by Savannah Mae
“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” Calypso challenged her.
“Know what?” Lyra asked.
They held their breath as the detective made his way out of the room to greet them.
“Hello. Is there something I can help you with?” He used his body to block them from the Montoya sisters as other officers escorted them out of the room.
“Is that them?” Lyra asked.
He glanced back. “It is.”
Calypso shrugged. “I’ve never seen them before in my life. How did they get my car?”
He smoothed his hand over his thick mane of hair. “I don’t think they know.” He nodded at her sisters. “Why don’t we sit and have a chat? I’ll explain what we have so far. I’m afraid it’s not much yet, but I’m sure we’ll get things all wrapped up in no time.”
She motioned for her sisters to follow. “That’s the thing. We don’t have time. I need the car. When can I have it back?”
He cleared his throat. “Ma’am, as soon as it’s processed, you can have it back.”
“Don’t call me ma’am. It makes me sound old,” she said. “Were they hurt?”
He shook his head. “No, ma’am. I mean, no, they weren’t seriously injured. A few minor scrapes and bruises, but nothing that won’t heal in time.”
She sat at the head of the conference table. “What do they know about the people who did this?”
He swallowed hard.
“Did they tell you anything?”
Lyra scolded her, “It’s an open investigation. I’m sure if he had any information he could share with you, he would. Be thankful you’ll get your car back in one piece.”
“How do you know it’s in one piece? He never said that.” She turned her scowl on him. “So, is it?”
He leaned his elbows on the table. “It is, and it isn’t.”
“See,” Lyra started. “Wait. What does that mean?”
He scrubbed his hand over his face. “You see, there might be an issue.”
Calypso started to protest, but he continued, “Now, give me a second to explain. There’s still the problem of the money. Where did it come from?”
“How am I supposed to know?”
He slid his chair back and stood. “Is the money yours?”
She snorted, “Of course it is.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I like to think I can read people well, but now I’m not so sure.”
She laughed.
He rubbed his forehead. “It’s not yours.”
Calypso clicked her tongue. “What do you think I am? If I had that much cash, would I live with these two? No. I’d be on an island, sipping margaritas and waiting for the cabana boy to bring me another.”
Isaac called for another detective to join them.
While they waited, Lyra and Calliope inundated her with questions.
“How did you get that money?” Lyra asked.
Calliope wagged her finger in Calypso’s face. “Why did you make me buy you dinner last night? You’re cheap. That’s why.”
“It’s not mine!”
Isaac introduced them to the other detective, “This is Detective Renee Honey.”
“Honey? That’s a condiment, not a last name,” Calypso joked. “I know who she is. Honey isn’t your last name.”
Detective Honey blushed. “You’re right. It wasn’t.” She explained to Isaac. “I grew up here. My parents owned the shop across the street from the Abracajava. I’ve known the Jinx family my whole life.”
Lyra gasped. “You’re Earl and Francine King’s girl? I thought I recognized you. When did you move back to town? How are your brothers? Are your folks still in the dressmaking business, Detective Fancy Pants?”
She shook her head. “You can call me Renee. Honey is my name now.”
Isaac cleared his throat.
She nodded. “Oh, yeah, sorry.” She straightened her shoulders. “My folks retired. They live in Florida now. My brothers, well, you know? They’ll find their way in life soon enough. They’re still relatively young. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
He cleared his throat again.
She rolled her eyes. “Sorry, Isaac. It’s a small-town thing.”
“Yeah, it’s a small-town thing,” Calypso mumbled. “Why did you bring in reinforcements? Are you afraid to talk to us by yourself? Afraid we might bite you?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I asked her to join us because she’s my partner.”
Renee’s tone changed, “I didn’t realize the car was yours.”
“Why not? She’s owned it for three decades,” Lyra mumbled.
Renee and Isaac locked eyes.
“What is it?” Lyra asked.
Renee gulped before responding, “During a routine search of the car, I discovered a large bag – like a laundry bag. It was stuffed under the driver’s seat. Inside, I found—”
“Money,” Calypso said. “We know about that already.”
Renee shook her head. “No. This isn’t about the money. This bag had … Well, you see …”
“What was in it?” Calypso asked.
“There was a gun, black ski masks, and a map,” she said.
Calypso laughed a nervous laugh. “Did you make that up?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
“Where did that stuff come from?” Calypso asked.
Isaac said, “We hoped you could shed some light on that for us.”
Chapter 6: The Abney Family
“Get that look off your face. You can’t blame them. I’m sure they saw the story on the news. Don’t worry. No one will ever believe it’s you. You know what they say? Everyone has a twin somewhere out there,” Melanie tried to calm Ben’s nerves.
He became frazzled on the drive over from her house. He thought for sure everyone in town would blame him for the kidnapping. He took a deep breath and opened the entrance door to the coffee shop. “I don’t have a twin. I’m a masterpiece. A one of a kind jewel.”
“You’re impossible.” She winked. “Let’s hurry and get inside. If I don’t get food in my belly soon, I might pass out.”
