by Lynn Cahoon
She waited about thirty minutes and was about to go inside when Baldwin came and sat next to her. She leaned against the porch rail. “I take it someone is really dead in my backyard.”
“You’re the unluckiest person in town. Yes, there’s a dead guy in the yard. Worse news is who the dead guy is.” Baldwin took off his hat, then pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.
Her eyes flew open. She should have been calling and checking on people. “Oh my God, Jim said it was a guy. It’s not Trent. Or Levi, is it? Or maybe Kev?”
“No. None of those three. Sorry, I should have been clearer. I don’t know the man in your backyard.” He studied the sky, then nodded to the door. “Can we take this inside? The sun is getting warm.”
Mia noticed when his eyes flicked toward the hearse that had just pulled up. He didn’t want her to see the body. That was actually thoughtful. She guessed she and Baldwin were on a good path now. “Come on in. We can talk in my office. Do you want some water?”
“That would be nice.” He glanced at the police cars in the parking lot. He caught someone’s gaze, then pointed to the door. Which must have been code for I’m going inside.
She grabbed two bottles of water and led him into the office, which was still clean and put together. Mostly because she hadn’t been busy enough to actually spend much time inside it for it to fall into disarray. She couldn’t believe another dead body had been found on her property, but at least she didn’t do the finding herself this time. “Go ahead, ask me if I killed this guy.”
Instead, he focused on his notebook and asked, “How long have you known the utility locater?”
Baldwin’s question threw her off. She’d been expecting questions like Where were you at six o’clock this morning. Not how well she knew the man who’d found the body. She shrugged, then looked at her watch. “Jim? About ten minutes now. We met when he came up to my door and told me there was a dead guy in my yard. Your dispatcher should have the exact time because he was on the phone with her.”
“You didn’t know him before today?”
Mia shook her head. “Nope.”
“Then how do you know his name’s Jim?” He leaned forward, watching her face.
“Because he has a name tag on his vest.” She rubbed her face. This was not the way she’d planned on spending her day. “Christina had just come home from a family trip and I was letting her inside when he came running up to the door. He’d already called 9-1-1 and was on the phone by the time he got to my door.”
“Christina is back? Where did she go?” Baldwin started making notes again.
“Don’t start messing with her. She went to Bermuda with her family last Sunday and came back today. She said a friend had given her a ride from Boise. She’s upstairs. Do you want me to ask her to come down?” Mia narrowed her eyes, hoping she was giving Baldwin a hard stare. She’d never tried to do that before, so she didn’t know what it would actually look like.
“Maybe after I finish with you.” He went back a page in his notes. “So, Jim came up to you and asked to use your phone?”
She shook her head. “Nope. He had his cell. I guess the dispatcher asked him who owned the property.”
“Why would you say that?” He narrowed his eyes.
Mia took a deep breath. “Because he said the dispatcher wanted to make sure who owned the building so she was sending people to the right house, so she asked him to find out who lived here. And I said I did.”
“What about Christina? What did she say to Jim?”
“Honestly, I don’t remember if she even talked to him. I told the dispatcher that I owned the place, not both of us, as Jim said he’d found the homeowners, lumping us together. When it was clear you and the rest of the police force were on the way, Christina went upstairs to put away her suitcase and to get ready for the day. We have cooking to do tomorrow for this week’s orders. We deliver the takeout orders on Tuesday, and then we have an event next Saturday so we’ll be in the kitchen all week.” She rubbed her temples. At least she would be if John Louis stopped telling her customers that she was getting ready to leave town.
He stood. “Okay, then. I’ll check back in with Christina later. I need to get going. I want to talk to the coroner about how this guy died.”
“You said you don’t know the victim?” Mia thought about possibilities. “Maybe he was hiking in the mountains and came down the wrong path. He could have had a heart attack.”
Baldwin shook his head. “It’s a good theory, except this guy was shot. You didn’t hear anything last night, did you? The initial theory is that the guy was killed between midnight and four this morning.”
