“What did he want?” Josh asked.
“He asked me to come to his office and sign a complaint against Greg. When I refused to press charges, he read me the riot act about how foolish I’ve been acting.”
“Did you tell him it wasn’t an act?” Maddy said, smiling to take the bite out of her words.
“No, but I’ve got a hunch he already knows.”
Josh looked at me oddly. “Are you telling me you said no to him?”
“Pretty much, but I did it a lot more colorfully than that,” I said as I started a fresh batch of yeast rising in warm water. I was going to have to push the dough a little harder than I liked, but it would be acceptable, and I knew to most palates it would be fine.
“He hates when you do that,” Josh said.
“I don’t doubt it for an instant. Now, are you ready to get busy setting tables up for our customers, or am I going to have to send you home?”
He grabbed an apron, and after he tied it in place, Josh saluted me. “I’m getting right on it, ma’am. Anybody who can stand up to my dad and live to tell about it deserves at least that much respect from me.”
“I’d say I deserve a lot more,” I said with a smile. “How about you, Maddy?”
“I always merit respect,” she said as she sliced mushrooms.
“I was talking about me,” I said as I started measuring out the flour I’d need.
“Aren’t you always? Don’t you ever get tired of the same subject all of the time?”
“You’d think so, but no, not so far.”
Josh shook his head as he alternated looking at us. “I don’t understand you two one bit.”
“You weren’t meant to,” I said.
“We women are mysterious creatures,” Maddy added.
Josh decided to cut his losses and do as I’d asked. I didn’t blame him. Sometimes I had trouble following the conversations Maddy and I had, and I was often the instigator.
“So we get our happy family back,” Maddy said. “I’m willing to bet Greg comes here before he even goes home.”
“I’m not a sucker; I won’t take that bet.”
“Where does that leave us?” she said as she finished the mushrooms and started working on the green pepper slices.
“We still need to find out who killed Wade Hatcher,” I said, “but there’s a new item on the list as well.”
“If you don’t say we need to get back at Clara Hatcher, I’m going to be very disappointed in you. I think forgiveness is nice and all, but retribution’s kind of cool, too.”
“Don’t worry, I couldn’t agree with you more. One way or another, she’s going to pay for that little stunt she pulled today.”
“That’s the spirit. What should we do to her?”
“I’m not sure, but there’s no rush. I’m willing to wait until we have the perfect act of retaliation.”
“You know what they say about revenge,” Maddy said.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a dish best served cold.”
“Then we’re going to freeze her out.”
“Thatta girl,” my sister said.
I wasn’t sure how we were going to get Clara back for her little stunt, but we’d find a way.
In the meantime, it was time to concentrate on getting ready for our dinner crowd, if anyone bothered to show up.
We were busy enough, something I was eternally grateful for as the evening progressed. Clara might have done some damage to our reputation, but I honestly believed that our quick response had saved the pizzeria.
I was preparing a meat lover’s delight pizza by spreading a thick layer of sausage, meatballs, salami, prosciutto, bacon, and pepperoni on top of sauce-coated dough when the kitchen door opened.
Bob Lemon walked in, followed closely by Greg Hatcher. Greg hugged me, and then practically twirled me in the air when he came in.
“Put me down, you big goof,” I said, laughing.
He did as I instructed, and then said, “I can’t believe I’m free.” He slapped Bob Lemon on the back as he added, “This man is a genius.”
“I didn’t do all that much,” Bob said. “Eleanor’s the one you should thank.”
“Tonight there’s enough praise for everyone,” he said. “I’ve been slinking around town like an abandoned ferret, and now I’m back out into the light. I hated being on the run like that.”
“You didn’t make things any easier on yourself,” Bob said, the scolding tone clear in his voice.
“I know, I know. What can I say? I panicked. But everything’s good now.”
Bob frowned slightly. “Slow down, Greg. Just because the police chief released you on the robbery charge doesn’t mean that he still doesn’t like you for your brother’s murder.”
“You can’t upset me tonight if you try,” he said. “I’m free right now, and that’s all that counts.”
“Just don’t do anything stupid,” Bob said. “If I know Kevin Hurley, he’s going to be watching you day and night.”
“I’ll behave myself. I promise.”
Greg grabbed his apron, and I asked, “You’re honestly not thinking about working tonight, are you?”
“Why not? Josh has been covering for me long enough. I thought I’d send him home, if you don’t mind.”
How could I say I didn’t want my customers to see Greg at the pizzeria, when I’d gone to such great lengths to tell Kevin that I knew he was innocent? In the end, I just couldn’t do it. I either had to support him all of the way, or take back everything I’d said before.
“I don’t mind a bit. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”
“I know that for a fact. He’s got a new lady in his life. Boy, a guy lays low for a few days and the whole world goes crazy.”
After Greg disappeared, Bob said, “You’re doing a brave thing here.”
“I know Greg didn’t rob me any more than he killed his brother,” I said.
“I’m not talking about that. Aren’t you concerned what people will say when they see him working here?”
