by Jenn Cowan
“It does actually.” I cross my arms over my chest and study him.
A bead of sweat breaks out on his forehead and he gulps.
“What was the nature of your relationship with Lindy?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “She was my friend and landlord.”
“Just a friend?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Yes. Just a friend. Although my wife thought we were more, but we weren’t. Lindy was a flirt, but that’s where it ended. I would never be unfaithful to my wife.”
“So, your wife accused you of cheating?”
Dr. Puckett sighs. “Yes, multiple times. Lindy was the source of many of our arguments.”
“Do you think your wife could have poisoned Lindy?”
“What?!” Dr. Puckett’s head jerks up to meet my eyes. “No, she wouldn’t do that. Marcie isn’t a killer.”
I study him for a moment. I don’t know Marcie all that well. She’s several years older than me and plays the part of a doctor’s wife well. I do think if someone was threatening her lifestyle ie: trying to steal her husband, she would do just about anything. I decide to interrogate Marcie myself and move on. “Do you have any idea who could have wanted Lindy dead?”
15
“Well she was trying to talk me into dumping my new business partner.”
“Ah, yes, Dr. Thatcher. I hear he’s quite the con artist.”
“I think Lindy was misinformed. I vetted Dr. Thatcher thoroughly before bringing him into my practice. I wouldn’t just hire anyone off the street. There’s no way he’s trying to steal from me. He doesn’t even have access to the books.”
“Did Lindy ever confront Dr. Thatcher with these allegations?”
He shifts back and forth on his loafers. “Yes. He didn’t take it well.”
“How so?”
“He threatened her. I overheard them the other day arguing outside. It was a nice fall day so I opened my office window. Lindy was ranting and raving about him being a thief and how she was going to the police. He told her…” Dr. Puckett gulps and swipes at the sweat forming on his forehead.
“What? What did he say?” Travis demands, crossing his arms over his chest.
“That if she went to the police he would end her.”
“Like her business or her life?”
“He didn’t specify, but his face was red and he looked about ready to strangle her.” Dr. Puckett’s phone rings, causing us all to jump. “Sorry, it’s my wife. She’s waiting for me to pick her up so we can go to Margo’s party. If there’s nothing else I should be going.”
Travis motions for him to leave then turns to me. “We need to talk to Dr. Thatcher.”
“You need to talk to Dr. Thatcher. I need to get home and get ready for Margo’s party then go talk to Mrs. Puckett.”
He lifts an eyebrow. “You don’t want to talk to the prime suspect in this case.” He reaches out and places a hand on my forehead. “Are you sick?”
I swat his hand away. “No, but we’re running out of time. Nikki is going to go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit if we don’t find this killer. Dr. Thatcher could be a flight risk, especially if the information Lindy had on him was accurate. The guy knows how to cover his tracks. You should probably take someone from the department with you.”
Travis frowns.
“What?”
“I don’t know who I can trust at the department right now.”
Now it’s my turn to frown. “What do you mean?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “You can’t repeat anything I’m about to say. Promise me.”
“Of course. What’s going on?”
“Things at the department aren’t good. The captain is fighting to keep his job. There’s a division between the cops. Some are wanting him out while others are siding with him. It’s a mess. Then there’s the whole matter of there being a leak in the department. Someone knew about those extra copies of the autopsy report. Someone from the department. They talked to whoever the killer is and maybe even stole the papers for them.” He sighs loudly as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders and from the sounds of things, it is.
I reach out and squeeze his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Travis. I know this can’t be easy for you. You’re a great detective and need a strong team backing you.”
He gives me a small smile. “Thanks, Autumn.”
“Do you want the captain out?”
“I’m not sure.” He bites his lip then says, “I think he knew about his nephew’s activities and turned a blind eye. I’m still not sure he wasn’t a part of the scandal surrounding Eddie’s mother’s death. He was best friends with Dean and that group. I think it’s strange he didn’t know anything about Eddie’s dad living in Daysville, don’t you?”
I shrug. “No one knew.”
“So, they say. It’s a small town. There are eyes and ears everywhere.”
“True, but what happens if the council fires him?”
“I’m not sure. There’s rumors of course, but nothing is definitive.”
“Have you ever considered applying for the job?”
“Me?” He shakes his head. “I could never sit behind a desk all day.”
“Who said you’d have to do that? You’d be the captain, you could do as you please, not to mention I bet there’s a pay raise involved, right?”
He nods. “I could be home with Cat more too.”
“And maybe have a social life. Get married. Have a couple more kids.”
Travis shakes his head. “That ship has sailed.”
“What? Why? You always wanted a big family.”
“Yes, with you.” He avoids my eyes when he says it. “I’ll be thirty-six next year. I’m a little late to the party in terms of having a big family.”
“Not if you marry a younger girl. Say someone like Taylor. She’s in her late twenties.”
He snorts. “Stop, Autumn. I don’t have any interest in Taylor. She’s a nice girl, but she’s not my type.” He turns and heads toward the door.
“Hey, wait!” I call after him, but he keeps walking to the SUV. I check the door to ensure it locks behind us before jogging over to him. “Why do you always do that?”
