When she came back, she had dipped a few scoops into bowls for both of us. Miss Jeanie led the way to her living room and invited me to sit down on the couch across from her rocker.
The cottage was nothing like my house. In fact, there was no such thing as a cookie cutter house in Lanai. No two were the same. The houses were built in a different era, one where individuality ruled the day.
The decor was also unique. It looked as if nothing had been touched since the seventies, or at the latest, 1983. I could tell because there was a calendar on the wall with that year. The carpet was a thick orange shag. The sofa was brown—and I was pretty sure Grandmother had had the exact same one when I was just a little girl. A homemade Afghan was thrown over the back. Knick knacks and tchotskes adorned practically every surface in the room. It was as if I had stepped into the twilight zone.
“I'm so sorry for your loss,” I said, taking the seat. I slid a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth and let it linger there.
“Thank you,” Jeanie said. “My friend, Rhonna, called me just a bit ago. She told me that Melvin had died. It’s weird, you know. It hadn’t really sunk in until I saw you headed over here through the window. That’s when the tears came.”
“I can only imagine,” I said. I almost welled up myself.” I was up at Mossy Oaks visiting my grandmother, Evelyn. You know her, right?”
“I believe I do.” Jeanie nodded. “This is good.” She gestured to the ice cream. She seemed happy to have the brief distraction.
I smiled and shook my head.
“But I don’t believe Evelyn goes to bingo. I just see her around from time to time.”
“No, she doesn’t.” I smiled. “She considers it gambling.”
“Me too.” Miss Jeanie gave me a wink. “But that hasn't stopped me yet. You'd be surprised how much adrenaline you get. It sure is a lot of fun.”
“It sounds like it,” I said.
“The offer always stands. You’re welcome to join me anytime.”
“That would be fun.” I gave her my usual response. Not a no, but not a yes either.
Her spoon tinkled at the bottom of the bowl. “You don’t happen to know what happened to Melvin, do you?” she asked. “Rhonna didn’t know much.”
I shrugged. “Just that he passed away in his sleep. Dot and Thelma stopped by. Dot was the one who found him. Dot and Bitsie were concerned when he didn’t show up for their walk.”
“That's about what Rhonna told me earlier.” Miss Jeanie cried silent tears. Then she grabbed a tissue from a pocket and blew her nose into it hard.
“He told me he wanted to get back in shape,” Jeanie said. “The funny thing is, I told him I didn’t know he’d ever been in shape.”
I stifled a laugh.
“It’s okay to laugh, shug. He was a funny man. He had to show me pictures of himself in his old Army uniform to prove me wrong. He sure was handsome. He still was, handsome, that is.”
“Grief takes time,” I told her. It wasn't helpful. It wasn't anything, just the most banal thing I could think to say.
“Just last week he had his annual check-up with his doctor. All of his blood work had come back with better numbers than before. He said his ticker sounded good. For him to suddenly die in his sleep like this… I just can’t.” Her disbelief was palpable.
“So, he seemed fine?” I asked. “I mean, when was the last time you saw him?”
“More than fine. In good spirits. We went to the bingo hall on Saturday. And I talked to him on the phone last night before bed. Nothing was wrong.”
But something had to be wrong. People don’t just up and die. Do they? I wondered if they do autopsies for people his age?
That was something I could ask Javier the next time I saw him. Detective Javier Portillo was a friend of mine. Just a friend—a fact his girlfriend, Clara Clearwater, had hammered home the last time I saw them together.
Maybe my best friend, Kate McAllister, would know. Her job as an investigative reporter for the local news station often had her in the know. She had contacts all across the region, from the county hospital to the beauty salon in Petra, the next closest town. I was surprised by how much information one could glean from a beauty salon. Maybe Kate had a contact at the county coroner’s office too.
“I just want answers,” Jeanie sobbed.
“We’ll get some,” I tried to comfort her. “Do you remember who his primary physician was?”
“Same as mine,” she said. “Dewayne Campbell.”
