Murder With Jammin’T

by R A Wallace

  Giselle kept an eye on the young girl as she worked her way from rack to rack. So far, she didn’t seemed to like anything she encountered. That bothered Giselle because she knew that the girl was always dressed in something attractive and stylish. The problem was, she rarely bought anything from Togs. She wondered why that was. The bells on the door drew her attention away from the young shopper.

  Her heart sank when she saw who had stepped inside. Here was another difficult customer to please. She’d managed to find something for Megan the last time she’d stopped in. She wasn’t sure if she could do it again. Giselle began running ideas through her head. She didn’t like any of them.

  Megan stepped up to the counter. “Hey, I was wondering what you had for maternity clothes.”

  Giselle’s face brightened. “I hadn’t heard. Congratulations.”

  Megan smiled. “Thanks.” She looked around the shop. It had always intimidated her. “I have no idea where to begin.”

  “You aren’t showing yet,” Giselle said. “At least, not under your coat.”

  “As soon as it warms up and I put the coat away, things will be different.”

  The bells on the door rang again. The young girl had left and Giselle had been distracted from watching her. She frowned.

  Megan glanced behind her toward the door. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ve been having problems with thefts lately. I’ve been trying to watch everyone more closely when they’re in the shop.” Giselle stepped to the other side of the counter.

  “I can’t imagine she would have stolen anything. She looked like she could afford it.”

  “Well, that’s the thing. They never look like what you might expect. There are a lot of different reasons why they take things. Some of them are very sad reasons.”

  “I guess.” Megan followed Giselle as she walked toward the maternity section.

  “Here are a few things you might consider.” Giselle held up two different tops and explained the differences between each including the advantages and disadvantages of each of the differences.

  Megan shook her head when Giselle was done.

  “I had a feeling this was going to be complicated.”

  Giselle laughed. “It really isn’t. The important things are that you are comfortable and like what you are wearing.”

  Megan looked at the rack of clothes in front of her and frowned. The good news was, she still had time before she really needed to buy anything. If she were smart, she’d drag her cousin along and have Lauren pick everything out. The thought made her smile.

  Giselle hung the shirts back up and automatically began adjusting each of the hangers so the clothes weren’t jammed together. “When you first stopped in, I wondered if you were working on a puzzle.”

  Megan thought about the fire. “I was glad to hear that Bert and Betty were leaving for Florida yesterday.”

  Giselle looked up from her task. “Haven’t you heard? Someone tried running them off the road shortly after they left.”

  “Seriously? Are they alright? Did they catch the person?”

  Giselle shrugged. “All I know is, they took Tyler from Jammin’T in for questioning.”

  ***

  The front door to the diner was locked but it was only a little after three. Megan knew that there would still be staff inside cleaning up. She tried tapping on the door. There was movement inside, but no one came to the door. She banged harder. Finally, she saw Lynn on the other side of the glass. The look on Lynn’s face went from trepidation to relief. Megan heard the lock flip just before the door opened.

  “There you are. Holly and Tyler were just talking about you.”

  “Where are they?”

  Lynn pointed to the kitchen. Megan quickly passed through the swing door and into the other side. She saw Holly cleaning the grill. Tyler was nearby, dealing with some dirty towels. Both abandoned their tasks when they saw her.

  “What happened?” Megan asked.

  “I have no idea,” Tyler said in a tired voice.

  “I heard the police questioned you again?”

  “They did,” he confirmed. “They took me in last night. Kept me for hours.”

  “Why?” She knew they had to have a good reason.

  “According to Bert and Betty, the truck that tried to run them off the road looked like mine.”

  Megan had to admit, that was a pretty good reason.

  “Have you had any luck trying to find anything out?” Holly asked. “Anything at all?”

  “I’ve only spoken with two people so far, and they weren’t able to give me any information that might help,” Megan said.

  Holly still looked hopeful. “Who?”

  Megan made a face. “Bert and Betty. It was before someone tried to run them off the road, though. At that point, they still believed Tyler was innocent.”

  Holly’s eyes widened. “They really think Tyler is doing this now?”

  “I don’t know.” Megan turned to Tyler. “Were they at the police station?”

  “No. Not when I was there. I got the impression from Rhys and Ian that they high-tailed it to Florida right after they contacted the police. After everything that has been happening, Bert and Betty probably couldn’t wait to get away from here.” He frowned. “Can’t say that I blame them.”

  “Rhys and Ian have the case?” Megan asked.

  Tyler rubbed the back of his neck. “No, I guess it’s been shifted over to Erica and Jerry.”

  Megan considered the significance. Given that Jerry and Erica typically handled murder cases, the police were obviously taking the situation with Bert and Betty very seriously.

  “Megan, you have to help us. I don’t understand what’s going on.” The tears in Holly’s eyes were threatening to spill over.

  “Were you able to account for your whereabouts at the time of the incident with Bert and Betty on the road?” She mentally crossed her fingers.

  “I was out driving around, testing my phone. I was having trouble with it, especially getting a signal. I was trying to figure out what the pattern was. I can get the signal in some places but not everywhere.” Tyler pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes. “I should have just stayed home.”

