Murder and Herbal Tea

by Janet Lane-Walters

  Lunch tasted delicious. While I didn’t exactly bolt the food, I didn’t savor each bite. Eight boxes to pack. Actually seven plus add the address and seal one. Then a visit to the apartment upstairs.

  After assembling three more of the distinctive Herbal Haven boxes along with more packing material I completed the first and began the second. I wrapped one of the pottery teapots in bubble wrap for protection and packed four jars of mint teas at the corners of the box.

  As I worked my thoughts wandered from filling orders to the search I planned to conduct. Brenda had been involved in the drug business. Who had been her partner? Where had she hidden the money? The answer could be in the computer or somewhere upstairs.

  Brenda had taken over so much of the running of Herbal Haven. Her intrusion had been slow and subtle. She had handled the books, made the deposits and paid the suppliers. There had been checks written to vendors Joyce didn’t recognize. Had Brenda invented the scheme to steal from the business on her own? Grayson had to be part of the cover-up. Had he also been involved in the drug trade? He might have known but I felt sure Brenda had another partner. Who? Maybe Frank. He had the connections. I thought of what the hostess at Vintage Victorian had said. Maybe Frank had only been the go-between.

  What had happened to the money from Herbal Haven and from the drug venture? Lars seemed to think the shop had lost at least a hundred thousand or more in the past two years. About the drug connection, I had no real idea.

  As I addressed the third box I speculated about who had supplied Brenda with the drugs and came up empty. Jordan had turned his life around. Pam was busy drinking and maybe even using. Would Frank knowingly participate? I wasn’t sure.

  What did I know about Grayson other than he was the accountant in charge of the Herbal Haven account and some other businesses? He and Brenda had taken a weekend trip during my escape from wedding madness. I should mention this to Zach. Maybe a check of the three other out of town trips would reveal a clue.

  My thoughts turned to Grayson’s naming Joyce as being at the shop Monday night. Why had he lied? Better, why had he waited for days before going to the police? If he had seen Brenda’s body he should have called immediately. Instead he had remained quiet until his own crimes were about to be exposed. The timing troubled me. He quit his job yet he had remained in town. Had he left the accounting firm and gone directly to the police or had there been a time gap? Was he still in town?

  A sound startled me. I sucked in a breath and tried to isolate where the noise had arisen. Cautiously I went into the main room and looked around. No one was there. I went to the window and saw no vehicles other than my dark car parked in the shadows beneath the huge oak.

  A thud sounded from above. I froze. The third crash made my heart leap. Someone was upstairs. Had the killer returned for another search? Whoever was upstairs had a key to the outside staircase. Zach had made sure the door was locked.

  I grasped the key to the door at the head of the stairs in one hand and the heavy shears in the other. I needed to frighten the intruder away before he or she found the evidence I was sure Brenda had hidden.

  One by one I climbed the stairs. The next thud hid the sounds of my approach. I slipped the key in the lock and turned it. The click startled me. Had the intruder heard?

  “Whoever is there, the police are on the way,” I shouted.

  A groan escaped. I should have called them first. Had the intruder missed seeing my car and believed he was alone?

  A door slammed. The sound of pounding on the outside stairs made me move. I entered Brenda’s apartment and dashed to the open door. A glimpse of a running figure caused me to step outside. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell if the runner was male or female.

  Who had a key to the door? My vote was for Grayson. What had he wanted to find? I closed and locked the door. As an added precaution I wedged a dining room chair beneath the knob. Time to call the police but my phone was downstairs. There was none I could see in the kitchen or living room. I had no intention of trying to find one in the chaos in the bedroom. This opportunity to discover more lured me to explore. I would call after I searched.

  When I saw an entire shelf of books lying on the floor I knew what had caused the thuds. Was something hidden in the volumes? On the floor a scrap of paper caught my attention. The letters BRE followed by four numbers had been written. Could this be the password we needed? Lars had told me such combinations were often used.

