As she filled the tub, she called Ray.
“Hey, Katie,” he answered. “I’m just getting ready to leave.”
“I’m sorry, but I simply can’t. I’m too exhausted. Could I have a raincheck for tomorrow?”
“No.” His voice was firm and serious.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Look, it’s imperative that we meet tonight. I just…I really need to see you.” He paused. “Sophie left some casseroles in the freezer for us when she took off for school yesterday, and Sasha and Sadie are doing a sleepover with friends. Why don’t you come here for dinner?”
“Do you really need to see me? I mean, what’s the rush?” Then realization clawed its way through her foggy brain. “Oh! Do you have information about the—”
“Nope, nope, nope,” he interrupted. “We won’t discuss anything over the phone. Come here, and we’ll talk over everything.”
She sighed. “Oh, Ray, I’m really tired.”
“But are you also hungry?” he asked rather playfully.
Katie’s stomach responded with a resounding growl. “Yeah…I am.”
“Then come here for dinner,” Ray said. “I won’t even get offended if you fall asleep on me.”
“Oh, all right. I’ll be there soon.” She imagined herself falling asleep in the tub. “But if I’m not, send out a search party.”
“Damn straight I will.”
Half an hour later, Katie pulled into Ray’s driveway, got out of her car, and slogged up the walk. He met her at the front door.
Looking over her shoulder, Katie said, “I really wish we could’ve waited until tomorrow to talk. If anyone sees me here, they’ll think—”
“Who cares what they think?” he asked, stepping aside for her to come in. “I’m trying to keep you from going to prison for a murder you didn’t commit. If I recall, you did the same for me not too long ago.”
“Yeah, well…I appreciate that.” She was struck by the tantalizing aroma coming from the kitchen. “Dinner smells wonderful.”
“Thanks. It’s some chicken, cheese, and broccoli concoction Sophie fixed up. All I had to do was heat it and warm up a pan of rolls.” He led her through to the homey kitchen. “As for your concern about what people might think, who’s to say the girls aren’t here? You could be helping them with one of their projects, for all anybody knows.” He grinned and pulled out a chair for her. “On the other hand, screw what other people think. What’re you drinking?”
“I’d say hard liquor, but I’m driving, so you’d better make it water,” Katie said.
“Water, it is. Besides, you need to keep a clear head about you.” He poured them both a glass of water over ice, pulled the casserole from the oven, and set it down on a trivet on the table. He brought out the rolls and butter and then sat down at the table.
As they filled their plates, Katie asked, “Why wouldn’t you talk with me at the apartment today? Or over the phone earlier?”
“You’re in a precarious position.” Looking down as he put his napkin on his lap, he said, “That search warrant might carry more weight than you realize.”
“What do you mean?” It seemed to Katie that Ray was reluctant to look at her. “Come on, tell me, Ray.”
“The fact that the search warrant included testimony from an anonymous source and that it encompassed your two residences and your office at Artisans Alley means that they have some compelling evidence or testimony against you,” he said, leveling his gaze at her.
“The planted ring in my new apartment?”
He nodded.
Katie spread her hands. “I know—this is serious. I realized that the instant Schuler and his deputies barged into the apartment over Angelo’s today.”
“You don’t understand. The search warrant Schuler showed you might not be the only search warrant he has.”
As Ray spoke, Katie’s stomach plummeted. “Meaning?”
“Meaning he might have placed listening devices in the areas he searched. Until this investigation is concluded—and you’re cleared of suspicion—you need to be extremely careful about what you say, to whom you say it, and where you’re speaking.”
Katie ran a hand over her forehead before pushing her plate away. She’d lost her appetite. “I just want this nightmare to end already.”
“I know,” he said. “So do I.”
“Is there any chance you’re merely being paranoid about the listening devices?” she asked.
He raised his bushy eyebrows. “Sure, there’s a chance.”
She understood what he wasn’t saying. He’d been a county Sheriff’s detective for a very long time. If he believed there to be listening devices in the places Schuler had searched, Katie was wise to accept that there probably were. “What about Andy?”
“What about him?” Ray asked.
“Should I warn him about the bugs? I mean, if there’s one in the apartment over Angelo’s…” She trailed off.
Ray shook his head. “Let Andy worry about Andy. You concentrate on taking care of yourself.”
Chapter 18
Katie’s mind was awhirl as she drove back home. Home. The apartment over Tealicious didn’t even feel like home yet…especially now that she knew Schuler and his deputies were likely listening to everything she said there.
Climbing the steps to the apartment, she was glad John had put up the handrail. She was bone tired and thought she might need to use it to pull herself up the stairs.
She opened the door, walked inside, and was immediately greeted by an obviously stressed Mason and Della. She sank to the floor and cuddled them both in her arms. As they nuzzled against her with their purrs and kitty kisses, the apartment began to feel more like home. If only she could find and destroy those listening devices.
