Yvette's Death (Cara Daniels Cozy Mystery Book 3)

by Gillian Larkin

  Cara felt the fear trickle down her back. What must Mr Temple be thinking after that implied threat? She waited a moment as she listened to Mr Banks and his friend walking away. She turned and looked at Mr Temple. The poor man was white, his hand shook as he wiped his brow with a handkerchief. Cara felt a flicker of annoyance. How dare Mr Banks speak to someone like that? With his implied threats and cold tone! Who did he think he was?

  Cara grabbed her things and left the town hall. She drove straight over to Olivia’s Wool Shop and parked across the road. She marched into the shop.

  There were a handful of customers in the shop, none of them were Mr Banks and his friend. Yvette waved to her from behind the counter. Cara walked over and said, “I wasn’t expecting to see so many customers.”

  Yvette grinned. “Me neither! And it’s all due to your website! When you left last night I started to get emails from people. A lot of them didn’t know there was a wool shop here, and some of them were old customers who didn’t realise that this shop is still going. Isn’t it amazing! I can’t thank you enough.”

  Cara shrugged. She glanced at the death line around Yvette, it was definitely thicker today. Cara said, “I thought I’d take some internal photos to put on your site. Would you mind if I did that now? I could even ask some of your customers for their opinions on the shop, it’s always helpful to have reviews.”

  Yvette clasped her hands together. “You are an angel, an absolute angel.”

  Cara shrugged again and took her camera out of her handbag. The customers were more than happy to give Cara their views, the problem was getting them to stop giving her their views.

  The shop soon became crowded and it was lovely to hear the happy chatter and laughter.

  Cara stiffened as the chatter abruptly stopped. She looked over to see what had caused the silence.

  Mr Banks stood at the door, his hands clasped behind his back, his squashy-nosed friend at his side. Mr Banks looked slowly from left to right, a smile on his face. It reminded Cara of a shark’s smile, the one it had before it attacked its prey.

  “Ladies,” Mr Banks said. “Good morning to you all. Is there a Mrs Carter somewhere?”

  Cara let out a little snort. As if he didn’t know that Yvette was here! He’d followed her yesterday, he knew what she looked like.

  Yvette called out, “I’m here! Behind the counter! How can I help?”

  Customers parted as Mr Banks strode forward, still smiling. Everyone was silent and still, you could have heard a knitting needle drop.

  Mr Banks faced Yvette and said, “What a lovely shop you have, it’s in a wonderful position.”

  “Thank you,” Yvette said. Cara could see that her smile was becoming forced.

  Mr Banks waved a hand at the shop. “This would make a perfect café, there would be a lot of profit. I know about making a profit.”

  Yvette’s smile faltered. “This isn’t going to be a café, it’s a wool shop.”

  “For now,” Mr Banks said. “I’d like to take your lease over. I’d pay you more than it’s worth, you could set up a little wool shop somewhere else.”

  Yvette’s smile disappeared altogether. “I don’t want to sell my lease, I’m happy here.”

  “Hmm, happiness doesn’t last, money does. Think of the holidays that you could go on with Jake and little Ryan. I’d like you to reconsider, Mrs Carter. I don’t like taking no for an answer. Give me your bank details and I’ll buy the lease from you right now.”

  Yvette folded her arms. “The lease isn’t for sale.”

  Sol picked that moment to enter the shop. He immediately took in the atmosphere and his ready smile dropped. He joined Yvette and Mr Banks at the counter. “Good morning, Mr Banks, I’ve got your lease ready for you to sign.” Sol looked at Yvette and pulled some papers from his jacket. He handed them to Yvette and said, “And here is your lease. I meant to drop it off earlier.”

  Mr Banks said, “The lease? Do you mean that Mrs Carter hasn’t signed the lease yet?”

  Sol forced a smile and said, “It’s just a formality.”

  Mr Banks’ fake smile dropped. “That changes everything.” He looked at Yvette and said, “I don’t need to waste my time with you.” He fixed his eyes on Sol. “We need to have a talk, Mr Lewis. Now.” Mr Banks put his arm around Sol and marched him out of the door. His squashy-nosed friend followed.

