Danger in Daffodil

by Pat Doyle

  “Thanks, Frankie. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me,” I smiled. I hoped he was telling the truth. He did seem like a nice man. I was still going to be careful, though. I was learning fast not to trust what people said.

  Just then another customer came in. Then I realized it wasn't a customer. It was Angela Cotton. She was probably here to see Frankie. I didn't think she had come in to work. I was the only customer, so I didn't think Frankie needed any help at the moment.

  “What are you doing here?” she yelled at me. “You're just butting in everywhere.”

  “Calm down, Angela. I just came here to talk to Frankie. And not about you. It's about something else,” I assured her.

  That didn't calm her down. “It's your fault my husband, Bob, is suspicious of me. He heard you were at my house asking questions, and now he won't leave me alone. He keeps asking me what it was all about. He is really mean when he gets angry.” She burst into tears and plopped into a seat next to Frankie.

  “Oh my God, I'm so sorry,” I said. “I didn't mean for that to happen.”

  “She didn't mean anything,” Frankie said as he put his arm around Angela protectively. “She's just trying to find out who killed David. She's trying to help.”

  Angela snuffled into his arm. “She needs to mind her own business.”

  That rang a bell with me. “Angela,” I asked. “Was it you who threw that brick through my window last night? Don't worry, I'm not mad... I just want to know. It really scared me. I was up all night, afraid of who might have done that and if they were going to hurt me.”

  “Yes, it was me,” she admitted. “I just wanted to scare you a little so you'd mind your own business. I guess I didn't think about just how much it would frighten you. I forgot there's a murderer on the loose. No wonder you were so scared. I'm sorry.”

  “It's okay, Angela. I'm just glad you did it and not the murderer. Now I can relax a little. Thanks for telling me it was you.” I patted her hand.

  She gave me a weak smile. “Please just try and leave me out of your investigations, okay?”

  “Sure, Angela, I will,” I answered. I really was so relieved that I would have promised anything. I didn't realize just how frightened I was until the scare was over. I was suddenly shaking with relief.

  “Frankie, could you just bring me an iced tea and let me sit here alone for a while? I just need some time to calm down, okay? You and Angela can go talk or whatever. I'll be fine by myself here.”

  “Of course,” Frankie said, and he brought the iced tea right away. Then he and Angela went into the kitchen behind the counter, and I saw them quietly talking.

  I sipped my iced tea while I thought everything over. Customers were starting to come in for their afternoon custard fix. Frankie waited on them while Angela slipped out the door. I just sat in my chair and tried to relax.

  That morning, I had googled Jane Winters and found her cell phone number. I had given her a call, and she had agreed to meet me for afternoon coffee around 3 o'clock. I didn't tell her what it was about, or she might not have showed up. I just said I was a writer and was interested in interviewing her, since she was new in town. She liked that idea. It was 2:45, so I thought I better leave Frankie's and meet Jane.

  Jane had suggested we meet at the Star Cafe, her favorite coffee shop. It overlooked the river and had tables outside with a beautiful view. Today, though, it was too cold to sit outside and enjoy the view, so I went on inside. A short brunette woman met me at the door. “Are you Ginger?” she asked. “Come on in. I have a table over here.” She tossed her long hair and led me to the table.

  Something told me she had been waiting a while. She seemed nervous and fidgety. I suppose it could be nerve-wracking to move to a town for a guy, only to find out that the guy is not interested in you at all. And now he is dead.

  “Nice to meet you, Jane,” I said. “So what brought you to our little town?”

  “Business,” she said. “I have a cousin here in town, Dr. Wright. He is going into business for himself, now that his partnership is no more. He needs an office manager, and he asked me to do the job.”

  “But his partner, Dr. Parnell, was just murdered a couple of days ago. I heard you have been in town for some time already.”

  “Yes, my cousin was going to go out on his own even before Dr. Parnell was killed. He was going to buy Dr. Parnell out. But my cousin didn't like their office manager. If Dr. Parnell didn't take her with him, he was going to fire her. In fact, he did just let her go. I am going to start working there on Monday.”

