Murder So Festive

by Eileen Curley Hammond

  I grinned. “You’ve got me on that one.” I tucked my hand under his arm. Since there was hardly anyone there, we made our way closer to the front. I whispered to him, “Is it always this empty or just after one of Ed and Andy’s parties?”

  He chuckled quietly as the Mass started.

  During the first hymn, there was someone toward the front singing who had a lovely soprano. My gaze fastened on a woman in the third pew. I elbowed Rob in the ribs and motioned with my eyes.

  He mouthed, “Susan Clime?” I nodded and faced front. He pressed my hand and whispered into my ear, “Let’s catch her after.”

  I nodded again and continued singing the hymn. After Mass, the few parishioners in attendance gathered in the vestibule, chatting with Father Tom. I waited till Susan finished speaking with him. “Susan, can I talk to you for a moment?”

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  “Are you doing anything right now? Would you be able to have breakfast with Rob and me?”

  She looked nervous. “I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?”

  I patted her hand. “No. Not at all. We just have a few questions, and it’s hard to find time to have a conversation at work.”

  “In that case, I don’t mind if I do.”

  Rob said, “Why don’t we take my car, and I can drop you back here? We just want to say hi to Father Tom for a moment.”

  Rob and I approached Father Tom. I said, “Thanks for the homily, Father Tom. It was meaningful.”

  He smiled. “We usually have more of a crowd, but I heard that a number of people had a late night yesterday. Hopefully by the noon Mass, the laggards will get here.” He eyed us. “It’s been a while since we’ve talked. Perhaps we should set up some time.”

  I avoided his gaze. “That sounds great. I’ll talk with Belinda to get something on the calendar.” After we both shook his hand, we joined Susan. “Ready to go?”

  She nodded. “I don’t normally see you at this Mass, Merry.”

  “That’s right. I usually attend the ten thirty. I like to hear the choir.”

  She smiled. “I used to sing in the choir. It was fun, but it took a lot of time. They’re very serious about practice here.”

  Rob said, “That must be why they sound so good. Would Delightful Bites be okay for breakfast?”

  Susan smiled. “It would be great. I love their food. I think it’s almost better than the place that was there before.”

  We bustled into the café and read the offerings off the blackboard above the cutout kitchen window. I decided on a spinach, mushroom, and artichoke quiche, Susan had the same, and Rob went for the overlarge apple fritter. Susan and I claimed a table and waited for Rob to join us.

  I smiled at her. “It was fortunate we ran into you today.”

  She laughed. “More fortunate for me since you’re buying breakfast.”

  Rob carried over her cappuccino and my latte. After going back to retrieve his black coffee, he joined us. “They said the food would be out in just a few minutes. Thanks for joining us, Susan.” She smiled. “It’s been so busy I haven’t had a chance to ask you about what happened at the fashion show.”

  Susan blanched.

  Rob continued, “I was surprised that you felt that strongly about Amanda. After Drew kissed her you threw your drink at her.”

  She flinched, and I kicked Rob’s foot under the table and gave him a dirty look. I thought we were going to start slowly.

  I cleared my throat. “What Rob means is that we’ve been surprised at the number of people who didn’t seem to like Amanda.”

  She relaxed back against her chair. “She wasn’t a good woman. Always taking what wasn’t hers.”

  Rob asked, “Like what?”

  “Nothing in particular. Just things I heard.”

  He smiled at her and waited. She stammered, “Like Philip. He was dating Lauren Stamper. They seemed happy, and then all of a sudden Amanda snake-charmed him into dating her.” She sat back as she sipped her cappuccino.

  “But that was eight months ago. Isn’t that ancient history?”

  She stared at him and then leaned forward, enunciating every word as if he were deaf. “Ancient history? You’re still new to this town. Eight months is like it happened two seconds ago.” She looked at me. “Tell him, Merry.”

  I stirred my latte. “She’s right. This town has a long memory.”

  Rob frowned. “Okay, so Amanda took Philip away from Lauren. I still don’t understand what that has to do with you, Susan.”

