by Leena Clover
Anna recognized the man as the owner of the wine shop behind Paradise Market. He had never come to the café before. She tried not to stare at the vivid red cardigan he wore, embroidered with reindeer and snowflakes.
“Come in, come in.” She gave him a welcoming smile. “How can I help you?”
“Anna Butler, I presume?” he asked, coming up to the counter. “It is I who is going to help you.”
“Pardon me?” Anna frowned.
“I’m Craig Rose. Can we sit and talk?”
The cafe was experiencing a rare lull. Anna decided the young couple deep in conversation at a corner table wouldn’t need her for a while. She took off her apron, poured two cups of coffee and ushered the odd man to a window table.
“What do you know about Edward Gardiner?” he asked point blank.
Anna tried to hide her surprise.
“He owns Gardiner Fishing Supply. I guess he was one of the richest men in town. My …”
The man held up a hand, cutting her off.
“Let’s not beat around the bush. Word on the street is that you are some kind of amateur sleuth. You helped the police solve some local murders.”
Anna sipped her coffee, guessing the man wasn’t done.
“I want you to find out who killed Edward Gardiner.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Rose, but I have my hands full here. This is a new venture and the holidays are a busy time for us.”
“I’ll pay you well.”
“I don’t charge money! I was just helping my friends.”
“Don’t you want to know what I’m offering?” Craig Rose leaned forward dramatically.
“What?” Anna spluttered.
“Information. Worth more than its weight in gold.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Rumor around town is you killed your husband.”
Anna folded her hands and glared at the man before her.
“I think you should leave now.”
Craig Rose ignored her. He picked up his coffee cup with both hands and took a deep sip.
“I know something about John.”
“I don’t believe you knew him. My John never mentioned you.”
“You think your husband told you everything?” Craig smirked.
Anna tried to forget the shameful secret she had recently uncovered about her husband. Maybe he hadn’t always been upfront with her.
“Go snooping around like you usually do. Find out who killed Edward.”
“What do you know about John?” Anna demanded. “If you know something pertaining to his death, you should tell the police.”
“Are you sure about that?” Craig smiled maliciously.
“I don’t care for innuendo.” Anna was cross. “Just spit it out, mister.”
Craig rolled up the sleeves of his cardigan.
“I do have your best interests at heart, Mrs. Butler. Anna. Believe me. I just need your help.”
“Why do you care about the Gardiners?” Anna asked.
“Have you met Finn O’Malley?”
“Never heard of him,” Anna responded impatiently.
“Finn married Edward’s granddaughter Ruth. The police are eyeing him as a suspect. I find that ridiculous, of course.”
“You care about this Finn?” Anna thought back to the party at the Gardiners’. She wondered if Finn was the blue eyed man who had been talking to Lara Crawford.
“Finn and my son were posted in the same unit in Afghanistan. They saw a lot of action. The inevitable happened. My son died in combat. Finn was injured trying to save him. He brought my son home.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Anna felt a connection with Craig Rose. They had both lost someone they loved dearly.
“Finn is the only family I have now.” Craig’s voice wavered. “He’s an honorable man, a decorated veteran. If he wanted to kill someone, he would shoot them point blank in the chest.”
“So you believe he’s capable of murder?” Anna cried.
“Don’t you twist my words. I’m offering a simple barter. You help clear Finn. I will tell you a shocking truth about your husband.”
“I need to think this over,” Anna said grudgingly. “Even if I decide to help you, I can’t promise anything. I’m not Sherlock Holmes.”
“As long as your efforts are sincere …” Craig stood up. “Don’t take too long. And I’d rather you didn’t let anyone in on our arrangement. Not even Finn.”
Anna couldn’t decide if Craig Rose was evil or desperate. Maybe he was jumping ahead. Did the police really think the grandson-in-law was a suspect?
Meg rushed in, looking indignant.
“I’ll have to think twice about applying to DBU. You won’t believe what happened today, Anna.”
