A's in the Hole

by Wendy Meadows

  “I don’t need this from you, Alberta. You’re one of the few people I trust and –”

  “People like Jake? His mother told me he’s broken up about what happened. That you gave him no choice but to back out of the relationship.”

  “Relationship?” Olivia pushed off from the wall. “Heavens, now I’m in a relationship? Jake and I were just friends, Alberta. You’d better remember that, all right? I don’t need all this pressure. I just want to run my store in peace.”

  Albie huffed and puffed on the other end of the line. She’d never been one to give up when she was cornered. “I’m not happy about this, dear.”

  “Trust me, neither am I.”

  “Olivia, you know I love you, but this isn’t right.”

  “The last time I checked, you were the one who encouraged me to investigate cases like these,” Olivia replied. “And now you’re angry about it.”

  “Oh, no you don’t, dear. We encouraged you to investigate, not to run off and get yourself arrested for trespassing,” Alberta said.

  “I have to go,” Olivia said. “The repairman is here. I’ll let you know whether we’re opening tomorrow, all right?”

  Alberta sniffed. “All right, dear. Just – are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Olivia said, stiffly. “But I have to go. Speak soon.” She hung up before her A could say anything more. It was the first time Alberta hadn’t provided outright support for her and it drove home the point that she really had messed up.

  Olivia pocketed her cell, gave Dodger a pat on the head, then opened the gate and headed downstairs to check on the progress, failing to shake off the guilt that blanketed her.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  O livia could’ve decided to stop investigating, but giving up on this case wasn’t in her. Besides, she couldn’t ignore what Lilac had written in her journal – she’d been arrested for that particular entry and the punishment had to fit the crime.

  Olivia had researched Hank Abbott’s home address. She couldn’t ask Alberta without her telling Jake and that was the last thing she needed. No doubt that Jake would call the cops on her. He’d seemed really adamant about not ‘enabling’ her apparent addiction to finding trouble.

  She flicked Dodgy’s leash and trotted up the stone path that wound to his front door. Dodger’s tag tinkled with each paw step.

  Olivia halted and inhaled the sweet scents of late afternoon. She let all the worry and sadness slip from her shoulders and focused on the task at hand. If she threw herself into this and figured out the answer, perhaps she could justify what’d happened at Lilac’s house.

  Olivia knocked and waited, trying and failing to keep her mind blank.

  The door creaked open and Hank appeared. His face fell at the sight of her. “What – hello,” he said.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Abbott. How are you today?”

  “Better than you, I’ll bet,” he replied. “I heard you got arrested.”

  “I – uh, that’s correct. All a misunderstanding, I assure you,” Olivia replied. Dodger barked to back her up. The one being she could count on for unending support and the reason she bought him the expensive doggy food at the store. Plus all the love she had for him, of course.

  “A misunderstanding,” Hank said, and quirked an eyebrow. “Here I was thinking it’s because you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  Olivia didn’t dare bring up the conversation she’d overheard the other day, or the fact that she knew he was involved with Lilac’s model sister.

  Hank doesn’t even know. That’d been the line in Lilac’s journal. But how could she have been so sure? People found out things on their own all the time. “I – heavens, I’m all flustered now.” She gave an awkward laugh.

  Hank didn’t even crack a smile.

  “I care about what happened to Lilac. She wasn’t innocent, but she was a regular and it’s bad business that this has happened in Chester.” It had happened several times in Chester. “I need answers about this.”

  “Why? You’re not a police officer, Miss Cloud. You own a chocolate store.”

  Did all these people have a point? It wasn’t the first time she doubted whether she should investigate or not. But a part of her couldn’t stop. Chester had become her home. The grumpy folks, the strange old ladies, and even the tarot readers; all of them were in danger because of one man or woman and she couldn’t let that fly.

  Olivia set her jaw. “This town is my home. I like it here. In fact, I love it here, and I’ll be cursed before I let a murderer tear this place apart.”

