Maple Hills Mystery Box Set 3

by Wendy Meadows

  “Is John still there?” he asked.

  “Yes, but he asked if he could leave soon.”

  “Try to get him to stay; we need to ask him some more questions. New evidence has come to light, and we are not sure how it ties into the case. We’ll show you when we get back. Delay him any way you can.”

  The chief agreed to delay John. Hawk put the pictures and passport into an evidence bag and put the bag in Nikki’s purse while she packed up her lock-picking tools. They put the chair back under the desk and walked out into the reception area. Hawk thanked the receptionist on their way out. She barely looked up as they passed her desk. Once they were out of the office area proper, Nikki glanced back and saw her get up to check the office. She probably thinks we snooped in the patient files.

  Nikki and Hawk walked back to the truck. Nikki looked around but did not see the two men from before. She breathed easier and got into Hawk’s truck.

  “We have to get back there before John tries to leave,” Nikki said.

  “Yes.” Hawk said grimly. “He’s going to get suspicious soon.” He started the truck and turned on his blue and white lights. They raced down the road back to Maple Hills.

  10

  When Nikki and Hawk were close to the station, Nikki’s phone rang. It was Seth.

  “I heard from my friend. He said that yes, John and Kim have been seeing each other for a while,” Seth said.

  “Thank you. We are just getting to the station. Can I call you back later?” Nikki asked.

  “Yes. Take care, Mom.”

  “I will, you too,” she answered. Nikki told Hawk what Seth had told her. Hawk agreed that it was good to have some corroboration to John’s story. That still did not explain the pictures and passport. Hawk pulled into a parking space near the station. He got out and opened Nikki’s door. He held her hand so she would not slip on the icy sidewalk.

  They went into the station and the officer at the desk told them the chief was still in with John. Nikki breathed a sigh of relief. He is still here. She and Hawk walked quickly down the hallway. They got to the interrogation room and opened the door. The chief was sitting across from John, and he stood up when the door opened. The remains of two donuts were scattered across two napkins.

  “I told him you had some more questions. He agreed to wait for you because I told him we still had at least one chocolate glazed left in the breakroom,” the chief told Hawk with a wink.

  “Thank you, Chief.”

  “I have some work to do in my office. He is all yours,” replied the chief. He walked out and shut the door. Hawk walked over to the table.

  “Nikki, would you please give me what we found in John’s office?” Hawk asked Nikki.

  “With pleasure,” she said and pulled the evidence bag out of her purse.

  “What is that?” John asked.

  “That’s what we were going to ask you,” replied Hawk. He opened the bag and laid the pictures and passport on the table in front of John.

  John looked closer and turned pale. “Where did you find those?” John demanded in a soft tone.

  “In the underside of your desk drawer,” Hawk replied. “Who is that in the pictures and where were they taken? Why were you hiding them?”

  John’s shoulders slumped down. He put his head in his hand, and Nikki could tell he was crying. She walked over and sat down across the table from him. Hawk stood behind her, and they waited for John to regain his composure. John picked up his head.

  “That is my former wife,” he explained to Hawk and Nikki. “Those pictures were taken in Mexico and Brazil on our honeymoon. We stayed in Brazil for a week and then returned to Mexico.”

  “That is your former wife?” Nikki prodded.

  “Yes. I was married to Alexa, the woman in the photos. We were happily married and then she died. I did not realize she was an addict when we got married. By the time I realized it, she was evidently too far gone. She died of an overdose.”

  Nikki looked at Hawk and raised her eyebrow.

  “Go on,” encouraged Hawk to John.