Chapter 5
Anna got off the phone. Sally Davis, a teacher at the local high school had called.
“What does Sally want, Mom?” Cassie asked.
The Butler women were gathered around the breakfast table. Cassie was dressed in workout clothes, drinking orange juice before going for a run. Meg appeared moody, playing with the avocado toast on her plate.
“She called to remind us of the tree lighting ceremony tonight. It’s in the town square at seven.”
Cassie looked uncertain.
“Do you really want to go? Lara Crawford will be there, probably. You know what that means.”
“Your father and I never missed the tree lighting ceremony. It’s a tradition, Cassie. I’m not changing the way I live my life just because of one nasty person.”
“So what?” Cassie scoffed. “Everyone just stands there while someone flips a switch? Sounds silly to me.”
“You and your Hollywood ways,” Anna clucked. “These things are important to us. Almost everyone turns up for the tree lighting. There’s hot cider and cocoa. The Holiday Committee works really hard to decorate the tree and the town square.”
“Whatever you say, Mom.”
“You’d rather sit at home and watch something on television?” Anna placed her hands on her hips. “Or gossip with Bobby, I guess.”
“Bobby’s not back from his trip to Costa Rica,” Cassie grumbled, referring to her friend who was a fitness trainer to the stars in Los Angeles. “I haven’t really talked to him in a while.”
“I can stay home with you,” Meg offered. “I hardly know anyone in town.”
“Which is why you should go,” Anna said sternly. “And you have met a lot of the locals at the café by now. I want to show you off, Meg.”
“I’m reading a script, actually,” Cassie volunteered. “It’s a good role. But don’t get your hopes up.”
“Why didn’t you say so before?” Anna asked. “Does it have to be read tonight?”
“Not really,” Cassie sighed. “I give up, Mom. I’ll go with you to the tree lighting, okay? Now, can I please go on my run? Pretty please?”
Anna and Meg laughed and Cassie joined in.
“Do you think you’ll run into Teddy Fowler?” Anna asked seriously.
“I usually do,” Cassie shrugged. “Why?”
“No reason. Just wondered how he’s doing with the Gardiner case.”
“You want me to chat him up and pump him for information.”
“Can you?” Anna sounded eager.
“I’ll see what I can do.” Cassie stretched her arms over her head and took a deep breath. “When are you going to start working out with me, Meg?”
Meg had been dozing at the table.
“Huh … what?” she snapped awake.
“What’s the matter with you, child?” Anna asked. “You’ve been preoccupied since yesterday.”
“Did something happen?” Cassie asked, stretching her hamstring. “How did things go at the university?”
“I totally forgot!” Anna exclaimed. “You were looking all riled up when you got back from DBU yesterday. Did someone give you a hard time, sweetie?”
Anna vaguely remembered Meg complain
ing about something. A flood of tourists had come in just then and they both got busy. She had never had a chance to ask her what she meant.
Meg squirmed as Anna and Cassie both stared at her.
“The weirdest thing happened. I was on my way to the admissions building when a guy grabbed me.”
“In broad daylight?” Anna was aghast.
“I hope you fought back,” Cassie bristled.
Meg looked contrite. “I was too shocked to do anything.”
“That’s it. You’re taking self defense classes. Bobby can come here and teach you himself.”
“Let the girl speak, Cassie,” Anna interrupted. “What did he want, Meg?”
“That’s the weird thing,” Meg replied. “This guy was leading some kind of protest with a bunch of other kids. They were holding handmade signs and posters. Some stuff about saving the environment, I think.”
“Go on,” Anna prompted.
“He wanted me to hold one end of a big banner. Said one of their protestors hadn’t turned up.”
“Sounds crazy alright,” Cassie murmured.
“I stood there waving that banner for almost half an hour. The guy was right next to me, making sure I wouldn’t leave.”
“Was he good looking?” Cassie’s face curved in a smile. “I wouldn’t mind being kidnapped by a hunk.”