  Hank raised both eyebrows. “Noble,” he said. “Look, I’m expecting someone soon, so if you want to talk, you’d better make it quick.” He didn’t let her in but creaked the door open a little more and shuffled out. He shut it quickly behind himself.

  Olivia’s intrigue peaked again, but she tamped down on it.

  “You were close with Lilac,” Olivia said.

  “I believe I told you that the other day. She was my ex-wife and I was her accountant.”

  “Right,” Olivia said. “Right. So is it safe to say you were one of the people who knew the most about her?”

  Hank tilted his head to one side and then to the other. “I guess. She has a sister, but they weren’t exceptionally close.”

  “Violet,” Olivia said. She didn’t need to measure his reaction since she’d overheard their loving discussion about her the other day. And Violet’s suggestion that they call the cops on her – heavens, what if she had?

  What if it’d been Violet at Lilac’s house and she’d locked Olivia in then called the cops on her?

  “- weren’t that close.”

  “Sorry,” Olivia said, “Could you repeat that?”

  Hank pursed his lips. “Lilac and Violet weren’t that close. They had a longstanding rivalry, I guess you could call it. It was ridiculous since Violet wasn’t interested in fighting with her sister. She just wanted to get ahead and move on with her life.”

  “Move on? From what?”

  “Their constant bickering. I believe Lilac left home because she wanted to get away from her sister and the pressure of her being the favorite in their parents’ eyes. Which wasn’t true, of course,” Hank said.

  “Of course,” Olivia replied, but made a mental note of that. She’d heard most of it from Hank and Violet, but the more information she collected, the better. “Do you think Lilac regretted leaving?”

  “Regretted it? No way. Lilac was overjoyed at being away from her family. I told you, she was all about Lilac. Other people’s feelings didn’t factor into the equation for her.” Hank’s bitterness shone through but he hid it again, right away.

  “Do you think she regretted anything?” Olivia asked. She knew it was a strange question.

  “Uh, no? I don’t know. I wasn’t Lilac. I can’t say whether she had any regrets. It certainly didn’t seem like it when she asked me for a divorce.” Hank shrugged and peered past Olivia. He lifted his arm and looked at his wristwatch. “I’m afraid I’m out of time, Miss Cloud. It’s time for you to leave.”

  Dodger barked but she tut-tutted him into silence. “Thanks for your time, Mr. Abbott. Have a good afternoon.” No regrets that he knew of. Or he knew all about the regrets and didn’t want to tell her. Olivia had to get to the bottom of this.

  Even if it meant eavesdropping on Hank all over again.

  “Come on, Dodgy, right this way.” She led her doggy friend down the sidewalk and out of sight, then camped out beneath a tree on the corner. She peered back up the street, shoulders set.

  Hank and Violet had to be in on this. It was the only explanation that made sense.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  O livia tailed Mr. Abbott down the main street in Chester. A couple of people attempted to greet Olivia or share a kind word about her chocolates but she didn’t have time to stop.

  She nodded, waved, and continued on Dodgy straining at the end of the leash. They were hardly an inconspicuous pair,
but Olivia had to work with what she had on this one.

  Hank didn’t look back or hesitate at any of the crossings. He wound his way through the crowds – strange that there were crowds of folks this early in the afternoon – and past Chester Park.

  The screech of a microphone elicited a bark from Dodger and Olivia ducked behind a tree. “Shush,” Olivia said, and pressed a finger to her lips. At least the source of the crowds was explained – the residents of Chester gathered in the park in front of a stage once again.

  Olivia turned from the scene and searched for Hank’s telltale curly gray hair. Nothing. The flock of people blocked him from view. “Shoot,” Olivia said, and sighed. “Oh, shoot.” She’d been close to another breakthrough, for sure.

  Perhaps, Hank had gone to the motel to see Violet? But no, that was in the other direction. There wasn’t a good reason he’d take a roundabout route, unless he’d realized she’d followed him.

  Olivia let out another displeased puff of air then joined the throng of walkers past the park entrance. She peeked between shoulders and heads and caught a glimpse of that stage again and the man atop it.

