Killer Con Fuego

by Sarah Hualde

Joan locked eyes with her father, who shrugged before yanking open the back door to the restaurant. Cautious but quick on their feet, they entered the warm light of the kitchen as it shone into the hallway between the cookery and the bathroom. No smoke greeted them. Joan puzzled over its absence.

  “You’re not going to want to listen to me. But I beg you to obey. Please, please stay in the hall until I tell you to come into the kitchen,” Ethan said.

  Joan’s face morphed into a pout, but she solemnly agreed. Ethan slowly walked around the kitchen. He peeped into the office, without disturbing anything. He turned back toward the hall and caught sight of a face smiling, through tears, on the other side of the freezer door. “Lydia!”

  Chapter 46

  FEW THINGS IN THE WORLD felt as good, to Lydia, as resting in her husband’s strong arms. The freezer’s chill, mixed with the sprinkler’s spray, was no match for the warmth that enveloped her as Ethan held her on the floor of the kitchen. He kissed her fingertips, though they were charred from waving flaming cardboard under the smoke detector. Nestling her head aggravated her injury, but she didn’t fight Ethan’s sweetness.

  Joan wept as she fetched her mother’s favorite boots from the restaurant office. She hugged them as if they were her mother. Her parent’s lingered in their embrace. How many times, recently, had they almost lost each other? That Joan knew of, Lydia had faced a murder three times in the last eleven months. How many more times were to come?

  Seeing fire trucks pull up to his restaurant as he was heading home set Santi’s nerves on end. He’d parked in the middle of the road and rushed inside. Officer Pertwee moved his car for him when he returned with Dave Pines in handcuffs. Afterward, Maude and Santi rested on the concrete floor of their favorite place. Scooby sat between them.

  Murder and near-death tainted the space but not their love for each other. The unnatural family felt more alive than ever in their kitchen, surrounded by their favorite things: food, friends, and faith. They wept and prayed. And wept and prayed some more. Always giving thanks.

  Scooby delivered Vikki’s cell phone to the police. Once opened, it revealed Vikki’s plan to scheme Harrison by using Calvin and Charles to alienate him and then drain him of his resources.

  It also hosted text messages she’d sent to Dave teasing and taunting him. Telling him she’d never really cared for him and that it was hilarious that once again he’d been replaced by Scooby.

  IN ASTHON’S HOSPITAL, Lydia lay thinking over her night at Con Fuego. She praised God for his timing, mercy, and wisdom. She could only imagine the damage a cold-hearted woman, such as Vikki, had done. It wasn’t quantifiable. It broke souls and shattered personalities. Lydia whispered prayers of healing over every heart involved.

  Her hospital room was cozy. Ethan snored in the room’s fold-out chair. Joan drooled in the vacant patient bed on the other side of the partition. The curtains were pulled tight, keeping the light and onlookers out, but it was nowhere near as comfortable as her own bed. Thankfully she had only one last night to sleep on the vinyl cushions.

  The dinner hour had passed and visiting hours were coming to an end, when Harrison and Charles entered her room. Lydia’s heart flipped. Father and son were smiling at each other.

  Lydia held a finger to her lips and motioned to her sleeping family. The men quieted their conversation and approached her bed.

  “What are you two doing here?” Lydia asked. She propped herself up to sitting.

  Harrison hurriedly fluffed her pillows and helped his little sister get comfortable. “We both wanted to see you face to face.”

  “Dad was curious to see if Dave’s attack dwindled your mischievous twinkle,” Charles said. “His words. I think he’s just really worried about you.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be? It isn’t every day your little sis escapes a murderer.” Harrison attempted to keep his voice humorous but Lydia knew better. She saw past his wall. She reached out to him. As she squeezed his hand, her blood pressure cuff squeezed her.

  “Not according to Ivy,” Charles said. “Ivy says this happens all the time.”

  Harrison’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He swallowed back his concern. “Let’s hope not.”

