Green Living Can Be Deadly (A Blossom Valley Mystery)

by McLaughlin, Staci

  I heard shoes crunch on the gravel and looked over to see Jason approaching. I felt a rush of pleasure at the sight of him, quickly replaced by concern. He rarely visited me at work.

  When he reached me, I took his hand, noticing how warm his long fingers were. “Jason, is everything okay?”

  “Can’t a guy surprise his girl at work?” He planted a kiss on my lips and it sent a sizzle down to my toes.

  When we broke our lip lock, I gave him a goofy grin. “You can surprise me like that anytime you want. Every day, in fact.”

  Jason chuckled. “I just might.”

  We settled at one of the picnic tables, and I rested my elbows on the wood surface. “Have your parents gone home?” I asked. “You mentioned they’d be leaving.”

  “Left this morning. By the way, my mom adores you. Says you’re so polite and well-grounded.”

  I practically glowed at the compliment. “She couldn’t have been nicer to me. I wish I hadn’t let my own insecurities get the better of me. I would have enjoyed their visit more.”

  “Don’t worry. Every time I see them, I feel like I’m twelve years old again.”

  “Funny how moms have that effect on their kids.” I traced a groove in the surface of the redwood table and picked at a sliver that stuck out. “Any news on the murders?”

  Jason gave me a crooked smile. “Here I thought we were having a pleasant conversation about mothers.”

  “We were. Now I’m ready to talk about murder. A total coincidence, by the way.” It was Ashlee, not my mom, who usually led me to thoughts of murder.

  “I do have some news,” he said. “Detective Palmer said they’re closing in on the killer.”

  I straightened up in anticipation. Was this madness about to end?

  Then why didn’t Jason look happy?

  33

  Jason’s serious expression curbed my elation as questions flew out of my mouth. “The police have identified the killer? Do you know who it is?”

  He shook his head. “No. Detective Palmer won’t release the name until they have enough evidence. The DA would refuse to press charges with what the cops have right now.”

  “Did Detective Palmer give you any indication about who it might be, or at least if it was a man or a woman?”

  “Not a clue. You know how tight-lipped he can be. But he’s confident they have the right person in their sights.”

  I broke off the wood sliver I’d been fiddling with and dropped it on the patio. “How infuriating. I can’t imagine being a cop and watching someone I knew was a killer walk around, free as anybody.”

  “They’ll get him.”

  “The sooner, the better.”

  We chatted for a few more minutes before Jason kissed me again and walked to his car. I watched over the hedge as he climbed into his Volvo. My warm feelings for him intermingled with my frustration over the police being unable to make an arrest. At last, I rose and stretched. Time to get back to work.

  The rest of the day passed quickly as I hammered out more details for my marketing project. As I was approaching the end of the day, my cell phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket and checked the caller ID. Kimmie. What did she want?

  “Hello,” I said.

  “Dana, it’s Kimmie. I still haven’t received those status reports from you. I feel completely in the dark on this whole Wendy thing.”

  Considering I was the only one of us working on Wendy’s murder, I wasn’t surprised. “I’m making progress,” I said. “How about you?”

  “I haven’t had time, but I thought we could meet at Le Poêlon tonight. You could give me the details in person, instead of typing everything up.”

  I glanced out the window and watched where the afternoon clouds had continued to move in. The air held the threat of rain. Did I want to risk driving to Mendocino during a storm? “Would this meeting include a meal?”

  Kimmie sighed. “I suppose feeding you is the least I can do. Even though you’re not sending me updates, I know you’ve spent a lot of time talking to Wendy’s associates.”

  Kimmie was finally acknowledging my efforts. And I’d get to try her food, too. That was definitely worth getting stuck in a deluge for. “How does seven work?”

  “Make it eight. See you then.” She clicked off.

  As usual, Kimmie had the last word.

  I finished up the day’s work and drove home. I found a note on the kitchen table from Mom, letting me know she was out with Lane. I had no idea where Ashlee was, though odds were good she was on a date as well.