  “Is that Van?” Olivia asked.

  “That’s right,” the woman next to her replied. She wore her hair in a blond beehive atop her head. “Van the Man; isn’t he gorgeous? Got a real flair for style.”

  If only beehive lady knew about Van’s paranoia. “He’s – yeah, I guess.”

  “You guess?” The woman fisted her hips and dug her heels in. The crowd broke around her and continued on, sweeping through the gates and down the street away from the crackle of speakers.

  “Uh –”

  “Let me tell you a little something about Van the Man,” the woman said, and grabbed Olivia by the forearm. She dragged her through the gates, the crowd parting around them, and toward an old tree. “Van the Man is a saint.”

  “Okay,” Olivia said, and wiggled her arm.

  The woman didn’t let go. She had meaty hands and meatier arms, strong enough to clamp down a hog. “When Lilac died he was the first one to organize an event for her. Only the event was ruined and poor Van was broken about it. He did a whole radio special about his grief.”

  That wasn’t suspicious at all.

  “And now he’s organized a fundraiser in Lilac’s memory,” the woman said. She finally released her hold, only to clasp her hands together in front of her chest and flutter her eyelashes. “If I wasn’t a married and devout woman I would approach Van myself. He’s such an angel.”

  A man nearby snorted. “You talking about your secret lover again, Delilah?”

  “You shut your mouth, Daniel. This isn’t any of your concern.” Her fawning expression disappeared in the blink of an eye, replaced by a witchy sharpness. Olivia felt chills roll down her spine. She made a note never to get on Delilah’s bad side.

  “Thanks for the information,” Olivia said, and backed away.

  Delilah pointed to a lawn chair. “Have a seat. You’re that chocolate woman, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I own the Block-A-Choc Shoppe,” she replied.

  “Don’t happen to have any of them with you, do you? I’m starving.” Delilah lowered herself into a lawn chair and patted her expansive gut.

  “Unfortunately not,” Olivia said. “And I should probably get going anyway.” At least away from Delilah and her Van the Man rants.

  “You’ve got to stay for the show,” Delilah said. “It’s going to blow your mind, lady.”

  She very much doubted that. “I – uh, wait a second, what’s he raising funds for?”

  Delilah wriggled her nose. “I dunno. Oh, there he is now. There’s Van, darling,” she said, and lurched upright. She cupped her hands on either side of her mouth and hooted. “Van! You’re amazing, Van!”

  Olivia used it as her opportunity to take another few steps back, Dodger back tracking alongside her.

  Van had indeed appeared upon the stage, and waved at the roaring fans. He gave a double thumbs up, then took a microphone from a stand.

  “Good morning, Chester. You’re beautiful, thank you.”

  “I love you, Van!” Delilah screeched. Her husband rolled his eyes.

  “We’re gathered here today to celebrate the life and times of –” Van cut off and the microphone screeched again.

  Confused murmurs bubbled through the crowd. Olivia rose onto her tiptoes and frowned at the stage. Her eyes widened.

  The feedback dulled and a hum of conversation came through the mic.

  “Van Washington?” That was Detective Keane’s voice. And there he was on the stage right in front of the radio personality.

  “I’m in the middle of something here, detective. Can’t you see that?” Van’s voice tremored.

  “I’m afraid you’re going to have to come with me.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re under arrest.”

  Van dropped the mic and the rest of the conversation cut out in a hollow thunk, but the crowd had heard enough. Delilah’s face drained of color and she wavered on the spot. Daniel hooted a laugh.

  “No!” Delilah yelled and her sentiment was echoed by several of the other women around her. Dodger barked once, twice, and switched to repeat mode. The unrest in the crowd bubbled up and over. People surged toward the stage.

  Olivia’s view of Detective Keane and Van cut out and she backpedaled to the tree to keep Dodgy out of trouble. He strained and barked at the people darting by, crying fury over the arrest of their beloved Van the Man.