  “I had traveled to Mexico to help addicts. I wanted to set up a clinic there. I met Alexa while I was looking for a building to rent. She was a realtor, and she found an office I could use. I set up my clinic and helped many patients there. Alexa and I grew close. She would volunteer at the clinic, and I got to know her. I proposed to her, and we got married. We were happy and in love. She was smart, sexy, and talkative. We complemented each other. I never knew she had a dark secret she was hiding from me. I have helped many addicts. I never knew I was married to one. She kept that secret hidden well. The day before she died, I found her stash. I gave her an ultimatum: get help or get out. She denied using, but I told her the evidence was right in front of me. I wanted to help her desperately, but unless she consented to my help there was nothing I could do. I stayed at a friend’s house that night. The next day she was dead. She overdosed during the night.” He closed his eyes for a moment in pain. After a moment, he continued. “I went into a tailspin and left Mexico. I am originally from Maple Hills, so I decided to come back to the states and start a practice here. I found the building you were clearly just in. It was close to where a lot of addicts squat in abandoned houses. I wanted them to be able to walk to the clinic if they had to. I met Kim five years ago. She was a wonderful woman who loved me for who I was. She knew about my former wife and my time in Mexico. Despite my mistakes, she loved me anyway. I kept the pictures in my desk because I did not want Kim to run across them in the apartment. I left my passport there because I thought it would be safe. I did not think anyone would find it.”

  Hawk thanked him for explaining. He asked John to stay a little longer. John agreed, slumping again as if the story had taken all his energy.

  Hawk and Nikki left the room and went to talk to the chief. They found him in his office looking at something on his computer.

  “Well, what did he have to say?” asked the chief when they walked in.

  “He said the pictures were of him and his former wife,” said Hawk. “He said that Kim knew about her, but we cannot confirm that. He also said his former wife died of a drug overdose.”

  The chief looked up, startled. “Another woman this man was with died from an overdose? I would like to keep him here for a while. I do not trust him. I need to verify some things, and I will continue to question him.”

  “I agree,” said Hawk and he looked over at Nikki.

  “He lied to his patients about who he really is. Even if he was doing it to keep himself separated from them, it is still a lie. His wife died of an overdose, and now Kim is dead from an overdose. I think you have enough evidence to justify holding him until we can figure things out,” Nikki said.

  “Well, at least now I can call the mayor and tell him we have a suspect in custody. He will be happy to hear that,” said the chief.

  “Susan and Tim deserve to know, too,” suggested Nikki. “I guess Susan won’t be happy to know she was right about Kim’s boyfriend, though.”

  “Well, I would like to be sure he is the one who did it,” said Hawk. “Until then, we are not certain what exactly is going on. If he did not do it, are Susan and Tim safe?” he asked.

  “That is a good point. Why don’t you and Nikki attend the wedding and mingle with the guests. You can keep an eye on Susan, Tim, and the bridal party.”

  “That is a good idea,” said Nikki.

  “I agree,” said Hawk.

  “Okay. Let me call the mayor, and I will make arrangements for you to attend.”

  “Actually, Susan invited all of us the other day. She was so grateful that I could deliver chocolates for the wedding and reception on such short notice that she told me to bring Hawk and the whole crew.”

  “That is perfect,” said the chief. “I will fill the mayor in on what is happening. At least he will stop breathing down my neck. I just hope he is too busy to hold a press conference.”

  “I’m going to go and check out the shop,
” said Nikki.

  “I will do a bit of research and then pick you up for the wedding,” said Hawk to Nikki.

  “Okay. I will be at my house soon,” she replied.

  Nikki walked out of the precinct and down the street towards her shop. She thought about what John had told them. Things did not look good for John.

  She rounded the corner and her heart lifted to see her shop waiting for her. She went in the front door. Seth and Tori were there, along with Lidia. There was about an hour until closing time. Nikki walked in and said hello. There was one customer left, and Tori was just giving him his change. He thanked Tori and smiled at Nikki when he left. Nikki sat down at a table, and Seth joined her.

  “The day was a success,” exclaimed Seth. “We set up the chocolates and the fountain at the venue. Madeline was thrilled with the display, though she did ask if you were planning to check in with her. And we had a record number of customers at the shop today. We have almost sold out of the chocolate-covered strawberries.”

  “That is fantastic,” Nikki replied.

  “How is the case coming?” asked Lidia.

  “We have a suspect in custody,” said Nikki. Everyone looked at her.

