by Lyndsey Cole
“And that someone is one of us?” Hannah asked, incredulity filling her words.
Cal nodded. “Nate must have seen me go to Al’s house when I left the Lowes’ farm yesterday. If Al went to my boat looking for me, it would be the perfect opportunity for Nate to kill him and, at the same time, send me a message.”
“What? That you’ll be next if you or I don’t help him?”
“Do you have a better explanation?”
“No. I wish I did, though.” She went into her bedroom but continued to talk after she closed the door. “We’d better make sure we get some good information tonight at the Lowes’ dinner. I think I’ll bring the newspaper articles I printed since it sort of connects with what Great Aunt Caroline wrote in her cookbook. Can we pull it off in a naïve, isn’t-this-the-most-amazing-coincidence conversation?”
“I’ll be sweating bullets but it’s the best strategy we have at the moment.”
Hannah returned to the main room in her cottage.
“Wow. You look stunning.”
Hannah put her hands out to the sides and twirled around. She wore a black mid-calf skirt that just covered the top of her leather boots. A dark red silk blouse with a multicolored scarf tied around her neck completed her look. “I even broke my rule of only flip-flops until December first. But this calls for drastic measures.”
“And warm feet,” Cal added. He pulled Hannah close. “We can do this. We have to do this. We’re an amazing team.” He kissed her and she felt his strength flow right to the tips of her warm toes.
Hannah picked up the wicker pie basket with her apple raspberry pie. Wrapped inside her warm red wool coat, she felt a little bit like Little Red Riding Hood heading right into the Big Bad Wolf’s den.
She followed Cal’s truck to the Lowes’ farm since they weren’t sure yet if Cal would stay in the barn apartment or return with Hannah for tonight. That decision depended on what happened at the dinner.
The Lowes’ farmhouse was lit up inside and out as they approached. Apparently, Rochelle believed in using plenty of tiny white lights along the fence parallel to the driveway and the path leading to the front door which made the outside sparkle with charm. If only it wasn’t just an appearance that covered something sinister.
Cal held Hannah’s elbow as they made their way up the stone path to the front door. The wicker basket felt like dead weight on her other arm. Loud barking started when Cal pressed the doorbell.
When Rochelle opened the front door, three corgis jumped around her legs on their short legs.
“Gus! Tess! Bo! Sit,” Rochelle ordered. The dogs immediately sat and looked up at her.
“Wow. I need some lessons from you,” Hannah said with sincere awe.
Rochelle laughed. “It’s all in the tone of my voice. They know I mean it but, look,” she pointed to the dogs. They were already moving toward Hannah and Cal to sniff the newcomers. “They have a short attention span, especially if they think they have something potential to herd.”
She held her arm out and ushered Hannah and Cal inside. “Let me take your coats.”
Hannah set her wicker basket down and slipped out of her coat. She shivered and wished she had worn a warm sweater instead of her silk blouse.
“This entryway is always cold. Don’t worry, Mack has a fire roaring in the living room. He loves his fires and you’ll be sweating before long.”
Mack was in front of the fire with one hand on the mantel and the other holding a glass of wine. Emma stood next to him, looking relaxed and happy. Hannah noticed an almost imperceptible frown cross Rochelle’s lips when she saw the two so close together.
The three corgis gave up their attempt to herd the visitors and got comfortable on the couch instead.
“Oh, I forgot my pie by the door. I’ll go back and get it,” Hannah said. Car lights swept across the windows next to the front door when she bent over to retrieve her basket.
Rochelle was right behind her. “Who is that? I’m not expecting anyone else.” She peered through the window. “I can’t believe it. Joey’s heading toward the front door.”
She pulled the door open. “What are you doing here, Joey?”
The poor kid looked at Rochelle with eyes as wide as saucers. His hair was a tangled mess but he did have clean jeans and a warm jacket on. “Can I come in, Aunt Rochelle? It’s too creepy at my house.” He glanced quickly at Hannah before he fixed Rochelle with a pathetic stare.
