Evil Éclairs

by Jessica Beck

  “But why does it matter, after all these years?” Grace asked.

  “Think about it,” I said. “Lacy’s memory of her husband is all she’s got left of him, besides that garden they grew together.”

  “She wouldn’t kill anyone just to keep a secret,” Grace said firmly.

  Ray rubbed a hand through his thinning hair. “You’d be surprised how powerful that can be as motivation.”

  “Who else have you been looking at?” I asked.

  “Isn’t there anything you can give me?” he asked.

  He had a point. I had to give him something. “We’ve got folks from all walks of life, and our suspect list is pretty broad right now. I’d give you more, but I don’t want to accuse anyone of anything until I’ve got more evidence.”

  “But when you do, you’ll share with me, right?”

  “You can count on it.”

  Ray nodded. “I suppose that’s all I can ask. The other suspect I have is pretty powerful around here.”

  He was actually trying to tease me with something I already knew.

  “Cam Hamilton,” I said.

  Ray looked startled by the name. “Where did you get that?”

  “We spoke with Cara Lassiter. She gave us a list of people Lester went after, and our mayor was pretty high on the list. When we spoke with him about it, he was dismissive, and then he got a little defensive when we pursued it further.”

  “Wouldn’t that reaction make sense if he were innocent?” Grace asked.

  “Somebody killed Lester Moorefield,” I said.

  “I personally think his wife did it,” Grace said.

  That got Ray’s attention. “He was married?”

  “To a woman in Union Square,” I said.

  Ray grabbed a pencil. “That’s more like it. What’s her name?”

  Grace was about to tell him when I said, “Not yet. You’ll get her name later.”

  “I deserve at least that much now,” he said.

  I wasn’t excited about turning one of our suspects over to Ray, but he had been forthcoming with us. What could it hurt? “I’ll tell you. In twenty-four hours.” That should give us time to speak with her again before we loosed the press on the woman.

  “Make it twelve and we’ve got a deal,” Ray said.

  “Keep pushing, and it will be forty-eight,” Grace said, getting into the spirit of the negotiation.

  “Okay, okay, it’s one full day.”

  “Do you have anything else?” I asked him.

  Ray scanned a list in front of him. “No one like Lacy and Cam. Then again, I didn’t know Lester was married. Let’s see, I’ve been looking at Sherry Lance and Cara, too. Can you imagine having to work with that man every day?”

  I wasn’t about to tell him that we’d eliminated Sherry from our list.

  Before I could respond, Grace said, “It’s not much of a motive for murder. How hard is it to get another job?”

  “As a matter of fact, Cara already found a new program there to produce,” I said. “Is that all you have?”

  “Come on, I think that’s a lot.”

  “It is,” I said as Grace and I started to leave.

  “Don’t forget your promise,” Ray called out.

  “Which one?”

  “Both of them. You’re going to give me Lester’s wife tomorrow, and then when you figure it out, I get the scoop.”

  Out on the sidewalk, I looked at Grace. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “What, that a cheeseburger from the Boxcar would be great about now?”

  I laughed at my friend. “We’ll pick up a bite on the way to Union Square. We need to see if we can wring anything more out of Nancy Patton before we give her name to Ray.”

  “You’re right. There’s not much chance she’ll talk to us after we do that,” Grace answered.

  We grabbed sandwiches at a place along the way that couldn’t touch Trisha’s fare at the Boxcar, but it was quick, and not too pricey. When we got to Nancy’s shop, I wasn’t sure at first that she was even there. The bell over the door that announced us didn’t stir up any signs of life.

  “Hello?” Grace called out.

  “Shh,” I said. “Let’s see if we can surprise her.”

  We walked through the shop to the back room, and I was surprised to hear the sound of someone crying.

  “Nancy?” I asked softly as I tapped on the doorjamb. “Are you all right?”

  She dabbed at her eyes with an antique lace handkerchief. “I didn’t hear you come in. I’m sorry.”

  “We didn’t mean to interrupt,” I said. “What happened?”

  “Men,” she said, and then began to cry again.

  Grace moved past me and touched her shoulder lightly. “They can be real prizes, can’t they?”

  “I know there are good ones out there,” Nancy said, “but I never seem able to find any of them.”

  “Are you talking about Lester?” I asked gently.

  “What?” She looked startled by the suggestion. “No, we were finished a long time ago. The only reason he wanted to stay married was so he could use it as an excuse if someone got too close to him. I didn’t mind, it wasn’t inconveniencing me in any way. At least not until Frank came into the picture.”

  “Your alibi,” I said.

  “He’s more than that,” Nancy admitted. “I thought we were in love, but that was before I knew that he was digging into my life.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I just found out he thinks I killed Lester!” she said, and then started crying again.

  After she composed herself, I asked, “Did he actually accuse you of it?”

  She shook her head. “Not in so many words, but he might as well have. He’s been going around April Springs in disguise trying to find out what really happened.”

  I knew I’d seen the man before, and something finally clicked. “He was dressed as a clown, wasn’t he?”

