by Tonya Kappes
We trotted over just in time for the Pawrade to start. I’d filled my coat pockets with Gingerbread Mischief treats and handed them out along the route to people who had animals not walking in the Pawrade. Of course Pepper wanted everyone along the route to pat him while Sassy didn’t give anyone the time of day.
There were some people cheering and a lot of barking. There were so many cute animal costumes. Louise was behind me and handed out the brochures she’d made up about Pet Palace and how to adopt. She’d even put in there the information about the co-op with The Bean Hive.
“If I can have everyone’s attention.” Louise had a volunteer set up the cages around the gazebo of the animals that were up for adoption and had walked in the Pawrade.
Each cage had a photo of the animal and all of their particular information.
“I’m Louise Carlton and I own and operate Pet Palace. I’m so happy that you’ve come out and taken part in the adoption and fundraiser for this year’s event. I’d like to remind everyone that all the animals you see here,” she gestured to the cages, “are in need of a good home. What better time of the year to open your heart than at Christmas. All of these animals give unconditional love and will be an added addition to your loving families.”
“That was so good,” I said to Louise when she got finished with her speech and her information about Pet Palace and how they operate. “There’s even an adoption going on.” I pointed over to the table where she’d wrangled Aunt Maxi to sit and get the adoption papers ready.
“Thank you for putting together the Gingerbread Mischief goody bags for all the adoptions.” She must’ve seen the expression on my face. “Your aunt Maxi has a bunch of boxes from The Bean Hive and I just assumed you did them.”
“It was all her.” I gave her the credit for something I knew nothing about. “I’ll let you know about Felix.”
I headed on over to the adoption table.
“Isn’t this just fabulous?” Aunt Maxi asked. “We are having so many animals going home today.”
“It is a good cause.” And just as if I’d asked a favor from God, Brother Mitchell was standing right there in front of me.
“It is a good cause, Brother Mitchell.” I took a happy, deep breath and put my hand on his arm. “Come on over to my booth. I’ve got a free cup of coffee and dessert you’re going to love.”
“Since you’ve come to town, I’ve gained about ten pounds from all the members bringing me treats on Sunday.” He laughed.
“You won’t have to worry too much about that now that I’m closed for the winter season on Sundays. But I do want to ask you about Otis Peavler.”
When we made it to the booth, Mom was busy with other customers and I wanted to be sure that I kept Brother Mitchell’s attention so I helped him myself. I even found the biggest slice of the praline cake to give him.
“It is terrible about Otis.” He tsked and accepted the coffee.
“Can you tell me what volunteer services need to be filled now that he’s gone?” It was the best way I could put it instead of asking what Otis did.
“Volunteer services?” Brother Mitchell looked at me.
“Didn’t Otis spend the day at the church volunteering after Sunday service? Or did I make that up in my head?” I asked and handed him a napkin.
“Oh no. There’s no volunteering on the Sabbath. After services I like to clear out the church and let everyone enjoy their day off. It’s in the Bible you know. Or you would know if you came to church more often.” He eyeballed me through the steam rising out of his cup as he took a drink.
I let his comment slide on over me like the light breeze that was pushing the snow into the booth.
“Since I was mistaken about his services on Sunday, what did he volunteer for?” I asked.
“I can’t recall him really volunteering for anything. Sometimes he’d show up for church and sometimes he didn’t. Otis was a very quiet man. He kept to himself a lot when he first moved here. Not that I agree with Juanita Anderson not coming to church, I do agree that she did him good by getting him out of that shop and house. But now we have to trust he’s with the Lord.”
“Mm hmmm.” I gnawed on the inside of my cheek and wondered exactly who was Otis Peavler. . .really. Where was he on Sundays when he claimed to be at church and volunteering? He sure did a good job using the God excuse to cover up whatever it was that got him killed.
Nine
“How was it?” Bunny asked when Pepper and I walked through the door after the Pawrade.
“Great. I think that there were a lot more adoptions than Louise had anticipated,” I said.
