Joe and Clem sat by the drawer and stared at it intently, as if their collective brain power might open the drawer. At first she thought it was amusing. But after a few minutes of them staring the wheels in her mind started turning.
When Joe was interested in something, especially when a case was going on, there was usually something behind it. And this time he had chosen Brown’s Salt Water Taffy. That couldn’t be a coincidence – after all Misty was the sole heir to the business.
Dee had a strong feeling that she’d become too sidetracked by all the conflicting information she’d heard. The core of Misty’s story was that she would one day inherit the taffy empire. Now that was something to kill for.
Before she could investigate further, though, she had one important personal piece of business to attend to: her high school reunion. It was that very night and boy was she nervous.
Chapter 12
Deirdre anxiously fidgeted with her dress. She wanted to look nice for the reunion but she was afraid she had overdone it. The little black dress was a staple of her wardrobe. Coupled with some slimming pantyhose and comfy black flats she thought she looked pretty chic.
Then again, she wasn’t going to a ball. She took her hair out of the clip and shook it out and then donned a big red scarf. There, a bit more dressed down.
There was a rap at the door. Sam! All three cats bounded down the stairs like a herd of elephants, intent on finding out who was at the door. Dee added a quick squirt of perfume and did another quick check in the mirror in her bedroom. Ugh! When did she get so old? Well, it was too late now to turn back the clock and Sam wouldn't wait for it even if she could.
Thankfully, his expression at the door erased her fears.
“Dee, look at you! Pretty as a picture.”
She blushed. “Not bad yourself.”
Indeed, Sam had on nice navy slacks and a navy pullover sweater with a collared shirt underneath, something he was usually loathe to wear. He was obviously trying to make an effort. His beard was trimmed too and his hair cut. She playfully reached out to touch his newly-disciplined beard.
“Watch out, I spent an hour combing this into place,” he joked.
He looked around her to see the three cats lined up, staring him down.
“You're not coming this time,” he said to them. “Sorry guys but adults only tonight.”
Strangely, the cats didn't look the least bit disappointed. Dee realized that they probably had some nefarious plan, like trying to break into the cupboard where their food was kept or going in a safari in her closet and getting hair on absolutely everything.
As they set off in the car, Dee realized she was anxious. Her belly kept doing flip-flops. “You aren't nervous, are you?”
“Naw, it's going to be the same old locals. Hardly anyone comes from out of state to these things. We'll eat frozen appetizers, drink beer, talk to the same people we always do and be home before 10. Mark my word.”
Dee was silent for a moment. There was something she wanted to discuss with Sam, but she wasn’t sure how to approach it. “I know you’re going to think I’m silly but something made me rethink Misty’s case today.”
Sam looked over. She cleared her throat. “I had a visit from Jacob today. That in itself didn’t really get me thinking. After all, everyone I talk to is ready to point a finger at someone else. And I’ve been too busy letting them get me confused. But then he left some Brown’s taffy with me he didn’t want. Joe was so interested in the candy. He wouldn’t let up trying to play with it and I started thinking about how Misty was the sole heir to a business empire. Whoever landed that business would be wealthy, even if they had someone else manage it for them.”
“So who would have motive then to kill for the business?”
Deirdre thought hard. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe there’s another family member we don’t know about. What I keep thinking is that Jacob knows something. He said he saw Misty the day she disappeared. He has to have some idea what might have happened after.”
Sam smiled at her. “Oh Dee. This is all because of Joe, right? You think he’s giving you a clue. I know he’s a pretty smart cat but he isn’t a person, you know.” He chuckled. “No more mysteries tonight. Let’s just enjoy ourselves.”
Deirdre was silent. She wondered sometimes if Sam wasn’t a little dismissive of her detective work. And he definitely didn’t think Joe and Flipper helped, when past history clearly showed that they had.
What was the harm in Deirdre taking an interest in mysteries anyway? She wanted to help people who had been wronged. And Green Harbor was her town. She was proud of it and she liked helping people as much as she could.