Thirty minutes into exhaustively searching the apartment, Katie realized she didn’t even know what she was looking for. She got her laptop, settled onto the sofa, and did a search for police listening devices. Within seconds, Della and Mason had cuddled on either side of her and had begun their comforting, rhythmic purring. It didn’t take long for her to realize that Schuler’s listening devices—if there were, in fact, any in the apartment—could look like anything from an ordinary ink pen to a tiny black box affixed anywhere in the small apartment. But she could also buy a bug detector online. She immediately ordered one–hang the cost. Her life and freedom were at stake. And yet, she also learned that law enforcement could just as easily be listening in on her from outside the apartment. She couldn’t find a gadget for that.
Well, good luck, Schuler, Katie thought. All you’ll be hearing tonight is the purrs of two sweet cats…and maybe a little snoring….
Katie awoke to find that she was still half-lying on the love seat. She had, at some time during the night, closed the laptop and moved it over to the coffee table, wishing she’d put sheets and blankets on the Murphy bed. Stretching and trying to work the kinks out of her neck, she disturbed Mason and Della, who’d been plastered against her. Mason decided it was time for Katie to give him his breakfast, while Della decided it was pertinent to sit on Katie’s chest and headbutt her chin. Katie gave Della a hug and then sat her onto the floor. Reluctantly standing, she went into the kitchen and filled the cats’ food and water bowls. As she staggered through to the bathroom, she looked longingly at the bed. How she’d love to climb into it and simply stay there for the rest of the day.
After taking a hot shower and having a cup of coffee, Katie felt slightly better. While she still would have liked nothing more than to hide in the cozy apartment all day, she had too much to do. Deciding a cinnamon coffee cake would be not only an excellent addition to the Tealicious menu but a balm to her weary soul, Katie set off down the stairs to the tea shop’s kitchen, where Brad was already hard at work.
“Good morning,” he greeted her cheerily. “How was your first night in the new apartment?”
“Uncomfortable,” she admitted sourly. “I fell asleep on the love seat.”
He smiled. “You were likely exhausted from the move. Did you get everything set up?”
“I did. Sort of. There are still a few odds and ends that John will be by to finish up later today, but for the most part, everything is settled.” She grabbed an apron off a hook near the kitchen’s entrance.
“What’re you doing?” Brad asked. “You should take the day off. Given everything you’ve been through—you deserve it.”
“Thank you.” She moved around him to the counter and took out a mixing bowl. “As much as I appreciate your concern, I really want some coffee cake.”
“All right. Let me make you one.”
Tilting her chin up at him, she said, “Come on. You know better than anyone how therapeutic baking can be.”
“Excellent point.” He slid the bag of cake flour across the counter to her. “Be my guest.”
Once the cake was in the oven, Katie helped Brad with other tasks while they waited for it to bake.
“Did you ever see Erikka Wiley here in the shop?” she asked, as she mixed the ingredients for cinnamon walnut scones.
“She might’ve stopped in once or twice since I began working here, but she wasn’t a regular. Why?”
She shrugged. “I just wondered if you’d ever seen her here with someone who might’ve been a date. I know I’m grasping at straws, but if I could only find another person of interest in Erikka’s murder, then maybe the police would get off my back.”
“Understandable,” Brad said. “Thankfully, the officers didn’t come through here yesterday when they conducted their search—they used the private entrance to the apartment.”
“Still, everyone saw them. I’m afraid business at both Tealicious and Artisans Alley may suffer thanks to Schuler’s actions yesterday.”
He shook his head. “Are you kidding me? We’ll be slammed today with people wondering what was going on.”
“I hope you’re right,” Katie said.
For the next twenty minutes or so, they chatted about the various promotions the Merchants Association had planned for the coming months and how Tealicious could participate.
Katie was about to take the coffee cake out of the oven when Brad spoke. “You know what? Now that I think about it, I did see Erikka here in the dining room with someone once—that photographer who has an office at the Alley…Matt somebody or other.”
“Matt Brady?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yeah…the one who took those photos you were telling us about. They seemed pretty chummy.”
“In what way?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Looking across the table, leaning close to each other, whispering.”
“That’s interesting,” Katie said. And intriguing. It looked like she needed to have another little chat with the Square’s photographer.
Right after enjoying a warm slice of coffee cake with Brad, Katie hurried to Matt Brady’s studio. If he had a relationship with Erikka, he might’ve believed those photos were made just for him. What if he found out she’d taken them to a photofinisher, had a set made and had given them to Andy and then Brady killed her in a jealous rage? Not that he’d confess that to her, of course, but she was a good enough judge of character to get a read on him when she confronted him.
Upon walking into the studio, the first thing Katie heard was sniffling. “Izzy?” she called.
The young woman came out from behind a screen. She held a soggy tissue in one hand, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
Katie stepped forward and offered her arms for a hug. Izzy leapt forward to accept her embrace. “What’s happened?” Katie asked and pulled back.
“V-V-VJ b-broke up with me,” Izzy wailed.
“Oh, no.” Katie hugged her again. “I’m so sorry.”
“H-he’s m-mad because his m-mom likes me too much!”
What? That made no sense at all.
Katie led Izzy over to the client’s couch. “I’m sure he’ll come to his senses.” I’m sure? How could I be sure of anything? The man I thought loved me cheated on me and thought he got the other woman pregnant! What am I even doing trying to console this kid? I should be telling her to run away—not only from VJ but from everybody. Guard your heart, Izzy. Wrap it in steel and never let anyone get close to it again!
