Hot Coffee Iced Santa

by Cam Larson

  “Peter,” called the clerk, “I haven’t seen you for a while. Ready to do some ice-fishing?”

  I looked at the tall muscular man who had entered and wondered if Peter fit the Chef I was curious about. His hair color reminded me of strong tea. Azure eyes tended to blaze like the sky on a summer day. Set jawbones relaxed when he smiled and answered the clerk. He said something about having time off just after Christmas and he wanted to be ready for his annual trip. I wanted to hang around a while longer and listen to the conversation. I pretended to study fishing rods in the corner of the store.

  I took my time browsing items I didn’t have a clue about. The clerk’s voice alerted me that he and Peter were finished. I reached for the door handle. A strong firm hand beat me to it. Peter opened the door for me and smiled. It was the only chance I would get.

  “I couldn’t help but overhear you were looking forward to time off to go ice fishing,” I said after I thanked him. “You must have a job that stays open through Christmas.”

  His eyes met mine. “I am lucky that I do. I work at a restaurant. It closes the week after Christmas and then we brace ourselves for the New Year’s Eve crowd.”

  The wind whipped both of us. I wanted to get to warmth as much as he did, but I couldn’t let him go yet. “I have eaten delicious food at Steven’s Steakhouse and hear they are closing that same week.”

  His smile remained genuine. “That’s where I work. I’m the Head Chef there. I hope you have been getting good food.”

  “It is delicious and lures me in every chance I get.”

  His animated face told me he was probably around thirty or thirty-five. It was time to end the conversation without appearing to have an ulterior motive on my part. At first glance, Peter D’Arcy didn’t look like a murderer. His physical strength wasn’t lost on me. He was muscular enough to go against Frank Duvall. That's enough to add him to my list of suspects, I thought.

  I dipped my head downward against the cold air and waved good-bye to him. “Maybe I’ll see you around the restaurant sometime,” I said. His wave in answer was cheerful.

  Chapter Twelve

  After I finished my night meal, I went to the back door to let Thor in for the night. Something caught my eye at the far edge of the yard. A shadow darted behind a thicket of bushes. The yard light didn’t extend far enough to figure out who it was. I didn’t doubt it was a person, not an animal. Thor stood still when he saw me tense up. My very alert dog seemed to sense it now, too, and was on guard. Shivers jagged through me.

  It wasn’t easy to persuade Thor to come on in. I wanted to slam the door and double-lock it as quickly as I could. I switched off the kitchen light and hurried to the window. There was no mistaking the shadow again. This time it crept from behind the bushes and stayed stationary. The figure stared at my window for a brief second and then disappeared. The moonlight was bright but not enough to tell me who had been watching me. I found I couldn’t move from my vantage point.

  Thor followed me around while I checked all locks on the windows, and again on my front door. I sat down in darkness at the kitchen table. The figure that emerged from the darkness was one of a tall person. It seemed most of my possible suspects were tall. There was nothing else I could determine about who was in the backyard when I let Thor in. More disturbing, I wondered how long he had been there with his eyes on me. He knew I had a large Doberman. That provided a little comfort, but not enough.

  I wanted to call Daniel but realized there was nothing he could do from a distance. It would only worry him more than ever about me. Deep down, I knew I should call the police, but again whoever it was, was long gone by now. My sense of security shrank. For the rest of the evening I fumbled around in virtual darkness except for nightlights in the hall and living room. I didn’t look forward to a sleepless night, though I was sure it would be one.

  When I awoke after a fitful sleep, the sun was shining brightly. From my bedroom window the scene was like a fairyland. White snow glistened. My eyes traveled to the backyard. No new snowfall had happened. I quickly put on my clothes and bundled up in my coat and gloves. I threw the scarf around my neck. Thor happily jumped up to go along with me. He gave me his accusing look when I made him stay inside. I didn’t want any dog tracks in the area of my mysterious shadow of the night before.

