Candy Corruption

by C A Phipps

  “Plus, you’d hear a lot more about things going on around town.” Violet gave her a knowing look.

  Scarlett shook her head. “That’s not why I’d do it. Although, maybe it would help with things.”

  “By things, you mean finding Saul’s killer, don’t you?”

  “I’m simply saying that everyone on the committee is involved in some way with other members of the community. It would give us a wider scope to pick up on things we might not hear about at the café,” Scarlett reasoned. “It would also give Betty something to do if she feels up to it.”

  Violet pondered this. “It could take her mind off her troubles. Maybe after the funeral, you could look into it with her. But you’ll do it, regardless?”

  Scarlett shrugged. “We want the van, don’t we?”

  “It’s not the worst deal in the world, and you’d be a natural.” Violet laughed. “In fact, I’d bet that you and Olivia will whip the rest into shape in a matter of weeks.”

  “They’ve managed for years without me, and I have no inclination to upset anyone by telling them how to do their jobs.”

  “We’ll see.” Violet winked.

  “Anyway, now that we have one vehicle in the pipeline, we can work on that smaller car for you and Ruby.”

  “At last, things are going to plan.” Violet grinned. “A car’s going to give us so much flexibility, and I asked Dale while he was here to look around for us.”

  Scarlett hadn’t seen Violet this excited for such a long time, and it made her appreciate once more how tough the last few years had been for this sister in particular. “Fingers crossed that Dale finds us something reliable very soon. Meanwhile, you can start looking online or in the papers for a job that appeals or look at what courses are available.”

  Violet danced across to the dishwasher. “By the way, I invited Nate and Sam to dinner tonight.”

  Betty happened to walk in at the moment. “Any special reason?”

  “Not really. They work so hard and don’t cook properly for themselves. Although we do have something to celebrate with the van.” Violet grinned. “We hope to buy the one we’re using from Arthur.”

  “I do hope you don’t spend all your money too soon.” Betty slapped a hand to her mouth. “Oh my goodness, please forget I said anything! It’s certainly none of my business.”

  “Don’t upset yourself, we’re happy to talk in front of you, which means that you get to have an opinion,” Scarlett assured her. “Besides, it’s sweet of you to worry about us. While the van and car are vital, let me assure you that we’ve discussed all this at length and have no intention of being frivolous.”

  “I appreciate you saying that. The only reason I did comment was that I knew you wanted to pay off some of your mortgage. I should have known you had everything sorted,” Betty teased.

  Scarlett laughed. “I know I have a reputation for being overly organized, and yes, the mortgage has been a concern for a long time, but now it will be manageable. And it’s a big thing not to be beholding to anyone.”

  Betty paled. “Yes, I can see that would be attractive. I’d love to be in a similar situation one day.”

  Scarlett shared a look with Violet. Neither of them wanted Betty to get upset again, and Scarlett said the only thing she could think of that might possibly help. “As soon as Violet gets a job, we’ll look at paying you a little more.”

  Betty tutted. “Now, I didn’t say that for you to feel sorry for me. I manage okay.”

  “We know you do, but you work just as hard as us, so it’s only fair,” Violet declared.

  “You girls,” Betty sniffed. “If I had daughters, I’d want them to be just like you.”

  “I think we should change the subject,” Scarlett wiped the counter briskly, making the other two laugh.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The evening was warm and filled with the scent of mown grass and pine and was even better when the pleasant company was included. As night began to fall, the five of them sat out on the small deck that Sam and Nate recently built, sipping coffee and discussing vehicles.

  Usually, Violet was the only one of the sisters who’d find this topic interesting, but tonight the three of them were equally excited as they argued color, size, and usage.

  Suddenly, their fun was destroyed as the sound of the town disaster horn blared across the quiet countryside. The men raced into action and without apology were gone in seconds.

  “What’s happened now?” Ruby wondered aloud.

  “I don’t know, and I’m not sitting here waiting to find out.” Scarlett strode through the house to the front door.

