by Danger Cove
We'd stared at it until the combined rumblings of our stomachs made the other visitors nervous that maybe the active volcano that hid inside the beauty of the mountain might be preparing to erupt. Tan had insisted we eat a bite in the revolving restaurant at the top of the Needle. Once we opened the dinner menu, we'd realized the prices were a little too much for our shoestring budgets. My knight in white cotton had devised a romantic plan—we'd pool our resources and buy one meal to share.
I'd dug in my purse for any bills or change hiding out while Tan did the same in his wallet. We'd been elated when together we had enough to buy a shareable-size appetizer. Mission accomplished, and one of the best dates of my life because we'd made it happen together.
The pleasant memory poked a nerve in my brain and forced me to sit up straight in bed. I sent a text to Agnes. How much is Chef Jonathan asking you to invest?
I waited only five minutes before she responded. Guess she hadn't been able to sleep either.
Two hundred thousand. Why?
This was math I could do without a calculator. You didn't have to be smarter than a fifth grader to add Agnes's potential investment to the fifty thousand Jonathan had asked of me to come up with the magic number: $250,000. The exact amount of the blackmailer's demand.
CHAPTER TWENTY
My fingers hurt by the time I unlocked the door at Smugglers' Tavern to begin the workday. Between texts to Agnes to reassure her and review the details—for the ten thousandth time—and fielding phone calls from Officer Faria to assure him it was alright to conduct their sting operation on tavern property, I was certain my fingers and mouth would be cramping for the next hour or so.
My stomach still didn't feel well. I'd tried some more of the tea Agnes had given me, but halfway through, the acrobatics of my internal organs forced me to forego any more of the beverage. I debated making myself a hot toddy to help settle myself down. Gram would occasionally mix together a little of her secret stash of whiskey, hot water, honey, and a stick of cinnamon to give me when I didn't feel well. There was just enough whiskey in the ones she'd made to ease the tummy nerves, and the honey and cinnamon calmed my spirit.
I opted against Gram's home remedy. Today was going to be a long day, and I needed all my wits to be on full alert. Instead, I chose green tea with honey and added a stick of cinnamon. Three out of four of the ingredients should help, right? Yeah, I wasn't buying it either.
Clara and Tara looked like they hadn't fared any better than I had last night. This week had been tough on almost everyone here in our little work family. Tanner waved hello as he came in, but otherwise had turned his focus inward. He had a big deadline looming. His was still forty-eight hours away. Agnes and Tara—theirs was tonight.
Tourist season was at its peak, but that didn't stop the regulars from coming in. I always enjoyed seeing a familiar face. Just after noon, a woman walked in who many of the locals seemed to recognize. They either waved or stood up to speak with her as she made her way to the bar. Because everyone I knew was acquainted with her, I felt like I should know her too. But the brain was not functioning at full capacity, and no memory engrams could be recalled. She appeared to be around the age of Janiece Jordan, someone who had lived in Danger Cove for as long as anyone could remember. Officially I didn't know how old Ms. Jordan was—it wasn't polite to ask. She and my great-grandmother were the best of friends, so I placed her solidly in the senior citizen category, but unsure exactly where she fit in there. The mystery woman had blonde hair that was short and curled slightly around her head. Her smile radiated throughout the room and added warmth along with positive vibes. I might not know who she was, but I instantly liked her.
When she finally arrived at the bar, she took a seat and extended her hand. "Good afternoon, Lilly. May I call you Lilly?"
I shook her hand. Firm grip, but not too strong. Another point in the positive column. "Of course. Only my grandmother was called Ms. Waters."
At the mention of my grandmother, a hint of sadness slid onto her smile. "It was a sad day in Danger Cove when the Waters family left. I'm glad to see at least a part has returned."
"Thank you." I hated that I didn't know her name.
About that time, Clara came out to deliver an order. Her face lit up. "Ms. Ashby, so nice to see you. I haven't seen you around town for ages." She set the food down and came around the bar to give the woman a hug.
