A Cold Brew Killing

by Lena Gregory

  “I’m sure he had his reasons.”

  “Yeah.” And they were good reasons, which she understood, but it didn’t change anything.

  Cole poked his head in the kitchen. “I’m taking off, but thank you for breakfast.”

  “You’re very welcome. I hope you enjoyed it.”

  “Delicious, as always.” He waved to Savannah. “I’ll see you ladies later.”

  “Later?” Savannah asked.

  He paused. “Are we still attending Ron Parker’s wake?”

  Savannah looked at Gia.

  She’d forgotten all about that. “Sure. I’ll meet you there at seven.”

  “Sounds good. See ya then.”

  “What’s that all about? I didn’t know you were going to the wake.”

  “I mentioned wanting to go before Trevor went in to talk to Hunt, and Cole said he’d go with me. May as well pay my respects to the family.”

  “I’ll tell you what. I’ll pick Thor up and bring him to Joey, then I’ll come back and pick you up, and we’ll go together.”

  “That works, but I’m picking Thor up right after and going home. I haven’t gotten to spend enough time with him lately, and I miss him.”

  “No problem.” Savannah bit into her English muffin, chewed, and swallowed. “I’m very curious to see who shows up.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  Willow ran in and tacked up three orders. “We’re starting to get busy now.”

  Leaving the rest of the dishes, Gia washed her hands, pulled on her gloves, and started the orders.

  Chapter 26

  The cloying scent of flowers hung thick in the air, threatening to choke Gia when she walked into the funeral home. “Looks like half the town sent flowers.”

  “Do you think Donna Mae did them all?” Savannah looked at one of the cards attached to a beautiful spray of the gladioli Donna Mae had pointed out in the shop.

  “I don’t know, but she said she already had a lot of orders when I was in there at the beginning of the week.”

  Savannah admired another arrangement. “She does good work. This wreath is beautiful.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Do you want to go up and pay our respects?” Savannah gestured toward the front of the room where a closed casket sat covered in a blanket of blue roses.

  “Why don’t we just stand in back for a few minutes?” Gia was beginning to regret attending. Despite the incredible number of people lined up to pay their respects, she still felt out of place.

  “Sure.” Savannah squeezed between two people on line and melded into the crowd in the back corner.

  Gia stayed as close as she could. When they reached the corner, and Gia felt less conspicuous, she searched the room for Cole, then leaned close to Savannah and whispered, “Watch for Cole. He should be here any minute.”

  “Sure.”

  A lot of the faces entering the room were familiar from the café or around town. Her gaze skipped right over Gabriella seated in the back row, then shot back when she realized who she was. “What do you think she’s doing here?”

  “Who?”

  Gia gestured toward the back row. “Gabriella Fischetti.”

  “Huh…no idea. I didn’t even realize they’d released her.”

  “Me neither, but I never heard she was arrested, just taken in for questioning.”

  Savannah frowned. “I’m surprised she’s out at such a public event so soon after her husband’s death.”

  “Me too. But maybe she wanted to pay her respects.”

  Gabriella sat staring at the door. Waiting for someone perhaps?

  Savannah nudged Gia with her elbow and pointed toward the doorway. “There’s Cole. And is that Skyla with him?”

  “Looks like it.” Gia lifted a hand to get Cole’s attention, then waved him over. “Ah, jeez. Is that Hunt and Leo behind him?”

  “Yup.” Savannah leaned back against the wall between a chair and a small table, obviously trying to make herself invisible. “Maybe they won’t notice us.”

  Cole reached her and kissed her cheek, then Savannah’s. “Look who I found outside.”

  “Hi, Skyla.” Gia hugged her. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Skyla dropped her gaze to her clasped hands. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”

  “I know what you mean.” Gia leaned close to her and lowered her voice. “Willow said you talked to her. Did everything go okay?”

  “Yes, it did. I should have realized the need to tell her on my own, but I’m grateful to you for pointing it out when I didn’t.”

  “No problem. That’s what friends are for.” As Savannah so often reminded her.

  When Trevor walked in and slid into a seat in the back row, a low hum started through the room, many people staring what they seemed to think was discreetly and whispering to their companions.

  Trevor held his head high and stared straight ahead.

  Gia started toward him.

  “Gia?” Donna Mae called quietly. She left the arrangement she was setting up and crossed the small space to Gia, then hugged her and stepped back. “I only have a minute. I still have more flowers to bring in, but I wanted to say thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For looking out for Harley.” A smile lit her eyes, brightening the gold flecks. “I spoke to him. He finally approached me outside the shop, and he talked to me.”

  “Oh, Donna Mae, that’s fantastic.”

  Joy radiated from her. “Yes, it is. It’s been such a long time, but he’s still every bit the sweetheart he always was.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “Our time may have passed, but it comforts me to know the Harley I remember is still in there. And who knows, maybe we can work on being friends of sorts. At least I feel like we’ve taken the first step in that direction. And I have you to thank for it, so again, thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome. I hope things work out.”

  She nodded and Gia watched her go back to work. It couldn’t be easy for her, but Gia was relieved she had at least found some peace.

