by Sandi Scott
She smiled back, while Dizzy pawed at the door. “We nerds need to stick together.” They stood and looked at each other for a long moment, then she turned and let Dizzy scramble to the car.
CHAPTER 13
ASHLEY LOVED HER early morning walks with Dizzy before most of the world had gotten out of bed. They would walk to a dog park near her house and usually have the place to themselves. On this particular morning, the air was cool enough that she was happy to run around with Dizzy, chasing the dog around until she found herself a bit winded. She sat on a picnic bench in the shade under large trees and watched Dizzy sniff around, chasing bunnies and shadows, not sure if she could actually distinguish the two. The morning’s quiet calmed her and gave her a clear head. While Dizzy darted around and sniffed everything in sight, Ashley thought about her friendship with Ryan.
When they first met, he had a long-distance girlfriend. This gave them a lot of time to hang out together outside of work, doing things that would be considered dates, even though their relationship could only be platonic. By the time Ryan and his girlfriend realized neither or them was willing to move and decided to call it quits, Ashley had started seeing Serge. While she still saw Ryan every day at work, their time together did not extend beyond that as Serge swept her off her feet in a spell of romance and intrigue funded by a seemingly endless source of affluence.
Of course, after she moved to Paris with Serge, she realized that all of it—the romance, the love, the money—was an illusion. Yes, she missed Ryan when she moved to Paris, but if she was honest with herself, she already missed him in Seagrass when she was busy dating Serge. Now, back in Seagrass after all the madness Serge had created, the one thing that seemed unequivocally positive was the chance to spend time with Ryan again. So why wasn’t she happy? Why did it feel like her friendship with Ryan wasn’t enough?
She called Dizzy over and put her leash back on so they could walk home. Ashley wanted to get to Fresh Start Kitchens early enough to finish all the prep for their event that afternoon. A few minutes after they left the dog park, she was nearly bowled over by Emma Phee, who had come around suddenly from a bend while jogging along the same path.
“Oh, sorry.” Ashley said to the flustered woman, who was jogging with full makeup already in place. Emma pulled the white earbuds out of her ears and continued to jog in place.
“For God’s sake, Ashley. You certainly do have a habit of getting in the way.”
“I’m sorry. Geez, you run a lot.” Ashley snapped, which wasn’t how she usually addressed Ms. Emma Phee and her ilk.
Emma put her hands on her hips and cocked her head, seemingly concerned all of a sudden, before lifting her arms in a jumping jack motion. “What’s got you in a flap?”
Ashley decided that the time was ripe for some unabashed questioning, secretly marveling at the fact that she had been afforded the opportunity to speak with Emma so soon.
“Oh, I guess my head is in a swirl with the investigation and all. It’s horrible to think that we have a murderer in our midst, wouldn’t you agree?”
Watching closely for Emma’s response, Ashley wasn’t surprised when she stopped jogging and stared like she’d just been slapped in the face. Dizzy had circled back, trying to jump up on Emma, but she wouldn’t have it. She turned away like a child, with her arms up around her face.
“Please, get your mutt away from me.”
“She’s not a mutt. She’s a good, faithful dog.” Ashley defended her like a mother protecting her child against a monster.
Emma balked. “Oh, I suppose that jibe was directed at me and my history with men, right?”
Ashley was shocked. She hadn’t meant it in any such way, but suddenly, she saw an opportunity.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way, but since we’re on the subject—”
“Oh, please, spare me.”
Emma wiped nonexistent sweat away from her flawless pink face with her flawless pink wristbands. Her outfit was so outrageously stylish and coordinated, it made Ashley want to squirt beetroot juice all over it. She wasn’t usually mean, but Emma seemed to bring out the worst in her.
She decided to go for broke. “Well, I spoke with Sheriff Mueller, and he told me something quite interesting.”
“Really? Was it about Colleen’s purse?” Emma eyed Ashley like she had made a winning jab in a jousting tournament.
This startled Ashley, as she wasn’t expecting such an early admission. “Um, yes, actually.”
