“Sheridan, can you try talking to him? I’m very concerned about him.”
“Okay, okay. I will try.” I scootered away and pulled out my phone.
“Hi, Max. It’s Sheridan. How are you?”
“Oh my gosh! Sheridan, I’m going crazy. Is your husband still trying to pin this murder on me? I don’t know what to do? When are you coming back to Cold Creek?” He spoke quickly, almost yelling.
I chuckled. “We’re in town today in fact. Drove down to enjoy the foliage and have lunch with Kim and Marty in North Shore.”
“Your husband, too? I’m afraid he’ll arrest me. Can you stop by without him?”
I chuckled. “Max, they checked your house, your office, talked to you and Stella. Nobody’s still bothering you, are they?”
“Only Joe. He makes me crazy with his questions and innuendo and talk of drugs.”
“But nobody official? Sounds like they’ve moved on. You need to let it go and keep quiet while the police figure it all out.”
“Okay, okay.”
“Will you and Stella be home later? Maybe we could stop by, just to visit.”
“With Brett and he won’t arrest me?”
“With Brett and unless you broke the law, he won’t arrest you. A social call.”
“I’ll check with Stella to be sure, but that sounds good. We mostly stay home these days. I’m afraid when we go into town everyone is looking at us and thinking we’re involved in the murder or someone said something about drugs.”
“Just chill, Max. Let me know what Stella says and I’ll see about what time would make sense.”
He disconnected and I took a few relaxing, cleansing breaths. Talking to him was exhausting. I joined the others.
“…lot of talk about designer drugs on campus. Mitch made a lot of noise and got the Chancellor all riled up. We’ve been inundated with emails. Every class now has to have a speaker come in on the dangers of drugs and particularly designer drugs. Not all the students will be receptive and some will tune it out. Others will get the message.” Kim shrugged.
“That’s a good start.” I moved to the couch and drank my coffee. I smiled as I realized they were all waiting on me.
“Max is… Max. We are invited to come by for a visit – as long as Brett doesn’t arrest him.” We all chuckled, except for Brett. He shook his head.
“He mentioned drugs, mostly in relation to Joe and his insinuations. I guess if the whole campus is talking about drugs now, that makes sense.”
“That was definitely the topic of the day on Friday. Very little mention of the murder or even the search of Max’s office on Thursday. And, honestly, I never heard anything to suggest Max was involved in the drugs.”
Brett nodded. “Good. You and Sheridan can repeat that part to him – the big focus is on drugs now and not connected to him.”
He didn’t add, but I knew there was a “so far, at least not directly.” He did ask, “Has Hirsch said anything about the brick incident.”
Kim shrugged. Not much usually got her down. “Only the obvious. Even today’s technology can’t get fingerprints off brick. In the glass, I found a note when I swept it all up. In block letters, it read ‘Mind your own business’ and we assume it came with the brick. Hirsch has it.”
Thinking about Landry and Jarvit, and the comments Zoe had made at the Grill, I asked, “Have you heard rumblings of new stores and restaurants in Cold Creek? Zoe made some comment about it at lunch the other day.”
Marty cleared his throat. “Yes, a lot of rumblings at the courthouse. I don’t mess with real estate or permits or zoning, but, yeah, a lot of talk – pro and con – about revitalizing main street with more options for everything. Potentially, even a mall.”
“Can you imagine that? I am one shopper gal, but in Cold Creek? And I heard it would be mostly boutique-style stores, not major department stores. Something about the need to cater to the college population.”
“You have to admit, Kim, many of the students are from the country club set and could afford high end clothes and accessories. Huh. That was the group involved with drugs the last time. Any of them likely to be involved this time?”
Brett leaned in as Kim hesitated to answer. “Not for sure. Not that anyone’s sharing. A couple of them are obnoxious and self-centered, don’t think they have to study, but nothing obviously drug-related.”
Brett’s phone pinged and he handed it to Kim. “This the lady at the house yesterday?”
“Oh my gosh. Yes, it is. Who is it?”
“Celeste Landry.”
“That would explain why she reacted so badly to my comment about the murder. What was she doing there?”
Brett texted and then read the next text. We waited, not so patiently.
“Fabry is talking to Skinner and waiting on Tally. Right now just making conversation and asking about business. Like Moss Builders and the houses. Skinner named Celeste as the person who usually did the sales end. That’s all I know and you just confirmed her as at the open house. Did you give them your name or address?”
“I signed in with my name and Cold Creek as my address. Not the actual address. When I left though, Jarvit made it a point to walk me out to my car.”
Brett nodded. “He could have gotten your license and then managed to get your address that way or via the internet with even your name and Cold Creek. Definitely could have done it.”
Marty cleared his throat and stood. “We have a reservation. I was able to add the two of you, but they are usually swamped for Sunday lunch. Let’s go have lunch and then deal with Max.”
CHAPTER 26
C ontinuing our notion of enjoying the foliage, we took the scenic route through the park and up the main highway.
“Have you eaten at this place before?”
Kim shook her head. “No. We had reservations last Monday, but had to cancel with due to the road closure. Marty decided tonight would be good. It will be an adventure for all of us.”
