Strawberries and Sweet Lies

by Rosie Sams

  “Hey! You forgot to text me last night, and why do you still have that dog? I totally figured you found Amelia at home, doing her nails or something equally vital, and I meant to text you, but then my mom called and then Dad had to talk, and I totally forgot until this morning! Where is that woman? Maybe she left her dog on purpose as she knows you’re a sucker for a sad case!”

  As always Kerry was running her sentences into one another in her haste to speak. “I’m so sorry, Ker! I completely spaced about letting you know what happened.” Mel slapped her head in cartoon dismay. She proceeded to fill Kerry in on yesterday afternoon’s happening and her visit to the sheriff.

  Kerry was appropriately attentive, even suggesting the woman left town and was too cheap to hire a dog sitter. Obviously, deciding some hapless bakery owner with a mushy heart, could be counted on to take over dog ownership, but then she couldn’t resist latching onto Mel’s account of visiting the sheriff.

  “Oooh, I bet Al was all twitterpated when you walked in the door,” she teased.

  Mel rolled her eyes. “C’mon Kerry, we’re just friends, and that’s all we’ll ever be, friends,” she emphasized.

  “That may be your stance, but it certainly isn’t his!” Kerry chortled. “That guy can barely look you in the face without losing all ability to form a coherent thought, let alone speak.” At her own cleverness, Kerry burst out laughing.

  It was impossible not to join in with Kerry’s infectious guffaws; her laughs turned into snorts, and once she started, she and Mel had a hard time reining in their mirth.

  They both finally settled down and launched into their chores. Top on their list was gathering all the supplies for Jeannette’s wedding cake, boxing them up, and setting the boxes near the back entrance to be loaded in the Tahoe. Before long, the front bell dinged, and Mel went out to greet the first customer of the day.

  As she saw the woman entering, her heart skipped a beat, it was Amelia… No, not Amelia, but someone who uncannily resembled her. Only, as she looked closer, she realized that this was a younger version. Her heart rate slowed down as her curiosity rose up.

  Chapter Ten

  “Good morning. How may I help you?” Melody asked Amelia’s young double.

  “Hello, my name is Claire Reed, and my aunt Amelia may have been in yesterday? She mentioned to me on the phone the day before yesterday that she planned to stop by here. Said she wanted to buy something special for a ‘big night’, as she called it. I can’t seem to get ahold of her and was wondering if she by chance mentioned if she was going out of town or…” Claire’s words trailed off as she struggled to stifle a sob.

  Melody couldn’t get over the likeness of this woman to her aunt. She dressed much as her aunt did, with a simple, elegant skirt, chic brimmed hat, sunglasses, and oversized bag. The likeness was uncanny, even down to her choice of jewelry and sun-streaked long, loose curls. She differed only in the trendy peasant blouse, gold gladiator sandals, and chunky bangles circling her forearms.

  “Yes, she did!” Melody confirmed. “And she mentioned a celebration and wanting a special dessert for it. Actually, Kerry and I here—” she indicated Kerry who had just come in from the kitchen— “still have the puppy your aunt left tied up outside!”

  Tears crept down Claire’s cheeks, and Kerry wordlessly reached for a napkin on the counter, handed it to her, and placed a consoling hand on her arm.

  “I’m worried sick over her,” Claire choked out. “The worst part is that my aunt met a new man just a couple of weeks ago, and she instantly fell for him, which is not at all like her. She even asked him to move in with her, and then I find out she wrote him into her will! I have a really bad feeling about him, and I tried to talk to her. To tell her that he’s most likely only after her money, but she wouldn’t listen! I’m terrified he may have something to do with her disappearance!”

  Claire began sobbing in earnest, and Kerry grabbed a whole handful of napkins this time, tucking them into the weeping woman’s hand. Claire finally caught her breath and choked out, “I really think something terrible happened to her!”

  Melody rubbed the sobbing woman’s back. “When your aunt didn’t return by the time we closed yesterday, I went over to the police station to file a report. I just couldn’t imagine what could have come up to prevent her from coming back for her dog. I’m so sorry, but I started thinking something happened to her too.” She patted Claire’s shoulder. “But now that you’re here, maybe we could head over to the sheriff’s office together and you can tell him everything you told me.”

