“I suspect they actually tried to kill him. This will be a matter for the police. I suggest you contact them immediately. I have to do a report as well for them. As soon as I have a better understanding of what we’re dealing with here, I will let you know. I’m very sorry,” the doctor said.
The doctor hurried back into the emergency room.
After he left, Sandy broke down in audible sobs. April and Burt held onto her. Burt then gave Ashley a helpless look.
“Do you remember seeing anyone there, Ash?” her father asked.
“No, there was no one around…”
Ashley stopped midsentence. What about the red-haired man at the country store? He could have just come from George and Sandy’s house. He must be the guy who had been at her apartment late at night when her cat had been abducted. And he probably was the one who had harmed her uncle.
When he had spotted Ashley at the store, he got out of there quickly.
Suddenly, Ashley knew exactly what she needed to do. It was time to talk to Nate Thompson. Josh Jackson, too.
“I have to go see the detective,” Ashley said. “It’s urgent. The police need to be on this immediately. I’m sure they’ll need to speak to all of you, too, so be available. Dad, you give them a call now and let them know what the doctor said. I’ll see you later.”
“Be careful, dear,” April replied.
“I will. And you, too. Take Aunt Sandy home with you. She can’t be alone up there,” Ashley said.
***
Ashley ran out of the hospital and wasted no time calling the detective from her car.
“Nate Thompson, please,” Ashley said. “It’s urgent.”
The receptionist transferred her call quickly.
Nate answered with a gruff tone. “Thompson here.”
“Nate. I need to talk to you. It’s urgent. Someone tried to kill my uncle. Can I come over?”
“I just heard about it from the hospital. What time do you plan to come? I’ve got a lot going on,” he said abruptly.
It was jarring how distant he seemed to be these days.
“As soon as you can see me,” she said.
“In an hour. Bring something to eat. Like some of Sean’s pastries. I need sugar.”
For a man like Thompson to admit he needed sugar was a big deal. He was always so concerned about staying fit. Ashley saw it as a good thing, considering what she was going to tell him.
“Pastries coming at you,” she said.
Thompson had already hung up the phone.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ashley drove to Sean’s bakery and found herself in the middle of a mob scene. A tour bus had unloaded in front, and the place was jammed with tourists wanting a taste of local baked goods. The line to the pastry case was too long for her to stand there and wait.
She ran around the back of the counter and found Sean in the kitchen. He was taking out a huge tray of apple tarts from the oven. She enveloped him in a tight bear hug.
Sean smiled. “Whoa! I miss you too.”
He noticed the tears in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Ashley shook her head. “No. I went to see my uncle George, and he was lying in the backyard, barely conscious. I thought he had a stroke or heart attack and called 9-1-1. It turns out after the doctors examined him, they determined he had been bludgeoned on the head and possibly left for dead.”
“No way! How’s he doing?”
“Not good. They said he will be in the hospital for a while. My parents and my aunt are really upset.” Ashley exhaled. “I’m sure it has to do with the cold case being reopened. First our apartment, now this. I’m going to see Thompson now. He asked for some of your pastries. I need him on my good side after all that’s happened.”
Sean began boxing up the treats. “Here, take some of these fresh apple tarts. He also loves the buttermilk donuts. You should take some of those, too.”
“Thanks. Love you,” Ashley said.
“Love you, too.”
Ashley ran out the back kitchen door to avoid the crush of people in front.
“Stay safe, Ash,” Sean said.
***
As soon as Ashley got to her car, her cell phone rang. It was her good friend Lara.
“Hey, stranger. Long time no see,” Lara said.
Ashley agreed. “I know. It’s crazy. There is so much going on. Unfortunately, I can’t talk now, but are you free tonight for a call?”
“Tonight it is. After eight,” Lara said. “But first, I have to ask—are you okay?”
“Not really, but I can’t explain now. We’ll talk tonight,” Ashley replied.
“Okay,” Lara said. “But I have to tell you that a guy was at the hardware store today, asking for you. I’ve never seen him before.”
“For me? What’s his name? What does he look like?”
“I don’t know his name. He was talking to the owner. I was just in there to get some nails and screws and overheard him asking about you. He’s average height, slim, reddish hair.”
Ashley couldn’t believe it. She would have to talk to the owner and see if she could get more info. Her silence made Lara more concerned.
“Everything okay?” Lara asked again.
“I don’t know, Lara. There’s lots to talk about. We’ll catch up tonight.”
“Stay safe,” her friend said.
Lara was used to Ashley and her adventures by now. During all that time, Lara never stopped worrying. Ashley was so grateful that she had a friend like that.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ashley ended up pulling into the police station a little early and decided to sit in her car and wait until it was time to see Thompson. She looked at the box of apple tarts and donuts and realized she hadn’t grabbed something for herself.
