The Chef at the Water's Edge

by Kee Patterbee

  Hannah and the others got to their feet. “Because we are investigating this as a possible murder instead of an accident, can you hold off on that will for a bit? It will still be executable in a week or so won’t it?”

  “Of course, but I am bound by law to report that there is a newer will. So I would suggest you get the original to me ASAP.” Sullivan then grinned. “Remember, I can just file the original.”

  Understanding his implied meaning, Hannah returned his smile.

  Hannah offered him her hand, and they shook. “You’ve been so helpful, Mr. Sullivan. We’ll try not to ‘misplace it’ for a week or so, or anything like that.”

  “Of course,” Sullivan said, coming around his desk to walk them to the door. “Let me offer you a little free advice. This new will changes the estate ownership, but not the police report that said she died of an accident. Be sure of the facts before you make any public declarations.”

  “We’ll keep that in mind,” Hannah assured him. “Thanks again, and we will be in touch, just as soon as we find those papers again.”

  Sullivan chuckled and with that, Hannah, Cate, Vera and Louie left the office and headed back to the car. Everyone was quiet on the drive back to Louie’s house, each reflecting in their own manner about what had just been gone over.

  For Hannah, something was off. There were three suspects, each with equal motive for removing Julia, but something just did not sit right. Have we considered all the possibilities? she thought to herself. She decided that the next day, a whole new set of questions needed looking into.

  Chapter 16

  After the friends returned to the house, Vera and Louie drifted to another area of the house to talk. A lot had happened in the last twenty-four hours, and they needed time to sort things out. Cate, Buster and Hannah went to the kitchen to start dinner. As they worked, Hannah expressed her concerns.

  “All I’m saying is that something is off. It just doesn’t feel right.”

  As Cate chopped carrots, every now and then she tossed one to Buster. He would catch it in his mouth like a dog getting a treat. This, in turn caused, Critic to whine for his piece.

  “I’m never going to get this done with you two,” she declared. “Take him for a walk, why don’t you.”

  Buster looked at Critic and shrugged. “Come on, boy. We’re evicted.” The two padded out of the room.

  “Now. Where were we? Oh, yeah. That feeling? It seems pretty clear to me. Three people. Three good motives. Now all we need to do is to find the right one.”

  “I don’t know. To kill Julia, someone had to drug her and then smash her head against a frame post. I just don’t see Jazlyn having that kind of strength. If Asa killed her for whatever reason, it seems rather sloppy for a man who is all about control. The drugs would have been enough. The violence would have been overkill.”

  “You don’t think he could have done it in a fit of anger?”

  “Maybe. But as we have conceptualized it, someone planned it. Which does fit the profile. He strikes me as a man more prone to plotting than an outburst. Hence, the control issues.”

  “And Miller?”

  “He is the most probable of the three. Then there is the issue of access. If this went down the way we are suggesting, then he needed a means to get the barbiturates into Julia. He then had to take her to the gazebo, push her into the post, and dump her in the water. Does he strike you as a man that could plan all that?”

  “Well, I have to admit. It surprised me that Miller had the guts to approach Niu in person, much less convince her to leave it out of the report,” Cate remarked.

  “Well, there was a lot of money involved.”

  “But again, wouldn’t that go back to Asa? He is, after all, a billionaire with a big ‘B’. I’m sure Miller isn’t hurting, but I doubt he had the kind of money we saw floating around Niu’s place.”

  “It wouldn’t be in his interest to work with Miller. If he wanted Julia dead, he could have just overdosed her himself. If he wanted Miller out of the picture, he would have just let him take the fall. I agree it was Asa who provided the money. But I believe both had more reasons to keep her alive than want her dead. Remember, if Asa let things just ride, he would have been the sole heir. But there was the issue of Vera and the will. We don’t know if Julia told him she wanted a divorce or if Vera was her daughter or about the will. It all just doesn’t add up. And sad to say, as much as both are sketchy at best, I just don’t see either of them as killers.”