There were only a couple of patrons in the shop. The Jinx sisters, normally jovial and eager to serve, barely noticed them as they took their usual seat opposite the front counter, in front of the window.
“Not a good morning?” Melanie asked.
Lyra nodded a greeting as she rang someone up at the register.
Calliope fluttered around the kitchen, oblivious to their arrival.
Calypso looked up from a pile of paperwork on their designated employee only table in the back of the dining room. She did a double-take when she saw them. “Sisters,” she called out. “Get a load of this.” She stood and placed her hands on her hips as she slid out of her seat and sauntered toward their table. “I don’t believe it. It was right under my nose this whole time.”
Ben gulped and looked out the window to avoid eye contact with her.
“Good morning,” Melanie offered.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been a good morning at all,” she said. “Don’t you agree, Benjamin?” She bent forward and leaned on their table. “Look at me, young man.”
He did as she asked, slowly turning toward her. “Hey, Calypso. You look as lovely as ever.”
She huffed, “Don’t give me that. I don’t have time for it. What is wrong with you? How could you?”
He swallowed hard. “I … I …”
She pounded her fist on the table, garnishing the attention of the remaining customers. “How long have you and I have known each other?”
His voice shook as he spoke, “Since the day I was born.”
Lyra and Calliope walked over to the table.
“What’s the problem?” Lyra asked through clenched teeth.
“Him. He’s the problem.” Calypso pointed to Ben. “Look at him. He’s got a guilty look on his face.”
Ben defended himself, “I didn’t do anything wrong. I was home when it
happened.”
Lyra glared at her sister. “Why does he think he has to account for his whereabouts?”
Calypso shrugged. “Guilty conscience.”
Melanie interjected, “I know what this is about. We heard about what happened. You heard the description on television. It might have sounded like Ben, but I can guarantee you, it wasn’t him.”
“I know it wasn’t,” Calypso muttered.
Ben perked up. “You do? Then, why did you—”
She shrugged. “Boy, you came in here with your tail between your legs. What did you expect me to do? No one in their right mind would think you were one of the kidnappers.”
He breathed a much-needed sigh of relief. “I thought for sure you’d blame me.”
“And yet, you still showed up here?” Calypso snorted. “You’re one brave soul. Not that bright, but definitely brave.”
He laughed a nervous laugh. “I knew better than to run from this. I had to make an appearance or my trip out of town would make me look suspicious.”
“Out of town?” Lyra asked. “Where are you headed?”
Melanie’s stomach growled. “Sorry. Do you mind if we order before he tells you his big news?”
Lyra nodded. “Sure. What can we get you today? The usual?”
Melanie nodded. “Yes, a breakfast croissant and vanilla latte, please.” She turned to Ben. “You better get something healthy, so you can get used to eating like a bird.”
He narrowed his eyes at her as he slid out of the booth and gave Calypso a peck on the cheek. “Thank you for not wanting to kill me.” To Lyra, he said, “I think I’ll switch it up this morning and go with something big. It might be a while before I get to eat good down-home cooking again.”
She eyed him curiously. “Oh, why is that? I hope you’ve not given up on us. You’re one of my favorite customers.”
Melanie broached the subject that hung over them like a dark cloud, “Can you believe it? I don’t recall anything like that ever happening in town before.”
Calliope gulped as she waited for Calypso to respond.
“Me neither. I can guarantee you this, though, it will never happen again. If they ever find those guys, I want to make an example out of them, so other would-be hoodlums will know not to dare try it.”
Lyra and Calliope went into the kitchen to work on their orders, leaving Calypso to chat with them.
“Did you see what happened?” Ben asked.
She shook her head. “I missed the whole thing. I didn’t even know my car was gone until it’d been found.”
“You didn’t know it was gone? Wow,” Melanie said. “Did they steal it from here?”
Calypso glanced at her sisters. “I think they did, but everyone else thinks I have memory issues. I don’t, by the way.”
He quirked an eyebrow up at her. “What do you mean? What did you forget?”
She cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered, “Apparently, I’d dropped my car off at Mike’s shop the night before and that’s where they stole it and other things from.”
“Did you?” Ben asked.
She shook her head. “Nope. There’s no way I did. I’d remember.”
Calliope emerged from the kitchen with a tray full of food for them. “Time to eat.” As she placed Ben’s order in front of him, she asked, “Where are you headed?”
Melanie chortled, “He wants to be a reality star.”
Calypso gave her the once-over. “If he wants to be a reality star, why are you the one dressed like it’s Halloween?”
“I dress like this all the time.”
Calypso shook her head. “No, you don’t. The only time I’ve seen you that dressed up was when you thought you were in love with that loser.” She paused. “Please, tell me you’re not in love again. I don’t think I can handle another tragedy in my life.”
She groaned, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but, no, I’m not in love. I learned my lesson.”
Ben stared out the window. “I hope so because I don’t think I can take another year of listening to you whine.”
She followed his gaze. “Scoot over.”
