Lars moved into view. “There will be no advances until I discover what the discrepancies I’ve found mean.”
“Just who are you?” Pam demanded.
“The man with the money.”
“There’s a second reason.” Although I wasn’t sure what steps the police had taken, I decided to add my view. “Until your mother’s killer is caught, the police will block access to the shop’s accounts. Joyce will have to use her personal money for bills.”
Joyce opened her mouth. I shook my head. She nodded.
“Can they do that?” Pam leaned against the door.
“They can,” Lars said. “An audit is being conducted and until that’s finished no funds will be dispersed. My suggestion is for you to go home and wait.”
Pam whirled to face Joyce. “Just don’t think you can stiff me. Daddy says you aren’t keeping your word.”
“I wouldn’t believe a word he says,” Joyce said.
I stepped closer to the young woman. “What about your brother? He’s also your mother’s heir.”
“Why should I worry about him? He has a good job with a future. He doesn’t need money.”
“Are you sure?”
She shrugged. “Ask him. Don’t give Daddy a cent before you check with me.”
“Why?” Joyce asked.
“He owes me big time.” She waved an arm and sent several items crashing to the floor. Fortunately, they were metal and not glass or pottery.
“Be careful.” I bent and lifted the spice grinders.
“I can do worse.”
“Pam, go away.” Joyce’s low voice held a threat.
The young woman laughed. “Want to see some of those fancy teapots go flying?” She waved a hand toward the small table. “Wouldn’t be hard.”
I faced her. “Not a good idea. You’d end in jail for malicious mischief with three witnessing against you.”
She straightened. “But those pots would be ruined.”
“When you get your share of your mother’s estate, if there’s anything left, check into a rehab facility and get clean.”
“With a bunch of losers. No way. Nobody’s going to run my life the way Mother did.” Her voice became a husky drawl just like her mother’s. She took a deep breath. “Do this. Don’t do that. Wear these clothes. Don’t be friends with those girls. I really need to meet the boys you’re dating. Stop drinking before you ruin your life. I’m glad she’s dead.”
“Did you kill her?” I asked.
She whirled to face me. “I know who you are and how you turned Joyce against my mother. You hated her.”
“My dear girl, I didn’t hate Brenda. Just thought she was the wrong partner for Joyce. Your mother was too controlling. Herbal Haven should have a relaxed atmosphere, not the rigid order she imposed.”
Pam giggled. “Controlling and rigid. You nailed her. She said you wanted to be Joyce’s partner. Daddy said she was going to fight for her rights. Since she’s dead, he thinks I should do battle for her.”
Another person who didn’t seem to know Brenda had decided to sell her share of the shop to Joyce. “I have no intention of being a partner in Herbal Haven. I would have to leave my home, my family and friends. Won’t happen.”
The door opened with the usual clanging. Pam grimaced as if the noise hurt her ears.
Zach and two young officers entered. He arched a brow when he saw Pam. “Am I interrupting?”
Pam sucked in a breath and I feared she would pop out of her top. The young officers stared. Zach made a face.
A sultry smile curved Pam’s lips. “Not a bit. Joyce, you will let me know when I can have Mother’s things. Some of her clothes might fit me.”
“And Jordan needs to know, too,” Joyce said.
“Sure. Maybe he’ll want some of the furniture or her books.” She sauntered to the door.
The young men turned to watch her retreat.
She sure knew how to make an exit. My gaze meshed with Lars’. He grinned.
Zach cleared his throat. “Business, guys.” He turned to Joyce. “Why was she here?”
“Money,” Joyce said.
“Have you questioned her?” Lars asked.
Zach nodded. “And her brother. They weren’t much help.”
“What about Frank Browne, Brenda’s ex?” I asked.
“Tried. Left messages at his office. Seems he’s either in court or with a client every time I call.”
“Really? He was here this morning. Must have teleported. He came to harass Joyce for money. Said Brenda owed him and Herbal Haven was responsible. Also spouted an outrageous theory.”
“Interesting one?” Zach asked.
“As interesting as hot air.”
Zach frowned. “Wonder where he’s staying.”
“Try motels an hour’s drive from here. He wouldn’t want anyone to suspect he might have been here the night she died.”
He jotted something in his notebook. “Show me what you found. Did you touch anything?”
Joyce shook her head. “I nearly did but Kate stopped me.”
He turned to me. “Why?”
“Fingerprints. Looks like someone searched hard for something. Joyce noticed some missing jewelry.”
He drew a paper from his pocket. “That’s one thing we inventoried. If there are missing pieces, I’ll know.” He started upstairs. “Sears, with me. Taylor, check the outside stairs and door.”
The officer named Taylor paused. “Does it lead to the apartment?”
“Yes.” Joyce said.
“Can you let me in?”
“I don’t have a key.”
With one of those ‘who cares’ shrug he left the shop. “Guess I need to check.”
Since I wanted another look I followed him up the stairs. There had to be some clue I’d missed when Joyce and I had been there but I couldn’t decide what I wanted to find.
Lars grasped my arm. “Kate.”
“I need to ask Zach some questions. Besides, I have the key.”
