by Lyndsey Cole
“How about some hot chocolate and a couple of Christmas cookies?”
“And some ice for my ankle?
Jason brought her a bag of frozen peas. “This will mold around your ankle better than ice.” He took off the ace bandage and rested the bag of frozen peas on her swollen ankle. “How’s that?”
“Almost as good as new.” Annie smiled. Coming home and having Jason baby her was wonderful.
He heated milk on the stove, poured it into the mugs with chocolate mix, and arranged cookies on a plate.
“Don’t forget to add a splash of Kahlua.” Annie said. “You know, to help with the pain.”
“Of course. For the pain. I better add a double dose in yours.”
She laughed.
Jason happily fulfilled her request and sat across from her on the couch with his steaming mug of cocoa. “How did it go with Leona this morning? I was surprised to get your text asking for a ride so soon. Was there a problem?”
“You could say that.” Annie held her hot mug of cocoa with both hands and sipped carefully. “This is delicious. Just what I needed.”
Jason stretched his leg across the coffee table and tapped her good foot. “Back to your story, please.”
“I found an empty bottle of gin partly hidden under the driver seat of Charlene’s car. Leona thinks it’s the bottle she bought for Charlene.” Everything tumbled out in one breath.
“Where is it now?”
Annie looked over the rim of her mug as she sipped again. “I took it. It’s in my coat pocket. I told Leona I’d get rid of it.”
Jason took three long strides to Annie’s coat on the floor next to the door. He felt all the pockets then looked at Annie with his brow furrowed and his lips scrunched up. “Empty. Are you sure you didn’t already dispose of it?”
“I don’t think so.” She thought back through her actions. “After Paul dropped me off, I found an ace bandage for my ankle, a bigger boot for that foot, and took Roxy out. It must have fallen out of my pocket when I was walking or maybe when I was talking to John Elmwood.”
The furrows in his brow deepened. “John Elmwood? Was he out walking on the Lake Trail, too?”
“No. He was on that piece of land between Paul’s and Cookie’s houses. It was weird. And he talks about himself in third person.”
Jason settled back on the couch. “John’s an interesting guy but I think he’s harmless. Lots of people are scared of him but that’s because he’s different. What did you two talk about?”
“He said he saw Cookie and Nelson arguing and that Nelson liked to hug Cookie. That goes along with what Paul told me about how Nelson wandered, so to speak. Do you think he meant with other women, behind Charlene’s back?”
“Paul was more detailed when he talked to me about Nelson. He said that Nelson had his eye on Cookie, so what John saw makes sense. It sounds like Nelson got pushy with Cookie and they argued.”
“There’s a motive for Cookie or Daryl or Charlene, depending on which one of them had the most to gain.”
“Or felt the most desperate and pushed into a corner,” Jason added.
“Nelson offered to sell the land to Cookie, apparently, behind Charlene’s back. So, it seems like Charlene would have the most to gain by getting control of the land and getting rid of her cheating husband.” Annie absentmindedly nibbled the head off a dying Santa cookie.
“True, but Cookie might have felt desperate to get Nelson out of her life if she felt he was becoming a threat.”
“Or, Daryl got rid of Nelson to save Cookie for himself. Paul did tell me that jilted lovers could be unpredictable. I guess he should know with the business he’s in.” Annie shook her head. “Why would two people let their relationship get to that point?”
Jason patted the spot next to him on the couch. “Can you hobble over here so I can let you know that we don’t have those problems?”
Annie held out her hand and Jason balanced her as she jumped on her good leg the couple of steps to join him. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She leaned her head against his chest and breathed in the damp wool, wood smoke combination that lingered on his dark green sweater.
“There’s something else John Elmwood told me. He said ‘you shouldn’t come here. Those other people aren’t nice.’ I think he knows more but I don’t know how to get it out of him.”
“He might not even know that he has information that could help,” Jason said.
