Fat hen farm 02- Stabbing in the sugar shack

by Sandy Vale

  Corey stared in astonishment. “Those women are fantastic. I wish my grandma was as cool as they are.”

  “Yeah, they’re quite the team. Hop in. I want to see Herb’s face when they march in and give him a piece of their mind.” By the time Kitty and Corey walked into the station, there was quite a commotion going on.

  “—what do you mean you’ve got Sam locked up,” Mia was yel ing.

  “Calm down, Mia. I didn’t say he’s locked up. We’re questioning him. He already admitted to stabbing the man. It sounds like it was self-defense. He’l probably be home soon. If you want to help him, keep him company when he gets home. Bring him some dinner. Try to keep him out of trouble.”

  Corey saw Aaron sitting off to one side. “How’s Sam holding up?”

  “I don’t know. Herb won’t let me see him yet. I can’t believe this. What was Brad doing at Kitty’s sugar shack? Did you see him?” Corey sat next to Aaron, talking quietly. “He showed up when Kitty and I were working there but Kitty told him to leave and he drove off. He was trying to make me go with him. I’m real y worried. What about Craig? They always did stuff together. Do you think he’s here too?”

  “I hope not. If he is, he’l be looking for me, not you.”

  “Does Kitty know any of this?” Corey nervously asked Aaron.

  “Know what?” Corey turned to see Kitty standing behind her. “I think it’s time you two fil me in. Let’s go back to my house. No need to talk about this here.” Kitty had a serious look on her face. “Herb, Aaron wil be at my house. Cal him when Sam can go home.” They al walked out to their cars. June told Kitty, “We’l come over later to Sam’s house with some chicken noodle soup and rol s. Do you want to join us?”

  “I wil definitely stop by.” Kitty thought to herself, I need to figure out what’s going on.

  Kitty and Corey left in Kitty’s truck with Aaron fol owing them. The silence was thick inside the truck. Corey was thinking about her past that was fol owing her and Kitty was wondering what she had gotten involved in by taking this girl in who she knew very little about.

  ***

  Max was outside barking and wagging his tail when they drove up to the house. Kitty was surprised to see him, she thought she’d left him inside. It wasn’t completely odd since he had managed to push the back door open in an emergency once. He looked at Kitty. “Max, do you have something to tel me? I sure do wish you could talk sometimes.”

  They al went into Kitty’s kitchen. “Anyone for some tea?”

  Corey and Aaron sat at the table, gazing out the French doors toward the river.

  “Okay. What’s going on?” She looked first at Aaron, then at Corey. Corey couldn’t meet Kitty’s eyes. Kitty put mugs and banana bread on the table.

  Aaron sighed. “Corey and I both had to leave Colorado. I owed Brad and his partner money and couldn’t pay them. It’s true what I told you about Corey. I convinced her to leave Brad and I knew he wouldn’t be happy about it but I never knew he would find us here.”

  “Money for what? Did you steal from him?”

  “Yeah. I stole some drugs from him to sel and when he found out, he wanted the money but I had already spent it. He threatened me. I had to leave in a hurry. I convinced Corey to ditch Brad. We pretty much just jumped in my car with a few things and left.” Kitty sipped her tea and absentmindedly stroked Max’s head. “I’m afraid to ask this, but what’s the story with Brad’s partner?” Corey final y looked at Kitty. “That’s the scary part. Brad and Craig did everything together. I’m sure he came here with Brad but I didn’t see him in the truck. He’l be back looking for us.” Corey paused, afraid to say more. “There’s something else.” Kitty tensed. “What else?”

  “I don’t think Sam kil ed Brad.” She looked down at the table.

  Both Aaron and Kitty looked at Corey.

  “He said he did. What haven’t you told us?” Kitty asked.

  Looking up, Corey continued, “I went back to my apartment after Brad left. I wanted to cal Aaron but I couldn’t find my phone. I thought I must have dropped it in the sugar shack when Brad grabbed my arm, so I went back to look for it.” Corey looked from Aaron to Kitty. “When I got there, Brad was already dead, with the knife stuck in his chest. That’s when Sam came in and saw me. He told me to go back to my apartment and he would cal the police.” She searched their faces for clues of what they were thinking.

