The Cherry Chip Murders

by Mary Maxwell

  “That’s too bad,” I said when my sister gave me the news.

  “Not really,” Olivia replied with a mischievous cackle. “He’s a total downer. But you’re going to love Stella. She’s fun and witty and smart.” She paused. “Sound like anyone you know?”

  I pointed at her.

  “Nope,” she said. “I was thinking about you, Katie. I bet that you and Stella will totally get along. And since Stan’s not coming, I invited her to join us for dinner and dessert.”

  For once in her life, my sister was right about how I would click with one of the women in her social circle. The minute she approached our table at the restaurant, I liked Stella. And Olivia’s assessment had been right on the money. The woman was intelligent, clever and unreserved. Our dinner was delightful in every way: delicious food, impeccable service and a nonstop flow of compelling conversation, lighthearted banter and silly jokes. I thought the enjoyable evening would continue well past dessert, but as we prepared to place our orders for something sweet, Stella suddenly clutched her heart.

  “Oh, no,” she said suddenly, turning her back to a group of men at the bar. “It’s Leo Leachman’s goons.”

  I smiled. “The King of Fun Furniture has goons?”

  “Doesn’t everybody?” she joked. “I mean, everybody with an ego the size of Texas.”

  I shot a quick look at my sister. She gave me a wink before asking her friend to tell me the story of the first time she met her husband’s new boss.

  “Oh, that was such a nightmare!” Stella said. “We were in Miami at a company retreat. It was just the top executives from each department, the board of directors and Leo. Stan and I had already gone to bed the first night of the conference when His Royal Pain in the Majesty came to our suite. He was drunk as a skunk, pounding on the door and demanding that we let him in. I told my husband that if he followed Leo’s orders, I was getting on the first flight home in the morning. So we tiptoed into the bedroom, carefully closed the door and sat on the edge of the mattress, figuring that we could wait until he left. But then, maybe ten minutes later, we heard the front door to our suite open, and—”

  A wave of laughter suddenly rolled through the restaurant. Stella stopped talking and we all looked toward the bar. I saw a small group of men gathered around a woman wearing a slinky red velvet floor-length gown.

  “Oh, that’s simply revolting!” Stella said. “Have you noticed how so many men turn into pigs when they’re on the town together?”

  I kept my gaze on her face as she studied the thunderous gaggle of men. It was like watching someone as they realize their first impression of something distasteful is actually not as bad as reality.

  “Oh, no,” she whispered. “I thought that woman looked familiar when I saw her walk in earlier. That’s Leo’s ex-girlfriend. I didn’t recognize her at first. Should I take a picture and send it to Stan so he can see what fun he’s missing?”

  I swiveled in my seat for a better look. One of the men was waving a fistful of money at the woman, offering to buy her either a cocktail or a Ferrari.

  “He’s kind of cute,” my sister said. “Too bad they didn’t install a brain when he was born.”

  I laughed. “They’re all handsome. It’s like the cast of The Godfather, but dressed in polo shirts and linen trousers instead of business suits and fedoras.”

  “I’ve met them all,” Stella said, “except for the guy in the blue sweater and cords. He’s probably a new recruit.”

  “He’s also the only one with a wedding ring,” my sister said. “That won’t last long. Either he’ll dump the wife or Leo will dump him.”

  When I glanced over again, the man in question had circled the swarm of numbskulls so that he was facing us. I’d noticed his sweater earlier because it was one of my favorite shades of blue. But when I took a good look at him, my heart slammed to a stop.

  “Katie?” my sister asked. “What’s wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

  I took a breath. “I did,” I said, reaching for my phone. “That’s Darren Rigby.”

  CHAPTER 19

  The last time I saw Darren, he was drowsy, confused and reeking of stale beer. The man that I began describing to Dina as soon as she answered the phone was the exact opposite: buoyant, effervescent and animated.

  “He’s telling a story that has the other men enthralled,” I whispered.

