Murder and Mozzarella

by Carole Fowkes

  In fact, I pulled into the parking lot after a little more than five minutes. Mary Pantano spotted me and introduced herself. “I knew it was you from Lena’s description.”

  I just hoped she hadn’t told Mary about my big thighs. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Pantano.”

  That giggle again. “Oh, Mary’s fine.” She patted her graying hair.

  Once we reached my office, I offered her a seat and sat behind my desk. “I’ve heard a bit about your situation. But why don’t you tell me in your own words?”

  She frowned and her chin dimpled. “My father, may he rest in peace, never trusted banks. And he liked Spam. Anyway, he hid his money in empty Spam cans. Then a few months before he died he buried all five cans somewhere in the Rocky River Reservation part of the Metroparks. Promised he’d draw a map showing exactly where they were, but he died before he could do it. I need you to find those cans.”

  It was already late November and, in Cleveland, that meant it could snow at any time. The ground wasn’t frozen yet, but it soon would be, meaning this job would have to be done right away. Making it worse, the park ran through seven other cities and townships besides Rocky River. This could be a big, frigid fiasco. It was my turn to frown. Unfortunately, Aunt Lena was right. I needed the money and the business so had to take this case, even at the cost of putting it ahead of the Vanderson’s.

  Watching me carefully, Mary slid forward in her chair and clasped her hands together. “You’ll take the case. Won’t you?”

  I turned my negative expression into the best Girl Scout can-do look I could muster. “Of course. We should get started on it right away.” Actually, I wasn’t sure if I needed a license to dig in the park, or could perhaps do it like Mary’s father did—on the sly. I needed to check. It wouldn’t do to get arrested for illegal digging.

  She agreed to my fee, after first asking if I gave AARP discounts. I didn’t. Then she signed the contract and left me to determine my course of action.

  Ed answered my call right away. “Kiddo, I know you had to take this case, but, man!”

  “You know I had no choice. Could you find out if digging in Rocky River Reservation is allowed?”

  He snorted. “Naw. I already checked. It ain’t allowed.”

  So much for renting a metal detector. I slumped in my chair and moaned, “Great.” An idea came to me. Maybe not a great idea, but one nonetheless. “But I can walk a dog.”

  “Huh?”

  “I’ll explain when we meet. What time could you be at the Emerald Necklace Marina in the park?”

  He chuckled. “A little cold for a boat ride. It’s almost four, but the park doesn’t close until eleven tonight. I can be there in 45 minutes.”

  “Perfect. See you there.”

  That’d give me enough time to get to the grocery store for a can of Spam and then pick up Charlie. It was about time he pulled his weight in the business.

  As usual, Charlie’s tail wagged and his front paws rose up in the air as if he wanted to give me a high-five just for coming home. Taking him outside was also, for him, a great relief. But when I opened the can of Spam and he got a taste, I could have sworn he grinned. He even begged for more. A good sign. Then we headed to my car and the park. Charlie had a job to do.

  Chapter Eight

  Charlie practically leaped from the car upon seeing Ed, who was leaning against his vehicle, waiting for us. “Sorry, Ed. It took a little longer than I thought.” It was past five-thirty and the sun had dropped, as had the temperature.

  “No problemo.” He scratched Charlie behind the ears. “Why’s my four-legged boss here?”

  I attached Charlie to his leash and extricated the now-empty can of Spam from a plastic bag in my backpack. “He’s going to help us locate the buried cans.”

  “Got a better idea.” Ed reached inside his car and retrieved a collapsible shovel and then with a flourish pulled out his own metal detector. Running his hand down the length of it he announced, “Guaranteed for high accuracy in finding gold, jewelry, coins and relics.”

  A brief laugh escaped my lips. “We’ll see. Come on, Charlie.” My canine solution to finding the cans was more interested at that moment in Ed’s metal detector. I had to tug on his leash several times to draw him back to the empty can of Spam.

  Once I had his attention, I knelt next to him and gave him a whiff. He forgot the metal detector. “Charlie and I’ll go right. Ed, you go left. Be careful to not get caught with that thing. At least I have Charlie for a cover.”

