by Rosie Sams
Chapter Eleven
Today was Saturday, so Melody assumed that the station was closed but still, she decided to give it a try and call. As a single man, however, Alvin often seemed to work odd hours, as did his receptionist. Cyndi, the station’s young, cheerful receptionist answered on the first ring, and confirmed that the sheriff was indeed in and in fact, he was working on an investigation and was in the middle of an interview now. It probably wouldn’t be more than an hour before he would be available. Mel thanked Cyndi, letting her know she would be stopping by shortly with some information for the sheriff. Then she hung up, hoping that it was Amelia’s investigation that Alvin was working on.
Melody was not in the mood to open the store today and called it off. Somehow, she thought she deserved a break. She and Kerry would just deliver the cake later that afternoon. She texted Kerry to ask if she could accompany her to the station. Kerry immediately responded telling her she would. They met outside the shop but before going to the station, they passed by Amelia Reed’s lake house to ask Claire to come with them.
“Why should I come?” she asked.
“You’re her relative and perhaps you know more than we do. You’ll be a big help,” Melody explained.
“You think so?”
“Yeah. I think it’s also better that you are the one to tell the sheriff what you told us yesterday,” Melody said. That seemed to satisfy Claire and she joined their walk.
The three women walked the few blocks together to the police station, Melody accompanied by the leashed Smudge. Kerry tried to start a conversation with Claire who just responded with a nod, a head shake, or a hmmm. Kerry must have noticed Claire’s disinterest and focused her attention on the puppy, who willingly welcomed her. A little later, they reached the station. As they entered the station, the petite, blond Cyndi greeted them.
“Hi, one of you must be the caller from earlier,” Cyndi said, addressing all of them.
“That was me,” Melody said.
Cyndi nodded. “I see. Well, Sheriff Hennessy is still in discussion with someone in his office. While you wait, can I offer you anything? Coffee? Sandwich?”
“I would love a cup of coffee,” Kerry said. Melody sneaked a peek at her employee and Kerry shrugged. “You know I can’t get enough.”
“How about you, ladies?” Cyndi asked directing the question to Melody and Claire. Both women shook their heads and muttered thanks.
Kerry tapped Mel’s knee. “Hey, I know that guy in with Al. It’s that Smedley guy; he owns the Outlaw Steakhouse.”
She pointed at the door of Alvin’s office, where a suited, broad-shouldered man was partly visible. As he leaned back in his chair, Kerry’s companions caught a good look at his profile. It was handsome in a dark, roguish way, with black, smoothed back hair, a clean-shaven face, and a dark pencil mustache.
“He looks like Snidely Whiplash from the old Bullwinkle cartoons.” Kerry sniggered, slopping her coffee on her leg, and then uttering a little yelp as it burned through her pants. “I always think that, whenever I see him!”
Melody chuckled a bit at her, but Claire seemed impervious to the joking Kerry. She did glance over, however, and confirm. “Yes, you’re right. My aunt knows him too: Bradford Smedley. She talked to me last week about a business proposal he made her. I don’t know if she signed yet or not, but maybe that’s why the sheriff is talking to him?”
Their eyes flew back to the office and they realized they could hear the discussion happening in the office. They all paid close attention. Even Kerry had her moment of silence.
“I have a witness that said she saw you and Miss Reed at the Outlaw last Sunday evening. You were seated together at a back table, and my witness said you were having an argument,” Alvin said.
Mr. Smedley’s deep voice responded smoothly, it carried quite well in the quiet office. “Yes, we were together that evening, and I’ll admit I was angry. My lawyer had drawn up our partnership paperwork and Amelia and I were planning to sign them that evening. However, she dropped the bomb that she had changed her mind and was pulling out of our deal. According to her, she had a momentous event happen, and was changing course and starting a new life. I was shocked and disappointed, and frankly, not my best self, as you might imagine.”
Alvin cleared his throat, then spoke boldly, “So then, perhaps, could this have led to retaliation on your part? Mr. Smedley, I’m asking if you had any part in the disappearance of Amelia Reed?”
