I’ll have to ask Detective Thompson if he knows anything about him, she thought.
In any case, he definitely did not seem like a guy she would want to make enemies with—especially because of his size. Not to mention the dog. She shook her head.
“Wowzers. Never a dull moment around here lately.”
Chapter Seven
When Ashley arrived at her luncheon gig, the hostess, Katrina, was in a panic.
“I’m sorry, Ashley, but three more friends just let me know late last night that they were coming. I couldn’t say no to them, but does that throw off the food?” Katrina asked.
Ashley smiled weakly. “I’ll stretch it. And since it’s a girls’ luncheon, I think we’ll be okay. If it was a football team, probably not.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. People never RSVP anymore. At least not on time to plan things,” Katrina said.
Ashley nodded. “I know. My mom complains about that constantly. It’s one of the ‘lost courtesies,’ she says.”
Ashley tried to hide her emotions from her client, but she wasn’t happy about the situation. This was happening a lot lately. It was very frustrating because, in truth, she was very nervous about not having enough food for the additional people.
Running out of food was the worst thing to happen at a party. She would have to get creative today to fill three more plates.
Despite having that information thrown at her at the last minute, Ashley dug into her prep with abandon. She had a wonderful lunch planned and had to find a way not to get thrown off.
She layered the salad without dressing first. It was a wonderful mix of baby gem lettuce with endive, arugula, shaved pears, Roquefort cheese, and walnuts. Ashley had spritzed lemon on the pear so it wouldn’t darken and mixed a light champagne vinaigrette to drizzle on the salads just before serving them.
After putting it in the refrigerator to chill, she took out the boneless and seasoned chicken breasts that had been marinating for a day and sautéed them in olive oil until they were golden brown on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. She then set them on a platter to cool before she sliced them into strips to go on top of the salad.
Ashley set out small luncheon bread rolls and sweet butter. For dessert, she had her light lemon basil sorbet accompanied with thin, crispy almond cookies and would set out a small bowl of fruit as well.
The hostess had iced tea and a lovely Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre to complement the meal. All in all, it was a light, but tasty spread for the Ladies Who Lunch group who were watching their calories too.
Ashley smiled to herself. She was a butter-and-cream girl, but even she could appreciate having to cut back here and there. After all, good and healthy eating was all about balance.
“A balanced meal is a great glass of red wine in one hand and a rich chocolate soufflé in the other,” her friend Lara always said.
Ashley laughed. Between her boyfriend and family’s love of comfort foods and her own inclinations toward rich flavors, she was curvy, but that didn’t bother her in the least.
Sean loved her “goddess figure,” as he called it, and Ashley realized that she was exactly where she needed to be physically. Besides, she could taste her own food while cooking and enjoy all her mother’s comfort classics without stressing over looking like the size-zero models in magazines.
The hostess, Katrina, walked into the kitchen with a big smile on her face.
“Well, one person just canceled, so we are now at a perfect dozen. Is everything okay with the food?” she asked.
“Fine. I’ve got it covered. And I’m ready to go whenever you are,” Ashley replied.
“Perfect. The table is set, and the ladies should be arriving soon.”
Just then, the doorbell rang, and Katrina hurried out.
Ashley heard laughter and chatter as the women came in and caught up with one another. As she peeked out of the kitchen before the luncheon started, she noticed the women were of varying ages. They all looked lovely in their casual chic outfits for the afternoon.
Ashley sighed.
She noticed the ladies’ handbags and shoes were beautiful. In addition, their other accessories, such as scarves and jewelry, were just the right balance. That was one thing Ashley could never tie in together. Even if she got the outfit right, she was always stumped trying to pick out the right shoes and handbags to match.
The women here were in perfect sync with one another in what they were wearing. Had they all talked to each other in the morning about it before they got dressed? Katrina was a real estate broker, and perhaps some of the other women were as well. Then again, they could have been in other businesses, too. Maybe a few of them were pampered housewives—or even retired. Either way, they all looked great.
Ashley abruptly put down the third roll smeared with butter that she was about to munch on.
I need a burgundy bag like that one woman has, she thought.
Ashley went back to her prep, dreaming of looking chic.
Just then, the kitchen door swung open. A middle-aged woman walked in wearing an impeccable suit while carrying the great burgundy bag that Ashley had admired. The woman’s brunette hair was glossy and perfectly coiffed. She gave Ashley a faint smile.
“Have you got some ginger and honey in here? I can grate some in boiling water and drink it. My stomach is acting up, and I do want to enjoy lunch,” the woman said.
“I’m sure Katrina would have that. Let me take a look, and if I don’t find it, I’ll ask her. And I’ll fix you the tea and bring it to you,” Ashley replied.
“Oh, thank you, that would be great.” The woman extended her hand. “I’m Caitlin Harding.”
Ashley froze a brief moment before extending her hand back. She had memorized that name from the newspaper articles about the murder years ago in Comfortville. Caitlin Harding had been Robert Anderson’s mistress and had testified at his trial in the death of his wife. And now here she was, standing in a client’s kitchen.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ashley.”
