Instead, the crime had been turned on him, Lia thought. But was the barn the catalyst? Or was it something else?
Hayley parked near the open side door. As they climbed out of the car, they could hear dance music. Lia knew it was a class of mostly senior citizens and had expected sedate waltzes or fox-trots. Instead she was intrigued to hear the sultry rhythms of the tango.
They stood in the doorway, watching as couples moved in elegant synchrony, backs arched, heads held high, and clasped hands gracefully outstretched. The instructor—a woman whose own salt-and-pepper hair matched that of most of her students—clapped her hands to the beat and called out, “Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow, quick-quick, slow.”
Lia found herself swaying to the music. Hayley noticed and nudged her. She tilted her head toward the group along with an encouraging eyebrow wiggle.
“Uh-uh,” Lia murmured. “They’re much too good.”
“You could learn.”
“Maybe someday.” Lia did enjoy dancing, but she wasn’t ready to think of partnering with anyone other than Tom. She cocked her head toward Belinda’s office, and the two slipped quietly down the hall. Lia tapped lightly on the door and opened it to find Belinda at her usual spot behind the desk. “How can you concentrate with that music coming through?” Lia asked smilingly as they stepped in.
“Music?” Belinda looked genuinely puzzled for a moment. “Oh. Doesn’t bother me. Hi, Hayley! I didn’t realize you were still in town. Vacation?”
Hayley went to give Belinda a hug. “Just a short break,” she said.
“While she’s here, she’s been helping me look into what happened to Darren,” Lia said as they both sat down. “I wanted to run a few things by you.” Lia told Belinda about going to Martin Brewer’s lecture and shared what Maggie Wood had told her about him.
Belinda blinked. “Maggie volunteers at the historical society?”
“Maybe you should get to know your crafters better,” Lia suggested with a smile. “Maggie confirmed my impression that the professor would likely have been highly upset over Darren’s plans for this barn.”
“And I learned from a police friend of mine that Brewer has a record of attacking people who crossed him,” Hayley said.
“One incident,” Lia clarified. “Years ago, but it at least tells us he bears looking into. Can you add anything more about him? Something Darren might have mentioned?”
Belinda shook her head. “Darren and I weren’t exactly on speaking terms for some time. I’d love to be able to tell you he was getting threats from Brewer, but I can’t. And I barely knew the man.”
“Okay, then what about Adam Mathis?” Lia asked.
“Darren’s partner? He’s a snake. I never liked him. Did you find something on him? That would make me very happy.”
“Only that the two fought a lot,” Hayley said.
“And Mathis probably gains from Darren’s death, acquiring the entire business. Is that right?” Lia asked.
“I suppose so. I sure don’t get anything, which should clear me right there.”
“How did they happen to partner up?” Hayley asked. “It sounds like they disagreed on everything.”
“Not at the beginning,” Belinda said. “They were like two peas in a pod when they first set up their firm, probably because they both were fine with bending the rules as much as they could get away with, something I didn’t catch on to for a while. As long as the money was coming in, they were great buddies. When problems cropped up that slowed the flow, they probably went for each other’s throats, like most snakes and bullies do.”
“Would you say Mathis was capable of murder?” Lia asked.
Belinda thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, but probably not in the way Darren was murdered. If he chose to do it, he’d probably set it up carefully to look like an accident or frame someone else for it.”
“You were kind of framed for it,” Hayley said.
“Kind of wouldn’t be enough for Adam Mathis,” Belinda said. “If he’d planned it, there would have been enough faked evidence pointing to me that I’d be locked in a cell right now.”
“I can’t imagine faking evidence is that easy,” Lia said. “Whoever did it has so far gotten away with it, which might be the best he could do. If it was him,” she added.
Belinda shook her head, disagreeing, so Lia let it be. She asked about the man who’d accompanied Darren the day he’d walked into the craft fair. “I understand that wasn’t Mathis. Was it someone else who worked with Darren?”
