by Lee Pulaski
“Oh swell. I was just saying the other day that we don’t have enough arrogant pricks with superiority complexes in this community.”
Alexander, who had strolled down from the upper level moments earlier, suggested, “Maybe you should find out who your grandparents’ estate attorney is and see if he’ll reveal who is getting the farm. Maybe you’ll get lucky and it’ll go to some long-lost uncle. Then you don’t have to worry about a thing, and you and Sajen can go off in the woods and live happily ever after.”
“He’s got the right idea,” Zachary agreed. “Think of what you want to do together now you don’t have any obstacles preventing your dreams from coming true.”
The front door bell jingled as Perry walked inside, wearing a black coat and stocking cap.
Zachary bit his lip. “Okay, maybe I spoke too soon.”
“Hello, Rose.” The way Perry greeted his cousin made Zachary want to crawl out of his skin. It resembled the seductive tone of a pedophile on one of those police shows just before they’re about to victimize an innocent child.
Rose gulped and took a moment to calm herself down before saying in a broken voice, “Perry.”
Perry turned to Zachary. “It’s amazing. I was just coming here to see if you’d heard anything from little Rose, and here she is in the flesh. You’re quite good.”
“Gee, thanks.” Zachary hoped his reply didn’t sound too sarcastic.
“We have a lot to talk about, cousin. Why don’t we talk about it over lunch? My treat.”
“I think I’ll pass. Sajen and I already have lunch plans.”
Zachary noticed Sajen giving Rose a confused look that silently said, “We do?” Zachary looked over to Perry to see if he caught the surprised body language.
“I’m sure your gay Indian friend can chat with you some other time. We have important business to discuss—like the future of the family business.”
Sajen stepped between Rose and Perry. “Okay, friend. First of all, not only am I not gay, but your cousin is having my child. Second, she’s told you no, and she shouldn’t have to justify her reason to someone who claims to be family.”
“Sorry, Tonto, but I wasn’t talking to you.”
Sajen’s face looked nonplussed, and he turned back to Rose. “Let me guess. He’s your grandparents’ favorite.”
“Perry, take a hint,” Rose said as she gently pushed Sajen aside and stood toe-to-toe with her cousin. “If I didn’t want to hang around you when we were growing up, I sure as hell don’t want to be left alone with you now. If I do decide to speak to you, I’ll send a memo. Sajen, I think it’s time we get going.”
With a not-so-subtle nudge, Rose walked past Perry, with Sajen in close pursuit. The door closed with a loud thud that included a rough jangling from the bell.
Perry looked at Zachary again. “Wow. That little lady knows how to hold a grudge. I mean, has she never heard that boys will be boys?”
Zachary plastered on his customer-service-approved fake smile. “I guess she hasn’t. You know how country people can be simple folk.”
Perry nodded. “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thank you again for your help.”
Alexander, who had been standing behind the sales counter during the exchange of words, watched Perry exit before turning to Zachary. “Is that guy for real?”
Zachary folded his arms. “‘Boys will be boys,’ my ass. He did something to her! Her body language was practically screaming for help.”
“Yeah, I got that, too. Do you think we should call the police?”
“I want to, but we don’t know what’s actually happened. All we witnessed was a tense exchange and a response of ‘no’ to a lunch invitation. I’ll try to catch up with Rose later and find out a little more about what her history with Perry is.”
“So, on a different subject, how is sex with Newell?”
Without skipping a beat, Zachary replied, “You’ll never know.”
Alexander looked like he was about to press the issue, but the sudden arrival of Sigrid through the front door put a halt to that conversation. Zachary hoped it wouldn’t come up again, as he felt his lovemaking with Newell was his own business and no one else’s.
“Have you seen today’s newspaper?” Sigrid asked, breathing hard.
“Haven’t had a chance to read it yet, Sigrid. Why? What’s wrong?”
