by Sheri Richey
“No. I invited you to lunch because I wanted to see you,” Bryan said earnestly. “This is a lunch date. That’s all.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I mean I didn’t know. I’m okay with that.” Amanda took a drink of tea and glanced out of the front windows to see police cars parked on Fennell Street.
“What’s going on over there?” Amanda pointed out the window at the Spicetown Police car parked behind the County Sheriff’s car in front of Ivy’s Oils & Organics. Amanda had a sinking feeling when she saw them go into Denise’s store. She was afraid Chief Harris had taken action on the information she’d given him about the fake oils.
“Looks like Denise is in the middle of something again,” Bryan said as he took the check from the waitress.
“I should probably tell you something,” Amanda said sitting back as the waitress picked up her plate. “Especially since you kind of do business with her. I wasn’t sure it was a big deal, but maybe it is.”
Bryan’s brow furrowed. “What?”
“Well, the oils that she sells are marked authentic and pure but they aren’t. I tested the ones that the mayor purchased and then I bought a couple myself. They weren’t pure, and I told the mayor that. She told the police chief.”
“Wow.” Bryan glanced again out the window as he saw Denise walked to the police car and got in the back. “You think they’re arresting her for that?”
“I don’t know. I thought the mayor might ask for a refund of her money. I never thought they’d file charges on her, but Cora was upset when I told her. She doesn’t like being cheated.”
“There goes that business opportunity.” Bryan shrugged his shoulders and put his elbows on the table. “The little stuff I had there didn’t amount to much. I was just testing the waters a bit. Getting arrested will probably shut her down.”
“You are better off. You don’t want to be linked to someone with a bad reputation. You’ll be open soon enough and can do it all on your own.”
“I wish I had your confidence,” Bryan grinned shyly.
“I better get back.” Amanda looked at the time on her phone as she wiggled back into her coat.
“We’ll walk fast.”
Out on the sidewalk, Bryan took her hand in his as if it was a normal thing to do and Amanda skipped a breath. She had meant to say something, but the thought was gone with that breath.
“Why don’t you come out to the house for dinner and we’ll work on this website design. I’ll make dinner and you can tell me how we can make a website.”
“You cook?” Amanda shrilled. “Sorry, I don’t mean to sound shocked. I’m just visualizing.”
“Nothing fancy, but I can do the basics. If you’re afraid of my cooking, I’ll order a pizza.”
“No, I trust you. That sounds great.”
“Good. What night is best for you? All my nights are the same,” Bryan said smiling. “Unless of course it snows. Then my nights belong to the city of Spicetown.”
“How about tomorrow night?” Amanda said as they approached City Hall. “That will give me tonight to get my thoughts together? Do you have a color scheme preference? I was thinking nature-like, but green is just too bland. We need something that makes the plants pop.”
“I’ll leave that up to you. I don’t know what makes plants pop,” Bryan chuckled.
Amanda bounced up on her toes and gave Bryan a peck on the cheek. “Thanks for lunch.” She smiled as she backed towards the front steps. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” Waving, she scurried up the steps to the building and left Bryan standing there with a big grin.
§
Amanda entered her office to find Cora at the copy machine.
“Just what did you have for lunch?” Cora said and wanted to giggle herself at how Amanda looked to be bursting at the seams with glee.
“I went down to the café,” Amanda said shaking her arm out of her coat. “Bryan came by and took me to lunch
“Ah,” Cora said smiling. “So, you didn’t ruin everything like you thought.”
“It was just a setback. I did mess things up at first, but things are better now—more comfortable. I was just awkward and nervous then. Anyway, we are working on a new website for him and getting ready for spring. He’s expanding everything and I’m helping.”
“That sounds like a great project. You’ll enjoy that. I’m sure he’ll need help with setting up his accounting and everything too. You’re a wiz at that as well. Sounds like he picked the right girlfriend at the right time.”
“You don’t think that’s why he asked me out, do you?” Amanda’s brow furrowed in doubt.
“Amanda! Of course not. Don’t be silly. He didn’t even know any of that about you when he asked you out. He’s just a very lucky guy.” Cora shook her head. The poor girl had confidence problems. “Why would you even think such a thing?”
“Sorry. I don’t know. I just haven’t dated anyone in a really long time.”
“It’s like riding a bike,” Cora chuckled as she went back to her office and Amanda followed.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, the sheriff was at Ivy’s Oils and they arrested her.”
“Arrested her!”
“They put her in the back of the car so I’m assuming so. You don’t think it’s because of the fake oils, do you?”
“Heavens, no. I wouldn’t think so. Conrad hasn’t said any more about that. I need to give him a call.”
“I hope not. I mean, she shouldn’t be cheating people, but jail… I hate to think…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll see if I can find out.” Cora picked up the phone as Amanda walked out and called dispatch. She left a message with Georgia that she would like to talk to the Chief when he was free. She hoped he would stop by before the end of the day.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Harvey is up front in the first interview room whenever you’re ready for him,” Conrad said as Bobby Bell walked down the hallway. Conrad had left Denise Ivy sitting in the last interview room with one of the deputies. She had her arms crossed over her chest and she looked toward the two-way mirrored window completely ignoring the deputy’s questions.