The foliage along the way was beautiful. In no time, we were turning off the main road and stopped for a few minutes to get some pictures of the forest from a ridge. I stayed in the car, but the view was breathtaking.
A little further down the road we entered the main part of North Shore. It had changed a lot since I’d been here last and I spotted the various new stores and restaurants. All somehow planned by Jarvit or Landry or both. Financed somehow as well.
Marty pulled into the parking lot of Leavitt’s Brewpub. A rustic feel, simple and unpretentious, yet housed in an upscale building. A step above what I expected for sure. Marty still seemed very nervous and I worried about him. Max could get on people’s nerves but this seemed over the top. The window and Max would be understandable.
Kim and I were talking when Marty gave the hostess his name and her face lit up. “Yes, Mr. Cohn, we have everything ready for you. Sorry you weren’t able to make it last week.”
She grabbed some menus and we followed her to the back of the restaurant. I noticed some of the waitstaff following us, but dismissed it. The table for four offered a view of the countryside.
“The view. So beautiful.”
Marty pulled out a chair and Kim sat down, still enjoying the view.
“Yes, you are – so beautiful.”
As he dropped to one knee, it became obvious why he was so nervous, and why there was a bucket and bottle of champagne. Kim screamed, he proposed, and when they sealed it with a kiss, we joined everyone else in the place in the applause. Amidst many well-wishers, we managed to eat a delicious lunch and put a dent in the champagne.
“Did you know about this, Kim?”
“Nope. He suggested a late lunch here because Monday was cancelled. Just lunch.” She looked at him and smiled.
He chuckled. “It’s been a long time coming and the next step in our relationship. I … I was a little afraid she’d say no.”
Kim leaned over and kissed him. “I thought you’d never ask.”
They both glowed
and Brett took my hand and kissed it. “When is the big day?”
I burst out laughing when both of their faces went from smiles to wide eyes and a look of panic. “You have time to figure that out, lots of things to consider.”
They both relaxed and we finished eating. Marty was going to leave the half-bottle of champagne and Kim vetoed that. With the champagne wrapped in a towel and secured in the trunk, a visit with Max was the next stop.
As we pulled into his driveway, Kim smiled. “Don’t forget the champagne!” and I nodded at her choice of distraction.
Max barreled to the car as Kim grabbed the bottle and thrust it at him. “I hope you have glasses, Max. We’re celebrating.”
“What? Huh?” He looked at all of us smiling and ignored Kim’s offering.
“Champagne, celebrating, ring?” Marty put his arm around Kim as she spoke. Brett did likewise with me. “Are you going to invite us in and share in the champagne or what?”
“Oh my gosh. Congratulations. Come in, come in.” He turned and half-ran to the open door. “Stella, Stella, they’re here. Come quick.”
By the time we were inside, Kim still holding the champagne in a towel, Stella joined us. One look at the bottle and Kim and Marty, and she immediately caught on.
“Congratulations! You look so happy, both of you.” She smiled at Brett and me and added, “You, too. Good to see you again under more pleasant circumstances. Let me get some glasses and dessert. Max, take them to the living room.”
She disappeared and I asked Max about Joe once we were in the living room.
“He is … he keeps bothering me and wanting to interview me. I told him no like you and Marty said. Then he makes comments about drugs – this was even before the other detective and Chief Hirsch asked about them. He’s like a dog with a bone, and no matter how many times I tell him I didn’t use drugs in my lab, he won’t quit.”
“Did he mention any kinds of drugs? Any names?”
“He mentioned some . Some of the ones in the presentation the Chancellor says we have to show. I recognized some of those. Ruffles? Fantasy? I don’t know. Drugs are not my thing. And he won’t leave me alone. Not even after the police and detective went away.
“I’m sorry he’s bothering you. Did he mention why he thought you might know about these?”
“The murder, of course. Don’t you know? He said the murder was tied into a drug ring and that awful person who was selling drugs before and the murder you got involved in. You always were a magnet for murder.”
Kim interjected, “Did he mention any names Max? That might help find the real killer.”
Stella joined us with apple cobbler and champagne flutes. Kim poured, with most of the champagne going to Max and Stella.
He shook his head and started pacing after downing his champagne. “Oh, no. I wasn’t paying attention to him, just trying to make him go away. Odd though, he asked about re-enactments of Civil War battles. I’m a scientist, not a historian. And the other murder involved with drugs. And security.”
I nodded. Justin Blake was killed because he uncovered a drug ring among the country club set. His downfall was telling one of the security guards, who was involved in the drug trafficking. Marty leaned forward at the mention of the Civil War battles.
“Civil War re-enactments?”
Max shook his head and flailed his arms. “Were these drugs used in the Civil War? I don’t get it.”
“Okay, Max. Other than Joe, anyone else bothering you or Stella?”
He shook his head and Stella cringed. “No. I had to clean up my office and some of the students asked what was going on.”
Marty refilled Max’s glass and leaned back. “Max, from what you’re saying, it looks like the investigation is no longer focusing on you. That should make you feel better.”