“One person he doesn’t like is Cookie’s boyfriend, Daryl. He said Daryl is mean to him when he’s at work in the Food Mart. I can’t say Daryl was particularly friendly to me when I saw him yesterday and he accused Leona of murdering Nelson.”
“I understand why you need to help Leona, but be careful. Going onto that piece of property by yourself could put you right in the path of the murderer.”
“Leona has turned into everyone’s scapegoat with fingers pointing at her from every direction. I can’t give up until her name is cleared. By the way, we have a date tonight.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“We’re meeting Camilla and her date at the Catfish Cove Pub at seven thirty for drinks.”
“Oh? Who’s her date?”
“Officer Reynolds.”
“Hmm. Why do I have the feeling this might be about more than just having drinks?” Jason scowled.
“Drinks and information about poison if we’re lucky.”
Chapter 17
The Catfish Cove Pub was surprisingly busy for a Monday night. The noise level indicated that people were happily in the Christmas spirit. Glasses clinked together, rockin’ Christmas songs blasted in the background, and the aroma of greasy burgers and fries filled Annie’s nostrils. The energy was electric.
She pointed to the far corner and stood on her tiptoes to reach Jason’s ear. “Over there,” she yelled to be heard above the noise. “Camilla is practically in Officer Reynolds’s lap. Do you think she’ll get us the information we want?”
Jason laughed. “If he knows anything, Camilla will get him to loosen his tongue. I hope he doesn’t get fired if he shares too much.” Jason held Annie’s elbow and helped her limp to the table.
“Camilla, fancy meeting you here,” Annie gushed. “I love your red dress. Very seasonal.” It was also sure to dazzle the eyes of Officer Reynolds, Annie thought.
Jason gave her a sideways glance but didn’t say anything. She realized she never clued him in on the part of the plan that it was supposed to be an accidental meeting. Oops. Fortunately, he was good at reading her mind and going with the flow.
Officer Reynolds moved his chair a little away from Camilla and looked up with a face as red as Camilla’s revealing dress. A reflection? Annie didn’t think so.
“Annie. Jason. You should join us. Is that okay with you, Mark?” Camilla batted her eyelashes shamelessly.
Officer Reynolds nodded without taking his eyes off Camilla. Or his hand off her knee.
“Oh, we don’t want to impose. We’ll find another table.” Annie pretended to look around but Camilla was already on her feet, pulling two more chairs to their table.
“Sit down.” Camilla pulled Annie into the chair next to hers and Jason sat between Annie and Officer Reynolds. Camilla whispered in Annie’s ear, “I was afraid you forgot. He’s coming on stronger than I expected.” She smiled and turned back to her date. “Do you all know each other? Mark, these are my friends Annie and Jason Hunter. Annie and Jason, this is Officer Mark Reynolds.”
Jason held his hand out. “Nice to meet you Officer Reynolds.”
“Call me Mark. I’m lucky to be off duty tonight. It’s been pretty busy at work with the, well, you guys probably know what I’m talking about since you were at the Christmas party at the Black Cat Café when Nelson, um, died.”
Camilla put her hand on Mark’s arm and scooched her chair closer to his. “Mark’s just been telling me all about the investigation. It’s so interesting.”
Mark’s
face was burning up with all the blushing he was doing with every word out of Camilla’s mouth. “I’m mostly doing the paperwork. That’s my specialty—organizing all the important details for Detective Crank so she can put her skills where she gets the quickest results.”
“Don’t be so modest, Mark. You do the behind-the-scenes work and Detective Crank gets all the credit?” Camilla asked. “That doesn’t seem fair.”
Mark puffed up his chest. “We’re a team and everyone has to do their part.”
“But still. I don’t think that Detective Crank should get all the credit. You’re the one who has to study up on all the possible poisons.” Camilla’s pouty face and seemingly innocent introduction of the poison investigation almost made Annie burst out laughing.