  “Where are you again?” she asked.

  “The City Oasis in Denver,” I said. “It’s in the—”

  “I know the place,” she cut in. “I met Adam and Madelyn there for dinner shortly before they moved to Boulder.”

  For a brief moment, I thought about Adam Caldwell and his wife. He was a former Denver PD detective that opened an investigation agency after leaving the force. He hired me for consulting work on cases whenever he needed help.

  “Well, Darren is definitely looking much healthier than he did the other day,” I said.

  “You mean when he was sleeping on the floor of your office?” she asked with a twinge of snark. “When Liz Winchester let him slip out the back so he could evade my questions?”

  Although I didn’t think that Liz had intentionally allowed Darren to steal her car keys and disappear, I could tell Dina was in a mood. Instead of responding to the question, I continued with my report of Darren Rigby’s whereabouts.

  “He obviously knows these other men quite well,” I said. “My sister’s friend told us that they work for Leo Leachman. They’re carrying on like long lost frat bros or something.”

  Dina groaned. “I know the type,” she said.

  “You’ve dated the type,” I replied. “But we’ll move past that for the time being.”

  “Listen, Katie,” she said with a new sense of urgency. “I was walking out the door when you called. Trent wants me in his office for a conference call with the mayor. Can you keep an eye on Rigby without being spotted? I want to get off now and reach out to Jane Lund, my friend at the Denver PD. Then I’ll join Trent’s call and get back to you as soon as possible.”

  “I can stay here for another hour or so,” I said. “But it’s a school night. I need to get back home by eleven at the latest.”

  “Of course, I know that,” she replied. “I’ll appreciate whatever you can do. If I get delayed, I’ll catch up with you in the morning.”

  “Sounds good,” I told her. “And before you hang up, is there anything new on the case? Can you give me a super fast rundown?”

  “It’ll have to wait,” she said. “Trent’s glaring at me from the hallway, so I need to go.”

  Before I could say another word, the line went dead.

  “What did she say?” my sister asked.

  “She’s going to call someone at the Denver Police,” I replied.

  Stella cleared her throat. “Is that guy dangerous?” she asked. “Did he…” She paused. “I mean, I heard about the other man on the news; the guy from Crescent Creek that went missing. Did this guy kill him or something?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know who did what to whom,” I said. “The situation is a little fluid at the moment.”

  My sister giggled. “Fluid? Don’t you mean nobody knows why this clown ran off with his assistant’s car?”

  Stella frowned. “Wait a second. Did he kill his assistant, too?”

  “No, she’s fine. But they both came to my café a couple of days after Tony Hett was abducted. Liz received a call that Darren had been left in one of the public parks in town. He was pretty out of it, so I suggested they cool their heels in the office while we waited for the police. By the time they arrived, chucklehead over there grabbed his assistant’s keys while she was in the ladies’ room. He vanished for a period of time, but I did speak to him briefly a few hours later.”

  The woman’s eyes whipped back and forth between me and Olivia. Then she lifted her napkin, pressed it to her lips and announced that she was leaving.

  “I don’t really know what’s going,” she said, scooting he
r chair away from the table. “But I shouldn’t be here. My husband works with those people. I mean, he works with some of them. And if they see me over here…” She reached for her purse on the back of the chair. “I hope you understand. I’m just not one for drama, and this is beginning to feel like a whole lot of that.”

  “It’s totally understandable,” Olivia told her friend. “And I’m sorry about how this turned out, but it was really good to see you tonight.”

  As Stella walked around the table to give my sister a hug, I had an idea. I reached for my phone and handed it to her.

  “Could you take a picture of us before you go?” I asked.

  Stella smiled. “A picture?”

  “We don’t get a chance to do this very often,” I said. “I want to commemorate the occasion with a photograph that I can send to our parents down in Florida.”

  “Oh…” Stella glanced at my sister. “I bet they’ll love that!”