  Outside, I looked in every direction before stepping forward. When I got to the thicket, there were footprints that belonged to someone very large. At least, his feet were large. The width appeared to be wide. I immediately chastised myself when I realized I had no idea who would match these prints. Of all my suspects, I had failed to notice their feet. It was time to call the cops.

  “Laila,” said Chief Hayes, “you should have called us last night.”

  I explained why I hadn’t.

  “I’m sure he was long gone as you say, but we could have patrolled the area,” said the Chief. “He may be stalking other people in the area.”

  I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe it was just a stalker and I had let him get away. “Have there been any reports of someone in the neighborhood like that?” I asked.

  The Chief told me not before this incident. He reminded me how important to report stuff like that. I listened but was distracted. I had the gut feeling this stalker was only interested in me. I gave the best description I could. Measurements were taken of the footprints, and whatever else investigators did at the scene. My mind was running wild and I didn’t pay much attention to their protocol. After everyone left, I let Thor run.

  It was my day off and I needed a good long walk. With my dog at my side, we headed for the dog park. “Maybe your little white doggie friend will be there,” I told Thor. The last time I took Thor to the park he found a small white dog with mixed origins there. They became immediate friends: one very large dog happy to play with one very small one.

  I opened the latch to the outer door of the cage and let Thor in. Securing it behind me, I let him go through the second gate into the park. The white dog was there but the man with him was someone different than before. He bent over reading something but he looked somewhat familiar to me. I looked at the little dog again to make sure it was the same one. He had black specks across his nose as before and the same red collar. Thor knew right away it was his friend.

  The man had been reading a newspaper and when he lifted his head I was caught off-guard.

  “Is this your dog?” I asked Peter Darcy. The need to stand back seeped through me.

  “Yes, he is. Is something wrong?”

  “No, nothing wrong. He was here the other day but someone else had him.”

  “You are very observant. My brother came by and offered to bring him to the park. I was a little under the weather so it was fine with me.” He leaned back against the bench but not before shifting to the right a little. “There’s space for you if you would like to sit here.”

  I didn’t think I would like that at all. “I’m out for exercise,” I said. “I think I’ll take a walk around the park. Do you live in this neighborhood?”

  “I live on Courtney Place.”

  My place was near there. I found my eyes traveling to his feet. The well-built man had large feet that matched his physique. Uneasiness flooded me. I attempted a genuine smile and turned to take my walk. It was time to put things in perspective. How many men in this world had large frames and big feet to match? Most of them, I told myself. I tried to reason it all out. Just because he lived near me didn’t mean he was my stalker.

  The sunny day changed to a cloudy one for me. More thoughts emerged. Peter worked at Steven’s Steakhouse. He appeared powerful enough to have overtaken Frank Duvall. His feet could match the footprints in the yard behind my apartment. A smile almost escaped me when I thought of the big man who owned the little dog.

  Maybe the Chef and the dishwasher didn’t get along either. It wouldn’t be a surprise. Apparently, most people didn’t get along with Frank Duvall. If the murderer was Peter D’Arcy, there had to be a go
od motive. The question was what motive could he have? I looked back at Thor. He was engrossed in a game with his friend.

  The relief I felt was unexpected when I circled back around and saw several more people with dogs had come into the park. Once I knew I wasn’t alone with the possible stalker, I decided to ask him some questions.

  “I heard about the murder at Steven’s Steakhouse. Do you know anyone who would have done that to Frank Duvall?” I believed in getting right to the point.

  The startled look on his face was unexpected. “I don’t know who that could have been at all. Frank had more enemies than friends.” He folded the newspaper over twice. “Did you know him?”

  “I didn’t know him well. His murder is just something that has my interest. I thought since you worked in the kitchen with him, you may have ideas.”

  His face evolved into a smile. “If I have any ideas, I’ll be the first to take them to the police.”