She opened the box of donuts, took two, and munched on them with satisfaction. Sean sure could whip up delicious things. Neither one of them would ever be skinny in their professions. She smiled ruefully to herself at the thought. Then again, so what? The donuts tasted great and provided her with comfort.
Watching the parade of cop cars coming and going, she thought about the changing world of her small town. Even though it had been a tranquil place to grow up, it still had problems, and as the world grew, so did the problems. It was still a far cry from a big city, but she frowned as she thought of the recent murder cases she had helped solve. Not to mention this old one that was coming to light again.
Her attention was suddenly drawn elsewhere as she saw a car pull up. Caitlin Harding got out of the car and walked toward the station.
What was she doing here?
Were the police just getting around to questioning her like Detective Jackson had said? Ashley watched Caitlin go into the building and couldn’t help but notice her clothes were a bit too revealing for a woman her age.
Caitlin had been dressed beautifully in a fashionable outfit at the luncheon a few days prior. Then again, there had been no men at that luncheon. Now Caitlin was wearing a deep décolleté and short skirt. She also seemed very flirty with the cop who was holding the door for her as she walked in. It was if she was acting like the young mistress of Robert Anderson all over again, only years later.
How pathetic, Ashley thought.
Even though Detective Jackson had told Ashley that the police felt Caitlin was in the clear, Ashley had no clue if Caitlin was guilty or innocent of murdering Melissa Anderson, nor if Caitlin had been an accomplice to the crime. What Ashley did have was a nagging feeling that Caitlin knew more than she had revealed. Hopefully, the police would get some fresh information from her this time.
Suddenly, another car pulled in front of the station. Detective Jackson got out of the driver’s seat and opened the back door of the car. Another cop came around the side, and together, they pulled a man out of the backseat. The man’s head was bent, and his face was obscured, but Ashley could clearly see his red hair.
That must be him, she thought. Her tor
mentor and the man who had hurt her uncle!
Ashley jumped out of the car and started to approach them, but the police hustled the red-haired man into the station before Ashley could catch up.
She followed and started to shout at them, but the red-haired man was soon escorted in behind glass doors.
As Ashley kept walking, a cop stepped in front of her. “May I help you?”
“Uh, yes. I’m Ashley Crane,” she said. “Remember me? You are Deputy Romona, right?” Ashley hoped her small talk would endear her to the cop. “I’m here to see Detective Nate Thompson.”
The cop gave her a weary look. Of course she recognized Ashley. And the deputy didn’t look happy to see her again. “Hold on,” Romona replied. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Ashley sighed. “Thanks.”
***
A few moments later, Detective Thompson opened the door to his office and waved her in. Ashley entered his office with the two boxes of pastries and a big smile on her face.
He muttered, “Thank you.”
Thompson immediately started to chow down on the donuts. He didn’t smile back.
Ashley stood there quietly.
He finally looked up and scowled at her. “So I hear that not only have you not taken my orders to stay out of this, but your apartment was broken into, your cat was stolen, and your uncle is in the hospital after nearly getting killed. Are you happy now?”
Ashley tried to explain herself. “Look, I was going to report all that to you. I know what you said, but I have to do what I—”
Thompson cut her off. “No, you don’t. You just can’t stop meddling. And you put other people in danger.” Thompson shouted, “And what about you? Do you want to get hurt over this case? For what? Just because you can’t listen to reason?”
Ashley glared at him.
Thompson was a good detective and a good man, and they had worked well together before, but she couldn’t listen to any more of this.
“I had to get involved!” Ashley replied. “Maybe not at first, but definitely when I found out that my uncle had been initially blamed for the crime. And you know what? He would’ve been a target even without my meddling because he obviously knew too much and someone wanted him dead. He has been a target ever since this case was reopened. My search for answers had nothing to do with what happened to him. And despite what you say, I need to find out what’s going on because it involves my family. That means everyone I care about is affected.”
He put his hand up to calm her down then reached for another donut.
They were both quiet for a few moments while he ate.
Thompson then looked at her worried face.
“There’re two donuts missing,” he said.
“I ate them. You’re not the only one who needs sugar now,” Ashley said.
“Fair enough.” He reached for an apple tart.
“You should have a good cup of coffee with those. Not the brown water they serve here at the station,” she said.
“Let’s go get one,” he replied. “You can tell me your side of the story.”
He gave her a quick nod.
“Okay,” she said.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ashley gave Thompson a little smile, and they walked to his car. On the way to Sean’s bakery, she told him everything that had happened and what she had found out from her parents.
She also filled him in on finding her uncle and that she had seen a red-haired man in the country store before she had gotten to George’s place. And that her neighbor, Nancy, had seen a red-haired man hanging around her apartment building the night her cat was taken.
“Any word on your cat yet?” he asked.
Ashley shook her head. “No. I can’t bear the thought of her alone and scared. If she’s even still alive. But my friend Nancy senses that she’s still alive.”
“What do you mean ‘senses’?” Thompson asked.