  “It’s all good.” From his pocket he extracted a large piece of material which he shook out. It became a massive black cape and he wrapped it around himself and the detector. “What’dya think?”

  “Zorro would be proud to wear that.”

  We quickly agreed on the plan and a meeting time and we each went our way.

  It was getting darker and colder and we’d only been wandering around for 30 minutes. I shivered, wondering how many more times Charlie would decide to stop and sniff a pile of leaves.

  After another ten minutes, my hands were turning numb and I was about to call Ed and commiserate about our lack of success. Charlie suddenly tugged so hard on his leash I almost lost my balance. I struggled to keep up with him as he flew toward a tree stump.

  Praying he wasn’t just chasing a squirrel, I loosened my grip on the leash. Charlie began to dig while I took up the role of lookout, making sure there were no authorities in sight.

  Once ascertaining Charlie and I were alone, I pulled out a collapsible mini-shovel of my own and helped, stopping only once we hit metal. Or rather, a dented Spam can. The top of the can had been replaced and banded together with duct tape. One end of the duct tape had come undone, though, and I could glimpse a thick roll of bills inside wrapped in plastic. I quickly deposited the can in my backpack.

  After petting Charlie and murmuring, “Good boy,” I got ready to call Ed. But he beat me to it.

  “Hey kiddo. Found a can with a roll of dough. Guy must’ve been nuts to do this. Somebody should’ve told him about putting it under a mattress.”

  “We found a can too.” The excitement of success warmed me a bit. “Shall we go another hour?” I glanced around at the dark. “But let’s both stay on the phone.”

  Charlie snuffled and I glanced down. He was playing with something he’d just dug up. Shining my phone’s light on it, I realized it was a man’s brown slip-on shoe, covered in dirt and debris. Obviously some guy lost it during God-knows-what activity. Charlie bit down on it and shook it back and forth as if it were a live thing and refused to drop it from his mouth.

  Refusing to give up the filthy thing, my dog followed me on our way past the Smoky Memorial, which honors a Yorkshire terrier that aided WWII troops. My dog chose that moment to dart ahead on the path, shoe in mouth. He halted by a bush and dropped the shoe. For a moment I thought he just wanted to mark his territory. Instead he ran a bit further and started digging. I sprinted to join him at the site.

  “Ed! We found another one! Ed?” Our connection appeared to be lost for the moment so I laid the phone next to me. Out came my shovel and I began to dig. So deep was my concentration I failed to hear footsteps until it was too late.

  A flashlight shone on me. “Park Ranger. Lay down that shovel!”

  I dropped the digging tool like it was made of hot coals and straightened up. “Sorry, Mr. Ranger.” I winced. What do you call a ranger? “My dog pulled me off the path and started digging—”

  “So you decided to help him?”

  “No, well, yes.” I couldn’t tell him the truth. Digging was strictly prohibited. Any money I’d collect from this case would fly out the window paying for fines, not to mention any time in jail.

  “Well which is it?”

  I took a deep breath and swallowed my honesty. “My dog, Charlie, lost his favorite toy here this morning. He was so despondent, we had to come back and find it.” Charlie, as if on cue, lowered his head and whimpered softly. Lassie had nothing on hi
m.

  The ranger, who was tall and lean in that sexy kind of way and looked to be about forty, refocused the flashlight on me. “I could arrest you and you’d also be fined for digging in the park, but I’ll let you off with a warning.” He bent over to pet Charlie, who was doing his best to look adorable.

  I spotted what appeared to be the tip of the buried treasure’s label. I swallowed hard and placed my foot over it.

  The ranger rose and rubbed his chin. “I’ll tell you what. Describe the toy and if it turns up, I’ll notify you.”

  My voice got so small he had to lean in. “A Spam can.”

  “Say what?”

  “He’s very attached to a can of Spam.” I could feel my face burning.

  Expecting him to arrest me right there, the guy cleared his throat and responded, “Well, I could see how he would be. Okay, if we find it, it’s yours.”