“I don’t mind. It’s my job and I’ve always had an interest in plants and biology. I’m learning a lot in an area that fits right in with police work.” He quickly added, “But I hope we don’t see more poisonings in this small town.”
The waitress brought over a pitcher of beer and two more glasses plus a basket of nachos dripping with lots of cheese, black beans, and sour cream. “Anything else for you all?”
“Some of your spicy sweet potato fries? Mark told me that’s his favorite,” Camilla told the waitress. “You might not know it but he’s one of the policemen right here in Catfish Cove.”
“I’ll be right back with those fries.” She leaned close to the table and added, “On the house, but don’t tell my manager.”
Mark’s face flared bright red again.
Camilla tucked several bills in the waitress’s apron and winked at her.
Annie loved to watch Camilla in action. She was a smooth operator and it was impossible to tell if she was acting or genuine. That was her gift. Annie felt a slight twinge of pity for Mark, but Camilla also knew how to let a man down easily, unless, of course, she decided she really did like him. Time would tell.
Jason and Mark were busy talking about football and who they thought would win the Super Bowl. Annie tuned that out and leaned toward Camilla.
Camilla twisted closer to Annie. “Mark told me a boatload about the investigation but he hasn’t figured out what poison killed Nelson yet. He did tell me it was definitely holly berries on the cookies they analyzed and he said that’s not what killed him. And, so far, they didn’t find any other contaminants in Leona’s café. But they’re still looking. He said it’s a slow slog and basically a process of elimination.”
“I guess that’s a bit of good news. At least it buys us a little time.”
“One other thing he told me is that Charlene made a complaint that some guy had been lurking around her house.”
Annie glanced at Mark. He was smiling and still talking to Jason about football. They both looked comfortable and relaxed. “Did he say who was lurking?”
Camilla refilled her glass of beer and drank before answering. “Something like, Jay or Josh or Joe.”
“John?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“John Elmwood?”
“That’s it. Charlene made a formal complaint and Mark had to question the Elmwood guy. Turns out he was hanging around Charlene and Nelson’s house before the Christmas party. Charlene saw him as she left to pick up the Santa outfit from Paul.”
Annie’s heart flipped. What was John doing at their house? Did he figure out a way to poison Nelson? Maybe thinking he had to protect Cookie? Or Charlene? Did he even have the ability to plan something like that?
“Mark said the interview was a little weird. John always referred to himself in third person and he’s extremely knowledgeable about native plants, including the poisonous ones.”
Annie’s eyebrows shot up and she inhaled the mouthful of beer she’d just started to swallow, causing a terrible coughing fit.
Camilla patted her back. “Are you okay?”
Jason swiveled around with concern in his eyes. “What happened?”
Annie held her hand up. She finally managed to suck in a lungful of oxygen instead of beer. “The beer went down my windpipe,” she choked out. “I’m okay now. I just need a minute.”
“Who knew beer was such a dangerous weapon?” Camilla teased.
Jason kept his eyes on Annie and tilted his head. “Everything okay?” he mouthed.
She nodded and helped herself to a nacho. The tortilla chip was completely buried by dripping cheese. Eating was a good excuse to avoid talking about her reaction to what Camilla told her. She needed to think it through first.
She tried to remember everything John told her when she bumped into him. He said they were all dangerous—Charlene, Daryl, and Cookie. He had to know more.
Jason finally returned his attention to Mark and their ongoing discussion about who was the best quarterback. Annie could clearly see that Mark enjoyed this conversation more than talking about anything connected to Nelson Abbott’s murder. Of course that made sense. Who would want to talk about work when they were having a drink with a beautiful date and her friends?
Camilla tapped Annie’s arm. “There’s more about that John guy.”
Annie shoved the nacho in her mouth, chewed, swallowed, and reached for another one. “These are delicious. It’s definitely the cheddar cheese that makes eating only one impossible.” She leaned closer to Camilla so no one else would hear what she had to say.