As Dee mulled these points over she felt more and more irritated towards Sam. She didn’t like the feeling but she had to admit that they’d been at odds more frequently of late.
Sam parked at the high school and they went into the gym. There were people from out of state, people she hadn’t seen in years. People who had been mean to her when she was a teen. And even worse, Belinda Graves was there.
Belinda had been one of the most popular girls in their year. She was Sarah Brown's friend. She'd had long blonde hair and pretty hazel eyes and her family had been well-off. She had rode horses and played the flute like a perfect princess.
Even worse, Dee knew Sam had always had a thing for her. They'd never dated but he had always stared at her in high school. Then she'd left for college and never came back. Rumor was she'd moved to NYC and owned a big public relations company there.
Time hadn't done a lot of damage. She was still slim and wore a gorgeous camel-colored sheath dress and tall black pumps. Her hair was a glorious sheet of blonde, though it was shoulder length now.
She turned and saw them, though her eyes definitely rested on Sam. She came over immediately.
“How wonderful to see you two!” she cooed. “Sam, you've just aged wonderfully.”
The man had the gall to look pleased.
“You're looking well too,” he replied. “What a surprise to see you.”
“I came to stay with Sarah and give her my support after what happened to Misty. We're still the best of friends. Since the reunion was at the same time I thought, heck why not?”
“Well we're going to the bar, see you in a bit,” Dee said and dragged Sam away.
He ordered them two beers. “Why were you looking daggers at Belinda?” He asked.
“Why were you looking at her like she was a big, delicious cupcake?”
Sam burst out laughing. “I don't even like cupcakes.”
Dee pursed her lips and took a sip of beer. Just then a slow song came on from their youth.
Sam smiled. “I think we danced this one together when we were dating a million years ago.” He stretched out his hand. “Will you do me the honor?”
“I don't feel up much to dancing tonight.” She looked over at Belinda who was anxiously gazing their way. “Why don't you ask her? She's obviously dying to.”
Sam's brows sunk together. “What game are you playing? I know you love to dance. You're acting like we're in high school all over again.”
“Well, we are aren't we?” she replied pettishly.
Sam sighed. “Have it your way.” He marched right over and swept Belinda off.
The next three or four minutes were pure torture for Dee. The sight of tall, handsome Sam holding a beautiful, cultured New York woman was enough to make her stomach feel like it was in a knot-tying competition.
To compensate, she drank far too many beers too quickly. Even when the song ended Dee avoided Sam and fell to talking with Blanche and Marjorie. She avoided talking about anything to do with Misty's case so as not to upset Blanche.
An hour later she found Sam at her side. “I'm ready to go if you are,” he said gruffly. She almost thought about staying but her feet ached and she really wanted nothing more than a warm bath and the company of the cats. She agreed.
They were silent the first while as he drove her
to her house. Then Sam broke in and said, “Belinda asked me to leave with her.”
Dee's eyes shot open wide. “So what are you doing here? I thought Belinda was your lost love.”
Sam sighed. “I had a little crush on her when I was young. But then you and I started dating and she was nothing to me anymore. Since then I've hardly thought about her. I don't know why you think she’s my lost love. We have nothing in common.”
Dee laughed. “I don't know either.”
He parked in front of her house. “So you don't want to date me but you still get jealous?”
“I wasn't jealous!” Dee protested. “Well alright, just a bit.” She could feel her ears burning. “But that doesn't mean anything.”
“Well whatever it means you should still dance with me. I'm an old man but I still want to take a turn with a pretty girl. Even if she just wants to be friends.”
Dee blushed. “You're right. I was just being silly. You're mine Sam, you know? I get territorial.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “You're a complicated woman, Dee.”
He walked her to the door and they hugged for quite a long time. Old friends don't need too many words to say they're sorry.