“And you’re wondering what I was looking for.” Emma smirked, looking smug.
“I guess so. Yeah,” Ashley replied, still not believing her luck.
The women stared at each other like they were in the middle of a mental chess match, eyebrows tilted, waiting for the other to crack. Ashley half expected to look around and see that time had stood still. Seeing as Emma was—for the moment—tight-lipped, Ashley put the cherry on top, as it were.
“Also, just so you know, I had a wonderful meeting with Bobby McCay the other night, even though he’s a little worse for wear, with his illness and all that.”
She watched Emma’s face carefully for any sign of a crack appearing in her perfect visage. It didn’t take long for Emma to start dissolving, slowly but surely, while still managing to keep her immaculate façade in-check.
“Girl, you are nosy. If you must know, yes, I was having an affair with Bobby; okay? Satisfied? Now, I imagine I fit the bill. Typical gold-digger, right?”
Ashley wasn’t expecting such a big confession so quickly, but she maintained her composure.
“Okay.” She wanted to kick herself for such a lame comeback, as if she needed one.
“I was looking for any evidence I could find about the affair,” Emma continued.
Ashley frowned. “What evidence could’ve been in Colleen’s purse?”
Emma sighed, over-exaggerating her annoyance, slumping her shoulders dramatically and slamming her hands on her hips for emphasis. “Colleen was trying to blackmail me. She knew about the affair and was following us. She was taking pictures and everything, that little snoop. In a town this small, I wouldn’t have survived a week if people found out, so I had to make sure I destroyed any pictures she may still have had. Bobby and I were in love, but who would see it that way?”
Now Emma was breaking down, fighting angry tears and holding her hands over her heart like she was going for an Oscar. Ashley stood silently while her mind raced to rearrange the pieces of the puzzle. Her silence only served to encourage Emma to spill more beans, such as they were. Now her voice was starting to sound whiny, making her façade slip further and further as her woeful act reached its peak.
“It wasn’t hard for Colleen to figure out where we were meeting, since she knew Bobby’s schedule. And you know what? I’ll admit it, I was glad when she was found dead, but I did not murder her! I haven’t the faintest idea who would’ve murdered her, and I can prove it.”
Ashley narrowed her eyes in disbelief. “How?”
Emma gasped like the drama queen she was and wiped away a fake tear before continuing. Ashley had to suppress a laugh.
“Eddie asked me to leave the banquet early. Colleen must have told him about my affair with Bobby because he came at me cussing and angry, saying I’d better get out of there before I upset the McCay family. Honestly, Bobby’s wife is a woman who is happy to focus on glittery gifts and turn a blind eye to her unscrupulous husband’s pastimes, so long as the glitter keeps coming. She knows, but I didn’t see the point in rubbing her face in it, so I left early.”
Emma was telling the truth. Of course, it was obvious that she wanted to clear her name, but to reveal that much about her personal life would’ve been torture for the glamorous and supposedly sophisticated socialite.
“Wow, Emma. I don’t know what to say.”
“It doesn’t much matter anymore. Our affair ended a while ago on account of Bobby losing his mind. He stopped recognizing me when I’d visit. His wife can have him now,
for all I care.”
“Okay—well—I’m sorry, Emma. This has been tough on all of us, I guess.”
“Don’t be. What Bobby and I had was special, but nothing lasts forever, right?” Emma was slowly picking up the pace of her jogging in place. “Well, am I off the hook?” Before Ashley could respond, she put her earbuds back in and jogged away.
Dizzy chased her for a few paces. “Get your mutt off me. Shoo!” Emma called back, trying to kick her before taking off down the path.
Dizzy trotted back to her mistress, proud as punch. Ashley didn’t bother to answer Emma’s question about being off the hook. She stood and watched her jogging away, feeling like she was also watching the case disappearing into the horizon.
By the time she made it to Fresh Start Kitchens, she felt spent. She had been so energized by the early morning, but the case was now completely occupying her thoughts. After talking to Emma, Ashley was convinced that Eddie was the murderer. She just had to figure out how to prove it.