“Mark said that John didn’t try to hide or deny anything. And,” she paused for another swallow of her beer. Camilla’s mouth was so close to Annie, her breath tickled Annie’s ear. “John told Mark that he was glad Nelson was dead, that Nelson was a bad guy.”
Annie felt like she was frozen to her seat. She controlled her reaction to Camilla’s bombshell revelation so she didn’t attract Jason or Mark’s attention. What did it all mean? She whispered back. “Are they going to arrest John?”
“There’s no evidence to link him to the murder. Yet. But Mark indicated that he is a person of interest.”
“So, is Leona off the hook?”
Camilla shrugged. “Probably not until they make an arrest. And that probably all hinges on identifying the poison that killed Nelson, where it came from, and how it got inside Nelson.”
Jason leaned across the table. “What are you two gossiping about over here?” He eyed Annie as if to say please rescue me, I’ve had enough football talk.
Camilla flicked her wrist. “You know. Girl talk.” She bumped her shoulder into Mark and giggled.
Mark’s face burst into flames again. He really needed to figure out how to control that reaction or he’d have trouble if he had to interview a beautiful female suspect. It was evident that he had trouble controlling his tongue around a stunning flirty woman named Camilla.
He seemed like a nice enough guy. Annie hoped he didn’t share too much to put his job in jeopardy, although she was glad to hear everything Camilla shared.
The turn of events around John Elmwood was troubling. She wanted Leona off the hook for Nelson’s murder, but she didn’t want John Elmwood to be the reason why. Somehow, she needed to talk to him again and find out what else he knew about Nelson.
Chapter 18
At least Annie was downstairs on Tuesday morning when Leona barged through the door instead of still snuggled up under a warm comforter with Jason.
“Detective Crank is out to get me,” she blurted out before even a good morning or, mind if I come in escaped her lips. Nope, Leona was on a tear and Annie decided to let it work its way out of her system before she attempted to get a word in.
“What happened now?”
“She said I can’t open up the café for business yet. How does she expect me to survive without an income?” Leona flopped on the stool at the kitchen counter.
Annie fixed her a cup of coffee. “Can you use the time to get ahead with food preparation so when you do open you’ll have a good supply of frozen soups and baked goods? Then you could put extra time into marketing once you’re open again.”
“I suppose th
at could work.” She cradled her head in her hands and didn’t even reach for her dose of caffeine.
Annie pushed it closer and waved her hand to waft the aroma toward Leona’s nose.
Leona’s lip started to curl up at the edge. “Why won’t you let me sit here and just feel sorry for myself?”
“Scowls don’t look good on you, and it causes wrinkles.”
Leona reached out to playfully slap Annie but her hand only hit air.
“You’re strong and focused, not some wimpy, I don’t know what to do now kind of person. I’ve always admired you for being able to pick yourself up and fight through anything.”
“Yeah? I didn’t know that. So you’re telling me to put up a good front and just fake it?” Leona sat a bit straighter on the stool.
Annie sipped her coffee and looked at Leona over the rim of her mug. “Yup. If you look confident, people will think you know what you’re doing. Don’t let them see the doubt.”
Leona laughed out loud. A good, deep belly laugh. “Wasn’t I the person that told you that exact line of BS?”
“Yes, you did. You probably never thought I was listening to all that unsolicited advice you shared with me when I was an insecure teenager, right?”
“Thanks for proving me wrong. So, what do I do now while I wait for Detective Crankypants to let me open up the café? You seem to have all the answers this morning.”
“First, don’t let the detective hear you call her Crankypants or you’ll never see the inside of the Black Cat Café again.”
“What? Is she hiding in the bathroom or something, waiting for me to confess to poisoning Nelson Abbott?” Leona pretended to look around, checking all the corners of the downstairs.
“She has been known to drop in but she always knocks.” Annie tilted her head, raised one eyebrow, and gave Leona a look that she hoped would convey that knocking was a good idea.
Leona ignored the comment. She finally tasted her coffee. “Not bad. French roast?”