by Rose Pressey
Different scenarios of what would happen when I met this woman played out in my mind. I arrived at the café, which was on the bottom floor of a hotel. When I stepped inside the restaurant, I noticed most of the tables were full. Employees moved swiftly around the room and the noise level was set on high. The walls were exposed brick. The tables had chairs of varying colors from white, light blue, and pale yellow. Along one wall was shelves lined with all different shapes and sizes of bottles. Behind them were lights making the glass glow.
I scanned the room for the woman. She’d failed to tell me what she looked like and I had forgotten to ask. How would we find each other? I pulled out my cell phone. After taking a seat at the edge of the café by the door, I figured I’d give her a call at the number she’d phoned me from last night.
A waitress approached my table with a menu. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and she wore the restaurant’s black and white uniform. “Would you like something to drink?”
“Just water, please.” Before she walked away, I asked, “By the way, has a woman been in this morning looking for another woman?”
Okay, my question made little sense. No wonder she was looking at me as if I was nuttier than a fruitcake. She furrowed her brow. “Not that I know of.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
She walked away.
The café door opened and grabbed my attention. A dark-haired woman entered. Her black dress hung loosely on her body. She’d pulled her hair up into a bun, but strands of hair wisped around her face. Maybe she’d run or walked a long way to get here. She must have sensed my staring because her gaze fell right on me. The woman immediately headed my way and that was when it finally clicked that she must know what I looked like because of my show.
“Ms. Charley?” the woman in the dress said when she was next to the table.
I stood. “You must be Haley Swanson.”
She nodded.
“Nice to meet you both,” I said, studying the women’s faces. “Is this table okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Haley said.
“I forgot that you must have seen me on TV and knew what I looked like,” I said with a smile.
Haley pulled out a chair and sat down. I took my seat again and waited for Haley to start the conversation. I hated the awkward silence between us. Maybe I should just blurt out for Mrs. Swanson to get to the point; the suspense was getting the better of me.
Haley placed her purse on top of the table. “Thank you for meeting me.”
I placed my hands in front of me on the table. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry about your husband.”
This conversation was off to a weird start, just as I’d figured. At the moment the thoughts in my mind looked like pieces of an unsolved puzzle dumped on top of a table. I had to hurry up and fit the pieces together.
Haley glanced down at the table. “The reason I called you here is because my husband and I were desperate for help.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And I could help you?”
“We’d been to the police, but no one took us seriously. Even now after my husband’s death, I don’t trust them.”
“So why are you talking to me?” I asked.
Just then the waitress brought back the water and placed the glass on the table in front of me. She asked Haley, “Would you like water too?”
Haley nodded and the waitress walked away.
I took a drink of water and then placed the glass down. “Why me?”
Haley picked at the edge of a napkin and then focused on me. “Because Tim thought you were an investigative reporter who was good at the job.”
“Just like Bill Dangerfield?” I asked. I wanted her to know that I knew her husband had called Dangerfield.
She stared at me. “Yes, like him too. My husband just wanted to make sure someone helped us. Now it’s too late for him, but I still have to worry and look over my shoulder. I think someone wants to kill me too.”
My eyes widened. “I’m sorry, but that’s something you should go to the police for help with.”
“Like I said, we went to the police and they didn’t take us seriously. That’s why I want you to help me.” Haley reached out and placed her hand on top of mine. “Please, Ms. Charley.”
She stared at me with her big brown eyes and I wished I had never come to meet her. Now that I knew she was possibly in danger, I couldn’t ignore it. I had to help Haley. However, I still didn’t understand why me. “Are you sure you want me to help you? There has to be someone else who can help.”
Haley shook her head. “Possibly I could find someone else, but I don’t know how long that would take. I need help now. I just don’t have the time to find a private investigator. I’m looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. I know you will look into things. Tim and I saw the way you helped others.”
I traced the rim of my glass with my index finger. “I am flattered that you came to me, but I’m not sure how much I will be able to help you. I still say you should talk with the police.”
Haley didn’t take her eyes off me. “Please.”
Getting in the middle of a murder investigation was a serious matter. It was something I knew I shouldn’t do, but now I wouldn’t be able to tell her no.
I released a deep breath. “Okay, I suppose I could help you with some of the contacts I have. Do you have any idea who killed your husband or who might want to kill you?”
“Not really, that’s why I need your help.” She didn’t take her eyes off me.
I brushed the hair off my face. “I can’t believe that you have no idea who may have wanted to do this to you.”
She shook her head. “Not a clue.”
I took another big drink of water and thought about what I was getting into. What would Marc say? My job wasn’t to get involved with a murder investigation.
I placed the glass down and said, “Okay, just remember that I’m not a cop.”
Haley nodded. “Of course not. And that’s why I want you to help.” She looked at her watch. “I have somewhere I have to be.” She pulled a card from her purse and handed it to me. “You’ll be in touch?”