“I’m a pretty heavy sleeper.” She saw Baldwin’s grin and knew he was thinking about the night Adele Simpson had died and she’d been taking a walk because she couldn’t sleep. “Well, I am, unless I’m worried about an event. No event this morning, so I was in bed by ten. I understand the previous occupant of the apartment soundproofed the walls. So unless someone came and rang the bell, I wouldn’t know.”
“Did anyone ring your bell?”
She shook her head. “I have a video doorbell now. If anyone walked near the front, I’d get an alarm.”
He glanced around the room. “Did you set it up with that security company I sent over here?”
“Yes, and it’s costing me an arm and a leg, but they assured me I’m getting a deep discount because of your referral. I hate to see what they charge their other clients.”
He chuckled. “Their other clients can afford it. That’s why Trey gives me a discount on my referrals. He’s making his money off the Sun Valley set. You’re getting the normal-person rate. Anyway, I’ll call Trey to see if anything showed up on their outside cameras last night. So, unless you’re going to confess to killing that guy in your backyard, I guess we’re done here. I can see myself out.”
“Thanks, Mark. I appreciate your coming out on a Saturday morning.” She stood to walk out of the office as well. “I can’t believe anyone would just shoot someone else. Especially here.”
“No worries. You got me out of cleaning the garage. Things were getting a little calm around town. Sarah had started making a honey-do list.” Baldwin paused before leaving the office. “This place was abandoned for too long. Maybe the killer didn’t realize you’d bought it and were opening your business here. You might want to get a sign up to show people you’re open.”
“It’s on my to-do list. See you later.” Mia followed him out and put up the Closed sign in the window before locking the door. She went upstairs and collapsed onto the couch. Mr. Darcy hurried to her and jumped on her stomach. “It’s okay, I’m all right.”
“Good, because I was worried. Well, we were worried. Do you know who it was?” Christina smiled at Mr. Darcy as she brought out a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. “I wasn’t sure you’d eaten this morning, so I thought you wouldn’t mind an early lunch.”
“No, not yet. Lunch was a good idea. I’m surprisingly hungry.” She pointed to the other chair. “Come eat with me and tell me about your trip. Let’s not talk about what happened just yet.”
“Putting that on pause is a great idea.” Christina held up a finger. “Let me get a tray set for me.”
Mia dunked an edge of the sandwich into the soup. The soup Christina had gotten out of Mia’s freezer stock, but the sandwich she’d made on her own. And it was good. Mia held it up when she returned from the kitchen with her own lunch. “This sandwich is terrific.”
“Good. I hoped using provolone would work for grilled cheese. The recipe I looked up online used cheddar.”
Mia nodded. “That’s the standard, but this is yummy. And typically, you can use anything in the fridge. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
Christina curled up in her chair and hugged a pillow around her waist. “You’re the only one.”
“What does that mean?” Mia knew Christina had a different outlook on life than her family, but she’d hoped
the vacation would be a stress reliever and bring them together. Maybe she’d been too optimistic. “Uh-oh. What happened?”
“Mom just kept harping at me when I did anything. Like said ‘thank you’ to the guy who brought my drink. She kept reminding me that we were paying for their services. They weren’t doing it out of charity, so I shouldn’t feel obligated to say thank you.” Christina screamed into the pillow. “I made a special breakfast the morning we got there for everyone, thinking it would be a great way to show off some of my new ninja kitchen skills.”
“That was sweet of you.” Mia knew where this was going.
“You would have thought so. Instead, I get a lecture about how we pay people to do that kind of stuff, we don’t do it ourselves. She and Dad both refused to eat what I made. Isaac’s new girlfriend went with them to the restaurant.”
“Oh, Christina, I’m so sorry.” Mia saw the tears in her eyes that she was trying to hold back.
“Isaac ate breakfast with me and told me it was really good. Then he helped me clean up before they got back.” Christina wiped at her face. “He said I should keep working with you because you’re the best chef he’s ever known.”
