by Laina Turner
“That was a long time ago and Deanna said they’d moved past that. I even talked to Dean and he fully admitted that he and his dad had their issues. That he had a drinking problem at one point, and they got an argument which came to blows. He was very forthcoming about that, but he didn’t mention anything about stealing. How does Helen get her information?”
“Who knows. I just know that woman always knows what's going on,” Sally said.
“I stopped in at her store a couple times to talk to her about the last bit of gossip she told me, now this? David wasn’t even from here so where was she getting this? If you guys don't mind holding down the fort, I'm going to her store right now to see if she's in. If not, I may even drive to her house. I need some answers.”
“Sure, we’ve got things handled here. Go ahead. Get some answers,” Sally said, and Cora nodded in agreement
Trixie took off her apron and walked in the backroom to grab her purse, then headed back out the front, grabbing a coffee to go. Helen’s store was located a block down from Read Wine, which pretty much made it the opposite end of town. It was a great day for a walk and not worth getting in the car to drive and waste time finding a parking space. Our little town had done a lot of revitalization to the downtown area by sprucing up the park, but parking was still an issue. Not that Trixie wanted the city to build any crazy parking structure because that would take away from the quaint feel of their little town, but it was annoying to always struggle for good parking. Ah, first world problems.
She reached Helen's store and pushed the door open, seeing Helen over in the corner working on a display. Helen looked up and smiled. It didn’t seem like she wanted to avoid Trixie, so it probably had all been in her head.
“Good morning, what brings you in today? I don't think I've seen you in here since you were a kid. I never thought you a crafty type,” Helen said.
“I’m not. Crafts aren’t a talent of mine. Though I've been in a couple times to talk to you recently and you haven’t been in, so I'm excited to catch you this morning if you have a couple minutes?”
If Helen was surprised that Trixie wanted to talk to her, she certainly didn't show it.
“Elizabeth,” she called as a young brunette standing the other in the store turned her head. “I'm going to go in the back for a few minutes. Holler if you need anything.”
“Sure thing.” Elizabeth nodded.
Helen motioned for Trixie to follow her and they walked into the backroom where her office was. The entire downtown business district had been constructed at the same time, so Trixie’s building and her building were identical. Even so, it was still interesting to see Helen’s backroom and office look like a carbon copy to Read Wine’s.
“I see you have coffee; do you mind giving me a second to pour myself a cup?” Helen asked. “I could use a pick me up.”
“Of course not.”
“Do you need a refill?”
Trixie shook her head and Helen walked across the room to where there was a table with a coffee pot, condiments, and a box of cookies. Helen poured her coffee, adding a spoonful of sugar and stirring it in, then grabbed the box of cookies and came back over. She sat next to Trixie on a loveseat in the corner that had a table in front of it.
“So.” Helen raised her eyebrows. “What is it you wanted to talk about?”
It took all Trixie's willpower not to roll her eyes. Like Helen had no idea why she was here. She had to have at least a little inkling. “I wondered where you were getting your information about David, his son and the murder.”
“Now, Trixie, you know I protect my sources. That’s why people tell me stuff.” Trixie had to give her credit. She wasn’t trying to hide her gossiping.
“Helen, I get it. But this isn't just gossip. There's a murder involved. Doesn't that change things?”
Helen frowned and didn't say anything, making Trixie wonder what she was thinking. “Okay, but you didn't hear it from me.”
Trixie made the motion of zipping her lips and throwing away the key. Juvenile but effective, regardless of age.
“Tracy Plains.”
Tracy Plains, Trixie thought. “The Tracy who works at Bramble Patch Winery?”
Helen nodded, giving Trixie another reason to think that Tracy wasn't the loyal employee she seemed or why would she be gossiping about David and Deanna.
“Why would Tracy spread gossip about her employers?”
“No idea. But I can tell you I think she was a little sweet on David, if you know what I mean.”
Hmm, Trixie wondered if Deanna knew that. Could that be the reason for the argument Dean told her about? Did Tracy want Deanna’s husband?
Chapter 19
Later that day, Trixie was on her way back to Monroe to pick up a box of books. The estate sale where they had purchased the books the other day had left one out when they'd carried the boxes out to the car for Trixie and Sally. They’d offered to ship the box since it had been their fault, but Trixie was using it as an excuse to stop by the real estate office of Danny Murdock and see what she might be able to find out about his visit to Bramble Patch Winery.
She picked up the books and then made the few minute’s drive into the town of Monroe. The town was a little bit bigger than Romero, but it was very similar with that small-town feel and, much like many small towns these days, a lot of preservation in maintaining a small-town feel had happened. It was very pretty. She hadn't been to the downtown area in years and she was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. It warmed her heart to see towns spending money and effort in the preservation of small town life. Not that she didn't appreciate new buildings and the hustle and bustle of a big city like Chicago or Detroit and yes, sometimes the small-town where everyone knew everyone's business could be a little stifling, but she loved the community. She didn't think it would be the same in a big city, which is why, except to go away to college, she'd never left.
