Oh Say Can You Fudge

by Nancy CoCo

  “There’s no jinxing, no bad juju. Everything is fine. After all, if it were jinxed, we would not have been able to replace the fireworks so quickly. Therefore, it was certainly meant to be.”

  “I’ll have to think about it.”

  “What’s to think about?” I tried not to let him hear the panic in my voice. “It’s a simple job. It’s only days away and you are free. We are paying. It’s great.”

  “But the original pyro tech died, right?”

  “That merely means our shows were freed up for you to step in and do them,” I pointed out. “It’s really good luck for you.”

  “Bad luck for the dead guy, though,” he mused.

  “I’ve got your e-mail. I’ll send the list of fireworks we have purchased and the dates and times along with a copy of the contract. I’ll give you two-thirds down once the contract is signed and the last third an hour after the last show. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

  “Unless I die.”

  “You won’t. Even better, if you do a great job, I will be sure to sign you for next year’s shows, as well.” I fidgeted with my pen, doodling scared faces on the pad of paper near my computer along with the words please, please, please.

  “Fine,” he said. “I’ll look over everything and get back to you.”

  “Don’t take long. We have only a few days until the shows and I must have someone signed by tonight. If you don’t do it, I’ll find someone else.”

  “I’ll take that into consideration.” He hung up.

  I hit the END button on my phone, tossed it on my desk, and pouted. “What is it with men and thinking I have bad juju?”

  “Well, it would help if you didn’t tell them the last guy died,” Jenn teased.

  “I almost offered to let him borrow Mr. MacElroy’s rabbit’s foot, but I don’t think the old man trusts me enough to give it up.”

  “He’s just teasing you,” Jenn said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “We have to solve Rodney’s murder.” I straightened in the chair. “It’s the only way to prove that it’s not me and it’s not the show that is cursed.”

  “You’d better get on it, then. You only have a few more hours to sign someone.”

  I stuck out my tongue at her. “Call Rex,” I ordered and got on my computer to send out the promised e-mail. “After I send this out, I’m going to go see Mrs. Amerson and company.”

  “Ooh, what are you going to tell them?”

  “That I have hired a new man . . . because I have. Then I’m going to scour the island until I find Henry Schulte. I have a feeling he is the key to this entire mystery.”

  “Good luck with that,” Jenn said sincerely. “Sandy and I will look after the fudge shop.”

  “Thanks.” I hit SEND on the e-mail. I gathered up my purse and phone and kissed Jenn on the cheek. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”

  Chapter 14

  Mrs. Amerson and Mrs. Jones were pleased as punch when I told them that I had a new pyro tech. At first, they were skeptical, but I explained that Trent found the guy and after that, they were all smiles.

  Thank goodness. Once I left the tea house and the two society women, I headed toward Market Street. I highly doubted Henry was anywhere near the tourist-filled Main Street. Someone would have seen him and phoned me.

  I pulled out my cell phone and glanced at the front. No phone calls. I frowned and put it back in my purse. The Hamilton was the only place I could think of to begin my search. I mean, the man couldn’t simply disappear between the police station and the B & B on Market. Could he?

  Silly as it sounds, I began to glance under the bushes as I walked down the sidewalk. It was too bad I didn’t have Mal with me. If Henry was dead somewhere in the open, she would have found him. Not that I wanted Henry dead. In fact, it would be best for me if Henry weren’t dead—if, in fact, it was Henry who did his partner in. Then I could tell Mr. Cooper that it wasn’t bad luck at all, but a bad business relationship—something that didn’t have anything to do with me or Mackinac Island.

  “Hi Allie.”

  I stopped and turned at the sound of someone calling my name. It was Sophie, looking gorgeous as usual in her pilot’s uniform.

  “Hi, Sophie. How are you?”

  “I’m good. I heard you were looking for Henry Schulte.”

  “Yes. Have you seen him?”

  “I didn’t fly him off the island if that is what you want to know. Not this time.”

  “Not this time?” I drew my eyebrows together. “Have you flown him off the island before?”

