Fat hen farm 02- Stabbing in the sugar shack

by Sandy Vale

  You can be the fal guy for now, but I plan to get to the bottom of this mess.”

  ***

  Corey opened her door expecting to see Kitty. Instead, her jaw dropped and her heart pounded. “What are you doing here?” The words barely came out.

  “Nice to see you too, Corey,” Craig said as he walked past her into her tiny living area. “Nice place you got here, sis. Good work putting that GPS tracking device on Aaron’s car. And how’d you get that old guy to kil Brad for ya? That was bril iant.” He sat on her couch with his feet up on the coffee table.

  “Craig, you have to leave. I’m done helping you. People here are nice to me, they’re helping me get on my feet. I don’t want to be part of your sleazy world anymore.”

  “Whoa, you can’t just stop like that. You know too much. We’re a team. You and me. I need you Corey. You have to help me get my money from Aaron. Now I won’t have to split it with Brad. You can have his share.”

  “I don’t want that money. Get out before someone sees you here.”

  He grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back. Leaning in close to her, she could feel his hot breath on her face. “Listen to me sis, you’re part of this whether you like it or not. I can blow your cover and this whole gig wil be over for you. Don’t do anything stupid. I’l be back when I have a plan and you wil help me.”

  The door slammed. Corey slumped on her couch. She needed to make a plan too before Craig came back. She had to stay a step ahead of him. She had always looked up to her big brother and he had protected her when they were younger, but once he teamed up with Brad, he’d gotten greedy and mean. She wanted something different, something better for herself, and Craig wasn’t going to be part of it.

  She wanted to tel Kitty everything but she couldn’t yet. She wasn’t used to trusting anyone. She had to figure this out on her own.

  Just in case things got worse, she grabbed her backpack and packed the few things she had arrived with. She wanted to be ready to escape.

  Startled when the door opened, she turned to see Aaron walking in. “I saw Craig yesterday. We need to make a plan.” Corey was trying to push her backpack behind the chair out of view. “Hey, what are you doing? Packing to leave?”

  “Craig was just here. I don’t know what to do.” Corey was pale, frightened.

  Aaron sat next to Corey. “You can’t keep running, Corey. If he found us here, he’l find us anywhere.”

  “Yeah, about that. Don’t hate me Aaron. I haven’t exactly been up front with you about Craig. I’ve never had people I could trust before but it’s different here in Wil ow Fal s. Sam is so kind. Kitty gave me a place to live and a job. Everyone treats me with respect.”

  “And?”

  She had to work up the courage to level with Aaron. “Craig is my brother. He always took care of me when we were younger. He changed when he teamed up with Brad. I don’t want to be part of his world anymore.” Corey paused, talking so softly, Aaron could hardly hear her. She whispered,

  “He made me put a GPS tracking device on your car. That’s how he found us.” Aaron stood up like he had just been shocked by a live wire. “I’m so blind. I should have figured out that connection between you and Craig.

  Listen, Corey, I’m not mad. You did what you needed to do to survive. We can figure out how to use this to our advantage, maybe trap him and expose him for what he is.”

  Corey looked completely deflated. “I don’t know. He’s clever . . . and ruthless. We wil have to be very careful.”

  ***

  Kitty straightened the house and made lasagna to stick in the oven for dinner. There would be plenty no matter who showed up. She didn’t want to admit to herself how excited she was that Frank was coming. He had been busy lately and hadn’t had time to stop for a visit. Hopeful y, he could stay for a few days at least and give some ideas about how to help Sam.

  Her heart fluttered when she heard the door open. “Hel o? Anyone here?”

  “Oh, it’s you, Aaron. Come on in.”

  “You sound disappointed Kitty. Expecting someone else?”

  “Sort of. No one you know. So what’s this about seeing Brad’s partner Craig?” She headed back to the kitchen to finish getting everything ready.

  “It smel s great in here. What are you making? Got enough for me?” Aaron made himself comfy at the kitchen table.

  “Lasagna, and yes, there’s plenty.” Kitty sat down across from Aaron, waiting for him to tel her about Craig.

  Before he got started, someone knocked. “That must be Frank.” Kitty went to the door.

  “Hi Kitty. I brought you some wine.” Frank held it out as an offering.