  Claire nodded, mopping her face and wiping her nose.

  Melody continued, “And then when we’re done talking to the sheriff, we can come back here, and you can take her puppy with you? I’m sure she knows you better than me and you probably are attached to her as well. I just planned to keep her with me until your aunt returned. It didn’t feel right just to dump her off at the shelter.” She led Claire back to her office as she spoke, Kerry trailed the miserable young woman.

  As soon as Melody opened the office door, Smudge began dancing in excitement, whining and wiggling, especially excited to see Melody, even though it had only been minutes since she had last laid eyes on her. Claire just stood there, regarding the pup somberly. As if knowing she was on display, Smudge sat obediently, looking mournfully up at Claire’s face.

  “I’m pretty sure Grant, that’s the man my aunt is dating, Grant Woodard, gave that puppy to my aunt for her birthday. My aunt lost her older dog just a few months ago, and I’ll bet that foul man just used this puppy to further win my aunt over. I don’t think there’s any low he wouldn’t stoop to, to worm his way into her bank account,” Claire said with distaste.

  “But as far as taking the dog, no, I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m not from town, so I have only met this little dog one other time. She’ll just remind me of my aunt, and what Grant may have done to her. I can’t even stand looking at her!” Fresh tears streaked down Claire’s face as she shook her head and turned away from Smudge. “And knowing my aunt, she swallowed his lies and let herself be deceived like this? I am truly sorry, and I don’t expect you to have to keep her either. I can take her to the shelter so you’re not inconvenienced any longer,”

  Melody felt a sense of deep panic. “I totally understand how you feel about the dog. Don’t worry about it; I’ll hold onto her until we locate your aunt.”

  Claire closed her eyes briefly, and nodded. “Thank you, that will be a huge help. May I use your restroom to wash my face before we go? I must look a mess.” Kerry murmured her assent and led Claire out of the office.

  Melody sadly regarded the little bulldog, spontaneously kneeling down and hugging her.

  “Oh, Smudge, I’m so sorry. But I’ll take care of you until we find your person, I promise.” She felt a wash of shame over her thrill at getting to continue to foster Smudge, and sternly admonished herself. “Melody Marshall, this is not your dog, and you have no business wanting her. Your focus needs to be hoping and praying for Amelia’s safety, not coveting that poor woman’s fur baby!”

  Chapter Eleven

  Today was Saturday, so Melody assumed that the station was closed but still, she decided to give it a try and call. As a single man, however, Alvin often seemed to work odd hours, as did his receptionist. Cyndi, the station’s young, cheerful receptionist answered on the first ring, and confirmed that the sheriff was indeed in and in fact, he was working on an investigation and was in the middle of an interview now. It probably wouldn’t be more than an hour before he would be available. Mel thanked Cyndi, letting her know she would be stopping by shortly with some information for the sheriff. Then she hung up, hoping that it was Amelia’s investigation that Alvin was working on.

  Melody was not in the mood to open the store today and called it off. Somehow, she thought she deserved a break. She and Kerry would just deliver the cake later that afternoon. She texted Kerry to ask if she could accompany her to the station. Kerry immediately re
sponded telling her she would. They met outside the shop but before going to the station, they passed by Amelia Reed’s lake house to ask Claire to come with them.

  “Why should I come?” she asked.

  “You’re her relative and perhaps you know more than we do. You’ll be a big help,” Melody explained.

  “You think so?”

  “Yeah. I think it’s also better that you are the one to tell the sheriff what you told us yesterday,” Melody said. That seemed to satisfy Claire and she joined their walk.

  The three women walked the few blocks together to the police station, Melody accompanied by the leashed Smudge. Kerry tried to start a conversation with Claire who just responded with a nod, a head shake, or a hmmm. Kerry must have noticed Claire’s disinterest and focused her attention on the puppy, who willingly welcomed her. A little later, they reached the station. As they entered the station, the petite, blond Cyndi greeted them.