"Nice to see you too, dear. I've been holed away in my writing cave working on my next story. Your mother called to check on me and updated me with some of the latest goings-on here. Thought I'd venture out and make sure everything was all right with my girls."
Ms. Ashby looked at me and explained, "Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth Ashby. The twins' mother and I are in the gardening club together. I've been in Danger Cove long enough that it's hard not to think of these two as family."
If Drake didn't work out, maybe Ms. Ashby would take over gardening. I bet she knew how to coax the very best from the ground. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Don't let her fool you. She's trying to be modest, but she's a bestselling mystery author. Gardening is a hobby, but we all love the stories she tells." Clara beamed with pride as she shared.
Elizabeth squeezed Clara's arm. "Thank you, dear. Might I trouble you for some tea? I'd like to have a word with Lilly."
"Sure thing." Clara bounded off, happier than I'd seen her in days.
Maybe some of that magic would rub off on me. I confess I was a little nervous about whatever words she might want to have with me.
"Would you like a glass of water or anything else while you wait?"
She shook her head. "No, I wanted to say thank you and offer a few words of advice. May I do that?"
I shrugged. "I have no idea why you would need to thank me, but I'm always open to advice." My grin emerged even though I tried to be respectful and serious. "To be fair, I don't always take the advice I'm given. I always listen though."
Ms. Ashby laughed, a rich sound that upped my peace, love, and happiness factor by at least ten. It was easy to see why people liked her. "Fair enough." Her expression turned serious. "I also checked in on my fellow cat lover and friend, Agnes. I wanted to thank you for being there for her. I fear when I'm in the throes of writing, I lose track of time and people."
"I'm sure it's very exciting work. I can see how you could be completely lost in the process."
She winked. "Yes, you more than others would understand the all-in concept."
I opened my mouth to express my wonderment at how she could know that about me when I hadn't even met her until now. She waved off my unasked question. "All the Waters women are like that. Doesn't take someone who solves mysteries to figure that one out."
She was right. "Fair enough. So how is Agnes? It's been a few hours since we last spoke."
Clara brought the tea and a biscuit with honey out for our guest and placed it in front of her. "Here you go. Enjoy."
"Thank you, Clara. Why don't you stop by after work, and we'll talk?" Elizabeth's comforting voice made me want to take her up on the offer if Clara didn't.
The young woman hung her head. "Depending on what Tara decides, I may not be very good company."
"Which is exactly why you should stop by. I'll regale you with my latest tale before we discuss any personal matters. I have some of that ice cream that you adore. Celebration or commiseration, you can't go wrong with ice cream."
Clara nodded. "Okay, thank you."
Ms. Ashby returned her attention to me after Clara left and answered my previous question. "Agnes is hanging in there. She's resilient. She also said you'd been very helpful and kind to her. I wanted to say thank you for that."
My face heated from my blush, so I grabbed some glasses and rubbed imaginary spots from them. "Just being a friend."
She nodded and then sipped her tea for a moment. "I trust you and the police have taken all necessary precautions to ensure her safety tonight in this little trap you're staging?"
The heat on my face matched the noonday sun outside. You had to appreciate her direct approach. "Officer Faria has assured me they will be close by and will maintain a visual on her." I smiled at the term. "His words, not mine. I'm still nervous, as it's usually only myself that I put in harm's way. Is this where the advice part comes in?"
Her blue eyes twinkled. "No, I trust our police force will provide all the necessary protection. My advice is more in the area of all the puzzles you're trying to piece together to get to the whodunit."
"You'd certainly know about that," I started and then realized how that might sound. "I mean, not that you've actually committed any real crimes…just plotted them…" Ugh, at this rate, I would be the next victim in her new book. Or worse, the killer.
"I do spend a lot of time thinking up reasons why someone might kill another person and how. That is true. I've also discovered that often times we are so focused on the obvious that we miss the truth hiding just below the surface."
"Meaning?"
"You've been focused on the money, right?"
