A Chili Death: A Classic Diner Mystery

by Jessica Beck

  “I didn’t really have much choice, now, did I?” he asked. “You made a good point, and probably the only one that would have shut me up. Honor is extremely important to this family, and I’m glad to see that you’re keeping it strong for another generation. You know, it might not be a bad idea to add another branch to the family tree. Victoria, we could all really use a baby around here. Somebody’s going to need to keep this joint open after we’re all gone.”

  I grinned at him, having grown quite adept at dodging that particular question. “That’s a worry for another day.”

  “Just don’t wait too long,” he said.

  “Have a good nap, Moose.”

  “I get it,” he said with a wink. “But don’t think this discussion is over.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said.

  Greg came out a few seconds later and asked me, “What was that all about?”

  “Moose was fishing around for a grandchild again,” I said.

  Greg surprised me by wrapping me up in his arms, though customers were all around us. He normally wasn’t all that big on public displays of affection, and it always pleasantly surprised me when he indulged in a little. “What did you tell him?”

  “That we weren’t in any hurry,” I replied. “Do you still feel that way, too?”

  “I’m happy just enjoying the chance to be with you,” Greg said.

  “That is the perfect answer,” I answered, and then grabbed a quick kiss.

  “Maybe someday, though,” Greg said, smiling as his words trailed off.

  “Maybe someday,” I repeated, answering him with a grin of my very own.

  Chapter 10

  “Hey, Stranger,” Rebecca Davis said as she came into the diner a few minutes later. She was wearing a nice black dress that showed off her figure without flaunting it. “Did you miss me?” Rebecca was close enough in appearance to me to be my sister. We wore the same size to the point where we could even share a wardrobe, but that was where it ended. I couldn’t imagine that she’d ever want to borrow a pair of my jeans, or my limited selection of plain shirts and blouses, but I couldn’t say the same thing about me. Rebecca tended to choose suits and dresses that were more appropriate for her profession, and I’d dipped into her closet for a special occasion more than once. We’d grown up together in Jasper Fork, and though we’d gone to college together and had been roommates all four years, I’d come back home to marry Greg when I graduated, while she went on to law school. I knew that a break like that was enough to doom more than one relationship, but we’d stayed solid through her years away, and when she’d come back home to hang her shingle, I’d reveled in getting her back in my daily life.

  “You have no idea,” I said as I hugged her. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed her support until she was back.

  “What happened, Vee?” she asked. Rebecca was the only person in the world—including my family, even my husband—to call me that. I called her Becka, but not all that often now that she was an attorney.

  “Somebody was murdered in our deep freezer while you were gone,” I said softly. There were a few folks eating, and I didn’t want to add any to the gossip already tearing around town about us.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you were kidding, but I know that look on your face. That’s just terrible. Was it someone I knew?”

  “I doubt it. A man named Howard Lance came by the diner a few nights ago claiming that he owned the land The Charming Moose sits on. He had a legal document and everything.”

  “And I wasn’t here to help you,” she said, a look of despair coming onto her face. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “There wasn’t anything you could do about it,” I explained. “And besides, Moose brought in a big gun as soon as he heard about it.”

  “I bet he hit the roof,” Rebecca said as a slight smile appeared on her face, and then vanished just as quickly.

  “He wasn’t happy,” I admitted, “and even less after Holly Dixon left here.”

  “He called Judge Dixon for legal advice?” she asked, clearly incredulous about that particular development. “She’s as tough as they come. How did Moose manage to get that particular string to pull?”

  “According to him, they’ve been friends for a long time.”

  “But you don’t buy it, do you?” Rebecca asked.

  “It’s not me as much as my grandmother,” I said. “Martha left the diner pretty quickly when the judge came by to examine the document.”

  “Let me see it,” she said, digging a pair of reading glasses out of her stylish purse.

  “No worries. We already found out that it was just an extortion attempt that had no real foundation. Howard Lance was trying to get a few quick scores before we found out, but evidently somebody didn’t take too kindly to being extorted.”

  “I can’t imagine anyone liking it,” she said. “If it was a legal document, you should see who drafted it. There might be something valuable there.”

  “Moose and I are one step ahead of you. We tracked down an attorney in Laurel Landing, and she basically confirmed that she’d done it without giving us anything about Howard.”

  “What’s his name?” Rebecca asked. “I might know him.”

  “It was a she, actually. Have you ever heard of Monica Ingram?”

  Rebecca nodded. “She’s supposed to be good. In fact, I’m amazed that you got anything out of her at all.”

  “Believe me, she was pretty cagey about it all, but it was clear that she honestly wanted to give us a hand. You should look her up, Rebecca. I have a hunch that the two of you would get along famously.”

  “Thanks, but I have enough acquaintances who are attorneys now. I cannot believe that I wasn’t here when you needed me.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up. You deserved some time away.”

  “I can’t help regretting it right now, though. At least you’re out of it.”

  I looked down at the floor for a few seconds, and then just kind of shrugged.

  Rebecca didn’t miss a beat. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re not out of it?”

  “He was murdered in our restaurant, Becka,” I said. “And it’s not like we all didn’t have motives.”