Pepper went straight for the bed in front of the fire and happily took some rubs from customers sitting on the couch as they sipped their drinks. I hung my coat up in exchange for an apron and headed straight to the glass counter to see what needed to be refilled.
“That’s wonderful.” She pointed to the tree. “Did you notice it’s lit up?”
“Felix,” I let out a sigh and looked over at his cage. “Where is he?”
“That nice young man that came in the other morning came in and Felix immediately climbed out of the tree. Now he’s curled up under the tree in the back.” She grabbed a towel from behind the counter.
“The guy that helped me take the coffee and treats to Camey?” I asked.
“Yes. He came in here looking for you.” Bunny wiped clean a recently vacated table. “I told him that you were at the Christmas in the Park Pawrade, but he didn’t seem interested. He just said that he wanted to thank you for the hospitality and he was leaving town. That his business was done here.”
“Business was done here?” My eyes lowered. “Did he say what business?” I rubbed my hand to my back pocket where I’d forgotten all about that photo.
“Nope. I didn’t ask. Wasn’t my business,” she muttered.
“Since when has something not been your business?” If I knew one thing for sure in all of this Otis mess, Bunny Bowowski loved a good gossip session and I’d bet all the money I’d already made this morning that she’d packed a tale or two while I was gone.
“Just because you’re my boss doesn’t mean you can talk out of school, young lady,” she scolded me, letting me know that I’d been disrespectful to my elder.
That’s one thing I did love about Bunny. She kept the good southern girl manners alive and well.
The bell over the door dinged. Juanita and a man walked into the coffeehouse. Juanita seemed to be explaining something to him and he nodded in response. She looked up and caught my eye, giving me a slight wave. She put her hand on the man and he smiled at me as they walked up to the counter.
Out of the corner of my eye, Bunny was taking it all in for later use.
“Roxy,” she padded up to the counter, “I had to bring Sheldon by and introduce you.”
“Hi, Roxy. I’m Juanita and Otis’s son.” He put his hand out and I shook it.
“Oh, I had no idea y’all had a child. It’s so nice to meet you.” You could’ve picked me up off the floor.
“Not really his son, but Otis did treat him like one and did everything with Sheldon as a father would do since Sheldon’s father passed when Sheldon was five.” She looked at her son with pride.
“Yes. I called Otis dad and everything I know today he taught me.” His lips curled together and he hugged his mom. My heart hurt for them. “I’m here to not only support my mom but figure out what happened to him. I can’t get a single answer out of the police department.”
“Can you believe that Spencer just keeps telling me that they are working on it and since we weren’t married, he can’t tell me anything.” She choked back the tears that lined her eyelids.
“Sometimes the law just sucks.” I shook my head and did the only thing I knew that would bring some warm comfort. “Here, let me get y’all a cup of my Christmas Harvest brew and I’ve got some hearty chicken soup that’ll warm you to your toes.”
“That sounds good.” Juanita look
ed at Sheldon.
“Yeah. I’d love some.” His eyes lit up.
“Why don’t you take a seat next to the Christmas tree and I’ll bring it right over.” The less they had to do and the more I could do, really made me feel much better.
I headed back into the kitchen and took out a couple of clay bowls that were bigger than the coffeehouse bowls we used to serve the Soul Harvest Chicken Soup in because I really wanted Juanita and her son to get a big helping of love. I put their bowls on an antique silver tray that I’d gotten from Wild and Whimsy along with two big pieces of torn off bread that would be perfect for sopping up the juices and headed out to the coffeehouse.
“Thank you for being so kind to Mama.” Sheldon was along at the table when I got there. “A lot of people look down on Mama and Otis for what they call living in sin. That’s why Mama never went to church with Otis. She said the people didn’t like the fact that he didn’t marry her, but me and Mama, we didn’t care.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why people should care so much about that. Otis loved your mama. He came in here every day and talked about her. So don’t you mind what others think.” I knew my words weren’t that enlightening, but maybe they made him feel somewhat better. “You’re going to love this soup. You let me know what I can do for Juanita. I’m happy to help where I can.”