  I watched television for a while, then went to my room and dressed for dinner in dark jeans, a drape-front white blouse, and boots. With my purse and keys in hand, I locked the front door on my way out. The first raindrops began to fall as I reached the driveway. Great.

  Once at my car, I got inside and slammed the door before I got any wetter. Then I started up the engine and flicked on the wipers and headlights. The wipers made a squeaking sound as I drove through town, but at least traffic was light. People were probably settling onto their couches for the evening, not driving through a rainstorm on a twisting road for a free meal. But talking to Kimmie might shake a few ideas loose in my head.

  I merged onto the highway and sped down the road, slowing as I reached the first curves. The dark pavement blended into the night. The white fog line was barely visible. At least the towering redwoods provided some cover from the rain.

  As I eased around a curve, headlights from an oncoming car blinded me. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if the car was in his lane or mine, and all I could do was send up a quick prayer. The car whizzed past, and I slowed down even further, wondering again what the heck I was doing.

  By the time I came out of the trees, my hands were cramped from gripping the steering wheel, and my face hurt from clenching my jaw. I reached the intersection with Highway 1 and loosened my hold on the wheel, glad to be on a straight stretch of road. The parking lot to Le Poêlon was jammed with cars, but I managed to squeeze my Honda between an oversized SUV and a four-door sedan. I held my purse over my head as I ran for the entrance.

  Inside the restaurant, I stopped at the hostess stand. A stylish young woman with platinum-blond hair cut short, and an impossibly thin body, looked down her nose at me. “Do you have a reservation?” Her cool tone implied she already knew I didn’t.

  Before I could answer, Kimmie swept in from the opposite direction. “She’s with me.”

  The hostess immediately switched from condescending to acquiescent. “Of course, Mrs. Wheeler.”

  Kimmie grabbed my hand and led me through the dining room, winding past a series of small tables pushed close together. At last, we reached a table for two next to the swinging door, back where servers brought food from the kitchen. I smirked. Not the best table in the place, but at least she wasn’t making me eat in the kitchen.

  As I sat down, a waiter appeared so fast, I was almost convinced he materialized right there at our table. He started to offer me a menu, but Kimmie waved it away.

  “We’re famous for our seared scallops,” she told me.

  “Sounds delicious,” I said.

  Kimmie tilted her head. “I suppose you’ll want something to drink, too. A glass of chardonnay, perhaps?”

  “Just iced tea, thanks.” No way was I ordering alcohol when I had to drive home in this weather.

  The waiter disappeared as fast as he’d appeared, and Kimmie leaned forward. “I’ve got ten minutes. Is that enough time to fill me in?”

  I unrolled my silverware and placed my napkin in my lap. “I’ll try. Earlier today, I found out that Lily was the one who broke the windows at Invisible Prints. She also scratched up my car. Did I tell you about that?”

  Kimmie drew her head back. “No, but she sounds crazy.”

  “She definitely has problems with her temper, which makes me wonder if she flipped when she found out about the missing money and killed Wendy on the spot. I don’t know why she would have killed Preston, thoug
h.”

  “If she’s nuts, maybe she didn’t have a reason.”

  I looked down at my hands. How sad if Preston had been murdered for no reason. Kimmie was watching me, so I continued. “I also discovered that Drew and Kurt are dating. Kurt convinced Drew to get a job at Invisible Prints and spy on his sister. Once Drew found out Wendy had stolen the money, she reported it to Marvin. I can’t imagine Kurt would kill Wendy before he witnessed the fallout. And Drew barely knew Wendy. It’s possible that Wendy discovered Drew had blown the whistle on the embezzlement and confronted her about it that morning at the festival. Drew could have waited until Wendy was alone and killed her, but that scenario doesn’t make much sense. As for Helen, it turns out that she had already discovered the missing money, but she was keeping quiet until she could line up another job. Maybe Wendy was feeling guilty about stealing the money and was going to confess, and Helen killed her to keep her quiet, hoping the missing money wouldn’t be noticed right away. But thanks to Drew, Marvin found out about it anyway.”

