A Shot of Bitterness

by Wendy Meadows

  Margaret pulled into the parking lot. She got out and walked down the path to her parents’ house. Her parents had a little bungalow, and a nurse stopped by a few times a day. If anything were to occur healthwise there was a fully staffed medical facility just around the corner. Margaret was glad they were there. She didn’t have to worry about anything happening to them while they were in their bungalow. She knocked on the door and heard her mother tell her to come in. Margaret opened the door and said hello to her parents. She filled them in on what was happening in her life. When she talked about being hired to look into a murder, her mother beamed, while her father scowled.

  “I’m so happy for you, dear,” said her mother. “And you are making my sweets, too?”

  “Yes I am,” said Margaret.

  “That is wonderful. Isn’t that wonderful?” Margaret’s mother asked her father.

  “I don’t think it’s wonderful. You should keep the detecting to the police. What do you know about solving crimes?” he answered brusquely.

  “Now dear,” said Margaret’s mother. “Just because Margaret is a woman doesn’t mean that she can’t be a private investigator. Women have good instincts. She will be a fine investigator.”

  Margaret smiled, thinking about what Kyle had said that morning.

  Before she left, her mother gave Margaret her recipe book.

  “This is where I keep my sweet recipes,” said her mother. “I’m sure you will find some good one in there for your store.”

  Margaret thanked her mother and said goodbye to her parents. She walked back to the car and before she started driving she looked through the recipe book. The recipes brought back some old memories of holidays and fun times. She smiled and picked out another recipe to try, then drove to the store and got the ingredients. By the time she got to the candy shop it was eleven.

  “Did you have fun at Grandma and Grandpa’s house?” asked Zach.

  “I did,” said Margaret. She hadn’t worried about showing up without Zach. Ever since he had gotten his own car Zach visited his grandparents once a week. Margaret pulled out the cookbook.

  “Look what Grandma gave me,” she said.

  Zach smiled. He had enjoyed his grandmother’s cooking his whole life. He knew what a treasure trove was hidden between the covers of that book. He paged through and then showed it to Patty. Patty was impressed.

  “What will you be making next?” asked Zach.

  “Buckeyes,” said Margaret. Buckeyes were a chocolate and peanut butter treat. Margaret had eaten them by the handful when she was a young girl.

  “We can sell them by the bagful,” said Zach.

  “That was just what I was thinking,” said Margaret. “However, I won’t be able to sell any if I don’t get to making them,” she said.

  “Right,” Zach said as he helped Margaret put the groceries in the back of the shop.

  “If I keep this up I will have to start buying in bulk,” Margaret said.

  “I can look around online and fine a good bulk store,” said Zach. “I might find one that sells to cooks at a discount.”

  “Great idea,” Margaret said. Then she got to work on her pralines and her buckeyes. While she was cooking she thought of her friends. Many of them hadn’t liked Scott, but did they have it in them to murder him? Margaret didn’t think so. She did realize she had to keep an open mind like David had suggested. That’s what a good investigator did. She finished up the pralines and started on the buckeyes.

  Margaret mixed the peanut butter and other ingredients together. She melted the chocolate on the stovetop. Zach came back and helped her dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate. She thanked him and then they heard Patty calling. Zach went out to give her a hand while Margaret finished up the buckeyes. Margaret stepped into the front of the shop and was shocked to see how busy it was. Many of the customers were there for her pralines. Others wanted candy.

  “My daughter goes to the elementary school,” one woman explained to Margaret. “When she brought her goody bag home her older brother said that was the best thing the elementary school had ever given out. He insisted we come over so he could get his own goody bag.”

  “So glad to hear that!” Margaret replied. She was glad the goody bags were a success.

  “These pralines remind me of my grandmother’s,” a young woman said to Patty. “In fact, they are better than hers. Don’t tell her though. I know you know her.”

  Patty laughed. “I won’t say a thing,” she promised while ringing up the young woman. Patty caught Margaret’s eye and the women smiled at each other. Margaret was thrilled that people were liking her homemade candy.

  “Can I help you?” she asked a man who had walked into the shop.

  “Yes, please,” he said. “My friend Simone told me I had to try out your pralines.”

  “They are right over here.” Margaret showed him the display. It was running low but there were still some left.

  “I’ll take a pound,” said the man. “I’m sure if I go back to my office with just one praline my receptionist will send me back for more.” He laughed. Margaret boxed the pralines and rang the man up.

  “Let everyone know about the pralines. We will have buckeyes tomorrow also,” said Margaret.

  “Buckeyes? Those are my favorite,” said the man. “I will be back tomorrow for sure.”

  “Thanks,” said Margaret, handing him his box of pralines. She stepped back and looked around. Most of the customers had left and those who were still there were being taken care of. Margaret went into the back to check on her buckeyes. They were firming up nicely. She put them back into the refrigerator. If I could only solve the case. That would make this a gold star week, she thought as she went back into the shop. She counted the money in the register and decided to make a deposit before going home that night. She told Zach and Patty it was time to close the store. It was five and the customers had dwindled away. Margaret looked at the case and was shocked to see the pralines were gone again.

