The Tempting Taste of Danger: An Angel Lake Mystery (Walking Calamity Cozy Mystery Book 5)

by CeeCee James

  Elise ended up being a few minutes late after all when she arrived at Capture the Magic. Dave waved from the back of the store and started pouring her a mug of coffee as she walked through the store.

  “Sorry, I’m late. I was rescuing a dog.” She chucked her purse under the counter.

  “No worries. It’s not like we’re on a major timetable here.” Dave slid the mug over. “I heard about the surveillance video from Thomas. How’re you doing?”

  “I’m good.” Elise picked up the mug and held it under her nose. Amazing.

  “That’s pretty creepy that there was someone else here that day. You didn’t see anything? You still feel safe here?”

  To answer the first question, she shook her head, and then nodded at the second, laughing a bit at how that must look. She took a sip from the mug and grimaced.

  Dave laughed at her expression. “What’s the matter?”

  “Just needs a little bit of sugar.” She reached for a sugar packet. “Maybe two.”

  “Aww, I’d think you were sweet enough as is.”

  “Very funny. Seriously, this is good coffee. I can’t get enough of this freshly ground stuff.”

  “Stuff?” Dave snorted. “I’ll have you know I roast it myself.”

  “You do not!” Elise was shocked.

  “Yeah, I do. I’m a man of many talents.” His eyebrows flickered and she laughed. “Speaking of which,” he continued, “I’m doing a reading at the library tonight.”

  “A reading? What of?” She ripped open a sugar packet and dumped it in, then searched for a stirrer.

  He shrugged his large shoulders and stroked his beard, looking slightly bashful. “It’s two chapters of the book I’m writing now, In the Stillness.”

  “Oh, my gosh! You’re reading your horror book!” Elise’s voice went up with excitement. “That’s amazing!”

  “I’d, uh.” He cleared his throat. “I’d love it if you could come.”

  Elise felt the air drain out of the room. Is he asking as a friend? More? Don’t hurt him. “I think I might have plans with my boyfriend tonight, but maybe we could both stop by if you want. I’d love to hear it.”

  His face remained impassive except for a tightening around his eyes. “Cool. It’ll be at seven.” He sighed. “So, you have a boyfriend, huh?”

  She looked down at the coffee. They so rarely worked together that it hadn’t come up yet. “Yeah. We’ve been together for a while.”

  “A while…but no ring?”

  Elise glanced down at her ring finger and laughed. “No. No ring. Not for a long time.”

  “He’s not the right one, huh?”

  Elise raised her eyebrows, slightly taken aback. “I mean, I’m in no rush.”

  “Can’t believe a gal like you hasn’t already been taken off the market.”

  “Well, I was off the market at one point. Marriage didn’t work out too well for me.” She tried to change the subject. “How about you?”

  He tipped the stool back. It squeaked under him as he rested against the wall. Then he came forward with a thump. “I’m looking for a special type. Someone who loves books. Alice in Wonderland.” He chuckled, then seemed to get serious. “Hey, if it doesn’t work out with the boyfriend, let me know.”

  “Oh, I’m pretty high maintenance. I like long walks and long talks. And lots of good food and wine.”

  He smiled, laugh wrinkles crinkling around his dark eyes. “Sounds like my kind of woman.”

  “Except for the boyfriend part.” She raised her eyebrows to remind him.

  “I’ve always been a day late and a dollar short,” he sighed.

  Dave made his exit a few minutes after the conversation ended, still insisting he’d like her to stop by at the library. She considered it for a moment—it might be fun to forget everything that was going on and just have a normal date with Brad—until she remembered Brad was working the swing shift. But she wasn’t going to let Dave know that, not wanting to be roped into coming alone.

  Elise drew a feather duster over the last shelf of books in the Thriller row. Although Dave had never asked her to do it, or even seemed to notice the dust, she’d been diligently working through each of the shelves all week. This place was special and needed a little more upkeep then the bachelor seemed to notice.

