by Diane Weiner
While teaching, Emily was distracted both by the mystery of Mair’s son’s disappearance, and by her conversation with Danielle’s parents. Who was Danielle blackmailing? The likely candidates were Brody and Hartman. Brody claimed he wasn’t in Sugarbury Falls before Danielle died and there wasn’t evidence to contradict his story. He hadn’t purchased plane or train tickets and his car didn’t show up on toll cameras.
“Mrs. Fox, can you check this over?” said a twenty something student. They were working on putting together a descriptive paragraph.
Emily took his paper. The plane was stocked with wine and endless trays of Brie, artisan bread and grapes as big as plums. The leather seats freely turned…
“Private plane!” Did she say that out loud?
“Is it okay? You said we could describe anything.”
“Yes, yes, it’s fine. Good job. Keep going.” Emily couldn’t wait to call the detectives. Why hadn’t she thought of it before? If Brody was working with Hartman, perhaps he hitched a ride on a private plane!
“Okay, class. Finish up your paragraphs and post to the group. Respond to two of your classmates.” She quickly shoved her things into her tote bag and exited ahead of some of the stragglers. She couldn’t wait to get home and check out Hartman to see if he owned a plane, and to talk to Megan. She went straight to the parking lot and into her Audi. She pushed the speed limit once she hit the main road.
In her rearview mirror, she spotted a white car with tinted windows. She’d seen the same car back at the college parking lot. Was it following her? She made a sharp left turn and the car turned right behind her. The car’s windows were tinted and Emily couldn’t see the driver. Not wanting to lead him to her house, she took the long way into town and pulled in front of the police station. That’s when the car sped off, before she could catch the plate number.
Emily walked into the station. “May I see Detective Wooster or Detective O’Leary?”
Detective O’Leary came out of her office. “Emily, what can I do for you?”
“A white car with tinted windows followed me all the way from St. Edwards.”
“Come in.” She opened the counter and led them to her office. “What was the make and model? Did you see the driver or get any of the numbers off the license plate?”
“No to both and I’m not even sure of the make and model; it was a newish, non-descript sedan.”
“Any idea who may have had a reason to follow you?”
“No…well maybe. Someone at work said an elderly gentleman claiming to be a student’s father was looking for me, but he didn’t leave a note or come back.”
“You and Henry were followed to Danielle’s cabin the other night, and you said someone had been peeking in the windows of your home. Chances are it’s the same person.”
Emily said, “I was wondering if you can check the private flights coming into our area around the time Danielle was killed. I think Brody was friendly with the owner of Nature’s Vista, Wallace Hartman. And if Hartman owned a plane…”
“Sure, I can do that. Wallace Hartman—they did a piece on Sixty Minutes about him.”
“Danielle’s parents said Brody and Hartman both had a vested interest in the success of Splash Panels. Perhaps he pushed Brody to install the system despite potential flaws, and maybe he was even bribing Brody. Or, they were equally guilty of rushing it to market. After the trial, Danielle found out Splash Panels was responsible for those deaths at Nature’s Vista and was blackmailing someone. It could have been either one of them.”
Megan O’Leary clicked through her desktop computer until she found what she needed.
“Yes, Hartman owns a private plane. And that plane landed here two days before Danielle LaPierre’s death.”
Chapter 18
When Emily arrived home, she changed into yoga pants and a soft t-shirt. By the time she came downstairs, Henry was working on the Sudoku he’d saved from the morning newspaper. Chester sat on the back of the sofa, over Henry’s head.
“How was your afternoon?” said Henry.
“Informative. I starting outlining my new book, then spoke to Mair’s ex-husband.”
“That was quick. Did you learn anything you can use?”
“He’s sure she killed their son.”
“Without a body, it’s hard to prove.”
“Mair didn’t have oodles of time to kill her son, clean up, and dispose of the body. Her son Nathan came home from school around three. Mair’s ex came home from work around six. If she moved the body, it couldn’t have been far. The needle on the gas tank hadn’t moved according to her ex. He had filled the tank the day before.”
“So maybe she’s telling the truth and he just wandered out.”
“No, the ex-husband says things don’t add up. There was a missing jug of juice, the area rug had disappeared, Mair claims to have been napping which her ex says she never does, and Nathan never went outside without shoes.”
Chester leaped off the sofa and ran to the door when Maddy walked in. She plopped her backpack down and sat in between Emily and Henry, something she rarely if ever did.
“I have an idea for my community service project. I was reading about a cat café out in California. People come in, have coffee and pastry, and play with the cats, who are shelter animals. They can adopt a cat right then and there. There’s one out in St. Louis that takes reservations, it’s so popular.”
Emily was thrilled to see Maddy so animated. “That’s a wonderful idea. Out of sight, out of mind, but when the cats are visible they’re much more likely to be given a home.”
“Lovely idea, but I’m afraid we don’t have the room to make a cat café here. I’m sure there are zoning laws and licenses to apply for,” said Henry. He envisioned them converting his woodworking studio into a play room for cats and he was ready to defend his ground.
“No,” said Maddy. “I was thinking about the inn. Coralee says all the time how much the guests love having Max there, and look at that great cat condo Franklin and Noah built.”