  “That’s two days in a row,” said Patty. “You’re on a roll.”

  “It looks like it,” said Margaret. She cleaned out the case and Zach and Patty mopped and dusted. After they were done, Zach told Margaret he was meeting some friends. She told him that was fine and then she closed the shop. She offered Patty a ride home but Patty said her husband was picking her up.

  “We’re going out to eat,” said Patty.

  “Good for you,” said Margaret. “Have fun.” Margaret got into her car and drove home after stopping by the bank. The weather had held and she thought about doing some weeding in her yard. People generally didn’t like to weed but for Margaret it was a meditative experience. She drove up to her house and waved to Kyle. He was just getting back from walking Stryker. He waved back and Margaret walked to her front door. She opened the mailbox and pulled out the mail. She started to sort through it when she screamed and dropped it. Kyle came running over.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked Margaret.

  “That,” said Margaret, pointing to the paper on top of the pile. Kyle bent to pick it up.

  “Don’t touch it!” said Margaret.

  “Why not?” asked Kyle. Margaret told him it was a threat to her life. She told Kyle that she and David had found similar notes at the crime scene.

  “I’ll call nine-one-one and you can call David,” said Kyle, getting out his phone. Margaret quickly dialed David’s number. He answered and she told him what was going on.

  “Did you call the police?” he asked.

  “Kyle did,” said Margaret, waiting for his response.

  “Good,” said David. “I’m glad he’s there.”

  Margaret was happily surprised.

  “Wait there. I’ll be right over,” said David, and he hung up the phone.

  Chapter 11

  When David got to her house Margaret was sitting on a chair on her porch. Kyle was with her. He had gotten her some sweet tea. There were policemen milling around, and David recognized
some lab guys.

  “Are you okay?” David asked Margaret.

  “I am. It was just a shock to find that note. I dropped it as soon as I saw it.”

  “That is good. The lab guys might be able to find some prints. Let me take a look at the note,” he told one of the lab crew. The tech gave him the note, which was in an evidence bag. David looked at it.

  Don’t investigate Scott Freeman’s murder any more. Leah Freeman did it. If you continue to investigate you will be hurt.

  “Did you read this?” David asked Margaret. She nodded.

  “Take this to the lab and dust for prints, pronto,” ordered David.

  The lab guys were dusting her mailbox and doorknob. Margaret was glad they were being thorough. David thanked Kyle for being there for Margaret. Kyle excused himself and said he had to get back home to check on Stryker.

  David took Margaret’s hand and led her inside.

  “Did you call Zach?” he asked.

  “No,” said Margaret “I didn’t want to scare him.”

  “I’ll do it. He should know about this.” David called Zach and told him what was happening. David reassured Zach that Margaret was okay.

  “So, this is exactly what I was worried about,” said David. He was not scolding. He just sounded concerned.

  “Whoever did this knows where you live,” said David.

  “It’s easy to find out where I live,” said Margaret. “Anyone can look it up on the internet.”

  “That’s true. I still want to post a car out on your street. I want to make sure someone is watching you all the time,” said David.

  “I appreciate that,” said Margaret, sitting on the sofa in the living room. “I don’t think it’s necessary but I won’t turn you down.”

  “Well, I think it is necessary and the offer stands,” said David. Margaret agreed. She was concerned about Zach. What would have happened if he had been home when this was dropped off? she wondered. She shivered.

  “Do you need a blanket?” asked David.

  “I’m okay,” said Margaret. “Will you be looking into Leah Freeman?”

  “No. I think this was a diversion to make us look where the killer isn’t,” said David.

  “Well, I would think you would want to question her,” said Margaret.

  “I think she has been through enough. Her husband just died. Let her have some space,” said David.

  “Okay,” said Margaret, but she was hurt that he just brushed her off. He got her another glass of sweet tea. Zach appeared several minutes later, looking worried.

  “I’m okay,” said Margaret as he hugged her. “It was just some threatening mail. No one was hurt.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay, Mom,” said Zach.

  “I will keep a marked car on this street all day and night until this case is solved,” said David.

  “Thank you,” said Zach.

  “I really do appreciate you looking out for me,” said Margaret. By this time the officers had left.

  “Would you like some dinner?” asked David.

  “Sure,” said Margaret.

  “Stay right there.” David went into the kitchen, and thirty minutes later he appeared with pasta mixed with garlic, olive oil, and vegetables.

  “This tastes wonderful,” said Margaret. David grinned.

  After dinner Zach and David cleaned up. David looked outside and saw the patrol car. He went out and talked to the officers.

  “Those are Officers Davis and Smith,” he told Margaret when he came back inside. “They will be here all night. If you see or hear anything suspicious call them,” said David picking up Margaret’s phone and inputting the number. He also gave the number to Zach.

  “Thank you for everything you have done,” said Margaret.

  “You’re welcome,” said David, sitting next to her.

  “I think I’m getting tired,” Margaret said.

