by Lynn Cahoon
“I’m beginning to wonder if it’s all a fairy tale.” Seth shrugged. “Although looking at Sandra, I’m not sure the baker was Greyson’s type.”
“Sometimes men like variety, but yeah, I’m beginning to wonder if the gossip was just for show. From what I read about him, the guy did like the bachelor chef image.” Cat opened the kitchen door and was surprised that Shauna wasn’t hanging around. “I wonder if she went out to talk to Snow and the kittens.”
“I can check if you’re worried.” Seth put a hand on the doorknob.
“Don’t you have a game to watch tonight?” Cat shook her head. “Let her be. Just because I’m a mother hen about her lately doesn’t mean you have to be.”
“Okay then, you don’t have to tell me twice.” He grabbed a package of microwave popcorn out of the cupboard. “If you want to join me after you meet with the writers, I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
“I’m thinking I’ll draw a hot bath and get some reading done.” She smiled. “Go, team.”
He called after her, “You don’t even know what team I’m rooting for.”
And that was the way she liked it, she thought as she made her way to the living room. She heard talking in the dining room, so she turned right and found the group filling plates with after dinner treats.
“You know I’m going to have to go on a diet as soon as I go home.” Anne smiled at her. “I bet I’ve gained ten pounds this week.”
“I’m going to have to give up sugar, again. Detox, here I come.” Colleen took a bite of a brownie. “But it’s been worth it.”
“The college food service isn’t even half this good.” Molly held a cookie under her nose. “I might just have to come begging for treats during finals week.”
“At least you’re within walking distance.” Colleen shook her head. “Maybe I have some extra miles I can use to come to the retreat and sneak food home every month.”
“Okay, so you all like the food. Grab your plates and something to drink and let’s go talk about the rest of the retreat. I’d like to know how you all did with word counts and other projects.” Cat put two brownies on her plate and filled a cup with coffee. She promised herself it would be her last cup, but she knew she’d probably break that promise, especially if the session went long into the night. But it was worth it. Having these debriefing sessions gave her ideas on how to adjust the next session. What worked, what didn’t.
Cat had left a notebook in the living room and she opened it up to an empty page when she got settled. Then she curled her feet up underneath herself and waited for the group to quiet down. “So let’s start at the beginning. What did you want to get out of the retreat?”
Three hours later, and two more cups of coffee and a couple of cookies, Cat felt drained. Her notebook was filled with comments and good ideas, but even better, she could see the satisfaction on the faces of her guests. Molly had been quiet this retreat, but when Cat pressed her, the Covington student listed off a ton of things she’d learned and completed.
Cat was cleaning up the living room, setting the cups and plates on a tray, when she heard someone at the door. She turned to find Bren standing, watching her work.
“You scared me. I thought I was alone here.” Cat glanced around the empty room. “Did you leave something?”
“Actually, no. I was just wondering if I could ask you something.” Bren came in the room, and as she walked toward Cat, she picked up an abandoned plate and cup. She sat it on the tray, then sat down on the couch.
Cat sat too, wondering what the woman wanted to talk about but knowing it wouldn’t be a quick, yes or no question. “Sure. Is this about writing?”
Bren shook her head. “I guess what’s on my mind is a more general life question. You were married before.”
“I was married for five years. Michael was a professor at Covington, and when I graduated, they offered me a position too. Probably because they didn’t want to lose Michael.” Cat leaned into the chair and the memories. They had been happy, once upon a time.
“Do you think people ever change? I mean really change?” Bren pushed on without letting Cat answer. “Can you ever look at someone the same way again once you’ve seen their dark side?”
The question hung in the air as Cat considered the feeling of betrayal she’d felt after she and Michael divorced. Even now, with knowing the rest of the story, the betrayal still covered over the love. Could she have gone back after the reason for the divorce had been revealed? Probably not. And that was what Bren needed to hear.