I nodded. "Seems logical. We believe Rico was being blackmailed and now Agnes. Money is a powerful motive for murder."
She ate a few bites of her biscuit and drank some more of her tea as I waited not-so-patiently for her to enlighten me.
"If Rico was going to pay the blackmail, why would someone kill him? He obviously had access to more money. Maybe the ten thousand was a weekly installment rather than a one-time payout."
Point to Ms. Ashby. She now had a commanding lead, but I wanted to at least try to stay in the game. "Alright, let's say that's true. Money is still the only motive that makes sense to me. Maybe that's why they moved on to blackmailing Agnes?"
She finished her biscuit and tea and put some money on the bar. She took my hand and focused her gaze directly onto me. "Killing someone is usually more emotion than logic. Some of the top motivators for murder are anger, jealousy, obsession, revenge, and a host of other emotionally driven reasons."
"You're saying I should look for the illogical?"
My hand was released, and she offered another smile. "Perhaps. It will only seem illogical until all the puzzle pieces are revealed. Once that happens, you will understand. Until then, I'm simply asking you to look beyond that which fits nicely into your gift-wrapped motive box."
I nodded. "I'll do my best. Thank you for your time and advice."
"Thank you for watching over Agnes. I look forward to seeing this story get to the happily ever after." She graced me with one more smile and then left.
She'd given me a lot to think about. I grabbed a napkin from the bar, since my purse with the notebook in it was locked up in the office. I wrote the ideas she mentioned down so I could consider each one and who might factor in.
"Are you writing a note to pass to Tan?" Mandi teased as she handed me a drink order for one of her tables.
"That would be more fun than this." I held up the napkin for her inspection as I started on the drinks.
Her face scrunched up. "Anger, jealousy, obsession, and revenge? What kind of list is this?" She tossed it back in my direction. I didn't blame her—the negative energy in that list was disturbing.
"The kind of list Ms. Ashby gave me as alternative motives to Rico's murder. Any thoughts on who might fit into those categories?" Mandi was a detail person. Maybe she'd see an angle I hadn't.
"Let me deliver the drinks, and then we'll brainstorm."
Now see when she said it, I knew she actually meant brainstorming. Tanner's offer to help me last night was shrouded with ulterior motives—not that I blamed him. My motives were the same.
A minute later, Mandi had returned. She ripped a few pages off the little notebook she used to take orders. A small slip of paper slid out and fell on the floor at my feet. "Here, use this," Mandi offered as she handed me the loose pages. "They're a little more durable than the napkin."
Best. Friend. Ever. Hey, it's the little things that make relationships great. I'd take those any day over grand gestures. "Thanks." I grabbed my pen and leaned over to pick up the dropped paper. I handed it to her. "Any thoughts?"
Mandi blushed when I handed it to her, as the name on the receipt was The Pelican Bar. "It's not what you think," she blurted out.
I chuckled. "I wasn't thinking anything…other than about motives for murder."
She sat down. "My dad is still working on winning Mom back. He thought it would be fun to take her there on a date. I told her it was a bad idea, as the clientele there are a little rowdier than here at the tavern."
"How'd you end up with the receipt?" I wasn't accusing her of anything, just curious.
Mandi flipped the notebook closed to show her mom's name written on the front. "I grabbed hers by accident this morning on my way out."
My teenager side emerged. "Anything good in there?"
She tried to feign a surprised look, but I didn't buy it for a second. "What makes you think I would look?"
I crossed my arms and gave her a look that said Really?
Her laughter cut through the imitation indignation. "Okay, I looked. Nothing interesting there but the receipt."
My triumphant smile faded. "Rico visited the same bar before he died. Agnes found a receipt when she was looking for the blackmail note before." A part of me worried this bar might become serious competition for Smugglers' Tavern. Maybe I should check out the competition before the dinner rush just to get the vibe of the place. That was what a responsible assistant manager would do, right?