I took the card and stuffed it into my purse without looking at it. “I’ll contact a few people and then give you a call. In the meantime, you need to tell me who your husband’s enemies are and what his movements were in the last few days.”
Haley shook my hand. “I really appreciate your help.”
“You’re welcome,” I said.
The first person I needed to call was Dangerfield. Was it wrong that I got some satisfaction out of the fact that she had called me first?
I knew my voice sounded less than confident. This meeting was a lot to absorb and I still wasn’t sure what I had just agreed to. I would probably regret it later. What if the person trying to kill her set his sights on me? Or her sights. At this point, I didn’t know if I was looking for a man or a woman. A man had called me and told me to go to the jazz club, but was the person who had called me the killer? The thought sent a chill down my spine.
Haley stood.
“I’ll talk with you soon,” Haley said.
They walked out of the café. As soon as they had left, the waitress returned.
She frowned. “Are you ready to place an order?”
I grabbed my purse and pulled out a few dollar bills. I handed her the cash. “I’m sorry for wasting your time, but we won’t be eating today. Thank you for everything.”
She shrugged and took the cash. “No problem.”
With that, I walked out of the restaurant. I had no idea which direction Haley had gone. I should have followed them.
First thing I wanted to do after I called Dangerfield was to research Haley Swanson. I pulled out my phone and dialed Dangerfield’s number.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he said when he answered the phone.
Flattery would get him nowhere. Well, maybe it would get him a little far, but he didn’t need to know that.
“You’re
not going to believe who I just met,” I said.
“The widow of the man who was murdered outside the jazz club.” His tone held a vague sense of satisfaction.
I looked over my shoulder. “Are you following me?”
He chuckled. “No, I am not following you.”
“Then how did you know?” I asked.
“I got a call last night and I’m assuming you did too,” he said.
Darn it. I thought for sure I had been the only one Haley had called.
“Did you refuse to meet her?”
“No, she left me a message. When I called her back she didn’t answer. I guess she decided to meet you instead. What did you find out?” he asked.
I made it back to my car and unlocked the door. Once inside, I tossed my purse on the seat beside me and shoved the key into the ignition. “She wants me to find her husband’s killer.”
“Wow. What did you tell her?”
I started the car and music blasted. Once I turned the volume down, I said, “I agreed to do it. I didn’t know what else to say.”
“I’m kind of speechless myself.” The teasing tone was evident in Dangerfield’s voice.
“Don’t make fun of me. I doubt she would have gotten any better help asking for yours.” I pulled my car out onto the street.
A car honked from somewhere behind me. I waved my hand as an apology because apparently I’d cut them off. I set my phone to speaker and placed it on the console.
“Did she say why she wanted your help?”
“I guess her husband thought we were good at our jobs,” I said.
“It’s nice to know we’re appreciated. You’re a softie, Charley,” Dangerfield said.
I sighed. “I didn’t know how to say no.”
“You’re a real sweetheart, Charley,” Dangerfield said in his sexy drawl.
“Right… anyway, I have to go to work right now. I’m going to do some research as soon as I get there.”
It was my way of telling him I would be busy on the case right away. He might as well just let me do this by myself.
“Hmm. Me too.” Dangerfield’s voice sent a low vibration that sent a shiver through my body. Why did he continue to do that?
I just knew Dangerfield was already in front of his computer. He was probably typing away at the keys finding out everything he could about Tim Swanson and his wife Haley. I couldn’t weave around the traffic any faster without getting a ticket, so it would be at least another fifteen minutes before I reached my office.
“Meet me after work?” he asked.
This was a decision I couldn’t rush into.
“Sure, I’ll call you later.”
So much for not rushing my decision.
“Later, Charley,” he said and hung up.
My heart rate increased. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the traffic or because Dangerfield wanted to meet again.
Chapter 9
Once I made it back to the office, I knew that I wouldn’t get much work done today. Either I would be looking into the murder or I would be distracted by thinking about the murder. It was a lot to absorb in such a short time period.
The office buzzed with excitement and everyone whispered when I walked through the door. I was surprised it had taken them this long to start talking behind my back. I guessed Oscar hadn’t told everyone about what had happened like I thought he would. Why was he being so nice?
Speaking of Oscar, I glanced over at his door and wondered if I could get past without him spotting me. I’d never been able to do it in the past. What made me think I could do it this time? I lifted my head high and pushed my shoulders back and marched across the floor. I wouldn’t look over at him and maybe he wouldn’t notice. Sure, I had tried that trick in the past without success, but I had to get lucky eventually.
I hurried across the floor and just as I thought I might have made it Oscar yelled out my name. I’d made it to the edge of Jim Manning’s desk. That was the farthest I’d ever gotten.