  “Yes, that’s what I came to tell you. Henry Schulte is sort of a regular at the Grand.”

  “Sort of?” I put my hands on my hips. The skirt of my dress blew around my knees.

  “Yes, he comes in and stays a few days once a year. He hates water so he pays the extra money to fly.”

  “Why does he come to an island if he hates water?” I had to ask.

  “I have no idea,” Sophie said with a shrug. “He isn’t particularly rich. The staff at the Grand said he always got a cheap package deal and rarely tipped.”

  “Maybe he likes the fact that we don’t have any cars on the island,” I wondered out loud. “Or maybe he has family here?”

  “Not that I know of,” Sophie said. “But then I’m not exactly a native myself.

  “It’s something to look into. If he has family, he could be visiting them right now and that’s why no one has seen him.”

  “You mean his family might be hiding him?”

  “Yes.” I chewed on my bottom lip. “That’s assuming he has a reason to hide.”

  “Liz told me about the death threats,” Sophie said. “Those would make me hide.”

  “But not if the threats weren’t against him personally . . . unless he was the reason those guys were making threats in the first place.”

  “What do you mean?” Sophie asked.

  “I got the feeling Henry was sort of a silent partner. The entire business was built on Rodney’s reputation as a great showman. But Rodney didn’t have time to work on the business end. Henry was the one who did the billing and kept the books.”

  “You think that he might have been the one not paying those guys?”

  “It makes the most sense,” I said. “If the money mess was his fault, I don’t blame him for hiding. I’d be hiding out, too. We need to figure out who he knows on the island.”

  “Yes, and since word has gotten out about the ten million dollar insurance payment, the bill collectors have to be coming out of the woodwork.”

  I nodded. “Frances knows everyone on the island. If Henry Schulte has a connection to Mackinac, she should be able to find it.”

  We walked through the alley that ran behind the McMurphy. The cat was back, sitting halfway up the staircase sunning itself.

  “Hello kitty,” I said in greeting.

  The cat did not seem interested in me or my greeting.

  “Is this your cat? She’s beautiful.”

  I turned to Sophie. “How do you know it’s a girl?” She shrugged. “Just guessing. She is gorgeous and acts aloof. That’s pretty typical for a girl cat in my experience.”

  “You have cats?”

  Sophie smiled and reached down and scratched the kitty behind her ears. She purred loud enough that we could hear it. “I’ve had a cat my whole life. They are such cutie-pies.”

  “This cat has been here for nearly a week. I left some food on a plate near the landing.”

  Sophie laughed. “Oh, then she’s your cat now. Are you going to keep her as an indoor cat or an outdoor cat?”

  “First off, I’ve still got posters up to see if she belongs to someone. She is so pretty and just showed up at the McMurphy. Someone has to be missing her.” I flicked my wrist as if introducing the cat. “Secondly, I’m going to have Trent catch her and we are going to take her to the vet to be checked out. Then I guess it is up to her if she is an i
ndoor cat or an outdoor cat.” I frowned. “Except if she is indoor, I’ll have to get a door to close off the fudge shop. The food inspector has trouble with Mal and she’s trained not to go in the shop. From what little I know of cats, you can’t train them not to do something.”

  Sophie giggled. “There’s no training cats. That’s one thing I learned early on with my first cat, Matilda. The best you can do is come to an agreement with them.”

  “An agreement?”

  “Yes,” Sophie said as we climbed to the landing at the top of the steps. “You agree to feed the cat and see to its health and it will agree to do whatever it wants.”

  “Oh. Sort of like my hair. I’ve agreed to not make it be something it’s not—like straight—and it agrees not to have too many bad hair days.”

  Sophie glanced at my wind tossed waves. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with a bad hair day.”

  “Clearly, you haven’t spent enough time with me,” I replied and opened the door to my apartment. “Don’t let the cat in. She can find a hiding place faster than I can say ‘there’s a cat in the house.’”

  “Right,” Sophie said, and we both carefully skirted the doorway and closed the door safely behind us.