Rochelle expelled a loud sigh. “Oh, all right. Go on into the living room.”
Hannah headed in that direction, too, but Rochelle held her arm and led her past the living room into a bright kitchen that held all the delicious smells she associated with Thanksgiving—turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a green bean casserole. She set the basket on the big center island next to bowls of cranberry sauce, rolls, and stuffing.
“I don’t know why Joey is here. I’m worried he’s planning to cause trouble, though,” Rochelle said as she paced back and forth. “I should be more understanding since, well, you know, his father and all, but I’m afraid Joey didn’t fall far from that tree. If you know what I mean.”
“He’s family, Rochelle. His father, your cousin, was murdered. Don’t you owe it to him to help?”
“Al was no saint. To be honest? I hoped with his death all his baggage would disappear, too.”
“Baggage? What are you talking about?” Hannah backed away from Rochelle. This conversation was too weird and she certainly didn’t feel comfortable alone in the kitchen with her.
Rochelle picked up an electric carving knife and went to town on the perfectly browned turkey. As the slices fell away, she answered Hannah’s question. “Al stole a lot of money ten years ago. Whoever killed Al might be after Joey next.”
Twelve
What do you know about all that, Rochelle?” Hannah asked.
Rochelle put the knife down, clamped her jaw, blinked several times, and then answered, “I helped Al.”
“Steal the money?” Hannah couldn’t believe her ears.
“No. Of course not. What do I need to steal money for? I’ve got more than I’ll ever know what to do with.” She looked around her beautiful kitchen, her face tense and lined. “I, well, Mack and I gave Al an alibi for the night of the theft.”
Cal poked his head in the kitchen, his eyebrows raised in concern. “There you are, Hannah. I wondered where you’d disappeared to.”
“Don’t worry about your charming girlfriend, Cal,” Rochelle said, her voice suddenly light and normal. “We’ve just been sharing some girl talk. Is Mack taking care of everyone in the living room?”
“Yes. He’s a perfect host. But what’s with Joey? He’s sitting on the couch just staring at the fire. Is he all right?”
“Of course he’s not,” Hannah said. “His father was murdered yesterday.” She turned so her back was toward Rochelle. With her hand close to her chest, she flicked her fingers, motioning for him to leave.
Cal’s eyebrows shot up in total confusion. “Should I try to talk to him?”
“That would be nice. See if you can get him to talk about his dad, or fishing, or anything to get his mind off what he’s going through.”
“Okay.” He leaned close to Hannah to give her a hug and at the same time whispered, “Don’t leave me in there alone for too much longer.”
“Have Mack pour me a glass of that wine I saw him holding. I’ll be right there.”
Cal gave her a thumbs up signal and left but he did glance back before he was out of sight.
“You’re so lucky with Cal,” Rochelle said. “He’s so talented and hard working. I can’t believe that Al was murdered on his boat. That’s something I haven’t been able to figure out. There wasn’t any reason for Al to be there in the first place, was there?”
Was she trying to gain sympathy and throw suspicion away from herself, Hannah wondered?
“Cal is as baffled as you are, but I’m sure Deputy Pam Larson will get to the bottom of all this.” Ha
nnah looked at the tender turkey slices and wanted to sample a piece but she restrained herself. “Who do you think killed Al?”
“This stays between you and me, okay?” Rochelle stared at Hannah.
Hannah nodded. What was she about to tell?
“Al had a partner when he stole that money and that partner just got out of jail—Nate Allen. I’d bet everything I own that Nate came back to get revenge.”
“Wouldn’t he want the money?”
Rochelle snorted. “Of course he would want the money, and maybe Al told him where it is. Honestly, I always suspected that the money was long gone so my guess is that he just killed Al instead. I know I’d want revenge if I was double-crossed by my partner and ended up in jail.”
“And risk going back to jail?”
Rochelle shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s the only explanation I have.”