Emily said, “I’m sure there are laws about having animals around the food.”
“They don’t have to be allowed in the dining room. I did some research. Suppose Coralee converts the back porch area into the cat area. Guests can purchase their food, then carry it out there and play with the cats. The homeless cats would be in a position to find a loving new home.”
“Well, I told you they brought in truckloads of shelter animals when Texas and Florida went through those hurricanes. I think it’s a great idea, but don’t get your hopes up until you talk to Coralee,” said Emily.
“I won’t. I’m going to come up with a few designs.” She hugged Emily and then Henry before going to her room, surprising them both since she’d shown little if any physical affection toward them ever. The landline, which they barely used, startled them with its metallic ring. Emily made her way to the phone.
“Hello. Hello.” She tapped the receiver. “Whoever it was hung up.”
“Do you think it was Winnie again?”
“No, she calls my cell. I rarely give out the house number.”
“Probably a wrong number, or a telemarketer.” He tried to sound reassuring, but had his own doubts. The house phone rarely rang at all.
“That older gentleman claiming to be a student’s father was looking for me at work; remember I told you at lunch?”
“Yes, did he come back after lunch?”
“No, but after I left you, a white car followed me.”
“Followed you where?”
“To the police station, as it turns out. I wasn’t about to lead him here. I spoke to Megan and she thinks it’s the same person who followed us to Danielle’s cabin and spooked Maddy by looking in the windows.”
“You could have been kidnapped or even killed! What else did Megan say?”
“They’re going to work on it. Then, I asked about the possibility that Brody flew into town to kill Danielle on a private plane. She looked up Wallace
Hartman and he owns a plane. She said she’d check the executive airport.”
“My head’s spinning. Let’s get dinner started, I’m hungry.” Henry opened the fridge. “There are eggs and some moldy green peppers in here. I say we go to Coralee’s. It’ll give Maddy a chance to pitch her cat café idea, too.” He tossed the rotten peppers into the garbage disposal.
Maddy was more animated than Emily had ever seen her. If it took creating a cat café to make her happy, she’d change the litterboxes herself. When they walked into the lobby of the inn, Max was sitting on the front desk, as if waiting for Maddy. The aroma of fresh bread made Emily’s stomach rumble. Coralee came in from the dining area.
“You picked a good night. I’m making an acorn squash casserole as we speak. I have to say, Maddy, you have certainly gotten me to expand my vegetarian menu and the guests seem to love it.”
Maddy smiled as she stroked Max. “Coralee, at school we have to do a community service project as a graduation requirement. You know how you said the guests love Max?”
“They sure do, and I can’t say I mind the company.”
“What do you think of converting the porch into a cat café? The guests could bring food into the area and play with shelter cats.”
Coralee said, “Well, sounds intriguing. Not sure about using the porch though. I like keeping it open for the guests to rock and enjoy a good read when the weather permits it.”
Franklin, who’d been repairing a crack in the wall, said, “We could use the extra room off the dining area. It’s supposed to be a banquet room, but I haven’t yet seen it used.”
“No,” said Coralee. “When we do a private booking I generally just close the dining room to the public. The banquet room is dreary without any windows. Doesn’t happen often as it is.”
“I could help the young lady,” said Franklin. “And I’ll bet Noah would help, too. We’ve just about finished the cat condo.”
“I’ll have to see what kind of regulations exist,” said Coralee.
Henry interrupted. “No, let Maddy handle looking up the regulations. It’s her project—shouldn’t give you extra work.”
“And I’ll go over to the shelter and see how they like the idea. We can call it Coralee’s Cat Café.”
Coralee said, “Hmmm, I’m thinking we could buy some cushy furniture and Franklin and Noah can build some tables. We could even decorate with local crafts!”
“Sounds cozy,” said Emily.
“That’s it!” said Coralee. “Coralee’s Cozy Cat Café.”
“I love the name,” said Emily. Henry and Franklin nodded.
Coralee seated them at a table overlooking the porch. Emily and Maddy opted to try the squash casserole, while Henry ordered baked scrod. Over dinner, Maddy talked a blue streak about ideas for the cat café.
“Maybe we can get some artist to paint a mural—maybe a jungle scene.”
“You can set up a basket for cat food donations,” said Emily.
“And a percentage of food sales could go directly to the shelter—if it’s okay with Coralee,” said Henry.
They ordered apple pie a la mode for dessert and were stuffed by the time they got up to leave.
Megan and Pat, holding hands, walked into the lobby as the Foxes were exiting.
“Try the squash casserole,” said Emily. “It’s to die for.”
Megan said, “I did some research. Wallace Hartman did file a flight plan. I confirmed that the plane arrived two days before the murder, and returned the morning you found the body.”
Emily clapped her hands together. “Wallace Hartman killed Danielle! She was blackmailing him and he hunted her down.”
“Wallace Hartman wasn’t on the plane, but guess who was?” said Megan. “You were right in the first place––Brody Wilkerson.”
