Hot Coffee Iced Santa

by Cam Larson

  I didn't want any long conversations with Steven Landers. I mainly wanted to talk with his employees. It is all for Daniel, I reminded myself.

  Chapter Five

  By the time I arrived at Steven's Steakhouse, my watch read 9:00. There was a light on behind the counter. I knew the restaurant didn't usually close this early. When I got to the door, the sign reminded me they were closed temporarily due to the crime. I pressed my face to the glass door and saw Steven under the muted light. I took a deep breath and tapped on the door. He waved at me and came to let me in.

  "Come on in," he said. "As you can see, we aren't open for business."

  I told him I wanted to thank him for helping me out the night before. Then I got down to business at hand. "How long are they going to make you keep your business closed?" I asked him. I vowed to keep my voice steady.

  "They told me not to open until the investigation is over," he said.

  "That could take forever," I said. "They must have all the evidence by now."

  He shrugged his shoulders in exasperation. "Those are my sentiments exactly. I'm thinking about getting my lawyer to step in for me. I'm losing money fast."

  "Do you have a lawyer at your fingertips?" I asked.

  "I have one on retainer for the restaurant. I meet with him tomorrow. I can't stay closed much longer. I built up a good clientele and can't afford to lose that. It has taken several years to reach this level."

  I offered my sympathy. I meant it. Suddenly, he was someone I felt sorry for. I thought he could possibly be the person that Daniel insisted he was.

  "I still have fresh food in. I'll make you a sandwich or something. Are you hungry?"

  "I hadn't thought I was until you mentioned it. But, yes, I'm starved," I said. "The last thing I ate was a cheese scone in the middle of the afternoon."

  Steven asked me about my job as a Barista. He was easy to talk to and I watched as he deftly whipped a basil sauce with cream and parmesan cheese. He had put a small pot of water on the stove to boil. Once the water rolled along, he added some pasta. My mouth watered just thinking of what he was going to serve me. I had a feeling it was far from a sandwich. He noticed my admiring eyes.

  "I worked in a café for several years. I found out I liked to cook and went to Chef's school. My intentions were to own my own restaurant and be known as a renowned Chef."

  "It looks like you succeeded with your dreams."

  "I did, but not sure about being renowned. It took almost ten years to achieve where I am now, but it did happen. We have become so busy in here that I had to hire another Chef. He is the best and we work well together."

  His good looks stood out more than ever. His voice was animated and he talked about his greatest love. I discovered that was his restaurant. I wondered if he dated anyone seriously. Maybe he was married. Those were more questions to get from Daniel. I didn't want Steven to think I was coming on to him if I asked him. I had a feeling it wouldn't take much for him to take advantage of me along those lines. Besides, I had to keep in mind the way he showed up so unexpectedly on my street. That was something that still nagged me.

  "What are your plans for the holidays?" he asked me.

  "I'm leaving for home in Tennessee in a week or so," I said. "I haven't seen my family since summer."

  "I would never have taken you for a southerner. Where is your drawl?"

  "I had to get rid of it when I moved to New York. No one could understand me. Of course, I had to learn the eastern accent, too. I had no idea what people were saying at times. I guess it was mutual. Now my mother tells me I talk like a New Yorker."

  "You are lucky. I have no family left. I never married and was an only child. My parents died several years ago in a car accident. It is times like this that I wish I had family." He shook off his morose feelings and flashed a smile in my direction. "I'm planning to go to New York City for the holiday. That's where Christmas shines. I usually close the restaurant for a week from Christmas day until New Year's eve." Steven put a plate of pasta in front of me.

  I thought there was one less question to ask Daniel about his friend. I found myself feeling sorry for the man across from me. He had to be lonely. The situation he was in with the death of his dishwasher was not so easy to handle alone. It made more sense why Daniel was so concerned about Steven.

  "This pasta is delicious," I said. I savored my last bite. "Thank you for the meal. I was more than ready for it, and didn't know that until I smelled your food."