  She nodded. “I get it. Every one of you are suspects. I bet Sheriff Croft is just loving that.”

  “Actually, he’s given Moose and me quite a bit of latitude digging around.”

  That caught her completely off guard. “Hang on one second, young lady. Are you telling me that your grandfather is working with you to track down a killer?”

  “It’s not as bad as it sounds,” I said. “It turns out that we make a pretty good team.”

  “Will wonders never cease. What does your better half say about that?”

  “Honestly, I think he’s just happy he gets to stay in the kitchen,” I admitted.

  She shook her head, and then said, “I’ll say this for you. You really know how to overwhelm a gal. Is there any chance I might get a piece of pie so I can have a little time to catch my breath?”

  “You’ve got it,” I said. “Any preferences?”

  “As long as someone here made it, I’m pretty sure that I’ll be happy with it.”

  I grabbed her a slice of peach pie from the kitchen, and as I did, Greg said, “Tell Rebecca I’m glad she’s back home.”

  “For my sake, or hers?” I asked as I got a cup and saucer for her.

  “For everyone’s,” he said. “Have you brought her up to speed yet about the murder?”

  “I’m working on it.”

  “Carry on, then,” he said as he waved his spatula in the air. There weren’t many things my husband wouldn’t share if he had to, but the two things I knew for sure were his spatula and me. I never had the nerve to ask his order of preference, mostly just content to be in the top two.

  I slid the pie in front of her, and then grabbed one of our coffee pots and filled one of our mugs. She took a nice-sized bite of pie, seemed
to let it linger a moment, and then swallowed it, chasing the pie with a healthy gulp of coffee. “There. That’s better.”

  “Than what?” I asked with a grin.

  “Than the moment just before there was pie,” she said, answering with a smile of her own. “So, who all is on your suspect list?”

  I started to tell her, but she held up a hand. “Hang on. I assume that you’re sharing this information with the sheriff, is that correct?”

  I thought about what Moose and I had learned so far, and nodded. “So far we have,” I said.

  “That’s fine, then; just don’t tell me anything you don’t want him to know. I’m a sworn officer of the court, you know, and I have to take it seriously. You have a great deal more latitude than I do in what you and your grandfather are doing.”

  “Does that mean that you can’t be my partner in crime, too?” I asked with a laugh.

  “Not like the old days,” she answered. “Besides, the more I think about it, it might not be a bad idea to keep me in the dark. That way, when the sheriff gets around to arresting the two of you for obstruction of justice, I’ll be able to take the case with a clean conscience. Is that all right with you?”

  “You’d better believe it. I’m counting on it,” I said.

  We chatted a little more, and after Rebecca finished her pie and coffee, she said, “I’ve got to get home and get into some comfortable clothes. What do I owe you for the coffee and pie?”

  “It’s on the house,” I replied.

  She didn’t agree, though. “Victoria, you know that I always pay my way.”

  “So do I,” I answered, just as stubbornly. “If you’d like, think of it as your retainer for keeping me out of jail.”

  “I doubt I can do that, but the very least I can do is get you out once you’ve been arrested. Is that good enough?”

  “It sounds good to me,” I said.

  I was about to say something else when Moose walked in, looking even more distracted than was normal for him. “There you are,” he said when he spotted me. “Let’s go.”

  I stood my ground. “Look, Moose. Rebecca’s back.”

  He glanced in her direction, and then shot her a brief grin. “Hey, Counselor. I’d tell you that you look lovely as usual, but I’m sure enough men say the exact same thing to make it a weak compliment.”

  “You’d be surprised by how little I hear it,” she said.

  “Then shame on the men of North Carolina and beyond for not recognizing what a treasure they have in you.”

  “Moose, you are one charming man. This diner is well named.”

  He shrugged, but it was clear that he liked the compliment from such a lovely woman.

  “Be that as it may, I’m afraid that Victoria and I have an errand to run.”

  “Are you two going to keep investigating?” she asked with the hint of a smile.

  “You’ve been here long enough for Victoria to fill you in?” he asked.

  “Mostly I’m keeping out of it.”

  “So she can get us out of jail if we need busting out,” I told my grandfather.

  “It’s always important to have a contingency plan,” he said, and then he looked at me again. “Victoria, are you coming, or do I have to do this all by myself?”

  “Hold your horses. I’m ready and willing, but who’s going to watch the front while we’re gone?” It was just after three, the twilight zone when Ellen was already gone, but Jenny wasn’t there yet.

  “Your reinforcements will be here in a second.”

  The front door opened, and I was surprised to see Martha come in. “Are you my relief?” I asked her. “I thought you retired for good.”

  “What can I say? Your grandfather can be very persuasive when he sets his mind to it.”

  I kissed her cheek in thanks, and then turned back to Rebecca. “Can we finish catching up later?”

  “About everything but the case,” she said firmly.

  “Don’t worry, I was talking about your little adventure. Did you happen to have any love, romance, or intrigue while you were away?”

  “Not that you’d notice,” she said. “However, there was one attorney from Hickory who has potential.”