Before Smedley could respond, Mel found herself admiring the authoritative tone in Alvin’s voice. How come someone like Alvin, who was always tongue-tied around her, had that hidden commanding personality?
But then Bradford leaped to his feet, knocking his chair over with a clatter. The three women startled and all rose from their seats, bracing for an altercation. Melody hugged Smudge close to her, who trembled before the heated discussion.
His voice boomed and filled the whole room. “I resent this line of questioning! Any other inquiries can be directed to my lawyer.” He slammed out of Alvin’s office, shoving past the three of them, who hastily moved their feet and legs out of his way. They all three averted their stares as he strode past. Melody kept her eyes down, but then noticed that Kerry, obviously unable to resist, lifted her head to sneak a peek at the angry gentleman.
To Melody’s surprise, she witnessed him staring directly at her curious employee as he stalked off. Kerry quickly looked down, embarrassed, and fiddled with her Styrofoam cup until he was out the door. Mel wondered exactly just who was Bradford Smedley, and how was he involved in this case?
Alvin came out of his office following Bradford. Of course, he could not miss Melody and his eyes briefly swept over her before moving forward.
“I’ll be in touch,” Alvin called after the man’s retreating back. “Don’t leave town. I would hate to have to issue a warrant!”
Chapter Twelve
“I’m sorry about that,” Alvin said when he returned. His irritation was suddenly replaced with a warm smile when he greeted each of them with a handshake. Of course, holding Melody’s hand a little longer than necessary. Or perhaps tighter. Kerry elbowed her and she responded with a reprimanding stare.
Alvin invited them to follow him into his office, pulling in an extra chair to crowd them all in.
Melody started by introducing Claire as Amelia’s niece, and then encouraging Claire to share her story and suspicions.
Claire started her narration with teary eyes. “As I told Mel and Kerry yesterday, I couldn’t reach my Aunt Amelia, so I got worried. I have a strong feeling that her disappearance has something to do with her romantic relationship with Grant Woodward, a man whom she just met very recently. I could not believe my aunt would fall for him that fast. My aunt was smart and I don’t know what she saw in this Grant.”
“Why do you think he has something to do with this? If they are lovers, what could be his motive?” Alvin asked making Melody admire him more because of his quick thinking.
“My aunt is rich. I just learned that he is listed in her will. Who knows what he did to convince her to do that? They just met! Do you think that is appropriate?” Claire exclaimed.
“Well, Ms…. Claire, your auntie is an adult and she can do whatever she wants with her wealth. Why does this man bother you so much?”
“Because I think he fooled Amelia! He could have done something so he could get his inheritance immediately before my aunt discovered who he really is!”
Alvin considered her explanation. “Do you know where to find this Mr. Woodard? That should probably be our first step: questioning him.”
“I know he had moved into the lake house with her a couple of weeks ago, but I have called and called since yesterday morning, and no one is answering.” Claire wrung her hands and sniffed back her tears.
Alvin reached over and patted her hand. “I’ve had the same results myself, and planned to head over there as soon as I finished this morning’s interviews. You’re welcome to acco
mpany me. Maybe set your mind to rest. It could be the phones are out, or were taken off the hook and neglected to be put back on? Does she have a cell?”
“Yes,” Claire confirmed. “And I have called and texted her repeatedly, and still no response,” her voice was cracking as she drew a shuddering breath.
“Kerry and I can drive her over, if that’s okay,” Melody offered. Alvin nodded, rose and began assembling his gear. “I’ll meet you ladies there in, say, fifteen minutes?”
Melody agreed and the women and pup set out for the pastry shop’s back parking lot. On the way over, Kerry whispered to Melody, “I don’t trust that Smedley character. Did you notice him glaring at me? What was that about, anyway?”
Mel shrugged and nodded. “Yeah, I saw that. Weird. But then I’m sure there is any number of people who could be counted among Amelia’s enemies. The price of fame and fortune, I’m afraid.”
