Murder at the Grill (Cold Creek Book 3)

by Christa Nardi

  “Hello? Hello?” Nothing.

  I tried again. “Hello? Is someone there?” Still nothing.

  “If you’re not going to talk, I’m hanging up.” I waited a few seconds, disconnected and made sure the recording stopped.

  “What was that? Bad connection?”

  “I’m not sure. For the last couple of days, I keep getting calls from a private number and I’d been ignoring them. I figured it was some sales pitch or telemarketer. Now I’m not so sure and Brett suggested I answer and record whoever was on the other end.”

  I stared at my phone as if that would help. At least no one was threatening me. I showed Kim the photo of the man who’d grabbed me, but she didn’t recognize him. I asked if she’d ever met Harrison or the young Jason Baxter, considering that one of them might be the mugger. Neither of us knew what they looked like so we couldn’t eliminate or identify them. Our conversation had shifted to what to wear to Perky’s and other mundane topics, when Priscilla interrupted us.

  “Well, if it isn’t the Bobsey Twins? What kind of trouble are you two creating now? When I moved here this was a quiet, safe place. You two, and especially you Sheridan, just stir up trouble.”

  Priscilla’s new rant took me by surprise and judging by Kim’s silence and dropped jaw, she was blown away as well. Priscilla’s implication wasn’t even logical. Both Kim and I moved to College Creek before she did. Not to mention that neither of us had anything to do with the murders, other than our amateur sleuthing. I took a sip of coffee to help maintain control.

  “Hi Priscilla. We’re chatting about life in general.” I plastered a smile on my face and kicked Kim under the table simultaneously.

  “Yes, we’re talking.” Kim’s tone wasn’t quite as controlled as mine so her comment dripped with sarcasm.

  Priscilla shook her head, gave us both dirty looks, and walked on, likely going to the main office. When she was not quite out of earshot, Kim commented, “Bobsey Twins? I think of us as the Dana Girls myself.”

  I chuckled and Priscilla’s footfalls hesitated. Thankfully, she kept walking. Kim and I grumbled some more before she left.

  After reading a few articles, I searched on the web to find pictures of Harrison and young Jason Baxter. I found a high school photo of Harrison and ruled him out as my mugger. I laughed to see he was skinny, wore glasses, and resembled the stereotypic geek I’d imagined.

  The search for young Jason was more difficult. The name yielded articles on the senior Jason Baxter and the Grill. I eventually found a Facebook photo of the younger Jason. He didn’t look like the man who assaulted me either. He was smiling or laughing with friends in most of the pictures, much as Rebekah described him.

  I was attempting to read more of the Colbert profile, when Chief Hirsch knocked on my open door. One of these days, I might close my door to avoid interruptions, but not likely.

  “Dr. Hendley. How are you today? Good, I hope.”

  Following from his lead to keep it formal and official, I responded, “Yes, Chief, I’m fine, and yourself?”

  “Good. Officer Matthews shared the report on the incident in front of the Grill the other day.” One of his eyebrows arched, he asked, “He suggested a possible mugging?”

  I hoped that meant he wasn’t buying that explanation either.

  “That is what he proposed. I find it somewhat coincidental. Plus, the man didn’t grab my purse – he grabbed me.”

  “And the note. Anything else I should know about?” The corners of his mouth twitched.

  “I think that’s it.”

  “But you’re working with Marty? To help Zoe – Mrs. Gruen?”

  I nodded and with a slight hesitation he added, “Sheridan, when I wasn’t the Chief, you made it a point to keep me posted. Can you please do the same now? I only want to make sure the person responsible pays for this man’s death. Whether it is Zoe Gruen or someone else.”

  I nodded again, relaxing a little as I did. “No problem. If I get any more threats or assaults, I’ll notify you or tell your officers to keep you in the loop.”

  I smiled despite the awkwardness of dealing with Hirsch’s new role. He seemed more grown up, older, and even taller than a few months ago. He smiled back, told me to take care, and left in the direction of the main office and Ali.

  I finished with Colbert’s file and considered checking in with Terra and Ali. I was about to shut down my computer when Joe Janis knocked on my door.

