“Makes him seem guilty.” Callie pointed to the necklace. “You’re investigating.”
“Not an investigator,” Motts grumbled. She knew Teo would want the necklace and likely believe Ashby had stolen it after killing Nadine. “Why did he keep it?”
“Ask him. I’m afraid he’s going to tell me he killed her. I can’t believe he’s capable of murder.” Callie shoved a biscuit into her mouth. She tapped her fingers against the side of her mug. “Can you talk to him?”
Motts knew what Teo and the other police would say. They’d tell her to refuse. Her curiosity, as always, got the best of her. “Is he at your place?”
Do I want to get in a car again?
No.
“Invite him here.” Motts didn’t want Ashby in her cottage, but going in a vehicle was even less attractive to her. “Tomorrow. It’s been a day.”
Promising to bring Ashby the next day, Callie left. Motts found a secure hiding spot for the necklace away from prying eyes and curious cats. She was washing the mugs when her doorbell rang. Again.
Motts dried her hands off on her jeans and went to see who was disturbing her peace this time. “Go away.”
“Can I come in, please?” Mikey O’Connell reached out to stop her from slamming the door. “Please?”
“I’ve had quite enough of O’Connells for one day.” Motts grabbed Cactus when he went to slip through the crack in the door. “What on earth could you possibly want?”
“Jasper….” Mikey trailed off when a vehicle could be heard coming up the lane. “Sod it.”
Motts watched in complete bewilderment as he bolted away from her. He’d disappeared down the steps to the village by the time Teo parked in front of her cottage. “Hello. Please go away.”
“I brought a sack of chips and a chocolate bar.”
“Well, fine. Come in.” Motts sighed. She set Cactus down so he could trot over to greet his favourite detective inspector. “Just don’t be shouty.”
“I’m never shouty.” Teo lifted Cactus up onto his shoulder. “Were you hurt?”
“Perfectly fine. And you look like you’re about to be shouty,” Motts insisted. “Your eyebrows are all aggressively lowered over your eyes.”
“Shouty isn’t a word. And my eyebrows are always like this.” Teo offered her the packet of chips while adjusting Cactus carefully on his shoulder. “Who’d you chase off down the stairs?”
“No one.” Motts ignored him and checked all around the front of the cottage.
“What are you searching for?”
“A sign inviting everyone I’ve ever met into my cottage. I’ve never had so many visitors.” She was being mildly dramatic, but it had been a day. “Did Hughie call you?”
“Inspector Ash and I heard the sirens heading out of the village. River told me you were there.” Teo followed her into the cottage, shutting the door behind them. “I won’t stay long. You should get some rest after your day. Just wanted to check in on you. Bring something to cheer you up.”
Don’t mention the necklace.
Don’t mention the necklace.
I can tell him about the necklace tomorrow after we chat with Ashby.
“Necklace.”
Bugger.
“Pardon?” Teo paused in the middle of putting the treats on the counter and dislodging Cactus from his shoulder.
“Thank you.” Motts attempted a smile. She gave up and just tried not to frown. “I said, thank you.”
It’s a good thing I never tried to work in a job requiring secrecy.
I’d be pants at it.
Chapter Twenty-One
The morning after the accident, Motts woke up feeling about a hundred years old. Her neck and back had tightened up, and she had an impressive bruised strip going across her front from the seat belt.
Motts wanted to hide from the world again. She knew from experience doing so would only make going out harder the next time. Like Moss, pulling into her shell and staying in the cottage for weeks on end wouldn’t be healthy.
“Coffee. Coffee and a croissant.” Motts carefully measured out Cactus’s breakfast. She’d brave the outdoors to feed her cravings. And worst-case scenario, she could sneak into the kitchen at Griffin Brews to eat. “Maybe Callie and Ashby can meet me there. Neutral territory.”
Meow.
“I’m sure Leena will have treats for you.” Motts rubbed his ears. “You behave yourself. Take care of Moss.”
Meow.