“What?”
“Walk away when I try to talk to you about other women.”
“Because.”
I roll my eyes and slide into the passenger seat as he shuts my door. When he gets in, I hound him, “Because why?”
He starts the car, but doesn’t put it in drive. “Autumn, can we just drop it, please?”
I let out a huff and cross my arms. “Fine. I thought we were friends.”
Travis chuckles and shakes his head. “We are, but it doesn’t mean I want to discuss my love life or lack thereof with you.”
“I told you about me and Josh and our pregnancy troubles.”
He cringes. “I kind of wish you hadn’t.”
“What? You told me I could talk to you about it or anything.”
“I know and you can, but it doesn’t make it any easier for me.”
“Travis, Josh thinks you’re still in love with me. You aren’t, are you?”
Silence.
“Travis?” I turn in my seat to face him. “You’re not, right?”
He sighs. “Can I plead the fifth?”
“No.”
“Fine. Yes, I’m still in love with you.” He turns to face me. “I’ll always love you, Autumn, but I also respect yours and Josh’s relationship. I would never do anything to come between you two.”
“So that’s why you can’t move on?”
He shrugs. “If I’m honest. I don’t want to. Every woman I’ve ever dated, I’ve compared to you. It’s not fair to them and I don’t want to settle for anything less than what I had with you.”
“But you could have something better than what we had.”
“Do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Have something better than what we had?”
I frown and c
ontemplate his words. Life with Josh is good. Great even. We get along well. Love and support each other. He makes me feel safe and protected. It doesn’t lack anything… except maybe fire. Travis and I always had fire. It was like we were moths to each other’s flame. Not every relationship has to have fire though, right? “It’s different,” is all I can muster.
“Different.” Travis nods his head then puts the car in drive and heads for my house.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Something.”
“Different isn’t better.”
“So?”
“Hmm.”
“What?” I throw my hands up in frustration.
“Autumn, breathe.” He pats my leg. “You’re happy, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” He says, turning into my driveway and putting the SUV in park. “I’ll check in with you after I talk to Dr. Thatcher and just let me know what you find out from Marcie, ok?”
I throw open the car door as a scream comes from inside my house.
16
“What’s wrong?” I yell, bursting through the front door with Travis on my heels.
“We’re in here,” my mom calls out from the kitchen.
We hustle to the kitchen and find my mom holding a towel to Lana’s arm, while Cat is sweeping up the broken glass on the floor.
“What happened?” I hurry over to them while Travis grabs the dustpan to help Cat with the glass.
My mother blows a strand of red hair out of her face. “Someone threw a rock at the kitchen sink window. Lana was right there. It almost hit her,” my mom screeches from the kitchen.
“A rock? Did you call the police?” Travis demands, setting down the dustpan when he realizes this is a crime.
“Of course. The guys took off into the woods to find the guy.”
“Alone?” Travis doesn’t wait for an answer before he’s out the backdoor.
My mother blinks after him then turns back to me. “I’m glad he’s here. Josh and your dad are strong, but they’re not trained cops.”
“If the guy’s out there, my dad will get him.” Cat beams.
I smile at her then turn back to Lana. “If the rock didn’t hit you, what happened?” I ask, taking in the bloody towel my mother’s pressing to Lana’s arm.
My mother sighs. “Luckily, Cat had just asked her to grab a pot holder to get the cookies out of the oven and she stepped away from the window. A piece of flying glass got her though.”
Lana has tears streaking down her face and she’s shaking slightly.
“Are you alright?” I rub her back while glancing around my messy kitchen. Dishes are everywhere, blood and glass are all over the tile floor and I sniff the air. “Is something burning?”
“Oh, no! The cookies,” my mother exclaims and rushes to the stove. She takes out burnt cookies and plops them on the stove. “Ruined. They’re all ruined.”
“We can make some more,” Cat offers, rushing around the glass to comfort my distraught mother.
I glance around then realize it’s quiet. “Where’s Rosco?”
“Your dad took him next door to the Parkers’ house. Lana’s allergic to dogs.”
I nod as the backdoor opens and my father and Josh come in from the yard. “We couldn’t find anyone.”
“Where’s my dad?” Cat asks, peering around them.
“He wanted to keep looking just to be sure no one was out there. A couple of officers showed up and were going to help him. He insisted we come back to keep an eye on you ladies.”
Josh comes over to me and wraps his arms around my waist before whispering in my ear, “You alright?”
I nod and lean back into his chest, taking in his tea tree and mint scent.
“I think you’re going to need stiches,” my father declares, assessing Lana’s arm. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Lana nods and stands on wobbly legs.
“I’ll go with you,” I offer.
My dad shakes his head. “Your mother can join me. Josh, can you call your dad to come over and board up the window? I don’t think Stephen’s in town this weekend, otherwise I’d just call him to come over and put in some new glass.”
“Yes, sir,” Josh says, pulling out his phone and stepping into the living room to call his dad.
“Cat, dear. Just leave the glass and the rock. The police will want to collect it for evidence.”
