Melt Down Murder

by Gretchen Allen

  The girls looked up to see Deputy Calhoun heading toward them. “Yvette? We’re going to need to finish up now.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry it took me so long, but I’m ready now.”

  Yvette gave Amelia’s hand one last squeeze before turning to follow the deputy back toward the house.

  6

  Yvette’s eyes fluttered open. Rolling over to look at her alarm clock, she remembered that she’d stayed the night at Amelia’s house. Planning on going back to bed, she was about to draw the blankets back up when she heard a faint cry coming from the next room. Sitting up, she maneuvered her legs off the side of the bed and walked over to the wall. She placed her ear against it and listened for a few moments before deciding that she should go check on her friend.

  Yvette knocked lightly on Amelia’s bedroom door before gently pushing it open. “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure. I stayed up almost the whole night calling and texting Mark and he never responded. I know we aren’t in the best place right now, but I know he’d answer if he saw I called that many times.”

  “We can call Heath in a little while and see if he was able to get in touch with him.” Yvette gave her friend an encouraging look.

  “I can’t stop thinking about it. I go from being sick over the thought that he’s dead to being jealous that he’s not picking up the phone because he’s with another woman. I even went so far as to consider that he knew the victim and was in some sort of trouble, so he ran away. Or maybe he even got kidnapped or something. I can’t even think straight. I feel like I’m in a movie.”

  Yvette was trying to hold it together, but truthfully, she was about ready to break down herself. She needed to try to get a bit of food in her stomach since neither of them had eaten since breakfast the morning before. “Why don’t we go downstairs for a little while and listen to some music. I’ll make us something to eat.”

  Amelia gave a halfhearted smile. “I don’t know that I have much of an appetite, but I’ll sit with you while you cook.”

  The girls threw on their flip flops and went downstairs to begin their day. Yvette searched the cabinets and refrigerator until she found something that she could put together that resembled a meal.

  “I know you said you weren’t hungry, and I also know it’s eight a.m. but what about some grilled cheese and tomato soup?” She held out a can of soup in one hand and a loaf of sourdough bread in the other.

  “I do love comfort food and we could both use a little bit of that,” Amelia agreed. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I’m being such an awful friend. You’re the one who saw a body and here I am making you cook for me.”

  “You know how much I love cooking plus it calms me when I’m feeling anxious. Before you know it, your kitchen will be full of casseroles and cupcakes. Ohhh, cupcakes. We should make cupcakes.” Yvette opened the fridge to look for eggs.

  “I think grilled cheese and soup will be okay for now.” Amelia pulled out a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “Fine. But if we still haven’t heard from Mark after we’re done eating, I say we go talk to Heath at the police station and stop at Sundae Afternoon on our way back. We could both use a little ice cream in our lives.”

  Yvette finished whipping up their makeshift breakfast and they picked at their food in silence. They were just about done when a cell phone dinged. Jolted by the noise, both girls jumped and dashed for their respective phones.

  “It’s mine,” Yvette said glancing down at the screen. The color drained from her face. “It’s a text from Millie at the farm.”

  Millie Rutherford worked at Kline Family Farm with Mark, so maybe she had heard from him. The women were hopeful.

  “What’s it say?” Amelia took a few steps closer and strained to see the text message.

  “We’re going to have to see Heath sooner rather than later. Millie said she came into work this morning and Mark wasn’t there. Then one of the farmhands came by her office and dropped off Mark’s cell phone. I guess he found it in the chicken coop when he was gathering eggs.”

  “It was him. He was the one up there. He was at the lake and someone broke in and killed him. I just know it.” Amelia’s face was getting paler by the minute.

  “We don’t know that. This certainly isn’t good news, but we can’t be sure of anything yet. Let’s get dressed and go find Heath. I bet he has more information than we do at this point.

  Amelia agreed and forced herself up from the kitchen table. “Okay. I’m so glad I have you right now, Yvette. You are the only thing holding me together.” She leaned on her friend and they walked back up the stairs arm in arm.

  * * *

  Sitting and waiting wasn’t doing anything for either of their nerves. Yvette’s mind was whirling trying to make sense of everything that had happened.

  When the women arrived at the police station and requested to talk to Heath, they were directed to have a seat on the bench outside of his office while he finished up a meeting. Every time Yvette tried to focus on a possibility about who the victim could be or why no one had been able to get in touch with Mark, she was distracted by Amelia.

  “How did his phone end up in the chicken coop of all places? It doesn’t make any sense. Mark never went in there. He hired people to do that sort of thing.” Amelia’s left leg grazed Yvette’s as they sat next to one another. She was wound tight. Her leg shook so hard she was causing the entire bench to vibrate with her movements.

  “I don’t know. I’ve seen him out on the farm before. Maybe he was just helping out.”

  Honestly, Yvette felt like she was grasping at straws. There really wasn’t a reason that she could think of that Mark’s cell phone would have been found in the chicken coop, but it was a good reason why he wasn’t answering it. Not knowing the identity of the body that she’d seen wasn’t a good sign, though. She scolded herself for not paying more attention.

