by Rosie Sams
Minutes later, the two women and Smudge exited the car, and immediately recognized Leslie from her profile photo, seated outside on the coffee shop’s veranda, reading a newspaper, as she sipped from a paper coffee cup. She had on a long, black sundress with racy slits up the sides, black wedge sandals, but no jewelry. Her look was simple and refreshing.
As Mel and Kerry approached, Leslie looked up and gave a little cry of delight, calling, “Luna! What are you doing here, girl?”
Smudge yapped happily, jumped on Leslie’s lap and began excitedly licking her face.
Mel turned to Kerry, and they both exclaimed, “So that’s Smudge’s real name!”
Melody and Kerry introduced themselves as Leslie petted and hugged Smudge, and when Smudge finally calmed down, both women tag-teamed the story of the missing Amelia and how they came to have “Luna” in their possession.
“Oh no!” Leslie cried, her hand flying up to her mouth. Her face grew white as tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe it! I love Amelia, and worked for her ever since she moved here, but we haven’t been in contact since I…well, since I was let go. I used to be her maid until something happened, and I could no longer work there.”
Mel and Kerry watched her, not sure how to broach the delicate subject of Leslie’s firing.
Leslie sighed as her face reddened. “There’s no use hiding it from you, but there was an incident I was involved in a few weeks ago now. I… well, I took some silverware from her, and was caught, and really, Amelia had no choice but to fire me; I would have done the same if our positions were reversed.”
“Are you sure you don’t bear her any resentment for dismissing you?” Mel asked carefully, trying to be as tactful as possible.
“Yeah—did you have anything to do with her disappearance?” Kerry burst in, with her typical bull-in-the-china-shop approach. Melody cringed but gave Kerry silent kudos for cutting to the chase.
“Of course, not!” a shocked Leslie exclaimed.
“But why should we believe you’re telling the truth?” Kerry asked, crossing her arms. “Not to be rude, but you are a criminal, after all.”
Leslie looked down at Smudge who snoozed contentedly on her lap, and picked at a fingernail. “I know I am, but it was the first and only time I have ever, ever done anything like that, you have to believe me!”
“Why did you do it?” Melody gently asked.
“My grandpa was hospitalized for kidney failure, and he and my gran were in danger of losing their house to creditors. I was beside myself trying to find some way to help them out financially, and in a moment of stupid desperation, I took some silver, and then attempted to pawn it, I was going to get it back. It was a fiasco, and the pawnshop only offered me a tenth of what that silver is worth. I tried to take it back, but Amelia had already discovered it missing, and felt that even though I had changed my mind, I had betrayed her and broken her trust.” Tears streamed down her tanned face. “I would do anything to set the clock back and get a do-over, but it’s too late now, and I lost the best job I ever had, as well as a friendship.” Here she indicated the newspaper. “I’m still searching the want ads, but I haven’t found another job, probably because none of them are even comparable to what I had with Amelia.” Fresh tears sprouted.
“We are helping the sheriff with this case,” Melody explained. “And I’m sure he’d be very interested in talking to you as you were a witness to her relationship with Grant.”
Leslie’s expression changed from sad to inscrutable, and she looked away from the other two. “I don’t know,” she said, “I really don’t want to stir up any more trouble than I already have. I think it’s best if I stay out of it, with what happened and all.”
“You don’t want to help find Amelia?” Kerry demanded. “Why? It seems to me it’s the least you could do after what you did!”
Leslie resumed looking down at her lap and petting the snoozing Smudge.
“I just can’t afford to put myself in a further awkward position while I’m trying to rebuild my life. I’m sorry.”
Melody jumped in and let her off the hook, worried that Kerry would try to drag Leslie into the car by her hair. “Okay, we’ll respect your decision.” Kerry stared at Melody, and then glared at Leslie, affronted that Melody would be so soft on a known thief, but she deferred to her boss, and resorted to griping under her breath.
