by Sarah Fox
I didn’t have a chance to say good-bye. She hurried out of the coffee shop, still zipping up her jacket, and disappeared from sight.
Penny and Jade had both made things worse for themselves by lying to the police. Jade, at least, was off the official suspect list. Penny was off mine now—I believed she’d told me the truth about everything—but I doubted the police had discounted her as the possible culprit.
I hoped she would talk to Detective Marquez and get everything sorted out, but there had been a lot of fear and uncertainty in her eyes when she’d left the Village Bean. Maybe it would be best if I approached the detective and told her everything Penny had shared with me.
That was probably a good idea, but it would have to wait. I needed to pick up a few groceries and then it would be time to head for the rink.
I hesitated, not sure if I should really wait until later in the day. I decided on a compromise.
As soon as I’d finished my scone and latte, I bundled up and stepped out into the cold. I quickly called Detective Marquez on my cell phone, hoping to arrange a meeting in the late afternoon. She didn’t pick up, so I left a brief message and made my way down the street to the grocery store.
The clouds were parting overhead, exposing patches of blue sky. It was good that it wasn’t likely to snow during the hockey game, but the icy wind whistling through town seemed to cut through my clothes and seep right down to my bones. Hopefully I’d stay plenty warm during the game, but at the moment every step along the sidewalk was unpleasant.
When I reached the store, I rushed inside as if I’d been waiting my whole life to get groceries. I snagged a basket from the stack by the door and set off down the produce aisle. I didn’t have much time, but I wanted to make sure I had some food to eat after the game.
I put a few items in my basket on my way down the aisle to the back of the store, where I perused the selection of dairy products. I was in the midst of deciding between strawberry or blueberry yogurt when I picked up the sound of a familiar voice.
“I hear you didn’t have much of a reunion with Freddy,” Grayson was saying to someone.
Following the sound of his voice, I tiptoed toward the next aisle and peered down it. Grayson, grocery basket in hand, was talking to Eli Hawkes as he plunked a box of cereal into his cart.
I ducked out of sight before Grayson spotted me, but I hovered at the end of the aisle, listening.
“His success went to his head,” Eli said without an ounce of rancor. “But I believe the boy I once knew was still in there somewhere. He would have seen the error of his ways eventually. If he’d had time.” His voice almost broke with sadness.
“Not everyone was so understanding,” Grayson said.
“Not everyone was as close to Freddy as I was. He was like the son I never had, a brother to my daughter.”
“Was Lara close to Freddy?”
“They got along when they were younger. Lara’s angry at him now, but that will fade in time. She didn’t like the way Freddy talked to me at the chili supper, but underneath her anger she’s grieving.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. I wanted to chance another peek around the corner, but I didn’t dare. The last thing I wanted was for Grayson to catch me spying on him.
“Any idea who killed him?” Grayson asked outright.
“None. I hope the police will find whoever did it. And soon. Freddy might have let his success go to his head, but he didn’t deserve to die.” Again, Eli’s voice sounded ready to break under the weight of his sadness.
“I’m sure the police are doing all they can,” Grayson said kindly. “Take care of yourself, Mr. Hawkes.”
Footsteps headed my way.
I darted into the next aisle and feigned interest in the products on the shelf, hoping I’d been quick enough.
The footsteps halted at the end of the aisle.
“Sadie?”
The hint of suspicion in his voice nudged my heart rate up, but I smiled brightly and hoped I appeared innocent. “Oh, hi, Grayson. Getting some groceries?”
His blue eyes watched me steadily. “Were you eavesdropping?”
“Eavesdropping? I don’t know what you mean.” I grabbed the closest product off the shelf. “I’m just getting some . . .” I glanced at the bottle in my hand.
Grayson took it from me and read the label. “Baby food?”
He was almost successful at fighting his grin, but not quite, and there was no mistaking the laughter in his eyes.
How did I always get myself into these situations?
I grabbed the bottle away from him and shoved it back on the shelf.
“Are you expecting?” he asked, his eyes still bright with amusement.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I glared at him. “Do I look like I’m expecting?”
A flash of apprehension crossed his face, as if he realized he’d said the wrong thing. But he recovered so quickly I almost thought I’d imagined it.
“Definitely not. It’s just that people usually buy baby food for . . . well, babies.”
“For your information, I have a friend who . . .” I trailed off.
I had no idea where I was going with that. From the grin on Grayson’s face, he knew it too.
“Oh, all right. Yes, I was eavesdropping. And you”—I poked him in the chest—“were investigating.”
“I have a vested interest in the case getting solved quickly.”
“So the Craft Nation execs will change their minds again?” I guessed.
“It’s in my brewery’s best interests.”
“I hope you’ve got a better suspect than Mel, because she’s innocent.”
“So you say.”
I put my hands on my hips, my grocery basket hitting my leg. “So I know.” I decided I’d be better off finding out what information he had rather than arguing with him. “Aside from Mr. Hawkes, who else is on your suspect list?”
He didn’t respond right away, waiting as a woman with two kids in tow passed by with her heavily loaded grocery cart.
“Penny Blaine, for starters,” he said.