Or the explanation Rochelle wanted Hannah to swallow instead of following the money trail that very well might lead to her. “If the money is gone, where did it go?”
“Al was a gambler. Just like his old friend Nate and the guy they stole from. They were all addicted to the lure of the get-rich-quick mentality.”
Hannah felt chills run up her spine as another question entered her brain. Nate told her he needed the money to save his life. Was it to pay back the guy they stole from? Another mystery figure to add to the equation.
“The money Al and Nate stole, did the guy report it to the police?”
“Nope. Nate got caught red handed with his pockets filled with jewels. That was enough to convict him and there was never any mention of the money.”
“So, maybe they didn’t take it?”
Rochelle howled with laughter. “Nate had the jewels and Al had the money. Al got away and Nate tripped and got caught.”
“Why didn’t he rat on Al?”
“He tried to but that’s where Mack and I helped Al out. We said he was with us all night and since Nate had all the jewels and the victim never mentioned the money, the police decided Nate was lying. I’m still kicking myself, too. I thought it would be worth helping Al since if he had money he’d stop hounding me for help all the time. It helped for a few years but, lately, he was nothing but trouble for us.”
“Wow. So, Nate went to jail and Al had these last ten years to spend the money.”
“Uh-huh. He knew Nate would be back looking for him but I never thought he’d get murdered.” Rochelle washed the knife and her hands. “All the food is ready. Go get your wine and I’ll be right out after I set a place for Joey.” She rolled her eyes. “And bring the food to the table.”
“Do you want help?”
“Just keep everyone happy.” She lifted the lid of the wicker basket. “Oh my, this pie looks delicious, just like your Great Aunt Caroline made.” She reached inside, placing the pie on the counter with the rest of the food. She lifted the paper that had been under the pie dish. “And you remembered to bring the recipe. Thanks.”
Hannah took the empty basket and moved it out of the way. “You’re welcome. If you hadn’t invited us to dinner, I might not have searched through her old cookbook and found this favorite recipe. Great Aunt Caroline still manages to be part of my life.” And that was true in more ways than one, which Hannah was happy about.
“She was a feisty old lady, that’s for sure.”
Rochelle carried her turkey into the dining room and Hannah made her way back to the living room.
“—money.” Joey stood off to one side talking to Cal.
Cal looked at Hannah when she walked in and jerked his head for her to join them. “Joey was just telling me that his dad always talked about having money hidden somewhere.”
“Really?” Hannah said, her voice appropriately surprised.
“Yeah. He said it was gambling money but he didn’t tell me where he hid it. I need to find someone to help me figure this out or I’ll be living on the street soon.”
“Maybe you can smooth things over with Rochelle,” Hannah suggested. “You know, if you pay attention and work hard, you could have a cozy place here.”
Joey shrugged. “I hate horses. All that mucking out of stalls, lugging hay, washing the horses, that’s not for me. If I find Dad’s money, I have an idea how to keep it growing.” Joey smiled. “I met an old friend of Dad’s who wants to help me with that. He says he knows all the best tricks to double, even triple, the money. He was real upset that he arrived in town too late to see Dad, but he promised to help me.”
“Does this friend have a name?” Hannah’s stomach was beginning to twist into knots.
“I suppose it won’t matter if I tell you his first name—Nate.” Joey leaned toward Hannah with excitement shining in his eyes. He whispered, “He’s got this big scar on his face and he told me that the other guy looks worse. How cool is that?”
“Interesting.” Hannah shuddered to think what this old friend’s real intention was for Joey. Find the money and disappear? Or kill Joey? “I suppose you are keeping tabs on him and you know where he is?”
“Don’t know and don’t care. We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow and he’ll tell me all about his plan but I have to have some money to show him. That’s why I came tonight. I want to ask Rochelle for a loan. Don’t rat me out because I’m telling her I need money to pay the rent. She’ll help me out for something like rent so I don’t end up movin’ in here.” He laughed at what Hannah assumed he thought was his clever plan.