“I don’t know, Marty. You never can tell. No offense, Brett, but police want to solve cases and don’t much care if the person is innocent or not. Joe reminded me of that on Friday. Told me I could still be in trouble.”
My hand squeezing Brett’s arm, I shook my head. “Max, he’s just trying to get you riled up so you’ll talk to him. How does he think you’re connected to drugs?”
“I… I don’t know. That’s a good question. Maybe I should start asking him questions if he keeps bothering me.”
“Well, I have a question.” It was the first time Stella spoke and we all looked at her. “When is the wedding?”
That set us all to laughing. After a bit, I asked her to show me to the bathroom. “Lovely house, but I think I mentioned that when I was here Friday.” I paused and added, “Stella, when I asked if anyone was bothering Max or you, you didn’t answer. Is anyone bothering you?”
She glanced behind us before she answered. “Not bothering. Not really. Celeste Landry? Connor Landry’s wife? She and some man came by asking if we’d received another package intended for Connor. I didn’t know what to tell them. I … I told them the truth – we didn’t have any packages for them, the police took the package.”
I nodded. “Did they say anything else?”
“The man. He asked if I knew what was in the package. I told him I had no idea. The delivery guy showed up while the police were here and they took it. Mrs. Landry? She thanked me and wished me well.”
“That was nice of her. And you did the right thing. What did the man look like?”
“Middle-aged, nicely dressed, balding – then again most men his age are balding. On the shorter side, like Max, not Brett.”
I nodded. “Okay. You better go back and I’ll be right there.”
We left their home shortly after that. With lots of hugs and congratulations to Kim and Marty, Brett and I drove back to Clover Hill. I shared what Stella told me as he drove. Another time when Celeste and Jarvit were together.
My phone ringing with my mother’s ring tone reminded me it really was Sunday and I had forgotten to call.
“Hello, mom. Did you and Dad decide about the cruise?”
“Oh, Sheridan, it’s so exciting. We barely ever leave here and now we’re going on a cruise. Kaylie is coming in this weekend to help me shop for a few things. Your father is still a little leery. I say too bad. We may never have this chance again. Play bingo. Entertainment. All the food. Dancing.”
I chuckled. The last activity is probably what made my dad leery. “That’s great. Anything else going on?”
“Oh, I don’t want to jinx it. Kaylie is seeing someone new. Maybe…”
“That’s good. You need to just let her move at her own pace.” Meddling in our love lives had been one of my mother’s favorite past times and we never seemed to get to the alter fast enough. I remembered being so careful not to mention Brett for a very long time. Safer that way.
“Is everything okay with you? Your job?”
“Yes, mom. All is good. Brett and I spent the day in Cold Creek and we’re on our way to meet friends for dinner.”
“Okay then, I’ll let you go. I have to work on your dad’s clothes and see if he needs some shopping. The cruise is only three months away.”
“You do that and give dad my love.”
Brett and I both laughed. She’d probably be packed two months ahead of time.
CHAPTER 27
W e arrived at Al’s only a few minutes late for dinner. Melina and her crew, Angie and her children, Eric and Maddie were all talking, several different conversations going on at once. Not by accident, the six adults were seated at one end and the five children at the other.
“How was the corn maze? Did you have a good time?”
Maddie was quick to respond. “Great. Fabulous. Awesome. There was this huge cornfield and they’d cut paths in it. I don’t know how they managed to do it. There was a picture of what it looked like from the air, but how did they know where they were cutting? The corn was so high.”
Eric laughed. “At least one place I used to visit as a kid? They cut the paths when the corn was only a foot high. They had the maze all planne
d out to turn people around and put it on top of a photo of the cornfield. Then marked all the main paths first.” He shook his head. “They probably use GPS now.”
Willie nodded. “Probably. Creating blueprints or something like that. Same as they do with urban planning and mapping out roads.”
“It was fun, especially when we got lost.” Karla chuckled and pointed to her mom. “She was scared, but I wasn’t. I knew someone would find us.”
Angie shook her head. “There were lots of people. They try to limit how many can be in the maze at the same time and stagger when groups enter. The path is fairly even and the walker worked great. Not all the people coming behind us were particularly nice.”
Karla’s smile disappeared. “And they wouldn’t let me take one of the dogs with me. Duke is getting old and he’s the best.” Duke was an unofficial support dog for Karla. If he’d been “official” they would have had to let him go with her.
“Karla did great though and we all found our way out. Even if some of us had to reverse, a lot.”
They all nodded and started talking again. Eric shook his head. “I wish I’d been able to get out of my commitment to go with you.”
Angie smiled. “We were fine. I wasn’t worried as much as annoyed that some kids would push us out of their way.”
“What’s up with Duke? Is he okay?”
“He’s okay, but getting older. And he is the one who really allows her to be outside. The other two aren’t big enough.”
“Would you consider getting another dog, a bigger dog.”
Maddie must have been eavesdropping on our conversation and shouted, “Cocoa! She’s great.”
Angie shook her head. “I don’t know. We ‘inherited’ the ones we have. I’m not sure it would work.”
“I understand. Think about it. Maybe visit Pets & Paws and see what you think.”
Old Friends and New, Another Murder Page 11