by N. C. Lewis
"Yep," he said, nodding. "Like one of those women who fall in love with a jailed killer. They have a romantic notion they can help the individual recover. Anyway, Kitty has gone back West to California."
"So sorry to hear about that."
"Oh, don't be. Doubt if the marriage would have worked. Kitty likes expensive things. I'm a caretaker, not a billionaire!"
◆◆◆
Later that morning at Moozoos…
I sat at my favorite table by the window staring out onto Creek Street. My head still hurt, but it would heal. Millie and her lawyer boyfriend, Bob Lukey, sat opposite. Millie fiddled with her phone, and Bob read the newspaper.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the barista. He stood in front of the counter with two cups. I closed my eyes, savoring the aroma of yeasty bread, cinnamon, and hot coffee that smelled like fresh tobacco leaves and chocolate.
When I opened my eyes, the barista was at my table.
"Creek Jolt, on the house," he said, pulling up a chair.
"Thank you."
I smiled as he settled into the seat.
"What I can't understand is how you figured it out?" he asked, his carrot-shaped chin twitching.
I took a sip from the cup.
"Not sure," I replied.
"What do you mean?"
"There were so many fragments here and there."
"Fragments?"
"Yes, like the storage unit."
"What about the storage unit?"
"Each unit in that row is about the size of a garage. Why would somebody partition such a small space?"
Millie put down her phone. "To hide something… Oh my gosh, that part of town has been abandoned for years, and it might have been another ten years before the body was discovered if ever!"
The barista nodded.
I took another sip. It was good—extremely good.
"Then there was Bill Lovett."
"Uncle Bill," corrected Bob, putting down the newspaper.
"Yep. He complained whenever Barbara called him Uncle Bill. At first, I thought that was because of senility, but then I figured he knew Barbara wasn't Nancy. But who would believe him?"
"Not me," replied the barista scratching his carrot-shaped chin.
"Me neither," admitted Millie.
I touched the screen of my cell phone and pulled up a picture of Nancy Fisher side by side with Barbara Nadel.
"Can you tell the difference?"
"Wow! Like sisters," responded the barista, astonished.
"Very similar," I agreed, taking another sip.
There was a general murmur of agreement.
"Oh my gosh, Ollie, you figured it out from a photograph?" asked Millie her eyes wide.
I took another sip. I felt good.
"Almost. I noticed it first in a photograph of Barbara Nadel, the picture on the back of her novel."
"Eh?" said the barista.
"Go on," added Bob, folding his arms.
"Well," I said, looking from the barista to Bob, "in the picture, Barbara's face is tilted up toward the camera, and I spotted it on her chin—a double dimple. When I met Nancy Fisher at the animal shelter event, I noticed she also had a double dimple. What are the odds?"
"I don't know," replied the barista.
"Pretty low," I said. "Since both women had a double dimple, I figured they were one and the same woman—Barbara Nadel."
"So, Barbara killed Nancy Fisher and stole her identity," added Millie.
"Yep, and it worked because of Uncle Bill's health issues," I said taking another sip.
"A mystery solved from a chin! Who would have thought?" cried the barista in astonishment.
Everyone looked at the barista.
"What?" he said stroking his jaw and laughing.
Just then the doorbell chimed, and Augustine Granger strolled into the café. The assistant took her order, and she hurried over to our table.
"Any idea what will happen to the sale of Bee Mound Drilling?" she asked, taking a seat.
Bob Lukey answered. "That'll be tied up in the courts for some time."
Augustine leaned forward and whispered, "What's going to happen to Barbara?"
"Once the dust has settled, and the medical examiners report comes back confirming that the body that Ollie found in the storage unit is Nancy Fisher and not Barbara Nadel….well…" said Bob rubbing his chin, "she'll be in prison for the rest of her life."
"The animal shelter could have done with the money… but I'd rather a murderer is behind bars."
My mind drifted to my oil well, Bryant Reynolds, and my lack of money. Igor's booking was a welcome injection of cash. I sighed. "Yep, me too."
Again, Augustine whispered a question, "What about Uncle Bill?"
Bob leaned back in his chair. "I hear on the lawyer grapevine that he has enough assets for his current medical needs. The authorities have already contacted a distant relative."
"Let's hope it works out," I said.
We fell into a contented silence. The clatter of cups, whizz of the coffee grinder, and hiss of the espresso machine combined into a soothing melody.
After several minutes the barista picked up his cup, took a sip, and muttered as if to himself, "The mystery of the double dimple has been solved, and now life can return to normal in Medlin Creek."
Author Notes
Nothing makes me happier than the thought of a reader finishing one of my books.
So, thank you!
If you enjoyed this story, I hope you'll leave a review at the retail website where you purchased it. Reviews help readers like you discover books they will enjoy and help indie authors like me improve our stories.
Until next time,
N.C. Lewis
P.S. As an indie author, I work hard to bring you entertaining cozy mysteries as fast as I can. I’ve got many more books in the works, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
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Also by N.C. Lewis
CAPITAL OF TEXAS SERIES
The Capital of Texas murder mysteries are set in Austin, the capital city of Texas and can be enjoyed in any order:
Murder in the Bookstore
Murder by the Clowns
Murder through the Window
Murder in the Bullock
Murder under Mopac
OLLIE STRATEFORD MURDER MYSTERY SERIES
The Ollie Stratford murder mysteries are a set in the Hill Country of Texas and offer a light hearted glimpse into small time life. The stories can be enjoyed in any order:
Texas Troubles
Creek Crisis
Bitter Bones
Magic Mumbles
Teddy Tumpin
Double Dimple
Angry Arrow
For an updated list of all books please visit: https://amazon.com/author/nclewis