“Spare us your nonsense, Cassie. Can’t you see the poor child is traumatized?”
“I’m fine, Anna.” Meg wrung a hand through her hair. “I’m just angry. I mean, how dare he!”
“Did you get his name?” Anna wanted to know. “We can talk to Leo about this. Ask him to have a few words with this man.”
“He’s not a man.” Meg squinted her eyes as if trying to remember. “Must be my age. I guess he’s a student at DBU. I heard someone refer to him as Phoenix.”
“What kind of name is that?” Anna muttered.
“Forget about his name.” Cassie started jogging on spot. “Tell us what happened after that.”
“Nothing! They chanted some slogans for a while and then the group disbanded. Everyone kind of dispersed in different directions, including that guy. He didn’t even say Thank You!”
Anna placed a hand on Meg’s shoulder.
“Forget about it. Not worth your time.”
“You mean it was a waste of time,” Meg said hotly. “My arm’s been sore all night and the admissions office closed by the time I got there.”
“You can go there today,” Anna comforted her. “I can manage at the café. Cassie will help me.”
“Sure!” Cassie nodded. “It’s kinda late to go for a run now anyway. I can take a quick shower and go to the café with you guys.”
The kitchen door burst open and Sofia marched in, holding a wet umbrella. Anna had barely noticed it had started raining. Julie came in after Sofia. She gave a slight shrug in response to Anna’s questioning glance.
“Hello Nana!” Cassie said cheerfully. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“Don’t be cheeky, young lady,” Sofia glared. She trained her gaze on Anna. “Now, are we going to sit somewhere like civilized people or do you want to keep your old mama standing in the kitchen?”
Anna stopped gaping and ushered her mother out to the living room. Julie followed with Cassie and Meg. Sofia sat in a chair by the fireplace and quivered. Anna rushed to light the electric fire and went inside to get a hot drink for her mother. Sofia only drank cocoa.
“I don’t suppose you have any biscotti?” Sofia grumbled when Anna offered her a plate of assorted cookies. “I see you have forgotten your Italian roots.”
“I’m sorry, Mama,” Anna said meekly. “We ran out of it.”
“Anna makes the best biscotti,” Meg burst out. “I ate it all.”
Sofia shook her head in disapproval.
“You can’t even pronounce it right. What kind of cultural education are you giving her, Anna?”
Anna folded her hands and sat down on a couch facing her mother.
“Meg just got here, Mom. We had a lot to catch up on.”
“What’s more important than your culture, Anna?” She pointed at Meg. “This child needs to know where she came from.”
“Stop giving Mom a hard time, Nana.” Cassie stepped in. “Tell us what you’re doing here.”
Sofia blew on her cocoa and drained half the cup. Three pairs of eyes stared at her hopefully.
“I did some heavy thinking and I have come to a decision.”
Cassie and Meg wove their hands through Anna’s and waited with bated breath.
“I don’t know what the future holds. At my age, every day is a blessing. What’s done is done, although it pains me.”
“I’m sorry, Nana. I should never have given Meg away. I know that now. But I was a foolish sixteen year old with stars in my eyes. What did I know?”
“It’s all my fault, Mama. Cassie was ignorant, like she says. She was a child herself. But I should have known better. John and I really wanted to keep the baby but we gave in. And we shouldn’t have hidden this from you.”
Meg said nothing. She had already forgiven Anna and Cassie. There was no point in rehashing what might have been. She just hoped her Nana would see that. She didn’t want to cause a rift in the family.
“That’s enough!” Sofia held up her hand. “Enough time has been wasted.”
She opened her arms and looked at Meg.
“Come here, child.”
Meg flew into the old woman’s arms. Cassie joined her a split second later.
Julie sat down next to Anna and offered her a tissue. Anna laughed as her nose ran and tears streamed down her eyes.
“This Christmas is full of miracles,” she mumbled through her tears.
