by Leona Fox
She disappeared into the bakery before either of the other women could protest. She was back five minutes later with hot coffee and cinnamon rolls.
They sat at the back room table to chat, but Sadie had a hard time concentrating. She was exhausted from the run and all the conflicting emotions of the day. Her mind wandered and she wondered how rude it would be if she went upstairs to bed.
“Sadie, Sadie?” Betty was saying. “Are you okay?”
Sadie pulled herself back into the room with difficulty. “I’m fine. It’s just been such a day. Do you two mind if I go upstairs? I’m so worn out.”
Betty and Leda ushered Sadie out of the room and she went upstairs with Mr. Bradshaw.
The next morning Sadie felt refreshed. She and Mr. Bradshaw made their morning excursion into the park and then dropped into the bakery as usual. She was enjoying her discussion with Jonathan, the owner of the bakery, when Norman Steel came in.
Norman was in a great mood. He was humming loudly, and he greeted Sadie and Jonathan with enthusiasm and joined Sadie at her table while his coffee was being prepared. She hadn’t noticed how thin his face was.
“How’s business?” Sadie asked. “Things picking up at all?”
“Business is great,” Norman said. “If I had known a murder on the block would increase business this much I would’ve taken it up years ago.” He laughed and Sadie’s stomach churned.
She gave him the side eye. “What did you mean by that?” she asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
“Oh I’m just so happy the stores doing well,” he said. “That’s all.”
She wondered if she was getting the flu. Jonathan set Norman’s coffee in front of him, and Norman sipped with relish.
“I’d forgotten how good life could be,” Norman said.
“Now that George is gone, there’s no one to make my life a living hell. I feel free as a bird.” He chatted with Jonathan for a minute longer and then took himself back down the street.
“Was that weird, or is it just me?” Jonathan asked.
“It was weird,” Sadie said. “He gave me the creeps.”
“For a minute there, I thought he was saying that he killed George, but I think he was just saying that George’s death has brought in more customers. Don’t you?” Jonathan asked.
“I’m sure that’s it,” Sadie said, although she wasn’t sure at all.
After she finished her breakfast and Mr. Bradshaw had been given his obligatory doggy treats, Sadie decided they should go down and visit Zack. Norman Steel had made her very uncomfortable.
Zack wasn’t in his office when Sadie got to the station. She made herself another cup of coffee in the staff room and drank it while she was waiting for him to show up, but he never did. She visited officer Weston for a few minutes but there was only so much hanging about she could do, so she left a note for Zack to call her and headed home again.
Sadie was knee-deep in raffia and other assorted packing materials from Spain when she heard the bell over the shop door ring. She wiped her hands on her pants and made her way to the front of the shop, but it was only Zack.
“You came by the office,” he said. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Sadie smiled at him.
“It’s just I was having coffee next-door and Norman Steel came in, and he said something a little off. Jonathan noticed it too.”
Zack nodded at her to continue.
“I asked him how business was going, and he said great. He said had he known how good murder was for business, he would’ve taken it up long ago. And the way he said it, it sounded like he had taken up murder recently. I mean, that can’t be right. Surely he wouldn’t go telling people if he’d murdered George. But both Jonathan and I thought it sounded off.”
“I’ll look into it,” Zack said. “Mostly because I trust your instincts. But I want you to stay away from Norman, okay? I want you to promise me.”
“Surely you don’t think Norman would try and kill me?” Sadie asked.
“I don’t know what Norman would try to do,” Zack said. “But I’d be much happier if it had nothing to do with you.”
“Sure,” she said. “It’s not like I even talk to him every day. What’s up with Oxford Ludlow? I haven’t seen him for a day or two.”
“He’s making his way through his list of suspects,” Zack said. “Someone is bound to crack. I just hope it’s the guilty someone.”
“Me too,” Sadie said. “I’m pretty sure Justin would be happy to confess just to get him to stop badgering him. He’s not a very nice man.”
“Doesn’t have to be nice,” Zack said. “He just has to get results. And apparently he does.”
“Isn’t he worried that he is putting away innocent people?” she asked.
“It doesn’t appear so,” Zack said. “So keep your head down for a while longer.”
“Yes, chief,” she said. “Head down.”
Zack left, and Sadie spent what was left of the morning and much of the afternoon unpacking the crate that had arrived from Spain. The objects reminded her of the days she and Lucy had spent traveling the countryside. It was a pleasant way to spend the day, and a welcome change from the worry. It was nearly 5 o’clock and Sadie was tidying up when she realized she hadn’t seen Mr. Bradshaw for a while.
He wasn’t in the shop so she went upstairs to the apartment, but he wasn’t there either. Her heart started pounding in her chest. Maybe he snuck out when Zack left and was across the street in the park. Sadie almost flew down the stairs and out the door, barely missing getting hit by a pickup truck as she ran across the street without looking.