“My neighbor seems to be able to predict things. It’s funny, she’s right a lot of the time.”
Thompson glanced at her and smirked. “Come on, Ashley. Do you really believe in that stuff?”
“It’s not stuff, Nate. You have to be open to it. And everything helps.”
“You know what would help? Letting me do my job. Not quoting a psychic.”
“Listen, she—” Ashley started to say.
Thompson quickly cut her off as he pulled into the bakery. “Let’s grab that coffee. I have to get back to work, and you have to have a look at that red-haired creep to see if he’s the one you saw. Then we will have his place searched and see if we can get your cat back to you safe and sound.”
After getting their coffees at the counter, Ashley looked around for Sean but couldn’t see him. She wanted him to come out and say hello to Nate to put him in a better mood.
“Sean went out on a catering delivery,” the barista at the counter said. “He should be back soon, though.”
“Thanks,” Ashley replied. She looked at the pastries in the case and noticed a coconut bar she hadn’t seen before. “That looks delicious. Sean didn’t tell me about that one. I should get one.”
Thompson leaned in. “Don’t you think we’ve had enough for one day? We both put a serious dent in those boxes you brought me.”
She sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go. I want to get a look at that guy.”
***
As soon as they got to the car, Ashley spied Detective Jackson and his dog in the bakery parking lot.
“Look, there’s Detective Jackson. Do you need to talk to him?” Ashley asked.
Thompson turned around and waved. Ashley did, too. Jackson gave them a quick wave.
“He was just at the station. He gets around fast. Are you two keeping in touch about all of this?” she asked.
“Of course. I’ll see him later. We have a lot to go over,” Thompson replied.
They headed out of the parking lot.
When they were back on the road, Ashley noticed an old, dark car pull in. It was similar to the car she had seen at the country store heading down the hill after she spied the red-haired man there.
“Wait a minute. I think I saw that car when my uncle was hurt,” Ashley said.
“Are you sure?” Thompson asked.
“Yes, I’m sure.” She became less certain. “I think. Slow down a minute so I can get a better look at it.”
Thompson pulled over as they drove out, and they both noticed a red-haired man get out of the car to talk to Jackson. They seemed to be in a heated exchange.
The man then got back into the car and pulled out abruptly, taking off in the other direction. Jackson, meanwhile, got on his phone and yelled into it then jumped in his car and took after the man. Thompson stared in his rearview mirror.
“What do you make of that?” Ashley asked.
“I don’t know. It’s weird. I’ll have to ask him at the station,” Thompson said.
“Maybe you’ve got the wrong redhead in custody,” Ashley suggested.
“Maybe. We’ll find out.”
Thompson’s jaw was tensing up, and he gripped the wheel tightly.
***
As soon as they got to the station, Ashley looked at the redheaded man that the police had in custody. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to positively ID him as the same man that she had seen at the country store.
“I told you, I barely got a glance at his face at the store. Only his hair. This is tough,” Ashley said.
“Anything look familiar besides the hair?” Thompson asked.
Ashley nodded. “Yeah. He’s about the same height and weight. But I’m confused because of that guy we just saw talking to Jackson.”
“Okay, we’re still checking up on this one. And we’re going to check out his apartment. I’ll get back to you later.”
“Bye. And thanks,” she said.
Ashley gave him another smile.
Thompson barely smiled back, but she could see that he didn’t seem as angry as he had been
before.
Ashley drove home with her thoughts in a tangle. Nothing seemed even halfway clear. Who was that redheaded guy in custody? Was he the one who went to her uncle’s house? Or had it been the redhead who pulled into the bakery and yelled at Jackson before peeling out? Also, what about Caitlin Harding? Had she revealed anything new?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
As soon as Ashley got home, Charlie was at the door, yowling for food. A lump rose in her throat as she thought about Susie Q again. She missed her little cat so much. Not to mention Charlie was in a terrible state, missing his buddy.
Ashley gave Charlie some food and petted him. She hoped that when the redhead’s place was searched, her cat would be found.
After Charlie finished eating, he started to bat at something under the cabinet. Ashley saw the tail end of one of Susie Q’s mouse toys under there. Charlie batted the furry toy out but continued to swipe at something else. It was farther back underneath the cabinet.
“What is it?” Ashley asked.
Charlie looked up at her and then pulled something out with his paw from under the cabinet. Ashley bent over and picked it up. It was a broken gold piece of a chain, with a small circle attached with the initial “R” on it.
It was in the same general area where she had found Susie’s collar and the chunks of fur the night she had been abducted. Her claws must’ve ripped off his chain when her captor was trying to grab her. Either he didn’t notice, or he didn’t have time to look for the broken piece before he ran out with Susie.
Now Ashley had another clue to give Thompson.
“Good job, Charlie,” Ashley said.
Her cat gave her a look as if to say, “Of course. I’ve got it covered.”
Ashley Crane Cozy Mystery Boxed Set Page 42