Sigrid plunked her copy of The Shawano Advocate on the counter and pointed to the top headline, which read “Gresham grocery store to be sold.” Accompanying it was a large photo of the interior of Gresham Market, with people shopping in the aisles. Zachary put his elbows on the counter as he read the story.
“An agreement was signed in early February between store owner Miles La Rouche and real estate magnate Remy R. Pierre of Pierre Consolidated. The deal is expected to be finalized next week, despite the sudden death of La Rouche. Pierre Consolidated is hoping to eventually expand the existing Gresham Market and is working on deals with neighboring properties to raze downtown buildings to allow for the expansion.”
Suddenly, it made sense why Remy Pierre was making a play for Anne Marie’s building. White Eagle Art Gallery was only two doors down from Gresham Market, so obviously Remy was only interested in demolishing the gallery in favor of a bigger grocery store. The claim of putting in an arcade was obviously a fabrication.
“What are we going to do, Zach?” Sigrid asked. “This Remy Pierre is trying to destroy our little downtown! I’m going to have a big box grocery store within spitting distance of my little supper club! Then there’s poor Anne Marie! What is she going to do if this guy wants to buy her building?”
Zachary bit his lip. If Sigrid only knew…
CHAPTER TEN
Zachary noticed a stark contrast in conditions as he walked through the front door of the feed store. The wind chill outside was ten below, but as soon as Zachary had stepped inside, he was greeted by wave after wave of warm air. Newell always kept the feed store warm and comfortable for his customers.
Zachary found Newell at the counter, looking over some receipts. “Hey there, hay boy.”
Newell looked up with a start. “Well, this is a surprise. I figured you’d be on your way home getting ready for the big dinner with Chad and Allison.”
Zachary took out his cell phone and showed the latest text message he’d received. “Dinner’s off. Apparently, Allison had some family obligations that came up suddenly that prevents her from joining us, and Chad didn’t want to show up solo.”
Newell gave Zachary a suspicious glance. “Mm hmm. The girl has family obligations. Seems like I used that excuse once or twice, but that was because my ‘girlfriends’ were actually dudes.”
“Well, if Chad were actually gay, I would have detected something long before now. I just don’t understand why he’s being so distant. I know teenage hormones are a factor, but I figured they would have kicked in a couple of years ago, when his age actually had ‘teen’ at the end of it. He’s fifteen now, and a freshman in high school.”
“There’s your answer right there, Zach. High school—famous for being a proving ground for coolness and relevance. If you’re not popular in high school, you’re not considered to be anything.”
“Newell, Gresham School only has a couple hundred kids in kindergarten through twelfth grade. That’s a way different environment from a high school with more than a thousand kids.”
Newell shook his head. “Doesn’t matter what size the school is, lover. As long as there have been people in the world, there have been perceived hierarchies where some people are considered to be more important and privileged than others.”
Zachary chewed on Newell’s philosophical insight for a moment. “I guess you’re right. Aside from the race factor, it’s not really that different from what Sajen has to go through with some folks around here. High school freshmen are the ‘minorities’ of educational institutions, and many of them have to fight like hell to get any modicum of respect.”
�
�You tried getting Chad to come out of the shell he’s put himself in. Maybe try a different tactic. Instead of the obvious route, you might try extending the invitation to Allison directly.”
Zachary raised an eyebrow. “Uh, I thought you had already extended the invitation to Allison, and Chad just accepted.”
“It might need more of a personal touch, coming directly from blood kin. Besides, you tend to get more out of people than I do.”
Zachary shrugged. “Maybe you’re right.”
Newell walked around the counter. “Of course I’m right. I’m the Dr. Watson to your Sherlock Holmes. It’s elementary.” He hugged Zachary and kissed him on the forehead.
“That reminds me. You got me in trouble today.”
Newell took a step back. “Huh?”
“Apparently I glow a certain way the day after we make love, a way that Alexander can detect. He teased me mercilessly about it.”
“You mean the way you whistle cheerfully? I’ve known about that for a while.” Newell did a double take. “You didn’t whistle ‘Roar,’ did you?”
