by Holly Quinn
Sammy had no other choice than to take this opportunity to ask him what he knew about the investigation into Ingrid’s murder. “Have the police made an arrest yet?”
“No,” he responded quickly, “but I sure hope they do soon. The town is really on edge.”
“I know.” Sammy agreed. She wished he’d said more, but considering his job and standing in the community, she understood why he would keep a tight lid on the issue.
“Nice to see you, Sunshine. I’ve got to get moving, but we’ll save you a seat at the game. Okay?” He waved and was quickly off and running again.
“You bet.” Sammy waved goodbye and continued her walk along the path.
After her encounter with Mayor Allen, her mind began to wander back to her best friend, Kate. What would her life be like now … if it hadn’t been cut short? She made her way to the covered bridge that resembled a small red barn, she remembered how she and Kate used to come and pick wildflowers along the river for their mothers on Mother’s Day. Or talk about their latest high school crushes. Inside the covered bridge she stopped at the wooden post and ran her fingers through the carved heart inside. KA LOVES GD. She had forgotten that Kate had been in love with Greta’s brother, Gary. The thought made her chuckle. All Kate had talked about that summer was Gary, Gary, Gary. She remembered fondly as she fingered the old carving. And now … she wondered if up in heaven Kate knew. That the love of her life, Gary Dixon, had been in and out of jail, apparently struggling with addiction problems and causing his whole family stress from the pressure of it all. She silently wondered if Kate’s death had furthered his addiction. They had long been long broken up by the time she had passed away, but maybe he never really got over her? A newfound compassion for Gary swept over Sammy. Sometimes things weren’t always what they seemed.
Bara nosed at her wrist, removing her from her reverie. “I know, pup. We better get to work.” Sammy took the cue from her dog and picked up the pace, heading back toward Community Craft.
Before heading into work for the day, Sammy decided to make a few stops. First, she dropped Bara at Community Craft, so he could rest on his plush bed that sat beside the register. After making sure her puppy was more than comfortable, she headed across the street for a coffee. The early morning rush had passed, so Sammy easily made her way to the counter where Cara stood waiting.
“Did Douglas stop by yet?” Cara leaned in on the counter to speak directly to Sammy.
“Yep, thanks for passing on the message. I’m just here for the caffeine today. I went for a walk this morning. I just couldn’t pass up the sunshine.” She grinned, feeling the vitamin D from the change in spring weather already taking full effect.
Cara turned to pour Sammy’s coffee. “It sure is nice out there,” she looked toward the window with longing. “As soon as my shift is over, I’m going to go play tennis or at the very least go for a walk. Too nice to not take advantage … In case the weather turns again. You know how bipolar Wisconsin weather can be.”
“I sure do,” Sammy’s eyes wandered around the coffee shop, looking for anyone she knew. Secretly she was looking to see if the new detective was possibly sharing a cup of coffee with Tim. She didn’t spot either of them.
The walls of the café, painted a bright yellow, were the same color as the café’s signature cups. Large emoji-style smiles were hand-painted on the wall above the coffee bar. Each of their white painted tables held only four chairs, for a more intimate feel. To her surprise, Sammy noticed the woman who had retrieved the lost locket necklace. She had seen this woman only a handful of times before, and now suddenly she was popping up again? Because of a large ficus plant in the line of her vision, Sammy couldn’t see who was on the other side of the table.
“Hold my coffee for a few minutes, Cara? I have to use the restroom,” she fibbed and stepped away from the coffee line, leaving the barista with a perplexed look on her face.