  “Come on in. An old friend of mine is here. I’m so glad you could come.” Frank held Kitty’s arm to stop her. Talking quietly, he asked, “Is something going on? Are you in trouble? I heard there was a murder in Wil ow Fal s.”

  “I was hoping you could relax a little before hearing the gory details. I’m not in trouble but I do need your help. It’s Sam. He confessed to a murder.” She leaned close to Frank and whispered. “I’m pretty sure he didn’t do it. He’s protecting someone.” They continued into the kitchen. “Aaron Chapman, this is my friend, Frank Hughes. Aaron is Sam’s grandson, he just moved back from Colorado. Aaron, how about you get out some wine glasses. Frank brought some wine. Get a glass for Tina too, she should be here soon. Do you want to cal Corey and see if she wants to come?”

  Aaron opened the wine and poured four glasses. “Sure, I’l cal Corey. I talked to her earlier and she was acting anxious. ” Tina walked in, making a dramatic entrance like usual. “Frank. It’s great to see you. Has Kitty told you about the murder in her sugar shack yet?” Frank looked at Kitty, shaking his head slightly. Smiling. “Never a dul moment around here, is there Kitty? No, Tina. I haven’t heard the details yet but I’m sure I’l be spel bound.”

  They al could hear Aaron’s side of the phone conversation with Corey. “Come on Corey, it’s just a few people . . . Alex who? . . . Oh, I know him .

  . . Bring him too.” Aaron looked at Kitty to see if that was okay and she nodded. “Kitty says it’s fine, just come in . . . Bye.”

  “Good thing you made a big pan of lasagna, Kitty. Corey is coming with the guy she met at the library. So, Frank, how do you know Kitty?”

  “I was working on an investigation here in Wil ow Fal s. Kitty and Tina were the ones who actual y put al the clues together. Made my job easy.”

  “Your job?” Aaron looked puzzled.

  Frank added, “Sorry, I’m a detective.”

  “Exactly what we need around here at the moment.” Aaron raised his glass to everyone in the room.

  Corey walked in so quietly, no one saw her at first. Kitty looked up when she felt the draft from the door. “Corey, come on in, don’t be shy. You’ve already met my friend Tina, and this is Frank, a detective. Where’s Alex?” Corey stood near Aaron. “Alex said he had to head home. Why is a detective here?” Her eyes were wide.

  “He’s a friend of mine. Here, have a glass of wine. You look like you need to relax a bit. Is everything okay?” Kitty handed Corey a glass.

  Corey looked at Aaron not knowing what he may have already told Kitty. “Um, I’m not sure. Craig showed up today.” Kitty took the lasagna out of the oven. “Everyone, get a plate and help yourselves to lasagna, salad and rol s. We may as wel start eating while it’s hot. I’l start at the beginning. Catch Frank up to speed, too.”

  There was no conversation for a few minutes, just the sound of food being served, wine being poured and chairs being pul ed up to the table.

  Kitty sat next to Frank, enjoying the closeness.

  “Aaron and Corey showed up a couple of days ago from Colorado. Corey’s husband, Brad, was not a nice person, to put it mildly.” Kitty glanced at Corey. “Somehow he found them here and came looking for Corey. I told him to leave, and he did, but not happily. Later in the afternoon, he was found dead in my sugar shack. Sam confessed to murdering hi
m in self-defense. I don’t think he did it but he’s sticking to his story. If it ended there, it wouldn’t be too bad, but apparently, Brad had a partner named Craig who is around too, looking to cause trouble for Aaron and Corey.” Frank sat quietly taking in the information. “Why would Sam confess if he didn’t do it? Is he protecting someone?” Frank looked directly at Kitty.

  Corey spoke up. “He’s not protecting Kitty. He’s protecting me. He saw me standing over the body holding the bloody knife. But I didn’t kil Brad.

  When I found him, he was already dead. I pul ed the knife out and that’s when Sam walked in.”

  “Do the police know this?” Frank gently asked Corey.

  “No, not yet. I’m afraid to tel them. They’l think I’m the murderer.”