“I’m going to tackle Ms. Ivy first,” Bobby said as Conrad passed him in the hall.
“Do you want us to get a statement from Harvey for you?”
“No. No, I think we’ll need more than that. I’ll get to him as soon as I’ve had a word with her.”
Conrad made some coffee and saw the note that Cora had called. She’d obviously heard about the arrest already. He would fill her in after the sheriff left and that couldn’t be soon enough for him.
Taking his coffee with him, Conrad went in the viewing room off the interview room and sat down to watch. He was less concerned with Denise and more interested in exactly why Bobby Bell was after Shawn Ellis.
Denise was not cooperating with Bobby and her remarks were going to escalate if Bobby continued his aggressive pursuit. Bobby Bell had never mastered any techniques to read people because his own arrogance got in the way. Conrad returned to his office when the interview turned into threats and intimidation. Nothing fruitful would come from it.
§
Amanda scurried up the stairs to her room as soon as dinner was over so she could begin her website design. She had tried all day to push it out of her mind while she worked but ideas kept turning over relentlessly as she tried to file the mayor’s bills and receipts.
She had decided to use only earth tones and post the items for sale as if they were rows in the garden. She used clip art plants and leaves to decorate the edges and sketched everything out first.
She paused only to think again about how easy their lunch conversation had been. He had almost completely dismissed the arrest of Denise Ivy and continued to concentrate on her. He was so attentive and comfortable to be around that they might have been lifelong friends.
When he had taken her hand as they walked, it had fit perfectly and he hadn’t been startled by her boldness at all. He reacted as if she
had kissed him on his cheek a thousand times.
Although it was all so new and exciting, it also left her relaxed and content.
Her mother had brought up the arrest at dinner and she had admitted she’d heard about it but didn’t tell her about the fake oils. She didn’t want that all over town by tomorrow.
§
“She’s not talking,” Bobby said as he walked into Conrad’s office, “but she knows something.”
“What involvement do you think she has?” Conrad hated himself for asking but he was tired of the cryptic nature of Bobby’s interrogation. He couldn’t help him if he didn’t know what the sheriff was after.
“She knows Ellis better than she’s letting on.”
“And what do you think Ellis has done?”
“He’s a thief,” Bobby exclaimed and threw his hands up in the air as he turned to leave Conrad’s office.
Conrad clenched his teeth and tried to slow his breathing. Dealing with Bobby Bell always made his blood pressure rise. Of course, Ellis was a thief. He couldn’t help him if Bobby wouldn’t share and he never wanted to share information, even when Conrad was partnered with him. He didn’t want anyone else to help because it would steal the limelight. The problem with that strategy was Bobby Bell couldn’t solve anything on his own.
When Georgia called him to dispatch to answer an officer’s questions, he saw Bobby Bell in the room with Saucy and walked over to the viewing room to check on him. Another deputy was seated in the room watching anxiously.
“Hey, Chief.”
“Hey, how’s it going?” Conrad stood at the window and glanced in, surprised to see Saucy was not nervous, but angry.
“Not getting anywhere,” the deputy said. “This old guy probably doesn’t know anything anyway.”
Conrad had doubts about that. Seeing Saucy hold his own with Bobby’s brusque interrogation tactics staggered him. He’d always found Saucy to be very complacent and anxious, never combative, but Bobby did tend to bring the worst out in people.
“Denise didn’t help you either?”
“No, Bobby thinks she’s Ellis’ girlfriend, but she sure doesn’t claim him if she is,” the deputy chuckled and shook his head. “She’s one angry broad.”
“Were you guys able to track where he took the van loaded with boxes the night he was released? I know you tailed him out of town.”
“He went to one of his friend’s house in Paxton and parked it, but the next morning the van was gone. We found it the next day in town, but it was empty.”
Conrad looked back through the window when he heard Saucy say he wanted to talk to him.
“Well, everyone here is keeping an eye out for Ellis. We will let you guys know if he comes back.”
“Appreciate it, Chief.”
Conrad ambled back to his office. Bobby would be coming out soon and he wanted to avoid another conversation. Bobby would never let Saucy talk to anyone else and he would have to let them both go.
He shut his office door and called Cora. It was time to give her an update and get her take on Saucy’s reaction. His thoughts were more fully developed when he talked them out with Cora and she knew Saucy much better than he did.
§
“Oh, no. Look at the snow! We’re having a blizzard,” Amanda huffed in disgust.
Cora had just hung up the phone with Conrad and her mind was whirling on other topics.
“I see that. I’d heard on the radio this morning that we could see several inches of snow today and again tomorrow as the storm moved through to the northeast.”
Cora started to say that Amanda shouldn’t worry because Jimmy Kole would get the plows out. It was January. This was normal, but then she realized why Amanda was so perturbed by it.
“You know, I have a few old ladies I’d like to go check on. This bad weather is really hard on them and I haven’t seen Miss Violet at church since Christmas. I think I’ll run out and do that before it gets much worse.”
Cora slipped on her coat and saw Amanda texting. The weather must be destroying some plans she had made with Bryan.