Sammy maneuvered her way through the tables toward the bathroom but specifically toward the older woman to see who was accompanying her. Gary Dixon? What was Gary Dixon doing with her? Who was she? Sammy was going to have to figure out the identity of this mystery woman. The question was … how? She really wasn’t friends with Gary in high school. The fact that he had taken Kate’s attention away from her had a lot to do with it. Sammy opened the door to the ladies’ room and stood at the sink. Her auburn hair was windblown from the walk along the river. She brushed it from her eyes and combed her fingers through it to try to make it more presentable. She should pay closer attention to her appearance, she scolded herself, instead of looking for trouble. Maybe her sister and cousin were right. Sammy turned on the sink and washed her hands and patted her face with the water. She should just learn to mind her own business. Unfortunately, she knew her curious nature wouldn’t allow that, especially when the questions in her mind kept rolling. She wiped her face and hands dry with a paper towel and tossed it into the trash. Hopefully her spare makeup bag was back in her office drawer at Community Craft. Otherwise, her appearance would be rather unsightly for a full day at work.
With her mind swimming, due to all the tragic events, she couldn’t remain focused, and that needed adjusting or she wasn’t going to be much help to anyone. She exited the bathroom, and as she retreated toward the coffee bar, she noticed Gary and the mystery woman leaving the café. Now she had really lost her chance for a proper introduction. She needed to do some research about that car accident and see whose life had ended that day Ingrid was behind the wheel. Because the accident happened years before the Internet, Sammy doubted a quick Google search would give her the answers she needed. She would have to stop by the library and find out. The history room might contain some valuable information. She had to find out why this older woman was meeting with Gary. It just didn’t make sense.
“You all right?” Cara asked as she handed Sammy the coffee that had been sitting on the counter.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she smiled, “Hey, you don’t happen to know that older woman who was here with Gary Dixon?”
The barista stood organizing the sugar and napkins on the counter. “No. Why?”
Sammy handed her a five-dollar bill from her pocket and Cara took it to make change.
“She came in the store recently. Just wondered who she was?”
Cara shrugged. “Sorry. No idea.” She handed Sammy her change, and she jammed it into her pocket.
“Thanks, enjoy your day. Get out there and get some sun.” Sammy smiled at the barista, waved a hand, and was out the door.
Bara greeted Sammy as soon as she was back at the shop. Before opening the store and starting her official morning routine, Sammy headed straight to the office to retrieve her makeup bag with her dog trailing behind. She felt relieved she had left it in the desk drawer. After a quick addition of blush, black mascara, and berry lip gloss she felt much better about opening the door to customers.
Sammy wondered if the detective would make an appearance? He really hadn’t asked her a lot of questions about the murder, which she found perplexing. Did he have a unique way of approaching his cases? He was probably trying to be friendly to everyone in town so they would let their guards down and maybe let something slip? In times such as these she wished she had paid more attention in her college psych classes. If she had, she might have everyone’s mindset figured out.
Sammy hurried to the front door to flip the store sign to OPEN. As she was unlocking the door, she noticed Lynn walking past at a rapid stride. She stepped outside the door and gave a wave. “Gorgeous morning!”
“Sure is!” Lynn returned the wave and kept pace, not missing a beat. Suddenly though she turned and, walking backwards said, “Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I talked with the police about my concerns. Just so you know, they said they did bring Harold in for questioning. It’s sure a weight off my chest.” Before Sammy had the chance to reply, Lynn had already returned to a steady pace and was too far away to respond.
Good for her, Sammy t
hought. She sure is sticking to the exercise program. Sammy wasn’t sure how Lynn could walk by the Sweet Tooth though and see those mouth watering treats through the window. Sammy wondered if that was why Lynn often crossed the street before she made it to Marilyn’s storefront. Sammy also wondered what had come of that conversation with police? Did they think Harold might be their guy? She closed the front door and headed to the back to repeat her opening procedure.
As Sammy was opening the back door, Ellie and her son were approaching. When Tyler saw his aunt, he let go of his mother’s hand and started running as fast as his two little legs could manage.
“Aunt-ie Sam-ee!” The little boy with boundless energy came rushing into her arms.
Sammy ran her fingers through his fine reddish-blond curls as she hugged him tightly. “Someone’s feeling better!” She ruffled his head one more time before letting go so he could enter the store in search of Bara.
