On the Chopping Block (A Callie's Kitchen Mystery Book 1)

by Jenny Kales

  Before Callie could respond, she heard a click and the detective was gone.

  What a night, Callie thought as she drove home. She’d thought that finding Drew had been the worst experience of her life, but the bad stuff just kept accumulating. Humiliation made her face feel like it was on fire and there wasn’t even anyone to see her blushing.

  Blinking and trying to focus on the road, Callie felt overwhelmed with unanswered questions and right at the top of the pile was: Why was Drew seeing her if he and Jane were not only an item, but were potentially about to become parents? What had he wanted with her? As with so many other things about Drew and his life, this made no sense.

  * * *

  George was peeking out the window, obviously looking for her as Callie pulled into the driveway. As she walked into her comfortable living room, she braced herself for the onslaught and she didn’t have to wait long.

  “Where have you been? The doctor told me to keep an eye on you and you’re not making it easy.” George seemed perturbed, but mostly just happy to see that his only daughter had made it home safely.

  Callie brightened. Maybe she was going to get off with only a half of a lecture. She knew George was rightly worried for her health and safety but she just didn’t have the energy to defend herself. She needed some quiet time to puzzle out all that she had recently learned.

  “Sorry to worry you,” Callie said, giving her father a hug. “I had some things to do, but I’m staying put for the rest of the night. I actually feel a lot better. Why don’t you head home and have a good night’s rest in your own bed?”

  Taking a closer look, Callie saw that George looked exhausted. His tiredness was confirmed when he didn’t offer a vigorous argument to her suggestion, but only nodded wearily.

  “I might just do that hrisi mou, but only if you promise to double-lock your doors and turn on your house alarm. I’ve just let Koukla out, so as soon as I leave – lock up! And call me at once if you need anything.”

  “Will do, Dad. Thanks for everything and kalinihta. Good night!” She double-locked her doors and turned on the alarm – a gift from George after her divorce – like a good daughter.

  However, Callie’s night was anything but good. She sat up cataloguing her worries, unable to sleep. Koukla snored happily on her lap, oblivious to the malicious machinations of humans.

  In the middle of the night, anything seemed possible and probable. Thoughts and feelings that would seem silly in the light of day were hulking monstrosities in the dark. All this worry was only clouding her mental capacities when she needed them the most.

  Finally, Callie fell into a troubled sleep but all too soon her alarm was bleating in her ear. She groaned as she pushed the “off” button and willed herself awake. With a knot of dread in her stomach, she realized that Detective Sands would probably pay Jane Willoughby a visit at the very least. She cringed when she thought of Jane discovering who had tattled on her.

  Forcing herself out of bed, Callie showered, dressed and was finishing the last of a huge cup of coffee when the doorbell gonged. Praying it wasn’t Detective Sands dragging her to the station for another official statement – or worse – she unlocked the deadbolt and found Samantha on her front step. It was such a relief that she nearly wept.

  “I’m sorry I never got back to you last night,” Sam said, stepping inside. “Got any more coffee?” Callie nodded and motioned for Sam to follow her into the kitchen.

  “I had a meeting with a client that ran late,” Sam explained, sitting down at the kitchen table and accepting a mug of coffee from Callie.” I know today is your early day, so I didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”

  “What sleep?” Callie complained. “I barely got a wink. Sam, don’t be angry with me, but I discovered some evidence last night and I told Detective Sands.”

  “Oh I know all about that,” Sam sounded grim. “You should have texted me the details. My assistant already called me to share that she heard Jane was brought in to the police station. I can’t believe that she and Drew were in a relationship.” She paused. “How are you taking the news?”

  “I’m just numb. I feel so stupid. It looks like not only were they were having an affair, but Drew was also the father of the baby she lost.” Callie looked down into her cup, unable to meet her friend’s eyes.

  Sam made sympathetic noises. “I’m so sorry. How on earth did you find out?”