  “That's strange. I had actually heard that you came to Daffodil to date Dr. Parnell. I understand you have dated in the past and were hoping to start up the romance again.”

  Jane turned red in the face. “Who told you that?!” she exclaimed. “It's true that I dated Dr. Parnell long ago. But that's all in the past. I had no intention of dating him again. The idea! Once was enough. I would not have worked for my cousin, Tim, if I had to work for Dr. Parnell too. Tim assured me that he would be out of the picture.”

  My head was spinning. Had Tammy told me a lie? Maybe she was just trying to cast suspicion elsewhere. Or was Jane lying to me now? She said she was starting work at Dr. Wright's office on Monday. That was easily checked, so I doubt if she would lie about that. But maybe she took her cousin up on his offer because she was hoping to start up with Dr. Parnell again. Maybe she was just embarrassed to admit it. Certainly if she was the killer, she wouldn't want it to look like she had a motive.

  On the other hand, Dr. Wright certainly seemed sure he would be working on his own soon. He had his cousin move here for a job before he even had an agreement with Dr. Parnell to buy him out. Was it just impatience, or was the reason more sinister? Did he know that Dr. Parnell would be dead soon, and not an obstacle any more?

  I had to keep my composure and try to find out more.

  “How was your cousin so sure that he could buy Dr. Parnell out? I heard they were arguing and couldn't come to an agreement.”

  Jane was getting irritated. “That's his business,” she snapped. “I'm sure he would have been able to work something out. He was so sick of being partners with that idiot. And I don't blame him.”

  Jane refused to answer any more questions. “This interview is over,” she said. “I don't like your attitude.” She got up and walked out, leaving her half-finished coffee behind.

  Okay, that hadn't gone very well. On the other hand, I did learn a few things. I certainly hadn't eliminated any suspects yet. I just seemed to be getting more suspects, and they all had good motives. I was going to have to do some serious thinking.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I realized I was hungry. All I had for lunch was that frozen custard, and it was close to dinnertime. I decided to stop in at the Horseshoe Saloon for a burger. Maybe I could pump Honey for some more information. I was totally confused at the moment, and I could use some fresh ideas. Honey seemed to know everyone. I guessed bartenders were as good as hairdressers for picking up gossip.

  I walked in and right away I saw Joey Parnell at the bar. He waved me over. “Hi, good-looking. Great to see you again.”

  “I think you just call me that because you forgot my name, Joey.”

  “Of course not,” he smiled. “Ginger. How could I forget the name of my favorite girl?”

  He certainly was flirtatious. And I didn't mind, to be honest. We decided to get a table and order some dinner.

  Of course we got to talking about his brother again. The subject was on both of our minds.

  “How did it actually happen?” he asked. “I never heard the details.”

  “He was found outside the back door of the theater, stabbed to death. I'm not sure why he was out there. Did he smoke?”

  “Yes, he tried to hide it since he was a doctor, but he wasn't able to give it up. It makes sense that he would sneak out for a smoke.”

  “Wait a minute,” he continued. “What time did he die, do you know?”

/>   “He was at the 5:10 show. I'm not sure exactly what time he went out for a smoke.”

  “I'm staying at the motel in back of the theater. I happened to look out my window about 6 o'clock that evening. I was just checking the weather. My room looks out on the theater. Of course I didn't know until later that David was dead. Anyway, at that time there was no body lying outside the door. But I did see a guy skulking around back there. I wondered what he was up to, but then I didn't give it any further thought. I never looked out again that night. I turned on the TV and later fell asleep.”

  “Wow!” I couldn't contain my excitement. “You might have seen the murderer! Would you know him if you saw him again?”

  “Oh yes, I'm sure I would. I'm going to go to the police first thing tomorrow and report this. I had no idea it was significant.”