  She dragged the duster along the cornice of the shelf before backing up, accidentally bumping into the empty stand behind her. A flush of guilt filled her as she looked at it. She’d forgotten to ask Dave how he was doing, or if there were any more leads to the missing book.

  The glass had been taken into evidence, leaving just the pillow to sit there on the wood looking empty and forlorn.

  Something caught her eye. She leaned in for a closer look. Reflecting the overhead light, an object was stabbed into the wood next to the pillow.

  It hadn’t been there the day before, of that she was sure. It looked like an especially long, evil pin. She almost pried it out for a closer inspection when that voice inside her curbed her action. Don’t do it. Fingerprints!

  What the heck was it? She walked around the pedestal trying to get a better angle. Maybe it was something found by Dave when he was cleaning. He might have stumbled across it on the floor and stabbed it in here for safe-keeping.

  Elise thought about the bearded man. Him? Clean? She shook her head. Doubtful.

  Still, she needed to ask.

  She walked back to the counter to get her phone from her purse and quickly dialed her bosses number.

  He answered on the first ring. “Elise! You calling to take me up on my offer after all?”

  “I still have to get back to you on that, but I did want to ask you something.”

  “I figured since you called.” He laughed at his own joke.

  Elise bit back a groan and forged ahead. “I was just dusting and saw something weird on the book pedestal.”

  The mood on his end instantly grew somber as he let out a heavy sad sigh.

  “We’ll get the book back. I’m sure of it,” Elise hurried to comfort. “But, in the meantime, there’s a giant pin stuck in the wood. Did you do that?”

  “What? No, not me.”

  Elise straightened, a bit surprised at having what she thought was true be confirmed. “Oh, okay. You think it was a customer? Maybe they found it on the floor?”

  “A big pin? Like what do you mean?”

  Elise walked back over to the display. Her footsteps echoed loudly, underscoring how alone she was.

  She started to describe it. “It’s got a silver head that looks like it’s a filigree ball, and it’s about seven inches long.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the phone.

  “Hello? Dave?”

  “I’m thinking. It sounds like a hat pin. A very old one by the way you’re describing it.”

  “Okay, a hat pin. That’s weird. Why do you think it’s old?”

  “The length. There was actually a law passed in 1908 over that. People used to be afraid they’d be used as weapons by women suffragettes.”

  “Seriously?” Elise studied the pin. It really was a beautiful thing. She sucked in her breath. Scratched lightly into the wood next to the pin was a little heart. The initials EP were in the heart. There was an arrow that went right through the initials.

  Her initials.

  “Uh,” her mouth felt dry as she continued. “This just got a little weirder. Um. My initials are carved next to the pin.”

  “Whoa!” Dave’s yell nearly broke her eardrum. “Don’t touch anything. I’m coming right back.”

  “Should I call the police?” she asked. No answer. He’d hung up and was probably already screeching in a U-turn before she destroyed any evidence.

  She sighed and texted Brad. Hey, sweetie. I think I found a clue. Good news- I haven’t touched it. Dave is on his way down to examine it.

  He texted back immediately. Take pictures of it.

  I’m already on it. She scrolled for the camera and snapped a picture.
Thoughtfully, she studied the heart again. Who had done this? Were they watching her now?

  She shivered and ran back to the front of the store.

  Five minutes later, Dave arrived. He gave her a wave as he strode to the display case. “Wow, that’s crazy,” he said, examining it. He stroked his beard and shook his head. “Well, there go my plans to read tonight.”

  “What?” Elise said, startled.

  “Detective Sloan just called and wants me to stay until he takes this into evidence.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Elise suggested hopefully. “You have all day.”

  “I’m the kind of person that when I’m told something will be delivered between eight am and six pm, it won’t come until nine pm.”

  “Maybe it won’t happen this time.”

  “What did I tell you earlier about my luck?” He repeated the words as she said them. “A day late and a dollar short.”

  Chapter 15

  Dave knew how nervous Elise was around Detective Sloan and had given her the rest of the day off. “No use in both of us waiting around here.” He smiled at her. “Unless you want to stay with me.”