  I lifted my foot and exclaimed with as much fake surprise as I could muster, “Oh! There it is!” With a tug, I was able to yank the can out. Luckily, this one was also covered with duct tape.

  The ranger’s brows knitted above his milk chocolate-colored eyes, and I was sure he was going to call my bluff. He merely shook his head. “Now, how about I escort you back to your car and out of the park?”

  My knees were so weak with relief it was difficult taking the first step, but I managed to pick up my phone. Just as I did, Charlie once again gripped the chewed-up shoe.

  The ranger’s brows knit. “Is that another one of your dog’s toys?”

  “No. He found it here and won’t let it go.”

  As if to prove my point, when the ranger crouched down to examine the shoe, Charlie let out an uncharacteristic low growl.”

  Way to go Charlie. I winced, hoping the ranger hadn’t changed his mind about letting us be on our way.

  The man stood. “Well, whoever lost that shoe wouldn’t want it back now. I guess it’s your dog’s.”

  I chuckled nervously. “Yeah. I guess we’ll be on our way now.”

  My only hope was that Ed had done better evading the authorities and that he wasn’t around when this particular ranger and I returned to the marina.

  True to his word, the ranger watched me take off and out of the park. I continued driving until I reached a nearby gas station where I stopped and called Ed.

  “I heard it all. You and Mr. Ranger.” He chuckled. “I found two more cans in my area. That makes five. Should satisfy the customer. Don’t ya think?”

  I could have kissed Ed. “I certainly hope so. I’ll call her tomorrow with the news. Thanks, Ed.”

  “Sure. See you in the morning then.”

  I scratched Charlie behind his ear. “Thank you too, Charlie.” At that point I realized he’d dropped the shoe somewhere. I blew out a breath of relief. My apartment wasn’t the neatest place, but that shoe certainly wouldn’t have been an improvement.

  Mary Pantano’s job now completed, I could get back to the real detective work. Rubbing my hands together to warm them, I headed home. Tomorrow I would once again aim to dig up dirt on Jennifer Nelson, possible paramour to John Vanderson. At least that dirt wouldn’t get under my fingernails.

  As so often happens, my plans didn’t mean anything.

  Chapter Nine

  Still feeling the chill, I snuggled up on my sofa with a hot cup of tea and a blanket. Charlie soon joined me. While I loved my pup and welcomed his company, he wasn’t exactly a dazzling conversationalist. Nor could we cuddle without his rolling over for a belly scratch.

  I missed Corrigan. Once again, he was AWOL because of the Vanderson case. It was a high profile crime and defendant, so the cops wanted to make sure they had every piece of evidence they could get for a conviction. Hence, my fiancé was working longer hours.

  My hand stopped mid-scratch and Charlie pawed it to resume. But my thoughts had turned to Corrigan’s partner, Abby and my angst about the woman caused my hands to curl into fists.

  I shook my head, hoping to shed that feeling. She’s his partner. Just his partner. But a part of my brain, the ‘you’re-full-of-it’ part, disagreed. How could any guy work all hours with a bombshell like Abby and be immune? Especially if that woman was willing? My insides jumbled. The only thing to do here was…eat some chocolate.

  I scrounged around the cupboard until I laid my hands on two Butterfingers and a peanut butter cup left over from Halloween. Not exactly gourmet, but they’d do. I’d just polished off the second Butterfinger when there was a knock at my door.

  “Claire, it’s me. Brian.”

  Using my fingers, I quickly wiped the corners of my mouth to brush off any errant candy droppings. Charlie was doing his ‘glad-to-see-you’ dance so I pushed him out of the way and opened the door.

  “Brian! I didn’t think I’d see you tonight.”

  Running his hand through his shaggy-looking hair, he gave me a crooked smile. “I didn’t like how we left things. I have eight hours off. Can I come in?”

  “Of course.” I was wondering if I had time to brush my teeth when he pulled me close and I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.

  “I love you, Claire. How can I convince you you’re the only woman I want?”

  “You’re doing a good job right now.” I was suddenly breathless.

  Corrigan studied me as if I was a prize-winning pie and he couldn’t wait to dig into my soft and yielding crust.