  “Who is it?” asked Seth and Tori at the same time.

  “It is John, Kim’s boyfriend.”

  “That is awful,” said Tori.

  “Yes, it is,” replied Nikki. “Please do not tell anyone. Hawk wants this to stay under wraps until the investigation is over. John is still just a suspect. We still have a lot of work to do on the case.”

  “Absolutely, I would hate for the case to go wrong just because one of us said the wrong thing to someone,” agreed Lidia. Seth and Tori agreed not to tell anyone.

  “Well, I am going to run by the venue and check out the table. The last thing I need is Madeline getting frustrated with me. Then I plan to go home and get ready for the wedding. You can close the shop a bit early, that way you can get ready too,” she told Lidia. Lidia agreed, and Nikki said she would see everyone at the wedding.

  In her car, Nikki navigated the roads that were slippery from the previous day’s snow. She reflected that this had been one of the longest days of her life, but luckily, they had turned up a likely suspect in time to please the mayor and save Chief Daily’s job. At the venue, she hurried toward the back door, anxious to finish this last detail so she could finally go home and get ready for the big event.

  11

  If the reception hall had been bustling the evening of the rehearsal dinner, tonight there were even more people, all hurrying around but nimbly avoiding each other. Nikki passed through the kitchens and went into the front of the hall. All of the decorations from the rehearsal dinner had been taken down and replaced with swaths of creamy white satin. The wedding planner had turned the hall into a shimmery white fantasy, like a winter palace. There were small mirror balls hanging and reflecting light around the room. White roses lined the wall, and the bride’s table was white and pink. There were snowy white cloths on the tables and silver settings, with tasteful, pale pink chargers under each place setting. Nikki’s chocolate table was in the corner. The chocolate fountain stood out against all the whiteness, and her fruits looked even more like jewels in the glittery spectacle of the decorative motif. She adjusted a few trays to better catch the light, but otherwise the table looked perfect. Nikki saw Madeline and walked over to her.

  “Everything looks beautiful,” Nikki exclaimed.

  “Thank you. I hope Susan and her family feel the same way.”

  “I am sure they will be as impressed as I am,” Nikki reassured her.

  “Well, if I can pull this off, I hope to be able to expand my client base. All the who’s-who of Maple Hills will be here.”

  “That’s what the mayor told me,” said Nikki.

  “Your chocolates look incredible,” said Madeline.

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh here, let me give you this,” Madeline handed Nikki one of her cards. Nikki looked at her questioningly.

  “Why are you handing me this?”

  “I saw who you walked in with last night and how he looked at you. Trust me, you will be needing my services soon.”

  Nikki blushed and laughed. She thanked Madeline and put the card in her wallet. Not that I will be needing this anytime soon, but it is polite to take something that is offered to you, she thought.

  “Well, it is time for me to go home and get changed,” Nikki said, trying to think of a way to politely escape.

  “Yes, I think your table has been given the final approval. I will see you later,” Madeline said, giving her a quick wave. Nikki walked outside to her car, relieved. She sat down and started the car. She realized she had not picked out her dress the night before. With the adrenaline of the investigation, it had been the last thing on her mind.

  She rushed home and looked through her closet. Seth had already left to pick up Tori, so she had to trust her instincts on this outfit. Nikki found the dress she was looking for. It was a long, formal, asymmetrical dress with one flowing sleeve and the other side cut away to expose her shoulder. The dress was emerald green, and she had matching heels with a rhinestone-and-pearl accent at the toes. Nikki showered and styled her hair carefully in an elegant but loose bun, then slid into the silky dress and stepped into her heels. She didn’t often get to dress up this fancy, and it was fun. She was just finishing her makeup when she heard the front door open.

  “I am up here. I will be down in a minute,” she called.

  “Okay, I will wait in the kitchen,” Hawk replied. “Do you have any coffee?”

  “Yes, I put a pot on when I got home. There should be some left.” Nikki finished her makeup and put on her earrings, a pair that draped in graceful loops of diamond against her neck. Nikki walked down the stairs, and Hawk whistled.