Rochelle was right when she said Joey didn’t fall far from the tree. He didn’t even have enough sense to check out his dad’s old friend to find out anything about him besides what Nate decided to share. Hannah believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Joey was not headed for riches, but only a deep pile of trouble.
Rochelle entered and clapped her hands, getting everyone’s attention. “Dinner is on the table,” she announced. “Bring your glass of whatever you’re drinking. Mack will supply refills. And bring your appetites because there is a feast to devour.”
The table was set with a white linen tablecloth and napkins, sparkling silverware, and candles. Rochelle’s china was patterned with a big turkey in the center and fruit painted around the edge of the plates in rich fall colors. A centerpiece of orange dahlias and yellow mums was arranged in a shallow thick glass bowl. Rochelle led Cal to one end of the oval table. Mack held the chair next to Cal for Hannah, and Rochelle sat on the other side of Cal. Joey grabbed the chair next to Rochelle before anyone else could sit there, which left the other chair next to Hannah for Emma and the chair at the opposite end of the table from Cal for Mack.
Hannah never saw Mack refill glasses but, like magic, everyone’s glass was full. Rochelle held hers up. “To Cal.” She smiled at him. “You’ve managed to put up with me and all my picky last minute changes.” She grinned at her own subtle dig. “But best of all, you finished before the deadline and now I have a beautiful apartment for a barn manager.” She quickly diverted her eyes to Joey, letting him know what he’d stupidly lost.
Cal nodded and tipped his head in Rochelle’s direction. “Thank you. And thank you for letting me use that apartment for a few days until I can return to my boat.”
Hannah looked from one guest to the next, starting with Joey because she had already been watching him. Cal didn’t actually say anything about Al’s murder directly, but there was no mistaking what was implied. An overcharged circle of furtive glances jumped from person to person.
Joey’s eyes shifted around the table. Rochelle looked quickly at Mack. Mack looked at Emma, and Emma shot a glare at Rochelle.
What did it all mean, Hannah wondered? She caught Cal’s eye and raised an eyebrow. He returned an almost imperceptible shoulder shrug.
Rochelle cleared her throat. As the hostess, she had to get this meal back in safe territory. “Joey, how about you help yourself to the turkey and pass it along to Mack.”
As the platter of turkey and all the sides made the rounds, the room filled with pleasant sound
s of forks clattering and a hum of conversation.
Even with the illusion of a friendly meal, the pleasant buzz could not erase the underlying tension of secrets that were hidden by those around this early Thanksgiving dinner.
Hannah slid her boot across the smooth polished floor until she found Cal’s foot. Together they would figure out what was happening.
Thirteen
By the time all the plates were emptied of Rochelle’s delicious cooking, she suggested everyone should return to the living room to enjoy dessert in front of the fire. “Hannah brought an apple raspberry pie. I don’t expect any leftovers of her beautiful creation.”
Without waiting for an invitation to help, Hannah began stacking dirty dishes for the trip to the kitchen.
“Don’t bother with that now but if you want to cut your pie, I’ll get the plates,” Rochelle said. She headed to the kitchen and Hannah followed.
Joey had his head in the refrigerator searching for something. “Got any beer in here?”
Hannah saw Rochelle’s shoulders tense at the sound of Joey’s question but she kept her frustration out of her voice. “Bottom shelf on the door, Joey.”
He pulled out a bottle and examined the label. “Harpoon? No Bud for you, huh, Aunt Rochelle? Got an opener?”
Rochelle pulled a drawer open and handed Joey a mermaid shaped bottle opener. “A gift from Emma to Mack.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not allowed to throw it away.”
“Cool,” Joey said as he rubbed the mermaid. “So, Aunt Rochelle, I hate to ask you this during your fancy dinner tonight, but I need a favor.” Joey opened his beer, letting the cap land on the counter, and swallowed about half in one long drink.
Rochelle set a beautiful wooden tray on the counter. She set the apple raspberry pie, a knife, and a silver pie server on the tray. Then she turned on her coffee machine.