by Laura Quinn
Bob looked through the reports again, but couldn’t find anything on Brendan. “His ex-wife’s file is here, though. Maybe he didn’t want Larry as an accountant, fearing he might share secrets that would increase his alimony commitment to Olivia.”
“We seem to be proving Chief Pete’s case for him,” Claire said.
Bob agreed. “It would be a very neat ending.”
“Until the next murder, you idiot,” Marti said.
Claire returned to her phone call and thanked Helen for her investigative work. She shared the photos with Bob’s and Marti’s phones before telling them the bad news. “I don’t think we’ve got anything here. Helen said there was a long strip of her employee’s shirt on top of another strip of fabric that she thinks was from a volunteer’s shirt. She took a photo of everything on the pole, then pulled it all off and put it in a sealed bag in case the police need it.”
“What’s that?” Bob asked, pointing to a red thread on his enlarged screen. “I don’t think shiny beads are exactly either guy’s style.”
“Those are Czechoslovakian glass bugle beads, I think,” Claire said, to her friends’ amazement. “At least, they look just like the ones Agnes used on Baron’s bandana. She told me she saved the best bling for him.”
Hearing his name, Baron trotted over to the table. Bob held his phone out to compare it to his bandana, but it was the wrong one. Claire walked to her dog’s wardrobe to get the babe magnet scarf with the bugle-beaded lips.
“That was probably from one of the committee member’s gowns,” Marti said. “Damn, I thought we might have had something there. Unless we suspect anyone else from that group?”
“Luckily for Traci, she was wearing a blue and white starred dress. I suppose it’s nothing, but we should look through the photos to see who wore red spangles,” Claire said, looking through Baron’s extensive collection of accessories. “Oh, I hope someone didn’t accidentally sell that bandana. It’s one of his favorites.”
Baron, who helped nose around his tote, slumped down at Claire’s feet. She assured him they would find it or get an exact replacement, sealing her promise with a carob chip cookie. He accepted the offering and chewed his treat under the table while the humans tackled the financial reports, as translated by Tom. Per Claire’s request to maintain privacy, he did not provide financial specifics, rather trends that he noted.
Most troubling to Claire was the fact that Larry had documented his findings of two complete sets of invoices from Sam’s company for work commissioned by the village. The bills submitted to the village were substantially higher than their matches, which listed actual costs for labor and supplies. She was sure it must be some kind of clerical error, as Sam had come in under budget for her project. She vowed to get to the bottom of it and texted her contractor to meet for coffee the next morning.
Claire looked through the financial notes one last time. “Hey, I just noticed Matt Bancroft started a new company with Kyle.”
She pulled up Matt’s folder on the flash drive and learned that the new venture would sell and service high-end bee hives, in anticipation of a large, untapped market when the bee proposition passed. One invoice showed that Matt spent sixty thousand dollars on two hundred customized, non-returnable hives.
“No wonder he looked so stressed; another of his big ideas was about to crash,” Claire said. “I wonder if that’s who was in the tent arguing with Kim when I tripped. I’m going to ask him tomorrow.”
Baron stood up via an exaggerated stretch, then nudged Claire to ensure she understood it was time to go home. She complied and hid the mystery maven materials behind her desk in the office. Bob said he would work on tracking down details of the marina project. Marti volunteered to help him, but Claire reminded her she had already offered to work on the service dog flyers for Saturday’s visit. She whispered to her friend, “unless by help you meant date.” Marti stomped on her foot by way of response.
Before they left, Claire handed the file of information she collected about the charitable group that funded service dogs for veterans. She warned her friend to have a box of tissues ready when she looked through the materials, which contained several stories about successful pairings. The article that inspired Claire’s fundraiser was a piece about a local marine who lost his hearing, left arm and half of his right hand when his unit’s ATV rolled over an improvised explosive device on a desolate road in Iraq. After struggling with debilitating physical and emotional trauma for over a year, the former sergeant’s life was transformed when paired with his service dog, Luci. The German Shepherd mix was trained as a hearing dog and learned skills such as opening doors, turning on lights, and picking up items. Beyond assisting her human to overcome physical obstacles, Luci was credited for helping heal emotional wounds.
Claire hoped her successful apple pie benefit would inspire others to raise funds for the organization, as training costs could exceed thirty thousand dollars per service dog. It was added pressure for Claire to solve the mystery quickly, so she could focus on charitable pursuits and her fledgling business.
Chapter 18
Friday, July 15th
Baron groaned at the early start, but Claire managed to leave on time. Sam was already at the coffee shop, and they chose a secluded table outside where they could talk. As Sam cuddled with Baron, Claire asked some general questions about her work with the village and the upcoming project, but Sam obfuscated.
The mall was getting busier and Baron attracted a fan base. Helen stopped by and visited, while Lydia and Kendall waited at a neighboring table. When it was their turn, Kendall photographed Baron with his puppaccino while Lydia talked about her busy day ahead. She shifted the packages in her large tote to accommodate the bag of chamomile tea she just bought. Before the next wave could gather, Claire made an excuse to take her drink to the shop. Sam followed shortly after. They went upstairs, where they had privacy to talk.