  My attention turned to the remaining rows of books. On the lowest shelf I discovered one out of alphabetical order and pulled the book out. The volume weighed less than I expected. With shaking fingers I opened the cover and found a hollow space that wasn’t empty. Two pass books, a wad of cash and a pair of airline tickets nested inside. One had Brenda’s name and the other Grayson’s. The date of departure was Monday evening. With this ticket in his possession Brenda's lover could escape and be on the way to any destination.

  My excitement over the discovery brought a rush of joy. Here was proof of the embezzlement and of Grayson’s involvement in the crime. I gathered the items and picked up the paper with the letters and numbers I hoped was the password. Brenda must have feared the wrong person learning about her flight plans. This explained her desire to keep the buyout secret.

  How had Frank learned? Who had discovered Brenda’s plans and told him? Grayson knew but I couldn’t see him telling Frank.

  I carried my spoils downstairs and found a large envelope. Before slipping the bank books inside I checked the totals and whistled. A significant amount in each, enough to live on for years if she invested wisely.

  Remaining at the shop wasn’t a good idea. Before checking the locks I gathered my purse and the envelope. As I opened the door I held my purse by the strap. If anyone attacked I would slam them with the bag. At the least the attacker would be off balance and at the worst suffer a concussion. I collect coins and the change added weight to the usual collection of items I carried. Gave me a sense of security.

  I slipped outside. The young man responsible for the discovery of the drugs slid along the side of the house. “I want what I came for earlier.”

  “You’re out of luck.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The police confiscated the drugs. Get in your car and drive away. Return the money."

  He stepped forward. “Can’t. I need the goods.”

  The desperation in his eyes made me fear an attack. I swung the purse. The heavy bag collided with his chin and knocked him to the porch floor.

  “Go away.” I shifted my position and prepared for another blow. A car pulled into the lot. Three women got out.

  “Yoo-hoo,” one of the women called. “We need a few purchases.”

  Reluctantly I opened the shop door and entered Herbal Haven. The customers bustled across the threshold. While they made their choices I stood behind the register and tapped my foot in an impatient clicking pattern against the hardwood floor. I needed to show Lars the things I’d found and let Zach know about the break-in so he could stop Grayson. I feared the young man would run.

  The women arrived at the counter and paid. I cut off their attempts to gossip and added the money to the drawer. In case the young man remained in hiding, waiting for me, I scurried after the women, locked the door and ran to my car. As soon as I slid into the driver’s seat I locked the doors.

  When I reached Dana’s house I saw her seated at the umbrella table in the garden. A stack of papers sat in front of her. Lars strode across the yard from Joyce’s house. He set a glass of iced coffee on the table.

  “That’s done.” Dana added the last page to the stack. “What are you doing here? I was about to come to the shop.”

  “We’ll go later.” I sank on a chair. The fright, the hurried departure, the heat of the day swamped me. Though coffee isn’t my beverage of choice I lifted Lars’ glass and took a long drink.

  Lars brushed his fingers over my hand. “What happened?”

  “I’ve
had an interesting hour or so since you left the shop.”

  “Does it involve the drugs?”

  Though the young man had returned, he’d left after I swatted him. “This is a different matter.”

  Dana slid the papers into her briefcase. “I’ll post grades later. Let me bring you some tea.” She hurried to the house.”

  Lars cocked his head. “More trouble for Joyce?”

  I clutched the envelope and shook my head. “Wait for Dana.”

  When she returned I sipped the tea. The pungent mint flavored beverage revived my spirits. This tangle would soon be unraveled. I had found the right string to pull. I began my tale of the intruder and my visit to Brenda’s apartment.

  “Did you call the police?” Lars asked.

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I wanted you to see what I found. The bank books show Brenda had accumulated large amount of money. I believe that Grayson fellow has a key to the outside entrance and what I discovered I believe is what he sought. As you see, his name is on one of the airline tickets.” I spilled the contents of the envelope on the table.