“I hear the rain.” Motts finished clearing out Moss’s terrarium. She made sure Cactus’s sleeping blanket on the windowsill was appropriately fluffed up. “I won’t take too long. We can venture into the garden once it stops drizzling.”
Motts grabbed her wellies, coat, and umbrella. She loved her rain boots. Vina had bought them for her on a shopping trip to London. They were the perfect shade of blue, with sailboats all around.
Stepping outside into the softly falling rain, Motts wandered up the path to look over the cliffs to the sea. Gloomy skies. Rough seas. Salty air. She loved walking outside during a gentle summer shower.
Tourists tended to stay indoors, for one. The downside of a steady drizzle was how slick the steps became. She carefully managed to get down the stairs into the village.
“Morning, dear.” Doc waved from the doorway of the post office. “Enjoying the morning rain?”
Motts tilted her umbrella to see him. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
“Beautiful. If I were a young man, I’d be hiking the coastal path this morning. Nothing like a Cornish summer rain.” He winked at her. “My Elys would want me to tell you not to catch your death of cold. So, there, I’ve said it. Now you run off and enjoy jumping in puddles on my behalf, since I can’t.”
In London, Motts had never gotten to know her neighbours. She’d been too afraid. Another reason she’d never move back to the big city.
“Hello, love.” Marnie jogged across the street to walk beside her. She ducked under Motts’s umbrella. “Rumour has it Amy O’Connell’s turned on her sons. She suggested to your inspector that her Jasper and Mikey conspired. Conspired.”
“Did she?” Motts stopped so suddenly Marnie kept going and had to turn around to come back. “Not surprised. What do you mean rumour has it?”
“Overheard my Perry chatting with Inspector Herceg last night.” Marnie grinned. “Oh, must run, someone’s outside the shop. Come by later.”
Motts could only stare at the bridal shop owner in bemused silence. “Bye then.”
Continuing down the street, Motts went around the corner and across to Griffin Brews. She smiled at Nish, who was writing out the daily specials in chalk on the board set up in the window. He pushed open the door for her.
“Morning.” She accepted the quick hug from Nish. “How’s River? He never texted me last night.”
“Sore. Bruised. He’s going in for a massage on his neck and back. His car is completely wrecked. Not sure they’ll be able to fix the thing.” Nish looped his arm around hers. “His mum brought over a boatload of food.”
“Mums.” Motts had no doubts Auntie Lily would keep a close eye on her only son. “I’m glad my mum hasn’t heard about it yet. I’ll never hear the end of how dangerous Cornwall can be.”
“Trust Motts to venture out into the rain after being in a car accident.” Vina stepped up to the counter. “Drop your brolly in the bucket by the door. No dripping on the floors. I’ve already mopped up once. No dripping.”
Motts handed her umbrella and raincoat to Nish when he held his hands out. She frowned when both Vina and Nish broke into giggles. “I won’t ask. I already know whatever made you two cackle like hyenas is either gross or sexual. Maybe both.”
“Mum and Nish made a new flavour.” Vina wisely changed the subject. “Cardamom and caramel latte. It’s almost like a spiced brown sugar coffee with cream. Delish.”
“Perfect on a rainy day. We’d planned to keep it for autumn, but today’s a brilliant day for it.” Nish slipped beh
ind the counter to make a large mug for her. “We’ve also got a batch of salted pistachio and chocolate croissants.”
“You’ll want several. Trust me.” Vina plated up three of them. “Your usual table or the one in the kitchen?”
“Usual. For now.” Motts retreated to the round table in the far corner of the café. “Callie and Ashby might be joining me later.”
“Oh?” Vina lifted one perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “Are they? Why?”
“Mysterious metals mingled.” Motts bit into her first croissant. “Magnificent.”
“None of those words make sense together. But I’ll take the compliment on my creation.” Vina preened.
“Callie brought me a piece of intrigue last night.” Motts finished chewing, brushed her fingers on a napkin, and pulled her phone out to show Vina the image of the necklace. She scrolled over to the close-up of the clasp. “Think it might’ve been Nadine O’Connell’s.”