  “Wait for me!” Violet yelled.

  Scarlett turned to find both her sisters and Bob hard on her heels. She sighed, knowing it was useless to protest. “Okay, but we’re only going to see what’s up. Nothing more.”

  “Of course.” Ruby slipped in front of Violet to secure the passenger seat.

  “I never doubted that,” Violet said innocently as she climbed in the back with Bob.

  “Where’s George?” Scarlett asked as she backed out of the driveway.

  “He didn’t show up for dinner.” Ruby giggled. “I think he’s found a friend down the road.”

  Scarlett was confused. “A friend?”

  “A girlfriend,” Violet snickered.

  Scarlett shook her head at their silliness until she spied a thick spiral of black and gray ahead. As if long-reaching tendrils of the smoke grasped her stomach, she gripped the steering wheel. Hopefully, nobody was hurt. And that whatever was happening had nothing to do with the café.

  It only took a few minutes to get to Main Street, where a blaze of fire lit it up like Christmas. The fire engine was already in place, pouring water in a hissing fountain over the diner.

  A pang of relief hit Scarlett, followed by one of guilt. The café was safe—the diner, however, would not survive the night.

  “Would you look at that?” Violet gasped. “It’s so far gone already.”

  Scarlett crawled the van a little further down the street and stopped in time to witness the roof cave in.

  Ruby squealed. “I hope no one was in there.”

  “I’m sure it was empty. No one’s leased it since Daisy Archer went to jail,” Scarlett assured her.

  “I heard that Harvey had someone wanting the lease.”

  Scarlett glared at Violet in the rear mirror and patted Ruby’s arm. “The diner has no accommodation, so I can’t imagine there would be any reason for a prospective lessee to be there at this time of night.”

  “Harvey’s going to be so upset. It’s been empty for such a long time, and now this,” Ruby cried.

  Scarlett nodded, but her attention was drawn to Nate and Sam, who hung back watching the firemen do their jobs. She was glad they didn’t have to deal with the fire personally—from where she sat, it looked out of control and very dangerous. Other businesses close by were also in danger, and the fireman had their work cut out to wrangle the flames before they got that far.

  Grateful that The Cozy Café was situated on the other side of the street and further down, she watched with bated breath as slowly, inch by inch, the fire retreated, and they could see that the only thing standing was a couple of pillars and the walk-in cooler.

  “How sad,” Ruby sniffed.

  The destruction was indeed horrible to witness. The area around the charred openness also looked bleak with smoke clinging to buildings nearby and ash coating everything, including their van.

  Scarlett noticed a dark shape move down the lane by the library, and Bob barked suddenly and loudly, startling them all. Then a rap on Scarlett’s window caused all three of them to jump, and Ruby squealed. Nate shook his head as Scarlett put her window down.

  “Trust you three not to listen.”

  “We had to see for ourselves in case it was something to do with the café,” Scarlett explained. “Now that we’ve seen for ourselves, we’ll go home.”

  “Good. I’ve got a lo
t to do, and I don’t want to have to worry about this family. And take your cat with you. He’s been wandering around the diner, and I’m worried he might get hurt.”

  Nate picked up the large Tabby and thrust him through the window onto Scarlett’s lap. He meowed his indignation and hissed at the curious dog who tried to climb over from the back.

  Scarlett waited until George moved, then started the van.

  “We can take care of ourselves,” Violet added loudly as they pulled away. “Why does he have to be so bossy?”

  “Why are you trying to antagonize him?” Scarlett countered. “You’ve been like this since before you went to Portland. Did something happen between you two? Was it an argument?”

  She couldn’t see her face in the dark interior, but she heard the annoyance in Violet’s voice.

  “Not really. I just don’t appreciate the way he keeps telling me what to do. I should say that he keeps trying. It’s not going to happen and makes me so mad I want to do the complete opposite.”

  “You’re so stubborn. Nate’s a nice guy, and the way you behave around him is kind of childish,” Ruby told her stiffly.