  As soon as the door closed there was an explosion of conversation amongst the customers.

  “Well I never! A gangster! He’s a gangster! Right here in our town!” an old woman declared.

  “I thought he was going to shoot Yvette! I didn’t see a gun but I bet he had one!” another cried out.

  Cara walked over to Yvette and said, “Are you alright?”

  “I’m not sure. Did that just happen? Did that man threaten me?”

  Cara said, “I think he tried to. He wants this shop for some reason.”

  “Well, he’s not having it!” Yvette opened up the papers that Sol had given her and straightened them on the counter. With a shaking hand she signed and dated the agreement. She looked at Cara and said, “No one is taking my shop away from me!”

  “Good for you,” Cara said, a slight wobble in her voice. Yvette’s death line had grown even thicker.

  Chapter 8

  Cara made herself look busy as she took photographs and talked to customers. She was planning on staying as close as possible to Yvette.

  Yvette had other plans. At 1 p.m. she called Cara over and said, “Would you mind nipping out for a sandwich for me? I normally lock the shop up and go myself.” She laughed. “But I can’t throw my customers out for the sake of a sandwich, can I? I feel cheeky asking you, say no if you like! The sandwich shop is a two minute walk away.”

  Cara nodded, she could hardly say no. She took Yvette’s order but refused her money. Cara walked briskly out of the shop and down the hill to the nearest sandwich shop. She was practically jogging by the time she arrived. Of course, there would be a queue! She sent a silent prayer out for Yvette to be kept safe whilst she was gone.

  Cara announced her order to the assistant and handed some money over. When the sandwich was ready Cara grabbed it and told the assistant to keep the change. She set off at a run up the hill which suddenly seemed steeper. A sudden pain shot through her side and she yelped. Now was not a good time to get a stitch. She stopped and caught her breath.

  Robin appeared at her side. His hand shot out and he grabbed Cara’s arm. He yelled, “Quick! Yvette’s being attacked!”

  “What?” Cara huffed.

  Robin pointed up the hill. “In her shop! Quick, Cara!”

  Cara ignored the stabbing pain in her side and raced up the hill. She dashed through the shop door and skidded to a halt.

  The customers were still in the shop but they had huddled into a protective group at the far side. Cara’s eyes widened as she saw a well-built young woman holding a large knitting needle against Yvette’s neck.

  Cara threw the sandwich at the young woman. It hit her on the head and the woman stumbled slightly, her hand that held the knitting needle dropped. She turned towards Cara and snarled, “Stay out of this! This is between me and this thieving witch here!”

  Cara ran at the woman, her hands outstretched. She pushed the woman away from the counter. The woman fell backwards and Cara grabbed the needle from her hands.

  “What the hell?” the woman steadied herself. Cara gulped as she saw the muscles in the woman’s arms. Was it normal for a woman to have such big muscles?

  Cara held up the knitting needle and shouted, “Who are you? How dare you come in and threaten Yvette! And look at the customers, you’ve frightened them!”

  A look of guilt flashed across the woman’s face as she noticed the cowering customers. “I didn’t see them there.”

  Cara lowered the needle, and in a calmer voice, she said, “Explain who you are, and what you’re doing here.”

  The woman folded her thick arms and said, “I’
m Becky Webb, I run a website called Becky’s Yarn Supplies. And I had a good business until she …” Becky jerked her head towards Yvette, “decided to set up online too. My sales dropped off last night and I soon found out why.” She unfolded her arms and pointed at Yvette. “Take your website down! I was online first!”

  Cara said, “I saw your website online, it’s terrible.”

  Becky’s head snapped towards Cara, her lips moved into a snarl. “What did you say?”

  Cara stood a bit straighter. “I said it’s terrible. The colours clash, the order page takes forever to load. And the contact email is invalid.”

  Becky’s expression changed to confusion. “Is it that bad? I thought it was okay.”

  Cara took a step forward and said, “I can help you with it, I design websites.”

  Becky’s eyes narrowed. “Did you design her website?” Her thumb jerked towards Yvette.

  Cara nodded.