  I called to Thor. It was time to get home again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Glancing at my watch, I knew it was close to lunch time. I took Thor back home and left him on his mat. Since Steven's Steakhouse was open again I retraced my steps to the restaurant. There was no sign of the owner when I went in. The server showed me to a table near the window meant for two.

  I ordered the soup of the day and a side salad. This time I ordered hot coffee. I looked around expecting to see the owner appear at any time. When the server placed my lunch in front of me, the salad was loaded with ingredients. A sprig of thyme on the side, the mix included golden raisins and pecans. Steam from the steak soup was enticing. The presentation once again whetted my appetite.

  Finishing lunch, I approached the register to pay. "Is Steven here today?" I asked the cashier.

  "He is here but I think he's in the back. Do you want to see him?"

  "I thought I would just say hello, but he's probably busy. I'll see him another time."

  She smiled and told me to come back any time.

  I headed out the door with the memory that I needed to do more shopping. The gift I had in mind for Lily was out at the mall. I walked toward my car which was parked at the corner of the Steakhouse. Steven's restaurant was the last business on this end of the street. Just as I got to my car, I heard familiar voices near the outside wall of the restaurant.

  "Why did you tell people I argued with Frank?" said Cassie. "Do you know how much trouble that has gotten me in?" Her voice rose in anger. "The police questioned me again."

  "You should be glad I was the one who told the police." Daniel must have been wrong about Steven not telling the cops about the argument, I thought. "I wasn't the only one who heard you argue. There wasn't much to tell them. I had no idea what it was all about." He drew closer to Cassie and put his arm around her shoulder.

  "What were you two bickering about?" Steven began to massage her neck. The gesture didn't seem to relax her. "Look, Cassie, this whole mess has us all on edge. I'm sorry I told the police about that. Can you forgive me?"

  "You told your friends, too," she said. From the expression on her face she hadn't forgiven him. "Why did you do that?"

  Steven shrugged his shoulders and said, "Daniel is my closest friend. We were talking about who could have killed Frank and it just came up. No one thinks you did it, so don't worry about that."

  Apparently Cassie chose not to tell him what the argument was about. Frank was dead now and I thought she had no reason to tell him. I approached them just as Steven turned Cassie's face to his. He was getting ready to kiss her when he saw me.

  I waved my hand in dismissal. "I already know you two are an item. Don't let me interfere."

  Cassie pulled from Steven. She attempted a smile in my direction and failed.

  "What are you doing in our neighborhood, Laila?" asked Steven.

  "I just had a delicious lunch at your restaurant," I said. "I'm out doing some Christmas shopping. Do you have a minute? I have a question for you, Steven."

  "Do you want to talk in private?"

  "No, it concerns Cassie, too. I can't figure out why you told Daniel and me about Cassie's argument with Frank. But, on the other hand, you didn't tell either of us about your relationship with her. I'm just curious about that."

  "What we have between us has nothing to do with the investigation of Frank's death. I didn't think it was necessary to tell you."

  "But you did think it was necessary to tell them about the argument," said Cassie. Her eyes resembled fireworks. Steven fell short of his efforts to calm her down.

  "Listen, Cassie, Laila and Daniel are trying to prove your innocence and mine. That's why I told them. I don't even know what the fight between the two of you was all about. Frank didn't like either one of us by then so I didn't press it with you."

  Cassie looked at him with what seemed like relief. He gave her a kiss. I was tempted to mention how Steven had kissed me the night I met him at the Steakhouse. Cassie would find out soon enough that flirting was second nature to him if she was clueless at this point.

  "I'll leave you two alone. I have stuff to do." When I neared my car, they were arguing again. The words I heard came from Steven.

  "I know you met with Frank after the two of you broke up," he said. "I saw Frank inside Tommy's Bar. He told the bartender he was waiting for someone. I turned around and walked out before Frank saw me. As you know, Cassie, we weren't the best of friends at that point. I waited outside. The next thing I knew, the two of you talked outside the bar."