“She’s innocent too.”
“Really?” he said vaguely.
I wasn’t sure if he’d actually heard me. He was too busy fishing his phone out of his coat pocket.
He checked the screen and then tucked the device away again. “As much as I’d like to keep chatting, I’ve got a hockey game to get to. I’ll let you finish your shopping.” He shot a glance at the shelf of baby food before grinning at me. “See you at the rink.”
I wanted so badly to aim a sharp parting remark at his back, but I came up empty. Frustrated, I returned to the dairy products and grabbed a container of strawberry yogurt before heading for the checkout counter. By the time I got there, Grayson was already gone. I paid for my purchases and braved the cold once more.
I’d almost reached the village green when I noticed Penny standing on the sidewalk, speaking with Detective Marquez. A uniformed officer was also there, a marked cruiser parked by the curb.
Penny shook her head and wiped at her cheeks. I was too far away to see any tears on her face, but I knew she was crying.
As I hurried forward, Penny put her hands behind her back and Detective Marquez snapped a pair of handcuffs around her wrists. The detective’s colleague led Penny toward the cruiser and opened the back door. Penny hesitated but then climbed inside. The uniformed officer got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
“Detective Marquez!” I called out.
She’d been about to step off the curb in front of her unmarked vehicle, but she stopped and waited for me to approach.
“Have you arrested Penny?” I asked when I reached her, my breath puffing out in a succession of little white clouds.
The cruiser had pulled away from the curb and was heading down the street.
“Yes. We believe she killed Freddy Mancini.”
“It’s because she lied about her alibi, isn’t it?” I didn’t wait for confirmatio
n. “I know that looks bad, but she didn’t kill Freddy. It’s true she wasn’t at home like she said she was, but she was on her way to meet a reporter.”
“How do you know all this?” Marquez asked.
“I talked to her a little while ago. She told me everything.”
“If you had information about the case, you should have contacted me.”
I tried not to let the rebuke irritate me. “I left you a voice mail. I’ve got to get to a hockey game, but I was going to go to the station later today.”
Marquez stepped off the curb, her expression unreadable. “Is there anything else you have to tell me?”
“Just that Penny got Bobby Dormer to lie for her, but I’m guessing you already figured that out. Despite her lies, I truly believe Penny’s innocent.”
Marquez opened the driver’s door of her car and regarded me over the roof. “I’m afraid I need evidence, not opinions.” Her expression softened slightly, as if she wanted to lessen the sting of that statement. “If Ms. Blaine is innocent, that will come out in the end.” She climbed into the vehicle and shut the door.
Hoping she was right, I stood and watched as the detective drove away.
Chapter 17
Despite the chill of the wind biting at my face, I loved the familiar feel of zooming around the rink. I didn’t have the same freedom as when I skated without all the hockey gear, but I still enjoyed being on the ice. I missed skating. I hadn’t done enough of it since I’d given up competing in my late teens.
As I skated around, warming up, I scanned the small audience huddled on the benches that had been brushed free of snow. I spotted Shontelle sitting bundled up in her winter coat and scarf, a takeout cup from the Village Bean in hand. I waved at her, my excitement growing.
After my most recent encounter with Grayson, I was more determined than ever to play hard and give the brewery’s team a run for their money. I was always embarrassing myself in front of him. It was time to turn things around.
My teammates and I had all donned our ugly jerseys. While I’d noticed a few raised eyebrows, no one had made any comments about our uniforms. Not that I’d heard, anyway. To their credit, my teammates hadn’t raised any more complaints about the jerseys. Not even Joey.
Cordelia had yet to step on the ice. I figured she might need some encouragement after her collision with Zoe the day before, so I skated toward the bench at the side of the rink where she was sitting.
Before I could get there, Joey breezed up beside me.
“Hey, Sadie, have you ever been snowmobiling?”
The question took me by surprise. “No, I haven’t. Why?”
“I bought a snowmobile a couple weeks ago. I could take you out on it sometime.”
I stopped at the edge of the rink. I hadn’t expected the invitation and I wasn’t quite sure what to say.
Damien skated over to join us. “Ready to get down to business?”
“Definitely,” I said.
He held out a hand to Cordelia. “Let’s get you on the ice so you can warm up.”
Cordelia didn’t look too certain, but she took Damien’s offered hand.
As they skated off together, I noticed Grayson standing a few feet away with his teammates, shooting glances my way. Or was it Joey he was looking at?
I wasn’t sure and his expression wasn’t giving me any clues.
I shrugged it off as the referee blew his whistle to get our attention. I hadn’t answered Joey’s question yet, but he no longer seemed to be expecting a response.
Donning my helmet, I fastened its strap.
It was time for the game to begin.
* * *
The first period didn’t go as well as I would have liked.
I had high hopes in the beginning. Within the first few minutes of play, I got a breakaway and powered my way down the sheet of ice. I managed to keep control of the puck, but my shot was weak and easily deflected by Dennis, the goalie for the brewery’s team. I had another chance to shoot at the net when Mel sent a nice pass my way, but again my shot didn’t have much oomph behind it and Dennis barely had to work to stop it with his goalie pads.