  He accepted my compliment. I agreed with him that he should get his lawyer involved as soon as possible. He needed professional support.

  "What are you doing out so late tonight anyway?" Steven asked me.

  I told him about my Christmas shopping and how I came to be at his door.

  "When I saw how stressed out everyone was at the mall, I thought of Frank. There was a Santa there who had to put up with a screaming child and her irate mother. Were there ever any incidents like that with Frank when he played Santa?"

  "I never saw that at all. Like I told you, he loved kids. I remember once when a little boy was afraid of Santa, he had a way of getting him to speak up. Parents loved him and I think Frank helped relieve some of their holiday stress, too. He was a different person when it came to kids versus adults. I was always glad he worked behind the scenes. He could get upset easily with disgruntled adults. Of course, he didn't deal with that part of the business and I was glad for that."

  "What about Cassie Johnson, your server? Did she get along with Frank?"

  Steven looked directly at me and hesitated. Then the instant smile spread across his face. "Are you becoming the next Nancy Drew?"

  I just smiled between mouthfuls of delicious pasta.

  "As for Cassie, if you are thinking she had anything to do with Frank's murder, I'm sure she didn't. She just isn't the type to kill someone and stick them into the freezer when finished with the deed. Besides, if you saw her, you would know she wouldn't have the strength to manage it all."

  I didn't intend to tell him I knew about Cassie threatening Frank. "Do you mind if I have her phone number anyway? I'd love to talk with her and see how she is doing."

  Steven leaned back and observed me. Then as if making up his mind, he said, "I have no problem giving it to you. It's a listed number and I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

  He stood up and began stacking our plates. I followed him to the kitchen. While he looked up Cassie's number, I rinsed the dishes off and put them into the rack for the dishwasher. There were a few more dishes waiting to be washed. I figured Steven was eating his meals there and when the rack was filled, he would slide it into the machine and wash them all at once.

  Steven returned and handed me a sticky note with Cassie's number on it. "I hope people don't think I murdered Frank. I don't need that. Before all of this happened, I always felt everyone was a friend. I wonder if whoever did it decided to kill him in my restaurant to hurt me or my business."

  "I'm sure the truth will come out soon and anyone who thinks that way about you will stop. I'm curious why you are allowed to be in here if the cops want you to keep it closed. Aren't they afraid you will disturb evidence of some kind?"

  His startled look was accusing. "Do you think I did it?"

  "I didn't say that at all. But if they want you to keep the place closed, it must be because they think something will be disturbed before they are finished scrutinizing the business. I just wondered is all."

  "You have a good point. They told me I could come in. I had to make sure the food is kept safe from being exposed. I can't afford to lose good food, too. I have no idea why they are not letting me open again. They've canvassed the place with a fine tooth comb as far as I can tell. That's another reason I'm calling my lawyer. I have to get back in business."

  "Daniel told me he is leaving for home tomorrow. I told him I would try to ask the right questions around. I'm hoping you will be off the hook soon." Still uncertain about the man in front of me, I knew I had
to be cautious.

  Steven's smile was one of relief. He relaxed and came closer to me. "Thank you, Laila, but I hardly know you. Why would you do this for me?"

  "I want you cleared and this restaurant opened again. I didn't get to eat much since Cassie's scream stopped that from happening. You owe me that much."

  Before I realized it, Steven leaned down and kissed me squarely on the lips. I drew back quickly. My right heel caught on the leg of the counter and I almost fell. I felt strong arms lift me upright again.

  "I don't appreciate that," I said. My voice faltered. I hoped he knew I meant what I said. "I'm in a relationship with Daniel. He's your best friend and I am surprised you would deceive him by doing something like that."

  I noticed a slight flush creep into his face. Surely this wasn't the first time someone refused his advances. Steven stepped back once I was on my two feet again. "I'm very sorry, Laila. You are so beautiful with your auburn red hair, and those amber eyes got to me. I know that is no excuse and I would never betray Daniel. He is lucky to have found someone like you."