Melody led the other two and Smudge to her rig, pausing to remove the magnetic “Decadently Delicious” signs from both sides of the vehicle. “No use involving the business in this,” she explained, as Kerry volunteered to sit in the back seat with Smudge, leaving Claire to ride shotgun.
They arrived at Amelia’s lake house within minutes, and before Mel could even shut off the engine, Alvin pulled up in his cruiser.
Melody couldn’t help but notice the grandeur of Amelia’s home. It faced out over the lake. There was an accompanying beachfront property off the back of the house. She remembered a time when this place was for sale, and the listed price was astronomical.
The three women got out of the Tahoe. Melody clipped Smudge’s leash to her collar. Somberly and without a word, all of them filed up to the faux rustic door. Alvin pressed the doorbell. Nothing. He pressed it again, insistently. They waited several moments, and he pressed it again, holding it down longer this time. No answer. He pushed the doorbell a fourth time, and they all waited wordlessly, except for Smudge, who emitted low whines.
“Let’s circle around the back, in case someone is out on the back deck or on the dock,” Alvin suggested.
“Have you ever been inside?” Kerry whispered to Melody.
“No, have you?” Melody asked.
“Yes. Charlie and I were. It was during the open house right before Amelia bought it. It may look rustic and all outside, but it is real luxury inside! This giant master bath with a jacuzzi tub, nautical ceiling murals, state of the art kitchen, weight room. It’s crazy fancy!” Kerry enthused, falling silent when Claire glanced at her. “I mean crazy fancy,” she whispered again, eyes big.
They arrived together at the back of the house, the driftwood-built deck held only upscale, cushioned, outdoor chairs, a frosted glass table, and a redwood porch swing.
After staring for a moment at the empty porch, then mounting the stairs and peering in the house, Al gave the door a few sharp raps with his knuckles. He finally descended the stairs again, and turned his eyes toward the dock. At first, nothing could be seen but the placid lake surface reflecting blue sky and puffy cumulus clouds, but then Smudge started barking short, sharp yaps, staring straight out into the lake, her hackles raised.
They all strained to see what Smudge was seeing, and after a few moments, while Smudge continued to bark and yap, they made out a small boat rowing towards them. As they watched, the boat grew larger the nearer it came, and Smudge kept up her complaint.
“That’s him, Grant Woodard, my aunt’s… well… boyfriend, I guess,” Claire said grimly.
The man in the boat continued to row while Melody tried to reassure Smudge and get her to stop vocalizing. But nothing worked; the dog was not having it.
When the man, Grant, finally pulled up to the dock, Alvin was there to meet him, the women staying further back to let the sheriff do his job.
“Are you Grant Woodard?”
“Yes, I am,” Grant answered, looking from Alvin to the three women to Amelia’s dog.
“Do you have any information as to the whereabouts of Amelia Reed?” Alvin asked in a loud, firm voice.
Grant stood up in the boat, jumping over to the dock and tying the craft quickly up to a post. He was lean and over six feet tall with a graying crew cut that enhanced the startling steely blue-gray eyes. His clean-shaven face, though weathered, retained a rugged handsomeness, and Melody could see why Amelia had found him attractive. Weirdly, however, he was wearing a long, gray trench coat, even though the weather was balmy. Maybe out on the lake, the breeze was colder Mel reasoned, though the lake’s glass surface belied her wind theory. The coat gave him the ominous look of a villainous spy, but Mel tried not to have preconceived notions about the man, in spite of his wardrobe choice and Claire’s negative report.
The sheriff repeated the missing Amelia question to the man. He scratched his close-cropped head, shrugged and took his time answering.
“She went for a walk yesterday morning and never returned,” he stated. “I waited up for her all night long, and called and texted her cell phone multiple times, but she never answered.”
“And you didn’t think to report her as a missing person?” Alvin demanded incredulously. “What did you think happened to her?”
“Frankly, I don’t know,” he answered. “But she’s a grown woman with a lot of business obligations, so she could be tied up with that.”