  A strong arm wrapped around her waist, and Hunt kissed her temple. “I’m not even going to ask. Just stay out of trouble.”

  “Don’t I always?”

  He laughed out loud, earning more than one dirty look.

  “Shh…” Gia hushed him.

  He lowered his voice. “Sorry.”

  “Did you get my message about dinner tomorrow night?”

  “Yes. If I can be there, I will.”

  She leaned into him for just a minute, enjoying the feel of his arm holding her close, the woodsy scent of his aftershave embracing her.

  “Gotta go.” He kissed her cheek, then he and Leo left the room together.

  Gia turned to Savannah. “Did Leo say where they were going?”

  “No, how about Hunt?”

  Gia scoffed. “Seriously?”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “I don’t see why not. Hunt never says where he’s going.”

  “No, not that. That.” Savannah nodded toward the front of the room, where Felicity Anderson had just stood from kneeling beside the casket and turned toward them. “Boy, the whole gang’s here tonight, huh?”

  “Not yet.” Mitch and Allison had yet to show up.

  “Hi, Gia.” Trevor stood in front of her, hands in his pants pockets.

  “Hey, Trevor. How’s everything going?”

  “It’s okay, I guess. Hey, Savannah.”

  “Hi, Trevor.”

  He looked around the room. “Funny, isn’t it? How the news that I was arrested traveled like wildfire, yet when I’m cleared? Nothing. It’s like no one’s heard a thing.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure the news hits the rumor mi
ll before the night is over.” Seemingly happy to have a mission, Savannah started working the room.

  Gia rubbed a hand up and down his arm. “Don’t worry about it. When Savannah sets her mind to something, you’d be surprised at the results.”

  Trevor’s gaze fell on something toward the front of the room, and he stilled.

  Gia followed his gaze.

  A woman wearing a black veil disappeared through a door at the front corner of the room.

  “Excuse me.” Trevor weaved his way between mourners, heading in the same direction the woman had gone.

  Cole and Skyla were both involved in conversations.

  With a quick glance around, Gia followed Trevor.

  When she reached the door, which turned out to be a fire exit, she pushed through and found herself in the back parking lot.

  “Allison, wait. I just want to talk to you.” Trevor chased after the woman in black.

  Undecided whether to go after Trevor or go look for Hunt, Gia froze just outside the door.

  Allison, if it even was Allison, kept going, never even slowing down. She started across the street behind the funeral parlor at a jog.

  Apparently giving up on trying to get her to stop, Trevor threw his arms in the air and watched her go, then stood with his hands on his hips looking after her, before he turned around and headed back toward Gia.

  A car accelerated out of nowhere, headed straight toward him.

  Gia screamed.

  Trevor whirled back around as if in slow motion. He would never get out of the way in time.

  Gia ran toward him, but before she’d taken three steps the car plowed into Trevor.

  He rolled over the hood and tumbled off the side.

  “Trevor!” Gia screamed as she ran toward him.

  The car screeched to a stop, then slammed into reverse and rocketed backward out of the lot and onto the street. When the driver stopped to shift into drive, Gia got a good look at her.

  “Hey, what’s going on out here?” An overweight, balding man in a dark suit climbed out of his car and yelled to her.

  “Get help!” Gia yelled and dropped to her knees beside Trevor.

  The man turned and ran around the side of the building.

  She shook his arm. “Trevor, are you okay?”

  He sat up, rested his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands behind his head. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “If you hadn’t screamed, he’d have mowed me down for sure. As it was, you gave me just enough warning to roll over the hood.”

  “She.”

  “Huh?”

  “She’d have mowed you down. Not a man, a woman.”

  “Gia, is that you?” Hunt squatted beside them. “Why am I not surprised? Are either of you hurt?”

  “I’m not, but Trevor got hit by a car.”

  “Are you all right, Trevor?” Hunt practically vibrated with energy, or maybe nerves that she’d been hurt.

  “I’m fine. Just go find whoever hit me.”

  “All right.” Hunt stood and looked around.

  Gia pointed down the street in the direction the car had gone.

  Hunt directed two men to follow. “I don’t suppose you were able to get a license plate, huh, Nancy Drew? How about a description of the car?”

  “It was dark-colored, but I don’t know the make or model.”

  “Anything else you can tell me?”

  “Yeah, I can tell you the name of the driver. I saw her clear as day when she stopped beneath the light to shift into drive and looked over toward where she’d deliberately hit Trevor.”

  “She?”

  “Yes, Felicity Anderson was driving the car.”

  “Felicity Anderson? Mitch Anderson’s wife?” He raked a hand through his hair, which had been unusually in place until then, probably because he was at a funeral. It definitely couldn’t be lack of stress.

  “Yes.”

  “Gia, are you sure?” Hunt swiped a hand over his mouth. “You have to be a hundred percent sure before I can pursue her.”

  “I’m positive, Hunt. I saw her the other day at Xavier’s giving Gabriella Fischetti a hard time about something.”

  Hunt radioed the patrol car with Felicity’s name. “Do you know what they were arguing about?”