  “You ladies can gab all you want to later about the lucky guy,” Moose said. “I mean it, Victoria. I’m going, and I mean right now.”

  “I’m right behind you,” I said. “Do I have time to kiss my husband good bye?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll personally take care of that for you,” Rebecca said with a wicked grin.

  “Thanks, but that’s one job I’m not about to delegate.” I could tell that Moose wasn’t happy about this new delay, but that was just tough. Besides, there was no way that Martha was going to let him leave the diner without me.

  “Bye,” I said as I kissed Greg quickly.

  “See you later,” he said, intent on filling three orders at the same time. I didn’t envy him when things got busy in the kitchen, but he felt the same way when I had a stack of customers waiting to pay their bills during our busiest times. Our division of labor worked out just fine as far as both of us were concerned.

  Once Moose and I were out in the parking lot, I asked my grandfather, “What was the big hurry? Is it really that urgent?”

  “I don’t know,” he said with the hint of a smile. “I just thought you might like a look into Howard Lance’s apartment in Laurel Landing.”

  “You know I do, but how did you manage that?”

  His grin was out in full force now. “Victoria, I’ve been alive enough decades to have favors due all over our part of the state, and beyond as well. I found out where Lance was staying, and I managed to get us a quick peek inside if we hurry.”

  “Do you know if Sheriff Croft has searched the place yet?” I didn’t want to get into any trouble that I could avoid, and going to Lance’s place before our sheriff made it would be bad on so many levels.

  “He’s come and gone, and the place is going to be packed up by midnight. I volunteered to do it for the apartment owner. That way, it’s a win for everyone. He gets the place cleaned up, and we get to search for clues. You can tell me now how impressed you are with my resourcefulness.”

  “You know I am,” I said as I hugged him before we got into his truck.

  It appeared that we were getting a second wind in our investigation. I just hoped we found more than we had so far.

  “Moose, there’s absolutely nothing here that’s going to help us,” I said after we’d searched and sorted everything in Howard Lance’s apartment. Moose’s friend, Duke, the man who owned the place, had provided us with boxes for trash and Goodwill, so at least we’d accomplished something during our hunt.

  “I’m sorry,” Moose said as he closed up the last box. “I thought for sure we’d find something here.”

  “The sheriff must have been more thorough than we’d thought.”

  “Actually, our sheriff is the one who did the search,” an older man said as he joined us. “Moose, how are you, you old rascal?”

  “Better than most guys our age, Duke,” Moose said.

  “Did you have any luck?” he asked after Moose introduced me to him.

  “Not a bit of it. I’ve got to tell you, though, I’m surprised Sheriff Croft let someone else search for clues here, even if it is out of his jurisdiction.”

  “They searched it together,” Duke said. “I tried to give them a little advice, but when they both threw me out, I decided to be someplace else quick, if you know what I mean.” He looked around the living room, and shook his head in disgust. “It’s bad enough that I’ve had number four empty for five months, now I have to get this one ready to rent again, too. I thought I was buying a slice of retirement when I dropped a load on this place, but all I guaranteed myself was more work.”

  “We appreciate the chance to look, anyway,” Moose said as he started out the door with the last box. We had them sorted and stacked in front of the apartment, and my grandfather shook his friend’s ha
nd one last time. “Come by the diner and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee sometime,” Moose said.

  “From what I hear, you’re never there anymore.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make good on it, and I hardly ever leave the place,” I said.

  “You’re gone right now, though, aren’t you?” Duke asked with a grin.

  “I’ll write you an IOU,” Moose said, and did just that. “Present it to the first person who works for us you see, and you’ll get your java.”

  “Where are you going?” Duke said as we took a few steps toward the truck.

  My grandfather glanced at his watch. “I can hang around a little bit if you’re lonely, but we both have to get back to work.”

  “I don’t want conversation, you old goat,” Duke said. “I just thought you’d like to see Lance’s storage locker.”

  “Did you show this to the two sheriffs?” I asked as Duke led us to the back of the building.

  “I tried to, but they ran me off before I had a chance. I figured somebody might like to take a peek, though.”

  Duke opened a side door, and just inside we found a large metal cage with a keyed lock on it. Inside were a dozen storage lockers, each one no bigger than a coffin, but there was still plenty of room to hide something important inside.

  “Which one was Lance’s?” Moose asked as we all stepped inside.

  “He had number nine,” Duke said. “I already took care of the lock, but don’t worry about cleaning this out. I’ll get to it before I make that haul to charity. Now, I’ll get out of your way, since there’s barely enough room to turn around in there with the two of you. You don’t have to stop by when you leave. Just slam the door, it will lock on its own.”

  “Thanks again,” Moose said, and I noticed that he waited until his friend was out the door before he moved to Howard Lance’s locker.

  “What’s the matter, don’t you trust him?” I asked softly.

  “Oh, I trust him just fine. It’s just the seven people he’ll tell after that I can’t vouch for. The man loves to chat, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Got it.” All of the other lockers inside the cage had locks on them. I watched as Moose opened Howard Lance’s locker. Inside were several things that might be of interest to a flea market or a yard sale, but I was afraid that it was just more of the same as what we’d found inside.