Belinda waved a hand dismissively. “That was Todd Mullins. He and Darren knew each other for a long time. He’s one of the few who continued to put up with him.” She glanced in the direction of the ongoing dance class. “He’s probably out there right now. I know he joined the class.”
“He is?” Lia perked up. “Would you point him out?”
“Sure.” Belinda rose, and they all trooped out of the office. She studied the twirling couples for several moments, then pointed. “There,” she said. “The tall guy in the red polo shirt.”
Lia stared, recognizing the man she’d seen circling the barn’s interior that day with Darren Peebles. He was now circling the same area in graceful, rhythmic steps, he and his partner appearing to be two of the younger ones of the group. As they turned, Lia was able to see his partner’s face. It was Paulette, the woman whose alpaca sweater Lia had just started knitting.
Chapter 15
Belinda returned to her office as Lia and Hayley waited for the class to end, watching the couples step and turn. Lia was impressed with Paulette’s dancing ability. Until then, she’d only known her as an enthusiastic customer of Ninth Street Knits, since all their conversations had been about sweaters, scarves, or afghans. Lia saw that she’d only scratched the surface of the fifty-something woman, who clearly had much more to be discovered. But the part of greatest interest to Lia right then was Paulette’s connection to Todd Mullins. Was he just a dance class partner or something more, and if so, what would that mean?
The class wound down, and as the music stopped, chatter began. Many of the dancers wandered over to a table against a far wall, where cool drinks awaited them, but Paulette broke away and headed straight to Lia and Hayley.
“I thought I saw you!” she cried. “Are you joining our group?” She pulled a handkerchief from a skirt pocket and dabbed at perspiration on her face and neck. Tangoing was apparently a vigorous activity.
“No, I just stopped by to speak to our craft fair manager for a minute.” Lia introduced Hayley, then said, “I had no idea you were such a good dancer.”
“Oh!” Paulette laughed and shook her head. “I have a long way to go! But it’s such fun! You should try it. Both of you!”
“It does look like fun,” Hayley said, looking pointedly at Lia.
“Maybe someday,” Lia said. “I picked up your yarn yesterday,” she said, changing the subject. “The colors are going to be beautiful together.”
“I can hardly wait!” Paulette turned as Todd Mullins approached carrying two tall paper cups of water. “Todd,” she said, “this is Lia Geiger, the wonderful knitter who’ll be making my new sweater, and her daughter, Hayley.”
“Nice to meet you,” Todd said pleasantly. He handed Paulette her cup, then offered to bring them something. “Paulette and I stick with water, but there’s other choices.”
Lia and Hayley declined, and the four began chatting about sweaters and the tango. Lia was wondering how she might bring up Darren Peebles when Paulette said, “You know what? Todd and I usually go to lunch after class. The dancing makes us ravenous! Why don’t you come with us—both of you—and we can talk as much as we want there?”
Todd nodded agreeably, and Lia thought if she was going to turn the conversation to Darren, that would be her better chance. She looked at Hayley questioningly.
“I have thi
ngs to do, but go ahead, Mom. I can pick you up later.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” Lia said, to which all three nodded vigorously, and soon Lia was climbing into Todd Mullins’s white SUV as Hayley drove off in her Nissan waving breezily.
They ended up at the tea shop where Hayley had met up with Brady the day before—Antonia’s Tea Trolley—a place Lia hadn’t been to yet and which she quickly realized she’d mischaracterized as far as not carrying food that would appeal to a young policeman. It did offer teas—an amazing variety, including many she’d never heard of—but it also had coffee on the menu and plenty of heartier fare besides dainty tea sandwiches.
“Antonia’s has changed with the times,” Paulette explained after the waitress took their orders. “Happily, they’ve kept their wonderful pastries. I love to pop in on midafternoons just for a lovely cup of chai and a blueberry scone. But others like Todd want their coffee and maybe a soup and sandwich. They cater to us all now, and they’re thriving because of it.”