  Elise had laughed at the joke—at least she hoped it was a joke—and spent the day trying to regroup at her beloved Angel Lake. She’d walked the trails all afternoon, and made plans with Lavina for later. And, as a bonus, Brad would be able to meet for dinner during his swing shift.

  She loved the lake. It was her favorite place as a child—a faithful friend whose fragrant breezes swept away her fears, grassy hillside providing a place to study the clouds, as the splash of waves on the beach soothed her thoughts. She always left feeling grounded again.

  The lake didn’t fail her today, and there was more than a tinge of reluctance when she finally had to leave to get cleaned up.

  Back to real life.

  An hour later, Elise met Brad at their favorite steak house. “Did the glass pipe ever end up being a clue?” Elise asked Brad over a salad. Her heart warmed as she watched him. Lucy was spending the night with a friend from school. It’d been so long since they’d been alone.

  Even him doing something as ordinary as cutting steak and having a regular conversation made her feel all sappy. What a good guy he is. He’s never even complained about having to suddenly share me with a young teenager.

  “What?” he asked, his hazel eyes lit up when he caught her stare.

  “I just love you.”

  He reached over and grabbed her hand and brought it over for a kiss. His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. “Me too, baby. It’s nice to have this time together.”

  “I know. And I just ruined it by asking about the pipe.”

  Brad chuckled, “No. It’s kind of important. Hopefully, the pipe’s not one of the boys’. They might be in some trouble.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Forensics tested it for residue. That wasn’t an ordinary pipe.”

  “Crack?”

  “Look’s like.” He wiped his mouth and proceeded to fork another bite in.

  “Oh, man. I hope it doesn’t belong to Thomas or Jake.”

  “Maybe it was one of the bankers’.”

  “Hey! That might have contributed to Steve’s death.” Another hopeful thing! She just needed to keep lining up the evidence until she was in the clear.

  “Could be. It definitely stirs the pot of Detective Sloan’s theories.”

  “You know I’m a pot stirrer.” Elise mimed a swirling spoon.

  “When it comes to collecting evidence you sure are. Let’s see what you’ve collected so far.” He lifted a finger. “One— an antique pin.” He arched an eyebrow. “With a heart around your initials.”

  Elise shook her head. “Creepy.”

  “Proof that everyone who meets you loves you. Two—” he continued, his second finger up. “Your secret-admirer’s letter.” He took a sip of his soda. “And I have news about that, by the way.”

  “What?” Elise asked.

  “The handwriting expert says the note was written by the same person who left the note on your car with the picture.”

  “How could she tell?”

  “He has a ‘tell.’ His P’s have a slight tail at the bottom. And I noticed it in the picture of the heart you snapped.”

  “Brad. I don’t know how you stick with me. A suspect for a murder with a crazy stalker involved somehow. New kid in tow.” She wrinkled her nose. “And there’s one more thing.”

  “There’s more?” His voice held a note of incredulousness.

  She nodded. “Our neighbors—the crazy new ones?—want to have a barbecue or play games or something with us. In fact, they’re practically insisting.”

  “That makes them crazy?” He smiled. “I used to think it meant I was popular when people wanted me to come over.”

  “No. They’re crazy because something is going on with them. I swear he was flirting with me the other day. And I think she might be having an affair.”

  “Ahh,” Brad nodded with a sage look. “They’re swingers. Sounds interesting.”

  “Oh, my gosh!” Elise threw her napkin at him.

  “Children!” Lavina breezed up to the table, followed by a dark-haired woman. “Can’t take you two anywhere.”

  “Hey! How are you?” Brad said. He glanced at his watch and stood up. “So, now that your company is here I’m going to head back to work.”

  “Are we running you out?” Lavina asked Brad as he wiped his mouth and pushed in his chair.

  “Nope. I was on my way out. You girls have fun.” He leaned down to kiss Elise. Then, with a nod to the other women, he headed out.

  “Well, darlin’, it does seem that we’ve interrupted a date,” Lavina toned as she settled into a chair. She arranged her purse and jacket next to her. “Elise, this is my friend, Maisie.”