When she left the estate, she’d put Danny's office address in her GPS, having looked it up earlier, and supposedly it was right up on her left. She peered that way and saw it, then she spotted a coffee shop right next door, which made her even more excited. Not only did she love coffee, but as someone who owned a coffee shop, she was very interested in trying other people's beans and what they carried.
She passed the two businesses and then a third before turning left on a side street so she could park, then noticed there was parking behind the buildings so she pulled in and turned off her car. Lucky them for having all this parking. That was one thing Romero didn't have enough of downtown is parking. There were areas on the streets and areas on either end of the town but if you wanted to visit a business smack in the middle, which is where Read Wine was, there wasn't street parking; you had to walk. It wasn't that big a deal except when it was raining or really cold.
She pushed open the door of the coffee shop and walked in, inhaling the beautiful aroma of coffee. The smell she'd loved since a kid way before she was old enough to drink it.
“Good afternoon,” an older woman, probably in her mid-sixties, who was standing behind the counter said to her.
“Good afternoon to you as well,” Trixie replied.
Trixie reached the counter and was looking at the menu board behind the woman when the woman started speaking again.
“Here, while you're trying to decide which of our wonderful coffees to have, try a sample of a double fudge toasted hazelnut brownie,” and she pushed the tray in Trixie's direction.
“I don't think I even need to taste it to know it’s going to be fabulous, but I'm still going to take one,” Trixie said, laughing. She popped the treat into her mouth and, as the taste of the chocolate and toasted hazelnut hit her taste buds, she thought she was going to moan in delight. She chewed and swallowed, ready to buy every single one they had in their store they were that good.
“That might be the best thing I've ever tasted,” she finally said.
“Well, thank you, it is one of our top sellers.”
The woman laughed. “Well, let me give you a taste of its rival.” The woman walked over to grab a plate and opened the display case, cutting off a small piece of a round pastry and handing it to Trixie.
Trixie popped that one in her mouth with the same reaction. “Oh, my goodness you're right, I don't know how I could choose. Very different flavor, but delicious. Is it a custard?”
The woman nodded. “My grandmother's recipe for chess pie baked in croissant dough.”
“I take it you make all these delicious things?”
“Sure do. This coffee shop used to be a diner that my parents owned and when I took it over, I just wasn't much on diner food, so I turned it into a bakery. Then when the coffee craze hit a few years ago I added all the coffees, which were the perfect complement to my baked goods. Now my daughter is taking over, but I still do all the baking.”
Not only was Trixie thrilled to have tasted these baked goods and meet this woman, but the fact that she had been around town forever also meant she might know Danny. But first, coffee.
“I must have another one of those fudge things, as much as I don't need it and I would also like a large iced raspberry latte. I haven't had a raspberry latte before.”
The woman rung her up and then turned to start making her coffee.
“It's another one of our best sellers. People love raspberry, especially in the summer. I haven't seen you around here before, are you new in town?”
“No, I'm actually from Romero and came over today to pick up some books I purchased at an estate sale on the edge of town.”
“The Bertram property. So sad. Such a gorgeous house and land. It's a shame he didn't have any family to pass it down to.”
“Oh, I thought it beautiful as well and was wondering why it was being sold at auction. That answers my question. There were so many gorgeous things when I was there, it is a shame they couldn’t be handed down.”
The woman sat Trixie's latte and a plate with her fudge brownie on the counter.
“This looks amazing. Would you have time to sit with me while I eat it?” Trixie wouldn't have asked, but there was no one else in the shop at the moment. It was small, much like Read Wine, so if someone came in she could easily get up. Trixie assume that much like in her store, this woman would visit with customers when she could.
“I own a bookstore/coffee shop/wine bar in Romero called Read Wine and I would love to hear about your business,” Trixie added.
“I'd be delighted.” The woman walked around the counter and motioned for Trixie to sit at a table close to the counter, which would make it convenient if she needed to jump up and help a customer.
“My name is Hazel.”
“Trixie.”
“So how long have you had your shop?” Hazel asked.
“Not as long as you. Just going on a year,” Trixie said and gave her the rundown of how it came to be.
“How fun doing it with your friends.”
“It is. It's a lot of hard work and very scary to be a business owner, but I love it.”
“Yeah, business ownership isn't for the faint of heart.”
“So how long has that real estate office been open next to you?”
Hazel thought for a minute. “Not long. The gentleman that owns it moved here a few years ago. Why? Are you in the market for some real estate?”
Trixie shook her head. “No, just curious about the businesses I've seen. Your town has worked hard in revitalizing the downtown area, which Romero has done as well so I was just curious.”
“I don't know him well, but he comes in here several times a week for coffee and he's always nice and pleasant and brings clients over here. I like anyone who brings us business.”
That didn't help. He was a nice guy when Sally and she met him, but why was he arguing with Tracy? Unless he had a buyer who wanted Bramble Patch. Could he be working for Adam?