Zachary covered his eyes as he felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. “That settles it! I am never having sex with you again.”
“Yes, you will.” Newell returned to the other side of the counter.
“Yes, I will, but I won’t enjoy it.”
“You’re really cute when you’re defiant. You know that?”
Zachary bit his tongue. He knew he wasn’t going to win this round in the battle of wits. He’d just bide his time and wait until his loving partner was vulnerable. Then the smack down would hit.
“So,” Newell said as he put the receipts away, “since we don’t have to entertain young lovers this evening, what do you want to do for dinner?”
“Plan B is Sigrid’s. She mentioned that her fettucine Alfredo with chicken is on special tonight, and you know she makes it just right.”
Newell chuckled. “You’ve got to love a German cook who makes Italian like she was born in that country.”
“You forgot to mention her occasional Irish temper.”
“Point taken. Sigrid’s it is. It’ll take me about ten minutes to get everything closed at the store, and then we’ll go enjoy a sumptuous dinner. Anything for my little Katy.”
“Just for that crack, you’re buying.”
Newell laughed as he grabbed a broom and started to sweep up the shop. Once he finished with that, he closed down the register and went into his office to count the money. Zachary glanced at a couple of bags of chicken feed and started to read the ingredients. He had no idea what most of them were and how much benefit they were to the chickens, but if Newell trusted the brands, most of Gresham could, too.
Before Zachary could move to the bags of rabbit feed, Newell came out with his keys jangling in his hand. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah. I’m hungry.” Zachary walked to the light switches and flipped them off one by one.
Newell set the alarm for the shop and ushered Zachary outside before locking the front door. “Did you have much business today?”
“Wasn’t any slower than usual this time of the year. The good news is that it looks like Sajen’s not going to jail anytime soon. Josh isn’t completely convinced of his innocence, apparently, but for now he’s free.” Zachary quickly jumped into the driver’s seat of his Jeep.
Newell hurried into the passenger side and closed the door to fend off the light—yet frigid—wind. “Hopefully that goes a long way to showing that most law enforcement officers don’t see in color.”
“Well, before you go painting a Humanitarian of the Year sign for the good detective, don’t forget that he once arrested a Japanese foreign exchange student for Mary Damron’s murder, with pretty much no evidence.” Zachary started up the Jeep.
“In all fairness, Josh locked up Alexander first, and Alexander’s as lily white as they come. Besides, Josh was still in his first year as a detective, so I think he’s a little more seasoned and a little less gung-ho to lock someone up without an ironclad trove of evidence.”
“True, but I don’t know if he’s feeling any pressure to find a perp considering who the first two victims were. Then again, victim number three isn’t exactly invisible himself.”
“If Josh was under pressure, Sajen would be in jail right now instead of trying to figure out how he’s going to support his baby momma. I think Sajen’s in the clear.”
Zachary pulled into a parking space near Sigrid’s. “I’m happy for the guy, especially considering what he’s gone through the last few days. Still, the fact is there’s still a killer out there, and who knows who could be next to die?”
Newell stepped out of the Jeep and waited for Zachary to follow suit. “I know, but it’s not like we can live our lives in fear.”
“We’re not. Look at us. Going to a public restaurant for dinner. We’re thumbing our noses at fate and giving it the middle finger.” Zachary opened the door to Sigrid’s and ushered Newell in.
Sigrid was waiting in the foyer with a pair of menus while dressed in a black blouse and skirt. “Hello, boys. I didn’t expect to see you tonight. Weren’t you planning to have dinner with your nephew and his new girlfriend?”
“Chad chickened out, so we decided to throw caution to the wind and eat in public in spite of a killer being on the loose. How’s business?”
“A little quiet, but I do have a few brave souls. Can I get you two something to drink?”
“I’ll have whatever’s on tap,” Newell said.
“I’m just going to take a Dr. Pepper, Sigrid,” Zachary added.
“Lovely. Do you two need to look at the menus, or do you know what you want?”