  The dark-haired woman sat across from them with a smile directed at Elise. She looked extremely elegant and well-dressed in a pearl-colored suit. “Hi, there.” She offered her hand over Brad’s discarded plate.

  At the sight of the new patrons, the waitress hurried over to clean away the dishes. “Can I get you two anything?” she asked Lavina.

  “I’d like a pot of hot tea,” Lavina glanced at Maisie.

  “I’d like a cherry coke.”

  “I’ll be right back with those and bring some menus.” The waitress scooted away.

  “Well, darlin’, tell me all your good gossip.” Lavina turned to Elise and waited expectantly.

  “Ugh. It seems I have a stalker now.”

  “You are joking.” She stared at Elise for a moment, her thickly mascaraed eyes wide with shock. Finding that Elise was not joking, she brought a manicured hand to her forehead as though trying to prevent a headache. “My, my. You certainly do like to keep things interesting. What am I ever going to do with you?”

  The waitress was back and Lavina accepted her tea. The two women ordered salads and then returned to the conversation.

  “A stalker!” Maisie said. She shook her head, her dark hair pulled sleekly back into a chignon.

  “You can start wearing stilettos,” Lavina suggested.

  Elise arched an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

  “Well, then you always have a weapon on you! Right at your feet.”

  “I’m more likely to kill myself wearing them.” Elise rolled her eyes and looked at Maisie. “Sorry to hog the spotlight. I’d love to hear more about you.”

  “Well, my story is not as exciting as yours, but I seem to have picked up a stalker myself on Facebook,” Maisie said before taking a sip of her soda. “Though I’m not sure he even earns that title. More like a wannabe.”

  “Really? Who is he? Anyone I know?” Lavina asked.

  “Someone from college. He used to live here years ago, but I’m not sure you’d remember him.” Maisie pulled out a rhinestone-phone and logged in. “Oh, my. He’s just liked every picture of mine in…” she scrolled, “the last three months.” She showed the two
other woman the row of red notifications.

  A line formed between Lavina’s eyebrows as her mouth opened in astonishment. “I’m thinking he might have been promoted from wannabe to at least faux-stalker.”

  Maisie studied the phone. “Maybe. Although, he never did have high aspirations. I should have known better than to accept his friend request. And the personal messages he sends! He thinks I’m the best thing since Swiss cheese.”

  “Promontory or Manchego might be better cheese descriptions,” Lavina advised with a wise look.

  Maisie smiled. “Oh, sorry dear. I should have known better to watch my words with a Deli connoisseur in our company. Well, anyway. Back when he lived here, he once left me fifty messages on my answering machine. I warned him then that I was going to choke him until he got that peaceful look on his face. At that point, he did back off.” She wrinkled her nose at she glanced back at her phone. “I guess it’s time for another talk.”

  Lavina raised a perfect eyebrow. “Darlin’, you should never warn them. Then they have time to come up with a back-up plan.”

  Elise poured a glass of tea. “Honey?”

  Both the other women shook their heads.

  “So, how do you two know each other?” Elise asked.

  “Well…” Maisie glanced at Lavina.

  “Through Mr. G, darlin’.”

  “Oh…” Elise looked at Maisie with new respect and more than a little curiosity.

  “Look over there,” Lavina nudged Maisie’s elbow. “Is that Marty Featherbalm?”

  Maisie turned to look. “My goodness, it surely is! And can you believe who she’s with.”

  The three women regarded a couple seated at a circular table near the window. The woman appeared to be in her late forties. She’d squeezed herself into a tight dress that had her ample cleavage front and center. Her hair was frosted and teased until it nearly screamed, “The higher the hair, the closer to God.” She tipped her head and laugh heartily at something her male companion had said.

  “Just look at her laugh. Bless her heart.” Lavina gazed under lowered lashes.

  “I believe she thinks it sounds like she’s playing a violin with her throat,” Maisie chimed in. She took another sip from her Cherry Coke.