  Hawk walked towards her and put his arms around Nikki. He gave her a kiss.

  “You look spectacular,” he said. “Susan will be angry with you.”

  “Why?” asked Nikki, smiling.

  “Everyone will be looking at you and not her.”

  Nikki laughed and gently punched his arm. “You look handsome, yourself,” she told Hawk. His formal suit made him look handsome as ever and showed off his strong arms. He thanked her with a grin and asked if she was ready to go.

  “Yes, just let me get my wrap.” Nikki had splurged and bought a matching faux fur wrap for her dress.

  “Are you sure you will be warm in that?” asked Hawk.

  Nikki laughed. “Yes, it is heavy. Also, the tent will be heated.”

  “That’s right,” said Hawk. He took her arm and led her to his truck. He helped her get in and closed the door.

  They drove into town and parked by the center of town. Hawk took Nikki’s arm and escorted her to the wedding tent. There were special portable heaters disguised as old-fashioned lampposts stationed all around the tents to keep the guests warm. White and red hearts hung all around. There were white glittery snowflakes on the trees and fairy lights shone all around. Nikki looked around and spotted Seth and Tori. They were with Lidia and her husband. Seth saw her and waved.

  “It looks like the crew saved us some seats,” Nikki told Hawk. They walked over and sat down.

  “You look beautiful,” Tori gushed to Nikki.

  “You look pretty, too,” Nikki said. Tori had on a short flowered dress that clung to her figure in a flattering way. It had gathered sleeves down to the elbow and a sweetheart neckline. Seth was handsome next to her in his tuxedo.

  Lidia had on a formal but more practical flowered chiffon skirt and a pink blouse. She wore gloves and looked sharp. Her husband was in a tuxedo, also. Nikki looked around and admired how pretty everything looked.

  “Did you get a chance to stop by the venue?” Seth asked.

  “Yes. The table was set up perfectly,” Nikki replied.

  “Good. I think Tori and I will leave as soon as the wedding is done so we can get the fountain started and pull
the plastic wrap off the candies.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate your help,” said Nikki. Just then, the music started. A little girl walked down the aisle in a cute pink dress. She was throwing flower petals in front of her and the crowd cooed to see how adorable she was. The bridesmaids followed in light pink A-line dresses and stood at the altar next to the handsomely attired groomsmen.

  Becky, Susan’s maid of honor, walked down the aisle after the bridesmaids in a hot pink A-line dress. The color complemented her. Once Becky was stationed next to the best man at the front of the tent, the music changed, and everyone stood up in anticipation.

  Nikki and Hawk used this opportunity to scan the crowd more thoroughly, but no one stood out or looked unusual. The mayor and Susan appeared. He was proudly beaming, and she was glowing in her wedding dress, which had a lace bodice and flowed down with a cascade of fluttering tiers to a small train. The neckline left her shoulders bare and a beautiful veil covered her hair. They walked down the aisle together and up to the front of the tent.

  The minister was waiting there, and as the music stopped, everyone sat down. Nikki and Hawk continued to scan the crowd throughout the ceremony, but things went smoothly. I wonder if we do have the right suspect, Nikki thought. Hawk nudged her and pointed out Chief Daily and a few plainclothes policemen in the crowd. Nikki was glad for their presence. Everyone seemed happy, but there was a bit of an edge to the ceremony, after the events of last night. The couple said their “I do’s” and kissed. Everyone in the audience clapped and cheered.

  To more cheers and the flashes of many cameras, the happy couple went back down the aisle to a waiting limo that would take them to the reception, and the guests began to exit to their cars. Seth and Tori left to prepare the chocolate table. Nikki and Hawk stayed behind and made sure nothing happened to the wedding party or any of the guests. When the last guest had left, Hawk led Nikki to his truck. He helped her in and they went to the reception. The lot was full by then, so Hawk dropped Nikki in front of the building and parked the truck. Nikki waited for him and they went in together.