“Thanks for letting me pick up all these shifts, I really appreciate it. I’m so excited for the concert. I just know I’m going to want to buy a few t-shirts. I did so well in tips the last few times I worked that I think I even have some extra to add to my savings account.”
“We love having you here.” Yvette winked then handed Sage a huge box full of squeeze bottles used for the ice cream toppings. “Put those over there with the mason jars and crockpots.”
“Crockpots? What are they for?” Sage asked.
“There’ll be two or three crockpots set on “warm” during the party and the squeeze bottles will be placed inside them. The bottles will be filled with hot fudge, white chocolate, peanut butter, both regular and salted caramel and also a marshmallow sauce. It’s the easiest way to keep them warm so they can be swirled on everyone’s sundaes. Plus, using the bottles is way less messy, and more sanitary, then letting everyone just scoop it out of a big bowl.”
“That makes sense, and it’s such a good idea!” Sage nodded, impressed.
Yvette and Sage continued to pack up the utensils, dishes, mason jars, and napkins from the back room. Just as they were about done, Sage spoke up, “Yvette, I heard about Laura. My mom said I really shouldn’t think about it too much, that the police were making sure everyone stayed safe, but I can’t help feeling a little uneasy. Laura came in here all the time. I felt like I knew her pretty well. But that’s the thing, I also felt like I knew her husband pretty well, and after the scene that they caused the other day, I’m not so sure. He must feel awful after the way he spoke to her. And then there’s Joey... literally sitting in jail as a murder suspect. I’m a little freaked out.” Sage drew in a long breath.
Yvette turned around so fast she almost dropped the box she was holding. “What did you say about Laura and her husband?”
“One day last week, they were all here, Laura, Steve, and Marie. Steve seemed so angry, he even left the table and went to sit outside alone. Laura looked so upset and Marie was trying to console her, but it looked to me as if neither of them understood what was wrong with him. I was trying to make it look like I wasn’t listening, but it was kind of hard not to. He was mad at her about spending so much money. I guess she ordered a hot tub without telling him and booked a cruise for herself, too. He told her how frivolous she was and how he wished he could have hidden the money from her.” Sage glanced down at her feet. “Said she should have started with the hot tub anyway since she just was a fool who couldn’t swim. He told her she was wasting the money and over-spending to make it look like they lived a fancy lifestyle.”
I nearly forgot about Marie! I can’t believe I never heard back from her, Yvette thought to herself. She’d tried calling her several times and never got a call back. She couldn’t believe what Sage had just told her. Is it possible that Steve could have killed his own wife? Money made people do strange things, she supposed. Yvette planned on getting in touch with Heath as soon as possible to tell him everything she knew.
“Your mom is right. Don’t concern yourself with it. Heath watches over this town like a hawk and even more so after this. Why don’t you bring all this stuff out to my car while I go check on your mom and see if she needs any help out there?” Yvette tried to reassure the teenager before heading back out front.
11
Gavin and Yvette drove the refrigerated truck from Kline Family Farm down the long dirt road that led to Brooks Memorial Park. Angelica’s family had rented the entire park out for the day for their party and while people wouldn’t be having ice cream right away, she still wanted to get everything dropped off before guests started arriving. Not only did Yvette not want to interrupt the party or feel like she was coming uninvited since she’d never really been that close to Angelica, but she wanted Gavin to have to be responsible for the majority of the work once the party started.
“Thanks for this,” Gavin said, “it really means a lot. I know you put everything aside to help me out pretty often, and I just wanted you to know how much I really appreciate you.”
“That’s what friends are for. Plus, I need you to do a few things around the house soon, so I guess it’ll all work out.” Yvette winked.
“Okay so, I’ll leave the ice cream in the truck until we’re ready for it. I think I’ll set everything up now though, besides the toppings. I want people to walk by and get excited for the Sundae Bar so if they see the board Sage made and all the decorations you brought it should work out fine.” Gavin carefully pulled the large chalkboard out of the back of the truck.
“Don’t forget to set out the crockpots about thirty minutes before everyone is ready. Keep them on the “warm” setting and put the bottles in that way they’ll be just the right temperature.”
“Got it. I hope I don’t forget anything. Keep your phone close in case I mess something up,” Gavin laughed.
“You’ll be fine. I’m going to go take a short walk before my mom and dad get here.”
“Sure you don’t want a ride? My car’s already here, it’ll only take me a few minutes to bring you back to town.”
“I’m sure. The weather is gorgeous today, so I’ll just take a quick stroll around the pond. We can swing through later, and I’ll drive the truck back after the party.” She gave her friend a wave and headed off toward the back of the park.
Yvette didn’t want Gavin driving the truck on his own and since it needed to stay at the park for the day to keep the ice cream cold, she’d needed a ride home. She’d asked her parents to pick her up and made sure that she’d given herself enough time to take a walk around the park for a bit. Stopping to take in the beauty of her surroundings, she took a seat on the little garden bench that overlooked the pond and watched the small fountain burbling merrily. Everything was just so perfect. The sun glistened on the water and she could see the fish gliding through the shadows near the water’s edge.