Chapter 20
After having a nice chat with Hazel and filling her belly with more pastries than she should have ever eaten, Trixie left the coffee shop assuring Hazel she'd come back and bring Sally and Cora. They could learn a lot from Hazel and she said she was more than willing to share her secrets. When she stepped out of the shop, she walked next door and into Murdock Realty. She had no idea what she was going to say, but this was the reason she'd come back and she wasn't going home without at least talking to him. What’s the worst that could happen?
It was a small place, smaller than the coffee shop, and when she walked in, he was sitting there at one of the two desks in front of her.
“Welcome to Murdock Realty, I'm Danny Murdock.” He stood up and shook her hand. “You look familiar, have we met?”
“Yes, at the estate sale a couple days ago. We were both admiring the beautiful marble floors.”
“Ah, yes. Now I remember. Please come and have a seat. What can I help you with? Are you looking to buy property in Monroe? I think I told you I don’t handle residential, but my associate does. I can get some information from you to pass along.”
“No, I’m not in the market for property. I was hoping you could answer a question for me.”
“I will if I can,” he said in a friendly manner that, much like the other day, just seemed a little too friendly. Trixie hoped his friendly demeanor carried over to helping her with what she needed.
“How do you know Tracy Plains?” By the look on his face Trixie could tell that wasn’t what he was expecting her to say, but she couldn't tell if his look of surprise meant he didn't want anyone to know he knew Tracy or if he was truly surprised at the question.
“I'm sorry, I don't recognize the name.”
Trixie sighed. So that's how he was going to play it. He was going to pretend he didn't know her. She wasn't going to let him get away with it. She hadn't driven an hour to not have the courage to ask, even if he got mad. What did it matter?
“I know you know who she is,” she challenged.
“Are you calling me a liar?” he demanded, looking indignant.
“If you're going to lie about it then, yes.” Trixie stood her ground. “I saw you arguing with her the other day at Bramble Patch Winery. I assume if you were arguing with her you at least know who she is.”
Once he realized he was caught in a lie his expression changed, his anger melted away, and his face flushed with embarrassment. “I'm sorry, but I do have a good reason for lying,” he offered.
Trixie wasn't expecting that. To lie and get defensive then do a complete turnaround in attitude. “Tracy is my client and I was trying to help her buy the winery.”
Surprise registered on Trixie's face. “Did the owners know?”
“I know one of them did. David. He was who I was dealing with. The property was about to go into foreclosure and David wanted to help her buy it.”
Not only was the foreclosure situation being thrown out there again, but Trixie couldn't imagine how Tracy would have the kind of money needed to buy a property that size. Even though they were in a small-town, there was a lot of acreage and the buildings alone seem like they would've put it out of her price range. Though that was all conjecture that someone working at a management level wouldn’t have that kind of cash.
“How can she afford that?” she blurted out.
“She comes from money and I believe she was going to use some of her trust fund for the down payment.”
Well, that made sense and wasn’t anything Trixie would have ever guessed. “How much is the property going for?”
“That's the beauty of a foreclosed property. They just want to unload it. They, meaning the bank. We were trying to organize a short sale. I don’t have exact numbers, but it should be a good number. About a quarter of a million.”
“Is that even feasible since it hasn't technically gone into foreclosure?”
“Normally no, but on a property this big, looking at the history of how long it sat without owners the last time, the
bank was very motivated to work something out, even if it meant taking a loss. Which is a positive side of a small-town. A lot can happen behind the scenes.”
Trixie mulled that around for a second, thinking it didn't make sense. She was surprised to find out Tracy was wealthy since she was working as a manager of the winery. Trixie had to admire that. That job wasn't easy and if Tracy was doing it and didn't have to work, then she must be passionate about the industry with a great work ethic.
“Please don't say anything. Not that talking about the generalities of this is a breach of confidentiality, but I don't want Tracy to think I was talking about her personal business.”
Trixie wasn't even going to answer to that statement because there's no way she could keep this from Deanna, and she needed to find out why Deanna lied about the money problems. It could be related to David’s murder. She felt asking more questions to distract him was her only option, plus she still had more information she wanted to find out.
“Then why were you and Tracy arguing when I saw you at Bramble Patch?”
“I felt she was offering too high of a bid. David was in deep. Bramble Patch was in the red and the bank could see the writing on the wall. I told Tracy that we could negotiate an even better deal, but she'd have none of it. She said it wasn't right. She wanted to give the bank the money to catch the loan up and do a short-term arrangement with David to help him with some other things. She was talking to her financial adviser about it and I'm not sure what he said, but I told her she was nuts. Luckily, David died before it could be executed.”
Tracy just stared him after that comment, and he had the grace to blush.
“I didn't mean it the way it came out. I'm just saying, as my client, I didn't see why she would throw her money away like that. It doesn't make sense when we could've gotten a really good deal. Even if you have a ton of money, why waste it?”
Trixie thought he had a point. Isn't that how the rich got richer, because they were savvier with money than the middle class? More importantly, why would Tracy do that? Why would she spend money unnecessarily? Trixie could totally understand her wanting to buy the winery if she was passionate about it and she was, but why not get the best deal?