  In her best imitation of a deep male voice, Cate answered, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of man…”

  “The Shadow knows!” Hannah responded. She laughed at the reference to the old Shadow radio drama. She and Cate used to listen to recordings that Cate’s father, Wilson, collected. As the memory played out in her mind, she made a sudden correlation. “Shadow,” she half mumbled aloud.

  “Yeah. You remember those, too.”

  Hannah turned to look at Cate, the knife she held waving in the air. “A shadow. Someone following her. Someone lurking, watching. Just out of reach. We’re…”

  Before Hannah could finish, she heard the front door open. The sound of Buster and Critic moving down the hall echoed. From what she could tell, both stopped man and dog stopped in the living room where Vera and Louie had retreated to converse in private.

  Sensing that everything was all right, Hannah continued. “We’re looking for a shadow,” she exclaimed.

  Cate interrupted, motioning for Hannah to stop waving her knife. “Okay. If we are looking for someone else, then who?”

  “Working on that.”

  Just then, two loud pops sounded. Then came the sound of breaking glass and then Critic barking. Both Hannah and Cate ducked out of instinct. After a few seconds, when things had settled, they ran toward the living room where Vera, Louie, and Buster had been talking. Entering, they could see the front windows were missing. Glass lay everywhere. Vera, Louie, and Buster stirred as Critic danced around the room yapping toward the window.

  “Oh, my God!” Cate yelled as she ran to Buster to help him up.

  “Vera?” Louie mumbled in a stunned voice as he reached toward Vera. Hannah made her way over to her and helped her up. “I’m okay,” she assured. “Are you?” Louie pushed himself up and went to her. “Fine,” he said, taking her into his arms.

  Cate looked around the room. “Is everyone okay? What happened?”

  Hannah called the police after everyone confirmed they were okay and Critic calmed down. The police confirmed that they were in route, as neighbors had called it in. In the moments before they arrived, Hannah restated Cate’s question. As Buster brushed himself off, he said, “I’m not sure. We were talking and then…BOOM! The glass shattered.”

  “I heard two gunshots,” Louie recalled as he put his hand down for his pet to lick and find comfort from all the excitement.

  Cate looked at him, shocked. “Are you sure?”

  “From the time your father and I spent in the Army? Yeah. I know a gunshot. Some kind of small caliber, I’m betting.”

  Hannah looked to the wall opposite of the window where all the memorabilia of Julia hung. Bullets had destroyed two images, the holes visible in each. She walked over, removed the images, and inspected the holes. “Yeah. Here and here.”

  “Should you be moving things before the police get here?” Buster chided.

  “We’ll just say I was too in shock to think about what I was doing,” she responded as she examined the holes. “About a .22, I’d say.”

  Louie leaned over and kissed Vera on the head, reassured that she was not harmed. He then commented, “Rather light.”

  Hannah agreed as two police vehicles pulled into the drive, and two officers exited with weapons drawn. “And the Calvary arrives.” She made her way over to the door and opened it as two officers entered.

  Upon breaching the door and assessing the situation, both maintained weapon position. The older of the two, a man whom Hannah sized up a
s being in his late thirties early forties, asked, “Anyone injured?”

  “We’re okay.”

  “What happened?”

  Hannah pointed to the wall. “Someone shot through the window.”

  “Is there a back door?”

  Louie pointed down the hall. “Through the kitchen.”

  “Stay here and away from the window,” the first officer said. He then looked to the second officer, a young, red-haired female who Hannah sized up as being in her late twenties. In silent agreement, the young officer nodded and moved toward the back of the house, leading the way. Everyone watched as they made their way down the hall and heard as the door opened. Although it seemed an eternity, after just a few minutes both returned, weapons stowed. The older male was reporting in. Hannah knew that the various lingo meant that the perimeter was secure. No other persons needed. After he completed this task, he sent the younger officer to the car for some forms.

  Hannah again began sizing the man up. Tall. Maybe 6’2” or 6’3”. Muscular. Thick, blackish brown hair with hints of graying. Blue eyes. Tall. Muscles. Handsome. Rich blue eyes…

  “You okay, Miss?”

  Hannah shook her head. “Uhmm, yeah. I’m … I’m okay. Ms. Starvling. Hannah Starvling.”