  Gary Johnson approached the table. “Who had the apple fritter?” Rob nodded, and Gary put the largest fritter I’d ever seen in front of him. It was chock-full of apples, and the glaze glistened under the fluorescents. “That must mean you ladies had the quiche. They just came out of the oven, so be careful.” He set the plates down. “Enjoy.”

  I eyed Rob with envy. “You are going to give me a bite of that, aren’t you?”

  He laughed. “I think I could give everyone in town a bite and still have more than I could eat.” He cut two small pieces off and put one on Susan’s plate and the other on mine.

  I savored it slowly. “That tastes like heaven!” Susan nodded.

  I cut off a piece of my quiche and slid it onto Rob’s plate. He took a bite. “Wow. The food is really good here. The quiche is so creamy.”

  We gave the food the attention it deserved. After a few minutes, Gary came back to the table. “How is everything?” Three satisfied faces nodded with appreciation. He smiled. “Good. I’ll take that to mean you like the food.”

  I said, “I don’t like the food. I love the food.”

  “Me too,” Rob said. “Would you part with the recipe for the quiche? I’d like to run it in the newspaper, giving you full credit, of course.”

  Gary thought for a moment. “I’d be happy to. Business is good, but I don’t think everyone knows that we’re open yet.”

  Susan laughed. “If you keep putting out food this good, it won’t take long.”

  Rob handed Gary a business card. “I’d appreciate it if you’d send me the recipe via e-mail.”

  Nodding, Gary put it in his top pocket. “What would you think about me sending you one per week? I don’t mind doing it, and people might look forward to reading them.”

  “Let’s put the first one in and then talk about how to position the rest.”

  I asked, “Aren’t you afraid that if you give away the recipes, no one will come to the café?”

  Gary laughed. “When was the last time you laminated dough?”

  “Never.”

  “Then I’m not worried.” He nodded at Rob. “I’ll be in touch.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “I’ve heard of laminated countertops but dough?”

  He shrugged. “Must be a baking thing. You’re a good baker.”

  “Not at this level.” I paused. “Maybe I could talk him into giving me lessons.”

  Rob smiled. “I think you could talk almost anyone into anything.”

  Susan cleared her throat. “Thanks for breakfast. I need to be going.” She stood.

  Rob jumped up. “Let me drive you back to the church.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but it’s not that cold, and I could use the exercise.” She walked out the door.

  I said, “Rats. We never found out why she threw her drink at Amanda.”

  Rob took my hand in his. “She was never going to tell us. We’re going to have to find out a different way.”

  “Any idea on how?”

  He smiled. “It’ll come to me. Want to get something to go to bring to Jenny?”

  “You’re so thoughtful.” I hugged him. “Let’s get her one of the fritters.”

  He drove back to my house, and we found Jenny in the kitchen. Rob presented the box with a flourish.

  Taking it, she weighed it with her hands. “What’s in this? It’s huge and heavy.” She opened it, and her eyes widened with delight. “Wow. This looks delicious.” Ripping off a hunk, she grabbed
a napkin and ran out the door with it. “Don’t want to be late to church.” A few minutes later I received a text from her: “The best ever! Give Mr. Jenson a hug for me. Can’t wait to eat the rest!” She followed up with two heart emojis. I chuckled and handed my phone to Rob.

  He smiled. “I guess she liked it as much as I did. And I can’t believe how much of it I ate.”

  I laughed. “You could’ve brought back what was left.”

  “Nope. Before the end of the day, I would have eaten the entire thing. I don’t need that kind of temptation.” He eyed me and then drew me closer. “I have all the temptation I need right here.” He kissed me.

  There was a sharp rap, and the back door opened. Rob and I jumped apart.

  Andy popped his head in. He looked at us and laughed. “You look just like guilty teenagers.” He held out a big bag. “Thought you might want some of the leftover goodies from last night.”

  Rob groaned. “We just came from Delightful Bites.”