“That’s partly because Antonia’s daughter and son-in-law stepped in to help, at her request, after she’d run it herself for many years,” Todd said. “Fresh ideas.”
“And apparently Antonia’s openness to them,” Lia said. “Change isn’t always easy.” Something she knew well from her own recent struggles.
“No, it isn’t,” Paulette agreed. “I made the switch a few years ago from a salaried position to self-employed. It was scary, but it worked out. I’m so happy I took the risk.”
“What do you do?” Lia asked.
“Physical therapy. Now, instead of a set schedule, I can be flexible, and it’s so much easier for my patients. I mean, these are people who might have trouble getting around, for whatever reason. Instead of making them travel to a clinic, I go to them at a convenient time for both of us.”
“That makes a lot of sense. I’m glad it worked out for you,” Lia said. She paused as the waitress served their food, then asked Todd, “And what about you?”
“I’m a dog walker.” He dug into his steak-and-cheese sandwich, giving Lia a moment to think about that.
“Well, I imagine that offers flexibility to your schedule, too,” she finally said, which brought out a ripple of laughter from Paulette.
“That’s not all he does,” she said, her eyes crinkling. “Todd works at home on his computer.”
“Graphic designing,” Todd admitted. “The dog walking gets me out of the house and gives me exercise. Plus, I enjoy the animals. I don’t know which job I like better.”
“Sounds like a great combination,” Lia said, smiling.
“It was because we can make our own schedules that we were both able to sign up for the tango class. And it’s how we met!” Paulette and Todd exchanged smiles.
“From the looks of it, this wasn’t your first class,” Lia said.
“Oh no. We started with the beginners’ group last fall. The tango is quite intricate and takes practice.”
“Paulette’s a natural,” Todd said.
Lia watched the interaction between them and understood the two had become more than just dance partners. That would normally be fine, but according to Belinda, Todd was one of Darren’s few friends. What did that say about him? It was time to find out.
“Todd, I remember seeing you before,” Lia said. “You came to the barn with Darren Peebles that day, when the craft fair was going on.”
A shadow passed over his face. “Yes. That was the last time I saw him.”
“Oh my gosh, Todd. Was that the day he was killed?” Paulette asked.
He nodded, wincing.
“I hope you don’t mind my asking,” Lia said, “but did he give you an idea why he would return to the barn later that night?”
“It’s okay. The police asked me that, too. No, Darren never mentioned any intention of doing such a thing.”
“I thought that was awfully odd, too,” Paulette said. “I mean, who shows up to meet someone so late at night? Todd, I had no idea you two were friends.”
Todd shrugged. “I’d say we were more friendly than friends. We knew each other for a long time, and we’d connect now and then.” He reached for his water glass and moved it around as he shifted in his chair. “I realize he had his shortcomings. But he was also a pretty interesting guy and always full of energy. Just fun to be around.”
Lia raised a single eyebrow. “He planned to tear down the craft fair barn,” she said. “The barn where you take your tango classes.”
“Tear down that beautiful barn!” Paulette cried. “That would have been disastrous!”
“I know that’s what he was saying,” Todd said, squirming uneasily. “But I thought he was just trying to get his ex-wife’s goat.”
“He had made an offer, which Alfred Schumacher was on the verge of accepting,” Lia said. “I think Darren had every intention of following through.”
“Then I’m sorry I didn’t understand that,” Todd said. He reached apologetically for Paulette’s hand. “If I had, I would have tried to talk him out of it. Not that I would have gotten anywhere, knowing Darren. But I would have tried.”
Paulette nodded and smiled, apparently ready to forgive Todd for associating with a dreadful man.
“Darren did get a call shortly after we left the barn that day,” Todd said.
Lia leaned forward. “Oh?”
“I don’t know whether or not it had anything to do with his showing up at the barn that night. But it didn’t sound like a business call.”