With a shake of his head, he threw his hands into the air. “Do what you want.”
He’s beginning to understand, I thought. That notion pleased me. I strode upstairs and unlocked the door. While I studied the living room, Zach went into the bedroom. A short time later he emerged. “What a mess.”
“Someone frantically searched in there. What do you think the person wanted?”
He shrugged. “Who knows?”
“Maybe we should search, too.”
“Absolutely not.”
“What? I think someone wanted something important. Might even reveal the killer.”
Zach scowled. “Jewelry’s gone, especially the expensive pieces. My guess is the intruder trashed the place as a cover-up for the robbery.”
“Not mine.”
His crooked grin amused me. “Leave detecting to me.”
We’ll see, I thought. I didn’t agree with his assessment. I retreated to the bookshelves where I could scan the area and watch Zach and the other officers.
Zach walked to the door that opened to the outside stairs. He examined the molding around the door and opened the panel. The second young man shook his head. “Wasn’t forced.”
“Wonder who had keys?” Zach asked.
”Brenda handed them to others but I’m sure she didn’t leave a list of those she gave away,” I said. “I hear she was generous. Do you think the killer used this door and followed her downstairs?”
“Could be.”
“Why did she go to the shop? Her purpose makes no sense. Herbal Haven was closed and the door locked.”
He nodded. “And that leads to Joyce.”
“Not if Brenda gave other people keys.”
Zach locked the door to the outside. “Persuade Joyce to have the locks changed.”
“Will do.”
“And close the shop until the killer’s found.”
“I don’t think she can afford that.” I went downstairs.
There had to be a clue
to the person who had trashed the bedroom. Would the clue lead to the killer?
Chapter 6
Between the jangling of the bell and the chime of the grandfather’s clock, my ears hurt. After Zach and the young officers left, the clock struck eleven times. Joyce locked the door.
“Are you going to do something about the noise?” I asked.
“As soon as I can find a nice chime that bell goes. I do need a warning when I’m alone.”
I understood. “What about the clock?”
“Belongs to Pam and Jordan. Once things are settled they can sell it.”
“Will you miss it?”
She shook her head. “No. Speaks of her controlling ways.”
I chuckled. “Do you have any idea who has keys to this place? Were Brenda’s with her belongings?”
Tears rose in Joyce’s eyes. “I don’t know. This is such a mess.”
“Zach thinks you should have all the locks changed.”
“I suppose I should.”
Lars appeared in the office doorway. “The officer is right. While you’re doing the ones here, have the locksmith change the ones at your house.”
I reached for the thin directory on a shelf beneath the cash register. After searching I found one number. “Call this one.”
“Only one?” she asked.
“The others are for hardware stores and do-it-yourself enthusiasts.” I turned to Lars. “Not something I’d care to tackle.”
“Me either,” he said. “I’m all for hiring experts.”
Joyce reached for the phone. A moment later she frowned. “He’s away.”
“Leave a message for him to call here or at Dana’s house. Changing the locks is important.”
“Don’t forget the ones at your house,” Lars said. “Good ones with dead bolts.”
Joyce sank on a chair. “I thought this was a safe place to live. Even with the college nearby, there’s little crime.”
I patted her hand. “It will be again once the murderer has been caught.”
The bang of a door sent me searching for something to use as a weapon. Joyce’s startled stare shone with fear. Lars pulled his cell phone from his pocket. A young man stepped from the kitchen. I released a held breath with a whoosh.
“Jordan, what are you doing here?” Joyce asked.
“Dad stopped by the job. Said you were settling Mom’s share of the business and I’d better come by before Pam got everything.” He stared at the floor. “I’m on lunch break.”
Joyce stood beside me. “Nothing will be settled for weeks, even months.” She paused. “How did you get in?”
“Kitchen door. I have a key.”
“How did you get one?”
“When Ben and I worked on the apartment upstairs Mom didn’t want us traipsing through the shop with muddy boots and scaring paying customers away. Workmen might give the place a bad odor and spoil her ambience.”
“Why not use the outside stairs to the apartment?” I asked.
“Hadn’t built them yet. Once we finished the bathroom and kitchen she decided she wanted a private entrance.”
Joyce held out her hand. “The key.”
He dropped the piece of metal into her hand. “Should have returned this before. Put the thing somewhere and couldn’t find it ‘til the other day. Was in my truck.”
Joyce smiled. “I’m glad to have it back."
“With all the trouble you should change the locks.” He scuffed the toe of one boot on the floor. “Ben and I could do them.”
“I’ll let you know,” Joyce said. “Already called the locksmith.”
“Your choice. He’s kind of pricey.”
“Why didn’t you tell Joyce or your mother about losing the key?” I asked.
“Misplaced. Joyce knows how Mom was. If she’d known her voice would hold that superior tone. ‘If you put things where they belong they wouldn’t be lost. I never lose anything’.”
A laugh escaped. His deep voice held the haughty tone I’d heard Brenda use several times. What he’d said fit his mother. She had always acted as if she was better than anyone. What he’d said puzzled me. Why would customers be upset by working men who went upstairs?