  The officer gave a warm smile. “Okay, Ms. Starvling. I’m Officer Miles. This is Officer Pepper.” He indicated to the young officer who had reentered the room. “We’ll need to get some statements. Is that okay?”

  “Oh. Of course. Yes, fine,” Hannah managed. “Could I get you some coffee or something to drink or…”

  She noticed the man smiling rather amusedly. “Or maybe I’ll just shut up and answer your questions,” she scolded herself.

  “Coffee would be fine. Can my partner get some as well?”

  “Oh. Of course.”

  “Then come right back. I need you.”

  “Pardon me?” Hannah said. She could feel her face turning red but for the life of her, she did not know why.

  “I need you,” the officer said.

  Hannah’s mouth fell agape.

  “To answer some questions. Make a statement.”

  “Oh. Of course. Right.” Hannah turned and exited. “Of course. Of course. Of course,” she mumbled. “What the heck’s wrong with you Hannah,” she said to herself as she made her way to the kitchen.

  When she returned with the coffee for the two officers, Hannah handed one cup to Pepper, who was talking with Buster and Cate. She then tuned into the conversations. Officer Miles questioned Louie and Vera about the exact moment when the gunshots rang out. “You were standing where?” he asked of Louie.

  “Here,” Louie pointed. “Buster was there and my daughter over here.”

  Miles looked at the spots. He was silent as he scrutinized the placement.

  “What are you thinking?” Hannah asked.

  Miles put his hands on his hips and answered without looking up. “Just trying to get the lay of the land. Where were you before that? What were you doing just before?”

  “Cate and I were…” Hannah started to answer.

  “Not you, him.” Miles pointed to Louie, again not raising his head to meet Hannah’s gaze, an action that irked her just a bit.

  Louie thought back for a moment. He then reenacted his movements. “I had just hugged my daughter and kissed her on the forehead. I turned and got to here.” Again, he pointed to the spot. “That’s when the shots came, and we hit the ground.”

  Miles twisted his jaw back and forth like the chime on a clock. Hannah so wanted to interject, but she felt it pertinent to let the man do his work. After his assessment, he looked at Hannah. He reached for the coffee she was holding, took a swig of the drink, and asked, “Okay, what have you got?”

  The question took Hannah by surprise. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you wanted to know what I was thinking. Not what I’m going to do next. Not questioning why this happened. You came into the room observing. Someone removed the photos and set them to one side to see the holes. I’m guessing that was you. And of the four of you, you are the one who is calm and organized. Well, for the most part anyway.” He held up the coffee and drank again. Hannah gulped. “So. Tell me, Ms. Starvling. What have you got so far?”

  “They were shooting at Louie, Officer Miles,” she said matter-of-fact in a cool tone.

  “What?” Louie shouted.

  Neither Hannah nor Miles answered. They were locking eye to eye. Miles looked disbelieving. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, Officer Miles.”

  “Call me Hym. Everyone just calls me Hym.” Hannah looked at him with contempt. “It’s short for Hymnal,” he added.

  Hannah pointed around the room at the spots indicated by Louie, where each had lain. She then went to the wall, where the holes were in the wall. She then looked back at Hym. “Clear as day.”

  Hym considered her words. “That’s my thinking, as well.” He paused to take in Hannah, looking her up and down. “You’ll forgive me, Ms. Starvling. But if I had a dollar for every amateur sleuth who wanted to help me solve a case…”

  Hannah’s eyes lowered, and her face became taut and aired of intensity. “You’d be a rich man. People are often generous where they see a need.”

  “Wow. Uncalled for.”

  “I’m not some Miss Marple. I was FBI.”

  Hym threw his hands up. “Apologies. Truce?”

  Hannah considered his offer for a moment. “Truce,” she conceded.

  “So. Given your training, anything I should be aware of.”

  Hannah paused. She was not sure she could trust this man. He was local law enforcement and could be in Asa’s pocket. The others were giving statements. She was uncertain about what they related. So she chose to disclose as little as possible and vet the man through Alexander Borg later. Finally, she admitted, “It may relate to the case I’m working.”