“Bob, if Clara can’t scare them off with her phony roach story, I doubt seeing Greg waiting tables is going to affect them.”
He shrugged. “It’s your business, and I mean that literally. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were holding up.”
“I’m doing great,” I said. “Thanks for all you’ve done for Greg. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“It’s been my pleasure. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to be going.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve got a date. I thought you were seeing my sister, and I know she’s not free tonight.”
He laughed. “Do you honestly think I’d do anything to jeopardize that? No, I’m afraid I’ll be wading through paperwork most of the night to make up for being out of my office all day.”
I grabbed a hamburger pizza sub off the assembly line and cut it in half, then slid it into a to-go box. “Take this for the road.”
“What about the person who ordered it?”
“I can make another one in a heartbeat,” I said. “You deserve at least that.”
“I wish I had the willpower to say no, but I can’t.”
“I expect you to bill me promptly for the full amount, so we’ll call this a bonus for not being mad at me for waking you in the middle of the night.”
“We can talk about that later,” he said as he took the sandwich and left the kitchen.
As I prepared a replacement sandwich, Maddy came back.
“What’s going on with my hamburger pizza sub?”
“I gave it to Bob,” I said. I’d expected Maddy to scold me for doing it, but she just smiled.
“That’s a wonderful idea. He did a lot of good for us today, didn’t he?”
“It’s nice having Greg back. Did he really tell Josh he could leave for the night?”
Maddy laughed. “Are you kidding me? Josh was so happy he tore out of here without even taking off his apron.”
I s
miled, and then it faded just as quickly. “Maddy, Bob asked me if we were doing the right thing having Greg work out front after what’s been happening lately.”
“Bob tends to err on the conservative side,” Maddy said. “Don’t hold that against him.”
“Don’t tell me you agree with him,” I said.
“Did I say that? Eleanor, I understand where he’s coming from, but I think you’re doing the right thing. Timber Ridge needs to see that we stand behind Greg, and the sooner they do, the better off we’ll all be.”
“That’s the spirit,” I said. “Your sub will be out in a couple of minutes.”
“No rush. It’s for Stephen Haley. He’s on a date with some woman from Westchester County, and I doubt he even realizes I haven’t served him yet. Love is in the air out there, Eleanor.”
“Just make sure none of it gets back here,” I said as I took a pizza off the conveyor and cut it into eight slices. I handed it to Maddy and added, “By the time you get back, Stephen’s sub will be ready.”
“I’m on it,” she said.
Greg came back and placed an order, and I couldn’t help but respond to the silly grin on his face. “You’re happier than I’ve seen you in a long time,” I said.
“I have good reason to be, don’t you think?”
I remembered what Bob had just told me. “Greg, you know you’re not out of the woods yet, don’t you?”
“I know,” he said. “But I also fully understand that you and Maddy believe in me, and that’s really all that counts.”
“We’ve got your back.” I took a deep breath, then said, “Greg, there is one thing we need to talk about.”
“Then let’s talk.”
“It’s about Wade. Do you know if he actually signed the settlement papers for your grandparents’ estate?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“There’s a rumor going around town that Wade signed the papers the afternoon he was murdered.”
Greg stared at me, his mouth dropped wide open. “Where did you hear that?”
“I can’t really tell you that,” I told him, not wanting to reveal that Emma was my source.
“All I can say is that if he did, he never told me, and Bob didn’t, either. Why don’t you ask him?”
“I can’t,” I admitted. “He’s got attorney-client privilege with you, so you’re the only one who can ask him if it’s true.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
“You can probably catch him at his office,” I said.
Greg took out a card, dialed the number, and then waited. I didn’t even pretend to ignore what he was doing.
“Bob, it’s me. Yeah, I’m fine. It’s about Wade. Did he sign the agreement? Okay. No, that’s all right. Thanks.”
“So, did he?”
“If he did, Bob isn’t aware of it. But he told me that didn’t necessarily mean that Wade didn’t.”
“I don’t understand.”
Greg shrugged. “Bob said Wade asked for a copy of the agreement so he could study it. If he decided to sign it, and he had it witnessed, it could be enforced once it’s filed at the courthouse, and Bob wouldn’t know anything about it.”
“Would your brother do something like that?” I asked.
“Who knows? Wade never was easy to predict. If I had to guess, though, I’d say no. He was pretty adamant about getting more than his fair share. He would have had to be pretty desperate to sign it.”
“Wouldn’t you say that’s what he was?”
Greg shook his head. “I have no idea what drove the guy to do the things he did, and I’m not going to waste any time worrying about it.”
I wanted to tell him about the legal ramifications of a signed document, but I didn’t have the heart to ruin his good mood.
“Why do you bring it up, Eleanor? Is it important?”
“Who knows?” I admitted. “I wonder if your mother would know.”
A look of disgust crossed his face. “Well, I’m not about to ask her. I can’t believe what that woman did to you. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said.
“No, but I still feel responsible.” His frown faded for a moment. “If you want to get her back, I’ve got some great ideas.”