I frowned. “I doubt he can give us any information. But maybe he’ll ask for an autopsy?”
“I can give him a call in a bit. I’ve known that boy since he was in my third grade classroom at Creekside Elementary. Plus, he knew that Melvin and I were getting intimate,” she said, blushing. “He even prescribed Mel one of those special pills. The blue ones. I don’t think he’d have done that if he didn’t think Melvin was healthy enough for it.”
“It might be better if you go by and talk to him,” I said. “What about Melvin’s next of kin? Where are they?”
“His children don't live here. His son is in the Air Force and is stationed up in Virginia. His daughter lives in Texas. I'm not sure how soon they’ll get here and make the arrangements.”
I nodded. “You know I’m here if you need anything, right?”
“You’re a sweetheart, Allie,” she said. “Now, what was in this ice cream besides chocolate? I think I’m addicted.”
I smiled. “Bananas, chocolate chunks, and walnuts. It's perfection.”
“Sure is,” she said. “If only it had peanut butter. You can't beat peanut butter and chocolate.”
“That is a killer combination,” I admitted.
“Didn’t you have something like that on your blog recently?” she asked.
Was Miss Jeanie asking me to make her something? I didn’t know she read The Foodie Files. I guess that really was the least I could do.
“Buckeyes,” I said. “I think I can whip some up, if you’re interested.”
“I don’t want you to go to any trouble—”
“It’s no trouble,” I said. “Let me get out of your hair. And if you need anything—anything at all—don't hesitate to ask.”
She stood up, and we walked me to the door.
“Thanks again, shug.” She gave me one last hug. “It means the world.”
The rickety screen door shut behind me.
Where should I begin? I wondered. I wanted to help. I wanted to do more than make her buckeye candy. I wanted to get Miss Jeanie those answers. Why had Melvin died?
4
My go to girl was a dud this time. Per usual, her text came back within minutes of my sending out the question.
No. Why would I have a contact at the coroner’s office? And Why are you asking about one?
I’d fill Kate in later.
My gumption was getting the better of me. It didn’t help that there was this nagging voice in the back of my mind, reminding me how long it’d been since I’d talked to Javier.
Act now or forever hold your…
My fingers hovered over his contact information. One tap, and the phone was ringing. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. It was like calling a boy in high school—except I never called boys in high school.
That’s how you wound up thirty and unwed, I reminded myself.
“Hello?” he answered.
This was new territory. I was calling him. My heart began to flutter at the sound of his voice. Cool down, lady. Remember why you’re making this call.
“Allie? Are you there?” It sounded like he was smiling.
“Hi. Javier. Javi. I mean, Detective Portillo.”
“Pick one,” he said, laughing. “And I prefer it to be Javi.”
“Right.” I took a deep breath, not realizing I’d been holding it in. “Can I ask you a couple of questions? It’s work related. Not my work related. Your work related.”
“You didn’t want to ask me about cooking? I told you I’m a man who can
work a kitchen. You stay single long enough, you learn a few tricks other than burgers and steak.”
“Single?” The word slipped out of my mouth.
“No. You know what I mean. I’m still dating Clara. How’s Luke?”
“He’s good.” I’d lost all train of thought.
“So, what was it you wanted to ask me? About my work, not yours.” He was definitely smiling now. It was a shame he wasn’t a dad, because he had dad jokes down pat.
“I had a question about autopsies,” I said.
“About autopsies,” he repeated. “I haven't heard of a murder recently. Have you?
“It’s not about a murder,” I said.
“Okay.” Javier’s voice changed to one of concern. “I’m just not sure where this line of questioning is going.”
“A friend of a friend, Melvin Fleming. He was found deceased this morning over at Mossy Oaks. I was curious if there was a cause of death.”
“You know I'm a detective. This isn't my jurisdiction, but I can look into it for you.”
Friendship has its perks—and Javier had been there when it counted most. Just recently, he’d saved me from a fire. Sure, he was a bit of a Boy Scout, but in the adorable, Mr. Dependable, always has a solution to every problem kind of way.