As Ashley walked in the kitchens, Patty was chopping cilantro. When she looked up and saw her business partner in an obvious state, she left the stove and walked over.
“Hey, partner.” she called out, trying to inject some light into Ashley’s subdued aura. “Penny for your thoughts?”
“Hey.” Ashley was embarrassed by this kind of attention; normally, Patty would say hello but not abandon her work. Mustering her best smile, she tried to wave it off like nothing was wrong.
“I am not taking no for an answer,” Patty stated.
“If you say so.” Still smiling, Ashley put out her hand for the penny.
“Okay. Now fill me in.”
“It’s the case. I don’t know if I’ll ever figure out what happened to Colleen. I saw Emma Phee, and she isn’t the murderer, so I’m at a dead end.” She neglected to mention that Smoke Daddy Lee was still on her suspect list.
Patty looked at Ashley, really looked at her. “So, it’s the case that has you looking so glum? Just the case, huh?” She raised an eyebrow and the right corner of her tight smile.
She thought about trying to tell Patty about her feelings for Ryan, but when she tried to think of what to say, she didn’t even know. She was confused about why she was bothered, which bothered her even more.
“I guess. For now, it’s just the case.” She gave her partner a look that she hoped said, please, ask me again later.
“All right, then,” said Patty “let’s get to work to take your mind off the case. Some people have great insights into unanswered questions while in the shower; I usually have them in the kitchen.” She turned back to the stove and continued stirring the vegetable stock she was making for the base of the soupe à l’oignon on the day’s menu.
As Ashley kneaded and turned yeasted dough for the croissants, her mind quieted and her thoughts slowed. She was completely focused on the task at hand, and before she knew it, she was feeling much better.
By the time they arrived at the luncheon, she was back to her old self. The Seagrass Elderly Citizen’s Club was celebrating a recent win for one of their members, Lydia Fairmont, who was an avid chess player and a staunch alcoholic at the ripe old age of seventy-two. Nonetheless, she had won first prize in a small tournament, which had been held in England. Despite her drinking issues and bawdy behavior, she was always welcome wherever she went. Everyone loved her infectious sense of humor.
Seeing Ashley arrive, Maude came up and asked her if she was okay being back in the Gulf Coast Women’s Club again. Ashley pretended it wasn’t even an issue, advising that she was lucky to still be in operation. She omitted the fact that she had sat in her idling catering van in the parking lot for a five full minutes, working up the courage to come back to the scene of the crime.
The cucumber and cilantro pumpernickel sandwiches were a huge hit, along with Patty’s soup. While the others helped plate Patty’s famous cold, cilantro chicken and shredded beetroot with chili peppers and green onions, Ashley applied the finishing touches on her gorgeous petit fours. They included red velvet with cream cheese ganache, hazelnut shells and Kahlua wafers.
Sabine looked over her shoulder and whistled. “I sure hope we have enough champagne back here; these ladies are not joking around.”
Ashley grinned. “Why not? You only live once.”
“I’m amazed the old bird they’re celebrating has lived as long as she has. Apparently she has quite a reputation for being a flirt.” Patty added with a cheeky smirk.
“Then we’re lucky Mark’s off today. We don’t want another scandal.” Sabine giggled.
“What does that mean?” Ashley snapped, shocking the others.
Sabine blushed and looked to the others for support, but they averted their eyes. She was on her own for this one. “Sorry, Ashley, just kidding. I mean, that was thoughtless.”
Ashley knew that she’d overreacted, but it was still a sore point and she was tired.
“It’s okay. I guess I am a little on edge being back here. But don’t even joke about scandals. We’re still clawing our way back.”
Sabine capitulated. “Of course. Sorry, Ashley. Really.”
Ashley smiled. She couldn’t stay mad at Sabine, with her youthful exuberance and loyal adoration for Seagrass Sweets.
“Aw, it’s okay. Forgive me for snapping?” She reached out and tousled the girl’s punky hair.