Down at the other end of the rink, Bobby managed to stop several shots from Grayson and his teammates, but the puck got by him twice, leaving the Inkwell’s team down two-nothing by the time the first five-minute intermission rolled around. I shook off my frustration. We still had plenty of time to make a comeback.
“I wish I could do more,” Cordelia said morosely as I sat down on the bench beside her.
“You did just fine,” I told her before gulping down some water.
She’d only played two short shifts, but she’d managed not to crash into anyone.
She eyed the other team as they huddled around the bench next to ours. “I’m really glad there’s no body-checking in this tournament.”
“You and me both,” I said.
One hit from Jason and my skeleton probably wouldn’t stop rattling for a week.
I took another big drink of water before refastening my helmet. Damien tried to give me a few pointers on how to improve my shot, but the whistle blew, cutting his teaching session short.
When the second period got underway, things seemed more promising, for a short time, anyway. Damien, Mel, and Joey took the first shift and ended up with a great scoring chance. Unfortunately, they were defeated by Dennis.
After that, the brewery’s team took control of the play and scored a third goal. It felt like the game was slipping away from us, but I wasn’t about to give up and admit defeat.
I went out on the ice for my first shift of the second period with a renewed determination to score a goal. Teagan passed me the puck and I charged out of our zone. Grayson was defending his end, skating backward as I barreled toward him. When I darted to the right to get around him, he slipped and took half a second to regain his balance. By then I was past him. But once more, my shot wasn’t good enough to get the best of the brewery’s goalie.
I let out a growl of frustration as the whistle blew and Dennis tossed the puck to the referee. It wasn’t my failure to score that had me aggravated, though.
I skated up to Grayson before he could get off the ice.
“What was that?” I demanded.
“It looked like a good scoring chance to me,” he said.
“I’m talking about what you did before I had a chance to shoot.”
“What did I do?” he asked.
I wasn’t buying his innocent act. “You let me get right past you.”
“You outskated me,” he said. “That’s all there was to it.”
I poked him in the chest with the bulky fingers of my hockey glove. “You didn’t really lose your balance.”
“Guys!” Mel called from the face-off dot where everyone was waiting for us. “Come on.”
I glared at Grayson, waiting.
He relented beneath my fierce gaze. “Your team’s down three-nothing. I thought I’d be nice and give you a chance to score.”
I was tempted to pull his jersey up over his head. “I don’t want you to be nice!” I fumed. “If I get a goal, or even a chance to get one, I want to get it fair and square. Not because you let me.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Fair enough. From now on I won’t pull any punches.”
“Good,” I said before skating back down the rink to get ready for the face-off.
A couple of shifts later, things started looking up for the Inkwell team. Damien scored a beautiful goal and Mel scored another one barely two minutes later. For the first time in the game, our entire team was smiling.
“We’re only down by one now,” Cordelia said, far cheerier than she’d been earlier. “You can do this, guys!”
I nudged her in the arm as I sat next to her on the bench. “We can. We’re all part of the team.”
The next time I got on the ice, I didn’t get any shots on goal, but I managed to prevent the brewery’s team from testing our goalie a couple of times. As the
second period was drawing to a close, I skated backward into the Inkwell’s zone, Grayson charging toward me with the puck on his stick. I thought he was going to shoot at the net, but at the last second he passed the puck back to Jason, who circled around behind the goal.
By then, Mel had joined me down in our zone. I stood in front of the net, trying to block the shooting lane without getting in Bobby’s way. Max—the other brewery player on the ice—joined his teammates and they passed the puck around, waiting for a good chance to shoot it at the goal.
When Grayson sent the puck Jason’s way, I reached out with my stick and managed to intercept it. I grinned with triumph, ready to power down to the other end.
Before I’d gone two strides, I heard Cordelia yelp and then a semi smashed into me.
At least, that’s what I thought had happened as I lay on my back, dazed and unable to draw air into my lungs.
I gasped, on the verge of panicking.
I closed my eyes, aware of nothing but pain and my inability to breathe.
“Take some deep breaths, Sadie.”
I opened my eyes to find Grayson on his knees beside me.
“Relax. You’ll be fine. Deep breaths.”
I tried to do as he instructed. After what felt like forever, my lungs started working properly again. I drew in some much needed oxygen and then exhaled, focusing on nothing other than repeating that sequence over and over.
Damien was now kneeling on my other side, and I could see Mel and the rest of the players gathered around.
“You had the wind knocked out of you,” Grayson said. “Does anything hurt?”
The pain in my back and chest had subsided, so I tried to sit up. Both Grayson and Damien put a hand on my shoulder to keep me down.
“I’m okay,” I said. “Nothing hurts . . . too much.”
“Maybe we should call the medical guys over here,” Grayson said.
“Please don’t,” I said quickly, not wanting any fuss. “I’m okay. Really.”
This time when I tried to sit up, they helped me. With Grayson holding one arm and Damien the other, I got to my feet. They skated with me over to the bench, still keeping hold of my arms. I probably could have made it on my own, but I wasn’t feeling quite myself, so I appreciated having them there just in case.