  “Or, wait...,” he went on. “What if they think I'm making it up? If they realize I was in a hotel room alone, that close to the scene of the crime, maybe they'll think I did it. You know, I've been in trouble with the police before. When I was young and foolish,” he added sheepishly. “Nothing serious. Just being a rowdy kid. Believe me. I'm a good person, and I loved my brother. I wouldn't hurt him for the world.”

  “You're right,” I admitted. “It does sound suspicious. And I believe you about being a good person. I have a good feeling about you. But it's an important clue. We have to do something about it.”

  I sat silently thinking about it. I didn't want Joey to be falsely accused of murder. I was really starting to like him a lot. But we couldn't just cover this up. I know if he went to the police, they would probably lock him up, or at least he'd be a prime suspect. They probably wouldn't even check on the guy he had seen. They would think he was making it up.

  Suddenly I thought about Steve and his cousin Andy, who was on the police force. Maybe there was a way to let the police know in a roundabout way. But wouldn't Andy do the same as any other policeman, focus on Joey as a suspect? How could I talk to Steve and get him to tell Andy without involving Joey?

  “My ex-boyfriend's cousin is a policeman,” I told Joey. “Let me think about how I could get the information to him without involving you. Too bad you don't know who the guy was.”

  “Maybe I'll see him at the funeral tomorrow,” Joey said. “In the movies the murderer always goes to the funeral. Maybe it's true in real life too. After all, he doesn't know that anyone saw him.”

  “Great idea! Meanwhile, I'll talk to my ex without giving away any details, just to feel him out.”

  “Okay, it's a deal!” Joey put his arm around me and I relaxed into him. This could work. I certainly hoped so. Funny, I didn't think about Michael at all. Michael, my supposed boyfriend.

  Later that night, when I was home, I did think about Michael. What was I doing? What did I really know about Joey, anyway? All I knew was that I really liked him. And I trusted him too. He wasn't a murderer. I was sure of that.

  But Michael was my boyfriend. Yes, we had been having some troubles lately. He was so grouchy all the time. He never listened to me. He was pretty self- involved, to tell the truth. But I'm not the kind of girl to fool around with one guy while going steady with another. I would have to resolve this, and soon. I decided it was time to break up with Michael, difficult as that would be. The next time I saw him in person, we would have to have a talk. It's not something you discuss over the phone.

  I had one more thing to do before I went to bed. I had to call Steve and feel him out about this clue of the guy skulking around the back of the theater. I would have to be careful and delicate. Steve could be such an idiot sometimes.

  I gave him a call. “Steve, how are you doing? Have you heard any more from Andy about how the murder case is going?”

  “It's not going too well, Andy says. They are running out of leads.”

  “You know, Dr. Parnell was killed outside of the theater. In the back, outside the back door. What if someone saw someone out there around that time? Wouldn't that help?”

  “Of course it would help. But no one has come forward. I don't think anyone was back there. There are only some dumpsters out there. It's not someplace people usually go.”

  “But there's that motel back there. What if someone was looking out their window?”

  “I don't think so. Most people keep their curtains closed in the motel. It's not exactly a great view from there.”

  “Well, I might know someone who saw something. But this person doesn't want to get involved. Is there a way I could get the information to Andy anonymously?”

  “What! Who is this person, and what did they see? This is serious. Yes,” he continued, “it's probably best for this person not to go to the police directly. I could see where they might suspect this person was lying, or even was the killer. It's very sensitive.”

  “I don't have any details,” I lied. “But we have to do something. This could be important.”

  “I agree. Let me think about it. I'll call you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Steve. Talk to you later.”

  That went a lot better than I thought. I thought for sure Steve would insist on going to the police right away. He was such a straight arrow. I was glad he agreed with me that it could be dangerous to do that. Hopefully he could come up with a plan.

  It was time for me to go to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, with the funeral and possibly doing something about this new big clue.

  The next day turned out beautiful. The weather was beautiful, I mean. It was one of those nice crisp, sunny fall days we get in Wisconsin. I sure hoped the day went as well as the weather seemed to promise.