“When my husband and I divorced, I was furious. I was hurt. And if he’d called me and apologized and explained, I couldn’t go back. I think that kind of a relationship has a sacred bond. The two of you are building a life together. Each person needs to protect that bond because it’s fragile and it can break.” She picked up her cup and took a sip of the now cold coffee. Watching Bren, she noticed the woman wasn’t wearing the rock she’d had on her left hand when she’d arrived in Aspen Hills.
“I think he’s just saying the right things now because he knows I’m leaving. He thinks he can make what he did disappear.” Bren shook her head. “I’m surprised I got any writing done at all this week with all the drama going on in my life. I’m really not this way normally.”
“Don’t apologize for emotions. We all have them, and sometimes getting some distance gives you the clarity to remember who you are. Just keep that idea in your head. Who are you, and more importantly, who do you want to be? I don’t know you or your boyfriend well enough to make judgments, but you do. Trust your instincts. I think you know what you need to do.”
Bren glanced at her watch. “Thanks. I do know, but sometimes change is hard.”
“And a little scary.” Cat finished off the cold coffee. “I moved from Aspen Hills to California and then back home. I gave up two professor positions and became a full-time author with this side hustle. And I’ve never been happier.”
Now Bren did smile. “So there’s life on the other side of pain?”
“There’s always life.” Cat stood and picked up the tray. “If we’re talking longer, I have to grab more coffee.”
“Nah, I’m good. But I think I’m going to sit down here and journal for a while, if you don’t mind. I feel the need for some dreaming.” Bren held up a leather-bound journal she’d had sitting next to her. “My new adventure awaits and I need to get planning for it.”
As Cat put the dishes in the dishwasher, she thought about the hopes and dreams that the house had given a lot of the writers who had made their way through the retreat. The week here changed people’s lives. Maybe not to the extent it had Bren’s, but the writers got stronger. More focused. Maybe she could use that in the marketing somehow. Warm Springs Writers’ Retreat, where dreams become reality?
Chapter Twenty-One
Saturday morning was always filled with activity and a bit of melancholy for Cat as she knew the house would feel empty as soon as Seth left tomorrow to take the writers to the airport. Worse, tomorrow it would be empty as Shauna was taking off as well. As Cat dressed for her day, she realized this was the first time she would be alone in the house since she’d moved back from California. Even when she’d been married to Michael, she hadn’t spent more than a few nights alone when he’d gone off to economics conferences. She’d been invited, but she’d spent enough time with his professor friends to know that she’d be bored out of her skull. Even the thought of having time to read hadn’t drawn her out of the house.
She glanced around her bedroom. This had been their bedroom when she’d been married too, but now she had her own queen-size bed in the room, which was decorated the way she wanted. And she had the closet all to herself. Which would change if Seth asked her to marry him. Or they decided to move in together. She brushed a wrinkle out of the comforter. No use worrying about what hadn’t happened yet.
When she came into the kitchen, Shauna was already up and baking. The cinnamon smell filled the room and made Cat
’s mouth water. “Good morning. I didn’t think you’d be baking this morning. Don’t you have enough food to get through the last couple of days?”
“Maybe, but then you won’t have food for the week I’m gone. Make sure you put anything you need on the shopping list this morning because I’m going to the store right after lunch.” Shauna sat a plate with two slices of French toast and bacon in front of Cat.
“You do realize I know how to cook. And I even know where the store is.” Cat poured maple syrup over the toast. “And if I don’t, we have these things called restaurants where I can go eat and just pay them for the meal.”
“Funny girl.” Shauna sat her own plate down and grabbed the syrup. “I just want to make sure you have food. Is that a crime?”
“Sorry, you’re a good friend. And I appreciate your concern. I just don’t want you to run yourself ragged taking care of me when we still have a retreat in session.” Cat glanced around. “Have you seen Seth this morning?”
“He’s already out and working at the barn. I love the design we made for the herb garden. I should be able to do some puttering next week when I get back. That and I’m taking Snow out for a long trail ride before the snow falls.” Shauna pointed a slice of bacon at her. “We probably only have one more month of autumn. You want to make good use of it.”