Surprised at the compliment, Mia didn’t know what to say at first. Finally, she nodded. “Isaac can be sweet at times. And he does know his food. You should feel good about his praise.”
Christina smiled. “I know my brother can be a real jerk, especially after what he did to you, but what he said made me happy. He’s my brother, after all.”
And he’d acted like it for the first time in Mia’s memory. She focused on her lunch. It had already been a crazy day and it wasn’t even noon yet. “I’ll give you today to get settled back in, but tomorrow we’ve got some cooking to do. I’ve doubled my delivery orders this week. And the class went really well. I talked to one of your friends, Bethanie.”
Christina went still. “I’m not sure we’re friends yet or anything, but she’s cool to hang out with. She said she really wanted to take your class, but she was scared you’d hold that whole thing with her dad and brother against her.”
“Water under the bridge. I was surprised that she was working for John Louis. I still don’t think he should be out of prison yet.”
Christina waved her sandwich at Mia. “That was such BS. He got this sweetheart deal because he knew someone, and he didn’t actually ‘hurt’ you. He’s a royal butt.”
“It appears to be going around.” Mia used the last of her sandwich to get the last bit of soup out of the bowl. “Thank you again for lunch. This was just what I needed. And I’m glad you’re back.”
“I’m glad to be back. I’m not sure time on a beautiful island is worth hanging out with my mom. I think I’ll be busy in January, when she invites me to go again.” Christina picked up the plates and bowls. “That is, if she ever talks to me again. Since I’m turning into such a common person.”
“You can choose if you let her words hurt you,” Mia reminded Christina.
“I definitely won’t be wasting my time cooking for them again. I just kept making notes of what I’d do in my notebook because cooking there was out of the question. I have some recipe ideas I’d like to try out after we get done with the work part of the week.”
“Sounds good.”
Christina paused as she picked up the last plate. “Can I ask? Did you know the guy in the garden?”
Mia shook her head. “Baldwin didn’t know him, so I don’t think he’s a local. Probably a hiker who ran into the wrong crowd on the trails.”
“Levi told me not to go wandering off the trails if I hike alone. He says there are some growers out there who don’t like people finding their crops.” Christina shivered. “Do you think it was them?”
“Most likely option. Anyway, make sure you keep the doors locked around here. I’d hate to have someone else wander off a trail and think the house is abandoned. Let’s hope this is the last time we’ll have to deal with a body in the backyard.”
Chapter 5
Trent and Levi Majors sat in Mia’s kitchen later that day. The two had arrived within minutes of each other and were both in foul moods. Their arrival had proven the Magic Springs rumor mill was active, if not truly accurate. Mia glanced at Christina, who shook her head—neither one of them had called the brothers to come “save” them. Mia held up a coffee cup. “Is it too late for coffee? Maybe some iced tea? I had some made just in case I got to work on my garden today. When do you think Baldwin will release the scene? I suppose I’m going to have to recall the utility guy too. I don’t think he finished his job once he found the body.”
“Mia, this isn’t funny. Someone killed a man in your backyard,” Trent reminded her. “Why didn’t you call me? Or Levi? We should have known.”
She set down the cup and went to the fridge. “Iced tea it is, then.”
“Mia . . .” Trent started again, but she whirled on him, narrowing her eyes.
“Do you really think I’m not freaked out about the implications of having a dead body show up at my house? I’m an adult. I remember to lock the doors at night. Especially living in this huge place.” Mia pressed her lips together and finished pouring four glasses of tea. “And you and Levi might be important people in our lives, but neither one of you are the boss of me.”
“I’m sorry. I overreacted, and I should have been more supportive.” Trent took his tea and nodded at her. “Let me start again. Thank you for the drink. Can we calmly talk about what this means?”
Mia set down the last glass in front of her own spot and sat looking at the four of them. “I don’t know, can we?”