  “That place is good. But Ed’s will be better.” He put the bag down on the counter. “Got to run! Be good.” He disappeared out the door.

  I opened it and yelled at his retreating back, “Last night was great. Thanks!”

  He waved without turning around.

  “More food. Just what we need.” I opened the bag and rummaged through. “Ooh, he’s put in some of the beef and a few of those breadsticks I liked. And,” I pulled out a plastic-wrapped plate, “some of Ed’s cheesecake.”

  Rob smiled. “Put it away. Maybe we’ll want to eat it later.”

  “No maybe about it.” I slid the bag into the refrigerator.

  There was another knock at the back door, and this time the person actually waited for an answer. I opened the door. Melissa stood there, blowing on her gloved hands. I ushered her in. “Melissa, what a surprise. How are you? Take off your coat. Would you like some coffee?”

  “That would be great. I’m chilled to the bone.” She took off her coat, hat, and gloves, stowing them on one of the chairs at the counter.

  “Have a seat.” I started to make the coffee, and she sat at the kitchen table.

  Rob joined her. “What brings you by today?”

  She shifted in her seat. “I’m just going to jump right in. I know it’s not right to ask you about this, but I’m not sure what to do about Nancy’s house.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

  “Drew paid his rent through the end of January. I don’t have to do anything right away, but if I’m going to need to find another tenant, I have to get started. I know that doesn’t really have anything to do with you, but I wondered if you knew anything. Do you think he’ll be let out of jail? Maybe on parole?”

  I brought two coffees over and then went back for mine. “You’re right. It doesn’t have anything to do with me, and I don’t know any more than you do.” Melissa looked miserable. “You could check with his lawyer, Kendall Davis. She may be able to help, and in any event, she can at least ask Drew if he has the money to pay the rent to hold the house longer.” I stood and retrieved Kendall’s card from where I had stuck it on the refrigerator. “Here. This has her contact info.”

  She smiled. “Thanks, Merry. I knew you’d be able to help. Do you need this back?” I shook my head, and she tucked the card into her purse.

  “Melissa, since you stopped by, I have a question for you. Do you know any reason why Susan Clime disliked Amanda?”

  She fidgeted with her mug of coffee and took a sip. “I wouldn’t want to tell tales.”

  “Susan’s been pretty open about the fact that she didn’t like her, even going so far as to put a negative post on Amanda’s Facebook page after she was dead.”

  Melissa’s eyes widened. “Who would put a negative post on a dead person’s wall?”

  “See what I mean? She hasn’t bothered to hide the fact that she didn’t like her. We just can’t figure out why.”

  Fidgeting again, Melissa looked me straight in the eye. “This is really awkward. I’m uncomfortable telling you this, but Susan was having an affair with Drew before he went to prison.”

  Mouth agape, I sat back in my seat. “An affair with Susan? But he was having an affair with Amanda.”

  She nodded with a grim expression on her face. “I know. He was a busy man.”

  I put my head in my hands. “Drew was having an affair with two women and hoodwinking the town. I missed all of it.”

  Rob rubbed my arm. “You were busy with your business and raising a great daughter. And to your point, he was good at lying to people. You might call it his special gift.”

  “I don’t know if that makes me feel any better.” I stared into my coffee mug, hoping that it would provide answers. “Was there anyone else? I mean, he was seeing two women and married to me. Was there a third or fourth?”

  She barked a laugh and put her hand on my shoulder. “No, Merry, to my knowledge, he was only having an affair with two women behind your back.”

  Standing to get an antacid, I rubbed my forehead. Rob said, “Drew was seeing Susan and then broke it off to date Amanda. I can see why she would be angry.”

  Melissa took a sip of her coffee and then cleared her throat. “I’m not sure he ever broke it off.”

  In the midst of chewing the pill, I almost spit it out. “What?”

  “I think the first Susan knew he was seeing Amanda was at the fashion show when he kissed Amanda in front of her.”

  Rob’s eyes widened. “That would hurt. She waits four years for him to get out of prison, and he rubs her face in it.”

