Warren’s face bloomed an even rosier hue. “You weren’t taking my warning to back off. I knew you’d end up hunting down Diminsky, and I got lucky, finding your car there when I did. I’d been looking for days.” Warren’s voice strengthened to a harsh level of intensity.
“Mr. Yardsmith, I’d like you to come with us down to the station to answer some questions.” Ray took a step toward Warren, who, in turn, backed up a step.
“I needed Crosby to go away. To leave my father alone. The man doesn’t have much time left. When Crosby showed up at the bake-off, he whispered to me that he was winning for his mother. All her prizes were destroyed the night of the fire, and it was her dream to win them back. The fire my father set. He let her win the bake-off, then he took everything away from her as punishment for not choosing him over Lonnie.”
“Let’s go down to the station, Mr. Yardsmith. You’re under arrest.”
Chairs screeched along the floor as the guests rose. Sherry could feel the collective sentiment that if Warren resisted Ray and the officers’ attempt to guide him out of the room, panic would reign. Sherry saw Warren ball his hands into fists. Her gaze shifted to Ray’s hand, resting on the handle of the gun he revealed with a flick of his blazer. Sherry heard a gasp from Dolly in the kitchen. She turned and saw the woman in the doorway, holding the massive ladle over her head, poised to take down anyone trying to enter. Everyone froze in place until Warren lowered his head.
He was led to the waiting police car by the officers and placed in the back seat. Before Ray pulled his gray sedan out of the Historical Society parking lot, he gave Sherry a tip of his hat. The sleet began to fall as the squad car left the driveway, lights flashing, siren silent.
Chapter 26
“Good morning. I wanted to return this.” Sherry handed Effi a piece of paper as the petite woman wrestled with the handle of the cleaner’s door. The cold December wind rattled the paper until the hand-off was complete. “It belongs to you. I don’t think you’ll be needing to hide it under the cash register anymore. It may be one of the stronger pieces of evidence against Warren Yardsmith. Good job.”
“You’re sure he sent this threat?” Sal peered over his wife’s shoulder.
“There’s a streak from his printer running down the side of this printout. The same streak was on Patti’s bake-off recap article printout. They both used Warren’s secretary’s printer. All fits together.”
“Is there more evidence against Warren?” Sal asked.
“The Nagles will vouch for Warren purchasing the equipment used to kill Crosby and tie him to the marina’s anchor from the Augustin Dry Goods store. Thank goodness for Mrs. Nagle’s purchase recording system. Beyond that, I don’t think any jury will have trouble convicting Warren of Crosby’s murder. Detective Bease and his team are the best at closing the case.”
“Thank you. Not sure how you ended up with our note, and I won’t even ask.” Effi winked. “There are worse things in this world than a paper burglary. Can’t wait for the parade. So excited for Eileen.”
“We’re so lucky to have a great view of the parade from our stores. We don’t even have to put on our coats to see everything. Hope Eileen is wearing her long underwear. Have a good day and try to stay warm.”
Sherry continued on her way to the Ruggery. Chutney strutted a step behind, wearing his warm, fleece sweater, snapped tight under his belly.
“Hi, Sherry,” Mrs. Nagle called out from her doorway.
“Hi, Mrs. Nagle.”
“We just got in a shipment of flashlights if you need one. Winter’s coming and there’s not much daylight after five. You’ll need to walk Chutney in the dark. You buy one every year at this time, my list says.”
“Thank you. I’ll stop by later.” Sherry tossed Mrs. Nagle a wave. She continued on until she found herself in front of the Nutmeg News Media Center.
“Good morning, Sherry,” said Hans, wearing his blue jacket.
“Hans, how are you?” Sherry greeted the man with a generous smile. She hadn’t seen him since Warren was arrested. “How’s the mood in the building?”
Hans peered around. He took a step forward and lowered his voice. “Things are great. The mood is festive and spirits are high. Mr. Clifton has done a bang-up job taking over the newsroom. He’s the right man for the job.”