“You might get a snow plow ride tonight,” Cora said smiling. “It might be an odd date, but not everybody gets to ride in a plow.”
Amanda looked up startled but then smiled. “That would be an unusual evening but it kind of sounds like fun. I could make us something to eat.”
“And some hot chocolate,” Cora added as she slipped on her gloves. “Might be memorable.”
“Might be.” Amanda beamed and began texting again.
“I might even let you leave early, if it was for a good cause. I mean helping clear snow is a vital city service.”
Amanda looked up at Cora with raised eyebrows. “Really? I mean, I know. You’re right.”
Cora walked out smiling. She could tell Amanda was all a flutter inside. Young love was so heartwarming.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Violet Hoenigberg getting out of her car under her carport as Cora pulled in behind her. Violet had been her mentor when she had first started teaching and they had remained good friends. Her last name had proven difficult for fourth graders to spell so she had become Miss Violet to everyone. She had retired many years ago, but the bond remained. Cora checked on her occasionally and they chatted at church but she was in her eighties and living alone now.
“Are you coming or going?” Cora called out to her as she got out of her car.
“Hello, Cora Mae,” Violet said waving. “No dear, I’m just getting home with some groceries. Didn’t want to get trapped without food.”
It was a common tactic for half the town to buy out the local grocer every time it snowed. Her pantry stock was probably a little low, too. These ingrained insecurities weren’t easily cured.
“Let me help you,” Cora said opening Violet’s back car door and pulling out her sacks. “I was just popping by to see if you needed anything but I see you beat me to it.”
“Oh, now don’t worry about me. You better get to the store yourself. The shelves are getting bare. This storm may be a bad one.”
Violet held her kitchen door open for Cora as she walked in with the groceries and put them on the table. The cute little potted plant on the counter must be one of Amanda’s creations.
“Are you sure you’ve got everything? Do you need anything? I was worried I hadn’t seen you the last few weeks.”
“Yes, well the cold mornings were just…” Violet shook her head and took a deep breath. “I couldn’t get myself to church. These old bones, you know.” Violet chuckled and gave Cora a kiss on the cheek. “You run on to the store now and we’ll catch up soon.”
“Okay.” Cora reached for the doorknob. “You call me if you need anything. Anything at all.” She gave Violet her most serious teacher scolding look and then smiled. Violet hated to ask for help.
“I will, honey. I’ll be fine.”
“Stay warm,” Cora said as she pulled the door shut and headed back to her car shielding her eyes from the snow that was now blowing sideways into her face.
Backing out of the driveway, she drove cautiously by Amanda’s house down to where Saucy’s sister lived. Her car sat outside the garage and taking up most of the driveway, so Cora had to leave her car in the street blocking the drive and trudge up to the front door.
Just as Cora was about to give up and trace her steps back to her car, she heard the front door unlock.
“Hi, June. It’s Cora Mae.”
“Cora! How are you? What are you doing out in this weather?”
“Just checking on people I haven’t seen for a while. It’s getting bad out here.”
“Come in. Come in, dear. You shouldn’t be out in this.”
Cora stepped into June’s living room, carefully to keep her feet on the front door mat and June reached for her coat. She slipped her arms out gingerly to avoid getting snow everywhere and slipped out of her boots, leaving them on the mat.
The house was warm but dimly lit and had a musky smell she
remembered associating with her grandmother’s house when she had been a child. June had scurried away to the kitchen and was calling out to her to follow. She had just heated water for tea and poured some for Cora without asking.
“Dreadful.” June sat the cups at the kitchen table. “This weather is just dreadful. I keep telling Saucy that we need to move south. We’re too old for this now.”
The kitchen was well lit and warmer. Cora could tell June spent most of her time here as there was a newspaper and mail on the table with a little television perched on the corner of the counter. Her mention of Saucy indicated June was unaware he was at the police station being questioned that afternoon.
“Saucy still gets out and around. I run into him all the time downtown and at restaurants but I haven’t seen you in ages.” Cora stirred the hot tea.
“He can’t cook.” June shook her head with a mocking smile. “Won’t even try. He has to get out. I feed him on Wednesdays but I told him he needed to learn how to fix a few things because he’s not always going to feel like traipsing around town every day in search of a meal. He just won’t do it.”
“I saw your car is out. It is probably going to get buried in snow. They say we’re getting several inches. You might ought to put it in the garage.”
“Blast it, I wish I could, but Saucy’s got it full of junk. I don’t know what all is in there but he had boxes to store last week. I didn’t know he was going to take up the whole place though. I’m going to make him clean my car off after the storm.” June cackled at that and patted Cora’s cold hand. “I’m so glad you stopped by. I don’t get out much anymore. Arthritis hurts me bad in the winter and I get Saucy to do my errands for me.”
“Well, that’s one of the reasons I was stopping. I thought you might need something but if Saucy is shopping for you—”
“I haven’t been able to reach him yet. Tried calling earlier, but I left him a message to pick me up a few things I’m low on. When he drops them off I’m going to try to get him to eat a little so he doesn’t have to get out tonight. It’s not safe to be out in this.”