Out of the corner of her eye, Yvette swore she saw something. Looking towards the trail, she noticed Marie.
“Marie!!” Yvette shouted loud enough to be heard.
She could see her friend looking around to find where the voice came from.
Yvette got up from the bench and began walking toward her.
“Oh, Yvette, hi!”
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for days! Are you okay?”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Marie sniffled. “It’s just been really hard. I know Laura and I had our differences in the past, but it wasn’t like that anymore. I was young and dumb back then and didn’t realize what a good woman she was. She loved my dad and worked hard to take care of all of us. We’d gotten so close and I finally felt like things were okay, and now she’s just gone. I don’t know how to handle that, ya know?”
Yvette reached out for a hug. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay. And your dad… I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. How’s he doing?”
“Thanks, Yvette, you really are a good friend.” Marie’s face blanched and she fidgeted with her phone. “What are you doing here? Are you here for Angelica’s party?” she asked, changing the subject.
Most everyone in Heritage was aware that Angelica and Yvette weren’t the best of friends. Angelica couldn’t get over how close Yvette and Gavin were, and she really didn’t hide it.
“Not exactly. I just helped Gavin with a few things, but I’m headed out soon. What about you? What are you doing here?” she asked, noting that the mention of Marie’s father had triggered a reaction in her, which she quickly tried to hide.
“Angelica’s cousin invited me. We originally had plans to go shopping today, but she forgot about the party, so she just asked me to come hang out with her here instead. I’m a little early, so I thought I’d just walk around and take everything in. It’s beautiful.”
“Okay, well, try to have fun then. Maybe you’ll be able to forget about things for a while. I’m really glad you’re okay, I was
worried about you. If you need anything at all, please, don’t hesitate to call me,” Yvette said sincerely.
They said their goodbyes and Yvette slowly made her way back to the entrance of the park. She told her parents she’d meet them right at the front gate. There was something bothering her though. Marie never mentioned her dad and changed the subject when Yvette asked about him. It dawned on her that she hadn’t seen Steve since Laura’s death either. What Sage said kept replaying in her mind. What if Marie knew something and was trying to cover for her father? She wondered if maybe she should stop by the house and bring them dinner or something. Maybe she could snoop around a little. Joey might still be Heath’s main suspect, but Yvette wasn’t so sure.
12
I thought we’d stop for coffee before I dropped you off,” Yvette’s dad said as he pulled his truck into the parking lot of Brews.
“Sounds good to me. How come Mom didn’t come with you?”
“Oh, I don’t know, a book club drama of some sort. The person hosting can’t do it anymore, and of course, your mother jumped right to the task.” Charlie Lockhart shook his head.
Yvette laughed. Her mother was always involved with something around town. If it wasn’t something at the animal shelter, she was hosting book club or game night. Recently she’d been taking charge of the monthly Dine-A-Rounds, where the neighbors in walking distance of her home on Cottage Street would get together and serve each course at a different family’s home. A couple of months ago, she’d roped Yvette into hosting dessert in her childhood home. Yvette pretended she didn’t enjoy it, but truthfully it was one of the best nights she’d had in a long time.
“I haven’t been in here in quite a while,” Charlie said to his daughter as they stepped into the coffee shop.
“I came in just the other day, and I think I found Sundae Afternoon’s newest employee.”
“Finally had to replace that kid, huh? I knew it he wouldn’t last long, but I sure didn’t expect it to be because he murdered someone.” Yvette’s father leaned back in his chair.
“I was going to hire someone else anyway, Dad. I already told you that. We’re busy at the shop. Not everything I do is wrong.”
“Honey, you know how proud I am of you, but you also know how I feel about Joey. I understand though. I’ll give you a break.”
The father and daughter duo sat in silence for a few moments before they were interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Fancy meetin’ you two here,” Heath Briggs’ voice boomed.
Charlie stood to shake his friend’s hand and Yvette slid a chair back, offering Heath a place to sit.
“Morning, Heath. I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you about Joey.” Yvette quickly glanced in her father’s direction hoping he’d keep quiet.
“I told you already, Yvette. I’m just doing my job. I’ve been questioning people left and right and we’re coming up with nothing. Honestly, we’re probably going to let the kid go. We have no real evidence against him and just a lot of hearsay about everyone else. I’ve got a new lead, but I can’t share that with you.”
“What’s all this about?” Charlie looked between back and forth between them. “Are you somehow involved in this?”
“I’m not involved, Dad. I just know Joey didn’t do it. Quite frankly, if I had to guess, I’d say it was Steve or Colleen that killed her.”
“Oh? What makes you so sure?” Heath challenged.
“Do you know about the fight Steve and Laura had right before she died?” Yvette leaned forward in her chair.
Heath and Charlie both stared at Yvette.
“No, I suppose I don’t. But why don’t you tell me about it?” Heath rubbed his forehead.