“Happy to hear it. Keep your eye on my friend Patti. Don’t let her past you without a cookie bribe or two.”
“Will do. You off to the parade?” Hans asked.
“I told my friend Eileen I’d meet her at her float before her send-off. The parade starts at Town Hall. After it begins, Chutney and I will race back and watch from the store, where it’s warm.”
“Eileen, the bake-off winner. What a wonderful prize she won. Hope we can have the contest again next year.” Hans leaned down and reached into a plastic bag parked next to his leg. He held up a wool glove with a leather palm. “I’ve been asking everyone who was at the bake-off. Is this yours? Seems as if I’ve asked everyone else.”
“It’s not mine, but I have a good idea who it belongs to, and I may be seeing her today. Want me to bring it along in case I do?” Sherry asked.
“That would be a great help.” Hans handed the glove to Sherry, who stuffed it in her coat pocket. “Enjoy the parade.”
“You, too. Have a great day.” Sherry waved and picked up her pace toward Town Hall. As she approached the building, she saw a pickup truck she recognized. The side of the truck sported a banner touting the Augustin Marina Renovation Fund. Judging by the truck’s proximity to the mayor’s huge, convertible sedan, the retired dockmaster was given the number two spot in the procession. An honor Sherry felt was long overdue.
“How have you been, Lonnie?” Sherry asked. “I haven’t seen you since the Historical Society fundraiser. That was quite a night.”
Rachel and Cap flanked their friend.
“That was quite a scheme you dreamed up to get Warren to confess.” Lonnie put an arm around Rachel on one side and Cap on the other. “I’m glad to be of service.”
“Hey, don’t forget you got your beloved old truck out of the deal,” Cap said.
“When I found out it was Rachel riding around my neighborhood in that truck after you bought it from Vitis, I have to admit, I thought twice about whether Warren was Crosby’s killer. My neighbor was certain the driver was stalking me.”
“I was looking for your house to collect Ivy’s coat. I had just picked up the truck from Vitis, so it was my only mode of transportation. The address you texted me didn’t include a house number. I tried to ask a woman on the street, walking a cat on a leash, something I’d never seen before, if she knew you, but she was on the phone and didn’t respond. Strange woman. Then I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up.”
“You made it awfully hard to trust you, Rachel. When I finally could see past what I thought was your guilt, Warren came into focus. Why did you insist on getting back Ivy’s coat and Crosby’s boat? I’ve never had a chance to ask you,” Sherry said.
Rachel turned toward Lonnie. “I’d do anything for this guy. Just trying to keep what looked like evidence against him out of sight while you did your sleuthing.”
“And the truck?”
“Bought back the truck because he missed it so. Want the coat back? I’ve already sold the boat to your friend Don.”
Sherry grinned. “No thanks. Anyone else would look better in it than me.” She reached in her coat pocket. “Is this yours?”
“My gloves must have boomerang powers. I keep losing one and it finds its way back to me. Where was this one?” Rachel asked as she took the glove.
“At the Nutmeg News Media Center,” Sherry said.
“Can’t be mine, then. The one I lost at the bake-off was brown, not black. And you found that one on Don’s boat.” Rachel paused. “Do you think Warren found my glove at the bake-off, knew it was mine, and planted it on Don’s boat to implicate me? I didn’t go on Don’s boat, that I’m sure of. As a
matter of fact, when we were pulling up to the dock that night, a lone person got off Don’s boat.”
“We were at the life vest bin up at the dockmaster shed. All of us. The boat should have been empty,” Sherry said.
“Had to have been Warren,” Rachel said.
“All in an attempt to throw suspicion elsewhere. Didn’t work for long,” Cap said.
“You know, Maxwell Yardsmith had trouble in his first attempt to burn his boat to get the insurance money. When I showed the photograph of the dock damage to a firewoman, she recognized he had started the fire too far up the dock, by the metal storage shed. The fire didn’t travel to his boat, so he had to start a second one farther down the dock. The photo solved the question of why there were two fires. Something the department had pondered for years.”