  I tried not to respond directly to his comments. "Look, Steven, I'm doing my own investigation for Daniel. He wanted to stick around to help you out, but I convinced him he needed to see his family. If you want my help, I'll give it. I'm not looking to sneak around behind Daniel while he is out of town. Is it a deal?"

  "I'll take the deal. Again, I'm really sorry."

  He didn't look all that sorry, but I was sure he got my message. We parted on somewhat questionable, but hopeful terms. When I went around to the driver's side of my car, I glanced back at Steven in time to note a look of distress on his face. Maybe he was sorry after all. Or perhaps his troubled look had more to do with the predicament he was in with the murder of his dishwasher.

  The unexpected kiss shook me like his sudden appearance in my neighborhood.

  Chapter Six

  Daniel and I both had the next day off. I had to take care of details of his Christmas gift. But for now, we had work to do to free Steven from murder accusations.

  We decided to call Cassie Johnson and have a talk with her. I knew Daniel was in crunch time trying to get ready to leave town. He was ready to do what he could on behalf of his friend before departure time.

  Cassie said she was ready to welcome us. "I'll meet with anyone if it helps to keep me out of all of this," she had told me.

  "I made notes, Laila," said Daniel. "I thought they would help you some. Of course, they are my take on things. I wish we could do this together. Two heads are always better than one."

  I took the folder. "I'll call you every chance I get," I told him. "We can still work together to prove Steven's innocence."

  Together, we sifted through the notes. He glanced at his watch. "It's about time to leave for Cassie's apartment," he said.

  The apartment was in a four-plex. Cassie's was on the front. The sidewalk to her door had crumbled in places. A worn doormat was in front of the door. Daniel rang the bell. Immediately, it was opened by the petite woman I last saw in the kitchen of Steven's Steakhouse. The difference was the stark horror was absent from her eyes this time. She invited us inside.

  "Everything you tell us will be kept confidential," said Daniel. "We want to find out who killed Frank. The cops are looking at Steven. Of course, they will look at everyone until they find out who did it."

  The frantic look reappeared. "I had nothing to do with Frank's murder." Her voice shook but I felt sure it was because she was afraid the murder would be pinned on her. "I'll tell you anything you want to know."

  Daniel told her what Steven told him about her threats to Frank. "What was that all about?"

  "We dated for a while. I know you are thinking why someone twenty-one years old would date an older man like Frank. He was in his fifties." That thought entered my mind. "He was always friendly with me. We just seemed to hit it off. I liked the way he treated the kids. I thought he had a soft side to him. He treated me like a queen; outside of work, of course."

  Fingers twisted in her lap and her eyes averted either of us. We waited. I knew she had a lot more to say. We hadn't gotten an answer to Daniel's question yet. She looked up at us.

  "Frank and I broke up a few months ago. I met someone else who was closer to my age. We had more in common than Frank and I had." Another silence hung in the air. "Frank wasn't too happy about that. He had really fallen for me in a way I wasn't aware of. I mean, he liked me more than I liked him, I guess. Anyway, I told him it was over. That was when he yelled at me and threatened to do something that would embarrass me beyond words."

  A slight pink flooded her face. "He told me he was going to put some bad pictures of me online for the world to see."

  "Did he release them?" I asked.

  "No, but it was only because he bargained with me. I should say it was a demand on his part. He made me pay him a fourth of my tips to keep the photos out of social media. I told him I would if he would delete them all. He said he would, but I had no way of knowing he did," she said. "I guess that was when Steven overheard me telling Frank if he did it, meaning release the pictures, I would kill him."

  "For someone who played Santa, that wasn't very Santa-like of him," I said.

  She nodded in agreement. "The more I got to know him, the more I saw in him what everyone else saw. He was a manipulator and a con. I was so naive. I can't believe I let him lead me on like he did. He later argued with me and wanted a bigger cut of my tips." She paused to catch her breath, and then continued. "I couldn't afford to pay him what he was getting."