  “You think I don’t know that?” Violet spoke gruffly. “I can’t seem to help it, which makes me think that he’s not the man for me. A relationship shouldn’t be this difficult.”

  Scarlett gasped. “How can you say that? He’s so good and kind.”

  Violet shrugged. “Look, I admit I’m attracted to him.”

  “You don’t say?” Ruby snorted. “Any woman would be.”

  “Just because he’s a great catch doesn’t mean we’re suited. Plus, I’m still not sure that he doesn’t have a crush on you.”

  “That’s crazy!” Ruby chided. “He treats me like a kid sister.”

  “I meant, Scarlett.”

  “What are you talking about?” Scarlett laughed. “The way Nate looks at you and how protective he is makes it obvious how he feels about you. Besides, Sam and I are a kind of thing.”

  “That sounds so loving.”

  Violet’s sarcasm was unwarranted, and Scarlett was glad that they’d arrived home. Once in the drive, she turned to face her.

  “Life has barely given us a chance to be more than good friends, so Sam and I are taking our time. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “I bet you haven’t even have kissed him,” Violet taunted her.

  “Mind your own business.”

  “I guess that’s a no?” Violet sneered.

  Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Scarlett licked her dry lips. “Actually, yes, I have.”

  “And?” Ruby leaned closer.

  “I’m serious—mind your own business. Both of you. Getting back to the matter in hand, we were talking about you and Nate, Violet.”

  “Well, I don’t want to.” Violet looked out her window. “Men are a pain.”

  “They can be,” Scarlett agreed. “Does he know how you feel? It wouldn’t be right to string him along.”

  Violet tutted. “I’ll say something when I get the nerve. I don’t think I’ll break his heart, but I like him enough to not want to hurt him.”

  “I’m pleased to hear that, Vi.”

  “But Nate and Sam are so darn cute,” Ruby declared. “If you ask me, you two are lucky to have them.”

  “Nobody asked. My last word on this is, don’t take too long to tell him.” Scarlett was tired of the conversation, and as they headed inside, she was already thinking back to the scene in the middle of Cozy Hollow. “I wonder what started the fire?”

  Violet groaned. “Oh, please, I’m too tired to delve into another mystery tonight.”

  “What if it was a mystery attached to our mystery?” Scarlett suggested.

  “Ours? Don’t you mean, Betty’s,” Violet corrected.

  “Betty’s our friend,” Ruby countered.

  “Sure, but we don’t have to be super sleuths about it.”

  Scarlett disagreed. “As far as I can see, we’re the only ones helping in any way.”

  “Good grief—there’s a whole department looking into it.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that.” Scarlett locked the door behind them. “I just think we have the potential to assist them in other ways.”

  “How exactly can we do that?”

  “We have people coming into the café all day long. Someone, who the department hasn’t gotten around to talking to or wasn’t asked the right questions, might chat about it over coffee.”

  “How is it that you’re suddenly the professional who knows better than the sheriff and his deputies?” Violet huffed.

  “I’m not suggesting I do, but isn’t more help better than none? Betty’s suffering because someone, probably her ex-husband, is out there, planning goodness knows what. Her brave face just makes me angrier because she feels the need to pretend she isn’t scared. New locks will only go so far to ensure against what happened to her being repeated.” Scarlett breathed heavily.

  Ruby simply looked confused, but Violet held up her palms.

  “Okay, okay. I’m only asking what Nate will say about you interfering?”

  “Nate doesn’t have to know everything we do.”

  Violet nodded as she headed to her bedroom. “Actually, that’s exactly how I feel.”

  Scarlett shook her head, darn sure that her sister was no longer talking about the crime or Betty.

  Chapter Nineteen

  When the baking was done the next morning, and the first wave of customers had been dealt with, Scarlett informed Violet and Betty that she was going out for some fresh air.

  Violet snorted. “Sure, you are. Or, could it be that you have a secret desire to find out what happened in the diner?”