“Well, I’m good with the fettucine special with a side of garlic bread, and Newell’s buying.” When Newell gave him a shocked look, Zachary wagged his finger. “I warned you.”
Sigrid chuckled. “Do you need a minute, Newell?”
Newell nodded. “I’m in the mood for something different. What is the schweinshaxe?”
Sigrid’s eyes twinkled at the suggested entrée. “Oh, that’s a German recipe that will really tickle your taste buds. Schweinshaxe is basically a roasted ham hock that we marinate in a garlic brine. We serve it with mustard, horseradish and pickled chili peppers, and you get red cabbage and potato dumplings with that.”
“Sounds delectable. I’ll order that.”
“Marvelous. Let me put your order in, and I’ll be right back.”
As soon as Sigrid was out of earshot, Zachary whispered, “Mustard, horseradish and pickled chili peppers? You’d better down some breath mints before you kiss me again.”
Newell smiled. “If a murderer is going to come after us, he should have to navigate past my bad breath first.”
Zachary smiled and sighed as he closed his eyes. He listened to the simple piano music playing in the background.
“So how long do you think it’ll be before spring hits?”
Zachary opened his eyes. He was not expecting Newell’s question. “I don’t know. I hope it’s soon. The few regular customers I have seem to be irritable, and I know it’s because of the cabin fever.”
“Did anything exciting happen at your shop today?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. Perry Reimer made a return engagement, just as Rose and Sajen were there, and I have a feeling that there’s more going on than your standard family strife. Alexander picked up on the tension, too.”
“Did you ask Rose about it?”
Zachary shook his head. “She and Sajen walked out shortly after Perry walked in. I’m going to pay her a visit tomorrow and see if I can find out any more details.”
“With all the trips you’re making out to the Reimer homestead, Rose might begin to wonder if you’re stalking her.”
“I know, but whatever the answer is, she’s at the heart of it somehow. She may not be a killer, but she might be a link to whoever did commit the murders.”
Newell whistled. “Definitely a more interes
ting day than mine.”
“Oh, I’m not finished. Did you hear that Gresham Market is being bought by Remy R. Pierre?”
Newell almost choked on the water he was sipping. “What? Really?”
“Sigrid came into The Literary Barn waving the latest edition of The Shawano Advocate and showed me the story. Supposedly Miles was in talks with Remy to sell the store and retire before he met with an untimely death. Apparently, the company is looking at expanding, and guess who is just two doors down from the grocery store?”
Newell’s eyes widened. “The gallery.”
“The gallery,” Zachary echoed with a gotcha tone in his voice.
“So what happens if Anne Marie decides not to sell?”
“Market doesn’t go anywhere, I guess. The one place between the art gallery and Gresham Market is vacant, but unless Anne Marie could be persuaded to set up shop elsewhere, the market’s expansion could be in trouble, unless they decide to close the street and move the expansion in the other direction. Somehow I doubt that’ll fly.”
“Poor Anne Marie. Have you talked with her today?” Newell adjusted his silverware.
Zachary followed suit. “No. I called around noon, but Anne Marie said she was in the middle of dealing with a customer. I think someone was looking to purchase one of the pieces of art affiliated with the Beef Jerky and Cherries Jubilee exhibit, which I’m sure made Anne Marie happy.”
“Is that the first piece of art she’s sold since opening night?”
“I think she had a couple of offers on pieces before the big debacle with Jasper Walters’ painting taking a swan dive, but this is probably the first time money’s changed hands. It’s a good thing, too. She’s been stressing over all the costs for the opening reception.”
“Has she had to deal anymore with Jasper Walters?”
“No. I think it’s safe to say he’ll never display anything at her gallery again.”
“She never did figure out what could have caused the painting to fall, did she?”
Zachary shook his head. “She swears up and down that the clamps were brand new when she put the painting up, but I saw them the day after the reception. Those clamps had more rust and decay on them than an abandoned pickup truck.”