I also remembered Maura saying she and Blake had visited there too. I almost opened my mouth to share my plan with Mandi, but Tan was in earshot. He would fuss at me for going alone. Part of me wished I could bring my BFF with me, but I'd need her to cover for me at the bar.
Mandi's voice broke into my strategizing. "You're going over there, aren't you?"
Lying—or even sugarcoating the truth to avoid a lecture—was out of the question. "I'd ask you to come, but…"
"But you need me to cover for you here."
"I'll check with Clara, Tara, and Drake to see if they need anything. Might as well make the most of my venture." Plus, it would explain my absence to Tan.
Mandi nodded and grabbed my cocktail napkin notes. "Since things are slow right now, I'll try to think of candidates for each of these categories while you're away. Just be back before the dinner rush. You know how much they all love the way you mix the cocktails."
I came around the bar and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks for supporting me and all my trips into Crazy Town."
"You have a good heart, and that's what BFFs are for, right?"
"Right."
The kitchen was eerily quiet when I made my way to the office. Ashley was cleaning out the fridge, and Clara and Tara were finishing up the last of the lunchtime dishes. "Hi, everyone. I have to run a couple errands. Is there anything you need for dinner tonight?"
Tara shook her head, and the other two didn't respond. Guess that meant they were all set. "I was thinking about bringing back some chocolate treats for the team from Cinnamon Sugar Bakery. Any preference?"
Ashley's face lit up. Nothing like chocolate to ease the stress of the day. "I would love one of those chocolate éclairs."
Her enthusiasm was contagious. Even Clara smiled. "Anything chocolate works for me."
I turned to Tara. "How about you?"
"I'll pass. Thanks, Lilly. My stomach hasn't been cooperating today. I should probably avoid anything sweet."
Just like that the tension returned to the room faster than calories traveled to your hips. I moved over next to her and gestured for her to follow me into the office.
As soon as the door was shut, she started. "I'm sorry, Lilly. I know I'm bringing everyone down. I just can't decide, and it's driving me—and everyone else—crazy."
"Don't apologize. Good Lord knows I drive the people closest to me crazy ninety-nine percent of the time. The trick is you have to deliver results with the crazines
s."
She grinned. "Like when you catch a killer?"
"I was thinking more like coming up with the perfect signature cocktail each month, but I suppose my little quirks have occasionally helped solve some mysteries. In both cases, do you know what I do?"
Her expression focused, and I could almost see the need for guidance in her intense gaze. Though I wasn't sure my advice was worthy, I shared my thoughts. "I follow my heart. No matter what logic says is the best thing or even the right thing. My heart guides my actions. Even Ms. Ashby mentioned how powerful a motivator our emotions are. At the end of the day, you have to follow your heart. It's the best way I know to find your path in the twists and turns of life."
"I want to, but I'm not sure how."
This was tougher. "My guess is it's different for each person. Try to block out what everyone else wants and listen to that small voice inside of you that knows better than anyone else what Tara wants or needs. Then make your decision."
She nodded. "Thanks. I'll try."
Ironic that I could give such great advice but have a hard time following it—at least when it came to matters of the heart. "There you go. Alright, I'm going to check with Drake before heading out."
Tara opened the door. "Oh, and Lilly?"
I grabbed my purse before looking up. "Yes?"
"I'd like a chocolate croissant. They melt in your mouth."
Her statement along with a small smile made me chuckle. "One melt-in-your-mouth croissant coming up."
The late afternoon sun shone through the trees surrounding the property behind Smugglers' Tavern. I glanced longingly at my favorite bench. It had been a while since I'd been able to come out back and relax. Part of me wondered if I'd subconsciously been avoiding Drake because of the little information I'd gleaned from his background check and the tension in our interactions. Maybe a part of me missed Abe, my previous gardener. Anyone after him would fall short.
I saw Drake emerge from the greenhouse right before I headed in. His features were drawn tight and his brows furrowed. I worried he was having a bad day along with most everyone else on my team. "Everything okay?"