“He’s better all right. Back to his old busy-boy self,” Ellie said with tired exaggeration.
Sammy held the door as her sister stepped in. Sure enough, Tyler was cuddled up with Bara, petting him tenderly on his back, the two of them very content.
“I thought I’d stop in and look for something to hang in the newly remodeled living room. Randy has the paint job just about finished. You’ll have to stop in and see. I think you’ll absolutely love the color.” Ellie’s eyes searched the store walls in hopes of finding the perfect item to use for decoration.
“Are you thinking a painting? Or shelves? How about a wall quilt? What kind of style are you going for?”
“I’m not sure. I think I’ll know it when I see it. I came in first thing hoping you wouldn’t have many customers this early so you could keep your eyes on Tyler while I shop? You know how he gets into everything, it’s hard to stay focused on what I’m doing. Such an inquisitive nature. He must take after his aunt,” Ellie winked.
Sammy wanted to ignore her sister’s little dig, but she was right. She was losing sleep because of her rampant curiosity. It was impossible for her to let the investigation go, it was borderline compulsive. “Well since you brought up my inquisitive nature…”
“Oh, boy. What now?” Ellie stopped looking at the merchandise on the rack and gave her sister her full attention.
“Remember that woman I told you about with the locket? She was having coffee with Gary Dixon today at Liquid Joy. I wonder who she is and why she would be having coffee with Gary?”
“I don’t remember a Gary Dixon. Who is he? Can you jog my memory?”
“He dated Kate for a while. Remember that? Oh, and his sister Greta is a few years older than you and Heidi. She’s in here quite a bit. Ring any bells?”
Ellie stood for a moment and then snapped a finger. “I remember Greta Dixon. Doesn’t she take classes here? Do you think it’s his mother? Or you mentioned she’s a bit older. Could it be his grandmother?”
“No, it’s not his mother. I know what she looks like. I suppose it could be a grandmother, but I don’t remember Kate ever mentioning that he had any other local family. Mom might remember. I’ll have to call her and ask.”
“Anyway, I thought you were staying out of it?” Ellie lifted one eyebrow and smirked at her sister.
“Of course, I am. Go shopping, check out that corner … There’s new stuff over there,” Sammy suggested the corner farthest away from her so she didn’t have to discuss it further. Besides, it would give her time to hang out with her nephew for a bit.
“I’ll take you up on that.” Ellie strolled to the front of the store in search of the perfect item for her home.
Tyler left Bara’s side and ran toward Sammy, almost knocking over a rack.
“Careful, buddy!” Sammy moved toward her nephew to steer him in a safer direction.
“Aunt-ie Sam-ee!” he looked up at her, his round blue eyes big as saucers. “Lol-ee?”
Sammy kept a hidden drawer where she stored large colorful lollipops for when her nephew came to visit. Ellie hated it, which made Sammy love it even more.
“Let’s go see.” She led him by the hand to her office and pulled out a key to open the locked drawer. After unlocking it, she let him choose from the package. Tyler’s hands shook with delight. He plucked a red one from the pile, and after she had helped him unwrap it, straight into his mouth it went. “Now, you’ll have to come sit by the register with me. That’s the rule. Otherwise, I take your lolly,” she held him with one hand and hauled a chair with the other out toward the cash counter. He obediently sat in the chair kicking his legs back and forth while he sucked on the candy. A large smile was pasted across his chubby rosy cheeks.
Before long, Ellie was standing at the cash register, arms full of merchandise. She was so enamored with her new things she didn’t even notice her son, hands sticky with a mouth full of candy. She filled the counter with the items and held up two handblown glass sconces, one in each hand.
“What do you think of these? Wouldn’t it look nice with a collection of family photos in between? I’m thinking for the large wall behind the couch?”
“I love that idea.” Sammy carefully took them from her sister and removed the tags. “These are just gorgeous, aren’t they?” she said as she carefully wrapped them in bubble wrap for safe transport.