  Olivia shot me a look that would be ruled a deadly weapon in at least twenty states and the District of Columbia.

  “They’ll be thrilled,” my sister said, shaking her head. “They can’t get enough of our shiny, happy faces.”

  “Do you want it like this?” Stella said, holding up the phone. “I mean, just sitting at the table?”

  I nodded. “That would be perfect,” I said. “But maybe if you go back and sit in your chair it’ll be less obvious. I don’t want to give Darren any reason to look our way.”

  Stella glanced nervously at the group of men by the bar. Then she returned to her chair, took the photograph and slid my phone across the table.

  “They didn’t notice me taking the picture,” she said. “They’re too busy acting like ill-mannered children out for the night with daddy’s credit card.”

  CHAPTER 20

  The next hour passed quickly. Darren Rigby and his gang of chuckleheads inhaled cocktails while they regaled one another with loud, boastful stories about the usual subjects: past achievements, present-day victories and future goals. The list featured sports triumphs, business victories, beautiful women, expensive cars, vacations and real estate.

  “They’re so predictable,” my sister muttered after one of the men boasted about landing a shark while deep sea fishing. “I’m so grateful that Cooper and Zack aren’t like those heathens.”

  I glanced at the group again. “Maybe they’re not as gruesome as they sound. For some men, there’s an innate need to boast and brag whenever two or more gather together, particularly if alcohol and scantily clad women are within reach.”

  She made a face. “Then why don’t they do it in private? It’s annoying to have that rumble in the background.”

  “It is,” I agreed. “But I’m doing this as a favor to Dina and our other good friend at the CCPD.”

  Olivia scowled. She knew that I was referring to Deputy Chief Trent Walsh, someone that we’d both known since we were teenagers.

  “Excuse me?”

  “What?” I said. “You like them both.”

  “Obviously,” she said. “But I believe what you meant to say was that you and I are doing this for them. I introduced you to Stella. If she hadn’t been here earlier, we wouldn’t have known that those guys work for Leo Leachman. And since he seems to be mixed up in whatever is going on with Darren Rigby, then…” She paused to take a breath. “Well, you get my drift, right?”

  “You’re absolutely correct,” I said, raising my coffee cup. “We are doing the favor for Dina. And I’ll make sure she knows what a valuable role you played, too! You’re a true Good Samaritan, sis. I leader among women, a crusader for justice and probably the only person I know who could pull off that eye shadow with that outfit.”

  She fluttered her lashes. “Well, I’m honored. You’re too, too kind. I don’t deserve such high praise.”

  We giggled together and she looked at the time.

  “You should get on the road, Katie,” she said. “It’s almost ten-thirty.”

  I took a deep breath and stretched my arms overhead. “I’d much rather sit here with you,” I said. “This has been nice. Thanks for making the reservation. And thank you for inviting Stella to join us. That really was fortuitous that she came by herself and saw the guys that work for Leachman.”

  “I’m just glad to see you,” Olivia said. “Do you mind if I tinkle real quick before we leave?”

  “Tinkle away,” I said. “I’ll send Zack a message to let him know that I’m heading home in a few.”

  “Cool,” she said. “Back in a flash.”

  After she left the table, I pulled out my phone, sent an update to Zack and then checked email. There was nothing of great interest or urgency, so I started to slip the phone back into my purse when the empty chair to my left was suddenly pulled out from beneath the table.

  “Don’t turn around,” Darren Rigby said after he sat down. “They think I came over to try and pick you up.”

  I smiled. “I don’t think your wife would be too thrilled by that idea.”

  “I’m kidding, Katie,” he said, keeping his head turned slightly so the men at the bar couldn’t see his face. “Play along for two minutes. I saw you come in earlier, and I’ve been dying to do this. Your timing is impeccable, that’s for sure. I have some information that the police need to see.”

  “Information about what?” I asked.