  “Why must you always take chances? One of these days you’ll be hurt.”

  I shrugged. “Seemed the right thing to do.” I worked as a nurse and making instant decisions and acting on them was routine and a habit. I pulled the slip of paper free. “I believe this is the password we need.”

  Lars examined the bankbooks and whistled. “Nice balances.” He studied the plane tickets. “Looks like she planned to take the money and run.” He met my gaze. “You should have left this for the police to find.”

  “And run the risk of the man returning?” I glared. “He has the key to the door. A chair beneath the knob won’t thwart a determined person for long.”

  Dana rested her arms on the table. “What can we do?”

  “Exactly what Kate should have done. Call Zack.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Maybe we should have him on speed dial until Kate finishes playing detective.”

  “I’m not playing.” I drew a deep breath and fought to control my anger at and disappointment in the man I’d married. “I care what happens to my friends. You should understand. You did benefit from the games I play.” I snatched the paper with the letters and numbers and shoved it in my pocket.

  Lars groaned. “You’re right.”

  Before Dana had time to complete the call, the man she planned to summon pulled into the driveway and exited his nondescript sedan. His grin showed a gleeful pleasure. “Good to find you all here.”

  “News?” I asked.

  “Drugs in all jars. Talked to Duggan. Have matches to several prints. Also Brenda’s and an unknown’s. Perps talked. Named Brenda and shop. Came after dark. Man with deep voice gave them the time and place to pick up their drugs.”

  “Who could it have been?” I hadn’t meant to ask the question.

  “No clue. We’re checking phone records, the one at her apartment and her cell.” Zach poured a glass of tea and drained it in a few gulps.

  Lars tapped the envelope. “What about this Grayson fellow? His prints could be those of the unknown.”

  I nodded. “He was close to Brenda.”

  “We need to pick him up and check. DA’s stalling on that. Still thinks Mrs. Rivers is guilty.”

  Lars pushed the envelope across the table. Time for me to talk.

  “There was an intruder in Brenda’s apartment this afternoon,” Lars said. “Startled Kate. After she scared him off she looked around and found these things. Might give the DA a reason to question Grayson again.”

  Lars turned to me. “Did you see him?”

  “I saw someone.” I related the tale of my adventure and the discovery. “One of the novels was a fake. You can see Brenda and Grayson planned to leave on Monday as soon as she received the buyout money.”

  “Looks that way.” He pulled out a notebook. “Your friend warned me not to ignore your ideas. Also said you do things your own way.”

  “Guess I do.”

  He laughed. “Told me about your undercover gig as a nurse. Went on your own. Learned what was up. Insisted on being on the scene.”

  I shrugged. “Idea worked.”

  Lars covered my hand. “That’s my Kate. Independent, loyal and stubborn. Today she should have called the moment she heard a noise and stayed downstairs until your men arrived. But that’s not her way. I don’t understand her eagerness to jump into danger.”

  “This time the decision was easy,” I said. “All the evidence would have vanished before the police arrived.”

  “She’s right,” Zach said. “Once the person saw her drive away, he or she would have tried again.”

  A smile curved my lips. “What’s your next move?”

  Zach used his cell phone to make a call. “Pick up Grayson. I’ve questions for him. Check his prints. Hopefully they’ll match the unknown ones.”

  “Good thought.”

  “Brenda’s were on every jar.” He disconnected and tried his cell again. “Mr. Simons, I have info for your auditor. Be there in ten.” He turned to us. “Where will you be?”

  “At the shop,” Lars said. “Let Simons know I may be sending him files to cinch the case against Grayson.”

  “That’s good.” Zach strolled to his car. “Talk later. Call if you need me.”

  I carried the pitcher and my glass to Dana’s kitchen. Lars brought the others.

  Dana waited for us. “Do you think this new information will help Mom?”

  “I hope so.” I loaded the glasses into the dishwasher. Though the time was just two thirty, the day seemed to have gained double hours.