  “Hi, one of you must be the caller from earlier,” Cyndi said, addressing all of them.

  “That was me,” Melody said.

  Cyndi nodded. “I see. Well, Sheriff Hennessy is still in discussion with someone in his office. While you wait, can I offer you anything? Coffee? Sandwich?”

  “I would love a cup of coffee,” Kerry said. Melody sneaked a peek at her employee and Kerry shrugged. “You know I can’t get enough.”

  “How about you, ladies?” Cyndi asked directing the question to Melody and Claire. Both women shook their heads and muttered thanks.

  Kerry tapped Mel’s knee. “Hey, I know that guy in with Al. It’s that Smedley guy; he owns the Outlaw Steakhouse.”

  She pointed at the door of Alvin’s office, where a suited, broad-shouldered man was partly visible. As he leaned back in his chair, Kerry’s companions caught a good look at his profile. It was handsome in a dark, roguish way, with black, smoothed back hair, a clean-shaven face, and a dark pencil mustache.

  “He looks like Snidely Whiplash from the old Bullwinkle cartoons.” Kerry sniggered, slopping her coffee on her leg, and then uttering a little yelp as it burned through her pants. “I always think that, whenever I see him!”

  Melody chuckled a bit at her, but Claire seemed impervious to the joking Kerry. She did glance over, however, and confirm. “Yes, you’re right. My aunt knows him too: Bradford Smedley. She talked to me last week about a business proposal he made her. I don’t know if she signed yet or not, but maybe that’s why the sheriff is talking to him?”

  Their eyes flew back to the office and they realized they could hear the discussion happening in the office. They all paid close attention. Even Kerry had her moment of silence.

  “I have a witness that said she saw you and Miss Reed at the Outlaw last Sunday evening. You were seated together at a back table, and my witness said you were having an argument,” Alvin said.

  Mr. Smedley’s deep voice responded smoothly, it carried quite well in the quiet office. “Yes, we were together that evening, and I’ll admit I was angry. My lawyer had drawn up our partnership paperwork and Amelia and I were planning to sign them that evening. However, she dropped the bomb that she had changed her mind and was pulling out of our deal. According to her, she had a momentous event happen, and was changing course and starting a new life. I was shocked and disappointed, and frankly, not my best self, as you might imagine.”

  Alvin cleared his throat, then spoke boldly, “So then, perhaps, could this have led to retaliation on your part? Mr. Smedley, I’m asking if you had any part in the disappearance of Amelia Reed?”

  Before Smedley could respond, Mel found herself admiring the authoritative tone in Alvin’s voice. How come someone like Alvin, who was always tongue-tied around her, had that hidden commanding personality?

  But then Bradford leaped to his feet, knocking his chair over with a clatter. The three women startled and all rose from their seats, bracing for an altercation. Melody hugged Smudge close to her, who trembled before the heated discussion.

  His voice boomed and filled the whole room. “I resent this line of questioning! Any other inquiries can be directed to my lawyer.” He slammed out of Alvin’s office, shoving past the three of them, who hastily moved their feet and legs out of his way. They all three averted their stares as he strode past. Melody kept her eyes down, but then noticed that Kerry, obviously unable to resist, lifted her head to sneak a peek at the angry gentleman.

  To Melody’s surprise, she witnessed him staring directly at her curious employee as he stalked off. Kerry quickly looked down, embarrassed, and fiddled with her Styrofoam cup until he was out the door. Mel wondered exactly just who was Bradford Smedley, and how was he involved in this case?

  Alvin came out of his office following Bradford. Of course, he could not miss Melody and his eyes briefly swept over her before moving forward.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Alvin called after the man’s retreating back. “Don’t leave town. I would hate to have to issue a warrant!”

  Chapter Twelve

  “I’m sorry about that,” Alvin said when he returned. His irritation was suddenly replaced with a warm smile when he greeted each of them with a handshake. Of course, holding Melody’s hand a little longer than necessary. Or perhaps tighter. Kerry elbowed her and she responded with a reprimanding stare.

  Alvin invited them to follow him into his office, pulling in an extra chair to crowd them all in.