  “Aunt Lydia’s a tough old broad,” Charles said.

  Lydia scowled at him. “Old? Broad?”

  Charles opened his mouth to respond when the hospital PA system crackled to life. Visiting hours were over. Harrison glanced mournfully at the small speaker on the wall. He turned to Charles and placed a nurturing hand on his son’s shoulder. “Now that we’ve offended your aunt, how about you give me just a moment with my sister.”

  Charles frowned. “Sure, Dad,” he said. Ever so gently, Charles bent his tall frame and planted a swift kiss on Lydia’s forehead. “I love you.” The momentary display of feeling caught in Charles’ throat.

  Lydia steadied her shaky hand and mused Charles’ hair. The boy she loved was all grown up. The man before her stole her heart all the more. “I know,” she said.

  Charles turned heel and hustled from the room. Lydia understood. It had been a ramshackle weekend. She watched him leave and turned her gaze to her big brother.

  “You good?” she asked him.

  “Good? I’m not sure what good is, at the moment.” Harrison shuddered. The weight on his shoulders was an obvious anchor. It would take some time for him to regain his easy-going ways. “But, I’m not here to talk about me. Not really. I just wanted to say.” Tears scattered across his cheeks. The tall man rubbed them away with the back of his hand. “You... are amazing.”

  Lydia blushed. She was ready to argue that it hadn’t been her who solved the mystery. That if she had been smart, she would have spotted the danger much earlier. But Harrison shushed her.

  “I have my boy back.” Harrison’s deep voice squeaked. “Both of my boys. I know you played a big part in that. And I just wanted you to know.” His throat pinched and Harrison could no longer speak.

  He snatched Lydia up in a tight lingering bear hug. Her head rebelled and pounded with the sudden jolt. She ignored it and melted into her brother’s embrace. When he released her, he eased her back onto her pillow and handed her a tissue.

  “It’s going to be alright,” Lydia croaked. “It’s just going to take time. God’s working it out as we speak.”

  “I know,” Harrison said. “I’d forgotten, for a while. But not anymore.”

  Charles peeked back into the room. This time a nurse was at his side. “I’ve got to go,” Harrison said. Lydia smiled. Her brother wouldn’t risk another hug or kiss. Not even another goodbye. Lydia knew he wasn’t great with feelings. And that, for the moment, Harrison was battling more emotions than he thought existed.

  She watched him pat Charles on the shoulder as both men retreated down the hall, as father and son.

  MAUDE AND SANTI MET Lydia and Ethan at the vacation townhouse as they returned from the hospital. The cooking couple had graciously allowed the Everett’s to stay at the townhouse for an extra week. More than long enough for Lydia to be released. Though the other families had to return to Honey Pot, directly after giving their final statements to police, Lydia, Ethan, Joan, Ivy, and Scout stayed behind.

  “We don’t want to impose,” the Santiagos said. “We just brought some fresh focaccia bread, butternut squash ravioli in cream sauce, a Caesar salad, and cannoli.”

  “Oh, just, huh?” Ethan joked. Maude and Santi downplayed their gifts and their enormous generosity.

  “You’ve spoiled us, repeatedly,” Lydia said.

  “Nonsense.” Maude blushed. “We can’t thank you enough.”

  “For what,” Lydia said. “I didn’t piece together this one until it crashed down on my skull.”

  Maude blanched at the memory. “Don’t remind me.”

  Santi reached out and took Lydia’s hand in both of his and squeezed it softly. Being such a private person, Santi’s touch meant a lot. It meant one was family. Lydia and Ethan would always be family to Santi and Maude.


  “You trusted us and believed in Scooby when not a lot of people would,” he said.

  “We know he’s far from perfect, but we claim him.” Maude’s voice once again bounced with its cheery beat. “He’s actually going by Dino, now. He says he’s done hiding.” Maude’s face shimmered with joy. Lydia would have to ask her one day how she maintained her happiness in the face of such a stressful job and day to day struggles. Lydia could keep up appearances and plod along down her pre-planned path. But she had a hard time shining like Maude did.