“Maybe Seth and I will go hiking one day next week.” Cat bit into the bacon and almost choked when the back door flew open.
Nate Hearst stood in the kitchen and looked around, wildly. When his gaze fell on Cat, he moved toward her. “Cat, I really need to talk to your uncle. Where is he?”
Cat stared at the man. He looked crazed. “At the police station?”
“They said he was coming here. Are you sure he’s not here?” Nate looked around the kitchen like his attention would find Uncle Pete playing hide and seek from him. “Maybe he’s in the other part of the house.”
Shauna held up a hand, stopping Nate from barreling into the hallway. “Look, we said Pete’s not here. This is our home, not an open community hall. Calm down and have a cup of coffee and tell us what’s going on.”
At that, Nate shook his head and sank into a chair. “Sorry, I’m a little upset. I’ve gotten three calls this morning from the guys I play pool with down at Bernie’s. Dee Dee’s been saying we’re a couple and I probably killed Greyson because I was jealous of the attention he paid her.”
“Were you a couple?” Cat set a cup of coffee in front of Nate.
He shook his head violently. “No. I mean, yeah, there were a couple nights where we went to her place after closing down the bar, but that’s not a relationship, right?”
Shauna shrugged. “I guess it depends on your definition.”
The kitchen door opened. Seth and Uncle Pete came into the room. Nate stood up so fast he spilled his coffee. He grabbed a couple of napkins off the table and sopped up the liquid. “Chief, I really need to talk to you.”
“I guess so since you tracked me down.” Uncle Pete gave Cat a kiss on the head. “Do you mind if we use your study? Nate and I have some things to clarify since his last interview.”
“There’s nothing to clarify . . .” Nate started, but stopped when Uncle Pete held up a hand.
He poured a cup of coffee. “Bring your cup and follow me. We need to talk and there’s nothing to be gained in airing dirty laundry with an audience.”
Nate picked up his cup and followed Uncle Pete out of the kitchen.
Cat turned and looked at Seth, who was pouring his own coffee. “Uncle Pete doesn’t think Nate has anything to do with Greyson’s death, does he?”
Seth didn’t answer until he sat at the table. “I don’t think so, but he’s kind of ticked that Nate didn’t mention this when he interviewed him a few days ago.”
Cat and Shauna stared at him.
“What? Katie called Pete when he was in the barn talking to me about the new garden spot. I think he wants a section next year to raise some tomatoes.” Seth sipped his coffee. “Pete says gardening decreases his stress level. I guess he used to garden with your aunt.”
“They had a huge garden, but he hasn’t done anything like that for years.” Cat stared at the door, wondering what was going on with her uncle.
“I think he’s worried if he does his own, he’ll be too busy to water at times. This way, he has all of us to make sure the plants don’t die.” Seth glanced at his watch. “So today’s schedule, all you need me for is Driving Miss Latimer to dinner and back, right?”
“We need to leave about five. We have five thirty reservations.” Cat finished her French toast. “Shauna, you’re coming with us, right?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss Saturday closing dinner for anything.” She stood and took her plate to the sink. “But I do need to get packing. I’ll strip the beds when I get back next week so just pull out the trash in the guest rooms and close the doors. I’ll take care of the rest.”
Seth sipped his coffee as Shauna disappeared out of the kitchen. “I get the feeling she thinks we can’t survive without her for a week. She offered to pick up groceries for my apartment this afternoon.”
“I think I’ll have enough food over here for the two of us plus an army. You might as well plan on eating dinner with me. If we don’t eat what she makes up, she might think I starved myself.” Cat stared at the door where Shauna had disappeared. “I guess she really needs this trip.”
“Well, I’ll be upstairs. I’ve got some work to do to get ready for next week. I’m doing a bid for our friend Sandra. She wasn’t kidding when she said she wanted to throw some work my way. I guess networking is the way to get business.” Seth walked around the table and, after filling up a carafe, kissed her. “I’m looking forward to next week. I might just take a day to play hooky with you.”