She spent an hour in the park looking in all of Mr. Bradshaw’s favorite spots. He was nowhere to be seen. She called Zack from her cell and left a tearful message, and then erased it because she didn’t want him to worry. She walked back across the street, more carefully this time. She was checking the sidewalk in both directions when she noticed movement in Norman’s curio shop on the other side of the bookstore. What could that be?
The closer she got the more it looked like Mr. Bradshaw’s ears poking above the glass of the window. The shop is closed but she banged on the door.
“Mr. Bradshaw,” she called, “are you in there?” A pair of little black paws rested on the glass door at knee level. She could’ve cried with relief.
“Mr. Bradshaw, how in the world that you get in there?” She said, and rang the bell.
It took Norman forever to make his way to the door. Sadie’s leg was jiggling with irritation when he finally turned the lock and she noticed that Mr. Bradshaw stayed well away from Norman as he hurried through the open doorway.
“How in the world did he get in here?” Norman asked, shaking his finger at the dog. He had a greasy smile that made Sadie uncomfortable.
“That was my question,” Sadie said. “You didn’t know he was here?” Mr. Bradshaw practically leapt into Sadie’s arms.
“No, or I would’ve brought him back to you,” Norman said. “Silly dog, were you looking for mice in my shop today?” He reached forward as if to touch Mr. B.
Mr. Bradshaw growled low in his throat and bared his teeth. Norman jerked his hand back and looked offended.
“I’m sorry,” Sadie said. “I can’t think what’s gotten into him.”
Although truthfully she could. She fully suspected that Norman had lured Mr. Bradshaw into his shop and kept him there.
She thanked Norman, hoping she sounded sincere, and hurried back to her shop where she called Zack and explained what happened.
“I don’t understand how Mister Bradshaw could get stuck in his store without anybody knowing,” she said. “It’s not like he is silent and invisible.”
“I understand why you didn’t, but you should’ve called me before you rang the bell,” Zack said. “I could’ve been right there.”
“I know,” Sadie said. “But I didn’t even think of it. I just wanted to get Mr. Bradshaw out of there so badly.
It's not like he was in any real danger, but I was frantic from looking for him. I’ll try to be smarter next time.”
“Let’s try to be sure there isn’t a next time,” Zack said. “Keep Mr. B close, and stay away from Norman Steel.”
“Do you think Norman killed George?” She asked.
“I don’t know who killed George,” he said. “I just know that Norman is acting really strange, and better safe than sorry. So stay safe.”
“I’m trying,” she said, “but this investigation is taking way too long. Oxford Ludlow needs lessons in expediency.”
“Well don’t you be giving them to him,” Zack said. “He’s another person I want you far away from.”
“I want me far away from him too,” Sadie said. “I think he’d just as soon put me in jail as look at me. That’s not a trait I find endearing in a man.”
“Good. You see him coming, you go the other way. That’s my advice,” he said.
Chapter Six
Sadie woke the next morning to the sound of knocking on her door. She had flashbacks of Oxford Ludlow, but this knocking was gentle and far more polite. She stepped out onto the balcony and called down. Leda stepped into view.
“They’re letting me into my shop today,” she said. “I’ve rented a huge dumpster that they’re delivering to the back door any minute now. If you have any free time, come over and help me throw things away. I’m so excited.”
“I’m glad,” Sadie said. “I was afraid they were going to make you wait until there was a conviction, or at least an arrest, before they let you back in.”
“Nope,” she said. “They feel they have all the evidence they’re going to get from the store. It’s all mine now.”
Leda danced over to the door of the bookstore, and Sadie could hear her singing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” as she went inside.
“Finally, a little happiness,” she said to Mister B.
Sadie could hear singing and banging coming from the bookstore all morning, and it made her smile. Leda was happy to be back, and it sounded like she was really cleaning things up. Or at least throwing an awful lot of books away.
After lunch, Sadie stepped into the alley with Mr. B at her side. She wanted to check on the progress in the bookstore. A quick look in the dumpster told Sadie that Leda was throwing away more than just books. Expensive repair tools were in the bin, as well as all the removable furniture from the shop, including bookcases. Leda came out and tossed a box full of papers while Sadie was looking.
“You know you could sell some of this stuff,” Sadie said. “Someone might want the bookcases or chairs.”
“Then they can come grab them out of the dumpster,” Leda said.
“I’m washing my hands of them. If you know someone wants something, give them a call. I have absolutely no problem with people diving in this dumpster.” She went back into her shop, singing.
Zack stuck his head out of the back door of Sadie’s shop and said “oh there you are. Betty wasn’t sure where you’d gotten off to.” He came out and joined her at the dumpster.
“Leda is cleaning house,” Sadie said. “Do you know anyone who needs bookcases or easy chairs? She doesn’t care who takes the stuff away.”