  “I’m sure you are,” said David. “I will let you guys get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  “You don’t have to stop by,” said Margaret.

  “Then who would make the pancakes?” David teased. Margaret and Zach laughed. David left and Margaret went upstairs and crawled into bed.

  Chapter 12

  The next morning, true to his word, David showed up and made pancakes. Margaret woke up to the smell of coffee. She got out of bed and got dressed. She walked downstairs to see Zach and David sitting at the table.

  “Good morning,” said David.

  “Good morning,” said Margaret, ruffling Zach’s hair. “The coffee smells wonderful.”

  “Wait until you taste the pancakes,” said Zach. Margaret sat down and helped herself to some blueberry pancakes.

  “How did you sleep?” asked David.

  “Pretty good,” said Margaret. “I heard a noise but it was nothing.”

  “I talked to the cops in the car. They said it was a quiet night.”

  “I slept really well,” said Zach.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” said Margaret.

  “Do you need a ride to work?” asked David.

  “No thank you. I would prefer to drive. I don’t want whoever did this to know that I was shaken,” said Margaret.

  “I understand,” said David, getting up to leave. “Just remember, the patrol car will be here even if you aren’t.”

  “I really appreciate that,” said Margaret. “I’ll let Kyle know so he is aware of the situation.”

  “I already did,” said David. “He was walking his dog when I got here. I filled him in.”

  “Good,” said Margaret. She was glad that David felt more comfortable around Kyle. They were both important people in her life. She was glad to have some strong male figures around for Zach to look up to.

  “I will stop by the shop around noon,” David said. “I want to make sure you are okay.”

  “Okay,” said Margaret. David left and Zach did the dishes. After he was done Margaret got in her car. Zach was just about to pull out in his own car when Margaret rolled down her passenger window. Zach rolled his window down.

  “I’m going to make a stop before I go to work,” she said. “If you need me just call me.”

  “If you need me just call,” said Zach. “I had a feeling you were glad David didn’t stay too long.”

  “Yes. I want to stop by Mrs. Freeman’s house. I need to ask her a few questions. I will be fine,” reassured Margaret.

  “I know you will,” Zach.

  Margaret pulled out and drove to Leah Freeman’s house. Leah’s car wasn’t in the driveway. Margaret considered going back to the candy shop but hesitated. Something didn’t feel right. Margaret got out of her car and walked to the front door. It was partially opened.

  “Leah?” Margaret called as she carefully pushed the door open. Margaret was shocked to see that most of the furniture was gone. She looked around. No one was home. She didn’t hear any noises. Margaret walked in and went upstairs. The bed and sofa were gone along with the television. She skipped out, Margaret thought.

  Margaret decided to poke around some more since Leah Freeman was obviously gone. She looked in the guest room and walked back downstairs. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for. Margaret was in the living room when she heard a noise. She started to turn around when she felt something on the back of her head. There was intense pain and then the lights went out. The last feeling Margaret had was the sensation of falling.

  Chapter 13

  Margaret woke up to someone shaking her arm. She had a splitting headache. She opened her eyes and saw Leah Freeman. Margaret started to shriek but Leah put her hand on Margaret’s mouth. Leah looked scared and shook her head. Margaret calmed down. If Leah Freeman had wanted her dead she would not have woken her up.

  “What are you doing here?” asked Margaret.

  “This is my house. What are you doing here?” asked Leah.

  “I was checking out a lead when I got hit on the head,” said Margaret.

  “Who
hit you?” asked Leah.

  “You mean it wasn’t you?” asked Margaret. “Whoever it was, they could still be in the house.”

  Leah looked frightened. Margaret sat up. Her head was killing her but she knew they had to get out of there. She stood up and she and Leah tiptoed through the house. Margaret thought she heard a noise in the kitchen. She put her finger to her lips and they stopped. Margaret didn’t hear anything but they started walking faster. They made it out the front door and sprinted toward Margaret’s car.

  Margaret felt woozy but she knew she had to get them to safety. She gunned the car and they drove to a diner the next town over. Margaret wondered if the adrenaline was keeping her from passing out. She checked the rear window the whole way and was sure they were not followed. She got out of the car and she and Leah went into the diner. Margaret didn’t call David just yet. She wanted to talk to Leah alone. A waitress came over and they ordered coffee. Margaret looked out the window until the waitress came back with the coffee. She didn’t see anything suspicious.

  “Why was your house empty?” asked Margaret. “Were you running away?”

  “No! I just needed to get out,” said Leah. “I was getting tired of being by myself. I wanted to be with my family so I left. I took some things with me last night and came back to get the rest of my stuff today. Don’t worry, I was going to pay you. I was going to call you later today and let you know I was moving. I could not stand being in that house anymore.”

  Margaret felt a twinge when Leah spoke those last nine words. She sipped on her coffee the waitress had brought over.

  “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?” asked Margaret. “First I will tell you something about my life. My husband was mean. He was a bully. It got so bad that I left him one night. Zach and I got out and never looked back. The last thing I said was that I had to get out of the house.”