“C’mon, Smudge, let’s go.” Instantly awake, Smudge hopped down from Leslie’s lap to follow her.
“I’m really sorry I can’t help, and I’m especially sorry Amelia is missing,” Leslie said, her face a mask of sadness.
“Sure, you are,” muttered Kerry as she, Mel and Smudge bid Leslie goodbye and walked toward the veranda’s stairs.
“Hold it,” Kerry stopped.
Melody groaned, sure her partner was about to turn back and question Leslie further.
“I can’t believe I almost walked out of a coffee shop emptyhanded!”
Melody laughed at her. “Go. And no, I don’t need anything. Smudge and I will wait for you out in the car.”
While she waited, Melody pondered their encounter with Amelia’s former maid. She was sure that she knew more than she had been willing to share, but not sure why she had been so tight-lipped.
Melody watched Kerry practically skip back to the car, a lidded venti cup in hand, her good mood restored.
Melody spoke preemptively, “I know you think I let her off too easily, but I think if we would have pressed too hard, she might have become paranoid and fled town. Let’s just go back and tell Alvin everything and that way he can call her in for questions if he feels the need to.”
“Okay,” Kerry answered cheerfully, “But that one knows more than she’s lettin’ on.”
Mel nodded, but kept quiet, savoring the rare moment of peace as Kerry blissfully sipped her brew.
Chapter Fourteen
Back at the police station, before the two women could brief Alvin on their meeting with Leslie, he invited them to take a seat in his office. The somber look on his face silenced their story and they waited mutely for him to speak.
He cleared his throat. “I interviewed Grant and he didn’t budge from his version of events. Since we have nothing on him, I released him, advising him to stick close to the lake house in case I have further questions.” He stopped, cleared his throat again, and spoke much more gently, “And our next step is to drag the lake for Amelia’s body.”
Both women drew in sharp breaths at this macabre news. Mel felt so much sadness at the thought of the beautiful, accomplished Amelia, drifting lifelessly somewhere at the bottom of the lake.
Then she shook herself, and began to relate their morning conversation with Leslie Mathers and Kerry chimed in now and then with extra details.
The sheriff congratulated them both on their resourcefulness. Mel tried to quash the unexpected pleasure she felt as a result of Al’s praise, but Kerry had no such reticence. She visibly swelled, holding herself regally, remarking, “it really was no big deal; you just have to know where to look.”
Mel hid a smile, and she was pretty sure Alvin’s stifled cough covered a chuckle.
“Well, now that you’ve begun the conversation, I will follow up with Ms. Mathers. I promise you both that I will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the truth of Amelia’s disappearance.”
The women thanked him and rose to leave. Once again, he shook each of their hands, giving Mel’s an extra-long, gentle squeeze, which she found she was beginning to enjoy in spite of herself.
They decided to return to the shop to make sure everything was put away and ready for Monday morning, which didn’t take long. After their chores, Mel suggested taking the cooped up, antsy Smudge for a quick walk as well as maybe get their own crime-solving creative juices flowing. Mel clipped the leash on Smudge, and both amateur sleuths briskly started off.
“You know,” Mel began, “it’s possible that Grant or Leslie truly didn’t have anything to do with Amelia’s dis
appearance.”
“Why do they both appear so guilty, though?” Kerry countered. “If I didn’t do it, I would just say so and have proof to back it up. Both acted shady as the dickens, like they were hiding something.” A sudden thought struck her. “Maybe they’re in cahoots!”
“Or maybe it’s someone else entirely, and those two just have personal secrets completely unrelated to Amelia that they don’t want to be found out,” Mel said. “A rich, beautiful, well-connected woman like Amelia could easily have scores of enemies. We have to keep open minds.” They walked on for a few moments in silence, ruminating over the past few days’ incidents.
As they neared a bank four blocks away, Kerry spoke, “Isn’t that Claire?” She was pointing to a woman approaching them from about a half-block away. It was, indeed.