  I muttered, “I wonder how much money Susan was holding for him. And, more importantly, when she transferred it back to his control.”

  Rob smacked the table. “I really hate that man.” He stood. “I better call Jay.” He pulled out his phone and went to my office.

  Melissa stood and pulled on her coat. “I’m sorry I was the one to tell you, Merry. But you did ask.”

  “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t share what we talked about today.”

  “I won’t.” She rubbed my shoulder. “You’re too good a friend. And besides, I don’t want Susan to turn on me.”

  She scurried out the door. Shutting it behind her, I leaned up against it and tried to absorb all that I heard. How blind can you be? Two women.

  Rob came back into the room and hugged me. “He’s the bad guy. Don’t put this on yourself. You’re a good person with sound morals. And remember, you divorced him.”

  “I know. It’s just such a shock. I need some time to process.” Stepping out of the circle of his arms, I shivered. “I’m okay. What did Jay have to say?”

  “He’s looking into it. He thought he’d have more info for us before the end of the day.”

  Chapter 15

  Dinner consisted of leftovers from Andy and Ed’s party. Jay knocked on the back door and poked his head in. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you’d still be eating.”

  I stood. “We were just finishing. Would you like some coffee?”

  “Always.” Jay took his coat and hat off and put them on one of the chairs at the counter. He joined Rob and Jenny at the table.

  I motioned for him to wait to talk to us until Jenny left.

  Jenny rose. “No dessert for me tonight, not after finishing that fritter. Have a good evening, all.” She disappeared around the corner.

  I poured three cups of coffee. “Would anyone like some of Ed’s cheesecake?” Rob and Jay nodded, so I cut three small pieces and brought them to the table.

  Jay took one. “Thanks for letting me know about Susan. I checked the new account Drew opened after prison, and $200,000 was transferred into it from Susan’s account the day before the fashion show.”

  I laughed. “I guess Drew didn’t trust Susan as much as Amanda. She only got a fifth of what Amanda held onto for him.”

  Jay raised one eyebrow. “You’re taking this better than I thought you would.”

  “It’s either laugh or
go mad. Plus, it reinforces how right I was to get divorced.”

  Rob rubbed my back. “Are you okay?”

  I rubbed my face and then studied my nails. “As good as I’m going to be. That had to be some shock for Susan. She held money for Drew, waited for him to get out, and then as soon as she returns his money, he dumps her.” I paused. “And in front of everyone. She must have felt just the way Philip did.”

  Rob shook his head. “There was one key difference: no one knew that she was dating Drew.”

  “No one but Melissa and whomever told her. We don’t know how many people knew.”

  Jay stirred his coffee. “In this town? You can bet quite a few people knew. So she may have been just as embarrassed as Philip.”

  I stared at him. “Could she have been upset enough to kill Amanda?”

  “Why would she kill Amanda? She didn’t use her.”

  “At breakfast this morning she said Amanda always took things that weren’t hers. Maybe she blamed Amanda as a femme fatale?”

  Jay stood. “Drew still looks good to me as the killer. Thanks for the coffee and the information. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Rob and I cleaned up the kitchen and took our coffees into the living room. I flipped on the fire, and we sank onto the couch. Curling up against him, I sighed. This feels so good.

  He put his arm around me. “I’m happy you decorated for Christmas. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a place that looks so welcoming and homey. My last five Christmases were all in war-torn areas of the world.” He hugged me closer and kissed the top of my head. “Experiencing that kind of poverty makes you appreciate how much we have and how very lucky we are.”

  I smiled. “We are lucky, and I’m glad you’re here with me.” He kissed me. I rubbed his chest. “Plus, after finding out everything that’s been going on, I need some warmth and good cheer around me.”

  “We seem to be accumulating suspects. Amanda was not a popular person.”

  “No, and it looks like she may not have helped her cause. I wonder if she knew about Susan and Drew.”

  “I doubt it. Drew would have been worried about the money. After all, the bulk of it was with Amanda.”