On the heels of laughter concern pounced. Brenda handed out keys like candy to trick or treaters. How many had she dispensed to the outside door of her apartment?
“Why did you come here to live?” I asked. “Seems to me you would want to avoid your mother.”
“You’ve got that. Dad didn’t want me hanging around his territory. Said since Mom received child support until I reached eighteen I should stay with her. When I left juvie I had a year until then. She had to keep me or lose the money so she rented me a room with Ben’s family. I worked weekends for him. I liked the work. After graduation he hired me. Still board with his family.
Jordan looked different from the angry teen I remembered. The sullen smile had been replaced by a genuine one. His blond hair was short instead of long and greasy. He wore denim jeans and a T-shirt with a logo so faded the words and picture were blurred.
Joyce faced him. “What do you want with money? Pam says you don’t need any since you have a good job.”
“I do have that. A couple of reasons. Dad said Mom owed him money. I don’t believe him.”
Joyce nodded. “He mentioned that.”
“You’d be a fool if you handed anything to him.”
“I have no intention of doing that,” Joyce said.
“Pam also thinks she entitled to part of Herbal Haven,” I said.
“My sister thinks everyone owes her. She sponged on Mom frequently. She even hit me up.”
Joyce sat on the chair behind the cash register counter. “I’m not sure there will be any money after the books are balanced and the terms of the partnership agreement are met. Besides, I could be charged with murder.”
His mouth gaped. “You didn’t. You couldn’t.”
“You’re right, but the district attorney thinks I’m guilty. At this time there’s not enough evidence to charge me.”
“He’s an idiot. Ben thinks so, too.”
His defense of Joyce allowed me to lower him to the bottom of my suspect list. Both the murder one and the drug one.
Jordan leaned against the frame of the kitchen doorway. “There are others. Pam hated Mom. So did Dad. What about her boy toy?”
“I don’t have a clue to his identity,” Joyce said.
“I could find out,” Jordan said.
“I’m not sure there’s any reason to learn.” Joyce turned to me. “Mr. and Mrs. Claybourne are here because they offered me a loan to buy your mother’s share of Herbal Haven. Instead she was murdered. Now nothing can be settled until the mess is over.”
His shoulders slumped. “Guess there will be nothing left for Pam and me. Ben wants to start a new venture and I want to become his partner. Looks like I’ll wait and continue saving as much as I can.”
“Maybe there will be several thousand,” I said. “Your mother’s clothes, jewelry and furniture can be sold. You and Pam will split the proceeds.”
Joyce looked up. “There’s enough furniture in the basement here to furnish a house.”
“That’s something,” he said.
“Any money in her personal checking and savings account will be yours and your sister’s,” Lars said.
Jordan hooted. “Doubt Mom had any savings. She liked buying clothes and jewelry.”
Joyce clasped his hand. “I’m sure there will be something. Maybe enough to help you can reach your goal. I’m proud of you and how you’ve matured.”
“Thanks.” Red stained his cheeks. “That’s more than Mom ever said to me.”
I believed him. Brenda’s thoughts had always been for herself.
The clock struck the half hour. I looked at the others. “We need to lock up and head to our appointment.”
Jordan turned. “I’ll lock the back door and be right back.”
I paused in the kitchen doorway hoping to l
earn more. “What does your boss want to do? I know you make repairs and do home alterations.”
“Make furniture.” He locked the door and joined me. “See those tables you put the teapots on? He and I made them. He wants to work with maple, cherry and other woods.”
We walked toward the front door. “When he has more samples, let me know. I have a friend who reproduces oak furniture. He could give you a list of places willing to display your wares and how to create catalogues. Ask Joyce for my number and I’ll connect you with Paul.”
“I’ll let Ben know. Thank you.” He walked with me to the front door.
“How did you get here?”
“Bike’s out back.”
“Why not use the front door?”
“They key and the cops. Didn’t want to talk to them again.”
“Why?”
He reached for the door. “They spook me. Didn’t believe me when I told them about Dad.”
“What did you say?” I stepped onto the porch.
“How he comes to town every week on a Monday night. Been going on for more than a year. Don’t know where he stays and why he comes after the shop is closed.”
Could I learn more about Frank’s visits? I wondered why no one believed Jordan. “Were you spying on him?”
Lars and Joyce waved me forward.
Jordan shook his head. “Saw him at the diner outside town once or twice and followed him to see where he was going. Can’t figure why he’d want to see Mom. Messy divorce and ugly custody fight. Those days were awful. Neither really wanted us.”
I patted his arm. “You came out fine.”
“Not at first. I found trouble and Pam booze.”
“Kate, we need to leave now,” Lars shouted.
I ran down the steps to join them. Before getting into the car I waved to Jordan. I fastened my seat belt. “Time to see what we can learn about the accounts. Later I’ll tell you what Jordan said.”
“Maybe Mr. Simons has the password we need,” Joyce said.
“We can hope.” Lars started the car.
“Let the police know there may be other keys floating around,” Lars said. “They’ll include the shop in their rounds.” He passed his cell to Joyce.
Murder and Herbal Tea Page 7