  “I hacked into Jane’s computer.” Callie grimaced at her friend, knowing this was going to go over about as well as stale loukoumades.

  “Callie Costas! What the --?” Sam exhaled loudly, her eyes flashing. “Are you trying to look guilty? Thanks a lot! The goal is to keep you out of jail, remember?”

  “Sam, I know that. I promise to never hack into a computer again. Frankly, I’m surprised I was able to do it at all. Someone gave me some, uh, hacking pointers and I just, I don’t know, got lucky….”

  “Stop. I don’t want to hear it. Good gracious, Callie,” Sam sputtered. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Okay, okay. Well, there’s something else. Looks like Chef Johan and Lucille are having a fling. I don’t know what that means but I do know that the chef was no friend of Drew’s.”

  Sam took a thoughtful sip of her coffee as she regained her composure. “No kidding,” she said, looking thoughtful. “Here’s an odd coincidence: Did you know that Mrs. DeWitt’s housekeeper Ava is Lucille’s neighbor? They live in the same apartment complex.”

  “No, I had no idea” Callie was admitted. “Viv and I ran into Ava the other night when we found that note from ‘Kitty’.” “I knew she lived in town, I just didn’t know she lived so close to Lucille. I guess I never really thought about it.”

  Callie poured some more coffee into her own cup and raised her eyebrows at Sam. “You realize that Mrs. DeWitt’s house is right across the bay from Drew’s. I know you can see his home fairly well from Mrs. DeWitt’s home and back lawn. Maybe those two know more than they’re saying.”

  Sam shrugged and took another sip of coffee, but Callie persisted. “It’s interesting, don’t you think?”

  “I’m not sure what it means,” Sam admitted. “But it’s definitely interesting. I’m not certain what they’d have to gain from offing Drew, but any new information gives us something to cling to at this point. Getting back to the whole Jane situation, I’ll see what I can find out.”

  Sam leaned forward and looked Callie right in the eye. “In the meantime, please stick to work today. It’s safer that way. Believe me, your friends and family will thank you.”

  Callie smiled. “I think I can manage that,” she said, wondering if there was going to be any work to get back to for much longer.

  “Good,” Sam sipped some more coffee and stood up. “I better get going. It was good to see you,” she told Callie. “But no more hacking. No more spying. You’re going to get into trouble – and I’ll be there right along with you.”

  * * *

  Callie fortified herself with another cup of coffee and checked her new cell for messages or texts. It was a good thing she had this phone, considering that her old one was still being held by the police. There were no messages, not even from Hugh, which she took as a sign of Olivia’s improved health. Still, she made a mental note to check in with him just as soon as she completed her morning tasks at work.

  Max wasn’t scheduled to begin work until the afternoon, so Callie was alone in the kitchen. Alone, being the operative word. She’d had exactly two customers that morning but now you could hear a pin drop.

  Callie opened her walk-in freezer and looked at the piles of banana bread muffins, Greek yogurt coffee cake, avgolemono, Greek chicken stew and wondered if she should place it in her refrigerated cases or keep it in the freezer. She hesitated to waste any more food. Checking her mail, she received more good news. The rent was due on Callie’s Kitchen. Doing some quick mental math, she realized that she probably wasn’t going to have much money left to run the business onc
e she paid that important bill.

  Callie closed the freezer and checked her refrigerator, looking for a distraction. The custard-flavored frosting for the crème brûlée cupcakes had chilled nicely. Callie had frosted about two dozen the previous day and placed them back in the fridge to stay fresh. She’d planned to blowtorch them right before she put them in the display case so that the topping would be nice and crunchy.

  Remembering that she’d promised these to her friends cheered her up a bit. Perhaps she could create some good karma for herself when the indulgent cakes went on display in the new and improved Minette’s Chocolates. She dialed Minette but got voicemail so she left a message: “Cupcakes are ready, so let me know when you want them. And good luck with everything.”

  Callie was sitting alone, willing customers to walk in the door and not having any success when Max arrived for work about an hour later.