“I’ll think on that,” he said. “I came by because I thought you would want to know that Leda’s alibi is rock solid. There is absolutely no way she could have committed George’s murder. Of course, she could have still hired someone to kill him. But I think that’s unlikely.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Sadie said. “She’s so happy, and it’s nice to know it’s because she got her shop back and not because she killed her ex.”
At that moment, Mr. Bradshaw ran down the alley to Norman’s curio shop and started barking at the back door.
“Mr. Bradshaw,” Sadie called. “Come back here this minute!” She started after him.
Zack put a hand on her arm. “No, you wait here, I’ll get him.”
Zack walked over, gathered Mr. Bradshaw up, and brought him back to Sadie. But the minute he put Mister B down the dog zipped back to Norman’s door and parked ferociously. Norman came out the back door and Sadie ran for her dog.
“Get this animal out of here!” Norman yelled. “Don’t we have leash laws in this town?”
Sadie scooped up Mr. B. “Sorry Norman,” she said. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him today.” This was a lie. She had a sneaking feeling Norman had locked her dog in his shop the day before, and that’s why Mr. B was so frantic.
“Get that creature away from me,” Norman yelled.
Sadie heard a car drive into the alley and she made sure she had a firm grip on Mr. Bradshaw. She glanced back to see Oxford Ludlow getting out of the car.
“You have no business keeping that obnoxious creature on this block,” Norman yelled.
“You keep him away from me, do you hear? Keep him away from me or the both of you will end up like George Jackson. Think they can mess with me, but they can’t. I’m not taking it anymore. George thought he could slander me, but I shut him up good. The jokes on him now because my business is doing better than ever before!” Spit flew from his mouth as he talked.
Sadie backed away slowly without turning her back on Norman. She could hear Zack talking to Oxford and making a call into his radio. Leda had come back out to her rear stoop and was watching Norman with her mouth hanging open.
“He killed George,” she said incredulously. “I didn’t think he had it in him.”
“Well don't thank him in front of the cops,” Sadie said, nodding her head towards Oxford. “Or you’ll find yourself in jail for collusion or whatever it’s called.”
At that point the Seagrove police swarmed into the alley and Norman Steel was hustled away in handcuffs. He was practically foaming at the mouth by the time they drove him from the alley. Sadie wondered if he would end up in an asylum rather than prison.
The back alley went from frenetic activity to absolute quiet in about five minutes. Sadie and Leda stared at each other for a moment. Then Leda laughed.
“Mr. B is welcome in my store anytime,” she said. “He is an excellent dog.”
“That he is,” Sadie said and set him on the ground.
Mr. B immediately started sniffing around the dumpster, completely ignoring Norman’s store. Sadie guessed it was Norman and not his shop that was giving Mr. B fits.
They spent the afternoon helping Leda clear her shop, and Sadie called a local charity to come get the good stuff out of the dumpster. She and Mr. B were relaxing on her front balcony when Zack called.
“Are you interested in coming to dinner with Oxford and I?” He asked.
“Since when do we have meals with Oxford Ludlow?” She asked. “Isn’t he public enemy number one?”
“No, actually I think he’s all right,” Zack said. “Now that he’s explained his methods to me his behavior makes a lot more sense.”
“I don’t know, Zack.” Sadie said. “He didn’t treat me very nicely.”
“True. But he’d be the first to admit it,” Zack said. “You can take a little adversity. Why don’t you come and see what he has to say?”
“I’ll come,” Sadie said, “but only because I want to have dinner with you, and I won’t let Oxford get in my way.”
“Excellent,” Zack said, “I’ll pick you up.”
Rather than go out, Zack prepared dinner at his house. “We don’t have to watch what we say this way,” was his explanation. But that meant Sadie was stuck making conversation with Oxford while Zack cooked. She gave Oxford a tight smile and sat in a chair across from his, the coffee table acting as neutral space.
Oxford had the grace to look uncomfortable.
“Listen, Sadie,” he said, “I can’t apologize for being hard on you. That’s my job and I pride myself on doing it well.”
Sadie did a mental eye roll. If this was his attitude it was going to be a long evening.
“However,” he continued, “I am extremely happy that I was wrong
about you. I admit I expected to find corruption and wrong-doing centered around Chief Woodstone and yourself. But I found nothing. Chief Woodstone’s work is exemplary. There was no evidence of wrong doing on either his or your part.”
Sadie bit back a retort. She was in Zack’s house and Oxford was Zack’s guest. But, boy, did she want to give it to him for coming into the situation with his mind already made up.
“For once in my life,” Oxford continued, “I am delighted to be wrong.”
“Ouch,” Sadie said. “Well played. You totally took the wind from my sails. If I give you a piece of my mind now, when you’ve already admitted you were wrong, I come across as surly and immature. Well played, but not very chivalrous of you.”