“Wait,” he said. “Did you say Mossy Oaks? Like the retirement community? Allie, most of the time when someone of old age dies—especially if it appears to be of natural causes—there is an investigation into the death but no autopsy.”
“I know.” I sighed. “That's what I'm worried about. It’s just Dr. Campbell gave him a clean bill of health last week. My neighbor, Miss Jeanie, was going to get in touch with Dr. Campbell. I think she’d feel better knowing how he died. The phrase “natural causes” doesn’t give her that kind of peace of mind. You know?”
I was grasping at straws. I could feel Javier on the other end of the line giving me a bless her heart. No doubt he and his partner, Hank, would get a couple of good laughs about this later.
“It’s a long shot,” he said. “But I’ll talk to the officer who went out to Mossy Oaks this morning. See what he has to say, which is most likely nothing significant. And for you, I’ll even get in touch with Lorelei Hansen, the coroner. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like you’re the best,” I said.
“Maybe you could pass that knowledge to Clara,” he quipped.
I didn’t know what to say. There was no way in H-E double hockey sticks I was saying a word to Clara. I wondered what was going on there. I was also certain she wouldn’t appreciate hearing from me that her boyfriend was the best.
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s our schedules. They haven’t been aligned all that well recently.”
“Oh,” was my best reply. “Thank you! Thank you!” I said. “Miss Jeanie will be glad to know you’re looking into this.”
“You're welcome,” Javier said. “But I haven’t done anything yet. And I can’t make any promises she gets the answers she’s looking for.”
“I get it. And I owe you a coffee next time I see you at The Java Hutt.”
He was definitely smiling now. I could picture his dimple diving into his cheek. “I’ll definitely take you up on that. Listen. I better get back to work. Someone just filled my plate with extra work. Oh, and if you ever call about the other thing… I make a mean picadillo.”
Before I could say anything else, the phone clicked off.
He makes a mean picadillo?
A vision of Javier in the kitchen crossed my mind. And not some generic kitchen. My kitchen. I needed to erase that from my brain. No good thing could come of it.
Stop swooning, I ordered myself. You have a boyfriend.
Yeah, one who eats off the kid’s menu at fancy restaurants, my evil inner voice retorted.
No one asked you, I told her.
I sighed and sank into my couch, feeling halfway accomplished. It was obvious that Javier didn't want me to get my hopes up—to get Jeanie’s hopes up. But right now he was the best shot we had at getting answers.
Feeling a pang of guilt, I tapped into my contacts again and found Luke’s picture.
Hope you're having a good day, I texted him.
5
Jingle. Jingle.
That sound was typically music to my ears. But not today. I cringed.
After making and delivering buckeyes to Miss Jeanie, I had to finish writing an article for the Lanai Gazette. While it was my blog that paid the bills, my side gig at the Gazette helped me pay for the little things like my subscription to Netflix—and this morning’s coffee splurge at The Java Hutt.
This article was unlike the restaurant reviews I typically write. It was a top five list of the best places to eat on a romantic evening. The biggest date night of the year, Valentine’s Day, was only about two weeks away. The piece listed the coziest and most romantic places in the area. Maybe I could save a few ladies from their night out at Piggies BBQ and get a few men out of the dog house.
I had blearily hit send at around 1:00 a.m. And Kinsey, the owner and editor of the paper, had already picked it apart. But she had gushed over my choices.
“The usual today, Allie?” The regular barista, Gertie, was manning the register today. Tenley, the bright-eyed new girl was behind the espresso machine.
“Actually, can I have an extra shot?” I asked.
“On the house today.” Gertie smiled warmly, and she marked the cup.
Already seated at our table by the wall, Kate McAllister had her head down, focused on her phone. Thank goodness. I needed some sanity in my life. And Kate never failed to keep me grounded.
“What happened to you?” she asked, eyeing my running tights and long sleeve tee. “No makeup. No ponytail. What if Luke saw you like this?”
“He’s bound to eventually,” I murmured.