  “You said you were FBI. Are you a private investigator now?”

  “When needs be.”

  Hym sighed. “Okay. Can you tell me about this case, please?”

  “Can I just stop by your office tomorrow and fill you in?” She motioned around the room. “All this has us all worked up a bit. And I’d like to be fresh when I give it all.” She gave him her best charming smile.

  After a moment, he said. “I suppose that will do.”

  “Do you think they’ll come back,” Vera asked, clinging once again to her father.

  “I doubt it,” Hannah interceded. She looked at Hym, who indicated for her to continue. “I’d don’t imagine they will try anything twice in one night.”

  Hym agreed. As Louie and Vera moved to join Buster and Cate, he leaned over to Hannah. “I don’t have an officer to post outside your door or anything. Do you still carry?”

  “No. I don’t have the aim anymore.” Hym gave her a questioning look. “It’s why I’m no longer an officer,” she added. “Long story. Later date.”

  “All right, then. It’s a date.” Hym smiled. “You ready, Peppy?” The pretty young red-headed officer frowned and sighed. Hannah could tell she hated the nickname. Smiling, the young officer handed Buster a card. He smiled back. Cate watched from one side and rolled her eyes. And with that, the officers left.

  A few minutes later, Cate and Hannah insisted everyone recover in the office while they swept up. Turning to Hannah, Cate asked, “How about him?”

  “What about him?”

  “Hym is quite the tasty bit, wouldn’t you say?” Hannah said nothing. “Oh, come on girl! You couldn’t get two words out to the man before you went all ‘I was FBI’ on him. Admit it. I saw that twinkle.”

  Hannah stopped sweeping and offered, “He’s a local officer in Boonyville. I’m going to settle in Twilight. I don’t believe in long distance romances. You know that. So, yeah, even if he is cute…” She paused for a second. “Okay. Good looking.

  “The word you are looking for is gorgeous.”

  “Yeah, okay. But still, he’s just�
�”

  “Tasty. The word you are looking for is tasty. Admit it.”

  Hannah laughed. “Okay. Fine. He’s tasty.”

  “Then what better for a former FBI’er, turned chef who happens to be an amateur sleuth than a tasty cop?”

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, as everyone readied for breakfast, Hannah made a quick call to Alexander Borg. He described Hymnal Miles as dedicated, honest, trustworthy, and dependable. The news came as a relief. Borg also made sure that Hannah knew Hym was single. As she hung up the phone, she had to wonder why by both her best friend and a complete stranger was trying to set her up. When she mentioned it to Cate, she said, “Because even strangers see that you need someone.”

  As Hannah dressed to go to the police station as promised, she tried to dismiss the attraction. She tried to dismiss all possibilities. “It just wouldn’t work out,” she told herself. When she finished dressing for the third time, she looked in the mirror and then stepped back. She had dressed while considering her noticeable attraction to Hym Miles, and in doing so, put on a form fitting sun dress, full make up, jewelry and high heels. Laying her forehead against the mirror she asked, “Hannah? What are we? Thirteen?” She redressed again in her jeans and a cavalier shirt, redid her makeup and tied her hair up in a ponytail. When she was ready, she went downstairs to find Hym waiting for her.

  “I figured you might like a ride over, he said.

  Cate and Louie, who were talking to him, both grinned.

  “Sure. Why not,” she agreed.

  As he headed out the door, Hannah picked up her hat. As she passed by her friends, she pointed a finger. They just smiled and waved. “Have a good time,” Cate called after her.

  Although the ride to the station was just ten minutes, Hannah was sure she had gotten stuck in a time loop. It felt like she was repeating the same silent moment over and over. After what seemed an eternity, Hym cleared his throat. “So. What’s with the hat?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “Victorian?” he asked.

  Shocked, Hannah smiled. “Yes. You know Victorian clothing?”

  Hym grinned, finding a point of commonality. “Yeah. I’ve been interested for years. Historically. I find the period all so … I don’t know. Interesting. But I just don’t have time to spend researching it. Job and all.”