  “Hi Dr. Hendley. Do you have a few minutes?”

  Inwardly, I groaned, not sure whether he wanted to talk murder or Chancellor candidates. Outwardly, I smiled. “A few minutes, Joe.”

  “I’m covering the Chancellor search and checking into previous jobs. I’ve come to respect your opinion on people’s character. Did you have any concerns with the first two candidates or the last one?”

  I had to admit I was flattered, but I also knew better. We’d all had to sign confidentiality agreements at the start of the search process. “Nothing in particular of concern. Three very different individuals for sure.”

  He nodded, smiled, and tried a different approach. “Do you think the murder will affect the search?”

  “I don’t know. I hope not.” That was as noncommittal as I could manage. He nodded and left.

  I didn’t hang around the office much longer after that. I drove back to the center of Cold Creek. A small town, its center is home to local shops scattered between chain stores. The Grill was nestled in the mix as was the spa and beauty shop. I tried to spoil myself a bit in the summer months and today’s plan was to get a haircut, manicure, and pedicure. I rationalized the high level of gossip in the beauty shop might prove fruitful.

  As always, Chloe was busy. I played solitaire on my phone, glancing around at the other customers. I recognized many of them, even those I didn’t know by name. We exchanged smiles and waves. While I waited, I couldn’t help but overhear some bits and pieces of gossip.

  “Another murder. Who would believe? I told my husband we need to get a security system for the house.”

  Chloe tsk-tsked and commented, “That Jebediah was something else years back. Surprised he didn’t get himself killed sooner.” Chloe nodded her head as she spoke.

  At that, the woman turned her head as Chloe went to cut. Chloe had to jump out of the way to avoid stabbing her in the eye.

  “So you knew the man who was killed?”

  Chloe snorted and then laughed to cover it, but not very convincingly. “Jebediah swooped into Cold Creek all of a sudden like. Next thing he’s marrying Zoe Baxter, and flirting with Zoe’s soon to be sister- in-law, Dawn. He didn’t try to hide it and not much Zoe could do about it. Her father set up the marriage, but she sure wasn’t happy about it. There’s still some hostility between Zoe and Dawn.”

  “Do you have any idea why he left?” I blurted out. Both women turned to look at me.

  “Lots of stories back then. Old Jason Baxter arranged for him to come to Cold Creek and my guess is Old Jason Baxter arranged for him to leave. Can’t have tension in the work place or family.” As she spoke, she gazed around the small salon and at the other stylists at their stations.

  “We’re done here. Sheridan, you’re up.”

  The other woman got up and walked away with a smile. I took my place and explained I only wanted a trim. As Chloe combed my hair, I asked, “Then why would he come back?”

  In the mirror, I watched her shrug, and noted her pursed lips. “No clue, but I sure wish he’d stayed gone.”

  “If you had to make a guess, who do you think killed him, Chloe?”

  “That Old Jason Baxter doesn’t like when someone messes with his family or his business. I understood back then it was Baxter who made Jebediah leave. I wouldn’t put it past the man to kill him for coming back.” She nodded to add emphasis. I was speechless.

  She sidestepped my feeble attempts to keep her talking about Jebediah. As much as I wanted to ask her what she remembered about Cathryn, I couldn’t come
up with a way to sneak that into the conversation. Soon enough, she finished with my trim and handed me off to the manicurist.

  Brett had walked Charlie and was coming out of the shower when I got home. Towel around his middle, he wiggled his eyebrows. I laughed, gave him a kiss, and snatched the towel away. He pulled me into his arms and his lips lingered. It was a while later before we had showered, dressed and were ready to go to dinner.

  Perky’s is a small, but good steakhouse in Altavista. Small and pretty unremarkable from the outside, its interior houses a large bar, tables and booths. License plates line the wall and the beer selection includes local brews and the usual fare. Service is good and it’s not too noisy.

  Marty and Brett dominated the conversation with their discussion of legal issues in general and law enforcement and resources in Cold Creek. Brett confirmed that he and Hirsch would provide a booster on self-defense. Everyone looked directly at me when self-defense came up. Other neutral topics and of course Priscilla’s rants were fair game over dinner. As we finished eating though, the focus shifted to the murder itself.