“You know what? I might just take you up on that.”
“I’m hoping you do. We’ll have a great time, that’s for sure.”
He vanished again, and I found myself smiling as I worked to fill the new orders. Our pizzeria had been missing something when Greg had been gone, and it suddenly felt whole and complete again.
I just hoped things stayed that way, but with the ongoing murder investigation, none of us could be sure of tonight, let alone tomorrow.
But for once, I planned to enjoy it while it lasted, without another thought about any troubles that the next day might bring.
That turned out to be a wish that wasn’t going to be fulfilled anytime soon, but I didn’t realize it at the time, and in a way, I was just as happy that I hadn’t known what was about to happen next.
I would be engulfed in it soon enough.
Chapter 12
“Greg just took off,” Maddy said as she came back into the kitchen later that night. It was three minutes past closing, but usually our wait staff helped us clean up at the end of the night. “I hope you don’t mind. I told him it would be all right if he slipped out a little early.”
“Of course it is,” I said. “We were lucky to have him come in at all. For a while there, I thought it was just going to be the three of us, but things really perked up at the end, didn’t they?”
Maddy nodded. “I don’t often say this, but you were right.”
I cocked one ear toward her. “I’m sorry, I missed that last part. What did you just say?”
Maddy smiled at me. “You were right. I thought it was a waste of time giving away all that free food this afternoon, but it appeared to do the trick.”
“I didn’t know what else we could do,” I said. “A rumor can break a restaurant, and it doesn’t have to be true to do it.”
“We win and Clara loses. That’s a combination I can live with.”
“Don’t kid yourself,” I said as I dug my hands back into the soapy water. I’d been doing the dishes when she’d come into the kitchen. “We lost customers today that we’ll probably never get back. I’m not about to let Clara get away with it.”
“Wow, and usually I’m the mean one,” Maddy said.
“I’m not being mean—I’m protecting this business.”
She said, “Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t criticizing. I approve.”
“This is the last thing my husband loved, and I’m not about to sit back and see it destroyed.”
Maddy’s voice softened. “You’re wrong about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Eleanor, he loved you the most.”
“I know that,” I said, “but this place was a part of him, too.”
“And it will live on,” Maddy said. “I’ll work on the front while you’re doing dishes, and we’ll have this knocked out in no time.”
“That sounds like a plan,” I said. As she wiped tables down and swept the front, I finished my kitchen cleanup. I’d started it early, so for once, I finished before Maddy did. I was about to go out front to help her wrap things up when I spotted our specials board. It was a whiteboard with dry-erase ink, and in the summer months, we used it out front to announce our specials for the day, which were usually what we had too much of from the day before. It was another way of attracting summertime customers, and I enjoyed embellishing the board with some artwork, too.
But for some reason, the clean board seemed to be calling out to me. I grabbed a black marker and drew a line down the center, from top to bottom. On the left side, I wrote, What We Know, and on the right, I put, What We Don’t.
I’d barely started my list when Maddy came back. “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she said as s
he put her apron away without even glancing in my direction. “Are you ready?”
“You go on without me,” I said. “There’s something else I want to do tonight.”
That got her attention. Maddy pulled up a bar stool as she looked at what I was doing and said, “I’ve got nothing to do at home, but even if I did, I’m not about to let you have all of the fun without me.” She studied the board’s headings, and then she said, “I hope this is about Wade Hatcher’s murder.”
“What else could it be?”
“Are you kidding me? It could be anything from what really happened to Elvis to who shot J.R.”
“I didn’t realize there was any doubt about Elvis, and I thought Dallas cleared all of that up before they went off the air.”
“Wade it is, then,” Maddy said. “Why are both sides under your headings blank?”
“Give me a second. I’m just getting started.”
Maddy nodded. “The first thing we know is that someone killed him right over there.”
“This isn’t the Obvious Board,” I said. “I was thinking more along the lines of suspects and motives.”
“Okay, that makes more sense,” Maddy said. “So, what exactly do we know so far?”
I uncapped the marker again and spoke as I wrote under the KNOW side. “Wade could have been murdered because of jealousy, revenge, retribution, or by accident.”
“I doubt whoever took a rolling pin to his head was trying to accomplish anything short of killing him,” Maddy said.
“I meant ‘mistaken identity,’ and you know it.”
“Go on, then, let’s match some names with the motives.”
Under JEALOUSY, I wrote down Sandi Meadows and Jamie Lowder. For REVENGE, I added Katy Johnson. RETRIBUTION got Art Young and Roger Henderson, and finally, coupled with ACCIDENT, I put Clara Hatcher.
I studied the list, and then asked, “Is there anyone I’m leaving out?”
“I can’t imagine, unless you want to put Greg’s name down, too.”
“No, I’m not even willing to think that. Besides, what would he think if he saw this and his name was on it?”
“You’re right there. I doubt it would make him happy,” Maddy said. “Okay, now that we have a list, what do we do next?”
Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder Page 21