  As I was getting ready for the funeral, I got a sinking feeling. I remembered the fix that Joey was in, possibly having seen the murderer, yet unable to go to the police. It would be great if Joey saw the same guy he saw lingering behind the theater at the funeral today. At least then we would know who we were dealing with.

  I picked out a black dress that was flattering on me, yet demure enough for a funeral. I wanted to look nice, because Joey would be there. What was wrong with me? Was I really falling for the bad boy? I picked out my sexiest black heels to go with the dress.

  The funeral was at St. Gregory's Catholic Church downtown. I got there half an hour early, and the parking lot was packed already. Inside, I saw the family in the front pews. Joey's tall figure was unmistakable. I didn't really know the rest of the family. They were probably aunts, uncles, and cousins. I knew his parents were already deceased, and Joey was his only sibling.

  Tammy was there, a few rows back. She was with a very handsome guy that I didn't recognize. I'm sure she had moved on from Dr. Parnell long ago. And with her looks, she would have no trouble finding admirers. I wondered if this new beau of Tammy's could be a suspect. I wondered if he knew that she would inherit a pile of money if Dr. Parnell died. I made a mental note to check on him later.

  I saw Frankie in the crowd. He was alone. But then I spied his flame, Angela Cotton, on the other side of the church. She was with a big burly guy with tattoos peeking out from under his ill-fitting suit. I figured that must be her trucker husband. I hoped for her and Frankie's sake that he had gotten past his suspicions. He looked like he could hurt someone pretty easily.

  The church was really crowded, but I managed to find a seat in the back. I didn't really listen to the service. I was too busy scanning the crowd for anyone who looked suspicious. But with all these people, what could I possibly find out?

  After the service, there was a reception downstairs in the church hall. As soon as I decently could, I made my way over to Joey. He gave me a big smile.

  “Hi, Joey. Did you see the guy here?” I whispered.

  “The guy from behind the theater? Nope. And I saw just about everybody. They all stopped by to give me their condolences.” I heard the disappointment in his voice.

  “You know, I didn't see your brother's partner, Dr. Wright, at the service. I wonder if he could be the one you saw.”


  “I don't know... .What does he look like?”

  “Well, he's tall, pretty heavy, kind of angry-looking... dark hair, big busy eyebrows..."

  Joey frowned. “This guy was tall, but he wasn't super heavy. Maybe a little stocky, but I wouldn't call him heavy.”

  “I don't think it could be Dr. Wright then. He's really overweight.” I was disappointed again. Would we ever find the murderer? We didn't even know for sure if the guy Joey saw was the killer. It could just be some random guy, and the murderer could be anyone. Still, Joey's sighting could mean something, so we had to follow up.

  I was lost in thought when I heard someone call my name. “Ginger!”

  I turned around. It was Violet and Kurt, Steve's parents. “Hi guys,” I said. “How are you?”

  “We're fine,” Violet answered. "Such a shame. Dr. Parnell was so young.”

  “I know.” I guessed that to Violet and Kurt, anyone was young. “He was such a good doctor, and such a nice person. So, is Steve here too?”

  “No, Steve would never come. He didn't like Dr. Parnell at all.”

  “Really? Why not?” I couldn't imagine anyone disliking the friendly doctor.

  “Remember Steve's friend, Tom? He passed away a while ago? Steve blames Dr. Parnell for Tom's death. He says Dr. Parnell missed the diagnosis that could have kept him alive. Personally, I don't think doctors can know everything. Dr. Parnell did the best he could.”

  “Wow, I'm sorry to hear that.”

  “Yeah, Steve went to his hunting cabin up north for the weekend instead. He said he needed some peace and quiet. Well, good seeing you, Ginger. We need to get home and rest.”

  Now that was mystifying to me. Steve was supposed to help me with Joey's situation with the clue that we wanted to give to the police anonymously. So why did he suddenly go up north hunting? Did he forget about me?