“How did Callie get a gaudy bit of jewellery from Nadine O’Connell?” Nish peered over Vina’s shoulder down at the photo. “Ashby?”
“Got it in one.” Motts pointed at her nose. She grabbed for a second croissant. “These are going to sell like hotcakes.”
“Teo and Perry have been stopping by in the mornings for coffee. Think they’re working on the O’Connell case together. Innis saw them by the harbour and warehouse yesterday.” Nish got on with the owner of the fish shop better than Motts. “He’s keeping an eye out. I’ll try to distract them if they pop in. You know Teo will have questions if he sees you chatting with one of his suspects.”
Motts had no doubt Teo would find her presence at a table with Ashby suspicious. “I’ll tell him about the necklace. Eventually.”
While the twins returned to preparing for the morning rush, Motts eased her tablet out of her backpack. She wanted to make a few design notes for a new commission. She’d received a few emails from potential clients and wanted to get a head start on her ideas for them.
One of the messages had come from a friend of Marnie who’d wanted to remain anonymous. Strange, but Motts trusted Marnie. The person wanted a bouquet of peonies in a shadowbox frame.
Since her bouquets tended to be made of origami, Motts wanted the quilling work of peonies to be special. The messages had indicated the piece was a memorial for a beloved family member who had passed away. It had to be perfect.
“Mottsy.”
Motts lifted her head up slowly, struggling to switch her mind from creative mode to the real world. Vina waited patiently by her table. “What?”
“Your guests are here. I’ll bring you another coffee in a second.” Vina picked up the empty mug and plate. “Want another croissant?”
“Sure. You’ll bring them mid-conversation to satisfy your curiosity.” Motts knew her best friend well. “Croissants.”
“Yes, croissants,” Vina promised.
While Ashby and Callie got their order, Motts sat waiting. Anxiety built. She shoved her hands into her pockets to keep from scratching her palms raw.
“Morning.” Callie slipped into one of the seats around the small table while Ashby took the other. “I haven’t been here early in the mornings. I’m usually working or in a kayak at this time.”
Small talk.
Motts nodded. Why did I think I could manage this? I should’ve made Vina sit with me. “Right.”
“Well, we’ve covered the awkward greeting.” Callie stirred her coffee absently. She hadn’t taken a sip or touched her breakfast pasty. “Ash. You wanted to get the truth off your chest. Why don’t you start? We don’t need to hem and haw around how our day is going.”
“I….” He stared morosely down at his cup of tea. “She asked me to sell the necklace for her.”
“She?” Motts found the explanation far too simple and also impossible to prove. “I assume you mean the elder Mrs O’Connell.”
“Nadine. I used to camp in her garden on my hiking trips across Cornwall when she was healthy. Amy accused me of taking advantage of her mother. Tossed me out on my ear.” Ashby’s fingers curled around the handle of the cup tightly. “Poor old woman. She reminded me of my gran. I don’t care what anyone else says. She was always kind to me. I tried to help her. She wanted to hire a solicitor, for some reason.”
“A solicitor? Why give you a necklace, though?” Motts knew Amy could be vile, mistrusting, and possibly dangerous. She still wasn’t sure if she believed Ashby. “Why keep the necklace?”
“She went missing. Not two days after I saw her. I was frightened.” He shoved the tea away, causing it to slosh onto the table. He swiped at the mess with a napkin. “What would I tell the police? I’ve got this expensive jewellery from an elderly woman who’s disappeared? They’d never take my word for it. I had no proof.”
Not sure I believe you now.
Then again, if he killed her for it, why not sell the necklace?
“Do you not have any evidence at all? A text message or something?” Callie clearly had some of the same reservations as Motts. “What did the police say when they questioned you earlier in the week?”
“I didn’t tell them.” Ashby gathered up the soggy napkins. He twisted around, looking for a rubbish bin, and froze. “They won’t believe me.”
Before either Motts or Callie could respond, Ashby had rushed away from the table. He fled the café. The two women stared after him in silence.
“He does that a lot.” Motts noticed two familiar faces by the door. Ashby had obviously spotted the two detective inspectors and been scared. “Bugger.”