  “Who is this Craig guy and what kind of trouble is he trying to stir up?” Aaron answered. “Craig and Brad were partners in Colorado. Sel ing drugs. I got involved too, and when I left I owed them a lot of money. He’s here to get his money.” Aaron looked at Corey. “Corey just told me today that Craig is her brother. I never knew that before. He put a GPS tracking device on my car.” Aaron glanced at Corey, seeing she relaxed after Aaron put the blame of the GPS on Craig and not her. “That’s how they fol owed us here so fast.” Aaron added, “Corey was packing to leave. We have to figure out how to outsmart Craig.” Kitty looked at Corey. “You know him best, what do you think?”

  Corey quietly added, “Maybe he kil ed Brad. To get him out of the way so he didn’t have to split the money. He told me he would split it with me instead. I don’t want the money and I don’t believe him anyway. He’s too greedy.” Everyone got back to enjoying the food. “Anyone want seconds?” Kitty brought the lasagna to the table.

  “Thanks Kitty. Don’t mind if I do. It’s delicious. Sure beats Sam’s cooking.” Aaron took another big piece.

  “How is Sam doing? Did his lady friends come over with food again? I’l wrap some up for you to take home to him.”

  “They sure did. They’ve moved their card games to his house until his name is cleared. He’s lovin’ it.” Aaron finished eating.

  Corey got up from the table and looked out the French doors. “We need to have a plan. I told Craig I didn’t want to help him anymore. He won’t accept that. I’l let him think I’m helping him. I know how he thinks. He’l take his time to spin a web to get what he wants. We’l have to spin a bigger web to catch him. Stay one step ahead. But you’l have to trust me on this.” She turned and looked at the faces staring at her. Slowly everyone nodded. No one had a better idea.

  Chapter 5

  Kitty was up early getting the coffee pot going. Frank had stayed in her guest room. She liked having him there. She wasn’t ready for more. Not yet.

  They’d stayed up late the night before, talking. Mostly it was Kitty talking, fil ing him in on Aaron, Corey, Sam, the murder and her maple sugaring plans. He was a good listener, letting her talk without too much interruption. He told her about his last assignment. A home invasion crime spree that he final y solved and now he was taking some time off.

  She was meeting Corey early to show her where the sugar bush was and show her how to put in the taps for the sap. It would be good for Corey to be busy and Kitty had some errands to do.

  Hearing footsteps, she turned to see Frank coming down the stairs. “Hey there sleepy head. You’l have to help yourself. I’m meeting Corey soon to head into the woods.”

  “I’m on vacation. I thought I’d be able to sleep in,” Frank joked. “Go do your thing. I want to visit with Sam and see what’s going on with Herb at the police station.”

  “See you later.” Kitty and Max went outside. She started the tractor and loaded the dril , hammer, taps, buckets and lids into the wagon. The weather was perfect to get the sap running—cold nights and warm sunny days.

  “Come on, Corey. You can ride in the wagon if you want.”

  “No thanks. I prefer to walk with Max.”

  There was stil a covering of snow on the frozen fields. Kitty loved her little four-wheel-drive tractor. It didn’t take long to get to the woods. Quiet returned when she turned the tractor off and she sat in the silence waiting for Corey and Max to catch up to her. They had taken the long way and arrived jogging and out of breath. Corey’s cheeks were pink from the exercise and cold air.

  “Kitty, I just love it here. I never imagined I’d ever live in such a beautiful, magical place. Thanks for giving me a chance.”

  “I’m happy to share it with someone who appreciates it as much as I do. Let’s get to work. These trees won’t tap themselves.” Kitty took a paper from her jacket pocket. “I’ve marked the sugar maples on this map. Al these marked with red are the ones that can be tapped. We can start here. First, you dril a hole. I marked on the dril bit how deep to go. Then use the hammer to get the tap in place, hang the bucket and attach the lid. You try one.”

  Corey took the dril and tapped the next tree. “I can do this,” she said excitedly. “I think I’m al set if you need to go do something else.”

  “Max can stay here with you. I need to make an egg delivery. I’l leave the wagon and take the tractor back. Good luck.” Kitty waved, started the tractor and drove back to the barn.

  Corey found it peaceful in the woods. She got into a nice rhythm of dril ing, inserting the tap and hanging the buckets. Max sniffed and explored but didn’t stray too far from Corey. Suddenly he barked. She tensed and looked around. Max was looking toward the river, the hairs on his back standing up, a low, almost silent, growl coming from his throat. “Come here Max.” Corey saw someone approaching.