  I got into my car. Sitting behind the steering wheel, I lowered the window so I could hear Cassie's response.

  "I don't know what you are talking about," yelled Cassie. "Don't tell me you are spying on me when we aren't together."

  "I'm not spying on you. I didn't spy on you that day. I had no idea Frank was in the bar much less that the two of you still saw each other. Were you two-timing me?"

  "We had unfinished business. So, yes, I admit it. We did see each other that day. It had nothing to do with a romantic meeting, nothing at all, believe me."

  Steven backed up a little and stared at her. They were in a battle of words and it was hard to tell who would win. "I think you and Frank were still together. You used me. What did you see in him anyway?"

  "We had broken up. I didn't lie to you. When we dated he had me fooled. I fell for someone who turned out to be a bad person." Cassie wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand. "You and I have more in common than Frank and I ever had. You can trust me."

  Steven Landers wasn't who she believed him to be any more than was Frank Duvall. It wasn't a pleasant thought to think about Cassie's bad luck when it came to men. Her choice of a fifty-five year old man was questionable enough. Then she went for someone who had no problem flirting with another woman whenever he felt like it. I wondered how many others he had taken the liberty to kiss while dating Cassie. It was time I drove away and left them to their own problems.

  The fact that Frank was in Tommy's Bar told me he liked alcohol. It also told me that he could have taken liquor from Steven's Steakhouse behind the owner's back. If it happened once, it probably happened again.

  The triangle between the three was enough to cause an explosive situation from what I just learned.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After buying Lily's gift, I was satisfied she would like it. I knew she enjoyed dabbling in arts and crafts. The kit I bought her was modestly priced but had a good variety of materials in it.

  I headed home. Thor was a dog who had no idea how large he was. I learned early on to brace myself for his greetings. While he played in the snow I went to the cork board. I looked at Cassie's index card and Steven's. If Frank was that upset when Cassie cut off the relationship then both the server and the owner would have motive to get rid of him. It sounded as if Frank didn't like Cassie switching to their boss and had no qualms letting anyone know that. I added Peter D’Arcy to the list.

  I called Thor in. I caught him in time to towe
l him off and then I pulled his leash from the hook. "If you were a kid, I can imagine what Christmas would be like for you." I ruffled his short hair the best it could be ruffled. He was impatient while he waited for me to put my coat and gloves on. Once we got to the sidewalk, Thor walked alongside me with no problem. He was a well-trained dog.

  My thoughts swerved back to the fact I hadn't told Daniel about the night Steven kissed me. Daniel seemed to accept his friend's habits of flirting with women but I wasn't sure if that included me or not. The conversation I heard between Steven and Cassie was something to think about. Maybe that kid, Jason Miller, had a good point. He had seen more than I had until earlier this afternoon. At the same time, Jason wouldn't want anything more than to redirect attention from him when it came to a murder. I tried to think about ways to prove Jason did it and came up with nothing.

  I wondered why Steven went to a bar for a drink when he could have one at his own restaurant. "You leave Roasted Love for lunch sometime," I argued with myself aloud. Thor glanced up and when he realized I wasn't talking to him, he picked up his pace again. We had covered two blocks when we got to the spot where I had the flat tire. The question as to why Steven was on this street that night resurfaced. Two hours ago I witnessed the exchange between him and Cassie and wondered how that had ended.

  I did a double-take and stopped Thor when I saw Steven going to the door of a house farther ahead. It shouldn't have been a surprise to me since I'd been thinking about Steven's appearance from nowhere the night of my tire problem. A woman with short black hair answered the door and pulled him inside. Steven Landers was much more than a womanizer. He was a two timer from the looks of things. His accusations against Cassie dwindled.

  I steered Thor back around and we retreated. My thoughts came back to Steven. After a while my patience wore thin. I wanted to call Daniel right away. When we got home, Thor was ready for his dinner. I threw a small frozen pizza in the oven for myself.