  “That’s wonderful. I’m so happy.” Lydia squinted in the sunlight.

  Maude, noticing her discomfort, encouraged Santi to head back home. “Come on, old man,” she said. “We’ve got years to get to know Ethan and Lydia better. For now, Lydia’s got to rest up so she’s ready for the next case that comes her way.”

  “Don’t you dare encourage her!” Ethan laughed.

  He knew Lydia needed no encouragement. If another mystery crossed her, she’d chase it down. He only prayed she’d be safer the next time and that God would continue to cover her with His protection.

  The men shook hands and the women hugged goodbye. Lydia allowed Ethan to escort her into the townhouse and out of the sunlight. Her eyes weren’t used to the brightness, yet. Just the thought of too much light sent her headaches back for another round.

  Lydia heard voices on the back porch. She tugged Ethan’s sleeve for an explanation, too tired to talk anymore. She hadn’t thought a ten-minute drive would wear her so thin. Ethan whispered his response as he locked the door.

  “It looks like Dino, Charles, Calvin, and the girls are talking. Are they too loud?” Ethan searched Lydia’s eyes for signs of pain.

  “Let them talk. It’s nice to hear them laughing. But I will let you take me upstairs,” she said.

  “As you wish.” Ethan winked at her. Lydia’s thin, happy smile warmed his heart. He was so glad she was safe. Whatever would he do without his wild and reckless wife?

  With his arm bracing her back, Ethan led Lydia through the living room and up the stairs. He tucked her tightly into bed, using all the pillows to prop her up.

  “Will you open the window to the balcony?” Lydia said timidly. “And shut off all the lights.”

  “Are you spying on the young again?”

  “A little,” she said.

  Ethan opened the door. “Okay, but only for a bit.”

  DINO’S VOICE WAS THE loudest of all the young adults. As if it only needed another trauma to release it from the shadows of Dino’s past life. Now that it was out, Dino wasn’t shy. His confidence was restored and slowly growing.

  “I know God loves me,” he said. “But His plans make no sense to me. I know He’s got a purpose for me to live out, but I can’t imagine what it might be. I mean, I know you got wrapped up with Vikki, Calvin, but not as messily as I did. Who’s going to want me now?”

  “Santi and Maude want you, that’s who,” Joan answered.

  Dino’s crooked grin brightened his face. He contemplated the love of his unexpected and unofficial foster parents. He deeply loved them in return. “Yes, but they're like super people. It’s not natural for them to want me. Can you imagine what kind of a train wreck I am?”

  “I can,” Ivy said, almost too softly to be heard. She leaned in, setting intent eyes upon Dino’s evasive ones. “The thing is, we can remain victimized wreckage repeating the same mistakes. Or we can armor up and stop the cycle.”

  Dino swallowed and sighed. “You make it sound so easy.”

  “Ha!” Tears puddled in Ivy’s green eyes. “If it were so easy, everyone would do it,” she said.

  “What about you?” Dino asked.

  Ivy shuddered. Her decision sat firmly in her mind. Even if her guts knotted at the thought. “With God’s help, I’m going for it.”

  “Aren’t you scared?” Dino asked, but the answer was plastered on Ivy’s young face. “Then I’ll try, too.”

  Dino’s eyes traced over the sadness on Ivy’s face. They recognized a kinship unspoken. Bravely, so unlike the old Scooby, Dino cradled Ivy’s closest hand in his. He squeezed it.

  Joan watched. She was happy Dino and Ivy had each other to relate to, but she didn’t like the look Dino was giving Ivy. It was unsettling the way he’d just picked up her hand and decided it was okay to hold it. Even more disturbing, was the way Ivy let him hold it. Ivy and Joan had a lot of talking to do later.