Realizing the girl was saying something, Katie asked, “What’s that?”
“I thought he wanted me to get along with his mom!”
Before Katie could respond, Matt Brady bustled into the office with a camera bag over his shoulder. Looking from one to the other, he focused on Katie. “What did you do to Izzy? If you’re harassing her about—”
“I’m not harassing her about anything,” Katie said, exasperated. “I’m trying to console her.”
He dropped the bag onto the floor by the couch. “What are you doing here, anyway? I know the rent isn’t due again already…unless you’re going to start wanting it in advance.”
“Well, that’s how it works,” Katie stated, “but my being here has nothing to do with the rent. I need to speak with you privately.” She looked at Izzy as she stood. “Don’t worry, Izzy, I’m sure everything will work out.” And it would—one way or another.
“You all right, kid?” Matt asked Izzy.
She nodded. “W-we’ll talk l-later.”
“Okay.” He squinted at her. “If anybody needs a butt-kicking, you let me know.”
Izzy tried to smile and nodded, dabbing at her watery eyes.
“Sorry,” Matt half-heartedly apologized as he ushered Katie into his office and closed the door. “I thought you made her cry.” He gestured toward one of the client chairs in front of his desk. “What’s up?”
Now that she was sitting across from the man, Katie didn’t quite know what to say. She didn’t want to flat-out accuse him of anything, but she didn’t have time to dawdle.
“Were you and Erikka involved?” she asked.
Brady blinked. “Involved? What’s that supposed to mean? She was my customer—you know that—you saw the photos.”
“Right, but one of my friends saw the two of you together and thought you might be dating,” Katie said.
Matt gave a derisive snort. “Dating? No. Okay, we hooked up a few times, but it was nothing serious.”
She frowned. “You...you hooked up?”
Brady rolled his eyes, he said, “Yeah, we had sex, all right?”
“I know what hooking up means,” Katie groused.
Brady shrugged. “She was hot. I knew she was in love with some other guy, but she wasn’t about to live like a nun while she waited for him to come around. And I don’t want a commitment right now. Ya know what I mean?”
Katie could feel her face flush. “I believe I get the picture, Mr. Brady.”
“Don’t go getting all prim and proper with me,” he said, with a smirk. “I know it was your boyfriend she was hoping to get her hooks into.” He leaned forward. “So, tell me—did you kill her?”
“No,” she said evenly. “Did you?”
“Nope. And I have an alibi if you or anyone else wants to check it out.” He sat back, clasped his hands behind his head, and propped his feet up on the desk. “Do you? Have an alibi, I mean?”
Katie stood and glared at the man, not dignifying his question with an answer, and walked out of the office without a backward glance. She didn’t even remember to say goodbye to Izzy. What an insufferable jerk Matt Brady was! Had he not paid his rent just a few days before, she’d be sorely tempted to throw him out on his ear. Oh, well, there was always next month.
A part of her felt like going back to Tealicious and eating the rest of that coffee cake, but she knew that would only do more harm than good. Instead, she went to her office, picked up the phone and switched it to Intercom.
“Rose Nash, please report to the manager’s office. Thank you.”
Less than a minute later, Rose appeared at her office door.
“Hey,” she said brightly. “What’s up?”
“Close the d
oor, please. I really need to see a friendly face about now.”
But before she did so, Rose collected cups of coffee for both of them and then closed the office door. She sat down in the chair by Katie’s desk, and said, “Spill. Or not. We can merely sit here and drink if that would make you feel better?”
Katie smiled. “Did you spike my coffee?”
“No. Would you like me to?”
“No.” She inclined her head. “Okay, maybe.” Then Katie told Rose all about the morning’s events.
“I never have liked that pompous so-and-so,” Rose said of Matt Brady. “I bet he’s the bird who killed Erikka and is trying to pin it on you.”
“Well, if he did, I’m going to find evidence of that fact and throw it right back in his smirky face,” Katie said.
“How?” Rose asked.
Katie opened her mouth to answer, but then frowned. She didn’t have a clue.
Chapter 19
After Rose had gone back to her cash desk, Katie began scrolling through her email.
Junk. Delete. Junk. Delete. Junk.
And then there was an email from Sue of Sweet Sue’s Confectionery. She opened it and read it. Sue was upset because Janey Ingram had led her to believe the merchants were responsible for providing refreshments for the Harvest Festival kick-off party.
Sue ranted, “I thought the party was for the merchants! If I’m supposed to provide refreshments for the entire Square, I’d have liked to have been consulted about it first. I’m not even sure I want to attend if my opinion isn’t going to be asked for or respected!”
Heaving a sigh, Katie rolled her eyes heavenward and then penned a response: “Hi, Sue. I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. The food for the Harvest Festival party is being catered. We’re giving the merchants the opportunity to showcase their products—such as food samples, trinkets, demonstrations, etc.—but merchants are in no way required to participate. As you pointed out, the party is for the merchants’ enjoyment.”
A Murderous Misconception Page 12