“Oh, I completely forgot. I just didn’t want anyone to step on it.” Cat covers her mouth as tears fill her eyes.
I tiptoe over the glass and pull her into my side. “It’s fine, sweetie. They will sweep it up to bag it anyway. You probably saved them some time.”
She nods although I’m not sure she believes me.
My father smiles at her. “Autumn’s right. They’ll clean it up. I just didn’t want you to put it in the trash and contaminate it.”
“Right.” She blushes and tucks her head into my shoulder.
I stroke her hair while everyone moves around us. My parents help Lana out of the kitchen. Josh is still talking to his dad on the phone and a couple of police officers have come inside to contain the scene.
“I’ll need to take Miss Mills’ statement,” says, the younger officer, who’s name tag reads, Officer Oliver.
“Want me to stay?”
Cat shakes her head. “No, thanks though.” She moves over to the kitchen table to give her statement.
I head into the living room to check on Josh.
He’s just finishing up giving his statement when I walk into the room. “Hey, babe. Dad said he’ll get the window boarded up as soon as the police are done. Mom’s taking a nap with Rosco so I told him to just leave him there since the house is technically a crime scene. Luckily, the snow’s holding off, but the temperature keeps dropping. Want me to grab you another coat?” He rubs his hands up and down my arms.
“I’m fine. Although, we need to get ready for baby Gabriel’s party. It’s almost one and you know how Margo gets when anyone’s late to her parties.”
Josh looks down at the ground. “No, actually I don’t. I never went to any of her parties.”
I blink, trying to process what he’s saying. “You’ve been to one of Margo’s parties before, haven’t you?”
“No, never,” he says, refusing to meet my eyes. “I overheard her in high school telling one of her friends that she didn’t invite me to her parties because I was lame and would only be a buzzkill.”
“Oh, sweetie. Why didn’t you tell me?” I reach out and take his hand in mine.
Josh shakes his head. “She’s not wrong. I know I’m not very fun or exciting. Parties just aren’t my thing.”
“Well, this isn’t a wild and crazy party. It’s a birthday party and should be fun.” I tug him toward the bedroom. “Come on, let’s change then we’ll grab Cat and head over there.”
It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to throw on some jeans and thick sweaters. The temperature in the house is dropping quickly, causing me to shiver as I step out into the hallway. Banging is coming from the kitchen so I know Josh’s dad is working on fixing the window. As I walk out into the living room, I spot Travis and Cat on the couch. Their heads are together and they seem to be in a serious conversation. I don’t want to interrupt them so I try to sneak into the kitchen, but they spot me.
“Hey, Autumn,” Cat calls out to me.
I wave and gesture to the kitchen. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
Travis stands. “No need. I have to get back to the station. We have a guy in custody.”
“You do? Who is it?” I head over to them, curious to know who threw the rock.
“Dr. Thatcher.”
“Really? Did he say anything?”
Travis shakes his head. “Not yet. He’s already lawyered up, but I don’t think he killed Lindy.”
I frown and chew on my lower lip. “Then who do you think killed her?”
�
�The secret boyfriend.”
“Hmm. Maybe Dr. Thatcher is the ‘secret boyfriend’?”
Travis furrows his brow. “If they were dating, why was she trying to run him out of town? Why accuse him of being a thief? That doesn’t make any sense.”
I snort. “Nothing about any of these cases over the past year makes any sense. She may not have wanted him to ‘out’ their romance so she made all that stuff up.”
Travis gives me a doubtful look. “I don’t know, Autumn. That seems kind of far-fetched.”
“True, but you won’t know unless you talk to him, right?”
He nods and heads for the door. “Can Cat go with you to Margo’s party?”
“Of course.” I wrap an arm around her shoulder and give her a light squeeze. “I was planning to take her anyway.”
Cat smiles up at me then back at her dad. “I’ll be fine with Autumn, Dad. Don’t worry about me, okay. Just be careful.”
He grins at his daughter then at me. “Thanks, Autumn. You be careful too, sweet pea.”
Cat groans. “Dad.”
He chuckles. “Sorry, I know you hate pet names, but I can’t help it.”
“Please try,” she complains.
“Alright, I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises,” he says, as he opens the front door. Snow blows inside and he quickly shuts it. “Looks like the storm’s arrived.”
I rush to the window. “Oh, no. It’s really coming down.” My phone rings and I see Margo’s number.
“Hey, Margo.”
Sniffling and hiccupping come from the other end of the line.
“Margo?”
“Oh, Autumn. Have you seen the snow? It’s awful. Baby Gabriel’s party is ruined. My husband says it’s not safe to have everyone get out. We’re just going to do a quiet party at home with just the three of us… well four of us because Raphael is still here and looks like he’s not going anywhere in this weather.”
“I’m sorry, Margo. I know you were looking forward to the party, but I’m sure Baby Gabriel will love just having his parents at his first birthday party. Not to mention, you’ll have a great story to tell him about the snow apocalypse happening on his birthday.”
More sniffles. “True. Thanks, Autumn. Stay safe.” Then she hangs up.