While Perry Ash queued up in the line by the counter, Teo headed directly toward her table. Motts shifted in the chair. She smiled when Vina popped over with a refill.
A distraction, a blatant attempt to eavesdrop, and a show of support.
“Well, I have a kayak tour to run. I better get home to Fowey.” Callie downed her coffee, snatched up the rest of her pasty, and fled out of the café.
Motts glanced from the now closed front door to Teo to Vina. Small talk. I can do this. “Good morning. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Motts.” Vina snickered.
“What? They say that in movies.” Motts pocketed her phone and put her tablet away. “I’ve been enjoying a rainy day and a cup of coffee. You should try the croissants.”
See.
I can do small talk.
Teo stared Vina down until she backed away from the table with a quick wave to Motts. His attention turned fully to Motts. “Why don’t you tell me about Ashby? And about the necklace?”
“Bugger.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Right. Nish and I are dying from anticipation. You’ve been silent for a full five minutes.” Vina made a show of topping of Motts’s mug despite it being full. “Necklace. Mystery. Dedicated inspector versus casual amateur investigator. And go.”
“Go where?” Motts hadn’t intended to leave without finishing her croissant. “Oh, wait, you mean talk.”
Vina tapped Motts on the shoulder gently. “Yes. Chat it up with your detective inspector. Confession is good for the soul, but do it so we can hear you because we’re nosy.”
Nish cleared his throat loudly.
“Fine. I’m nosy,” Vina corrected.
“We’re so sorry. She takes after her father.” Leena retrieved her daughter, pushing her across the room to the counter. “Enjoy your breakfast.”
Teo watched the mother and daughter, who were having a heated whispered conversation. “Amy O’Connell suggested your friend Ashby stole from her mother and murdered her to keep her silent.”
“Of course she did,” Motts grumbled. “Ashby didn’t murder anyone.”
“Based on?”
She hesitated, stirring her latte. “I’m not sure.”
“Morning, Ms Mottley.” Inspector Ash settled himself at the table with them. He slid a mug and plate across to Teo. “How are you doing after the accident?”
“A little sore.” Motts hoped the diagonal bruise
across her upper body healed quickly. “I’ll admit to not being anxious to ride in a car anytime soon.”
“My Marnie wanted me to make sure you were doing okay.” He offered comfort in his quietly stoic sort of way. “Was that our suspect sitting with you?”
Motts could understand how Perry Ash made detective inspector. He didn’t have Teo’s intensity, yet his quiet sternness was equally effective. “Ashby’s aura aligns anxiously.”
“Did it? I’m sensing yours is as well.” Teo’s lips twitched, and he took a sip of coffee.
The problem with facing two detective inspectors was Motts found Ashby’s story suddenly even harder to believe in the retelling. He got a necklace from an elderly, infirm woman who wanted to escape her daughter. And kept it when she died.
It sounded so absolutely absurd. Yet, Motts believed him. She didn’t know if either of the detective inspectors would be sold by her argument.
“Croissants.” Motts brightened when Vina snuck over to drop one last breakfast pastry on her plate. “You’re my favourite.”
“Enjoy your breakfast.” Vina rolled her eyes. She narrowed her gaze on the two inspectors seated at the table with Motts. “Play nicely, gentlemen. Interrogation is bad for the digestive system.”
Motts smothered her laughter behind her latte. She didn’t think either man expected to be warned off by the svelte and stylish Vina. “She’s not wrong. Intense conversation can lead to indigestion.”
“I’m sure we’ll survive,” Teo countered. “Why don’t you let us decide for ourselves if we believe the tall tale?”
Pursuing her lips at the “tall tale” comment, Motts considered her options. She pressed on with telling what little she knew of Ashby’s connection to the O’Connells. Even in the retelling, it sounded unbelievable.
And yet, still, she found herself even more convinced.
“She asked him to sell her necklace?” Inspector Ash definitely wasn’t convinced. Motts didn’t need to understand either tone or body language to see his incredulity. “Likely story.”
Pierced Peony Page 14