  “No one was with you? No one saw you?”

  He shook his head. “No one saw me that I know of. I was alone. There’s no reason for anyone to believe me.”

  ***

  “I don’t believe it,” Becca said adamantly.

  Linda pointed down at the proof in Becca’s hands.

  “You’re holding a photo of your guy with another girl and a letter telling you to stay away from him.”

  “Tyler wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t string two girls along.”

  Linda hoped for her young friend that she was right.

  “Then how do you explain all of this?” Linda asked gently.

  Becca looked around the library. “I have no idea. I was sorting through the books that needed to be reshelved. I found this note with the photo inside one of them.”

  “Which book?” Linda asked curiously.

  “You think it makes a difference?” Becca set the note and photo down on the counter.

  “I was just wondering,” Linda said. “Maybe whoever had it checked out…”

  “Oh, that does make sense.” Becca turned the terminal toward her and logged in. She quickly keyed in the book. Her look of hope turned into a frown.

  “No luck?” Linda guessed.

  “No. It hasn’t been checked out in a while. Whoever stuck these inside must have just pulled it from the shelf and left it here for me to find.” Becca shoulders drooped. She looked over at Linda. “It was a good idea though, thanks.”

  Chapter Nine

  By the time the afternoon shift came around, the police station was usually a beehive of action. Those on the day shift were either headed home or wishing that they were. The afternoon shift was headed in to begin their workday. Ian was one of the people working his way into the building on Tu
esday afternoon. He paused at the front desk to talk to Martha, just as he usually did.

  “Afternoon, Martha.”

  “Ian. How’s that young girl of yours?”

  “Must be teething. Last night it was my favorite slippers.” Ian rested his hand on the counter.

  “I’m sure it’s just a phase,” Martha said with an understanding smile.

  “I hope she passes through it before she starts on my furniture.” He moved away from the counter when he saw Rhys coming toward them.

  “Rhys. How’s that young girl of yours?” Martha asked.

  Rhys stopped when he reached Ian.

  “Bella will probably run the world someday if I could manage to stop getting in her way.”

  “At least she didn’t chew your favorite slippers to bits and then hurl it up all over the floor,” Ian said as he saluted Martha and began walking away.

  “There is that,” Rhys agreed as he followed Ian into the hall that led to the main office area.

  Ian listened to the sound of their footsteps as they worked their way down the hall. Periodically, they passed other officers or staff on their way to somewhere else. When they reached the main office, they found Erica and Jerry looking at the computer on Jerry’s desk. Erica straightened when she saw them enter. She tapped Jerry’s shoulder with the back of her hand. He spun his chair around to face them, a ball point pen held between his two hands.

  “What have you got?” Rhys asked as he leaned against his desk.

  “Not much,” Erica said with an irritated tone in her voice.

  Rhys and Ian shared a look as Ian took a seat at another desk.

  “I thought Tyler gave you permission to access his phone records so you could track his geolocation during the time in question?” Ian asked.

  “For all the good that did.” Erica nodded toward Jerry.

  “His phone was nonfunctional. It didn’t give us any data.” Jerry twisted the pen in his fingers.

  Rhys wiped his hand across his chin. “He was hoping that his attempts to call out would have been trackable.”

  “They weren’t. Nothing was. The phone company says they have no idea where the phone was during that period.” Erica walked over to her own desk and leaned against it. “I hear you two are headed back out to the retirement community.”

  “You know more than we do,” Rhys answered.

  Ian logged into the computer on his desk and pulled up his email. He turned to Rhys and pointed at his monitor.

  “Looks like we’re headed there now.” Ian logged out of his system and stood.

  “Catch you later,” Rhys said as he followed Ian out.

  “I’m calling shotgun,” Ian said as they reached the car.

  Rhys smiled and headed for the driver’s side. The ride didn’t take long. They checked into the office first. The blonde behind the desk introduced herself as Leslie. Rhys tried to hide his smile when she held on to Ian’s hand before passing over the map of the villas.

  “Didn’t think she was going to let you come with me,” Rhys said as they returned to the cruiser.

  “I had to count my fingers to make sure they were all still there when she was done.” Ian looked at the map and pointed. “Turn there.”

  The woman that answered the door raised her hand to her throat when she saw them.

  “Wow. Two officers for one spatula?”

  “Ma’am?” Rhys said.

  “Sorry. Come in, please. My name is Josie. Josie Klingerman.” She backed up into the open living space to make room for them.

  Ian noted the white carpeting. He glanced down at his boots.

  “I think we should stay here,” Ian said as he pointed to the tile at the front door.

  “Very thoughtful of you,” Josie said as she took a seat at the dining room table. It was next to the entrance.

  Rhys pulled out his notepad. “You’re saying that we were called here for a missing spatula?”

  Josie gave a wry smile. “I know. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? The thing is, it’s not just any spatula. It’s part of a special set that I was given when I retired.”

  Josie could tell neither man understood the significance.