“Oh, hello!” she called to them. “I was just walking over to your place in hopes you would be there,” she directed her words to Melody.
“We’re just exercising Smudge, but we can go back,” Mel answered.
“That would be great if you’re sure? I really wanted to talk to you.”
They headed back to Decadent, Kerry filling in the silence by asking Claire how she found her accommodations, then segueing into observations on the businesses they passed on their way back to the pastry shop.
Once inside, Mel invited Claire to sit at a table, while Kerry went back to the kitchen to drum up coffee and a plate of pastries to refresh their guest.
Once seated with Mel, Claire began crying, and it was several moments before she could compose herself. She gratefully accepted Mel’s proffered napkin and dabbed her face dry.
“I just feel so responsible,” she finally said, her voice quavering.
Mel nodded encouragingly, wisely letting Claire’s words flow naturally without interruption.
“I didn’t tell you something before… that I was the one who introduced my aunt to Grant.” She looked up at Mel mournfully.
Kerry returned with the refreshments, unsure whether she should join the two or head back to the kitchen, but Mel pulled out a chair for her.
Claire continued, “If I had known what he was like, there is no way I would have ever considered it.”
“Who are we talking about?” Kerry asked.
“Grant,” Mel answered. “Claire was just saying she feels somewhat responsible for her aunt’s disappearance because she introduced her to Grant,” she went on. “But you had no idea what he was like. You can’t blame yourself.”
“But I should have picked up on something in his character. I’m usually really good at reading people, and that’s why I introduced her to him. I thought he was a really nice guy and they would have a lot in common.” She looked at the wadded napkin in her hands and began smoothing it out on the table.
“But your aunt was… is… a grown woman, and we are all responsible for whatever choices we make in the end. It is not your fault. Maybe he is a stellar actor, or maybe he isn’t even responsible for your aunt’s vanishing. Either way, it’s not your fault.”
Claire looked up gratefully at Mel. “Thank you so much for being so kind to me. You have no idea how much this means; to be listened to and treated like this. I feel much better, and I need to head back. I have to make a call, and maybe I’ll get in a quick nap. Ever since this nightmare started, I haven’t been able to sleep a wink.” She pushed back her seat and rose to leave, taking a moment to glance around the cozy bakery.
“Have you ever thought of expanding?” This change of subject surprised Mel, and she laughed lightly at the question.
“I totally would if I could afford it,” Mel replied. “I could then promote Kerry exclusively to cakes, me to pastries, and hire more help to do our other items.” Kerry glowed at the implied compliment.
“Just for future reference,” Claire said, “I am not without the means to assist you financially, if you ever decide to go for it. You have been so kind to me; it would be a kindness returned.”
“Don’t even think about such things right now,” Mel hastily answered. “You have enough on your mind with the terrible situation with your aunt. But I would like to send you off with a sweet reminder of your aunt from me—some of the strawberries she thought were so delicious.” Kerry beat Mel to the counter, and quickly boxed up a small sample of the De Vine strawberries for Claire to take as a parting gift.
Claire tinkled a laugh. “There you go again, being extravagantly kind to me!”
She left the shop, promising to stop by again soon, and Mel sadly closed the door behind her.
“You SO should have taken Claire up on her financial offer, Boss-Lady!” Kerry exclaimed. “Just think of all the equipment upgrades you could get… some of our stuff is literally duct-taped together!”
“We’ll be okay,” Mel said. “I just can’t entertain such an offer from a woman in her situation. I don’t feel right contemplating accepting money from the grief-stricken niece of a missing, presumed dead, Aunt Amelia.”
“The ever kind and compassionate Miss Melody Marshall once again makes me look like a greedy jerk,” Kerry quipped, sighing as she gathered up the detritus from their afternoon meeting.
Mel’s eyes strayed to Smudge, who was standing on her hind legs and watching forlornly out the front door’s window. Mel’s heart broke as she thought about the poor puppy, watching faithfully for her beloved Amelia… who was likely never to return.