  Kitty leaned forward. “Did you kil Brad?”

  “NO! There were plenty of times that I would have liked to kil him but I didn’t do it.” Corey started to sob.

  “It’s okay. We’l figure this out.” Kitty consoled her, thinking, There’s more to this. Corey still isn’t telling me everything.

  “If you didn’t kil him, and Sam didn’t, who did?” Aaron asked, not expecting an answer.

  Chapter 3

  Kitty couldn’t believe this was happening. Just when she had started to move forward after she had found Roger dead in the barn.

  Aaron’s ringing phone broke the silence. “Hi Sam... Okay... be right there to pick you up.” Looking at Kitty, Aaron asked, “Do we tel anyone else this information?”

  “Not yet. Maybe it’s better if people think Sam kil ed Brad. We can keep our eyes open for anyone acting strange. You better get going. Don’t keep Sam waiting or he might get ornery. I’l walk over in a little while.” Aaron hugged Kitty. “I’m sorry I brought this on you Kitty. I thought we would be safe to start over here in Wil ow Fal s without being found. It didn’t even take Brad long to find us.”

  The door closed behind Aaron. Kitty turned her attention to Corey. “Anything else you want to tel me? I want to help you but I need al the information if I’m going to be able to do that.”

  “Real y, there’s nothing else. I can’t say I’m sad about Brad being dead. I feel like I can real y start my life over now. I don’t think Craig is after me.

  I think he’l be looking for Aaron. Aaron owed them a lot of money. I do know that. Can I stil stay here?” She was nervously tapping her foot. She couldn’t sit stil .

  “Of course you can. Tel me more about Craig.” Kitty relaxed hoping Corey would settle down too.

  “He had the brains. Brad was the handsome one but Craig was the smart one. He’s almost six feet tal , dark brown hair, wears glasses. He’s good looking but not in a flashy way like Brad was. He’s thin but muscular. He has patience to get what he wants. I think he could be dangerous.”

  “That’s al ?” Kitty laughed to lighten the tension. “Don’t worry Corey. I’ve got a detective friend who I’m going to cal tomorrow, see if he can help us figure this out. Why don’t you go over to Sam’s house, see how he’s doing.” Kitty saw Corey’s face twitch when Kitty mentioned her detective friend. What else was Corey hiding? It would come out eventually.

  “You can head over without me. I need to make a phone cal . Tel Sam I’l bring Max too.” Kitty leaned back and tried to unwind after Corey left. She had to get herself pul ed together and cal Tina. They always leaned on each other through problems and she needed to hear Tina’s voice, at the very least.

  “Tina, where are you? . . . Can you come to my house? . . . Yes, of course I heard about Sam, it happened in my sugar shack . . . I need your help figuring this out . . . I’l cal Dan tomorrow . . . I’m going to say hi to Sam, but I won’t be there long. Stop at Sam’s if you want. Aaron wil be there . . .

  See you soon.” Hanging up, she turned to her trusty dog. “Come on Max. Let’s go see how Sam is doing. I need to talk to him alone if possible.” It was a short walk down her driveway to Sam’s house. Kitty and Max went in the back door. Max bolted to the living room to find Sam, his first owner.

  “Look who’s here. It’s good to see you too, Max. Did Miss Kitty come with you?” Sam was sitting in a recliner with the senior ladies hovering around making sure he was comfortable.

  “I’m here too, Sam. What mess have you gotten yourself into? It’s usual y me who can’t keep out of trouble,” Kitty jok
ed.

  “Herb let me come home on the promise that I would stay put, not flee the state or the country.” Sam exaggerated and everyone laughed. Sam barely left Wil ow Fal s and he certainly wasn’t someone to run away from a problem.

  Dottie got a bowl of soup for Kitty. “Here ya go, honey. This wil do you good too. It’s my special chicken soup recipe that always cures whatever bothers you.” She lowered her voice so only Kitty could hear her. “Sam had two big bowlfuls. I think I’l bring him more tomorrow.”

  “This is delicious Dottie. I would love to have that recipe sometime, unless it’s top secret.”

  “I only share it with very special people. You’re special Kitty, you can have the recipe.” Dottie was so happy that everyone was enjoying her soup.