“I’ll see you out there. Thank you again,” Caitlin said as she left the kitchen.
Ashley stood rooted to the spot. She felt her breath catch. Her mind raced back to the articles she had read. One particular sentence stood out that Caitlin had uttered on the witness stand—I don’t feel safe around him anymore.
Then Ashley remembered what her mom had said. That Caitlin had played the victim very well. In truth, she might have just shaken hands with Melissa Anderson’s murderer.
Katrina entered the kitchen and stood in the doorway. “Ashley, are we ready for lunch? The ladies are all seated.” A few moments passed. “Ashley?”
Ashley pulled her head out of the clouds. “Oh, yes. Sorry. I’ll get it out there right now.”
Chapter Eight
Ashley moved quickly, preparing the salads. She carefully laid the grilled chicken on top of the mixed greens and drizzled the champagne vinaigrette over each one. Katrina’s housekeeper went to fill the glasses with iced tea and set out the bread. Together, they took out two plates at a time, and Ashley could hear the admiring murmurs as the ladies looked at their lunch.
The rolls were passed, and soon everyone was eating and drinking their wine and chatting away. Each time Ashley walked around the table, she stole a quick glance at Caitlin Harding. There was no inkling that she had gone through a traumatic event so many years ago. She chatted and laughed amiably with the other women.
Katrina’s housekeeper brought in the empty teacup. It appeared that the ginger-and-honey brew had made Caitlin feel better, after all.
As soon as the guests finished lunch, Ashley and the housekeeper cleared the dishes and served the lemon basil sorbet and cookies and fruit. The ladies put in requests for tea or coffee and continued their happy conversation. Ashley packed up her containers while the housekeeper cleaned the kitchen.
Katrina walked in and gave Ashley a big smile. “Thank you so much. The food was delicious, and everyone see
ms to be having a great time.”
Katrina paid Ashley and asked her about doing another event.
“I was thinking of having a holiday tea,” Katrina said. “Not quite sure of the day yet as we have lots of time. Can I get back to you?”
Ashley smiled. “Of course.”
A satisfied client meant ongoing work and referrals, and Ashley really depended on that, especially in these small towns.
“One of my friends mentioned she’d love to have you do her holiday party too,” Katrina added.
“Oh, that would be nice,” Ashley responded.
“Her name is Caitlin Harding, and here is her number. You met her when she came into the kitchen for the ginger tea. Be sure to give her a call. Bye, and thanks again.”
Katrina waved as she went back to join her guests.
Ashley stared at the phone number. If she did Caitlin’s party, she might be able to get some clues as to what happened long ago. Ashley had a feeling Caitlin knew more than she had revealed at the trial. Why else would she have stated that she didn’t feel safe with Robert Anderson?
I’m being completely crazy, she thought to herself as she walked to her car. This case is closed, and there’s no need to dredge up ghosts.
Yet Ashley was sure that the parents of Melissa Anderson would want justice and closure for their daughter’s death. She also felt that Robert Anderson had gotten off because he was a rich and powerful man. Perhaps the time had come to reexamine the case, and perhaps she was the one to set the gears in motion.
She recited out loud a quote from Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. “The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept.”
In Ashley’s mind, it was time to call Detective Thompson and fill him in on who she spotted at the luncheon. She also planned to ask if the detective knew about a big guy named Josh who she had seen out arresting a man earlier.
And people always thought small towns were peaceful.
Chapter Nine
“Hi, Detective Thompson, please,” Ashley said.
A gruff male voice answered, “One moment.”
Ashley waited on hold for a long time.
Detective Nate Thompson finally picked up the phone.
“Thompson,” he barked.
Ashley was taken aback by the detective’s curt tone. “Whoa, sounds like you’ve had a rough day.”
The detective let out a sigh. “It sure has been.” He changed the subject. “What’s going on with you?”
“I was out walking my cat Charlie this morning, and a huge man with a monster-sized pit bull walked down my street, and we chatted for a brief moment. He seemed nice, and his dog was wagging his tail at us, but a short while later, I heard him arguing with a guy in the street. Then the next thing I know, I see him handcuffing a guy and putting him in the backseat of an unmarked car. Who is this guy?”
The detective’s tone didn’t soften. “Well Miss Nosy, he’s a private detective who’s recently arrived in town. His name is Josh Jackson. He’s investigating an old case. Anymore snoopy questions?”
Ashley felt a pit in her stomach. “What old case?”
“A twenty-five-year-old murder case that happened long before I got here. Since the case ran cold, it came up for review. My boss decided to reopen it and see if it can finally be solved. While I have been in the process of reviewing it, I have learned that some unknown party or parties decided to hire Jackson to get them some more information,” Thompson said.
“Unknown party?” Ashley asked. “Could it be the parents of the murdered woman?”
“I think so. I have to check with Jackson again to get all the details,” Thompson said.
Ashley mused out loud. “Funny how things are connected.”
“What things?” Thompson asked.