The doorbell chimed. Julie leapt up and flung the front door open. Gino came in and looked around, bewildered.
“Is something wrong, Anna? I went to the café but it was closed. So I came here.”
“The café!” Anna exclaimed. “Meg, we need to go right now.”
There was a flurry of activity after that. Sofia grilled Gino while the ladies loaded the van with trays of cookies and cupcakes. Her face broke into a smile when she learned Gino was Italian.
“You are going to help me cook a proper Italian meal,” she told him. “Look how skinny my girls are. I need to put some meat on their bones.”
Chapter 6
“I never thought my mother would come around so soon.” Anna still felt a bit dazed as she sat drinking coffee with the Firecrackers. “Do you remember how furious she was?”
“You didn’t expect her to just fall in line, did you?” Julie took Sofia’s side. “Imagine the shock she must have felt.”
Gino came in before Anna had a chance to reply.
“Hello ladies!”
“Looks like you escaped from Sofia’s clutches,” Julie laughed. “I bet she gave you the third degree.”
“I expect nothing less from a concerned mother. She’s just looking out for Anna.”
“Did you remind her you were the chief of police?” Anna asked. “You’ll keep me safe.”
“Always!” Gino sat down with the women.
Mary spoke up. She was the quiet one of the group but was extremely astute.
“You look like you have something on your mind, Gino.”
Gino picked up the cup of coffee Anna poured for him and nodded.
“I’m supposed to be on a grocery run for Sofia. But I wanted to discuss something with you ladies.”
“It’s about Edward Gardiner, isn’t it?” Anna guessed.
“Sharon called me last night. The whole family is under scrutiny and she wants me to prove they are innocent.”
“Do you believe her?” Anna asked. “About all of them being innocent, I mean.”
“I don’t really know them well,” Gino admitted. “I did visit the old man frequently but I rarely spent any time with the others.”
“So you can’t make such a blanket promise, Gino.”
&
nbsp; “That’s what I told her, Anna. I’m willing to look into it but I can’t promise what I’ll find.”
The Firecrackers nodded.
“It’s always good to be upfront,” Mary said. “So what did Sharon say? Did she agree to your condition?”
“Reluctantly.” Gino bit into a cupcake. “She says she has nothing to hide.”
“We’ll see about that.” Anna folded her arms and looked up as Cassie came in through the bookstore.
“I thought you were not going to get involved in this murder business, Mom.” She turned to Gino. “No offense, Gino, but she’s got a lot going on.”
“I can do most of the leg work. But it will be nice to consult Anna. Your mother’s one smart cookie, Cassie. I could use her analytical skills.”
“Hear, hear.” Julie bumped a fist in the air. “That’s a first. They make a good team, Cassie. You have nothing to worry about.”
“All I’m saying is …”
“Enough!” Anna said sharply. “Stop trying to rule my life, Cass. I don’t tell you how to live yours.”
“But what about your to-do list?” Cassie cried. “We haven’t even decorated the stores yet. And we need to get a tree this year. We need to do Christmas right. It’s Meg’s first Christmas at home, Mom.”
“We’ll do everything,” Anna assured her. “You’ll see.”
“And what about your quarterly checkup with the oncologist?” Cassie demanded. “You better not forget about it.”
“We won’t let her, girl,” Julie stepped in. “I’ve got it marked on my calendar.”
“Do you think I won’t take care of your mother?” Gino asked Cassie. “Nothing means more to me than Anna’s well being.”
Cassie had no answer for that. She spun on her heels and went back to the bookstore, grabbing the last cookie on the plate on her way out.
“I apologize for my daughter, Gino.”
“No need. She’s just looking out for you.”
“Enough of the family drama,” Julie sighed. “Where do we start?”
“Edward died in his house, right?” Anna asked. “I think we should start by making a list of how many people live there.”
“I can help you with that,” Gino offered, pulling out a pen and a small notepad from his pocket.