Chapter 13
Deirdre had every intention of drawing a hot bath, having a long soak and then tucking into bed with a novel. Yet as she sat at her kitchen table, having a quick snack of crackers and cheese, she kept thinking about Jacob. Maybe because that was easier than thinking about what was going on with Sam. But she was also legitimately convinced that she needed to talk to Jacob and find out what he knew.
Flipper was fast asleep in his cat bed in the kitchen with Clem tucked right into his belly. Both cats were snoring, almost in tandem. Joe however was fully awake and he sat on the table by her plate, looking at her intently. He seemed to pick up on her anxiety and was gazing at her with those sweet yet intelligent eyes of his.
“What should I do?” she asked him. “I keep thinking about Jacob. I’m not sure I can sleep without doing something. Time is passing and Misty’s killer still hasn’t been found. It isn’t fair.”
Joe mewed as if he understood. She scratched behind his ears and then planted a kiss on his soft head. “It can’t hurt if I go out for an hour? Just to see if I can run into him?”
The little tabby mewed again. “I think that’s a yes,” Dee laughed. “I know you would never tell me not to go sleuthing. You’re an enabler, you really are.”
And so Dee found herself in the car, driving to who knew where. She had a vague idea of where Jacob lived. Still, intuition told her to head to the Bear Den, the local rough-and-ready bar on the outskirts of town.
Sure enough she spotted Jacob at his car parked outside the bar, fumbling with his keys. He didn’t seem to be able to get in. Dee parked and then saw him sway and almost tip over. She rushed out.
“Hey Jacob, it’s Deirdre. Are you okay? I was just driving by. Looks like you need some help.”
His eyes went wide when he saw her. He then looked about quickly. “Naw, I’m fine Dee. Don’t you worry about me,” he said, slurring his words considerably.
She put her hands on her hips and directed her best stern glance at him. “You’re not fine at all. You can barely stand let alone drive. I’m taking you home.”
She ushered him into the car and they drove off. Jacob had such a hangdog look that she felt sorry for him.
“Jake, I’ve wanted to talk to you for a while,” she confessed. “You told me way back that you saw Misty the morning she disappeared. Now why would you tell me that if you didn’t have something else to say? You might as well have out with it. We can’t just let her killer loose. It’s not right and it’s not fair to Misty or her family.”
Jake rubbed his face. “You’re right,” he slurred. “I have been wanting to tell you something. I know who killed Misty. But he’s watching me Dee, he’s threatening me if I don’t stay quiet. Even worse, he got me to help him set her up. I didn’t know what to do.”
Deirdre felt every fiber of her body stand at attention. “Call the police! Did he have something over you, is that why you helped him?”
Jake took a deep breath. “Sort of. But Dee, it’s worse than that. He promised me things, money, if I cooperated. I, I…” He buried his head in his hands. “I don’t feel like going home right now,” he said finally. “What if he saw me getting in the car with you? What if he goes after me?”
“You can come back to my place,” she blurted out without thinking things through. “We’ll talk over things there.”
Jake looked incredibly grateful but Dee realized in that moment that she may be dealing not just with an innocent person but someone who had helped in a murder. Suddenly she didn’t feel so safe. She had her cell in her left pocket so she surreptitiously sent Sam a quick message to meet her at her house ASAP.
Sam was waiting for her in the driveway when she got there. He must have gone well over the speed limit to get there so fast. Dee pretended to Jake that she’d forgotten Sam was supposed to come over even though such a statement was going to get her knee-deep in rumors if he ever blabbed.
Jacob seemed unfazed by his presence, though. They all went in. The cats began sniffing Jake like crazy and following his every move. Dee made coffee for Jake and tea for her and Sam and then they all settled down together in the living room. Deirdre told him what Jacob had told her. Joe sat right by him, looking at him intently.
Sam fixed Jacob with a firm look. “Listen son, I know you’re scared. This guy is after you. And you think you’re implicated in the crime. But if you act first and turn him in then you’ll be able to cut a good deal with the cops. It’s better to be the one to come forward. Because if they find out you were involved later on ,then it’s going to be much worse for you.”