  Melody started by introducing Claire as Amelia’s niece, and then encouraging Claire to share her story and suspicions.

  Claire started her narration with teary eyes. “As I told Mel and Kerry yesterday, I couldn’t reach my Aunt Amelia, so I got worried. I have a strong feeling that her disappearance has something to do with her romantic relationship with Greg Woodward, a man whom she just met very recently. I could not believe my aunt would fall for him that fast. My aunt was smart and I don’t know what she saw in this Greg.”

  “Why do you think Greg has something to do with this? If they are lovers, what could be his motive?” Alvin asked making Melody admire him more because of his quick thinking.

  “My aunt is rich. I just learned that Greg is listed in her will. Who knows what he did to convince her to do that? They just met! Do you think that is appropriate?” Claire exclaimed.

  “Well, Ms…. Claire, your auntie is an adult and she can do whatever she wants with her wealth. Why does this Greg bother you so much?”

  “Because I think he fooled Amelia! He could have done something so he could get his inheritance immediately before my aunt discovered who he really is!”

  Alvin considered her explanation. “Do you know where to find this Mr. Woodard? That should probably be our first step: questioning him.”

  “I know he had moved into the lake house with her a couple of weeks ago, but I have called and called since yesterday morning, and no one is answering.” Claire wrung her hands and sniffed back her tears.

  Alvin reached over and patted her hand. “I’ve had the same results myself, and planned to head over there as soon as I finished this morning’s interviews. You’re welcome to accompany me. Maybe set your mind to rest. It could be the phones are out, or were taken off the hook and neglected to be put back on? Does she have a cell?”

  “Yes,” Claire confirmed. “And I have called and texted her repeatedly, and still no response,” her voice was cracking as she drew a shuddering breath.

  “Kerry and I can drive her over, if that’s okay,” Melody offered. Alvin nodded, rose and began assembling his gear. “I’ll meet you ladies there in, say, fifteen minutes?”

  Melody agreed and the women and pup set out for the pastry shop’s back parking lot. On the way over, Kerry whispered to Melody, “I don’t trust that Smedley character. Did you notice him glaring at me? What was that about, anyway?”

  Mel shrugged and nodded. “Yeah, I saw that. Weird. But then I’m sure there is any number of people who could be counted among Amelia’s enemies. The price of fame and fortune, I’m afraid.”

&nb
sp; Melody led the other two and Smudge to her rig, pausing to remove the magnetic “Decadently Delicious” signs from both sides of the vehicle. “No use involving the business in this,” she explained, as Kerry volunteered to sit in the back seat with Smudge, leaving Claire to ride shotgun.

  They arrived at Amelia’s lake house within minutes, and before Mel could even shut off the engine, Alvin pulled up in his cruiser.

  Melody couldn’t help but notice the grandeur of Amelia’s home. It faced out over the lake. There was an accompanying beachfront property off the back of the house. She remembered a time when this place was for sale, and the listed price was astronomical.

  The three women got out of the Tahoe. Melody clipped Smudge’s leash to her collar. Somberly and without a word, all of them filed up to the faux rustic door. Alvin pressed the doorbell. Nothing. He pressed it again, insistently. They waited several moments, and he pressed it again, holding it down longer this time. No answer. He pushed the doorbell a fourth time, and they all waited wordlessly, except for Smudge, who emitted low whines.

  “Let’s circle around the back, in case someone is out on the back deck or on the dock,” Alvin suggested.

  “Have you ever been inside?” Kerry whispered to Melody.

  “No, have you?” Melody asked.

  “Yes. Charlie and I were. It was during the open house right before Amelia bought it. It may look rustic and all outside, but it is real luxury inside! This giant master bath with a jacuzzi tub, nautical ceiling murals, state of the art kitchen, weight room. It’s crazy fancy!” Kerry enthused, falling silent when Claire glanced at her. “I mean crazy fancy,” she whispered again, eyes big.

  They arrived together at the back of the house, the driftwood-built deck held only upscale, cushioned, outdoor chairs, a frosted glass table, and a redwood porch swing.