  Max greeted her and then gave her a closer look. “You look tired. Still not feeling well?”

  “Thanks a lot,” Callie replied, but with a smile. “I’m achy, but okay. It’s just that the customers are avoiding us. I don’t know how much longer things can stay this way.”

  “I know,” Max said. “I’ve thought the same thing. In the meantime, you’re probably hungry. Why don’t you take a lunch break? We’ll think of something. I know Piper is already coming up with ideas for your social media sites.”

  The first positive news of the day. Callie packed up what she called her Big (Low) Fat Greek Salad and headed toward a park near the library to enjoy her food, but first she dialed Sam, desperate for any news.

  Thankfully, Samantha answered almost immediately. “Jane is still at the police station, from what I know,” Sam answered. “One of the lawyers from our firm – not me – has been called. It looks like they are questioning her about Drew’s death but she’s not admitting to the murder. She did admit to an affair, though. They were able to get a warrant and went to Bodies by the Bay this morning to confiscate her computer.”

  Callie was silent for a minute, absorbing this news. “I’m keeping my ears open but I don’t have much else to report,” Sam said. “Jane hasn’t been charged, but I don’t think she’s leaving anytime soon. Your buddy Sands is one of the people investigating her.”

  “I’ll bet. I’m the one who threw her to the wolves. I guess I thought it was the right thing to do. Or maybe I was the one who was jealous and seeking revenge.”

  “Listen, Callie. You did what you had to do. You had information and you passed it along. Whether he was right or wrong in his personal life, Drew didn’t deserve to die.”

  “You’re right. Well, keep me posted. You don’t think they’ll haul me back in, will they?”

  “I hope not. Call me if they do.”

  Not a comforting thought, but Callie decided to take it one hour at a time today. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so low.

  Looking up from her half-eaten lunch, Callie wondered if Grandma Viv was volunteering at the library today. It was a Friday, the day that Viv did a lot of her volunteer work. Callie packed up her food and decided to check. Viv could always cheer her up.

  As Callie descended the stairs of the library, she spotted the welcome view of Viv reading aloud to a group of preschoolers. Some of the kids fidgeted and one tousle-haired blond girl whined about going to the bathroom, but most of the kids seemed enchanted. When Viv had finished reading, she greeted each child and mother like they were old friends before spotting Callie. She rushed over to her granddaughter and embraced her.

  “Hello, dear. It’s so nice to see you. But what brings you here? Aren’t you working today?” Viv looked at her granddaughter with concern. “You’ve not been taking care of yourself – have you?”

  “I’m doing all right,” Callie hedged. “Right now, I’m on my lunch break. I was eating – or trying to eat – in the park and I just thought I’d say hello.”

  “I’m so glad you did,” Viv said while rummaging around in her bag. “How have you been enjoying that Julia Child book I lent to you?”

  “Oh, I love it but I haven’t had much of a chance to reread it lately,” Callie confessed. “Do you need it back?”

  “It’s not due for another two weeks. I just ripped through it!” Viv patted her granddaughter on the shoulder. “Take your time.”

  Callie smiled. “I’d love to keep it awhile longer. Thanks.”

  “Well, dear, I’ve got to go. I’ve got an appointment with my eye doctor. If I’m going to stay up late reading at my age, my prescription has to be just right!”

  The two women walked out of the library together and Callie said goodbye to Viv, watching her with admiration as she strode in the direction of her doctor’s office. She hoped she’d be so sharp, stylish and active at her grandmother’s age. And how clever of her grandmother to distract her with a good book – and one about someone who fell in love with food, no less.

  Her appetite returned, Callie decided to read while she had finished her lunch. The salad was delicious, with crunchy romaine and cucumber, salty feta cheese and ripe, juicy tomatoes, topped with briny Kalamata olives.

  As she enjoyed her food, Julia Child’s charming non-fiction narrative took hold of Callie at once. She decided to read just one more chapter before heading back to work. The truth was she was reluctant to leave the little bubble of positive feelings that a good book and a tasty lunch had given to her. But as her eyes sped along the page she saw something that made her sputter.