  We cut through the apartment to the hallway. I stuck my head into the office where Jenn was seated. “Jenn, you know Sophie, right?”

  “Yes, of course,” Jenn said with a smile and stood up to shake Sophie’s hand.

  “Sophie didn’t take Henry Schulte off the island, but she does taxi him in a couple times a year.”

  “I thought you only brought in the Grand’s patrons.”

  “Henry stays at the Grand Hotel when he comes for a few days,” Sophie said. “He hates the water and stays at a place that is willing to fly him in . . . at a price.”

  “It’s a steep price,” Jenn said carefully. “No offense meant.” She waved her hands in front of her.

  “Oh, none taken,” Sophie said. “It’s expensive to fly anywhere. Fares have to pay my salary, pay for fuel, maintenance, and housing of the vehicle, plus hanger fees and airport use fees.”

  “Wow,” Jenn said. “That’s a lot.”

  “It’s stuff people don’t think about.”

  “We think Henry might have family on the island and if he does—”

  “Frances will know,” Jenn finished my sentence.

  “Yes.” I smiled.

  “How’d the meeting go with the Star Spangled Fourth committee?” Jenn asked.

  “Not bad,” I hedged.

  “You didn’t tell them he hasn’t signed yet,” Jenn accused.

  “Who hasn’t signed what?” Sophie’s dark eyes held suspicion.

  “It’s nothing important.” I turned Sophie away from the office door and I sent Jenn a look.

  She shrugged. It seemed I wasn’t the only one making a few social blunders today.

  “Trent got me the name of a new pyro tech and I called him this afternoon and sent him a contract to sign along with a fee schedule.”

  “And you told Mrs. Amerson that it was good to go even though he hasn’t signed a contract yet,” Sophie surmised.

  “He’ll sign,” I said. “I’m certain.”

  “Certain enough to lie to the leaders of Mackinac Island society . . . who are counting on you, by the way.”

  “I know.” I walked with Sophie down the stairs where we were greeted by a sleepy pup who rose slowly, did her downward dog stretch followed by an upward dog. Thoroughly stretched, she came over for her head pats.

  Sophie obliged her with a few pats on the head followed by a good behind the ear scratch.

  “I think Mal likes you,” I said with a laugh.

  “She is a cute puppy,” Sophie said.

  “Hello, girls,” Frances said from her perch behind the receptionist desk. She studied her computer screen through purple granny reading glasses she bought at the dollar store. She had so many different readers in a variety of colors and designs that it seemed she wore a different pair every day. “Sophie, what brings you to the McMurphy?”

  I jumped in before Sophie could answer. “We were wondering if you know if Henry Schulte has family on Mackinac. No one’s seen him since he left the McMurphy.”

  ” Oh, dear. That’s not a good sign,” Frances said.

  “Exactly,” Sophie said. “We don’t want to find him like Allie found Rodney.”

  “Why would you think he has family here?” Frances tilted her head and studied us over the top of her reading glasses.

  “I’ve flown him in once or twice a year ever since I started working for the Grand. I figured he was a regular.”

  “Hmm.” Frances pursed her lips. “Schulte, Schulte, Schulte . . . no, there is no Schulte on the island.” She tapped her computer to life. “Let me check the phone directory.”

  I looked at Sophie and she looked at me and we shrugged. I hadn’t used a phone directory ever. All my friends had cell phones. In fact, landlines were so scarce, we just assumed we could text everyone.

  “I’m right. There is no Schulte in the phone directory.”

  “But it could be his mother’s family,” I pointed out.

  “Or an aunt,” Sophie said. “How could we find out that information?”

  I grabbed my phone and Googled Henry Schulte. He had a LinkedIn profile for Rivers Productions but no Facebook page and no Twitter. Henry was older so I kind of doubted he had an Instagram page. “Nothing on Google.” I frowned.

  “Someone should know,” Frances said. “I’ll check with my friends and see if we can’t track down your fellow. I’ll let them know he’s missing. People are helpful if they know someone could be in danger.”

  “Thanks, Frances,” I said.