  “Wow, you’ve really learned a lot.” Kimmie used one long nail to scratch at a speck on the tablecloth. “I can’t believe the police haven’t solved this case. Why do I even pay my taxes if I can’t expect better service?”

  I almost told Kimmie about the police identifying a solid suspect, but I decided against it. Jason had told me that in confidence, and I’d already slipped up once before when speaking with Preston. Instead, I said, “It’s only a matter of time.”

  She checked her watch. “Speaking of time, I keep meaning to stop by Invisible Prints, but I’ve been too busy. Wendy and I had tickets to a very exclusive fund-raiser tomorrow night. Everyone who’s anyone will be there. The tickets are in her office, but that place is creepy, and I don’t want to pick them up alone. Can you go with me?”

  “You want to go now? No one will be there this late. How would we get in?”

  “Wendy gave me a spare key, remember?”

  My two earlier visits to Invisible Prints had both been brief, and I’d learned little. Surely, Wendy’s office held some information. “Count me in.”

  A sizzle announced the arrival of my scallops, accompanied by the mouthwatering scent of herbs and butter. As the waiter set the plate on the table, Kimmie rose. “We’ll leave when you’re done eating. In the meantime, I have work to do.”

  I picked up my fork, ready to dive into the scallops. With the invitation to poke around Invisible Prints, I had to lecture myself to eat slowly and savor the meal. Still, I was anxious to get to the office. The police lacked the evidence right now, but maybe the killer had made a mistake. And I could find it.

  34

  After I’d devoured each scallop morsel and sopped up every drop of sauce with bread, I finished my iced tea and signaled to Kimmie. She excused herself from her conversation with a waiter and came to my table.

  “All finished?” she asked.

  I patted my belly. “I might not be able to stand up from this table! I’m so full.”

  “Well, try. We need to get over to Invisible Prints. I don’t want to be gone from the restaurant too long.”

  “After that meal, accompanying you is the least I can do.” I rose. “Let’s take separate cars, so I don’t have to double back.”

  “Fine. Are you parked out front?” When I nodded, she said, “My car’s in back. We can meet at Invisible Prints.”

  I walked past the tables full of diners and out the front door of the restaurant. The rain fell steadily as I rushed to my car. Once inside, I ran my fingers through my wet hair and got out my phone. Mom and Ashlee were probably still on their dates, but I felt the need to call someone and let them know my plans. This weather was looking more treacherous every minute, and I wasn’t crazy about driving in it.

  After I left messages for them, I called Jason. “Hi, I just wanted to touch base. I’m over here in Mendocino and had the most amazing scallop dish of my life at Kimmie’s restaurant.”

  “Are you gloating?” he asked. I could hear the teasing in his voice.

  “Maybe a little.”

  “If you’re done eating, does that mean you’re about to drive home in this storm?”

  “Afraid so, after a quick trip to Invisible Prints. Kimmie has to find some tickets she and Wendy purchased together, and she’s too chicken to go by herself.”

  “Sounds like Kimmie. Drive carefully and call me as soon as you get home.”

  “Will do.” I stuck the phone back into my pocket, started the engine, and followed the highway along the coastline. My headlights illuminated the bent eucalyptus trees, which bordered the road, looking like specters reaching down to pluck my car into the air. I almost missed the turnoff to Invisible Prints, the driveway nothing more than an extra dark shadow off to one side. Through the rain, the building itself was barely discernible.

  I pulled into the driveway, parked as close to the front door as possible, and killed my headlights. Darkness fell over the car like a heavy blanket, making me feel all alone in the world. I listened to the rain drumming on my car roof until headlights swept up the drive. Kimmie pulled in next to me.

  I took a moment to enjoy the dryness of my car, then stepped out and darted for cover under the eaves, motioning for Kimmie to join me as I ran by. While I shivered beneath the overhang, I watched as her car door opened and a large umbrella popped into view. She stepped out, as if on a Sunday stroll through the park, and walked to where I waited.

  “Dana, you’re going to get soaked. Why on earth don’t you have an umbrella?”