  Drew’s lover, “Kitty?”

  Of course.

  How could she have missed it?

  * * *

  Callie was in a fog as she gathered up her things. Kitty was sorry, but what was she sorry about? Killing Drew? Had Kitty found out about Jane and the baby long before Callie had? If Kitty was involved with Drew and in love with him, it might be enough to cause a jealous rage. If jealousy were the motivation for Drew’s murder – especially romantic jealousy – it all made sense in a sick kind of way.

  Kitty would have had access to sharp knives. That would explain why there weren’t any knives missing from Drew’s knife block. Yes, as a chocolatier, Kitty aka “Minette” would have had no problem finding a murder weapon.

  As Callie had read the Julia Child book, she came across a mention of Julia’s cat in Paris. And suddenly it clicked as she remembered the conversation she’d had with Minette the day she comforted her about the loss of her chocolate shop. Minette was named by a mother who loved to watch Julia Child on television and who often spoke of her love for felines. In French, a term of endearment for “cat” was “minette.” Minette = Kitty.

  Callie recalled that Minette was in the alley the day of her attack. She had appeared to be helpful, driving with Mrs. DeWitt and Callie to the hospital, acting concerned. She’d been emotional and crying. Callie thought it was because she was worried about her mugging and upset about her business, but now she realized that Minette was probably crying for Drew, her dead lover. Were they tears of regret or anguish? Or a little bit of both?

  Callie wondered if Lucille had been involved with Drew and not Chef Johan. It would explain Lucille’s attack as well as her own. Minette may have been trying to get rid of any former rival for Drew’s love.

  What about Jane? Perhaps Minette had been trying to frame her with the syrup of ipecac, placed at the scene of the crime. The ultimate revenge wouldn’t be murder for Jane, mother of Drew’s baby. Life in prison would be a more fitting punishment from that perspective.

  But how could she be certain that Minette was a killer? She’d already steered Sands towards Jane, a move that she was now regretting. She looked at Max and wondered if she should confide in him. At the very least, she had to call Detective Sands. She dialed his number and only got voicemail. Now what?

  Before she could figure out a course of action, Piper walked through the shop’s front door and stood there staring at Callie and Max.

  Max’s face took on a crimson hue, but then he
grinned broadly. “Piper, what are you doing here? I thought you were working at the fitness center today.”

  “They sent me home. Jane Willoughby is being questioned by the police.” Piper flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and walked over to Callie. “I don’t think Steve Willoughby wanted me there because he knows that I know you. Everyone knows now that Jane and Drew were having an affair. Steve is devastated.”

  She emphasized the last word with another theatrical flip of her ponytail. “I had nothing to do with you rummaging around Jane’s office,” she continued, her pretty blue eyes snapping with anger. “But Steve won’t believe me. He thinks I let you in. I need that job, you know.” Piper’s cheeks were flushed with emotion.

  Callie was taken aback at Piper’s tone, but her temper flared. “Let the police do their job. It’s really not your business what I do and anyway, it’s my head on the chopping block here, not yours.”

  Piper stared at her evenly. “Yeah, I guess so. But I need to pay for my next trimester’s tuition. How am I going to pay for that without a job?”

  Callie glanced at Max who was watching this interchange with an expression that was part embarrassment, part irritation. “Piper, you’ll find a job. Remember, Callie, when you said that you needed a social media person for the shop?” He added this last in a hopeful tone as he glanced at his boss.

  “Yes, but that was meant to be an internship. I can’t pay an additional employee right now.” Callie wasn’t sure she trusted Piper but she wasn’t going to tell that to Max right at the moment. She couldn’t stop thinking about Kitty/Minette and how she was going to tell the right people about that possible connection.

  Piper’s face crumpled and she sounded near tears. “I’m sorry. It’s just been such a terrible day! No one likes to hear that their boss is being questioned by the police.”