  Becky looked at Cara for a moment too long. Cara felt sweat forming on her brow. Becky said calmly, “And I suppose you’d have to charge me if you sorted my website out?”

  “Of course, my fees are reasonable.”

  “I knew it!” Becky exploded. She wagged her finger between Cara and Yvette. “You’re trying to ruin my business with your fancy website. And you want me to pay you good money so I can compete with you. I don’t think so! I know how to deal with losers like you!” She slammed her fist on the counter. Cara thought she heard the wood crack. Becky looked directly at Yvette and said, “I wouldn’t get too attached to that website if I were you.”

  Becky turned and glared at Cara as she left the shop.

  “Well!” one of the customers said from the back of the shop. “This is better than the telly! What’s going to happen next?”

  Cara ran around the counter and placed her arms around Yvette who was now crying. Cara held her until the tears subsided.

  Yvette sniffed and said, “What’s happening to my life? I was so happy when I woke up and now look at me. What have I done to upset so many people? Can my day get any worse?”

  “Not if I can help it,” Cara muttered.

  Chapter 9

  Cara stayed as long as she could at the wool shop. The customers had rallied around Yvette as soon as Cara had released her. They offered her food and words of comfort. One of the older woman threatened to ‘take out’ Becky, whatever that meant.

  Yvette’s tears soon dried and she promised the women that she wouldn’t let Mr Banks take over the shop, and she wouldn’t let Becky force her to take down her website.

  Cara kept an eye on Yvette as she made some adjustments to Yvette’s website. With Yvette’s agreement she added an order page and the new photos that she’d taken that day. She also added the comments that the customers had given her.

  Yvette came over to her side later and looked at the website. She said, “It’s wonderful, truly wonderful. You must send me your invoice, and I won’t take no for an answer! Isn’t it time you went home, Cara?”

  “I’ll stay until you go.”

  “I’m going now.” Yvette stifled a yawn. “What a busy day it’s been, a wonderfully busy day. I think I’ll be collapsing into bed as soon as I get home.”

  Cara stood up and collected her things. She said goodbye to Yvette and left the shop. She had no intention of leaving Yvette alone, she was going to keep an eye on her from her car.

  Cara got in her car and parked further down the road. She didn’t want Yvette to come out and look directly at her.

  After a few minutes, Yvette came out of the shop and locked the door. She was yawning again as she headed for her car. Cara ducked her head as Yvette drove past. She was just about to follow Yvette when something caught her eye by the wool shop.

  It was Mr Banks and Sol. Mr Banks was smiling and talking to Sol on the pavement outside the shop. Sol looked petrified.

  Cara reached for the briefcase of Gran’s gadgets and pulled out the listening device. She switched it on.

  She saw Mr Banks grab hold of Sol’s hand. Mr Banks said, “Let’s shake on the matter, make it official, Mr Lewis.”

  Sol tried to move his hand away. “This isn’t legal! You can’t force me to do this!”

  “I think I already have, Mr Lewis. You should have just agreed to give me this shop in the first place. You’ve put me to so much trouble.”

  Sol pulled his hand away. “You won’t get away with this! I don’t care what you’ve told the council!”

  Cara heard Mr Banks sigh with irritation. “Mr Temple at the council agreed that I could have the lease for this shop, he understood that things would become difficult for him if he didn’t. And you, Mr Lewis, if you don’t let me have the lease, well, I think I can convince Mr Temple to stop the plans from going ahead. So, you either let me have this shop and then rake in the profits as this whole dump site is renovated. Or, you refuse and the rejuvenation plans never go ahead. It’s not much of a choice, is it, Mr Lewis?”

  Sol took a step backward and wrung his hands. “But I can’t let Yvette Carter down! This shop has been in her family for years.”

  “And now it’s going to be in my hands. I know exactly what I’m going to do with it.” He let out a cold laugh. “You’d be surprised how much some idiots will pay for an afternoon tea. I’ve got café’s all over the place, I know what I’m doing.” He looked towards the shop and placed his hand on the wall. “This is in a prime position, this is going to be my best performing business.”