“Why can’t you stay where you are?” he griped. He glanced back out the window. “Is this my going away party?”
Calypso took a deep breath. “Looks like this talk is over. We’ve got a crowd of hungry people on the way.”
The crowd made their way to the front counter and barked orders at the sisters as they approached. Calliope and Calypso jumped into action while Ben and Melanie ate their meals.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the reality star dreams before?” Melanie asked as she nudged him over to sit next to him.
He shrugged, “I didn’t know anything for sure until the other day.” He took a bite of his food. “Why do you want to sit so close to me?”
She whispered, “Will you relax? I have something to tell you.”
He took a gulp of his coffee. “What is it?”
She smacked the back of his head. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me. Since when do you want to be on television? Aren’t you the same guy who made fun of every reality show ever made? Where did this idea come from?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t know I wanted to be on one either until I read an article about the prize money. It’s no big deal. There’s no guarantee they’ll even choose me. At best, I’ll do the audition and get to spend a few days in L.A. It will be a fun experience.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the crowd of customers. “What’s the deal with them? Why are they all here at the same time?”
He rolled his eyes. “They’re hungry.”
She moved back to her seat as someone in the crowd said, “Hey, isn’t it funny how much Ben looks like the person they described on the news?”
“I don’t think he matches the description at all,” Calypso said. “Now talk about something else.”
The man shook his head and asked his wife, “Do you see it?”
She looked over her shoulder. “He’s not a kidnapper.”
Ben put his head in his hands. “I told you this would happen.”
The man called over to some of the other customers. “Did you see the news this morning?”
Mike, the town mechanic, shrugged, “I saw it and it’s not him. Leave the poor guy alone. Can’t you see he’s on a date?”
Melanie corrected him, “No, we’re not.”
He laughed. “You can tell us all you want, but that doesn’t mean we have to believe you. I don’t know why you even waste your time on other people. We all know you’ll get married someday. Anyway, Ben’s not the one we should focus on. It’s Calypso. I think her memory isn’t what it used to be.”
“No one asked you,” Calypso shouted from behind the counter.
He chuckled. “If she wasn’t so cute, I’d say something to her about her mouth.”
Calypso flew around the counter in a flash and challenged him, “How long have we known each other?”
He snorted, “Since before we started school.”
“And I told you then, we’re never going to happen.”
That made everyone laugh.
She asked, “Why are you all here at the same time? What do you want?”
Mike answered, “To see if you’re okay.”
She scowled at him. “I am.”
“Good,” he offered. “Look, I told a couple of people about what happened. They had questions, so I invited them to come down and get the story straight from you.”
She closed her eyes for a second. “I don’t have a story.”
He sighed. “I think you do.”
She stepped closer to him. “Do you?”
He removed his cap from his head and combed his fingers through the thin spray of gray hair. “I don’t know what you’re into, but I know that money didn’t get into your car engine by itself.”
Her cheeks flushed. Through clenched teeth, she said, “Get out.”
He backed away from her, his hands up in a defen
sive manner. “Look, I didn’t come here to argue with you. Like I said, we wanted to make sure you were okay. And …” He hesitated.
“And, what?” she urged.
He gulped. “And since we know you have money, we wanted to know if you could pay us back all the money you owe us?”
Calliope and Lyra gasped.
Calypso took a step toward him. “I don’t owe anyone a dime.”
Mike’s voice was barely above a whisper, “I’m afraid you do. Remember when you cast that spell on everyone in town because you thought we’d sabotaged your garden and it turned out you had a mole problem?”
She chuckled. “Those dumb moles.”
He raised his voice to normal levels. “Our gardens suffered that year. We lost money and …”
“And you think I had something to do with that?” She laughed. “You aren’t that bright, are you? The whole town flooded that year. Everyone lost their gardens.”
Lyra interjected, “You can’t blame her for a natural disaster.”
Mike scrubbed the scruff on his chin. “We can, and we do. Up until then, our crops were aplenty. The storm didn’t hit until after she did her hocus pocus on us.”
Ben nudged her out of the seat, so he could stand. “Uh oh.”
“What?” Melanie asked as she followed his gaze.
Isaac and Renee were headed in their direction.
Ben stood as they entered the coffee shop.
Isaac greeted everyone with a nod, then, he stopped at Ben. “Good morning. Do you have a minute?”
Ben swallowed hard.
“Why? He didn’t do anything wrong,” Melanie said.
Isaac grinned. “No one said he did.”
Renee gave Ben an apologetic look. “It will only take a minute.”
Chapter 7: The Montoya Sisters
“What do you mean there aren’t any hotels here? There are hotels everywhere in the world,” Juliana said. “Where are we supposed to stay?”
“I don’t know.”
We found our way into a dingy-looking hardware store. The woman at the front counter startled as we walked in. I whispered to Juliana, “That’s the woman we saw earlier.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave us a disapproving look as we made our way to the front counter.
I asked, “Is there a bed and breakfast nearby?”