Jacob’s light blue eyes flew open wide. “Don’t say that man,” he whimpered. “I didn’t have much choice in the matter.” He batted back Joe who kept pawing at him for some reason. The little tabby didn’t seem much fazed.
“I know,” Sam replied gently. “And I know you never wanted Misty to get hurt. But now’s your chance to make things right and get justice, for yourself and for Misty. I’ve known you a long time and I know you would want the right thing done here.”
Jacob stood up suddenly. He began pacing the room, seeming agitated. “You guys don’t understand. I didn’t want to do what’s right. That’s why I helped him. And I still don’t want to. I don’t want to go to jail, okay?”
Sam stood up. “No one’s going to jail except for the guy who killed her. Jacob, you have to tell us who did it. This guy needs to be put away where he can’t hurt you or anyone else.”
Jacob shook his head quickly. “Naw. I can’t. I can’t. I shouldn’t be here. This was all a huge mistake.”
He charged out of the door and was gone. Sam moved to follow him but Deirdre restrained him. “He’s unpredictable right now,” she cautioned. “Let it be.”
Just then Joe meowed insistently from the sofa where Jake had been moments before. He was pawing at something. Deirdre went over and found a cell phone. Her mouth dropped open.
“I think it’s Jake’s,” she said.
Sam came over. “It’s password-protected.”
Deirdre looked up at him. “Should we try getting in?”
Sam smirked. “Try 1,2,3,4.”
Amazingly, the password was 1234. So much for security. Deirdre saw that Jake had received a bunch of text messages recently. She opened the history and saw many more from the same number.
They both sank down on the couch and reviewed the messages. Many were threatening, warning that if he didn’t keep things quiet he’d be in big trouble. Earlier messages told him that if he didn’t lure Misty away on a particular day he’d be killed himself. The person said that Misty didn’t trust him and that he’d need someone to become her friend and then trap her for him.
“Who is it?” Deirdre whispered.
Sam shook his head. “I don’t kno
w Dee but this is serious. It’s time to call Sheriff Davis.”
Chapter 14
Sheriff Davis bent over a stack of paper in his office. In one hand he held a big mug of coffee and in another a pen. There were dark circles under his eyes, testament to the late night he’d had.
Sam and Dee sat in chairs in front of his desk. The sheriff had turned up right away the previous night, taken the phone and printed out the entire message history.
“I’ve traced the number. It’s a burner phone, of course, purchased apparently in Portland. Nothing more to find out. So I’ve read through the entire message history, hoping for some kind of clue.”
Dee leaned forward. “Anything?”
The sheriff licked his finger and thumbed through a few pages. “There’s a reference here to someone named Susan. It says: You help me get Misty, I’ll give you 10 percent of the fortune. You going to let Susan die in poverty?”
Her mind raced. “Susan, Susan, I just don’t know.” Then she had a stroke of inspiration. “Call Sarah Brown. Maybe she’ll know if it’s a relation.”
The sheriff called her promptly, put her on speakerphone and outlined the situation.
“Susan?” Sarah asked after a brief pause. “Goodness, she’s Jacob Miller’s mother. I only found this out because Matthew, our business manager, let it slip one time that Susan is Matthew’s stepmother and Jacob his stepbrother. He isn’t really close with his family, though. I think it’s always hard when families combine like his did. And then his father died and I believe there were financial difficulties.”
“Ma’am, would you know whether this is common knowledge?”
“I don’t know officer. I only know that Matthew’s in the loop. He and Jacob don’t talk usually, though.” She paused. “Heavens, you don’t think Matthew is involved in all this, do you?”
Sheriff Davis told her that they’d have to speak to Matthew and that they’d let her know as soon as they knew anything. He hung up and looked at Sam and Deirdre with a long face. “This doesn’t look good. We have to go talk to Matthew right now. According to Sarah Brown he should be at home. I think we’re going to have to pay him a visit.”
Murder in Green Harbor (Deirdre The Cat Lady Sleuth Book 2) Page 6