  He put his phone on the table before reaching into the back pocket of his pants. When he removed it, I saw a flash of silver between his fingers.

  “Don’t say anything,” he said quietly. “Just throw back your head and laugh like we’re having fun.”

  I didn’t know what he was up to, but I played along. I could see the fear and anxiety in his eyes now, the keen indication that something very odd was underway.

  “Okay,” said Darren. “That was great. Now I’m going to reach for your hands, pull them toward me and give you the thumb drive that I’m holding.”

  I took a breath as my heart started to pound.

  “Laugh again,” he said.

  When I followed his instruction, he executed the move that he’d just described. Our hands touched, he lifted mine and lightly kissed them both before deftly passing the small silver device to me.

  “Give that to the police,” he said. “But don’t tell them where you got it.”

  I smiled. “Are you punking me right now?”

  He shook his head. Then he looked over at his friends near the bar. While his head was turned, his phone vibrated and a text appeared: We’re on schedule. They’ll bring Tony to your room at midnight. I luv U. xo The message was from a local number. I didn’t recognize it, but my breath hitched briefly when I saw the associated name: Junebug.

  “What’s going on, Darren?” I asked. “Are you playing at some kind of game with your buddies?”

  His eyes flashed red. “No,” he hissed. “This is no joke. The men that I’m with are involved in some very nasty business. I never asked to be pulled into this, okay? But now that I am, I want to do the right thing.” He filled his lungs with a long slow pull of air. “Here’s the deal, Katie,” he said. “I can’t really tell you much right now, but Tony Hett is up to his eyeballs in some very serious stuff.”

  “Such as?”

  Tony exhaled loudly. “Real estate and wire fraud, selling counterfeit merchandise and laundering money for a group of wealthy businessmen from Europe and Southeast Asia. Hett is using Leo Leachman as a middle man to funnel the dirty cash into real estate in our country so it can be cleaned and returned to them as American dollars.”

  “Wait a second,” I said. “This is kind of blowing my—”

  He stopped me with one finger.

  “Well, well,” Olivia said as she dropped back into her chair. “Isn’t this a cozy little scene?”

  I slipped the thumb drive into my purse while she chattered away about dinner and the restaurant and the hotel.

  “I should be going,” Darren said when my sister finished. “It was nice to se
e you, Katie.” He got to his feet. “And you too, Olivia. I hope you both have a safe evening.”

  My sister watched as he returned to the bar, where the other men slapped his hand and patted his back.

  “Did you see the lipstick on his collar?” Olivia asked.

  “I did see that,” I said.

  “Kind of a funky color,” she added. “Like a plum that’s spoiled in the sun.”

  “Something’s definitely funky,” I said. “Because Sheila only wears one shade of lipstick and that’s not it.”

  My sister’s eyes expanded. “Oh, no! So he’s having an affair?”

  “Possibly,” I said.

  “Do you have any idea who it is?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Well, then tell me,” Olivia said. “Is it anybody that you know at home?”

  “Not very well,” I replied. “But she definitely lives in Crescent Creek.”

  Darren and his friends exploded with a fresh wave of laughter. Olivia sneered at the men and shook her head.

  “Heathens,” she said under her breath. “Even little Darren dodo head.”

  “He’s in some kind of trouble,” I said. “I need to get out of here and call Dina again.”

  Her smile melted away. “What did he tell you?”

  “I can’t get into it here,” I said. “Let’s go outside and I’ll tell you as much as he shared with me.”

  “Okay,” she said. “But you’re kind of freaking me out right now.”

  I pushed back from the table, grabbed my purse and pulled out my phone.

  “That stands to reason,” I said quietly as we started for the door. “Because I’m kind of freaking out, too.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Dina’s first words when she finally returned my call the next afternoon were not only odd, but I learned soon enough that they were quite accurate.

  “Here we go again,” she said, sounding weary and prepared to accept another twist of fate.

  “Can you be more specific?” I asked.