“I do have one question.” His eyes dipped. “Do you have any idea who’d want to do this to him?”
I shook my head.
“I’ve heard that you’re real good at looking into these types of things and we just want justice for him.” He sniffed and bit his bottom lip. “We just can’t wrap our heads around this. And at Christmas time.”
I put my hand on his shoulder for what little comfort I could give. He placed his hand on top of mine and gave it a squeeze.
“I don’t know. I wish I did. I’m not real good at these things, just a wee-bit nosy due to the fact that I was a lawyer and it’s sorta in me to try and figure it out. As far as I can tell, there’s no reason. We have tourists here all the time and I can’t figure out if it was something gone wrong at Odd Ink and someone hurt him. I just don’t know.” I took a step back when Juanita came back to the table.
“I just love what you’ve done here. Honey Springs needed this. Not a coffeehouse, but you. The light and love and warmth you’ve provided our little town is amazing and I can see why Otis loved to come here every day.” Juanita’s words were a comfort to me and it only fueled me more to find out what happened to Otis Peavler.
“Do you mind if I make a few calls in the back?” I asked Bunny. The coffeehouse was full and I didn’t want to leave her all alone.
“Hello,” Aunt Maxi chirped and let the cool air whisk through the front door as she made her grand entrance. “Just hear those sleigh bells ringlin’, jing, jing, jinglin’,” she stopped singing when she noticed Juanita sitting at the table.
“I’ll be just fine.” Bunny smiled knowing Aunt Maxi was going to provide her with some entertainment, not to mention some more good gossip.
I watched as Aunt Maxi walked over to Juanita before I went back to the kitchen to make sure everything was going to be fine. When Aunt Maxi gave Juanita a hug, I let out a deep sigh of relief. Not that Aunt Maxi would’ve made a scene, but she had a way of sticking her foot in her mouth and now was not the time.
Pepper came back into the kitchen with me and munched on a Gingerbread Mischief while I downloaded the Uber app on my phone. It was a simple four step process that would’ve been easy for Otis to use. But why did he use Uber?
I put in the address for Central Park and decided to use the Uber to take more treats to the booth and check this out for myself. The app told me my ride would be here in seven minutes. With only about five to get items together and meet the driver at the end of the boardwalk, I threw some treats in the to-go bag and headed inside the coffeehouse.
“I’m going to grab these two carafes to take to Mom down at the booth. Can you make some new ones up?” There was no way I could brew a couple carafes before five minutes.
“I’m on it.” She hurried over to the counters and started to do what I asked. “I’ll keep Pepper too.”
“Perfect.” I’d not thought about Uber and pets. It’d be a good question to ask though.
“Roxy, honey.” Aunt Maxi stopped me on the way out. The roots of her new silver do were starting to show. “Can you tell me who came in and bought some of your Christmas coffee bean bark?” She took a box out of her purse.
My eyes slid over her shoulder and focused on Juanita when I realized it was the same box of bark I’d given her. I’d know that fancy holiday box from anywhere.
“I’m telling you, if you’re not my Secret Santa, then someone who comes here a lot is.” She shook the box to grab my attention.
“Ummm. . .” My lips jerked side-to-side. “I don’t know. I sell so much of that stuff.” I held the bags and carafes in the air. “I’ve got to go.”
“But I need to know who’s my. . .”
I didn’t leave any room for Aunt Maxi to ask any more questions. Not only was I running out of time to catch that Uber, I didn’t like the thoughts running through my head. Why was Juanita giving Aunt Maxi the treats I’d left with her? Juanita wasn’t in the Secret Santa exchange, but Otis was.
“Oh my gawd.” I gasped when I got into the Uber car that was waiting at the end of the boardwalk. “She told me that Otis just loved Aunt Maxi and thought she was the prettiest thing. Did she give Aunt Maxi the hair dye in hopes he wasn’t attracted to Aunt Maxi? Was he attracted to Aunt Maxi?”