Chapter 19
Over breakfast the next morning, Henry and Emily went over what they’d learned from Megan. Brody had been in town at the time of Danielle’s murder and lied about it. He was working with Wallace Hartman from Nature’s Vista who had a large investment in Splash Panels. They both had a lot to gain by the successful implementation of Splash Panels at Nature’s Vista, since it was the first facility to use the new system.
Emily filled Chester’s bowl. “If Brody stayed at the inn, Coralee would have recognized him. I’ll bet he stayed at the Aster Inn down the street.”
“Even if he did, there’s no evidence placing him in Danielle’s cabin the night she was killed. It’s too bad there were no witnesses.”
“Wait,” said Emily. “Did the detectives knock on doors and ask?”
“What doors? I don’t even know who moved into the place on the other side of Kurt’s. Anyhow, I’m sure Megan and Ron will follow up on it.”
Maddy, wearing a new hot pink blouse and jeans, poured herself a bowl of cereal. “Do we have any more almond milk?”
“You’re in a good mood,” said Henry. “Nice to see you smiling.”
“I was thinking about the cat café all night. I was too excited to sleep. I’m going to get my guidance counselor to approve it today, then I’ll start checking out rules and if we need a permit.”
“If you need help let me know. Do you want a copy of the Sudoku?”
“Yes, thanks.” Maddy ate every bit of her breakfast, grabbed her backpack, and on the way out the door said, “By the way, I do want to be adopted. By the two of you, I mean.”
The door closed and Henry looked at Emily. “Did she just say she wants us to adopt her?”
“That’s what it sounded like to me. We’re officially going to be parents.” Emily’s stomach fluttered. This is what they wanted, but she suddenly felt more pressure than ever to fill Fiona’s shoes. Her class wasn’t until later, so she decided a run would help clear her head.
The first official cold front had moved in the previous night and Emily savored the feeling of chilly air on her face as she ran. Today she opted for the route which took her past Kurt’s and around Lake Pleasant. She occasionally saw Franklin the handyman out on a walk, or often Kurt and Prancer were up and about. Today she spotted two new faces––three if you counted the adorable black Border Collie accompanying them.
The two women, both in their thirties as far as she could estimate, smiled at her, and she stopped to say hello, wondering if they were visitors or new neighbors. The one holding the leash was short, with dark hair pulled into a ponytail. She wore a Yale hoodie.
The dog barked at Emily, then immediately responded to the command to sit. “He’s very sweet once he gets to know you. I’m Rebecca and this is my wife, Abby.”
Abby’s light brown hair reached to the middle of her back and she wore a Patriot’s sweat jacket. She extended her hand. “Do you live around here? We moved in a few weeks ago.”
“Yes, just around the bend. I’m Emily Fox. You must have bought the place next to Kurt Olav. Have you met him yet?”
Abby said, “The guy with the black lab? We’ve run into him a few times.”
“If you need anything, let me know. I’m a writer/college professor over at St. Edwards. We live down there.” She pointed in the direction of her house. “Are you both working here?”
Rebecca said, “Abby’s a freelance photographer and I do security for BizTech. We can both work pretty much anywhere. We vacationed here last summer and fell in love with the place.” The wind picked up and she pulled up the hood of her sweatshirt.
Emily thought about inviting them over for dinner but didn’t want to appear overly eager to get to know them. After all, most of Sugarbury Falls’ residents treasured their privacy. “It’s so nice to meet you both. I’d better get going.” Emily started to jog, then turned around. “By any chance, have you noticed anyone lurking around the cabin next to yours over the past few weeks?”
“We heard there was a murder, but we haven’t seen anything. The detectives already questioned us.”
“Okay, just thought I’d ask.” She turned and ran back home.
; *****
While Emily finished her run, Henry went off to the hospital and was immediately recruited by a colleague to consult on a difficult case. Since moving to Sugarbury Falls, his days mostly consisted of diagnosing the flu or confirming the occasional broken bone, so he welcomed the challenge.
By midmorning, the emergency room had cleared out and he wandered over to his computer. Loving a puzzle, he searched for a connection between Brody Wilkerson, Wallace Hartman, and anyone else who had a stake in Splash Panels. He didn’t hear his buddy come up behind him.
“You look busy,” said Pat.
Henry jumped. “You trying to give me a heart attack or what?” He caught his breath. “Things are quiet and I’m bored. I’m trying to connect the dots in Danielle’s murder. Brody Wilkerson was in town the day Danielle was murdered, and lied to the police about it. I think Danielle was blackmailing him and he came to kill her.”
“Megan said there wasn’t any physical evidence placing him at the cabin. No fingerprints, no witnesses…”
“It’s the only logical conclusion I can come up with. Who else had a motive?”
“What about the owner? We don’t know the note was meant for Brody, it could have been for the owner of the business. There were some unidentified prints at the place, after eliminating Kurt’s of course.”
Henry searched Wallace Hartman. After digging through numerous pages of hits, he found an online interview from around the time Splash Panels debuted. He read through it quickly.
“Pat, this guy owned Nature’s Vista, but was a major investor in Splash Panels. He had a huge stake in its success. Not only did he own other nursing homes, he had connections with businesses all over the country ready to purchase Splash Panels for themselves if it was successful. He stood to make a fortune.”