I ran my fingers through my hair and pulled it up. Then I yanked the ponytail holder from my wrist and secured it. “Better?”
“Hardly,” Kate said. Yep. She kept me grounded, among other things. Not everyone could be a blond bombshell. On and off camera, Kate always looked her best. And she was honest to a fault.
“Sorry.” I sank into my seat. “Yesterday was a doozy. Lots of drama. Hopefully, I can put it behind me now.”
“Sorry for the drama,” she said. “What was that cryptic text about? Do you have a scoop for me?”
“It's not a scoop. I was trying to help out my neighbor, Miss Jeanie. Her friend, her beau? Whatever you want to call it. He died yesterday.”
“Who was he?” Kate leaned in a little closer.
“Melvin Fleming. He lives—lived—at Mossy Oaks near my grandmother. Nothing juicy. At least I don't think. He died in his sleep.”
“The name doesn’t ring a bell,” Kate said. “No news there. I mean maybe if he was a war hero, a veteran. Oh, if he was a former mayor. Then we’d do a segment on him.”
“Miss Jeanie did say he was in the Army. But I don’t think he was a war hero.”
“Too bad.” Kate took a sip of coffee. “So, if you didn’t get any info from me, who did you have do the digging?”
“Javi,” I said. “He said he’d look into it.”
“Oh, Javier Portillo.” Kate sighed. “He has a soft spot for you. Is he still dating Clara?”
Clara Clearwater was Kate’s crosstown rival. She worked at the region’s other network affiliate in Petra.
“He is,” I told her.
“Do you think Clara’s dating Javier just to get information?”
I thought about it before answering. Everything I knew about Clara made me want to jump the gun and say “of course.” But I knew Javier better. He’d see through something like that. And a single gal could do a whole lot worse than Detective Javier Portillo. In a town the size of Lanai, he was pretty much a unicorn.
“I dunno. I don’t think so.” I tried to come off nonchalant, but Kate wouldn't buy it.
“Yeah,” Kate said. “I think you put a little
too much thought into that for an ‘I dunno.’”
“Probably,” I admitted. I pursed my lips, then took my own sip of coffee.
“So, is the old guy’s death the reason you look so, uh, undone this morning? Or is something else?” That was probably Kate’s way of asking about Luke.
“No,” I said. “I crammed work into the better half of my allotted sleeping time.”
“I, too, prefer to do other things with my allotted sleeping time,” Kate said with a wink. “Not work.”
I blushed for the two of us. “Do you and Marcus have big plans next weekend?”
“We do!” She smiled. “Marcus must’ve listened to you. He got us a reservation at Sadie’s Porch. What about you and Luke?”
“Oddly enough—” I rolled my eyes. “—he said he got us a reservation there too.”
“They must be in cahoots. Those are some smart men.”
More like they took the easy way out.
“Or maybe,” Kate said, “we can scoot the tables together. Make it a double date.”
It would have been nice to do our own thing. I loved Kate. And Marcus was great. But I also felt like the only time Luke and I were together, we were with Kate and Marcus. And if we couldn’t be alone on Valentine’s Day, when could we be alone?
Luke was kind, funny, and smart. But he never stood out on our double dates. At least he was stepping out of his comfort zone. They’d picked a place I adored. Luke had a distaste for seafood—and that’s what Sadie’s was known for. But it wasn’t like Luke was sacrificing too much on my behalf. The choice filet at Sadie’s was a winner, even if I’d only ordered it once to do a review.
“I hate to caffeinate and run,” Kate said, standing up. “But I've got to go. I’ll text you later, okay? I’m doing your makeup for Valentines. You can’t say no.”
“I won’t say no,” I said. I’m smarter than that.
Kate was gone, leaving the jingling bells on the door in her wake.
With Kate gone, I decided I would cook up a little something for the blog. Buckeyes were one thing, but there was so much one could do with peanut butter and chocolate. It truly was a killer combination.
Foodie Files Cozy Mysteries Box Set Page 22