  Dana slid the pitcher into the fridge. “I’ll go with you to the shop to finish those orders.”

  “Good thought,” I said. “While we work I’ll figure what to cook for dinner.”

  “We could grill,” Dana said.

  Lars shook his head. “No cooking tonight, I’ll treat us to one of the best restaurants around.”

  Dana grinned. “I know the perfect place. Do you like German food?”

  “Do they serve Black Forest cake?” Lars asked.

  “Yes, and it’s wonderful,” Dana said.

  The thought of new food tastes pleased me. “Sounds wonderful.”

  “I’ll make the reservations.” Dana checked the clock. “Can’t do it yet. They’re only open for dinner.”

  The kitchen phone rang. “Mom.” She listened for a time.

  I feared the charges against Joyce had been made.

  Dana laughed. “I’m on my way.” She turned to Lars and me. “Mom can come home. I’ll bring her to the shop.”

  Lars touched her hand. “We’ll all go. I’m sure Kate won’t believe Joyce has been freed until she sees her.”

  “Why are they letting her go?” I asked.

  “Grayson admitted he lied about her. The police caught him leaving town in a packed car. He had Brenda’s jewelry.” She clapped her hands. “It’s over.

  Not yet, I thought. A killer remained at large.

  Chapter 10

  I sat beside Lars in the passenger’s seat of his luxurious sedan. Dana sat behind him and gave directions to the police station and jail. We turned down a side street past the commons and parked in front of the long rectangular building. Laughter filled Dana’s voice as we reached our destination.

  “I’m so glad this is over. By next week Mom can put Herbal Haven back in perfect shape.”

  I didn’t want to dampen her joy over her mother’s release so I just smiled. Too many questions remained unanswered. Who had searched Brenda’s apartment twice? Who had searched Joyce’s house? Who had killed Brenda? Who had been Brenda’s partners in the drug trade? Until those questions were answered my friend was in danger of being arrested for multiple crimes she hadn’t committed.

  Lars turned off the engine and got out to feed the meter. I opened the door and heat sucked the cool air out. Dana started up the walk toward the re
d brick building. “I’ll go for Mom. Shouldn’t be long.”

  Lars waited until the young woman reached the door. “You don’t think this is over, do you?”

  “You’re right. The killer needs to be identified before I’ll believe this mess is ended. Joyce could still be charged. Remember what Zach said about the DA wanting to build a reputation.”

  “I see your point. Any conviction, guilty or not, will do but could he win?”

  “On circumstantial evidence, especially with the drugs added, it’s very possible.” I walked back to the car. “He’ll try to connect them to Joyce. Good thing her prints weren’t found on the jars.”

  “How can you be sure? Zach said there were unidentified prints.”

  “If they’d been Joyce’s she wouldn’t be freed. I’m sure they took her prints. Since she’s innocent, her attorney would have agreed.”

  “Got you.”

  “Also she could be in danger from the supplier. He or she could act in anger because the police have the stash.”

  Lars clasped my hand. “Control your fears. Let’s not ruin the reunion.” He met my gaze. “I promise I won’t push to leave until your questions are answered. Smile.”

  “Thank you.” I wasn’t sure this was a compromise. I was sure he was curious to know the full story.

  Joyce and Dana hurried toward the car. I dashed forward and welcomed my friend with a hug. We strode down the walk. I opened the car door so she could slide into the back seat beside Dana.

  “Kate, I don’t know what you did, but I’m free.”

  “Found evidence in Brenda’s apartment after I chased Grayson away.” Though I didn’t know if he was the intruder, he had a reason to be there—that airplane ticket.

  “I heard about those drugs in the basement,” Joyce said. “Why did I trust her?”

  “Probably because you think the best of everyone.”

  “Lesson learned. Thanks for believing in me.”

  “I know you had nothing to do with those. Remember to thank Zach. He believed you.”

  “I have.”

  “Where to?” Lars asked.