“What did it sound like?”
“Personal, I’d say. I didn’t hear much. Darren dropped his voice and turned away. But he seemed pleased afterward. With business calls he’d usually have a determined or even a combative air about him.”
“You didn’t hear a name? Or plans to meet up?” Lia asked.
“Nope. Nothing like that. So it might have nothing to do with what happened later that night.”
“You told the police?” Lia asked.
“Sure. But nothing seems to have come of it.”
“Right.” But Lia thought it might be worth checking with Brady to see what he could find out. “Thanks, Todd. And I’m sorry if Darren’s death was upsetting for you.”
Todd nodded, and Paulette put her hand over his. Todd had described his friendship with Darren as casual, but Lia knew how some people—men in particular—tended to keep most of their connections with friends very loose, feeling more comfortable that way. Todd might or might not have felt a loss from Darren Peebles’s death, and it was actually startling to Lia to come across someone who had a positive relationship with the man, but either way it seemed clear Paulette was there for him.
Chapter 16
Lia had intended to walk the short distance home from Antonia’s, despite Hayley’s plan to pick her up, but Todd insisted on dropping her off, saving them both the effort. When she went inside, she found Hayley unpacking groceries.
“I just picked up a few things,” Hayley said. “I’m going to make tonight’s dinner.”
“Great! What are we having?”
“It’s a surprise. You just sit and knit or whatever. I’ll take care of everything in the kitchen.”
“Sounds lovely.” Lia eyed the various items spread out on her kitchen counter, which included an eggplant, onion, garlic, peppers, and mushrooms, and wondered what lay ahead. Hayley had never been a particularly interested cook growing up, despite Lia’s attempts to draw her in, but time living on her own might have changed that.
“So, what did you find out from the dancing duo?” Hayley asked, following Lia to the living room.
Lia picked up Daphne, who’d been circling her feet, and shared the more intriguing information concerning the mysterious call Darren had received the afternoon before his death. She sank carefully into her knitting chair as she held on to the large but pliable cat and
asked, “Do you think Brady could find out about that? I mean, the police must have checked Darren’s phone records, something we can’t do.”
“I can ask,” Hayley said. “But would it really help? If the call came from the murderer, luring Peebles to the barn, the police would have arrested somebody by now, wouldn’t they?”
“No, they wouldn’t know what was said, and the caller could make up any story about the call if he or she wanted to. But I’d still love to know who made it. If it was from somebody who hasn’t shown up on our radar yet, we’d at least be aware of them. Then we could decide if we want to look into them ourselves.”
“Oooh, maybe Darren was seeing someone secretly. A married someone.” Hayley immediately shook her head. “No, scratch that. Crazy thought. Who’d have an affair with him? Okay, I’ll try to reach Brady.” Hayley glanced around. “Bummer. I must have left my phone upstairs.”
As Hayley trotted up to her room, Lia set Daphne down on the floor and reached into her yarn bag. She’d finished studying the directions for Paulette’s sweater and was ready to cast on when Hayley returned.
“Brady’s going to see what he can learn, and,” she tossed off casually, “he’ll be joining us for dinner tonight.”
“Oh! That’ll be nice. How did it come about?”
“Well, he said he’d stop by to let us know what he came up with, and I thought, hey, we have lots of food! So I told him to plan on staying. Besides, he sounded hungry.”
Lia wasn’t sure how someone sounded hungry over the phone, but having Brady join them was fine with her. She began casting on her stitches, and Hayley disappeared into the kitchen, soon making chopping noises while instructing Alexa to play various tunes from the Echo device Tom had given Lia on his last Christmas. When the music changed to a tango, Lia’s eyebrows went up, trying to picture what might be going on in her tiny kitchen. But she stuck with her promise to remain where she was, knitting assiduously and trying not to disrupt her gauge with her rhythmically tilting shoulders and tapping feet.
A Wicked Yarn Page 9