  Aaron got up when he heard a knock on the door. “Hi Tina. Come on in. I guess everyone in town has heard the news.”

  “I can’t believe it Aaron. How is Sam? How are you?” Tina put her hand on his arm. She had a way of making whoever she was talking to feel special. Kitty could see that Tina was using al her charm on Aaron. He was vulnerable and she knew how to exploit that.

  “Come on over and see for yourself.” Aaron led Tina through the crowd to Sam’s chair.

  “Granddad, Tina’s here.”

  “I’m feeling like a celebrity with al you beautiful ladies waiting on me. Maybe I should kil someone more often.” That put a damper on the mood. It real y wasn’t a joking matter. Kitty was wondering why he wasn’t more concerned. Maybe Corey had been right and Sam didn’t kil Brad. But then, who did?

  Kitty finished her soup and told Sam she was heading home. “I’l stop in tomorrow when it’s not so hectic. Okay?” She was hoping he got the message that she wanted to talk to him alone.

  “Okay. See you tomorrow. And you too, Max.”

  Kitty walked by Tina. “Don’t rush, but I’m heading home.”

  “Wait for me Kitty. See you soon Aaron?” Tina winked.

  “Definitely. Looking forward to it.” He gave her his best melt-your-heart smile.

  Kitty walked with Tina to her car. “You don’t miss any opportunity, do you?”

  “What are you talking about?” she said, dripping with innocence.

  They both laughed. “I’l walk back with Max. See you at the house.”

  Tina already had two glasses and some wine out when Kitty walked in. “What have you got around here to eat. I’m starving.”

  “How about some chili. I have leftovers that won’t take long to heat up. Here’s some cheese and crackers til that’s ready.”

  “Have you cal ed Detective Frank Hughes yet?” Tina asked with a big grin. “I’m sure he’l be happy to hear from you. At least you aren’t a suspect. Are you?”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I haven’t cal ed Frank yet, and no, I don’t think I’m a suspect. Sam confessed to the murder. Although it is my weapon. The dead guy’s name is Brad Dixon, Corey’s husband. He fol owed her here to make her go back to Colorado with him. Sounds like a real gem.”

  “So, did Sam do it?” Tina helped herself to wine.

  “I don’t know. Corey and I were at the sugar shack making some tables when Brad showed up, acting real nice and sweet until I told him Corey wasn’t going with him. It got ugly. I threatened to cal the police. Max was very protective. Brad left.” Kitty held her glass out for Tina. “Pour me some wine too, please. Anyway, we left. Corey told me she went back to the sugar shack to look for her phone and Brad was dead when she got there.

  She saw Sam after she saw Brad. I don’t think she told me everything, though. I need to talk to Sam. I’m not convinced he kil ed Brad.”

  “Is that chili ready yet?” Tina got up to check the pot. “Looks hot to me. I’l get you a bowl, too. Do you have cheese and sour cream?”

  “Help yourself. Not too much for me, I had some soup at Sam’s house. Do you want some fresh bread with it?”

  “Of course. Your bread is the best.” Tina carried the two bowls of chili to the table and Kitty brought over cheese, sour cream and bread. “This smel s great. I’m about ready to start drooling. How did you learn to cook so wel ? I can barely boil water to save my life.”

  “When I came to live with grannie Frannie after my parents died in that car crash, she was always so busy with the cows, she would leave me notes on what I had to make for dinner. It started out real y simple, like mac and cheese or gril ed cheese or canned soup. I just got creative with her instructions and she thought I was a genius. Ya know, I was angry after my parents were kil ed but I found some comfort in cooking. Grandma saw that and she encouraged me to experiment and always loved whatever I made. She was tough but smart and saw how cooking was a kind of therapy for me. Grandma bought me some cookbooks and I liked trying new recipes. It was fun for me. I guess if she had criticized me, I would have quit trying.”

  “That’s why I’ve stayed friends with you Kitty. It’s just for your cooking.” Tina grinned and dug into the chili. “What’s the story with Aaron?”

  “Apparently, he owed Brad and his partner, Craig, a lot of money from drugs he stole from them. He only came back here to Wil ow Fal s because he was running away from that chaos. He convinced Corey to leave her abusive husband and come with him. What a mess. They think Craig is here too since Brad and Craig did everything together.”