  “So, Brett, you’re not involved this time? No State Police connection?”

  “Not so far, Marty. With Hirsch as Chief instead of Pfeiffe, the panicked phone call didn’t come. Sher’s kept me up to date, at least regarding her warning note, hang ups, and the supposed mugging attempt.”

  Brett about snorted as he finished his sentence and raked his hand through his dark curly hair.

  Marty looked confused and asked, “Hang ups?”

  “I’m still not sure they’re related. Caller ID says ‘Private’ and when I answer, there’s no one there, no heavy breathing, no threats. It may be a prank or something completely unrelated.” I shrugged knowing I sounded defensive.

  Marty and Brett exchanged looks. In turn, I looked to Kim for some support. She looked puzzled for a minute and posed an interesting question. “Sher, how did someone get your cell number? It’s not like there’s an easy way to look up cell numbers.”

  None of us had an answer. That pointed to someone at the college with access to the emergency call list or a random caller. Priscilla was the person who immediately came to mind. A random caller wouldn’t keep calling.

  We chatted about the murder and how the secrets of the Gruen-Baxter family appeared to be a possible motive. Problem was no one was sharing what those secrets were. So far no one knew where Jebediah’d been for the last 15 years or if they did, they weren’t saying.

  “Kim, Marty, you were both at the Grill when Jebediah died. And if I remember, you said he camped out there for quite some time? And he kept making comments to Zoe?”

  “That’s right, Sher. He was there well before us. Someone said he’d been there since the Grill opened that morning. And he kept making wisecracks every time Zoe had to walk into the back.”

  “Did either of you catch what he said? Anything at all?”

  Marty shifted in his seat and looked pensive, his fingers tapping on the table. Kim looked to him and he raised his hand, palm up, signaling her to answer.

  “I don’t remember specifically, but he made a comment about Dawn not being a saint? Some comment about Zoe’s brother Trevor? I only caught bits and pieces as he got louder.”

  “Why do you think he was getting louder?”

  “If the Grill served alcohol, I’d say he was getting drunk. Maybe he got louder because she wasn’t responding. I’d say she did a good job of keeping her cool. She must have taken his order at some point and brought his food. Most of the time he heckled her as she walked past him.”

  Marty sat forward. “You’re right. He got louder. My back was to him, so I didn’t see him or who waited on him.”

  “Marty, it might be a long shot, but did Wellburn check for alcohol or drugs? It won’t help Zoe’s case any… never mind.”

  After some more discussion, Brett deftly shifted the conversation to our trip to Williamsburg. He leaned toward me and smiled broadly as he talked about the subterfuge needed for the two of us to have any time alone. I shared the progress on the birthday party before we called it a night. Both Kim and Marty confirmed it was on their calendars and they’d be there.

  Talked out, the ride home was quiet. Brett offered some ideas on activities for Madison when she came to my house the weekend of the party. He shared his concerns that she didn’t have much opportunity to interact with her uncles.

  He chuckled as he tried to come up with something Terry might be interested in that didn’t have to do with money. I suggested, only half in jest, a game of Monopoly.

  We were still joking about Terry and board games when we reached the front door. The red target on the door with letters MYOB silenced the laughter. Brett checked the door and it was still locked. He opened the door, gun drawn, and walked in slowly. Charlie came running, happy to see us. Nothing seemed touched inside. Brett did a cursory walkthrough and locked the door.

  I pulled out my phone and dialed the Cold Creek Police Department. I requested Chief Hirsch. When he wasn’t available, I asked for Officer Matthews. He was on a call. I described the vandalism and dispatch assured me someone would be out. I told her this might be linked to the murder and the Chief needed to be notified.

  I turned on the television while Brett took Charlie out in the backyard and checked the rest of the house’s exterior for any other damage. I poured us each a glass of wine. And we waited. And we kissed. Of course, that’s when the knock on the door came.

  Officer Matthews arrived first, followed a few minutes later by Hirsch. Both took pictures, as did Brett, and tried to establish a time frame. All three walked around the house. They agreed that whoever did the damage was long gone.

