house. He had been sitting watching television. Just then, Rocky got up and went into the kitchen. He made some microwave popcorn and went back to his living room.

  “I hope he does something so I can get a warrant to search his house,” said David. “Right now, we have no evidence against him.”

  “Right now, he seems to be enjoying watching television,” said Margaret. They sat there awhile and watched Rocky. Around nine o’clock, Rocky got up and went to his bedroom. He changed into some shorts and a t-shirt and sat in bed and read a book for a while. Then he got up and looked out the window.

  “Are you sure he can’t see us?” asked Margaret.

  “Positive,” said David.

  Rocky pulled his curtains closed and turned out the light.

  “Okay, I’m going to just run up and look in a few windows, see if I can see anything of note,” Margaret said. “The kitchen windows don’t have curtains.”

  “Wait, no!” David said, but Margaret was already out of the car.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.” She shut the car door and hurried to the side of Rocky’s house. She sidled up to the kitchen windows and looked inside. Nothing interesting, just a few dishes in the sink and the empty microwave popcorn bag on the counter.

  Her phone vibrated. David was calling.

  “David,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I’ll be right—”

  But David interrupted. “Patty just called me. She said she can’t find Ariel. I need to get over to her place right away.”

  “Oh no! Well, go on to Patty’s, hurry. I’ll call Zach to come and get me,” said Margaret.

  “Are you sure?” asked David.

  “Yes,” Margaret said. “Go on. Find your daughter.”

  She ended the call with David and started to dial Zach’s number. She heard a noise behind her, but before she could look back, she felt a sharp pain in her head. The world went black.

  Chapter 11

  Margaret awoke with a pounding head. She was lying down on something that seemed hard but pliable. She listened before she opened her eyes. She didn’t hear anything, so she decided to take a peek. When she opened her eyes a bit, she realized she was lying on the backseat of a car. She realized the car was not moving.

  There was someone in the driver’s seat. Margaret could see black curly hair. She listened for a moment, but the driver didn’t move or say anything. Margaret wasn’t sure what to do. She moved a tiny bit and realized her arms and legs were bound. She tried to move a bit more, but the vinyl seat squeaked. The driver turned around. It was Rocky.

  Margaret felt her heart beat faster. Was David right? Am I going to be his next victim? These questions flashed through Margaret’s head. Rocky looked at Margaret and sighed. He looked confused and frustrated. Margaret decided to say something.

  “What’s going on?” she asked Rocky.

  Rocky turned around quickly, banging his hands on the steering wheel.

  “I could ask you the same question,” said Rocky. “Why were you following me?”

  “I am a private investigator,” said Margaret. She figured telling the truth was the best idea in this situation.

  “Who hired you? Was it my old lady’s brother?” asked Rocky.

  “You mean your ex-wife?” asked Margaret. Rocky grunted and frowned.

  “No, it wasn’t her,” said Margaret.

  “Well, who then?” asked Rocky.

  “Well, I suppose no one actually hired me,” said Margaret.

  “What are you talking about?” shouted Rocky. His loud voice sent vibrations through Margaret’s body.

  “Why were you following me?” Rocky continued, his voice getting louder. “I should call the police for harassment. In fact, I could just take care of you myself.” Rocky had moved his massive body and was leaning into the back seat, his face inches from Margaret’s. Margaret held her ground. She had been bullied by the best of them.

  “Did you know your ex-brother-in-law died?” asked Margaret directly.

  Rocky stopped. He moved backward and looked at Margaret.

  “What are you talking about?” asked Rocky. “When did he die? We
ll, of course she would blame me. That’s what she does. I thought you said my old lady didn’t hire you.”

  “She didn’t hire me,” said Margaret. “I was friends with Mr. Stewart. He died the other day and I’m investigating his death. I’m working with the police so calling them to report me would not be a good idea considering you have me tied up in your car.” Margaret was taking a chance, but she needed to keep Rocky talking, even if it meant he yelled at her some more.

  Rocky turned back around and started his car.

  “What are you doing?” asked Margaret.

  “I don’t know. I have to think. Be quiet,” said Rocky. He started driving.

  Margaret looked out the back windows and saw trees and the night sky. She was too low in the seat to see any landmarks. Margaret tried to reach her cell phone. She moved her hands to her back pockets, but she didn’t feel her phone. She used her arms and tried to feel her front pockets. She could not feel her phone. Twisting her hands only tightened the rope around her wrists. Then she remembered she’d been about to call Zach before Rocky hit her on the head. Her phone was probably on the ground outside Rocky’s house. Margaret felt panic rising up inside of her. She could hear Rocky muttering to himself. She took a deep breath.

  “Where are we going?” she asked Rocky.

  “I told you to be quiet. I’m trying to think.”

  “If it helps, I don’t think you hurt Mr. Stewart,” said Margaret.

  “Then why were you at my house?”

  “The detective I was with wanted to check you out. I came along to observe,” said Margaret. “We followed you to the bar and to the grocery store. When I saw you at the bar, I knew you would never hurt anyone. If you were going to hurt someone you would have punched that guy in the face. The one who accused you of lying about the fish.”

  “Are you sure about that?” asked Rocky menacingly.

  “I’m hopeful,” said Margaret. She had tears in her eyes.

  Rocky looked at her and shook his head. He seemed to make up his mind about something. He slowed down the car and turned off the road. Margaret looked out the window. All she could see were trees and the sky. There were no streetlights and the moonlight seemed to be the only thing illuminating the outdoors. Rocky turned around.