“Well, I just finished a catering job, and one of the guests was Caitlin Harding, the ex- mistress of Robert Anderson—who was the murder suspect from that case.”
“How do you know so much about that?” Thompson asked.
“I was cleaning out my parents’ attic and came across a box filled with old newspaper articles about the case. I remembered her name from the trial story. And then I met her at the luncheon. Crazy, huh?”
Nate sighed. “What can I say? Crazy follows you sometimes.”
“Thanks. I think,” Ashley said.
“Hey, how else to explain a cook masquerading as a sleuth?”
“I can’t sit around when I see suspicious stuff happen,” Ashley answered.
“Actually, you could. You just don’t want to,” Thompson groused.
“Hey, you’ve thanked me both times I helped out solving the last crimes.”
“Yes, I did. And I still appreciate it. But my hair is grayer and my shoulders are stooped from worrying about you. So don’t get involved with Detective Jackson, okay?”
“I can’t promise that, Nate,” she said.
“Ashley! I mean it. You don’t have any co-workers, family, or friends involved this time around, so please spare me any more stress. My hair can’t take it. I’m still a fairly young man, but you’re aging me. I’m getting twenty more gray hairs just talking about this.”
“What’s wrong with looking distinguished?” Ashley joked. “Thanks for the info. Gotta go.”
She heard him shout into the phone as she was hanging up, “Ashley!”
***
Ashley’s mind was made up. She had to find out what Detective Jackson was up to and learn more about this old murder case. Not to mention, still find time to cater her parties and have a life with Sean and her parents and friends.
Ashley headed back to her home to prep for the next catering gig two days from now. When she arrived back at her place, Charlie and Susie Q were asleep.
Good.
She could get out of coddling them for a change. Dusk was setting in, and soon, it would be dark. Time to get dinner going.
As she went through her checklist for the next party, she saw that Josh guy walking down her street out of her living room window.
Again? Why was he back hanging around here so soon?
Ashley bolted out of her apartment and ran up behind him. He whirled around, and at first, his pit bull growled. When Jake finally recognized her, he wagged his tail.
“Good guard dog,” she said.
“What are you doing here?” Josh asked.
He looked surprised and out of breath.
“Actually, I should ask you that since you live several neighborhoods over,” she said.
“I’m busy. Really important. Have to go.”
He took off at a clip down the street, his head swiveling left and right.
“Okay, Detective!” she shouted.
Josh stopped in his tracks briefly and turned around and stared at her quizzically. At the same time, he had no time to explain himself. Instead, he took off again.
Ashley didn’t go after him. She would catch up to him later. Then they could have the talk about him being a detective and being in town to investigate the old murder.
As Josh rounded the corner at the end of the street, a car peeled out and took off at a high speed, and Josh ran in its direction.
A man leaned out the window and fired a shot at Josh.
Oh no!
This was too real. And it was happening in her quiet neighborhood.
Ashley turned and ran off toward the side of a house and quickly dialed 9-1-1.
“Quick! Mercer Street. At the corner of Oak. A man in a car fired a shot out the window at another man. Please hurry!” Ashley said into the phone.
Ashley then whirled around and crept out from behind a shrub and gazed down the street to see if Josh was okay. Surprisingly, she didn’t see him or his dog.
She immediately wondered where he had gone.
It was eerily silent for a moment.
A few moments later, she heard the squeals of sirens coming closer, followed by the sound of a few of the neighbors shouting. Ashley hoped everyone was still behind closed
doors.
Chapter Ten
In minutes, the street was full of patrol cars, and cops were flying out of their cars and advancing with their guns drawn. It was shocking. Her peaceful neighborhood looked like an action movie was being filmed in it. Except it was terrifyingly real.
A cop saw her and yelled, “Get back inside, ma’am.”
Ashley started to mumble that she wanted to make sure the man who was shot was okay.
“Get inside now!” the cop retorted.
Ashley hurried back to her apartment.
Whatever happened to Josh would be revealed soon.
As soon as she got inside, Ashley dialed Detective Thompson. Unfortunately, she got voice mail.
“Nate, this is Ashley. That Detective Josh you told me about was walking down my street again and just got shot at by someone in a car. Please call me back soon.”
***
A few hours passed with no word from Detective Thompson. He obviously got a call from dispatch about what happened and had a lot on his shoulders trying to sort out this whole mess.
That evening, the nightly TV news was airing a story about the shooting when Ashley’s parents called her.
April Crane didn’t hesitate to express her concern the minute Ashley picked up the phone.
“Ashley, are you okay?” her mother asked.
“I’m fine, Mom,” Ashley replied.
She didn’t dare tell them that she had been on the street when it happened. Her father’s heart couldn’t take it.
Her father grabbed the phone and sounded rattled. “Please come here and stay with us tonight.”
“That’s okay, Dad. Sean’s on his way home, and there are more cops here than you can shake a stick at.”
“Okay, but check in with us later,” he said.
She hated that they were worried about her.
Just then, Sean came bursting in through the door.
Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery Boxed Set Page 37