“Listen lady.” The Uber driver turned around. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m on limited time because I’m the only Uber driving in Honey Springs. So no chit-chat because I ain’t got the time.”
“You’re the only Uber driver?” I asked.
“Yes, ma’am.” He called me ma’am and he’s much older than me. Maybe the stress of all these murders was starting to show on my face even though I’m only in my twenties.
“So you pick up everyone in Honey Springs?” I asked.
“Yes, ma’am. If I’m the only one.” His smart-assed comment didn’t go unnoticed.
“A friend of mine used your service a lot.” I thought I’d ease into the questioning about Otis. “Unfortunately, he’s passed.”
“Passed? As in dead?” He looked at me from his rear-view mirror.
“Yes. Otis Peavler. Do you remember him?” I asked.
“Ah man.” The driver shook his head. “He’s a great man. We talked all about tats and compared ours. I even told him I was going to come get some ink from him. He seemed like he was in good health. A little old, but good health, man.”
“He was murdered.” My words made him slam his brakes. I grabbed the seat so I didn’t go head first into the front seat.
“Murdered?” He turned around in his seat. “Who on earth did it?”
“I don’t know. I’m his lawyer and I’m working on his case.” If I played the lawyer getting justice card, I might get some information from him. “So you actually got to take him to see Juanita?” I asked.
“Yeah. And the grocery store. I mean at first I was a little upset because he took so long, but after I realized he was having a hard time seeing and the doctor had taken his license, I felt bad. Then I started going into the grocery with him.” He turned around and started to drive again.
“That’s so kind of you.” How did I not know his eyesight was bad? Him losing his license? Did Juanita know?
“Then he got into that big fight with Juanita and I was glad when they started seeing each other again, because he was miserable.” He pulled up in front of the park.
“Do you mind going over by the Christmas tree stand on the other side? I’d hate to try and carry all this way over there.” It really didn’t bother me, but it did buy me more time with this guy. “I had no idea they’d broken up.”
Yet, another reason Juanita might’ve ki
lled him.
“Yeah. Juanita is a little bit jealous and he really enjoyed that, but when she told him she didn’t want to see him again, it broke his spirit. He loved talking about her and her son.” He shook his head. “Who on earth would do such a thing?”
“You know,” I gathered my things, “I’m working on that. Do you mind if I take down your phone number in case I’ve got a few questions where you might be able to help out?”
“Yeah. Sure.” He nodded and flipped me a business card with his cell number on it. “I work a night job, so you can reach me during the day.”
“Sounds good.” I looked at his card and found his name. “Thanks, Ricky.” I slipped it in my back pocket and got out of the car.
“Thank you.” He rolled down the window. “Please let me know what you find out.”
“I will.” I couldn’t believe my luck. Had I just made a break in the case? Why did Juanita and Otis break up? Love makes people do funny things and if Juanita felt like he was going to stray with Aunt Maxi because she saw him as her husband and a dad to her son, I could see her getting all crazy mad. But mad enough to kill him and drag him to the tree?
Ten
“Ho, ho, ho. I hear you’ve been a good girl.” A candy cane popped in front of my face from behind me. “You deserve a candy cane.”
“Look at you.” I gently tugged on Patrick’s fake white Santa beard. “You’re so sweet to do this for all the kids.”
“Well, Loretta is out of the hospital and back to barking orders.” His eyes were still kind and gentle under the disguise. “And she had the biggest hissy fit when she found out that I hadn’t been doing the Santa thing, but I thought we’d give it a couple of days to let the murder of Otis settle before I jumped up there where he laid and make some happy ho, ho’s.”
“Is she here?” I asked and looked around.
“She was. You better watch it, she might be lurking in the tree lot waiting to pounce.” He gave a big ho, ho laugh when a child walked by, playing the part perfectly. “Let Santa help you with those big coffee pots.”