Claire pulled out the copies of the questionable invoices. “Samantha, I know there is an explanation for this. Just tell me the truth and I’ll help you however I can.”
The young woman took the papers, trying her best to look shocked. “I hired a billing agency to help me with the paperwork. I will investigate this with them immediately.”
“Kim was copied in on all of the paperwork. If it were simply a mistake, she would have asked you about it immediately. She was no fool.”
Sam tried to object, but tears betrayed her. Trickling slowly at first, they devolved into hysterics. Claire brought over a box of tissues and a bottle of water. Baron rested his head on Sam’s lap for emotional support. She fought to control her breathing, but her voice quavered as she begged Claire not to tell anyone what she was about to say.
“Uncle Mike would absolutely kill me if he found out,” she sobbed.
“I’m sure it can’t be that bad,” Claire said. Though she had little respect for the chamber president, she was sure even he would support a family member in crisis.
“No, you don’t understand,” Sam continued. “He would completely disown me and do his best to ruin my career. Homosexuality is an unforgiveable sin.”
Claire tried not to look shocked as Samantha explained her secret relationship with Kim.
“We were in love,” she said. “She needed to finish her term in office, then she was going to leave Ken to be with me. My heart shattered when she died, but I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t even grieve in public.”
Claire embraced the trembling woman, knowing all too well how cruel people could be. After several minutes, Sam excused herself to splash water on her face. She wanted to help Claire find who killed the love of her life, and unraveled the whole story.
The new resident was immediately attracted to the vivacious village president when Mike introduced her at a chamber of commerce meeting. When Kim came to Sam with a proposition that would help disadvantaged children, her heart melted. Kim explained that because the need was outside the village, she was limited as to what pub
lic funds she could contribute. Her plan was for Sam to inflate bills by a modest percentage, one that the village could easily afford, to fund meals, medical care and scholarships for children. Kim disclosed that if she were ever discovered, she would be removed from office, and probably jailed, but she was willing to risk it. That vulnerability brought them together, and the friendship quickly blossomed into a much deeper connection.
“But you’re dating Brendan,” Claire interrupted. “And, not to be insensitive, Kim was seeing others.”
“It was all to keep up pretenses,” Sam said. “Uncle Mike kept asking why I wasn’t dating, so I said I was seeing Brendan. He was always flirting with me, so I figured he was as good a choice as any. Since he knew my family’s position in the church, I figured he wouldn’t pressure me into sex right away.”
Samantha started to laugh at her naivete, then burst into tears again. She explained how everything had come crashing down when the town’s crooked accountant discovered the discrepancies and started blackmailing her. When he was arrested, she thought she was safe. Only too late did she learn that Brendan regularly checked her phone and had discovered everything. He forced her to spy on the project for him, leaking planning details that helped him secure the deal and take a large cut of the profits in the form of a finder’s fee. Kim vowed to shut down the project, regardless of the fallback she would face. Before she was killed, Kim told Sam that she had paid Brendan hush money to keep her name out of everything, protecting her from her uncle’s scorn. With Kim out of the way, Brendan was more emboldened, threatening to out his fake girlfriend if she didn’t comply. She was to scam the marina’s owners with the same inflated invoice scheme so he could skim the profits as project manager. Since everything was submitted and approved, the heartbroken contractor didn’t know what to do to protect her reputation if it all came out.
Claire had to control her own breathing now, furious with the deceased lothario. “I swear I will help you make this right, somehow.” She wished she could somehow pin the whole thing on Mike, but knew he was only guilty of being a jerk. Baron cuddled with Sam, bringing back some color to her face.
“I wish I could stay with you all day, but I have to get going,” she said to her furry friend. “I have a ten o’clock meeting with the development company, interviewing agents to replace Brendan. Maybe I can excuse myself from the project, due to personal issues.”
“This is a huge opportunity for you,” Claire said. “I think you should give yourself a few days to clear your head and think. You can always blame Brendan for supplying you with the wrong information. Who’s going to know?”
“I suppose you’re right,” Samantha said, looking more confident as she left.
Claire called Dottie to see if she had any information on the marina development, who else may be involved, and what sort of money was at stake.
“I have an interview with them at noon today, but I’m debating whether or not to go,” the real estate agent said.
“You’re not nervous, are you?” Claire asked. “They would be lucky to get you. And the potential commissions must be huge.”
“That’s just it. I would make a fortune, but I’d have to leave the village. People are already angry about the marina, and they don’t know the full scale yet. The neighboring properties are going to take a hit in resale value, especially that new couple who just paid a record price for their mansion. Not to mention the environmental impacts have got to be worse than what they presented to the board.”
Claire confessed that she missed all the planning meetings, despite her mothers’ urging to attend. Dottie gave her the website of the town’s main opposition to the plan, which provided renderings of a very polluted post-marina shoreline.
“Why was this approved?” Claire asked, feeling guilty that she was part of the problem by not participating.