Chapter Fifteen
The next day, Mel was still thinking about Claire’s offer. She knew it was probably one of the only chances she would have to grow her business, but she just couldn’t bring herself to accept the young woman’s offer. She knew that she was going through a lot and felt that accepting anything from her financially would be taking advantage of her weak state. Still, she couldn’t shake the thought of the possibilities that it could bring.
Expanding her business would not only help her financially, but it would help keep her busy. Even now, with her full schedule, Mel still found herself contemplating her constant lack of desire and passion in her life. She always felt like there was something missing. But she continued to tell herself that she wasn’t ready for another relationship.
No matter how much she tried not to think about it, she still felt a slight twinge of despair from her last heartbreak. His name was Conner, and he was from out of town. He moved here one summer, opening a fast-food franchise on the edge of town. It was one of the only new establishments around and was thriving shortly after its grand opening.
Conner came into Mel’s shop one morning, taking her breath away with his devilish good looks. He ordered half a dozen De Vine strawberries and somehow managed to get her number before he left. They went on a few dates after that. Things were getting serious between them, and before she knew it, she was moving into his condo.
Almost a year went by, and Mel was sure he was going to propose. But business called, and he had to leave their small town behind. It didn’t seem to bother him and that was what hurt the most. She had been invested, ready to make a life… he hadn’t. Mel was completely heartbroken. It was the first time in her adult life that she actually thought she had found love. At the time, she couldn’t picture herself being with anyone else. He was perfect. Even now, her thoughts still flickered back to him, though she hadn’t seen or heard from him in almost two years. Each time she heard that he was in town, he was gone before she had a chance to track him down and he never made an effort to track her down.
With a sigh, she shoved her thoughts of him into the back of her mind. She didn’t have time to worry about her love life. There were more important things to focus on.
When she got to the shop that morning, Ker was already shuffling around busily. By the looks of the coffee mug sitting on the counter, and the empty pot, she had already had her fix of caffeine.
“Good morning, Mel!” Ker said when she noticed her standing by the doorway, Smudge at her heels, wagging her tail eagerly.
“You seem cheerful this m
orning.” Though, that wasn’t out of the ordinary for Kerry.
Ker flashed her an award-winning smile. “George and I had an amazing night last night; do you want to hear about it?” She grinned mischievously.
“I think you can spare me the details,” Mel said, putting on her apron and making herself busy. The truth was that thinking about Kerry’s perfect relationship with George made her thoughts flicker to the absence of romance in her own life. Even though she has been telling herself that she wasn’t ready for anything serious, her thoughts seemed to linger on Alvin. She caught herself smiling as she thought about the way he got flustered when she was around. She had to admit, it was kind of nice having such a strong effect on a man. Especially a handsome, well-accomplished man like the sheriff.
The sound of Kerry’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot, and I feel like there’s something we’re missing,” Kerry said. “Everyone assumed that Grant is responsible, but what if Amelia’s disappearance really doesn’t have anything to do with him? What if he’s just as clueless as we are? I’ve been watching a lot of mystery dramas on television, and it’s always the person you least expect. If Grant isn’t guilty, then we’ve steered Alvin in the wrong direction. He could be wasting his time investigating an innocent man while the real suspect is out there, doing who-knows-what.”
Ker had a point that Mel hadn’t considered. What if they were all looking in the wrong direction? If Grant wasn’t the one responsible for Amelia’s disappearance, then who was? And, where were they?
“You could be right… But I’m sure Alvin knows what he’s doing. Whoever is responsible, he will find them. I’m sure of it.” She was confident that Alvin would get to the bottom of it, but the question was, when?
The day went by slowly, and the only thing that kept her from spending the whole day swept away in her thoughts was Ker’s constant jabbering. As she prepared a batch of muffin mix, she heard the familiar ding that signified that someone had just entered the shop. Wiping her hands off on a nearby towel, she went out to see who had come in.