Levi grinned and sipped his tea. “I’m not saying a word. It’s like watching Mom and Dad fight. You know Mom always wins, dude.”
Trent shot Levi a dirty look, then took a sip of his tea. “I think we should make a plan. Maybe gather the troops like we did this winter? Do you have room for your grandmother to stay here? One of us could sleep in the living room.”
“I don’t need either of you here, but Grans is another story. That’s actually a good idea. I would feel better with her close by.” Mia took a breath and let some of her anger release. “I’ll give her a call to tell her that Christina and Levi are coming to get her, and to plan to stay here for a week. We’ll adjust that when Baldwin finds out who was in my backyard. And if things escalate, we’ll talk about adding the two of you to the party as well.”
“Are we sure this is the right place to be?” Christina’s gaze went to the window that looked out on the mountains. “Maybe we should hole up at Mary Alice’s house. There haven’t been any dead bodies found there.”
“Valid point, but we have a business to run, and I can’t just shut down because of something like this.” Mia pulled out a notebook. “Okay, I’ll admit that having someone killed in the backyard isn’t a normal day, but maybe we can figure out why if we look at what happened first.”
“We need to make a list of people who have been around the building for the last week or so.” Levi took a notebook from the desk and started writing. “What’s been going on here?”
“Give me a minute, I’ll make the list.” Mia punched the number, and her grandmother’s phone rang several times before Grans picked up the call. “Hey, I hate to spring this on you, but Levi and Christina are on their way to get you. Pack up enough clothes and food for Muffy for a week. Something has happened, and I’d feel better with you close by.”
“Dear, that’s not going to be possible right now. I’m at the Lodge, having lunch with Cindy.”
Now Mia could hear the background sounds of a crowded restaurant. “Who’s Cindy?”
“She’s Dorian’s daughter. We talked about this. But I think you’re right. I’ll have Cindy check out of the hotel and we’ll meet Christina and Levi at my house.”
“Wait, why is Cindy checking out of the hotel?” Mia had a bad feeling she knew the answer. “Is she leaving already?”
“She can’t stay alone here. Not with the bad
mojo in town. The killer would find her in a heartbeat.”
“How do you know there was a murder?” When there was no answer, Mia sighed and hung up, realizing her grandmother had already terminated the call. “Wait a bit and Grans will call you when she’s ready to be picked up. And there will be an extra person with her.”
“We can make a food run to Majors now and get some drinks and snacks.” Levi glanced at Christina. “And you can tell me about all those rich playboys you snorkeled with last week.”
“One rich playboy, or at least that’s how he presented himself. I went out on this guy’s boat, along with Isaac and Tanya.” Christina grinned at Mia. “He was bragging about how big his boat was and all the diving he does. Come to find out, it’s his dad’s boat, and when we got back, he got in trouble for taking it out without permission. Man, was his face red. When I refused to talk to him the next day, he blamed his daddy for breaking us up.”
“When really you weren’t going to talk to him again anyway. Unless you wanted to use the boat. That’s kind of diabolical.” Mia glanced around the apartment, wondering what she needed to do to get ready for two overnight visitors. She grabbed her notebook and started making another list. “Christina, would you call Grans when you’re at the store and find out what this Cindy wants to drink? I’ll get the spare bedroom cleaned out and put clean sheets on the bed. Trent, would you help me move some boxes?”
“Sure.” He went to the pantry and grabbed the key to the third-floor storage room. “Did you ever find a key for the other third floor door?”
“No, and I think I’m just going to have it rekeyed. Maybe this week.” She opened the fridge and inventoried the contents. “Good thing I just went to the store and got some extra stuff. I was planning on testing out some recipes. I guess the Goddess knew I’d be having company.”
Gloria giggled, but Mia was pretty sure she was the only one who could hear her. But when she ran into Trent, standing in the middle of the room and looking around, she wondered. “What’s going on? The boxes are in the spare room. Do you need me to show you?”