“Sure.” Sabine smiled like a child who had escaped from a sticky situation.
They had a quick hug before Maude interrupted, gruff and impatient as usual.
“So, do they know what happened at the banquet, hon?”
Ashley shrugged. “They’re narrowing it down, but still guessing.”
She didn’t want to give too much away, knowing what a gossip Maude was.
“Forgive me for sayin’ so, but I’ll bet my last dollar it was that nasty Emma Phee.” Sabine said.
“She has an alibi. It wasn’t her.” Patty advised as she dressed yet another salad.
Maude snorted. “Probably that ol’ Smoke Daddy Lee.”
Now it was Patty’s turn to snap. “Of course it wasn’t, Maude.” Patty took a deep breath and smoothed the front of her apron with both hands. “I mean, he checks out. Right, Ashley?”
“Yes, he does. The police have their eye on another suspect.”
She bit her lip for saying that much. She didn’t want to be led into a discussion about the case, but she knew that she had to try and put a lid on it, for the sake of keeping the gossip in check.
“Who, then?” Maude asked.
“Never you mind who.” Patty snapped again. “Like Ashley said, the police have it under control.”
“Yes—but—you’ve been doing your own investigations, haven’t you, Miss Ashley?” Sabine asked innocently.
Ashley picked up one of her trays and carefully carried it over to the dessert cart. “Of sorts, I guess. It wouldn’t be right to leave it all up to those knuckleheads at the precinct.”
The women laughed as Ashley checked her phone.
“Any time to chat today? About case?” she texted Ryan.
“Something new?” he texted back immediately.
“Emma Phee is out, leaving me back at square one. I’m thinking about going to see Eddie again.”
She could see from the texting app that he was writing his response right away.
“Alone? Could be unsafe. I’ll come with you.” Ashley was touched by his protectiveness, but she knew it would seem more casual and less of an attack if she went on her own. His reaction had made her feel special, even if only for a moment.
“Ur sweet, but I’ll be fine. I’ll call you after.” She stared at her phone for a few minutes, hoping for a response. When none came, she turned it off and put it in her pocket.
“I’m off to run a quick errand. I’ll meet you guys back at the kitchen, if that’s okay.” Patty nodded, waving her off. Ashley was so thankful to have Patty as a partner; they had an unspoken give and take approach to their work to
gether. Someday, Patty would need to leave early, and without asking her why, Ashley would be happy to clean up on her behalf.
When she arrived at Eddie’s trailer, he wasn’t there. She looked through the windows to peer inside, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Driving back to the luncheon, she tried to piece together the case against Eddie. He had opportunity: he had been at the banquet and could easily have poisoned Colleen’s food. Given the poison came from a flower that was grown on his future in-laws’ property, access to it would be easy. He also had motive: wanting to keep his affair a secret so he could marry into the McCay family’s money while Colleen was scheming up ways for them to betray Bobby and run off together. She needed proof, though. Sheriff Mueller would never be able to make a case based on all this speculation.
Her phone rang just as she parked her catering van outside Fresh Start Kitchens.
“Hey, are you still with Eddie?” It was Ryan on the other end.
She nearly giggled at his whispering, like it was all cloak and dagger.
“No, he’s not home. We’ll have to try again tomorrow.”
“Phew,” said Ryan. “I found something that I can’t figure out. I’ll show you tomorrow. I guess the kayak trip will give us a chance to recharge our batteries. Then we can attack the case with a fresh approach.”
Ashley hung her head in exhaustion. She’d forgotten about the trip. They had planned it before Colleen had died. All she wanted to do was to go home and collapse into bed for at least 48 hours. She groaned in protest but tried not to sound whiny.
“I really don’t feel like it, Ryan. I don’t know if I have the energy for the water.”
“Oh. Alright then.” He sounded deflated; his disappointment was palpable, which made her feel guilty.
“I’m sorry.”
“Well, maybe a trip is just what you need. I say, let’s do it. The weather’s going to be great and you love a good kayak session, right? Once we get out there, you’ll probably be so happy you did.”