  “How’d the meeting with Mrs. Amerson and Mrs. Jones go?” she asked.

  “Not bad.”

  She gave me a look that said I was a bad liar.

  I shrugged. “We’ll talk later.”

  “I’m sure we will.” She went back to her computer.

  By this time, Mal was charming Sophie with her twirling. Mal had become quite clever about charming people for treats. She stood on her back legs and twirled while everyone around said “Awww.”

  Sophie reached inside the treat jar and pulled out a tiny biscuit. “How can you resist this?” she asked me as Mal sat and lifted her paw for a shake.

  “She is irresistible,” I said with a laugh as Sophie gave her the treat.

  Mal took it gently and ran off to her bed to savor it.

  With a smile, Sandy came out of the fudge shop area. The girl was so pretty with her copper skin and long black hair. As always, she had her hair pulled back into a no nonsense braid that draped down her back. She wore a McMurphy polo shirt, black slacks, athletic shoes, and a pink and white McMurphy apron. “Hi Allie. Everything’s prepped and ready for the morning. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take off a bit early today. My grandmother’s birthday is tomorrow and we’re planning a celebration.”

  “Is that what the chocolate dragonfly sculpture is for?” I asked.

  She had been working all week on an elaborate dragonfly. The body was six inches long and the delicate wingspan was a marvel of chocolate engineering.

  “Yes.” Pride shone in her eyes. “My grandmother’s spirit guide is the dragonfly.”

  “You should see the centerpiece,” I said to Sophie. “Sandy really is a master.”

  “I would love to see it.” Sophie smiled and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Sophie Collins.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. You two haven’t met? I should have introduced you. I have the worst manners,” I said as they shook hands.

  “Sandy Everheart. You’re the lady pilot for the Grand.”

  “That’s me,” Sophie said. “And you are a chocolatier?”

  “Yes,” I answered, not giving Sandy the opportunity. “She studied in New York, but she came back to Mackinac to be with her family and I was so lucky to hire her.”

  “She gives me space
to work my sculptures on the side,” Sandy said with a serious nod.

  “So you’re from the island,” Sophie said. “Do you happen to know Henry Schulte?”

  “Henry Schulte?” Sandy repeated.

  “He’s Rodney Rivers’ partner and he’s missing,” I explained. “Sophie says he flies into Mackinac at least once a year. We think he might have family here.”

  “Evie Garnier has an uncle named Henry. Perhaps he is the same one. She says he has a silly fear of water and will only come to see his family if they will fly him out.”

  “Well, that makes more sense,” Sophie said. “I never thought he dressed or acted like someone who could afford the plane ticket here.”

  “The family pays, even though they can’t afford it. Family is family.” Sandy smiled.

  “Of course it is,” I agreed. “And we are keeping you from yours. I’ll see you tomorrow—unless you want the day off for your grandmother.”

  Sandy’s dark eyes lit up. “Is that all right?”

  “Of course. Family is family.”

  Sandy smiled again. “Then I will see you the next day.”

  “Perfect. Please tell your grandmother happy birthday for me,” I said as Sandy grabbed up her backpack from the cubby behind the reception desk.

  “I will. Thank-you.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Sophie added.

  “So,” I said as Sandy left out the back. “We have a lead.”

  “I heard.” Frances’s eyes were twinkling. “And I have an address.”

  “Great!” I practically clapped my hands. “Do you have time to go with me?” I asked Sophie.

  “Sure. I can take a few minutes.” She patted Mal on the head as we realized my puppy had stashed her treat in the cushion on her bed and come back for more attention. “Can we bring Mal?”

  As if on cue, Mal looked at me and then ran to get her leash.

  I laughed. “Okay. If Henry is truly missing, perhaps she can help us track him down.”

  “Let’s hope he is alive,” Sophie said as I bent to put on Mal’s halter and leash. “I’m not as excited to find a dead body as you are.”

  “Not me. Mal. She’s the one who seems to enjoy it most.”

  “Be safe, girls,” Frances said. “If there is a killer out there, he may not like it that you are investigating.”