Alvin and the three women stared at him speechlessly, and Melody could hear Kerry grumbling under her breath, “What is wrong with this guy?”
“What were you doing out on the water, Mr. Woodard?” Alvin demanded.
“Rowing. I take my exercise this way every morning,”
“Even though your fiancée is missing?” Al shot back.
“Well, we don’t know for sure she’s missing. Like I said, she has lots of business dealings and a lot of responsibilities. She could be in any number of places,” Grant insisted.
Kerry mumbled again, “Wow. I would hate to be engaged to that deadbeat.”
“Sir, I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you in for questioning. Will you come quietly, or do I need to cuff you?” Alvin’s voice was steely, and once again, Melody found herself admiring Alvin’s command of the situation. There was no sign of a whipped puppy now.
Grant raised his hands peaceably. “No problem, Sheriff. I’ll come quietly.”
As the two men walked off the dock towards the house, Smudge’s growl grew in volume the nearer Grant stepped toward her. Finally, after he passed and the men walked to the patrol car, she finally quieted.
The three women followed at a distance, but not too far back so they could overhear Grant say, “Sheriff, if you want to know what happened to Amelia, you need to look no further than one Leslie Mathers, and that’s all I have to say about that.”
He looked back at the women; his lips clamped shut in a severe line.
“What was that about, do you think?” Melody directed her question to Claire, once Alvin had Grant in the back seat of the cruiser and had started it up.
“I have no idea, other than he’s trying to put the scent on someone else. I have no doubt he’s guilty. I don’t care how many names he throws out there,” Claire adamantly stated.
Once the women were loaded into Melody’s car, Kerry asked Claire what her plans were for the rest of the day.
“Mel and I just have a wedding cake to deliver,” Kerry said. “But then we’re free. Are you heading home, wherever that is, today?”
It seemed to take a great effort for Claire to speak. “I live east of Port Warren, about two hours inland. A town called Geneva. I didn’t know I wouldn’t find my aunt, so I’ll get a room for the night and think about what to do next. I can’t believe Aunt Amelia is gone!” Her last sentence dissolved into full-on weeping, and Kerry put her arm around Claire.
“How about Melody and I here get you settled at the Port Warren Bed and Breakfast? We know the owner, Maud Johnson, and she’s wonderful. It’s a great place and super reasonable,” Kerry said.
Melody nodded her a
greement as she drove but found it hard to pay close attention to the other women’s conversation; there were just too many thoughts whirling around in her mind.
“I left my car parked across from your bakery,” Claire said, “and I have a packed bag in the trunk as I assumed I would stay overnight with my aunt today.”
So, Mel swung by Claire’s car. She insisted on retrieving her bag and driving her over to the B & B, and Claire seemed too distraught and fragile for driving. The B & B was within walking distance, as was most of Warren’s businesses, therefore Claire could retrieve her own car in the morning—once she decided on her next course of action.
Both Mel and Kerry accompanied Claire into Maud’s lodging, and introduced the two women to each other. They both knew Claire would be well looked after, so they left her with the promise they would contact her the following day. As they drove toward Decadent, Kerry remarked, “There’s definitely something fishy about all this mess.”
Melody heartily agreed.
She sighed at the thought. “I know.”
Chapter Thirteen
Melody and Kerry spent the early afternoon delivering and setting up the wedding cake for Jeanette Foster. It took them a couple of hours to get everything just right, then they left with liberal best wishes for the glowing bride and her groom.
Once they returned to Decadent, Melody and Kerry logged into Facebook, ran a quick search and found Leslie Mather’s profile conveniently open to the public. She was a tiny, exotic-looking woman, with black eyes and a coordinating pixie cut.
According to her profile stats, she was thirty-five-years-old, a member of International Bird Rescue, and a Big Sister of Big Brothers and Sisters. Feeling like creepers, Melody and Kerry justified their voyeurism in light of Amelia’s disappearance. Suddenly, Kerry noticed a status change. “Hey, look, she just checked into the Gilded Cup!” The Cup, a coffee shop with a hipster vibe, was just a mile north of them.