  “No, I was too far away to hear, but a lot of other people weren’t, so someone probably overheard them. Felicity wasn’t exactly subtle.”

  Hunt helped Trevor to his feet. “Are you sure you’re all right? Do you want an ambulance?”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine. Thanks to Gia yelling when she did.”

  Hunt gave her a look somewhere between Good job and When are you going to learn to mind your own business?

  “You’re welcome,” she said to Hunt.

  He ignored her and lowered his gaze, but not before she caught the telltale twitch that turned up the corners of his mouth. “Why don’t you go in and get cleaned up?”

  She looked down at her black slacks, the knees of which were covered in dirt from the parking lot, including what looked like a piece of chewed gum. “Are you coming in?”

  “No, I’m going to see what I can find out about Felicity Anderson.” He hugged her quickly and dropped a kiss on top of her head. “Go ahead. I want to make sure you get in before I go.”

  “I’ll walk her in,” Trevor offered.

  Hunt nodded. “Thanks.”

  Since the fire exit door was locked and couldn’t be opened from the outside, they had to walk around the front. When she walked into the lobby, more than one head turned her way.

  She looked down at the mess on her pants and noticed the bandage on her arm was soaked in blood.

  “Jeez, Gia. You opened that up again.” Trevor took her arm. “That’s the second time you’ve been injured on my behalf. The same injury, actually.”

  She must have banged it against something in her haste to reach Trevor and hadn’t even noticed. She laid her hand over his. “It’s all right, Trevor. I’ll go into the bathroom and clean it up.”

  “Are you sure? I could take you to the hospital.”

  “No, no. Thank you. I’m fine.” But she desperately wanted out of that lobby where more and more people were taking notice of her condition. “I’ll meet you inside in a few minutes.”

  “Sure.” He walked her to the restroom door.

  “I’m fine, Trevor. I promise. Now go sit down.” She left him standing there, completely positive he’d be waiting in the exact same spot when she came out.

  She approached the sink and looked in the mirror. Her hair and what little makeup she wore were mostly okay, but she wet a piece of paper towel and wiped a bit of eyeliner that had smudged beneath her eye. When she was done, she tossed it in the trash and wet a bigger wad, then looked around for somewhere to put it down.

  Gabriella Fischetti walked in, her eyes swollen and red from crying, and spotted her. She started to back away, then noticed Gia’s arm. “Oh, my. Do you need help?”

  Her first instinct was to refuse, then she thought better of the idea. Why not take advantage of having her alone for a few minutes? Maybe this time, she wouldn’t blow it. “Sure, thanks.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Would you mind holding this?” Gia held out the wad of wet paper towels. “I have to unwind my bandage, but I don’t want to put it down anywhere.”

  “Sure.” She took the paper towels.

  Gia unwound the bandage wrapped around her arm and threw it in the garbage, then lifted the gauze. A thin line of blood trickled down her arm.

  “That looks nasty.” Gabriella handed her the paper towels.

  Gia pressed them against her arm, then slid her purse off her shoulder. “Would you mind getting the gauze and bandages out for me?”
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br />   “Of course.” Gabriella took her bag and rummaged through for what she needed. She pulled out the gauze and opened the paper wrapper, then handed a thick piece to Gia. “Is one enough?”

  “It should be, thank you.”

  “Do you mind if I ask what happened?”

  “Noth…uh…” Something stopped her from issuing her usual it’s nothing reply. Since Gabriella seemed to be smack in the middle of this mess, why not be honest? “I was shot.”

  She gasped. “Shot? How?”

  Now it got a little dicey. “I was at my friend’s house, and someone took a shot, presumably at him, and missed.”

  “Sounds like a friend you should stay away from.”

  She watched for her reaction in the mirror—discreetly, she hoped. “Nah, Trevor’s a really nice guy. It wasn’t his fault.”

  “Trevor?” Her eyes widened with recognition. Bingo. She knew exactly who Gia was talking about.

  “Yes, Trevor Barnes. Do you know him?”

  Gabriella backed up, and Gia was afraid she was about to bolt.

  She held the gauze tight against her arm. “Would you unroll some of the bandage for me?”

  Gabriella shook off whatever fear had gripped her and nodded. She unwound a length of bandage. “Will this be long enough?”

  “Perfect, thanks.” She ripped it off, and Gia wound it around her arm, careful to keep pressure on her wound. “I’m sorry about your husband.”

  Gabriella’s lower lip quivered, and she nodded.

  “You two seemed very close when I saw you in the café the other day.”

  “We were.” She sucked in a shaky breath.

  “I can’t imagine being with someone since high school.”

  “Bobby was the love of my life.” Tears poured down her cheeks. She grabbed a tissue and wiped her nose, then hiccupped. “It wasn’t supposed to be this way. We came here to do the right thing, and now he’s gone.”

  Gia taped the bandage around her arm and led Gabriella to a row of chairs in a small alcove. “What happened, Gabriella?”

  She shook her head as she sat.

  Gia sat down next to her. “Look, Gabriella, whether I like it or not, I’m smack in the middle of this mess. I already know a lot of what’s gone on in the past, including Mitch Anderson’s track record with women.”