“I love these quilted pillows too. I’m thinking of tossing them on the living room chairs. I need to get rid of the winter blah and bring in a pop of color.”
“Aren’t they great? I love the patchwork, but with the pale floral color, they don’t look country. Instead, they’re quite modern, don’t you think?”
“This is close to the color on the wall.” Ellie removed a paint swatch from her purse to show her sister how the patchwork would tie in beautifully with her newly painted room.
“I can’t wait to see it when you’re finished.” Sammy rang up the items at the register, and it was then that Ellie noticed her son with a large ring of red around his mouth. He held his sticky hands out in front of him but still sat obediently in the chair, swinging his legs wildly.
“You didn’t.”
“I did.” Sammy grinned.
“It’s not even lunchtime, and you’re giving him candy? What are you thinking?”
Sammy’s smile widened. “Wait until Randy sees this bill … hand over your credit card, lady.” She hoped the change of subject would take the heat off her giving Tyler an early morning treat.
Her sister dug into her purse and handed over the plastic card. “Yeah, I overspent. I’m going to have to go back to work soon. A single-income household is hard sometimes.”
“Speaking of that…” Sammy decided it was the perfect time to take full advantage. “I have a way you can earn off some of that bill. Any chance you can work the store Friday afternoon? It’s Carter’s eighteenth birthday, and I want to surprise him by catching his basketball game. It would only be a few hours.”
“That could work.”
Sammy could see her sister’s mind working, hopefully in her favor.
“Let me talk to Randy, and I’ll call you later to confirm?”
“I would really appreciate it.” Sammy placed the filled packages on the counter.
“I know. You’ve been very good to the Allen family, and I know how close you are with Carter.” Ellie scooped up her packages and then moved to hide them behind the counter. “Hang on to these, I have to go take Tyler to wash his hands. Thanks a lot.” She sent Sammy a stern look.
“You are so welcome,” she teased.
“Just wait until you have kids. Remember, paybacks!” Ellie said over her shoulder as she lifted Tyler up off the chair and headed directly to the restroom.
Chapter Thirteen
The familiar smell of sweat and foul-smelling shoes greeted Sammy as she swung open the gymnasium door of her old high school. It had been a long time since she had stepped into that space. Her memories of Heartsford High rushed forward almost taking her breath away. Images of Kate kicking her leg and sw
inging red and white pom-poms as she cheered the team to victory came flooding back. The memory was so vivid, Sammy had to shake her head to return to reality, where she was an adult and no longer in school. The squeaky sound of rubber sneakers hitting the highly-polished maple floor helped sharpen the focus of her mind and return her to the present moment. Sammy breathed deeply as her eyes scanned the bleachers for the Allen family. She noticed the mayor right away, waving a hand to catch her attention. She maneuvered her way through the standing crowd and stepped through the wooden bleachers until reaching a seat to join them.
“You made it right on time.” The mayor patted her on the back as the buzzer sounded, making everyone aware the warm-up was over, and the game would soon begin. The mayor’s wife, Connie, reached across her husband’s lap and gave Sammy’s hand a squeeze to welcome her without words in the noisy atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Sammy smiled wide and then turned her gaze to the team until her eyes landed on Carter. He was laser focused on what the assistant coach was sharing with the circled team.
The mayor leaned into Sammy and pointed out a few nicely dressed men who were standing in the corner. “All our hopes for a scholarship are right there,” he said in her ear.
Sammy noticed the scouts that most likely represented some Big Ten colleges. This was an important game. She could physically feel the tension in the room and read it on the players’ faces. They were under a lot of pressure. As the team prepared for the start of the game, the mayor pointed out the team’s starting point guard.
“Looks like Assistant Coach Dave got his wish, his son’s in the first string.”
“Doesn’t he normally play?”
“Not when the head coach is here. He’s usually benched.”