  “I was a cook in the Teaberry school system for many years. The set that I was given was on the expensive side. I don’t use it everyday like a regular spatula.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I understand.” Rhys asked for a description and dutifully wrote everything down. When she produced the rest of the set, he finally appreciated what she meant.

  When they were finished with Josie Klingerman, they left her villa and checked the map for the next one. It was within walking distance. The man that opened the door introduced himself as Willie. Again, Rhys and Ian remained at the door entrance.

  “Sir, are you certain that you didn’t just misplace your keys?” Ian asked loudly. He could tell by the volume that the other man used when speaking that he had difficulty hearing. He didn’t want to offend the older gentleman with his question, but he knew his own parents had been misplacing things a lot lately.

  Willie threw both hands up in the air. “I know what you’re asking. There are days when I could lose my head if it weren’t attached. But that’s exactly why I know it’s missing.”

  Rhys and Ian shared a look.

  “Sir?” Rhys said politely.

  Willie held up one hand and nodded. With his other hand, he pulled something from his pocket.

  Rhys and Ian watched as the man pushed a button on the device. A loud beeping could be heard across the room.

  Willie pointed at it. “That’s my remote for the television. My granddaughter bought me this. She’s a smart one, that girl. She’s the one who set it all up for me too.”

  Ian was impressed. “You have tracking devices on your keys?” He glanced across the room again. “And your remote?”

  “And other things, too,” Willie agreed as he pocketed the device.

  “And when you check for your car keys?” Rhys began.

  “They aren’t anywhere around,” Willie finished with a nod.

  “That’s pretty slick,” Ian said with genuine admiration.

  After speaking with Willie and the rest of the names on their list, Ian and Rhys left the retirement community and drove back toward town.

  Ian ran through the list of items they’d been told were missing.

  “What do a spatula, car keys, playing cards, reading glasses, bingo chips, an ebook reader, a wedding ring, and a stack of envelopes have in common?”

  Rhys had no idea. “You forgot the missing cow.”

  “Yeah. About that. What did you think about the note I found?”

  It wasn’t the first time Ian had asked him that.

  “Things are sure looking bad for Tyler and Holly right now.”

  Ian agreed. “So far, Tyler has been tied to two attempts at murder and Holly is looking good for theft.”

  “Yeah.” Rhys expelled a breath. “What I don’t get is the thing with Bert and Betty. Why would they want to hurt either of them?”

  Ian looked out the passenger window. He’d been thinking a lot about that too. He didn’t like the answer he’d come up with.

  “They seemed like they were really fitting in around here,” Ian said quietly.

  Rhys thought so too.

  ***

  Megan followed Jerry back to the main office area of the police station. Erica looked up from the notes she’d taken.

  “What’ve you got?” Erica asked.

  Jerry waved to a chair. Megan shook her head.

  “I won’t take up your time. I just wanted to touch base with you on one thing.”

  Erica set her notes aside. “What might that be?”

  “I spoke with Bert and Betty before they left for Florida,” Megan said. She saw the look Erica threw at Jerry.

  “Holly and Tyler asked for my help,” Megan said simply.

  “What did they say?” Jerry asked.

  “It occurred to me that you might think Tyler w
as trying to kill Bert and Betty for the Jammin’T.”

  “The thought had occurred to us,” Erica said with another look at Jerry. “Are you saying you don’t think that’s the case?”

  “Why would they?”

  Erica reached for her notes, getting ready to review them all again. “People have killed for a lot less.”

  “Yeah, but not if they already own it,” Megan pointed out.

  Erica looked up from her notes, her hazel eyes narrowed at Megan. “Say again?”

  “That’s what Bert and Betty told me. They’ve already signed the Jammin’T over to Tyler and Holly. They already own it.”

  Erica pressed her thumbs into her eyes. “And no one else thought to mention that to us?”

  Chapter Ten

  She was at the point where she jumped every time she heard a sound. She kept expecting the police to walk into the diner and take her brother away again. Holly closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she reached for more eggs and cracked them open over the grill. She hadn’t known what to expect when the diner opened earlier in the morning. She was happy to see it was business as usual. No one in town appeared to be holding the incidents with Bert and Betty against them. Yet.

  Lynn came up to the window to take the next order out to the floor. She glanced down in confusion at the plates in front of her.

  “Are you sure about this one?” Lynn asked.

  Holly glanced back up at the tickets hanging on the line in front of her. She’d gotten the order wrong.

  “I’m sorry. Hang on.” Holly reached across and grabbed what she needed to complete the order with French toast.

  Lynn stepped over to the side and prepped the coffee maker for the next pot. She noticed they were running low on bags of coffee. She turned and caught Tyler’s eye out on the floor and held up one of the few remaining bags. He nodded from across the restaurant. By the time Lynn returned to Holly, the orders were complete.

  “Thanks,” Lynn said as she lifted the plates.

  “I’m so sorry,” Holly said quietly.

  “Everyone makes mistakes, sweetie. Don’t beat yourself up over it.” Lynn carried the plates over to the table and set them down. “Can I get you anything else?”