  Scarlett casually took off her apron. “I suppose I could walk down that way.”

  “You should stay away,” Betty protested. “Let the sheriff do his job. Anyway, I bet he stops here soon to tell you and Violet all about it.”

  Her teasing made Violet’s cheeks redden. This made Scarlett wonder if having slept on the idea of speaking to Nate about the relationship, she was embarrassed, eager, or perhaps had changed her mind entirely about talking to the sheriff.

  No matter that Betty was possibly right about Nate coming by, Scarlett couldn’t wait—potentially for hours—to hear the news. She’d only stew on it, so it made perfect sense to go there. “I won’t annoy the Sheriff or his staff, and I won’t be gone long.”

  Violet shared a disbelieving look with Betty, which didn’t stop Scarlett for more than a second. She deserved a break, she reasoned as she headed down Main Street to the diner. Or, where it used to be.

  Driving passed the sorry sight earlier this morning didn’t prepare her for seeing it in the light of day. Most of the walls were gone. Piles of ash and rubble stood in their place, and only the walk-in refrigerator remained even slightly intact. The buildings on either side now loomed over the destroyed diner with their blackened roofs and walls creating shadows in the gloom.

  Three men walked through the rubble, and though she remained on the sidewalk, she could tell by Harvey’s sloped shoulders that he was devastated. While Nate and the fire chief walked through what was once the diner’s kitchen, Harvey picked his way over to her.

  “What a mess,” he groaned.

  “Did they find what caused it yet?” Scarlett asked gently.

  Harvey crossed his arms. “Not that they’re telling me.”

  She appreciated how frustrating the process was, but it had to be adhered to. “Was it insured?”

  “For fire and break-ins—unfortunately, not for ongoing rent. This place has sucked time and money like you wouldn’t believe.”

  Scarlett felt as though she should apologize, while part of her was astonished that Harvey wasn’t insured to the hilt. A cautious man, he wasn’t known as a risk-taker, and she didn’t know what to say.

  Harvey seemed to deflate even further. “Don’t mind me. It’s been a heck of a time, what with Daisy being a thief and acco
mplice to murder—and now the diner burns down when I was this close to signing a new lease.” Harvey held his thumb and forefinger together.

  Scarlett decided not to mention that the person leasing the place might have had a lucky escape. If people had been in there eating . . . She gulped. What a horrible thought.

  The fire chief and some of his crew labored over a large beam that had fallen across the walk-in. After several attempts, they rolled it away from the door. Using a crowbar, a burly fireman managed to pry it open. It made one heck of a din as it screeched inch by inch until they could see inside.

  The men, including Nate, who’d stopped searching through the debris, stood at the doorway for several moments.

  “What is it? What did you find?” Harvey yelled.

  Nate waved a hand behind his back, then ignored the real estate agent.

  Harvey was not impressed. “Look how I’m treated—as if it’s none of my business what they find!”

  Scarlett made a soothing noise as Nate, and the fire chief disappeared through the gap. Sidling as close as she could made no difference to what she could see. Then Deputy Gale closed off the last of the perimeter with tape so she couldn’t go any further if she wanted to.

  Harvey was beside her, still muttering about lost revenue and lack of respect. She wished he would be quiet, though there was little chance she’d hear anything even if he did.

  Finally, Nate came out carrying a small plastic bag. He tucked it inside a pocket and pulled gloves from his hands, which he put in another pocket. He looked up and saw Scarlett with Harvey. With a shake of his head, Nate walked across the debris and lifted the tape over his head.

  “Don’t think of asking,” he told her as soon as he was near enough. “What I found is evidence which I’m not going to share with anyone at this time.” His voice was firm, and he included Harvey in the statement. Without waiting for an answer, he headed back to the diner, already making a call on his phone.

  Curiously, a few minutes later, Sam pulled up in his van. Parking across the road, he jumped out, and with a quick wave to her, took his medical bag to where Nate was waiting for him. After a quiet word or two, they headed to the walk-in.