  “How could you possibly have known that? It’s Frank’s favorite disguise.”

  “I threw him out of the donut shop,” I admitted.

  “Good for you. I wish I’d had the nerve to throw him out of my life.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Grace said. “It happens.”

  “Too often to me,” she said. “None of this would have happened if Frank hadn’t asked me to marry him. The worst part of it is, he has to know I didn’t do it. He was proposing to me about the time someone killed Lester, but he won’t listen to reason.” She dabbed at her eyes. “I think he’s using the murder as an excuse to back out of it, especially now that I’m free to marry him.”

  “It sounds as though you’re better off without him,” Grace said.

  “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right, but it’s too soon to tell. It doesn’t matter. He’s gone. He didn’t even have the nerve to tell me to my face. All I got was a note.”

  She pointed to a crumpled note on her desk that appeared too brief to be a good-bye.

  “I’m sorry,” I finally said, when I could think of nothing else to say.

  As we left, Grace said, “I feel bad about turning her over to Ray. She deserves better from us, don’t you think?”

  “If she’s telling the truth,” I said as I got out my cell phone.

  Grace put a hand on mine to stop me from dialing. “What do you mean?”

  “It seems awfully convenient that her alibi left town so suddenly. All we have is her word that she didn’t kill her husband.”

  “Is that why you’re calling Jake?”

  I looked at her, startled by the idea. “I’m letting Ray know her name early. He might be able to get something else out of her.”

  “We weren’t going to tell him until tomorrow.”

  “What can I say? Plans change.” I dialed Ray’s number and gave him Nancy’s name and location, told him about Frank Wheeler, too, and the newspaper publisher promised to be in Union Square in half an hour.

  Grace was frowning at me when I
hung up.

  I took a deep breath, and then said, “I’m sorry you don’t approve.”

  “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

  “Grace, this is murder we’re talking about here. If she killed her husband, it has to come out. Ray is better than you think. He might get something out of her that we couldn’t manage to.”

  “And if he can’t?” she asked.

  “Then she gets her tears out of the way in one day, instead of stretching it out into two. It’s the best we can do. I need for things to be resolved, and sooner rather than later.”

  “You’re fighting for your business,” Grace said. “I can understand that.”

  “It’s more important than that. I need to protect my reputation. I haven’t said anything to you about it, but Lester’s murder is slowly killing my business.”

  “Is it really that bad?”

  “Enough people have stopped coming in to turn my black ink red, and I don’t have that much in reserve. The pot has to be stirred, whether we like what that leads to or not.”

  Grace seemed to think about that, and then nodded. “You’re right. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I must be getting soft.”

  “Lacy’s involvement can’t be easy on you,” I said.

  “It shouldn’t matter, if she’s the killer. Who’s next on our list?”

  “I want to go to the hospital and check on George,” I said. “I can’t believe we haven’t heard anything new.”

  Grace glanced at her watch. “Okay. I should have time.”

  “Is there somewhere you need to be?”

  She admitted, “I’ve got a conference call with my boss, but I could probably put it off until tomorrow.”

  “Are you crazy? Your job has to come first. I can drop you off on the way to the hospital.”

  As I started driving back, she said, “I hate to feel like I’m bailing out on you, Suzanne.”

  I smiled at her briefly. “Are you kidding me? You’re the most supportive person I’ve ever known in my life.”

  “I’m telling your mother that you said that,” Grace answered with a grin of her own.

  “Go ahead. I’ll just deny it.”

  “You would, wouldn’t you?”

  Our conversation was interrupted by my cell phone. Was this the news I’d been waiting for?

  It was almost as good. After I found out who it was, I said, “Hi, Jake.”

  “Hello, sunshine. How are you?”

  “Pretty good. How about you?”

  “I’m okay. I’m just running a little behind again,” he said.

  “Care to tell me why?” It was worth asking the question.

  “I would if I could,” he said, and then hung up.

  “What was that all about?” Grace asked me.

  “I’d tell you if I had the slightest clue,” I admitted.

  I dropped Grace off at her car, and then started toward the hospital. As I drove, I noticed that Cara Lassiter was walking in that direction. I pulled over and honked my horn, but she didn’t look at me.

  “Cara, it’s Suzanne,” I said.

  She turned then, and smiled at me. “I thought you were another hound trying to get my attention. What’s happening to our quaint little town?”

  “I suppose there are wolves everywhere,” I answered. “Can I give you a ride somewhere?”

  “That would be great,” she said.

  After she got into my Jeep, I asked, “Where are you heading?”

  “I’m on my way home. My blasted car died on me again, and I can’t afford to get it fixed just yet. When my big check comes, I’m going to trade it in on something that runs.”

  “Who’s sending you money?” I asked.

  She lowered her voice, though it was just the two of us in the car. “I’m not telling anyone yet, but I recently won a bit of money in the lottery.”

  “You mean people actually make money playing?” I asked.

  “I know, it’s crazy how the odds are, but every now and then I put five dollars down, just in case. This time I won. It’s not a fortune, but it should make my life easier. Suzanne, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t spread that around.”