Cat refilled her cup, then went over to where she’d left her tote bag and pulled out her notebook. She wrote down the notes from her talk with Jessica. The comment from Mrs. Rice. And now the connection between Nate and Dee Dee.
As she looked at the wheel she’d made with Greyson in the middle, one name kept coming up. Dee Dee. Except the baker had an alibi for the time of Greyson’s death. And really, every time she looked at motive, Dee Dee being the killer just didn’t make sense. There had to be another answer. She just wasn’t seeing it.
By the time Nate and Uncle Pete came back into the kitchen, Cat had read through her entire clues notebook and rewrote the unanswered questions. Maybe she’d just go over to the bakery later today and see if she could get some answers.
Nate stormed out of the house without even glancing Cat’s way.
“I guess the talk didn’t go like he’d planned?” Cat nodded to his cup. “Do you need a refill?”
“I don’t have a lot of time, but I’m going to take a break anyway.” He refilled his cup before he sat down. “I have to admit, I’m not feeling like I’m making any headway on the Finn case. Nate’s been keeping it interesting, but I know that kid couldn’t kill someone, especially over a woman. He’s a player. He likes his freedom way too much to be tied down.”
“Dee Dee seems to think they’re a couple. I’ve heard that from several people.” Cat sipped her own coffee and watched her uncle’s response.
“You need to keep your nose out of my investigation. I do have to say I’m happy to not run into your writers every time I turn around. What, does this group write romance or something?”
“No, they’re mystery authors, but they are more interested in the community rather than the details of the crime. The murder came up several times, but mostly in a discussion on different ways to kill someone. I’m surprised no one has stopped by the station to talk to you.”
“I’ve been out most of the week, but I would have heard if they had. You should send them to Shirley if they have procedure questions. She loves talking about all that writer stuff.”
Cat thought about the notes she’d made about the case just before her uncle arrived. “Is there any way tha
t Dee Dee could have done this? I can’t see Jessica killing anyone and Sandra doesn’t seem the type.”
“Actually, I’m going into Denver to reinterview the girlfriend this afternoon. Some of her original statements about where she was haven’t panned out.” Uncle Pete looked at his watch.
“You can’t think it’s Sandra, she’s . . .” Cat tried to figure out why she was so convinced that Sandra was innocent, but unless her alibi held up, she didn’t have much to go on. “She just doesn’t seem like the type.”
“But Dee Dee does? Are you sure your conflict with the woman over the health department calls isn’t clouding your judgment?” He stared at her, challenging her statement with his gaze. He used to do the same thing when she had complained about a teacher being unfair. Or a bad day at school.
“It’s not that I don’t like her. I admit, I don’t, but she’s so temperamental. I hear stories about her anger issues all the time. It feels like something she could do.” Cat smiled as she grabbed a cookie. “It’s a good thing I’m not in your shoes. I’d have a lot of innocent people in my jail because of a feeling.”
“Going with your gut isn’t a bad thing, but you have to have more evidence than just a feeling. And right now, the best lead I have is taking me to Denver to talk to Sandra.” He finished off his coffee and stood. “Are you going to the Mexican place down the highway for dinner tonight?”
Cat thought her life might just be too routine. But darn it, she liked the place and so had the guests she’d taken there. “Guilty as charged. It has great food.”
“And strong margaritas.” He kissed her on the top of the head. “I’d worry about you but I know Seth is playing designated driver this evening.”
“He’s being paid to do the driving—don’t let him make you feel sorry for him.” Cat followed him to the doorway. “Hey, Mrs. Rice said something funny yesterday. She said that Greyson and Dee Dee were seeing each other. Do you think that’s true?”
“Your neighbor needs to check her sources on her gossip. I haven’t heard one peep about that and I’ve been knee deep in Greyson’s life. I know his routine as well as he did when he was alive, and Dee Dee wasn’t a part of the guy’s life.”