I slumped my shoulders and walked into Oscar’s office. He stood as soon as I entered. That was something he had never done. Was he feeling okay? Was Oscar dying? He’d already loosened his tie and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt.
“Did you find out anything?” His brown eyes were as wide as I’d ever seen them.
“Well…” I wasn’t sure how much I could tell him. “I’m looking into a few things. I have the murder victim’s name.”
“Good job, Charley. Now get out there and find out more.” He waved his hand. At least his tone hadn’t been as harsh this time.
As I left, I glanced back and he had taken his seat again. He offered what I thought was a smile. Must have been my imagination, or maybe Oscar had stomach issues.
When I made it to my desk, I felt Ruth’s eyes on me again. I pretended not to see her at first, but then I finally looked over at her. Her arms were folded in front of her waist, bunching up her black suit jacket.
I quirked an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“You got a phone call again. Since you’re always late, the calls come to me.” She gestured toward her chest.
I wouldn’t even respond to that. “Who was it?” I asked.
Had Haley called again? She had my cell phone number. Had I missed her call here too? I pulled out my phone, but saw that there were no missed calls.
“It was a man,” she said.
I stared at her. “Did he leave a name?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Well, did he say what he wanted?”
“No.” She smirked.
A lot of good that did me. The call could have been from anyone. As Oscar pointed out, I attracted a lot of weird people and they called the station looking for me often. Ruth should know that by now.
“Thanks, Ruth,” I said.
She smirked, but didn’t answer. Now that she had left me alone, I turned on my computer and immediately searched Timothy Swanson’s name. Lucky for me, a good amount of information showed up.
Tim owned a voodoo tour in town. I’d never heard of the place, but I figured that Courtney had. I’d have to give her a call and ask about the place.
I wondered why Haley hadn’t told me about their tour. She hadn’t told me anything and I thought that was more than a little strange. How did she expect me to find out anything with so little information to go on? At least this was a start though.
I scrolled down, but didn’t see much else that was useful. His Facebook page was set to private. I’d have to ask Haley if there was any relevant information.
I supposed a logical place to start would be by talking with employees of the tour. Would this be something the police would do? I wondered what Marc would say if he knew I was looking into this murder.
I picked up my phone and dialed Courtney. When I glanced over at Ruth, she was watching me. Of course she looked away, but I knew she had her eyes on me. It was killing her not to know what I was up to. We would leave it that way too.
After a few rings, Courtney picked up. “Voodoo House.”
“Hey, it’s me. I have a few questions for you.”
“Sounds serious. What’s going on?” she asked.
“I found some info on the murder victim.”
“Oh, yeah? What did you find?”
“Apparently he owned a voodoo tour,” I said. “I guess he ran the place with his wife.”
“Really? What’s the name of the place?” Courtney said with interest.
“Have you heard of French Quarter After Dark?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know anything else about the tour. You say he was the owner?”
“Yes, with his wife,” I said.
“That is interesting,” Courtney said. “I can try to find out more for you.”
“That would be terrific. Thank you.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” I knew by her voice that she had a huge smile on her face. “I’ll call you later,” she said.
“Talk
to you later,” I said.
As much as I wanted to look into the murder more, I knew that I had to do at least a little work. Oscar wouldn’t tolerate my inability to multitask. Even if he had told me to find out about the murder, I knew he meant find out more while doing your other work too.
I had been working on the case of a car salesman who had scammed people out of a lot of money. I had more phone calls to make for that assignment, so that I could set up more interviews. Just the other day I’d had a confrontation with the man, and it was highly possible I was about to have another one. Obviously he didn’t consider me a friend.
As I sat at my desk, I felt eyes on me. When I glanced over, I spotted Oscar motioning toward me from his office doorway. Twice in one day? Now that was a rarity. I’d really outdone myself this time.
“Looks like you’re wanted again,” Ruth said in a mocking tone from her cubicle across from mine.
I wouldn’t even bother to respond to her snarky comment. I was surprised that Oscar was calling me into his office for a second time. In fact, it made me more than a little nervous. I released a deep breath, pushed to my feet, and marched over to his office with my head held high. There was no need to let this meeting get to me.
When I reached the door, Oscar gestured for me to enter. I pushed the door opened and stepped into the room.
Without being told, I took my usual spot at the leather chair in front of his desk. I crossed my legs and folded my hands in my lap. Oscar’s mouth twisted up at one corner. That was about as close to a smile as I’d ever seen from him.
“So, have you found out anything else about this case?” He sounded as excited as a kid who had just heard the ice cream truck.
I stared at him for a moment. It had only been a few hours. I couldn’t believe how interested he was in this case. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a lot of new information for him since I’d been no further than my desk. Apparently, he was going to be disappointed with that.
I cleared my throat. “Well, I talked with the deceased’s wife. My cousin may be able to get information for me.”