  “Hey sis. I see you have that mutt today. What are you afraid of? I thought your boss was never going to leave. How’s everything?” Craig leaned his lanky body against the trailer, eyeing Corey. She kept working silently.

  “I’ve been thinking. This is a real nice little town you’ve found. I like it here. I found a room to rent from a sweet old lady. Her name is June, friends with that old guy you like. If I help her with some chores, she won’t charge much. By the way, who’s that hot blond friend of your boss? I’d like to meet her.” Corey looked at Craig and saw the evil smirk on his face. It was starting. He was spinning his web. She had to be on guard and stay ahead of him.

  Corey kept working, hanging the bucket on the next tree, then turned to face her brother. “Yeah, I like it here too. I’ve been thinking we could get something going in this town like you had with Brad. What do you say?”

  “Wow. Didn’t see that coming. Why the change of heart?” He looked at her suspiciously.

  This was the moment. The gamble she had to take to make him believe she was on his side. If she failed now, she wouldn’t get another chance.

  Patting Max’s head for support she stared into Craig’s cold blue eyes with confidence. “Brad is who I wanted to get away from. He’s out of the picture. I think we could be an awesome team. You and me. I never had that chance before.” She paused to get his complete attention, to stroke his narcissistic ego. “We’re smarter than these people.”

  Craig’s mouth twitched into a slight smile. “We are smart, aren’t we? I’m listening.” Corey relaxed slightly. She made it past the first and hardest hurdle. “People like me here. If we take it slow, have patience, make the right contacts, we could make a kil ing.”

  “Drugs?”

  “That’s what you know best.”

  “What about that weasel, Aaron?”

  Corey sensed danger. “What about him?”

  “He stil owes me a lot of money. We’l need that money to get started.” Corey took a calculated risk. “You and Brad had plenty stashed away. Use that to get started. Maybe we can use Aaron if we need a local boy.” She held her breath waiting for Craig’s reaction. She was only guessing that he and Brad had money stashed away.

  He smiled. “Brad always had a big mouth. I think you’l make a much better partner.” He offered his hand and they shook. Corey felt the strength in his hand. He held her han
d longer than he needed to. A warning? She didn’t back down. She suddenly felt stronger than she’d ever felt before. It didn’t matter that he was at least six inches tal er and sixty pounds heavier. She had found an inner strength that she never knew she had, and she was determined to win this chal enge. She had to win in order to have the life she now knew was possible.

  Letting go of Corey’s hand, Craig stared at her. “You’re different. I like this new you. You aren’t going to take shit from anyone, are you?” Corey smiled, thinking, that’s right, not from anyone, especially you.

  “I’l keep in touch.” Craig walked back toward the river.

  “Max, I think that went pretty wel . Let’s finish up here and go get some lunch.”

  ***

  Corey felt good about how it went with Craig. As long as she stayed focused, she was confident she could outsmart him. She was happy walking back to the barn with Max, humming and enjoying the solitude.

  As she got near the barn, she looked up and saw a car by the house that she didn’t recognize. “Wel , Max, do you want to stay with me or go in the house with Kitty?” Max ran to the house as if he understood her question. Corey laughed. She was already attached to Max. Maybe Kitty would let her get her own dog. She loved the company.

  Corey opened the kitchen door to let Max in and Kitty cal ed to her. “Corey, come on in. There’s someone here to see you.” Corey was instantly on alert. Walking into the living room she saw Craig lounging casual y on the couch. He looked at her when she walked in, watching her reaction. “Craig! What are you doing here?” She ran over and gave him a hug, pretending she was happy to see him.

  Craig whispered in her ear, “Your boss is a cute one.” Then he patted the cushion next to where he was sitting. “Corey. I wanted to surprise you.

  I was in the area. Thanks for letting me know your new address. This is a nice spot you’ve found for yourself. So sorry to hear about Brad. Did the police find the kil er yet?”

  “Someone confessed. Said it was self-defense.” Corey sat on the couch but was not relaxed. Yeah, right, send you my address, you’re such a liar. Well, I can play at this game too.