  Once our lips met my doubts about his relationship with Abby faded behind more urgent emotions.

  That delicious feeling wasn’t destined to linger. His phone rang and, by the way Corrigan’s spine straightened, I knew the call was from Abby. As he listened, he watched me from the corner of his eye.

  My hands, as if having a mind of their own, clasped and unclasped repeatedly wanting to grab the phone. I finally sat on them to stop myself.

  “Yeah. I’ll be there. Give me,” he wrapped his watch around his wrist. “Fifteen minutes.” He wore his official expression, the one that betrayed nothing. That ability to mask his feelings made him a great detective, but a frustrating fiancé.

  On the other hand, my face displays every emotion I’ve ever had. I’m more than an open book; I’m the audio component as well. Being aware of this I struggled to keep my voice even. “What did Abby want?” Unable to keep up the act, in my most accusatory tone, added, “Since the evening’s ruined, you at least owe me that.”

  He busied himself with straightening his collar. The silence was as thick and unwieldy as overly beaten meringue. “Okay. Maybe I do.”

  He put on his jacket. “A body was found in the Metroparks.”

  A prickly sensation started at the base of my neck. “Who was it?”

  “Collin Slater.”

  As soon as I found my voice, I asked, “When?” But my real question was, where had Trish been at the time of her fiancé’s death?

  “A park ranger just found him.” When Corrigan gave me a quick peck on the lips, I knew that was all I’d hear from him about the case.

  I had to try, though. “How did he die?” Collin’s body had to have been found somewhere in the Metroparks, but it’s not known as the Emerald Necklace for nothing. The park system runs through much of the Cleveland Metropolitan area. “At least tell me where exactly he was found.”

  He waved off my questions. “Sorry to kiss and run.” He paused. “Don’t follow me, Claire.” He was out the door before I could utter a snappy comeback.

  I had to find out where the body was and with any luck have the chance to grill the ranger who discovered the corpse. Maybe he or she witnessed enough to help me keep Trish from being a suspect in her fiancé’s murder.

  As soon as Corrigan disappeared, I grabbed my keys and did exactly what he told me not to do. My plan was to follow just far enough behind Corrigan so he wouldn’t see me. I had no intention of crossing the line and entering the crime scene, so maybe I’d be lucky. Maybe he’d let my snooping slide. Hey, maybe he’d even fill in some of the blanks. I grunted and und
er my breath said, “Yeah, and then we’ll ride away on a unicorn.”

  Chapter Ten

  The traffic light changed and Corrigan drove straight on Wooster Road into Rocky River Reservation. Even though it was almost eleven o’clock, this part of the Metroparks, was still open. It was pretty dark though. Making it even harder to see, I had to turn off my lights so Corrigan wouldn’t notice my car following his. Afraid I was going to crash into something, I pulled off the road a distance from where Corrigan parked and exited his car. A short distance away, there were floodlights and cops everywhere.

  A lump formed in my stomach. This wasn’t far from where Charlie and I’d been Spam hunting earlier. Had the killer been watching, waiting to dispose of the body after we left? I shivered. Stifling my fears, I crept from my car and crouched, running toward a thick tree.

  Congratulating myself on my ninja-like stealth, I hunkered down to watch the action when I heard a crunch of leaves and a bright light shone on both sides of my face.

  “Stand up and turn around.” It was Mr. Ranger and this time he was holding a gun.

  I popped up like a frozen waffle in a toaster.

  His jaw relaxed once he recognized me. “What are you doing back here? Surely you’re not looking for another Spam can.” From the side of his mouth, he added, “Funny how you were digging right around here tonight.”

  His gun-toting hand was bobbing around too much for my comfort. “I know it’s strange, but I really was looking for a Spam can earlier. Now I’m…I’m actually a private detective and the corpse just discovered was my client’s daughter’s fiancé. I can prove it.” Then it came, the sinking realization that I’d left my wallet at home. “Wait! I know the detective over there.”

  He shook his head. “I believed you once, but this time you’ll have to prove it. Come on.” He nudged me toward the crime scene.