  But it was already too late. Van was gone and so was Detective Keane. Olivia was one hundred percent sure the detective had just arrested the wrong man for the murder of Lilac Charleston.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  O livia and Dodgy took the long way home because the main streets were clogged with angry citizens who’d managed to scrounge up ‘Free Van the Man’ posters on incredibly short notice. Olivia suspected Delilah was behind the sudden mobilization.

  They took a few back alleys and popped out right across from the Block-A-Choc Shoppe. Relief flooded Olivia, and Dodger gave a grateful whine and quickened his pace. It wasn’t as if they’d been away that long, but the tension and anger had made it seem an eternity.

  They stumbled across the street and Olivia took Dodger through the back entrance that led to their kitchen door. They clambered up the metal grate, Olivia unlocked their door, and Dodgy scratched at the base.

  “All right, all right,” Olivia said, and patted him. She clunked it open and let him inside. Dodger ran for his bowls of food and water. The second she switched on the kitchen lights her phone buzzed in her pocket.

  She wiggled it out and checked the caller ID. Her heart skipped several beats.

  Olivia swiped her thumb across the screen. “Jake?” She shoved her hair back from her ear and chewed the inside of her cheek.

  “Olivia,” he said. “I just heard the news.”

  “What news?” She shut the door with her heel.

  “That Van Washington was arrested for the murder,” he replied. “Listen, we both know that he didn’t do it.”

  “How do we know that? He had a key to her place.”

  “Then why would he murder her with someone else’s scarf?” Jake asked. “And why keep the key and tell us about it? He didn’t have a motive. He was doing better than Lilac at Chester Radio TODAY!”

  Olivia paced to the fridge and opened it. She brought out a bottle of water and unscrewed the cap, pinning the cell between her ear and shoulder. “I agree,” she said. “Van looked suspicious in the beginning but he’s more concerned with himself than he is with Lilac. He wouldn’t risk everything to kill off someone who was a mere nuisance in the grand scheme of his career.”

  “Which is conjecture,” Jake said, and sighed. “But that’s my train of thought. Olivia, they’ve got the wrong man and if they make it stick they’re not going to keep investigating this.”

  “What are you saying?” Olivia asked.

  Jake fel
l silent.

  “What are you –?”

  “I’ll investigate this with you again. I’m sorry for the hurtful thing I said to you, Olivia, but I am not sorry for the meaning behind it. You go too far. You do things that can jeopardize everything, and if you step over the line again I’m going to walk away for good,” Jake said.

  “I understand,” Olivia replied. “That’s your choice. But Jake, you said that you fell –”

  “Let’s focus on the case.” Jake coughed. “I think this will be simpler if we focus on that and nothing else. All that other stuff is peripheral.”

  Maybe it wasn’t important to him, but love was pretty important to her. If Jake had those feelings for her and she didn’t return them that would be a recipe for resentment. The trouble was, Olivia didn’t know how she felt yet.

  “You mentioned regrets,” Jake said.

  “Uh?”

  “In the diary.”

  Oh, for a second she’d thought he meant about their friendship; how far they’d strayed from the bounds of the norm. “Yes, she wrote about it. I didn’t get to keep the diary itself, but she mentioned regretting something only she and one other woman knew about. I don’t know who the other woman is.”

  “Did Hank know?” Jake asked.

  “No. She was pretty specific about that. He didn’t know what happened,” Olivia replied. She wriggled her lips. “I just wish I knew what he didn’t know. I’ve got the feeling that it’s important. If we figure it out we might unlock this mystery.”

  “All right,” Jake said. “But what are our other options?”

  “The sister and Hank. That’s it. We’ve already ascertained that we don’t think it’s Van.” It was just a gut feeling, but what if they were wrong? What if the cops had found something that indicated Van was actually guilty? “What about the scarf? Do we know anything about that?”

  “Keane has pretty much shut me out of this investigation,” Jake replied. “The only thing we’ve established for sure is that the scarf definitely didn’t belong to Lilac. I don’t know if Keane found something at Van’s house that linked him to the crime, but the scarf is a mystery to me.”