  “So Aaron had a motive. Do you think he might have kil ed Brad? Where was he during al this?” Tina leaned back in her chair, pushed her bowl away and sighed with satisfaction.

  “That’s a good question. I don’t know. He got a part time job driving for the senior center but he might have been back at Sam’s house by the time al this happened.” Kitty got up to put the food away and wash the dishes.

  “And what about Corey? Sounds like she has the most to gain with that creep dead.”

  “That’s for sure. She was very quick to deny kil ing Brad. I won’t make a decision on that until after I talk to Sam. I think he’s protecting someone.

  Or at least, he thinks he’s protecting someone. Do you have room for dessert?”

  “You bet I do. What is it?”

  “Fruit salad with vanil a yogurt.” Kitty got out two bowls and two spoons.

  “Kitty, you wil make some man very happy one day. My brother was a fool not to appreciate you. Just promise me that I can always come by for a meal even if you get married again.”

  “Tina, you are as close to me as a sister would be and nothing wil change that. Do you want to spend the night or are you going back to your apartment?”

  “I’l spend the night. Can we sleep on the living room floor in sleeping bags, like we did growing up?”

  “Sure. I’l get everything.”

  Kitty dumped sleeping bags and pil ows on the floor. Yawning, she realized how tired she was. A good night’s sleep and she’d be ready for whatever happened the next day. She felt Max curled up by her feet. “Comfy Tina?”

  “Yup. Good night.”

  Kitty’s cel phone buzzed with a new message but she was already fast asleep.

  Chapter 4

  Tina awoke with a start, not sure where she was at first. The wonderful smel of coffee hit her nose and she smiled. “Kitty? Breakfast in bed?” she yel ed.

  “Coffee’s ready but you have to get it yourself. What time do you have to be at work?”

  “Oh shoot. I don’t even have time for coffee.” She rushed around pul ing on her clothes. “Cal me later if you have any news. I’l swing by after work, okay?”

  “Okay. Also, I’ve been thinking. What do you think about hanging out with Aaron? Find out more about this mess he’s in.”

  “Oh, do I have to?” Tina laughed out loud. “This sounds like the best favor you’ve asked me to do in a long time. See you later.” The door banged shut behind her.

  Kitty sipped her coffee and got her phone out of her coat pocket. She saw the missed text message from the night before. It was from Aaron.

  Saw Craig. Tell Corey. She didn’t k
now if this was bad news or extremely bad news. She replied, more details please. Call me.

  Her phone was ringing when she stepped out of the shower. “Hi Aaron. What happened with Craig? . . . You saw him but he didn’t see you? . . .

  What now? . . . Okay, come over later.”

  She had time to cal Frank Hughes, her detective friend, before visiting Sam. “Frank? . . . Hi, it’s Kitty. Just wondering if you’l be in the area any time . . . Tonight? . . . That’s great, see you for dinner.” She was excited to see him, but wished it was strictly a personal visit, not work related.

  “Come on Max, time to go see Sam and find out what’s real y going on with him.” Kitty and Max walked to Sam’s house, going in the back door.

  “Sam? Are you here?”

  “In the living room, Miss Kitty. Hi Max.”

  Kitty looked at Sam patting Max. He was a great neighbor and friend. She just couldn’t believe he kil ed Brad. “Sam, what happened yesterday at the sugar shack?”

  Sam wouldn’t look at Kitty. “Just what you heard. I kil ed that creep in self-defense.” Kitty walked to Sam’s chair. “Look at me and tel me that,” she demanded.

  Sam looked up and then looked away.

  “That’s what I thought. Now tel me what happened.”

  “I heard that truck and walked over to see who it was. When I looked inside the sugar shack, Corey was standing next to the body holding the knife. I told her to go to her apartment and get cleaned up and that I would cal the police. I was trying to protect her.”

  “Do you real y think she kil ed him?”

  “It sure looked like it but I’l never tel Herb that. I’m sticking to my story. Self-defense shouldn’t even get me jail time. I like Corey and she has her whole life ahead of her. From what I hear, she’s better off without that guy.”

  “Thanks for tel ing me Sam. Do you remember Dan Sul ivan? The detective? He’s coming tonight. I’m hoping he has time to help me with this.