  I already was soaked, but she probably realized that. “I forgot to grab one on my way out the door.”

  “I always carry an umbrella with me. This type of foresight has helped me so much in life.”

  “Great. Let’s get this over with.” I moved to the side while she opened her purse. She pulled out a key and inserted it into the lock. Moments later, we were inside the building.

  Even with so many windows, the interior was pitch-black on this dark night. I shuddered, wishing I didn’t watch so many horror films. Kimmie hit the switch on the wall. A soft glow bathed the lobby. “I’m sure Wendy left the gala tickets in her office.” She climbed the stairs, and I followed. She stopped at the first door and turned on the light inside the room.

  I hadn’t been inside Wendy’s office on my earlier visits. While Kimmie rummaged through the desk drawers, I studied the room. The furniture was mostly glass and metal, its stark appearance reminiscent of Wendy’s living room. The walls held pale prints of pink orchids and white daisies. On the desk, an eight-by-ten photo in a sterling silver frame showed Wendy and Preston laughing together. I looked away, and my gaze fell on the shredder. What had Drew said? That the scraps of paper were in the wrong shredder?

  “Found them!” Kimmie held two tickets aloft for me to see before she stuffed them into her purse. “Thanks for coming with me. Now let’s go. I need to get back to the restaurant.” She hustled toward the door, but I didn’t move.

  “Can’t you wait a few minutes?” I asked. “As long as we’re here, let’s look around.”

  Kimmie turned back. “What for?”

  “Anything. I might find information that will help me figure out the motive for these murders.”

  She inched closer to the door. “I’m sure the police already have everything. Besides, what you’re suggesting doesn’t seem quite legal.”

  I gestured toward the desk. “We’re here for a perfectly valid reason. You even used a key.”

  “Sounds sketchy to me. Do you have any idea what my friends would say if I got arrested for trespassing? They’d kick me right out of my Women of High Morals Club.”

  I wouldn’t mind getting kicked out of a club with a name like that, but Kimmie seemed troubled by the idea. “No one’s getting arrested. All you have to do is stand here. Come on, Kimmie. You’re the one who insisted I find out who killed Wendy. The least you can do is spare a few minutes.”

  She yanked on her jacket lap
els. “You might not care about your reputation, but I do. Make sure you close the door all the way when you leave. It locks automatically.” She turned on her heel and strode out. All I could do was watch her, mouth agape, as she clomped down the stairs and out the door.

  Now, what was I supposed to do? I was already here. It would be silly to leave without looking around, but I wasn’t crazy about staying here alone.

  Kimmie was probably right. The police must have found anything that might be important by now. But as I moved toward the door, I glanced again at the shredder. What had Drew meant when she said she would have found the evidence sooner, except it was in the wrong shredder? Had Drew’s remark been the ramblings of a drunk, or did she have important information that she would have explained if Kurt hadn’t shown up right then? It was definitely an odd comment. I’d take two minutes to call her about it, and then I was out of here.

  I pulled out my phone, glad I’d stored Drew’s contact information on it. I tried to ignore the silent office and the dark outside as I waited for the call to connect. Drew answered on the second ring, sounding more sober than the last time we’d talked.

  “Drew, it’s Dana. I wanted to ask you about something you told me yesterday.”

  She interrupted me before I could ask. “Ignore everything I said. I was drunk. Kurt’s a nice guy, and I don’t want you to think he isn’t.”

  “I don’t want to talk about Kurt. It’s those shredded documents you found.”

  Drew exhaled loudly into the phone. “I’m not an accountant. Who knows what I found? I only thought they were suspicious, but Marvin realized right away it was proof that Wendy stole all that money.”

  “But you said you found them in the wrong shredder. What did you mean?”

  “Oh, that. I never found anything in Wendy’s shredder, at least nothing I could piece together. But I figured as long as I was snooping, I might as well open all the shredders. Kurt just knew Wendy was up to no good. I found the documents in Helen’s office. I guess Wendy figured she’d be doubly careful by using someone else’s shredder to get rid of everything.”