“Because certain members of the board were blinded by the revenue that a three-hundred-million-dollar development would generate, not to mention substantial kickbacks. Kim was rumored to have been offered a mint, from both the developers and from that snake, Brendan. It would have been a perfect financial cushion if her husband ever wised up and divorced her.”
“I thought she was going to vote against it,” Claire said.
“That’s after she became the proverbial woman spurned. Brendan had somehow obtained crucial inside information and went directly to the developers to form an alliance. Kim found out that both sides were going to cut her out as soon as the motion passed and she exploded.”
“So, it wasn’t altruism that changed her mind after all,” Claire said aloud, causing Dottie to laugh.
“It seems this project was a cash machine for many. I wonder how much the landowner made on the deal.”
“From what I understand, the sale was contingent upon the project’s approval and final estimates from the contractor,” Dottie said. “Brendan was rumored to be the broker, so who knows when the deal will be closed now.”
“Do you know who the seller is? That person will be public enemy number one once construction starts, unless he or she is already gone.” Claire thought of the Bloombergs’ recent move to California and Bunny’s alleged hiatus in Cuba.
“I was wondering the same thing, since I never remember seeing the property for sale. It’s registered to a company somewhere in the Caribbean, I think; probably some sort of tax shelter. You know what they say, that’s how the rich stay rich.”
Dottie concluded the call with an order for more welcome home biscuit baskets for upcoming closings. Claire wished her luck and thanked her for the information, which she related to Marti with her next call. She convinced her friend to consult with Ms. Dill, the town’s top historian, to see if she knew who owned that land parcel.
Baron barked and waited for Claire to follow him, announcing a customer at the door. She put on his leash and opened the front door, apologizing for the late opening. Baron charmed the angry woman, ending her lecture on the importance of punctuality. He escorted their guest around the shop, then up to the bakery counter. While the woman decided on a cake and entrees for a birthday party she was planning for her Pekinese, Petey, Claire’s mind drifted back to motives. Would someone really kill three people over a proposed real estate deal? She hoped so, allowing for it to be a stranger instead of someone she knew, like Kyle. Or maybe, Brendan was the remorseful murderer after all. It certainly all made sense and so easy to wrap up.
“Miss, did you hear me?” the woman said, tapping her pen against the counter. “Do you think this is enough for ten dogs? They’re coming for lunch, plus I want them to take home favor bags.”
“Yes, I was just thinking,” Claire said, scanning the handwritten list. Suddenly, she remembered she hadn’t asked Sam about the note. If she could confirm the handwriting, maybe it was suicide. “Yes, that should be plenty to conclude the case, I mean did you want to include anything from the display case?”
The woman eyed Claire warily as she deferred to her new best friend to select his favorites. Baron pressed his nose against the glass behind the center shelf, by the apple pie display. Claire handed her a flier with details about the promotion benefitting the veteran’s service dog program.
“I’ll take two dozen,” she said. “I’ll bring any extras to my Women’s Club meeting. We’re always looking for new philanthropic projects, and this is a great idea.” She picked up paw-printed decorations, birthday toys, bandannas, and a few other party essentials. She was still humming patriotic songs as she checked out and set up a pickup time for the food order.
Emma bounced in just slightly past her start time, waxing eloquent about Harry, who asked her out after her tennis lesson. Before the teen could launch into the full details of the fit football player, Claire excused herself to enter the order details in the computer. She texted Sam, asking if she felt up to looking at the note. She took a picture of the image from the mystery file and sent it. For once, she hoped her inner voice was wrong and that Brendan’s death rea
lly was a suicide.
“Oh yeah, I brought in one of the pesticide testing kits. Do you want me to do it for you? It’s super simple,” Emma said.
“Sure, that would be great. Marti is going to stop by later to set up for tomorrow. I’ll ask her to bring the boots with her to test.” Claire finished typing in the catering order and printed a copy to attach to the bag of items destined for the pawprint-decorated goodie bags. Seeing Sam’s number flash on her phone, she said she was going to check the storeroom to restock the display.
“Brendan didn’t write that note,” Sam said. “Does that mean he was murdered?”
“Are you sure? The image isn’t very clear, it’s a photo of a copy, and the ink was smudged.”
“That’s just it, the ink. Brendan only used Petrol Blue ink in his pen, never black. I remember because he berated his secretary for ordering the wrong ink. I felt so sorry for her.”
“Maybe he used another pen,” Kat suggested. “I’m always grabbing different pens. I had one in my purse from a restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, and I’ve never been to that city.”
“No, he only used his Mont Blanc pens. He called them his signature signature. He was such a pompous ass. No way he would have signed his final paper with anything less.”
Claire thanked Sam for her help, silently cursing herself for being right about Brendan’s murder. The killer was still out there.
“Guess what?” Emma said, startling Claire. “We’re getting all kinds of calls and emails about the event tomorrow. Some lady just posted it on her Facebook page. Most of them are coming in from the city.”
“That must be Mrs. Greene, with the birthday order. Baron put her under his spell.”
“Some of them are asking about the bandanas too. Did you find any back here? We should get some more of the patriotic ones for the event.”