  There was a beep from Sol’s phone. He took it out of his pocket. Mr Banks whipped it from his hands and looked at it. He waved the phone aggressively in Sol’s face and said, “What’s this? That stupid woman has signed the lease!”

  Sol reached out for his phone. Mr Banks held it higher. Sol said, “You can’t do anything now, Yvette has signed the lease, it’s all legal now.”

  Mr Banks dropped the phone, grabbed hold of Sol’s jacket and pulled him closer. Cara had to strain to catch his quietly spoken words. “Mr Lewis, this changes nothing. I’ll deal with Yvette Carter, I’ll make her tear up that lease. I’ll let her know how you betrayed her. And you,” he released Sol, “you will work for me from now on.” He brushed some imaginary dust from Sol’s shaking shoulders. “I won’t take no for an answer, Mr Lewis. I never take no for an answer.”

  Mr Banks gave Sol a pat on the shoulder and walked away. Sol seemed to shrink in on himself as he watched Mr Banks walk away. He retrieved his phone from the ground and slowly walked away, his shoulders hunched.

  Cara’s heartbeat was racing. She couldn’t believe she’d witnessed that whole scene. She didn’t know that such evil people existed. No, she knew they existed, she’d just never been so close to such a person. And that person was out to get Yvette, possibly even kill her.

  Cara put her hands over her face. It was her duty to stop Yvette being murdered. How was she, Cara Daniels, supposed to stop a man like Mr Banks from killing Yvette?

  Tears rolled down Cara’s cheeks. She had never felt so alone and scared in her life.

  Chapter 10

  Cara brushed her tears away and started the car. She drove to Yvette’s house and parked across the road from it. She was glad to see that Yvette’s car was in the drive. She looked along the road, she couldn’t see Mr Banks’ car. Was he planning on paying Yvette a visit? Would he confront her in front of her family? Cara thought back to when Mr Banks had called into the shop earlier. He knew the name of Yvette’s husband and child, he must have made some enquiries about her. Was that why he’d taken some photos of her at the shopping centre?

  As the night drew in the hairs lifted on the back of Cara’s neck as her imagination began to play tricks on her. Was Mr Banks hiding in the shadows somewhere? Robin had told her that Yvette was going to die in her shop, perhaps he was wrong, perhaps the circumstances had changed. She wished she could talk to Robin now.

  Cara felt a chill shoot down her back as she spotted a crouched figure moving along Yvette’s garden
wall. The figure held something in their hands. It looked sharp, a knife?

  The figure reached the driveway and began to creep up the drive. The moon came out from behind a cloud and shot a sliver of light onto the figure.

  Cara gasped. It was Becky Webb! And she was holding a knife! Cara had been too busy thinking about Mr Banks that she’d forgotten about the threat that Becky Webb posed.

  Cara leapt out of her car and yelled out, “Oi! I can see you, Becky Webb!”

  Becky jumped and dropped the knife. She looked over at Cara and ran off down the drive and into the street.

  “Come back here!” Cara shouted and she chased after Becky. Becky sped round the corner at the bottom of the street, Cara ran after her.

  Becky suddenly came to a stop and spun around. Cara didn’t stop in time and bumped into her. Becky grabbed hold of Cara’s shoulders and spat, “Why the hell am I running away from you? You don’t scare me.”

  Cara tried to wriggle free but the freakishly strong arms of Becky held her still. Cara said, “I saw you sneak up Yvette’s drive! I saw the knife! You were going to kill her!”

  Becky’s hands dropped. “Kill her? I wasn’t going to kill her!” Becky’s hands flew to her chest as if offended. “How could you say that? I would never kill anyone.”

  Cara pointed at her. “Then why did you have a knife? And why were you creeping around?”

  “I was only going to slash her tyres. And scrape a warning onto her car. That’s all.”

  Cara’s hand came down. “What? You weren’t going to kill her?”

  “Of course not! What kind of person do you think I am?” Becky looked upset.

  “The kind of person who slashes tyres! I should report you to the police.”

  Becky sighed. “You might as well. I don’t know what came over me, thinking I could slash someone’s tyres.” She shook her head. “I’m not the violent type, although I do like a good fight.”