“Ivy knew the truth for a long time, I’m guessing,” Lonnie said. “Wanted to protect Maxwell and Crosby at the same time. She had so many secrets.”
“Sherry, over here,” a voice sang out from the line of parade vehicles and floats. “Sherry!”
“Have a good time in the parade,” Sherry said to the three friends climbing into the decades-old truck.
Rachel put on a captain’s hat and took the wheel.
“Coming,” Sherry called back to Eileen, waving her arms over her head. “Come on, Chutney.” She tugged on the leash and trotted down the line of parade participants until she reached the float honoring the Hillsboro County Homeless Shelter and Food Bank.
“Eileen, what a great float.” Sherry admired the fruit and vegetable decorations surrounding her neighbor. Perched on a throne at the peak of the display, Eileen was holding an oversized platter of enormous, papier-mâché cookies. “Good luck up there. Hold on tight.”
“Eileen looks like she’s already having a ball.”
Sherry turned around. Patti was coming up behind her. “I’ll be riding with her. I’ll make sure Augustin’s cookie queen doesn’t fall off her throne.”
“Thanks. She’s head of our unofficial neighborhood watch. She needs to stay in one piece to fulfill her duties.” Sherry paused. “Did you ever see Crosby at the Food Bank on one of your drop-offs?”
“Many times. He was a solid contributor.”
“So, the story of his cookie was believable after all. I should have given him the points.” Sherry took a last look at Eileen, who was adjusting her position on her ornate seat. Sherry cupped her hands around her mouth. “Have a great ride. We’ll be watching.”
Sherry’s Favorite Holiday Side Dish Recipe
Roasted Sweet Potato Panzanella
2 cups country style bread, cubed
3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons crushed fresh rosemary
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup green pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
½ cup chopped smoked mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup dried cranberries
4 chopped scallions
⅓ cup julienne roasted red pepper
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place bread cubes on a cookie sheet and bake in oven until golden. Set aside.
Coat potatoes with 3 tablespoons olive oil, then sprinkle with rosemary, cumin, ginger, salt, and pepper and roast in a roasting pan for 40-45 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
Meanwhile, heat a frying pan or skillet to medium-hot and toast the pumpkin seeds until puffed and golden. Remove seeds to cool on a plate.
In a small bowl combine the mozzarella, cranberries, scallions, and red peppers.
Assemble dish by gently tossing the potatoes, red pepper blend and croutons in a large bowl with enough Warm Chutney Balsamic Dressing (recipe follows) to coat. Top with pepitas and serve.
Warm Chutney Balsamic Dressing
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ cup mango chutney
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup olive oil
Prepare the dressing by placing the vinegar, lemon juice, chutney, mustard, and garlic in a small saucepan and heat to very warm, stirring often. Remove from heat and whisk in ⅓ cup olive oil.
Sherry’s Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipe
Candy Cane Kissed Peppermint Patties
14 tablespoons butter, room temperature
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup Dutch process cocoa
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon light cream
1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup crushed candy canes
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream 10 tablespoons of the butter with the sugars in a medium bowl, and then beat in the vanilla and egg yolk. Add the flour and cocoa and beat until smooth. Transfer the dough to wax paper and roll into a 10-by-2-inch log. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
Slice the dough into ¼-inch rounds and flatten gently on a baking sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes, and then let cool 10 minutes.
Cream the remaining 4 tablespoons butter with the confectioners’ sugar, peppermint extract and 1 teaspoon of the cream until smooth. Spread about 2 teaspoons of peppermint cream each over half of the cookies and close with a plain baked cookie.
Melt the chocolate chips with the remaining cream in a small saucepan, adding more cream to make it smooth but not runny. Spread over half of the cookies and top with the candy canes while the chocolate is still wet.
Double Chocolate Cookie Murder Page 24