  Grabbing Yvette’s hand, Amelia gave it a light squeeze. “I know you’re only trying to make me feel better and I truly appreciate that. I’m just nervous about Mark. You’re the one that actually saw that awful mess though. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not really. I’ve been trying not to think about it. It was a sight I never want to come across again and I don’t mind not discussing it.” Yvette stopped, hearing a shuffle of chairs coming from Heath’s office.

  The door across from them opened slowly and the women looked up, expecting to see Heath walking out to greet them.

  “Mark! You’re here. You’re okay,” Amelia raced over and threw her arms around him.

  Peering over Amelia’s shoulder, Mark looked to Yvette with confusion on his face. “What are you two doing here?”

  “We could ask you the same thing. We’ve been worried sick about you. Where have you been?” Yvette held up her hands in question.

  “At home. I took a couple days off work, so I could get some things taken care of. Heath stopped by and told me what happened at the lake house.” He froze looking back and forth between the women. “The lake house… are you okay? I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

  Amelia took a few slow steps backward to the bench and flopped down. “I’m so glad it wasn’t you.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “We have so much to talk about,” she said using a shaky hand to brush away a tear.

  “You thought it was me? Why would I have been there? I knew you guys were going up there this weekend. It’s not like I would have tried to crash your party or something.”

  Mark had gone to sit next to Amelia. He put his arm around her, trying to console her. Heath was still standing in the entrance of his office watching everything unfold in front of him. He turned to Yvette. “Is everything okay?”

  “No. I mean yes. I don’t know. We came here to tell you that we couldn’t find Mark, and that someone from the farm found his phone. We were so worried that it was him I saw.”

  Mark snapped his head up, overhearing Yvette. “They found my phone? I’ve been loo
king for that thing everywhere.”

  “Millie has it. That’s why we’re here. We thought something might have happened to you. I’m glad you’re okay.” Yvette told Mark genuinely.

  Heath stepped into the hallway to join in the conversation. “I’m glad you are all feeling a little relief, but the fact of the matter is that there was a body found and we don’t have a lot of information right now. I’m going to need you three to stay alert and be certain to keep away from the lake house.”

  “Our stuff is still there. The only things they let us take were our purses. When can we get everything?” Amelia asked Heath.

  “I’ll let you know.” Heath looked to the group. “Just make sure to be extra cautious and don’t go getting any ideas on how to make sense of this.” His eyes lingering on Yvette a little longer than the rest.

  “We wouldn’t dream of it,” Yvette replied, already plotting her next move.

  7

  Abigail brushed the hair from her daughter’s eyes and handed her a steaming cup of tea.

  “Don’t beat yourself up, honey. You acted how anyone would have under the circumstances.”

  Sniffling, Yvette rubbed the tears from her eyes and gave her mom a half smile. “I was trying so hard to hold it together.”

  “You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s okay to let it out and feel something. What happened was a tragedy, and unfortunately, you were the one that had to witness it.”

  “I know, Mom. It’s just hard not knowing anything yet. Heath hasn’t released any information, no name, no arrest. I can’t stop thinking about how whoever did this heinous thing might be walking around town right next to me. I feel like I need to figure it out.”

  “The last thing you need to do is figure it out, honey. We all want justice to be served but we need to leave that to the police. Why don’t you finish up your tea and take a hot bath, then we can go out together and get something for lunch?”

  Yvette sipped her tea, thankful that she had someone to talk to. “I’ll give it a shot,” she said before rising to head upstairs.

  * * *

  Feeling much better, Yvette pulled her shoes from the closet and slipped them on. Her mom had been right, a hot bath soothed her nerves and she was ready to take on the day. Coming down the stairs to tell her mom she was ready to leave, she saw her dad coming up from the basement.

  “Oh shoot. I thought you were still upstairs,” he told his daughter with a guilty look on his face.

  “What’s that?” Yvette asked, noticing the table he was lugging up the stairs.

  “It was supposed to be a surprise,” he sighed.

  “For me? It’s beautiful.” Yvette peered around her dad who was trying to hide an adorable little table in the shape of an ice cream cone. The bottom was made to look like an intricately designed sugar cone and the top was flat and made to look like melted ice cream.

  “I was working on them when you were here last week for dinner,” Charlie confessed with a mischievous grin.

  Yvette nudged her dad out of the way to get a better look. “Them? There’s more than one?”

  “I made enough for your whole shop. I’m taking this one to show everyone and tell them about the surprise. I was hoping I’d get it in the truck before you came downstairs.”

  “That’s what the paint Heath brought over to the shop was for! I’ve been meaning to ask you when you were coming to pick up the box he left with me. It’s been cluttering up my office for weeks. I’m sorry I ruined your surprise Dad, but I love these! They are going to look perfect in the shop.” Yvette threw her arms around him.

  “Do you need any help with them or anything?” Yvette asked.

  “Not at all. I don’t want you to lift a finger. I hope to have them all painted this week and set up for you soon after that. I may even enlist Joey for a little help.”