Yvette dove into the story that Sage had told her about Steve and Laura fighting over money and how strangely Colleen had acted that day at the Post Office. “So, you see, both of them had more motive than Joey. How could he have benefitted from her death? Colleen was furious with her for mentioning she was considering leaving the business and that seems like reason enough and Laura was spending her husband’s money like it was her last day on earth…” she stopped herself and cringed.
“Poor choice of words, Yvette, but maybe you’re onto something. Don’t get into the habit of trying to participate in my investigations, but I’ll look into what you said. It would’ve been nice if you told me a little sooner though.”
Not long after Heath left, Charlie chastised his daughter.
“What were you thinking?!”
“Dad, I didn’t do anything. Everyone was accusing Joey, and I just knew there was no way he had anything to do with it. I couldn’t figure out who did, but after a couple of days, and a few things I noticed, I started thinking more about it. At first, I thought it might have been Colleen. She’s kind of all over the place and really relied on Laura for so much at Dandelion. Then when Sage told me about Steve and Laura’s fight at the shop, it made more sense that he could have killed her.” Yvette finally let out a breath.
“First of all, why would Colleen kill Laura if she relied on her so much? And second of all, you’re accusing Steve of killing his wife because of a story a teenager told you? I thought you were over all that gossiping stuff. You’re too old for that.”
When Yvette was young, she was always in the middle of everyone else’s business. She started a newspaper at her high school just so she could write a gossip column. Her parents always warned her that it would catch up to her one day and it was looking like Charlie thought that day was today.
Yvette stared at her father. “I mean, I guess it doesn’t really make sense that Colleen would have killed her. But, I’m not gossiping. I trust Sage, and she had no reason to lie about what she saw. You’re right though, Dad. I am too old for that. I can admit that may I be a little nosy but I’m not going to just sit around and be calm about the fact that there was a murder in our little town. This sort of thing doesn’t happen in Heritage.”
Charlie glanced up from his mug of coffee and looked into his daughter’s eyes. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. You know how I feel about you working with Joey, so you must be able to imagine how I feel about you sniffing around a murder scene.”
“I am not sniffing around a murder scene!” she tried hard not to roll her eyes.
“Just let Heath handle it. I’ve known that man for as long as he’s been a police officer. There is nothing he wouldn’t do to protect this town and the people in it. I trust him, and you should too. You told him what you know, and he’ll do everything he can to get this all sorted out.”
Yvette got up from the table and brought her empty cup to the counter. “I get it, Dad. It’s just scary knowing something like this happened here and there’s nothing I can do about it. You know how I am. I like to help people and make things right in the world, at least, as much as I can.”
Determined not to have any more arguments with people she cared about over this, Yvette told her dad that she would try to stay out of it.
13
Oh my gosh, I love her!” Vanessa plopped herself in the chair across from Yvette.
Yvette laughed. “Isn’t she great? I knew she’d fit right in.”
Stella had her first day of training that afternoon and it was like she had worked there for years. She barely let anyone lift a finger the whole time, scooping every last bit of ice cream that was ordered. Yvette warned her that her arm would be tired, but Stella insisted on practicing.
“She really does. I’m glad you hired her,” Vanessa agreed.
“Let me know when you’re done with your break, I have to stop at Audrey’s for a few minutes to make some plans for Heath’s surprise party next month and I figured I could get it taken care of on my lunch. You think you two have everything under control? Tonya will be here in a couple of hours, so I can always wait until she gets here if you want.”
“I think Stella has everything under control and we’ll all be learning from her in no time.” She laughed. “Enjoy your
lunch and tell Audrey I said hi!”
Yvette had originally planned on having the meeting at the Briggs house, but Audrey had called with a last-minute change in plans to meet her downtown.
“I’m so sorry to do this to you. Heath called me, saying he’d had a rough morning and was coming home for a late lunch. I made him a turkey sandwich, tossed it in the fridge and called you as quickly as I could. I didn’t want him wondering what you were doing at the house,” Audrey apologized to Yvette.
Wondering what she meant by rough morning, Yvette thought about the murder and wondered if Heath had found anything out about Steve or Colleen. She still hadn’t heard anything from Joey and wasn’t sure if he’d been able to go home yet.
“No big deal. Once I’m done here, I’ll just pop over to the Country Store and grab an apple fritter or two. I think I hear them calling my name already.” Yvette giggled.
Stafford’s Country Store served some of the best coffee and pastries that the town had ever seen. She couldn’t take anything away from Brews or Carlisle’s because they served amazing food too, but there was something about the atmosphere at the country store that was just so inviting. Every morning, the town workers would stop in and chat over coffee and donuts. During events that the town held, the store was always bustling with activity. People would stop in for a hot chocolate and a cruller in the winter or a frozen lemonade in the summer. It was part of the charm and tradition of Heritage.
“Let’s get down to business before Heath wonders where I am.” Audrey clapped her hands together.
“From what my parents told me, you wanted to do an ice cream social for after the meal?” Yvette asked.
“That’s right.”
“I think we can swing that,” Yvette winked.
“I’m so excited!” Audrey clapped. “You do such beautiful setups, and everyone loves your ice cream.”
Triple Dipped Murder Page 5