  Hirsch assured us that Officer Matthews and another officer would return in the morning to take more pictures and canvas the neighborhood. Nothing more to be done late at night in the dark.

  CHAPTER 11

  We awoke the next morning to the sound of doorbell and Charlie’s excited barking. In all likelihood a burglar could walk right in and Charlie would fall over the person with kisses. Someone ringing the bell is her cue the person doesn’t belong.

  Brett grabbed a pair of pants and answered the door. It took me a few more minutes to throw on some clothes, pull a brush through my hair, and meet our visitors in the kitchen. Thankfully, Brett had coffee brewing when I walked in the room.

  Officer Matthews and another officer I didn’t recognize were sitting at the table. Surprisingly, the previous chief of police, Barney Pfeiffe, sat at the table as well. Hirsch was leaning against the counter and stopped talking when I walked in. Sure seemed like a lot of blue for vandalism.

  “Good morning all,” I said as I took it all in.

  Some nodded. Pfeiffe reciprocated the “good morning” but didn’t look too happy. I started to get cups down, sugar and cream out. Anything to look busy. Hirsch cleared his throat.

  “Dr. Hendley. Sheridan. Who do you want us to call about your car?”

  I dropped the cup in my hand as I spun around to face him. Brett and Officer Matthews both came toward me. Brett put his arm around me. Matthews picked up the bigger pieces of the cup and threw them away.

  “My car?” was all I managed to squeak out. They were here about the front door, so why was he asking about my car?

  “We checked the yard and the rest of the house. Your car also was vandalized. The windshield, rear window, sides. Same paint, same message.” He paused and when I didn’t react he continued. “The good news is that we found the spray can so we may have prints.”

  Brett gave me a squeeze. I nodded and opened the drawer where I kept a list of the various vendors I used, including the garage and my insurance agent. I picked up the phone to call T&J’s and Hirsch stopped me.

  “We need to get pictures and a scrape of the paint as evidence in case we do have fingerprints. The paint chip would be the only way to connect the spray paint with the vandalism. The car will need to be impounded before it goes to T&J�
�s.”

  I inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Can I get my stuff out of the car first?”

  “Yes, that would be fine.” He pulled sterile gloves out of his pocket and handed them to me.

  I took a deep breath and went out to see the damage to my car. I don’t drive anything fancy, a Honda Accord. Nonetheless, it was upsetting to see the damage. Hirsch had described it pretty well. It looked like a hand print on the hood. I surmised that was why the impound was the first stop.

  Hirsch maintained a distance but kept watch. Hands gloved, I opened the driver’s door and pulled out the important things. Registration, parking tag, a sweater left in there from who knows when. I locked it back up and removed the house key from the key ring.

  As I turned toward the house, a tow truck pulled in. I walked toward the truck and Hirsch walked down to meet both of us. I insisted on getting pictures before the car was towed to file with my insurance. Brett joined us and he concurred. He took his phone out and snapped pictures from all sides as the tow driver hooked up.

  By then everyone except Pfeiffe was there. Hirsch said he’d try to have patrol drive by more frequently and shrugged his shoulders. They all got in their cars and drove off, following the tow truck.

  “Pfeiffe?”

  “Apparently he wants to talk to you.” Brett pulled his hand through his hair, a sure sign that he was perplexed. “He’s waiting in the kitchen, guarded by Charlie. Come on. You need some coffee and I need more coffee.”

  I raised my eyebrows at the comment about Charlie – a guard dog she isn’t. He cracked a smile and we went in.

  “So…” I stopped, realizing I wasn’t sure what to call Pfeiffe now that he wasn’t the Chief. I continued, “Brett said you wanted to talk to me. I’m having a cup of coffee, are you all set?”

  “Yes, Dr. Hendley, I’m good here. You’re obviously determined to get involved with police work.” His voice had a tone of both resignation and disdain. His gaze shifted from me to Brett and back to me. He had combed what hair remained over the front to hide his baldness. He leaned back, his stomach sticking out. His smirk reflected his sense of importance. I took the cup of coffee Brett handed me and waited.