  “I won’t tell a soul. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Where are you headed?”

  “I’m going to the hospital to see George Morris,” I said.

  “I forgot you two were friends. Any word on his condition? The last I heard, he was still unconscious.”

  “That’s why I’m going. He’s been out a long time.”

  “You can let me off right here,” she said as she motioned to a nearby intersection. “I can walk the rest of the way.”

  I pulled over, and she hopped out. “Thanks again.”

  “I expect a ride in that new car of yours,” I said.

  “You’ve got a deal.”

  I had a hard time believing that Cara could be a killer, but it couldn’t be harder than Grace believing that about Lacy. It was difficult not to let the fact that I liked someone cloud my judgment. I didn’t know how Chief Martin did it, and I began to have a little sympathy for him, unusual for me.

  I couldn’t get in to see George, a fact I learned when I checked in at the intensive care unit. Was Penny on duty? I asked a nurse, and was told to wait, which I had never been any good at.

  Penny came out ten minutes later. “Hey, Suzanne. You didn’t bring any more donuts, did you? There are still some in the nurse’s lounge.”

  “I’ll bring fresh donuts in tomorrow morning,” I said. “Any news on George?”

  “He’s still unconscious,” she admitted, and I could have sworn she looked worried about it.

  “It’s not good, is it?” It broke my heart to say those words.

  “I told you before, there’s no way we can tell, but if he’s not alert by morning, we might have something to worry about.”

  “I know you can’t tell me anything officially, but surely you’ve got an opinion. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”

  “I don’t believe in speculating,” she said firmly. “I’ve been wrong too many times in the past.”

  She had just finished speaking when a code for the ICU section was called over the intercom.

  Without a word, Penny sprinted back, and I was left to wonder if George was going to make it, or if he was taking his last breath as I stood helplessly by.

  A TWIST ON TEXTURED DONUTS

  This is a recipe I borrowed from a friend of mine. They’re a nice change of pace from standard donuts, and they have the added benefit of being simple to make and not requiring many ingredients. We like them for dipping into tasty additions like apple butter, strawberry jam, and even melted chocolate!

  INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup all purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup buttermilk (2% or whole milk will also do, even water in a pinch)

  DIRECTIONS

  Heat canola oil to 360 degrees while you mix the batter. When it’s blended well, you’re ready to go! Take a teaspoon of batter and rake it into the fryer with another spoon. If the dough doesn’t rise soon, gently nudge it with a chopstick, being careful not to splatter oil. After two minutes, check, and then flip, frying for another minute on the other side. These times may vary given too many factors to count, so keep a close eye on the donuts.

  Makes around eighteen small donuts.

  CHAPTER 18

  Fifteen minutes later Penny walked back out, her face a mask of sadness. The news I’d been dreading appeared to be at hand.

  “He didn’t make it, did he?” I asked as she approached.

  She just shook her head, and I felt myself start to collapse. Penny managed to break my fall and steer me to a chair. “It’s not George. It’s not George.”

  It took a few seconds for the words to sink it.

  “We just lost Mr. Hickman,” she said. “Nobody expected him to pull through, but it’s never easy losing one of your favori
tes.”

  “What about George?”

  “Still no change,” she said.

  “That’s good news, right?”

  “It’s not bad,” Penny said.

  “Are you going to be working much longer?”

  “I’m at the start of my shift. I’ll call you if there’s any change, I promise.”

  I nodded. “I don’t know how you do it.”

  “We lose too many in the ICU, but we save some, too. That’s what I have to keep focusing on. I’ll see you later, Suzanne.”

  “Bye,” I said as she headed back inside. There were times I fussed about having to make donuts seven days a week to keep my business afloat, but it was never a matter of life and death. I didn’t know how the doctors and nurses managed to deal with it, but I was really glad that someone could.

  I decided to stop by the donut shop on the way home and check on my flour order. It had been delayed two weeks before, and I was running low. I’d forgotten to call the supplier when Grace had shown up today, and if I wanted to keep making donuts, I had to have flour on hand to do it.

  After I got that straightened out, I was locking the shop up when I noticed Gabby watching me from next door. I almost ignored her, since it had been a long day, but that would just be delaying the inevitable. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to her shop, and was surprised when she came out to meet me.

  “I dated Lester Moorefield,” she said in a rush. “I didn’t know he was married or I would have never gone out with him in the first place.” She looked relieved to finally tell someone.

  “When did you break it off?” I asked.

  “Six months ago. He wouldn’t let me tell anyone we were going out, and I got tired of all the secrecy. I dropped him, but I didn’t kill him, Suzanne.”

  Six months was a long time for someone to hold a grudge, even Gabby. “I believe you,” I said.

  She looked into my eyes. “You really do, don’t you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Gabby asked, “Should I tell Chief Martin about it?”

  “I don’t see why you would,” I said. “I wouldn’t deny it if he asked you, but I don’t think it’s something anyone needs to know but us, do you?”