  Ivy was happy at the silent understanding. But it made her long to talk to Grant. It was time she let go and let him in. She’d prayed about it and had been answered. The small exchange with Dino had given her the last blast of courage she needed. She wasn’t going to pine for a past life, as Dave had done. Ivy wanted to live this life, the way it was, to the fullest.

  Ivy felt Joan watching and ignored her. Joan loved Ivy. The weekend helped Ivy accept it. But although Joan was ready to hear the facts of Ivy’s story, she wasn’t prepared to feel it alongside her. Dino already did. He didn’t need Ivy to unveil a single secret. Someday Joan would understand, too. But it couldn’t be forced in a few short weeks.

  Calvin and Charles listened to and talked with the others. Calvin agreed to get help to overcome his entanglement with Vikki, before he fell into the same trap again. Charles revealed that during the last forty-eight hours his father and he had talked out their differences. Things weren’t back to normal, but they were slowly growing back into a whole.

  “Dad even gave me Mom’s ring,” Charles said. “Vikki had taken it without his permission. He said he had no idea how to get it back without ruining their relationship.”

  Dino snorted. Calvin agreed with the unspoken assessment of the late Vikki Winters. “He says he’s excited about Alli and me getting engaged and that he’d like to apologize to her for his poor treatment of her in the past.”

  “That’s wonderful news,” Joan said. The entire patio crowd rallied with congratulations and encouragement.

  Lydia rolled over to Ethan. “You can close it now,” she said.

  “You’ve gathered enough intel for your next job?” Ethan teased, but he was already up and shutting the sliding door.

  “Just enough to know my girls are safe and my boys are healing. I’m content. For now.” She smiled and snuggled down into the blankets.

  “It’s the ‘for now’ that scares me,” the sheriff said.

  Ethan slid back onto the bed beside Lydia. She lavished herself in the safety of his warmth and nearness. One more day. Tomorrow she’d spend the morning with her brother and then he and his boys would fly home. Lydia would insist they keep her posted on all of life’s changes. Then Lydia could go home to her crazy small town. She giggled.

  “What is it?” Ethan asked, worried that his wife’s head injury was making her loopy.

  “In one more day, I can have some of Hobo Joe’s coffee again.”

  Ethan rolled his eyes. “That’s what you’re thinking about?”

  “I love Maude and Santi, but their coffee can’t beat 3 Alarm’s.” Lydia shut her eyes and was nearly asleep when one last thought stampede through her tired mind. “Ethan?”

  “Yes,” he whispered, having almost been asleep himself.

  “Do you think, because I have a head injury, Joe will make me my very own batch of fudge?”

  *** A GOOD BOOK CAN MAKE you think. A great one can make you dead. Find out more in Book #6 of the Honey Pot Mystery Series coming fall 2020***

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  Thank You:

  THERE ARE NEVER ENOUGH words or ways to say thank you enough.

  Ez & Zo- you’re so encouraging! Thank you! I hope to make you proud of me.

  Mom & Dad- you keep believing in me... even when I fail. Thanks.

  For all my friends at the circle ta
ble: Thanks for lifting me up and extending your friendship to a weirdie like me. God is so good to me to bless this loner with friends like you.

  To my street team: You guys are awesome!!! Your excitement spurs me on.

  My Betas: You save my stories. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Patti Elliott you rock! Sarah Mae, you are spot on all the time. Caleb, thanks for the encouraging critiques.

  Finally: GOD... every day belongs to You. Help me live it for your glory, to the fullest, and with forever in mind. Thanks for giving these movies in my mind words. You are so good to me!!! Help me be good to others. Thank You!

  About the Author

  Sarah lives in California, in a home that brings her happiness and hay fever. She has a husband who cooks, a son who stop animates, a daughter who loves animals, a dog that follows her everywhere, and a turtle who scowls at her condescendingly. She enjoys writing new adventures for her imaginary friends and is thrilled when friends in real life enjoy reading her work. She loves God, loves her family, and loves freshly brewed coffee with a side of pastry. Even though she's hunkered down in quarantine, she's still cheering you on. God is good!