  “Joey? Really, Dad? Are you getting soft on me?” Yvette giggled, knowing just how leery he was of her young employee and his troubled past.

  “You say he’s a good man, so I’ll take your word for it.”

  “Are you ready to go?” Abigail interrupted, coming in from the kitchen. “Aww, you showed her the tables? You’re so sweet. I know how you wanted them to be a surprise, but I think Yvette needed some happy news.”

  “Not exac...” Charlie began.

  Yvette winked at her Dad. “Isn’t he the best? I love them so much.”

  Charlie shook his head at his daughter. “Where are you girls off to?”

  “Oh, I dunno. I think we’ll stop somewhere for some food, then maybe we can go see Amelia.” Yvette looked at her mother hoping she wouldn’t mind.

  “I think that sounds like a great idea.” Abigail agreed before giving her husband a quick peck on the cheek.

  “See you later, Dad. Thanks again. I just love the tables.” Yvette grinned before heading out the front door for a day on the town with her mom.

  8

  Thanks for coming in. I feel bad I missed you and your mom when you came by the other day.” Amelia waved Yvette into her office.

  “It’s okay, I know this time of year is busy for you.” Yvette took a seat.

  With the holiday season getting ready to begin, Amelia would be working overtime until well after Christmas. The events that Heritage held were expansive and brought in hundreds of tourists each day. Amelia’s career required her to be available nearly all day every day from mid-September until after Christmas. Yvette knew her friend had a lot on her plate, but she was hoping she’d be willing to talk with her for a few minutes.

  “How are you?” Yvette asked, fidgeting with a pen.

  “I’m feeling better, thanks. I want to apologize to you though. I was so worried about Mark that I didn’t even consider your feelings. I know you were worried about him too and you were the one who found the body. I can’t even believe I treated you the way that I did. You are always the strong one that I lean on through all the hard times and it should have been the other way around this time. I’m sorry, truly sorry.” Amelia extended a hand.

  Grasping her friend’s hand, Yvette’s eyes blurred with tears. “Thanks for that,” she said genuinely. “I’m sorry too. My parents are great but sometimes a girl just needs her best friend, ya know?”

  “Like I said, I’m really glad you stopped by. Have you heard anything from Heath?” Amelia asked.

  “No, but I’m probably not the first on his list of people to call,” Yvette’s mouth twitched.

  Laughing, Amelia replied, “I guess you’re right. All I know is that they still haven’t released any information about the identity of the man or how and why it happened. Oh, and my house is still a crime scene. Not that I want to go back there anytime soon or anything.”

  “I’m no professional but I’d guess that he was stabbed by something. Repeatedly. There was so much blood.” Yvette looked away.

  “I know it’s hard, but we have to try to remember that the police are doing everything they can. In the meantime, we need to remember what Heath said; be cautious and stay aware of our surroundings.”

  “I agree.” Yvette nodded. “We don’t know who could have done this or why it happened at the house on the weekend we just happened to be going there.”

  Amelia sat up straighter in her seat. “What are you saying? You don’t actually think it had anything to do with either of us, do you?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t crossed my mind. I told everyone I spoke to that I was going away and I’m sure you did the same so it’s entirely possible.” Yvette shrugged.

  “Great. Another thing to worry about,” Amelia huffed.

  “Better to be safe than sorry. What did Mark say about everything?”

  “He didn’t really say anything. He thanked me for being so concerned and that was about it.”

  Perking up a little more, Yvette had an idea. “What if we talk to Mark? Maybe he knows who the guy was?”

  “Don’t you think Heath would have already asked him that?�
�� Amelia questioned.

  “Yeah, probably, but I’d still like to know the answer and I’m betting Heath won’t be the one to tell me.”

  “I suppose not,” Amelia chuckled at the thought. “I don’t really want to see Mark right now though, is that okay? I’m, still a little hurt that I didn’t get more of a reaction from him.”

  Yvette thought that it was more than okay. Amelia might be her best friend, but she wasn’t always held together very tightly, especially when it came to Mark. If she came along to talk to him, the conversation could sway to something else and Yvette would never get anything accomplished.

  “I get it. You don’t have to come. I’ve been kind of slacking since this whole thing happened and haven’t even stopped in at Sundae Afternoon. I could probably use a day to focus on work. I’ll go to the farm and talk with Millie about some new ice cream flavors and then swing by Mark’s office and see if I can get any information from him.”

  “What if he knows something? Do you think he’d hide it from me? Maybe that’s why he’s been so distant?” Amelia rattled off without taking a breath.

  Yvette tried to reassure her friend. “I think you need to relax a little. I’m sure he isn’t hiding anything from you. He probably didn’t know the man. Maybe it was just a squatter that saw the place was empty more often than not.”

  “I don’t know but I want you to call me the minute you leave from talking with Mark!” Amelia demanded.

  Yvette felt refreshed and was thankful she’d gotten out of her funk. Seeing a body wasn’t something she ever wanted to have happen again, but she knew she needed to move forward and get to the bottom of this. She had to make sure to keep it quiet though because the last thing she needed was her father and Heath on her tail.