  She swept her hands around her small living room. "As you can see, I don't live upper class. Everything I own in this apartment came from Goodwill Stores, or they are hand-me-downs from friends."

  "Why didn't you go to the police with it all?" asked Daniel. "It seems to me you had a good case against him."

  "When I got so angry with him and threatened him, he just laughed and threw up his hands. He told me I wasn't worth it all and he didn't need my money any longer. I have no idea what he meant. I was just relieved he left me alone after that."

  "Did Frank have money?" I asked.

  "I always had the impression he was living from paycheck to paycheck like the rest of us," said Cassie. "When he treated me well, I meant he did small things for me, not things that cost a lot of money. He told me once he had come from poverty. He ran away from home when he was fifteen and never looked back. I don't think he had a good childhood."

  "Maybe he was having some money problems when he demanded a cut of your tips," said Daniel. "But, for some reason he landed on money. Do you think that could have happened?"

  "All I know is that the West River Bank called him a few times when we were still dating. The calls came to his house," she said. "He was constantly looking over his bank statements. I tried not to ask to eat out or go to movies. I couldn't tell if he was having money problems or not. I thought more of him at the time, so stayed out of it. I didn't expect him to spend a lot of money on me."

  "Did he ever tell you who he talked to from the bank?" I asked Cassie.

  "Now that you mention it, he would get angry and mention a Jared someone. I don't think I ever heard his last name. That was the only time I saw him that angry while we dated. Then the very next call would change his mood to a good one. It was like he was on a seesaw when Jared called him. I started to dread it when the phone rang."

  Daniel and I stood to leave. "If you remember anything else that would help the case, call Laila," said Daniel. "I'm leaving to go out of town tomorrow." I gave her my cell number.

  "I'd like to talk to this Jared at the bank," said Daniel when Cassie closed the door behind us. "I just have too much to do right now." He glanced at his watch.

  We were in his car and I was glad when he revved up the heater. “There is someone we haven’t considered yet,” I said to Daniel.

  “Who is that?”

  “I’ve been thinking the Chef could have done it. I have to find
out what his last name is.”

  Before Daniel could answer, I got back out of the car and rang Cassie’s doorbell again. When I asked her Peter’s last name, she told me it was Darcy. The hopeful look in her eye stood out. “He is someone big enough to overtake Frank,” she said.

  “I was just curious, of course,” I said. “I’m sure the police are looking at everyone.” I left her and hurried back to the warmth of Daniel’s car. “His last name is D’Arcy,” I told Daniel. “I’m going to find out a little more about him.”

  Daniel’s response was one of satisfaction. “We did say we should look at everyone like the police are doing.”

  "If you will take me home, I have some errands to run before we see each other tonight. Let's just take the rest of the day to finish up personal stuff," I said.

  "What's so important we can't spend the rest of the day together?" he asked. I knew he was in a teasing mood again and hoped to find out what I had in mind for him. "Okay, I'll let up," he said. "You run your errands and I'll pick you up around 6:30 tonight. Jared can wait for now."

  Once he dropped me off at home I gave Thor attention and then went out to my parking space. I headed for the animal shelter. I had the perfect Christmas gift in mind for Daniel. The dog that resembled the description of Benji looked at me as if he expected me. The attendant told me he would be mine after I finished paperwork. I had asked the manager if I could wait and pick him up after Christmas. I wanted them to hold him that much longer.

  “Sure,” she said. “It’s not always a good idea to take a dog in on Christmas. Sometimes it can be too much for a new pet in a household during the holidays.

  I was so excited. The new Benji would be a perfect gift for Daniel. I hurried home to be there before he arrived.

  Daniel was right on time that evening. We were headed for a light dinner out. I knew it would be hard to keep my surprise from him but I wanted to give the dog to him at the right moment. We would have more time with his new Benji after the Christmas rush.

  "There are some things I want you to do while I'm gone," said Daniel. "Then we'll spend the evening enjoying each other's company, I promise."